Hong Kong: FS promotes HK in Paris

On day two of his visit in France, Financial Secretary Paul Chan attended the Think Business Think Hong Kong events organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).



Mr Chan first toured an exhibition arranged by the HKTDC that introduces Hong Kong to the French business community.



At a symposium associated with the exhibition, he gave a speech promoting business opportunities in Hong Kong and the citys unique advantages.



Mr Chan said that the one country, two systems principle as well as the implementation of the principle in Hong Kong, would both be upheld in the long run by the country. He described it as the best arrangement for Hong Kong to maintain long-term stability and prosperity after its return to the motherland.



He pointed out that with the staunch support of the country, the city enjoys the unique advantages of connecting to the Mainland market, while continuing to uphold the rule of law and the common law system.



Additionally, he noted that together with the free flow of capital, information, goods and talent, Hong Kong is an important two-way gateway connecting the Mainland and the world, and the best springboard for French enterprises to tap into the Asian region.



Mr Chan emphasised that in addition to sectors such as financial services in which Hong Kong has traditional strengths, the city is seeing prosperous development in new areas including innovation and technology, green tech and green finance as well as cultural and creative industries.



He encouraged French enterprises to make full use of Hong Kong's development opportunities in these new areas and expand into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and regional markets.



Mr Chan then visited a concept store run by Europes largest design exhibitor Maison et Objet (M&O) in Paris. In January of 2024, a total of 10 Hong Kong designers will participate in events in Paris commemorating the exhibitors 30th anniversary.



M&O is also in discussion with Create Hong Kong to stage joint thematic design activities in Hong Kong later next year.



In the afternoon, the finance chief called on Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye and updated him on the latest developments in Hong Kong.



Mr Chan then took part in a Hong Kong-France Business Council meeting where he met various French business leaders. They exchanged views about deepening commercial and trade ties between Hong Kong and France.



In the evening, Mr Chan attended the Hong Kong Dinner in Paris event, which was also organised by the HKTDC.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Cuban president urges global equity, justice

Xinhua) 09:32, September 20, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Amidst the growing challenges of hunger and poverty, developing nations remain steadfast in their enduring struggle for a more just and equitable world, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez said at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

Speaking on behalf of the Global South, the president advocated for the reform of international financial systems and a significant increase in backing for sustainable development and climate initiatives.

Cuba last week hosted the summit of the Group of 77 (G77) and China, the largest developing country organization at the United Nations, comprising more than 130 nations.

Diaz-Canel reminisced that the bloc was founded six decades ago with the mission to rectify centuries of inequality and neglect, now representing approximately 80 percent of the world's population.

G77 countries "do not only have the challenge of development; they also have the responsibility of modifying those structures which marginalize us from social progress and turn many peoples of the South into laboratories for renewed forms of domination," he said, adding that "a new and more just global contract is imperative."

The Cuban leader discussed the lack of advancement in reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a particular emphasis during this year's UN General Assembly's High-Level Week.

World leaders adopted the SDGs eight years ago as a blueprint for a better world, with promises that include ending poverty and hunger, ensuring all children have access to quality education, and protecting the natural environment by 2030.

With the deadline approaching, "the panorama is bleak," he said, highlighting that 800 million people continue to suffer from hunger, while 760 million individuals, with two-thirds of them being women, lack the ability to read or write.

Diaz-Canel emphasized that the endeavors of developing nations alone are insufficient to materialize these goals, underscoring the need for tangible measures encompassing market access, fairer financial terms, technology transfers, and North-South collaboration.

"The G77 calls for rights and will continue to demand a profound transformation of the current international financial architecture because it is deeply unjust, anachronistic and dysfunctional, because it was designed to profit with the reserves of the South to perpetuate a system of domination that increases underdevelopment and replicates a pattern of modern colonialism," he said.

On the climate crisis, he censured industrialized nations for their failure to uphold their worldwide obligations, particularly regarding the annual mobilization of 100 billion U.S. dollars to aid developing countries in their efforts toward mitigation and adaptation.

He said the G77 will hold a Summit of Leaders of the South in the context of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) UN climate conference in Dubai later this year.

"COP28 will show whether or not beyond speeches, there is a real political will on the part of developed nations to achieve the agreements required in this field that cannot be postponed for any longer," he said.

The president also voiced opposition to "unilateral coercive measures, euphemistically referred to as sanctions," imposed on Cuba and other nations, including Venezuela, Nicaragua, Zimbabwe, Syria, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Iran.

He strongly condemned the suffocating economic blockade of 60 years imposed upon Cuba by the United States, labeling it as "completely unilateral and unwarranted."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
BEAVER DAM  The Beaver Dam City Council on Monday unanimously approved a developer's agreement with Generac Power Systems, which is slated to become one of the city's biggest employers when its new factory is completed in late 2024 or early 2025.

"It is another great day in Beaver Dam," Beaver Dam Mayor Becky Glewen said on Tuesday.

Headquartered in Waukesha, Generac makes home and commercial generators along with a wide range of other power products.

"As a proud Wisconsin-based company, we look forward to having a strong and positive presence in the city of Beaver Dam," Generac CEO Aaron Jagdfeld said. "We sincerely appreciate the city's support and warm reception and are excited to break ground later this year."

Oliver Construction Co., of Oconomowoc, which has worked with Generac in the past, has already created renderings of the new facility.

"We understand that Generac is a Wisconsin institution, and we couldn't be more excited about them joining the Beaver Dam businesses community," said Trent Campbell, the city's economic development director.

The 322,000-square-foot facility for the production of industrial generators will be built in the Highway 151 Business Park beginning this fall. The factory is expected eventually to employ between 350 and 400 workers.

Generac has agreed to guarantee a $35 million assessed property value when its buildout is completed, Glewen said.

"That will roughly create $740,000 per year tax payment for the city, county, schools and Moraine Park when the TID (tax incremental district) is closed  and we expect that values will go up in the future as well," Glewen said. "The city should also benefit from growth in the tax base from housing, etc., that is needed in order to continue to attract a new workforce."

When TID 7 closes in 2038 at least half of the projected $740,000 payment will be used for taxpayer relief and reduce total taxes collected per state statute, city Administrator Nathan Thiel said. The remainder will be allocated to city, county, school and Moraine Park Technical College to support general operations.

"Also built into this developer's agreement is the opportunity for future expansion by Generac, and we look forward to Generac growing here in our community," Thiel said

The addition of Generac will help Beaver Dam work toward the city's economic goals as well, Glewen said.

"Businesses realize the advantages of our easy access to the Highway 151 corridor, short distances to metro areas, strong work ethic from Wisconsin employees, and a community that values creating a high quality of life for residents offering multiple housing options, restaurants, shopping, an active arts district, outdoor recreation opportunities and excellent schools," Glewen said.

The manufacturing facility would have positions including manufacturing and office employees.
A Chicago man has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the August 2022 shooting death of a man on Madisons North Side.

According to a criminal complaint filed Monday, after Calutan Jefferson, 32, was arrested on Thursday at the Dane County Courthouse he began to get emotional, telling officers who were walking him to the Dane County Jail, Im never getting out, and Im going to die in here, without asking what homicide he had been arrested for.

Jefferson had been at the courthouse Thursday for an initial appearance that morning in an unrelated misdemeanor case, according to court records.

He was back in court on Monday, where bail was set at $1 million.

Jefferson was charged with homicide for the Aug. 12, 2022, shooting death of Corey D. Mitchell, 31, of Fitchburg, who died after he was shot in the parking lot of an apartment building in the 1700 block of Northport Drive.

Most of the events surrounding the shooting were captured on security video.

Another man, Jamichael D. Scates, 22, of Madison, was charged in November with harboring or aiding a felon after it was alleged he had driven Jefferson to and from the scene of the shooting.

Scates was also identified as the cousin of a witness who told police that Mitchell was also his cousin. The witness said he was closer to Mitchell, adding that Mitchell was like an older brother to him. Scates and Mitchell are also cousins, the complaint states.

According to the complaint:

The witness told police Scates pulled up driving a vehicle with another man in the front passenger seat and Jefferson in the back seat. He said Mitchell was trying to fight with Jefferson, but did not know why. Scates and the other man had gotten out of the vehicle and were standing by the passenger side, the witness said. Mitchells father was also standing near that side of the vehicle.

Mitchell tried to punch at Jefferson through the vehicles back window, the witness said, and then he heard a pop sound. Mitchell then went toward the back of the vehicle and fell.

Mitchells father told police he believed his son had a beef with Jefferson.

The security video shows the moment Mitchell was likely shot, then Mitchell going toward the back of the vehicle and falling. Scates, who had been outside the vehicle, is seen going back toward the drivers side.

Security video outside the apartment where Scates girlfriend lived on Leopold Way in Fitchburg showed him getting into the same vehicle about two hours before the shooting, then arriving back there about 20 minutes after the shooting with a man identified as Jefferson, going inside, then back out.

Jefferson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 5. Scates case remains pending.
Dane County Board Chair Patrick Miles has named the three men appointed to fill vacancies on the Dane County Board left by a trio of supervisors who resigned this summer.

The nominees will face a confirmation vote by the full board on Thursday, an end to a process that's faced criticism by some supervisors who wanted the nominees to pledge not to run for reelection next spring. The appointments come as the board pivots to budget talks this fall.

The nominees are:

Jay Brower, a labor organizer with SEIU Wisconsin,

Chad Kemp, the president of the Verona City Council,

and Steven Peters, a former board supervisor and an administrator for worker's compensation with the state Department of Workforce Development.

The nominees were among a field of nine candidates who faced hearings on Sept. 6 and 7.

"The quality of the applicants made this a difficult decision," Miles said in a statement. "I think each person I am appointing holds views consistent with the incumbent the voters last chose."

If confirmed, Brower will represent District 13, which encompasses parts of student-heavy areas of the Near West Side of Madison. Kemp would take over in District 32, representing parts of Verona and the town of Verona. Peters would represent parts of the West Side of Madison in District 9.

Verona Mayor Luke Diaz commended Miles' selection of Kemp. Kemp has led Verona's finance committee and helped improve the city's bond rating and residents' access to affordable housing, Diaz said.

The nominees will fill the seats of Mike Bare, Alex Joers and Olivia Xistris-Songpanya, who all announced their resignations in August.

Bare and Joers serve in the state Assembly and were both elected to the posts last November.

Sup. Jeff Weigand, who represents Marshall in the 20th District, has claimed that the resignations were timed to prevent special elections in the district. If Bare, Joers and Xistris-Songpanya had resigned prior to July 30, special elections would have been held.

Weigand, one of the few conservative voices on the board, has said that the incumbent status of the nominees will give them an advantage if they choose to run for the seats this spring.

"We support giving voters a fresh, free and fair opportunity to elect the candidates that they want to represent them," Weigand said in a guest column in the Wisconsin State Journal earlier this month.

Today in history: Sept. 19 1984: Hong Kong 1985: Mexico City 1995: The Unabomber 2004: Hu Kintao 2008: George W. Bush 2011: Barack Obama 2013: Vatican 2016: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt 2017: Mexico City Earthquake 2020: Donald Trump 2020: Protests
The traffic can literally be bumper-to-bumper and test the patience of even the most experienced commuter.

The daily barrage of cars, trucks and other vehicles has become too much for the two-lane, 3-mile stretch of Highway M in the town of Westport.

A $20 million project between Oncken Road near Governor Nelson State Park and Highway 113 began Tuesday and will expand the county roadway to four lanes to Willow Road, resurface the highway from Willow Road to Highway 113, add turn lanes at key intersections and build a second bridge over a feeder creek to Lake Mendota.

The effort is meant to make the roadway safer, easier to navigate and less stressful for harried motorists. It's scheduled to be completed in November 2024.

"It's going to mean some pretty good stuff when it's done. We're pretty excited about traffic finding its way through the town in a more efficient way and not have some of the accidents and problems we've had," said Dean Grosskopf, administrator and treasurer for the town of Westport.

"But we're going to be faced with some trouble, I think, for the next year and it's going to be a problem for us as we're going to be disproportionally affected because we're going to have a lot of traffic that's going to find its way onto town roads."

The project will not pause for the Wisconsin winter as crews will work through the cold months to construct a new bridge over Six Mile Creek. The bridge will ultimately be used to carry eastbound traffic, while the existing two-lane bridge will get a new deck and be used to carry westbound vehicles, according to plans.

Highway M is scheduled to remain open throughout the project, but Woodland Drive, between Carriage Ridge Conservancy Park and Highway M and a key thoroughfare for some Waunakee residents, is expected to be closed for the next two months for excavation work.

Other components to the project include an off-road, multi-use trail connecting Governor Nelson State Park to Highway 113; expansion of the existing box culvert for Dorn Creek; increased stormwater runoff control and a posted speed limit of 40 mph.

Federal highway aid is funding $13 million of the costs while Dane County will add $6 million and the town of Westport $1 million, said Dane County Executive Joe Parisi.

As the fastest growing county in the state of Wisconsin, it is important for us to upgrade Dane Countys roadways to maintain public safety," Parisi said in a press release. "This section of Highway M needs repairs and improvements to accommodate the needs of our community."

Long time coming

As it cuts through Middleton, Highway M has four lanes, but just two blocks east of Highway Q, it narrows to two lanes and travels 5 miles before going to four lanes just west of Highway 113. The road is popular for commuters from Waunakee, DeForest, Windsor and Madison's North Side, but much of the traffic enters or exits Highway M at Highway K, which connects with Highway 12 north of Middleton.

For decades, the county has studied and planned for some sort of improvements to transit north of Lake Mendota and was close to creating a North Mendota Parkway in 2004, which would have created a "North Beltline" from Interstate 39-90 near Windsor to Highway 12 near Middleton. But funding for the project was never secured.

The stretch north of Lake Mendota isn't the only section of Highway M to see improvements. On Madison's Far West Side to Verona  from Valley View Road to Cross Country Road  Highway M underwent, beginning in 2017, an even larger expansion that added more lanes to accommodate not only commuters going from Verona to Madison but thousands of Epic Systems Corp. employees headed to the medical software company's campus on Verona's west side.

Growing suburbs

Dane County, with a population of more than 563,000 people, has added about 130,000 residents over the past 20 years, with a large segment of that growth happening in the suburbs. And many of those residents work in Madison's inner core.

Brian Rice, an engineer for the county, said most two-lane roads become candidates for expansion when they hit 15,000 vehicles a day. However, traffic estimates for Highway M in the town of Westport are at about 20,000 vehicles a day and are projected to grow to 27,000 by 2045.

"I think the biggest efficiencies you'll see will be at the intersections," Rice said. "Additional turn lanes being added will help clear those intersections, especially at (Highway) K and Woodland. You'll see some pretty significant improvements."

Grosskopf, who has been involved in town of Westport government since the early 1980s, said Highway M was never designed to handle the existing traffic loads. The town hall is located along Highway M at Mary Lake Road, but it's not uncommon for those leaving the town hall to head north instead of trying to turn onto Highway M. The increased traffic became pronounced by 2015 but subsided in 2020 due to many people working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, the crush of traffic has now returned.

"It's been almost intolerable," Grosskopf said. "It's really kind of a mess."
North Charleston, S.C.  The pilot of a $100 million stealth fighter jet parachuted safely into the backyard of a home in South Carolina after a malfunction forced him to eject from the aircraft, causing the plane to crash into a wooded area about 60 miles away.

A U.S. Marine Corps official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the investigation into Sunday's crash said the aircraft was not found until the next day. A state law enforcement helicopter located the jet and debris around 5 p.m. Monday in a field near Indiantown, South Carolina.

The pilot, who has not been identified by the Marine Corps, did not have serious injuries and has been discharged from the hospital.

Hes unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather, someone can be heard saying of the pilot on audio from a Charleston County Emergency Medical Services call shared Tuesday by a local meteorologist.

A trip that began as a routine training flight did not last very long. The pilot experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject Sunday at an altitude of about 1,000 feet just 1 mile north of Charleston International Airport, according to a situation report given to AP by the Marine Corps official.

More questions than answers remained Tuesday around how an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter wound up leaving a debris field described as extensive by the local sheriffs department. Officials closed about one mile of road indefinitely as they continued searching rural Williamsburg County for any wreckage. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

Federal, state and local officials worked Sunday to locate the jet, and the military appealed to the public for help in finding the aircraft, which is built to evade detection.

The Marine Corps said the pilot of a second F-35 returned safely Sunday to the base where both aircraft had departed earlier that day for the routine training flight.

In a military aviation incident where there are two or more aircraft, its standard practice for remaining aircraft to stay on location, said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps Reserves colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. If one goes down the other will circle to make sure the pilot is safe and relay the crash location information, Cancian said.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was designed in three variants. There is the F-35A Air Force version and the Navys F-35C, which is equipped for carrier takeoffs and landings. Then theres the Marine Corps F-35B variant, which can hover and take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The aircraft involved in Sundays crash was an F-35B, the Marines said.

Each variant has an ejection seat. The Marine Corps variant has a specialized seat that can auto eject to better protect pilots in case an incident occurs while the plane is in hover mode. An F-35B crashed last December in Fort Worth while descending in hover mode and the pilot safely ejected.

Jeremy Huggins, a spokesperson at Joint Base Charleston, told NBC News that the jet was flying in autopilot mode when the pilot ejected from the aircraft. Huggins told The Washington Post on Sunday that the warplane has different coatings and different designs that make it more difficult than a normal aircraft to detect. He added that the jets transponder was not working for an undetermined reason.

Huggins would no longer answer questions Monday, according to Joint Base Charleston, as the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing had taken the lead on communications related to the mishap. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing said there was an investigation ongoing and would not share any more details.

The jet belongs to the most expensive weapon system program in the U.S. Department of Defense, according to a May 2023 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Department of Defense is weighing its options to modernize the engine, according to the report, and the overtasked cooking system requires that the engine operate beyond its design parameters.

The extra heat is increasing the wear on the engine, reducing its life, and adding $38 billion in maintenance costs, the report found.

The Marine Corps announced Monday it was pausing aviation operations for two days after the fighter jets crash. Three Class-A mishaps have occurred over the past six weeks, according to the announcement. Such incidents occur when damages reach $2.5 million or more, a Department of Defense aircraft is destroyed, or someone dies or is permanently disabled.

Commanders will spend the stand-down reinforcing safe flying policies, practices and procedures with their Marines, according to the Monday release.

The announcement gave no details on the two previous incidents. But in August, three U.S. Marines were killed in the crash of a V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a training exercise in Australia, and a Marine Corps pilot was killed when his combat jet crashed near a San Diego base during a training flight.
So now its Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates turn to be pilloried for sending a child to a private high school.

That story sounds familiar, said my very astute wife, a product of Chicago public schools.

It should sound familiar, and not only in Chicago.

It has become a grand tradition in journalism and politics to uncover a high-profile official who is responsible for public schools, yet  oops!  puts their own offspring in a private school.

Confronted with the evidence, Davis Gates has confirmed reports that, despite her stated opposition to the allocation of public funds to pay for private schools, she and her husband send the oldest of their three children to a Catholic high school.

As a fellow parent, I sympathize. Besides, shes hardly alone. In Chicago, I recall how former President Barack Obama, former Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Obamas education secretary, among others, all had their wrists similarly slapped in public for putting their children in private schools.

And lets not pick only on the politicians. Increasingly, I find evidence of Black folks, including my own family, friends and neighbors, who look favorably on the idea, including Black teachers.

Studies dating back to President Ronald Reagans conservative revolution in the 1980s, various university and think tank studies discovered sizable percentages of public school teachers also were sending their own children to private schools.

In Chicago, for example, a 2004 Fordham Institute study found that 39% of Chicagos public school teachers sent their children to private schools, compared with a national average of 12% of all children who were educated privately.

But to paraphrase Harry Truman, if you cant stand the heat, stay out of the classroom. Or the union hall.

I have always been sympathetic to teachers unions, because I appreciate education as the most effective anti-poverty program I know, if  and this is a big if  the schools have adequate resources.

The Chicago Teachers Union, like others, opposes vouchers because they threaten to remove students and drain resources from public schools. But Davis Gates is even harshly critical of the six-year-old Invest in Kids Scholarship Tax Credit Program, which is struggling to survive as the Illinois General Assembly hasnt decided whether to extend its funding.

Davis Gates, like so many other activists looking to rally their troops, knows how to stand the heat and raise some of her own. But it didnt help matters when she said on social media last year that school choice was actually the choice of racists. It was created to avoid integrating schools with Black children.

Yes, some historical truth supports that, yet its lack of context makes critical race theory sound mild. In short, white racism is by no means the primary motive behind the school choice movement.

Ill never forget how, when a privately funded voucher program was launched in Washington, D.C., a few years back, the line of eager and desperate parents, most of them Black, stretched around the block.

Small wonder. Parents, teachers, political leaders and voters need to lower the rancor and build bridges of dialogue.

One of the luxuries of being a journalist is how it compels me to look at both sides of issues as thorny as this one. It helped me to stand back and see why vouchers so often have been denounced and dismissed.

Democrats, bless their hearts, have been just about as stubborn on this issue as their donkey mascot in failing to listen to their own constituents, many of whom like the idea.

Vouchers, which already are available in some districts around the country, can grant parents the freedom they too often have been denied  the freedom to shop around and choose for themselves where their education dollar can best be spent.

Let freedom ring!
The U.S. government has warned a Virginia judge that allowing a U.S. Marine to keep an Afghan war orphan risks violating international law and could be viewed around the world as "endorsing an act of international child abduction," according to secret court records reviewed by The Associated Press.

It is rare for the federal government to step into a local custody case, but concern about the child's fate has stretched across the Trump and Biden administrations. The Justice Department argued in the court documents that the dispute has ramifications that extend far beyond the rural courthouse where the girl's future is being decided.

Failing to return the child, now 4, to Afghan relatives in the U.S. could jeopardize American efforts to resettle Afghan refugees, threaten international security pacts and might be used as propaganda by Islamic extremists  potentially endangering U.S soldiers overseas, Justice Department attorneys and other U.S. officials warned in court filings seeking to intervene in the case.

The Justice Department was particularly scathing in its assessment of how Marine Maj. Joshua Mast and his wife convinced a Virginia judge to sign off on the adoption of the girl, who has been in their custody since 2021.

Citing a litany of "falsehoods," the Justice Department wrote that the court relied on "intentional misrepresentations" from the Marine and skipped critical safeguards to protect children being brought to the United States.

"The grave harm that the Masts have inflicted upon the Child, her family, and the United States is ongoing," Justice Department lawyers wrote in the court documents, which included signed declarations from State and Defense department officials. "Most troublingly, the child remains with the Masts to this day."

The documents were filed under seal this summer in the bitter custody battle over the child who was pulled by U.S. forces in 2019 from the rubble of a military raid.

Mast, who was on a short assignment as an attorney in Afghanistan, met the baby in a U.S. military hospital and became determined to bring her home.

The Masts and the girl's Afghan relatives, who are suing to get her back, have been ordered not to speak publicly about the case, and their lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.

Until now, the federal government's role in the case has remained mostly a mystery. The government filings represent just a fraction of the thousands of pages of documents, transcripts and exhibits that remain under seal, locked away with no word of when the public will be allowed to see them.

7,000 miles

In arguing that the girl should be returned to her Afghan relatives, the Justice Department wrote that the Masts, who were living in Fluvanna County at the time, convinced their local circuit court judge Richard E. Moore in 2019 that the child  7,000 miles away  was the "stateless" daughter of foreign fighters from an unknown neighboring country, and that the Afghan government intended to waive jurisdiction over her. A year later, Moore, who has since retired, made the adoption permanent.

The child, however, was never "stateless," the Afghan government did not relinquish its claim over her, and the orders "were obtained fraudulently by the Masts, who knowingly made false representations before the Virginia courts," the Justice Department wrote.

At the time, the baby was in the custody of the U.S. government, being treated at a military hospital in Kabul. The Afghan government was tracking down relatives, a State Department official wrote, and found an uncle who reported that the girl's father, a farmer, had been slain in the raid, along with his wife and five other children.

The documents reveal for the first time that concern about Mast's actions  and the court's decisions  reached the highest levels of the Trump administration. When the U.S. Embassy in February 2020 was working with the Afghan government to unite the child with her surviving relatives, Mast tried unsuccessfully to stop them, claiming the Afghan family was not biologically related.

'Flawed' order

Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed a cable to the embassy in Kabul that described Mast's custody order from Fluvanna County as "flawed in a number of respects," and questioned how any American court could have jurisdiction over an Afghan child.

The Red Cross took her to the Afghan family, who wept when they met her, according to a State Department declaration attached to the court filings. A young newlywed couple, the child's cousin and his wife, raised her for the next 18 months.

As the family grew and bonded, Mast tracked them down and tried to convince them to send the child to the United States by promising medical care, the Afghan family said last year. Later, in the summer of 2021, when U.S. troops withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over, Mast reiterated his offer of assistance, and helped arrange a Defense Department evacuation of the Afghan family.

When the Afghans arrived at a refugee resettlement camp in Virginia, the Justice Department wrote, Mast presented the adoption order to federal employees, who didn't know that the U.S. government had already deemed his claim to the girl to be flawed. Unwittingly, those employees helped Mast take custody of the child, and she's been with him ever since.

Associated Press writers Martha Mendoza, Claire Galofaro and Juliet Linderman contributed to this report.
OBITUARY | FRANK TUERKHEIMER, 84

Frank Tuerkheimer, a UW law professor and attorney who served on the legal team that prosecuted Watergate scandal co-conspirators during the 1970s and was the chief federal prosecutor in Madison during the Carter administration, died Saturday of pancreatic cancer at 84.

Tuerkheimer's career took him from New York City, where he was born, raised and began his law career, to shaping the minds of generations of lawyers who studied at the UW Law School, where Tuerkheimer joined the faculty in 1970.

"When all is said and done, to have done all those things and affected all those people," said former U.S. Attorney John Vaudreuil, who began his career working for Tuerkheimer and remained his friend. "He's there when his history is being made, he's a child of the Holocaust, he's writing about it, he's teaching about it."

Tuerkheimer's parents settled in New York City after fleeing Nazi Germany in 1939. His daughter, Deborah Tuerkheimer, said Tuesday that her father's personal connection to the Holocaust was important to him, and something he studied and taught extensively in his later years, including at the University of Giessen in Germany.

"To be back in Germany as a professor and teacher was profound," she said.

He also co-wrote a book, "The Forgotten Trials of the Holocaust," published in 2014, about 10 Holocaust-related war crimes trials that were not well known.

Tuerkheimer's UW teaching career had two important gaps.

National duty

In 1973, Tuerkheimer became an associate special prosecutor for a team first led by Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox. Thirty-five years old in 1975, he led the prosecution during the trial of John Connally, the former Texas governor who had been President Richard Nixon's treasury secretary. Connally was alleged to have taken $10,000 from a dairy industry lawyer in exchange for influencing the government to increase federal dairy price supports. He was acquitted.

President Jimmy Carter appointed Tuerkheimer the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin in 1977. Vaudreuil, who was hired by Tuerkheimer as a law clerk and later served as an assistant U.S. attorney before heading the office from 2010 to 2017, said Carter appointed many of the Watergate special prosecutor's team to similar jobs to combat corruption.

Before leaving the post in 1981, Tuerkheimer prosecuted a number of memorable cases, among them a bizarre accidental bombing case involving a scion of the Joyce Beverage Co., which owned a large 7-Up bottler in Madison. The bomb, designed to disrupt a Joyce stockholder meeting set to take place at a Joyce-owned estate in Minocqua, went off prematurely and killed Joseph Banno and blinded William Joyce Jr., who had been at odds with his family.

"He was really smart, but he was also a really fine lawyer," Vaudreuil said. "He could build cases. He knew how to bring witnesses and collect records and organize those things."

Vaudreuil said he last saw an ailing Tuerkheimer in July. Tuerkheimer, he said, told him with some excitement that if his cancer treatments progressed well, he would present a weekly five-part presentation on the 50th anniversary of the Saturday Night Massacre. The Oct. 20, 1973, series of events saw Nixon order the firing of Cox, the Watergate special prosecutor.

Tuerkheimer's own experience during that event, Vaudreuil said, was going out to dinner with friends that night and going back to their offices to find the FBI raiding their file cabinets and taking the files.

"He said, 'I remember thinking, this is how democracy falls, because the guys on your team are not on your team,'" Vaudreuil said.

Early years

Tuerkheimer graduated in 1956 from the Bronx High School of Science and in 1960 from Columbia University before getting his law degree from New York University Law School in 1963.

After serving as clerk for a federal judge in New York, Tuerkheimer helped write the constitution for the African nation of Swaziland (now called Eswatini) as an assistant to the newly independent country's attorney general.

In 1965, Tuerkheimer became an assistant prosecutor to Robert Morgenthau, then the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Morgenthau would later serve for 34 years as the Manhattan district attorney.

In a 1975 New York Times profile of Tuerkheimer, published as Tuerkheimer led the Connally trial, Morgenthau reflected on how the young Tuerkheimer had taken on a mission to fight fraud and corruption, citing a particular case that dealt with process servers who were illegally dispossessing people of their property.

"He believes that people who hold positions of trust should be held strictly accountable," Morgenthau said at the time.

Morgenthau also said of Tuerkheimer's departure for Madison that he was at heart "not a city boy."

'Very fortunate'

Deborah Tuerkheimer said in moving to Madison, her father "was very conscious about choosing a place to raise a family," and a place where he could be closer to nature and the outdoors, which became his passions. He especially loved to bike, she said.

"My dad always had a way of looking at things that was very practical," she said. "Teaching at the law school was something he felt very fortunate to do."

Morgenthau, who died in 2009, remained a friend of Tuerkheimer, and Deborah Tuerkheimer worked in Morgenthau's office as an assistant district attorney from 1997 to 2002.

Tuerkheimer is survived by his wife, Barbara Wolfson Tuerkheimer, also an attorney, whom he married in 1968, and their children, Deborah and Alan. Like Deborah, who now teaches law at Northwestern University, Alan is an attorney and owns a trial consulting firm in Chicago.

Deborah Tuerkheimer said her father is to be buried in a family plot in New York City. A memorial service in Madison is planned for Oct. 8 at Temple Beth El, she said.
Simpson earns A on Ukraine Report Card

Idaho Rep. Mike Simpson earned the highest possible grade in a new report card from a Republican coalition that believes the party should support Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.

Republicans for Ukraine launched its Ukraine Report Card campaign this week aimed at persuading Republican congressional members to support President Joe Bidens proposed $40 billion supplemental aid package for Ukraine, according to a news release.

Simpson received an A. His Idaho counterpart, Rep. Russ Fulcher, meanwhile, was slapped with an F.

Now is a pivotal time for Americans, especially Republicans, to support Ukraine, Gunner Ramer, national spokesman for Republicans for Ukraine, said in a news release. For just 5% of our annual defense budget, America has helped Ukraine destroy half of Russias army and liberate its territory and people. Thats a great return on investment for American national security.

The coalitions $1 million campaign also includes a 30-second ad airing nationally on Fox News through Friday and all month on YouTube. The ad will also air during this weeks four major Sunday news shows  This Week and Face the Nation on CBS, Fox News Sunday on Fox, and Meet the Press on NBC  and during the second Republican presidential primary debate on Sept. 27 on Fox Business.

To see the full report card, go online to https://gopforukraine.com/ukraine-report-card/.

Also:

U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, partnered with Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan this week to introduce the Rural Veterinary Workforce Act legislation to address veterinarian care in rural communities. In a news release, Crapo described rural veterinarians as crucial in maintaining animal health and welfare, and ensuring ranchers and farmers have access to care for their livestock.
TWIN FALLS  The state of Idaho is taking aggressive action after quagga mussel larvae were found in Centennial Waterfront Park on the Snake River, including temporarily closing the stretch of water from the park to Shoshone Falls in an effort to contain the invasive pest.

Other local lakes and waterways, including Murtaugh Lake, Shoshone Falls, Dierkes Lake, Wilson Lake, and Oakley Dam are closed to recreational watercraft as a preventative measure.

Results of routine early-detection monitoring by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture revealed that veligers, microscopic, free-floating larvae at the Twin Falls County park.

Gov. Brad Little spoke Tuesday at County West, painting a gloomy picture if the mussels were to become established in Idahos waterways.

It could cost the state $100 million per year if they become established, clogging pipes that deliver water for drinking, irrigation and energy and pose threats to Idaho wildlife, Little said.

An invasion of the quagga mussel is potentially disastrous, Twin Falls Canal Co. Manager Jay Barlogi told the Times-News on Wednesday.

The public will play a vital role in whether the all hands on deck effort is successful, Little said.

In addition to staying out of the water in the stretch from Centennial Park to Shoshone Falls, the public is asked to contact the state Department of Agriculture if they have taken watercraft  including boats, paddleboards, wakeboards, and kayaks  there during the last 30 days so they can make arrangements to have the watercraft treated at no cost to remove any mussels.

Systematic sampling was conducted in the stretch of the river on Tuesday, even as the press conference was taking place, and results will help determine how long the water will be closed to the public.

We are very sensitive to the potential impact to the recreational areas, but have a limited window to successfully mitigate the situation, said Chanel Tewalt, director of Idahos ag department.

We hope restrictions would not be in place for a long time, Tewalt said, adding that the river in that area will have aggressive monitoring for the next five years.

Access to Centennial Park is currently closed to all vehicles, said a news release from the Twin Falls County Sheriffs Office, with the hopes that the park will re-open on Saturday.

While working to determine the scope of the impacted area, ISDA officials will be exploring potential control strategies for the mussels, Tewalt said.

While Tewalt spoke of the best-case scenario, Little reminded people what would happen if the mussels began to be established in Idahos waterways.

Every water body in the state might have restrictions, making it inconvenient for boaters to move their crafts from one water body to another, the governor said. In addition, the state would be faced with a major financial burden and the cost of agriculture would go up.

Even native species would be affected, he said.

But Little said he was also optimistic about the situation, saying that the timing is right to give the state a fighting chance, as the late summers low water levels of the river will make containment easier.

This is a potential crisis, he said, but a manageable one.

The state has been trying to prevent a quagga mussel crisis for the last 15 years, conducting more than 1 million boat inspections at multiple watercraft inspection stations on major highways entering Idaho, in addition to conducting routine monitoring of waterways.

Watercraft users are encouraged to follow the Clean, Drain and Dry method for watercraft and equipment before entering and leaving Idaho waterbodies.

The invasive species showed up in the Great Lakes in the 1990s on cargo ships from Asia, and gradually moved to western states, including Nevada, Utah and Arizona.

We have been students for the last 15 years, Tewalt said, as state officials observed the successes and failures of states in trying to contain the mussels.

Monday is the first time a rapid response plan has been put into action for quagga mussels in Idaho.
Benzinga looks at the all-star financial moves that have placed NBA legend Micahel Jordan on the most recent Forbes 400 list of the world's ri
Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday renewed her call for China to pay in billions environmental damages in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) as she filed a resolution for the Senate to investigate the matter.

We should seek payment for damages caused by China in the WPS. We can get up to billions if we will oblige China to pay, stressed Hontiveros. They had already stolen our fishermens jobs and still, they ravaged our natural resources, she noted.

If China can only pay all their debts, this can help us cope with the economic crisis we are facing. The latest destruction involved the coral reefs in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal.

The Philippine Coast Guard confirmed that the destruction was most likely caused by Chinese maritime militia vessels.

Due to this, Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 804, condemning the massive coral harvesting and urging the appropriate Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the senator filed PSR No. 369, calling on the Executive to exert legal and diplomatic efforts so that China would foot the bill for our COVID-19 response.

This call came after Dr. Deo Onda, a scientist from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute, estimated that the Philippines was losing around P33.1 billion annually from the damaged reef ecosystems in Panatag Shoal and Spratlys Islands due to Chinas reclamation activities in the area.

Onda explained that the amount was determined using a baseline value of $353,429 or P18 million per hectare per year for coral reefs based on a study conducted by Elsevier, a Dutch company specializing in scientific, technical, and medical information and analytics.

This will not be the first time for us to seek reparations. Japan paid our country for her destruction of Manila during World War II, and in more recent history, the United States of America also paid the Philippines P87 million, after the USS Guardian damaged Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea. May karapatan tayong maningil, Hontiveros explained.

The resolution also states that the government cannot tolerate the continuing harm to the environment, economy, and security brought about by Chinas incursions, and must explore available resources to hold China accountable, including a claim for damages to be filed with the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Our 2016 Arbitral Award clearly invalidated Chinas sweeping and expansive claims in the WPS, she said. Hontiveros said this is a case we won because of our dogged commitment to abide by international law and to stick with the truth. It is only right that we pursue all options to make China pay.
Australia, France, and Israel are looking to expand their defense ties with the Philippines, their delegates told government and military officials in recent meetings.

The Australian Defense College is looking to expand its relationship with its Filipino counterparts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday.

This developed after a delegation from the Australian Defense College headed by Wing Commander Nicholas Pausina paid a courtesy call to AFP deputy chief of staff for education, training, and doctrine Maj. Gen. Noel Beleran at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.

France has reiterated its support to the ongoing AFP Modernization Program including the development of the countrys submarine force, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday.

This came following French Ambassador-designate Marie Fontanel-Lassalles introductory call to Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. on Sept. 14.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said this referred to the French Naval Groups commitment to help the Philippine Navy (PN) develop Subic Bay in Zambales into a modern base capable of handling submarine operations, should it win the contract for the construction and delivery of the warship capable of submersible operations. Vince Lopez

Meanwhile, a high-level Israeli defense delegation is set to visit the Philippines in November and discuss with counterparts ongoing Israeli projects and possible involvement in the next phase of the AFP modernization program.

The Israel Embassy in Manila said the delegation will be led by the head of Israels Ministry of Defense-International Defense Cooperation Directorate.

[They will also] discuss the next modernization program or the Horizon 3 and see where we can get more involved so these will be meetings mostly with the Defense officials, Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss told reporters at a forum in Quezon City on Wednesday.

Basically, this is (one of) the agenda and to understand what are the future technologies that will be needed here vis-a-vis the Horizon 3 and then to see where we can integrate the Israeli technology, he added.

Horizon 3 is slated for 2023 to 2028.

We are really looking forward to the opportunity to engage today. It is very much about the opportunity to expand our relationship. We are hoping to learn a lot, Australias Pausina said.

Both he and Beleran presented issues and challenges that students experience throughout the Command and General Staff Course, where Pausina shared their dedicated program of training for their students in the Australian Command and Staff College and the areas that they wanted to move forward with.

We are very grateful to you for continuing educational and exchange programs. The Philippine Government is very much thankful for the Australian Governments support and we are looking forward to working with you and other like-minded nations, Beleran said.
The Philippines is considering filing a new complaint against China before the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration following reports of damage to the corals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), supposedly by Chinese vessels that swamped the area.

The OSG (Office of the Solicitor General) is in the midst of a full-blown study on our legal options regarding the West Philippine Sea, including the filing of a new complaint with the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said.

Guevarra did not specify the concerns that would be raised in a new complaint, saying state lawyers were still gathering relevant information from all available sources.

The Philippines first filed a complaint against China in 2013 for its massive claims in the South China Sea under its nine-dash line claim.

On July 12, 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, determining that major elements of Chinas claimincluding its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waterswere unlawful.

China rejected the PCA ruling.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), meanwhile, said it will recommend the filing of cases against China for instances of extensive coral harvesting in the WPS.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would discuss the matter with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin as soon as possible.

We believe it can be done. We will pursue these cases against China because its no longer acceptable. We have a lot of evidence, he said.

Remulla said even without a territorial dispute, the destruction of the environment is a sin against humanity.

Remulla noted that sufficient evidence has been gathered over the years to support the filing of a case against China.

Its a very ripe case for adjudication. I think we can go on and tap the best legal experts in the country to help us. We have access to the best environmental lawyers. We will pursue these cases against China because we have a lot of evidence, Remulla said.

This has been happening for many years but the documentation started a few years ago. The last few months we were able to get more documentation on this matter, the DOJ chief added.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has repeatedly and consistently raised concerns over ecologically harmful activities conducted by foreign entities in the West Philippine Sea.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command on Saturday said that there were cases of massive coral harvesting in the Rozul Reef.

AFP-Western Command Commander Vice Admiral Albert Carlos said the military sent out divers after Chinese military militia vessels left the swarmed area to do an underwater survey.

And we saw that there were no more corals. The corals were damaged, and there was debris, Carlos said.

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed severe damage to the marine environment and coral reef in the seabed not only at the Rozul Reef (Iroquois) but also at the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

BRP Sindangan and BRP Cabra patrolled the two locations after 33 Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted at the Rozul Reef and 15 at the Escoda Shoal from Aug. 9 to Sept. 11.

The surveys conducted in Escoda Shoal revealed visible discoloration of its seabed, strongly indicating that deliberate activities may have been undertaken to modify the natural topography of its underwater terrain, PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said.

Tarriela said the corals were possibly harvested, processed, and returned to the seabed.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said the reported destruction of coral at the Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the WPS was still being validated.

Senator Risa Hontiveros renewed her call for China to pay billions in environmental damages in the WPS as she filed a resolution for the Senate to investigate the matter.

We should seek payment for damages caused by China in the WPS. We can get up to billions if we will oblige China to pay, Hontiveros said.

They had already stolen our fishermens jobs and still, they ravaged our natural resources, she said.

The senator filed a resolution condemning the massive coral harvesting and urging the appropriate

Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Meanwhile, National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said on Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered them to civilianize the approach to the Ayungin Shoal.

Malaya was asked if the Philippines should respond through the Philippine Navy, considering the China Coast Guard and maritime militias that are blocking the area are under the Chinese military commission.

That is a decision that has to be made by higher authorities because we want to keep the tension low in the WPS, Malaya said in an interview with ANC.

And there is an instruction from the President to civilianize the approach to Ayungin. So its going to be Coast Guard against Coast Guard, and the Navy is only in support, he added.

The CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels have been conducting dangerous maneuvers and using water cannons against Philippine ships during resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin.

The PCG earlier said it was ready to deploy more vessels to escort boats for resupply missions at Ayungin Shoal.

At least 43 diplomatic protests have been filed by the Philippines against Chinas actions in the West Philippine Sea this year as of Sept.12, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Philippine vessels were escorting indigenous boats to deliver food, water, fuel, and other supplies to troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal.

On Aug. 22, the PCG invoked international law and the countrys exclusive economic zone when it answered the radio challenges transmitted by its Chinese counterparts during the successful resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.

In a TV interview, Senator Francis Tolentino cited the need to beef up the budget for the security forces in the WPS and equip Filipino fishermen in the vicinity.

I think it would be better to equip our fisherfolk likewise, give them the necessary tools to really fish in the area but protect them as well, he added.
Takeshi Shimizu, the director behind the Japanese horror classic Ju-On: The Grudge, returns with a new spine-tingling film. This time, he explores a remote island cursed for centuries, where the boundaries between reality and the virtual world will blur in terrifying ways.

Entitled Immersion, the film stars one of Japans biggest stars, Daigo Nishihata, of the boy idol group Naniwa Danshi.

Daigo portrays the role of Tomohiko Kataoka, a genius brain scientist who is invited to Abominable Island by the chief of a virtual reality research team to enhance a virtual space project of the entire island.

Like many islands in Japan, Abominable is home to shamans, legends, and superstitions abound. One such legend is that of the Imajo, referring to a brutally murdered young woman who comes back as a vengeful spirit.

As Tomohiko gets on with business and puts on the VR goggles, darkness envelopes him in the virtual world, and an unidentifiable woman appears.

Suddenly, employees of the VR company who have traveled to work on the island project all turn up dead. All died the same way on the same day at the same time but at different places.

Two worldsone real and the other, not, begin to intersect. Tomohiko begins to unravel the mystery between the virtual space and Imajo.

Daigo is joined by Mizuki Yamamoto and Rina Ikoma.

Based on a secret local superstition of Amami Oshima island in Japan, Immersion is now showing in Philippine cinemas.
The Vibal Tertulia treated the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) attendees to a rarified spectacle of music, dance, and literary discourse last Sept. 16 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. The Tertulia was hosted by the Vibal Group and the Vibal Foundation at the 44th run of Manilas largest and longest-running book fair.

The pocket event featured distinguished authors discussing the origin stories of select books from Vibals extensive collection. Attendees, including media practitioners, scholars, publishers, art enthusiasts, and book lovers, were also treated to a feast for the sensesstraight-from-the-book dramatization, recorded interviews, point-of-view short films, and a series of evocative songs and folk dances that collectively served as a time machine to a bygone era.

Rediscovery and renewal

John L. Silva, executive director of the Ortigas Foundation Library and UNESCO commissioner, introduced the book Philippine Colonial Photography of the Cordilleras (1860-1930) curated by historian Jonathan Best, who was also present at the affair and subsequent book signing. The book showcases over 100 photos by notable colonial photographers, and documents a positive and beneficial attitude toward the people of the Cordilleras by visiting anthropologists and researchers.

Dr. Jose Victor Z. Torres chronicles the Walled City of Manila in two new books, Intramuros: The Story of Old Manila and Paseos de Intramuros: A Guidebook to Manilas Walled City. The books, considered sequels to Ciudad Murada: A Walk Through Historic Intramuros, prove that more can be learned from the past.

Dr. Javier Galvan, director of Instituto Cervantes, shared that his book, Heritage Churches of the Cagayan River Basin, stemmed from the realization that the churches in the Cagayan Valley were either unknown or unrecognized.

James Owen Saguinsin spoke of his quest to study forgotten masters, including National Artist Carlos Modesto Botong Franciscos mentor Juan Senson, in Nineteenth Century Masters of Angono Art.

Dr. Lino Dizon discussed the influence of the publications of the early printing press on the propaganda movement that propelled the Philippine revolution in Imprenta Ramirez y Giraudier, A Story of Late Nineteenth-Century Philippine Intellectuality.

National Artist Resil B. Mojares and Dr. Hope Sabangan-Yu, co-editors of More Cebuano Than We Admit: Aspects of Cebuano History, Culture, and Society, spoke of overlooked local and regional history as holding vital pieces of information about the Filipino national identity.

Lolo Jose, An Intimate and Illustrated Portrait of Jose Rizal, brings the national hero off his pedestal and into the realm of family lore through anecdotes documented by his grand-niece Asuncion Lopez Bantug.

Vibal has also made Philippine cultural history more accessible to Filipinos and foreigners alike through bilingual reprints of vintage Spanish texts.

These included The Adventures of Cayo Malinao and Other Philippine Novelettes (translated from the original Spanish into English) by Guillermo Gomez Windham, the countrys first Premio Zobel awardee, and La ultima corrida (The Last Bullfight, now a graphic novel translated into English and Filipino) by his grand-nephew Guillermo Gomez Rivera, also a Premio Zobel awardee.

As part of the Tertulia, Vibal also launched its Collected Philippine Stories for Young Readers, a series of storybook collections exploring themes like identity, family, community, the environment, and mythology, to foster a love of reading among the youth. Dr. Eugene Evasco, award-winning creative writer, scholar, and reading advocate, introduced the 28 new collections under Chikiting Books, plus his two new anthologies, Hiwaga: Philippine Myths and Tales and Gunita: Celebrating Filipino Visionaries.



70 years of Filipiniana

Atty. Andrea Pasion-Flores, President of the Book Development Association of the Philippines, congratulated Vibal on 70 years of publishing, particularly for the companys growing list of Filipiniana titles that have been recognized by award-giving bodies.

Todays tertulia highlights no less than 20 titles of excellently produced content that made major contributions to Philippine society. These large-format books are not just something the company can be proud of, but it also brings much pride to the entire book industry, to see that one of our own is committed to making wonderful books about our nation, said Atty. Pasion-Flores.

The tertulia concluded with Vibal Group CEO Kristine Mandigma thanking the speakers and acknowledging the Vibal team for their outstanding work for MIBF.

This is a special book fair for us because were celebrating our 70th year in business this year, said Mandigma, underscoring that, taking inspiration from its leadership, Vibal continues its legacy of publishing fine Philippine books, intelligent Philippine books, for readers in the Philippines and globally.

If you missed Vibal at MIBF, all newly released books will be available at their online shop. Visit https://shop.vibalgroup.com/ to place your order.




A group of ruling party MPs have walked out of South Sudans parliament on September 18, accusing President Salva Kiir of violating a peace agreement after the adoption of a controversial electoral law.

The dispute centers on the new laws extremely complex system for appointing members of parliament for the elections due to take place next year. The group of protesters accused the Speaker of Parliament, Jemma Nunu Kulba, of pushing the text through without giving them a fair opportunity to express their views on this crucial issue.

The proposal to give new powers to the President to appoint more MPs is tantamount to taking away the mandate and sovereignty of the people of South Sudan, denounced the group, which supports Vice-President Riek Machar, President Kiirs rival in the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM). Its undemocratic, unfair and not credible, he added.

After gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan descended into a civil war that left almost 400,000 people dead and millions displaced between 2013 and 2018. A peace agreement signed in 2018 provided for the principle of power-sharing between rivals Salva Kiir and Riek Machar within a government of national unity.

But tensions and violence continue in the worlds youngest country, rich in oil but where the majority of the population lives below the poverty line. After a transition period, elections were due to be held in February 2023. But the government has so far failed to meet key clauses of the agreement between Mr. Kiir and Mr. Machar, notably the drafting of a constitution.

In August, the two leaders extended their transitional government for two years beyond the scheduled date, citing difficulties in implementing their peace agreement. However, Mr. Kiir promised that elections would be held in 2024.
Cape Verde and global IT giant Microsoft will sign a memorandum of understanding for technological development and support in the areas of education, digital governance and entrepreneurship, the Cape Verdean government announced on September 19.

The signing will take place during the visit to the United States of Cape Verdes Prime Minister, Ulisses Correia e Silva, to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

The visit has been taking place since September 15 and will continue until September 23, when the government leader will address the annual UN meeting. The signing with Microsoft, on a day to be announced, is part of a parallel agenda of events.

The brand will be represented by Kate Behncken, vice president of Microsoft Philanthropies, and Justin Spelhaug, vice president and global head of social impact technologies at Microsoft Philanthropies.

The philanthropy arm of the company was announced in 2015 with the aim of contributing in new ways to a social ecosystem that brings the benefits of technology to those who need it most and also to drive inclusive growth in the global economy.

The Cape Verdean governments commitment to the countrys digital development is part of the delegations agenda in New York. The team includes the Secretary of State for the Digital Economy, Pedro Lopes, who is one of the speakers at a conference this Wednesday about progress on the 2030 Agenda (to achieve the 17 United Nations-based Sustainable Development Goals) with digital inclusion and advocacy policies.
The African Development Fund, an entity of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has approved funding of 20 million dollars to improve the business environment and boost smart agriculture in Mozambique, the institution announced Tuesday September 19.

This financing is the first of two successive general budget support operations for fiscal years 2023 and 2024, each worth around 20 million dollars the Fund, which manages the AfDBs concessional loans, said in a statement.

The support aims to create a favorable environment for the private sector for economic recovery and green growth, as well as to strengthen the efficiency, accountability and transparency of public spending.

It will allow Mozambique to streamline the regulatory framework and investment facilitation processes that promote private sector development and attract investment in climate-smart agriculture, the Fund adds in the document.

On the other hand, with this support, the AfDB wants to stimulate the development of agribusiness and finance efforts to integrate gender and climate action initiatives.

The program has a strong focus on private sector development, with particular emphasis on increasing the participation of this sector in key areas, particularly agribusiness, and a strong potential for job creation, including for women and youth, and is therefore expected to have a positive impact on development, said Leila Mokaddem, Director General of the banks Southern Africa Regional Development and Business Execution Office, quoted in the statement.

Official figures indicate that the African Development Bank Groups active portfolio in Mozambique stands at 1.19 billion dollars with the areas of energy, transport and agriculture among the priorities.
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:

As the fentanyl crisis gripped Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott ramped up border security, signed laws toughening criminal penalties for drug dealers and tied the problem to President Joe Biden's immigration policies.

In his third term as governor, Abbott has been as aggressive as any politician in responding to calls to do something to stop people from dying from the illicit drug.

"Texas is on the front lines of dealing with the fentanyl crisis caused by Biden's open border policies," Abbott said in August during a speech in Dallas.

"Just Texas law enforcement alone has seized more than enough fentanyl to kill every man, woman and child in the entire United States of America," he said. "The number of Americans who would have lost their lives, if it were not for what Texas is doing, is completely incalculable."

Abbott's effort to fight fentanyl has centered around his marquee initiative, Operation Lone Star, a nearly $10 billion effort to secure the border. In that August speech, Abbott said that Biden should send him an oversized "thank you" card for his efforts. Since March 2021 Texas has spent over $4.5 billion on Operation Lone Star, and $5 billion more was allocated this year.

But according to U.S. border authorities, about 90% of illicit fentanyl is seized at official crossings, and the drugs are rarely carried by migrants or asylum-seekers sneaking into the U.S.

In 2021, U.S. citizens made up 86.3% of convicted fentanyl traffickers, or 10 times greater than the number of illegal immigrants convicted of the same offense, according to the Cato Institute, citing U.S. Sentencing Commission data. In 2018, U.S. citizens comprised 80% of convicted fentanyl traffickers, according to the commission.

The Texas Department of Public Safety, however, says state law enforcement has seized 426 million lethal doses of fentanyl in areas not actively patrolled by the federal government.

The disparate views of the fentanyl crisis reflect the complex political tug of war between Abbott and federal officials over immigration and border security policy.

Abbott has used the fentanyl fight as a weapon against Biden and others in the long-running political battle over immigration. Border security has always been a rallying point for Republicans across the country, and Abbott's feud with Biden has made him a national figure.

"It's become politicized and caught up in the issue with the border security, and I just don't really think that the two things are all that related," said Katharine Harris, a drug policy fellow at Rice University. "The drugs are coming in because we have a demand for drugs here. And focusing on the border isn't doing anything to address the problem of drug demand in the U.S."

Jim Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, shares Harris' perspective: "When you start putting fentanyl in strong frames like criminal justice and border security, the public health elements of it almost inevitably recede to some degree."

While the growing community of victims' families applauds some of Abbott's work, many say the state's approach should be broader. To the law-and-order policies that resonate with the Republican political base, they want the governor and lawmakers to add more resources for treatment, prevention and awareness.

They urge elected leaders to get their facts straight, tell the complete story and listen to the families of fentanyl victims, instead of using them as props.

"We are not political pawns," said Stefanie Turner, founder of Texas Against Fentanyl, a group that raises awareness of the perils of taking the synthetic opioid.

Fentanyl seizures, tougher penalties

The Texas Department of Public Safety says it has seized just over 1,880 pounds of fentanyl across the state as part of Operation Lone Star, which launched in March 2021. About 2 milligrams of fentanyl is considered lethal by the DEA, so the DPS calculates it has seized over 426 million lethal doses.

By comparison, nationwide, the DEA says it seized the equivalent of over 387.9 million lethal doses of fentanyl in 2022, and over 204 million lethal doses so far this year.

The number of fentanyl doses seized by Texas authorities promotes the assertion that the federal government's border security measures are lacking, particularly in the areas where migrants, smugglers and traffickers illegally cross the border.

"President Joe Biden's reckless open border policies have allowed historic levels of fentanyl to flood across our border, creating the single-deadliest drug threat Texas and our nation have ever seen as the No. 1 killer of Americans ages 18-45," said Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesman for Abbott.

He noted Abbott signed laws "to prosecute fentanyl deaths as murder and provide more life-saving Narcan to Texas colleges and universities.  Gov. Abbott will continue working with the Legislature to secure the border and protect Texans from the scourge of fentanyl."

Abbott's approach has been effective, said Williamson County Sheriff Mike Gleason, a Republican. "We need to close our border to these folks and figure out ways to combat that down there," he said, adding he also supports awareness and treatment components.

This year, the Legislature passed laws to toughen penalties for fentanyl-related crimes, including the possibility of fentanyl dealers being charged with murder. Much of what the Legislature approved targeted school students.

Fentanyl is often pressed into fake pills resembling Percocet, OxyContin or Xanax, or mixed with other illicit drugs in illegal, unsophisticated operations. Law enforcement says buyers are often unaware.

Abbott signed a law that, effective this month, requires schools to provide research-based instruction on fentanyl abuse prevention to students in grades 6-12.

The governor also signed a law that allows the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to partner with colleges and universities to provide on their campuses Narcan, a brand of naloxone, the drug that reverses opioid overdoses. Another law designates October Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month.

Harris likes new legislation that requires more mapping of fentanyl cases.

"There have been some efforts to improve mapping data collection of overdoses," Harris said. "That's another current weakness that we have. We don't track overdose deaths."

Concerns about 'one pill kills'

Abbott describes fentanyl deaths as poisonings. In the process, he has cast the victim who is unaware they are consuming the substance as the symbol of the fentanyl fight.

Abbott has promoted the state's "one pill kills" campaign to spread awareness about the dangers of fentanyl. The campaign, which Abbott announced in 2022, is in coordination with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. In April, Abbott unveiled a $10 million awareness initiative as part of the campaign. Federal grant money would help pay for public service announcements via TV and radio stations and online publications.

The HHSC is allocating $5 million in 2023 to the "one pill kills" campaign and another $5 million next year, according to commission spokeswoman Jennifer Ruffcorn.

Turner, the founder of Texas Against Fentanyl, lost her son, Tucker Roe, two years ago to fentanyl. The 19-year-old died after taking a fentanyl-laced pill he thought was Xanax to help him sleep. In June, she sat next to Abbott as he signed a law bearing her son's name that mandates fentanyl awareness courses in schools.

"The people in my community who understand what's happening are very disappointed that the governor's office is focusing on the 'one pill kills' campaign," Turner said.

"It is sending a message that fentanyl is only in pills, and we know that that is not true," she said. "It's not giving the correct representation of the problem, and it's concerning that they are spending time and money to push something that isn't a complete truth."

She's also worried about the state's speed in responding to the crisis, contending some money allocated for awareness campaigns is being unused. And she says the state needs to do a better job of mapping fentanyl cases in order to learn from the data. Mapping would allow officials to spot trends in fentanyl deaths and better respond, she said.

"We have new people who are added to our community every single day," Turner said of fentanyl deaths.

Harris, the drug policy expert, said she gives Abbott and the Legislature a grade of C-minus for the 2023 session.

"The state didn't put any general revenue towards increasing access for drug treatment," she said. "The governor's 'one pill kills' campaign is funded with federal money and opioid abatement dollars, so the state hasn't committed any of its own general revenue to addressing this problem."

Abbott and his team insist they had a strong year combating the problem, while conceding it's a long-term fight.

"It was a giant leap forward, but this is a continual focus, and it is not going away because we passed eight laws," said Dave Carney, the governor's chief political strategist. "This is going to take a massive amount of education and a massive amount of cooperation between law enforcement and parents."

State Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, who carried a bill to toughen fentanyl crimes, said the goal of the Legislature was to "limit the amount of distribution of fentanyl in our state."

"Hopefully we will be able to curtail fentanyl," he said. "If we need to come back and do more in two years, we will."

Political lessons from the past

Abbott's approach has been largely about law and order, which plays to his conservative Republican base.

"It's a strange reprise of the 'war on drugs' approach that seemed to have been de-legitimated for a while, but it's found a new life in this kind of discourse," said Henson, the University of Texas political scientist.

Harris said there are lessons to be learned from the approach lawmakers and politicians took in the 1980s and 1990s, when the response to crack cocaine led to the 1994 Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act and a dramatic increase in mass incarcerations.

In the age of fentanyl, she said, you have to distinguish between the person selling and taking a drug like Adderall versus someone peddling heroin. Fentanyl can be present in both.

Turner, the anti-fentanyl activist, agrees with Abbott's border policies and wants to hold criminals accountable. But she adds that not every criminal case is the same.

"Oftentimes, they're in the depths of drug addiction themselves," she said. "Is it correct to put a teenager who was struggling with substance use disorder in prison for the rest of his life? I don't know."

On Aug. 31, members of a group called Vocal-TX protested at the governor's mansion by placing fake gravestones with epitaphs listing Abbott's "failures to confront the overdose crisis." The protest coincided with International Overdose Awareness Day and was on the eve of the new law bringing harsher penalties for drug deals that lead to fentanyl deaths.

"The governor's actions around the overdose crisis have been an abject failure, and no matter how much money he throws at things like Operation Lone Star or police, we know that those are failing strategies to address overdose deaths," said Paulette Soltani, co-state director of Vocal Texas. "This new attempt to charge people with drug-induced homicide is just going to fail again."

Carney, Abbott's political strategist, said tougher laws against drug dealing are necessary.

"The federal crime bill did a lot to lower street crime and other issues with crack cocaine," he said. "You can't be sympathetic to the drug dealer if you're going to try to dry up fentanyl at a Friday night pool party."

Carney added that being tough on crime shouldn't be the only approach, but said finishing the mission takes everyone involved. "That can't be the only focus," he said. "It has to be a holistic approach, which is education, which is mental health services."

Victims' families push for awareness

The families of fentanyl victims just want a spotlight on the crisis and elected leaders to listen.

Brent Crawford, 31, was a loving husband and businessman who helped others recover from drug addiction before he relapsed into his own struggle, too ashamed to seek help.

Experts say being an addict these days is like playing Russian roulette, with illicit fentanyl the bullet in the chamber. Crawford, who lived in Southlake, died after overdosing on heroin, according to a medical examiner's report. His widow says a toxicology report revealed fentanyl in his system.

"Fentanyl was the drug that stopped my husband's heart, but the shame and the stigma is what really took his life, because when he started craving and struggling again, he was too ashamed to reach out," said Crawford's widow, Tina Crawford of Grapevine.

"We've got to stop that shame and that stigma. We certainly don't browbeat somebody that has diabetes that decides they're going to eat chocolate cake every day."

Since her husband's death, Crawford has been part of a local crusade to bring awareness about fentanyl.

Her efforts have included pushing politicians, from Abbott to her local leaders in Grand Prairie, to recognize the scope of the problem and develop policies that encompass not just holding criminals accountable, but providing funding and resources for treatment and awareness. She said she likes Abbott's commitment to solving the problem.

"It's so frustrating, because we need to use your voices," Crawford said of elected leaders and politicians. "They wait until it happens in their area or directly to them until they speak out."

Over the last two years, Crawford has organized several local events on fentanyl, where she invites elected officials. She also crusades on the issue through her rotary club. Activists generally pay for these events out of their pockets or through donations.

Lawmakers could help by increasing funding. "We are so underfunded and there is a lack of options and especially for treatment," she said. "There's AA and recovery meetings everywhere, but fentanyl is a whole different beast."

More brands of naloxone

Callie Crow, a paramedic who lost her 27-year-old son, Drew, to fentanyl, said the Legislature should allow Texans to use all tools to fight the drug, including more brands of naloxone, the intranasal agent that can save a person from overdosing. Texas has laws that promote the name brand Narcan.

"We're making some steps, but what's needed is a blanket policy for all opioid antagonists, not just for specific brands to be available," Crow said. "There are other products, such as injectables that are much more effective, that are not getting out there."

Crow joined the fentanyl fight in 2020. Her son was a student at the University of North Texas studying political journalism. A married man, he'd been addicted to opioids for 10 years before dying of secondary fentanyl toxicity.

"Unfortunately, I was unable to rescue my son from addiction," she said. "I've got a new perspective on addiction, and now it takes me to the streets to educate my peers about the use of naloxone."

Cynthia Pursley leads a nonprofit group called LIVEGY that donates Narcan dispensers to North Texas bars and restaurants.

Pursley wants lawmakers to reconsider a bill authored by state Sen. Nathan Johnson to allow devices that detect fentanyl in drugs that are about to be consumed.

"For those that are using, testing their drugs has been shown to diminish the overdose numbers," she said. "It's about saving someone's life."

Pursley lost a stepson, who died after using drugs that contained fentanyl. "He died alone on the streets of San Francisco," she said.

One thing that is clear is that everyone in the fentanyl fight, from elected leaders to activists, agree it's going to be a long struggle.

"There's no question that this is an ongoing situation and it's not a one-and-done," Carney said. "There's no way it's going to get solved with just passing new laws.  We need to get involved in education and mental health services, like before the kid wants to take a pill."

2023 The Dallas Morning News.

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:

Credit: University of Aberdeen

A Scotland-wide audit of hospital admissions recorded before, during and after the COVID lockdowns has uncovered major differences in geriatric services' performance between all Scottish health boards.

The Scotland-wide average duration of stay in hospital during the pandemic (2020/21) fell by two days from an average of around 14 days to around 12 days, however, there was as much as a 17-fold difference between hospitalsfrom an average stay of two days compared to an average of 34 days.

The audit which covered the period from 2017 to 2022 found that while some hospitals reported a large reduction in the number of geriatric admissions around the time the pandemic started, others reported significantly more admissions during the same period. The authors suggest this can be explained by hospitals' "widely disparate responses to the pandemic."

The researchers found that the number of geriatric patients who died in hospital was higher during lockdown, at 18%, before falling to 16.5% post-pandemic (2021/22), which is still higher than the 15% recorded in the 2017/20 pre-COVID period. None of the hospitals recorded a higher-than-expected death rate, although one hospital reported significantly fewer than the Scottish average.

This research was conducted as part of the Scottish Care of Older People Project (SCoOP), a national evaluation project, supported by the British Geriatric Society, which focuses on the care of older people across Scotland in both primary and secondary care settings.

The current report includes historical data covering pre-, during and post- pandemic lockdowns which, the authors explain, provides "a unique examination of care of older peoples acute, emergency services across Scotland."

Chair in Old Age Medicine at the University of Aberdeen and SCoOP Steering Group Co-Chair Professor Phyo Myint said, "This report has highlighted the major differences in responses to the pandemic within each Scottish hospital.

"There are of course contributing factorssuch as the way individual services are configured, the frequency and timing of multidisciplinary meetings, composition and culture of the teams, and the availability of rehabilitation services within the community. However, the impact of the pandemic on admissions and patient outcomes between individual hospitals was widely disparate, which reflects variation in how each hospital service responded to the pandemic and highlighting potential lessons to be learned.

"While factors such as age and social deprivation varied widely across hospitals, the variation in outcomes observed is probably too large to be explained by these factors alone and may instead be explained by how individual health boards reacted to the COVID pandemic."

Audit Lead and Honorary Clinical Reader at the University, Dr. Roy Soiza, said "There remains unwarranted high variation in outcomes of acute geriatric medicine services across Scottish hospitals, especially with regards to length of stay in hospital.

"This report is primarily intended to stimulate reflection, learning and action to improve services and outcomes."

Professor Myint added that "This report highlights the need to better understand how health systems could be improved to best serve the older people in Scotland and beyond.

"We need to gain deeper insight into the factors that drive the differences in care we observe from this national program.

"Future work may allow us to analyze this complex issue where outcomes depend not only on the patients themselves, but also staffing and service level factors, social care settings and this report clearly demonstrates the need for more robust analyses to understand this."

Dr. Rowan Wallace, Chair of BGS Scotland (who also co-wrote the report's foreword) added, "The COVID pandemic has been the biggest challenge ever to face health and social care services.

"The variation in experiences and outcomes for older people receiving acute or emergency care across Scotland during this period is concerning and highlights a number of lessons that can be learned.

"The report also sheds light on the impact of deprivation on health care outcomes. Health inequalities must be addressed to ensure that all older patients receive the care and support they need.

"We hope this report provides an opportunity to understand, reflect and act on the causes of these disparities and help work towards high quality acute care for all older people in Scotland."
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: copyright American Heart Association

Psychoses like schizophrenia cost billions of dollars annually and derail the lives of people struggling with the disease. Now Monash University researchers have modeled how the effects of psychosis spread through the brain, allowing them to isolate areas where these changes may originate from and which could be targeted by therapies designed to reduce the disease's progression.

The study, published today in JAMA Psychiatry, details how the scientists were able to map and model the spread of brain changes in people with different stages of psychoses such as schizophrenia, from people newly diagnosed to those who have experienced psychosis for years.

The study, led by Dr. Sid Chopra, from the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health and Monash University's School of Psychological Sciences, identified the hippocampus, which is important for memory, as a possible early site of brain changes in psychosis. "This finding could potentially guide therapies that can target this area of the brain, potentially limiting the impact of the illness or perhaps even reducing the risk of psychosis onset," he said

The study looked at 534 individuals from four groups, spanning early and late stages of psychotic illness. The researchers used MRI to examine changes in gray matter that occur at the different illness stages

They found that the evolution of psychoses, as measured by changes in gray matter, may originate in the hippocampus and gradually spread across the brain, over time, via the nerve or axonal connections. According to Dr. Chopra, "We found that the pattern of gray matter change seen in psychosis is not randomly distributed across the brain, but is shaped by a complex network of structural connectionsin a very similar way to how we see the progression of neurodegenerative diseases in the brain."

The researchers used a mathematical model to predict gray matter volume changes in four different groups of people with schizophrenia, scanned at both early and late stages of illness. According to Professor Alex Fornito, who led the research team, said, "we found consistent evidence that the hippocampus, an area important for memory and which is known to play an important role in schizophrenia, is a candidate epicenter of brain changes in the illness."

Importantly the researchers were able to distinguish brain changes associated with disease from those linked to the use of antipsychotic medication. "Most research has taken place with people who are already taking antipsychotic medications, making it difficult to disentangle the effects of medication from those of illness," said Dr. Chopra.

"Our network-based model was able to account for both medication-related and illness-related brain changes, meaning that brain network architecture represents a fundamental constraint on both types of brain changes in psychosis."

According to Dr. Chopra, the new approach opens new possibilities for understanding the causes of brain changes in schizophrenia, and for forecasting how they might evolve in individual patients.

"Our work demonstrates that it is possible to investigate promising mechanisms behind widespread brain changes in schizophrenia, using fairly simple models" he said. "We hope to further extend these models to identify possible treatment targets and predict how the illness might evolve in individual people."

More information: Sidhant Chopra et al, Network-Based Spreading of Gray Matter Changes Across Different Stages of Psychosis, JAMA Psychiatry (2023). DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.3293 Journal information: JAMA Psychiatry
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

The commonly-held belief that attempting to suppress negative thoughts is bad for our mental health could be wrong, a new study from scientists at the University of Cambridge suggests.

Researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit trained 120 volunteers worldwide to suppress thoughts about negative events that worried them, and found that not only did these become less vivid, but that the participants' mental health also improved.

"We're all familiar with the Freudian idea that if we suppress our feelings or thoughts, then these thoughts remain in our unconscious, influencing our behavior and well-being perniciously," said Professor Michael Anderson.

"The whole point of psychotherapy is to dredge up these thoughts so one can deal with them and rob them of their power. In more recent years, we've been told that suppressing thoughts is intrinsically ineffective and that it actually causes people to think the thought moreit's the classic idea of 'Don't think about a pink elephant.'"

These ideas have become dogma in the clinical treatment realm, said Anderson, with national guidelines talking about thought avoidance as a major maladaptive coping behavior to be eliminated and overcome in depression, anxiety, PTSD, for example.

When COVID-19 appeared in 2020, like many researchers, Professor Anderson wanted to see how his own research could be used to help people through the pandemic. His interest lay in a brain mechanism known as inhibitory controlthe ability to override our reflexive responsesand how it might be applied to memory retrieval, and in particular to stopping the retrieval of negative thoughts when confronted with potent reminders to them.

Dr. Zulkayda Mamatat the time a Ph.D. student in Professor Anderson's lab and at Trinity College, Cambridgebelieved that inhibitory control was critical in overcoming trauma in experiences occurring to herself and many others she has encountered in life. She had wanted to investigate whether this was an innate ability or something that was learntand hence could be taught.

Dr. Mamat said, "Because of the pandemic, we were seeing a need in the community to help people cope with surging anxiety. There was already a mental health crisis, a hidden epidemic of mental health problems, and this was getting worse. So with that backdrop, we decided to see if we could help people cope better."

Professor Anderson and Dr. Mamat recruited 120 people across 16 countries to test whether it might in fact be possibleand beneficialfor people to practice suppressing their fearful thoughts. Their findings are published in Science Advances.

In the study, each participant was asked to think of a number of scenarios that might plausibly occur in their lives over the next two years20 negative "fears and worries" that they were afraid might happen, 20 positive "hopes and dreams," and 36 routine and mundane neutral events. The fears had to be worries of current concern to them, that have repeatedly intruded in their thoughts.

Each event had to be specific to them and something they had vividly imagined occurring. For each scenario, they were to provide a cue word (an obvious reminder that could be used to evoke the event during training) and a key detail (a single word expressing a central event detail). For example:

Negativevisiting one's parents at the hospital as a result of COVID-19, with the cue "Hospital" and the detail "Breathing."

Neutrala visit to the opticians, with the cue "Optician" and the detail "Cambridge."

Positiveseeing one's sister get married, with the cue "Wedding" and the detail "Dress."

Participants were asked to rate each event on a number of points: vividness, likelihood of occurrence, distance in the future, level of anxiety about the event (or level of joy for positive events), frequency of thought, degree of current concern, long-term impact, and emotional intensity.

Participants also completed questionnaires to assess their mental health, though no one was excluded, allowing the researchers to look at a broad range of participants, including many with serious depression, anxiety, and pandemic-related post-traumatic stress.

Then, over Zoom, Dr. Mamat took each participant through the 20-minute training, which involved 12 "No-imagine" and 12 "Imagine" repetitions for events, each day for three days.

For No-imagine trials, participants were given one of their cue words, asked to first acknowledge the event in their mind. Then, while continuing to stare directly at the reminder cue, they were asked to stop thinking about the eventthey should not try to imagine the event itself or use diversionary thoughts to distract themselves, but rather should try to block any images or thoughts that the reminder might evoke. For this part of the trial, one group of participants was given their negative events to suppress and the other given their neutral ones.

For Imagine trials, participants were given a cue word and asked to imagine the event as vividly as possible, thinking what it would be like and imagining how they would feel at the event. For ethical reasons, no participant was given a negative event to imagine, but only positive or neutral ones.

At the end of the third day and again three months later, participants were once again asked to rate each event on vividness, level of anxiety, emotional intensity, etc., and completed questionnaires to assess changes in depression, anxiety, worry, affect, and well-being, key facets of mental health.

Dr. Mamat said, "It was very clear that those events that participants practiced suppressing were less vivid, less emotionally anxiety-inducing, than the other events and that overall, participants improved in terms of their mental health. But we saw the biggest effect among those participants who were given practice at suppressing fearful, rather than neutral, thoughts."

Following trainingboth immediately and after three monthsparticipants reported that suppressed events were less vivid and less fearful. They also found themselves thinking about these events less.

Suppressing thoughts even improved mental health among participants with likely post-traumatic stress disorder. Among participants with post-traumatic stress who suppressed negative thoughts, their negative mental health indices scores fell on average by 16% (compared to a 5% fall for similar participants suppressing neutral events), whereas positive mental health indices scores increased by almost 10% (compared to a 1% fall in the second group).

In general, people with worse mental health symptoms at the outset of the study improved more after suppression training, but only if they suppressed their fears. This finding directly contradicts the notion that suppression is a maladaptive coping process.

Suppressing negative thoughts did not lead to a "rebound," where a participant recalled these events more vividly. Only one person out of 120 showed higher detail recall for suppressed items post-training, and just six of the 61 participants that suppressed fears reported increased vividness for No-Imagine items post-training, but this was in line with the baseline rate of vividness increases that occurred for events that were not suppressed at all.

"What we found runs counter to the accepted narrative," said Professor Anderson. "Although more work will be needed to confirm the findings, it seems like it is possible and could even be potentially beneficial to actively suppress our fearful thoughts."

Although participants were not asked to continue practicing the technique, many of them chose to do so spontaneously. When Dr. Mamat contacted the participants after three months, she found that the benefits in terms of reduced levels of depression and negative emotions, continued for all participants, but were most pronounced among those participants who continued to use the technique in their daily lives.

"The follow up was my favorite time of my entire Ph.D., because every day was just joyful," she said. "I didn't have a single participant who told me 'Oh, I feel bad' or 'This was useless.' I didn't prompt them or ask 'Did you find this helpful?' They were just automatically telling me how helpful they found it."

One participant was so impressed by the technique that she taught her daughter and her own mother how to do it. Another reported how she had moved home just prior to COVID-19 and so felt very isolated during the pandemic.

"She said this study had come exactly at the time she needed it because she was having all these negative thoughts, all these worries and anxiety about the future, and this really, really helped her," said Dr. Mamat.

More information: Zulkayda Mamat et al, Improving Mental Health by Training the Suppression of Unwanted Thoughts, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh5292. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh5292 Journal information: Science Advances
A man was arrested on suspicion of killing his mother in Polson and concealing her body for several days, according to court documents filed on Monday.

Garrett E. Vaska is charged with one count of deliberate homicide committed using a dangerous weapon and one count of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, both felonies. If convicted, Vaska faces up to a life term in state prison.

The Lake County Jail Roster shows Vaska is 46 years old and was booked into custody on Sept. 12.

Philista St. John, Vaska's mother, suffered from dementia and diabetes, according to charging documents, and was living at the 300 block of 10th Avenue West. Tribal health care workers were working to get her placed in an assisted living facility because of her deteriorating health.

Her son, identified in court documents as Vaska, lived in an outbuilding on her property and was deemed incapable of being her caregiver.

On Aug. 28, a nurse visited the house and took care of St. John as normal. However, the nurse returned the next day but the house was locked, which was atypical, witnesses said.

The nurse also knocked on Vaskas building and no one responded. The nurse returned on Aug. 30 and was greeted rudely by Vaska, which was also abnormal, according to witnesses and court documents.

Health care workers again went to the house on Aug. 31. Vaska answered the door, was reportedly rude to workers and said St. Johns brother took her to South Dakota. When asked how they could get in contact with St. Johns brother, Vaska reportedly swore at the health staff and slammed the door.

The workers didnt see St. John on either Aug. 30 or Aug. 31, according to court documents.

Roughly a week later, on Sept. 6, health care workers requested a second welfare check on St. Johns home after they learned the victim didnt have any living brothers who could bring her to South Dakota.

Officers encountered Vaska at the house, who said his mother was home. Vaska didnt provide much more information, but officers asked him why he told the tribal health workers they were no longer needed, to which Vaska reportedly replied because his mother passed away.

Vaska told police he found his mother dead four days prior. He was then arrested on an outstanding warrant from tribal court.

St. Johns body was found in a middle room of the house when officers did a sweep.

According to charging documents, she was found in garbage bags, decomposing and covered by several blankets, according to court documents. Law enforcement also found significant blood evidence on bedding and on the wall and ceilings in the room where St. John was found.

Autopsy findings concluded St. John suffered multiple stab wounds. A doctor stated her cause of death was blunt and sharp force injuries and the manner of death was homicide.

Knives, including one with possible dried blood, with broken blade tips were found throughout the house when officers served a search warrant. A handwritten note near Vaskas bed was also recovered, which reportedly read, I couldnt do it anymore. Nobody would help and I couldnt do it anymore she wouldnt (unintelligible handwriting) I killed her. Nobody knew and no one cared. Im sorry everything I have goes to (unintelligible handwriting) my daughter, charging documents state.

Vaska has not entered a plea to the charges. His arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 28 in Lake County District Court.
Two environmental groups are suing the state of Montana over wolf trapping regulations they say violate federal law by failing to protect grizzly bears from unintentional trapping.

At issue are Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks regulations that allow trapping of wolves in grizzly habitat. Traps set for wolves  and other species like coyote and marten  can unintentionally trap grizzlies instead. Grizzlies in the Lower 48 states are protected as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Under that law, injuring or killing a grizzly bear  even unintentionally  is prohibited. Because Montana's rules allow for trapping that has injured and killed grizzlies, the lawsuit argues, the rules are illegal under the ESA. The lawsuit asks the court to block the rules and order the state to develop new ones that don't violate the ESA.

The Flathead-Lolo-Bitterroot Citizen Task Force and WildEarth Guardians filed the lawsuit Sept. 11 in U.S. District Court in Missoula. Last May, the task force filed a 60-day notice of intent to sue. Missoula-based Bechtold Law Firm is representing the groups.

The federal government removed gray wolves from protection under the ESA in 2011, which allowed states like Montana to set hunting and trapping seasons for the species. Gray wolf habitat overlaps considerably with grizzly habitat in Montana, which FWP estimates is all of Montana west of about Billings.

The concentration of the more than 2,000 grizzlies in or near western Montana varies by area. They are more common around two of the six primary recovery zones for the species: the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem including Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem around Yellowstone National Park on the Montana-Wyoming-Idaho intersection. But grizzlies are increasingly ranging well outside of, and between, those areas. Four of the species' six recovery zones are wholly or partially in Montana.

State regulations approved in August continue to allow for baited wolf trapping and increased the number of wolves a trapper can take in a season: 10 trapped and 10 hunted wolves per person per season, up from 15 total in previous years. The trapping season begins Nov. 27 this year, right after regular hunting season ends. The lawsuit argues that the presence of gut piles and unretrieved game carcasses "keeps many grizzly bears from denning until several weeks later."

According to FWP records, the lawsuit stated, six grizzly bears were unintentionally captured by traps in the state since 2010. Almost two-dozen instances were recorded since 1990. But more takings occurred than those reflected in FWP records, the group argued. Wildlife managers have taken many anecdotal reports of grizzlies injured by traps; injured grizzlies have been photographed on trail cameras; and some missing traps go unreported, according to the lawsuit.

Actions such as harassing, pursuing, shooting, injuring, capturing or killing an endangered species are considered "taking," in wildlife management parlance. It is illegal to take an endangered species without permission from the Fish and Wildlife Service. Intentional taking is generally allowed only for wildlife management purposes, such as euthanizing sick bears or habitual conflict bears. Unintentional but predictable taking of an animal  such as a bear that gets its paw stuck in a baited trap  is illegal.

Because Montana's trapping regulations allow for trappers to sometimes injure or kill grizzlies even when following regulations, those regulations are an unlawful violation of the ESA, the lawsuit argues. Coyote trapping, which is allowed all year in Montana, also injures and kills grizzlies, the suit stated.

"Montana is expanding its anti-predator campaign and the state views maimed and killed grizzly bears as collateral damage," Patty Ames, president of the task force, stated in an announcement of the lawsuit. "Grizzly bears are being wounded by baited traps set for wolves and coyotes yet wolf trapping is being expanded in grizzly bear habitat during the non-denning seasons."
After nearly 30 residents of Helena's Iron Front Hotel on Last Chance Gulch were displaced by a fire in early August, almost half are now residing at the Shilo Inn, but emergency funds paying for the stays will expire at the end of the month.

The owner of the Iron Front Hotel, BG Stumberg, previously told the Independent Record that the residential units on the historic buildings second and third floors would remain uninhabitable for at least six to nine months. The Aug. 14 fire started in "void space" between the second and third floors where there was electric wiring and conduit.

United Way of the Lewis and Clark Area Executive Director Emily McVey said the local Community Organizations Active in Disaster immediately began assisting Red Cross in setting up an emergency shelter that closed due to Red Cross regulations Aug. 21.

That day, Rocky Mountain Development Council received approval from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for its request of $30,000 in community services block grant funds.

RMDC Operations Director Kathy Marks said the request was approved within only a few days of submission.

"It was very fortunate," Marks said.

DPHHS spokesman Jon Ebelt said in an email Tuesday the grant boasts a "set-aside" for discretionary funds to be used for coordinating locally-operated programs and services targeted at low-income children and families "to promote self-sufficiency."

"DPHHS allocated the funds to RMDC to help address this emergency and ensure those impacted had a safe place to stay, in addition to access to other supportive services," Ebelt said. "These funds are designated to help address urgent matters such as this one, and we were happy to help."

Marks said the money is being used to pay for about 11 of those displaced by the fire to stay at Shilo Inn.

She said about $14,850 has been spent so far, and that the remaining funds should last until Sept. 30, at which point the money has to be spent or returned to the state.

But with the extremely tight rental market in the county, Marks said "the funding will be ending too soon for many of them to find housing."

McVey said the rental vacancy rate in the area remains below 2%, as it has for at least four years.

The COAD is providing one-on-one case management to assist with filling out assistance paperwork, rental applications and medical forms.

McVey spoke to Hometown Helena, a local civics group, Thursday about the situation.

"It was not something I think people can handle alone, especially in the middle of a crisis where you just lost your apartment," she said of the deluge of paperwork foisted upon those displaced. "So we have continued to connect people to one-on-one case management."

Even still, the lack of available rental units poses an uphill climb.

"The recent population growth in the county is double what was anticipated," McVey said in an interview Tuesday. "So the vacancy rate continues to be that low even though we are continuing to build."

She said about four of those displaced have managed to secure apartments in the last month.

The local COAD has either lost contact with the others or they do not want help.

While the RMDC funds are being used for immediate, temporary shelter, the about $24,000 in donations collected by the Helena Area Community Foundation have been earmarked for next steps, like paying for a rental deposit, first and last months' rent, etc.

"Nobody has reached out for these funds yet," McVey said. "We're trying to twist the arms of some of these people who are refusing to take the help. Even with a semi-decent job, rent is high."

Though some seem to have landed on their feet, others will not be as fortunate.

"These are people who have gotten by on their own for years and are only here because of a fire, and now they're finding there isn't a ton of resources for them."

The General Mercantile, a downtown Helena business located on the ground floor of the Iron Front Hotel, started its own fundraiser for those displaced by the fire, raising more than $30,000, which was handed out in the form of checks to the business' former building-mates.

General Mercantile co-owner Lindsey Barnes tracked down the former residents to hand out the checks. She also helped secure hotel rooms for some.

"Again and always, thank you for supporting these members of our community. They are often overlooked and they were worried that Helena wouldn't care about them, but you did, and the amount raised this week proves that," a social media post from Barnes in late August stated.

McVey said some "community education" could benefit community response to future disasters, that fundraising efforts like these would best be consolidated.

"Sometimes handing people cash is not always the best decision," she said. "We want to make sure we're not controlling the money or the people, but helping them to look ahead, so that they will have the money for a deposit if an apartment becomes available."

She noted with the RMDC funds, spending the General Mercantile-raised donations on hotel stays was redundant.

"We couldn't get the word (about RMDC's funds) out to the community fast enough," McVey said.

She said the COAD intends to sit down in the near future with Lewis and Clark County Department of Disaster and Emergency Services to learn from the local response to the Iron Front fire and better plan for future disasters.

The Iron Front Hotel was built in 1888 and designed by Helena architects Heinlein and Matthias. It was formerly known as the Windsor House and houses the Windsor Ballroom, a fourth-story ballroom with an oak floor, according to a plaque on the front of the building. In 1889, House Republicans from the state's first Legislature caucused in the hotel's meeting rooms.

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Asiah Thomas, from Roselle, a member of the "Black Women New Jersey" Facebook group, runs past other members of the group while recording a video during a beach day meet-up for members of the group in Long Branch on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media)

All Shanique Taliaferro wanted was to be part of an online community, a sisterhood of Black women, she could chat with about her day, grab lunch with or even on occasion catch waves with at the beach. But in April, after searching for months for a social media group geared toward Black women in New Jersey and coming up dry, she decided to take the plunge and create her own: the aptly titled Black Women New Jersey group on Facebook.

I had envisioned a specific type of place, of group, in my head, she says, motioning excitedly with her hands. But I just couldnt find it. There were groups centered on promoting Black-owned businesses or on specific towns or careers but I was looking for something different ...for fun, for fellowship, for friends and for real and meaningful connections with other Black women in the state.

The 41-year-old, who lives in Trenton, says she was shocked to learn in a news story that Black people only account for 12.4% of New Jerseys population and cited it as added motivation for starting the group.

This made me think of the fact that Black women make up an even smaller number, she says. And that were spread out in different areas of New Jersey and not always connecting with each other the way we should, and really, the way we need to.

Dont miss an issue of our Mosaic newsletter! Get it delivered each Tuesday right into your inbox by adding your email below and hitting "subscribe."



Still, Taliaferro, a serial entrepreneur who owns a residential and commercial cleaning business, says she never imagined how quickly the group would take off. In just a few short weeks, its membership skyrocketed  first by the hundreds and later by the thousands.

Right now, were about four months in and at about 4,500 members. Its unbelievable, she says.

We have members from South Jersey, from Central, from North ... every day, I see women connecting, networking, going on friend dates, giving each other relationship advice, telling each other about jobs, learning from each other in all sorts of ways. Its truly everything I ever dreamed of and more.

Members of the "Black Women New Jersey" group on Facebook celebrate after scoring a point in a game of beach volleyball during a meet-up for members held in Long Branch on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media)

At a recent beach meet-up in Long Branch, attended by nearly 100 members, many of them agreed Black Women New Jersey is not just another Facebook group: Its a sisterhood.

Look at us today, just look at us!, Quana Fladger, a group member who lives in Somerset County, beamed. With all the different [bathing suit] colors, the energy. We came [to Long Branch] from all parts of New Jersey ... its so nice to be a part of something that has a positive purpose.

Others, like Shanelle Robinson, of Burlington, raved about how responsive, supportive and helpful the women in the group are. Robinson recently hosted a South Jersey meet-up for members at an event venue she owns in Edgewater Park. The ticketed event quickly sold out, she says.

It was absolutely amazing, we all had such a great time, Robinson said. As Black women, historically, we have been overlooked, in corporate [settings], in business, and in other important areas of our lives so its wonderful that we can be there for each other like this.

Taliaferro says these testimonies are exactly what she had in mind when she created the group.

Through Black Women New Jersey, I want to fight back against that tired crabs in a bucket mentality that has long plagued us and other minorities. To show that it doesnt have to be that way, she said.

Lets have fun together. But also, lets help each other. We can hang out and let loose but we can also talk about the difficult topics: the inequalities, the struggle, the stress. And share resources to better each others lives.

Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 22 Beach meet-up for Black Women of New Jersey Facebook group Nicole Jones, left, from West Orange who has been a member of the Facebook group since it started, and Candise Clarke, hang out and eat cherry plums during a beach day meet-up for members of the Black Women of New Jersey Facebook group in Long Branch on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media/Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media)

In its short existence, the group has held several meet-ups  some in person and others virtually  including free or low-cost events centered on mental health and self-care and others focused on wealth building and financial literacy, which form part of a series called We Mean Business.

And we do mean business, Taliaferro says with a laugh. Thats one of the things I really love about us ...when Black women get together, theres nothing minority about us.

She signaled toward a group of women playing beach volleyball on the sand at the meet-up in July. The women giggled and bantered playfully with each other like longtime friends.

You see them, right there, Taliaferro says, Youd think theyve been friends forever but none of them really knew each other before today, before this group, and now here we are. Thats powerful.

Members of the "Black Women New Jersey" group on Facebook take a selfie together during a beach day meet-up for members of the Facebook group in Long Branch on Saturday, July 22, 2023. (Julian Leshay | For NJ Advance Media)

Daysi Calavia-Robertson may be reached at dcalavia-robertson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Instagram at @presspassdaysi or Twitter @presspassdaysi.

Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom.
By Murray State Public Relations | Sep 20, 2023

The Department of History at Murray State University will host a book release talk in honor of Dr. Tamara Feinsteins new book, The Fate of Peruvian Democracy: Political Violence, Human Rights, and the Legal Left, on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall, Room 208, on the Murray State main campus.

MURRAY, Ky.  The Department of History at Murray State University will host a book release talk in honor of Dr. Tamara Feinsteins new book, The Fate of Peruvian Democracy: Political Violence, Human Rights, and the Legal Left, on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in Faculty Hall, Room 208, on the Murray State main campus. This event is free and open to the public.

Feinstein is a historian of political violence, human rights and memory in Latin America. An assistant professor in Murray States Department of History, Feinstein earned her doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Master of Arts from the George Washington University and bachelors degree from Wayne State University. She also worked for half a decade as an analyst at the D.C.-based non-profit organization and research institute, the National Security Archive. She has taught at Murray State since 2020.

Her new book, The Fate of Peruvian Democracy investigates the bloody Shining Path conflicts effect on the legal Left in late-twentieth-century Peru, illustrating the catastrophic impact state and insurgent violence can have on the growth and resilience of democratic political actors during times of war. Using a combination of oral histories, archival documents, contemporary media accounts and participant observation of commemorations, this book maps the trajectory of the Peruvian Lefts rise and fall by analyzing two emblematic human rights cases that occurred at the Lefts zenith and nadir: the state-based violence of the 1986 Lima prison massacres and the 1992 Shining Path assassination of leftist shantytown leader Maria Elena Moyano. Perus story illustrates the difficulties of accumulating political force during times of violence, underscores how struggles for self-defense can complicate ideological stances on violence, and helps explain the unevenness of the resurgence of the Left (the so-called pink tide) in Latin America in the twenty-first century.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

Famed comparative political scientist Cynthia McClintock has praised the book, saying: This is a riveting analysis of the rise and fall of Perus left during the 1970s1990s. Drawing on scores of personal interviews, Feinstein puts us in the room where the leaders of Perus leftist political parties struggled to cope with the challenge posed by the savage Shining Path insurgency.

For more information about the event, please contact Murray State Universitys Department of History at 270-809-2231.
Too many years have passed since we last visited the Portokalos clan.

Now when they get together  for My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3  we expect something more than warmed-over one-liners spritzed with a little Windex.

Still, thats whats on the table. Writer/director/star Nia Vardalos sends the clan to Greece (of course) where they hope to bring their late fathers journal to his friends. A reunion in his village is the ruse but, when they get there, the family finds no one home.

Rather than use the time to see the country (and create a dandy travelogue), Toula (Vardalos) noses into a local couples relationship. She also wants to know where her dads good buddies happen to be. That gets Joey Fatone and Gia Carides in the picture and a little of that sightseeing everyone else seems to be missing.

Meanwhile, Toula and her husband Ian (John Corbett) must determine what course of action they need to take with their daughter. She, too, is on the trip and, apparently, not excelling in college. Theres an ex in the crowd, but thats not an issue.

Much, in fact, is up in the air. The only grounded member of the clan is Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin) who has a great one-liner when you need it the most. She finds laughs even when Vardalos wasnt counting on them.

Brother Nick (Louis Mandylor) tends to walk around naked and handle personal grooming in public. Hes little more than sight gag but could have been one to figure into the title package.

Instead, that honor goes to a couple the Portokalos family meets in the homeland. Theres discord (one member isnt Greek  spoiler alert) but all goes well when Toula gets a chance to tell her story and straighten things out.

Dads friends turn up, as well, but not long enough to discover what made their bond so tenuous they werent at the reunion in the first place.

Much, in fact, is hazy in this outing. Because its been more than 20 years since we first met Toula and her tribe, details drift.

Because dads dead and moms unable to make the trip, theres not enough heft on the side of tradition to make this anything more than a family reunion.

Vardalos, sadly, doesnt get to do much more than listen to others. Corbett is similarly saddled.

Daughter Paris (Elena Kampouris) could have been more than a homework shirker but that wouldnt have given Greek Wedding time to find a third.

Dancing and eating are laced throughout the film but a better course of action might have been to re-release the first film. It was an original. This is just a photocopy of the way they were.
MUSCATINE  This month, the Iowa Finance Authority held its annual awards ceremony in Cedar Rapids. During this ceremony, it was announced that Sen. Mark Lofgren had received the 2023 Legislative Friend of Housing Award.

This is the second time that Sen. Lofgren has received this award, according to IFA Director Debi Durham, who praised Lofgren for tirelessly advocating for legislation and statewide innovative solutions for the sake of helping ensure that all Iowans have access to affordable housing.

Sen. Lofgren has dedicated his professional career to real estate and knows first-hand the benefits of homeownership, including generational wealth creation and the positive economic impact of housing for all in our communities, Durham said. He serves as a thought leader, trusted resource and advocate to IDEA and IFA and countless other partners who rely on his voice for how important and timely housing issues are at the Statehouse.

Lofgren said it felt good receiving this honor for the second time.

I work really well with (Durham) and her staff, and I think we have really good rapport with Muscatine and Des Moines, he said. Its working out really well, and Im very proud of Muscatine for how theyve gone after housing.

Lofgren then noted that in terms of Gov. Kim Reynolds goal of building 42,000 housing units by 2030, Muscatine has been doing its part with its different initiatives and willingness to collaborate with IFA in order to keep on track with this goal.

Muscatine has really gone after the housing issue, and it seems like its been a team approach. We all know that if we dont have housing, our employers will have a really hard time hiring people, he continued. Obviously jobs are important, but if you dont have the housing its really hard to get those people.

As for his own accomplished that have contributed to earning this honor, Lofgren gave a mention to his work with the Health and Human Service budget. We have $2 million thats for the veteran housing grants, which offset down payments and closing costs for veterans. Ive been trying for a few years to get that increased, and it ended up that we did get $200,000 more, and we think that was a big accomplishment.
The Worlds Largest Watermelon Slice is traveling from Silver Hawk Fabrication to Riverside Park this morning courtesy of the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City railroad. Once there, the 40-foot long, 16-foot tall, 16,000-pound sculpture will be set on its foundation. The city is seeking to have the Guinness Book of World Record certify it as the largest watermelon slice sculpture in the world. The slice cost $40,000 and was paid for with private contributions.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will convene the National Emergency Response Committee to deliberate on the countrys preparedness on the expected El Nino rains.

Gachagua said Monday evening that the committee will establish strategies to mitigate possible devastation that may be caused by the anticipated heavy rain season.

Next week I will be convening the National Emergency Response Committee that I head with all government agencies, development partners, the Red Cross, international organisations and all other stakeholders to discuss our preparedness for the expected El Nino rains, the Deputy President stated.

Speaking at a gala dinner in Nairobi organised by the Kenya Red Cross during the 10th International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Society Pan African Conference Conference, Gachagua called for cross-sector collaboration in preparing for any disaster that may be caused by the heavy rains.

He represented President William Ruto at the forum, where the participants were also celebrating over 150 years of experience of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society.

The Kenya Meteorological Department last week released a weather forecast warning that the heavy rains are expected this year from September to January 2024.

Predictions indicate that we may experience El Nino rains between September and January 2024. We invite you to work with us on putting measures to mitigate possible tragedies, the Deputy President indicated.

Some counties have already started taking proactive measures to ensure disaster preparedness.

Gachagua added that the government is working on a public-private partnership in building water harvesting structures, including dams across the country.

This, he said, will help the government to take advantage of such large amounts of water for food production.

Some of the regions expected to be significantly affected by El Nino rains include Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Baringo, Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kericho, Bungoma, Kakamega, Busia, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, Laikipia, Nakuru, and Narok.

I wish to thank the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society for the millions of lives they have touched over the years. We look forward to working closely in building sustainable societies beyond disasters, said the Deputy President.

He further announced that the government is seeking to enhance its partnership with the Red Cross Society in strengthening the capacity of State agencies like the National Disaster Management Authority.

The move is intended to cultivate increased efficiency and effectiveness for better response.

At the same time, the Deputy President urged the fighting generals in Sudan and rebel forces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to lay down their arms and give dialogue a chance.

He said the armed conflict in Sudan has affected Kenyan exports such as tea.

We are asking our brothers and sisters in the African continent to spare us in having to deal with disaster and emergency arising out of armed conflicts and the fight for leadership and scarce resources, Gachagua stated.

President Ruto is very keen on peace in South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia, DRC and across the Horn of Africa because any insecurity and conflicts in a neighbouring country becomes a problem. That is why we have refugee camps in Daadab and Kakuma; it is a burden to this country, he continued.

Asking the warring functions to dialogue, the Deputy President said the armed conflict in Sudan has negatively affected exports like tea and many Kenyans working in that country have returned home.

We call upon our brothers in Sudan, the generals, to lay down arms and enter into a peaceful negotiation and find a peaceful solution to whatever problems they have. We do the same to DRC where we have had to send our soldiers to help the people of DRC. We call upon all the armed combatants to give peace and dialogue a chance for the sake of citizens and for the sake of peace, he said.

By DPPS
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his recent public remarks that there are Tigers in Kenya saying he was thinking in his Kikuyu mother tongue when he invited Colombians to the country to see the endangered Big Cat species.

According to Gachagua, in his native Kikuyu language, tigers and leopards are more or less the same.

As I was talking about the animals in this country, I talked about all the animals but you know when you go to Europe you do not become a Europeansome of us when we are speaking, we think in our mother tongue then we translate.

In the Kikuyu nation where I come from, the leopard and the tiger are one and the same. When I was talking about the tiger I saw some critics here asking me where the tiger is. I am telling them the tiger and the leopard are the same where I come from, he said.

The DP was speaking during a Red Cross gala dinner at Boma Hotel on Monday.

Gachagua humorously extended an invitation to everyone, quipping, Feel free to come and witness our leopard or tiger in our national parks.

Speaking in Bogota last week, Gachagua encouraged the business community in Colombia to consider investing in Kenya and experience the unique presence of elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, and tigers.

Kenya is a very warm country, we are very welcoming people, very hospitable and we invite Colombian business people to come and invest in Kenya, he said

Again, as you come to invest in Kenya, we have many facilities for tourism. We have rare species of wildlife; the Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo, and Tiger.
The country lost Sh62.2 billion due to mental health conditions, which is equivalent to 0.6 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020 after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, State Department for Public Service Principal Secretary Amos Njoroge Gathecha has said.

Gatheca who was speaking Monday when he officially opened the Public Service Counsellors` Workshop in Naivasha noted that mental health challenges significantly affected productivity within the public service.

He noted that according to the Kenya Mental Health Investment Case (2021), Absenteeism and presentism accounted for the largest share of the fore mentioned annual cost at 49 per cent and 30 per cent respectively, while total health care expenditure represented only 9 per cent of all mental health-related costs.

This clearly demonstrates the multi-dimensional impact of mental health on Kenyan economy, the PS said.

He said in the civil service, approximately 5, 000 civil servants (including those working in the disciplined forces) used to be diagnosed with mental illness per annum before Covid came but this number has since gone up to 13, 000 owing to the economic conditions existing in the country right now.

The participants were drawn from seven Government ministries but the PS said professional counselors are normally located at the Public Service and ministry headquarters and are normally dispatched to wherever their services are needed.

We are keenly looking at the disciplined forces who are prone to mental illness because of the nature of their work, Gathecha said and added that to meet this felt need, they have instructed the Public Service Commission (PSC) to employ more counselors and advertisements will be out soon.

He observed that the State Department is implementing various preventative and promotive measures to promote mental health and wellbeing of public servants as envisaged in the Kenya Mental Health Policy (2015-2030) and Kenya Mental Health Action Plan (2021-2025).

Gathecha stated that these strategies include: Strengthening of counselling and wellness services; development and rolling of essential counselling skills program for capacity building public service mental health champions and establishment of public service counselling helpline.

Other measures include Public Service mental health awareness campaigns, development of Public Service Psychological Assessment Centre (PSPAC) and establishment of counselling and wellness services in Huduma Centres.

The PS noted that the last financial year 2022/23, the state department provided psycho-education to 12,532 public servants; launched the public service mental health champions programme on February 24, this year.

He said the Department also built capacity for 510 mental health champions in Ministries, County Governments Departments, Agencies and Sagas (MCDAS) and established counselling and wellness services in four (4) Huduma centres at Telposta, Kibra, Thika and Kisumu.

Gatheca added that during the same period, the Government also established the public service tele-counselling helpline number, 0206900030 which saw 413 public servants supported and also initiated the development of Public Service Psychological Assessment Centre and recruited and deployed counsellors in Ministries, Departments and Counties.

Gathecha said this is because high quality of mental health services in the public service is dependent on availability of competent and motivated counsellors.

To this end, he said, the State Department has invested in provision of continuous training and supervision of counsellors as a means to ensure that their practice is informed by current trends and approaches in the mental health field.

In view of this, the department organized this workshop to provide a platform for counsellors in the service to receive emotional, professional and technical support from senior practitioners in the profession, he stated.

The PS said the workshop aimed at providing all counsellors in the service with a platform to share their professional experiences, emerging legal, policy and professional issues in counselling field including evidence-based and innovative techniques and practices.

The government introduced Counselling Services in 2006 as part of reforms in the public sector aimed at improving the productivity of employees by enhancing their mental health and well-being.

Counselling at the workplace can address a wide range of issues faced by employees including, stress and burnout, relationships issues, work-life balance, grief and loss, trauma, substance abuse among others.

Consequently, the PS said the ministry will hasten registration of the counsellors with the already operationalized counsellors board that will seek to regulate the provision operation of counselling services in the country.

So far, there are over 50 counsellors employed and spread across seven ministries with the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Affirmative Action working with Public Service Commission (PSC) to employ more to cover all 22 ministries in coming months in a bid to address rising cases of mental illness among civil servants.

Via Kenya News Agency
Kenyans in Taita Taveta county poured in their thousands after a farming scheme came to town, promising farmers to financially replenish them if their soil organic matter proved fertile.

One by one, the farmers, who included men and women, thronged the Ronge Juu area, bringing along soil samples as the cash incentive drove the entire town crazy, seeing thousands of people crashing the venue, as the organizers fought to control the burgeoning crowds.

Driven by the promise of cash, the locals, who have all along been battered by unemployment and despondency, showed up in large numbers carrying with them small tins fully-stuffed with organic soil ready to trade it.

Dubbed VSOC (voluntary soil organic credit), the program is said to reward farmers who can bring nutrients-rich soil and is looking to encompass the country.

Across the entire Ronge Juu area, the GPC company witnessed a total mess as people scrammed around, pushed around and jostled around as they attempted to submit their soil samples in a wild scene captured in viral videos and photos.

For over seven hours, thousands of Kenyans across Taiva Taveta caused a total mayhem as they queued to be financially rewarded with the GPC company witnessing unprecedented scenes.

While carrying with them branded plastic tins filled with enriched soil, the farmers received thousands in cash for every tin brought from their farms as many fought to be seen and heard.

Taiva Taveta, infamous for the highest teen pregnancies in Kenya, and a staggering level of unemployment, yesterday became a hub of activities as the GPC company stormed the area and massively shook up the region.

While speaking at the event, which was ettended by all of the top Kenyan media stations, Margaret Ayub, a farmer, expressed her excitement at the prospect, saying that she had been overwhelmed by the gesture.

Im totally surprised by the good gesture the GPC people have done! This is beyond what I could ever think of! My friend told me to bring along soil rich in carbon and that I would be paid for it. I thought she was joking. Upon arrival here, I was totally shocked to actually meet everything I expected! Im rich now! she said, ecstatically.

According to Hilda Birech, the GPC company head of operations, the initiative is going to cover even more areas and pull in even more thousands of farmers across the country.

This is just the beginning, she said. We are moving across the country in a move never been seen before. Our mission is to revolutionize farming in Kenya and we are starting with not just enriching our poor soil but also paying farmers for it.

The move, which is also said to have attracted governors and area MPs, is quickly shaking up farming across Kenya, pulling in thousands of farmers and massively changing the farming landscape.
Rapper Nonini on Monday issued an apology to the Kenyan public for his previous vocal support of President William Rutos administration, acknowledging that the country is currently headed in the wrong direction.

In a social media post, the US-based rapper and businessman said that certain leaders have let down the nation. Nonini admitted that he was wrong for openly endorsing them a year ago.

Looking back at how our country is going a year down the line with this government, I want to share my APOLOGY loudly to KENYANs for supporting this government and some leaders you know I did, he wrote.

Nonini demonstrated his strength by acknowledging his past support for certain politicians and openly admitting that he now sees the flaws in Kenyas current direction.

Despite the potential for criticism in the comments, Nonini stood firm in his belief that some of the nations leaders have let down the Kenyan people and offered his heartfelt sympathy to his fellow Kenyans.

It takes a strong person to admit they were wrong and niko ready for any matusi hapo kwa comments but at least Niko bold enough Ku admit mambo Kenya sio poa and some of our leaders have failed us Terribly. Poleni Sana WaKenya wenzangu, he added,
New Technology High School will welcome its first class of early college students next fall, debuting an integrated high school and college program in partnership with Napa Valley College.

Currently, the campus on Yajome Street offers dual-enrollment courses on an opt-in basis for students after regular school day hours, but this new program will transform the way that New Tech students study, bringing college courses into the school-day curriculum.

According to Monica Ready, the director of secondary curriculum, instruction and English learner services for the Napa Valley Unified School, New Tech students starting next fall with the Class of 2028 will take classes that earn them college credits as part of their core curriculum during all four years of high school.

This will really create a four-year path that will be integrated into the students day, Ready said. For example, a student might have four high school classes and two college classes during their freshman year, or five high school classes and one college class.

NVUSD was approved for an Early and Middle College Grant from the state of California in July, awarding the district $250,000 in funds to launch the program. Now, the NVUSD and NVC teams are planning what New Tech's curriculum will look like.

According to Ready, the team has been holding weekly planning meetings in preparation for the 2024-25 open enrollment window, from Oct. 15 through Nov. 30, when they will introduce the new education model to parents and students in the Class of 2028 as they select a high school later this fall.

New Tech's current curriculum already requires students to enroll in three college courses during their high school career, but many of the NVC courses offered on New Tech's campuses are after school and mostly reflect students interests outside their core math, English and science classes.

The Early College program, by contrast, will create a predictable curriculum for all incoming students that integrates NVC courses at each grade level during the school day, according to Ready. Ultimately, the goal is for all students to complete between 12 and 60 college credits during high school.

Those who complete 60 will likely be able to earn their associate degree or a certificate alongside their high school diploma, setting them up to either enter the work force or attend a four-year university to complete their bachelors degree in less time.

Dual-enrollment programs increase not just high school completion and graduation rates, but they increase college-going rates, and achievement of college degrees and certificates, said Cristine Tapia, NVC's dual enrollment and educational partnerships manager. The students who complete programs like this are shown to be employed in the first six years of their post-secondary education. Right out of the gate, they are eligible for so many opportunities.

Both Ready and Tapia said one of the main focuses for the committee working on the program's rollout will be outreach and education to families whose students might be the first in their families to consider college. Since New Tech is an open-enrollment campus, admission is not limited by where in the district a student lives.

Tapia said this is important for ensuring access to the program for all students, but it also means that the district will have to reach out to families whose students would particularly benefit from the early college option.

An early college (program) does look to increase access to our most at-promise youth and support them in that rigorous course offerings, Ready said. When I say at-promise, those are students who are multi-language learners  and students who may not historically have access to college experience.

Tapia added that an early college program can be a tool for economic mobility for students, since it allows them to earn college credits without some of the traditional barriers lower-income students might face, like an inability to get to and from the community college campus or spend after-school time in class. It also removes the economic barrier of enrollment fees.

We have a predominantly Latino population in Napa County  so we really serve a huge population of first-generation college students where perhaps college is not a topic of conversation at the dinner table, Tapia said. Providing them a program like this as early as high school, and establishing a culture of college-going to someone who has not been part of those conversations  opens up these pathways to traditionally underrepresented students.

While the early college program is in the development process, the planning team will be looking at ways to include current New Tech students in more of the college courses as well. Ultimately, the team said that though the school's curriculum will change in the coming years, New Tech's core tenets will not.

Theyll still have the roots of the school in project-based learning and technology, Ready said. It wont change the foundational components of the New Tech school.

Photos: Napa's New Tech high school seniors graduate New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023 New Tech High School graduation 2023
Pacific Gas & Electric Co. announced the potential for pre-emptive power cutoffs Thursday in parts of eight counties, but a shutdown would affect, at most, a handful of residents in Napa County.

Public safety power shutoffs due to wildfire hazard conditions would affect some 4,200 PG&E customers, more than half of them  2,675 customers  in Tehama and Shasta counties in Californias north, according to Megan McFarland, spokesperson for the utility. A PSPS could begin around 6 p.m. Wednesday.

PG&E listed Napa in a list of counties where a PSPS is possible on Thursday to reduce the risk of fires from wind-toppled power lines.

However, the will apply to no more than seven Napa County customers, all of them non-residential and in remote areas of the county, McFarland said Tuesday.

The other counties PG&E said could be affected by a power cutoff are mainly in the Sacramento Valley and include Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lake and Yolo.

This weeks Napa County weather forecast gives little hint of potentially fire-feeding conditions, at least on the valley floor. High temperatures at Napa County Airport are expected to remain in the mid-70s, with southwest winds of 5-9 mph on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

PG&E bases its decisions on imposing a PSPS not only on weather forecasts but also on other factors, including the presence of unusually dry vegetation and tall trees that could fall and strike power lines, according to McFarland.

In announcing the possibility of shutoffs, the utility cited northerly wind gusts of 30-35 mph in parts of the Sacramento Valley on Wednesday and Thursday.

Weather conditions that make a PSPS more likely include forecasts of humidity below 30%, sustained winds over 19 mph and gusts above 30-40 mph, red flag warnings issued by the weather service for fire-feeding conditions; and real-time observation by PG&E ground crews.

PG&E has begun notifying customers via text message, email and automated phone calls about the possibility of power cuts.

For more information about public safety power shutoffs and to sign up for alerts, visit pge.com/en_US/residential/outages/public-safety-power-shuttoff/learn-about-psps.page

4 portable power stations to help in an outage EcoFlow Delta mini Jackery Explorer 1500 Generark HomePower 2 Plus EcoFlow Delta Pro
World Bank: Economic activity growth increases, insignificant inflation recorded, exports drop in Armenia

Armenia, Iran sign memorandum of understanding on strengthening cooperation, workforce exchange

Blinken mentions Armenia during US Senate hearing

Newspaper: Armenia PM announces cancellation of point 9 of November 2020 trilateral statement

Karabakh president receives French, Italian members of European Parliament

Russian peacekeepers continue to remain in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia MoD says

Red Cross helps elderly people left in Karabakh to relocate to Armenia (VIDEO)

Central Bank chief: Armenia residents deposits increased by about 25%

EBRD regional director to Armenia finance minister: We are ready to assist those displaced from Karabakh

Armenia labor, social affairs minister attends Armenian-Iranian forum in Tehran

European Union increases humanitarian funding to Armenia by about 1.7M

Dollar, euro go up in Armenia

Armenia PM, Poland envoy address humanitarian situation of forcibly displaced people from Karabakh

Ardshinbank has been recognized as the "Best Corporate" and "Best ESG Bank" in Armenia by Euromoney magazine

Turkey border bridge renovation, furnishing underway, Armenia official says

Armenia official: Enclaves issue will be clarified when peace treaty with Azerbaijan is signed

Armenia official: Positive thing about North-South project is that we entered construction phase in some sections

Ethnic cleansing in Karabakh received pin-drop silence by American media, US presidential nominee says

Armenia economy minister: Trade relations with Russia are very important to us

Armenia official: We have certain idea about construction of railway in Meghri sector, we are waiting

74 films to be screened in Armenia during 19th Rolan International Film Festival for Children and Youth

Yeraskh steel plant project being implemented, it is being moved, it will be nearby, Armenia economy minister says

Azerbaijan pledges guarantees to Karabakh Armenians after its blockade, genocide

Karabakh ombudsman: Who needs forums, lengthy speeches if international community fails to prevent genocides?

Maestro Sergey Smbatyan: Process that could have had only one outcome is resolved

Legislature vice-speaker complains about reduction of programs in Armenia IT sector

UNICEF Armenia: Next batch of humanitarian aid sent to Syunik Province

Central Bank of Armenia reduces refinancing rate by 0.25 points, sets it at 9.5%

Martin Schuepp: Red Cross is helping people left in Karabakh

Finance minister: Armenia economic growth potential currently estimated at 5.5%

Armenia official: The money we were allocating to Karabakh should be enough to fund all programs

Parliament deputy speaker: Armenia has no contender in high tech

Newspaper: Karabakh army handed over ammunition not to Azerbaijan, but to Russian side

Canada ambassador about sanctions on Azerbaijan: There is also dispute within Armenia regarding them

Audi Q6 e-tron launch delayed until at least Spring 2024

Armenia Investigative Committee official: 8 of 16 persons captured by Azerbaijan are Karabakh leadership members

4.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Turkey

14 individuals were tortured, and 64 died on the move from Nagorno Karabakh. Foreign Ministry spokesperson

Council of Europe to prepare package of measures in response to refugee influx in Armenia

Mher Grigoryan and EU Ambassador exchanged ideas on regional developments

Minister of Defence had a meeting with the Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of PRC

Yeremyan Projects has launched the regional first livestock complex in Tashir community

Rights of Karabakhs imprisoned former leadership are protected, Azerbaijan ombudsperson claims

Finance ministry: Armenia economic growth target will be maintained at 7% level in 2024

Elnur Mammadov: Most points in peace treaty have been agreed upon by Azerbaijan, Armenia

Statement: Alma-Ata Declaration has no mention of former union republics of ex-USSR

Dollar drops, euro rises in Armenia

Armenia defense sector capital spending planned in amount of around $1.4 billion in 2024

Lawyer: Maestro Sergey Smbatyan is acquitted

Premier: Armenia defense spending planned to be increased by 125% in 2024 compared to 2018

Armenia, Ukraine officials underscore Pashinyan-Zelenskyy first meeting

ReA15: 300 animation films, 30 guests from 40 countries, around 500 audience; Armenia international festival summed up

Russias Makhachkala airport resumes operations

Armenia's Pashinyan: There is serious progress in North-South motorway construction

Around 12kg narcotics attempted to be smuggled into Armenia from Iran

Armenia finance minister: Considerable part of 2.6 billion to be provided by EU is loan

Armenia official: We will not increase pensions, minimum wages in 2024

Armenia finance minister: National debt of more than $10 billion is safe

Pashinyan: Armenia government expects 7% economic growth in 2023

COAF secures 10M grant to transform education in Armenia's Syunik Province

RFE/RL: US supports EU monitoring mission in Armenia, embassy says

Hurricane Otis kills at least 48 people in Mexico

$135M to be allocated for needs of those forcibly displaced from Karabakh, Armenia PM says

Armenia nationals can now open bank accounts in Russia in simplified manner

Armenia MFA former spox shares video of Russian peacekeepers withdrawal from Karabakh

202-million-year-old dragonfly fossil discovered in UK

Armenia premier: I hope arrangements for opening border with Turkey will be implemented in near future

Pashinyan: Current world orders collapse is serious threat to Armenia

Armenia labor, social affairs minister is in Iran, memorandum to be signed on highly qualified workforce exchange

Armenia PM: 3 main principles of signing peace treaty with Azerbaijan have been agreed upon

Armenia defense minister attends Beijing Xiangshan Forum opening ceremony in China (PHOTOS)

Biden, Netanyahu discuss ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza

Arab, Muslim users of social media unhappy with ongoing supply of oil from Azerbaijan to Israel

Attempts are being made to destabilize situation in Russias Dagestan from outside, leader Melikov says

20 people injured, 2 in critical condition after mass riots at Russias Makhachkala airport

Kamala Harris: US has no plans of sending combat troops to Israel, Gaza

Russia researchers develop water evaluation system using smartphones

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
Official Baku said it was ready for a meeting in Yevlakh with "representatives of the Armenian population living in Karabakh."

"The Administration of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan declares readiness for a meeting in Yevlakh with representatives of the Armenian population living in the Karabakh region of our country.

However, in order to stop the anti-terrorist measures, the illegal Armenian armed formations must raise the white flag, surrender all weapons, and the illegal regime must dissolve itself. Otherwise, the anti-terrorist measures will be continued until the end," says the statement of the Azerbaijani presidential administration.

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, has come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
Nine children were wounded as a result of Azerbaijani aggression in Artsakh and were admitted to the Arevik medical unit. Six of them have shrapnel injuries in different parts of their bodies, and their condition is of moderate severity, as reported by Artsakh TV.

"Three out of the nine are in serious condition. One of them, with internal bleeding, is currently in the operating room undergoing surgery. Another child has already undergone surgery for a penetrating chest injury, and a third child has a severe cranial injury and is being prepared for surgery," stated one of the doctors from the Arevik medical association.

A resident of Artsakh told journalists that during the shooting, he took his family down to the basement, but his wife and grandson were injured.

"My wife and grandson were injured and are currently undergoing surgery," he said.

"We left the village and took cover under a tree to wait for the shooting to stop before leaving. At that moment, we were hit, and everyone was injured. There may be other casualties among the population," another resident of Artsakh added.

One resident of Artsakh mentioned that all three of his children were injured.

"One of my children is now with the Russians. I don't know if he is okay or not."

In a conversation with Artsakh TV, the Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, stated that at least 50 people were brought to the hospital in his presence, including 15 civilians.



"Based on the information we have gathered, around 23 civilians have received injuries of varying degrees, including 8 children. This is not an anti-terrorist operation but the bloody stage of the genocide conducted by Azerbaijan. It is also a consequence of the international community's inaction, irrelevant statements, and incompetence during these nine months."

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, has come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
Andranik Tevanyan, the head of the Mother Armenia bloc, has called for the formation of a provisional government in Armenia. He made this statement during a protest rally in front of the Government building, where he also proposed the creation of a committee to coordinate all societal actions aimed at implementing the changes the Armenian people are eagerly anticipating.

"This committee should assume responsibility for managing the transition period.

Nikol Pashinyan, throughout the entire election campaign, avoided debates with me. Now is your opportunity to take a step that can prevent upheaval in our country. Give up the Prague process and the statement recognizing Artsakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Ensuring the security of Artsakh is a constitutional obligation of Armenia. If any leader refuses to do so, it can be considered a treason. We call for a change in this policy and urge a peaceful discussion on the issue of transferring power and establishing a new provisional government," Tevanyan emphasized.

Earlier NEWS.am reported that Azerbaijans Armed Forces started to use artillery along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh as of 1 p.m. on September 19, attempting to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, as well as other settlements are under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
Armenian citizens are holding a protest in front of the Russian Embassy in Yerevan over Azerbaijans aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh and demand that Russia stop Azerbaijan's genocidal actions against the peaceful population of Artsakh.

Right now, the situation in front of the Russian Embassy is tense, and there have been clashes between the protestors and the police.

The protesters unfurled a large Artsakh flag in front of the embassy and closed all entrances to the building.

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed a military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, use artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, have come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
During the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan met with his Latvian counterpart, Krisjanis Karins, and briefed him on Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh.

This goes against all efforts of partners to build stability in region, is open contempt for strong calls to deescalate. Intl steps should follow., Ararat Mirzoyan wrote on the X microblog.

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed a military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, use artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, have come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
Armenian citizens are holding a protest in front of the government building over Azerbaijans aggression in Nagorno Karabakh and demand the resignation of the countrys Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, blaming him of failing to take necessary steps to have avoided the escalation in Nagorno Karabakh.



The situation heated up as a scuffle broke out between citizens and police after which the police used stun grenades.

The protesters started throwing bottles at police officers and chanting: "Nikol is a traitor."

"There is no way back, only forward, is that why my brother died, jackals?" one of the protesters shouted.

The head of the Mother Armenia bloc Andranik Tevanyan tried to calm the crowd, but to little avail.

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed a military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, use artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, have come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
The situation in front of the Armenian government building is not stabilizing. From time to time there are scuffles between the police and protesters who demand Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans resignation over his failure in the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution.

There are wounded among the citizens.

Head of the Mother Armenia bloc Andranik Tevanyan called on citizens not to give in to provocations, to achieve their goals with joint efforts and in an organized manner. "Our goal is to realize the change of power. The process of power change should start with the roadmap we envision," he said, but his voice was not very audible in the noisy atmosphere.

New police forces, particularly the Red Berets, have been pulled to the government building.

Earlier, the police also used stun grenades; the square was filled with smoke.

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed a military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, use artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, have come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
On the background of Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh, the U.S. Embassy in Armenia urges the diplomatic staff and their families to avoid "non-essential travel" to:

Tavush region along the M4 highway north of Ijevan and all districts to the east.

Gegharkunik region east of Lake Sevan.

Gegharkunik region south of Lake Sevan and east of the M10 highway.

Yeraskh village in Ararat region.

Vayots Dzor region

Syunik region

Travel to Nagorno-Karabakh is also prohibited.

"The Embassy recognizes that the situation is evolving rapidly and continues to monitor it closely. U.S. citizens should continue to exercise caution near all international borders between Armenia and Azerbaijan and avoid traveling near the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone and the line of contact. The U.S. government cannot provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in and around Nagorno-Karabakh because access is limited," says the Embassys website.

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, has come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
Following todays escalation of hostilities in Artsakh, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is extremely concerned about the humanitarian impact on civilians in the coming hours and days.

Communities have endured the devastating effects of the armed conflict over many years. In the last few months in particular, basic commodities have been hard to find and access to health care extremely limited. These events are likely to deepen their suffering.

The ICRC calls on all military authorities to take the necessary measures to ensure civilian life and civilian infrastructure is respected and protected at all times, in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

"We are ready to respond to any increased humanitarian needs of the population and to continue our ongoing work across the region," said the ICRC's regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Ariane Bauer.

"We call on all military authorities to do their utmost to protect civilian life and to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution."

ICRC teams have today distributed medical supplies to two hospitals, with more deliveries planned. On 18 September, the ICRC delivered much-needed shipments of wheat flour and essential medical items to people in need via the Lachin corridor and the Aghdam road. We once again call for regular and unimpeded access to continue to reach those most in need.
This is another large-scale aggression against Artsakh and not only against Artsakh, but also against democracy, human rights, dignity, the value system of Artsakh, and the entire civilized world. The Advisor to the President of Artsakh David Babayan has said.



As for Azerbaijan's statement that what happened was a so-called anti-terrorist operation, Babayan said: Naturally, this has nothing to do with reality. What does anti-terrorist mean, when missile strikes are carried out and civilian objects are destroyed, civilians, including children suffer? We have no terrorists here. Does it mean that Russian peacekeepers are here to protect the terrorists? This is an excuse that the world swallows.

We expect from the the world to show dignity and humanity at least once, instead of PR, talking, calling, an entire nation is being subjected to genocide and everyone is silent, those who should take steps  the international community, and Russia in the first place. We expect a lot from them, but we see nothing," Babayan said.

Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed a military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, use artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, have come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
Azerbaijan's attack is not only on Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia is also the target, because for obvious reasons, the events taking place in Nagorno-Karabakh have an impact on Armenia, Secretary of Armenias Security Council Armen Grigoryan said in an interview with Public Television.

"You saw it during the 44-day war, on November 9, when the government buildings were attacked in Armenia, and today you saw that some forces in the Republic Square, naturally with the support of foreign forces, at least, advancing their narratives, they were trying to target the government in Armenia," he said.

When asked why the government did not neutralize those people, if it declares that they are agents of another country, the Armen Grigoryan answered: "It has both subjective and objective reasons. Those people are being used by other countries. You raise the right question: why those people are still outside. Public support for them is adequate and I think the public should continue to ignore them. The government should continue to pay attention and it is taking steps."

Referring to opposition's claim that this government has consistently ruined its relations with Russia and now Russia is returning the "debt", Armen Grigoryan said. "First of all, if they perceive the Armenian-Russian relations from that point of view and formulate Russia's interests that way, that is, at the level of individuals, it means that we may not take Russia seriously from that point of view.

As for the propaganda that Armenia is to blame, Azerbaijan organized the attack first, and those people blame the RA authorities."

The Secretary of the Security Council noted that Russia has been cooperating with Azerbaijan for a long time; it has sold arms worth 5 billion dollars to it since 2011. "The fact that Armenia has not made any changes in its foreign policy since 2018, at least until 2021-2022, is definitely a reason to file an accusation. Russia has clear obligations to protect Nagorno-Karabakh on November 9. There is the signature of the Russian President. In other words, is that signature valid? Is the charge of the Armenian authorities valid?" Armen Grigoryan declared.

He noted that in May and November 2021, when there the Prague meeting had not taken place yet and Azerbaijan attacked the sovereign territory of Armenia, Russia did not fulfill its obligations.
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chairs Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-12), David G. Valadao (CA-22), and Adam B. Schiff (CA-30) issued a statement following reports of Azerbaijans unprovoked attacks on Artsakh earlier today.

The Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues has warned for months that Azerbaijan was implementing a genocidal campaign against the Armenian people of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in broad daylight. The large-scale attack by Azerbaijani forces today further escalates that campaign, taking advantage of a people they have systematically starved over the last 10 months. It is still too early to tell the full breadth and scale of this attack, but initial reports indicate that Azerbaijan is using deadly force, including heavy shelling, against residential and civilian areas in Stepanakert.

According to reports, the attacks have so far resulted in at least 138 injured individuals, including 29 civilians, and 25 fatalities, including one child. President Aliyev orchestrated this deliberate attack to exile the Armenian population in Artsakh. The so-called humanitarian corridors they reportedly opened for civilians to use to leave the area are only meant to further perpetuate their campaign of ethnic cleansing using violence, hunger, and fear to push these people out of their homeland.

Armenians have called Nagorno-Karabakh home for thousands of years. The United States should use every diplomatic tool, including sanctions, to help guarantee their right to remain there. We call on the State Department and our international partners to take immediate action to halt any further aggressions by Azerbaijani forces and ensure their safety and security, - the statement of the US congressmen reads.
Armenia continues to defend only the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and this is the priority of the Republic of Armenia, Secretary of Armenias Security Council Armen Grigoryan said in interview with Public Television aired live.



"Regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the international community, primarily the Russian Federation, should take steps, because they have a presence on the ground, their peacekeepers are there, and their duty is not just to provide medical aid, but actually to protect the Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh and their security within the framework of the November 9 announcement," he said.



Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed a military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, use artillery and other heavy weapons as of 1 p.m. on September 19. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh. Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, have come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

To a clarifying question that whether Armenia shouldn't intervene in the military operations in Artsakh, he answered: "We must work intensively with the international community, as well as with Russia, so that it fulfills its obligations."

In response to the remark that Armenia provokes Moscow with its actions, in particular, with the process of ratifying the Rome Statute, Armen Grigoryan noted that Armenia started this process at the end of 2021, when the Russian-Ukrainian war had not yet started. "The Rome Statute is a tool that Armenia has the opportunity to use to protect the territory of Armenia. Armenia should take steps to protect its territorial integrity."
Throughout the day, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry tried to justify its false claim that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces supposedly did not open fire on civilian infrastructures and civilian population. Artsakh Defence Army reports.

"The purpose of the information policy of the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry is to mislead the international community. According to official data, there are civilian casualties as well.

As a result of information tricks used by the Azerbaijani propaganda machine, lots of incorrect or false information was also spread in Armenian social networks. The press service of the Defense Army urges to follow only official sources," the statement by Artsakh Defence Army reads.

Earlier today, Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery and other heavy weapons. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, has come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
At the moment, there is practically no communication between the towns and villages of Artsakh and Stepanakert. Arman Tatoyan, former ombudsman of Armenia and director of the Tatoyan Foundation, wrote on his Facebook page.

Azerbaijan, taking advantage of the lack of communication, fuel, and transportation, taking advantage of the fact that it is night, continues (at this moment) targeted bombardment of peaceful settlements (Stepanakert, Martuni, etc.), peaceful population - pregnant women and children, elderly people.

In this criminal style, the Government of Azerbaijan is deliberately increasing the number of civilian casualties and the destruction of settlements.

We are in round-the-clock contact with our partners in Artsakh and are working together to report Azerbaijans war crimes, he wrote.

Earlier today, Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, using artillery and other heavy weapons. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, has come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Yuri Kim has met with Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Met today with Jeyhun Bayramov and reiterated U.S. call for an immediate stop to Azerbaijani military action in Nagorno-Karabakh. Direct dialogue is the only way to resolve disputes, she wrote on her page on X.

Earlier today, Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery and other heavy weapons. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, has come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) said on its social network X that returning to the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is now more important than ever.

It is imperative that Azerbaijan and Armenia return to the peace process - after the very disturbing events on Tuesday, especially the consequences of the renewed use of armed force. This is needed more than ever. Full compliance with international law is of paramount importance, the organization said.

Earlier today, Azerbaijans Armed Forces unleashed military aggression against Nagorno Karabakh, using artillery and other heavy weapons. They attempted to penetrate into the depth of the defense line of the Defense Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, has come under heavy shelling now. The Human Rights Defender of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanyan, reported that there are multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
Russia calls on the conflicting parties to exclude civilian casualties in Nagorno-Karabakh and stop the bloodshed, a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

In connection with the sharp escalation of the armed confrontation in Nagorno-Karabakh, we urge the conflicting parties to immediately stop the bloodshed, stop hostilities and eliminate civilian casualties, the ministry said.

Moscow also called for an immediate return to the implementation of the trilateral agreements between the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorno-Karabakh and to stop the armed confrontation.

The main thing now is to urgently return to the implementation of the set of trilateral agreements at the highest level for 2020-2022, which spell out all the steps for a peaceful solution to the Karabakh problem, stop the armed confrontation and do everything possible to ensure the rights and security of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh, the ministry added.

The department noted that Yerevans recognition of Karabakh as Azerbaijans territory has changed the conditions under which the statement of the leaders of the Russian Federation, Azerbaijan and Armenia was signed.

The fate of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement was radically influenced by the recognition by official Yerevan in October 2022 and May 2023 at summits under the auspices of the European Union of Nagorno Karabakh as part of the territory of Azerbaijan. This changed the fundamental conditions under which the statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia on November 9, 2020 was signed, as well as the position of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, the ministry said.

The Foreign Ministry also reported that Russian peacekeepers are assisting the civilian population of Karabakh, including in matters of medical care and evacuation.

During these hours, the Russian peacekeeping contingent provides assistance to the civilian population [of Nagorno-Karabakh], including medical assistance, and is engaged in evacuation, the Russian diplomatic service indicated.
The Brazilian government is following the events in Nagorno Karabakh with concern, especially in view of its impact on the civilian population, and calls on engaging in peaceful dialogue through the mediation of the EU, Moscow and the United States, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the South American country reported.

The Brazilian government is following with great concern the resurgence of tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh, especially in view of its impact on the civilian population. The Brazilian government reiterates that the best path to a lasting solution is peaceful dialogue, especially through the three ongoing negotiation platforms (Brussels, Moscow and Washington). Brazil will continue to closely monitor the humanitarian and security situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, together with the other members of the United Nations Security Council, the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.
Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz called from the rostrum of the UN General Assembly to stop hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.

My thoughts are with the people of Nagorno-Karabakh. As we speak, the renewed fighting leading to a stalemate must end, Scholz said.

In his X (former Twitter) account, he wrote:

The hostilities in Nagorno Karabakh must end immediately. The situation between Azerbaijan and Armenia is very critical. The government in Baku must immediately stop the attacks and return to diplomacy to reach a peaceful solution.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.
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.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan held a meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security, Josep Borrell, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

During their discussion, both officials stressed that Azerbaijan's actions in Nagorno-Karabakh are in direct contradiction to the fundamental norms of international law and are clearly designed to deprive the people of Nagorno-Karabakh of their homeland.

Ararat Mirzoyan expressed his view on the matter in his microblog, stating, 'International partners, including EU, should take urgent action to prevent.'

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.
U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on Tuesday condemned Azerbaijans assault against Nagorno-Karabakh and urged the cut off of U.S. assistance to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs regime, the aforesaid committee noted in a press release.

The two leading Senators sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing their concerns about the situation and urging the Biden Administration to immediately condemn the actions of the Government of Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh and announce that United States will not extend of its waiver of Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act.

In their letter, the Senators pointed out that, Azerbaijan has denied the people of Nagorno Karabakh have freedom of movement and access to essential goods, food, and medicine. With the Aliyev regimes resumption of military operations, it now appears that Azerbaijan is intent on removing ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh from the region by any means necessary.

As you know, Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act of 1992 prohibits United States assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan until the President determines and notifies Congress that the Government of Azerbaijan is taking demonstrable steps to cease all blockades and other offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2002, in the wake of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the invasion of Afghanistan, Congress gave the President the authority to waive Section 907 and issue annual extensions for the provision of assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan if the President determines and certifies that certain criteria are met.

For years, this extension has been granted by Presidents of both parties in support of United States national security and foreign policy priorities and pursuant to federal law. Given renewed Azeri aggression and the blockade of the Lachin Corridor, we no longer believe an extension of the waiver of Section 907 can be justified, and we urge you to declare this publicly.

We also urge you to strongly condemn Azerbaijans military actions and work to ensure humanitarian aid is able to enter the region, the aforesaid letter added, in particular.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to the fighting" in Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).

The Secretary-General is extremely concerned over the use of military force in the region and reports of casualties, including among the civilian population. He regrets that these worrying developments follow the delivery of much-needed humanitarian assistance to the local population on 18 September.

The Secretary-General calls in the strongest terms for an immediate end to the fighting, de-escalation, and stricter observance of the 2020 ceasefire and principles of international humanitarian law. He remains concerned about the humanitarian situation on the ground and reiterates his call for urgent steps to facilitate full-fledged access for humanitarian actors to people in need. He calls on the parties to refocus on efforts to help build confidence and secure long-term peace in the region, the UN Secretary Generals office said in a statement.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.
The police in Yerevan are conducting enhanced service near the Armenian governments main building, in front of the Russian embassy, and nearby the government's private residences. In all three places, they stand in a row at the entrances. However, there are a large number of police forces in the buses nearby, the Armenian News-NEWS.am correspondent reports from on location.

Yesterday evening, clashes took place between protesters and police outside the main Armenian government building, and there are dozens of injured from both sides. The police used special light and sound measures.

There was tension in front of the Russian embassy as well, where protesters kept both entrances closed for hours. Amis the deterioration of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, more than a hundred people who came to the building of this diplomatic mission called on the Russian side to take measures to settle the situation there. Currently, there are several police cars near the Russian embassy. There is also a small group of youth there who do not actively express their opinion and do not raise any slogans.

The participants of the demonstrations that took place near the main Armenian government building and the Russian embassy yesterday had announced that they will spend the night there and will not leave.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has ignored US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's call to immediately stop the Azerbaijani military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh.

A phone conversation with the president of Azerbaijan took place yesterday at the initiative of the US Secretary of State, the Azerbaijani media reported citing Aliyev's press service. Blinken expressed concern about the current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, called for a ceasefire, and stated that "the US supports direct dialogue between Baku and representatives of Armenians living in the Karabakh region."

Aliyev told the US Secretary of State that "the handover of weapons by the Armenian forces is a condition for the cessation of the antiterrorist operation of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in Karabakh."

Let's emphasize that in this telephonic conversation with Blinken, Aliyev did not even promise to stop the Azerbaijani military operations subject to the "disarmament" of Nagorno-Karabakh, but only to "stop."

At the same time, Aliyev openly lied, saying that only "military targets" were being shelled in Nagorno-Karabakh.

As we have already informed, one child is among the dead, and more than ten children are wounded in Nagorno-Karabakh.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday met with Bujar Osmani, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office and Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia, within the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

The focus of the meeting was on the most serious security and humanitarian issues that have emerged as a result of the large-scale military aggression being carried out by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh since Tuesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

FM Mirzoyan noted that Azerbaijan, guided by the feeling of impunity, perceives the lack of deterrent steps by international organizations as permissiveness, and seeks to carry out Armenian ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh through the use of open force.

Also, the Armenian FM emphasized the importance of the urgent launch of relevant OSCE mechanisms.
The situation in Artsakh can get much worse. A little precious time remains for international diplomacy before the worst scenario occurs. Thomas de Waal, regional specialist of the Carnegie European Foundation, wrote this in his X microblog, referring to Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh.

Day 1 of a new war in Karabakh (an awful thing to write.) A terrible day for Western diplomacy, for peacemakers, above all of course for the people of Karabakh. Main observation, I'm afraid, is that it has the potential to get a whole lot worse.

Baku calls for dissolution of Karabakh Armenian longstanding political structures and local armed forces before it will talk. (Also says that there are still soldiers there from Armenia, that is disputed can't be verified). It's a call to surrender the other side won't accept.

So the Azerbaijani attack on Karabakh set to continue. Baku today mainly used air power to destroy what military infrastructure remains in Karabakh. Reports of a few dozen casualties already.

What comes next could be worse, however. Next step may be a ground attack to take population centres where most Armenian armed men are stationed and thousands of civilians live. With a prospect of much greater bloodshed.

So a little precious time remains for international diplomacy before this scenario occurs.

What about Moscow? Up to 2000 Russian peacekeepers on the ground but thus far they are doing nothing. At the same time Russian officials and commentators are blaming Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan and his pro-Western turn for the situation.

Unsurprising then that many Armenians believe Moscow is allowing this to happen in order to try to instigate regime change in Armenia. Keep a close eye also on Yerevan in coming days. A very dynamic situation (in a bad way), he wrote.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.

As of 03:00, September 20, according to the information received by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the number of civilian casualties in Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijani aggression has reached 7, including 3 women, 2 children, and 2 men. There are also 35 injured persons among the civilian population: 13 children, 15 women and 7 men.
As the shelling commenced, efforts were made to evacuate women and children from the village and transport them to Russian peacekeepers' posts. A nurse from the Karabakh village of Mets Shen, Sevan Mandzhikyan, shared her account with Radio Liberty.

Mandzhikyan and her husband remained in the village to assist the wounded if necessary. She recounted that Russian peacekeepers tried to facilitate the evacuation of women and children from Nagorno-Karabakh through the Lachin corridor, crossing the Hakari Bridge. However, Azerbaijani forces began firing upon the peacekeepers' vehicles.

"It was around 7 o'clock; they intended to transport children and women to Khin Shen. The Azerbaijanis seemed to indicate that the way was open, and whoever wanted to leave could do so. They planned to use the Lachin route and cross the Hakari Bridge. However, while en route from the post to the village, the Azerbaijanis fired at the Russian vehicles, causing a delay. As a result, the children could not be evacuated. The Ural vehicles, with women and children on board, were targeted by gunfire, preventing the Russians from carrying out the evacuation. Consequently, all of them remain here; none were able to leave," said the nurse from the village of Mets Shen.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.

As of 03:00, September 20, according to the information received by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the number of civilian casualties in Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijani aggression has reached 7, including 3 women, 2 children, and 2 men. There are also 35 injured persons among the civilian population: 13 children, 15 women and 7 men.
Canada is gravely concerned with the military escalation and deteriorating humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting from the military intervention announced by Azerbaijans Defense Ministry. Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada, noted this in a statement she issued Tuesday. The statement continues as follows:

Canada calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh to avoid any further humanitarian impact.

We call on the Azerbaijan government to refrain from any actions and activities that pose a risk to the safety and welfare of the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh, and to show good faith in facilitating the restoration of humanitarian access to Nagorno-Karabakh for the delivery of food, medicine and other essentials, including via the Lachin corridor.

Canada supports a negotiated political solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict as well as the continuation of dialogue between the parties towards promoting confidence-building measures, and promotes the principles of the non-use of force, territorial integrity and self-determination in resolving the conflict.

Canada will continue to work with its partners to mitigate the impacts of this unjustifiable military action on civilians, who have already been affected by months of illegal blockade, and to find a sustainable, negotiated settlement in this conflict.
The shelling by the Azerbaijani armed forces is not stopping in the capital of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), Stepanakert.

The sounds of explosions are also heard in the city Wednesday morning.

People are sheltering in basements.

The shelling continued throughout the night.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military attack against Artsakh Tuesday. As a result, there are currently 27 casualties and 200 wounded.

And thousands of people gathered yesterday outside the main Armenian government building in Yerevan, and demanded an answer from the Armenian authorities.
The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh must make decisions very quickly and boldly and publicly present them to the people, no matter how difficult they are, and the people must understand this surgical step arising from the situation. Artak Beglaryan, the former state minister of Artsakh, wrote about this on his Facebook page.

"The bloody genocide that is going on at this moment should be stopped a minute ago, because the number of victims and wounded is increasing rapidly, and the advancement and success of the Azerbaijani army in different directions is developing. Time is working against us, because it is obvious that no international actors, including the Russian and American parties, want to stop the war. It is indisputable to me that the Russian Federation, the USA and the EU criminally fully support the Azeri agenda to subjugate the people of Artsakh. In such difficult geopolitical conditions and in such an extremely unequal war, our heroic boys simply cannot provide a significant result, only at the cost of their courage and lives. We have remained completely besieged and alone, even Mother Armenia has abandoned Artsakh in this struggle.

In such an obvious impasse, the main priority should be to save human lives, and the rest of the issues related to the future of Artsakh should be discussed after the ceasefire, to the extent possible, with possible international guarantees.

It is very difficult for me to write such a text, but we are obliged to tell the truth for the sake of the people of Artsakh and the future of the fragments of the homeland, even if it is obscured. Every struggle must have a certain visible perspective, especially when thousands of human lives are on the other side of the scale.

Be strong, people. The time will come, we will rise.

P.S. Let no one, especially outside of Artsakh, try to give me patriotism lessons, detached from this harsh reality, only a small part of which is visible from the outside," he wrote.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.

As of 03:00, September 20, according to the information received by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the number of civilian casualties in Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijani aggression has reached 7, including 3 women, 2 children, and 2 men. There are also 35 injured civilians: 13 children, 15 women and 7 men.
While heads of state and international journalists were focused on the annual UN General Assembly in New York, Azerbaijan enacted the next phase of its master plan to force the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh from their indigenous lands by launching a full-scale military operation against Armenian defense formations. It also announced that it is providing a safe route to "evacuate" the civilian population to keep them from harm's way. AGBU, world's largest Armenian non-profit organization, wrote this on their website.

The statement reads as following:

This act of so-called benevolence flies in the face of reality, yet the world media reports it without the appropriate context. This lack of perspective only aids Azerbaijan in completing its mission to cleanse the region of all traces of Armenian life, culture, and history.

Under the false pretext that Armenian defense forces provoked this anti-terrorist Azeri attack by setting landmines that killed several Azeri forces, Azerbaijan has once again justified its aggressive actions with unproven claims that many in the international community and global media continue to take at face value.

This false equivalent strategy has helped enable Azerbaijan to violate the very laws and conventions that the UN established to prevent ethnic cleansing and genocide in the first place. In effect, Azerbaijan's brazen military actions and forced evacuations are sending a cynical message to the world community--during UN General Assembly week no less. It is telling the world that it can operate outside of the international world order simply because nobody is willing to check the veracity of its claims or put this aggression into perspective as part of a genocidal pattern of behavior recently denounced by human rights agencies and experts including US, French and other government officials.

In the context of all the other crimes against humanity committed by Azerbaijan against Armenians over decades, and, most recently, in the 2020 Artsakh War and its aftermath, world leaders and media must perform due diligence to fully investigate these contrived Azeri narratives, and avoid issuing neutral statements and reports that paint the Armenians as anything but clear victims.

AGBU believes that the time has come to end this tacit policy of "both-sides" culpability between Azerbaijan and Armenia for the deteriorating situation in Nagorno Karabakh.

While the Armenians of Artsakh are on the brink of expulsion from their ancestral lands, the world community has failed to frame the crisis accurately," says Berge Setrakian, President of AGBU, the world's largest Armenian humanitarian organization.

"There are numerous documented accounts that indicate that Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh do not initiate physical violence against Azerbaijan but have always opted to seek legal remedies to retain its historical status as an autonomous political entity. Only when Azerbaijan decided to use violence to prevent the Armenians from achieving the right to self-determination did the Armenians try to defend themselves through military means. Apparently, Azerbaijan does not believe that a besieged, oppressed, and ethnically discriminated group of people have the right to stand up for its very survival," Setrakian went on to say.

Azerbaijan has always been the aggressor and perpetrator of brute force resulting a litany of deadly and criminal tactics like the nine month economic blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, use of chemical weapons, torture of POWs, desecration of Armenian churches and Christian holy objects, and shelling of civilians targets. All these crimes should be taken into account when reporting or commenting on the current crisis.

"Context, hard evidence, and original fact-finding missions are the only way to get to the truth and seek justice in this case," says AGBU Central Board Member and Media Relations expert Arda Haratunian. "The world owes that to the Armenians who have suffered immensely from false equivalencies and largely inadequate reporting long enough. When the outcome is the destruction of a peaceful and democratic people, and the murder of innocent lives, including children, full and accurate coverage is critical.
American Armenians held a protest on the street next to the UN headquarters in New York.

They were demonstrating against Azerbaijan's ongoing military aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), and holding banners in that regard.

The 78th session of the UN General Assembly is taking place at the UN headquarters, and US President Joe Biden will deliver an address there.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military attack against Artsakh Tuesday. As a result, there are currently 27 casualties and 200 wounded.

And thousands of people gathered yesterday outside the main Armenian government building in Yerevan, and demanded an answer from the Armenian authorities.

In Azerbaijan, the actions to destroy the civilian population of Nagorno Karabakh are called "local antiterrorist measures."
A group of youth are marching towards Yerevan's universities and calling for boycotting of classes in support of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

They are currently walking around Yerevan State University buildings and chanting.

"Artsakh is dying, genocide of 120,000 Armenians is being carried out there. Go out to the streets! Children were killed. Armenia should stand up for its 120,000 citizens," said one of these youth.

Earlier, Armenian News-NEWS.am reported that Azerbaijan launched a large-scale military attack against Artsakh Tuesday. As a result, there are currently 32 casualties and 200 wounded.

And thousands of people gathered yesterday outside the main Armenian government building in Yerevan, and demanded an answer from the Armenian authorities.

In Azerbaijan, the actions to destroy the civilian population of Nagorno Karabakh are called "local antiterrorist measures."
As a consequence of Azerbaijan's aggression against Artsakh, around 100 people have lost their lives, with hundreds more sustaining injuries. Ruben Vardanyan, former Minister of State of Artsakh, said this in an interview with Reuters.

This is a big war - Azerbaijan has started a full operation, he said.

He highlighted that Azerbaijani forces continued combat throughout the entire preceding night, resulting in hundreds of injuries and the tragic loss of approximately 100 lives.

Already hundreds of people have been injured and close to 100 people have been killed, Vardanyan said.

In his remarks, Vardanyan characterized the situation as a form of ethnic cleansing, where civilians are becoming the unfortunate victims.

They are basically saying to us that we need to leave, not stay here, or accept that this is a part of Azerbaijan - this is basically a typical ethnical cleansing operation and a war with a lot of civilians now being killed, he added.

Vardanyan expressed concern that the international community appears to be ignoring the fate of Nagorno Karabakh.

He noted, "Russia is silent and Russia is basically ignoring this whole military operation. But not only Russia but the world also is silent. Nobody is doing anything: everyone is ignoring this, Russia is silent but so is the West. Can you imagine what happens if 120,000 people go to Armenia?"

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.

As of 03:00, September 20, according to the information received by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the number of civilian casualties in Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijani aggression has reached 7, including 3 women, 2 children, and 2 men. There are also 35 injured civilians: 13 children, 15 women and 7 men.
China, Cuba to support each other on issues concerning core interests, says senior CPC official

Xinhua) 09:38, September 20, 2023

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, meets with Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of organization of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee, in Havana, Cuba, Sept. 16, 2023. At the invitation of the Communist Party of Cuba, Li paid an official friendly visit to Cuba from Saturday to Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

HAVANA, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Cuba to implement the important consensus reached by top leaders of the two parties and countries, and continue to support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests, said a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) during his visit to Cuba.

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks when meeting with First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Li paid an official friendly visit to Cuba from Saturday to Monday.

China stands ready to promote the development of the respective party building and socialist cause, said Li, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

China is also willing to work with Cuba to promote the implementation of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative, as well as the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he added.

Conveying cordial greetings of Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, to Diaz-Canel, Li extended congratulations on Cuba's success in hosting the Summit of the Group of 77 and China in Havana.

Li said that the two meetings between Xi and Diaz-Canel after the 20th CPC National Congress pointed out the direction for the development of relations between the two parties and countries.

For his part, Diaz-Canel asked Li to convey his sincere greetings to General Secretary Xi, and expressed a warm welcome to Li for his visit as the special representative of President Xi.

China has firmly stood with the Global South nations and effectively safeguarded the common interests of developing countries, said Diaz-Canel, noting that the Cuban side thanks China for its assistance to Cuba's economic and social development and is ready to maintain close friendly exchanges with the CPC and promote practical cooperation.

Diaz-Canel also expressed gratitude for China's firm support for the Cuban people's just struggle against unilateral blockade and sanctions, saying that Cuba firmly supports the major global initiatives proposed by Xi. He also wished the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation a complete success.

During the meeting with Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and secretary of organization of the PCC Central Committee, the two sides agreed to strengthen political mutual trust and strategic coordination, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance and experience sharing and cooperation in party management and anti-corruption.

The two sides also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between China's National Commission of Supervision and the Office of the Comptroller General of Cuba.

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, visits Raul Castro, the leader of Cuba's socialist revolution, in Havana, Cuba, Sept. 16, 2023. At the invitation of the Communist Party of Cuba, Li paid an official friendly visit to Cuba from Saturday to Monday. (Xinhua)

When visiting Raul Castro, the leader of Cuba's socialist revolution, Li conveyed Xi's greetings to Raul and said that the traditional friendship between China and Cuba was forged and carefully cultivated by the older generation of leaders of the two countries. Raul is a close friend of the CPC and the Chinese people and has made historic contributions to the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries. Facing the complex and ever-changing international situation, China is willing to work with Cuba to jointy build a China-Cuba community with a shared future.

Raul Castro asked Li to convey his greetings to Xi. He recalled his exchanges with Chinese comrades, saying that Cuba is happy and encouraged by the great achievements made in the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and is willing to learn from China's development experience. He also visited the Fidel Castro Ruz Center with Li.

During Li's visit to Cuba, he introduced the full and rigorous self-governance and anti-corruption work of the CPC under the strong leadership of General Secretary Xi and the CPC Central Committee.

Li told the Cuban side that China has successfully embarked on a path of anti-corruption that relies on institutional strengths and the rule of law, while the CPC has become stronger and more powerful and won the heartfelt support of the people.

The Cuban side spoke highly of the remarkable achievements made by the CPC in party building and anti-corruption and expressed willingness to deepen exchanges with the Chinese side on party governance, discipline inspection and supervision.

Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, lays a wreath to the monument of Jose Marti in Havana, Cuba, Sept. 16, 2023. At the invitation of the Communist Party of Cuba, Li paid an official friendly visit to Cuba from Saturday to Monday. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The Russian Ministry of Defense reported that Russian peacekeepers have successfully evacuated more than 2,000 civilians from Nagorno-Karabakh. These evacuees have been provided with temporary accommodations, and medical professionals are offering assistance to the wounded.

According to the statement by the Ministry of Defense, the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues its efforts to evacuate the civilian population from the most perilous areas of Nagorno-Karabakh while also delivering essential medical care to those in need. Among the evacuees, over 1,049 are children. All relocated residents have been provided with temporary shelter and warm meals. Additionally, a special medical unit of doctors is tending to the injured.

The Russian peacekeeping contingent remains active in fulfilling its responsibilities within Nagorno-Karabakh, the statement says. With 30 observation posts in operation, Russian peacekeepers are maintaining 24/7 vigilance and overseeing compliance with the ceasefire.

The statement also says that since 12:00 on September 19, 2023, the Russian peacekeeping contingent has documented numerous instances of ceasefire violations by Azerbaijani forces along the entire line of contact."

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.

As of 03:00, September 20, according to the information received by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the number of civilian casualties in Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijani aggression has reached 7, including 3 women, 2 children, and 2 men. There are also 35 injured civilians: 13 children, 15 women and 7 men.
OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, held separate meetings Tuesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, the OSCE informed in a press statement.

Chairman Osmani raised his deep concerns over yesterday's military operations in the region and the danger these pose to the affected civilian population. While calling for immediate de-escalation, he again voiced his concerns over the severe consequences for the conflict-affected population, especially on vulnerable groups. He emphasized that humanitarian considerations must prevail and that humanitarian needs of the local people must be met.

He underscored that the use of force to resolve disputes was completely and always unacceptable and that sustained, constructive dialogue in good faith was the only path toward sustainable peace.

The Chairman reiterated his readiness for personal and active engagement and emphasized that the OSCE stood ready to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan on their path to peace. He noted that the OSCE retained the relevant experience, expertise, and tools to facilitate dialogue, build trust and implement relevant agreements that support normalizing relations between the parties.
Not sure that by tomorrow and the UN Security Council meeting, the Defense of Artsakh will hold up, despite its heroism, in the face of Azeri firepower. Jean-Christophe Buisson, deputy director of the French periodical La Figaro, wrote this on his X (former Twitter) account.

If France, EU and others do not sanction Aliev and threaten him IMMEDIATELY, there will be ethnic cleansing, he wrote.

He also wrote that the Armenian people, predominantly Catholic, are being massacred by the Azeris. Thousands of Armenian villagers from the districts of Martuni, Askeran and Martakert are evacuating their villages this morning that were bombed or stormed by the Azeris.

Ethnic cleansing is underway, he wrote.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.

As of September 20, fighting continues along the contact line of Nagorno Karabakh with varying degrees of intensity. Units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces are employing various weapons not only to maintain their positional advance but also to target civilian infrastructure.

As of 03:00, September 20, according to the information received by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, the number of civilian casualties in Artsakh as a result of Azerbaijani aggression has reached 7, including 3 women, 2 children, and 2 men. There are also 35 injured civilians: 13 children, 15 women and 7 men.
Since Tuesday, Azerbaijan has launched a large-scale attack along the line of contact with Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), simultaneously with carrying out massive missile, artillery, and air strikes.

The analysis of the actions by the Azerbaijan armed forces shows that their task is to divide Artsakh and cause irreparable damage to its vitality. During two days of fierce battles, the units of the Artsakh armed forces are heroically defending against the enemy, which was several times superior in manpower and military equipment, causing it the greatest losses.

Unfortunately, the Artsakh side also has casualties and wounded. And in some areas, the enemy has managed to penetrate into the combat positions of the Artsakh Defense Army, and take control of a number of heights and strategic road junctions.

In the current situation, the actions of the international community, in terms of stopping the war and resolving the situation, are insufficient.

Taking into account all this, the Artsakh authorities accept the proposal of the command of the contingent carrying out Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh regarding the cessation of fire.
The Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) authorities have accepted the proposal of the command of the contingent carrying out Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh regarding the cessation of fire.

The respective statement issued by the Artsakh Information Center notes that with the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of military operations as of 1pm Wednesday.

"An agreement has been reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA [(Republic of Armenia)] Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the RF [(Russian Federation)]peacekeeping troops, the dissolution and complete disarmament of the armed formations of the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army, the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly utilize them.

The issues raised by the Azerbaijani side of reintegration, ensuring the rights and security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as the issues of livelihood of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh within the framework of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, according to the agreement reached, will be discussed at the meeting between the representatives of the local Armenian population and the central authorities of the Republic of Azerbaijan, which will take place in the city of Yevlakh on September 21, 2023, and during subsequent meetings," the statement said.
Azerbaijans Armed Forces have captured residents from Taghavard during their military aggression, MP of the Artsakh National Assembly Metaxe Hakobyan has told NEWS.am, adding that the situation is difficult everywhere in Artsakh.

"The relatives of our friends who live in Taghavard were captured by the Azerbaijanis. Azerbaijanis go to extreme measures and it does not matter if it is a civilian or not, they kill or capture from all sides.

This is the genocide that Nikol Pashinyan [Armenias PM] was talking about, he achieved his dream. Our compatriots in Armenia decided to have Nikol instead of Artsakh and Armenia. Artsakh has been resisting for a day, hoping that Armenia will help it, but it never happened," she said.

The MP informed that Artsakh has been in mediated discussions with Azerbaijan since yesterday, but the Azerbaijani side would not listen to any proposal.



Metaxe Hakobyan also said that there are many wounded and victims in hospitals.

"But the resource is very limited. In the area in Stepanakert where my house and family are, I no longer see people. We are left alone, everyone has voluntarily evacuated, I don't know in which direction, it's a chaos," she added.
Criminal proceedings have been launched into the Azerbaijani military-political leadership committing genocide in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), the Investigative Committee of Armenia informed in a statement.

Accordingly, based on the reports received from a group of citizens on the case of committal of genocide through the illegal blockade by Azerbaijanis through fake environmental protesters of the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armeniathe Berdzor (Lachin) Corridor from December 12, 2022, then the illegal establishment of the checkpoint on April 23, 2023, on the Hakari bridge in the Berdzor Corridor, this way clearly institutionalizing its criminal behavior, the deliberate resort to provocation on the Hakari bridge on June 15, 2023 and the complete blockade of all humanitarian passenger transportation and cargo transportation in both directions through the Corridor, the disruption of the scheduled transfers of medical patients from Nagorno Karabakh to Armenia, with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the regular disruption from December 2022, and from March 2023complete cut off the supply of natural gas from Armenia to Nagorno Karabakh, and electricity from January 2023, as well as in connection with the information published in the mass media on September 19, 2023 regarding the complete or partial physical destruction, causing serious damage to healthand creating living conditions aimed at itof the civilian population of Nagorno Karabakh, kept under siege from December 12, 2022, by the armed forces of Azerbaijan on the grounds of their national, ethnic, racial, religious affiliation, criminal proceedings have been initiated and a preliminary investigation is being carried out in the Investigative Committee of Armenia, and based on Article 133, Section 1 of the Criminal Code of Armenia: crime of genocide.
Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary of the Russian President, addressed reports of a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh mediated by Russian peacekeepers. He stated that he could not verify this information, RIA Novosti reports.

I am not yet familiar with the details, so I cannot provide any definitive statements on this matter. I would like to emphasize once more that constant contacts are being made there, which makes it challenging to confirm this information at this time, Peskov told reporters.

Earlier, the Artsakh Information Center reported that the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) authorities have accepted the proposal of the command of the contingent carrying out Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh regarding complete cessation of military operations as of 1pm Wednesday.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
The Russian military stationed in Karabakh is not engaged in verbal scholasticism, but is actively involved in practical efforts, particularly aiding in the evacuation of civilians. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary of the Russian President, emphasized this during his statement, as reported by RIA Novosti.

We continue our interactions with the Armenians in Karabakh. Our military personnel is not involved in mere verbal scholasticism, but is instead engaged in specific tasks. They are fulfilling their responsibilities as peacekeepers by actively participating in evacuating civilians, especially children, from hazardous areas. This humanitarian work continues around the clock,' Peskov noted.

Perkov also noted that Moscow is currently awaiting confirmation regarding the timing of a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Peskov also stated that he could not verify the information about a ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh mediated by Russian peacekeepers.

Earlier, the Artsakh Information Center reported that the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) authorities have accepted the proposal of the command of the contingent carrying out Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh regarding complete cessation of military operations as of 1pm Wednesday.

As previously reported by NEWS.am, Azerbaijan's Armed Forces initiated artillery fire along the entire line of contact in Nagorno Karabakh on September 19, starting at 1 p.m., in an attempt to breach the defense line of the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Forces.

Presently, Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno Karabakh, and other settlements are enduring heavy shelling. Gegham Stepanyan, the Human Rights Defender of Nagorno Karabakh, has documented multiple casualties and injuries among civilians, including children.
The most important issue after the agreement to cease the fire in Nagorno-Karabakh is for Russia to ensure the right of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to live in their homes, Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said in a statement aired live.

Pashinyan said they just learned from the official information pages of Nagorno-Karabakh that they have accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping troops regarding the cessation of fire.



"Of course, we got acquainted with the text and since RA did not participate in the preparation of that text in any way and was not a party to the discussions, the first consideration is that the text mentions the Armed Forces of Armenia and talks about the remaining units of the Armed Forces of Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh. First, this fact is not very clear to us as when we have repeatedly said that since August 2021, Armenia does not have an army in Nagorno-Karabakh. In any case, we take note of this statement and its acceptance by the authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The next thing that I want to address is the issue of the security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, and it is logically assumed that if the peacekeepers made such a proposal, this in itself means that they have fully and without reservations accepted the full obligation to ensure the security of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh by which they must provide full conditions in order to preserve the right of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians to live in their homes, on their land, and to live with dignity and safety.

My understanding is that this responsibility is also fully assumed, although we were always of the opinion that this responsibility is placed on the Russian peacekeeping mission by the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020. But we hope that by taking such a step, the Russian peacekeeping contingent will fully fulfill its duties, regarding which we had certain reservations," said Pashinyan.

He added that mentioning the name of Armenia in a text that has nothing to do with Armenia justifies his hypothesis and assessment that one of the goals of the military aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh is to involve Armenia in military operations.

"Of course, my assessment is that if it is possible to involve Armenia in military operations, its deep target would be Armenia's independence and sovereignty. In this regard, my assessment, at least in the context of today's events, at least has a very serious right to exist, but it is my assessment and my understanding.

We take note of what happened, we will continue to follow the developments and if we have an additional assessment, something to say in this regard, we will definitely share it with you. The latest information that I managed to get from Nagorno-Karabakh is that the intensity of military operations has decreased dramatically. We hope that the military escalation will not continue, especially in these conditions, stability and the cessation of hostilities is very important," said Pashinyan.

He emphasized that the most important issue now is that the right of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to live in their homes be fully ensured by Russia. "Practically, we will follow the events. We may have some exchange of ideas with our international partners regarding this situation, and if we have additional assessments and something to say, we will definitely share it with you."

According to Artsakh's information headquarters, an agreement has been reached between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers on the complete cessation of military operations from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

An agreement has been reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
The European Union (EU) has taken note of the reports about the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh and is closely following the development of the situation. Peter Stano, Lead Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of the EU European Commission, announced this at Wednesdays press conference in Brussels.

Stano said they have acknowledged that an agreement on a ceasefire has been reached, and they expect that Azerbaijan will stop hostilities.

According to Stano, it is important that Azerbaijan does not use the fighting as an excuse for the forced removal of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh.

The EU is closely monitoring the situation, and the member countries will decide on the future courses of action as the situation develops, the European Commission official added.

The two parties on Wednesday announced that, through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh, an agreement was reached to stop the military operations as of noon Moscow time, as well as to completely disarm the Nagorno Karabakh armed units.

And on Thursday, a meeting between Azerbaijan and the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh will take place in Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, on the topic of "reintegration on the basis of the constitution and laws of Azerbaijan."
Russian President Vladimir Putin expects that it will be possible to de-escalate the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and move the solution to this problem to a peaceful path, Russian news agency TASS reports.

At a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, he noted that there are more than 2,000 civilians in the main base of Russian peacekeepers, more than a thousand of whom are children.

"We are in very close contact with all sides of the conflict and the authorities of Yerevan, Stepanakert and Baku. I hope that we will be able to achieve de-escalation and move the solution of this problem to a peaceful path," the Russian President emphasized.

"Our peacekeepers work very actively with all parties involved in the conflict. They are doing everything to protect the civilian population," he added.

It comes after Artsakh's information headquarters reported that an agreement was reached between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers on the complete cessation of military operations from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

It also said that an agreement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
During the talk with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed the commitment to cooperation in the South Caucasus in the "3+3" format, TASS reports, citing Tasnim news agency.

Shoigu expressed solidarity with his colleague that the "3+3" format is the best peaceful solution to the problems in the South Caucasus region.

Also, the Minister of Defense of Russia supported Iran's position regarding the recent events in the South Caucasus and criticizes the presence of third countries in the region.

For his part, Ashtiani stated that maintaining the territorial integrity of the countries of the South Caucasus region is one of the red lines for Iran. Also, he lauded the successful track record of cooperation with Russia, including in the fight against terrorism in the Middle East.
Michael Roth, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the German parliament, the Bundestag, has called on the German authorities to send a signal to the leadership of Azerbaijan about the need to stop their military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. Roth announced this to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper.

"We [i.e. Germany] must send a clear message to Baku that we do not accept that cold-hearted aggression just like that," Roth said. "This refers also to the review of economic relations."

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chairwoman of the Defense Committee of the German Bundestag, spoke in a similar way.

"We have to send a clear message to Baku," she noted.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Tuesday met with Josep Borrell, the European Union (EU) High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, on the margins of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Mirzoyan presented the details of the large-scale military aggression carried out by Azerbaijan against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh since Tuesday, including data on the casualties among the civilian population.

The Armenian FM emphasized that the actions and official statements by Azerbaijan clearly indicate its intention to carry out Armenian ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh, and stressed the urgency of taking clear measures in this regard by international partners, including the EU.

They reflected also on the session of the UN Security Council scheduled for Thursday regarding the military aggression unleashed by Azerbaijan against Nagorno Karabakh.

Armenia-EU partnership matters were discussed, too.
The Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh could in an ideal world live under Azerbaijani rule, but the historical experience makes it difficult to imagine this, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan said in an interview with Reuters around 24 hours after Azerbaijans aggression against Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh.

Earlier, Reuters had published a comment by Vahan Kostanyan, another deputy foreign minister; saying said that theoretically the Armenians of Karabakh could live under the rule of Baku. It later turned out that the agency had mixed up the deputy ministers.

The Armenian Foreign Ministry clarified that the commentary to Reuters was given not by Vahan Kostanyan, but by Paruyr Hovhannisyan, and his thoughts were distorted. The journalist accepted the mistake and corrected the material, the Foreign Ministry said.



Now the agency quotes Paruyr Hovhannisyan as saying that Armenia understands that the Armenians of Karabakh are open to negotiations with Baku, and that dialogue is crucial. According to him, Armenia has specific security agreements with Russia applicable to such situations.



It comes after Artsakh's information headquarters reported that an agreement was reached between Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers on the complete cessation of military operations from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

It also said that an agreement was reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Karabakh Armenians face a very uncertain future in Azerbaijan. UK journalist Thomas de Waal, who is also a senior fellow with Carnegie Europe specializing in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region as well as an expert on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, told this to The Guardian.

A ceasefire is positive, obviously, if it lasts, as the threat of mass bloodshed will be averted, he wrote in an email. What we are seeing here is the intervention of Russia on behalf of Azerbaijan to keep its peacekeeping force in Karabakh at least for the time being and thereby a foothold in the South Caucasus.

"The main losers are the Karabakh Armenians who have lost their 35-year-old struggle for self-determination or secession from Azerbaijan. They now lose any means of self-defence and face a very uncertain future in Azerbaijan. The Karabakhis may have avoided complete destruction but they are more likely facing a slow-motion removal from their homeland, as Azerbaijan is not offering them any autonomy or special political rights, de Waal added.

The other losers, he said, are the European Union and the United States, which have tried hard to be mediators in this conflict but whose message of rights and international guarantees is being drowned out by the tougher messages of Azerbaijan and Russia.
Because of the Azerbaijani military aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh, there are wounded people both among civilians and military and the patients in extremely serious condition have been transferred to Stepanakert, Hrayr Aghabekyan, one of the doctors of the hospital in Martuni region told NEWS.am.

"There are many wounded, both among civilians and military personnel. There are no children or women among the wounded, they are in shelters," said the doctor.

According to him, now it is mainly the bodies of the casualties that are brought to the hospital. "There are many casualties," he added.

Hrayr Aghabekyan explained that the wounded mostly have shrapnel and gunshot injuries. "It's mainly those who are in a mild condition that are in our hospital."

Nagorno-Karabakh has reached an agreement with Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers to completely stop the fire from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.



An agreement was also reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic has condemned the renewed military escalation around the Karabakh region and its impact on the civilian population, especially the most vulnerable ones.

I deplore the renewed military escalation around the Karabakh region and its impact on civilians, especially on the most vulnerable, said today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatovic.

Over the past years, as noted in my 2021 Memorandum, the local population has been suffering the humanitarian and human rights consequences of armed hostilities in the region. Since last December, in particular, they have been living in isolation, experiencing acute shortages of basic supplies and services. I am deeply concerned to see that their safety is once again threatened and their human rights violated, deepening their suffering.

I note that a ceasefire has just been announced. It is crucial that armed hostilities in the region come to an end, to ensure the safety of the civilian population. Guaranteeing regular and unimpeded access for those who provide humanitarian assistance and those who ensure human rights protection to the affected local population is essential.

The path towards reconciliation should be urgently reinstated and dialogue based on full respect for the human rights of the affected population must be restored to ensure lasting peace for all people.

I confirm my commitment and readiness to engage with all the relevant interlocutors and to travel to the region to assist in overcoming the existing human rights challenges, reads the statement issued by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatovic.

Nagorno-Karabakh has reached an agreement with Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers to completely stop the fire from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.



An agreement was also reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
The Secretary General of the International Organization of Francophonie, Louise Mushikiwabo, has strongly condemned Azerbaijan's aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh.

In a statement, the organizations secretary general strongly condemns the military operation launched by Azerbaijan in the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave and calls for an immediate end to this offensive.

She has expressed her most sincere condolences and solidarity with the families of the dead and wounded.

Luise Mushikiwabo emphasized the importance of adhering to the ceasefire in accordance with the statement of November 10, 2020 and the peaceful resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Nagorno-Karabakh has reached an agreement with Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers to completely stop the fire from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.



An agreement was also reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
NATO calls on the parties to resume negotiations to reach a comprehensive agreement. NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs & Security Policy and Special Representative for the Caucasus & Central Asia Javier Colomina wrote about this in his microblog X.

Announced ceasefire should be followed by dialogue to find a solution without the use of violence and avoid further degradation of humanitarian situation. NATO urges sides to resume talks in order to achieve a comprehensive agreement, he wrote.

Nagorno-Karabakh has reached an agreement with Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers to completely stop the fire from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.



An agreement was also reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Minister of Justice Grigor Minasyan on Wednesday received Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, the newly appointed Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Armenia, the Ministry of Justice of Armenia informs Armenian News-NEWS.am.

Considering the current regional security situation and Azerbaijan's repeated large-scale military aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the Armenian minister expressed hope that both the EU and its member countries will properly assess Azerbaijan's actions and will harshly condemn them.

Ambassador Maragos, for his part, stressed that the EU is extremely concerned about the military escalation in Nagorno-Karabakh. He emphasized the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities there, and expressed hope that the situation will be settled as soon as possible and a favorable environment will be created for future negotiations aimed at reaching a settlement. Maragos noted that the EU Delegation to Armenia is closely following the developments of the situation and is in constant contact with the ambassadors of the EU member countries.

Reflecting on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border situation, Grigor Minasyan underscored the role of the EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia in terms of reducing tension and increasing border security.

The parties discussed as well Armenias cooperation with the EU in the field of justice, the results achieved within its framework, and the planned programs.

In addition, the interlocutors summed up the projects implemented and ongoing with joint efforts, as well as the judicial reform agenda being implemented by the Ministry of Justice of Armenia.

Also, they conferred about the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) signed between Armenia and the EU, and the expansion of cooperation and strengthening of control mechanisms within its framework.

The interlocutors exchanged views also on the possibilities of further development of their cooperation and some other matters of mutual interest.
The EU diplomacy could not react effectively to the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh. According to RIA Novosti, the head of the European Parliament's defense subcommittee, French MP Nathalie Loiseau said, referring to Azerbaijans military aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"We couldn't prevent the attack that was being prepared before our eyes," said Loiseau during a hearing of the International Relations Committee on the situation in Karabakh.

According to her, the head of EU diplomacy, Josep Borrell, did not respond to calls for help from the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan.

"The High Representative rejected Armenia's request for support from the European Peace Fund, citing the need to prepare for peace, not war. During that time, Azerbaijan strengthened its already overwhelming military advantage by receiving weapons, particularly from Turkey and Israel, which we turned a blind eye to," said the deputy.

Further she said that the European Parliament warned many times, but the European diplomacy ignored those warnings.

"Today is the time to impose sanctions against the leaders of Azerbaijan, which thinks that our passivity gives it a green light. Inaction will be a signal to all those who apply to us that they cannot rely on us," said Loiseau.

Nagorno-Karabakh has reached an agreement with Azerbaijan with the mediation of Russian peacekeepers to completely stop the fire from 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

An agreement was also reached on the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
It is time for the European Union to review relations with Azerbaijan and impose sanctions on it, European Parliament member Lars Patrick Berg said.

After the discussion on Nagorno-Karabakh at the session of the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament, the MP stated that he agrees with the evaluations of his colleagues.

"For Azerbaijan, it is really the time of consequences, and condemnation is not enough. It is time for the European Union to review its relations with Azerbaijan. Contrary to the opinion of the President of the European Commission, Azerbaijan is clearly not a reliable partner.

It is certainly time for Azerbaijan to be subject to sanctions and for the EU to take necessary measures to support Armenia. The Azerbaijani regime in Nagorno-Karabakh tried to starve ethnic Armenians to death, and now they are shelling civilians as part of their ethnic cleansing policy. It is enough," the MP stressed.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Photo: Castanet

Teams of mental health professionals and trained civilians are providing care for people in distress while freeing up police and other emergency resources, according to the head of the Canadian Mental Health Associations BC Division.

Last year, the province committed $10 million to fund existing and new Peer Assisted Care Teams with the support of CMHA BC. The program will be rolling out to Kamloops this fall.

PACTs are currently operating on Vancouvers North Shore, in New Westminster and in Victoria.

Speaking at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention on Tuesday, Jonathan Morris, CEO for CMHA BC, said PACTs received 1,118 calls for service between January and July 2023. Only six required escalation to police due to an imminent safety risk.

These teams have been going out to alleviate individual distress and we hope and we anticipate to free up police resources so they can respond to the right kind of crisis and address public safety issues, which I know is top of mind for many, Morris said.

Jocelyn Jenkyns, city manager for the City of Victoria, said the city has worked together with service providers and other groups to develop a largely grant-funded strategy to address the ongoing mental health and addictions crisis.

Jenkyns said the peer assisted care teams, which have been operating in Victoria since January, are a true success story that has come out of grant funding.

The teams involve a mental health professional paired with a trained and skilled peer, someone who has lived experience. Morris said the teams respond to mental health emergencies, including acute and complicated situations, like suicidal crises. They also provide wellness checks on behalf of third parties.

Morris said teams have responded to situations like someone in a shelter behaving erratically to a person who was conscious, but laying on the street near traffic.

So many members of the public are in this place of Who do I call in this moment? Do I call the police? What response might that triggered? Do I call an ambulance? And we're grateful for the opportunity that PACTs in the three pilot communities is a response that they can call, Morris said.

He said the majority of mental health interventions dont require police, but law enforcement has become the default response, draining resources and in some cases, increasing the chance of conflict.

Morris noted the emergency department can also become a revolving door for people experiencing a mental health crisis.

PACT provides a cost-effective way to provide mental health care outside of those overburdened systems, he said.

In a spectrum of care where thresholds drive who goes at the right time to the right people, we would argue with the investment we received, starting with UBCM and the province, we are along the way of better addressing mental health needs.
EU needs to take active steps in response to Azerbaijans actions against the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, member of the European Parliament Loucas Fourlas has said.

During a discussion organized at a meeting of the European Parliament's External Relations Committee,Loucas Fourlas said:

If I were an Armenian and followed this discussion, I would not be happy at all. Too many words and too little action. The question is very simple; we must be honest with ourselves: are we going to punish Azerbaijan, which attacked the Armenians?

What did the EU do when humanitarian aid could not pass through the Lachin corridor and reach its destination?

My question is very simple. Now, at this moment, when Azerbaijan is killing people, what are we going to do as the EU? Are we going to condemn with words, prepare a resolution and condemn the actions, or are we going to do something, like we did in the case of Russia, on the issue of Ukraine? Everything is clear; we must be honest with ourselves.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
The President of the European Council, Charles Michel, has called on Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev in a phone conversation to ensure a dignified treatment and security for the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"This morning, I called on President Aliyev to ensure a complete cease-fire and a safe, dignified treatment of Karabakh Armenians by Azerbaijan. Human rights and security must be ensured," he wrote on the X social network.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Since yesterday until now, there is no electricity, no bread in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Gayane Chalyan, a resident of Nagorno-Karabakh, told NEWS.am.

She said that they are now in Stepanakert. "At the moment there is a ceasefire, there are no shots fired. But we are still in the cellars. There is no electricity, we cannot eat anything. Since yesterday until now, we don't have electricity, the ovens didn't work, we are half hungry now."

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
The village of Mets Shen in the Shushi region in Nagorno-Karabakh is under siege, we cannot evacuate the residents, the Azerbaijanis are shooting at this moment, Davit Davtyan, head of Mets Shen village, told NEWS.am.

"There is no ceasefire in our region. They haven't hit our village yet, but they are shelling the outskirts. We are in an unbearable situation. We managed to evacuate from Yeghtsahogh village, but we could not evacuate our village, women, old people, children... they are all here. Yeghtsahogh is no longer there, it was razed to the ground, and there are no people there either. It's uncertainty, we don't know what to do. We are under complete lockdown. We don't have victims and wounded from the village, but we have many victims from our general area, we don't know the whereabouts of many of them," explained he.

He mentioned that the advantage of the adjacent Hin Shen village is that there are Russian peacekeepers there. "But you understand, don't you, that even the Russians don't risk letting us go out. This is the end. There is nothing beyond these, nor will there be," said Davtyan.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Artsakh residents gathered at Stepanakert airport demand evacuation by helicopters and better protection. Former Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan wrote in his microblog on X.

Thousands of Artsakh residents, at the approach of Azerbaijani forces to Stepanakert, and especially after the ceasefire statement, gathered outside the headquarters of the Russian peacekeepers. They demand to evacuate them by helicopters and provide better protection, he wrote.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Russian peacekeepers tried to take women and children out of Nagorno-Karabakh during the last day, but they were not allowed to do so. Russian historian Modest Kolerov told NEWS.am.

He called the negotiations to be held in Yevlakh on Thursday as negotiations for the transfer of power.

Kolerov assumes that the issue of providing a corridor for the evacuation of the population from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia can also become a subject of negotiations. According to him, everyone will leave Karabakh.

"First of all, the absolute majority of the population of Karabakh no longer remembers what the Azerbaijani government is. They cannot live under the conditions of the new government.

Second, Baku's official statements that more than 40,000 Armenians live in Azerbaijan have never been proven. Not once were the living conditions of the Armenian population shown: schools, newspapers, cultural institutions, etc. There's nothing of it left.

All this indicates that there are no conditions for the national survival of Armenians in Azerbaijan," he said.
About three dozens of political forces participated in the meeting at the ARF (Armenian Revolutionary Federation) office, there was a broad discussion of the roadmap to overcome the situation. Ishkhan Saghatelyan, MP from the Hayastan faction, representative of ARF General Assembly, told reporters at Republic Square today, September 20.

"There was a very clear mutual understanding on at least two issues. One of them is that there should be one coordinating body - the National Council, a committee that will coordinate all the work, I will talk about it at the rally," he said, unwilling to disclose details.

The MP answered the question: Is Andranik Tevanyan now the leader of the opposition? "We are not gathered here to elect the leader for the opposition, we have gathered here to find a road map to get out of the situation created here. There are certain steps, actions that have been agreed upon, they will be announced at the rally."

Asked whether they were late, he said: "We are three years late. If we had not done what we did, Artsakh would have been given away long ago. We didn't have the strength, we couldn't, now we have come, we have reached this day."
A vehicle carrying Russian peacekeepers has been shot in Chankatagh (Janyatag) village in Nagorno Karabakh, as a result a Russian soldier has been killed, the Russias Ministry of Defense reports.



"On September 20, a car carrying Russian soldiers was fired upon while returning from the observation post of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Janyatagh village. As a result of the shelling, the Russian servicemen in the car were killed," the department informed.

Representatives of Russian and Azerbaijani investigative bodies are working on the spot to find out all the circumstances.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Photo: The Canadian Press Experts say Canada's already lagging trade with India could take a hit from increasingly tense relations, including the potential for the country to impose punitive measures in response to the allegations leveled against it. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada's already lagging trade with India could suffer setbacks as relations become increasingly tense, experts say.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed on Monday that Canada has "credible" information about a potential link between India's government and the death of British Columbia Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, an assertion that New Delhi blasted as "absurd and motivated."

The serious allegations prompted the countries to expel one other's diplomats, while talks over a trade deal and a planned Canadian trade mission in October have been put on hold.

The rift means further disruption to a trade relationship that has seen Canada lose ground to other countries. Right now, the world's most populous country isn't on Canada's Top 10 for exports or imports.

Canada's trade relationship with India has so far failed to reach its potential, said Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada president Jeff Nankivell. This rift jeopardizes existing exports and efforts to boost trade between the two countries, he said.

India's response could include drummed-up concerns about pest levels in agricultural imports, a practice that India, and much more so China, have allegedly used to hit trade partners, Nankivell said.

"There's a risk in these situations of arbitrary trade measures."

Canada could also impose measures of its own, including sanctions targeting sectors or individuals, said John Boscariol, head of the international trade and investment law group at McCarthy Tetrault LLP, but he added that it's a delicate situation.

"Canada should be very careful in how they do this, to be sure that they're not shooting their own businesses in the foot," said Boscariol.

He agreed with Nankivell that the greatest risk is the potential response by India, including towards Canada's agricultural sector.

"From the perspective of the Canadian business community, it's got to be alarming at this point."

India makes up a fraction of Canada's international trade.

Exports to India last year amounted to $5.3 billion or 0.7 per cent of our global exports, according to Statistics Canada. Imports from India totalled $8.3 billion or about 1.1 per cent of total imports.

Canada's main exports to India were mineral ores and non-metallic minerals, in particular potash. Imports from India were led by consumer goods, as well as metal and minerals and chemical, plastic and rubber products.

Still, some parts of the economy rely on the trading relationship.

India is an especially important destination for Canada's pulse industry, with around $400 million in Canadian lentils shipped annually to the country over the past three years.

The agricultural sector is keeping its fingers crossed that cooler heads prevail, said Keith Currie, president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

Given the amount of product that we've shipped, that potentially could be impactful, he said. But we're also optimistic that the Indian government is going to see that this is a product we need'."

Overall, however, India doesn't need Canada all that much, said Rohinton Medhora at the Centre for International Governance Innovation. Many other countries are also looking to boost trade ties with the country and move away from a dependence on China.

India can afford to lose Canada," he said.

The current tension could eventually hit Canadian investments in India, where pension funds have been increasing exposure, said Medhora, and could also affect the flow of students coming from the country to Canada.

"If this issue becomes worse or goes south, then it could be that we see fewer Indian students in Canada."

Companies and other organizations groups have to factor deteriorating relations into their business risk, said Vivek Dehejia, an economics prof at Carleton who studies Canada-India bilateral relations. Uncertainties about visas, diplomatic relations and other concerns are considerations, he said.

"If trade negotiations are paused, pretty much everything will be on hold," he said.

Existing business deals are OK for now, Dehejia said.

"But political pressure ultimately does impact on business decisions. Certainly at present under Trudeau, India is not the most popular place you want to do business, and I think vice versa."

Nankivell at the Asia Pacific Foundation also raised that possibility, noting that the group's monitoring of Indian media shows it has been sharply critical of Canada's actions so far.

He said that with what is a criminal investigation into the killing still ongoing, he expects further pain for the bilateral relationship in the coming months as more revelations potentially come to light, with no resumption of trade talks expected for quite a long time.

Canadian pensions and businesses will still be looking to expand in the country, said Nankivell, but will likely be quieter about it.

"You'll see that continue, but they'll probably want to keep a low profile about it ... not waving the Canadian flag as much as they would have a few years ago."
Because of the Azerbaijani aggression in Nagorno-Karabakh, 197 people have been injured and 12 people killed, Director of Stepanakert Republican Medical Center Mher Musayelyan informed Artsakh TV about this.

"Because of the aggression, we have 197 injured; those are quite multi-faceted injuries, in large numbers. Of the 197 wounded, about 45% are serious, 15% are extremely serious, unfortunately, we also have such injuries that have resulted in death; we have 12 cases of death, because there was an injury incompatible with life. We performed surgery on more than 30% of the injured, the rest are receiving treatment at home. Now all the wounded are lying in the Republican Medical Center and are receiving appropriate treatment," explained Mher Musayelyan.

According to him, the medical center also lacks equipment, and there are injured people who need to be transferred to different medical centers of the Republic of Armenia. "From the point of view of the equipment, we do not have laboratory research, but there are such wounded who need further treatment or the second stage of surgery, who may have to be transferred to RA medical institutions," he added.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Russia is following the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh very carefully, Moscow listens to Baku's statements that the targets are only military facilities, and hopes that it is so. Dmitry Peskov, the representative of the Russian President, said this on the air of Russian Channel One.

"We hear statements from Baku that only military facilities are targeted and that they do not work for civilian purposes. We want to hope that it is so. We are following the situation very carefully," he said.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
At the beginning of 2022, Yerevan had in its hands three trilateral statements by the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia dated November 9, 2020, January 11 and November 26, 2021, which were a political and practical road map of how to peacefully, mutually respectfully and thoroughly build life in the region, taking into account the interests of all parties. Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova wrote about this in the telegram channel.

Yerevan chose not to implement what it signed, but to seek its happiness from NATO/EU. It was through the mediation of Brussels and the main adviser - Paris - that on October 6, 2022, at the summit in Prague, a Statement was adopted following the results of a quadripartite meeting of the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, France and the EU. It literally says: Azerbaijan and Armenia reaffirm their commitment to the UN Charter and the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991, through which they recognize each others territorial integrity and sovereignty. That is, Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijan. At the same time, there is not a word in the text about the need to ensure the rights and safety of the regions residents. On October 7, 2022, it was officially published.

This became Yerevans final solution to the Nagorno-Karabakh issue. Why Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian authorities did exactly this, why Paris and Brussels pushed official Yerevan to do this? These questions should be asked to them, she wrote.
Artak Beglaryan, the former State Minister of Artsakh, posted a video on his Facebook page in which he talks about the fate of several children injured and killed as a result of an Azerbaijani rocket attack.

In the video, he is seen with 7-year-old Ruzanna Hayrapetyan from Sarnaghbyur village in the Askeran region.

"When yesterday, on September 19th, the Azerbaijani forces started the genocidal aggression against Artsakh people, they started to indiscriminately shell the village on the populated areas. A group of children and women had been sheltered in a house that got shelled by the Azerbaijani forces. As a result of that at least 5 civilians have been killed, 3 of them are children, and more than 10 people have been wounded including many children, the exact number is yet to be detected.

Ruzan is among those children, she got leg injuries but fortunately her situation is not critical, the doctors say that she will walk without any problem. Her brother and her sister were also wounded. The elder sister told me that one of the children died on the way to hospital. 2 killed children are missing now, and the parents cannot find the bodies of their children. The brother of these killed children is also wounded and is in a heavy situation and currently is in a children's hospital", he told in the video.

Beglaryan says that relatively the most civilian casualties and injuries happened in Sarnaghbyur village because there was a group of children and women there.

This is another example of how the Azerbaijani forces targeted civilian objects, as a result of which many children have been killed and wounded. Now based on initial information we have that these children have been killed, at least 13 children have been wounded. But it seems like as we continue our fact-finding missions, new incidents are being apparent. Thats why on the upcoming days we will update the data about civilian casualties and especially children casualties.
More than 3,100 civilians have been evacuated in Nagorno-Karabakh since the beginning of hostilities by Azerbaijan, Russian Ministry of Defense reported.



Since the beginning of active hostilities, Russian peacekeepers have evacuated civilians from the Mardakert, Martuni and Askeran regions. 3,154 people were delivered to the peacekeeping contingent, including 1,428 children, the ministry said.

It also said that all evacuees are provided with hot meals and a place to rest. In addition, military doctors from the Russian special forces medical unit provided assistance to 16 civilians.

All evacuated residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are provided with places to rest and hot meals. Military doctors from the Russian special-purpose medical unit provided assistance to 16 civilians, the statement said.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Azerbaijan has been given guarantees for the disarmament of the Armenian troops in Nagorno-Karabakh, Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the Azerbaijani president has said.

"We have been given guarantees that the Armenian armed forces will disarm in Karabakh, leave their positions, and transfer all military equipment, including heavy equipment, to Azerbaijan under the coordination of the Russian peacekeeping force," Hajiyev said.

Hajiyev also spoke about the peace agreement with Armenia, noting that 70 percent of the issues related to the draft agreement have already been agreed upon.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
The Migration and Citizenship Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia informs that interdepartmental discussions are taking place to organize the possible entry of the people from Nagorno-Karabakh into Armenia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs said in a statement.

Earlier images and video footage published on social media showed how hundreds of civilians head to the airport in Stepanakert, allegedly hoping to use air transport to leave Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Armenias Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has had a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin.



According to a press release by the press service of Armenias government, the two leaders discussed the situation in Nagorno Karabakh.

They also touched upon issues of the Armenia-Russia bilateral agenda.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Photo: . Jindi Singh says he received death threats on social media after publicly commenting about the recent developments regarding the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST

For some members of Victorias Sikh community, the allegation that the government of India was involved in the killing of a B.C. Sikh leader comes as no surprise.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in Parliament Monday that there is credible intelligence linking agents of Indias government to the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in the parking lot of his gurdwara in Surrey on June 18.

The Indian government has rejected the allegation, calling it absurd.

Jindi Singh, national director of Khalsa Aid Canada, an aid organization associated with the Sikh faith, said Tuesday the revelation is a reminder to members of the Sikh community that they are not safe, even in Canada.

Many Sikhs in Victoria are wary of what they say publicly, said Singh, who says he woke up to death threats from trolls within India on Tuesday after he posted about the matter on social media.

Were aware of Indias kind of spy network here either harassing or keeping tabs on us even here on the Island.

For the last year or so, he said, there have even been rumours of a hit list of people who are marked for assassination in Canada.

Singh said its reassuring to see that Canada is taking a stand in the case.

Nijjar was a prominent advocate for an independent Sikh state in Indias Punjab region also known as the Khalistan movement  and had been organizing referendums amongst the Sikh community for the movement before he was killed.

Prior to his death, the government of India referred to him as a fugitive terrorist and accused him of being involved in the killing of a Hindu priest.

Singh said Khalsa Aids work is constantly attacked by the government of India, as the aid organization has previously pointed out human-rights abuses in the country.

If youre a Sikh, and you show any sentiments that go against the Indian government, youre very quickly tarnished and made to look as if youre some form of terrorist.

Theres no religious strife between Hindu and Sikh communities in Victoria, he said. People from both groups attend the three capital region gurdwaras or temples, as well as the Saanichton Hindu temple, for weddings and festivals, he said. The community is pretty integrated.

Upinder Singh Dhindsa, 40, of Victoria said Trudeaus announcement on Monday sent shivers down his spine.

Dhindsa, who is Sikh, said he and his friends will now think twice before saying anything critical about India no matter how crazy the situation is.

Hindu friends of mine, theyre also concerned because people escape to Canada to leave the violence they were facing, he said. Now that violence has come here.

Those living in Canada should have freedom of expression, he said.

Dhindsa said he wants more autonomy for the only Sikh-majority state in the country  It is in best interests of Sikhs to be part of India but still have a great deal of autonomy to protect our religion, our culture, our land, our water  but he has stopped sharing his views on social media.

Hes worried it will spell trouble for family members still living in India.

Upneet Kaur Bassi, 34, said news of the potential Indian government connection to Nijjars killing will not stop her from being outspoken on issues in Punjab.

Any person in the Sikh community who has been observing whats been going on between the Indian government and Punjab really shouldnt be surprised, said Bassi, who was born and raised in Victoria and supports the Khalistan movement.

But Bassi, who lives in Langford, said shes felt less safe after Nijjars killing. When something happens so close to our literal home here in Canada, it does make you think twice.

Reeta Tremblay, professor emerita of political science at the University of Victoria, said while many in the Sikh community might be sympathetic to the idea of Khalistan, only a minority of Sikhs are actively pursuing the idea.

You cant really talk about Sikh diaspora as a homogeneous diaspora, she said.

But Tremblay said Nijjars killing will likely be a unifying factor for Sikhs, who have had a difficult and challenging history with the government of India.

They have all of the memories of what happened in 1980s with regards to Mrs. [Indira] Gandhi sending Operation Bluestar, sending the forces into the Golden Temple, the killings and basically the desecration of the temple, she said. And in response, you have Mrs. Gandhi getting assassinated by two Sikh bodyguards and then all hell broke loose.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on Russia and Azerbaijan to ensure the safety of the people in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"Azerbaijan and Russia, in particular, must ensure the safety of people in their own homes," Baerbock said on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (GA) in New York.

The solution, she said, "can only be diplomatic," which is what the European Union and the FRG government are actively striving for, including on the margins of the UNGA.

"There will be a peaceful solution to this conflict only if the military actions of the past and present are immediately stopped," the German foreign minister emphasized.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Paris is concerned about the false rhetoric, the purpose of which is to drag Armenia into the tragic events in Karabakh. This was stated by French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna speaking on the sidelines of the UN Security Council.

We will continue to closely monitor attempts to use these events in Nagorno-Karabakh as a pretext to question the territorial integrity of Armenia, the minister said, recalling that the day before France condemned Azerbaijans offensive military actions against Nagorno-Karabakh.

Civilian casualties are particularly concerning, she added. "The ceasefire apparently has not been established, and France will continue to monitor the situation. France has always supported and supports negotiated solutions that would guarantee the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh the right to live in peace, with respect for their history and culture. These guarantees cannot be established by dictation. I will repeat what I said yesterday: we consider Azerbaijan responsible for the fate of the population of Karabakh. The data that comes to us suggests a risk of population exodus, which also worries us extremely, the minister said.

According to her, for all these reasons, France took the initiative to hold an urgent discussion of the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh in the UN Security Council: It is important that the council speaks out jointly and clearly on this issue.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has offered Rome's mediation to the authorities of Azerbaijan and Armenia to settle the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh. In particular, he offered the foreign ministers of the two states to hold a meeting in the Italian capital.

"I met yesterday with the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia and offered them the Italian mediation, in particular a meeting in Rome," he told reporters on the margins of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

According to the minister, the issue between the two countries can be settled according to the model that operates in the northeastern Italian autonomous region of Trentino-Alto Adige (South Tyrol). The Italian foreign minister said that the two ministers expressed interest and willingness to meet in Rome.

"Today we will send a document to the governments of Azerbaijan and Armenia where Italy's proposal will be illustrated," Tajani added.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and discussed the development of the situation around Nagorno Karabakh, the press service of the Kremlin reported.

"At the initiative of the Armenian side, a phone call took place between the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan. The latest developments of the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh were discussed," the message said.

The two leaders discussed the further operations of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh, including providing assistance to the civilian population.

"Despite the difficult conditions, the peacekeepers continue to carry out their tasks accurately and provide comprehensive assistance to the civilian population and refugees, including the forces of military doctors," the Kremlin said in a statement.



Earlier it was reported that a vehicle carrying Russian peacekeepers came under fire killing several Russian soldiers.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
The presidents of Turkey and Azerbaijan held a telephone conversation on Wednesday.



According to Turkish media reports, Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev discussed the outcome of the aggression against Artsakh Armenians, which they call anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh.

Erdogan once again stated Turkeys full support for Azerbaijans position.



Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Azerbaijani bombing in Nagorno-Karabakh is aggression. For months, I have been condemning the illegal blockade of Lachin and the risks of a new escalation by Azerbaijan aimed at ethnic cleansing of the region's indigenous Armenian population, Member of the European Parliament Fabio Massimo Castaldo has said, the Armenian Embassy in Italy reports.

Todays tragic facts prove Bakus violent and expansionist intentions. More than 120,000 ethnic Armenians in Artsakh are threatened to be displaced from their homes. There is also a threat of probable aggression against southern Armenia.

The European Union must act now by imposing sanctions on Baku to force the regime to stop this brutal invasion. If they had listened to the joint letter from me and 51 fellow MPs, all of this could have been avoided.

Baku stated that it informed Moscow in advance about the impending attack, which means that the Kremlin did nothing to prevent the attack. This makes them complicit in this crime as well: once again they stabbed Armenians in the back, the MP also noted.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
French President Emmanuel Macron, during a telephone conversation with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, called on him to provide security guarantees to the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh in light of Baku's military operation, reports AFP, referring to the Elysee Palace.



"Macron condemned Azerbaijan's decision to use force yesterday, which deepens the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and jeopardizes ongoing efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace," the agency's source said.



According to the source, the French president called to "guarantee the rights and security of the people of Karabakh".

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Seven employees of Montreal-based security giant GardaWorld languished in detention for nearly two months after their arrest earlier this year by a powerful Libyan militia.

The workers ordeal underscores the ongoing risks of operating in a volatile region as well as the financial toll on foreign companies exacted by armed groups and state actors amid a fluid power struggle in the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

GardaWorld, one of the largest foreign security firms operating in Libya, offers services ranging from armoured cars to security reports for diplomats and multinational corporations. But its role there came to a jarring halt on April 11, when the Rada militia at Tripolis Mitiga airport seized GardaWorld's contractors, who were providing security for the EU Border Assistance Mission in the country.

The company cited an administrative imbroglio as the reason for the arrest of the seven men, who were working under its partnership with another security firm, France-based Amarante International. The contractors were a mix of Libyan drivers and expatriate armed guards. None are Canadian.

They and their families were provided with all necessary support, GardaWorld said in an email.

All releases were complete by the first week of June and the reason for detainment has not changed.

However, Al-Rada, among the most powerful militias in Libyas capital, made the arrests on the grounds the employees did not have a licence from the state to carry firearms, according to an article in Africa Intelligence. Rather, GardaWorld's licence was issued directly from the border assistance mission, the publication said, which supports Libyan authorities efforts to stop migrant crossings to Europe.

Libya watchers also say the arrests amounted to a power play by militias and government security services, resulting in the expulsion from the country of some foreign security firms, and a new "fee" imposed on those that remained.

I would read this first and foremost as a measure of extortion that is part of the branching out of the dominant militias in Tripoli into various streams of revenue, said Wolfram Lacher, a senior associate at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs, in Berlin, and author of Libya's Fragmentation.

They are becoming increasingly creative.

After arresting the workers, Al-Rada, which reports to the Ministry of Interior and has links to the presidential council, likely handed them off to the states General Intelligence Service, Lacher said.

Ben Fishman, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says all arrivals to Tripoli go through the airport, where the Rada militia operates a detention facility to support their security infrastructure.

Various European and other missions have to negotiate these issues every day, and if they're not careful it can turn into a diplomatic incident," Fishman said in a recent interview.

Days after the detentions, a Tripoli court opened an investigation into alleged irregularities at GardaWorld, prompting some of the companys workforce to leave the country, according to local news reports.

Ultimately, the Facilities Security Authority  another Libyan security arm in the tangle of official and semi-official appendages of the fractured state  stepped in. The authority approached embassies and international companies that were using foreign security contractors with an update  and a proposal.

They were told, Well, actually we are now the only party authorized to provide security. And they settled on a list of 18 authorized foreign security companies, GardaWorld among them. But in exchange, the FSA imposed a six per cent fee on the contracts of these foreign security companies, Lacher said.

That fee is set to rise to nine per cent down the road, he said, noting that a large chunk of state funds flow to various rival militias and the oft-competing security services theyre linked to.

GardaWorld declined to answer further questions about the situation.

GardaWorld does not provide information related to its people, client contracts or make public information pertaining to our operations in any of the countries in which we serve our clients, according to an emailed statement from the company, which employs more than 132,000 workers across dozens of countries.

The firms eight-week crisis in Libya, where fresh clashes broke out last month between Al-Rada and rival militia 444 Brigade  killing more than 50 people  speaks to the dangers of operating in a region that experienced a six-year civil war and more recent intermittent fighting following the ouster of 42-year dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Meanwhile, GardaWorld is down at least one client. German development agency GIZ said its relationship with the company was severed amid the fallout from the arrests.

Our co-operation with GardaWorld in Libya has ended. Due to security reasons, we cannot disclose any further details about co-operation with service providers in Libya, a spokesperson said in an email.

As of several months ago, GardaWorlds clients in Libya included German electronics giant Siemens, Italian oil group ENI and the British embassy in Tripoli, according to media reports in Europe and North Africa.
The UN hopes that the cessation of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh will be sustainable and lead to a long-term peace settlement. The official representative of the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric told Russian news agency TASS.

We really hope that the ceasefire will remain in place and lead to a longer-term solution [to resolving the conflict], he said.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan has met with Lithuanias Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis and presented both the details of Azerbaijani aggression against the people in Nagorno-Karabakh and the broader picture of the security situation in the South Caucasus



In a post on his microblog in X Ararat Mirzoyan said that during the meeting he emphasized the need for concrete actions by EU and its member states to restrain Azerbaijani intention of ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, among the casualties and wounded are civilians. On September 20, it became known that the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping mission regarding the cessation of fire.

Proposal by Azerbaijan envisages the withdrawal of the remaining units and servicemen of the RA Armed Forces from the deployment zone of the Russian peacekeeping troops and the dissolution of the Nagorno-Karabakh armed formations, the complete disarmament of the Defense Army, as well as the withdrawal of heavy equipment and weapons from the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in order to quickly eliminate them.

In addition, on Thursday, the representatives of Artsakh and Azerbaijan will meet in Yevlakh, a city in Azerbaijan located about 100 km northeast of Stepanakert, and the issues of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians will be discussed.
International Day of Peace is on the horizon, but global peace couldnt feel more out of reach. As The Economist reported in April, [Since 2011] a new wave of wars has begun and battle deaths have risen, bucking a long trend towards greater global peace. Additionally, the Global Peace Index indicates a steady decline in world peace since 2008.

In light of declining world peace, what hope is there?

New research from the Wellbeing for Planet Earth (WPE) Foundation in collaboration with Gallup suggests people can feel at peace, even if the world around them is not. The majority of people around the world (61%) say they often or always feel inner peace during difficult times.

###Embeddable###

These results reflect Gallup and the WPE Foundations latest efforts to create a new set of more inclusive, globally accepted metrics to measure often-neglected dimensions of wellbeing -- including the harmonic principles of it. Besides asking people worldwide about inner peace and life contentment, our studies through the Global Wellbeing Initiative explore peoples experiences of balance and harmony.

Globally, and in every world region, more people say they feel harmony -- either with others or with their thoughts and feelings -- than balance in their lives. Most people (80%) always or often feel in harmony with others around them, and 70% always or often feel in harmony with their own thoughts and feelings.

Although still a majority, far fewer -- 59% -- say they always or often feel various aspects of their lives are in balance. Nearly as many (57%) find that the amount of things happening in their lives is right.

Harmony and Balance Positively Linked to Global Development

While harmony and balance metrics arent strongly related to the Global Peace Index's measures, they are positively related to globally recognized benchmarks like the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI).

The HDI provides an objective measure of a countrys progress in improving the quality of peoples lives, encompassing their health and education. It underscores that people and their capabilities should be the ultimate criteria for assessing the development of a country, not economic growth alone.

###Embeddable###

Interestingly, peoples feelings of balance are more positively and strongly associated with the HDI than harmony is. But there are outliers. People in Yemen and Mali, for instance, report relatively high levels of harmony and balance, on average, despite their countries low HDI rankings. Conversely, Lithuania, which has a relatively high HDI score, has lower levels of balance and harmony.

The findings for Yemen and Mali are especially intriguing because heightened internal harmony might epitomize human resilience, suggesting that, amid external chaos, these populations find peace within.

###Embeddable###

Along with the strong relationship with the HDI, there is a strong relationship with the Social Progress Index that is further explored in the full report.

Peace Is About More Than GDP

If the decline in world peace and the global rise of unhappiness demonstrate anything, its that leaders who dont pay attention to all aspects of peoples wellbeing do so at their own peril. While scholarly research on wellbeing is expanding, most policymakers still narrowly focus on economic metrics in conversations about societal progress.

World leaders should consider novel and inclusive subjective wellbeing measures to better understand the lives of the people they lead -- if they want to give peace a chance.

Read the full report.

###Embeddable###
09:50

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin has opposed limiting reservation to 50 per cent in employment and education and demanded that respective states be allowed to decide on the quantum of quota.





Tamil Nadu, for instance, had a maximum of 69 per cent reservation and it should not be capped at 50 per cent, the Chief Minister said on Tuesday while virtually addressing the second conference of All India Federation for Social Justice, New Delhi.





Hence, based on the population of the deserving sections, the states should be allowed to decide on the quantum of quota, the president of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu said.





He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre of not properly implementing the reservation policy.





Power to grant reservation by apportioning it on the basis of population proportionate to the respective states, should rest with the state governments, the chief minister argued.





"Therefore, it is not correct to say that the reservation should not go beyond 50 per cent. Providing reservation is the right of the states and the power should be devolved so that the respective states can give due reservation to their people," Stalin said.





Taking a dig at Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat for expressing his support for reservation, Stalin sought to know where the same RSS was when the V P Singh regime that provided social justice to the BC was toppled.





"Was it not the same RSS? Now Mohan Bhagwat is talking about reservation to deceive the marginalised sections as Lok Sabha election is approaching," he said.





If the BJP was really interested in social justice, then it would have implemented the 27 per cent reservation policy during its 9 years of rule, Stain said and added that the BJP does not want the poor, BC, SC and tribals to progress.





"That is why they are against social justice," the chief minister said.





He urged the central government to implement the two demands made by late Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on October 14, 1973, in Uttar Pradesh, on providing quota for SCs in central government jobs and to fill up the government posts by allocating a specific quantum of reservation for the SC and Backward sections.





He stated that the late M Karunanidhi was instrumental in pressuring the V P Singh government to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission in 1990.





The V P Singh government was toppled by the BJP. Social justice is the basic rule of the DMK founded on this principle. The Dravidian movement came into existence to ensure social justice and an egalitarian society, he said.





The DMK's progenitor, the Justice Party formed in 1916, provided caste-based reservation after it came to power in 1922.





"The Raja of Panagal (Panaganti Ramarayaningar, the president of the Justice Party who served as Premier of Madras Presidency) introduced the caste-based reservation and passed an order in this regard. Looking at Tamil Nadu, various states are providing social justice," the chief minister said.





He claimed credit for the Dravidian movement in providing social justice to the people of Tamil Nadu but also in guiding the oppressed people of other states of India to get their rights.





Following protests in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Constitution was amended for the first time and 15(4) of the First Amendment stated that 'no section shall prevent the provision of privileges to any member of the community who is socially and educationally backward', Stalin said.





This development made former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru refer to the 'happenings in Madras', in Parliament.





'Socially and Educationally' is the definition of social justice in the Constitution.





Article 340 of the Constitution of India, which empowers the establishment of the Commission for Backward Classes, defines 'Socially and Educationally', he said.





"That is providing reservation socially and educationally for the downtrodden is defined in the Constitution," the chief minister said. -- PTI


A member of a study abroad team from SIU demonstrates an eclipse image on a sun funnel. The group captured a unique image while viewing a total solar eclipse in Western Australia in April. (Photo provided)

SIU team uses low-tech sun funnel to capture unique eclipse image

by Tim Crosby

CARBONDALE, Ill.  Looking directly at the sun is almost never a good idea, but researchers at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently used a safe, low-tech way that combines a common household item with a telescope to capture a unique image of a total solar eclipse.

The SIU team captured the image during a trip with students to Western Australia in April, where they witnessed a total solar eclipse. The group used a sun funnel, a simple projection device commonly employed by amateur astronomers to observe partial solar eclipses, to snap a highly detailed photo of the sun during totality.

The group traveled to Australia in preparation for the total solar eclipse that will hit SIU and Southern Illinois on April 8, 2024. As the crossroads of two total solar eclipse events in the last seven years, the university plans to play host to scores of sky enthusiasts that day, as well as media from all over the world.

Sun funnels typically are not used to image totality during an eclipse, which can be viewed with the unaided eye while the sun is completely covered. But special circumstances in Australia resulted in the exceptionally bright corona being visible on the funnel, said Bob Baer, specialist in the School of Physics and Applied Physics who helped lead the trip.

Sun funnels are popular with solar observers conducting group outreach because they provide a safe method for viewing a partial eclipse, which cannot be viewed safely with the naked eye, Baer said. The image captured by SIU is the first known image of totality to be taken on a sun funnel.

Baer credited quick thinking by SIU students Paige Chamberlain and Kallie Heavrin for capturing the image.

A fortunate accident

Named after its main component, the contraption is made by attaching a common automotive oil funnel to the telescopes eyepiece, allowing observers to see a detailed image of the sun and fine detail in sunspots. Instructions on how to build one were first published in 2012.

Along with the funnel, parts include a rear projection screen and hose clamps. When focused properly, an image of the sun appears on the projection material stretched over the top of the funnel.

Baer along with SIU faculty members Cori Brevik, assistant professor of practice in the School of Physics and Applied Physics, and Harvey Henson, director of SIUs STEM Education Research Center, trained students on how to use the solar funnel and telescopes before leaving for Australia.

After driving to Exmouth, the group set up for its solar eclipse observation site. Once the telescopes were ready, they noticed the solar image on the sun funnel was too bright and realized the correct size eyepiece had not been packed for the trip.

The students were using lower magnification 26mm eyepieces instead of the 13mm eyepieces we had intended to bring, Baer explained. This made the image smaller than intended and brighter. But with the eclipse rapidly approaching, we decided to leave the setup as it was.

Plans originally called for students to remove the sun funnels during totality and observe the corona through the eyepiece. But there is some danger in doing this for inexperienced observers who might try to view it too early or too late, and this particular event was a short, hybrid eclipse with the moon just barely covering the solar disk.

All total solar eclipses are unique, and this one was phenomenally so, Baer said. The moon being so closely matched in apparent size to the sun made for a spectacular sight with prominences and the chromosphere visible. The corona was large due to increased solar activity as we approached solar maximum, so it was substantially brighter than others. The sky was also exceptionally clear and dry, adding to the apparent brightness of the corona.

Discovered after the trip

Given the potential for eye damage under all these circumstances, Brevik advised the students to leave the sun funnel in place. Both Chamberlin and Heavrin took cellphone photos of the projection during totality, not realizing that they had just witnessed and documented something unique.

Baer said it wasnt until after the group returned home that he noticed the image was special.

When I saw the image, I immediately contacted a colleague with a lifetime of eclipse-chasing experience, Baer said. He confirmed that no one had ever taken an image of totality like this.

Baer said the image demonstrates the potential for viewing all phases of a solar eclipse, including totality, with a sun funnel. The sun funnel allows everyone in a group to view the same image and have features pointed at and explained. Observers would not all need to have their own eclipse glasses, which may be in short supply during the event.

This is really exciting for those of us doing solar outreach and group observations, especially outreach involving youth for the upcoming annular and total eclipses in the U.S., he said. First- time viewers are often overwhelmed when seeing totality and can miss important features like the diamond ring. The sun funnel allows you to see sunspots, the diamond ring, prominences, the chromosphere and the inner corona  all enlarged to a format that is easy to see.

Observers, however, should keep in mind that viewing totality by looking directly at the corona is still an experience they should not miss, Baer said. They can also observe the few minutes of totality  when the entire disk of the sun is covered by the moon  with binoculars or a small telescope. But knowing when to look and when not to look is often confusing for people who have not seen an eclipse before.

Seeing totality is like nothing else you will ever see, he said.
PNN New Delhi [India], September 19: In the world of aviation dreams, RMC Aviation Academy stands as a distinguished institution with a singular mission: to transform aspiring students into skilled pilots, ready to navigate the skies of countries like South Africa and Canada. This academy, known for its commitment to excellence and steady dedication to producing competent aviators, progressing on a remarkable journey in 2023. The Visionary person behind the uplifting of the organization is Mohammad Imteyaz (Noorani) CEO, of RMC Aviation Academy. His excellence and remarkable notification by the society for education are undoubtedly making a strong impression on the organization globally. On the 25th of July, a day set in the memory of aviation supporters and growing pilots alike, RMC Aviation Academy hosted its orientation event in the luxurious embrace of the prominent 5-star hotel, The Surya. The star-studded affair was marked not only by the grandeur of the venue but also by the presence of eminent guests who have left enduring marks in the field of aviation. Ashraf Ali Fatmi, a luminary in the region of aviation and the former Minister of the Human Resource Department (Govt. of India), graced the occasion as the chief guest. With his vast experience and profound insights into the aviation industry, his presence contributed an air of solemnity to the event. Accompanying Ashraf Ali Fatmi was Air Commodore RPS Garcha Singh, a name synonymous with excellence and an illustrious career. Singh's presence added a sense of authority and inspiration as he shared a short story of his journey through the aviation world. His words resonated with the aspiring pilots in the audience, leaving them with a profound sense of purpose and ambition. The event further gained credibility and depth with the inclusion of Pilot Anil Kumar, an accomplished air instructor (DELHI FLYING CLUB). Anil Kumar's expertise as an instructor has molded countless aviators, and his insights into the hardship of pilot training were invaluable for the attendees. Another sparkling of the event was Dr SK Garg, a DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) medical examiner. Dr SK Garg, in his role as a medical examiner, shed light on the tough health and safety standards that aspiring pilots must stick to, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental fitness in this demanding profession. The orientation event was not merely a platform for distinguished speakers to impart knowledge; it also provided a unique opportunity for attendees to engage with those who are currently embarking on their aviation journeys. The online visual meeting with those students who are currently pursuing theirpilot programwith RMC Aviation Academy collaborated, Eagle Air flight academy, Pretoria, South Africa, shared their experiences, challenges, and successes. These conversations brought the world of aviation to life, allowing aspirants to grasp the realities and joys of the pilot's life firsthand. The brotherhood among these students was clear, emphasizing the sense of community that aviation brings up. Moreover, the event facilitated interactions with the manager of Eagle Air Flight Academy. This seasoned aviation professional shared valuable insights into the hard training modules, state-of-the-art simulators, and the comprehensive curriculum offered by Eagle Air Flight Academy. The manager's emphasis on the academy's commitment to producing skilled and safety-conscious pilots underscored the gravity of the profession. One resounding message echoed throughout the event: the pilot's career is one of bold horizons and boundless possibilities. The aviation industry is ever-evolving, with advancements in technology, global connectivity, and a growing demand for air travel. This confluence of factors ensures that the path of a pilot is FULL of opportunities and a future that knows no bounds. In conclusion, the 2023 orientation event hosted by RMC Aviation Academy at The Surya was a pivotal moment for aspiring pilots and aviation enthusiasts. It was a day marked by the wisdom of distinguished guests, the BROTHERHOOD of fellow students, and the promise of a soaring future. As the attendees left the event with hearts brimming with inspiration and dreams of reaching new heights, it was abundantly clear that RMC Aviation Academy continues to be a guiding light on the journey to the skies. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
BusinessWire India New Delhi [India], September 20: JettWings Airways, the newest entrant in the Indian Aviation sector signed an exclusive agreement with the Aviation Academy in Belgrade, Serbia for its Cadet Pilot Program JettWings Serbia. The agreement that was signed at the Serbian High Commission in New Delhi is a ground breaking initiative as it marks a significant milestone in the airline company's commitment to cultivate the next generation of highly skilled aviators.After India's G20 presidency marks a significant milestone in its global leadership role, this is an unprecedented feat for an Airline from Northeast region of India to position Northeast on the global map of aviation companies. With the inking of this pact, JettWings Airways plans to create its own ecosystem of pilots to meet the long-term expansion plan of the airlines.The pact was signed by and between Sanjay Aditya Singh, CEO & MD of JettWings Airways, Dr. Goran Cvijovi, CEO, Aviation Academy of Serbia and Rajat Ahuja, Director, VR Global Ltd., in the presence of His Excellency, Sinia Pavi, Ambassador of The Republic of Serbia in India."We are excited to launch our Cadet Pilot Program in association with the Serbian Government, a testament to our unwavering dedication to aviation excellence,"said Sanjay Aditya Singh, CEO & MD of JettWings Airways."This initiative represents a significant stride in our mission to cultivate skilled aviators providing high-quality cost-effective program for Indian nationals who will contribute to the industry's growth and innovation,"he added.The Aviation Academy of Serbia is established by the Ministry of Education, Science & Technological Development of Serbia in which the State of Serbia is investing 65 million Euros for further advancement of infrastructure and facilities to meet the aviation growth especially from India. The Academy is one of the oldest schools in the world since year 1912 equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, using cutting-edge technology, and a world-class team of experienced instructors.We are thrilled to announce the 'JettWings Serbia - Cadet Pilot Program', an exclusive flight training pact signed between JettWings Airways, VR Global Ltd and Aviation Academy of Serbia, having an over 100-year-old global legacy of training pilots & aviation personnel. We will proudly train JettWings Airways pilots,expressed HE Sinia Pavi, Serbian Ambassador to India. The Academy that will be co-branded as JettWings Serbia, shall offer a range of programs, including ATP (A) Integrated course which we have chosen for our cadets. Additionally, the institute will provide specialized training in areas such as instrument flying, multi-engine operations, and advanced aviation technologies.Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sanjive Narain, Chairman of JettWings Airways said,We understand the critical role of well-trained pilots in ensuring the highest standards of safety and professionalism. Through this Cadet Program we shall place paramount importance on safety, adhering to rigorous industry standards and best practices.India, the fastest growing aviation market and third largest market globally, is woefully facing an acute shortage of pilots, both experienced Captains and First Officers. A conservative estimate of 15-16 pilots per plane ordered by Indian airline companies means 17,000-18,000 pilots are required over the next decade. That is, 1,700-1,800 per year on an average with a requirement of approximately 1400 First Officers. JettWings Airways in its modest expansion plan expects to train and include approximately 800 pilots in the next five years alone, while also planning to train an additional 1200 pilots in its facility in Serbia, to cater to the national shortage.Our flight training program is designed for the issue of the European license as well as to satisfy regulatory requirements by DGCA India which are incorporated in the ATP(A) program for the license conversion. Our curriculum is meticulously designed to encompass comprehensive theoretical knowledge, hands-on practical training which includes Advanced UPRT, MCC course on state-of-the-art Alsim FNPT-II device, CRM training with airline specific requirements all tailored to meet the exacting standards of the aviation industry.quoted Rajat Ahuja, Director of VR Global.Students enrolled in the JettWings Airways cadet program will benefit from a holistic learning experience, evidence-based training, digital classroom instruction and flight training using Flight Logger. Moreover, they will have access to mentorship opportunities with seasoned pilots and exposure to JettWings Airways operational environment. Our first batch of cadet pilots shall begin their training from 15th November 2023. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 20: The second edition of Global Womens Health Innovation Conference dedicated to advancing womens health through technology will bring over 30 leading experts together on Friday 13 October 2023 in theHotel Royal Orchid, Bengaluru.The conference has gone global to invite women leaders in investment and health tech, and extraordinary male allies, who have shown remarkable commitment to a health equal future. Speaking ahead of the conference announcement, the lead advisory board member,Reenita Das,shared some highlights from the agenda. She said,GWHIC takes a unique approach by beginning with women over 65 and addressing critical issues related to elder women such as dementia and chronic conditions. This departure from the norm, where most conferences typically emphasize menstruation and infertility as primary themes, adds a compelling dimension to the conference. The agenda will cover the health challenges that women encounter throughout their life journey and the best practices in Femtech and health tech that will provide women with enhanced support. Reenita Das is a global health leader,Healthcare evangelist, strategist, and voted top 100 women in Healthtech and Femtech and the only woman Vice President of Frost & Sullivan. A significant addition to the conference this year is Padmaja Ruparel, Co-Founder of Indian Angel Network and Founding Partner of IAN Fund who joins the Advisory Board and brings the much needed and vital perspective from the VCs and angel investors to the program. Unveiling the Unseen: Caring for the 65+ women is a pathbreaking panel focused on elder women health. Indias leading elder care experts, Dr Arvind Kasthuri, Professor of Community Health in St Johns National Academy of Health Sciences, Dr Radha S Murthy, Co-Founder& Managing Trustee, Nightingales Medical Trust andUma Nambiar, Co-founder andChairperson, Digital Health India Association (DHIA), will participate in this panel. The panel is moderated by Bharat Gera, Founder of Human Centric Healthcare Ecosystem (HCHE). The challenges and opportunities in menopause, considered a $600 billion opportunity by Female Founders Fund, will be discussed in a dedicated panel led by Swathi Kulkarni, Co-founder, and CEO of Elda Health. Global menopause innovators, Ann Garnier, Founder, and CEO of Lisa Health andDr Mridula Pore, Co-founder, and Co-CEO of Peppy share the stage with her. Key speakers include Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO, Centre of Excellence for IoT and AI, NASSCOM and FEMTECH pioneers such as SanjSingh,CEO of Temple Therapeutics and Shailja Dixit, CEO and Founder, Curio Digital Therapeutics. Jaya Rebello, Managing Director of Collab Function, the conference organiser, announced theGWHIC Femtech & Innovation Awardsand key partnerships. Staying true to our vision of enhancing the ecosystem of women's health, we announce theGWHIC Femtech & Innovation Awards in 2023. The award nominations are open till 30 September and details are available athttps://gwhic.com/awards2023/ We welcomeFrost & Sullivan, the growth pipeline company, as the conference Knowledge Partner.For over six decades, Frost & Sullivan has guided the worlds top companies toward transformational growth journeys that result in a stream of innovative growth opportunities.BioSpectrum India, Indias most authoritative biotech business monthly magazine, joins the conference as a Biotech Partner. MediCircle will once again support as the conference media partner. Year after year, we are not only envisioning a brighter future but actively shaping it. We welcome everyone to join this movement and help make health equity a reality, She concluded. Delegate registration:https://gwhic.com/delegate-registration/ Conference help desk: Emailhello@collabfunction.comPhone No.: 7777019003. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC) Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 20: In an extraordinary display of cultural diversity and harmony, the Varanasi District Administration, Government of Uttar Pradesh, orchestrated an unprecedented event titled "Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav 2023." The event spanned twelve days, from September 1, 2023, to September 12, 2023, and featured an impressive 37,010 participants at 73 locations across the district. The preliminary level of the event took place during this period, and the final rounds for all these events will be held up to September 20, 2023. The Varanasi District Administration has entered the record books for the title Most Participants in a Cultural Meet Across Multiple Locations in 12 Days, and this feat was certified by the Elite World Records and India Records Academy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi envisioned and spearheaded the "Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav 2023" to epitomize India's diverse cultures. His visionary leadership aimed to unite communities and showcase the nation's rich heritage, emphasizing inclusivity and fostering unity among different groups. This grand celebration preserved India's cultural legacy while boosting tourism and economic growth. Modi's foresight emphasized the festival's role in enhancing social cohesion and educational progress, reflecting his commitment to a united, harmonious, and culturally rich India. Kaushal Raj Sharma, Commissioner of Varanasi Division, praised "Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav 2023" for uniting communities and highlighting cultural richness. He emphasized its role in transcending societal boundaries, fostering unity, and instilling pride in India's diverse cultural heritage, uniting people from varied age groups and traditions. Sharma also highlighted the pivotal role of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, whose visionary guidance and mentorship were instrumental in realizing this cultural extravaganza. The Prime Minister's emphasis on preserving and promoting India's diverse cultural heritage played a pivotal role in shaping the event's objectives. Under his visionary leadership, the festival not only celebrated culture but also strategically boosted tourism, thus contributing significantly to the local economy. Additionally, Sharma emphasized how this cultural event aligns with the Prime Minister's vision of a united and harmonious India. The festival served as a platform to demonstrate the power of cultural unity and diversity, echoing the essence of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Great India) initiative advocated by the Prime Minister. By promoting understanding and appreciation of various cultures, this event epitomized the Prime Minister's vision of a culturally enriched and unified nation. District Magistrate S. Rajalingam passionately lauded the profound significance of "Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav 2023," a monumental event uniting 37,010 participants over ten enriching days. He highlighted meticulous three-month planning, underscoring how this celebration fostered unity across diverse age groups, ethnicities, and abilities. Rajalingam emphasized the festival's ability to bridge gaps, forge connections, and strengthen cultural bonds. He noted the event's role in promoting social cohesion, cultural preservation, and local economic growth by attracting visitors and providing platforms for local talent. The District Magistrate expressed commitment to continuing such initiatives for community betterment. Himanush Nagpal, Chief Development Officer of Varanasi, praised the immense cultural enrichment and far-reaching socio-economic impact brought about by the grand success of "Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav 2023." Months of meticulous planning paved the way for this extensive cultural celebration, uniting 4 universities, 36 colleges, and over 1,000 schools. The event's inclusivity was evident, featuring participants aged 10 to 85, showcasing various cultural forms and encompassing all ethnic communities, divyangjan, transgender individuals, and more. Nagpal highlighted how this cultural extravaganza not only showcased the artistic richness of India's heritage but also invigorated the local economy. A visual feast for spectators, the event drew a staggering 160,000 individuals across all locations. Particularly noteworthy was the participation of 12,000 individuals from remote rural villages, embodying inclusivity and celebrating India's diverse cultural heritage. Nagpal also acknowledged the festival's role in promoting social harmony and educational growth, envisioning continued efforts to empower the community through such cultural celebrations. The "Kashi Sansad Cultural Mahotsav 2023" showcased a remarkable display of cultural diversity, featuring 18 distinct cultural festivals. The event presented mesmerizing performances in singing, dancing, instrumental music, Nukkad Natak, tribal dance, classical dance, semi-classical dance, and various native folk dances. An awe-inspiring 25,000-plus performances were witnessed, and to honour exceptional talents, 9,000 prizes, medals, and appreciation tokens were awarded. The importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage was underscored throughout the festival, promoting pride and unity among diverse communities. The India Records Academy recognized this by conferring the World Record title, emphasizing the event's cultural significance. A celebration of the rich tapestry of cultures that constitute Indian society, the festival united people from different backgrounds through the universal language of art and culture, as noted by Elite World Records. The Varanasi District Administration's commendable orchestration of this extensive and diverse event stands as a testament to the potential of unity in diversity. As the festival concluded, participants and spectators were left with a profound sense of fulfilment, having been part of an event that truly embodied the vibrant soul of India, celebrating the nation's diverse beauty. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by GLOBAL PR CONNECT (GPRC). ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Photo: The Canadian Press Demonstrators clash with police at the Armenia government building to protest against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Azerbaijan and Armenian forces reached a cease-fire agreement Wednesday to end two days of fighting in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region that has been a flashpoint for decades, officials on both sides said.

An hour after the truce was announced, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the intensity of the hostilities in the region has decreased drastically. Azerbaijani authorities said they had halted the military operation launched a day earlier once separatist officials said they were laying down arms.

Both sides in the conflict agreed to talks Thursday on the reintegration of the region into Azerbaijan. That, in addition to guarantees to lay down arms, was widely viewed as a victory for Baku.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan unleashed heavy artillery fire on Armenian positions in Nagorno-Karabakh  a mountainous a region that is part of Azerbaijan and came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces during a separatist war in the 1990s.

Scores of people were reportedly killed and wounded in the latest fighting. The hostilities also exacerbated an already grim humanitarian situation for residents who have suffered food and medicine shortages for months as Azerbaijan instituted a blockade of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

The escalation raised concerns that a full-scale war in the region could resume between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have been locked in a struggle over the region since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The most recent heavy fighting occurred over six weeks in 2020, when Azerbaijan retook parts of the region and areas around it that were lost in the earlier separatist war.

The conflict has long drawn in powerful regional players, including Russia and Turkey. While Turkey threw its weight behind Azerbaijan, Russia has taken on a mediating role and brokered the armistice that ended the 2020 fighting. Its contingent of peacekeepers, in fact, are charged with monitoring that truce, and both sides said Wednesday that they helped reach the current agreement.

Russias Defense Ministry said some of its peacekeepers were killed Wednesday, although it didnt say how many and whether it happened before or after the start of the cease-fire.

The ministry earlier said the peacekeeping contingent had evacuated more than 2,000 civilians into its base camp, without clarifying where it was located.

The deal envisions the withdrawal of Armenian military units and equipment from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as disarming the local defense forces, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said. Armenia's Pashinyan said his government didn't take part in discussing or negotiating the deal, but has taken note of the decision made by the region's separatist authorities.

The concessions made by the separatists indicated the weaker position they and their backers in Armenia have been in recently.

Having lost the war in 2020 and most recently control of the only road linking the country to Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia had very little leverage in the breakaway region, Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank, said in an interview Tuesday. And the separatist forces, which consisted of several thousand men who have been poorly supplied, were "probably not a match for the Azerbaijani forces, De Waal said.

Meanwhile, both Armenia and Russia appeared to distance themselves from the conflict.

Pashinyan said Russia bore responsibility for ensuring security of Armenians in the region, while Moscow brushed off such claims.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that, in effect, Azerbaijan was acting on its own territory.

"I hope that we can achieve de-escalation and solve this problem via peaceful channels, Russian President Vladimir Putin said later.

Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said that there is a plan in place to reintegrate the region's Armenian population in the Azerbaijani society and that Baku is ready to listen to the Armenian population of Karabakh regarding their humanitarian needs.

In announcing what it called an anti-terrorist operation operation on Wednesday, Azerbaijan aired a long list of grievances, accusing Armenian forces of attacking its positions in the region, planting landmines and engaging in acts of sabotage.

Armenias Foreign Ministry denied that its weapons or troops were in Nagorno-Karabakh, and its prime minister alleged that Azerbaijans main goal is to draw it into hostilities.

Azerbaijans forces claimed to be only targeting military sites but ethnic Armenian officials in Nagorno-Karabakh said that Stepanakert, the capital of the breakaway region, and other villages were under intense shelling Tuesday.

Before the cease-fire, blasts reverberated around Stepanakert every few minutes on Wednesday morning, with some explosions in the distance and others closer to the city. Even after the truce was announced and the shelling could no longer be heard in Stepanakert, many residents of the city decided to stay in shelters at least till the end of Wednesday.

Significant damage was visible on the streets of the city, with shop windows blown out and vehicles punctured, apparently by shrapnel. Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Geghan Stepanyan said Wednesday that 32 people, including seven civilians, were killed and more than 200 others were wounded. Stepanyan earlier said one child was among those killed, and 11 children were among the wounded.

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office said Armenian forces fired at Shusha, a city in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijans control, killing one civilian.

The claims could not be independently verified.

On Tuesday, thousands of protesters rallied in central Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, blocking streets and demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Some clashed with police, who reportedly used stun grenades.

Russia's state news agencies reported that protesters began to gather again in the center of Yerevan on Wednesday, shortly after the cease-fire agreement was announced. According to a Tass report, the demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and demanded Pashinyan's ouster.
BusinessWire India Cincinnati (Ohio) [US]/ Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], September 20: SLK Software, a global technology services firm, announced today its recognition inthe Gartner Competitive Landscape: Hyperautomation Service Providers report (August 2023).Hyperautomation is a mandate for future enterprise sustenance. SLKs expertise lies in its ability to envisage a resilient ecosystem of process and technology to support the business functions of today and tomorrow combined with the ingenuity to nimbly bring together various digital toolsets & skills in the right proportions to deliver Hyperautomation solutions. This has resulted in its customers reaping benefits of business operational sustenance, increased levels of customer and employee satisfaction all leading to elevated business outcomes. SLKs hyperautomation services leverages the capabilities of Robotic Process Automation (RPA), Cognitive Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Optical Character Recognition (OCR) models, drawing upon decades of automation expertise. This comprehensive approach enables SLK to achieve outstanding business results for enterprises.Commenting on this recognition, Ajay Kumar, Chief Executive Officer, SLK Software said, We are pleased to be acknowledged byGartner as a Service Provider in the Hyperautomation segment. At SLK, we reimagine entire processes, redefine customer experiences, and forge new pathways to sustainable growth by harnessing the synergistic power of AI, analytics and automation. Our best-in-class hyperautomation solutions drive business growth, efficiencies, transformation and deliver unparalleled value for our clients.The key findings of the report are that Hyperautomationservice providers of various sizes are differentiating themselves with uniquely named,purpose-builtassets. These are predominantly for analytics and workflow, accompanied by deployment methodologies and Competition via building broader service and geographic scope via acquisitions and mergers is driven by the blending of digital business operations, the future of work, integration, automation, content interaction, generative AI, and composable functionality.Gartner, Competitive Landscape: Hyperautomation Service Providers,Cathy Tornbohm,Arthur Villa,Gunjan Gupta, 7 August 2023.GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartners research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by BusinessWire India. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
According to the Secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), the government received about Rs 1,487 crore from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India's largest power utility firm.

Secretary, Department of Investment and Public Asset Management posted on X, Government has respectively received about Rs 1556 crore and Rs 88 crore from Coal India Ltd and BHEL as dividend tranches.

Dividends are a form of reward that companies may choose to provide to their shareholders from a portion of their earnings. In this case, NTPC, a state-owned company with an installed capacity of 73,824 megawatts (MW) (including Joint Ventures), has contributed to the government's revenue. NTPC aims to become a 130 GW company by 2032.

Additionally, the government also received about Rs 1,701 crore from Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) as a dividend on a previous occasion.

The revenue collection through dividends demonstrates the financial health and performance of these public sector companies. It contributes to the government's efforts to manage its fiscal situation effectively.

Earlier in September, the government had also received substantial dividend tranches from Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (Rs 2,182 crore) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (Rs 460 crore), indicating a favourable financial position for these energy giants.

These financial inflows from public sector companies help support various government initiatives and projects, contributing to India's economic growth and development. (ANI)
Beyond the sparkling blue waters and glistening golden sands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an enthralling story of survival is set to unfold in an upcoming TV series Kaala Paani for which the makers have announced a date of release. Taking to X, Netflix shared a teaser video and captioned it, "Can you hear the islands calling you? Get ready to dive into the mysteries of #KaalaPaani, premieres 18th October only on Netflix. #KaalaPaaniOnNetflix." https://twitter.com/NetflixIndia/status/1704371195351871769 Helmed by Posham Pa Pictures, the series is directed by Sameer Saxena & Amit Golani and is written by Biswapati Sarkar, Amit Golani, Sandeep Saket and Nimisha Misra. Starring Mona Singh, Ashutosh Gowariker and Amey Wagh, Kaala Paani will have audiences embark on a journey through the salty seas and ocean breeze of the Andaman Nicobar Islands. But everything is not all smooth sailing on this island - chaos ensues as social order crumbles, leaving its inhabitants trapped and isolated from the outside world. Talking about his association with the series, Ashutosh Gowariker said in a statement, "Kaala Paani is a world of its own and Im really excited to be a part of an intriguing Netflix project like this. Sameer, Amit and Biswapati have created a Series with a genre that will breathe new life into our audience's viewing experience. I am hoping that audiences will be just as intrigued as I was, and enjoy it as much as I did performing in it. Mona Singh said, "Kaala Paani' is a show that will immerse you in a world where every moment, decision, and heartbeat holds the key to survival in an unforgiving environment. Participating in a project that keeps you perpetually on the edge is an absolute rush. With a groundbreaking plot supported by the creative minds of Sameer, Amit and the Netflix team, this show provided me with the opportunity to stretch my limits as an actor, resulting in an incredibly exhilarating journey." Kaala Paani is all set to premiere on Netflix on October 18. (ANI)
Actor Shehnaaz Gill expressed on Wednesday happiness over the Parliament taking up the Women's Reservation Bill for passage. Shehnaaz, who visited the new Parliament building in New Delhi on Wednesday, told ANI that it is a great step. "If we are given rights and equal treatment, parents too will support girls. I come from a small village, girls are married off so that they get settled. But after this, if girls and boys are treated as equals, a lot of things in the country will change." She was accompanied by 'Thank You For Coming' co-stars Bhumi Pednekar, Dolly Singh and Shibani Bedi. Dolly also lauded the government for introducing a new Women's Reservation Bill. "This is a good step (Women's Reservation Bill). Reservation is needed. It is important for women leaders and women to go ahead. For that, I feel elated. I also had the opportunity to visit the Parliament and witness a session. It was once in a lifetime opportunity...The times are changing. Better late than never," she said. Bhumi said the bill will help increase the role of women in policymaking. "As a modern Indian woman, representation is very important for us. When women are in positions of power, there will be a female gaze in debates, policies, and law-making -- this is very important. This is an era of women. It is a matter of pride for us that we came here with our cast (film Thank You For Coming)," Bhumi expressed. Content creator Shibani Bedi, who is all set to make her Bollywood debut with Thank You For Coming, called it a beautiful moment. ...This is a beautiful moment, a landmark moment in history. With the passage of this Bill -- women from all facets of life will get a chance to be a part of the law-making process. So, I think it is a great development, she said. On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. As per government sources, the Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said. (ANI)
Hitting back at Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal over his claim that the BJP was trying to extract political mileage from the women's reservation Bill that was tabled in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Tuesday said the former was the Law Minister when the draft legislation was introduced earlier in 2008 and is aware that the then Congress-led UPA never intended to pass the Bill. The women's reservation Bill, which seeks to give fair representation to women leaders in the Parliament and other legislative bodies, was introduced in the Lower House during the ongoing Special Session of the Parliament, on Tuesday. Thakur alleged that the Congress neither wanted to give reservations to women leaders in 2010 when it was in power and nor does it want to do so now. Earlier, on Tuesday, Sibal said, "They (BJP-led NDA) want to extract political advantage from the women's reservation Bill in 2024, telling people that they brought the historic legislation.They should have done this in 2014. What is so historic about this? There will be a census and delimitation exercise before the Women's Reservation Bill is implemented. What if the census and delimitation don't happen?" Responding to Sibal's remarks, Thakur told ANI, "He was a minister then (in 2008 when a similar legislation was tabled under the UPA). He knew that the Congress was merely pretending to bring the law. The Bill was tabled in 2008 and the country went for general elections a year later. However, instead of passing it, the draft legislation was sent to the Standing Committee. They (Congress) did not intend to give reservations to women then and neither do they want it now." "The Congress neither gave reservations to women under Indira Gandhi's leadership nor did it make any progress in that direction under Sonia Gandhi. There was also no reservation for women neither under (Jawaharlal) Nehru-ji nor Rajiv Gandhi, the BJP leader said. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday introduced the Bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The Bill was named 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. Introducing the bill in the Lower House, the minister said, "This Bill is about women's empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A provides for reservation of seats for SC/ST in the House of People." (ANI)
The Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday said the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department should question the state election commissioner, Neelam Sahani, in the "skill development scam case" as to whether she "played a key role" in the project in connection to which party chief and former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu was arrested. The part claimed that the current state poll panel chief had issued orders (on implementation of the scheme) when shewas an IAS officer serving in the state bureaucracy. "The CID chief, Sanjay, who has been alleging the very establishment of the Skill Development Corporation should first question Neelam Sahani, who played a key role in the whole project by issuing "GO Nos 47 and 48," TDP national spokesman Kommareddy Pattabhiram told reporters on Tuesday. "If this retired IAS officer is questioned by the CID chief, we will know if there were any irregularities in the project. Another retired IAS officer, Ajay Kallam, who released funds for the project, should also be questioned on factsabout the project," he added. He alleged that the law enforcement authorities in the state were "playing into the hands of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy", who, according to him, falsely implicatedTDP chief Chandrababu Naidu in the Skill Development scam case. Earlier, on Tuesday, the Andhra Pradesh High Court adjourned the bail petition of Naidu to September 21. Naidu was sent to judicial custody on September 10 for 14 days, till September 23, by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Vijayawada in connection with the case. The case in which Naidu is arrested pertains to the establishment of clusters of Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with a total estimated project value of Rs 3300 crore, as per the officials. The agency officials also claimed that the alleged fraud has caused a huge loss in excess of Rs 300 crores to the state. (ANI)
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla issued an official notification on Tuesday specifying that the old Parliament building will now be known as 'Samvidhan Sadan' as the sitting members have now shifted to a new complex. Lok Sabha Speaker is pleased to notify the building previously known as Parliament House as the Samvidhan Sadan, read the notification issued by the Lok Sabha Secretariat on Tuesday. The announcement came hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his speech in the Central Hall, referred to the presiding officers of the two Houses and suggested that the old Parliament building be renamed "Samvidhan Sadan". The Constituent Assembly first met on December 9, 1946 at the Central Hall of the old Parliament and continued sittings till January 24, 1950. The task of drafting the Constitution of Independent India was undertaken in the Constitution Hall, later known as the Central Hall of the Parliament House. After the Constitution came into force on January 26, 1950, the Assembly ceased to exist, transforming itself into the Provisional Parliament of India until a new Parliament was constituted in 1952. The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949 and formally signed by the Members of the Assembly on January 24, 1950. The old Parliament was also a place for informal interaction among MPs and leaders with members of the Press. In the new Parliament building, such joint sessions will be held in the Lok Sabha chamber. (ANI)
ISRO's successful lunar landing mission 'Chandrayaan-3', which made India, the fourth nation after the US, Russia and China to have done so, will be discussed in the Rajya Sabha during the first half on Wednesday. The discussion will be held soon after the laying of papers and tabling of reports of the standing committee on labour, textiles and skill development as well as the reports of the committee on public accounts. The list of businesses of the Rajya Sabha mentioned the discussion on "India's glorious space journey marked by the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3" as item number 5. With the success of 'Chandrayaan-3', India also became the first country to have placed a lander on the moon's hitherto unexplored south pole. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is currently near the Moons South Pole since its successful soft landing on August 23. India took a giant leap as the Chandrayaan-3 lander module successfully landed on the moon's South Pole, making it the first country to have achieved the historic feat and bringing to an end the disappointment over the crash landing of the Chandrayaan-2, four years ago. India became the fourth country - after the US, China, and Russia to have successfully landed on the moon's surface. After having landed, the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover performed different sets of tasks on the lunar surface, including finding the presence of sulphur and other minor elements, recording relative temperature, and listening to movements around it. The stated objectives of Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission were a safe and soft landing, rover roving on the Moon's surface, and in-situ scientific experiments. Meanwhile, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover are in sleep mode, with awakening expected around September 22. In the latest update, the Indian Space Research Organisation put out a three-dimensional anaglyph image of the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander from the south pole of the Moon. The five-day special session of the Parliament began on Monday and will end on Friday. (ANI)
Ahead of the discussion on the Women Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha today, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has said that discussion on the bill will be held through the day and it has nothing to do with politics. Outside the new Parliament building, Arjun Ram Meghwal said Discussion on the Bill will be done through the day. It will begin at 11 AM and it has been scheduled to continue till 6 pm. This has nothing to do with politics." Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill on September 19 in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. Arjun Ram Meghwal said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181. Earlier, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that new copies of the Constitution that were handed to the politicians on the opening day of the new Parliament building don't have the words 'socialist secular'. Arjun Ram Meghwal said When the Constitution was drafted, it was like this. An amendment was made later. This is the original copy. Our spokesperson has replied to the same. Such a big step, such a progressive law, a bill to increase women's participation in development, still do they have any objection to it? " Floor leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will hold a meeting to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the house. The meeting will be held at the office of Rajya Sabha leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament. The Lok Sabha is set to discuss the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill which was tabled by Centre for discussion at 11 am today, after the proceedings of the House start. The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023 seeks to reserve 33 per cent seats in Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies for women. (ANI)
Re. Blaine Fode's letter Grocers not to blame (Castanet, Sept. 19)

I agree with Blaine Fode on most of his letter that the government can't control food prices, but his description of supporting Ukraine and the pandemic response as boondoggles is wrong. They were necessities.

First, the government in Canada did an admirable job helping Canadians with financial aid and COVID-19 information. It was superior to the useless (former U.S. president Donald) Trump (administration) in 2020.

Second, helping the Ukrainian government fight off the unwarranted attack by Russia is Canada's duty as a fellow democratic country, just as it did during the First and Second World Wars. (When it fought) against dictatorship.

People here take their freedom for granted but it was fought for, just as the Ukrainians are fighting for theirs now.

We, in Canada, have very little to complain about compared to the mess in the rest of the world, including in the United States.

A Mullins
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said on Wednesday that the Women's Reservation Bill is for the entire nation so there should be no fight over the credit for the bill. "The fight for credit should end...This work (Women's Reservation Bill) is for the entire nation...It is your (BJP) government at present, it may be some other government (in rule) tomorrow. If you (BJP) talk about women then why do you fight over credit...You have brought the bill, you have tabled it, you've shown the courage and we appreciate your courage," said Raut. Meanwhile, ahead of the discussion on the Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha on the third day of the ongoing Parliament special session, the INDIA bloc held a meeting to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the house. The meeting was held at the office of Rajya Sabha leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament. On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. In 2008, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government tabled the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, and it was passed in 2010. However, the Bill was never taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha. Introducing the bill in the house, Meghwal said "This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 percent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People." Meghwal also said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said. (ANI)
Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the tabling of the women's reservation Bill in the Parliament and said that PM Modi has done historic work for the upliftment of Maatri Shakti. Speaking to ANI, Dhami said, Yesterday was a historic day. In the leadership of our PM Narendra Modi, the session started in the new Parliament building. It is historic that the Women's Reservation Bill was also presented for the 33 % reservation of Maatri Shakti. I am grateful to the PM that he has done historic work in the upliftment of 'Maatr Shakti'. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam." Introducing the bill in the Lower House, the minister said, This Bill is about women's empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A provides for reservation of seats for SC/ST in the House of People. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government is bringing a new Bill to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies and that God has given him the opportunity to take forward the task of women empowerment. Members of Parliament on Tuesday proceeded to the new Parliament building after bidding farewell to the old building. Womens Reservation Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha in 2010 and it was not taken up in Lok Sabha and lapsed in the lower House of Parliament. The Lok Sabha will debate the bill through the day today with former Congress President Sonia Gandhi expected to speak on behalf of the Congress in the house. After the bill is passed in the Lok Sabha it will be debated in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. (ANI)
Congress president and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday said that the Opposition will fully cooperate with the debate on the Women's Reservation Bill while questioning the intentions of Centre in bringing the same. He also alleged that the Central government is publicizing the Bill in view of elections. He further insisted on bringing the Bill to implementation and added that the loopholes and drawbacks should be rectified. "In 2010, we had passed the Bill in Rajya Sabha. But it failed to be passed by the Lok Sabha. That is why, this is not a new Bill. Had they taken that Bill forward, it would have been done quickly by this day. I feel that they are publicising this in view of elections but actually unless the delimitation or census takes place. You can feel how long it is going to take, Kharge said. They could have continued with the earlier one but their intentions are something else. But we will insist that women's reservation has to be brought and we will fully cooperate. But the loopholes and drawbacks should be rectified," he added. Meanwhile, criticizing the Centre over not including the women belonging to the backward and Scheduled Caste (SC) community, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Wednesday urged the Centre to pass the 2010 Bill in Lok Sabha and start the reservation. I challenge that if BJP's policy and intention are honest, then give a guarantee that women will get a reservation in 2024 elections - we will stand with you with all our strength, MP Tiwari said. Tiwari further said, Are the Backward and SC, not women? How will you go for women's reservations without including them? I only say that if you were honest, the 2010 Bill that was passed by the Rajya Sabha is still there - you should have passed that in the Lok Sabha and started the reservation." Earlier reacting to certain provisions of the bill, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi had any real intention to prioritise women's empowerment, the Womens Reservation Bill would have been implemented immediately. "If the PM had any real intention to prioritise women's empowerment, the Womens Reservation Bill would have been implemented immediately without the ifs and buts and all other conditions. For him and the BJP, this is only an election jumla that delivers nothing concrete," Jairam Ramesh posted on X (Formerly Twitter). While calling the Women's Reservation Bill good, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said that the party is not criticising the introduction of 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' adding that the party just wants to seek some clarification from the government. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building on Tuesday. Arjun Ram Meghwal said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181. "This historic day of 19th September 2023 is going to be immortal in the history of India," the Prime Minister underlined. Observing the growing contributions of women in every sector, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for the inclusion of more women in policy-making so that their contributions to the nation increase further," PM Modi said. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that this day which marks the first day of session in the new Parliament building has been immortalised owing to the introduction of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or the Women's Reservation Bill heralding a 'new chapter' in India's parliamentary democracy. Discussion for passing of the Bill in the House will be taken up today. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday expressing his concern over the implementation of Women's Reservation Bill and urged the centre to implement the bill in 2024 if their intentions were clear. The AAP MP also assured the support of the INDIA bloc to the bill. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, "This is definitely not a Women's Reservation Bill, this is 'Mahila Bewakoof Banao' Bill. We have been saying this because none of the promises made by them have been fulfilled ever since PM Modi came to power. This is another 'jumla' brought by them...If you want to implement the Bill, AAP stands with you completely but implement it in 2024. Do you think the women of the country are fools? Anti-women BJP has brought one more 'jumla' in the name of the Bill. Women of the country, political parties understand these election tactics. So, we say that if their intentions are clear, implement it in 2024..." MP Sanjay Singh said that in the Women's Reservation Bill introduced by the UPA in 2010 there was no such conditions that the bill would be implemented in 15 years or 20 years and delimitation would be conducted. Sanjay Singh said, "If the centre is serious about the Women's Reservation Bill then the time limit clause should be removed and it should be implemented in 2024. INDIA alliance meeting is going to be held and we will discuss the details soon." However, the AAP MP has assured that the INDIA alliance members will vote in favour of the bill after voicing their opposition to certain clauses. "The INDIA alliance members have agreed to question the Government's intent on the bill in the house, we will also oppose the fact that the implementation of the bill is being delayed. However, during the voting on the bill we will vote in favour of the bill" said Sanjay Singh. Earlier ahead of the discussion on the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha today, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that discussion on the bill will be held through the day and it has nothing to do with politics. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building on Tuesday. Arjun Ram Meghwal said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181.(ANI)
The deceased has been identified as Mahendra Yadav, police confirmed.

Speaking on the matter, president of the All Indian Cine Workers Association, Suresh Shyamal Gupta said that the deceased got electrocuted on Tuesday evening while he was working on the shooting set of a daily soap serial.

"The man was taken to the nearby government hospital and the doctors declared him brought dead," he added.

Gupta also demanded the Maharashtra government provide a compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the next kin of the deceased.

"A case should be registered against the producer and the production house of the serial. Rs 50 lakh compensation should be given to the next kin of the deceased and the resignation of the Managing Director and Labor Commissioner of Film City should be taken with immediate effect," he said.

Further investigation into the matter is underway. (ANI)
Leaders of the INDIA alliance held a meeting at the office of the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the house ahead of discussion on Womens Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday morning. Along with Mallikarjun Kharge, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, RJD leader Manoj Jha, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Singh and Congress Tarun Gogogi were present at the meeting. The Lok Sabha started with the discussion on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill which was tabled by the Centre for discussion at 11 a.m. today. The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023 seeks to reserve 33 percent of seats in Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies for women. According to the sources, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is likely to be the lead speaker from her party for the debate as the Lok Sabha takes up the Women's Quota Bill for discussion. The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Monday. On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. In 2008, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government tabled the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, and it was passed in 2010. However, the Bill was never taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha. Introducing the bill in the house yesterday, Meghwal said "This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People. Meghwal also said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said. (ANI)
Reacting to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil, BJP National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda said that although Canada has been professing liberal values, they have been supporting terrorists on their soil. "Canada has been professing all these liberal values like freedom of speech but they have been appeasing, patronising and supporting terrorists on their soil. And these terrorists are not just targeting India they have killed hundreds of Canadian citizens themselves," Panda told ANI. Hitting out at the Canadian government, Panda said that the government of Canada does not allow a referendum for Quebec separatists but has no problem with Khalistani separatists who not only hold the referendum but also celebrate the acts of violence. "Canada itself has separatist movements such as the Quebec Separatist movement. They don't allow the same freedom to those who want to have independence for Quebec. They don't allow a referendum for Quebec separatists. And yet they have no problem allowing Khalistani separatists and terrorists to not only have to try to have this referendum on Canadian soil but also to celebrate the acts of violence...This is not acceptable, It's not civilized," he said. Earlier in the day, the BJP National Vice President took a dig at the Canadian government and said that the Indian government must consider facilitating an online "referendum on the Quebec independence" issue just like they allow Khalistani separatists to try the same on Canadian soil. "In the spirit of friendship with Canada, we in India must consider facilitating an online referendum on the Quebec independence issue (in gratitude for their allowing Khalistani separatists to try the same on Canadian soil). Perhaps we should also offer Indian soil for the Quebec independence movements events commemorating their sacrifices, bombings and assassination attempts (again, just like Canada has been so considerate to allow for the Khalistanis)," Panda posted on 'X'. "This would also embellish the spirit of free speech so cherished in both our nations and would help clarify the increasing support for an independent Quebec (as reported in media earlier this year). Finally, since elected Canadian politicians who support Quebec independence have been travelling and meeting European leaders, we should also meet and understand their views. In the spirit of Indo-Canadian friendship and cooperation, I would be glad to host an interaction for them here in Delhi," He added. This comes amid tensions in India-Canada relations after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding the Indian governments involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The allegations were denied by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the allegations as 'absurd' and 'motivated'. Several world leaders have also expressed 'deep concerns' over Trudeaus remarks in the Canadian Parliament. (ANI)
DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin said in a press release that 'delimitation' is a swinging sword aimed at the heads of South Indian states. "This is a political manoeuvre, if seats in Parliament are increased on the basis of the population then this will reduce the political representation of South Indian states", read the press release by Tamil Nadu CMO. The official statement further said that this act of betraying politically aware states like Tamil Nadu should be nipped in the bud. "We welcome the Women Reservation Bill but at the same time we request Prime Minister Modi to give assurance that no harm would be done to South Indian people in the name of delimitation and PM Modi has to remove the fear of South India people regarding delimitation," said the press release. The Women's Reservation Bill mentions that the bill will come into effect after the publication of the census and delimitation or redrawing of constituencies after the bill becomes law. The delimitation has raised concerns among the South Indian states as they fear that a lower population in the states as compared to Northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar may lead to their unequal representation in the Lok Sabha. The term 'Delimitation' in India is mainly concerned with the allocation of seats in the Lok Sabha. Article 81(2)(a) of the Indian Constitution mentions that the number of Lok Sabha seats in a state should be proportionate to the population of the state. (ANI)
Casey Richardson

UPDATE: 2:10 p.m.

Protesters and opponents gathered throughout the B.C. Interior Wednesday, butting heads over Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity policies in schools.

SOGI policies are focused on teaching students about diversity and inclusion. Some critics claim its "grooming" children and pushing an agenda, while counter-protesters say it saves lives.

In Kamloops, roughly 200 people gathered near the courthouse, the majority being counter-protesters.

Two individuals argued in the crowd over the protest, with one saying that they love trans kids.

We love them, too, an anti-SOGI protester said.

You love them so you march by their school saying that they're illegitimate? they rebutted. Thats a lie that people are grooming themIt's not an idea. It's saying that they exist.

Mark Haupy, an anti-SOGI protester, said he attended because he wants to bring awareness to what kids are going through in school.

I think they're too young to be taught the things that have been taught right now, especially sexualization of minors and small children is unacceptable. I dont think school should be doing that sort of teaching.

In Vernon, an estimated 200-plus people showed up at City Hall and marched to Polson Park to listen to speeches. The Pride community members set up a surprise info booth at the Polson Park bandshell in response.

Kylie Walman said the group rented the bandshell not as a counter-protest, but simply to offer a safe space and information. She called it "an opportunity to have a learning session about SOGI" for those who were willing to listen.

For the most part, the two groups did not interact.

Walman even said she has some issues with SOGI  that some schools pay it "lip service" and she would like to see it strengthened.

"We want to show kids that there are people who will stand up for them," she said.

"A lot of people really just want to know about SOGI," added Nicky Dunlop.

One woman, who identified herself as a "hetero mom," said she was there because "I love my queer family." She said the issue isn't about being gay or trans, "it's about keeping our kids safe."

Numerous people just a few yards away at the anti-SOGI protest said they are not against the LGBT community, but they attended because they feel parents should make decisions on what sex education children receive, not schools.

"This has nothing to do with sexuality of adults, it's about keeping our kids safe," the protest rally heard, ironically mirroring the same message in the other camp.

One protest attendee said she was there to protect the children... to stop the sex agenda in schools and to treat all children the same. Every single child matters, and we don't care if children want to be trans, just keep it out of the school and teach math, English, science, literature together. Get our children smart.

A counter-protester named Brie, who is trans, said she attended to represent her community and to show love and support for others.

To show that we can spread love, that we can be accepting of different gender identities to people who are different from ourselves. And if people are here to have a civil, respectful conversation, I'm happy to talk to them. But really, I'm just here to make our presence known in the community and let people know that that's not the only group that exists.

In Kelowna, large crowds were on both sides of the issues, and things got heated as protestors rallied at Stuart Park. Anti-SOGI protesters blocked Castanet interviews.

As one Castanet reporter attempted to speak with an anti-SOGI protester, his camera was knocked out of his hand.

Keith Simmonds with the United Church of Canada said he attended the anti-protest because the community is concerned that voices and movements like this send a message that being anything but heterosexual is wrong.

Its teaching kids in school that families with two parents of the same gender don't exist because you don't want to talk about it, he added. It's sending kids a message that, who they are, who their families are, is broken and wrong, and they can't be themselves and their families can't be normal families in this culture.

In Penticton, counter-protesters were blasting music as the other side listened to speeches from attendees.

Mary Pellicano said she came to the anti-SOGI rally with a group, and doesnt want her children or grandchildren to be taught that "they can be anything that they want."

It's a lie. They can't be, they have to get operated on, and they have to take hormones to be a different thing, she claimed.

She added that she believes it shouldnt be discussed at any grade, from kindergarten to Grade 12, as its an adult conversation.

Cain Critchlow, a member of the Penticton Foundry, said they showed up because its important to show that there is strong support for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

If people aren't taught about things, they're never gonna learn. And if people at home aren't being taught about these things, or being shown that they're accepted, then they're gonna grow up without feeling that kind of love, and that community.

Photo: Josh Dawson

Protesters and counter-protesters argue Wednesday morning on Columbia Street in Kamloops.
According to latest estimates, the State has recorded 406 dengue cases this year alone

"There is no serious concern regarding Dengue. We are on alert mode and day-to-day monitoring has been done. Beds are reserved for patients and there is no scarcity of blood...," Uttar Pradesh Deputy chief minister said.

Pathak further said the leave of officials has been cancelled.

He said that there is no scarcity of hospital beds and those who require hospitalisation will be admitted.

"Regarding the campaign on communicable diseases, the Municipal Corporation and Panchayat Raj are conducting a campaign to kill mosquitoes," he said

The changing weather conditions have led to an outbreak of the contagious viral fever in Uttar Pradesh. Several people are falling sick and flooding the district hospital, a doctor said.

"The weather is changing consistently, sometimes it is raining, sometimes it is sunny and when there is rainfall, water logging takes place. The constant changes in weather and surge in mosquitoes due to rain have caused people to fall sick," said Gorakhpur Hospital physician Dr VK Suman. (ANI)
This endeavour marks a step in expanding connectivity in the northeastern region of India and bolstering the local economy, read the Ministry of Civil Aviation press release.

Tezu Airport, a domestic airport situated in the town of Tezu, has undergone a transformation with the implementation of infrastructure upgrades worth Rs 170 crores.

These developments include the extension of the runway to 1500 meters by 30 meters, the construction of a modern apron capable of accommodating two ATR 72 type aircraft, the establishment of a new terminal building, and the creation of a fire station cum Air Traffic Control (ATC) Tower, read the press release.

Operationalized under the RCS UDAN scheme of the Ministry of Civil Aviation in 2018, Tezu Airport has played a pivotal role in enhancing regional connectivity by offering regularly scheduled flights to Dibrugarh, Imphal, and Guwahati through Alliance Air and Flybig Airlines.

Features of the New Terminal Building-Terminal Area of 4000 square meters, peak hour serving capacity of 300 passengers, 5 check-in counters (3 in the future), 2 arrival Carrousels, 2 aircraft parking bays- ATR-72 type of aircraft, read the press release.

The infrastructure upgrades at Tezu Airport prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency.

Double insulated roofing system, energy-efficient HVAC and lighting system, low heat gain glazing, ECBC-compliant equipment, solid waste management system, re-use of treated water for flushing and horticulture purposes, rainwater harvesting integrated with sustainable urban drainage system, use of efficient water fixtures, read the press release.

The enhancements are expected to yield multiple benefits- Expansion of airport capacity to handle increased traffic, improved connectivity of the northeastern region with the rest of the country, boost to tourism, trade, and employment generation, promotion of infrastructure development and economic growth of the region, read the release.

Tezu, situated on the picturesque banks of the Lohit River and serving as the headquarters of the Lohit District in Arunachal Pradesh, is celebrated for its natural beauty.

Surrounded by lush green forests and rolling hills, this small town is poised to leverage its enhanced airport infrastructure to welcome more visitors and contribute to the region's prosperity.

The inauguration of the new infrastructure at Tezu Airport underscores the commitment of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to enhance connectivity and stimulate economic growth in India's northeastern states. (ANI)
Chhattisgarh's former chief minister and BJP national vice-president Raman Singh on Wednesday termed the Narendra Modi government's introduction of the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha as one of the milestones in IndiasParliamentary history. He also said the decision to give a reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies will also help in the overall development of our country. "The introduction of the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha has become one of the milestones in the parliamentary history of our country. This will also help in the overall development of our country. A consensus has been reached on this (Womens Reservation Bill)," Raman Singh said. On Tuesday, Union Law MinisterArjun Ram Meghwalintroduced the Bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The Bill has been named "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam." Introducing the Bill in the House, the minister said "This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People." Arjun Meghwal said that once theNari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyamis passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181. However, the Bill will be only implemented in 2026 after the delimitation exercise. This delimitation clause drew the criticism of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur while she spoke on the Bill today in the Lok Sabha. She said that women have again been betrayed in the male-dominated parliament. "Devil in the detail came across...The census was to be held in 2021 and now 2023 is about to end and it hasn't been done yet and we don't know when will it happen. After the census, delimitation will take place and then this Reservation Bill will be implemented...Why did you bring this bill when you're not implementing it?... This male-dominated parliament betrayed women," Kaur said. (ANI)
Delhi Police have arrested an employee of the Survey of India who allegedly killed his colleague and buried his body in the backyard of a vacant house in R K Puram in South Delhi. The deceased, Mahesh Kumar, who worked as a senior surveyor at the office located in Defence Officers Complex in the R K Puram area had been missing since August 28 and his family had lodged a complaint on August 29 at the RK Puram station, police said. The accused Anish, 24, had allegedly killed Mahesh as the latter was demanding the return of a sum of Rs 9 lakh that he had loaned Anish. After sustained interrogation, when confronted with technical and circumstantial evidence, Anish admitted to having murdered Mahesh Accordingly, a case was registered and the accused Anish was arrested, officials added. With the accused arrest, Rs 5 lakh in cash, two vehicles used in the crime, weapons used in the offence, vehicle of the deceased and other articles were recovered. Mahesh was a resident of Neem Wali Colony in Haryanas Jhajjar. According to the complaint filed, Mahesh had on August 28 around noon informed his sister-in-law that he was going to meet his colleague Anish in Sector 2 of R K Puram and ever since he was missing. Police said that according to Manesh when he and his wife spoke to Anish, he concocted a story and said he was not aware of the whereabouts of Mahesh. Police traced the last location of the mobile phone of the missing person Mahesh to Faridabad in Haryana but were unable to find any trace of the missing person. Various suspects linked to missing person Mahesh were interrogated and technical surveillance was analysed, officials said. During interrogation, police said, Anish revealed that on August 28, he had called Mahesh to his house in RK Puram on the pretext of returning his money and there he murdered Mahesh. After this he bought polythene from the market and packed Mahesh's body in it and on the following day, he buried the latters body in the backyard of an empty flat in R K Puram and got a labourer to pave the floor of the flat with cement. Police said they suspected that from the manner in which Anish had disposed of the deceaseds body the killing seemed to be premeditated. During interrogation, it was revealed that Anish tried his best to divert the police investigation. Based on Anishs confession, police said that on September 2, police recovered Mahesh's body. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday posted for hearing on October 17, 2023 pleas challenging the constitutional validity of Section 6A of the Citizenship Act inserted by way of an amendment in 1985 in furtherance of the Assam Accord. A five-judge Constitution bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud and Justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala, and Manoj Misra said the common compilation in the matter prepared by the nodal counsels needs to be streamlined. The nodal counsel will ensure that compilation is in the same format as the SOP. The soft copy of the common compilation is to be prepared within two weeks. Written submissions shall be filed by October 10," the bench said. The apex court said the title of the proceedings shall be, In Re: Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. On December 17, 2014 matter relating to the citizenship in Assam was referred to the five-judge Constitution bench. On April 19, 2017, the apex court constituted thebench to hear the case. The National Register for Citizens (NRC), a list of Indian citizens containing all necessary information for their identification, was first formulated following the 1951 national census. The Assam NRC is meant to identify illegal immigrants in the State who migrated from Bangladesh after March 25, 1971. In 1985, the Indian government and the representatives of the Assam Movement negotiated and drafted the Assam Accord and created categories of immigrants. The NRC exercise in Assam was carried out under Section 6A of the Citizenship Act 1955 and the rules framed in the Assam Accord 1985. Section 6A of the Act was introduced to give effect to the Assam Accord. It provides the framework to recognise migrants in Assam as Indian citizens or to expel them based on the date of their migration. The provision provides that those who have come to Assam on or after January 1, 1966, but before March 25, 1971, from specified territories, including Bangladesh in 1985, and since then are residents of Assam, must register themselves under section 18 for citizenship. Therefore, the provision fixes March 25, 1971, as the cut-off date for granting citizenship to Bangladeshi migrants in Assam. In 2013, the apex court directed the State of Assam to update the NRC. On July 30, 2018, the final draft of the Assam NRC was released and 40.07 lakh applicants out of 3.29 crores were excluded from the NRC list, creating uncertainty about their citizenship status. Later, the apex court said that this was merely a draft NRC and no action could be taken based on it. On August 31, 2019, the final NRC list was published and 19 lakh persons were excluded. Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha, a Guwahati-based civil society organisation along with others had challenged Section 6A way back in 2012 while arguing that Section 6A is discriminatory, arbitrary and illegal so far as it provides for different cut-off dates for regularising illegal migrants who entered Assam and the rest of India. The Bangladesh Liberation War which led to the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan, witnessed a massive influx of migrants to India. Even prior to when Bangladesh gained independence from East Pakistan in 1971, migration had started to India. On March 19, 1972, Bangladesh and India entered into a treaty for friendship, cooperation and peace. (ANI)
Veteran Congress leader Arun Yadav has taken a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led central government over womens reservation bill tabled in the parliament and claimed that the draft of the bill was prepared during the UPA regime. Addressing the media persons in Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district on Wednesday, Yadav said, The women's reservation bill which was introduced in the lower house on Tuesday and for which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to garner applause, the draft of that bill was prepared by the then Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh during the UPA regime. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wanted that women should get reservation and they should stand on equal status, therefore the bill was prepared with a better thinking. The Congress party still wants women to get reservations. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam." Introducing the bill in the Lower House, the minister said, This Bill is about women's empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 percent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A provides for reservation of seats for SC/ST in the House of People. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government is bringing a new Bill to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies and that God has given him the opportunity to take forward the task of women empowerment. Womens Reservation Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha in 2010 and it was not taken up in Lok Sabha and lapsed in the lower House of Parliament. Meanwhile, Yadav, who is taking out Congresss Jan Aakrosh Yatra in Damoh district these days, said that he was getting full support from the public in the district for the yatra. During this, the congress leader also took a dig at the state BJP over its Jan Ashirwad Yatra and said that BJP should take out Maafi Yatra (Apology Rally) in the state. Notably, after BJPs Jan Ashirvad Yatra, the Congress party is also taking out Jan Aakrosh Yatra across the state ahead of the polls. The BJP took out a total of five yatras across the state which is going to conclude on September 25 in the state capital Bhopal. A Workers Mahakumbh will also be on the occasion in which BJP workers across the state will participate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the program and address the party workers. On the other hand, the Congress party is taking out seven yatras covering all the assembly constituencies across the state and they are beginning the yatra from the prominent temples in different regions on the state. The state is scheduled to go for the Assembly polls later this year. Through the polls, the state will elect legislators from 230 Assembly constituencies. (ANI)
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that unlike the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), other parties see womens empowerment as a political issue and a tool for vote bank politics. During the discussion over the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, Shah further said that for the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, women's empowerment is an issue of principles and beliefs. For some parties, the issue of women empowerment can be a political agenda or a slogan to win elections. However, for my party and my leader Narendra Modi, women empowerment is not a political issue, but it is a matter ofprinciples and beliefs, Shah said. He further said that yesterday will be marked in history. Yesterday was Ganesh Chaturthi, it was the inauguration of the new Parliament and we introduced the Womens Reservation Bill in Parliament, he added. The Womens Reservation Bill is a mark of respect and the beginning of a new era, the Minister added. He added that Prime Minister Modi presented a vision of women-led progress at the recently concluded G-20 session. Notably, Day 3 of the Parliament special session witnessed a debate on the womens reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, while the Rajya Sabha discussed Indias space journey focusing on Chandrayaan-3s successful soft landing on the moon. The Women's Reservation Bill that seeks to provide a 33 per cent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was introduced in the Lok Sabha today in the ongoing special session of Parliament and will be taken up for discussion on Wednesday when the House will meet at 11 am. The Union Cabinet on Monday approved the Women Reservation Bill. On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. In 2008, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government tabled the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, and it was passed in 2010. However, the Bill was never taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21 government sources said. The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to introduce three new articles and one new clause in the Constitution. However, prior to Shah, Congress MP from Wayanad Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP was trying to distract people from the caste census and the Adani issue. Every time the Opposition raises the issue of caste census, the BJP tries to create a distraction, or to a new event so that the OBC community and the people of India look the other way, he said while slamming the Centre for employing diversionary tactics. Gandhi further asked the government to release the data of the Caste census done by us or we will release it. Rahul Gandhi also said that the caste census is the only way to ensure representation for OBCs. He said that despite forming a huge chunk of the population, they control and define only 5 per cent of Indias budget. This is an insult and a shame to the OBC community, he added. (ANI)
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday said that the success of Chandrayaan-3 will have a big impact on Indias industrial and technological ecosystem. While speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Union Minister briefed the House about the Chandrayaan-3 mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). In 1975, we launched our first satellite Aryabhatta with the help of the Soviet Unions (USSR). Now, the success of Chandrayaan-3 will have a big impact on Indias industrial and technological ecosystem. Although we needed help from the Soviet Union to launch our first satellite Aryabhatta, today we have launched 431 foreign satellites for other countries till July 2023, Sitharaman said in the Upper House. The Minister also praised ISROs innovative choices in the Chandrayaan-3 project, like choosing a route that allows a cost-effective and sustainable method of accomplishing the project. "Chandrayaan-3 mission cost only around US $75 million (approximately). Our Chandrayaan-3 mission commanded a lesser budget than some movies made on space itself...," she said. Notably, day 3 of the Parliament special session witnessed a debate on the womens reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, while the Rajya Sabha discussed Indias space journey focusing on Chandrayaan-3s successful soft-landing on the moon. India took a giant leap as the Chandrayaan-3 lander module successfully landed on the moon's South Pole on August 23, making it the first country to have achieved the historic feat and bringing to an end the disappointment over the crash landing of the Chandrayaan-2, four years ago. After having landed, the Vikram lander and the Pragyan rover performed different sets of tasks on the lunar surface, including finding the presence of sulphur and other minor elements, recording relative temperature, and listening to movements around it. The stated objectives of Chandrayaan-3, India's third lunar mission were a safe and soft landing, rover roving on the Moon's surface, and in-situ scientific experiments. Meanwhile, the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover are in sleep mode, with awakening expected around September 22. (ANI)
Countering to Congress MP Rahul Gandhis claim that out of 90 secretaries in the government of India, there are only three persons who belong to the OBC community, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that it is the government who runs the country, not the secretaries. One of my colleagues (Rahul Gandhi) was saying that the number of those who run the country is three who belong to the OBC category. Now who will make him (Rahul Gandhi) understand that it is the government who runs the country, not the secretaries, Shah said during the discussion over the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha in the Special Session of the Parliament. Coming down heavily on Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition parties, Amit Shah said that those claiming to speak for OBCs should know that it is the BJP who gave an OBC prime minister. Our Constitution says that the policy of the country will be decided only by the Cabinet and the Parliament. You (referring to Rahul Gandhi who was not present during Shahs speech) are not here to listen, but I want to tell you that there are 29 per cent of MPs in our party who belong to the OBC community. If you want to do a comparison, just come to us. And in our union cabinet, there are 29 ministers, who belong to the community. Out of 1358 MLAs, there are 365 MLAs in our party who belong to the OBC category. This is higher in the number who keep talking about the welfare of the OBC category. You speak about the OBC, but it was the BJP who gave this country a PM from the OBC community, Shah said. Rahul Gandhi, who spoke in the Lower House just before Shah claimed that there are only three secretaries in the government of India who belong to the OBC community. I was shocked to find out that out of 90 secretaries in the government of India, only three are OBCs. These secretaries only control 5 per cent of the budget. If the country's budget is 44 lakh crore then 2.4 lakh crore controls it, Rahul said. Speaking about the concerns from the Opposition about OBC representation, delimitation and the delay in implementation of the Bill, Shah said the bill will be implemented soon after the census and delimitation after the elections. Census and delimitation exercises will be conducted soon after the elections, and women will have a greater voice in the Parliament, he added. Further, questioning the intent of the previous government for not passing the Bill, Shah said, ...This is the fifth attempt to bring the Women's quota bill. From Devegowda ji to Manmohan Singh ji, four attempts were made to bring this bill...what was the reason this bill was not passed?..." Shah said. Shah also talked about the women-centric initiatives the Modi government has introduced ever since it took power. Womens security, respect and equal participation have been the life force of government since PM Modi took the oath of office, he said, enumerating schemes such as free LPG cylinders, Mahila Samman Savings scheme, maternity leave and Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao as initiatives that have empowered women. Congress ruled for over five decades in this country, but there were 11 crore families who were deprived of toilets. They gave the Gareebi Hatao slogan but couldn't make any arrangements for the poor. When a house doesnt have a toilet, then the most affected ones are the daughters, sisters and mothers, Shah further said. Shah also said that the Womens Reservation Bill will ensure the participation of women in decision-making, and policy-making in the country. However, Shah further appealed to the House to pass the Bill unanimously. We have disappointed women four times before. We have to rise above politics now... Today, I want to urge the Treasury and Opposition that we should unite on this new beginning and with consensus amend the Constitution to give reservation to women, he said, adding that passage of the Women's Reservation Bill will mark the start of a new era. (ANI)
The Raj Bhavan will also host a reception for the religious heads from outside Goa on the occasion.

The book penned by Goa Governor PS Sreedharan Pillai "The Contemporary Speeches" will be released by Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, and will be received by Mauvin Godinho, Goa Minister for Transport and Nilesh Cabral, Minister for Public Works Department of the state.

The book release function will be followed by lunch being hosted by the Governor of Goa in honour of the dignitaries, said the statement issued by the Raj Bhavan. (ANI)
Durian takes center stage at China-ASEAN Expo

09:44, September 20, 2023 By Zhang Kaiwei ( People's Daily Online

Visitors queue up to buy Malaysian durian at a booth during the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on Sept. 16, 2023. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Kaiwei)

There's a fruit that's often misunderstood due to its distinctive smell. Yet, when individuals taste it for the first time, many become immediate enthusiasts. The durian, a spiky fruit with an intense aroma, is known as the "King of Fruits" in Southeast Asia. At the 20th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning, located in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the durian has taken center stage. This infamous fruit has captivated many attendees, drawing both intrigued spectators and fervent enthusiasts. The CAEXPO plays a pivotal role in assisting Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam, in accessing the enormous Chinese market.

A photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023, shows the durians on sale at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Kaiwei)

China has emerged as the major durian market of ASEAN countries

Eros Kong from Malaysia is the business development manager for Newleaf, a company specializing in the durian business. This year marks his first time taking part in the CAEXPO, and his company's booth has been perpetually encircled by customers. "We began our durian trade with China in 2019," said Kong. "To maintain the freshness of our durians, we freeze them to minus 110 degrees using liquid nitrogen. Subsequently, we utilize cold-chain transportation at minus 18 degrees until the durians reach cold storage in China." He noted that half of his company's durian exports are destined for China.

A photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023, shows sellers busy picking durians for customers at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Kaiwei)

In the Vietnam Pavilion, Ngo Tuan Anh and his colleagues were engrossed in selling durians on Monday. According to Ngo Tuan Anh, Vice General Manager of Vietnam Risen Food, his company has been trading durians with China for many years, but this year marks his first time attending the CAEXPO. "Our durians come from central Vietnam, and we offer a variety of durians, including Musang King and Monthong," said Ngo. "We definitely have many plans to develop our business in China and to cooperate with our Chinese friends and Vietnam farms."

According to statistics, the import volume of durian ranked first among all fruits imported by China, reaching $4.03 billion, while the import volume reached 825,000 tonnes in 2022. Given China's vast population, many of whom are durian enthusiasts, there's immense potential for the durian business in the Chinese market.

Processed durian products offer more choices for consumers

In addition to fresh durians, the 20th CAEXPO also features many processed durian products, including durian chips, durian cake, sweet dried durian, and durian popsicles, offering expanded choices for consumers. Processed durian products are easier to preserve than fresh durian. Many booths offer tasting sessions, attracting numerous consumers and becoming a highlight of the 20th CAEXPO.

A photo taken on Sept. 16, 2023, shows durian popsicles in the Malaysia Pavilion at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Kaiwei)

Vincent H.S. Lau has participated in the CAEXPO eight times. He is the managing director of Taluwang Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian company that specializes in fruit popsicles, with the durian popsicle standing out as their signature product. "We have kept the classic flavor all these years, and our durian popsicles are basically made from coconut milk plus durian," Lau said, "After years of tough times during the pandemic, we see hope this time."

A photo taken on Sept. 18, 2023, shows dried durians on display at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Kaiwei)

Various processed durian products are showcased at the booth of Eng Seng Food Products, a Filipino company specializing in processed food. According to Jean B. Mendoza, the company's head of exports and sales marketing, they have participated in the CAEXPO three times. She said she recognizes the vast potential of the Chinese market and believes that, in the future, the company may introduce more processed fruit products in China, including durian, mango, pineapple, and coconut.

Innovation enhances our lives, and the same can be said for durian products. An increasing variety of new processed durian products will broaden consumer choices and contribute to an improved quality of life.

CAEXPO and BRI bridge business between China and ASEAN countries

The CAEXPO and the Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) serve as catalysts for regional development. The 20th China-ASEAN Expo not only highlights the successes of the BRI but also emphasizes the value of regional cooperation and multilateralism. The CAEXPO persistently advances the region's economic development, with China standing as ASEAN's primary trading partner.

A photo taken on Sept. 16, 2023, shows the venue of the 20th China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Zhang Kaiwei)

Tawat Mahitapong from Thailand, a former student at China's Sichuan University, where he majored in trade, now speaks fluent Mandarin. He currently oversees marketing at Unifirm Company Limited, which trades products made from durian and other fruits in China. He emphasized that both the CAEXPO and BRI have significantly benefited his business. The BRI, in particular, has streamlined transportation and improved communication between China and ASEAN, making interactions more efficient.

The burgeoning durian trade between China and ASEAN is mutually beneficial. Mendoza conveyed that trading durian with China supports the livelihoods of farmers in the Philippines. Similarly, Lau expressed his ambition to introduce top-tier Malaysian products to Chinese consumers and mentioned he had established a company in China to forge a long-term business relationship.

The event highlighted the joint commitment of both China and ASEAN nations to fortify their economic bonds. As the BRI keeps bridging connectivity gaps, China's immense durian market becomes even more accessible. The durian booths from ASEAN countries at the 20th CAEXPO stand not only as sensory delights but also as symbols of the expanding partnership between China and ASEAN in the agricultural and food industries.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Wu Chengliang)
U.S. Steel is idling one of its blast furnaces at the plant, citing softening demand from the auto industry during the United Auto Workers strike. (Abel Uribe/Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune/TNS)

GRANITE CITY, Illinois  U.S. Steel plans to temporarily idle one of the blast furnaces at its Granite City plant and shift some work to other facilities, citing softening demand from the automotive industry during the United Auto Workers strike.

That furnace is the only one currently operating at the plant. A local United Steelworkers representative said Monday that about one-third of the union employees there work in the areas that will be affected, where the plant converts ore and pellets into metal slabs.

Advertisement

The other two-thirds of employees work in areas that turn those slabs into the steel coils that are shipped out to customers on trucks and trains, said Dan Simmons, president of USW Local 1899.

A U.S. Steel spokeswoman said Monday that the company is still determining the number of employees who will be affected at the facility, where 1,450 people work  1,250 of them represented by USW.

Advertisement

Temporary layoffs will begin in phases as equipment is idled, U.S. Steel spokeswoman Amanda Malkowski said in an email.

However, even in the portion of the plant that is idled, a certain number of workers will be needed to maintain the equipment and machinery, Simmons said.

Well argue for more people, and theyll argue for less, he said.

Simmons said hell attempt to find other assignments within the plant for the remaining workers, but he still expects some will be temporarily laid off.

Therell be fallout, he said.

Malkowski said the decision to idle the blast furnace was made after the United Auto Workers announced plans to strike at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. UAW workers, as of Monday, were striking at one major plant at each company, including the General Motors plant in Wentzville, Missouri.

U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, said in a statement that the temporary layoffs were expected to affect hundreds of employees. Budzinski called U.S. Steels decision an outrage and cast the companys statements attributing the layoffs to the UAW strike as an attempt to pit working people against one another.

The United Steelworkers chapter in Granite City, Local 1899, wrote in a Facebook post that the union will be meeting with the company to put together a layoff minimization plan.

Advertisement

The long-term future of the Granite City plant has been in limbo since last summer, when U.S. Steel announced plans to sell a portion of the facility to Chicago-based SunCoke Energy in a deal that would eliminate nearly 1,000 jobs.

The uncertainty around the plants future heightened in July of this year, when the Cleveland, Ohio-based steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs made an offer to buy U.S. Steel. At least two other companies have since made offers.

U.S. Steel rejected the offer from Cleveland-Cliffs but said in August that it was reviewing proposals. The steelworkers union has backed the Cleveland-Cliffs offer, arguing that under its labor agreement, it has certain powers to oppose bids by other buyers.

It sure would be welcomed right now, Simmons said, to come in here and pull us out of this.

As of last month, U.S. Steel was still hoping to come to an agreement to sell part of the Granite City plant to SunCoke but had not yet reached a deal.

At some point, we really have to protect these jobs, said Granite City Mayor Mike Parkinson. These are good-paying, American jobs.
Two days after former Akali Dal minister Jagdish Singh Garcha and his family members were allegedly drugged and their house in Maharaja Ranjit Singh Nagar robbed, police on Wednesday said they have arrested three men in the incident. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police Amrutha Guguloth, the three accused have been identified as Sarjan, Karan and Krishna. Giving details about the incident the DCP said, "A team of Police was on checking and patrolling duty inside Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT. At about 12 Noon, a boy identified as Sarjan Shah (20) was found roaming around the area with a bag suspiciously." The police asked him to get his bag checked after which the boy got scared and offered money and gold to let him go. "During the search, the police found several valuable items of gold, diamond and silver in the bag. The bag consisted of bracelets, bangles, rings, necklaces and other such valuables," said the DCP. On further interrogation, the accused revealed that he along with his associates had stolen this jewellery from Sadar Area in Ludhiana City, Punjab, he added. The accused also revealed that his remaining associates were living in Bhovapur, Kaushambi, UP, but he was unaware of the address. Subsequently, a team was immediately formed to nab the other two accused in the incident. "The team took accused Sarjan to Bhovapur, Subzi Mandi Road and at the instance of accused Sarjan, two more accused persons identified as Karan (main accused) and Kishan were apprehended at about 2.30 PM," said DCP. Further, Delhi police informed the Station House Officer of Sadar Police Station (PS) in Ludhiana City, Punjab, who confirmed the incident. Ludhiana Police further revealed that Karan, who was working as a cook in the house of the former Akali Dal's minister, had hatched a conspiracy along with Sarjan and Krishna. "All three accused then drugged the minister and his family members and stole the jewellery and money," they said. A case under sections 328/457/381 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered at Sadar PS Ludhiana City, Punjab. All three accused have been arrested and jewellery, articles and cash recovered from the possession of the trio have been seized under a section of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). "Information about the arrest of the accused has been given to the concerned Police Station. The officials of the Punjab Police have reached Delhi," said the DCP. Further proceedings in the matter are underway. (ANI)
Head constable, Mohammad Murtuza is appointed in Kanpur's Kakwan police station area.

According to the official statement, the constable was attacked by the accused while the former had gone to Bilhaur (located in Kanpur) on Monday night.

The accused, identified as Rahul Yadav and Vishal, attacked the constable with bricks and sticks after which the latter got injured.

Later, they absconded after looting the injured's phone and money, the statement added.

As per the statement, the police arrested the accused Rahul near the Chandali crossing in Kanpur during an encounter, earlier today, and another accused, Vishal was held earlier.

Accused Rahul was injured during the encounter and is undergoing treatment at Kanur's Hallet hospital.

Meanwhile, Special DG (Law and Order) of Uttar Pradesh, Prashant Kumar addressed the media in Lucknow.

"There were two people involved in it... One accused has been arrested, and one has been injured... Whoever attacks Police during duty, the process of their arrest is the same everywhere...But attacking the Police is not a normal incident... This is done by those who are cunning criminals...", he said. (ANI)
Reacting to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that it was unfortunate that Trudeau made such a statement in the Parliament and that Canada "jeopardised" the state of a very good relationship. "We are seeing a tit-for-tat on both sides. First, on the expulsion of a diplomat and then on this advisory...I think it is unfortunate that Canada chose such a public route. If at all they have any issue, these matters should be discussed privately with a friendly govt like India and the matter should be discussed behind closed doors. Going public, making a statement in the Parliament was very unfortunate by the Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) and having gone that far they (Canada) have really jeopardised the state of a very good relationship," Tharoor told ANI. Earlier in the day, BJP National Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda reacted to the issue and said that although Canada has been professing liberal values, they have been supporting terrorists on their soil. "Canada has been professing all these liberal values like freedom of speech but they have been appeasing, patronising and supporting terrorists on their soil. And these terrorists are not just targeting India they have killed hundreds of Canadian citizens themselves," Panda told ANI. Hitting out at the Canadian government, Panda said that the government of Canada does not allow a referendum for Quebec separatists but has no problem with Khalistani separatists who not only hold the referendum but also celebrate the acts of violence. "Canada itself has separatist movements such as the Quebec Separatist movement. They don't allow the same freedom to those who want to have independence for Quebec. They don't allow a referendum for Quebec separatists. And yet they have no problem allowing Khalistani separatists and terrorists to not only have to try to have this referendum on Canadian soil but also to celebrate the acts of violence...This is not acceptable, It's not civilized," he said. The BJP National Vice President also took a dig at the Canadian government and said that the Indian government must consider facilitating an online "referendum on the Quebec independence" issue just like they allow Khalistani separatists to try the same on Canadian soil. "In the spirit of friendship with Canada, we in India must consider facilitating an online referendum on the Quebec independence issue (in gratitude for their allowing Khalistani separatists to try the same on Canadian soil). Perhaps we should also offer Indian soil for the Quebec independence movements events commemorating their sacrifices, bombings and assassination attempts (again, just like Canada has been so considerate to allow for the Khalistanis)," Panda posted on 'X'. "This would also embellish the spirit of free speech so cherished in both our nations and would help clarify the increasing support for an independent Quebec (as reported in media earlier this year). Finally, since elected Canadian politicians who support Quebec independence have been travelling and meeting European leaders, we should also meet and understand their views. In the spirit of Indo-Canadian friendship and cooperation, I would be glad to host an interaction for them here in Delhi," he added. This comes amid tensions in India-Canada relations after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau made allegations regarding the Indian governments involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. The allegations were denied by the Ministry of External Affairs in India which dubbed the allegations as 'absurd' and 'motivated'. Several world leaders have also expressed 'deep concerns' over Trudeaus remarks in the Canadian Parliament. (ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday, launching a scathing attack on the INDIA bloc, appealed to the people of Rajasthan to shut down the shops of 'Thugbandhan'. Addressing a public rally in Rajasthan's Jhalawar, CM Dhami said, "Let us pledge to shut down the shops of 'Thugbandhan'. I want to appeal to all of you to stay aware of the 'Thugbandhan', which encouraged nepotism in the country and posed a threat to the unity of the country". Further, attacking the grand old party, CM Dhami said, "The Congress only gave nepotism, appeasement and corruption to the country. Why are they reluctant towards the name 'Bharat'? Why are they irritated by the Sanatana? Why don't they want to take 'Bharat Mata's' name? Because patriotism was never at their origin". "Let us take a pledge to defeat those who created hindrances in the development of the country. The Congress always tried to put an end to the identity of the country. There was corruption, there was an emergency. In Rajasthan, you see how women are being oppressed. You saw how a tailor had to lose his life and the government tightened its lips", added CM Dhami. Taking a dig at his Rajasthan counterpart, Ashok Gehlot, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister said, "You saw how the 'black deeds' of Ashok Gehlot was unveiled by his own MLA. The 'black deeds' of the Congress is not a secret anymore. Their alliance partner called for the eradication of Sanatana. The Sanatana which is eternal, the Sanatana which has been there since forever". "Cruel rulers like Babar and Aurangzeb could not wipe away the Sanatana. Who is this 'Ghamandiya' alliance to do so?" CM Dhami added. It is worth mentioning that after Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader, Udhayanidhi Stalin, called for the eradication of the Sanatana while speaking at a public event in Tamil Nadu's Chennai, his remarks created a political slugfest in the country with leaders of political rivals NDA and INDIA alliance taking potshots at each other. Meanwhile, praising the Bharatiya Janata Pary (BJP) government, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "Mandir wahin banayenge (We will build the temple there only). Our dream of constructing the Ram Mandir is about to be fulfilled. If you come to Devbhoomo Uttarakhand, you will see that there are several roads to make your journey to the 'Char Dham' easier. Article 370 was revoked from Jammu and Kashmir. The national flag was hoisted at Srinagar's Lal Chowk. Now, we are defeating our enemies by barging in their own territories. We did the surgical strike". "Earlier, the Indian Army had to ask if there is any retaliation required from our side to the attacks made by the enemy countries. Now, there is no need to ask. The country is now safe and powerful under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi", he added. Speaking on the G20 summit, he said, We organised the G20 summit under the leadership of PM Modi. The world got to realise the strength of Bharat. We accomplished the Chnadrayaan-3 mission. Our Aditya-L1 (solar mission) was launched. Bharat has progressed in every field". CM Dhami, earlier today, also participated in the "Parivartan Sankalp Yatra" in the Dag assembly constituency of Jhalawar. The "Parivartan Sankalp Yatra" was launched by the BJP in Rajasthan earlier this month. Meanwhile, the Rajasthan assembly election is scheduled to be held later this year to elect 200 members of the legislative assembly and the parties have left no stone unturned in wooing voters. Earlier, in the 2018 elections, the Congress party secured 100 seats, which was shot of majority by one seat (as 101 seats are required to form the government). Later, it formed the government with Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). The BJP had secured 73 seats, much fewer than those in the previous election in which it had won a majority of 163 seats. (ANI)
In view of the Ganesh idol immersion processions in the city, the Bengaluru city police have prohibited the sale of liquor from September 21 to October 1 in various police divisions of the city, said officials. "As a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incidents during the Ganesh idol immersion in the city, the police department has ordered to ban the sale of alcohol in various police stations until September 30," said police. In this regard, the Commissioner of City Police has issued an order till October 1, that the Ganesh idols installed in different areas of Bengaluru will be immersed. Therefore, in order to prevent any untoward incident during the Ganesh idol dissolution, the sale of alcohol has been banned in the Central, North-East, East and North Division Police Stations, police stated. "The sale of liquor is prohibited on September 22 in Hebbala, JP Nagar, Sanjay Nagar Police Stations of Bengaluru's North Zone. On September 23, it was suggested to ban the sale of oil in DJ Halli, Pulakeshi Nagar, Bharatinagar Police Station in the East Zone on September 24," said police. Also, on September 24, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on September 25 from 6 am to 6 pm at Commercial Street, Shivajinagar, Halasuru Gate Police Station of the East Division, police added. "The sale of liquor has been banned in Yalahanka Upanagar, Kudigehalli, Yalahanka, and Vidyaranyapur Police Stations of North Eastern Division from 6 pm of September 23 to 6 am on September 25, and in High Ground Station of Central Division from 6 am of September 30 to 6 am of October 1," said police. As the ten-day Ganesh Chaturthi commenced on Tuesday, devotees across the country welcomed Lord Ganesha in their own unique way. Combining religion and social causes, volunteers of the Bakul Foundation in Odisha's Bhubaneswar decorated a tree in Lord Ganesha's form. The volunteers of the Bakul Foundation have been decorating trees as Ganpat on Ganesh Chaturthi for the last five years. The decorations that were used by the volunteers comprised only eco-friendly materials such as painted coconut as a mouse of Ganesha, flowers and colourful papers were used to decorate the surrounding area. (ANI)
Congress leader Sachin Pilot on Wednesday said that the party will launch the electoral battle with full strength for the upcoming assembly elections in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana. Pilot made these remarks after the two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Hyderabad. Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, "After a very long time, Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting was held outside Delhi - in Hyderabad, Telangana. Constructive decisions were held over the course of two days. All the members held discussions as to how to win in the election-bound states -- Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Telangana. Workers are enthusiastic after winning the Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh elections." The Congress leader also said that the party has decided to contest the elections unitedly He further added "Despite all attempts, BJP is unable to lift its election campaign in Rajasthan because the public is not connecting with them. In Hyderabad, we decided that we would hit the election ground with all strength and contest unitedly. Congress would form Govt in all four states so that we can defeat NDA in the 2024 elections and the INDIA alliance will win," Meanwhile, After the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting was held in Telangana, Congress leader Sachin Pilot has said that the meeting has sent a different message and Congress will form the government in Rajasthan again and will register a win in Telangana. Sachin Pilotvisited the Nampally constituency inTelanganawhere he spoke to ANI and said Elections are in 4-5 states, but theCWC meetingheld inTelanganahas sent a different message across the country. Two day meetings were very constructive, and Rajasthan has a ritual of 30 years that every 5-year government changes here but this time there is a change in mood of people,Congresswill form the government again. Sounding the poll bugle inTelanganawith a mammoth rally, theCongressparty announced six guarantees for the people of the state after the two-dayCongressWorking Committee (CWC) meeting in Hyderabad. Yesterdays rally was historic.Congress government has delivered in Karnataka on its promises. In Telangana also, we will deliver as soon as we form the government. This time there is a change, BJP has pulled out of the contest, Congress party is on the comeback and I think we will see a congress government in Telangana also, Sachin Pilot said. (ANI)
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday said that the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar and all other accused in a murder case related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Sultanpuri area is a black day for minorities and secularism and a blot on justice, human rights and rule of law in the country. In his post on X, Badal further said that after the verdict, the Sikhs all over the world will feel more salt rubbed into their wounds. Painful and shocking in the extreme: Nearly 40 years on, it feels like #Genocide all over again. A black day for minorities and for secularism, and a blot on justice, human rights, rule of law in the country. The Sikhs all over the world will feel more salt rubbed into their wounds. Whoever is responsible for the inability of the state to prove what is obvious as broad daylight owes an explanation on this, SAD President said. The Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar and two other accused from a case of rioting and murder during the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots. This case pertains to the killing of one Surjeet Singh in the Sultan Puri area in November 1984. Special CBI judge Geetanjali Goel on Wednesday acquitted Sajjan Kumar, Brahamanand Gupta and Ved Prakash. This case was registered by the CBI. The agency had filed a charge sheet under sections related to rioting, murder, arson, promoting enmity between communities etc. Justice Nanavati Commission of Inquiry was set up in the year 2000 by the Government of India to enquire into the incidents of anti-Sikh riots of the year 1984 in Delhi. The SAD President also said that this development is a shame for the civilised world and certain to deeply hurt the patriotic innocent Sikh community all over the world. Meanwhile, Badal further said that Akali Dal, however, will not give up and will pursue the case relentlessly until the guilty are brought to book. Be it complicity or ineptitude of the prosecution, this development is a shame for the civilised world and certain to deeply hurt the patriotic innocent Sikh community all over the world and will bring a bad name to the country in the comity of nations. @Akali_Dal_ will not give up and will pursue the case relentlessly until the guilty are brought to book, he said. (ANI)
The protesters were demanding ST (Scheduled Tribe) status for their community as well as the inclusion of the Kurmali language in the Eight Schedule of the Constitution.

The protesters have announced an indefinite 'Rail Roko' (stopping passage of trains) from Wednesday. However, the protesters were stopped by the police at a distance away from the railway station.

The Ranchi Rail Division took all possible steps to maintain law and order in the wake of the agitation called by Kurmi organisations.

The Kurmis were expected to hit the railway tracks at nine locations across Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal.

"The RPF would be deploying its 150 jawans at Muri while the district administration is also expected to post another 300 police jawans so that no untoward incident takes place," Pawan Kumar, Divisional Security Commissioner of Ranchi Division under South Eastern Railways said.(ANI)
Wading into the fierce diplomatic standoff between India and Canada, triggered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian agents being behind the killing of a pro-Khalistan leader on his home soil, Canadian journalist Terry Milewski on Tuesday said he hoped that more "evidence" will come to the surface in the form of "leaks, or announcements or private briefings". Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Milewski said the allegation "better be good as if it isn't, it will turn into abigger embarrassment for Prime Minister Trudeau. He said the "Indians were not going to sit quietly" unless the Canadian government presented "evidence" to back its claim of New Delhi's involvement in the killing of the wanted Khalistani leader. So I think that over time, either through a procedure of leaks or some sort of announcement or some nice little off-the-record private briefing for chosen reporters, that in one way or the other, it's going to get out what the government is talking aboutI can tell you that it better be good. Because if it's not, this is just going to blossom into an even bigger embarrassment for Prime Minister Trudeau, Milewski added. Milewski is a former senior correspondent for Canada-based CBC television news. The Canadian journalist said there has been a persistent rumour within the Khalistan community in Canada that this (killing of Hardeep Nijjar) was not some local gangland killing. The problem is that for the Canadians there has been a persistent but unconformable rumourwithin the Khalistan community in Canada, which is large and very active, that this was not some local gangland killing, as it first appeared. Rather, it wasa state-sponsored assassination by the Indian government, he said. Milewski added while the local Khalistan sympathisers have not been able to produce a shred of evidence linking India to the killing, it hasn't stopped them from "making such accusations loudly". They prepared posters which they put up at parades and demonstrations at Indian missions in Canada, the consulate in Toronto, in Vancouver and the High Commission in Ottawa. These posters described Indian diplomats as killers and basically painted targets on the backs of these diplomats, he added. Milewski noted that Trudeau merely said Canada has credible allegations. He added that while the Canadian PM did not produce any evidence to back his allegation, it did not stop his government fromexpelling a senior Indian diplomat. I've got a surprise for you...now we do have evidence," the journalist claimed while not saying what it was. "He merely said that we have credible allegations, in his words, for a potential link between this murder and agents of the Indian government. He hasn't proved it. He's merely made the allegation. But that hasn't stopped him from acting on it by booting out a senior Indian diplomat. And in return, the Indians have done the same. But I don't think that'll end it, he added. On no evidence yet to back the explosive claim,Milewski said the pressure is going to build on Trudeau in the coming days. It's a reasonable question that can he do this without revealing his evidence. I don't think he can because I think that what's going to happen tomorrow and the next day and the day after is that the pressure is going to mount. Why do you say these allegations are credible and what is the potential link that you're alleging? Because without that, it's just not going to fly, he added. India, on Tuesday, rejected the allegations by the Canadian PM that Indian agents were behind the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief anda wanted terrorist in India, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Canada. Moreover, India expelled a senior Canadian diplomat to India in a reciprocal move to Canada expelling a senior Indian diplomat. The move comes after India rejected as "absurd and motivated" Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's charge that India played a role in the June killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister, the MEA said in an official statement on Tuesday.(ANI)
The G7 members at the group's Foreign ministers' meeting reaffirmed their commitment to stand with Ukraine for "as long as it takes" and unequivocally condemned Russias "war of aggression". Kamikawa Yoko, Japan's Minister for Foreign Affairs, hosted the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in New York City on Tuesday. Even after a year since Russia initiated a full-scale 'invasion' of Ukraine, the hostilities on either side have yet to stop. The G7 members once again reaffirmed their commitment to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes and unequivocally condemned in the strongest possible terms Russias war of aggression and its violation of international law, including the UN Charter, the US State Department said in a statement citing the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The members also issued a strong condemnation of the escalation of attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Russia must withdraw its troops and military equipment from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine immediately, completely, and unconditionally, the G7 members added in the statement. They further reaffirmed their pledge to provide security, financial, humanitarian, recovery, and reconstruction support to Ukraine. They reaffirmed their intention to work with Ukraine on specific, bilateral, long-term security commitments and arrangements. They will continue to help repair and restore Ukraines civil and critical infrastructure as well as to support its domestic reform efforts, especially in the fields of anti-corruption, the justice system and promotion of the rule of law, in line with its European path, the statement added. They informed that 29 countries and institutions have already joined this endeavour while encouraging others to follow suit. The G7 members also condemned Russias staging of sham elections in the illegally occupied territories of Ukraine. Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia oblasts and Crimea are part of Ukraine. They will never recognize Russias illegitimate claims to sovereign Ukrainian territory and call on all States to unequivocally reject them, the statement added. Further, highlighting the Ukrainian 'peace formula', the G7 members reiterated their determination to support concrete efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine including the further development of President Volodymyr Zelenskyys Peace Formula in line with international law. They further welcomed successful meetings in Copenhagen and Jeddah in this regard. The NSA meeting on Ukraine was being organised in the coastal city of Jeddah to discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys plan for peace amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The G7 members also agreed on the importance of the participants continuing to engage in this process and welcomed additional participants. The statement said, In this regard, the G7 members strongly condemned Russias unjustified and intensified attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain infrastructure in the Black Sea and the Danube. They urged Russia to stop threatening global food security and return to the international framework associated with the UN to resume grain export from Ukraine. They recalled the Hiroshima Action Statement for Resilient Global Food Security, issued by the leaders of the G7 and invited countries. The members reiterated their support for Ukraines "undeniable right" to export its grain and foodstuffs through other initiatives, including the EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes, and its humanitarian maritime corridor. The statement further added, The G7 members are working with nations around the world to enhance global food and energy security, particularly by building resilience to withstand future shocks. Calling Russias threat to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus unacceptable, the G7 member warned that any use of chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons by Russia would be met with severe consequences". The members expressed grave concern about Russias seizure and continued militarisation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. They urged all countries to support the International Atomic Energy Agencys (IAEA) efforts to help strengthen nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. In this regard, they expressed support for the five principles announced by IAEA Director General Grossi in May at the UNSC. According to the statement by the US State Department, the G7 members reiterated their commitment to holding those responsible to account consistent with international law, including by supporting the efforts of international mechanisms, including the International Criminal Court. They supported exploring the creation of an internationalized tribunal based in Ukraines judicial system to prosecute the crime of aggression against Ukraine". Further, the members also committed to maintaining robust sanctions and other restrictions against Russia. They reiterated their call on third parties to cease any and all assistance to Russias war of aggression or face severe costs. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen their coordination to prevent third parties from supplying lethal support including weapons to Russia, and to respond to those that do so," the statement added. The G7 members also underlined their commitment to remain consistent with their respective legal systems that Russias sovereign assets in their jurisdictions remain immobilized until Russia pays for the "damage" it has caused Ukraine. (ANI)
Sept. 10, 2023: A date that will live in audience disruption infamy. That night at the Buell Theatre in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert and her date took a hike early in Act 2 of the touring production of Beetlejuice: The Musical. This was at the urging of theater staff and Denver police, after fellow audience members lodged several complaints against the busy couple on the aisle.

Boeberts infractions included vaping inside the theater (cough); mutual groping with her date (take it outside!); selfies with the flash on (a hard no); and singing along with the cast (at least wait for the Mamma Mia! tour). Other infractions that night allegedly include Boeberts straight-faced use of the phrase Do you know who I am?  a line yet to be delivered, on a stage, a screen or in life, by a single sympathetic character.

Advertisement

Is theater etiquette on its last legs? Even if what happened in Denver represents an extreme, whats considered acceptable behavior these days? Two former theater critics, the Tribunes Nina Metz and Michael Phillips, offer a few of their experiences and offer some ground rules we might try now and then. For old times sake.

The non-union national tour of Beetlejuice, meantime, plays at Chicagos Auditorium Theatre Nov. 7-19.

Advertisement

Phillips: Regarding the Boebert incident, thats really something. I cant help but admire that degree of dubious audience behavior. Nina, whats one of the weirder things youve witnessed as an audience member?

Metz: I was at Steppenwolf for a show one time and the person next to me was eating peanuts in the shell, and discarding the empty shells on the floor. No shame! And noisy. When people got up at intermission, it was crunch-crunch-crunch. Then there are the people who get a drink with ice during intermission and bring it back into the theater, and every time they tip it back to take a gulp during the performance, its that shhhhucckk sound, over and over.

Also: Its totally OK  ahem, preferable  to ease up on the perfume or cologne. Or the garlic-y dinner beforehand. Just saying ... if COVID has made us aware of anything, its that were all sharing the same air.

Phillips: In general Ive probably caused more problems as a theatergoer just by showing up and being fairly tall. Especially covering shows in New York. In Chicago people may be more polite, or resigned to their bad luck if they end up sitting behind someone whos ruining their view of the stage. But more often than not, when I took my seat for a show in New York, Id hear this sort of anguished chorus of sighs and oh my god no behind me. Even before I was fully seated.

The worst was Nine with Antonio Banderas. Fellow behind me went into a sort of an excited panic when Banderas comes right to the edge of the stage for a number, just a few feet ahead of us. But I was in the way, so he rolled up his Playbill and started whapping me on the head, and blurting Will you  will you just  will you just crouch down for a minute!? Whap-whap-whap, kind of a wild, attention-getting moment.

Metz: Nobody likes an obstructed view! When I saw Hamilton, I nabbed an orchestra seat  got it last minute but it was still a lot of money, which is why this next part matters: The incline in the orchestra section is very slight. Basically no incline at all. And the young woman in front of me had her hair styled in this beautiful top bun. And it blocked my view entirely. And you cant do anything! Its obnoxious to say something.

But at the very least, if its winter, take off your hat. It makes a difference. Anything you can do not to obstruct the persons view.

Phillips: Im hesitant to make this sound like theres one strict regimen of behavior everyone has to follow at a play, or a movie, or whatever. Clearly theres not. But theres value in looking at the Boebert incident as the new yardstick in measuring what not to do. Or how many different ways to ignore common sense etiquette in a very short period of time.

Advertisement

Were all being encouraged these days by theater marketing, and especially movie marketing, to post, text, take photos! Share! But also to remember to turn the phones off after intermission. Be an influencer! A disruptor! But dont disrupt. With movies, some people will not be shushed. They dont believe they should have to stop talking when the lights go down, because nobody shushes them at home when they do that.

Its like the Dustin Hoffman line from Midnight Cowboy: Im walkin here! Only now its Im talkin here!

Don't rain, er text, on Patti LuPone's parade. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Pro)

Metz: You know who else is probably thinking Im talkin here!? The actors on stage! They are clocking every annoyance and Im sympathetic. There was that time Patti LuPone famously stopped a show and grabbed a phone out of the hand of a texting audience member. Actors have truly seen it all and its their job to not let audience antics be a distraction as they pour their heart and soul into a performance ... but what about the rest of us (laughs)?

Singing along at a musical  thats maybe a different story. Not saying I like it, because that person a few seats over will never have as good a voice as the folks on stage. But when I saw Jersey Boys, the musical about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons , there were so many people singing along because this was the music of their youth. But then I thought, well, if this was about Jersey boys from a different decade altogether  Im referring, of course, to Bon Jovi  I mightve been singing along, too. I mean, thats more or less the premise of a musical like Rock of Ages. Theyre daring you not to sing along.

The thing about audience behavior ... whats that Jean-Paul Sartre line?

Phillips: No exit?

Advertisement

Metz: Ha, no: Hell is other people. With some audiences, thats how it feels. Especially if its a protracted battle over the armrest. Or that couple nearby who keep talking? During the show? Hello??

Except who wants to see a play with no one else there? Ive actually had that experience at smaller theaters and it is awkward. You want people around you. Id always rather be a face in the crowd instead of the Lone Audience Member.

Phillips: I love the communal audience experience too, no matter how messy or transgressive it can get sometimes. On the other hand, certain interactive experiences just arent my thing. Back when everybody was doing them, I thought the five scariest words in the English language were interactive murder mystery dinner theater.

Now, though  I still do.
In a scathing attack on Russia amid the continuing military conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, with reference to the former at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said "terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons". Addressing the UNGA session in New York City, the Ukrainian President claimed that the "mass destruction" in his homeland was gaining momentum. "The aggressor (Russia) is weaponizing many other things and those things are not only used against our country (Ukraine) but yours (other UNGA members)as well," Zelenskyy said. Invoking the mystery death of Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Ukrainian President hinted at the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the plane crash that killed him. "Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin, if one bets on Putins promises," Zelenskyy said. According to reports, there were no survivors in the plane crash, which happened barely months after the commander of the Russian mercenary group staged a mutiny against the country's military leadership. The Embraer business jet in which the Wagner group chief was listed as a passenger, went down in the final moments of descent in the Tver Region near the settlement of Kuzhenkino. A former close aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin until he staged arebellion in June 2023, Prigozhin controlled a network of companies including the Wagner private military group. On June 23, 2023, the Wagner Group led by him launched a mutiny against the Russian military leadership. However, the rebellion was called off after a truce was negotiated between Moscow and the armed mercenary group. During the UNGA session held on Tuesday, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of being the aggressor and perpetrating "genocide" in his homeland. He further claimed that Ukrainian children in Russia were being taught to "hate" their homeland, adding that all ties that Ukraine nationals have with their family members back home were being snapped. Were trying to get (Ukrainian) children back home, but time goes by. What will happen to them? Those children in Russia are told to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are broken. This is clearly a genocide, Zelenskyy said at the UNGA session. According to experts, Zelenskyy's participation in the ongoing General Assembly session will boost worldwide support for Ukraine amid the continuing armed conflict with Russia. Further, during his address at the UNGA session, Zelenksyy said "unity" alone can make sure that such aggressions do not happen again.It takes our unity to make sure that aggression will not [happen] again, the Ukrainian President said. The visit this year marks the first by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to the General Assembly since Russia launched a "full-scale invasion" of his nation in February 2022. More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. After the UNGA session, Zelenskyy is likely to visit Washington DC, for his second wartime appearance before the US Congress. (ANI)
Amid the sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions, triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil, British Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi on Tuesday said many "anxious, angry and fearful Sikhs" from Slough and beyond have contacted him. He added that the reports coming out of Canada were "concerning". Taking to his official handle on X, the British Labour MP posted, "Concerning reports coming from #Canada. Many #Sikhs from #Slough and beyond have contacted me; anxious, angry or fearful. Given Canadian PM Trudeau stated theyve been working with close allies, were in touch with UK Gov to ensure justice is delivered." https://twitter.com/TanDhesi/status/1704193406237315418?s=20 In an explosive charge on Monday, Canadian PM Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were behind the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Addressing the Canadian Parliament on Monday(US local time), Trudeau claimed that his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara. "Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said. India, however, rejected the allegations, terming them "absurd" and "motivated". We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement. Allegations of the Indian governments involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," it stated. World leaders also expressed 'deep concerns' over Trudeau's allegations linking the Indian government to the fatal shooting of the Khalistan Tiger Force chief in British Columbia, Canada. (ANI)
Amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany will allocate another package of assistance to Ukraine, worth 400 million euros, reported TASS citing German-based tabloid Bild Newspaper. Among other things, the package will include munitions. Asked about another package of assistance being sent to Kyiv, Pistorius said, "Yes. We will supply additional munitions: high-explosive and mortar rounds, anti-mine rockets," TASS reported. German minister further said, "Munitions are what Ukraine needs most of all." He added that Germany will also Ukraine with defence vehicles and demining systems, according to TASS. "Apart from that, we will help with defence vehicles and demining systems. We have also taken care about the coming winter: we will send clothes, power and heat generators. The package will be worth 400 million euros," he said. Hinting at possible supplies of Taurus long-range cruise missiles, the minister said that the German government must "thoroughly weigh each batch of weapons supplies." However, Pistorius said it is not decided yet whether the federal government will supply Taurus cruise missiles or not. "It is necessary to clarify a lot of political, legal, military, and technical aspects. This is quite difficult. It has not yet been decided whether the federal government will supply Taurus cruise missiles or not," he said. Moreover, he said that another aspect of Taurus supplies that needs to be looked at is whether such missiles could be used without Bundeswehr soldiers, either on the ground or remotely from Germany, according to TASS. Earlier, in a video address to the Crimean Platform forum on August 23, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Germany has provided assistance of over 22 billion euros, from tens and generators to tanks and air defence systems. She said that Berlin will keep its assistance to Ukraine "as long as it takes." Notably, Germany is second behind the United States in supplying weapons to Ukraine. According to TASS, now, Kyiv has asked for Taurus longer-range missiles but Berlin is in no hurry to make a decision on that matter. However, Russia has raised its concerns about continuing weapons supplies to Ukraine more than once. Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Maria Zakharova said Moscow will continue attracting the world community's attention, including within the UN Security Council, to the issue of Western weapons supplies to Ukraine. Earlier this week, extending immense support for Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday addressed a briefing with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and said that the objective is for Ukraine to succeed in regaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity. After Blinken and Baerbock recently returned from Ukraine, the former said," We were able to compare notes on our visits but also make clear that we are both deeply committed to continuing the strong support that we and dozens of other countries around the world have been providing to Ukraine military, economic, humanitarian." Bringing the Black Sea Grain Initiative into the discussion, Blinken said that both Germany and the US strongly urge a return to the initiative. "Of course, both of us continue to strongly urge a return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which, when it was in force, enabled Ukraine to export well over 30 million tons of grain, enough for 18 billion loaves of bread," he added. (ANI)
France has utterly condemned the ongoing conflict in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and held Azerbaijan solely responsible for the launch of a military operation. Azerbaijan launched an offensive in the mountainous territory just one day after allowing in aid through the sole road link connecting to Armenia, France 24 reported. France has also condemned the use of heavy weapons including against residential areas. France utterly condemns Azerbaijans launch of a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, with the use of heavy weapons, including against residential areas. Such unilateral action, which threatens the thousands of civilians already affected by months of illegal blockade and runs counter to the international communitys efforts to reach a negotiated settlement, cannot be justified under any pretext, the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement. France further called on Azerbaijan to cease its offensive immediately and return to compliance with international law. It will hold Azerbaijan solely responsible for the fate of Nagorno-Karabakhs civilian populations, the ministry stated. France also asked for an emergency convening of a United Nations Security Council meeting. It is in close consultation with its European and American partners in order for a strong response to be provided to this unacceptable offensive, commensurate with the risks it poses to the regions security, it added. France 24 reported citing two diplomats that the Security Council meeting requested by France could happen in the coming days, possibly on Thursday. This operation is "illegal, unjustifiable and unacceptable," French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told reporters. Meanwhile, at least 27 people have been killed and 200 wounded in a military operation by Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, CNN reported citing an official in Armenian-controlled territory there. Azerbaijans defense ministry said on Tuesday, that it had begun an anti-terrorist campaign in the region, as Armenian media and local authorities reported heavy bombardment of the regional capital of Stepanakert. Karabakh authorities said they have asked for immediate talks with Azerbaijan, amid continued shelling of the region. In response, the Azerbaijani Presidency said it is willing to meet with Karabakh Armenians, but added in a statement: To stop anti-terrorist measures, illegal Armenian armed groups must raise the white flag, surrender all weapons, and the illegal regime must dissolve itself. Otherwise, anti-terrorist measures will be continued until the end. Notably, the Nagorno-Karabakh an ethnic Armenian enclave that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan has been the cause of two wars between the neighbours in the past three decades, most recently in 2020, according to CNN. Tensions have been simmering around the region for months, after Azerbaijani troops blockaded the Lachin corridor in December, cutting off the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and preventing the import of food to its roughly 120,000 inhabitants, as per CNN. (ANI)
In a rousing speech at the United Nations on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at Russia, accusing it of weaponising food and energy and attacking children during the war in Ukraine reported the New York Post. Zelenskyy framed Russias war on his country as an attack on the international order and urged the world leaders to act united to defeat the aggressor Let unity decide everything openly, Zelenskyy said. While Russia is pushing the world to the final war, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after Russian aggression no one in the world will dare to attack any nation.. Weaponization must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home and the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united, he said, to spirited applause, the New York Post quoted Zelenskyy as saying. Zelenskyy had begun his speech slamming Russia for weaponising food, energy and attacks on children against Ukraine. We know the names of tens of thousands of childrenkidnapped by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and later deported. The International Criminal Court issued international arrest warrants for Putin for this crime. We are trying to get children back home but as time goes bywhat will happen to them? he asked. He added, For the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation that was attacked. And this is a real chance for every nation to have the same outcome if attacked. In an apparent reference to the death of Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, Zelenskyy said, Evil cannot be trusted. The embattled leader took the stage hours after US President Biden, who also urged international unity against Russias offensive. Addressing the 78th UNGA session, Biden reaffirmed Washington's support for Ukraine and said that the US, with its allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the "brave people of Ukraine" in defending their sovereignty and territorial integrity. More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. Notably, US President Joe Biden is the only representative among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who is attending the UNGA. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the General Assembly for the first time since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his nation in February 2022. One of the most anticipated annual UN events, the General Debate, provides a platform for leaders to discuss topics of worldwide concern in 15-minute statements. While speakers at the General Debate are free to discuss whatever they like, each year's event is framed by a broad theme, according to Al Jazeera. This year, the theme is Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity. (ANI)
The newly appointed French ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou has said the leaders of the two nations have set the course of the Indo-France partnership for the next 25 years, and his role is to translate this roadmap into concrete action. He also recalled historian Jules Michelets description of India as the Matrix of the world, and called the Indo-French ties as strategic and universal from "sea to space". https://x.com/FranceinIndia/status/1704123613815906587?s=20 Dear Indian friends, Namaste! I want to tell you how happy and proud I am to be in India, a country I have visited so many times since my first trip here forty years ago. A country once described by the famous French historian Jules Michelet as the Matrix of the world, Mathou said in a video posted by the French embassy in India on X (formerly Twitter). It is exactly how I feel about India and why it was so obvious for France to embrace the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam proposed by India at the G20 Summit, he added. He further said that this is an exceptional time for Indo-French ties, and also recalled PM Modis historic visit to France on Bastille Day. This is an exceptional time for Indo-French ties. This year saw the historic visit of Prime Minister Modi to Paris as Guest of Honour of Bastille Day, marking 25 years of the France-India strategic partnership. It is also the moment chosen by our leaders to set the course of this partnership for the next 25 years. My role is to translate this roadmap into action, he said. The French envoy also highlighted a number of areas of cooperation between India and France and called the Indo-French partnership as strategic and universal. This is about very concrete projects that have an impact on daily lives, such as: welcoming new generations of Indian students in France, creating tens and thousands of new jobs, thanks to French investments in Make in India, bringing together our investors, improving the lives of Indians through cleaner water, energy and transport, creating bridges between our cultures, protecting the planet together, Mathou said. He added, And of course, contributing to peace, security and prosperity in the region. Our partnership is strategic. I would also like to describe it as universal as it goes from the sea to space. I am thrilled to embark on this journey with all of you. Looking forward to it. Thank You! Thierry Mathou was appointed as the new French Ambassador to India after Emmanuel Lenains tenure at the position ended. Last week, France's then-Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain at the end of his term, thanked New Delhi, terming the country's energy, optimism, and confidence in the friendship between the two nations as "invaluable." He said India and its people have taught him so much and he will cherish his experience of serving in India for the past four years. (ANI)
The United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have welcomed diplomatic engagement by Saudi Arabia and other GCC states with Iran to pursue regional de-escalation and emphasized the importance of adherence to international law, including the UN Charter, by states of the region. The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council member states, and the GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi met in New York on Monday. They celebrated the strategic importance of the historic ties among the countries, as per a joint statement following the ministerial meeting of the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) released by the US Department of State. During the meeting, the Ministers underscored shared commitment to build upon the achievements of previous ministerial meetings, including the most recent ministerial meeting in Riyadh on June 7, 2023, to strengthen consultation, coordination, and cooperation in all fields. They reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and maritime security in the region and their illegal determination to deter actions at sea or elsewhere that might threaten shipping lanes, international trade, and oil installations in the GCC states. The Ministers underscored their support for the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and renewed their call for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency. They once again called on Iran to cease its proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles and other dangerous weapons that pose a grave security threat to the region, as per the release by the US State Department. The GCC and the United States reiterated their commitment to work together to deter and address threats to sovereignty and territorial integrity and other destabilizing activities. The Ministers reiterated their support for the United Arab Emirates call to reach a peaceful solution to the dispute over the three islands, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa, through bilateral negotiations or the International Court of Justice, in accordance with the rules of international law including the UN Charter. (ANI)
Following Canadas accusation that the Indian government may have taken part in a political assassination on Canadian soil has resulted in a souring of diplomatic relations between the two countries. India has rejected Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of India's involvement in the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, terming it as "absurd and motivated". The development has also left the United States in a dilemma on what stand to take. There will be pressure on Washington to weigh in support of Canada, one of its closest allies, but at the same time, the US values, in a big way, its relationship with India, a strategic partner in countering China, experts have pointed out. Commenting on the diplomatic spat, several experts have said that the US should take "proactive" steps on dealing with the Khalistan activism in the US and that Washington hasn't come out and affirmed what Trudeau was hinting at. On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood in front of parliament and said law enforcement was actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen whom New Delhi had declared a terrorist several years ago over his support of an independent Sikh state. Jesse Singh, founder and chairman of the community group, Sikhs of America, told an event hosted by Washingtons Hudson Institute think tank that Trudeau has failed to provide any proof. "It's just something that he said is a credible allegation, with no proof at all. And I think we'll have to wait to see if there is any proof there and then I think further decisions can be taken," Singh added. While reacting on the issue, the US has said it is deeply concerned about the accusations. "We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by PM Trudeau yesterday. We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canada's investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice," a State Department spokesperson told ANI. Sometimes in Washington, what isn't said is as important as what is said in the fact that the United States hasn't come out and affirmed what Justin Trudeau was hinting at, I do think is important. Now watching what the United States would do if Justin Trudeau wants to become an Olympic hole digger, and perhaps the United States role would be to provide a ladder to help them climb out, Micheal Rubin, said at the Hudson Institute. Several media reports suggest, that Canada had requested the US to condemn India over the killing as well, something Washington declined to do in order to not anger India, Reuters, meanwhile, reported that US intelligence was involved in helping Ottawa put together the case against Delhi. Another top South Asian analyst Dinsha Mistree, said that the US must be proactively involved to avoid a situation like the India-Canada standoff. I think there are several lessons that can be drawn from this specifically related to the US-India relationship, but as the Indian-Canadian relationship has deteriorated for something that didn't necessarily need to deter, Mistree told the audience. Mistree stressed that more collaborations are needed. More collaboration. If we don't do it, we could end up in a situation like what we're seeing right now transparently candidate worse. And so we shouldn't be proactive in this, he said. Canadian officials have said that Trudeau also raised the allegations with President Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Meanwhile, India has outrightly rejected the allegations, dubbing it as "absurd" and "motivated". We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister, the MEA said in an official statement. Allegations of the Indian governments involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated, the MEA release added. In a tit-for-tat move on Tuesday, India followed by expelling a Senior Canadian diplomat and giving him 5 days to leave the country. Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. (ANI)
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoan on Tuesday discussed efforts to reach a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia among other regional and international issues, The Jerusalem Post reported. The Jerusalem Post is a broadsheet newspaper based in Jerusalem. Netanyahu and Erdogan met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. This comes as the second such meeting between Erdogan and an Israeli prime minister since 2008. Last year, he met with former Prime Minister Yair Lapid. Netanyahu told Erdogan at the start of their meeting: Our ties are growing stronger". Netanyahu thanked Erdogan for the cooperation between the two countries' security services, including the thwarting of attempts by Iran to attack Israelis in Istanbul. The two leaders agreed to arrange official visits to Israel and Turkey soon. Meanwhile, Erdogan is interested in arranging a trip to Israel as soon as possible to pray at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque, Channel 12 news reported, without citing a source. The prayer would mark the 100-year anniversary of the Turkish Republic, founded on October 29, 1923. According to the Turkish readout of Tuesdays meeting, the leaders discussed developments in Israeli-Palestinian relations. It also said that Erdogan urged cooperation in energy, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Turkeys foreign minister, energy minister, and intelligence chief were also present for the meeting. The Turkish President tweeted pictures of the sit-down, expressing hope that our consultations will be beneficial for our country and the region. Signs of improved ties were also evident in Erdogans address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, as per The Times of Israel. Erdogan, in contrast to previous years, refrained from condemning Israel and offered only a few words of support for the Palestinians, mentioning them almost as an aside in his speech. In order for peace to ring in the Middle East, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict should be brought to an eventual solution, he said. We will continue to support the Palestinian people and their struggle for legitimate rights under international law, he said. "Without a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders it is difficult for Israel to find the peace and security it seeks in that part of the world, he said. We will continue to pursue respect for the historic status of Jerusalem, he added. (ANI)
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has backed India and Brazil to be given permanent membership of a reformed Security Council. During his address at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, he pressed for a reformed UN Security Council and said that countries like India and Brazil cant be ignored The concept of security corresponds to a world that no longer exists. Portugal has defended that countries like Brazil and India become permanent members. This decision should be made. These countries cannot be ignored, he said. The Portuguese President further called for the reformation of the financial institutions, stating that they are incapable of financing sustainable development, with equity, end with justice Similarly, existing financial institutions, are incapable of financing sustainable development, with equity end with justice. The richer have preference over the poorer nations. And the three urgencies are connected and they continue to be connected year after year, the President said. He added, Portugal defends the respect for the United Nations Charter. Portugal defends the acceleration of struggle against climate change, trying to move forward in decarbonisation in promoting green energy. Notably, reforms in the global systems have been an issue continuously raised by India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the global stage. During his concluding address at the G20 Leaders Summit here in the national capital, PM Modi reiterated his stance of making global systems in accordance with the realities of the present and took the example of the United Nations Security Council. When the UN was established, the world at that time was completely different from today. At that time there were 51 founding members in the UN. Today the number of countries included in the UN is around 200. Despite this, the permanent members in UNSC are still the same, he said. The Prime Minister said that a lot has changed in the world since that time, be it transport, communication, health, or education, every sector has been transformed. These new realities should be reflected in our new global structure. It is a law of nature that individuals and organizations that fail to adapt to changing times inevitably lose their relevance. We must think with an open mind as to what is the reason that many regional forums have come into existence in the past years, and they are also proving to be effective, he further said. Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had also made an endorsement of India's bid for a permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council and said his nation would be proud if a country like India became a full member of the UNSC We would be proud if a country like India became a permanent member of the UN Security Council. As you know, the world is bigger and larger than five (permanent members). And when we say the world is larger than five, what we mean is that it's not only about the US, UK, France, China and Russia. We dont want to have just these five countries on the Security Council, he said on the concluding day of the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi. (ANI)
Immigrants from Venezuela are reflected in a marble wall while taking shelter at the Chicago Police Department's 16th District station on Monday, May 1, 2023. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)

ALBANY, N.Y.  As more than 100,000 migrants arrived in New York City over the past year after crossing the border from Mexico, Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul have begged President Joe Biden for one thing, above all others, to ease the crisis:

Let them work, both Democrats have said repeatedly in speeches and interviews.

Advertisement

Increasingly impatient leaders of Bidens party in other cities and states have hammered the same message over the last month, saying the administration must make it easier for migrants to get work authorization quickly, which would allow them to pay for food and housing.

But expediting work permits isnt so easy, either legally or bureaucratically, experts in the process say. Politically, it may be impossible.

Advertisement

It would take an act of Congress to shorten a mandatory, six-month waiting period before asylum-seekers can apply for work permits. Some Democratic leaders say the Biden administration could take steps that wouldnt require congressional approval. But neither action seems likely. Biden already faces attacks from Republicans who say he is too soft on immigration, and his administration has pointed to Congress inability to reach agreement on comprehensive changes to the U.S. immigration system as justification for other steps it has taken.

The Homeland Security Department has sent more than 1 million text messages urging those eligible to apply for work permits, but it has shown no inclination to speed the process. A backlog of applications means the wait for a work permit is almost always longer than six months.

As frustrations have mounted, Hochul has said her office is considering whether the state could offer work permits, though such a move would almost certainly draw legal challenges. The White House has dismissed the idea.

Immigrants are frustrated as well. Gilberto Pozo Ortiz, a 45-year-old from Cuba, has been living, at taxpayer expense, in a hotel in upstate New York for the last three months. He says his work authorization is not yet in sight as social workers navigate him through a complex asylum application system.

I want to depend on no one, Ortiz said. I want to work.

In Chicago, where 13,000 migrants have settled in the last year, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to ask for parole for asylum-seekers, which, they say, would allow him to get around the wait for a work permit.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who declared a state of emergency over the migrant influx, wrote Mayorkas that work permits represent an opportunity to meet employer needs, support our economy, and reduce dependency among new arrivals. And 19 Democratic state attorneys general wrote Mayorkas that work permits would reduce the strain on government to provide social services.

The federal government has done virtually nothing to assist cities, said Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez, chair of the City Councils Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

Advertisement

In the meantime, migrants unable to get work permits have filled up homeless shelters in several cities.

With more than 60,000 migrants currently depending on New York City for housing, the city has rented space in hotels, put cots in recreational centers and erected tent shelters  all at government expense. The Adams administration has estimated that housing and caring for migrants could cost the city $12 billion over three years.

This issue will destroy New York City, Adams said at a community event this month. Were getting no support on this national crisis, and were receiving no support.

Advocates for migrants have objected to Adams apocalyptic terms, saying he is exaggerating the potential impact of the new arrivals on a city of nearly 8.8 million people.

But protests against the migrants have escalated. Ten people were arrested on Staten Island late Tuesday when demonstrators blocked a bus carrying migrants. A police spokesperson said nine people were charged with disorderly conduct and one with assault.

Asked about the Staten Island protest in a television interview Wednesday, Adams said he would not be bullied by anti-migrant protests but added, I understand the frustration that New Yorkers are going through and I understand the frustration that asylum seekers are experiencing as well.

Advertisement

Republicans have seized on the discord, putting Democrats on the defensive ahead of next years presidential elections.

Muzaffar Chishti, a lawyer and senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, said the calls for expedited work authorizations are more about political optics than practical solutions.

They dont want to tell the electorate theres nothing we can do. No politician wants to say that. So they have kind of become the new squeaky wheel, saying, `Give us work authorization, he said. Saying that is much easier than getting it. But its sort of, you know, a good soundbite.

One step that most agree would be helpful is to provide legal assistance to migrants to apply for asylum and work authorization, though that has also proved challenging.

Nationwide, only around 16% of working age migrants enrolled in a U.S. Custom and Border Protection online app have applied for work permits, according to the White House. Since the introduction of the CBP One app in January through the end of July, nearly 200,000 asylum-seeking migrants have used it to sign up for appointments to enter the U.S. at land crossings with Mexico.

Federal officials recently began sending email and text message notifications to remind noncitizens that they are eligible to apply. New York City officials have also begun to survey asylum seekers to determine if they are eligible.

Advertisement

Another option would be to expand the number of nations whose citizens qualify for Temporary Protected Status in the U.S. That designation is most commonly given to places where there is an armed conflict or natural disaster.

The White House, though, might be reluctant to take steps that could be interpreted as incentivizing migrants to come to the U.S.

Arrests from illegal border crossings Mexico topped 177,000 in August, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss unpublished numbers, up nearly 80% from June. Many are released in the U.S. to pursue asylum in immigration court, while an additional 1,450 migrants are permitted into the U.S. daily through CBP One.

Many have gravitated to an underground economy.

Elden Roja, who has been sporadically working landscaping and other odd jobs for about $15 an hour, lives with his wife and children, 15 and 6, and about 50 others in a police station lobby in Chicago. When a fellow Venezuelan co-worker honked from a car he purchased, Roja laughed and said he would buy his own vehicle soon.

While the bureaucratic hurdles can be substantial, many migrants do make it through the process.

Advertisement

Jose Vacca, a Venezuelan, traveled with two of his cousins from Colombia, leaving their families behind to make the journey mostly by foot. Once in Texas, he was given free bus tickets to New York City.

The 22-year-old found a job there that paid him $15 an hour, under the table. After he got his temporary work authorization, his boss gave him an extra dollar per hour.
Five Americans who were freed from Iranian detention as part of a wider deal with Tehran, landed in the United States, CNN has reported. They returned to US soil on early Tuesday, following an initial stop in Doha, Qatar, the media outlet reported citing two US officials. Notably, all five Americans had been designated by the US as wrongfully detained, and were freed as part of a wider deal that includes the US unfreezing USD 6 billion in Iranian funds. The five US citizens landed at Fort Belvoirs Davison Army Airfield and received an emotional reunion with their families. They were seen greeting and hugging their family members after seeing their loved ones, after losing all hopes of returning to their homeland. The release of the Americans brings to an end a years-long nightmare for those who had been detained. Three of those who are part of the deal Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz and Siamak Namazi had all been imprisoned for more than five years. Namazi had been detained since 2015. The identities of the other two Americans are not publicly known, according to CNN. Under the deal, USD 6 billion in Iranian funds that had been held in restricted accounts in South Korea were transferred to restricted accounts in banks in Qatar. The funds came from oil sales that were allowed and placed into accounts set up under the Trump administration, CNN reported citing sources. However, Biden administration officials have stressed that the funds can be used by Iran only for humanitarian purchases and that each transaction will be monitored by the US Treasury Department. The agreement also involved the release of five Iranians in US custody. Two of the five Iranians had served a majority of their sentences; the other three were awaiting trial and had not yet been convicted, as per a senior administration official. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry, two of the Iranians were returning to Iran, one was expected to leave for another country, and the other two were expected to remain in the US. Those who are remaining in the US do not pose a national security risk, CNN reported citing US officials. President Joe Biden celebrated the release of the five Americans after enduring years of agony, uncertainty, and suffering a statement said. The US President thanked partners at home and abroad for their tireless efforts to help us achieve this outcome, including the Governments of Qatar, Oman, Switzerland, and South Korea. However, senior Republican Party officials criticized the agreement. Former Vice President Mike Pence under whose tenure the White House made two prisoner swap deals with Tehran criticized Biden for allowing Iran to foment terrorism across the Middle East. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused the administration of incentivizing Tehrans bad behaviour, CNN reported. Notably, following the release of the Americans, the US issued new sanctions against Iran targeting Tehrans Ministry of Intelligence and former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, senior administration officials said. It seeks to punish them for a lack of answers around Bob Levinson, an American detained in Iran for more than a decade who is believed to have died there. Well never give up on Bob Levinsons case, CNN quoted an official as saying. (ANI)
Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country have been advised to exercise caution amid the recent strain in relations between the two countries. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada are advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday. Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident, as per the MEA This comes amid growing tensions between India, Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. The MEA said in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, as per the MEA release. MEA said Indias High Commission, Consulates General in Canada will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Canada. Canadian PM Trudeau on Monday claimed that his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of Khalistan Tiger force chief Hardeep Nijjar. This was followed by the expulsion of an Indian Diplomat from Canada. On Tuesday India responded rejecting the allegations of the Canadian PM calling them 'absurd' and 'motivated'. This was followed by the expulsion of a senior Canadian diplomat from India.(ANI)
US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said that serious allegations were levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar adding that the US wanted the matter to be handled in a transparent way. In an interview with CBS News, an American television news channel, Kirby urged India to cooperate in the investigation. This comes amid growing tensions between India, and Canada after Justin Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India and was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. "These allegations are serious and we know that Canadians are investigating and we certainly don't want to get ahead of that investigation. We urge India to cooperate in that investigation as well, Kirby said. Weeks before Canada made this explosive allegation implicating Indian officials in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force Chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian officials sought public condemnation of the murder from their allies, including the United States, but were met with reluctance, The Washington Post reported. Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by Indian security agencies in 2020 and was accused of supporting attacks in Punjab, the report noted, adding that India sought his extradition in 2022 and linked him to the killing of a Hindu priest in Punjab that same year. Appealing for a fair and transparent probe into the matter, Kirby said that the US will remain in touch with both India and Canada. This is kind of an attack that we obviously want to know that it will be handled in a transparent way and that Canadian people can get answers. We are going to stay in touch with our partners - both countries. We want to see the investigation be able to pursue unhindered and let the facts take it where it may, the retired US Navy rear admiral said in the CBS News interview. World leaders have been reacting to the India-Canada diplomatic standoff. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that Canberra doesnt talk about security briefings as part of the Five Eyes group, an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK. On being asked if the Australian government has received a security briefing about the alleged assassination, PM Albanese said, We don't talk about security briefings from Five Eyes (intelligence alliance), as part of the Five Eyes group." He further said that he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, but would like to keep those discussions confidential. On the other hand, the UK government is also in regular contact with its Canadian partners over allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament. Foreign Secretary of the UK, James Cleverly, on Tuesday said that all countries should respect sovereignty. "All countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. We are in regular contact with our Canadian partners about serious allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament," Cleverly posted on X. Meanwhile, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country have been advised to exercise caution amid the recent strain in relations between the two countries. Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. The MEA also said that Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident. The MEA said in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, as per the MEA release. MEA said Indias High Commission, Consulates General in Canada will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Canada. (ANI)
The Indian World Forum (IWF) on Wednesday strongly condemned the actions of unlawful organisations, including Sikhs for Justice, for their disturbing activities targeting the Indian diaspora in Canada and urged the Canadian government to act seriously on designated terrorists including Arshdeep Singh Dhalla and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Indian World Forum (IWF) , an organisation working for the Indian diaspora in various countries has firmly denounced the illegal organisations for harassing and spreading violence against the Indian diaspora in Canada. The organisation has strongly condemns the disgruntled activities by unlawful organizations including Sikhs for Justice for stalking and purporting violence on the Indian diaspora in Canada," the press statement read. Indian diaspora whether they are Christians, Hindus, Muslims or Sikhs, all have a significant economic and social contribution in the progress of Canadian society, the release said. This comes amid growing tensions between India, Canada after Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18. According to the release, repeatedly Indian diaspora and their places of have been targeted there. The harmful activities of such organisations including numerous attempts to target the Indian diplomatic missions and its personnel in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and United States is a matter of great for the Indian diaspora. IWF has also appealed to the Canadian government to take stern actions on nefarious elements including Arshdeep Singh Dhalla and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Indian World Forum urges the Government of Canada to consider and act seriously on nefarious elements including Arshdeep Singh Dhalla and Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (both designated terrorist by India) from using its soil against mankind and heinous activities. Any attempt to cause danger to the Indian diaspora and their investments in Canada will violate the sanctity of UN Charter and its conventions. In India we warmly host our Canadian brethren and our culture ensures well-being of Canadian Diaspora in India, the release said. Meanwhile, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country have been advised to exercise caution amid the recent strain in relations between the two countries. Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. The MEA also said that Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident. The MEA said in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Amid the sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions, triggered by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on its soil, British Labour Party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi on Tuesday said many "anxious, angry and fearful Sikhs" from Slough and beyond have contacted him. He added that the reports coming out of Canada were "concerning". Taking to his official handle on X, the British Labour MP posted, "Concerning reports coming from #Canada. Many #Sikhs from #Slough and beyond have contacted me; anxious, angry or fearful. Given Canadian PM Trudeau stated theyve been working with close allies, were in touch with UK Gov to ensure justice is delivered." Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, as per the MEA release. MEA said Indias High Commission, Consulates General in Canada will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Canada. Canadian PM Trudeau on Monday claimed that his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of Khalistan Tiger force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This was followed by the expulsion of an Indian Diplomat from Canada. On Tuesday India responded rejecting the allegations of the Canadian PM calling them 'absurd' and 'motivated'. This was followed by the expulsion of a senior Canadian diplomat from India. (ANI)
Garcetti said the invitation was extended to Biden by PM Modi on the sidelines of the bilateral that took place between the two leaders at the recently concluded G20 Summit.

During this, India and the US also settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute.

Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modi's state visit to the US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modis historic, June 2023, visit to Washington, the India-USjoint statementread.The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding.

After the meeting, both the leaders lauded the India-US relations and said that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

The G20 Summit took place in New Delhi from September 9-10 under India's Presidency.

Notably, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade. In 2015, Barack Obama became the first US President to attend India's Republic Day parade as the chief guest. (ANI)
The armies of India and the United States will host the 13th biannual Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC), the 47th annual Indo-Pacific Army Management Seminar (IPAMS), the 9th Senior Enlisted Forum at the Manekshaw Center in the national capital from September 25-27. The gathering, is notably the largest conference for land forces (army, marines, etc.) in the region. The objective for these meetings is to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue, and friendship. Senior land commanders will have a venue to share opinions and ideas as well as grow and deepen their connections through this, the official release of the US embassy said. This year's conference's theme is Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. There will be both larger plenary sessions and more intimate break-out sessions at the conference. Participants will take part in vibrant conversations on subjects including peacekeeping operations, humanitarian aid/disaster relief, leadership development, and women's emancipation as well as hear from eminent guest speakers. Participation in IPAMS has grown from nine nations at the first conference held in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1977, to 31 nations in Seoul, Korea in 2017. IPACC is now held every two years and is co-hosted by the United States Army and the hosting country. IPAMS is the longest running land forces conference held every year. In 2014, the SELF was added allowing senior enlisted members to experience the same fellowship, discussion and sharing opportunities, but from a different perspective, the US Embassy release read. An opening ceremony will kickstart at 9:30am on September 26 at the Manekshaw Center, preceded by a joint press conference at 9 am with the Indian Army Chief, General Manoj Pande, and General Randy George, U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff. (ANI)
Ambassador of India Naveen Srivastava visited Kanchanpur and Kailali districts of Sudurpashchim and inaugurated education-sector projects, Embassy of India in Kathmandu said in a release. During his visit, the Ambassador inaugurated and handed over to local District authorities three community development projects: one campus building and two school buildings built with financial assistance from the Government of India at a total cost of Nepalese Rupee (NRs) 90.80 million. These projects are - Tikapur Multiple Campus (NRs 35.20 million), Tikapur Municipality, Kailali District, Shree Pashupati Shiksha Mandir (NRs.26.40 million) Belauri Municipality and Shree Siddhanath Secondary School (NRs.29.20 million), Bhimdatta Municipality in Kanchanpur District. The political leaders from Kailali and Kanchanpur Districts, social workers, officials of Nepal Government, representatives of the campus and schools and local communities were also present on this occasion. These projects, which are providing education to almost 2500 students of Kanchanpur and Kailali districts, were taken up as High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) under the Nepal-India Development Cooperation framework, will augment the educational infrastructure of the area for the benefit of youth. The DCC Kailali and DCC Kanchanpur were the implementing agencies for these projects, the release said. During the visit, the Ambassador accompanied by Ramesh Lekhak, Member of Parliament, Kanchanpur and local government officials, also visited the project site for the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Dodhara Chandni. An agreement to build this ICP with Indian grant assistance was signed during the recent visit of the Prime Minister of Nepal to India in June 2023. The ICP when completed will further economic ties between (Indian and Nepal flags) and will particularly benefit Sudurpashchim province. The ambassador held meetings with the representatives of the Nepal-India Friendship Association & the local chambers of Commerce. During these interactions, the Ambassador appreciated their contribution to promoting the India-Nepal Bilateral relationship and discussed ways to further strengthen the friendly ties between the two countries by bolstering people-to-people and economic linkages. The ambassador also reiterated the very robust development partnership between India and Nepal and expressed the continued commitment of the Government of India to continue to bolster this partnership as per the priorities of the Government of Nepal, for the benefit of the peoples of both countries. Since 2003, India has taken up over 546 High Impact Community Development Projects in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 483 projects. Amongst these, 40 Projects are in Sudurpashchim Province with 8 projects undertaken in Kailali District and 10 projects undertaken in Kanchanpur District. In addition to these, the Government of India has gifted 974 ambulances and 234 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal. Amongst these, 10 ambulances and 10 School Buses in Kailali District and 14 ambulances and 2 School Buses in Kanchanpur District, to date, including one Ambulance and four school buses provided to these two districts recently (in July 2023). These projects are a reflection of Indias development partnership with Nepal and complement the efforts of the Government of Nepal in augmenting infrastructure in the field of education in Nepal, the release said. (ANI)
Pakistan is under the threat of fuel shortage across the country as the Oil Tankers Association went on strike which impacted the supply of oil from Islamabad Sihala depot, The Express Tribune reported on Wednesday. Quoting the Oil Tankers Association, The Express Tribune reported that the supply of petrol to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, airport, Hazara Division, Attock and Gilgit-Baltistan would remain suspended, while the supply of petroleum products to Rawalpindi and Islamabad had also been stopped. We demand of the government that the share of transport running on the White Oil Pipeline should be increased to 65%, the statement said, adding that fares should be increased, old vehicles should be restored, local 100% and overloading trips should be increased by 50%, the Oil Association said. It added, Petrol supply will remain suspended until the demands are not accepted. Meanwhile, the Pakistan's Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) warned of a possible shortage of petroleum products. Due to the strike by oil transporters across the country, there is a problem in the supply of petroleum products, an OCAC letter to the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Division stated. According to The Express Tribune, the OCAC also requested the Energy Ministry and the Petroleum Division to resolve the issues. The supply from Port Qasim, Korangi and Keamari Terminals, as well as Jaglot, Sahala, and Shikarpur depots, had been affected. It again urged the Ministry and Petroleum Division to take necessary measures by intervening in the matter. If the series continues like this, there may be a shortage of petroleum products in the country, the OCAC added. (ANI)
India and the United Kingdom held discussions on capacity building of Gujarats higher education system at the Higher Education Conference organised in Gujarat, said Gujarat Information Department in a press release. The UK delegation that arrived for the conference also called on Gujarats Higher and Technical Education Minister Rushikesh Patel. Various provisions of NEP and issues related to the latest research in the field of education were discussed at the conference. UK in India hosted a senior-level higher education delegation between September 18-22. The delegation visited Ahmedabad and along with the Department of Higher and Technical Education Government of Gujarat organised a high-level academic consultation on Wednesday to discuss trends and opportunities in Transnational Education (TNE) partnerships between the UK and Gujarat HEIS to promote internationalization, supporting institutions on both sides to develop shared understanding and explore collaboration opportunities, the release said. As part of the Higher Education mission, the delegation met Minister Rushikesh Patel at Gandhinagar. In the delegation, various suggestions related to education, the scope of joint venture with new technology, and opportunities for study in the UK were discussed in detail by the Vice Chancellor of various universities of the UK. Alison Barrett MBE, Director of British Council India, said, We are delighted to be in Gujarat with a large delegation of UK universities and bodies to discuss partnership opportunities institutions in the State and those in the UK, showcasing the trust and collaboration that exists between our higher education systems. Institutions from the state and the UK are already working together, and we are confident that our discussions will pave the way for even more mutually beneficial initiatives. This is a moment to celebrate the deep and extensive links that exist between our universities and the numerous opportunities for collaboration and internationalisation. She also congratulated the Minister for the Gujarat Public Universities Act passed by the Gujarat Legislative Assembly recently, according to the release. Minister Rushikesh Patel also welcomed all the delegations. He apprised the delegation of the research and innovation opportunities in Gujarat, the work being done in Gujarat in terms of SSIP and start-ups. Discussions on various topics in this conference will help in achieving new dimensions in the higher education sector and will also help in preparing a roadmap for the reforms being made in the education sector keeping in mind the future needs, the Minister said. The Minister added that Indo-UK relations will continue to be important in capacity building of the state's higher education system. It was discussed in the meeting to mark Gujarat on the international stage through various provisions of NEP, to make our universities world class with the implementation of the Gujarat Public Universities Act, to strengthen the education system of Gujarat in the field of NIRF and ICCR through SSIP, the release said. (ANI)
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan has been charged under the sedition clauses in the charge sheet related to the May 9 riots cases, ARY News reported on Wednesday. ARY News reported that the Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) confirmed the inclusion of Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) in all cases related to the May 9 riots. Police said that evidence was found from the scenes against the accused for triggering violence. The sedition clauses were included after the prosecution raised objections to the charge sheet. Police added that the charge sheet will be submitted after receiving a report from the concerned institutions regarding the new clauses and objections of the prosecution will be removed before its submission. Earlier, a special court rejected the bail applications of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and the party's vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cypher case, Geo News reported on Thursday. Special court Judge Abual Hasnat Zulqarnain heard the bail applications and reserved the verdict after PTI's counsels completed their arguments. Later, the judge announced the reserved verdict, rejecting the post-arrest bail pleas of the PTI leaders. On September 16, the same court established under the Official Secrets Act approved PTI leader Asad Umars bail in the case related to US cypher after a prosecutor told the judge that his arrest was not required at this stage, Geo News reported. Judge Zulqarnain approved the PTI leader's bail against the surety bond of Rs50,000 and also noted that Umar expressed willingness to join the cypher probe but the prosecution did not investigate him in the case. If Asad Umar's arrest is required, FIA [Federal Investigation Agency] will proceed according to law, the judge ordered. He also directed the FIA to inform the PTI leader in advance before arresting him in the case. Notably, the FIA booked PTI chief Khan and the partys vice chairman Qureshi under the Official Secrets Act last month for allegedly misplacing and misusing classified documents for vested political interests Subsequently, both leaders were arrested in connection with the investigation into the case and a special court was established under the Official Secrets Act to try the accused. (ANI)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/AP)

NEW DELHI  India on Wednesday advised its citizens to be careful when traveling to Canada as a rift between the two nations widens further in the wake of Ottawas allegations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver.

The foreign ministry in New Delhi issued an updated travel advisory, urging its nationals and especially those studying in the North American country to be cautious because of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate-crimes.

Advertisement

Indians should also avoid going to venues in Canada where threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose anti-India agenda, the ministry said.

Ottawa and New Delhi, two key strategic partners on security and trade, are locked in a diplomatic tussle after Canadas Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, alleged that India was connected to the assassination of Sikh independence advocate on its soil in June.

Advertisement

Canada has yet to provide any evidence of Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader killed by masked gunmen in Surrey, outside Vancouver.

For years, India has said Nijjar, a Canadian citizen born in India, has links to terrorism, an allegation he denied. Nijjar was working to organize an unofficial Sikh diaspora referendum on independence from India at the time of his killing.

Trudeaus announcement was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat in Ottawa. New Delhi responded by rejecting Trudeaus accusation as absurd and motivated and later expelling a Canadian diplomat.

Indian authorities designated Nijjar a terrorist in 2020 and accused him of supporting demands for an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan, that started as an insurgency in Indias Punjab state in 1970s and 1980s and was crushed in an Indian government crackdown.

The movement has since lost much of its political power but still has supporters in Punjab, where Sikhs are in a majority, as well as among the sizable overseas Sikh diaspora.

Indias foreign ministry also said Trudeaus allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministry regularly issues travel advisories. In September last year, it asked Indian citizens to remain cautious while traveling in Canada because of sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities there.

The modern Sikh independence movement reaches back to the 1940s but eventually morphed into the 1970s and 1980s insurgency. In 1984, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a raid to capture armed separatists taking refuge in Sikhisms holiest shrine.

Advertisement

The raid killed hundreds of people, and two of Gandhis Sikh bodyguards assassinated her shortly after. In response, anti-Sikh riots took place across India in which members of the minority were dragged out of their homes and killed.

And though the insurgency was suppressed long ago, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned repeatedly that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback. Modis government has been asking several countries  including Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom  to take legal action against Sikh separatists.

India has also for years accused Canada of giving free rein to Sikh separatists, including Nijjar.

The dueling expulsions of diplomats have escalated tensions  Trudeau had frosty encounters with Modi during this months Group of 20 meeting in New Delhi, and a few days later Canada canceled a trade mission to India planned for the fall.

Canada remains a top study destination for Indian students. In 2022, the country had nearly 300,000 Indians students pursuing higher education there.
Slamming Russia at the United Nations Security Council over its invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that the UN finds itself in a 'deadlock' on the issue of aggression. Participating in a special UNSC session in New York today, Zelenskyy said, "We should acknowledge that the UN finds itself in a deadlock on the issue of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defense of the sovereign borders of nations. But I would not be here today if Ukraine had no proposals for solutions." On Russia's seat in the Security Council, he added by saying, "All in the world see what makes the UN incapable. This seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupied illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the USSR, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash Russias ongoing aggression and genocide." As he continued to speak at the session, the Ukrainian President also highlighted how Russian aggression is a violation of the UN charter. "...But it is not just Russian aggression against Ukraine. The terrorist state is willing to undermine all the dams of international norms meant to protect the world from wars. And I am grateful to all those who have recognized the Russian aggression as a violation of the UN Charter. Notably, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is also in New York to attend the UN Security Council meeting. Pushing for sustained support for Kyiv at the UNSC, Zelenskyy said Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a dead end. He stated, "Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a dead end.Regardless of who you are, the current UN system still makes you less influential than the veto power possessed by a few and misused by one Russia to the detriment of all other UN members. The years-long discussions and projects for UN reform must be translated into a viable process." "The use of veto power that is what requires reform, and this can be a key reform that restores the UN Charter power. Veto should not serve those who are obsessed with hatred and war," Zelenskyy said, as he slammed Moscow at the session. "Ukrainian soldiers are currently doing at the expense of their blood what the UNSC should do by its voting stopping aggression and upholding the UN Charter. For security architecture to be strong, concrete steps must be taken to reinforce the principle of territorial integrity," he added. Zelenskyy further said that all UNGA members who are not designated as aggressors must have enhanced participation in and access to the operations of the council and its subsidiary organisations. Earlier at the UN General Assembly yesterday, he proposed using his Formula of Peace initiative as a potential example of ending conflicts and a universal tool for protecting countries from aggressors. The Ukrainian peace plan is spreading globally. It details the fixes and actions required to stop all militarised tactics that Russia is employing against the Ukraine and other nations, as well as those that other aggressors could employ. According to Euro News, Zelenskyy has a number of meetings scheduled in New York, including ones with American lawmakers and leaders of African nations. Among them is Republican Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the US House of Representatives. On February 24, 2022,Russiainvaded 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. (ANI)
New York [US], September 20 (ANI/WAM): Net Zero Nuclear, the initiative calling for collaboration among government, industry leaders and civil society to triple global nuclear capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, today announced GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy as its first corporate partner. GE Hitachi joins the initiative at the Diamond Partner level, underscoring the growing momentum for the effort, which was co-launched by World Nuclear Association (WNA) and the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC), at the World Nuclear Symposium in London earlier this month. The UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero joined as the first government partner at this months launch event. In the lead up to COP28, which will be hosted by the UAE in Dubai later this year, Net Zero Nuclear aims to bring together political leaders and industry to engage in data-driven, actionable, solutions-focused dialogue to enable the rapid expansion of the global nuclear fleet and the acceleration of research and development into emerging nuclear technologies. The initiative will work to ensure nuclear energys potential is fully realised in facilitating the decarbonisation of global energy systems, by promoting the value of nuclear energy and removing barriers to its growth. Mohamed Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ENEC, which leads the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme and its flagship Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant, said, With nuclear energy, we already have a vital tool in our shared work to reach net zero and prevent the most catastrophic effects of climate change. The announcement of GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy as Net Zero Nuclears first corporate partner is welcome news, bringing to the effort one of the nuclear industrys most capable leaders and building on our momentum towards COP28. To triple global nuclear capacity by 2050 and reach Net Zero we will require unprecedented collaboration among government, industry leaders, and civil society. We are delighted that GE Hitachi shares Net Zero Nuclears vision and look forward to working closely with them towards our platform objectives. GE Hitachis collaboration with Net Zero Nuclear helps advance the goals of the U.S.-UAE Partnership for Advancing Clean Energy (PACE) initiative and provides a platform for deepening cooperation on the deployment of innovative carbon-free energy generation solutions. Jay Wileman, President and CEO of GE Hitachi, stated, We are honoured to join Net Zero Nuclear and help elevate the role of nuclear in solving the trilemma of delivering more sustainable, reliable and affordable electricity. Nuclear power is critical to decarbonising the energy sector and achieving the net zero carbon emission goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. We are investing in advanced nuclear technologies like the BWRX-300 small modular reactor and Natrium to provide carbon-free, flexible, dispatchable electricity while also helping nations meet energy security goals. We appreciate the leadership of the U.S.-UAE Partnership for Advancing Clean Energy (PACE) initiative and the collaboration toward a swift and smooth energy transition. Dr. Sama Bilbao y Len, Director-General of World Nuclear Association, added, The nuclear industry will need to work together to deliver the Net Zero Nuclear goal of a tripling of global nuclear capacity by 2050. I am delighted that GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy is the first corporate partner of Net Zero Nuclear, and I am sure that many other leading companies will soon join our initiative. In remarks yesterday to open the Atlantic Councils Nuclear Energy Policy Summit 2023, United States Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John F. Kerry praised both the launch of Net Zero Nuclear and GE Hitachis early participation in the effort, saying, Im very pleased to see the launch of Net Zero Nuclear, a pioneering platform for countries and companies that want to try to accelerate the clean energy transition, and Im proud to see GE joining from the start of all of this. (ANI/WAM)
Dubai [UAE], September 20 (ANI/WAM): A new report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) finds that the world needs to invest between USD1,179 and USD1,383 per person, per year, to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The study factors in 50 SDG indicators across 90 countries, covering three quarters of the global population. For the worlds 48 developing economies, the shortfall is estimated at USD337 billion annually, if they are to take the required action on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. When expanded to cover all developing economies, using the median per-capita cost for the 48 in the study, total annual needs rise to between USD6.9 trillion and USD7.6 trillion, the UNCTAD reported. The report further stated that although finding this kind of investment will likely be extremely difficult for countries with limited resources, the solution lies in allocating funding in cross-cutting areas, such as education, which also advances gender equality, poverty reduction and innovation all Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets. Merely increasing funds wont guarantee success. Governments, companies, investors and institutions need to strategically allocate their resources, said Anu Peltola, who heads UNCTAD Statistics. They don't have to stretch every dollar to cover every goal. Debt crisis Analysis by UNCTAD indicates that the worlds wealthiest economies are expected to account for nearly 80 per cent of SDG expenditure between now and 2030. These countries generally face the highest annual per capita costs and the largest financing gaps. Small island developing States also face high costs, with required spending on gender equality estimated at USD3,724 per person, almost three times the average global requirement. And while least developed countries face much lower costs per head, the required spending as a percentage of each nations overall economic output (GDP) is significant, reaching 47 per cent for education alone, the UN intergovernmental organisation reported. The UNCTAD analysis reveals major shortfalls in national spending trends towards sustainability. The biggest gap is in inclusive digitization, at USD468 billion a year. Closing this gap would require a 9 per cent increase in annual spending. Six areas of transformation Conversely, improving social protection and decent job opportunities require less investment for the worlds 48 developing economies, at USD294 billion, which would require a six per cent increase in annual spending. The analysis focuses on six paths for transformation through sustainable development: social protection and decent jobs, transforming education, food systems, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, energy transition and inclusive digitization. It covers indicators ranging from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing protected forest cover to guaranteeing universal access to electricity and the internet, promoting literacy, fighting hunger and reducing mortality. UNCTADs report also highlights the need to tackle the global debt crisis. Around 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on essential public services such as education and health. (ANI/WAM)
1,200 student-loan borrowers who attended University of Phoenix are getting $37 million in debt relief.

The Education Department and FTC said students who attended the school were misled by ad campaigns.

Eligible borrowers for this batch of relief were enrolled in Phoenix from 2012-2014.

Another batch of student-loan forgiveness is headed for thousands of borrowers.

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden's Education Department and Federal Trade Commission announced that 1,200 borrowers who attended University of Phoenix will be getting $37 million in debt relief. These discharges are through the borrower defense to repayment, which are claims a borrower can file if they believe they were defrauded by the school they attended. If approved, their loans would be discharged. Phoenix students who were enrolled between September 21, 2012, and December 31, 2014, and submitted claims, are included in this batch.

"The University of Phoenix brazenly deceived prospective students with false ads to get them to enroll," Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray said in a statement. "Students who trusted the school and wanted to better their lives through education ended up with mounds of debt and useless degrees."

According to the Education Department, the university led an ad campaign that misrepresented its relationship with companies that it said would give preference to hiring Phoenix students. "In fact, Phoenix's corporate partnerships provided no such benefits to students," the department said in its press release. The department joined the FTC in investigating the University of Phoenix which ultimately led to a $191 million settlement with the school in 2019. In 2021, the FTC began sending refunds to students "who may have been lured by allegedly deceptive advertisements," the FTC said at the time.

The university denied any wrongdoing, telling Insider when the FTC began issuing refunds that "the University has admitted no wrongdoing and continues to believe it has acted appropriately. This settlement agreement has enabled us to continue our focus on our core mission of improving the lives of our students through career-relevant higher education, and to avoid any further distraction from serving students that could have resulted from protracted litigation."

With regards to the borrower defense announcement, a university spokesperson told Insider that "the University of Phoenix takes student borrower complaints very seriously and has provided significant evidence to the Dept. of Ed refuting inaccurate, baseless, or incomplete claims. While the University is not against relief for borrowers who have valid claims, we intend to vigorously challenge each frivolous allegation and suspicious claim through every available legal avenue."

The Education Department said it will begin notifying borrowers in early October that their borrower defense claims have been approved. Their balances will be zeroed out after being notified, and any payments those borrowers made on their balances will be refunded. A senior department official told reporters on a Wednesday press call that it will mark borrowers who qualify for this relief, and they should be placed on forbearance once federal payments start up again next month.

Over the past months, the Education Department has taken a series of actions to assist defrauded borrowers. At the end of August, for example, the department announced it had approved $72 million in debt relief for 2,300 borrowers who were "cheated" by Ashford University, a San Diego school that a judge ruled in 2022 made misrepresentations to students. Ashford is currently appealing the decision.

Wednesday's relief announcement comes just under two weeks before federal student-loan payments are resuming. Interest began accruing on borrowers' balances on September 1, and on October 1, borrowers will start to face their first monthly student-loan bill in over three years.

Borrowers who have not received relief through one of Biden's targeted actions will have a 12-month "on-ramp" period starting in October during which the Education Department will not report missed payments to credit agencies. However, interest will still accrue during that time, and the department cannot control how credit scoring companies factor in any missed payments.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A student was detained Wednesday after an altercation at Mt. San Antonio College resulted in a another student being stabbed, officials said.

The incident was reported around 11:35 a.m. at the campus located at 1100 N. Grand Ave. in Walnut.

Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department deputies responded to a call about two men fighting and one possibly stabbed in the neck.

College stabbing

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital in unknown condition and one person was taken into custody, authorities said.

Initial reports indicated that the altercation was between two male students apparently fighting over a female student, an official at the scene said.

The female students ex-boyfriend was the initial aggressor and the new boyfriend pulled out a knife and stabbed the ex-boyfriend, the official said.

There was no threat to the campus and no further disruption.

Campus counselors were at the scene for any kind of assistance to students.

Deputies and firefighters remained at the scene investigating when Sky5 was overhead just before noon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
New York City authorities said 10 protesters were arrested Tuesday night after blocking a bus carrying asylum-seekers on Staten Island.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) said officers responded to a call of an impromptu demonstration happening in front of a local day care center.

The crowd swelled to a capacity leading to disorderly and combative individuals confronting both police and the arriving bus which transported a group of migrants to be housed at the location, NYPD said in its statement.

Police arrested 10 people, nine of whom  eight adult men and one woman  received summonses for alleged disorderly conduct and were later released.

The 10th, a 48-year-old man, is facing multiple charges after allegedly engaging in resistive and combative behavior with an officer who was attempting to effect an arrest.

The initial protest came as a response to the citys Department of Social Services decision to use the former day care center as a shelter for bused migrants. Authorities had closed the street in front of the former facility, according to ABC News.

The bus, which was carrying 20 migrants, turned around after being met by protesters and returned to the back to the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan, which is being used a temporary migrant intake center.

New York officials have butted heads over the surge of migrants into the city, with Mayor Eric Adams (D) repeatedly criticizing Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and her offices handling of the issue, as well as the Biden administration.

In the past year and a half, about 130,000 asylum-seekers have arrived in the city.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An aerial view released earlier this year by OhioHealth of its Riverside Methodist Hospital campus. OhioHealth employees took the first seven of the Top 10 highest-paid executives and medical specialists at Columbus health care systems in 2021, the most recent year for which record comparisons could be made.

Top executives and doctors employed by health systems in Columbus are paid well, but the highest-paid by far are at OhioHealth Corporation.

OhioHealth employees took the first seven spots among the Top 10 highest-paid health system executives and doctors in 2021, the most recent year for which comparison figures were available for review. The health system paid $12.8 million compensation that year to Michael Louge, its outgoing executive vice president and chief operating officer, which includes his executive retirement benefit payout along with his salary and other financial compensation.

Dr. Stephen Markovich, president and CEO of OhioHealth, was second on the Top 10 list at more than $3 million.

Dr. Stephen Markovich, OhioHealth president and CEO, speaks at a June 2023 event.

Three neurosurgeons and an orthopedic surgeon employed by OhioHealth also took the fourth through the seven spots, respectively, on the Top 10 highest-paid list.

By comparison, the average salary for an OhioHealth employee ranges from about $36,844 annually for a patient care assistant to $267,237 annually for a physician, according to GlassDoor.com.

Nationally, base salaries have been increasing for health care organization leaders, in part to attract new candidates, according to the Advisory Board, an organization that researches best practices in health care. The COVID-19 pandemic made the job of leading health care organizations more challenging, the board reported.

From 2021 to 2022, hospital executive pay increased up to 3.6%, according to the Advisory Board. For health system executives, the rise was even higher, with the highest at 6.5%.

In 2021, the median base salary for a health system president was $1.15 million.

Three of the four major Columbus health systems  OhioHealth Corporation, Mount Carmel Health System and Nationwide Children's Hospital  are nonprofits who are required to file federal 990 forms with the IRS annually listing their highest-paid employees. The Dispatch analyzed nonprofits' 2021 tax returns, which were accessed via ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer organization search tool.

Nationwide Children's Hospital employees claimed the last three spots in the Top 10 highest-paid list.

No Mount Carmel executives or medical specialists broke into the Top 10 list. Nor did any with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, which is part of a public university whose payroll records are subject to the Ohio Public Records Act.

Below is the Top 10 list of nonprofit hospital system executives and medical specialists in Columbus who were paid the most in 2021:

1. $12.8 million: Michael Louge, OhioHealth

Louge served as executive vice president and COO at OhioHealth until November 2020, and his pay, as reported on the organization's 2021 990 form, was $12,851,858. The amount is so much more than others because Louge's total compensation includes his executive retirement plan benefit, according to OhioHealth.

2. $3 million: Dr. Stephen Markovich, OhioHealth

Markovich, president and CEO of OhioHealth, was paid $3,083,833 in 2021.

3. $2.9 million: Dr. Christian Bonasso, OhioHealth

Bonasso is a neurosurgeon who was paid $2,927,324.

4. $2.5 million: Dr. Brian Seaman, OhioHealth

Seaman is a neurosurgeon who was paid $2,509,004.

5. $2.2 million: Dr. Gregory Balturshot, OhioHealth

Balturshot is a neurosurgeon who was paid $2,217,091.

6. $2.1 million: Dr. Chris Karas, OhioHealth

Karas is a neurosurgeon who was paid $2,190,028.

7. $2 million: Dr. Matthew Bernhard, OhioHealth

Bernhard is an orthopedic surgeon who was paid $2,073,462.

8. $1.9 million: Dr. Mark Galantowicz, Nationwide Children's Hospital

Galantowicz is the chief of cardiothoracic surgery and a codirector of Nationwide's heart center. He made $1,931,198.

9. $1.5 million: Richard Miller, Nationwide Children's

Miller, the COO, was paid $1,588,102.

10. $1.5 million: Timothy Robinson, Nationwide Children's

Robinson is the CEO and was paid $1,534,239.

dking@dispatch.com

@DanaeKing

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Which Columbus health system leaders and doctors make the most money?
The U.S. Air Force wants to retire the A-10 Warthog , an aircraft I have own for years around the globe, by the end of the decade. While many may think all of us in the A-10 community want to hold onto our beloved mount for dear life, that isnt necessarily the case. What many of us do want is a suitable replacement, of which there is none currently planned. This new aircraft should be relatively economical while also bringing additional capabilities to the ght, especially one in the Pacic against China. That aircraft should be the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for a slew of reasons, some of which may be surprising.

Authors note: the opinions and personal views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reect the views or opinions of the United States Government, the Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the United States Space Force.

The U.S. has been historically unlucky in predicting its next conict. Understandably, one way to hedge the risk is to prepare for the most dangerous conict  one against China. This would be a high-end, heavily contested, and largely air and maritime ght. Unlike many issues circulating in Washington, Chinas rapid modernization and the threat that it poses to the international order has gained bipartisan recognition as the key strategic challenge for the U.S . over the next decade and beyond.

Chinese H-6 and Flanker derivatives fly in formation. (PLAAF)

Understandably, the threat of conict with a peer adversary has resulted in a change in strategy. The services  in particular the Air Force  have chosen to buy risk and divert funding away from legacy airframes in exchange for the promise of future advanced capabilities like Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) , autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2). But these capabilities likely will not be elded en masse until well after 2030. So, the question is, what happens if conict comes sooner? In particular, will a gutted ghter force be able to meet the adversary and claim victory, or even avoid defeat?

In the current geopolitical environment, do more with less is a potentially untenable corner for our military. What follows is a plan to eciently divest the A-10C (and potentially other tactical jet types) while preserving the communitys unique knowledge and charting a path toward a more lethal, connected, exible, capable, and above all else, relevant joint force via the USAFs acquisition of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.

Keeping The Brainstrust Intact

July 26th, 1947 marks the date President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order 9877 . Though it has been amended slightly, this document, embedded within the Key West Agreement , still

represents the mandate for the USAF to provide close air support (CAS) to the U.S. Army. Keep that in mind as you read the rest of this article.

The Air Force has been trying to divest the A-10 for decades . Article after article lays out the argument for why senior Air Force leaders want to move on. While the original A-10A may be a Cold War relic, the A-10C of today is hardly the same airplane . It brings capabilities far beyond what Pierre Sprey dreamed it would. Nevertheless, the sentiment from Air Force leadership isnt entirely misplaced either.

The common misconception between USAF leadership and we, the A-10C community, is that we are ready to die on the hill to keep the A-10 alive forever.

The reality is quite the opposite.

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 355th Wing taxi in formation on the runway at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alex Miller)

What we care about most is keeping the corporate knowledge of counter-land tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) alive regardless of the airframe. Presently, the threat of that knowledge dying o is very real given that the A-10C is being divested with no plan for follow on aircraft.

As the RAND Corporation concluded , we recommend elding a viable replacement CAS capability before eliminating the capability the A-10 provides to minimize risk to ground forces. While the F-35 was originally intended to ll the void left by the A-10, and is an amazing aircraft in its own right, its crews are not mandated to train to close air support. Furthermore, at current production rates , the F-35 cannot absorb the A-10 communitys pilots.

Additionally, within the USAF, the A-10C community is the only one that still produces Forward Air Controllers (Airborne) , known as FAC(A)s. This is a skill set whereby aircrews direct close air support for troops on the ground from their aircraft by coordinating strikes from other aerial platforms sometimes in very hectic airspace. It is a highly challenging mission that can result in disaster if not executed competently.

This is a troubling data point not because FAC(A) missions have been on any recent Air Tasking Orders (ATOs), but because it signals that the USAF is willing to let that skill set die with the A-10C.

An A-10 pilot prepares to launch on a sortie. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Dan Heaton)

The F-16 FAC(A) schoolhouse stood down several years ago, and even the Navy is considering doing away with the mission . Interestingly, the 16th Weapons Squadron (F-16 Weapons Instructor Course) at the USAF Weapons School still takes the initiative to train two to three FAC(A)s per year because they believe it is important.

The skills learned and honed by practicing the FAC(A) mission set are invaluable in any counter-land operation. The F-35 could do this mission, but they dont. The F-16 has done this mission, but they dont today. Between all the other high-end missions they must maintain prociency in, CAS and other counter-land competencies are now relegated to just-in-time training for the USAFs multi-role ghter communities.

Will we be FACing in China? Maybe not, at least at rst. But can we aord to completely discard the body of knowledge accumulated over the course of 60+ years while banking that the Army will never ght again?

That seems like a big losing bet.

A 25th Fighter Squadrons A-10 Thunderbolt II fires its 30 mm gun during routine training over Pilsung Range in Gangwan Province, Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Greg Nash)

Anyone looking for a case study in why FAC(A)s and their skills are critical should read the three Distinguished Flying Cross citations of Col. (Ret) Soup Campbell. In the future, FAC(A) qualied aircrew would make excellent Kill Box Coordinators ( see Kill Box joint doctrine ). Airspace control, deconiction, integration of joint res, and information packaging are just some of the skill sets honed by FAC(A)s. Utilizing FAC(A)s as Kill Box Coordinators will undoubtedly yield a more ecient environment for dynamic joint res to take place.

This is just one vignette into why it is critical to keep the counter-land community and its mentality alive and together. Whether were talking about CAS, FAC(A), or Strike Coordination and Reconnaissance (SCAR), practice makes perfect, and specialization is a big part of that.

But replacing the A-10 with the F/A-18E/F is not just about retaining knowledge and expertise, its about acquiring an aircraft that can bring absolutely critical capabilities to the USAFs most pressing combat doctrine.

Why The Block III F/A-18E/F Makes Sense

Overview

The Block III Boeing Super Hornet  also lovingly nicknamed the Rhino  is a true multi-role, twin-engine tactical ghter with advanced data link, Infrared Search and Track (IRST) , AN/APG-79 Actively Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and all in a 10,000-hour airframe. The Rhino is congured with robust landing gear for carrier-borne operations and a probe/drogue refueling system . It boasts 11 stations and serves as a threshold platform for future weapons. The Rhino is a 7.5G airplane with a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 and some reduced radar signature characteristics.

Why does that all matter?

In terms of looking for a replacement aircraft for the A-10C, the Rhino oers an airframe that can do much of what the A-10C does, particularly in a precision-guided munition employment sense. It oers similar loiter time, is able to y at slower speeds when necessary, but can also y much faster, making it more responsive when required  which is especially important when troops are in contact and air support is needed now . But the real plus of the Super Hornet is what additional capabilities it brings over the A-10C.

A very heavily-laden F/A-18E is prepped for a mission over Syria. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Matlage)

With the AN/APG-79 AESA , the Super Hornet has one of the worlds top performing radars, capable of tracking and employing weapons beyond visual range (BVR), producing high resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) maps , and sharing data over advanced data links. The Rhino comes standard with not only modern Link 16, but Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT) and Distributed Targeting Processor-Networked (DTP-N), both enhancing data throughput and enabling sensor fusion, making the Rhino one of the most capable and connected ghters on day one of any ght.

The addition of a centerline-mounted IRST pod gives the Rhino a long-range passive detect capability against even low observable (stealthy) aerial adversaries . It also has wide area cockpit displays to make the best of all this information.

The F/A-18E/F Block III's wide area display offers a huge upgrade in user interface over the multi-function displays found in previous iterations of the jet. (Boeing)

The Super Hornet has also tested LITENING Targeting Pods , something A-10C pilots are very familiar with. Having the ability to view LITENING in color on the large area display would be a huge plus for air-to-ground (A/G) targeting pod work. The Kuwaiti Air Force has also made eorts to integrate SNIPER targeting pods . Both are good options with their own advantages.

The 7.5G limit of the aircraft conveniently aligns with the centrifuge prole that every A-10C pilot undergoes  no pilot converting from the A-10C to the F/A-18E/F would have to requalify in the centrifuge, saving time and money for the USAF.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OggEkryP0fI

The robust landing gear and tail hook, as well as the drogue refueling capability of the Rhino make it ideally suited for austere and forward operations in any theater, but especially the Pacic.

As a vignette, consider Super Hornets based forward, sitting Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) alert with HC-130s as part of an island hopping Agile Combat Employment (ACE) team. Super Hornets could take o with reduced fuel loads, maximizing short eld performance, then refuel enroute to their operating location from the same HC-130s or other aerial refueling-equipped C-130 variants or MQ-25 drones below the radar horizon.

Even for stando strike or anti-surface warfare , and other missions, a forward deployed aerial refueling equipped C-130 could immediately refuel the Super Hornet loaded with weapons once airborne to maximize its short eld abilities and combat radius.

Super Hornets refuel from a KC-130T. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Ian C. Anderson)

The Rhino can then recover after its mission with the help of its hook and a mobile arresting gear , making very short eld operations not just more achievable, but also safer. This is something the Marines are increasingly training to do , leveraging their carrier-capable types unique short-eld abilities  ones that Air Force aircraft lack, aside from for emergency purposes . These concepts already resonate with A-10C pilots as squadrons typically look for opportunities to perform landings on austere airelds (and is accomplished during each A-10 Weapons School class).

All of this would enable independent distributed operations closer to the forward edge, causing major issues for adversary calculus and opening up new, survivable tactical opportunities.

A USMC Hornet executes short-field recovery operations using a mobile arresting gear system on the island of Tinian. (U.S. Marine Photo by Lance Cpl. Antonio Rubio/Released)

While A-10C pilots are familiar with ACE , once airborne they are reliant on boom refuelers that will be far from the forward edge of the ght. A-10Cs can land in very short distances under ideal conditions, but takeo thrust is a limitation forcing tradeos in fuel and weapons loads.

Super Hornets would be able to provide a more robust combination of stando weapons while still being able to contribute meaningfully to the air-to-air (A/A) ght in either an oensive or defensive role, all while maintaining survivability. Super Hornets may also be receiving more advanced electronic warfare suites in the coming years that could prove highly useful.

The Super Hornet would t the USAFs ACE concept better than any asset currently in the services inventory. The possible weapons congurations and robust landing gear and hook paired with the ability to refuel from a variety of less-common tanker aircraft (to include other Super Hornets) would enable island hopping operations previously unthinkable for Air Force tactical jet aircraft.

A-10s were built for austere operations, but other limitations curtail their flexibility compared to the Super Hornet. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Bobbie Reynolds)

On top of island-hopping ACE, Super Hornets could also perform the aforementioned Defensive Counter Air (DCA) mission, as well as Anti-Surface Warfare, and general reconnaissance. All of these roles could prove invaluable to protecting even a temporary island outpost.

Flight Characteristics

Maneuverability wise, the A-10C and Super Hornet perform very similarly in downhill turning engagements. The Super Hornets engines ( 22,000lbs of thrust each ) would be a welcome change to any A-10C pilot, allowing energy management options that are unattainable with high-bypass turbofans. Boeing has had options for engine/software modications to signicantly increase the Super Hornets thrust in the past that could potentially be included in a USAF buy.

Due to canted pylons, the Super Hornet is subject to increased parasitic drag at higher speeds, particularly above Mach 1. For normal ight operations below Mach 1, this is of negligible concern. With 14,500lbs of internal fuel and a large wing, the Super Hornet is right at home at a variety of airspeeds and altitudes.

An F/A-18E executing a high-speed flyby. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cameron Stoner)

The US Navy elected not to purchase Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFTs) for its Block III Super Hornets due to compatibility issues during carrier operations . Based on operating from land-based runways, the USAF could potentially choose to buy CFTs and add precious fuel (3500lbs or 18,000lbs total) and range without sacricing any of the jets 11 weapons stations. Up to ve additional tanks can be added for extremely long endurance or buddy-tanking missions. Extra combat radius would be particularly valuable in the Pacic.

Weapons

The additional air-to-air (A/A) weapons the Super Hornet brings to the ght would be a big step up over the A-10Cs AIM-9M. AIM-120 and AIM-9X are already fully integrated, and the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM) will be integrated, as well as possibly a few others in development .

On the air-to-ground (A/G) side of the house, the Super Hornet can carry just about every weapon in the U.S. inventory, and what follows is not the full list. AGM-65 Maverick, MK-82/83/84 series of bombs to include Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) and laser guided versions, Joint Stand-O Weapon (JSOW ), Harpoon anti-ship missile , Stando Land Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM-ER), High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM) and its follow on variants to include Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile (AARGM) / AARGM-ER (Extended Range) , and possible integration of Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW) . Small Diameter Bomb II provides stando, all-weather, moving target engagement capability. Though the Super Hornet doesnt possess the 30mm GAU-8 of the A-10 , it has a 20mm M61 Vulcan Gatling gun with 412 rounds. It is optimized for use against aircraft, but can be accurately employed against ground targets.

Super Hornets can carry a massive array of weapons in many different configurations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

Further anti-ship and long-range stando strike capabilities are resident in the Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) , a derivative of the Joint Air to Surface Stando Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). Each Rhino can carry 4x LRASM, each weapon possessing a range of around 500 nautical miles . Having more assets that can carry a wide variety of munitions based on the tactical scenario is never a bad thing. While some USAF assets can carry some of the same munitions, none can do so from forward locations like Super Hornets could.

The best part is the USAF could leverage everything the U.S. Navy has already done and paid for, and continues to pay for in terms of weapons and upgraded systems integration! But above all else, the multi-role Super Hornets ability to operate from austere short airelds  from islands to roadways  and refuel from tankers that can do the same, meets one of the Air Forces biggest tactical imperatives at this time.

Again, USAF Super Hornets could provide enormous impact in the Pacic Theater.

Interoperability

Speaking of the Pacic Theater, the Super Hornet would bring huge advantages in terms of interoperability with our own U.S. Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). The Australians have been operating Super Hornets for years , performing a wide variety of missions. The U.S. Navy has hundreds of Super Hornets in service and not only gave birth to the type, but have been working with Boeing hand-in-hand to perfect it over nearly three decades.

The RAAF has been flying the Super Hornet and Growler for years. (RAAF)

This means that USAF pilots operating Super Hornets would have built-in expertise in the Pacic Theater for basing, maintenance, and general troubleshooting, not to mention an existing supply chain that could be leveraged in emergent circumstances. The Navys own supply chain and unique logistics distribution network could also be leveraged, as they would be operating forward in the Pacic, too.

The value of this is hard to overstate, particularly when one acknowledges that U.S./RAAF TTPs are regularly rehearsed not only in the Super Hornet, but in the F-35, as well, via exchange ocer programs.

Capacity Is Key

Given the current geopolitical environment, the USAF must ensure it maintains mass sucient to handle its responsibilities. The commander of Air Combat Command, General Mark Kelly, has previously alluded to the problems he faces , saying, Im trying to pay that bill [of 60 multirole ghter squadrons] with 48 ghter squadrons and nine attack squadrons [consisting of A-10 Thunderbolt II planes]. The same article goes on to note that, if A-10 squadrons were either divested or unable to contribute to a high-end ght, the USAF would need at least a dozen ghter squadrons to close the gap. That begs the question, what can we [America] produce in a year in terms of ghters?

Based on the scal 2024 budget proposal , the USAF plans to retire 310 aircraft, 42 of which are A-10Cs. The proposed budget plans to buy 72 ghters, comprising 48 F-35As and 24 F-15EXs.

Lockheed Martin's F-35 production line in Fort Worth, Texas. (Lockheed Martin photo by Alexander H. Groves)

Those 48 F-35As are just the ones the USAF is getting. The production line is also responsible for providing various models to our allies, with foreign order books increasingly packed . For the sake of argument, well assume 48 F-35s and 24 F-15EX is the maximum production capacity of those two production lines for jets that end up in service with the USAF.

As of now, the USAF plans to buy 104 F-15EXs . Thats just over four years of total procurement, starting from zero. Two F-15EXs already exist. The total number of F-35s the Air Force will purchase is unknown presently. We know we would like to have over 1,000, and more is better given the jets capabilities. Meanwhile, the Super Hornet line can currently produce at least 24 jets per year. In the past, Boeing has produced up to four jets per month. Navy production is currently slated to end in 2025 if nothing changes. Without foreign orders, this would mark the end of the F/A-18E/F line.

Cost Per Aircraft

Based on the latest Department of Defense Budget for Fiscal Year 2024 , yaway costs for each airframe are as follows (rounded to the nearest million):

F-35A: ~$92 million

F-15EX: ~$97 million

F/A-18E/F: ~$75 million

If the USAF buys 104 F-15EX, the unit cost will continue to decrease, but the contract specics are also unknown. That price includes CFTs . The F-35A cost doesnt include likely hidden (and hard to quantify) costs associated with Block 4 upgrades . Given the research and development (R&D) that is going into Block 4 and the new hardware that goes with it, the unit cost could be substantially higher than the number above. Things like external targeting pods and fuel tanks are not part of the F-35 acquisition cost as the design does not use them.

Assuming the Air Force buys Block III Super Hornets in the same conguration the US Navy is currently buying, the costs are known and are likely to benet from land-based operations. Thats the beauty of such a mature production line and airframe. Even if the Air Force decided to buy CFTs for the Super Hornet, the unit costs would still very likely pale in comparison to the other two jets in question. A large order this late in the aircrafts production cycle will also probably decrease unit cost markedly.

The first new-build Block III Super Hornet fresh off the line. (Boeing)

Then there are costs per ight hour from a study conducted by the Government Accountability Oce. These numbers are based on FY21 data:

F-35A: $41,986

F-15EX: Assessed cost per ight hour is $29,000 . The F-15E, which is a middle-aged aircraft featuring a less advanced Eagle airframe and older technologies is $33,177

F/A-18E/F: $30,404 (includes carrier-borne operations and maintenance)

A-10C: $22,531

It stands to reason that Super Hornets operating from land-based locations would yield lower operations and maintenance costs than those operating from aircraft carriers.

Common Sense Congressional Leadership

Given the cost gures above, why are we standing by quietly when Boeing has announced they will likely close the production line at such a critical time ? The Super Hornet program is one of the most successful ghter programs in recent memory, with U.S. inventory still around 598 Super Hornets in service and 690 produced . The production line is mature, costs are a known quantity, and the aircraft is extremely capable.

Our ghter numbers are dwindling at the worst possible time given Chinas messaging and widespread predictions that China could invade Taiwan by 2027, right as our tactical jet inventory is bottoming out . Allowing the Super Hornet line to close is a national security vulnerability that we can avoid altogether by purchasing more aircraft and replacing older jets.

F/A-18E Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 Knighthawks fly in formation during a photo exercise off California. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon Renfroe/Released)

A possible lifeline for the Super Hornet production line in the form of the Indian Navy selecting it for its future carrier ghter program looks very unlikely now , but either way, the U.S. Congress should intervene as they have in the past and keep this critical production capacity open. The American taxpayers will thank us after we win the next war despite experiencing the highest attrition since World War II.

Lets not relearn old lessons .

We need more squadrons. We need more ghters . We need to preserve the A-10s land attack brain trust. The F-35 and F-15EX production lines, and even the F-16 line, are all maxed out or very close to it. The F/A-18E/F line is not and its a great replacement for the A-10C.

Lets seize this opportunity and do the right thing for our national defense.

The Divestment And Transition Plan

Out With The Old, In With The New

The USAF wants to divest 42 more A-10Cs in FY24. Lets do it! But lets also keep the counter-land community alive and replace those A-10Cs with new Block III Super Hornets.

Given the Rhino production line capacity, we could backll at least one squadron per year. Cost wise, if there is a time to invest more money into procurement, its now. The Commander of Air Combat Command needs at least 72 new ghters per year to make ends meet. Why not go above and beyond given the looming national security threats we currently face? Plus, Super Hornets would be able to help with the defense of the homeland mission in ways the A-10C cannot, making them an ideal choice for Air National Guard units, as well .

Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft and their integration with manned aircraft are no doubt a huge part of our warghting future, but the timeline to initial and full operational capability is indenite right now. We need to take maximum advantage of known quantities. But when they do arrive, USAF Super Hornet squadrons would be able to make great use of CCAs, drastically expanding the capability, survivability and exibility of the platform.

Concept imagery showing Ghost Bat loyal wingmen drones teaming with Super Hornets. (Boeing Australia)

Maintaining the Super Hornet production line would also help in a scenario where we must replenish aircraft following a conict with a near peer adversary or even during a very prolonged one.

If the FY24 budget proposal is successful in terms of A-10C divestment, 218 A-10Cs will remain. The USAF Chief of Sta recently said the USAF wants all A-10s retired by 2029, if not sooner .

The base timeline assumes the retirement of 30-40 A-10Cs per year through the end of the decade. Given the Rhino production capacity, 30-40 is a great number. If we then program money to buy 24 Super Hornets per year through 2029, we end up with a yearly procurement cost of $2 billion for a total of 144 Super Hornets by 2029. Thats enough to ll six full squadrons plus an Operational Test (OT) Division (assuming 21 jets per squadron / 6 jets for OT). That would also leave 12 jets to stand up an initial Flight Training Unit (FTU).

Super Hornets and A-10s taxi during a unique set of drills at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Preston Webb)

If money were programmed and allocated in the FY24 NDAA, it is possible that rst deliveries could be ready by calendar year 2026. Between 2026 and 2029, the A-10C community could transition to the Super Hornet as described below.

Period Of Transition

Once units begin taking delivery of new aircraft, pilots would gain initial qualications. It is likely that some units would have mixed eets of A-10Cs and F/A-18E/Fs until 2029, and that would be a good thing tactically. Having those two assets co-located and able to train together would yield a mutually beneficial situation for both.

Based on manning in A-10C squadrons, it makes sense that most aircraft should be the E model single-seat variant. However, having up to 10% F model two-seat variants could yield positive results in certain mission sets like CSAR or FAC(A). Two-seat models would be own by two pilots, with the back seat pilot able to focus on non-ying tasks (i.e. CSAR Rescue Mission Commander etc.). The USMC is moving to a similar model with its Legacy F/A-18 Hornet force.

For a short period of time, A-10Cs would benet from having an asset that can provide localized air superiority, an advanced radar, and anti-radiation munitions for targeting tactical surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems. The Super Hornet would benet from having an asset with up to 16,000 pounds of mixed bombs, missiles, rockets, and a 30mm cannon for attacking ground targets. Additionally, the asset pair could work in hunter/killer teams, with the Super Hornet passing targets to the A-10C. An example of this is Super Hornets directing the targeting of A-10Cs Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) via SAR map. This would enable A-10Cs to gain access to areas they otherwise could not and would allow greater mass attrition of enemy forces.

A-10s and a Super Hornet perform an overhead formation break after a sortie from Gowen Field. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Master Sgt. Joshua C. Allmaras)

In this notional scenario, the USAF would have divested 260 A-10Cs (218+42 requested in FY24 budget proposal) and gained 144 Super Hornets over a roughly 6-year period. That would still yield a net outflow of pilots from the Warthog/Super Hornet community into, presumably, the F-35 community.

The F-35 community would be able to more eectively manage the lower outflow of pilots versus having to absorb an entire community all in a very short period of time. This would also likely keep ghter pilots where we need them  in ghter cockpits. More importantly, it keeps the counter-land expertise alive and in a viable ghter/attack platform.

Without the ability to smoothly transition everyone to another community, inevitably we lose people to non-ghter assignments. For those that wish to stay, this would provide another avenue, increasing retention during a time when we cannot aord to sustain the outflows of trained pilots. The solution to the root cause of that problem is certainly beyond the scope of this article.

Pilot Qualication

Initial instructor cadre would be trained by the Navys Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS) in a modied syllabus based on USAF aircrew operating from airbases vs. aircraft carriers. Following qualication, those instructors would train units receiving airplanes until eventually converting the A-10 FTU into the Super Hornet FTU. The timeline for establishment of the Super Hornet FTU would be up to Air Force leadership and dependent on aircraft delivery timelines and locations.

A VFA-105 'Gunslingers' F/A-18E takes off on a training sortie. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Ryan White)

As more jets arrived and as the A-10 Weapons School neared its nal months, USAF Weapons School Instructors could begin their transitions to the Super Hornet as well, boosting collective experience and integration opportunities at Nellis Air Force Base. The USAF should also consider absorbing TOPGUN graduates who are separating from the Navy, as well as former RAAF exchange ocers.

Eventually the 66th Weapons Squadron could transition to a Super Hornet squadron and continue the legacy of being the USAF Weapons Schools champion of counter-land dominance. As a collateral benet, this would also guarantee the path forward for the Joint Terminal Attack Controller Weapons Instructor Course (WIC), which is part of the 66th Weapons Squadron.

The close relationship between the A-10 and JTAC communities was forged over two decades of the Global War on Terror. (USAF)

Challenges To Overcome

Logistics

The rst major challenge this plan will face is establishing new supply chains for the USAF. Luckily, the USAF started the U.S. Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Operations School (AMMOS) in 2003 that serves as the maintenance equivalent to the USAF Weapons School.

The maintenance professionals that graduate from this school can establish new supply and logistics chains all over the world, including in austere environments. Given the tasking, AMMOS will lead the way on the logistics front. How? AMMOS could task the next several classes to come up with the way forward for U.S.-based and deployed operations for the Super Hornet.

A good starting place would be for AMMOS to examine stateside Super Hornet locations, like those of the Navys Fleet Replacement Squadrons, tailor the processes to the Air Forces logistics system, and build a phase-based plan that can be adapted to dierent locations as required. The Navys own logistics operation could potentially be leveraged as well in a joint manner. As such, there is an opportunity to strengthen multi-service supply chains with this plan.

In the last two years, AMMOS has been tasked to gure out three key problems:

-5th generation [ghter] sustainment.

-Logistics under re.

-Operating within austere environments.

All of these are critically important in the Pacic Theater where Super Hornets could be used to provide dispersed, joint combat power.

Aviation Machinists Mate 2nd Class Alexandra Mimbela performs maintenance on an F/A-18F Super Hornet. (USN)

The logistical argument could also be made stronger by investing more heavily in the Super Hornet. The Air Force could have the option to divest certain blocks of F-16s, ones that are older and not slated to upgrade to the AN/APG-83 radar . Doing so would consolidate supply chains in the long run.

It is at least a course of action worth considering while we have the Super Hornet production line open and producing. Again, the Block III Super Hornet is also a 10,000 hour airframe and would be able to serve as a bridge to the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) combat jet, its closely related Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) initiative, and beyond.

Recent reports have mentioned concerns related to Super Hornets aging less gracefully than legacy Hornets. While this is worth paying attention to, the stresses of operating from aircraft carriers are the primary concern. Operating Rhinos from land-based airelds would likely yield better availability rates. And the Block III has updates that make these issues largely moot.

The USAF would be getting the best Super Hornets ever built.

The Path Forward Without Rhinos

Should this eort fail to succeed, the path forward for maintaining counter-land expertise is murky. Once the A-10C is divested, the responsibility will fall fully on the F-35, F-15E/EX, and the F-16 communities. Those communities are already spread thin in terms of taskings and mission sets. The F-15EX is already absorbing the F-15C community, and with only 104 aircraft planned to be purchased , the likelihood of the F-15EX taking over the counter-land role is low. In fact, procurement documents indicate that the F-15EX will be used predominantly in defensive and oensive counter-air missions.

As the number of 5th generation ghters increases and as the NGAD combat jet comes online, the F-35 community will presumably pick up more of the counter-land responsibility. In that case, what must happen in the F-35 community is what has happened in parts of the F-16 community: specialization.

If the A-10 bows out without a replacement, it's mission will be passed on to the F-15, F-35, and F-16 communities. (Tech Sgt. Nestor Cruz/USAF)

We need F-35 units to train and employ in non-stealthy,  beast mode  congurations. This will require changes to the Ready Aircrew Program Tasking Memorandum . Without specialization of some F-35 units to the CAS/counter-land mission set, we run the risk of not being ready and able to provide meaningful support to the other services and our partners and allies.

The USAF needs a ghter/attack community that is accustomed to planning with and understanding the Army as well as the ground scheme of maneuver. Right now, that is the A-10C community.

In the future, who will it be?

Seize The Day

The current geopolitical climate is one of great uncertainty. As a military and as a nation, we must take full advantage of the opportunities we have. The Super Hornet and its production line are one of those opportunities.

The Rhinos blend of ight characteristics, weapons, sensors, and world class radar make it a force to be reckoned with  even for fth generation aircraft. Above even that, it is the forward-operating tactical jet the Air Force is saying it needs without actually stating it. It simply can operate out of airelds existing USAF ghters cannot.

An F/A-18E in burner during departure from the boat. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder/Released)

So, this is a rare case in which we have the right platform, whose development has already been paid for in full, with production capacity at our ngertips. It has proven combat capability, comparatively high-eciency, is packed with updated technologies, and is serving in the multiple hundreds worldwide.

It is just sitting there ready to step into this new role.

Lets keep the community of counter-land experts alive. Lets invest in known-quantity production lines, and lets bring the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet to the U.S. Air Force.

Patrick BURT Brown is an Air Force weapons ocer with more than 2,000 hours in the A-10C, 690 of which have been in combat in Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He has served as an instructor at the USAF Weapons School, as well as abroad in the Oce of the US National Military Representative (US NMR) to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) as the US liaison to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for air and space operations.

Tyler Rogoway, the Editor Of The War Zone, contributed to this feature.

Contact the editor: Tyler@thedrive.com
More than 100 people across four North Texas cities, including a nurse and a city employee, have been arrested in a commercial sex sting operation, U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials said in a press release Wednesday.

A total of 134 people were arrested and accused of the purchase of sex, which is a felony in Texas, the release said.

The Department of Homeland Security has not released the names, but said those arrested included a nurse employed at a major Dallas-based medical network, a pending hire at a police department, a prominent city employee, two human traffickers, and four people with access to the secure area of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

Texas is the first state to prosecute the solicitation of sex as a felony, according to the release.

Lester Hayes Jr., the agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Dallas, said sex trafficking, which is a form of human trafficking, is among the fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the country.

Human trafficking organizations often target minors and other marginalized populations because of their vulnerabilities, Hayes said in the release. Potential customers who seek commercial sex are often as culpable as those who levy violence to keep their victims entrapped.

An assortment of guns and drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana, were also seized during the Sept. 11-15 operation, officials said.

Fifteen law enforcement agencies, including the Tarrant County Human Trafficking Task Force and the Arlington, Dallas. Haltom City and Lake Worth police departments, participated in the operation.

Suspected sex trafficking can be reported through the Homeland Security Investigations tip line at 866-347-2423. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.
Two teens from Las Vegas have been arrested and are facing murder charges in connection with the fatal hit-and-run of 64-year-old Andreas Andy Probst, a retired chief of police for the city of Bell, as he was riding his bike in a residential area of Las Vegas last month.

The incident, which authorities at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are calling intentional, occurred on Aug. 14 near Tenaya Way and Centennial Parkway in a neighborhood community approximately 16 miles from the Las Vegas Strip.

Officers arrived at the scene just after 6 a.m. and found the 64-year-old cyclist suffering from life-threatening injuries. Probst was taken to UMC Trauma where he later died of his injuries.

On August 29, LVMPD detectives learned of a video circulating on social media showing the fatal hit-and-run, which was taken by the teen passenger in the car.

The video showed how the driver intentionally sideswiped a sedan as they traveled northbound on Tenaya. A few seconds later, the suspects observed Probst riding his bicycle. The individuals pulled directly behind Probst and ran him over, as they fled the scene and laughed, a LVMPD news release stated.

In the graphic video, one of the teens is heard saying, Are you ready? as they approach Probst, who was riding in a designated bike lane, from behind. The other teen can be heard saying, Yeah, yeah, yeah. After hitting the retired law enforcement chief, one of the teens is heard saying he was knocked out with the other responding, We need to get out of here.

Two Las Vegas teens charged with murder for intentional hit-and-run of former Bell Police Chief Andreas Probst

On Aug. 31, detectives located the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run and identified the 17-year-old male teenage driver. He was arrested and booked into Clark County Juvenile Hall. The teenage male passenger was arrested on Sept. 19 and was also booked into Clark County Juvenile Hall.

At a Tuesday press conference to announce the arrest of the second teen, LVMPD Deputy Chief Nick Farese expressed his feelings about the video of the deadly hit-and-run.

A cowardly act that in my 22 years of law enforcement left me personally appalled, two juveniles joyriding in a car intentionally hitting and killing an innocent man who was riding a bicycle and leaving him for dead along the side of a road, he said.

Taylor Probst, the victims daughter, joined officials at the press conference.

We are devastated by the senseless murder of Andy, she said. Andys life was robbed by two individuals who did not believe that lives of others matter.

Two Las Vegas teens charged with murder for intentional hit-and-run of former Bell Police Chief Andreas Probst

Probst worked in law enforcement for 35 years before retiring in 2009 and moving into global security, KTLAs Chris Wolfe reported.

Due to the hit-and-run being an intentional act, LVMPD Homicide detectives took over the investigation and the charges against the driver will be amended to include open murder, the release stated, adding that the passenger faces the same charges.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson said at Tuesdays press conference that the prosecution of the two teens has already started on the juvenile level but will quickly be transferred to the adult system.

In the criminal justice system, if you are a minor and you are eligible to be charged for the crime of murder, you are automatically sent to the adult system, he said. I am confident that that is whats going to happen in this case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
NEW YORK  President Joe Biden pledged Wednesday to raise hard issues, including protecting the checks and balances in a democracy, as he sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their first meeting since Netanyahu took office at the helm of his countrys far-right government late last year.

Netanyahu tried to play down concerns about his contentious proposed judicial overhaul, saying there is one thing that will never change and that is Israels commitment to democracy.

Advertisement

The location of the long-anticipated meeting  a New York hotel room on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings rather than the grandeur of the Oval Office  has been widely interpreted in Israel as a sign of U.S. displeasure with Netanyahus new government.

Netanyahu has been a frequent White House visitor over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of starting their tenure to the Oval Office. But his judicial proposals have raised concerns within Israel as well as the U.S. about his commitment to a democratic system.

Advertisement

Biden opened the meeting by stressing the U.S. friendship with Israel as being ironclad and saying that without Israel, theres not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential. But he also acknowledged the tensions with Netanyahus government and its policies.

Were going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems, Biden said. He said they would also talk about a path to a negotiated two-state solution with Palestinians and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon.

Netanyahu stressed shared diplomatic goals in his opening remarks, such as peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia that he said could be made possible under Bidens leadership.

Bien held out the possibility of the coveted Oval Office meeting, saying, I hope well see each other in Washington by the end of the year. A person familiar with the planning, who spoke on condition of anonymity to address internal discussions, said the administration is eyeing such a meeting with Netanyahu in November or December.

Despite the cordiality between the two leaders at the start of the meeting, the Manhattan setting and Bidens past misgivings about Netanyahus restructuring of the courts was a sign of the strains in the alliance.

Meeting at the White House symbolizes close relations and friendship and honor, and the denial of that shows exactly the opposite, said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israeli relations at Israels Bar-Ilan University.

Biden administration officials have repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahus plan to overhaul Israels judicial system.

Netanyahu says the countrys unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.

Advertisement

His plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the United States, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the countrys flag in protest Wednesday in New York. Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Early this year, Biden voiced his unhappiness over the judicial overhaul, saying Netanyahu cannot continue down this road and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise. Netanyahus negotiations with the opposition have stalled and his coalition has moved ahead with its plan, pushing the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July.

The Israeli governments treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire. Netanyahus coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Israels government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians  a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.

According to a White House summary of the talks, Biden stressed the need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation in the West Bank, where violence between Israelis and Palestinians over the past 18 months has intensified to its worst levels in roughly two decades. Biden also invited Netanyahu to the White House and the two leaders reaffirmed their intention to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The Biden-Netanyahu meeting came at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Netanyahus government shares American values. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.

Tom Nides, who stepped down as U.S. ambassador to Israel in July, said the timing and location of the meeting were issues and he acknowledged some policy differences.

Advertisement

Thats what friends do. Friends argue with each other. We can articulate a strong view against settlement growth. We can say, quite frankly, arguably that they should get some compromise on judicial reform. Whats wrong with that? Nides said.

Topping Netanyahus wish list were discussions on U.S. efforts to broker a deal establishing full diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House statement said Biden and Netanyahu discussed the shipping and rail corridor announced at the Group of 20 summit that would connect Israel with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Netanyahu, who also led Israel when President Donald Trump brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and four Arab countries, has said that a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would mark a quantum leap forward for Israel and the region.

The White House has acknowledged that it is seeking such a deal, but obstacles lie in the way. Saudi Arabia is pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal and defense guarantees from the U.S.

The Saudis have also said they expect Israel to make significant concessions to the Palestinians.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, told reporters there is no other way to solve the conflict than by establishing a Palestinian state. But senior ministers in Netanyahus government have already ruled out any concessions to the Palestinians.
After more than two months, the Civilian Office of Police Accountability has not located any witnesses in its investigation of allegations of sexual misconduct involving at least one Chicago police officer and a migrant housed at the Ogden District station on the West Side.

Kiisha Smith, the chair of the Ogden District Council, said during the police councils monthly meeting on Tuesday that a COPA representative gave her the update last Friday.

Really, nothings changed, Smith told the 30 or so meeting attendees. They (COPA) stated that they still havent found the complaining asylum-seekers, so they still dont have names, they say they dont know where they are. I offered to advise them of where the locations were  like if they didnt know we would provide the information for them to use in the investigation. They claim they knew, but nobody was speaking up.

Ephraim Eaddy, COPAs first deputy chief administrator, said in a statement Wednesday that the agencys investigation remains open and ongoing.

We are committed to transparency and a thorough investigation and will provide an update to the public upon conclusion, Eaddy said.

The investigation was opened in early July after a text message, circulated among police officers and other city employees, alleged that an officer assigned to the Ogden District had engaged in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old female migrant who was housed at the police station, located at 3315 W. Ogden Ave.

Less than two weeks later, on July 18, COPAs chief administrator, Andrea Kersten, called a news conference to announce that the office had not, so far, located any victims or witnesses to corroborate any allegations.

Since receiving notification of this allegation, COPA has been working to substantiate whether these allegations in fact occurred, as well as to identify the source of the initial allegation, Kersten said at the time. Anytime youre investigating an allegation of sexual misconduct  (there) are incredibly powerful barriers to people feeling they can trust a system and come forward and share their experiences.

However, Kersten did note that COPA started investigating another allegation of a CPD officer engaging in sexual misconduct with a migrant housed at the Town Hall District station on the North Side.

The Tribune obtained a copy of the text message that spurred the investigation and confirmed that the named officer, a field training officer, was assigned to the Ogden District at the time the allegation was lodged.

Court records show that the 29-year-old officer was part of at least one arrest and one traffic stop in the Ogden District in the weeks after COPAs investigation was announced. An attorney who previously represented the officer in civil court did not respond to several requests for comment.
Two more people suspected to be involved in a neo-Nazi display over Interstate 4 earlier this summer have turned themselves in and were charged with criminal mischief, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

On Tuesday, Ronald Murray, 41, and Amanda Rains, 36, both of Cypress, Texas, turned themselves in at the Orange County Jail for their role in hanging swastikas and antisemitic messages on an overpass along the Daryl Carter Parkway bridge on June 10, FDLE said.

In an emailed news release Wednesday, FDLE said the suspects placed banners along a fence without receiving written permission, which violates a new state law (HB 269) that prohibits individuals from displaying or projecting images onto a building, structure or property without permission.

Murray and Rains are the third and fourth suspects to be arrested in connection with the case within the last seven days.

Last Wednesday, Jason Brown, 48, was booked in the Brevard County Jail on an out-of-county warrant accusing him of playing a role in the display. On Sunday, Anthony Altick, 36, was jailed on a warrant by authorities in Alachua County and faces a similar criminal charge for allegedly hanging banners along the Daryl Carter Parkway Bridge in Orlando.

Brown was identified as a member of the Order Of The Black Sun, a Florida-based neo-Nazi network the Anti-Defamation League said was formed in 2023 by long time affiliates of Floridas overlapping white supremacist network.

FDLE did not associate Altick, Murray or Rains as members of the neo-Nazi group in news releases.

Court records show they were released after each posted a $500 bond.

According to an affidavit for Alticks arrest, FDLE agents and Orange County deputies used a video posted on the Order of the Black Suns website to identify potential suspects.

arabines@orlandosentinel.com
SAN DIEGO  Two schools in San Diego County have made the U.S. Department of Educations annual National Blue Ribbon Schools list.

The list, released Tuesday, recognizes 353 schools across the country for overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.

Garfield Elementary School is the only school in San Diego Unified School District to make the list. Located in San Diegos North Park neighborhood, the Title 1 school of 265 students was nominated in the category of Exemplary High Performing Schools. That category recognizes schools that are among their states highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally normed tests.

In Vista Unified School District, another elementary school made the list. Casita Center for Science/Math/Technology, a magnet choice school of 684 students, was also nominated in the Exemplary High Performing Schools category.

Speeding cameras could be deployed in California: How much fines would be

The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a news release. The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. As the Biden-Harris Administration partners with states and schools to accelerate academic success and transform educational opportunity in this country, we take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.

Thirty-three schools in California made the list. Farther north, one school in Los Angeles Unified School District was recognized: Downtown Magnets High School.

Of the 353 schools recognized across the country, 313 are public and 40 are non-public. In each category, the majority are elementary schools.

Each year, the department accepts nominations from schools all over the country. Up to 420 schools can be nominated.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. | Richard Drew, Associated Press

After a series of meetings and media appearances in New York, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is heading to Washington, D.C., to rally support for more military and humanitarian aid for his country.

His visit comes as House Republicans have refused to pass $25 billion in supplemental spending that President Joe Biden requested for Ukraine.

Congress has to either approve 12 spending bills or push forward a stopgap bill within the next 10 days to avoid a government shutdown. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has indicated that the House is pursuing the second option to give lawmakers more time to negotiate on the dozen appropriations bills.

Two groups in the Republican Conference  the House Freedom Caucus and the Main Street Caucus  came to a consensus over the weekend. Together, they outlined a continuing resolution to fund the federal government until Oct. 31, as the Deseret News reported.

This proposed stopgap bill cuts spending for non-defense sectors and requests a list of measures to tackle border security. But it does not include the $25 billion for Ukraine.

Related

GOP representatives block Ukraine supplemental aid

The White House and the Democrat-controlled Senate have said they will not approve the proposed stopgap bill without revisions.

Meanwhile, McCarthy said he doesnt know if he has enough votes to get it through the House.

Its a good thing I love a challenge, McCarthy said on Monday, per ABC News. Every day will be a challenge. Weve got a long week. We are not at Sept. 30 yet but Ill tell everybody Ive never seen anybody win a shutdown.

Nearly 50 Republican representatives voted no on the supplemental funding, according to a scorecard published by Republicans for Ukraine. This scorecard graded GOP congressional lawmakers based on their positions on supporting Ukraine.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., who has introduced a bill that would cut off all funding to Ukraine, scored an F on the scorecard.

People are completely against spending more money on Ukraine, with all of our existing problems here at home, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who also scored an F, told the Washington Examiner. And so my role will be being a very loud voice, urging my colleagues in Congress to vote no. And making sure that everyone knows which Republicans want to send their hard-earned tax dollars over to Ukraine, which Democrats want.

She added that it was an absolute nonstarter for many Republicans.

Related

As for McCarthy, he has given mixed signals about where he stands on sending aid to Ukraine, saying time and again, that he doesnt support blank checks.

The group Republicans for Ukraine is spending $1 million in ad campaigns on conservative television shows and outside the district offices of Republican leaders like McCarthy  all to persuade Congress to continue supporting Kyiv.

Now is a pivotal time for Americans, especially Republicans, to support Ukraine, said Gunner Ramer, a spokesman for Republicans for Ukraine, in a press release.

For just 5% of our annual defense budget, America has helped Ukraine destroy half of Russias army and liberate its territory and people. Thats a great return on investment for American national security.

Rep. John Curtis, a Republican who represents Utahs 3rd Congressional District, received an A on the scorecard, while Blake Moore, who represents the 1st District, received an A, and Burgess Owens of the 4th District received a B-.

Senate leaders to meet Zelenskyy

Apart from a few groups of lawmakers, a majority of GOP representatives backed the supplemental funding to Ukraine.

Since the Republican Conference only has a roughly four-vote margin in the House, McCarthy will have to tread carefully to get his chamber in order and avoid a government shutdown.

McCarthy has no plans to sit with Zelenskyy while he is visiting Capitol Hill. Meanwhile, the upper chamber displays a united front, as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., get ready to host the Ukrainian president on Thursday morning.

At the very same time that President Zelenskyy comes to the United States to make the case for standing firm against Putin, the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives is essentially telling him youre on your own, Schumer said in his floor remarks on Tuesday.

Ukrainian aid could have been an opportunity for bipartisanship, but the hard right, against what I imagine is the majority of Republicans in the House, has prevented that from happening too, he continued, adding that the continuing resolution that House proposed has no chance of passing the Senate.

The tug-of-war in Congress over the supplemental aid to Ukraine will delay funding for Kyiv in the coming months.
FILE - In this Jan. 7, 2021, image taken from Coffee County, Ga., security video, Cathy Latham, right, appears to take a selfie with a member of a computer forensics team inside the local elections office. Lawyers for three Georgia Republicans, including Latham, who falsely claimed that Donald Trump won the state and they were duly elected and qualified electors, are set to argue that their criminal charges should be moved from state to federal court(Coffee County, Georgia via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ATLANTA (AP)  Three of the Georgia Republicans who signed a certificate falsely claiming that then-President Donald Trump won the state in 2020 were not fake electors, their lawyers argued Wednesday, but instead were a contingent" slate in case the original election results were tossed out by a court.

U.S. District Judge Steve Jones heard arguments on why David Shafer, Shawn Still and Cathy Latham believe the case against them should be tried in federal court rather than in Fulton County Superior Court. They, along with Trump and 15 other people, have pleaded not guilty to charges accusing them of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to keep the Republican president in power after Democrat Joe Biden won Georgia.

Lawyers for Shafer, Still and Latham argued their status as electors means they were acting as federal officials and were performing the duties required by federal law. The three defendants were not in court Wednesday.

By federal law, these people were not fake, sham or impersonators, said Craig Gillen, an attorney for Shafer. They were contingent federal electors when they went and did their duty on Dec. 14, 2020.

Prosecutors rejected that notion, alleging that Shafer, Still, Latham  and the other Georgia Republicans who participated in the plan  falsely impersonated electors. Related state charges against them include impersonating a public officer, forgery, false statements and writings, and attempting to file false documents.

These private parties did not transform themselves into public actors by a criminal act, prosecutor Anna Cross said.

Part of the overarching scheme, the indictment alleges, was the casting of false Electoral College votes by 16 Georgia Republicans and the transfer of documentation of those votes to the president of the U.S. Senate, the National Archives, the Georgia secretary of state and the chief judge of the federal court in Atlanta. Those documents were meant to disrupt and delay the joint session of Congress on Jan. 6, 2021, in order to unlawfully change the outcome of the election, the indictment says.

Republicans in six other battleground states that Trump lost also met and signed similar certificates. Michigan's attorney general in July brought criminal charges against the group there.

Lawyers for Shafer, Still and Latham argued in court that a challenge to the state's election results was pending at the time and that lawyers told the gathered Republicans that it was necessary to have an alternate slate of GOP electors in case the challenge was successful.

The lawyers asserted that that pending legal challenge meant the state had failed to meet the safe harbor deadline, which dictates that states can protect their electoral votes against challenges in Congress by completing certification of the results and any state court legal challenges by that date.

The failure to do so meant that both the Republican and Democratic elector slates were contingent and that it was up to Congress to determine which should be counted, the lawyers said.

Prosecutor Donald Wakeford argued that meeting the safe harbor deadline was a super shield or protection for a state and rejected the claim that the Republican slate of electors was equal to the Democratic slate that was certified by the governor.

The distinction is not obliterated because the safe harbor deadline is not met, he said.

Lawyers for Shafer, Still and Latham cited the example of the 1960 presidential election when Republican Richard Nixon was initially certified as the winner in Hawaii. Supporters of Democrat John F. Kennedy filed a legal challenge that was still pending on the day the state's presidential electors were to meet.

That day, the certified electors for Nixon and uncertified elector nominees for Kennedy met at the state Capitol to cast votes for their candidates and sent them to Congress as required by the Electoral Count Act. Kennedy ultimately won the challenge and was certified the winner, and Congress counted the votes of the Kennedy electors.

Cross argued that the Hawaii case was different for a lot of reasons and noted that the slate of electors that was chosen for Hawaii was the one that had most recently been certified by the state's governor. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, certified the Democratic slate, not the GOP slate.

Even if the Trump campaigns legal challenge to the election results had been successful, Cross argued, the only solution a court could impose would be a new election, not a substitution of the Republican slate. Holly Pierson, another attorney for Shafer, argued that the law does allow a judge to declare someone elected after hearing the allegations and evidence in an election challenge.

At the time of the actions alleged in the indictment, Shafer was the chair of the Georgia Republican Party, Latham was the chair of the Coffee County Republican Party and Still was the finance chair for the state Republican Party. Still was elected to the state Senate last year and represents a district in Atlantas suburbs.

The judge asked Cross whether performing a federal function makes someone a federal official. She said it does not. She also argued that the Republicans who signed the certificate were acting in their own personal interest and in the interest of Trump's losing campaign.

They were fake electors. They were impersonating electors, she said, adding that there was no evidence they believed Trump had actually won.

Asked by Judge Jones at what point they should have known Trump had lost, Cross said they should have known at every point.

Pierson contended that it was up to Congress: We know who won when Congress tells us and not a moment before.

Jones already rejected an effort by Trump White House chief of staff Mark Meadows to move his case to federal court. Meadows has appealed that ruling. Jones held a hearing Monday on a similar bid by former U.S. Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark and has yet to rule.

If any of the cases are moved to federal court, a jury would be drawn from a broader and potentially less Democratic pool than in Fulton County alone.

In addition to the charges related to the fake elector plan, Shafer is accused of lying to investigators for the Fulton County district attorney's office. Latham is accused of participating in a breach of election equipment in Coffee County by a computer forensics team hired by Trump allies.
A 31-year-old Newark man has been indicted on charges including manslaughter after fatally hitting a pedestrian with his car in North Star on Feb. 1, the New Castle County Police Department said Wednesday.

Police said that 69-year-old Patrick Regan was walking on Verbena Drive in the Hitchens Farm community when a Subaru Legacy crossed into the opposite lane and hit him at 7:31 a.m. The driver, whom police identified as Robert Hagerty, then swerved back across the street, hit a mailbox and then struck a tree.

Hagerty was taken to the hospital, and Regan was pronounced dead on the scene.

While at the hospital, police said Hagerty tried to take a New Castle County police officer's gun in an attempt to escape. He was charged with a felony for trying to remove a firearm from a law enforcement officer and two misdemeanors for resisting arrest and attempted escape.

On Sept. 14, after an investigation by police and the Attorney General's Office, the New Castle County Superior Court arraigned Hagerty on charges of felony manslaughter and three misdemeanors: one for driving under the influence, and two for criminal mischief.

BACKGROUND: Police identify man killed in Hockessin-area pedestrian crash

Send story tips or ideas to Hannah Edelman at hedelman@delawareonline.com. For more reporting, follow them on Twitter at @h_edelman.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Fatal February crash in North Star sees man charged with manslaughter
Four Romanian nationals have been arrested and charged in connection with organized retail theft in Pasadena, authorities announced Wednesday.

A section of the Pasadena Police Department aimed to combat retail theft and vehicle burglaries recently focused their attention at a Macys on 401 S. Lake Avenue.

On Sept. 8 detectives closely monitored four people who they believe were methodically choosing high value clothing items, police detailed in a news release.

The suspects allegedly concealed items by hiding behind each other. They eventually left the store without paying for any of the items, police said.

Romanian nationals charged in a retail theft operation are seen in a surveillance photo released by the Pasadena Police Department on Sept. 20, 2023.

Detectives tried to arrest the suspects, but they managed to get away. Then, after a brief foot chase, three of the suspects were apprehended, but the fourth tried to get away and allegedly tried to drive a vehicle into an officers vehicle.

To stop the suspects attempt to flee, one of the officers employed an intervention technique, police detailed in the release. Despite the suspects efforts to accelerate away, another officer successfully disabled the suspects vehicle, leading to the apprehension of the fourth suspect.

No officers were injured during the incident and subsequent arrests.

The suspects were eventually charged.

Romanian nationals charged in a retail theft operation are seen in photos released by the Pasadena Police Department on Sept. 20, 2023.

Vasile Alberto Balan was charged with one count of grand theft. His bail was set at $300,000, police said. Balan had an outstanding no-bail warrant from Las Vegas.

Additionally, Sorin Marin Stefan, Mihaela Simion, and Cosmin Lucian Cismary were each charged with one count of grand theft. Their bail was set at $250,000 each.

The suspects are from Romania and investigators believe they entered the country using fraudulent visas. They apparently had been deported back to Romania before returning to the U.S.

Detectives are also looking into the suspects involvement in other thefts in the region, more than 15, Lt. Carolyn Gordon said. They have been able to connect the suspects to thefts across Los Angeles and Orange Counties, as well as Clark County in Nevada.

During a news conference Wednesday, authorities released booking photos of the suspects, along with video of the theft and the suspect who initially got away.

Anyone with additional information about the suspects is encouraged to call the Pasadena Police at 626-744-4241.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A 48-year-old Rochester man shot Tuesday night in northeast Rochester suffered life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Rochester Police Capt. Adam Radens said that officers were called to a residence near the corner of North Goodman Street and Diringer Place to investigate a shooting. At the scene, officers found a man, whose name was not released, was shot at least once in the upper body.

The injured man was taken to Strong Memorial Hospital for treatment, Radens said. Further details were not released as police investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

North Goodman Street and Diringer Place is just south of Central Park. Both roads were closed for several hours so police could investigate, but later reopened.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 911.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Man injured in shooting near North Goodman St. in Rochester NY
Five dissenters: Yesterday, five Republicans went against their own party, opposing a spending package full of Pentagon appropriations that was supposed to make its way to the House floor. One of the dissenters, Rep. Ralph Norman (RS.C.), said "he was opposing all GOP spending initiatives until he received a commitment from [House Speaker Kevin] McCarthy that the House would return federal spending to prepandemic levels without any budgetary gimmicks," per The New York Times.

Norman was joined by Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Dan Bishop (N.C.), Ken Buck (Colo.), and Matt Rosendale (Mont.), who together stymied attempts to bring the new spending package to a vote on the House floor. Though the budgetary infighting is a welcome change, and could in fact bring about good results for libertarians concerned about runaway defense spending, it could also backfire. "In an ironic twist of fate, frustrated Republicans are now growing more open to cutting a deal with Democratsthe worst possible outcome for the conservative hardliners agitating for deeper spending cuts," reports Axios.

Still, it's encouraging to see some representatives opposing the fiscal profligacy that has long plagued Congress. The Sept. 30 deadline for funding the government looms; if a deal can't be reached by then, we'll enter another government shutdown. The government most recently shut down in December 2018/January 2019, when former President Donald Trump and House Democrats found themselves at an impasse involving funding Trump's U.S.-Mexico border wall. (For more on government shutdowns, read Eric Boehm's piece: "Is a Government Shutdown Better Than More Reckless Borrowing?")

"Is the independence of any nation secure?" "The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into a weapon against you, against the international rules-based order," Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the general assembly of the United Nations yesterday. "If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?" Per The New York Times, Zelenskyy forcefully criticized "Moscow's military interventions in Moldova, Georgia, and Syria; its increased control of Belarus; and its threats against the Baltic states" as well as Vladimir Putin's occupation of Ukraine.

It is, of course, possible to vehemently oppose Russia's contemptible actions in Ukraine while also opposing Zelenskyy's bid for U.S. aid, which he reportedly plans to make Thursday in a meeting at the White House.

Reefer Madness DeSantis: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis vehemently opposes recreational weed legalization. Society has "totally decayed" because of pro-drug policies, in his telling. "Legalization, I don't think, has worked," said DeSantis last month. Just one problem: His biggest political backers are also key advocates for pot progress in Florida, reports Politico.

Axiom Strategies and Vanguard Field Strategies, which have been paid $25 million by pro-DeSantis super PAC Never Back Down, have also been paid $29 million by Smart & Safe Florida, a group working on a legal marijuana ballot initiative that would allow adults aged 21 and above to legally obtain weed. DeSantis has said weed "hurts our workforce readiness" as well as "people's ability to prosper."

Speak for yourselfI feel even more ready to write after lighting up, generally speaking. A certain amount of marijuana must be in the system before one can reasonably be expected to wade through DeSantis soundbites!

Scenes from New York: Why on Earth is city council wasting time on proposals to tear down statues of Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Peter Stuyvesant, and Thomas Jefferson? ("In this house, Christopher Columbus is a hero, end of story.")

QUICK HITS

"Eliminating 99.9 percent of the jobs in cotton-picking did not leave the nation plagued by ravening hordes of unemployed former farmworkers forming a restive, pre-revolutionary proletariat," writes Kevin D. Williamson.

Pivot to biometrics.

A new law in OregonMeasure 114, which was approved last year by voters "effectively limits Oregonians to owning only antique firearms," writes Jonathan Levinson for Oregon Public Broadcasting. "The new laws would ban high capacity magazines holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, require a completed background check to buy or transfer a firearm and require a person to take training and receive a permit to purchase a firearm."

A Bronx daycare is being investigated after a young child died and drug paraphernalia was found on the premises.

Cool A.I. applications.

Canadian officials are investigating the killing of a Sikh activist, possibly by agents of the Indian government, on Canadian soil. Indian officials called such allegations "absurd" and responded yesterday by expelling a Canadian diplomat.

"The rise of traditionalist American Catholicism, that is, has met with the rise of a progressive Latin American Pontiff, whose vision is focussed on the Global South," writes Paul Elie on the upcoming October Synod.

San Francisco, which implemented its new "overpaid executive" tax last yearseriously, it's actually called thatfound that it actually brought in more revenue than expected. Levied on companies where the highest-paid employee makes more than 100 times the median compensation of the company's San Francisco-based employees, with the actual tax rate based on the compensation ratio, the tax has generated $137 million per year so far, paid by some 150 companies. In what is surely totally unrelated news, lots of companies are escaping the Bay Area.

"Though egg freezing is still relatively uncommon, usage is ticking up rapidlyfrom 2020 to 2021, the number of procedures performed in the United States increased by 46 percent from about 16,700 to roughly 24,500, according to data reported by clinics to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology," writes Anna Louie Sussman for The Atlantic.

West Point sued over affirmative action.

The post 5 Dissenters in the House appeared first on Reason.com.
Five House conservatives voted against advancing a Pentagon funding bill Tuesday, marking the latest setback for Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) in uniting his conference to fund the government.

Republican Reps. Dan Bishop (N.C.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.) and Ken Buck (Colo.) all joined Democrats in voting against the rule for the appropriations bill, bringing the final vote to 214-212. This prevented the House from debating the legislation on the floor and from eventually voting on whether to pass it.

Its rare for lawmakers to block their own party from advancing legislation. Votes on rules  which govern debate on legislation  are usually routine matters. The majority party typically supports the effort and the minority party opposes it, regardless of lawmakers feelings on the underlying bill.

But in a narrow majority, the right-wing has been flexing its muscles in demanding steeper spending cuts as part of the appropriations process.

At the center of the conservatives opposition is their demand to see spending levels cut across all 12 appropriations bills. The coalition of Republicans have suggested that they will hold up approving the appropriations bills until the GOP leadership meets their demands.

I took down the rule  as I vowed I would  because the Conference continues not to have moved 12 appropriations bills at the spending level agreed to in January, Bishop said in a statement. I assume leadership believes me now.

Norman told reporters ahead of the vote that he planned to oppose the rule because leadership has not yet presented him with the top-line numbers across all 12 appropriations bills. Biggs and Rosendale also called on Republican leadership to reveal the top-line numbers  a request that conservatives have been making for months.

Because were sitting, were sitting here and theyre throwing one bill out thats that they plussed up and they we dont even know what the top-line numbers for the entire packages and and so they should be holding stuff back until we all know kind of what the top line is and get those done. They didnt get it done, Biggs told reporters.

For months, I have made it clear that in order for me to support the appropriations bills, we need to see the total value for all 12 bills, Rosendale posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. Leadership has yet to provide us with that number, which is why I voted against the rule this afternoon! Why are they keeping it a secret?

This is just the latest setback for McCarthy after House GOP leadership pulled a procedural vote on the conferences proposal for a short-term funding bill amid opposition from hard-line conservatives. The House has just less than two weeks to approve government funding to avoid a shutdown.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mayor Brandon Johnsons Bring Chicago Home resolution is a tax increase in search of a program. There is a better way to address Chicagos affordable housing needs.

Johnsons proposal, which was recently amended, includes a tiered property tax. This tax, even in its amended form, will fall significantly short of its revenue projections, and it unfairly targets commercial property owners.

Advertisement

The backers of this tax appear unconcerned about the downtown office tower owners who are already grappling with a staggering market. Commercial property sales have plummeted by 51% in the first half of this year.

Consider some facts about the property being taxed. According to a 2022 study by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence, Chicago has the second-highest commercial property taxes in the nation at 3.78%  more than double the U.S. average for the largest cities. Only Detroit has higher commercial property taxes at 4.21%.

Advertisement

The plan piles on to an already-suffering sector of Chicago with the marketing Bring Chicago Home, which is simply spin-doctoring. The program would be more accurately called Bring Chicago Down.

The business district has yet to adjust to the realities of the post-COVID-19 work world and is already burdened with taxes and fees. Chicagos office vacancy has escalated to 22.6% this year. Raising taxes on these assets simply doesnt make sense.

This tax increase proposal fails to provide any plan for how the generated revenue will be used and is conspicuously absent any comprehensive affordable housing strategy. Will this new revenue be earmarked for specific yet-to-be-designed programs to assist people who are homeless, or will it be absorbed into the general budget? If Johnson and the City Council are genuinely committed to addressing Chicagos homelessness crisis, there is a better way.

Streamline housing approvals. Chicago should simplify and expedite the process for approving new affordable housing construction and conversions. This should include removing unnecessary regulatory obstacles, updating outdated building codes and expediting project approvals. This streamlining should coincide with a comprehensive governmental reorganization to strengthen the citys Department of Housing and grant it control over the Chicago Housing Authority.

Restore unoccupied properties. The city can partner with local developers and community-based organizations to renovate thousands of vacant residential properties for middle- and low-income families and address special needs such as temporary housing for victims of domestic violence, those with chronic drug addictions and immigrants. According to the U.S. census, nearly 10% of roughly 3 million homes in Chicago remain vacant even as the unhoused population continues to grow.

Encourage private sector involvement. The city should engage existing landlords to create more affordable housing units by facilitating conversions of unused spaces. The additional income would be incentive enough if the impediments were removed for such conversions and the approval process was streamlined and less costly.

Simplify tax relief programs. There are an array of programs designed to reduce the impact of property taxes through exemptions, credits, grants or deferrals. The process for accessing these programs is cumbersome and confusing. Benefits must be renewed annually. This imposes a particular hardship on the elderly. A simple one-stop process should be established for homeowners to access the programs and to secure renewals. The foreclosure statutes should be modified to keep families and seniors from losing their homes.

Cap property taxes. Capping local property taxes for individual residential and commercial property is critical to combating gentrification. This would allow residents to reap the benefits of rising home values, new small business development and greater job opportunities while avoiding sharp increases in rents and home values in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods, which results in displacement of residents. It would also protect existing small businesses.

Advertisement

Finance alternatives to increasing the real estate transfer tax. While much can be accomplished without new revenues, additional funding can be secured without raising taxes. A City Housing Trust, or CHT, could be created and annually funded with a share of developer fees, a share of the citys annual tax increment financing surplus, housing-related fees and fines, and potential revenues from the legalization of gaming. Additional project-specific funding could be secured by issuing bonds financed by future freed-up revenue from retiring TIF districts. The awarding of properties, grants and loans would be conditional on not only that the project be consistent with the citys affordable housing strategy but also that the city secure an equity share in the property and the development. This would allow the city to begin accumulating assets that could then be used for future property purchases, grants and loans. The CHT would eventually become a self-sustaining affordable housing engine and no financial drain on the city.

In sum, Chicagos affordable housing crisis could be addressed without raising taxes by harnessing the potential of the housing market and implementing these pragmatic alternatives. However, count on the Bring Chicago Home advocates not to back down. They need the mansion tax referendum to rally their base.

Opponents must show the tax for what it is and point out the real measures that could be taken to address the citys housing needs that the tax increase advocates ignore.

Paul Vallas is an adviser for the Illinois Policy Institute. He ran for Chicago mayor this year and in 2019 and was previously budget director for the city and CEO of Chicago Public Schools.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
A 63-year-old hiker was rescued from the Grand Canyon in Arizona last week after he suffered a traumatic shoulder injury due to a fall, a volunteer search and rescue organization affiliated with a sheriffs office said.

The hiker was part of a group of five friends who were backpacking along the Kanab Creek in the canyons North Rim in Grand Canyon National Park on Friday, according to Mohave County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue.

The man suffered from a traumatic injury to his shoulder after falling on Friday afternoon, and he needed emergency medical attention and evacuation, the search and rescue organization said.

Someone used an Apple device to call for help through a satellite connection, and the Mohave County Sheriffs Office received the call around 6 p.m., the rescue group said.

When contact for help was confirmed, the other four hikers continued on their backpacking trip, leaving with the Apple device, according to the rescue group.

The friends had been hiking for about three or four days and had another three or four to go, the rescue group said.

The rescue group encourages everyone to never leave someone behind alone and whenever possible, to stay with them and ensure they are rescued before continuing on their journey, the group said.

The rescue group and a state Department of Public Safety rescue helicopter were activated. The helicopter crew, facing darkness and tall canyon walls, landed about a quarter mile from the injured hiker, the rescue group said.

The crew made its way through a creek and around boulders to reach the hiker. The crew stabilized him and helped him to the helicopter, in which he was flown to a Flagstaff hospital for medical evaluation, according to the rescue group.

CNN has sought more information about the incident from the National Park Service.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Amid the 2023 Climate Weeks focus on climate change, these Black-owned brands are fashioning a sustainable future.

Now until Sept. 24, the Climate Group is hosting its annual Climate Week NYC. Known as the largest annual climate event of its kind, this week not only gathers business, political, and local leaders for sustainable planning but also serves as a reminder of societys collective responsibility for climate change.

Models walk the runway for the Studio 189 fashion show during September 2022 New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Gallery at Spring Studios on Sept. 11, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

As the world grapples with the urgent realities of climate change, some brands are taking fashion-forward footsteps toward a greener future. In honor of 2023 Climate Week, theGrio spotlights Black-owned fashion brands utilizing unique, sustainable models that redefine not only eco-conscious style but also champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry. Here are seven brands fashioning a better tomorrow, one conscious, climate-friendly step at a time:

Designer Charles Harbison poses in front of his collection on display at the Black in Fashion Council Discovery Showrooms, Presented by Mailchimp at NYFW: The Shows 2022 at Spring Studios on Sept. 13, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)

Charles Harbison uses deadstock materials and waste-conscious practices in his eponymous brand to create sustainably focused fashion, jewelry, and bags. Having styled the likes of Beyonce, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ava DuVernay, and more, Harbison uses his architectural background and expertise in fiber arts and textile science to create conscious, diverse fashion.

We look at [sustainability] at Harbison in a three-pronged fashion. So, we look at personal sustainability, where the sustainment of oneself is important. The sustainment of oneself is central. It has to be the nucleus of every life. We look at it as cultural sustainability, where youre seeing through the sustaining of cultures and identities and groups of people, knowing that that is where the human experience really thrives, Harbison explained to Banana Republic with whom he collaborated in 2021.

And then we look at environmental sustainability, where if those two things are present, then its natural that you would care about the earth and be thoughtful of it because youre caring about the people of the earth, and youre also caring about yourself. That has been helpful in us framing a conversation that feels less rooted in a trend and more rooted in the foundation of who we are as a company and who I am as a designer.

Taking an intersectional approach to fashionable sustainability, Taylor Jay promotes environmental consciousness while empowering women and advocating for inclusion. This womenswear brand uses ethically sourced materials, certified eco-friendly textiles, and a fair labor-practicing factory based in Oakland, California, to create environmentally safe products.

Founder/designer of Oak & Acorn, Miko Underwood displays her collection in The Black in Fashion Council x NYFW Discovery Showrooms, during NYFW: The Shows 2023 at Spring Studios on Feb. 13, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for IMG Fashion)

Oak & Acorn threads eco-fabrics, historic storytelling & social impact with innovative fashion, according to the denim brands website. With sustainability being the ethos of the brand, Oak & Acorn uses eco-fibers like hemp, Refibra & Tencel, recycled and repurposed denim, natural indigo artisan textiles and deadstock fabrics in its gender-neutral luxury denim designs. As a Black-owned Harlem, New York-based brand, each design pays homage to the untold history of Indigenous American and enslaved Africans contributions to American denim manufacturing.

A view of the fashion during the Bed On Water presentation during NYFW: The Shows 2022 on Sept. 14, 2022, in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows)

Founded by Shanel Campbell, Bed On Water is an interdisciplinary fashion house that produces apparel, accessories, art objects, and art media. In addition to its unique and wide-ranging aesthetic, the brand follows a made-to-order model, which minimizes overproduction and waste. When placing an order on the brands site, consumers receive a preorder note, which gives a six-to-eight-week disclaimer for shipping due to the limited production from the company. With each piece being made with love + soul, Bed On Water promotes resource-efficient manufacturing by only producing items when there is customer demand.

(Photos: Hope for Flowers by Tracy Reese)

Hope For Flowers, founded by the notable fashion designer Tracy Reese in 2019, specializes in sustainable, minimalist fashion, incorporating eco-conscious materials such as organic cotton, linen, Tencel, and cupro into its collections.

At Hope for Flowers, we believe that by incorporating positive, social, and ecological practices into our sourcing and operating structures, the brands website reads. We can imbue our products with greater substance and offer our customers an opportunity to be a part of doing good while looking good.

(Photo: Brother Vellies)

The brainchild of Canadian fashion professional Aurora James, Brother Vellies emerged in 2013 with a profound goal of preserving traditional African design practices and supporting artisanal employment. Known initially for crafting South African vellies using Springbok leather, the brand has since expanded its production footprint to encompass a global network spanning South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Italy, Haiti, and New York City.

Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah walk the runway at the Studio 189 fashion show during New York Fashion Week  September 2023 (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/for NYFW: The Shows)

Incorporating a fashion lifestyle brand with a social conscience, Studio 189 was co-founded by acclaimed actress Rosario Dawson and Abrima Erwiah, a former global communications and marketing executive for Bottega Veneta. With flagship stores in New York City and Accra, Ghana, the brand collaborates closely with artisanal communities skilled in a wide range of traditional craft methods, including natural plant-based indigo dye, hand-batik, kente weaving, and more.

Haniyah Philogene is a multimedia storyteller and Lifestyle reporter covering all things culture. With a passion for digital media, she goes above and beyond to find new ways to tell and share stories.

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 7 sustainable Black fashion brands to shop this Climate Week appeared first on TheGrio.
A 71-year-old Miami man has been missing for weeks, and detectives are asking for the publics help to find him, police said Wednesday.

A relative of Nathaniel Cunningham reported him missing on Sept. 14, two weeks after he left his Coconut Grove home and didnt return, Miami police Officer Kiara Delva said.

Cunningham was last seen leaving on Sept. 1 in his vehicle, which he does often, his relative told investigators. Police didnt immediately release a description of his vehicle or say whether it had been found.

Miami police are actively investigating and no foul play is suspected at this time or signs of endangerment, Delva said.

A neighbor alerted Cunninghams family members after not seeing him for two weeks while his dog remained at a home he shared with roommates, Local 10 News reported.

Hes not the type of person that Ive ever known to just go and leave, because he has that dog, the neighbor told the TV news channel.

Cunningham is described as five-foot-six and 190 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective M. Baluja or any on-duty detective of the Miami Police Departments Special Victims Unit at 305-603-6300 or 305-579-6111.
A Miami County man is facing felony charges after he allegedly lied to investors about the properties they bought from him.

Frederick Clark, 84, of Bradford pleaded guilty to four felony counts of grand theft last week, according to a media release.

Following an investigation by the Ohio Department of Commerces Division of Securities, Clark was indicted in April 2022 on a total of 16 counts including grand theft, securities fraud, misrepresentation during the sale of a security, acting as an unlicensed securities dealer, and unregistered sale of a security.

Clark sold promissory notes for the purpose of purchasing, rehabilitating, and either renting or selling homes in the Dayton area.

>> Local foul-smelling biodigester to shut down, Ohio Attorney General says

Most of Clarks business operations took place in Troy but he later opened an office in Dayton to collect rent and manage properties.

He is accused of lying to investors to entice them to invest.

He allegedly failed to disclose that the acquisition of properties was under land contracts rather than obtaining clear titles to the properties.

Prosecutors said Clark would move funds between his multiple accounts in Ohio and Flordia.

Before investing, the Department of Commerce urged potential investors to call the Divisions Investor Protection Hotline at 877-683-7841 to ask:

 Is the securities professional, platform, or firm properly licensed in Ohio?

 Is the security being promoted by the firm, platform, or individual registered for sale in Ohio?

 Are there any enforcement actions involving the firm, platform, professional, or security being promoted?

Clark will appear in court for a restitution hearing on Sept. 28.
Colleagues of Pauline Newman , a 96-year-old federal appeals judge, have suspended her from hearing cases as part of a clash over her mental fitness.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuits active judges on Wednesday barred Newman from hearing cases for one year unless she complies with their demand to submit to medical testing.

We are acutely aware that this is not a fitting capstone to Judge Newmans exemplary and storied career, according to the order.

We all would prefer a different outcome for our friend and colleague, it continued. However, we have a solemn obligation under the Act and an obligation to the litigants before our Court and court staff to take actionand not to simply look the other waywhen it appears that a judge of this Court is no longer capable of performing the duties of her judicial office.

The ruling is the latest development in a bitter battle over Newmans fitness to continue serving on the Federal Circuit, an appeals court that hears patent cases and other specialized disputes.

Court filings show that anonymous court employees have alleged Newman struggles to complete basic tasks and retain information in conversations. She also allegedly claimed the court bugged her phones and threatened to have one of her former chamber employees arrested.

Newman and her attorneys have long insisted she is fit to serve. Newman is also suing her colleagues, attempting to block their investigation as unconstitutional.

The Hill has reached out to Newmans attorney for comment.

The judges ruled Wednesday that Newmans refusal to comply with their May order  which demanded she submit to medical testing, produce medical records and sit for an interview  constituted misconduct.

The judges said they had made the demands after establishing reasonable concerns that Newman suffers from a disability, arguing the tests were needed to determine with reasonable medical certainty if Newman could still discharge her duties.

Refusing to cooperate without adequate justification  as Judge Newman has done here brings the statutory mechanism for addressing disability to a grinding halt and thereby undermines the interests of litigants, employees, the public, and the judiciary in having that mechanism work, the order read.

Newman had argued the investigation should have been transferred to a different court and that she did not have an opportunity to contest information provided by court staff. She also submitted medical records from providers of her choosing seeking to quell her colleagues concerns, but they ruled it was not an adequate substitute.

The nature and importance of the job of an active judge, and the overwhelming evidence of behavior by Judge Newman indicating a cognitive decline, requires the more thorough and sensitive full neuro-psychological examination ordered by the Committee, according to the ruling.

Questions about age and health have loomed large over Washington lately in all three branches.

The age of President Biden, who would be 86 at the end of a second term, has been a consistent source of attack as he continues his campaign.

In the Senate, the health of Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), 90, has been under the microscope after a months-long absence from shingles complications.

And questions about the future of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), 81, have been raised after two public freeze-ups.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Dr. Nicole Teal was working a night shift in September 2022, when a patient came into UNC Medical Centers labor and delivery unit with a particularly dangerous set of symptoms.

Her blood pressure had suddenly spiked. Her platelets were decreasing. Liver enzymes in her blood were rising. She had the hallmarks of severe preeclampsia, one of the leading causes of death for pregnant women.

I dont want to threaten my life, Teal recalled the patient telling her. Id like an abortion.

After four years of medical school, four years of training to become an OB-GYN and now, nearly three years of specialized maternal-fetal medicine training, Teal knew her patients instincts were in line with medical recommendations.

At 21 weeks, the fetus was unlikely to survive outside the womb, and without intervention, the patient was at risk of catastrophic complications like seizures, strokes and renal failure.

But about a month earlier, the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to overrule Roe v. Wade allowed a 20-week abortion ban to take effect in North Carolina. To end the pregnancy, Teal would have to be able to show it was an imminent risk to her patients life.

The patient did not yet meet that legal bar. So they waited.

I watched her for several days until she got sick enough  until her organs were starting to fail, she said. Then we could provide her abortion.

The following months brought a string of similar cases. Even though she split her time between research and clinical work, Teal estimated North Carolina law forced her to delay care about once every two months. She imagined it would become even more common once the states newest abortion law, which bans most abortions after 12 weeks, took effect in July.

When Teals maternal-fetal medicine fellowship ended in June, she was offered what would have been a dream job: a faculty position in UNCs Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

She loved her patients and colleagues in North Carolina. She was passionate about her research and had a grant that would fund it for years to come. Her parents lived close enough to Chapel Hill that they could visit their 2-year-old grandson every month.

But Teal couldnt help but replay patient conversations in her mind: My recommendation is to terminate your pregnancy, but I cant do that until you get a little sicker. She remembered their faces, staring back in disbelief.

She accepted a job in San Diego, where there is no gestational limit on abortion.

The News & Observer interviewed several doctors at different stages of their careers  from those in the midst of training to those with well-established medical practices  who plan to take their expertise elsewhere due to the states new abortion laws.

These are not just doctors who have made abortions a central part of their jobs, though those doctors are leaving, too. They are primary care providers. They are rural obstetricians. The kinds of doctors that the state has a critical shortage of.

Its too soon to know how many doctors will choose to leave, or how many will avoid moving to the state in the first place.

But in North Carolina  where almost a quarter of counties lack a single OB-GYN and more than 90% of counties are considered primary care shortage areas  losing a handful of doctors would have major consequences for the patients they leave behind.

A critical shortage

A few hours before his shift ends, Dr. Alan Rosenbaum begins transferring his patients to other hospitals.

On the Western edge of North Carolina, where Rosenbaum is often contracted to fill in for short-staffed labor and delivery units, there is such a dearth of obstetricians that some hospitals have no choice but to shut down the ward after he drives home to Cary.

If theres no doctor, you cant have a labor and delivery unit, he said.

Newly postpartum patients are loaded into ambulances beside their tiny, pink babies.

Sicker women leave in helicopters.

Patients who arrive too late are told to drive to the next nearest hospital, which is sometimes 40 minutes away, if they want to see an OB-GYN.

Rosenbaum finds his contract-work in rural hospitals fulfilling. The extra income helps his family pay off $250,000 in medical school debt. But North Carolinas newest abortion law has made it too risky for him to continue.

Even though Rosenbaum does not perform elective abortions, he imagined the professional and ethical dilemmas the new legislation would create.

Dr. Alan Rosenbaum poses in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, August 26, 2023. Hours after the governors veto of the abortion bill was overridden by Republican lawmakers, Rosenbaum applied for a medical license in Virginia, where he will soon commute to and work shifts instead of North Carolina.

If a pregnant woman arrived severely hemorrhaging, could he clear the fetus from her uterus to stop the bleeding? Or would he have to wait until she got sicker, lost more blood, before the situation fit lawmakers definition of a medical emergency.

Hours after the governors veto of the abortion bill was overridden by Republican lawmakers, Rosenbaum applied for a medical license in Virginia, where he will soon work shifts instead of North Carolina.

I really do find fulfillment and enjoyment caring for the women in North Carolina, he said. But the people of Virginia are good people too, right? Why would I not choose the location where theres less risk of a bad outcome?

Obstetricians are a strained resource in North Carolina.

Twenty-one of 100 counties are considered maternity care deserts, which means they have no hospitals providing obstetric care, no birth centers, no OB-GYN and no certified nurse midwives. Seventeen more counties are considered low access, a designation given to areas with limited services and a high proportion of uninsured women.

OB-GYNs who have completed additional specialty training, like maternal-fetal medicine doctors, are in even higher demand. In North Carolina, Teal almost always double-booked her appointment slots to fit in patients who had traveled from across the state to see her, she said.

These shortages are concentrated in rural parts of the state, where recruiting doctors is difficult.

When Dr. Katie Borders has an OB-GYN opening at her practice in Shelby  a small town about an hour west of Charlotte  she said it often takes more than a year to fill. In the Outer Banks, it could take up to two years, said Dr. Daniel Dwyer, an OB-GYN in Nags Head.

Rosenbaum doubts the abortion restrictions will cause a mass exodus of doctors  he knows state laws are just one factor in a complicated decision about where to live and practice.

But for the rural hospitals where he used to work, losing just one physician could mean the difference between life and death.

Even if statistically its like a rounding error, its not a rounding error for that woman whos having an emergency at a hospital with no OB-GYN, he said.

Im not going to be able to train

About two weeks after legislators passed North Carolinas new abortion law, Dr. Sheridan Finnie received the email she had been dreading: Her clinical rotation at an abortion clinic had been canceled.

Finnie, a family medicine resident in the Triangle, was scheduled to spend part of July in Chapel Hills Planned Parenthood clinic, learning how to perform elective abortions. The clinic had to pause those rotations while they adjusted to the substantial new abortion restrictions, summer trainees were told in an email.

Holy s, she remembered texting her husband. Im not going to be able to train.

That week, Finnie sent off a flurry of frantic messages. She probed her network of doctor friends for potential openings. She solicited advice from faculty in her program (Im scrambling to pull some opportunities together, she emailed one doctor).

She even left a message at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Utica, New York, near where her parents lived.

Dr. Sheridan Finnie, a family medicine resident in the Triangle, says she plans to relocate following her training due to North Carolinas abortion law.

Finnie did not have ambitions to become a full-time abortion provider  she wanted to be a primary care provider. But to her, becoming trained to perform abortions was just as important as learning to manage her patients hypertension or diabetes.

In fact, part of the reason she chose to do her residency in the Triangle was because of the easy access to abortion training (in the South, these rotations are typically less competitive because they are less sought after by trainees, she said). Finnie never imagined she would be pleading for opportunities hundreds of miles across the country.

She isnt sure she would train in North Carolina if she could do it all again, she said.

As North Carolinas hospitals gear up for this years residency application cycle, program directors fear prospective doctors will make similar calculations about their training.

In the last application cycle, which ended months before the states newest abortion law was introduced, prospective residents were already asking questions about the states political landscape, said Dr. Beverly Gray, the immediate past director of Dukes OB-GYN residency program.

What abortion laws were in the pipeline? How would the program make sure they could still train if restrictions passed?

They were being thoughtful about it in a way I have not seen in previous years, Gray said.

Demonstrators hold signs outside the legislature auditorium where a House Rules meeting was underway, May 3, 2023 at the Legislative Building. Republican state lawmakers announced their plan to limit abortion rights across the state.

Recent data suggests that abortion laws play a large role in where doctors choose to train.

In states where abortion had been totally banned, applications to OB-GYN residency programs fell by more than 10% compared with the prior year, according to an analysis of data from the 2022-2023 application cycle by the Association of American Medical Colleges.

In states with gestational limits on abortion  which includes North Carolina  applications dropped 6.4%.

This is significant for patients, Gray said, because doctors who train in the state often settle down nearby. More than half of doctors stay in the state where they complete their residency, according to another survey from the AAMC.

Gray fears that new abortion restrictions will not only shrink the funnel of doctors into North Carolina but also make the state a less appealing place for residents to stay after they graduate.

This is true for Finnie and her husband, who is also in residency.

More than 3 million North Carolinians live in an area with a shortage of primary care providers, according to federal data. After years of training in the state, Finnie and her husband thought they might settle here; theyd dreamed of joining a practice in a rural area.

The new abortion law changed that.

Finnie had read news reports of Missouri and Texas doctors who were scared to treat ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages because of their own states abortion restrictions. After spending nearly a decade training to become a doctor, that was not the way she wanted to practice medicine.

If there were any thoughts of me staying in North Carolina, this has certainly put the kibosh on that, Finnie said. Theres no chance that were going to stay here.
Nearly one in five counties across the United States lack psychiatrists or Internet service, making it difficult for around 10.5 million Americans to find mental healthcare, a new study shows. Photo by United States Department of Agriculture/Flickr

Nearly one in five counties across the United States lack psychiatrists or Internet service, making it difficult for around 10.5 million Americans to find mental healthcare, a new study shows.

The counties examined in the study were more likely to be in rural areas, have higher unemployment rates, and have populations that were more likely to be uninsured and lack a bachelor's degree. What's worse, individuals who fall into any one of these categories are also more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. So, the need for mental health services is especially critical in areas with the greatest barriers to access, the researchers noted.

And while the pandemic created a rapid demand for telehealth, the medium has yet to reach the areas that need it most.

"Telehealth was originally developed to mitigate the adverse effects of physician shortage. But unfortunately for many people in shortage areas, they don't have access to broadband coverage," said study author Dr. Hao Yu, an associate professor of healthcare policy at Harvard Medical School, in Boston.

"We found those counties have negative health effects, like higher overdose mortality, higher suicide mortality. That's kind of staggering," he added.

In July, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was passed by federal legislators and included a $65 billion investment to expand affordable and reliable high-speed Internet access across the United States. While this is a good start, Yu said the U.S. government should focus specifically on the counties covered in the study.

"What we studied is tied to another priority of the current administration. That is, to reduce drug overdose mortality and to reduce suicide rates. Given our findings, those counties are really the true target of the current investment," he said.

The study was published online recently in JAMA Network Open.

Through the American Rescue Act, the Biden administration also allotted $330 million in funding to train more physicians in high-need areas. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 also worked to increase care in minority communities.

But while holes in access still exist, said Dr. Victor Fornari, head of child and adolescent psychiatry at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Glen Oaks, N.Y., telehealth is still an effective stopgap.

"Access to healthcare, and mental healthcare in particular, continues to be a major challenge for a variety of reasons: location, transportation, insurance coverage, adequate resources and just simply access to technology," he said. "So providing access to healthcare means having access to the technology to support telehealth, whether it be through smartphones, laptops, or wi-fi and cell service."

Yu said he hopes future studies will examine whether government investments will actually improve access to mental health in high-need regions.

In April, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called mental health issues among young people "the defining public health crisis of our time," issuing an advisory about the negative effects social media has on adolescents.

And there are plenty of staggering figures for American adults, too. One in eight is on antidepressants, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while one in five has recently received some kind of mental healthcare. Almost one-third report symptoms of anxiety and depression, while roughly one in 25 has a serious mental illness. Three million American adults suffer or have suffered from opioid use disorder, and one in two are very lonely.

Perhaps the most chilling statistic of all: Suicide rates have risen by about 30% for many vulnerable groups since the turn of the millennium, according to the KFF.

For people who are suffering, connecting with others, practicing gratitude, taking care of physical health, and meditation are some useful tactics for improving mental health.

More information

For more on mental health, visit Mental Health America.

Copyright  2023 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
She was living on the street. A court had reason to believe she was suffering from mental illness.

And though she was never convicted, the state imprisoned her for an entire year after she was accused of crimes tied to repeatedly begging inside two upscale restaurants on Market Street in Wilmington.

Prompted by restaurant staff, Wilmington police arrested the woman in April 2022 on low-level charges that carried the potential for no more than a month of imprisonment combined.

She was freed the same day under the condition that she not set foot on a 12-block stretch of Market Street downtown, where the city's branding efforts often clash with those living in poverty around it.

Later that day, police spotted her walking down the sidewalk on Market Street. She was charged with violating the terms of her release and locked away in Baylor Women's Correctional Institution. She remained imprisoned for a year.

Traffic moves along Market Street in downtown Wilmington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

Its like I was lost in the system, the woman said through tears. It was so lonely.

Delaware Online/The News Journal is not publicly identifying this woman given the nature of her crimes and to protect her identity while explaining what happened when a person who needed Delawares support systems landed in the states criminal justice system.

Ultimately, she was imprisoned more than 10 times longer than the maximum sentence for the original charges tied to begging inside the restaurants  far longer than others with comparable charges, her attorney argued.

The reasons why are complicated. They involve the legal maneuvers used by Wilmington Police against individuals that cause what one local court official described as persistent discomfort and problems for others on Market Street. They also involve her rights clashing with the court's efforts to tie her freedom to medicated treatment that she feared.

Everyone involved in the case argued they were either representing her best interests or the interest of public safety. But she became snarled in a system that could only manage to prolong her imprisonment before casting her back onto the street.

Elizabeth Jaconi, the womans attorney, said in an ideal situation the woman would have received services in the community instead of being locked up. She also acknowledged that this case was complicated.

At the end of the day, incarcerating people just so they are no longer in the publics eye and disturbing people on Market Street should not be the answer, said Jaconi, a longtime public defender. Delaware needs to find the resources to take care of these people better.

Stephen Metraux, the director of the University of Delawares Center for Community Research and Service, reviewed transcripts detailing the womans court case and said it illustrates that Delaware  and society more generally  does not allocate resources to adequately respond to the needs of some people and so they become a problem of the legal system.

This is a woman who falls through the cracks of the mental health system in Delaware and that is essentially why she is being incarcerated, said Metraux, who has decades of experience in research and policy work involving homelessness.

He added the criminalization of issues derived from poverty and mental illness only deepens the individuals health and legal problems, is expensive for taxpayers, and serves only to remove them from public sight temporarily.

It is a mismatch of needs and responses, Metraux said.

Prosecutors in the office of Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings pursued the case against the woman for a year. They dropped the charges in May when her defense attorney asked the judge to dismiss the case, arguing the state had failed to actively prosecute the case as the woman remained locked up.

In a written statement, Mat Marshall, a spokesperson for Jennings, blamed the situation on the woman's unwillingness to cooperate with the court's attempts to help and insisted that any prosecutor in the country would have made the same decisions.

At the same time, he also pointed to a real deficit in options  which the criminal justice system has no power to remedy.

Banned from Market Street

In an interview, the woman described the pressure of waking up outside every morning knowing she would not eat if she didnt ask others for help. Tears ran down her cheek as she calmly recounted cutting herself while rummaging through a dumpster for food.

I didnt know what to do, she said. Its so hard just living these days.

It was a Tuesday afternoon in April 2022 when an officer from Wilmington Police Department's Special Operations Division was dispatched to the Farmer and the Cow restaurant, an upscale burger bar on Market Street, according to an officers statement describing the investigation.

The owner of the restaurant told police that a woman kept coming into the restaurant that day and days prior, asking patrons and staff for money and food she "did not want to pay for," according to the narrative penned by the investigating officer.

The owner told the officer the woman became "hostile and aggressive" when asked to leave, "using profanity" and "causing a scene," and threatened to strike someone, according to court records.

The next day, the officer learned that the same woman had also entered Bardea, Market Streets fine-dining darling two blocks from the burger bar.

The restaurant Bardea stands on the corner of Seventh and Market Streets in downtown Wilmington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

In an interview, the woman recalled resisting her ouster from one of the restaurants because a patron was reaching to hand her money when staff commanded them to reject her. She denied characterizations that she was dangerous.

The officer wrote that staff at Bardea told him the woman had been "begging patrons for money, acting loud and disorderly, had refused to leave and had returned multiple times on Tuesday."

Around 9:30 the same morning the officer learned of the Bardea intrusions, police saw her walking on 7th Street and arrested her.

She was charged with two counts of third-degree criminal trespass, which may be punished only by a fine and probation. Additionally, she was charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct, which carries a maximum of 30 days imprisonment.

She was taken to court and released on the condition that she have "no contact" with Market Street from Martin Luther King Boulevard up to 12th Street. Later that afternoon, an officer encountered her walking on Market Street.

I begged him to let me go, she said, recounting telling the officer she would not return.

A Wilmington police vehicle moves across Market Street in downtown Wilmington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

She was charged with non-compliance with the terms of her release, a misdemeanor that carries a maximum of one year in prison. Unable to afford bail, she was locked up in Baylor.

According to Alan Davis, the top magistrate in the court that approved the womans ban from Market Street, such bans are part of a strategy used by Wilmington Police to target individuals that they deem a persistent problem on that corridor.

In most criminal cases, pretrial no-contact orders are typically focused on specific places or people, like victims of or witnesses to the crime.

But as employed on Market Street, this strategy allows police  with the approval of a court  to prolong pretrial incarceration and multiply the potential prison sentence for individuals arrested on low-level charges that return to the citys popular downtown corridor.

In the woman's case, her presence on Market Street added a year to the 30-day potential imprisonment she faced for her conduct in the restaurants.

A special court takes over

People who are convicted and sentenced rarely receive the maximum punishment allowed by law, particularly when they, like the woman, have no local criminal record. But the woman was never even convicted.

Her case didn't get to that stage because the court had reason to question whether she was mentally competent to participate in the criminal proceedings against her.

People charged with crimes must have the ability to understand and assist with their defense in the court proceedings against them. When there is a question raised about that competency, the court may order an evaluation, which is conducted by a professional at the Delaware Psychiatric Center, the only state-run psychiatric facility in Delaware.

Two months into the womans imprisonment, the court ordered an evaluation, and her case was moved to the Court of Common Pleas Mental Health Court.

Thats a court where the judge, prosecutors and public defenders try to work together to resolve cases through plea bargains, release orders and case dismissals meant to emphasize court oversight of treatment more than time behind bars.

As of August, there were 73 people in the Court of Common Pleas Mental Health Court, which primarily handles misdemeanors. Public defenders who work in that court said it is not uncommon for defendants to be incarcerated at some point in their case and many have similar needs to those presented by this woman.

RECENT: How the Wilmington Housing Authority plans to use a nonprofit to create affordable housing

After delays tied to staffing issues at DPC, the womans competency evaluation report was delivered to the court in September, five months into her imprisonment. The evaluators notes are not public documents but are excerpted in other public court documents. Transcripts of her case hearings also include details from the report.

The evaluators wrote that they could not form an opinion to a reasonable degree of medical certainty because the woman left the evaluation before it could be completed. The evaluators wrote that she appeared disoriented and her thoughts illogical as she made bizarre statements throughout the encounter, according to portions cited by prosecutors in written statements.

The evaluators also wrote that having considered the interview and the patients records, it seemed unlikely that (the woman) would be able to interact with her attorney in a productive manner and participate in court proceedings.

The evaluator also cited a degree of irritability, impatience and poor impulse control, contributing to that opinion, according to prosecutors statements.

Elizabeth Jaconi

I have serious concerns about her ability to assist in her defense due to mental illness, the report states.

In one hearing, a prosecutor discussing her case referenced potential treatment for schizophrenia.

In an interview, the woman said she suffers from depression and that attempts to characterize her as crazy were a lie.

A lack of trust

In the six months after that report was issued, there was no formal declaration by the judge that the woman could not stand trial  but the case stagnated.

There were four hearings, about once a month. The first few primarily centered around the judge and defense counsel discussing ways to get the woman out of prison and into some sort of housing and treatment as a condition of pretrial release or resolving the case.

By December, she had been locked up for six months and the court for the first time discussed the evaluators opinion. Her public defender was already pressing for release, arguing that the woman had been incarcerated for far more time than had she been offered a plea comparable to other cases with similar charges.

Court officials did not respond to an email seeking comment on the woman's case. The presiding judge is quoted in this story from transcripts of hearings in the case.

I'm not going to release her to homelessness in the streets, said Court of Common Pleas Judge Katharine Mayer.

Jaconi, the defense attorney, told the court that the prisons reentry services couldnt nail down a place for her to live without a specific date that shed be released. Mayer emphasized that if the woman wasn't given treatment and supervision, she was likely to panhandle and be arrested again.

My goal is to treat and not incarcerate, Mayer told Jaconi.

A gavel sits on the bench inside Courtroom 7A at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington.

She instructed Jaconi to follow up with prison officials and she told prosecutors to consider the length of the womans incarceration and a potential conditional dismissal of the case that requires her participation in treatment.

A month later, in January, Jaconi told the court that Department of Correction reentry services were backed up due to attrition in the department and that the one worker in that area who built some rapport with the woman had left the department, according to a transcript.

A regular theme of the court discussions is the difficulty attorneys and correction workers had communicating with the woman. In a written statement, a DOC spokesperson said reentry officials actively engaged with her.

As the woman remained incarcerated longer and longer, she began an assessment process used by the state to evaluate people to connect them to housing and treatment services, according to statements made in court. Jaconi told the court the woman withdrew because she perceived that help may also require her to be medicated.

She feels she doesnt need it, as with most people with mental health issues, Jaconi told the court.

People suffering from mental illness commonly do not perceive that.

Metraux, the University of Delaware expert, said this disconnect emphasizes the importance of engaging people in the womans situation with mental health workers and homeless services workers who can first build a relationship and then connect an individual to resources.

Over time they build trust, Metraux said. That is particularly difficult in Delaware because in New Castle County, there are very few outreach workers.

A group of volunteers, including Scott Siegel (left) and Maddie Brooks of Christiana Care (right) and Stephen Metraux of the University of Delaware's School of Public Policy and Administration, head into the Joseph R. Biden Jr. Railroad Station in Wilmington as they look for homeless people while performing a count and survey in 2020.

Building a relationship is made more difficult when the person who needs help is being locked behind bars, he said.

Jail and prison may in some cases have the benefit of temporarily stabilizing a person by providing some basic needs, but incarceration is not a therapeutic setting and over time, tends to make mental health problems worse, Metraux said.

In an interview, the woman said she was forced by prison officials to take a medication that is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia, describing it as traumatizing.

The court never pursued medicating her against her will. But Delaware Department of Correction rules do allow for the involuntary administration of psychotropic medication by prison officials for prisoners with serious mental illness in both emergency and non-emergency situations through a process that requires approval or oversight from a corrections healthcare committee.

I felt deranged, the woman said. It really messed me up.

As her case played out in court, she wasn't there and relied on periodic updates from her defense attorney.

I kept asking, What is going on? she said in an interview. Its like they threw away the key on me.

It is unclear whether state support systems could have allowed her supportive housing without the strings of medication attached.

RECENT: On this forgotten Wilmington street, new single-family homes are coming. Who's eligible?

Stalemate

As her case came to a head, prosecutors and the court were adamant that treatment needed to be part of any release.

In January, Deputy Attorney General Ipek Kurul, the prosecutor, emphasized the need for the court to order another evaluation so the case could move forward and so the parties could try to develop a path that would lead the woman not to "re-offend." There was discussion over how she didn't cooperate with the first evaluation and another was not ordered.

At one point, the judge suggested prosecutors consider civil commitment, a separate court process by which the state can order someone be housed and treated at DPC. It requires evidence the person is a danger to themselves or others.

In court, Jaconi said that may be more appropriate than continuing the womans indefinite incarceration, but she questioned whether the woman would meet the criteria because she hadnt shown herself to be dangerous.

Kurul told the court they were considering civil commitment. Ultimately, Department of Justice officials decided against initiating that process for reasons they could not comment on.

In defending their handling of the case, prosecutors pointed toward the woman's unwillingness to participate in treatment and characterized her as dangerous, citing a criminal record in other states.

They said her record outside of Delaware includes arrests for charges like assault, battery and robbery. It also includes crimes that are typically charged against people without a home. Prosecutors could not say whether any of the arrests resulted in convictions.

In court hearings, the prosecutor emphasized the need for treatment so the woman doesnt reoffend, but they did not characterize her to the court as violent.

Metraux, the University of Delaware expert, noted that the threat of violence attached to people without a home or with mental illness is often exaggerated and, statistically, someone in the womans position is far more vulnerable to falling victim to violence instead of the other way around.

Eventually, in March, Kurul asked the court to order the woman into DPC custody for whats known as competency restoration. In that process, people deemed not competent to stand trial are ordered into treatment in the hope they will be able to comprehend their future court hearings.

Competency restoration often takes months and can be a fruitless effort when peoples mental illnesses are intractable. The expert who evaluated her issued doubts over whether competency restoration would be useful but recommended it if the court felt she was dangerous.

In the March hearing, Jaconi emphasized that it was too late in her incarceration to begin such a process and argued prosecutors could have done so in September, according to the transcripts. Mayer, the judge, said the woman should not benefit from having the case dropped simply by not cooperating with evaluations or intentions to release her on the condition she accepts treatment.

I would argue she is not benefiting, Jaconi told the judge. Had she not been mentally ill, she wouldnt have served a day in jail.

Mayer predicted an "endless cycle."

In the March hearing, Kuruls request that the court order competency restoration prompted Jaconi to call for whats known as a prima facia hearing.

This hearing requires the state to show the court they have the required testimony and evidence to try a case in front of a jury and typically involves calling witnesses to court to testify in front of the judge. It is meant as a safeguard to a person's rights because competency restoration can involve court-ordered medications and treatment that some, like the woman, may not want.

A date for the hearing was set for April. On the day of the hearing, the prosecutor told the court the hearing wasn't going to happen. Both the judge and Jaconi seemed confused, according to the transcripts.

Kurul stated that she had looked at the entirety of the record, thinks the woman's ability to be restored is very, very poor and instead of keeping the woman incarcerated, it may be better to release her with the provision that she participates in outpatient treatment, according to transcripts.

Jaconi, again, stressed that the woman would not consent to being medicated.

Seemingly out of options, the judge suggested Jaconi enter a motion to dismiss the case. The motion was filed on May 3, after the woman had spent more than a year in prison.

The motion accused prosecutors of failing to actively prosecute the case from the start and after the competency report was issued in September. Days later, prosecutors dropped the charges and the woman was released.

Department of Corrections officials gave her a ride to a homeless shelter.

The revolving door

Living on the street in July, she was again arrested after causing a scene while begging for food and money in restaurants on Market Street. She was charged with loitering, disorderly conduct and possessing an open beer can, according to court documents, and was also banned again from Market Street.

In August, she was charged again when an officer claimed that he saw her expose herself while cleaning blood from her period with a napkin as she sat on the curb in front of the Wilmington Library at 10th and Market streets. He shouted and she bolted, according to the officers affidavit.

Traffic and pedestrians mix on 10th Street near Rodney Square in downtown Wilmington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

About two weeks later, she was arrested again for being inside the Sheraton Hotel on Delaware Avenue after being told to leave. She was charged with criminal trespass for her repeated presence in the hotel, as well as lewdness and a violation of her latest Market Street ban for the incident in front of the library.

She said she went into the hotel to get free water meant for guests.

In her first interview with Delaware Online/The News Journal, she was back in prison, in a separate room from the reporter, separated by a plexiglass wall and picking at the handcuffs applied for the interview.

When asked what help she felt she needed and would accept, she said it sounded crazy, but maybe a credit card to have a hotel room for a year to figure things out.

She said she needed identification and didn't recall the last time she had that. She felt she could hold down a cashier position somewhere.

She said when she gets out, she hopes to come across a social services worker who was "nice" to her on the street.

At the same time, she lamented the waste of both food and other goods she sees when some are struggling for anything and she fears that people don't want to help her.

They need to know," she said, "I am a person here too.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Begging inside Wilmington's Bardea lands woman in jail for year
An opera critic has been corrected by actor and model Rose Knox-Peebles for describing her make-up as frightful, with the performer pointing out that she wasnt actually wearing any.

In his review of Das Rheingold at the Royal Opera House, Richard Fairman wrote: Erda, the earth goddess, is also on stage the whole evening, played by Rose Knox-Peebles and made up to look quite a fright, though that probably goes with the territory if you have been around since the dawn of time.

Responding to the Financial Times review in a lighthearted letter to the paper, Knox-Peebles, 81, wrote: Your reviewer tells readers that Erda, the earth goddess, was made up to look quite a fright.

This is not so. I wore no make-up  the fright look is all naturally mine.

Knox-Peebles is a writer, actress, model and art collector. She appears on stage naked for much of the production; her songs are performed by Wiebke Lehmkuhl.

Many critics have landed in hot water before over their comments on womens appearances.

In 2014, mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught was described as dumpy, unsightly and unappealing, and a chubby bundle of puppy fat by critics after her performance in Der Rosenkavalier at Glyndebourne.

In 2020, Variety critic Dennis Harvey wrote that Carey Mulligan was an odd choice to play the lead in the revenge comedy-thriller, suggesting that Margot Robbie would have been a better pick.

Mulligan, a fine actress, seems a bit of an odd choice as this admittedly many-layered apparent femme fatale  Margot Robbie is a producer here, and one can (perhaps too easily) imagine the role might once have been intended for her, he wrote.

Whereas with this star, Cassie wears her pickup-bait gear like bad drag; even her long blonde hair seems a put-on. The flat American accent she delivers in her lowest voice register likewise seems a bit meta, though its not quite clear what the quote marks around this performance signify.

The actor was accused of wearing her pickup-bait gear like bad drag (Focus Features)

Mulligan responded by saying that the review suggested she wasnt hot enough to pull off this kind of ruse.

She said it was disappointing that the review wasnt constructive and bemoaned a lack of attractiveness on my part in a character, adding: It made me concerned that in such a big publication, an actresss appearance could be criticised and that could be accepted as completely reasonable criticism.

In response, Harvey said that he never said or meant to imply he was judging Mulligans attractiveness in the review and was appalled to be tarred as misogynist.

Im a 60-year-old gay man. I dont actually go around dwelling on the comparative hotnesses of young actresses, let alone writing about that, he said. This whole thing could not be more horrifying to me than if someone had claimed I was a gung-ho Trump supporter.
A major conservative group is ramping up its push into congressional primaries and endorsing GOP candidates early in the hopes of avoiding the losses of 2022.

Americans for Prosperity Action, a super PAC established by the Koch Brothers network, is backing five more Republican House candidates, the group told POLITICO exclusively. Four of those candidates are running for seats that the National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting to flip in 2024.

Republicans in Washington have blamed candidate quality issues for the party underperforming in the 2022 midterms. To prevent a repeat, AFP Action is making the case that its necessary to support candidates even during contested primaries. The group had already thrown its weight behind eight other House and Senate candidates in June, earlier than normal.

Electing strong candidates to Congress is critical to advancing good policies that will improve the lives of all Americans, AFP Action Director Nathan Nascimento said in a statement. AFP Action is mobilizing our grassroots network from coast to coast to help the strongest candidates win their 2024 primaries  and go on to win in the general election.

AFP Action is adding to its endorsement list Pennsylvania GOP challengers Ryan Mackenzie, of the 7th district, and Rob Mercuri, of the 17th, as well as second-time candidate Tom Barrett, who is running in a Michigan open seat currently held by Rep. Elissa Slotkin, and Craig Riedel in Ohios 9th district. Those four seats are currently occupied by Democrats and considered top targets for Republicans.

The group is also backing Riley Moore in West Virginias 2nd district, a safe Republican seat where the primary winner will almost certainly win the general election.

AFP Action is proud to back these policy champions in their House races to help provide the new leadership and fresh ideas our country needs to move forward, Nascimento said.

Republicans are worried about candidate quality next year. The largest GOP super PAC, Congressional Leadership Fund, shared a similar sentiment in a letter to donors last month. CLF President Dan Conston wrote that Pennsylvania Democratic Reps. Susan Wild and Matt Cartwright only won because of top-of-ticket drag from Doug Mastriano, who was the GOPs nominee for governor and a supporter of former President Donald Trumps election denial claims.

AFP boasts a rolodex of millions of Republican voters, and Nascimento said the organization has reached out to 4.3 million potential GOP primary voters already this election cycle in battleground states. AFP Action also has deep pockets, which allowed it to spend almost $80 million in 2022. So far this cycle, the group has raised almost just as much, according to Open Secrets, and it says it aims to bring more people into the GOP primary voting process.

AFP Action has also endorsed candidates in key Senate races, including Sam Brown in Nevada and Dave McCormick, who is set to announce his Pennsylvania campaign Thursday.

In the last midterm cycle, Americans for Prosperity Action said its campaign arm and non-profit knocked on a combined 7 million doors and sent more than 100 million mailers to voters across the county.
People gather in Grant Park to protest against laws and bills being proposed and passed that restrict transgender care around the country on National Transgender Day of Visibility, March 31, 2023. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

When I was in college, an art history professor at my school transitioned. This was in the late 1970s, so one might think that this was a big deal for everyone on campus. It turned out not to be. The professor in no way concealed their journey, and we gave them their space.

I now deeply respect the unassuming dignity of this professor and the absence of any off-putting responses from members of the college community, who merely circled between indifference and quiet curiosity. There was nothing political about the act or the reaction, which is a deeply poignant reflection on our own time.

Advertisement

Today, transgender people are squarely in the crosshairs of conservative Catholic scholars and activists, whose weapon in this battle at the center of the culture wars is natural law moral philosophy.

The Catholic Church teaches that gender is part of Gods design of the human person and that every person must accept his sexual identity as biologically determined at birth. The church catechism rejects theories that view gender identity as flexible or as merely a social construct rather than innate from birth. It sees protecting binary complementarity of man and woman as a core goal.

Advertisement

Accordingly, the Catholic Church does not accept a transgender identity as valid, instead viewing transgender individuals as announcing a sexual identity not corresponding to his or her biological sex. Sex reassignment surgery or hormone therapies to alter ones sexual characteristics are therefore a violation of divine design and so morally unacceptable.

Pope Francis has referred to the ideology of gender, in which children are taught in school that everyone can choose his or her sex, as ideological colonization. In his 2016 apostolic exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, Francis writes that an appreciation of our body as male or female is also necessary for our own self-awareness in an encounter with others different from ourselves.

One of the people who has most firmly leveled his sights on the transgender community is Ryan T. Anderson, a natural law political philosopher who trained under Robert P. George at Princeton University and Patrick Deneen at the University of Notre Dame. Anderson is the president of the very right-wing Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington. He is a political animal who has largely built his reputation and influence by skillfully surfing the tidal wave of ignorance and misinformation on transgender realities.

There was enormous hullabaloo when Amazon pulled Andersons 2018 book, When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment, from its online store  its still not available for purchase there. Anderson leveraged this instance of censorship to further elevate his reputation on the right.

The book applies Andersons natural law philosophy  his skepticism of gender identity fluidity and his concerns about rapid cultural change regarding gender norms  to build an argument against the transgender movements goals. The premise of the book is that sex is immutable, binary and determined by observable biological factors, not subjective identity.

According to Anderson, gender identity that diverges from biological sex is a psychological disorder, not an innate identity. Mental health therapy, not transition, is the compassionate and ethical response to this identity crisis, in his view. Treating gender dysphoria with hormones, surgery and identity affirmation is experimental, not evidence-based, and does more long-term harm than good.

For these reasons, Anderson concludes transgender identities should not be legally protected classes. According to Anderson, nondiscrimination policies on gender identity are misguided; parental consent and involvement should always be required for any identity questioning or medical steps in minors; and public culture and policies should avoid any affirmation of transgender identities.

[ Reese Minshew: Government can do more to make transgender Illinoisans safe ]

The conservative hysteria surrounding transgender identity is almost entirely manufactured. Anderson and others such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis cynically manipulate the emotions of the many Americans whose minds are filled with fears and empty of facts.

Advertisement

When queried, Americans misestimate almost every conceivable population reality in our nation, according to 2022 polling by the research data group YouthGov. Wonder why the great replacement theory, which posits that liberal elites want to replace white citizens with nonwhite citizens, has taken hold? When asked to describe the demographic makeup of the United States, Americans have said that 41% of the population is Black, 39% is Hispanic and 29% is Asian. Thats 109% of the American population! No wonder white Americans feel they face extinction. The true percentages, per census and other government and polling data, are 12% Black, 17% Hispanic and 6% Asian.

Do you worry that America will soon cease to be a Christian nation? Why wouldnt you, when you believe that 27% of the population is Muslim, 30% is Jewish and 33% is atheist. Holy moly, thats 90% of the nation! In reality, the actual percentages are 1% Muslim, 2% Jewish and 3% atheistic.

But nowhere is misinformation more rife than on estimates of the population of those who deviate from binary sexual norms. Americans believe that 30% of the population is gay or lesbian, 29% is bisexual and 21% is transgender, amounting to 80% of the national population. In fact, only 3% of the population is estimated to be gay or lesbian, 4% bisexual and 1% transgender.

The reality in our political environment is that people just make up stuff. They believe what they want and will go to the darkest places, given the opportunity and regardless of the facts, because that frisson of fear and panic makes them feel alive.

For political animals of the Anderson and DeSantis sort, it is their instinct to exploit these instincts  to agitate the masses and punch down on the vulnerable. Arguments from natural law provide convenient cover. Who can argue with Gods morality? Why use it as a shield when it can serve so much more effectively as a sword?

Peter Schwartz has a doctorate in political philosophy from the University of California at Berkeley and writes at the broad intersection of philosophy, politics, history and religion.

Advertisement

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
WASHINGTON  Attorney General Merrick Garland struck a defiant tone Wednesday in defending the Justice Department as independent of the White House and Congress, but Republicans attacked him repeatedly for the handling of high-profile investigations of Hunter Biden and Donald Trump.

"Our job is to uphold the rule of law," Garland told the House Judiciary Committee in an uncharacteristically emotional statement that brought him close to tears as he described his family fleeing the Holocaust. Our job is not to do what is politically convenient."

Garlands testimony on Capitol Hill came against a backdrop of multiple investigations that are politically fraught. House Republicans are investigating whether to impeach President Joe Biden , in part because of alleged influence peddling by his son Hunter.

The chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, blasted Garland for the departments ridiculous plea deal offered Hunter Biden that fell apart in July, for picking a special counsel who negotiated the deal to continue the probe and for prosecuting Trump for allegedly mishandling classified documents.

There is one investigation protecting President Biden. There is another one attacking President Trump, Jordan said. The Justice Departments got both sides of the equation covered.

But the top Democrat on the panel, Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York, accused Republicans of poisoning the political discourse to stage one political stunt after another with allegations that have been refuted by committee witnesses. Nadler also said Republicans sought to impeach Biden with no justification while protecting Trump from allegations about the Capitol attack Jan. 6, 2021.

They have justified conduct that we all know to be wildly illegal like the theft of classified materials and incitement to violence, Nadler said. They have sought to exploit our divisions for cynical personal political gain.

The White House dismissed the hearing as a not-so-sophisticated distraction from the potential costly and dangerous government shutdown looming Oct. 1 because Congress hasnt approved spending bills, according to spokesperson Ian Sams.

These sideshows wont spare House Republicans from bearing responsibility for inflicting serious damage on the country, Sams said in a statement.

More: 'An odd situation': President Biden aims to tighten firearms sales. Hunter Biden is caught in the crosshairs

Garland chokes up describing family's escape from religious persecution

Garland choked up and appeared on the verge of tears when recounting how his grandmother was one of five siblings who suffered religious persecution in Eastern Europe around the start of the 20th Century.

While she made it to America, two of her siblings were killed in the Holocaust, he said. Her experience inspired his commitment to spend a career in public service.

Garland said providing equal protection under the law is why he worked in the Justice Department under five attorneys general of both parties and why he returned to the department from a lifetime appointment as a federal judge.

Repaying this country for the debt my family owes, for our very lives, has been the focus of my professional career, Garland said with tear-filled eyes.

Garland testifies emphatically against targeting Catholics as 'religious extremists'

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-N.J., raised questions about a January memo from the FBIs Richmond, Va., office that described increasing incidents of racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists in radical-traditionalist Catholic ideology.

During a Senate hearing in March, Garland described the memo as "appalling" and said it had been withdrawn. But Van Drew asked for a yes-or-no answer to whether Garland considered traditional Catholics violent extremists.

Garland reacted emphatically when Van Drew asked for a yes-or-no answer to whether he agreed traditional Catholics are violent extremists.

The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religious is so outrageous, so absurd, I cant even answer your question, Garland said with his voice rising.

Hunter Biden, Trump investigations spotlighted

Hunter Biden faces three federal gun charges after a plea agreement collapsed in July. Republicans argued Garland should have replaced U.S. Attorney David Weiss of Delaware, leading the investigation, with someone more independent, but instead he was elevated to special counsel.

Three congressional committees have held hearings with Internal Revenue Service whistleblowers who contend Biden's tax investigation was "slow-walked," which the Justice Department denies. Some lawmakers criticized the proposed plea agreement as a "sweetheart deal" for Biden because his father is president.

Garland said he never interfered with Weiss and that prosecutions are not based on money or power.

"There is not one set of laws for the powerful and another for the powerless; one for the rich, another for the poor; one for Democrats, another for Republicans; or different rules, depending upon ones race or ethnicity or religion," Garland said.

Trump faces two federal trials, one for allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House and the other for allegedly conspiring to overturn the 2020 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty.

Republican lawmakers have criticized the handling of both investigations because classified documents were also found at President Bidens home and because Trump is Bidens political rival. Trump has repeatedly blasted special counsel Jack Smith for what he says is a political prosecution.

Garland reminded lawmakers, according to the prepared remarks, that he represents the American people rather than the president or Congress.

Our job is not to take orders from the President, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate, Garland said. "The Justice Department works for the American people."

Garland also warned against singling out career public servants for doing their jobs, particularly at a time of increased threats to the safety of public servants and their families.

We will not be intimidated, Garland said. We will do our jobs free from outside interference. And we will not back down from defending our democracy.

'Blissfully ignorant': Fiery exchange between Rep. Gaetz and Garland

One of the fiercest exchanges exploded between Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and Garland over alleged Chinese influence on the Biden family.

Gaetz questioned why Chinese companies funneled millions of dollars to Hunter Biden and his relatives for business deals, although Republicans have not yet documented payments to President Biden. After asking a series of rapid-fire questions about North Korea, China and Hunter Bidens art sales that Garland tried to answer, Gaetz accused him of not being serious.

Blissfully ignorant, Gaetz said. People dont pay bribes to not get something in return.

Garland denied interfering with Weiss investigation of Hunter Biden.

I have left these matters to Mr. Weiss, Garland said. I have not intruded. I have not interfered.

When Garland tried to describe the threats North Korea and China pose, he was cut off.

Youve already sort of I think screwed the pooch on China, Gaetz said.

More: Heated moment Rep. Matt Gaetz asks if DOJ told president to 'knock it off'

Rep. Johnson questions Garland about Justice Clarence Thomas ' ethics

Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., has asked the Justice Department to investigate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas for potential ethical violations. Johnson asked Garland, a former judge on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, whether a billionaire ever flew him on a private jet, paid for vacations at exclusive resorts or paid for his godsons tuition.

Garland nervously said he didnt want to answer questions that sounded both hypothetical and nonhypothetical. It's also a question that is somewhat personal for him: Garland had been nominated to be a Supreme Court Justice by former President Barack Obama, but Senate Republicans, led by Mitch McConnell, blocked a vote on his election-year confirmation.

I know these are not hypothetical questions and I think this is really not within my realm, Garland said. I always held myself to the highest standards of ethical responsibility.

Garland said he would check with the department about where Johnson's request for an investigation of Thomas stood.

Eliminate the FBI? GOP, Democratic clashes roil hearing. 'They don't trust you!'

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., told Garland that polls found nearly two-thirds of the country has no faith in the Justice Department under your leadership.

They dont trust it. They dont trust you, Johnson said. The reason is they are witnessing every day a politicized Justice Department and a two-tiered system of justice.

But Democrats slammed the hearing as a partisan attack on President Biden. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., called it a "clown car." Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-Pa., called the hearing "a shameful circus."

More: Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to federal gun charges, and wants court hearing by video: lawyer

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AG Merrick Garland tells House DOJ's job is to uphold 'rule of law'
In this weeks episode of Ahsoka, were only with Ahsoka Tano (Rosario Dawson) for a few brief moments before shes left on a purrgil ride to her possible impending doom. Now, its all about Sabine Wrens (Natasha Liu Bordizzo) quest to find Ezra.

But first, Ahsoka has a bit of a breakdown over failing her mentee. Using the force, Ahsoka was able to watch the moment Sabine left with Shin (Ivanna Sakhno) and Baylan (Ray Stevenson)she now knows that Sabine followed them willingly. Ahsoka blames herself for not having the time to train Sabine to make the right choice. Huyang (David Tennant), however, believes that saving Ezra (Eman Esfandi) was always going to be the decision Sabine made.

Enough gossiping about Sabine. Where is the poor girl? Stranded in the prison cell of Morgan Elsbeths (Diana Lee Inosanto) ship, thats where. Though Baylan promised Sabine the opportunity to find Ezra, he now retracts the offer. But when the team lands on Peridea and meets the witchlike Child of Dathomir, all bets are off. Sabine reeks of Jedi, and because she is so dangerous, shes shuttled off into an isolation cell where the leader of these creatures will decide her fate.

Before we can meet that leaderif youve watched a single episode of Ahsoka, you should be able to guess who it is Baylan rambles about his take on the galaxys many changes. Everything, Baylan tells his apprentice Shin, repeats over and over again. Power is a cycle: Right now, the New Republic is in control. Shouldnt it be the Empires turn then? Baylan tells Shin its actually time to put an end to that pattern. One leader should take charge forever.

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Enter Grand Admiral Thrawn (Lars Mikkelsen), the evil big bad that Ahsoka has been teasing for weeks. Here he is! Thrawn is menacing with his promises to destroy all the good guys, sure. But I cant take him seriously because he looks like a member of the Blue Man Group. The beady red eyes add to the villainous appearance, but in comparison to the caped Baylan, the devilish Shin, and Morgan Elsbeth, a witch who wants to destroy all Jedi, Thrawn feels a little tame. But we havent seen him in actionexcept in Rebels, but then, he was animatedso Ill wait to fully cast judgment until that point.

Thrawn is thrilled to have Sabine in captivity. Hes just elated! What a perfect way to bait Ahsoka to this deserted galaxy and strand a slew of Jedi on an unmapped planet. With his plan, Ahsoka, Ezra, and Sabine will end up lost in space. Thrawn frees Sabine onto Peridea, giving her the opportunity to find Ezra, wherever he may be. After she leaves on Tota, a smart howler creature who is as good as a motorcycle or a horse, Thrawn instructs Shin and Baylan to stalk Sabine until she finds Ezra.

This will fulfill their deal to Sabinethat she gets to see Ezra againwhile also taking out the enemy. If Shin and Baylan cant kill Sabine and Ezra, no biggie. Theyre trapped on a planet with no way to find their way back home. Plus, there are gaggles of red bandit warriors scattered around Peridea, so if the isolation doesnt kill Sabine, they will.

Ahsoka Ep. 5 Recap: An Awkwardly De-Aged Hayden Christensen Crashes the Party

But unbeknownst to Thrawn and his army, Ezra has befriended the bandits, who are actually called Noti. The Noti are adorablealmost like Ewoks if they were made of rock instead of fur. The Noti want to fight Sabine until it recognizes the Rebel Alliance symbol on Sabines jacket. It has one too, embedded on its tiny jacket. Where could the creature have discovered such a specific logo?

Ezra, of course. The band of Noti lead Sabine back to their camp full of similar rock critters. Sabine feels defeated when Ezra isnt there. Of course, its a fake outhes waiting behind her. Finally, the duo are reunited. Ezra thanks Sabine and confesses that, while hes had an interesting time befriending the Noti, he cant wait to go home. Sabine neglects to tell him thatll be a struggle, considering she sacrificed her ride to find him.

While Shin and Baylan hunt for Sabine and Ezra, Baylan imparts more knowledge on his apprentice. Ezra was a much younger Bokker Jedi, Baylan informs Shin. Shin thinks that she, too, is a Bokken Jedi. Shes wrong. He was trained as a Jedi, Baylan says. You, I trained to be something more. Sorry, but Thrawn has nothing on the creepy partnership between Baylan and Shin. These two just know how to be mysterious villains.

Lucasfilm Ltd.

Alas, were back to Thrawns empire at the end of the episode, when the witches alert their master to an incoming Jedi. They can sense Ahsoka coming from lightyears away. Morgan decries their predictionsAhsoka is long dead! But Thrawn insists that she may be alive, and that any approaching purrgil needs to be destroyed. Everyone should study up on Ahsoka, learn her fighting techniques. Ahsoka, especially paired with Sabine and Ezra, is a force to be reckoned with.

At the very end of the episode, Thrawn turns to the Dathomir witches and requests their assistance in the field of dark magick. Oh, Ahsokabe careful heading into this battle. There are too many demons to fight, and not enough Jedi to defend the New Republic.

Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

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.
At least 30 girls from four different schools have been targeted - Manu Vega/Moment RF

Police in a Spanish town are investigating after dozens of schoolgirls reported that AI-generated images showing them posing naked were being shared around schools.

Mothers of the children, who have joined together in a support group, said that at least 30 girls from four different schools in Almendralejo have been targeted with the fake images, with some also reporting attempts to blackmail them by asking for money to stop them being circulated.

The ages of the victims known so far range from 11 to 17. The police have reportedly identified seven suspects involved in the creation and distribution of the images, known as deepfakes, which are generated with apps that use machine learning to combine a photograph of the victims face with pornographic imagery from the internet.

Complaints about the pictures and videos began to emerge last week when children returned to schools in the town in Spains western Extremadura region.

Miriam Al Adib, the mother of one of the victims, said that her 14-year-old daughter showed her a photo of herself apparently naked.

If I didnt know my daughters body, this photo looks real, said Ms Al Adib, who took to her Instagram account to warn others of the situation and urge them to report it.

Youre not aware of the damage you are causing, she said in a message to the culprits. Using images to create this disgusting material and distributing them is a very serious crime.

Digital violence against women on rise

Distributing child pornography and offences against privacy carry jail terms of between one and five years in Spain, but if the perpetrators are under 18, they will not go to prison.

Fatima Gomez, the mother of a 12-year-old girl, told the newspaper El Pais that she suffered an anxiety attack when she heard from another mother that her daughter had been targeted.

When she asked her daughter if she knew anything about a naked photograph, the girl showed her a chat she had had with a boy on Instagram in which he asked for money. When she refused, the boy sent her a deepfake naked image of herself.

Maria Guardiola, the president of Extremadura, said that digital violence against women is a scourge that is on the rise, and promised a training and awareness campaign to combat it.

The number of deepfakes on the internet doubles every six months, according to Sensity AI, a research company that tracks fake hyperrealistic videos online. In 95 per cent of cases, the intention is to create pornography without consent, usually targeting women.

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 commander of an Air Force squadron at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas was fired this week, just two months into his new role, after officials lost faith in his abilities to lead.

Lt. Col. Brian Milner , the commander of the 9th Bomb Squadron, was relieved of command on Monday due to "a loss of confidence in his ability to complete the assigned duties," a spokesman for the 7th Bomb Wing told Military.com.

Lt. Col. Ryan Stillwell took over the command position and will be the permanent replacement, per the base.

Read Next: Posters of Officers Caught in Senator's Promotions Hold Dot Capitol Lawn in Vet Group's Protest

A vague, three-sentence statement from the 7th Bomb Wing on Monday said the squadron commander was removed from leadership and did not name the officer nor his replacement. The statement also added they would not be disclosing any additional information, claiming to "protect the privacy of the individual, further details will not be released."

The services often don't disclose specifics of why a commander is fired, typically citing the federal Privacy Act that protects military records, and rely on some variation of the phrase "loss of trust and confidence" instead of detailing the reasons behind a shake-up, including whether there was misconduct.

Officials from the 7th Bomb Wing later told Military.com the commander's name and his replacement on Tuesday. Questions asking if Milner is still with the unit or if he's facing any criminal investigation due to misconduct were not answered by base officials.

"New leadership is necessary to ensure good order and discipline and continued high performance within the organization," the 7th Bomb Wing's statement said.

The 7th Bomb Wing public affairs office said in July that Milner had recently assumed command of the 9th Bomb Squadron and was the unit's first Black commander.

"You can't let anybody tell you 'no,'" Milner said to the audience after assuming command, according to the wing's July press release. "People tend to discourage those who have set goals, but after you push forward, people will have the sense to stop keeping you from your goals."

The 9th Bomb Squadron is a part of Air Force Global Strike Command and provides maintenance on the B-1B Lancer, a long-range bomber that at one point was nuclear capable but hasn't been since 2007.

"The United States eliminated the nuclear mission for the B-1 in 1994," an Air Force fact sheet detailed. "Even though the Air Force expended no further funding to maintain nuclear capabilities, the B-1 was still considered a heavy bomber equipped for nuclear armament until 2007."

The Air Force unveiled its latest bomber, the B-21 Raider, late last year. It's the first new bomber in the American military's fleet in more than 30 years and aims to eventually replace the B-2, as well as the B-1B Lancer sometime in the 2030s.

The Pentagon plans to build 100 B-21s, more than the Air Force's B-2 and B-1B Lancer fleets combined, with an average unit cost for each bomber of nearly $700 million, according to a service fact sheet.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: After 5 Months, B-2 Bombers Return to Flying After Mysterious Fire and Grounding
Southern California air regulators announced Wednesday they will launch a sweeping enforcement initiative aimed at large warehouses that have resisted a new pollution reduction program for months.

In 2021, the South Coast Air Quality Management District adopted a first-of-its-kind rule that requires large warehouses to offset pollution from the truck traffic they attract. Operators could mitigate these emissions by taking a range of actions, such as installing solar panels or using zero-emission yard trucks. Otherwise, they would need to pay a fee.

However, this March was the first major deadline for the region's largest warehouses to submit compliance reports. Only 45% of the 1,019 affected facilities responded.

Time is up for those not complying with our rule, said Wayne Nastri, South Coast AQMD executive officer. Owners and operators of warehouses have known about these deadlines for two years. Communities near these facilities deserve to breathe clean air and our enforcement teams will work quickly to ensure that the facilities come into compliance as quickly as possible.

Warehouses that fail to register with the agency could face financial penalties as high as $11,710 for each day they fail to come into compliance. The enforcement action will begin with warehouses operating in disadvantaged communities.

In the last decade, hundreds of developers of colossal warehouses have sought to gain a foothold in Southern California's bustling hub of goods movement, especially in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Today, the heavy-duty trucks and cargo-moving equipment that operate at the region's major warehouses contribute nearly as much smog-forming emissions as refineries, power plants and other heavy polluters combined, according to air district officials.

The air district's warehouse rule aims to curtail these emissions by 10% to 15% over five years. Warehouses that fall short of the goal must pay a mitigation fee, which the air district could invest in clean air projects.

By 2025, all warehouses over 100,000 square feet will be subject to the rule.

Read more: SoCal has the worst smog in the nation. So how do major polluters avoid paying fines?

So far, the program has raised about $9 million and reduced smog-forming nitrogen oxides by 3%, according to air district officials.

The warehouse compliance reports submitted to the air district included annual truck traffic, warehouse size and how these facilities chose to offset emissions.

The information would have provided the public with insight into the traffic these facilities generate. However, roughly one-third of owners and operators, including Amazon, requested their reports and data be kept confidential.

Among those warehouses that did report their traffic publicly, the largest traffic was an 830,000-square-foot UPS facility in Ontario that hosted 933,000 heavy-duty truck trips in 2022, according to a Times records request. The facility met its required emissions reductions through its acquisition and use of so-called near-zero-emission big rigs.

Air district officials contend the facilities that have complied with the program have exceeded expectations.

Even so, 25% of warehouses that have submitted reports opted to pay fees instead of implementing clean air actions. A 666,000-square-foot Home Depot distribution center in Ontario hosted more than 82,000 heavy-duty truck trips. It opted to pay nearly $170,000 in pollution mitigation fees.

The fees are expected to be used to fund emission reduction projects within communities, regulators say.

The enforcement action comes as the air district is preparing similar pollution rules for the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The port complex is the largest single source of nitrogen oxides in the region, the air district says.

The agency was also considering new rules for rail companies but may now enter into a memorandum of understanding with Union Pacific and BNSF Railway.

Environmental groups have urged that all sectors of the logistics industry  warehouses, rail and ports  be regulated by enforceable rules, and not memorandums of understanding.

"The AQMD has a moral and legal obligation to protect our communities and regulate the air quality," said Ivette Torres, a policy expert and advocate with the Peoples Collective for Environmental Justice. "We dont have time to keep waiting for the industry to voluntarily do the right thing.

Earlier this year, the California Air Resources Board adopted landmark rules that would ban new gas- and diesel-powered trucks starting in 2036.

But residents and environmental groups still worry about the pollution they might have to endure in the coming decades.

Read more: Dementia risk grows with increased exposure to air pollution, study finds

Ana Gonzalez, executive director of the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, grew up in the Inland Empire and remembers when much of the area was vineyards and orange groves. Much of the farmland and residential areas have been rezoned and replaced by sprawling warehouses, where diesel trucks queue and idle.

This pollution has contributed to San Bernardino's designation as the smoggiest county in the nation. Gonzalez said the pollution contributes to disproportionate rates of childhood asthma, missed days of school and expensive medical bills. Her 17-year-old son, who has asthma, has been admitted to the hospital several times in recent years with respiratory illnesses.

"Just recently he had bronchitis, and he still has a cough and is recovering a month later," she said. "And then our schools wonder why kids are missing school. These are the exact impacts that we are talking about. Our kids are suffering daily with different types of lung issues, and I've experienced it personally."

Gonzalez and other Inland Empire residents have fought against building more of these facilities, with mixed success. She is appealing a decision to site a large warehouse less than 100 feet from her Rialto home.

But even as she works to stop warehouse expansion, she said it's going to take enforcement from the air district to rein in pollution at the facilities that already exist. The compliance data, she said, show that the current approach isn't working.

"You have to protect human health," Gonzalez said. "And you have an amazing tool in your toolbox to say, 'If you're not going to comply, we're going to shut you down. You do not have the right to harm our community, period.'

"I wish they would have a stronger stance on that."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
FILE - The Airbnb app icon is displayed on an iPad screen in Washington, D.C., on May 8, 2021. Airbnb says it's cracking down on fake listings, which are emerging as a major problem for customers of the short-term rental site. Airbnb said Wednesday Sept. 20 2023 it has removed 59,000 fake listings and blocked another 157,000 from joining the site this year. Fake listings and high cleaning fees are among several issues that customers are raising with Airbnb. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Fake listings have emerged as a major problem for Airbnb, threatening to scare off consumers and prompting the short-term rental service to use AI in an effort to crack down on fraudsters.

Airbnb says it has removed 59,000 fake listings and prevented another 157,000 from joining the platform this year.

Fake listings and high cleaning fees are among several issues that Airbnb said Wednesday that its users highlighted in a company survey. Others included high cleaning fees and a desire for lower prices.

The San Francisco company said more than 260,000 listings have lowered or removed cleaning fees this year, since it gave consumers the means to sort listings in order of all-in pricing.

Airbnb says the change in how prices are displayed discourages hosts from touting low prices but piling on extra fees. However, only about one-third of Airbnb renters are using it.

We got a lot of feedback that Airbnb is not as affordable as it used to be, CEO Brian Chesky said in an interview. The pricing changes are starting work, he said, and more measures are in the works.

One of those is seasonal dynamic pricing"  technology that would help hosts adjust prices more often, like airlines and hotels do. Chesky said that will prod hosts into cutting prices during the off-season, but it could also help them raise peak prices.

Airbnb also said that later this year it will begin verifying all listings in its top five markets including the United States and the United Kingdom to combat an outbreak of fakes.

Fraudulent listings create refunds and rebooking costs for Airbnb, but the biggest risk is to our reputation, Chesky said. If you can't trust when you book an Airbnb that it's real and you're going to like it, then you're going to stay in a hotel."

The company plans to use AI to help it verify listings in those top five countries.

It will have hosts go inside the property and open the Airbnb app. GPS will verify they are at the correct address, and AI will be used to compare live photos with pictures that the host uses on the listing.

Properties in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France and Australia that pass the test will get a verified icon on their listings starting in February. The company said it will verify listings in 30 more countries starting late next year.
Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith has claimed that Alex Murdaugh made a bombshell confession about his wife and sons murders before orchestrating the now-infamous botched hitman plot.

Mr Smith  a former law firm client, distant cousin and alleged drug dealer of Murdaugh  is facing a string of charges over the 4 September 2021 incident where he allegedly shot the double murderer in the head along the side of a road in Hampton County.

Now, in the new series of Netflixs Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, released on Wednesday, the 62-year-old revealed never-before-heard details about the bizarre encounter.

Mr Smith claimed that Murdaugh begged him to shoot him in an assisted suicide scheme  a shocking request that he said he refused.

When he asked Murdaugh why he wanted him to kill him, Mr Smith revealed that Murdaugh had given a chilling response where he all but confessed to murdering his wife Maggie and son Paul three months earlier.

Because theyre going to be able to prove that Im responsible for Maggie and Paul, Murdaugh allegedly said.

Murdaugh was convicted of Maggie and Pauls murders this March and sentenced to life in prison but continues to insist his innocence. He is currently in the midst of a legal fight to be granted a new trial.

Mr Smiths account comes as both he and Murdaugh are facing charges over the bizarre botched hitman plot  three months on from the 7 June 2021 double murders and one day after Murdaugh was ousted from his law firm for stealing millions of dollars in funds from clients.

Mr Smith said in the show that he had known Murdaugh since the late 80s or early 90s as he knew the legal dynasty heirs father Randolph.

Im half Murdaugh  dont tell them that, he said, laughing.

Mr Smith said that he was friends with Murdaugh and he had also done a bit of work for him over the years such as running errands or general land clearing work.

That morning on 4 September 2021, Mr Smith said Murdaugh had called him about 10am or 10.30am and asked what he was doing.

Alex Murdaugh in court on 14 September 2023 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

He said can you run over this way in a minute. He told me to meet him at the funeral home in Varnville, he said.

Mr Smith said that he drove to meet Murdaugh and looked up and saw the now-convicted killer driving down the road towards him. He had his sun visor pulled round his windshield and windows rolled up so as to keep his face hidden, Mr Smith said.

When Mr Smith asked him what he was doing, he said Murdaugh replied that I dont need to be seen in town.

Murdaugh told him that he believed he was being watched by SLED.

And I said why they watching you? said Mr Smith.

Murdaugh allegedly replied: Well he said, well you know about what happened.

I said what out in Moselle? said Mr Smith, about the family home where Maggie and Paul had been gunned down.

When Murdaugh confirmed that was what he was referring to, Mr Smith said he asked him what did happen that fateful night.

Murdaugh is said to have given the damning response: Things just got all f***ed up.

After that, Mr Smith said Murdaugh asked him if he loved him.

Yeah, I love you like a brother you know that, do most anything for you, said Mr Smith.

It was at that moment that Mr Smith said Murdaugh asked him to shoot and kill him.

Curtis Eddie Smith on left and the composite sketch of the man Alex Murdaugh falsely claimed shot him (Colleton County Courthouse)

Mr Smith said he refused, insisting that he told him that aint happening, not today, not tomorrow.

When he refused, Murdaugh allegedly told him that he would have to do it myself and took off.

Mr Smith said he went after him in his vehicle out of pure concern  not just for Murdaugh but for the family who had just lost Maggie and Paul and Murdaughs father (who died just three days after the murders).

After catching up with him, Mr Smith said Murdaugh confronted him with a gun  prompting him to try to scare some sense into him.

When I pulled up there and I rolled the window down hes coming up to my window with a gun. I figured Id scare some sense into him, he said.

Mr Smith claimed he fired his own gun up into the air and Murdaugh threw himself onto the ground.

The alleged co-conspirator insisted that he didnt shoot Murdaugh and that there was no blood on him so he just went home.

But Murdaugh called 911, claiming he was ambushed in a drive-by shooting while changing a tire on his vehicle.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated for what police called a superficial gunshot wound to the head.

Mr Smith said in the Netflix show that the scratches on Murdaughs head came not from a bullet but from rocks at the side of the road from when Murdaugh leaped onto the ground when he fired his gun.

For several days on from the incident, Murdaugh kept up the lie about being ambushed, and even spent hours constructing an imaginary assailant with a police sketch artist.

But, Murdaughs story quickly unravelled.

One week later on 13 September, he confessed to law enforcement that he had orchestrated the whole saga, claiming that he asked Mr Smith to shoot and kill him in an assisted suicide plot so that his surviving son Buster could get a $12m life insurance windfall.

Both he and Mr Smith were arrested and charged over the incident.

Mr Smith said that he was surprised and didnt take it seriously when police began asking him questions about what happened.

I didnt ask for an attorney  I had nothing to hide from them, he said in the Netflix show.

I really didnt take it seriously to be honest with you. I knew I hadnt shot his ass but he damn sure tried to tell everybody I did or he told everybody I did.

The dog kennels where Maggie and Paul were murdered (AP)

The roadside shooting incident propelled Mr Smith into Murdaughs sprawling crime saga, with the 62-year-old soon facing rumours of his involvement in the convicted killers financial crimes, drug dealing  and even in Maggie and Pauls murders.

Murdaughs legal team pushed the allegation that Mr Smith may have been responsible for the killings.

In the Netflix show, Mr Smith strongly denied any part in the murders, saying theres nobody that deserves that.

He also denied being Murdaughs drug dealer.

But, Mr Smith has been hit with a string of charges in connection to Murdaughs financial fraud schemes and is accused of helping him with a drug and $2.4m money laundering ring.

In Murdaugh Murders, Mr Smith admitted that he cashed a lot of checks for Murdaugh over around an eight to 10 year period but suggested that he was not aware of any criminal activity.

I asked several times this isnt money laundering is it? he said, to which he claimed Murdaugh told him he was just doing him a favour.

He also claimed that he was doing nothing other than me running errands for him  including delivering packages for him, such as to and from small airports.

On at least one occasion, he said he heard the rattling of a pill bottle inside a package.

At some point, Mr Smith said he wanted out of the arrangement but Murdaugh then implied that his daughter would be in danger if he did  pointing to the power the Murdaugh family wielded in the Lowcountry.

But, despite suggesting he was also fooled by Murdaugh, others in the show are less sure.

Eddie smith was called the fourth Murdaugh. He helped clean up whatever the Murdaughs needed cleaning up, said Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill.

The release of the new Netflix series comes as Murdaugh is headed to court on Thursday to face federal financial charges.

In that case, he has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors  admitting that he stole millions of dollars from law firm clients for his own personal benefit.

In the agreement, signed and filed in South Carolina US District Court on Monday, the double murderer confirmed he will plead guilty to 22 federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

While Murdaugh admitted to stealing millions from clients during bombshell courtroom testimony at his murder trial, this marks the first time that he has ever pleaded guilty to committing a crime.
In the artificial intelligence world, theres no shortage of image or text generators that allow users to spur up content with the push of a button. Alpha3D, a generative AI-powered platform, is a participant of the Startup Battlefield 200 cohort at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 hoping to showcase a technology that can hyperscale digital assets.

Its platform aims to help anyone -- regardless of 3D modeling knowledge -- to generate 3D digital assets from text prompts or uploaded images within minutes. The digital assets can then be used in augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), virtual try-on (VTO), gaming, the metaverse or as an NFT.

The companys proprietary AI technology was developed internally and has gathered millions of data assets over the past years to scale their platform, Madis Alesmaa, CEO of Alpha3D, said.

Instead of scanning or manual modeling content, Alpha3Ds AI takes an existing 2D image, reads the information from it and constructs a 3D image within a few seconds, he added. Customers can then use that asset in their own gaming environments, metaverses, e-commerce platforms or wherever they want.

Its co-founders include Alesmaa, Rait-Eino Laarmann, Shahab Anbarjafari and Mariliis Retter. Alesmaa and Laarmann have backgrounds in building startups, Anbarjafari was a team lead for photogrammetry-based 3D model creation at Rakuten and Retter has prior experience in executive marketing roles.

To date, Alpha3D has raised close to $2 million. Investors include venture capitalists and angel investors like Sebastien Borget, co-founder and COO of The Sandbox; Taavi Roivas, former prime minister of Estonia; and others from Meta, Slack and PwC, to name a few, according to its deck.

As the hype of the metaverse has seemingly slowed down, many big brands are still experimenting with digital collectibles, or NFTs, among other virtual products, in an effort to meet consumers in a new way. Last year, Nike and Starbucks both launched virtual marketplaces and NFT reward loyalty programs, respectively, in an effort to connect with consumers in a new way.

What triggered us was the content side, Alesmaa said. We felt like everyone was trying to do something with AI visualization and that was the biggest bottleneck for the biggest brands, gaming companies.

So its not a huge surprise that demand for 3D-generated content is still prevalent. Not every big business can (or wants to) create an in-house team to build digital assets, as its costly, technical and time-consuming, which is where a service like Alpha3Ds could come in.

Whether we like it or not, this is where the world is going, Alesmaa said. Younger generations are spending so much time inside immersive experiences. Its going to be another world built on top of our existing world and you need a way to create environments and assets easily.

The startups technology provides users a 3D asset in four to five seconds, compared to some platforms that take a few days to generate, Alesmaa said. The cost is also nominal with the first 50 assets free, but models after that are max one euro per model, as the company is not focusing on monetization until later this year, he added. Right now its about user acquisition.

The company launched in mid-March and has close to 100,000 platform users, with a month-over-month growth of about 40% to 45%, Alesmaa shared. It is working with more than 35 companies, including Nvidia, The Sandbox and LVMH. It has 1.4 million contracted ARR and 60,000 MRR, according to its deck.

The next phase of its roadmap will focus on integration and plugging its technology into different infrastructures. We see ourselves as an infrastructure layer for thousands of businesses out there. . . . Theyre struggling with the content side and that's where were stepping in.
Amazon driver in Florida hospitalized in 'very serious condition' after rattlesnake bite while making a delivery, police say

A Florida Amazon driver is hospitalized in "very serious condition" after being bitten by a snake.

She was delivering a package when she was bitten by a highly venomous Eastern diamondback rattlesnake.

Amazon drivers have described facing challenges on the job like dog bites and excessive heat.

An Amazon driver is in "very serious condition" after being bitten by a highly venomous rattlesnake while making a delivery, authorities said.

The delivery worker, whose identity Insider was unable to immediately confirm, was dropping off a package at a home in Palm City, Florida, on Monday night when she was bitten by an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake "coiled up near the front door," according to a Facebook post from the Martin County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday.

"The driver walked to the door, put the package down and was struck by the snake in the back of the leg, just above the knee," the post said. "She immediately became ill and called 911."

The driver was taken to a hospital. The Facebook post, made Tuesday morning, said the driver was in "very serious condition."

An image from the Martin County Sheriff's Office shows the Eastern diamondback rattlesnake that bit the Amazon driver. Martin County Sheriff's Office

"Our thoughts are with the driver and we hope for a full recovery after this frightening incident," Amazon spokesperson Branden Baribeau said in a statement. "Together, with the Delivery Service Partner, we're looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident and continue to make sure that drivers understand they should not complete a delivery if they feel unsafe."

The Martin County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the driver's current condition.

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes are "highly venomous" and very common in the area, according to the post from the sheriff's office. Each year, an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 people in the US are bitten by venomous snakes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Florida, only six of the state's 50 established snake species are venomous, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.

Delivery drivers have spoken out about contending with issues like bites, often from dogs, and extreme heat on the job.

Sometimes, such an incident can prove fatal. In August 2022, a USPS mail carrier died after she was attacked by five dogs when her truck broke down, the local sheriff's office said. In October, an Amazon delivery driver was found dead in a yard in Missouri and was suspected to have been mauled by two dogs.

Last month, a 57-year-old UPS driver in Texas died after collapsing while making deliveries in the heat.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Americans are 10 days away from a federal government shutdown and Republicans still can't agree on a way out

Rep.-elect Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) reacts after a fourth round of voting for a new House Speaker on the second day of the 118th Congress, Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at the US Capitol in Washington DC. Getty

The government runs out of funding after September 30, and a potential shutdown looms.

However, Republicans can't get it together to figure out a way out of a shutdown.

A vote on a GOP funding resolution was yanked on Tuesday, and another on a defense bill failed.

There's a funding crisis looming over Congress, and Republicans' disarray might just mean the government shuts down in 10 days.

The government will run out of funding after September 30 , and Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy still cannot get his own party to agree on a solution that would prevent that from happening.

While it appeared GOP lawmakers made some progress toward averting a government shutdown over the weekend by presenting a short-term continuing resolution that would maintain funding through October 31, the resolution was pulled on Tuesday without going to a vote before the full House because it did not have enough party support.

That resolution would have enacted a nearly 8% "across-the-board" cut to discretionary spending, along with increased border protections  both major conservative priorities. Even so, it couldn't even make it onto the floor, with McCarthy telling reporters, per the Hill , that he was "just recircling it; we have people talking together."

To make matters worse for McCarthy, he failed to pass his party's military spending bill the same day because five conservative lawmakers joined Democrats in voting against the legislation. After the vote, McCarthy walked off the floor, according to PBS .

The shutdown tension comes after Republicans and Democrats averted a potentially catastrophic debt ceiling default, with Biden ultimately agreeing to spending cuts in exchange for raising the ceiling through 2025. Now, Republicans want further cuts.

Disagreements within the party  and across the aisle  are making the prospect of a government shutdown in just under two weeks increasingly likely. The conservative holdouts have other Republican lawmakers frustrated.

"If the clown show of colleagues that refuse to actually govern doesn't want to pass the CR, I will do everything we need to make sure that a CR passes," GOP Rep. Mike Lawler told CNN. "The bottom line is we're not shutting the government down."

At this rate, though, it's hard to see a path that does not include a shutdown. Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern blasted McCarthy's leadership on the House floor on Tuesday, saying that "the patients are running the hospital around here."

"They're so incompetent, it takes my breath away," McGovern said. "They're letting the clowns run the circus."

Meanwhile, the White House has been sounding the alarm on the ramifications of a potential shutdown. A shutdown, according to a White House memo, could mean military personnel going without pay, fewer childcare slots for kids, travel delays as TSA officers and air controllers go without pay, and delayed infrastructure projects.

"These consequences are real and avoidable  but only if House Republicans stop playing political games with peoples' lives and catering to the ideological demands of their most extreme, far-right members," the memo said. "It's time for House Republicans to abide by the bipartisan budget agreement that a majority of them voted for, keep the government open, and address other urgent needs for the American people."

If Congress fails to reach an agreement on government funding by the end of the month, the Office of Management and Budget has contingency plans for every federal agency outlining the actions they should take in the event of limited appropriations. With McCarthy's leadership being challenged by his own party's members, those plans might need to be dusted off very soon.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Several neighbors related a story of witnessing a man the evening before who was screaming and being disruptive outside our building. He hauled a city trash can down the street to a bus stop and proceeded to dump all the contents out and sort through the pile, then climbed into the bin and pulled the lid over himself. Neighbors phoned police. One police car responded by slowing down, then continuing to just drive by. Another was doing the same until a neighbor shouted from his window that the man was there, hiding inside the bin. The cops stopped and looked inside, found the man, then got back into the squad car to depart.

What have we done socially, politically, mentally, culturally to our urban systems? Police have their hands tied with all the imposed restrictions on them, and yet, revisiting past potential abuses of power does not work either. How can we reclaim appropriate authority without creating monsters who misuse their badges with impunity?

Advertisement

The police have found a way to retaliate against imposed sanctions and restrictions by sitting on their hands in times of civil unrest. The above example is hardly the most egregious offense we Chicagoans face, but it is evidence of apathy on the part of the police and maybe a passive-aggressive stance to demonstrate to civilians just how bad things can get when there is inaction on their parts. We saw that on several occasions when unruly and disrespectful teens acted up en masse on our streets, and cops stood by while kids wreaked havoc on cars, stores and fellow humans.

How do we redefine the jurisdiction of the police toward keeping peace and addressing unrestful acts? Militarizing our police has not worked other than to create a chasm between cops and citizens. Our new mayor is talking but not acting other than to excuse behavior as lack of opportunity, which does not curtail the problem, to put it mildly.

Advertisement

 Jacqueline Roig, Chicago

Time to take crime seriously?

Its too bad the popular Wrigleyville tavern Nisei Lounge was burglarized, but maybe this will finally force our local politicians to take crime seriously, even if this was only a property crime.

 Wayne Meyer, Chicago

Celebrators disturbing peace

I am from Bolivia. For the last three years, people with whom I share an ethnic background have used the days surrounding Sept. 16 to become rowdy and disrespectful and disturb the peace. I have lived in the United States for 23 years, I have been a citizen for the last 11 years, and I have never seen July 4 celebrations come close to the chaos of the city around Sept. 16. On July 4, I have not seen drivers revving their engines, people shooting fireworks until the early morning hours and people honking their horn or acting like rowdy teenagers.

I understand that there is still racism and discrimination for people of Hispanic origin in this country because I have lived it myself, but that does not give me the right to use my former countrys Independence Day to let my anger or frustration out, masked as a celebration. I have asked my Mexican friends if they participate in this over-the-top celebration; the majority said no and even felt a degree of embarrassment. They told me that it is mostly people from outside of Chicago who come in and create the noise, chaos and gridlock for residents.

Therefore, I propose a solution. Instead of closing the roads, could police install cameras or take pictures of the vehicle license plates of the drivers who are participating in illegal acts and ticket them for disturbing the peace?

Although some would likely see that as oppressive, if I were parked in front of your house, revving my engine, shooting fireworks near a park full of trees and playing music as loudly as I could at 12:30 a.m., you would call the police, give them my license plate and lodge a complaint against me. And you would be within your right to do so.

Being proud of oneself is a good thing, but letting ones arrogance affect other peoples peaceful existence is not.

Advertisement

 Gunar Subieta, Chicago

Reduce ranks of lawmakers

Since Republicans complain about spending money, I would like to know how much both political parties have spent on their investigations of each other. I would say that its probably in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars or even billions of taxpayers money.

I think it would be appropriate if the number of representatives and senators were to get reduced, and there should be no federal judge or Supreme Court justices appointed for life, which puts them on easy street.

Also, regarding the Senate rule that one senator can block an appointment or confirmation of an individual because that senator doesnt like that Donald Trump has been indicted at least four times: Let the chips fall where they may. That rule is so archaic, and thats why nothing gets done.

Members of the House and Senate seem to be off more than they are working. That is a nice gig that the taxpayers give them. Its too bad the public couldnt have that type of work schedule.

If lawmakers cant get anything done, then reduce them.

Advertisement

 Gerald Bernson, Tinley Park

Have plan for sanctuary status

When Democratic mayors and governors proudly declare their cities and states sanctuaries, this is more than a feel-good, heartwarming virtue signal. It is a policy choice. With policy choices, you must have a plan.

What is the plan to welcome and provide sanctuary to noncitizens? How about the cost? Are Chicago and Illinois so flush with extra resources that they can cover the $250 million tab? Could that money be better spent to fight crime, improve schools or provide a leg up to existing citizens who may be struggling?

Pointing the finger at border states for sending noncitizens to self-declared sanctuaries as a stunt or as being unpatriotic is laughable. What are those states supposed to do with them?

If a city or state wants to be a sanctuary, they need to be prepared to deal with that choice.

 Matt Weston, Palatine

Advertisement

Support for striking workers

The American worker is the backbone of our economy. I stand with United Auto Workers and Americas working families as they fight for fair wages, safe working conditions and the benefits they deserve.

 Paul Bacon, Hallandale Beach, Florida

Join the conversation in our Letters to the Editor Facebook group.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
TechCrunch

Apple has warned over a half dozen Indian lawmakers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's main opposition of their iPhones being targets of state-sponsored attacks, these people said Tuesday, in a serious digital espionage charge just months ahead of next year's general elections. Rahul Gandhi, Indian opposition leader, said in a media briefing Tuesday that his team had received the said alert from Apple. Shashi Tharoor, a key figure from the Congress party; Akhilesh Yadav, the head of the Samajwadi Party; Mahua Moitra, a national representative from the All India Trinamool Congress; and Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena, a party with notable influence in Maharashtra reported that they too had been notified by Apple regarding a potential security attack on their iPhones.
By Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada this week divulged it had intelligence possibly linking Indian government agents to the murder of a separatist Sikh leader, the kind of news that usually sparks uproar among democratic allies. Not this time.

India is being courted by the United States and others as a counterweight to China, and Trudeau 's rare attack just days after New Delhi hosted a G20 Summit is putting Western nations in an awkward position.

"India is important in Western calculations for balancing China, and Canada is not," said Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Ottawa's Carleton University.

"This really does put Canada offside among all other Western countries," she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada was "actively pursuing credible allegations" that Indian agents had potentially been involved in the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

At that point Ottawa had already been discussing the matter with key allies such as the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance, which also includes the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

The results so far have been muted. Britain refused to publicly criticize India and said bilateral trade talks will continue as planned. Indeed, a statement from Foreign Secretary James Cleverly about the affair did not mention India by name.

Britain is in a difficult position, caught between supporting Canada and antagonizing India, a country it wants as a trading partner and ally to help confront China, said Chietigj Bajpaee, India expert at the Chatham House think tank in London.

"Short of there being any definitive evidence of India's involvement, I think the UK response is likely to remain muted," he said. A free trade deal would be a "major political win" for both India and Britain, Bajpaee said.

'WAITING GAME'

White House national security adviser John Kirby said the United States was "deeply concerned" and encouraged Indian officials to cooperate in any investigation. India rejects the idea it was involved in the murder.

The Washington Post reported Trudeau had pushed for a joint statement condemning India at last week's Group of 20 summit in New Delhi and was turned down by the United States and others.

Kirby said "any reports that we rebuffed Canada in any way whatsoever are false, and we will continue to coordinate and consult with them on this."

The muted response to Trudeau's allegations is stark when compared to the uproar after Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by nerve agent in England in 2018. Britain, the United States, Canada and others threw out more than 100 Russian diplomats to punish Moscow for an attack it has always denied carrying out.

"Our Five Eyes partners are understandably reluctant to really wade into this, given everybody's interest in advancing ties with India, in the context of the ongoing tension with China," said Wesley Wark of the Centre for International Governance Innovation think tank in Waterloo, Ontario.

"It's a bit of a waiting game. If the Canadians come up with very solid evidence about egregious Indian state involvement in an assassination attempt, I think we'll hear more from our allies in support," he said.

With allies unwilling to contemplate any kind of joint condemnation of India, the Canadian options now look limited, at least until it can provide incontrovertible evidence.

"If we don't get our allies to support this, either publicly or privately, Canada's not going to be able to do a great deal to move India," said Richard Fadden, former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

"And I think the greatest thing we can aspire to in the short term or the medium term is to get India not to do this again," he told CTV.

Canadian government sources indicated they would have preferred to wait longer before making a statement but felt they had to act, given some domestic media outlets were about to break the story.

Trudeau would have never spoken "out loud if we didn't have the information lining up into a fact base", said one source, adding that they hoped more information would come soon.

Canada has not made public the intelligence it has because there is an active murder investigation, the senior source said.

"On the cusp of the global opportunity for India, they absolutely need to handle this responsibly - for their own interests," the source said.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren; additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill in London; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
WILMINGTON, Delaware (Reuters) - The father of a woman who died in the Hawaii wildfires last month has launched a novel lawsuit against three major landowners, seeking to hold them responsible even though they did not start the fire and the blaze ignited on land they do not own.

Harold Wells of Arizona, whose 57-year-old daughter Rebecca Rans perished in the deadly Lahaina blaze, contends the property owners should pay damages because they allowed invasive species of towering grasses to grow wild on their property, accumulating dense fire fuel next to the historic town. Scientists have said the invasive grasses were likely the largest factor in spreading the fires, more than warmer temperatures or hurricane weather.

When wind-driven flames sparked by downed power lines reached the defendants' properties, the grass exploded into a conflagration that engulfed homes, businesses and escape routes, the lawsuit claims. At least 97 people died in the Aug. 8 fire.

If successful, the case could provide a blueprint for holding property owners liable at a time when catastrophic fire risk is growing due to climate change and more people living near wilderness areas, legal experts said.

Wells sued the governments of Hawaii and Maui County, along with Hawaii's largest private land holder, Kamehameha Schools, formerly known as the Bishop Estate, in state court in Wailuku.

David Minkin, an attorney for Maui County, told Reuters that only a small portion, if any, of its land was involved in the blaze. A spokesperson for Kamehameha Schools declined to comment. Officials in Hawaii's attorney general's office, which represents the state, did not respond to a request for comment.

'INHERENTLY DANGEROUS'

The Wells case appears to be the first to argue that maintaining huge volumes of dry vegetation in a fire-prone area is an inherently dangerous activity, akin to storing explosives.

If Wells' attorneys can prove the grassy conditions near Lahaina met that legal standard, the landowners could be held strictly liable, meaning Wells would not have to prove the defendants were negligent or started the blaze.

Wells is seeking unspecified damages, including punitive damages, related to funeral costs as well as pain and suffering. His attorneys on Tuesday filed a similar case on behalf of the children of Rans' partner, who also died in the blaze.

The strict liability theory typically applies in cases involving highly risky operations like the storage of dynamite. Legal precedent holds that the storage operator may be held responsible for an explosion regardless of the cause.

The combustible material in Lahaina included non-native species such as Guinea grass that was partly blamed for a 2018 blaze that destroyed more than 20 homes in the area. A resident described the event to a reporter for the Honolulu Star-Advertiser as "tornadoes of fire."

The dense, seven foot (2.1 meters) grasses invaded abandoned sugar plantations near the town and produced up to 15 tons per acre of fire fuel, according to a study by a fire prevention organization.

Jim Bickerton, who represents Wells, said the dried grass could meet the inherently dangerous standard in drought conditions and high winds when "the extreme level of risk posed is essentially becoming analogous to a dynamite situation."

DAUNTING CHALLENGES

By their nature, novel legal strategies face daunting challenges. Wildfire victims have struggled over the years to hold landowners liable, even for fires ignited on their property.

The U.S. Forest Service was sued over the 2003 Cedar Fire in California, which started on its land and destroyed more than 2,000 homes and killed 15 people. A judge dismissed the case in 2009 because, while the agency's land management led to a huge build-up of fire fuel, that was not the actual intent of its policies.

Bickerton said even if the Hawaiian court determined the grasses are not inherently dangerous, he could still successfully sue the landowners on a theory of negligence, because the 2018 Maui blaze showed the hazards of not maintaining the grass.

Rick Linkert, a California attorney who specializes in defending wildfire cases, said it may not be easy for Wells' legal team to show negligence. They would have to demonstrate there was an accepted standard for managing grasslands and that the landowners ignored it, he said.

"If nobody is controlling vegetation in that way, in Maui or anywhere in the Hawaiian Islands, I just don't see how they establish that," Linkert said.

Like dozens of other lawsuits that have been filed over the deadly blaze, Wells is also suing Hawaiian Electric for the company's alleged failure to maintain its power lines, which Wells said were blown down in the high winds and ignited the Lahaina blaze.

Hawaiian Electric has said its downed wires apparently started one fire, which it said local officials declared extinguished. The company has said it shut off power six hours before a separate, calamitous fire started. Several government agencies are investigating the cause.

Maui County has filed its own lawsuit against Hawaiian Electric, which it blames for the fire.

The company said in a statement that its immediate focus is on rebuilding Maui.

The insured losses from the disaster alone have been estimated at more than $3 billion, which would exceed the shareholders' equity of Hawaiian Electric if it were found liable. That has encouraged victims to look for other potential defendants including landowners, lawyers for victims said.

The private landowner, the Kamehameha Schools, has a $15 billion endowment, according to its website. It was established by Pauahi Paki, the last royal descendant of the Kamehameha line, to promote the wellbeing of people of Hawaiian descent.

"An important factor when we're dealing with such large loss, there really may not be any one entity that can pay all of it," Bickerton said.

(Reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; editing by Amy Stevens, Noeleen Walder and Josie Kao)
Almost 6,000 years ago, communities used a cave in Spain as a burial place.

Researchers looked at bone fragments of 12 individuals, some of which had scrape marks.

Neolithic or Bronze Age people may have used some bones as tools.

For thousands of years, prehistoric people used Spain's Cueva de los Marmoles as a burial place for their dead.

Scientists examined the remains of 12 individuals and found people had modified some of the bones, possibly to use as tools and drinking vessels.

Three bones seem to be modified. A cranium looks scraped clean, and two leg bone fragments, a tibia and fibula, appear polished and rounded from use.

"Understanding the funerary practices of a given culture is essential, as it sheds light on a very significant part of its social and cultural structure," Rafael M Martinez Sanchez, a researcher with the University of Cordoba in Spain, told Insider via email.

Martinez Sanchez and his co-authors published a paper about the modified remains in the journal PLOS ONE. The bones date from between about 6,000 and 3,000 years ago, from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age.

"The motivations behind practices like this are actually very hard to get at," said Katina Lillios, a professor of anthropology at the University of Iowa who wasn't involved in the study.

But she believes it signifies that the living had extended relationships to their deceased. "They continued to engage with their dead, and so this tells us that the dead were important for the living," she said.

A skull cup and bone tools

Evidence of bone modification is fairly common for the Neolithic and Bronze Ages in Iberia and Western Europe, and there are many theories about the motivations.

"These range from a desire to honor the remains of close relatives or community members in ritualized actions," to collecting human trophies, Martinez Sanchez said.

But he notes that the latter option is unlikely because they didn't find indications of violence on the remains. The researchers also don't think there are enough cut or chop marks to suggest cannibalism.

Scrape marks on the skull cup found at Cueva de los Marmoles indicate people deliberated removed flesh. Z. Laffranchi

Some of the oldest skull cups date back to almost 15,000 BCE. Historical accounts from at least the 5th century BCE note people drinking from human skulls.

"The very globular shape of the human skull makes it unmistakable from that of other animals, as well as allowing it to be transformed into container vessels, such as cups or bowls," Martinez Sanchez said.

Scraping and cutting of these bones left traces "that can only be attributed to human action," Martinez Sanchez said. In contrast, gnawing animals leave their own distinctive marks, Lillios said.

The polishing of the leg bones is clear under a microscope, and their rounded appearance seems to be a result of their use as tools, Martinez Sanchez said. It's not clear what kind of purpose they served, but Lillios suggested they could have been used for basket making or weaving.

The scientists believe other humans modified the bones while the remains were relatively fresh. Yet people may not have put the bodies in the cave immediately. The paper's authors note that the absence of finger and toe bones may indicate the remains were partially decomposed when they entered the cave.

Though the cool, dark cave would help preserve the remains, the researchers put the modifications between a few months and a year after death. "The actions of fragmenting and manipulating the bones may well be related to specific ritual events performed inside the cave," Martinez Sanchez said.

Caves were an obvious choice for burial sites

"The use of natural caves as burial spaces is a universal and transcultural phenomenon, recorded among various pre-industrial human societies across the globe," Martinez Sanchez said.

Caves offer protection from the elements, but Lillios said they're symbolic, too. "They're often viewed as sort of passageways to another world to the ancestors, to other kinds of worlds that are seen as sacred liminal spaces, spaces that are somewhere in between the land and the living and the land of the ancestors," she said.

One of the paper's most interesting findings is how communities used the cave between generations. Using radiocarbon dating for the remains, the scientists learned that people utilized the cave in three different phases between about 3,800 BCE and 1,300 BCE. Sometimes, roughly 1,000 years would pass between uses.

The rounded and polished end of the leg bone indicates people may have used it as a tool. Z. Laffranchi

But, the researchers note, they only know the exact age of seven of the 411 remains, so it's possible the time between phases was shorter.

Plus, in the millennia since, the cave has served other purposes, and amateur archaeologists removed stone tools and other artifacts. There's a chance they may have disturbed the human remains as well.

Assuming those gaps don't represent missing or untested remains, the question is how people knew to return to the cave after so long. "I would not entirely discount the possibility that there were some oral histories, myths, or traditions in which people understood that the dead could be or should be buried in those ancestral spaces," Lillios said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
It will be more than a year until Andrew Lester, 84, stands trial in the shooting of then-16-year-old Ralph Yarl, who he is charged with shooting twice after the student mistakenly showed up on his north Kansas City front porch.

On Wednesday, a jury trial was scheduled for Oct. 7, 2024, at the Clay County Courthouse. Judge David Paul Chamberlain will oversee the trial.

Lester, who is white, has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action in the shooting of Yarl, who is Black, in April.

Other hearings are expected in the meantime, and there is always potential the trial could be pushed to an even later date.

Next fall, Yarl will likely be a freshman in college. The Staley High School senior is planning college visits, including to the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Michigan, Texas A&M University and Purdue University. His family said he hopes to study engineering.

Ralph Yarl smiles for a photo with his aunt, Faith Spoonmore (left), and his mother, Cleo Nagbe (right).

First meeting in court

In late August, Yarl, who is now 17, faced Lester for the first time since the shooting during a preliminary hearing in a Clay County courtroom. The teen was the last to testify during the day-long hearing.

After, Judge Louis Angles ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to establish probable cause that Lester had committed a crime in the shooting of Yarl.

Evidence was presented and a dozen witnesses testified, including neighbors who either watched from their windows or went outside to help Yarl as he ran from home to home bleeding and asking for help.

Yarl, when asked by the prosecutor how he is doing, said I feel I have a great support system which is helping me recover and become my true self again.

Lesters attorney Stephen Salmon told media after the judges decision that the shooting was a mutual mistake.

He maintains Lester has a good chance of being acquitted at trial. In his closing remarks, Salmon said under the (self-defense) law, Mr. Lester didnt need to wait to be attacked by a stranger in the dark to shoot.

Clay Clay Prosecutor Zachary Thompson said Lester didnt have the right to shoot a child through a closed door.

Lester opened the interior door and within a few brief seconds opened fire on Ralph, he said.

Activists, politicians and family of the teen have pointed to the case as one of ringing a doorbell while Black. It continues to spark conversations about racism, both explicit and implicit, and gun rights in the United States.

The shooting

Shortly before 10 p.m. on April 13, Yarl rang Lesters doorbell in the 1100 block of Northeast 115th Street in Kansas Citys Northland, where he believed he was picking up his younger twin brothers up early from a sleepover. Yarl had intended to go to a home one street over, on 115th Terrace.

Lester called 911 after he reportedly shot Yarl twice, once in the arm and once the head. His call came in at 9:52 p.m., a minute after a neighbor called.

I just had somebody ring my damn doorbell ... he wasnt in my house but I shot him, he told the operator, describing the person as Black and 6 feet tall. Yarl is actually about two inches shorter.

He was at my door trying to get in, and I shot him ...  Lester said. Thats all I remember.

Yarl in his testimony last month said that after he walked onto the porch and rang the doorbell, he saw the main door open, so he started to pull at the storm door, assuming hed be welcomed in.

Then he said Lester told him, Dont come here ever again and held up a gun.

Yarl said he dropped his hand from the door and stepped backward. Then he said Lester shot him once in the head. Yarl said he fell to the ground, and then Lester shot him again in the arm.
Angelica Ross has said that Emma Roberts called to apologise after she accused her of making a transphobic remark on the set of American Horror Story .

The two actors appeared together in several episodes of the long-running anthologys ninth season in 2019.

Thank you @RobertsEmma for calling and apologising, recognising your behaviour was not that of an ally. I will leave the line open to follow up on your desire to do better and support social justice causes with your platform, Ross, who is transgender, wrote on X/Twitter on Wednesday (20 September).

The Pose stars update comes hours after a clip from her recent Instagram Live began circulating on Twitter/X. In the video, Ross, 42, told her followers about a time when Roberts, 32, allegedly misgendered her on set.

Ross explained that she was standing in front of Emma talking to her when Roberts called out to a crew member, saying: John! Angelicas being mean.

Ross continued: And I know shes not being for real, for real  shes just being whatever  and John is like, Ok ladies, thats enough, lets get back to work. And [Roberts] then looks at me and goes, Dont you mean lady?

And she turns around like this and covers her mouth, Ross explained, but cant see Im looking at her dead ass in the [on set] camera, like What the f*** did you just say?

Ross said she stood there trying to process the f*** she just said before Roberts walked away, leaving the actors blood boiling.

so thats whats going on behind #RyanMurphy s production. people wearing racist t shirts and emma roberts making THE most transphobic shit to Angelica Ross. oh you are DONE pic.twitter.com/i3Q5uJWiot   (@vee_delmonico99) September 20, 2023

Because... if I say something, its going to be me thats the problem. And I know this because there was someone who spoke up about what she was doing and they got repercussions from it. Not her, they did. So when I saw that happen, I was just like Im done. Im done. I didnt speak to that b**** the entire time after that, she added.

So we had scenes together, and I never spoke to her, and she said to me  she could feel the energy coming off of me  and she was like, Are you ok? You havent been talking, and I was like mhm because, b**** dont play me, because youve been playing mind games with everybody on the set and everybodys been waiting for the moment that you would get me, Ross recalled.

Robertss and Rosss representatives did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment

Ross made her final appearance in 2021s 10th season of creator Ryan Murphys popular series, playing extraterrestrial hybrid Theta and The Chemist.

Roberts, meanwhile, makes her long-awaited return to the seriess 12th season alongside Kim Kardashian, which premieres on Wednesday (20 September). Roberts previously starred in seasons three, four, eight and nine of American Horror Story.

Read here to find out more about where and what time it streams.
The News

Anti-abortion activists are growing increasingly nervous about a potential Trump administration 2.0.

Its not a little concern for us in the pro-life community, were really concerned about his recent comments, Iowa evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats told Semafor. This is the Trump that we feared we would get in 2016.

The worry has been quietly brewing for months as Trump has repeatedly dodged questions on the details of his abortion position while staying away from major groups demands on the issue, especially a national 15-week ban. But the floodgates burst open over the weekend, when he told NBC News Kristen Welker that Ron DeSantis six-week abortion restriction in Florida  shared by many other GOP-led states  was a terrible thing. His suggestion that he might negotiate an abortion law that pleases both sides also came as a shock, given the implausibility that any deal with Democratic buy-in would be acceptable to them.

Many anti-abortion activists quickly voiced their concerns: Lila Rose, president of Live Action, tweeted that his remarks were pathetic and unacceptable and declared that Trump should not be the GOP nominee. Kristen Hawkins warned in a letter to Trump that the pro-life vote is up for grabs. Tony Perkins described his comments as disturbing.

The comments fed a long-simmering belief that Trump was not one of them, despite appointing the Supreme Court judges who ultimately overturned and pursuing other anti-abortion initiatives as president, like his Mexico City policy. He had to promise which judges he would appoint in advance in 2016 partly because so many social conservatives were afraid he might turn to liberal acquaintances, or even his own sister. Back then they had critical votes to offer; now multiple people in the movement say theyre worried about what might happen if he no longer sees their cause as useful to him.

The worst thing about Trump in this 2024 election cycle is that hes just kind of talking and acting like hes done with pro-lifers  that we had somewhat of a transactional relationship and that transaction is now over, one pro-life activist, who asked for anonymity to speak freely, told Semafor. And that because he nominated the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade, we should just be perpetually grateful to him and never expect anything else to kind of just keep our mouth shut. And I dont think thats acceptable.

Shelbys view

Trumps transactionalism presents a dilemma for anti-abortion leaders: Take him on directly, and he might respond by sidelining them even further.

While some in the movement have reacted harshly to his latest comments, others are offering up more diplomatic statements and gentle condemnation. SBA Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser told Semafor that Trump is criticizing a law and lawmaker that acted, following the will of the people, on what he made possible. She suggested that both Trump and DeSantis should focus on their concrete plans for the future and contrast those with Biden. (On Tuesday, Dannenfelser added that Trumps comment was wrong.)

The tamer brushbacks have sparked frustration within the movement from those who believe Trump should be held to the highest standard when speaking on the issue, and that the condemnation should be even stronger than it has been.

I think that most people would rather be on the inside than the outside, the pro-life activist said. Still, they added, the calm reaction was incredibly embarrassing.

Vander Plaats argued that if Trump ends up winning Iowa comfortably even after his remarks, it will be very concerning for the anti-abortion movement for one key reason: Hed be revealing that we are bought, or sold out, to a personality.

Trumps comments come as Republicans grow increasingly concerned about their positioning on abortion, raising the prospect that a Trump pivot could encourage others to try out new positions that stray even further from anti-abortion groups stance. Activists who talked to Semafor sounded less concerned about that possibility for now: Trumps opponents were still relatively ordinary movement conservatives on the issue, even as some also have been reluctant to embrace a national ban.

Room for Disagreement

Trump isnt known for micromanaging government policy, some activists noted, and another administration would likely include anti-abortion Republicans in key roles. Its quite possible a second term could be similar to the first, with judges, cabinet secretaries, and key aides all drawn from the same pool of movement conservatives who have been largely supportive of his candidacy. (Trump hasnt matched a promise from Mike Pence: To only appoint anti-abortion nominees to his cabinet.)

The View From Trump

Trump defended himself in two Truth Social posts on Tuesday, writing that Republicans should advocate for exceptions when discussing abortion bans. Trump also reminded voters of his efforts to overturn during his first term in office, declaring that because of him, the Pro Life Community has TREMENDOUS NEGOTIATING POWER.

The View From Democrats

To Democrats, the entire conversation is a farce, and gives them ammunition for a tough general election. Unclear as he is about a federal ban Trump is still celebrating the judicial appointments that got us here; every clip of him taking credit for end, they say, feeds their 2024 attack ads. Trump goes after Democrats daily with lurid stories about abortion after birth, which social conservatives see as an effective way to turn the argument around, but Democrats think they can defuse it by invoking and its limits.

Lets be clear: Donald Trump is responsible for ending Roe v. Wade, Joe Biden tweeted Tuesday. And if you vote for him, hell go even further.
This is how the 2011 ad for Ashton Kutcher s antichild sex trafficking charity starring Donald Trump goes:

Trump appears in the ad while on television himself in a clip from his reality series, The Apprentice. Seated on a couch watching Trump is actor Jamie Foxx, who reaches over for a remote controland uses it to crack open a beer. Real Men Know How to Use the Remote, a baritone voiceover announces, queuing up subsequent shots of a man cave adorned with gilt framed portraits of other Real MenTom Selleck, Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford. The ad ends with a shot of Trumps own portrait, the gold frame caressed by actor Eva Longoria, who delivers the tagline, in a slightly bizarre, come-hither register: Donald Trump knows that real men dont buy girls. A URL appears: demiandashton.org. Visitors could find the ad there under the title Donald Trump Is a Real Man.

This was a public service announcement as much as it was a promotional message for Ashton Kutcher and then-wife Demi Moores new philanthropic effort, now called Thornwhich Kutcher resigned from on September 15 of this year, after putting the organization in an uncomfortably hypocritical position. The Dude, Wheres My Car? actor called his That 70s Show co-star Danny Masterson a role model who set an extraordinary standard around how you treat other people in a letter of support, published online earlier this month, in advance of Mastersons sentencing for sexual assault.

The launch of Thorn, then called the DNA Foundation, in 2010 coincided with gossip rags reporting that Kutcher had cheated on Moore. As Moore wrote years later, she was forced to put on a brave face at the charitys kickoff event at the Clinton Global Initiative that year. Kutcher, she writes, spoke about how there are more slaves alive now than at any other time in human history. (There is no valid data behind this claim, but its a common rallying cry in anti-trafficking circles.) Moore recalled following Kutchers words about sex slavery with a plea that, real men protect, respect, love, and care for girls. But, she reflected, I did not feel protected, respected, loved, or cared for myself. Kutcher later became the face of Thorn, which in turn gave him the ability to call himself a founder and philanthropist while also currying favor in Congress.

That does not make this charity unique. In the anti-trafficking sector, and the antichild trafficking and antisex trafficking sectors in particular, there are no shortage of organizations purporting to rescue childrenor at least to raise awareness of the need to rescue childrenyet whose founders appear to spend more time doing photo ops than actually changing the lives of victims and survivors of trafficking. Perhaps the most spectacularly self-imploding of these organizations is Operation Underground Railroad, or OUR, whose Trump-approved, QAnon-adjacent founder Tim Ballard left the group dramatically in recent months. Last week, Ballard was denounced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for his morally unacceptable behavior, as Vice News reported, in his efforts to use the Mormon church to advance OUR and its ventures. This week, Vice confirmed reports from Utah journalist Lynn Packer that Ballards departure was after an investigation into seven allegations of sexual misconduct made by support staff on the groups self-styled rescue missions.

The New Republic reached out to both Thorn and OUR for comment on this article. OUR said in an email that it is dedicated to combatting sexual abuse and does not tolerate sexual harassment or discrimination by anyone in its organization, and that it had retained an outside law firm to look into the allegations against Ballard. We did not hear back from Thorn as of press time.

Thorn and OUR, their founders publicly shamed and now in quasi-voluntary exile from the anti-trafficking movement, each served as vehicles for a specific kind of guy. That guy found Trump useful, either to launch himself (Kutcher) or crown himself (Ballard). That guy, while posing as a brave fighter defending the vulnerable from sexual abuse, excused rapists (Kutcher) and allegedly engaged in sexually exploiting women (Ballard). The heroic claim of helping to fight sex trafficking served to cover up these mens misbehavior as well as launder their public image. Whatever self-serving, near- or actually fraudulent, or even criminal activity types like Kutcher or Ballard may indulge in, at the end of the day, hey, those guys were out there saving children, right?

With each of these two mens fall from grace, it seems that the antisex trafficking vanity industrial complex is finally in ruins. It may still be too late: The attention, resources, and influence such groups have accrued has been at the expense of trafficking victims and survivors.

Its hard to know what Kutcher has actually done at Thorn, but the organization has been enormously useful for enhancing his stature. Since its founding, Thorn has more often than not sounded more like a start-up than a human rights or advocacy organization. One of its few independently documented accomplishments is a piece of software called Spotlight, which Thorn takes credit for developing with a firm called Digital Reasoning; the group then provides the software free of charge to law enforcement.

We know few details about how Spotlight works, but it appears to involve data scraping, machine learning, and facial recognition, collecting adult sex workers data and identities from online sex work ads, then using that as a source to search for children suspected of having been trafficked. By creating a database of sex workers for cops, many sex workers rights advocates say, Spotlight sounds like nothing more than a tool for passively generating a collection of sexual content meant only for sex workers intentionally ephemeral online ads, which can also be used to identify them outside sex work, all without their knowledge or consent. In a Spotlight training video for police reviewed by Forbes, Spotlight is described as the Google for human trafficking or online escort activities. Clearly this has value to police beyond locating kids.

Law enforcement officers who have used Spotlight also acknowledge that Thorn has created a tool for obtaining confessionsfrom suspected victims who dont want help from police, who may themselves be participants in criminalized conduct by being involved in the sex trade, even if nonconsensually. We use it in victim interviews, which can be the turning point where they realize we know too much and full denials just wont work anymore, two detectives from the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office wrote on Thorns blog in 2018. For them, though Spotlight may be a tool to locate missing kids, its also a tool for turning victims facing possible prosecution into state witnesses.

Spotlight didnt just enable Kutcher to become an asset to copsit also helped him become an A.I. guy. On the tech conference circuit over the past decade, he talked up how Spotlight uses A.I. for facial recognition, including in a partnership with Amazon Rekognitiona tool that Amazon has banned law enforcement from using, except by Thorn and similar, purported anti-trafficking efforts, after activists raised civil liberties and gender and racial justice concerns over its use. Kutcher also became an investor in A.I., for instance with his investment, alongside Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Mark Zuckerberg, in an A.I. company called Vicarious, a vague but richly cash-infused venture, described by its founder as a technology that would let us make labor much more affordable, which would then let us all rise in society. Kutcher followed this with his own $240 million A.I. investment fund. Kutcher once portrayed Steve Jobs, but now he has fully assumed the tech thought leader role himself. Thorn helped.

Unlike Kutcher, Tim Ballard, the founder of OUR, only recently made it in movies. Ballard started OUR in 2013 with a dramatic origin myth ready to go: claiming he had spent more than a decade hunting pedophiles with the Department of Homeland Security and was now going indie, bringing his special forces buddies along with him to save kids around the world. Ballards stories of rescuing children from sex slaverywhich are often impossible to fact-check, including some shared at Trump White House events that have clearly been exaggeratedare rendered in a (perhaps even more) fictionalized form in the 2023 movie Sound of Freedom. Somehow, Sound of Freedom scored bigger audiences than some brand-name blockbuster franchises this summer. The production company behind the film boasts investors who are tight with Elon Musk (one sits on the SpaceX board). Playing Ballard is actor Jim Caveziel, who portrayed Jesus Christ for Mel Gibson and who thinks fondly of QAnon. But before the well-connected investors took interest, there was Glenn Beck.

Back in 2013, Ballard launched himself and what became OUR on Glenn Becks online show at The Blaze, purportedly raising $1 million for the group from this one appearance. Ballard pitched OUR as a tech startup tooand himself as a tech founder who, as a VentureBeat story in 2014 described him, combs the world with a proprietary CPS data-mining software, ferreting out the worst pedophiles and freeing children enslaved by human traffickers. (An editors note added in 2015 clarified that the software was actually developed by the Child Rescue Coalition and that OUR merely distributed and trained law enforcement on how to use it.) I met Ballard not long afterward, on a press junket in Manhattan. He employed a kind of tactical humility, speaking about his work as something that traumatized him and his volunteer-rescuers too, because, as he told us, on their rescues they were the ones who had to pose as sex traffickers.

At the time, this kind of rescue-oriented, almost missionary-style anti-trafficking group was in vogue. One of the worlds highest-profile such groups, International Justice Mission, or IJM, had been around for yearsand like, OUR, was later found to have, at times, exaggerated its rescues (including, as was recently revealed, actually taking children who were not trafficked into its custody). What made Ballard stand out in a crowded field of anti-trafficking thought leaders was his use of social media to recruit an online fanbaseand their donationsinto his movement.

But OURs operations sounded questionable to anti-trafficking experts from nearly the beginning. Former volunteers have begun to go public in recent years about their experiences on rescue operations. On one such operation in 2015, a new volunteer found that the others were mostly as inexperienced as I was, she wrote in 2021. They believed in Ballard, too, and were doing their best to bootstrap his vision of salvation. The calls were fervent but flawed. Everybody wanted to save the kids, but no one really knew anything about these kids. We talked mostly about fundraising. It took years to get to anything like the truth behind some of the sensationalized rescue stories, as people who staffed the rescues came forward, including people who now say they were victimized by these rescues.

Nothing about helping children who have allegedly been trafficked into the sex trade requires their helpers to playact as a pimp or trafficker. But that playacting is at the heart of the sexual misconduct Ballard is now accused of by at least seven women, all OUR employees. Specifically, sources familiar with a subsequent investigation said Ballard made sexual advances on female staff during rescues. As Vice News revealed, Ballard allegedly invited women to go on undercover trafficking missions in which he posed as a trafficker, to act as his wife, and he would then coerce them into sharing a bed or showering together, claiming that it was necessary to fool traffickers. An anonymous letter sent to donors to anti-trafficking groups this summer, first publicized by Utah journalist Lynn Packer and confirmed by Vice News, describes how Ballards tactics were to solicit sex acts under the premise of going where it takes and doing whatever it takes to save a child.

Whats the future of the anti-trafficking charity-celebrity complex with both these prominent founders out of their respective groups? There is a much larger story here about how the antisex trafficking movement as a whole has failed at its stated mission and has not reckoned with what it means that Trumps followers believe he is an antisex trafficking champion; how it has operated as less of a movement than an arm of law enforcement and powerful donors across the political spectrum. Its impossible to say if such a movement will sustain anything like a reckoning with Ballard and Kutcher. Anti-trafficking groups may seek to distance themselves from once-celebrated founders after such incidents, but its too late: The kinds of questionable claims and sensationalized tales of rescue that Kutcher and Ballard peddled now dominate what most people imagine when they hear about fighting trafficking.

Neither do I have a neat resolution to the stories of these two men. Kutcher, on the one hand, was not ousted from Thorn over any misconduct (that we know of), but his whole turn toward charitable works often has felt like a con to advance his personal brand and influenceand one he may no longer need Thorn for. Ballard, meanwhile, is left pushing vegan supplements (called, incredibly, Freedom) and claiming the denunciation from the LDS is just so-much fake news. Despite his real-life fall from grace, the on-screen version of Ballard may yet continue to be incredibly useful as a profit- and attention-generator. As long as that pays returns to someone, Ballard may not be going far.

The day Kutcher stepped down from Thorn, Ballard was in Congress giving expert testimony on child sex trafficking. On a Fox hit that followed, sandwiched between clips from Sound of Freedom, Ballard announced his new anti-trafficking mission: accusing the Biden administration of running a a child trafficking delivery service. He rounded out his week on Sean Spicers show, where he said that since the release of Sound of Freedom meant his rescue days were over, he was now seriously considering a run for U.S. Senate.
Some police departments that started the school year with school resource officers have now paused their programs, including in Apple Valley and White Bear Lake, leading to Republican legislators calling on their Democratic counterparts Tuesday to hold informational hearings.

A change in state law, which was part of a sweeping education bill this year, has led about 40 law enforcement agencies to pause their school resource officer programs.

The law says school resource officers cant restrain students face-down or put a student in a hold that restricts their ability to breath or communicate distress, except when necessary to restrain a student to prevent bodily harm or death to the student or to another.

Law enforcement leaders say the change imposes two standards on officers: School resource officers working under a contract with a school district are subject to the law, while a patrol officer responding to a school is not. They also interpret it to mean a school resource officer couldnt hold a student by the arm, because thats a form of restraint, unless the student posed a risk of bodily harm or death, the head of the state police chiefs association said last week.

Gov. Tim Walz and legislators who brought the change forward say it aligns with a law thats been in place since 2015 regarding students with disabilities, and this was to clarify it for the entire student body, Walz said Tuesday.

With the change in law, Walz said theyve made clear that if a school resource officer needs to intervene to protect individuals or to protect and to stop a dangerous situation, they have the same authority theyve always had to do exactly that.

Walz said he understands that in an age where everybody is under the microscope, especially when it comes to policing and the use of force, theres a nervousness there. But I want to be very clear, I believe all of these police agencies want to be back in those schools for safety and to build relationships.

Republicans call for hearings, Democrats respond

Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, and Minority Leader Sen. Mark Johnson wrote Tuesday to the chair of the Judiciary and Public Safety committee to request an informational hearing to review the changes and to let stakeholders weigh in.

As you know, the bill specific to the changes did not get referred to or heard by our committee, wrote Limmer, the committees ranking minority member.  Unfortunately, opinions from the Attorney Generals office has not provided the level of clarification and protection our law enforcement partners require. In fact, we are seeing more schools change or end their contract with SROs as the ramifications of the law change become clearer.

That included the police departments in White Bear Lake on Tuesday and Apple Valley and Maple Grove on Monday. Brooklyn Park police announced on Thursday the suspension of their program.

In the House, the Republican leads of the House Education Finance, Education Policy and Public Safety committees wrote Tuesday to the Democratic chairs of the committees and called on them to hold a hearing and invite law enforcement leaders to participate and help in crafting language that addresses the shortcomings of the recently revised law.

Senate and House leadership are in close communication with the governors office, law enforcement agencies, school districts, League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust, community leaders and parents to provide clarity and address concerns, House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senate Majority Leader Kari Dziedzic said in a Tuesday statement.

Were having positive conversations and were working to get SROs back in schools as soon as possible, they said. Our top priority has always been the health and safety of our students.

Governor: Clarification can happen

House and Senate Republican leaders have called for a special legislative session over the revised law.

Walz, a Democrat, said Tuesday that hes left open what it takes to fix this. I made the case that I think theres still a path that we can clarify this. He said he met with about a dozen DFL lawmakers Tuesday morning and thinks there will be a meeting later this week with law enforcement leaders.

Many school districts never had SROs and, for those who do, the majority are still in place, Walz said.

For law enforcement agencies that have pulled SROs, Walz said he thinks the clarity that needs to be made  is to give assurances to folks because Im absolutely convinced law enforcement doesnt want to have situations where they put our kids into those situations. But they also want to know they have the authority, should a situation escalate, that they can take care of it.

Police chiefs speak out

Three Apple Valley police officers who were SROs at Eastview and Apple Valley high schools, along with middle schools, were reassigned to patrol, the police department decided Monday.

Despite these changes, we remain committed to the safety of school students and staff, the police department said in a Tuesday statement. You will see our uniformed officers in and around our school campuses each day.

White Bear Lake police pulled its two SROs  one assigned to each campus of White Bear Lake Area High School. Police officers will be encouraged to walk through schools daily, as often as their call load permits, the department said Monday.

We had a couple of incidents that maybe we would have taken alternative action had that law not been in place, but because it was we took a bit more of a backseat, Police Chief Dale Hager said of SROs at the start of the school year.

Maple Grove Police Chief Eric Werner announced Monday that, due to ongoing confusion over the law, he would suspend use of SROs until the law is changed.

It is unreasonable that a highly trained veteran officer assigned as an SRO is now required to stand by and call a patrol officer to perform the duties they have trained for years to perform, he said in a statement. The use-of-force in the school environment is extremely low. However, when split second decisions occur, SROs must be able to intervene and de-escalate a situation to keep students and school staff safe.

Related Articles
Arizonans saw a 21-cent jump in gas prices since last week while the national average only inched forward 5 cents.

The increase in both the state and across the nation deviated from recent trends where Arizona saw an increase while the U.S. average had a drop in prices.

As of Sept. 19, Arizonans, on average, paid $4.607 for gas while the rest of the nation paid an average of $3.880, according to AAA data.

Since last Thursday, Arizona was reported to have seen one of the largest price increases across the nation with a spike of 17 cents, according to AAA's weekly report. The highest was Minnesota, which saw an increase of 32 cents.

The Grand Canyon state remained the seventh most expensive state in the U.S., where residents are paying an average of $4.51 for gasoline, the report showed.

The national average was 12 cents higher than in 2022 as of Tuesday. AAA said there has been a decrease in demand as the arrival of the fall season nears. Will this bring lower prices? Here is what you need to know.

What to know: Price of gas may surge as Russia, Saudi Arabia say they'll continue to cut production

Lower demand for gas keeps prices lower as cost of oil increases

The U.S. saw a nickel-worth increase in average gas prices on Thursday compared to the previous week, according to the AAA's weekly report.

This was the primary result of a surge in oil costs, which jumped several dollars to hover around $90 a barrel, the report stated.

"Oil costs are putting upward pressure on pump prices, but the rise is tempered by much lower demand," said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, in the report. "The slide in people fueling up is typical, with schools back in session, the days getting shorter, and the weather less pleasant. But the usual decline in pump prices is being stymied for now by these high oil costs."

The demand for gas decreased significantly from 9.32 to 8.31 million barrels per day on Thursday compared to the previous week, according to data from the Energy Information Administration. However, elevated oil prices are what continued pushing gas prices higher.

AAA's weekly report stated that oil prices increased in response to ongoing concern that the global oil supply will remain tight for the rest of the year. It stated that according to a September oil market report by the International Energy Agency, production cuts from Saudi Arabia and other members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries will lead to an oil supply shortfall in fall and winter.

Why is gas so expensive right now in Arizona?

Julian Paredes, AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson, said last month there are multiple reasons for Arizona's higher prices:

This summer was hot: "Arizona was kind of at the center of that extreme heat," Parades said. Arizona has no gasoline production, but fuel refineries in California, Texas, and New Mexico, all of which supply Arizona, were all impacted by extreme heat conditions more than other parts of the country, Parades said.

The state has unique fuel requirements: Arizona requires a particular oil blend of gasoline to meet air quality regulations, which results in more expensive gas.

There is a shortage of pipelines: Refineries in New Mexico and Texas pipe fuel to Arizona via a pipeline to the east, and refineries in California send gas to Phoenix via one to the west. The west pipeline didn't have enough room for additional fuel, HF Sinclair, the day fuel company, said, and trucking more fuel to Phoenix from California not only is expensive but would require 50 to 70 trucks a day.

Some parts of Arizona are supplied by California refineries: Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at Gas Buddy, said last month that some parts of Arizona obtain their gas from refineries in Southern California, which have much more expensive gasoline because the Golden State's regulations on refineries add to the cost.

How much does gas cost in Arizona?

Maricopa: $4.923

Pinal: $4.800

Coconino: $4.320

Mohave: $4.354

Santa Cruz: $4.271

Yavapai: $4.275

Graham: $4.138

La Paz: $4.216

Gila: $4.172

Pima: $4.242

Cochise: $4.125

Apache: $4.100

Navajo: $4.073

Yuma: $4.118

Greenlee: $4.126

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why is gas so expensive right now in Arizona?
Migrants live in tents along the Dan Ryan Expressway near 5100 S. Wentworth Avenue and outside a Chicago police station on Oct. 17, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Mayor Brandon Johnsons administration is moving forward with plans to put up migrant base camps across the city by signing a nearly $30 million contract with a private security firm at the center of controversies related to its handling of asylum-seekers elsewhere and a deal with GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to relocate migrants.

GardaWorld Federal Services, and its subsidiary Aegis Defense Services, quietly sealed the one-year deal with the city on Sept. 12. The city contract calls for GardaWorld to provide emergency logistics management and operation services that will set up shelter  and other necessary services (also called a base camp or solution) for the new arrivals.

Advertisement

The company signed a similar $125 million contract with the state of Illinois late last year, though so far very little has been paid out.

The $29.4 million GardaWorld agreement with the city came less than a week after Johnson announced he intended before winter to move about 1,600 migrants, many of whom are temporarily living inside Chicago police stations or at OHare or Midway airports, to a network of newly erected tent cities peppered throughout the city.

Advertisement

Earlier this month, Johnsons team noted the citys migrant expenditures could reach $302 million by the end of the year when factoring in costs of the new tent encampment sites.

The mayor has yet to reveal details about the exact timeline or locations of the camps, but the contract reveals some specifics about the tents it would assemble. The soft-material yurt structures would each fit 12 cots and be outfitted with fire extinguishers and portable restrooms while makeshift kitchens would be set up nearby. Questions remain, however, on heating capabilities during the unforgiving Chicago winter.

The security company, which says on its website it has responded to all major U.S. natural disasters, declared emergencies, and military conflicts since 2002, has also drawn criticism for several immigration-related matters.

The controversies encompass projects and proposals in Denver, Texas and Canada related to migrants, as well as the firms recent contract agreeing to relocate migrants from Florida under DeSantis direction.

Late Wednesday, after word of the contract was reported by the Tribune and other news outlets, Johnsons administration released a statement saying the contract enables the City to stand up the base camps expeditiously, and more quickly move new arrivals from Chicago Police Department district stations as the weather begins to change.

The administration did not address any of the controversies and said GardaWorld was selected based on expediency because the company had a preexisting master contract with the state that the city was able to piggyback on.

But two months ago, records obtained by the Tribune show members of Johnsons administration raised questions about the firm.

Sharing a Denver Post article about the companys scuttled efforts to secure a $40 million contract to provide migrant services to the city of Denver, the citys deputy mayor for immigration, Beatriz Ponce de Leon, wrote in a July 24 email with state officials, Sharing this article about Denvers rejection of GaurdaWorld (sic). Wed like to discuss possible implications here.

Advertisement

Representatives with GardaWorld declined to comment Wednesday.

Controversies in Denver, border states

In the past decade, GardaWorld has received contracts across North American to provide migrant-related services that include detention. That drew alarm earlier this year from immigration advocates in Denver who successfully helped sink the proposed $40 million contract.

The Denver mayors office withdrew the plan in July after heavy backlash from advocates and nonprofit organizations contended GardaWorld does not have experience running humane migrant shelters and that the firm comes from a background of military-style operations, the Denver Post reported.

Led by the Colorado branch of the progressive, Philadelphia-based American Friends Service Committee, the critics said the company has worked with the federal government at Fort Bliss, a facility along the southern border in El Paso, Texas, that houses unaccompanied children who crossed the border. The company also has contracted with the Canadian government to provide detention and transportation services in the Vancouver area, according to a case study on its website.

In addition, the firm was one of three finalists in Florida for DeSantis plans to relaunch a program relocating migrants to Democratic-led cities, according to the states online records. GardaWorld signed the contract with Floridas executive office of the governor  who is also a 2024 Republican presidential candidate  in June, with amendments stretching to Aug. 17.

The signed Florida agreement includes a cover letter from GardaWorlds vice president of contracts, David Watson, who vowed, In the wake of increasing numbers of migrants arriving in Florida, GWFS stands ready to assist the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) by providing mature and proven project management and transportation services to ensure dignified relocation services, according to a heavily redacted copy uploaded on a Florida state database. That contract was amended three times since, according to the website.

Advertisement

Watson also signed the Illinois and Chicago contracts.

Jennifer Piper, the Colorado program director at AFSC, said GardaWorld should not be trusted to do work in Chicago either.

Theyre a company that is clearly not ethical  and they dont have a good track record of caring for vulnerable people, Piper said. So if I were a Chicago resident, I would be very concerned about the treatment and the conditions for people inside shelters run by GardaWorld.

The company was founded in Canada under the name Trans-Quebec Security Inc. in 1995, according to its website, before it expanded internationally amid a spate of acquisitions.

Its website boasts of being a partner of choice to the U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, (and) the Intelligence Community for services including security, medical and response logistics.

Migrants take shelter inside the Chicago Police Department's 8th District station on Sept. 12, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Most of Chicagos 14,000 migrants who have arrived to seek asylum since August 2022 have come from Texas, some under the direction of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. But DeSantis has been eager to make flashy moves with the migrants who have crossed the U.S. southern border as well, sending planes to Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, and California, to swift condemnation from Democratic leaders.

Advertisement

Chicago and Illinois officials have decried the Republican governors for what they say are efforts to manipulate a humanitarian crisis for a political stunt.

While GardaWorld had reportedly presented its migrant work to Denver officials as humanitarian-focused, The Tampa Bay Times noted DeSantis administration specifically sought vendors that would agree with the following truths:

The migrant and refugee issues are not going away, and that a small percentage of these migrants are criminals and malicious actors from foreign entities. They should be identified, apprehended and delivered to law enforcement, Floridas Division of Emergency Management wrote.

Apprehension over GardaWorld

The city contract is using the $125 million state deal secured months ago with GardaWorld, though state officials said they had no involvement with the city deal.

The state contract called for the company to house between 250-700 people within a warehouse or other large building, and emails and other records show the company was preparing plans for converting a former CVS store into an interim housing facility. But records from the state comptrollers office show the state has paid the company just $2,650, which a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Human Services said was for an initial feasibility assessment on the CVS facility in the Little Village neighborhood.

Still, correspondence between Johnsons and Pritzkers administrations, including from Ponce de Leon, show both sides were aware of the negative press about GardaWorld.

Advertisement

DHS spokeswoman Rachel Otwell said the concerns were related to cultural competency, which the state addressed by collaborating with GardaWorld on its operating policies and procedures to ensure a human services lens, as well as having weekly meetings with company officials as well as local and state officials and planning to have a culturally competent community provider onsite to assist with operations.

IEMA said in a statement that the GardaWorld contract was competitively bid.

The state signed a separate $20 million contract with GardaWorld in February to provide security services to Illinois Department of Human Services lodging sites in and around Chicagoland, though the contract amount was eventually reduced to $100,000, according to records. At the end of last year, the department was housing more than 2,000 migrants across a dozen Chicago-area hotels, but state records show they had all moved out by early May.

The department signed another contract for up to $9.5 million with GardaWorld in August for services related to an emergency shelter for asylum-seekers including set-up/tear-down, equipment/internet installation, personnel, etc.

Records dont show any payments made under the earlier contract for security services. The August contract, meanwhile, is to potentially set up and manage a city of Chicago shelter for up to six months in a former big box store, Otwell said late Wednesday.

Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, chairman of the Chicago City Councils immigration committee, said Wednesday, I dont understand why we would give money to the same folks who are doing DeSantis bidding. He also said he had reservations about Johnsons tent proposal and that the city should instead be spending money acquiring vacant properties for shelters.

Advertisement

The fact that theyre kind of looking at it from this kind of detention lens isnt something I believe we should be moving forward with, Vasquez said when presented with the GardaWorld contract. Again, I understand the need to figure out a solution in the short term. Seeing the information, unless I get more, this does not appear to be it.

Worries about heating during Chicago winter

Questions also remain on how GardaWorlds base camp operations will fare for the asylum-seekers, many of whom are Venezuelan immigrants who trekked across Central and South America with few resources and are still awaiting job permits.

The city contract details the firm would set up trailers and tents that could house between 250 to 1,400 migrants per base camp, with air conditioning and electrical systems. Although the contract states the tents will be able to cool down to 72 degrees if it is 95 degrees outside, it only lists capacity to heat the structures up to 70 degrees from 40 degrees  a floor that hardly matches the subzero temperatures that mark Chicagos winters.

Tents would be made with ClearSpan fabric and provide natural ventilation, armshield cover and multiple foundation options, according to the contract.

The camps would be made up of smaller tents, which the contract call yurts, that span about 665 square feet and would hold a dozen sleeping cots, each with storage space and a minimum 40 square feet of space between occupants. Every yurt would be equipped with fire extinguishers, lighting and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

The contract lays out separate tents for operations staff and for medically isolated patients who would be placed elsewhere in the base camp, in addition to other facilities for kitchens and bathrooms. The latter would be broken into trailers for toilets and urinals, an eight-head shower station, laundry and sinks.

Advertisement

For the porta-trailer restroom, the contract calls for providing at least one toilet for every 20 people, and one toilet and one urinal per 25 males. The firm would establish hand-washing stations to serve a ratio of one sink per 20 people.

Each occupant would get 64 ounces of bottled drinking water per day, per American Red Cross standards, according to the contract, as well as three meals a day, seven days a week. A sample dinner would include an entree, bread, salad, vegetable, dessert and a beverage of coffee, juice or water.

All security for the population provided by GardaWorld in the basecamps would be unarmed, according to the contract, and the company is prepared to provide fencing options around the camps ranging from small barrier/enclosure fencing to complete camp privacy fencing.

For soft-sided lodging such as the tent encampments with utilities readily available, monthly costs will run $2.3 million for 200 to 400 people, and $7.2 million for between 1,201 to 1,400 people. Setup and teardown costs will range from $510,000 to $596,000.

If utilities such as water, electricity and waste are not readily available at tent sites, costs rise as well. Monthly expenditures for a base camp sheltering between 200 to 400 people will run at $2.4 million, while housing between migrants 1,201 and 1,400 will run $7.8 million. Setup and teardown costs will range from $552,000 to $638,000.

ayin@chicagotribune.com

Advertisement

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com
Republican Kari Lake, who lost the 2022 race for Arizona governor and has closely aligned herself with former President Donald Trump, is expected to announce a Senate bid as early as next month, two sources familiar with the planning tell CNN.

Lakes entrance would further scrambles a contest for the seat held by Sen. Kyrsten Sinem, which could end up as a three-way general election. Sinema switched her party affiliation from Democratic to independent in December, and progressive Rep. Ruben Gallego entered the Democratic primary in January. Sinema has not yet publicly said whether she will run for reelection.

A former Arizona television journalist, Lake has built her political image  and her 2022 campaign for governor  around her support for Trumps false claims about extensive election fraud in the 2020 presidential election. She has become a fixture in Trumps orbit since losing her gubernatorial bid.

She has also claimed, without proof, that she won her election last fall against Democrat Katie Hobbs, the states current governor. Lake has lost a series of legal battles seeking to overturn the result of that election, which she lost by more than 17,000 votes.

Politico first reported on the timing of Lakes expected announcement.

Arizona has long been a Republican stronghold, but President Joe Biden narrowly carried the state in 2020, and Democrats have won the last three US Senate elections there. The state GOP is also reeling after losing key statewide races in November, including the key offices of governor and secretary of state.

Election deniers like Lake who have parroted Trumps election lies have largely taken command of the GOP in Arizona, with several Trump-aligned candidates defeating more establishment contenders in recent primaries before losing general elections. Republicans, though, still control most statewide executive offices and the state Legislature.

Sinema, who continues to caucus with Senate Democrats, has faced criticism from her onetime party colleagues over her refusal to support elements of Bidens agenda.

Gallego, a Phoenix-area congressman and retired Marine who served in Iraq, launched his campaign with a video announcement stating: The rich and the powerful, they dont need more advocates. Its the people that are still trying to decide between groceries and utilities that need a fighter for them.

Lake will not have the GOP Senate primary to herself. Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, another promoter of Trumps election lies, entered the Republican contest in April.

This story has been updated with additional information.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The Armenian government appealed to the European Court of Human Rights on Sept. 19 with a request for action against Azerbaijan following the launch of an Azeri offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Nagorno-Karabakh came under Armenian control following the first Nagorno-Karabakh war in the early 1990s. The region declared independence as the Republic of Artsakh. In 2020 Azerbaijan launched a successful military operation to regain control of parts of the region. Russia brokered an armistice in November of 2020 and deployed forces to patrol the single remaining road between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Last year the Armenian government accused Russia of failing its peacekeeping mission after Azerbaijan blockaded the road to Nagorno-Karabakh after the withdrawal of Russian forces.

Azerbaijan announced the offensive Sept. 19, referring to the assault as local anti-terrorism measures.

Armenia appealed to the court citing Rule 39, an interim measure applied when there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm, and requested actions be taken to stop Azerbaijan from targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

The court has yet to issue a statement. At least 25 people have reportedly been killed and 138 injured in the hostilities so far.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian advances point to severe degradation of Russian units, says ISW

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
WEST PALM BEACH  Citing a new state law with enhanced penalties for those convicted of distributing extremist literature, local law-enforcement officials vowed to take more aggressive measures against those accused of distributing anti-Semitic materials to homes in Palm Beach County.

During a news conference Tuesday at the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office in West Palm Beach, State Attorney Dave Aronberg , Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and state Rep. Mike Caruso discussed efforts to address a spate of incidents this year in the county.

The sheriffs office reported this month that two communities in Wellington were targeted by persons leaving small plastic bags filled with anti-Semitic and extremist messages.

Was it murder? He claimed to fire in self-defense in West Palm Beach. What a judge decided in court.

In May, West Palm Beach police cited five men suspected of distributing anti-Semitic materials to homes in the Old Northwood neighborhood, while similar incidents dating back to January were reported in Palm Beach and Atlantis.

"This is an issue of great concern to the community. I've received a number of calls and questions about why more could not be done," Aronberg said. "Before the law changed, we were limited in what we could do as prosecutors and law-enforcement officials."

New state law gives law enforcement greater power over extremists

Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg speaks to media during a press conference at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office satellite office on Thursday, December 15, 2022, in West Palm Beach, FL. On Thursday, PBSO announced the arrest of the 29-year-old mother of Baby June, a 2-day-old infant who was found dead in the Boynton Beach Inlet in 2018.

Gov. Ron DeSantis in April signed into law House Bill 269 this year, making acts carried out against either religious or ethnic groups for the purpose of threats or intimidation a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

Under the law, people who take actions such as defacing or damaging religious cemeteries, projecting images of religious animus onto a property without permission or harassing others because of religious-based garments can be charged with third-degree felonies.

The difference in the law now is, in the past, if you littered, it was noncriminal violation, Aronberg said. Now, even if you litter under 15 pounds, if you are doing so with the purpose of intimidating or threatening the owner, a resident, or a guest at the home, then that is a first-degree misdemeanor thats punishable by up to one year in jail. If the litter contains a credible threat, that is a felony.

Medical malpractice: South Florida jury awards $20 million in damages after man's death

Addressing First Amendment concerns, Caruso, who sponsored the house bill, said he consulted with constitutional attorneys.

"You're allowed to say whatever you want. This is the United States," said Caruso, R-West Palm Beach. "But when you commit a crime, and you speak out with hate (and) religious or ethnic animus, that's not allowed. That's not free speech. That raises that crime that you're committing to a hate crime, and that's how we fashioned this bill."

Sheriff vows to arrest anyone who distributes materials in county

To date, no one in Palm Beach County has been charged under the new law. The State Attorney's Office in August announced one of its first successful prosecutions of a person accused of distributing anti-Semitic literature when a 33-year-old man from Maryland pleaded guilty to a charge of resisting an officer without violence, as well as misdemeanor charges of dumping litter and attempting to dump litter.

A judge placed the Maryland man on 12 months of probation. Aronberg said investigators believe the acts have largely been carried out by persons affiliated with a group originally based in California. He declined to name the group.

We know who they are, we know where they live and we know their M.O. It's just a matter of catching them," Bradshaw said.

He issued a warning to those intending to distribute extremist materials.

If you come to Palm Beach County and you do this, I will put your butt in jail," Bradshaw said. "I dont care if its 20 people or 200. I will load those corrections buses up, but they will go to jail and they will get prosecuted."

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: New law to help Palm Beach County prosecute extremist leaflet distribution
The arrested helicopter of Kostiantyn Zhevaho, ex-parliamentarian and shareholder of Finance and Credit Bank, will perform tasks in a combat unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Source: press service The State Bureau of Investigation

Details: The helicopter was arrested as part of the investigation of criminal proceedings of the State Bureau of Investigation in March 2023.

A helicopter has been expropriated by one of the units to ensure the performance of combat missions by the decision of the country's military command.

This aircraft belonged to a legal entity controlled by the former deputy. Zhevaho used it for personal purposes during his stay on the territory of Ukraine, the Bureau notes.

Background:

On 27 September 2019, Zhevaho was served with a notice of suspicion as part of  investigation of criminal proceedings on the embezzlement of US$113 million of funds of the Finance and Credit bank. Also, notices of suspicion were served to several top managers of the bank.

On 9 October 2019, it was reported that the businessman was put on the wanted list in Ukraine. In July 2021, the State Bureau of Investigation reported that Zhevaho was put on the international wanted list of Interpol.

On 27 December 2022, the French police detained Zhevaho in the ski resort of Courchevel. The Chambery court decided on Zhevaho's extradition arrest on the State Bureau of Investigation recommendation.

On 30 March 2023, the court in the French city of Chambery rejected the request of the Ukrainian side for the extradition of Ukrainian businessman Kostiantyn Zhevaho.

According to the data of Ukrainska Pravda, the Ukrainian side filed an appeal on the decision of the Court of the city of Chambery.

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!
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP has been sued in the U.S. by a former senior director who claims the drugmaker refused to pay her nearly $130,000 in promised bonuses and stock options because she worked from home full-time.

Elmarie Bodes, who was AstraZeneca's senior director of business transformation until January, said in the lawsuit filed in South Carolina state court on Tuesday that she was owed a $124,000 performance bonus and $65,000 in stock options.

Instead, AstraZeneca earlier this year cut her payout in half and refused to grant any stock options because she did not come into the office at least three days per week, according to the lawsuit.

AstraZeneca, which is based in London and has U.S. headquarters in Delaware, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit claims AstraZeneca gave no prior notice that it would condition bonuses on whether employees reported to the office.

Companies in employment agreements often reserve the right to exercise discretion in awarding bonuses.

Bodes accused AstraZeneca of breach of contract and failure to pay wages in violation of South Carolina law. She is seeking to recoup the money she claims she is owed along with other damages.

The lawsuit is the latest to stem from the explosion of remote work that began during the COVID-19 pandemic, though most of the litigation involves claims that companies refused to cover expenses related to working from home or that workers with disabilities were unable to return to the office.

In March, a California federal judge refused to allow an Amazon.com employee to pursue claims on behalf of nearly 7,000 other workers that the online retailer did not cover home office expenses. The judge said the plaintiff failed to identify a company-wide policy of not reimbursing employees for those costs, noting that at least 600 workers were reimbursed.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Matthew Lewis)
In the early hours of Sept. 13, Ukrainian missiles slammed into Russian dry docks in the strategic port of Sevastopol, damaging a Russian submarine and a large landing ship in one of Kyivs most significant attacks on Moscow's navy since the war began. Images and videos on social media showed explosions and flames tearing through the shipyard on the southern tip of occupied Crimea as smoke drifted up into the pre-dawn sky.

For Ukraine and its supporters, the strike was bittersweet. Executed using newly acquired British Storm Shadow missiles, it showed that Kyiv can now hit targets from more than 150 miles away with pinpoint accuracy, increasing the pressure on Russian military sites and supply lines deeper behind the front line. But Storm Shadow missiles and similar French-supplied SCALP missiles may not be enough. They have been supplied in limited quantities and can only be fired from the air, which creates logistical challenges in Ukraines contested airspace.

Enter ATACMS, the Army Tactical Missile Systems, pronounced attack ems. For more than a year, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky has led the push for the U.S. to provide ATACMS, which are ballistic missiles with a range of up to 190 miles that could slot into Ukraines existing rocket launchers. The weapons system would put virtually all of Russias forces on Ukrainian territory within striking distance.

So far, the Biden administration has held back on ATACMS, arguing that they would increase the risks of escalating a war with Russia, either beyond Ukraines borders or to ever more destructive types of weapons, including ultimately battlefield nuclear weapons. But as Zelensky prepares to visit Washington on Thursday after attending the United Nations General Assemblys gathering in New York, expectations are rising in Ukraine that ATACMS may be in the offing. We are on the finishing line, Im sure of that, Zelensky said in an interview with CNN on Sept. 19.

Reports differ about whether Biden will countenance sending ATACMS to Ukraine. ABC News first reported on Sept. 9 that the U.S. was leaning towards sending ATACMS to Ukraine, even if a final decision was yet to be made. On Sept. 15, Axios reported that the administration has yet to come to a conclusion, and may be unlikely to reach one while Zelensky is in the U.S. Those conversations will probably happen when President Zelensky comes to meet President Biden, says a Department of Defense official.

Either way, Ukraine is on the verge of ticking one of the last weapons off its wish list of American support. After that, experts say, Ukraines vocal campaigns for ever more advanced weapons systems may shift towards pushing for maintaining and renewing its weapons stocks as Ukraines grinding offensive continues to use up vast amounts of supplies.

Ukraines wish list

The two things on the top of their wish list are ATACMS and F-16s, which have strong symbolic meaning for the Ukrainians, says Mark F. Cancian, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Ukrainian pilots are currently being trained on F-16s fighter jets, and U.S. officials have said that they expect the planes to be delivered to Ukraine by the end of the year. So far, the Netherlands and Denmark have committed to providing up to 61 F-16s, although the exact number is not yet clear.

While Ukraine has insisted that the planes will make a significant difference, extensive air defenses on both sides have largely made the conflict a ground war so far.

Read more: Ukrainian Pilots Begin F-16 Training This Month. Here's Why That Matters

ATACMS are the last new weapons system on the long list of equipment that Ukrainian officials have been calling for since the war began.



While big-ticket items such as F-16s and ATACMS continue to dominate the headlines around military aid to Ukraine, analysts and experts tell TIME that other forms of support may ultimately prove more vital.

According to a Congressional Research Service report from Sept. 14, Ukraines equipment focus likely will shift toward sustainment, as U.S. and Western partners have largely exhausted supplies of new capabilities and systems.

We're at the point where a steady supply of munitions is most important for maintaining Ukraines offensive momentum, says Mykola Bielieskov, a research fellow at the National Institute for Strategic Studies in Kyiv. He says that in the kind of attritional combat that Ukraine is facing along its front lines, maintaining a steady rate of artillery attacks will be crucial. Both Russia and Ukraine are struggling to replace the thousands of artillery shells they are firing everyday.

Read more: Why Kim Jong Un's Russia Trip Is a Sign of Putin's Weakness

Cancian echoed this sentiment, saying that an army in the field expends vast amounts of weapons, munitions, and supplies. Without a continuing replenishment of artillery shells, engineering equipment, trucks, medical supplies, and provisions, Ukraines military capability will start to diminish, he says.

Ukrainian officials have also emphasized the need for more air defenses to help protect the front lines as well as Ukraines urban areas. As we approach the winter, we are preparing for a Russian attack on our energy infrastructure, another attempt to leave Ukrainians without heating, lights and water in the cold season," said Liubov Nepop, political director at the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the Hudson Institute on Sept. 16.

Throughout the summer, Ukraine has struggled to break through Russian trenches and minefields, which are between three and 10 miles deep in front of Russias key strongholds in eastern and southeastern Ukraine. While the U.S. has provided some mine-clearing systems, Russia has prioritized targeting these in a bid to slow down Ukraines counter-offensive.

The situation right now is that theyre having to go up against a lot of minefields. So were trying to provide items that assist with that, says the DoD official.

U-turn from the Biden administration

Whatever the final decision is on ATACMS, the fact that the administration is seriously debating sending them represents a dramatic shift in tone. Just over a year ago, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan ruled out providing ATACMS to Ukraine. There are certain capabilities the President has said he is not prepared to provide. One of them is long-range missiles, ATACMS, he said at the Aspen Security Forum, adding that the administration wants to ensure we do not end up in a circumstance where we are heading down the road towards a third world war.

But William B. Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, says a U-turn on ATACMS would be part of a larger pattern of the U.S. eventually relenting on arming Ukraine. Step by step, weapon system by weapon system, the U.S. government has made decisions to provide an ever-larger quantity and ever-greater quality of weapons, he says.

Similarly, protracted debates have taken place with Patriot air-defense batteries, longer-range HIMARS rocket launchers, M1 Abrams tanks, and F-16 fighter jets, which the U.S. has started to train Ukrainian pilots to use after allowing allies to give the American-made warplanes to Ukraine.

More from TIME

The U.S. has also provided Ukraine with cluster munitions and depleted uranium shells, which human rights groups argue may lead to civilian casualties and contaminate the soil respectively. Ukraine maintains that it is committed to using the weapons responsibly.

There has been a real evolution in the U.S.s security assistance to Ukraine, according to Margarita Konaev, a researcher at the Center for Security and Emerging Technology, a think tank based out of Georgetown University. She says that while the administration has been cautious to avoid any Russian escalation of the conflict, it has realized that Russia on its part has no interest in a wider war with NATO. So theres a lot more room to maneuver than what they thought earlier on.

Says the DoD official, We're focused on giving them as much as we can, as fast as we can."

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A 36-year-old man, described by federal prosecutors as a repeat criminal offender in the Athens community, was sentenced to a lengthy term in a federal prison for which there is no parole.

U.S. District Court Judge Ashley Royal imposed a prison term of 18 years and four months on Wayne Lenard McKinley, who pleaded guilty this week to the distribution of heroin and cocaine.

McKinley had a reputation in Athens as a man bent on breaking the law, according to his criminal history.

Federal prosecutors released a statement Tuesday showing he had convictions in Athens of aggravated assault, distribution of controlled substances, unlawful possession of a firearm, robbery by snatch, making terroristic threats and trespassing.

Federal prosecutors will not turn a blind eye to repeat criminal activity by violent offenders in Athens or elsewhere in the Middle District, U.S. Attorney Peter Leary said.

FBI Agent Keri Farley also released a statement saying that repeat offenders like McKinley pose a threat to public safety.

Crime: Winterville woman arrested after plotting to capture scammer, holds Uber driver at gunpoint

Crime: Federal prisoner pleads guilty to murder in Barrow County woman's slaying

In the case that landed McKinley in prison, he was charged in a case where confidential informants cooperated with police in securing his arrest in May 2016

The unidentified people met with McKinley at an apartment complex on Fourth Street, while police had the meeting under surveillance, according to the report.

After McKinley was seen selling heroin and cocaine, he was placed under arrest, agents said.

In June 2022, a probation violation warrant was issued for McKinley on allegation that he tested positive for THC, that he failed to report to his probation officer and failed to complete a substance abuse program. He was living in Lithonia at the time.

In September that year, he was ordered to report to a Day Reporting Center and was continued on probation.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens man sentenced to prison on cocaine and heroin convictions
Search and rescue operation is being conducted on site of the Russian attack in the city of Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast; the bodies of two more victims have been found, and thus, the number of victims rose to eight.

Source: Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "Search and rescue operation by the emergency services on site of the attack in Kupiansk has finished.

Unfortunately, the bodies of two more civilian men were found. At the moment, the total number of victims of the Russian attack on Kupiansk is eight people, six men and two women."

Details: Syniehubov specified that the two men that were killed were the volunteers evacuating civilians.

He added that the Russians launched the attack using a Grom-E1 missile.

At the moment law enforcement agencies are investigating all circumstances of the Russian attack.

Background:

On 20 September, Russian forces attacked Kupiansk, Kharkiv Oblast, killing three civilians. Later it became known the death toll from the Russian attack on Kupiansk has risen to 6.

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!
Lin Wood , an attorney who filed lawsuits seeking to overturn former President Trumps loss in the 2020 election, said he hasnt turned on Trump after Georgia prosecutors named him as a witness.

Buried in a 103-page-long court document filed Wednesday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Williss (D) office noted Wood is a witness in its criminal case against Trump and 18 others in charges in Georgia that include racketeering and conspiracy.

In an interview with The Hill, Wood said hes simply responding to a subpoena.

Theres zero truth to that, Wood said when asked if he had turned against Trump.

A special purpose grand jury that heard evidence in the probe for months had recommended Wood be indicted, but prosecutors ultimately opted against charging him with Trump and 18 others last month. Wood previously indicated that he had been subpoenaed to appear before the special grand jury.

Wood said he received the subpoena last week, after the indictment was handed up, to testify at next months trial. He dispelled the notion that he had reached some sort of agreement with prosecutors.

Im always willing to go in under subpoena. Ill go testify and answer their questions, honestly, like I did in the grand jury, Wood said.

Only two of the defendants, Trump-aligned attorneys Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell , are slated to go to trial in October, while Trump and the others charges will move at a slower pace.

Wood and Powell were both involved in filing lawsuits challenging the 2020 election results based on unfounded claims of mass election fraud, though Wood never actually represented Trump.

Wood retired this summer and gave up his law license rather than face disbarment proceedings over his post-election efforts.

Powell is charged over a breach of an elections office in Coffee County, Ga., but Wood said he has no connection to those allegations.

I continue to be at a loss to understand why Im dragged into this, Wood said.

Prosecutors revealed Wood is a witness as part of court documents identifying potential conflicts of interests for six attorneys representing various defendants in the case.

Williss office said Harry MacDougald, an attorney representing Trump Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who will not go to trial in October, has a potential conflict because he was previously co-counsel with Wood.

L. Lin Wood is a witness for the State in the present case, prosecutors wrote. Mr. MacDougalds former clients and co-counsel would be subject to cross-examination by him were he to remain counsel of record in this case.

The Hill has reached out to MacDougald for comment.

There is no conflict. We will respond to the motion in due course, said Chris Anulewicz, who represents attorney Bob Cheeley, one of the defendants.

Williss office said Anulewicz has a potential conflict because he previously represented Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R) and is a witness himself.

Willis also said Scott Grubman, an attorney representing Chesebro, had a potential conflict because he represented Raffensperger and his wife.

Grubman pushed back later in the day, writing in court filings that he only briefly represented the Raffenspergers in a personal capacity and that both they and Chesebro signed waivers giving Chesebro consent to continue.

Mr. Grubman would have informed the District Attorneys Office of such informed consent had they reached out before filing their Notice, Grubman wrote. The State did not extend that typical professional courtesy.

The Hill has reached out to the other four attorneys also identified as having potential conflicts for comment.

Updated at 4:41 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Lockport Township High School District 205 Board approved its 2023-2024 fiscal year budget Monday in a 4-3 vote, with dissenting board members signaling they prefer to spend down the districts fund balance or use cash on hand as the district prepares strategies to fund the budget.

Board members Marty Boersma, Sandra Chimon Rogers and Zyan Navarra voted against the budget after four residents addressed the Board. They also cited emails received over the weekend urging them to vote against the budget to avoid a potential increase in the property tax levy later this fall.

Advertisement

The residents said the districts projected $76.8 million fund balance as of June 30, 2024, which equals 12 months of cash on hand used to operate the district, should be utilized as a savings for taxpayers. In the 2022-2023 budget, the districts fund balance was $70.6 million, said Stefanie Croix, the districts director of business services.

How many taxpayers do you know that are sitting on 12 months of expenditures in the bank waiting to be spent? said resident Tammy Hayes. Its wildly unrealistic to think that you can keep 12 full months of expenditures sitting in the bank.

Advertisement

Superintendent Robert McBride said the high school budget process has two parts, first approving the budget and then approving a method to pay for the budget, by approving a property tax levy or spending out of the fund balance. With an approved budget, district officials will now begin preparing strategies for funding district operations for the next year, he said.

The property tax levy, which goes before the board for tentative approval in November and final approval in December, would only increase if the board approved levying the whole budget increase onto taxpayers, McBride said.

According to the 2023-2024 budget, with new property, the 2023 property tax levy is estimated to increase 5.96% over the 2022 tax extension. Croix said Tuesday that historically the levy estimate included in the budget is proposed to the board in November.

Board members who voted against the budget did not give district officials the right opportunity to prepare presentations for funding strategies, McBride said.

With all due respect, on behalf of Stefanie Croix, to the no voters, you did not give us time to present you options for the levy, which actually is the thing that lowers taxes, McBride said. Weve been talking about this since July. The feedback you received was in the past 48 hours. Ill just let that stand as a fact of which has more value.

Navarra, who voted in favor of the tentative budget in July, said he voted against the budget because finding ways to save residents money shows the board is listening and we care.

We should definitely explore other strategies, Navarra said.

Boersma and Rogers both raised questions about the impacts of spending the districts cash on hand. When the board approved the tentative budget in July, Boersma was absent from the meeting and Rogers voted in favor of it.

Advertisement

Boersma and Rogers, who ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and were endorsed by the Conservative group We The Parents Illinois, said they voted against the budget after hearing from residents about the districts cash on hand via email and during public comments.

We appreciate the engagement and dedication of our community members in contributing to the betterment of our community and high school, and we look forward to continued collaboration and dialogue as we work together to ensure the fiscal health and accountability of our institution, Rogers said in an email explaining her vote.

It has been the boards policy to operate with a fund balance that allows for six to 12 months of cash on hand to operate the district, McBride said, and that fund balance gets spent down throughout the year. By extension, if the districts fund balance has between six to 12 months of cash on hand it ensures a strong bond rating, he said.

Croix said if the board were to spend its cash on hand then for a period of time it would be spending more than it would be bringing in.

The districts fund balance grows over time when unexpected revenue comes in, such as when the district receives an unexpected grant or a cost comes in lower than the district budgeted for, Croix said. The district uses that fund to complete facility projects, she said.

DLA Architects principal Eric Sickbert presented the group's tentative plans to renovate Central Campus during a Lockport High School District 205 Board meeting Sept. 18, 2023. (Alexandra Kukulka/Daily Southtown)

Ahead of the budget vote, representatives with DLA Architects presented an initial vision for possible renovation of Central Campus, which included a tentative plan for departments and classrooms to have spaces near each other and a cafeteria with natural lighting.

Advertisement

The total cost of infrastructure and capital improvements of a renovated building ranges between $95 million to $115 million, said DLA Architects associate principal and project architect Peter Pontarelli.

The project cost requires a referendum vote, so if the Board approves moving forward with the referendum it would be presented to voters in 2024, said DLA Architects associate principal Richard Kocek. If voters approve the referendum, construction would begin in 2025 and would likely be completed in 2030, he said.

Board member Veronica Shaw said if the board spends down its cash on hand and the voters approve a referendum measure to renovate Central Campus the district would receive a lower bond rating, which would mean the renovation would cost the district more in the long run.

We want this to continue as a freshman center, said board President Ann Lopez-Caneva. I feel we need to preserve our buildings.
Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland stressed his independence from the White House and Congress during a contentious hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

"Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate," Garland said. "As the president himself has said, and I reaffirm here today: I am not the presidents lawyer. I will add that I am not Congress prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people."

Garland appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for what would normally be a routine oversight hearing focused on policy, crime and department initiatives, but was instead expected to serve as a forum for Republicans to attempt to bolster their new impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Republican lawmakers were set to air grievances about the charges brought against former President Trump and the ongoing special counsel investigation of the president's son, Hunter Biden.

The committee, led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), said the hearing was to "examine how the Justice Department has become politicized and weaponized under the leadership of Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland."

Jordan started the hearing, which was expected to last several hours, by comparing the investigation of Hunter Biden by special counsel David Weiss to the two cases brought against Trump by special counsel Jack Smith.

Theres one investigation protecting President Biden; theres another one attacking President Trump," Jordan said. "Justice Departments got both sides of the equation covered. 

New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee, criticized Republicans for wasting time on fruitless investigations into Hunter Biden's laptop rather than oversight of the Justice Department or passing spending bills.

I implore the public to see through the sham. I have no doubt that you will hear a deluge of conspiracy theories and baseless accusations," Nadler said.

Republican committee members grilled Garland with rapid-fire assertions about his role in deciding who would conduct the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden and statements made by a former Internal Revenue Service investigator, Gary Shapley, about that investigation. The GOP lawmakers claimed that the Justice Department had slow-walked potential felony tax charges against Hunter Biden until the statute of limitations expired.

Garland remained soft-spoken, often declining to respond other than citing what was already in the public record. He reiterated that when he chose Weiss, a federal prosecutor in Delaware appointed by Trump, he vowed not to interfere with the investigation into the president's son, which had been underway for several years, including not being involved in charging decisions. Last month, Garland named Weiss special counsel  after Weiss requested the designation, which gives him broader power.

Weiss indicted Hunter Biden last week on two charges that he lied about his drug use to buy a handgun in 2018 and on one charge of illegally possessing the weapon.

"Mr. Weiss will have an opportunity to explain the decision [to let the statute of limitations expire]," Garland said. "I have intentionally not involved myself in the facts of the case not because I'm trying to get out of responsibility, but because I'm trying to pursue my responsibility."

Garland told lawmakers that the Justice Department welcomed public scrutiny, criticism and legitimate oversight, but cautioned that singling out individual career public servants who are just doing their jobs is dangerous  particularly at a time of increased threats to the safety of public servants and their families.

We will not be intimidated, Garland said. We will do our jobs free from outside interference. And we will not back down from defending our democracy.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CANBERRA (Reuters) - The Australian government said it will stop trying to eradicate the Varroa mite, a parasite that kills honey bees, and will instead try to manage its spread, which is likely to make pollination of crops such as almonds more costly.

The decision ends an A$132 million ($85.3 million)eradication plan that has destroyed more than 14,000 hives in southeastern Australia since the mite was discovered there in June 2022.

The federal government said the decision was taken on Tuesday by the National Management Group (NMG), which is driving the Varroa programme nationwide.

In a statement on Wednesday, the New South Wales government, speaking on behalf of the NMG, said non-compliant and illegal movement of hives had spread the parasite further and made it impossible to contain.

Commercial crops including almonds, apples and avocados are dependent on pollination by European honey bees, with huge numbers of hives moved during spring flowering to bring bees to plants.

The Australian government has said a widespread mite infestation could destroy most wild European honey bee nests and managed hives not adapted to Varroa, reducing pollination and causing losses of over A$70 million a year.

"The recent spike in new detections have made it clear that the Varroa mite infestation is more widespread and has also been present for longer than first thought," the New South Wales government said in a statement.

"The potential to eradicate is no longer possible ... We now need to work collaboratively to manage and minimise the impact of Varroa."

Varroa is a reddish-brown mite around 1 mm in diameter that attaches itself to European and Asian honey bees and feeds on them, weakening them and killing colonies.

The mite also carries viruses and has caused the collapse of honey bee populations around the world.

Varroa does not target native Australian honey bees.

($1 = 1.5485 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Peter Hobson; editing by Miral Fahmy)
FILE PHOTO: A supporter holds a poster depicting Julian Assange during a protest against the extradition of WikiLeaks' founder from Britain to the U.S., in Athens

By Kanishka Singh and Renju Jose

WASHINGTON/SYDNEY (Reuters) -A cross-party delegation of Australian lawmakers that traveled to the United States seeking the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said they had a productive discussion in Washington with the U.S. Justice Department.

The group of Australian lawmakers urged U.S. officials to drop their attempts to extradite Assange from a British prison to the United States, where he is wanted on charges over WikiLeaks' release of confidential U.S. military records and diplomatic cables.

"We had a fair hearing and we had a productive discussion," Australian Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said after the meeting.

The delegation included lawmakers from the Labor government, the opposition Liberal and National parties, and the Greens.

Labor Member of Parliament Tony Zappia said Australians believed Assange, an Australian citizen, had been punished enough and that his charges should be dropped.

"Our discussions with the Department of Justice right now and with others in Washington have enabled us to put that view very clearly and very strongly, we've done that," Zappia told reporters.

A handful of Assange supporters gathered outside the Justice Department building where the meeting took place and hailed Assange as a journalist who should be reunited with his family.

Assange's supporters say he has been victimized because he exposed U.S. wrongdoing and potential crimes, including in conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Washington says the release of the secret documents put lives in danger.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in May said he was frustrated that a diplomatic solution had not been reached to end Assange's detention, and that he remained concerned about Assange's mental health. Zappia said Albanese might raise the issue when he visits the U.S. next month.

"We think this has gone on too long, and the breadth of political representation on this delegation I think demonstrates that there are a great many people in Australia who would like to see this matter resolved," Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters in New York on Wednesday, where she is attending the United Nations General Assembly.

Support for Assange among U.S. policymakers remains low.

If extradited, Assange faces a sentence of up to 175 years in a maximum-security prison.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; additional reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney. Editing by Stephen Coates and Michael Perry)
An autopsy on New England Patriots fan Dale Mooney, who died at a Sunday night game at Gillette Stadium, didnt indicate a traumatic injury was to blame, though a medical issue was identified in his death.

Our investigation has included numerous law enforcement interviews and the examination of multiple angles of video capturing the scuffle prior to Mr. Dale Mooneys collapse during the Sunday night game at Gillette Stadium, the Norfolk District Attorneys office said in a statement. Preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue.

Witnesses said the 53-year-old victim was punched during a scuffle at the end of the home teams showdown with the Miami Dolphins. Mooneys sudden collapse was pretty hard to watch, one spectator told WCVB.

Cause and manner of death remain undetermined pending further testing, according to the district attorneys office.

No arrests have been made in the ongoing investigation, and police have not confirmed his death was caused by a punch. Authorities are asking fans who may have recorded the fight that involved Mooney to share their video footage.

He was pronounced dead shortly before midnight at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. Mooneys wife told WCVB she wasnt aware of any medical condition her husband might have had.
Avera Health has named a new president and CEO after a five-month search, following Bob Sutton's April announcement that he would be retiring from the role after being diagnosed with a medical condition.

James Dover

James Dover will serve as Avera's next president and CEO, according to a press release from the health system sent Wednesday afternoon.

Dover has served as the president and CEO of Sparrow Health, a regional health system based in Lansing, Michigan, since 2019, and has served in other leadership roles at health systems in Illinois, California and Colorado. His first day in the role will be Oct. 23.

More: Avera President and CEO Bob Sutton stepping down

As I embark on this next chapter, I am committed to listening, learning and being present and engaged with our employees, our physicians, our leaders and representatives of the communities we serve. I view my role as empowering our workforce, building and maintaining trusted relationships, and helping our communities flourish, said Dover in the release.

The decision comes after Sutton left in September, following "a recently diagnosed serious medical condition requiring an intensive care regimen."

Since Aug. 5, Avera's CFO, Julie Lautt, has served as the interim president and CEO of the health system.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: James Dover named new president and CEO of Avera Health
Children are in a shelter during shelling in Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Azerbaijan's forces fired artillery at Armenian positions in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Ethnic Armenian officials reported heavy shelling around the regional capital of Stepanakert. (AP Photo/Siranush Sargsyan)

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP)  Azerbaijan claimed full control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region Wednesday after local Armenian forces there agreed to lay down their weapons following the latest outbreak of fighting in the decades-long separatist conflict.

Authorities in the ethnic Armenian region that has run its affairs without international recognition since fighting broke out in the early 1990s declared around midday that local self-defense forces will disarm and disband under a Russia-mediated cease-fire.

They also said representatives of the region will start talks Thursday with the Baku government on Nagorno-Karabakh's reintegration into Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev trumpeted victory in a televised address to the nation, saying that in just one day, Azerbaijan fulfilled all the tasks set as part of local anti-terrorist measures and restored its sovereignty.

On Tuesday, the Azerbaijan army unleashed an artillery barrage and drone attacks against outnumbered and undersupplied pro-Armenian forces, which have been weakened by a blockade of the region in the southern Caucasus Mountains that is recognized internationally as being part of Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said at least 200 people, including 10 civilians, were killed and more than 400 others were wounded in the fighting. He said earlier that children were among the dead and wounded.

His casualty figures could not immediately be independently verified.

The hostilities worsened an already grim humanitarian situation for residents who have endured food and medicine shortages for months as Azerbaijan enforced a blockade of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

Thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents flocked to a camp operated by Russian peacekeepers to avoid the fighting, while many others gathered at the airport of the regional capital, Stepanakert, hoping to flee the region.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a speech to the nation that fighting decreased following the truce, emphasizing that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are fully responsible for its residents security.

If peacekeepers have proposed a peace deal, it means that they completely and without any reservations accepted the responsibility of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, and provide the conditions and the rights for them to live on their land and in their homes safely, he said.

Pashinyan, who has previously recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, said Armenia wouldn't be drawn into the fighting. He said his government didnt take part in negotiating the deal, but has taken note of the decision made by the regions separatist authorities.

He again denied any Armenian troops were in the region, even though separatist authorities said they were in Nagorno-Karabakh and would pull out as part of the truce.

Protesters rallied in the Armenian capital of Yerevan for a second straight day Wednesday, blocking streets and demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. was deeply concerned about Azerbaijans military actions. We have repeatedly emphasized the use of force is absolutely unacceptable, he said, adding that the U.S. was closely watching the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh. And the U.N. Security Council scheduled an urgent meeting Thursday on the Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh at the request of France.

Azerbaijan's move to reclaim control over Nagorno-Karabakh raised concerns that a full-scale war in the region could resume between the two neighbors, which have been locked in a struggle over Nagorno-Karabakh since a separatist war there ended in 1994.

During another war that lasted for six weeks in 2020, Azerbaijan reclaimed broad swaths of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent territories that were held for decades by Armenian forces. More than 6,700 people died in the fighting, which ended with a Russian-brokered peace agreement. Moscow deployed about 2,000 peacekeeping troops to the region.

The conflict has long drawn in powerful regional players, including Russia and Turkey. While Russia took on the mediating role, Turkey threw its weight behind longtime ally Azerbaijan.

Russia has been Armenias main economic partner and ally since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and has a military base in the country.

Pashinyan, however, has been increasingly critical of Moscows role, emphasizing its failure to protect Nagorno-Karabakh and arguing that Armenia needs to turn to the West to ensure its security. Moscow, in turn, has expressed dismay about Pashinyans pro-Western tilt.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Pashinyan on Wednesday, welcoming the deal to end the hostilities and start talks between Azerbaijani officials and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Russias Defense Ministry said some of its peacekeepers were killed Wednesday, although it didnt say how many and whether it happened before or after the start of the cease-fire. The ministry said the peacekeeping contingent had evacuated more than 3,100 civilians.

The separatists' quick capitulation reflected their weakness following the Armenian forces' defeat in the 2020 war and the loss of the only road linking the region to Armenia.

Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank, said the separatist forces, which consisted of several thousand poorly supplied men, were probably not a match for the Azerbaijani forces.

While many in Armenia blamed Russia for the defeat of the separatists, Moscow pointed to Pashinyan's own recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Undoubtedly, Karabakh is Azerbaijan's internal business, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. Azerbaijan is acting on its own territory, which was recognized by the leadership of Armenia.

He voiced hope that Azerbaijan would respect the rights of Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian population.

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Aliyev and condemned Azerbaijans decision to use force ... at the risk of worsening the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and compromising ongoing efforts to achieve a fair and lasting peace, the French presidential office said.

Macron stressed the need to respect the cease-fire and to provide guarantees on the rights and security of the people of Karabakh, in line with international law.

Azerbaijans presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said Baku is ready to listen to the Armenian population of Karabakh regarding their humanitarian needs.

In announcing its military operation Tuesday, Azerbaijan aired a long list of grievances, accusing pro-Armenian forces of attacking its positions, planting land mines and engaging in sabotage.

Even though Aliyev insisted the Azerbaijani army struck only military facilities during the fighting, separatist officials in Nagorno-Karabakh said Stepanakert and other areas came under "intense shelling.

Before the cease-fire, explosions reverberated around Stepanakert every few minutes on Wednesday  some in the distance and others closer to the city. Even after the truce was announced and the shelling could no longer be heard in Stepanakert, many residents decided to stay in shelters for the rest of the day.

Significant damage was visible in the city, with shop windows blown out and vehicles punctured, apparently by shrapnel.

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office said Armenian forces fired at Shusha, a city in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijans control, killing one civilian.

___

Associated Press writers Jim Heintz and Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; Aida Sultanova in London; Siranush Sargsyan in Stepanakert; and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
YEREVAN, Armenia  Azerbaijan and Armenian forces reached a cease-fire agreement Wednesday to end two days of fighting in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region that has been a flashpoint for decades, officials on both sides said.

An hour after the truce was announced, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the intensity of the hostilities in the region has decreased drastically. Azerbaijani authorities said they had halted the military operation launched a day earlier once separatist officials said they were laying down arms.

Both sides in the conflict agreed to talks Thursday on the reintegration of the region into Azerbaijan. That, in addition to guarantees to lay down arms, was widely viewed as a victory for Baku.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan unleashed heavy artillery fire on Armenian positions in Nagorno-Karabakh  a mountainous a region that is part of Azerbaijan and came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces during a separatist war in the 1990s.

Scores of people were reportedly killed and wounded in the latest fighting. The hostilities also exacerbated an already grim humanitarian situation for residents who have suffered food and medicine shortages for months as Azerbaijan instituted a blockade of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

The escalation raised concerns that a full-scale war in the region could resume between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which have been locked in a struggle over the region since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The most recent heavy fighting occurred over six weeks in 2020, when Azerbaijan retook parts of the region and areas around it that were lost in the earlier separatist war.

The conflict has long drawn in powerful regional players, including Russia and Turkey. While Turkey threw its weight behind Azerbaijan, Russia has taken on a mediating role and brokered the armistice that ended the 2020 fighting. Its contingent of peacekeepers, in fact, are charged with monitoring that truce, and both sides said Wednesday that they helped reach the current agreement.

Russias Defense Ministry said some of its peacekeepers were killed Wednesday, although it didnt say how many and whether it happened before or after the start of the cease-fire.

The ministry said the peacekeeping contingent had evacuated more than 3,100 civilians. It earlier said they were being taken into the contingents base camp, without clarifying its location.

The deal envisions the withdrawal of Armenian military units and equipment from Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as disarming the local defense forces, Azerbaijans Defense Ministry said. Armenias Pashinyan said his government didnt take part in discussing or negotiating the deal, but has taken note of the decision made by the regions separatist authorities.

The concessions made by the separatists indicated the weaker position they and their backers in Armenia have been in recently.

Having lost the war in 2020 and most recently control of the only road linking the country to Nagorno-Karabakh, Armenia had very little leverage in the breakaway region, Thomas de Waal, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Europe think tank, said in an interview Tuesday. And the separatist forces, which consisted of several thousand men who have been poorly supplied, were probably not a match for the Azerbaijani forces, De Waal said.

Demonstrators clash with police at the Armenia government building to protest against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in Yerevan, Armenia. (Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via AP)

Meanwhile, both Armenia and Russia appeared to distance themselves from the conflict.

Pashinyan said Russia bore responsibility for ensuring security of Armenians in the region, while Moscow brushed off such claims.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday that, in effect, Azerbaijan was acting on its own territory.

I hope that we can achieve de-escalation and solve this problem via peaceful channels, Russian President Vladimir Putin said later.

Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev said a plan is in place to reintegrate the regions Armenian population in Azerbaijani society and that Baku is ready to listen to the Armenian population of Karabakh regarding their humanitarian needs.

In announcing what it called an anti-terrorist operation operation on Wednesday, Azerbaijan aired a long list of grievances, accusing Armenian forces of attacking its positions in the region, planting land mines and engaging in acts of sabotage.

Armenias Foreign Ministry denied its weapons or troops were in Nagorno-Karabakh, and its prime minister alleged that Azerbaijans main goal is to draw it into hostilities.

Azerbaijans forces claimed to be only targeting military sites but ethnic Armenian officials in Nagorno-Karabakh said that Stepanakert, the capital of the breakaway region, and other villages were under intense shelling Tuesday.

Before the cease-fire, blasts reverberated around Stepanakert every few minutes on Wednesday morning, with some explosions in the distance and others closer to the city. Even after the truce was announced and the shelling could no longer be heard in Stepanakert, many residents of the city decided to stay in shelters at least till the end of Wednesday.

Significant damage was visible in the city, with shop windows blown out and vehicles punctured, apparently by shrapnel.

Armenias ambassador at large Edmon Marukyan posted a photo of crowds gathered at what he said was the Stepanakert airport. It wasnt clear if they were looking to leave the region, and The Associated Press couldnt independently verify the photos provenance.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Geghan Stepanyan said Wednesday that 32 people, including seven civilians, were killed and more than 200 others were wounded. He said earlier that one child was among the dead and 11 children were among the wounded.

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office said Armenian forces fired at Shusha, a city in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijans control, killing one civilian.

The claims could not be independently verified.

On Tuesday, thousands of protesters rallied in central Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, blocking streets and demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Some clashed with police, who reportedly used stun grenades.

Russias state news agencies reported that protesters began gathering there again on Wednesday, shortly after the cease-fire agreement was announced. According to a Tass report, the demonstrators chanted anti-government slogans and demanded Pashinyans ouster.

Associated Press writers Jim Heintz and Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia; Aida Sultanova in London; and Siranush Sargsyan in Stepanakert contributed.
The de facto authorities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region have announced their surrender and accepted a ceasefire from 13:00 on Wednesday, Sept. 20, according to the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Armenian military units in Nagorno-Karabakh must lay down their arms and leave the territory, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said, under the watch of so-called Russian "peacekeepers.

Read also: Azerbaijani activists block Russian military column in disputed Karabakh

Azerbaijan announced it had launched the beginning of "anti-terrorist measures" in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19 to "restore constitutional order."

Armenia, which exercised a considerable degree of control over Nagorno-Karabakh (known as the Republic of Artsakh by Armenia), accused Azerbaijan of armed aggression and launching an ethnic cleansing campaign.

More than 30 people were killed and more than 200 were injured because of shelling in the region, said Armenian authorities.

Protestors have taken to the streets in Yerevan, calling on the authorities to intervene in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Most of the residents of Nagorno-Karabakh are ethnic Armenians. The region, which was part of the Azerbaijan SSR as an autonomous region during the Soviet Union, announced its withdrawal in 1988.

The local parliament then declared its independence. Active hostilities continued in Nagorno-Karabakh until 1994, during which more than 30,000 people died.

Read also: Armenia and Azerbaijan discuss peace treaty in Munich

A ceasefire agreement was later signed, but Nagorno-Karabakh did not return to Azerbaijan's control. The republic was not recognized by any country in the world, including Armenia.

In 2022, Azerbaijan launched a campaign to reclaim territory held outside of Nagorno-Karabakhs borders by the breakaway republic. The conflict came to an end in November under a Russian mediated ceasefire, with Azerbaijan reclaiming a number of lost territories.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirmed that he is ready to recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh.

The heads of the foreign ministries of both countries reported that a peace agreement between the two countries could be possible by the end of 2023.

In mid-July, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Azerbaijan said that Moscow and Yerevan had not fulfilled their obligations under the tripartite agreement signed after the 2020 conflict.

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
Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said that his country "restored its sovereignty" following the Azerbaijani military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Azerbaijan State News Agency (AZERTAC) reported on Sept. 20.

Aliyev claimed that much of the Armenian military stationed in Karabakh had been "completely destroyed" and its equipment disabled. Yerevan previously denied any military presence in the region.

The Azerbaijani president added that Baku's troops are disarming the remaining Armenian fighters and evicting them from the territory.

Following Azerbaijan's military offensive launched on Sept. 19 and reported advances into the territory held by the ethnic Armenian forces, authorities in the capital of Stepanakert (Khankendi in Azerbaijani) agreed to accept a ceasefire earlier on Sept. 20 mediated by Russia.

According to the terms of the proposal, any remaining Armenian troops must leave Azerbaijan territory and there must be a "dissolution and complete disarmament of the Armed Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh."

Read also: Azerbaijan strikes targets in Nagorno-Karabakh, launches military operation

Further issues relating to the integration of the territory and the status of the predominantly ethnic Armenian population that live there will be discussed at upcoming talks on Sept. 20, in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh, RFE/RL's Armenian service reported.

President of the European Council Charles Michel called on Aliyev to ensure dignified treatment of Karabakh Armenians and provide them access to humanitarian assistance. The EU, as well as France and Germany, have previously denounced Baku's offensive.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that Yerevan did not take part in drafting the ceasefire agreement between the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan.

The Armenian leader added that the document's references to the Armenian forces stationed in Karabakh are "absurd," reiterating that no Yerevan's troops are present in the area.

According to the Armenian government, Pashinyan held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin after the offensive. The two leaders reportedly discussed the situation in Karabakh, the role of Russian "peacekeepers" in the ceasefire agreement, and other unspecified issues on the "bilateral agenda."

Azerbaijan's offensive sparked outrage among the Armenian population, as citizens launched protests in support of Karabakh, angered by the supposed inaction of the Armenian government. The local media reported that police have clashed with the protesters and launched mass arrests.

Pashinyan previously faced protests after Armenia's defeat by Azerbaijan in 2020.

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us

Under international law, Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as Azerbaijani territory, but has been under the de-facto control of Armenian separatists since 1991, who refer to it as Artsakh. Yerevan has supported the breakaway territory militarily, which regularly clashed with Azerbaijani forces in the following decades.

In 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a major war in which the latter's forces successfully reclaimed a large portion of the territory before a ceasefire was mediated by Moscow, which sent a "peacekeeping" force of several thousand Russian troops to the region.

In the following years, tensions did not subside, with Azerbaijan blockading the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to a humanitarian crisis widely condemned by UN member states and international organizations.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
China and Morocco: Good friends stand together in times of adversity

09:55, September 20, 2023 By Zhou Zhou ( People's Daily

A 6.8 magnitude quake struck southern parts of Morocco at midnight local time on Sept. 8, causing heavy casualties and property losses.

On Sept. 9, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended condolences to Moroccan King Mohammed VI over the devastating earthquake. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, the Chinese president mourned deeply for the victims and expressed sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and the injured.

Photo shows members of the medical team sent by the Eighth People's Hospital of Shanghai to Morocco. (Photo courtesy of Xinmin Evening News)

Xi also expressed his belief that under the leadership of His Majesty the king, the Moroccan government and people will be able to overcome the impact of the disaster and rebuild their homeland at an early date.

"When Morocco was hit by the disaster, Xi's concern and condolences made us feel the warm support that the Chinese people offer to the Moroccan people. It shows the friendship and mutual assistance between the two peoples and their support in the face of disasters," said Nasser Bouchiba, president of the Africa-China Cooperation Association for Development in Morocco.

"The concern of our Chinese friends will inspire us, giving us the confidence and strength to carry out rescue efforts and rebuild our homes," Bouchiba added.

Bouchiba told People's Daily that shortly after the earthquake occurred, King Mohammed VI ordered the Moroccan military to join the relief efforts and set up field hospitals, and he convened an emergency rescue meeting. Currently, rescue operations are being carried out in an orderly manner, Bouchiba said.

Doctors of a Chinese medical team to Morocco perform a surgery. (Photo courtesy of Xinmin Evening News)

Mohamed Khalil, President of the Morocco-China Friendship and Exchange Association, noted that Xi was one of the first foreign heads of state to extend condolences to King Mohammed VI, which mirrored the profound friendship between Morocco and China.

"During times of adversity, Chinese friends would always offer a helping hand, promptly coming to the aid of other nations and helping them navigate through challenging situations. Countless examples of such generosity can be found, " said Khalil.

In a hospital in Ben Guerir, a town in central Morocco, doctors of a Chinese medical team in Morocco have successfully delivered many babies after the quake. The hospital is the closest medical facility to the epicenter where a Chinese medical team is stationed.

Chinese doctor Ma Nan said that due to the limited local medical resources, the medical team is facing a heavier workload than before.

"Risking the danger of potential aftershocks, we have performed multiple surgeries here," Ma added.

"We have felt the warm support from our Chinese friends," said Khalil, expressing his gratitude.

In addition to the Chinese medical team's efforts, the Red Cross Society of China provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the Moroccan Red Crescent shortly after the earthquake. The China International Development Cooperation Agency expressed its willingness to provide emergency humanitarian aid based on the needs of the affected people.

Besides, some Chinese-funded enterprises and overseas Chinese in Morocco have also taken action, spontaneously donating money and providing necessary assistance to the affected areas.

"All of these demonstrate that Morocco and China are good friends who stand together in times of adversity and are good partners in common development," Khalil said.

Hanane Thamik from Morocco, a PhD student at Wuhan University, told People's Daily that many of her teachers, schoolmates and friends in China extended condolences to her after the earthquake took place and asked her if she needed any help, which deeply touched her.

She hopes that Morocco and China can carry out in-depth cooperation in earthquake warning systems and other advanced quake-prevention and disaster-relief technologies, so as to better protect the lives and property of the two peoples.

"Under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, China has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of major natural disasters, providing valuable experiences and insights for post-disaster recovery and reconstruction efforts to the international community. We hope to introduce Chinese technologies and experiences in post-disaster reconstruction to improve efficiency, particularly in remote rural areas," said Bouchiba.

"We believe that Morocco can definitely restore normal orders of work and life with the firm assistance from our Chinese friends," he noted.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The 36th annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk, during which actors portray some of the people buried in the Elgin graveyard, will be held this Saturday and Sunday. (Elgin History Museum/HANDOUT)

Bluff City Cemetery Walk in Elgin set for this weekend

The 36th annual Bluff City Cemetery Walk will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24, at the historic 134-year-old Elgin graveyard.

A guide will lead participants on a 70-minute tour that showcases the lives of seven people buried in the cemetery. Actors in period costume will portray the deceased residents, giving a giving first-person accounts of their lives and the impact they had on the citys history.

Advertisement

The walks will start at 3 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $20 and must be purchased in advance of the event.

There are chairs at each performance site and the entire walk is about three-quarters of a mile. A tram holding 15 people will be available for anyone who contacts the Elgin History Museum in advance at 847-742-4248.

Advertisement

A video of the walk will be made and posted on the museums YouTube page Oct. 1 for those who cannot attend. The event is organized by museum volunteers and staff.

To purchase tickets or for more information, go to elginhistory.org/2023-cemetery-walk/?fbclid=IwAR0emn9Lojw-3CnIbPTVPDg_OJgW-Nf8imFaq28PMZ7XV21c2H5Heda7LdQ.

Shredding event to be held at Dundee Township center

A shredding event will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Dundee Township Park District Adult Activity Center, 665 Barrington Ave., Carpentersville.

Sponsored by State Sen. Cristina Castro, state Rep. Anna Moeller and KCT Credit Union, the event will be for paper materials only, a news release said. Small paper clips and staples do not need to be removed.

Among the kind of documents that will be accepted are bank statements, outdated medical records, utility bills, canceled checks, junk mail, credit card applications and receipts.

For more information, call 847-214-8864.

Latinx Heritage Month at Elgin Community College will be celebrated with a series of programs and events being held in September and October. (Elgin Community College/HANDOUT)

ECC holding public events for Latinx Heritage Month

Several public events are being held to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month at Elgin Community College.

This years theme is Belonging: Familia, Herencia, y Poder. Planned programs include:

Advertisement

Latinx Conexion, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 26, in the Spartan Corner Lounge, Building B: prominent Latinx leaders from various ECC departments, transfer institutions and the Elgin community will participate.

Venezuela: Why Refugees are Fleeing to the U.S, 2 to 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in Community Room B181, Building B: A discussion about Venezuelan refugee migration to the United States, how it affects the community and what can be done to help.

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness gallery reception, 3:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, in the Renner Library hallway gallery, Building C: The reception will celebrate a collection of images related to the theme of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Si Se Puede! film screening: 12:30 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Alumni Room, B182, Building B: The movie tells the story of Dolores Huerta and the impact she had on the history of the U.S. Farm Workers of America.

Black Hawk Dance Troupe performance, 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 11, in the Jobe Lounge, Building: The company will share their native heritage through tribal songs and dances.

ECC is at 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. For more information, go to elgin.edu/life-at-ecc/student-life/latinx-heritage-month.
The claim: Malware, remote access caused printer problems; 200,000 'ejected' ballots in Arizona

A Sept. 14 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a screenshot of a post on X, formerly Twitter, with a supposed update on the problems with ballot printers in Arizona's largest county during the 2022 midterms.

BREAKING: Evidence shows the Maricopa County Election Day printer failures' were caused by malware or by remote access, the post reads. "200,000 ballots were ejected out of 248,000 votes cast."

It was liked more than 500 times in five days. The original X post from the right-wing website Leading Report was shared more than 8,000 times in five days.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

Our rating: False

An investigation by a retired state Supreme Court justice found the cause of those printer problems was the switch to larger ballots printed on heavier, thicker paper  not malicious actors. County officials have repeatedly said that all legally cast ballots were counted and included in the official results.

New ballots were longer, thicker

The Leading Report post echoes a Sept. 12 post on X from former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake, who similarly claimed without evidence that more than 200,000 ballots were "ejected," an apparent typo from her past claims about ballots being rejected.

Printers at the county's polling sites produce ballots on demand so voters can vote at any location. But at about 60 of those places on Election Day 2022, problems with those printers led to long lines, the Arizona Republic reported. It sparked conspiracy theories and led to an investigation by retired state Supreme Court Justice Ruth McGregor.

Maricopa County election officials say all ballots cast legally were counted and included in the official results.

But Lake, who has falsely claimed she lost the states gubernatorial race in 2022 due to fraud, has filed a lawsuit asserting the lines and wait times deprived Republicans of their right to vote. She and her lawyers have blamed malware or remote access to Election Day printers for causing tabulation problems, but they have yet to produce evidence demonstrating that.

Lake's latest social media post appears to be an attempt to echo debunked claims that nearly 250,000 voting attempts failed in that year's election. County officials previously said about 248,000 people voted in person on Election Day that year.

The review by McGregor found no evidence of foul play but instead determined the problems had to do with the printers themselves and a change to the paper fed into them. At 20 inches long and a weight of 100 pounds for every 500 sheets, the new ballots were longer, thicker and heavier than the previous ones that measured 19 inches and weighed 80 pounds, according to the McGregor report.

Fact check: Maricopa County 'heat map' is unrelated to malfunctioning voting tabulators

As a result, some of the countys older Oki B432 printers failed to stay hot enough to consistently print ballots dark enough to be read by the tabulators at the precincts, according to the report. It said those ballots had to be taken to scanners in downtown Phoenix for counting.

So any votes that were "rejected" by the on-site tabulators were counted properly.

"All legal ballots were counted and included in the official results, but the printer issues caused frustration for many Election Day voters, something the board (of supervisors) has vowed to remedy," county officials said in a statement following the investigation.

Jennifer Liewer, the countys deputy elections director for communications, pointed USA TODAY to a subsequent internal review in July that found those issues were related to the performance of the fuser, the two heated rollers that melt the toner powder to the paper.

The county changed the paper size in order to fit more than 70 races on them, and thicker paper was used because some voters complained that ink from the markers used to vote bled through the paper, The Associated Press reported.

USA TODAY reached out to both Leading Report and Lake for comment but did not immediately receive responses.

People are not really aware of how printers and voting machines are set up and the multiple layers of security that are in place, Patty Ferguson Bohnee, a law professor at Arizona State University, said in an email to USA TODAY. People exploit this lack of knowledge so that people don't trust elections. The lack of confidence in our election results is a threat to democracy.

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: Arizona ballot printer issues blamed on paper change | Fact check
Bank of America said on Wednesday that it will raise its minimum hourly pay rate to $23 next month.

Two years ago, the Charlotte-based bank said it planned to increase the minimum hourly wage in the U.S. to $25 by 2025. Thats a 121% increase of nearly $14 per hour since 2010, according to Bank of America.

In the last six years, Bank of America raised the minimum hourly wage five times, to $15 in 2017, $17 in 2019, $20 in 2020, $21 in 2021 and $22 last year.

With the latest increase, hourly full-time employee base pay is nearly $48,000 a year.

Providing a competitive minimum rate of pay is foundational to being a great place to work, Sheri Bronstein, chief human resources officer at Bank of America, said in a statement. The pay raise helps attract employees and is an investment in the banks workers, customers and communities, Bronstein said.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which is the same rate in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The bank declined to say how many hourly employee it has in the U.S. and Charlotte area but said the pay increase affects 3.7% of all U.S. employees, and that thousands will benefit from the move.

Bank of America had over 170,000 U.S. employees as of December, according to the banks annual report. In 2021, Bank of America had 16,000 workers in the Charlotte area.

Bank of America is giving U.S. hourly workers another pay raise as the bank plans to reach a minimum wage of $25 by 2025.

Can people live on minimum wage in NC? Heres how it compares to cost of living

Minimum hourly wages at other Charlotte banks

Several banks have increased the minimum wage over the past two years in the Charlotte area:

 In 2021, Ally Financial raised the minimum hourly rate to $23, according to Allys 2022 annual report. In 2021, the digital-only, Detroit-based bank raised the hourly pay rate in 2021 from $17 to $20, affecting 2,300 employees companywide. That same year the banks employees began moving into the 26-story Ally building at 601 S. Tryon St., which is expected to house about 2,100 workers.

 Last year, Fifth Third Bancorp lifted its minimum hourly pay to $20 last year. The Cincinnati-based bank with hundreds of employees in Charlotte and dozens of area branches, had increased pay to $15 in 2018 then $18 in 2019.

 Also last year, Truist Financial, based in Charlotte, raised its minimum wage to $22 per hour nationwide, affecting about 14,000 employees, from $15 to $18 an hour, depending on the region. As of last year, the bank employed more than 50,000 workers throughout the U.S., including more than 3,000 people in the Charlotte area.

 In 2021, Wells Fargo raised its minimum wage for hourly workers to $18 to $22, depending on location, following an increase the prior year, which was $16 an hour in Charlotte. The San Francisco-based bank has about 27,000 in the Charlotte region.

 Also in 2021, Connecticut-based credit card company Synchrony Financial raised its minimum hourly wage from $15 to $20 an hour for all employees, impacting hundreds of workers in Charlotte.

Bank of America plans to raise its minimum wage. Heres by how much

Another Charlotte employer is boosting its minimum wage. Heres the latest.

Another Charlotte bank boosts minimum wage. Heres how many workers it will affect

Truist is the latest bank to raise its minimum wage. Heres how much workers will make.
Retired Major Oleksiy Hetman, a veteran of the Russo-Ukrainian war, explained in an interview with NV Radio on Sept. 18 the situation with Ukraines counteroffensive in the countrys south and east.

NV: Lets start with the liberation of Klishchiivka, near Bakhmut. <...> As far as I understand, this is a tactical success. But is this a tactical success that could develop into something more?

Hetman: Yes, it was just reported in the news that the liberation of Klishchiivka would give us the opportunity to build a certain bridgehead for further advancement deep into the temporarily occupied territories to the east and to cut off all logistical ways of supplying something to Bakhmut, including weapons, ammunition, even, as far as I understand, food and water. Because there, you rightly said that almost everything is destroyed. And as they say, shops dont work there and its impossible to buy anything. There were talks about Andriivka a few days ago that the civilian population had not been observed there at least since the beginning of the year.

Read also: Up to 10,000 Russian elite paratroopers deployed as infantry towards Robotyne  UK Defense Intelligence

This village is completely destroyed and there is not a single surviving house. How important is it? Andriivka is three kilometers from Klishchiivka, while Klishchiivka is three kilometers from Bakhmut. And there are certain logistical routes and roads further away along which the Russians used to transport and deliver something, at least to the group that is located directly in Bakhmut. Having cut these routes, we cannot say that we made it impossible but rather we have significantly complicated the task of supplying these troops.

Finally, Bakhmut is now partially encircled. And weve seen how our assault brigades will act. A video even appeared on social media of our 3rd Separate Assault Brigade offering Russias 72nd Brigade to surrender. Some managed to surrender. Those who didnt make it were destroyed. Three battalion commanders were killed, as well as this brigades intelligence chief. By and large, this Russian brigade was completely destroyed. Therefore, we hope for the same actions in the future.

NV: There was another story about this 72nd Brigade, at least there are reports on social media. In particular, [Austrian military analyst] Tom Cooper writes that some of the surviving units of this 72nd Brigade tried to surrender but even their own artillery simply shot them.

And then he asks a question: why are people surprised that so many Russian soldiers prefer to commit suicide rather than surrender? Because they arent even allowed to do so. What do you think about that?

Hetman: Yes, indeed. Weve said a lot that they have barrier troops that prevent them from retreating. And when they try to retreat, they simply shoot them. This is a unfamous Russian practice. But to also cover their own unit with artillery. Its better to share this information about the artillery shooting of their own brigade to analyze it more, and to talk about it more on our different channels and platforms.

Read also: Ukraines advance towards Tokmak may accelerate  Estonian intelligence

Because the Russians also hear about it. They can find ways watch our news, or someone will tell them. When many of them know what their own can do with them, I think they had no desire to fight, and now it will decrease even lower. But the desire to surrender will grow.

NV: Its now reported that about 52,000 Russian troops are deployed near Bakhmut. And they continue to expand their military presence further north, i.e., in the north of Luhansk Oblast and towards Kupyansk and Lyman.

Some suggest that the Ukrainian military command is tying and grinding down Russian forces near Bakhmut to deprive Moscow of reserves to reinforce other sections of the frontline. How do you assess this thesis?

Hetman: As fully justified, because even before the Russians tried to capture Bakhmut, according to estimates, they lost 50,000 lives. It was calculated that one life of a Russian serviceman was staked for every 42 centimeters of captured Bakhmut. That is, we can assume that they really walked over the corpses and occupied this city. That grouping in the Lyman-Kupyansk area is growing. Although I must be careful when saying that since a powerful grouping had been deployed there for at least half a year before that. Its number was estimated at 130,000 troops.

They have more than 550 pieces of barreled artillery, 350 pieces of multiple launch rocket systems, 2,000 pieces of heavy equipment, including up to 1,000 tanks. This grouping existed before. Although the Russians say theyre bolstering that area, that they have certain tasks there and theyll fulfill them, they dont particularly enhance anything. At least in the fact that some additional forces and equipment are arriving from somewhere in the middle of Russia. Nothing arrives there, it was already there even before that.

Read also: Ukraines grinding advance towards Tokmak  expert interview

Its about 100 kilometers between Kupyansk and Lyman where theyre deployed. They narrowed the front line in some places to 5-10 kilometers. And they can really concentrate a large number of forces and equipment there, trying to break through our defense and advance further. And this is what the Russians call the fact that theyve bolstered the grouping, that they can still strengthen it, and take offensive actions successfully.

I dont know what they consider successful if theyre not advancing anywhere. But the main thing we should understand is that these are not additional forces from the middle of Russia, from the rear. This is simply the redeployment of troops along the front line. The same applies to Bakhmut. The grouping that is deployed there, holding the line, is preventing us from advancing.

NV: Tokmak in Zaporizhzhya Oblast may be the next important point. <...> Should we also expect the battle for Tokmak to last for months? And its not that Im in a hurry. I mean if both the invaders and our troops understand the importance of this settlement, all the attention should be on it now, right?

Hetman: Yes, this settlement is really important. They built a circular defense around Tokmak. Thats where they pull in additional units, elite units. What is it related to? Why Tokmak? It has no political significance. This town is of great military importance. More precisely, logistical. Because its through Tokmak that the railway passes, which can be considered a lateral route. That is, the route along which everything necessary for the troops on the front line is transported.

This railway goes from the relatively mainland part of Russia through Volnovakha, then to Tokmak, further south to Melitopol and further west to Dzhankoy [in Crimea]. This railway is exactly what is needed to transport a large number of forces, equipment, everything necessary to wage war. When we control Tokmak, which is 20 kilometers away, or Volnovakha, which is also 20 kilometers away from our troops, they [Russians] wont have this opportunity.

Read also: World must prepare for 'long war in Ukraine' warns NATO chief Stoltenberg

And this will not only worsen their logistical capabilities but will almost leave Russias entire southern grouping without major supply routes, including the Kherson grouping and those in occupied Crimea. Only the Kerch Bridge will remain, but we know that its quite tired. Thats why its very important. They also understand this very well, which is why theyre transferring troops there. If we look at how theyve built their fortified positions, this first and second line, it will be almost completely parallel to this railway.

Fighting is underway for this very logistics highway but not for the name of some settlement. Its just that Tokmak is part of this railway, so they will fight for it to the last. Because, once again, when they lose the opportunity to transfer something important by rail, only a few roadways will remain. But a train and several cars are different things [in terms of capacity]. They understand it quite well.

NV: Several explosions were reported in Sevastopol, Cape Fiolent, and Komyshova Bay last night. And even some enemy military units that were stationed there have been named.

I see an explicit emphasis is now on Crimea. These are air defense systems, radar systems. Is this also in preparation for something interesting?

Hetman: We understand that we must liberate Crimea. On the one hand, we cut off the possibility of supplying something there, and on the other hand, we neutralize what they have left there. By cutting the logistics routes, we, of course, make it impossible to supply, renew or replenish there.

But they have something left, some reserves. And this is exactly what is done to reduce these reserves as much as possible. That is, there are attacks on warehouses, particularly on fuel and lubricant warehouses. And, of course, their anti-aircraft defense and communications systems are being destroyed to make it more difficult for different units to communicate with each other.

NV: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently said a slightly depressing phrase that Russias war against Ukraine may last a long time. He also considers strategic security guarantees for Ukraine to be very important.

But as for this war to last for a long time. Arent there too many military experts now in the public field who say that its not even clear whether [the war may last] until late 2023 or late 2024? Do we just have to admit that we dont know how long this war may last?

Hetman: Do you know how long it will last? Its very strange to say that we know when the war may end. Well, how can we know? To know in advance when the war may end? We can only predict. We predicted, maybe hoped that Russia wouldnt be so powerful in defense, that we would have much more weapons.

But such positive statements by experts and analysts that it may end by the end of the year or by the summer of this year were optimistic and didnt come true. Now we should switch to realism. This is not pessimism but realism. Pessimism, I dont even want to say what we would consider pessimism. Unfortunately, this is realism.

Read also: Sweden to consider sending Gripen jets to Ukraine

We simply wont have time to liberate all our territories and kill the enemy by the end of this year. Even the F-16 fighter jets are planned for us early next year. Therefore, the war will continue. For how long? You know, long is such a word. Until the end of next year: is it long or not long? It depends on how you look at the word long.

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
Russell Brand leaves the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London after performing a comedy set. He faces claims about his sexual behaviour at the height of his fame. He has vehemently denied the allegations. Picture date: Saturday September 16, 2023. (PA)

The BBC has promised to investigate whether Russell Brand used the broadcaster's taxis to pick up a 16-year-old girl amid allegations of rape and sexual assault against the comedian.

Mr Brand has been accused of using chauffer-driven BBC cars to drive a young woman around London.

The comedian, who presented a BBC radio show from 2006 to 2008, has strongly denied any wrongdoing.

Tim Davie , the director general of the BBC, told staff that an internal review would "look at any complaints made about Russell Brand's conduct during his time, what was known at the time, what was done".

He promised "full transparency" during the investigation.

Mr Davie said the review would specifically look into the position regarding any cars used by the BBC at that time, among other issues.

A woman named Alice alleged in an interview with BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour that a car provided by the BBC for Mr Brand collected her from school and took her to his house in 2006, when she was aged 16.

Now in her 30s, the woman claimed she used the broadcaster's cars on more than one occasion.

"He had a friend who was taking him to do his radio show so he said to me: Oh, you get in the car and you go wherever you need to. So I took the BBC car that time.

And on another occasion, it picked me up from school, she said.

When asked what questions she would like the BBC to answer, Alice said she wants to know why more wasn't done at the time" to protect young women.

Mr Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame and working for the BBC, Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

In her earlier interview with the Sunday Times, Alice said a driver warned her against going into Mr Brands home, saying that he had a daughter her age.

She alleged that Brand referred to her as the child and sexually assaulted her in his home, only stopping when she punched him in the stomach.

The BBC has followed Channel 4 and Comedy Central in removing programmes featuring Mr Brand from its streaming services. His lucrative YouTube channel with over 6.6 million has already been blocked by the company from making money in light of the allegations against him.

Mr Davie said he wanted the BBCs internal review to be completed in "weeks not months" while getting "to the facts".

Mr Brand resigned from the BBC in 2008 after a prank call on the show with comedian Jonathan Ross to actor Andrew Sachs.

When I listened back, frankly, to some of those broadcasts I go, that is just completely unacceptable, Mr Davie said, adding that the broadcaster has changed since then. What led to that being on air?

He continued: There is no room for complacency. I do feel were in a different place, Im proud of our culture, but to say that doesnt mean there arent dangers.

We should all be looking after each other, we should be very vigilant, we should keep improving our processes.

Channel 4 has also announced a similar internal investigation against Mr Brand. Alex Mahon, the chief executive of Channel 4 in a letter to Dame Caroline Dinenage, said she was "appalled" by the allegations.

The company "carried out extensive document searches" but "found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents were brought to the attention of Channel 4 management at the time", she said.
Military barracks with plumbing so bad that the entire building smelled of methane, and water so disgusting it wasn't considered safe to drink.

Those were among the findings by the Government Accountability Office after it visited 12 military installations to examine the living conditions of troops in base housing. The watchdog agency published the conditions in a scathing new report, confirming complaints made by many service members for years.

The nearly 100-page report was rife with examples of substandard conditions. Pests such as bedbugs and roaches were a common issue at six of the bases that the GAO visited. Several bases had severe issues with security in the buildings, to the point that service members said that they were unable to lock their doors at night and squatters had moved in.

Read Next: Negligent Discharge Killed Marine Training at Camp Pendleton Last Month, Navy Report Indicates

The GAO concluded that leaders at the Pentagon are not only failing to provide oversight -- instead choosing to largely punt the issue to the branches -- but they also don't consider it a priority. The result has been bureaucratic finger-pointing, with no one office or leader willing to own the issue.

Therefore, the military's youngest and most vulnerable troops -- tens of thousands of service members -- who depend on barracks housing have been forced to clean up dangerous, crowded and disgusting rooms themselves.

While it is unclear exactly how many troops now live in substandard barracks, the report says that "at least thousands of service members are affected." The Navy and Marine Corps reported to the GAO that about 5,000 sailors and 17,000 Marines lived in substandard barracks as of March.

Reports of poor barracks conditions are not new. Accounts from service members checking into moldy or disgusting barracks rooms crop up on social media regularly. Sometimes, those incidents become widespread or horrid enough that they draw attention from the media and, in turn, military leaders.

Military.com, just in the last two years, has reported on issues in the barracks from soldiers stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia to Fort Bragg, now Fort Liberty, in North Carolina, as well as problems for sailors at bases like Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland; the air station at Key West, Florida, and ships undergoing overhaul at Newport News Shipyard in Newport News, Virginia.

'Continuous Misery'

The 12 military installations visited by the GAO are not named in the report. The agency spoke with service members and leaders in discussion groups. The report says the sample size is small and not generalizable to all military installations, but that it offers important information on what troops experience.

The problems it cites make for grim reading.

At five different bases, service members told investigators that they had problems with water quality in the barracks, with one group reporting that their water "is often brown and does not appear safe for drinking."

One base had to shutter a barracks building because its plumbing had become a breeding ground for Legionella -- the bacteria that can cause Legionnaires' disease, a condition that kills one in 10 people affected, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

When investigators asked about other barracks on the base, officials said that they didn't run water tests on them because they were not required to do so.

Another pervasive problem was the lack of air conditioning, especially at bases that are located in hot or humid areas.

At one barracks on a base in the Washington, D.C., area, about 25% of rooms had broken air-conditioning systems. Service members on that base described living in the barracks "as continuous misery" to investigators.

A service member told investigators that trying to sleep in their barracks room with broken air conditioning "is like standing in the sun all night." Others reported their rooms could reach more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit when the air conditioning went out, a frequent occurrence.

Conditions in some barracks were so dire that they lacked even the most basic necessities like windows and lights.

Officials from the GAO found that one barracks building at the base in the Washington, D.C., area "had 12 broken windows, 150 rooms without adequate lighting, and a broken elevator."

In fact, the lack of secured windows and doors has led to squatting issues at some bases.

Investigators reported that officials at two installations told them of squatters living in vacant barracks rooms. At one base, investigators saw the problem firsthand, even going so far as to include a photo of the room that was occupied illegally.

The severity of the problems -- as well as the seeming inability of military officials to fix them -- has meant service members either choose to or are ordered to take it upon themselves to improve their living conditions.

For example, as evidenced by photos in the report, as well as social media posts, service members often resort to purchasing their own air-conditioning units. Meanwhile, troops told investigators that "during cold winter months, they have to purchase their own portable space heaters, despite the fire risk, because of broken heating systems."

At three installations, officials told the GAO that "service members are generally responsible for pest control, or for removing hazardous material from barracks, such as mold and sewage."

Barracks managers at multiple bases said that they had to organize "working days for service members to repaint external or internal walls, replace ceiling tiles, or clean up significant sewage overflow."

In one of the most extreme examples, one installation told officials that "service members are responsible for cleaning biological waste that may remain in a barracks room after a suicide."

The result is either unnecessary out-of-pocket spending by some of the lowest-paid members of the service or injuries.

One service member in the report said that "regularly cleaning mold with harsh chemicals caused them chronic wheezing."

In April, Military.com reported on cases of nearly a dozen soldiers at Fort Liberty and Fort Stewart who reported being admitted to the hospital for coughing up blood or feared they were developing respiratory issues -- symptoms consistent with reactions to prolonged exposure to black mold.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth told lawmakers in April that she's "seen some barracks quite frankly I wouldn't want my daughters to live in."

'It Was Not a Priority'

How conditions in the barracks were allowed to deteriorate is partially the result of the military's hodgepodge of evaluation systems, metrics and standards, which has made it difficult for leaders to know how bad conditions truly are in some locations, according to the GAO.

As an example, investigators toured one barracks that was deemed uninhabitable yet at the time of its shuttering, "its condition score was above 90, according to service documentation."

Each service gets to decide how often to have the barracks assessments, so the most frequent is every 3 years and the longest is every 10, the GAO report said. Who conducts these assessments also varies.

As a result, the report echoes what some senior garrison or division leaders have told Military.com -- that understanding the scope of the problem has been difficult.

At Fort Liberty, for example, Military.com reported on the poor conditions of Smoke Bomb Hill Barracks, and senior leaders with XVIII Airborne Corps told reporters they did not have the tools to track all the issues with mold in living quarters. Twelve of those barracks were set for demolition and roughly 1,200 soldiers were relocated after the decades of neglect of those buildings drew the ire of senior Army leaders.

Inside the Defense Department, there is little to motivate the services to do better by their junior enlisted.

The Pentagon's standards for a barracks room are minimal -- broadly mandating that service members have between 72 and 90 square feet of space per person, no more than two to a bedroom, and that there be a food preparation area.

There are no health or safety requirements that prevent installations from assigning service members to live in substandard barracks rooms.

The report found that the services uniformly meet only the square footage requirement.

The Pentagon's guidance allows the services to exempt themselves -- issue a waiver -- from even this minimal requirement and set their own rules. The Army, Navy and Marine Corps all consider their own rules to exempt them from the Defense Department's requirements.

For example, in the most extreme case, investigators concluded that "the Army's standards constitute the Army's waiver" and the service does not issue waivers when individual barracks fail to meet Pentagon standard because it doesn't follow it and, thus, doesn't need an exemption.

Meanwhile, several offices that report to the defense secretary either say the impact of barracks conditions on troops is not their problem or they removed ways to learn more about the situation.

Staff of Gil Cisneros, who was at the time the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness and the main adviser to the defense secretary on quality-of-life matters, told the investigators that "they do not monitor the effects of barracks conditions because they believe that barracks conditions are a less important factor affecting service members' quality of life when compared to other factors."

The Pentagon's Office of People Analytics removed housing satisfaction questions from its annual, military-wide "Status of Forces" survey in part because "it was not a priority." Staff for Patricia Coury, the current deputy assistant secretary of defense for housing, told the GAO officials her office wasn't consulted.

Meanwhile, military service leaders have often said publicly that the core of the problem is funding.

The Army, the Pentagon's largest service with the largest portfolio of barracks, spends about $1 billion per year on that base housing, and its top leaders have been vocal on the need for more resources to build new barracks.

A 2022 report from the Congressional Budget Office found that fixing up barracks at only Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and Fort Liberty, installations that have some of the lowest-quality barracks, would cost $11 billion.

Congress has also been made aware of the issue over the years, yet major investments in quality-of-life improvements for troops continue to take a backseat to other issues, such as weapons procurement, on Capitol Hill.

In 2022, despite a string of housing scandals, including one that was linked to a spate of suicides, the Navy told Congress that it was prioritizing other construction goals -- namely shipyards -- instead of barracks repairs or upgrades.

-- Rebecca Kheel contributed to this report.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

Related: These Soldiers Say Mold in Barracks Isn't Just Disgusting, It's Making Them Sick
Every Saturday, Kerwin Rowlins, Coconut Man, sets up shop in a corner of the Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market with his brother. Their stall overflows with piles of coconuts and ackee.

A customer walks by on his way out of the Grand Avenue market, fist-bumping Rowlins and telling him to turn his music up. Rowlins nods and cranks up the reggae. A mom and her daughter approach the stand and ask for a fresh coconut.

Rowlins grabs two big ones, one in each hand, weighing them by feel. He chooses the heavier coconut, picks up a knife, hacks open the hard shell. He pops a straw into the coconut and hands it over. Along with the reggae and laughter, the market fills with the sounds of food cooking and people chatting.

But all of this could soon be gone, as new development replaces Coconut Grove landmarks, piece by piece. The market, amid lush almond and live oak trees, feels almost immune from encroaching development. But the markets history is also part of a larger story of a changing Coconut Grove.

New development next door

The construction site for Elemi at Grove Village, as seen from above on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

In June, two rows of stalls at the market were pushed out to make room for the construction of a new apartment building, Elemi at Grove Village. The development broke ground on June 7.

When completed, Elemi will have 46 residences, one, two or three bedrooms. The building will also have a rooftop lounge, a pool deck and a communal outdoor kitchen.

The two rows of the market that had to go sat on land owned by Silver Bluff, the development company building Elemi. Before starting construction, the company let vendors set up on the property each week as a courtesy.

Grant Savage, the founder of Silver Bluff, grew up in Coconut Grove. He said his company was up front with the market about the groundbreaking.

Still, the development of Elemi next door left vendors wondering how long the rest of the market would last. Many worry that it will be shut down for new development  meeting the same fate as other Coconut Grove businesses and cultural spots.

Their fears arent unfounded. Development and gentrification have been changing the Grove for years.

Bahamian immigrants settled in what is now known as the West Grove 150 years ago. For many years, it was a thriving community, drawing Black residents from North Florida and the deep South.

Kobe Rowlins sells a coconut to Gabriela Palau.

Grand Avenue, home to the Organic Market, is now a socioeconomic dividing line. The avenue, once a thriving center of commerce, is in varying shades of disrepair and development, with run-down homes next to newly built big-box stores.

Alongside the mixed economy, the Black population of the Grove has plummeted in recent decades. The neighborhoods Black population dropped more than 40% between 2000 and 2020, to 2,600, while the number of white residents shot up 178% to 2,150. Those figure are from an analysis of U.S. Census figures by the University of Miami law schools Center for Ethics and Public Service, which works with West Grove community groups.

Its not just the population of the Grove thats changing, but also the culture. Once a come as you are community known for its eclectic collection of businesses, restaurants and architecture, the Grove has been getting richer and fancier.

Take Scottys Landing, the funky bayside watering hole demolished last year and replaced with sleek restaurants as part of the Regatta Harbour project.

Or the Key West-style cottage lovingly called Seaside, built in 1909, which was torn down last year.

Day by day, the Groves colorful bungalows are being torn down and replaced with luxury homes. These new homes, which many Groveites call sugar cube houses for their boxy white architecture, often sell for millions of dollars.

Despite the rapid change happening all around it, the Coconut Grove Organic Market seems like a haven from the areas development. Its a place, for now, where people can get that old-school Grove feeling.

A center of community

Kerwin Rowlins sells a fresh coconut to a patron at his booth at the Coconut Grove Saturday Organic Farmers Market, on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

Rowlins, the Coconut Man, came to Miami in 1997 from Trinidad and Tobago, where he was born and raised. The markets culture is what keeps him coming back every week to sell coconuts.

So much different nationalities are here, which represents a lot of diverse culture, diverse knowledge, diverse food, Rowlins said. You learn from the different people you meet here, and there aint really places like this in South Florida or probably even in Florida itself.

My company is called Compassion Be Dope because when you practice compassion, it creates dopamine in your brain, said Sally Graves, who has been selling CBD and THC products at the Coconut Grove Organic Market since 2019.

Sally Graves runs Compassion Be Dope, a business selling CBD and THC products at the market. Her stall stands out as a shock of color in the otherwise earth-toned market  her tent is hot pink, and filled with pink stickers, bandannas and straws to match. She wears a pair of dangly fuschia earrings.

Its unique because its in the Grove. We have these gorgeous, glorious trees, Graves said. It kind of separates us from other farmers markets that are typically in a parking lot. Boring  youre on concrete! Here, you get to walk on gravel and sticks, you get to see iguanas in the trees. They pee on our tents! Graves said, laughing.

Entrepreneur Dasha Bostic has been coming to the market since she was eight. She now sells her own brand of ginger juices to market patrons, which has been her dream since she was a teenager. Saturday, August 12, 2023.

To Dasha Bostic, whose stall is a row away, the market is more than just the spot where she sells her ginger juices. Its also where she grew up.

Ive been down here since I was 8, Bostic said. And ever since then, every week, its just been a part of my life.

Bostics mom used to sell homemade shea butter products at the market, and always brought Bostic along with her. She spent her Saturdays playing among the tree trunks and getting to know the other vendors.

In her 19 years of coming to the market, Bostic has seen it change along with the rest of the Grove.

How the market stayed as Coconut Grove has changed

A crane at the Elemi construction site rises above the Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market on Saturday, August 12, 2023. The Elemi development broke ground on June 7.

While most other farmers markets shut down during the pandemic, the Coconut Grove Organic Market remained open, attracting vendors who couldnt set up shop in their usual locations.

The pandemic also gave entrepreneurs the free time to develop their business ideas, and the market offered a launch pad to test out a business in easy, small-scale ways.

An uncertain future

Stan Glaser of Glaser Farms, the manager of the market, could be mistaken for just another customer as he wanders through stacks of mangoes, papayas and okra.

Glaser Farms, in South Miami-Dade, sells organic fruits, vegetables and raw prepared foods. Theyre the largest vendor at the Coconut Grove Organic Market.

Stan Glaser, the manager of the Coconut Grove Organic Market and owner of Glaser Organic Farms, stands in front of the Elemi construction site that replaced two rows of market stalls and a parking area for the market. Saturday, August 12, 2023.

After four decades as market manager, Glaser understands the business side of things.

The land that were on right now is extremely valuable. Its vacant land near the center of Miami, and theres not a lot of that. Its not something that a developer would buy to have a market.

Because of that, Glaser explained, the market relies on his relationship with the lands owner, Orlando Benitez of Grove Grand LLC, who the manager says is very friendly. The Miami Herald wasnt able to reach Benitez for comment on the future of the organic market as new construction closes in.

Vendor Elouinia Exantus (left) shows holds a mirror as patron Jenna Cutler tries a pair of sunglasses at Exantus booth.

But Glaser knows how tenuous these relationships can be if the land owner sees an opportunity for lucrative development.

Glaser said the market used to be across the street, gesturing to a CVS Pharmacy on the other side of Grand. But, he said, the developers decided on a Thursday that we couldnt be there anymore, and the market was going to be on Saturday.

And just like that, with three days notice, the market was gone.

After getting kicked off the original site, Glaser ended up leasing the current lot for the market, which at the time was owned by George Simpson, a Bahamian landowner.

Though the market found a new home, Glaser still feels a sense of instability. Being kicked off the land has always been imminent. Weve never had a long-term contract. Weve been month to month for 40 years, and all in areas where they want to build stuff like that.

He looked over at the Elemi construction site next door. Im not sure why they allow that to happen in Coconut Grove, he said.

Many of the vendors share Glasers view.

Graves pointed up at the trees cresting above her tent. You see some of these beautiful tall trees? Well, there used to be some right there.

She looked toward the construction site, where thick concrete columns now stand. Two huge, huge trees. The kids used to climb in them, and they were all cut down for development. They were fruit trees, there were jackfruit trees over here. It was amazing.

Its a stark and symbolic image: concrete and metal beams in the construction site rising higher day by day while the market stays the same. The same white tents, the same trees, the same customers, week after week.

Graves, like others, felt that she had to mourn the loss of these trees. I literally cried when that tree got knocked down. It was a stump and I had to go hold it and hug it and cry, like, thank you for being here.

Juan Paez and his mother Jenny Ortiz sell guayusa tea. The tea leaves come from an Amazonian tree.

Juan Paez, who alongside his mother sells guayusa tea and sea moss, says that most people dont know what to think about the future of the market.

Its very concerning for a lot of the vendors here. Were trying to stay positive, he said. Theres a lot of rumors going on, that this market isnt going to last too long, or that its going to be going somewhere else.

We dont know exactly where its gonna end up, he said. But right now were just attending every Saturday here.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Information about the Market

If you want to visit the Coconut Grove Organic Market, heres more information:

 When: Saturdays only, rain or shine, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

 Where: 3300 Grand Ave., Miami. Located on the corner of Grand Avenue and Margaret Street.

 Contact: 305-238-7747 connects you to Glaser Farms

 Number of vendors: About 85

Tatiana (left), of Georgia and Josephine, of Oregon, share coconut meat as they rest against a tree trunk.

Jack Moten fries up cauliflower as Erva Moten sells their vegan Indonesian food, on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

Erva Moten piles a puts together a plate of her vegan Indonesian food for a patron. Her husband, Jack Moten, cooks their fried cauliflower behind her. Saturday, August 12, 2023.
A Democratic governor in a red state is leaning on abortion messaging to boost his reelection bid.

Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear s campaign on Wednesday released an ad featuring a woman sharing her experience of being raped by her stepfather as a child  attacking Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron, his opponent in November.

Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what it's like to stand in my shoes, the woman, named Hadley, says to the camera in the ad. This is to you, Daniel Cameron. To tell a 12-year-old girl she must have the baby of her stepfather who raped her is unthinkable.

Beshear has placed abortion front and center in the campaigns final weeks. Earlier this month, the governor launched a statewide, six-figure ad featuring a prosecutor calling Cameron not supporting exceptions for rape extreme and dangerous.

Planned Parenthood Action Kentucky is also getting involved in the race, launching a six-figure ad campaign earlier this week hitting Cameron over abortion.

Camerons public stance on abortion has changed. Throughout his campaign, Cameron has said that he supports Kentuckys current law, which bans abortion even in cases of rape or incest. But earlier this week, he said that he would sign legislation that allows exceptions for rape and incest.



Its unfortunate, but Andy Beshear is running the most despicable campaign in Kentucky history, Cameron said in a video response Wednesday, reiterating that he would sign a bill with exceptions should the GOP-controlled legislature pass one. Cameron called Beshear an extremist who vetoed every pro-life bill he saw because Planned Parenthood and Joe Biden said so.

Abortion messaging largely benefited Democrats in races across the country in last years midterms, as Republicans struggled with how to respond on the issue. And Kentucky voters last year shut down an attempt to add language to the states constitution that declares a lack of protection for abortion rights. Still, its a rarity for a Democrat in a Republican-dominated state to rely on such messaging.

And some Republicans continue to see abortion as a losing issue heading into the 2024 cycle. Former President Donald Trump has been warning Republicans about needing to improve how they talk about abortion. He then faced backlash this week from GOP governors for his recent comment labeling Floridas six-week abortion ban a terrible thing.

Ad spending in this years Kentucky gubernatorial race has already outpaced the 2019 contest. During that general election, when Republican then-Gov. Matt Bevin lost reelection to Beshear, advertisers put in around $24.3 million in total, according to the ad tracking firm AdImpact. Four years later, over $51.8 million has been booked in the general election so far, with more on the way.

The influx of spending is a sign of the high stakes of the race. Republicans are bullish that they can flip the seat, as it's a rarity to have a Democrat running a state in the South. Yet polls conducted by a Republican group over the summer have shown Beshear either with an advantage over Cameron or statistically tied.

Democrats arent taking Beshears incumbency for granted. Defending Bluegrass Values, the Democratic Governors Associations affiliate group in Kentucky, is the top spender so far, dropping $19.4 million in support of the governor. Beshears campaign is not far behind, spending $15.6 million so far.

Beshear and Cameron are set to participate in their first general election debate on Wednesday, hosted by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
As cooler fall weather moves into Charlotte and fall leaves change color, its time for a trip.

There are plenty of places around the Carolinas you can venture out to and admire the fall foliage this season that arent too far from Charlotte.

Peak season will be around mid-October, but the leaves will begin changing at the end of this month through early November.

While its predicted that well see leaves changing earlier this year, some experts expect the color change may be different than last fall.

I think that last year was an anomaly in our colors, which were so bright, because we had perfect conditions, Beverly Collins, professor emeritus at WCU, said in her 2023 fall leaf forecast. The way the weather is going and I cant predict with certainty because I cant predict when that cold snap is going to happen  but I think that the colors will not be as bright this year as last year because they wont be as synchronous.

When and where to see fall foliage

Whether you want to go to the mountains, a park or even the lake, there are a wide variety of local destinations in the region to see fall leaves changing at different times of the season.

According to Collins, you should visit higher elevations first where the weather is cooler, and along streams and roads.The leaves then brown down the mountains.

Here is a guide to when and where to see fall leaves this season, according to the Peak Leaf Forecast from N.C. High Country Regional Welcome Center:

Sept. 24-Sept. 30

Distance from Charlotte: 126 miles

Mount Mitchell, located in Yancey County, is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Plan a hike, pack a picnic or even camp out at Mount Mitchell State Park about 30 miles outside of Asheville.

Distance from Charlotte: 110 miles

Take in the views of the fall foliage at Grandfather Mountain, which towers 5,946 feet above northwest North Carolina. Venture out on one of the walking or hiking trails, including the iconic Mile High Swinging Bridge or explore through Grandfather Mountain State Park, located between the privately owned Grandfather Mountain attraction and Blue Ridge Parkway trails.

Oct. 1-Oct. 7

Distance from Charlotte: 118 miles

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Beech Mountain is the highest town on the East Coast. Plan a trip to the popular mountain destination and see the fall foliage while biking and hiking along the local trails or even taking in the views from a lift ride at Beech Mountain Resort.

Distance from Charlotte: 104 miles

The Rough Ridge Trail is along the Blue Ridge Parkway north of Linville and south of Blowing Rock. You can start the hike at either Wilson Creek Overlook (milepost 303.6) or Rough Ridge Overlook (milepost 302.8).

The Rough Ridge Tunnel, between the Laurel Knob and Curtis Valley overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

[RELATED: Two North Carolina destinations rank among best places to visit this fall. Heres why]

Oct. 8-Oct. 14

Distance from Charlotte: 111 miles

Banner Elk is a popular small town destination near Boone in the Blue Ridge Mountains. View the fall colors up above while hiking or mountain biking, from the water in a kayak or canoe on Wildcat Lake, or on a twisting thrill ride at Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster.

Take in the fall foliage from North Carolinas first alpine coaster.

Distance from Charlotte: 106 miles

Jump Off Rock is a family-friendly overlook offering scenic views of the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges. The park, which is open daily from sunrise to sunset, has three different hiking trails for visitors.

Oct. 15-Oct. 21

Distance from Charlotte: 100 miles

Boone, located about two hours from Charlotte, is a popular destination in North Carolina, especially during fall. Whether you want to go for a hike, go to a pumpkin patch or take a scenic drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway, there are a variety of things to do in town while taking in the views of fall foliage.

Caleb Dennis, of High Point, N.C., and Renita Matson, of Asheboro, N.C., take inthe Fall foliage from Grandview Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Boone, N.C., Monday, Oct. 24, 2022.

Distance from Charlotte: 91.3 miles

Blowing Rock is a great spot to visit to admire the colorful fall leaves this season. Catch the fall colors at a local overlook or park, while hiking near a waterfall or at a corn maze.

Trees along the ridges and valleys south of Blowing Rock, N.C. on Hwy 321.

Distance from Charlotte: 121 miles

West Jefferson, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is about two hours outside of Charlotte. Plan a trip to Mount Jefferson State Natural Area to hike, picnic and enjoy views as far as Tennessee.

Distance from Charlotte: 95.5 miles

Surround yourself with the colorful fall leaves at Price Lake at Julian Price Memorial Park. The 47-acre lake is open to guests who want to kayak, canoe and fish. There are also several hiking trails nearby you can checkout this season, too.

Oct. 22-28

Distance from Charlotte: 77.6 miles

Wilkesboro is a small town about 1.5 hours away from Charlotte. Visit and enjoy a scenic drive through Wilkes County, explore mountain biking trails or check out a nearby winery or distillery.

Distance from Charlotte: 93 miles

Stone Mountain State Park has a long list of outdoor activities to experience while checking out fall leaves this season. From waterfalls, creeks and streams to hiking trails, horseback riding, fishing and rock climbing, theres a lot to check out at the park around this time of year.

Distance from Charlotte: 94.2 miles

Looking for a great place to take in the fall leaves over a sunrise or sunset? Look no further than Yadkin Valley Overlook. The pull off area is pretty small but offers great views of the mountains.

Local fall activities and events

If you want to plan a full day of fall fun while admiring the beautiful red, yellow and orange fall leaves, here are other events and activities to do this season:

Go apple picking at a local farm or visit a pumpkin patch.

In addition to apple picking during the fall, Carrigan Farms also offers pumpkin picking and the Scarrigan Farms haunted trail.

Check out a fall festival, brewery crawl or haunted event.

Sip and stroll through one of the wineries or vineyards around North Carolina.

Serre Vineyards is available by appointment only, except on October 8th, November 11th and December 9th 2023.

Sign up for a guided Fall Color Hike hosted by state park rangers.

Looking to venture out past the Carolinas? You can visit the Smoky Mountains fall foliage prediction map to see the progressive changing of leaves in other states too across the U.S.
Despite backing Armenia for decades in its dispute with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh, Russia has now officially recognized the breakaway region as Azerbaijani territory, according to reports in Russian state media on Sept. 20.

"The actions that Azerbaijans military is taking now are occurring in the countrys own territory," said Russian dictator Vladimir Putins press secretary, Dmitry Pskov, in an interview with RIA Novosti.

Read also: Azerbaijan to claim Nagorno-Karabakh after Armenia withdraws all troops in ceasefire agreement

His comments come after Azeribajan launched a campaign to force the surrender of Nagorno-Karabakh on Sept. 19.

Peskov also refuted accusations that so-called Russian "peacekeepers" in the area stood by and did nothing after Azerbaijan started hostilities yesterday.

Read also: Azerbaijani activists block Russian military column in disputed Karabakh

Peskov claims that the Kremlin continues to be in contact with Yerevan and Baku, as well as representatives of the unrecognized republic.

Armenia, which exercised a considerable degree of control over Nagorno-Karabakh (known as the Republic of Artsakh in Armenia), has accused Azerbaijan of armed aggression and launching an ethnic cleansing campaign.

Protestors have taken to the streets in Yerevan, calling on the authorities to intervene in Nagorno-Karabakh. According to the Armenian authorities, more than 30 people were killed and more than 200 were injured as a result of shelling in the region.

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
Ellsworth Elementary School on Sleight Street in Naperville is a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School. (Naperville School District 203/HANDOUT)

The U.S. Department of Education has named Ellsworth Elementary School in Naperville a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School.

More than 350 schools nationwide, including 20 in Illinois, received the recognition based on a schools overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments.

Advertisement

Ellsworth, located at 145 N. Sleight St. in the citys Historic District, received the award in the category of Exemplary High-Performing Schools, which recognizes the highest performing schools measured by state or national assessments, a Naperville School District 203 news release said.

An awards ceremony will take place Nov. 16 and 17 in Washington, D.C.

Advertisement

Ellsworth officials said in their application that their best teaching and learning practices are on vivid display.

An observer might encounter first-graders coding robots, second-graders taking a gallery walk, third-graders creating a wax museum of prominent leaders, fourth-graders making stop-motion films and fifth-graders printing 3D designs, school officials said in their application.

Ellsworth uniquely balances history and tradition with innovative ideas and practices to achieve a balance that helps our students honor the past, succeed in the present, and prepare for an even better future.

According to district officials, Ellsworth is the fourth Naperville School District 203 school to receive National Blue Ribbon Schools recognition in the last two years.

Last year, Elmwood, Highlands and Steeple Run elementary schools each received the recognition.

To showcase the honor, a National Blue Ribbon School flag is displayed on a schools entryway or on a flagpole, the release said.

Other Naperville-area schools to achieve the honor were St. Joan of Arc School in Lisle, St. Francis High School in Wheaton.

MIchelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
Joe Biden s presidential campaign is overhauling its strategy to fight misinformation on social media in the 2024 race, recruiting hundreds of staffers and volunteers to monitor platforms, buying advertising to fight bogus claims, pushing its own countermessages out through grassroots allies  with a bulldog aide helping lead the effort.

The change is driven by concern that social media companies are less willing to police political misinformation, and also by the risks of mistruths and attacks from Republican rival Donald Trump and other GOP candidates, according to interviews with five Biden campaign officials over the past several weeks.

One of the leaders of the fight against what it expects to be a flood of misinformation will be a controversial figure: Rob Flaherty, the former White House director of digital strategy, whose combative emails to social media firms have become part of a Republican-led federal court case and a congressional investigation. Hell work with the campaigns legal, communications and digital teams to fight false narratives during the race.

The new strategy offers a window into how campaigns will handle the fast-shifting online landscape of the 2024 election  and the increasingly precarious politics of pressuring social-media platforms to police misinformation.

Bidens reelection campaign is expecting to combat a barrage of false claims by Trump and other GOP candidates about Bidens past record; the White Houses Covid-19 vaccine push; and alleged efforts to suppress voter turnout.

Under pressure from conservatives to allow more open speech, platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) have reinstated numerous far-right conservatives who had previously been kicked off for spreading false or harmful information, including Trump himself. Facebook and YouTube have followed suit. This past summer, YouTube announced it stopped removing content falsely claiming the 2020 election was stolen.

In that environment, Bidens campaign advisers say they plan to rely less on companies willingness to police misinformation, and more on their own resources to counter it.

The campaign is going to have to be more aggressive pushing back on misinformation from a communications perspective and filling some of the gaps these companies are leaving behind, Flaherty, a deputy campaign manager for Bidens 2024 reelection bid, told POLITICO.

The Biden administration is currently under scrutiny when it comes to social-media company outreach: White House employees, including Flaherty, are the subject of both a court case and a House committee investigation over the administrations aggressive urging of platforms to take down posts on Covid-19 and the 2020 election.



Katie Harbath, previously Facebooks public policy director and a Republican National Committee staffer, cautioned that the campaign needs to be careful in how hard it comes after social platforms  in part because GOP investigations in Congress are asking very legitimate questions about the White Houses past pressure on platforms to remove content.

It doesn't feel great to have anybody trying to threaten their control or force platforms to be making moves, she said.

A lightning rod gets a new role

Flaherty, who was promoted to the campaign leadership role in August, stands at the center of the political controversy around the fight against online misinformation. According to emails disclosed in a case filed in Louisiana by GOP state attorneys general, Flaherty harangued employees at Facebook and YouTube when he was at the White House, insisting the companies do more to combat rhetoric against the Covid-19 vaccine.

His aggressively worded messages have made him the target of conservative allegations that the White House and other Biden officials wrongly pressured private companies to take down internet speech.

The case itself is still a live issue: Several weeks ago, a federal court agreed that the Biden administration likely violated the First Amendment by coercing platforms to remove Covid-19 and election content, and issued an order limiting government officials from contacting the companies. Justice Samuel Alito temporarily paused that ruling last Thursday as the administration works on a formal request for the Supreme Court to block the order.

Republican House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan is also demanding Flaherty sit for a deposition as part of a separate probe by his subcommittee on the same issue.

The Biden campaign said it couldnt comment on the ongoing federal court case or the Jordan investigation.

Despite the controversy, Biden has continued to back Flaherty as his social media attack dog since he started as the digital director of his first campaign in 2019. Flaherty has found new ways to make his boss more engaging to young voters by recording TikTok and Instagram videos with celebrities like the Jonas Brothers and Olivia Rodrigo at the White House. Biden has continued to elevate Flaherty, making him the first digital strategy director to be named as an assistant to the president. He praised Flaherty when he left in June, saying he operated with unparalleled creativity, innovative spirit and a bias toward action.

Public shaming and countermessaging

As the campaign gets rolling, the Biden campaigns legal team still plans to use the traditional playbook of reaching out to social media companies, and flagging content that violates the platforms policies.

But campaign staff said the better strategy has been to publicly shame companies for not enforcing their own misinformation policies. They plan to use Facebook to run paid ads countering false messages, something they began doing in the 2020 campaign after the platform stopped fact-checking politicians lies in 2019, but will significantly amplify this effort in 2024.



According to campaign officials, the overhaul includes bulking up their ranks to hundreds of people by next spring, this includes expanding their own communications, legal, digital and rapid response teams  and working with staff from the Democratic National Committee, state Democratic parties and on-the-ground volunteers  to monitor and quickly correct misinformation. They also plan to create and push out paid ads targeted at susceptible voters to counter any disinformation against Biden as a candidate. Theyll also rely on grassroots organizing and volunteers to refute false claims from opponents that are intended to suppress voter turnout, as well as work with media outlets to fact-check untruths, the Biden campaign staff said.

The campaign is particularly focused on combating misinformation from leading Republican candidates, including Trump, whose campaign, supporters and personal accounts have consistently pumped out lies about the 2020 election results, as well as more personal attacks on Hunter Biden , whos currently indicted on gun charges. The campaign is also homing in on Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Covid anti-vaccine rhetoric, including his latest push against the CDCs recommendation for everyone under 65 to get the updated Covid vaccine.

Tech industry observers arent surprised with the Biden camps switch in strategy. The content moderation winds have shifted since 2020, said Nu Wexler, who previously worked in policy communications for Google, Facebook, Twitter and for Democratic lawmakers.

Given the shift in the industry  and the political risks of heavy-handed pushback  both Wexler and Harbath suggested that counter-messaging is a better use of the campaigns time and resources than directly pressuring platforms to enforce their policies.

The campaigns of Trump and DeSantis did not respond to a request for comment on their own mis- and disinformation policies headed into 2024.

Another misinformation threat thats evolved since the 2020 campaign is the sudden explosion of generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT. Generative AI can be deployed by campaigns to produce deep fakes  manipulated images or videos intended to deceive a viewer  which could be used to sway voters in 2024. And the threat isnt even hypothetical  a pro-DeSantis super PAC has alreadyused generative AI in an ad this summer.

So the campaign is preparing for what it sees as a likely deluge of misinformation from candidates and AI tools. Said Maury Riggan, the campaigns general counsel: As bad as the issue was in 2020, its only gotten more complex.
President Biden issued an executive order Wednesday that will lead to the appointment of a dedicated coordinator for long-term recovery efforts in East Palestine, Ohio, months after a train derailment spilled toxic chemicals into the community.

The White House announced Bidens executive order and other measures intended to hold Norfolk Southern, whose train derailed, accountable in the wake of the disaster. Biden still has not visited East Palestine despite saying in March he planned to at some point.

The presidents executive order directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to designate a coordinator for long-term recovery efforts within five days.

The Coordinator will conduct a comprehensive assessment of any unmet needs that are not addressed by Norfolk Southern and would qualify for Federal assistance, according to a White House fact sheet. The Coordinator will also collaborate with the Federal, State and local governments, the private sector and voluntary, faith-based and community organizations supporting the recovery.

Bidens executive order also requires that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide a report within 30 days on the status of the air, soil and water in the community and whether Norfolk Southern is complying with an order to address endangerment caused by the derailment.

The order additionally requires that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provide a report within 60 days summarizing conclusions from public health testing in the aftermath of the derailment. If any medical conditions have developed in the area, the agency will consider declaring a public health emergency, the White House said.

The Norfolk Southern train derailed near East Palestine in February, spilling toxic chemicals into the area and raising concerns about the environment and health effects in the community.

Biden has for months faced scrutiny from Republicans over his lack of a visit to the community, and the White House has provided no details on when the president might travel there despite his pledge in March to do so at some point.

The White House has instead repeatedly emphasized that EPA officials were on the ground within hours of the derailment and that teams went door-to-door in the community in the aftermath of the incident to check on residents and provide information about health and environmental concerns.

Biden was also in touch with state and local leaders in the aftermath of the derailment. EPA Administrator Michael Regan made multiple trips to the area, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg visited East Palestine to meet with local leaders and community members.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The White House will create a federal Climate Corps, a major wish list item for progressive Democrats and environmentalist groups, Biden administration officials confirmed on a call with reporters Tuesday.

On the call, administration officials said the program will employ 20,000 people in its first year. These recruits, they said, will be doing the important task of conserving and restoring our lands and waters, bolstering community resilience, deploying clean energy  implementing energy efficiency technologies that will cut consumer costs for the American people, and advancing environmental justice. The program will be open for signups beginning Wednesday.

President Biden was himself a vocal proponent of a corps on the campaign trail in 2020 and in the first years of his administration. Language establishing such a program was included in early drafts of the Build Back Better Act, the Democratic-majority Congresss first attempt at a climate and infrastructure bill that was later withdrawn.

Officials on the call confirmed that the program announced this week would include that same spirit and that structure, that intention as the earlier proposals.

Echoing a frequent parallel drawn by Biden, an official on the call said that the program would be modeled on the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps, but while that program was open only to white men, [t]his climate corps will uplift and empower a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Administration officials were also asked on the call about the programs budget and the source of those funds, as well as its position within the federal bureaucracy, but said further details would be forthcoming.

The announcement came a day after a coalition of more than 50 congressional Democrats, led by Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), called on Biden to establish a climate corps through executive action.

In an interview with The Hill, Varshini Prakash, executive director of the progressive environmental advocacy group Sunrise Movement, who was also on the press call, said that advocates really see this as the start and not the finish  and we know if we have any hopes of heading off the worst of  climate change, we will have to expand and build upon the initial first steps that have been made here.

It will take a massive effort to decarbonize our economy and do it on the scale and timeline that science and justice require, and that is going to mean we have to employ  hundreds of thousands and millions of people in the work of averting climate catastrophe and making our communities more resilient, she added.

Rachel Frazin contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
With the opening of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, leaders from across the world convened to take stock of a global order that has not seemed shakier since the coldest days of the Cold War.

The assembly saw speeches by President Biden as well as by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made his address in person (last year he spoke over video link from Kyiv). Zelensky also spoke to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Tuesday. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Russias ambassador to the U.N., Vassily Nebenzia, was at the second address, in which Zelensky excoriated his nation for its invasion of Ukraine. In response, Nebenzia tried to stop him from speaking. Failing to do so, the Russian ambassador slumped in his seat, staring at his smartphone. It was a childish response, perhaps, but also a reminder that even the grandeur of the U.N.s headquarters on the East Side of Manhattan can sometimes take on the cliquish feel of a high school cafeteria.

In Tuesdays remarks, Biden argued that for the world to be fractured into competing alliances would undo the very purpose of the U.N.

We have to grapple with the challenges that are more connected and more complex, he said. We have to make sure were delivering for people everywhere, not just somewhere, everywhere.

But evidence of that fracture was right before his eyes.

Read more on Yahoo News: Unversed in UNGA? Stumped by SDGs? A glossary of U.N. General Assembly meeting lingo, from the Associated Press

A world unhinged

Zelensky and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at U.N. headquarters on Tuesday. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)

Our world is becoming unhinged.

That was how United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres bleakly assessed the state of affairs. And, he added, we seem incapable of coming together to respond.

From climate change to artificial intelligence, existential threats are on the rise, Guterres said. He pleaded with global leaders, all with interests of their own, to put humanitys interests above all.

Read more on Yahoo News: Climate takes center stage at U.N. as global temperatures hit record, from Reuters

High-profile no-shows

Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on Aug. 24. (Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images)

Few could have been surprised that Russian President Vladimir Putin, considered a war criminal by much of the West, did not make the journey to New York. His ally President Xi Jinping of China also stayed away, though he participated in the assembly last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, who recently met with Biden in New Delhi, remained at home as well.

Two other, less expected no-shows were President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom. Both said they had conflicts, and there is no reason to believe that their absence is a sign of a deeper rift.

For some European leaders right now there is not a lot of political capital in going to big summits, and you need to be seen at home a lot more, Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group, told the Associated Press.

Still, it was hard to avoid seeing the empty seats as somehow symbolic.

Read more on Yahoo News: Everything you need to know about this years meeting of leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, from the Associated Press

Biden warns that Russia must not win

President Biden addresses the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. (Susan Walsh/AP)

It was Biden who, in early 2022, helped forge an international alliance to help Ukraine defend itself against the invasion Russia launched that February. Support for Ukraine has held, but it has also shown signs of fraying.

Speaking on Tuesday, the American president said that if Ukraine were abandoned by allies, and Russia allowed to formalize claims on land it has conquered and annexed, a dangerous new geopolitical chapter would begin.

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, he wondered, is the independence of any nation secure?

Read more on Yahoo News: Biden makes impassioned plea at U.N., warning what could happen if world abandons Ukraine, from USA Today

Zelensky comes to New York

Zelensky speaks at the General Assembly on Tuesday. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Zelensky made his second trip to the United States in order to attend the assembly. On Thursday he will meet with American lawmakers in Washington.

A surprisingly savvy politician (he was an actor and producer before running for the presidency, and winning the post, in 2019), he grasps that his demands have exhausted world leaders, who have their own domestic concerns.

At the same time, he cannot allow their support for Ukraine to flag, or for Russia to reestablish relations that were severed when the invasion was first launched. So he pressed his case with the urgency of a leader under siege. And, like Biden, he made the case that failing to stop Russia would embolden other despots.

Weaponization must be restrained. War crimes must be punished. Deported people must come back home. And the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united to make it, Zelensky said on Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, he spoke to the Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member. He lamented that reality, calling on Russia to be stripped of its veto power.

It is impossible to stop the war because all actions are vetoed by the aggressor, he said.

Read more on Yahoo News: President Zelensky visits Ukrainian soldiers in New York hospital, from the Kyiv Independent

Meetings, meetings, meetings

President Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the General Assembly on Wednesday. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

On Wednesday morning, Biden met with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. The two have known each other for years but have not met since Netanyahu returned to the post in December 2022 as the leader of a far-right coalition.

Since then, Netanyahu has unveiled a series of highly unpopular judicial reforms supported by religious conservatives and West Bank settlers. He has also effectively sanctioned escalating violence.

The White House said in a statement that Biden emphasized the need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation, maintain the viability of a two-state solution, and promote a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

He also encouraged Netanyahu to work with him on what would be a historic security agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

His invitation for Netanyahu to visit Washington later this year appeared to be something of an enticement.

Later, Biden  who is intent on showing that, even at 80, he has the energy of his younger peers  sat down with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He said the United States and Brazil would work together to stem the climate catastrophe.

Biden is also to sit with leaders of the Stans, as the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are known. All are in a crucial swath of Central Asia that acts as a kind of buffer between Russia and China, making any alliances there potentially crucial for the United States as tensions with China escalate.

Read more on Yahoo News: Biden set for busy week of foreign policy, including talks with Brazil, Israel and Ukraine leaders, from the Associated Press
President Joe Biden will announce the creation of the first-ever federal office of gun violence prevention on Friday, fulfilling a key demand of gun safety activists as legislation remains stalled in Congress, according to two people with direct knowledge of the White Houses plans.

Stefanie Feldman, a longtime Biden aide who previously worked on the Domestic Policy Council, will play a leading role, the people said.

Greg Jackson, executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, and Rob Wilcox, the senior director for federal government affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety, are expected to hold key roles in the office alongside Feldman, who has worked on gun policy for more than a decade and still oversees the policy portfolio at the White House. The creation of the office was first reported by The Washington Post.

Since Bidens election, gun groups have called on him to take this action, which activists see as a concrete step beyond his unanswered pleas for an assault weapons ban and universal background checks. Activists have argued that such an office will help the administration coordinate on gun policy issues across the federal government, while also allowing the president and Vice President Kamala Harris to show leadership on the issue.

I really think this is a testament to survivors, impacted communities, pushing for years the administration to do this, said one of the people with direct knowledge of the plans, who asked to remain anonymous to discuss details ahead of the announcement.

The White House, Everytown and Community Justice Action Fund did not respond to a request for comment.



Since taking office, the president has taken a slew of executive actions, and his administration has invested in community violence intervention. And following back-to-back shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Uvalde, Texas, in 2022, the White House worked with a bipartisan coalition in Congress to pass the first gun legislation into law in nearly three decades. That deal, signed by Biden in June 2022, toughened background checks for young gun buyers, helped states implement red flag laws and kept firearms from more domestic violence offenders. The following month, the Senate confirmed the first director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms since 2013.

Nevertheless, there have been 504 mass shootings in which four or more people were injured or killed during 2023 alone, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Gun safety groups have pressed Biden to focus on the implementation of the hallmark gun legislation, and have argued that such an office would help with coordination across federal agencies.

A White House office of gun violence prevention would build on the already tremendous record of President Biden and Vice President Harris on gun safety," said Peter Ambler, executive director of Giffords. "This has been a top priority of ours for years, and it would provide an important center of gravity for leadership across the administration as the President and Vice President implement the historic Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and continue to push Congress to pass legislation to save lives. The hiring of Greg and Rob would show how seriously this administration takes its responsibility to address this crisis."

The timing of Bidens announcement comes as his presidential reelection campaign ramps up. The new office will present an opportunity for the president to point to his action on gun safety at a time when Congress is unlikely to pass additional legislation, potentially increasing enthusiasm among key voting blocs, including young people.
President Joe Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday morning on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The bilateral meeting comes amid tensions between the two leaders over Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan and a day after Biden touted Israels increased ties to its neighbors in an address to the General Assembly.

Following the meeting, the White House said that Biden reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israels democratic system, absent the broadest possible consensus, and he also emphasized the need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation, maintain the viability of a two-state solution, and promote a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."

"Today, we're going to discuss some of the hard issues," Biden said in remarks ahead of the meeting. "And that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems and preserving a path to a negotiated two-state solution and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon."

Image: President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, on Sept. 20, 2023. Biden was in New York to address the 78th United Nations General Assembly. (Susan Walsh / AP)

In a briefing last week, national security advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that the leaders would "discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues focused on the shared democratic values between the United States and Israel and a vision for a more stable and prosperous and integrated region, as well as to compare notes on effectively countering and deterring Iran."

In remarks before the meeting, Netanyahu said that he thinks under Biden's leadership, the countries can "forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia."

"I think such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians," Netanyahu said, referring to the normalization of relations between his country and Saudi Arabia, which is something Biden has been pushing for.

Netanyahu's comments came after Biden said he thought a planned "economic corridor" connecting India, the Middle East and Europe through rail and shipping lines, which he said will run through Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Israel, would have "enormous promise."

"I think its a big deal, and were working on a lot more together, Biden said.

That project, discussed at the G20 meeting of leading and developing nations earlier this month, is meant as a way to China's influence among poorer countries.

Biden met at the White House in July with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who holds a largely ceremonial position, to discuss the Israel-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear program. A day before that meeting, Biden spoke on the phone with Netanyahu and called for "the need for the broadest possible consensus" in the debate over his judicial overhaul efforts, the White House said. Biden also "expressed concern" about settlement growth and reiterated a need to "maintain the viability of a two-state solution and improve the security situation in the West Bank."

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, had previously said in July that Biden and Netanyahu would meet in the fall.

As Wednesday's meeting began, Biden told Netanyahu, I hope we will see each other in Washington by the end of the year, according to the pool report. Following the meeting, the White House confirmed that Biden invited Netanyahu to visit D.C. before the end of the year.

During Tuesday's speech to the United Nations, Biden praised efforts to create a more "integrated Middle East."

"It demonstrates how Israels greater normalization and economic connection with its neighbors is delivering positive and practical impacts even as we continue to work tirelessly to support a just and lasting peace" between Israelis and Palestinians, Biden said.

Biden will also hold a bilateral meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva later Wednesday. The U.S. president will then participate in campaign receptions in the afternoon before departing New York for the White House in the evening.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
NEW YORK  The war in Ukraine. U.S. tensions with Russia, China and Iran.

And Bibi finally got his meeting with President Joe Biden.

Biden and other world leaders had an agenda chock-full of issues involving social and diplomatic concerns when they gathered this week for the annual meeting of the U.N. General Assembly.

Biden, who spent three days in New York for the gathering, sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday on the sidelines of the summit. It was a meeting Netanyahu had wanted, but not exactly what he had in mind.

Netanyahu had been pushing to meet with Biden at the White House since his return to power last December. But Biden, upset over Netanyahus plan to overhaul Israels judicial system and concerned about his commitment to democratic checks and balances, was reluctant to give him a high-profile Oval Office meeting.

So they met at a Manhattan hotel instead.

President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York on Wednesday. Biden was in New York to address the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

We're going to discuss some of the hard issues, Biden said.

Biden, who has known Netanyahu for years, stressed that even with their differences, the U.S. commitment to Israel is ironclad.

Without Israel, he said, there's not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential.

Netanyahu said one thing will never change: Israels commitment to democracy.

We will continue to uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish, he said.

The meeting ended but not before Biden invited Netanyahu to visit Washington by year's end.

Here are three other takeaways from the U.N. summit:

Worlds apart: NYC migrant crisis is one of several shadows looming over Biden at United Nations

UPresident Joe Biden addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Tuesday. Biden told the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that the U.S. sought to "responsibly manage" its rivalry with China to avoid any possible war.

Biden, Zelenskyy warn of 'aggression'

Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy both addressed the members of the general assembly on Tuesday and warned of the consequences of pulling back on support from Ukraine in its war with Russia.

In his annual address to the body, Biden cast solidarity with Ukraine as a necessary step to deter other would-be aggressors. Russia believes the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence, he said. If U.N. member nations abandon their core principles and appease an antagonist, no one will be safe, Biden said.

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? Biden asked. I respectfully suggest the answer is no.

Bidens stark message seemed to be directed at Washington as much as those world leaders in the audience. As American support for the war in Ukraine has softened, some congressional Republicans are resisting his request for $24 billion in military and humanitarian aid for the war-torn country.

A few hours after Biden spoke, Zelenskyy echoed his remarks, warning in his address to the body that Russias aggression wont stop with Ukraine and that its invasion of his country is pushing the world toward a final war.

"Many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty  empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression," Zelenskyy said.

Who wasnt there for either speech? Russian President Vladimir Putin, who skipped the U.N. gathering.

Zelenskyy: If Ukraine loses, U.S. must choose between the collapse of NATO or going to war

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Tuesday.

Iran leader slams US, other 'old powers'

Ebrahim Raisi, Irans hardline president, attacked the United States for pulling out of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in 2018 and accused America of imposing sanctions as a political tool.

His remarks came the same day five Americans who had been imprisoned in Iran returned home as part of a prisoner exchange the Biden administration negotiated with Tehran.

Raisi told journalists the exchange could help build trust between the nations. But he didnt hold back in his address to the General Assembly.

Raisi said through an interpreter that U.S. sanctions on Iran havent worked and old powers will keep their current downward trajectory.

They represent the past, he said, and we are the future.

As Raisi spoke to the General Assembly, Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, walked around the room holding up a banner with a photo of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who died last year while in police custody after allegedly violating the Islamic Republic's strict dress code for women. Erdan later walked out of the assembly hall with other Israeli diplomats.

Americans are freed from Iran: So, why is the prisoner swap controversial for Biden?

Biden on Bette Midler, Trump and 2024

In between his meetings with world leaders, Biden also carved out some time for fundraisers for his reelection campaign.

New Yorks Times Square, a hectic zoo of humanity even without a presidential invasion, grew even more chaotic and congested as Bidens motorcade zipped across West 46th Street to Broadways Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Monday night for one of the campaign events.

Broadway for Biden, announced a red, white and blue marquee outside the theater. Inside, Biden took the stage as an orchestra played All That Jazz.

In his brief remarks, Biden spoke to the crowd of actors, theatrical producers and others about Bette Midler, Donald Trump and whats at stake in next years election.

Years ago, Biden said, when his sons Beau and Hunter were younger, he took them to a Midler show on Broadway. The bawdy performer spotted the boys in the crowd and asked who on earth would take kids to a show like this, Biden recalled.

On Trump, Biden said the former president, who is also the GOP front-runner for 2024, and MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy democracy. Im running because democracy is at stake because democracy is on the ballot once again, he said.

If voters send him back to the White House, Biden said, "we will have saved democracy."

Michael Collins and Maureen Groppe cover the White House. Follow Collins on X, formerly Twitter, @mcollinsNEWS and Groppe @mgroppe.

Contributing: Francesca Chambers

Re-election bid: Biden makes case for middle class wins on Labor Day as new poll says his 2024 run is in danger

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Takeaways from Biden's UN speech, meeting with Bibi Netanyahu at UNGA
U.S. President Biden meets with Brazil's President Lula during UNGA in New York City

U.S. President Biden meets with Brazil's President Lula during UNGA in New York City

By Steve Holland and Andrea Shalal

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, underscoring their shared commitment to shoring up democracy, launched an initiative on Wednesday to advance the rights of working people, a key focus for both leaders.

Biden and Lula, speaking before a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the high-level United Nations General Assembly, highlighted the importance of decent jobs, good wages and ensuring that workers benefit from the digital and green energy transitions underway broadly in society.

"The two largest democracies in the Western Hemisphere are standing up for human rights around the world and the hemisphere, and that includes workers' rights," Biden told Lula.

"Let me be clear, whether it's the autoworkers union or any other union worker, record corporation profits should mean record contracts for union workers," Biden said at a separate event launching the new initiative.

His comments came on the sixth day of a strike by 12,700 United Auto Workers members against Ford, General Motors and Chrysler parent Stellantis, who are demanding better pay and benefits.

Biden said the U.S.-Brazil Partnership for Workers' Rights will start as a bilateral initiative, but that other nations and organizations were welcome to join.

Lula, warning that democracies were under threat around the world, said it was critical to shore up workers' rights, and said the new initiative would help "arouse hope" for working families while deepening ties between the two countries.

"It's more than just another bilateral. It's a faith relationship that we are building here and a new era for U.S.-Brazilian relations amongst equal partners," he said, adding, "poverty and inequality is not in the interest of anybody."

Biden and Lula traded personal stories about the importance of decent jobs at the start of their second in-person meeting. Lula - who noted that his education consisted solely of vocational training and that he had worked 27 years in a factory - said his labor minister met with striking workers on Tuesday.

"There's no democracy without strong trade unions," Lula said at the launch event, expressing his admiration for Biden's strong support for organized labor.

Biden cited a recent U.S. Treasury report that showed the importance of unionization and how it improved economic outcomes.

When Lula visited Biden at the White House in February, both leaders focused on the climate crisis, and pledged to accelerate measures to protect the Amazon, as well as the need to fight for and advance democratic values.

Biden said the new initiative would work to end forced labor and child labor, mitigate the impact on workers of the clean energy and digital economic transitions, promote safe and decent workplaces, and end workplace discrimination, including against women, LGBTQ+ people and racial and ethnic minorities.

It would also focus on harnessing new technologies, like artificial intelligence, to benefit workers, he said.

Lula said the two leaders plan to raise the issues at multilateral forums such as the Group of 20 major economies, which Brazil is heading next year, and the COP 28 and COP 30 global climate events.

The initiative aims "to engage private-sector partners in innovative approaches to create decent jobs in key production chains, combat discrimination in the workplace and promote diversity," the Brazilian government said in a statement.

International Labor Organization Director General Gilbert Houngbo welcomed what he termed a historic initiative.

"Decent work empowers workers to organize and to negotiate," he told reporters. "It fosters social justice, which is essential if people are to have a brighter future."

The joint project is part of a U.S. effort to strengthen ties with Brazil, which has maintained close links to China, its main trading partner, even as tensions have increased sharply between Beijing and Washington.

A second official said Washington had been very clear about its concerns over alleged human rights violations in China, as well as China's economic practices and military expansion, and would discuss those issues with Brazil.

Biden and Lula also discussed the importance of restoring democracy in Venezuela. Biden outlined a step-by-step approach that could provide U.S. sanctions relief if Venezuela took concrete actions that lead to free and fair elections, the White House said in a statement after the meeting.

The two leaders also discussed the importance of continuing to support Haiti as it deals with a humanitarian and security crisis, and Biden urged Lula to support a multinational security support mission there, the White House said.

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal in Washington and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; editing by Grant McCool and Jonathan Oatis)
President Bidens reelection campaign is creating a working group centered on combating misinformation on social media networks, a Biden campaign official told The Hill on Wednesday.

The group will be led by Rob Flaherty, deputy campaign manager; Michael Tyler, communications director; and Maury Riggan, general counsel, as well as aides from the rapid response communications team and legal team.

The goal of the cross-campaign effort is to publicly push back on disinformation with an army of folks who can push back get information out to the public like Biden campaign officials, allies, surrogates and influencers.

Social media platforms have a critical responsibility to take account of how their platforms affect the American people, but make independent choices about how they enforce their standards, said Flaherty, the former White House director of digital strategy.

The campaign is going to have to be more aggressive pushing back on misinformation from a communications perspective and filling some of the gaps these companies are leaving behind, he said.

The new working group is a shift from previous strategies in which campaigns could ask and expect social media companies to take down content deemed to be misinformation. The shift comes in the new age of X, formerly known as Twitter, and the rise of other platforms such as Truth Social, where former President Trump often posts.

The campaigns strategy could also involve taking legal actions in states with laws against deepfake technology and applicable copyright laws.

The effort, which was first reported by Politico, will be focused on debunking misinformation on issues including the presidents record, the COVID-19 vaccine push out of the White House and allegations of suppressing voter turnout, among other topics.

The new push comes as the Biden administration is embroiled in a legal fight over limits a court placed on certain agencies communications with social media companies over free speech concerns. An appeals court earlier this month determined that the administration likely violated the First Amendment by pressuring social media companies to moderate specific content  including vaccine information  ruling that federal agencies cannot coerce social media platforms to take down posts the government doesnt like.

Some current and former White House employees, including Flaherty, Politico reported, are under scrutiny for outreach to social media companies over misinformation about COVID-19 and the 2020 election.

The House Judiciary Committee in June invited Flaherty to testify about his conversations with social media companies and what they claim were efforts to censor them.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration is canceling nearly $37 million of federal student loan debt for more than 1,200 borrowers who attended the University of Phoenix because it found that the for-profit school misled students about job prospects.

Taking a narrower approach to student debt forgiveness, the Biden administration has continued to cancel some borrowers debts under existing programs after the Supreme Court blocked its broad student loan forgiveness program that promised to forgive up to $20,000 for low- and middle-income borrowers.

Similar to Wednesdays announcement about the University of Phoenix, the Department of Education canceled $72 million in federal student loan debt in August for more than 2,300 borrowers who attended the for-profit Ashford University in California.

Altogether, the administration has canceled more than $117 billion of the nearly $1.7 trillion of outstanding federal student loan debt since 2021.

The former University of Phoenix students now eligible for debt relief were enrolled at the school between September 21, 2012, and December 31, 2014, and have already applied for loan forgiveness under a program called borrower defense to repayment. The program has been in place for decades and allows people to apply for debt relief if they believe their college misled or defrauded them.

Building on an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Education found that the University of Phoenix falsely represented that its partnerships with thousands of corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, would give students hiring preferences.

In 2019, the FTC reached a settlement agreement with the University of Phoenix over similar claims. The company did not admit to or deny any allegations at that time.

The University of Phoenix brazenly deceived prospective students with false ads to get them to enroll, said Federal Student Aid chief operating officer Richard Cordray in a statement.

Students who trusted the school and wanted to better their lives through education ended up with mounds of debt and useless degrees, he added.

In a statement sent to CNN Wednesday, the University of Phoenix refuted the governments findings and noted that the school admitted no wrongdoing when settling with the FTC in 2019.

We respectfully, but adamantly disagree with the U.S. Department of Educations allegations related to the Dec. 2019 University of Phoenix settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, it said.

While the University is not against relief for borrowers who have valid claims, we intend to vigorously challenge each frivolous allegation and suspicious claim through every available legal avenue, it added.

The Department of Education said it will notify eligible borrowers by early October that their debt relief applications have been approved. The government will instruct student loan servicers to put affected borrowers loans in forbearance until the debt is officially canceled.

Borrowers whose loans are in forbearance wont be required to make payments, even after the pandemic-related freeze on federal student loan payments ends in October.

Other former University of Phoenix students who believe they were similarly affected during those years can still apply for student debt relief under the borrower defense program at the Federal Student Aid website.

The Biden administration has made it easier for borrowers to apply for federal student loan forgiveness from a variety of existing programs. It expanded eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which wipes away outstanding debt for public sector workers after they make 10 years of qualifying payments, and is conducting a one-time account adjustment that will result in the cancellation of debt for borrowers who have been paying for at least 20 years.

In August, the administration also launched a new income-driven repayment plan, known as SAVE (Saving on a Valuable Education), which will reduce monthly payments and the amount paid back over time for eligible student loan borrowers.

This story has been updated with additional information.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
When a judge asked how his 11-month-old daughter could die in their home, Roger Duszynski III hesitated before answering.

I dont know, he said.

Advertisement

Although lawyers concluded his partner Patricia Widner was more directly responsible for Debra Rein Duszynskis Jan. 2, 2020 death, he was also charged.

Court documents suggest he knew Widner abused drugs and had violent tendencies. Roger Duszynski, now 29, pleaded guilty June 29 to neglect of a dependent, a level 5 felony.

Advertisement

Judge Salvador Vasquez sentenced him Wednesday to three years on home detention and another three years probation.

Widner, who also pleaded guilty, got 20 years Aug. 18 in the childs death. The girl died of blunt force trauma to the abdomen as if she was kicked or punched by an adult, documents show.

The couple had five kids and were overwhelmed, his lawyer Steven Mullins said in court. Duszynski worked intense hours for a trucking company, but ultimately failed the child. He had no prior criminal history.

Debra left the house, then returned around 3 a.m. Court records alleged Duszynski was sleeping, then got up at 3 a.m. to get ready for work when Patricia screamed that the girls lips were blue. They took the girl to Community Hospital.

Its something he lives with every day, the lawyer said. He is beyond remorseful and should have asked his parents for help, Mullins said.

Duszynskis parents are now guardians for the four oldest kids. An Indiana Department of Child Services case closed about a month ago, the lawyer said.

He asked for two years on probation with a court-ordered mental health evaluation.

Deputy Prosecutor Jacquelyn Altpeter asked for three years on home detention and two years probation. Duszynski was involved in some way, although evidence didnt show he hit the kid.

Advertisement

Duszynski told the court Wednesday he was very remorseful and just wanted to get my kids back.

How did this child die? What was happening there that led to this, Vasquez asked.

I dont know, Duszynski said.

I look at patterns, Vasquez told him. Its almost like you turned a blind eye.

There was no pattern here, the judge said. Duszynski raised four kids with no DCS reports. Then, the baby died.

It just makes no sense, he said. It brings up questions youll be asking yourself for the rest of your life, questions you should be asking  what went wrong?

Advertisement

He accepted the plea, even as he had doubts about Duszynski avoiding prison.

Gary Police were called to the childs home Jan. 2, 2020 on the 2300 block of Stevenson Street near Calumet Township where they concluded an incident happened there that morning, documents show. The child was taken to the hospital where she was pronounced dead around 4:30 a.m.

Indiana Department of Child Services Case Manager Rebecca Ramon told police on scene in 2020 that the agency was removing their other four children  identified in court papers as Victim 1, Victim 2, Witness 1 and Witness 2.

Criminal charges were filed in the childs death on June 29, 2020.

According to court documents, Widners relative said Duszynski mentally abused her and the kids in the past, while Widner was lazy, afraid of Roger and didnt take care of the children. The relative said he personally saw Duszynski push her, spit in her face and use derogatory language toward the kids.
The White House will announce this week that it is creating an office of gun violence prevention to focus on efforts to curb gun violence, two sources familiar confirmed to The Hill.

Gun violence prevention advocates and Democratic lawmakers have been pushing the White House to establish a designated office solely focused on gun violence.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), who is known for his focus on gun violence prevention, applauded the White House on Wednesday after reports of the first-of-its-kind office.

This is an idea I have been pushing relentlessly for some time, and Im thrilled President Biden is making the Office of Gun Violence Prevention a reality, Murphy said in a statement, adding that the office will help strengthen the federal governments implementation of the bipartisan gun control legislation.

Murphy and Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) introduced legislation this year to establish such an office within the Department of Justice.

March for Our Lives, which was created following the Parkland, Fla., school shooting in 2019, has been making the push for an office. And Community Justice Action Fund, the largest Black and survivor-led advocacy group, has been consistently demanding it too.

President Biden will announce the new office at a Friday event at the White House, The Washington Post first reported. Greg Jackson, the executive director of Community Justice Action Fund, is expected to attend the event, as well as Rob Wilcox, the senior director for federal government affairs at Everytown for Gun Safety, according to the Post.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bidens reelection campaign received early endorsements from four major gun violence prevention groups  Everytown for Gun Safety, Community Justice Action Fund, Giffords, and Brady.

Brady president Kris Brown in a statement said the group adamantly supports the creation of such an office.

Gun violence is now the number one killer of American children, and a tragedy that directly impacts 1-in-5 Americans; that is why Brady has advocated and fought for an Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Tackling this epidemic will take a whole-of-government approach, and this new office would ensure the executive branch is focused on proven solutions that will save lives, Brown said.

The gun violence prevention movement has been supportive of Bidens efforts on gun control, but considers them to be first steps. Biden acknowledged in June that the bipartisan gun safety bill he signed into law last summer isnt enough.

The White House has pushed its limits in terms of executive powers to curb gun violence. In its latest move, administration officials are eyeing a Justice Department-led expansion of background checks for gun purchases.

Biden has consistently called for Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, require safe storage of guns, to end gun manufacturers immunity from liability and to enact universal background checks. But the GOP-controlled House and tight margins in the Senate have made the issues non-starters this Congress.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden is facing questions from within his own ranks over his response to the auto workers strike after former President Trump, his probable general election opponent, announced he would talk to workers in Detroit later this month.

Progressives are now turning up the heat on Biden, warning that he risks being undercut by Trump as both sides seek votes from working-class people.

Democrats and union advocates first applauded Biden for using the bully pulpit to express support for the United Auto Workers (UAW) at the onset of the strike. But now, as the White House looks to craft a longer-term strategy for a tricky situation, some on the left are voicing concerns that the response seems tepid.

The political winds forced him that way, a top confidant to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said about Bidens response to the picketers, whose efforts against ballooning CEO salaries and stagnant wages have escalated.

They put the muscle out there now so they cant really hedge as much. He hedged early on, the Sanders ally said.

Biden has presented himself as pro-union and, even as a lifelong moderate, has been vocal about the urgency of raising the minimum wage. His modest upbringing has made him a sympathetic figure to workers over the years and helped him win swing parts of the industrial Midwest against Trump.

But some want to see Biden go further for workers as progressives ramp up their own efforts. On Wednesday, members of the Congressional Labor Caucus announced plans to form a picket line on Capitol Hill.

The White House clarified initial plans this week to send Julie Su, the acting Labor secretary, and Gene Sperling, a senior White House adviser, to Detroit to help smooth out the negotiations. Many UAW members didnt like the even-handed approach and wanted administration officials squarely in their corner. Politico reported that some of Bidens own supporters want him to appear with workers now that Trump intends to be out front.

The strike is delicate because it involves seemingly competing interests. Some close to the industry argue he shouldnt alienate giants like General Motors and Ford, while the labor community largely wants him to take their pro-worker position.

Progressives in Congress and activists are making it clear that they arent afraid to walk the picket line.

Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D), a squad member, called the decision a no brainer to strike alongside workers. Tlaibs immigrant father was a UAW member who worked with Ford Motor Company, one of the three auto corporations targeted by the strike.

You have to be on the side of people, not profits, she said in an interview with MSNBC.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a progressive who has a close relationship with Biden and the White House, was in Toledo, Ohio, and Wayne, Mich., this week.

In contrast to Biden, Trump made it clear that he would make a trip to Detroit next week  an unwelcome visit for UAW President Shawn Fain and labor advocates. Fain suggested the event is an affront to what the movement is working against, including fighting off the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers.

The Washington Post reported that some key Biden supporters in the Great Lake State would like him to show up on the ground, and multiple outlets have noted that officials in the White House are deliberating how to handle their next move.

While Biden won Michigan against Trump in 2020, the state is still considered a battleground and the unrest among laborers has offered no assurances that its going to be in the Democratic camp in 2024.

Winning back Michigan would offer the GOP a boost that their message of systematic neglect toward workers is resonating and could spell trouble in neighboring parts of the Midwest like Ohio or Pennsylvania.

Another progressive who has voiced regular support for unions is expected to stand alongside angry workers. Unfortunately for Biden, its one of his rivals.

Cornel West, whos running to defeat both Biden and Trump as a Green Party candidate, is heading to Detroit to walk the picket line, The Hill first reported Wednesday.

Wests future trip will put him in stark contrast to Biden, whom Democrats are already worried could be harmed by a third-party spoiler candidate in swing states.

An in-person show of force would likely raise questions about why the president hasnt appeared when two of his possible November opponents chose to stand with workers.

To the Biden campaign, Trumps playbook is performative and disingenuous. A campaign official slammed the former president and GOP nomination front-runners planned trip while resurfacing his bruising defeat there last cycle.

Donald Trump is going to Michigan next week to lie to Michigan workers and pretend he didnt spend his entire failed presidency selling them out at every turn, Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for the Biden-Harris campaign, said in a statement. Instead of standing with workers, Trump cut taxes for the super-wealthy while auto companies shuttered their doors and shipped American jobs overseas.

Hes said he wouldve let auto companies go bankrupt, devastating the industry and upending millions of lives. Thats why Trump lost Michigan in 2020 and his MAGA friends further decimated the Michigan Republican Party and cost them 2022, Moussa said.

While Biden allies are looking to focus on Bidens top political competition, other Democrats are calling out aspects where he has been shaky.

Some point to previous labor disputes during Bidens administration as points where he could have gone farther to embrace workers.

He could have done a lot more for the Teamsters when they were fighting. And dont even get me started on the rail workers, the Sanders source said. This is a moment whose time has come. There were other workers who made lots of sacrifices and movement people for this very profound in-your-face, were not going to take it anymore, the economy has failed for working class people, moment.

This by itself doesnt mean a whole lot with all the other things that came before it. This was a build-up, the source said.

Bidens also facing a crisis of voter perception. His poll numbers are still low, with many surveys showing Democrats wanting another choice. A closer look at key constituencies also shows possible doom for the 80-year-old incumbent. Young voters and the Black community arent enthusiastic about a second Biden nomination, and fears about jobs and the economy continue to dominate voters priorities.

The auto strike, to some, had the potential to be a political grenade for Biden.

He had to come out and say something, the Sanders ally said. And even that was tepid.

Still, not everyone is piling on the president. Some union leaders and workers rights advocates have offered encouraging words as final decisions remain in balance.

The first day of the strike, President Biden addressed the nation saying the Big Three have earned record profits, the autoworkers deserve record-setting contracts, Mary Kay Henry, leading labor advocate and president of the Service Employees International Union, told The Hill.

For Henry, the problem is not Bidens to address in isolation, but rather is part of a larger critique about inequality that has persisted over generations.

No one president can fix the system thats broken, she said. Thats why we have to rewrite the rules of our economy so it actually works for working people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Biden administration said Wednesday it would forgive $37 million in debt for more than 1,200 former students at the University of Phoenix, a controversial for-profit college that the Education Department alleges misled students for years with false advertising.

A national ad campaign promised prospective students that attending the school would lead them to receive preferential hiring treatment at a number of high-profile companies, including Microsoft and Adobe.

An investigation conducted by the Federal Trade Commission and reviewed by DOE found that the university misrepresented its relationships with those businesses, which included many Fortune 500 companies.

Richard Cordray, chief operating officer for Federal Student Aid, the division of DOE that provides financial aid to students, said on a call with reporters Wednesday the university brazenly deceived hundreds of students.

To settle with Federal Trade Commission, University of Phoenix to cancel $141 million in student debt

Todays action should serve as a signal to others that were monitoring what they do and we will take action to address their misconduct, he said.

The forgiveness applies to students enrolled at the university between September 2012 and December 2014 and already applied for borrower defense loan forgiveness. In 2019, the FTC reached a settlement with the university totaling $191 million over its deceptive ad practices.

Andrea Smiley, a spokesperson for the University of Phoenix, said the school adamantly disagrees with the Education Departments allegations that led to the settlement, and the university maintains it acted legally in its ad campaign.

While the university is not against relief for borrowers who have valid claims, we intend to vigorously challenge each frivolous allegation and suspicious claim through every available legal avenue, Smiley wrote in an email to USA TODAY.

The students affected by Wednesdays announcement are just a fraction of the thousands who have filed claims against the university.

Zachary Schermele is a breaking news and education reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden offers former University of Phoenix students debt forgiveness
Now that the date has been set for the first impeachment inquiry hearing against President Joe Biden, House Republicans will launch a potentially lengthy process before any actual articles of impeachment are brought against the president.

The investigation will focus on allegations that Biden benefited financially from his son, Hunter Biden's foreign business deals. But the probe has left Americans at home wondering: What's the difference between an impeachment inquiry and other impeachment processes? Will Joe Biden be removed from office?

The House Oversight Committee, led by Reps. James Comer, R-Ky., and Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will hold the initial inquiry hearing next Thursday, focusing on (the) constitutional and legal questions surrounding the Presidents involvement in corruption and abuse of public office, Jessica Collins, spokesperson for the committee, told USA TODAY in a statement.

Here's what you need to know about the impeachment process.

Has Biden been impeached?

No.

The current inquiry is a deeper investigation into the president, which follows ongoing efforts by House Republicans to uncover incriminating evidence. So far, investigators haven't been able to provide concrete proof that shows the president personally benefited from his family's business dealings.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said the inquiry will not necessarily lead to impeachment, calling it a "logical next step" to his party's efforts so far.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., talks to reporters about avoiding a government shutdown and launching an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, following a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.

What happens after the inquiry?

Following the investigation, which could take anywhere from a few months to over a year, the House Judiciary Committee will likely be tasked with drafting the articles of impeachment, or charges, against the president.

For Biden to be impeached, a House majority must vote to adopt the articles. After that, the charges would move to the Senate for an impeachment trial, presided over by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts.

If found guilty by the Senate, the president would be removed and unable to serve in office ever again.

Three presidents have been impeached in the nation's history, former President Donald Trump twice, and none have been found guilty in the Senate.

Will Biden be impeached or removed from office?

It remains unclear if McCarthy and House Republicans will have enough votes to accomplish the majority needed to impeach Biden. Investigations to date have yet to find evidence of corruption or criminality by the president.

If House Republicans are successful in an impeachment vote, Biden will likely be saved in any ensuing trial by the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Did the House impeach Joe Biden? What's next in an impeachment process
Since the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, the Biden-Harris administration has mobilized a robust response, according to White House Assistant Press Secretary Angelo Fernandez Hernandez.

>>RELATED: East Palestine derailment: Timeline of key events in toxic train disaster

President Biden will issue an executive order to ensure that Norfolk Southern continues to be held accountable for the disaster.

The order will also address any long-term effects and ensure federal assistance is available to the communities affected, the assistant press secretary said.

The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to ensure Norfolk Southern complies with the Federal Unilateral Administrative Order it was issued to cover all cleanup costs.

>>RELATED: Almost $900K to East Palestine to support community health, resilience

Federal officials will remain on the ground and continue to closely monitor conditions in the affected communities for as long as it may take to ensure the contamination is fully addressed, the assistant press secretary said.

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued a statement on Bidens executive order Wednesday evening.

This is an overdue but welcomed step to support the people of East Palestine. There is still much more work to do to make this community whole and I will continue to push the administration to deliver for East Palestine and hold Norfolk Southern accountable, Brown said.

The executive order will direct the following Federal agency actions:

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Within five days of the executive order, FEMA will designate a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator to oversee long-term recovery efforts in the affected communities.

The coordinator will conduct a comprehensive assessment of any unmet needs that are not addressed by Norfolk Southern and would qualify for Federal assistance.

The coordinator will also collaborate with the Federal, State, and local governments, the private sector, and voluntary, faith-based, and community organizations supporting the recovery.

The State of Ohios request for a major disaster declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act will be held open.

If the FEMA Administrator receives new information from the State, including needs that are not being addressed by Norfolk Southern, she will immediately submit a recommendation on whether a major disaster declaration is warranted.

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA will continue to direct the removal of contaminated soils and wastewater from the derailment site.

EPA will ensure that any remaining contamination in surface stream sediments is addressed and that air and water monitoring continues.

Within 30 days, EPA will provide a report to the President on the status of air, soil, and water monitoring and whether Norfolk Southern continues to comply with the Federal Unilateral Administrative Order to address the imminent and substantial endangerment caused by the companys derailment.

Moving forward, EPA will provide the President with an updated report every 60 days until all cleanup, assessment, and monitoring work required by EPAs Order has been completed.

Health and Human Services Administration

Within 60 days, HHS will provide the President with a report summarizing key conclusions from the public health testing and assessment that has been conducted to date.

HHS will continue to monitor the public health consequences of the derailment, including determining whether any acute medical conditions develop.

If medical conditions develop, HHS and EPA will each evaluate whether a public health emergency should be declared.

HHS will provide technical assistance to Ohio and Pennsylvania in the event that either state considers submitting a proposal for services through the Medicaid program for individuals affected by the derailment.

Department of Transportation

Within 60 days, DOT will provide the President with a report detailing the actions they are taking in response to the East Palestine train derailment.

The report will be updated within 120 days of the final National Transportation Safety Board investigation.

DOT will provide the President with a preliminary set of follow-on actions to ensure accountability.
President Biden and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will launch the U.S.-Brazil Partnership for Workers Rights on Wednesday, with the goals of advancing workers rights and stopping worker exploitation.

The focus on workers rights from Biden comes as the United Auto Workers began its historic strike against the Big Three automakers Friday, when the sides failed to successfully negotiate a new contract. The Biden administration has been involved with pushing both sides to reach a deal, and Biden has deployed officials to Detroit to help with a solution.

When asked about the timing of the announcement with Brazil amid the automaker strike, as well as the ongoing writers strike, a senior administration official said, nothing about this initiative should be interpreted as discouraging or limiting the right to strike.

The partnership will launch Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, with the goal to get more global partners on board. Brazil is the initial co-lead because we have two presidents who are uniquely aligned in their common vision for how the economy should work for workers, an official said.

Officials said the partnership will be a vehicle for advancing workers rights to address challenges such as ending forced labor and child labor; increasing accountability in public and private investments; the clean energy transition and digital transition, including the gig economy.

It will also be a vehicle for tackling workplace discrimination, particularly for women, LGBTQ peopleand other marginalized racial and ethnic groups, officials outlined.

Biden hosted Lula at the White House in February, a month after Lulas inauguration.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden said Wednesday he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plan to discuss hard issues during a meeting in New York City on Wednesday.

Today, were going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems and preserving the path to a negotiated two-state solution, and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon, Biden said.

Even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, you know, is ironclad. I think without Israel, theres not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential, the president added.

Relations between Biden and Netanyahu have been tense since an effort earlier this year by the prime ministers team to push through reforms to Israels judiciary that would effectively allow the government to choose judges on the countrys top court.

Biden has previously urged Netanyahu to back away from the proposed judicial reforms, which critics argued would erode Israels system of checks and balances and could protect Netanyahu from court cases in which he faces charges of bribery and corruption.

Netanyahu responded to Biden by declaring that Israel is committed to democracy in his remarks at the top of the Wednesday meeting.

We live in uncertain times, rapidly changing times. So I want to reassert here before you, Mr. President, that one thing is certain, and one thing will never change. And that is Israels commitment to democracy, he said. We will continue to uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish.

The two are meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting for their first first-to-face since Netanyahu returned to office last year. He was sworn in for his current term in December, and in July said he had been invited to visit the United States.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. President Biden meets with Israel's President Netanyahu during UNGA in New York City

U.S. President Biden meets with Israel's President Netanyahu during UNGA in New York City

By Steve Holland

NEW YORK (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged on Wednesday to work together toward a landmark agreement to forge diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Meeting for the first time since Netanyahu returned to power in December, both leaders signaled a desire to ease strains in their relationship, but Biden also made clear he was determined to discuss their differences.

These included Biden's opposition to Netanyahus far-right governments controversial judicial overhaul plan as well as his concern about Israels hard line toward the Palestinians.

"I hope we can get some things settled today," Biden said at the start of the talks sitting side-by-side with Netanyahu in a New York hotel ballroom.

A White House statement issued after the meeting said Biden "reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israels democratic system, absent the broadest possible consensus."

Biden also called for "immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation, maintain the viability of a two-state solution, and promote a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians," the statement said.

Instead of a meeting at the White House, the more prestigious venue preferred by Netanyahu, the two leaders ended up arranging their talks while both attended the annual high-level U.N. General Assembly. Biden invited Netanyahu to visit Washington before the end of the year.

Biden reiterated his commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and also repeated his support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

But the biggest issue on the agenda was a U.S.-led push to forge diplomatic relations between longtime foes Israel and Saudi Arabia, the centerpiece of broader complex negotiations that involve U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear help sought by Riyadh as well as Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.

I think that under your leadership, Mr President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, Netanyahu said. He said "such a peace would go a long way first to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians."

Netanyahu said they could work together to make history.

Together, Biden repeated, signaling his commitment to the normalization effort, which he said would have been unthinkable years ago.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters after the meeting that it was understood that some concessions to the Palestinians must be part of any deal but did not say what those might be.

The official said a normalization deal is still a long way away and that all the leaders involved will have to do "some very hard things" to reach agreement. "There's some way to travel before we get there," the official.

Biden and Netanyahu spent some time meeting one-on-one without advisers, the official added.

Outside the hotel at an anti-Netanyahu protest, Offir Gutelzon of UnXeptable, an anti-judicial overhaul movement, thanked Biden for supporting Israeli democracy. "And we are here to thank you, President Biden, for standing with the People in Israel who want to preserve democracy," Gutelzon said.

WHITE HOUSE SNUB

Netanyahu had expected an earlier U.S. visit given his long history of dealing with American presidents and Washingtons close alliance with Israeli, but Biden had resisted.

Netanyahu did not get a meeting in the early months of the Biden White House in 2021 and was then ousted from power. He returned to power in December as head of a coalition of religious and ultranationalist parties.

Instead, Biden welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog, a largely ceremonial post, to the White House in July to mark the 75th anniversary of Israels founding.

The talks with Netanyahu were seen as an opportunity for Biden to brief him and try to discern how far Israel would be willing to go in what has been billed as a potential grand bargain that could reshape geopolitics in the Middle East.

Netanyahus government has shown little willingness to make major concessions to the Palestinians, which could make it hard for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to agree on normalization.

While U.S. officials insist any breakthrough is far away, they privately tout the potential benefits, including removing a possible flashpoint in the Arab-Israeli conflict, strengthening the regional bulwark against Iran and countering Chinas inroads in the Gulf. Biden would also score a foreign policy win as he seeks re-election in November 2024.

David Makovsky, a longtime Middle East watcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, noted in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the meeting was occurring "265 days after Netanyahu took office, the longest such gap since 1964."

"The Saudi deal's enormous potential has left Biden & Netanyahu little choice but to meet despite differences," he said.

(Reporting By Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Matt Spetalnick, Emily Rose and Susan Heavey; writing by Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland; Editing by Howard Goller and Grant McCool)
Greg Nolvin and his wife Tracy Nolvin picket outside Lake Central High School in this September 2021 file photo. Lake Central School Board members walked out before the start of the meeting. Demonstrations against the Lake Central school board mask mandate took place outside the school prior to the meeting. (John Smierciak/Post Tribune) (John Smierciak / Post-Tribune)

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Lake Central School Corp.s 2021 mask mandate and ordered parents who sued the district to pay its legal fees.

Three school district families filed the lawsuit in November, 2021, in Lake Superior Court asking a judge to declare the mask mandate unconstitutional.

Advertisement

The lawsuit argued that only parents could decide whether their child wears a mask to school in opposition to the blanket mask protocol requirement, which the Lake Central School Board approved in August 2021.

In early 2022, Lake Central lawyers successfully moved to transfer the case to the U.S. District Courts Northern Division in Hammond.

Advertisement

Lake Central school officials said the mask mandate reduces the spread of the virus and was in line with guidance from the Indiana Department of Health.

The parents labeled the mandate as irrational and arbitrary.

The district denied the allegations against it saying they werent well-founded in law. It told complainants it would seek legal fees if they didnt dismiss the action.

Unfortunately, the plaintiffs remained unpersuaded and the case continued for another year, according to Lake Centrals press release on Tuesday.

U.S. District Magistrate Judge Andrew P. Rodovich awarded the district $4,915.75 in costs and $11,005.05 in attorney fees, which must be paid by the plaintiffs.

Rodovich, who dismissed the suit in August, said the complaint lacked both a factual and legal basis.

Lake Central officials said: The school corporation hopes that everyone can move forward and work together to provide the best education we can for our students.

Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
NEW YORK  President Joe Biden and Israels Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday for the first time since the prime minister took office last December, placing the leaders face-to-face at a time of strained relations.

The location of the high-stakes bilateral, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly instead of the White House, was viewed as a signal of U.S. discontentment with Israel. The president and his White House have raised alarms about Netanyahus efforts to weaken the power of Israels judicial system, a move that critics say leads the country toward authoritarianism.

At the start of their discussion, the two leaders sat next to one another in a meeting room, with U.S. and Israeli flags as a backdrop. Biden said he hoped the two leaders would meet again by the end of the year, in Washington, and that their discussion Wednesday would include challenging topics, namely upholding democratic values.



Today, were going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems and preserving the path to a negotiated two-state solution, and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon, Biden said.

If you and I 10 years ago were talking about normalization with Saudi Arabia, I think we'd look at each other like, Whos been drinking what? the president added.

Netanyahu said Israel shared a commitment to democracy, while noting he sees this as a time of great promise but also great danger. He also agreed with both the presidents sentiment about the prospect of normalization with Riyadh.

Behind closed doors, the two leaders broached Netanyahus court reform agenda that seeks to curb the power of judges. Biden has publicly urged the prime minister to find compromise, saying that he cannot continue down this road amid monthslong protests against his government. But the Israeli leader has forged ahead even as his negotiations with Israeli opposition drag, moving the first major piece of legislation through the parliament earlier this summer.

The White House, in a readout of the meeting, noted Biden addressed Israels treatment of Palestinians. Netanyahus hard-right government has moved to expand Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, igniting tensions with Palestinians and drawing international condemnation.

To that end, President Biden called on all parties to fulfill their commitments made during meetings held earlier this year in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, to include refraining from further unilateral measures, according to the White House statement. The President also reiterated his concern about any fundamental changes to Israels democratic system, absent the broadest possible consensus. Finally, President Biden invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to Washington D.C. before the end of the year to continue direct collaboration on this broad range of issues.

As the U.S. discusses a potential Saudi normalization deal, the president also emphasized U.S. support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

While securing normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia is a worthy goal, any such agreement must meaningfully advance resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the end of ongoing occupation  not sideline or ignore them. Diplomatic efforts should focus on advancing true peace, security and human rights in the region, and not on handing out unwarranted and regionally destabilizing gifts to PM Netanyahu or Mohammed Bin Salman, said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami in a statement.



The president, wearing a red tie out of solidarity with the striking United Auto Workers union, also held a bilateral meeting Wednesday with Brazilian President Lula da Silva. The two leaders then delivered remarks at a labor event, during which Biden signaled support for the auto workers without saying the unions name.

Let me be clear: whether its the auto workers or any other union worker, record corporation profits should mean record contracts for union workers, the president said.

Biden finished the day with campaign receptions before returning to Washington.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he would discuss democratic values with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while the two men were meeting in New York on the sidelines of a United Nations meeting.

Biden, speaking while reporters were in the room as he met with the Israeli leader, said the two men would discuss a two-state solution for Palestinians.

Netanyahu said Israel's commitment to democracy was certain.

(Reporting by Steve Holland, writing by Jeff Mason, Editing by Franklin Paul)
FILE - Climate activists rally in front of the White House at Lafayette Square to demand that President Joe Biden declare a climate emergency and move the country rapidly away from fossil fuels, July 4, 2023, in Washington. After being thwarted by Congress, Biden will use his executive authority to create a New Deal-style American Climate Corps that will serve as a major green jobs training program. (AP Photo/Yuri Gripas, File)

WASHINGTON (AP)  After being thwarted by Congress, President Joe Biden will use his executive authority to create a New Deal-style American Climate Corps that will serve as a major green jobs training program.

In an announcement Wednesday, the White House said the program will employ more than 20,000 young adults who will build trails, plant trees, help install solar panels and do other work to boost conservation and help prevent catastrophic wildfires.

The climate corps had been proposed in early versions of the sweeping climate law approved last year but was jettisoned amid strong opposition from Republicans and concerns about cost.

Democrats and environmental advocacy groups never gave up on the plan and pushed Biden in recent weeks to issue an executive order authorizing what the White House now calls the American Climate Corps.

After years of demonstrating and fighting for a Climate Corps, we turned a generational rallying cry into a real jobs program that will put a new generation to work stopping the climate crisis,'' said Varshini Prakash, executive director of the Sunrise Movement, an environmental group that has led the push for a climate corps.

With the new corps and the historic climate investments won by our broader movement, the path towards a Green New Deal is beginning to become visible,'' Prakash said, referring to a comprehensive jobs-and-climate plan supported by many activists and some Democrats but ridiculed by Republicans as a socialist nightmare that would raise taxes and hamper the economy.

Prakash, a frequent Biden critic, participated in a White House call on Tuesday promoting the new job corps, which comes as Biden tries to strengthen his appeal to young voters in the 2024 presidential campaign.

The Sunrise Movement and other climate activists, including many young adults, were outraged this spring after Biden approved the huge Willow oil-drilling project in Alaska. Opponents say the project and others approved by Biden put his climate legacy at risk and are a breach of his 2020 campaign promise to stop new oil drilling on federal lands.

Those concerns were put aside, for now, as environmental activists hailed the new jobs program, which is modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps, created in the 1930s by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a Democrat, as part of the New Deal.

Young people nationwide are excited to see the launch of the American Climate Corps, enhancing career pathways in clean energy, conservation and climate resilience,'' said Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, president of NextGen America, an organization that promotes education, registration and mobilization for voters age 18 to 35.

"Young people are fighting for climate justice every day in their community, and now they have even more opportunity to continue this fight in their careers,'' Ramirez said.

More than 50 Democratic lawmakers, including Massachusetts Sen. Ed Markey and New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , had also encouraged Biden to create a climate corps, saying in a letter on Monday that the climate crisis demands a whole-of-government response at an unprecedented scale.''

The lawmakers cited deadly heat waves in the Southwest and across the nation, as well as dangerous floods in New England and devastating wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui, among recent examples of climate-related disasters.

Democrats called creation of the climate corps historic and a key step toward fulfilling the vision of the Green New Deal.

Today President Biden listened to the (environmental) movement, and he delivered with an American Climate Corps,'' a beaming Markey said at a celebratory news conference outside the Capitol.

"We are starting to turn the green dream into a green reality,'' added Ocasio-Cortez, who co-sponsored the Green New Deal legislation with Markey four years ago.

"You all are changing the world,'' she told young activists.

The White House declined to say how much the program will cost or how it will be paid for, but Markey and other Democrats said money from the climate law and the 2021 infrastructure law would serve as a down payment for thousands of jobs.

Republicans have largely dismissed the climate corps as a do-gooder proposal that would waste money and could even take jobs away from other workers displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic.

We dont need another FDR program, and the idea that this is going to help land management is a false idea as well, Arkansas Rep. Bruce Westerman, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said in 2021.

Rep. Joe Neguse, a Colorado Democrat, said the program should pay a living wage" while offering health care coverage and other benefits.

A key distinction between the original Civilian Conservation Corps and the new climate contingent is that, unlike the 1930s, the U.S. economy is not in an economic depression. The U.S. unemployment rate was 3.8% in August, low by historical measures.

The new corps is also likely to be far more diverse than the largely white and male force created 90 years ago.

White House climate adviser Ali Zaidi said the administration will work with at least six federal agencies to create the climate corps and will pair with at least 10 states. California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan and Washington have already begun similar programs, while five more are launching their own climate corps, Zaidi said: Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina and Utah.

The initiative will provide job training and service opportunities to work on a wide range of projects, including restoring coastal wetlands to protect communities from storm surges and flooding; clean energy projects such as wind and solar power; managing forests to prevent catastrophic wildfires; and energy efficient solutions to cut energy bills for consumers, the White House said.

Creation of the climate corps comes as the Environmental Protection Agency launches a $4.6 billion grant competition for states, municipalities and tribes to cut climate pollution and advance environmental justice. The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants are funded by the 2022 climate law and are intended to drive community-driven solutions to slow climate change.

EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the grants will help "communities so they can chart their own paths toward the clean energy future.

The deadline for states and municipalities to apply is April 1, with grants expected in late 2024. Tribes and territories must apply by May 1, with grants expected by early 2025.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy is struggling to pass a bill to fund the government  and the White House isnt about to throw him a lifeline.

With just days to go before the government runs out of money, Bidens team is watching Congress steam toward a shutdown, resigned to the reality that theres little they can do now to fix the situation and confident the politics will play out their way.

President Joe Biden has steered well clear of the chaos engulfing the House, where Republicans are battling each other over a government funding bill. Within the White House, aides have settled on a hard-line strategy aimed at pressuring McCarthy to stick to a spending deal he struck with Biden back in May rather than attempt to patch together a new bipartisan bill.

We agreed to the budget deal and a deal is a deal  House GOP should abide by it, said a White House official granted anonymity to discuss the private calculations. Their chaos is making the case that they are responsible if there is a shutdown.

Biden worlds wait-and-see approach comes against the backdrop of an increasingly likely shutdown, which would be the first of the Biden era.

On Tuesday, GOP leadership canceled plans for a procedural vote on a short term funding bill, wary it had the numbers to pass. Hours later, hard-right conservatives tanked a procedural vote related to a defense spending bill. Moderate House Democrats have been working on a last-ditch fall back option to avert a shutdown, but any final product will need approval from the Senate.



For now, the White House is staying out of the mix, trying instead to draw a contrast between the House majority that cant complete the task of keeping the governments lights on and Biden, who on Tuesday addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Its also highlighting the price of the latest GOP plan, such as, in their estimation, cutting 800 Customs and Border Protection agents and 110,000 Head Start positions for children.

The administration has hitched its wagon to a Senate effort widely supported by members of both parties in that chamber. The top Republican and Democratic appropriators are working on long-term, bipartisan funding bills that adhere to the agreed upon spending levels, although they have accepted that a stop-gap funding bill will be needed. There is a sense in the White House and on Capitol Hill that support for the Senate bill would increase if it becomes evident that McCarthy cant steer his conference.

Getting involved now, White House officials reasoned, would only lend credibility to an attempt by conservative lawmakers to effectively rip up the Biden-McCarthy deal agreed to during debt ceiling talks in the spring and extract deeper cuts from the administration. It also would risk further angering progressives, who already didnt like the funding levels in that spring agreement.

"The White House is there. The House Democrats are there, and the Senate Democrats and Republicans," said Rep. Rosa Delauro (D-Conn.), the Democrats' top appropriator. "It's just this recalcitrant group of House Republicans."

The administration is not entirely hands off, though. Senior administration officials, chiefly OMB Director Shalanda Young, have been in touch with lawmakers in both chambers and parties.

Its not clear how Bidens involvement would help the effort. House Republicans are sparring among themselves on the shape of a government funding bill. So far, there is no clamoring among them for the White House or Biden to be at the table.

The drama is always, can Kevin McCarthy pass a bill and keep his job, said Jim Kessler, vice president for policy at centrist Democratic think tank Third Way. And Biden cant solve that problem.



The hands-off approach is not without risk.

The president may have to step in at the last minute to smooth over a final agreement. Biden has a history of engaging in talks even after first striking a posture that he wont negotiate, like during the debt ceiling dispute.

Even though some Republicans have openly called for a shutdown, the public could end up holding the White House responsible for the delayed paychecks to federal workers and Social Security recipients and the national park closures that come along with an extended government closure.

Shutdowns are incredibly damaging, said Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), who described how it took a year for a hotel operator in his district to make back the money it lost when the last government shutdown closed a nearby national park. Im less concerned about the politics and more concerned about my constituents.

Biden's involvement now would likely only thwart negotiations among congressional leaders, because any proposal that draws a modicum of White House support would prompt immediate opposition from House conservatives.



"You just have to let the House have its temper tantrums, have its fits, prove that it's incapable of doing anything before you can step in and offer a path out of it," said Brendan Buck, a former top aide to then-House Speakers Paul Ryan and John Boehner. It may just take a shutdown before McCarthy feels comfortable coming to the table, he added. "He's going to need to show folks that he's willing to go full length on this  whatever that may look like in their minds."

But even as small groups of lawmakers hold tentative bipartisan conversations about a path forward, Rep. Richie Neal (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Ways and Means Committee, cast aside any concern about political fallout  for his fellow Democrats, at least.

The entire federal government expenditure is being held hostage by about 25 Republicans in the House, he said. If you talk to Republicans privately here, genuinely and sincerely, they know they cannot win a government shutdown.

Buoying the White Houses position is the increasing isolation of House Republicans, a sharp contrast from when McCarthy had the support of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans during the debt talks. Now, they want to see the House boost defense spending and share little appetite for the Houses ambivalence about walking to the edge of a shutdown.

DeLauro was among the skeptics of the debt ceiling deal the White House cut with McCarthy in May, believing at the time that its spending limits were too stringent. But like it or not, the two sides' leaders struck a deal both sides had little choice but to follow.

"I did not vote for the budget agreement," she said. But now it's the law of the land, let's go. We have a template. Let's go, let's move."
FILE - Immigrants from Venezuela are reflected in a marble wall while taking shelter at the Chicago Police Department's 16th District station on Monday, May 1, 2023. In Chicago, where 13,000 migrants have settled in the last year, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to ask for parole for asylum-seekers, which, they say, would allow him to get around the wait for a work permit. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, FIle)

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  As more than 115,000 migrants arrived in New York City over the past year after crossing the border from Mexico, Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul begged President Joe Biden for one thing, above all others, to ease the crisis: Let them work, both Democrats have said repeatedly in speeches and interviews.

Increasingly impatient leaders of Bidens party in other cities and states hammered the same message over the last month, saying the administration must make it easier for migrants to get work authorization quickly, which would allow them to pay for food and housing.

The Biden administration took one step toward granting that demand Wednesday, extending a temporary legal status to an estimated 472,000 Venezuelans in the U.S. that will make it easier for them to get work permits.

But expediting work permits for other groups might not be easy, either legally or bureaucratically, experts in the process say. Politically, it may be impossible.

It would take an act of Congress to shorten a mandatory, six-month waiting period for work permits for asylum-seekers who cross the border illegally. Such legislation seems unlikely. Biden already faces attacks from Republicans who say he is too soft on immigration, and his administration has pointed to Congress' inability to reach agreement on comprehensive changes to the U.S. immigration system as justification for other steps it has taken.

The Homeland Security Department has sent more than 1 million text messages urging migrants to apply for work permits, and on Wednesday the administration said it would aim to lower the application wait time for those that are eligible to 30 days, down from around 90 currently.

Those steps pleased Hochul and Adams, who said late Wednesday that he hoped the administration would also extend Temporary Protected Status to migrants from countries besides Venezuela. That designation is most commonly given to places where there is an armed conflict or natural disaster.

Gilberto Pozo Ortiz, a 45-year-old from Cuba, has been living, at taxpayer expense, in a hotel in upstate New York for the last three months. He says his work authorization is not yet in sight as social workers navigate him through a complex asylum application system.

I want to depend on no one, Ortiz said. I want to work."

In Chicago, where 13,000 migrants have settled in the last year, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently wrote Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to ask for parole for asylum-seekers, which, they say, would allow him to get around the wait for a work permit.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who declared a state of emergency over the migrant influx, wrote Mayorkas that work permits represent an opportunity to meet employer needs, support our economy, and reduce dependency among new arrivals. And 19 Democratic state attorneys general wrote Mayorkas that work permits would reduce the strain on government to provide social services.

Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez, chair of the City Councils Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights, had said before the Biden administration's Wednesday announcement that the federal government had done virtually nothing to assist cities.

In the meantime, migrants unable to get work permits have filled up homeless shelters in several cities.

With more than 60,000 migrants currently depending on New York City for housing, the city has rented space in hotels, put cots in recreational centers and erected tent shelters  all at government expense. The Adams administration has estimated that housing and caring for migrants could cost the city $12 billion over three years.

This issue will destroy New York City, Adams said at a community event this month. Were getting no support on this national crisis, and were receiving no support."

Advocates for migrants have objected to Adams apocalyptic terms, saying he is exaggerating the potential impact of the new arrivals on a city of nearly 8.8 million people.

As frustrations mounted, Hochul had said her office is considering whether the state could offer work permits, though such a move would almost certainly draw legal challenges. The White House dismissed the idea.

Republicans have seized on the discord, putting Democrats on the defensive ahead of next years presidential election.

Muzaffar Chishti, a lawyer and senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, said the calls for expedited work authorizations are more about political optics than practical solutions.

They dont want to tell the electorate theres nothing we can do. No politician wants to say that. So they have kind of become the new squeaky wheel, saying, `Give us work authorization,' he said. Saying that is much easier than getting it. But its sort of, you know, a good soundbite.

One step that most agree would be helpful is to provide legal assistance to migrants to apply for asylum and work authorization, though that has also proved challenging.

Nationwide, only around 16% of working age migrants enrolled in a U.S. Custom and Border Protection online app have applied for work permits, according to the White House. Since the introduction of the CBP One app in January through the end of July, nearly 200,000 asylum-seeking migrants have used it to sign up for appointments to enter the U.S. at land crossings with Mexico.

The White House might be reluctant to take steps that could be interpreted as incentivizing migrants to come to the U.S.

Arrests from illegal border crossings Mexico topped 177,000 in August, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss unpublished numbers, up nearly 80% from June. Many are released in the U.S. to pursue asylum in immigration court, while an additional 1,450 migrants are permitted into the U.S. daily through CBP One.

Many have gravitated to an underground economy.

Elden Roja, who has been sporadically working landscaping and other odd jobs for about $15 an hour, lives with his wife and children, 15 and 6, and about 50 others in a police station lobby in Chicago. When a fellow Venezuelan co-worker honked from a car he purchased, Roja laughed and said he would buy his own vehicle soon.

While the bureaucratic hurdles can be substantial, many migrants do make it through the process.

Jose Vacca, a Venezuelan, traveled with two of his cousins from Colombia, leaving their families behind to make the journey mostly by foot. Once in Texas, he was given free bus tickets to New York City.

The 22-year-old found a job there that paid him $15 an hour, under the table. After he got his temporary work authorization, his boss gave him an extra dollar per hour.

___

Associated Press writers Elliot Spagat in Chicago and Karen Matthews in New York contributed.
LOS ANGELES  Less than two weeks after her husband was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for rape, Danny Masterson 's wife has filed for divorce.

Bijou Phillips , a model and actor who was in the courtroom as the "That '70s Show" star was sentenced, filed for divorce Monday in Santa Barbara Superior Court, according to court records.

Theyve been married since 2011 and have a 9-year-old child together.

"Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter," her attorney Peter A. Lauzon said in a statement. "This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. ... Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter. She hopes that everyone will respect her familys privacy in these difficult times."

Phillips, 43, cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce and is seeking spousal support and legal fees, according to the filing.

She has also petitioned to have her legal name restored to Bijou Phillips.

In a letter Phillips sent to the judge who sentenced her husband this month, she called Masterson a doting father and "a life-saving partner to me."

"We need him more than you can imagine," Phillips wrote in the letter dated just last month. "I know he has been convicted of serious crimes. But the man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter."

Masterson, 47, was convicted in May of raping two women at his Los Angeles home two decades ago. A jury could not reach a decision on charges relating to a third woman.

The actor did not testify at the trial, but has denied all allegations.

An attorney for Masterson declined to comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Actor Danny Masterson arrives at Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles, CA on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 with wife Bijou Phillips for his retrial for allegedly raping three women between 2001 and 2003. Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

On Monday, Bijou Phillips filed for divorce from actor Danny Masterson.

Phillips filed for divorce less than two weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years for rape.

There could be strategic legal and financial reasons behind the timing, a legal expert told Insider.

The timing of Bijou Phillips's filing for divorce from actor Danny Masterson could be tied to strategic legal reasons, after the "That 70's Show" actor was sentenced to 30 years in prison for rape, legal experts said.

While Phillips has yet to speak publicly since filing for divorce on Monday, legal experts have floated multiple scenarios around the timing of the filing. Court documents highlighted that Phillips is seeking spousal support while Masterson is behind bars, while another civil lawsuit tails Masterson  and Phillips could be seeking to protect her assets.

On the petition for divorce, Phillips cited "irreconcilable differences," as the reason for the divorce, which is the first and simplest explanation for the divorce.

On September 7, Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in prison after a Los Angeles jury found him guilty of two counts of rape in a re-trial. Masterson's sentencing came after he was found guilty of raping two women in May, in a re-trial brought by Los Angeles prosecutors after an initial mistrial in 2022.

The couple married in 2011, according to the court documents, and share a 9-year-old daughter together. Phillips requested spousal support and full custody of their 9-year-old daughter  though she said she would still allow their child to visit their father.

A second scenario is that the couple strategized how to divide their assets before Masterson faces further legal action  to protect both of them, family law attorney Holly Davis of Austin-based Kirker Davis LLP , told Insider.

"It is very typical for people who are married to get a divorce when one of them is imprisoned," Davis said. "Danny and Bijou are going to divide their estate and once the divorce is finalized, certain bank accounts, real estate, and other assets are going to be Bijou's separate property."

The three women who were charging witnesses in Los Angeles prosecutors' case against Masterson have also brought a civil lawsuit against Masterson and the Church of Scientology, accusing them of stalking and harassment after the LAPD opened a criminal case against Masterson in 2017.

"Any future lawsuits against Danny won't be able to look to joint assets for payment, because Bijou will no longer be married to Danny," Davis told Insider.

A declaration filed by Phillips shows that since 2018, Phillips and the couple's daughter Fianna have been living apart from Masterson's Los Angeles residence, in a house on a farm in Santa Ynez, California purchased by Masterson.

According to The Wrap, Masterson purchased the farm after the allegations against him surfaced in 2017.

Scott Pilutik, a New York-based attorney, told Scientology journalist Tony Ortega that the splitting of assets  and potentially putting the farm in Phillips' name  could shield Masterson, and her, from bigger payouts in civil lawsuits.

"In any event, it's in Phillips' obvious interest, and possibly even Masterson's interest, to get large assets (such as, say, a farm) into Phillips' name, and soon, and a divorce will accomplish that by way of a partition or settlement agreement," Pilutik said. "If Masterson and Phillips are on the same page, the more assets are divided in a way that favors Phillips, the less will be available for plaintiffs."

A final scenario is that the writing has been on the wall, but that the couple stayed close for the optics of the trial.

After the divorce filing, Phillips' attorney Peter Lauzon issued a statement saying that Masterson "was always present for Ms. Phillips," calling him a "wonderful father."

Throughout the trials, Phillips stood by Masterson's side and showed up in support on a daily basis, sitting in a section of the courtroom reserved for friends and family of Masterson, and at his sentencing she wept.

Had they divorced before or during the trial, Phillips could have been asked to turn against him.

"In this instance, Bijou would have the option to delay divorce proceedings if she thought it might be a benefit to his jury trial to avoid the distraction of a divorce, and the possibility that the plaintiff's counsel would try to use her as a witness against Danny in the jury trial," Davis said.

Attorneys for Phillips and Masterson did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.



Read the original article on Insider
MADISON  A bipartisan group of lawmakers is reviving an effort to make Wisconsin's congressional primaries nonpartisan and implement ranked-choice voting for those elections.

Two Republicans and two Democrats introduced legislation on Wednesday that would allow voters to cast a ballot in congressional primaries for any candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Under current law, voters can vote in the primary for either party, but can only vote for candidates of one party.

Under the proposal, the five candidates who receive the most votes would move on to the general election.

In the general election for congressional seats, voters would be able to rank the candidates in order of their preference (write-ins would also be allowed). The winner of the election would be determined by instant runoff.

In an instant runoff, the candidate with the fewest first-choice votes is eliminated. Voters who chose that candidate as their first choice would have their votes transferred to their second-choice candidate. That process would continue until there are two candidates left. The candidate with the combined most first-choice votes and reallocated preference votes is the winner.

The bill would only apply to U.S. House and Senate elections.

Maine and Alaska both use ranked-choice voting, and Hawaii put it in place for special elections this year. In addition, numerous cities around the country use it for local elections, according to FairVote, a nonpartisan organization that supports the system.

More: Wisconsin-based Democracy Found aims to break political gridlock with election reforms

Backers say the changes would foster bipartisanship because candidates would be inspired to appeal to the broadest slice of the electorate, not just those in their party.

The change could create headaches for municipal clerks and local governments. Clerks would have to run two different types of primaries at the same time and local governments would have to buy new equipment that could tabulate winners under the ranked-choice system.

"The aim of Final Five Voting is not to change who gets elected; it is designed to change the incentives of those who do get elected," the bill's authors wrote in a memo seeking co-sponsors. "Officials elected under Final Five Voting  having been elected by and held accountable to the general electorate  are freed up to deliver solutions that meet our countrys complex challenges."

The bill is authored by Sens. Jesse James, R-Altoona, and Jeff Smith, D-Brunswick; and Reps. Ron Tusler, R-Harrison, Daniel Riemer, D-Milwaukee, and Tony Kurtz, R-Wonewoc.

THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin bill renews bid to introduce ranked-choice voting
The long-shot idea that Democrats could bail out the beleaguered Speaker Kevin McCarthy is suddenly getting real.

Small groups of centrist Democrats are holding secret talks with several of McCarthys close GOP allies about a last-ditch deal to fund the government, according to more than a half-dozen people familiar with the discussions. The McCarthy allies engaging in those conversations are doing so out of serious concern that their party cant stop an impending shutdown on its own, given the intransigence of a handful of conservatives.

Lawmakers involved in the talks  who mostly belong to the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, the Republican Governance Group or the centrist New Democrat Coalition  have labored to keep their work quiet. Many Republicans involved are incredibly worried about revealing their backup plan, wanting to wait until every other tool in McCarthys arsenal has failed.

That moment may not be until next week, just ahead of the Sept. 30 shutdown deadline.

It's got to be bipartisan anyway, at some point," Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said of a solution to the shutdown crisis. Referring to the conservative holdouts, he added: "So why negotiate with these five or 10 people who move the goalposts?"

Generally, the bipartisan group is focusing on two major ideas: a procedural maneuver to force a vote on a compromise spending plan  or somehow crafting a bill so popular that McCarthy can pass it and survive any challenge from the right. That bill would likely be a bipartisan short-term patch with some disaster money, Ukraine aid and small-scale border policies, according to multiple people briefed on the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The Problem Solvers began showing their framework to members Wednesday, with plans to formally vote on endorsing it by the evening, according to two people familiar with the plans who were granted anonymity to discuss them. Another group, which included top aides for both the New Democrat Coalition and Republican Governance Group, met earlier Wednesday to discuss their own stopgap funding plan, according to three other aides familiar with the situation.



While the talks were borne out of the spending crisis, they have by necessity had to address another glaring problem for the speaker: Whether Democrats are also willing to protect his gavel from a vote to strip it if he ultimately does seek support across the aisle.

Privately, many Democrats say theyre willing to help the Californian with both problems, though theyll demand concessions  and theyll need their leader, Hakeem Jeffries, to be on board.

To be clear, any plan devised by these rank-and-file members would face serious hurdles before it got to any possible vote. But the bipartisan McCarthy-bailout conversations have only gained traction as his antagonists keep derailing his other option  a GOP-only spending patch thats packed with conservative border policies and funding cuts.

Even if the speaker can resuscitate that proposal, Republicans have long known it wouldnt pass the Senate. Eventually, theyd need to work with Democrats.

Exactly what Democrats could or would demand for their cooperation is unclear. The ultimate decision, they say, will rest with Jeffries, whos stayed mum about how hed handle a possible bipartisan compromise. Any questions Jeffries gets about the possibility of a GOP bid to toss the speaker, he bats aside as hypothetical.

(Asked about the possibility by POLITICO on Tuesday, Jeffries said: House Democrats are focused on making life better for everyday Americans  solving problems on their behalf. House Republicans are focused on fighting each other.")

Jeffries did huddle privately midday Wednesday with one of the groups involved in the cross-aisle talks: the roughly 60-member Problem Solvers Caucus.

Inside the room, Jeffries signaled hed be willing to look at the centrist blocs various ideas for a solution  including a procedural gambit to pass a stopgap bill if it came to that, according to four people familiar with the situation. He said any short-term plan would need to reflect the bipartisan budget deal reached this spring.

Youll be part of the solution, and Ive been supportive of your efforts in the past, Jeffries told the group, according to two people familiar with his remarks.

McCarthy's broken rules of thumb

One day earlier, the Problem Solvers' two leaders  Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.)  were seen entering the office of the House parliamentarian alongside Bacon, a stalwart McCarthy ally.

Those members declined to say what they discussed regarding House rules. But behind the scenes, several options are on the table  including the unlikely choice to pursue a procedural move known as a discharge petition that would force a bill to the floor. (That avenue comes with a strict 30-day timeframe, so it has little chance of preventing a shutdown that's just 11 days away.)

Bacon later recalled telling a group of roughly 30 Republicans, including members of leadership, during a closed-door meeting this week that he was done with GOP-only negotiations, arguing that the handful of holdouts in his party cant be satisfied.

In a brief interview, McCarthy acknowledged the quiet efforts by centrists in both parties to team up on a spending solution. But he specifically dismissed the idea that any of his Republicans would back a discharge petition that needs a majority of the House to advance.

McCarthy said that his "rule of thumb" while in power has three components: Don't oppose a rule to debate your party's bill; support "whoever comes out of the conference for speaker" and do not sign onto a discharge petition.

Several Republicans have broken the first two items on his list, McCarthy added, "and so it has disrupted the entire conference. And people think they can do other things."

'If you are a nihilist'

Despite the low likelihood of a discharge petition to fund the government, it is still coming up in closed-door meetings as vulnerable Republicans make it particularly clear that they're starting to lose patience with the conservative blockade.

Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), who has been involved in the GOP negotiations, alluded to the New York delegation as being very candid during internal talks that if Republicans cant work out a short-term funding deal, were going to sign a discharge petition.

Two people familiar with those conversations pointed to New York Rep. Mike Lawler, who sits in one of the GOPs toughest battleground seats, as especially vocal in private meetings about threats to sign a discharge petition.

Asked if he sees an increasing chance of centrists from both parties teaming up as the stalemate continues, Lawler said that I would like to see the House Republican majority govern" by passing a short-term patch that can start further talks with the Senate.

But until that happens," he added, "we need to keep the government funded and operational. And my only comment to my colleagues is: If we want to govern, we need to do so expeditiously.

The pushback from McCarthy on a possible discharge petition comes after he repeatedly failed to get his own members behind a GOP-only bill that would pair a stopgap funding patch with spending cuts and a Republican border bill. One Republican lawmaker involved in the talks acknowledged that the bipartisan maneuvering could help pressure conservatives to stop resisting any solution.

On the other hand, this lawmaker added, "If you are a nihilist and you want to burn the place down, you don't care."

But there are also risks for the Republicans involved in the bipartisan talks. Some conservative colleagues are already warning of political backlash from base voters, given that the very Democrats they are working with want to defeat them next year.

I dont relish the prospect that liberal members of the Republican caucus would decide to govern as Democrats with Democrats," said Bishop, a McCarthy critic who helped sink a defense spending bill this week.

The biggest risk of all in the current cross-aisle conversations, though, is to McCarthy himself.

Helping advance a bipartisan deal would put him past a red line that his most vocal opponents have said could result in a vote to strip his gavel. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) is on record vowing to force that vote if McCarthy brings a "clean funding bill to the floor.

Bacon urged the speaker to stand firm: "We should ignore it. You cant kowtow to that.
Porter County Board of Health member Jessica Jepsen was unanimously removed from her post Tuesday morning by the Porter County Board of Commissioners, the same body that appointed her in January, over a social media post Jepsen recently authored referring to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The specific post in question read: I hope this was not a case of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. As a Porter County Board of Health Member we are receiving lots of peer reviewed studies from the community about how deadly this vaccine is. What is crazy is that only the doctors not receiving government funding on the board are actually reading and commenting about them.

Advertisement

The comment was reportedly made on a post about the unexpected death of a high school classmate.

Jepsen, who has a degree in health care administration, as well as an MBA, advises school corporations and large municipal agencies such as urban police departments on wellness programming.

Advertisement

She was alluding that our vaccines were poison, said Commissioners President Jim Biggs, R-North, after the meeting. I would be derelict in my job that I ignored that.

Biggs made a recommendation to remove Jepsen and fellow commissioners Laura Blaney, D-South, and Barb Regnitz, R-Center, agreed. There is certainly a decorum level that needs to be maintained on the board, Blaney said.

Regnitz addressed what she said have been concerns from residents that free speech is at stake. However, when you are speaking on behalf of a board or an entity you do have certain responsibilities to that free speech, Regnitz said. That doesnt mean that you cannot express your views, but those views should be made at a public setting.

Jepsen said in an interview after the meeting her ouster isnt about her social media posting, but is retaliation from health board attorney David Hollenbeck for her efforts to hold him accountable to state statute in a variety of areas of management of the board of health. I am holding our health department attorney to state statute and he isnt happy about it, Jepsen said. He told me a week and a half ago, I guess this is war.

I have no comment, was Hollenbecks reply when asked about the accusation.

Jepsen said the board of health was not properly advertising its meetings or its agendas for those meetings earlier in the year. She said that was corrected at her request, but a May meeting was moved without proper advertisement.

The board of health follows all applicable rules and requirements for the convening of public meetings, Hollenbeck said.

Jepsen also contends that health department administrator Carrie Gschwind was illegally placed in that role when the former administrator resigned. Jepsen said the position was never advertised.

Advertisement

Hollenbeck, who has been the attorney for the board of health for 49 years, says it is not accurate that the position needs to be advertised. He said the board followed county procedure of first looking at whether any existing staff members are internally qualified for the job and then chose Gschwind, who had formerly served as director of the health departments Food Service Division.

Jepsen said at the very least Porter County Health Officer Dr. Maria Stamp is to come to the board and say, I want this person to be the health administrator.

That never happened, Jepsen said. So when Dave Hollenbeck threatened war against me its because I pointed out he wasnt following procedure correctly. Dave Hollenbeck has been running the health board when essentially he is an employee of the board.

As far as the peer-reviewed studies Jepsen mentioned in her post, she says she has been asking her fellow board members, Can you please poke holes in these studies? No one has responded, she said. Time and time again I have asked for people to meet with me so I can understand where theyre coming from.

Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu was shown an unusual surface-to-air missile known only as the 358 during a recent visit to Iran.

The Iranian government has shown a curious "loitering" surface-to-air missile known only as the "358" to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu who is currently visiting the country. This is the first time authorities in Iran have admitted their role in designing this unusual weapon, examples of which have previously been supplied to proxy forces in Yemen and Iraq .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvKziDRNQlc

Shoigu and his entourage saw the 358 missiles at an exhibition highlighting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' (IRGC) drone and air defense developments. The head of the IRGC Aerospace Force, Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, accompanied Russia's top defense official at the event.

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, in the front row, second from the right, is shown a 358 missile at an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) exhibition in Iran. Russian Ministry of Defense

The 358 missile first emerged in 2019 after some of them were seized by the U.S. Navy in the course of operations to disrupt the flow of weapons and other materiel to Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. More of these missiles have since been found by U.S. and other military forces when seizing Iranian arms shipments bound for Yemen.

358 missile components and other materiel that British forces intercepted heading to Yemen in 2022. Crown Copyright

In 2021, Iraqi authorities also said they had recovered at least one of these missiles near Tuz Khurmatu Air Base, which is situated in the northeastern end of the country.

https://twitter.com/arawnsley/status/1451282954995515398

The 358 nomenclature appears to come from an internal U.S. military and/or U.S. Intelligence Community cataloging system for Iranian-made munitions supplied to the Houthis, and possibly other proxy forces. The related designator 351 has also been associated with the Houthi's Quds-1 land-attack cruise missile , another Iranian design.

https://twitter.com/JosephHDempsey/status/1544990114161500160?s=20

Hard details about the 358's capabilities and its mode of operation remain limited. It is around nine feet long and has a slender cylindrical main body. It has three distinct groups of fins for maneuvering and stabilization in flight.

The U.S. military has disclosed in the past that the missile has a satellite navigation-assisted inertial navigation system guidance package, as well as a vertical gyroscope and an air data unit. Many of these components had been previously found on other Iranian drones. A circular 'collar' array of what have been said to be infrared sensors is also plainly visible at the front end of the weapon as is a primary seeker in its nose.

A graphic U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) released regarding the 358 missile and its components in 2019. Note the missile depicted here lacks the third set of fins that go at the front. CENTCOM

Additional close-up views of certain 358 missile components, including the infrared sensor array. United Nations

The 358 is understood to be launched from the ground using a solid-fuel rocket booster, which falls away after it burns out. The missile then transitions to an air-breathing propulsion system, possibly a small turbojet, much like a traditional land-attack or anti-ship cruise missile. Air inlets are visible along the body at the rear of the missile, molded into the engine section.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu is shown an Iranian land attack cruise missile design during his visit to the IRGC exhibition. Russian Defense Ministry

However, the infrared sensor ring looks more akin to features often found on surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles that are used to trigger the weapon's warhead in proximity to the target. These kinds of missiles typically do not 'cruise' and fly are much higher speeds than can be provided by a typical air-breathing propulsion system. As such, the U.S. government has long assessed the 358 to be a highly unusual air defense weapon . The Iranians seem to have now confirmed this by showing Shoigu examples of the 358 on display alongside other surface-to-air missile systems.

Beyond its core design, past reports have said that the 358 further deviates from typical surface-to-air missiles in that is apparently designed to fly at low speed to a specified location and then loiter there until its fuel runs out. "The weapon flies in a figure-eight pattern and looks for targets," The New York Times reported in a story citing unnamed U.S. military officials back in 2020.

How exactly the 358 missile spots and tracks its targets is unclear. The 2020 New York Times story said that the weapon sensor ring looked to be designed to help defeat existing countermeasures meant to confront infrared-homing surface-to-air missiles, like directional infrared countermeasures systems and decoy flares , implying that it was, in part, a seeker.

However, it is not immediately clear how such a conclusion was made or how such a setup would overcome countermeasures. If the two rows of sensors are redundant, but work on different wavelengths, this could help reduce the impact of one countermeasure type over another. It's also possible that one row is made up of infrared sensors as part of the guidance systems and the other are laser proximity fuze sensors, like those on many traditional SAMs and air-to-air missiles. One other possibility is that the 'collar' array, or at least one row of those sensors, works to detect a potential target initially and then cues the primary sensor in the nose onto that target to discriminate it and execute an attack if warranted.

US Department of Justice

It is, of course, very possible that multiple versions of the 358 could exist now, including ones that leverage some form of passive homing and/or that can receive updates from offboard sensors. At least one known example, seen above, has a particularly prominent antenna on the back, which could provide for some level of basic semi-autonomous control.

Altogether, the viability of this concept remains an open question. The low speed of the missile already means it is not useful for engaging fast-moving combat jets in many scenarios and is better suited for attempting to intercept slower targets like helicopters and drones.

To date, there is no hard evidence of a 358 shooting down anything, despite reports that attempts have been made. A "United States military official said that the 358 missiles from Iran had been fired against American drones flying in Yemeni airspace," according to the 2020 New York Times report.

Iranian Back Houthi rebels have succeeded in shooting down U.S. and Saudi Arabian drones over Yemen using traditional surface-to-missiles. The group has also claimed to have shot down multiple combat jets belonging to the Saudi Arabian-led coalition over the years, including Saudi F-15s and Tornados , with various factory-produced and improvised air defense systems .

https://twitter.com/victorsan1974/status/914591695416815616

Still, the underlying concept behind the 358 missile is very intriguing. If the weapon works as described, they could be launched into forward areas where drones or helicopters are known or expected to travel through, and hunt and kill them without any need for additional advanced offboard sensors. This could be particularly useful for engaging incoming drones, which can be very hard to spot and engage with traditional air defense systems .

Beyond all this, groups of 358s flying figure-eight orbits would just present additional hazards an opponent would have to contend with or attempt to plan around, which could be problematic seeing that they can fly out to remote locations. If the 358 is low cost, then it could be even easier to deploy large numbers of them at once to increase the probability of success and otherwise try to disrupt enemy air operations.

It does not appear to require much in the way of logistical footprint to employ the 358 missiles, either. When Iraqi authorities seized the 358 near in 2021, they also found a simple launcher consisting of a crude rail attached to a base weighed down with cinder blocks.

https://twitter.com/AuroraIntel/status/1451146312909524993

At the IRGC expo that Russian Defense Minister Shoigu recently attended, a pair of 358 missiles were seen on more robust launch rails fitted in the back of a truck. That launch system also looks as if it might be designed to look outwardly like any other commercial truck when in transit, helping to reduce vulnerability, as well as add flexibility. The idea of hiding launchers for missiles and munitions inside commercial trucks or shipping containers is, of course, not a new tactic, as North Korea showed just earlier this month.

A picture showing 358 missiles, including two loaded on a truck-based launcher, on display at the IRGC exhibition. via X

Whether or not Shoigu's tour in Tehran indicates the Russian military is in line to receive 358 missiles, whatever their exact capabilities might be, is unknown. For the reasons already noted, this could be a very relevant weapon for Russia, at least in basic concept, for countering Ukraine's long-range strikes, including those deep inside its territory .

Shoigu has been meeting with various top Iranian defense and security officials since arriving in the country yesterday. Iran has been a key ally of Russia since the beginning of its all-out invasion of Ukraine last year.

Iran has notably supplied large numbers of kamikaze drones, which have become one of the Russian military's primary tools for striking Ukrainian cities and other critical targets. Iranian authorities have also helped Russia work to establish domestic production of these munitions. There have long been concerns that Iran could provide Russia with valuable stocks of short-range ballistic missiles , as well. Russian authorities have, in turn, moved forward on new arms sales to Iran, including an expected batch of Su-35 Flanker-E fighters , and have pledged further cooperation with their counterparts in Tehran.

"We are aiming at an entire range of planned activities, despite opposition from the United States and its Western allies," Shoigu said during his current visit to Iran, according to Russia's Interfax news agency . "Sanctions pressure on Russia and Iran shows its futility, while Russian-Iranian interaction is reaching a new level."

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, during his visit to Tehran. Russian Ministry of Defense

"Our relations in the fields of defense and security have attained unprecedented development over the past decade," Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani also said during his meeting with Shoigu today, Interfax reported. "Your visit and the signing of the memorandum of mutual understanding signifies a brand new period in our bilateral relations."

If nothing else, Iran has now publicly acknowledged the 358 missile, and more information about it may begin to emerge as a result.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed concerns Wednesday that the U.S. deal to release five Iranians and agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets  in exchange for the release of five Americans who were detained in Iran  encourages hostage-taking among hostile nations.

"These are hard decisions, hard decisions for the president to make," Blinken, who is currently in New York for the U.N. General Assembly, told "CBS Mornings."

But Blinken said over 30 Americans who were unjustly detained worldwide are now home as a result of those decisions.

Some Republicans voiced opposition to the exchange, saying financial relief in a hostage situation will incentivize future hostage-taking.

Blinken said it's important "that we do what we're doing"  "going after any of those that we find who are involved in unlawfully detaining Americans with sanctions, with restrictions on their travel." He also said officials are working with international partners to discourage the practice of taking hostages for political purposes.

"We're bringing, along with Canada, a number of countries together to try to establish much more clearly an international law that the practice of taking people, using them in fact as political hostages, is absolutely unacceptable. And also, getting countries to say, 'If you take one of our people, then all of us together will come down on you,'" Blinken said.

"People are not going to want to set foot in those countries if they know they can be thrown in jail for no reason," said Blinken.

The Americans who were freed include three who were imprisoned after they were sentenced on unsubstantiated charges of spying. The Americans boarded a Qatari plane in Tehran on Monday that flew to Doha and were transferred to U.S. custody. They arrived in the Washington, D.C., area, on Tuesday morning.

As part of the deal, the U.S. agreed to help Iran access $6 billion in Iranian oil assets that were held in a restricted account in South Korea. The money was being transferred to an account in Qatar, and the Biden administration has said the U.S. will monitor the Qatar account and restrict the use of funds for humanitarian purposes. Blinken noted the released money does not include any U.S. tax dollars.

"We made an arrangement with the bank in question, this is a bank in Qatar, to make sure that we would have clear visibility over the way the money is spent," Blinken said. "And if it's not being used for humanitarian reasons, it's not being spent for food, medicine, other things, it'll get shut down."

On Ukraine, Blinken said the recent dismissals within Ukraine's defense ministry due to corruption concerns demonstrate President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Ukrainians are taking the matter seriously. He said the U.S. has teams in Ukraine that work to ensure that aid money is being used for its intended purposes.

President Biden is asking Congress to approve an additional $24 billion in aid to the country.

"I've talked to members of Congress who've gone to Ukraine, and they've seen what we're doing to make sure the money is well accounted for. They come back very impressed with these controls, with these measures. And they've told us that they haven't seen anything as effective in other places in the past where we supported countries who are being the victims of aggression," Blinken said.

Merrick Garland questioned on Hunter Biden investigation, says he's not president's lawyer

How likely is a government shutdown amid Republican infighting?

U.S. citizen made guns on demand for Mexican cartel
CHARLEVOIX  The Health Department of Northwest Michigans Board of Health approved the 2024 Annual Budget during its meeting on Monday.

Shannon Klonowski, chief financial and administrative officer, provided information about the budget, which was presented at $34.3 million. That represents a $339,646 or 1 percent increase from the 2023 budget.

Klonowski highlighted some other significant changes, including salary and fringe benefits increasing by $211,586 and travel costs decreasing by 33 percent.

Jarris Rubingh of Antrim County proposed two motions to cut specific funding and programs, but neither of those motions passed.

The first motion was to eliminate COVID-19 funding from the 2024 budget, which included $2.15 million for workforce development, sewer network, school nurse program and immunizations.

We want the money. We need the money, and its never, ever enough, Rubingh said. And we can always find ways to spend it better that are so useful and so needed, but at some point we have to realize that its not the governments job. And we keep on hearing again and again and again, whether its Democrats or Republicans or Independents, that Covid is over, but we cant give up the money for it. Ive had it. Im ready to give it all back.

Health Officer Dan Thorell noted that COVID-19 is not over but were in a much, much better place than we were.

Its still out there. Were not in emergency response, were in disease management, he said. Thats where we are with Covid. A lot of these funding line items are ending, and as far as what will happen with the staff that are supported by these, those are things that we need to work on figuring out.

For example, Thorell said he has heard from many partner schools that they want to continue funding the school nurse positions even after the COVID-19 funding ends.

Medical director Joshua Meyerson added that while the school nurses have provided resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have also treated everything from scraped knees at recess to working with children who have chronic illnesses like asthma or diabetes.

The whole purpose, obviously, is to have healthy kids and to keep those kids in school, he said. And school nurse programs, I think, can help kids spend more time at their desks learning, and thats really the primary focus of this.

Subscribe: Check out our latest offers and read the local news that matters to you

Health department officials also noted that the immunizations are a mandated service.

If we didnt have the funding through this funding source, we still have to do it, Thorell said. We are required to do it. So that may mean asking counties for additional local appropriations if we did not have this specifically identified line item to cover those costs.

The motion eventually failed in a 5-3 vote.

Rubinghs second motion was to cut the $70,000 Harm Reduction Services item, which is for the syringe service program in Antrim County. That failed in a 4-4 vote.

The board ultimately voted 5-3 to approve the 2024 Annual Budget, with Rubingh and Otsego County commissioners Jonathan Turnbull and Henry Mason voting against the budget.

The Board of Health regularly meets at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

 Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Board of health approves 2024 health department budget
A new study found that children who live near natural gas fracking wells are more likely to suffer from lymphoma, a rare cancer.

What happened?

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh found that children living within a mile of a natural gas fracking well were up to seven times more likely to suffer from lymphoma than children who lived at least 5 miles from a well. The closer children live to a well, the higher the risk.

The study, conducted for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, looked at 498 diagnosed childhood cancer cases in eight southwest Pennsylvania counties from 2010 to 2019.

Two other studies released around the same time also investigated the health risks of fracking. One found a link between the production phase (when a well is producing gas after having been fracked) of fracking and a measure of infant health called small for gestational age. The third study found strong evidence pointing to an increased risk of asthma during the production phase.

Raina Rippel, former director of Environmental Health Project, a nonprofit based in Pennsylvania, called these reports the tip of the toxic iceberg and urged the states officials to step up their efforts to monitor fracking. Children should not be the canaries in the coal mine here, she told Inside Climate News.

Why are these studies concerning?

The new findings add to a body of research exploring adverse health outcomes associated with fracking  so far, more than 2,200 studies on the risks and harms of fracking have been compiled in a collection published by the nonprofits Physicians for Social Responsibility and Concerned Health Professionals of New York.

For instance, an August 2022 study led by the Yale School of Public Health found that Pennsylvania children who lived within about a mile of fracking operations were twice as likely as their peers to develop the most common form of juvenile leukemia.

Meanwhile, fracking is on the rise in the United States  the number of U.S. wells fracked for natural gas and oil rose by 10 times to around 300,000 between 2000 and 2015, according to Inside Climate News. The fracking process involves injecting large amounts of water mixed with toxic chemicals and sand deep into the earth to fracture rock formations. This releases oil and natural gas.

In addition to the health risks associated with fracking, it can also lead to a loss of animal and plant habitats, species decline, migratory disruptions, land degradation, and planet-warming pollution, according to the Yale School of Public Health. Fracking has also been linked to an increase in earthquakes.

According to the Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund (CELDF), fracking also threatens cultural and historical resources and can lower property values.

What can I do about fracking?

Several organizations, like the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and CELDF, work with communities to fight against fracking. In November 2010, CELDF worked in Pittsburgh to help make it the first city in the country to ban fracking. The organization has also partnered with other communities in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Mexico, and Maryland.

In addition, NRDC offers strategies online for citizens to fight back against fracking at the national, state, and local levels. The organization said that local activists are the ones who have the power to make a difference and suggested advocating for fracking bans. This could mean starting small by presenting at town meetings or to local representatives.

For example, you could try to bar fracking in residential areas, within 5,000 feet of a school, or near parks or nature preserves, NRDC said.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Some Joe Biden allies fear that Donald Trump is outmaneuvering them on the auto workers strike with his decision to head to Detroit for a speech next week.

Democrats close to the White House said they saw Trumps trip as a plainly cynical ploy to gain political advantage from the current United Auto Workers strike at three plants. But they also worry it is a sign that the ex-president had a more sophisticated campaign than in previous cycles  and that Bidens operation needs to step it up.

We should not underestimate Donald Trump. He's a survivor and this is going to be a very hard-fought campaign, said Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a member of Bidens national advisory board who was in Wayne, Mich., and Toledo, Ohio, on Monday with UAW members. We need a message to working-class Americans. Right now, they're still hurting in terms of gas prices, food prices, housing costs, utilities costs, and they don't feel like their wages are going up fast enough, and they feel like the very wealthy are getting too much of the rewards. That's what I heard on the picket lines.



A union adviser, speaking on condition of anonymity in order to offer a blunt evaluation, said Trump "is still himself and will say and do crazy shit. But, the person added, he actually has people who know what they're doing. He boxed Biden in. It was kinda genius."

Inside the White House and Biden campaign, operatives scoffed at such an assessment. But their public utterances  including aggressive criticism of Trumps record on labor policy  betrayed concern that the former president could make further inroads among union voters.

And their private deliberations suggested that they were still grappling with how the White House should approach the strike.

Biden's team has privately weighed whether to dispatch a top lieutenant to the picket line to stand alongside the UAW workers, according to two people familiar with those discussions. The exact details of who might go or where they could travel are unclear.

Yet even as they considered sending a public-facing official to the site of the strike, the White House was pulling back on some behind-the-scenes engagement. On Tuesday, the administration scrapped its plan to have two Biden aides head to Detroit this week to help both sides after union officials complained about it.



The back and forth within the White House over how to handle the strike illustrates the jam that Biden finds himself in as talks drag on between the so-called Big Three car companies and a powerful union that is withholding its endorsement from Biden over his handling of electric vehicle subsidies. Though the strike is limited to three plants for now, it could deal a serious blow to the economy if a deal isnt reached soon and more workers walk out.

The White House has been trying to avoid a prolonged strike while expressing support for the demands of the workers. But there has been brewing dissatisfaction among Democrats and union officials over their approach  mainly, a belief that the president, a self-professed union diehard, underestimated the degree of the UAWs discontent.

There are many unknowns about Trumps visit to Michigan, including where he will speak and whether he will show up to the picket line as well. But his decision to go in the first place startled some Democrats.

Trump scooped us. Now if we announce were going, it looks like were just going because of Trump, said a national Democratic strategist. We waited too long. Thats the challenge.

Biden campaign officials insist that its the president who has the upper hand: They argue that Trumps visit to Michigan gives them a chance to remind voters  and union members specifically  of Trumps record. Indisputably, its a record that includes unfulfilled promises to workers and comments attacking UAW leadership.

In their view, its Trump who needs to catch up to Biden after the Democrat doubled his margin of victory among union households nationwide in 2020 compared with Hillary Clinton four years prior.

Donald Trumps anti-worker, anti-union record is one of the key reasons Michigan rejected Trump in 2020 and sent Joe Biden to the White House, said Ammar Moussa, a spokesperson for the Biden campaign. His failed presidency is defined by auto companies shuttering their doors and shipping American jobs overseas while lining the pockets of the wealthy and big corporations.

Moussa added that any Democratic strategist who believes it's good for Trump to serve "up an opportunity to remind voters across the Midwest that as president he cut taxes for billionaires ... isnt very good at strategy.

Michigan Democrats also slammed Trump as attempting to exploit workers and hiding his true record.

Trump is not a person who is going to fight for pay increases, pensions, health care or job security for workers, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) told POLITICO. He just said all EVs would be built in China. That is not fighting to keep Americas auto industry competitive in the global marketplace.

UAW President Shawn Fain, for his part, has left no doubt that Trump doesnt stand a chance of landing his unions endorsement. In a statement, he said that every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers.



But Trump was able to win over many rank-and-file union members in 2016, even as their leaders denied him endorsements. And behind the scenes, there has been tension between UAW and the White House in recent days.

Last week, during a speech on the UAW strike, Biden announced that he was sending White House senior adviser Gene Sperling and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to Detroit. Their goal was to help the union and auto companies reach a contract, but they would not intervene, the Biden administration said.

But UAW officials were frustrated by Sperling and Sus plans to head to Michigan, according to two people familiar with their thinking. Despite promises that they would not get involved or mediate, the union questioned what their exact role would be, the sources said.

Another source said there was also a concern among both UAW officials and companies about the timing of their planned visit. The trip, which was ultimately scrapped for at least this week, was set to come soon after the strike began.

Fain nodded to the tension on Face the Nation this past weekend. People are talking about them trying to interject themselves into our  into our negotiations, he said. Our negotiators are fighting hard. Our leadership's fighting hard. It's going to be won at the negotiating table with our negotiating teams, with our members manning the picket lines and our allies out there. Who the president is now, who the former president was or the president before them, isn't going to win this fight.

Asked about the Biden aides plans changing, a White House official said that given that negotiations are ongoing between the negotiating parties, it is most productive for Sperling and Su to continue their discussions from Washington and allow talks to move forward, and well continue to assess travel timing based on the active state of negotiations.

Sperling has been in regular contact with union officials and businesses for more than two months, and that is expected to continue. Su is also in touch with both sides and has stepped up her outreach to members of Congress on the contract negotiations, including asking lawmakers for their opinions.

In an interview with POLITICO, Sperling said, After the previous administration chose to sit on the sidelines and cede the electric vehicle market to China, this president and the Democratic Congress took an aggressively bold approach to ensuring that there will be a significant American footprint that we are pressing to promote strong, well-paying UAW jobs.

While some of Bidens allies are concerned by Trumps visit to Detroit, other Democrats predicted it would flop.

I think it backfires, said. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.). Autoworkers, they know their interests and they know who stands with them.

Sam Stein and Brittany Gibson contributed to this report.
Avita earns accreditation for bariatric weight-loss program

GALION  Dr. Thomas Smith, metabolic and bariatric surgery director at Avita Health System, has announced that the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery at Galion Hospital has been accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP), a joint Quality Program of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

MBSAQIP-accredited centers offer preoperative and postoperative care designed specifically for patients with obesity.

Thomas Smith, DO, with the certification of accreditation from the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Dr. Smith has performed more than 1,000 weight loss surgeries during his career and is fellowship-trained on robotic-assisted surgical techniques that may reduce pain and scarring, and often result in shorter recovery times. As of Sept. 1, he is joined by bariatric surgeon Dr. Justin Eagleston.

To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity. The center also participates in a national data registry that yields semiannual reports on the quality of its surgical outcomes and identifying opportunities for quality improvement.

After applying for MBSAQIP Accreditation, the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery had to undergo an extensive site visit by an experienced bariatric surgeon who reviews the center's structure, processes and clinical outcomes data.

Individuals interested in weight loss surgery can make an appointment at the Avita Center for Bariatric Surgery in Galion or Ontario by calling Dr. Smith at 419-462-3839 or Dr. Eagleston at 567-307-7854.

Free drive-thru 'Shred-It' event set at Hawkins Corner

ONTARIO  The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Inc. is hosting a drive-thru "Shred-It" event for a kickoff to Medicare Open Enrollment in the parking lot of Hawkins Corner from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. This event is free and open to the public.

This event highlights the need to securely shred important documents or mail that may contain personal information to help older adults avoid becoming victims of fraud, scams, and identity theft.

COVID-19 information moving to ODH, DataOhio websites

COLUMBUS  Ohio Department of Health (ODH) Director Bruce Vanderhoff has announced that all COVID-19 information from coronavirus.ohio.gov is moving to the ODH website. All COVID-19 statistics and weekly reports are moving to the DataOhio COVID-19 reporting page. Visitors to coronavirus.ohio.org will be automatically redirected to the ODH website.

The new site contains links to the COVID-19 statistics and dashboards that will continue to be updated weekly, as well as the latest guidance on prevention, testing, treatment, and vaccines. That information will continue to be updated, as well.

Upcoming meetings:

 Bucyrus City Schools Board of Education, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Board of Education Office, 170 Plymouth St., Bucyrus,

 From Citizen to Patriot, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Galion Grace Point Life Activity Center, 683 Portland Way North (Ohio 598), Galion. The focus of the forum will be the celebration of life, liberty and U.S. Constitution Week (Sept. 17-23).

Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum

This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Avita bariatric surgery accreditation, Shred-It event, ODH COVID info
Concerns about higher-speed trains speeding through the Treasure Coast began within days of All Aboard Florida filing its request for federal funding in March 2013.

Opposition arose almost immediately, with people worried about the company's plans to establish passenger rail service between Miami and Orlando. Over the years, lawsuits filed by Treasure Coast counties led to numerous delays in the railroad's proposed launch.

Long-awaiting Brightline train service between South Florida, Orlando starts next week

Brightline from Miami to Orlando: Everything to know about tickets, stops, pets, discounts

More than 10 years later, Brightline  formerly known both as All Aboard Florida and Virgin Trains USA  on Friday is to begin scheduled passenger service between Miami and the Orlando International Airport.

What's in a name?

It started as All Aboard Florida.

In early 2013, Coral Gables-based Florida East Coast Industries, a real estate and transportation company which owned and operated Jacksonville-based Florida East Coast Railway freight railroad, proposed a $1.5 billion passenger railroad service between Miami and Orlando.

All Aboard Florida submitted a $1.875 billion federal loan application in March 2013, later claiming the loan amount was changed to $1.6 billion. The loan was to split the project in two phases: $740 million for a 66.5-mile stretch from Miami to West Palm Beach; and $1.135 billion for 168.5 miles from West Palm Beach to Orlando.

In 2015, the company rebranded itself, changing its name to Brightline. Three years later, another name change made it Virgin Trains USA, following an investment deal with Virgin Group. That partnership ended in 2020, after Brightline claimed Virgin Group failed to provide the promised investment.

The company changed its name back to Brightline.

A Brightline train leaves the station in West Palm Beach, Florida on September 6, 2023.

Opposition to the trains

Cities and counties along the route protested the idea of up-to-110-mph trains running through their communities. (Brightline trains will hit 125 mph in their final leg, along State Road 528, the Beachline Expressway between Cocoa and Orlando.) Citizen groups such as the Florida Alliance for Safe Trains and Citizens Against Rail Expansion in Florida formed to join joined the anti-Brightline efforts.

Among the loudest opponents were Indian River and Martin counties, which filed state and federal lawsuits against Brightline to derail the train. Of concern was the lack of local stations along the route, noise through residential neighborhoods, the environmental impact and safety.

In May 2013, the Martin County Commission addressed concerns in a letter to the Federal Railroad Administration, focusing in on the potential impact frequent closings of the St. Lucie River bridge would have on the marine industry and boaters. The commission requested information on who would pay for needed crossing upgrades and additional road crossing inspections.

A Virgin Trains USA train - formerly known as Brightline - passes through West Palm Beach.

Virgin Trains USA submitted a proposal to build a train station, five-story, 100-bed hotel, and five-story condos with retail at the 7-acre H.D. King site in downtown Fort Pierce.

Virgin Trains USA holds their official groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, June 24, 2019 at the Orlando International Airport, for their highly anticipated expansion of rail service from South Florida to Orlando.

In 2014, then-U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Jupiter) asked U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to require All Aboard Florida to address concerns about traffic and noise before approving the loan request. Murphy also asked then-Gov. Rick Scott to become involved.

All Aboard Florida characterized Murphy's complaints as unfair, repeatedly saying the rail service was taking no money from the state or federal government. For his part, Scott continually insisted publicly that Brightline was a private company and the state would not become involved.

Lawsuits settled

In 2018, Martin County and Citizens Against Rail Expansion ended their four-year legal battle against Brightline. The settlement included Brightline committing to $1 million in fencing upgrades, pedestrian overpasses and sidewalks and an eventual Treasure Coast station, although the local government would pay up to half the construction costs.

Indian River County approves settlement with Brightline, ends lawsuit over safety improvements

U.S. Supreme Court won't hear Indian River County's appeal of Brightline lawsuit

Indian River County, however, rejected the same settlement. It continued to pursue litigation until, in 2020, the County Commission decided it had exhausted all appeals and dropped its federal lawsuit. In 2021, the commission agreed to settle Indian River's state lawsuit against the railroad in exchange for about $31.6 million in safety improvements at the 32 rail crossings across the county.

Indian River County had spent about $5 million in legal fees fighting the project.

Ben Porritt, senior vice president of Corporate Affairs for Brightline, addresses the media on Wednesday, June 9, 2021, during a news conference concerning the $31.6 million agreement to make safety improvements at the 32 railroad crossings in Indian River County as Brightline continues construction on a 168-mile corridor between West Palm Beach and Orlando International Airport. Once completed, trains are expected to travel through the Treasure and Space coasts at speeds up to 110 mph. Also in attendance were Indian River County Administrator Jason Brown (from back left), Sen. Debbie Mayfield and Commissioner Joseph Flescher.

Construction and opening

Brightline began passenger service between West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale in January 2018, and extended service to Miami in May of that year.

The COVID-19 pandemic shut down of service between 2020 and November 2021.

Test runs of the Brightline trains on the Treasure Coast began in January 2022, as workers continued with safety upgrades at rail crossings. Those tests have continued through this month, with trains running up to 110 mph along the Treasure Coast.

Colleen Wixon is the education reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. Contact her at Colleen.Wixon@TCPalm.com. Follow her on Twitter @TCPalmWixon.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Brightline's decade quest for higher speed rail filled with opposition
SAN DIEGO  Traveling to Europe will become more convenient as British Airways is adding a second daily flight between San Diego International Airport (SAN) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR), officials said.

Starting April 20, 2024, the new second flight (BA265 and BA264) will arrive in San Diego at 3:25 p.m. and depart for London at 5:15 p.m., SAN said in a news release Tuesday.

Since June 2011, British Airways has offered one SAN-LHR nonstop flight per day, according to SAN. Those flights (BA273 and BA272) will be retimed to arrive in San Diego from London at 6:10 p.m. and departing San Diego for London at 8 p.m.

BA 264/BA265 will serve passengers on a 272-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft while BA272/BA273 will operate on a 214-seat Boeing 787-8 aircraft, the San Diego airport said.

Water rate hike approved in San Diego

The expansion of British Airways flights between London Heathrow Airport and San Diego International Airport opens up a world of possibilities, said Kimberly Becker, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority President and CEO. Leisure and business travelers from San Diego will have added opportunities to explore London and beyond, while giving travelers from the rest of the world increased access to San Diegos beautiful beaches and year-round sunny climate.

London is one of the most popular European destinations from San Diego, with a passenger increase of over 28% higher than 2019 levels, according to SAN.

Other nonstop services at SAN include Munich, Tokyo, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
BROCKTON - Acting Superintendent of Schools James Cobbs and the city's Chief Financial Officer Troy Clarkson say they have largely taken charge of the school district's finances over the last month since the schools' CFO Aldo Petronio and Assistant CFO Chris Correia were put on leave in response to the $14.4 million budget deficit.

While Brockton Public Schools searches for an interim chief financial officer, Cobbs and Clarkson have been given greater responsibility over the school district's budget to make sure its finances are stable amid the investigation into last fiscal year's overspending.

The overarching process that were trying to implement here is to have a really good handle on what the spending is on a regular basis," Clarkson said at a Brockton School Committee meeting held on Sept. 14. Clarkson will provide updates on the state of the school district's budget at every school committee meeting until the CFO position is filled.

Clarkson confirmed at the Sept. 14 meeting that all of the school district's bills are being paid on time.

Brockton Chief Financial Officer Troy Clarkson talks to the Brockton School Committee about the numbers of the school budget at the special school committee meeting held on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, at Brockton High School.

"We're being more cautious, more deliberate," he said.

According to Clarkson, at least one person is interested in the interim position, but until someone is hired, he and Cobbs have enacted some "pretty significant cost containment measures."

For now, Cobbs will have control over the open positions within the district and will be the final say for all new hires. Cobbs must receive certification from Clarkson or the city's financial team that the district has enough money before signing contracts with new staff or vendors.

"He will be the final say on filling positions," Clarkson said.

The Brockton School Committee named James Cobbs acting superintendent of schools at an emergency meeting on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Also, the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) will send financial experts to support the district in overwatching its 2023-24 school year budget.

With Clarkson's aid, Brockton Public Schools has started using a software called Munis - the same software the City of Brockton uses - to closely track its budget sending in the new school year. Clarkson said Munis is the most widely used software for public bodies across the state to track their finances.

'This is beyond irresponsible': Brockton Schools' Assistant CFO warned committee of financial crisis as early as July 2022

The district's fiscal year 2024 budget contains roughly $229 million, and Munis tracks spending on a daily basis and shows what percent of the budget has been spent for various categories from teacher salaries to janitorial supplies across each school building.

What we are doing is actually taking that report down to a very granular level so that we will be able to tell you on a daily, weekly, monthly basis the spending not only in the categories  but by school, Clarkson said.

The Brockton School Committee holds a special meeting in the Little Theater at Brockton High School on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.

What's the status of Brockton Public Schools' FY24 budget?

In order to stay on track for spending the approved amount of money for this fiscal year, which began on July 1, the school district can spend roughly 8.3% of its total budget every month, meaning that by the end of August the district should have spent around 16.7% of its budget.

As of the school committee's meeting on Sept. 14, down to that afternoon, 18.57% has been spent of this year's total budget.

'I'm looking for accuracy:' Brockton school board votes to let public in on auditor choice

What that tells us is that as of today, should you have spent to the penny on the FY24 budget, you should be a little less than 21% expended, Clarkson told the committee at the meeting.

We are spending below the number that will take you right to the amount thats been approved, he said.

TIMELINE: Who knew what when about Brockton Public Schools' $14.4 million deficit?

According to Clarkson, some areas of the budget have already been 100% spent because the city pays for some services entirely up front at the start of the school year - called encumbered money - such as the district's energy bills, legal services, telephone bills and other routine expenses.

The city does this for purposes of making sure the money is there for the whole year  setting aside sufficient funds, Clarkson said.

Will the spending be made public?

The budget data in Munis can be automatically placed in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to be exported and printed out, and Brockton School Committee member Tony Rodrigues said at the meeting he hopes those spreadsheets can be available for the public to view.

'Definition of the smoke-filled room': Brockton School Committee broke open meeting law, expert says

"We most certainly can find a way to make this information available to the public because it is public information," Clarkson said.

Brockton School Committee member Tony Rodrigues motions to appoint James Cobbs as acting superintendent of schools at an emergency meeting of the school committee at Brockton High School on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023.

Clarkson said the spreadsheets can be posted on Brockton Public Schools' website so the community can easily see how much the district has spent on a monthly, weekly or daily basis, depending on how often the committee chooses to update the data posted online.

The information in Munis only reflects the current year's budget, and data for the fiscal year 2023 budget - which Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan announced on Aug. 31 had been overspent by $14.4 million primarily on staffing, transportation and security costs - isn't yet available.

This is what I was asking for. The whole body was asking to see this, and we were told it couldnt be done," Rodrigues said. Im just in awe that what Ive been asking for for almost two years is sitting in front of me right now."

Enterprise staff writer Christopher Butler can be reached at cbutler@enterprisenews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton CFO says school district's FY24 bills are being paid on time
Singer Bruno Mars is one of the owners for SelvaRey Rum, along with Seth Gold, Marc Gold and Robert Herzig. - Original Credit: SelvaRey Rum (Flo Dechard/HANDOUT)

A new dinner series hosted by Fairmont Hotel Chicago next month in collaboration with SelvaRey Rum is perfectly timed as the prelude to the 38th birthday Oct. 8 for pop star Bruno Mars.

From 6-8 p.m. Oct. 4 and Oct. 5 guests are invited to join for an evening themed with cocktails inspired by SelvaRey Rum, co-owned by Grammy award winning artist Bruno Mars who was born Peter Gene Hernandez in Honolulu.

Advertisement

The inventive four-course menu feast, especially prepared by the propertys executive chef Elton Ambrose, has dishes thoughtfully prepared to perfectly complement the SelvaRey Rum accompanying pour or libation. The dinner, priced at $99 includes tasting pours and a storytelling journey behind the brand name.

The first course of the dinner includes shrimp with a white rum sauce and plantains, followed by jerk chicken on a bed of watercress and garnish of cranberry jam before short rib with pickled mustard seeds and roasted heirloom carrots leading up to a grand chocolate dessert finale.

Advertisement

In summer 2021, Bruno hailed the arrival of SelvaRey Coconut which he said in his advertising campaign is poised to elevate every Pina Colada from Miami to Honolulu with this luxury spirit made from an incredibly smooth, two-year-aged rum, infused with a velvety coconut essence.

Rum is really synonymous with joy, Bruno said in his online recorded endorsement.

Anyone holding a good rum cocktail is exactly where they want to be. Thats what I wanted people to feel with this campaign. And SelvaRey Coconut delivers the ultimate drink every time. Its hands down the best coconut rum youve ever tasted.

For more information about the dinner and Fairmont Chicago, 200 N. Columbus Drive overlooking the Millennium Park downtown destination, call 312-565-8000 or visit fairmontchicago.com.

A slider souvenir

The Whiting Robertsdale Historical Society meeting is at noon Thursday, Sept. 28, held downstairs at Faith Baptist Church, 1547 119th St. in Whiting. The guest speakers will be executives from the Whiting White Castle Corporation.

Much attention has been given to the old White Castle restaurant structure, which was razed earlier this year for a more efficient and modern building. Beth Hollins, the restaurant manager, allowed the Whiting Historical Society to take a number of the porcelain panels from the interior of the original building. Plaques were created with each numbered and featuring a piece of the famed porcelain wall and being sold for $35.

We sold them at Pierogi Fest and it was great fun just hearing what everybody who bought one had to say for their connection with this White Castle, said Gayle Faulkner Kosalko, the Whiting Robertsdale History Museum curator.

The Historical Society has a great relationship with this Whiting icon. We were even able to do a small homage to them at the museum a few years ago. White Castle means something special to anybody from here.

Advertisement

The plaques will also be available for purchase at the Sept. 28 meeting. For more information, call 219-659-8129.

A Broadway son

Actor Trey DeLuna, 25, a 2016 graduate of Munster High School, was last back in our area in the spring in the cast of the iconic musical A Chorus Line at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace. Now Trey is ready for his Broadway touring debut.

A student of musical theatre from Millikin University and represented by Gray Talent Group, Trey has a very proud mom Kristin DeLuna of Munster, who keeps me up on all of Treys travels.

Trey is already in New York preparing for the North American tour of the hit musical Come From Away which resumes Oct. 17 with performances in Columbia, South Carolina. The talented cast plays multiple roles.

Trey will play Kevin, Ali and others detailing the forever changed lives of the denizens of the small Canadian town and also the frightened and confused passengers of the planes which required emergency landings after the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, when U.S. air space was shut down for three days. For more information visit www.comefromaway.com.

Philip Potempa is a journalist, published author and the director of marketing at Theatre at the Center. He can be reached at pmpotempa@comhs.org.
The flight deck of the USS George Washington is already streaked with tire marks from aircraft landings just three months after the warship was welcomed back into the Navy fleet.

But as the carrier and its crew transition from a brutal six-year maintenance cycle, there is still much to be done to prepare for its next mission.

The Washington recently provided fleet support to new E-2 Hawkeye pilots working on carrier qualifications. The ship got underway for about two weeks, and reporters were invited aboard.

This marks the ships fourth venture out since leaving Newport News Shipbuilding for Naval Station Norfolk in May. The aircraft carrier had been a fixture at the shipyard since 2017 for its midlife refueling and complex overhaul. The process, which typically takes four years, was exacerbated by delays related to the pandemic.

When Capt. William Mathis reported to the carrier in March 2022, it was nearing the end of its heavy maintenance phase.

It did not look like a ship when I arrived. The shell was a ship, but you walked inside and many spaces were not completed. There was a lot of bare metal everywhere, a lot of components still untested, said Mathis, executive officer of the Washington.

Now, the ship, which still smells of fresh paint, is mostly complete, he said. The ships two nuclear reactors were refueled and its propulsion plant repaired, propellers refurbished and aircraft launch and recovery equipment modernized.

The Washington is in the basic phase of training, which is meant to teach the crew how to operate as a team as well as ensure the ship is ready in all mission areas.

We still are building up the ship and building up the crew in many areas, as the crew is still very green, Mathis said. We have got a long way to go but we have come a long way.

___

Buzzing with activity

On Thursday and Friday, the ship navigated around Hurricane Lee brewing in the Atlantic Ocean. The Washington, off the coast of Florida, was buzzing with the activity of a crew of 2,800. As the warship swayed with the swell, members scurried through the corridors to their workstations or stopped by one of the galleys to grab a meal between shifts.

I didnt know you could feel the waves on a carrier, one sailor said in passing.

I didnt either, but this is my first carrier, said another.

During this training cycle, many crew members are learning their seagoing responsibilities for the very first time. According to Washington leadership, about 85% are junior sailors who had never been to sea before being assigned to the warship.

The crew are starting to learn their jobs at sea as well, which is exciting. But we have to be patient because we know that a lot of the crew are not proficient in doing the basic things that they are supposed to do, said Command Master Chief Randy Swanson, who reported to the Washington in December 2022.

Many are still figuring out how to manage life at sea, including deployment basics like who is going to water their plants or how their bills will get paid on time, Swanson said.

The Washington and roughly half its current crew will shift homeports in 2024, moving from Naval Station Norfolk to Yokosuka, Japan, where it will be the forward-deployed carrier. Before then, the ship must fully integrate its airwing and certify for deployment. The training will be spread across the next 12 months.

It seems like we are getting better and better at what we do, Swanson said. But we cant get comfortable. We always have to keep our head on a swivel and get through each underway period as a team.

___

Preparing for homeport shift

The ship is scheduled for a stop in San Diego in April before heading to Japan, where the Navy expects it to be operating by the fall of 2024.

Much of the crew does not yet know if they will join the warship in Japan. But sailors interviewed by The Virginian-Pilot said they are excited to take the Washington to sea, even if only for a brief time.

Jayden Thompson, an aviation boatswains mate, has been in the Navy for five years. She has been assigned to the Washington for four years and nine months.

I hated the shipyard, and I was determined to get out (of the Navy) after this first contract, Thompson said.

The 23-year-old is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the flight decks arresting gear, which snags the tail hooks of landing aircraft. Being on an inoperable ship for the bulk of her contract meant Thompson was unable to do the job she signed up to do.

I can only do my job when we are out to sea, Thompson said. And my job is specifically for carriers, so I cannot go to any other platform.

But Thompson has since changed her mind. While stuck in the shipyard, she was temporarily assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush and deployed with the carrier from August last year to April.

I started to learn my rate and fell in love with my job, Thompson said. And I came back here and was able to take this boat out to sea. Every day, I just fall more and more in love with what I do.

___

Hope returns to young sailors

The extended midlife maintenance overhaul during the pandemic was challenging. As a vital function, Mathis said it had to get done.

But the sense of purpose for many sailors was difficult to find, he said.

During its time in the shipyard, there were nine suicides among the Washington crew, including three in one week in April 2022. An initial investigation found life stressors contributed to the life-ending decisions of the three sailors, but concluded the deaths were otherwise not connected.

A second investigation was launched with the purpose of evaluating the challenges unique to a shipyard environment. According to the findings, which were released in May, there was a failure in maintaining a suitable Navy standard, after sailors reported constant noise and cold temperatures aboard a shell of a ship that was periodically without hot water and power.

When the Washington finally departed Newport News Shipbuilding and was delivered to the Navy, sailors manning the rails wept.

It was just this sense of accomplishment, what they had done, what they had been through  what we had all been through, Mathis said.

Capt. Brent Gaut, who assumed command of the USS George Washington in June 2021, said after the ship left Newport News Shipbuilding, a sailor approached him.

And they said, I just cant believe that we got out. I really didnt think it was going to happen. And that was one of those moments as a commanding officer and as a human being  a person, a father, a husband  that was just so emotional for me, Gaut said. You could see a little glimmer of the hope in their eyes that for a long time, we hadnt seen.

Resources for service members and veterans struggling with mental health, including 24-hour crisis hotlines, include:

The Military Crisis Line: call 1-800-273-8255, Ext. 1; or text 273Talk to 839863

Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988  call or text

Caitlyn Burchett, caitlyn.burchett@virginiamedia.com
An El Paso man reportedly had a laugh after allegedly stealing a Ford Mustang El Paso police traffic patrol car from a police mechanic shop earlier this month.

Investigators arrested Daniel Antonio Salas, 36, on burglary and auto theft charges after locating the stolen vehicle inside the garage of a house in the North Hills neighborhood, court documents stated.

Salas is accused of driving away with the silver 2012 Ford Mustang during an overnight burglary on the weekend of Sept. 8-11 from the city of El Paso fleet services department at 1059 Lafayette Drive near Bel Air High School, stated complaint affidavits obtained by the El Paso Times.

The sports car is officially described as a "High Performance Marked Police Vehicle" used for traffic enforcement and special events.

Crime: Persistent burglaries wreak havoc at Taco Shop restaurant in East El Paso

Police mechanic shop burglarized

On Sep. 11, the shop manager discovered that several items were missing or had been moved. Someone broke into the building and stole three sets of car keys and a portable air tank and drove away with a Mustang that had been in the fenced parking lot, affidavits stated.

The Ford Mustang was being serviced for a transmission leak, several flat tires and a defective car battery but was in good enough shape by the time the burglar could drive it off the lot.

A Ford Mustang El Paso police patrol car similar to this one was found in the garage of a house in North Hills after it was stolen from a Lower Valley police mechanic shop earlier this month.

An investigation by officers with the Mission Valley Tactical Unit and crime-scene investigators found that the perimeter chain-link fence was cut, a window screen pushed off and tape-covered motion sensors for the building's lights. Metal boxes containing car keys had been broken into, affidavits stated.

Crime-scene investigators processed the scene and allegedly found Salas' fingerprints in several spots, documents stated.

A criminal complaint mentioned that investigators suspect the burglar used the portable air tank and a battery jumper to get the Mustang operational.

Stolen El Paso police car found in home garage

A task force was formed with Mission Valley Tac officers, auto theft detectives, Texas state troopers, and El Paso County sheriff's deputies to find the stolen police car.

Law enforcement officers found Salas along with the three sets of stolen car keys, the stolen air tank and the Mustang inside the garage of his girlfriend's home in the 4300 block of Loma Taurina Drive, documents stated.

Crime: Brother of Juarez cop among arrests in El Paso drug, gun trafficking case

Salas was first taken into custody on a warrant on a charge of possession of methamphetamine earlier this year. His girlfriend and another woman were also detained, the affidavits stated.

The other woman was allegedly in possession of one set of stolen keys. She allegedly told investigators that she heard Salas tell his girlfriend that he had stolen a police car and couldn't get it started again before he asked the woman to hold onto a set of keys, documents stated.

Burglar allegedly laughs about stealing police car

Salas' girlfriend allegedly told investigators that Salas had arrived about 3 a.m. on Sept. 11 "and came up to her room laughing, stating that he just stole a police car," the affidavit stated. The girlfriend told investigators that she didn't believe him and thought he was "just high" from using drugs and she went to sleep.

During a teleconference bond hearing last week, Salas, now sitting in jail, denied that he was laughing.

"This isn't funny. These are three serious charges," Magistrate Judge Linda Estrada told him before reducing the bond amounts.

More crime: High-dollar bicycles stolen in series of burglaries in Kern Place, UTEP area

On Tuesday, Salas remained in the Downtown El Paso County Jail on charges of burglary of a building, theft of a vehicle and the meth possession charge.

Estrada divided the $10,000 bond in the burglary case to $5,000 in cash or surety bond and $5,000 personal recognizance, which only requires a signature and a promise to appear in court. Jail records show Salas with personal recognizance bonds of $5,000 on the drug case and $20,000 on the vehicle theft.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Burglar allegedly steals El Paso police car, laughs about it
On Tuesday night, Fox News discussed President Joe Biden s chance at reelection and MSNBC reflected on Bidens speech at the United Nations General Assembly.

Fox News  America under Biden's leadership

On Hannity Tuesday night, Sean Hannity spoke to 2024 presidential candidate Nikki Haley on whether or not the Biden/Harris administration has a chance for reelection.

Hannity mentioned that there are a number of Democrats who have expressed hesitation toward Biden as the Democratic nominee.

Is it over for them? Hannity asked.

I think they know they're in trouble, Haley said, emphasizing that Americans are frustrated with how the Biden administration has handled issues like the economy, crime and the open border.

The reality is hes trying to just win this election so that Kamala Harris can be in office. Thats who were really running against, Haley said. But it doesn't matter whether its Joe Biden. It doesn't matter if its Kamala Harris. Were going to wipe them out without any question.

Hannity said, I don't see a single policy Joe is implementing thats working, and Im trying to be objective. If he did one thing, I would tell you. I can't think of one.

Regarding Bidens most recent speech at the United Nations, Haley said he failed to touch on any real issues. Joe Biden is asleep at the wheel. He doesnt get it. The American people are smarter than this; they see that he doesn't get it, and it is time for a new generational leader.

Related

MSNBC  Biden gives hope to Americans

Well, today, when we all need a lesson in hope, we got such a lesson that was once unimaginable, once unthinkable, Lawrence ODonnell said Tuesday night on The Last Word.

If you are hoping that American democracy can survive and defeat the forces in this country who are trying to kill it, you need to do everything you can to support democracy, and you need hope, ODonnell said.

Regarding Bidens remarks about Americas relationship with Vietnam in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly, ODonnell said, What the president of the United States said today in New York City was unthinkable. ... The Prime Minister of Vietnam sat in the United Nations General Assembly today listening respectfully to the president of the United States.

ODonnell made the point that America has changed since the Vietnam War for the better.

He added, Today, the United States of America stands with the smaller country invaded by the much larger nuclear-powered aggressor.

People who listened to Bidens speech knew that the United States of America, facing the greatest threat to democracy since the Civil War, is also at an inflection point in history, ODonnell said.
(KSNT)  Federal health officials say cake slices sold in Walmart stores could pose serious allergy risks to some individuals.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said in a press release that Davids Cookies is recalling more than 950 units of its 7 oz. Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake with the lot number BS23212. This product was sold in Walmart stores across the country.

The recall was issued after 960 units of Marketside Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake were mislabeled as Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake, according to the FDA. Because the label doesnt list peanuts as an ingredient and doesnt declare a peanut allergen warning, federal regulators fear the product may pose a risk for those with a peanut allergy.

(Photo Courtesy/FDA)

No illnesses or injuries have been reported to the FDA yet in connection to the recalled product. If you have a peanut allergy and consume the recalled product, you are advised to contact a physician immediately.

What are the lights placed above traffic signals?

Walmart and Davids Cookies are working together to block all Marketside Chocolate Chip Explosion Cake and Marketside Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake from being distributed further, according to the FDA.

If you have purchased the recalled cake slices, you are encouraged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. If you have any questions, you can call Davids Cookies at 800-500-2800 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. EST.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has before him about a thousand bills approved by the California Legislature that now await his fate but some are far more explosive and politically consequential than others.

These bills in Newsoms pile could reveal how the governor is evolving as a leader, and now he has less than a month to review them.

If recent history is any judge, there may be a bill that will catch public attention and push the governor where he doesnt want to go, as we saw last fall when marches and protests in support of the United Farm Workers Union pressured Newsom into signing a bill that made it easier for farm workers to unionize.

Opinion

Here are five bills that test Newsom on the issues and with his alliances and his own personal political considerations. Some could raise questions about whether Newsom is putting his own unspecified national political ambitions above public interests depending on how he wields his pen.

Strikers benefits:

California is the epicenter of a pivotal industry strike between the Screen Actors Guild, the Writers Guild of America and the consolidating production industry, with names like Netflix. The strike began in May, with no end in sight as both sides appear to have dug in.

Senate Bill 799 by Anthony Portantino, D-Burbank, would tip the economic scales more in favor of strikers by paying them state unemployment insurance during disputes with employers. And with the United Auto Workers now on a national strike, the labor movement is on complete fire just as SB 799 reaches his desk.

This bill should be vetoed by the centrist Newsom. At present, only the states of New York and New Jersey offer unemployment benefits for striking workers. The states unemployment insurance fund is spectacularly overextended, with California needing to borrow $18 billion merely to keep it afloat. Creating a powerful new incentive to strike, for a long time, only threatens to make that problem worse.

Signing this bill would signal a massive shift in Newsoms positioning within the party, moving him to the left with a more populist, anti-corporate platform. Thats not him, but he would have to weather intense pressure from within the party to stay true to years of a more centrist political course.

Administration transparency

Newsom has already said he will sign the most controversial transparency bill in the stack (Senate Bill 253 by Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco) that will require more than 5,000 large companies doing business in the state to itemize their global greenhouse gas emissions. Left unresolved is whether Newsom will support a degree of transparency about his own administration.

Senate Bill 702 by Monique Limon, D-Santa Barbara, would require administrations to annually publish demographic information on appointments made by the governor during the previous year.

Newsom has twice vetoed similar transparency bills by the same author in the past two years. Last year, the governor wrote, implementing this bill is estimated to cost millions of dollars not accounted for in the budget to update the appointments application system to track and report additional data points. With our state facing lower-than-expected revenues over the first few months of this fiscal year, it is important to remain disciplined when it comes to spending.

Why it would cost the administration so much money to tabulate already-existing personnel information is unclear. But In signing the corporate emissions transparency bill, Newsom was perfectly comfortable imposing millions upon millions of dollars of costs onto large corporations to track their own emissions and of companies they contract with to do business. Newsom should sign SB 702 because it is a modest expense for meaningful information about who any governor personally selects for important state duties. The Legislature, which passed this bill unanimously, should annually send this to Newsom and his successor until it is finally signed.

Hearing aids

California is only one of 18 states that does not require insurance companies to cover hearing aids of children whose need is diagnosed soon after birth. Newsom made it clear in 2020 that he would veto a bill passed unanimously by the Legislature and preferred a government-run program over an insurance mandate. Advocates are back with the same legislation in Senate Bill 635 by Caroline Menjivar, D-Van Nuys and Portantino.

There is strong evidence that a well-intentioned state-run program advanced by Newsom is not reaching the young children who need these devices. With approximately 1,000 newborns diagnosed in the state every year with a congenital hearing problem, this is not a huge pocketbook issue. But it is a life-changing matter for these children as to whether they get these hearing aids so that they fully develop speech skills or are hobbled for the rest of their lives.

Newsom should sign SB 635 even if it is a bit of an admission that he got this issue wrong four years ago. Its the right thing to do, and it is just that simple.

San Diego

Here is an obscure bill that will reveal a lot about how much Newsom listens to his inner circle or his own common sense.

Two water districts in Southern California want to switch water suppliers and leave the San Diego County Water Authority, the long-time primary provider for the region. The countys Local Agency Formation Commission said yes, including an exit fee intended to address impacts to the SDCWA budget. Voters in these districts are set to decide in a Nov. 7 special election.

SDCWA came to Sacramento to turn upside down the countys long-standing boundary-adjustment process. Senate Bill 399 by Tasha Boerner, D-Encinitas threatens to undo the local action by putting it up to a vote among all authority ratepayers as a way to kill the deal. If signed, the bill would take effect next year, after the two districts have held their elections.

Signing this bill would send San Diegos water world into chaos. But the Water Authority and Newsom have a mutual friend by hire over the years, political consultant Ace Smith. Newsom shouldnt listen to him or anyone who thinks Sacramentos meddling in governance affairs in San Diego is of any value. This is veto material.

Tax elections

The landmark tax initiative Proposition 13, passed in 1978, has endured in its popularity over the years. It has required a two-thirds voter majority to pass most bonds and the taxes to pay them. That pillar of the proposition is called into question by Assembly Constitutional Amendment 1 by Democrat Ceclia Aguilar-Curry of Winters.

ACA 1 would lower the voter threshold to 55 percent to approve affordable housing and public infrastructure projects. It still would allow a minority of voters to control taxing policy in California. Newsom should help make a historic migration away from the 1978 rebellion and toward majority rule and support ACA 1. Local measures to advance affordable housing and customer-friendly transit will rely on new revenue sources.

It is shaping up to be a crowded ballot in November 2024 when it comes to state finance. Newsom will need to find a consistent, strong voice to help shape the outcome. Supporting ACA 1 ensures that the public investments he envisioned as governor can come to fruition after he leaves office.

And now, for Gavin Newsom, it is time to decide.
Stock image Credit - Getty Images

When Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, the Director of Advocacy and Education at the LGBTQ Center of Orange County in California, arrived at her local school board meeting on Sept. 7, she was number 79 on the list of attendees.

Guests had been rolling in for the 7 p.m. event since noon that day to comment on a rule that would require school staff to inform parents if their child asked to be identified by a different name or pronouns. School district board members listened to parents and teachers, among others, testify for seven hours before deciding to pass the resolution, making Orange Unified School Board the sixth school board in California to pass a rule of this sort.

Such policies are becoming increasingly common across the country. At least five statesincluding Alabama, North Carolina, and Indiana have a state law that forces the outing of trangender youth, according to independent, nonprofit think tank Movement Advancement Project. Another six states have laws that better protect parents access to all records of their child, including sessions with their counselor or psychologist, but do not explicitly require parental notification of a childs transgender status.

And just thirty minutes away from Orange County, the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education is currently facing a temporary restraining order to stop the enforcement of their own gender identity disclosure policy, which requires staff to notify parents if their child asks to be identified or treated as a gender different than the one listed on their official records.

More From TIME

Many in favor of the policy are part of the parental rights movement, who argue that they should have full knowledge of their childrens behaviors and practices at school. But as debates over kids privacy and school curriculum emerge, LGBTQ+ advocates warn that the measure could be detrimental to transgender students.

Parents of course understandably want to know what's going on with their child, says Cameron Van Fossen, executive director of Gender Spectrum, an organization dedicated to the well-being of gender-expansive children. But the most important point here is that school districts should be looking to adopt policies that prioritize the safety and well being of all students, including transgender students, while respecting their rights and autonomy.

Whats at risk

Experts warn that policies outing transgender children could pose dangerous effects on the well-being of youth. Less than 40% of queer youth say that their homes are LGBTQ-affirming, according to a Trevor Project survey, meaning their family members or guardians would not be accepting of either their sexuality or gender identity. Van Fossen notes that an unsupportive home can cause children to face harassment, or even homelessness. Queer youth experience homelessness at a rate 120% higher than their straight or cisgender peers.

Camacho Van-Dyke, who works with LGBTQ+ youth in Orange County to provide mental health support and education, says the students she is in contact with have expressed disbelief and anger at the school boards rule.

When a school does this, do they have an idea like who they're potentially outing a student to? Camacho Van-Dyke said. There is probably a reason why that youth has not come out to their parent at that time. It should be up to that young person to decide when they want to and when they're ready to do so.

The policy would disrupt the lives of a community that is already vulnerable. More than 80% of transgender individuals have considered suicide, and another 40% have attempted suicide.

During the school district meeting, however, one board member, Mari Burke, advocated for the passing of the rule, saying children do not have the right to privacy from their parents. Others said they fear that schools are indoctrinating children with confusing ideas about gender identity, and encouraging youth to trust their teachers more than their parents. Leave our kids alone, was the resounding term seen across t-shirts and heard among testimonies in favor of the policy.

Psychologists have raised concerns about the declining mental health of transgender adults, and particularly, children, as numerous bills limiting transgender folks' right to use the bathroom of their choosing, access gender-affirming care, and updating gender markers on their birth certificates or other drivers licenses have been passed over the past two years.

Residents such as Melanie Pollak, a long-time Orange County resident with two children that have gone through the public school system, is against the policy and feels that the rule is a distraction from what the school board should really be focused on. The policy makes her feel like her childrens education is being politicized. It does feel like the board majority just doesn't care about our kids' education. They have an agenda and they want to pursue that instead of focusing on making our schools the best they can.

Ongoing legal battles

As Orange County residents debate their stance over the policy, the legality of this type of measure is still under question. California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Chino Valley Unified School District for a similar policy in late August, which Bonta argued violated the states equal protection clause, constitutional right to privacy, and anti-discrimination protection in the education code.

The forced outing policy wrongfully endangers the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of non-conforming students who lack an accepting environment in the classroom and at home. Our message to Chino Valley Unified and all school districts in California is loud and clear: We will never stop fighting for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ students, Bonta said in an August press release. The policy is now on pause, unable to be enforced because of a temporary restraining order against the district. Since then, Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District Board in the suburban areas of Roseville and Antelope in Northern California has also passed a similar rule.

During the Sept. 7 meeting, a member of the Orange Unified School District Board of Education revealed that Bonta had sent an email warning to the Orange Unified School District , saying that he would take legal action if necessary, but has not yet acted. At the meeting, the school board also disclosed that they made last-minute changes to the parental notification policy if their child asked to be identified by a different name or pronoun.

The revised rule would require staff members to refer students to a school counselor or psychologist first. Afterward, the counselor or psychologist would inform the school principal, who then has five days to contact a parent or guardian unless the student is 12 years of age or older and does not want their parent/guardian to know. There is also an exception if the school psychologist, counselor, and/or principal believes the students safety could be at risk. However, school staff would have to justify in writing why they did not inform the child's parent.

Chino Valley is not the only district that is undergoing legal challenges across the U.S. The Hanover Township Board of Education in New Jersey was sued by the states Attorney General Matthew Platkin in May for their own parental notification policy that would require staff to inform parents about their childs sexual orientation or gender identity. That same month, Superior Court Judge Stuart Minkowitz ruled that the school board had to work with the attorney generals office to change their parental notification policy so as to not discriminate against LGBTQ+ students. Three other New Jersey districtsMiddletown Township, Marlboro Township and Manalapan-Englishtownwere also sued over the summer for similar policies. The Superior Court issued a preliminary injunction for all three districts, temporarily pausing the policies from going into effect while the cases are still pending.

Parents, on the other hand, have also previously sued school districts for not fully informing them of their childs change in name or gender identity. In Littlejohn v. School Board of Leon County in Florida, the Littlejohns sued the school district in 2020 after officials met with their 13-year-old child because they were confused about their gender identity. Counselors came up with a support plan for the child, and asked the child for their preferred pronouns and bathroom of choice. The childs parents said the school was interfering with the upbringing of their child, familial privacy, and due process rights when they sought to help.

Chief Judge Mark E. Walker dismissed the lawsuit in January, saying that the school acted within their scope of discretionary authority, but the case has been appealed to the 11th Circuit. A trial date has not been announced.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
A California resource regulator ruled on Tuesday that the company selling Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water must cease and desist from much of its operations drawing spring water from a spring in the San Bernardino National Forest, in a major victory for local groups and environmentalists who had been challenging the firms access to water running through the public lands.

I understand a huge amount of money and business is at stake, said State Water Resources Control Board member Laurel Firestone on Tuesday of the ruling. It also is important for us that no matter how much money is involved, that we are going to ensure that the laws of our state are upheld and that they apply to everybody.

Im thrilled that Californias State Water Resources Control Board adopted the cease-and-desist order against BlueTriton Brands unauthorised diversions in Strawberry Canyon for Arrowhead bottled water, Lisa Belenky, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, told Courthouse News. By adopting this order, the state took a critical first step toward protecting this creek and Strawberry Canyons springs, as well as the fish, wildlife and riparian vegetation that depend on these waters.

The order found that the company doesnt have permission to use the water, despite BlueTriton claiming it has rights to the water dating back over 100 years.

The cease-and-desist decision applies to most of the companys tunnels and boreholes drawing from the spring, impacting about 80 per cent of the water it draws from the Strawberry Creek watershed. BlueTriton must comply with the order by 1 November.

The company drew an estimated 46.5m gallons from the source in 2021.

Spring water flows from a BlueTriton pipe in the San Bernardino National Forest on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in San Bernardino, Calif (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The company said in a statement after the decision that the water boards ruling creates water rights uncertainty and that BlueTriton will vigorously defend our water rights through the available legal process.

Arrowheads claims to the water came under scrutiny in 2015, when an investigation by the California newspaper Desert Sun found that BlueTritons predecessor Nestle had been drawing water under a US Forest Service permit with a listed expiration date of 1988. The company eventually got a new five-year permit in 2018.

In 2021, however, the state water board concluded that BlueTriton lacked rights to its sources in the mountains, prompting a further set of hearings culminating in Tuesdays decision.

In 1906, a California man named Seth Marshall began selling water branded Arrowhead Springs at a hotel near the companys eventual claims.

BlueTriton argued its rights to the site date back to before 1914, when California began regulating how people use water, granting it seniority in the states complex system of water rights. The company further claims that the state regulator didnt have authority to declare a cease-and-desist over their claim because it doesnt involve surface water.

The state, meanwhile, argues the Arrowhead claim only dates back to 1929, meaning the company doesnt have seniority.

Local residents say the companys operations in the watershed have had a negative impact.

Strawberry Creek can no longer support fish, Amanda Frye of Redlands told The Associated Press. Essentially they inserted a straw into each spring and diverted it down the mountain to their trucks to take it away.
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) said on Tuesday that the conservative House members who tanked the procedural vote on a Pentagon funding bill were, in effect, enabling Chinas leader, Xi Jinping .

What we just saw, with these five individuals, was them adding, effectively, their name to that list that are enabling Chairman Xi right now, Garcia told a group of reporters Tuesday following the disappointing rule vote, which saw five Republicans voting with Democrats to sink the rule.

Garcia, a former Navy fighter pilot, noted the Xi is looking at this with a sign of relief that we didnt just get this DoD package to the floor.

The Republican Party is literally the only thing between this reckless administration and the welfare of our troops. So our inability to bring this package to a floor vote because of these five individuals who decided to put their personal agendas ahead of the basic requirements of our troops is extremely upsetting to us, he added.

Earlier Tuesday, Republican Reps. Dan Bishop (N.C.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.) and Ken Buck (Colo.) voted against the rule, which prevents the House from debating the legislation on the House floor  a necessary step before the House can vote on the bill itself.

The members who voted against the rule largely claimed they were frustrated by the fact that they still have not seen the total value of all 12 appropriations bills and that they did not want to vote for one funding bill  in this case, the Pentagon bill  without seeing the overall price tag. They claim they have made their position clear for months.

Speaking to the press with fellow veterans, Garcia described this vote as a win for China but said ultimately he was confident members would find a way through this setback.

I think theyre good Americans, but theyre confused and they just handed a win to the Chinese Communist Party as a result of this vote, Garcia said about the five members who voted against the rule. And were going to do everything we can to keep the folks at the table, to get people back in line.

I think our party our conference will ultimately figure this out, and were going win this, Garcia added. But this isnt us versus the Democrats. This isnt left versus right. This is about our countrys security, and America keeping pace with a very real bear right outside of our tent in the form of China.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A central California restauranteur is apologizing for a video in which he used profanity to disparage local customers.

F**k the locals, Roger Sharp said in a TikTok video posted by his social media team earlier this month, which has since been taken down.

Sharp, who owns Tortilla Town and Big Bubbas Bad BBQ in Paso Robles, Blue Sky Bistro in Morro Bay and Titos Red Tacos in Pismo Beach, was discussing the nature of his business and, specifically, those who complain about his prices.

[Locals] arent going to be the ones that make us money, right? Theyre not who this place is designed for, he said.

Restaurant owner apologizes

After the video was removed, copies were widely shared on Facebook, YouTube, Nextdoor and elsewhere on TikTok. (Watch the video)

While Sharp claims his comments were taken out of context, the backlash was swift and severe with many calling for a boycott of his restaurants.

We love supporting local business & we frequent these places often, one TikTok user wrote. My family & I will no longer be going, Im keeping my local $.

Well Im a local, and I wont be supporting you so there, said another.

Sharp finally issued an apology last Friday on the same TikTok account where the original clip was posted.

If I offended anybody, I apologize, he said, standing in front of Big Bubbas Bad BBQ. Ive always taken care of everybody that I can in this community  I apologize if I hurt anybodys feelings.

Reactions to Sharps TikTok apology ranged from supportive to dismissive, and it remains to be seen if local diners will forgive and forget.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
After years of bargaining and several recent labor actions, the union representing California state scientists has taken another step toward what could eventually become the states first-ever strike among civil service employees.

The California Association of Professional Scientists on Tuesday asked the states Public Employment Relations Board to determine that they had reached an impasse in bargaining with Gov. Gavin Newsoms administration and, in turn, appoint a third-party mediator to help facilitate negotiations.

PERB now has five days to decide whether it agrees with CAPS that an impasse exists.

We wish we didnt have to take this step because we have reached agreement with the State in many areas, but salaries remain an issue, said Jacqueline Tkac, chair of the CAPS bargaining team, in a statement Tuesday. After 1,288 days since our last contract expired and 352 hours at the table, after the State has said more than once, the money is the money, we think its time to take advantage of another tool available to us to reach a contract that values state scientists.

CAPS has been bargaining with CalHR since the unions last contract expired on July 1, 2020, and theyve reached tentative agreements with the state on all but nine of the terms in their contract. But those final terms  which include salary adjustments, health care contributions and pay differentials  are the deal-sealers for union members who say theyre due raises of 30% to 40%.

Such dramatic pay bumps would address what employees say are longtime pay disparities within the scientists unit and between their counterparts in engineering positions.

The union, which represents more than 5,000 rank-and-file and managerial-level scientists in state government, rejected an offer from the state in late January.

Can state scientists strike for higher pay?

Earlier this month, CAPS members voted to authorize a strike. But just because impasse is declared doesnt mean state scientists are walking off the job anytime soon.

The only way for state worker unions to go on strike, barring any unfair labor practices, is to declare impasse and then exhaust a third-party mediators effort to facilitate negotiations. Under the Ralph C. Dills Act, state civil service employees work under the terms of their old, expired contracts while new ones are negotiated. The no-strike clauses are still considered active until impasse proceedings have been completed.

One public sector labor law expert says its not uncommon for public sector unions, including those that represent state civil service workers, to hit an impasse in bargaining. An impasse declaration also doesnt mean the parties arent still trying to meet and resolve the conflict without going to mediation.

Typically, its not too hard to get PERB to agree to an impasse declaration, said Tim Yeung, a public sector labor expert and managing partner with Sloan Sakai Yeung & Wong.

When PERB looks at an impasse declaration, theyre there solely to determine whether theres an impasse  whether future bargaining is going to be futile, Yeung said. Theyre not there to determine whose position is more reasonable or where the parties should end up.

If PERB decides that the parties have indeed reached an impasse, then CAPS and the state can either mutually agree on a third-party mediator or have the board appoint one for them. Bargaining would continue with the mediators help until an agreement is reached or impasse proceedings fail. Then, and only then, could the state implement its last, best and final offer. At that point, the union could also organize a strike, which Yeung points out is the workers only real point of leverage.

The last time the state of California imposed its last, best and final offer was during Gov. Arnold Schwarzeneggers administration after contract talks with the California Correctional Peace Officers Association ended in impasse. The Legislative Analysts Office characterized CCPOA and the states relationship as completely dysfunctional. Yeung authored a blog post in 2010 affirming that the Schwarzenegger administrations imposition of its offer did not constitute an unfair labor practice.

Yeung doesnt expect CalHR to give in to union demands for significantly higher raises. As a chief negotiator himself, he said its commonplace for management to really hold the line and not offer a union much more, even if the membership has rejected tentative agreements in the past.

If you start giving into that, whats going to happen is everyone is going to reject tentative agreements thinking that youre going to give them more money, he said.

Bargaining is like this dance, and it goes on for a while, he added. Just because they declare impasse, Im sure, doesnt mean that they arent talking to each other.
Schererville Town Council President Tom Schmitt, D-4th, center, accepted a community service award on behalf of the town from Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 17, Hammond. The town hosted the DAV's walk-a-thon event at Redar Park in August, with proceeds donated to local veterans. Presenting the award to the town are Bob Carnegie, DAV State Commander, and Cathy Lareau, St. John Township Trustee. - Original Credit: Post-Tribune (Jim Masters/HANDOUT)

The Town of Schererville is eying a cumulative budget of $53.7 million in 2024 with a General Fund estimate of $14 million.

The Schererville Town Council held an initial, first reading vote on the budget on September 13 with a vote unanimously in favor.

Advertisement

The council wont have the final figures until the Indiana State Board of Accounts does its customary review of the towns budget estimate relative to its sources of revenue. As for revenues derived from property taxes, the town is projecting a 4.53% increase in its 2024 levy, according to figures provided by Clerk-Treasurer Mike Troxell.

Notable fund projections include: Local Road & Street, $1,562,434; Police Pension, $121,550; Municipal Fire and EMS, $1,870,790; Park & Recreation, $1,314,384; Cumulative Capital Development, $2 million; Solid Waste Management, $154,321; Water, $7,031,226; and Waste Water, $5,517,514.

Advertisement

The town will also have more than $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds at its disposal. Troxell said the bulk of the ARPA funds will go toward upgrades to the towns wastewater treatment plan and other infrastructure improvements, along with employee bonuses.

Town Council President Tom Schmitt, D-4th, said he was looking forward to the start of work on a new fire station at Joliet and Anna streets, as well as renovations to the station on Burr Street. He noted that a SAFER grant will fund three new firefighters for the next three years.

The financial picture is looking really positive in Schererville, Schmitt said. All of our accounts are looking really well this year and for the next.

He added that theres much anticipation over a survey of residents as to the best use of the former Illiana Speedway property along U.S. 30. With that information due out soon, the town will be able to move ahead with a massive redevelopment of the property, which will likely be focused recreational development with the possibility of some retain.

Bolstering the towns tax levy are the addition of new retail developments along U.S. 41, such as the opening of Portillos Hot Dogs and Chick-fil-A that opened in the past year. The latest announcement comes from Stans Donuts & Coffee, which is planning to open up store at 1020 U.S. 41, located within the northeast corner of the lot previously occupied by Menards.

To make way for Stans, the Town Council approved a favorable recommendation from the Board of Zoning Appeals to allow the business to operate a drive-through window.

Stans Donuts, which originated in Los Angeles, California, has several locations in the Chicago metropolitan region, and the products are sold in local grocery stores. Stans also ships donut orders and fulfills requests for special types of donuts.

Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
An explosive allegation from Canada that the Indian government may have been behind the assassination of a Sikh separatist activist on Canadian soil has triggered a huge diplomatic row and sent relations between the two plummeting.

It all started on Monday, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed he has credible information linking India to the killing of prominent Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canadas allegation outraged India, which has vehemently denied the claim, calling it absurd and motivated.

Both Canada and India acted swiftly to expel senior diplomats in reciprocal moves earlier this week. And on Thursday, Indias foreign ministry responded by temporarily suspending visa services for Canadian citizens over what it said are security threats against diplomats in Canada.

Trudeau on Thursday called on India to work with Canada and allow justice to follow its course.

Experts say the falling out raises the prospect of an unprecedented rift between two key partners of the United States, and puts other major Western countries in an uncomfortable position.

Heres what you need to know.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was an outspoken supporter of the creation of a separate Sikh homeland known as Khalistan, which would include parts of India's Punjab state. - Sikhs For Justice

What are the two sides saying?

Trudeau claimed in Parliament on Monday that Canadian authorities had been investigating credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of Nijjar, a Sikh Canadian citizen who was gunned down by masked men in June.

Canadas foreign affairs minister Melanie Joly subsequently said that Ottawa had expelled an Indian diplomat, whom she described as the head of the Indian intelligence agency in the country, as a consequence.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the House of Commons foyer on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada, on September 18. - Blair Gable/Reuters

India responded hours later by rejecting Trudeaus allegations, accusing Canada of harboring terrorists and claiming its inaction against extremists had been a long-standing concern. It also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat from the country.

Nijjars death in June shocked the Sikh community in Canada, one of the largest outside India with more than 770,000 members.

Following Trudeaus comments, two Sikh community groups in Canada  the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council and Ontario Gurdwaras Committee  urged the Canadian government to immediately suspend all intelligence, investigative and prosecutorial cooperation with India.

Canadas comprehensive response must reflect the gravity of Indias role in the premeditated murder of a Sikh dissident living in Canada, the groups added in a joint statement.

On Tuesday, Trudeau doubled down on the allegations. He said Canada wasnt trying to provoke India or escalate the situation, but was simply laying out the facts, adding that his government will follow the evidence and make sure that the work is done to hold people to account.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Nijjar was an outspoken supporter of the creation of a separate Sikh homeland known as Khalistan, which would include parts of Indias Punjab state.

The Khalistan movement is outlawed in India and considered a national security threat by the government. A number of groups associated with the movement are listed as terrorist organizations under Indias Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Nijjars name appears on the Home Ministrys list of UAPA terrorists and in 2020, the Indian National Investigation Agency accused him of trying to radicalize the Sikh community across the world in favor of the creation of Khalistan, adding that he had been trying to incite Sikhs to vote for secession, agitate against the government of India and carry out violent activities.

Nijjars friend and former lawyer, who also appears on Indias UAPA wanted list, said Nijjar was warned at least three times by Canadian authorities including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police about threats to his life.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun told CNN that Nijjar was asked to be careful and avoid giving big talks or he would be targeted. CNN has reached out to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Pannun, who faces multiple charges from the Indian government, runs a New York-based outfit called Sikhs for Justice, which has held referendums for a separate Khalistan state. The organization is considered unlawful in India, where its website is not accessible.

Canadian police have not arrested anyone in connection with Nijjars murder. But in an August update, police said they were investigating three suspects and issued a description of a possible getaway vehicle.

Can relations return to where they were?

Relations between the two countries have been tepid for several years and Canadas allegations against the Indian government has further soured things.

Harsh Pant, vice president of foreign policy at the New Delhi based think tank Observer Research Foundation, called the situation quite extraordinary.

Friendly nations dont do this to each other, he said. The challenges (that arise from this) are something to be seen because I dont see any light, at least in the short term, at the end of the tunnel.

Negotiations for a trade deal between the countries have been paused due to issues of serious concern, Indias commerce and trade minister said, according to local reports.

When Modi hosted the Group of 20 (G20) leaders in New Delhi this month, he did not meet Trudeau one-on-one but on the sidelines of the summit, where the Indian leader conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada, according to the Indian government.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with the youngest son of Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while attending a ceremonial reception at the Presidential Palace in New Delhi on February 23, 2018. - PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

Tensions have been simmering under the surface for a while, Pant said.

When Trudeau visited India in 2018, his calendar, which was light on diplomatic meetings, was seen by many as a snub from New Delhi. A year earlier, the Canadian leader had been seen at a Sikh event in Toronto where separatist flags and posters depicting an extremist Sikh leader killed in a 1984 Indian Army operation were displayed.

In its statement on Tuesday, the Indian government said: That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern.

On Thursday, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said it was halting issuing visas to Canadian citizens, blaming security threats.

The issue is of incitement of violence, the inaction by the Canadian authorities, the creation of an environment that disrupts the functioning our high commission and consulates, thats whats making us stop temporarily the issuance of visas or providing visa services, the ministrys spokesman, Arindam Bagchi, told reporters in New Delhi on Thursday.

Despite all this, Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, said he thinks the relationship is salvageable.

He said: Canada is a top investor in India and also (has) a very large Indian diaspora in Canada. And people to people relations are very strong on the whole.

How have others responded?

Canadas allegations come days after Modi hosted world leaders including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Australias Anthony Albanese for the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Each of those countries has a sizable Sikh population and are keen for warm relations with New Delhi, in part as a buttress against the growing assertiveness of China.

However, those three key allies of Canada issued statements that indicated some support for Trudeaus decision to go public with his concerns.

The White House is deeply concerned about the allegations, National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said, adding it was critical that Canadas investigations proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.

A spokesperson for Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the country is also deeply concerned.

We understand these reports will be particularly concerning to some Australian communities, a statement said. The Indian diaspora are valued and important contributors to our vibrant and resilient multicultural society, where all Australians can peacefully and safely express their views.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the British prime minister said, Its right that the Canadian authorities are looking into (the matter), but Im not going to get ahead of that work that needs to take place now.

Kugelman said Canada wouldve gone through a very extensive process to investigate the allegations. It counts on very close intelligence relationships with the US and the UK and Australia among others, he said.

Kugelman added it was notable that Canada is a member of the so-called Five Eyes, an intelligence pact that also includes the United States, Britain and Australia and New Zealand.

Indeed, one would think that Canada wouldve had to undertake a significant, careful investigation before being willing and comfortable to make these allegations public, he added.

CNNs Akanksha Sharma, Manveena Suri and Sahar Akbarzai contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
One school library in Canada trimmed its collection significantly by removing a number of books that were published before 2008, per media reports. | Adobe.com

After a public high school in the Canadian province of Ontario reportedly cut the number of books in its library in half by removing all books published before 2008, saying it was due to an equity-based book weeding process, the Ontario education minister called for the process to end.

The Peel District School Board rolled out a process that led some schools in the area to remove books from the shelves based on publication date, according to CBC.

Among the books removed was The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank. The chair and trustee of the Peel District School Board David Green told CBC the process of book weeding was rolled out wrong and the board has plans to communicate with parents about the weeding process.

The boards director of education Rashmi Swarup said, PDSB teacher librarians have not been given the direction to remove all books published with a publication date older than 2008, nor has the board received provincial direction to remove particular books from our collections, in a statement obtained by the National Post.

The book removal was reportedly in response to a provincial directive from the Minister of Education that appears to have led some schools to remove thousands of books solely because they were published in 2008 or earlier.

In a recording viewed by CBC, a school board trustee Karla Bailey said during a committee meeting in May, When you talk to the librarian in the library, the books are being weeded by the date, no other criteria, as she noted the many empty shelves.

That is where many of us have a real issue. None of us have an issue with removing books that are musty, torn, or racist, outdated. But by weeding a book, removing a book from a shelf, based simply on this date is unacceptable. And yes, I witnessed it, she said.

The directive that led to the removal of books from shelves read, The Board shall evaluate books, media and all other resources currently in use for teaching and learning English, History and Social Sciences for the purpose of utilizing resources that are inclusive and culturally responsive, relevant and reflective of students, and the Boards broad school communities, per the New York Post.

This directive translated into a weeding process implemented by Peel District Board. When books started being removed by date, the process sparked concern from students, parents and community members.

Ontario high school (Erindale Secondary School) student Reina Takata said staff told students, if the shelves look emptier right now its because we have to remove all books (published) prior to 2008, per CBC. Dianne Lawson, member of Libraries not Landfills, told the news outlet a middle school teacher informed her The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank was removed from the shelves.

The Peel District School Board issued a statement to National Review about its decision to remove books from the shelves, which reads in full:

The Peel District School Board follows the library weeding guidelines set by the Canadian School Libraries Association. These guidelines direct the teacher librarians at our 259 schools to keep books with any publishing date that are accurate, relevant to the student population, inclusive, not harmful, and support the current curriculum from the Ministry of Education. To be clear, books such as The Diary of a Young Girl by Ann(e) Frank and the Harry Potter series remain in our collections, and where needed, newer versions may be purchased if the book is in poor condition, regardless of publication date, older or damaged books that are accurate, relevant to the student population, inclusive, not harmful, and support the current curriculum may stay within the school or schools have the opportunity to repurchase newer copies of the same title to replace the damaged ones.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce wrote in a statement obtained by Toronto Star, I have written to the board to immediately end this practice.

Ontario is committed to ensuring that the addition of new books better reflect the rich diversity of our communities, the statement read. It is offensive, illogical and counterintuitive to remove books from years past that educate students on Canadas history, antisemitism or celebrated literary classics.

This week, Peel District School Board is working on offering additional training to library staff and replenishing library resources, according to CTV News.
By Nia Williams and Stephanie Kelly

CALGARY (Reuters) - Canada's Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion (TMX), which will nearly triple the flow of crude from Alberta to Canada's Pacific Coast beginning early next year, will shake up North America's supply by diverting barrels now mainly delivered to refiners and exporters in the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast.

Its startup could add as much as $2 per barrel to prices paid by U.S. Midwest oil refineries that sit along Canada's existing main oil-export route. Plants that benefited from discounted oil include those operated by BP, Citgo Petroleum, Exxon Mobil and Koch Industries' Flint Hills Resources, analysts said.

"They will be competing for barrels that no longer transit through their region," said a Calgary-based oil trader. "The market will have to reshuffle."

The long-delayed and controversial Canadian government-owned C$30.9 billion ($22.81 billion) TMX project is set to begin shipping crude early next year, although it could face up to nine months delay due to a last-minute proposed route change.

Once it starts operating, Canada will be able to ship an extra 590,000 barrels per day (bpd) to Pacific ports for delivery to U.S. West Coast and Asia refiners, where demand for heavy sour crude is expected to climb in the longer-term.

FEWER BLOWOUTS

Canada has supplied the Midwest with all of its crude imports since 2019, according to a Reuters analysis of Energy Information Administration data. That has left Canadian oil producers vulnerable to deep price discounts or "blowouts" whenever pipelines become congested or rupture.

Pipeline operator Enbridge, which ships the bulk of Canada's 3.8 million bpd of crude exports to the U.S., expects to see flows on its Mainline system drop by up to 300,000 bpd once TMX opens.

Last December, a spill on TC Energy's 622,000 bpd Keystone pipeline drove the Canadian heavy crude discount to U.S. oil to more than $33 a barrel, more than double its typical discount.

Having more Canadian export pipeline capacity means crude bottlenecks building up in the Alberta storage hub Hardisty should happen less often, reducing volatility and keeping prices steadier.

"For a decade the U.S. Midwest could count on that kind of blowout every year or two," said Rory Johnston, founder of the Commodity Context newsletter. "That's less likely now."

The start-up of TMX could add a "buck or two" to the cost of a barrel for Midwest refiners, he estimates.

GULF COAST RE-EXPORTS SHUT OUT

TMX also will make Canadian crude "re-exports" from the Gulf Coast less viable, squashing a trend that has gained in momentum in recent years, and increasing shipments of Canadian oil to China, said Matt Smith, lead oil analyst for the Americas at Kpler.

So far this year, over 200,000 bpd of Canadian crude has been re-exported from the U.S. Gulf Coast, up from about 73,000 bpd in 2019, Kpler data showed. China is currently the leading destination for these Canadian re-exports, taking in 194,000 bpd in August.

Heavy Canadian crude will still make it to the U.S. Gulf to be used by refiners there, Smith added, and the region could also see an uptick in Latin American crude being displaced from the U.S. West Coast by TMX barrels.

($1 = 1.3549 Canadian dollars)

(Reporting by Stephanie Kelly and Nia Williams; additional reporting by Laura Sanicola; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
Canada has accused India of being linked to the murder of a Sikh leader on Canadian soil, fuelling a significant rift between the two countries. Who was the man, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, at the centre of those tensions?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was born in the district of Jalandhar in the North Indian state of Punjab. As a young man in 1997, he moved to Canada, where he married, had two sons and worked as a plumber.

Settled in the province of British Columbia, he also made a name for himself as a vocal advocate for the creation of Khalistan - a separate homeland for Sikhs, who are a religious minority that makes up 2% of India's population.

He had been labelled a terrorist by India, accused of, among other activities, being the "mastermind" behind the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), a banned militant group in the country.

He was 45 years old when he was shot and killed by two gunmen wearing dark clothes with hoods outside a Sikh temple in a Vancouver suburb on a June summer evening this year.

The bullets blew in the windows of his grey pickup truck, eyewitnesses told the BBC. Mr Nijjar was behind the wheel when he was hit.

Men who had been playing a game of football nearby said they first thought they heard fireworks, before realising it was the sound of gunshots.

A few gave chase and said they saw the suspects speed off in a car that had been waiting for them.

Police said Mr Nijjar died at the scene.

Those close to him have said he was warned by Canadian intelligence services before his death that he was on a "hit list".

India has always firmly denied any involvement in his killing, and called the allegations by Mr Trudeau "absurd".

To his supporters, Mr Nijjar - who became a Canadian citizen in 2007 - was a peaceful advocate for Sikh independence in British Columbia and a man who cared deeply about his community.

A large memorial has been set up for him outside the Surrey Gurdwara doors where he served as president. His funeral was attended by hundreds.

"He was so full of energy," Doug McCallum, the former mayor of Surrey, told CityNews Vancouver after his death. "I remember he used to pester me all the time to get a volleyball for the youth in the community and to widen the walkway so that people can get exercise."

But in India, he was wanted under India's Terrorist Act for several cases, including a 2007 cinema bombing in Punjab that killed six people and injured 40, and the 2009 assassination of Sikh Indian politician Rulda Singh.

More on the Canada-India rift:

In 2020, a statement by the Indian government accused him of being actively involved in "operationalising, networking, training and financing" KTF members.

He had also been accused of running terrorist training camps in British Columbia for supporters ready to carry out attacks in India.

In July 2022, India's National Investigation Agency, which probes terror-related crimes in the country, announced a $1.2m reward for any information on Mr Nijjar.

Media reports of his alleged terrorist activities began surfacing in India, and later in Canada, in 2016.

At the time, India reported its concerns about Mr Nijjar to Canadian authorities.

Canadian police said in 2016 that they were aware of the allegations levelled against Mr Nijjar, but he was never charged in Canada.

Mr Nijjar himself wrote a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that year about the allegations.

In the letter, reported on by Canadian media at the time, he identifies himself as a "Sikh nationalist who believes in and supports Sikhs' right to self-determination and independence of Indian occupied Punjab through a future referendum".

But he added: "I have never believed in, supported or been involved in any violent activity."

At the time of his death, he had been planning a non-binding referendum for Sikhs living in British Columbia on the creation of an independent state in India - part of a global campaign by US-based group Sikhs for Justice, which is banned in India.

On the day he was killed, he gave a speech calling on the members of his temple to vote in the referendum, saying it would send a strong message to the Indian government.

The Sikh separatist movement has long been a source of tension in the Canada-India relationship, which analysts have said is now at an all-time low.

India has strongly opposed the Khalistan movement. All mainstream political parties, including in Punjab, have denounced violence and separatism.

The demand for Khalistan peaked in India in the 1980s with an armed insurgency, which was later crushed. Thousands of people were killed during the violence.

The movement also resulted in two of the most controversial moments in Indian history.

Indian troops stormed the Golden Temple - the holiest site for Sikhs - to flush out armed separatists who were sheltering in the complex. The operation, ordered by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, resulted in many deaths and caused damage to the temple.

A few months later, she was shot dead by two of her Sikh bodyguards who were upset with her orders. Her death led to days of rioting in Delhi, in which thousands of Sikhs were killed.

But the movement is not prominent in Punjab now, and several groups vocally oppose it.

Its roots in both Canada and Britain can also be traced back to the 1980s, as diaspora groups reacted to the events unfolding in India.

The issue came to a head in 1985 when a bomb exploded on an Air India flight from Toronto to London, killing all 329 people on board.

After a lengthy investigation, two Sikh separatists in British Columbia were acquitted of murder and conspiracy charges in 2005. A third man was found guilty of manslaughter for his role in making the bomb.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly accused Canada of not doing enough to quell Sikh protests and "anti-India" activities in Canada.

Many supporters of Khalistan in Canada maintain that the movement is peaceful, and that they have been a target of disinformation campaigns and harassment by India.

Other Sikhs have distanced themselves from the separatist movement and said that it does not represent the view of the majority of Sikhs in the country.

Ujjal Dosanjh, a Sikh Canadian and a former Premier of British Columbia, said in an interview with BBC Newsday that he does not believe Mr Nijjar was a prominent figure in the global Khalistan movement, calling him a "small fry".

Gurpreet Singh, a British Columbia-based journalist and radio host who has interviewed Mr Nijjar in the past, said he is sceptical of India's claims against the murdered Sikh leader.

"The Indian government has established that he was a terrorist, but on what basis? He was never convicted on any court of law. He has no criminal record in Canada," Mr Singh told the BBC.

The journalist, who describes himself as a secular Indian and who does not support the Khalistan movement, said he remembered Mr Nijjar as a "very soft spoken" person who was active in the local community.

"Nobody saw him spew venom against anyone or be angry," he said. "You may disagree with him on (Khalistan) ... but he had every right to ask for it."
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report)  Cartels are spreading rumors on social media that the border is open, seemingly leading to a recent spike in migrants crossing illegally into El Paso, border authorities say.

In a statement to Border Report, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials said rumors circulating on social media claiming areas of the Southwest border  specifically in the El Paso Sector  are open to illegal migration are patently false.

These rumors are absolutely false and yet another dangerous example of bad actors sharing bad information, read the statement, referring to transnational criminal organizations. The border is not open to illegal migration.

Since the weekend, hundreds of migrants, most from Venezuelan, have been crossing the border illegally and gathering along the border wall in El Paso, where they surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents before being taken to processing centers.

VIDEO: Hundreds of migrants atop train arrive in Juarez

On Monday, hundreds more arrived in Juarez, riding atop a freight train.

However, CBP reminds noncitizens that theyll process them under Title 8, which requires them to apply for asylum interviews using the CBP One app and enter through legal ports of entry. Migrants who attempt to enter the country illegally and cant establish a legal basis to remain in the United States face immediate removal, and repeat offenders face a multi-year ban.

Federal officials legally release certain migrants  including Venezuelans  with the promise that theyll show up to court. According to the City of El Pasos Migrant Situational Awareness Dashboard, federal officials reported 858 community releases on Tuesday, up from 562 on Monday.

Mexican border town adapts to needs of African migrants

The surge in migrants, however, comes as processing facilities and nonprofit shelters that provide beds and help get them to their final destination operate over capacity.

Venezuelan migrants rest in the shade at San Jacinto Plaza in Downtown El Paso after being released by federal officials. (Miguel Paredes/KTSM)

On Monday, migrant families and adults with no place to go gathered under shade at San Jacinto Plaza in the heart of Downtown El Paso.

John Martin, deputy director of the Opportunity Center for the Homeless, which has been housing migrants as of late, said Tuesday that the welcome center is already at capacity.

Thousands more Mauritanians are making their way to the US, thanks to a route spread on social media

Martin said that unlike the influx of migrants in May of this year and December of last year, this third wave of migrants has been slowly building up over the past three to four weeks, and they expect it to continue to build.

As of this morning, we had 125, but Ive already been informed that six families have come in, Martin said. And so were probably approaching 150 to 160, and well see what the final count looks like tonight.

Martin said that roughly 86% of migrants are Venezuelan, and shelters have begun seeing 40-60 new people daily.

On Friday, the city of El Paso said it was concerned that room for new arrivals would quickly run out.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

On Tuesday evening, El Paso Matters, a nonprofit news organization, reported that the El Paso Independent School District approved the sale of Morehead Middle School to the City of El Paso. The school is vacant and had been prepared to house migrants in recent months. The city council will vote on the purchase next week.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Several Catholic priests held a ceremony blessing same-sex and also re-married couples outside Cologne Cathedral in a protest against the city's conservative archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

BERLIN (AP)  Several Catholic priests held a ceremony blessing same-sex couples outside Cologne Cathedral on Wednesday night in a protest against the citys conservative archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.

Their protest was triggered by Cologne church officials' criticism of a priest from Mettmann, a town near Duesseldorf, who in March had held a blessing ceremony for lovers  including same-sex couples.

Officials from the Cologne archdiocese, which Mettmann belongs to, had reprimanded the priest afterward and stressed that the Vatican doesn't allow blessings of same-sex couples, German news agency dpa reported.

The blessing of same-sex couples on Wednesday was the latest sign of rebellion of progressive believers in Germany's most populous diocese with about 1.8 million members.

Several hundred people showed up for the outdoor blessing service for same-sex and also heterosexual couples. Waving rainbow flags, they sang the Beatles hit All You Need Is Love, dpa reported. A total of about 30 couples were blessed.

The German governments LGBTQ+ commissioner called the service an important symbol for the demand to recognize and accept same-sex couples in the Roman Catholic Church.

It is mainly thanks to the churchs grassroots that the church is opening up more and more, Sven Lehmann said, according to dpa. Archbishop Woelki and the Vatican, on the other hand, are light years behind social reality.

Catholic believers in the Cologne archdiocese have long protested their deeply divisive archbishop and have been leaving in droves over allegations that he may have covered up clergy sexual abuse reports.

The crisis of confidence began in 2020, when Woelki, citing legal concerns, kept under wraps a report he commissioned on how local church officials reacted when priests were accused of sexual abuse. That infuriated many Cologne Catholics. A second report, published in March 2021, found 75 cases in which high-ranking officials neglected their duties.

The report absolved Woelki of any neglect of his legal duty with respect to abuse victims. He subsequently said he made mistakes in past cases involving sexual abuse allegations, but insisted he had no intention of resigning.

Two papal envoys were dispatched to Cologne a few months later to investigate possible mistakes by senior officials in handling cases. Their report led Pope Francis to give Woelki a  spiritual timeout  of several months for making major communication errors.

In March 2022, after his return from the timeout, the cardinal submitted an offer to resign, but so far Francis hasn't acted on it.

Germany's many progressive Catholics have also been at odds with the Vatican for a long time.

Several years ago, Germanys Catholic Church launched a reform process with the countrys influential lay group to respond to the clergy sexual abuse scandals, after a report in 2018 found at least 3,677 people were abused by clergy between 1946 and 2014. The report found that the crimes were systematically covered up by church leaders and that there were structural problems in the way power was exercised that favored sexual abuse of minors or made preventing it more difficult.

The Vatican, however, has tried to put the brakes on the German church's controversial reform process, fearing proposals concerning gay people, women and sexual morals will split the church.

On Wednesday night, just across from the hundreds of believers celebrating the blessings of same-sex couples, there were also about a dozen Catholics who demonstrated against the outdoor service, dpa reported. They held up a banner that said Let's stay Catholic.
HARRISON, Ohio (WXIN)  An Ohio coroner has released the cause of death for 52-year-old Ron Sexton.

According to a statement from the Hamilton County Coroners Office, Sexton, known as Donnie Baker on The Bob & Tom Show, died at a hotel in Harrison on July 21 from combined toxic effects from fentanyl and ethanol (alcohol).

Attempted murder charge related to late radio host Ronald Sexton dismissed

Sextons manner of death was reported as accidental after an investigation by Hamilton police and the Hamilton County Coroners Office, according to the statement.

Sexton was known by millions of listeners for the comedic characters he played on air, including Donnie Baker, Kenny Tarmac, Floyd the Trucker and his spot-on celebrity impersonations. The Indianapolis native and resident of Tampa, Florida, had been on tour with his stand-up comedy show in Ohio at the time of his death, the show said.

His family released a statement after his passing, saying, He was Donnie Baker to most of you, but Ron and Dad to us. Please respect our privacy at this time and pray for our family.

Instagram post may shed new light in death of former NFL players mother

In December 2022, Sexton was reportedly shot at by a man while in his vehicle. According to previous reports, Sexton was not hit by any of the bullets and he was alone in the vehicle at the time.

The charges that were filed in relation to the incident, which included attempted murder, were dismissed in late August after his death because there were no other reported witnesses of the incident.

Jocelina Joiner and WXINs Tyrone Frazier III contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
London - A day after Azerbaijan launched an offensive in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, ethnic Armenians there said they agreed to ceasefire terms proposed by Russia. The terms include the complete disarming of local Karabakh forces.

But explosions could still be heard in Nagorno-Karabkh's capital after the ceasefire came into effect, according to CBS News partner network BBC News. Below is a look at what's behind the long-simmering conflict that has claimed thousands of lives in the region.

What is Nagorno-Karabakh?

The breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, recognized internationally as part of Azerbaijan, is seen in red. / Credit: Getty/iStockphoto

Nagorno-Karabakh is a region that lies between Armenia and Azerbaijan. It sits within Azerbaijan's internationally recognized borders, but is predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan were part of the former Soviet Union, and as Soviet rule was coming to an end in the 1980's, the autonomous legislature of Nagorno-Karabakh voted to join the country of Armenia. When the Soviet Union collapsed and Armenia and Azerbaijan gained statehood, Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence, intending to unify with Armenia. But war broke out between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and hundreds of thousands of people being displaced from their homes.

What's behind the latest violence between Azerbaijan and Armenia?

A 1994 ceasefire left Nagorno-Karabakh as a de facto independent region, but with close ties to Armenia. There were intermittent clashes until September 2020, when heavy fighting broke out for seven weeks, killing and wounding tens of thousands more people. Azerbaijan regained control over most of the territory it had lost, and only a small land corridor was left connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

In recent months, tension has risen as Azerbaijan tightened its grip on that small land corridor in order to cement its military gains. Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh complained of shortages of medicine and food.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan said it had launched a new "local anti-terrorist" military operation within the region, demanding the dissolution of the unrecognized pro-Armenian government. Officials in Nagorno-Karabakh have said that at least 32 people were killed in the most recent violence, and 200 more wounded.

Azerbaijan said officials would meet Nagorno-Karabakh's Armenian representatives to discuss "issues of reintegration" on Thursday.

What roles do other major powers play?

The Minsk Group  part of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) co-chaired by Russia, the United States and France  was created in 1994 to try to bring a permanent end to the conflict. It has the power to organize negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

After failed attempts by all three Minsk Group co-chairs, Russia finally brokered the 1994 ceasefire that halted the fighting, as well as eventually brokering a deal that stopped the renewed hostilities in 2020.

As part of that 2020 deal, Russia, which is committed by treaty to defend Armenia in the case of military escalation, said it would send peacekeepers to patrol the corridor between Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia. But Armenia has complained in recent months that Russia hasn't done enough to protect ethnic Armenians in the region, or to ensure the corridor remains open for essential goods to reach the population.

The United States has been vocal in its support for Armenia in recent years, but its NATO ally Turkey has pledged to support Azerbaijan should a conflict erupt in the region.

Merrick Garland questioned on Hunter Biden investigation, says he's not president's lawyer

How likely is a government shutdown amid Republican infighting?

U.S. citizen made guns on demand for Mexican cartel
While the clean girl aesthetic was once trending on TikTok, despite the controversy surrounding its name, it seems as though theres been a significant shift across the platform toward a grittier and deliberately more unkempt style.

On Sept. 17, Russian TikTok creator @pusik107 shared a now-viral look at how she and a friend have been making an abandoned place into our new home. The home, however, appears to be within a dilapidated structure with what some commenters believe to be lead paint and mold on the walls. As of reporting, @pusik107s 14-second video has more than 14.9 million views and 2.2 million likes.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

After discovering the video in question, Akili (@cozyakili) shared his thoughts on the idea behind squatters core and the ways in which it has permeated popular culture.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

So I just saw this video of these two girls moving into Chernobyl. I think theres lead paint on the walls. Im not totally sure, he said on Sept. 18. I was looking through the comments and someone actually called it squatters core, and I think that squatters core is actually a really good name to describe a lot of the aesthetics that weve been seeing recently.

Kanye West, according to Akili, has adopted this aesthetic, given his decision to forgo footwear as of late.

Starting with Kanye. I think Ive been seeing a lot of posts of Kanye running around Italy without shoes on. He also has his wife without shoes, he added, referencing Bianca Censori. And I think squatters core is a good place to start with trying to define this aesthetic.

On Aug. 26, Acne Studios unveiled its fall/winter denim campaign starring Kylie Jenner. The sultry shoot aimed to capture Kylie transformed, stripped back, and undone wearing oversized silhouettes, and distressed and dirty washes.

Squatters core just stands out to me because of the emphasis on dirtiness, which is something that I talked about a year ago where I was talking about cosplaying as poor, Akili continued. The whole construction zone aesthetic. I mean, dont get me wrong, Acne is one of my favorite brands, and I think Kylie looks gorgeous, but squatters core is definitely what its giving.

Is this aesthetic controversial?

On Sept. 5, following the news of Acne Studios latest denim campaign, Hudi (@thethriftythinker), an advocate for sustainable fashion, delved deeper into the brands decision to sell presoiled clothing.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

I thought they were made dirty for the shoot, but no, basically all the clothes in this collection look like this, she said. Fashions gonna fashion, but I do have one thing to say: When fast fashion inevitably brings out copies of these, do not be tempted.

TikTok user @fatmegstiktok pointed out what she deemed the exploitative nature of these garments, and the campaign in general, writing, When homeless people do it, its gross. When working class people do it, its embarrassing. When celebs do it, its fashion.

This isnt the first time TikTok creators have vocalized their criticism of high-end brands capitalizing on the experiences of the unhoused or those who are in financial strife. Earlier this year, Magnolia Pearl, a Texas-based boutique brand, was called out for its poverty core aesthetic and selling of hobo chic garments at inaccessible prices.

The commercialization and turning of homelessness into a coveted sartorial aesthetic has long persisted in the fashion industry. In fact, the 2001 film Zoolander featured the fictional fashion line Derelicte, which satirized fashions glamorization of the homeless.

Some creators on TikTok have also been critical of fellow users whove decided to actually purchase pieces from the Acne Studios drop.

This absolutely cannot be real, I cant believe someone would actually pay hundreds for skid mark jeans, the elite are literally laughing at us, @taleasoldastimes wrote in response to a video posted by Uli (@ulitruly), a 22-year-old fashion influencer who proudly claimed to have purchased jeans that dont even fit me because she was influenced by Jenner.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

If you dont get it, then you dont get it, Uli said in a follow-up video. I feel great, I think I look great and thats all that really matters.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

The post When celebs do it, its fashion: TikTokers raise questions about trending squatters core aesthetic appeared first on In The Know.

More from In The Know:

Woman gives rundown on how to nail the '90s NYC 'fall girlie' aesthetic and TikTokers are eating it up: 'This is what I'm trying to channel'

Creators share mixed reactions to Lyfts 'Women+ Connect' initiative: 'It's so sad that I have to think this way'

You should definitely treat yourself to a new designer bag: These 8 Coach styles are up to 70% off

Treat your sweet tooth with this rich chocolate vegan mousse
You are here: Arts

A Chinese tea culture event was held in Mandalgovi, capital of Dundgovi Province, on Tuesday.

The event featured a traditional tea ceremony, tea tasting, a photo exhibition of Chinese tea culture and tourism, and other related activities.

China and Mongolia should use the tea culture event as a bridge to carry forward the tea road spirit featuring unity, collaboration and pioneering progress and to enhance the friendship between the two peoples, said Li Yanjun, Chinese Consul General in Dornogovi's Zamiin-Uud soum.

"Mongolia, especially our province, is an important node on the 'Tea Road,' so I am thrilled to hold this event in the province," said Munkhbat Tsagaankhuu, governor of Dundgovi province.

The event is part of a series of events entitled "Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon," launched in Mongolia in May this year.
Is the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary a win for the offshore wind energy industry?

Local Indigenous advocates say the federal governments boundaries for the sanctuary appear to favor energy production over protecting biodiversity in the Pacific Ocean off Californias Central Coast.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has proposed a 5,617-square-mile marine sanctuary stretching from Hazard Canyon Reef, south of Morro Bay, to an area just north of Goleta in Santa Barbara County, according to draft designation documents released on Aug. 24.

The release of the draft designation documents  a draft management plan, draft environmental impact statement, proposed regulations and proposed boundaries  kicked off the beginning of the last comment period available to the public, which ends Oct. 25.

After review of the comments, NOAA will release its final designation documents. The sanctuary is expected to be designated in 2024.

Should it be designated, the area NOAA proposed as a marine sanctuary will forever be protected from most types of development, including offshore oil drilling.

While Indigenous advocates called NOAAs vision for the proposed sanctuary a great step in the right direction for protecting the marine environment of the Central Coast, they note that it leaves out a large area included in the original nomination of the sanctuary.

Roughly 2,000 square miles of ocean along a 30-mile section of coastline from just south of Morro Bay to Cambria were excluded from NOAAs proposed boundaries for the marine sanctuary.

There is so much biodiversity and critical habitat in that area, said Violet Sage Walker, chairwoman of the Northern Chumash Tribal Council. Her father, Fred Collins, originally nominated the sanctuary in 2015.

(NOAAs plan) potentially opens up a 30-mile corridor of anything goes,  Walker said.

Framed by Morro Rock, Cal Poly students Lyndsey Goldwyn, left, Sydney Goldwyn and Taylor Marrou exercise their horses on the beach during a break in wet weather on Jan., 6, 2023.

NOAA proposal leaves 30-mile stretch of coast unprotected

Excluding the area from the sanctuary would allow for a corridor for the industrial development associated with offshore wind energy production, according to the NOAAs website for the proposed sanctuary.

The Morro Bay wind energy area  a 376-square-mile area of the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Cambria and San Simeon  was leased to three companies in December for a collective $425.6 million. The area could generate three to six gigawatts of electricity if fully built out with floating wind turbines.

Certain concentrations of this infrastructure may not be compatible with a national marine sanctuary depending on the number of cables and disturbance that could occur, the website says, referencing the 20 to 30 subsea electrical transmission cables and possibly several floating substations expected to be built as part of the offshore wind energy development off Cambrias coast.

NOAAs proposed regulations for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary include a permit process that could allow for the placement and maintenance of offshore wind subsea transmission cables.

This graphic shows what NOAA proposes to be the boundaries of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

However, the disturbance of submerged lands and associated potential impacts on biological resources that could result from development on this scale would likely be unprecedented in a national marine sanctuary, NOAAs docket entry in the Federal Register for the proposed sanctuary said. In excluding this area, NOAA anticipates developers will be able to plan infrastructure for this area, which may minimize the potential requests to use other parts of the proposed sanctuary.

Walker said this makes me nervous.

If what they are proposing is so destructive it cant be in a marine sanctuary, then should it even happen? she asked, noting that the Northern Chumash Tribal Council has historically supported offshore wind energy development.

Michael Khus-Zarate, board member of the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, said theres no valid reason to leave the area unprotected.

The fact that NOAA accepted the nomination as it was means they understand the importance of protecting the entirety of the coast, he said.

Fish-eating sea anemones and purple sea urchins cling to the rocky reef off Point Estero, near a sound-monitoring station inside the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Importantly, NOAAs proposed boundaries for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary do not include Morro Rock, known as Lisamu to the Chumash and Lesamo to the Salinan. The rock is considered a place of spiritual significance for Indigenous peoples and is often the site of religious ceremonies by both the Chumash and Salinan tribes.

Khus-Zarate noted that the Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation has supported offshore wind energy development along the Central Coast as long as it is properly regulated and carefully managed to prevent detrimental environmental impacts.

But we dont want other forms of destructive development, he added. By leaving this corridor open, NOAA is leaving it open for development.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has also supported offshore wind energy development, said Sam Cohen, the tribes government affairs and legal officer.

Were trying to balance the preservation of the ocean and creation of renewable energy development, he said. Its a hard balance.

Painted greenling, convict fish, bat star and sea urchins inhabit a rocky reef off Point Estero near the sound monitoring station in the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

BOEM, offshore wind energy trade group advocated for boundaries

During an initial public comment period for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary in 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management sent a letter to NOAA voicing its concern about the nominated marine sanctuary boundaries.

Designation of CHNMS using the proposed boundaries would prevent BOEM from authorizing any post-designation transmission easements from the Morro Bay (wind energy area) to shore, the letter said.

BOEM requested in its January 2022 letter that NOAA shift the sanctuary boundaries to ensure there were no conflicts between potential offshore wind energy cables and the marine sanctuary.

A map of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

Similarly, the American Clean Power Association and Offshore Wind California, two trade groups advocating for the development of the Morro Bay offshore wind energy area, wrote a joint letter to NOAA in January 2022 to ask NOAA to move the proposed marine sanctuary boundaries.

We are concerned that ... additional legal uncertainty could arise if NOAA were to authorize offshore wind export cables through a national marine sanctuary in BOEMs stead, the letter said. The question of whether NOAA has this authority has never been put to test, and the economic viability of several multi-billion-dollar clean energy infrastructure projects should not rest on novel legal issues.

This is particularly the case where ... NOAA can readily avoid such uncertainty by excluding from NOAAs initial CHNMS boundaries sufficient areas to allow the planning and construction of export cables to the most likely onshore interconnection points along the Central Coast.

Fish-eating sea anemone live on the rocky reef off Point Estero, where NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and partners are listening to underwater sound inside the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.

When asked about the proposed boundaries of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the three offshore wind energy companies that won bids to develop in the Morro Bay wind energy area  Equinor, Invenergy and Golden State Wind  told The Tribune they were still reviewing the draft designation documents.

The companies each noted, however, that they are eager to work with both NOAA and BOEM to ensure the projects can connect to the grid.

To give California full access to the clean energy it needs from the Morro Bay leases, it is vital that offshore wind projects be able to connect to the grid at both Morro Bay and Diablo Canyon, Golden State Wind CEO Tyler Studds wrote in an email to The Tribune. The ongoing regulatory process will determine if that can be accomplished through permits that allow power cables to travel through the new sanctuary or if adjustments need to be made to the boundaries.

It is clear that, at the end of the day, the goals and mission of the sanctuary are fully compatible with building climate-protecting, clean offshore wind energy and bringing that power to Central Coast homes.
FILE - Amanda Darrow, director of youth, family and education programs at the Utah Pride Center, poses with books that have been the subject of complaints from parents on Dec. 16, 2021, in Salt Lake City. The nationwide surge in book bannings continues. The American Library Association reported Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, that challenges to books in schools and public libraries will likely reach record highs in 2023, topping what had been a record pace in 2022. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEW YORK (AP)  Book bans and attempted bans continue to hit record highs, according to the American Library Association. And the efforts now extend as much to public libraries as school-based libraries.

Through the first eight months of 2023, the ALA tracked 695 challenges to library materials and services, compared to 681 during the same time period last year, and a 20% jump in the number of unique titles involved to 1,915. School libraries had long been the predominant target, but in 2023 reports have been near-equally divided between schools and libraries open to the general public, the ALA announced Wednesday.

The irony is that you had some censors who said that those who didn't want books pulled from schools could just go to the public libraries,' says Deborah Caldwell-Stone, who directs the association's Office for Intellectual Freedom.

The ALA defines a challenge as a formal, written complaint filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness.

In 2019, the last pre-pandemic year, the association recorded just 377 challenges, involving 566 titles. The numbers fell in 2020, when many libraries were closed, but have since risen to the most in the association's 20-plus year history of compiling data. Because the totals are based on media accounts and reports submitted by librarians, the ALA regards its numbers as snapshots, with many incidents left unrecorded.

Continuing a trend over the past two years, the challenges are increasingly directed against multiple titles. In 2023, complaints about 100 or more works were recorded by the ALA in 11 states, compared to six last year and none in 2021. The most sweeping challenges often originate with such conservative organizations as Moms for Liberty, which has organized banning efforts nationwide and called for more parental control over books available to children.

There used to be a roughly one-to-one ratio, where a parent would complain about an individual book, like in the days when many were objecting to Harry Potter, Caldwell-Stone says. Now you have people turning up at meetings and asking that 100 titles be removed.

The ALA released its numbers in advance of its annual banned books week, Oct. 1-7, when libraries highlight challenged works. Earlier this year, the association issued its annual top 10 list of the books most objected to in 2022, many of them featuring racial and/or LGBTQ themes. Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer topped the list, followed by George Johnson's All Boys Aren't Blue and Nobel laureate Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye.

Attacks against teachers and librarians have been ongoing in 2023.

At Chapin High School in South Carolina, some students alleged that a teacher made them feel "ashamed to be Caucasian" for assigning Ta-Nehisi Coates' Between the World and Me, an open letter to his son about police violence against Black people that won the National Book Award in 2015. The school removed the book from the syllabus.

In Fort Royal, Virginia, the county board of supervisors is planning to drastically cut funding for the Samuels Public Library in response to conservative complaints about books with gay, lesbian and transgender characters. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill which calls for books depicting sex acts to be removed from school libraries.

Some attacks have affected the library association itself. The ALA's opposition to bannings has led some communities to withdraw their membership, including Campbell County in Wyoming and a local library in Midland, Texas. Missouri officials announced the state would be leaving the ALA at a time when recent laws limited access for young people to books considered inappropriate for their age.

I think this trend is going to continue," Caldwell-Stone says, at least for as long these groups want to go after whole categories of books.
Ever since ChatGPT burst onto the scene last year, a heated debate has centered on its potential benefits and pitfalls for students. As educators worry students could use artificial intelligence tools to cheat, a new survey makes clear its impact on young people: Theyre getting into trouble.

Half of teachers say they know a student at their school who was disciplined or faced negative consequences for using  or being accused of using  generative artificial intelligence like ChatGPT to complete a classroom assignment, according to survey results released Wednesday by the Center for Democracy and Technology, a nonprofit think tank focused on digital rights and expression. The proportion was even higher, at 58%, for those who teach special education.

Cheating concerns were clear, with survey results showing that teachers have grown suspicious of their students. Nearly two-thirds of teachers said that generative AI has made them more distrustful of students and 90% said they suspect kids are using the tools to complete assignments. Yet students themselves who completed the anonymous survey said they rarely use ChatGPT to cheat, but are turning to it for help with personal problems.

Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

The difference between the hype cycle of what people are talking about with generative AI and what students are actually doing, there seems to be a pretty big difference, said Elizabeth Laird, the groups director of equity in civic technology. And one that, I think, can create an unnecessarily adversarial relationship between teachers and students.

Related

National ChatGPT Survey: Teachers Even More Accepting of Chatbot Than Students

Indeed, 58% of students, and 72% of those in special education, said theyve used generative AI during the 2022-23 academic year, just not primarily for the reasons that teachers fear most. Among youth who completed the nationally representative survey, just 23% said they used it for academic purposes and 19% said theyve used the tools to help them write and submit a paper. Instead, 29% reported having used it to deal with anxiety or mental health issues, 22% for issues with friends and 16% for family conflicts.

Part of the disconnect dividing teachers and students, researchers found, may come down to gray areas. Just 40% of parents said they or their child were given guidance on ways they can use generative AI without running afoul of school rules. Only 24% of teachers say theyve been trained on how to respond if they suspect a student used generative AI to cheat.

The results on ChatGPTs educational impacts were included in the Center for Democracy and Technologys broader annual survey analyzing the privacy and civil rights concerns of teachers, students and parents as tech, including artificial intelligence, becomes increasingly engrained in classroom instruction. Beyond generative AI, researchers observed a sharp uptick in digital privacy concerns among students and parents over last year.

Among parents, 73% said theyre concerned about the privacy and security of student data collected and stored by schools, a considerable increase from the 61% who expressed those reservations last year. A similar if less dramatic trend was apparent among students: 62% had data privacy concerns tied to their schools, compared with 57% just a year earlier.

Those rising levels of anxiety, researchers theorized, are likely the result of the growing frequency of cyberattacks on schools, which have become a primary target for ransomware gangs. High-profile breaches, including in Los Angeles and Minneapolis, have compromised a massive trove of highly sensitive student records. Exposed records, investigative reporting by The 74 has found, include student psychological evaluations, reports detailing campus rape cases, student disciplinary records, closely guarded files on campus security, employees financial records and copies of government-issued identification cards.

Survey results found that students in special education, whose records are among the most sensitive that districts maintain, and their parents were significantly more likely than the general education population to report school data privacy and security concerns. As attacks ratchet up, 1 in 5 parents say theyve been notified that their childs school experienced a data breach. Such breach notices, Laird said, led to heightened apprehension.

Related

Its Back to School for Cyber Gangs, Too

Theres not a lot of transparency about school cybersecurity incidents because theres not an affirmative reporting requirement for schools, Laird said. But in instances where parents are notified of breaches, they are more concerned than other parents about student privacy.

Parents and students have also grown increasingly wary of another set of education tools that rely on artificial intelligence: digital surveillance technology. Among them are student activity monitoring tools, such as those offered by the for-profit companies Gaggle and GoGuardian, which rely on algorithms in an effort to keep students safe. The surveillance software employs artificial intelligence to sift through students online activities and flag school administrators  and sometimes the police  when they discover materials related to sex, drugs, violence or self-harm.

Among parents surveyed this year, 55% said they believe the benefits of activity monitoring outweigh the potential harms, down from 63% last year. Among students, 52% said theyre comfortable with academic activity monitoring, a decline from 63% last year.

Such digital surveillance, researchers found, frequently has disparate impacts on students based on their race, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity, potentially violating longstanding federal civil rights laws.

Related

Gaggle Drops LGBTQ Keywords from Student Surveillance Tool Following Bias Concerns

The tools also extend far beyond the school realm, with 40% of teachers reporting their schools monitor students personal devices. More than a third of teachers say they know a student who was contacted by the police because of online monitoring, the survey found, and Black parents were significantly more likely than their white counterparts to fear that information gleaned from online monitoring tools and AI-equipped campus surveillance cameras could fall into the hands of law enforcement.

Center for Democracy and Technology

Meanwhile, as states nationwide pull literature from school library shelves amid a conservative crusade against LGBTQ+ rights, the nonprofit argues that digital tools that filter and block certain online content can amount to a digital book ban. Nearly three-quarters of students  and disproportionately LGBTQ+ youth  said that web filtering tools have prevented them from completing school assignments.

Related

Meet the Gatekeepers of Students Private Lives

The nonprofit highlights how disproportionalities identified in the survey could run counter to federal laws that prohibit discrimination based on race and sex, and those designed to ensure equal access to education for children with disabilities. In a letter sent Wednesday to the White House and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, the Center for Democracy and Technology was joined by a coalition of civil rights groups urging federal officials to take a harder tack on ed tech practices that could threaten students civil rights.

Existing civil rights laws already make schools legally responsible for their own conduct, and that of the companies acting at their direction in preventing discriminatory outcomes on the basis of race, sex and disability, the coalition wrote. The department has long been responsible for holding schools accountable to these standards.

Sign up for the School (in)Security newsletter.

Get the most critical news and information about students' rights, safety and well-being delivered straight to your inbox.
Chatham County Sheriff John Wilcher held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the recent deaths at the Chatham County Jail.

The deaths of two inmates at the Chatham County Detention Center within the past week were both drug overdoses, according to multiple Chatham County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) officials who spoke at a press conference Tuesday afternoon.

Sheriff John Wilcher held the press conference to address concerns and the safety and security of the facility itself.

On Sept. 15, a CCSO Unit Officer discovered detainee Lloyd James unresponsive in his cell at 5:15 a.m. James was transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Four days later, on Sept. 19, a sheriffs officer discovered detainee Marco Danton Ochoa unresponsive in his cell at 4:13 p.m. Ochoa also was transported to Memorial Health University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Region 5 is leading the inquiry to verify the cause of both deaths.

According to CCSO records, 17 inmates have died at the jail since 2016. Thirteen of those deaths occurred between 2016-2022. Investigations revealed that eight of those deaths were by suicide, three by disease, one by natural causes and one by overdose.

Four deaths have occurred this year. The investigations of the death of Gregory Woods, who died on March 5, and the death of Maurice Small, who died on May 5, are pending review by the Chatham County District Attorney's office.

More: Defendants argue that Lee Michael Creely 'caused his own demise' by overdosing on drugs in jail

More: Second inmate in week's time dies at Chatham County Detention Center

More: Georgia Bureau of Investigation looking into death of Chatham County Detention Center inmate

'It's very easy to sneak it in, sneak it out'

As a response to James and Ochoa's deaths, security measures at the Chatham County Jail have been strengthened, CCSO Major Lamiles Hill said.

Those measures included strip-searching and scanning 135 inmates who were located in two different wings and searching their cells for drugs, said Hill. Staff then relocated the inmates to another wing. In total, the process took four hours.

Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) is assisting CCSO with the investigations, CNT Director Mike Sarhatt said at the press conference. Although it will take months to receive the toxicology screenings, Sarhatt said its probably a safe bet that [the two inmate deaths] were opioid-related deaths. The two deaths mark the 65th and 66th overdoses in the county this year, said Sarhatt.

It's very difficult to locate this because of the size, said Sarhatt. And it's very easy to sneak it in, sneak it out.

The inmates and cells are clean now, added Sarhatt, though he did not confirm whether the CNT found drugs during its search.

CCSO Chief Deputy Gary Taylor said the overdoses are not connected. Taylor said the CCSO Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is conducting an internal investigation into the two deaths.

We are here also to make a promise today that the evidence that's led through this investigation, where it leads us, we will act and charge accordingly within the limits of the law to make sure that we send a strong message, said Taylor.

Jail addresses drug issue: 'We're making unprecedented decisions and taking unprecedented action'

The recent drug-related deaths come after multiple jail contractors and employees were arrested and charged with drug-related offenses earlier this year. In February, a nurse practitioner was arrested after being caught stealing medication from an inmate. Also in February, a correctional officer smuggled drugs into the jail using a Styrofoam cup filled with ice. In May, a jail contract worker for Oasis, the private company that manages the detention centers commissary, was paid $1,500 to bring in sheets of paper laced with drugs.

In May, Wilcher requested the Chatham County Commission purchase a $142,500 Tek84 whole-body security scanning system for the detention center. The jail uses one whole-body security scanning system located in Receiving and Discharge, which is used for detecting contraband on incoming detainees, but it "cannot provide adequate coverage" due to the "influx of detainees and the requirements to search all individuals coming into the detention center," Wilcher detailed in the May 12 emergency procurement. The new scanning system, located in Unit 5 in the jail, is not certified yet, so it hasn't been used, Taylor explained.

In September 2021, jail staff intercepted letters and envelopes addressed to inmates that were laced with fentanyl, causing them to change policy, switching to an electronic mail system, a policy that is still in place, Taylor confirmed.

To address the drug issue within the jail, Taylor said at the press conference that CCSO is holding strategic planning meetings. We're doing unprecedented things, we're making unprecedented decisions and taking unprecedented action to protect everyone within the walls of the Chatham County Sheriff's Detention Center.

Drew Favakeh is the public safety and courts reporter for Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at AFavakeh@savannahnow.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Two Chatham County jail deaths attributed to drug overdoses by Sheriff
(Reuters) - The official social media channel of Ramzan Kadyrov , strongman leader of Russia's Chechen Republic and strong ally of President Vladimir Putin , on Wednesday showed a video of him and dismissed social media reports that he was in poor health.

When asked about the reports, which alleged that the 46-year-old had been treated at a Moscow hospital, the Kremlin said this week that it had no information on the subject.

But a video posted on Kadyrov's Telegram channel showed him sitting at the bedside of a man said to be "our dear UNCLE Magomed Abdulkhamidovich Kadyrov" and kissing him on the hand and head. It was not clear when the video had been shot.

"Praise be to the Almighty, I am alive and well and I dont understand at all why there should be a fuss even in the case of my illness?" read the posting, purportedly written by Kadyrov himself.

Spokespeople for the Chechen leader did not answer repeated phone calls earlier in the week seeking comment on the reports that he was ill.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Kevin Liffey, Editing by William Maclean)
Two prominent defendants in the sweeping Georgia election interference case involving former President Trump will be allowed to interview members of the grand jury that investigated and ultimately charged Trump and his allies in attempting to overturn the states election.

Fulton County, Ga., Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled Wednesday that attorneys for Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell may request voluntary interviews with the grand jurors with some oversight from the court.

Defense counsel here are entitled, and would be expected, to conduct a thorough investigation in the zealous representation of their clients, McAfee wrote in court filings. Setting aside scenarios involving harassment of some kind, the desire to simply talk to the grand jurors is not illegal.'

McAfee ordered the defense to submit the questions it intends to ask any willing grand jurors, to which the government will have an opportunity to reply. Then, the court will contact the grand jurors to ask whether they are willing to submit to an interview. Any interviews will be conducted before the court with all parties present, he said.

During a hearing last week on the motion, attorneys for Chesebro and Powell suggested some grand jurors may have felt bullied by prosecutors into voting in favor of charging the defendants. It led to a testy exchange between McAfee and Chesebro attorney Scott Grubman.

Ms. [Fulton County prosecutor Daysha] Young is trying to send my client to prison, and we have the right to know if it was done properly, Grubman said.

Members of the grand jury that defense attorneys have permission to question are not the same people as those on the special grand jury.

The regular grand jury indicted Trump and his 18 co-defendants on charges they entered a criminal enterprise bent on keeping the former president in power after he lost the 2020 election.

The special grand jury was tasked with investigating whether any violation of Georgia law had occurred and creating a report to reflect their findings. The report, which detailed whom the grand jurors suggested should be indicted, was released in full earlier this month.

McAfee also denied the defendants requests to receive all records generated by the special grand jury but said any recordings or transcripts of witness testimony before the grand jury must be turned over.

Decisions in Chesebro and Powells cases have been expedited after the pair invoked their right to a speedy trial. Their joint trial is set to begin in nearly a month, on Oct. 23.

Updated 2:27 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The poet Carl Sandburg must be spinning in his grave. In his 1914 masterpiece, "Chicago," he wrote lovingly of his adopted hometown, which was then booming in population and national significance:

Come and show me another city with lifted head singing so proud to be alive and coarse and strong and cunning. Laughing the stormy, husky, brawling laughter of Youth, half-naked, sweating, proud to be Hog Butcher, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and Freight Handler to the Nation.

That was then. Now the leader of what Sandburg called the "City of the Big Shoulders" is threatening "to work on a pathway toward opening a city-owned grocery store." From Stacker of Wheat to Stacker of Wheat Thins!

This is not progress, it's decline, and on an epically confused scale. If the wide sweep of the past century or so made anything clear, it's that governments at all levels really don't need to be involved in the provision of basic goods and services, whether we're talking about food, airlines, utilities, communications, garbage hauling, health care, taxis, or even a post office (when, in the internet age, is the last time you actually visited that museum of dead letters?). We don't even need the government to get into space anymore! Yet Chicago's government needs to get in the grocery biz?

It just doesn't compute, especially when you consider the actual experience of state-run supermarkets, which was dismal at best, and disastrous at worst, as stores in the old Soviet Union would stock caviar but fail to provide basic staples. As the Cato Institute's Scott Lincicome reminded us, last week was the 34th anniversary of Boris Yeltsin's famous visit to a Texas supermarket in 1989 after checking out NASA's control center in Houston. Yeltsin would later preside over the end of the Soviet Union but at that point, he was a proud, newly elected member of the Supreme Soviet.

Yet he was simply gobsmacked by the sheer abundance and variety of stuff on the shelves, so much so that told his aides, "We have committed a crime against our people by making their standard of living so incomparably lower than that of the Americans." One of his aides said "the last vestige of Bolshevism collapsed" in Yeltsin as a result. As winter draws near, Windy City residents can comfort themselves by remembering that history repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce.

"All Chicagoans deserve to live near convenient, affordable, healthy grocery options," said Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement. "A better, stronger, safer future is one where our youth and our communities have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive. My administration is committed to advancing innovative, whole-of-government approaches to address these inequities. I am proud to work alongside partners to take this step in envisioning what a municipally owned grocery store in Chicago could look like."

Somehow, a city that cannot keep its residents from moving, protect the ones who stay, or educate its children will succeed in a business as difficult as the supermarket game. Somehow, a government synonymous with corruption"more than three dozen Chicago aldermen have been indicted by federal grand juries over the past 50 years"will thrive in a business environment that sent Walmart, Whole Foods, and Aldi, among other chains, packing.

The chief reasons major retailers have left Chicago are things city governments seek to control in favor of their constituents: crime, taxes, and regulations. Yet, as the Chicago Sun-Times reported this summer, the city has failed at those basic tasks:

Grocery operators have pointed to crime and homelessness as reasons they've needed to invest more in security, driving up costs, according to Amanda Lai, a Chicago director of food industry practice for the consulting firm McMillanDoolittle. These grocers also deal with hefty overhead costs in cities.

According to the market-friendly Illinois Policy Institute, Chicago also boasts the second-highest commercial property taxes in the country and the second-highest combined state-and-local sales taxes, neither of which make the city a place likely to draw and keep businesses, especially when combined with population decline and hikes in crime.

But focusing on traditional functions of government such as the protection of individuals and property, and the maintenance of infrastructure and a functional business climate just isn't sexy, especially for a mayor who rose to office on the shoulders of public-sector unions and has called for squeezing $800 million out of the "suburbs, airlines, and ultra-rich" in new taxes. As Reason's Matt Welch noted earlier this year, Mayor Johnson doesn't have to worry about partisanship, either, as the "Windy City has been run by Democratic mayors for 93 consecutive years. The 50-member City Council currently includes zero Republicans. The Cook County Board of Commissioners has 17 seats; 16 are filled by Democrats." By minimizing political backlash, one-party rule tends to insulate politicians from popular outrage. If you can win and keep your party's nomination, you're good as gold, and that's often a function of appealing to small but powerful special interests.

Rather than expanding the functions of government, Johnson and other leaders of failing jurisdictions should be looking to reduce what they do by increasing the efficiency with which they deliver core services. They would do well to model themselves on someone like Mitch Daniels, the former two-term governor of Indiana who recently retired after a highly successful run as the president of Purdue University (where he froze tuition, increased the endowment, and upped the reputation of the institution).

As governor, Daniels used what he called the Yellow Pages test: "If a good or service had multiple providers listed in the business section of the telephone directory, the government shouldn't be doing it." It makes obvious sense to pare back your commitments, especially if you're already failing at your core functions. But it doesn't make political sense, especially when every increase in the size, scope, and spending of government gives you more power to reward your friends with jobs, contracts, and status.

If there's a silver lining to Mayor Johnson's ridiculous proposal, it's that it sounds more like vaporware than a hardcore commitment. As the Chicago Tribune notes, "The first step will be to perform a feasibility study, though the city did not provide a timeline." In true bureaucratic fashion, things will take a long time to even get postponed indefinitely.

In the meantime, Chicago will likely continue its long decline (it's barely maintaining its status as the country's third-largest city), making a mockery of Carl Sandburg's fading vision of it as

Hog Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation's Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders

The post Chicago: From Stacker of Wheat to Stacker of Wheat Thins! appeared first on Reason.com.
A Belleville woman who has a 2-month-old baby girl was the first person released from the St. Clair County Jail under a new criminal justice system that bans cash bail in Illinois.

The woman, 25, is facing battery charges but got to leave the county jail Tuesday after a judge ruled in her favor.

A 38-year-old OFallon man being held on a weapons possession charge also was allowed to leave the jail Tuesday.

However, five others, including two charged with murder, were ordered to remain in the county jail following seven detention hearings conducted Monday and Tuesday in St. Clair County courtrooms.

They were seeking their freedom under Illinois new system in which detention hearings are conducted by judges to determine whether someone should stay in jail before their trial if prosecutors had filed a motion to keep them in custody. Illinois is considered the first state to entirely eliminate cash bail for defendants.

This process replaces the cash bail orders that ended Sunday. Under cash bail rulings, defendants could get out of jail if they posted 10% of their bond amount.

The state Supreme Court ruled in June that legislation abolishing cash bail was constitutional. Its known as the Pretrial Fairness Act component of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today Act, or SAFE-T Act, which was approved along party lines as it was promoted by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and other Illinois Democratic officials and opposed by Republicans.

St. Clair County Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson sat in the courtroom pews to watch how some of the detention hearings progressed Tuesday under the direction of Associate Judge Sara L. Rice.

Gleeson said it is a very small sample size but the new process seems to be working.

The veteran judge said the people who are in the county jail are the ones who need to be there before their trial.

Were not swinging the jail doors open, Gleeson said in an interview after the detention hearings were completed Tuesday afternoon. We are making assessments and determinations as to who can be safely released into our community.

Im afraid that theres been dis- and misinformation that people have the idea that were just letting everybody out. Were not.

Detention hearing process

Under the new detention hearing process to keep someone in jail before trial, prosecutors must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of a person or the community. If the prosecutors allege the person is a flight risk, they have to prove no condition or combination of conditions can mitigate the defendants high likelihood of willful flight, from prosecution, according to a statement by the Illinois Supreme Court Pretrial Implementation Task Force.

Defendants have a right to attorney and can present witnesses.

If a judge decides to detain a defendant, he or she must issue a written order summarizing why less restrictive conditions would not avoid a real and present threat to the safety of any person or persons or the community, based on the specific articulable facts of the case, or prevent the defendants willful flight from prosecution, according to the task force.

Supporters say the process is fair because low-income persons wont be held in jail solely because they cant afford to pay a bail amount.

Opponents such as the Fraternal Order of Police argue that the elimination of cash bail will put dangerous criminals back on the street, instead of keeping them in jail or forcing them to post cash bail as they await trial.

Requests to leave jail

There were four detention hearings on Tuesday and three hearings on Monday in St. Clair County.

In the cases Tuesday, two people were released and two were detained. On Monday, three persons were ordered to be held, according to Capitol News Illinois.

One detention hearing was conducted in Madison County Tuesday and the defendant was ordered to remain in jail on his stalking charges, according to a statement from the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

For the woman who was released in St. Clair County while her battery charges are pending, the new system allowed her to avoid paying a bail, which jail records listed as $25,000. This meant she would have had to pay $2,500 to get out of jail on the charges of aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon and domestic battery/bodily harm.

In her detention hearing, the woman was represented by St. Clair County Public Defender Cathy MacElroy, who told Rice that there is a possibility of a self-defense case to be made and that the victim declined medical treatment in the aftermath of a dispute during the womans Sept. 14 birthday party in Belleville. MacElroy told Rice that the woman and the victim had both been drinking at the party.

St. Clair County Assistant States Attorney Jeff Reel told the judge that the victim was struck by a piece of wood and that the woman charged is a danger to the victim, who attended the detention hearing.

Rice ordered the woman, who had been breastfeeding her child before she was arrested, to stay away from the victim for 72 hours.

Im glad they changed the rules so she can come home, said LaToya Sampson, as she held her granddaughter in the hallway outside the courtroom where the womans hearing was conducted.

Rice also heard another domestic violence case on Tuesday morning.

A 38-year-old man faces charges of aggravated domestic battery and two counts of domestic battery - subsequent offense filed on Sept. 15 out of Caseyville.

Reel told the court that a female victim had told police she had two fractured ribs and that the man had previously been charged in domestic battery cases in St. Clair and Madison counties.

The defendants sister then testified that the victim told her that she may have broken her ribs when she fell multiple times while running from a dispute involving a person repossessing a vehicle before the Caseyville incident.

Rice ruled in favor of the prosecution in this case and ordered the defendant to be detained in the county jail.

Rice also heard about the OFallon mans charge. He has a job, and East St. Louis police had released him after a police officer saw a gun slip out of his pants in a convenience store, according to MacElroy.

The judge decided that the OFallon man could leave the county jail. She ordered him to be home by midnight on the nights that he works and by 10 p.m. on his off days. She also reminded him he was not allowed to own firearms.

In reviewing his case for an unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, Rice said, This is a close one.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) on Wednesday released a brutal new campaign ad against his GOP challenger, Daniel Cameron, featuring a childhood rape survivor ripping Cameron over his hardline opposition to abortion  even in cases of rape or incest.

I was raped by my stepfather after years of sexual abuse. I was 12, a young woman named Hadley says in the ad. Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what its like to stand in my shoes.



This is to you, Daniel Cameron, Hadley says, looking directly into the camera.

To tell a 12 year-old-girl she must have the baby of her stepfather who raped her is unthinkable, she says. Im speaking out because women and girls need to have options. Daniel Cameron would give us none.

You can watch the ad here:

#KYGov: The Andy Beshear campaign is up on TV with this spot --



Hadley to camera:



"This is to you, Daniel Cameron. To tell a 12-year-old girl she must have the baby of her stepfather who raped her is unthinkable" pic.twitter.com/2tW09U4ZUO  Medium Buying (@MediumBuying) September 20, 2023

Camerons campaign quickly responded with a video of its own, featuring Cameron speaking directly into the camera and calling Beshears ad despicable.

Andy Beshear is running the most despicable campaign in Kentucky history. He lectures us on partisanship and unity, then runs disgusting, false attacks, he said. I have said if the legislature were to bring me a bill with exceptions, I would sign it.

But Cameron, who is currently Kentuckys attorney general, has suggested for months that he opposes any exceptions to abortion for survivors of rape and incest. It wasnt until this week, as the Nov. 7 gubernatorial election nears, that hes changed his public position. Beshears campaign has made abortion a central issue in their race, casting Cameron as an extreme and dangerous candidate for governor in a state where voters rejected an anti-abortion constitutional amendment last year.

In a Monday interview on the Tony & Dwight local radio show, Cameron was asked about attacks against him over his opposition to abortion and, specifically, to exceptions for survivors of rape.

If our legislature was to bring legislation before me that provided exceptions for rape and incest, I would sign that legislation, Cameron said. Theres no question about that.

The Beshear administration and the Beshear campaign are running a smear campaign against me, he continued. But its not going to work because people see through the trash they are trying to put out on television.

Camerons comments on Monday are a stark contrast to his longstanding support for the states near-total ban on abortion, which has no exceptions for rape or incest.

In an April interview on WKYT, Cameron was asked if he supports the existing ban.

Im going to continue to support and defend the Human Life Protection Act and continue the work that weve done in court to make sure that law stays intact, Cameron said.

When the anchor specifically asked if he supports the bills lack of exceptions for rape or incest, Cameron responded, Well, there is an exception, obviously, for the life of the mother. And Im going to continue to support that Human Life Protection Act.

Kentucky Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron has said for months that he supports a near-total abortion ban that includes no exceptions for survivors of rape and incest. As his election nears  surprise!  he says of course he would sign a bill with those exceptions.

Kentucky Republican gubernatorial nominee Daniel Cameron has said for months that he supports a near-total abortion ban that includes no exceptions for survivors of rape and incest. As his election nears  surprise!  he says of course he would sign a bill with those exceptions.

Earlier in April, Cameron said in an interview with another local TV station that he was not going to waver in my position on Kentuckys abortion ban and said he would continue to defend the law as is, without exceptions for rape or incest.

Cameron echoed his position again in Nov. 2022, when asked by an Associated Press reporter if he personally supported adding rape and incest exceptions to the states abortion ban.

I support what the Human Life Protection Act says, Cameron told the reporter, expressing support only for an exception to save the life of a pregnant woman.

Public polling on the race has been sparse, though Beshear released an internal poll earlier this month showing him with a 51% to 42% lead over Cameron.

The Kentucky governors race is one of a handful of elections this year that may be a bellwether for how the issue of abortion rights plays out in 2024, a presidential election year. Democrats embraced abortion rights in the 2022 elections and it delivered major victories  a trend that has taken hold since the Supreme Courts decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

Democrats continued their winning streak Tuesday night, when their party handily won special state legislative elections in both Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.
New Zealand has started to celebrate its annual Chinese Language Week, with language learning and cultural events held nationwide to bridge the cultural and linguistic knowledge gap between China and New Zealand by delivering fun and practical initiatives that assist Kiwis to learn Chinese.

"In an increasingly diverse society like New Zealand, learning a language shows respect for culture and a commitment to inclusion," New Zealand China Council Chair John McKinnon said on Tuesday.

New Zealand is an increasingly multicultural society, and in many cases, new Kiwis have a mother tongue that is not one of New Zealand's three recognized languages, McKinnon said.

These new Kiwis often wish to ensure their children maintain this linguistic heritage, so "a wide range of languages are taught formally or informally, in local communities and at home," McKinnon said, adding that this of course includes many families with Chinese-speaking backgrounds.

A variety of cultural activities such as learning the Chinese language and Chinese Kungfu, enjoying Chinese folk music, experiencing Chinese cuisine, Chinese calligraphy workshops, and Chinese lion dance performances, will be held this week across New Zealand.

New Zealand Chinese Language Week is a Kiwi-driven initiative launched in 2014. It is another language week held in New Zealand after Maori Language Week and Pacific Island Language Week.

The number of primary and secondary school students in New Zealand learning Chinese was nearly 70,000 before the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 400 primary and secondary schools offering Chinese courses, according to New Zealand's Ministry of Education.
A Union flag and a Chinese flag are placed at a pole with security cameras in front of a portrait of late Chinese Chairman Mao Zedong at the Tiananmen gate during a visit by British Prime Minister Theresa May to China, in Beijing

HONG KONG (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong slammed a six month report on the financial hub by Britain, saying it ignored "good" societal conditions, a more stable business environment and instead supported "anti China" chaos.

The comments came after Britain published its six monthly report on the Chinese controlled hub, from Jan 1 to June 30, which stated that authorities have extended the application of a Beijing imposed national security law "beyond genuine national security concerns".

Beijing imposed the sweeping law in 2020 after sometimes violent anti-government protests rocked the city in 2019.

While some Western governments have criticised the laws as curbing social and political freedoms in the city, both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said they were vital to restore stability.

Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 from Britain, has had "universal success" in implementing the practise of 'one country, two systems', China's foreign ministry said.

"In recent years the number of people in the UK living in poverty has been increasing...crime rates have hit record highs. What confidence does it have to criticise Hong Kong's democracy and human rights situation?" the ministry said.

"Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail."

The British report said that authorities continue to try to use legal routes to suppress the protest anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' while media tycoon Jimmy Lai's national security trial has been further delayed.

"The UK will always defend universal human rights, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and we will stand up for those who are targeted," it said.

Lai's prosecution is "highly politicised", Britain said, adding that the government continued to press for consular access.

Hong Kong police have also issued arrest warrants and bounties against individuals in the UK and elsewhere, it said adding that Britain would not tolerate attempts to intimidate and silence people in its country.

Hong Kong's legal and judicial systems are at a critical juncture, the report said, adding that while the city's courts remain independent they are having to "adjudicate on an opaque national security law that places the authority of the Chief Executive on security matters above that of their own."

(Reporting by Farah Master; Editing by Michael Perry)
China has a new wide-field telescope up and running.

The Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST), which measures 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in diameter and is situated in the mountains of northwest China's Qinghai province, entered into operation on Sunday (Sept. 17). And for its debut image release, the facility delivered a stunning wide-field, high resolution portrait of our neighboring galaxy, Andromeda .

WFST was jointly developed by the University of Science and Technology of China and the Purple Mountain Observatory (PMO) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The telescope is now the largest time-domain survey facility in the Northern Hemisphere, according to the CAS. It features 9k x 9k mosaic CCD (charge-coupled device) detectors, meaning it has a resolution of 9,000 pixels in both horizontal and vertical axes, allowing it to capture exceptionally detailed astronomical images.

Related: Stunning image of Andromeda galaxy takes top astronomy photography prize of 2023 (gallery)

WFST will monitor specific areas of the sky over a period of time with the aim of picking out transient astronomical events such as supernovas , tidal disruption events and multi-messenger events. It is also nicknamed Mozi, or Micius, after an ancient Chinese philosopher who engaged in early optical experiments.

WFST marks a big step forward for Chinese astronomy . It will greatly improve China's near- Earth object monitoring and early warning capabilities, said Kong Xu, the project's chief designer at the University of Science and Technology of China, CCTV+ reported.

Related Stories:

 Heart of the 'Squid Galaxy' reveals how supermassive black holes dictate galactic chemistry

 James Webb Space Telescope gazes into the Whirlpool galaxy's hypnotic spiral arms (photos)

 Astronomers may have discovered the closest black holes to Earth

"Its lens barrel is relatively long, which reduces stray light," said Zheng Xianzhong, a researcher at PMO. "Its primary camera has a smaller light-blocking area, resulting in higher sensitivity compared to telescopes of the same aperture."

Zheng added that the telescope marked a breakthrough in domestic innovation and is comparable to the most advanced international observation equipment.

Construction of WFST began in July 2019 near Lenghu Town on a plateau with an average elevation of 13,120 ft. (4,000 meters) above sea level. The site offers clear night skies, stable atmospheric conditions, dry climate, and low artificial light pollution, according to CCTV+.
Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie highlighted what he believes to be the most egregious allegation in new reporting about Donald Trump.

The worst part of the report is not, believe it or not, in my mind, the to-do lists on the back of classified documents, the former New Jersey governor told Fox News Neil Cavuto on Tuesday. The worst is when he called that assistant when she was going to go before the grand jury and said, You dont know anything about my boxes, my boxes of documents.

That is active witness tampering. Thats active obstruction of justice, he added.

ABC News reported on Monday that a longtime assistant to the former president told federal investigators that Trump wrote to-do lists for her on White House documents with visible classified markings.

Trump allegedly told the former aide, Molly Michael, You dont know anything about the boxes, after learning the FBI wanted to interview her last year.

The New York Times corroborated ABC News reporting on Tuesday.

A Trump spokesperson told ABC News that the story lacks proper context and Trump did nothing wrong.

Trump, the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination, was charged with dozens of felonies in March over his alleged mishandling of classified documents.

He is also accused of obstructing the investigation and efforts to retrieve the documents stored at his Florida Mar-a-Lago estate.

Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Watch Christies Fox News appearance below.

Related...
WASHINGTON  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday moved forward with confirming three senior military nominees who were blocked by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) amid his monthslong hold on more than 300 military nominations, a small break in the logjam that has frustrated senior Pentagon officials and lawmakers in both parties.

The three officials set to be confirmed are Gen. Eric Smith for Marine Corps commandant, Randy George for chief of staff of the Army, and C.Q. Brown for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Hundreds of other lower-ranking military officials are still waiting for Senate approval as Tuberville singlehandedly blocks them over his objections to the Pentagons policy on travel for abortion care.

In remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer said its long past time that these particular military promotions were approved.

The Senate will overwhelmingly vote to overcome Sen. Tubervilles blockade ... and these three honorable men will finally be able to assume their positions and the abortion policy that Sen. Tuberville abhors will remain in place, he said.

Sen. Tuberville will have accomplished nothing, he added.

The Senate majority leaders decision to set up votes on individual nominees, which Tuberville said he wouldnt object to, is a reversal. Previously, Democrats insisted that Tuberville must drop his hold on all promotions and nominations since holding votes on each would eat up months of valuable floor time.

In essence, Schumer blinked.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Republicans must convince Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) to stop holding up military nominations.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Republicans must convince Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) to stop holding up military nominations.

The New York Democrat has said since February, when Tuberville first began holding up military nominees, that the only way out of the impasse is for GOP leaders to get their colleague to stand down.

The bottom line is, its up to the Republican leadership. This is a problem that they have in their caucus, that they have with the country, Schumer said in July. They are risking our security and its up to them to fix it.

Military nominees are usually confirmed quickly and unanimously in blocks of nominations. To take them up one at a time wouldnt just burn through Senate floor time, it would set a precedent that senators in both parties dont want: allowing a single member to hold up confirmations of vital military nominees in exchange for other policy concessions.

Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has made it clear that hes not happy with what Tuberville is doing, though he hasnt made him stop.

I think holding these non-policymaking, career military [nominees]  is a mistake, McConnell told reporters last week.

What changed on Wednesday was Tuberville and other rank-and-file GOP senators threatening to force a floor vote on Smiths nomination to be Marine Corps commandant. The move was unusual since leadership typically decides what gets a vote on the Senate floor. Republican and Democratic senators worried about the precedent those GOP senators would set if they had succeeded in bypassing leadership, and the consequences such a move could have in the future. The Republican senators ultimately didnt go through with it after Schumer set up the votes.

We forced them today with a cloture petition that would have commandeered the floor from [Schumer]. We would have taken over the floor and he didnt want that, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) told reporters on Wednesday.

Tuberville didnt ultimately get what he wanted on Wednesday, which is for the Pentagon to drop its policy of paid travel for abortion care for service members and their families, which the military put in place after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year. But the Alabama Republican still holds leverage over hundreds of other noncontroversial military nominations still hanging out there.

Its unclear how or when the Senate will approve those nominees, but Democrats are hoping that pressure will continue to build on Tuberville. On Wednesday, Schumer raised the possibility of changing the Senate rules if the Republican lawmaker continues to block military nominations.

Sen. Tubervilles unprecedented disrespect of the men and women who lead our military has, unsurprisingly, caused many of our colleagues to discuss the ways to change the way we process military nominations, he said. They recognize that the Senate process is being abused and that Sen. Tubervilles reckless actions are harming hundreds of military families.

Republicans said they were glad to see any measure of progress even if the path forward for hundreds of others remains uncertain. Tubervilles blockade has left families of nominees stuck in limbo, waiting to receive a raise, move to a new location, enroll their children in new schools or find new jobs for their spouses.

I hope this breaks the logjam somehow. Its a positive step, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) said Wednesday.
The city of Raleigh did not meet with organizers of the Raleigh Christmas Parade to discuss additional safety measures before denying the parades permit, according to Jennifer Martin, executive director of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association.

Our organization requested numerous times to meet with city staff in various departments, including the special events office and Raleigh Police Department, Martin said, addressing city leaders directly Tuesday afternoon. Our requests were left unanswered.

As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday the city of Raleigh had not responded to questions from The News & Observer about whether city staff met with parade organizers about their safety plans.

Raleigh denied the permit last week out of an abundance of caution for parade participants and spectators, as well as respect for Hailey Brooks family and friends, according to the city.

Hailey, 11, was killed in last years parade after a driver lost control of his vehicle while it was pulling a float in the parade. Brooks family, however, said they wanted the parade to continue with additional safety rules. In a statement through their lawyer, the family also said the city hadnt consulted them before making its decision.

In a follow-up interview, Martin said she asked to meet with city staff numerous times to go over the associations plans and see what else it would need to include to address the citys safety concerns.

We also told them we were convening a committee to come up with the new requirements and that we had identified a safety consultant that we would be hiring, Martin said. After submitting the event application we also told them we wanted to share additional safety plans but that there was no place on the application to do so, and we were told they would be in touch about this.

Instead, Martin said she was sent an email on Thursday morning about joining a zoom call at 2 p.m. It was then she learned the permit would be denied. A statement from the city was released to media and the public an hour later.

Jennifer Martin, executive director of Shop Local Raleigh, started working for the organization in 2010.

Parade without motorized vehicles

On Friday, Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said the parade would be allowed without motorized vehicles. A permit had not been issued for the parade as of Tuesday afternoon.

There are still many details to work out and conversations to be had, as is typical in this process, said Robin Deacle, communications director for the city.

Martin originally had accepted the plan to have the parade without vehicles.

The 2023 event will not include motorized vehicles or floats, but still promises to be one thats entertaining for all ages, she said, in a previous interview.

But now she is asking for the parade to move forward as originally requested.

I do think its also important to note that we are asking the Raleigh City Council to permit the parade as requested with motorized vehicles and floats, Martin said in a text message to The N&O.

When did the council know

Martin also said she was told by city staff members that the City Council had weighed in on the decision to cancel this years parade and so was surprised to learn some council members didnt know the permit had been denied.

It is now our understanding that the Raleigh City Council had no input in this decision, she told the council.

In the follow-up interview, Martin said she was told by city staff that the elected officials felt like it was the right thing to do to take a pause this year, just out of respect for the family and those that were impacted.

Approving or denying a special event permit is a staff function and doesnt require a council vote.

But some members were told in passing the permit would likely be denied after the councils Sept. 12 work session, said Baldwin.

Council members videos

Two council members, Christina Jones and Megan Patton, posted videos over the weekend addressing the parade. Jones, who was absent from the Sept. 12 meeting, said in the video she was not told about the parade permit being denied until Thursday.

I do think its important that the public understand what is happening and what is not happening behind closed doors, Jones said in the video. When I ran for office I did so because I wanted a seat at the table. Not for Christina. But for residents.

Patton also addressed the issue during the meeting Tuesday.

Over this past week there have been poor moments of communication across this body, she said. In particular, related to the Christmas Parade. I know that information moves quickly and situations move very rapidly, but I think we can all agree that we are better leaders to our residents when we are working from the same set of facts and working toward the same set of outcomes.

She confirmed she knew about the permit possibly being denied on Sept. 12 but didnt know the parade was back on until media outlets reported it Friday.

The N&O asked the city how council members were notified about the decision to deny the permit but had not gotten a response as of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Who had the audacity

Two other people spoke to the council about the parade Tuesday afternoon.

Robert Courts, a local business advocate, called for a third-party and transparent investigation into how the initial decision to cancel the parade was made.

I want the Raleigh Christmas Parade, and I want to know who had the audacity to make this decision without citizen input, he said.

Gene Alston promised to dress up as Santa and walk through downtown if the parade doesnt happen to give something back to the children.

What happened was an accident, he said. It was a tragedy. And it took one of my kids away. But the other kids not going to be able to see the floats or Santa or anything like that, thats not right. Thats not doing something for that young girl. Its not doing something for her. We need safety measures just like we do the fair. We check every ride. We need to check every car.
The city of Fresno is stepping into the legal fray over Fresno Countys lawsuit against two city councilmembers who are challenging a pair of incumbents on the countys Board of Supervisors.

City Attorney Andrew Janz has filed a proposed friend of the court brief arguing that Fresno Countys lawsuit aimed at councilmembers Garry Bredefeld and Luis Chavez should be dismissed.

Bredefeld and Chavez are accused by the county of allegedly violating an ordinance that put a $30,000 cap on transfers or contributions from a candidates campaign account for non-county elective offices into their campaign for county offices  including the county Board of Supervisors.

The two councilmembers have announced their plans to run for seats on the countys Board of Supervisors in 2024  and to use their hefty City Council campaign treasuries to help bankroll their respective election runs.

In his legal brief, Janz said that the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the California Attorney General have both concluded that intra-candidate transfer bans are unconstitutional expenditure limitations.

Cities and counties across California, including the City of Fresno, have interpreted or drafted their local ordinances to conform to this Constitutional mandate, according to the brief.

If the court rules in the countys favor, Janz said it has the potential to set a precedent that would force the city to rewrite its campaign finance ordinances.

Bredefeld, who represents northeast Fresno on the city council, is running against incumbent District 2 Supervisor Steve Brandau. Chavez, whose city council district encompasses much of southeast Fresno, is challenging District 3 incumbent Supervisor Sal Quintero.

Fresno County Superior Court Judge Jon. M. Skiles will hearing the matter on Sept. 29 in Dept. 403.
One of Russias most important airbases, Chkalovsky, located less than 20 miles from Moscow, is claimed to have been struck by saboteurs. According to the Ukrainian military intelligence service, two fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter were blown up by explosive charges placed on them, during an operation carried out on September 18.

A satellite image supposedly taken of the base after the raid has been widely shared on social media, although its not possible to confirm whether some of the aircraft shown were indeed attacked, let alone to determine the level of damage. Two other, blurred photos have emerged that are purported to show a view over a perimeter wall at Chkalovsky, presumably taken by one of the saboteurs. Again, its not possible to ascertain any details about a potential raid from these photos alone.

https://www.twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1704429421992542650?s=20

In a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, Anton Gerashchenko, an advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, provided the following account of the operation, providing information that he attributed to the countrys military intelligence service or GUR:

Unidentified saboteurs blew up two airplanes and a helicopter in Moscow region on September 18. The sabotage reportedly took place at the Chkalovsky Air Base, where government planes, doomsday planes, and reconnaissance aircraft are based. Unidentified persons placed explosives on a closely guarded airfield and blew up An-148 and Il-20 aircraft (both belonging to the 354th Special Operations Aviation Regiment), as well as a Mi-28N helicopter, which had previously been actively engaged in shooting down attack drones. Due to the damage, quick repair is impossible. The helicopters tail section was damaged. Another An-148, which was parked next to the others, sustained minor damage.

https://www.twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1704426794043035781?s=20

In a statement on the Telegram messaging app, the GUR also said that unidentified saboteurs were responsible for the attack on what it described as a heavily guarded airfield. However, the GUR stopped short of claiming that the first three aircraft in question were destroyed, instead stating that they were badly damaged.

The GUR also said the incident caused considerable hysteria in the highest military corridors due to the fact that the airbase hosts government aircraft, so-called doomsday planes, and special aircraft (reconnaissance aircraft).

A satellite view Chkalovsky, a military airbase near Shchyolkovo, Moscow Oblast, Russia. Google Earth

A satellite view of the same air base, dated May 2023, reveals some of the sheer number and variety of transport types based there. Google Earth

As to the aircraft claimed to have been hit, the An-148 twin-engine regional jet was designed in Ukraine but also built in Russia and is used by the Russian Ministry of Defense as an executive transport. The defense ministry ordered 15 examples, which are now based at Chkalovsky, Levashovo, Rostov-on-Don, and Yekaterinburg. Since production was terminated after the breakdown in Russia-Ukraine relations in 2014, replacing these relatively new aircraft is by no means easy.

An Antonov An-148 operated by Rossiya  the Special Flight Detachment  used to transport government officials, seen at St. Petersburg in 2010. Igor Dvurekov/Wikimedia Commons

The reported loss of an Il-20M, however, would represent a much more significant blow to the Russian military. Known to NATO as Coot-A, the Il-20M is a radar reconnaissance and electronic intelligence (ELINT) aircraft based on the 1950s-era Ilyushin Il-18 airliner. Only around a dozen of these aircraft are thought to be operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces on behalf of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces. Replacing these aircraft on a one-for-one basis is now nearly impossible as there is no immediate successor in the same role.

An Ilyushin Il-20M Coot-A. Dmitry Terekhov/Wikimedia Commons

The Il-20M is used for intelligence-gathering missions around the world, including over the Baltic Sea, the Sea of Japan, and the Mediterranean. One example was mistakenly shot down in September 2018 by Syrian air defenses, as you can read about here . Most of the Il-20M fleet is based at Chkalovsky, together with the Il-22 airborne command post version and derivatives. One Il-22 was shot down, apparently by the Wagner Group , during the attempted coup in Russia in June this year.

https://www.twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1672542143280234496?s=20

As the late Ukrainian Air Force MiG-29 pilot Andrii Pilshchykov, better known as Juice, told The War Zone last year , the Il-20 is a particular headache for the Ukrainians, due to its ability to snoop on electronic emissions, helping locate military positions including ground-based air defense systems.

Finally, the Mi-28N Havoc-B is one of the most important anti-tank and attack helicopters used by Russia in its war in Ukraine, with the latest Mi-28NM also having been employed, together with the new-generation LMUR air-to-ground missile, which you can read more about here . Around a dozen Mi-28s have already been lost in the Ukrainian campaign, from a pre-war total of approximately 110 examples.

Mi-28N helicopters from the 344th State Combat Training and Flight Crew Conversion Center in Torzhok. Andrei Shmatko/Wikimedia Commons

Interestingly, the GRU account states that the Mi-28N in question had been used in an air-to-air role, helping protect the Russian capital region against the now ever-present threat of Ukrainian drone strikes . This is a role in which we have recently seen the Mi-28 active, too, based on videos posted to social media, including the one below.

https://www.twitter.com/Tendar/status/1697539007100367014?s=20

At this stage, theres no independent verification of the GRUs claims, although Russia, at least, has confirmed that some kind of sabotage operation did take place.

There have been apparent sabotage raids on airbases deep in Russia previously. In November 2022, we reported on an apparent attack against a Russian airbase in the Pskov region, in the far west of the country, which was filmed by the operatives before they placed explosives on Ka-52 Hokum-B attack helicopters. You can read about that incident in detail here .

https://www.twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1587182889002827780?s=20

In May this year, meanwhile, Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) confirmed a sabotage attack against a Russian strike or reconnaissance aircraft at an aircraft factory in Siberia. This was reportedly an arson attack, although its unclear if the aircraft in question was actually airworthy at the time.

https://www.twitter.com/LotA_IL/status/1656020414668185648?s=20

A sabotage attack on Chkalovsky is an altogether bolder undertaking, however, due to the airbases unique importance.

This base is responsible for the 8th Aviation Division of Special Purpose (8 ADON, to give its Russian acronym) which supports the commanders of the Russian Armed Forces as well as state authorities in wartime. Its fleet of around 100 passenger and transport aircraft is used to move military personnel, including special forces, and support foreign operations, including in Syria .

Even more critical, however, are Chkalovskys special mission aircraft, which as well as the aforementioned Il-20M and Il-22 also include the Il-80 airborne command post and Il-82 communications relay aircraft, which have a strategic wartime role, equivalent to the U.S. militarys  doomsday aircraft .

An Ilyushin Il-80 airborne command post at Chkalovskyin March 2011. Alex Beltyukov/Wikimedia Commons

Among the best-known aircraft assigned to Chkalovsky are those operated by the 223rd Detachment, technically a commercial entity, but previously part of the 8th Aviation Division. It is responsible for around 20 Il-62, Il-76, Tu-134, and Tu-154 aircraft that are used to transport government officials, including President Vladimir Putin himself.

Regardless of whatever damage may have been inflicted on aircraft at the base northeast of Moscow, if saboteurs did manage to penetrate Chkalovsky it clearly points to major security loopholes, and once that could, in the most serious instance, have an effect on the countrys overall military and strategic readiness. Even the loss or damage of one of the presidential jets would be a colossal embarrassment, although in this case, the 223rd Detachment seems to have been untouched.

On the other hand, even Russian airbases housing other strategic assets have been subject to incursions in the recent past, by apparent criminal elements , while other airfields have been penetrated by drunken soldiers in command of an armored vehicle , for example.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHqNJZlwvDk

With that in mind, a team of well-organized saboteurs having got through the fence at Chkalovsky is far from unthinkable. At this stage, however, there is little in the way of evidence to back up the GURs claims, although we will watch this story with interest for any further developments.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
Ukrainian special services may have been responsible for a military operation against a Wagner-backed militia in Sudan, according to a CNN investigation published Sept. 19.

An unnamed Ukrainian military source told CNN that the operation, which involved a series of drone strikes and a ground operation, was conducted by "non-Sudanese military."

The source also said that Ukrainian special services were likely responsible.

The attacks targeted the Wagner-backed militia Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting the Sudanese army for control of the country since April.

CNN's investigation did not find conclusive proof that Kyiv was behind the operation, but did obtain video footage showing "the hallmarks of Ukrainian-style drone attacks."

The strikes began on Sept. 8, two days after the Wagner mercenary organization sent several trucks loaded with weapons to an RSF garrison. Drones deployed in at least eight of the strikes were the same as those widely used by Ukrainian forces, and the drone controller featured Ukrainian text.

Experts consulted in the investigation also told CNN that the tactics used in the strikes reflect Ukrainian military patterns.

However, some officials consulted doubted the source's claim.

A top-ranking Sudanese military official told CNN he did not believe the claim and that he had "no knowledge of a Ukrainian operation in Sudan."

Similarly, multiple U.S. officials responded to the reports with surprise and skepticism.

Kyiv has not claimed responsibility for the operation in Sudan.

The Wagner Group's involvement in African conflicts has been linked to the Russian government's efforts to finance its war in Ukraine. The organization's brutality in several African countries, including Sudan, has brought international sanctions on Wagner leaders.

Read also: Wagner boss Prigozhin is dead. Heres what it means for Africa

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ever wonder what more than $160 million in cocaine looks like? Thats how much the Coast Guard confiscated this week.

Crews on Tuesday uncovered more than 12,100 pounds of drugs in nine separate busts in the Caribbean Sea, according to a release from the Coast Guard District Seven, which is headquartered in Miami. The Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal British Navy and U.S. Customs and Border Protection assisted in the crackdowns.

A total of 17 people were arrested and will face time in federal prison, according to the release. The Coast Guard district told the Miami Herald it cant release information about the detained people, citing that they havent been formally charged as of Wednesday evening.

The cases will be handled by several U.S. Attorneys offices, including the Southern District of Florida, Middle District of Florida and District of Puerto Rico.

Coast Guard crews uncovered more than 12,100 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $160 million, in nine separate busts in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

Yesterdays contraband offload represents what can be achieved when U.S. and international defense and law enforcement agencies work together to combat the entry of illicit drugs into the United States, Coast Guard District Sevens Lt. Fernando Pla said in the release.

The Coast Guards efforts to stop drug trafficking involve collaboration with other law enforcement agencies at the federal and international level, according to the release. When monitoring suspected smugglers in the Caribbean, a Key West-based task force tips off Coast Guard District Seven, which then prepares to seize the illegal substances.

Coast Guard crews uncovered more than 12,100 pounds of cocaine, valued at over $160 million, in nine separate busts in the Caribbean Sea on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.
This aerial photo taken on July 11, 2023 shows new energy vehicles for export at a terminal of Taicang Port in east China's Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The European Commission's anti-subsidy investigation into China's electric vehicles (EV) has cast a dark cloud over an emerging EV sector considered essential to the global fight against climate change, as the expectations of additional duties could result in immediate buyer hesitation among European importers, while also distorting prices and disrupting supplies in the long run.



When speaking at her annual State of the Union address at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, President Ursula von der Leyen reiterated her "de-risk approach" to dealing with ties between the European Union (EU) and China, claiming the prices of EVs from China have been "kept artificially low by huge state subsidies."

She insisted that the inflow of Chinese products is "distorting" the EU market, labeling what is ahead as "a race to the bottom."

As soon as this news came out, the Chinese government, business organizations and auto and law specialists voiced their objections to the EU's move, and also expressed deep concern about the future of the global EV industry.

A spokesperson with China's Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said that the investigation proposed by the EU is a practice of pure "protectionism" that is intended, in essence, to protect the EU's own industry in the name of "fair competition."

The probe will seriously disrupt and distort global automotive industrial and supply chains, including those in the EU, and it will have a negative impact on China-EU economic and trade relations, the spokesperson said.

China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU), an industrial association comprising nearly 1,000 Chinese firms in the EU, has urged the EU to approach the progress of China's EV industry with objectivity, rather than resorting to unilateral economic and trade measures that could obstruct the development and elevate operational expenses of Chinese EV products within the European market.

Trade protection

A trade remedy team of the Beijing-based Dentons Law Firm noted that back in mid-June, European Commission officials had revealed the intention of launching trade remedy investigations into China's EVs, but EU members were at loggerheads over taking trade measures against China's high-end mechanical and electrical products.



Sun Lei, senior partner with Dentons, said there were multiple reasons for the EU's bypassing of anti-dumping and conducting only a countervailing probe.

One factor could be the fact that the preliminary ruling and investigations for an anti-subsidy probe takes significantly shorter time than that for anti-dumping, which may be conducive to the EU's rapid implementation of trade protection measures, Sun noted.

"The commission can initiate an investigation on its own. But such an ex officio initiation without having received a complaint is more likely to be politically inclined," Sun said.

"It is noteworthy that the electric vehicle industry in China enjoys a robust cooperative partnership with the European and global automotive industry networks, and the creation of each electric vehicle involves the collaborative efforts of tens of thousands of suppliers from around the world," said the CCCEU.

"Duties are at the core of countervailing measures. The levels of the duties will not affect market demand, but will change the structure of supplies. The repercussions for the EU's own industry will depend on the extent to which it has been integrated with Chinese EV industrial chains," Sun said.

China's new energy vehicle (NEV) exports surged 90 percent year on year in 2022, with orders from Europe accounting for 48 percent of the total. In the first eight months of this year, the country exported 727,000 NEVs, an increase of 110 percent from a year ago.

Mei Xinyu, a researcher with the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation under the MOC, attributed the rapid expansion of China's new energy vehicle industry to its world-leading technological innovation, and the virtuous circle between large-scale production and mass sales.

The so-called "de-risk" approach will do nothing but deliver self-inflicted disruptions to the EU's auto supply and will drive up prices, which will end up hurting the competitiveness of its local automakers, Mei said.

The EU's commitment to market openness must be translated into tangible measures, ensuring a fair, impartial, and non-discriminatory business environment for foreign companies, the CCCEU said, cautioning that efforts to restrict products solely based on their country of origin would run counter to the EU's WTO commitments.

Industrial opposition

China has established the world's largest NEV sales market and production center within a very short space of time, and this would not have been possible without its non-discriminatory stimulus policies, Mei said.



Mei highlighted the building of a big sales market as key to developing local EV industry, saying that it will attract investors to make bigger investments in setting up factories, scaling up production and sharpening international competitiveness.

From that perspective, adopting non-discriminatory stimulus policies in a certain development stage is a right path to fostering the domestic EV market, Mei said.

Cui Dongshu, secretary general of the China Passenger Car Association, also expressed opposition to the EU's comments on China-made NEVs.

The strong export of China's NEVs is well underpinned by its industrial chain, which has built up its strength under full market competition, not state subsidies, Cui said.

"Chinese EV manufacturers, along with their upstream and downstream industry partners, have persistently pushed the boundaries of innovation. This concerted effort has resulted in a substantial industrial edge within both the fiercely competitive domestic Chinese market and the global arena," the CCCEU said.

It's crucial to emphasize that this advantage is not a product of 'huge state subsidies' as claimed by the commission, the chamber added.

According to Cui, the key to evaluating anti-dumping or anti-subsidy investigations is finding evidence of material injury caused by low-priced goods to local industries, but the prices of China-made cars exported to Europe are now nearly double that found in China.

Such anti-subsidy probes are inevitable as China's NEV industry becomes stronger, the secretary general said. "When you're strong, people will notice and some might feel uncomfortable with that."

The way out

Experts said that the EU's attitude towards China's electric vehicles also exposed its concern over the unbalanced trade between China and the EU.



China's trade surplus with the EU is a natural result under the combined influence of different industrial structures, industrial specialization, ways of trade and external factors, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said previously.

According to the spokesperson, EU restrictions on the export of high-tech products to China in recent years directly limited the EU's ability to tap the potential of exports to China and led to unbalanced trade between the two sides.

In a world of rising protectionism and trade fragmentation, leveraging unilateral economic and trade measures at will is not a good strategy for helping to solve the bottlenecks of a country's industry development.

To solve the problem fundamentally, China and the EU need to find common interests, strengthen dialogue and cooperation, and jointly promote institutional openness and alignment of rules while opening up trade, Sun said.

China always maintains an open and cooperative attitude, and welcomes EU automotive companies to expand their investment in the country, including investment in electric vehicles, said the spokesperson with the MOC.

China urged the EU to conduct dialogue and consultation with China, taking into consideration the bigger picture of maintaining the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership and the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the spokesperson said.

The two sides should work together to create a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable market environment for the common development of the China-EU electric vehicle industry, oppose trade protectionism, and commit to global efforts to address climate change and achieve carbon neutrality, the spokesperson said.

China will pay close attention to the EU's protectionist inclinations and follow-up actions, and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, the spokesperson added.
Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers is asking for help solve a cold case out of Fayette County.

Donald Roy Wilt, 26, was killed in a road rage incident in Henry Clay Township on Aug. 30, 1980.

After finishing dinner with his wife at a restaurant in the Grantsville area, Wilt headed west on Route 40 toward Henry Clay Township in his 1969 Chevrolet Chevette. Witnesses told police something struck the windshield of Wilts car and caused it to crack. It appeared Wilt felt that the driver of a white Chrysler Cordoba was responsible for the broken windshield, whether from a thrown item or from a rock kicked up by the car.

Wilt was spotted by several people along Route 40 hanging from the window of his car yelling toward the Cordoba as they continued to travel west.

The driver of the Cordoba fired at Wilt during their exchange. Wilts car crashed into mailboxes and a tree. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The case has remained unsolved with investigators still trying to determine who shot and killed Wilt.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the state police in Uniontown at 724-439-7111 and speak to Trooper Egros or contact the Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477) or online. All callers remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward of $5,000.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

LATEST: Lindsay Powell projected winner in special election, giving Democrats control of State House Woman accused of running her boyfriend over with a car in Hempfield Township Man charged with transporting more than $1.5M in fentanyl fails to appear in court for 2nd time VIDEO: Fire rips through beloved pizza shop in Jefferson Hills DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
In the wake of the fatal shooting of Arthur Pickens early May 14 and a shootout that wounded 10 people early May 6, Columbus police had an increased police presence in cruisers, on bicycles and on foot in the Short North beginning the weekend of May 19. Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther had requested that businesses voluntarily close at midnight on the weekends, but the move was met with resistance from many businesses.

A Columbus man wanted on a murder warrant for the fatal shooting of another man in May in the Short North is now in custody in the Franklin County jail.

Quran Boston, 19, was arrested late Tuesday afternoon in the 1400 block of East Hudson Street in Linden without incident by the U.S. Marshals Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (SOFAST), with assistance from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Special Response Team (SRT).

Boston, who had resided on the city's West Side at the time, is accused of fatally shooting Arthur Pickens, 21, on May 14 on the 900 block of North High Street, city homicide detectives said.

Police responding just before 2:45 a.m. May 14 to a report of a fight in the area of North High Street and East 1st Avenue heard gunfire. Officers found Pickens lying in front of a bar in the 900 block of North High with a gunshot wound.

He was transported to Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he died at 3:07 a.m., police said.

Homicide detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Boston just days after the shooting, which was the second weekend in a row of gun violence in the popular Short North, and prompted increased city police presence there for several weeks. Mayor Andrew Ginther called for busnesses there to close early on the weekends, but that request was ignored by most businesses.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Columbus police Homicide Unit at (614) 645-4730 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-TIPS (8477).

jwilhelm@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Murder suspect wanted in May 14 Short North shooting now in custody
The chief of police in Columbus, Ohio, apologized to a father for the conduct of an officer.

A video seemed to show officers blaming his 11-year-old girl for being groomed.

Chief Elaine R. Bryant said they were "investigating" the incident, and the officers' actions.

The chief of police in Columbus, Ohio, apologized to a father who posted a video showing two officers blaming his 11-year-old daughter for being groomed after he called to report it.

The department announced an investigation into its response after the man shared a doorbell-cam video of the interaction.

The father said he called the police because the girl was manipulated into sending explicit images of herself to an adult man. The video showed one officer warning that the girl could be charged and punished for creating "child porn."

Chief Elaine R. Bryant said in a statement posted on Tuesday night that the Columbus Division of Police was "investigating" its officers' conduct.

"My expectation is that our officers treat every victim of crime with compassion, decency, and dignity," she said. "What I saw in that video did not reflect that."

She said the the case had been referred to the department's Inspector General.

"I want to make clear  this incident does not reflect the Division as a whole," she continued. "Our officers do outstanding work to bring comfort and justice to victims every day.

"As soon as we learned of this incident, we immediately reached out to the father to apologize, and to assure him that this matter was being fully investigated  both the actions of this officer, and more importantly, any crime committed against his child."

Insider knows the name of the girl's father, but is not sharing it since he has identified his daughter as the victim of a sex crime.

He posted the video of his encounter on Facebook Friday, and again on Monday to TikTok, where it quickly began to spread. It has amassed over 700,000 views, but TikTokers with larger followings re-sharing it have reached millions.

The TikTok post said the daughter had been "a victim" of an "online predator" who was "a grown man."

"He manipulated her into sending pictures of herself," he wrote as the caption of the video.

The video captures a short conversation between the man and one of two officers that arrived. The officer seemed dismissive of him, and immediately jumped to telling him what his minor daughter could be charged with.

"I mean, she can probably get charged with child porn," she informed him.

"Who, she can?" the dad responds. "She's 11 years old."

"Doesn't matter," the female officer insists. "She's still making porn."

Advocates generally object to the term "child porn," arguing that it creates a false association with the pornography created by consenting adults. They generally refer to explicit imagery of children as child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The Columbus Division of Police released a statement shortly after the video gained attention on the internet, describing the inspector-general investigation. Bryant added her more forceful statement later. The department has not named the officers in the video.

Bryant concluded her statement by saying: "As I have said from the first day on the job  when our officers do the right thing, we will have their back. When they don't, we will hold them accountable."

Read the original article on Insider
A Columbus school is among the eight in Georgia to receive a national award this week from the U.S. Department of Education.

St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School is a 2023 National Blue Ribbon School for exemplary high performance, defined by extraordinary academic achievement on state or national tests.

The other National Blue Ribbon School category is for exemplary performance in closing achievement gaps between student subgroups and all students.

Overall, the USDOE selected 353 schools (40 of them are private) for this recognition in 2023.

Along with St. Anne-Pacelli, the other National Blue Ribbon Schools in Georgia this year are:

Robert A. Cross Middle School in Dougherty County

St. Jude the Apostle Catholic School of Atlanta

Harris Elementary School in Gwinnett County

Westside Middle School in Whitfield County

Blessed Trinity Catholic High School in Roswell

Pharr Elementary School in Gwinnett County

Quail Run Elementary School in Houston County.

Five schools in Alabama received the award this year:

Cordova Elementary School in Walker County

Mt. Carmel Elementary School in Madison County

Creek View Elementary School in Alabaster

Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School

Skyline High School in Jackson County.

The honorees for our 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools Award have set a national example for what it means to Raise the Bar in education, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a news release. The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

St. Anne-Pacelli president Ronie Collins said in the news release, This recognition is a testament to our commitment to excellence in education. Our faculty, staff, students, parents, and community work together to create an environment that fosters student achievement and a love for learning.

The test scores that helped St. Anne-Pacelli earn this award are from MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment by the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association), an Oregon-based a nonprofit organization that has assessed more than 4.5 million students in 49 foreign countries, all 50 U.S. states, and 3,400 school districts.

St. Anne-Pacelli scored in the nations top 10% in all subjects and grade levels, Collins told the Ledger-Enquirer. Providing supporting evidence of rigor in the curriculum also helped the school earn this award, she said.

Five other schools in Columbus have won a National Blue Ribbon: Britt David Magnet Academy (1999, 2004, 2012 and 2018), Columbus High School (2004), Edgewood Elementary School (2004), Hardaway High School (1985) and Rigdon Road Elementary School (2005).

Collins was assistant principal of Britt David the first year it won a National Blue Ribbon, then principal the second and third years.
Several misguided California lawmakers are seeking to strike Donald Trump 's name from the March 2024 primary ballot. The 2020 general election ballot is pictured. (Jon Elswick / Associated Press)

Donald Trump is a cancer on the body politic, a malignant tumor of a man who turns just about everything he touches into rot.

He's coarsened our culture, trampled our Constitution and helped widen the country's partisan divide into a yawning, seemingly unbridgeable chasm.

In a just and sane world, Trump will never come remotely close to holding elected office ever again.

But that doesn't mean he should be kicked off the 2024 ballot, or otherwise prevented from putting his name before voters as he bids to return to the White House and wreak further havoc.

That's a terrible idea, which several misguided California lawmakers took up this week, asking Democratic Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta to unilaterally strike Trump's name from consideration in the March 5 primary.

The notion, resting on legally shaky ground, may enthrall Trump's critics. It may entice those who rightly worry about what would remain of our democracy if Trump  unbound, unhinged  were restored to power with a voter mandate that not only ignored his dishonesty and bottomless mendacity. but implicitly endorsed it.

Read more: Should Supreme Court disqualify Trump from running? Justices may be asked to rule

However, keeping Trump off the ballot would only serve to further undermine Americans' flagging faith in our wobbly democracy and strengthen Trump's self-pitying claims of victimization. It would elevate the execrable ex-president, for all his myriad and many misdeeds, to stand astride the political and moral high ground.

Why would we ever let that happen?

The effort to bar Trump from again being president is rooted in the post-Civil War 14th Amendment and, specifically, a provision stating that political leaders who betrayed their oath and engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States would be disqualified from elected office.

The notion, which surfaced soon after the deadly Jan. 6 assault on the Capitol, gained currency over the summer after two conservative legal scholars propounded their view that Trump's incitement of the attack rendered him ineligible for office. Other legal experts, however, disagree, and it may take a U.S. Supreme Court decision to settle the matter.

It's hard to see the conservative-leaning court ruling against Trump. But Adam Unikowsky, a Washington attorney who clerked for the late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, has said in a lengthy analysis that there is "a non-trivial chance" they might.

Regardless, Trump foes around the country have seized on the theory to seek the former president's ouster from the ballot in Colorado, New Hampshire and Minnesota, among other states.

On Monday, nine California lawmakers sent a letter to Bonta urging him to use his position to hasten a state court ruling that would keep Trump off the March ballot.

You are uniquely positioned to proactively seek the courts opinion to confirm Mr. Trumps inability to hold office," the lawmakers, led by Assemblyman Evan Low, a Silicon Valley Democrat, wrote.

Fellow Democrats have urged California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta to move to strike Donald Trump from the 2024 ballot. (Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

A typical lawsuit could take months to yield a decision. However, as the state's chief law enforcement officer, Bonta can seek an expedited ruling ahead of the Dec. 8 deadline for deciding which candidates qualify to face voters.

"There is no denying that Donald Trump has engaged in behavior that is unacceptable and unbecoming of any leader  let alone a president of the United States," a spokeswoman for Bonta said in response to the letter, declining further comment.

There is also no denying that Bonta, who is weighing a 2026 bid for governor, would reap considerable benefit among Democrats if he moved against Trump.

That, obviously, should have no place in his decision.

Beyond that, there are many reasons Bonta and others being asked to excise Trump from the ballot should refuse.

Not least is the fact that such an action  imposing the opinion of judges and partisan elected officials in place of voters  is the very thing that Trump has been excoriated, and indicted, for attempting after losing the 2020 election.

It also bespeaks a certain arrogance, the notion that voters cant be trusted to make the right decision by rejecting Trump. Or that America's citizens are like wax figures, with nothing they can say or do about the direction of their country.

Read more: Column: Another day, another Trump indictment isn't some ho-hum event

Frankly, it's also a bit too facile. One of the few (admittedly mixed) blessings of Trump's ignoble reign has been demonstrating the fragility of our democracy, the importance of political involvement and the agency voters have to bring about change.

If people don't want Trump back in the White House, it's simple: They should cast their ballots in sufficient number to keep him out. If they're truly concerned about a Trump restoration, they should knock on doors, reach out on social media, talk to friends and family and make their case against the failed former president.

In short, get politically active over the next 14 months and see to it others are engaged in the 2024 election as well.

The best way to defeat Trump and send him into well-deserved exile  once and for all  is not to turn him into a martyr, spouting empty and self-serving claims about the "big, beautiful" victory he would have won if only he'd had the chance.

It's to beat him once again soundly, unmistakably and irrefutably at the ballot box.

Get the latest from Mark Z. Barabak

Focusing on politics out West, from the Golden Gate to the U.S. Capitol.

Sign me up.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The oil companies want you to see California's newly filed lawsuit over their decades of deceit about global warming as a "hypocritical ... Hollywood-and-foreign-billionaire-funded" effort to "starve the state of energy and hamper the economy."

Well, they would say that, wouldn't they?

The targets of the lawsuit, filed Friday in San Francisco County Superior Court, are five major oil companies and their subsidiaries. From extreme heat to drought and water shortages, the climate crisis they have caused is undeniable," Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said after the filing. "It is time they pay to abate the harm they have caused.

Climate projections reported by Exxon Mobil scientists between 1977 and 2003 were accurate and skillful in predicting subsequent global warming.

Naomi Oreskes and Geoffrey Supran, Science Magazine

The state's lawsuit joins others filed by at least 18 municipalities, seven states and the District of Columbia from New York to the West Coast in recent years in state and federal courts.

The industry asserts that the litigation is futile, pointing to scattered adverse rulings by judges here and there. But all those cases are still pending.

Big Oil is right to be concerned, for if even one crosses the judicial finish line, the path could be cleared for a massive financial reckoning in which the industry is forced to pony up for programs of mitigation and abatement. Think of the multibillion-dollar reckoning imposed on the tobacco industry, and multiply by infinity.

The oil lobby also points out that the real blame for petroleum-driven global warming lies with us, the public, and our unquenched demand for gasoline-powered cars and fossil fuels of every other description.

That's fair, as far as it goes, but it didn't save the cigarette companies after their role in the promotion of smoking through marketing and the suppression of scientific evidence of links between smoking and diseases was exposed. The harvest included a 25-year, $246-billion settlement reached in 1998 between the companies and state governments.

So let's take a close look at the California case, which names Exxon Mobil, Shell, ConocoPhillips, Chevron and BP, along with the American Petroleum Institute, as defendants.

The state lawsuit doesn't blame the oil industry for creating global warming, exactly. Rather, it seeks to hold the companies responsible for lying about it  specifically, for suppressing what its own scientists were saying about the consequences of burning fossil fuels.

Read more: Column: Big oil companies are already reneging on their global warming promises

Relying on oil, gas and coal for energy has pumped carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and other greenhouse gases into the air, trapping heat in the atmosphere and driving the average temperature higher.

It's impossible to overstate the impact of the industry campaign against the truth. Oil companies spent millions on "advertorials" in major newspapers to discredit climate science and scientists, undermining public trust in their work.

They issued statements, pamphlets and briefs describing the state of climate science as unsettled. "Global Warming: Who's Right? Facts about a debate that's turned up more questions than answers" was the title of an eight-page pamphlet Exxon Mobil issued in 1996.

"Scientific evidence remains inconclusive as to whether human activities affect global climate," its chief executive, Lee Raymond, wrote in the preface. "Many scientists agree there's ample time to better understand climate systems and develop the best long-term strategies."

All this has emboldened right-wing politicians to question findings of global warming, turning the climate crisis into just another partisan culture battle.

As the California lawsuit properly points out, this translated into decades of lost opportunities to advance policies to mitigate the coming crisis. Such policies might have led to "an earlier and quicker transition to cleaner energy sources" in California and across the country, in part by stepping up public pressure for investments in renewables.

Contrary to Raymond's assurances, these consequences were anything but unknown to the oil companies. Exxon Mobil's own scientific staff had begun warning as early as the 1970s that taking action to reduce greenhouse gases was an urgent priority.

"Climate projections reported by Exxon Mobil scientists between 1977 and 2003 were accurate and skillful in predicting subsequent global warming," science historians Naomi Oreskes and Geoffrey Supran observed in Science in January. "ExxonMobil accurately foresaw the threat of human-caused global warming, both prior and parallel to orchestrating lobbying and propaganda campaigns to delay climate action."

My colleagues at The Times produced a groundbreaking expose of the oil industry's deceptive tactics in 2015, in collaboration with the Energy and Environmental Reporting Project at Columbia Universitys Graduate School of Journalism. Since then, we've continued to document its deceit.

How has the industry responded to these revelations? Chiefly by attacking those who have brought them to light, including the jurisdictions that have filed lawsuits against the energy companies.

They point to a "strategy session" held in La Jolla in 2012 sponsored by the Union of Concerned Scientists and environmental activists, as though there's something nefarious about financial backing by the Rockefeller Family Fund (the endowment of which can be traced ultimately to, um, John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, the forebear of Exxon, Mobil, Chevron, Conoco and dozens of other companies).

Read more: Column: The GOP's war on green investing is bad for the climate  and investors

The Independent Petroleum Assn. of America breathlessly promoted a "bombshell" reported by Fox News that Leonardo DiCaprio's nonprofit foundation had provided funding for some of the litigation. This scoop, the IPAA decided, "demonstrates that the climate litigation campaign is a national effort, and not a loose collection of state and local cases." (No kidding?)

The IPAA persistently grouses about this outside litigation funding and advocates investigations into how it is "often used to bring frivolous or politically motivated lawsuits that enrich plaintiffs lawyers."

Is this some sort of a gag? Rules requiring disclosure of third-party litigation funding might not be a bad thing in general. The problem isn't public-interest nonprofits assisting public-interest plaintiffs, however, but real plaintiffs hiding behind frontmen and -women instead of suing on their own behalf. For example, Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel bankrolling the lawsuit by wrestler Hulk Hogan that effectively put the celebrity-trolling website Gawker out of business.

Global warming litigation is still in its infancy, and plainly the judicial system doesn't quite know what to make of it. The result has been some decisions in which judges agree that the plaintiffs have a point, but aren't sure how to handle their claims.

In 2018, a federal judge in San Francisco wrote that he "accepts the science behind global warming," but ruled that crafting a remedy for the damage fell outside his court's jurisdiction. Another San Francisco federal judge ruled around the same time that lawsuits brought by Marin and San Mateo counties and the city of Imperial Beach against 29 oil companies belonged in state, not federal, court. They're expected to be consolidated into one case and heard in state court next year.

Which legal strategy would have the best chance of prevailing is still unclear. The California lawsuit lists as causes of action state laws concerning public nuisances, pollution, untrue or misleading advertising or marketing, fraudulent business practices, product liability and negligence, in the hope that at least one of them will bear fruit.

Meanwhile, the oil industry continues to deceive the public about global warming and its efforts to address the crisis. BP and Shell, which promoted themselves as the most aggressive oil companies in shifting to renewables, both have quietly backed away from their pledges to invest heavily in solar and wind energy.

Nor has the industry backed off its efforts to undermine state environmental laws. California oil and gas producers have qualified a referendum for the 2024 state ballot aimed at overturning a new law setting a minimum distance between new oil and gas wells and places of human habitation and work, such as homes, schools and healthcare facilities.

They assembled a war chest last year of more than $20 million. You probably won't lose a wager that they'll be spending their millions, as I wrote a few months ago, on "a campaign of deceit and balderdash typical of attempts by businesses to overturn regulations they dont like (which is most of them)."

To put it another way, the reckoning is still somewhere over the horizon. But it needs to happen.

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.
FILE - People look for survivors after flooding in Derna, Libya, Sept. 13, 2023. The devastating storm that dumped torrential rains along the Libyan coast this month was up to 50 times more likely to occur and 50% more intense because of human-caused climate change, according to an analysis released Tuesday, Sept. 19. (AP Photo/Yousef Murad, File)

CAIRO (AP)  A day-long communication outage in a flood-stricken city in eastern Libya further complicated the work of teams searching for bodies under the rubble and at sea Wednesday.

The countrys chief prosecutor, meanwhile, vowed to take serious measures to deliver justice for the victims of the floods, which killed thousands of people and devastated the coastal city of Derna more than a week ago.

The outage was caused by fiber-optic cables being severed Tuesday, Libyas state-owned telecommunications company said. Engineers were investigating to determine whether it happened because of digging for bodies or was sabotage, the companys spokesman, Mohamed al-Bdairi, told a local television station.

Internet and phone service were knocked out, with residents and journalists unable to reach those inside Derna. Authorities said communications with the city were restored Wednesday evening.

Heavy rains triggered deadly flooding across eastern Libya earlier this month. The storm overwhelmed two dams in the first hours of Sept. 11, sending a wall of water several meters high through the center of Derna, destroying entire neighborhoods and sweeping people out to sea.

The floods inundated as much as a quarter of the city, officials have said. Thousands of people were killed, with many dead still under the rubble or at sea, according to search teams. Government officials and aid agencies have given varied death tolls ranging from about 4,000 to over 11,000.

At least 40,000 people were displaced in the area, including 30,000 in Derna, according to the U.N.s migration agency. Many people have moved to other cities across Libya, hosted by local communities or sheltered in schools.

Local authorities said they have isolated the worst damaged part of Derna amid growing concerns about potential infection by waterborne diseases. Health authorities have launched a vaccination campaign that initially targeted search and rescue teamed along with children in Derna and other impacted areas.

Hundreds of angry protesters gathered outside the main mosque in Derna on Monday. They lashed out at the political class that has controlled Libya since the ouster and killing of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in a 2011 NATO-supported uprising.

The protesters demanded an investigation into the disaster to be accelerated and called for the reconstruction of Derna to be under United Nations supervision.

General Prosecutor al-Sidiq al-Sour has launched an investigation into the collapse of the two dams in Derna. In comments to a local television station Wednesday, he vowed to take serious measures to deliver justice for the victims of the floods.

Its a great catastrophe, and the casualty toll is significant. Certainly, if measures had been taken at the right time in the past years, a catastrophe with such magnitude wouldnt happen, he said.

The dams were built by a Yugoslav construction company in the 1970s above Wadi Derna, which divides the city. They were meant to protect the city from flash floods, which are not uncommon in the area. The dams were not maintained for decades, despite warnings by scientists that they may burst.

Many residents, however, called for an international investigation, a move that shows the deep mistrust in state institutions in a country divided between rival government for most of the past decade.

Such a call received the support of the Supreme Council of State, an advisory body based in the capital of Tripoli. The council said Wednesday that a thorough international investigation is needed to determine reasons behind the crisis in Derna.

Humanitarian aid, meanwhile, continued to flow into Libya. A U.S. shipment that included shelter sheeting, repair kits, hygiene supplies, blankets and water containers arrived Wednesday in the eastern city of Benghazi, said Samantha Power, the head of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
Students for Fair Admissions, the group responsible for the U.S. Supreme Court decisions limiting affirmative action practices at universities across the country, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Students for Fair Admissions, the group responsible for the U.S. Supreme Court decisions limiting affirmative action practices at universities nationwide, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y.

The lawsuit seeks to go after the practice of race-conscious admissions at the military academy, commonly referred to as West Point.

The prestigious institution was exempt, along with the nation's other military academies, from the previous Supreme Court decisions in cases against the private Harvard University and public University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The majority justices had determined in a footnote of the decision that it would not address admissions at military academies because none were a party to the previous lawsuit. The federal government had also filed a brief contending that race-based admissions programs are "compelling interests at our nation's military academies."

"No military academy is a party to these cases, however, and none of the courts below addressed the propriety of race-based admissions systems in that context," Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority.

"This opinion also does not address the issue, in light of the potentially distinct interests that military academies may present."

Students for Fair Admissions has now decided to specifically name one of the nation's military academies in a lawsuit to close the exemption outlined by the Supreme Court.

The group began its lawsuit by stating that West Point has long evaluated cadets "based on merit and achievement" and "for good reasons."

"America's enemies do not fight differently based on the race of the commanding officer opposing them, soldiers must follow orders without regard to the skin color of those giving them, and battlefield realities apply equally to all soldiers regardless of race, ethnicity, or national origin," the lawsuit reads.

"To that end, President Truman desegregated the military well before other institutions followed suit."

Lawyers for the group said that, over the past few decades, West Point "has strayed from that approach" and now "focuses on race."

"West Point has no justification for using race-based admissions. Those admissions are unconstitutional for all other public institutions of higher education," the group said, citing its own lawsuit against Harvard. "The Academy is not exempt from the Constitution."

The group claims the academy's policies are determinative for "hundreds of applicants each year."

"Because race is a 'positive' factor for some West Point applicants, it is necessarily a 'negative' factor for others," the lawsuit reads.

The lawsuit is being brought on behalf of two unnamed plaintiffs, described as two white male teenagers in high school who want to apply to the academy.
[Source]

Several celebrities of Asian descent have signed an open letter to condemn the widespread book bans across school districts in the United States.

Key details: The effort, a partnership between Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton and MoveOn Political Action, was launched to coincide with National Banned Books Month, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The effort was also launched nearly two weeks before the American Library Associations Banned Books Week, which starts on Oct. 1.

"Far-right politicians like Ron DeSantis are championing draconian laws to ban books and the teaching of accurate multicultural American history in favor of upholding a homophobic, transphobic, and white supremacist vision of our nation," the campaign's webpage states.

Over 150 artists, writers, activists, organizations and more have signed the open letter, which claims that the book bans are antithetical to free speech and expression and have a chilling effect on the broader creative field.

More from NextShark: Francois Chau joins HBO Max series The Penguin starring Colin Farrell

Who signed it: Some big names who have signed the open letter include Constance Wu, Margaret Cho, Padma Lakshmi, poet Fatimah Asghar, archivist Sunny Singh and Kamala Harris niece, Meena Harris .

Other signatories include Ariana Grande, Mark Ruffalo, Chelsea Handler, John Leguizamo, Roxane Gay, Gabrielle Union, Sarah Paulson, Ron Perlman and Zooey Deschanel, to name a few.

What they are saying: MoveOn Executive Director Rahna Epting said in a recent statement that there is a "growing consensus among the majority of Americans that book bans take our country backward.

More from NextShark: Solo Leveling webtoon artist Jang 'Dubu' Sung-rak dies

Burton, the executive producer of the 2023 documentary The Right to Read, said the effort to ban books "in this country, in this culture, in this day and age" is embarrassing, adding that it is "dangerous" that just a few people are "deciding that any book with Black and queer people is divisive.

Banning books: PEN America reported in September 2022 that over 2,532 individual books were banned across several school districts in the country between July 2021 and June 2022. The books that were banned featured subject matter such as LGBTQ+ themes, protagonists or prominent secondary characters (41%); protagonists or prominent secondary characters of color (40%); sexual content (22%); titles with issues of race and racism (21%); titles with themes of rights and activism (10%); biography, autobiography, or memoir (9%); and stories with religious minorities (4%).

More from NextShark: Meet the Real-Life Green Beret Who Inspired a Call of Duty Character

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Kahyun Kim wears bear head-shaped pasties at Cocaine Bear premiere
Despite resistance from locals, a deep-sea mining project in Papua New Guinea is moving forward. The project could disrupt ecosystems and vital fisheries.

Whats happening?

Deep-sea mining is the process of harvesting minerals like zinc, nickel, and cobalt from the seafloor at depths of about 660 feet or greater. Isle of Manbased company Deep Sea Mining Finance, aka DSMF, hopes to harvest copper and gold from rocks about 4,900 to 5,250 feet below sea level 16 miles off the coast of Papua New Guineas New Ireland province.

The project, started in 2011, is called Solwara 1. In 2011, deep-sea mining company Nautilus Minerals was granted a 20-year mining lease on coastal Papua New Guinea waters.

Nautilus Minerals declared bankruptcy in 2019 but was acquired by DSMF. The same year, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape announced a 10-year moratorium on deep-sea mining.

Despite this, DSMF hopes to revive the Solwara 1 project. Ano Pala, Papua New Guineas Minister of Mining, has confirmed that DSMF is attempting to renew the licenses for the project.

Why is Solwara 1 concerning?

Because we know so little about the deep sea and its ecosystems, experts arent sure how deep-sea mining affects the environment. International standards of safety have yet to be established for deep-sea mining, Mongabay reported. More than 20 countries have called for a global halt to deep-sea mining until its effects are better understood.

Proponents of deep-sea mining point out that minerals harvested by deep-sea mining, like copper, nickel, and cobalt, are vital for electric vehicles. But many of the species found in deep-sea ecosystems have only recently been discovered, Mongabay reported. Further, the effects of the mining could reach shallower waters, threatening coral reefs and popular fisheries.

No one knows what the environmental impact will [be] on the coastal communities, [not] even the scientists, Jonathan Mesulam, activist and coordinator of the Alliance of Solwara Warriors, told Mongabay.

Activists are concerned that Solwara 1 wont be held to the deep-sea mining moratorium. Prior to its bankruptcy, Papua New Guinea held a 15 percent stake in Nautilus Minerals. If the Solwara 1 project fails, the Papua New Guinea government may stand to lose that investment.

Whats being done about Solwara 1?

Since Solwara 1s announcement, NGOs, Indigenous communities, and religious groups have opposed the project. The Alliance of Solwara Warriors is a coalition of communities dedicated to ending deep-sea mining in Papua New Guineas waters.

The life in the oceans has taken millions of years  to be what [it is] today, Mesulam told Mongabay. What will happen if this ecosystem is disturbed? It will take millions of years to recover.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
China, ASEAN join forces to build an ever closer community with shared future

10:00, September 20, 2023 By Pang Geping, Li Zong ( People's Daily

The 20th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit was held on Sept. 16 in Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is decorated to embrace the 20th China-ASEAN Expo. (People's Daily Online/Zhao Jingwu)

Over the past 20 years, the expo and summit has built collaboration and cooperation mechanisms between China and ASEAN in multiple areas, injecting positive energy into the region and the world's peace and stability, development and prosperity. It has served as a sound platform that strengthens communication and exchanges between the two sides.

In recent years, more and more featured products have entered the Chinese market via the China-ASEAN Expo, such as durians from Vietnam, mangosteens from Thailand and coffee from Indonesia.

The China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit has become an important platform for communication and cooperation between China and ASEAN, said Wei Zhaohui, secretary-general of the expo's secretariat.

China and ASEAN established a strategic partnership at the China-ASEAN (10+1) leaders' meeting in 2003, which marked a new chapter of friendship between the two sides.

At this meeting, China proposed to hold the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning on an annual basis starting in 2004. In 2004, the first China-ASEAN Expo was successfully held and permanently settled in in Nanning, and the China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit was also held.

The expo and summit has built a bridge of friendly cooperation in multiple fields, forming a new channel for China-ASEAN cooperation. It is a regional public product and international cooperation platform serving China and ASEAN, and even the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Belt and Road Initiative.

The previous 19 sessions of the expo and summit were attended by a total of 182 Chinese and foreign leaders, over 3,800 ministerial-level guests and heads of international organizations, as well as more than 1.1 million merchants.

Photo shows the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park in Malaysia. (Photo provided by Beibu Gulf Holding (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd)

"Thanks to the China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, the cooperation between the two sides has extended from trade in goods, investment, and services to more areas such as international capacity cooperation and cross-border industrial park construction," said Zhai Kun, a professor in the School of International Studies, Peking University, adding that the expo and summit has also fostered exchanges in various fields including artificial intelligence, internet technology, and education.

As a result, the cooperation between the two sides is progressing towards a larger scope, with higher standards and at deeper levels, Zhai said.

High-level dialogue and negotiations, multi-level economic and trade activities, and wide-ranging high-level forums were held during the expo and summit. They have showcased the comprehensive cooperation between China and ASEAN over the past 20 years, which has not only brought benefits to the region, but also promoted global economic and trade development.

Last year, the RCEP came into effect, creating the world's largest free trade bloc. "The expo has vigorously promoted the construction of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the RCEP, opening up broader space for regional economic and trade cooperation, accelerating regional economic integration, and injecting strong impetus into regional prosperity and stability," said Benjamas Tanvetyanont, Thai consul-general in Nanning.

Trade cooperation is an important witness to the progress of bilateral relations. Statistics show that the bilateral trade volume between China and ASEAN has increased from over $100 billion in 2004 to $975.34 billion in 2022.

A bullet train runs on the China-Laos Railway in Jinghong, southwest China's Yunnan province. (People's Daily Online/Li Yunsheng)

China has maintained ASEAN's largest trading partner for 14 consecutive years, while ASEAN has been China's largest trading partner for 3 consecutive years. China-ASEAN economic and trade cooperation has steadily and continuously developed, becoming a successful example of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

In recent years, with the construction and opening of more roads and railways, as well as the upgrading and transformation of various ports, the increasing logistics connectivity has accelerated the development of ASEAN countries.

China and ASEAN have joined hands to build a China-ASEAN community with a shared future, promoting common development and prosperity, and enabling over 2 billion people to live a better life. This serves as a vivid example of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

The annual throughput of the Beibu Gulf Port in Guangxi has exceeded 7 million twenty-foot equivalent units, and ASEAN products such as durians and frozen shrimps are entering the Chinese market via the port.

So far, the China-Laos Railway has transported over 20 million passengers. Besides, the agreed investment for the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park stood at about 46 billion yuan ($63.14 billion), with a cumulative industrial output value of over 60 billion yuan.

China and ASEAN are witnessing deepening and solidifying exchanges and cooperation in education, livelihood, and health. The two sides have sent over 200,000 students to each other.

Besides, Chinese universities have established majors in the official languages of the 10 ASEAN countries, and ASEAN countries have set up 42 Confucius Institutes and 39 Confucius Classrooms. Currently, all 10 countries have become popular destinations for Chinese tourists, and both sides are major sources of tourism for each other.

"In the past 20 years, the China-ASEAN Expo has played an increasingly prominent role as an international public product serving global trade. With the accelerated development and upgrading of the expo, the cooperation between China and ASEAN will undoubtedly flourish and yield even more fruitful results," said Wei.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
You are here: Business

Visitors watch a robot transferring a box during the 23rd China International Industry Fair (CIIF) in east China's Shanghai, Sept. 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 23rd China International Industry Fair opened Tuesday in Shanghai, attracting the attendance of over 2,800 enterprises from 30 countries and regions.

The five-day event has a total exhibition area of 300,000 square meters, with exhibitors launching nearly 1,000 new products and technologies, organizers said.

Both the number of exhibitors and exhibition space reached new record highs.

The fair has nine professional exhibition areas for products, including new energy and intelligent connected vehicles, energy technology and equipment, and industrial automation.

Xin Guobin, vice minister of industry and information technology, said while addressing the opening ceremony that, as an important window for foreign exchange and cooperation, the fair has witnessed the integration of Chinese industry into the global industrial system.

The ministry will work with other parties to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized, continuously deepen international innovation cooperation, and safeguard the security and stability of the global industrial and supply chain, Xin said.
The November execution of convicted killer David Santiago Renteria will remain in place after a Texas appeals court ruled a district court judge had no legal right to postpone the execution.

Renteria, who was convicted and sentenced to death in the 2001 killing of a 5-year-old girl he kidnapped from an El Paso Walmart, will remain scheduled to be executed Nov. 16.

The execution date was postponed indefinitely Aug. 29 after 327th District Court Judge Monique Velarde Reyes granted a motion to vacate the order setting the execution date and ordered the El Paso District Attorney's Office to turn over all files and evidence it possessed in the case, appeal court documents state.

El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks then filed an appeal of Reyes' orders.

Convicted child killer David Renteria looks back at his mother and acknowledges her well wishes with "don't worry mom, I'll be okay," as he is led out of the courtroom after being resentenced to death by lethal injection earlier.

Reyes could not be reached for comment. However, her court coordinator, Gladys Acosta, said Reyes could not comment on the case since it remains pending.

Hicks and Renteria's attorney, Tivon Schardl, could not immediately be reached for comment.

More: Killer still on death row 30 years after murder of Desiree Wheatley, five women in El Paso

Hicks' appeal was reviewed by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals  the highest criminal appeals court in the state of Texas.

The appeal came after Renteria filed a motion stating his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection would be violated if the El Paso District Attorney's Office did not turn over all documents in his case, appeal court documents state.

Reyes granted the motion vacating the execution date and ordering the DA's Office to turn over all evidence.

Hicks then filed his appeal Sept. 7 asking the appeals court to overturn the ruling.

The main focus of Hicks' appeal was whether Reyes even had the authority to vacate the execution date and order the DA's Office to turn over evidence  legally known as discovery  years after Renteria's trial, conviction and sentencing.

Hicks argued Reyes' "orders compelling (DA's Office) to disclose its entire file during post-conviction proceedings exceed its authority, as there is no statute or other basis that authorizes such post-conviction discovery."

A May 15, 2008, El Paso Times article reporting David Santiago Renteria was given the death penalty during his resentencing hearing.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reviewed the appeal and issued an opinion Sept. 18, siding with Hicks and the El Paso District Attorney's Office.

The justices stated since the last action was handled in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Reyes' court had no jurisdiction over the case. Therefore, Reyes did not have the authority to vacate the execution date nor order the DA's Office to release any evidence.

The justices wrote in their opinion, "Renterias conviction and sentence had been affirmed on direct appeal, and this Courts (Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) mandate had issued. Therefore, the trial court did not have general jurisdiction over Renterias case."

They added the claims of constitutional violations were unfounded since the 14th Amendment is "a source of individual rights, not a source of state-court jurisdiction."

More: Faith and forgiveness: A mother's tribute to slain El Paso sheriff's Deputy Pete Herrera

"Without a pleading before her (Reyes) invoking a legitimate source of district-court jurisdiction, (Reyes) had no freewheeling jurisdiction to seek to safeguard Renterias Fourteenth Amendment rights," the justices wrote in their opinion.

The justices then ordered Reyes to "immediately rescind" her orders, vacating the execution date and ruling for the DA's office to turn over all evidence in the case.

Kidnapping, murder of Alexandra Flores

Alexandra Flores, 5, was Christmas shopping with her family Nov. 18, 2001, at a Lower Valley Walmart, located at 9441 Alameda Ave., when Renteria kidnaped her.

Alexandra was captured on store surveillance video exiting the store about 5:15 p.m. with Renteria, court documents state. Her parents then realized she was missing and unsuccessfully searched for her.

David Renteria

The next day, Alexandra's body was found about 7:10 a.m. naked and partially burned in a carport near Downtown El Paso, the El Paso Times reported.

An autopsy revealed Alexandra was strangled to death, court documents state.

A palm print from a plastic bag found over Alexandra's head was identified by the El Paso Police Department as belonging to Renteria, court documents stated.

An investigation by police also revealed a vehicle registered to Renteria was at 9441 Alameda Ave. at the time and date of Alexandra's disappearance.

Renteria, who worked as a warehouse worker and laborer, also told police he was at the location at the time and date of her disappearance, court documents state.

A jury convicted Renteria of capital murder and sentenced him to death in September 2003. A judge then formally sentenced in November 2003.

More: Jury returns death penalty sentence in shooting of El Paso Sheriff Deputy Peter Herrera

In 2006, a Texas appeals court upheld the conviction but ordered a new sentencing phase because of the "exclusion of evidence showing the defendant's remorse violated due process by preventing defendant from rebutting the State's case when the State left jury with false impression and emphasized it," an appeal opinion stated.

The new sentencing hearing was held in 2008, and Renteria was again sentenced to death.

Several other appeals have been filed in the case but have been denied, court records show.

Renteria is one of eight El Pasoans currently on death row.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas appeals court upheld David Renteria's execution date
Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Convicted murderer and accused serial killer Billy Chemirmir has been found dead in his cell, according to authorities who said he was killed by his cellmate.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said Chemirmir was found dead Tuesday morning at the Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, and that his cell mate, who was similarly serving a murder sentence, was responsible.

"I won't be mourning the murder of convicted serial killer Billy Chemirmir. Rather, my thoughts today are with the families of the precious ladies he murdered," Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis said in a statement.

"These families have been through more than we can imagine, and I pray that someday they can find peace."

Chemirmir was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in April 2022 for the 2018 murder of 81-year-old Lu Thi Harris. In October, he was convicted of capital murder for the death of 87-year-old Mary Brooks.

He had been charged with killing 22 elderly women -- 13 in Dallas County and Nine in Collin County -- during a two-year killing spree.

Family members of victims Chemirmir is accused of having killed spoke to the press following the news Tuesday, with many stating they were still processing his death.

"It's shocking but there is a relief that this part of my nightmare, our nightmare, is over," Shannon Dion said. Dion's mother, 92-year-old Doris Gleason, was killed in October 2016 at a senior living complex. Chemirmir has been accused of her murder.

"My mother died in fear. This man did not have a peaceful passing. There is some relief in feeling that he didn't get off easily."
Kaia Rolle was 6 years old when police officers tightly bound her wrists with zip ties and perp walked her through the halls of her Florida school in front of teachers, parents and other students, according to her familys lawsuit, which says she was arrested over having a tantrum.

No, dont put handcuffs on, a tearful Kaia told officers as they placed zip ties around her wrists at Lucious & Emma Nixon Academy Charter School in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 19, 2019, police body camera footage of her arrest published by CBS News shows.

As one officer led her outside the school to a police car, Kaia is heard begging for a second chance and pleading not to be arrested, according to the footage.

After she was detained, she was driven to a juvenile detention center where her mugshot was taken as she stood on a step stool  because she wasnt tall enough, an amended complaint filed Sept. 18 says.

Kaias family is suing over her cruel, senseless and terrorizing arrest, which they say was done to instill fear and humiliation in the child, on several causes of action, including excessive force, false arrest and malicious prosecution, according to the amended complaint. The family is seeking $50,000 in damages.

The family initially filed the lawsuit, which names the city of Orlando, the police officers involved in her arrest and their supervisor as defendants, in August 2022.

It was horrific for us, Meralyn Kirkland, Kaias grandmother, said at a Sept. 18 news conference during which the family announced it is proceeding with the litigation against the city, according to WFTV.

The city declined a request for comment from McClatchy News on Sept. 19, as it doesnt comment on pending litigation.

One of the police officers involved in arresting her, Dennis Turner, the charter schools former resource officer, was fired by the Orlando Police Department in September 2019, WFTV reported.

Ive never seen a child with her hands bound at the age of 6, walked out by a man three times the size of her, Bobby DiCello, an attorney representing Kaias family, said at the news conference.

Now Kaias family is calling for changes to be made.

What led to Kaias arrest?

Kaia entered first grade during the 2019-20 school year with a medical condition  pediatric obstructive sleep apnea  that prevents (her) from sleeping through the night, causing irritability and strong temper tantrums brought on by severe exhaustion, the amended complaint says.

After the charter school recruited Kaia to enroll there for first grade, her grandmother informed administrators of Kaias condition that could cause her to act out, the complaint says.

The school agreed to support Kaia, so her family decided to send her to the charter school, the amended complaint says.

The morning of Sept. 19, 2019, Kaia arrived at school wearing glasses and started to throw a tantrum when a teacher tried taking them from her, according to the complaint.

School resource officer threatens jail, suit says

After school resource officer Turner was called, he warned Kaia that hed take her to jail if she didnt stop misbehaving, the complaint says.

Before taking Kaia into custody, Turner spoke with Kaias grandmother, who pleaded with him not to arrest Kaia and explained how pediatric sleep apnea can affect her behavior, according to the complaint.

Well I have sleep apnea and I dont behave like that, Turner is accused of telling Kaias grandmother, the complaint says.

Afterward, Turner contacts Officer Sergio Ramos, who brings zip ties because Kaias wrists were too small for handcuffs, according to the complaint.

Then, they took her into custody and ignored her protests, the complaint says.

I want to stay in school, I just got here, Kaia begs the officers through tears, the body camera footage shows.

She was charged with a misdemeanor battery  but prosecutors dismissed the charge the day after her arrest, the Orlando Sentinel reported.

Kaia is a fighter

Nearly two years after Kaias arrest, the Kaia Rolle Act went into effect in Florida  prohibiting children younger than 7 from being arrested in the state.

At the Sept. 18 news conference, her grandmother said Kaia hopes to increase the minimum arrest age to 14 in Florida and the U.S., according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Kaia is no longer the Kaia that we knew, Kirkland said at the news conference. But Kaia is a fighter, so she continues to fight. She continues to tell us she wants her old life back.

Woman arrested for stealing at Walmart  but she was nowhere near store, SC suit says

Student with autism went to get lunch. Then school officer handcuffed him, SC suit says

DNA exonerates 72-year-old, overturns longest wrongful conviction in US, officials say
Cornel West is heading to Detroit to prop up the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike.

West, whos running as a third-party presidential candidate, told The Hill exclusively on Wednesday that he intends to go to Michigan to support those calling for a higher wage and a check on CEO profits.

Yes indeed! he said in a text message when asked if he plans to go to the metropolitan hub of the picketing.

The insurgent West has attracted attention for running as a Green Party contender offering a more progressive pitch to voters than what he believes President Biden has brought to the table during his first term in office.

Biden and White House aides have so far declined to physically go to the UAW strike, though the president offered official support for union workers Sept. 15, the first day of the rally.

By running on a third-party ticket rather than challenging Biden for the partys nomination, West is also looking to present another option to former President Trump in 2024, a move that Democrats have cautioned could backfire and help the Republican front-runner unintentionally.

Wests expected trip to the Midwestern battleground is notable because its one of just a handful of swing states that could determine the outcome of the White House in November. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), for whom West was a prominent campaign surrogate in 2020, won the Michigan primary in 2016 against Hillary Clinton, providing a surprise blow to establishment Democrats who had previously missed the populist streak in the state.

I am sending this strong word of deep solidarity with my brothers and sisters of all colors who have the courage and the vision to go on strike to fight for dignity, to fight for wages, to fight for control over the conditions of the workplace, West said in a campaign video the same day Biden released his statement.

We are in a society in which class struggle is real, in which you have to make a choice, and in which when workers straighten their backs up theyre going somewhere because greedy bosses cant ride your back unless its bent, West said. So stay strong, stay steadfast and just know I am there, spiritually, morally and physically very soon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  As the country barrels towards a government shutdown and Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy is slated to pitch lawmakers on continuing aid to the embattled nation, Congress remains bitterly divided over U.S. military and financial support for the country as it works to flesh out a government funding deal.

President Joe Biden, who has pledged to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as the war against Russia takes, asked Congress in August for $24 billion in aid to the country. While the Senate has mostly agreed to include additional Ukraine aid in measures to keep the government funded, the money has a dimmer prospect of getting through the House, where GOP lawmakers remain skeptical of continued aid to the war effort.

Two key factions among House Republicans crafted a short-term deal to keep the government funded for 30 days. The package  referred to as a continuing resolution  is noticeably missing Ukraine aid.

Senate leaders have insisted additional Ukraine support be included in a spending package, but House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. has said he sees no need to commit to funding Ukraine.

Is Zelenskyy elected to Congress? Is he our president? I don't think I have to commit anything and I think I have questions for him. Where's the accountability on the money we've already spent?" McCarthy told ABC News Tuesday.

Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., briefs reporters following a closed-door Republican Conference meeting on how to agree on a path to funding the government, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023.

In a further display of the disparity between the two chambers, McCarthy does not plan to meet Zelenskyy one-on-one either when he comes to Washington, instead meeting with the Ukrainian president in a small bipartisan group of House lawmakers. Meanwhile, all senators have been invited to meet with Zelenskyy in a display of just how far apart the chambers are on the issue.

And lawmakers from the upper chamber have started to criticize their colleagues in the House for their approach. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, told USA TODAY Monday he was disappointed the Houses stopgap bill provides no money for Ukraine.

This is an example of where House Republicans stand on the security of Ukraine and upholding the international proposition of law that you can by force take another country's territory, Menendez said. I dont understand whats happened to them, theyve lost their way.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., assailed House Republicans deal on the Senate floor Monday for leaving out aid to Ukraine ahead of Zelenskyys visit.

With no Ukraine funding, the proposal is an insult to Ukraine and a gift to Putin. I cannot think of a worse welcome for President Zelenskyy, who visits us this week, than this House proposal which ignores Ukraine entirely, Schumer said.

On the other side of the aisle in the Senate, Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., told USA TODAY Monday he thought U.S. aid to Ukraine should continue to be a priority for Congress.

And one of the Senates most vocal supporters for the Ukraine war effort, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, said Congress will eventually get money for Ukraine, in some fashion, and he would support a separate supplemental bill as the war-torn nation fights off Russia's invasion. For House Republicans' part, Graham thought the stopgap bill was a "good deal."

Related: Biden makes impassioned plea at UN, warns world can't abandon Ukraine

Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 in Washington.

Divisions over Ukraine aid still run deep in House GOP conference

The divide on Ukraine funding is apparent in the House as well. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, told USA TODAY Tuesday Ukraine aid is a deal breaker for him.

Regardless, Fitzpatrick said he would vote for the Houses version of the continuing resolution since it wont be the final product given the Senates objections to the stopgap measure. That final product however, must include Ukraine funding for him.

We have to support (Ukraine). We cannot abandon Ukraine, that would be a disaster, Fitzpatrick said. Well find a way to get Ukraine funding.

Disagreements range among those supportive of Ukraine aid in the House GOP conference. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, told USA TODAY he thinks the war effort should be funded in a responsible way and that there are better mechanisms for us to have that conversation about Ukraine," rather than a continuing resolution.

House conservatives contend that spending should be focused on domestic policy rather than support for Ukraine. Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., chair of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, said Tuesday Democrats and Republicans alike are appalled at Russias war against Russia but that Congress should not write blank checks.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., member of the Freedom Caucus and a key negotiator behind the continuing resolution, told reporters Monday it was cool Zelenskyy was visiting Capitol Hill, but he thought the American people are sick and tired of their needs being neglected while we take care of the rest of the world.

Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., leaves a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zelenskyy visits Congress divided over shutdown as Ukraine aid at risk
Councilmember Kevin de Leon, shown in June, says he will run for reelection next year. His political career was damaged after last year's leak of a recorded racist conversation. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles City Councilmember Kevin de Leon, whose political career was upended following the leak of a recorded conversation featuring racist and derogatory remarks, said Wednesday he will seek another four-year term in the city's March election.

De Leon, whose district takes in all or portions of downtown, Boyle Heights, El Sereno and Eagle Rock, said in an emailed campaign announcement that he had made "unprecedented strides" in the district on public safety and homelessness. Residents of the 14th District "deserve this high level of dedicated public service," he said.

De Leon had been widely expected to launch a reelection bid, a move that will almost certainly return the leak scandal to the center of the city's political debates. In an interview with Politico, which first reported his decision to run, he acknowledged that friends and allies had "turned away" from him after he was heard in the recording with a labor leader and two other council members. He insisted, however, that his constituents continued to have his back.

I understood in a deeper way the relationship that I had with my community," De Leon said.

The primary election will be held in March. If no one receives a majority of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face off in November.

The upcoming campaign will pose yet another test of De Leon's ability to weather the political firestorm that broke out in the wake of the audio scandal. After a lengthy absence last fall, he resumed his seat on the council floor, casting votes and making remarks. He has been appearing at community events and holding press conferences on traffic safety, homelessness initiatives and other topics.

Despite those efforts, he has a tall hill to climb, said Jaime Regalado, professor emeritus of political science at Cal State L.A.

Usually incumbents have an advantage. Name recognition, money in the bank, not to mention ambition," Regalado added. "But we all know hes tarnished. Hes hurt himself very badly by being one of the four in the room, so to speak.

De Leon did not respond to requests for comment from The Times. Nearly a dozen other people have already expressed interest in running for the seat, including two Eastside-based state lawmakers  Assemblymembers Wendy Carrillo and Miguel Santiago  and Ysabel Jurado, a tenant advocate who worked in the administration of former L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Jurado, in a statement, pushed back on the notion that constituents have been well-served by De Leon.

"His behavior on that tape was enough to justify a resignation," she said. "But he sold us out long before that. Our sidewalks are cracked. Luxury real estate developers get his green light. Homelessness is worse than ever."

De Leon, onetime leader of the state Senate, won his election in 2020 for an Eastside seat held by City Councilmember Jose Huizar, who was the target of a sweeping corruption scandal and is now awaiting sentencing on racketeering and tax-evasion charges. At that time, he had significant support from neighborhood, labor and political leaders.

Read more: The entire L.A. City Council racist audio leak, transcribed and annotated by our experts

De Leon was not nearly as successful in his bid for mayor last year, finishing third in the June 2022 primary with just under 8% of the vote.

After the contents of the leaked recording were reported on in October 2022, De Leon faced immense pressure to resign, from politicians across the state and from President Biden. He apologized for his part in the incendiary conversation, but repeatedly said that he would not step down, arguing that his constituents deserved representation.

Protesters opposed to De Leon were a mainstay in council chambers for months, though most of them eventually moved on. De Leon also had supporters, some of whom rose to his defense at meetings.

The conversation that shook Los Angeles politics last year was surreptitiously recorded during an October 2021 meeting at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor offices. In that room were De Leon, then-City Council President Nury Martinez, then-Councilmember Gil Cedillo, and Ron Herrera, the head of the labor federation.

The discussion focused on ways of redrawing the citys 15 council district maps that would benefit either those present or their allies  and, more broadly, on the need to preserve and expand Latino political power.

At one point in the conversation, De Leon took part in an exchange where Martinez accused Mike Bonin, a white council member, of using his Black son as a prop, akin to a designer handbag. De Leon said it was like when "Nury brings her Goyard bag or the Louis Vuitton bag."

De Leon later apologized for that "flippant" remark, saying the comment was actually directed toward Martinez and "her penchant for having luxury accessories and luxury goods." The councilman told Noticiero Univision anchor Leon Krauze last year he was horrified at hearing Martinez say the young boy parece changuito or was like a monkey," and that he "felt horrible" and "failed to speak up."

Martinez also mocked Oaxacans and said F that guy.  Hes with the Blacks while speaking about Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. George Gascon.

Over the last year, some on the City Council have taken steps to avoid working with De Leon, saying his participation in the audio scandal disqualified him from continuing to hold public office.

"When you are ensnared in the probably largest city scandal in my generation, where the president of the United States asked you to resign, I think you should probably listen to that," said Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, who took office in December.

De Leon, a resident of Eagle Rock, used his campaign announcement to highlight his work in creating new parkland and creating housing for the city's homeless population. He also touted his work on moving the state away from dirty fossil fuels and distributing food to needy families.

His bid for a second term will face enormous hurdles. Raising money will almost certainly be a challenge, with many reluctant to be named in public documents as supporters in his campaign, political experts said.

Jurado has been picking up support from the city's activist left, including Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, former mayoral candidate Gina Viola and Democratic Socialists of America's Los Angeles chapter. Meanwhile, many of the labor unions who previously supported De Leon have thrown their support behind Santiago, a longtime De Leon ally who broke with the council member after the audio became public.

An hour after De Leon announced his reelection bid, Santiago blasted the incumbent, saying "the people want change." Homelessness has gotten worse, and is worse than in any other part of the city, Santiago said.

"The reality is, while he has been consumed with scandal, he has failed his district," he said.

Carrillo, whose Assembly district takes in much of Council District 14, said De Leon's refusal to resign spurred her to seek the council seat. In an interview, she said neighborhoods such as Eagle Rock  those with "high-propensity" voters  would not line up behind De Leon.

Carrillo said she regularly hears from constituents who need critical city services but "refuse to work with his office because of his involvement in the recording.

Thats a big reason why I decided to run," she said. "The community needs representation.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The South Carolina court official at the centre of Alex Murdaughs bid for a new murder trial has revealed that her own daughter was excited at the prospect of becoming a juror in the high-profile case.

Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill is the first person viewers hear from in the second series of Netflixs Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, released on Wednesday.

Describing herself as a native of Walterboro who does love my county and love my job, Ms Hill spoke of the magnitude of the so-called trial of the century being held in the close, tight-knit Lowcountry.

Preparing for the trial of Alex Murdaugh was huge, she said.

Its been a long time since a trial of this magnitude had happened to a small town in South Carolina. We knew that we had to get together as a county and be prepared for anything that might come up.

In a bizarre twist indicating how interconnected the local community is, she revealed that her own daughter was almost seated as a juror in the case.

So my daughter almost became a juror, she said, adding: She was so excited.

Ms Hill went on to describe her first encounter with Murdaugh on the opening day of the trial  an encounter that appeared cordial and as though the now-convicted killer expected the saga to soon be over.

The first day of trial, Alex was coming in and said good morning Ms Becky, how are you? she said.

It was more of a lightheartedness. It was a were going to get through this in about a week or two, were all gonna go home. All of this is going to go away.

Ms Hill  who is a regular feature throughout the new three-part series on the Murdaugh saga  describes her job as an elected official who maintains the things that go on in the courthouse.

It was her who read out the verdict in the courtroom after the jury reached its unanimous decision finding Murdaugh guilty of all charges.

Rebecca Hill swears in witness at Alex Murdaughs trial (AP)

Ms Hill said that she knew she was very intently being looked at by the defence team, Murdaugh family and probably the world as she read it out to the court.

We thought that after the verdict that it would be a lightheartedness, it would be an easiness more so in Hampton but it opened up a whole other Pandoras Box of questions, she said in a perhaps foreboding comment in the Netflix show.

Now, the court clerks actions during the trial have been used as a basis for Murdaugh to fight his conviction.

In a bombshell motion filed in court earlier this month, Murdaughs attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin accused Ms Hill of breaking her oath by allegedly tampering with the jury in the case, pressuring them into returning a guilty verdict against him.

They claim that she advised the panel not to be fooled by Murdaughs testimony on the stand or misled by the defences evidence, pushed them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and misrepresented critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favorable to the defense.

One of the most damning accusations centres around the dismissal of juror number 785 just hours before jury deliberations began.

According to Murdaughs attorneys, Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.

Judge Clifton Newman removed the female juror from the panel for allegedly discussing the case with at least three other people outside of the court. The woman then prompted some light-hearted  and widely-reported  relief when she asked to pick up her dozen eggs from the jury room before she left.

According to the motion, Ms Hill had gone to Judge Newman on 27 February  the day after Murdaugh testified  claiming that she had seen a post in local Facebook group Walterboro Word of Mouth from juror 785s former husband Tim Stone.

The post purportedly claimed that the juror was drinking with her ex-husband and, when she became drunk, she expressed her views on whether Murdaugh was innocent or guilty.

Murdaugh in court on 14 September (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A follow-up post from an account called Timothy Stone apologised for the post saying that he was driven by Satan.

In a new motion this week, Murdaughs attorneys claim that the Mr Stone behind the Facebook posts was actually a random Georgia man who was ranting about his wifes aunt  and has no connection to the case.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilsons office responded to the allegations on Friday, saying that investigators probing the accusations had already found significant factual disputes with the claims.

Maggie and Paul were found shot dead on the familys 1,700-acre Moselle estate back on 7 June 2021. Alex Murdaugh had called 911 claiming to have found their bodies.

During his high-profile murder trial, jurors heard how Paul was shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun while he stood in the feed room of the dog kennels on the affluent familys 1,700-acre Moselle estate. The second shot to his head blew his brain almost entirely out of his skull.

After killing Paul, prosecutors said Murdaugh then grabbed a .300 Blackout semiautomatic rifle and opened fire on Maggie as she tried to flee from her husband.

During the dramatic six-week trial, Murdaugh confessed to lying about his alibi on the night of the murders but continued to claim his innocence of the killings.

The jury didnt agree and the disgraced legal scion was convicted in March of the brutal murders.

Beyond the murder charges, Murdaugh, 55, is also facing a slew of financial fraud charges for stealing millions of dollars from his law firm clients and his dead housekeepers family.

He reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors on Monday  admitting that he stole millions of dollars from law firm clients for his own personal benefit.

In the agreement, signed and filed in South Carolina US District Court on Monday, the double murderer confirmed he will plead guilty to 22 federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

While Murdaugh admitted to stealing millions from clients during bombshell courtroom testimony at his murder trial, this marks the first time that he has ever pleaded guilty to committing a crime.

He will appear in federal court on Thursday to formally enter his plea.
Danielle Copperman thrifted her wedding after-party dress on eBay for $60.

Copperman posted on TikTok about planning to rewear the dress to a gala one year later.

She said rewearing the dress brought back memories of her wedding evening.

British fashion creator Danielle Copperman found her wedding after-party dress on eBay after committing to thrifting as many of her bridal outfits as possible, she told Insider.

Copperman posted a TikTok on September 9, which has over 240,000 views as of Wednesday, sharing that she would be rewearing her gold beaded wedding after-party dress a year after her wedding.

Comments on Copperman's TikTok were flooded with users shocked at how to find such pieces on eBay.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Copperman told Insider that there's no guarantee you'll find something when thrifting, and in fact, she spent months scouring the internet  including eBay and Vestiaire Collective  until she found her dream dress for roughly $60. She added that the listing was very basic, and the dress was not from a notable brand.

Copperman's wedding was held in September 2022 near Lyon, France. There was no detail left untouched at the intimate wedding, she said. Copperman told Insider that she even bought most of the potted wedding flowers herself, and gave these to guests to take home and plant.

Copperman added that future brides should rethink their principles on outfits needing to be from bridal brands in order to be deemed special. "I was looking for something from a high fashion brand ideally, but this just seemed to call to me more than any second-hand options I'd found by my favorite designers," she added.

The topic of rewearing their wedding outfits is one that brides often have a strong stance on, and Copperman knew she wanted to be able to rewear her outfits.

"I hate that so many aspects of weddings is wasteful, I didn't want anything that I would only wear for a few hours of my life," Copperman said. She told Insider that not only was the after-party dress thrifted, but her ceremony dress was created with deadstock fabric by designer Savannah Miller.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Copperman told Insider she planned to rewear the after-party dress to the Gold Gala du Ritz, celebrating 125 years of the Ritz Paris hotel, for which the gold beaded gown seemed the perfect fit for the occasion. She added that rewearing the after-party dress brought back the memories of her wedding evening.

"I just think it's a shame to pack things away for years especially when they're so special," she added.

Rather than being too precious about garments, Copperman said clothes can always be dry cleaned and treated, and if not, the imperfections hold a treasure of memories. "To be honest, I fell over on the night of our wedding in this gold dress and lost a few beads, but I think it just adds to the memories that it holds," she said.

Copperman told Insider: "Of course, you need to take care of things but in the end, as they say, life's too short not to wear the dress."

Read the original article on Insider
Time is running out for additional Republican presidential candidates to meet the qualifications to participate in the second GOP presidential debate next week.

Eight candidates participated in the first debate hosted by Fox News in Milwaukee last month, but the Republican National Committee (RNC) has since raised the fundraising and polling requirements, which could narrow the field that qualifies to make the stage this time.

The RNC is requiring candidates attain at least 50,000 unique donors, including at least 200 from 20 states or territories, up from 40,000 required last time.

The candidates also must receive at least 3 percent support in two national polls or in one national poll and in two polls of the four early voting states  Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. The polls recognized by the RNC must survey at least 800 likely Republican voters and not be from a pollster affiliated with a campaign or candidate committee.

The polling requirement is up from the 1 percent in three national polls or in two national polls and two early voting states required for last months event.

Which polls the RNC accepted became a point of contention last time after Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, conservative radio talk show host Larry Elder and businessman Perry Johnson said they qualified for the debate, but the RNC did not recognize their polls, leaving them off the stage.

Elder said he was told he was not included in the debate because one of the polls that would have helped him qualify was tied to former President Trumps campaign. Suarez said ahead of the debate that candidates who did not qualify should drop out, and he subsequently left the race a week later.

Candidates must meet the fundraising and polling requirements for the second debate at least 48 hours before the debate begins, so they have until Monday.

They also must have signed the RNCs loyalty pledge, vowing to support the partys eventual nominee. All the candidates who appeared in the first debate and have already qualified for the second have signed the pledge.

Those candidates are Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, former Vice President Mike Pence, former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Trump has qualified for the second debate but plans to skip it, as he did for the first one. He will instead speak to autoworkers in Detroit amid the United Auto Workers strike against three major automakers  Ford, General Motors and Stellantis.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson both qualified for the first debate and signed the pledge, but they have not yet qualified for next weeks debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

Fox Business Network will host the event alongside Univision and Rumble, the online video platform.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
You are here: China

Soldiers stand at attention during a welcoming ceremony as the Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrives at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 19, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Tuesday morning after completing friendly visits and humanitarian medical services to Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and East Timor.

Since its departure on July 3, the ship had traversed a distance exceeding 12,000 nautical miles over 79 days.

Throughout its mission, the ship has welcomed visiting heads of state, military and political dignitaries, along with representatives from international organizations, foreign delegations, overseas Chinese communities, and local military, police, and civilians.

The ship hosted five deck receptions, organized 23 academic exchanges and 10 cultural events, and participated in its first-ever joint exercise with the Tongan Navy.

The vessel provided medical care to 41,358 individuals from various countries, conducted physical examinations for 491 people, and performed 192 surgeries for residents.

It also dispatched 47 medical teams to offer medical services in local communities, schools, and hospitals. Additionally, its medical personnel also helped deliver three babies on the ship.

The "Peace Ark," the first standard ocean-going maritime hospital independently designed and built by China, has undertaken humanitarian medical missions abroad since being commissioned in 2008.
The state has agreed to pay $25.2 million to settle a suit by two men who were wrongly convicted of murder as teenagers and imprisoned for 30 years based in large part on so-called crime scene evidence that a federal court said was fabricated by world-renowned forensic scientist Henry C. Lee.

The settlement ends a decades-long legal fight by Shawn Henning and Ricky Birch, who were accused of a 1985 murder, but released from prison after the state Supreme Court reversed their convictions in 2018. The Supreme Court said  and a federal court later agreed  that Lee testified falsely about blood stains on a towel the prosecution said tied the teens to the crime.

The office of state Attorney General William Tong confirmed the settlement in an uncharacteristically subdued, three-sentence statement issued after the close of business Tuesday in response to a question by the Courant.

The office said it had reached a settlement in principle, which will not be final until approved by the state legislature. The legislature, which must approve such settlements in excess of $2.5 million, will convene a special session later this month, but likely will not get to the settlement until next year.

The Attorney Generals press statement quoted attorneys for both sides in the suit as saying, We are pleased to have reached an agreement in principle to resolve these matters in the best interest of all parties. We look forward to presenting this settlement to the legislature and reserve further comment until that time.

Henning and Birch were accused and wrongly convicted of the bloody stabbing death of Everett Carr, a retired truck driver who was living with his daughter in New Milford. Two years after the convictions were reversed they sued Lee, then the states chief forensic scientist, as well as seven detectives with the state police and New Milford Police Department and the town of New Milford.

Two men cleared of bloody murder after 30 years in prison accuse star criminologist Henry Lee of fabricating evidence

The settlement reached Tuesday is with Lee and the state police detectives. The case against New Milford and its officers was not settled and could proceed to trial.

The two teens were a pair of drug-abusing, teenage burglars living, packed with everything they owned, in a stolen car when detectives made them the top suspects in Carrs murder.

It was an exceptionally bloody crime and blood evidence dominated the separate Henning and Birch trials. Lees trial testimony that he found traces of blood on a bath towel  testimony the state and federal courts have called at best, erroneous and at worst, false  sent Henning and Birch to prison for 50 and 55 years, respectively.

Carr had been stabbed 27 times. His jugular vein was slashed and the hallway in which his killers trapped him was so saturated with blood that detectives had to build a makeshift ramp to get to the body.

The teens argued in their defense, among other things, that they couldnt have killed Carr because not a speck of blood was found on them or any of the cluttered junk in the cramped stolen car where they were living.

Lees trial testimony was the prosecutions answer. At the time of Carrs death, Lee was building a national reputation as a forensic scientist and could be counted on to be present with state police major crime investigators at high profile crime scenes.

Lee testified at both trials that he found the stained towel in an upstairs bathroom and that his repeated tests on what appeared to be light stains proved they were made by blood. The prosecutor used Lees testimony to argue to the juries that the then 17-year-old Henning and 18-year-old Birch could have used the towel to clean themselves of blood.

When it reversed the convictions, the Supreme Court found that there was no blood on the towel. In addition, the court said Lee had no way of knowing what the stain on the towel was because neither he, nor anyone in his lab tested it before the teens were convicted.

State Supreme Court blasts renowned forensic scientist Henry Lee and throws out 1989 murder convictions of two New Milford men

When the stains on the towel were finally tested in 2008  part of a last ditch appeal by Henning and Birch  the result showed they werent made by blood, but some inorganic substance.

The states agreement to settle the case followed an unusual pretrial ruling in the federal wrongful conviction suit by Henning and Birch. In July U.S. District Judge Victor Bolden concluded that Lee fabricated the blood evidence that led to the convictions and that he was liable for damages in the case.

The ruling meant that, had Tongs office not settled and the case against Lee had moved forward, it would have been a hearing in damages rather than a trial. A jury would have been instructed that Lee was liable for the wrongful conviction and told to decide only how much Henning and Birch were owed in compensation.

Lee appealed Boldens ruling, but agreed to withdraw the appeal as part of the settlement, meaning the liability finding stands.

CTs Henry Lee defends work in murder case. I have no motive nor reason to fabricate evidence.

In addition to finding against Lee, Bolden ruled that a jury could reasonably find that state and New Milford police fabricated or concealed evidence that would have undermined the case against the teenagers.

Lee in July defended his 1985 examination of evidence in the murder case, stating that he did not fabricate evidence about blood found on a bathroom towel.

I have no motive nor reason to fabricate evidence, Lee wrote in his statement at the time. My chemical testing of the towel played no direct role in implicating Mr. Birch and Mr. Henning or anyone else as suspects in this crime. Further, my scientific testimony at their trial included exculpatory evidence, such as a negative finding of blood on their clothing that served to exonerate them.
The mounting national debts incurred by developing countries and owed to international creditors is dragging those nations into an abyss, Cubas leader said Wednesday at a conference at the United Nations in New York, at a time Cuba itself has defaulted on payments to a group of creditors.

Immediate action is needed to urgently address the unsustainable external debt dragging most developing nations into the worlds abyss, Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cubas handpicked president, said in a brief address at the Financing for Development conference.

Speaking as the temporary chairman of the G-77 plus China, a group of 134 U.N member nations that recently met in Havana, he called for an inclusive and effective solution with the participation of all creditors so that developing countries can invest in their development.

The way international financial institutions, like the International Monetary Fund, function must be reformed, he said, echoing calls by other leaders to increase the participation of developing nations in the decision-making process.

Speakers at the event highlighted that the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, increasing poverty and economic shocks have made financing for development a more difficult but urgent goal.

At U.N., Cubas leader hammers U.S.s cruel policies, but stays silent on Russia

Cuba is particularly vulnerable on that front because the communist country has been excluded from international financial institutions like the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Decades ago, under the rule of Fidel Castro, Cuba defaulted on its foreign debt, which he at the time declared unpayable. But the country later got debt relief from Russia and 14 nations in the Paris Club, a group of the worlds richest countries. They agreed to cancel $8.5 billion in overdue interest payments in exchange for a promise by Cuba to pay off $2.6 billion of the original debt  on which first defaulted in 1986  over 18 years through 2033. The group of Cuban creditors includes Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Britain.

The 2015 deal with the Paris Club, after the United States restored diplomatic relations with Cuba, was seen as a first step for a future incorporation of Cuba back into the international financial system.

But the country has defaulted on payments since 2019 and has tried to get relief. In September, Paris Club representatives traveled to Havana and Cuban officials again asked for a moratorium on debt repayments, blaming U.S. sanctions and the pandemic for the delays.

I reiterate the will of the Cuban government to honor the commitments assumed with our creditors when conditions improve for the island, said Foreign Trade Minister Ricardo Cabrisas in a video of the meeting shown on Cuban state television.

The country is also battling a lawsuit in court in the United Kingdom by investment firm CRF-I Ltd over two unpaid loans of $78 million in a case against the Banco Nacional de Cuba.

Experts agree that its unlikely that Cuba will be able to honor its debt commitments, as the country is going through one of its worst economic crises. The economy has not recovered from the pandemic, tourism has not rebounded, aid from key partner Venezuela has dwindled, and sanctions originally imposed by the Trump administration on remittances from abroad have significantly reduced the money going to government coffers.

Though the government keeps its foreign-currency reserves secret, former economy minister Jose Luis Rodriguez reported Cubas international reserves as $11.528 billion in 2019 in a column published in the official news site Cubadebate. He said that number declined an additional $2.5 billion through 2021.

But the governments reluctance to implement urgent market reforms and legal changes to attract foreign investment is a significant obstacle to the countrys development.

Cuban entrepreneurs to be allowed to open U.S. bank accounts, access internet services

In 2011, now retired general Raul Castro laid out some reforms but failed to deliver on the plan approved by the Communist Party. It took Cuban authorities another decade to authorize Cubans to own small and medium enterprises. Since then, private entrepreneurs have become significant importers of food and basic supplies, accounting for 50 percent of the cargo container traffic to Cuba from the United States, a Biden administration official told the Miami Herald. But several restrictions, including limits on using cash, are threatening their growth.

The Cuban government has yet to authorize foreign investments in these private enterprises and has signaled that it would not change its laws to offer standard protections to foreign investors.

It is unclear what is stopping the Cuban government from acting with urgency to address its economic and debt crises. Still, Diaz-Canel said he hopes the Wednesday event would help to urgently foster political will to implement what we all know is necessary to overcome one of the most complex crises that humanity has witnessed in modern history.
Two Indiana girls were killed in 2017 not by the man charged with their murders but in a ritual sacrifice by pagan cult members who painted a tree with one victims blood, his defense attorneys claimed in an explosive court filing Monday.

The bizarre 136-page memorandum was submitted on behalf of Richard Allen, who was charged last year with killing 14-year-old Libby German and 13-year-old Abby Williams near a trail in Delphi, northeast of Indianapolis. The killings rocked the small town and made national headlines, and despite video, audio and witness accounts of a man whod spoken with the girls before they were killed, authorities didnt identify a suspect until Allen was arrested in October 2022.

Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, were found dead near an abandoned railroad bridge that they had been hiking across in 2017.

Abby Williams, 13, and Libby German, 14, were found dead near an abandoned railroad bridge that they had been hiking across in 2017.

Authorities have been tight-lipped about the investigation and have refused to share any details about how the girls died or the crime scene, so the defense attorneys new motion offered the first glimpse at what may have happened, although their claims have not been corroborated. Prosecutors have not yet responded in court filings, and a judge has barred attorneys involved in the case from speaking with the media.

Many of the theories about the case have been fueled by a video that Libby German filmed just before the girls disappeared. In it, the suspected killer approaches them on an abandoned railway bridge and orders them to go down the hill. One of the girls can be heard saying he had a gun. Their bodies were found the next day about half a mile from the bridge.

But the defense memo claims that by saying a single person  the man in the video, whom authorities identified as Allen  was responsible, police ignored evidence that the deaths could have been the result of a coordinated abduction and subsequent ritualistic sacrifice at the hands of a pagan religious cult, Odinism, which the attorneys say is linked to white nationalism.

Yet, law enforcement in charge of the Delphi investigation seemingly, and quickly, abandoned the obvious correlation between the crime scene and Odinism, despite an obscene amount of evidence linking Odinism to the crime scene and even in spite of powerful evidence linking specific Odinites in and around Indiana to the murders, they said.

Allens defense attorneys claimed in the document that investigators lied to obtain a search warrant for Allens property, withheld or ignored evidence and discounted a number of potential suspects  all of which, they claim, merit tossing the warrant and suppressing the fruits of an illegal search.

The memo goes into graphic detail about what the attorneys describe as a ghoulish crime scene, claiming that murdering Odinites arranged sticks and tree branches on the girls bodies to mimic rune symbols and painted a rune shaped like an F  which is associated with the deity Odin  by dipping a finger or a tool in a girls neck wound.

Included in the motion is a 92-item numbered list framed as a test of what Allen would have had to do on his own to stage the crime scene as his attorneys describe it, including marching the girls through the woods and across a 3-foot-wide river to the site where they were killed. The attorneys say that evidence showed that both girls were naked when their throats were cut and that Abby Williams was then redressed in Libby Germans clothes. They use about 40 list items to describe each step involved in the alleged redressing  for example, this man acting alone would have had to maneuver the left hand and arm in order to move it into the bottom opening of the sweatshirt. Germans clothes were then tossed in the river, the attorneys allege, and she was naked when she was found.

The attorneys allege that sticks and branches were then carefully placed on the girls bodies to mimic the runes and that smaller sticks were placed above Williams head, crudely mimicking horns or antlers.

Allens attorneys have previously sought to have him removed from the maximum security prison where he is being held as he awaits trial, claiming that his physical and mental health was deteriorating and likening his conditions to those of a prisoner of war. A judge denied that request. In Mondays motion, they claim that two correctional officers boldly wore patches with rune symbols and the phrase In Odin we trust, and one had a picture of an Odinite altar on his Facebook account.

Prosecutors said that Allen confessed to the killings no less than 5 times in calls he made to his wife and mother from prison. Allens attorneys acknowledged he made incriminating statements but countered that they were unreliable because of his mental health issues. In a heavily redacted probable cause affidavit for Allens arrest, authorities claim that Allen placed himself at the scene of the girls kidnapping in a statement to a law enforcement officer in 2017 and that an unspent bullet found between the girls bodies matched a gun owned by Allen.

Allens trial is scheduled to begin Jan. 8, 2024.

Related...
(Bloomberg) -- The Czech Republics ruling coalition signaled it may water down a bill designed to give the state more sway to revamp dominant utility CEZ AS without gaining consent from minority shareholders.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The legislation has stoked concern among investors because it lowers the limit for approving changes in ownership structures, including uneven asset splits, to 75% of shareholders present at a general meeting, from the current 90% of all owners. The government has said the draft law is meant to align Czech rules with European Union peers and isnt tailor-made for the utility.

The ruling coalition isnt prepared to approve the proposal in this form at the moment, Marek Benda, the deputy chairman of the parliamentary committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, said before members of the legislative body adjourned their debate on the bill on Wednesday.

CEZ shares have underperformed European peers since the cabinet approved the draft in May, trading about 20% below this years high. The stock reversed early losses on Wednesday, gaining as much as 0.8% and valuing the biggest traded power company in eastern Europe at 520 billion koruna ($22.8 billion).

The origin of the controversy is rooted in Europes energy crisis, which last year prompted Prime Minister Petr Fiala to declare that the state wants to gain more control over electricity production. Since then, Fiala has softened his tone somewhat, saying the government still wants to have more say over energy infrastructure, although hes stopped referring specifically to power generation. Hes also been touting moves such as buying natural gas storage facilities.

With the coalition also trying to deliver on its key election promise of curbing the budget deficit, the state has limited fiscal room to conduct a potential buyout of CEZ minority owners if it wanted to bring power plants under its full control.

The legislative proposal drafted by Justice Minister Pavel Blazek, considered one of Fialas closest political allies, has also sparked criticism from the governments legal advisers and triggered objections from some its own lawmakers.

Karel Haas, the lawmaker supervising the proposal in parliament, said the coalition is discussing potential changes to the bill.

The options include a removal of the contested clause on uneven asset splits or amending the terms for approving such ownership changes, according to Haas. Another option, he said, is to ask the Justice Ministry to rework its proposal.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
After his 9-year-old daughters impromptu camping-themed birthday party at a friends house in Hickory, North Carolina, Phil Paxson said goodbye to his wife and daughters and stayed back to help clean up from the festivities.

It was dark and rainy out, so the 47-year-old dad of two plugged his home address into Google Maps and followed the approximately 4.3-mile, 10-minute route on his phone. But the GPS directions took him to Snow Creek Bridge  which had partially collapsed in 2013.

Thats when Paxsons Jeep Gladiator plunged 20 feet from the road into a creek. Paxson drowned that night on Sept. 30, 2022.

Typically, barricades are in place to prevent drivers from crossing the bridge, North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. But the barricades had been removed after being vandalized and were missing at the time of Paxsons wreck.

Now, his widow has filed a lawsuit against Google LLC, Alphabet (Googles parent company), Tarde LLC, James Tarlton and Hickley Gauvain LLC. The suit was filed Sept. 19 in the North Carolina Superior Court in Wake County, where Google has a registered office.

The suit alleges that Google ignored complaints from citizens about the washed out bridge, failing to update their maps and investigate reports from users to maintain safe and navigable roadways.

As of April 2023, Google Maps still showed the bridge as passable, according to the suit.

Attorneys also allege that the three other defendants had a duty and responsibility to maintain the Snow Creek Bridge, but failed to maintain the bridge, place proper barricades and warning signs or provide lights near the hazardous road.

As of Sept. 20, there still have not been repairs to the bridge, according to the attorneys.





There have been concerned neighbors who took it upon themselves to put concrete barriers on the side of the road that Phil was driving on. They did what the defendants who are responsible for the bridge didnt do, attorneys said during a call with news outlets on Sept. 20. But the condition of the actual road and bridge itself is the same today as it was on the day that bill was was killed.

A spokesperson from Google said the company is reviewing the lawsuit.

We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family. Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit, the spokesperson said in an emailed statement to McClatchy News.

McClatchy News was unable to reach Tarde LLC, James Tarlton and Hickley Gauvain LLC for comment.

Paxsons wife is suing all four defendants for negligent, grossly negligent, willful and wanton conduct as well as punitive damages and loss of consortium.

Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and Im at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still cant understand how those responsible for the GPS directions, and the bridge, could have acted with so little regard for human life, Paxsons wife, Alicia Paxson, said in a news release after the suit was filed. Google ignored the concerned community voices telling them to change its map and directions. No one should ever lose a loved one this way, and we want to make sure our voices are heard.

Hickory is about 55 miles northwest of Charlotte.

Family watched EMT drop 72-year-old from gurney before he died, Maine lawsuit says

Family of Missouri woman killed in huffing accident granted $745 million in lawsuit

Woman arrested for stealing at Walmart  but she was nowhere near store, SC suit says
A Maryland father plans to use his recent big Maryland lottery win the same way hes used his previous two wins  to buy his adult child a home.

After work on Sept. 14, the auto shop owner made a stop at Edgewood Amoco BP to bet on horse races playing Racetrax Trifecta Box, Maryland Lottery said in a Sept. 19 news release.

The Harford County man, 58, usually bets on the 10, 11 and 12 horses, lottery officials said. This time, he also added a bonus multiplier option to the 10-draw ticket.

Using the Maryland Lottery app, lottery officials said the man learned he won in the second race, quadrupling his prize to $62,622 thanks to the bonus multiplier.

Harford County is about 35 miles northeast of Baltimore.

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.

Firefighter felt lucky before winning big Powerball prize. Then he went to work

Clerk apologizes for printing wrong lottery ticket. But his mistake paid off big time

Son wins big in Washington lottery game  but needs dad to double-check ticket
Donald Trump's longtime assistant has told federal investigators that the former president repeatedly wrote to-do lists for her on White House documents marked as classified, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News.

The aide, Molly Michael, informed investigators that she received to-do lists from Trump on multiple occasions that were written on the back of notecards she later identified as confidential White House materials with visible classification markings on them, which had been used to brief the president on phone calls with foreign leaders or other international matters, according to ABC.

"Michael's testimony is damning in the classified documents case," former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Salon, arguing that it demonstrated "Trump's knowledge that he unlawfully maintained classified documents," and also "his intent to keep them from the FBI and to obstruct justice."

The notecards with classification markings were found during the FBI's search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last year, but the FBI did not take them, sources familiar with the matter told the news outlet.

Michael said she visited Mar-a-Lago a day after the search and located the documents beneath a drawer organizer and delivered the documents to the FBI that same day, the sources said.

"Sophisticated criminal defendants do not often admit to committing crimes, but if the jury believes Michael, that is exactly what Trump did," Rahmani said.

Earlier this summer, Trump was indicted for stashing documents at Mar-a-Lago and obstructing government efforts to retrieve them. After receiving a subpoena from the Department of Justice demanding the return of classified documents, Trump and his team returned of them, but the subsequent FBI raid of the private Palm Beach club that serves as Trump's residence yielded more than 100 classified documents.

Michael informed investigators that last year she grew increasingly concerned about the way Trump handled recurring requests from the National Archives for the return of government documents, sources told ABC.

Trump allegedly told Michael, "You don't know anything about the boxes," after he heard that the FBI wanted to interview Michael last year, according to sources.

If that amounted to the ex-president instructing a former aide to "follow his guidance" about the classified documents he retained after leaving the White House, that would "add further credence" to the argument that Trump purposefully ignored requests from the National Archives and Department of Justice to return all such documents prior to the August 2022 Mar-a-Lago raid, said Javed Ali, a former senior counterterrorism official at the Department of Homeland Security.

Trump pleaded not guilty in June to 37 criminal counts related to his handling of classified materials containing intelligence on nuclear weapons programs and information on the nation's defense capabilities. That case was filed in Florida federal court, and is separate from his criminal indictments in New York, Georgia and Washington, D.C.

Michael, who began worked as Trump's executive assistant in the White House in 2018, left her position last year, apparently due to Trump's alleged refusal to comply with federal requests, ABC News reported.

In her discussions with federal investigators, Michael described how close to 90 boxes containing materials from Trump's presidential tenure were relocated, late in 2021, to a basement storage area within Mar-a-Lago. She explained that as requests from the National Archives intensified, she and Trump aide Walt Nauta (who is now also under indictment) transported boxes to Trump's residence for him to review.

Trump eventually agreed to return 15 boxes of materials, which Michael viewed as a positive step, according to sources who spoke with ABC. But after the National Archives found nearly 200 classified documents in those boxes and alerted the FBI, Trump's willingness to cooperate reportedly waned.

He allegedly "asked Michael to help spread a message that no more boxes existed," sources told ABC.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Rahmani, the former federal prosecutor, said that "Trump's defense team will have a difficult time overcoming evidence of Trump's disregard for the security of classified material and his decision to basically ignore the grand jury subpoena obtained by the DOJ to demand the return of the documents."

Another legal expert, Nina Marino, a partner with the white-collar criminal defense firm Kaplan Marino, pointed out that the government will likely use Michael's testimony to support the prosecution narrative that Trump was "knowingly and intentionally obstructing the federal investigation."

The apparent "combination of blatant disregard with deliberate concealment," Marino suggested, could serve as "strong evidence of guilt for the government in the classified documents case," Marino added. Using such documents as "note paper," she said, demonstrated that "blatant disregard."

As president, Ali noted, Trump had access to the "full suite of intelligence" obtained by the government, which may include information so sensitive that even within the president's national security circle only a few people would have similar access. "No president, whether in office or after leaving, can unilaterally declare classified intelligence to be declassified" without following clearly specified procedures," Ali said.
FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  Runners will take over Woodward Park as the Out of Darkness Community Walk comes to Fresno this weekend.

Organizers of the Out Of Darkness Community Walk say it is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions affect lives and the lives of those we love and care about.

The American Foundation for Suicide is a partner with the Out of The Darkness Walks as they say the partnerships goal is to create a culture thats smart about mental health and a platform to raise awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.

This event is a walk/run that is based on fundraising for the organization. Those who are participating in this event can walk/run individually, join a team, or create a team.

If a participant chooses to not walk/run in this event, volunteers are highly encouraged to help assist with the event. Click here to email the organizers and volunteer. For those who are not able to make the event, but would like to help donate towards the cause, sponsors are welcome to help by reaching out to the Walk Chair Andrea Morales.

This event will be on September 23, at 9:00 a.m. at Woodward Park. Registration can be found through the Out of the Darkness Community Walk page.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a thermometer indicating the outdoor temperature in Beijing, capital of China, June 23, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese researchers have predicted that 2023 could become the hottest year on record while 2024 may be even hotter, based on the analysis of a dataset they have developed.

The study, published on Tuesday in the journal Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, was conducted by researchers from the School of Atmospheric Sciences at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.

By analyzing the China global Merged Surface Temperature dataset 2.0 (CMST 2.0), the team discovered that 2023 has already experienced the third hottest first half-year since records began.

The global mean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) surged to an all-time high in April, while global mean land air temperatures followed suit by reaching their second-highest monthly level in June. This combination resulted in May being crowned the hottest month ever recorded for global mean surface temperatures, according to the study.

The study further reveals that global temperatures continue to rise into the second half of 2023, driven by factors including El Nino and widespread wildfires. Both global mean SSTs and global mean land temperatures reached unprecedented highs for July.

The researchers then made the prediction that 2023 is on track to become the hottest year on record while 2024 may witness even higher global surface temperatures, based on the current trajectory and short-term forecast results of El Nino, along with the extremely positive phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), which strongly influences global surface temperatures.

The study pointed out that as global warming accelerates, the likelihood of extreme weather events and disasters increases, calling for urgent action.

"As global temperatures continue to break records, it is clear that immediate and sustained efforts are needed to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change," said Li Qingxiang, the corresponding author and a professor at Sun Yat-sen University.

The CMST 2.0 dataset, developed by Li's team, integrates over a century's worth of global land-air temperature data, resulting in an invaluable resource for climate scientists and policymakers.
David Schechter is a national environmental correspondent and the host of the "On the Dot with David Schechter," a guided journey to explore how we're changing the earth and earth is changing us. His people-focused reports air on CBS-owned stations across the country and CBS Stations' local news streaming channels.

As a member of the CBS News Innovation Lab, Schechter and producing partners Chance Horner and Haley Rush, capture a spirit of adventure, camaraderie, curiosity and fun while exploring the causes and solutions of climate change. He also co-founded the CBS E-Team; training local reporters, meteorologists and news managers to break through the barriers that keep them from covering climate change.

Featuring cinematic videography, "On the Dot" is uniquely produced to take the audience on a journey of discovery; often transporting them to amazing places where scientists are measuring and documenting climate change. The franchise name is inspired by the words of astronomer Carl Sagan, who reminded American's that, seen from the vastness of space, we all live together on a tiny, blue dot.

Schechter returned to CBS in 2022, where he had worked from 1999-2006 as an investigative reporter at WCCO-TV, the CBS-owned station in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Recently, he spent 16 years with WFAA-TV in Dallas-Fort Worth, where he was a senior reporter as well as the host and co-producer of the franchise, "Verify Road Trip."

In 2021, Schechter and Horner won a 2021 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton for reporting about climate change. He's also a two-time winner of the national Murrow Award for documentary, three-time Scripps Howard National Journalism Award winner, recipient of the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Political Reporting and a James Beard Award Finalist. Schechter, a University of Michigan graduate, is a patented inventor and a Poynter Institute Ethics Fellow.

Why illegal crossings are on the rise at the southern border

Zelenskyy warns of global nuclear threat in U.N. address

WGA, Hollywood studios to resume talks after wins on picket line
A day care owner and her tenant are facing federal charges after the death of a 1-year-old who was allegedly exposed to fentanyl stored at their New York City apartment, federal prosecutors announced.

Grei Mendez, 36, operated El Divino Nino day care from an apartment in the Bronx, where Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, also lived. The two were first charged with murder after the death of 1-year-old Nicholas Feliz-Dominici last week, and on Tuesday, federal prosecutors announced they would also face federal charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death.

The federal charges were brought against Mendez and Brito following a search of the day care, where police allegedly found large quantities of fentanyl along with machinery and paraphernalia used to package narcotics.

Parents entrusted Grei Mendez with the care of their children, U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. As alleged, instead of diligently safeguarding the well-being of those children, she and her co-conspirators put them directly in harms way, running a narcotics operation and storing deadly fentanyl out of the very space in which the children ate, slept, and played.

Grei Mendez (left) and Carlisto Acevedo Brito face charges in the day care drug case.

Grei Mendez (left) and Carlisto Acevedo Brito face charges in the day care drug case.

Prosecutors said Mendez called police on Friday afternoon to report that three young children under her care were unresponsive.

The children were taken to a hospital, where two of them  an 8-month-old and a 2-year-old  were administered Narcan, an emergency drug used to reverse the effects of opioids. Nicholas, however, was pronounced dead shortly after arriving, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors added that another child, also 1 year old, was picked up by their parents two hours before Mendez called 911. According to the complaint, the parents of that fourth child noticed that the child was lethargic and unresponsive and took the toddler to a hospital, where medical professionals also administered Narcan.

Medical professionals determined that each child taken to the hospital that day had symptoms consistent with opioid poisoning, authorities said.

An evidence photo of fentanyl and a press reportedly recovered from the day care in the Bronx borough of New York City.

An evidence photo of fentanyl and a press reportedly recovered from the day care in the Bronx borough of New York City.

During their search of the apartment, police found 1 kilogram of fentanyl on top of a childrens play mat in the hallway, along with a hydraulic press machine allegedly used to compress narcotics into bricks.

Mendezs attorney, Andres Aranda, has denied that she knew any drugs were present at her day care. According to The New York Times, he said during her state arraignment that her only crime is renting a room.

But federal prosecutors said that digital forensics indicated that immediately before calling 911, Mendez made phone calls to another employee of the day care and to her husband, who is Britos cousin.

Digital forensics also allegedly discovered that Mendez had deleted approximately 21,526 messages with her husband dated from March 2021 to Sept. 15, the day the children were sickened, from an encrypted app.

According to prosecutors, Mendez had been texting her husband throughout the day that police were called to the apartment and told him that officers were asking questions about him.

Prosecutors said surveillance footage showed that Mendezs husband was inside the day care on the day of the alleged fentanyl exposure and left minutes before police arrived, carrying out shopping bags.

During an interview with investigators, Mendez claimed there were no drugs inside the day care and that the hydraulic press police found could have been left by a previous occupant, according to the complaint.

Prosecutors said Brito also denied knowing anything about drugs inside the day care or the hydraulic press. A search of Britos phone also allegedly revealed that he was messaging someone in August about police activity.

Zoila Dominici, the mother of the 1-year-old who died, told The New York Times that her son was adjusting well at the day care, which she said was affordable and had a good reputation.

I didnt see anything that looked out of the ordinary, she told The New York Times on Sunday. Just little beds and toys.

Dominici said that the family is struggling with the lost of Nicholas, adding that he shouldnt have died like that.

He was the little prince of the house, she told the Times, describing how loved the 1-year-old was by his siblings. They took such good care of him.

The boys death has also brought scrutiny on the New York officials who regulate home-based day cares.

Speaking at a news conference on Monday, New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan said inspectors did a surprise inspection of the day care on Sept. 6 but did not identify drugs or the hydraulic press.

Im very sorry, but one of the things that my child care inspectors are not trained to do is look for fentanyl. But maybe they need to start, Vasan said.

Also speaking at the news conference, Mayor Eric Adams defended the health department by saying inspectors did not see a drug lab, adding they had performed their duties.

New York Mayor Eric Adams holds a news conference on Monday about the children sickened at a Bronx day care.

New York Mayor Eric Adams holds a news conference on Monday about the children sickened at a Bronx day care.

Aranda did not respond to HuffPosts request for a comment, and its unclear when Mendez and Brito are due back in court.

This case reflects every parents worst nightmare, New York Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban said in a statement. These alleged drug traffickers brazenly went about their illicit business in one of the most ill-conceived locations imaginable, but they will be held accountable.

Related...
Darryl George, left, a 17-year-old junior, and his mother Darresha George, right, talks with reporters before walking across the street to go into Barbers Hill High School after Darryl served a 5-day in-school suspension for not cutting his hair Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Mont Belvieu. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

HOUSTON (AP)  The debate over whether a Black high school student in Texas should be serving in-school suspension for wearing twisted dreadlocks to class intensified this week as the students family and his school district both took legal action.

Darryl George, 17, a junior at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, has been serving an in-school suspension since Aug. 31 at the Houston-area school. School officials say his dreadlocks fall below his eyebrows and ear lobes and violate the districts dress code.

Georges mother, Darresha George, and the familys attorney deny the teenagers hairstyle violates the Barbers Hill Independent School District dress code and have accused the district of violating a new state law that outlaws racial discrimination based on hairstyles. The new law, the CROWN Act, took effect Sept. 1.

On Tuesday, Darresha George and her attorney filed a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency, alleging that Darryl George was being harassed and mistreated by school district officials over his hair and that his in-school suspension was in violation of the CROWN Act.

On Wednesday, the agency notified Darresha George and her attorney that it will investigate the complaint.

Later Wednesday, the Barbers Hill school district announced it had filed a lawsuit in state district court asking a judge to clarify whether its dress code restrictions limiting student hair length for boys violates the CROWN Act. The lawsuit was filed in Chambers County, located east of Houston.

Although we believe the new law does not govern hair length, we are asking the judicial system of Texas to interpret, Barbers Hill Superintendent Greg Poole said in a statement.

The superintendent had previously said the dress code is legal and teaches students to conform as a sacrifice benefiting everyone.

Darresha George said the fight to have her son return to class has taken a toll on her mentally and physically. She said she was recently hospitalized after a series of panic and anxiety attacks brought on from stress.

I try not to show everything because I have to stay strong for my son. I have to stay strong and stay in the fight, Darresha George said. But it is draining."

Darryl George did return to his regular first-period class on Wednesday morning, was welcomed by his teacher and classmates, and for a moment he felt free for a little bit, his mother said.

But soon after his return, the school principal pulled him out of class and returned him to in-school suspension over his hair and for allegedly wearing an earring, which his mother said he does not wear to school.

So (the principal) snatched his freedom right back away, Darresha George said.

In a statement, the school district said it would not enhance the current punishment against Darryl George while it waits for a ruling on its lawsuit.

The CROWN Act, an acronym for Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair, is intended to prohibit race-based hair discrimination and bars employers and schools from penalizing people because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including Afros, braids, dreadlocks, twists or Bantu knots. Texas is one of 24 states that have enacted a version of the CROWN Act.

A federal version of the CROWN Act passed in the House of Representatives last year, but was not successful in the Senate.

Darryl George's school previously clashed with another Black male student over the dress code. Barbers Hill officials told a student he had to cut his dreadlocks to return to school or participate in graduation in 2020, which garnered national attention. The student's mother withdrew him from the school and a federal judge later ruled the school districts hair policy was discriminatory.

Darryl Georges family has said it plans to file a federal lawsuit against the school district.

Barbers Hill, the hammer of accountability is coming. You will no longer discriminate or be racist or ignorant to no child on our watch, said Candice Matthews, national minister of politics for the New Black Panther Nation, who is a family spokesperson.

___

Follow Juan A. Lozano on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
A massive volunteer effort to digitize World War II-era U.S. naval logbooks is helping fill an important gap in the climate record.

To understand how humans have altered the climate, scientists must first determine what the climate looked like previously, and ship logbooks are essential to this work, providing a historical account of weather on the high seas. However, there are large gaps in the weather record during World War II, when hostilities stifled commercial shipping.

To fill in that gap, scientists sought to digitize recently declassified logbooks from 19 U.S. warships stationed in the Pacific during the war. Among these were the battleships USS Pennsylvania and USS Tennessee, which suffered losses in the attack on Pearl Harbor but remained in service through the end of the conflict.

A page from the logbook of the USS Farragut records the weather on the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor. U.S. Navy

Scientists enlisted the help of some 4,000 volunteers who, working online, transcribed more than 630,000 weather records containing more than 3 million observations that spanned the breadth of the Pacific Ocean, as well as parts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The effort, led by researchers at the University of Reading, is detailed in a new paper published in Geoscience Data Journal.

The data gathered could help resolve a longstanding question about the past climate. Research suggests that the Earth was unusually warm during World War II, but data from the eastern Pacific is sparse, and potentially flawed. Sailors, presumably wary of shining a light at a hostile ship after dark, were more likely to record temperature data during the day, possibly introducing a warm bias into the weather record.

The U.S. Navy data, recorded at hourly intervals throughout the day and night, will help scientists better gauge temperatures during the war. These ships saw action in the Indo-Pacific and Far-East, taking observations at times and places where few or no other digitized observations exist, authors wrote. These new observations and metadata will be invaluable for improving reconstructions of past climate.

ALSO ON YALE E360

Climate Clues from the Past Prompt a New Look at History
Yuriy Nikolov, editor of the Nashi Hroshi (Our Money) project, explained in an interview with NV Radio on Sept. 18 how Ukraines newly-appointed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov begins his work to change the ministry.

NV: What do you think about these layoffs in the Defense Ministry? Does this mean the prayers have been heard?

Nikolov: It looks like the new minister comes in and gradually begins to clean out the holdovers which have accumulated in the ministry, from top to bottom. Yes, of course, well see who will take the place of the dismissed so that any [former Deputy Defense Minister Denys] Sharapov doesnt turn out to be there. But the steps are logical so far.

NV: Youre talking about Sharapov. Daria Kaleniuk from the Anti-Corruption Action Center spoke on our broadcast that it was Mr. Sharapov who was responsible for all rear logistics.

By the way, she called him a former business partner of Head of the Presidents Office Andriy Yermak . And she called for his immediate dismissal. What could have gone wrong with Sharapov?

Nikolov: Youve mentioned everything that was wrong with him. You know, he absolutely defended and actually built the procurement system that proved its effectiveness in terms of squandering state funds. What else can be added about him? If you position yourself as part of the problem, the attitude is appropriate. And the fact that he is Yermaks business partner is an established and legal fact.

NV: And what kind of business did they have?

Nikolov: They had a joint company. It dealt with investments, real estate. It was sometime in the 2010s. They even had a company of four [partners]. Yermaks father was a business partner there for a while, as well as Russian citizen Rakhamim Emanuilov, with a Soviet background. He worked in Iran during Soviet times. He worked as an attache in Afghanistan. You know, it seems to me that the distance from the KGB to such a position is very short.

Read also: Defense overhaul continues in Ukraine under new minister Umerov as government ousts deputy team

And now he is a member of the Valdai Club, where [Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin [ranted] about how he would take over the world in 10 days. Therefore, lets say, Yermak has a rather interesting business entourage. Therefore, when we say Sharapov or someone like him, we mean some old-new Yermaks partner or, relatively speaking, the head of the Presidents Office, will continue to exert influence on the [cash] flows in this sector.

NV: But from what we understand, from the procedure by which deputy defense ministers are appointed, its not the competence of the minister himself. What can we predict here? First, what are the risks? Secondly, how can the new minister, Rustem Umerov, influence the appointment of people hes comfortable working with?

Nikolov: To be honest, I dont know. We now have a country with a completely distorted legal system. Our Presidents Office actually influences all personnel appointments in Ukraine. In defiance of the Verkhovna Rada [Ukraines parliament] and the Cabinet of Ministers. Therefore, you know, I dont even want to delve into these legal details, who should stamp which visa when appointing a particular person. Its absolutely clear that even a mouse wont slip by without the Presidents Office. So, lets see which mice can slip by and whether the Presidents Office can change its traditional practice of selecting loyalists rather than professionals.

NV: So maybe there are some obvious candidates that should be pointed out? The Presidents Office also listens to us. Maybe you can advise something?

Nikolov: I definitely understand that Im not the kind of person who would advise anyone since my advice can be a stop light for anyone. Therefore, no. As a media person, I will simply work to reveal who those people are. But I dont really want to select or help select someone or, on the contrary, to dismiss them.

NV: Then lets talk about the department which deals with military procurement. Its about Mr. Arsen Zhumadilov who headed it. Hes a person who very successfully reformed medical procurement, where there was also terrible corruption.

Do we understand correctly that the agency remains on paper for now? That there is nothing to make it really work?

Nikolov: Yes. And most importantly, there is not even any money yet, since all the money that could be tendered, the entire budget has already been tendered in advance by the current Defense Ministrys department. But so far, you know, theres no disaster. I absolutely understand that the previous minister didnt help to solve all the bureaucratic problems. Lets see how the new minister will work with this.

Read also: Umerov in phone call with US SecDef Austin

But I definitely understand that he needs time, as you can see that hes getting into the swing of things and has only now come to the issue of his deputies. Therefore, in any case, it will take some time. Im currently preparing a publication regarding the new purchase of bulletproof vests. It seems that the Defense Ministry has decided to raise the new purchases price by 10% compared to what it was just three months ago.

NV: That is, the bulletproof vests that can be purchased now are 10% more expensive than they were three months ago?

Nikolov: They were quoted 10% higher than the expected price. Yes, of course, I hope the prices will be reduced during the tender. But there are big questions even about the old June price. Are those bulletproof vests worth UAH 23,500 ($643), as it was? And lets just say, there will be a lot of such questions. Zhumadilov will definitely not have an easy life there as he will often meet with the ministrys contractors who occupied certain branches.

Read also: Zelenskyy introduces Ukraines new Defense Minister Rustem Umerov

Therefore, it will be difficult. But if we follow this path, we will definitely pass it. But if we dont move, dont change anything and regret that something will stop working, or everyone will see who we are, we shouldnt fight corruption, we just need to talk less about it, well simply preserve the previous procurement system.

NV: We can see that some deputy ministers were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. For example, Vitaliy Deinega. He was fired after the first procurement scandal at the ministry.

He had nothing to do with rear support. He dealt with digitization. It is reported that all those who were dismissed will not be able to return to their positions. Why? Is it just to appoint all the new ones?

Nikolov: Yes, of course, all the new ones. As for Deinega. Honestly, I dont know what kind of reform he managed to do, except that he broke what was being built before him. Unfortunately, I dont know whether he became some reformer and did something. That is, once again, the question is not even about individual persons, but about the fact that a new minister is coming. And Im sure he should introduce his new team so that we understand our strategic vision.

NV: Parallel news, which appeared just last week, that the Pentagon is creating a team to monitor the use of U.S. military aid.

And what does this mean for us? The fact that such a commission, a team from the Pentagon will arrive in Ukraine, what can it affect?

Nikolov: The only thing that lies on the surface is that a new additional bureaucratic element appears in relations with the United States. And maybe it will introduce some sticking points. Perhaps the Republicans are counting on this, so that, lets say, not everything is as good as it was recently.

Im pretty sure the United States still has bipartisan support for Ukraine in this whole story. Therefore, lets put it this way, I dont see a reason to be worried. Moreover, its not yet clear how this envoy will work. We have to physically see how it all happens.

NV: It seems to me that yesterday you published information that you had analyzed the 2024 draft budget. And you saw that the Infrastructure Ministrys budget, which is currently headed by Oleksandr Kubrakov, has greatly decreased. It was UAH 119 billion ($3.2 billion), and now its UAH 39 billion ($1 billion).

NV: They plan to reduce it. Let me remind you this is a draft that has come out from the Cabinet of Ministers and has been submitted to the Verkhovna Rada. Therefore, everything can still change. They can send it back, add amendments. There is even such a nebulous story that even the Defense Ministrys budget has been reduced. Of course, as you know, this is purely provisional, since the Defense Ministry will always get as much as is needs for the war. Therefore, there will be changes to the draft.

Read also: Ukraine spends $100 million per day on war, says Reznikov

I hope there will be similar changes in construction since the [infrastructure budget] reduction proposed there is so huge that it threatens to stop large projects that are really needed. I very often criticize local authorities for repairing the roads on some unnecessary streets. Relatively speaking, Kyivs central streets could survive even without replacing the cobblestones. Or without any new junctions in places where we can drive anyway.

But when it comes to large projects like repairing bridges, on which cars need to drive, because we understand that weapons are transported in different ways in our country, or the construction of protective covers at electrical substations. And when you understand that the intention to leave budget funds is much smaller than the cost of these projects, you have an absolutely logical question: why only Kubrakovs budget was cut like that?

NV: I remember your publication that you find a political undertone there. <...> Our sources in the Defense Ministry confirm that Mr. Kubrakov and his team are treated differently in the Presidents Office.

Sometimes everything is fine, and sometimes not. What conclusions can be drawn due to this constant tension among the countrys top officials?

Nikolov: The main conclusion I draw for myself is that, unfortunately, it seems that not everyone has understood that we havent won the war yet. And that someone has a lot of free time to engage in intrigue. What I really dont want is exactly this. [Ukrainian President] Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently delivered a speech. I noticed he was in a black shirt for the first time [since Russias invasion]. No longer in khaki, but in black. And he warned that the war, unfortunately, will be long and difficult. And I also understand that the energy system will be attacked literally in a month, with all the resulting restrictions on electricity supply.

Read also: Zelenskyy addresses possibility of major breakthrough in Ukraines counteroffensive this year

And in this context, I absolutely dont understand what these games are for. Therefore, lets say, I have a similar appeal to local governors and mayors. For half a year, when I was describing their tenders, I kept shouting: what are you doing? Stadiums instead of drones? You must correctly use the taxes that you collect from military salaries. And there already almost one hundred and fifty billion hryvnias, if Im not mistaken, which local budgets have collected from the assigned military [taxes] to these regions in a year and a half. But the war expenses from local budgets were very small.

And we constantly heard such cynical excuses that we must somehow live our lives, we cannot stop, the soldiers will come back, and we already have everything ready for them. And the consequence of this was the fact that in this very draft budget, the central government takes over this military income tax.

NV: It seems access to the president is the main resource now. Whoever has access, in principle, can solve some important issues. Whoever doesnt have access will most likely become an outsider and his or her fate is unenviable.

Nikolov: The fact that the administrative resource in the form of access to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief became known in 2020, if Im not mistaken. It somehow dragged on during the first half of the year, but it has become the only thing we are talking about since 2020. One of the most popular topics for talks and gossip among political journalists is who has this access now? And they constantly name a list of a handful of people. The list changes regularly.

It was recently reported that it was the infrastructure minister who had lost such a privilege as his own corridor to Zelenskyy. Im not ready to conclude that this is the reason why his funding is being cut like this. Well have to wait for the adoption of the budget itself. Its possible that they will find mechanisms to regulate these imbalances. If they arent found, some questions of political expediency will certainly arise.

NV: Your analysis regarding the possible reduction of the Infrastructure Ministrys budget also states that Yermak is more friendly to Yuriy Holyk.

I have to remind who Yuriy Holyk is. First, hes a businessman. He has never, if Im not mistaken, held any official position. But he was called the coordinator of the Big Construction project before the full-scale invasion. What do we know about what role hes playing now? Do you know anything about it?

Nikolov: Last year, he appeared in joint photos of the meeting with Yermak. The following people were in the photos: Yermak, the prime minister, and Yermaks deputies, including Holyk. This is a recorded photo fact. He appeared in journalistic reports as one of those people who takes part in some strategic meetings. I mean not about the war, but regarding some political issues.

Read also: Zelenskyy meets with military leadership and energy sector to prepare for Russias winter attacks

That is, he continued to act as an advisor. Later, when, lets say, he got on the journalistic radar once again, when the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine had questions for him last autumn, he disappeared from the public radar. Although not publicly, sources from the Presidents Office say that he continues to appear there and has a certain influence on the formation of opinion on certain issues.

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
This 2022 file photo shows the gate where Abby Williams and Libby German were dropped off at the Monon High Bridge Trail in Delphi, Ind., on Feb. 13, 2017. The two were found murdered the following day.

DELPHI, Ind.  The murder scene police discovered late in the morning Feb. 14, 2017, on the north bank of the Deer Creek conjures up hellish images, based on the description published in accused killer Richard Allen's memorandum filed Monday.

The memorandum in support of a hearing to suppress evidence is the first time many details about teenagers Libby German and Abby Williams' deaths has been public. The motion and accompanying 136-page memorandum suggests that Tony Liggett, lead investigator and now Carroll County sheriff, ignored obvious suspects during the nearly six-year investigation and omitted or lied in October 2022 in order to get a warrant to search Allen's house.

The memorandum states that the girls died from having their throats slashed  which has been rumored but has never been public  and the crime scene was staged  which has been alluded to in other filings, but not with the graphic details published Monday.

What the court documents say about the crime scene

"The scene was ghoulish," the memorandum states on page 28. "Libby was found at the base of a tree with four tree branches of varying sizes intentionally placed in a very specific and arranged pattern on her naked body."

"The murderers treated Abby very differently," the memorandum states. "Abby was found just a few feet away fromLibby."

"Abby was fully clothed," the memorandum states. "In fact, Abby was dressed in Libbys sweatshirt and jeans.

"No blood appeared on Abbys clothing, meaning that she was likely murdered while naked and then dressed by the murderers after she expired and after the blood had stopped spilling from her neck," according to the memorandum.

"The murderers appeared to have gone to great lengths to keep Abbys body and clothing clean from blood," according to the filing, which also notes that Libby's body did have blood on it.

Abby also had cut tree branches placed over her body.

Libby's body was laid out at the base of a tree near where she was killed, and her blood was used to paint a letter on the tree trunk.

Abby's body was moved after her death and place beside Libby's, according to the memorandum.

"At least one of the tree branches appears to have been cleanly cut by some instrument (like an electric saw) rather than split or broken by hand, indicating that this was a preconceived plan," the memorandum states. "Above Abbys head were smaller sticks that had been placed over her hair, crudely mimicking horns or antlers."

The branch placement was intentional to represent Germanic letters associated with Odinism, Allen's defense claims in the memorandum. The branches and the letter painted on the tree tie the killings to a ritual sacrifice of the ancient Norse religion, the defense claims.

All of these allegations by the defense are based on evidence disclosed in the course of trial preparations.

Who is Richard Allen?

Police arrested Richard Allen on Oct. 26, 2022, and charged him two days later with murder. His pretrial detention has been in a maximum-security Indiana prison in solitary confinement for his protection. But the memorandum and previous court filings suggests that Allen is mentally defeated by his treatment in prison. The memorandum also alleges that some of Allen's prison guards are members of the Odinist religion and threatening to Allen and his family.

The memorandum suggests that Allen's alleged admission to killing the girls was made under threats from Odinist guards and made to safeguard his family.

Prior to his arrest, Allen was a Delphi resident who worked at a local CVS and no apparent criminal history, according to news reports and online court records.

Allen's arrest comes at the conclusion of nearly six years of investigation and less than a month before the election of Tony Liggett as Carroll County's next sheriff. Liggett also was the lead investigator in the case who determined if people were suspects or not based on the information police had.

For months, Carroll County Prosecutor Nick McLeland refused to release the probable cause affidavit detailing evidence that tied Allen to the killings. When Special Judge Frances Gull ordered a redacted affidavit public, it revealed that tool markings on an unfired bullet found at the scene appear to have been made by Allen's pistol.

The affidavit also alleges that witnesses saw Allen on the trail, wearing muddy and bloody clothes, and that his car was seen parked at the old Child Protection Services building near the trails.

The memorandum points to the descriptions of the car do not match Allen's Ford Focus, and that the witness who saw a man on the trail reported his clothes appeared muddy, not bloody. That was added by law enforcement, according to the memorandum.

Neither of the eyewitnesses' descriptions match Allen, according to the memorandum.

Allen told police he arrived at the trails about noon and left about 1:30 p.m. Libby's recording of the man telling the girls "down the hill" was made at 2:13 p.m., according to the memorandum.

More than one killer at the scene?

Allen's defense team goes into graphic details about the scene to lay out its hypothesis that Allen, who is not associated with Odinism, did not kill the girls. Instead, the memorandum suggests up to five possible suspects with ties to Odinism might be behind the killings.

The memorandum suggests that one person could not have confined both teenagers, killed both girls, staged the scene and left in the timeline suggested by police and prosecutors.

"Once he and the girls arrived at the murder scene, this single, solitary person then somehow would have had to subdue either Abby or Libby in rope or some other restraining device in order to have the ability to kill the unsubdued child without fear that the other child would run away or scream," the memorandum states.

A single killer would have to kill one of the girls then the other, then gather up the branches and twigs for the staging of the scene, according to the memorandum.

If only one person, allegedly Allen, killed the girls, he then had to lay out Libby's body, which was near where she was killed.

The single killer theory, according Allen's attorney, then required the one man to redress Abby in Libby clothes, including putting Libby and Abby's bra on Abby's body. The single killer than staged Abby's body without getting the clothes dirty or wet, according to the memorandum.

"One man, 5 foot 4 inches in stature, handled all these tasks?" the memorandum asks.

"All these things occurred between seventeen minutes and one hour and seventeen minutes after the girls heard the phrase down the hill at approximately 2:13 pm. Again, not plausible," the memorandum states.

If not Richard Allen, then who?

One self-confessed Odinist who lives in Logansport admitted he frequently went to Delphi for Odinism worship services at a friend's house, according to the memorandum. That self-confessed Odinist said he never met the girls, but his then teenage son dated Abby, according to Allen's defense.

More: Allen's defense: Libby and Abby killed in Odinism ritual sacrifice

This Logansport Odinist had a falling out with his fellow Odinist who lived in Delphi. That happened sometime in February 2017, according to the defense's memorandum.

"(He) told her (the Odinist in Delphi) and 'his crew' was responsible for the murders of the 'girls in Delphi' and a fire that killed two girls," the memorandum states, quoting a report on Odinism and suggesting that the cult also is tied to the Flora fire that killed four girls. "I asked her if she knew of the fires in Flora that killed four girls. ...

"She said (the Logansport Odinist) told her that (the Delphi Odinist) and 'his crew' had friends in several statesand that they have no problem killing 'race traders,'  the report state, as per Allen's defense memorandum. "I asked her to clarify 'race trader' and she said she believed it meant white people who 'mix' with other races."

None of this prompted a closer look into Odinism, the Logansport man or the Delphi man, both of whom were dismissed as suspects, according to the memorandum.

Police officers in Rushville investigated two Odinist want-to-be members and discovered possible ties to the Delphi killing, according to the memorandum. One of the want-to-be suspects has the mental capacity of a child, according to the memorandum.

"I am in a lot of trouble," the man told his sister in October 2017, according to Allen's defense. "I am going away for a long time.

"I was on that trail and that bridge with those girls when they were murdered," the man told his sister, according to Allen's memorandum. "There were two other people there with me when it happened. I spit on one of the girls (after they were killed)."

There were more details that only someone at the scene would know that the man revealed to his sister, according to the memorandum.

(He) told (his sister) Abigail is a little troublemaker, that he placed leaves on her and used sticks to give her horns, according to Allen's defense.

The man's sisters passed a polygraph test on the matter, yet he was not investigated in depth despite his alleged statements, according to Allen's memorandum.

When police collected his DNA from the possible suspect, the man asked, "If my spit is found on the girls, but I can explain it away would I still be in trouble?"

Despite the two Rushville Odinist want-to-be members lack of convincing alibis and suspicious statements, investigators did not follow up and they were eliminated as suspects, according to the memorandum.

Witnesses describe suspect with poofy hair

Two witnesses told police they saw a man they believe might be the killer on the Delphi trails and the Monon High Bridge, but their descriptions are dissimilar, as are the descriptions of the car police say in an affidavit is Allen's Ford Focus.

One witness told police four days after seeing the man on the bridge that he was youthful and slim with poofy hair, according to the memorandum.

"Ligget heard (the witness') description of a much younger man with brown poofy hair but chose to conceal this information from (Carroll Circuit) Judge (Benjamin) Diener," the memorandum argues of the omission which might have got the October 2022 search warrant denied. "(The witness') description of a youthful, boyish looking person in his twenties, maybe early thirties with brown poofy hair, obviously, does not at all describe Richard Allen."

"Liggett had a legal obligation to inform Judge Diener of the vast differences between (the eye witness') description of the man she observed on the bridge, and Richard Allen. He did not. That fact alone should be sufficient to merit tossing the warrant and suppressing the fruits of an illegal search," the memorandum states.

Liggett also maintains that the sketches released two years apart are of the same man  Richard Allen, according to the memorandum.

A sketch released by police Monday, July 17, 2017, of a man believed to be connected to murder of Liberty German and Abigail Williams last February. The bodies of German, 14, and Williams, 13, were found on Feb. 14, 2017, a day after they were hiking near Monon High Bridge east of Delphi.

The new composite drawing released by officials on April 22, 2019, of the person suspected in the Delphi Murders.

Mugshot of 50-year-old Richard Allen, charged in the 2017 Delphi murders.

Allen's attorneys through the motion and supported by the memorandum asks for a Franks hearing, which is a hearing to assess whether law enforcement was truthful in getting a warrant and collecting evidence.

"Part of the Franks analysis involves the Court reviewing the behavior of law enforcement to determine whether Liggett intentionally concealed and falsified evidence in Liggetts Affidavit for Search Warrant," the memorandum states. "Liggett and (Indiana State Police investigator Jerry) Holeman and the rest of Unified Commands reaction to the information contained in the polygraph examination, concerning sticks formed into horns on Abbys head, may very well reveal whether Liggett is interested in the truth, or in burying the truth. Which again, is part of the Franks analysis."

Allen's attorneys also filed Monday a motion to move Allen out of the state prison and to a county jail.

McLeland has not yet filed a rebuttal to Allen's motions for a Franks hearing or the memorandum.

Gull has not set a hearing date on Allen's petition.

Reach Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Delphi murders: Document details 'ritualistic' crime scene, suspects
Our elected leaders have been given the highest level of responsibility by our community. At the Miami Herald, we take very seriously our duty to hold those elected officials accountable.

Our journalists work tirelessly to provide the news that matters most to South Florida, and we have more than 100 journalists serving this mission daily.

For the better part of the past six months, three of our reporters  Sarah Blaskey, Joey Flechas and Tess Riski  have been pursuing answers to important questions from Mayor Francis Suarez.

How did his net worth increase 14-fold, from $245,015 to $3,400,000, after he was elected mayor in 2017? Who paid for his 2022 trip to the World Cup in Qatar? Who treated him to the most exclusive seats at the Formula One races two years in a row, how much did he pay for those tickets, and has he discussed city business with his private benefactors?

These reporters have sent 55 requests for comment from the mayor either through his city of Miami communication directors, the spokesperson for his presidential campaign or both. More than half of these requests were ignored.

City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez reacts as Miami Herald reporters Sarah Blaskey and Joey Flechas ask him questions before he entered his office on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

The team submitted 62 requests for public records to the city of Miami under Chapter 119 of the Florida Statutes. Less than half have been fulfilled, and the city has taken no action on 20. The Herald has had to involve attorneys at least half a dozen times to receive even the most basic of records from the mayors office. Several others are being appealed by Herald attorneys, including one in which the city quoted the Herald a fee of $21,075.61 to process a request for calendar invites sent or received by the mayor.

The Herald now has at least 27 unanswered questions pending with the mayors office.

We believe our community deserves to know the answers.

Blaskey and Flechas attended a city budget meeting on Sept. 9 in hopes of getting some of those answers. The mayor tried to take Blaskeys phone out of her hands as she recorded his reaction to questions outside his office at City Hall.

Any kind of physical interaction with our reporters is not acceptable. Asking tough questions for our community is their job.

The mayor has since misrepresented to other news outlets his willingness to speak with our reporters, with his office issuing a statement saying the mayor has repeatedly responded to the Miami Heralds questions and that Saturdays confrontation occurred after he answered several questions on the topic. In fact, Suarez answered none of our questions that day  until our reporters confronted him with a camera rolling.

During that confrontation, the mayor on camera told Blaskey and Flechas to request a meeting through his communications director. Our reporters did so, that day. Communications Director Stephanie Severino said she would get back to them. Blaskey has followed up this week but still has no appointment.

Senior Sgt. at Arms Alexander Lamprou reacts as Miami Herald reporters Sarah Blaskey and Joey Flechas asked questions to City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez at Miami City Hall on Saturday, September 9, 2023.

Mayor Suarez has agreed to meet with the leadership of the Miami Herald this week. We hope to have a constructive conversation and move forward.

We can all agree that our democracy is based on an open channel between the free press and elected officials, from the White House to Miami City Hall.

Alex Mena is the executive editor of the Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.
Someone in the congressional office of Rep. Angie Craig is having fun with acronyms.

On Wednesday, the Minnesota Democrat unveiled a bill taking aim at House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) as the federal government nears a shutdown at the end of the month. Party in-fighting has left the Republican leader struggling to pass a spending plan to fund government services.

Craigs bill would block members of Congress from receiving their scheduled pay if the government shuts down and federal workers are furloughed. She is calling the legislation the My Constituents Cannot Afford Rebellious Tantrums, Handle Your Shutdown Act, or the MCCARTHY Shutdown Act for short.

The Democrat said her tribute to the House speaker, if passed, would make sure lawmakers experience the same lost paychecks as regular Americans.

Speaker McCarthy and House Republicans are ready to shut down the federal government and put the livelihoods of working families at risk  while still collecting a paycheck, Craig said in a statement. [I]ts ridiculous that we still get paid while folks like TSA workers are asked to work without a paycheck.

According to the bill text, lawmakers pay during the shutdown period would be held in escrow until the final day of the session, when it would be released for payment so as not to violate the law prescribing congressional salaries.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) said Republicans deserve the blame if the government shuts down.

Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) said Republicans deserve the blame if the government shuts down.

Federal workers who are furloughed generally do not receive pay while the government is shut down. In the past, Congress has stepped in and passed legislation retroactively to make workers whole for the wages they lost, but the missing pay can lead to financial anxieties and hardships while the shutdown persists.

The last shutdown  dubbed a partial shutdown, since certain agencies remained open  was the longest in U.S. history, lasting 35 days from late 2018 into early 2019. The impasse stemmed from then-President Donald Trumps demand for federal money to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

During that saga, more than 100 lawmakers pledged to refuse their paychecks since the shutdown was the fault of Congress and the White House. Such proposals stretch back to at least to 2013, when some members moved to cut off Congressional salaries during a spending impasse.

This time, right-wing lawmakers are trying to pressure McCarthy into demanding spending cuts that would run counter to an agreement he made with President Joe Biden. They have threatened to oust McCarthy as speak if he doesnt follow through.

[I]ts ridiculous that we still get paid while folks like TSA workers are asked to work without a paycheck.Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.)

Hardliners even managed to torpedo a bill to fund the Pentagon, which is typically among the easiest to get GOP members behind.

McCarthy can lose no more than four Republican votes to get legislation passed, and it would need to be something that can clear the Senate, where Democrats hold a threadbare majority.

I want to make sure we dont shut down, McCarthy told Fox News over the weekend. I dont think that is a win for the American public and I definitely believe itll make our hand weaker if we shut down.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday that both chambers were being pushed around by a small band of hard-right Republicans.
BEIRUT  The Democratic Republic of Congo has ordered several Mwari aircraft from the South African defense firm Paramount Group, according to a Sept. 13 company news release.

The purchase follows Paramounts delivery of equipment to Mozambique, where the Mwari is already operational. According to the firm, the aircraft is designed for a wide range of missions, such as counterinsurgency, border patrol, precision strike, reconnaissance and surveillance.

The company did not respond to Defense News about how many Mwari were on order by the DRC and the contract value. Defense News has contacted the DRC consulate in Lebanon for additional information.

The aircraft, touted as requiring a minimal logistical footprint, can operate in remote and austere environments as well as equip different payloads.

With decades of experience in asymmetrical warfare, weve designed the Mwari as a tool that is not only robust but incredibly adaptable, fitting the needs of modern militaries in Africa and around the world, Steve Griessel, the chief executive of Paramount Group, said in a statement.

Paramount also announced during DSEI it integrated advanced weapons systems on the Mwari, noting it will disclose specifics at a later date. Weapons testing and certification are expected later this year or in early 2024, the news release stated.
Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly (Ariz.) has joined some of his congressional colleagues in criticizing the Senates new informal dress code.

I dont like it, Kelly said when asked by CNN anchor Jake Tapper about the updated dress code. I think it wouldve been better if we had a discussion about it ahead of time.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced over the weekend that the Senate will ease up on the chambers informal dress code, permitting senators to wear whatever they want on the floor. This means lawmakers will no longer have to poke only their head and arm into the chamber to vote if wearing shorts or gym clothes.

The change was met with some criticism from both sides of the aisle, with some pointing the finger at Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who is often spotted on Capitol Hill wearing shorts and hoodies instead of suits.

Fetterman has denied he was a driving force behind the change in rules.

Speaking with Kelly, Tapper appeared to mock the changes, asking the lawmaker, I wonder what you thought of Schumer changing the Senate dress code. It will accommodate what can perhaps best be called the broski takes the garbage to the curb on Sundays outfits that Sen. Fetterman from my beloved commonwealth of Pennsylvania favors.

A group of 46 Senate Republicans sent a letter to Schumer on Tuesday asking that he reverse his decision, arguing the Senate floor is a place of honor and tradition.

Kelly is not the only Democrat to have pushed back against the change.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told The Hill on Tuesday he spoke with Fetterman and told the Pennsylvania lawmaker he thought the changes to the dress code were wrong and that not wearing a traditional suit and tie on the Senate floor degrades the chamber.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A survivor of childhood sexual abuse has directly called out Attorney General Daniel Cameron for his historically staunch support of the state abortion bans lack of exceptions for rape and incest.

A new ad from the re-election campaign of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is the latest in a string of attacks on the GOP nominee for his stances on reproductive health care. The Wednesday ad comes on the heels of Cameron publicly softening his stance on exceptions, Planned Parenthood releasing ads against him and his position on birth control being nationally scrutinized.





I was raped by my stepfather after years of sexual abuse, Hadley, a young woman from Owensboro, said directly to the camera in the 30-second ad. I was 12.

Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what its like to stand in my shoes, Hadley said in the new commercial. This is to you, Daniel Cameron: to tell a 12-year-old girl she must have the baby of her stepfather, who raped her, is unthinkable. Im speaking out because women and girls need to have options. Daniel Cameron would give us none.

Hadley has been a vocal critic of Kentuckys abortion ban since the Dobbs decision last year and has previously spoken out about her abuse.

Her stepfather is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for multiple sexual offenses, according to the Kentucky Online Offender Lookup. He has two convictions from Henderson County for sodomy and rape, and four from Daviess County for sodomy, sexual abuse and two counts of rape. He is eligible for parole starting in 2032, and according to court records, must register as a sex offender upon release.

The ad is the second from Beshear hammering Cameron for his defense of Kentuckys abortion bans and their lack of rape and incest exceptions, both in his capacity as the states highest law enforcement official and on the campaign trail.

Cameron publicly back-peddled on that position Monday. On a morning radio show, Cameron said, theres no question that, if elected governor, he would sign a law adding rape and incest exceptions to the current law. His statement on the Tony & Dwight show on NewsRadio 840 WHAS is a veer from his past public position explicitly supporting the states ban as-is and his defense of the current exception  to save the life of a pregnant person  as being adequate.

Cameron, in responding to the ad, said Beshear is the extremist in this race.

Andy Beshear is running the most despicable campaign in Kentucky history, Cameron said in a video statement released Wednesday morning. He lectures us on partisanship and unity, then runs disgusting, false attacks. I have said if the legislature were to bring me a bill with exceptions, I would sign it.

Democrats, including the Beshear campaign, have descended on Cameron in the last two days to, as they characterize, call his bluff for flip-flopping.

The Kentucky Democratic Party posted footage from a primary candidate debate this spring hosted by Spectrum News. Anchor Mario Anderson asks Cameron whether he would support any exceptions to Kentuckys current abortion law, and if so, what are they?

Cameron said, Well, I support the current law, and of course, Mario, you know Ive been defending the Human Life Protection Act, and Im proud that, since August of last year, the abortion facilities have been closed in Kentucky.

The Human Life Protection Act is Kentuckys trigger law, which bans abortion except in circumstances where its needed to save the life of a pregnant person. The ban does not include exceptions for rape, incest, or fetal abnormalities that are incompatible with life.

On Tuesday, the KDP posted more footage of Cameron at a news conference hours after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022 and Kentuckys abortion bans became enforceable for the first time. Abortion is, for all intents and purposes, over here in the commonwealth, Cameron said. There is no rape and incest exception.

Another clip shows Cameron at a different primary candidate forum earlier this year being asked whether he supports those changes to the current law. Cameron said, Im not going to waver in my position on this, and were going to continue to defend the law as is.

Cameron also confirmed his past position against rape and incest exceptions in a Kentucky Right to Life questionnaire. It prompts a yes or no answer to the following question: Do you believe that a child conceived as a result of sexual assault should be protected by the same laws protecting the lives of children conceived naturally?

Cameron scored 100%, earning him the groups endorsement for being an unwavering defender of Kentuckys abortion laws.

Tamarra Wieder, Kentucky state director for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, called Cameron a liar for flip-flopping.

Either he lied about his position in order to secure a right-wing fringe groups endorsement, or hes lying to voters now, Wieder said. Kentuckys abortion ban, which Cameron unapologetically defended in court, denies sexual assault survivors, like Hadley, the freedom to decide what is best for their bodies. And like Hadley, Kentuckians are fed up.

In response to the Beshear campaigns new ad Wednesday morning, former Democratic State Auditor Adam Edelen tweeted, This will be remembered as the knock out punch. Theres always a reckoning for extremism.

Something that never happens

Though Cameron has remained steady in his defense of the trigger law as-is, up until his course correction two days ago, he shot back at Beshears latest ad by calling the governor an extremist for vetoing a born-alive bill.

He supports abortion through the ninth month, Cameron said  a reiteration of a common conservative misnomer that Democrats support abortion up to the moment of birth. Even under Roe, elective abortion was never legal up to the moment of birth but viability. Late-term abortions, which are rare and typically take place in the third trimester, are provided largely in cases of severe medical emergencies. In 2020 in Kentucky, for example, only 1 abortion out of 4,104, total, was provided after 22 weeks gestation  well under the 40-week mark of a typical pregnancy.

Cameron buttressed his characterization of Beshear as an abortion extremist by citing his veto of Senate Bill 9 in 2020, referred to as the born-alive bill. It wouldve codified into law what is already the standard of care agreed on in the medical community: if an abortion doesnt successfully terminate a pregnancy and a fetus is born alive, doctors must provide life-saving care. Supporters of the bill at the time said there were no documented cases of such an event happening in Kentucky.

What Cameron doesnt clarify is that Republicans filed near-identical legislation the following year, also Senate Bill 9, and Beshear allowed it to pass into law without his signature.

The governor defended his decision not to sign the bill, implying it was a solution in search of a problem because, as he told WFPL at the time, its something that never happens.

An issue of safety and health

Camerons reversal on Monday is significant, not only because it contradicts what he has said on the campaign trail and in court when defending the constitutionality of Kentuckys abortion ban. But its a split with the General Assembly, whose Republican supermajority has refused more than once to codify into law rape and incest exceptions, including in the year since abortion became illegal.

In 2022, Democrats filed two amendments to add rape and incest exceptions to House Bill 3, an omnibus bill that critics said effectively ended abortion access in Kentucky, though Roe hadnt yet been overturned. Both failed.

Earlier this year, GOP Whip Jason Nemes, R-Louisville, filed a bill to add rape, incest and fetal abnormality exceptions to the trigger law, but it never received a committee hearing.

Soon after abortion was criminalized in Kentucky, the states two remaining outpatient abortion clinics sued the state. They argued the trigger law and six-week ban outlawing abortion after fetal cardiac activity is detected were unconstitutional and caused irreparable harm to women forced to remain pregnant against their will. In Kentuckys case, that included survivors of rape and incest.

Cameron pushed back on that assertion in court filings, arguing that neither clinic proved pregnant patients would suffer irreparable harm for being forced to remain pregnant.

Plaintiffs have simply not shown that any irreparable harm will befall them without temporary injunctive relief, Cameron said in a June 2022 filing. Rather, irreparable harm would befall lives of unborn children were the court to prevent him from enforcing those laws, his office wrote.

Various elected officials have called out the laws lack of rape and incest exceptions as problematic, including Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Michelle Keller during oral arguments in the case last November.

This court sees 10- and 11-year-olds who are impregnated by rape and incest, Keller told Solicitor General Matthew Kuhn. Thats not just an issue of preserving life, thats an issue of safety and health. In most cases, its just not safe or healthy for a 10-year-old child to carry a child to term.

Kuhn admitted that the law did not offer protections for those survivors.

I dont want anything that I say from this podium to take away from the criminality or involuntariness of how terrible that is, he said. But, youre right that the trigger law does not have an exception in those tragic circumstances.
In New Hampshire, Democrat Hal Rafter won a closely divided seat on Tuesday night.

In New Hampshire, Democrat Hal Rafter won a closely divided seat on Tuesday night.

Democratic candidates easily won special state legislative elections in both Pennsylvania and New Hampshire on Tuesday night, continuing the partys streak of strong performances in special contests, providing a good omen for 2024 and giving Democrats a better chance of holding two swing state legislative chambers.

In Pennsylvania, former congressional aide Lindsay Powell won in a safe blue seat in Pittsburgh, meaning the party will maintain its 102-101 edge in the states House of Representatives. Republicans control the state senate in the Keystone State, while the governor is Democrat Josh Shapiro.

In New Hampshire, whose 400-member state house is the largest in the nation, Democrat Hal Rafter won a previously Republican-held seat northeast of Manchester, narrowing the Republican edge in the state house to just 198 Republicans to 197 Democrats. Democrats are heavily favored in a special election scheduled for November, meaning the party could soon split control of the chamber and break the GOP trifecta controlling state government.

Neither victory, by itself, can indicate much about the political environment. Only about 10,000 voters cast ballots in Pennsylvania, and just 2,800 did in New Hampshire. But both continue a trend of Democrats overperforming both President Joe Biden s 2020 results and the results of the 2022 midterms in special elections so far this year. The trend began after the Dobbs decision striking down abortion rights, and has only accelerated since the midterms.

For instance, former President Donald Trump narrowly won the New Hampshire district in 2020. But Rafter beat the GOP nominee, Jim Guzofski, by a 56% to 44% margin.

And in Pennsylvania, Biden won the seat by 22 percentage points  already a blowout. But Powell defeated Republican Erin Autenreith by 30 percentage points.

Following a historic midterm in which the DLCC picked up four new legislative majorities, weve seen our momentum continue in 2023 with special election wins and overperformance across the country, said Heather Williams, the interim president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, a national group backing state legislative candidates.

As voters reject the GOPs extreme agenda on abortion, voting rights, and so much more, these victories are shifting the balance of power in key states and putting Democrats in a stronger position to move this country forward.

According to the latest calculations from FiveThirtyEight, Democrats have improved upon the base partisanship of districts by a whopping 11 percentage points over the course of 30 state legislative special elections this year. The districts where Democrats have overperformed include a wide variety of political territory, from a majority-Black seat in Louisiana to Republican-leaning seats in rural Maine and Wisconsin.

While Bidens approval rating remains low, and most polls have the race between him and Trump in close to a dead heat, special election results stand out as a bright spot for Democrats heading into 2024.

How bright of a spot remains to be determined: The correlation between special election results and general election results is not perfect, and the continued movement of college-educated voters  who are more likely to turn out in irregularly scheduled elections  into the Democratic camp is clearly helping Democrats run up their advantages.

CORRECTION: A prior version of this story misstated the number of members in the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Democrats marked the 12th anniversary of the repeal of the militarys dont ask, dont tell policy Wednesday by relaunching an effort to investigate the lasting impacts of military policies that discriminated against LGBTQ service members and veterans.

The proposal, introduced by Reps. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), would create a 15-person commission to study former Department of Defense actions policing sexual orientation and gender identity in the uniformed services, from the beginning of World War II and onward.

The commissions responsibilities would include investigating the lasting psychological, financial and professional impacts of policies including dont ask, dont tell that prevented LGBTQ people from serving openly in the military and recommending appropriate ways to educate the public about institutionalized and government-sanctioned discrimination.

The group would be required to issue a report detailing its findings to Congress within one year of its first meeting, including how discharge updates and amendments to military records can be streamlined and how the federal government may offer an apology to LGBTQ veterans and their families.

Thousands of LGBTQ veterans under dont ask, dont tell were removed from the military under other than honorable conditions rather than with an honorable discharge. While the policy has been inactive for more than a decade, the military records of LGBTQ veterans discharged because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation have largely remained unchanged, depriving them of key benefits.

The Pentagon launched a new effort Wednesday to contact former service members discharged under dont ask, dont tell to correct their records. A class action lawsuit filed last month on behalf of five LGBTQ veterans alleges the federal government has allowed discrimination to live on in the discharge papers carried by LGBTQ+ veterans and has taken no steps to correct this discrimination systematically.

The legislation proposed Wednesday aims to forge a more welcoming future in the military and at VA, Takano, ranking member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and co-chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, said in a statement.

For decades, Americans made impossible choices of hiding their identity in order to serve our country, he said. We are reintroducing this legislation on the anniversary of the repeal of Dont Ask, Dont Tell  a reminder that the wounds of our nations history of discrimination against LGBTQ people are still fresh and require remedy.

The bill has 10 co-sponsors in the House, with Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Wash.) co-sponsoring in the Senate. The measure has been endorsed by military and LGBTQ rights groups including the American Legion, Equality California and the Human Rights Campaign.

Our country has never made amends for official discriminatory policies like Dont Ask, Dont Tell and the transgender military ban  and that failure still haunts todays service members and veterans, said Jacobs, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and vice chair of the Equality Caucus.

Transgender individuals were prevented from serving openly in the military in any capacity under a policy adopted by the Trump administration in 2017. President Biden signed an executive order repealing the ban in 2021 and calling for the immediate correction of military records for individuals affected by Trumps ban.



For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON _ Ahead of the 2024 elections, Democratic lawmakers vowed to challenge a wave of restrictive state election laws by holding rallies, launching voter registration drives and reintroducing federal voting legislation aimed at protecting voting rights.

It's so important that we continue this fight, Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell , a Democrat, told USA Today Wednesday. Change rarely comes from the halls of Congress without grassroots mobilization and efforts to push it forward and so we're going to stay on task.

Sewell reintroduced the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Tuesday. The move comes 10 years after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted a key provision of the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act. The legislation, among other things, would restore provisions in the Voting Rights Act requiring states with a history of voting discrimination to get federal approval before making election changes.

Marcia Johnson-Blanco, co-director of the Lawyers' Committee's Voting Rights Project, speaks at a press conference hosted by Black Voters Matter in front of the Supreme Court on June 25, 2021. It was the eighth anniversary of the Shelby County v. Holder decision, which gutted the Voting Rights Act.

The measure named after the late civil rights icon Georgia Rep. John Lewis has repeatedly stalled in Congress, but supporters at this weeks Congressional Black Caucus Foundations legislative conference in Washington, D.C., pledged to again champion for its passage. The theme of the conference is Securing our Democracy, Protecting our Freedoms, Uplifting our Culture.

Sewell introduced the bill on National Voter Registration Day. Only Congress can come up with a framework by which you determine which jurisdictions should have preclearance, Sewell said. So we need to do our job.

Some states have passed measures that would reduce early voting periods, limit the number of ballot boxes and require identification to vote. Black lawmakers have argued some of the new laws would make it harder to vote, particularly for people of color.

More: Democrats and Republicans are battling over voting rights in Congress and at statehouses. Which side will win?

Senate said no to voting rights. Here's how civil rights activists are reigniting the fight

GOP say Democrats trying to grab power

Republicans, however, have argued Democrats are trying to take control of elections run by states and said the new laws help protect against fraud and other election irregularities.

Some Republican lawmakers have also said the preclearance provision is no longer needed and have noted that Black voter turnout in some places has reached record numbers.

At least 323 bills that make it harder to vote have been introduced in 45 states since 2020, according to the Brennan Center, a research organization tracking the laws. The center found that 11 states have passed at least 13 restrictive laws so far this year.

U.S. Alabama Rep. Terri Sewell recalled the work of the late U.S. Rep. John Lewis as Democrats gather for a press conference to urge passage of H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Marcia Johnson, co-director of the Lawyers Committees Voting Rights Project, said the Democratic-controlled Senate is the likely vehicle for this Congress to move the bill.

What we need to have a drumbeat about is that the Voting Rights Act has always been a bipartisan bill, Johnson said. We shouldnt allow that bipartisan legacy to be lost even in this climate because no one should be against fighting voting discrimination.

The Senate unanimously passed the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act in 2006. But in 2013, the Supreme Court struck down the "preclearance'' provision in the law. Democratic efforts to restore the provision and pass other federal voting rights bill have failed.

I don't know why our Republican friends are not coming to the table on this issue, said Sewell, the lone Democrat in the Alabama congressional delegation. Voting rights used to be very bipartisan.

Some election experts said chances of passage are slim and note that even when Democrats controlled both chambers the measure didnt pass. So far only Democrats have signed on to the measure introduced Tuesday.

Voting rights bill faces uphill challenge

Members of the Congressional Black Caucus kicked off the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's annual legislative conference Sept. 20, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Voting rights is one of the topics at the conference.

Johnson said its important the legislation is part of the political discourse and that its introduced each Congress.

Every year that goes by it becomes increasingly more necessary, she said, pointing to states including Georgia, which adopted laws that limit access to the polls after the 2020 election.

Over the years, civil rights and voting rights groups have held rallies and protests, including hunger strikes, to rally support for federal voting rights legislation. Voting rights groups praised Sewell for reintroducing the bill, calling it urgent and necessary.

As long as I have breath in me and people from Alabama reelect me, every Congress I'll be introducing the John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to fully restore the protections of the Voting Rights Act of 65, Sewell said.

President Barack Obama, center, walks as he holds hands with Amelia Boynton Robinson, who was beaten during "Bloody Sunday," as they and the first family and others including Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga,, left of Obama, walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. for the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday," a landmark event of the civil rights movement, Saturday, March 7, 2015. From front left are Marian Robinson, Sasha Obama. first lady Michelle Obama. Obama, Boynton and Adelaide Sanford, also in wheelchair.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Voting rights for all? Democrats push for federal voting protections
A bomb threat that placed Antelope High School on lockdown Wednesday afternoon for about an hour was unsubstantiated, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Deputies went to the school at about 2 p.m. and lifted the lockdown within the hour. A bomb wasnt found, said Amar Gandhi, a spokesman for the Sheriffs Office.

It wasnt clear who threatened the school, he added. The investigation was ongoing and deputies remained on campus as the school returned to normal before the normal 3:20 p.m. dismissal.

It was the second incident involving a threat of explosives at a school on Wednesday. Officials in Davis searched eight locations around the Yolo County city, including at four school campuses, after someone emailed a bomb threat to officials around 2 a.m.

Authorities gave the all-clear to the school sites, a library and a school district office around 8 a.m.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office was on scene off U.S. 41 north of Dunnellon on Wednesday to investigate a deputy-involved shooting.

DUNNELLON  There was a deputy-involved shooting Wednesday morning about a mile north of the Dunnellon city limits. The man suffered non life-threatening injuries. No deputies were hurt.

The shooting happened in a wooded area off U.S. 41. According to officials on scene, the Marion County Sheriff's Office in the past has received calls for service in that area in the past. A man has been told multiple times to leave that wooded area, which is part of a 1,300-acre parcel that belongs to an out-of-town owner.

Just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, deputies went to the area as a follow-up to a previous request for service. When deputies arrived, there was a confrontation with a man. The man was shot. Details of the confrontation have not yet been provided.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the sheriff's office was not saying how many times the man was shot or where on his body he was hit. The agency said only that he suffered non-life threatening injuries.

Four deputies were on scene at the time of the shooting. The sheriff's office did not say how many of them fired at the man. The deputies' service time ranges from recently hired to veteran.

Sad confirmation: Human remains found last month are those of missing mom, age 25

The man who was shot was described only as an adult man. Neither his name nor the deputies' names had been released as of Wednesday afternoon.

As is standard, the deputies have been placed on paid administrative leave while the shooting is investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Agents from that agency were on scene Wednesday.

The property manager provides more details

The property manager for the land where the man was shot said the man has been caught trespassing in the past and has refused to leave. The trespasser has even posted signs on trees, such as "keep out" and "private property," even though he does not own the land and is not welcome on it.

Representatives from a military veterans association in Citrus County have visited the man in the past, but they were chased away.

When asked if the trespasser has been confrontational in the past, the property manager said only that the man is agitated and never happy to see him.

Trespasser refuses help

Greg Pelletier of The Bridge 4 Veterans in Inverness told a Star-Banner reporter that roughly a month and a half to two months ago, people from his agency visited the man in the Dunnellon woods after they were told he was a military veteran who needed help. Pelletier said the organization take in veterans, looks after them and tries to get them back on their feet.

Pelletier said they confirmed the trespasser is a veteran, and believes he was in the U.S. Army. He said he doesn't remember the trespasser's name. Pelletier said during their encounter, the man was defensive, confusing and rambled when he spoke.

He said the man's demeanor was up and down: One minute he was normal, another time he was angry.

Pelletier said he offered to take him to Inverness, house him, and arrange for services. He said the man said no and wanted to remain at his location.

"I did the best I could to help him," Pelletier said.

In the woods, Pelletier said, the trespasser build what he described as a mini-compound with fencing, a bed and other features.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Marion County Sheriff's deputy shoots and wounds man during confrontation
A deputy and a woman were injured Wednesday after a man sped away from a traffic stop in the North Sacramento area and crashed into another vehicle about a mile away, sheriffs officials said.

The incident began about noon where the traffic stop occurred in the area of Albatross Way and El Camino Plaza Drive in the Swanston Estates neighborhood of the city.

Sgt. Amar Gandhi, a Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman, said deputies from the sheriffs North Problem Oriented Policing team pulled over a vehicle for a relatively minor traffic violation. He said the 30-year-old man driving the vehicle was initially detained because of warrants for his arrest, but he likely wouldve been released later without spending a night in jail.

The vehicle he was driving had not been reported stolen, and there were no weapons later found in the vehicle, the sheriffs spokesman said.

This couldve been as easy as a traffic ticket, and everybody goes about their day, Gandhi said.

The motorist instead pushed away deputies trying to handcuff him, got back in his vehicle and drove away, clipping a deputy with the fleeing vehicle in the process, Gandhi said. The deputy was knocked to the ground and suffered relatively minor injuries, Gandhi said.

A vehicle pursuit ensued. Gandhi said the fleeing vehicle headed west, reaching excessive speeds during the chase.

The pursuit ended at the intersection of Clay Street and Frienza Avenue, near the Bethel Slavic Baptist Church, in the South Hagginwood neighborhood. The intersection is a block west of a road construction site along Taft Street in front of Northwood Elementary School.

Gandhi said the fleeing vehicle crashed into another vehicle in the intersection, before the man trying to evade authorities got out and ran from the vehicles. Authorities caught up to him a short time later and took him into custody. Gandhi said the man taken into custody was not injured.

He was booked at the Sacramento County Main Jail after being arrested on suspicion of assault on a peace officer, resisting officers, evading police while driving in a reckless manner, evading officers while driving on wrong side of the road and driving with a suspended or revoked license. He was being held without bail.

The other driver involved in the crash, a woman who was in her vehicle alone, suffered what appeared to be minor injuries in the crash and was obviously very shaken up, Gandhi said.

When asked by reporters about the decision to chase this fleeing vehicle, the sheriffs spokesman said deputies would not shy away from engaging in a pursuit while considering public safety when the chase enters neighborhoods.

Our deputies executed everything safely, Gandhi said. Put the blame on him. He was the one who hit her; not us.

The fleeing vehicle had front-end damage, nobody else was in the vehicle. Gandhi said the womans vehicle also had some extensive damage.

Gandhi said he did not know whether the womans vehicle was stopped when the crash occurred or if her vehicle was moving into the intersection at the time. Sacramento Police Department officers investigated the crash, since it occurred in their jurisdiction.

If they stop we dont have to chase them. And if its a relatively minor crime, they might leave with a ticket, Gandhi said. Were going to chase them if they run. Were not stopping them for no reason. We want to make contact with them, we need to find out what theyre running for.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis entered the 2024 presidential race with a clear argument for his candidacy  that he was the only Republican capable of beating former President Donald Trump and reversing the partys recent losing streak.

All signs, up to that point, backed up his claim. Most public polling showed that no other GOP presidential hopeful came anywhere close to beating Trump in the nascent presidential primary. A few surveys released early this year even found Trumps lead dwindling to single digits.

Now, just four months into his White House campaign, polls show DeSantis competing more with the likes of entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy or former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley than with Trump.

After hitting a post-announcement high of 23.7% in national polls in early June, DeSantis support in the Republican primary sits at 12.5%, according to a polling average compiled by RealClearPolitics. Trump, meanwhile, has the support of more than half  58.8% support  of GOP voters.

This is not a two-person race, a three-person race, a four-person race, Ford OConnell, a Republican strategist and former Florida congressional candidate, said. This is a one person race with a second tier of candidates. This is Donald Trump running up the score.

Its not only national polls that show DeSantis falling back with the rest of the GOP field.

In Iowa, which holds the critical first-in-the-nation Republican caucuses, DeSantis is trailing Trump by roughly 30 points, according to the RealClearPolitics average. An Emerson College survey released last week found DeSantis leading the candidate running in third place, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, by just 6 points  within the polls margin of error.

The contests in New Hampshire and South Carolina  the second and third states to vote in the primary, respectively  appear even more contentious for DeSantis. A different Emerson College poll out last month found former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie overtaking DeSantis for second place in New Hampshire, while a Washington Post/Monmouth University survey out last week showed DeSantis trailing Trump, Haley and Scott in South Carolina.

DeSantis, who has bet much of his political fortune on Iowa, believing that a solid performance there will give him a jolt of momentum heading into the primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina, has brushed off the poll numbers, insisting that the race is in flux and that most voters have yet to make up their minds on whom theyll ultimately pick.

I think its fluid, DeSantis told Des Moines news station KCCI in an interview on Monday. If you really press people, the majority of people here still havent made a 100% decision.

But Dallas Woodhouse, a longtime Republican operative who has worked in both North and South Carolina politics, said that the circumstances surrounding the primary  including the boost Trump has received from his legal troubles  mean that DeSantis and other candidates may be facing the possibility that theyre simply competing for second place.

Ive just started to believe that this thing is what it is, Woodhouse said. Youve seen theres a number of good Republican candidates who are probably not going to get much oxygen. And I think to most of the people out there, its not a race at all.

Eyes on Iowa

There are still nearly four months to go before the first votes are cast in the nominating contest. Bryan Griffin, the press secretary for DeSantis campaign, insisted that the primary effectively remains a head-to-head battle between DeSantis and Trump.

This primary is a two-man race between Ron DeSantis and a man running in 2024 on the things he promised to do in 2016 and failed to do, Griffin said, taking a shot at Trumps four years in the White House. Ron DeSantis is the only candidate in the race who can beat Joe Biden and implement the agenda we need to reverse this countrys decline and revive its future.

And there are signs that Trump still views DeSantis as the biggest threat to his renomination. He attacks the Florida governor far more than any of his other Republican rivals, and just this week, his team announced a coming campaign onslaught in Iowa, targeting a state that DeSantis sees as crucial to his primary prospects.

DeSantis has already made nine separate trips to Iowa, visiting visited 58 of its 99 counties. He has the endorsements of 40 Iowa state lawmakers. Never Back Down, the main super PAC supporting DeSantis White House bid, has bought more than $10 million worth of ads in the state through November. And DeSantis has also embraced the states popular Republican governor, Kim Reynolds, whom Trump has openly attacked.

Trump is expected to visit the Hawkeye State five times over the next six weeks, beginning on Wednesday with stops in Maquoketa and Dubuque in Eastern Iowa. The more-aggressive campaign schedule coincides with a spate of new ad bookings in Iowa by Make America Great Again Inc., the main super PAC backing Trumps White House bid. The group spent more than $700,000 last week on the spots, according to the ad-tracking first AdImpact.

Polling shows President Trump leading by nearly 40 points in Iowa, but as he always tells us, put the pedal to the metal, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trumps campaign, said in a statement. We dont play prevent defense, and President Trumps aggressive upcoming schedule in Iowa reflects his continued commitment to earning support in the state one voter at a time.
DeSantis plummets in New Hampshire in new CNN poll

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) saw his support in New Hampshire tumble as some of his GOP rivals numbers continue to rise and surpass him in the key early-voting state, according to a new poll.

A CNN/University of New Hampshire poll published Wednesday found DeSantis has around 10 percent of the Granite States likely GOP primary voters, a 13-point drop since the last UNH survey in July.

Meanwhile, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamys support ticked up to 13 percent, an 8-point increase since July, passing DeSantis. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also rose past DeSantis with 12 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott had 6 percent of the vote, while former Vice President Mike Pence , North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum , former Rep. Will Hurd (Texas), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and conservative radio host Larry Elder all had less than 2 percent.

Despite some of the candidates rise in numbers, former President Trump continues to maintain a strong lead, with 39 percent of the likely GOP primary vote.

DeSantis, who was once considered to be Trumps main competitor, has struggled to catch up to the former president in recent weeks. A CNN poll published earlier this month showed Trumps national lead over DeSantis widened to 34 points.

The numbers rolled in ahead of next weeks second GOP primary debate, where several candidates are set to take the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

As of Wednesday, DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Pence, Haley, Scott and Christie have met the Republican National Committees qualifications for the second debate, which included signing a pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee.

Burgum and Hutchinson, who both qualified for the first debate and signed the pledge, have not yet qualified for next weeks debate.

As with the first debate, Trump has qualified for the second debate but plans to skip it to instead speak with autoworkers in Detroit.

The CNN/University of New Hampshire poll surveyed 2,107 Granite State Panel members  who were recruited randomly from phone numbers across New Hampshire  between Sept. 14-18. The poll has a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Law enforcement officials who launched a special enforcement effort focused on two Detroit precincts this summer announced declines Wednesday in violent crime statistics, celebrating successes in the targeted neighborhoods and citywide.

From June 1 to Aug. 31, violent crimes were down about 19% in the city's 8th precinct and by about 11% in the 9th precinct compared to the same time last year, according Detroit police statistics.

Related: 'One Detroit' initiative announced to help prevent violent crime

Citywide, violent crimes were reduced by 5.5% during that time frame. And all year, as of Sept. 20 compared to the same time last year, homicides are down from 216 to 196, or 9.2% citywide. That's 20 fewer victims. Nonfatal shootings this year have declined 8.2%, or 60 fewer victims, Detroit police statistics show. Violent crime statistics overall have declined the last two years, since 2021.

"Everybody that suffers from violence counts  that's something we're celebrating," said U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison in a joint news conference with Detroit officials, acknowledging there is still more work to be done.

Detroit Police Chief James White also acknowledged the impact of 20 fewer homicide victims.

"We're talking about 20 people who weren't victimized. And to unpack that, 20 people whose families don't have to plan a funeral, 20 people who perhaps may have someone inside of that family who may choose to retaliate," White said.

Ison, White and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan called the numbers encouraging and attributed the progress to a partnership among federal and local law enforcement, along with a group of community leaders dubbed "One Detroit."

The partnership had previously announced a summer enforcement strategy in the 8th and 9th precincts to combat and prevent violent crime during the warmer months. The strategy aimed to prosecute the most violent suspects in federal court when possible, resulting in 22 defendants charged. Three have pleaded guilty, Ison said, and the rest await trial.

The charges included: felon in possession of a firearm; illegal possession of a machine gun; possession of a stolen firearm, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Enforcement was only one component of the strategy, Ison said. One Detroit partners also focused on prevention and re-entry. Nearly 200 high-risk probationers and parolees were sent a letter giving them a warning to avoid violent acts, and two community "peacenics" were held, drawing almost 5,000 people.

There, services were provided to help with mental health, employment, literacy and re-entry for returning citizens. Roundtables that provided resources were also held for returning citizens, Ison said.

One Detroit builds from existing relationships and already has reach beyond the 8th and 9th precincts and into the 4th and 11th precincts, officials said. The group plans on expanding its reach into the 2nd Precinct. Community huddles and peace marches are also planned; one on the east side Sept. 30 and the other in the west side Oct. 14.

But the true test in violence reduction, Duggan said, will be 2024.

"We need to show it will happen year after year," Duggan said.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442, asahouri@freepress.com or on Twitter @andreamsahouri.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit sees drop in summer violent crime, 20 fewer homicides this year
 Flash

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, co-chaired the 18th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation in Moscow, capital of Russia, on Sept. 19, 2023. [Photo/Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

China and Russia will work closely on strategic security cooperation, defend true multilateralism, and promote the development of global governance system in a more fair and reasonable direction, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said in Moscow on Tuesday.

Wang Yi and Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, on Tuesday co-chaired the 18th round of China-Russia strategic security consultation. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on a wide range of issues related to deepening strategic cooperation between the two countries, strengthened coordination and enhanced mutual trust.

"China-Russia relations have withstood the test of the vicissitudes of the international situation and continued to develop healthily and steadily," said Wang. "The connotation of the strategic cooperation between the two countries has been continuously enriched, and the quality of pragmatic cooperation has been continuously improved."

Wang noted that as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and responsible major countries, China and Russia work closely together on the international stage to jointly defend true multilateralism, oppose various practices of power bullying, and promote the development of the global governance system in a more fair and reasonable direction.

Wang stressed that the China-Russia strategic security consultation mechanism, as an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries in the new era, reflects the depth of political mutual trust and the breadth of strategic coordination between China and Russia.

"Since the establishment of the mechanism, the two sides have maintained close communication and positive interaction, effectively safeguarded common interests, and contributed wisdom to global strategic stability and the resolution of regional hot issues," Wang said. "The two sides firmly support each other on issues involving each other's core interests, demonstrating the due meaning of a comprehensive strategic partnership."

"We are willing to work with Russia to fundamentally follow the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, further release the effectiveness of the mechanism, and make greater contribution to safeguarding the national security of the two countries and promoting world peace and stability," he added.

Patrushev said that since the beginning of this year, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, Russia-China relations have developed steadily and practical cooperation has been advanced in an orderly manner.

"Both sides always respect and support each other. Faced with the challenges of rapid changes in the international security situation and frequent conflicts, Russia and China are not subject to external influence and interference, adhere to independence, and strengthen strategic coordination, demonstrating the unique value of comprehensive strategic partnership," said Patrushev.

Russia firmly supports China's legitimate stance on Taiwan and on issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong, and opposes Western interference in China's internal affairs, Patrushev said, adding that Russia highly appreciates and supports the three major global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is willing to jointly promote stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The two sides agreed to hold China-Russia strategic stability consultation at an appropriate time and strengthen cooperation in law enforcement security, non-proliferation, and global governance of emerging technologies.

The two sides will also continue to strengthen collaboration under multilateral frameworks such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the BRICS mechanism.
Tracy Gordon said that despite a long day of drinking, he was sober and was being careful when, around 9 p.m. on Sept. 21, 2019, he made a fateful left turn towards a familiar cove on Lake Murray.

Just seconds later, his 24-foot Baja Outlaw speedboat crashed into a 25-foot pontoon boat with three members of the Kiser family. The crash killed Stan Kiser and severely injured his wife, Shawn, who had to have a leg amputated. Their daughter, Morgan, suffered head injuries.

Gordons attorneys have maintained that alcohol was not a factor in the crash. Instead, they have argued it was a horrible accident caused by an especially dark night and a dim running light on the Kisers pontoon boat.

Gordon, testifying Tuesday in his trial on multiple charges, described his disbelief and shock, insisting that he never saw the boat until it was too late.

Im sitting here wondering how this happened. Im a very safe boater, Gordon testified. He stated that he had made that particular turn hundreds of times, including at night, when he would orient himself by the illuminated sign of Liberty on the Lake, a popular restaurant on the shore of Lake Murray.

How many times when youve had eight beers over the course of the day have you made that left turn towards Liberty at night? Deputy 5th Circuit Solicitor Dan Goldberg asked during a followup cross examination Tuesday.

Thats the only time I can remember is that night, Gordon replied.

Gordon, 57, has been charged with reckless homicide and three counts of boating under the influence. Reckless homicide carries a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, while boating under the influence carries a fine of up to $6,000 and imprisonment for up to three years.

Defense attorneys have conceded that that Gordon drank eight beers over roughly eight hours on Sept. 21, 2019 and then drove into the Kisers boat.

Instead they have argued that Gordon, an experienced boater whose stepfather taught him to drive boats on lakes in the Midwest starting when he was 7 years old, was simply involved in a tragic accident. Prosecutors have pointed to Gordons behavior after the crash and his performance on field sobriety tests as proof that he was intoxicated.

Jurors will have to decide which argument they find more credible when they begin deliberations in the Richland County Courthouse on Wednesday morning, once they have been given instructions by Judge Heath Taylor.

Defense attorneys Jack Swerling, Joe McCulloch, Alissa Wilson and Will DuBose rested their case Tuesday after two days of testimony from eight witnesses. Among those called were friends of Gordon, employees at restaurants on Lake Murray where Gordon and his wife, Angie, dined and drank beer before the crash, expert witnesses in field sobriety tests and accident reconstruction, and Gordon himself.

Evidence of Gordons blood alcohol content was not allowed to be put before the jury after arresting officers failed to sign probably cause affidavit. This means the case could hinge on witnesses like Mathew Jenkins, a bartender at Liberty on the Lake, who served Gordon and his wife the night of the crash. On the stand Tuesday, Jenkins said that Gordon did not appear drunk that night.

But on cross examination by Goldberg, Jenkins conceded that experienced drinkers could hide their level of intoxication.

Both Liberty and the Rusty Anchor, which owns Catfish Johnnys where Gordon also drank before the crash, were sued by the Kiser family. The case was settled in 2021.

The defenses final witness, Michael Sutton, a forensic engineer specializing in accident reconstruction, said that based on all the evidence he had reviewed of the night, he did not believe that Gordon was acting recklessly before the crash.

It was a very unfortunate accident with significant complicating factors, said Sutton, who also testified for the defense during Alex Murdaughs murder trial earlier this year. Murdaugh, a former Hampton County lawyer, was convicted of killing his wife and son Paul.

Sutton said he based his opinion on several key factors. Among them were the unusually dark night, which had neither moon nor stars visible, and evidence indicating that the pontoon boats left side running light was dimmer than it should have been, which could have allowed it to blend in with background lighting from the shore.

The pontoon boat and Gordons Baja speedboat were approaching each other on parallel but separate trajectories, as if traveling in opposite directions on a highway, as Gordon drove up the right hand side of the channel from Catfish Johnnys and the Rusty Anchor restaurants, where he consumed his eighth beer of the day.

Gordon testified that he did not see the lights of the pontoon boat as he made a left turn towards the illuminated sign for the Liberty on the Lake restaurant, which he was using as a landmark to navigate to the boat ramp where he planned to take his boat out of the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard mandates that boats be equipped with red and green navigation lights that can be seen up to two miles away. But the red light on the Kisers boat, which should have been visible to Gordon, was not in good condition, Sutton said.

I question the performance of this particular light, Sutton said. I think its performance was degraded to some extent.

Sutton said he based this opinion on the weathered condition of the red light cover, the sagging filament and the darkened condition of the inside of the bulb, which he said was caused by the tungsten filament evaporating over time. However, he was not able to test the light as the bulb had separated from the metal base, which Sutton indicated as another sign of age and wear.

Gordon testified that he did not see the Kisers boat until he was 15 yards away, when it was too late to stop.

Two defense witnesses also spoke to Gordons character, describing him as a truthful man.

The nature of his job requires a high level of truth and integrity, said Eudreon Curry, of Charleston, a fellow manager at the Mars dog food plant where Gordon works. Hes always been somebody who stands on truthfulness.
According to Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Kelly Thompson, the heart of the case the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) is bringing against the new GOP-drawn House and U.S. Congressional District maps is this: Does the state constitution prohibit political gerrymandering?

Thats new ground for the states highest court to consider, as evidenced by an exchange between Thompson and Michael Abate, the attorney representing KDP at the oral argument hearing on the case Tuesday.

Has our court ever reversed or ordered a redistricting based on gerrymandering alone? Have you any precedent, Thompson asked.

Not yet, Justice Thompson, Abate said, with muted laughter coming from the crowd.

The case has been kicked up from Franklin Circuit Court, which ruled almost one year ago that the maps drawn by a Republican-dominated legislature were indeed gerrymandered, but that the Kentucky Constitution did not prohibit such gerrymandering from occurring. That ruling handed the Democrats a loss, but they hope the recognition of gerrymandering by Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate will benefit them in the Kentucky Supreme Court case.

Another argument forwarded by the case is that Republicans in the legislature, while splitting counties to comply with equal population requirements, split counties too many times thereby violating the constitution.

Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams, whose office joined in the litigation alongside Attorney General Daniel Camerons office, didnt offer comment on whether he thought the new maps were gerrymandered, but did state that the constitution allowed them in an interview after the proceedings.

I think the question is really what does the Constitution provide? Our position is that the Constitution doesnt speak to this issue at all. If it did, why did Democrats gerrymander their maps for 100 years. My view is that this is a matter in the Constitution left up to the legislature, and they can use their own standards as long as they comply with the Voting Rights Act, etc, Adams said.

Republicans in the courtroom, represented by top Deputy Attorney General and political litigation veteran Victor Maddox, focused less on arguing that the maps werent gerrymandered and more on stating that the constitution did not prohibit maps from being allegedly gerrymandered.

Abate argued that the Kentucky Constitutions guarantee that all elections shall be free and equal should bar the General Assembly from gerrymandering to the extent that the states House map and U.S. Congressional maps are now. He said the new maps low number of competitive districts is harmful to Democracy and could foment extremism.

Only seven House districts, per their analysis, had a 25% chance of going for either party, Abate said. He argued that new technology and data allowed Republicans to more effectively gerrymander than political parties in years past.

An election where the outcome is preordained is not free or equal It was an intentional choice by the mapmakers to draw lines to favorite Republicans at every turn, Abate said.

Republicans hold 80 seats in the 100-seat House and five of the six U.S. Congressional districts.

While Democrats held onto the House until 2016, their numbers were diminished to 25 by 2022.

The plaintiffs did not challenge State Senate maps. That chamber has long been controlled by Republicans, who currently tout a 31-7 majority there.

In the courtroom

Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter asked Abate to respond to questions about whether the voter plaintiffs  the KDP filed the case alongside several Franklin County voters, including House Minority Floor Leader Derrick Graham, D-Frankfort,  had standing and if the argument against the maps on county splitting grounds was legitimate based on precedent.

The meatiest question for Abate was the one summarized by Thompson: Why should the states highest court come to a novel, at least for Kentucky, interpretation that free and equal elections means not gerrymandered.

Its not a free and equal election, its been rigged. We have undisputed evidence that if the voters were split evenly down the middle, there would still be a 60-seat majority for the Republican party, Abate said.

Some of the justices comments reflected their regional perspectives.

Justice Shea Nickell, a West Kentucky native of Paducah, raised questions about the propriety of the First Congressional District. That district, represented by U.S. Rep. James Comer, R-KY, has received some criticism for originating in West Kentucky, snaking through the bottom of South-Central Kentucky and hooking all the way to Franklin County. He compared the compact line of his own West Kentucky-centric district  there are seven Kentucky Supreme Court Districts, compared to six U.S. Congressional districts  to that of the First Congressional District, calling its Eastern tail the Comer hook.

Form my vantage, it would seem entirely reasonable for people from my region to ask a representative to reside within its borders, Nickel stated.  Section 2 of the Kentucky Constitution prohibits arbitrary action by the government. That is, every government action must be reasonable. So please tell me what is the legitimate legislative purpose, what is a reasonable justification, for what has come to be known as the Comer hook?

Maddox responded that the change from the last redistricting map wasnt all that drastic, with the hook moving north only a few counties. He also stated that the reconfiguration of the district offered no discernible partisan advantage to Comer.

Democrats have derided the odd shape of the First Congressional District as a favor to Comer, who they claim actually lives in Franklin County, where his family resides. Comer owns residences in his native Monroe County as well as Franklin, and Comer has denied asking for the change, instead claiming that Sixth District Congressman Andy Barr chose to shed Franklin County. Barr has not responded to questions about that claim. Democrats allege that Barrs district, once considered a swing district, became much safer by losing the Democratic-leaning Franklin County.

Closing arguments

Maddox summarized the Democratic complaints as mainly sour grapes.

This case comes down to the fact that a long-dominant political party, one with 95 uninterrupted years of control of the House, suddenly found itself a political superminority  Maddox said.

Abate framed it as a pivotal point in state history, one that could send a signal to the legislature and voters that rigged maps are okay.

If we allow partisan gerrymandering like this to be carried out, that breaks that bond and the people are just tools to get the legislators reelected  then theyre no longer responsible to the citizens of Kentucky, Abate said.
One dog is dead and another is critically injured after a fight on the streets of midtown Atlanta on Wednesday morning ended in gunfire.

Police say just before 9:45 a.m., a pit bull and a Yorkshire Terrier got into a fight on West Peachtree Street.

Investigators say the pit bull attacked the other dog. The owners of the two dogs tried separating them from one another, but could not get the pit bull off of the smaller dog.

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

The owner of the Yorkshire Terrier then pulled out a gun and shot the pit bull.

The pit bulls owner ran off, but the other owner stayed until police arrived.

The Yorkshire Terrier was taken to a nearby animal hospital in critical condition. Its current condition is unclear.

TRENDING STORIES:

The pit bull was pronounced dead and taken away by the Atlanta Department of Public Works.

Neither owner has been identified.

Its unclear if either owner will face charges. No arrests have been made.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS:
A 25-year-old creator based in Louisiana is cautioning against popping pimples on your face after contracting a staph infection as a result.

On Sept. 6, Hope (@imlesbianflavored) posted a TikTok, which they claimed had been in their drafts since August 2023, that showcases the consequences of popping a pimple on their upper lip.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

I popped a pimple and it turned into a staph infection

Dont pop your pimples, you guys, Hope cautioned. I will never pop another pimple on my face. Not ever. And do you know why? Cause I popped thiswent to sleep, woke up about midnight [and my] face was hurting. I went and looked in the mirror. Swollen.

A visit to the doctor confirmed that Hope had contracted a staph infection. I popped a pimple and it turned into a staph infection, they said. Yeah. Dont pop your pimples.

Based on comments from TikTok users like @baboopy, @moongoddess33.33 and @marinalynne666, the area where Hopes pimple was located is known as the triangle of death. @ravenesky, another creator, claimed that they had a situation similar to Hope and was close to sepsis.

What is the triangle of death?

The triangle of death, a colloquial term, according to Dr. Amesh Adalja, a board-certified infectious disease physician at Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Pennsylvania via Healthline, refers to an area of the face that includes the region of the nose and corners of the mouth. The area is a hot spot for infections because its connected via blood vessels to area of the skull where infections can spread quickly.

As someone who has picked my whole life you might have convinced me to reconsider and redirect hope you are healing well, @liltittiegothmom commented in response to Hopes cautionary video. To this, Hope replied, I worship pimple patches now as a fellow skin picker.

Why did this staph infection occur?

Dr. Teresa Song, a Board Certified Dermatologist at Marmur Medical, explained that when a pimple is popped, the surface of the skin that usually serve as a protective defense barrier is broken.

This allows bacteria that is naturally on our skin to gain a portal of entry in to the skin, leading to infections in the area, she told In The Know by Yahoo via email. It is more risky to pop pimples in the triangular danger zone of the face, which is marked by the nose and corners of the mouth, because important vasculatures lay in this area and infections can quickly travel deep into the body.

Hydrocolloid patches or spot treatments are more effective methods of treating pimples, said Song.

For single lesions one can use a hydrocolloid pimple patch, or spot treatment therapies containing sulfur, benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, she added. If the pimple is deep and painful, serial warm compresses may help. Cortisone injections in office can be done for select pimples to help improve the spot quickly.

In The Know by Yahoo is now available on Apple News  follow us here!

The post Dont pop your pimples you guys: Creator gets staph infection after popping pimple on their face appeared first on In The Know.

More from In The Know:

Women are reacting to their partners' celebrity crushes looking nothing like them: 'At least him and Harry Styles are in the same genre'

Michigan teen paints My Chemical Romance-themed parking spot for senior year: 'Pink MCR is my new aesthetic'

IMPORTANT: I found the viral aesthetic iced coffee glasses that are all over TikTok

Don't tell anyone, but the Nordstrom Rack weekend deals are so good right now
The mother of an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl wounded in a hail of gunfire is pleading for the violence to stop.

Three adults were also hit by the bullets at the Franklin Field housing community in Dorchester Sunday night around 8:30.

Joanna Algarin told Boston 25 News that she was making her family dinner when she heard what sounded like fireworks.

She said she had just ventured outside to grill chicken after preparing side dishes inside their apartment.

She recalled both of her kids playing near her when they were injured.

11-year-old Johan Howard, a sixth grader at Charles Taylor Elementary in Mattapan, has been released from Boston Childrens Hospital after being shot in the leg.

15-year-old Juliana Howard, a sophomore at the Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester, is on a ventilator in critical condition at Boston Medical Center.

No mother should be going through what Im going through, cried Algarin. I dont wish this on anyone.

Her daughter suffered four gunshot wounds.

Algarin said one of the bullets pierced Julianas head.

I will let you know that what you consider juvenile is a straight-A student [who] made it to the third place in MCAS in the city of Boston, said Algarin My children are not running out and about.

Juliana took a photo next to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu while celebrating her high achieving test score last year.

Algarin told Boston 25 News that her daughter has overcome many obstacles while living with autism and global developmental delay.

She loves butterflies, bright colors, chocolate, ice cream and so much more, said Algarin. My beautiful spirit daughter is now fighting for her life.

Algarin said her son is traumatized by what happened and too scared to come back to the place where he and his sister were shot.

Violence has got to stop. Its always someone who doesnt deserve it, she added. This is senseless.

Algarin and other family members said they were not involved in a small gathering happening nearby around the time of the shooting.

They arent sure where the shots came from and believe both of these kids were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Its not safe for any of these children to be out here. Something needs to be done. Not only election time, always, said aunt Jessica Huertas.

No arrests have been made in Sunday nights shooting.

Police said they have increased patrols in and around the Franklin Field housing community following what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boston Police Departments homicide unit at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be called into the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS.

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
Donald Trump Jr. 's account on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, was hacked Wednesday morning, a representative for Trump Jr. confirmed to The Hill. The hacker wrote a number of inflammatory and false posts, now deleted, on the younger Trump's profile, including a fake death announcement for his father.

"I'm sad to announce, my father Donald Trump has passed away. I will be running for president in 2024," the post read.

The hacker also launched an attack at President Joe Biden, writing "Fk @JoeBiden" followed by a racial slur. "This just in: North Korea is about to get smoked," another post read. "Richard Heart is innocent, when I become president I am going to burn the SEC @RichardHeartWin," the hacker said in another, referring to a crypto YouTuber who the Securities and Exchange Commission charged earlier this year with misappropriating millions of dollars of investor funds from unregistered crypto asset securities offerings that raised more than $1 billion.

I am guessing someone has hacked Donald Trump Jr.s account. pic.twitter.com/0IihHi2Id3  Matthew Gertz (@MattGertz) September 20, 2023

The posts were deleted from the account just before 9 a.m. on Wednesday and were up on the page for under an hour. Trump Jr. has more than 10 million followers on X and regularly uses it despite his father's divestment to Truth Social, which the former president has a financial stake.
(Bloomberg) -- Former President Donald Trump plans to skip the third Republican presidential debate, according to a senior adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity, extending his strategy of avoiding forums that include his lower-polling rivals.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Trump didnt show up for the first debate, held last month in Milwaukee, opting instead to prerecord an interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson which was streamed while other candidates took the stage.

Trump has also said he will not participate in the second debate, scheduled for Sept. 27 at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.

The former president plans to instead visit Detroit to court members of the United Auto Workers union, which is carrying out a strike against the Big Three legacy automakers. Trump will deliver a prime-time speech to an audience of current and former union workers, according to people familiar with his plans.

Earlier: Trump to Court Detroit Auto Workers on Day of Second Debate

Trump has questioned the benefit of debating because he holds a wide lead over the rest of the GOP field. The RealClearPolitics average of polls has him up by more than 46 percentage points over his nearest challenger, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

The third debate is scheduled to take place in early November in Miami, according to a person familiar with the planning. Both Trump and DeSantis call Florida home.

The Republican National Committee had initially discussed holding the third debate in Alabama. The Trump campaign didnt play a role in the decision to instead have the event in Miami, the adviser said.

(Updates with details about debate location, in seventh paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
One of Donald Trump Jr.s social media accounts was reportedly hacked Wednesday morning after a string of wild posts appeared on it, including a claim that his father had died and he was taking his place in the 2024 presidential election.

Im sad to announce, my father Donald Trump has passed away. I will be running for president in 2024, read one of the posts on X, the site formerly known as Twitter.

A social media account belonging to the former president's son Donald Trump Jr. posted Wednesday that his father had died and that he would be taking his place in the 2024 presidential campaign.

A social media account belonging to the former president's son Donald Trump Jr. posted Wednesday that his father had died and that he would be taking his place in the 2024 presidential campaign.

A representative for Trump Jr. reportedly confirmed the hacking to The Hill.

Other posts included comments on North Korea, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the late sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein. The posts vanished from Trumps page roughly 30 minutes after first appearing, suggesting he had regained control.

Neither Trump Jr. nor his father immediately released a statement on the apparent hacking.

The account briefly featured a number of odd and obscene comments Wednesday morning.

The account briefly featured a number of odd and obscene comments Wednesday morning.
Donald Trump is facing blowback from conservatives and anti-abortion activists for calling a ban on abortion after six weeks a terrible thing and a terrible mistake in an interview that aired on NBCs Meet the Press over the weekend.

Its the latest contortion for the former president who made such laws possible with his appointment of three conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court who joined in overturning Roe v. Wade last year. Yet Trump also seems to recognize the broad unpopularity of extreme abortion restrictions ahead of another likely campaign against President Joe Biden in 2024.

Kim Reynolds , the popular Republican governor of Iowa, an early presidential nominating state that Trump is seeking to win, on Tuesday spoke out against Trumps comments without referring to him by name.

Its never a terrible thing to protect innocent life. Im proud of the fetal heartbeat bill the Iowa legislature passed and I signed in 2018 and again earlier this year, Reynolds wrote on X, the website formerly known as Twitter.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, the president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, also pushed back against Trumps comments, saying he was wrong to attack Florida governor and rival presidential candidate Ron DeSantis for signing a similar measure into law in his state.

Hes criticizing a law and lawmaker that acted, following the will of the people, on what he made possible through [the reversal of Roe v. Wade], Dannenfelser said. We urge Trump and DeSantis to focus on their concrete pro-life plan for the future and contrast that with [Joe] Biden. He is their opponent.

Since the fall of Roe v. Wade, many Republican-controlled states have passed so-called heartbeat bills banning abortion as soon as fetal electrical impulses can be detected, in about the sixth week of pregnancy. But the GOPs extreme anti-abortion policies have repeatedly cost them at the ballot box, in state elections, on referendums and in congressional races, generating anxiety in some Republican circles.

In order to win in 2024, Republicans must learn how to talk about Abortion. This issue cost us unnecessarily, but dearly, in the Midterms, Trump wrote Tuesday on his social media platform Truth Social, making it clear he supported exceptions to the bans in cases of rape and incest and to save the life of the mother.

Though Trumps abortion comments prompted criticism from anti-abortion groups and even some 2024 rivals, including his former vice president, Mike Pence, they had little effect on congressional Republicans.

Several GOP senators who have endorsed Trumps 2024 bid said this week that his position on abortion  which is all over the place  wouldnt cause them to reconsider their endorsement.

Hes got his own opinion on where it should be. I think the central theme was is he was glad [the question of abortion] was returned to the states, and Im OK with that, Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) said Tuesday.

Asked if he agreed with Trump that heartbeat bills are a terrible thing, Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) praised the ex-president for doing more for advancing the cause of protecting the unborn than any president of my lifetime.

But other GOP senators who have said they wont support Trump in 2024 criticized him for waffling on an issue they and other conservatives feel strongly about.

He wants to say hes the most pro-life president and then he says maybe not. Im sure hes trying to make a play for Iowa evangelicals and others, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) told HuffPost.

Must be poll-tested since it came out of President Trumps mouth, added Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.), another Trump critic.

Democrats, meanwhile, said that Trumps comments wouldnt fool anyone and that it would be difficult to fudge his record on abortion rights in a general election campaign.

Hes the most damaging force to womens reproductive health care in our lifetime, period, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) said. Abortion would not be illegal in dozens of states today if not for Donald Trump.

He, like many other Republicans, have realized that theres a huge political downside to being on the wrong side of 70% of American women. Hes not going to fool anybody.

Related...
When a DoorDash driver arrived at a Texas restaurant to pick up an order, she learned the food wasnt ready yet, authorities said.

Upset she would have to wait, the food delivery driver decided to enter the Wingstop kitchen, according to a news release from the Amarillo Police Department.

Restaurant staff asked the 33-year-old woman to leave, but she responded by attacking the store manager at about 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, police said.

He tried to escort her out of the store, and she continued to fight and attack him, police said.

An off-duty deputy with the Randall County Sheriffs Office saw the fight and took action, according to the release.

Officers then arrived at the restaurant and helped the deputy get the DoorDash driver under arrest, police said.

She was arrested and booked into the Randall County Detention Center on charges of assault causing bodily injury and resisting arrest, according to the release.

McClatchy News requested comment from DoorDash and Wingstop on Sept. 20 and was awaiting a response.

Popeyes cashier steals customers credit card and goes shopping, Texas cops say

Dunkin worker punches customer in the face in argument about sugar, Ohio cops say

Drive-thru drug dealing was offered at fast-food restaurant, Mississippi cops say
 Flash

This photo taken on Jan. 11, 2023 shows the headquarters building of the China-aided Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [Photo/Xinhua]

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is of great significance as it will bring prosperity and confidence to the Global South and "give a stronger voice to those not having a voice at the moment," a British international communication expert has said.

"The BRI is at least as important as a small number of initiatives since the end of World War II, for example, the founding of the United Nations and the signing of the Paris Accord, but it has a more profound significance in the sense that it will have a very profound impact on the world," David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor of the Foreign Languages Press in Beijing, who has been living and working in China for more than 15 years, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

The BRI "will bring prosperity to many poor and developing countries along the way. It will add to these countries' confidence in the system and confidence in the culture ... and it will fundamentally change the structure of the international order," said Ferguson, who received China's Orchid Awards earlier in September for facilitating cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

It will "give a stronger voice to people who do not have a voice at the moment," he said, adding that in terms of culture, the BRI has long been dedicated to promoting people-to-people connectivity.

What today's world needs is "not leadership in the old Western colonial sense of leading by dictating other people on how they should behave or by coercing them into doing what they want, but leadership that respects other parties," he said. "And that is a feature of China's international diplomacy."

"It has always insisted (that) all countries, no matter how strong or how weak, no matter how powerful, how large or small, should have an equal voice," he added.

Over the years, Ferguson has edited the English translation of works by Chinese leaders, including four volumes of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," as well as a range of government white papers and books aimed at conveying China's perspectives to global audiences, and has authored a collection of books introducing the historical backgrounds and modernization processes of Chinese cities.

The expert noticed that the BRI has been a target of criticism from some Western countries and media outlets since the initiative was proposed in 2013.

The West has been talking of the so-called "Chinese neo-colonialism," and of the so-called "debt traps," but those are based on fallacies, he said.

In fact, the expert pointed out, "the West has adopted a position of arrogance far too long," where it believes its system is the best.

This arrogance has restricted dialogue among different countries, and is to blame for the rocky patches of the relationship between China and the West, he noted.

Unlike the BRI, initiatives brought out by the West have failed to take into consideration cooperation and coordination among countries, Ferguson said.

The 600-billion-U.S. dollar Global Infrastructure and Investment fund announced last year by the Group of Seven members, for example, was "all about countering and competing with China," the expert said.

If the West had stood up and made the same proposal by talking about coordination with the BRI, and about cooperation with member parties to the BRI, there could have been a huge difference, he said.
The N.C. General Assemblys draft budget contains a change to the states vehicle inspection process that would benefit car owners in several counties  but not Mecklenburg County drivers.

The budget draft, obtained by the Raleigh News & Observer, includes a provision to remove the states vehicle emissions test requirement for 18 of the 19 North Carolina counties where it currently applies. Under the proposed change, Mecklenburg County would be the only one left with the requirement.

Counties that would have their requirement lifted under the proposal include Iredell, Union, Durham and Wake.

The budget draft isnt final, Speaker Tim Moore told reporters Tuesday. The North Carolina House could vote on the budget as soon as Wednesday.

The new draft also isnt the first time the idea has been floated. The same proposal was part of a budget proposal released in April, the Charlotte Observer reported previously. And a similar bill was introduced in the state Senate during the 2023 legislative session.

But the new budget draft is significant because it emerged late Monday after months of negotiating between leaders in both chambers.

Why would emissions tests still be required in Charlotte?

State Sen. Steve Jarvis , one of the sponsors of the Senate bill, said previously he wanted the requirement repealed for most counties because most now have air quality that falls within the Environmental Protection Agencys acceptable standards.

This is something thatll be a major benefit to our lower-income tier of the entire state, the Davie and Davidson County Republican told the Winston-Salem Journal. Theyre hit the hardest by the emissions testing when a lot of times a (indicator) light will come on and theyll have to spend $500, $1,000 for issues that are usually just sensors. The cars not doing anything bad. Its just a sensor thats bad.

Mecklenburg is the one county of those with a requirement that hasnt brought down its air pollution to safe levels, Jarvis told the Journal.

The budget proposal calls for vehicles with a model year within 20 years of the current year and earlier than the 2017 model year to be subject to the emissions test requirement. Currently, vehicles that are 20 years old or older are exempt.

Safety inspections would still be mandatory for most North Carolina vehicle owners even if the emissions test requirement is repealed.

Vehicles less than 30 years old have to be inspected annually and must be completed within 90 days of renewing your registration, the N.C. Department of Transportation says. Safety inspections must be done by a licensed mechanic and examine a vehicles headlights, signals, brakes, steering, windows and tires.

What are the chances of NC budget passing?

Moore said Tuesday the North Carolina House will take the first of two votes on the state budget and a separate bill tying Medicaid expansion to the authorization of four new casinos Wednesday, unless something derails negotiations.

The negotiations are still continuing, right? Its a matter of also trying to ensure there are votes for a plan, so theres some flexibility to see what we need to do, he told reporters. But absent something, absent there being a change in the circumstances, the plan right now is to vote on both bills Wednesday, and to vote on both bills on Thursday.

The budget is already two and a half months late.

State legislators didnt vote on a budget last week amid disagreements over legalizing non-tribal casinos and other gambling expansions in the budget, the News & Observer reported.

When would vehicle inspection changes take effect?

Changes to the states emissions test requirement wouldnt take effect immediately if and when the budget passes.

The state Department of Environmental Quality would have a year to send a proposed North Carolina State Implementation Plan amendment to the EPA addressing the change and its impact.

The EPA would then have to approve the amendment.

The last time the state legislature changed emissions test requirements, in 2017, it took until 2019 for the change to get EPA approval and take effect.
As he strolls venue sections, Drake has brought out multiple figures throughout his Its All a Blur Tour, including Aaron Judge, Kevin Durant , LeBron and Bronny James and Lil Yachty .

During his second show in Houston on Monday, the rap icon reconnected with Qui Yasuka, aka Suki Baby, who appeared on the cover of his Her Loss album, which he released with 21 Savage in November.

Wassup from us @champagnepapi, she wrote on an Instagram post that captured the moment.

Fortunately for Suki Baby, substantial perks come with being friends with Drake. Instead of sitting in general admission, she received grade-A treatment.

Aww I had my own lil section doin a lil jig, she wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Everything was art gah damn.

Aww I had my own li section doin a lil jig  SUKI (@QYASUKA) September 19, 2023

Everything was art gah damn  SUKI (@QYASUKA) September 19, 2023

Born Quiana Yasuka, Suki Baby is a woman of many talents. According to The Sun, she is an adult dancer, nail technician, teeth jewelry connoisseur, 3D design artist and social media influencer with an Instagram following of over 348K followers.

Complex reported photographer Paris Aden took the photo of her used for the Her Loss cover three years before Lil Yachty discovered it.

On Oct. 6, Drake will drop his new album, For All the Dogs. His 5-year-old son, Adonis, drew its cover art, as Blavity reported.
A brawl in Lancaster wound up with some people scuffling with members of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. Above, the Lancaster sheriff's station. (Google Maps)

A brawl in Lancaster Tuesday morning spiraled into an extended drama that spanned several locations and included a shooting, six arrests, a scuffle with members of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department and a series of minor injuries, according to officials.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reported an initial dispute among a group of unidentified people at the Antelope Valley Courthouse around 9:30 a.m.

Parties from that incident traveled a half-mile down the road from Lancaster to a gas station just across the border in Palmdale, according to Sgt. Adam Hilzendeger, acting watch commander of the sheriff's Lancaster station.

There, a shooting took place at about 10 a.m., and two unidentified female victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to Hilzendeger. No deputies were involved in the shooting.

Read more: 'Whatever it takes to reduce crime': Why Lancaster is creating a police department

It's unknown at this point what caused the dispute, according to officials.

Deputies from the nearby Palmdale sheriff's station arrested six suspects, according to Hilzendeger, and discovered a cache of weapons inside their vehicles.

Several members of the group drove to the Antelope Valley Medical Center to seek care for the wounded.

As sheriff's deputies arrived at the medical center and started an investigation into the earlier shooting, some group members "became unruly," according to sheriff's reports. Some began yelling at law enforcement and eventually assaulted at least one deputy as arrests were being made.

Read more: FBI investigating violent incidents by L.A. County deputies in Palmdale and Lancaster

During this altercation, several more people suffered minor injuries, including at least one deputy. All were treated at the adjacent medical center and released, according to officials.

The Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A grand jury in Charleston County, South Carolina, has returned four indictments against Jamie Lee Komoroski, according to our ABC affiliate at WCIV News in Charleston.

On April 28, Komoroski crashed into a low-speed vehicle (LSV) in Folly Beach, killing Samantha Miller and severely injuring Aric Hutchinson and another passenger. Miller and Hutchinson had gotten married earlier that day.

ALSO READ: Friends, family process grief months after bride killed on wedding night

Police told WCIV, that Komoroski was driving 65 m.p.h. in a 25 m.p.h. zone and her blood alcohol level was three times that of the legal limit.

On Sept. 12, the grand jury returned indictments on Komoroskis charges: one count of felony DUI causing death. two counts of felony DUI causing great bodily injury, and one count of reckless homicide, WCIV reported Wednesday.

Officials say Komoroski has been in custody since the deadly crash and was denied bond on Aug. 1.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

(WATCH BELOW: Charlotte bride killed, husband seriously hurt in wedding night crash)








































A man has died as a result of his car hitting an explosive device in Kyiv Oblast.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: On 20 September, rescue workers received a report of a forest fire between two settlements of Ivankiv hromada [an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.].

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they found that a car had hit a mine, killing the driver (a 29-year-old man) and causing a fire, which was quickly extinguished by the rescue workers.

Quote: "Unfortunately, the liberated territories will remain potentially dangerous for citizens for a long time. Therefore, we ask local residents to refrain from visiting forests, forest belts, fields, and places where hostilities took place."

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!
Californias lawsuit against some of the worlds largest oil companies is an important move by the worlds fifth-largest economy to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for decades of climate denial and deception.

The suit filed last week against BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute trade group seeks to hold them liable for misleading the public about products they knew were harmful and make them pay to deal with the escalating costs of fighting the climate crisis in California.

But its notable that the state is also trying to prevent oil companies from continuing to make false or misleading statements about their role in overheating the planet. Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta's action comes after a series of similar lawsuits by other states, cities and counties over the last six years. If successful, these cases could force the most powerful industry on Earth to curb its decades-long campaign of deceiving the public about climate change, its causes and solutions.

Read more: Editorial: The 2022 heat wave killed 395 Californians. It shouldn't have taken so long to find out

Thats important because the fossil fuel industrys disinformation tactics are ever-evolving, morphing from outright denial years ago to more sophisticated greenwashing today that misleads consumers by portraying oil companies and their products as environmentally sustainable. And its climate deception remains one of the biggest barriers to action to cut planet-warming emissions, because it muddles public perception and gives politicians cover to stick with policies that prolong reliance on fossil fuels.

The state's 135-page complaint lays out in exacting detail what is a story of oil industry obfuscation of its scientific knowledge and role in fueling the climate crisis. Oil companies knew as far back as the 1950s that their products endangered the planet, the complaint says, but instead of warning the public, they engaged in a disinformation campaign targeting the science underpinning climate change and solutions needed to address it. The suit cites examples from internal studies and documents, advertising, marketing and the industrys use of front groups, fringe scientists and public relations campaigns to manufacture doubt in the minds of the public.

The lawsuit is a remarkable development not only because California is the largest economy yet to take the industry to court over its deception, but also because the state was built on oil extraction a century ago and remains a top producer to this day.

It seems promising because it relies on well-established statutes, including laws against public nuisances, misleading advertising and unfair business practices, and a legal approach that has been used successfully in the past to hold powerful industries liable. Just look at what happened after litigation against purveyors of tobacco, opioids and lead paint.

Read more: Editorial: Cleaning up California's oilfields may cost $21.5 billion. Taxpayers shouldn't get the bill

This litigation can also help erode a false narrative perpetuated by the fossil fuel industry that has been astoundingly successful. The narrative argues that consumers should be looking inward to solve the climate crisis. For example, it urges them to reduce their carbon footprints to allow oil companies to continue to sell these polluting products for as long as possible.

It seems laughable now to blame consumers that were victimized by harmful products like cigarettes or lead-based paint rather than the industries who peddled them, knowing full well the risks to society. But were still not at that point of recognizing how long we have been misled and harmed by oil and gas companies that know better but want to keep making money.

The American Petroleum Institute responded to the lawsuit with deflection, calling it part of an ongoing, coordinated campaign to wage meritless, politicized lawsuits against a foundational American industry and its workers. But it did little to dispute the substance of the allegations, as has been the case for years. The industry has tried to fight those suits with procedural delays and unsuccessful attempts to move the cases to more sympathetic federal courts, rather than with facts.

Read more: Editorial: No more half measures on climate change. The next generation is right to demand an end to fossil fuels

This suit is just one of the efforts California is using to force more transparency and accountability from the oil industry. The Legislature recently passed a pair of bills to require big companies to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate-related financial risks, which Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will sign. Also on the governors desk is legislation that would reduce incentives for oil well operators to bail on their cleanup obligations and leave billions in costs to taxpayers.

It will be an important day if the fossil fuel industry, despite its immense power, is finally forced to tell the truth and to pay for the harm its products have caused to every living thing on the planet.





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.
Ed Tilly started as a trader at the Chicago Board Options Exchange in 1987 and worked his way up to chief executive officer. Under his decadelong stewardship, the exchange grew dramatically, and it was having a banner year until Tuesday, when Tillys Chicago success story ended abruptly.

Knowledgeable, popular among trading professionals and one of the most recognizable faces of his industry, Tilly resigned under pressure after an internal investigation found he had undisclosed personal relationships with colleagues.

And just like that, Chicago lost one of the anchors keeping a bobbling industry in place.

Cboes stock rose on the news of Tillys abrupt departure, not because he had been doing a bad job, but rather on the theory that his replacement, a 68-year-old board member named Frederic Tomczyk, will not be as committed to keeping the exchange independent and based in its native city.

Tomczyk gets a big equity award if he remains CEO for just one year, according to Cboes public filings, and its easy to imagine him fielding calls from rivals to sell the exchange within that approximate time frame.

CME Group would be a likely buyer, which would keep Cboe in Chicago for as long as CME stays, but, leaving aside antitrust concerns, Atlanta-based rival ICE is just as capable of stepping up. The U.S. options industry has always had a strong connection to New York financial giants as well, and dont rule out foreign bidders, either.

Against this backdrop  a perilous moment for an iconic employer born and bred in Chicago  Mayor Brandon Johnson continues his hunt for deep pockets to pick.

A much-discussed transaction tax may prove irresistible to a political neophyte staring at a budget hole and looking ahead to whatever sweetheart deal his pals at the Chicago Teachers Union will be demanding from him soon.

Johnson owes a debt to the union, his former employer, which did more than any other group to put him in office. And while he should be laying the groundwork for seeking concessions from the teachers, given the citys poor budget outlook, if he follows the long-standing Illinois tradition of paying off political allies, he will need big bucks to make good on his promises.

Mayor, now is the time to declare a transaction tax off the table. Say it loud and clear.

Chicago cannot afford to lose one of its most lucrative industries, and the city needs to make a decisive statement that retaining its exchanges and trading firms is a top priority. Practically nothing  not even the ongoing threat of crime downtown  would drive away these financially savvy players faster than a money grab from a city administration they have no reason yet to trust.

The so-called LaSalle Street tax is not an invention of the Johnson administration. The financial industry has labored under the threat of such a tax for years. But never has it seemed more likely than from a mayor whose allies produced the infamous first we get the money memo outlining plans to soak the citys most productive citizens.

Consider this inconvenient truth for Johnson: Financial exchanges process their transactions on computer servers that can function in locales distant from wherever their top executives happen to live. Taxing those transactions in one place is an invitation to move them elsewhere.

Politicians and public employee unions never seem to learn that killing the goose means no more golden eggs. They tend to live in denial of datas mobility, even though exchanges have proved in trial runs they can comfortably relocate to tax-friendly locales. And, of course, its not just exchanges that travel easily. Did we learn nothing from the exit of Ken Griffin and Citadel to Miami?

In 2020, New Jersey got serious about imposing a transaction tax, and Illinois was among the many states readying incentives to lure the financial firms that would have eagerly relocated. As this page said at the time, it was a cost-free lesson in how foolish our state and local officials would be to follow New Jerseys failed strategy.

Chicago businesses already operate under a high tax burden, making it difficult to attract new employers and workers, an issue compounded by the broadly held perception that the city is increasingly unsafe. Under Tilly, Cboe recently defied expectations and just last year opened a new state-of-the-art trading floor in the Chicago Board of Trade building at the foot of LaSalle Street. At the time, Tilly proudly professed his affection for his home city.

Mayor, Tillys out.

Not your fault. But keep putting a target on their backs for your latest tax schemes, and one way or another, many more of the citys most loyal movers and shakers could be gone before you know it. And good luck coaxing them back.

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.
Nayib Bukele, President of El Salvador, addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at U.N. headquarters. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  El Salvador President Nayib Bukele trumpeted the success of his gang crackdown during his speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, crediting his administrations will against international criticism over human rights violations.

Bukele said that if El Salvador had listened to external critics  including some at the United Nations  the tiny Central American country would again be the murder capital of the world.

Today, I come to tell you that that debate is over, Bukele said. The decisions we took were correct. We are no longer the world death capital and we achieved it in record time. Today we are a model of security and no one can doubt it. There are the results. They are irrefutable.

More than 72,000 people have been arrested under a state of emergency Bukele requested in March 2022 after a surge in gang violence. The special powers that Congress granted Bukele suspended some fundamental rights such as access to a lawyer and being told the reason for ones arrest.

Critics say that there is no due process, and thousands of innocent people have been swept up in the security blitz. More than 7,000 have been released for lack of evidence of gang ties.

In March, the U.N. human rights office expressed concern over the year-long crackdown, noting widespread human rights violations, thousands of unsubstantiated arrests and dozens of in-custody deaths.

But at home, Bukeles security policies are very popular. They will likely be the centerpiece of his campaign for re-election next year, something prohibited by El Salvadors constitution but allowed by court justices selected by his supporters in the Legislative Assembly.

As Bukele noted Tuesday, Salvadorans can walk without fear in their neighborhoods and allow their children to play outside without the oppressive fear of gang recruitment and violence.

In 2015, El Salvador was considered one of the worlds most violent as it recorded 6,656 homicides, or about 106 per 100,000 people. So far this year, the National Civil Police have registered 146 homicides through Sept. 18, more than 72% below the same period last year.

El Salvadors newfound security has drawn more international visitors and is beginning to attract Salvadorans who moved away long ago to escape the violence, he said.

Bukele mentioned the Central American and Caribbean Games that El Salvador hosted in June and the upcoming Miss Universe competition that will come to El Salvador in November, as well as international surfing competitions that Bukele has promoted.

We know that much still needs to be done to achieve it," he said, "but we are on the path to reaching our goal of reversing the massive exodus of Salvadorans, a result of all of the mistaken policies of the past and the civil war, and arriving at our dream of having inverse migration, that more Salvadorans return than those who leave.
Gov. Maura Healey is asking federal officials to speed up work authorizations for migrants and refugees filling emergency shelters in Massachusetts. The shelters include one at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy.

The work permit process can take many months, said Susan Church, chief operating officer with the state Office for Refugees and Immigrants.

Healey believes that if migrants are here legally, and theyre eligible to apply right away for work authorizations, then the application should be enough, Church said.

Once you prove that youve applied, you shouldnt have to wait in backlogs, she said.

For example, most of the Haitian families coming to the U.S. have an appointment through an electronic app that U.S. Customs and Border Protection controls, Church said. Those people are eligible for work authorizations on the day they arrive, she said.

Gov. Maura Healey

I can absolutely, 100% assure you that the individuals in our shelters are not illegal or undocumented, Church said. People are not here in our shelters illegally. They are not eligible for shelter if they are undocumented.

To be eligible for shelter in Massachusetts, migrants must be known to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials and seeking to establish their status in the U.S. in court or through another legal method.

Healey declared a state of emergency Aug. 8 because of an influx of migrants, particularly families from Haiti.

Since 1983, state officials have been required by law to offer housing to any homeless family seeking shelter. The law covers migrant families who are in the U.S. legally. Families that are undocumented, and whose presence is not acknowledged by federal immigration authorities, are not eligible for emergency shelter.

There are 6,409 families in shelters, including new arrivals and long-term Massachusetts residents, according to a Healey administration spokesperson. Its estimated that one-third of them are new arrivals.

Migrant shelter at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy serves up to 58 families

Some of the migrants are living temporarily in a shelter that can hold up to 58 families at Eastern Nazarene College in Quincy. A meeting of neighbors and state and city officials was held last week at Central Middle School to discuss the shelter. Tempers flared and a state official was threatened, prompting police to intervene.

Several days before the meeting, a group of neo-Nazis marched outside Eastern Nazarene. They held flares and chanted "go home," Quincy police said.

The next day, a group of counterprotesters voiced their support for the migrant families.

Putting migrants to work quickly is a high priority of the Healey/Driscoll administration, Church said. The state is working with MassHire, a statewide network of businesses and job seekers, to coordinate work authorizations and job openings so people can get to work as quickly as possible.

These are extremely talented, hard-working individuals, Church said. "They are ready, willing and able to work. They are an incredible asset to our state and were happy to have them.

A request to expedite work authorizations sent by Massachusetts Congress members, among others

On Aug. 1, federal lawmakers sent a request to to expedite work authorizations to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ur M. Jaddou.

In the letter, U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey and U.S. Rep. William Keating, among others, noted that an expanded parole program allows 30,000 nationals each month from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, who have eligible sponsors, to apply for parole due to urgent humanitarian needs. The letter asked that a parolees application for work authorization receive provisional approval.

A significant number of migrants coming to Massachusetts are coming from Haiti because of the countrys instability, Church said. An earthquake in 2010 killed an estimated 220,000 people. Nearly 1,000 people were killed and 1.4 million were left in need of assistance after a hurricane decimated the island in 2016. In 2021, President Jovenel Moise was assassinated. The countrys instability increased with each event, and violent gangs expanded their territories.

Patriot Ledger staff contributed to this report. Denise Coffey writes about business and tourism. Contact her at dcoffey@capecodonline.com.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Backlog of work authorizations for migrants needs fixing, Healey says
Elon Musk denied a report that Tesla planned to build a factory in Saudi Arabia. It's the latest development in his complicated history with the nation.

Elon Musk has a longstanding feud with Saudi Arabia. Chesnot/Getty Images

Elon Musk has denied a report suggesting Tesla has plans to set up a factory in Saudi Arabia.

The Wall Street Journal reported that talks were "very early stage," but Musk said that was false.

It marks the latest twist in a long and complex history between Musk and Saudi Arabia.

Elon Musk has denied a report that said Tesla planned to set up a manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia, describing the claims as "utterly false."

The Tesla CEO made the statement in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Monday in response to a Wall Street Journal report that said the electric-vehicle manufacturer was in "very early stage" talks with the country.

The Journal, which cited people familiar with discussions, reported that Saudi Arabia was attempting to win over Tesla with plans to secure supplies of critical metals such as cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Tesla needs cobalt for its batteries.

The outlet said talks "could fall apart," with a deal between Saudi Arabia and Tesla threatened by the tense and checkered history between Musk and the nation's rulers, as well as their ownership of the Tesla rival Lucid .

The Journal updated its story after publication to include Musk's denial.

Tesla and representatives for the Saudi government did not immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment.

Though Saudi Arabia is in the middle of a massive economic and clean-energy transition as it seeks to reduce its dependence on oil, a deal with Tesla would mark an unexpected turn of events given Musk's relationship with the kingdom.

Here's a timeline of the billionaire CEO's complicated history with the country.

How it all started

Musk. Chesnot via Getty Images

In recent years, the kingdom has become increasingly vocal about reducing its dependence on oil and shifting to cleaner energy alternatives, with electric-vehicle development becoming a top priority.

It's here that Musk enters the fray. In a blog post in August 2018 , Musk said he first met with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the powerful Public Investment Fund, at the beginning of 2017 after he said it expressed interest in taking Tesla private.

"They then held several additional meetings with me over the next year to reiterate this interest and to try to move forward with a going private transaction," the post said. "Obviously, the Saudi sovereign fund has more than enough capital needed to execute on such a transaction."

'Funding secured'

Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 7, 2018

This all forms a backdrop to a now infamous tweet from Musk in August 2018 : "Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured."

The declaration proved controversial as Tesla investors threw their hands up over the prospect of the company going private.

The outcry led to Musk publishing the blog post to explain his "funding secured" tweet. It's here that he said he had been approached "multiple times" by the sovereign wealth fund.

Musk said the fund met with him on July 31, 2018, days before the "funding secured" tweet and not long after it bought roughly 5% of Tesla stock.

"During the meeting, the managing director of the fund expressed regret that I had not moved forward previously on a going private transaction with them, and he strongly expressed his support for funding a going private transaction for Tesla at this time," Musk wrote.

He added that he left the meeting with "no question that a deal with the Saudi sovereign fund could be closed, and that it was just a matter of getting the process moving."

Far from secured

Musk in front of a Tesla. Getty Images

It turned out that funding wasn't as "secured" as Musk said he thought. After a sit-down interview with Musk following the tweet, The New York Times reported that the Saudis had not committed to providing cash for the deal.

Court documents published last year showed private texts between Musk and Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund, in which the Tesla chief said he was "deeply offended" by the suggestion from the Saudis that they were not interested in the deal.

He said he was being thrown "under the bus" by the Saudis, with al-Rumayyan responding that the fund hadn't received the financial information it had asked for and couldn't do anything until it had "sufficient information."

Snubbing Tesla for a rival

Saudi Arabia is a majority owner of Tesla's rival Lucid Motors. Lucid Motors

In January 2019, just months after the "funding secured" saga, the sovereign wealth fund enlisted the help of JPMorgan Chase to hedge its nearly 5% stake in Tesla, the Financial Times reported .

The move from the sovereign wealth fund meant that while Saudi Arabia still maintained its shares of the EV maker, it would be protected from price fluctuations.

But snubbing Tesla wasn't the only thing on the mind of the fund. The decision to hedge the Tesla shares came months after the fund invested $1 billion in Tesla's rival EV firm Lucid Motors. By 2020, the Saudis had majority ownership of the company.

Blocking the Twitter deal

I don't believe that the proposed offer by @elonmusk ($54.20) comes close to the intrinsic value of @Twitter given its growth prospects.



Being one of the largest & long-term shareholders of Twitter, @Kingdom_KHC & I reject this offer.https://t.co/Jty05oJUTk pic.twitter.com/XpNHUAL6UX     (@Alwaleed_Talal) April 14, 2022

Tesla isn't the only Musk-involved company that has caused controversy with the Saudis.

Last year, before Musk finalized his $44 billion take-private deal for Twitter, Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal tweeted his objection to Musk's proposal of buying Twitter at $54.20 a share, suggesting the offer didn't come close to "the intrinsic value of Twitter."

His conglomerate, the Kingdom Holding Co., took a 3% stake in Twitter in 2011 worth about $300 million before it was floated onto the stock market.

"Being one of the largest & long-term shareholders of Twitter, @Kingdom_KHC & I reject this offer," the prince tweeted.

In response, Musk asked : "How much of Twitter does the Kingdom own, directly & indirectly? What are the Kingdom's views on journalistic freedom of speech?"

You're on your own, Musk

Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Reuters

In January, Musk testified in a trial amid accusations that he had defrauded investors with his "funding secured" tweet in 2018.

To defend his case, Musk had been banking on al-Rumayyan turning up for the trial in San Francisco, but lawyers for al-Rumayyan and the fund suggested they had no legal obligation to support the Tesla CEO's case, Bloomberg reported.

In other words, Musk was left to fend for himself.

Read the original article on Business Insider
 Flash

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/Xinhua]

The environmental rights enjoyed by human beings is a collective human right, and the management and disposal of hazardous substances is by no means a matter of a country, a Chinese expert told the ongoing 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council on Tuesday.

Referring to the act of disposing hazardous substances, Li Shouping, an expert from the China Society for Human Rights Studies and a professor at the Beijing Institute of Technology, said, "It should consider environmental, health and safety and other factors."

During a dialogue with the UN special rapporteur on human rights implications of the environmentally sound management and disposal of hazardous substances and wastes, Li said that the international community should take such issues seriously.

On Aug. 24, ignoring the strong doubts and opposition of the international community, the Japanese government discharged contaminated water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

"What Japan has done is to transfer risks to the world, to extend the pain to future generations of humanity, to make itself a destroyer of the ecological environment and a global polluter of the marine environment," he said.
Elon Musk has said multiple times that he "voted for Biden."

According to Walter Isaacson's new biography on Musk, he didn't actually vote on election day.

Apparently, Musk believed that his vote wouldn't make a difference because he lived in California.

Elon Musk has seemingly changed his tune about how he voted in the 2020 US presidential election.

Rather, he apparently didn't vote in the general election  telling biographer Walter Isaacson that he didn't make it the polls, contradicting what the Tesla CEO previously said online and in interviews about his voting history and political beliefs.

"I didn't vote for Donald Trump. I actually voted for Biden," Musk told Tucker Carlson in an April interview on Fox News. "Not saying I'm a huge fan of Biden because I would think that would probably be inaccurate, but you know, we have difficult choices to make in the presidential elections," Musk said.

Two months earlier, he posted on X, formerly Twitter, that "I voted for Biden." It's not clear if Musk was referring to the general election  or if he previously cast a vote for Biden in a primary, but Insider reached out to Musk seeking clarification but didn't hear back ahead of publication.

But Isaacson writes in his new book, simply titled "Elon Musk," that while Musk had been planning to vote for Biden on election day, "he decided that going to the polls in California, where he was then registered, was a waste of time because it was not a contested state."

Musk had already developed a "deep disdain" for Trump by this time but wasn't a Biden fan either, according to Isaacson's book  a feeling that seemed to go back a few years.

"When he was vice president, I went to lunch with him in San Francisco where he droned on for an hour and was boring as hell, like one of those dolls where you pull the string and it just says the same mindless phrases over and over," Musk told Isaacson.

Still, Musk said he would have voted for Biden in 2020, but decided against it because he lived in California, an uncontested blue state. Musk's sentiments toward Biden soured in August 2021, according to Isaacson, when Biden hosted an event celebrating electric vehicles. Biden invited the leaders of GM, Ford, Chrysler, and the leader of United Auto Workers, but did not invite Musk.

Musk's relationship with both Biden and Trump has been turbulent in the time since. Ultimately, however, he expressed concern with the US's "ancient leadership," telling Carlson in his Fox interview that he wants someone "normal" to vote for in 2024.

Though Musk said he has a history of voting for Democratic candidates, he said he placed his first Republican vote in the 2022 primaries.

"To independent-minded voters: Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic," Musk wrote on social media ahead of the 2022 primaries.

Musk's politics shifted to the right in recent years

His political swing seems to have been spurred around 2020. Musk was openly resentful of California's stay-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic, so much so that he moved Tesla's HQ to Texas. During that same year, he posted a tweet saying "Take the red pill," red-pilled being a common phrase among conservatives. He also clashed with Elizabeth Warren and other progressives on Twitter, which he has since purchased and rebranded to X.

In May 2022, he tweeted saying that the "woke mind virus" would "destroy civilization."

More recently, he helped Gov. Ron DeSantis launch his 2024 campaign for US president on X in a livestream that was delayed due to technical issues and crashes.

Musk's statements of support for Republicans have not gone unnoticed by some on the left. Some Democrats have said they would stop supporting Tesla due to Musk's recent social media posts. One Tesla owner told CNN he was worried that the cars would become "the new MAGA hat."

Isaacson's book also revealed that "Curb Your Enthusiasm" creator Larry David confronted Musk about voting Republican when the two were seated near each other during a wedding reception. David "seemed to be fuming" at Musk, Isaacson wrote.

"Do you want to just murder kids in schools?" David asked the Tesla CEO, who was "baffled and annoyed" at the question, according to Isaacson. The wedding took place only days after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, which left 19 children dead.

Musk replied that he was "anti-kid murder."

"Then how could you vote Republican?" David said. The comedian later told Isaacson that Musk's negative posts on X, formerly known as Twitter, about the Democratic Party were "sticking in my craw."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The remains of an endangered Florida panther that died after being struck by a car were found on Monday, state wildlife officials said.

The two-year-old male was the eighth to be killed by a car in the state this year, and the 62nd to die since 2021, according to figures from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The panthers remains were discovered along Interstate 75 in Collier County. Seven of the eight big cats to have been killed this year were found in the county in southeast Florida, according to the commission.

The panthers historically roamed across the Gulf states to Louisiana and as far north as Arkansas, but are now only found in the southern tip of Florida.

The wildlife commission estimates there are between 120 and 230 remaining in the wild. They are considered to be an umbrella species, whose health indicates how the wider ecosystem is faring against changes to habitat.

Four of the panthers who died after being struck by cars this year were one or younger.

The Florida panther has been listed as an Endangered Species under the Endangered Species Act since 1967. It is a third degree felony to hunt, kill or harass them.

Adult panthers are brown, grow to up to seven feet long, and can weigh between 60 to 160 pounds.
Over the past few episodes, I've been talking with people involved with what we at Reason are calling a psychedelic renaissance, or a rebirth of interest in substances long associated with the CIA and hippies and counterculture. Today's interest in these substances is mostly motivated by a desire to help veterans and victims of sexual violence who suffer from PTSD and related conditions, including substance abuse. The psychedelic renaissance may well sound the death knell for the war on drugs, at least in its current form.

So it makes sense that today's guest is a historian who studies the man who coined the term psychedelic.

Erika Dyck is a professor at the University of Saskatchewan who studies the history of psychedelics with a special interest in the legacy of Humphry Osmond, the British-born psychiatrist who gave Aldous Huxley his first dose of mescaline, and conducted pathbreaking work using LSD to help alcoholics stop drinking. Among Osmond's best-known patients was Bill W., the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Reason sat down with Dyck at the MAPS Psychedelic Science 2023 conference held in Denver this June, where a reported 13,000 people gathered to talk about all aspects of today's psychedelic renaissance. We talked about why drugs such as MDMA, psilocybin, and LSD are making a comeback; how tensions are rising between indigenous people and medical practitioners; and whether prohibitionists have finally lost the war on drugs.

The post Erika Dyck: Are We Living in a Psychedelic Renaissance? appeared first on Reason.com.
Azerbaijan said it had taken back the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after launching a lightning 24-hour assault that forced ethnic Armenian forces to surrender and agree to a Russia-brokered ceasefire.

Under the agreement, Azerbaijan said it would halt its military offensive  which killed at least 200 people and injured many more  and said it would hold talks with Karabakh officials to discuss reintegration.

The first round of talks took place Thursday, Azerbaijani state media reported, with Karabakh representatives meeting a delegation from Azerbaijan. Few details have been released on the meeting, which was also attended by a representative of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the region.

In a speech to the nation Wednesday evening, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said his forces had punished the enemy properly and that Baku had restored its sovereignty with an iron fist.

Russias peacekeeping force said it had begun to evacuate civilians from Nagorno-Karabakh, but there are fears that Azerbaijans reclaiming of the region could create tens of thousands of refugees and Armenias government has repeatedly warned of the risk of ethnic cleansing.

Nagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the Caucasus Mountains that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians, who make up the majority of the population and reject Azerbaijani rule. The region has its own de facto government that is backed by Armenia, but is not officially recognized by Armenia or any other country.

The ceasefire began at 1 p.m. local time (5 a.m. ET) Wednesday, Nagorno-Karabakhs presidential office announced. It said its army had been outnumbered several times over by Azerbaijani forces and had no choice but to surrender and agree to the dissolution and complete disarmament of its armed forces.

After the ceasefire was announced, local media reported that thousands of Karabakh residents rushed to the airport in the regions capital Stepanakert, where Russian peacekeepers had established a base. Local officials urged residents to remain in bomb shelters, amid fears that Azerbaijani troops could breach the ceasefire.

Evacuation efforts have been complicated by the ongoing blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh, after Azerbaijan-backed forces established a military checkpoint along the Lachin corridor  the only road connecting the enclave to Armenia  in December 2022. For the past nine months, imports of food, medicine and fuel to the region have been cut off, prompting Western officials to warn that genocide was being committed against the Armenian population.

Russian peacekepeers have begun to evacuate civilians from Nagorno-Karabakh, September 21, 2023. - Russian Defence Ministry/Reuters

Tuesdays offensive, while brief, will likely have more substantial consequences than the most recent war for control of the region in 2020. During that conflict, Azerbaijan won a crushing victory in 44 days, reclaiming about a third of Nagorno-Karabakh before Russia, historically the dominant power in the region, brokered a ceasefire which saw both sides lay down their weapons.

But, having exposed Armenias military inferiority in that war, Azerbaijan has since sought to press home its advantage. Wednesdays ceasefire handed Azerbaijan a far more comprehensive victory than the 2020 agreement, and the terms of the truce mean returning the whole of the region to Bakus control.

Let those who cannot digest our successes remember: the iron fist is in place. And let them not forget: Karabakh is Azerbaijan! said a triumphant Aliyev in a televised address Wednesday night.

On Thursday, the day after the ceasfire was brokered, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan marked the 32nd anniversary of Armenias independence by stressing the need for a lasting peace.

Peace should not be confused with a truce or a ceasefire, Pashinyan warned.

Russias influence

Under the 2020 ceasefire, Russia deployed around 2,000 peacekeepers to the region to prevent a new conflict. But Armenian officials have grown frustrated by what it sees as the ineffectiveness of Russias contingent, which was laid bare on Tuesday.

Armenias Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoruyan accused Russian peacekeepers of failing to protect Nagorno-Karabakh from Azerbaijani aggression, according to state media Armenpress.

The Kremlin rejected Armenias criticisms of the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Such accusations against us are unfounded, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Wednesday.

Azerbaijani prosecutors said five Russian peacekeepers were killed in the village of Chankatagh, in the Terter region, on Wednesday after Azerbaijani troops fired at their car having mistaken them for illegal Armenian armed groups.

On the same day, in the same area, unidentified members of illegal Armenian armed groups fired at a Kamaz vehicle belonging to the Russian peacekeepers with firearms, the Prosecutor Generals Office of Azerbaijan said on Thursday.

The prosecutor general of Azerbaijan and his Russian counterpart spoke on the phone on Thursday, agreeing to investigate the killings in close cooperation, the office added.

Russias defense ministry said earlier on Wednesday that an unspecified number of peacekeepers were killed when their car came under fire.

Azerbaijans offensive came amid a sharp deterioration in the relationship between historic allies Armenia and Russia. Pashinyan said it was strange and perplexing that his government did not receive any information from our partners in Russia about that operation.

Armenia has for decades trusted Russia to act as its sole security guarantor, which Russia purports to provide under the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of post-Soviet states that includes Armenia but excludes Azerbaijan.

After Azerbaijans offensive, a number of prominent Russian commentators and politicians were highly critical of Armenias leadership, at times mocking it for its inability to protect ethnic Armenians beyond its borders.

The Kremlin confirmed Wednesday that Moscow was arranging a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. He said a conversation with the Azerbaijani president could also take place if necessary.

Pashinyan later responded to Russian commentators who had blamed his leadership for the plight of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, saying his government did not seek to shift responsibility to Russia.

Now there is a lot of talk in the Russian press that Armenia has been trying for a long time to blame Russia for its failures. We do not hold anyone responsible for failures, Pashinyan said in a video message Thursday.

However, he said that under the 2020 ceasefire agreement, Russia was responsible for controlling the Lachin corridor, which it failed to do by allowing Azerbaijani activists to blockade the road.

Russia should have guaranteed the safety of the civilian population and in recent years we have been saying that the processes are wrong.

While Armenia took responsibility for its own shortcomings, Pashinyan said that did not mean we should close our eyes on the failures of the Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

CNNs Jessie Gretener, Arzu Geybulla and Katharina Krebs contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
On 20 September, the newly appointed EU Ambassador to Kyiv, Katarina Mathernova, presented copies of her credentials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to the EU Delegation to Ukraine on Twitter

Quote: "A few hours after arriving in Kyiv, the newly appointed EU Ambassador Mathernova handed over copies of her credentials to Deputy Foreign Minister, Yevhen Perebyinis."

Details: Mathernova and the team at the EU Delegation will work to deepen the strong EU-Ukraine partnership at a crucial time, the EU authority said.

Background: Mathernova said on Monday that she arrived in Kyiv after more than 24 hours of transit from Brussels via Warsaw.

Media reports say Mathernova's appointment as ambassador to Kyiv is another signal of support for Ukraine's European integration efforts.

Last year, Mathernova told EuroPravda what she thought about Ukraine fighting in the war.

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!
Maternova handed over copies of the credentials after arriving in Kyiv

The newly appointed European Union Ambassador, Katarina Mathernova, met with Ukraines Deputy Foreign Minister, Yevhen Perebyinis, shortly after her arrival in Kyiv on Sept. 20, the EU representations press service reported on X (Twitter).

Read also: EC President proposes extending temporary EU protection for Ukrainian refugees

"Within hours of her arrival, newly appointed EU Ambassador Mathernova presented her credentials to Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister, Yevhen Perebyinis. Mathernova and the EU delegation team in Ukraine will work diligently to deepen the strong EU-Ukraine partnership in these critical times."

Mathernova previously served as the Deputy Director General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations. She was responsible for the development of the EU's Neighborhood and Enlargement Policy and enjoyed close contacts with the Ukrainian government.

Read also: EU foreign ministers to meet in Kyiv  report

Mathernova succeeded Ambassador Matti Maasikas, who had headed the EU Delegation to Ukraine since September 2019.

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) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that Ukraine is making swift progress on reforms and can quickly become a member of the European Union.

Most Read from Bloomberg

I am amazed to see how Ukraine is doing very difficult reforms while they are fighting a war, she said in an interview late Tuesday on Bloomberg Television in New York. If they keep the pace  and I see theyre absolutely motivated  this is a decisive moment.

She stressed that the process is merit-based and declined to offer a specific timeline, but she said shes convinced that Kyiv will eventually succeed in its membership bid.

The EU is under pressure to accelerate the membership process for Ukraine, but the ongoing war  and earlier applications from several other countries, particularly in the Western Balkans  are complicating the debate.

Read more: EU Girds for Tough Enlargement Debate With Wary Eye on Russia

Von der Leyen, who runs the EUs executive arm, also said shes confident the bloc will be able to deliver on its pledge this spring to supply Ukraine with 1 million rounds of ammunition within 12 months.

Were pushing the industry, the military industrial base, very strongly, she said. Theres a lot of focus on it. We do our best and we work hard to deliver.

Read more: EU Set to Double Output of Artillery Shells After Slow Start

The bloc is also in the early stages of debating its 12th package of sanctions over Russias war in Ukraine. EU member states are divided on what measures to include in the package.

The new measures, which could be presented as early as next month, would likely include the EUs version of the upcoming Group of Seven ban on purchases of diamonds from Moscow. They could also include a proposal to tax the profits generated by frozen central bank assets to aid Kyiv.

A group of member states, including Poland and the Baltic nations, want to go even further, calling for additional sanctions on LNG and information technology services. The group of countries has also urged restrictions on Russias nuclear sector. But those attempts have been opposed many times before, with sanctions decisions requiring unanimous support.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Commission proposed on Wednesday extending EU approval for use of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Bayer AG's Roundup weed killer, by 10 years.

The World Health Organization's cancer research agency concluded in 2015 that glyphosate was probably carcinogenic to humans, but other agencies around the world, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency, have classified glyphosate as non-carcinogenic.

Bayer has said decades of studies have shown it is safe and the chemical has been widely used by farmers for decades, but EU approval was set to expire at the end of the year.

Germany's Bayer acquired Roundup through its $63 billion purchase of U.S. agrochemical group Monsanto in 2018 and has since spent billions of dollars to settle a series of U.S. lawsuits claiming it caused cancer.

The Commission's proposal will be put to a vote on Oct. 13 by the 27 European Union members, with a "qualified majority" of 15 representing at least 65% of the bloc's population required either to support or to block the proposal.

The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) said in a report issued in July that it had not identified "critical areas of concern" to prevent renewed approval.

Bayer said it welcomed the Commission's proposal and that the decision of EU members should be based on the scientific conclusions of relevant authorities, such as EFSA, leading to re-approval.

Campaign group Pesticide Action Network Europe said that there were serious concerns about the safety assessments and that polls in six EU countries showed citizens did not support the extension of approval.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; additional reporting by Patricia Weiss in Frankfurt; editing by Alexander Smith)
NEW CITY  After hearing emotional cries for prison time for the two men who took responsibility for the Evergreen Court Home for Adults fire, Rockland County Court Judge Kevin Russo stuck to his commitment and sentenced Nathaniel and Aaron Sommer to probation.

Russo said probation was appropriate, noting the rabbi and his son had no prior criminal history and had a reputation for charitable work and helping others.

Russo noted the response from the families of the two men who died, Spring Valley Fire Department Lt. Jared Lloyd, 35, and assisted living facility resident Oliver Hueston, 79. He also said Lloyd was a "true hero" and Hueston was "an excellent family man."

Rabbi Nathanial Sommer, second from right and his son, Aaron Sommer, right, stand with their attorneys Akiva Goldberg, left and Jacob Laufer, during their sentencing at the Rockland County Courthouse in New City, Sept. 20, 2023.

Russo said the two Monsey men admitted that they acted recklessly and the court system operates on evidence and doesn't respond to attempts at vengeance and intimidation, noting multiple protests. Up to 100 people protested the sentence outside the courthouse and packed the courtroom.

"I doubt I will ever see you again in my courtroom," Russo said of the Sommers.

Video comment: Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh issues comments on the case.

Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh issued a video statement on the case resulting from the March 2021 fire. He has declined to talk with the media.

Part of his statement included the circumstances involving the fire being the first-of-its-kind case in the State of New York" and going before a jury left open the possibility of an acquittal.The reckless conduct that both defendants engaged in and ultimately admitted to, has no model, no previous case law, no true analogy; it is precedent-setting, Walsh said. No one has been convicted, let alone arrested and prosecuted, for utilizing a torch and hot coals for a ritual religious cleaning in the manner the defendants chose that evening.".Walsh said the evidence showed potential mitigating issues and not all prosecutions can get a guilty verdict.

"In opting for a disposition of the charges before trial, we eliminated the unpredictability that accompanies every jury trial," Walsh said. "The investigation revealed several mitigating facts that would prove challenging for the prosecution at trial. Trials can be double-edged swords, with the possibility of lesser convictions or even acquittals. They are also emotionally taxing for everyone involved, including the victims' families."

The elder Sommer pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree manslaughter and has been sentenced to five years probation. His son pleaded guilty to misdemeanor second-degree reckless endangerment with a sentence of three years probation. A Rockland grand jury indictment had charged the Sommers with multiple counts of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, fourth-degree arson, second-degree reckless endangerment, and three assault charges.

Jared Lloyds mother Sabrail Davenport delivers a victim impact statement during the sentencing of Rabbi Nathanial Sommer and Aaron Sommer, at the Rockland County Courthouse in New City, Sept. 20, 2023.

Sabrail Davenport, Lloyd's mother, beseeched Russo to go back on his endorsement of a no-jail or prison sentence reached with prosecutors and defense attorneys for the Sommers. The father and son had pleaded guilty on July 20 to causing the deadly fire on March 23, 2021, at the dilapidated Evergreen Court Home for Adults. The fire ignited the massive Lafayette Street building hours after they cleansed the facility's kitchen and ovens for Passover.

Nathaniel Sommer used a 20-pound propane-injected industrial blowtorch and Aaron Sommer dragged buckets of burning coal into the kitchen. The heat and flames simmered and climbed through the greasy ovens and into the walls.

After an emotional time in the courtroom, Davenport said that she was not surprised at the sentencing.

Judge Kevin Russo delivers remarks during the sentencing of Rabbi Nathanial Sommer and Aaron Sommer, at the Rockland County Courthouse in New City, Sept. 20, 2023.

Davenport spoke emotionally at the sentencing, crying and raising her voice while she asked Russo where was the justice for her family in the probationary sentences. She played a tape of her son making the distressed Mayday call before he burned to death. Those were the last words she heard her son speak.

Jared Lloyds mother Sabrail Davenport holds hands with supporters as they pray outside of the Rockland County Courthouse in New City, during the sentencing of Rabbi Nathanial Sommer and Aaron Sommer, Sept. 20, 2023.

Davenport told Russo about how her son's death affects her family, especially his two young sons, Darius and Logan, both under 10. She extolled her son's community spirit and love of being a Spring Valley volunteer firefighter. Lloyd served 16 years and rose to the rank of lieutenant with the Columbian Fire Engine Co. No. 1.

She urged the judge to hold the Sommers accountable and sentence them to a minimum of one to three years behind bars "so that my family can walk away from this horrific tragedy feeling like justice was served. No one is above the law regardless of their position."

Davenport said she sees Lloyd's death as a life sentence for her and her family, emphasizing, "My grandsons will grow up without their dad and what will hurt them more is knowing that justice was not served."

"We know this will not bring Jared back but out of respect for my son Jared and his fellow firefighting brothers in Rockland County, no jail time is not an option," Davenport said. "I am praying that you all consider the pain that this horrendous act has caused me and my family. I'm praying also that you search your conscience because you will have to live with your decision for the rest of your life."

As she sat back down in the audience, she wept.

Lloyd's father, Calvin Lloyd, spoke about the pain of never being able to speak to his son again and his grandsons growing up without their father.

'You want to see him again:' 1 year after Evergreen Court fire, Lloyd's loss, questions linger

At the sentencing, Nathaniel Sommers said, I am sorry. I feel terrible for what I did. I tried my whole life to help people; I feel terrible I hurt so many people. I feel terrible I dragged my son into this.

Aaron Sommer declined to make a statement.

The Sommers' attorney, Jacob Laufer, called Nathaniel Sommer a respected rabbi who has been an EMT for 43 years. Laufer said Sommer has been a "spiritual and religious leader."

"Hes saved lives, Laufer told Russo, adding that the rabbis and son have been involved in charitable work, including Aaron Sommer working with children in the Ukraine.

Laufer said the Sommers grieve and pray for the two who died and their families. He said supporters submitted around 80 to 90 letters on their behalf.

One letter sent independently to Russo was signed by 27 elected officials and rabbis from the Orthodox Jewish community. They expressed their concerns about an "antisemitic campaign that targets two defendants in your court, specifically Nathaniel Sommer and Aaron Sommer."

"We all grieve the tragic loss of firefighter Jared Lloyd and assisted living resident Oliver Hueston. Firefighters especially represent the heart and soul of our public service, a sentiment we universally share. Nevertheless, this tragedy should not become a vehicle for inciting antisemitic sentiment, nor should it compromise the principles of justice."

Rockland County Executive Ed Day, a retired NYPD police commander, repeated his June statement saying he supported "the wishes of the Lloyd and Hueston families, both of whom feel they are not receiving justice.

"There is unanimity in their position that some jail time is warranted as victims are serving a death sentence and the families are serving a life sentence," Day said. "With that, they tell me that closure and justice will not be achieved without a jail sentence for the guilty parties, and I fully and unequivocally support the familys position."

Legislator Itamar Yeger, D-Ramapo, a former assistant with the District Attorney's Office, said Russo made the right decision on sentencing. Yeger's statement.

"Based on my experience and the research I conducted, it is clear that the court's decision to sentence the Sommers to the maximum periods of probation permissible under law was just and appropriate," Yeger wrote in a statement. "While individuals without comparable legal or prosecutorial expertise are certainly entitled to their own viewpoints, it is irresponsible to mount unwarranted and inaccurate attacks on our County's judicial system."

However, the Rockland's NAACP leaders have ripped apart what they called a lenient no-jail plea deal. In their letter to Russo and Walsh, the three leaders contend the no-jail deal "does not adequately address the crimes as indicated by the indictment."

Columbian Fire Co. chaplain John Kapral read Eric Cich's victim impact statement in court.

Cich, one of Lloyd's best friends, described what he recalled happening to him as he and more than a hundred other firefighters from various county departments responded to the fire. Cich suffered life-threatening injuries and spent time hospitalized. Lloyd saved his life by screaming the distress call "mayday" multiple times into his communicator, leading firefighters to search for an injured colleague. They found Cich, thinking he made the Mayday call. They later found Lloyd's burned and battered body.

Firefighter Eric Cich: His victim's impact statement is read during sentencing

Cich and Jared Lloyd entered the Evergreen Court Home for Adults together. Cich and Lloyd got separated in the chaos of the fire and smoke. And, at some point, a section of the Lafayette Avenue building collapsed with a firefighter shout of Collapse! Collapse!

One minute I was with him the next I wasnt," Cich has said. "Somehow we got separated in a matter of feet. I still dont know what happened to this day. We were working to remove the final resident from the building. It's surreal to think. That final resident needing to be evacuated was Hueston.

In his statement to the court, Cich, a paid firefighter in South Carolina with other former Spring Valley volunteers, answered the question, "How has this offense affected my life?"

His answer: "Kind of a silly question, isnt it? Ive been checked out by plenty of doctors and they all say my lungs are fine but it doesnt feel that way. I was told there would be no permanent damage. My lungs arent fully functional and my heart is broken in half as I have said before the pain in my lungs pales in comparison to the pain in my heart. I have to wake up every day knowing that even though we were doing everything right, everything we could do to be the good guys, only one of us got to go home, only one of us gets to hug and kiss our loved ones while the other has to watch out for the rest of us from above. Im broken but Im doing the job I love so much and I owe it to him to do the best damn job I can for both of us. Since he doesnt get the chance to be down in S.C. with us."

Russo and Walsh have come under heavy criticism for the no-jail plea agreement for the Sommers. Firefighters and other residents have called for both to resign, as a movement is afoot to run a write-in campaign against Walsh, who has again garnered the ballot lines of the Democrats, Republicans, and Conservative parties in the Nov. 7 election.

Walsh's office secured grand jury indictments against six people as a result of the fire. The Sommers were the only convictions. Prosecutors plea-bargained dismissals with two former Evergreen Court employees, who then testified before the grand jury. Two Building Department inspectors were acquitted of charges unrelated to the fire.

The Sommers penalty of no jail and paying $600 in requisite court fees have left firefighters and family members bitter and angry at the judicial system. Davenport and Hueston's sons have filed civil lawsuits.

Davenport described the no-incarceration deal for the Sommers as being betrayed by Walsh, whom she said promised justice for her son but never consulted with them about the plea deal. Davenport said about Walsh: "disappointment, disgusted, heartbroken and betrayed."

Cich described the case as a "joke" and the sentence for causing two deaths less than a slap on the wrist.

"This case was an absolute joke, empty promises, and blatant lying for 2 years and 0 results," Cich wrote, noting the efforts of investigators who looked for evidence from piles of smoldering rubble went for naught.

"This case just proved that the life of volunteer firemen in Rockland County doesnt mean (much) ... to any of these political cardboard cutouts," Cich wrote. "Apparently, all Jared and Mr. Hueston are worth is a couple of court fees."

Steve Lieberman covers government, breaking news, courts, police, and investigations. Reach him at slieberm@lohud.com. Twitter: @lohudlegal.

Read more articles and bio. Our local coverage is only possible with support from our readers.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rabbis sentenced to probation after fatal Evergreen Court fire
A federal prosecutor on Wednesday suggested tentatively setting the trials of former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski for the spring, but no dates were set.

Instead, U.S. District Judge Toby Crouse scheduled another pre-trial hearing for Oct. 25, giving prosecutors time to notify defense attorneys for Golubski and his co-defendants of what evidence the government plans to put on at trial.

Golubski, a longtime detective in Kansas City, Kansas, who retired from the force in 2010, faces two federal cases that could send him to prison for life: one for allegedly conspiring to sex traffic underage girls between 1996 and 1998 with three other men, and the other stemming from accusations that he sexually abused and kidnapped a woman and a teenage girl from 1998 to 2002.

Golubski was a veteran officer at the time of the alleged crimes, having worked at the KCK department from 1975 to 2010. He then spent six years as a detective in Edwardsville.

In a court filing this week, Golubskis lawyer, Chris Joseph, said the FBIs nearly four-year investigation led to voluminous discovery. For the sexual abuse case alone, he said the trial will likely include testimony from dozens of witnesses.

At a hearing Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Hunting floated setting trial dates for the spring. But he said at this point, without knowing more about the amount of evidence that will be included, its hard to know how long the trials would last.

Defense attorneys for Golubski and his co-defendants in the sex trafficking case  Cecil Brooks, LeMark Roberson and Richard Robinson  called setting a trial date premature. They are still collecting and reviewing evidence.

The four have pleaded not guilty. Brooks remains the only defendant in federal custody, as the others have been granted pre-trial release. He appeared at the hearing in a yellow jumpsuit and handcuffs.

The trafficking and sexual abuse cases will be tried separately, Hunting also told the judge Wednesday.
 Flash

Australia is heading towards climate catastrophe if the country does not pursue more ambitious emissions reduction targets, experts have warned.

In a report published on Wednesday, the Climate Council, Australia's leading climate change communications NGO, called for the federal government to slash emissions by 75 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2035 to curtail the impacts of climate change.

The report was published one day after the Bureau of Meteorology of Australia declared that two climate drivers linked to hot, dry weather in Australia -- El Nino and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) -- have developed.

"We have both an El Nio event and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole underway, amplified by climate change, which heightens the risk of dangerous heat and severe fires," Simon Bradshaw, Climate Council research director, said in a media release on Wednesday.

"The reality is stark: there's no safe level of global warming. Everything we do now matters. The only way we can turn down the heat is to get our emissions plummeting, and fast."

The report warned that, on the current trajectory of global warming, by the year 2100, Australia is facing a large-scale collapse of marine ecosystems, more frequent and severe heat waves and "irreversible" shifts in rainfall patterns.

It found that if emissions from land use and forestry are excluded, national emissions from the rest of Australia's economy have fallen only 0.2 percent since 2005.

The governing Australian Labor Party has set an emissions reduction target of at least 43 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2050, but the Climate Council said those goals were not on track.

"This report paints a vivid contrast for Australia's century's end -- one that is completely unrecognizable or one where much of what we cherish about our beautiful country has been saved," Lesley Hughes, co-author of the report and a member of the government's Climate Change Authority, said in Wednesday's media release.
Former Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, left, shakes hands with Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall during a campaign event outside of the Salt Lake City-County Building Wednesday. Becker said hes voting for Mendenhall in November. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Former Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker determined that he didn't really need to endorse anyone ahead of the city's 2019 mayoral election because he felt confident in the candidates who would oversee Utah's capital city.

But as he studied this year's field, he said he felt compelled to speak out and pick a side.

Becker, who held the position from 2008 until 2016, said he's endorsing current Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall over his predecessor Rocky Anderson in November, citing a difference in philosophies that he said is vital for the city's future.

As a former state legislator, mayor and most recently the executive director of the Central Wasatch Commission, Becker said he's known both mayors, whom he referred to as top candidates this year, for a while and admired their "strong commitment to Salt Lake City."

However, he called Anderson's approach to the position "combative" toward groups Becker said Salt Lake City needs to partner with to solve its challenges and "advance Salt Lake City's agenda." That's something he said he doesn't see from Mendenhall.

"Mayor Mendenhall has a rare combination of an ability to engage with people and shows a dedication to Salt Lake City we hope that every mayor can display. Her temperament, her judgment, her ability to build relationships is without peer in all of my public life," he said, speaking at a small campaign event outside of the Salt Lake City-County Building Wednesday.

"We have great challenges in Salt Lake City. Everyone living here and following Salt Lake City knows that. Many of those challenges require an ability to work well with people and are regional in nature," he added. "I believe in Mayor Mendenhall and I believe that with her determination (and) with her skills, that she can help Salt Lake City achieve an even brighter future."

Anderson, who served as mayor from 2000 to 2008, jumped into the race late last year, calling out the city's leaders for how they've handled issues tied to homelessness, crime and spending in the city among other things. But Mendenhall, in thanking Becker for his endorsement, contends that those issues require help from other entities, such as the county and state.

"We're a blue dot in a red sea  and when we forget that, it's a disservice to the people that we serve," she said. "No matter how strongly we feel about our principles, our job as mayor is to make progress for our city."

Mendenhall, Anderson and community activist Michael Valentine are the three mayoral candidates on this year's ballot. With Wednesday's announcement, Becker joins other former city mayors Ted Wilson and Palmer DePaulis in endorsing the current administration as the election nears. All seven members of the Salt Lake City Council announced last month that they are also backing Mendenhall.

Meanwhile, the candidates vying for the next term have already started to square off in some public events, including a forum on homelessness earlier this month that became heated at times as the candidates discussed the issue and their platforms. They are all scheduled to participate in another forum next week about the city's west side in an event hosted by KRCL before a televised debate on Oct. 4.

This year's city election, featuring ranked-choice ballots, is Nov. 21. The council's second, fourth, sixth and seventh districts will also be decided in the upcoming election.
(Bloomberg) -- Conservative Republicans are already laying the groundwork for Donald Trump s return to the White House, identifying key cabinet and other possible top officials months before the first nominating contest next year.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The America First Policy Institute, created to promote Trumps agenda, and the conservative Heritage Foundation have spearheaded separate initiatives that would help the next Republican president transition into the role.

AFPI, which detailed its plans publicly at an event in Washington on Wednesday, is focused on creating how-to guides for incoming staffers complete with policy recommendations from people who served during the Trump administration. These playbooks are being created with the input of nine former cabinet members, 20 White House senior aides and 400 other former administration officials, the group said.

Were laying out policy ideas but were also doing the simple-but-often-overlooked work of laying out how to get that done, said former Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon, who now chairs AFPI. She was joined Wednesday by Trump administration officials including former Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and former Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf.

The efforts show how Trump, despite facing a crowded roster of challengers, is already the de facto Republican nominee. They also demonstrate how the GOP establishment in Washington has morphed from being unprepared on how to deal with Trump in 2016 to proactively planning his next ascent. The groups say any Republican nominee could use their proposals, but their efforts are being developed with Trump-focused people and policies in mind.

Its really about reining in the administrative state and making sure the next America first administration can hit the ground running, said Doug Hoelscher, a former Trump official whos leading the project at AFPI. Were really laying the practical perspective on how the next America first president can implement their plans more quickly.

The result is that Trump  who left many top political appointee posts unfilled because he said they were unnecessary  could come to White House for a second time as one of the most prepared Republican presidents to remake the federal bureaucracy in his own image.

Appointee Recruitment

The groups are creating resume banks and guides for incoming officials to quickly enact Trumps favored policies. They have begun to develop policy, but have yet to share their recommendations for people to fill key roles.

AFPI President Brooke Rollins said the idea wasnt to replace the next president-elects official transition committee  a sanctioned entity funded by Congress to facilitate the transfer of power  but rather to give it a head start.

The Heritage Foundation is working with more than 70 conservative groups and senior Trump administration officials, including former Office of Management and Budget director Russell Vought, former Trump adviser John McEntee, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rick Dearborn, and former director of the Office of Legislative Affairs Eric Ueland to develop policy plans for the next Republican administration.

The group published a 1,000-page book with hundreds of ideas, including work requirements for nutrition benefits and a major downsizing of the Environmental Protection Agency.

It has also created an online personnel database, which it dubbed a conservative LinkedIn to recruit for the next administration. Before they submit resumes, applicants are required to say whether they agree with several statements, including, The US should impose tariffs with the goal of bringing back manufacturing jobs, even if these tariffs result in higher consumer prices and The US has the right to select immigrants based on country of origin.

Republicans have long lagged behind Democrats in planning for a federal workforce transition, said Paul Dans, the director of the 2025 Presidential Transition Project, which the Heritage Foundation is coordinating. Dans was chief of staff at the US Office of Personnel Management under Trump.

Presidents have roughly 4,000 political appointee jobs to fill throughout the federal government. More than 1,200 of those require Senate confirmation. At a minimum, Dans said he hopes to have 1,000 appointees to start on the first day of a Republican administration, matching the number President Joe Biden swore in on his Inauguration Day. The first Trump administration started with only about 500.

What we are really trying to do here is lay some of the groundwork so that people understand that when they elect the president, they dont necessarily elect the government, Dans said.

--With assistance from Gregory Korte.

(Updates with details from initiative announcement, beginning in the third paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The Russian Army will try to hold the front line at any costs

The Ukrainian General Staff has officially confirmed that the defense forces have liberated part of the village of Opytne, near Avdiivka in the Donetsk region. The head of the Avdiivka city military administration, Vitaliy Barabash, asked me to comment on the situation in Opytne carefully. Because not only do we understand the significance of Opytne, but the enemy does as well. As Vitaliy explained, we don't control the entire village. We have reached the center, but it is almost three and a half kilometers from the center to the edge. Every meter there is a challenge. Our military now needs to assess how tactically we need to move forward. However, we also need to weigh our forces, to what extent the Russians can use their reserves there, and to what extent they can try to retake the village. In any case, even partially, the liberation of Opytne will make the situation in Avdiivka safer. It will move the front line away from the south of Avdiivka and put an end to Russia's attempts to encircle Avdiivka. Therefore, it is crucial.

Read also: Ukrainian forces liberate part of village of Opytne near Avdiyivka in Donbas  Defense Ministry

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine says that Russia will conduct a massive forced mobilization in the near future. According to various estimates, the plan is to mobilize from 400 to 700 thousand people, including in the occupied territories. You and I understood that this mobilization would happen. First, they held these fake elections to conduct this mobilization and use human resources in the occupied territories, particularly in the newly occupied territories of Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. Mobilization is the next obvious step because their only resource now is human power. Our enemy understands that Ukrainians from the newly occupied territories do not want to shoot their fellow citizens, to put it mildly, and would instead turn their weapons against the occupiers. So, they will not recruit those people who can turn their weapons against them. They will recruit submissive people who are ready to cooperate with any government and cannot resist.

The word "negotiations" came from Blinken's mouth, and it seems this is the danger

For them, the only thing they need to do now is to hold the front line at any cost. They will now recruit this low-quality resource, which will never become a professional army. Still, there are many of them, which Putin and his general staff expect to be able to keep the Ukrainian army within its current limits. After forcing a battlefield stalemate, Russia hopes the Western world will then demand a peace settlement. This is their plan, and it is undeniable. That's why this ugly Putin went to Vladivostok to talk to Kim Jong-un and ask him for artillery ammunition from their warehouses, some artillery systems that could help them overcome how Ukraine has gradually closed the artillery gap. The only remaining goal is to keep the occupied territories they currently control simply. This is their strategy; it is obvious. What should we do?

I read the transcript of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's interview with The Economist, where he hints quite transparently that the war is becoming protracted and that we will need to mobilize the entire society to put our economy on a war footing. I think this is already a situation that is obvious to many. That is, if the Russians engage in this human resource, even if it is of poor quality, and if they reach an agreement with Kim Jong-un, we will have to prepare for the fact that our economy (which is sometimes peaceful, judging by the way people feel in Kyiv) will be put on a war footing. I'm not saying everyone will mobilize, but the economy in this situation should work for war and victory.

Read also: Over 270,000 Russian military personnel lost, mobilization imminent  General Staff

What is wrong with our communication that the US has yet to decide to give us long-range ATACMS missiles? It's hard to say; unlike American journalists, I just don't have any insights from the US government or the White House. It's worth pointing out Anthony Blinken's statement to journalists the day after the meeting in Kyiv. I'm not going to quote him verbatim, but the point is that any war ends at the negotiating table, but Putin is not interested in negotiations, so there will be no negotiations. Maybe Kyiv should first ask whether Kyiv wants to negotiate with Putin. Zelenskyy and other politicians openly state that we will not negotiate with this man. You can't negotiate with a person who is a pathological liar, a murderer, a war criminal, and a sick person. How can we talk, and what can we negotiate about? But here's the point: the word "negotiations" came from Blinken's mouth, and it seems this is the danger. This is becoming a trend, meaning that the option of negotiations is probably being discussed at some level. If not at the official level, then other points may be raised behind the curtain in some conversations of people on whom the fate of war and peace depends. This is a dangerous trend.

Read also: Putin will continue to threaten Ukraine and the world with nuclear weapons  Zelenskyy

So, it's hard for me to understand why we don't get weapons that will help us win this war quickly. We will win this war, but the longer it lasts, the more Ukrainians will die, and the more Russians sent to this war because of such shameful mobilization measures will die (and there are many more of them). Why not save people's lives? Why not help Ukraine win quickly? I have no answer.

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
HUR says unknown saboteurs blew up two airplanes and a helicopter in Moscow region

Two Russian airplanes and a helicopter were damagedby explosions at an airfield in Moscow Oblast on Sept. 18, Ukrainian Military Intelligence said in a Telegram post on Sept. 20.

This incident occurred at Chkalovsky Air Base on Sept. 18, and it is currently being investigated by Russias Investigative Committee.

Read also: Rosneft oil depot explosion in Sochi caught on surveillance camera  video

Ukrainian intelligence said that this act of sabotage resulted in significant damage to two planes and one helicopter.

Notably, Chkalovsky Air Base is home to government planes, often referred to as doomsday planes, as well as specialized reconnaissance aircraft, which has caused concern among high-ranking Russian military officials.

Read also: How destruction of Russian ships in Crimea may affect Moscows plans  expert interview

According to the report, unidentified individuals managed to plant explosives at the heavily guarded airfield, damaging an AN-148 and an IL-20 aircraft, both belonging to the 354th Special Purpose Aviation Regiment, as well as a MI-28N helicopter. The latter had been actively engaged in countering Ukrainian drone attacks over Moscow Oblast.

Read also: Multiple explosions rock Crimea, hitting two airfields, and a military base in Sevastopol

Ukrainian intelligence claims the damage sustained by the aircraft will hinder their speedy repairs. The helicopter sustained damage to its tail section, while another AN-148 located nearby suffered minor damage.

In response to this incident, Russian security forces are looking for saboteurs behind the attack, while local media were instructed to suppress reporting about the explosions.

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
FALL RIVER  The annual FABRIC Festival of the Arts is underway, and this time with a focus on creating a regional experience that will connect Fall River to its neighboring cities of Providence and New Bedford.

In its fourth edition, which takes place Oct. 5 to 14, this celebration of Portuguese arts, culture and the diverse local community will feature a series of performative dinners, music concerts, movie screenings, art exhibitions and educational workshops scattered across the three cities.

Its about expanding the branding a little further and working the regional angle, said Michael Benevides, who conceptualized FABRIC. I thought this was a clever way to reach audiences that we have not been able to connect with yet.

He noted that one of the main goals of this edition is to invite audiences to view Fall River and the region as a territory of arrivals and geographic intersections, with a program inspired by the diasporic aesthetics, languages and codes that shape the region.

FABRIC is being organized by Casa dos Acores da Nova Inglaterra (CANI) under the leadership of Benevides, with Portugal-based curator Jesse James, and a production team on both sides of the Atlantic.

FABRICs role is to boost the local cultural ecosystem, creating moments that bring together local entities and agents and invite people from other places to create here, said James. Its about setting things in motion, creating exchanges and places where artists are Fall Rivers great ambassadors.

FABRIC co-founder Michael Benevides.

He pointed out that movement should perhaps be this festivals theme.

A movement that is made through these hyper-communications (through affections and between times), he said, noting that FABRICs board members felt it was important to expand programming to other cities as a way of enhancing the movement and circulation of people and ideas between places.

Instead of centralizing, they put Fall River in communication with, he stressed. It was natural to expand to neighboring cities like New Bedford, with which we share the heritage of the Portuguese and Azorean diaspora, and to Providence and its effervescent cultural dynamic that can influence what happens here.

He believes all these connections help to cement Fall Rivers image as a city of makers, because there are many creators here.

Entities like F.R.A.A.C and Viva Fall River are imagining new creative movements in the city, and this is going to transform the way people live and think about the city, he said. The new Gather space will be an important hub. FABRIC is another element of this transformation, acting on a broader, more international level that aims to bring attention to the dynamics that are being established locally.

Unlike previous editions, this years FABRIC will not leave a permanent mark in the form of a mural, sculpture, or installation.

It wasnt premeditated, James said. When we invite artists, its to commission new projects and give them the freedom to think. Its a way of making FABRIC exciting and challenging from a creative perspective. In this edition, the artists were more interested in other types of projects.

FABRIC to kick off in Providence

The festival will kick off in Rhode Island, with events taking place over the course of several days at the Courtland Club, Machines with Magnets concert venue, and the Rhode Island School of Design.

On Oct. 7, Providences Courtland Club will host Tropical Anthropology: A Dinner Performance with Caique Tizzi, a Brazilian-born artist, cook and event organizer living in Berlin, Germany. Starting at 7 p.m., guests will experience an evening of food, song and poetry revolving around tropical foods.

According to FABRIC organizers, Tizzi will examine how foods indigenous to the Americas came to be transformed into ciphers of colonialism and the commodity exchange between different imperial outposts.

In other words, food becomes a medium or lens to understand these intertwined pasts, creating a sensual experience that grasps at both the culinary and geopolitical complexities that exist within them, reads a press release.

This is a ticketed event with limited capacity. Tickets can be purchased at courtlandclub.com.

On Friday, Oct. 6, Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket will serve as the backdrop for a night of live music with PVD sensation Baby and Portugals experimental-electronic artist Surma starting at 8 p.m. It will be followed by a dance party until 1 a.m. with local DJ Isabella and Portuguese-Angolan DJ Lycox, who is currently based in London. Doors will open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at FABRICs website and at the door on the day of the event.

On Saturday, Oct. 7, the experimental movie Supernatural by Lisbon-based filmmaker Jorge Jacome, will be shown at 6 p.m. at RISD Museums METCALF Auditorium, 20 North Main St., Providence. Admission is free. Doors will open at 5 p.m.

Inhabiting the blurred boundaries between documentary and fiction, this is a film that experiments with form  between curiosities, video clips and confessions  which is not surprising since it started out as a spectacle for the stage and not for the screen, reads a press release. Madeira Islands autochthonous lusciousness is where the possibilities open up to think about everything we consider to be natural and whether we should expand the notion to encompass much more complexity.

Festival comes to New Bedford Oct. 12

On Oct. 12,FABRIC moves to New Bedford, partnering with theNew Bedford Whaling Museum for AHA! night, a monthly arts and culture event.

Starting at 6:45 p.m., the museum will showcase Matria, a short film by Portuguese director Catarina Goncalves. A tribute to Natalia Correia, a Portuguese poet and writer who was born 100 years ago, the 2023 film travels to the island of Sao Miguel, Azores, where reality and fiction intertwine with her poetry.

It will be followed at 7:30 p.m. by a music concert by indie-pop band We Sea, hailing from S. Miguel, Azores.

Admission is free to both events. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

FABRIC bringing six events to Fall River

The festival will culminate inFall River with two days of diversified programming, involving spaces such as the Fall River Government Center, Portugalia Marketplace, Bristol Community College, GATHER (a new art space), and Fall Rivers Open Studios (produced by FRAAC).

On Friday, Oct. 13, the multidisciplinary group exhibition Hyperballads will open at 5 p.m. at Gather, Fall Rivers new cultural endeavor located at 43 Troy St.

Curated by James, the exhibition will move around what we might feel and cant see, what surpasses us and exists beyond. It will feature works by Allyson Vieira, Beatriz Brum, Eva Papagarmariti, Gil Ferrao, Goncalo Preto, Horacio Frutuoso, Nadia Belerique, Sonia Almeida and Yuli Yamagata.

The exhibition will remain open through Nov. 11 and can be visited on Fridays, from 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays, from 2 to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

Less than a mile way, Portugalia Marketplace will host On The Other Side: A Dinner Performance by Sonia Almeida and Andre E. Teodosio with Chef Robert Andreozzi at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at FABRICs website.

On Saturday, Oct. 14, dozens of artists will showcase their work at multiple locations, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Participating studios will include the Narrows Center for the Arts, Smokestack Studios, Greater Fall River Art Association, Little Miss Art, Viva Maker Shop, Craftyish, The Ignition Space, SoCo Art Lab, Grimshaw-Gudewicz Gallery and Shane Landing LLC Studios.

At 1 p.m. the Unfixed Concrete Ideals exhibition will open at the Government Center. Curated by Allyson Vieira and Ben Sloat, it will be set up in the atrium and feature the work of more than a dozen artists exploring the generative contradictions of concretes material qualities and use. Guests will be able to visit the exhibition free of charge through Nov. 18.

At 5 p.m., the sculpture Repose made by Allyson Vieira with sandbags will be unveiled at the pond of Bristol Community Colleges Fall River Campus. The sculpture can be visited through Nov. 11 during Campus open hours.

Festival to culminate Oct. 14 with fado performance

In a first-time collaboration with The Zeiterion, Fall River will host Gisela Joao, a central figure and one of the most exciting interpreters in contemporary fado music.

With a constant presence on national and international stages, electrifying and unforgettable performances, Gisela is an iconic model for contemporary Fado.

She is not your typical fadista, said Benevides. She is more contemporary, edgier. Although her melodies sound like fado as she has the traditional backline with the Portuguese guitar, her lyrics are more interesting. For example, in Hostel das Mariquinhas, she talks about alfacinhas, the people of Lisbon, being displaced by airbnbs. She is a very cool, creative person.

The concert will start at 7 p.m. at Bristol Community Colleges auditorium. Doors will open at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.zeiterion.org/events/gisela-joao

For more information on FABRIC Arts Festival and participating artists, visit https://www.fabricfallriver.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: FABRIC Arts Festival returns to Fall River and New Bedford
Claim:

A photograph that went viral in September 2023, authentically depicted Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg , seated side-by-side and looking intensely at each other, during the AI Insight Forum in September 2023.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In September 2023, an image went viral on social media allegedly depicting Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg facing off during the AI Insight Forum. The closed-door meeting regarding the rise and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) took place on Sept. 13, 2023, in Washington, DC.

(X user @stillgray)

The forum was hosted in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, and Elon Musk, CEO of X and Tesla, and Mark Zuckerberg, chief executive officer of Meta Platforms Inc., were among the attendees.

"What did they say to each other?" one viral post with the image in-question read, with X users sharing ideas about what such a conversation might have been about in the comments. One user wrote:

Elon: Fight?

Mark: who, me?

However, other social media posts suggested that Musk and Zuckerberg weren't seated next to each other during the meeting:

Star studded AI Forum being held today, However im sure all eyes will be on Elon & Zuck being in the same room. Would love to know if they have a conversation today?  or do you think they'll ignore each other?  pic.twitter.com/y2XHBo00JZ  H0W_THlNGS_W0RK (@HowThingsWork_) September 13, 2023

Taking a closer look at the viral picture, it became evident that it was digitally manipulated, and consisted of two separate pictures of Musk and Zuckerberg.

(X user @stillgray)

The digitally edited image consisted of an authentic photograph of Zuckerberg that was captured as he was seating next to Maya Wiley, an American lawyer, professor, and civil rights activist.

(Getty Images)

Moreover, as you can see in the photo below, during the AI Insight Forum the two men were seated far away from each other (in the picture Musk is seated third from the left at the table, and Zuckerberg third from the right).

(Getty Images)

Given that the in-question image was digitally edited, and Musk was not seated near Zuckerberg during "AI Insight Forum," we rate this photo as Fake.

(X user @stillgray)

Sources:

Bhuiyan, Johana. "Tech Leaders Agree on AI Regulation but Divided on How in Washington Forum." The Guardian, 14 Sept. 2023. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/sep/13/tech-leaders-washington-ai-saferty-forum-elon-musk-zuckerberg-pichai.

Shepardson, David, et al. "Tech Titans Meet US Lawmakers, Musk Seeks 'referee' for AI." Reuters, 13 Sept. 2023. www.reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/technology/musk-zuckerberg-gates-join-us-senators-ai-forum-2023-09-13/.
YEREVAN (Reuters) - Here are some key facts about Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan , who finds himself at the centre of a new crisis after Azerbaijan launched an offensive this week in the breakaway Armenian-populated territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

- Pashinyan, 48, is a former journalist who became prime minister after a wave of street protests, sometimes referred to as Armenia's Velvet Revolution, toppled his predecessor in 2018. On taking power, he promised to revamp the economy and fight corruption, earning strong popular support.

- Pashinyan came under heavy domestic pressure in 2020 after agreeing to a Russian-brokered ceasefire that ended a 44-day war between ethnic Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijan scored a comprehensive victory, recapturing a third of the breakaway territory as well as seven surrounding districts. Pashinyan faced calls to resign, as angry crowds protested in the capital Yerevan.

- Pashinyan has engaged in successive rounds of talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in search of a peace agreement between two countries. Earlier this year he made an important shift by recognising that Nagorno-Karabakh was part of Azerbaijan, thereby giving up any claim on it by Yerevan. But Azerbaijan rejected his demand for it to agree to protect the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians.

- Pashinyan's relations with his main ally, Russia, have sharply worsened in recent months. He said that Moscow had not fulfilled its duties as a peacekeeper in Nagorno-Karabakh and took a series of steps that angered Russia. These included Armenia's moves towards membership of the International Criminal Court - which has accused President Vladimir Putin of war crimes in Ukraine - and its hosting of a peacekeeping exercise with U.S. soldiers this month.

- Pashinyan said in an address to the nation on Tuesday that Azerbaijan's new offensive in Karabakh was the start of "a specific operation of ethnic cleansing" and that Armenia would resist what he called attempts to draw it into a military escalation.

- Pashinyan is likely to come under fierce domestic pressure again if Azerbaijan takes back control of Nagorno-Karabakh. In his speech on Tuesday, he said that "calls for a coup d'etat are already being heard", but did not present any evidence of an attempt to remove him.

(Writing by Mark Trevelyan, Editing by William Maclean)
The historic banyan tree in Lahaina is showing signs of recovery after being badly damaged during the deadly wildfires in Maui last month, officials announced this week.

Hawaiis Department of Land and Natural Resources posted a video to Instagram showing fresh leaves sprouting from blackened branches, a moment of positive news amid the ongoing recovery in Lahaina. A devastating blaze swept through the town last month, killing at least 97 people and all but obliterating entire blocks of homes and businesses.

Groups of leaves are spreading on the Lahaina Banyan Tree, the agency wrote on social media. Arborists, volunteering their time and expertise to saving the 150-year-old tree, indicate these are positive signs for its long-term recovery.

The tree is 150 years old. It was planted in 1873, and over the years, residents have tended to its growth, hanging jars of water on some aerial roots to help it spread symmetrically. It now stands more than 60 feet tall with 46 major trunks and serves as a local gathering place, according to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

The foundation says it is the largest banyan tree in the country.

The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said landscapers have been providing tender loving care to help nurture the tree back to health after the fires, at times watering the tree every few hours. Hawaii Magazine added that some volunteers have administered tree-loving soup to help it heal.

In an aerial view, the 150-year-old Banyan tree is seen scorched on Aug. 11 in Lahaina, Hawaii.

In an aerial view, the 150-year-old Banyan tree is seen scorched on Aug. 11 in Lahaina, Hawaii.

With the compost tea we are seeing good results and as long as we give it enough love, I think its going to be fine, Chris Imonti, a landscape contractor tending to the banyan, told the magazine. Ive been here for years and years so, like many others, I have a personal attachment to the tree.

To me, its a symbol of hope, he added. Were taking it to heart to try to bring back the tree, to give some hope to Lahaina.

Related...
Family of 4 fatally shot in Chicago-area home was likely targeted, Romeoville police say

The Chicago-area family of four fatally shot along with their three dogs was not killed in a random attack, police said Tuesday.

Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two boys, ages 7 and 9, died in what appears to be a targeted attack, Romeoville Police Department Deputy Chief Chris Burne said in a video statement.

"This incident is the police departments top priority. All officers and professional staff have been working tirelessly on this case," Burne said. "Our detectives and crime-scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence."

Police officers investigate the scene in Romeoville, Ill., on Sept. 18, 2023. (NBC Chicago)

The Will County Major Crime Task Force, Burne said, has joined the investigation to gather evidence and collect video.

Investigators continue to seek information from the public, including doorbell video, Burne said.

Police said they have ruled out murder-suicide.

We dont believe the offender is among the victims right now, Burne said Monday.

Detectives believe the shootings took place between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday, Burne said.

Mayor John Noak said the incident has shaken Romeoville, a town of about 40,000 that's 35 miles southwest of Chicago.

It is always heartbreaking whenever there is a loss of life, but when there are children involved its much more painful, he said.

The family was discovered dead inside their home Sunday night after a relative asked police for a well-being check because one of the victims did not show up for work, police said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
 Flash

A Chinese expert on Tuesday called for attention at the ongoing 54th session of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council to the possible use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights in some countries.

During an interactive dialogue with the Working Group on the use of mercenaries, Yang Kuan, an expert with the China Society for Human Rights Studies and a researcher from Beijing Institute of Technology, said that as the legal status of mercenaries is not clear, they often break the legal and moral bottom line and threaten international human rights in practice.

He noted that China adheres to the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989, and opposes the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries in war.

The Working Group stressed that the growing phenomenon of predatory mercenary recruitment requires urgent attention and solutions based on multilateral cooperation.
One Redditor is showing how ruthless a neighbor can be, even in the face of disaster, via a letter sent to their family following Hurricane Ian. The user explained that their family had been displaced from the storm after a tree had wrecked their home.

The letter was shared in the r/MildlyInfuriating forum and indicates that the sender was upset by the state of the familys property. Unfortunately, your property is an eyesore, it reads. With Hurricane Ian damage, your home has become even more unkempt and in disrepair.

Photo Credit: u/clarissaswallowsall / Reddit

The writer then encouraged the family to take more pride in their home  or if you dont care, perhaps you might consider selling the property.

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida in late September 2022. It was not only the strongest September hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Irma in 2017, but one of the costliest to make landfall in the South. Experts estimate the damage from the storm cost over $47 billion in damage, killed 87 people, and caused over 5 million power outages across Florida and the Carolinas. And events like hurricanes and tropical storms are only expected to increase in severity and frequency because of climate-related disruptions.

Besides the obvious financial impact of the storms, natural disasters also cost people immeasurable amounts of emotional and psychosocial damage. And its clear that letters from this concerned citizen arent helping heal the wounds of going through a traumatic event like a hurricane.

Other Reddit users were infuriated by the condescension and tone-deafness of the letter.

What a horrid human, one user replied. Who does this to someone when things are clearly already bad?

This is just so cruel, especially when so many people in that area suffered so much damage & are still dealing with it, another shared. This commenter went on to suggest posting the letter on emergency response providers Facebook pages.

Others suggested printing the letter on a poster board and displaying it on the lawn for others to see or sending mail to the other neighbors to (not so politely) tell them to mind their own business.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more, waste less, and help yourself while helping the planet.
A funeral aid has been set up for the the Rolon-Bartolomei Family (Bryana Bartolomei/GoFundMe)

A quiet community just outside of Chicago was turned upside down when a couple, their two young sons and three dogs were found shot dead inside their home.

Police were called in for a welfare check at the home in Romeoville, Illinois, on Sunday morning.

Officers arrived to find the bodies of Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, their two boys, aged 7 and 10, and their dogs.

Investigators determined that the victims died by homicide. The alleged killer was at large until Wednesday when a car linked to the person of interest was spotted by a license plate reader in Catoosa, Oklahoma, sparking a traffic stop.

Nathaniel Huey Jr, 31, of Streamwood, Illinois, and an unnamed woman were identified as persons of interest in the slayings.

When officers tried to stop the vehicle linked to Huey, it sped away, crashed and caught on fire. Officers on the scene reportedly heard two noises believed to be gunshots, Chief Burne said.

Officers found the man fatally shot in the drivers seat as well as a critically wounded woman in the passenger seat.

Here is everything we know about the Rolon-Bartolomei family case:

Not a murder suicide

Romeoville police were dispatched on Sunday (17 September) to check on the Rolon-Bartolomei family after relatives shared concern that one of the parents didnt turn up for work that day.

In a press conference on Monday, police said family members called several times throughout the day to check on the adult, but there was no response.

Just before 9pm Sunday, officers carried out a welfare check at the familys home on the residential 500 block of Concord Avenue.

The family of four were found dead of gunshot wounds  along with their three dogs.

Authorities believe the murders took place between 9pm Saturday and 5am Sunday.

We do not believe the offender is among the victims. It is not a murder-suicide, Deputy Chief Burne said at the time.

Following Wednesdays update, Deputy Chief Burne did not say what the relationship was between Huey and the family, but said evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspect and the victims, as well as a possible motive.

Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels

The loss of the Rolon-Bartolomei family has shocked many friends and family members  with Bartolomeis sister Bryana stepping forward and sharing her heartache with the community.

I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband and WHY? Bartolomeis sister Bryana wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post.

In the description of a GoFundMe, Bryana wrote: This fundraiser has been created with the aim of helping the Rolon-Bartolomei family with funeral expenses, as well as to create awareness of this ongoing case. Zoraida Bartolomei, Alberto Rolon, their kids Adriel & Diego (ages 10 & 7) were involved in a horrific crime that took their lives and shattered countless others.

Bryana said her sister and brother-in-law had just brought their first home together and described the children as the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away.

The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them, she added.

She also pleaded for anyone with information on the killings to contact police.

(Bryana Bartolomei/Facebook)

The post was met with comments from the community sharing their condolences.

We know her and your parents from church, we are so saddened by this horrible news. Prayers for you all, one user said.

Another wrote: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Neighbours were also grappling with the death of the family.

Lynn Phillips, who lives one door down from the home, told The Chicago Sun Times on Monday: Ive been crying on and off all day.

Although she said she didnt know the family well, Ms Phillips said they still had a good relationship.

It was a mom and dad and a couple of kids. The parents would be outside working the yard, and wed wave hi and bye, that kind of thing, Ms Phillips said.

Nothing unusual. We all keep to ourselves.
The family of a south Georgia teen found dead rolled up in a gym mat at his high school a decade ago has filed a $1 billion federal lawsuit, Action News Jax sister station WSB-TV in Atlanta reports.

Kendrick Johnson was found dead at Lowndes High School in Valdosta in 2013. While multiple investigations by law enforcement have concluded his death was a freak accident, Johnsons family refuses to believe it.

During a news conference, the Johnson family and their attorneys pointed out several inconsistencies in a 47-page document, including marks left on Johnsons body.

The lawsuit, filed against the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Lowndes County Sheriffs Office, alleges a cover-up.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

What the Johnsons want is a full and fair opportunity to litigate and thats what the Constitution allows, attorney Jonathan R. Burrs said.

In response to the lawsuit, the GBI and Lowndes County Sheriffs Office say they conducted a very thorough investigation and stand by their findings.

[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.
FILE - Caroline Ouko, mother of Irvo Otieno, holds a portrait of her son at the Dinwiddie Courthouse in Dinwiddie, Va., March 16, 2023. The family of Otieno, a man who died while handcuffed and pinned to the floor for about 11 minutes as he was being admitted to a Virginia psychiatric hospital, has reached an $8.5 million settlement, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, with the state, county and the sheriff whose deputies were involved in restraining the man. (Daniel Sangjib Min/Richmond Times-Dispatch via AP, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  The family of a man who died while handcuffed and pinned to the floor for about 11 minutes as he was being admitted to a Virginia psychiatric hospital has reached an $8.5 million settlement with the state and the county and sheriff whose deputies were involved in restraining him.

A judge approved the out-of-court wrongful death settlement Tuesday, according to public records.

Irvo Otieno, a 28-year-old Black man, died in March after being pressed to the floor of Central State Hospital for about 11 minutes by a group of Henrico County sheriffs deputies and hospital employees. Surveillance video that captured how Otieno was treated at the facility where he was set to receive care sparked outrage across the U.S. and calls for mental health and policing reforms.

His death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation. Ten defendants were indicted on second-degree murder charges, but charges against two of the hospital employees were later dropped.

Otienos family has said he had a long history of mental health problems and was struggling to breathe while he was being held down. Some of the defendants lawyers have said that Otieno was combative and they were simply trying to restrain him.

The settlement agreement says the state, county and the sheriff have not admitted any liability and deny that their actions caused Otienos death, but have agreed to collectively pay the $8.5 million to Otienos family and their attorneys.

Macaulay Porter, a spokeswoman for Gov. Glenn Youngkin , said Wednesday the governor pushed for a settlement with the hope that doing so proactively and fairly might alleviate  in a small way  some of the suffering that Irvos mother and brother faced, recognizing that no settlement can take the place of a loved one.

Attorneys for Otieno's family, including prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump and Virginia attorney Mark Krudys, said in a statement the family is pleased that they were able to find a resolution outside of court in a manner that honors Irvos life.

While the statement from Crump and Krudys referred to the settlement as confidential, its terms were outlined in a signed order on file at the Henrico County Circuit Court.

It includes a payment of about $5 million to Otieno's mother and siblings, after the payment of funeral and burial expenses and attorneys fees of over $3 million.

Otieno, who emigrated from Kenya as a young child, was experiencing mental distress at the time of his initial encounter with law enforcement in suburban Richmond in early March, days before he was taken to the state hospital, his family has said.

He was first taken into police custody March 3, when he was transported to a local hospital for mental health treatment under an emergency custody order.

Police have said that while at the local hospital, he became physically assaultive toward officers, at which point they arrested him and took him to a local jail, a transfer Otieno's family has said should never have happened. On the afternoon of March 6, he was transferred to the state hospital in Dinwiddie County south of Richmond, which has a unit that provides care for people admitted from jails or by court order.

The hospital video, which had no audio, showed sheriffs deputies and hospital staff attempting to restrain Otieno. For much of that time, Otieno was on the floor being pinned down by the group. The video also showed unsuccessful resuscitation efforts.

An autopsy conducted by the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death was asphyxia, while the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Attorneys for many of the defendants have said they will vigorously fight the legal charges against them.

Otieno was remembered at his funeral, where the eulogy was delivered by the Rev. Al Sharpton, as an empathetic, energetic and well-respected friend, teammate and musical artist.

Henrico County continues to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Otieno, Ben Sheppard, a spokesman for Henrico County, said in a statement Wednesday.

Late last year, Youngkin launched a wide-ranging initiative aiming to overhaul Virginia's fractured system for the delivery of mental health care services.

Governor Youngkin remains committed to transforming the behavioral health system to ensure that those in crisis will receive the care they need and that they will receive it at the right time and in the right place, Porter said Wednesday.

___

Associated Press writer Denise Lavoie reported from Glen Allen, Virginia.
Tennessee Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Rhedona Rose will retire at the end of the year after 37 years of dedicated service.

A Smith County native, Rose worked her way up from intern to executive vice president over almost four decades.

She has served on the forefront of dynamic change, providing unwavering leadership in the agriculture industry during her tenure.

Rose has positively impacted Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee agriculture, American agriculture and much more, according to a Farm Bureau press release.

She has served on numerous boards, committees and advisory councils, including the Tennessee Tech Board of Trustees and the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.

From left, TN Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Rhedona Rose, President Jeff Aiken and State Rep. Scott Cepicky hold new signage for the Joe Frank Porter Bridge, which will replace the existing signs off Williamsport Pike first erected in 1951 in tribute to the organization's founder and first president.

Being a part of the Farm Bureau team has been an absolute privilege," Rose said. "When I embarked on this journey with Tennessee Farm Bureau, I couldnt foresee how I would be blessed every step of the way. Farm Bureau's success is a testament to the organizations soul  the many dedicated volunteer leaders across the state and the organizations heartbeat  the devoted staff.

"I have no doubt the organization will continue to excel in fulfilling its mission.

Began career as intern

Rose was named executive vice president in December of 2010. In October of 2017, the state board of directors chose her to take on the responsibilities of chief administrative officer, while keeping her title as executive vice president and leading the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.

She began her career with the organization in 1986 as an intern in the department of information before being hired as a research assistant for what is now the public policy division.

She was named director and chief lobbyist in 1995.

There arent enough words to thank Rhedona for all she has done for Tennessee Farm Bureau and Tennessee agriculture over the past 37 years, said Tennessee Farm Bureau President Eric Mayberry. She has left an indelible mark and her extraordinary legacy will continue to impact the organization for generations. We will miss her leadership, but we wish her all the best in a much-deserved retirement.

From early beginnings in 4-H to Texas A&M

Born in Smith County, Rose spent a large part of her youth in Putnam County, where she was active in 4-H competing in the sheep project and FFA serving as state treasurer in 1980-1981.

Rose attended Tennessee Tech University where she majored in agriculture and graduated in 1984.

She was an agriculture educator in Loudon County before receiving her masters degree from Texas A&M University in 1986.

"She has worked tirelessly to shape policy which benefited Tennessee farmers and rural people and has always been highly respected by lawmakers, industry partners and farmers across the state," the release said.

"Rhedona Rose has sacrificed and served the nations largest Farm Bureau remarkably, and theres no doubt the organization is better because of her nearly four decades of influence."

Bryan Wright

New executive VP similar background as Rose

The Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation State Board of Directors have selected Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation Director of Membership Bryan Wright to replace Rose as executive vice president.

Wright began his career in 1993 as an insurance agent in Smith County with Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company. He was hired as Tennessee Farm Bureaus member benefits coordinator in 2001 and became associate director of organization in 2003.

In 2014, he took over as director of the membership division. As a White County native, Wright graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a bachelors degree in agriculture in 1992.

He and his wife, Regina, live in the Brush Creek community of Smith County where they are members of New Middleton Baptist Church and have two adult sons, John and Jack.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Farm Bureau Executive VP Rhedona Rose to retire after 37 years
A 32-year-old war veteran and father of three, Petro Burban, was tragically killed in a Russian drone attack on Lviv on Sept. 19, Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadoviy reported on Facebook on Sept. 20.

Read also: Ukrainian Police shares footage of first moments after Russian attack on Lviv

"Behind every death there is a person's story. Yesterday, 32-year-old Petro Burban lost his life in one of the warehouses due to an enemy strike on Lviv. It was his first day at a new job."

Born and raised in Lviv, Petro had built his life there. He married and became a father of three. After the full-scale invasion began, he volunteered for the army and spent a year and a half on the front lines.

Read also: Woman in Sumy dies of injuries suffered in Russian missile strike

Petro had recently returned to his family. He had been looking for a job for two weeks, and yesterday was his first day at work, which tragically turned out to be his last.

Around 5:00 a.m., several Russian drones targeted three industrial warehouses, causing a massive fire. Petro was working in one of them.

Food warehouses, clothing, and humanitarian aid were the apparent targets of the attack, Sadoviy told Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty.

"One persons body has been discovered. Two others were injured, one of whom has been hospitalized. Firefighting efforts are ongoing," a DSNS spokesman said.

Read also: Over 300 tons of humanitarian aid destroyed after Russian drone attack on Lviv, says UN official

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
The FBI office in Pittsburgh is encouraging people to report hate crimes to law enforcement.

The office has launched a new social media awareness campaign.

According to the FBI in Pittsburgh, hate crimes are the highest priority of their civil rights program because of the devastating impact they have on families and communities.

We continue to see a rise in hate crimes throughout the communities we live and work in, said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall. Unfortunately, we also know there are many more incidents that are never reported whether it be because of fear of retaliation or not recognizing what happened was a hate crime. I want the community to know that we will work to hold people accountable for committing these serious crimes. No one should live in fear because of someones intolerance and hatred.

If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call 911. If you believe you have been the target of a hate crime, call the FBI at 1-800--225-5324 or FBI Pittsburgh at 412-432-4000.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

Steelers defend hit that hurt Nick Chubb Minkah Fitzpatrick released from hospital Man hit and killed by truck in Wilmerding VIDEO: Tires slashed on 12 vehicles in Squirrel Hill DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
The Florida Department of Transportation is planning on holding two public meetings next week. Discussion will cover proposed access management changes to the intersection of Blanding Boulevard (State Road 21) and Wells Road.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

FDOT said that a virtual public meeting is scheduled for Mon., Sept. 25, starting with an open house from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. A formal presentation and public comment period will follow at 6 p.m.

Read: Many Duval County voters believe jail should be moved to another location

On Tues., Sept. 26, an in-person public meeting will take place at the Orange Park Public Library, Meeting Room A. The address for that location is 2054 Plainfield Ave., Orange Park, 32073. Those interested in attending will be able to view displays and discuss proposed changes with the project team. The open house period is from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. A formal presentation and public comment will begin at 6:30 p.m.

To register for the virtual meeting, visit www.nflroads.com/vph. The virtual meeting will also be available on telephone in listen only mode by calling 213-929-4221. Enter access code 630-958-258.

For more information on this project, please visit the website at www.nflroads.com/blanding.

[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.
A Ferndale nursing assistant has been accused of sexually assaulting a developmentally disabled adult for whom he was caring.

Nathaniel Matthew Miller, 46, was charged in Whatcom County Superior Court with one count of second-degree rape.

The charging document states that Miller is accused of raping the victim while the victim was incapable of consent because they were physically helpless or mentally incapacitated; that Miller is a health-care provider and the victim is a client or patient, and the assault occurred during a treatment session, consultation, interview or examination and that the victim is a developmentally disabled adult that Miller had supervisory authority over.

It also includes an aggravating factor that states that Miller knew or should have known the victim was particularly vulnerable or incapable of resistance, according to court records.

A warrant was issued for Millers arrest on Aug. 3 after a judge found reasonable cause to believe that Miller would commit a violent offense, the court records state.

This is a very egregious breach of trust for somebody who is put into services, and to have this happen is a very disturbing allegation, Whatcom County senior deputy prosecuting attorney David Graham said Tuesday, Sept. 19, at Millers first appearance in court.

Millers criminal defense attorney, Lauren Mariko Wegener, said Miller lacks previous criminal history and requested he be released from the Whatcom County Jail on his personal recognizance.

As soon as Miller learned there was a warrant out for his arrest, he took steps to appear in court to responsibly address these allegations, Wegener said at Millers first appearance.

I do not believe my client is a danger to the community or a flight risk, Wegener said, adding that Miller wont continue doing the work he was previously hired to do.

A court commissioner set Millers bail at $200,000. A sexual assault protection order was also put in place between Miller and the victim.

Washington State Department of Health records show Miller was issued a nursing assistant registration license in late June 2000. His credential, which was renewed in late February, is currently active and there have been no enforcement actions taken on his license, according to state health department records.

At the time of the alleged sexual assault, Miller was working as a caregiver at Holly Community Services. The supported-living agency provides residential support services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the Bellingham and Ferndale areas, according to its website.

It was unclear as of Wednesday, Sept. 20, whether Miller is still employed with the agency.

The Bellingham Herald has reached out to the Whatcom County Prosecutors Office, Millers defense attorney and Holly Community Services for more information.

The crime

On July 5, a manager with Holly Community Services reported to Bellingham police that a resident observed Miller, who was a staff member, sexually assault another disabled resident at a Bellingham home in the 1400 block of East Maryland Street. At least four disabled adults live at the home and require 24/7 care from Holly Community Services staff members, according to court records.

Bellingham police were assigned an Adult Protective Services referral the following day. The referral stated that a vulnerable adult who requires disability services reported that her caretaker, later identified as Miller, raped her on July 4.

The woman told police that on July 4, Miller kissed her chest, pulled her underwear down and raped her. The woman said she tried to move her hips or body out from underneath Miller, but was unable to do so, according to court records.

The woman was taken to St. Josephs Hospital in Bellingham where she was treated and a sexual assault nurse examination kit was done. The medical report corroborated the womans disclosure and is consistent with a sexual assault, the court records state.

Bellingham police also discovered that one of the womans roommates witnessed the sexual assault, the documents state. The roommate told police they were in the kitchen and witnessed Miller sexually assault the woman in the living room.

Miller is currently incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail, according to court and jail records.

Resources

 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 brigidcollins.org

 Bellingham Police: You can call anonymously at 360-778-8611, or go online at nooksacktribe.org/departments/youth-family-services/tlils-taaaltha-victims-of-crime-program/.

 WWU Consultation and Sexual Assault Support Survivor Advocacy Services: 360-650-3700 or cob.org/tips.

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.
Migrants travel on a train with the intention of reaching the United States, in Ciudad Juarez

Migrants travel on a train with the intention of reaching the United States, in Ciudad Juarez

By Isabel Woodford

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Some cargo trains run by Mexico's Ferromex have restarted after they were halted following a spate of serious injuries and fatalities to migrants traveling on them, the rail operator's parent company said on Wednesday.

In a step Mexico's president described as "unusual," Ferromex temporarily suspended operations of 60 northbound trains after about half a dozen migrants suffered death or injury, it announced on Tuesday.

Company estimates show stopping 60 trains represent a daily loss of 40 million pesos ($2.34 million), a company spokesperson said in a local radio interview.

However, Ferromex owner Grupo Mexico said on Wednesday rail freight operations had been restarted on routes where no "heightened risk" had been identified. The company did not say how many trains were still not operational.

Grupo Mexico said it would continue evaluating the situation and was in touch with authorities over how it proceeded.

For years, migrants trying to reach the United States have crisscrossed Mexico on cargo trains. Collectively, such trains have become known as "La Bestia," (The Beast), for the risks riding via rail represented.

Ferromex said the presence of migrants in its railcars and rail yards had grown significantly in recent days to more than 4,000 in several cities throughout Mexico.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador flagged that trains were restarting after calling Tuesday's announcement by Ferromex "strange" and "unusual."

Lopez Obrador has clashed with Grupo Mexico this year, and in May moved to expropriate some tracks the company controls in southern Mexico for a flagship infrastructure project.

Mexico's National Migration Institute has proposed adding agents to the affected routes, noting in a statement it also requested the company increase its private security aboard trains.

Ferromex executives will meet with members of the Mexican government and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday to discuss further measures, the Mexican institute added.

($1 = 17.0849 Mexican pesos)

(Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez and Isabel Woodford; Additional reporting by Carolina Pulice and Valentine Hilaire; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Dave Graham, Alexandra Hudson and Richard Chang)
After recent deaths and injuries as more migrants hitch rides on its freight trains, Mexican transport firm Ferromex said that for the first time ever it will temporarily halt service on 60 different trains that travel toward the U.S. border.

The number of migrants crossing into the U.S. from Mexico is rising, and thousands are hitching rides on northbound trains.

A spokesperson for Ferromexs parent company, Grupo Mexico, told NBC News this is the first time the transportation company has shut down its railways due to migrant hitchhikers, and that the number of migrants trying to ride the trains was "unprecedented."

Three young migrants traveling on a freight train crossing the border were discovered by the border patrol and asked to get off the train in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico on May 11, 2021. (David Peinado / NurPhoto via Getty Images file)

In a statement, Ferromex said that the accumulation of migrants in recent days has increased significantly, and that the closure of routes into northern Mexico is intended to avoid accidents or loss of life after a half dozen incidents.

Ferromex is the largest freight train company in Mexico, operating more than 6,200 miles of track, and its trains service such cities on the U.S. border as Ciudad Juarez, Mexicali, Nogales and Piedras Negras.

In recent days, according to Ferromex, as many as 1,500 migrants have been trying to hitch rides on trains in Mexican cities like Torreon. On one route that ends at Ciudad Juarez, which is right across from El Paso, Texas, Ferromex said a single train may be carrying 1,000 hitchhikers.

News of the closures come as the number of migrant apprehensions along the U.S.-Mexico border continues to grow after a lull earlier this year. NBC News reported that on Sunday the U.S. Border Patrol apprehended more than 7,500 migrants along the southern border, according to two Department of Homeland Security officials.

After Ferromex announced its suspension of service, a spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said, We are encouraged by Ferromexs announcement of suspended service on certain routes bound for the U.S.-Mexico border, in the interest of safety and security. We look forward to working with the operator to resume service, once it is safe to do so. The U.S. border is not open to illegal migration, and no one should believe the lies of smugglers who are putting migrants in deadly situations for profit. The fact is that individuals and families without a legal basis to remain in the United States will be removed.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
GUTHRIE, Okla. (KFOR)  The City of Guthrie is preparing to host a fireside chat with Oklahomas Governors to benefit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum.

The Guthrie Scottish Rite Masonic Center is set to host the event with Oklahomas governors on Thursday, October 5, at 10 a.m.

The City of Guthrie is preparing to host a fireside chat with Oklahomas Governors to benefit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Oklahoma Territorial Museum in Guthrie, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023.

Invited guests scheduled to be in attendance will include Governor Kevin Stitt and former governors Mary Fallin , Brad Henry, Frank Keating, David Walters, and George Nigh.

According to officials, the Fireside Chat is a unique chance for Oklahomans to learn how our state government works while interacting with past and present leaders.

The audience will be given the chance to ask questions while hearing first-hand perspectives of those who led the state.

The historic event will also include the talents of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic with Music Director Alexander Mickelthwate.

 Find more Top Stories from KFOR.com

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online.

Guests can submit questions in advance on the Oklahoma Territorial Museums Facebook and Instagram pages.

For more information contact 405-282-1889 or the Oklahoma Historical Society, please visit okhistory.org.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Olena Zelenska at the event Fighting for the future, Ukrainian children in war

Ukraines First Lady Olena Zelenska had a grim update for attendees of the Fight for the Future, Ukrainian Children at War event held at the 78th UN General Assembly, it was noted in a Sept. 20 press release.

The special event focused on the numerous war crimes committed by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian children.

Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, 504 children have been confirmed dead, thousands more have been wounded, and at least 19,000 have been kidnapped.

Ukraines Prosecutor General's Office has also recorded 231 cases of sexual violence by the Russian military that involved at least 13 children. All the above figures are likely to be significantly undercounted.

"Using the opportunity, I appealed to the representatives of the UN and the entire organization to make efforts to save Ukrainian children. So that those 13 children, about whom we know for sure about sexual violence, are not forgotten, and their stories are verified by the UN," Zelenska said.

"When childhood is threatened in one country, it is threatened everywhere. When children return from captivity or recover from injury or the loss of loved ones, they often ask, "Why did this happen to me? How can this be?" No one knows what to answer."

The event was held with the support of Estonia and with the participation of the country's president, Alar Karis. In addition to the First Lady, Ukraine was represented at the event by Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin, the Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, as well as Olena Rozvadovska from the Children's Voices NGO.

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
PONCA CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority partnered with the Kay County Sheriffs Office and other local law enforcement to investigate 11 complaints of medical marijuana businesses in the Ponca City area.

When they performed 19 inspections at medical marijuana shops in town, five were shut down.

Oklahoma judge dismisses case against man wrongfully convicted of murder in 1975

During the course of inspection, we discovered some what we believed to be illegal activity, said Mel Woodrow, the Chief of Enforcement and Compliance at OMMA.

And on one of those occasions, we confiscated about 3,000 pounds of what we believed to be illicit marijuana on two separate occasions.

In total, OMMA and local law enforcement agencies found about 14,000 marijuana plants and 4,850 pounds of marijuana on Sept. 11 and 13.

The five businesses that shut down in the Ponca City area were Polar Lights, JN Green Grow, DIHOW, L&L Magic Power and Zhangs Farm.

All five were originally part of a routine inspection.

From that point, during that inspection we will generally, depending, find criminal activity that what we believe to be equivalent activity. And at that point we kind of change hats and move into more of a criminal world, criminal investigative role, said Woodrow.

Oklahoma City mans life saved by the same pacemaker he helped develop

OMMA says the search is part of a new strategy to combat illicit marijuana in Oklahoma.

So, we went up there and that was kind of our pilot program. We definitely plan to to do this around the state at these areas, said Woodrow.

Woodrow says to continue the program, theyre investigating every complaint made on the website or by phone about anything that could be illicit marijuana in the state.

To file a complaint, call OMMA at 405-522-6662 or go to the complaint website, here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The arrest of a Mexican national accused of transporting undocumented migrants into the state is aggravating relations between Florida and Mexico, whose president and diplomats accuse Gov. Ron DeSantis of being anti-immigrant.

The criminal case against Raquel Lopez Aguilar  an undocumented father of two from the state of Chiapas living in Tampa and working as a roofer  is the first case in which a Mexican national has been charged under a new Florida law targeting people who drive undocumented migrants into the state.

At the direction of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Mexican diplomatic officials in Florida are ramping up efforts to defend Mexicans accused of violating DeSantis new law, including Lopez Aguilar.

The Mexican government is sending us resources to pay for this case, said the Mexican consul in Orlando, Juan Sabines , in an interview Wednesday with the Herald/Times while he drove to visit Lopez Aguilar at a jail in Hernando County.

Sabines called the states case against Lopez Aguilar, 41, complete injustice, and vital to future cases prosecuted under the state law because it will set the legal precedent. Sabines said he has told Lopez Aguilar that while you might be a victim today, you could be a hero.

And he is willing, Sabines said. He is a brave man. Obviously, being in jail is uncomfortable, but he is in the best disposition to keep fighting.

The Mexican government has accused DeSantis of engineering the law for political gain as he runs for president. Sabines said that his office has repeatedly sought dialogue with DeSantis and his administration about the law. Theyve sent formal letters as well as messages through intermediaries. But there has been no response so far.

The silence, Sabines said, has signified a deteriorating relationship between Florida and Mexico, an important economic partner to the state. The Mexican government has had close relationships with other Florida Republican governors, like Rick Scott and Jeb Bush, said the consul. But things have changed.

Now, Sabines said, there is no interest.

Driving to Tampa leads to felony charges

Lopez Aguilar is accused of violating a state provision that makes it a human smuggling third-degree felony to knowingly and willfully transport undocumented immigrants into the state, an offense punishable by up to five years in prison.

He faces four felony counts and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license, and is scheduled to be arraigned in Brooksville on Thursday.

The law says that a person cant transport into Florida an individual whom the person knows, or reasonably knows, has entered the United States in violation of the law and has not been inspected by the federal government since his or her unlawful entry.

Lopez Aguilar was arrested Aug. 21 after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper pulled him over because the van he was driving had window tints obviously darker than the legal limit and large cracks on the windshield, the report says. Federal Border Patrol agents also responded to the scene.

Lopez Aguilar and all six of the vans passengers had entered the United States illegally, according to the report. The adults provided Mexican IDs, and a 7-year-old was identified by his full name and birthday. Aguilar and a passenger had been previously deported, the report states.

Mr. Lopez Aguilar advised he knew some occupants entered the United States illegally and assumed the others did as well, reads the police report. It also noted that Lopez Aguilar had several receipts for money transfers in his pockets, evidence the state determined, he had traveled from Georgia.

Sabines, however, says there is no proof Lopez Aguilar was the driver when he crossed the Georgia state line into Florida, which he says the state would need to prove.

At the time that they crossed [state lines], Raquel was not driving, Sabines said. We want to see what proof the state has because the passengers and Raquel have been clear about that.

Because of that, Sabines said. He is innocent before this law.

Mark Arias, an Orlando-based attorney, is representing Aguilar through a Mexican government program known as the External Legal Assistance Program, or PALE, which offers legal help to Mexican nationals in the United States. The program was created in 2000 in order to respond to the communitys need for legal services and had processed nearly 92,000 cases as of June 2022.

Arias told the Herald that Florida was stepping over the line because the federal government oversees immigration policy, not individual states.

I dont believe they will be able to prove a violation under Floridas immigration law, Arias said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott hold a press conference in Del Rio, Texas, in July 2021 to talk about a three-week effort by a contingent of Florida law enforcement officers to help enforce the U.S.-Mexico border.

The breadwinner

Lopez Aguilar came to work in the United States six months ago, leaving his wife and two children in his home state of Chiapas. He is from the municipality of Copainala, where the majority of the population lives in poverty, according to Mexican government data.

Sabines called Lopez Aguilar an honest man who came to Florida to earn a living. He lived with colleagues in Tampa and worked for a Georgia-based construction company, frequently traveling between states. He was the breadwinner of the family, Sabines said.

He confirmed to the Miami Herald that the vehicle, a 1997 van registered in Georgia and processed as evidence, belonged to a construction firm there. Public records from the neighboring state show the vans owner also has a roofing company registered to the same address as the vehicle.

Ongoing litigation

In July, the Farmworker Association of Florida, represented by the Southern Poverty Law Center and other groups, sued the state over the transportation provision of the new law.

Plaintiffs argue that the law causes extreme harm to people who regularly travel between Florida and surrounding states, including seasonal agricultural workers, faith leaders and service providers who arrange transportation for people with legal and medical appointments in Florida..

They also say the law is an overreach of Floridas legal powers and that the language is convoluted and vague because it doesnt explain how federal government inspection of immigrants is defined by the statute.

On Sept. 15, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said plaintiffs had misread the law and lacked legal standing to bring the case in front of a judge.

Visa holders, DACA recipients, and aliens with pending applications for asylum or removal proceedings have all been inspected because they have notified the federal government of their presence, and the federal government can decide whether to take immediate action, said the document.

Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a Miami news conference in March 2022.

Political tensions

As DeSantis runs for president, he has made immigration a cornerstone of his campaign.

DeSantis has promised to authorize troops to use deadly force against cartel members along the border with Mexico, and said hed be open to using missiles against Mexico. The governor has also vowed to end birthright citizenship though he has not outlined how  and promised to finish building a wall between the U.S. and its southern neighbor.

Mexico is Floridas sixth largest foreign trading partner with nearly $7.4 billion in two-way commerce in 2022, according to a report from Enterprise Florida.

Mexico is an important business partner to Florida. We have a lot of issues in common, a lot of tourism, a lot of commerce, and a great relationship Sabines said. So it is concerning that there is no interest [from Florida] in treating their business partner well.

DeSantis has said Floridas immigration laws are meant to disincentivize undocumented migrants from coming to Florida, even as civil rights activists, immigrant advocates and business owners say that worsens labor shortages in Florida.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico has used his regular morning press conferences to criticize Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over the states immigration policies.

Mexican president blasts DeSantis

Mexicos Foreign Relations Department has said that Floridas immigration law will affect the human rights of thousands of people, Mexican girls and boys, exacerbating hostile situations that could result in hate crimes against the migrant community.

Lopez Obrador has repeatedly blasted DeSantis immigration policies and the new immigration law in his daily morning press conferences.

In July, for example, the Mexican president broadcast a mash up version of America from Mexican norteno band Los Tigres del Norte featuring Latinoamerica, a song from Puerto Rican duo Calle 13. The song highlights themes about regional solidarity and U.S. dominance and intervention in the region.

As the song came to an end, Lopez Obrador solemnly turned to reporters and quoted a line from Calle 13: El que no quiere a su patria no quiere a su madre. (He who does not love his country does not love his mother.)

His statement highlighted his opposition to DeSantis and Floridas new immigration law, a policy Lopez Obrador said was designed to boost the Republican governors presidential campaign.

Not a single vote for DeSantis Not a single vote for those who disdain migrants, the president said. If the United States is a great nation, it has been so because of migrants. And hes for the wall and the mistreatment of migrants.
A 54-year-old Central Florida man has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison after admitting to having more than a million child sexual abuse files across 50 electronic devices.

Edward Nicholas Carney of Kissimmee is set to spend 15 years and 8 months behind bars, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He had pleaded guilty in June to receiving and possessing the illicit material.

According to court documents, Carney shared hundreds of depictions of child sexual abuse material using a social media platform. When FBI agents executed a search warrant at his home, Carney had screen savers displaying child sexual abuse on his computers. Upon his arrest, prosecutors say, Carney asked a law enforcement officer: Youve never had any curiosity about something? Just to look and see?

As of the date of Carneys sentencing hearing, more than 2 terabytes of child sexual abuse material  involving minors under 12-years-old  have been located in his electronic devices, which included a cellphone, computers, SD cards, USB drives and external hard drives.

This investigation is yet another example of the dedication and determination of the FBI and its law enforcement partners in unmasking child predators and keeping our children safe, FBI Tampa Division Special Agent in Charge David Walker said Monday in a news release.

The detectives at the Osceola County Sheriffs Office who dedicate hundreds of hours investigating monsters like Edward N. Carney are the true heroes. The partnerships we develop with organizations like the FBI is a great way of demonstrating to the community that we can do remarkable things together as one, said Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez.

Carney pleaded guilty in June to one count of possession of child pornography and two counts of receipt of child pornography, court records show. He was sentenced Sept. 14.
Some deer killed during two popular hunting days in December must be tested for a contagious disease fatal to the animals as the state expands efforts to limit the spread of the disease.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Tuesday that deer killed on Dec. 9 and Dec. 10 in most areas of Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties must be tested for chronic wasting disease at one of 21 check stations before being processed for food or going to taxidermists.

These counties comprise the CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) Enhanced Surveillance Zone, and the FWC (Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) is prioritizing heightened surveillance and regulations within this zone to reduce the potential spread of CWD both within the zone and throughout the state, Lauren Claerbout, a spokeswoman for the commissions Division of Hunting and Game Management, said.

The disease is described as similar to mad cow disease, with deer becoming emaciated and often being found isolated and trembling. While not considered harmful to people, the disease can result in death within four months to deer.

The testing details were presented Tuesday during a meeting in the Holmes County community of Bonifay. Another meeting is scheduled for October 10 in Marianna in Jackson County.

The commission will try to get as many samples as possible to meet testing goals.

We can get some deer out of season from road kills. but the majority of our samples will come from hunter-harvested deer, Commission Deer Management Program Coordinator Cory Morea said in Bonifay. So, its really important to get out and hunt and provide samples whenever.

The commission is asking people who see sick, abnormally thin deer, or deer dead of unknown causes to report the finds. Claerbout said it also is asking hunters to bring in deer heads for testing outside of the check station weekend.

The commission issued an emergency order after a case of chronic wasting disease was detected in June in a road-killed deer in Holmes County. The positive test was the first known case of a deer in Florida having the disease, which has been found in 30 other states including Alabama and Mississippi.

No additional cases have been detected in close to 200 deer tested since the Holmes County case, but wildlife officials expect an increase in deer deaths from the disease. Directives from the commission will be reevaluated after the upcoming hunting season.

Claerbout said the December weekend --- the start of the second phase of the general gun season for deer hunting in the Panhandle region that includes the three counties --- is very popular for deer hunting.

We also looked at harvest reporting data from the last few years to determine which weekend would most likely yield the highest number of harvested deer from that area, Claerbout said. Since these check stations will be fully staffed, we needed to pick the most effective time to do this to ensure that well be able to collect as many samples as possible.

Claerbout said the state will also work with taxidermists and processors in the three-county area and provide drop-off freezers for hunters so samples can be collected.

With no simple treatment or vaccine for chronic wasting disease, deer farmers have expressed concern that a single positive test could require the eradication of entire herds, which in some cases represent millions of dollars in investments.

Florida has monitored the issue since 2002, testing about 17,500 hunter-killed, road-killed, and sick deer.

In 2021, the state placed certain limits on importing deer carcasses into Florida. People can bring in deboned meat, finished taxidermy mounts, and clean hides and antlers.

[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.
Investigators say a pipe-making company is to blame for a worker's death inside a cement mixer.

In March, a 19-year-old was killed at one of Foley Products Company's locations in Florida.

OSHA said the company failed to implement "well-known safeguards."

It was a lethal accident that could have easily been prevented, the US Department of Labor announced Wednesday. Federal regulators blamed a Georgia-based concrete manufacturer for failing to comply with basic safety protocols and in the process contributing to the death of a teenage worker killed trying to maintain one of the company's cement mixers.

In March 2023, local media outlets reported that a man died at the scene of Foley Products Company's location outside Pensacola, Florida, after trying to clean one of its mixers, which turned on while he was inside of it. Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration soon got involved, WEAR News reported, noting at the time that the federal agency requires companies to follow strict guidelines meant to prevent any such incident.

OSHA's investigation, made public Wednesday, found more than a half-dozen serious violations of federal law, amounting to nearly $250,000 in proposed civil penalties. One of those violations, labeled "willful," directly contributed to the death of the employee, identified by the company as 19-year-old Dalton Hanks: The company failed to cut the power to the cement mixer before he entered it.

The company, which sells pipes and precast concrete, also failed to properly train its employees on safety practices, OSHA said, and it did not have an attendant standing by in case something went wrong.

"Foley Products Company's failure to implement well-known safeguards cost the life of a worker just beginning their adulthood," Jose A. Gonzalez, director of OSHA's regional office in Mobile, Alabama, said in a statement. "This preventable tragedy should serve as a reminder of the importance of complying with safety and health standards, as required by law."

Foley Company Products has two weeks upon receipt of the citation to contest the findings. In a statement, the company said it extends its "sincere condolences" to Hanks' family.

"We are committed to the health and safety of all our employees, customers, and vendors, and look forward to working with OSHA in this regard," the company said.

September 22, 2023: This story was updated to include comment from Foley Company Products.

Read the original article on Insider
Faith in U.S. institutions drops precipitously: author

Xinhua) 10:04, September 20, 2023

VALLETTA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Americans do not have faith in their institutions, which endangers the country's democracy, according to the author of a new book.

"In the last 30 years, we have witnessed something unprecedented and perilous to the very survival of American democracy -- a collapse in public trust in the nation's leaders and institutions," said Gerard Baker, a British writer and columnist, in a recent article in the New York Post on his book "American Breakdown: How Americans Lost Trust in their Leaders and Institutions and How to Rebuild Confidence."

The article quoted the latest survey conducted by the Gallup Organization in July, which found that across nine key institutions, the average proportion of Americans who said they had "a great deal or quite a lot of confidence" in them was 26 percent. That was the lowest number ever recorded, it said.

Over the last decade or so, people have realized that they have been misled, lied to, and sold a bill of goods -- and in the process, its leaders have failed America, the article said.

The author said that the Pew Research Center, which has conducted similar surveys for 30 years, found that the public's trust in most cornerstone American institutions has dropped sharply.

Baker said that what was even more troubling was the fact that Americans had also lost trust in each other. "This plummeting social trust is doing irreparable damage to the bonds that tie Americans together."

"America finds itself today, then, a country fundamentally ill at ease with itself -- a nation where large numbers of its citizens profoundly mistrust the leaders and institutions that govern them, the businesses that supply them with their needs, the people who educate and inform them and, increasingly, each other," he wrote.

"Other factors have contributed to the collapse in trust -- our institutions have not only been mendacious and deceptive but over the last few decades their performance has been abysmal: governments that have gotten us into disastrous foreign wars and presided over open borders, addiction epidemics, financial crises, corporate scandals, a dramatic widening of economic and social inequality, technological innovations that have exposed us to privacy risks and mental health crises," the article said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A home furniture stores assistant manager was fired after asking for an exemption from her companys mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy  saying her Christian beliefs prevented her from getting the shot, according to federal officials.

Now the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing Hanks Furniture, the womans former employer, accusing the company of religious discrimination. The retail seller is based in Arkansas and has stores in four states, including Florida where the store manager worked.

The assistant manager at Hanks Furniture store in Pensacola told her boss she had no plans to get the vaccine, as her religious beliefs wouldnt allow it, and asked for a religious exemption in August 2021, the lawsuit filed Sept. 19 says.

Hanks Furniture is accused of pressuring her into getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and sending her articles published online to convince her that her sincerely held religious beliefs were not scientifically accurate, a complaint filed by the EEOC says.

After verbally requesting the accommodation, the woman sought help from Hanks Furniture on how to submit a written request, but the company is accused of ignoring her, according to the complaint.

She was told Hanks Furniture did not care why she would not take the COVID-19 vaccine, that (the company) would never grant an accommodation, and that if she did not take the vaccine, she would not remain in management, the complaint says.

In October 2021, Hanks Furniture fired her for refusing to get vaccinated after she figured out a way to submit a written request for accommodation, according to the complaint.

By not accommodating the employees Christian beliefs, Hanks Furniture is accused of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the EEOC announced in a Sept. 19 news release.

Hanks Furniture is aware of the lawsuit and denies any wrongdoing, company spokesman Adam Jordan told McClatchy News in a statement on Sept. 20.

This will be resolved through the legal process, Jordan said.

Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, employers are required to accommodate their employees religious beliefs if the accommodation would pose a minimal burden on how the business operates, according to the EEOC.

This suit should remind employers they must communicate with employees requesting accommodation for religious beliefs and try to accommodate those beliefs whenever reasonably possible, Marsha Rucker, regional attorney for the EEOCs district in Birmingham, Alabama, said in a statement.

The lawsuit against Hanks Furniture seeks to recover damages for the employee, including back pay, the agency said in the release. The lawsuit comes after an EEOC investigation and the agencys attempts to reach a pre-litigation settlement, according to the release.

Johnny C. Taylor, the CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, a professional human resources membership association, explains in an article published by the organization in February 2022 that an employee cannot be immediately fired if a reasonable accommodation for refusing a vaccine based on religion isnt possible.

If an employee cannot get vaccinated because of a disability or sincerely held religious belief, and there is no reasonable accommodation possible, an employer could exclude the employee from physically entering the workplace, Taylor said.

But this doesnt mean an individual can be automatically terminated. Employers will need to determine if any other rights apply under the EEO laws or other federal, state and local authorities, Taylor added.

Pensacola is about 195 miles west of Tallahassee.

Darker-skinned Hooters Girls werent rehired after COVID layoff in NC, lawsuit says

Steakhouse hires  then fires  worker after learning theyre pregnant, feds say

Atheist worker who refused to attend NC company prayer meetings wins $37,000, feds say
The world hasn't been shy with its desire to move towards electric cars . Governments from around the globe have even put a clock on the changeoverone of the most notable being the United Kingdom's, which has committed to banning the sale of combustion-powered passenger cars by 2030.

Following a string of aggressive timeline planning over the past five years that sped up the transition by a full decade , the Brits are now looking to ease up on their proposed timeline. Now, according to Automotive News , manufacturers who were originally skeptical of the demanding deadline are warning that by relaxing the pace toward full electrification, their time-sensitive industry investments could be at risk.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Charging Inline 1

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak 's decision to delay former PM Boris Johnson 's ICE ban by five years is expected to drop later this week . The move would delay the prohibition to 2035, bringing it in line with the deadline of the European Union's sweeping ban on fuel-burning engines something that the U.K. is not locked under the same timeline, given its withdrawal from the EU in 2020.

"The auto industry is investing to meet that challenge," said Ford's U.K. chair and managing director, Lisa Brankin. "This is the biggest industry transformation in over a century and the UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst to accelerate Ford into a cleaner future. Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment, and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three."

Ford says that it has already invested around $531 million in its U.K. plants, but that's just the start . Ford revealed that it also has been planning additional investments specifically aligned with the U.K.'s 2030 ICE deadline, and hinted that a change in policy could jeopardize returns. After all, the company has already started winding down production of gas-powered cars at certain facilities with the intent of converting those production lines to EV manufacturing in the coming years.

"We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high," said Brankin.

Meanwhile, other automakers not yet ready to take the jump to fully electrified vehicles by 2030 are seeking clarification from the U.K. government.

BMW (which operates manufacturing facilities for Mini in Oxford, England and Rolls-Royce vehicles in Goodwood ) says that England's proposal on the 2030 ban would allow automakers to continue peddling hybrid-powered cars as long as the cars featured significant zero-emission capabilities. However, the proposal did not specifically define what "significant zero-emission capability" actually means, which has left the U.K.'s automotive manufacturing industry wondering exactly how to comply.

Tata-owned Jaguar Land Rover also said it would welcome clarification.

Ford Mustang Mach-E Charging Inline 2

While it's unlikely consumers feel angst over how well-lined an automaker's pockets are, the truth is that the market must also buy into the switch for it to be successful. That means compelling pricing, meaningful buying incentives, and a smooth transition from a car that runs on gas to one that relies on electrons.

"To make this a reality, however, consumers must want to make the switch, which requires from government a clear, consistent message, attractive incentives and charging infrastructure that gives confidence rather than anxiety," said Mike Hawes, the CEO of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which serves as the U.K.'s auto industry trade group. "Confusion and uncertainty will only hold them back."

Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: rob@thedrive.com
NEW YORK  A former U.S. congressperson from Indiana was sentenced Tuesday to 22 months in prison for making illegal stock trades based on inside information while working as a consultant and lobbyist after he left office.

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer , 64, a House Republican from 1993 to 2011, was also ordered to forfeit $354,027, representing the amount of illegal gains, and to pay a $10,000 fine.

Buyer, a lawyer and Persian Gulf War veteran, once chaired the House Veterans Affairs committee and was a House prosecutor at ex-President Bill Clintons 1998 impeachment trial.

Buyer was convicted in connection with insider trading involving the $26.5 billion merger of T-Mobile and Sprint, announced in April 2018, and illegal trades in the management consulting company Navigant when his client Guidehouse was set to acquire it in a deal publicly disclosed weeks later.

Defense lawyers had requested home confinement and community service as a punishment while prosecutors urged a three-year prison sentence.

Judge Richard M. Berman said Buyers conviction by a jury in March was not a close call because the evidence against him screams guilty. The judge said Buyer lied when he testified at his trial about when he learned about mergers that he profited from.

Berman noted that he had previously rejected claims that Buyer was unjustly prosecuted or that he could not obtain a fair trial in Manhattan because the population of New York City favors Democrats. Berman named six suburban counties outside of the city where jurors were also drawn from.

Buyer was ordered to report to prison on Nov. 28.

Prior to being sentenced, Buyer, who is from Noblesville, Indiana, told the judge he should visit Indiana, where someone buying a dozen ears of corn for $6 off the back of an unmanned trailer might put the money in a container that already has $300 in it without worrying that anybody will snatch the cash.

Its an honor system. Its how we live. Its how Ive lived my life, he said.
BRENTWOOD  A former Exeter man has been charged with negligent homicide nearly a year after allegedly crashing his vehicle into a tree on Stumpfield Road in East Kingston, resulting in the death of his 36-year-old passenger.

Timothy Joseph Grundy, 31, of Port Charlotte, Florida, was indicted this week by a Rockingham Superior Court grand jury on four felony charges, all related to the Nov. 8, 2022, crash that killed Stephanie Gentgen, of East Kingston.

Grundy is charged with negligent homicide - driving under the influence, a Class A felony carrying a possible sentence of 7 to 15 years in state prison if convicted. Grundy is also charged with Class B felonies of negligent homicide and two counts of aggravated driving while intoxicated.

Timothy Joseph Grundy, 31, of Port Charlotte, Florida, was indicted this week by a Rockingham Superior Court grand jury on four felony charges, all related to the Nov. 8, 2022, crash that killed Stephanie Gentgen, of East Kingston.

According to the Class A negligent homicide indictment, police allege Grundy was under the influence of intoxicating beverages and/or controlled drugs when he drove his 2009 Scion into a tree, resulting in the death of his passenger.

Previous story: Passenger killed, driver injured after vehicle crashes into tree

The second negligent homicide charge alleges Grundy was driving at a high rate of speed, which allegedly contributed to the crash, according to the indictment.

The aggravated DWI indictments charge that Grundy was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and/or chemical substances that impaired his ability to drive when he got behind the wheel.

Grundy is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges at Rockingham Superior Court on Friday, Oct. 20.

According to New Hampshire State Police, Grundy drove off the road and struck a tree on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, at about 10 p.m.

Police and fire responded to the single-motor vehicle accident, which was near the intersection of North Road. State police said Grundy was traveling south on Stumpfield Road and went off the roadway on the northbound side.

The passenger, Stephanie Gentgen, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Grundy, who lived in Exeter at the time, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Exeter Hospital, police said.

Stumpfield Road was closed for approximately four hours due to the crash, and charges were not immediately filed. The New Hampshire State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit assisted in the investigation. State police were also assisted at the scene by the East Kingston Fire Department, East Kingston Police Department, Kensington Police Department and New England Truck Center.

Gentgen lived in East Kingson with her husband Wayne and six children, according to her obituary. She was described as a "free spirit and a talented artist" who loved animals and was "quick to help those in need."

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Former Exeter man charged with negligent homicide in fatal crash
Former Connecticut U.S. Attorney Nora Dannehy appears at her Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, confirmation hearing on her nomination to the Connecticut State Supreme Court at the Connecticut Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Conn. Dannehy told state lawmakers she resigned from the Trump-Russia probe because of her concerns with public comments made by then-US Attorney General William Barr. (AP Photo/Susan Haigh)

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP)  A former federal prosecutor who helped investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia probe said Wednesday she left the team because of concerns with then-Attorney General William Barr s public comments about the case and because she strongly disagreed with a draft of an interim report he considered releasing before the election.

I simply couldn't be part of it. So I resigned, Nora Dannehy told Connecticut state legislators during her confirmation hearing as a nominee to the state Supreme Court. It marked the first time Dannehy has spoken publicly about her sudden resignation from the probe overseen by former special counsel John Durham .

Durham, a former U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut, was appointed in the spring of 2019 by Barr to investigate potential wrongdoing by government officials and others in the early days of the FBI probe into ties between the Trump 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Trump expected the investigation to expose what he and his supporters alleged was a deep state conspiracy to undermine his campaign, but the slow pace of the probe  and the lack of blockbuster findings  contributed to a deep wedge between the president and Barr by the time the attorney general resigned in December 2020.

The investigation concluded last May with underwhelming results: A single guilty plea from a little-known FBI lawyer, resulting in probation, and two acquittals at trial by juries.

Dannehy, who was the first woman to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut, told Connecticut lawmakers that politics had never played a role in how she was expected to carry out her job as a federal prosecutor and that was the Justice Department I thought I was returning to when she ultimately joined Durham's team.

I had been taught and spent my entire career at Department of Justice conducting any investigation in an objective and apolitical manner, she said. "In the spring and summer of 2020, I had growing concerns that this Russia investigation was not being conducted in that way. Attorney General Barr began to speak more publicly and specifically about the ongoing criminal investigation. I thought these public comments violated DOJ guidelines.

Dannehy said Barr's comments were certainly taken in a political way by reports. Whether he intended that or not, I dont know.

She declined to detail what happened during her time with the investigation because it involved highly classified information.

While Durhams report did identify significant problems with the FBIs Trump-Russia probe, including major errors and omissions in wiretap applications targeting a former Trump campaign official, many of the findings had already been revealed by the Justice Department inspector general. And though Trump had looked to the report to malign the FBI as prejudiced against him, Durham concluded that the FBIs mistakes were mostly a result of confirmation bias rather than partisanship or outright political bias.

Durham would not answer questions about Dannehys resignation during a June appearance before the House Judiciary Committee, saying the issue was not part of the report that he had been summoned to talk about.

Dannehy, a 62-year-old Connecticut native, served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut from 2008 to 2010. She later was appointed deputy attorney general for the state of Connecticut before taking a job with United Technologies Corporation as associate general counsel for global ethics and compliance.

Her nomination cleared the General Assembly's Judiciary Committee by a vote of 30-4 on Wednesday. The full General Assembly is scheduled to vote next week.

__

Associated Press writer Eric Tucker reported from Washington, D.C.
A former Rochester police officers was arrested Tuesday, accused of raping a 13-year-old girl.

According to New York State Police, Shawn Jordan, 39, of South Bristol, Ontario County, was charged with first-degree rape, a felony. He is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in South Bristol sometime between April and June of 2022.

Jordan was taken to the Ontario County Jail ahead of his arraignment, troopers said.

Jordan was arrested in March and was accused of exposing himself to a 16-year-old girl and acting in a lewd manner while on an online video chat. In March, he was charged with first-degree disseminating indecent material to minors, a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor, according to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office.

Jordan was suspended from the Rochester Police Department without pay in March. He resigned from the department in April after working as a Rochester police officer for 15 years, said Lt. Greg Bello of the Rochester Police Department.

Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley earlier this year said police were concerned that there may be others impacted by Jordan and his actions.

Anyone with information related to Jordan or the investigation is asked to contact the State Police at (585) 398-4100. State Police handled both of these investigations.

Anyone who is aware of any sort of child abuse is asked to contact law enforcement, the Child Advocacy Center of the Finger Lakes at (585) 394-2573 or the Bivona Child Advocacy Center at (585) 935-7800.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Shawn Jordan charged with rape of 13-year-old girl
NEW BRUNSWICK  Thomas Pollando, the former Sayreville Democratic chairman who is facing bribery, official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct charges, may be looking for a better plea deal than has been offered.

Pollando, 73, seated in a wheelchair near family members, did not speak during Tuesday's brief court hearing before Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Sheree Pitchford, but his attorney Robert Honecker Jr. said an initial offer from prosecutors was discussed with his client Tuesday without an agreement.

Details of that offer were not discussed in court. It's unclear if a plea offer was presented to Pollando's son, David, 42, and David's wife, Lizmarie, 29, who both are facing conspiracy and witness tampering charges.

Pitchford held a brief conference with the five attorneys and learned there is some discovery that is still being exchanged between the parties, which may change the negotiations or provide movement as to the way the case will proceed.

The judge set a late November date for the next court hearing to give enough time for the three defense attorneys to review additional documents, discuss them with their clients, and potentially make proposals for a counter plea offer.

Pitchford said by picking a date more than two months away she's hoping the attorneys will be able to tell her then about any motions being filed and any counter or new offers.

Thomas Pollando, the former chairman of the Sayreville Democratic Organization, was brought into court Tuesday in a wheelchair.

Earlier this year Thomas Pollando was indicted on three counts of bribery, acceptance of an unlawful benefit by a public official, official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct, all second-degree offenses, as well as hindering his own apprehension, theft by deception and falsifying public records, third-degree offenses.

The charges stem from an investigation last year in which Middlesex County Prosecutors Office detectives were conducting electronic surveillance of a business in Sayreville and allegedly observed Pollando accept several thousands of dollars in cash and allegedly heard him claiming that he would attempt to use his political clout to influence an ongoing criminal case.

Pollando is charged with accepting money in exchange for recommending that zoning or municipal codes not be enforced at Club 35 in Sayreville, though he knew the strip club was in violation. He also is charged with giving police false information and theft by deception counts for allegedly using a check drawn on the election fund of former Sayreville Democratic Councilman Damon Enriquez for Pollando's personal use, and falsifying public records by directing an election finance record be falsified.

Shortly after being charged last year Pollando resigned as chairman of the Sayreville Democratic Party, as well as from positions on the Middlesex County Planning Board, the Sayreville Economic and Redevelopment Authority and from his job with the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

'Sayreville's Tony Soprano': Explosive lawsuit alleges deep political corruption

David Pollando has been indicted on charges of conspiracy, witness tampering and retaliation against a witness, all second-degree crimes, and third-degree terroristic threats. His wife has been indicted on charges of second-degree conspiracy and third-degree hindering the apprehension of another.

The counts against David and Lizmarie Pollando stem from an encounter in November 2022 in Old Bridge, when David Pollando allegedly threatened a witness.

An investigation also determined Lizmarie Pollando allegedly alerted her husband to the witness' location and lied to police when questioned about the incident.

In court Tuesday the state was represented by Deputy Attorney General Diana Bibb and Special Deputy Attorney General Jason Boudwin, while David Pollando was represented by attorney Greg Gargulinski and Lizmarie Pollando was represented by Lindsay Gargano, Middlesex Countys assistant deputy public defender.

In a previous court hearing Gargano indicated she believes Lizmarie Pollando would be eligible for pre-trial intervention. At that hearing Gargulinski said he believes David Pollando also would be eligible for pre-trial intervention. Attorneys for the state, however, have said Thomas and David Pollando were both indicted on second-degree crimes so "PTI is a longshot."

In June 2022 the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office seized assets from the Acciardi family that owns Club 35, following a yearlong investigation which led to charges of money laundering in excess of $500,000, promoting organized street crime, promoting prostitution, conspiracy, maintaining a house of prostitution, operating a sexually oriented business that is a nuisance and failing to file state income taxes. The family members have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Charges were dismissed in August against the daughter in the family, according to the Attorney General's Office.

Court papers show Anthony Acciardi Sr. became a cooperating witness for the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and assisted them in a sting operation that resulted in the indictment of Thomas Pollando.

A judge recently lifted an order that closed the Route 35 strip club last year as part of the criminal case. Club 35 is slated to reopen Oct. 10, according to several posts on the strip club's Facebook page which has more than 9,000 followers.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Sayreville NJ former Democratic chair could be mulling plea deal
Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko and former First Lady Kateryna Yushchenko reflected on the 18 months since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 during a trip to Chicagoland to speak on the history of the years of Soviet-occupied Ukraine.

The pair spoke to a packed room at Evanstons Rotary International for the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, a year-long genocidal campaign waged by former Soviet Premier Josef Stalin whose effects, they said, are still being felt.

From 1932 to 1933, Stalin carried out the Holodomor by closing the borders of Ukraine and taking crops and farm equipment from Ukrainian farmers in what was described by the USSR as an attempt to collectivize farming in the region.

As a result, 10 million Ukrainians starved to death, the Yushchenkos said. Two of the survivors of the genocide were Kateryna Yushchenkos mother and father. Kateryna herself was named after her aunts, one of whom found Katerynas grandfathers body after he was hanged for alleged anti-Soviet activities and the other who was stolen from her preschool at age three and never seen again.

My family history was shaped by Holodomor, she said.

When Kateryna Yushchenko, a former White House and State Department official and Chicago native, first started visiting family in Ukraine, she would ask about the Holodomor and would be told that it never happened. Eventually, her family explained to her how they were told to forget and wanted to forget.

During his time in office from 2005 to 2010, Viktor Yushchenko made efforts to ensure the world didnt forget those lost. In 2006, Ukraines Parliament passed a bill declaring the Holodomor as a genocide. He also spearheaded the creation of the National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide in Kyiv, Ukraine, which opened on the 75th anniversary of the genocide in 2008.

When Viktor first created the museum, many people came and its interesting because we would see many people like my family, finally recognizing that what they knew and thought they didnt know, they knew again, Kateryna Yushchenko said.

She explained many Ukrainians denied the genocide out of fear and heartache that remained even years following Ukraines vote for independence in December 1991. This most recent trip to Chicagoland served as an extension of the pairs goal to educate the public about the impact the Holodomor had on Ukraine then and now.

We have an obligation to mobilize the world so that (regarding) one of the greatest tragedies in the 21st century, we speak with one voice and we can recognize this as a genocide, the former president said.

The history of the Holodomor has connections to the current war in Ukraine, according to founding coordinator of the Holodomor Studies Program at California State University, Victoria A. Malko. She explained that similarities between the ongoing war and Holodomor  including how both were described as special operations, civilians were targeted and subjected to symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome to deny them of their Ukrainian culture  constitute both as genocide.

This current genocide has become possible precisely because it (the Holodomor) has never been prosecuted, Malko said. The denial of genocide harbors the seeds of further violence.

Rotary Internationals General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer John Hewko said Russia needs Ukraine to win just as the rest of the world does to force Russian society to reflect much like Germany did after World War II.

Last week, North Koreas Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin , according to news reports, and stirred up concerns about the two countries engaging in a weapons transfer. For the former president, the meeting proved that Putin is struggling in the war and grasping at straws for support.

This alliance shows really how far Putin has fallen, how far he has to dig to find support, Viktor Yushchenkosaid. His only allies today are regimes which for decades have been under international sanctions. His only allies are countries that are run by dictators and I think this proves yet again that we are on the right side of history.

Regarding current Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the progress of the war, Viktor Yushchenko said with Zelenksyys constitutional majority in Parliament and his place as the president with the largest percentage of votes in the countrys history, he has the potential to make deep, lasting decisions about the path of the country going forward. However, the war must first be won.

A very important part of Ukraines policies today is the war has united Ukrainian society and now everyone in our society has one goal to overcome Russia and Putin, he said. There are many issues that we can discuss when it comes to financial, economic, security issues  policies that have to be debated and discussed, but we feel strongly as a society thats something we should put off until our victory.

That victory isnt far off, the former president believes, saying this is our last battle with Russian colonialism, which every generation that came before us dreamt of. Thats the only context in which I view whats happening today in Ukraine. This is a great time for us and we will have a great victory.

The continued support to Ukraine from the United States has been up for debate in recent months as candidates for the 2024 presidential election outline their platforms. Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy said during the Aug. 23 Republican National Debate he would pull support from Kyiv while candidate Ron DeSantis said he would continue support only if European nations increased their support. Viktor Yushchenko said he hopes American voters understand the war in Ukraine is the chief political issue impacting the world today.

The war that the Ukrainian nation is now having to fight against Russia is a great battle for the values of collective security policy and American security as well, he said. Its a system of responsibility and of course the Ukrainian nation would like to see that the American voter, no matter which side he supports, should be a partner of Ukraine.
Cassidy Hutchinson , a former Trump White House aide who gave key testimony before the House Jan. 6 committee, writes in her new memoir that Donald Trump s former lawyer Rudy Giuliani groped her.

Hutchinson said the former New York City mayor put his hand under her blazer, then her skirt, according to The Guardian.

I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh, she wrote, according to The Guardian. He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to [Trump adviser] John Eastman, who flashes a leering grin.

I fight against the tension in my muscles and recoil from Rudys grip  filled with rage, I storm through the tent, on yet another quest for Mark [Meadows].

The incident allegedly took place in a tent backstage during then-President Trumps speech on Jan. 6, 2021.

Ted Goodman, Giulianis political adviser, told HuffPost in a statement that Hutchinsons claim is a disgusting lie.

Its fair to ask Cassidy Hutchinson why she is just now coming out with these allegations from two and a half years ago, as part of the marketing campaign for her upcoming book release, Goodman said.

Hutchinsons memoir, Enough, which comes out Sept. 26, tells the story of how Hutchinson became a Trump whistleblower.

There were a lot of moments, especially during the campaign season and in the post-election period, where I began to question what we were doing and whether or not it aligned with my perception of what I wanted my public service to be, she told People.

At the age of 25, Hutchinson was chief of staff Mark Meadows assistant. She told People that while she didnt agree with everything the administration was doing, she saw it as an opportunity to serve the country and Trump.

During the House select committees investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection, Hutchinson dropped several bombshells during her testimony, including how Meadows and Giuliani acted up until the day of the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Hutchinson said shed heard that when Trump was told he couldnt go to the Capitol with his supporters, he lunged at a Secret Service agent and tried to grab the wheel of the limousine he was in. She also claimed that Trump threw food against the wall after he learned that Attorney General William Barr had told The Associated Press that there was no evidence of election fraud.

I first noticed there was ketchup dripping down the wall, and there was a shattered porcelain plate, Hutchinson said. She also said that the valet conveyed that the president was extremely angry at the attorney generals AP interview and had thrown his lunch against the wall, which was causing them to have to clean up.

Need help? Visit RAINNs National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Centers website.

Related...
Former Trump-era White House lawyer Ty Cobb claimed during a recent CNN interview that Donald Trump told his staff to commit obstruction.

Asked by anchor Erin Burnett on Tuesday for his thoughts on Trump reportedly telling his assistant, Molly Michael, "You don't know anything about the boxes" in regards to troves of classified documents stowed at his Mar-a-Lago resort, Cobb, concluded that Trump's alleged orders may be evidence of witness tampering, in addition to mishandling documents.

"I hear Trump  really, for the first time in terms of the way this evidence has rolled out  speaking in the terms of a mob boss, giving a direct order to somebody that he probably should have no reason to believe would lie for him, but expecting [Michael] to do so," Cobb said. "There's a difference between loyalty and breaking the law, and that's not a line she was going to cross. So it really is Trump directly ordering obstruction, and that will certainly be helpful to enhance the credibility of others who will testify about the obstruction."
The Fort Worth city council voted 8-3 Tuesday to set the citys 2024 tax rate at 67.25 cents per $100 of value.

Its the largest decrease in the citys tax rate since at least 1990, however, its not enough to offset increasing property values.

Council members Alan Blaylock, Michael Crain and Charles Lauersdorf voted against the new tax rate with Blaylock advocating for the no-new revenue tax rate, which would generate the same amount of revenue in 2024 from properties that were on the tax rolls in 2023.

It is my position that the rate of government spending, as proposed, is unsustainable for the long-term fiscal health of the city, Blaylock said. He praised the citys spending on public safety and roads, but said more needed to be done to lower the tax rate.

The 2024 rate is roughly 5.6% lower than the previous year, however, property values rose roughly 12% in the last year, according to a city council presentation.

A homeowner with a house valued at $350,000 with a homestead exemption will pay $1,883 in property taxes to the city in 2024.

Tarrant County, the Fort Worth school district, Tarrant County College, and the John Peter Smith Hospital District all set rates that would lower the amount the average property owner would pay.

Several residents pushed the city of Fort Worth to do the same, arguing property tax increases are putting a strain on working families.

I drive a 16-year-old car. My husband drives a truck from the 90s. Where do you want me to cut back? asked Wedgewood resident Hollie Plemons.

She argued the average resident doesnt care that the council is lowering the citys property tax rate.

They only care about the bill that comes in the mail, she said.

Lauersdorf empathized with residents comparing the citys tax rate to the county and the school district, however, he noted the city has a larger responsibility when it comes to the day-to-day services residents rely on.

If my house is burning down, Im not calling the school district, he said. Still he said the city could do more in future budget cycles to reduce property taxes.

The budget calls for adding over 106 new employees for the Police Department and 76 new positions in the Fire Department. Most of the new police positions will be in the patrol division, but the city also proposes increasing staff for crisis intervention teams and homeless services units.

The city is also adding $4 million to the neighborhood improvement program, which directs city funds to improve safety, roads, and increase economic development in a targeted area of the city. Fort Worth usually targets these funds to one neighborhood every year, but this increase will enable the city to do two neighborhoods.

The city of Fort Worth is lowering its rate more than its peer cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, said city spokesperson Valerie Colapret in an email to the Star-Telegram.

Of the top 10 largest cities in DFW, only McKinney has a larger rate decrease, according to a city of Fort Worth report.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker argued the rate is needed to address issues with public safety, fixing roads and investments in programs to address homelessness and illegal dumping.

The same way youre seeing an increase in buying milk at the grocery store right now for your children, those same city services are increasingly more expensive, Parker said.

She noted the no new revenue rate would force $40 million in cuts to the city budget. She noted the rate would force a reduction in the part of the tax rate that goes to paying city debts, which would make it harder for the city to borrow money for future bond projects.

These are hard decisions to make and I really appreciate the leadership on this council, Parker said.
The Fort Worth school district is joining several other districts across the state in a lawsuit that claims the pending changes to the states A-F accountability rating system will harm districts and schools, even if performance has improved.

The school board voted 8-1 to join the suit, with board member Kevin Lynch dissenting, during a special meeting on Tuesday. Fort Worth ISDs decision follows neighboring Dallas ISD, which joined the lawsuit on Thursday, along with other North Texas districts such as Proper ISD and Red Oak ISD. Crowley ISD was among the original seven districts that filed the suit.

Fort Worth Superintendent Angelica Ramsey told reporters after the meeting that a transparent and fair process is needed when the Texas Education Agency implements its accountability system.

We appreciate the fact that (the school board is) willing to stand side by side, shoulder to shoulder with school districts across the state saying, We want to be held accountable, but we want to know how were going to be held accountable before the students take the (STAAR) test, Ramsey said.

The suit filed on Aug. 23 in Travis County against Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath argues that Morath cannot change the goalposts on school districts by creating new measures, methods, and procedures throughout the school year and then decide to apply them retroactively Unfortunately, that is exactly what the Commissioner is attempting to do for the 20222023 school year.

The TEA doesnt comment on pending litigation, agency spokesperson Melissa Holmes told the Star-Telegram.

TEA is delaying release of accountability ratings

Districts are asking for an injunction to stop the TEA from issuing the A-F grades that are based on three categories: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps. There are multiple indicators within these categories, but the focus has been on the potential changes of how student growth is calculated on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test, known as STAAR.

The standardized test weighs heavily on a districts and schools accountability rating.

On Sept. 12, the TEA announced it would be delaying the release of the ratings that were originally scheduled for Sept. 28 by about a month for further re-examination of the baseline data used in the calculation of (school) progress to ensure ratings reflect the most appropriate goals for students.

The final ratings methodology will be posted once this analysis of the growth data is complete, and about two weeks later, A-F ratings will be issued for parents, educators, and the public to use to help Texas schools continue to improve, according to a TEA news release.

In January, the TEA published newly proposed cut points to existing methodologies as part of a refresh required by state law.

However, since that time, statewide growth data for the 2022-23 school year has become available. Analysis of that growth data shows that the 2021-22 growth was more anomalous than expected, according to the TEA.

This prompted the month-long delay as the agency looks closer at academic growth within the school progress category, in addition to the closing the gaps category.

Speakers support and oppose joining lawsuit

Fort Worth ISD parent Jennifer Nelson said she was supportive of the district joining the suit and felt the TEAs decision to make changes after-the-fact was subversive and with malicious intent for the benefit of defunding and disabling our schools, our children and our public educators.

I do agree that we need to look at criteria changing but you need to implement it in an intelligent and systematic manner, she told board members.

In contrast, speaker Joe Palmer questioned whether joining the suit would be a wise financial decision for the district and whether it would help school districts win their case.

The TEA may be way off line on this thing. But a lawsuit is not the way to go. He said. Find out how much this is going to cost before you get into it. And I think you know, as sure as Im standing here talking to you, that youre not going to know the total amount.

This past school year marked the first time students took a newly reformatted test that was completely online. As a result, officials were not surprised to see scores drop, specifically in reading for third graders, which is a critical point in childrens educational careers for knowing how to read proficiently. Officials also attributed the dip to lingering learning impacts from COVID-19.

A revamp of state testing and how it ties into the accountability system has been overdue, according to Bob Popinski, senior director of policy for Raise Your Hand Texas. The nonprofit organization pushes for the removal of high-stakes testing consequences for students and works to incorporate other indicators into Texas accountability ratings system with less emphasis on STAAR.

Our schools do a lot more than (STAAR). They do extra curricular, co-curricular activities. They do special programs and fine arts Theres family and student engagement surveys and health and safety surveys, Popinski told the Star-Telegram. Theres a lot of indicators that you can wrap into an accountability system.

If you kind of look at it, though, as a whole We want a lot from our school districts. We want more than just a test. We want our students to graduate (and) not only to be ready for college and career, but life, he added.
Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo urged Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) to have some self-restraint after the far-right congresswoman was booted from a performance of Beetlejuice at a Denver theater for disruptive behavior.

You are the congresswoman of Colorado, not Megan Thee Stallion , Arroyo said on Laura Ingrahams prime-time show this week, referring to the rapper featured in WAP.

So, slow your roll. Have some self-restraint, he added, before predicting: Its going to be a very difficult reelection season for her, I think.

Earlier, Arroyo noted how Boebert had been caught on camera in compromising positions and removed for snapping pictures during a show, vaping on patrons, and getting handsy with her boyfriend.

The conspiracy theory-pushing lawmaker later gave the usher the middle finger salute as she was ushered out, he added.

Ingraham claimed, without any evidence or anecdotes to back up her assertion, that footage of Republicans behaving badly always appears to emerge faster than videos of Democrats doing the same thing.

Look, Im an equal opportunity reporter here on this stuff, responded Arroyo.

If were going to argue that you need a code of dress, and I think you do, you need a code of conduct, too, he said, a nod to conservative outrage over Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers (D-N.Y.) change to the chambers informal dress code allowing senators to dress how they want.

After initially playing down the incident, Boebert has since apologized and claimed her overtly animated personality was to blame.

Shes also split from her date. All future date nights have been canceled and I learned to check party affiliations before you go on a date, she told TMZ, alluding to reports he is a Democrat.

Boebert faces a tough reelection bid. She only narrowly beat former Aspen Councilmember Adam Frisch in the 2022 midterms following a recount. Frisch is running against Boebert again in 2024.

Related...
John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, defended the White House for not yet sending long-range missiles to Ukraine on Fox News on Wednesday.

A group of Republican senators asked President Biden in a letter earlier this week to send MGM-140 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) to Ukraine, arguing it would help win its war against Russia. On Americas Newsroom, hosts Dana Perino and Bill Hemmer pressed Kirby as to why the U.S. has not sent the missiles.

We are still, and the president has said this, were still in discussions about the ATACMS, Kirby said. So they have not been taken off the table.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the U.S. this week, and he will meet with key U.S. leaders, including Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). McCarthy has expressed reservations about more funding for Ukraine, saying he wants to ask the Ukrainian president questions about where U.S. money is going and how the Ukrainians plan to win the war.

Wheres the accountability on the money we already spent? McCarthy said, listing off questions he said he will ask the Ukrainian leader Thursday. What is the plan for victory?

Perino then noted the slow pace of the war and said it felt like the Ukranians were losing. Kirby pushed back, saying the U.S. and the rest of the world very much is there to help them.

Why not help them more? Perino questioned as the conversation went on.

We are helping them more, Kirby responded.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Franklin County public defense attorney has been indicted by a federal grand jury on child pornography charges.

Stephen Chinn, 39, of Grandview Heights, worked in the the Franklin County Public Defender's Office unit in county Municipal Court. He was first arrested last month on state charges, but the federal indictment announced Wednesday supercedes those charges.

According to a three-count federal grand jury indictment returned Tuesday, Chinn uploaded child pornography online, which "depicted prepubescent minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct including sex acts with adults and animals," according to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio in Columbus.

Court records state Grandview Heights police received information on Aug. 2 from the Franklin County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children unit regarding possible child pornography.

Chinn is charged with downloading and saving other child sexual abuse material between Aug. 11 and Aug. 13.

On Aug. 16, a search warrant was executed at Chinn's residence. He allegedly possessed a desktop computer containing more than 4,000 child sexual abuse images, according to court records.

Chinn was initially arrested and charged locally by Grandview Heights police with pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor and pandering obscenity and was later released on bond.

Aftr the indictment by the federal grand jury, Chinn turned himself Wednesday morning in at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in Columbus to be arrested by federal agents. He appeared in federal court on Wednesday afternoon, where his federal charges were unsealed.

He is scheduled to appear again in U.S. District Court on Sept. 25.

"There is no reason to believe the suspect had direct contact with any juveniles depicted in the images observed by law enforcement," Grandview Heights police said after the initial arrest last month.

Chinn previously practiced at Burkett and Sanderson, a private law firm in Licking County, before joining the Franklin County Public Defender's office.

Chinn was still listed as a member of the Franklin County Public Defender's Office on its website as of Wednesday afternoon.

Yeura Venters, director of the of the Franklin County Public Defender's Office, and the office's human resources director could not be reached for comment on Chinn's status with the office.

tmoorman@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin County public defender indicted on federal child porn charges
Alfredo Freddy Ramirez III formally ended his campaign for Miami-Dade sheriff on Wednesday, about eight weeks after the county police director shot himself in front of his wife on a roadside near Tampa.

Ramirez hasnt been seen in public since the July 23rd shooting, and his withdrawal from the 2024 Democratic primary came in the form of a statement from Ramirezs campaign obtained by the Miami Herald.

READ MORE: In a traumatic evening, historic race for Miami-Dade sheriff gets thrown into turmoil

Earlier this year, I filed to run for sheriff to support and guide a successful transition to a sheriffs office and ensure the mission and work ethic of the department was unchanged, Ramirez said in the statement. That commitment is stronger than ever  and while I will not be a candidate for sheriff in 2024, I look forward to working with the mayor and stakeholders on a successful and smooth transition that puts public safety at the forefront of every decision.

The statement only alluded to the shooting incident, with Ramirez thanking people for their well wishes and him stating he will remain focused over the coming weeks on my continued recovery.

Described by state police as a suicide attempt, the shooting came hours after Tampa officers briefly handcuffed Ramirez when they responded to a report he had brandished his gun during an argument with his wife, Jody, outside a hotel where they were attending a sheriffs convention.

Ramirezs withdrawal formalizes what people close to his campaign privately said was inevitable after the self-inflicted head wound that the Ramirezes said in an Aug. 6 statement would have been fatal if Jody had not grabbed his arm before he pulled the trigger.

The former Republican entered the race in May as the heavy favorite. He had the fundraising backing of his boss, Mayor Daniella Levine Cava , and the advantages that come with being the countys uniformed senior law enforcement officer running to retain command of the department.

READ MORE: Miami-Dade police director denies pulling out gun in Tampa, says wife saved his life

County voters abolished the sheriff post in the 1960s, and Miami-Dades mayor oversees the police department run by an appointed director. But a 2018 amendment to the Florida Constitution forced Miami-Dade to join the rest of the counties in the state in electing independent sheriffs.

Ramirezs announced departure from the campaign leaves three Democrats in the race: John Barrow, a current county officer; Susan Khoury, a former federal agent for federal inspectors general, and retired county police officer Rickey Mitchell. Six Republicans are also running: current county officers Orlando Lopez and Ernesto Rodriguez; Ruamen de la Rua, a Miami officer; Mario Knapp, a retired county officer;Alexander Fornet, who owns a credit-repair firm and worked as a county office for two months in 2008 before becoming a volunteer in the officer reserve program; and Jaspen Bishop, whose biographical information was not available.

Candidates have until June 2024 to file for the race.

In the statement, Christian Ulvert, campaign manager for Ramirez and Levine Cava, said of Ramirez: While he will no longer be a candidate for sheriff, I know his his commitment to our communitys well-being and safety is stronger than ever.

The statements are silent on Ramirezs next steps in law enforcement. Personnel records released by Miami-Dade show Ramirez is set to retire from county government in June 2025 under a Florida program that allows government employees to set a mandatory retirement date and begin collecting pension income early.

The countys police department is being run by Stephanie Daniels, a Ramirez deputy named interim director by Levine Cava a day after the shooting. Ramirezs other county position under Levine Cava, chief of public safety overseeing both police and Fire Rescue, was taken over by J.D. Patterson, a former police director who became a top administrator in the mayors office after Levine Cavas 2020 election.

A police spokesperson said last week an internal affairs investigation was still underway of Ramirezs discharge of his firearm. The countys website said Ramirez is on medical leave.

Asked about Ramirezs future, a Levine Cava representative said the mayor is open to his return once hes medically ready to resume working. The statement by Johanna Cervone, Levine Cavas chief of staff, said the two planned to meet about his future.

The director will be meeting with the Mayor about his continued recovery and service to Miami-Dade County and the police department, Cervone said. The next steps will be guided by Freddys health professionals on the timing of his return and the best path forward for him to continue doing the work he loves. Right now, his continued full health recovery is most important.
Youll soon be able to get free COVID-19 tests by mail again.

Starting Monday, every household in Florida and the rest of the country will be able to order four free rapid at-home COVID tests online at covid.gov/tests.

The Biden administrations decision to restart the program, which previously distributed more than 755 million tests to U.S. households, comes as COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in the country as it braces for another possible tripledemic of flu, COVID-19 and RSV in the fall and winter seasons.

The free COVID test rollout comes as newly updated COVID vaccines arrive at select retail pharmacies, community health centers, doctors offices and other healthcare providers in the country.

READ MORE: Florida COVID hospitalizations are rising. A new COVID vaccine will be available soon

The rollout of the new COVID-19 vaccines, developed by Pfizer and Moderna, began late last week after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gave the green light to the shots.

The vaccines were formulated to target Omicron variant XBB.1.5, which was the dominant strain in the country earlier this year, in preparation for the 2023-2024 fall and winter season.

While XBB.1.5 is no longer the dominant variant, federal health officials say the updated shots will provide good protection against the circulating variants in the country, including the current dominant strain EG.5, also known as Eris, which is a descendant of the omicron variant. The CDC is recommending everyone 6 months and older receive at least one dose of the new vaccine.

This article will be updated.
Every household in the U.S. will be able to order up to four free COVID-19 tests starting next week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Wednesday.

Starting Monday, you can request yours online at COVIDTests.gov.

The announcement comes as COVID-19 infection rates are on the rise around the country, including in Kansas City.

According to data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, new weekly hospitalizations due to the virus in Missouri have increased by over 70% in the past month alone. In Kansas, weekly hospitalizations are up nearly 160% since one month ago.

But since the end of the COVID-19 federal emergency on May 11, home tests for the virus have been harder to come by. In most local pharmacies, a pack of two tests costs around $25  and some customers have found home delivery unavailable.

The new initiative awarded $600 million to 12 test manufacturers around the U.S., who will produce an estimated 200 million new tests in the coming weeks.

These critical investments will strengthen our nations production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a Wednesday news release.

The announcement comes just weeks before new COVID-19 booster shots are scheduled to arrive at pharmacies, health departments and clinics around the country.

Our Health Services manager expects them to be here within the next 10 days, said Kindle Biermann, a spokesperson for Jackson County Public Health. We will announce on social media once they are here.

Do you have more questions about staying safe from COVID-19 in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
When House Freedom Caucus members leveraged their votes this week to win a number of concessions in exchange for not immediately shutting down the government, they chose a curious place to discuss the prospective deala townhouse blocks away from the Capitol Building, owned by a convicted tax cheat, where the anti-spending hardliners appear to have set up an off-campus headquarters to stage their government shutdown meetings.

But the discussions on a sleepy corner of a Capitol Hill block arent just rattling Speaker Kevin McCarthys cage. The group has also disrupted its new neighbors, many of them elderly, who often cross paths with politicians and powerbrokers living blocks away from Congress. Some of the residents have complained to District of Columbia housing officials that the setup has caused a nuisance and is in violation of residential rules, arguing that the buildingzoned as a homefunctions exclusively as an office for business meetings and lobbying activity.

Its unclear how legitimate that complaint is, but the neighbors flagged down a small group of reporters who were staking out the Freedom Caucus meeting Monday night to complain about the situation. Whats also unclear is whos paying for the supposed officea question that, depending on the answer, might present ethical complications.

MTG Scorns Ultraconservative Ex-Pals as the Burn-It-All-Down Caucus

In May, The Washington Post reported that the Conservative Partnership Institutea group that features former White House chief of staff and Freedom Caucus co-founder Mark Meadowshad quietly bought $41 million worth of property in the area. However, The Daily Beasts review of Federal Election Commission filings and congressional expense reports did not uncover rental payments to corporate entities associated with CPI or the propertys owner. According to FEC filings, the HFC-aligned House Freedom Fund PAC paid $6,500 in monthly rent to CPI, dating all the way back to late 2018. Then, the HFF stopped paying rent in January of this year, the same month the move-in purportedly began.

The actual owner of the propertya convicted felon who used an offshore bank account to dodge hundreds of thousands of dollars in federal taxeshas rented out the townhouse for years, neighbors told The Daily Beast. No one, they said, actually lives there.

For nearby Capitol Hill residents, the ethics questions take a backseat to the state of the neighborhood, and the recent microboom of political and corporate real estate purchases in the area has led to a spike in disruptions to their daily life.

Amid this new trend, the homea stately three-story brick townhome on a corner lot, replete with a castle turretremains something of an outlier. And a mystery.

The house has functioned as something of an HFC hub since late January, neighbors claimed, but the complaints appear to have recently hit fever pitch. As the Freedom Caucus escalates its game of chicken against McCarthywith an impending government shutdown looking more likely by the minute at this pointmembers of Congress, staffers, and various associates and advisers have flocked to the townhouse. The attendees have intruded on the neighborhoods typical quietude, residents claim, creating noise, generating garbage, and gumming up traffic by parking illegally, with meetings sometimes stretching late into the night. Theyve pressed local officials to take action on the property, which has also been the subject of a locally focused blog called Capitol Hill Corner.

Gene Berry, who lives in close proximity to the address, told The Daily Beast that the business conducted at the house was an antithesis to what we find the Hill to be.

Its a commercial establishment. No ones there, no ones living there, Berry said. It becomes an eyesore, too, when people arent taking care of the property.

Another nearby neighbor, Paul Cromwell, said he has lived in D.C. since 1962, and called on the city to enforce its rules.

They are not using it as a residence. Whatever they are using it for, theyre not using it as a residence, Cromwell told The Daily Beast, wondering, Why the hell didnt they just sublet it to a staffer and let them live there?

A political strategist who attended a function at the house prior to 2023 recalled a reception event attended by politically connected conservatives, telling The Daily Beast that the house was definitely set up as an office.

Residents have observed the comings and goings at the townhouse for months, eager to prove the house is not, in fact, a home. A neighborhood group documented the developments in a dossier, which was given to The Daily Beast and other news organizations by the neighbors Monday night.

The dossier includes photos of visitors, mail, and illegally parked carsas well as photos of drop-ins from politically connected players. One photo appears to show Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT), the former Interior Secretary during the Trump administration. Another photo shows a banquet table laid out for an event ahead of the State of the Union address in February.

McCarthy Capitulates Again as House GOP Implodes Spectacularly Over Spending Bill

Joy Pohl, another neighbor, told The Daily Beast that she didnt even think they are masquerading as a residential property.

I dont see anything in there that suggests to me that somebody is truly living there, Pohl said. At some point, people saw somebody carry in a twin mattress or something like that. Someone carried in one of those little refrigerators thats like one of those cheap office refrigerators, but, nothingnothing to suggest anyone lives there.

Politicos going in and out is what you see in the evening, Pohl said.

According to the dossiers timeline, a family of five arrived in March, traveling in a white van with an Ohio license plate. They left a few days later, the document saysbut not before getting two parking tickets. They returned in July, in what appeared to be the same van.

Photographs of mail in the dossier also tie the house to the Freedom Caucus. Those deliveries were addressed to Allison Weisenberger, a Freedom Caucus fundraiser who has also worked at the Heritage Foundation. Weisenberger also co-founded Women for America PAC, a hybrid super PAC which has raised $50,000 of its $63,000 total from a super PAC run by Mark Meadows wife. (The Daily Beast reached out to Weisenberger by phone and text message, but she did not reply to detailed questions.)

The neighbors also claim that another woman, who identified herself as Mary, had been a frequent visitor, and was seen moving office supplies into the townhome. Photos of the woman indicate that she is Mary Vought, who co-founded Women for America with Weisenberg.

The Women for America super PAC has not reported any rent payments in its FEC filings.

The property itself is owned by Oliver Hilsenrath, according to D.C. tax and land records. In 2003, the Justice Department brought a 36-count indictment against Hilsenrathan Israeli who at the time was CEO of telecom company U.S. Wirelesscharging Hilsenrath and a business partner with multiple counts of tax evasion and conspiracy, along with mail, wire, and securities fraud.

Hilsenrath eventually pleaded guilty to tax evasion and securities fraud, admitting he knowingly ducked taxes on income that he had secretly routed to an off-shore account in the Channel Islands, according to records in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

In 2007, Hilsenrath was sentenced to five years probation and financial penalties, including $2,000,000 in restitution to be taken out of a Swiss bank account he controlled, court records show. Two years later, the Securities and Exchange Commission ordered Hilsenrath to pay a separate $110,000 in civil penalties. Hilsenrath represented himself on appeal but was denied in both cases. The federal court docket, which stretches until 2012, lists his address as the townhouse where the Freedom Caucus met Monday night.

But Hilsenraths legal troubles apparently still werent over. In 2013, the District of Columbia placed a lien on the house for failure to pay unspecified financial penalties, assessed at $2,000.

Hilsenrath wasnt named in the lien, but a company tied to him was. Less than a year after the SECs judgment against him, a company called Castlerock LLP bought the townhouse, D.C. records show. While Castlerock had been registered in Delaware under a corporate agent on May 10, 2010, the company is tied to Hilsenrath in D.C. tax records. (Hilsenrath owns at least six other properties in the area through another entity he controls, Terra Lane LLC, according to city records.)

Castlerock LLP received a special warranty deed for the townhouse in the amount of $1.13 million on May 18, 2010; two days later, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied Hilsenraths request for a new hearing.

Kevin McCarthy Stands by MTG After House Freedom Caucus Expulsion

In a phone conversation with Hilsenrath on Tuesday, The Daily Beast explained that members of Congress appear to have been using the address to conduct business, asking whether he was renting the townhouse out to anyone. In response, Hilsenrath claimed he couldnt understand the questions or the purpose of this story. When The Daily Beast tried to answer his questions, he grew combative and hung up. He did not reply to questions sent via text message, and later blocked the reporters number.

Hilsenraths neighbors also found him combative. Gene Berry said Hilsenrath could be charming one minute and raging the next. Another neighbor, Paul Cromwell, said he could see why fellow Capitol Hill residents would have a negative opinion of Hilsenrath because of the way he had treated neighbors, though he noted he hadnt experienced those same problems himself.

I dont know where he gets his money to do whatever he does, Cromwell said of Hilsenrath, describing him as an entrepreneur of some sort.

While clouds linger over Hilsenraths line of workhis LinkedIn page describes him as a partner at Hills Mason & Co., but The Daily Beast could find no record of a company by that namethat doubt doesnt extend to the people using his house.

On Monday night, The Daily Beast observed Reps. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Clay Higgins (R-LA), and HFC chairman Scott Perry (R-PA) emerging from the townhouse after a meeting with fellow caucus members. The group had been discussing a possible spending resolutiona prospect which would avoid or curtail a shutdown, but still appears touch-and-gobut remained tight-lipped about their conversations.

Were just gonna talk through it, Donalds told The Daily Beast. We were just talking about strategy and tactics. We do that a lot.

Inside the meeting, Donalds appeared annoyed when he was spotted by The Daily Beast through a side window, moving his hands vigorously while speaking with other members. Asked about his gesticulations and if he was frustrated during the meeting, Donalds simply said, You guys are resourceful.

Spokespeople for the Freedom Caucus and for CPI did not respond to requests for comment.

Neighbors also claim to have seen Reps. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Perry at the house, and told The Daily Beast that Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) dropped by in July. According to the neighbors, Scotts attendance was confirmed to them at the time by his driver, who the neighbors say had parked illegally. Scott, a Freedom Caucus ally, has recently pushed back against the HFCs hardline spending play, telling Axios earlier this month that we need to not shut down the government. Its important to not shut down government.

Politics isnt far from the neighbors minds, either, some of whom have spent decades living just a few steps away from the halls of power.

While two of the residents openly identified as Democrats, they all made clear that their complaints had nothing to do with politics, but were about quality of life and respect for the neighborhood.

I would be just as upset if some Democratic group was doing it as a Republican group, Cromwell said. It would be exactly the same.

Resident Maureen Shea agreed, but noted that some of the politicians taking advantage of her neighborhood today are the same ones who helped fuel the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, just a few short blocks away.

Part of what makes me particularly angry about this is the fact that these are apologists for the January 6th crowd, which resulted in our wonderful neighborhood being an armed camp, Shea said.

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.
FALL RIVER  Prosecutors say a Freetown man apparently bludgeoned his girlfriend to death with a hammer following a night of smoking cocaine and drinking alcohol.

Matthew Lucas, 54, was ordered held without bail without prejudice following arraignment in Fall River District Court Wednesday on a charge of murder. He had been arrested Wednesday morning.

Bristol County Assistant District Attorney Caleb Weiner said Lucas, and girlfriend Heidi Chace, 44, were smoking and drinking with three other people, two who live in the same home at 92 Chace Road. The fifth person left during the evening.

The single-family home is divided into two living spaces, one occupied by Lucas and Chase and one occupied by the other couple, a man and his girlfriend, who is also Lucas' niece.

The couple said Lucas grew increasingly paranoid as the night went on, Weiner said.

They said Lucas was grabbing Chace's hair and neck at one point, and the pair had to be separated.

The couple said they left and went to a cemetery adjacent to the home.

Freetown resident Matthew Lucas was arraigned in Fall River District Court Wednesday, Sept. 20 and charged with murder in the death of 44-year-old Heidi Chace.

The man said he would periodically check back, and heard yelling, mostly Lucas, and objects smashing.

At one point, he said he only heard Lucas, who said, "Why are you cold?" And, "I love you."

The man told investigators he engaged Lucas at that time through the screen door. Lucas had blood on him, and on his clothes. The man said he went inside and saw the victim was bloody. She was also cold to the touch.

The room was also in disarray, with shattered items thrown all over.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn speaks outside of Fall River District Court Wednesday, Sept. 20, after the arraignment of Matthew Lucas. The Freetown man faces a murder charge in the death of Heidi Chace.

The couple told investigators they went outside. He called his brother, then they went to a neighbor's house for cigarettes.

Lucas was gone when they came back, they said.

The man called police at about 4:25 a.m.

First responders said there was blood throughout the residence. The victim had suffered "significant trauma to the face," Weiner said, and was dead upon their arrival.

Police were told Lucas' brother lived nearby. They went to his home. He said he didn't know where Lucas was, but there was a shed in the back of the property.

They checked the shed and Lucas was found within, his clothes and hands bloodstained. He was arrested at about 8:40 a.m.

Matthew Lucus had a restraining order that expired Wednesday

Weiner said Lucas has a 24-page board of probation record, which includes violent felony charges, as well as convictions. He also has had four restraining orders taken out against him, including one that expired Wednesday, Weiner said.

Weiner said Lucas was set to go to trial last week on an unrelated case, but was defaulted and sent for mental health treatment.

Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said that case stemmed from an altercation last year in the cemetery adjacent to the house that involved a different victim.

Lucas had a knife in his possession, but there were no injuries. He was arrested, and bail was set at $2,000, which he posted.

Quinn said he defaulted on that case about to go to trial, and was found trying to harm himself by Freetown Police. He was sent to a mental health facility, and was released several days ago, Quinn said.

Defense attorney Kenneth van Colen had argued Lucas be held without bail without prejudice on the murder charge, which will allow the court to revisit the question of bail in the future.

Police say the murder occurred early Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 92 Chace Road in Freetown.

He said Lucas had just been released from a mental health facility, and that the witnesses had also been smoking crack.

He also said they didn't call police right away while the couple was heard yelling. They instead went to the cemetery and then went to get cigarettes.

Van Colen said, "There's a lot going on here."

He said Lucas also had a history of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.

A probable cause hearing was scheduled for Oct. 20. Lucas' bail on the unrelated charge was revoked.

Quinn said, "I'm pleased the defendant was held without bail and his bail was revoked on an open case." He called the murder "brutal."

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Freetown man charged with murder in death of girlfriend Heidi Chase
FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE/KSEE)  Free groceries will be filling refrigerators very soon with Fresnos first free grocery store opening to the public this week.

The Central California Food Bank announced the first-of-its-kind free grocery store is opening its doors to help those in the community who need it most.

Neighbors can find fresh produce, shelf-stable fruits, veggies, grains, theres a variety of animal protein, dairy, cheeses, milk, eggs, tortillas, really its just like a mini grocery store, said Kym Dildine, the co-CEO of the Central California Food Bank.

Fresnos free grocery store gets its grand opening

First Fruits Market will open Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30. It will serve 2400 people each month, and instead of price tags, youll only find limits on what you can take home for free.

Our limits on items, the frozen animal protein will be select one, dairy select one, canned vegetables select two, and so on, said Dildine.

Because of the stigmas around receiving free food, the Central California Food Bank aimed to take the space inside the city center and inside the first fruit market to the next level by taking pride in serving the community with dignity.

We hope that this space communicates that people are valuable and that they are worth something beautiful like this, said Dildine. So many times, in social services because we are cash strapped we do the best that we can, and we just provide good enough. At City Center, our vision is to provide the exceptional because people are worth it.

The First Fruit Market is inside the City Center in Fresno and will officially open on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

You can donate your time or money to help the Central California Food Bank continue to make an impact in the community.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  The Fruita Police Department is investigating an incident after high school students were sprayed with mace.

Law enforcement responded to an incident off campus from Fruita Monument High School earlier this Tuesday afternoon during lunch hour. District 51 officials confirmed several students were maced and received medical care at school. According to D51, all victims are ok now.

D51 safety and security administration, Fruita Police, Lower Valley Fire and EMS all responded to the scene.

Western Slope Now is not yet certain if law enforcement detained anyone in relation to the incident. This story will be updated when new information is available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has successfully relocated the bear seen on Walt Disney World property.

The black bear is now in the Ocala National Forest, as seen in the FWC video of its release.

The adult female bear was reported in a tree at Magic Kingdom on Monday and prompted the closure of several of the parks rides and attractions as officials tried to capture the animal.

Read: Disney World: Bear in tree at Magic Kingdom captured; to be relocated to Ocala National Forest

Fronteirland, Adventureland, and Liberty Square were closed for hours so the bear would not come face-to-face with visitors. But the areas reopened around 1 p.m., and the bear was captured shortly after.

Biologists with the FWCs Bear Management Program as well as FWC law enforcement officers have safely captured the adult female bear, an FWC spokeswoman had said. In most cases, it is best for bears to be given space and to move along on their own, but given this situation, staff have captured the animal and are relocating the bear out of the park to an area in or around the Ocala National Forest.

Read: Off-duty Seminole County deputy shot mother bear that was later euthanized

The agency said bears are more active during the fall as they search for food to pack on fat reserves for the winter.

This particular bear was likely moving through the area searching for food, the spokeswoman said.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) called Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) unhinged and accused him of being misogynistic in his latest attacks against the California Republican.

Gaetz ramped up his ongoing feud with McCarthy in an appearance on Newsmaxs The Balance Tuesday, criticizing the Speakers response to recent criticism from Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.).

And this is also a pattern, Eric, because when I was critical of Kevins leadership, Oh, Im just an ethically challenged congressman. But then when Victoria Spartz, a congresswoman from Indiana, came forward and said No, I too agree. I agree with Matt Gaetz that its Kevin McCarthy who failed us. Well then he said, Well, shes just a quitter, Gaetz told host Eric Bolling.

Now this is a woman who said that she was going to be returning to her family because they needed her and Kevin called her a quitter, he continued. Meanwhile, when a man in Congress actually left in the middle of his term, Chris Stewart, Kevin McCarthy didnt call him a quitter. So hes been reckless and unhinged and rattled and misogynist in how hes attacked those who are making a substantive argument.

Spartz called McCarthy a weak Speaker Monday as he faces a divided GOP conference unwilling to fully back a continuing resolution proposal. In response to these comments, McCarthy said if Spartz, who is not running for reelection in 2024, is concerned about fighting stronger, I wish she wouldve run again and not quit.

I mean, Im not quitting; Im gonna continue to work for the American public, McCarthy added.

A spokesperson for Spartz said while McCarthys response to her criticism was neither helpful nor appreciated, she will not be put off by his remarks.

The Congresswoman has been working hard for many years to raise two children, establish a successful business and serve fellow Americans. Statements which were not very well thought through such as those made by the Speaker are neither helpful nor appreciated. However, the Congresswoman does not get offended easily and will continue to fight for our Republic, the spokesperson told The Hill.

Gaetzs comments, meanwhile, are just the latest attack exchanged between the Florida lawmaker and McCarthy. Gaetz has been threatening to put a motion on the floor to remove McCarthy from the Speakership if the California Republican does not meet a series of demands on spending and legislation.

Gaetz has faced criticism over whether he would actually file the motion, but he has remained adamant that he will follow through on his threats. McCarthy expressed his frustration to his Republican colleagues in a GOP conference meeting last week, but he said Sunday that he will not be deterred by the potential move to remove him.

If you want to file a motion to vacate, then file the fing motion, McCarthy said during a closed-door GOP conference meeting Thursday, according to Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.).

McCarthy said that Gaetz is taking him on for personal reasons, claiming that the Florida Republican thinks the Speaker is meddling in his Ethics Committee investigation. Gaetz has reiterated that McCarthy is lying about this suggestion.

I have never asked Kevin McCarthy or anyone else to interfere in an ethics matter. I am the most investigated man in Congress. The FBI and DOJ, who hate me, investigated me for three years and didnt find so much as an unpaid parking ticket that they wanted to bring any action against me, Gaetz told Bolling on Tuesday.

The Hill has reached out to McCarthys office for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) introduced a bill Wednesday to prohibit the use of federal funds to prosecute the use of legal psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms.

The Validating Independence for State Initiatives on Organic Natural Substances (VISIONS) Act would protect legal mushroom use from federal law enforcement intervention in places where psilocybin is legal.

Psychedelic treatment provides relief for people  like veterans  suffering from mental health disorders, Garcia said in a statement.

Current federal law lags behind the growing body of evidence that suggests that the psychedelic treatment that psilocybin offers can provide relief for those suffering from anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders, Garcia said.

Federal law contradicts many state and local laws legalizing psilocybin.

In 2020, Oregon was the first state to legalize the use of mushrooms for adults 21 or older. Two years later, Colorado became the second state in the country to decriminalize the use of psilocybin. A bill in California to decriminalize personal possession across the state is headed to Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) desk.

For too long, the federal government has perpetuated a broken system that has denied patients access to the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) said in the statement. It is time for the federal government to get out of the way of states like Oregon who are making progress.

Garcia, the former mayor of Long Beach, Calif., was an advocate for the states cannabis legalization.

The potential benefits of psilocybin have been overlooked for years and my aim is to protect the areas and states that want to delve into the real progress this treatment can offer for people in their communities, Gracias statement said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday grew visibly upset when questioned about potential religious discrimination in the Justice Department, saying its outrageous to suggest he would support discriminatory policies, given his family history fleeing religious persecution.

In a line of questioning during Garlands testimony before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) pressed Garland about a now-withdrawn FBI memo that warned of radical traditionalist Catholic ideology.

Garland pointed out that he and the FBI director have said publicly multiple times that they were appalled by the memo and were not involved in its drafting.

The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous, so absurd, Garland told Van Drew during his questioning.

Garland pointed to his earlier testimony about his familys history of fleeing antisemitism and religious persecution in the years leading up to the Holocaust. In his opening remarks on Wednesday, Garland was choked up when talking about the Holocaust and his family members who did not manage to make it out before they were killed.

My family fled religious persecution in Eastern Europe at the start of the 20th century. My grandmother, who was one of five children, born in what is now Belarus, made it to the United States, as did two of her siblings. The other two did not. Those two were killed in the Holocaust. And there is little doubt that, but for America, the same thing would have happened to my grandmother, he said, appearing to fight back tears. But this country took her in. And under the protection of our laws, she was able to live without fear of persecution.

Garland continued, repeating a sentiment he has expressed at various other points since his appointment.

That protection is what distinguishes this country from so many others. The protection of law  the rule of law  is the foundation of our system of government. Repaying this country for the debt my family owes for our very lives has been the focus of my entire professional career, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Attorney General Merrick Garland is set to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, as lawmakers gear up to touch on a number of matters House Republicans are probing as part of their impeachment inquiry.

Garlands appearance, his first before the panel since the GOP took control of the House in January, comes as the Judiciary has become part of a trio of committees leading investigations into the president and his son.

Garland is likely to face numerous questions about the sprawling probe as well as other developments the GOP sees as part of the weaponization of the Justice Department.

An excerpt of Garlands opening remarks shows he plans to push back on claims from some corners of Congress that his office makes any decisions based on political motivations.

Our job is not to do what is politically convenient. Our job is not to take orders from the President, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate, he said in the prepared remarks.

As the President himself has said, and I reaffirm here today: I am not the Presidents lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congresss prosecutor.

The ongoing probe into Hunter Biden

Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) made clear he has a number of questions for the Justice Department, firing off a letter to Garland on Monday with one of his most expansive requests yet. It stems from claims made by two IRS whistleblowers who approached the House Ways and Means Committee to complain that the investigation into Hunter Biden had been slow-walked.

Their testimony  released just days after news that Hunter Biden was slated to sign a plea agreement on two tax charges  has been key to a GOP claim that he received a sweetheart deal due to his status as the presidents son.

The plea deal in the matter has since evaporated, but the GOP has been fixated on the broader handling of the case and why prosecutors didnt treat the matter more aggressively.

According to IRS agent Gary Shapley, prosecutors found stronger evidence of tax crimes in other jurisdictions, expressing frustration those matters were not pursued as the statute of limitations was approaching.

He also criticized communication prosecutors had with the Secret Service headquarters ahead of their plans to speak with Biden  something an FBI agent working the case, Thomas Sobocinski, said was necessary to avoid confusion among two sets of armed agents.

Shapley has stopped short of saying prosecutors had political bias in the case, but thats becoming a rallying cry for the GOP, which argues the case is a sharp contrast with how former President Trump has been treated.

Hunter Bidens plea deal, however, has since fallen apart, and special counsel David Weiss has charged him with three counts related to failure to disclose drug use when buying a weapon. Its unclear if further tax charges will be filed.

Garland previously told lawmakers he left oversight of the probe in the hands of Weiss, appointed by Trump to serve as U.S. attorney in Delaware, to avoid interference in an ongoing matter. Still, Republicans have sought to hold Garland and the Justice Department in general responsible for the investigation.

Weisss status as special counsel

More central to Garland is testimony from Shapley that Weiss sought and was denied special counsel status, alleging the prosecutor told his team that in an Oct. 7 meeting.

Since that issue was raised, Weiss did seek and was granted the status in August, shortly after Hunter Bidens plea deal dissolved.

But the lead up to that moment spurred a back-and-forth over whether Weiss even sought the status  a claim both he and Garland deny.

The GOP has tried to cast this as a he said, he said issue, arguing that if Shapleys testimony is true, Garland misled Congress.

The United States Attorney had been advised that he has full authority to make those referrals youre talking about or to bring cases in other districts if he needs to do that, Garland said in a March appearance before lawmakers.

He has been advised that he should get anything he needs. I have not heard anything from that office that suggests they are not able to do anything that the U.S. Attorney wants them to do.

In recent weeks, more investigators involved in the probe have countered Shapleys recollection, saying they never heard Weiss say he had been blocked from being elevated to a special counsel and that their understanding was that he had total control of the investigation.

Sobocinski, who leads the Baltimore FBI field office, told House Judiciary investigators that he would remember such a comment from Weiss, as it would be a total 180 from all our previous conversations about authorities.

My memory of this is that it was a process or a bureaucracy thing he moves through, not a permission or authority issue, Sobocinski said.

Approval means, to me, thats more like, Hey, I can say no. I never thought that anybody was there above David Weiss to say no, he added.

Targeting of conservatives

The GOP has a set of favored memos it argues shows the department has a bias toward converservatives, pointing to a 2021 directive dealing with threats against school board members and a swiftly withdrawn FBI memo from one field office on extremism within some branches of Catholicism as evidence of improper targeting.

The school board memo was drafted during an uptick in threats against school board officials at the height of the pandemic. Garlands memo asked law enforcement to coordinate about the threats  noting that protected speech does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views.

But the GOP fixation on the memo centers on the request that spurred it, a letter from the National School Boards Association noting that some of the heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism. Amid public backlash, the group apologized for the letter.

There is no domestic terror law in U.S. statute, but the GOP has nonetheless argued that the memo allows the Justice Department (DOJ) to label parents as domestic terrorists. Republican lawmakers have repeatedly called on the DOJ to withdraw the memo.

The memo that Republicans argue shows an anti-Catholic bias was one from the FBI that detailed growing overlap between white nationalist groups and Radical-Traditionalist Catholics, which it identifies as a small minority within the church.

FBI Director Christopher Wray agreed with Republicans that it was inappropriate, saying the bureau does not conduct investigations based on religious affiliation or practices, full stop.

When I first learned of the piece, I was aghast, and we took steps immediately to withdraw it and remove it from FBI systems, Wray said in a March congressional appearance.

I will note it was a product by one field office, which, of course, we have scores and scores of these products. And when we found out about it, we took action.

GOP lawmakers are also likely to ask about Biden administration communications with social media companies, pointing to a lawsuit by GOP-led states challenging outreach made about COVID-19 and election interference.

An appeals court panel earlier this month found the Biden administration likely violated the First Amendment by pressuring social media companies to moderate specific content, ruling that federal agencies cannot coerce social media platforms to take down posts the government doesnt like.

The suit has bolstered the GOP, which argues the administration was trying to censor conservatives.

It was a big loss for the Biden administration, but the appeals court dramatically scaled back a lower court injunction barring certain agencies from contacting social media companies, emphasizing the limited reach of its order and sharply narrowing the list of agencies that could not reach out to social media companies to just the White House, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and surgeon generals office, and the FBI.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday took aim at a GOP that has taken to routinely bashing the Justice Department, defending the independence of his agency in his first appearance before the House Judiciary Committee since the Republican takeover of the lower chamber.

Garland alluded to the increasing friction between the Justice Department (DOJ) and Republicans who have requested information on numerous ongoing investigations, including those into former President Trump and Hunter Biden.

Our job is not to do what is politically convenient. Our job is not to take orders from the President, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate, he said in an excerpt of prepared remarks shared ahead of the hearing.

As the president himself has said, and I reaffirm here today: I am not the presidents lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congresss prosecutor.

The remarks are some of Garlands strongest yet in addressing a series of bruising remarks leveled at his department. In another part of his opening statement, he says DOJ will not be intimated amid rising threats to employees and outside pressure.

We will not be intimidated. We will do our jobs free from outside interference. And we will not back down from defending our democracy, he says in the remarks.

The Judiciary Committee is one of three panels engaged in an impeachment inquiry of President Biden and is also home to a subcommittee dedicated to probing the weaponization of the federal government. That sub-panel is often focused on DOJ.

Numerous House Judiciary members have also echoed Trump, saying the Justice Department is promoting a two-tiered system of Justice by prosecuting the former president.

As a major part of the impeachment inquiry, Jordan has kicked off a thorough review of the Biden investigation, asking the Justice Department Monday to turn over a significant volume of information in the ongoing case.

Without referring to any specific cases, Garland pushed back on claims DOJs work has been politicized, saying the Justice Department is committed to equal application of the law.

Our job is to uphold the rule of law. That means that we apply the same laws to everyone, he said in the remarks.

There is not one set of laws for the powerful and another for the powerless; one for the rich, another for the poor; one for Democrats, another for Republicans; or different rules, depending upon ones race or ethnicity or religion, he says.

As part of its oversight of the Justice Department, Jordan has requested interviews with a number of DOJ personnel, including those working on the Biden case.

All of us at the Justice Department recognize that with this work comes public scrutiny, criticism, and legitimate oversight. These are appropriate and important given the gravity of the matters before the Department, Garland said.

But singling out individual career public servants who are just doing their jobs is dangerous  particularly at a time of increased threats to the safety of public servants and their families.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends breakfast with the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Nations, in New York

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends breakfast with the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Nations, in New York

KUWAIT (Reuters) -Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States on Wednesday called for the complete demarcation of Kuwaiti-Iraqi maritime borders, as a ruling by Iraq's top court could upend more than a decade-old maritime agreement between them.

Tensions have been rising between Kuwait and Iraq after the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ruled on an agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway between the two states as unconstitutional. The court said the law that ratified the accord should have been approved by two thirds of parliament.

The agreement, which governs maritime navigation in that waterway, was reached in 2012 and ratified by each of their legislative bodies in 2013.

The GCC-U.S. joint statement followed a meeting of the six-nation GCC's foreign ministers, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and GCC Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi in New York.

"They called for the complete demarcation of the Kuwait-Iraq maritime boundary .... and called on the government of Iraq to expeditiously resolve the domestic legal status of the 2012 Kuwait-Iraq agreement," the joint statement said.

The joint statement also "called on Iraq and the UN to exert maximum efforts to reach a resolution of all the issues involved."

The land border between the two was demarcated by the United Nations in 1993 after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, but it did not cover the length of their maritime boundaries, and this was left for the two oil producers to resolve.

(Reporting by Ahmed Hagagy in Kuwait, Enas Alashray and Muhammad Al Gebaly in Cairo; Writing by Yousef Saba; Editing by Christopher Cushing, Jacqueline Wong and Michael Perry)
General Motors on Wednesday said the company temporarily closed its assembly plant in Kansas City, Kansas, because auto workers striking at a St. Louis area plant left them with no work available.

The assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri, provides parts to the Fairfax plant in northeast Wyandotte County, but because of striking there, the company said it idled the Fairfax plant and its 2,000 employees Wednesday.

The team members at Fairfax are not expected to return until the situation has been resolved, GM wrote in a statement.

The company said it will not provide workers the benefit of supplemental unemployment pay during this time because of the circumstances of the strike.

As the United Auto Workers union continues to negotiate contracts with Detroits three major automakers, it has targeted strikes at three vehicle assembly plants: the one in Missouri; a Ford factory in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit; and a Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio. Earlier this week, union leadership threatened to expand the strike if progress isnt made in the negotiations, the AP reported.

A person walks outside of General Motors assembly plant on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Kan. General Motors announced layoffs Wednesday, citing supply chain issues due to United Auto Workers striking in its St. Louis plant. Nick Wagner/nwagner@kcstar.com

Dontay Wilson, president of UAW Local 31, which represents workers at the Fairfax plant, said workers there were prepared to strike if need be. The union set up strike pantry if people wanted to donate water or non-perishable goods to workers while the plant is closed.

No ones attempting to become millionaires on General Motors dime, he said Monday, adding that workers were just asking for our fair share.

The Fairfax plant produces the Chevy Malibu sedan and the Cadillac XT4 crossover SUV. It employs 2,234 people, according to a company website.

The other local plant, the Ford assembly plant in Claycomo, produces F-150 pickup trucks and Transit vans. It employs roughly 7,250 people.

The UAW is demanding a 36% boost in pay, and the automakers  General Motors, Ford and Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler  have countered with offers that are roughly half of that increase, the Associated Press has reported.

The strike is the first against all three companies at the same time in the unions 80-year history.
Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther speaks Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, during a community forum with the public about gun violence held at Columbus Public Health on Parsons Avenue. Seated, from right to left, are Rena Shak, director of the city Office of Violence Prevention; Dr. Mysheika W. Roberts, city health commissioner, and Columbus police Chief Elaine Bryant.

Columbus city officials hosted a community conversation Tuesday about disturbing trends and statistics on gun violence  and how to prevent it.

The forum featured Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Rena Shak, director of the city's Office for Violence Prevention; health commissioner Dr. Mysheika W. Roberts, who oversees Columbus Public Health, and city police Chief Elaine Bryant,

Held at the Columbus Public Health auditorium on Parsons Avenue, the event was an effort to tout the city's violence prevention programs and efforts, and connect community members to resources. City officials say they got advance word out to the public about the roundtable discussion on social media as well as through neighborhood liaisons, and dozens attended. A release notifying the media about the event was issued just hours earlier.

Shak, who began leading the city's new Office for Violence Prevention in March, led the discussion.

Rena Shak, director of the Columbus Office of Violence Prevention, listens Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, during a community discussion about gun violence held at Columbus Public Health on Parsons Avenue.

"We thought it was important once we created the Office of Violence Prevention for the community to have a level set of knowledge from Dr. Roberts and from Chief Bryant about what we're seeing and the challenges," said Ginther, adding that the city hopes to host more public forums in the future.

"This office has been working over the last several months to build up its core team while taking the reins on coordinating prevention and intervention programs city-wide," Ginther said. "Meeting this moment requires a broad and strategic approach, one that is data-driven and active, but it also requires establishing and maintaining an active, ongoing and robust dialogue with each and every one of our neighbors."

Police Chief Bryant noted that so far in 2023, 19 of the city's 114 homicides as of late Tuesday afternoon were related to domestic violence. This same time last year, there were four domestic violence homicides, she said.

Bryant also highlighted the trend of young gun violence victims and offenders.

"We have 30 of our homicide victims that are 21 and under," and 49 suspects that are 21 and under, said Bryant. "These numbers are so high, and this is a trend ... not just that we're seeing in Columbus, but you're seeing across the country."

Attendees were invited to provide feedback in smaller breakout sessions.

When we got into the smaller groups, we were able to ask questions and figure out what we can do to help," Katie Gales, 47, told The Dispatch.

Caleb Cuthbertson, a student who lives in the Polaris area of the city and is doing research on gun violence and prevention, said he also thought the smaller group discussions were "really meaningful and impactful."

"The small table made it easier to be able to speak up about some of the issues and concerns that we have without having to go in front of the full room," he said.

Attendees listen as Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and other city officials lead a community discussion about gun violence Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, at Columbus Public Health.

Firearm buyback event to be held Sept. 30

The city's Office of Violence Prevention will be hosting a gun buyback event Sept. 30 in partnership with Columbus police.

Between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., people can turn in their firearms in the parking lot of Trinity Baptist Church, located at 461 St. Clair Ave., on the city's Near East Side.

Handguns, assault and other rifles, and shotguns will be accepted, depending on the type and condition of each firearm. Each weapon will be eligible for a pre-paid card worth up to $750.

Other types of firearms, including replicas, antiques and nonworking firearms are also eligible to be turned in for a $25 gift card.

No identification will be required to turn in a firearm, making them completely anonymous.

Those wanting to turn in guns should have the gun in the trunk of the vehicle and follow all local laws while the firearm is being transported. The firearm should be unloaded and preferably in a bag or box with ammunition separated from the firearm.

Attendees listen as Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and other city officials host a community discussion about gun violence on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 at Columbus Public Health.

Gun violence efforts: DeWine, Ginther announce center to investigate gun crimes

tmoorman@dispatch.com

@taijuannichole

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus officials host forum on gun violence
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes proved on Wednesday that she understands it is not her job to make the law.

Thats up to the Arizona Legislature.

It is, however, her job to occasionally interpret the law when various government jurisdictions have a disagreement over it.

And that is what she did.

Even though she didnt like it.

Bad gun law can thwart good intentions

A while back the City of Phoenix struck a deal to transfer more than 500 unclaimed guns in Phoenix polices possession to a private company that would then export them to Ukraine.

Laudable, no doubt.

But  not legal.

Not under Arizona law, which says all such weapons are to be sold to a federal firearms license holder.

Mayes disagrees with this law, as she should.

It's about time: Gun show loophole is about to close

But it was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by the governor and, unless it is revised or revoked, were stuck with it.

Mayes wisely upheld a law she dislikes

So, Mayes issued an opinion saying Phoenix cant do what it wants to do with the weapons.

In a statement the attorney general said in part:

The City of Phoenix tried to reduce the number of guns on its streets while simultaneously supporting the brave Ukrainians fighting for freedom in the face of Russian aggression. While the Citys intent here is commendable, the Legislature has chosen to prohibit this type of creative solution.

Instead of filing complaints against cities like Phoenix, members of the legislature should focus on passing sensible gun legislation. Sound gun disposal legislation should aim to keep Arizonans safe while allowing local leaders to decide the best way to get rid of guns that have been used in the commission of a crime, based on what their communities need and want.

The job to which Mayes was elected sometimes requires an honest officeholder, one for which her oath means something, to be a statutory contortionist.

That was the case here when, in order to uphold the law, Mayes also had to hold her nose.

Reach Montini at ed.montini@arizonarepublic.com.

For more opinions content, please subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Attorney General Kris Mayes does good by backing bad gun law
Google-backed audio content platform Kuku FM has raised $25 million in a new funding round as it looks to make deeper inroads with its audiobook offerings in the South Asian market.

Indian billionaire and technologist Nandan Nilekani's Fundamentum Partnership led the Series C funding in Kuku FM, with International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank. Temasek-backed Vertex Ventures also participated in the new financing round, said the five-year-old startup that counts 3one4 Capital and Krafton also among its backers.

Kuku FM, which has raised over $60 million to date, operates an eponymous audio platform that offers over 150,000 hours of content in genres including personal finance, romance, religion and self-help. The content, available in six Indian languages and English, is pertinent to the local context and has helped Kuku FM make deeper inroads with consumers in smaller Indian cities, towns and villages.

The startup neither displays ads nor provides complimentary content, only permitting users to sample parts of episodes within a series. Instead it charges 99 Indian rupees (equivalent to $1.2) for a monthly subscription and 999 Indian rupees for an annual one, granting users unlimited access to its content.

Lal Chand Bisu, co-founder and chief executive of Kuku FM, told TechCrunch in an interview that the startup has more than doubled its revenue in the last year and it's currently on track to generate $15 million revenue annually. It's aiming to become profitable by the end of next year, he said.

Consumption of audio content is increasingly rising in popularity in India, thanks to the widespread availability of affordable smartphones and internet access. As vast numbers of Indians join the online community, there's a growing demand for content that resonates with their preferences and is available in their desired language.

Amazon is also amplifying its footprint with Audible in India, partnering with local production entities to enrich the platform's offerings.

Kuku FM has captured a wider market share due to its unlimited consumption model, rather than charging consumers for each piece of content. Bisu said the platform collaborates with more than 30,000 professional content creators who provide their titles to the platform. To ensure quality, the startup employs a rigorous vetting process.

Kuku FM has created a niche category which caters to the unique and rapidly evolving demands of the new digital natives of India," said Prateek Jain, a principal at Fundamentum Partnership, in a statement. "Moreover, Bisu and team have demonstrated a great understanding in terms of creating a business model with strong focus on unit economics and robust fundamentals."

Kuku FM plans to use the new funding to expand its catalog, with a particular emphasis on broadening its educational content offerings, said Bisu.
FILE - The Google Maps app is seen on a smartphone, March 22, 2017, in New York. On Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, the family of a North Carolina man who died after driving his car off a collapsed bridge while following Google Maps directions filed a lawsuit against the technology giant for negligence, claiming it had been informed of the collapse but failed to update its navigation system. (AP Photo/Patrick Sison, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The family of a North Carolina man who died after driving his car off a collapsed bridge while following Google Maps directions is suing the technology giant for negligence, claiming it had been informed of the collapse but failed to update its navigation system.

Philip Paxson, a medical device salesman and father of two, drowned Sept. 30, 2022, after his Jeep Gladiator plunged into Snow Creek in Hickory, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Wake County Superior Court. Paxson was driving home from his daughters ninth birthday party through an unfamiliar neighborhood when Google Maps allegedly directed him to cross a bridge that had collapsed nine years prior and was never repaired.

Our girls ask how and why their daddy died, and Im at a loss for words they can understand because, as an adult, I still cant understand how those responsible for the GPS directions and the bridge could have acted with so little regard for human life," his wife, Alicia Paxson, said.

State troopers who found Paxton's body in his overturned and partially submerged truck had said there were no barriers or warning signs along the washed-out roadway. He had driven off an unguarded edge and crashed about 20 feet below, according to the lawsuit.

The North Carolina State Patrol had said the bridge was not maintained by local or state officials, and the original developers company had dissolved. The lawsuit names several private property management companies that it claims are responsible for the bridge and the adjoining land.

Multiple people had notified Google Maps about the collapse in the years leading up to Paxson's death and had urged the company to update its route information, according to the lawsuit.

The Tuesday court filing includes email records from another Hickory resident who had used the map's suggest an edit feature in September 2020 to alert the company that it was directing drivers over the collapsed bridge. A November 2020 email confirmation from Google confirms the company received her report and was reviewing the suggested change, but the lawsuit claims Google took no further actions.

We have the deepest sympathies for the Paxson family," Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda told The Associated Press. "Our goal is to provide accurate routing information in Maps and we are reviewing this lawsuit.

___

Hannah Schoenbaum is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
WASHINGTON  Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) went way off the party message Wednesday as his colleagues fulminated against the supposed corruption of the Justice Department under Joe Biden .

At a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, Buck praised key decisions by U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding the investigation into the presidents son Hunter Biden .

In three different opportunities where you could have acted, you would have been criticized either way, whether you acted or did not act in that situation, Buck told Garland.

House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) had opened the hearing with accusations that Garland is running a two-tiered justice system that benefits Democrats and persecutes former President Donald Trump, who is facing two federal and two state indictments.

There is one investigation protecting President Biden, theres another one attacking President Trump, Jordan said. The Justice Department has both sides of the equation covered.

The idea that the Justice Department has been protecting the presidents family is part of Republicans broader impeachment inquiry against the president, which has focused mainly on bogus claims that as vice president years ago, Biden twisted U.S. foreign policy to benefit his son.

In TV appearances, Capitol hallway interviews and newspaper articles, Buck has torched both the politics and the premise of the impeachment effort. On Wednesday, he defended the integrity of the investigation into the presidents son led by David Weiss, the U.S. attorney for Delaware.

Weiss has headed up the probe since his appointment by Trump in 2018. U.S. attorneys are presidential appointees who typically turn over when the White House changes hands, but the Biden administration kept Weiss in place to continue his investigation.

Do you know what people would have said if you asked for U.S. Attorney Weiss resignation when you became attorney general? Buck said Wednesday. They would have said that you were obstructing the Hunter Biden investigation and you were firing a Republican appointee so that you could appoint a Democrat to slow-walk this investigation and lose the leadership of that investigation.

Republicans have complained that Weiss was taking too long, but Buck said that if Garland agreed and replaced Weiss with someone speedier, his colleagues would have again said that you were interfering with the prosecution.

Republicans hated a plea deal Weiss struck this summer with Bidens legal team on tax and gun charges. The deal fell apart in August over a disagreement about whether the presidents son would be immune from further prosecution, and Weiss requested special counsel status so that he could charge Hunter Biden in jurisdictions outside of Delaware. Republicans have continued complaining about Weiss even after he leveled felony gun charges against Biden this month, with tax and other charges waiting in the wings.

If you made the decision to appoint somebody else to special counsel, people would have criticized you because you would have been taking somebody out of the investigation that knew the facts, Buck told Garland.

The other Republican critics of the impeachment effort tend to be lawmakers from districts that Biden won in 2020, whereas Buck is a member of the far-right House Freedom Caucus.

With a tiny House majority, Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) can only lose four or fewer Republicans and still pass a resolution, meaning Bucks opposition, by itself, is a major obstacle to impeaching Biden.

Related...
Republican senators are growing increasingly alarmed at Speaker Kevin McCarthy s (R-Calif.) inability to pass spending legislation over the staunch opposition of a small group of conservative rebels, and fear a government shutdown may be days away.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), whos had to deal with the political fallout of government shutdowns in 1995-96, 2013 and 2018-19, warned Republican lawmakers on the other side of the Capitol on Tuesday that shutdowns are a loser for Republicans, politically.

McConnell made his comments after House Republican leaders canceled a key procedural vote on a stopgap funding measure that was scheduled for 2:30 pm Tuesday amid opposition from disgruntled conservatives.

The scrapped vote raised fresh concerns among Republican senators over whether McCarthy will be able to pass any bill to keep the government funded beyond Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

Were waiting to see what the House is going to do on a continuing resolution. I think all of you know Im not a fan of government shutdowns. Ive seen a few of them over the years, they never have produced a policy change and theyve always been a loser for Republicans, politically, McConnell told reporters at the start of his weekly press conference.

Hours later, McCarthy suffered another major setback when a handful of House conservatives voted with Democrats to defeat a procedural measure to advance the Defense appropriations bill.

It is exceedingly rare for such a procedural vote to fail on the House floor, and to have it happen on a bill that usually enjoys strong GOP support has Republican senators even more concerned.

Some GOP senators and aides now fear a government shutdown is likely.

This may be a situation where youve got to break glass to make sure that we can get some kind of a deal. I dont know what that looks like, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said of emergency steps that may have to be taken to avoid a shutdown.

I wouldnt want to be Kevin McCarthy for love nor money. Its hard. I get that he has a hard dynamic over there, Murkowski added.

Im very worried about a shutdown, she said.

One possible break-the-glass emergency step the Senate could take would be to move first on a continuing resolution to avoid a funding lapse Oct. 1.

The House usually moves first on spending and revenue bills, but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is mulling his options in the face of the House stalemate.

Our first job is to get the House to pass something. Well see if they can. We need a bipartisan bill in each body, Schumer told reporters.

Earlier in the day, he criticized McCarthy for letting chaos reign.

It doesnt have to be the MAGA way or a shutdown. House Republicans have a choice in the matter, between pursuing real chances for bipartisanship and catering to the hard right. Each time, they have chosen to empower the hard right; theyve chosen dysfunction and chaos, he said.

Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said his level of concern about a potential government shutdown is a 7.5 on a scale of 1 to 10 after House Republican leaders punted on the procedural vote to advance the government funding stopgap.

Im concerned, he said.

Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) called the repeated setbacks McCarthy has encountered in trying to pass spending legislation pretty crazy and urged House conservatives to readjust their expectations for the end-of-year spending debate.

I think the expectations of the far right in the House are unrealistic, as noble as they might be, warned Cramer, who served in the House when a fight over ObamaCare shut down the government for 16 days in 2013. And they wont lead to more conservative outcomes if they dont give the Speaker room to work.

He said government shutdowns always seem to get blamed on Republicans.

Cramer said members of the House Freedom Caucus should feel good about the debt limit deal McCarthy negotiated with Biden in May to effectively cut nondefense discretionary spending programs and implement new work requirements for federal food assistance.

He said McCarthy will mostly likely have to rely on Democratic votes at some point to pass government funding legislation, something that the Speaker hasnt wanted to do for fear of antagonizing conservatives in the GOP conference.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz (R) last week threatened to offer a motion to oust McCarthy as Speaker if McCarthy didnt back conservatives demands for steep funding cuts.

McCarthy tried to mollify House conservatives last week by giving them the green light to move forward on an impeachment inquiry into Biden and his familys finances, but that still wasnt enough to quell an internal Republican battle over a continuing resolution to keep federal departments and agencies operating past this month.

A Senate Republican aide said the odds of a shutdown are very high.

They dont have the votes for anything, the aide said of the House GOP leaders prospects of passing a funding bill.

Cramer said House conservatives shouldnt expect major spending concessions from Democrats since they control the White House and Senate, while the Republicans have a slim five-seat majority in the lower chamber.

A Republican senator who requested anonymity to discuss McCarthys battle with conservatives over funding legislation warned that it wont end well for Republicans.

I dont know what the win is here for them, the senator said of House conservatives. At the end of the day, when you shut the government down, you have to open it back up. Its a painful experience.

Republican senators say even if members of the House Freedom Caucus force a shutdown, its unlikely to result in Democrats agreeing to any significant spending cuts to get government workers back to work.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the five-week partial government shutdown in 2019 wound up costing the U.S. economy $11 billion.

When you have a Democratic Senate and a Democrat for president, I dont know what they think theyre going to be able to accomplish, the senator said. Maybe its one of these things where it has to be experienced. The Speaker appears to be at the point of, OK, if you guys want to do this.  I think hes at wits end here.

Its terrible. Im really concerned, the senator added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A group of 46 Republican senators on Tuesday led by Sen. Rick Scott (Fla.) signed a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) blasting his decision to relax the upper chambers dress code.

Earlier this week, Schumer introduced a new policy that no longer requires members to wear coats or business attire in the Senate, an informal rule that is enforced by the Senate sergeant-at-arms.

But the GOP senators wrote to Schumer to express their supreme disappointment and resolute disapproval of his new policy and urge him to reconsider.

Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent, the letter states.

The lawmakers added that the Senate is a place of honor and tradition and called Schumers decision misguided.

The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs, they wrote.

The only GOP senators who did not sign the document are: Josh Hawley (Mo.), Mike Braun (Ind.) and Katie Britt (Ala.).

The rules relaxation, for instance, allows Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) to vote on the Senate floor wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts, one of his signature looks. But the Pennsylvania Democrat did not take advantage of the policy change Tuesday, choosing to vote by ducking his head through the chamber doors.

I just dont want the world to burn down, he said. The Republicans think Im going to burst in through the doors and start break dancing on the floor.

Related...
NEW YORK  Mayor Eric Adams , who once called himself the Biden of Brooklyn, was not scheduled to join President Joe Biden on Tuesday in New York City, potentially marking another low point in the relationship between the two moderate Democrats.

Biden, who arrived in the city Sunday and was expected to return to Washington on Wednesday, has been criticized by Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul over the White Houses handling of the citys migrant crisis.

But Hochul, who has used gentler language than Adams in calling out the White House, confirmed she would meet with Biden on Tuesday night.

Im looking forward to seeing the president this evening, Hochul, a moderate Democrat, said at a news conference in Manhattan. Well see what the topics surround.

Earlier in the day, Adams brushed off questions about whether he would meet with Biden by telling reporters to check his public schedule.

We release a public schedule, the mayor said. Everybody knows where I am. You guys know where I am all the time. We release if were going to be with the president or not.

Adams, who received a pep talk from Biden after delivering a major speech early in his mayoralty, now appears to hardly be on speaking terms with the president. Last month, Adams told CNN he had not spoken with Biden in 2023, though he said Tuesday he spoke with the president earlier this year.

As the workday ended, no appearance with Biden had materialized on Adams packed public agenda. Instead, in a royally curious twist, the mayors office added a rendezvous with Prince William onto the schedule in the afternoon.

About 3 p.m., City Hall released a notice saying that Adams would meet with William about 30 minutes later at the firehouse house by Ground Zero. The meeting between the mayor and the prince was called off shortly after it was scheduled to begin.

Asked if Adams had met with the Prince of Wales, the mayors spokesman Fabien Levy said in a text: No.

A royal family representative walking around the press pen at the firehouse said William had decided to go to the firehouse on the recommendation of Adams office.

The royal familys London press office said by phone that it had no information about a possible meeting between William and Adams. William was in the city Tuesday and visited the United Nations. He said he started his day with a run in Central Park.

Biden made the trip up to New York for the United Nations General Assembly, and any meeting between him and the mayor would be closely watched. Adams said in the spring that Biden had failed the city on the migrant crisis.

Soon after, Bidens reelection campaign dropped Adams from its team of campaign surrogates. At the time, Adams insisted that his relationship with the president remained a good one.

I like him, Adams said in May. And I think he likes me.

Hochul is a member of the surrogate squad.

In late August, Hochul visited the White House to appeal for more migrant aid, emerging with what she described as much-needed but insufficient commitments. Biden did not meet with her during the visit.

On Tuesday, the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this story.

More than 110,000 asylum seekers have arrived in New York since spring 2022, and about 60,000 remain in the citys care. The population of the city-run shelter system doubled in a single year, according to city data.

Adams and Hochul have pushed the federal government to expedite work papers for asylum seekers, and to send more support to New York. Hochul has said she is considering the extraordinary move of issuing state work permits to migrants  potentially without signoff from the White House, which has frowned on such an endeavor.

Adams and Hochul have had their own differences over the crisis, but have stayed chummy in public appearances.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Adams said he hoped Biden understood the challenge the crisis has posed for New York, noting that it could cost the city $12 billion over two budgetary cycles. Many migrants have been living in makeshift shelters the city has built.

And so while hes here, I think that they should really reflect, Adams said of White House officials. This is just wrong  what were doing to New York City residents and what were doing to asylum seekers.

_____
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Nevadas republican governor Joe Lombardo expressed his frustration over the contract negotiations between the states largest school district and teachers union.

The governor called the impasse the Clark County School District announced last week a disappointment.

Its frustrating, and the frustrating piece on that is the unknown. So you have the instructors that have the unknown. You have the administrators that have the unknown, Lombardo said on Tuesday.

He made those comments in Las Vegas during a Nevada Teacher of the Year award ceremony at Southwest Career and Technical Academy.

Gov. Lombardo at the Nevada Teacher of the Year award ceremony in Las Vegas. (KLAS)

Lombardo took the stage on Tuesday to start the event and restated a position he campaigned on to the audience.

When I ran for governor, I promised to fix the education system and thats exactly what were trying to achieve today, Lombardo said.

The governor helped pass historic funding into public education this latest legislative session as lawmakers injected $12 billion into schools.

Some of that money is to boost teacher salaries.

Part of the reason why there are vacancies within the education environment, its because they dont feel they are properly compensated. And I agree, Lombardo said.

Before the impasse announcement, CCSD and the Clark County Education Association had been in negotiations since March for a new teacher contract.

The governor went on to say that arbitration is a long process.

Hopefully, well get an answer to that issue sooner than later. So that we can all move forward, right? The teachers get compensated appropriately and the administration has an idea of how theyre going to fund the budget, Lombardo said.

CCSD Superintendent Dr. Jesus Jara did not speak to the media at the award ceremony.

Both sides dont have a timeline yet on arbitration, they first have to pick an arbitrator.

Gov. Lombardo also told 8 News Nows John Langeler that he had several meetings with CCSD and CCEA individually before they declared the impasse.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Governor Mike DeWine s office has issued a statement saying he tested positive for COVID-19.

>>Churchgoers believe proposed Centerville development could disrupt peaceful memorial

At 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, September 19, DeWine tested positive, the statement said.

His office says he was experiencing mild cold symptoms yesterday and believed he had a mild head cold.

He began his work day Tuesday, but as the day went on his symptoms worsened, the statement said.

DeWines doctor advised him to take a COVID-19 test, which came back positive. He was reported to have a 101-degree fever Tuesday afternoon.

>>Judge sentences man to prison for starting fire that killed his stepfather in Miami County

According to his office, DeWine is at home resting.

The current strain of COVID-19 can present itself with symptoms much like a head cold. Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health advise testing yourself for COVID-19, even if you think you have only a minor cold, the statement said.
An effervescent young woman with a bubbly laugh and a radiant smile. A stellar student on the cusp of earning her masters degree. A beloved daughter making her mark thousands of miles from home.

Thats how Jaahnavi Kandulas loved ones describe the 23-year-old graduate student from India who, police say, was fatally struck in a Seattle crosswalk in January by a city police car responding to a call.

Now, almost eight months later, Kandulas family and friends are grieving yet again following the release of body-worn police camera footage that captured a phone conversation in which a Seattle officer laughs and suggests $11,000 as compensation following her death.

The videos release last week has sparked outrage across the nation, especially within the South Asian diaspora  inspiring rallies, meetings with elected officials and online petitions demanding justice for Kandula. Its also grabbed the attention of onscreen celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar and Lilly Singh, who have posted online about her death.

To know that Jaahnavi did what only a small percentage of girls in India have the opportunity to do, which is get an education and that too abroad, but have her life taken and dismissed in this way is simply heartbreaking and unjust to the highest degree, Singh wrote on Instagram.

At what point does the world stop dismissing the value of girls and women, specifically Indian girls and women?

A day after Kandula was fatally struck, Officer Daniel Auderer  a drug recognition expert  was sent to see if the officer whose vehicle hit her had been impaired, police documents show. In police footage from that day, Auderer can be heard explaining how he thinks she was hit.

But she is dead, Auderer says January 23 before laughing, apparently in response to the person on the phone.

No, its a regular person, Auderer then says. Moments later, he replies: Yeah, just write a check and laughs.

Yeah, $11,000. She was 26 anyway, he adds, mistaking Kandulas age. She had limited value.

Auderer intended the comment as a mockery of lawyers, he wrote in an August 8 letter to the citys Office of Police Accountability released Friday by the Seattle Police Officers Guild. I was imitating what a lawyer tasked with negotiating the case would be saying and being sarcastic to express that they shouldnt be coming up with crazy arguments to minimize the payment.

The comment was not made with malice or a hard heart, Auderer wrote of what he said while on the phone January 23 with union President Mike Solan, adding he believed the conversation was private and not being recorded.

Auderer and Seattle Police did not immediately respond to CNNs requests for comment.

The Seattle Community Police Commission, a city entity that provides oversight of the citys police department, recommended Wednesday that Auderer be placed on unpaid leave as his comments are investigated. The recommendation, which the panel made in letter to the citys police chief, is not binding.

There is simply no context that could possibly make these comments acceptable, the letter reads.

The reported explanation that he was mocking lawyers does not make this unprofessional and inhumane conduct any better because it shows  a callous dismissiveness toward police accountability systems, the commissions co-chairs said in a previous statement, after the footage was released.

For Kandulas loved ones, it is truly disturbing and saddening to hear insensible comments on the bodycam video, her family told CNN in a statement.

Jaahnavi is a beloved daughter and beyond any dollar value for her mother and family, they told CNN in a statement Monday. We firmly believe that every human (life) is invaluable and should not be belittled, especially during a tragic loss.

Rallying for justice and a full investigation

On Saturday, crowds marched through the Seattle intersection where Kandula was killed carrying signs reading, Justice for Jaahnavi, while chanting demands for police to take action against its officers. In California and New York, others have also protested.

Protesters march late last week through downtown Seattle after the release of body camera footage of a city officer apparently joking about the death of Jaahnavi Kandula. - Lindsey Wasson/AP

The Indian Consulate General of India in San Francisco has called for a thorough investigation into Kandulas death and demanded action against those involved in the incident.

Recent reports including in media of the handling of Ms Jaahnavi Kandulas death in a road accident in Seattle in January are deeply troubling, the consulate wrote September 13 on X, previously known as Twitter. We have taken up the matter strongly with local authorities in Seattle & Washington State as well as senior officials in Washington DC.

Kandulas death and Auderers taped comments about it led Democratic US Rep. Ro Khanna to remember his own father, who migrated to the US in his 20s, Khanna wrote on X.

The life of every Indian immigrant has infinite value, the California congressman wrote. Anyone who thinks that a human life has limited value should not be serving in law enforcement.

US Rep. Pramila Jayapal also issued a demand for justice for Kandula, saying the case made her sick to my stomach, the Washington state Democrat wrote on X.

Seattle Police, recognizing the public concern around this video, released Auderers body camera footage on September 11 in the interest of transparency, it said in a statement. The department declined to comment about the timing of the release.

The department has been in touch with the family of the victim pedestrian and continues to honor their expressed request for privacy, it said. As others in the accountability system proceed with their work, we again extend our deepest sympathy for this tragic collision.

Its not clear whether the officer whose vehicle hit Kandula is being criminally charged; CNN has reached out to Seattle Police for comment. In the drivers case, the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office is independently reviewing those case materials now for a charging decision, it told CNN on Wednesday, adding the Office of Police Accountability is responsible for investigating Auderers body camera footage.

A young soul full of dreams and hopes

Kandula was from Indias Kurnool District in Andhra Pradesh and spoke Telugu, the president of the Telugu Association of North America, Niranjan Srungavarapu, told CNN. The group helped return her remains to India in January, he said.

Kandula had come to the United States in 2021 to pursue a masters degree in information systems in the College of Engineering at Northeastern Universitys Seattle campus, according to the school. She would have graduated in December.

Jaahnavi, a young soul full of dreams and hopes, came to the United States with the aspiration to pursue her masters degree and be a beacon of support for her family, the association said in a statement to its Seattle community and members. Her future was a shining light, cruelly extinguished.

A photo of Jaahnavi Kandula is displayed with flowers on January 29 at the intersection where she was killed. - Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times/AP

On campus, Kandula had shown tremendous engagement and everyone loved her bubbly laugh, sense of humor and infectious personality, the schools dean, Dave Thurman, said shortly after she was killed.

The university plans to award Kandula her degree posthumously and present it to her family, it said Thursday in a statement. The universitys main campus in Boston on Tuesday hosted a moment of reflection, remembrance, and unity to honor Kandulas memory, the school told CNN.

Kandula warmed the hearts of every person she came in contact with, a family statement in January said, according to CNN affiliate KING. She had an innate ability to connect with people from all walks of life.

She was a daughter to a single mother who teaches elementary school in India, the statement continued, and in spite of earning less than 200 USD per month, her mother educated Jaahnavi and encouraged her to pursue higher education in the US in hopes that she would have a better future and better life abroad.

CNNs Sharif Paget and Andy Rose contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A dear stands by hay bales in a field in Czosnow, near Warsaw, Poland, Monday, Sept.18, 2023. Poland, along with Hungary and Slovakia, continue their ban on imports of Ukraine grain, saying it hurts the interests of their farmers. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  A dispute about whether Ukrainian grain should be allowed to enter the domestic markets of Poland and other European Union countries has pushed the tight relationship between Kyiv and Warsaw to its lowest point since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Polish leaders have compared Ukraine to a drowning person hurting his helper and threatened to expand a ban on food products from the war-torn country. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that EU allies that are prohibiting imports of his nations grain are helping Russia.

Poland, on NATOs eastern flank, has been a staunch supporter of Ukraine, sending weapons and humanitarian aid and opening its borders to refugees.

Now, Polish officials, who are trying to win parliamentary elections next month with help from farmers' votes, are expressing dismay over some of Ukraine's latest moves, including a World Trade Organization complaint over bans on Ukrainian grain from Poland and two other EU countries.

Alarmingly, some in Europe play out solidarity in a political theater  turning grain into a thriller. They may seem to play their own roles. In fact, theyre helping set the stage for a Moscow actor, Zelenskyy said Tuesday during the U.N. General Assembly.

Polands deputy foreign minister, Pawel Jablonski, on Wednesday voiced strong protest of Zelenskyy's comments to Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych.

Jablonski indicated that it is untrue, as far as Poland is concerned, and that the opinion is unjustified toward the country that has been supporting Ukraine from the very first days of the war, the Polish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Tadeusz Iwanski, a Ukraine analyst from a Polish state-funded think tank, said that since the beginning of the war, Ukraine has been pursuing a hyperassertive diplomacy, partly due to which its requests and demands have been granted, and it has been proven effective.

This assertive policy might have taught Ukraine that things can be achieved through such diplomacy, said Iwanski, head of Belarus, Ukraine and Moldova studies at the Centre for Eastern Studies in Warsaw.

He said Ukraine likely feels strong pressure to export its grain to help bolster its finances.

Some other analysts in Poland faulted the Warsaw government, accusing it of playing politics with Ukraines security to win votes.

Poland's ruling Law and Justice party is fighting for the votes of farmers, many of whom are upset that Ukraine's food products have flooded the local market, pushing prices down and hurting their livelihoods.

Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia banned some Ukrainian agricultural goods after the EU recently decided to lift such restrictions. Croatia joined in Tuesday, when Kyiv announced it was responding with a WTO complaint.

Ukraine is behaving like a drowning person clinging to everything he can ... but we have the right to defend ourselves against harm being done to us, Polish President Andrzej Duda told reporters Tuesday in New York, where he was attending the U.N. General Assembly.

The growing tensions highlight the risks Ukraine faces in maintaining Western support as its fight against Russia drags on.

Ukraine prevailing is so important to Poland that it would not be likely to restrict the military assistance to Ukraine. Poland has bitter memories of being subjected to Moscow's rule in the past and does not want to see Russia win a war in a neighboring country.

Poland's ruling party faces an election challenge from a new far-right coalition, Confederation, whose leaders complain that the country is doing too much to help Ukraine and claim Ukraine isnt grateful enough.

The rift also shows how Ukraine and its neighbors are competing agricultural powers and how European defense of domestic farmers could complicate Kyiv's hopes for a future path into the EU.

Ukraine  a major global supplier of wheat, barley, corn and vegetable oil  has struggled since Russias invasion to get its food products to parts of the world struggling with hunger. All the EU countries will keep allowing Ukrainian products to move through their borders to world markets.

Russia dealt a huge blow by withdrawing in July from a wartime agreement that ensured safe passage for Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. That has left more expensive routes through Europe as the main way for Ukraine to get its products to developing nations where food prices have risen since Russia's war began.

However, the first ship loaded with grain left a Ukrainian port this week under a temporary Black Sea corridor.

Ukraine also threatened this week to ban some Polish food items, but appeared to back off that. Such a move would bring only more bans from Poland, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said.

I am warning the Ukrainian authorities, because if they escalate the conflict in this way, we will add more products to the ban on imports into Poland, Morawiecki said Wednesday on Polsat News.

He argued that Ukrainian officials do not seem to understand how Poland's agricultural market has been destabilized by the war.

In Bulgaria, the pro-Russia Socialist party has submitted a proposal to parliament to ban foods from Ukraine. So far, the government is just halting the import of sunflower seeds until a quota is agreed with Kyiv.

Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov announced the measure late Tuesday after lengthy talks with farmers who launched a nationwide protest last week over parliament's decision to lift a ban on Ukrainian imports, citing higher food prices.

____

Veselin Toshkov contributed from Sofia, Bulgaria.
EDINBURG, Texas (Border Report)  Two environmental groups and an Indigenous tribe on Wednesday will present appeals in their lawsuit over the repeated closures of a border beach to allow neighboring SpaceX to conduct test flights and other activity.

The Sierra Club, Save RGV, and the Carrizo Comecrudo Nation of Texas are scheduled to present oral arguments before the 13th Court of Appeals on Wednesday morning in Edinburg.

Lawsuit argues Texas cant close public beach for SpaceX launches

Last summer, the groups filed a lawsuit accusing the state of not upholding the Texas Open Beaches Act, but a district court judge in Brownsville ruled against their lawsuit, saying they couldnt sue the Texas General Land Office or Cameron County, where the popular beach and SpaceX are located.

The Texas Constitution grants the public rights to all public beaches. At issue, however, is whether private groups have a constitutional right to sue.

Jim Chapman is a board member of Save RGV. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report File Photo)

Environmentalist Jim Chapman, who is on the board of Save RGV, told Border Report that last year, Boca Chica Beach was closed for over 1,000 hours during 100 days. Thats double the 500 hours of closures the Federal Aviation Administration has authorized SpaceX, he said.

Its to the point now that whenever SpaceX wants the beach closed, they just tell the county and the county closes it and it violates the Constitution; it violates a memorandum of understanding between the county and the GLO and nobody is keeping track of the hours, Chapman said.

Environmentalists have repeatedly complained about the damages to the Rio Grande Valley ecosystem associated with rocket explosions and launches so close to the beach where sea turtles nest.

A man walks through a debris field at the launch pad on April 22, 2023, after the SpaceX Starship lifted off on April 20 for a flight test from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

We hope to accomplish that the judge will recognize that we do have standing, that we can bring a lawsuit, Chapman said.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

If they win on appeal then the case will go back to the district court in Brownsville on the merits of the case. If not, the groups could appeal to the Texas Supreme Court.

Border Report intends to cover Wednesdays case. Check back for more updates.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
An F-35 fighter jet went missing after it crashed in South Carolina on Sunday.

Now, we have a great description of what happened.

A local retiree described his whole house shaking with a boom when it crashed.

If you've ever wondered what a crashing F-35B Lightning II fighter jet sounds like, Randolph White has you covered.

The 72-year-old South Carolina retiree told the local TV channel WCBD that he was shaving in the bathroom when he heard a noise: the scream of a fighter jet that went missing after its pilot ejected over South Carolina on Sunday.

"I heard a screeching. Between a screech and a whistle. I said, 'What in the world is this?' And I heard a boom, and my whole house shook," White told the news outlet.

At first, White thought the crash in rural South Carolina could have been a meteorite but knew whatever it was, it had to be flying pretty low since his house was "pretty solid, and it shook," White said.

WCBD News 2 (@WCBD) September 19, 2023

White said his neighbors were lucky not to get hurt when the multimillion-dollar jet crashed nearby; there's a church not far from the crash site, he told WCBD.

The F-35  an advanced fighter and one of America's most expensive weapons systems  went missing Sunday after a "mishap" during a training flight. The Marine Corps pilot of the fighter jet and a wingman in a separate aircraft were flying near Joint Base Charleston when something went wrong, and the F-35 pilot was forced to eject as storms moved through the area.

The Associated Press reported the pilot parachuted away from the malfunctioning jet and ended up landing in someone's backyard. But the military lost track of where the uncrewed jet flew off to.

Authorities asked the public for help finding the jet after the pilot ejected. A debris field confirmed to be the remains of the pricey plane was found on Monday in South Carolina, about 80 miles away from where the pilot landed.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Haitis gang violence has no shortage of victims: Women and girls who are raped, men and boys recruited into a life of crime, Christian missionaries taken hostage, in fact, an entire nation is under siege.

And what little government there is in the country has been unable protect its citizens from the chaos.

Now, gangs are targeting a new group of vulnerable people: 62 disabled children living in an orphanage called HaitiChildren, outside Port-au-Prince. This time, there are ways to protect these most helpless young ones. But Prime Minister Ariel Henry has yet to take charge of finding the best approach.

Hes been silent. He needs to step up and speak up, especially since he is a medical doctor.

Two years after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, the violence in Haiti, by all accounts, grows worse daily.

On Tuesday, President Joe Biden called on the U.N. Security Council to quickly pass a resolution that will authorize a multilateral force to deploy to Haiti as it battles armed gangs controlling much of its capital, Port-au-Prince, warning that time is running out to act.

There is also an urgency to addressing how best to protect the disabled kids in an orphanage. They matter, too.

Offer from Jamaica

A Sept. 10 article by Miami Herald Caribbean Correspondent Jacqueline Charles detailing the childrens plight has resonated in Miami and beyond.

The central question is how to rescue the children, whom the Haitian gang leaders have as much said should be killed because they are defective?

There was some good news. A charity run by a renowned Catholic priest in Jamaica had announced in June it would care for them until things improve in Haiti. The children just had to be flown ti their temporary home.

As of today, the fate of the targeted children continues to hang in the balance.

Unfortunately, Haiti has never been a place of easy or quick answers.

In this case, however, speed is of the essence. The effort to transfer the disabled Haitian children to safety in Jamaica after three died because gangs kept them from reaching medical care, appears to be off the table, according to the head of Haitis child welfare agency. She reprimanded the orphanage for not reporting the recent deaths.

Arielle Jeanty Villedrouin, the director of Haitis Institute of Social Welfare and Research, says that temporarily relocating the children to Jamaica would set a bad precedent.

In a note to the Miami Herald, Villedrouin said: It is up to the Haitian state to determine the best approach to respond to this complex situation, taking into account the protection of children and respect for national and international laws.

OK, Haiti wants an internal solution to this orphanage problem. Fine, find one, instead of putting up roadblocks.

Three have died

Because of gang harassment, three children in the orphanage died last month as they were being rushed to a hospital to see a specialist about their uncontrollable seizures. Gang members blocked the road and forced the vehicle to turn back.

The Heralds Charles told the Editorial Board she has asked Villedrouin, in a country lacking healthcare and specialists, where these especially vulnerable children should be taken or hidden. And what happens when the gangs occupy that territory, as they have done area by area?

Heres another question: Where is Prime Minister Ariel Henry on this dire situation? Henry not only is Haitis current caretaker leader, he is also, of all things, one of Haitis top physicians and neurologists.

He is the very specialist these disabled children need to see in many cases.

As a doctor, Henry is acutely aware of what it means to have children so severely disabled sheltered in a caring, safe and nurturing environment.

Yet, there are no signs that Henry, who was advised of the childrens situation in June, is addressing it.

By acquiescing to the head of his child welfare agency, no matter how well-intentioned, Henry is derelict.

Recently, heavily armed warring gangs have set up near the orphanage and cut off the safe passage, kidnapped staff and invaded the facility, threatening to put the kids out of their misery, according to co-founder Susie Krabacher, an American who lives in Colorado. Such chilling words.

Haiti is a country on fire. Finding a solution for the lives of 62 disabled kids can easily fall under the radar, but that should not be the case.

How a nation cares for its most vulnerable has always been the most telling of its core values.
By Ralph Tedy Erol

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Haiti's most powerful gang leader called for the armed overthrow of Prime Minister Ariel Henry , urging Haitians to take to the streets against the unelected government in the latest escalation of a country undergoing humanitarian crisis.

Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier, a former police officer who now heads a powerful coalition of gangs that controls large parts of Port-au-Prince, led his group of armed men on a march through the capital on Tuesday, blocking roads and banging drums.

"We are launching the fight to overturn Ariel Henry's government in any way," gang leader Cherizier told Reuters. "Our fight will be with weapons."

He added that "demonstrations in all working-class neighborhoods" would take place daily against Henry's government, which he said had no legitimacy.

Haitian gangs, which frequently engage police in gun battles and profit from activities such as extortion and drug trafficking, have grown in strength since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

The assassination created a power vacuum, with Prime Minister Ariel Henry governing on an interim basis since. Henry has pledged to hold elections once security is re-established, and has called for international help in fighting the gangs.

"The international community cannot continue to do this in Haiti," Cherizier said. "If the international community has nothing to do with (Moise's) death, they must not support Ariel Henry."

Cherizier also said that residents of the densely populated Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood who left their homes because of gang violence would soon be able to return and live in peace.

The threat from Cherizier comes as Kenya assesses leading a multinational United Nations-backed force to help Haiti's under-gunned police fight the gangs.

More than 19,000 people have been displaced from the capital in recent weeks due to the outbreak of armed violence, according to U.N. estimates.

(Reporting by Ralph Tedy Erol; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Remember this summer when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed to debate? This was sure to be must-see TV. Two guys who really wanted to be president, both of them very much under 80, squaring up. For those who hadnt yet accepted that the 2024 presidential election would be a Biden-Trump redux, this looked like the very near future of American politics, two heavyweight rising stars, leaders of large states, R and D, an undercard in name only.

Now its looking increasingly unlikely that that debate will happen at all. In a recent appearance on Meet the Press, Newsom told host Chuck Todd that the debate is still in the works but mired in a disagreement over a venue issue. They wanted thousands of people and make it a performance. I wasnt interested in that. We were pretty clear on that. And so I think were getting closer, Newsom said.

But logistics are the least of their problems. Since the moment this idea was announced in August, things have not gone according to plan for either man. With Trump and Biden already looking like locks for presidential renominations, DeSantis and Newsom havent merely been put on ice; each has spent the intervening months spoiling their reputation with odd antics, their national appeal somehow fading faster than even the sundowning octogenarians at their respective parties helms. Both have filled their second and final gubernatorial terms with strange vanity projects and ill-advised public comments, accomplishing less and less with the mandate voters in each of their states gave them not long ago.

DeSantis falloff is well documented. Its not just his astonishingly off-putting trailside manner. Hes blown through a startling amount of campaign cash, worn out the backing of what was an exhaustive-depth chart of GOP megadonors, and somehow turned the opportunity of his chief rivals multiple federal indictments into a crushing blow for his own chances. He has nearly been passed up by Vivek Ramaswamy in national polls.

It has become clear that DeSantis vengeful conservatism, part Trumpism but with more ire for teachers and librarians and LGBTQ+ people in the Sunshine State, is not the future of the party. If anything, DeSantis frenzy of probably unconstitutional anti-choice, anti-education, punitive politics has been exposed as freakish and off-putting even to Republicans, who are rejecting him roundly. The fear of independents or Democrats outside of Florida falling under his sway seems legitimately laughable, even compared to where he was two months ago.

After his first Republican debate performance, where he suffered all the disadvantages of front-runner status with attacks from the field, but, of course, was very much not the front-runner, its unclear why DeSantis team would want to march him out to the dais for another round, this time with Newsom. Even a best-case scenario would have him taking hits, this time from the leftthe direction from which Trump is already hitting himand absorbing unnecessary blows his Republican opponents are avoiding. Worse still is the prospective visual of the 5-foot-something DeSantis in his heeled boots standing alongside the 6-foot-3 governor of California.

Newsom hasnt been the face of an embarrassing campaign meltdown this year, but he hasnt exactly been covering himself in glory, either. The geriatric logjam at the top of the northern wing of the California Democratic Party has continued with Nancy Pelosi choosing to run for reelection and Dianne Feinstein refusing to step down, robbing Newsom of a legacy-making opportunity to have appointed both of the states senators. This would obviously not be as desirable as winning one of those roles himself, but itd be better than nothing. Despite her obvious and well-catalogued deficiencies, Kamala Harris remains entrenched in her vice presidency, and is thus in front of Newsom in the California Democratic line as well.

Arguably, since his election as mayor of San Francisco in 2004, and most certainly since he won the states top office in 2018, Newsom has been a rising star, a much-talked-about presidential contender who looked to have timing on his side as the old guard aged out. When he sat out the 2020 primary race, it seemed like it was still only a one-term setback.

Now, he has effectively been pulled off even the shadow campaign trail for 2024. But instead of focusing on legacy policy achievements to burnish his resume for 2028, Newsom has instead committed himself to confounding, reactionary, and probably unconstitutional policymaking of his own, a series of descriptors one might even call DeSantis-esque for short.

Last week, Newsom announced that the state will intervene in a recent federal case over whether the city of San Francisco can sweep homeless encampments without providing more available shelter beds. The governor been happy to slap his smiling image on this campaign, personally involving himself in cleanup efforts. But the federal government has not smiled upon what homeless rights advocates have called a cruel and illegal processthe city has also been throwing out personal belongings found in encampments, including medication and cellphonesand U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu granted an injunction against the process, bringing it to a halt until the city can actually point to available shelter for the homeless.

Newsom responded to that decision with scathing remarks, calling the ruling a perverse interpretation of the law and announcing that he would commit the full legal force of the state to opposing the decision, filing an amicus brief on behalf of the approach to allow it to continue. Newsom said he hoped his offices intervention would push the issue into the outstretched arms of the Republican judicial supermajority on the Supreme Court, whose penchant for cruel and conservative decision-making might greenlight his preferred policy. I hope this goes to the Supreme Court, Newsom said. And thats a hell of a statement coming from a progressive Democrat.

Newsom has also announced a new tough-on-crime initiative, announcing the states largest-ever commitment to combating retail theft, which will cost a whopping $267 million and involve 55 law enforcement agencies. When shameless criminals walk out of stores with stolen goods, theyll walk straight into jail cells, Newsom said in a statement.

California has struggled with a slight increase in violent crimeand a huge increase in fear of crime, particularly in Northern California; that crime panic helped oust San Franciscos reform District Attorney Chesa Boudin in a recall campaign, which predictably has done nothing to reverse those trends in the city. Simultaneously, conservative media and business groups have made a huge effort to convince the public of a shoplifting crime wave. But as NBC Bay Area reporter Velena Jones noted, Oakland, at the epicenter of this supposed spree, with a reformist district attorney to boot, has seen commercial burglaries increase just 7 percent from this time last year. In a January earnings call, Walgreens CFO James Kehoe admitted to investors that maybe we cried too much last year about retail theft.

Newsom has also trotted out new tough talk on drug dealing, doubling the number of state police officers in San Francisco, a confounding approach that seems to suggest a return to war-on-drugs, 1980s-style policy. All of which has the governor looking like the newest in a long line of Democrats self-styling as tough on crime, which continues to be a losing position for non-Republicans running for office.

Newsom built up an impressive track record in his first term and a half, and is certainly the states best governor in recent memory; he can and may still sign a number of consequential pieces of legislation that are currently sitting on his desk that would represent meaningful changes on everything from pollution to wages to gun control and more. But compared to the breakthrough legislative sessions overseen by Democratic governors in Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois, all with much smaller Democratic majorities, those accomplishments seem less Herculean. Theres a reason that conversations regarding the future of the Democratic Party are now focused on a bunch of governors from the upper Midwest and make scant mention of the Californian.

So the pay-per-view-style showdown promised between Newsom and DeSantis seems destined to fade away. Possibly the decision lies with Fox, which had planned to host the event. Rupert Murdoch initially proclaimed support for DeSantis, but the network seems to be coming around to the fact that it will be Trump theyre doing ideological programming on behalf of yet again.

All of a sudden, the two governors who once fancied themselves the two poles of American politics seem to be on a very similar trajectory, staring down the possibility of settling for lower office or hoping instead for a Cabinet appointment from a friendly ex-rival. Would a Hannity-hosted TV special between two guys, both unlikely to ever be president, help ingratiate either one of them? That, I guess, is debatable.
WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  A man who lives in rural South Carolina said he heard what we now know was the crash of an unmanned military jet  but at the time, he had no idea it was a downed aircraft not far from his home.

Randolph White, 72, retired from his job at the paper mill in Georgetown 10 years ago; he and his wife live in a very rural area of Williamsburg County.

While he said its typically quiet and peaceful where he lives, Sunday afternoon was anything but.

I was in the bathroom, taking a shave, and I heard a screeching. Between a screech and a whistle. I said, what in the world is this? And I heard a boom! Then my whole house shook, he recalled.

NASA predicts large asteroid impact could be in Earths future

White said he did not realize it was a plane at the time, so he did not call anyone.

The first thought that came to me I said well, did a meteorite come from outer space or something? And I said, well if it was an airplane it needs to be reported because that thing was flying just too low. I didnt give it any other thought. I knew it was low because my house is pretty solid, and it shook, White said.

The next night, as authorities searched for the F-35  which disappeared after its pilot safely ejected and landed in the backyard of a home  White said he saw helicopters flying around, but thought they were searching for something else.

Somebody must have robbed a bank, he thought. Killed some people or whatever. So, I walked up there, and they told me it was about the plane.

The F-35B airplane wreckage created an extensive debris field off of nearby Old Georgetown Road, roughly 60 miles from where the pilot had ejected. Military security there is tight, with numerous red and white signs on the side of the road that read No Trespassing. This area has been designated a National Defense Area.

Just through the grace of God, nobody didnt get hurt, said White. Because theres a church right up there, about a half mile.

Man was punched before he died at New England Patriots game, witness says

About a mile stretch of Old Georgetown Road will be closed for a period while crews recover the wreckage.

The pilot, who has not been identified, was found on South Kenwood Drive in North Charleston and taken to a local hospital for treatment. He experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject just 1 mile north of Charleston International Airport, according to a situation report given to the Associated Press by a U.S. Marine Corps official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the investigation.

There is no clear reason for the incident; officials with Joint Base Charleston are calling it a mishap.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
A sidewalk memorial grows at Sierra Highway and Avenue Q in front of the Palmdale Sheriff's Station for Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was shot to death near the spot on Saturday evening. Sheriff Robert Luna announced the arrest of a suspect on Monday. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

3:18 p.m. Sept. 20, 2023: An earlier version of this article credited the California Department of Health and Childrens Services for statistics on psychiatric admissions. The data came from the California Department of Health Care Services.



When Kevin Cataneo Salazar, 29, allegedly shot Los Angeles Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, he may have been using a handgun he had purchased legally despite a history of mental illness, authorities said Tuesday, raising questions about how he was able to slip through the cracks of a system designed to prevent such tragedies.

Cataneo Salazar's mother told The Times her son had been hospitalized for mental health crises and twice attempted suicide. Experts say California laws should have prohibited him from purchasing a firearm, but the safeguard system is complicated and there are several ways he may have passed through the usual checks unnoticed.

Cataneo Salazar is being held at the downtown Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where he will be examined and transferred to the appropriate facilities if he needs further medical attention, officials said.

He will be charged with Clinkunbroomer's murder, L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said, adding that prosecutors "will aggressively pursue this case."

In the coming weeks, investigators will attempt to figure out how the suspect  whose mother said he heard voices in his head  was able to acquire a firearm and allegedly attack a sheriff's deputy while he sat in his marked cruiser in front of the Palmdale sheriff's station. Times reporters contacted law enforcement officials, mental health experts and the suspected gunman's family to unravel the mystery.

Mental health hospitalization and admittance

Prior to his arrest on Monday, Cataneo Salazar did not have a criminal record, and he legally purchased and registered a firearm that was confiscated by law enforcement, L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascon said. It's unclear if this was the same gun used in the fatal shooting of Clinkunbroomer. Investigators are said to be examining Cataneo Salazar's mental health history and previous contacts with authorities.

In California, there are multiple avenues for people to receive mental health treatment, either through voluntary or involuntary programs. According to Marle Salazar, Cataneo Salazar's mother, her son was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia about five years ago.

She called law enforcement at least twice when he became a danger to himself after not taking his medication, she said. But Cataneo Salazar had never hurt anyone, she said, and she was unaware he owned a gun.

They're only saying he was the one who fired the shot, but no one says he has a [mental health] record, she said. It wasnt my son who did it. Its the disease that did it.

In a background check for a gun purchase in California, "attempting suicide is not a qualifying factor under federal or state law," said Allison Anderman, senior counsel at Giffords Law Center, an antigun violence organization.

However, California hospitals are required to report admittance for mental health crises to the state Department of Justice, experts said, and these so-called 5150 holds trigger a five-year ban on purchasing or owning firearms.

A second 5150 hold within a year bans a person for life, according to the website of the Office of the Attorney General.

But Anderman said that spending the night in the hospital is not what the legal definition of admitted is, and "there are issues with the reporting oftentimes in mental health facilities."

Ultimately, not all who are hospitalized for acute mental health crises are admitted. "Whether someone is admitted or not has a lot to do with whether they have beds or capacity," not necessarily the severity of the crisis, she said.

Cracks in a system

According to his family, Cataneo Salazar was hospitalized twice due to his mental health.

He told his mother that he was hearing voices telling him to kill himself, and he devised a plan to die by jumping into an aqueduct. That resulted in an involuntary commitment in March 2019, according to his mother. The second time he was hospitalized was in September 2021, but it's unclear if that episode resulted in a voluntary hospitalization, she said.

Around the same time, deputies with the sheriff's department performed a welfare check at the family's home because Cataneo Salazar was hurting himself, his mother said.

If Cataneo Salazar was in fact involuntarily committed, "he should've been both federally and state prohibited" from purchasing a gun, said Amy Barnhorst, associate director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis.

An involuntary commitment generally corresponds to another type of intervention, known as a 5250 hold, which includes a court case in front of a judge or hearing officer, she said. At that hearing, the notification for federal prohibition takes place.

In addition to prohibition at the federal level, California has additional regulations prohibiting gun ownership after involuntary commitment.

Cataneo Salazar had purchased a handgun recently, according to a law enforcement source who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation. Cataneo Salazar's record indicates he was barred from purchasing a firearm in California until 2026, potentially from his involuntary hospitalization in 2021, the source said.

It is possible Cataneo Salazar lied on a form when he purchased the gun, or that he has multiple variations of his name that could have been missed in a state database, according to the source.

The California attorney general's office did not immediately respond to requests about Cataneo Salazar's status in the statewide database.

Red flag laws

His mother said that during a search of the family's home following Clinkunbroomer's shooting, authorities found three or four other firearms but that those belonged to her husband and were not accessible to her son. She said she believes only one gun belonged to her son and it was purchased within the last year.

If the family had known of Cataneo Salazar's intent to arm himself, the state's red flag laws could have prevented him from purchasing the weapon.

State law allows individuals  including family members  to seek a Gun Violence Restraining Order against anyone who has been deemed a threat to others or themselves. If granted, the person's weapons can be confiscated. They will also be barred from future gun purchases.

The California Department of Justice monitors individuals who legally purchase firearms under the Armed and Prohibited Persons System, a statewide database that cross-references purchases against other records. A spokesperson for the California attorney general's office declined to comment on whether Cataneo Salazar was flagged in the system.

The system is meant to identify people who are legally not authorized to own a firearm, including convicted felons, persons blocked under a restraining order, under the terms of their probation or flagged by a federal background check. People with mental health triggering events are also barred under Californias system. In 2022, the system identified 4,837 such people, according to an annual report from the California Department of Justice.

Under state law, mentally disordered persons can be detained up to 72 hours under 5150 holds.

If a person is being detained on an involuntary hold for 72 hours as a danger to themselves or others, the detaining facility is required to report the initiation of that hold to the California Department of Justice and the firearms prohibition is under their purview, said Dr. Ariel Seroussi, medical director for psychiatric emergency services at UCLA.

A 5150 for grave disability does not, by itself, carry the same automatic reporting requirement as a 5150 for danger to self or danger to others, Seroussi added.

Keeping a person beyond a 72-hour hold has become increasingly rare. Between 2020 and 2021, more than 120,000 adults in California were admitted to psychiatric facilities for evaluation and treatment, according to statistics compiled by the states Department of Health Care Services.

But of that total, 72,000 were released after 72 hours, and only 3,300 had their holds extended to 30 days.

While experts say that violent attacks by people with severe mental illness are rare, incidents such as Clinkunbroomers shooting have prompted calls for reform.

In 2001, when Scott Harlan Thorpe killed three people and wounded two in a Sierra Nevada town northeast of Sacramento, legislators began drafting Lauras Law, named for one of the victims. Although Thorpe had been evaluated for a 5150 hold, he was not detained despite his familys concerns over his deepening paranoia.

So much of the impetus of legislation like Lauras Law is the belief if we treat someone with serious mental illness, it will prevent these really rare events from happening," said Joel Braslow, professor of psychiatry at Columbia University. But it seems to me that this is not so much a crack in the mental health care system than a crack in the entire system and the availability of guns in the first place.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The brazen and tragic case of an Austin mother being killed and her friend kidnapping her young baby has been adapted into a Lifetime movie.

"Stolen Baby" tells the story of longtime friends Heidi Broussard and Magen Fieramusca, who shared with with each other that they were pregnant at the same time and wondered if they would give birth on the same day, according to court documents. But in truth, Fieramusca had lied to her friend, and instead planned to kidnap her friend's baby and present the child as her own.

The Statesman reported extensively on this case back in 2019 and earlier this year when Fieramusca was sentenced. Here's the true story and who has been cast in the Lifetime movie.

Heidid Broussard and Magen Fieramusca were friends for years

Two decades prior to the murder, the two met at a church camp as teenagers and were very close, according to other camp attendees interviewed by KHOU.

As their friendship continued, Broussard would refer to Fieramusca as her "bestie" in Facebook posts, including when she was pregnant in 2013. By 2019, when Broussard shared news of another pregnancy, her friend suggested she was also expecting.

Police said that lie was part of an elaborate hoax that included setting up fake baby registries.

'She was always fun to be with': Buda restaurant co-worker recalls Heidi Broussard as friendly, well-liked

Suspicions grew after birth of Heidi Broussard's baby

When Broussard gave birth to her third child that November, her family noted Fieramusca acted suspiciously, going so far as to interrupt the newborn's first meeting with her grandfather. A friend at the hospital noted that she also clutched a pillow over her stomach, pretending to be pregnant at the hospital

Fieramusca also spent that night at Broussard's apartment despite saying she had planned to leave to return to Houston that night.

Shane Carey, Broussard's fiance and father of the new baby girl, gave her a key to their home. According to Statesman reporting, she promised to leave it on the counter but Carey never saw that key again.

An eight-day search and the murder of Heidi Broussard

On the morning of Dec. 12, Broussard dropped off her child at Cowan Elementary in South Austin and was reported missing with her infant daughter by Austin Police that same day. Officers later testified that a neighbor of Broussard's told them that she saw Broussard and Fieramusca hug outside Broussard's Austin apartment, then saw Broussard get into Fieramusca's vehicle with her infant.

Carey made pleas for the public's assistance in locating both of them after they disappeared.

"I don't know why anybody would ever harm or touch these two beautiful women together," he told KVUE.

Dig deeper: Tips, witnesses led to suspect in Heidi Broussard kidnapping, affidavit says

The search continued for over a week, with more agencies becoming involved. By Dec. 20, authorities in Houston said Broussard's body was found in a duffel bag in the trunk of a car outside a home. Inside the home, was Fieramusca and young Margot.

Fieramusca was arrested and initially charged with kidnapping, evidence tampering and later, capital murder. According to an indictment, she asphyxiated Broussard by ligature strangulation, with a leash and with her hand.

How Magen Fieramusca's ex-boyfriend Christopher Green inadvertently alerted authorities to the whereabouts of Heidi Broussard

Before the murder, Fieramusca told her ex-boyfriend Christopher Green she was pregnant with his child. The two still lived together even though their relationship had ended. Green said he had not seen her belly grow, either and while noting the two had a rocky relationship, according to Statesman reporting at the time.

He came home one day in December to find her with a baby on the bed.

"She's been really distant with me about that stuff. I don't know why," he told a Texas Ranger after being asked where the child was born.

'Please, go get that baby.' Defense in Heidi Broussard case alleges evidence was improperly gathered

Magen Fieramusca walks into the courtroom before pleading guilty to a charge of murder in Heidi Broussard's death at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

The Ranger had the conversation with him in the parking lot of a Target, where Green had bought baby formula. He and Fieramusca had named her Luna, but the possibility that she may belong to someone else spurred him to encourage law enforcement to take action.

"Sir, is somebody going over to get that baby?" Green said. "If she's capable of this, please go get that baby."

Law enforcement responded to the home, detaining Fieramusca for hours while they waited for warrants, later testifying they took action when they due to believing she was a threat to the child.

What happened to Heidi Broussard's baby?

Not even a month old when she was kidnapped, Margot Carey was initially taken into custody at Fieramusca's home in Houston by Texas Child Protective Services.

Once her identity was confirmed by authorities, she was reunited with Carey and Broussard's family.

Magaen Fieramusca sentenced to 55 years in prison

Just more than three years after Broussard's death, Fieramsuca was sentenced to 55 years in prison after pleading guilty to her murder. The sentence was a result of a plea deal between the Travis County district attorney and Fieramusca's defense attorney.

'Stolen Baby' cast features Emily Osment, Anna Hopkins

Anna Hopkins plays Broussard in the film and Emily Osment portrays Fieramusca.

How to watch 'Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard'

Part of Lifetime's "Ripped from the Headlines" series, "Stolen Baby" will premiere at 7 p.m. Central Time on Saturday, Sept. 23.

The movie will be available to stream on Lifetime's app the following day.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Heidi Broussard murder: How Magen Fieramusca killed friend, stole baby
Broadway understudy Mikayla Renfrow was flying in an airliner about 40,000 feet over the Atlantic Ocean when she got the text from her stage manager: She would need to be at the theater in Times Square to play Jasmine in "Aladdin" that night.

There's no way, Renfrow thought.

She had four more hours left on the Delta flight, which had been delayed by 90 minutes and was set to land at 5 p.m. at JFK International Airport. Renfrow would have to get through Customs and make her way through rush-hour traffic to get to the New Amsterdam Theatre by 6:30 p.m.

"I was on top of the Atlantic in between two continents ... My heart definitely dropped," when the text came in, Renfrow told USA TODAY on Tuesday. "I looked over my boyfriend and I was like, 'There's no way. There's no way that's gonna happen' ... In my brain in that moment, I fully believed that this was not possible.'"

She would soon be proved wrong, thanks to a quick-thinking flight attendant and the plane's captain. Her frantic journey from the jetway to Broadway went viral this week in a TikTok Renfrow posted Monday.

24-mile hike in 21 hours: How 81-year-old living with cancer conquered the Grand Canyon

'You're going to get to the theater'

When Broadway understudy Mikayla Renfrow got the text that she was needed on stage the night of Sept. 12, she was certain she wouldn't make it on time. Her flight had been delayed by an hour and a half and she would be landing at JFK International Airport at the peak of rush hour.

All but hopeless, Renfrow decided to let one of the flight attendants know about her predicament and ask if there was any way she could be allowed to get off the plane first. (She was sitting toward the back on the on Sept. 12 flight).

"I said, 'I'm the understudy and I'm being called in to play the (leading) role and I have to be there no later than 6:30," Renfrow said she told flight attendant Leicha Richardson, the in-flight supervisor.

"She was like, 'What show?' And I said, 'Aladdin,'" Renfrow recalled. "And she goes, 'Oh, you're playing Jasmine ... I'm going to get the pilot on the phone, we're going to figure this out for you. You're going to get to the theater tonight, I'm telling you that right now.'"

Stunned, Renfrow said: "I was like, this queen in front of me."

Things moved pretty fast after that.

'Fairy godmother'

Broadway's "Aladdin" star Mikayla Renfrow smiles while in character as Jasmine.

Richardson told Renfrow about Blade, a helicopter service that takes people from JFK to Manhattan in less than 10 minutes for $195.

Renfrow got the approval from her stage manager to pay for the Blade, booking it through an app using the airplane's WiFi. Another crew member helped Renfrow download an app that allows passengers to get through Customs quickly.

Then Richardson moved Renfrow up to an empty first-class seat so she could get off the plane first and hopefully get some rest before curtains up.

"'I'm going to give you a jug of water and you're going to try and sleep and hydrate and rest because you have a big night,'" Renfrow said Richardson told her. "Fully my fairy godmother."

Richardson told USA TODAY that the second she saw Renfrow, she wanted to help her.

"I saw Mikayla's face and she was full of anxiety and she had these big, puppy eyes," she said from her home in Brooklyn. "The mother in me came out like, 'Listen, it's gonna be OK, we got this.'"

Richardson, who has been with Delta for 27 years, then talked to the pilot, Capt. Robert Montalto, told him the situation and introduced him to Renfrow. Turns out, both Renfrow and Montalto are from Ohio, she from Cincinnati and he from Youngstown.

"He was all for it," Richardson said. "He was like, 'Listen, we're gonna get you there.' If he could have landed the plane on Broadway, it would have happened."

Delta Captain Robert Montalto and Broadway understudy Mikayla Renfrow pose on a flight from Europe to New York.

'Like a storybook': Couple born 6 hours apart on same day in same hospital marry 35 years later

Chaotic: An Atlanta engineer rode every Disney ride in the world in 12 days. Here's how he did it.

Planes, choppers and subways

The captain arranged to taxi the plane to a gate that was closer to Customs.

After landing, a Delta agent escorted Renfrow through Customs and to the Blade car that takes passengers to the helicopter. Though she was two minutes late for the ride she booked, the company knew she was on her way and held the helicopter for her, Renfrow said.

In about eight minutes, she landed at Hudson Yards in Manhattan. From there, she scrambled to the subway, which lets out right outside the theater. She walked in at 6:20 p.m. and was on stage 40 minutes later.

Among the audience members was a very special guest: her fairy godmother flight attendant.

Disney arranged to have a ticket waiting for Richardson, who used her expert-level mastery of the subway system to get to the theater just in time for curtains up. An usher watched her bags and she enjoyed the show fully decked out in her Delta uniform.

Delta flight attendant Leicha Richardson and Broadway understudy Mikayla Renfrow smile for a selfie in the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City after Renfrow played Jasmine in "Aladdin." If it weren't for quick thinking by Richardson and a Delta pilot, Renfrow wouldn't have made it to the show on time.

She gives Renfrow's performance five stars.

"I'm just so amazed that someone that flew nine hours after a vacation in Europe ... and right to work and she knew her lines, she was belting out those notes, it was fabulous."

Renfrow will have to take her word for it.

"I honestly don't remember a lot of it ... the adrenaline was so strong," she said. "It was pretty blackout ... I remember the first entrance and hearing Leicha ... As soon as I came out she was like, 'Woo woo!'"

Creating magic

Renfrow made a TikTok about the experience nearly a week later. It instantly took off and had nearly a million views by Wednesday.

"You SAVED Broadway," one user wrote. Another said: "OK why am I sobbing at the fact Leicha came to watch you?!"

Renfrow immediately sent it to Richardson to tell her what an impact she had made.

"I was like, 'Everyone loves you. You're amazing at your job,'" said Renfrow, who grew up in Cincinnati and has been living her dream in New York City for the past two years.

As a new empty nester whose two children are off at college, the 50-year-old Richardson said she did what any good mother would do. Or rather, fairy godmother.

"We just did what we needed to do in the moment and that's what was important ... continuously creating that magic to move forward and get her where she needed to be," Richardson said. "If that's fairy dust and fairy godmother, then so it is."

Amanda Lee Myers covers news, adventure and the human experience for USA Today. She can be reached at AmandaMyers@usatoday.com and found on X at @AmandaLeeUSAT.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Broadway actor Mikayla Renfrow's wild race to make 'Aladdin' stage
Kim Keene knows the difficulties of being a starving artist. She also knows how hard it is to live with cancer.

Keene, who lives on Willoughby Spit, is the founder and former owner of the Starving Artist Cafe on Colley Avenue in Norfolk.

But her priorities changed when she received word in the spring of 2022 that she had stage 4 metastatic cancer.

She sold the cafe and combined her love of art with her new mission to support people dealing with cancer and created Paint Pink, a nonprofit organization, in June.

___

Fighting cancer  again

I thought I was doing everything possible to not have to deal with cancer again, Keene said.

She had received her first breast cancer diagnosis in 2017 at the same time her now late father was battling lung cancer.

They wanted to do a lumpectomy at first, but I really didnt want to have to face this again, so I had a double mastectomy, she said.

Keenes scans came back with clean margins and she remained in remission for five years. But in May 2022, she began to experience shortness of breath. Anxious to see a doctor, Keene was told the first opening was September.

She went to a walk-in clinic and after several tests, learned she had 5 liters of liquid in her lungs. Admitted to the hospital with a chest tube, the fluid was tested and doctors determined that Keenes cancer had metastasized to her pelvis and clavicle.

Its not a super aggressive cancer, so they have put me on a pill form of chemo, she said. I will be on that for the rest of my life.

The mother of two sons, Reed Woods, 18, and Kurt Woods, 16, Keene said nowadays she stays busy being present with her family and with her first love  art.

Immersing herself into creating her large-scale abstract paintings, Keene was recently the first featured artist at the Gallery at Godwin, a new apartment development in Suffolk. Much to her joy, three of her pieces were purchased for permanent display.

___

Selling her business

A native of Portsmouth, Keene graduated from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and earned a fine arts degree from Virginia Wesleyan University.

She opened the Starving Artist Cafe in 2015, originally as a working gallery. Within a year and a half, it quickly doubled as a place to enjoy breakfast, lunch and drinks while maintaining its first purpose  to showcase local artists creativity.

But, when Keene faced her second cancer battle, including an 11-day hospital stay last year, she began to rethink how to spend her time and energy.

The restaurant business, for me, was very tough if you werent present, she said. Keeping the staff and everybody where they needed to be was just too hard to do remotely.

In September 2022, Keene made the difficult decision to sell the cafe, passing on the paint brush, chefs hat and keys to Jamie and Shanna Windemiller. She knew it was going to be in good hands because the Windemillers werent just any customers.

Jamie Windemiller, a retired Navy senior chief and a regular at the cafe, never thought twice about stepping in to help out when needed  washing dishes, doing maintenance work and even baking muffins.

Shanna Windemiller has a culinary degree with a background in the hospitality industry. She, unknowingly, gave notice of leaving her job at Kingsmill Resort near Williamsburg the same day her husband was asked about buying the cafe.

It kind of all fell into place, Keene said. The timing was perfect.

Jamie Windemiller didnt have a second thought. He said he sees it as destiny. After all, he and his new bride had their first date there in November 2021.

Its been amazing to help her do this, he said. The cafe is something that really means a lot to her and to us.

___

Starting her nonprofit

Keene had raised money for the American Cancer Society, participating in a walk in October last year with her sons by her side. But, she realized that so many services are just not on the radar for one organization.

Keene recollected her own troubles when she was sick  needing help with house cleaning, meals, lawn mowing and so much more that is sometimes taken for granted.

I was always getting a call from someone  a friend, or a friend of a friend, or a family member  that was newly diagnosed, she said. And I kept thinking that I really want to do something to help people.

So, in June, Keene started Paint Pink. Its mission is to support those living with cancer with goods and services not covered by insurance, including payment of bills, personal care items, estate planning, yard work, house cleaning and meal delivery so they can focus on their health.

Hampton Roads residents with cancer can fill out an application online to share their needs.

Caryn West, a Paint Pink board member, fellow breast cancer survivor and business and estate attorney with Parks Zeigler, said the program is still in formation, but helping clients create an estate plan is extremely fulfilling.

A lot of people are overwhelmed by the idea of dying, West said. I enjoy giving people that sense of security that in the event that the worst happens, their family is legally prepared to fulfill their wishes.

For Keene, the work she is doing now comes from her heart.

Im passionate about art and Im passionate about helping people go through this, she said.

___

Upcoming Paint Pink fundraisers

Paint Pink kicks off with its first art show 6-8 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Starving Artist Cafe at 4408 Colley Ave. with plenty of art, T-shirts, food and drinks.

An event 6-10 p.m. Oct. 13 at Elation Brewing, 5104 Colley Ave., with a silent auction and live music from Scotch n Rye will raise money for Amys Army, a group dedicated to helping Keenes dear friend, Amy Rowley, with her breast cancer battle.

An art show and live auction is scheduled 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at dArt Center, 740 Boush St. Seven artists will have their donated work up for auction in the gallerys vault. The pink-themed event includes items such as a pink scooter, pink lamp and pink guitar.

Eric Worden, a disc jockey with 93.7 BOB FM and The Coast 96.5 FM and a fellow cancer survivor, is creating the guitar for the live auction.

I just love when creative folks use their art to raise money and awareness for worthy causes, he said. But, when Kim told me her own battle with breast cancer is the inspiration for her new nonprofit and she intends on spreading love to all individuals and families that contend with cancer, I was all in.

For more information, visit paintpinkinc.org.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@insidebiz.com
Like many homeowners, I recently received my property tax assessment. It showed a huge increase in my homes value. My reaction was one of excitement, thinking about the growth of my home equity. For others, this type of news could lead to deep fear believing a massive property tax bill will soon follow. For reasons well discuss, this isnt necessarily the case.

Property taxes are an important part of the tax base for school districts, local governments and many states. Though based on a relatively straightforward calculation, they are among the least understood taxes by taxpayers. Although there are variations in each state, the general formula for property taxes is the value of the property multiplied by the tax rate.

Too often taxpayers focus on assessed values instead of the spending decisions made by government officials when considering their property tax burden. With record property tax assessment increases occurring in states like Idaho, Montana, Washington and Wyoming, homeowners are concerned about the potential impact on their property tax bills.

First, it is important for taxpayers to know that assessments are just a part of the calculation. The main driver of property taxes is spending increases approved by policymakers and voters themselves through levies. The assessor is not responsible for any property tax increase; the budget writers are.

This is why efforts to restrict property assessments are often misplaced and lead to other problems. The better way to control property tax increases is on the spending side and/or with levy restrictions. One way to help bring greater transparency to the fact spending is the main cause of property tax increases is with a reform called Truth in Taxation.

To bring more transparency to property tax increases, Utah was the first to adopt Truth in Taxation in 1985.

Here is how the Utah Legislature describes the tax transparency process: The basic concept of the system is that taxing entities may only budget the same amount of property tax each year, unless they have new growth (not just change in value on existing properties) or go through a very public process of notifying the public and holding a public hearing on the proposed revenue increase. To achieve this, as taxable values change, the tax rate automatically adjusts to provide a constant amount of revenue. When values increase, the tax rate adjusts down to provide the taxing entity the same amount of revenue as it received in the prior year. When values decrease, the tax rate adjusts up to provide the same amount of revenue.

Utahs Property Tax Division further explains: Property Tax increases require a Truth in Taxation process of public disclosure. Taxing entities are required to follow a series of date specific steps, including notification to the county, newspaper advertisements, parcel specific notices, and a public hearing, before adopting a property tax rate above a calculated certified tax rate. The timeline is different for a fiscal year taxing entity (budget cycle July 1 to June 30) and a calendar year entity (budget cycle Jan 1 to Dec 31).

Before moving forward with property tax increases, government officials in Utah need to first fill out a Tax Increase Checklist and comply with the Tax Increase Requirements details under Truth in Taxation.

Along with Utah, Truth in Taxation currently exists in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Tennessee.

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte succinctly explained the need for policymakers to focus on property tax transparency when he said: To ease the property tax burden, we must reform our system and bring greater transparency, accountability and responsibility to local spending.

With the cry for property tax reform getting louder, policymakers in Idaho, Montana, Washington, and Wyoming should focus their efforts on improving transparency and voter engagement with Truth in Taxation.

Jason Mercier is vice president and director of research of Mountain States Policy Center, an independent research organization based in Idaho, Montana, Eastern Washington and Wyoming. Online at mountainstatespolicy.org.
A new restaurant, a coffee shop, and  possibly  a hotel are coming to Lebanon.

A Starbucks location is in the works for the west side of town, and a major apartment developer now wants to include a hotel along with a new cafe called The Goat, which is also billed as a social club.

Lifestyle Communities is building the 590-unit multifamily development called LC Lebanon on Franklin Road, just south of Interstate 40 and near South Hartmann Drive. The plan, approved in August, already includes The Goat.

Now, Lifestyle Communities has revised its site plan to include an LC GuestHouse hotel as part of the project, according to Lebanon Planner Joshua Stahle.

A preliminary rendering of the Lifestyle Communities mixed-use development that has preliminary approval in Lebanon.

The revision seeks to convert 16 residential units to hotel rooms and would drop the number residential units to 574. The hotel would be three stories and about 7,500 square feet, according to Lebanon officials. Hotel rooms would be on the first two stories with residential units on the third floor, Stahle said.

The hotel building would front Franklin Road. Part of the reason to add the hotel is to increase the commercial percentage of the development, which the city wants.

Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell supports the hotel concept and asked planning commissioners to consider the revised plan at a preliminary meeting.

Volleyball and pickleball courts, a pool bar with cabanas, fitness and wellness space and an on-site coffee shop named Morning Ritual are also part of the development plan, according to Lifestyle Communities.

Starbucks looks to build on Lebanon's west side

A site plan to build a Starbucks on Lebanon's west side has been submitted, according to city officials.

The location is on West Main Street between a Dollar Tree and Dairy Queen, officials said.

No. 37: Starbucks Corp. | Coffee shops, food | 2023 employees: 5,200 (estimated) | 2022 employees: 5,100 (estimated) | Ownership: Public | Headquarters: Seattle | starbucks.com

Lebanon also has Starbucks locations further east on West Main and on South Cumberland.

Starbucks had looked at building at a location a nearby Thorntons on West Main, but it didn't get through the approval process, Bell said.

"We have been working diligently to get Starbucks in that area on the west side of town," Bell said.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Hotel, coffee shop and restaurant coming to Lebanon
Republican Rep. Michael McCaul (left) and Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks (right), the chairman and ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing next Thursday on AUMFs.

That tees up a potential repeal of the more than 20-year-old law, which authorized the Iraq war.

The Senate easily passed a bill to do just that earlier this year, but it's stalled in the House.

The House Foreign Affairs Committee will hold a hearing next week on repealing the law that authorized the disastrous US invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Committee spokeswoman Leslie Shedd confirmed that the hearing would take place, and that more details will be announced on Thursday morning.

The hearing, scheduled for 10 am next Thursday, is expected to address both the repeal of the 2002 authorization of the use of military force (AUMF) against Iraq and the replacement of the 2001 AUMF, according to one person familiar with the planning.

It's the first time that the House is set to officially address the issue since Republicans gained control of the chamber earlier this year. In March, the Senate passed a bill to repeal both the 1991 and 2002 AUMFs by a sweeping 66-30 margin, though dozens of Republicans ultimately opposed it.

The effort to repeal the Iraq war powers has been stalled for months in the House, largely owing to the opposition of defense-minded Republicans on key committees.

While members of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus  along with most Democrats  are supportive of the effort, defense hawks have viewed the effort skeptically, believing that repealing the law could leave the United States with fewer tools to combat Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and the looming threat of terrorism more broadly.

House Republicans, seeking to mollify defense hawks, have established a working group led by Republican Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado to address both the Iraq war authorization and the 2001 AUMF, which authorized the president to wage war against the "nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided" the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks of New York, the committee's ranking member, introduced a bill earlier this year that would replace the 2001 AUMF with a new authorization that's more narrowly tailored to terrorist hotspots, and would need to be re-authorized every 4 years.

The House easily voted to repeal both the 1991 and 2002 AUMF in June 2021, when the chamber was controlled by Democrats. But dozens of House Republicans also voted for the bill. The Senate never took up the legislation.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the 2003 invasion of Iraq, which resulted in the destabilization of the region and contributed to the rise of ISIS. The war, launched under false allegations that Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein was developing weapons of mass destruction, has since been condemned by members of both parties as a mistake.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  House Republicans who have previously supported Ukraine are in little rush to approve a fifth round of aid amid growing skepticism within their caucus.

The Pentagon says it still has roughly $5.5 billion worth of authority to keep transferring weapons to Kyiv, even though the last Ukraine aid package Congress passed is set to expire at the end of the month.

How? Pentagon lawyers argue that they can use the remaining drawdown authority indefinitely due to a complicated confluence of circumstances arising from the Biden administration miscalculating the value of Ukraine military aid earlier this year.

The miscalculation has prompted an audit from the Pentagon Inspector General, but its also given the Defense Department more leeway to keep arming Ukraine even if Congress fails to pass the White Houses latest $25 billion supplemental request in military and economic aid for Kyiv. It also means Republicans who have voted for Ukraine aid in the past dont feel much urgency to pass another package, even with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to travel to Capitol Hill to persuade them otherwise on Thursday.

Im not necessarily opposed to supporting the Ukrainians further, but I am opposed to doing it at this point without some sort of explanation from the executive branch, Secretary of Defense [Lloyd Austin] telling us what we are doing with this money and where its going and what the end state is, Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., a defense appropriator, told reporters last week. You cant give a blank check to the executive branch.

Garcia said Republicans have been asking for oversight and accountability reports from the Ukrainian Congress but we havent gotten that feedback from Zelenskyy and this parliament.

Even if the Biden administration maintains it can use the outstanding authorization to keep transferring weapons to Ukraine, another $2.5 billion in funding to backfill U.S. stockpiles of items sent to Kyiv expires at the end of the month absent another supplemental spending bill from Congress.

Defense Appropriations Chairman Ken Calvert, R-Calif., told reporters last week that Congress needs to prioritize passing a defense spending bill, which the House failed to do last week amid a Freedom Caucus revolt, before a Ukraine supplemental.

And Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., who chairs the House Readiness subcommittee on Armed Services, declared The era of Ukraines blank check from Congress is over in a Fox News op-ed on Monday. Waltz called for conditions on Ukraine aid, without specifying what they should look like.

There must be policy space between Bidens current strategy of as long as it takes and those demanding not another dollar, Waltz wrote.

A $6 billion error

The GOP criticism marks a turnaround from last year, when pro-Ukraine Republicans criticized the Biden administration last year for allowing $2.1 billion in drawdown authority expire at the end of fiscal 2022. Republican senators argued that the Biden administration should have used the expiring funds to give Kyiv additional weapons.

This year, the Pentagon is arguing it can use its remaining $5.5 billion in Ukraine drawdown authority as long as it wants, so long as Secretary of State Antony Blinken notifies Congress of the intent to execute a drawdown before the end of the fiscal year. And because the remaining $5.5 billion is the result of a $6 billion Ukraine drawdown accounting error, the Pentagon argues, those State Department notifications have already taken place. Thus, the Biden administration says, the Ukraine drawdown funds can carry over into FY24.

Therefore, the departments execution of a drawdown can extend across fiscal years, Pentagon spokesman Chris Sherwood told Defense News in a statement. Drawdowns that the Secretary of State has directed this fiscal year may continue to be executed using the adjusted proper valuation of the defense articles drawn from [the Defense Departments] inventory, until the monetary cap of the particular existing drawdown is reached.

The Biden administration has said that the accounting error, first announced in May, stemmed from a miscalculation in the Pentagons valuation of weapons aid to Ukraine.

Prior to the accounting error, the Pentagon had calculated the total values of weapons using the projected costs to replace that equipment. Since then, the Pentagon has calculated drawdown amounts using the original cost of the weapons, minus depreciation. This has freed up substantially more drawdown funds to transfer weapons to Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a joint meeting of Congress in the House chamber of the U.S. Capitol on Dec. 21, 2022. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Pentagon Inspector General Robert Storch this month announced an audit of the valuation of weapons sent to Ukraine.

The Pentagon must comply with Federal laws and regulations, and it is important that it be consistently applied across the department, he said in a statement. The policies for how to value equipment provided under [presidential drawdown authority] also are not unique to Ukraine assistance and could impact future use of [presidential drawdown authority] for other foreign partners.

Storch briefed the Senate alongside other inspectors general on Ukraine aid last week. And on Tuesday, four pro-Ukraine Republican senators  including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky  praised Storchs appointment as the lead inspector general for Ukraine aid.

Thanks in large part to the requirements Senate Republicans have attached to our aid since the beginning of Russias escalation, the United States has unprecedented visibility into how Ukraine is using American weapons, said McConnell.

McConnell has made the case for passing additional Ukraine aid on the Senate floor in recent weeks. Zelenskyy will also brief the full Senate on Thursday, but Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., has not made similar arrangements for the wartime leader to do the same in the House  the major obstacle to securing another $25 billion in U.S. support.

It marks a downgrade from Zelenskyys last trip to Washington, where leaders in both parties invited him to address a joint meeting of Congress  though the majority of House Republicans skipped that speech.

The more this drags out and the more it looks like a stalemate and a war of attrition, the less support it gets, said House Foreign Affairs Chairman Mike McCaul, R-Texas. And thats why its going to be very important for Zelenskyy to talk about what is your plan for victory, what do you need? So we can go to the administration and say this is what they need in a supplemental.
A House hearing on the threat of Chinese influence in American schools spurred a debate over racism Tuesday after Democrats accused their GOP colleagues of fueling anti-Asian hate with their continued focus on the issue.

Tuesdays hearing of an Education subcommittee was entitled Academic Freedom Under Attack: Loosening the CCPs Grip on Americas Classrooms, focusing on the influence of Confucius Classrooms, which are part of the China-based network of Confucius Insitute schools meant to spread Chinese culture and language around the world.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oreg.) noted that previous investigations carried out by Congress and think tanks have found no security risks or threats to U.S. children from the classrooms.

Unfortunately, todays hearing has been another part of the majoritys extreme MAGA agenda to inject culture wars and partisan politics into our public schools in a way that can fuel anti-Asian American bias and provide a platform for claims that have been found by a comprehensive investigation to be unsubstantiated, she said.

Rep. Aaron Bean (R- Fla.), the subcommittee chairman, said more than 500 public K-12 schools have allowed Chinas communist party to establish itself in their halls under the guise of Confucius Classrooms.

Confucius Institutes are funded by the Chinese International Education Foundation, which is an ostensibly nongovernmental organization under Chinas Ministry of Education.

Bean argued their presence in the U.S. raised national security risks because several of the classrooms are strategically located around U.S. military bases, and allowed China to project soft power in a move straight out of the Soviet playbook. He also raised concerns about censored curriculum, claiming teachers in the classrooms could not touch on issues such as Tiananmen Square or Taiwan.

He said the committee was not opposed to teaching students about Chinese language, history, and culture but wanted to defend against Chinese government suppression.

Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.) said Democrats were being blind to the obvious risks.

I mean, wake up people, she said. China is not our friend. Look around. They are coming after us. Educationally, militarily, academically, I mean, turn the news on. Unless you live under a rock, this is the reality in which we live. And I will not apologize to protect our American children, period, end of conversation, because thats what the voters in my district elected me to do.

Gisela Perez Kusakawa, executive director of the Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF), was among the witnesses at the hearing and echoed the Democratic skepticism about the threats.

Decades after the systemic incarceration of Japanese Americans, we find ourselves repeating history as Asian Americans are treated as perpetual foreigners and economic or national security threats, Kusakawa said. It has become a harmful pattern that when the United States has tensions with an Asian country, Asian Americans and immigrants face the backlash at home and become collateral damage.

Ryan Walters, the superintendent of public instruction for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, disagreed.

The acceptance of the CCP into our K-12 education system is a small part of a worrying trend in the education policies of the Far Left, Walters said.

These policies undermine the Constitution and the American way of life, and I cannot stress enough how urgent it is that we take action to ensure our education system protects the Constitution and protects American values.

Oklahomas state school board requires school districts to report foreign and non-profit money they accept. This will allow the state to conduct a more thorough investigation into foreign influence in our schools and provide more transparency to the Oklahoman taxpayer, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) - A white married couple that owns two landscaping companies has sued Houston, claiming that the city's requirement that certain government contracts be set aside for minority-owned businesses runs afoul of the U.S. Constitution.

The two businesses owned by Jerry and Theresa Thompson in a complaint filed in federal court in Houston on Tuesday said the city's program violates their constitutional rights to equal protection. The city has said that the four-decade-old program ensures that historically disenfranchised people have an opportunity to participate in lucrative government contracting, and fosters a more competitive economic environment.

The lawsuit is the latest to challenge affirmative action programs since the U.S. Supreme Court in June struck down race-conscious policies in college student admissions in rulings involving Harvard University and the University of North Carolina. The suit was filed on the same day that an anti-affirmative action group sued the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, claiming the Army school's affirmative action practices unconstitutionally discriminate against white applicants.

Under Houston's program, the city sets annual numerical goals for awarding different types of contracts to businesses owned by minorities. Between July 2021 and June 2022, about 24% of professional service contracts and about 14% of construction contracts were awarded to minority-owned businesses, according to the city.

The office of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a Democrat, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit said one of the Thompson businesses currently has a five-year contract with the city worth $1.3 million, but is required to subcontract 11% of the total value, or $143,000, to a minority-owned business.

The Thompsons are represented by the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation, which said that racial set-asides feed into stereotypes that some racial groups cannot succeed without government help.

The lawsuit also alleges that Houston failed to explain how its contracting program is tailored to remedy past discrimination. The Supreme Court previously has said affirmative action programs can be deemed unlawful without such an explanation.

The June Supreme Court ruling, while directly affecting only higher education, is expected to bolster legal challenges to various government programs and corporate workforce diversity initiatives.

In July, a federal judge in Tennessee cited the decision in ruling that the U.S. Small Business Administration could not assume that minority business owners were "socially disadvantaged," making them eligible to bid on certain government contracts, without requiring them to provide any evidence beyond their race.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York, Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi and Will Dunham)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit on Wednesday in New York City with a dramatic declaration that humanity has opened the gates of hell.

Following the hottest summer on record, which featured a number of devastating extreme weather events linked to rising global temperatures, Guterres cataloged some of the results.

Horrendous heat is having horrendous effects, he said. Distraught farmers watching crops carried away by floods. Sweltering temperatures spawning disease.

The U.N. chief went on to call for more aggressive action to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions causing climate change and increased financial support for the most affected countries. He was followed by speakers from 34 nations discussing their own actions to address climate change.

Read more on Yahoo News: U.N. chief laments naked greed of fossil fuel interests, countries criticize big polluters, from Reuters

The emissions gap

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 78th session of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. (Richard Drew/AP)

While the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has said that 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) of warming over preindustrial temperatures will cause catastrophic global consequences, national pledges to reduce emissions have so far fallen short of what is needed to stay below that threshold  leaving what experts call an emissions gap. The world already has warmed 1.1, and current policies put the world on pace for an estimated 2.7 (4) of warming by the end of this century.

Climate action is dwarfed by the scale of the challenge, said Guterres, who is trying to build momentum for bigger, bolder national pledges of climate action at the next U.N. Climate Change Conference, known as COP28, which is set to begin in Dubai on Nov. 30.

U.S. left out but California included

Gov. Gavin Newsom at a news conference in Rancho Cordova, Calif., in April 2019. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

The two biggest emitters, China and the United States, were not invited to speak. Countries that have recently taken new actions to reduce emissions or deforestation, such as Brazil, Canada, South Africa and the European Union, were represented among the speakers, as were low-lying countries under intense threat from rising sea levels, such as Tuvalu and Pakistan.

There were also speakers from institutions like the World Bank and local governments such as the city of London and the state of California.

California is at the forefront of climate action. This week the state filed suit against five of the biggest oil companies for allegedly lying to the public about climate science, and it recently passed bills requiring all large companies to disclose their carbon emissions.

Read more on Yahoo News: California sues oil companies for allegedly lying about climate change

Attacks on fossil fuels

New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a rally concluding the March to End Fossil Fuels on Sunday in New York City. (Charles Sykes/AP Images for Glasgow Actions Team)

Advocates of increased climate action have been calling for developed nations to make plans to fully phase out the use of fossil fuels, a goal they say rich countries have been too reluctant to pursue.

On Sunday tens of thousands of activists participated in a protest dubbed the March to End Fossil Fuels.

In his U.N. speech Wednesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom laid the blame for climate change directly on the fossil fuel industry.

Its not complicated, its the burning of oils, the burning of gas, the burning of coal, we need to call that out, Newsom said.

The climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis, so we need to leave fossil fuels behind, said Chilean President Gabriel Boric in his address.

Read more on Yahoo News: Tens of thousands march to kick off climate summit, demanding end to warming-causing fossil fuels, from the Associated Press

Focus on the biggest emitters

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tours an oil rig during a campaign event at the Permian Deep Rock Oil Co. site on Wednesday in Midland, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Guterres, climate campaigners and representatives of the most at-risk countries are demanding that the worlds largest economies offer bigger emissions reductions and more money to help poorer countries build their clean-energy economies and adapt to changes such as longer, hotter heat waves, stronger storms and rising sea levels.

When the IPCCs latest report was released in March, Guterres proposed a Solidarity Pact and an Acceleration Agenda for the worlds 20 largest economies. While the world as a whole must reach net-zero emissions by 2050, according to the IPCC, Guterres wants those countries that have already gotten rich burning fossil fuels to try to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.

He reiterated that demand on Wednesday.

If we are to meet the 1.5-degree limit and protect ourselves from climate extremes, climate champions, particularly in the developing world, need solidarity, Guterres said. We must make up time lost to foot-dragging, arm-twisting and the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuels.
Hunter Biden plans to plead not guilty to federal gun charges and is asking that his initial court appearance be held by video conference so that he won't have to travel to Wilmington, Delaware, a request that the government opposed.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke asked both sides to file written arguments about a video hearing. The government is scheduled to respond Wednesday. The initial hearing hasn't been scheduled yet.

Congressional Republicans have attacked the charges against Hunter Biden and the handling of his investigation as a "sweetheart deal" because his father is President Joe Biden . Being treated differently from typical defendants for a court appearance could also raise complaints of favoritism by David Weiss, the U.S. attorney in Delaware who was appointed special counsel.

Biden's lawyer, Abbe Lowell, argued he would be burdened by traveling from Los Angeles for the brief appearance. Biden has already been processed by U.S. marshals at his July hearing, when a plea agreement on tax and gun charges fell apart.

Dig deeper 'An odd situation': President Biden aims to tighten firearms sales. Hunter Biden is caught in the crosshairs

President Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden arrives for a court appearance, Wednesday, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del.

Bidens visit would also place a significant financial and logistical burden on the government and on downtown Wilmington, Lowell wrote.

Mr. Biden also will enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference, Lowell wrote.

The indictment charges Hunter Biden with knowingly deceiving a firearms dealer when buying a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver on Oct. 12, 2018. He is charged with falsely filling out a federal firearms form denying he was addicted to any narcotics. And he is charged with knowingly possessing the revolver despite the restrictions against people addicted to drugs owning firearms.

Hunter Biden has acknowledged he was addicted to drugs at the time.

But Lowell has said Biden would fight the charges as barred by the plea agreement that fell apart and by arguing the statutes are unconstitutional.

Under the plea agreement, Biden was to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay taxes in 2017 and 2018, and be placed in a pretrial program for a gun charge. If he complied with the requirements, he could have avoided jail time.

But U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika refused to accept the agreement because of disagreements between prosecutors and defense lawyers about what it meant. She will preside over the new gun charges.

More: AG Garland to tell Congress he doesn't take orders from president or lawmakers as Hunter Biden case roil politics

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hunter Biden requests video hearing to plead not guilty to gun charges
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Huntridge Theater gave a glimpse of its renovation plans on Tuesday, Sept. 19, posting a series of renderings on social media.

Rendering of the Huntridge Theater lobby (Credit: Huntridge Theater)

Rendering of Huntridge Theater (Credit: Huntridge Theater)

Rendering of the Huntridge main theater interior (Credit: Huntridge Theater)

Rendering of Huntridge Theater (Credit: Huntridge Theater)

The Huntridge Theater opened in 1944, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1993. It was closed in 2004 for renovations but has been dormant since.

Historic Huntridge Theater in downtown Las Vegas gets approval for exterior restorations

In March 2021, the property was purchased by J Dapper, owner of Dapper Companies, and was added to the Las Vegas Historic Register later that year.

Dapper Companies told 8 News Now they plan to go to City Council on Oct. 18 for final approval of renovation plans.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Missing mother Lauren Cook and her three children were last seen on 5 September, almost two weeks ago (Franklin County Police)

The husband of a mother who is missing with her three young children in Virginia has said he is not concerned about their disappearance.

Lauren Cook, 30, and her children, a seven-year-old boy, five-year-old girl and two-year-old boy, all mysteriously vanished after they were supposed to turn up at a family members home in New York, but never arrived.

Ms Cook and her children were last seen on 5 September in Franklin County, Virginia, but since then communication with the mother has been unsuccessful, Franklin County police said.

But Ms Cooks husband contradicted police, telling WSET-TV that his wife and children are not missing and that he has had contact with his wife.

Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not missing, the husband said in a statement to the outlet. I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being. I have heard from my wife, and Im sure she and my children are doing well. We ask that our familys privacy be respected at this time.

Franklin County Sheriffs Sgt Megan Huston said the search for the Virginia-based family continues despite Mr Cooks comments.

If the husband has had contact with Lauren since then, we arent aware of it, she said.

Lauren Cook and the three children are still entered as missing. Law enforcement (wherever it may be) has to lay eyes on her and the children in order for them to be removed as missing from the system.

Ms Cook is married and lives with her husband in southwest Virginia, who has full custody of their children. There are no records or 911 calls in Franklin County that show any signs of a domestic dispute between the couple.

A lot of times you see these situations where a parent loses custody and takes the kids and runs away. This doesnt seem to be like that, Sgt Huston told The New York Post.

But theyre not originally from here so I cant say if something has or has not happened elsewhere, Im not privy to that information. Its a complex situation that we have limited details on.

Officials said it was presumed Ms Cook could have been in New York at one point, but they say she could have still been in Franklin County or somewhere else in Virginia. Police are unsure of where Ms Cook and her children could be now.

Authorities say that while they are unable to reach Ms Cook, a key clue to their investigation is her mobile phone, which last pinged in Lexington, Virginia on 7 September.

Deputies also said there has been no activity on her bank account, reported WSLS.

It is thought that the mother and her three children could be travelling in a blue 2013 Chrysler van with Virginia tags.

Anyone with information about the missing family is asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriffs Office or their local law enforcement agency.
Generative AI is making it easier to work multiple jobs at the same time.

AI tools will lift earnings from multiple jobs by at least $83 billion by 2030, Morgan Stanley says.

Multi-earning in the US has increased 11% in the past year, the bank's survey work found.

If AI can do some of your job, why not take another one on the side?

That's the thinking behind a big new study released this week by researchers at Morgan Stanley.

The investment bank conducted surveys in several countries, including the US, UK, and India, to get a sense for how many people have or plan to take on multiple jobs or set up multiple earnings streams in other ways.

Official data tracked by Morgan Stanley shows 5% of the population working multiple jobs, with that growing 5% a year. Unofficial data suggests it's more like 8-10% of the population, with interest in multiple jobs growing more than 18% a year, the bank's researchers wrote in a note to clients.

The bank conducted a similar study about a year ago, and since then the multi-job trends has picked up, with the rise of generative AI powering the change.

"The main driver which has changed since our original thesis is the advent of cheap or free and rapidly democratised access to generative AI tools," the researchers wrote.

They forecast $400 billion in income from multiple jobs by 2030, with generative AI contributing about $83 billion of that. In a much more bullish scenario, the bank sees $1.4 trillion in multi-earning income, with generative AI kicking in $300 billion of that.

A chart from a Morgan Stanley report AlphaWise/Morgan Stanley Research

There's been an explosion of AI tools in the past year, including ChatGPT, DALL-E, and GPT-4 from OpenAI, Bard and underlying AI models from Google, Claude 2 from Anthropic, and Midjourney. These services can answer questions convincingly, generate images on command, complete software code, and perform a host of other tasks.

With these new tools, employees suddenly have ways of producing work more quickly than before, making it easier to juggle multiple jobs. Morgan Stanley noted a 14% lift in call center productivity and a 55% boost for writing code, as examples.

Side hustles where generative AI can help include affiliate marketing, e-commerce dropshipping, content creation, tutoring, graphic and web design, programming, and renting rooms or other space, according to Morgan Stanley.

In content creation and e-commerce, 37% and 34% of respondents respectively said their income had been boosted with the help of generative AI tools.

The average multi-earner is making $8.50 an hour when using generative AI, and $7 an hour without the technology, Morgan Stanley's surveys found.

Multi-earning in the US has increased 11% in the past year, the survey work also found.

Read the original article on Business Insider
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The Fresno Police Department has identified the man who was shot and killed in the city on Monday near McLane High School.

Police identified the victim as 24-year-old Benito Cortez. Investigators say around 3:30 p.m. officers responded to 4205 East Union Avenue, near Cedar and Clinton avenues, regarding a report of a gunshot victim.

24-year-old Benito Cortez

According to officials, deputies from the Fresno County Sheriffs Office were the first to arrive and found Cortez in the roadway, unresponsive, suffering from a single gunshot wound.

Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly after and confirmed that Benito had died.

Fresno Police Department Homicide Detectives are actively investigating this incident. If you have any information you are asked to contact the Fresno Police Department at (559) 621-7000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
It is time for us to speak up andtake up space to make sure our lives matter in the ways in which others seem to, Omar told theGrio.

U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., is on a mission to address the national crisis of missing and murdered Black women and girls.

On Tuesday, the progressive lawmaker introduced new legislation to create the Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls within the U.S. Department of Justice to better respond to the national occurrence of missing persons and homicide cases involving Black women and girls.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., conducts a news conference with Reps. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., on being removed from committees assignments, in the Capitol Visitor Center on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. (Photo by Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The Brittany Clardy Act, named after an 18-year-old Black woman found murdered in the trunk of her car in Omars state of Minnesota in 2013, would spearhead efforts to counter the racial disparities in violence. Those efforts include conducting research and collecting data, developing policy, and providing federal grants to local organizations providing culturally appropriate services to victims or impacted families.

I dont think of this as just a piece of legislation. I think of it as a beacon of hope for Black women and girls across the nation, Congresswoman Omar told theGrio. We are not only going to address this alarming disparity in violence, but we are affirming our commitment to ensuring that every Black life is valued and protected.

According to a study published by Research in Action, more than 60,000 Black women and girls are missing in the U.S. Black women are also twice as likely to be victims of homicide.

Omar said she believes the alarming and disproportionate number of missing and murdered Black women and girls is a symptom of an underlying dismissal of our existence.

The congresswoman, who immigrated to the U.S. as a refugee from Somalia, said that while there is often wall-to-wall coverage when a white woman or a white girl goes missing, there isnt the same nationwide attention for Black women and girls nor a recognition of the pains that we experience as human beings.

She told theGrio, I think it is time for us to speak up andtake up space to make sure our lives matter in the ways in which others seem to.

The Brittany Clardy Act is fashioned after a similar law passed earlier this year in Minnesota that established the nations first Office of Missing and Murdered African American Women and Girls. The state also established a task force working to understand why Black women and girls go missing, and helping families, much like a similar task force created for missing and murdered indigenous women.

Illinois and Wisconsin have followed the lead of Minnesota in implementing their own task forces to address disparities around violence against Black women and girls.

A woman wears a protective mask with Black Lives Matter written on it while protesting against police brutality and racism on June 13, 2020, near the White House in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Probal Rashid/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Congresswoman Omar said that while Black women make up only 7% of the population in Minnesota, they make up 40% of domestic violence victims. She believes the disparities for Black women and girls on the national level should also be a priority.

Were trying to do that on a federal level because we think every state should have the ability to be able to do this, she said.

For Omar, the issue is personal. Im a mother of two beautiful Black girls. Im also a daughter, she told theGrio. I think when you think about what representative democracy means, we want people who are out there fighting for that representation and trying to make sure that they are addressing the things that are not addressed.

The three-term congresswoman also raised concerns about the role of law enforcement in cases of missing or murdered Black women and girls. In the case of Clardy, police initially dismissed the concerns of her family. Her body was found two weeks later.

There is a clear bias, said Omar. Theres so many other families that experienced it. We also know just anecdotally, oftentimes when you have serial killers who kill Black women, they tend to get away with it a lot longer.

The lawmaker said she hopes that establishing the office within the DOJ and the subsequent data collection that will potentially come from its work will lead to further training for law enforcement agencies on how to better respond to cases.



As a mother, Omar understands the dangers and fear for Black women and young girls, whom she urged to utilize every precaution. That includes her own home, where her 11-year-old daughter expressed wanting pepper spray to be able to protect herself.

We want young girls thinking about the dangers that are out there, and we want families talking to young girls and women, particularly Black girls, about [those] dangers, said Omar. And to make sure that familieshave the ability to advocate vigorously for themselves as well.

Gerren Keith Gaynor

Gerren Keith Gaynor is a White House Correspondent and the Managing Editor of Politics at theGrio. He is based in Washington, D.C.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku, and Android TV. Please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Ilhan Omar intros bill on missing, murdered Black women and girls appeared first on TheGrio.
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WGN)  A homicide investigation is underway after a couple, their two children and three dogs were found dead inside a home in Illinois.

Police conducted a well-being check around 8:40 p.m. Sunday on the familys home in Romeoville after a member of the household did not show up to work and was not responding to phone calls. Romeoville is located about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.

Upon arrival, officers found two adults and two children dead with gunshot wounds inside a residence.

Police said three dogs were also found fatally shot.

According to authorities, the adult victims have been identified as Alberto Rolon, 38. and Zoraida Bartolomei, 32. Police said the deceased children, ages 7 and 9, belonged to both Rolon and Bartolomei. The childrens identities have not yet been released.

Investigators said the shooting happened sometime between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. Sunday. Police do not believe the shooter is among the victims.

Instagram post may shed new light in death of former NFL players mother

This incident is the police departments top priority. All officers and professional staff have been working tirelessly on this case, Deputy Chief of Police Chris Burne said in a Tuesday afternoon update. Our detectives and crime-scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence. We were able to determine that this was not a random incident and there was no cause for a shelter-in-place order.

Watch the Romeoville Police Department press conference in the video player above.

Authorities say they do not consider the deaths a murder-suicide.

As of Tuesday night, no one has been taken into custody, and no suspect information has been released. The Romeoville Police and Will County Major Crimes Task Force continue to investigate the incident.

Our entire community is grieving with the family over this tragic incident. It is always heartbreaking whenever there is a loss of life, but when there are children involved its much more painful, Mayor John Noak said. I have directed our social services staff to make themselves available to our community to help begin the healing process. It is important that we conduct a thorough investigation and we have committed our full resources to that task. The victims deserve that.

Police are asking anyone with information to contact the Romeoville Police Department at 815-886-7219.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Alberto Rolon, 38, and Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two sons aged 7, and 9, along with their three dogs, were all shot and killed in their home in Illinois (GoFundMe)

The fatal shooting of a family of four and their dogs at a home in a Chicago suburb was not a murder-suicide but also not a random incident, according to police.

Two adults, two children and their three dogs were found dead from gunshot wounds at the home in Romeoville, Illinois, on Sunday night; police now believe the murders could have been targeted.

Investigators do not believe that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide, Deputy Chief Chris Burne of the Romeoville Police Department told reporters.

No arrests have been made in the case, but officials say that there is no reason for people to shelter inside in the wake of the shocking incident.

We were able to determine this was not a random incident and there was no cause for a shelter in place order, DC Burne said on Tuesday. This incident is the police departments top priority.

The victims were Alberto Rolon, 38, and Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two boys, aged seven and nine, according to the Will County Coroners Office.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Ms Bartolomeis sister, Bryana Bartolomei to raise money for funeral expenses for the whole family.

These were hardworking people that had just bought their first home. Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away, the fundraising page stated.

Her sister took to Facebook to share an image of the family, captioning it, I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband and WHY?

Alberto Rolon, 38, and Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two sons aged 7, and 9, along with their three dogs, were all shot and killed in their home in Illinois (GoFundMe)

The family of four had just bought their first home together in Romeoville, a Chicago suburb (Bryana Bartolomei/Facebook)

Police believe that the shooting took plea between 9pm and 5am on Sunday. Officers went to the home to perform a wellness check when one of the victims did not show up for work on Sunday and did not answer phone calls.

All officers and professional staff have been working tirelessly on this case. Our detectives and crime scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence, added DC Burne.

I want to know whats going on, man. Its very, very quiet. Its incredibly quiet, neighbour Dan Lugo, told WBBM. This stuff doesnt happen here. Its very unnerving. Im pretty sure the whole neighbourhood is shook up.

Romeoville police have said the murders are their top priority (AP)

Our entire community is grieving with the family over this tragic incident, Romeoville Mayor John Noak said.

I have directed our social services staff to make themselves available to our community to help begin the healing process.

The Romeoville Police Department is still investigating the incident, says the coroners office.
I've traveled on 24 flights to nine countries this year.

As a frequent flyer, I've made several mistakes while traveling through airports.

Passengers should avoid overpacking their bags and wearing uncomfortable shoes for a hassle-free experience.

As Insider's travel reporter in Singapore, I fly regularly for work and leisure. This year alone, I've taken some 24 flights to nine different countries, including Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

I've flown low-cost airlines like Malaysia's AirAsia and the Philippines's Cebu Pacific, as well as five-star airlines like Singapore Airlines. And on all of these flights, I've witnessed passengers doing things that lead to unnecessarily uncomfortable experiences.

No matter what airline, passengers can follow several rules and guidelines for a smooth journey. Here are five of the most common mistakes passengers make when they fly and what they can do to avoid them.

1. Trying to pass off overweight luggage and having to pay inflated fees at the counter.

The worst part about flying AirAsia is the crazy-long lines. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Many airlines have strict policies when it comes to overweight bags. In February, I traveled with the Vietnamese low-cost airline VietJet Air from Taiwan to Vietnam and ended up paying almost $100 for additional baggage allowance. Purchasing baggage allowance in advance would have cost me less than $50.

It's also important to ensure your carry-on bags fit the overhead compartments and aren't oversized as you might have to check them in, even if they aren't overweight. For example, Southwest Airlines only allows one carry-on bag per passenger, and it must measure a maximum of 24 x 16 x 10 inches.

Paying for baggage allowance in advance may initially appear costly, but it should help to avoid expensive fees from popping up last minute.

2. Wearing uncomfortable footwear that makes walking on airstairs difficult.

Many low-cost airlines use airstairs instead of bridges to transport passengers to the airport. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

When I go on vacation, I often opt for fancy footwear  including sandals and heels. But I've come to realize that this isn't the smartest choice, especially when flying budget airlines.

Recently, I flew to Krabi, Thailand from Singapore wearing a pair of woven leather heels. It was uncomfortable to walk down the airstair on Scoot  a budget airline in Singapore  while carrying my bags, and I regretted not having worn sneakers instead.

Save the fancy footwear for sightseeing or dining out instead, and stick with your comfiest pair of kicks when it comes to travel.

3. Wearing too many accessories on a flight and holding up the line at security.

The author keeps her outfits simple when traveling, avoiding belts and jewelry. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Getting past security at airports is one of the most stressful parts of flying. It's a hectic process, with bags often being checked and contents undergoing meticulous examination. Passengers often have to pass through a metal detector, which scans for common metals like steel and brass.

Costume jewelry and accessories like belts are often made with these metals, so you have to remove them whenever you pass through the metal detector. Avoid holding up the line by removing outerwear before walking to security and forgo wearing accessories altogether  style your outfits with silhouettes and pops of color instead.

4. Not following guidelines when it comes to bringing liquids in a carry-on bag.

Liquids over 100 milliliters or about 3.3 fluid ounces are usually not allowed in carry-on bags. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Security at airports is extremely strict about the amount of liquid  like shampoo and perfume  you bring in your carry-on. Each liquid must be stored in containers that are 100 milliliters, or 3.4 ounces or less, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Liquids that are larger than that must be stored in the checked-in bag, per TSA regulations.

Outside the US, the rule about liquid sizes still applies. In April, when I was flying from Singapore to Laos with Scoot, airport security had to throw away four bottles of liquids that were over 3.4 ounces. As I was traveling with only a carry-on suitcase, I had no choice but to repurchase all my essentials once I landed.

Remember to only use containers that are clearly labeled as 3.4 ounces and store them in a clear bag in case of any security checks.

5. Arriving at the airport later than the advised time.

Arriving at the check-in counter on time is important to avoid causing flight delays. Marielle Descalsota/Insider

Many airports advise passengers to arrive at least three hours before the scheduled departure time  and for good reason. Sometimes, passengers experience issues at check-in counters and security checks, requiring more time to make it to the gate.

In April, I was flying from Bangkok to Singapore via Suvarnabhumi Airport, the city's largest airport. I then realized that I left my passport at a money changer some 45 minutes away. Since I arrived at the airport just an hour and a half before the scheduled departure time, I ended up missing my flight and spending over $100 on a new ticket.

Make sure to account for traffic and make your way to the airport as early as you can  especially if you're flying from a busy airport where lines are long.

Read the original article on Insider
Imprisoned Russian ultranationalist claims Putin's regime is near 'collapse' due to failures in Ukraine and can't be saved

Igor Girkin , a prominent pro-war blogger, was arrested in July on charges of extremism. Photo by ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

A prominent Russian pro-war blogger doubled down on his criticism of Putin from prison this week.

Igor Girkin, a former FSB operative, said he believes Russia is on the eve of collapse.

Girkin believes Putin and his defense officials haven't gone far enough in Ukraine.

A prominent Russian pro-war blogger is predicting the downfall of Russia from his prison cell just two months after he was arrested for criticizing President Vladimir Putin as a "cowardly mediocrity."

Igor Girkin, a former FSB security operative who goes by the nom de guerre Stelkov, which is Russian for shooter, dictated a doomsday-esque diatribe to his Telegram via his attorney this week, warning that Russia is on the brink of collapse and offering himself up as a uniting force for remaining "patriots."

Girkin was arrested on extremism charges in July after months of castigating Putin and the country's top defense officials while flouting Russian laws that forbid wartime criticism. The ultra-nationalist blogger has suggested several times that Putin and his generals haven't gone far enough in the war in Ukraine, even calling for the full mobilization of Russia's population.

Three weeks after a Moscow court ruled that Girkin would remain in prison for the time being, he posted a Telegram message from the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center on Monday with the help of his attorney.

Girkin, who once led a group of Russian militants in Donetsk, accused Russian authorities of failing to respond to the country's most pressing problems and challenges, writing that Russia's "troubles" will soon enter a "terminal stage" that will usher in a collapse of the entire system.

Girkin invoked Wagner Group leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed in a plane crash outside Moscow last month, saying the mercenary leader's failed rebellion against Russia's military brass in June marked the start of this acute stage of Russia's "troubles," while Prigozhin's likely assassination marked a continuation of Russia's internal strife.

He predicted the current Russian power system will lose control eventually and fall into the hands of the "so-called liberal opposition." Girkin said he believes it is his duty  even from prison  to offer an alternative and unite Russia's remaining patriotic people.

"I perfectly understand all the weaknesses of my current position, all the problems with my lack of necessary resources, and I do not at all overestimate the degree of my authority and influence," Girkin wrote this week. "However, someone needs to rise first, if only to set an example and call others to action."

His comments come as Russia faces a reckoning amid Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive. Ukraine's spy chief told The Economist this week that Russia is running out of reserve troops and weapons that it needs to continue fighting.

"My point of view is that it is too late to be afraid and wait  we are on the eve of the collapse of Russian statehood (God forbid that I am wrong!)," Girkin wrote.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, second left, with other lawmakers walks in a procession to enter the new Parliament building, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, Sept.19, 2023. The new building was built at an estimated cost of $120 million. It's part of a $2.8 billion revamp of British-era offices and residences in central New Delhi. (AP Photo) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

NEW DELHI (AP)  India's Parliament on Wednesday took a major step toward reserving 33% of the seats in its powerful lower house and in state legislatures for women to ensure more equal representation, an issue that had languished for nearly three decades because of a lack of consensus among political parties.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu called the measure the most transformative revolution in our times for gender justice.

The Lok Sabha, Parliament's lower house, approved legislation introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's government that is expected to boost its image ahead of national elections before next May. An overwhelming 454 members across the political spectrum supported it and only two voted against it.

However, the measure will not apply to next year's national elections, Home Minister Amit Shah said.

The legislation now requires approval from Parliament's upper house and half of the countrys 28 state legislatures, which is considered likely. Shah said it will be implemented in the 2029 national elections following a new census and an adjustment of voting districts after next years elections.

Indias once-a-decade census was to be held in 2021 but was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sonia Gandhi, an opposition Congress party leader, supported the bill but said the delay in its implementation "is an injustice to women. She demanded its implementation in next years national elections.

Under the legislation, the reservation of seats for women would continue for 15 years and could be extended by Parliament. It covers the elected lower house of Parliament and state legislatures, in which only women will be allowed to contest 33% of the seats.

Shah said four attempts by three governments since 1996 failed to enact the legislation.

Women comprise over 48% of Indias more than 1.4 billion people but have 15.1% representation in Parliament, compared to the international average of 24%, Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said.

In India's state legislatures, women hold about 10% of the seats.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Modi said the government wants more women to join the country's development process.

For that work of giving power to women and for many such noble works, God has chosen me," Modi said. Once again our government has taken a step in this direction.

India introduced a 33% seat reservation for women in elections for local organizations in the 1990s.

Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party and the opposition Congress party have been trying to enact legislation in Parliament to bring about gender parity and inclusive governance since then. They faced opposition from regional parties which argued that seats reserved for women would be cornered by the educated elite from urban areas, leaving poor and less educated women unrepresented.

"Women in villages cant compete with educated women living in cities, said Ram Gopal Yadav of the socialist Samajwadi Party.

India is a patriarchal society in which the social status of work done by women is often considered inferior to that done by men. Men also often enjoy greater rights than women.

Dolly Verma, a village council leader in eastern Bihar state, said women in India need a support structure to participate in the political arena.
The diplomatic row between India and Canada over the murder of a Sikh activist has continued to escalate as New Delhi warned its nationals of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes in Canada.

Justin Trudeau alleged on Monday that there were credible allegations that the Indian government played a role in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was connected to a Sikh separatist movement, in British Columbia in June.

Related: Canada killing adds to suspicions of Indian crackdown on Sikh separatists

After rejecting Trudeaus allegations outright, on Wednesday Indias foreign ministry urged its citizens based in Canada to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant, alleging that there was a deteriorating security environment in the country that could put the tens of thousands of Indian students at risk.

There are currently more than 300,000 Indian students studying in Canada, its largest contingent of overseas students. Indian nationals living in Canada have also been advised to register with the consulate.

The warning came after Canada updated its own travel advisory for India, informing citizens to exercise a high degree of caution while traveling to India due to the threat of terrorist attack throughout the country.

The spat over travel advisories was the latest strain on diplomatic ties between India and Canada, which are widely acknowledged to have plunged to their worst since the 1980s.

Trudeau was sidelined at the G20 leaders summit held in Delhi this month, where he had met with Indias prime minister, Narendra Modi, and directly raised allegations of the involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar. Modi had then reprimanded Trudeau for allowing extremists associated with the Khalistan movement  which fights for the Indian state of Punjab to become an independent Sikh state  to operate freely on Canadian soil.

After Trudeau went public with the allegation of Nijjars assassination this week, the two countries had then engaged in a tit-for-tat expulsion of senior diplomats.

Related: Why Indias souring relations with Canada could have wider implications for the west | Chietigj Bajpaee

While Canada has said it has sought Indias help in investigating circumstances around Nijjars killing, the Indian government showed little sign of being willing to cooperate with the investigation. On Wednesday, Indias national investigation agency (NIA) released its own list of individuals in Canada it alleged had terrorist links to the Khalistan movement.

Politicians on all sides of the political divide in India came out to condemn the Trudeaus allegations. Amarinder Singh, the former chief minister of Punjab, called his remarks highly irresponsible.

Related: His spirit is still among us: Sikhs defiant in Canada city where activist was murdered

Canadian officials have so far not disclosed any of the evidence for the allegations, prompting angry demands by Indian columnists and politicians that it should be made public. However, speaking to Canadian radio CBC, Dick Fadden, a former head of the Canadian intelligence services, said that with intelligence investigations there was a a different level of proof than in a usual criminal investigation.

For a government like Mr Trudeaus, who has not made national security a priority, for him to rise in the House and to make these allegations, they must be very compelling, said Fadden.

In response to queries over whether Canada was withdrawing diplomatic staff in Delhi over safety concerns, Global Affairs Canada, which operates the countrys diplomatic missions, said that the high commission in Delhi remained open and it would take all appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of all our personnel, including locally-engaged staff, and to protect our operations in India.
India is warning its citizens to be careful when traveling in Canada, the latest wrinkle in a row between the countries that began over allegations that India may have been involved in the slaying of a Sikh activist near Vancouver in June.

The message from the External Ministry warns Indian citizens and students in Canada to be wary of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate-crimes. It also instructed Indians to stay away from venues where threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose anti-India agenda, the ministry said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first alleged that the Indian government may have been involved in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Monday.

Nijjar was a prominent advocate for a separatist state in Indias Punjab region and was considered a terrorist by the Indian government. The Sikh separatist movement is illegal in India.

Tensions between the country have increased in recent days after reports Trudeau confronted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the allegations in person at the Group of 20 summit in India over the weekend.

Canada expelled an Indian intelligence official Monday, and India did the same of a Canadian diplomat in retaliation Tuesday.

India has refuted the allegations.

Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity, Indias External Ministry wrote in a statement issued Tuesday.

The U.S. and UK  major allies of both countries  have so far declined to endorse Canadas allegations. No evidence has been made public to support the claim.

A spokesman for U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak encouraged Canadas investigation.

These are serious allegations. It is right that the Canadian authorities should be looking into them, spokesman Max Blain told The Associated Press.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple after the killing on its grounds of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June 2023, in Surrey

By YP Rajesh and Rupam Jain

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India on Wednesday urged its nationals in Canada, especially students, to exercise "utmost caution" as ties deteriorate after each nation expelled one of the other's diplomats in an escalating row over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader.

Tension has grown since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday Canada was investigating "credible allegations" about the potential involvement of Indian government agents in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.

"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there, and those contemplating travel, are urged to exercise utmost caution," India's foreign ministry said, without providing evidence or details of specific incidents.

Just hours after India' travel advisory, Canada's public safety minister Dominic LeBlanc told reporters that Canada is a safe country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi 's government has categorically rejected Canada's suspicions that Indian agents had links to the murder.

"Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant," the ministry added in a statement.

Canada has for months maintained a security advisory for India, urging citizens to "exercise a high degree of caution" in their travel to the South Asian country.

However, Canada issued a health advisory update for India on Monday related to COVID-19, measles and the Zika virus. The Canadian government said that update was part of a "pre-scheduled and routine maintenance in the section on travel health information."

Since 2018, India has been the largest source nation for international students in Canada.

That figure rose 47% last year to nearly 320,000, making up about 40% of total overseas students, according to the Canadian Bureau of International Education.

On Wednesday, a private entertainment company, BookMyShow, announced the cancellation of an India tour by Canadian singer Shubhneet Singh.

Canadian officials have so far declined to say why they believe India could be linked to Nijjar's murder.

U.S. CONCERN OVER ACCUSATIONS

The United States has voiced "deep concern" over Canadas accusations and U.S. Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday "those who are responsible must be held accountable".

"We hope traditional friends and partners will cooperate in getting to the bottom of it," Indian news agency ANI, in which Reuters has a minority stake, quoted Garcetti as saying.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that the United States was "deeply concerned" about Canada's allegations by.

"We encourage India to fully cooperate. We urge them to fully cooperate," Kirby told reporters.

India's main opposition Congress party endorsed the government's rejection of Canada's accusations, urging a stand against threats to Indian sovereignty.

"Trudeau's defence of declared terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar is absolutely shameful and shows how much the present Canadian regime is in bed with Khalistani sympathisers," Abhishek Manu Singhvi, a senior Congress lawmaker, posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Khalistan is the name of a would-be independent Sikh state whose creation was the goal of a bloody Sikh insurgency in the 1980s and 1990s in India's northern state of Punjab, during which tens of thousands of people were killed.

As the ruling party at the time, Congress led the fight against the insurgency and eventually suppressed it.

But it took the lives of key Congress leaders Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984, and Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, who was killed in a bomb blast by Sikh separatists in 1995.

'ANTI-TERROR CRACKDOWN' BY INDIA

Although there is hardly any support for the insurgency left in India, small groups of Sikhs in Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States support the separatist demand and occasionally stage protests outside Indian embassies.

New Delhi, which remains wary of any revival of the insurgency, has long been unhappy over Sikh separatist activity in Canada and urged Ottawa to act against anti-Indian elements.

Canada has the largest population of Sikhs outside the Indian state of Punjab, with about 770,000 people reporting Sikhism as their religion in the 2021 census.

Some Indian analysts say Ottawa does not curb Sikh protesters as they are a politically influential group.

India's counter-terrorism agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), said on Wednesday it was intensifying a "crackdown on Khalistani terrorists operating in India".

An NIA statement said the agency announced a cash reward of 1 million rupees ($12,045) each for information leading to the arrest of Harwinder Singh Sandhu and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu "for promoting the terror activities of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in India", one of the main Sikh separatist groups.

A cash reward of 500,000 rupees each has also been announced for information on three associates, an NIA statement said, adding that all five were accused of militant attacks and raising funds for the BKI, "a banned terror outfit".

It said they had also recruited new members for BKI and established a network of operatives in various countries to "further their terror activities in different parts of India".

($1 = 83.0203 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by YP Rajesh and Rupam Jain; Additional reporting by Kanishka Singh in WashingtonEditing by Clarence Fernandez, Mark Heinrich and Jonathan Oatis)
A plan to build a multi-billion dollar Chinese glass factory in Indonesias Riau Islands Archipelago has sparked fierce protests from indigenous islanders who are opposed to their villages being torn down.

Land disputes and forced evictions have often been a source of conflict in Indonesia and the protests on Rempang island are the latest in a long line of confrontations between indigenous people and the Indonesian authorities.

Indonesia, the worlds fourth largest country and Southeast Asias largest economy, has been actively courting Chinese investment and the protests this month have centered around plans for a factory announced during a high profile meeting in July between Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

On September 11, indigenous groups faced off with riot police outside government compounds in the city of Batam, part of multiple islands that lie just across the water from Singapore and have been earmarked for major development.

Crowds of up to 1,000 people began gathering as early as 9 a.m outside the Badan Pengusahaan (BP) office, a local body in charge of urban management and development, a BP statement said.

While initially peaceful, the situation soon deteriorated, BP said. Protesters, many of whom were indigenous people residing on neighboring Rempang island where the factory will be built, broke down fences and forced their way into the compound.

The crowd became increasingly uncontrolled despite an intervention from BP chief Muhammad Rudi and began to throw bottles, rocks and other objects at security officers, BP said.

The attacks soon spread to surrounding areas like the government canteens. Molotov cocktails were also thrown and security officials were attacked and beaten, according to the statement.

Riot police were deployed to the scene and fired tear gas and water cannons at protesters, CNN affiliate CNN Indonesia reported. Dozens were arrested soon after.

Government office buildings were damaged during the protests on September 11. - BP Batam

It was the second violent protest in less than a week. On Rempang island, chaos broke out on September 7 when local authorities and developers showed up to conduct land surveys and take measurements.

In an attempt to obstruct their work, residents used felled trees and burning tires as makeshift barricades, preventing officials from entering the forests surrounding their villages.

One local resident, a man in his 60s who has lived on the island for more than two decades, told CNN that the community was doing all it could to stop officials from destroying their homes and would not go down without a fight. He is not being named as he fears further persecution by Indonesian authorities.

We either have the option of (being paid to move) or risk being relocated elsewhere. It has caused a lot of us stress and grief, he said.

In statements issued by BP and local police, tear gas was used to disperse crowds. Children from nearby schools were also hit by tear gas, eyewitnesses told CNN, as many schools were in the vicinity.

Security officials obstructed by forest barricades. - BP Batam

In a bid to soothe tensions, Indonesian government officials have promised improved relocation packages for residents on Rempang.

We must employ a soft and civilized approach to resolve this issue while respecting the islanders who have lived there for generations, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia said in a statement issued on Monday.

We will seek the best solution for local residents (but) if we let the project slip, potential revenue for local governments and the creation of jobs will be lost.

Families affected by the construction will receive 500 square meters (5,381 square feet) of land or houses elsewhere and compensation packages of $78 (1.2 million Indonesian Rupiah), according to authorities.

But critics have argued that it isnt enough.

Communities are being threatened with losing their homes, culture as well as livelihood. Relocation and compensation only have economic value and cannot replace the villagers collective memory and identity as local indigenous people, said Arifin Jaynal Ylbhi, spokesperson for the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI).

At least 52 residents have been arrested and criminalized. We have deployed several lawyers since to provide legal assistance, he added.

The (relevant ministries) are obliged to recognize and respect the rights of people on Rempang who have lived on the island for generations  and this is proven by the existence of historical villages and sites and through documents and scientific research.

CNN reached out to the Chinese company Xinyi Glass which Indonesias government says plans to invest $11.5 billion to build the factory. Representatives did not respond to requests for comment and calls to their headquarters in Hong Kong went unanswered.

Communities at stake

Rempang is one of three main islands that make up Indonesias Riau province and is home to least 7,500 residents, many of Malay Indigenous heritage.

The island is also rich in quartz sand, which is needed to construct materials like glass.

Xinyi Glass is among the worlds largest glass and solar panel makers, and counts several international automobile corporations like Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen clients.

According to Indonesian government officials, its new factory will create some 35,000 jobs.

The project also has the potential to bring great benefits, boost economic growth and improve the welfare of the people in the Riau Islands and throughout Indonesia, Riau government Ansar Ahmad said in a statement.

Activists and community groups say the investment comes at the expense of the local environment and indigenous coastal communities, many of whom who make a living from the sea by catching and selling fresh seafood.

Greenpeace Indonesia slammed the project as well as what it said was excessive force being used on indigenous protesters.

Our position is with the people of Rempang who have lived on the island for hundreds of years, campaigner Didit Wicaksono told CNN.

It has become increasingly clear that saving the environment has never been a priority for Joko Widodo and his government, he added. For them, investment is everything, whatever the price  And the case of violence by security forces in Rempang articulates this policy.

Economist Achmad Nur Hidayat, a public policy expert from the Veteran National Development University of Jakarta, said the situation in Rempang was an unfortunate reflection of similar cases playing out across Indonesia.

Indigenous tribes have become victims of business and political interests, he said. I understand the importance of investment and development for economic growth but without paying attention to human rights, the growth achieved is flawed.

We need to question policy makers and ask where their interests lie.

One area of Indonesia which has experienced sustained resistance from indigenous communities is West Papua, the countrys resource rich but impoverished easternmost province where a decade long separatist movement has fueled animosity towards both the government and international mining conglomerates.

Indonesias huge palm oil plantations have also seen widespread deforestation and indigenous communities moved off their land, according to rights groups.

Survival International, a global non governmental organization that campaigns for indigenous rights, told CNN that the people of Rempang island had rights under international law to their lands and should not be expected to sacrifice their homes and way of life for the economic benefit of others.

They are the best guardians and have rights to their territories to decide their own futures, senior researcher Sophie Grig said.

The protests have made clear that they have not given their consent and do not want to be evicted from their island. No Eco City, no matter many jobs it creates, is worth inflicting that amount of pain.

The Riau Islands in Indonesia has seen a rapid rise in urban development, driven by Chinese investment and tourism from neighboring Singapore. - PRADEEP87/Getty Images

Plans to develop Riau have been in the works as early as 2004 as the region has seen rapid development. The Indonesian government has said that plans to invest in Rempang would continue.

Several cabinet members and high ranking police officers from Jakarta visited the island over the weekend and held closed door meetings, reported CNN Indonesia.

Investment Minister Bahlil on Monday said that authorities had identified around 700 families that would be affected by construction plans.

But to some residents, leaving their villages was still not an option.

The government has made up their mind, said a woman in her 70s who has been living in a village house by the sea with her son and grandchildren that was built by her grandparents.

Money and investment are more important. Its as if our rights dont matter.

Additional reporting by Carina Cheng in Hong Kong.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Yevhen Borysov, the former Odesa military commissar, suspected of illegal enrichment and duty evasion, is in the pre-trial detention centre. Borysov did not pay a bail of UAH 150 million (approximately US$4 million).

Source: an Ukrainska Pravda source in law enforcement agencies

Details: The UP source says that the Specialised Prosecutor's Office in the military and defence affairs of the Southern region has extended the term of the pre-trial investigation in the criminal proceedings against the military commissar to three months (until 22 October 2023).

In turn, on 19 September, the Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv extended the term of Borysov's detention until 22 October with the alternative of providing bail in the amount of UAH 149,998,024.

The UP source says that bail has not been paid for Borysov.

Previously: On 25 July, Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv imposed a preventive measure on Yevhen Borysov, the former head of the Odesa Oblast Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support. He was detained for two months with the possibility of bail in the amount of UAH 150 million (US$4 million).

On 24 July, employees of the State Bureau of Investigation detained Borysov, jointly with prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office.

Borysov was served with a notice of suspicion on Saturday, 22 July, for unlawful enrichment worth hundreds of millions of Ukrainian hryvnias and intentional evasion from service.

Borysov is suspected of acquisition of assets by a person authorised to perform state functions, the value of which is greater than the 6,500 tax-free minimum incomes of citizens, exceeding their legal income; failure to report for duty on time without valid reasons, allowed by a serviceman under martial law; evasion of military service duties by a serviceman using deception in conditions of martial law.

Background:

On 22 June, Ukrainska Pravdas Spanish Battalion investigation revealed that the family of Yevhen Borysov, the chief enlistment officer in Odesa, had purchased property and cars worth millions of dollars on the Spanish coast during the full-scale war.

On 23 June, Humeniuk reported that an internal investigation regarding Borysov found no grounds for his removal from office.

Later on 23 June, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhny to dismiss Borysov.

The State Bureau of Investigations has opened an investigation into Borysovs abuse of his position.

Borysov was dismissed from his position as Head of the Odesa Oblast Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (military enlistment office  ed.).

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!
I continues to eliminate the consequences of the hacker attack

The computer system of the International Criminal Court (ICC) was the victim of a cyberattack, Reuters reported on Sept. 19.

ICC staff detected unusual activity on their computer network, prompting immediate responses that are ongoing. The spokesperson declined to comment on the severity of the breach, whether it has been fully resolved, and who might be behind it.

Read also: ICC may issue another arrest warrant for Putin  Ukrainian intelligence

Immediate measures were adopted to respond to this cybersecurity incident and to mitigate its impact, the organization stated.

In an official statement, the ICC confirmed that it continues to analyze and mitigate the impact of this incident with the assistance of the Dutch government. They also reported taking steps to strengthen their cybersecurity.

A representative from the Dutch Justice Ministry confirmed that the National Cyber Security Centre is aiding in the investigation but refrained from providing further comment.

Read also: By threatening the ICC Russia disregards international law, says Borrell

Marie-Helene Proulx, President of the ICC Bar Association, noted that lawyers representing both the accused and the victims have been affected just as much as the court staff.

In August, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan warned of the possibility of cyberattacks being integrated into future war crimes investigations. He emphasized the vulnerability of the ICC itself and the need to enhance its protection.

Disinformation, destruction, the alteration of data, and the leaking of confidential information may obstruct the administration of justice at the ICC and, as such, constitute crimes within the ICCs jurisdiction that might be investigated or prosecuted, he wrote in a Foreign Policy Analytics report funded by Microsoft.

An International Criminal Court field office was inaugurated in Kyiv on Sept. 14, marking it as the largest ICC office outside of The Hague. Currently, prosecutors and experts from the ICC are actively involved in investigating Russian war crimes in Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine countering Russian hack attacks effectively says state cybersecurity chief

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
Police on Wednesday morning are investigating a suspicious death in Rochester's South Wedge neighborhood.

Capt. Adam Radens of the Rochester Police Department said that police are investigating a suspicious death on Manor Parkway, which is a residential road with several apartment complexes that's located just west of South Avenue and Highland Hospital. Police were alerted to the death around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Radens said.

RPD's Major Crimes Unit is investigating at the scene Wednesday morning, Radens said. Further details about the death were not released.

Check back for updates on this developing story.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Suspicious death investigation underway in South Wedge in Rochester NY
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE)  In September 1985, a mans body was found by two kids riding their bicycles along Buttermilk Road off Interstate 40 in Lenoir City. Authorities exhausted all leads at the time, but they were unable to identify him.

Nearly four decades later, modern genetic testing helped investigators discover his name. However, the search for his killer continues.

Remains found in Cumberland County identified nearly 40 years after killer convicted

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced on Wednesday, Sept. 20 that the Loudon County John Doe has been identified as James Keith Nuchols of Blount County, who was 58 at the time of his death. When his body was found back in 1985, investigators learned that he had been shot and his death was ruled a homicide.

Authorities also stated that, according to forensic anthropologists from the University of Tennessee, he had been dead for one to two weeks prior to the discovery of his remains.

Now that they have learned his name, TBI special agents hope that the public can help provide more information that could help solve Nuchols murder. Through the years, investigators had worked to learn his identity so that the homicide might be solved.

TBI talks about identifying Cheatham County cold case victim

Back in December 2022, as part of the Unidentified Human Remains DNA Initiative, TBI officials said they submitted a sample of the Loudoun County remains to Othram, a private lab based in Texas, for forensic genetic genealogical (FGG) DNA testing. Then, scientists provided information about possible relatives connected to the man.

Last month, agents said they contacted one of those candidates, obtained a familial DNA standard, and submitted it to Othram for comparison against the DNA of the then-unidentified remains.

Meanwhile, a TBI intelligence analyst reportedly tracked down a set of the victims post-mortem fingerprints, which were submitted to the TBI Crime Lab in Nashville to be analyzed by the Latent Print Unit.

Who am I? 10 cold cases TBI hopes new DNA initiative will solve

Forensic scientists confirmed that the unidentified remains belonged to Nuchols. In addition, as a result of FGG testing, scientists with Othram concluded that the DNA was a match for Nuchols, according to officials.

The TBI urges anyone with information about Nuchols murder, specifically any knowledge about people with whom Nuchols may have been before his death, to call 1-800-TBI-FIND or email TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) defended legislation she signed that bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, after former President Trump called Floridas six-week ban on the procedure a terrible thing.

Its never a terrible thing to protect innocent life, Reynolds said Tuesday in a post on X. Im proud of the fetal heartbeat bill the Iowa legislature passed and I signed in 2018 and again earlier this year.

Trump, whose Supreme Court justice appointments led to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for signing a six-week abortion ban. The former president called the move a terrible thing and a terrible mistake during an interview Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press. Trump has faced backlash from opponents of abortion rights for his comments.

Reynolds signed Iowas abortion ban into law in July. The state passed a similar version of the law in 2018, but a court halted it because Roe v. Wade was still in effect.

DeSantis said Tuesday that Trump was wrong to attack the heartbeat bill as terrible,' writing in support of Reynolds on X.

I applaud Governor [Reynolds] and the Iowa legislature for promoting a culture of life, DeSantis said. Standing for life is a noble cause.

Reynolds says shes remained on the sidelines when it comes to Trump and DeSantis on the campaign trail, not endorsing either presidential candidate.

Im remaining neutral, but I dont just want to rule it out down the road. I think its really important right now to encourage candidates to come to Iowa, Reynolds told Shannon Bream during an interview on Fox News Sunday.

Trump has previously criticized Reynolds for saying she wants to remain neutral between the two candidates.

I opened up the Governor position for Kim Reynolds, & when she fell behind, I ENDORSED her, did big Rallies, & she won, Trump wrote on Truth Social in July. Now, she wants to remain NEUTRAL. I dont invite her to events! DeSanctus down 45 points!

Never Back Down, the super PAC supporting DeSantiss presidential bid, aired an ad earlier today touting Reynoldss abortion ban while going after Trump for his remarks during the Sunday interview.

The ad then praises DeSantis for promoting a culture of life and signing the six-week abortion ban.

We have delivered in Florida on promoting a culture of life and that means signing the heartbeat bill into law. It was the right thing to do. Dont let anyone tell you it wasnt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said Tuesday that the U.S. must demonstrate in a verifiable fashion that it intends to return to the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that his country has a right to nuclear energy.

The U.S. pulled out of the deal in 2018at the direction of then-President Trump, claiming Iran was not holding up its end. The deal lifted sanctions on the country in exchange for assurances against nuclear weapons proliferation.

Raisi, during his address before the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, said scuttling the deal was an inappropriate response to Iran being found out of compliance with treaty requirements.

Iran has denied intending to develop nuclear weapons, instead claiming that nuclear development is merely for energy. Raisi told the U.N. that nuclear weapons have no place in the defensive doctrine and the military doctrine.

Many of the concerns over the deal come from the lack of inspector access to Iranian nuclear sites. United Nations nuclear chief Rafael Grossi told The Associated Press on Monday that Iran had removed a significant number of cameras and other monitoring systems from its nuclear facilities.

Grossi estimated that Iran has enough nuclear material for several bombs.

The Biden administration was in negotiations with Iran to restart the agreement last year, but those talks fell through. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in July that the U.S. is not talking about starting the deal again.

An agreement was on the table. Iran either couldnt or wouldnt say yes, Blinken said. Were not about to take any deal. Of course, it has to meet our security objectives. It has to meet our interests.

So, we made a very good faith effort to get back into compliance with them, he continued. They couldnt or wouldnt do it. Were now in a place where were not talking about a nuclear agreement.

The U.S. and Iran completed a prisoner swap Tuesday, exchanging five prisoners from each side along with returning about $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Monroe Doctrine must come to an end in Americas

10:08, September 20, 2023 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily

The U.S. government recently declassified two documents at Chile's request. These two documents, together with previously declassified ones by the United States, indisputably prove that the United States was behind the scenes orchestrating the coup in Chile 50 years ago.

This once again shows that the United States has long regarded Latin America as its "backyard," seeking hegemony in the region in the name of Americas. Its reckless military intervention and economic plunder in Latin American countries have caused severe disasters for the people there.

According to the two documents, President's Daily Briefings compiled by the Central Intelligence Agency, the U.S. government not only had prior knowledge of the information about the military coup launched by Augusto Pinochet, then Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army, in September 1973, but also provided support for the military coup.

Previously declassified documents from the U.S. National Security Archive also showed that the United States considered Salvador Allende, then President of Chile, a threat. The United States obstructed his administration through diplomatic, political, economic and other means, and also plotted to overthrow the administration through smear campaigns, covert assassinations, and instigating military coup.

Fifty years has passed, yet the scars left on the Chilean society by the coup remain unhealed. During a recent event in Santiago commemorating victims of the coup, Chilean President Gabriel Boric said the painful experiences brought by this coup have left an indelible mark on generations of Chileans. However, the U.S. government has not shown any remorse or apologized to this day.

In a statement released the other day, the U.S. Department of State even shamelessly claimed that the declassification of the documents "is consistent with our joint efforts to promote democracy and human rights in our own countries and around the world. "

How exactly has the United States been "promoting democracy and human rights" in Latin America?

In 1823, the country issued the Monroe Doctrine, declaring "America for Americans." However, as a matter of fact, it was treating Latin America as its own exclusive "backyard."

Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt once openly declared that the United States must exercise an international police power in the Western Hemisphere for the sake of adhering to the Monroe Doctrine.

In the 200 years since the Monroe Doctrine was introduced, the United States has adopted various means to plunder Latin America's natural resources, undermine the economies of Latin American countries, and interfere in their domestic affairs, which led to economic decline and social turmoil, and intensified inequality in these countries.

A Harvard University study showed that in less than 100 years between 1898 and 1994, the U.S. government plotted and carried out at least 41 coups in Latin America, equivalent to one coup every 28 months.

Even today, the poisonous legacy of the Monroe Doctrine remains. The United States readily imposes sanctions and suppression against "disobedient" Latin American countries, and even attempts to use Latin American countries as pawns in camp confrontation, forcing them to take sides.

Gabriel Merino, professor with the National University of La Plata in Argentina, pointed out that Latin America and the Caribbean have been deeply harmed by U.S. hegemony.

The so-called "promotion of democracy and human rights" by the United States cannot conceal the damage inflicted on Latin American countries by the Monroe Doctrine. American hegemony is meeting increasing resistance and opposition in Latin American countries.

At last year's Ninth Summit of the Americas hosted by the United States, the U.S. side tried to rebuild its leadership in the Americas by taking advantage of its home turf. However, due to the country's refusal to invite the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua, the summit was publicly boycotted by leaders of many Latin American countries.

A commentary on the website of U.S. magazine Foreign Policy pointed out that a major characteristic of the U.S. when it comes to Latin American issues is "ignorant arrogance."

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that there should no longer be the Monroe Doctrine, interventionist policies, blockades against other countries in the Americas, nor should any one country dominate the region.

At present, the "Global South," comprising emerging market countries and developing countries, is steadily increasing its voice and influence in international affairs. Latin American countries are also continuously taking new steps towards solidarity and self-strengthening.

The United States should recognize the trend of the times, genuinely respect the sovereignty of Latin American countries and their people's rights, and practically abide by the basic norms of international relations. Only in this way can it possibly establish normal relations with Latin American countries.

(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People's Daily to express its views on foreign policy and international affairs.)

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
The 360 shows you diverse perspectives on the days top stories and debates.

Photo illustration: Aida Amer for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images (2)

Whats happening

Five Americans who were freed from prisons in Iran as part of a deal brokered by the Biden administration were with friends and family after returning to U.S. soil on Tuesday morning.

In exchange for their release, the United States agreed to unfreeze $6 billion in Iranian funds and to let five Iran nationals out of U.S. prisons. The deal reportedly came after years of negotiations, as part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to ease tensions between the U.S. and Iran. Relations between the two longtime adversaries had become especially hostile after then-President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018.

Dozens of Americans have been freed from captivity abroad over the past year. The most high-profile case involved WNBA star Brittney Griner, who was held in Russia for nearly 10 months before being exchanged for notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout in another controversial deal brokered by the Biden administration.

There is a long history of U.S. presidents from both parties making concessions to free Americans held captive abroad, often in Iran. Both Trump and his predecessor, Barack Obama, exchanged prisoners with Iran and Taliban forces in Afghanistan. The Iran hostage crisis, which played a major role in Ronald Reagans victory over Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election, ended when the United States agreed to unfreeze nearly $8 billion in Iranian assets.

Why theres debate

Republicans have uniformly condemned Biden for this latest prisoner swap.

They argue that the White House effectively rewarded Iran for taking American citizens hostage with billions of dollars that the country can use to fund terrorism and create havoc in the Middle East. Many make the case that Bidens willingness to pay such a high price will only give Iran  and other U.S. adversaries  more incentive to hold Americans hostage in the future. Such criticism isnt exclusive to Bidens political rivals. Even some people who were themselves previously detained in Iran have made the case that paying for the release of American prisoners makes it more likely that others will be held for ransom.

But supporters of the deal say $6 billion is a small price to pay to spare Americans from the horrors of captivity in Iran and argue that, while a no concessions policy makes for a strong political sound bite, it doesnt actually accomplish anything in the real world. Others are hopeful that this latest prisoner exchange will help create a diplomatic pathway for the two countries to reach a new agreement to keep Iran from producing a nuclear weapon.

Whats next

There are still dozens of U.S. nationals wrongfully detained in other countries, including two permanent residents who are currently being held in Iran and were not included in the latest deal. The White House has warned Americans not to travel to Iran, stating that they should have no expectation that their release can be secured if they are taken captive.

Perspectives

Supporters

Rescuing captured Americans is expensive but worth it

I believe that getting wrongfully detained Americans home is worth the high price that rogue states such as Iran and Putins Russia typically try to exact.  Peter Bergen, CNN

A good-faith deal with Iran sets the stage for much more important negotiations

The [agreement] will go well beyond getting imprisoned U.S. citizens out of Iran and releasing frozen Iranian oil funds for humanitarian reasons. It may well be the basis for making sure that Iran will refrain from attacking American troops, endangering international shipping lines and arming Russia for its war in Ukraine. Most importantly, the prisoner swap might be a decisive step for the West in reaching a new informal nuclear limitation agreement with Iran.  Klaus W. Larres, the Conversation

There was no way to free those prisoners without major concessions

Here's the bottom line: There are no good deals with Iran, only bad and worse ones.  Aaron David Miller, Foreign Policy

Its easy to talk tough when youre not the one trying to bring Americans home

Though a no-concessions policy for hostage-taking might be fine as a political position, it further victimizes innocent hostages and risks leaving them to die or languish in foreign prisons for years.  Jason Rezaian, Washington Post

Critics

Biden has ensured that the price will be even higher next time

Once again, the administration is jacking up the price that this countrys enemies can demand for the return of Americans they seize.  Editorial, National Review

The deal will lead to more kidnappings in the future

If you are an adversary in any way of the United States and you want some sort of concession, what's going to be the quickest way to do it given the behavior of this Biden administration? Go out, target a dual national, target an American who's visiting, trump up some phony charges, put them into prison, and then say, The only way you get them back is to unfreeze our assets or give us this concession in these negotiations.  Kimberley Strassel, Wall Street Journal

Its foolish to think Iran will ever be a trustworthy negotiating partner

This is not a regime it is possible to form a real detente with, and its suicidal for the White House to behave as though it is.  Editorial, New York Post

Biden gave Iran billions that will inevitably be used to harm the U.S. and its allies

The deal amounts to a ransom payment that will fund the terror-sponsoring regimes malign activities across the Middle East while doing nothing to curb Irans progress toward a nuclear weapon.  Jonathan Schanzer & Enia Krivine, Washington Examiner

Photo illustration: Aida Amer for Yahoo News; photos: Getty Images (2)
Watch the full interview with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi at 10 a.m. ET and 1 p.m. ET Sunday on Fareed Zakaria GPS.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said the five Americans freed this week from Iranian detention were released with purely humanitarian motives.

There was an opportunity for this exchange to take place. And this exchange was, as I said, prompted by purely humanitarian motives, and I do think that the accomplishment was something that led to the happiness of the families of the prisoners, as well as having been able to show the true face of our humanitarian motives and efforts, Raisi told CNNs Fareed Zakaria in New York, in an exclusive interview set to air in full Sunday.

The five Americans  Emad Shargi, Morad Tahbaz and Siamak Namazi , as well as two others who have not been publicly named  had been designated as wrongfully detained by the State Department. They returned to US soil early Tuesday morning, emotionally reuniting with family members at Fort Belvoirs Davison Army Airfield.

Their release came as part of a wider deal that includes the US unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian funds and capped a significant diplomatic breakthrough after years of complicated indirect negotiations between the two countries, who do not have formal diplomatic ties.

While the Iranian government has claimed it can use the money however it pleases, the Biden administration has repeatedly stressed that the funds are narrowly limited to non-sanctionable purchases like food and medicine, and that they will be subject to strict oversight.

Raisi told Zakaria that the funds belong to people of Iran and that his government will certainly keep to the core of our belief that the objective is to spend those funds to respond to the needs of the Iranian people.

These were funds belonging to the Iranian nation, he said. Naturally, when these funds come back, they will have to be spent towards the needs that address, towards objectives that address the needs of the Iranian people. And we will certainly keep to the core of our belief that the objective is to spend those funds to respond to the needs of the Iranian people.

President Joe Biden faced push back over the agreement, with some Republicans swift to criticize the deal, alleging the transfer of the money harmed US credibility abroad and could be an incentive for US adversaries to wrongfully detain American citizens.

Raisi, during his remarks earlier Tuesday at the UN General Assembly in New York, lashed out at American sanctions, which include those punishing Iran for the violent suppression of protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, claiming they have not yielded the desired results.

CNNs Jennifer Hansler, Kylie Atwood, Frederik Pleitgen, Claudia Otto, Ramin Mostaghim, Mostafa Salem and Becky Anderson contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Israels ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan was seen being swiftly escorted by a UN security officer on Tuesday after the official held up a protest sign during a speech from Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.

Despite reports Mr Erdan had been detained, the United Nations told The Independent the Israeli official had merely spoken with security.

There was indeed an incident when the permanent representative of Israel walked down the aisle and unfurled a photo during the speech by the president of Iran in the general assembly, a spokesperson for the body said. UN security spoke to him. At no time was the ambassador detained in any way, shape or form. As far as we are concerned, the incident is closed.

The Independent has contacted the Israeli embassy and Irans special interests section in Washington for comment.

During the address from President Raisi, Ambassador Erdan held up a placard with the image of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman who died last year after being arrested by the countrys morality police, with a caption reading, Iranian women deserve freedom now!

Later, on social media, he continued to rail against the Iranian leader.

When President Raisi of Iran, the Butcher of Tehran, began his speech, I waved a picture of Mahsa Amini, the innocent Iranian woman who was brutally murdered by the regime one year ago for not wearing a hijab properly. he wrote on X. Meanwhile, outside the UN hundreds of Iranians were protesting, begging for help from the international community. I will never stop fighting for the truth and I will always expose the UNs moral distortions. Those who roll out the red carpet for murderers and antisemites must be held accountable for their actions!

JUST IN: Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan was detained Tuesday at U.N. Headquarters  as seen in U.S. exclusive video from NEWSMAX  after protesting the speech of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. https://t.co/v9k51VTCPT pic.twitter.com/lpNgLzO6N7  NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) September 19, 2023

The dramatic gesture came just after the one-year anniversary of Aminis death.

The 22-year-old died in police custody on 16 September, three days after being jailed for allegedly failing to wear her mandatory headscarf properly.

Israels ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan holds up a protest sign during a 19 September, 2023, speech at the General Assembly by Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi (Gilad Erdan)

Iranian officials claimed she suffered a heart attack in her cell, while family members said she didnt have a history of heart issues and witnesses to her detention saw her being viciously beaten.

The death caused widespread popular protests in Iran, a rarity, centred around womens rights in the country, and simmering discontent continues to this day, including among Iranian school girls, who have continued to flout hijab rules.
Mourners carry the body of a Palestinian who was killed in an Israeli raid in Jericho

JENIN, West Bank (Reuters) - Israeli troops killed a 19-year-old Palestinian during a raid in the occupied West Bank on Wednesday, medics and residents said, as violence surged ahead of a first meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden.

Security in the West Bank, among areas where Palestinians seek statehood, has deteriorated amid an almost decade-old impasse in U.S.-sponsored peacemaking, the rise of Netanyahu's hard-right government and an entrenchment of Islamist militants.

The Palestinian killed near the town of Jericho was shot as troops faced off with stone-throwers, according to residents, though his family said he had not taken part. He was the sixth Palestinian killed in confrontations with Israel since Tuesday.

The army said it carried out the raid to arrest suspected militants, and fired on several bomb-throwing Palestinians, hitting one of them. There was no word of Israeli casualties.

Since regaining power last December at the head of a religious-nationalist coalition, Netanyahu's relations with Biden have been strained. Israel's U.S. ally is troubled by his judicial overhaul plans and Jewish settlement of the West Bank.

Not yet invited to Biden's White House, Netanyahu will meet the president on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

In his speech to the forum on Tuesday, Biden promoted U.S. efforts to normalise relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours. Biden also said his administration "continue(s) to work tirelessly to support a just and lasting peace between... the Israelis and Palestinians  two states for two people".

(Writing by Dan Williams and Ali Sawafta; Editing by Gareth Jones)
President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Biden was in New York to address the 78th United Nations General Assembly. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

NEW YORK (AP)  President Joe Biden raised hard issues, including protecting the checks and balances in a democracy, in a Wednesday meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , pushing the Israeli leader to find a compromise on a judicial overhaul that has set off months of mass protests in Israel and concerns in Washington.

Biden also raised concerns about the far-right Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians, urging Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank at a time of heightened violence in the occupied territory.

The two leaders sat down and took time to chat one-on-one on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. It was their first meeting since Netanyahu took office at the helm of his countrys far-right government late last year.

Relations have cooled since Netanyahu returned to office with a coalition of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist partners. His new government has stepped up construction in West Bank settlements, angering the U.S., and pressed ahead with its contentious judicial overhaul plan despite deep divisions at home and criticism from the U.S. and other allies.

Netanyahu tried to play down concerns about the plan, saying there is one thing that will never change and that is Israel's commitment to democracy."

Biden opened the meeting by stressing the U.S. friendship with Israel as being ironclad and saying that without Israel, theres not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential. But Biden also acknowledged the tensions with Netanyahus government and its policies.

Were going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems, Biden said. He said they would also talk about a path to a negotiated two-state solution with Palestinians and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon.

A senior Biden administration official said Biden pushed Netanyahu to find a compromise on his planned changes to the Israeli court system. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting, did not want to characterize Netanyahu's reaction to what Biden said, only that the Israeli leader understood the need for a compromise.

Israeli media, citing a senior official, said Netanyahu assured Biden he was seeking a compromise. However, Netanyahu has made similar pledges in recent months while pushing ahead with the plan, drawing accusations from his opponents that he is not negotiating in good faith. His coalition pushed the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July.

A statement by Netanyahu's office said the meeting with Biden was primarily about brokering a peace agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The prospect of an agreement was also raised by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who said in an interview with Fox News being aired Wednesday that the two countries are getting closer to normalizing relations. But Saudi Arabia's de facto leader also said it was very important to reach a pact on the treatment of Palestinians as part of any agreement.

We got to see where we go, he said. We hope that will reach a place, that it will ease the life of the Palestinians, get Israel as a player in the Middle East.

The location of Biden and Netanyahu's long-anticipated meeting  a New York hotel room on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings rather than the grandeur of the Oval Office  has been widely interpreted in Israel as a sign of U.S. displeasure with Netanyahus new government.

Netanyahu has been a frequent White House visitor over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of starting their tenure to the Oval Office. But his judicial proposals have raised concerns within Israel as well as the U.S. about his commitment to a democratic system.

Bien held out the possibility of the coveted Oval Office meeting, saying, I hope well see each other in Washington by the end of the year. The U.S. later formally invited Netanyahu to the White House, eyeing a meeting in November or December.

Biden himself has repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahus plan to overhaul Israels judicial system.

Netanyahu says the countrys unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. His plan seeks to give more authority to the ruling coalition in parliament, which he heads. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.

The plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the United States, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the country's flag in protest Wednesday in New York. Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Early this year, Biden voiced his unhappiness over the judicial overhaul, saying Netanyahu cannot continue down this road and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise.

The Israeli governments treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire. Netanyahus coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Israels government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians  a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.

According to a White House summary of the talks, Biden stressed the need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation in the West Bank, where violence between Israelis and Palestinians over the past 18 months has intensified to its worst levels in roughly two decades. The two leaders also reaffirmed their intention to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The Biden-Netanyahu meeting came at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Netanyahus government shares American values. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.

Topping Netanyahus wish list were discussions on U.S. efforts to broker a deal establishing full diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House statement said Biden and Netanyahu discussed the shipping and rail corridor announced at the Group of 20 summit that would connect Israel with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

Netanyahu, who also led Israel when President Donald Trump brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and four Arab countries, said a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would go a long way to promoting Israel's relations with the broader Arab and Muslim world and help advance a genuine peace with the Palestinians.

The White House has acknowledged that it is seeking such a deal, but obstacles lie in the way. Saudi Arabia is pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal and defense guarantees from the U.S.

The Saudis have also said they expect Israel to make significant concessions to the Palestinians.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, told reporters there is no other way to solve the conflict than by establishing a Palestinian state. But senior ministers in Netanyahus government have already ruled out any concessions to the Palestinians.

___

Federman reported from Jerusalem. Associated Press writer Isabel Debre in Jerusalem and AP Diplomatic Writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported Russian losses in western Zaporizhzhia have significantly increased in recent days following intense fighting in the Tavriisk direction.

Spokesperson for Ukraines Tavriisk Group of Forces Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun stated that Russian forces took 313 casualties on Sept. 18 and that this is significantly higher than estimated losses in the previous two days, which were roughly 200 soldiers each day.

According to Shtupun, Russian Airborne (VDV) forces are conducting defensive operations in the Tavriisk area and western Zaporizhzhia oblast, while Storm-Z detachments with recruited convicts have arrived to support the VDV.

ISW has previously reported that units of Russias 7th Guards Mountain VDV Division and the 76th Guards VDV Division were conducting counter attacks against Ukrainian liberated Robotyne, which has likely resulted in high rates of attrition.

The Storm-Z units are assessed by ISW to have limited combat effectiveness and will likely provide the Russian defense in western Zaporizhzhia oblast with marginal combat power."

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian advances point to severe degradation of Russian units, says ISW

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
I've been traveling across Vietnam for 10 years. These are 5 places to skip if you want to avoid crowds  and where to visit instead.

Joshua Zukas offers alternatives to some of Vietnam's overcrowded must-see destinations. Joshua Zukas

Hanoi-based travel writer Joshua Zukas has contributed to three guidebooks about Vietnam.

Tourist destinations like Sapa Town, Halong Bay, and Phu Quoc often get overrun with tourists.

Zukas recommends nearby alternatives to visit instead.

After contributing to three guidebooks and writing over a hundred travel stories about Vietnam, my conclusion is that there are no no-go destinations. Every town, city, and province has its merits. But I would question some of the must-see destinations that pop up on the typical travel itinerary. The highlights are popular for a reason, but with popularity comes over-tourism, and with over-tourism comes crowds, noise, and disruption.

Fortunately, there are viable alternatives to Vietnam's tourist hot spots. For those of us who would rather escape crowds than hunt highlights, there are five places I would suggest skipping  along with pointers on where to check out instead.

1. Skip: Sapa Town

Quang Truong Square is in the center of Sapa Town. Shutterstock

Tourism in Sapa has a long history. The French colonized Northern Vietnam in 1883, and it remained part of French Indochina until 1954. During this time, when the colonists found the subtropical lowlands too hot to handle, Sapa  now a six-hour bus journey from Hanoi  turned into a popular European mountain retreat.

Perhaps because of the origin story, Sapa is often presented as a quant alpine town. This couldn't be further from the truth. While the countryside surrounding Sapa is glorious, the town itself is a perennial construction site.

Where to go instead: Parks and villages in the northern countryside

Ba Be National Park offers kayaking, caves, and lakeside homestays. Joshua Zukas

It's possible to skip the town and delve straight into the countryside by booking a multiday trekking tour with a Sapa-based company in advance. There are also over a dozen alternative destinations nestled in Vietnam's immense northern mountains to investigate.

Pu Luong Nature Reserve is home to some superb mountain lodges, Mu Cang Chai is famous for its cascading rice terraces, Ha Giang has some of Southeast Asia's best motorbiking, and Ba Be National Park offers kayaking, caves, and lakeside homestays.

2. Skip: Halong Bay

Visitor numbers at Halong Bay continue to increase. karenfoleyphotography/Getty

Halong Bay, a three-hour bus ride from Hanoi, is the star attraction of Quang Ninh Province. The hot spot has all the hallmarks of a tourism heavyweight: mythological intrigue, picturesque vistas, tasty local cuisine, and affordable cruises.

But at times, people can overwhelm the bay, prompting both UNESCO and IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, to express concerns about visitor numbers. In 2016, 8.3 million tourists visited Quang Ninh; by 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic, that number had jumped to 14 million, according to Vietnam News.

Where to go instead: Hai Phong Province

The sunset at Cat Ba Island in Vietnam. Joshua Zukas

Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island in Hai Phong Province offer similar scenery, but far fewer cruise ships  and activities aimed at visitors have proliferated in recent years.

Lan Ha Bay cruises now rival those of Halong Bay, while Cat Ba Island combines aquatic activities like kayaking and swimming with terrestrial pursuits like climbing and hiking.

3. Skip: Hoi An

A busy Hoi An street in the historic center of town. Shutterstock

Bypassing Hoi An's lantern-strewn old town, central Vietnam's quintessential tourism darling, might take some guts. The restaurant scene is booming, the centenarian architecture is well-preserved, and there's a layered history to unearth.

However, local life has all but disappeared, tourist services have taken over, and some questionable construction policies make it difficult to distinguish between genuine heritage buildings and recent replicas. Overcrowding has even prompted the local authorities to propose a controversial entry fee to enter Hoi An's ancient core, according to VnExpress.

Where to go instead: Hue

Inside the walled city in Hue, Vietnam Joshua Zukas

The former imperial capital of Hue, another heritage city, is 87 miles north of Hoi An. Unlike Hoi An's old town, where sights are packed into just a handful of streets, Hue's historic quarter is vast. North of the Perfume River and speckled with palaces, pagodas, and temples, this walled city is unconcerned with tourists. Instead of burger bars and souvenir stores, the neighborhood offers a glimpse of ordinary Vietnamese life.

4. Skip: Danang

Danang beach in Vietnam can get very busy. RWP UK/Getty

Central Vietnam's biggest city, with over a million people, Danang has a broad sandy metropolitan beach that gives Miami, Rio de Janeiro, and Barcelona a run for their money. However, finding a quiet spot by the sea, especially during national holidays and the sunny summer months, can be a challenge.

Where to go instead: Quy Nhon

The metropolitan beach in Quy Nhon, Vietnam Joshua Zukas

Fortunately, central Vietnam's slender, sea-facing geography has incubated a handful of other lesser-known metropolitan beaches. South of Danang is Quy Nhon, a clean and quiet beach city surrounded by centuries-old Cham towers and labyrinthine fishing villages. North of Danang is Dong Hoi, another unhurried beach city and close to the inimitable caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

5. Skip: Phu Quoc

The crowded central town in south of Phu Quoc island HuyThoai/Getty

Phu Quoc, an island in southern Vietnam off the coast of Cambodia, was once billed as the next Phuket or Bali. Then came the gaudy hotel properties, abandoned construction sites, and crass casinos. Phu Quoc will appeal to vacationers in search of a more traditional resort-based beach break but it is not a pristine tropical refuge.

Where to go instead: Con Dao

A beach in Con Dao, Vietnam Shutterstock

Con Dao, also in southern Vietnam, has far fewer visitors. The island also appears to be learning from the mistakes of other destinations by limiting construction, regulating tourist arrivals, and enacting policies that protect the environment, according to the Vietnamese media network Voice of Vietnam. Hotel choice is limited and the island isn't as easy to get to, but when the scenery is this special, it's worth the effort.

Read the original article on Insider


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Among the many topics in her forthcoming memoir, actor Jada Pinkett Smith plans to delve into her famous friendship with rapper Tupac Shakur. The book, titled Worthy and releasing on October 17, offers a no holds barred view of her life, including her acting career, complicated family history, and her famous and often controversial marriage to actor Will Smith.

Shop Now Worthy amazon.com $26.79

Tupac was one of Pinkett Smiths oldest friends. The two met while attending school together in Baltimore and remained so close that, although they were never romantically involved, Smith has admitted that he was jealous of the late rapper.



We had an instant connection, Pinkett Smith said of Shakur. We became close friends pretty quickly. We were pretty much inseparable from the day we met.

Shakur and Pinkett Smith saw a lot of similarities in each other. They both grew up surrounded by drugs and addiction. They were both very intelligent, passionate about their art, and often underestimated by others. And they were in it together, remaining close friends until Shakurs tragic and untimely death in 1996.

How Tupac and Jada Met

Pinkett Smith and Shakur were both born in 1971. He was raised in New York Citys Harlem neighborhood by his mother, a political activist and Black Panther Party member named Afeni Shakur. She was addicted to crack cocaine during Shakurs childhood, and the family had to move often, struggling for money and living off welfare because she couldnt keep a job.

In 1984, the family moved to Baltimore, and Shakur enrolled at the prestigious Baltimore School for the Arts, where he said he was the freest I ever felt. It was also where he met Jada Pinkett, who became one of his closest and most trusted friends for the rest of his life.

Her mother had been a heroin addict, and Pinkett herself was a drug dealer when she attended the Baltimore school. She studied dance and theater there, which helped her overcome some of her demons. Shakur was so inspired by her strength and personality that he wrote poems about her, including one in which he called her the foundation 4 my conception of love, according to Clifford W. Mills biography Tupac Shakur.



Supporting Each Others Careers

Pinkett and Shakur consistently supported each other as they pursued their careers over the years. She made a cameo appearance in Shakurs music video for the song Strictly 4 My Niggaz, and Pinkett was cast in her first movie role based upon a suggestion from Shakur.

Getty Images

She portrayed a young single mother named Ronnie in Menace II Society (1993), a film directed by brothers Albert and Allen Hughes. Shakur was originally slated to also appear in the movie but was fired shortly after Pinkett was cast. She considered quitting as a result, but Shakur convinced her to keep the part, and she later said, I probably wouldnt have done it without his blessing.

Pinkett received critical acclaim for the performance, with film critic Roger Ebert describing her performance as filled with life and conviction. She never forgot that Shakur helped her secure a foothold in Hollywood, and she later turned down a part in the Hughes brothers movie Dead Presidents (1995) because of their past treatment of Shakur.

Shakur was strongly supportive of Pinkett as she continued to achieve success. His friend and Outlawz collaborator Mutah Napoleon Wassin Shabazz Beale recalled going with him to see the 1994 movie A Low Down Dirty Shame, which starred Pinkett. Pac just was staring at the screen paying attention and was very heavily involved in the movie and focused, Beale said. He had a lot of love for Jada Pinkett, a lot of respect for her.

Pinkett also supported Shakur as his rap career took off. She conceived the idea for the music video for his hit song California Love, which features the rapper fighting an evil tribal chief in a desert set in the year 2095. The idea was inspired by the 1985 movie Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and Pinkett was originally slated to direct it, but she dropped out of the project, according to the book Tupac Shakur: The Life and Times of an American Icon.



Will Smith Regrets His Jealousy

Getty Images

Despite their extremely close friendship, Shakur and Pinkett were never romantically involved. But that didnt mean that there wasnt some jealousy on the part of her famous future husband, Will Smith. He later said he regrets that he never became close with Shakur because he felt so insecure about his wifes friendship with Tupac.

He was the image of perfection [to her], but she was with the Fresh Prince, Smith said. Even when we were in the room [together] a couple times, I couldnt speak to him. And he wasnt going to speak to me if I wasnt going to speak to him That was a huge regret of mine. I couldnt handle it.

Shakur was so protective of Pinkett that she even worried he might assault Smith, which Beale said offended the rapper. But she recognized that Shakur could have an exaggerated outlook on life due to his extreme lifestyle and his own low self-esteem, according to Holler If You Hear Me: Searching for Tupac Shakur by Michael Eric Dyson. He had a way of putting you on a pedestal, and if there was one thing you did wrong, he would swear you were the devil, she said, according to the book. Everything about him was extreme.

Shakurs Death Made Pinkett Smith Mad at God

Shakur died in Las Vegas on September 13, 1996, days after he was shot in a stopped car he was sharing with record executive Suge Knight. Pinkett had plans to fly out to visit him the day of his death, and she was so shocked at the news that her knees buckled, and Smith had to catch her.

Even decades later, Pinkett Smith said on an episode of her talk show Red Table Talk that Tupacs death so profoundly affects her that it made her mad at God.

Getty Images

That was a huge loss in my life, she said. Because he was one of those people, I expected to be here. My upset is more anger, because I feel like he left me. And I know thats not true, and its a very selfish way to think about it, [but] I really did believe hed be here for the long run.

More than two decades after Shakurs death, the biopic All Eyez on Me about him was released in theaters in 2017. The movie depicts not only Shakurs musical career, but also his difficult childhood, run-ins with the law, and the most important personal relationships in his life.

Demetrius Shipp Jr. portrayer Skakur in the film, while Pinkett Smith was played by Kat Graham. But the real Pinkett Smith wasnt impressed by what she saw on the big screen, especially what she saw as a sanitized version of Shakurs life and his friendship with her.

It wasnt just about, Oh, you have this cute girl, and this cool guy, they must have been in this Pinkett Smith said of the way the film reimagined their relationship together. Nah, it wasnt that at all. It was about survival, and it had always been about survival between us.

With Worthy, Pinkett Smith is sure to set the record straight.

You Might Also Like
Jann Wenner , the mercurial cofounder and longtime editor in chief of Rolling Stone magazine, hoped to cement his legacy with his latest book, The Masters, a collection of his interviews with rock stars like Mick Jagger and Bruce Springsteen. Instead, he sullied his reputation by admitting what has been whispered about for years  that he doesn't think all that much of artists who are women or artists who are people of color.



Wenners admission came in a recent interview with The New York Times, when he was asked to expound on why The Masters only includes interviews with white male musicians. In the books introduction, Wenner wrote that female and POC musicians were not in his zeitgeist." Times writer David Marchese (a former reporter for Rolling Stone) asked how is it possible that a man who lived through Janis Joplin , Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, and Madonna (not to mention Tina Turner, Nina Simone, Carlos Santana, Bob Marley, and Beyonce) does not have any of these icons in his zeitgeist?

When I was referring to the zeitgeist, I was referring to Black performers, not to the female performers, OK? Just to get that accurate, Wenner responded. The selection was not a deliberate selection. It was kind of intuitive over the years; it just fell together that way. The people had to meet a couple criteria, but it was just kind of my personal interest and love of them. Insofar as the women, just none of them were as articulate enough on this intellectual level.

Marchese pushed back, incredulous that he would not think Mitchell, for example, was articulate on an intellectual level.

Its not that theyre not creative geniuses. Its not that theyre inarticulate, although, go have a deep conversation with Grace Slick or Janis Joplin. Please, be my guest. You know, Joni was not a philosopher of rock n roll. She didnt, in my mind, meet that test. Not by her work, not by other interviews she did. The people I interviewed were the kind of philosophers of rock.

"Of Black artists  you know, Stevie Wonder, genius, right? I suppose when you use a word as broad as masters, the fault is using that word. Maybe Marvin Gaye, or Curtis Mayfield? I mean, they just didnt articulate at that level.

The response to Wenners verbal diarrhea was swift. The onetime media maven, who had not only Rolling Stone but Mens Journal and Us Weekly under his control, was booted off the board of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, which he helped create. Wenner's son Gus, who now runs Rolling Stone, condemned his father's words in a statement. But for the elder Wenner's reputation, it feels like the mistake was putting definitive words behind decades of less direct actions.

As EIC of Rolling Stone, Wenner repeatedly put his (white, male) heroes on the cover, decades after the zeniths of their careers. Elevating Bob Dylan and George Harrison and Mick Jagger in the 2010s was a choice, but so was not doing the same with their female and POC peers like Aretha Franklin, Linda Ronstadt, or Celia Cruz (Wenner apparently had a soft spot for Jimi Hendrix, who did appear on a few 2010s Rolling Stone covers).

As any print editor knows, choosing magazine covers is a careful balancing act of relevance and commerce. While newsstand sales are not much of a consideration now (not many newsstands!), it certainly was during Wenners cover-choosing heyday. I doubt greatly that covers of Keith Richards in the 2010s were flying off the shelves  highlighting white male rock gods at the expense of their marginalized peers or legends from other musical genres was Wenners personal decision, one explained in his recent Times interview, and one that reverberated beyond a Baby Boomer in thrall of his own reflection and generation. As the head of a magazine that, to many, defined pop culture, Wenner helped shape the discussion on who was a master and who wasnt. We now clearly know who Wenner thought was in that club and who was not.

Additionally, as an out editor, Wenner surprisingly doesn't seem to hold the same reverence for LGBTQ+ musical icons (Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Dusty Springfield, Whitney Houston, etc.) as he does for his mostly hetero-identifying heroes. Judy Wieder, a former music journalist and the first female editor in chief of The Advocate, shared her recollections of Wenner.

"I spent many visits to Janns New York office when I was editor in chief of The Advocate during the '90s, trying to get him to come out publicly as a gay man," Wieder posted on Facebook. "He complimented my 'important work,' signed his coffee table book for me, and was very generous with his private conversations. But he refused to talk publicly. Too big a risk for his [rock & roll] career."

Wenner's vice grip on culture and his warped view of genius may have had other repercussions. In the last interview given by Janis Joplin, who Wenner explicitly insulted in the Times, the bisexual blues goddess lamented coverage she received in Rolling Stone, which Wenner controlled at the time. Joplin, speaking to The Village Voice's Howard Smith four days before her heroin overdose death in October 1970, was reminded of an aborted interview between them.

"We were supposed to do an interview, you know, a long time ago," Smith said. "And some article putting you down in Rolling Stone had just come out. You got very upset about it. Are you still that upset when you are still put down in any articles?"

"I should be able to get past that, you know, I mean girls want to be reassured," Joplin responded. "That's not to say all people don't, but I think women especially. Even though I know those are just assholes who don't know what they're talking about and I just should just continue with my music, you know, and let them come to the show and listen or go home and beat off; I don't care what they do. I should be able to do that but in my insides it really hurts ... it's silly."

"I remember at the time you were very upset," Smith added.

"Well, it was a very pretty heavy time for me," Joplin said, "and it was very important whether people were going to accept me or not."

Neal Broverman is editorial director at equalpride, publisher of The Advocate.

Views expressed in The Advocates opinion articles are those of the writers and do not necessarily represent the views of The Advocate or our parent company, equalpride.
[Source]

Japans demographic crisis has worsened, according to the latest government figures revealing that over 10% of the country's population  one in every 10 people  is now aged 80 or older.

Startling number: Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications shared the figures on Monday, coinciding with the country's Respect for the Aged Day.

The ministry's report also highlighted that 29.1% of Japan's citizens are aged 65 or older, which is the "the highest percentage of elderly population in the world."

Why its significant: Japans aging population, coupled with a plummeting birth rate and a dwindling workforce, poses serious challenges for funding pensions and healthcare in the coming years.

More from NextShark: Judge John Z. Lee becomes the first Asian American judge on the Seventh Circuit

Higher death rate than birth rate: The countrys population has been on a steady decline since the 1980s, with a fertility rate of just 1.3. Considering the absence of significant immigration, this figure is considered far below the 2.1 rate needed for stability. The country's death rate has consistently surpassed its birth rate for over a decade, making it a pressing concern for local leaders.

Putting the elderly to work: Japan has one of the highest life expectancies globally. Over the past decade, the Japanese government has actively encouraged seniors and stay-at-home mothers to rejoin the workforce in a bid to address the growing labor shortage and revitalize the stagnant economy.

A record number of elderly individuals joined the workforce last year, reaching 9.12 million  a consecutive yearly increase for the last 19 years. The employment rate among the elderly stood at 25.2% in 2022, ranking high among major economies. This included 50.8% of those aged 65 to 69 and 33.5% of those aged 70 to 74.

More from NextShark: Look: 6 designs compete to become Los Angeles' memorial to Chinese massacre of 1871

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Nobel-winning journalist Maria Ressa cleared of tax evasion charges

Vigil held for missing Indian-origin Arkansas teen who feared deportation
[Source]

The Japanese government has announced the creation of a dedicated hotline for male survivors of sexual abuse following shocking revelations of sexual misconduct at influential boyband agency Johnny & Associates.

A lifeline for male survivors: A specialized hotline which aims to serve as a vital resource for male survivors of sexual abuse will be made available starting this Friday. Operational for three months, the hotline will have trained specialists on hand to offer counseling services, ensuring a safe and empathetic space for victims to seek help and guidance.

Creating a safe environment: While Japan already offers a 24-hour hotline for both male and female survivors, concerns about men's reluctance to use the service prompted the creation of the specialized hotline.

Minister of State Ayuko Kato, who is in charge of child policies, expressed the government's deep commitment to creating a secure environment for survivors.

More from NextShark: Asian Twitter Rallies to Support the Black Community for #JusticeForAhmaud

We hope victims will feel safe and can consult without hesitation, she said in a statement.

A long-standing scandal: Johnny & Associates, renowned for birthing iconic J-pop groups such as SMAP, TOKIO and Arashi, is currently embroiled in an abuse scandal.

Earlier this month, the company admitted to the sexual abuse perpetrated by its founder, Johnny Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019. The revelations emerged after years of allegations and gained international attention through a BBC documentary and the brave testimonies of victims.

More from NextShark: 3-year-old boy uncovers 20-year-old secret of Ghibli Museum entrance

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Buddhist Temple Set on Fire, Vandalized in LAs Little Tokyo

Asian and European men saw largest increases to penis size in past 3 decades, study finds
FILE - A container ship is loaded and unloaded at a container terminal at a port of Kawasaki near Tokyo on March 9, 2022. Japans exports fell 0.8% in August 2023 from a year earlier, with steep declines in shipments to China and the rest of Asia, its largest regional market. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

TOKYO (AP)  Japans exports fell 0.8% last month from a year earlier, with steep declines in shipments to China and the rest of Asia, its largest regional market.

Imports sank nearly 18%, the Japanese Finance Ministry said in preliminary data released Wednesday. That left a trade deficit of 930.5 billion yen ($6.3 billion) in August, for the second straight month of red ink, it said.

Exports to Asian markets fell 8.8%, while imports dropped about 13%. A large share of that was an 11% drop in the value of shipments to China, whose economy has slowed in recent months as a hoped-for rebound from disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic fizzled.

We think the weak recovery in China will continue to have a negative impact on exports for a while, but semiconductors seem like they are bottoming out from the down cycle, Robert Carnell, regional head of research Asia-Pacific at ING, said in a report.

He said the strong contribution to economic growth in the April-July quarter was expected to weaken in this quarter.

Japans exports to the U.S. climbed 5.1%, helped by robust demand for vehicles. Exports to the European Union jumped 12.7% from a year earlier.

By product category, total auto exports jumped 40.9% year-on-year and semiconductor exports gained 8.1%. Exports in chemicals declined 11.7% and machinery exports slipped 9.6%.

China announced on Aug. 24 that it was suspending all seafood imports from Japan after treated radioactive water began to be released into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in northern Japan.

That may have some impact on imports from Japan in September and beyond, but Japan's overall exports of food to China accounted for only a 1% share of the total, even if they did fall 41% from a year earlier.

Chinas weaker than expected recovery has been weighing on Japanese exports, although hopes are growing the downturn may be bottoming out, at least for some industries.

___

Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama
Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko prepares to leave Haneda airport in Tokyo Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito, is on his way to Vietnam on Wednesday to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. (Kyodo News via AP)

HANOI, Vietnam (AP)  Japanese Crown Prince Akishino, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito , arrived in Vietnam on Wednesday for a five-day visit marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, as Tokyo pushes to deepen ties with Southeast Asia and other developing and emerging nations to tackle regional and global challenges.

Akishino, at a news conference last week, stressed the importance of deepening relations between Japan and Vietnam, noting their long history of cultural and economic exchanges dating back to the 16th century.

Japan and Vietnam have a very close relationship, Akishino said. I hope we can contribute as part of an effort to promote friendly relations between the two countries. He said it is particularly important for younger people to develop mutual understanding and respect for each others cultures through exchanges.

During the Sept. 20-25 trip, Akishino and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, are visiting Hanoi, Vietnam's capital, where they will see the mausoleum of Vietnam's first president, Ho Chi Minh, and join anniversary events, including attending a new opera, before traveling to Hoi An in central Vietnam.

Akishino said he is especially looking forward to his first visit to Hoi An, an old port city that was home to a Japantown for Japanese traders in the first half of the 1600s. He will also visit the nearby My Son Sanctuary, an archeological site with spiritual origins in Indian Hinduism.

The trip is Akishinos third to Vietnam after earlier visits in 1999 and 2012.

Akishino, who specializes in the study of chickens, noted there are wild breeds of chickens in various stages of domestication in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, and their presence, along with giant catfish that live in the Mekong River, are part of the reason he is attracted to the region.

The couples visit comes three months after Emperor Naruhito and his wife Masako visited Indonesia, this year's chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, as ASEAN and Japan mark 50 years of friendship. Japan is Indonesias largest provider of official development assistance, according to Japans Foreign Ministry.

___

Yamaguchi reported from Tokyo.
When the Supreme Court struck down the use of race-conscious admissions at Harvard and the University of North Carolina last term, the conservative justices behind the decision robustly claimed to seek the end of racial discrimination, espousing a view that eliminating racial discrimination means eliminating all of it. Meanwhile, Justice Sonia Sotomayor noted a major irony: Despite claiming that consideration of race violates the guarantee of the 14th Amendments equal protection clause, the court has repeatedly condoned racial profiling as a law enforcement tool that does not violate the Fourth Amendment. The court tolerates pretextual traffic stops and has sanctioned police reliance on an individuals apparent Mexican ancestry at the border and its functional equivalents to be a relevant factor justifying a traffic stop based on reasonable suspicion.

The federal landscape for addressing racialized policing is thus deeply baffling. Although racial profiling is permitted, the mechanism for challenging racially discriminatory policingselective enforcement in violation of the 14th Amendmentrequires showing an officers discriminatory intent. Finding evidence of an officers racist intent is increasingly improbable, given that police are unlikely to state (or write) their racial biases. Like most of us, they possess implicit racial biases that are inaccessible even to themselves.

Within this incredibly difficult legal context, one New Jersey appellate court earlier this year boldly addressed implicit racial bias in the decisions of ordinary policing. The facts of State v. Scott presented a unique instance in which racial bias could be proved, and this New Jersey court provides a road map for other state courts to offer similar protections.

On Dec. 9, 2019, a woman was robbed in Jersey City. She quickly reported it to a 911 dispatcher and provided a description. When the dispatcher asked whether the suspect was Black, white or Hispanic, she responded that she did not know. But when relaying the description to police officers, the dispatcher improperly added to the womans account that the suspect was a Black male. It appears this error was inadvertent, a mistake reflecting a pernicious implicit bias linking Blackness with criminality.

William L. Scott subsequently challenged the constitutionality of the police stop leading to his arrest, maintaining that the improper injection of race into the be-on-the-lookout description violated the states constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law. The appellate court agreed. Emphasizing the importance of deterring discriminatory policing in all of its permutations, the court suppressed all evidence obtained from the subsequent unlawful stop. Scott is the first example of a state appellate court holding that evidence of implicit racial bias in policing establishes a prima facie case of racial discrimination justifying the exclusion of evidence. Other state courts across the nation should take note and adopt similar determinations.

Scott makes a few significant doctrinal moves. First, the court decided that the dispatchers actions were attributable to police for the purposes of Scotts constitutional claim. Second, analyzing the problematic assumption that the suspect was a Black male, the court reasoned that the dispatcher either intentionally injected race based on a belief about Black men and criminality or accidentally included race because she unconsciously associates Black men with criminality. In either case, the panel held that Scott did not need to show that the state had acted with conscious racial animus to prove the violation of his right to equal protection.

Claims of selective police enforcement based on racial discrimination normally require proof of an officers intent. Remarkably, Scott held that evidence of implicit, unconscious racial bias influencing the dispatchers erroneous injection of race into the be-on-the-lookout description sufficed. The long history of racialized oppression in the United States, and especially in the criminal legal system, has resulted in widespread racist stereotypes associating Blackness with criminality. Here, implicit racial bias led to a documented error in the BOLO description and to race becoming an explicit factor in the police search. Recognizing that federal cases on racial discrimination, such as in jury selection, involve intentional discrimination, Scott relied on the New Jersey Supreme Courts recent statement that implicit bias is no less real and no less problematic than intentional bias.

Finally, after finding that police violated the state constitution, Scott considered whether two well-known exceptions to the exclusionary rule, independent source and inevitable discovery, should apply to save the evidence recovered against Scott. Each of these exceptions to the exclusionary rule contains a flagrancy factor, in which the reviewing court measures the gravity and culpability of the police constitutional violation against the practical consequence of excluding evidence in a criminal case. Here, Scott boldly concluded, discriminatory policing does not just taint specific bits of information; rather, it infects an entire police-citizen encounter in a way that cannot be cured with surgical redaction. In other words, once a court has found that police violated New Jerseys guarantee of equal protection under the law, this finding cannot be set aside to permit evidence obtained as a result of that violation into criminal proceedings.

Expressly motivated by a desire to deter racialized policing in all of its permutations, Scott suppressed all evidence obtained from the illegal stop. The state downgraded its charge to second-degree robbery, to which Scott pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to three years in state prison, which he had already served, and therefore this resolution resulted in his immediate release.

This unique case surfaces an underexamined question of how intent figures into the context of racialized policing. Scott highlights the glaring doctrinal contradiction: the Fourth Amendment permits race to be considered in policing, while the equal protection clause prevents proving racial discrimination without evidence of intent. In fact, the unique way that implicit racial bias was proved in the BOLO description here shows why its difficult to legally challenge racially motivated police actions. However, it presents an alternative avenue for state courts depending on the language in state constitutions.

To truly address implicit racial bias in policing, we must challenge a Fourth Amendment that empowers police with wide discretion to employ a racialized selection process. Because present constitutional doctrine permits discretionary police decisions yielding systemically racist outcomes, courts should review these police interventions without requiring evidence of an officers conscious intent to discriminate.
First Lady Jill Biden will visit Seattle Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center on Friday as announced by a Tuesday press release.

She will arrive Thursday evening at the King County International Airport.

Bidens visit will highlight the importance of supporting cancer survivors through research and specialized care. Her speech will focus on survivors of breast cancer and various childhood cancers.

The trip is part of a State of the Union Address that the president had made back in February.

Later Friday evening, the First Lady will speak about the Biden Victory Fund at two local political events.

The following day she will travel to Los Angeles and San Diego for similar appointments.








Jimmy Fallon can be seen in a newly resurfaced clip scolding Russell Brand for making Katharine McPhee uncomfortable by bouncing her on his lap.

The clip began making the rounds onling after a joint investigation by allegations-investigation-v5hxdlmb6">The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4 Dispatches revealed four women have made allegations of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against Brand.

The victims allege that his actions took place between 2006 and 2013 when Brand was a presenter for both BBC Radio 2 and Channel 4. Before the investigation was published, he took to Instagram to disavow and deny the accusations.

In light of the recent allegations against Brand, an old clip resurfaced of the stand-up comics 2013 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in which he tried to flirt with the American Idol alum to the point that she appeared visibly uncomfortable.

In the interview, Brand refused to move out of the interview chair when McPhee - who was married at the time - stepped on stage as the second guest of the night.

Brand then grabbed McPhees hand and the actor jokingly sat on his lap. Brand told Fallon: Shes welcome to sit here. Then, Fallon realised exactly what Brand planned to do and begged him, No Russell, dont even say For the Queen, you cant.

The Forgetting Sarah Marshall actor then shouted, For the Queen, and suggestively bounced McPhee on his lap, who immediately lept up in shock. Fallon appeared visibly stressed, running a hand over his face as Brand shamelessly told the singer, Youre beautiful.

Russell Brand leaves the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London after performing a comedy set. He faces claims about his sexual behaviour at the height of his fame. He has vehemently denied the allegations. Picture date: Saturday September 16, 2023. (PA)

Russell, please stop. Look away, Fallon admonished him. But Brand, who rose to fame for his crude comedic persona, doubled down: Ill just sit here with my sexual charisma.

He continued to attempt to flirt with McPhee throughout the rest of the interview.

He told the audience, As you know, Ive announced it, I find Katharine very attractive and I think when she said exchange numbers, I thought of things Id like to exchange with her.

Katharine McPhee attends the 2020 Breakthrough Prize Red Carpet at NASA Ames Research Center on November 03, 2019 in Mountain View, California. (Getty Images for Breakthrough P)

The comedian then shouted, Numbers. Genes. Genetic info. Data. But it was only when Fallon made a point of bringing up McPhees husband at the time, Nick Cokas, that Brand finally laid off the flirting, I didnt know you were married. Im going to f*** off now.

The clip has resurfaced amid both the BBC and Channel 4s decision to launch internal investigations into separate accusations that have been levelled against the stand-up comedian. Former staff and audience members have accused the comedian of predatory behaviour during his time as a presenter.

According to The Daily Telegraph, programs with appearances from Brand have been scrubbed from Channel 4s website such as episodes of The Great British Bake Off and box sets of Big Brothers Big Mouth.

The Metropolitan Police Service reportedly plans on making further inquiries with the victims and also announced that it would be speaking with BBC and Channel 4 about the allegations.

A spokesperson for the force said: We will be making further approaches to the Sunday Times and Channel 4 to ensure that any victims of crime who they have spoken with are aware of how they may report any criminal allegations to police.
FILE - Jimmy Lai, center, exits his building to go for exercise at the Stanley prison in Hong Kong, Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. The son of jailed Hong Kong media mogul and prominent pro-democracy activist Lai said Wednesday, Sept. 20, he did not want to see his father die in detention, as his lawyers raised the prospect that his long-delayed trial may be pushed back indefinitely. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

LONDON (AP)  The son of jailed Hong Kong media mogul and prominent pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai said Wednesday he did not want to see his father die in detention, as his lawyers raised the prospect that his long-delayed trial may be pushed back indefinitely.

Sebastien Lai also slammed the U.K. government for its shameful lack of action in helping his father, who is a British national.

Jimmy Lai, the 75-year-old founder of the now-defunct pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been in detention since he was arrested in 2020 under a sweeping national security law imposed by Beijing. The Hong Kong businessman faces up to life in prison if convicted. He has already been sentenced to five years and nine months in a separate case.

His trial was originally set to begin last December, but it has been delayed several times by judges. It is now due to start on Dec. 18.

His son Sebastien Lai, 28, and his lawyers have described the case as a show trial. They suggested that Hong Kong authorities may delay the trial date further not only because they have a weak case, but also because there is no benefit to them for Lai to air his views during a public hearing thats expected to last two to three months.

Sebastien Lai, who has been travelling to the U.S., U.K., and the United Nations to lobby international leaders to help his father, criticized Britain's government Wednesday for its muted language in condemning his father's lengthy detention.

He also called the U.K. approach to China incoherent because while some government officials are speaking out against Beijing's human rights record, others maintain it's paramount to keep China on side as a trade partner.

If they are willing to sacrifice human rights for trade I think it's a big misstep, Lai told reporters.

I dont want to see my father die in jail. Hes 75, hes in prison, he does risk just dying. It is very worrying, he added.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher, a London-based rights lawyer who is leading the Lais' international legal team, said Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have declined to meet with Sebastien Lai despite repeated requests.

"We're seeing very mixed messaging from the government as a whole," she said. "We think there's an element of the U.K. government speaking out of both sides of its mouth  on the one hand it says something about Jimmy Lai's case, and throws us some breadcrumbs, and on the other hand they take that away by pushing the message that it's business as usual."

Lai said he has not heard any fresh updates from the British government since Cleverly visited Beijing last month and raised his father's case, among other topics, with his Chinese counterparts.

Jimmy Lai is accused of conspiring with others to call for international sanctions or engage in hostile activities against Hong Kong or China. He also faces a charge of collusion with foreign forces to endanger national security, and a separate sedition charge under a colonial-era law that is also increasingly used to subdue the opposition.

The tycoon and more than 260 others, including most of the city's prominent pro-democracy leaders, have been arrested under the national security law as part of Beijings unprecedented crackdown on the citys opposition.

His trial has been delayed for months, partly due to a legal tussle with Hong Kong authorities over whether Lai can hire a veteran British lawyer to defend him. The city's High Court earlier upheld a government decision to bar the lawyer, Timothy Owen, from representing Lai.

Sebastien has not seen his father in three years, and only saw what he looked like recently when the Associated Press released exclusive photos of him being led out by guards for daily exercise inside a maximum-security prison.

Some part of me was happy because he's still the same ... (but) it also reminded me of his age, he said. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow at that age.

___

Follow AP's Asia-Pacific coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/asia-pacific
Temple University announced that its Acting President, JoAnne A. Epps, has died after becoming ill at an event on Tuesday. She was attending a memorial service for Charles L. Blockson, curator of the Blockson Afro-American Collection, when she was transported to Temple University Hospital.

She was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m. The university has not shared the cause of death.

There are no words that can describe the gravity and sadness of this loss, the university said in a statement. President Epps was a devoted servant and friend who represented the best parts of Temple. She spent nearly 40 years of her life serving this university, and it goes without saying her loss will reverberate through the community for years to come.

Epps was appointed to the role in April after having spent nearly 40 years at Temple University. She stepped in after the former president resigned, a six-week-graduate student worker strike and the shooting of a campus police officer.

I am obviously humbled and excited and really looking forward to being able to make a contribution to the university that I so love, Epps had told The Philadelphia Enquirer.

She had an amazing ability to be the calming force in troubled waters and pulled everyone together, Ken Kaiser, senior vice president and chief operating officer, said.

Dear Members of the Temple Community, It is with deep heartbreak that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps suddenly passed away this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/lvzxcLud9E  Temple University (@TempleUniv) September 19, 2023

Epps mother once worked as a secretary for the school while she occupied a cashier job at the Temple bookstore when she was 16. She graduated from Yale Law School and became deputy city attorney in Los Angeles in 1976 before joining the U.S. Attorneys Office in Philadelphia. Epps worked for 31 years at Temples law school, including eight years as a dean and then provost.

Acting president JoAnne Epps dedicated decades of her professional life to the Temple University community  championing women and people of color in the legal profession and inspiring a generation of leaders, Joanna McClinton, speaker of the Pennsylvania House, said. Todays news is a tragedy. She will be truly missed by the Temple community and beyond.

We invite the entire Temple community to join us at the Bell Tower at noon tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 20, for a special vigil in President Epps honor. This will be a time to reflect, remember and support one another during this time of grieving. https://t.co/gegWBTD4WQ pic.twitter.com/fO7e3veCDc  Temple University (@TempleUniv) September 20, 2023

A vigil is taking place at the Bell Tower at noon today. Flags will be flown at half-staff, and professors will individually decide how to organize their classes, according to the news outlet.

JoAnne Epps was a powerful force and constant ambassador for Temple University for nearly four decades. Losing her is heartbreaking for Philadelphia, Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania tweeted. Speaking at Temples commencement earlier this year, I reiterated my strong belief in the university and its North Philly community. They are tough and resilient, and I know they will come together and lift each other up in this devastating time.
By Blake Brittain

(Reuters) -A trade group for U.S. authors has sued OpenAI in Manhattan federal court on behalf of prominent writers including John Grisham , Jonathan Franzen , George Saunders, Jodi Picoult and "Game of Thrones" novelist George R.R. Martin, accusing the company of unlawfully training its popular artificial-intelligence based chatbot ChatGPT on their work.

The proposed class-action lawsuit filed late on Tuesday by the Authors Guild joins several others from writers, source-code owners and visual artists against generative AI providers. In addition to Microsoft-backed OpenAI, similar lawsuits are pending against Meta Platforms and Stability AI over the data used to train their AI systems.

Other authors involved in the latest lawsuit include "The Lincoln Lawyer" writer Michael Connelly and lawyer-novelists David Baldacci and Scott Turow.

OpenAI and other AI defendants have said their use of training data scraped from the internet qualifies as fair use under U.S. copyright law.

An OpenAI spokesperson said on Wednesday that the company respects authors' rights and is "having productive conversations with many creators around the world, including the Authors Guild."

Authors Guild CEO Mary Rasenberger said in a statement on Wednesday that authors "must have the ability to control if and how their works are used by generative AI" in order to "preserve our literature."

The Authors Guild's lawsuit claims that the datasets used to train OpenAI's large language model to respond to human prompts included text from the authors' books that may have been taken from illegal online "pirate" book repositories.

The complaint said ChatGPT generated accurate summaries of the authors' books when prompted, indicating that their text is included in its database.

It also cited growing concerns that authors could be replaced by systems like ChatGPT that "generate low-quality ebooks, impersonating authors and displacing human-authored books."

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by David Bario, Daniel Wallis and Sonali Paul)
John Rust , who announced a run for U.S. Senate against U.S. Rep. Jim Banks in the 2024 Republican primary, filed a lawsuit Tuesday asking a judge to declare an Indiana law that would prevent him from getting on voting ballots unconstitutional.

Rust, who is the former board chair of Seymour-based egg producer Rose Acre Farms, filed the lawsuit against Secretary of State Diego Morales, the Indiana Election Commission and Jackson County Republican Party Chair Amanda Lowery.

Rust told IndyStar Tuesday he hopes the lawsuits allows Hoosiers that identify with their party to run for office without following requirements in Indiana statute on political party affiliation.

According to the statute, a candidates past two primary elections must be cast with the party the candidate is affiliated with or a county party chair must sign off on a candidate to run. In the lawsuit, Rust states that this statute should be struck down as being unconstitutionally vague and overly broad.

"The political establishment does not allow non political insiders to run using this obscure law because most people don't know about it at all, and it's just unfair," Rust said.

Rust voted as a Republican in the 2016 primary but as a Democrat in the 2012 primary. He did not vote in the 2020 Republican primary due to the coronavirus pandemic and unopposed Republican candidates in Jackson County, according to the lawsuit.

He said his Democratic votes were for people running for office who he knew personally or went to church with in Jackson County, where he lives. But he said he's always been a conservative Republican and voted for Republicans in the general elections.

According to the lawsuit, Rust met with Lowery in July about his campaign where she expressed concern about Rust's votes in Democratic primaries and said she would not certify him due to his voting record.

Reached Tuesday evening, Lowery said she was unable to comment on pending legal matters.

"State law is crystal clear and applied equally to both major political parties," Lowery said. "I look forward to explaining my commitment to following the laws of the state of Indiana and protecting the sanctity of our election process when I am able."

If Rust gets on the ballot, he would face Banks, who this summer received the endorsement of the Indiana Republican Party. The state partys endorsement gave the Republican National Committee official sign-off to give financial support to Banks.

In a statement, Banks said Rust's "longtime Democrat voting record" disqualifies him from running as a Republican.

"No one is trying to keep him off the ballot, he just thinks he's above the law and can throw his money around to buy a U.S. Senate seat," Banks said.

The U.S. Senate seat is being vacated by Sen. Mike Braun, who is running for governor in a crowded Republican field.

A message to Morales' office Tuesday evening was not immediately returned.

IndyStar reporter Kayla Dwyer contributed to this story.

Contact IndyStar's state government and politics reporter Brittany Carloni at brittany.carloni@indystar.com or 317-779-4468. Follow her on Twitter/X @CarloniBrittany.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: John Rust files lawsuit to face Jim Banks in Senate primary in Indiana
In Russia, the Second Western District Military Court sentenced in absentia Aider Muzhdabaiev, one of the heads of the Crimean Tatar TV channel ATR, to six years in prison for "calls for terrorism".

Source: TASS, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet, citing the court; Muzhdabaiev on X, formerly known as Twitter

Quote from TASS: "The court found Muzhdabaiev guilty under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (public calls for terrorist actions, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism) and sentenced him to six years in prison in absentia with serving the sentence in a general regime penal colony and deprivation of the right to administer websites for a period of four years."

Details: Earlier, the Russian Interior Ministry put the journalist on a federal wanted list.

The reason for the criminal prosecution in Russia was his post on Facebook from 2018.

The journalist himself, who has been living and working in Ukraine since 2015, reacted ironically to this news on his microblog on the social network X (formerly Twitter).

Quote from Muzhdabaiev: "Sad news from the Reich... I am upset. They didn't give me enough. I was counting on at least eight years for my Russophobic crimes... But it was still a military court. So I will respond to this with military crimes. Reich, thank you for your trust!"

Background: In May 2020, journalist Aider Muzhdabaiev, deputy general director of the ATR TV channel, said that he had been officially recognised as a terrorist 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!
Glynn Simmons, a former death row inmate whose life sentence was overturned in 2023, attends a meeting held by anti-death penalty advocates at First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, Sept. 12. 2023.

An Oklahoma district judge has dismissed the murder case against a man who served nearly five decades in prison for a murder he maintains he did not commit.

Tuesday, Oklahoma County District Judge Amy Palumbo granted District Attorney Vicki Behenna's request to dismiss the case against Glynn Ray Simmons, who had been convicted of first-degree murder in the 1974 death of Carolyn Sue Rogers. Charges were dismissed "with prejudice," meaning they can't be refiled.

"It's finally over," Simmons said in a statement Tuesday evening. "I am grateful to my attorneys and to everyone who has been helping me since I was released. I'm going to spend what is left of my life helping others in similar situations."

Behenna requested the case be dismissed last week, saying the state would have difficulty proving the case against Simmons "beyond a reasonable doubt." Earlier this year, a review of the case revealed that a significant police report on a suspect lineup had not been turned over to Simmons' defense attorney for trial, a potential violation of the Brady Rule.

"One of the things that I stand by very strongly is a defendant's right to a fair trial, where he has all the evidence to defend himself," Behenna said during a news conference in April. "That didn't happen here."

Simmons, now 70, was 22 years old when he was convicted of the murder, but has always claimed he was in Louisiana at the time of the crime. He spent 48 years in prison before being freed on a medical own recognizance bond in July. Palumbo had previously vacated Simmons' sentence "in the interest of justice," with a possible retrial set for Oct. 23.

A status hearing originally scheduled for Wednesday, along with the possible retrial, has been canceled in the wake of Palumbo's ruling Tuesday.

Glynn Simmons speaks with Paris Powell, another death row inmate whose sentence was overturned in 2009, during a meeting at First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

Simmons' next steps forward

Simmons lawyers, Joe Norwood and John Coyle, told The Oklahoman they were pleased with the ruling. They now plan to pursue further action on Simmons' behalf, which includes compensation for his time behind bars.

I dont think anybodys going to formally apologize to him, because the people that withheld the evidence are more than likely dead, Coyle said. But were going to continue to fight for him and get the money he deserves from the state.

Simmons started a GoFundMe campaign, citing needs with food, clothing, shelter, transportation and medical assistance, as he now has cancer. Supporters of Simmons, as well as his lawyers, have asked people to donate to it.

"Glynn has had the prime of his earning life taken due to this wrongful conviction and needs some grace," Norwood told The Oklahoman.

Not described as exoneration, but feels like one, lawyers say

The DA's spokespeople had previously been careful to not describe the dismissal of Simmons' case as an "exoneration," but, as far as his lawyers are concerned, Tuesday's ruling amounted to one.

So, there is no universal definition for 'exoneration,' and it varies from state to state, state law to federal law, Norwood said. But, per the University of Michigan exoneree registry, if a convictions been vacated and then dismissed, its considered an exoneration. Prosecutors may never come around and say it, but at the end of the day (...) Im going with that.

Simmons legal team said they soon will also ask a court to officially find him innocent, but thats purely for compensation purposes, Norwood said.

Glynn is probably going to end up being the longest-serving wrongful conviction in the history of the United States, Norwood said.

Glynn Simmons speaks with supporters at First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma judge formally dismisses 1974 murder case against Glynn Simmons
Jumpsuits from Big Bug Press, Long Tall Sally and Pistola

Jumpsuits from Big Bug Press, Long Tall Sally and Pistola

Being a beautiful tall being is all fun and games until youre looking to find a jumpsuit that doesnt accidentally look like a romper because the inseam is too short, or give you a perma-wedgie because its designed for a torso thats half the length of yours.

While you can always see at concerts and can reach things on top of the fridge, you cant seem to find an adult onesie that doesnt show half of your calves or remain embedded in your butt. To help you find a jumpsuit that looks and feels good, we asked tall friends for their favorite options for people over 5 feet, 8 inches.

Though you do have to get naked undressed to pee, jumpsuits mean you dont have to worry about putting a look together. Theyre an instant outfit that you can throw it on and go, and can be dressed up or down with a few accessories. And now, you can wear one with the same ease as average-height folks.

Ahead, we hope you find a jumpsuit that works for you and your lengthy legs, to wear to fancy and casual events alike, for many moons to come.

HuffPost may receive a commission from some purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently curated by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.

Pistola Grover jumpsuit

Pistola

Pistola Grover jumpsuit

At just under 5 feet, 9 inches and often wearing platform shoes, I understand the struggle of finding a long jumpsuit. This jumpsuit from Pistola was a gift, and I find myself wearing it a ton with jewelry and nice boots for more formal events or just flip-flops and a cross-body bag when I'm running errands. The model in the pic is also 5-foot-9, and as you can see, the inseam hits right at their ankle. It comes in super soft cotton that feels cozy and broken-in the first time you wear it, and has little button straps on both hips you can use to adjust the fit.

$134+ at Pistola (17 colors)

$49.95+ Anthropologie (three colors)

$168 at Nordstrom (two colors)

Diarrablu jumpsuits

Diarrablu

Diarrablu jumpsuits

Taryn Finley, HuffPost's 5-foot-11 senior culture writer and Black voices editor, showed us the swoon-worthy clothes from Diarrablu, a sustainable small business inspired by artisan communities in Senegal. The brand makes colorful and gorgeous convertible jumpsuits that you can style in various ways. All items are made to fit a 5-foot-8 person, but you can order to your specific inseam for no extra charge.

Two-tone jumpshuit: $225 at Diarrablu

Shop all Diarrablu jumpsuits

Anything from Long Tall Sally

Long Tall Sally

Anything from Long Tall Sally

Have you ever looked at a men's big and tall store and wondered "Why don't they make those for women?" Turns out, they do  and they make cute clothes. Another tall friend, Whitney, who is 6 feet exactly, just told me about Long Tall Sally, a U.K. clothing company offering U.S. womens sizes 4-36 and inseams measuring 32-38 inches. (The clothes are initially listed in U.K. sizes, but you can change to show U.S. sizing, and also double-check their size conversion chart to make sure you're getting the right fit). My friend has a few formal jumpsuits from the brand that are similar to this gorgeous one-piece with sheer arms and a 36-inch inseam.

Black jumpsuit: $74 at Long Tall Sally

Shop all jumpsuits at Long Tall Sally

Dickies coveralls

Dickies

Dickies coveralls

Budget-friendly and surprisingly chic, these men's coveralls from Dickies come recommended by my 5-foot-11 friend Hanna, who said they give her enough fabric on the bottom to roll them up. The regular inseam is 32 inches and the long option measures 34 inches, giving you ample room for your long legs. They're made from a poly/cotton blend that gets softer with every wash and they have a zipper closure so you never have to worry about that annoying button gap across your chest.

$44.99+ at Dickies

$44.99 at Amazon

Boohoo tall jumpsuits

BooHoo

Boohoo tall jumpsuits

Finley also put us on to online retailer Boohoo's tall section, saying she's had luck finding jumpsuits on the site. The brand says its tall-style clothes are intended for people 5-foot-7 and taller, though you can check their size charts for the nitty gritty. They have a strong selection of colorful, super current pieces as well as more classic styles like this strapless wide-leg jumpsuit.

Black jumpsuit: $20+ at Boohoo

Shop Boohoo Tall Jumpsuits

Rivet Utility worker jumpsuit

Rivet Utility

Rivet Utility worker jumpsuit

We don't know her personally, but 6-foot-2 model Karlie Kloss has been known to wear jumpsuits from Rivet Utility. This style offers a 32-inch inseam with a luxurious velour fabric that mixes workwear with a hint of luxury.

$395 at Rivet Utility

Shop all Rivet Utility at Bergdorf Goodman

Shop all Rivet Utility at Neiman Marcus

Abercrombie & Fitch crepe plunge jumpsuit

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch crepe plunge jumpsuit

Jumpsuits that accommodate both long legs and long torsos are notoriously hard to find, but we found a reviewer-approved one at Abercrombie & Fitch, a retailer thats known for offering trendy (but not too trendy) wardrobe staples in a variety of size ranges, including petite, plus and tall. While this elegant synthetic crepe option with a deep-V neckline is running low on inventory, its a highly-rated jumpsuit that we couldn't resist including.



I struggle to find jumpsuits that fit since I have a long torso, but the tall is perfect with heels!" said a reviewer named Nikki. "The material is nice and thick, and overall it seems like good quality. I was worried itd be too low cut for a work event but its not as low as I thought, though I am smaller chested. For reference, Im 510, 34A and got size S tall.

$110 at Abercrombie & Fitch

Lucy & Yak adjustable dungarees

Lucy & Yak

Lucy & Yak adjustable dungarees

McKenna Maness, an almost-5-foot-9 program coordinator and beach volleyball player, suggested the adjustable dungarees from the small British company Lucy & Yak. The regular size has 30-inch inseam and the long option has a 32-inch inseam, but both offer adjustable straps you can tie to fit your body, making this a good option for those with longer torsos, too. HuffPost Shopping writer Tessa Flores is 5-foot-4 and notes she always has to roll up the legs of her beloved Lucy & Yak dungarees, stating these iconic dungarees are definitely "better for tall people."

$91 at Lucy & Yak

Big Bud Press short sleeve jumpsuit

Big Bud Press

Big Bud Press short sleeve jumpsuit

Maness says she and her wife Martha, who is also 5-foot-9, both recommend the jumpsuits from Big Bud Press, noting their durability and how they hold up through the years. The suits are offered in sizes up to 6XL, all of which have a 29-inch inseam. (One Redditor noted that the brand is long torso-friendly.) They're made from a preshrunk 100% cotton twill that feels soft to the touch and promises to maintain its bright color through many washes.

Red jumpsuit: $210 at Big Bud Press

Shop all Big Bug Press jumpsuits

ASOS tall jumpsuits

ASOS

ASOS tall jumpsuits

Both Finley and another 5-foot-11 HuffPost writer, who preferred to remain anonymous, suggested the tall section of online retailer ASOS. They have an entire selection of tall jumpsuits (and other clothes) like this olive wrap number. While this one doesn't offer exact inseam measurements, the models height is listed at 5 feet, 11 inches.

Wrap jumpsuit: $80 at ASOS

Shop ASOS Tall

Related...
The self-proclaimed leader of a white supremacy group admitted in a guilty plea Tuesday that he threatened jurors and witnesses in the Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue massacre trial, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.

Hardy Carroll Lloyd of Follansbee, West Virginia, said he posted threats via social media, websites and emails during the federal hate crimes trial in Pittsburgh of Robert Bowers, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Tuesday. Lloyd pleaded guilty to obstruction of the due administration of justice.

On Oct. 27, 2018, Bowers drove to the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburghs Squirrel Hill neighborhood with multiple firearms and fired more than 100 rounds, ultimately killing 11 people and injuring seven others. Prosecutors said he was driven by long-held antisemitism and hatred of immigrants as he burst into the place of worship and shouted "All Jews must die" as he fired.

As part of his plea agreement, Lloyd, 45, stipulated that he intentionally chose the jurors and witnesses in the Bowers trial as his targets "due to the actual or perceived Jewish religion of the witnesses and the Bowers victims," officials said.

It is absolutely reprehensible that the defendant threatened witnesses and jurors in the Tree of Life case, a tragedy that claimed innocent lives and emotionally scarred many in the Jewish community, said Christopher Wray, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

If the court accepts Lloyds agreement, he will be sentenced to 78 months in prison, which is expected to be the highest end of the sentencing range calculated under sentencing guidelines, officials said.

TIRED OF HIDING: Jews at US colleges face rising antisemitism from left and right

Hardy Lloyd attempted to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history, said Attorney General Merrick Garland. His guilty plea underscores that anyone who attempts to obstruct a federal trial by threatening or intimidating jurors or witnesses will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.

Long history of white supremacist group involvement

Lloyd was arrested for criminal charges related to obstruction of justice and witness tampering on Aug. 10, days after Bowers' trial concluded.

The Anti-Defamation League said in August it had been tracking Lloyd and his white supremacist activities since at least 2003.

According to the ADL, Lloyd has been associated with a number of white supremacist groups, many of which he created and were relatively small. Lloyd dubbed himself leader of the Church of Ben Klassen, a pseudo-religious white supremacist group, the ADL said.

Synagogue shooters fate determined last month

Bowers, 50, was sentenced to death on Aug. 3 following a two-month trial.

A federal jury recommended his execution after finding him guilty on 63 criminal counts in June, including hate crimes resulting in death and obstruction of the free exercise of religion resulting in death.

It was the first federal death sentence to be imposed during President Joe Biden's administration.

DEATH PENALTY: Some states resuming capital punishment after 'the year of the botched execution'

Bowers was one of the early adopters of the extremist-friendly social media site Gab. He posted on his account just before attacking the synagogue.

Following the massacre, the shooter bragged about what he did and told psychologists that he wished he had killed more people, Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Vasquez Schmitt told jurors in an opening statement.

Antisemitism on the rise  social media partly to blame

An annual survey by the ADL, which has been studying antisemitism in the U.S. since the 1960s, concluded the number of Americans who hold extensive antisemitic prejudice and believe in antisemitic tropes has doubled since 2019.

One-fifth of people surveyed said they believe in six or more ideas the ADL describes as anti-Jewish tropes, the highest level the group has found in three decades.

Two other studies from the ADL and the Tech Transparency Project, provided exclusively to USA TODAY, found the worlds biggest social media platforms not only host antisemitic and hateful content  they promote it and make it easier to find.

Facebook, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, steer users to tropes and conspiracies, researchers found.

This completely upends this notion that they are just neutral pipes, its just third-party content and therefore they are doing their best but they are not actually responsible for whats happening, ADL Vice President Yael Eisenstat previously said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: White supremacist threatened jurors in synagogue massacre trial
The verdict of manslaughter against cop killer Othal Wallace on Sept. 16 prompted shock and outrage among the law enforcement community and beyond. Prosecutors argued for a first-degree murder conviction and were seeking the death penalty. Jurors disagreed and convicted him of the lesser charge.

So what happened? What was the jury thinking?

Wallace, 31, was charged with first-degree murder in the killing of Jason Raynor on June 23, 2021, in Daytona Beach. The 26-year-old Raynor remained hospitalized until his death on Aug. 17, 2021, according to the reporting of Frank Fernandez of the News-Journal, who has covered this case since day one.

Othal Wallace awaits the verdict in his murder trial at the Clay County Courthouse on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

The jury was made up of nine women and five men, including one Black man and one Black woman. The panel included three alternates.

We don't know what was on their minds as they deliberated, poring over 21 pages of jury instructions, an unenviable task. We know people are angry as evidenced by a court order put in place protecting their identities. It notes the case has generated a "following in social media platforms such as blogs," and "some of the postings and messages in these platforms can be construed as bitter, virulent, and at times hostile..."

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who was chief of the Daytona Beach Police Department for 10 years, wrote in part on his Facebook page: "My faith in the American jury has been shaken before. I have seen juries ignore video evidence and disregard victims. I have never been more disgusted by a verdict than I am today."

His post drew more than 360 comments, mostly angry about the verdict and the jury's decision, including this one: "Disgusting verdict. Shame on those jurors!"

Social media comment

The jury's decision hinged on two key elements. First, it did not consider the murder to be premeditated, which is required for a first-degree murder conviction. Second, the members apparently sympathized with the notion that Wallace was defending himself during the scuffle with Raynor.

The prosecutors used as evidence of premeditation a June 7, 2021 post on social media: "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!!"

According to the Anti-Defamation League, Wallace was affiliated with several Black nationalist groups, including at one time, the "Not (expletive) Around Coalition," a paramilitary group that advocates for Black liberation and separatism.

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 Raul Zambrano admitted the statements, saying they were relevant. "It's a pretty damning statement," Zambrano said, as quoted by the News Journal.

Self defense?

Wallace testified on his own behalf, a decision that surprised trial watchers. Such a decision is usually discouraged by defense attorneys for fear the prosecution will tear the defendant apart on cross-examination.

Wallace said he was in fear for his life. And he was armed. He pulled a gun from his pocket during the scuffle with Raynor and shot him in the head. Raynor's gun never left its holster.

The jury, which deliberated for 14 hours, apparently paid close attention to a Florida law that says a person has a right to defend himself even when encountering law enforcement, which was referenced in the jury instructions.

The law says if an officer uses excessive force to make an arrest, then a person is justified in the use of or threatened use of "reasonable force" to defend himself "but only to the extent [he] [she] reasonably believes such [force] [or] [threat of force] is necessary," the statute reads.

Body camera footage showed Wallace sitting in his car when Raynor approached him. Raynor asked him if he lived there at the apartment complex where he was approached and Wallace was unresponsive, asking "What's going on?" Wallace stood, the scuffle ensued, and there was a gunshot.

Three days later, police found Wallace on a property in DeKalb County, Georgia, hiding in a treehouse armed with an arsenal of weapons and ammunition.

Jury pardon?

Clearly jurors were perplexed based on questions they sent to the court during their deliberations. Something was up.

"Is it lawful for an officer to physically restrain a citizen as a form of detainment?" jurors asked the judge.

They had a number of options in terms of the ultimate verdict. They could have found Wallace guilty of second-degree murder, which can draw a sentence of life in prison. The manslaughter verdict, with a firearm involved, calls for a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

But they decided what they decided. And that did not satisfy Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young.

"It is difficult to come to terms with a verdict that is not commensurate with the despicable crime that was committed or the loss that we and Jasons loved ones have endured," Young wrote in a lengthy response to the verdict. "Jason was a young man with a full life ahead of him and his life was senselessly cut short. There is no verdict that would bring Jason back or change how his life ended, but a verdict that brought justice to his surviving family would have offered some semblance of solace."

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Why didn't a jury sentence Othal Wallace to first-degree murder?
While studying computer science at the University of Chicago, Devshi Mehrotra and Leslie Jones-Dove were inspired to build tech that centered on the needs of communities historically marginalized by law enforcement. They ended up reaching out to local public defenders, who told them that they were being overwhelmed by hours of jail calls, body cams and other forms of recorded evidence.

As per one estimate, the average officers body camera will record about 32 files, 7 hours and 20GB of video per month at 720p resolution. Multiply those figures by the hundreds to tens of thousands of officers in a police force, and it quickly adds up.

"On the one hand, body cams and other devices are critical for holding law enforcement accountable and providing the best defense possible," Mehrotra told me in an email interview. "However, they exacerbate workload challenges for public defenders, who are facing caseloads 3 to 10 times the recommended amount."

So Mehrotra and Jones-Dove founded JusticeText, one of the startups participating in the Startup Battlefield 200 at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023. JusticeText is designed to automatically transcribe body cam footage, interrogation videos and more for public defenders, enabling attorneys to take time-stamped notes, create video clips and share evidence with their colleagues.

JusticeText

Image Credits: JusticeText

JusticeText offers a feature that provides several-sentence summaries of each piece of uploaded evidence. Meanwhile, its ChatGPT-powered tool, MirandaAI, allows attorneys to ask free-form questions about their discovery (e.g., Were any implicit promises made to the client? or What is the timeline of events the witness described?").

"Public defenders owe their clients the best possible defense. However, digital discovery review requires an increasingly large share of limited resources," Mehrotra said. "Saving discovery review time frees up critical resources that can be spent working the case and building relationships with clients. From a technical perspective, it also means less IT resources dedicated to technical problem-solving -- things like figuring out how to play videos in unique proprietary formats or creating video clips for an upcoming trial."

While that's all fine and dandy in theory, the idea of uploading evidence to a platform like JusticeText might give some public defenders pause. There's the risk of exposing evidence to potential data breaches, for one thing. Beyond that, attorneys might rightly be concerned that any uploaded data could be used in ways that they and their clients don't necessarily consent to, like training JusticeText's AI models.

I also worry about the accuracy of JusticeText's transcriptions -- particularly given that transcription tech doesn't tend to perform equally well across different accents and languages. The summaries that JusticeText provides could be off-base as well; nuance isn't exactly AI's strong suit.

Mehrotra did her best to allay my fears, claiming that JusticeText only generates a summary for transcripts above a certain confidence threshold and provides a way for users to redact confidential info from transcripts. Where it concerns privacy and data storage, JusticeText -- which places data in "secure cloud servers" and encrypts it both in transit and at rest -- doesn't use uploaded data for model training unless it has explicit permission to do so, Mehrotra says.

Those steps have been enough to win over clients, apparently.

In the time JusticeText closed its $2.5 million funding round (which had participation from Bloomberg Beta, True Ventures, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, and former Stockton, California, mayor Michael Tubbs), it's expanded its customer base of public defender offices, which now includes the statewide public defenders systems in Massachusetts and Kentucky.

JusticeText

Image Credits: JusticeText

Mehrotra claims that JusticeText now has a relationship with over 100 public defender agencies, nonprofit service providers and private practice criminal defense firms across the U.S. -- and $1 million in annual recurring revenue. That's a significant bump in deal flow since we last spoke with JusticeText (in September 2022), when the startup had between 50 and 60 partnerships.

Mehrotra tells me that the focus for JusticeText in the near term will be introducing a Spanish to English translation capability and support for "multi-language" recordings -- for example, recordings with speech in both English and Spanish. (As AI isn't a perfect translator, either, I'd hope that the team is careful in implementing this.) JusticeText also plans to grow its team of seven employees to around 10 in the new year, with an emphasis on expanding its marketing and communications function.

"The pandemic has affected our end user by creating a backlog in the criminal court system," Mehrotra said. "Taken together, this creates a burning platform for change -- even if key decision-makers may be harder to reach amid these challenges."
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stunned the world by all but accusing India of conducting an assassination on his countrys soil. Speaking in Parliament, Trudeau provided an update on his governments investigation into the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh-separatist Khalistan activist and Canadian citizen who was shot and killed in his truck by two masked gunmen in the British Columbia town where he served as president of a local gurdwara. Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the circumstances of Nijjars killing, Trudeau informed the public. Last week, at G20, I brought them personally, and directly, to Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi in no uncertain terms.

The statement sent shockwaves across the globe even before Canadas foreign affairs minister announced that the country was booting a senior Indian diplomat named Pavan Kumar Rai in connection with the investigation. Indias government then put out multiple statements on Monday referring to the allegations as absurd and accusing Canada of threaten[ing] Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity, subsequently returning the diplomatic favor by giving an unnamed senior Canadian official five days to leave the subcontinent. Trudeau said on Tuesday that hes not looking to provoke or escalate the already thick tensions between his country and India, but undeniably, his disclosure has inflamed suspicions and rage across a complex geopolitical webamong Nijjars family and friends, among the vibrant Sikh diaspora in Canada, among the nations allied with both sides, and among Modi-loyal Indians taken aback by the Canadian PMs audacity. The White House has already said its deeply concerned about the allegations, and further stated that it is critical that Canadas investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and how did his death become the center of a global conflict? How much does Canada know? And why is India even involving itself with so many people across the world who are not its citizens? Some answers.

Why was Hardeep Singh Nijjar killed, and why was it so significant?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a Punjab-born Sikh whod emigrated to Canada, where he became a citizen, owned a plumbing business, and presided over a local temple in Surrey, British Columbia, thats named for the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. While Nijjar was a beloved member of Canadas Sikh populationwhich is the second largest of any country in the world, after Indiashe was legally perceived in his former country as a terrorist, thanks in large part to his advocacy for clawing back parts of the North Indian state of Punjab and establishing a sovereign state for the regions Sikhs, to be known as Khalistan.

Whats Khalistan?

The roots of the Khalistan concept lie in the waning years of British-ruled India, as the prospect of independence came into view. By the 1940s, it was clear that any postcolonial arrangement would have to include demarcations for separate Hindu- and Muslim-specific nations, as tensions between the two religious groups had long been inflamed by colonial duress. Many of Indias Sikhs, who hold roots in Punjab dating back to their religions 15th-century founding, similarly desired a country of their own, with borders encompassing the entirety of Punjab and other parts of North India. This obviously did not come to pass, and when Punjabs territory was split between India and Pakistan in 1947, the overwhelming majority of Sikhs made the treacherous Partition journey to settle within India. Several residents still pined for a separate state, leading Indias Parliament to establish Sikh- and Hindu-dominated states in the north, respectively recognized as Punjab and Haryana, by 1966. This did not stem the clamor, especially since thenPrime Minister Indira Gandhi refused to grant Punjab the kind of special autonomy that was given to the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir. Going into the 1970s, idealistic Indian Sikhs took advantage of relaxed immigration laws to settle in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, spreading the Khalistan idea across the globe.

By the 1980s, the movement had taken on a militant bent, with the most fervent separatists engaging in bombings and shootings that injured and killed hundreds of Hindu and anti-Khalistan Punjabis. The issue hit crisis mode in 1984, when Gandhi sent army and police forces to Punjabs Golden Templethe holiest place of worship for Sikhsbecause the most murderous Khalistan-movement factions were hiding out there. A shootout ensued, leading to brutal casualties not only among the fighters but also of several Punjabi civilians, only further stoking regional anger against the government. A few months later, Gandhis own Sikh bodyguard murdered her in retaliation, spawning retaliatory pogroms across North India that killed thousands of Sikhs and appeared to have been encouraged by the then-ruling Congress Party. The violence reached Canada the year after, when revenge-seeking Khalistan militants based there assembled and planted a bomb on Air India Flight 182, which exploded over the Atlantic Ocean while traveling from Montreal to London and killed all of the aircrafts occupants, including both Canadian and Indian citizens.* (This horrific attack, the worst of its kind in Canadian history, remains the primary example of Khalistani terrorism abroad; that same day, another Air Indiatargeted bomb exploded in Tokyos Narita International Airport, killing two staffers.) Punjab continued to erupt in both pro-Khalistan and anti-Sikh violence throughout the decade, which both heightened government crackdowns and reduced popular support for the movement within Punjab; however, many Sikh individuals and groups located both within and outside of India have professed their continued desire for a Khalistan state.

So was Nijjar involved in  any of that?

Not in that fraught history, nohe was only a teen by the time Khalistan-linked chaos quieted in the early 1990s. But Nijjar had been targeted time and again by the Modi administration, which kept tabs on the Sikh diaspora and their Khalistan cause sympathizers. Nijjar was an organizer with the Canadian arm of Sikhs for Justice, a U.S.-based pro-Khalistan organization thats attempted to hold Congress Party members accountable in international courts for the anti-Sikh violence of the 1980s. After it was banned from India in 2019, SFJ called for its myriad outposts to hold a referendum in favor of Punjabs secession from India, garnering ample support in Canada. This collective activism among Canadian Sikhs has long provoked Indias ire, spurring decadeslong tensions between Indian and Canadian leaders; Canadian PMs of all ideological persuasions have long rebuffed Indias requests to censor or surveil pro-Khalistan Sikhs, since they never evolved into anything resembling the 80s-era Indian militias.

Nevertheless, under Modis reign, India has continued to monitor and target Khalistan supporters abroad. In 2016, its government told Canada that Nijjar specifically was running a militant training cell near Vancouver, and that he was wanted in India in connection with a fatal 2007 movie theater bombing. (In 2014, all suspects accused in that case were cleared of their charges.) When a Vancouver Sun reporter tracked him down, Nijjar denied all the allegations, mentioning that hed been living in Canada for decades and was too busy with his family and career to get involved in such things. Yet India kept up its pursuit of Singh. In 2018, Punjabs chief minister at the time, Amarinder Singh, welcomed Trudeau to his state and presented him with a list of wanted criminals that named Nijjarwho was later taken into custody by Canadian police only to be released after 24 hours with no charges. Nijjar did not deny his support for pro-Khalistan groups, but he maintained his innocence against Indias terrorism charges, claiming he was being targeted and framed in false criminal cases. In 2020, India officially deemed Nijjar a terrorist, linking his pro-Khalistan activism to the widespread farmers protests that the national government was (unsuccessfully) attempting to crush. Last year, Indias counterterrorism agency accused Nijjar of being involved in an attack on a Hindu priest and promised a monetary award to anyone who could help authorities arrest him. After Nijjars murder on June 18, the World Sikh Organisation of Canada claimed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service had warned him long in advance that he could be the target of an assassination plot.

Was there any proof for all the accusations against Nijjar?

No firm proof as far as we can ascertain. There were multiple Indian government and police reports written so as to charge Nijjar in these acts, but no supplementary evidence was released to the public.

Why did India target him so voraciously, then?

The Modi administration often makes the Khalistan movement a scapegoat and a justification for crackdowns whenever protests have roared up against the prime ministers authoritarian, bigoted rule. Organizers of protests as varied as 2019s nationwide uprisings against Islamophobic legislation, 2020s rallies of farmers against government rollbacks of agricultural safety nets, and even this years mobilization of women wrestlers against institutional sexual harassmenttheyve all been accused by Modi allies, sans evidence, of being primarily linked to or driven by pro-Khalistan soldiers. This spring, when Punjabi police embarked on a manhunt to apprehend the militant pro-Khalistan ringleader Amritpal Singh Sandhu, and were countered by disapproving local Sikhs, they mass-arrested hundreds of those dissenters and shut down digital communication networks across the state for days. This suppression spread beyond Punjabs and Indias borders: The Modi administration, never reluctant to block a tweet it didnt like, ordered Twitter to obscure hundreds of accounts from Indian view, including those belonging to the Pakistani government, which India accused of funding current-day Khalistan movement terrorists, and to Canadian member of Parliament Jagmeet Singh, himself a Sikh whod attended pro-Khalistan rallies before entering politics.

So on one end, there is Indias persistent chasing of anyone and everyone it considers a pro-Khalistan gunman. Then there is Indias particular beef with Canada, its Sikhs, and their pro-Khalistan rallies, which recently have been as peaceful as Punjabs 80s insurgencies were bloody. Its also worth noting that Indian officials have felt empowered under Modi to flex their power on the international stage, coddled as the country is by powerful allies of all stripes, like the U.S. and Russia. Indian diplomats have spurned American politicians who call out the Modi eras human rights abuses, persuaded British royals not to trot out their Indian-origin crown jewels during this years coronation, and refused to cut ties with Russia after it invaded Ukraine, to the exhaustion of Western allies whove begged the country to take a firm pro-Ukraine stance. And yes, the government has stripped citizenship from and detained U.S.-based Indian-origin journalists. This is the first time Indias been accused of an out-and-out foreign assassination, howeverperhaps an indication that Modi and his goons stand to benefit from the impunity afforded to despots like Mohammad bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia who approved the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

To sum it up: Indias single-minded pursuit of anyone associated with the wide-spanning arms of the Khalistan movement, plus its willingness to confront and target Indians in foreign countries, made for a formula that could encourage India to chase whomever it liked, no matter how unsupported the individual charges. And if Indian diplomats were indeed behind Nijjars murder, they probably felt better about carrying out such an act in Canada, a country of which they arent too fond.

Theyre that mad at Canada because of Khalistan-sympathizing Sikhs?

Indeed. To be clear, there are plenty of Sikhs worldwide who dont necessarily want a Khalistan state, but they are opposed to how India goes after those alleged to be Khalistan supporters, which they see as pure persecution of Sikhs by Modis Hindu-nationalist regime. Throughout the Modi years, India-Canada relations have chilled as India-U.S. relations have warmed. When Trudeau expressed concern in late 2020 over Indias suppression of the farmers protests, the subcontinent characterized his remarks as straight-up interference in Indian affairs. (However, the farmers themselves appeared to welcome Canadian solidarity.) Finally, of course, there was the Group of 20 Summit in New Delhi, where Modi confronted Trudeau over anti-Modi Sikh rallies while Trudeau, as we now know, confronted Modi over Nijjars killing.

It seems Canada isnt yet releasing any hard evidence on Indias role in the killing. So why did Trudeau make such a loud announcement?

Reportedly, correspondents for the Globe and Mail newspaper heard about Canadas suspicions of Indian involvement from national-security sources and contacted Ottawa officials for confirmation. When it became clear the paper was going to publish the story no matter what, Trudeau decided to make the public announcement on Monday, after which the piece finally published. On Tuesday, Trudeau elaborated that Canadians have a right to know and need to know when things are going on like this. And thats why we made the decision to [reveal] this.

What  happens now?

Its hard to say. As the Washington Post reported Tuesday, Canada had asked friends like the U.S. earlier this summer to condemn Nijjars murder, only for them to decline; nations like the U.K. and Australia are now issuing delicate statements over the matter without implying that Indias to blame for anything.

Meanwhile, the already fraught Canada-India relationship appears destined to crumble even further. On Monday, Canadian Sikhs posting about Nijjars death on Facebook had their posts taken down and accounts suspended; some were restored after the account holders appealed to Meta. Meanwhile, Canada updated its travel advisory for the subcontinent, asking citizens to avoid traveling to Jammu and Kashmir; in turn, India issued an advisory Wednesday asking Indians traveling to or residing in Canada to exercise caution. Sikhs in British Columbia alternately expressed relief that Canada finally appeared to acknowledge Indias aggressive silencing of pro-Khalistan voices, while lamenting that it took a stone-cold murder to bring that interference to light. Nijjars son told Canadian media Tuesday that he and his family had always suspected the Indian government was behind his fathers death, and said he hoped Canada could uncover the specific individuals involved.
Republican Kari Lake is likely to make a final decision in October on a potential Senate bid in Arizona, Lake senior adviser Caroline Wren told The Hill.

Lake, who narrowly lost the Arizona governors race to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) last year, is considering a run for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema s (I-Ariz.) seat in 2024. Sinema has not said whether shell run for reelection, while Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb (R) and Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) have both announced runs for the seat.

Former Arizona Senate candidate Blake Masters (R) was reportedly preparing for another run in the Grand Canyon State, though he has yet to officially announce.

Axios reported in August that there was an anticipated October launch for Lake. Politico reported Wednesday, citing three people familiar with her plans, that she could roll out her bid as early as October.

Ruben Gallego and Kyrsten Sinema are rubber stamps for Joe Biden and his radical agenda. Its time Arizona has a true conservative fighter in the U.S. Senate. The people of Arizona want Kari Lake to stay in this fight and are calling on her to run and shes very likely to answer that call, Wren told The Hill.

Arizona is seen as a potential pickup opportunity for Republicans, who enjoy a better Senate map than Democrats this cycle, with Democrats defending more seats than the GOP. Republicans in the state expect Lake to be the GOP nominee if she launches a bid, though a potential three-way race in the state would be unpredictable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kari Lake, the election conspiracy theorist who ran an unsuccessful campaign for Arizona governor last year, will launch a Senate bid as early as next month, people familiar with the matter told Politico and CNN.

The highly competitive seat is currently held by Kyrsten Sinema, who switched her party affiliation from Democrat to independent late last year. That move presented her former party with a devastating scenario: that a Democrat and Sinema split the liberal and moderate votes while the Republican nominee slides into victory  possibly securing GOP control of the Senate.

Lake, who has closely aligned herself with former President Donald Trump , reportedly hopes to be that Republican. Shed vie against progressive Rep. Ruben Gallego (D), who announced his candidacy in January, and potentially Sinema, who has not yet publicly said if shell seek reelection.

A poll last month found that in a potential race among the three, Gallego leads with 34%. Without Sinema in the race, his lead grows to 45%.

The former Arizona broadcast news personality lost the states gubernatorial race last year to Democrat Katie Hobbs. Despite losing by more than 17,000 votes, Lake has repeatedly claimed she won the election and has led numerous legal challenges to the elections results. Before that, she championed Trumps baseless claims that he, too, was a victim of election fraud after losing the 2020 election to President Joe Biden.

Lake  who holds hardline conservative views against abortion, LGBTQ+ protections, undocumented immigration and gun reform  would be seeking the GOP Senate nomination against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, another ardent Trump supporter.

Blake Masters, the Republican who lost his Senate bid to Arizona Democrat Mark Kelly last year, is reportedly prepping a bid for Sinemas seat, too.

Related...
A man facing allegations of sex with a minor faked his kayaking death in Louisiana last month and led authorities on a traffic pursuit in Georgia before he crashed and was arrested over the weekend, authorities said.

Melvin Phillip Emde, 41, of Talihina, Oklahoma, was taken into custody Sunday after he led a Georgia State Highway Patrol officer on a pursuit and crashed the motorcycle he was riding, the St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Office said.

The office said in a statement that Emde was being tracked by authorities after he allegedly faked his drowning while kayaking in in the Mississippi River in Hahnville, Louisiana, on Aug. 7.

His son reported him missing, the office said.

Authorities were suspicious that Emde may have faked his death because he was due in court in Brunswick County, North Carolina, as part of a case in which he faced charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child, the sheriff's office said.

The suspect was wearing an ankle monitor, ordered as a condition of his release on bail, it said. It's unclear what happened to the monitor.

Authorities, including the U.S. Marshals Service, learned that Emde purchased two prepaid phones in Boutte, Louisiana, which they tracked to learn his location, it said.

However, Emde used one of the phones only very briefly and ultimately stopped using it altogether, the sheriff's office said.

About 3:30 a.m. Sunday, a man on a motorcycle without license plates fled from a highway patrol officer in Georgia only to crash, the office said.

The suspect tried to get away on foot but was apprehended in Tift County, Georgia, it said.

Though he gave a false name, authorities determined through fingerprinting the suspect was Emde, the sheriff's office said.

Now its time for Mr. Emde to face the music for his charges in North Carolina, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said in the statement.

It was unclear where he was being held Tuesday night.

The Tift County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to a request for more information.

It's not clear if Emde has obtained counsel in the North Carolina case. Officials at the state's Office of Indigent Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) defended a six-week abortion ban after former President Trump criticized a similar ban Sunday.

Theres nothing terrible about standing up for life. Kemp posted on X Tuesday. In addition to passing the heartbeat bill, Georgia has proudly protected and valued life through implementing adoption and foster care reforms, and combatting human trafficking and will continue to do so as long as Im governor.

Abortion is currently banned in Georgia after about six weeks into pregnancy. The Georgia Supreme Court reinstated the ban last November, putting a lower court ruling on hold where a judge called the ban unconstitutional.

Trump took aim at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for signing a six-week abortion ban, calling the move a terrible thing and a terrible mistake during an interview on NBCs Meet the Press. Trump added that he would find a solution with which both sides will be happy.

Trumps remarks faced some blowback and could pose risks for the GOP presidential front-runner in Iowa, where 70 percent of Trumps supporters say they were in favor of a state law banning abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, according to a New York Times/Siena College poll released last month.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) also defended a law she signed that bans most abortions after six weeks of presidency, following Trumps comments.

Its never a terrible thing to protect innocent life, Reynolds said Tuesday in a post on X. Im proud of the fetal heartbeat bill the Iowa legislature passed and I signed in 2018 and again earlier this year.

She has also not committed to endorsing any candidate in the 2024 GOP primary race yet.

Im remaining neutral, but I dont just want to rule it out down the road. I think its really important right now to encourage candidates to come to Iowa, Reynolds told Shannon Bream during an interview on Fox News Sunday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A major new tourism attraction is coming to Northern Kentucky and creating hundreds of new jobs.

A Margaritaville Hotel Resort, a family-friendly entertainment destination, will be built at Newport on the Levee in Campbell County, according to the state.

The name refers to a song by the late singer Jimmy Buffett , who owned the trademark Margaritaville. Buffett, who died Sept. 1, 2023, licensed the name to a Florida developer who created the hotels and related concepts such as 5 OClock Somewhere bars. There are about 40 Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts in the U.S. and internationally with more coming soon.

Gov. Andy Beshear said the $133.6 million project will help drive visitors to the Campbell County area, boosting the local economy and creating 282 new jobs for Kentuckians.

The project, a partnership between North American Properties, Stormont Hospitality Group and High Street Real Estate Partners, is expected to be completed by the fall of 2026.

A rendering of the rooftop pool and bar at Margaritaville Resort Hotel coming to Newport on the Levee.

What will the new Margaritaville Resort in Kentucky have?

The resort on the Ohio River in Newport will include:

 a full-service hotel with 264 rooms;

 a JWB Grill, the namesake restaurant of Buffett;

 a License to Chill Bar;

 a 12th-floor pool with an adjacent 5 OClock Somewhere Bar and Grill overlooking downtown Cincinnati;

The Margaritaville Resort Hotel coming to Newport will have a 5 OClock Somewhere Bar.

Jimmy Buffett fans will be able to enjoy a cheeseburger in paradise at the Margaritaville Resort coming to Northern Kentucky.

 retail space;

 and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 2,000-square-foot rooftop space.

The Kentucky Tourism Development Finance Authority on Wednesday gave preliminary approval for nearly $33 million in tax incentives for the project, which still must receive final KTDFA approval. Through the Tourism Development Act, qualifying tourism-related projects can recover up to 25% of approved development costs through sales tax generated by the development.

Patrons walk across the circle at Newport on the Levee, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Newport, Ky.

Newport on the Levee and the Purple People Bridge seen from Cincinnatis Mt. Adams neighborhood.

This embedded content is not available in your region.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) released an ad Wednesday attacking his Republican opponent in the states gubernatorial race, state Attorney General Daniel Cameron, for his position on abortion.

Beshear released the ad showing a woman named Hadley from Owensboro, Ky., sharing her story of being raped by her stepfather and becoming pregnant at 12 years old. The ad denounces the near-total abortion ban Kentucky implemented after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade that provides no exceptions for rape or incest.

Anyone who believes there should be no exceptions for rape and incest could never understand what its like to stand in my shoes, Hadley said. This is to you, Daniel Cameron. To tell a 12-year-old girl she must have the baby of her stepfather who raped her is unthinkable.

The law only permits exceptions to protect the life or health of the mother.

Beshear noted in a tweet that Cameron defended the ban in a case before the state Supreme Court.

Im speaking out because women and girls need to have options, Hadley said.

Cameron has defended the states abortion ban over the past year but signaled a shift in his policies during an interview with a local Louisville radio station on Monday. He said he would sign legislation creating exceptions for rape and incest if the state legislature passed it.

Cameron slammed Beshears ad in a video statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He said Beshear is running the most despicable campaign in the states history.

Cameron called Beshear an extremist on abortion for vetoing a bill that would have required medical care to be provided to a baby born alive after a failed abortion.

Beshear said at the time that the law was unnecessary because state law already protects newborns from being denied medical care after being born. He later allowed another similar bill to take effect without his signature in 2021.

Theres an extremist in this race, and it is Andy Beshear, Cameron said.

Beshears attack came just after Planned Parenthood Action Kentucky launched an ad campaign targeting Camerons support for abortion restrictions. The ads highlight Camerons previous support for the states abortion ban.

The Kentucky gubernatorial race is one of three governors races happening this year along with Louisiana and Mississippi.

Beshear is running for a second term in office. Several polls have shown Beshear leading Cameron by at least a few points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's campaign tore into his GOP opponent over abortion bans.

Beshear's ad features an incest survivor who said Cameron's anti-abortion views would have left her without options.

Cameron previously appeared to flip-flop over his opposition to rape and incest exceptions to bans.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear's campaign on Wednesday released a searing critique of his Republican opponent's views on abortion, underlining how the reversal of Roe v. Wade has led Democrats to highlight the issue in previously unthinkable ways.

"This is to you, Daniel Cameron. To tell a 12-year-old girl she must have the baby of her stepfather who raped her is unthinkable," a woman named Hadley says in the ad released by Beshear's reelection campaign.

Cameron, the commonwealth's Attorney General, is hoping to unseat Beshear in a closely watched off-year election. A former aide to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Cameron is viewed as a rising star within the Republican Party. Polls show Beshear is one of, if not the most popular Democratic governor in the country. The son of former Gov. Steve Beshear , the Kentuckian has managed to maintain his standing in a state where President Joe Biden is deeply disliked.

Earlier this week, Cameron appeared to flip-flop on his views on exceptions to abortion bans, according to local reports. Once a given for generations of national Republicans, some in the party have begun to question whether there should be exceptions to abortion bans in the cases of rape or incest. Cameron now says he would sign a bill with such exceptions into law if he were elected.

"It's unfortunate that Andy Beshear is running the most despicable campaign in Kentucky history," Cameron said in a video response to the ad. "Now, he lectures us on partisanship and unity then lectures us with disgusting, false attacks."

Cameron previously said that he supported Kentucky laws, neither of which has exceptions in the cases of rape or incest. He is taking a similar tact his party has taken nationally, arguing that Democrats are the true extremists because they refuse to oppose restrictions on rare late-term abortions. It's worth pointing out that similar efforts have been unsuccessful thus far, leading Republicans to reportedly try to overhaul how they talk about abortion.

One of the laws would ban virtually all abortions in the state after six weeks of pregnancy. In June, abortion rights advocates vowed to continue fighting the bans that continue to be in effect. In a major vote, Kentuckians in November 2022 rejected an anti-abortion effort that would have denied any state constitutional protections for abortion rights  one of a string of abortion rights victories since Roe was reversed.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A looming government shutdown puts House Speaker Kevin McCarthy s gavel in danger, now and in 2025.

McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, postponed a key vote for avoiding a shutdown on Tuesday after leadership failed to convince enough Republicans to accept a short-term spending plan. Later, far-right Republicans tanked a vote to consider defense spending, another hit to McCarthy as hes struggled to unify members from a highly-conservative bloc with the rest of his party.

Some far-right members have accepted a shutdown and also threatened to boot McCarthy from leadership.

The conservative flank isnt budging on deep budget cuts or policy priorities, which, even if approved by the GOP-led House of Representatives, would likely be dead-on-arrival in the Democrat-held Senate. Both the House and Senate must pass identical measures before Sept. 30 when the government is slated to run out of money.

That puts McCarthy in a tough spot, said Christian Grose, academic director of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy.

Blame for a shutdown would likely fall on the House of Representatives, Grose said, where Republicans have a slim majority.

If voters are dissatisfied with the GOP in a shutdown, Republicans in close 2024 elections could lose their seats. That could give Democrats the majority, and the speakers gavel.

Even if Republicans hold the House in 2025, McCarthys troubles with the far-right House Freedom Caucus could haunt him.

McCarthys in a real problem electorally, Grose said. You could see a Republican this Congress or certainly next Congress, if they maintain the majority, challenging him.

Shutdown messaging

To fund government agencies for another year, Congress must enact, and the president must sign, 12 spending bills or a combined version. Odds that the House and Senate concur on that in less than two weeks are low, so Congress needs to agree on a short-term resolution to keep the lights on. Otherwise, theres a shutdown.

Whichever party has a stronger blame game in a shutdown fares better, said Grose and Thomas Holyoke, a professor of political science at California State University, Fresno.

Now a shutdown shows that McCarthy and House Republicans have no ability at governance, Holyoke said. And presumably, the president and Democrats will draw a lot of national attention to this: McCarthy and his conference are being held hostage by a fringe, radical right movement.

If the GOP in swing districts, such as the ones represented by California Reps. David Valadao and John Duarte, convince constituents that the shutdown is Democrats fault, then it might work out for them. Valadao, R-Hanford, and Duarte, R-Modesto, both represent Democratic-leaning districts and have highly competitive races in 2024. McCarthy, on the other hand, has a deep-red district.

However for such messaging to work, voters have to be paying attention.

Based on history, most people who arent paying attention do tend to put the blame on House leadership, because its usually the House that is blocking the continuing resolution, Grose said. And thats whats happening here.

What happens in a government shutdown?

During a shutdown, agencies are only staffed by essential employees who work without being paid. Other workers are furloughed. Federal workers receive back pay once the shutdown ends.

At first, life seems to operate the same for most other people as Social Security and Medicare benefits continue.

The pain, Holyoke said, starts to emerge slowly.

The longer the shutdown, the more operations slow.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Interior Department, which are important to many in the Central Valley, shutter certain programs and operations. Passport applications, small business loans and other government benefits can be delayed. National Parks such as Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon can eventually turn away visitors, harming tourism cash flow.

McCarthy told reporters last week that nobody wins in a government shutdown. A spokeswoman for McCarthy referred The Bee to McCarthys prior comments for this story.

McCarthys bid to far-right Republicans

The far-right flank has pained McCarthy since he made a string of concessions and suffered 15 votes to earn the speakership in January. This led Washington D.C. insiders to believe McCarthy would be beholden to MAGA conservatives throughout his leadership.

In an apparent appeasement to the far-right last week, McCarthy launched an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Yet Congress avoided default this spring thanks to McCarthy meeting in the middle. McCarthy might need Democrats help now to avoid a government shutdown, and to preserve his leadership role.

I dont know how the Democrats would play this, said Grose. It seems like now theyre leaving it for McCarthy.

Requiring Democratic support to avert a shutdown in 2015 cost former Speaker John Boehner, an Ohio Republican, his job. Boehner announced he would step down a week before the House passed a short-term measure to fund the government. Then, as now, the president was a Democrat, but Republicans had the Senate.

McCarthy can only lose a handful of GOP votes if all House Democrats oppose a measure in the 221-212 Republican majority.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, a member of the Freedom Caucus, threatened a vote to oust McCarthy if stopgap spending measures dont meet their needs, and others have agreed. A document that appeared to be a typed motion dated Sept. 15 from Gaetz to do so was found by a reporter in a congressional restroom.

One of the concessions McCarthy made to gain the gavel was allowing any member to call for a vote on whether he could continue to serve.

Frustrated, McCarthy reportedly dared far-right detractors to try ousting him in a closed-door meeting last week.

Speakership on the line or not, Holyoke said, funding the government is one of Congress most basic priorities.

And if McCarthy cant pull that off, he said, then hes basically shown that the House is utterly dysfunctional.
It seems like only yesterday that we were on the cusp of defaulting on the debt and many of us were predicting that the kamikaze Freedom Caucus in the House of Representatives was going to make it happen. They sure sounded serious. Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., was unable to keep that extremist right flank under control and they were threatening to unseat him under the rule they insisted he adopt in order to get the votes he needed to attain office if he didn't meet their demands. With a four-vote margin, he had almost no room to maneuver. After the interminable 15 rounds of voting and all the backroom deals he had to make to get the gavel back in January, the prospects for a deal looked very slim. Yet, with all that working against them, McCarthy and President Biden surprised everyone by managing to pound out an agreement that could get the required number of votes in both chambers of Congress. A number of House Republicans were livid, especially the Freedom Caucus, and refused to vote for it. But Democrats filled in the gaps and saved McCarthy  and the country  from catastrophe at the last minute.

There was a lot of grumbling but no one took any action to unseat McCarthy. Instead, the House Republicans picked up where they left off with their performative investigations. But some of them aren't stupid and they knew they would soon get another chance to force their will on the country. While the debt ceiling deal ostensibly "capped" all spending at 2023 levels for two years, nobody said that appropriations bills which had to be finished by September 30 couldn't be cut to the bone.

And so here we are, less than two weeks before the deadline and no appropriations bills have been passed while the House GOP is at each other's throats. They may not even be able to agree on a continuing resolution to extend the deadline so they can keep the government open beyond the week after next. If McCarthy can't pull something out of his hat again, and it really doesn't seem likely, we are almost certainly headed for another shutdown.

Last week McCarthy authorized an impeachment inquiry for Joe Biden without bringing it to a vote as he had earlier vowed to do. This was widely seen as a sop to the MAGA extremists who were shrieking "Impeach!" at the top of their lungs every five minutes despite the fact that there is no evidence to support such an action. It didn't work. Not only were they unsatisfied, but they believe impeachment isn't nearly good enough.

Last week the simmering feud between Matt Gaetz, R-Fl., and McCarthy finally boiled over when Gaetz openly threatened to take the necessary steps to remove the speaker if he didn't agree to all of his demands. McCarthy finally lost his temper and responded, "If you want to file a motion to vacate, then file the fucking motion." Shortly afterward, McCarthy had to forego plans to have the House vote on a defense spending bill because he couldn't get the votes.

"How about just move the fucking spending bills?" Gaetz fired back.

So that went well. And so far, this week it's going any better. Now the Freedom Caucus itself is at each other's throats. On Tuesday, five hardcore MAGA Republicans stopped that proposed defense spending bill from even coming up for debate, once again paralyzing the House and making it impossible to move forward. This maneuver is very unusual and appears to be a tactic designed solely to embarrass Kevin McCarthy.

When asked about it McCarthy was clearly rattled:

Ask those five why they voted against it. Think about what they're voting against. They're voting against even bringing the bill up to have a discussion about it to vote on. If you're opposed to the bill, vote against the bill at the endYou could change it if you don't like it. But the idea that you vote against a rule, to even bring it up, that makes no sense to me,"

Mike Garcia, R-Ca., was also fit to be tied and called out his fellow Republicans. He said, "out of fear, they decided to vote against the rule to even allow this to come to the floor for debate, This city, Washington DC, is riddled with Chinese sympathizers." You read that right. He said those five Republicans were Chinese sympathizers.

Things went downhill from there. Over the weekend, the Freedom Caucus and the leadership negotiated a stop-gap Continuing Resolution to take them through October 31st and avoid an imminent shutdown. It was a ridiculous agreement that no Democrats would sign on to but they thought they could bring together the GOP caucus to at least buy some more time. But no. When it came time to vote on Tuesday, the whole thing unraveled and 16 Republicans balked. McCarthy had to withdraw that one from the floor as well.

The recriminations were swift and nasty. The Daily Beast reported:

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who opposed the bill's continued funding of the office of Trump prosecutor Jack Smith, took potshots online at one of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL), who shot back, "You'll need more than tweets and hot takes!!" Meanwhile, The Hill reported that Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN) blamed "weak Speaker" McCarthy, who hit back by calling Spartz a quitter for deciding to retire at the end of her term to spend more time with her family.

Congressman Mike Lawlor, R-N.Y., told CNN, "This is not conservative Republicanism, this is stupidity, these people can't define a win, they don't know how to take yes for an answer. It's a clown show." That is 100% correct. And it's not going to get any better.

I dont care if I am the ONLY NO vote.



I will not vote to fund a single penny to the war in Ukraine, COVID anything, and the political weaponized government.



I dont care if its for 1 day or 365 days.



We are wasting 1 week trying to buy 4 more weeks.



None of this will work.  Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) September 19, 2023

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

I have no predictions as to where this is going to end up. A government shutdown seems to be inevitable, but we just don't know when it's going to happen. It's possible they'll get some kind of extension with Democrats' help if they can do it without any conditions. But Gaetz and his cronies don't seem to be in the mood for that sort of thing and they are obviously eager to call for a vote of no-confidence in McCarthy.

One big question remains, however, and it may be McCarthy's trump card in the end. As I've wondered before, who else could get enough votes if McCarthy is forced out? More importantly, what kind of masochist would want it? No, I think he's probably safe. The country, however, couldn't be in worse hands than those of this insane GOP House majority.

Late yesterday we had this strange report:

Found on a baby changing table in restroom underneath House floor: "Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant," from Rep. @mattgaetz, Sept. 15, 2023, 11:22am pic.twitter.com/6p7uJ2qNvh  Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) September 19, 2023

That it was found on a baby changing table in a bathroom is just too perfect.
MUNCIE, Ind.  A kidnapping case tied to the 2013 disappearance of Ashley Morris Mullis was dismissed on Wednesday.

Delaware Circuit Court 4 Judge John Feick granted a motion by defense attorneys to drop charges of kidnapping and obstruction of justice filed in January against 67-year-old Sheila L. York, now of Weaverville, North Carolina.

Ashley Morris Mullis

Mullis, a Muncie resident and the mother of three children, has not been seen by friends and family members since September 2013.

The youngest of Mullis' three children, still a baby at the time of her mother's disappearance, was reportedly fathered by Daniel York Sr.

The charges against Sheila Morris, the wife of Daniel York, stemmed from actions she allegedly took to retain custody of Mullis' daughter for the past decade.

Daniel York died in 2015. Investigators with the Delaware County Sheriff's Department acknowledge they have looked into allegations York was responsible for Mullis' disappearance.

In November 2020, a related search was conducted on property along Delaware County Road 725-W that had been owned by the York family.

More: Woman charged in connection with Mullis case surrenders

In a motion to dismiss filed in May by Sheila York's attorneys  Kelly Bryan of Muncie and Russell Cates of Fishers  they contended, among other things, that the deadlines to file such charges against their client had expired.

"The mere fact a defendant lives out of state does not toll the statute of limitations," they wrote in a more recent filing.

"The state's biggest problem it continues to ignore is that Daniel York was (the child's) legal and biological father" the defense team added. "The state of Indiana cannot will a crime into existence."

Sheila York reportedly adopted the child while living in Florida. The child reportedly remains in her custody.

Ashley Morris Mullis' family members  including her father, Don Morris  have tried to keep her disappearance alive in the eyes of the public for the past decade. They have also pursued an opportunity to visit with Mullis' youngest child.

After Feick's ruling on Wednesday, Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman said, "We disagree with the ruling and are currently discussing the matter with the Indiana Attorney General's office to potentially pursue an appeal."

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: Kidnapping case tied to Mullis disappearance dismissed by judge
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have arrived at the Elysee Palace as part of their three day state visit to France, six months after the trip was postponed because of widespread rioting.

After a spectacular ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, where the monarch laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Charles and Camilla joined President Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron in greeting crowds of wellwishers waiting along the Champs-Elysees.

This evening, the four are expected at the Palace of Versailles for a black tie dinner alongside an array of British and French stars including Hugh Grant, Mick Jagger, Arsene Wenger and Didier Drogba. Mr Macron is said to be pulling out all the stops and an English blue cheese and lobster will feature on the menu.

The trip got off to a windy start as Queen Camilla had to hold onto her hat as she stepped off the plane before they were welcomed by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Berne, diplomats and guardsmen.

The overseas tour was shelved in March after Mr Macron's retirement age reforms sparked widespread rioting across the country.

The overseas tour in March was to be the King and his wifes first state visit, but Germany  the second leg of the journey  became the historic first destination for the royal couple.

Key Points

Todays agenda as King Charles III and Camilla arrive in Paris

What the Royals are expected to get up to tomorrow

Whats on the menu at Versailles

How have the royals been received in Paris?

Tree planting

15:40 , Lydia Patrick

Once the King and President have exchanged gifts, the leaders will plant trees in a tradition started by the late Queen, report the Telegraph.

Queen Elizabeth II holding a bouquet of flowers, and French President Georges Pompidou and wife Claude Pompidou pose after a luncheon given in the Queen's honor at the Elysee palace (AP1972)

Le Menu

15:36 , Lydia Patrick

A lavish banquet is to be held in the Hall of Mirrors of the Palace of Versailles tonight to celebrate the arrival of Charles and Camilla.

Here is whats on the menu, as reported by The Mail.

Starter: Blue lobster and pot crab with a veil of fresh almonds and peppermint

Main Course: Bresse chicken with corn and a porcini mushroom gratin

Cheese: 30-month-old Comte, Stichelton English blue

Desert: Isfahan Persian macaroon

The gourmet dishes will be cooked by a star-studded selection of top chefs, including Anne-Sophie Pic, the only French chef with three Michelin stars.

For drinks, the world leaders will enjoy wines costing over 400 a bottle, including Pol Roger Cuvee Winston Churchill 2013 Champagne, report The Mail.

His Majesty and Macron inside the Palace de Versailles (Getty Images)

Reactions amongst the crowds

15:26 , Lydia Patrick

Tourists line the Parisian streets as they watch the royal spectacle unfold as King Charles and Queen Camilla begin their three-day state visit.

Rozalie Zackova, a 28-year-old Czech who works in marketing in Paris told Reuters: I like the royal family, because its something out of reach, it makes you dream, they have a special status. And also for the gossip!

Her colleague Siham Bakali, 31, less fascinated by the king, said to Reuters she mostly wanted to see the flyover of both nations.

Joseph Gavois, 79, retired, said to Reuters: Ive come to see the king of England, because hes paying us a visit and we should salute him. Its an honour hes doing us!

But Gavois complained that with so much security, he was unable to see the royal couple very well when they drove past him.

Some were more excited than others about the arrival of King Charles (PA)

Parisian woman hits back at those sceptical about the visit

15:22 , Lydia Patrick

France is a nation notoriously wary of monarchs, but lots of Parisians have warmed to the arrival of the King and Queen.

Ive never seen a king parade on the Champs-Elysees! 62-year-old employee Marie-Noelle Ahanso said as they drove by.

People will talk, people will complain (about the expense). But hes worthy of being received at Versailles, I dont see what the problem is. Whats more, hes an environment-focused king, he doesnt eat foie gras. In any case, the French complain all the time!

Tourists lined the streets awaiting the arrival of the King (Getty Images)

In Pictures: The first day so far

15:11 , Lydia Patrick

Brigitte Macron and Queen Camilla talk after a ceremonial welcome at The Arc De Triomphe (via REUTERS)

King Charles greets fans after remembrance ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe (EPA)

The quartet arrive at the Palace of Versailles where they will have a black-tie dinner (AP)

The leaders to exchange rare gifts

15:07 , Lydia Patrick

King Charles will present President Macron with special gifts, including Voltaires Lettres sur les Anglais - a series of essays written by Voltaire based on his experiences living in Great Britain.

He will also give the King a gold coin minted with his drawing, and a painting of Queen Victoria, report the Telegraph.

The leaders will exchange gifts at the Palace of Versailles (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Whats on the menu for the gourmet banquet?

15:00 , Lydia Patrick

France, the official country of fromage, will pay homage to their guest country and will put a British blue cheese on the menu.

Fitting with the blue theme, blue lobster also features on the menu.

The state dinner will take place in the spectacular Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles and the guests will wear black-tie.

Cabrales blue cheese (IMV/Getty Images)

Charles and Camilla arrive at Elysees Palace

14:49 , Lydia Patrick

The King and Queen have arrived at Elysees Palace before they head to the Palace of Versailles for a black-tie dinner.

Blue lobster and a selection of French and English cheeses will feature on the gourmet menu.

More than 150 guests have been invited to the banquet, including British actor Hugh Grant, rock star Mick Jagger, former Arsenal football coach Arsene Wenger, French soccer star Didier Drogba, as well as French billionaire Bernard Arnault.

The royals have arrived at the Palace of Versailles (REUTERS)

Charles and Camilla will attend glitzy black tie banquet

14:39 , Lydia Patrick

Charles and Camilla will be guests of honour at a grand black- tie state banquet hosted by Mr and Mrs Macron in the splendour of the Palace of Versailles Hall of Mirrors.

Both the King and Mr Macron will address the 160 guests, who will include high-profile figures chosen for their contribution to UK-France relations.

Celebrity guests who have confirmed their attendance include Hugh Grant, Mick Jagger and former French football coach Arsene Wenger.

Queen Camilla sported a dusky pink suit (PA)

King Charles and President Macron share touching moment watching flypast at Arc De Triomphe

14:26 , Lydia Patrick

Jets with red white and blue vapour trails fly overhead in impressive ceremony

14:07 , Lydia Patrick

Military jets flew over the Arc de Triomphe emitting the colours of both nations - red, white and blue.

After listening to the two national anthems, Charles and Macron proceeded to a review of the troops.

King Charles III and President of France, Emmanuel Macron At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (via REUTERS)

They placed a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier, and Charles rekindled the eternal flame.

A warm welcome - President Macron greets King Charles and Queen Camilla at Arc de Triomphe, France

13:58 , Lydia Patrick

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive at Arc de Triomphe

13:55 , Lydia Patrick

President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron greet King Charles III and Queen Camilla in a lavish arrival ceremony.

A warm welcome to the King and Queen (AFP via Getty Images)

In pictures: The King and Queen arrive

13:46 , Lydia Patrick

Charles and Camilla had to withstand the wind as they stepped off the plane onto the red-carpet runway.

The King and Queen arrived in Paris at 2pm French time (via REUTERS)

Charles went ahead as Camilla fixed her hat (PA)

Mind the step - King Charles waited for Queen Camilla as they disembarked the aircraft (PA)

What we know so far about the trip

13:35 , Lydia Patrick

The majority of the original royal programme has been retained but a few new exciting elements have been added, including a literaty prize and celebrity guests.

Camilla and Mrs Macron are set to launch a new Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France.

The King will become the first British monarch to give a speech from Frances senate chamber to senators and national assembly members on Thursday.

Other highlights include the royal couple meeting sports stars as France hosts the Rugby World Cup.

Charles and Camilla will meet the French National team (Reuters)

When the couple travel to Bordeaux, home to 39,000 Britons, they will meet UK and French military personnel to hear about how the two nations are collaborating on defence.

Whats first on the agenda?

13:21 , Lydia Patrick

The King and Queen are due to meet up with Mr Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe, in the capitals centre.

As part of the ceremony, Charles will be invited by the president to symbolically light the monuments eternal flame which burns in memory of those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

Afterwards, the foursome will process down the Champs Elysees by car towards the Elysee Palace, the presidents official residence, where Charles and Mr Macron will sit down for talks.

We are so looking forward to joining you in Paris and Bordeaux, as we embark on our first State Visit as King and Queen to France, a country for which we both have the greatest love and admiration.



We will celebrate the special bond between our two countries and all that your pic.twitter.com/oEsUDIw0gh  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) September 20, 2023

Pretty in pink

13:15 , Lydia Patrick

French Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne greets King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they get off the plane.

Pink appears to be the colour of choice as Queen Camilla sports a dusky pink suit and Ms Borne dons a fuchsia jacket.

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne (L) greets Britains King Charles III (C) and Britains Queen Camilla (R) upon arrival at the Orly Airport on September 20, 2023 (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

King Charles III and Queen Camilla touch down in Paris

13:11 , Lydia Patrick

The King and Queen have landed at Paris-Orly airport and have to fight off the wind as they walk down the stairs to be greeted by French Republican Guards.

Camilla is sporting an all pink suit with a hat and Charles appears in a navy suit.

French Republican Guards stand beside the red carpet prior to the arrival of Britain's King Charles III and Britain's Queen Camilla (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The aircraft transporting Britain's King Charles and Britain's Queen Camilla lands at the Orly Airport (via REUTERS)

Watch live - King Charles and Camilla arrive in France

12:53 , Lydia Patrick

Macron shares heartfelt welcome to King Charles III

12:46 , Lydia Patrick

You visited as a Prince, you return as a King. Your Majesty, welcome. pic.twitter.com/HcDXHcylRl  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 20, 2023

In pictures: Paris prepares for the arrival of King Charles III

12:38 , Lydia Patrick

The Champs-Elysees is decorated with French and British flags (AP)

 Paris prepares to welcome King Charles and Queen Camilla on their State Visit

Chesnot/Getty, Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP, Nathan Laine/Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/4z0k9NPONG  Eostre (@NorthernEostre) September 20, 2023

King Charles to dine with Hugh Grant and Mick Jagger tonight at state dinner in Paris

12:29 , Athena Stavrou

Later today, King Charles will attend a star studded state dinner in the Hall of Mirrors of the Place of Versailles.

150 guests are set to be in attendance. Stars confirmed to have been invited include Hugh Grant, Mick Jagger and former French football coach Arsene Wenger.

Hugh Grant is among the list of stars confirmed to have been invited to a state dinner with King Charles tonight in Paris (PA Archive)

Parisians 'unimpressed by King Charles IIIs visit

11:30 , Lydia Patrick

Parisians have expressed their bemusement as King Charles III embarks on his three-day state visit, missing Queen Elizabeth IIs glamour, say Reuters.

Retiree 88-year-old Mireille Mauve told Reuters: Hes just the son, they are old already, we dont have a long history, retiree Mireille Mauve said.

His wife is not so enchanting, shes a bit dull with her discourse. All this combined together doesnt create much interest, said the 88-year old, who liked Queen Elizabeth and her horses.

Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, centre, sit with France's President Albert Lebrun, right, and his wife Mme. Lebrun, left, by the lake at Bagatelle, Paris, France, July 20, 1938, (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Charly in Paris'

10:54 , Lydia Patrick

French newspaper Liberation poked fun at Charles III by comparing him to the protagonist of a popular Netflix TV show people love to hate, Emily in Paris.

The image showed an iconic Parisian scene made pink with Charles and Emmanuel Macron standing in front of the Eiffel Tower.

The King and Queen (PA) (PA Wire)

The paper joking cast allusions between the three-day state visit and Emily in Paris (STEPHANIE BRANCHU/NETFLIX)

What is the reason for the three-day state visit?

10:24 , Lydia Patrick

France and the United Kingdom have a longstanding neighbourly bond - the trip is a chance to reassert the countries friendship post-Brexit disputes.

The French presidency said the visit will be a chance to showcase the deep historical ties uniting the two countries and an opportunity to share Frances cultural, artistic and gastronomic excellence, report AP.

UK Prime Minsiter Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron came together in March 2023 to strengthen military efforts and address migration issues in a bilateral summit.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is to stay in close contact with Emmanuel Macron and other leaders (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Wire)

A look back at Queen Elizabeths France trips in pictures

10:14 , Lydia Patrick

Queen Elizabeth II holding a bouquet of flowers, and French President Georges Pompidou and wife Claude Pompidou pose after a luncheon given in the Queen's honor at the Elysee palace in Paris on May 15, 1972 (AP1972)

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by French President Jacques Chirac on the Champs Elysees in Paris Monday, April 5, 2004 (AP)

France's President Francois Hollande, left, and Britain's Queen Elizabeth II take part in a ceremony on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France, Thursday, June 5, 2014 (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Thursdays itinerary

10:08 , Lydia Patrick

Here is a rundown of what the King, Queen and French President are expected to get up to tomorrow.

First Charles will address French lawmakers at the Senate.

He will later rejoin Macron in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral to see the ongoing renovation work aimed at reopening the monument by the end of next year.

Charles and Macron will also both attend a reception for British and French business leaders about financing climate-related and biodiversity projects.

Emmanuel Macron will be joined by the British royals as they spend three days in France (PA)

Why was the first trip postponed?

09:56 , Lydia Patrick

King Charles III and Queen Camilla were supposed to visit France six months ago however, wide spread disruption across the country delayed the visit.

France descended into chaos as riots broke out when French President Emmanuel Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64.

The national uproar meant the royals had to delay their visit (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Charles and Camilla headed to France for state visit

09:41 , Sam Rkaina

Charles and Camilla are visiting France today in a state visit delayed due to riot earlier in the year.

Here is everything we know about the itinerary so far.

King Charles and Camilla will arrive in France today (PA)

Wednesday

Charles and Queen Camilla will be greeted by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne at Paris-Orly airport, before heading to the city centre

A spectacular ceremony will take place at the Arc de Triomphe, both nations and a wreath will be laid down at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as jet fighters of the Patrouille de France and Britains Red Arrows fly above.

Macron and Charles will hold a bilateral meeting to discuss the protection of biodiversity and global warming. They will also discuss issues such as Russias war in Ukraine and migration in Southern Italy.

They will end the day with a state dinner in the Hall of Mirrors of the Place of Versailles where 150 guests will be in attendance.
A group of cyclists have shared the extraordinary moment they ran into King Charles III while cycling on the Balmoral estate.

In footage posted by Scottish mountain biker Andrew McAvoy, who regularly shares videos to his YouTube channel, McTrail Rider, the British monarch can be seen chatting about his memories of the estate, and grumbling about the horrendous number of midges flying around.

Before setting off on their trip, McAvoy had joked that they might run into the king. He said: I think Charlie boy is here because theres guards down there with big assault rifles and stuff like that - it looks pretty cool.

They probably wouldnt do that if no one important was here, the cyclist added.

After cycling past a number of Range Rovers driving in the opposite direction, McAvoys friends said that he thought a minor royal could be visiting the estate. They filmed themselves setting up camp in one of the Balmoral bothies: basic accommodation or shelters left unlocked and free of charge for visitors to use.

McAvoy then included the clip of them chatting with Charles, who was walking in the opposite direction.

Youre old hands at it? Charles, wearing a flat cap and carrying a walking stick, asked of their biking trip.

McAvoys friend then told Charles that McAvoy is a minor celebrity in the mountain biking world. Not compared to you, sir, McAvoy added, eliciting a chuckle from the king.

He said the rain during his traditional summer holiday was typical and said the midges were horrendous this year.

So youre being left to walk and everyone else is...? McAvoys friend asked, apparently stunned that Charles was out on his own.

Yes, but I like my walking, the king responded, apparently pleased to hear the group were staying in one of the bothies.

So good. Im so glad it works. I think its because it is really nice. We renovated recently, but Im trying to get more trees, the monarch added, gesturing to the view across the hills.

Yeah, it looks lush compared to what it was two years ago. Do you ever stay there? McAvoys friend asked.

No we used to, Charles explained, camping with my father and sister. Its occasionally used nowadays by another generation.

Andrew McAvoy caught the moment he and his friends ran into King Charles III while cycling on the Balmoral estate (YouTube)

After the interaction, McAvoy turned to the camera to gush over how nice he thought the King was. Lovely man, had time for us. Nice. Im annoyed because I didnt want to care, but that was nice, he said.

The biker continued: Hes a nice man. Hes walking when everyone else is driving. Im just perplexed. Itd be one thing to like, see the King with everyone - he was just wandering down the trail on his own.

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Scotland in August for their annual summer break at the Balmoral estate, but broke tradition by not staying in the main castle.

The estate was the summer residence of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who typically stayed there from mid-July until September or October each year. Following her death in September, this year marked Charless first summer at the estate without his mother, and his first as monarch.

Charles and Camilla are currently in France on a state visit, six months after their trip was postponed due to the riots in Paris.
SOMERSWORTH  Kitara Maxey has filed to run for mayor in the city's 2023 election. She said she works as a financial strategist and is touting her knowledge as a way to help the city and its residents.

Maxey is seeking to replace Dana Hilliard, who previously announced he will not seek reelection.

Kitara Maxey is running for mayor of Somersworth in the city's 2023 election.

"I plan on making (Somersworth) the first financially independent city in America," Maxey said. "Rising up to making New Hampshire the first New England state to become financially independent as well. I have big plans of progressive actions and want to share with the world what is happening in the quiet city of Somersworth."

Maxey's stated goals go beyond the role of local governments. Cities and towns are funded largely with tax dollars and federal and state funding, and they aren't involved with personal financial planning. Maxey was asked to provide specifics on what she means by creating financial independence for the city and residents and how she would do it as mayor. Her response didn't include policy plans. Instead she supplied the following statement:

"We in Somersworth are determined to ensure no family is left behind. Helping the citizens is number one," she wrote in a prepared statement. "For we the people make up the reason we must provide funding as a city for the projects of economic development and education. By taking progressive action forward in implementing the proper education in financial literacy, each citizen and business will begin to build a strong financial foundation. Once the people can understand the rules of the money game, the tool of money will begin to help re-inspire the citizens. The door of opportunity is wide open when we apply proven strategies that begin to help build a legacy and generational wealth. Properly funded and structured financial vehicles for all citizens from birth to dirt. This will be the beginning of alleviating our debt and stepping forward into becoming a self-insuring city one individual at a time."

Originally from Seattle, Maxey said she and her two children have lived in Somersworth for five years.

"I have watched this city and the problems it faces, a lot like other cities and towns," Maxey said. "We see the homeless and drugs that are destroying the city. What we need is a culture where our economy is strong and we can look at what we need."

Maxey also talked about taxation, stating, "What we see is an imbalance in the quality of life of our citizens and yet we ask for more that they cannot give. Seeking federal funding through grants has its setbacks with restrictions. The new era of business in our city will allow money received to be properly insured and invested to compound and keep security in our stability from our growth moving forward."

Maxey said no one can solve problems like homelessness and drugs until they have a grasp of how their financial standing can make it possible.

"The city can be like a bank," Maxey said. "We can compound our money, our interest and watch it grow. We can seek out grants and state funding to make things happen. This is how corporations become successful, and it gives me goosebumps to know it is possible for a city."

City Councilor Matt Gerding has also filed to run for mayor. Candidates can file to run for the city's elected offices through the end of day Sept. 28.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Kitara Maxey running for Somersworth NH mayor
Researchers have been looking into the link between COVID-19 and hearing loss.

Researchers have been looking into the link between COVID-19 and hearing loss.

Nearly four years since COVID-19 first made headlines, we now know that the disease is not just a respiratory problem. Non-breathing-related issues like joint pain, fatigue and even rashes are all documented COVID-19 symptoms. But one potential effect thats less familiar to people is hearing loss.

Diminished hearing can lead to many physical, social and emotional challenges and an overall lower quality of life, particularly for those who rely on their ability to hear for work. Musician Paul Simon recently opened up about the sudden hearing loss in his left ear and its impact on his career as a performer.

Something happens to you when you have some sort of disability that changes your awareness or changes how you interact with life, he said last week.

Simon noted earlier this year that hed survived a difficult bout with COVID-19, but neither he nor any doctor treating him has stated that his hearing loss is related to the disease. Still, his remarks have sparked conversation about the lesser-known link between COVID-19 and hearing issues.

So how clear is that connection? Heres what you should know:

Some cases of hearing loss have been linked to COVID infections.

There are case reports of hearing loss being associated with COVID-19, and it is known that virus can enter the cells of the ear, Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, told HuffPost.

However, Adalja said that many questions remain about how this rare complication might happen. The concern is that SARS-CoV-2  or the immune response to it  may damage the cells of the ear responsible for transmitting sound information to the brain, he said.

A growing body of research has shed some light on the potential connection, as have anecdotal reports.

While the link between COVID and hearing loss hasnt been definitively proven, there have been several studies suggesting that problems with hearing can be a side effect of COVID, said Dr. John Schumann, an internal medicine specialist with Oak Street Health in Tulsa, Oklahoma. For example, one study earlier this year that examined 58 adults between the ages of 23 and 75 years old whod had COVID in the previous six months found that some amount of hearing loss had occurred in 12-13% of them.

The study noted that COVID-19 can damage the inner ear as well as the auditory pathway. It added that while hearing loss can be the sole symptom someone experiences, this complication might also appear later due to postinfectious inflammation of the nerve tissue as a symptom of long COVID-19.

So basically, COVID-19s impact on the nervous system means that the virus may damage the cochlear nerve, which connects the brain to the inner ear, or cause harmful swelling and inflammation around this area. As a result, hearing could be impaired.

Shelley Borgia, a doctor of audiology and founder of NYC Hearing Associates, previously told HuffPost that she has seen patients who experienced total, sudden loss, and others who struggled to understand speech after being infected with COVID-19.

Most commonly, my patients are encountering persistent ringing or hissing sounds in their ears, also known as tinnitus, she said at the time. As an invisible condition without an external source present, tinnitus is often unique to each individual.

Schumann noted that COVID-19-linked tinnitus and hearing loss might be more a matter of correlation than causation. But since COVID is not just a respiratory virus, and weve seen it affect the passageways that connect the nose to the ear, its not out of the question that it could cause issues with hearing, he said.

Overall, the symptom is rare  but doctors are still searching for solutions.

Hearing-related symptoms of COVID-19 can clear up over time, though some people with long COVID have reported a seemingly more permanent impact.

Borgia pointed to COVID-19s effect on blood flow, noting that just as adequate blood circulation is essential throughout the rest of our body, its equally as important in our cochlea, or inner ear cavity. When that blood flow is damaged or slowed, it can lead to hearing loss.

She added, So if a patient is infected with COVID-19, the lack of blood and oxygen throughout their systems can also restrict their ability to hear.

Long COVID has been known to cause chronic issues related to blood flow, including heart problems, so its not unreasonable to believe that hearing impairment could be a rare side effect of the condition as well.

Researchers continue to study the link between COVID-19 and hearing loss. But even as we learn more about it, this effect of the virus remains uncommon.

And its not always permanent, particularly for those who reach out to a doctor and receive treatment  which often involves steroids to reduce swelling around the cochlear nerve.

Someone experiencing sudden hearing loss should seek medical attention, Adalja said.

Schumann recommended having a doctor check your hearing at least once a year as a general practice.

Hearing exams are an important benchmark, he said. If you do experience hearing loss at some point later in time, your doctor will have something to compare it to. These annual exams are also important in checking for dementia, especially in older people.

Related...
Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The police recently announced the investigation of the deaths of two Black women who were models and lived less than three miles from one another.

Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters in Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023. The police recently announced the investigation of the deaths of two Black women who were models and lived less than three miles from one another.

The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating the deaths of two Black models whose bodies were found in their Downtown Los Angeles apartments just days apart.

Nichole Nikki Coats, a 32-year-old model, was found on Sept. 10, while Maleesa Mooney, a 31-year-old model and real estate agent, was found on Sept. 12, according to police. Their apartments are less than three miles away from each other.

The LAPD told HuffPost on Tuesday that Mooneys death is being investigated as a homicide. However, Coats is being looked into as an undetermined death at this point, ABC News reports.

Thus far, the evidence found does not suggest that their deaths are related, the LAPD said. Despite the lack of evidence, some people on social media have expressed concern that the timing of the deaths suggests that Black women are being targeted, as Los Angeles Magazine reported on Monday.

Coats father and aunt  Guy Coats and May Stevens  decided to check on Nichole Coats and found her body at her apartment building, known as Eighth and Grand, according to KABC.

I couldnt recognize her, Stevens told KTLA in an interview. I believe it was murder, I really do.

Her smile brighten ever [sic] room she entered. Nikkis personality was one that will never be forgotten. She was very happy, smart and a go-getter beyond measures, Coats mother, Sharon Coats, posted on Facebook on Friday. Its like a dream to me, and I havent woke up but its real. Please keep me in your prayers as I ask for Gods strength to get through this terrible tragedy.

Sharon Coats said that her daughters death was senseless, according to the KTLA interview.

And its not fair. I want everybody to find out who did this to her. She shouldnt be gone, she added.

The Coats family and their friends have created a GoFundMe that has raised at least $15,930 of a $10,000 goal.

Days after Coats body was found, police officers found Mooneys body during a welfare check, according to a statement from the LAPD.

Bailey Babb, a cousin of Mooney, told KTLA that their family began worrying about Mooney after not hearing from her for about a week.

When a week went by, we just knew something was off, Babb told KTLA. Her messages werent delivering and we knew something was up because we all have a special relationship with Maleesa.

Mooneys sister, a music artist named Jourdin Pauline, told KABC that someone had also taken some of Mooneys belongings.

Whoever did it stole her belongings because theyre trying to sell her iPhone and her MacBook, Pauline said. Her iCloud had an alert like she was on.

Pauline also posted on her Instagram account about her sisters death.

How is this even possible, Pauline questioned. We was supposed to grow old together and have babies and cook off wars (youre the best chef ever) this feels so surreal I keep waking up crying thinking Im in a bad dream we will get justice for you my sister I promise you wont be gone in vain!!!

Several family members of Coats and Mooney, respectively, did not immediately respond to HuffPosts requests for comment.

Related...
Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China to attend the Belt and Road Forum in October in his first official visit abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against him, the Kremlin's press service said on Sept. 20.

The announcement came after Putin met with Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi in St. Petersburg.

"I accepted with pleasure the invitation of the Chairman of the People's Republic of China to visit China in October of this year... to promote President Xi Jinping 's idea that has already become an international brand - One Belt, One Road," Putin said, according to the Kremlin.

Bloomberg reported on Putin's upcoming visit back in August, citing its unnamed sources.

Read also: BREAKING: ICC issues arrest warrants for Putin, Russian official tied to kidnapping of Ukrainian children

Putin has avoided international trips since the ICC issued arrest warrants against him and Russian official Maria Lvova-Belova for their role in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The only exemption was the Russian leader's reported visit to the occupied parts of Ukraine.

Earlier in August, he did not attend the BRICS summit hosted by South Africa. This country is a signatory to the ICC's Rome Statute and therefore legally obliged to detain the Russian president.

Putin also refused to attend the Group of 20 summit held in India.

According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the Russian leader is willing to visit only those countries where his security service can guarantee his safety.

Bloomberg's sources said that China, who is also not a party to the Rome Statute, is one such place.

While China has publicly positioned itself as a neutral party in the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine, and urged a peaceful solution, Beijing has backed Moscow against the West's effort to isolate Russia internationally.

The Chinese government publicly denied that it had provided military aid to the Kremlin, however, a U.S. intelligence report from July 27 suggested that China has in fact exported significant amounts of dual-use technologies that Moscow deploys for military purposes in Ukraine.

Read also: Ana Palacio: Rule-making in a divided world

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi in New York to discuss the situation at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) and continued Ukraine-IAEA cooperation, the Ukraines MFA said in a statement on Sept. 19.

Russia must end its nuclear blackmail and withdraw from the ZNPP to restore nuclear safety and security in Ukraine and wider Europe.

Read also: IAEA experts access roofs at ZNPP, see no signs of explosives, agency says

The IAEA reported explosions and gunfire near the ZNPP in late August. A powerful explosion shook the windows, and two days later, gunfire was heard, the IAEA reported on Aug. 14.

Invading Russian forces carry out military drills at the ZNPP, with heavy equipment being delivered to the facility, the Enerhodar channel on the Telegram reported on Aug. 16.

Read also: IAEA chief skeptical Russia will share nuclear technology with North Korea in light of treaty obligations

A series of explosions was recorded at a distance from the ZNPP on Aug. 17, Aug. 20, and Aug. 21.



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
Kentuckys primary pension fund for nearly 125,000 past and present state government workers continued to see small but steady gains in Fiscal Year 2023, ending with a funding level of 22.2 percent, up from 18.5 percent in 2022, state pension officials told lawmakers on Wednesday.

The Kentucky Employees Retirement System (Non-Hazardous) fund remains one of the most impoverished public pension funds in the country, due to two decades of neglect by governors and legislators from both political parties. As of June 30, it faced an unfunded liability of $12.3 billion, down from $13.5 billion last year.

The news is good. I mean, we are headed in the right direction. Its just going to take a long time, David Eager, executive director of the Kentucky Public Pensions Authority, told the legislatures interim joint budget committee at the Capitol in Frankfort.

Just five years ago, in 2018, the fund was considered on the brink of insolvency at only 12.9 percent funded.

But in recent years, starting under former Republican Gov. Matt Bevin, state leaders have committed billions of dollars in every state budget to full annual funding of the pension systems for state workers and teachers, with a long-term plan to pay off their huge accumulated deficits  currently, about $40 billion  by the late 2040s.

Between the massive amounts of cash shoveled into the pension systems in the current two-year state budget and good investment returns in 2023, that long-term plan is well underway, pension officials told lawmakers

The Teachers Retirement System of Kentucky  which covers about 135,000 active and retired educators  held steady at a projected 58.8 percent funded in FY 2023, the same as 2022, with an unfunded pension liability of $16.9 billion. Thats not necessarily the final set of numbers for 2023 because TRS actuarial consultants are still working, Beau Barnes, TRS deputy executive secretary, told lawmakers.

In Kentucky, teachers are particularly dependent on their pensions because they do not receive retirement income from Social Security.

State legislators keep their own public pensions in a separate account at the Kentucky Judicial Form Retirement System that was fully funded as of the most recent actuarial reports.

Eager, at the KPPA, credited lawmakers with providing additional lump sums of hundreds of millions of dollars to help reduce deficits in different public worker funds at his pension agency, apart from allocating billions of dollars in full annual funding in recent years.

That moves the needle, Eager said. He added later, Thank you all for the additional appropriations.

The KPPA oversees several other pension funds that also did relatively well in 2023, including:

 KERS (Hazardous), which covers most state workers who hold hazardous jobs. It ended FY 2023 at 65.8 percent funded, up from 63.2 percent in 2022.

 State Police Retirement System, which covers the Kentucky State Police. It ended FY 2023 at 55 percent funded, up from from 52.5 percent funded in 2022.

 County Employees Retirement System (Non-Hazardous), which covers most local government workers. It ended FY 2023 at 56.2 percent funded, up from 52 percent in 2022.

 CERS (Hazardous), which covers most local government workers who hold hazardous jobs. It ended FY 2023 at 51.5 percent funded, up from 47.6 percent in 2022.

Raises, pensions, full-day kindergarten, more: Breakdown of what made it in KYs budget

KY pension fund improved slightly in 2022 to 18% funded and a $13.5 billion deficit
Workers and employers will pay more for workers compensation insurance next year if a new proposal from the Department of Labor and Industries is adopted.

Jointly, workers and employees would pay an additional $65 per year for each full-time employee, a 4.9% increase from current rates.

The agency said in a news release Tuesday that the increase are necessary due to higher-than-normal increases in the states average wage in recent years.

A typical worker pays about a quarter of the premium and could expect to see an $11-per-year increase in 2024. Employers would pay the rest of the increase.

L&Is proposal would not pass the full increased cost on to workers and employers. It plans to augment premiums with funding from the workers compensation contingency reserve because the proposed increase is below what L&I expects to pay for 2024 claims.

With help from our reserves, were finding a balance between charging enough to cover costs and keeping rates steady and predictable, as Washington employers deal with economic uncertainty and lingering impacts of the pandemic, said L&I Director Joel Sacks in a statement.

The agency noted that this is the fourth year they have tapped into contingency reserves to avoid larger increases in premiums in order to reduce the impact on employers and workers struggling from the pandemic. Average rates would need to be raised nearly 10% to cover all of the claims if the reserve was not used.

Unlike most other states, workers in Washington are charged compensation rates as an amount per hours worked. Most states charge rates as a percentage of payroll, so when employee wages go up, those states automatically collect more premiums.

Its good for workers that wages are rising, but that means the cost of replacing wages when a worker gets hurt goes up too, Sacks said in the statement. Our workers compensation State Fund investments are performing well, so were able to use the returns to help cover costs again this year instead of passing it on to employers.

Final rates will be adopted on Nov. 30 but L&I will conduct public hearings before a final decision will be made.

Hearings are planned for:

10 a.m. Oct. 26 at L&I headquarters, 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater; via Zoom, Meeting ID: 846 8256 2930, Passcode: Oct2623! or via phone at 253-215-8782, Meeting ID: 428 348 2697.

9 a.m. Oct. 27 at the CenterPlace Event Center Auditorium in the Spokane Valley.

10 a.m. Oct. 31 at the Yakima Convention & Event Center.

Final rates will go into effect on Jan. 1.
Neighbors along the Brawley School Road peninsula on Lake Norman this week blasted a developers planned apartments and commercial space as too massive for their quiet, wooded setting.

New York-based URS Capital Partners has submitted plans to the town of Mooresville for a 180-unit multifamily building and roughly 5,000 square feet of commercial property in a community called Cypress Point, town spokeswoman Megan Suber told The Charlotte Observer.

The development would be on 10 acres at the northeastern corner of Blume and Brawley School roads. Plans include a pool, amenity center and dog-run area, according to documents the developer filed with the Mooresville Planning Department.

Neighbors along the Brawley School Road peninsula on Lake Norman blasted a developers planned apartments and commercial space at the northeastern corner of Blume and Brawley School roads in Mooresville.

URS Capital Partners is a New York-based real estate investment firm with $750 million worth of multifamily projects along the East Coast, according to its website, URS Capital Partners.com.

Crazy traffic

Opponents concerned about traffic and over-development packed the Mooresville Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night.

Im here to ask you to stop the over development on Brawley School Road, resident Virginia Manzari told the board.

She moved with her husband to the peninsula a few years ago from Princeton Junction, New Jersey, where she served on her communitys zoning board and president of her township council.

Seeing all of the development thats popped up in the last three years that Ive lived here, I can tell you, youre making the same mistakes that the state of New Jersey has and is making, Manzari said. Things that our town in New Jersey fought tooth-and-nail to prevent. Except you dont seem to be fighting it. You seem to be encouraging it.

Over development is ruining New Jersey, and its going to ruin Mooresville as well, if you continue on this path.

She rarely leaves her home in the late afternoon, because I know Ill be stuck in crazy traffic. Some mornings, it has taken 45 minutes to go less than three miles to Walgreens.

Dr. Michelle Stowe cited concerns over evacuating the peninsula if an incident occurred at McGuire Nuclear Station on the southern tip of the lake in Huntersville. Brawley School Road is getting very overcrowded, she said.

Residents spoke at a rezoning hearing that town planners requested to correct several inconsistencies on seven parcels across town, including the 10-acre site at Blume and Brawley School roads, Suber told the Observer.

The inconsistencies stemmed from mapping errors made during yearly zoning map updates and, most recently, the adoption of the new Unified Development Ordinance and Zoning Map in February 2022, Suber said in an email.

The hearing was not held to consider approving the development, she said.

The correction in zoning will allow this long-standing project to move forward in the development process to staff review, Suber said.

No one from URS Capital Partners spoke at the hearing. Company officials didnt respond to a request for comment from the Observer on Wednesday.

The project is unrelated to the 21-acre River Rock Easy Living at Blume Road community that commissioners approved in December 2022, Suber said in response to questions from the Observer

Commissioners unanimously approved the rezonings Monday night.

I feel your pain

We have to legally fix this, commissioner Lisa Qualls said and begrudgingly made the motion to approve the rezonings. Otherwise, we can pay an attorney that will have to defend all the maps that have to be changed. So we can pay the attorney now or pay them later.

Mooresville town commissioner Lisa Qualls

That prompted an uproar from the crowd. Mayor Miles Atkins had to bang a gavel five times to quiet the room.

Its a correction we have to do, commissioner Thurman Houston said.

He said he grew up on McKendree Road off Brawley School Road and road horses to where Lake Norman was being built. McKendree was a dirt road back then, he said.

Mooresville commissioner Thurman Houston

And I probably hunted where you live today, he told the crowd. So I dont know where the traffic came from. So yall can tell me about it.

This is by right, he said of the corrected rezonings, meaning the zonings for each property had been approved years ago. I dont see what else we can do. I feel your pain. I just dont know where all the traffic came from.

This embedded content is not available in your region.
Issue 1 language will be tweaked by the Ohio Ballot Board after the Ohio Supreme Court found that the proposals summary was partially inaccurate, according to court documents.

>>Ohio votes on abortion rights this fall. Misinformation about the proposal is already spreading

Issue 1 relates to abortion and other reproductive decisions in Ohio.

The ballot board will need to change parts of the summary. Specifically, the wording the state of Ohio to the citizens of the state of Ohio, when it comes to who is blocked from threatening Ohioans reproductive decisions, per an Ohio Supreme Court decision.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose chairs the Ohio Ballot Board. His office scheduled the meeting to reword the issue on Thursday at 9:30 a.m., at the Statehouse.

The ballot language approved by the ballot board would not accurately tell the voters what they are being asked to vote on. Instead of describing a proposed amendment that would establish a right to carry out reproductive decisions free from government intrusion, the ballot languages use of the term citizens of the State would mislead voters by suggesting that the amendment would limit the rights of individual citizens to oppose abortion, the courts majority opinion read.

Two of the seven Ohio Supreme Court Justices agreed entirely on the decision, while the five others agreed in part and disagreed in part, according to the court documents.

>>UAW strike: How it could impact dealerships in the Miami Valley

According to a majority opinion written by Justice Patrick Fisher, Republican Attorney General Dave Yost made an argument that citizens of the State and the State are the same as Ohio has a government of the people, but the court rejected it.

It was noted that the Ohio constitution doesnt use the phrase citizens of the state, therefore the two are not synonymous.

This resulted in the currently approved language needing to be changed as it would not accurately tell the voters what they are voting on.
An LAPD assistant chief was put on leave for alleged stalking. Above, Los Angeles City Hall is reflected in the windows of the Los Angeles Police Headquarters on April 20, 2022. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A high-ranking LAPD official, Al Labrada, was placed on administrative leave Tuesday after allegations of stalking, Chief Michel Moore said.

Moore announced the move at Tuesday's meeting of the department's oversight body, the Board of Police Commissioners.

Labrada, one of three assistant chiefs who report to Moore, was the subject of an Ontario police report that alleged he used an Apple AirTag to track the movements of an LAPD police officer he was romantically involved with, according to law enforcement sources, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation.

The officer who made the report against Labrada alleged that she discovered an AirTag  a small tracking device that can be attached to personal items  among her possessions, the sources said. After department officials learned of the allegations, they launched an internal investigation and took away Labrada's city-issued phone, sources said.

Moore told the commission Tuesday that he was limited in what he could say about the personnel matter, but that he was taking the allegations "very seriously."

"We will continue to cooperate with the outside agency as they continue their investigation, as well as conduct our internal investigation," Moore said. "That means consequences should these allegations prove to be true."

Commission President Erroll Southers said he had ordered the inspector general's office to monitor the LAPD's investigation "so we can ensure objectivity, impartiality, going forward."

Labrada has repeatedly denied the allegations against him and signaled he is considering legal action.

"To our understanding, what occurred today was a standard procedure and nothing further should be read in to it, other than that the matter is continuing to be investigated," his civil attorney, Jeremy Tissot, said in a statement. "We wish to jointly clarify that, in our opinion, what has been reported in the media thus far is false, as to the stalking allegations. The relationship and circumstances have also been mischaracterized."

In the statement, Tissot said that we expect him to be fully vindicated of these allegations, and he is considering all potential legal remedies by and through my office, against responsible parties in relation to these false and defamatory allegations.

Labrada also hired Andrew Leventhal for the potential criminal case.

The police report "mischaracterizes the nature of everything and it's unfortunate. He's a really good man, he's hardworking, he loves his kids, he loves his mom," said Leventhal, saying he'd advised Labrada to not speak with Ontario police for now. "There's no stalking, that's just a complete mischaracterization. That's untrue."

After The Times inquired about the Ontario police report last week, the LAPD confirmed it was conducting its own internal investigation into the matter and said Labrada would continue serving in his post.

Then, in an email that went out to all department personnel Monday, Labrada said he would be taking a weeklong "absence from command." According to the email, which was reviewed by The Times, Deputy Chief David Kowalski will assume leadership of the Office of Special Operations  which oversees most of the departments specialized units, including the major crimes, gang and narcotics, and air support divisions  in Labrada's absence.

The move to administrative leave marks a dramatic turn for Labrada, considered by some to be a potential internal candidate to replace Moore, who has said he will not serve out his second five-year term as chief, according to several sources who requested anonymity to discuss the department's internal affairs.

Labrada was also the highest-ranking Latino in a department where more than half the officers identify as Latino.

The 30-year LAPD veteran is a member of Latin American Law Enforcement Assn., which advocates on behalf of Latino officers. His name was noticeably absent from the group's presentation Tuesday before the Police Commission.

Labrada is not the first high-ranking LAPD official in recent history to abruptly leave his post amid allegations of misconduct.

In 2018, another assistant chief, Jorge Villegas, retired abruptly after sources told The Times he was having an improper sexual relationship with a female subordinate. An LAPD surveillance unit caught Villegas and the subordinate apparently engaged in a sex act in a parking lot, the sources said.

Villegas case resurfaced this year in a court filing from a former LAPD commander who is suing the department for retaliation.

Apple AirTags, which are the size of a quarter and cost about $29, were introduced in 2021 as a way of helping people keep track of and recover lost personal items, allowing users to get notified when a device is nearby. They have drawn the concern of advocates for victims of domestic violence, who have warned that they can be used for monitoring someone without their consent.

Allegations of LAPD officers misusing the devices also surfaced recently in an investigation of a Valley-area gang unit, which is being investigated by the FBI for potential civil rights violations.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
American comedy star Larry David once confronted Elon Musk over his support of the Republican Party, according to a new biography about the Tesla and SpaceX CEO.

The interaction is detailed in acclaimed biographer Walter Isaacsons 615-page tome, titled Elon Musk, which follows the tech moguls meteoric rise.

Musk, 52, and Curb Your Enthusiasm star David, 76, were seated next to each other at Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuels wedding in Saint-Tropez, France, last year, Isaacson writes.

The event took place just days after the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, in which 19 children and two teachers were killed.

Isaacson wrote that David seemed to be fuming and asked Musk: Do you just want to murder kids in schools?

Musk was allegedly baffled and annoyed by the question and said hes anti-kid murder.

Then how could you vote Republican? David reportedly asked.

Elon Musk (left) and Larry David (Getty Images)

David confirmed the incident to Isaacson, explaining that Musks negative tweets about the Democratic Party were sticking in my craw.

Musk said in a May 2022 post that the Democratic Party has become the party of division & hate, so I can no longer support them and will vote Republican.

Even if Uvalde never happened, I probably would have brought it up, because I was angry and offended, David said.

The Independent has contacted Musks representatives for comment.

For his new book, Isaacson shadowed the billionaire businessman for two years  watching him rule over his tech empire, poring over emails and text messages, speaking to those closest to (and most estranged from) him.

Isaacson examines the tech CEOs tumultuous romantic relationships, his early life in South Africa, and his inherent compulsion to stir up drama.

You can read about the six most intriguing and startling revelations in Isaacsons book here.

David is an outspoken proponent of the Democrats. He started out as a stand-up comedian before briefly writing for Saturday Night Live in the mid-Eighties. It was here that he teamed up with Jerry Seinfeld in 1989 to create Seinfeld.

The long-running sitcom was one of the most popular and lucrative ever made, earning David a reported $250m (183.6m) payday when it was syndicated at the end of the Nineties.

He has continued to earn money from the rights ever since, and the deal stipulates he will do so until a full $1.7bn (1.24bn) has been paid out. In 2019, Netflix picked up the Seinfeld streaming rights and David again pocketed somewhere north of $100m (80.7m).
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The U.S. Marshals Service was searching for a man four days after he was ordered to surrender to serve a 20-year prison sentence.

Mario Castro, 55, was sentenced on Friday morning for stealing more than $10 million from seniors and other vulnerable victims through a prize-notification scheme.

He was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud after a jury found him guilty in April.

U.S. District Court Judge Gloria Navarro ordered him to surrender by 5 p.m. that same day.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Castro remained on the run.

3 men in Las Vegas sentenced after 8-year multimillion-dollar prize notice scheme

Castros two co-defendants were initially ordered to surrender to serve their sentences on Oct. 16.

Miguel Castro, 58, of Las Vegas was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison.

Jose Luis Mendez, 49, of Henderson was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Federal prosecutors asked the court for an earlier surrender date once Mario Castro failed to turn himself in.

Castro has family ties in Las Vegas, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

The 8 News Now Investigators have learned that family members are not cooperating with law enforcement to help locate Castro.

Anyone with information about Castros whereabouts is urged to not approach him and to contact law enforcement.

The U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center can be reached at (877) 926-8332.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Still reeling from the pain, relatives of a Las Vegas nail salon owner said they are still coming to terms after losing 38-year-old Rizza Abrera to domestic violence.

8 News Now sat down with her family and hope others will notice the red flags before its too late.

The family of Rizza Abrera remembered the mother of four who was killed in June by her ex-boyfriend, 41-year-old Steven Evans, according to police.

She was an amazing woman. She left a hole in our hearts in our lives, Ricamyr Bautista said.

Upon going into the residence, they located the male in a room with a gunshot wound to his head and they located the female, unresponsive, Metro Lt. Jason Johansson said the night of the tragedy.

According to police, it started as a kidnapping, then turned into a standoff at a home in the southwest Valley. It ended in Abrera being killed and Evans taking his own life. Metro recently reported on the dangers officers also encounter while responding to domestic disputes.

Because the truth is we have to get the victims help and out of a situation so it doesnt end up in a deadly encounter, Metros Assistant Sheriff Sasha Larkin said.

As for families like Rizzas, Bautista still found the strength to talk about the loss of her sister.

I still cry every day. Its hard to be able to talk about her without having too much emotions, she said.

She wanted to do so much for the kids, Bautista said when asked what she wanted people to know about her sister. She wanted to give them so much all these plans to travel.

Rizzas daughter, Yreena Nicholas, told 8 News Now her mother was a victim of domestic abuse.

Everybody is labeling my mother. Oh, she did this to herself and everything. Thats not right, she said.

Now, she wants to raise awareness.

I feel like nobody talks about it enough. It hurts to make an example out of my mom, Nicholas said.

Bautista and Nicholas said Rizza had filed a restraining order against Evans. Clark County court records show the case as sealed.

There are other cases as well under their names. Rizza had two separate charges in 2023 for domestic violence and child neglect, both dismissed.

Evans was charged with burglary, attempted murder with a deadly weapon, and domestic violence. Those charges were also dropped.

Nicholas confirmed the couples past.

It was always pretty difficult between them since the very beginning, she said.

Both Bautista and Nicholas hope their loved ones story helps others.

I hope it translates the truth about domestic abuse overall. Besides my mom, its always been a problem, Nicholas said.

Love yourself and have the courage to move on because if you dont it could be the end of your life, Bautista shared.

According to the National Institute of Health, family and domestic violence is common in the United States affecting about 10 million people every year.

For a list of local and state resources for domestic violence and abuse victims, visit this link.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Las Vegas police say 2 shot, 1 dead after attempting to break into Spring Valley home

LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas police say that a homeowners son shot two men, killing one of them, after they allegedly attempted to break into their home.

According to Homicide Lt. Jason Johansson, police were called to a home in the 3300 block of Iberia Street near West Desert Inn Road and South Rainbow Boulevard at around 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, after a report of a shooting.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

The 70-year-old man who called 911 told police two people tried to break into his house through the back door and his son, a 50-year-old man, had shot them.

When officers arrived, both the homeowner and his son exited the house. They told police that they had been inside their home when two men wearing masks, gloves, and dark clothing attempted to break into the home.

The son grabbed his gun and shot at them as they tried to enter.

The homeowner and his son said that one of the men appeared to be dead in the backyard and the other man had jumped over a wall in the backyard and left in what appeared to be a grey sedan.

Medical personnel pronounced the man in the backyard dead on the scene. Johansson said the man appeared to be in his 20s.

Approximately 10 minutes later, police began receiving calls about a vehicle driving at a reckless speed in a parking lot in the area of Tropicana Avenue and Jones Boulevard. Shortly after, that vehicle, a grey sedan, was involved in an accident with two other vehicles in the area of Tropicana Avenue and Decatur Boulevard.

The driver of the sedan was wearing dark clothing and had a gunshot wound in his leg.

Police believed the driver of the vehicle was involved in the attempted break-in. He was taken to a local hospital where he is in police custody.

Johansson said the shooting appeared to be in self-defense and said that he doesnt anticipate any charges against the son.

Police are asking people to avoid the area due to a heavy police presence while Homicide detectives continue to investigate.

Johansson said that they are reviewing other break-ins in the area to see if the suspects are connected. He said at least one other event happened earlier in the day on Wednesday.

Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the LVMPD Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521 or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 702-385-5555 or on their website.

This is an ongoing investigation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Latvia plans to send more weapons to Ukraine in a new military aid package, Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds announced following the Ramstein summit on Sept. 19.

"Latvia will send additional military support to Ukraine covering most critical capabilities additional mortars, air defense systems, and large caliber ammunition," Spruds said.

Spruds met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov during the 15th gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group held at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

In talks with Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair, Spruds also discussed cooperating on a training program for Ukrainian officers.

Following the meeting, the Latvian Defense Ministry said in a press release that in addition to pledging military aid, Latvia has joined the Information Technology Coalition dedicated to bolstering Ukraine's cyber defenses.

The IT Coalition was initiated by Estonia and Luxembourg following the June 2023 Ramstein summit.

The Latvian Defense Ministry said that since the beginning of Russia's full-scale war, Latvia's military aid to Ukraine has reached over 1% of the nation's GDP.

Spruds also said Latvia will continue to support Ukraine's path to NATO membership.

"We have stood together with Ukraine since day one of Russia's brutal war of aggression, and our position is clear  Latvia provides and will continue to provide all the necessary support until Ukraine wins," Spruds said.

Read also: Zelensky at UN: Russias aggression poses threat beyond Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Age limits remain popular, and lawmakers have begun to wake up to the realities of gerontocracy.

But Insider found that they're still far from ready to embrace sweeping changes.

"I'm not letting Mitt Romney tell me when to end my political career," said Sen. Lindsey Graham .

Americans are growing increasingly frustrated with the "gerontocracy" that persists at the highest levels of their government. And lawmakers, slowly but surely, are beginning to listen.

Sen. Mitt Romney specifically cited his own age when he announced his retirement last week, noting that he would be "in my mid-eighties" by the end of another six-year term.

"Frankly, it's time for a new generation of leaders," the Utah Republican said in a video announcing his decision. "They're the ones that need to make the decisions that will shape the world they will be living in."

That doesn't mean everyone's heeding Romney's advice.

"I'm not letting Mitt Romney tell me when to end my political career," Sen. Lindsey Graham told reporters at the Capitol last week. "I'm going to keep doing the job as long as I think I'm able to do it."

Graham, a 68-year-old South Carolina Republican, even joked that he represented the new generation of leadership that Romney was calling for since he replaced Strom Thurmond, the only senator to have turned 100 while in office.

Some lawmakers still bat away questions about age altogether.

"I believe everyone deserves the kind of dignity to make their own choices," said Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania. "Ultimately, the voters in their respective states have made that choice, and you know, enough already."

But in the wake of Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein's declining health, the multiple freeze-ups of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, and voters' loathing about the the likely rematch between the 80-year-old President Joe Biden and the 77-year-old Donald Trump, the gerontocratic state of American politics has become difficult for lawmakers to ignore.

Tackling gerontocracy 'without being ageist'

"It shouldn't be a radical thing to talk about term limits when it comes down to Congress," Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, told Insider. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

As popular as it is in the abstract, enacting an age limit would require a constitutional amendment, making it a near-impossible feat. And last year, when Insider tackled the issue as part of our "Red, White, and Gray" series, the idea was summarily shrugged off by lawmakers of all stripes.

Some things have changed in the last year.

A wave of retirements has left the House, and particularly Democratic leadership, younger than it was at the time. And the Senate's newest members are younger than the median senator, according to the Pew Research Service.

Congress also got its first Gen Z member  26-year-old Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Democrat from Florida.

Frost understands that there's an issue, and that the public is craving change. As he spoke with Insider last week outside the Capitol, a young man approached the young congressman to shake his hand, telling him that he's an inspiration, and that "we need more Gen Z up in the Congress."

"I didn't set that up," Frost said afterward. Later on, an elderly Democratic lawmaker, sporting hearing aids, gave the congressman a pat on the back as he passed by.

The solution that Frost proposes has been kicked around, primarily by conservative activists, since well before he was born.

"I look at things like term limits," said Frost, stressing that he hasn't settled on the right number of terms. "It shouldn't be a radical thing to talk about term limits when it comes down to Congress. I mean, they exist for almost every other elected office."

He also opposes age limits, arguing that people should be able to "choose who they want, no matter how old they are."

Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California was the first Democrat in Congress to call for Feinstein's resignation earlier this year.

But even he argues against age limits, saying that changing the political system  and adopting his own proposals to institute 12-year term limits on members of Congress, banning stock trading, and enacting other ethics reforms  would mitigate the issue.

"I think the political reform plan would actually address it, without being ageist," said Khanna, 47. "All of that is getting at this problem, that people have stuck around in this town for 40, 50 years."

'I don't think it's a problem to be old'

Sen. Dianne Feinstein waits in the Senate subway. Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

Voters in North Dakota may vote on a proposal to enact age limits as soon as next year if organizers gather enough signatures, though it could face court challenges.

Republican Sen. John Hoeven, formerly the state's governor, said he was open to the idea. He also questioned its feasibility.

"Ultimately, I think people get a chance to vote on a candidate and they can take that into consideration when they vote for the individual," Hoeven told Insider. "Different people age differently, you know, somebody at a younger age may have more impacts due to aging than somebody at an older age. It's hard to have a one-size-fits-all too."

As Insider previously reported, there are very real consequences to the growing so-called "gerontocracy." A former lawmaker even dished about how lawmakers would gossip about which of their colleagues needed unelected staff to handle much of their workload.

The reality is that the seniority system that has dominated Capitol Hill means that lawmakers are often reaching the peak of their power just as the jostling for them to step aside kicks up. It's why the topic can spark a mixture of humor, hesitation, and frustration when raised when lawmakers directly.

"I think 90 years old is a reasonable limit," Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee, 74, told Insider.

Others, such as Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, talk about the issue in the simple terms of representative government.

"It's not that we need only young people is that we want a reflective body that and that's income and age, gender, parenthood, homeownership, like everything," said Gluesenkamp Perez, one of the youngest members of Congress at age 35. "I don't think it's a problem to be old, I think it's a problem to have a lack of diversity."

Other lawmakers were quick to point out that their colleagues can age differently. Lawmakers far younger than Feinstein and McConnell, such as Democratic Sens. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico, 51, and John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, 54, have also missed time at the Capitol due to their own health issues.

Multiple lawmakers described the current reality not as a problem with a generation holding power for too long, but rather as younger Americans being unwilling to seize it themselves.

"I think America has a 'not enough young people entering political leadership' problem," Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio told Insider. "A gerontocracy is what you get when not enough young people are running, and not enough young people are interested in the process."

Read the original article on Business Insider
Police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are being sued after being accused of beating a grandmother in a so-called torture warehouse, a new lawsuit alleges.

Baton Rouge resident Ternell Brown was detained in June; but rather than taking her to the police station, Baton Rouge police officers drove her to an unmarked warehouse, according to a 18 September lawsuit she filed.

Officers referred to this facility as the Brave Cave, where the street crimes unit held people in custody, assaulted them, and conducted strip and body-cavity searches on them, the lawsuit claimed.

Police officers wrongfully informed Ms Brown that it was illegal to have different prescription medicines in the same pill container, according to the complaint.

Ms Brown, 51, was allegedly arrested on suspicion of illegal drug activity  after officers discovered a legal prescription medication in her car during a traffic stop. She was taken to the warehouse and held there for two hours, the filing states.

There, officers forced her to spread her vagina and buttocks for inspection and examined her vagina using a flashlight, despite not having a warrant, probable cause, or consent to conduct a strip or body cavity search, the suit states.

After a couple of hours, Ms Brown was released without charge.

Brave Cave (Ternell Brown v Baton Rouge Police Department)

The 51-year-old isnt the first one to flag the Brave Cave. Jeremy Lee, a Baton Rouge resident, was arrested in January, and police took him to the warehouse, which one officer called the Brave Cave, WAFB previously reported.

Bodycam footage captured Mr Lee sitting in a wooden chair in what appeared to be a warehouse. There, the 22-year-old was punched and kicked  although that happened off-camera, the outlet noted.

After the incident, Mr Lee was so badly beaten that authorities at East Baton Rouge Parish Prison refused to accept him into its custody, insisting that Mr Lee be taken to the hospital, according to a lawsuit he filed. He was treated for broken ribs and other injuries.

After the incident, Mr Lee filed a lawsuit; in August, the citys mayor ordered the facilitys operations to be suspended in light of the serious allegations. The FBI is now investigating the claims, and an officer involved in Mr Lees alleged Brave Cave assault have resigned.

An attorney for Ms Brown called out Police Chief Murphy Paul at a Monday press conference. Chief Murphy Paul, instead of bringing BRPD policy in compliance with the constitution, decided to double down and endorse what his officers were doing and to insist that the illegal strip search policy that BRPD maintains was appropriate, said Thomas Frampton. As a result of the chiefs decision, Mr Frampton said, countless Baton Rouge citizens have been subject to illegal, sexually humiliating strip searches.

Chief Paul was interviewed by the Washington Post, although he declined to comment on the pending lawsuits, adding that an internal investigation is underway.

He did, however, address the Brave Cave at a news conference last month, explaining that it was a narcotics processing facility owned by the parish that had been used by the police department for approximately 20 years. However, up until Mr Lees lawsuit came out, he was unaware of the term Brave Cave, he said.

We made a mistake on this one, Mr Paul told the Washington Post. Ive got to own that.

The police chief also addressed other accusations made in Ms Browns complaint. The filing claims that the Baton Rouge Police Departments strip search policy violates the legal standard by allowing officers to subject non-arrestees to such searches based on an officers suspicion alone.

The suit also accuses the department of ignoring misconduct complaints by the street crimes unit.

Weve been pretty consistent in our discipline, Mr Paul told the Post, disagreeing with the suits claims. Weve terminated officers for bad behavior. To demonstrate this, he noted that two officers who were once involved in the street crimes unit were placed on administrative leave on Tuesday.

He added that the department has moved operations  which used to be conducted at the warehouse  to other facilities. The police chief said that before restoring the street crimes unit, he was waiting for the internal investigation to be completed.

Ms Brown is suing the Baton Rouge Police Department for unreasonable search, unreasonable seizure, Monell liability, battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, false imprisonment, negligence, and state constitutional violations.
With a popular town leader up for re-election, Greece officials came forward with a false narrative in an effort to help his campaign, recently filed court papers allege.

Supervisor Bill Reilich was the one in an election race.

Some Greece officials pushed a false idea that they were the driving force behind an investigation into the 2021 drunken driving crash of Police Chief Andrew Forsythe, recently filed court papers allege.

Forsythe resigned less than a week after the crash.

"Bill Reilich and (Deputy Supervisor) Michelle Marini believed that the Chief's crash could ruin Bill Reilich's re-election chances," alleges former Greece Deputy Police Chief Casey Voelkl in the court filing. Voelkl is suing the town, the police, Reilich and Marini.

Voelkl made similar allegations in his initial lawsuit, filed in February, but an updated complaint filed this in August uses new sources  text messages and deposition records from a District Attorney's investigation among them  to try to bolster the claims. Voelkl's lawyers have requested that the amended complaint be accepted.

Town attorneys denied that the handling of Forsythe's crash was driven by the approaching election date, and other allegations by Voelkl, in Greece's response to the initial lawsuit.

This time, an attorney for the town, Joshua Steele, declined to discuss the litigation because it is pending, as did a labor lawyer for the town.

Reilich won the election.

Former Greece Police Deputy Chief Casey Voelkl

Drinking, driving, a high-profile crash. Complaints of 'media' attention.

Voelkl was demoted after initiating an outside investigation into the crash, an act that turned him into a "scapegoat," the lawsuit has alleged. Voelkl notes that he contacted the District Attorney's Office to seek an investigation, a move that he claims put him on the outs with town leadership.

Marini, for one, believed that "but for Casey Voelkl's call to DA Sandra Doorley, the media would have moved on to a different story," the newly filed court papers allege.

In earlier court papers, town officials acknowledged that it was Voelkl who first contacted the DA's office.

After drinking heavily at a downtown event, Forsythe drove his town-issued sport utility vehicle home. He lost control on Interstate 390, slamming into a guardrail. He continued to drive, with sparks flying from the car's underbelly until it became inoperable.

Forsythe eventually came to a stop and claimed in talks with police and town officials that he had swerved to avoid a deer. His speech was slurred in a call to 911, but he maintained that he had a head injury.

Responding Greece officers did not test his sobriety.

Forsythe later pleaded guilty to driving while impaired.

Within hours of the crash, town officials grew concerned about the impact on the election, which was only days away, Voelkl's court papers claim. Reilich and Marini, the papers allege, at first:

Did not take steps to inform the public.

Did not contact any law enforcement agency.

Did not notify the town's human resource director, even though Marini believed that Forsythe should see a doctor, the papers allege.

Greece Town Supervisor Bill Reilich

The court papers allege that:

Marini at first did not want Forsythe placed on leave during the DA investigation, and she told Voelkl that he suggest to Forsythe that he take vacation days. In an interview with the DA's Office, Marini instead said that the decision to place Forsythe on leave was made by town leaders before the talk with Voelkl.

A labor attorney for the town considered the crash "so intrinsically linked to the election" that she threatened an officer who photographed the totaled car at the impound lot with "criminal prosecution for election interference." Those photographs made their way to local media.

To try to tarnish Voelkl's reputation, Greece officials claimed in a letter to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services had potentially cheated on a fingerprint examination in 2017, a year before Greece "had found Casey Voelkl to be of such high moral character that it sent him to the FBI academy."

Attorney Maureen Bass, who is representing Voelkl, declined to comment, referring to the legal papers as a source for the specific allegations.

DEMOTED AFTERWARD: Voelkl, who was promoted to the rank of deputy chief in 2015, was demoted to the rank of officer in December 2021 after the town completed an internal investigation into the crash and how the department handled the investigation and its aftermath.

TARGETING POLICE IN GREECE? His lawsuit also challenges the substance of the investigation, alleging that it was designed to target police and clear town officials  a claim denied by the town in its earlier legal response.

FORCED LABOR LAWSUIT: Reilich and Marini were accused in another recent lawsuit of forcing a longtime town employee to do personal jobs for them. Reilich said he had been directed by the town's lawyers not to discuss the allegations.

 Gary Craig is a veteran reporter with the Democrat and Chronicle, covering courts and crime and more. You can reach Craig at gcraig@rocheste.gannett.com. He is the author of two books, including "Seven Million: A Cop, a Priest, a Soldier for the IRA, and the Still-Unsolved Rochester Brink's Heist." Say hello to Gary if you see him writing at the local coffeeshop (unless he looks like he is on an urgent deadline! - editor).

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Bill Reilich re-election in Greece drove town fiasco response: Lawsuit
Rashida King emptied her bank account and sought money from relatives to raise $15,000 to try to help her brother, Timothy, get his life sentence reduced.

Mark Brocks family put up $15,000, finally believing they found the right person to get him home.

Andrew Canty used $10,000 of inheritance he received after his mother died in 2019.

All were convicted of first-degree murder in North Carolina and have spent from nine to 26 years in prison. And all sought help from the same person to reduce their life sentences: Lisa Williams, a Durham County criminal defense attorney.

The circumstances seemed so right, said the incarcerated men and family members. Again and again, they were hearing and seeing that Williams clients were leaving prison.

I know she knows what she is doing, Tracey Cameron recalls cousin Timothy King telling her in the summer of 2021. She got a lot of people home.

But years after paying Williams from $10,000 to $15,000, the men allege in lawsuits and a complaint to the attorney general that they have no evidence that Williams advanced their cases before cutting off contact.

King, Brock and Abdulkadir Ali, another dissatisfied client in state prison, have filed lawsuits against Williams. The men filed their lawsuits on their own without attorneys. A hearing on Williams motions to get the cases dismissed is scheduled in Durham this week.

Rashida King gave all of her savings and her trust to Durham attorney, Lisa Williams, with the understanding it would help bring her brother, Timothy King, home from prison. Two years later, she has not heard from Williams and her brother remains incarcerated.

Each said they contacted the North Carolina State Bar and explored getting help through its fee dispute program or by filing a grievance. Canty also sent a letter to the N.C. Attorney General asking for help getting his money back.

When I began to question why she hadnt retrieved my case file, transcripts, or discovery, she stopped answering my calls and messages, as well as those of my people for over eight months, he wrote in his June complaint.

Canty and one other client who have not sued told The News & Observer they had similar frustrations with Williams. Prosecutors in counties where the men were convicted said they have no record of Williams filing anything or reaching out to their office on the five mens behalf.

Williams vigorously denies that she shortchanged any clients. Williams agreed to investigate when they hired her, not take immediate action in a courthouse, she said in written responses and court documents.

She hasnt finished her investigations in two cases, she wrote in written responses to questions after declining requests to be interviewed. In another case, she determined there was nothing to do for the client, she said. She cut off contact with one family because they were rude and aggressive, she said.

Williams also denies unreasonably getting the men and their families hopes up before they retained her.

People retain me because they are hopeful I can help them, Williams wrote. But I always tell them I have to investigate first, and I never guarantee results.

Have concerns about your North Carolina attorney? Here are steps to seek help.

Hope amid call for change

Brock and others hopes for shortened prison sentences were elevated in 2020, amid an increased call nationally and in North Carolina for criminal justice reform and reassessing the fairness of long sentences doled out years ago.

Around that time, they started to hear about Williams success at getting clients sentences reduced. In interviews, most said Williams never guaranteed she could shorten their sentences, but she gave them hope.

To Rashida King, Williams was very confident, she said.

She repeatedly, with total confidence, assured me that there were so many legal (wrongs) against my brother and old laws that it would be no problem to get him released from prison, Rashida King said in an affidavit filed in her brothers court case.

Canty first learned of Williams in a news article years ago, he said. More recently, he said, he talked to another man in prison who Williams helped get released before his full sentence was served.

I didnt know the specifics. That doesnt really matter to me, Canty said. For me it was just finding somebody who was going to get me the best shot for going home.

What Williams critics say is they didnt realize that her successes were confined to Durham County, where Williams lives and has worked as a prosecutor and defense attorney for decades.

There, between 2019 and 2022, the district attorney and a since-retired judge embraced and streamlined the process to vacate and reduce sentences through a legal mechanism called motions for appropriate relief.

Those critical of Williams had hired her to seek help with convictions in counties where sentence reductions for violent crimes are rare.

All the lawsuits filed against Williams allege breach of contract. Brocks filing also alleges attorney malpractice and fraud. Kings suit says he would settle for $14,700; Ali asked for $8,000 and Brock seeks $25,000.

Williams has sought to have the cases dismissed, arguing that the men filed in the wrong venue since the threshold for Superior Court civil suits is $25,000. Attorney Lynn Fontana, who represents Williams, also contends the mens lawsuits dont make proper legal arguments for their claims.

Who is Lisa Williams?

Williams graduated from UNC-Chapel Hills law school in 1994 and worked as an assistant district attorney in Durham for four years, before going into an active private practice in 1998, with extensive trial work.

Williams has represented at least 95 people charged with first-degree murder, she told The N&O, with only two sentenced to life and with everyone else receiving a release date or a dismissal. She began to do post-conviction work in 2019, she said.

Williams success in shortening sentences for men convicted of violent crime began in Durham after District Attorney Satana Deberry streamlined the process in 2019. One of several politically progressive district attorneys elected across the United States in 2018, Deberry leaned into reducing unfair sentences through motions for appropriate relief.

Lisa Williams smiles in a courtroom at the Durham County Courthouse on Monday, July 10, 2023, in Durham, N.C.

Motions for appropriate relief are tools lawyers use to attempt to correct errors that can occur before, during, or after a trial or when entering guilty pleas in criminal cases. The motions typically are made to address errors that occurred prior to sentencing, such as prosecutors failing to disclose key evidence, a defendant having ineffective counsel or paperwork flaw resulting in a longer sentence than prescribed by law, according to interviews.

The typical process to pursue motions for appropriate relief in North Carolina includes judges reviewing an often inch-thick or more court filing outlining mistakes or injustices, according to interviews with prosecutors across the state. Then judges decide whether to set the case for a hearing, the prosecutors said.

During that hearing, the district attorney often defends a conviction, as the defense attorney argues that mistakes occurred in the process, district attorneys confirmed.

Under Deberry, prosecutors in some cases evaluated cases and negotiated with defense attorneys before presenting paperwork to former Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson for his signature, events that occurred in open court but without a formal hearing. A News & Observer reporter witnesses this process on multiple occasions.

State law allows that, according to legal experts, but not all district attorneys agree with the approach.

Deberry has said that she doesnt track how many of these motions have been successful in Durham County. But state prison and court data identifies at least 60 individuals convicted of serious felonies whose sentences were reduced between 2019 and 2022 in Durham County.

Five involved property crimes and 15 involved drug offenses, such as trafficking, the records show. Forty involved violent or sexual offense crimes, including murder and rape.

The number appears to be much higher than successes in other prosecutorial districts considering the reductions of such sentences are rare, according to interviews with prosecutors outside Durham.

Redressing an unfair history?

Deberry said in an email that there is evidence of problems with the prosecution of defendants in Durham over the years, including two Durham district attorneys who were removed from office for prosecutorial misconduct. Mike Nifong resigned and was later disbarred in 2007 for his handling of unfounded rape allegations against Duke University lacrosse players. Tracey Cline was ousted from office in 2012 related to statements she made about Judge Hudson.

Durham County District Attorney Satana Deberry

This office is keenly aware of that history and makes every effort to be as open and as fair as possible, Deberry wrote in an email.

Williams from 2019 to 2022 represented at least 11 people whose sentences were vacated or reduced through motions for appropriate relief in Durham County, according to court and prison data. Ten of those cases involved clients convicted of violent felonies, including first-degree murder. Another involved a drug trafficking charge.

Williams said that she hasnt had any successful motions for appropriate relief involving violent convictions outside of Durham County.

Williams said that she tells clients that there is no guarantee and the chances she can get sentences reduced are slim. Her initial fee of $15,000 is for an investigation into whether a motion for appropriate relief should be filed, Williams said she tells clients. If she discovers an issue there will likely be additional fees, she said.

The fee is similar to what other attorneys charge to investigate post-conviction cases, she wrote, as it requires her to read lengthy court documents to evaluate what the prosecutor, defense and appellate lawyers did in the case.

If I charged by the hour it would be more than $15,000, she wrote.

The only reference Williams made to not being responsive to clients was a tragic event in September 2018, when her 20-year-old daughter died unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism.

I am sure there were times I was unable to communicate quickly with clients, and I am very sorry for that, Williams wrote.

The men and their families hired Williams between August 2020 and June 2021.

He was adamant

Timothy Kings sister, Rashida, moved in April 2021 to North Carolina from New York to be closer to her older brother, who is incarcerated in Johnston Correctional Institute.

The siblings grew up in Brooklyn, but he strayed from the family. In October 1997, King was convicted of the first-degree murder of Todd Mapp and possession of a firearm by a felon in Lenoir County after a dispute at a nightclub, according to court documents.

King, now 49, was sentenced to life. I never loved him any less, Rashida King said.

The murder conviction for Gregory Jamar Lee was vacated on Thursday, July 16, 2020. Lee pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and will be released from jail on time served.

By June 2021, her brother started talking to her about hiring Williams, who he had heard about from other Muslim inmates, including Gregory Lee and Khuram Choudhry, two men who had success in reducing their life sentences in Durham after Williams represented them on motions for appropriate relief on their behalf.

He was adamant, Rashida King said.

Both Rashida King and her cousin, Tracey Cameron, communicated with Williams, they said, and her statements gave them hope that Timothy King might actually come home.

The family believed that Williams would file a motion for appropriate relief and attend Kings pending parole hearing in July 2022, they said.

Cameron said Williams told her there was an 80% chance she could get Timothy King out because he didnt have a fair trial.

Williams denies this, writing that she is upfront with her clients about the uphill battle to undo a conviction.

I candidly informed the family and Mr. King of the scope of my representation and our chances of success, and they still decided to hire me to move forward, as is their right, Williams wrote.

Rashida King had some savings, but she needed that money, as she didnt expect to start teaching at an elementary school for a couple of months. So she asked Cameron and others to help cover the cost.

King and Cameron both said they felt pressured by Williams to get the money together. She would text me everyday, Cameron said.

Rashida King shared texts from a sender she identified as attorney Williams that set a June 25, 2021 deadline for the family to get the money together. It also shows multiple texts from the same sender asking about the status of the money.

If you are going to hire me I need the payment by tomorrow June 25 at 5 p.m., one text read. After that I will decline funds from any source.

Williams said she takes a limited number of clients and set the deadline after the family indicated they would retain her on multiple occasions but didnt provide payment. I did tell them they needed to retain me or I would have to move on, Williams wrote.

King said she started losing sleep, haunted by the feeling she wasnt doing enough to help get her brother out of prison.

I just remember feeling like, Oh my God we are going to miss this opportunity,  she said. We could reunite before my kids are totally grown.

King said she knew it was irresponsible to walk into the bank and ask a teller to empty out the $5,000 cash in her bank account. But she did it anyway. Do you understand I was driven by love, she said.

Cameron put up the additional $10,000, she said.

Rahida King felt relieved, even though she didnt know how she would pay her rent. Then, she said, Williams stopped taking her calls.

Williams said King hired her to do an investigation into his case, not to file a motion or attend a parole hearing.

Williams said she eventually came to believe that King was not in touch with reality, she wrote in an email. And she blocked Kings family from contacting her after they became rude and aggressive, she wrote.

Opposing points of view

North Carolina State Bar rules of professional conduct say that a lawyer should explain matters to clients to permit them to make an informed decision. But sometimes attorneys may not have enough information until they investigate, by reviewing court transcripts and discovery provided by prosecutors, wrote Katherine Jean, counsel for the State Bar, in an email.

At that time, an attorney should explain the likelihood of success, she wrote.

The rules also require attorneys to keep clients reasonably informed and to reply promptly to reasonable requests for information. And that when an attorney terminates a relationship, the attorney shall take steps to protect the clients interest, by giving notice to the client, surrendering papers and property, such as a client file and related documents.

Those complaining about Williams said that she didnt give them any notice before she stopped communicating with them. Some said she hasnt returned any of their files.

Williams said none of the clients that have filed suit or have complained to The N&O have asked for their files.

Attorney says she tried to help

Abdulkadir Ali said his family paid Williams a total of $10,000 around October 2020 to help him reduce his 12-year sentence.

Ali, 30, was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary and conspiracy to commit robbery in Guilford County in August 2014.

Williams visited with a family member and agreed to meet with Ali in prison but never did, Alis lawsuit states.

Williams spoke with Alis family member in September 2021, the lawsuit states, but has since avoided Alis and his family members phone calls.

Williams said she didnt stop contacting the family, but finished investigating the case after talking with Ali by phone, meeting with his sister three times and reading the trial transcript.

William informed Alis sister, the attorney wrote, that she didnt see an issue that would allow Williams to file a motion for appropriate relief.

Devon Carter

In January 2006, Devon Carter, 38, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder of Phillip Taing, along with four counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon during a home invasion in Wake County.

Carters family said they paid Williams $8,000 but they stopped paying after they were not sure what she was accomplishing. About six months after paying Williams, she stopped responding to Carter and other family members calls, they said.

Williams denies not talking to Carter and his family. They didnt fulfill his contractual obligations of paying her a $15,000 fee.

I did not opt to continue to work on his case for free, Williams wrote.

Williams supporters defend her work

Some of Williams clients report that they have been happy with her services and said they didnt experience a gap in communication like others describe in court filings, a complaint to the attorney general and interviews.

That includes Michael Goldston, one of a list of clients who Williams asked the The News & Observer to contact to speak on her behalf. That aint the Lisa I know, said Goldston of critics claims. He hired Williams in 2021 in a post-conviction case in Durham County after Williams said she was going to fight for him. Goldston said he had worked with other attorneys, who just left him with a piece of paper stating the reason why he cant get out of prison.

Williams was hands on and communicated often, he said.

Not one time did she say that he needed to be prepared to lose the case, he said.

She just gave me hope, said Goldston.

Michael Wayne Goldston, who is one of two men convicted of murder in the 2004 death of Nathan Alston, smiles at attorney Robert Sharpe before the start of a hearing revisiting the cases outcome at the Durham County Courthouse on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021.

Goldston said he was prepared to fight for five or more years but Williams helped get out of prison in about six months.

Goldstons life sentence for first-degree murder was reduced to nearly 16 years in August 2021.

I thought I was going to die in prison, Goldston said.

Now, he said, he is using masonry skills he learned in prison to cover driveways and build house foundations.

The News & Observer also spoke with other post-conviction clients of Williams, including Dewayne Avent, who was convicted of murder in Nash County in 2009, and Veshan Chambers, who was convicted of murder in Durham in 2011. Their cases are still pending.

Both said they have retained Williams and dont have concerns about her services and communication.

I am just praying

But others do.

In August 2007 Canty, 36, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree murder of his girlfriends husband Paul Berkley.

Canty hired Williams in January 2021 and paid her $10,000 over two years, he wrote in his complaint to the attorney general.

They had four, one-hour phone calls. But after a call in May 2022, Williams stopped responding for eight months, the complaint said.

Williams said she cant respond to Cantys accusations because he didnt sign a waiver allowing that. The State Bars rules of professional conduct says that an attorney can only release confidential information about clients without permission in limited circumstances.

In June 1999, Brock, 53, was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of the first-degree murder of Wilbert McCormick, along with first-degree burglary and attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon in Stanly County, according to court documents.

Brocks sister provided a rare opportunity for him by providing funds for him to hire a post-conviction attorney, Brock wrote in his lawsuit filed in February. Brocks sister finished paying Williams a total of $15,000 by October of 2020.

Time is of the essence for the client he has requested that the attorney move to review the claims and expedite litigation to the best of her abilities, states the contract that Brock included with his lawsuit.

Williams visited Brock in prison in November 2020, the lawsuit states. She has since answered one of his phone calls in March 2021, when Williams spoke of possibly pursuing a consent motion for appropriate relief, Brock wrote in his lawsuit.

Williams also failed to respond to any of Brocks letters, the lawsuit states.

Shockingly, Defendant actually blocked Plaintiffs (sister) from contacting Defendant via email, phone and text, Brocks lawsuit states.

Williams said she didnt finish reviewing Brocks case file when he filed the lawsuit earlier this year, which is when she contends she stopped corresponding with him.

Brock said he is hurt and confused. Hes gone from thinking Williams was one of the only people who could help him to questioning why she is ignoring him.

Now the money is gone, and his family is hesitant to try again.

There is nothing I can do, Brock said. I am just praying.

Virginia Bridges covers criminal justice in the Triangle and across North Carolina for The News & Observer. Her work is produced with financial support from the nonprofit The Just Trust. The N&O maintains full editorial control of its journalism.
MISSION, Texas (Border Report)  A lawyer for a Mexican city councilwoman who has decided to plead guilty to U.S. federal drug trafficking charges tells Border Report that he is not surprised, but is disappointed in his clients decision.

Denisse Ahumada-Martinez, 34, a city councilwoman from the Mexican border town of Reynosa, on Monday signed an intent to plead guilty to federal charges of selling, distributing or dispensing of drugs.

Mexican city councilwoman to plead guilty to US drug trafficking charges

She faces life in prison, but Samuel Reyes, who represents her in another drug trafficking case brought by the State of Texas, says he believes she will serve closer to 10 years in federal prison because she has no prior U.S. convictions.

Denisse Ahumada-Martinez, a city councilwoman in Reynosa, Mexico, plans to plead guilty to transporting drugs into the United States, according to court documents. Photo Courtesy Hidalgo County Jail records)

He said her plea agreement will make it difficult to prove her innocence on state drug-trafficking charges that also are brought against her by Brooks County. But he told Border Report that he didnt believe she has the financial resources to prove to the court that she was pressured by drug cartels to carry the illegal drugs across the border into South Texas.

Samuel Reyes is a lawyer in Mission, Texas. (Sandra Sanchez/Border Report File Photo)

I was disappointed, but I wasnt shocked because again, I also know the reality of having to have the resources to be able to prove stuff in court, Reyes said. I knew that she was considering it.

VIDEO: Hundreds of migrants atop train arrive in Juarez

Border Report reached out to the lawyer representing Ahumada-Martinez in the federal case but he has not responded to interview requests.

Reyes was originally assigned to represent Ahumada-Martinez after she was arrested on June 10 after U.S. Border Patrol agents said they found over 90 pounds of drugs, including cocaine, wrapped in duct tape inside the seats and door panels of a car she was driving through the CBP checkpoint in the South Texas town of Falfurrias.

During a June 15 hearing in McAllen, Texas, a DEA special agent testified that Ahumada-Martinez had been driving a car with her two children, ages 2 and 7, when she was pulled over for further inspection and her car was X-rayed.

After they X-rayed the vehicle they discovered anomalies and began to search and they found kilos of cocaine inside the seats, including the seats where her children were sitting. It was packages in duct-taped bricks, which is consistent with smuggling of cocaine, the agent said.

A total of 42 kilograms, or 90 pounds of cocaine, was found in the vehicle, officers said.

She waived her rights and provided a statement stating in which she crossed from Reynosa to Hidalgo and drove straight to the checkpoint and she was aware that she was doing something illegal, the agent testified.

She reportedly did not know what exactly the vehicle was carrying, but claims she was told by Mexican drug cartel to drive it to San Antonio where she would receive further instructions on where to drop it off.

Initially, the federal drug charges were dropped against her, but as she was returning to Mexico a few days later, she was arrested at the McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge and arrested on drug trafficking charges filed by Brooks County, which is where Falfurrias is located.

Brooks County Sheriff Urbino Benny Martinez.

On Tuesday, Brooks County Sheriff Urbino Benny Martinez told Border Report that they were going to hold the charges until they learn more of the time she will serve.

Im going to hold onto that warrant until she gets sentenced, Martinez said. Well keep the warrant active.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

She is charged in Brooks County with possession of more than 400 grams of a controlled substance, a first-degree felony that is punishable between 10 to 99 years in prison.

Martinez said he would consult with the district attorney to decide if they will drop the charges.

Sandra Sanchez can be reached at SSanchez@BorderReport.com.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Officials from Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs were on an evacuation train as they drafted a lawsuit to the UN International Court of Justice regarding Russias false accusations of an alleged genocide in Donbas.

Source: Oksana Zolotariova, Head of the International Law Department and co-agent of Ukraine, in an interview with European Pravda.

Zolotariova said the case was literally "born" on the governments evacuation train from Kyiv to Ivano-Frankivsk.

Quote: "Some of the documents were prepared by our legal advisers in The Hague. They started drafting on 24 February. And although we had limited internet access, we joined in the process as much as we could."

Zolotariova recalled that the Foreign Ministrys email and website were down at the time following cyberattacks.

"But we all had WhatsApp working, and we coordinated everything manually with our leadership," Zolotariova noted.

Zolotariova said Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba agreed almost immediately to file the complaint with the UN International Court of Justice.

Read more: First Genocide Case against Russia. How Ukraine and 32 Countries Sue Kremlin in the Hague

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 new report from The Messenger found that despite Donald Trump 's extensive array of criminal defense attorneys, the former president's legal team has essentially latched onto the arguments of other co-defendants who also stand charged with racketeering in the Georgia fraudulent electors case, per new filings.

At least nine of Trump's recent defense motions in defiance of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis ' indictment, The Messenger notes, have co-opted stances taken by his less wealthy co-conspirators. And it may be paying off in his favor  Trump has thus far managed to postpone trial before a Fulton County jury, a move which The Messenger's Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon and Adam Klasfeld attribute to co-defendants Kenneth Chesebro and Sidney Powell's success in securing separate trials.

According to Georgia State University law professor Caren Morrison, who has attended recent Trump-adjacent hearings, the ex-president is simply allowing his former allies to "do the heavy lifting." And, as Atlanta-based criminal defense attorney Andrew Fleischman said, in the majority of legal situations, "That's totally normal."

"Just basically let your co-defendant do the work and spend the money and then just be like: 'Okay. I'll just add my name to that, please,'" Morrison added. As another legal expert told The Messenger, Trump has essentially adopted a sort of "me-too" legal defense, drawing from the arguments of his former associates.

Morrison also noted that it behooves Trump to push for delays and let his co-defendants' trials unspool first, as it could give him the advantage of seeing Willis' strategy ahead of time. "It's always helpful if there's a trial of your co-defendants first, because you get a preview of the prosecution's case," Morrison said.

Pushing to have Trump's case moved from state to federal court, as former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and ex-Justice Department staff Jeffrey Clark have attempted to do, could also pay dividends. As The Messenger observes, doing so would mean a more GOP-heavy jury pool, the removal of a "home field advantage" for Georgia prosecutors, and a more linear arc for using executive privilege as a defense for his alleged 2020 election crimes.

Legal experts have also quashed the notion of any kind of coordinated strategy among the 19 defendants, despite the fact that Trump has primarily absorbed others' assertions, such as refuting Willis' use of Georgia's RICO legislation, her theory of criminal liability in the fake electors scheme, and the First Amendment defense against her case.

"I see no overall strategy so far," said Georgia defense attorney and former prosecutor Noah Pines. "I've had cases with other lawyers where we've had those conversations and have done things, towards a common goal. I just don't see that so far, in anything I've read."

Georgia State University law professor Eric Segall said Trump's legal squad's ostensible strategy is a "cheap way of doing it."

"I don't know if his lawyers are savvy enough to do this the right way," Segall continued. "But I think it's very common, with a lot of different defendants, for defendants to get together and make motions, but that's not really what happened here."

However, Morrison said the MAGA attorneys could merely be using a "wait and see" tactic. "It may be a clever way of moving when you don't have an army of associates at your disposal and lots of other people are kicking up a lot of dust, and he's just waiting to see how things shake out," she said. "It is the smart move to sort of let everybody else make all the fuss and do all the motions," Morrison added, "because every day that goes by, he learns something new."
Legislative aide sues, saying Amesty falsely accused him of trying to run her over with car

A legislative aide filed a defamation lawsuit against Rep. Carolina Amesty on Wednesday, claiming she falsely accused him of trying to run her over with a car during the Republican primary.

The aide, Nicolas Frevola, is the son of Janet Frevola, one of four Republicans Amesty defeated in the August 2022 primary before going on to win her District 45 seat, which covers Windermere, other west Orange County communities and a northern slice of Osceola County.

According to the lawsuit, Frevola, 26, said he learned of the accusation on Dec. 12 from his then-boss, Rep. Fabian Basabe, R-Miami Beach. Basabe told Frevola that Amesty claimed the aide had tried to run her over with a white car sometime during the primary, the suit says. The next day Amesty questioned him about the alleged incident, too.

Frevola told both lawmakers the accusation was not true and that he drives a silver car, not a white one, the lawsuit said. He remains unclear about exactly when or where the alleged incident was to have happened and could find no evidence Amesty had ever reported it to law enforcement, one of his attorneys said.

In an email late Wednesday, Amesty called the lawsuit meritless and said its frivolity will not distract me from work as a legislator. I am concerned this young man may have been given bad advice about using courts for publicity and other political purposes. Since I am referring this matter to legal counsel, I will not go into additional details at this time, she wrote.

A first-term lawmaker, Amesty was the subject of an Orlando Sentinel investigation last month that documented unpaid taxes on the home where she lived, misleading claims about her businesses and false statements to the state about faculty at her familys small, private Christian university.

Frevola is seeking damages of more than $50,000 for the harm caused by Amestys allegation, including extreme humiliation, embarrassment, mental anguish, pain and suffering. Amestys allegations also hurt Frevolas reputation and career prospects, the suit filed in Leon Circuit Court said.

Few good, decent, or honorable people want to have business relationships with a person possessing the qualities, that Amesty described in her false allegations, the suit said.

The lawsuit also contends that House Speaker Paul Renner, a Republican from Flagler County, and his chief of staff heard about Amestys accusation and then Frevolas denial but did not investigate, even after Frevola filed a complaint with the Houses human resources office.

Frevola and his mother, then working as a secretary in the Houses Office of the General Counsel, attended an April 11 meeting with human resources, the lawsuit said.

Basabe told Frevola the speakers office wanted him terminated immediately, the lawsuit said.

Spokespeople for the House Speakers Office did not respond on Wednesday to an email seeking comment.

Frevola no longer works for Basabe after the lawmaker was accused of slapping him and telling him to stand in a corner at a social gathering following Gov. Ron DeSantis inauguration in January.

Frevola remains a House employee, however, assigned to a different district, according to the lawsuit.

Frevola and Jacob Cutbirth, a former intern in Basabes office, filed a lawsuit against Basabe in July, accusing him of sexual harassment, unwanted touching, making lewd comments, showing them a photo of a naked man on his phone and slapping Frevola.

A week later they also filed a complaint against Basabe with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Miami Herald reported.

Basabe has denied the accusations leveled against him by Frevola, whose employment he described as a mountain of disappointment. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Basabe said that a House investigation into the alleged slapping incident had been concluded rightly in my favor.

But the investigation by an outside law firm was inconclusive, according to the Miami New Times, which published a copy of it because it failed to determine what happened because of conflicting accounts and a lack of corroborating witnesses.

Frevolas attorney Cindy Myers said her client initially was eager to serve as the freshman representatives aide when he started working with him in December. Frevloa felt honored to be chosen for the role, she said, and quickly went to work helping draft legislation for Basabe.

I think its just a shame, Myers said of the sexual harassment and false allegations she said her client endured.
Editors note: This article was updated Sept. 20, 2023, to include additional information from Leidos.

WASHINGTON  Leidos will provide the U.S. Army with tens of thousands of pieces of information-technology equipment such as servers and workstations under a contract worth as much as $7.9 billion.

The defense IT specialist announced its win of the Common Hardware Systems 6th Generation contract, or CHS-6, Sept. 19. The indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity deal could run for a decade, if all options are exhausted. No additional partners or suppliers were named.

The CHS-6 arrangement allows for speedy procurement of commercial, off-the-shelf products for the Army and its units, among other organizations. The service is prioritizing computer networking and communication upgrades amid the Department of Defenses larger connect-everything-everywhere campaign now known as Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control, or CJADC2.

Leidos plans to employ what its calling the Intelligent Logistics Platform to get the job done. Between 75,000 to 100,000 pieces of hardware are acquired via the contract in a typical year.

Recent events highlighted the devastating effect of supply chain disruptions, making resilience a national priority, Gerry Fasano, the Leidos Defense Group president, said in a statement. By combining flexible solutions with artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to increase visibility into operations, we will work to provide a uniquely resilient rapid fulfillment model.

The Defense Department received three bids for CHS-6, records show. General Dynamics held the prior contract, CHS-5, worth nearly $4 billion.

Leidos earned $9.5 billion in defense-related revenue in 2022, earning it the No. 16 spot on the Defense News Top 100 list of the worlds largest defense contractors. It earned a little more than $8 billion in 2021.
Detriot police officials are reviewing a viral video of officers tussling with a Black man in front of a home as they attempt to arrest him after he allegedly tried to get into his own vehicle after locking his keys inside.

Witnesses claim that the officers unlawfully detained the man, wrestling him down to be handcuffed. The department officials say the body camera footage shows the officers took appropriate action after witnessing the man trying to break into a car on the street. The probe is to assess whether or not the cops use of force was excessive or appropriate for the situation.

Detroit cops try to arrest man who locked keys in car. (Facebook Live/Detrey Jackson)

Detroit Police Deputy Chief Melissa Gardner said there is an ongoing investigation and that the department wants to be transparent. In a press conference on Tuesday, Sept. 19, she said the detained man, who is in his 30s, used a coat hanger to try to break into a car on the 14900 block of East State Fair.

Related: We Know People Will be Concerned: Two Probes Launched at Beauty Store After Employee is Caught on Video Strangling Black Woman Who Asked for a Refund

In a six-minute Facebook Live video broadcast on Sept. 18 around 5:30 p.m., the officers are seen roughing up a man. Off-camera voices criticized the officers, claiming they acted hastily when the man was not committing a crime.

Officers attempted to handcuff the man, who was wearing a Black Lives Matter hoodie after he ran onto a porch of a house. He resisted them, which swiftly escalated the altercation. One officer was even seen on the footage pummeling the man as they grabbed him.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE.

Several onlookers can be heard on and off-camera shouting at the officers to let him go.

Another person watching the melee jumps in. He is seen first in the doorway of the house but comes toward one officer and pushes him. Because the second man came up from behind him, the officer didnt see the shove.

As the suspect falls to the ground, officers are seen putting their weight on him, one of the police officers wraps the mans hoodie over his head, to which the man could be heard saying, I cant breathe.

As the scuffle escalates, the officers request backup, and within minutes, two more officers arrive on the scene. One officer draws his firearm in an attempt to control the crowd. Despite their efforts, the crowd continues to tell them they are making a mistake.

Detroit Police Chief James White said in a prepared statement that he reviewed the footage from the officers and their assessment of the incident.

One officer asked the subject for his name, and the subject refused to provide it. For reasons that are not entirely clear, it appears that other individuals at the location were encouraging the subject not to provide his name, he said, according to The Detroit News.

The officer then informed the subject that he was being detained, Whites statement continued. The subject then became extremely irate, and there came a point when he appeared to direct another individual to let a pit bull loose against the officers.

He also said the body camera footage corroborated the officers statements.

This is an issue that Deputy Chief Gardner says is a concern for the department as it commits to an internal investigation.

When you see videos like that, there are going to be concerns, Gardner told Detroit News. Concerns for the community, concerns on how they may view law enforcement because they are seeing one side of a video at the time.

The man, as seen in the video, locked himself out of his car and attempted to re-enter it. He was arrested but not charged. Two of the officers are on administrative duties during the ongoing investigation.
VRBO and other four-letter words

This year we will vote for the next mayor of Olympia. The two candidates that are running have responded to polling data indicating that Olympia residents are upset about the cost to rent or buy a new home.

Dontae Payne thinks that everything is fine as it is, and City Hall only needs to boast more loudly about the expensive new apartments downtown that nobody can afford as proof of its effort to increase housing stock.

David Ross thinks the problem isnt the cost of rent, but the people who cannot afford the rent. His solution would be to let landlords raise the rent to astronomical highs and then arrest anyone who becomes homeless due to an inability to pay.

Neither candidate is mentioning the elephant in the room: short-term rental apps like VRBO and Airbnb.

Landlords like these apps because VRBO guests do not enjoy tenant legal protections, and they can rent it out for a months and leave it vacant the rest of the year while making the same money.

You can build all the new housing you want  if it is all taken off the long-term leasing market and you can charge hotel prices for a dumpy apartment, that only increases the market housing rate no matter how many you build.

We could end Olys housing crisis tomorrow if we do the one thing nobody in this mayoral election is talking about: Ban Airbnb, VRBO, and other short-term rentals.

David Bart, Olympia

Rose Gundersen serves with dedication, non-partisanship





I want to share why I endorsed Rose Chiu Gundersen and the reasons she deserves your vote for Port of Olympia Commission District 4.

Before joining the Lacey City Council, I volunteered for the Thurston County Coalition Against Trafficking, a community non-profit she created. Rose demonstrated excellent servant-hearted leadership. She is very personable and has incredible organizational skills. We raised money to support human trafficking prevention and trafficking education in Thurston County.

Besides being responsible for TCCAT, Gundersen has a full-time job and served on the board of Washington Trafficking Prevention, another nonprofit she co-founded to help youth and youth-serving professionals become allies to prevent human trafficking through education and training in our school system. The funding to make these things happen were raised through TCCAT.

Rose has a heart for Thurston County. Her record and accomplishments as a community advocate extend beyond her diverse life and professional experience. Rose has been voluntarily helping Thurston County for well over a decade, keeping our children safe, advocating for business owners, union employees and individuals who may have been injured on the job through her work at L&I.

Rose Chiu Gundersen is the best choice for the Port of Olympia Commission in District 4.

Malcolm Miller, Deputy Mayor, City of Lacey

The death of a work ethic

The 32-hour work week is an embarrassing, sad reflection on San Juan County. Hardworking Island taxpayers are funding full-time pay and benefits for part-time work? Claims that this doesnt come with changes in county services while next saying offices may have to adjust hours or close one day are contradictory. That is a loss of service  to say otherwise is dishonest.

Imagine what the industrious private business owners/staff think about the argument that a 40-hour week does not allow for good work-life balance as they work 50, 60-plus hours a week for the success of their enterprise. Raised to understand that money comes from work and recognizing the dignity of working hard, they know that the balance of industry and personal life is up to each individual to manage themselves. What a proclamation of entitlement that our government workers need to spend time with family, volunteer, travel and go to appointments while expecting private workers to fully fund their now-part-time profession.

Our county workers are professional and dedicated. Having pride in their work, many will have to go above and beyond the 32 hours to complete their workload and what an insult to hardworking youth as well. Set the bar low and guess what you will get? What happens a few years from now when 32 hours is just too hard?

Lauren Cohen, Friday Harbor

This small county in WA state just announced a 32-hour work week. Heres what will happen
" Meet the Press " premiered Sunday with an interview of former President Trump by its new moderator, Kristen Welker . (William B. Plowman / NBC)

To the editor: I watched NBC host Kristen Welkers interview with former President Trump on "Meet the Press"  until I didn't.

Why do the media continue to legitimize this would-be dictator and provide a platform for him to spit out his toxic lies? Why do journalists continually ask questions to a prolific and practiced liar as if they were expecting the truth from him? Why even bother?

In May, CNN was roundly and rightly criticized for showcasing Trump and his anti-democratic leanings in a town hall hosted by journalist Kaitlan Collins. I fail to see the difference between her effort and Welker's. Both presented as polished, polite and professional, but they were no match for this infamous bull in a china shop.

Ramona Saenz, Alhambra

..

To the editor: I did not like Trump's "Meet the Press" interview. I spent the entire hour shouting at the TV.

For those trying to understand the continued attraction to Trump by the Republican Party, understand this: The GOP does not give a damn about Trump. Republicans just want to win back the White House and would vote for Charles Manson if they thought he could bring that to them.

Understand too that Trump doesn't give a damn about the Republicans. He just wants to stay out of jail and thinks the Republicans can help him do it.

They need each other, for now.

Carol Levin, Woodland Hills

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Patients wait for care outside the emergency room at Saint Agnes Medical Center in Fresno on May 9. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: Missing from UC Berkeley professors Richard Scheffler and Stephen Shortell's op-ed article on a California public health option are the details as to who, in such a system, would make the final call on decisions for treatment prescribed by doctors.

At present, all too often the valid prescribing authority of "in-network" doctors is usurped by an almost impenetrable wall of bureaucracy staffed by individuals who lack the relevant medical training.

From my own personal experience, I can cite examples of coverage and cost decisions being made by a high-level person whose doctorate was not in medicine but in philosophy, and a cardiac issue that was denied not by a cardiac specialist, but by an on-staff urologist.

I'm all for booting the healthcare-for-profit companies out of California, but only if they are replaced with a system that benefits the patient not just financially, but has at its core patients' best interests, no matter the cost.

Bill Waxman, Simi Valley

..

To the editor: A medical system that provides incentives to keep participants healthy and is based on capitation already exists. It is called Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C.

Would it work? Already, more than half of all eligible Medicare beneficiaries participate in such a plan, voluntarily. Why not give this a try?

Turning a California public option over to the insurance industry, just like Medicare does, would allow the industry to negotiate with health providers and participants, which is exactly what they are doing today.

It is worth considering.

Kevin Minihan, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: What California does not need is yet another layer of bureaucratic complication to the already complex and expensive health insurance system we have now. There are countless different insurance plans that doctors, labs, hospitals and clinics have to sort through to be paid for the care they provide.

The so-called public option that Scheffler and Shortell suggest would charge premiums that they say "would be adjusted for each patient's age, gender, health status and related characteristics likely to influence need for care."

Who is going to do all that adjusting? Administrative costs already account for about 20% of our insurance premiums as it is.

The only solution to the healthcare mess is a single-payer system, a public health insurance plan that covers everyone from womb to tomb. It would be public insurance, private care  in other words, Medicare for all.

Don Schroeder, North Hollywood

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Kansas City, Kansas, man is accused of killing two women during the 1990s after detectives working under a newly formed cold case unit connected him to the crimes through DNA evidence, authorities said Wednesday.

Gary Dion Davis, 52, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and held in the Wyandotte County jail on a $500,000 bond. Police Chief Karl Oakman and District Attorney Mark Dupree announced his charges during a press conference at police headquarters.

Davis, an over-the-road truck driver at the time of the killings, is accused of murdering Christina King, a 26-year-old mother who was found beaten to death on Christmas Day 1998 behind an abandoned building. He is also charged in the fatal stabbing of Pearl Barnes, who also went by Sameemah Musawwir, who was found two years earlier in a vacant house in the 700 block of Lafayette Avenue in northeast KCK.

Authorities on Wednesday said they solved two other cold case homicides: that of an infant found in a dumpster in 1976, though the suspect has died, and the 1997 shooting of a teenager, whose alleged killer reportedly confessed while in hospice at a Kansas prison.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances behind the killings Davis is accused of, Oakman said. Investigators found no information to suggest Davis knew either of the women. His department is working with other law enforcement agencies as police suspect he may have been involved in other violent crimes.

We believe that once were done with the investigation that we may be able to connect him to other cases, but we still need the publics help, Oakman said. Weve reached out to other agencies, going through their cold cases. ... But, in my experience, based on him killing two women, most likely hes killed more.

Davis did not have an attorney listed in court records who could be reached for comment.

Oakman said Davis went on with his normal life like nothing happened after the alleged murders. The chief pointed to the outcome as an example of the departments dedication to solving homicides despite challenges that come with the passage of time.

We have a lot of unsolved cold cases. So, it may not be today. It may not be tomorrow. In fact, it may not be this year. But theres gonna be a time, he said. You may be in a drive-thru line. You may be at the grocery store. Were gonna eventually get you.

I still miss him

In July 1997, 16-year-old Dion Estell was found shot to death in a creek bed in the 3500 block of North 18th Street.

Cold case detectives trained their sights on Leon Caldwell, 66, who was being held in the Lansing prison on a first-degree murder conviction from a killing in 1998, based on his alleged confession to a cellmate. Authorities said Caldwell, who is now in hospice care, confessed to the killing from his deathbed because he wanted to offer closure to Estells family.

Detectives verified the confession based on specific details offered by Caldwell that only the killer could know, Oakman said. Caldwell was charged in May, police said.

Lillie Estell, his mother, was seated with other relatives of the victims at the press conference Wednesday. She said she was relieved by the charges but wished they would have come sooner. His family wonders what he would be doing now if he hadnt been killed.

Hes been gone a long time, and I still miss him, she said.

Estells brother, Daniel Estell, wanted to know why Caldwell allegedly killed his brother. He was taken too soon, he said.

Daniel Estell speaks to reporters Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, after a press conference about cold case investigations, including charges that have been filed in the 1997 murder of his brother, Dion Estell.

The oldest case cleared by the unit was listed by police as Baby Girl Jane Doe. In November 1976, residents of an apartment complex in the 2300 block of Victoria Drive discovered the infant in a dumpster with her umbilical cord still attached.

An autopsy revealed the child was killed hours after birth. Suspected causes of her death were exposure to the elements, loss of blood or brain trauma.

DNA testing ultimately led detectives to the mother of the child in 2022. During a police interview, the woman accused her grandmother of taking the baby away shortly after she gave birth.

The grandmother, who has since died, was identified by police as the primary suspect.

About a week after he was sworn in as chief in June 2021, Oakman announced plans to form a cold case unit, which was up and running in January 2022. It consists of three full-time detectives and is the areas only dedicated cold case unit, KCKPD said.

Oakman said the department had identified suspects in 11 cold homicide cases.

Activists in Wyandotte County had been calling for a cold case unit, specifically urging investigations into the unsolved killings primarily of Black women.

On Wednesday, Dupree, the district attorney, praised the work of the cold case unit, saying the detectives worked tirelessly to bring closure on killings so many had forgotten.

These charges demonstrate justice is possible no matter how much time has elapsed, Dupree said.
The Scene

The Al-Monitor & Semafor inaugural Middle East Global Summit on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings on Wednesday brought together the regions leaders, newsmakers, and business head to discuss the Middle Easts transformation and global impact.

Here are the highlights from the event in New York City.

The View From Jordan's King Abdullah II

On the Israel-Saudi talks, Abdullah II said that the best deal is when everyone walks out of the table slightly unhappy.

He said that Jordan and Egypt were working towards a successful deal but you cant parachute over Palestine.



What do the Palestinians get out of it? he said.

Referring to the booming drug trade along Jordan and Syrias mutual border that observers blame on the Syrian government and Iran-backed militias, Abdullah II suggested President Bashar al-Assad did not have full control of his country.

Jordan is fighting on the border to make sure drugs do not get into the country... Bashar does not want a conflict with JordanI dont know if he is fully in control, he said.

The View From Anwar Gargash, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the UAE President

Gargash said its up to countries like the UAE to ensure diplomatic conversations continue when the big five are not talking to each other. He said that the UAE was focused on climate and energy transition, despite pushback on the issues because they didnt make business sense. Gargash also addressed UAEs entry into BRICS and the need to offer prosperity to the region. You cant promote stability to people who are struggling in their daily lives. You have to talk about prosperity, he said.

Gargash said that the U.S. was going to emerge out of the Ukraine crisis stronger and reenergized. He said that while the UAE works with Japan, Korea, and China, it wasnt a substitute of the regions relationship with the U.S.

On the Iran nuclear deal, Gargash said the UAE is not trying to solve issues that we havent been able to solve in 30 years, but instead move from geopolitics to geoeconomics. He said that despite concerns about nuclear proliferation in the region, the UAE was more interested in regional politics and involving Iran in economic initiatives.

Gargash said the Abraham Accords were a success and that it continued at a strategic level irrespective of who was heading the Israeli government. He added that the Accords were not envisioned to solve the Palestinian issue. We had all our leverage with the Palestinians, gave them cheque blanque, and they havent done anything, Gargash said.

He said reports of the Saudi-UAE rift are extremely exaggerated from our point of view, adding that certain competition is always part of Gulf politics.

The View From Nabil Ammar, Tunisia's foreign affairs minister

Speaking about the European migrant crisis that Tunisia is now at the center of, Ammar said that his country was put in an impossible situation.

Tunisia has become a hub for migrants making heir way to Europe to seek refuge.

Every crisis we are suffering from, we have no responsibility in it, Ammar said at the summit. His remarks come a day after Tunisian police expelled thousands of African migrants from its second-largest city and bussed them to a departure point to cross the Mediterranean into Europe.

Ammar appeared visibly upset when questioned about the the backsliding of democratic norms and jailing of political opponents, according to reporters at the event.

Nobody in Tunisia is above the law  its not because you are a politician or a journalist, he said. Despite being the minister of foreign affairs, I had to go through a screening. Why should we be put in a corner and criticized?

He also dismissed accusations that the Tunisian presidents remark about Storm Daniel, which devastated the Libyan city of Derna, was antisemitic or racist. President Kais Saied had said Tuesday that the name Daniel was chosen because the Zionist movement has infiltrated minds and thinking.

The View From Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, Oman's foreign minister

Albusaidi said he believes rapprochement is taking place between Iran and the U.S., adding he was hopeful that the recent prisoner exchange between the two countries would lead to more such steps in the months to come.

He said that even if the process was slow, painstaking, and challenging, it was important for the Iran and U.S. to maintain a momentum of trust... and deescalation for the good of the global economy.

Albusaidi said the Iran nuclear deal was the best thing we have and that experts believe it can be done. Addressing concerns about Irans behavior in the region, he said that Oman was in favor of having a platform where Iran can talk bilaterally.

We should... acknowledge that all of us are part of this region, including Iran, and therefore we all have a vested interest in the regions future.



The View From Barbara Leaf, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs

Leaf said the road to normalizing relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel will be long and winding.

She said the U.S. was helping in diplomatic efforts at the request of both countries, adding that a deal would have strategic value for all stakeholders and that the Palestinians will figure into the mix of this.

Leaf said she had no news on what the U.S. hopes to accomplish with Iran following the successful prisoner swap deal. She said the deal was part of the Biden administrations unrelenting quest to bring Americans home, but that other fundamentals of the U.S.-Iran relationship have not changed. There isnt really a deal out there.

The View From Majid Al Suwaidi, COP28 Director General

Al Suwaidi pushed back against criticism that the Middle East was not meeting climate change goals, saying transformation in the region has been amazing. He said the Middle East is not just talking, but actually doing things on the ground.

The main challenge to tackling climate change goals was finance, Al Suwaidi said. We need to move from hundreds or billions of dollars to trillions of dollars.

The View From Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Iraq prime minister

Addressing U.S. concerns about Irans perceived influence in Iraq, al-Sudani said, We do not follow instructions from others. What helps our national interests, we do. Weve agreed to grow closer to countries that others are not talking to.

He said that the strong religious and political ties between the two countries cannot be ignored.

As if were the only country in the world with relations with Iran, al-Sudani said.

The View From Dr. Majed Al-Ansari, Qatar's minister of foreign affairs

Al-Ansari said there were hiccups surrounding the U.S.-Iran prisoner swap deal which Qatar brokered. He said both sides requested things at the last minute.

But there is a way to talk, regardless of how difficult things are, he said.

Al-Ansari emphasized Qatars role and interest in playing international mediator, citing examples of the countrys mediation in the DRC and Rawanda, as well in Lebanon to fill the void of the presidential seat. He said Qatar was also working in Afghanistan where there was a problem of narrative. Completely isolating the Taliban was not the solution, al-Ansari said, adding that the only way forward is engagement.

Addressing how the U.S. would feel if Qatar deepened ties with China, al-Ansari said Qatar shared a strong economic partnership with China, despite disagreeing on several issues, including human right abuses.

The fact of the matter remains is that China is one of the largest energy markets in the world and we will always need China and they will always need us, he said.




American Airline travelers will soon be able to fly in and out of Manhattan, Kan., once more.

The Manhattan Regional Airport celebrated American Airlines return with a social media post earlier this week. It suspended flights from the airport in May due to construction on the primary runway.

Service for the airline out of Manhattan will be back up and running Monday, Sept. 25.

Manhattan Regional Airport Welcome To!

American Airlines returns on September 25th. Book your tickets now at https://t.co/8v9u6ihzyj. pic.twitter.com/vZN7JS2m0j  Manhattan,KS Airport (@FlyMHK) September 18, 2023

Construction began in September 2022 and included reworking intersections, replacing lights, signs and preforming grading, according to the airports website.

We had concrete that was four decades old and we were to the point where .... we needed to replace it, Airport Director Brandon Keazer said. We ended up rubblizing the existing concrete and then building the runway on top of that, and thats why we were able to accomplish this full reconstruction of our primary runway in a little over four and a half months.

American Airlines was originally supposed to return Sept. 6, but that was pushed due to construction delays, the city of Manhattan announced in August.

The regional affiliate of American Airlines, called American Eagle, services round-trip flights from Manhattan Regional Airport to Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago. You can book a flight out of or into Manhattan Regional Airport on American Airlines website.

American Airlines shows round trips to Chicago or Dallas/Fort Worth out of Manhattan as low as $673.

The first flight is landing on the new runway at 11:45 a.m. Monday. It will be celebrated by a water-cannon salute from Manhattan Fire Department. The airport is also providing 25 days of free parking starting that day to make up for the 25-day construction delay.

I just wanted to say thank you to all our customers as we got through this rather important project, Keazer said. Now we have this brand new runway that we shouldnt have to shut down this airport for the next 20, 30 or even 40 years.

Everything looks small from 200 feet up!

Check out these aerial photos of the construction progress. Big thanks to Clarkson Construction Company & Olsson Associates for sharing the photos.

Commercial flights return in September. Book your next flight https://t.co/8v9u6ih1IL now. pic.twitter.com/0B8iPbNZW1  Manhattan,KS Airport (@FlyMHK) July 10, 2023

Keazer said, on average, about 150,000 people visit the Manhattan Airport every year.

Manhattan is located about two hours from Wichita. American Airlines already offers flights out of Wichitas Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport and Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City.
Louisville Metro Police has released footage of a Sept. 7 altercation where an officer was shot in the Chickasaw neighborhood.

Officer Brandon Haley was approaching a stopped vehicle in the 4000 block of West Kentucky Street early that morning when shots were fired from a nearby house. Haley was struck in the torso and later dragged away to a safer location by another officer, Colin Billotto, during the gunfire.

While five men were taken into custody at the scene on a slew of drug and weapon charges, none have been charged with the shooting.

In a Wednesday afternoon news conference, LMPD officials discussed the body and dashboard camera footage from that day and gave an update on Haley's condition.

"To be clear, the individuals involved in this incident not only critically injured Officer Haley but they also endangered Officer Billotto's life and they placed everyone in that neighborhood in danger by repeatedly shooting in a densely populated area," police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel said at the news conference.

Chickasaw shooting: What we know so far

Officer Brandon Haley has been with Louisville Metro Police since 2021. He was shot early morning Thursday, Sept. 7 during a traffic stop.

At about 2:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, a white vehicle without illuminated exterior lights was seen driving southbound on 38th Street and turning westbound on Kentucky Street. The car later turned south on 40th Street, where it then came to a stop on a sidewalk.

After catching up with the vehicle, Haley stopped his marked police car nearby without activating his police lights, Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey said. Haley then exited his car.

Two men were seen running from the vehicle. As Haley ran toward the vehicle, people from a nearby house began firing.

The footage released on Wednesday shows Haley almost immediately being struck by gunfire and falling down. He returns fire. As gunfire continues, Haley tries to stand and falls again. While relaying information to fellow officers, he crosses the street and takes cover in a yard.

Billotto responds to the scene soon after the gunfire began. He goes to Haley and tries to assess his injuries when shots continue from the house. Billotto is seen in the footage returning fire.

Billotto drags Haley for nearly an entire block, partly while on his knees, to a safer location while relaying the emergency situation to other officers.

Billotto starts to provide first-aid to Haley. When more officers arrive, Billotto and others help Haley into the back of a police car, where he is then driven to University Hospital.

LMPD's SWAT and Hostage Negotiating teams then took over the scene, which Humphrey described as "very chaotic" and "confusing."

Footage of the standoff was not shown. After several hours of the standoff, five suspects were taken into custody and numerous guns were recovered from the scene, Humphrey said.

According to court records, LMPD officers were called to investigate the shooting of Haley when they discovered multiple shots were fired from a nearby residence. After a search warrant was obtained, officers seized suspected heroin, crystal meth and other controlled substances as well as drug paraphernalia. Investigators also seized nine firearms, two of which were stolen, according to the arrest citation.

Five men  Jemond Groves Jr., Quantez Porter, Dominique Thompson, Jacquan Ransom and Demarco Coney Jr.  have been arrested on a slew of various charges, though none of which are for the shooting.

Porter, Thompson and Ransom have been charged with resisting arrest, trafficking a controlled substance and receiving stolen property. Ransom is also charged with possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Thompson is also being charged with tampering with evidence and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Groves is facing charges of criminal trespassing, receiving stolen property and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Coney has been charged with receiving stolen property.

Update on LMPD Officer Brandon Haley's condition

Chief of Police Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel speaks at an Aug. 17, 2023, press conference about LMPD's new process for investigating after an officer shoots someone in the line of duty.

While Haley is still recovering at University Hospital, he is no longer in critical condition, Gwinn-Villaroel said.

After initially being placed on a ventilator, Haley can now stand with some assistance, as shared in an earlier update posted to LMPD's Facebook page.

"We're incredibly grateful that he was not killed that night," Gwinn-Villaroel said. "Officer Haley is fighting to get stronger each day, so he can rejoin his fellow officers as we work towards the goal of keeping Louisville's communities as safe as possible."

In the post, Haley's family thanked the community for their support and said they remain focused on "taking his recovery day by day."

Gwinn-Villaroel said Billotto remains on administrative leave as part of the investigation, adding she is proud of the officer for pulling Haley to safety.

How does LMPD investigate shootings that involve officers?

In 2020, then-Mayor Greg Fischer said Kentucky State Police would investigate shootings involving LMPD officers in a move aimed at building public trust following the police killing of Breonna Taylor earlier that year. During this policy, LMPD would at times continue to lead investigations on shootings involving its own officers.

More: LMPD reverts to investigating its own officers in cases where they shoot someone

Last month, Gwinn-Villaroel announced LMPD will once again be leading these investigations alongside a new system of built-in safeguards and third party reviews. LMPDs Public Integrity Unit will lead all future investigations, Gwinn-Villaroel said, but the completed case files will be turned over to the Commonwealth's Attorneys Office, KSP and Louisvilles Office of Inspector General for review.

More: Brandon Haley, LMPD officer shot in Chickasaw, taken off ventilator, able to stand

Mayor Craig Greenberg said he and Gwinn-Villaroel have been having conversations with local judges and those in the local judicial process on ways to improve public safety in Louisville.

"We, without a doubt, need their assistance to ensure that those who are using illegal guns and causing harm to others  there needs to be consequences," Greenberg said.

These conversations are not related just specifically to this investigation but violent crime as a whole issue.

"In general, what is going on in our city? What is driving a lot of violent crime in our city? We will continue to have those conversations with them," Greenberg said. "And yes, the judicial branch plays a very important role in ensuring that our city continues to reduce the amount of gun violence that we're seeing today."

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Body cam footage of LMPD Officer Brandon Haley shooting released
The Neptune Beach Police Department is investigating after getting information that a student brought a handgun to Fletcher High School.

Police said in a Facebook post that they received the information around noon.

Investigators found that a freshman student brought a Nerf gun to school and then he passed it to a junior student who left campus.

The junior student has been identified and police said the school initiated a Lock Out procedure, where students who left school earlier cannot return.

Neptune Beach police said they are working with the Jacksonville Beach Police Department and Duval County School Police in the investigation.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Communication to families from Principal Dean Ledford confirmed that this all stemmed from a false statement from another student who alleged to have seen the firearm.

Here is the following communications that were shared with parents by Duval County Public Schools:

Incident Update  (3:54 p.m.)

Hello Fletcher High School families,

This is Principal Ledford emailing with an update to todays incident. Police have investigated and determined that a student had not been in possession of a firearm on our campus today. Rather, this all stemmed from a false statement from another student who alleged to have seen the firearm. While I am thankful to share that there was never a threat to our school, I am extremely disappointed by the actions of the student who made the false statement. Their actions led to a major disruption not just to our school, but other schools in our area, our school community, our school police force, and our local law enforcement. This was unacceptable, and we are in the process of implementing severe school disciplinary consequences. We request that you continue to tell your students to say something if they see something! Additionally, please warn them of the negative consequences that arise when false statements are made. As always, I am thankful to you for your patience, understanding, and support. Have a great remainder of your day.

Communication #2 - (1:33 p.m.)

Hello Fletcher families,

This is Principal Ledford calling to share that we have been advised by police that we can end our Code Yellow. All students and staff are safe and again we have been advised by school police that we can end our Code Yellow. All students and staff are safe. Thank you.

Communication #1- (1:12 p.m.)

Hello Fletcher High School families,

This is Principal Ledford calling to share that we have placed the school on a Code Yellow out of an abundance of caution. All students and staff are safe. Again, all students and staff are safe. However, we received a tip that a firearm may have been in a students car on campus. That student has since left campus, and police are now working to investigate this report. Again, all students and staff are safe, and we are on a Code Yellow out of an abundance of caution as police work to investigate this tip. I will continue to update you as this situation develops. Thank you and goodbye.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
The Lockport Township High School District 205 Board approved its 2023-2024 fiscal year budget Monday in a 4-3 vote, with dissenting board members signaling they prefer to spend down the districts fund balance or use cash on hand as the district prepares strategies to fund the budget.

Board members Marty Boersma, Sandra Chimon Rogers and Zyan Navarra voted against the budget after four residents addressed the Board. They also cited emails received over the weekend urging them to vote against the budget to avoid a potential increase in the property tax levy later this fall.

The residents said the districts projected $76.8 million fund balance as of June 30, 2024, which equals 12 months of cash on hand used to operate the district, should be utilized as a savings for taxpayers. In the 2022-2023 budget, the districts fund balance was $70.6 million, said Stefanie Croix, the districts director of business services.

How many taxpayers do you know that are sitting on 12 months of expenditures in the bank waiting to be spent? said resident Tammy Hayes. Its wildly unrealistic to think that you can keep 12 full months of expenditures sitting in the bank.

Superintendent Robert McBride said the high school budget process has two parts, first approving the budget and then approving a method to pay for the budget, by approving a property tax levy or spending out of the fund balance. With an approved budget, district officials will now begin preparing strategies for funding district operations for the next year, he said.

The property tax levy, which goes before the board for tentative approval in November and final approval in December, would only increase if the board approved levying the whole budget increase onto taxpayers, McBride said.

According to the 2023-2024 budget, with new property, the 2023 property tax levy is estimated to increase 5.96% over the 2022 tax extension. Croix said Tuesday that historically the levy estimate included in the budget is proposed to the board in November.

Board members who voted against the budget did not give district officials the right opportunity to prepare presentations for funding strategies, McBride said.

With all due respect, on behalf of Stefanie Croix, to the no voters, you did not give us time to present you options for the levy, which actually is the thing that lowers taxes, McBride said. Weve been talking about this since July. The feedback you received was in the past 48 hours. Ill just let that stand as a fact of which has more value.

Navarra, who voted in favor of the tentative budget in July, said he voted against the budget because finding ways to save residents money shows the board is listening and we care.

We should definitely explore other strategies, Navarra said.

Boersma and Rogers both raised questions about the impacts of spending the districts cash on hand. When the board approved the tentative budget in July, Boersma was absent from the meeting and Rogers voted in favor of it.

Boersma and Rogers, who ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility and were endorsed by the Conservative group We The Parents Illinois, said they voted against the budget after hearing from residents about the districts cash on hand via email and during public comments.

We appreciate the engagement and dedication of our community members in contributing to the betterment of our community and high school, and we look forward to continued collaboration and dialogue as we work together to ensure the fiscal health and accountability of our institution, Rogers said in an email explaining her vote.

It has been the boards policy to operate with a fund balance that allows for six to 12 months of cash on hand to operate the district, McBride said, and that fund balance gets spent down throughout the year. By extension, if the districts fund balance has between six to 12 months of cash on hand it ensures a strong bond rating, he said.

Croix said if the board were to spend its cash on hand then for a period of time it would be spending more than it would be bringing in.

The districts fund balance grows over time when unexpected revenue comes in, such as when the district receives an unexpected grant or a cost comes in lower than the district budgeted for, Croix said. The district uses that fund to complete facility projects, she said.

Ahead of the budget vote, representatives with DLA Architects presented an initial vision for possible renovation of Central Campus, which included a tentative plan for departments and classrooms to have spaces near each other and a cafeteria with natural lighting.

The total cost of infrastructure and capital improvements of a renovated building ranges between $95 million to $115 million, said DLA Architects associate principal and project architect Peter Pontarelli.

The project cost requires a referendum vote, so if the Board approves moving forward with the referendum it would be presented to voters in 2024, said DLA Architects associate principal Richard Kocek. If voters approve the referendum, construction would begin in 2025 and would likely be completed in 2030, he said.

Board member Veronica Shaw said if the board spends down its cash on hand and the voters approve a referendum measure to renovate Central Campus the district would receive a lower bond rating, which would mean the renovation would cost the district more in the long run.

We want this to continue as a freshman center, said board President Ann Lopez-Caneva. I feel we need to preserve our buildings.
Its important to know and understand your rights if you are stopped by a Texas police officer.

You have the right to remain silent, and can exercise that right by saying so out loud to the officer. You cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions. You can say: I wish to remain silent and not answer further questions, according to the Know Your Rights page on the University of Texas Austin website.

If asked to identify yourself when stopped by a police officer, you do need to give them your name, date of birth and address, but you dont need to answer any additional questions. You also must show police your drivers license upon request.

Failure to identify is against the law in Texas under Texas Penal Code Section 38.02, which states: A person commits an offense if he intentionally refuses to give his name, residence address, or date of birth to a peace officer who has lawfully arrested the person and requested the information. Per the Texas Transportation Code Section 521.025, drivers must display the license on the demand of a magistrate, court officer, or peace officer.

You also do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings, and can say: I do not consent to this search. But police may pat you down if they suspect youre carrying a weapon. While you should not physically resist, you have the right to refuse any further search.

During the interaction, stay calm and dont run, argue, resist or obstruct the police. Keep your hands where police can see them.

Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly and silently walk away, says the Houston law office of Matthew D. Sharp. If you are under arrest, you have a right to know why and the right to a lawyer, so ask for one immediately.
Britains King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Paris on Wednesday, marking the start of a three-day state visit intended to highlight the close ties between France and the United Kingdom.

French President Emmanuel Macron will honor the British sovereign and his wife with a lavish state banquet at Versailles on Wednesday evening.

But first the royal couple received a ceremonial welcome at the Arc de Triomphe  a poignant location as it was where Queen Elizabeth II was greeted when she made her final state visit to France in 2014.

After a rendition of both national anthems, the King and Macron reviewed an honor guard, before participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Officials and other esteemed guests  including veterans, students, scouts and girl guides  watched on as the two leaders symbolically relit the eternal flame, which burns continuously at the landmark in memory of those who lost their lives in World Wars I and II.

A fly-past of the Patrouille de France, the French Air Force elite aerobatic team, and the famous Red Arrows brought the pomp and symbolism to a close.

The visit comes six months later than initially planned, after Macron was forced to awkwardly postpone the original trip in March amid nationwide violent clashes over his pension reforms. Charles and Camilla instead traveled to Germany for their historic first foreign tour as king and queen.

The royal couple were met upon arrival at Paris' Orly Airport by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, right. - Miguel Medina/Pool/Reuters

The next engagement saw the royal couple join a procession down the Champs-Elysee to the Elysee presidential palace. There, Charles and Macron sat down for one-on-one talks which were expected touch upon a range of subjects, from biodiversity and climate change to the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Sahel, an Elysee palace source said ahead of the trip.

The Elysee source said the pair shared a relationship of friendship and trust and that the King is always very interested in the presidents analysis of major international issues.

The first day of the trip will be capped with a state banquet, where Charles and Camilla will join up to 180 people in the dazzling Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles, on the outskirts of Paris.

Celebrities and important figures in British and French culture are expected to attend, including actors Hugh Grant, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Emma Mackey, writer Ken Follett, environmentalist Yann Arthus-Bertrand and former professional tennis player Amelie Mauresmo.

While some have questioned the decision to hold the state dinner at Versailles, the Elysee source said it was a nod to the late Queen, who dined there during a state visit in 1972 and the King was appreciative to the idea that he could follow in his mothers footsteps.

Putting on the banquet at the royal residence built by French King Louis XIV was also an opportunity to promote France through one of its most recognized landmarks, the source added.

King Charles and French President Emmanuel Macron began the state visit with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. - Chris Jackson/Pool/Reuters

The rest of the packed royal itinerary for the rescheduled visit to Paris and Bordeaux, ending Friday, is largely unchanged save for a few additions.

One new engagement will see Charles and Camilla rub shoulders with top athletes at an event highlighting the advantages of sports for young people. France is currently hosting the mens Rugby World Cup and next years Olympics will be held in Paris.

Another fresh element will be the launch of a new Franco-British literary prize by Camilla and the presidents wife, Brigitte Macron , at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France, the national library.

More than 8,000 policemen and gendarmes were mobilized for the first day of the state visit, the French interior ministry told CNN. The number will rise to 30,000 through the week and across the weekend to also guarantee security for Pope Francis visit to Marseille.

Macron has been beset by domestic crises this year, with deep-rooted divisions in French society increasingly apparent in recent months. In August, the government sparked accusations of Islamophobia after it announced a ban on abayas when the academic year restarted. The country was rocked by a wave of protests over the summer after a 17-year-old boy was shot dead by a police officer, reigniting a debate on race, identity and over-policing in marginalized communities. Meanwhile, anger continues to simmer over Macrons controversial pension reforms.

However, veteran French journalist Christine Ockrent told CNN that Charles trip was not about domestic politics but about celebrating the ancient and very close ties between France and the UK.

All the burning issues are for the moment, if not out of the way, at least under cover, she told CNN.

The King delighted members of the French public during a walk from the Elysee Palace to the British ambassador to France's residence on Wednesday afternoon. - Thibault Camus/Pool/Reuters

The newspapers and magazines will be full of stories about Camilla and her dresses and Charles fairly good French, his mastering of the French language  that kind of stuff, and people love that.

Camillas fashion didnt disappoint, as she arrived in a dusky pink, wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare and a pink beret-shaped hat with a leaf design by Philip Treacy. Also sporting a pink jacket was French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, who greeted the couple at Paris Orly airport.

Ockrent added: Of course, France being France you will have certainly some demonstrations, people saying why waste all that money but on the whole people will be pleased.

Charles and Camillas visit  which is taking place at the request of the British government and by invitation from the French  comes after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was seen warmly chatting with Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi earlier this month.

France's Emmanuel Macron greets UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak ahead of their bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris on March 10, 2023. - Nathan Laine/Bloomberg/Getty Images

In March, Sunak also traveled to Paris for a bilateral summit designed to reboot the Anglo-French relationship. There he acknowledged heightened tensions in the years since Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016 but hailed the moment as a new beginning.

We are looking to the future, a future that builds on all that we share  our history, our geography, our values. And a future that is far more ambitious about how we work together to improve the lives of the people that we serve, Sunak said.

The royal trip will be seen by many as a continuation of the two neighbors efforts to reset relations in a post-Brexit world.

Ahead of the trip, the Kings deputy private secretary, Chris Fitzgerald, said: The state visit will celebrate Britains relationship with France, marking our shared histories, culture and values.

During the visit, the King will become the first member of the British royal family to address the French Senate from the floor of the chamber, where he is expected to speak at least partly in French. A similar move was well received in Germany, where Charles switched back and forth between German and English while addressing the Bundestag, or German national parliament, in Berlin.

Queen Elizabeth II spoke at the French Senate back in 2004, but made her speech from an adjoining chamber, the Salle des Conferences.

Queen Elizabeth II greets politicians with French Senate Speaker Christian Poncelet, left, in Paris in 2004. - Eric Fefeberg/AFP/Getty Images

Elizabeth II reduced her foreign travel in the later years of her reign, instead sending other senior royals to represent her abroad. Now that the United Kingdom has the ability to deploy its monarch as part of its foreign policy objectives, experts say we should expect to see more frequent trips abroad.

British diplomat Scott Furssedonn-Wood told CNN there was huge significance to these visits.

First of all, the choice of destinations  theres real symbolism in that and the fact that these first state visits are to two of our oldest European partners, thats very significant. They are a recognition at the highest level of the importance that we attach to a relationship, he said.

But theyre more than that as well. They create a space for real business to be done, added Furssedonn-Wood, who is the British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

Craig Prescott, a UK constitutional expert and author of the upcoming book Modern Monarchy, agrees that the choice of destinations is a clear gesture to some of the UK governments immediate priorities.

Going to Germany and going to France is a very big signal about the UK not leaving Europe, particularly at a time of Ukraine, said Prescott, a lecturer in law at Royal Holloway, University of London.

In a way, a lot of these state visits could be fairly vanilla, not wanting to offend your host, but actually (the Kings) speech at the Bundestag about reconciliation and moving forward actually had some genuine content.

Furssedonn-Wood agreed that the public can expect a bit of substance from the royal visit in France.

As Sovereign and as Queen, its not for them to be campaigning on an issue, and theyre certainly not doing that, but they will want to ensure that the visit showcases excellence in the issues that they care about.

Furssedonn-Wood, who previously served as deputy private secretary to the royal couple, said the King has an extraordinary work ethic that he will lean on during his foreign trips.

Later in the week, Charles and Camilla will travel on to Bordeaux, southwestern France, where they will meet emergency workers and communities impacted by wildfires last year. Theyll also meet with UK and French military personnel to discuss how the countries are working together on defense.

This is Charles 35th official visit to France and Camillas ninth. The royal couple last visited the country in 2019, when they attended a service to mark 75 years since the Normandy Landings.

Sign up to CNNs Royal News, a weekly dispatch bringing you the inside track on the royal family, what they are up to in public and whats happening behind palace walls.

CNNs Chris Liakos, Claudia Colliva and Lauren Kent contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
One of the most prolific peddlers of the false claims that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election due to widespread voter fraud, attorney Lin Wood, appears to have flipped on the former president, becoming a state witness in Trump and 18 other defendants' sprawling racketeering case in Georgia, Fulton County prosecutors revealed Wednesday. Buried in Atlanta-area District Attorney Fani Willis' 103-page filing arguing that lawyers for Trump's co-defendants may have conflicts of interest, according to The Messenger, prosecutors listed Wood as one of the individuals serving as "witnesses for the state" in the case, which alleges the 19 defendants conspired to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia. A special purpose grand jury had recommended Wood be indicted, but prosecutors declined.

REVELATION buried in the DA Willis' conflicts motion:



Conspiracy theorist lawyer Lin Wood is a witness "for the State" in Trump's Georgia RICO case.



Background on him, @TheMessenger https://t.co/8ykfbhvqNG



DEVELOPING story https://t.co/BbpIJTYzVB pic.twitter.com/izKnTq7l89  Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) September 20, 2023

Wood, however, denies any suggestion he has flipped on the former president.

"There's zero truth to that," Wood told The Hill on Wednesday. "I'm always willing to go in under subpoena, I'll go testify and answer their questions, honestly, like I did in the grand jury."

The once-acclaimed defamation lawyer gained national recognition for representing the parents of slain child beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey and aiding in the vindication of Richard Jewell, a security guard falsely accused of scheming to set off pipe bombs at Atlanta's 1996 Summer Olympics.

He surrendered his law license in July as disciplinary proceedings  connected to his work for Trump allies and associates under federal investigation by Special Counsel Jack Smith  threatened to disbar him. A Georgia special grand jury also recommended Wood for criminal charges over his involvement in the alleged scheme, but Willis decided against indicting him.

"I'm probably the second most persecuted person in America, wouldn't you say?" Wood told The Messenger in a July interview shortly after he announced his retirement, adding that Trump is the first.

After the 2020 election, Wood rose to prominence among the election fraud conspiracy-theory pushers with his name appearing on the pleadings of lawsuits filed by Trump attorney Sidney Powell and him representing himself in a separate election-related lawsuit in Georgia. While each of the lawsuits  which Powell filed in Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia federal courts  was defeated, a Michigan federal judge brought down a sanctions order recommending Powell, Wood and seven other co-counsel for disciplinary proceedings over their "historic and profound abuse of the judicial process."

Georgia's state bar counsel cited that opinion as a reason for seeking Wood's disbarment in the state, where he was first granted a license to practice in 1977. In his disciplinary proceedings, Wood was accused of violating an array of professional rules, including those regarding the scope of representation, fairness to the opposing party, cooperation with disciplinary authorities and trial publicity. Wood's "contempt" for the judiciary was enough to qualify him for disbarment, Georgia's disciplinary counsel Robert Remur argued to the Georgia State Disciplinary Board.

"He's accused the Supreme Court, the Special Master, counsel for the State Bar of being communists, pedophiles, child traffickers," Remur told the board earlier this year. "No lawyer fit to practice in this state would make such allegations as a lawyer in a proceeding in which he has signed the pleading as a lawyer representing himself."

Wood posted transcripts of his remarks to the board, which suggest that his disciplinary proceedings kicked into high gear a move toward retirement he told The Messenger had actually begun in 2019. The former attorney told the State Disciplinary Board that he'd rather quit working as a lawyer than be stripped of his license, adding that he would instead take up arms in the "court of public opinion."

"So I'm doing it for myself because if I'm  if I'm disbarred, which I'm quite sure that the judge is going to recommend that  it's been the goal from day one even though I don't care," Wood said to the board. "I'm going to retire. I don't need a law license to get to heaven, so it doesn't mean anything to me; but it's unfair and it's injustice."

At the end of the May proceedings, Special Master Thomas E. Cauthorn III indicated that he would release his report within 45 days from the receipt of the transcript. The stenographer certified the document on June 4, signaling that Wood's fate would likely have been sealed only days after he announced his retirement.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Legal experts were surprised by the revelation of Wood's cooperation with Georgia prosecutors Wednesday morning, with some appearing to express doubt about the efficacy of the lawyer's strategy.

"Wow. I did not have Lin Wood flipping on my bingo card," Bradley Moss, a national security attorney, wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Wow. I did not have Lin Wood flipping on my bingo card. https://t.co/PNFX5OI7xq  Bradley P. Moss (@BradMossEsq) September 20, 2023

"'It's a bold move, Cotton. Let's see if it works out for them,'" former federal prosecutor Renato Mariotti added, quoting 2004 film "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story."

Its a bold move, Cotton. Lets see if it works out for them. https://t.co/Nfb8ZeppQg  Renato Mariotti (@renato_mariotti) September 20, 2023

"If he has documents and all, sure," Georgia State law professor Anthony Michael Kreis said. "If it is just him? Yeesh. I don't know."

If he has documents and all, sure. If it is just him? Yeesh. I don't know. #gapol https://t.co/5wIxREpbtC  Anthony Michael Kreis (@AnthonyMKreis) September 20, 2023
KANSAS CITY, Kan.  Wyandotte County officials announced major developments in four cold cases out of Kansas City, Kansas, that span over multiple decades.

At a news conference Wednesday, KCK police announced the arrest of Gary Dion Davis, a truck driver, now charged in two murders that date back more than 20 years.

KCKPD gives new details on homicide outside auto parts store

The victims are Christina Ranae King, whose body was found on Christmas Day in 1998 and Pearl Davis, also known as Sammemah, whose body was found in a KCK home in November of 1996.

Our family is grateful. Were thankful that someone has been charged and arrested, said Arvetta Davis, whose aunt was murdered nearly 27 years ago.

Wyandotte County District Attorney Mark Dupree said DNA evidence from both murder scenes matched Gary Davis DNA profile.

Were all still trying to process it, Arvetta Davis added. [Sameemah] has two children. They were very young when this happened, so weve been waiting a very long time for someone to be held accountable for what happened to their mother.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

Gary Davis has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder, according to Dupree. Hes currently being held at the Wyandotte County jail on a $500,000 bond.

Police said theyre looking at Gary Davis as a possible suspect in other cold cases across the nation.

In my experience, based on him killing two women, most likely hes killed more, said KCK Police Chief Karl Oakman.

Christina King

Pearl Barnes Davis

Dion Estell

The third cold case with a major break is that of 16-year-old Dion Estell. He was found shot to death and lying in a creek bed in the summer of 1997.

Detectives said his accused killer, Leon Caldwell, is already in prison in Lansing, Kansas for killing a different man in Wyandotte County. Caldwell is currently on hospice and, detectives said, wanted to confess before his death.

Caldwell was charged with murder in May.

Police said this man, Leon Caldwell, is already in prison for another homicide. Hes currently on hospice, and police said Caldwell confessed to killing Estell.

FOX4 newsletters: Get the latest news delivered to your inbox

The final victim discussed during the news conference is only known as Baby Girl Jane Doe. She was found inside of a dumpster at an apartment complex in 1976 with her umbilical cord still attached wrapped in dish clothes and a plastic bag. She died just hours after she was born.

Investigators determined Baby Girl Jane Does grandmother killed her after recently tracking down the babys mother using DNA evidence.

The girls mother, who was 18 when she gave birth but currently in her 60s, said she saw her grandmother walk away with the baby after giving birth and never saw the baby again.

Based on DNA evidence and new information, the grandmother was identified as the suspect. Since shes already passed away the case is now closed.

Since all four investigations are still considered ongoing, police would not reveal any other details, including if the victims knew their killers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Human rights experts and scholars attend a symposium with the theme of "Joint Building of the Belt & Road and Progress of Global Human Rights Cause" in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sept. 19, 2023. A symposium focusing on the progress of the human rights cause in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation was held here Tuesday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- A symposium focusing on the progress of the human rights cause in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation was held here Tuesday.

At the symposium, human rights experts and scholars from China and other countries exchanged their views on the contributions of the BRI cooperation to global development and human rights progress.

The symposium, with the theme of "Joint Building of the Belt & Road and Progress of Global Human Rights Cause," was organized by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, a Chinese non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the development of human rights cause.

Zuo Feng, vice chairman and secretary-general of the foundation, said that since the BRI was proposed by China in 2013, more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations have signed cooperation documents. In a decade, the BRI cooperation has played a constructive role in improving the global economic landscape, promoting common development and prosperity, and bettering the global governance system. It is widely recognized that the BRI cooperation has made positive contributions to global development and human rights progress.

Hu Biliang, executive dean of the Belt and Road School at Beijing Normal University, said that the BRI cooperation has played an important role in the progress of human rights in partner countries, as it has improved infrastructure, brought job opportunities, facilitated trade, increased people's incomes and reduced poverty.

Zhang Aining, director of the Human Rights Studies Center in China Foreign Affairs University, said the BRI is a Chinese solution to the problems facing the world and to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals. It provides a good example of "Cooperation improves development and development improves human rights" for the progress of the global human rights cause.

The symposium was part of meetings on global human rights during the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council going on here from Sept. 11 to Oct. 13. 
A major hearing was delayed a second time in the state's death penalty case against the El Paso Walmart mass shooter, court records show.

A scheduling conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in the case against Patrick Crusius.

The conference was initially scheduled for Monday, Sept. 11, but was pushed back to Wednesday, Sept. 20. A few days later, it was pushed back to next week.

Court documents do not state why the conference was rescheduled.

Judge Sam Medrano, of the 409th District Court, who is presiding over the case, has declined to comment.

Judge Sam Medrano Jr. of the 409th District Court is overseeing the state's court case against the accused El Paso Walmart mass killer.

It is not uncommon for court hearings to be pushed back as the legal process plays out. However, the delay is pushing back the first major action set to take place in more than four years in the state's case against the gunman.

The mass shooter was accused of fatally shooting 23 people and injuring dozens more when he opened fire with a variant of an AK-47 assault rifle Aug. 3, 2019, at an East El Paso Walmart. The gunman confessed to law enforcement the shooting was racially motivated and he was targeting Hispanics.

The new hearing date falls on the same day a federal restitution hearing is set to take place. The restitution hearing is at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at the Albert Armendariz Sr. Federal Courthouse in Downtown El Paso.

Patrick Crusius, 24, was sentenced to life in prison on each of 90 federal charges he pleaded guilty to earlier this year in connection with the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting that killed 23 people and injured dozens more at an East El Paso Walmart.

The federal hearing will determine how much restitution the gunman will have to pay the victims and their families for the financial losses suffered due to his actions.

The restitution hearing is expected to conclude the federal case against the gunman.

In federal court, the gunman pleaded guilty Feb. 9 to 90 federal charges. He was sentenced on July 7 to 90 consecutive life sentences.

Senior U.S. District Judge David C. Guaderrama, who presided over the federal trial, ordered the gunman to serve his federal sentence at the ADX Florence supermax federal prison near Florence, Colorado.

However, the gunman remains in the Downtown El Paso County Jail in state custody as he awaits trial in the state's case.

Aaron Martinez may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on Twitter @AMartinezEPT.

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Major hearing in El Paso Walmart mass shooting case delayed again
An undated photo of Kolob Canyons Road damage, which occurred in March. Construction crews could begin work to repair the damage as early as next week, Zion National Park officials said Tuesday. | Brett Loitz, National Park Service

Work to repair a major Zion National Park road that has remained partially closed for several months is set to begin as early as next week, park officials say.

Crews are set to repair Kolob Canyons Road, which was damaged by rockfalls and landslides amid a barrage of wintry storms in March. Parts of the road past the South Fork Picnic Area, including the La Verkin Creek and Timber Creek Overlook trailheads, were closed all summer.

Park officials said a construction team will work to excavate "unstable materials" and reinforce the road's base where landslides occurred. The team will also repave about 6,000 square feet of roadway and install new ditches, gutters and curbs to improve the road's drainage as a part of the reconstruction project.

The road, as well as all the trailheads next to it, will be closed off throughout the duration of the project, park officials added. That means drivers, bicyclists, hikers and horse riders will not be able to access the area once construction begins.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year or in early 2024, which is when the road will reopen again.

Bry Carter, chief of facilities management for the park, said engineers and park maintenance staff crafted the plan in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration.

"Just like all construction in the park, we are going to ensure this work complements the natural landscape and improves visitors' experiences," he said in a statement Tuesday.

The March storms also led to temporary closures at Zion Canyon Scenic Drive because of rockfalls in the area, as Utah collected its largest snowpack on record during this year's winter and spring months.

Meanwhile, a project to repair a trail bridge at Zion Lodge remains the only other long-standing closure in place at the park right now.
NEW YORK CITY  Companies that use huge amounts of steel to construct buildings or clean-energy equipment are banding together to push North American steelmakers to adopt greener manufacturing methods.

On Wednesday, corporations including tech giant Microsoft, major U.S. real estate developer Trammell Crow and solar-hardware-maker Nextracker announced a plan to jointly request a total of 2 million metric tons of near-zero emissions steel from producers. The broadly defined category can include steel thats produced using renewable electricity, clean hydrogen or potentially with carbon-capture technology.

The initiative, named the Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform, was convened by the clean energy think tank RMI and unveiled at Microsofts Times Square office during Climate Week NYC. Representatives from global steel giant ArcelorMittal, Swedish startup H2 Green Steel and the automaker Volvo Group also attended the event. (Canary Media is an independent affiliate of RMI.)

The platform is an attempt to close the gap between the buyers that want to purchase green steel  and are willing to pay a premium for the product  and the manufacturers that are faced with making multibillion-dollar investments to retrofit old facilities or build new ones.

What were finding in the market is that the buyers are trying to initiate these [green-steel] deals, but its not enough to shift the investment case for a producer, Chathu Gamage, a principal in RMIs Climate-Aligned Industries Program, told Canary Media.

Globally, steel production is responsible for between 7 and 9 percent of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions every year.

Existing efforts to jump-start a U.S. green-steel industry include the First Movers Coalition  organized by the U.S. State Department and the World Economic Forum  and SteelZero, an initiative led by Climate Week NYCs organizer Climate Group. In both of these consortia, companies have pledged to buy a certain portion of green steel by 2030 and to source only green steel by 2050.

The new platform is a way to aggregate this demand, because no one steel buyer can do this alone, Gamage said.

In a related announcement, the First Movers Coalition on Wednesday launched the Near-Zero Steel 2030 Challenge, a global initiative to identify ways for steel producers, buyers and technology providers to partner on boosting the supply of near-zero steel in the coming years. A recent example of such a collaboration is the long-term supply agreement that Volvo just signed with H2 Green Steel. The startup says it expects to start delivering the high-strength material starting in mid-2026.

Steel is a big contributor to the footprint of our products, Andrea Fuder, chief purchasing officer of Volvo Group, said in a statement last week. Working together with both established and new players for developing decarbonized materials is key to advancing our progress in sustainable transport and infrastructure solutions.

Kicking fossil fuels out of steel production

The 2-million-metric-ton order from the Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform represents a sizable volume for steelmakers, equal to the annual production of an average-size steel plant. Its also only a tiny fraction  about 0.1 percent  of the nearly 2 billion metric tons of high-strength material that global steelmakers produce each year to build everything from bridges, roads and buildings to cars, ships, wind turbines and solar-panel racks.

Traditional steelmaking processes use copious amounts of fossil fuels to transform raw iron ore into gleaming coils of finished steel. About 70 percent of the worlds primary steel is made in integrated mills that use extremely hot, coal-hungry blast furnaces and basic oxygen furnaces.

Most of the remaining 30 percent is made by melting scrap metal in electric arc furnaces  a process that can dramatically reduce the emissions associated with steelmaking but doesnt entirely replace the industrys need for nonrecycled steel. Automakers in particular need primary material to make a cars chassis and body.

In the United States, the story plays out in reverse: About 70 percent of steel is made using scrap and electric arc furnaces, while roughly 30 percent is produced in the nations eight remaining integrated mills.

The industry hasnt yet adopted a concrete definition of what counts as green steel. The term can be used loosely today to describe scrap-based steel made in electric furnaces  even those powered by nonrenewable electricity  and it can sometimes include coal- or gas-using facilities that install equipment to capture carbon dioxide from the facilities flue streams.

For many clean-energy advocates, an ideal setup for primary steelmaking involves replacing blast furnaces with a hydrogen-fueled technology that processes iron ore into whats known as direct reduced iron, or DRI. Ideally, the hydrogen is made only by using renewable-powered electrolyzers, which split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The DRI is then converted into steel using electric arc furnaces that are also powered entirely by renewables.

Alternately, iron can be converted directly into steel using novel methods like molten oxide electrolysis, which the startup Boston Metal is attempting to scale up and commercialize.

The United States currently has three DRI facilities, but they all primarily use fossil gas to process iron ore. Replacing fossil fuels with clean hydrogen in such facilities will require building significantly more electrolyzers  and renewable energy to power them. In Sweden, H2 Green Steel plans to use more than 700 megawatts of hydrogen electrolyzers at its forthcoming facility, which will be capable of producing up to 5 million metric tons of green steel by 2030.

At Wednesdays event, members of the Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform said their goal is to accelerate the business case for steel producers that are considering converting or building new green-steel facilities. The buyers strategy will play out in two steps.

To start, participants issued a request for information to North American steelmakers to determine what is possible, in terms of how much green-steel manufacturers can realistically produce, by when, and using which alternative methods. Then, early next year, the buyers group plans to formally request proposals from manufacturers to supply the collective 2 million metric tons of steel.

Gamage said that companies will likely make a one-time request for the steel, though it could play out over multiple bidding rounds. While buyers are looking to get their green steel on accelerated timelines, it will probably still take several years for steelmakers to ramp up production to fulfill the orders, she added.

How participating companies will define green or near-zero-emissions steel is entirely up to the participating companies, Gamage said. She noted they could follow the blueprint offered by an industry standard known as ResponsibleSteel, which maps out how producers evaluate and report emissions associated with steelmaking.

The hope is that were all running this process to either retrofit or create new facilities that can make cleaner primary steel, she said.


A majority of voters in New York say President Biden and former President Trump are unfit for another four-year term in the White House, according to a new poll.

A new Siena College poll found that 62 percent of that states voters believe Biden is unfit for a four-year term as president, while 60 percent said the same for Trump. In addition, about one-third of voters said neither Biden nor Trump is fit for another full term in office.

While 74 percent of Republicans say Trump is fit for a four-year term as President, and 56 percent of Democrats say Biden is fit, a plurality of independents, 45 percent, says both are unfit, Siena College pollster Steven Greenberg said in a statement. Biden is seen as fit by 20 percent of independents and only 6 percent of Republicans, while 32 percent of independents and 23 percent of Democrats say Trump is fit.

Greenberg also said that among voters 55 and older, only 26 percent said neither Biden nor Trump is fit for a four-year term. Among voters younger than 35, 45 percent say both are unfit, the pollster noted.

Bidens favorability ticked up to 50 percent among New York voters this month, and he extended his lead over Trump in the state, which has reliably voted for Democratic presidential candidates for decades.

In a head-to-head matchup, Biden is leading Trump 52 percent to 31 percent, which is up from the 13 percent lead he held last month.

More than half of New York voters said Trump should not be able to run for president due to his four indictments. Sixty-three percent of Republicans in New York said they would support Trump for the GOP nomination, but 32 percent say they want to see someone else.

The poll was conducted among 804 New York voters between Sept. 10-13 and has a margin of error of 4.3 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. President Biden nominates Air Force General Brown to serve as next Joint Chiefs chair at White House event in Washington

By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A majority of the U.S. Senate backed U.S. Air Force chief General Charles Q. Brown on Wednesday to be the top U.S. military officer, as lawmakers moved to confirm some of the top senior officers whose promotions have been stalled by a Republican senator's blockade.

The Senate backed President Joe Biden 's nomination of Brown to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by 83 to 11.

Brown is a former fighter pilot who brings command experience in the Pacific to the position at a time of rising tension with China.

He will be only the second Black officer to chair the Joint Chiefs after Colin Powell two decades ago.

The Senate moved ahead with votes on Brown and two other top military officers as Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , a Democrat, used a procedural maneuver to sidestep a blockade by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville.

Tuberville began blocking confirmations to senior Pentagon posts in March to protest a Defense Department policy enacted last year that provides paid leave and reimburses costs for service members who travel to get an abortion.

Brown and other military officials had said Tuberville's blockade of hundreds of military promotions could have a far-reaching impact across the armed forces, affecting troops and their families and harming national security.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin congratulated Brown on his confirmation, thanked Schumer for bringing the vote and chastised Tuberville for his obstruction. "It is well past time to confirm the over 300 other military nominees," Austin said in a statement.

Biden's nomination of Brown, which was announced in May, followed his appointment of Austin as the first Black U.S. secretary of defense, the top civilian position at the Pentagon.

Brown's confirmation means Black Americans hold the top two positions at the Pentagon for the first time, a major milestone for an institution that is diverse in its lower ranks but largely white and male at the top.

Schumer also cleared the way for Senate votes on Biden's nomination of General Randy George to become chief of staff of the Army, and General Eric Smith to become the next commandant of the Marine Corps.

Schumer's procedural motion did not address hundreds of other military promotions still being delayed by Tuberville's action.

The Senate's approval of military promotions is usually smooth. Tuberville's hold cannot prevent the Democratic-majority Senate from voting on any promotion, but it can drastically slow the process.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by Phil Stewart and Idrees Ali; Editing by Chris Reese and Christopher Cushing)
A 33-year-old man was placed on probation after admitting to causing a drunken driving crash that killed a woman.

Trevor McDonald pleaded guilty on Thursday, Sept. 14, to a count of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle, a second-degree felony that carries a punishment of two to 20 years in prison.

In exchange for his plea, he was placed on probation for 10 years. However, he faces 10 years in prison if his probation is revoked.

He admitted to driving his vehicle while intoxicated on Sept. 16, 2018, and causing a crash that killed 54-year-old Alicia Ramirez, according to a judicial confession.

Lubbock police responded to a wreck involving three vehicles at about 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Fourth Street and Texas Tech Parkway

Witnesses told police at the scene they saw the driver of a Toyota 4Runner, later identified as McDonald, traveling west on Fourth Street, run a red-light and strike a northbound Ford F-150 pickup truck carrying six people, including Ramirez. The crash threw items from the bed of the pickup truck, which struck a Chrysler 300, according to a search warrant.

McDonald

Ramirez was taken to University Medical Center where she died.

Multiple witnesses told police they ran to McDonalds vehicle to check on him. They said McDonald smelled of alcohol, had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech, the warrant states.

One witness described McDonald to police as drunk as hell, the warrant states.

One witness said McDonald repeatedly apologized. The witness said he was driving west on Fourth Street before the crash and McDonald, who he said was on his cellphone, veered into his lane, forcing him into the center turn lane, the warrant states.

McDonald took a field sobriety test, which led investigators to believe he was intoxicated, and consented to a blood draw, the warrant states.

He was arrested and booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center and was released the next day on bond set at $15,000, court records state.

Police investigators learned that McDonald was at a bar with friends in the 2300 block of Mac Davis Lane shortly before the crash.

A receipt from the bar showed McDonald bought four beers, an Irish Car Bomb mixed drink, two shots of tequila and five shots of peppermint schnapps. The bars records show he ordered additional drinks for his friends but the tab was paid by someone else, the warrant states.

Video from an outdoor security camera shows a vehicle matching McDonalds SUV leaving the bar about 15 minutes before the crash, the warrant states.

A friend of McDonalds who was at the bar with him told police that he told McDonald he shouldnt have been driving, the warrant states.

Court records show Ramirezs family filed a wrongful death suit against McDonald and the parties settled out of court in May with McDonald paying the family members more than $1 million, according to an agreed judgment.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Man arrested in fatal North Lubbock wreck indicted
A man with a sledgehammer died during a confrontation while attempting to enter a Long Beach elementary school on Tuesday, authorities said.

The suspect was only identified as an adult male by the Long Beach Police Department.

Officers responded to calls of a home invasion robbery on the 6700 block of Orizaba Avenue around 2:27 p.m.

The suspect, who was armed with a sledgehammer, had walked over to the nearby parking lot of McKinley Elementary School.

As the man attempted to climb a fence and enter the school grounds, a group of males pulled him down and detained him while awaiting officers.

Police are investigating after a man died during a confrontation while attempting to enter a Long Beach school on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Police are investigating after a man died during a confrontation while attempting to enter a Long Beach school on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Police are investigating after a man died during a confrontation while attempting to enter a Long Beach school on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Police are investigating after a man died during a confrontation while attempting to enter a Long Beach school on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Police are investigating after a man died during a confrontation while attempting to enter a Long Beach school on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Police are investigating after a man died during a confrontation while attempting to enter a Long Beach school on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

At some point during the confrontation, he became unresponsive, authorities said.

Police arriving at the scene handcuffed the suspect. They noticed the suspect was unconscious and provided medical aid, but he was later pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

Its unclear what may have caused the mans death. A large perimeter was cordoned off near the school parking lot as officials investigated.

Man arrested in killing of L.A. County deputy may have been involved in road rage incidents

Due to the fact the man was handcuffed, this incident is being investigated as an in-custody death, police said. No force was used. Homicide detectives are on scene investigating and the investigation is ongoing.

The suspects identity was not released and his official cause of death will be determined by the L.A. County Coroners Office.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
A man was taken into custody Monday night after walking naked through the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, according to a report from Star-Telegram partner WFAA-TV.

Airport police responded at around 10 p.m. Monday to a report about a man who was not clothed inside Terminal C. Officers then took the man into custody for a mental evaluation, police told WFAA.

A video on social media that went viral shows the man walking in the terminal near the TGI Fridays restaurant.

A man is heard in the video saying, Theres a naked guy in the airport. Before he was taken into custody, the nude man turned and pointed at the person speaking after apparently hearing him.

The video reached 1.1 million views as of Wednesday morning, according to WFAA.

The identity of the man taken into custody has not been released.
A man was arrested Monday and is facing a charge of evidence tampering after police say he concealed his girlfriends body.

Earlier this month, patrol officers with the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office responded to Cassat Avenue where Bradley Chambers told officers where to find his girlfriends dead body.

He had left her inside a Dodge Pickup truck located in the parking lot of an apartment complex on King Street, according to a JSO arrest report.

JSO and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department found her body in the back seat of the truck, covered with a large car tarp.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

In a police interview, Chambers told authorities that he and his girlfriend had traveled to Jacksonville from Fort Lauderdale for the weekend. After dropping his truck off at his mothers home, he and his girlfriend got a hotel room.

The following day, September 3, the couple switched hotels and went to get alcohol. Sometime later, Chambers stated that he and the victim had gotten into a verbal argument.

The two began driving, and the argument continued, at which point the victim began telling Chambers that she would jump out of the truck, the report said.

According to Chambers, the victim jumped out of the front passenger door of the moving vehicle. Chambers turned around and found the victim unresponsive. He put her in the back seat and began driving towards Baptist Hospital.

While on the way he began to fear that he would get into trouble for the victims death because he was on parole, according to the report.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

After driving around and leaving the car on King Street. He walked around Jacksonvilles Westside for hours, he told police. He wandered to Cassat Avenue where he eventually called the police. He told police he waited so long to call because he did not want to be tracked.

JSOs dive team found Chambers truck keys along the embankment of McCoys Creek. Additionally, surveillance footage inside the liquor store shows Chambers entering and purchasing alcohol earlier that day.

JSO states that Chambers tampered with evidence, in a lawful investigation to avoid detection.

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.
New details about the man arrested in connection with the killing of a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy were revealed as a memorial to honor the deputy took place on Tuesday.

Witnesses provided more details about the suspect, Kevin Salazar, 29, in the hours leading up to the fatal shooting of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, on Sept. 16 in Palmdale.

The sheriffs department confirms that on the same day Clinkunbroomer was killed, two people reported separate road rage incidents involving Salazar.

A memorial to honor Clinkunbroomer near the Central Park stairs in his hometown of Santa Clarita is growing Tuesday night as loved ones and community members arrive to pay tribute.

At the top of a hill, attendees can sign cards offering messages and condolences to the deputys family.

Memorial climb held for L.A. County Sheriffs Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer at the Central Park stairs in Santa Clarita on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Memorial climb held for L.A. County Sheriffs Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer at the Central Park stairs in Santa Clarita on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Memorial climb held for L.A. County Sheriffs Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer at the Central Park stairs in Santa Clarita on Sept. 19, 2023. (KTLA)

Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested in connection with the ambush-style slaying of an L.A. County Deputy on Sept. 16, 2023. (@satellited_zombie)

Kevin Salazar, accused of killing a Los Angeles County deputy, was taken into custody on Sept. 18, 2023. (Key News Network)

Kevin Salazar, accused of killing a Los Angeles County deputy, was taken into custody on Sept. 18, 2023. (Key News Network)

Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. (LASD)

A Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy was killed in an ambush shooting in Palmdale on Sept. 16, 2023. (Key News)

A Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy was killed in an ambush shooting in Palmdale on Sept. 16, 2023. (Citizen)

A Los Angeles County Sheriffs deputy was killed in an ambush shooting in Palmdale on Sept. 16, 2023. (Key News)

A procession was held for a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy who was killed in an ambush shooting in Palmdale on Sept. 16, 2023. (LASD)

Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested in connection with the ambush-style slaying of an L.A. County Deputy on Sept. 16, 2023. (@satellited_zombie) / Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. (LASD)

Its sickening, said Jennifer Diaz, a retired Burbank Police Officer. Its really sad. Its really upsetting thats todays culture. We have to do something about it.

Salazar was accused of ambushing and killing Clinkunbroomer as the deputy sat at a red light near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q. Clinkunbroomer was rushed to the Antelope Valley Medical Center where he died from his injuries.

After an hours-long SWAT standoff Monday morning, Salazar was taken into custody outside of his Palmdale home.

Salazars family said he struggled with mental health issues, including schizophrenia, that were exacerbated by not taking his medication.

Since his arrest, community members are waiting to see how L.A. County District Attorney George Gascon will prosecute the case.

All eyes are watching to see how the DA is going to proceed on this, said L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

Barger said she wants to see the suspect prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and that the suspects mental health struggles are no excuse for what took place.

Im not a lawyer, but I just want to make sure that the DA follows the law as it relates to prosecution and lets his prosecutors do their job, Barger said.

A key piece of evidence in the case is a video showing a car pulling up to Clinkunbroomers patrol vehicle just before the shooting. Images of the vehicle were widely circulated, along with a $250,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Kevin Salazars vehicle being towed on Sept. 18, 2023 from his Palmdale home, believed to be involved in the killing of L.A. County Sheriffs Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer. (KTLA)

The DAs office is now building the case against Salazar. Theyve towed his vehicle which is believed to be used in the shooting and confiscated several weapons from his home.

Community members said they want justice and that prosecutors need to step up.

They need to do their job and bring some sense of justice to this, said Melissa Mann, the organizer of Clinkunbroomers memorial. Something absolutely needs to be done. No matter how harsh the punishment, nothing brings back this man to his fiancee and his family.

KTLA reached to Gascons office and was told they were not providing any comment or information at this time.

Salazars first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday morning at the Antelope Valley Courthouse.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
This photo taken on Sept.19, 2023 shows copies of the "The Practical Achievements and Global Contributions of the Global Development Initiative" report at the UN headquarters. Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, on Tuesday released a report titled "The Practical Achievements and Global Contributions of the Global Development Initiative" at the high-level meeting on Global Development Initiative (GDI) Cooperation Outcomes hosted by China at the UN headquarters. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, on Tuesday released a report titled "The Practical Achievements and Global Contributions of the Global Development Initiative" at the high-level meeting on Global Development Initiative (GDI) Cooperation Outcomes hosted by China at the UN headquarters.

The report, available in both English and Chinese versions, expounds on the core concepts, principles, and universal meanings of the GDI. It highlights the global contributions of GDI through more than 30 cases of international cooperation projects, and provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the achievements of GDI cooperation over the past two years.

"At a time when global development is facing headwinds, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the GDI as an effective response to global challenges and developing countries' needs for growth and received positive responses from all parties. Positive progress has been made in the two years since the initiative was proposed," the report said.

The report explains how China and the international community are collaborating to pioneer a new model of international development cooperation, and calls for the revitalization of economic recovery through technological innovation, the improvement of a just and equitable global governance system, and collective action to build a global community of development with a shared future.

The report indicates that the GDI prioritizes development and closely aligns with the central task of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations, presenting a new model of international development cooperation that is more inclusive, diverse, and sustainable.

"Together, we aim to create a new era of global development featuring benefits for all, balance, coordination, inclusiveness, win-win cooperation and common prosperity," ultimately building a global community of development with a shared future, said the report. 

The Practical Achievements and Global Contributions of the Global Development Initiative

This photo taken on Sept.19, 2023 shows copies of the "The Practical Achievements and Global Contributions of the Global Development Initiative" report at the UN headquarters. Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, on Tuesday released a report titled "The Practical Achievements and Global Contributions of the Global Development Initiative" at the high-level meeting on Global Development Initiative (GDI) Cooperation Outcomes hosted by China at the UN headquarters. (Xinhua/Liu Jie)
A man died after being pulled off a fence around an elementary school while carrying a sledgehammer, California police reported.

The man, whose identity was not released, climbed a fence around a parking lot at McKinley Elementary School at 2:27 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, Long Beach police said in a news release.

When he tried to climb a second fence into the school, some men in the parking lot pulled him down and detained him, police said.

At some point, he became unresponsive, police said.

Officers arriving at the school handcuffed the man, then discovered he was not responsive and called paramedics, but he died at the scene, police said.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine his cause of death, police said. Because he was handcuffed, they are investigating it as an in-custody death.

An investigation continues, police said.

Parent Johanna Chavarria told the Long Beach Post that parents were delayed picking up their children from the school because of the incident.

The school remained locked down until 3:20 p.m., school district officials told the publication. Counselors will be available, officials said.

Officers had originally been called to the area for a report of a home invasion but were then directed to the elementary school, police said.

Long Beach is about 25 miles south of Los Angeles.

People flee park in panic as pickup driver tries to run them over, Colorado police say

Kohls security catches man taking upskirt photos of shopper, California cops say

61-year-old stabbed in back pulls out knife and stabs intruder, California cops say
[Source]

The man who smashed the windows of Seattle's Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience with a sledgehammer last week is now facing two felony charges.

Latest update: On Monday, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office (KCPAO) charged Craig Milne, 76, with a hate crime and first-degree malicious mischief for causing over $100,000 in damage to the Wing Luke Museum last week.

What happened: Milne smashed nine windows of the historic museum in Seattles Chinatown-International District while a tour was in progress on Thursday evening. Despite several 911 calls, police response was reportedly delayed by almost one hour.

Blaming Chinese people: During his arrest, police noted that Milne said, Chinese people have ruined my life" and The Chinese have tortured and tormented me for 14 years. I dont regret anything I did here.

More from NextShark: 16-year-old South Asian boy beaten by his family after coming out as gay

He also continued making racially biased statements and expressed no remorse, according to charging documents.

The aftermath: Milne was booked for a hate crime offense, with his bail set at $30,000 following his first court appearance on Friday.

The museum announced on Facebook that it would be closing its doors on Monday to "allow for continued sensemaking of what happened and to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damages.

More from NextShark: Malaysian Worker Sees His Newborn Son for the First Time in 6 Months of COVID-19 Separation

What prosecutors are saying: In a statement, prosecutors condemned Milne's actions, writing, "The blatant racist motivations behind the defendants actions, the extreme nature of this property destruction, the disregard for individuals who were inside the building, and the lack of remorse gives the State significant community safety concerns."

Past crime: Milne was previously charged with fourth-degree assault and resisting arrest for an October 2013 incident in which he repeatedly punched an Asian man inside a locker room at Spartan Recreation Center in Shoreline, Washington. He also allegedly hurled racial slurs at an Asian officer during his arrest.

More from NextShark: Bay Area Doctor Cannot Eat or Drink Because of the Lack of Masks

His charges were eventually dropped "under unknown circumstances" in 2015.

More from NextShark: Korean artist DJ Soda 'shocked and scared' after being groped during performance in Japan
A Sept. 12 shooting in Yuma that left a pregnant woman dead has led to double-homicide charges, authorities said Tuesday.

Alexander Delcid, 28, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Alexis Rodriguez, 35, who was about two months pregnant at the time, according to Yuma police spokeswoman Sgt. Lori Franklin.

After responding to a shooting report, officers found an injured 34-year-old man and a slain woman, later identified as Rodriguez. The pair were found with gunshot wounds inside a parked vehicle in the area of West Yowell Court and West Main Canal Road, according to police. The man was released shortly after, police said. The surviving victim was not identified.

On Sept. 16 at 4:37 a.m., Delcid was taken into custody and booked on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted first-degree murder.

The killing of a pregnant person can lead to a double homicide charge in Arizona, Franklin said.

It was not a random shooting, said Franklin, who did not elaborate on further details from the investigation.

Anyone with any information about the case is asked to call police at 928-783-4421, or 928-782-7463 to remain anonymous.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man charged with murder in fatal shooting of pregnant woman in Yuma
A 43-year-old man is accused of murder and other crimes stemming from a deadly shooting inside a residence in Kansas Citys Oak Park neighborhood early Monday.

Jackson County prosecutors on Tuesday charged Eric Morrow, 43, of Leavenworth, with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful weapon use and illegal firearm possession. He was arrested by police Monday morning at the site of the fatal shooting of 31-year-old Matthew White, identified in court documents as Morrows cousin.

As of Tuesday, Morrow was being held in the Jackson County jail on a $200,000 cash bond.

Kansas City police officers were called around 9 a.m. Monday to 39th Street and Benton Boulevard on a report of a shooting. A perimeter was set up around a residence based on the suspicion that the shooter was still inside.

Five people, including Morrow, exited the home on orders from police to come outside. Morrow was first taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries he received during a fight with other residents inside the home, according to court documents.

After entering the home, White was found with a single injury to his left eye socket, according to court documents. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses said Morrow had been threatening the residents, including White, with a gun. They recalled a heated argument between White and Morrow on Sunday night over a take-out order, saying Morrow left sometime afterward.

Around 8:45 a.m. Monday, one of the witnesses said, Morrow returned and got into an argument with White. Morrow allegedly drew a firearm from his bag and slapped White across the face, records show.

One witness recalled retreating with White to a bedroom as Morrow threatened to shoot through the door. The witness opened it, she told police, and Morrow and White fought.

Others in the house said they intervened after hearing the commotion and gunshots. They said they restrained and disarmed Morrow until the police arrived.

On the way to the hospital in the ambulance, a police officer reported hearing Morrow say people were trying to rob him. None of the witnesses interviewed supported that statement, a Kansas City detective wrote in an affidavit supporting criminal charges for Morrow.

Morrow declined to leave his jail cell or speak with detectives about the shooting, according to court documents. Records did not list a defense attorney for Morrow as of Tuesday.
Andrew Lester, the white Kansas City homeowner charged with shooting a Black teen who mistakenly came to his door in April, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday.

Lester, 84, waived his right to have the charges read at his arraignment, according to local ABC News affiliate KMBC, which had reporters present in the courtroom. The judge scheduled his trial for more than a year away, on Oct. 7, 2024.

The two felony counts Lester has been charged with  assault in the first degree and armed criminal action  stem from him shooting 16-year-old Ralph Yarl in the head and arm when the Black teen rang the doorbell at Lesters house. Yarl had been sent to pick up his two younger brothers from a friends house that April evening but mistakenly went to Lesters house nearby. Lester, according to his police testimony, believed Yarl was attempting to break in and shot him.

Yarl, now 17, survived the gunshot, which failed to penetrate his brain, but his family said hes suffered extreme migraines, post-traumatic stress disorder and other debilitating ailments because of his injuries.

If convicted, Lester faces 10 years to life in prison.

His not guilty plea follows a judge ruling last month that he must stand trial. In court that day, Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson pushed back on Lesters claims of self-defense.

You do not have the right to shoot an unarmed kid through a door, Thompson said. In the courtroom, several of Yarls supporters wore shirts that read: Ringing a doorbell is not a crime, The Associated Press reported.

Lesters attorney, Steve Salmon, said that because of his clients physical infirmity, he is unable to defend himself, leading him to fire his weapon.

Lester previously pleaded not guilty to charges in April shortly after the shooting, but his case was moved to the Missouri Circuit Court in order to try him on felony charges, requiring him to enter a plea again.

Yarl recounted his experience the night of the shooting in a Good Morning America interview in June, saying he went looking for help after he was shot, only to have neighbors refuse. The people at the first house he approached declined to help him and locked the door, and the people at the second one told him to wait for police, he said.

Yarl, who plays several musical instruments and plans to study chemical engineering in college, said hes trying to move past the incident.

Im just a kid and not larger than life because this happened to me, he said. Im just gonna keep doing all the stuff that makes me happy. And just living my life the best I can, and not let this bother me.

Related...
Police in Sumter, South Carolina, say a man from Charlotte was killed in a shooting Tuesday night.

According to the Sumter Police Department, officers were called around 10:45 p.m. for a reported shooting on Brand Street.

SPD says a deputy with the Sumter County Sheriffs Office found Paul Shereshaw, 42, shot in the roadway. He was taken to the hospital but later died.

SUMTER NEWS >> Police: 5 dead, including three kids, at South Carolina home

The police department says another man who was standing nearby was also shot, and he went to the hospital on his own. Hes expected to recover.

Shereshaw is from Charlotte, according to SPD.

Sumter is about 110 miles south of Charlotte.

No suspect has been identified in the shooting yet.

(WATCH: Its terrible!: Neighbors on edge after 2 shootings within hours at apartment complex)
A West Virginia man has pleaded guilty to threatening jurors and witnesses in the federal hate crime trial of a gunman who fatally shot 11 people at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018, the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history.

Hardy Carroll Lloyd, 45, pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal charge of obstruction of the due administration of justice, the Justice Department said.

As part of his plea deal, prosecutors have asked that he be sentenced to 78 months in prison, the maximum he could receive under federal sentencing guidelines.

According to prosecutors, Lloyd admitted to making online threats against jurors and witnesses in the federal trial of Robert Bowers, who was convicted in June of 63 counts in the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. In August, a judge sentenced Bowers to death based on the recommendation of the jury.

Lloyd was arrested about a week after the sentencing. According to an affidavit, he wrote threatening posts on social media and websites, and also sent emails to the jury and witnesses during the trial.

Prosecutors said he described himself as the self-proclaimed "reverend" of a "white supremacy movement."

"Hardy Lloyd attempted to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history," Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "His guilty plea underscores that anyone who attempts to obstruct a federal trial by threatening or intimidating jurors or witnesses will be met with the full force of the Justice Department."

Under the plea deal, Lloyd admitted that he intentionally selected the targets of his threats "due to the actual or perceived Jewish religion of the witnesses and the Bowers victims."

On Oct. 27, 2018, the shooter entered the Tree of Life synagogue during Saturday morning services armed with an AR-15 rifle and three handguns and opened fire. Along with the 11 people killed, another seven were wounded.

Why illegal crossings are on the rise at the southern border

Zelenskyy warns of global nuclear threat in U.N. address

WGA, Hollywood studios to resume talks after wins on picket line
While posing as a Snapchat representative, authorities said a Pennsylvania man tricked women to get access to their nude photos.

Once he got their naked photos, he sold them as part of his years-long scheme, according to a Sept. 19 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Now, the 34-year-old man from Pottsville has pleaded guilty to obtaining information from protected computers, records show. His defense attorney told McClatchy News he would not be commenting on the case until his sentencing.

Authorities said that from February 2020 to February 2022, the man accessed dozens of womens accounts to look for and take their nude photographs.

(The man) acknowledged accessing victims Snapchat accounts at the behest of clients who paid him to break into the accounts and obtain the images, authorities said. (He) admitted that he accomplished this, in part, through use of an app that allowed him to send text messages to victims posing as a Snapchat representative.

Then, authorities said the man would coax the victims into changing their passwords and sharing the generated verification code with him, according to the release. Once he got the codes, he could access their Snapchat accounts, take their photos and sell them, authorities said.

The mans scheme was valued between $40,000 and $95,000, authorities said.

He faces up to five years in federal prison.

Exploiting our community like this is disgusting, illegal, and against our policies, a Snapchat spokesperson said in a statement to McClatchy News. We have safeguards in place that make it harder for strangers to find and contact our community and offer two-factor authentication to further protect Snapchatters accounts. We will never ask Snapchaters for their passwords, so if anyone sees this type of behavior we urge them to use our in-app tools to report it to us immediately, in addition to reporting it to law enforcement.

Pottsville is about 100 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Girls begged man to stop demanding increasingly sexual images, but he persisted, feds say

Man illegally accessed Snapchat accounts to save womens private photos, feds say

Teacher posing as student sends explicit Snapchat photos to middle schooler, feds say
A man fatally shot a German shepherd pet at Percy Warner Park on Sept. 13 when it ran toward him off its leash, according to Nashville police.

The dog's owner told police the 6-year-old dog was 20 feet from its owner when it saw a squirrel and took off. According to police, a 31-year-old man fired multiple rounds at the dog when it got to within a few feet of him. The dog died.

The man told officers he felt the dog was about to attack him. He fired at the dog with a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol seized at the scene, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The man had an expired handgun permit from another state, police said.

The dog's owner said the dog was not aggressive and had a shock collar on.

No charges have been filed against the 31-year-old man. The case remains under investigation as police continue working with the district attorney's office to review facts of the case.

Here are the laws and rules that might apply in this case.

Walkers and joggers take a last trip up and down before a temporary closure of the historic limestone steps at Percy Warner Park, effective Monday, January 6, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020.

Are guns allowed at Percy Warner Park?

Some Tennesseans have been allowed to have handguns in parks since 2015, when lawmakers passed a law that allowed handgun permit holders to carry the guns in parks, except when the park is in use for school-related activities.

Then in 2021, legislators passed a law allowing residents to carry handguns in most public places without a permit.

But the 2021 law does not appear to apply to parks, according to the Tennessee State Parks website.

The Warner Parks website states that guns are not allowed in those parks.

The law also prohibits carrying explosives, explosive weapons, permanently disabled firearms, hoax devices, imitation firearms, machetes or swords within 150 feet of a park.

Unlawful killing of animal

In Tennessee, it is an offense to knowingly and unlawfully kill the animal of another without the owner's consent.

But under the same TN Code 39-14-205, a person is justified in killing such an animal if the person acted under a reasonable belief that the animal was creating an imminent danger or serious bodily injury to that person or their animal.

A person is not justified in killing the animal of another if at the time of the killing the person is trespassing upon the property of the owner of the animal.

Animals are required to be on leashes at Percy Warner Park.

'Justice for Duke'  Shooting prompts outcry

The shooting has prompted people to react beyond Nashville. Several people locally have posted on social media since the shooting with their reactions, which include outcry about using a gun to others saying the dog should have been on a leash.

On Thursday, a YouTube account belonging to The Asher House, an Oregon animal rescue and foster organization run by Lee Asher, posted a video about the incident identifying the dog killed as "Duke." In the video, Lee Asher talks about the shooting and ask viewers to use the hashtag #JusticeForDuke to create more awareness. The video has had more than 91,000 views.

Juan Buitrago contributed to this report. 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: Dog shot in Nashville park: Here are the Tennessee laws at play.
A West Virginia man pleaded guilty to obstructing justice in the trial of the deadly Tree of Life synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, officials say.

Hardy Lloyd, 45, admitted to targeting jurors and witnesses online in an attempt to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a Sept. 19 news release from the Department of Justice.

Lloyd of Follansbee was indicted on charges of obstruction of the due administration of justice, transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce, and witness tampering, the DOJ said Aug. 30. He could face more than six years in federal prison, officials said.

Lloyds attorneys declined to comment on the case to McClatchy News.

Lloyd, a self-proclaimed reverend of a white supremacy movement, distributed threatening social media posts, website comments and emails during the trial, officials said in the release.

Lloyd used his website to post names, photos and other information about those involved in the trial because of the actual or perceived Jewish religion of several government witnesses, according to the plea agreement. He also attempted to reach jurors by email, saying he would obtain their information after the trial if they didnt vote the right way, the plea agreement says.

The perpetrator of the shooting was sentenced to death in August. The man killed 11 congregants at the Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, which remains the deadliest attack on the Jewish faith in U.S. history, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

It is absolutely reprehensible that the defendant threatened witnesses and jurors in the Tree of Life case, a tragedy that claimed innocent lives and emotionally scarred many in the Jewish community, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in the release.

Im about to lie. Man posts jury proceedings online after oath of secrecy, feds say

Prosecutor pocketed cash from defendants mom in exchange for dropped charges, feds say

Neighbor made racist dolls and hung them on Black familys fence in Alabama, feds say

Accused shooter in womans slaying over Pride flag identified, California cops say
Chinese tea culture event held in Mongolia

Xinhua) 10:12, September 20, 2023

MANDALGOVI, Mongolia, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese tea culture event was held in Mandalgovi, capital of Dundgovi Province, on Tuesday.

The event featured a traditional tea ceremony, tea tasting, a photo exhibition of Chinese tea culture and tourism, and other related activities.

China and Mongolia should use the tea culture event as a bridge to carry forward the tea road spirit featuring unity, collaboration and pioneering progress and to enhance the friendship between the two peoples, said Li Yanjun, Chinese Consul General in Dornogovi's Zamiin-Uud soum.

"Mongolia, especially our province, is an important node on the 'Tea Road,' so I am thrilled to hold this event in the province," said Munkhbat Tsagaankhuu, governor of Dundgovi province.

The event is part of a series of events entitled "Tea for Harmony: Yaji Cultural Salon," launched in Mongolia in May this year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
People attend the funeral of Palestinians killed in an Israeli military raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, Sept. 20, 2023. On Tuesday night, at least three Palestinians were killed and 30 others injured in an Israeli raid in the Jenin refugee camp, a militant stronghold located in the northern West Bank. The Israeli military said it launched the operation to arrest two Palestinians suspected of involvement in attacks against Israelis. (Photo by Nidal Eshtayeh/Xinhua)

RAMALLAH, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian previously wounded in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the Jenin refugee camp died Wednesday, and another was killed by Israeli soldiers during a raid in Jericho, West Bank, said the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The two deaths bring the number of Palestinian deaths from fresh Israeli raids in West Bank refugee camps to five.

On Tuesday night, at least three Palestinians were killed and 30 others injured in an Israeli raid in the Jenin refugee camp, a militant stronghold located in the northern West Bank. The Israeli military said it launched the operation to arrest two Palestinians suspected of involvement in attacks against Israelis.

Early on Wednesday, Israeli forces raided the Aqabat Jaber refugee camp in the southwestern city of Jericho, killing a 19-year-old young man, the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement to Xinhua.

Palestinian security sources and local eyewitnesses told Xinhua that clashes broke out between the locals and the Israeli soldiers who stormed the camp to arrest "wanted people."

"During the clashes, Israeli forces fired live bullets and tear gas towards protesters, shooting the young man in his head," the sources added, adding he was then rushed to hospital.

The Israel Defense Forces later said its troops, in the camp for an arrest raid, opened fire after Palestinians hurled explosive devices at them.

Tension between Israelis and the Palestinians has been flaring in the West Bank since January, following daily Israeli military raids on Palestinian cities, towns, villages and refugee camps to arrest Palestinians wanted by Israeli security forces. 
Florida law enforcement officials said theyve arrested the last two people facing charges related to a neo-Nazi demonstration in Orlando earlier this summer.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement officials said Ronald Murray, 41, and Amanda Rains, 36, are both accused of hanging anti-Semitic hate banners along the Daryl Carter Parkway Bridge in Orlando in June.

Since last week, four people have been arrested on charges related to the demonstration.

Read: Second man arrested, accused of hanging antisemitic banner over I-4 overpass

Officials said the banners were in violation of House Bill 269, which prohibits individuals from displaying or projecting images onto a building, structure, or property without permission.

Murray and Rains are both charged with criminal mischief.

Read: Brevard County man accused of hanging swastikas, antisemitic banners on Orlando overpass

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
A manhunt has been launched to find a suspected murderer who was accidentally released from an Indianaprison.

Kevin Mason, 28, was mistakenly freed from Marion Countys Adult Detention Center (ADC) on 13 September  just two days after he was arrested  due to a records-keeping error, authorities admitted.

Police then waited six days before informing the public of Mr Masons release.

Colonel James Martin with the Marion County Sheriffs Office revealed details of the bungled incident on Tuesday, hours before the search entered its seventh day.

I want to reassure the public that a round-the-clock manhunt has been underway ever since, he said, adding that authorities didnt inform the public because they wanted to use the time as a tactical advantage against Mr Mason to prevent the risk of him running underground.

The sheriffs office believes Mr Mason remains in Marion County and is receiving help from someone locally.

Mr Mason was wanted on a murder warrant in connection to a fatal 2021 shooting in Minneapolis, as well as on charges of parole violation and firearms possession.

He is accused of shooting and killing Dontevius A Catchings, 29, in the Shiloh Temple parking lot after the funeral of a mutual friend, according to local news reports at the time.

Since his release from prison last week, multiple officials have been fired with Mr Martin saying that the Ramsey County clerk and two Marion County clerks failed to notice an error relating to Mr Masons booking information.

This should not have happened, he said.

An investigation is now under way to determine if any policy or procedural violations occurred.

Anyone who sees Mr Mason is asked to call 911 (Marion County Sheriffs Ofiice)

Mr Mason is described as five feet nine inches tall, and weighing about 205 pounds. He has a cross tattoo under his right eye, SUB tattooed on his chest and also has a neck tattoo.

Residents are encouraged to provide any details or tips that might aid police in identifying and locating Mr Mason.

People with information are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS and anyone who sees Mr Mason is asked to call 911.

Mr Mason is not the first murder suspect to have been mistakenly released from the Indianapolis jail since it began operating in January 2022.

In May 2022, Noah Edwards, who is facing charges of murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, was mistakenly released from the prison after another person in the jail with a similar name was supposed to be released that same day.

Police arrested Mr Edwards 11 hours later on the southwest side of Indianapolis.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has reported that, as a result of the attack on the command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol on the morning of 20 September, Russian personnel were killed and expensive military systems were destroyed.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the SSU

Details: As sources stated, a military base in Crimea was hit by missiles. The special operation was carried out jointly by the SSU, the Air Force and the Navy of Ukraines Armed Forces. The strike was carried out after the SSU confirmed that the military unit was hosting commanders of the Russian fleet.

Quote: "The Russian generals have designated this base as their backup command post, so that they could not be targeted at the main place of deployment.

Now not only Russia's manpower is affected, but also the expensive military systems that were located at this base."

Background:

Ukraines Armed Forces confirmed that on the morning of 20 September, a successful strike was carried out on the command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol.

On the morning of 20 September, Telegram channels reported on the strike at a military unit near Sevastopol and explosions near the Belbek airfield and published a video of a trail of missiles.

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 debris of a crashed F-35 was found Monday in South Carolina after its pilot ejected during a mishap Sunday.

It's unclear why the pilot ejected, but the jet may have flown on autopilot for some time afterwards.

Though it's not certain, a special seat feature in the F-35B could've played a role in the unusual incident.

Even after debris from a missing F-35 stealth fighter was discovered in South Carolina earlier this week, questions remain about why and how the pilot bailed out of the jet in the first place.

A US official told the Associated Press the pilot was "forced to eject" following a malfunction, hinting that part of the mystery surrounding the F-35B crash may actually involve a pilot safety feature unique to the Marine's jump-jet version of the stealth fighter.

On Sunday, Joint Base Charleston reported a "mishap involving an F-35B Lightning II jet" in which the pilot ejected from the fifth-generation fighter aircraft. The base didn't provide further information on the incident or what caused the "mishap." A base spokeperson told NBC News the jet was left in autopilot mode and may have remained airborne for some time, though they later said they didn't know for sure.

Authorities were, however, sure the aircraft was down as of midday Monday, and a few hours later, officials confirmed a debris field was discovered in Williamsburg County about two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston. "The mishap is currently under investigation, and we are unable to provide additional details to preserve the integrity of the investigative process," it added in a press release.

While many of the specifics remain under wraps or are perhaps simply still unknown at this time, there's a chance a feature specific to the Marine Corps' F-35B model could've played a role in how and when the pilot ejected. With the auto-eject system, it might have been involuntary.

Two U.S. Marine F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters complete vertical landings aboard the USS Wasp (LHD-1) during operational testing May 18, 2015. REUTERS/U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Remington Hall/Handout

Similar in function to the Harrier jump jet, the B variant of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter is a short takeoff/vertical landing model. It features a unique auto-eject capability and is the first US aircraft to do so, and it was included for a reason.

The F-35Bs used by the Marine Corps can hover kind of like a helicopter, which is a beneficial capability for use aboard amphibious assault ships and on airfields with short runways. It does this using a large lift fan in the center of the jet's fuselage. If that fan were to fail, or power from the engine were to cut out, it's possible the jet could flip over and fall faster than a pilot could react to either stabilize the aircraft or eject themselves.

In a dangerous situation for the pilot and aircraft, the auto-eject would likely activate, although the parameters for this function are unknown. All that's clear is that the Martin-Baker US16E ejection seat can be automatically engaged without pilot input.

Back in December 2022 when, during a test flight at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth in Texas, an F-35B was hovering above the runway before suddenly dropping, bouncing, jerking forward, and then slamming into the runway nose-first. The hard impact caused the F-35B to spin around and smoke before the pilot ejected.

It's possible that, had the aircraft rolled over in a different direction, the pilot wouldn't have enough time or space to eject themselves.

It's currently not clear if the F-35's auto-eject safety mechanism influenced Sunday's incident and when or how the pilot ejected from the plane beyond what an anonymous official told the AP. The results of the investigation, which could still be months away, will reveal more.

In addition to the B variant, there is also the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant designed for the US Air Force, and the F-35C carrier variant made for both the Navy and Marine Corps. The variants have different features that allow "military forces to achieve service-specific mission capability, while still taking advantage of the economies of scale that result from the parts and processes that are common to all three variants," according to the jet's manufacturer, Lockheed Martin.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a highly advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft known for high-end capabilities and stealth. They are also exceptionally expensive, with a single F-35B estimated to cost around $100 million. The 60-year F-35 program, which includes jet development and maintenance, is expected to cost well over than $1 trillion, making the fighter jet the most expensive weapons program in US history.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG)  The U.S. Marshals Service said Wednesday that 249 Memphis fugitives wanted on crimes ranging from murder to sex charges have been arrested as part of a three-month operation across 20 cities.

Operation North Star III resulted in the closure of 288 Memphis warrants  30 of those warrants were for murder or attempted murder, the office said.

An additional 23 were for sex offenses, 75 for assault, 32 for robbery, and 38 for weapons charges. A total of 24 firearms were seized, the marshals said.

Tyreece Miller, United States Marshal for the western District of Tennessee, said fugitives known to have a history of violence were targeted.

So we really wanted to get the worst of the worst off the streets because studies have shown that a lot of your violent crimes are from repeat offenders, Miller said.

U.S. Marshals in Memphis were joined by 30 additional law enforcement officers from agencies including the Memphis Police Department and Shelby County Sheriffs Office, who were sworn in as Special Deputy U.S. Marshals during a two-week surge from July 18-29.

Where we deputize officers and give them law enforcement power and they had federal jurisdiction, so they are essentially an extension of the Marshal Service. So if I swear in an MPD officer or a sheriffs deputy, he or she has federal law enforcement powers, Miller said. The thing about the Marshal Service is were not tasked with answering calls for service. We dont do routine patrols. What we do is, well go after bad guys, well go after the fugitives and we wont stop until we find them.

Notable arrests include:

Rolvin Rodriguez was arrested July 21 for Aggravated Rape of a Child.

Christopher Smith was arrested August 16 for First Degree Murder for the June 20 shooting death of a 3-year-old child that occurred in the 3400 block of West Winchester Place.

Justin Blue was arrested August 19 on a wide variety of charges, including Murder and four counts of Aggravated Assault for a shooting that occurred on June 13th on Lawnview Street.

The U.S. Marshals Service says beyond partnering with other law enforcement to take someone into custody, they are always looking for tips from the public as well.

Nationwide, the operation resulted in the clearance of 2,818 violent warrants.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Eric Simmons, left, and Demetrius Smith, who were found innocent after spending years in prison for crimes they did not commit in Maryland, testify before state lawmakers for legislation to address how the wrongly incarcerated should be compensated by the state during a hearing Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 in Annapolis, Md. On Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, a Maryland board approved more than $340,000 for a settlement to compensate Smith, who was wrongly convicted of murder and assault in two separate cases and spent more than five years in prison. (AP Photo/Brian Witte, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  A man wrongly convicted of two separate violent crimes will be compensated by the state of Maryland after spending years behind bars, including over a year after he had been proven innocent.

A Maryland board approved more than $340,000 for a settlement on Wednesday in compensation for Demetrius Smith who was wrongly convicted of murder and first-degree assault and spent more than five years in prison.

Gov. Wes Moore, who chairs the three-member Board of Public Works, apologized to Smith before the board approved the settlement, noting that it's been more than a decade since his release in 2013.

Were here today more than 10 years after he was released from incarceration, providing Mr. Smith with long overdue justice that he was deprived of, an apology from the state of Maryland that until today hes never received," Moore told Smith, who attended the hearing in person.

Smith was 25 in 2008 when he was wrongfully charged with murder.

Gov. Moore noted that at Smith's bail hearing, the judge said the case before him was probably the thinnest case he had ever seen. But, Moore said, "the prosecution was determined to press forward, relying on testimony from a witness who was later found to have not even been at the scene of the crime.

Less than two months after his arrest, while on bail, Smith was arrested and taken into custody for first-degree assault. Once again, the prosecution relied on witnesses who later recanted their testimony, the governor said.

In 2010, Smith was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, plus 18 years. In 2011, he entered an Alford plea for the assault charge, maintaining his innocence. Moore said Smith entered the plea after losing faith in the criminal justice system. Under an Alford plea, the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges the likelihood of a conviction if the case went to trial.

In 2011, the Maryland U.S. attorney's office charged the person who was actually responsible for the murder, and Smith's innocence was proven. But he still spent another year and a half in prison, the governor said. It wasn't until 2012 that the state finally dropped the murder conviction.

In May 2013, Smith petitioned the court to revisit his Alford plea for the assault charge, and his sentence was modified to time served, plus three years probation, which was later reduced to probation.

I am deeply sorry for the fact that our justice system failed you not once, but our justice system failed you twice, and while no amount of money can make up for what was taken from you, the action this board is taking today represents a formal acknowledgment from the state for the injustice that was caused," Moore told Smith.
The team behind Telosa  tech billionaire Marc Lores planned futuristic desert  recently held a webinar full of updates on the ambitious projects progress. Notably, the webinar included a presentation from the architectural firm tasked with designing the sustainable city of the future.

Lore made his billions in e-commerce  he founded Diapers.com and Jet.com before becoming president and CEO of Walmart.coms e-commerce division. In 2021, he stepped away from that world to focus on his dream of creating a city from scratch.

His vision for Telosa is incredibly ambitious  the stated goal is for the city to have a population of five million people by 2050. That would make it the second-largest city in the U.S. after New York City.

The economic model of the city would be something that Lore calls Equitism  purportedly inspired by Georgism, an economic ideology started by 19th-century political economist Henry George.

In Lores version of this ideology, the land in Telosa would be owned by the city but donated to a community endowment that is managed by the citizens themselves. Therefore, in theory, the residents would be able to directly fund improvements in their own communities.

Whats new with Telosa?

In order to attract enough people to Telosa to meet the goal of making it bigger than Los Angeles, Chicago, or Houston, Lore wants to make it the most progressively designed, futuristic, sustainable city possible.

To do so, he hired the renowned architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group to work on the plans. In a recent webinar held on Mar. 2, Douglass Alligood, a partner at Bjarke Ingels, shared some of the firms designs.

Alligood said the current concept for Telosa  which still does not have a finalized location  would be based on the increasingly popular (and bizarrely controversial) idea of the 15-minute city. The concept strives to give citizens of a city everything they need (cultural sites, education, food, healthcare, housing, leisure, and work) within a 15-minute walk or bike ride of where they live.

Telosa would be divided into 36 mixed-use districts, with each district being its own 15-minute walkable city.

Active and walkable communities are safer communities, Alligood explained.

Alligood also discussed how pedestrians would be prioritized over vehicular traffic.

Reducing the speed of mobility is critical to creating an accessible streetscape, he added.

Telosas streets would contain wide bike lanes and green buffers that would create separation between traffic and pedestrians.

Even the shapes of the public parks in Telosa would be futuristic. Alligood explained that rectangular parks, such as Manhattans Central Park, are actually not the most efficient in terms of accessibility. Telosas largest public park would be designed in a sort of zig-zag shape, allowing for easier walkability from one section to another, as well as more street frontage.

Alligood also mentioned that Telosas utilities would be placed primarily in underground tunnels, which he said would best allow for future expansion and technological advancements.

Alligood also touched on the overall vision for the city. Although it is not yet clear how the Telosa team plans to fill its city, they are committed to the idea of diversity.

Telosa will not be a gated community, Alligood said. It will be open and welcoming. Gates send mixed messages. What can make one person feel safer can make another feel insecure. We want Telosa to be open to all.

Whats next for Telosa?

The Telosa teams next step is finalizing a location. During the webinar, Telosa founding member Jon Mallon reiterated that the team has narrowed its search down to three possible states  Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. Mallon implied several times that the team is very close to finalizing some sort of deal in one of those states, although he did not say which one.

We are focused on the location first which will have an impact on the design and costs, he said. We are actively working on the location now. Funding will follow.

In the meantime, the team will continue to hold webinars, all of which are fully open to the public. The next one will focus on the future of transportation, including how people and goods would be transported into and out of Telosa.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and actionable info that makes it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Russian Army Gen. Sergey Surovikin appears to be in Algeria, according to recent photos.

Surovikin is the mastermind of Russia's formidable defensive lines and fortifications in Ukraine.

War experts say he may have been tasked him with overseeing Wagner Group activity in Africa.

Russian Army Gen. Sergey Surovikin is credited as the architect of Russia's formidable defensive network in Ukraine. But as Kyiv's forces break through these elaborate fortifications, the mastermind behind them is nowhere near the action.

Surovikin, who served at one point as Russia's overall theater commander in Ukraine, was detained in the fallout of the Wagner Group's late-June mutiny over his ties to the mercenary organization. After several weeks, during which his whereabouts were largely unknown, Surovikin was finally released earlier this month  his military career suspected of being largely finished.

But according to recent photographs shared by Russia-affiliated accounts to social media platforms, Surovikin appeared to be somewhere in Algeria as of last week, experts and observers noted. Algeria has maintained close economic and security ties with Moscow for decades and is a major purchaser of Russian arms.

"Surovikin is in an exile  of sorts. Yet not. Algeria is a top client for Russian exports, and critically  has hundreds of tanks and kits/spare parts," Dara Massicot, a senior policy researcher who focuses on Russian security issues at the California-based RAND Corporation think tank, wrote on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter.

The comments came in response to an earlier post with several photos appearing to show Surovikin.

Experts at the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a Washington-based think tank, noted Surovikin's apparent presence in Algeria as part of a Friday assessment of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine. The experts cited several additional photographs of Surovikin purportedly in Algeria, which were published to Telegram by Russian sources.

Insider was unable to independently verify any of the recent photographs of Surovikin shared to X and Telegram.

According to the ISW assessment, Surovikin had previously been tasked with a leadership role within Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), which consists of Russia and several former Soviet states. ISW experts noted in an analysis earlier this month the move "is consistent with previous patterns of the Russian military leadership shifting disgraced and ineffective commanders to peripheral positions far removed from Ukraine without discharging them from the Russian military entirely."

After the Wagner Group's short-lived uprising  and the more recent confirmed death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin  Russia has moved to assume more oversight of the mercenaries' activity in Africa, where they had long acted as shadowy extensions of Moscow's foreign policy apparatus. Surovikin's new role, and his recent appearance in Algeria, appear to be a reflection of this.

Russia's defense ministry "continues efforts to assume control over the Wagner Group's operations in North Africa and may have assigned" Surovikin to the job, the ISW experts wrote in their Friday analysis. They cited Kommersant, a Russian news outlet, in reporting that a source close to Surovikin asserted that the trip to Algeria could be connected to his "possible appointment to oversee unspecified operations in Africa."

Commander of Russia's Aerospace Forces Sergei Surovikin, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov and Head of the Main Operational Directorate of the Armed Forces' General Staff Sergei Rudskoi attend a meeting with President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia, November 3, 2021. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS

"Surovikin may be involved in Russian efforts to subsume Wagner operations due to his affiliation with Wagner and his command experience, although it is unclear if the Russian MoD intends for Surovikin to assume direct command of these efforts," the ISW experts wrote in their analysis.

Thousands of miles away from Algeria, in Ukraine, Kyiv's troops have been fighting to get past Russia's tough defensive fortifications known as the Surovikin Line  named after the fearsome general, who was known by supporters as "General Armageddon." When Surovikin was Russia's overall theater commander last fall, he oversaw efforts to construct an elaborate system of defensive fortifications and obstacles that stretch and intertwine across Moscow-occupied territory in eastern and southern Ukraine.

Although the Surovikin Line consists of multiple lines that connect, there is a definitive main defensive line that is preceded by minefields and includes three layers of obstacles and fighting positions: anti-vehicle ditches to prevent armor from advancing, a row of dragon's teeth to further stop vehicles, and trenches manned with Russian soldiers.

One direction of the Ukrainian counteroffensive  in the southern Zaporizhzhia region  has found notable momentum in recent weeks, as Kyiv's forces have been pushing against the main part of the Surovikin Line there and making territorial gains in the process.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mayor Brandon Johnson s administration is moving forward with plans to put up migrant base camps across the city by signing a nearly $30 million contract with a private security firm at the center of controversies related to its handling of asylum-seekers elsewhere and a deal with GOP Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to relocate migrants.

GardaWorld Federal Services, and its subsidiary Aegis Defense Services, quietly sealed the one-year deal with the city on Sept. 12. The city contract calls for GardaWorld to provide emergency logistics management and operation services that will set up shelter  and other necessary services (also called a base camp or solution) for the new arrivals.

The company signed a similar $125 million contract with the state of Illinois late last year, though so far very little has been paid out.

The $29.4 million GardaWorld agreement with the city came less than a week after Johnson announced he intended before winter to move about 1,600 migrants, many of whom are temporarily living inside Chicago police stations or at OHare or Midway airports, to a network of newly erected tent cities peppered throughout the city.

Earlier this month, Johnsons team noted the citys migrant expenditures could reach $302 million by the end of the year when factoring in costs of the new tent encampment sites.

The mayor has yet to reveal details about the exact timeline or locations of the camps, but the contract reveals some specifics about the tents it would assemble. The soft-material yurt structures would each fit 12 cots and be outfitted with fire extinguishers and portable restrooms while makeshift kitchens would be set up nearby. Questions remain, however, on heating capabilities during the unforgiving Chicago winter.

The security company, which says on its website it has responded to all major U.S. natural disasters, declared emergencies, and military conflicts since 2002, has also drawn criticism for several immigration-related matters.

The controversies encompass projects and proposals in Denver, Texas and Canada related to migrants, as well as the firms recent contract agreeing to relocate migrants from Florida under DeSantis direction.

Late Wednesday, after word of the contract was reported by the Tribune and other news outlets, Johnsons administration released a statement saying the contract enables the City to stand up the base camps expeditiously, and more quickly move new arrivals from Chicago Police Department district stations as the weather begins to change.

The administration did not address any of the controversies and said GardaWorld was selected based on expediency because the company had a preexisting master contract with the state that the city was able to piggyback on.

But two months ago, records obtained by the Tribune show members of Johnsons administration raised questions about the firm.

Sharing a Denver Post article about the companys scuttled efforts to secure a $40 million contract to provide migrant services to the city of Denver, the citys deputy mayor for immigration, Beatriz Ponce de Leon, wrote in a July 24 email with state officials, Sharing this article about Denvers rejection of GaurdaWorld (sic). Wed like to discuss possible implications here.

Representatives with GardaWorld declined to comment Wednesday.

Controversies in Denver, border states

In the past decade, GardaWorld has received contracts across North American to provide migrant-related services that include detention. That drew alarm earlier this year from immigration advocates in Denver who successfully helped sink the proposed $40 million contract.

The Denver mayors office withdrew the plan in July after heavy backlash from advocates and nonprofit organizations contended GardaWorld does not have experience running humane migrant shelters and that the firm comes from a background of military-style operations, the Denver Post reported.

Led by the Colorado branch of the progressive, Philadelphia-based American Friends Service Committee, the critics said the company has worked with the federal government at Fort Bliss, a facility along the southern border in El Paso, Texas, that houses unaccompanied children who crossed the border. The company also has contracted with the Canadian government to provide detention and transportation services in the Vancouver area, according to a case study on its website.

In addition, the firm was one of three finalists in Florida for DeSantis plans to relaunch a program relocating migrants to Democratic-led cities, according to the states online records. GardaWorld signed the contract with Floridas executive office of the governor  who is also a 2024 Republican presidential candidate  in June, with amendments stretching to Aug. 17.

The signed Florida agreement includes a cover letter from GardaWorlds vice president of contracts, David Watson, who vowed, In the wake of increasing numbers of migrants arriving in Florida, GWFS stands ready to assist the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) by providing mature and proven project management and transportation services to ensure dignified relocation services, according to a heavily redacted copy uploaded on a Florida state database. That contract was amended three times since, according to the website.

Watson also signed the Illinois and Chicago contracts.

Jennifer Piper, the Colorado program director at AFSC, said GardaWorld should not be trusted to do work in Chicago either.

Theyre a company that is clearly not ethical  and they dont have a good track record of caring for vulnerable people, Piper said. So if I were a Chicago resident, I would be very concerned about the treatment and the conditions for people inside shelters run by GardaWorld.

The company was founded in Canada under the name Trans-Quebec Security Inc. in 1995, according to its website, before it expanded internationally amid a spate of acquisitions.

Its website boasts of being a partner of choice to the U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Health and Human Services, (and) the Intelligence Community for services including security, medical and response logistics.

Most of Chicagos 14,000 migrants who have arrived to seek asylum since August 2022 have come from Texas, some under the direction of Republican Gov. Greg Abbott. But DeSantis has been eager to make flashy moves with the migrants who have crossed the U.S. southern border as well, sending planes to Marthas Vineyard, Massachusetts, and California, to swift condemnation from Democratic leaders.

Chicago and Illinois officials have decried the Republican governors for what they say are efforts to manipulate a humanitarian crisis for a political stunt.

While GardaWorld had reportedly presented its migrant work to Denver officials as humanitarian-focused, The Tampa Bay Times noted DeSantis administration specifically sought vendors that would agree with the following truths:

The migrant and refugee issues are not going away, and that a small percentage of these migrants are criminals and malicious actors from foreign entities. They should be identified, apprehended and delivered to law enforcement, Floridas Division of Emergency Management wrote.

Apprehension over GardaWorld

The city contract is using the $125 million state deal secured months ago with GardaWorld, though state officials said they had no involvement with the city deal.

The state contract called for the company to house between 250-700 people within a warehouse or other large building, and emails and other records show the company was preparing plans for converting a former CVS store into an interim housing facility. But records from the state comptrollers office show the state has paid the company just $2,650, which a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Human Services said was for an initial feasibility assessment on the CVS facility in the Little Village neighborhood.

Still, correspondence between Johnsons and Pritzkers administrations, including from Ponce de Leon, show both sides were aware of the negative press about GardaWorld.

DHS spokeswoman Rachel Otwell said the concerns were related to cultural competency, which the state addressed by collaborating with GardaWorld on its operating policies and procedures to ensure a human services lens, as well as having weekly meetings with company officials as well as local and state officials and planning to have a culturally competent community provider onsite to assist with operations.

IEMA said in a statement that the GardaWorld contract was competitively bid.

The state signed a separate $20 million contract with GardaWorld in February to provide security services to Illinois Department of Human Services lodging sites in and around Chicagoland, though the contract amount was eventually reduced to $100,000, according to records. At the end of last year, the department was housing more than 2,000 migrants across a dozen Chicago-area hotels, but state records show they had all moved out by early May.

The department signed another contract for up to $9.5 million with GardaWorld in August for services related to an emergency shelter for asylum-seekers including set-up/tear-down, equipment/internet installation, personnel, etc.

Records dont show any payments made under the earlier contract for security services. The August contract, meanwhile, is to potentially set up and manage a city of Chicago shelter for up to six months in a former big box store, Otwell said late Wednesday.

Ald. Andre Vasquez, 40th, chairman of the Chicago City Councils immigration committee, said Wednesday, I dont understand why we would give money to the same folks who are doing DeSantis bidding. He also said he had reservations about Johnsons tent proposal and that the city should instead be spending money acquiring vacant properties for shelters.

The fact that theyre kind of looking at it from this kind of detention lens isnt something I believe we should be moving forward with, Vasquez said when presented with the GardaWorld contract. Again, I understand the need to figure out a solution in the short term. Seeing the information, unless I get more, this does not appear to be it.

Worries about heating during Chicago winter

Questions also remain on how GardaWorlds base camp operations will fare for the asylum-seekers, many of whom are Venezuelan immigrants who trekked across Central and South America with few resources and are still awaiting job permits.

The city contract details the firm would set up trailers and tents that could house between 250 to 1,400 migrants per base camp, with air conditioning and electrical systems. Although the contract states the tents will be able to cool down to 72 degrees if it is 95 degrees outside, it only lists capacity to heat the structures up to 70 degrees from 40 degrees  a floor that hardly matches the subzero temperatures that mark Chicagos winters.

Tents would be made with ClearSpan fabric and provide natural ventilation, armshield cover and multiple foundation options, according to the contract.

The camps would be made up of smaller tents, which the contract call yurts, that span about 665 square feet and would hold a dozen sleeping cots, each with storage space and a minimum 40 square feet of space between occupants. Every yurt would be equipped with fire extinguishers, lighting and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

The contract lays out separate tents for operations staff and for medically isolated patients who would be placed elsewhere in the base camp, in addition to other facilities for kitchens and bathrooms. The latter would be broken into trailers for toilets and urinals, an eight-head shower station, laundry and sinks.

For the porta-trailer restroom, the contract calls for providing at least one toilet for every 20 people, and one toilet and one urinal per 25 males. The firm would establish hand-washing stations to serve a ratio of one sink per 20 people.

Each occupant would get 64 ounces of bottled drinking water per day, per American Red Cross standards, according to the contract, as well as three meals a day, seven days a week. A sample dinner would include an entree, bread, salad, vegetable, dessert and a beverage of coffee, juice or water.

All security for the population provided by GardaWorld in the basecamps would be unarmed, according to the contract, and the company is prepared to provide fencing options around the camps ranging from small barrier/enclosure fencing to complete camp privacy fencing.

For soft-sided lodging such as the tent encampments with utilities readily available, monthly costs will run $2.3 million for 200 to 400 people, and $7.2 million for between 1,201 to 1,400 people. Setup and teardown costs will range from $510,000 to $596,000.

If utilities such as water, electricity and waste are not readily available at tent sites, costs rise as well. Monthly expenditures for a base camp sheltering between 200 to 400 people will run at $2.4 million, while housing between migrants 1,201 and 1,400 will run $7.8 million. Setup and teardown costs will range from $552,000 to $638,000.

ayin@chicagotribune.com

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com
A woman running what has been described as a morality campaign for mayor in Franklin, Tennessee has confirmed that she was arrested for promoting prostitution three decades ago.

Gabrielle Hanson, a MAGA Republican and Franklin alderman, claims she believed that she was working for a modelling agency when she worked answering phones for what turned out to be an escort service while she was a college student.

Seven hours after Nashvilles NewsChannel5 reached out to Ms Hanson about her criminal past, she shared a video in which she said: One day the police came knocking at my door.

She was detained in Dallas, Texas in the mid-1990s.

I was shocked, I was devastated. Everything I worked for for 13 years was about to come true. It should have been the happiest, most exciting time of my life, and it ended up being the absolute lowest, Ms Hanson said. That was definitely not who I was, but I was definitely in the middle of all of it.

The Tennessee TV station notes that Ms Hanson has been running a morality campaign opposing LGBT+ rights and events like Pride Fest.

In the video posted to her campaigns Instagram account, Ms Hanson said that she was trying to finish college as a student at Southern Methodist University when she took a job answering the phone for what she believed to be a modelling and casting agency.

I answered the phone, I took a name, I took a number and a date, she says in the footage. At the end of my work session, I would call the owners and give them that information.

She insists that she didnt know it was an escort service until the police appeared. She agreed to a plea deal for a single charge under a process allowing offenders without criminal records to avoid convictions known as deferred adjudication.

My punishment for the deferred adjudication was do not live in Dallas for two years, because they knew I was leaving. I said, No problem, because I dont ever want to live in Dallas again after this experience, Ms Hanson says, adding that it was at this time that she moved to Chicago.

NewsChannel5 has also reported that Ms Hanson posted a photo of a number of women who she said backed her campaign, but the women later told the station that they didnt know Ms Hanson. She claimed they denied knowing her to protect her.

The TV station noted that there are also questions surrounding where she and her husband live.

Ms Hanson compared pleading no contest to one count of promoting prostitution to getting a speeding ticket.

I moved to Chicago, where I rekindled my love for Christ, she says in the video.

Ms Hanson has also been slammed for downplaying lynching and opposing racial terror markers, according to The Tennessee Holler and The Daily Beast.

She also faces allegations that she shared false information about a mass shooting at a Nashville school and that she threatened to take action against the local airport for backing a Juneteenth festival, the national holiday marking the end of slavery in the US.
YAOUNDE, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- More than 400,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in neighboring Chad since the start of a conflict in Sudan about five months ago, said an official from the UN Refugee Agency, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

"As of Sept. 11, 2023, 418,126 new Sudanese refugees have been registered in Chad. Daily arrivals from Sudan continue ... the Chadian government estimates that up to 600,000 refugees and returnees could arrive in Chad by the end of 2023," UNHCR Chad Representative Laura Lo Castro told Xinhua in a recent interview.

She said that the UNHCR, in collaboration with the Chadian government, is working to ensure the reception, protection, and response to the most urgent humanitarian needs of the refugees.

Despite these efforts, the needs in the camps remain enormous, and resources are running out, she added.

"Additional resources are sorely needed to meet the needs of the refugees. As of Sept. 9, 2023, out of the 388 million U.S. dollars requested for Chad under the PRRP (Regional Refugee Response Plan) for the Sudanese situation, the humanitarian community has been financed at 20 percent, or 79 million dollars. 80 percent of the plan remains unfunded, representing a gap of 309 million dollars," Lo Castro said.

Sudan has been witnessing deadly armed clashes in the capital Khartoum and other areas since April 15, resulting in over 3,000 deaths and more than 6,000 injuries, according to the Sudanese Health Ministry. 
15-year-old Juliana Howard and her 11-year-old brother Johan were injured in a barrage of gunfire while playing outside their home in the Franklin Field Housing community in Dorchester.

Three adults were also hit by the bullets at the Franklin Field housing community in Dorchester Sunday night around 8:30.

Joanna Algarin, the mother of Juliana and Johan, told Boston 25 News in an exclusive interview that she was making her family dinner when she heard what sounded like fireworks. She recalled both of her kids playing near her when they were shot.

My 11-year-old son is intelligent, witty and strong and now traumatized by this heinous act, says Algarin.

Johan is a sixth grader at Charles Taylor Elementary in Mattapan and has been released from Boston Childrens Hospital after being shot in the leg.

But Juliana, a sophomore at the Community Academy of Science and Health in Dorchester, remains on a ventilator in critical condition at Boston Medical Center on Wednesday.

My daughter is a straight a student she received an award for receiving one of the top MCAS scores in the state says Algarin.

Juliana took a photo next to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu while celebrating her high achieving test score last year. This was a proud moment for the young girl who Algarin says has overcome many challenges despite living with autism.

The event that I had a chance to see the family at was to celebrate our young superstars in the school district. Young people who are really doing great work Mayor Wu tells Boston 25.

Mayor Wu says she remembers the excitement felt by all in the city council chambers that day.

Just to remember the feeling of excitement and eagerness to growing and learning and be a leader in the city, says Wu. We need to make sure all of our young people experience that and not have it be tempered by any fear of violence.

It was vastly different from her recent interaction with Juliana and Johans family this week.

I have had a chance to connect with family members and obviously is just something that no mom, no family should ever have to experience, says Wu.

These children deserve to be outside with or without their parents. The mayor needs to do better, says the childrens aunt.

Wu says, these are beloved young people. Theyve grown up here in this city and in this community. Were gonna do everything we can to continue to support the family.

No arrests have been made in Sunday nights shooting.

Police said they have increased patrols in and around the Franklin Field housing community following what happened.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boston Police Departments homicide unit at 617-343-4470. Anonymous tips can be called into the CrimeStoppers tip line at 1-800-494-TIPS.

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
The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections voted to accept 20 and reject 16 ballots of voters who failed to produce an ID during Charlotte City Councils Democratic primary, according to a spokesperson for the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections.

The Mecklenburg County Board of Elections unanimously voted to reject the ballot of one Charlotte voter who didn't have their ID. I'm told the voter filled out the photo ID exception form and checked the "other" box. In the explanation, the voter wrote "unconstitutional." The pic.twitter.com/bPTwWJBXWA  Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) September 20, 2023

Voters without a proper ID are allowed to fill out the Photo ID Exception Form and cast a provisional ballot. The form includes several reasons including not being able to get an ID due to work or illness and the ID being lost or misplaced. It takes a unanimous vote from the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections to reject a ballot from counting.

Elections Director Michael Dickerson previously said he expected nearly all of the votes to count, if the voter filled out the form properly.

The 20 votes that were accepted all properly filled out the form, according to Kristin Mavromatis with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections. Of the 16 votes that were rejected, 11 of the voters didnt fill out the form and didnt bring an ID to the Board of Elections office before canvass.

According to Mavromatis, one voter whose ballot was rejected selected the other box for their impediment to presenting an ID. This box requires voters to write the reason why they are not presenting one. According to Mavromatis, the voter wrote unconstitutional.

READ MORE: As in-person voting starts in Charlotte, remember to bring your ID

Our Board chose not to count it as it is constitutional as added to the NC constitution by popular vote, Mavromatis said.

Mavromatis says for the remaining four rejected ballots, one person refused to show an ID out of protest, one tried to show a South Carolina ID and claimed dual citizenship, one person wrote on the form that they didnt have time to go home and get their ID and still vote, and election officials were unable to verify the identity of one voter due to their mask.

Mavromatis says the voter who filled out the form claiming they didnt have time to go home and get their ID was instructed he could bring his ID to the office before the canvass for his ballot to count.

The Board unanimously voted to reject the 16 votes. In total, 23,764 votes were cast.

VIDEO: As in-person voting starts in Charlotte, remember to bring your ID
Belarusian state media announced on Sept. 19 that 48 children from Russian-occupied Ukraine have arrived in Belarus. The arrival was described as participation in a holiday," and children will reportedly be hosted in the city of Novopolotsk.

The children were removed from Ukraine by a Belarusian charity led by Alexei Talai, who told Beta that all the Belarusian people" want to help children from dilapidated cities and towns in the new territories of Russia.

It is unclear if the children are orphans or were transported to Belarus with the consent of their parents. Belarus has denied in the past that it was accepting children taken illegally from Ukraine, though Belarusian opposition figures have reportedly provided the International Criminal Court (ICC) with evidence to the contrary.

The ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova for the illegal removal of children from parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian forces. In July Lvova-Belova claimed 700,000 Ukrainian children had been brought to Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Belarus is Russias closest ally and allows Moscow to keep troops and equipment, including nuclear weapons, in the country.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian advances point to severe degradation of Russian units, says ISW

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
On Sunday, NBC's Meet the Press, which has been interviewing notable politicians for the past 75 years, brought in for questioning the runaway favorite for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination: Donald Trump.

Media critics werepredictably by nowlivid. Not just at new MTP host Kristin Welker's inability to corral Washington's most slippery fish, but at the very notion that a politician-interviewing show should even interview this particular politician, after all that he has done.

"It's arguable that, at this juncture, there is really no need to interview Trump," posited CNN media writer Oliver Darcy. "Just a colossal mistake to showcase this sociopath," tweeted American Enterprise Institute emeritus scholar and Atlantic contributing editor Norman Ornstein. "Downright dangerous journalism to legitimize this guyin the name of having a 'talked about' premiere," charged former New York Times media reporter Bill Carter. "Is it possible," an exasperated former Chicago Tribune editor Mark Jacob wondered, "that journalists who platform lying fascists don't know they're undermining democracy?"

It may seem counterintuitive that protecting democracy requires refusing to talk with a primary-frontrunning former president who more than 74 million Americans voted for in 2020. But not if you think that Trump is uniquely awful and dangerous, that his fact-tethered interlocutors are helpless against his firehose of lies, and that there are no meaningfully compensatory benefits to be gleaned from the traditional journalistic practice of interrogating a candidate for high office.

"Interviewing Trump does not work," declared NYU journalism professor Jay Rosen. "No accountability moment ever comes." Welker's effort "proved once again that interviewing the 45th president is an impossible task," averred Vanity Fair's Molly Jong-Fast. The Bulwark's Jonathan Last made the bold comportmental assertion that the "media's joband particularly broadcast mediais to think deeply about how to avoid helping Trump with its coverage.It would be nice if the folks in broadcast media could lend usand democracya hand. Or, at the very least, stop giving aid and comfort to the authoritarian just because you want to pull a ratings number."

Such sentiments were rarely heard in the mainstream media 25 years ago. Back then one might sporadically encounter a Committee of Concerned Journalists member clucking about the need to hold firm on traditional, nonpartisan journalistic values of verification, particularly in the face of such debasing new ideologically tainted Web phenomena as The Drudge Report. It was mostly on the political marginsthe Nation left, the Free Republic rightwhere you'd find critics chipping away at the unconscious or unacknowledged biases in the aspirationally neutral and still-potent MSM. Progressives would complain that the right had learned to successfully "work the refs"; conservatives would charge that newsrooms nursed a secret agenda to tip elections toward Democrats.

Now the agenda is no longer secret, and the ref-working is coming from inside the house.

"Be truthful, not neutral," is the catchphrase longtime CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour has been drawing industry-wide praise for this season, including back in May when she deployed it to criticize her own network for holding a live town hall interview with the former and would-be future president.

"We know Trump and his tendencies. Everyone does. He just seizes the stage and dominates. No matter how much flack the moderator tries to aim at the incoming, it doesn't often work," Amanpour told an audience of Columbia Journalism School grads, adding: "Maybe we should revert back to the newspaper editors and TV chiefs of the 1950s, who in the end refused to allow McCarthyism onto their pages, unless his foul lies, his witch hunts, and his rants reached the basic evidence level required in a court of law."

This is a wild, if instructive, misreading of history. It wasn't journalistic non-platforming that trimmed back the Red Scare excesses of Sen. Joe McCarthy; it was something closer to the opposite. Live gavel-to-gavel television broadcasts of the 1954 Army-McCarthy hearings, evidence-free "rants" and all, gave Americans a visceral view of an increasingly deranged populist steamrolling individual due process. His reputation never recovered.

When CBS titan Edward R. Murrow famously denounced Tailgunner Joe just prior to those hearings, he did so mostly by using McCarthy's own previously broadcast words (edited for maximally villainous effect, to be sure). Then he invited the senator back for a follow-up show to respond.

The contemporary journalistic fad of trying to deplatform problematic political figureswhether it's Sen. Tom Cotton (RArk.) from The New York Times, Trump-whisperer Steve Bannon from a New Yorker festival, 2020 "election deniers" from CNN, conservative writer Kevin Williamson from The Atlantic, and so onis based on a mixture of elitism and defeatism. Elitism in the sense that these outlets are treated as elevated, nearly sacrosanct spacesplatforms!to be guarded zealously against conservative contamination, and also that the type of political media consumers who stubbornly continue to support Trump are impervious to fact-based persuasion and therefore better written off.

"The public is well familiar with Trump and already knows that he is a man estranged with the truth," Oliver Darcy argued. "As Trump once infamously bragged, he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and still maintain support from his loyal base of fans. Trump's supporters are choosing to stand behind him because of his blustering personality and style. They lock arms with him because they believe he is boldly standing up for them and taking the fight to the elites. Not because of his position on Taiwan." (Emphases in original.)

This is where the defeatism comes in. Since Trump voters are unreachable, and since Trump himself is basically undefeated in one-on-one interviews, why bother? Particularly if (in the recent words of Guardian media critic Margaret Sullivan) "his re-election would bring extreme anti-democratic results."

Accepting for the moment the provocative premise that preventing Trump's re-election is a core journalistic value, refusing to interview the guy is like taking away the rope with which he is always ready to hang himself. Given that he is unlikely to testify at his four upcoming criminal trials, interviews are a critical venue for hearing Trump's legally germane rationalizations for engaging in facially illegal conduct.

At the industry-derided CNN town hall, for example, Trump claimed that "I had the absolute right to do whatever I want with" the presidential records that he retained after leaving office, in statutory violation of the Presidential Records Act. And during a recent sit-down with Megyn Kelly, when presented with the fact that he had no right to defy a subpoena for those documents, Trump dissembled that "I just don't know the timing." As Jacob Sullum pointed out, "Trump is suggesting he did not have to comply with a subpoena he claimed to be obeying. This does not seem like a winning legal strategy."

So there are potential benefits to interviewing Trump when viewed through the narrow lens of impacting his ability to regain the White House. But even as someone who wrote an essay under the headline "The Case Against Trump: Donald Trump Is an Enemy of Freedom," I would suggest that subjecting political journalism to the instrumental test of how it impacts electoral outcomes will likely be effective neither politically nor journalistically.

Voters and news consumers are smart enough to know they are being sneered at and will discount content from the sneerers accordingly. They may also have a better-trained nose for the media's ideological blind spots, such as when The Daily Beast's Corbin Bolies this week suggested that President Joe Bidenyes, this Joe Biden"would have been a better interview subject for her first episode as Meet the Press moderator, as they at least would have been able to start from the same set of facts."

The "pro-democracy" beat thus far does not have a great track record of truthiness. Eleven months ago, the "truthful, not neutral" crowd was warning us, despite a glaring paucity of evidence, that a GOP win in the midterms would result in the deliberate tanking of the international economy so that Republicans could force through cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Margaret Sullivan's 2022 memoir/manifesto was inaccurately maligning Republicans by the second paragraph. Applied "moral clarity" seems more about policing adjectives in news organizations' tweets and headlines, and yelling "false equivalence!" every time someone mentions that Biden's aging is a political problem.

Interviewing Donald Trump is a difficult assignment, no doubt. And some of us who are opposed to journalistic deplatforming otherwise share in some of the deplatformers' unhappiness with Trump's influence on the Republican Party and the American body politic. But both journalism and basic civic participation require a certain perseverance, and perhaps a certain faith that the effort can and will be worth it in the end. Are you a political journalist who does not like Donald Trump? Maybe do some convincing and truthful journalism capable of reaching people who don't share your political priors. Trying to rope off a former U.S. president from the institution of media will likely make the institution weaker, and the politician stronger.

The post Media Critics Agree: Stop Interviewing the Bad People! appeared first on Reason.com.
Norway will restrict entry and use of Russian-registered cars on its territory, the public broadcaster NRK reported on Sept. 19, citing Eivind Vad Petersson, the state secretary of the country's foreign minister.

"Like Finland, Norway will introduce restrictions on the entry and use of Russian-registered cars in Norway," Petersson reportedly said.

"We are currently studying how to do this and will quickly come back with effective measures."

Several EU countries bordering Russia, namely Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Finland, have banned entry for cars under Russian license plates following recommendations by the European Commission.

Norway, which also shares a land border with Russia, is not an EU member but has joined many of the sanctions imposed by the bloc against Moscow.

Read also: Ukraine, Norway agree on visa-free freight transport

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Russian Su-34 supersonic jet crashed in Russia on the morning of Sept. 20, Russian state media reported.

The aircraft crashed in a field in Voronezh Oblast following the ejection of both crew members, state media said, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.

Russian telegram channel Baza said that preliminary data pointed to the crash being caused by a failure of the aircraft's landing gear.

The Su-34 is a fighter-bomber aircraft able to hit targets up to 600 miles away while carrying 12 metric tons of bombs and missiles.

Since the beginning of the full-scale of Ukraine, several incidents have accord of Russian military aircraft crashing on their own, far from the front line.

In April 2023, a Su-34 accidentally fired its ammunition on the Russian city of Belgorod, damaging buildings and injuring two people.

In October 2022, a Su-34 crashed into a residential building in the town of Yeysk, Krasnodar Krai, killing six people.

Read also: Fire breaks out near Sochi International Airport

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
If lawmakers cant come to an agreement to avoid a government shutdown Oct. 1, many activities of the Defense Department could be affected, including some aspects of military benefits such as medical care and child care.

The question of military pay is also up in the air. Troops could be required to report to work even if their pay is withheld. In 2013, just hours before a 16-day shutdown began, Congress passed temporary legislation protecting military pay. But some bonuses and other compensation were affected.

Permanent change of station moves for military personnel would be limited primarily to those moving to an excepted activity  designated as exempted from the shutdown.

More specifics will become available if a shutdown does happen, but according to guidance posted by DoD on Sept. 12, heres how it could generally play out for some quality of life benefits:

 Medical: There are important exceptions to the shutdown for medical and dental care, but elective surgery and other elective procedures in DoD medical and dental facilities arent immune from the shutdown.

Inpatient care in DoD medical treatment facilities and acute and emergency outpatient care in DoD medical and dental facilities would continue. Private sector health care under Tricare would continue. Medical care for wounded warriors would continue, including surgery for recovery of function and appearance. Veterinary services that support excepted activities such as food supply and service inspections would continue.

But the current guidance doesnt specifically mention other services in these military medical facilities, such as routine medical or veterinary appointments, as being specifically immune from the shutdown.

 Child care and morale, welfare and recreation activities: Child care may be a mixed bag, depending on the installation. As in the past, the DoD guidance would allow morale, welfare and recreation activities that receive any taxpayer funding to operate during a shutdown if they are deemed necessary to support essential operations, such as mess halls, physical training and child care activities required for readiness. Thats the extent of the description of child care.

But in the past, individual installations determined whether child development centers would continue to operate during a shutdown.

During the pandemic, child development centers largely remained open, as officials recognized the child care needs for personnel who were deemed essential.

Activities and organizations funded entirely by nonappropriated funds, such as many MWR activities and the military exchanges, generally wont be affected. The exchanges are largely funded by sales revenue, and part of their profits go to help fund some MWR activities.

Federal agency contingency plans lay in wait for shutdown notices

 Commissaries: Military grocery stores shouldnt be affected unless the shutdown approaches two months, according to some estimates. The DoD guidance provides exceptions for overseas commissaries to continue to operate, and any commissaries determined to be in remote U.S. locations where no other sources of food are reasonably available for military personnel.

It also allows Defense Working Capital Fund activities  which includes the Defense Commissary Agency  to continue to operate until cash reserves are exhausted.

Steve Rossetti, president of the American Logistics Association, estimates theres about $200 million in the commissary reserve funds, which are used for operations, such as paying employee salaries, utilities and transportation.

One estimate is that it costs an average of $4 million a day to operate all the commissaries, so theoretically there would be enough to finance operations of all 236 commissaries for around 50 days, Rossetti said.

Funding for food inventory in the commissaries is replenished as the food is sold and money is returned to the coffers.

During the pandemic, defense officials designated commissaries as mission essential.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has affirmed the role of commissaries in helping to ensure food security for military families. As part of his Taking Care of Our People initiative a year ago, he directed DoD to pump more money into commissaries in order to reduce prices at the register.

Department of Defense Education Activity schools: Educational activities are excepted from the shutdown, but sporting events and extracurricular activities are not, unless they are fully funded by nonappropriated funds. DoDEA operates 160 schools in 11 foreign countries, seven states, Guam and Puerto Rico. The system employs approximately 15,000 employees who serve more than 69,688 children of active duty military and DoD civilian families.

Counseling: It appears that many counseling services will shut down, but there are exceptions for emergency counseling and crisis intervention intake screening and referral services; counseling and other support for victims of sexual assault; religious, suicide, or substance abuse counseling and services.

Care for the fallen and their families: Operation of mortuary affairs activities will continue, and other services to properly care for the fallen and their families. There are also provisions to make sure that the $100,000 death gratuity payments are made to designated survivors.
Our monthly chef series highlights those in the local food industry.

People may know him as Chef Joseph but his real name is Darrell Anderson.

Hes the owner of Chef Josephs Kick Sauce, a hot sauce brand based in Virginia Beach, and Chef Josephs Seafood and Grill at the Norfolk Premium Outlets food court. The menu consists of items such as fish, shrimp, burgers, sausages and grilled hot dogs and chicken tenders.

Anderson opened his restaurant in June so that people could find him on a regular basis. It was the next step in building his brand.

You only live once, he said, why not try it?

____

Anderson was at a church fish fry in Roanoke years ago when he asked a tall guy named Joseph for hot sauce to go with the fish that he served him. Joseph didnt have any with him but said he made his own.

Anderson, who had recently closed his barbershop, told Joseph to call him if he ever wanted to go into business. About a year later, Joseph called and Anderson bought the company from him.

Thats why the sauce carries the Joseph name and Anderson added chef to brand it.

Anderson, a Lynchburg native, came to this area about 16 years ago, looking for a change. He lived at a Norfolk homeless shelter until he got on his feet. He also knew after acquiring the hot sauce business he needed to be near water where fresh fish was plentiful but the businessman never intended to cook.

If you have hot sauce, you need to be around fish, he said.

Anderson arrived in Hampton Roads with 12 bottles of sauce in his trunk. People often asked him why he wasnt a chef since it was the sauces name. He never gave it much thought but, after a while, he enrolled in the culinary program at Tidewater Community College while working for day labor and temporary agencies. Financial aid also helped and sometimes he donated plasma. He rode his bike to school on days when his van broke down.

With his busy schedule, he still found a commercial kitchen in Virginia Beach to rent to make hot sauce. Folks didnt know that he was homeless.

As I got into the culinary world, it just opened up. I saw the success of other chefs and decided to turn my hot sauce brand into my own company.

Anderson finished school in 2019 and had more time to commit to his business. He sold hot sauce at farmers markets throughout Tidewater every Saturday morning, stopping at barbershops and hair salons en route.

He ordered two fish pots from Amazon, got a tent and started frying fish during lunchtime in local areas.

People loved my fish, Anderson said.

He hired guys at the shelter to help. This allowed him to purchase a trailer about five years ago. He expanded to vending at festivals and food shows.

The interview has been edited for brevity.

What makes your hot sauce special or unique? It has flavor and its not too hot. Its made with a vinegar-based mango puree.

What should people expect when they visit Chef Josephs Seafood and Grill? Its a food court setup with fresh items cooked made-to-order. I use all beef products, no pork. I recommend ordering the fish and shrimp platter.

What advice would you give entrepreneurs? Make sure your product is solid before stepping out there and investing your money. Believe in your dreams and never give up.

Who is or was your mentor? My mentor was James Jones, a 60-something retired police officer with a long gray beard. He came into my life in my early to mid-20s and helped me believe in myself. I was sitting in the Lynchburg Public Library on a Saturday morning and he came and sat beside me. He asked me to help him with the computer. He said, You seem like a smart young man. He talked to me and gave me his number. He ended up mentoring me for about seven years until he passed away.

I was able to start my barbershop, medical transport business and taxi service in the Bedford area. He believed in me.

What would you be doing if you werent in the food industry? I would be a public speaker and entrepreneur who writes books on self-development.

Whats next for you? Building my business. Hiring and providing jobs to people who cant find them. Inspiring others to tap into their greatest potential no matter where they are in life.

Chef Josephs Kick Sauce & Seafood and Grill, 1600 Premium Outlets Blvd., Norfolk, 757-937-0560; chefjosephskicksauce.com

Rekaya Gibson, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com, 757-295-8809; on Twitter, @gibsonrekaya
This editorial is sponsored by Visa

If you are a true fashion girl, you know that the only thing that beats luxury is a good one-of-one find. Unique buys and custom-made pieces are the easiest ways to make a fashion statement. Turning heads as a trendsetter becomes an even better feeling when you use that fashion statement to put others on to a new designer or brand.

This year, Shes Next in Fashion , Empowered by Visa  an annual program that provides a cash grant and marketing support to women-owned small businesses includes a bevy of boutique lines specializing in bespoke luxury, pret-a-porter designer wares and unique pieces for special occasions. Get into it!

The post Meet The NEXT High-End Brands That Should Be On Your Fashion Radar appeared first on 21Ninety.

Yele, LLC

Designer Abisola Omoyele Oladeindes luxury collection is imbued with inspiration from her childhood, right down to her nickname, Yele. At the center of this small businesss highly customized pieces are Adire fabrics, the indigo-dyed cloth made by Youruba women in Southwestern Nigeria.

While its original inspiration comes from a single source, the Yele brand is built around the concept that cultural diversity does more to unite us and enrich our lives than it does to set us apart. As such, everything about this small business, from its creative designs to the color palettes and patterns used to bring it to life, is a happy marriage between African and western culture.

TJL Collection

If youve ever fallen in love with a runway look or designer editorial spread only to have your heart broken when you attempted to find it in your size, TJL Collection is the line you never realized you were looking for. The brands tagline Where Fashion, Fit and Length Meet explains it all, as this line of everyday wear specializes in pants and jumpsuits for women 59 and taller.

With looks ranging from Power Suits to casual maxi dresses, TJL Collection makes ready to wear designer attainable not just for every occasion, but to every body. And if the Collections inspired looks were not enough, TJL has even launched an initiative to nurture the community that has grown out of its consumer base with the annual Tall Girls Meet Up, an annual shopping and networking event in Dallas, Texas.

Taylor Jay Collection

Long gone is the notion that luxury has to be reserved for special occasions. Taylor Jay is the latest brand to emerge with the goal of infusing every aspect of a womans life with luxury touchesfrom the cut of each item in this small businesss offerings, to the quality of the fabrics used to create them.

The brand prides itself on offering consumers high-end staples to build an ever- changing wardrobe around. Taylor Jay complements the essentials with a rotation of blouses, skirts, dusters and more and offers a little more creativity in terms of patterns and colors, without skimping on the brands relaxed, resort aesthetic.

HOURS NY

Hours is a true exercise in functional luxury. Designed exclusively for sizes 10-32, this collection is proof that business casual doesnt have to be drab or boring. All of their offerings are primed to seamlessly transition from the office to happy hour or allow you to go from running errands to a lunch break without skipping a beat.

For co-founders Harroop Kaur and Naaz Gulati, the goal was to give every woman access to luxury, regardless of their body type. And theyve managed to deliver on that promise while growing a small business that also prioritizes sustainability and community.

Conrado

One lasting memory small business owner Angela Sison carried from her childhood in Manila, Philippines, is the idea of being able to go to the beach in the same clothes you ran errands or went to work in and vice versa. Its a mood that has followed her to her part-time residences in San Francisco and Marthas Vineyard. And it is the exact aesthetic Conrado embodies.

The collection is a destination for casual sophistication, offering outerwear, loungewear, sweaters, overalls, dresses and everything else you can see yourself living your best, carefree, comfortable life in. As a bonus, Conrado even offers a handful of options for babies and toddlers that match the comfort, durability, and sustainability of its adult options.

CHABELLA

At Chabella, high-fashion and functionality come together to create office-ready looks that dont skimp on flyness. The still growing collection currently comprises a handful of shirt dresses and tops that can easily be converted into a variety of alternate looks.

Designer Chabella Gomez creates from the perspective that clothing is the armor that empowers us to face the various challenges that may come at us on any given day. The standout quality of Chabellas designs is that she creates from a place of understanding every role a woman commits to in her daily life: mother, businesswoman, socialite  each garment exists to complement all of those things.

Istani LLC

Made in New York with Pakistani influence, Istani offers Southeast Asian colors, textures and traditional style with a modern flair. While each of the items in the collection is the definition of a statement piece, theyre designed to be enhanced by each wearers individual style.

The idea behind this small business is that each of us especially those whose lives and heritage straddle multiple culturesfinds our own sense of self by combining the various elements that come together to create our reality.

Anima Iris

From its very name, this small business centers duality and commonality in all that it does. The line is named after founder Wilglory Tanjongs Cameroonian grandmother and her Ghanaian-American best friend, leaning on the culturally rich visual traditions of both countries to reflect Africas bold history.

In addition to drawing inspiration from the continent, Anima Iris bold and vibrant handbags are made in Africa as well. Each item is carefully handcrafted in Dakar, Senegal by artisans who rely on centuries old craftsmanship to deliver limited edition pieces that are unrivaled in both quality and attention to detail.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has informed China that Italy plans to end a controversial investment pact, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Wednesday.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Meloni told China about Italys plan to exit the Belt and Road Initiative, Tajani told Fox News during a visit to New York.

Italy must decide by the end of the year whether to renew Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature program. Meloni has for months been preparing the ground diplomatically for ending the memorandum that Italy signed with China in 2019, the only Group of Seven country to do so.

Tajani visited China earlier this month in a bid to lay the ground for the exit while trying to avoid a rupture with the worlds second-largest economy. Bloomberg was first to report earlier this year that Italy was signaling to allies that it intended to pull out of the BRI.

On the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in India earlier this month, Meloni privately signaled to Chinese Premier Li Qiang that Italy is planning to exit from the investment pact, according to a person familiar with the matter. But she has yet to take a public position on the matter.

The BRI was launched by Xi a decade ago to boost economic ties and expand the influence of the worlds second economy.

Italy, like much of Europe, has been caught in the middle as tensions escalate between Washington and Beijing, and thats been compounded by Chinas support for Russia since it invaded Ukraine. European countries are struggling to balance a desire to engage with China on trade and investment while pushing back against claims of economic coercion and human rights concerns, as well as risks associated with becoming too dependent on supplies from China.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Artists perform during the celebration of the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s World Heritage List in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Sept. 20, 2023. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Cambodians on Wednesday evening celebrated the inscription of the country's Koh Ker archaeological site on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)'s World Heritage List.

Built in the 10th century by Jayavarman IV, the Koh Ker archaeological site was listed as a world heritage site during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday.

It became Cambodia's fourth tangible cultural property that has been inscribed on the World Heritage List.

"This archaeological marvel offers a profound insight into its era's well-organized projects of regional, social, economic, and architectural development, town planning, and rural infrastructure," the UN cultural agency said.

Speaking to the revelers at the event held at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said it was a new historic event for Cambodia in safeguarding, preserving and developing cultural properties.

Koh Ker had suffered widespread looting during civil conflicts between the 1960s and 1990s, and the Cambodian government has since sought to repatriate stolen antiquities exhibited or sold on the international market.

"As a Cambodian citizen, I'm thrilled to hear that the Koh Ker temple has been included in the world heritage list," Em Sreysros, a 55-year-old reveler, told Xinhua.

She said the inscription truly reflected the government's strong efforts to protect and conserve the country's cultural heritage sites.

"I would like to urge international tourists and overseas Cambodians to come and visit Cambodia, and please come to see our ancient Koh Ker temple," Sreysros said.

Located in Preah Vihear province's Kulen district, roughly 370 km northwest of the capital Phnom Penh, Koh Ker was the capital of the Khmer Empire for a brief period between 928-941 C.E., according to UNESCO.

The 87.8-square-km ancient site boasts several archaeological remains, including unique-in-style temples, sculptures, inscriptions, wall paintings, and impressive Shiva-lingas sanctuaries, as well as civil structures, ponds, dykes, reservoirs, and ancient roads that reflect the influence and grandeur of the Khmer Empire.

To date, four tangible cultural properties in the Southeast Asian country have been placed on the world heritage list. The first three listed properties are the Angkor Archaeological Park inscribed in 1992, the Temple of Preah Vihear in 2008, and the Temple Zone of Sambor Prei Kuk in 2017. 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will travel to Washington on Thursday at a moment when continued support from his most important ally looks imperiled.

The Capitol Hill battle over whether, and how, to avoid a government shutdown has put a spotlight on the increasing reluctance, at least among some Republicans, to maintain American backing for Ukraine at its current pace.

Some express a desire for greater scrutiny of the money being dispatched to the Eastern European nation.

Tell us what youre doing with the money, and lets have a debate on the floor about this funding and not ramming it down our throats, Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) told CBS News.

Others have issued starker warnings and offered thinly veiled criticism of Zelensky himself.

Theres no money in the House right now for Ukraine, Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) told reporters Tuesday. Its not a good time for him to be here, quite frankly.

There are clear signs of an erosion of public support, too. A CNN/SSRS poll last month found a majority of Americans opposed to Congress authorizing further support to Ukraine, 55 percent to 45 percent.

The share of Americans who said that the U.S. should do more to help Ukraine fell to 48 percent in that poll, outpaced by the 51 percent who said it had already done enough.

As CNNs report noted, a comparable poll soon after Russias February 2022 invasion found 62 percent of Americans saying their nation should do more.

As for Zelensky, his image has increasingly fallen victim to the polarization that is rife in American politics.

An Economist/YouGov national poll conducted at the end of last month found that Republicans were approximately evenly split on whether they had a favorable or unfavorable view of Ukraines leader.

Thirty-seven percent had a favorable opinion, but 35 percent viewed him unfavorably.

By contrast, only 9 percent of Democrats had an unfavorable view of Zelensky, while 60 percent saw him in a favorable light.

Some Republican critics of the Ukrainian president have grabbed headlines with especially vivid attacks.

Earlier this year, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) that Zelensky wants our sons and daughters to go die in Ukraine.

Following Zelenskys first appearance before Congress in late 2022, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) accused those who rapturously applauded of engaging in a North Korea-style performance.

But even beyond fiery soundbites, some American voters are clearly balking at the sheer sums involved in supporting Ukraine.

President Biden is currently seeking congressional approval for another $24 billion, which would bring total U.S. aid to Ukraine to $135 billion.

Meanwhile, a much-vaunted Ukrainian counteroffensive has had modest results, and there is no obvious end to the war in sight.

The overall situation is sparking concern among those who back more U.S. support for Ukraine.

Im uneasy about it, said Robert Wilkie , who served as the U.S. secretary of Veterans Affairs and under secretary of Defense during the Trump administration.

Wilkie contended that President Biden had not made the case sharply enough to an American audience about how vital it is to thwart Russian President Vladimir Putins expansionist ambitions. If Russia prevailed, he argued, it would be a massive victory not just for Putin but, indirectly, for China.

Wilkie also contended that there was a problem with Republicans who back aid feeling like they are standing on their own.

Others argue that the debate over Ukraine has increasingly fallen victim to the dynamics of an intensifying 2024 presidential race.

Joel Rubin, who served as a deputy assistant secretary of State during the Obama administration, contended that the window for further aid to Ukraine was just about open now  and closing fast.

The reality is that the further we get into the presidential cycle, the harder its going to be, because Donald Trump is going to win this primary overwhelmingly and he is staking out a position that is hostile to Ukraine.

Trump has promised, in vague terms, that he could end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours if he were reelected president. He has implied that Ukraine would have to give up some territory in such a settlement.

Rubin, who is also a candidate in the Democratic primary in Marylands 6th Congressional District, added that if Trump indeed becomes the nominee, That is going to really hurt congressional Republicans, because the last thing they are going to want to do is look like they are supporting a policy that hurts their nominee. So they are going to be very, very nervous about supporting aid for Ukraine.

Zelenskys political skills have been underestimated in the past.

But he faces a politically complicated conundrum as he arrives to make his case.

As far as I can tell, enthusiasm  unfortunately  for American assistance to Ukraine has diminished and has become more partisan, like everything in American politics these days, said Allan Lichtman, a professor of history at American University.

It becomes partisan, of course, because it is so closely associated with President Biden, Lichtman added. Republicans, no matter what, are intent on opposing anything with President Bidens name on it.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, where he was questioned on the Justice Department's investigation into Hunter Biden.

Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, where he was questioned on the Justice Department's investigation into Hunter Biden .

Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared to get angry during a House hearing on Wednesday when a Republican lawmaker suggested the Justice Department is targeting Catholics.

The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous, so absurd, Garland said during the House Judiciary Committee hearing.

Garland, who is Jewish, had explained during his opening statements that his family members were victims of religious persecution in Europe and his grandmothers siblings were murdered in the Holocaust.

There is little doubt that but for America, the same thing would have happened to my grandmother, Garland said in his opening remarks, according to USA Today. But this country took her in, and under the protection of our laws, she was able to live without fear of persecution. That protection is what distinguishes this country from so many others. The protection of law, the rule of law is the foundation of our system of government.

Repaying this country for the debt my family owes, for our very lives has been the focus of my entire professional career, he continued.

Garland appeared emotional several times during his testimony when he referenced his religious background.

His fiery rebuke came after Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.) questioned whether the Justice Department was unfairly targeting Catholics because of their religious beliefs. The question was regarding an FBI memo leaked in January titled Interest of Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists in Radical-Traditionalist Catholic Ideology Almost Certainly Presents New Mitigation Opportunities, which House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) claimed meant that the FBI was targeting certain Catholics as domestic terrorists.

Both I and the director of the FBI have said that we were appalled ... by that memo, Garland said in response. We were appalled by that memo.

Wow. I've never seen Garland this mad.



"The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous, so absurd!" he says to Rep. Jeff Van Drew pic.twitter.com/TWy8Inelr7  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 20, 2023

Drew continued to question Garland about whether Catholics are extremists.

Everything in that memo was appalling, Garland said. Catholics are not extremists, no.

The testimony was part of a hearing on the Justice Departments investigation into President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden. Garland testified that the Justice Department had not gone easy on Hunter Biden, as Republicans are claiming.

Related...
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland received a grilling over the agency's handling of charges against President Joe Biden 's son, Hunter Biden , and former President Donald Trump . Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- Attorney General Merrick Garland faced aggressive statements and questioning from Republicans Wednesday morning during a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, while Democrats charged the GOP with abusing the process.

In his opening comments, House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, railed against the Justice Department's handling of the cases connected with former President Donald Trump while alleging it handed President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, a "sweetheart deal" that was rejected by a federal judge.

"Americans believe in our country that there is an unequal application of the law," Jordan said. "They believe that because there is."

Under questioning from Republican members, Garland stood fast that he would not comment about ongoing investigations into Trump and Hunter Biden, angering some Republicans.

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, will lead the hearing where he and fellow Republicans seek to grill Merrick Garland on what they perceive as biased rulings from the Justice Department. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Rep. Jerry Nadler , D-N.Y., the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, spent most of his opening statement attacking Jordan, charging that nearly all of the chair's statements have already been refuted in testimony.

Nadler charged that the Republicans had "poisoned our oversight work" to use the Garland hearing to provide cover for Trump.

Attorney General Merrick Garland repeatedly said he did not ask questions about the Hunter Biden case because he made a promise not to weigh in. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"They have used their power to stage one political stunt after another," Nadler said. "They have wasted countless taxpayers' dollars on baseless investigations into President Biden and his family to find evidence in an absurd impeachment, desperate to distract from the mounting legal peril facing Donald Trump."

Garland repeatedly said he did not ask questions about the Hunter Biden case because he made a promise not to weigh in, instead giving authority to the attorneys working in. Garland said no one from the White House or connected with President Joe Biden had contacted him about the cases into Hunter Biden or Trump.

"Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate," Garland will say.

"As the president himself has said, and I reaffirm here today: I am not the President's lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congress's prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people."

Garland's appearance in front of the Judiciary Committee is his first since he appointed special counsel Jack Smith to investigate Trump in his handling of classified documents and his actions leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
When Attorney General Merrick Garland testified before the House Judiciary Committee for a hearing on the oversight of the Justice Department, he was peppered with plenty of questions sparked from baseless theories  which he had no time to answer.

A clip of Joe Biden speaking at a 2018 Council on Foreign Relations event played, in which he was recounting an exchange he had with Ukrainian officials during his time as vice president. In the clip, Mr Biden could be heard saying, Im leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, youre not getting the money.

Texas Republican Rep Troy Nehls said, Mr Attorney General, what you just saw there was Joe Biden in his arrogance and role as the vice president of this country saying, if you dont fire Shokin, the United States isnt giving the $1bn loan. Viktor Shokin is the former Prosecutor General of Ukraine.

Why would Joe Biden say that? he asked rhetorically. Was it policy? Was it our policy at the time? Yes or no?

Mr Garland then leaned toward the microphone to answer and started to form a sound when the congressman interrupted: It wasnt.

The attorney general then laughed to himself and raised his eyebrows as Mr Nehls continued talking, seemingly without taking a breath.

I have documents here the Texas Republican started before Rep Jerry Nadler, the committees top Democrat, interjected, asking, Is the gentleman ever going to let the gentleman answer questions?

Merrick Garland laughs as Troy Nehls tells Jerry Nadler to "pipe down" during Nehls' conspiratorial rant about Viktor Shokin and Joe Biden.



Nehls never actually asks Garland a question, instead ending his tirade by saying Garland should be impeached just like Biden. pic.twitter.com/VZrXLbH8fu  Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) September 20, 2023

Im on my time. Pipe down, Rep Nehls replied. Mr Garland laughed at the exchange while the Texas congressman resumed his tirade.

Hes made significant reforms, Shokin did, Mr Nehls continued. And, you know, within a few months after Shokin was fired, they appoint a prosecutor that says, were not going to look into Burisma anymore.

Cancel it. Forget it. Were not looking into Burisma. Boom. Here comes the million dollars, Mr Nehls said. Joe Biden threatened the Ukrainian president and the prime minister  everyone can see it  to fire Shokin or the United States wouldnt give the billion dollars.

If that is not quid pro quo, sir, what is? I will tell you what it is and America agrees with me. Its bribery and its impeachable, Mr Nehls said. He immediately asked Mr Garland, Are you going to do something about it?

Without waiting a beat, the Texas Republican said, I bet youre not, and thats why you, sir, also need to be impeached.

The attorney general again erupted into laughter.

Despite Republicans claims that the Mr Shokin was ousted from his post by Mr Biden to help his sons business dealings in Ukraine, the State Department actually issued a memo for then-Vice President Biden in November 2015, calling for Mr Shokins removal.

The department described Prosecutor General Shokin as widely regarded as an obstacle to fighting corruption, if not a source of the problem.

This exchange might serve as a blueprint for whats to come with the impeachment inquiry into the president, which will focus on the presidents involvement in corruption and abuse of public office, an Oversight Committee spokesperson told NPR.
WASHINGTON  The nations top law enforcement officer said Wednesday that Republican allegations of a two-tiered justice system favoring the presidents son are a fantasy.

During a House Judiciary Committee hearing with U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland , Republicans said Garlands Department of Justice has gone easy on Hunter Biden while throwing the book at former President Donald Trump.

Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee , a Texas Democrat, asked if the rhetoric regarding the Hunter Biden case had any basis in reality.

No, it does not, Garland replied.

It was a more direct answer than Garland gave to numerous Republican questions about the investigation, which this month resulted in a grand jury indictment against the presidents son for illegally owning a gun and could lead to more charges.

Despite Hunter Bidens legal peril, Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) declared Wednesday that the fix is in at the Justice Department. He alleged that top brass had interfered with an IRS probe into Hunter Bidens taxes and that other officials had hobbled Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss pursuit of the case.

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) said the American public doesnt trust the Justice Department. They see the DOJ, of course, aggressively prosecuting President Bidens political rival, Mr. Trump, while at the same time, they see slow-walking and special treatment given to the presidents son, he said at the hearing.



Garland stressed that he wasnt meddling with Hunter Bidens case, repeatedly noting that Weiss had been tasked with the investigation during the Trump administration and that President Biden left him in his position to finish the case.

Weiss initially reached a plea agreement with Hunter Biden, but the deal collapsed in August amid a disagreement between prosecutors and Bidens legal team over the scope of his immunity from further prosecution. Garland then elevated Weiss to special counsel status upon his request.

Republicans cited testimony from two IRS whistleblowers who said Justice Department officials blocked some of their efforts to pursue the case, such as by disapproving certain search warrants and by alerting the Secret Service to plans to approach Hunter Biden for an interview. More recent testimony from FBI officials has cast doubt on some of their claims.

While insinuating there were efforts to shield the Biden family, Republicans faulted Garland for not being more involved in the case. Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), for instance, asked Garland if he was aware prosecutors had not filed certain tax charges against Hunter Biden before it was too late under federal law to do so, citing a complaint from the IRS whistleblowers. Garland said prosecutorial decisions were up to Weiss.

I have intentionally not involved myself in the facts of the case, not because Im trying to get out of responsibility, but because I am trying to pursue my responsibility, Garland said at one point.

The message was lost on Republicans. Earlier, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) asked Garland if he knew about certain cash transfers connected to Hunter Bidens business, which Garland said he did not.

Its like youre looking the other way on purpose, Gaetz said.
(Bloomberg) -- Attorney General Merrick Garland told members of Congress that he hasnt interfered with the Justice Department investigation into President Joe Biden s son, Hunter, and never discussed the probe or received direction about it from anyone at the White House.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Garland faced blistering questioning Wednesday by Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee over the handling of the Hunter Biden case. The lawmakers suggested investigators were hamstrung from bringing charges and questioned why the statute of limitations was allowed to expire for some tax offenses without charges being brought.

The US attorney in Delaware, David Weiss, has been in charge of making all decisions about the investigation, Garland said. Weiss was appointed by former President Donald Trump in 2018 and kept on by Garland, who appointed Weiss as special counsel last month after he requested the authority. Hunter Biden was indicted this month over three firearm violations.

Mr. Weiss has full authority to conduct his investigation however he wishes, Garland told lawmakers. The determination of where to bring cases and what kind of cases to bring were left to Mr. Weiss.

It was the first time Garland has publicly testified since Weiss was appointed special counsel. House Republicans have since begun an impeachment inquiry of Joe Biden over unsubstantiated allegations that he took corrupt actions to financially benefit from his sons foreign financial dealings.

Read More: How Hunter Bidens Scandal Fueled Impeachment Inquiry

The hearing also comes after another special counsel, Jack Smith, indicted Trump for trying to overturn the 2020 election and for mishandling classified information and obstructing justice.

Theres one investigation protecting President Biden; theres another one attacking Donald Trump, said House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, an Ohio Republican.

GOP lawmakers cited claims by two investigators with the Internal Revenue Service who said the Hunter Biden investigation was slow-walked by the Justice Department and that they once heard Weiss say he didnt have full authority to bring tax charges against Biden in other locations, and specifically in Washington, DC.

Garland downplayed claims by the IRS investigators, saying their description of the process was their opinion and not fact.

The attorney general repeated statements he has made before that Weiss would be allowed to bring charges wherever he wanted.

Garland didnt provide an answer as to why the statute of limitations was allowed to expire on some tax offenses against Hunter Biden, but said Weiss would provide an explanation in a final report he is obligated to produce.

When asked why Weiss requested to be a special counsel, Garland said, He reached a stage of the investigation where he thought it would be appropriate. Garland declined to provide additional details about that process.

Supreme Court Ethics

The questioning also waded into the ethics controversy surrounding the US Supreme Court. Democratic Representative Hank Johnson of Georgia asked Garland about requests from lawmakers that the Justice Department investigate whether Justice Clarence Thomas violated the Ethics in Government Act by not reporting private plane trips, luxury vacations, and other financial ties to billionaire Harlan Crow.

Garland didnt offer a concrete answer, saying he would need to ask the departments legislative affairs office about the status of that.

Johnson also asked Garland, a former federal appeals judge whose Supreme Court nomination was blocked by Republicans, if he ever accepted the type of financial benefits that Thomas received from Crow. Garland said hed never been offered or taken private plane trips, but told Johnson he didnt want to engage with what were not hypothetical questions. He said hed always held himself to the highest standards of ethics responsibility imposed by the judiciarys code of conduct.

Defunding the FBI

Garland pushed back against Republicans who have raised the possibility of defunding the Federal Bureau of Investigation over their claims the agency has become politicized and is unfairly targeting conservatives.

I cannot imagine the consequences of defunding the FBI but they would be catastrophic, Garland said.

Disruptions would include enabling China to carry out foreign influence operations in the US, emboldening Russias aggressive behaviors, impeding efforts to counter North Korean cyber attacks and hurting efforts to stop violent crime and domestic violent extremism, Garland said.

Contempt of Congress

Republican Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky accused Garland of being in contempt of Congress for refusing to discuss internal department deliberations or specifics of investigations.

Massie observed that former Trump aide Peter Navarro was prosecuted by the Justice Department for criminal contempt of Congress after he refused to testify in response to a subpoena from the Jan. 6 congressional committee investigating the plot to overturn the 2020 election. Navarro was convicted by a federal jury earlier this month on two counts of contempt of Congress and is appealing his case.

Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell of California shot back noting that Garland showed up to testify at Wednesdays hearing, unlike Navarro. Swalwell also noted that Jordan, the Judiciary Committee chairman, also refused to comply with a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee and remains in contempt.

--With assistance from Zoe Tillman.

(Updates with more details from hearing.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Buckle up for another encryption fight: Hot on the heels of securing parliament's approval for its Online Safety Bill yesterday, the U.K. government is amping up pressure on Meta not to roll out end-to-end-encryption (E2EE) on Facebook Messenger and Instagram -- unless it applies unspecified "safety measures" which the Home Secretary said should allow law enforcement to continue to detect child sexual abuse material (CSAM) at the same time as protecting user privacy.

In an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today Program this morning, Suella Braverman claimed the vast majority of online child sexual abuse activity that U.K. law enforcement is currently able to detect is taking place on Facebook Messenger and Instagram. She then hit out at Meta's proposal to expand its use of E2EE "without safety measures" to the two services -- arguing the move would "disable and prohibit law enforcement agencies from accessing this criminal activity [i.e. CSAM]".

The social media giant has previously suggested it would implement strong encryption across all its apps by the end of 2023. And -- this year -- it's been ramping up testing. Although friction from policymakers has clearly made the "pivot to privacy" which founder Mark Zuckerberg announced all the way back in 2019, when he said the company would universally apply E2EE on its services, slow going.

Finally, though, this August, Meta announced it would enable E2EE by default for Messenger by the end of the year. But that plan is facing renewed attacks from the U.K. government -- newly armed with the big stick of legal duties incoming via the Online Safety Bill.

Experts have been warning for years that surveillance powers in the legislation pose a risk to E2EE. But policymakers didn't listen -- all we got was a last minute fudge. That means platforms like Meta and U.K. web users are faced with another round of crypto warring.

Behind closed doors, we understand, ministers have not been asserting their faith in the existence of Braverman's claimed privacy-safe E2EE safety measures -- and, indeed, ministerial remarks earlier this month were widely interpreted to signify the government was pulling back on a clash with major tech firms over encryption (a number of which have warned they will pull services from the U.K. rather than torch user security) -- so the threatening noises coming out of the Home Office this morning have an aura of political theatre.

But with the security and privacy of millions of web users repurposed for another kicking there's nothing to enjoy in the curtain going up on another act of this familiar -- and apparently endless -- old power play.

"End-to-end encryption with safety measures"

Asked by the BBC what the government would do if Meta goes ahead with its E2EE rollout without the additional measures she wants, Braverman confirmed Ofcom has powers to fine Meta up to 10% of its global annual turnover if it fails to comply with the Online Safety Bill. Again, though, she stressed the government hopes to "work constructively" with the company to apply "end-to-end encryption with safety measures", as she put it.

"My job is fundamentally to protect children not paedophiles, and I want to work with Meta so that they roll out the technology that enables that objective to be realised. That protects children but also protects their commercial interests," she said. "We know that technology exists. We've also just passed our landmark legislation in the form of the Online Safety Bill that does give us new and extensive powers to if necessary, via Ofcom, direct the social media companies to take necessary steps to remove indecent material, to roll out technology and to take the necessary steps to safeguard children."

Pressed on what she would do if Meta doesn't do what the government demands, Braverman said that -- "ultimately, and potentially, and if necessary, and proportionate" -- Meta could face sanctions under the Online Safety Bill. But she reiterated her "clear preference" is to work "constructively with them".

"In the first instance, we believe the technology exists. The Internet Watch Foundation agrees. The NSPCC agrees," she went on, making another reference to undefined "safety measures" she wants Meta to apply. "Tech leaders, tech industry organisations have developed the technology -- it's now on Meta to do the right thing, to work with us in the interest of child safety to prevent their social media platforms from being safe havens for paedophiles. And to roll out this technology that will safeguard children but also protect user privacy."

While the Home Secretary did not specify what "safety measures" the government is referring to, new Home Office guidance on E2EE suggests ministers want Meta to implement similar hash matching technologies for detecting CSAM that it has been using for years -- but on non-E2EE services.

Applying content scanning technologies to strongly encrypted content where only the sender and recipient hold encryption keys is a whole different kettle of fish, to put it politely. Security and privacy experts are therefore concerned the government push for "safety tech" will lead, via powered contained in the Online Safety Bill, to Ofcom mandating that E2EE platforms bake client side scanning technology into their systems -- a move scores of experts have warned will risk the security and privacy of millions of web users.

The Home Office document does not spell out how to square this circle but it points to a "Safety Tech" challenge the Home Office ran back in 2021 -- when it tossed public money toward the development of "proof-of-concept" CSAM detection technologies which, it suggested, could be applied to E2EE "whilst upholding user privacy" -- with the guidance claiming: "The fund demonstrated that it would be technically feasible."

A spokesperson for the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology, which has been steering the Online Safety Bill, also told us:

Our Safety Tech Challenge fund has shown this technology can exist, which is why were calling on social media companies to use their vast capacity for innovation to build on these concepts and find solutions that work for their platforms -- so children are kept safe while maintaining user privacy. Yesterday our landmark Online Safety Bill was passed through Parliament, meaning as a last resort, on a case by case basis and only when stringent privacy safeguards have been met, Ofcom can direct companies to either use, or make best efforts to develop or source, technology to identify and remove illegal child sexual abuse content.

We contacted the Home Office to ask which safety measures Braverman is referring to -- and whether the government is directing Meta to apply client-side scanning to Messenger and Instagram. A Home Office spokeswoman did not provide a straight answer but pointed back to this Safety Tech challenge -- reiterating the Home Office's claim the fund demonstrated scanning in a privacy-safe manner would be "technically feasible".

The problem for Braverman and the government is that security and privacy experts dispute that claim.

Awais Rashid, professor of cyber security at the University of Bristol and director of the Rephrain Centre -- which was appointed to independently evaluate the projects that participated in the Home Office's Safety Tech Challenge -- warned in July that none of the technology is fit for purpose, writing then: The issue is that the technology being discussed is not fit as a solution. Our evaluation shows that the solutions under consideration will compromise privacy at large and have no built-in safeguards to stop repurposing of such technologies for monitoring any personal communications."

Reached for a response to Braverman's latest comments, including her claim that technology already exists which can both scan messages for illegal content without harming user privacy, Rashid reiterated his warning that this is simply not possible.

"Our independent evaluation of the prototype tools in the Safety Tech Challenge Fund, which include client side scanning mechanisms, concluded that such tools would lead to fundamental breaches of users privacy and human rights," he told TechCrunch. "As researchers we not only work on protecting privacy but also on safeguarding vulnerable users online including protecting children from sex offenders. However, weakening the confidentiality of communications by scanning messages before encryption would weaken privacy for everyone including young people whom the proposed approach aims to protect."

"There are various means by which any unscrupulous actor can exploit such technologies to monitor communications beyond the intended purpose. Furthermore, historical and recent events, for example the Met police and NI [Northern Ireland] police data breaches, have shown that, even with good security mechanisms in place large-scale data leaks are possible," he also told us, adding: "We mustnt build any mechanisms that allow unfettered access to personal communications on a societal scale. We must follow the independent scientific evidence in this regard provided by the Rephrain centre and expert consensus nationally and internationally as otherwise the UK will not be the safest place to live and do business as set out in the National Cyber Strategy."

We put Rashid's remarks and Rephrain's assessment of the Safety Tech projects to the Home Office for a response but at the time of writing it had not got back to us.

Many more privacy and security experts agree the government's current approach is flawed. An open letter we reported on in July -- warning that deploying surveillance technologies would only undermine online safety -- was signed by nearly 70 academics.

One of its signatories, Eerke Boiten, a professor in cyber security and head of the School of Computer Science and Informatics at De Montford University, has previously described the Home Office challenge as "intellectually dishonest" -- essentially dubbing the whole effort an exercise in government-funded snake oil.

"The essence of end-to-end encryption is that nothing can be known about encrypted information by anyone other than the sender and receiver. Not whether the last bit is a 0, not whether the message is CSAM. The final Rephrain report indeed states there is 'no published research on computational tools that can prevent CSAM in E2EE'," he wrote back in March, adding: "Maybe a more honest formulation would have been to look for technologies that can keep users safe from specific kinds of abuse in services where the providers are not including complete surveillance of all service users activities.

"This would also remove another intellectual dishonesty in the challenge, namely the suggestion that any techniques developed would apply specifically and only to CSAM, rather than being (ab/re)usable for identifying and restricting other, potentially less obviously undesirable, content -- reminders of this are a refrain in the Rephrain evaluations. It would also have eliminated a number of the projects before spending 85K of public money each on full surveillance solutions."

Asked whether any technology (now) exists that would allow law enforcement to access E2EE content while simultaneously protecting user privacy, Boiten told us: "In my opinion, such technology does not exist. The scientific evaluation of previous Home Secretary Priti Patels research competition to explore candidates for such technology (the Safety Tech Challenge) concluded that all submissions had significant problems with protecting privacy, with preventing abuse of such tools, and with transparency, disputability, and accountability."

If the government is intending to force Meta to implement some form of client-side scanning after its own Safety Tech Challenge -- which Boiten notes involved five candidates all pushing "instances" of the tech ("one more place where nobody had any better ideas apparently") -- was so poorly rated by independent experts it hardly bodes well.

The expert consensus is clear that baking in technology which blanket-scans people's messages does the opposite of protecting users or their privacy. ("After years of leaving it on the shelf, Apple have also just abandoned the idea because they realise they cannot get it to work," as Boiten also pointed out.)

Oh hi GCHQ!

The Home Office guidance on E2EE and child safety does also cite an academic paper -- which is described as being written by "the UKs leading cryptographers" but is actually authored by U.K. intelligence agency GCHQ's Crispin Robinson and Dr Ian Levy, formerly technical director of the U.K. National Cyber Security Centre (another arm of GCHQ), now employed by Amazon. A government spokeswoman claimed this paper outlines "a variety of techniques that could be used as part of any potential solution to end-to-end encryption -- so both protecting privacy and security whilst also enabling law enforcement action".

Thing is, Braverman's remarks today appear to go further -- asserting that technology already exists to enable law enforcement access while safeguarding user privacy. Yet in their paper the pair conclude only that it may be possible to configure client-side scanning in a way that mitigates some privacy concerns. Which also implies a rather substantial moving of the goalposts vs the Home Office's loud trumpeting of ready-to-roll CSAM-scanning tech that completely protects user privacy.

"We have not identified any techniques that are likely to provide as accurate detection of child sexual abuse material as scanning of content, and whilst the privacy considerations that this type of technology raises must not be disregarded, we have presented arguments that suggest that it should be possible to deploy in configurations that mitigate many of the more serious privacy concerns," they argue rather tortuously in the conclusion of their paper.

(For the record, Levy and Robinson also state up front that their work is "not a high level design document"; "not a full security analysis of any particular solution"; and "not a set of requirements that the UK Government wishes to be imposed on commodity services". "This paper is not an exposition of UK Government policy, nor are any implications that can be read in this document intended to relate to UK Government future policy," they further caveat their work.)

Discussing Braverman's demand for no end-to-end encryption rollouts "without safety measures" Ross Anderson, a professor of security engineering at the Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge -- and a veteran of decades of crypto wars -- was scathing.

"The government was reassuring people only a few days ago that there was no such technology, so we should relax as they could not enforce the new law until it exists. That was the line used to get the [Online Safety] bill through Parliament. Looks like GCHQ has made a stunning scientific advance this week! We look forward to seeing the details," he said via email, before going on to dismiss the paper by Levy and Robinson as something he's already rebutted in his own paper.

"[S]urveillance... has not helped in the past and there is no real prospect that the measures now proposed would help in the future," he also blogged on the topic recently. "I go through the relevant evidence in my paper and conclude that 'chatcontrol' will not improve child protection but damage it instead. It will also undermine human rights at a time when we need to face down authoritarians not just technologically and militarily, but morally as well. Whats the point of this struggle, if not to defend democracy, the rule of law, and human rights?"

Even the NSPCC did not have a straight answer when we asked which "safety" technologies it's advocating for bolting onto E2EE platforms. But a spokeswoman for the child protection charity duly pointed to the GCHQ paper -- claiming "GCHQ and others have made clear that technical solutions are possible" -- without articulating exactly which technologies they mean.

She did also name-check SafeToNet, a U.K. safety tech startup that makes money by selling parental controls' style features and child-location tracking for embedding into third party apps, which she claimed has "developed technology that can identify known and new child abuse material before being sent".

This is presumably a reference to SafeToNet's SafeToWatch, a "predictive analysis" technology for detecting CSAM in real-time on the user's device, per the company's description -- i.e. if it were to be forcefully embedded into E2EE messaging platforms as part of a client side scanning implementation for circumventing strong encryption. ("If WhatsApp is able to scan files for viruses and links for suspicious content without breaking encryption, why is it that scanning for CSAM in the same manner breaks encryption?" SafeToNet opined in a blog post earlier this year in response to a Wired article reporting on WhatsApp's concerns about the Online Safety Bill.)

"Ultimately if companies are not happy with the technology that is being developed it is for them to invest in finding solutions which they may have to do in the future under the provisions of the Online Safety Bill," the NSPCC's spokeswoman added, before further claiming: "But it is not just about scanning. It is about understanding and mitigating the risks of platforms and how they could be heightened with end-to-end encryption."

The Home Office's E2EE guidance document is also thick with calls for Meta and other social media firms to nerd harder and come up with novel tech solutions to child safety concerns.

"Currently, Facebook and Instagram account for over 85% of the global referrals of child sexual abuse instances from tech companies," the Home Office writes. "The implementation of E2EE will significantly reduce the number of monthly referrals of suspected child sex offenders to UK law enforcement. We are urging Meta and other social media companies to work with us and use their vast engineering and technical resources to develop a solution that protects child safety online and suits their platform design best."

Meta seems to have been anticipating the Home Office's latest line of attack since it published an updated report today with an overview of its approach to "Safer Private Messaging on Messenger and Instagram Direct Messages" which repeats its rejection of scanning the content of users' E2EE messages as a proportionate (or even rational) approach to online safety concerns.

"Meta believes that any form of client-side scanning that exposes information about the content of a message without the consent and control of the sender or intended recipients is fundamentally incompatible with user expectations of an E2EE messaging service," the company writes in the report. "People that use E2EE messaging services rely on a basic promise: That only the sender and intended recipients of a message can know or infer the contents of that message."

"We strongly believe that E2EE is critical to protecting peoples security. Breaking the promise of E2EE -- whether through backdoors or scanning of messages without the users consent and control -- directly impacts user safety," it also argues. "The values of safety, privacy, and security are mutually reinforcing; we are committed to delivering on all of them as we move to E2EE as standard for Messenger and Instagram DMs.

"Our goal is to have the safest encrypted messaging service within the industry, and we are committed to our continued engagement with law enforcement and online safety, digital security, and human rights experts to keep people safe. Based on work to date, we are confident we will deliver that and exceed what other comparable encrypted messaging services do."

Reached for a response to Braverman's remarks today, a Meta spokesperson also told us:

The overwhelming majority of Brits already rely on apps that use encryption to keep them safe from hackers, fraudsters and criminals. We dont think people want us reading their private messages so have spent the last five years developing robust safety measures to prevent, detect and combat abuse while maintaining online security. Were today publishing an update report setting out these measures, such as restricting people over 19 from messaging teens who dont follow them and using technology to identify and take action against malicious behaviour. As we roll out end-to-end encryption, we expect to continue providing more reports to law enforcement than our peers due to our industry leading work on keeping people safe.

So -- for now at least -- Meta appears to be holding the line on no client-side scanning on E2EE.

But there's no doubt the pressure is on with legal liability incoming under the new U.K. law and politicians brandishing the new powers for Ofcom to issue fines that could run into the billions of dollars.

Neverending crypto wars?

A couple of scenarios seem like they could follow at this point: One in which tech firms like Meta are forced, kicking and screaming, via threats of huge financial penalties, towards client-side scanning. Although very strongly stated and public opposition makes that hard to imagine. (As well as Meta, other tech firms that have spokes out against applying surveillance technologies to E2EE include Signal, Apple and Element.)

Indeed, tech firms might be rather more willing to push forward with their own threats to pull services from the U.K., given wider reputational considerations (the U.K. is just one market they operate in, after all) -- plus what looks like relatively high leverage in light of the political (and economic) damage the country would suffer if a mainstream service like WhatsApp shut down for local users.

Another -- perhaps more plausible -- scenario is that shrill U.K. government demands on E2EE platforms for undefined "safety measures" end up morphing into something softer and (dare we say it) more like another fudge: Say a package of checks and feature tweaks which don't involve any client side scanning and are, therefore, acceptable to platforms. So no blanket surveillance of users but a package of measures platforms can layer on to claim compliance (and even brand as "safety tech") -- such as, say, age verification; limits on how certain features work when the user is a minor; beefed up reporting tools and resourcing; proactive steps to educate users on how to stay safe etc -- all with enough fuzziness in the original government demands on them for politicians to claim, down the line, that they tamed the tech giants.

Although age verification may also represent a red line for some: Wikipedia for one has expressed concerns over the Online Safety Bill becoming a vehicle for state censorship if Ofcom ends up mandating that certain types of information are locked behind age gates.

Whatever happens one thing looks clear: The crypto wars will roll on, in some new shape or form, because there are larger forces at play.

Fleshing out his perspective on this in a phone call with TechCrunch, Anderson argues the government is using child safety as a populist excuse to push for a surveillance infrastructure to be embedded into strongly encrypted platforms -- in order to enable the kind of blanket access that would be of high interest to intelligence agencies like GCHQ.

"The fact is that everybody uses WhatsApp nowadays. For all sorts of purposes of extreme interest to signals intelligence agencies," he told us. "None of these guys give a shit about kids except as an excuse... In my paper, on Chat Control or Child Protection?, I pointed out the sort of things that you will do if you actually care about kids. None of them are anything to do with collecting more dirty pictures. None of them.

"Because if you've got some weird drunken guy who's raping his 13 year old stepdaughter in Newcastle, the people who have to deal with that are the police in Newcastle and maybe the school, and maybe the church, and maybe the scouts or whatever. It's nothing to do with GCHQ. They don't care. The director of GCHQ will not lose her job as a result of that child being abused."

Similar arguments about the spread of child pornography were used to push for backdooring encryption in the 1990s, per Anderson. Then after 9/11 terrorism became the go-to ghoul invoked by spy agencies to push for backdooring encryption.

Child safety is just the latest pendulum swing of the same old "playbook", in his view.

He also points out the U.K. government already has powers, under the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act (IPA), to order E2EE platforms to remove encryption to act on specific threats to national security. But targeted (and time-limited) access under emergency procedures and protocols is different to baking in blanket surveillance infrastructure which spooks can dip into via security vulnerabilities that would be introduced into E2EE as a result. Including to more easily grab comms that flow across international borders.

"A technical capability notice under IPA 2016 could require Facebook to disable E2EE permanently in WhatsApp and keep quiet about it. The likely response would be that Facebook would stop WhatsApp in the UK and pull its engineering staff so they're not held hostage," suggested Anderson, noting that "tech hostage taking by authoritarian governments is already an issue".

He points back to the emergency access Facebook gave GCHQ during the murder in 2013 of a solider by Islamic terrorists in Woolwich -- providing "a live feed while the crime was in progress". After which the UK intelligence agency had to file a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to Facebook in Ireland.

"Spooks don't like having to say please and don't like dealing with people they can't coerce, such as people in a foreign country. And they are no good at filling out American government forms properly," he argued, adding: "You cannot get stuff particularly across borders on the basis of an emergency procedure when the emergency no longer takes place."

So the point is MLAT asks take time and timely exchanges of information via that established legal route require more competence than government and law enforcement have typically demonstrated. "The things that go wrong in this space are because the Home Office and the police tried to do things at which they are useless," he added.

So what's next? The next round of this latest crypto battle will focus on Ofcom's consultations on standards it will be enforcing through the Online Safety bill. Anderson predicts a fresh round of academic conferences and activity will be spun up to respond to whatever new outrages emerges via that legislative coloring in. "This is going to be history repeating itself as farce," he warned.

Anderson also has his eye on the European Union where lawmakers are pushing a similar proposal to drive platforms towards CSAM-scanning -- albeit, legal protections for privacy, comms and personal data are stronger there so any move to foist client side scanning on messaging apps would likely be rolled back as disproportionate by European courts. But not having unworkable and unlawful legislation in first place would -- obviously -- be the better outcome. And so the fight continues.

"The real game is in Europe," he added. "And we believe that we have probably got a blocking minority in the European Council."

This report was updated to include comment from DSIT. We also amended the text to reflect that Dr Ian Levy is now the former director of NCSC; his current employer is Amazon. Additionally, we added more context from Anderson regarding emergency access under the Investigatory Powers Act and MLATs
SONOYTA, Mexico (Border Report)  Karina Zayas has learned to do business with newly arrived citizens of Ghana, Senegal and Cameroon who speak neither English nor Spanish.

Mostly they point to things. I want this, I want that. When it comes to numbers, we do this, the Mexican fruit drinks and ice cream vendor says, holding up one, two or three fingers. If they are short 5 pesos, we go like this.  If they have change coming, I just give it to them.

The African migrants wandering the streets of Sonoyta opposite Lukeville, Arizona, are part of a new surge some U.S. lawmakers and law enforcement officials say is overwhelming federal processing and detention resources and leading to street releases.

Smugglers are steering migrants into the remote Arizona desert, posing new challenges for Border Patrol

On Monday, a Border Report team witnessed U.S. Border Patrol agents accommodating recently apprehended migrants inside canvas tents at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. The agents then escorted them into white vans for transportation to processing centers. As the vans left, more Border Patrol vehicles entered the environmental preserve and sped through a dirt road leading to the border wall, where more migrants apparently had just been spotted.

This happens as southern Arizona has become the nations hotbed for migration between lawful ports of entry. In July, the U.S. Border Patrols Tucson Sector, which only includes Eastern Arizona, recorded 39,215 migrant apprehensions, tops in the nation.

VIDEO: Hundreds of migrants atop train arrive in Juarez

Sector Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin reported 13,000 migrant apprehensions, 1,300 rescues from the border wall or the desert, 23 human smuggling events and nine drug seizures last week alone.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows that migrants are coming almost literally from everywhere. The numbers show 15,749 Mexican nationals came across near Nogales, Douglas, Naco and Lukeville in July; almost 8,000 others came from the Northern Triangle of Central America. But 15,518 were citizens of other countries in the Western and Eastern Hemispheres.

The Tucson, Arizona, Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol topped the country in migrant apprehensions in July. (CBP graphic)

Mahmoud and a friend on Monday sat outside a furniture store in Sonoyta waiting for a money transfer. The two citizens of Mauritania spoke some Spanish and no English. They talked with Border Report with the assistance of an interpreting cellphone app. They had more questions than answers and declined to say why they left their country and are seeking asylum in the United States.

Instructions on how to cross border illegally delivered to migrants via phone apps

For now, we are here. We have not left. The new (guy) is exchanging our money. That is what has us waiting here, sitting, Mahmoud said. After a pause in which he asked the reporter many questions, he said, There are many people that have (entered) the United States. We would like to (join) them there. It is (not) easy.

Another group of French-speaking migrants sat outside a nearby grocery store. One said in Spanish they were headed north and also waiting for a money transfer but would say no more.

Gustavo Solis, secretary of government in Sonoyta, said the town has seen migrants from many countries pass through on the way to the U.S. for generations. He said the surge of migrants from African countries is a novelty, but is no cause for concern and is, in fact, a financial boon.

They buy food and other items from our businesses. We have had no problems with them and we do not get involved in immigration matters because that is a federal concern, Solis said.

Packed shelters prompt migrants to cross into US

But he said the latest uptick in migrant arrivals prompted the city to open a temporary shelter two months ago. There is a bottleneck to enter (the United States), whether we are talking San Luis Rio Colorado (south of Yuma, Arizona), Mexicali, Tijuana, Solis said. Here in Sonoyta, we respect their rights. [] Our city does not mind their stay or their passing through here.

Karina, the fruit juice and ice cream vendor, also said she doesnt mind the migrants.

Visit the BorderReport.com homepage for the latest exclusive stories and breaking news about issues along the U.S.-Mexico border

Things are hard for them. They come looking for an opportunity and sometimes they dont get that, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC) and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPCCC, meets with secretary of Mongolia's National Security Council Jadamba Enkhbayar in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 19, 2023. (China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Xinhua)

MOSCOW, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China and Mongolia will work together to deepen bilateral security cooperation to promote their countries' development and safeguard regional peace and stability, said Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC) and secretary of Mongolia's National Security Council Jadamba Enkhbayar Tuesday during their meeting here.

Linked by mountains and rivers and sharing weal and woe, China and Mongolia are good neighbors and good partners, enjoying solid mutual trust, a profound friendship and converging interests, Wang told Enkhbayar.

Last year, the heads of state of the two countries had a successful meeting, during which the two sides pledged to jointly build a community of shared future between the two countries, pushing bilateral relations to a new level, said Wang, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPCCC.

As a comprehensive strategic partner and close neighbor, China always respects the development path independently chosen by the Mongolian people. China is ready to work with Mongolia to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, and to deepen bilateral security cooperation to provide a solid guarantee for the common development of the two countries as well as regional peace and stability, Wang said.

For his part, Enkhbayar said the two countries have always respected each other's core interests and supported each other in the fight against the pandemic, making bilateral relations at their best in history. Mongolia cherishes the friendship and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, firmly pursues a friendly policy towards China and firmly abides by the one-China principle.

Given the current turbulent international situation, Mongolia adheres to multilateralism and stands ready to strengthen security cooperation with China to contribute to the development and prosperity of the two countries, he said.

Unilateral actions and hegemonism have long fallen behind the times, and the trend toward a multi-polar world is unstoppable, Wang said, noting that three words are key to the effort to achieve peace and security and build a multi-polar system.

The first one is equality. All countries, big or small, rich or poor, strong or weak, are equal and enjoy the right to development.

The second one is order. The international system with the United Nations at its core should be jointly upheld, and the purposes and principles of the UN Charter as well as the universally recognized basic norms governing international relations be jointly adhered to.

The third one is cooperation. Synergy should be forged through solidarity and cooperation to jointly address global challenges and build a community with a shared future for mankind. 

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee (CPCCC) and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPCCC, meets with secretary of Mongolia's National Security Council Jadamba Enkhbayar in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 19, 2023. (China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Handout via Xinhua)
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham made quite a splash with her September 8 "public health emergency order," which purported to suspend the right to bear arms in Albuquerque and surrounding Bernalillo County. But the reaction may have been different from the one she anticipated: Instead of lauding her courage in taking a bold step against the "epidemic" of gun violence, fellow Democrats noted that her ban was blatantly at odds with the U.S. Supreme Court's Second Amendment precedentsa point that a federal judge reinforced last week by issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO) that blocks enforcement of Lujan Grisham's edict.

In the TRO, U.S. District Judge David H. Urias, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, noted that the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen "will likely control in the instant case," which combines lawsuits by several Bernalillo County residents and various gun rights groups. In Bruen, the Court rejected New York's requirement that residents demonstrate "proper cause" before they were allowed to publicly carry guns for self-defense. The justices ruled that the Second Amendment "presumptively guarantees" the right to bear arms in public, requiring New York to demonstrate that its policy was "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation."

New York had failed to meet that test, the Court concluded. "Apart from a few late-19th-century outlier jurisdictions," Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority, "American governments simply have not broadly prohibited the public carry of commonly used firearms for personal defense." Yet that is exactly what Lujan Grisham attempted to do. "Given the directives and holdings of this Supreme Court precedent," Urias said, "Plaintiffs have shown a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of their Second Amendment claim."

Lujan Grisham knew all of that, of course. In fact, she presented her order as a challenge to "current court actions," guided by Bruen, that "suggest that the Second Amendment is an absolute right." Her emphasis on "absoluteness" was a red herring, since the decisions that offend her do not say that every gun regulation is unconstitutional. More to the point, her order plainly defied a Supreme Court decision directly on point, as Urias readily recognized.

The TRO came five days after Lujan Grisham issued her order, which threatened Bernalillo County residents, including gun owners who have concealed carry permits, with fines up to $5,000 if they dared to exercise a right explicitly recognized by the Supreme Court. But it was immediately clear that the governor's stunt was a step too far even for people you might expect would be sympathetic to her agenda.

Albuquerque Police Chief Harold Medina said he would not enforce the gun order. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, a Democrat, backed up Medina, saying the Albuquerque Police Department "is not responsible for enforcing the governor's ban," although "our officers will continue to enforce all criminal laws, combat gun violence, and push for needed justice."

The day that Lujan Grisham issued her order, Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen, also a Democrat, said "the temporary ban challenges the foundation of our Constitution, which I swore an oath to uphold." He added that he was "wary of placing my deputies in positions that could lead to civil liability conflicts, as well as the potential risks posed by prohibiting law-abiding citizens from [exercising] their constitutional right to self-defense."

At a press conference that Monday, Allen explicitly said his deputies would not enforce Lujan Grisham's "unconstitutional" order, which he said "will not do anything to curb gun violence." Rather, it would "punish law-abiding citizens" for exercising "their constitutional right of self-defense." Allen said he learned of the order just minutes before it was published, adding that Lujan Grisham knew "this was solely her decision," since "we as law enforcement did not agree with the order."

Lujan Grisham understood that she was defying Bruen, and she admitted that her edict would have no effect on the behavior of criminals. Yet her response to Allen's criticism was contemptuous. "I don't need a lecture on constitutionality from Sheriff Allen," she said. "What I need is action. What we need is for leaders to stand up for the victims of violent crime."

The governor implied that Allen had failed to do that. "We've passed common-sense gun legislation, including red flag laws, domestic violence protections, a ban on straw purchases, and safe storage laws; dedicated hundreds of millions of dollars to a fund specifically to help law enforcement hire and retain officers; increased penalties for violent offenders and provided massive support to intervention programs," she said. "We've given you the tools, Sheriff Allennow stop being squeamish about using them. I will not back down from doing what's right and I will always put the safety of the people of New Mexico first."

Allen was not the only Democrat who was troubled by Lujan Grisham's stance. "I support gun safety laws," Rep. Ted Lieu (DCalif.) said on September 9, but the governor's order "violates the U.S. Constitution," and "there is no such thing as a state public health emergency exception to the U.S. Constitution." Gun control activist David Hogg concurred.

Raul Torrez, New Mexico's Democratic attorney general, joined the chorus of critics a few days later. "I do not believe that the Emergency Order will have any meaningful impact on public safety," he wrote in a letter informing Lujan Grisham that his office would not defend the order. "More importantly, I do not believe it passes constitutional muster."

The Albuquerque Journal's editorial board agreed. Saying the governor "shouldn't break the law" in the name of "fighting crime," the paper criticized Lujan Grisham for "abusing the emergency public health powers granted to the governor's administration by state lawmakers in the wake of 9/11." It noted that "Lujan Grisham has dug herself into a legal and political hole from which she cannot emerge successfully."

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico unsurprisingly did not leap to the Second Amendment's defense. But it worried that Lujan Grisham's "use of emergency powers could lead to overzealous policing and senseless incarceration."

Santa Fe New Mexican columnist Milan Simonich noted that the governor had "picked a fight she cannot win," which he worried would undermine causes she supports. "Republicans eager to snipe at the governor have an easy avenue," Simonich wrote. "They say her order is unconstitutional, and odds are good they can prove their contention in a courtroom. With her overreach, Lujan Grisham also has alienated people who otherwise support her efforts to beef up policing and drug treatment programs."

Lujan Grisham "acknowledges thugs, thieves, and drug dealers will continue carrying guns," meaning "her order theoretically applies only to people who obey laws," Simonich said. "As far as lawbreakers are concerned, an executive order to disarm isn't worth the paper it's printed on.All the noise Lujan Grisham is generating takes the focus off enforcement and creates a different targetthe governor herself."

On Friday, two days after Urias blocked her gun decree, Lujan Grisham announced that she had "issued an updated public health order" that, among other things, "remov[es] the previous provision around firearms and replac[es] it with a provision that temporarily suspends the carrying of firearms at parks and playgrounds in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County." She made no mention of the TRO or the Second Amendment.

"I'm going to continue pushing to make sure that all of us are using every resource available to put an end to this public health emergency with the urgency it deserves," Lujan Grisham said. "I will not accept the status quoenough is enough."

The governor's press release included a quote from New Mexico House Speaker Javier Martinez (DAlbuquerque). "My wife and I are raising our two young children in Albuquerque," he said. "I want themand all New Mexicansto not only feel safe in our communities but also feel proud of this place we call home. Our commitment to these issues is deep and it is personal. We will not let the politics of the day, or anything else, distract us from working togethercity, county, and state leaders and law enforcementto move forward real solutions that make our communities safer."

What Martinez calls "the politics of the day" was actually a bipartisan backlash against the governor's attempt to rule by decree, using dangerously broad "emergency powers" that she claimed authorized her to violate a clearly established constitutional right. The fact that she fell flat on her face, provoking widespread criticism instead of the applause she expected, is an encouraging sign that Americans, regardless of their partisan affiliation, still understand the threat posed by such rampant authoritarianism.

The post New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's Unconstitutional Gun Edict Was a Huge, Bipartisan Flop appeared first on Reason.com.
Albuquerque residents Michael Caldwell, left, and his wife Natasha Caldwell attend a Second Amendment Protest in response to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's recent public health order suspending the conceal and open carry of guns in and around Albuquerque for 30-days, Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023, in Albuquerque, N.M. Natasha said "we came to stand for the constitution and out of anger about what's happening with this health order." (AP Photo/Roberto E. Rosales)

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  New Mexicos top insurance regulator on Tuesday ordered health insurance companies to expand timely access to behavioral health services in response to the governor recently declaring a public health emergency over gun violence in the state's largest metropolitan area.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham initially sought to ban people from the open and concealed carry of firearms in Albuquerque and surrounding Bernalillo County, but a federal judge put that effort on hold pending the outcome of multiple legal challenges.

Still, other provisions of the order remain in place, including mandates by the governor for public health officials to address substance abuse and mental health problems.

Superintendent of Insurance Alice Kane's emergency order mandates that major medical health insurers cover out-of-network behavioral health services at in-network rates.

"My office is committed to reducing barriers to vital care and doing everything we can to improve timely access to critical behavioral health care services, Kane said in a statement.

The order applies to all fully-insured individual, small and large group health plans, including those sold through the New Mexico health insurance marketplace.

Lujan Grisham has faced a public backlash for her health emergency, which many critics have described as an assault on constitutional rights that allow a person to carry a firearm for self defense.

Republican lawmakers are threatening impeachment proceedings, and even some influential Democrats and civil rights leaders have warned that Lujan Grisham's actions could do more harm than good to overall efforts to ease gun violence. Even a U.S. House committee was considering a resolution admonishing the governor. The proposal cited previous U.S. Supreme Court decisions on gun rights.
The Michigan Supreme Court has declined to revive cases against seven officials in connection with the Flint Water crisis, marking what could be the end of the road in a long legal battle.

The states high court, in orders issued Wednesday, denied an appeal of a lower courts decision to dismiss the charges, saying it was not persuaded that the question presented should be reviewed by this Court.

In doing so, it is terminating cases against top officials, including those who served as the states health director and chief medical executive.

Misdemeanor charges against former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) were also dismissed last year, but an appeal is still pending.

Flints drinking water was contaminated after the source of its water supply was shifted to the Flint River in 2014. The water wasnt adequately treated, and this caused lead from pipes to leach into the citys drinking water.

This exposed about 99,000 residents to lead, which can damage the brain and nervous system and is particularly harmful to children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

The criminal cases are separate from civil lawsuits that stemmed from the crisis. Residents were awarded a total of $626 million as a result of those lawsuits.

The felony charges in question were dismissed after the Michigan Supreme Court said a one-man grand jury that indicted the officials did not have the authority to do so.

Prosecutors said in a written statement that they were deeply disappointed in the Michigan Supreme Courts ruling.

The people of Flint continue to suffer from the categorical failure of certain public officials, who trampled on their trust and evaded accountability for far too long, they added.

They also said that while evidence supporting the charges is under seal, they would explore legal options for sharing it with the public.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Michigan Supreme Court has declined to hear a number of state appeals of dismissed cases stemming from the Flint water crisis, after the court previously ruled state prosecutors improperly used a "one-man grand jury" to indict a series of former state and city of Flint officials.

Justices published a series of orders Wednesday denying motions from the state attorney general's office to appeal dismissals of cases against former officials initially charged with crimes relating to their handling of the 2014 water crisis, when lead leached into Flint's water supply and caused an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease and deaths.

"We are not persuaded that the question presented should be reviewed by this Court," justices wrote in seven separate orders denying state appeals against the former officials.

State prosecutors had sought felony and misdemeanor charges against former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon; former MDHHS employee Nancy Peeler; Rich Baird, a top aide to former Gov. Rick Snyder; and other former officials.

Other former officials whose cases were declined to be heard by the court were former Michigan Chief Medical Executive Dr. Eden Wells; former Flint emergency managers Gerald Ambrose and Darnell Earley; and former Snyder chief of staff Jarrod Agen. Separately, a Court of Appeals panel declined to take up the state's appeal for Snyder's case in June.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement did not join justices in publishing Wednesday's orders, citing her previous involvement as Snyder's chief legal counsel. Snyder appointed her to the Michigan Supreme Court in late 2017.

In 2022, the Supreme Court remanded the Flint water crisis cases back to lower courts for dismissal, due to the use of a "one-man grand jury." Defense lawyers had argued to the Supreme Court that by using a one-man grand jury the officials were denied their right to a preliminary examination, the legal procedure in which a judge reviews whether there is enough evidence to send a case to a jury trial.

A one-man grand jury is seldom used in state cases, it involves a judge reviewing evidence in secret to find probable cause to bring charges forward. The defense's opportunity to cross-examine witnesses typically is delayed.

Ex-state health director Nick Lyon exits after making an appearance on a video arraignment at the Genesee County Jail in Flint on January 14, 2021, on new Flint Water Crisis charges. Lyon's case had been dismissed after the Michigan Supreme Court found procedural issues with the way he was charged in 2022. State prosecutors had appealed the dismissal back to the Supreme Court, but it declined to hear Lyon's and other former officials' cases Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

The cases were dismissed, prompting state prosecutors to appeal the decisions. They were unsuccessful at the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court's decision to not hear the state's appeal signals the end for this set of criminal charges stemming from the water crisis. It's unclear if there are other potential avenues for prosecution against the former officials.

In a news release, the Flint Water Prosecution Team said it would explore future options related to the water crisis, with an eye on taking "the necessary action to allow for the evidence to be shared with the public and the people of Flint, who most deserve to know the truth." The statement names the Michigan Legislature as a potential partner for releasing evidence to the public.

"It is imperative that our team be empowered to release all of the reports, testimony, opinions, and documents that supported the prosecution of these defendants," the news release states. "The people of the State of Michigan, and in particular the people of the City of Flint, deserve to know the truth, and this team is committed to that goal."

In a statement, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said, The Michigan Supreme Court owed it to the people of Flint to let this case be heard."

Randall Levine, Baird's attorney, celebrated the ruling, issuing a statement calling the one-man grand jury "antiquated."

For the past three years, Mr. Baird has been unfairly disgraced by state prosecutors in an effort to rectify the governments wrongdoing that was done to Flint citizens nearly a decade ago," Levine said.

Prosecutors, including Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, a part of the state's prosecuting team for the Flint water crisis cases, have defended the procedure. Worthy said in 2022 that one-man grand juries are a deterrent to the "no snitch mentality" that can discourage witnesses from testifying in cases involving violent crimes.

Civil case: Flint attorneys are getting millions in fees; now they want interest from $626.25M fund

The Flint water crisis prosecution team had been led by Worthy and Chief Deputy Attorney General Fadwa Hammoud, who was the state's Solicitor General when the charges were filed but was promoted at the beginning of the year.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, after taking office in 2019, tossed out previous charges brought forward by her predecessor, Attorney General Bill Schuette, relaunching an expanded probe. At the time, Nessel said in a statement to Flint residents, "justice delayed is not always justice denied.

Contact Arpan Lobo: alobo@freepress.com. Follow him on X (Twitter) @arpanlobo.

Become a subscriber today.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Flint water crisis: Michigan Supreme Court won't hear state appeals
A satellite purchased via a Ukrainian crowdfunding campaign last year has "brought countless benefits" to the country's armed forces, Ukraine military intelligence agency (HUR) said on Sept. 20.

The ICEYE satellite allows Ukraine "to receive critically important intelligence for combat operations on a daily basis," HUR reported.

In particular, HUR said that the satellite played a "very important role" in the Sept. 13 attack on Sevastopol, which hit a Russian landing craft and a submarine.

The landing craft was "functionally destroyed" and the submarine suffered "catastrophic damage" in the attack, according to U.K. intelligence.

HUR said that Sept. 20 marks a year since Ukraine received the satellite and thanked all those who donated to the campaign.

On Aug. 18, 2023, Serhiy Prytula, a comedian, politician, and volunteer who leads crowdfunding campaigns to help the Ukrainian army, announced that his charity had bought a satellite for the military.

The Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation signed an agreement with the Finnish company ICEYE after initially fundraising $17 million to buy Bayraktar attack drones. The Turkish manufacturer of the drones, Baykar, refused to take the money and instead offered three drones to Ukraine for free.

The contract with ICEYE stated that the company would transfer the capabilities of one of its satellites already in orbit to the Ukrainian government.

Additionally, ICEYE would provide access to imagery from other satellites, allowing Ukraine to "receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations."

Until the purchase of the ICEYE satellite, Ukraine did not have its own satellite in orbit and therefore relied on satellite imagery from its allies for the first six months of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Read also: Ukrainian charity buys satellite for the army. How will it help fight against Russia?

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
"Unknown saboteurs" have seriously damaged two planes and a helicopter at Chkalovsky Military Air Base in Moscow Oblast, Ukrainian military intelligence reported on Sept. 20.

According to military intelligence, Russia is investigating how saboteurs managed to enter the "closely guarded" airfield, which is 25 kilometers to the northeast of Russia's capital, and damage an AN-148 transport jet and an Il-20 surveillance aircraft.

A second AN-148 that was parked in the vicinity received "minor damage," military intelligence said.

One Mi-28N attack helicopter was also seriously damaged, military intelligence said, adding that this helicopter was "actively involved in shooting down attack drones over Moscow region."

The Russian authorities frequently claim that drones are shot down over Moscow Oblast.

On Aug. 30, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin claimed that Russian air defense had destroyed a drone bound for the city amid what he called a "massive" strike on Russia's western regions.

The same wave of drone strikes hit a military airfield in Pskov, destroying four Russian Il-76 aircraft.

Military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said on Aug. 31 that the drone attack was launched from within Russian territory.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian advances point to severe degradation of Russian units, says ISW

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson launched his re-election campaign Wednesday as he seeks a full four-year term in office.

The formal announcement was scheduled for an evening fundraiser at An Ox Cafe, 7411 W. Hampton Ave.

So far, Johnson is not facing any serious challenge to his incumbency, though there's still months before the Feb. 20 primary and April 2 spring election. Challengers would have to submit nomination papers by Jan. 2.

Johnson, 36, won an abbreviated term last year after former Mayor Tom Barrett's early departure to serve as ambassador to Luxembourg. He told the Journal Sentinel that while there is still work to do, his administration has made strides in addressing some of the major issues facing the city.

"I told voters in my initial run for this office that I'd be working, even without a full term, ... to create a city that was stronger, that was safer, that was more prosperous, and that's exactly the city that we're building in Milwaukee," he said.

City finances looking up

Mayor Cavalier Johnson delivers his budget address to the members of the Milwaukee Common Council on Tuesday September 19, 2023 at Milwaukee City Hall in Milwaukee, Wis.

The deep financial challenges that threatened to decimate city services were among the most pressing problems when Johnson came into office. The city was able to back away from a quickly approaching "fiscal cliff" through a deal struck in Madison after months of negotiation.

Those discussions, which also included representatives from the Common Council, Milwaukee County and others, culminated in a new law that boosted the revenue that returns to the city from the state and allowed Milwaukee to implement a 2% local sales tax.

The Common Council and Johnson approved that tax in July.

And, on Tuesday, Johnson presented the council with a proposed 2024 budget that avoids service cuts for the first time in years.

The deal, though, has also faced criticism from council members and members of the public over the non-fiscal constraints it puts on the city and the implementation of a new tax.

Johnson says public safety would be a continued focus

In a second term, Johnson said he would want to continue working to make the city safer. He pointed to statistics such as a decrease in the number of homicides this year compared to the same time last year, when the city experienced its third straight year of record killings.

But even as homicides are down from 2022, non-fatal shootings are higher in 2023 than at the same point in either of the last two years, according to figures published by Milwaukee police.

Johnson has called easy access to guns the greatest threat to public safety in Milwaukee and pledged to use new relationships forged with Republicans in Madison during the local government funding debate to push for gun control.

But on Tuesday he said the focus at the Capitol had shifted from local government funding to who should pay for renovations at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

He said he has continued to voice his desire for the state to take a "more robust" approach to making sure people who should not have access to guns do not get them.

"I think there is space for us to be able to work on something, even on the margins here in order to get something done," he said. "Even though the Brewers have taken over a lot of the conversation here, I have had some conversations with legislators, both Democrat and Republican, on this."

He said he would hope Republican legislators also want to make sure criminals, felons and domestic abusers would not be able to get guns.

Johnson highlights businesses moving to Milwaukee

Johnson also noted the number of businesses that have moved to Milwaukee as a sign of growing prosperity.

"If you look at what's been happening in Milwaukee the past few years, including what's been happening in the time I've been mayor, more places, more businesses are deciding to call Milwaukee home, creating jobs and opportunities for residents here," he said. "Those are things I want to build off of."

More: Yet another outstate company is moving its headquarters to Milwaukee: Regal Rexnord

Outside of downtown, he said improving the city's infrastructure would help draw additional development to neighborhoods and create jobs for city residents in some of the most challenged areas.

He cited the protected bike lanes, pedestrian plaza and other features meant to improve safety and spur commercial development on West Villard Avenue on the city's north side. The work is possible thanks to a $14.3 million federal grant.

He also cited his administration's goal to speed up the replacement of lead pipes to properties across the city, saying it is an opportunity to put people to work.

Alison Dirr can be reached at adirr@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson announces re-election bid
Slovakia is studying Ukraine's proposed plan to export agricultural products and considers it acceptable, the Ukrainian Agriculture Ministry said on Sept. 20 following an online meeting between Ukrainian Agriculture Minister Mykola Solskyi and his Slovak counterpart Jozef Bires.

The two parties reportedly discussed cooperation in the agricultural sector, namely the action plan for exporting Ukrainian agricultural products proposed by Kyiv to the European Commission.

According to the ministry's press statement, Bires said that Bratislava is studying Ukraine's proposal and considers it acceptable.

The ministers agreed to finalize the plan as soon as possible, as well as coordinate the situation and maintain constructive relations between the countries.

The EU instituted the import ban on select agricultural products from Ukraine in May at the request of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria, who feared that the influx of cheaper Ukrainian products would put pressure on their farmers.

Following the expiration of the measure on Sept. 15, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary said they will continue to impose it on the national level.

Seeking to lift the restrictions, Ukraine proposed to the EU that it would implement a system of permits to manage the export of grain.

The Slovak agriculture minister said earlier that Kyiv's proposal came too late and suggested that the European Commission could institute a transition period to test the mechanism.

Read also: Media: Kyiv denies grain proposal rejected by 5 EU members

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A host of questions remain unanswered after a $100 million fighter jet went missing over the weekend before it was found crashed in a wooded area of rural South Carolina more than 24 hours later.

Debris from the F-35B Lightning II jet, the Marine Corps variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, was found in Williamsburg County on Monday, a day after its pilot was forced to eject.

Still unclear is why the pilot had to bail from the jet in the first place, how the aircraft managed to fly the distance it did without guidance, and why it took so long to locate, with the Marines tight-lipped about what they know so far.

The mishap is currently under investigation, Marine Corps spokesman Capt. Joe Leitner said in a statement to The Hill. We are unable to provide additional details to preserve the integrity of the investigatory process.

The jet in question, a single-seat F-35B made by Lockheed Martin, cost $100 million, according to Russell Goemaere, a spokesman for the F-35 Joint Program Office.

Described by Lockheed as the most advanced fighter jet in the world, the aircraft can reach speeds of 1,200 mph, operate undetected in hostile airspace, and land vertically with short take-offs.

The jet that went missing Sunday came from Joint Base Charlestons 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, with the pilot taking off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort before later ejecting over North Charleston, parachuting to the ground and landing in a backyard in the suburbs.

But while the still-unidentified pilot was swiftly located and taken to a local hospital, the Marine Corps was unable to quickly find the jet.

The search dragged on for so long it prompted an unusual request for help, with the base asking the public to call in any tips they might have as teams searched around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion northwest of Charleston.

After a major multi-agency hunt from both the air and ground, a debris field thought to be the aircraft was eventually located on Monday evening, roughly two hours northeast from where it took off. The Marine Corps confirmed Tuesday it was the downed F-35.

A recovery team is currently securing the debris field, but there was no word on how the effort was going, an official from the base told The Hill.

They also could not say how long the recovery and investigation process was expected to last, but were sure will take a very long time.

Some lawmakers and former officials are not pleased with the incident and the answers theyve received from the military thus far.

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), questioned how such an advanced aircraft wasnt closely kept track of.

How in the hell do you lose an F-35? Mace wrote on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. How is there not a tracking device and were asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?

Mace later told ABC News affiliate WCIV that its very frustrating to not have any answers.

And James Hutton, a retired Army colonel and former assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs, said the crash raises many questions.

Classification will undoubtedly limit what is made public but taxpayers have a right to know some basic answers, he wrote on X.

F-35s carry a transponder meant to help locate the aircraft, but its unclear if the device was working at the time it went missing.

Thats the $80 million question, Mace said. Weve invested so much money into this program. And the minute theres an accident, we have no idea where the jet is. Thats just unacceptable.

The crash is the third Marine Corps aircraft mishap within six weeks, with the service on Monday ordering a two-day safety stand down to assess the situation.

This stand down is being taken to ensure the service is maintaining operational standardization of combat-ready aircraft with well-prepared pilots and crews, the service said in a statement.

The Marine Corps also suffered two crashes in August: an F-18 crash during a training flight near San Diego that killed the pilot and an MV-22B Osprey crashed in Australia that killed three Marines and injured 20 others.

All three accidents were classified as Class-A mishaps, incidents that lead to a death or cause more than $2.5 million in property damage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
by Martina Fuchs

LONDON, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Conde Nast College of Fashion & Design in London is tapping into new markets and witnessing a rapid increase of students from China, all while pushing for a more inclusive representation of Asian models and designers on the catwalks.

As London Fashion Week kicked off on Friday, the college marked its 10-year anniversary with an annual graduate exhibition in the heart of the British capital.

There was much reason to celebrate, Conde Nast College's director in London and Madrid Ana Garcia-Sineriz said in an interview, as there was a strong appetite from Chinese students to study fashion and lifestyle in Europe and at the college.

"Chinese students have an enormous interest in learning in Europe. In Madrid and in London, important universities have programs that are filled with Chinese students," Garcia-Sineriz said.

"For us, it's very important to put our efforts into giving first-class education to Chinese students in Europe, to understand their needs and give them the best education to fulfill the incredible demand of a rising market," she added.

Slowly but surely, the face of the fashion industry is changing and barriers are being broken down, Garcia-Sineriz said.

"Diversity in fashion is a growing reality. The beauty and refinement of the Asian culture are now luckily present among designers, models, brands and campaigns," she said.

"This industry is evolving for the better. I'm really fond of these incredible Asian models, this incredible manifestation of culture... We are all fans!"

Since its inception in 2013, the college has offered bachelor's and master's degrees, accredited certificates, and a variety of short and online courses focused on the fashion, media and luxury lifestyle industries.

The college works closely with the teams at Vogue, Glamour, GQ, and other Conde Nast magazines.

"We are focusing on the consolidation of our business and our colleges in London and Madrid. But we have plans to expand to different markets that have great interest in Vogue, the most relevant fashion brand in the world. Vogue is the authority of fashion through culture, more than a fashion brand," Garcia-Sineriz explained.

"Right now, we're focused on the transition process we've just picked up which is Madrid and London. But if we had to pick the next location for us to expand to, it would definitely be Asia," said Michael Chung, CEO of BRANDED that owns the college.

London Fashion Week runs on Sept. 15-19 this year. The clothing trade show organized by the British Fashion Council is one of the "Big Four" fashion weeks alongside New York, Milan and Paris. 
When I think of book burnings, images come to mind: Nazis burning anti-German publications during the Holocaust, teenagers burning Beatles records after John Lennon said his band was more popular than God, and the book Fahrenheit 451.

This weeks image showing Republican Missouri state Sens. Nick Schroer and Bill Eigel using flamethrowers on a stack of cardboard boxes turned my stomach. The question on everyones mind, what was he burning? Boxes or books? Eigel quickly answered in a statement to The Star :

In the video, I am taking a flamethrower to cardboard boxes representing what I am going to do to the leftist policies and RINO corruption of the Jeff City swamp. But lets be clear, you bring those woke pornographic books to Missouri schools to try to brainwash our kids, and Ill burn those too  on the front lawn of the governors mansion.

Lets be clear, Eigel, who is running to be the next Missouri governor, has no qualms about being associated with extreme images.

In that story, state House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, a Springfield Democrat who also is running for governor, decried the image and Eigels sentiment. Initial comments on X, formerly known as Twitter, ran severely against the burning. They pilloried the senators.

Surprising. Maybe conservatives really have left X and joined Truth Social.

Wait. He was burning boxes, not books, right?

But he would. He said he would. On the front lawn of the governors mansion, presumably after he moves in.

Fahrenheit 451, where fire is censorship

Which brings me back to Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Its a cautionary tale set in a dystopian future where firemen no longer put out fires. They start them by burning books, any books they find. Its a future where TV is king and where reading books is outlawed. The law hopes to prevent the spread of any ideas that run counter to what leaders tell people to think.

It purports that ideas not supported or permitted by society leaders will brainwash people.

Lets look at that quote from Eigel again:

But lets be clear, you bring those woke pornographic books to Missouri schools to try to brainwash our kids, and Ill burn those too  on the front lawn of the governors mansion.

Eigel thinks woke books will brainwash children. He isnt alone. The American Library Association gets a lot of requests to ban books every year. Its called a challenge, and the numbers are startling:

In 2022, 1,269 people filed demands to censor library books and resources, the highest number of attempted book bans since the ALA began compiling data about censorship in libraries more than 20 years ago.

A record 2,571 unique titles were targeted for censorship, a 38% increase from the 1,858 unique titles targeted for censorship in 2021.

Of those titles, the vast majority were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color.

Of the reported book challenges, 58% targeted books and materials in school libraries, classroom libraries or school curricula; 41% of book challenges targeted materials in public libraries.

In new data released Wednesday documenting challenges in the first half of 2023, the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles. The office reports, The number of unique titles challenged has increased by 20% from the same reporting period in 2022, the year in which the highest number of book challenges occurred since ALA began compiling this data more than 20 years ago.

Most of the challenges in the time period studied, from Jan. 1 to Aug. 31, 2023, were about books written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Book banning discussed in US Senate

More proof that book burns  er, bans  are in the news:

Last week, legislators heard from witnesses at a Senate committee hearing titled, Book Bans: Examining How Censorship Limits Liberty and Literature. Witnesses included Max Eden, research fellow at the American Enterprise Institute; Nicole Neily, president of Parents Defending Education; Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State; Cameron Samuels, a student at Texas Brandeis University and Emily Knox, an an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The hearing began with a video that argued bans arent new and that comic books were the target in a 1954 hearing. Superman, anyone? The video also featured recent media clips and social media videos about bans.

Lets be clear, efforts to ban books are wrong, whether they come from the right or the left, said Dick Durbin, the Democratic senator of Illinois who chairs the judiciary committee. He read a list of award-winning titles that had been banned at one time. Stunning.

Uncle Toms Cabin. Maus. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. To Kill a Mockingbird. The Handmaids Tale. A Raisin in the Sun. Brave New World. And most recently, a lot of titles about the LGBTQIA+ community.

The hearing raised issues, but no real solutions. Several senators interviewed the witnesses, the last two being Republicans. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley referenced so-called social media censorship at the government level  not really on topic here. Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy, in a heated exchange, grilled the witnesses over not having a concrete answer to his question over who has final say over what books are allowed. As the video ended, I doubted whether wed ever find consensus over this issue. A week later, here come the librarians.

Librarians conference in Wichita

Beginning Wednesday, librarians, academics and people who care about books go to Wichita for the Association of Rural and Small Libraries conference.

Among the speakers and panelists will be Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, at the Town Hall on Intellectual Freedom on Thursday and a session on the First Amendment and book bans.

Caldwell-Stone, in an episode of the Library Leadership Podcast, said libraries are her sustenance: I was an early reader. My mom was a single parent and just couldnt provide the books I wanted to read. Libraries were there. I could go to the library, and I rode my little bicycle with its wicker basket and loaded up, and I discovered the world through libraries. I dont think Id be where I am today without libraries being in place  the librarians guiding me to books.

I was an early reader, too, and a latchkey kid in Chicago. I loved reading books, and there were no books that were off-limits to me, as I recall.

I understand parents love and are concerned about their children. And, I agree with South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, who said at the Senate committee meeting, You have an obligation, as a parent, to lend your voice to the cause you think helps your children develop in the right way.

But schools and libraries exist to help children, too. Most librarians love their jobs and want to help children learn about the world around them. That world includes people who dont look like them and who dont think the same way about things.

As Durbin said, In the name of protecting students, were instead denying these students an opportunity to learn about different people and difficult subjects.

Parents should be there to help kids with this opportunity. And if there is a book you have concerns about, dont ban it. Talk to your kids about why you dont think the book is proper. Have a hard conversation.

Burning and banning is the easy way out.
Four months ago, Enir Oseguera moved with his young family to one of Carys last affordable housing communities,

The immigrant father had been saving money and thought hed found the right place for his two children to thrive at the Chatham Estates mobile home park, a diverse community where rent is $400 a month.

Soon after the move, however, Oseguera learned the land the community was on was up for sale, putting hundreds of people who live there at risk of displacement and homelessness.

What do we do? he asked. We all know the cost of renting an apartment even nowadays and then buying property, well, thats more of a question for many people.

At a Cary Town Council candidates forum Monday night, Oseguera was one of three Chatham Estates residents who asked the candidates for help.

The mobile home park, owned by Curtis Westbrook Sr., of Carys Westbrook & Associates, mostly houses Latinos who moved to the town from elsewhere in Wake County or other countries. Many have young children and work at nearby businesses.

Theyve been told that if the property sells, they may get $20,000, about what their homes cost. But there is no certainty they will get that amount or be able find another place to move their trailer.

Over 700 people live in Chatham Estates Mobile Home park on E. Chatham Street in Cary. The area is one of two mobile home parks in the town. Las Americas off Southeast Maynard Road is another. Kristen Johnson/The News & Observer

Chatham Estates has not yet been sold to developers who have plans to tear down the mobile home park and the businesses in Chatham Square at the corner of SE Maynard Road and East Chatham Street. The property could be sold for about $50 million, according to Lee & Associates, the listing agent.

Still, park residents are appealing to candidates in Carys Oct. 10 municipal election for help and to stay in town.

Candidates make commitments

ONE Wake, a nonprofit, hosted Monday nights forum, which featured five of the nine candidates for Town Council. The nonpartisan organization has supported the towns affordable housing efforts, including rezoning 921 SE Maynard Road as an area designed for affordable housing for residents who make 30% of the area median income.

The Cary Housing Plan supports families trying to buy homes by providing financial aid to buyers, incentives to developers for affordable homes, developing affordable homes on town-owned land, and funding emergency housing programs to keep residents in their homes.

ONE Wake is also asking candidates to support churches and other nonprofits developing their own affordable housing. It also wants the Town Council to make sure the potential redevelopment of Carys town hall campus includes affordable homes.

In Cary today, rising home prices and rents are straining housing options for middle- and low-income households, said Mycal Brickhouse, the pastor of Cary First Christian Church. Teachers, nurses, construction workers, food and retail service workers increasingly cannot afford to live in town.

Candidates Lori Bush, Don Frantz, Michele Craig, Rachel Jordan, and Mary Insprucker attended the ONE Wake Cary Town Council candidate forum on Sept. 18. Kristen Johnson/The News & Observer

Since 2010, Cary has added about 20,000 jobs in those occupations, but the availability of homes they can afford has shrunk. The town has lost about 4,000 housing units that cost less than $1,000 a month to rent.

At-large Council member Lori Bush and Mayor Pro Tem Don Frantz, who represents District B, attended the forum alongside candidates Michelle Craig for District B, Mary Insprucker for at-large, and Rachel Jordan for District D.

All of the candidates publicly agreed to advocate for the residents and spoke briefly about their plans if elected.

My mother was a single mother, and we lived in subsidized housing, said Bush. I know what its like to wonder where your head will lay in the evening and to wonder where your next meal will come from.

Bush and current council members have supported using the towns federal Community Development Block Grant money on housing initiatives.

Jordan described moving to Cary from Washington, DC, after the loss of her job and her babys death from birth complications.

I understand that fear, she said, I understand that sense of not being able to sleep at night because you dont know where youre going to go.

Frantz, Insprucker and Craig shared their own struggles and commitment to residents who deserve a right to live in Cary.

I do believe in mixed-income developments. .. I do believe affordable housing development on church-owned land is a fantastic, brilliant idea, Insprucker said. Especially with so little land left in Cary. I also believe that (this) has to be done the right way according to the Cary Community Plan and Cary Housing Plan.

Early voting runs from Thursday through Oct. 7.
A woman neglected her son with cerebral palsy and spent his disability benefits  which were solely meant for his care  on herself before and after he died, according to federal prosecutors.

Lisa Waldron, 44, of Palermo, New York, used her sons Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits issued by the Social Security Administration to splurge at Victorias Secret and at Rent-A-Center as he deteriorated under her care, according to court documents. She received, and misused, his benefits as his representative payee, prosecutors said.

After 17-year-old Jordan Brooks died on May 9, 2021, she never notified the SSA of his death, stole his benefits and used them to buy fast food and a trip to Myrtle Beach, according to prosecutors in the Northern District of New York.

Waldron continued stealing his benefits for about one year, up until April 2022, when theft was discovered, prosecutors said.

The defendant slowly killed her own son and then profited from his death, prosecutors wrote in court documents.

In February 2022, Brooks death was ruled a homicide caused in part by infection and malnutrition after he died at a hospital severely underweight and covered in bedsores, according to the Oswego County Sheriffs Office in New York, McClatchy News previously reported.

Waldron and Brooks stepdad, Anthony Waldron, were arrested on state charges, including second-degree manslaughter and first-degree criminally negligent homicide, in March 2022, officials said.

On Sept. 19, a federal judge sentenced Lisa Waldron to serve two years in prison after her conviction on charges of theft of government property in connection with stealing Brooks benefits, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York announced in a news release.

For years, Jordan was severely neglected by the person he relied on and likely loved most in this world, prosecutors wrote in Waldrons sentencing memorandum.

In the months following Jordans death, many who knew him mourned, but (Waldron) was not one of them. Instead, (she) continued to spend Jordans SSI benefits for her own personal benefit.

McClatchy News contacted attorney Joseph G. Rodak, who represented Waldron in the federal case, for comment on Sept. 20 and didnt immediately receive a response.

In a sentencing memo submitted on Waldrons behalf, Rodak wrote Waldron has one living child, a daughter who she cares for greatly and is extremely remorseful as to how this entire situation has adversely affected (her).

Rodak also wrote he believes Waldron deeply cared for Brooks but was overwhelmed in her ability to care for (him).

On July 17, Waldron pleaded guilty in state court to second-degree manslaughter and first-degree assault in connection with her sons death, prosecutors noted in their sentencing memo.

She is facing a mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison for the assault charge at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 28, the sentencing memo says.

Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes ruled Waldrons sentence would run consecutively to her anticipated state sentence, the release said.

Sannes also ordered Waldron to pay $5,948.06 in restitution to the SSA and $7,344.70 to the Crime Victims Fund, according to the release.

The death of Jordan Brooks was not a freak accident or a tragic isolated incident but rather a deliberate and prolonged act of true malice, prosecutors wrote in the sentencing memo.

Palermo, a town of about 3,500, is located about 160 miles northwest of Albany.

86-year-old used dead brothers identity since 1965, collected his benefits, feds say

Sister steals over $64,000 in disability benefits from dead brother for years, feds say

Woman hid dads death for 25 years to steal half-a-million in Social Security, feds say
The mother of a 21-year-old killed in a shooting addressed the man convicted of his murder in Texas court, news outlets reported.

In order for me to heal, I have to forgive you, Connie Esparza said, according to footage shared by KENS5.

Esparza told KENS5 she knows her son Isaiah Orozco would want her to forgive, because he was a forgiving person.

Orozco was shot and killed at a bus stop in 2022 in San Antonio, investigators told KSAT.

A jury found Joseph Harris guilty of murder Tuesday, Sept. 19, KSAT reported.

Orozco and Harris got into an argument at a bus stop on Feb. 28, 2022, police told KABB.

When Orozco turned to walk away, Harris shot him multiple times, police told the outlet.

Harris attorney did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for comment.

Isaiah was gunned down by a coward, Esparza said, according to KENS5.

Court records show Harris was sentenced to 68 years in prison.

Husband forgives driver whose crash into Utah office killed his wife. Its okay

Woman marries man convicted of murdering her brother in Ohio. God put us together

Kids lied about shooting that killed 9-year-old boy, Georgia police say. Mom charged
SANFORD  Moms for Liberty, the conservative group founded in Florida and now a force in national politics, aimed to get books pulled from Seminole County Public Schools libraries by reading aloud at a school board meeting this week book passages they said amounted to porn.

The groups Seminole chapter, following a playbook used successfully in recent weeks in Indian River and Pinellas counties, urged supporters to read potty words and the worst of the worst, with the hope the school board would cut them off.

A new state law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May heightens scrutiny of school books and says if school boards prevent parents from reading aloud books that have been objected to, those books must be removed from the shelves.

Just make sure that you get shut down, thats the goal, said Jessica Tillmann, the groups chapter chair in an Instagram post Monday.

The Seminole County School Board on Tuesday night, however, listened without interruption as Moms for Liberty members and supporters read short book excerpts, in almost all cases without naming the book or the author.

Aranda Davidson read a section from a book she said was available in a Seminole middle school, that she said contained expletives and sexually explicit passages. My 11-year-old should not be able to get ahold of a book like this, she said.

But the majority of those who packed into the boards room for a more than four-hour meeting urged board members not to ban books nor give into the theater of the read-aloud.

Making the counterpoint

Stop Moms for Liberty Seminole and Defense of Democracy Seminole helped organize a counter-point and were joined by statewide groups and residents from Polk, Sarasota and Volusia counties.

They waved red sheets of paper to show their opposition to speakers and green to show their approval, including for Rain Johnson of Lakeland, who held and read briefly from a copy of The Handmaids Tale to show her opposition to book bans.

They said a loud minority should not be able to dictate what other peoples children can choose to read. They also questioned how the board could act if the books were unnamed and said out-of-context passages should not be considered when deciding whether books meet the legal definition of pornography.

A book is far more than an isolated passage or two, said one.

For the sake of the children, please dont give into this theater, said another.

Some bad actors are here to disrupt the meeting with requests to ban books from public school classrooms, reading lists, and media centers, said Oviedo resident Franklin Perez.

All students deserve to read a variety of books, Perez said, and the board should trust teachers and media specialists to pick appropriate titles for their libraries.

Seminole County Public Schools is a premier school district and has been for decades. Lets not tarnish that reputation and high standing by allowing for the intimidation of public-school educators into removing books for our public schools, he said.

The school board took no action after listening to about 80 speakers.

There is no action to be taken from the reading of excerpts as they were allowed to make their public comments without interruption, said school district spokeswoman Katherine Crnkovich, in an email Wednesday. We would encourage any individual or group with concerns about a book or curriculum to follow the process in place to address their concern.

That process is posted on the district website and starts with a person filing a complaint at the school where the book is housed.

Earlier this month, Tillmann sent school board member Amy Pennock a list of nearly 60 books she said contained inappropriate material, according to a copy of the email obtained by a parent through a public records request and shared with the Orlando Sentinel.

It was not clear if her group read from some of the books on the list. Most of the speakers read from sheets of paper, not books, often citing their count of expletives in the book before reading a passage. On Instagram, Tillmann said the group would not name the books as they did not want to draw more attention to titles they disliked.

Crnkovich said that ahead of the meeting a district administrator shared the SCPS book challenge process with Tillmann, but it was not clear Wednesday whether she or other Moms for Liberty members had filed any challenges..

Tillmann could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

She spoke early in the meeting, telling the crowd, If you have children in the room, please remove them.

Later, she said her group had been complaining about certain books for more than a year and wanted the board to take action against horrible disgusting and illegal books.

School board members said the district would follow state law and its policies to address any concerns about books and other instructional materials.

Not evading the law

Board member Autumn Garrick pushed back against some of the charges leveled against the district during the meeting.

We do not have teachers that are groomers, she said. We do not have a superintendent that is evading the law.

And in the 10 months since she was elected to the school board, no one has contacted her about a school book they found troubling. I, in fact, have never heard from a parent. Not one parent in my 10 months of service has complained they wanted a book removed or reviewed from SCPS, Garrick said.

I am happy to make sure we are diligent in our process, she added.

The new state law (HB 1069) makes challenges to school books easier and, if the concern is sexual content, requires the books to be removed from the shelves within five days and remain inaccessible to students while being reviewed.

It also says that if books cannot be read aloud at board meetings, the school district shall discontinue the use of the material. Republican lawmakers said they passed it to make sure pornography and books that depict sexual activity are kept from children.

But critics say the effort has wrongly labeled many books pornographic, when state law says, in part, that books with sexual content or nudity are considered pornography only if they are without serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.

They also say the law is being used to do end runs around district policies for book challenges, which typically start at the school and require reviews by educators and parents.

In Indian River at a meeting in late August, the school boards chair stopped many speakers from reading aloud explicit passages and then the board voted to remove at least 20 books from its libraries. This month, that district said more than 120 books are under review after challenges by the local Moms for Liberty group, Treasure Coast Newspapers reported.

And this week, the Pinellas County school district said it would remove five books, some of which were read aloud at an earlier meeting in August, the Tampa Bay Times reported.

200 at the meeting

At Seminoles Tuesday night meeting, which drew more than 200 people, Sandra Gonzalez said there were 342 inappropriate words in one book she looked at, and she did not understand why it would be in an SCPS school.

Why should a child be exposed to pornography? she asked.

Whos accountable? said Chas Barber, a Casselberry resident, who read an excerpt from a book. Please consider the law and your responsibility to uphold it.

But others argued sex scenes do not equate to pornography and that the effort aimed to get rid of books about tough topics, such as rape and child abuse, and books that featured LGBTQ characters or characters who were not white. Library books that describe a range of experiences are important to students, perhaps making them feel less alone or making them empathize with others, they said.

Books help students learn about the vast world, said Sandy Stenoff, another Casselberry resident, who urged the board not to pull books.

Stenoff noted that Moms for Liberty was not pushing to have the Bible removed though the good book is filled with morally questionable behavior.

Some of the books targeted by Moms for Liberty are award-winning and well-regarded, such as The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and Looking for Alaska by John Green.

Maria Olivero, a Lake Mary resident, said parents upset about certain books should not set policy for everyone.

They do not speak for my family, Olivero said. Lets learn from each others stories.
Watching the team behind The Morning Show prepare for their shoots at the crack of dawn makes me feel so content. In the third episode of the ongoing third season, we get to see producer Mias (Karen Pittman) morning routine: She sleeps in her office, tosses on her Jimmy Choos, warms the tea kettle, and clomps her heels right onto the TMS stage. The morning set-up feels like watching a Get Ready With Me lifestyle video; its calming in a way that really doesnt make sense.

Thats how The Morning Show started all the way back in 2019, after all. Before the bombshell allegations against host Mitch Kessler (Steve Carrell) dropped, we spent the morning getting ready with his co-host Alex (Jennifer Aniston) in her gorgeous Manhattan high rise apartment. The skincare routine, the steamed outfit, the thick duvet being tossed to the side at 3 a.m.these luxuries were shown to us before all hell broke loose. Now, the same thing is happening in Season 3. After Mia starts her day, UBA erupts in flames.

Last week, we witnessed the implosion of UBA when everyone at the company realized they had been hacked. The world gained access to every email, text, online correspondenceeven recordings of conversations were leaked! Although Cory (Billy Crudup) was stressed that Bradleys (Reese Witherspoon) closeted relationship with Laura Peterson (Julianna Margulies) would be a bombshell, the real shock comes from a racist email sent by network exec Cybil Reynolds (Holland Taylor).

Cybil called new anchor Chris Hunter (Nicole Beharie, who kills it in this episode) Aunt Jemima. Oof. Later, we get the full context: Around a year ago, the UBA execs had been emailing about Chris, a new hire for TMS, and Cybil was upset about how expensive she waseven though Bradley was a far pricier new hire. One exec claims that Chris contract is actually a bargain: After all, Chris is popular enough to be on cereal boxes.

Apple TV+

Cybils reply is terrible and totally wonderful, because this is The Morning Show, where chaos is our best friend: Aunt Jemima was on cereal boxes too, and no ones buying her anymore.

Cory panics. There go the Emmys. UBAs stock was skyrocketing minutes ago, thanks to the rumored deal with billionaire Paul Marks (Jon Hamm), and now its probably tanking. Cory rushes Chris into his office to remind her shes signed an NDA: We should do the news, not be the news, right? he tells her. Chris is on the verge of tears, but agrees. Beharie is too damn good; she never sobs in this episode but always looks like shes about to break down and quit journalism forever. Weve all been there! (Well, this is a lot worse than the average day-to-day pain of the media industry.)

Cybil calls on Alex for some assistancewhats her strategy here, though? Alex has, like, no leverage at UBA at this point. Last week, she was punished with a month of The Morning Show duties. Now, Cybil wants to use Alex as a pawn to weather this racism scandal. Cybil begs Alex to interview her on Alex Unfiltered, UBAs version of Oprahs interviews, but Alex rejects the offer. All Cybil can do is remind Alex that her grandfather founded UBAshe believes her last name warrants staying power at UBA. Alex passes again. Cybil has no allies.

Why The Morning Show Turned Jon Hamm Into Elon Musk

UBA releases some sort of statement about the leaked emails, but no one is satisfied with this responsewell, Cory is, but thats because he wrote it. Alex, Stella, and Chip (Mark Duplass) suggest that UBA ought to address this head on by interviewing Chris or Cybil on the network. They both have NDAs. Let them speak, but make it a UBA exclusivegood for ratings, good for the crisis, and good for us, the audience who get to watch the shitshow pan out. Cory finally agrees. Cybil will appear on Alex Unfiltered, but Alex isnt going to go easy on her pal.

Meanwhile, in the newsroom, the producers start a bit of a protest when leaked salaries show that women of color are paid drastically less than their white and/or male counterparts. Mia and Stellanotably, two women of colortry to tame the conversation. This doesnt work. They demand to complain to Cory. Then, Yanko (Nestor Carbonell)who feels qualified to speak on the matter because he is third generation Cubanscolds everyone for acting so woke. Yankos uninformed sentiments are a great who invited this fool? moment.

But all the fury has Mia wondering if she, even with a higher status in the company, belongs at the network. Maybe UBA is a plantation with dental insurance, she tells Stella. Stella tries to clean things up by taking Mia to get wasted. It kind of works. Stella and Mia drunkenly invite Chris, who shows up with a new idea: What if, instead of Alex, she interviewed Cybil? Chris could confront the exec about the nasty things she said behind her back. After a few drinks, Stella and Mia agree this is the best idea theyve heard all week.

This night out is made even more important when Stella comes clean about her history with Paul Marks. She doesnt reveal anything specific. But hes not good, she says. Hes ruthless.

The Morning Show Premiere Recap: These Stars Are Blasting Off to Space Now

So this Cybil/Chris interview is really a double-edged sword: If the interview is spicy, ratings will go up and UBA will profit. If its too controversial, though, Cybil will be ousted from the board and, most likely, replaced by Paul. Cory meets with Leonard (Stephen Fry), who states that the board will most likely approve the deal with Paul should desperate times (i.e. Cybils departure) call for desperate measures.

Stella forces Cory to approve the Chris/Cybil interview. When the morning comes around, the two women stand on the set next to each other, not speaking to each other. When Cybil apologizes to Chris on air, we know she doesnt mean it because she didnt open her mouth around Chris before the cameras started rolling. Its tense. Its awkward. Its wonderful. This interview is peak Morning Show: soapy and gripping while also echoing something that probably couldve happened in the media industry.

Apple TV+

Some highlights from the interview include: Cybil throwing Cory under the bus, blaming him for a lackluster statement following the email leaking. Chris asking Cybil, Was I hired for the anchor position because I was Black? Cybil admitting she didnt think Chris was qualified for the anchor position because she was untested, followed by Chris telling Cybil she was tested more than any other anchor on TMS.

Chris is too good at her job. She makes Cybil look like a complete buffoonwhich, to be fair, she is. Immediately after the interview, the UBA board takes a vote of no confidence, and Cybil is removed from her position at her grandfathers legacy media company.

After the vote, Cory flies across Midtown to see Paul, who can now buy the company. But after todays little stunt, Paul says hes no longer interested in the UBA deal. The hack and the interview have made UBA an unsafe news corporation. Cory is screwed. But, heyat least hes got one of the most newsworthy anchors in the biz.

Keep obsessing! Sign up for the Daily Beasts Obsessed newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

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.
WSJ correspondent Evan Gershkovich appears inside a defendant cage as he attends an appeal hearing Tuesday. Gershkovich's appeal against the extension of his arrest term on espionage charges at the Moscow City Court in Moscow, Russia, was turned away without a ruling. He will remain jailed at least through November. Photo by Yuri Kochetkov/EPA-EFE

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich will remain behind bars in Russia after a Moscow court on Tuesday refused to hear an appeal over his pre-trial detention.

Gershkovich appeared inside a defendant cage at Moscow City Court's closed-door hearing, where he appealed the court's August decision to extend his pretrial detention for a second time. He was turned away without a ruling and will remain in jail at least through Nov. 30.

"The Moscow City Court considered the lawyers' complaint in a closed court session and decided to remove the material regarding E. Gershkovich from appeal consideration, and send the material to the Lefortovo District Court of Moscow to eliminate the circumstances impeding the consideration of the criminal case in the appellate court," the court said in a statement Tuesday.

Gershkovich has seen his pre-trial detention extended twice, once in May and again in August, since his arrest on March 29 by Russia's Federal Security Service on espionage charges while reporting in Yekaterinburg, Russia.

Gershkovich, the Wall Street Journal and the United States have denied the charges against him. If convicted, the journalist faces up to 20 years in prison.

"The U.S. position remains unwavering. The charges against Evan are baseless," Lynne Tracy, the U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation, told reporters outside the Moscow courthouse Tuesday. "The Russian government locked up Evan for simply doing his job. Journalism is not a crime."

"Although we could not speak with Evan in the courtroom today, I was able to visit him at the Lefortovo prison last week. Evan is fully aware of the gravity of his situation, yet he remains remarkably strong," Tracy added.

Last week, Gershkovich's parents delivered a petition to the United Nations, urging world leaders to push for his immediate release. The family of Paul Whelan, who is serving a 16-year sentence on espionage charges at the IK17 penal colony in the Republic of Moldavia, have also kept up pressure on U.S. diplomats to negotiate a release for the former Marine.

"The plight of U.S. citizens wrongfully detained in Russia remains a top priority for me, my team at the embassy and the entire U.S. government," Tracy said.

"It is unacceptable that Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan still languish in Russian prisons on charges that are baseless. The United States will not rest until Evan and Paul are safely at home."
PINE VALLEY, Calif.  A motorcyclist was killed after falling about 100 feet down an embankment in Pine Valley Sunday, authorities said.

California Highway Patrol says a 56-year-old man from San Diego was driving a motorcycle around 1:25 p.m. southbound on Sunrise Highway, about 1.5 miles north of Old Highway 80, when the crash occurred.

Two dead in multi-vehicle crash on SR-76

The man was traveling at an unknown rate of speed when he reportedly failed to negotiate a left curve in the road, according to physical evidence in the preliminary investigation.

As a result, CHP says the motorcycle collided with the guardrail along the west edge of the road. The man was ejected, causing him to fall down an embankment.

Disneyland temporarily closes Space Mountain for refurbishment

The motorcyclist was transported by helicopter to Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego, where CHP says he succumbed to his injuries. The mans identity has not been released at this time.

Officials say its unknown if alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in this crash. An investigation remains ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Police say a man who thought he was meeting a woman for sex was forced to go to a Binghampton business and withdraw money.

The victim said the man and woman who kidnapped him also beat him on the head with a weapon.

Police said officers responded to a hold-up alarm in the 2400 block of Summer Avenue early Wednesday morning and saw the suspects, later identified as Quincy Hodge and Delores Greene, at the convenience store armed with guns. They said the victim also ran from the business for help.

According to the affidavit, the victim said Greene agreed to meet him at a residence to be paid for sex. He said the money exchange did not go as planned when Greene got there, and Greene and Hodge forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint.

The victim said the pair also took his phone so he could not call police. He said while he was inside the business on Summer, he was assaulted with a rifle. The victim was transported to the hospital, where he was treated for lacerations and trauma to his head.

Police said Hodge and Greene were taken into custody on the scene.

They were both charged with aggravated assault, kidnapping, and robbery. Greene was also charged with prostitution.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
'Only the Gospel Will Save America' Say Organizers of DFW Faith and Politics Gathering Wake UP! 2023 Conference among first to kick-off 2024 presidential election season, featuring Hon. Michelle Bachmann, Hon. Michael Cloud, Bunni Pounds, Kelly Shackelford, Billy Hallowell and more in Dallas, Nov. 3-4







NEWS PROVIDED BY

Christians Engaged

Sept. 20, 2023



RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept. 20, 2023 /



Evoking spirited imagery from World War II that birthed what is considered America's Greatest Generation, the Dallas-area event  bringing together well-known Christian political and faith leaders across denominational lines  will promote prayer, voting, and civic engagement as "the critical mission to awaken the Sleeping Giant," organizers say.



"Political activity alone will not save America  only the Gospel will," said organizer Bunni Pounds, whose



"Jesus Christ -- and his Church -- is the only hope for America," said Pounds, a former political consultant for 16 years. "Our goal is to activate, inspire and educate those who walk with Jesus and want to impact the nation outside their churches' four walls."



Pounds graduated with a political science degree from Dallas Baptist University before founding her own political consulting company, then in 2018 running for Congress.



The conference, supported in the past by well-known leaders Texas Governor Rick Perry, Allie Beth Stuckey, Dr. Robert Jeffress, Eric Metaxas and evangelical minister James Robison, was launched in 2021 to muster more civic engagement in the faith community.



Calling the Church to 'Wake Up'

Citing a Barna Study showing that one-third of voters listed religious belief as the top influence in their voting decision, and the Apostle Paul's challenge in the Bible that "now it is high time to awake out of sleep," Pounds has a goal to mobilize a million Christians to "pray, vote, and engage" before next year's presidential election.



"The Wake UP! Conference  and its program of prayer, education and worship sessions  walks the fine line between inspiring Christians to get involved in their cities, states, and nation and discipling them to guard their hearts and live authentically in the process," said Pounds.



She's authored an upcoming book,



Hon. Michelle Bachmann, former U.S. presidential candidate and dean of Regent University's Robertson School of Government, will be a key speaker at Wake UP!



"Christians Engaged is filling a huge hole in the body of Christ," Bachmann said. "[Pounds'] story should inspire us all to walk daily with Jesus and disciple the nation, one elected official or neighbor at a time."



Other event speakers include Kelly Shackelford, founder and president of First Liberty Institute; U.S. Congressman Michael Cloud; Billy Hallowell of the Washington Times; Texas Senator Bryan Hughes; Rep. Stephanie Borowicz of Pennsylvania; and Kyle Lance Martin, founder of the evangelistic ministry Time to Revive.



For more information, visit



About Christians Engaged

Christians Engaged (



MEDIA: Arrange your interview with Bunni Pounds of Christians Engaged today. Contact: Gregg Wooding, I AM PR, (972) 567-7660,



SOURCE Christians Engaged



Share Tweet NEWS PROVIDED BYSept. 20, 2023RICHARDSON, Texas, Sept. 20, 2023 / Christian Newswire / -- Politics and religion will come together in Dallas this fall at a one-of-a-kind gathering of government and religious leaders, just as the 2024 U.S. presidential election season heats up. Hundreds of people are expected to participate in the two-day event, which is open to the public.Evoking spirited imagery from World War II that birthed what is considered America's Greatest Generation, the Dallas-area event  bringing together well-known Christian political and faith leaders across denominational lines  will promote prayer, voting, and civic engagement as "the critical mission to awaken the Sleeping Giant," organizers say."Political activity alone will not save America  only the Gospel will," said organizer Bunni Pounds, whose Christians Engaged organization will host the Third Annual Wake UP! Conference , a non-partisan Christian event being held at Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas, Nov. 3-4."Jesus Christ -- and his Church -- is the only hope for America," said Pounds, a former political consultant for 16 years. "Our goal is to activate, inspire and educate those who walk with Jesus and want to impact the nation outside their churches' four walls."Pounds graduated with a political science degree from Dallas Baptist University before founding her own political consulting company, then in 2018 running for Congress.The conference, supported in the past by well-known leaders Texas Governor Rick Perry, Allie Beth Stuckey, Dr. Robert Jeffress, Eric Metaxas and evangelical minister James Robison, was launched in 2021 to muster more civic engagement in the faith community.Citing a Barna Study showing that one-third of voters listed religious belief as the top influence in their voting decision, and the Apostle Paul's challenge in the Bible that "now it is high time to awake out of sleep," Pounds has a goal to mobilize a million Christians to "pray, vote, and engage" before next year's presidential election."The Wake UP! Conference  and its program of prayer, education and worship sessions  walks the fine line between inspiring Christians to get involved in their cities, states, and nation and discipling them to guard their hearts and live authentically in the process," said Pounds.She's authored an upcoming book, Jesus and Politics: One Woman's Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession , and a special advanced copy will be available onsite for pre-sale to conference attendees. Describing herself as a missionary to America, Pounds chronicles her 16-year stint in government, politics and campaigns, "living the Christian life extravagantly, even in a hostile environment."Hon. Michelle Bachmann, former U.S. presidential candidate and dean of Regent University's Robertson School of Government, will be a key speaker at Wake UP!"Christians Engaged is filling a huge hole in the body of Christ," Bachmann said. "[Pounds'] story should inspire us all to walk daily with Jesus and disciple the nation, one elected official or neighbor at a time."Other event speakers include Kelly Shackelford, founder and president of First Liberty Institute; U.S. Congressman Michael Cloud; Billy Hallowell of the Washington Times; Texas Senator Bryan Hughes; Rep. Stephanie Borowicz of Pennsylvania; and Kyle Lance Martin, founder of the evangelistic ministry Time to Revive.For more information, visit www.thececonference.org Christians Engaged ( Christiansengaged.org ), a 501(C)(3), was founded by Bunni Pounds, a Bible teacher and former political consultant who ran for U.S. Congress in 2018. Since 2020, Christians Engaged has served more than 125 churches, educated more than 1,700 people through in-person, Zoom, and on-demand full-length video classes, and currently communicates weekly on prayer, voting, and engagement with approximately 140,000 Christians across the U.S. The ministry produces books, articles, prayer alerts, and podcasts to educate the Christian community on the importance of praying and engaging in the political process for the wellbeing of America.MEDIA: Arrange your interview with Bunni Pounds of Christians Engaged today. Contact: Gregg Wooding, I AM PR, (972) 567-7660, Gregg@iampronline.com SOURCE Christians Engaged
A group of Ocean Springs residents is calling for a Historic Preservation Commission member to resign after he said that houses, occupied mostly by Black residents, in the downtown area should be burnt down.

Carlos Barbosa, who serves on the volunteer committee, said he was being sarcastic last week when he made the remark, caught on video after a commission meeting had ended. During the meeting, a resident proposed expanding the downtown historic district.

After the meeting, Barbosa was videotaped saying, Now youre going to sit there and put under the historic district those houses built in the 70s that need to be burnt down right now to begin with because they dont fit in the town . . . Do we really want to do that?

The video was uploaded to Facebook.

That was a sarcastic comment, Barbosa told the Sun Herald in a telephone interview Tuesday afternoon. Obviously, Im not saying they should burn those houses down. That would be a disaster.

Members of We Shall Not Be Moved, a group protesting a proposed urban renewal plan for the city of Ocean Springs, stand outside the city Civic Center on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

Remark offends Ocean Springs residents

But some residents took offense, including members of a group called We Shall Not Be Moved, which is objecting to the citys proposed Urban Renewal Plan. The plan would slate Black-owned homes and other properties around downtown for monitoring to prevent blight and, potentially, for purchase so they could be redeveloped for parking and other uses, the plan says.

Most of the homes in the citys proposed downtown urban renewal Area 4 are owned by black residents.

The city is having a series of meetings about the plan, which includes six areas proposed for urban renewal. An urban renewal designation would free up government funding to help redevelop those areas.

Most of the homes in the citys proposed downtown urban renewal Area 4 are owned by black residents. About 40 residents showed up at a city meeting Wednesday night to protest Barbosas remarks and call for him to resign.

They flanked Richard L. Jackson, first vice president of the Jackson County Branch of the NAACP and a Moss Point resident, during a news conference. He said the city is targeting black residents for relocation.

But Mayor Kenny Holloway told residents at a meeting Tuesday night that the city would not force residents to sell or move. Some residents have questioned why the city doesnt use federal funds to help repair homes in the downtown area, but the citys median income is too high to qualify for that money, officials say.

The city will hold a public hearing Oct. 2 at the Ocean Springs Civic Center on U.S. 90 on the Urban Renewal Plan.

A screenshot from the Ocean Springs Urban Renewal Plan shows an excerpt describing a home in the downtown area of Ocean Springs as blighted and suggesting acquisition by the city.

Memories of racial violence sparked

Expanding the downtown historic district was the topic at the preservation commission meeting where Barbosa made his remarks.

He does not need to be on that committee, James Lewis, a deacon at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church downtown, told the Sun Herald before the news conference Wednesday. When he spoke, he spoke volumes with the words he said. His mouth was in gear before his brain had a process at all.

Lewis said the remark about burning down houses owned by African-Americans recalls the days when the Ku Klux Klan was burning Black people out of their homes.

He said what he said, Lewis said. Lewis also is a member of We Shall Not Be Moved.
A series of explosions reverberated across Crimea on Sept. 20, according to Telegram channels Krym.Realii and Krymsky Veter. The affected locations included the military airfields of Belbek and Kacha, as well as a military base located near Sevastopol.

In Sevastopol, residents reported loud explosions resembling anti-aircraft defense systems in action. Krymsky Veter also noted similar sounds near Inkerman, in the Bakhchisaray district.

Read also: Explosions rock occupied Crimea, smoke seen in Sevastopol Bay

There was an incident involving a Russian military unit near the village of Verkhnyosadove, with Krym.Realii sharing photos and videos depicting a dense black plume of smoke emerging from the site.

This location previously served as the backup command center for Ukraines Navy and currently houses the backup command post for the Russian Black Sea Fleet, the outlet noted.

Read also: Russian occupiers claim overnight drone attack on Sevastopol

One drone crashed within the vineyards' territory, while anti-aircraft defenses successfully intercepted drones in Verkhnyosadove and Kacha that resulted in a minor grass fire, reported the Kremlin-appointed governor of Sevastopol, Mikhail Razvozhayev.

There were also reports of visible smoke near the harbor in Inkerman, which is home to the main oil depot of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, storing millions of tons of fuel. The Russians have stated that this is a measure taken to camouflage the depot from potential attacks.

Read also: Explosions shake Sevastopol: City on alert after major drone attack

Ukraine has successfully launched several strikes against Russian forces in occupied Crimea in recent weeks.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces targeted two Russian patrol ships from the aggressor country, Project 22160 Vasily Bykov, in the southwest part of the Black Sea on the morning of Sept. 14, causing damage to the vessels. Maritime drones were used in the special operation.

A day earlier, powerful explosions shook the occupied city of Sevastopol. Russia confirmed missile attacks and the use of uncrewed boats, acknowledging the strike on a ship repair plant and damage to two vessels undergoing repairs.

Ukrainian intelligence claims that a large landing ship, Minsk, and the Rostov-on-Don submarine were struck and are now beyond repair.

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
It took two years to arrest 28-year-old Kevin Mason in Indiana on a murder warrant out of Minnesota. But it took only two days for him to regain his freedom after he was mistakenly released from jail due to a clerical error, authorities revealed.

Now, a massive manhunt is underway in Indiana for Mason as authorities say they kept his accidental release quiet for six days to have a "tactical advantage" in finding him.

Mason was arrested in Indianapolis on Sept. 11 on three different warrants in different jurisdictions out of Minnesota.

"One being for homicide, one being for a parole violation, and the other being for a firearms possession," Colonel James Martin with the Marion County Sheriffs Office said in a press conference Tuesday.

Mason had been charged with second-degree murder in connection with a shooting in June 2021 in the parking lot of the Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis that killed Dontevius Ahmad Catchings, the Minneapolis Police Department previously said. In September 2021, the police department asked for the public's help in locating him and that year he was suspected of possibly being in Florida.

Just two days after his Sept. 11 arrest, he walked out of the Adult Detention Center in Indianapolis.

"On Sept. 12 one of our inmate records clerks thought she was correcting different bookings for Mr. Mason. She removed two of the holds leaving one additional hold for Mr. Mason. The next day on Sept. 13, Ramsey County, out of Minnesota, lifted the last and final hold that we had booked on for Mr. Mason," Martin explained.

"Our clerk that was reviewing it sees three Minnesota holds, didnt realize what she was doing obviously," Martin added. "It's a critical error, critical mistake. Theyre identified very specifically by the originating agency that did it. They have a specific ID number, theyre all different and the case numbers are all different."

Kevin Mason (Marion County Sheriff's Office)

That error was not caught before Ramsey County lifted their hold on Mason on a firearms charge. The mistake in Marion County led to two inmate records clerks being terminated from the agency, Martin said.

"This was an error. This should have not happened. Mason should not have been release from out custody. This was discovered shortly after he was released," he said.

An "around-the-clock manhunt has been underway ever since" with Martin saying there's no threat to the public.

He explained that Mason has been suspected to being in Indianapolis all this time since 2021 and it is believed he has people helping him evade arrest.

The U.S. Marshals Task Force and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are aiding in the search for him.

Locals are asked to call Crime Stoppers or 911 with tips or if they see Mason to not approach him.

Martin explained that the authorities kept his release quiet to avoid running Mason further underground, noting that they've been "very close" several times to closing in on him.

"I also want to assure the public we will not rest until hes captured," Martin said.

Mason is described as being 5-foot-9, weighing 200 pounds, with a cross tattoo under is left eye, SUB tattooed on his chest, with distinctive tattoos on his neck.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Authorities in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh declared that they had "no choice but to cease hostilities" with Azerbaijani forces, Reuters reported on Sept. 20.

Following reported advances by the Azerbaijani military into territory held by the ethnic Armenian forces, authorities in the capital of Stepanakert (Khankendi in Azerbaijani) agreed to accept a ceasefire mediated by Russian peacekeeping forces.

According to the terms of the proposal, any remaining Armenian troops must leave Azerbaijan territory and there must be a dissolution and complete disarmament of the Armed Forces of Nagorno-Karabakh."

Further issues relating to the integration of the territory and the status of the predominantly ethnic Armenian population that live there will be discussed at upcoming talks on Sept. 20, in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh, RFE/RLs Armenian service reported.

Read also: Azerbaijan strikes targets in Nagorno-Karabakh, launches military operation

Under international law, Nagorno-Karabakh is recognized as Azerbaijani territory, but has been under the de-facto control of Armenian separatists since 1991, who refer to it as Artsakh. Yerevan has supported the breakaway territory militarily, which regularly clashed with Azerbaijani forces in the following decades.

In 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a major war in which the latter's forces successfully reclaimed a large portion of the territory before a ceasefire was mediated by Moscow, which sent a "peacekeeping" force of several thousand Russian troops to the region.

In the following years, tensions did not subside, with Azerbaijan blockading the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, leading to a humanitarian crisis widely condemned by UN member states and international organizations.

This dispute culminated in the outbreak of full-scale fighting on Sept. 19.

Armenia, whose troops are reportedly no longer stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, has claimed not to be involved in direct fighting with Azerbaijani forces. Yerevan was neither party nor made aware of the ceasefire negotiations, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an address on Sept. 20.

Stepanakert stated that as many as 100 people died in the fighting as it entered its second day.

Despite the ceasefire agreement, Nagorno-Karabakh authorities stated on Sept. 20 that shelling continued into the day, RF/ERLs Armenian service reported.

At the same time, Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry declared in a press conference on Sept. 20 that the anti-terrorist operations had been suspended.

Read also: Media: Protesters clash with police at Russian embassy in Armenia over Azerbaijans offensive

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
When Michelle Sanchez heard her husband's prison sentence read in court, her whole world fell apart.

"Me and my husband just looked at each other like 'How did we get here?'" she said. "I felt like everything was one bad dream."

Her husband and high school sweetheart, Steven Sanchez, 56, will spend nearly two-and-a-half years in state prison after a jury convicted him Sept. 6 for possession of more than 20 grams of cannabis, the State Attorney's Office reported.

The Naples Police Department arrested Steven June 20 after they pulled him over for speeding. Steven told the officer he had marijuana and was arrested. The officer described him as "very polite" in the arrest report.

More: 'Polite' Naples man will serve 2.5 years in summer cannabis possession case

An original plea deal offered Steven 10 months in jail or 33 months' probation, Michelle said. Everyone told her to get a lawyer because with a lawyer they could reduce that time. So, she hired criminal defense attorney and former Collier judge Mike Carr.

They brought Steven's case to trial, but she was unaware of Florida's scoresheet system, which Carr never explained to her, she said.

Possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is considered a third-degree felony in Florida and is punishable by up to five years in prison, five years of supervised probation and a fine of up to $5,000. A conviction will also result in the revocation of driving privileges for six months by the Florida Department of Highway Safety Motor Vehicles.

Steven's sentence resulted from state sentencing guidelines, in which scoresheets are a factor, State Attorney's Office spokesperson Samantha Syoen said. As for Steven, he has prior criminal history in Miami-Dade County involving the trafficking and sale of marijuana, as well as having marijuana grow houses, she said.

A defendant's scoresheet is composed of sentence points based on the level of their offense, ranging on a scale of 1-10. Legal status points are assessed when any form of legal status existed at the time they committed an offense prior to court sentencing, according to Florida statute 921.0024.

Every felony offense is assigned two-point values: primary and secondary offense. The primary offense score is higher and considered the starting point. The secondary offense would be if the defendant had a second charge.

The scoresheet also considers the defendant's prior record, in which all charges are assigned a point value and added. Prior offense points are less than those for a primary or secondary offense.

Points only come off the scoresheet if a defendant goes 10 years without any criminal charges, according to the Florida Department of Corrections scoresheet manual.

Court records appear to show Steven hasn't had a criminal history in about a decade.

Steven was arrested in 2008 and 2012 for felony marijuana charges in Miami. He was found guilty of cannabis trafficking charges in 2009 and of four felonies including sale, manufacturing and trafficking of cannabis in 2013. He was sentenced to two years of probation in each case, court records show.

Since then, he's only had traffic violations, which are not criminal offenses.

Michelle said they wouldn't have gone to trial if she knew about the point system; they would've taken the plea deal. But she said her lawyer never made it clear Steven could face nearly three years in prison.

"I feel like I paid to put my husband in jail for two and a half years," she said.

She described Carr as nonchalant and said he didn't argue for her husband.

Carr declined to comment on the case due to attorney-client privilege.

Steven's nephew, Andy Rivero, also felt blindsided when he realized the 10-month sentence offered in the plea deal more than doubled after taking the case to court.

He was under the impression that 10 months was what Steven could face, and a trial could potentially reduce that sentence. He never expected more than two years.

"We didn't know that getting a lawyer and going to court meant disregarding the plea deal," Rivero said.

Steven's nephew believes this point system is unfair. His uncle moved from Miami to California and left his old habits behind, Rivero said.

"It doesn't matter that over a decade has gone by without him having done anything," Rivero said. "You're still a menace to society; it doesn't matter. I don't think the system is set up for people to actually get better."

Steven also had a medical marijuana card while living in California and was in the process of getting a medical card in Florida. He got his Florida card the day after a Naples police officer pulled him over, Rivero said.

But neither the fact Steven had a California medical card nor that he obtained a Florida medical card following his arrest could be presented to the jury.

"We feel like you don't get the whole picture, and I think that's important when you're talking about someone's life," Rivero said. "Especially when someone's going to jail for something that people in most places in the country can do legally."

Emma Behrmann is a breaking news reporter for The Naples Daily News and News-Press. You may contact her at emma.behrmann@naplesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Naples family shocked by 2.5-year sentence for cannabis possession
NASA is scheduled to recover a sample collected by the the Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security -- Regolith Explorer from the near-Earth asteroid 101955 Bennu on Sunday. A training version of the sample recovery capsule is shown. Photo Courtesy of NASA

Sept. 20 (UPI) -- NASA has scheduled coverage of its first asteroid sampling mission's return to Earth.

The Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and Security -- Regolith Explorer (OSIriS-REx) sample capsule is scheduled to re-enter the atmosphere and return to Earth Sunday, during which it will land in Utah.

"The first asteroid sample collected in space by NASA will arrive on Earth Sunday, Sept. 24, and there are multiple events leading up to its landing," NASA said in a press release Monday.

The OSIRIS-REx mission was launched on Sept. 8, 2016, and reached the near-Earth asteroid 101955 Bennu on Dec. 3, 2018.

The spacecraft spent two years searching for a location on the asteroid to collect a sample and landed on the surface on Oct. 20, 2020.

Coverage of the sample capsule's return to Earth will begin at 10 a.m. EDT Sunday on NASA TV and the NASA app.

At about 5 p.m., if the mission proceeds nominally, there will be a post-recovery press conference.

NASA says the spacecraft will have to travel at a specific angle and speed in order to release the sample capsule into the atmosphere so that it lands in the area of the Defense Department's Utah Test and Training Range, where the capsule will be recovered.
On the morning of September 24, a space capsule containing a pristine sample of the near-Earth asteroid Bennu entered Earths atmosphere wreathed in fire. During a 10 minute descent, the craft used its heat shield to dissipate speed through friction. It safely touched down on a military range in Utah, marking the end of NASAs seven-year-long Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security-Regolith Explorerthe OSIRIS-REx mission. The roughly 9 ounces of asteroid bits, doused in nitrogen to keep out any contaminants, are now in a clean room .

For more than half a decade, the members of this mission faced multiple technical challenges: building, testing, and launching the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft in 2016; rendezvousing with asteroid Bennu in 2018 about 207 million miles from Earth; using a robotic arm to grab half a cups worth of Bennu in 2020; and setting a course back to Earth in 2021.

The scope of the OSIRIS-ReX mission stretches from the distant past into the relatively closer future. Nearly two decades ago, astronomers set out to not only get up close and personal with an ancient asteroid, but actually bring some home. And its scientific observations dip billions of years into the past. Samples from this more than 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid are likely to provide clues to the origin of life itself. It will also help prepare us for a moment, centuries from now, when Bennu could threaten to strike Earth.

The power of a pristine asteroid

The OSIRIS-REx sample is a chance to thoroughly examine what compounds may have been present in the early solar system. By bringing pieces of the space rock to Earth, researchers can use the most powerful laboratory techniques availablenot just what tools can fit on a spacecraft.

It's tremendously powerful to be able to get something back in the laboratory, says Jason Dworkin is a biochemist and astrobiologist at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center. Hes been the project scientist for OSIRIS-REx since NASA accepted the mission proposal in 2011, and has been involved in the missions planning since its conception in 2004. You can change your mind about what you're looking for. As new discoveries come in, you can adjust your instrumentation. You can have devices that are not only too large to get on the spacecraft, but for us, even larger than the launch pad.

[Related: The asteroid that created Earths largest crater may have been way bigger than we thought ]

Dworkin has long been interested in the ways interstellar chemistry can shed light on how the early Earths organic compounds combined to form life as we know it. Its possible that material from asteroids, made of similar stuff as Bennu, helped deliver some necessary ingredients when they struck our planet.

We know the strikes happened, Dworkin says, but we don't know how relevant the asteroidal input from objects like Bennu was.

Rapidly recovering the sample

Before scientists like Dworkin can probe the bits of rock for data, they have to get the samples safely into the lab. Sample collection teamsNASA experts and academic mission scientists, US military representatives, and scientists and engineers from Lockheed Martin, which built the OSIRIS-REx spacecrafthave spent the summer practicing to recover the Bennu sample as quickly as possible.

As the capsule neared Earths atmosphere, the recovery teams boarded helicopters, using infrared imaging to track the capsule as it descended. They swiftly arrived to where the capsule came to rest, within a 36-mile by 8.5-mile area of the Department of Defenses Utah Test and Training Range near Salt Lake City. The reason for the haste is to limit the chances that anything Earthly would contaminate the 8.8 ounces of pristine Bennu material.

A training model of the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule falls during a drop test in August.

To further guard against this, the team recovering the capsule also took samples of soil and material from around the landing site. That way, if scientists detect something extraordinary, Dworkin says, we can make sure that it cannot be explained by contamination or by something else from the environment.

The capsule, which slowed from 27,650 mph when it entered Earth's atmosphere to 11 mph when it landed, was taken to a temporary clean room at the military range. There, it will be disassembled and on Monday packaged for a flight to NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston, where the space agency has built a specialized clean room environment. This will be Bennus home on Earth.

The sample comes back and is studied by the science team for two years, Dworkin says. Within six months, we produce a catalog of what we've observed based on how to describe the sample without damaging the sample using non-invasive techniques.

What an asteroid on Earth can tell us

The science team has 12 major hypotheses and 54 sub-hypotheses to test , according to Dworkin, which fall into four broad categories.

The first category is testing the observations that OSIRIS-REx made of Bennu while in space. NASA wants to know: If the results of remote instrument measurements of, say, the asteroids mineralogy hold up when tested on the ground? If so, this will be a baseline for additional remote studies of other asteroids NASA wont send a spacecraft to sample.

The second category, Dworkins favorite, is examining what organic compounds might exist in the sample. It may contain amino acids, sugars, and aldehydes. These are potentially some of the same ingredients that were present on Earth when life began. Studying how they exist on Bennu can reveal the chemical changes theyve undergone over the eons in space.

The sample return capsule from NASAs OSIRIS-REx mission is seen shortly after touching down in the desert.

The history of the solar system is the third category. This is the tale, told by the sample, of our solar neighborhood: all the way from the protosolar nebula to the formation of the crater out of which we collected the sample, Dworkin says. In this view, as Bennu traveled in the frigid space, it was as if material from the solar systems early days was held in cold storage.

[Related: Local asteroid Bennu used to be filled with tiny rivers ]

And the fourth category of study will be analyzing if and how bringing a piece of Bennu home changes the sample. We saw images of it before we stowed it; is that the same, or did it change on the reentry into Earth's atmosphere? Dworkin says. Do we have evidence of contamination from the spacecraft, from the sample processing and handling?

Some of the answers to questions across all four categories could come within months to a few years. But NASA is preparing for the long haul. Todays scientists will only have immediate access to about a quarter of the sample. The rest will be held in cold storage for decades, on the assumption that later generations will have better tools and more knowledge to bring to bear.

NASA wants to avoid repeating mistakes the agency made with some of the Apollo-era moon samples, when tests werent as conservative with lunar material.  That's arming the future, and making sure that future generations thank us instead of curse us, Dworkin says.

Theres one final forward-looking aspect to the OSIRIS-REx mission. In the late 22nd century, sometime between 2170 and 2200, Bennu has a slim chance of hitting Earth. Its a small percentage, but not nothing, Dworkin notes. Information gathered by OSIRIS-REx and subsequent sample studies could help scientists and political leaders decide, with decades of preparation, whether they need to take action to deflect Bennu to prevent a disastrous impact.

That's a wonderful feeling to be able to work on a mission for so long, and have it pay off scientifically for the future, and perhaps planetary defense for the future, Dworkin says. That happens when you start thinking about what happened four and a half billion years ago. You start thinking about the future too.

Back in space, 20 minutes after this mission came to an end, the spacecraft's new task began : OSIRIS is now headed for the 1,000-foot-wide asteroid Apophis.

This post was updated after the capsule's successful landing.
A woman was arrested on battery charges after police say she attacked a woman at church on Sunday.

The Fernandina Beach Police Department was dispatched to the St. Peters Episcopal Church after receiving calls about a fight.

When officers arrived, they were met with the victim who stated that the suspect, Holly Valentine, shoved past her and threatened her with violence, according to an arrest report.

The victim stated that Valentine then grabbed her by the throat, shoved her to the floor, and began choking her. In an attempt to free herself, the victim threw her hot coffee at Valentine, the report said.

The report said there were not any physical injuries visible on the victim.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

When the police began interviewing Valentine, she stated that while she was walking out, the victim had called her a vulgar expletive. As the victim began to walk away, Valentine stated that she stomped on her foot and began asking Valentine to go outside and fight. Valentine tried to laugh it off, but the victim blocked her and threw hot coffee at her. In retaliation, Valentine said she pushed her to the ground and left the church.

Police noticed the liquid spilled on Valentine, but did not see any injuries either.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

When police began to ask witnesses what happened, they stated they saw Valentine throw the first punch and shove the victim to the ground.

The police report said that since the victims account matched what the witnesses saw, Valentine was found to be the aggressor and was arrested for battery on an individual older than 65.

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.
New York (CNN)  Disney is greatly expanding its investment into theme parks and cruises, the company said Tuesday.

Over the next 10 years, it will pour $60 billion into its Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment, according to an SEC filing which coincided with its investor summit taking place this week. Thats about twice what it spent in the most recent 10-year period.

The investment comes at a time the company is facing revenue challenges in its streaming services, movie and television assets  almost everywhere but its international theme parks.

Parks are a powerful growth engine for the company, which says the expansion should help it reach a multitude of Disney fans who arent already visitors. But competition is fierce, and fans might be growing impatient with what they see as Disneys disappointingly slow-moving park strategy.

NBCUniversals Universal Epic Universe is slated to open in Orlando, Florida in 2025. The theme park, which was announced in 2019, is set to include restaurants, hotels and, of course, rides. It will become the third theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort, stepping up its rivalry with Walt Disney Worlds four theme parks.

With the much-anticipated park under construction, Disneys vague 10-year plan feels underwhelming, noted Alicia Stella, who runs the theme park blog Orlando Park Stop.

Especially here in Orlando, I think a lot of theme park fans are excited for, the new Universal park, she said. With Disney, fans are wondering, when will we see something new? Will it be five years, six years from now?

The announcement also failed to impress Wall Street. Disney slumped about 3% during trading hours Tuesday.

Trouble at home

Disney said Tuesday that it is focused on expanding and enhancing its theme parks, in the US and internationally, along with its cruise lines. The company has over 1,000 acres of land for possible future development to expand theme park space across its existing sites, according to a blog post published Tuesday, which didnt go into specifics.

Even where space is limited at its original resort in Anaheim, California, Disney has launched a multi-year project called Disneyland Forward, in attempts to build more attractions, dining and shopping on existing square footage. While an environmental impact report is done, no specific plans are set.

Disney relies on its formidable trove of intellectual property to drive interest in its parks  and uses the parks to get people more invested in those properties. In addition to its established characters and powerhouse brands like Avengers and Star Wars the company may bring out underutilized films and characters in the future.

Frozen, one of the most successful and popular animated franchises of all time, could have a presence at the Disneyland Resort, noted Josh DAmaro, chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. Wakanda has yet to be brought to life. The world of Coco is just waiting to be explored. Theres a lot of storytelling opportunity.

The cruises, meanwhile, are a powerful ambassador for the brand, with global reach, the blog post said. Disney had previously announced an expansion of its fleet of cruise ships.

Parks have been good business for Disney, which is working to stem losses in particular in its streaming business. The parks division continues to create strong earnings and free cash flow, Interim CFO Kevin Lansberry said during the companys third-quarter earnings call in August.

CEO Bob Iger said, during the same call, that parks in Asia are doing exceptionally well, but that we saw softer performance at Walt Disney World from the prior year, coming off our highly successful 50th anniversary celebration. Iger added that the strong dollar is expected to continue tamping down international visitation, to Florida, where the resort is located. Disney is also in an ongoing legal conflict with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

Higher prices could be a turnoff for visitors, as well. Disney World increased some ticket prices twice last year.

Disney has a reputation in recent years for being a very expensive vacation, said Stella, noting that locals are a little upset with the the extra fees.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Disney is doubling its investment into parks"
Some writers are wringing their hands over a Russian's botched attempt to shoot down a British surveillance jet early in the war in Ukraine. The most over-the-top claims start with something like, "...which would've caused World War III by dragging Britain, and NATO, into the war!" Here's the most recent one. It's also the one that makes it necessary to say this: America, NATO, and Russia have successfully avoided a war with each other since before Russia was Russia or NATO existed.

The potential loss of 30 British airmen would have been a tragedy for their families and their countries, but it would not, on its own, plunge the world into another global war.

Tensions from World War II through the invasion of Ukraine

Tensions began between the U.S. and U.S.S.R during World War II and came to a head multiple times after the war. American use of atomic bombs against Japan cemented U.S. technological advantage for a few years, but the U.S.S.R still imposed the Berlin Blockade, an attempt to starve out Western troops in Germany's capital, in 1948.

Instead of immediately tripping into war, U.S. President Harry Truman ordered the Berlin Airlift, a famous air resupply mission that prevented a collapse of British, French, and American forces in the city for the almost 1-year blockade. NATO formed just before the blockade ended.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, Russian and Chinese pilots shot down American pilots over Korea , Russian and American pilots killed each other over Vietnam , an entire missile crisis played out , and the Soviet Union collapsed.

And all of that happened without NATO tripping over itself into a war.

In more recent years, Russians kidnapped an intelligence officer from Estonia , a NATO member. Russian ally Syria shot down a jet from NATO-aligned Turkey . Turkish warplanes shot down a Russian jet at their border as well as Syrian jets in another incident. And Russia regularly claims that NATO actually controls and fights the war in Ukraine. Russian forces there lost over 270,000 killed and wounded and thousands of vehicles, jets, and other hardware.

So, when does World War III start and the world burn down?

Probably never, if cooler heads continue to prevail.

NATO leaders display extreme caution, avoid larger conflict

So why are some writers claiming that World War III comes any day now? Well, two probable ones: Scary headlines get a lot of clicks, and arguing that World War III is inevitable would allow NATO leaders to throw caution to the wind and aggressively support Ukraine, maybe even with direct action.

While this author would love for the U.S. and NATO to take direct action against Russia, that's on the basis of stopping the bloodletting, not because conflict is inevitable. There's an argument worth making that Russia would not use nukes, that its military is already proven incapable of conquering Kyivlet alone Warsaw or Paris or Londonand so NATO involvement will simply bring the likely Ukrainian victory about more quickly with fewer deaths.

But it is not a great argument that World War III is inevitable so we might as well start it now. The fact is that smaller conflicts need not grow into larger ones. And NATO leaders consistently navigate the smaller clashes diplomatically. Britain would not necessarily have declared war against Russia and invoked Article V because of the loss of a surveillance jet with 30 service members aboard, even over international waters.

(It is worth a separate discussion that the intentional killing of 30 service members who are not party to a declared war, not engaging in hostilities, and operating well within international waters would be either a war crime or 30 counts of murder.)

Other options than NATO Article V

Britain could easily have chosen to condemn Russia, increase the flow of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine, and maybe even conduct limited strikes against Russian forces.

Russia, facing the real prospect of utter destruction against NATO air and sea superiority, would then condemn the strikes in turn and continue to prostrate itself to North Korea, Iran, and others for outdated ammunition.

And if it didn't? If Russia decided to open a larger war against all of NATO? Well, we could always " blow the Russians out of the sky " then.
Rachel Veazey, a genetic counselor in North Carolina, is trained in several fields of genetic counseling, but what she really enjoys is getting to know families through their pregnancy journeys.

Its an honor to support families and help them understand their value system, and whats happening, Veazey said.

Reproductive or prenatal genetic counselors like Veazey help guide patients through difficult decisions regarding pregnancy. They help patients know what to expect and how to prepare for the birth of a baby with a genetic condition or disability, and discuss options such as pregnancy continuation, raising a child, adoption and abortion.

Senate Bill 20, the Care for Women, Children and Families Act, which Republican lawmakers approved over Gov. Roy Coopers veto, introduced new challenges into those conversations, several genetic counselors told The News & Observer: The law limits the options available to pregnant patients and even the options genetic counselors can discuss with them.

Prenatal genetic screening and counseling

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that prenatal genetic screening be discussed and offered to all pregnant patients. These tests can be offered as early as nine weeks in a patients pregnancy, and they update patients on their fetus risk of having a genetic condition.

The benefits of prenatal genetic screening range from giving patients more time to emotionally process a disability before birth to giving them time to set up treatment prenatally or after birth, said Kara Ayers, a clinical psychologist whose research interests include disability policy, parenting with a disability, self-advocacy and psychosocial development with a disability.

But explaining prenatal genetic screening tests takes time, and few OB-GYN practices have the extra 30 to 60 minutes to explain all of the possible results in depth to patients.

I dont think anyone is necessarily prepared for a prenatal screening to come back high-risk, said Lauren Doyle, director of the University of North Carolina Greensboros genetic counseling program.

In an ideal world, prenatal genetic counseling would be provided for every patient interested in their fetus genetic information, said Dr. Jeffrey Kuller, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Duke University and Duke Health.

With a prenatal genetic counselor, patients have time to ask questions, figure out what makes sense for them, personally, and for their families goals and values, said Chelsea Wagner, a genetic counselor and co-chair of the National Society of Genetic Counselors Prenatal Special Interest Group.

Demonstrators rally on Bicentennial Plaza outside the Legislative Building in downtown Raleigh for an afternoon Bans off Our Bodies rally hosted by the local chapter of Planned Parenthood Wednesday, May 3, 2023 after Republican state lawmakers announced their plan to limit abortion rights across the state.

What is a life-limiting anomaly?

North Carolinas 12-week abortion ban does have exceptions. There is a blanket exception if the mothers life is in danger due to a medical emergency, and an exception through 20 weeks in cases of rape or incest. And there is an exception through 24 weeks in the event of a life-limiting anomaly.

Kuller defines a life-limiting anomaly as a condition that limits ones life expectancy, but Veazey said there isnt a clear definition in the bill or in the literature.

The bill states that a life-limiting anomaly is the diagnosis by a qualified physician of a physical or genetic condition that is defined as a life-limiting disorder by current medical evidence and is uniformly diagnosable.

But it doesnt explicitly say what qualifies.

Are they trying to say that its lethal conditions that would result in a newborn child passing away? Veazey asked. But within what time period? What percentage of mortality rates would be considered life limiting for certain conditions? If not all babies pass away, but 50% of them do, does that count?

Rachel Veazey poses in Durham, N.C., Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Veazey, a genetic counselor in North Carolina, says of Senate Bill 20, which bans most abortions after 12 weeks, that is heartbreaking, from my genetic counselor perspective, to try to force the family to go down a road that they would not have to go down in another situation. And I think were going to have to see a lot more of that.

What patients think

Veazey has found that the definition of life-limiting differs among patients, too.

Many of her patients, she said, think of life-limiting as having an altered quality of life, which doesnt always match the legal or clinical definition.

There are enzyme deficiency disorders that dont cause problems during pregnancy, but children may exhibit symptoms within their first few years of life, and their lifespan might be shorter. These disorders can be diagnosed during pregnancy, but Veazey said health care providers are unsure whether they qualify as life-limiting anomalies.

A fetus can have a heart defect where surgery is available, but its a multi-step surgery, and the risk of death is often higher than what families are comfortable with, Veazey said. Shes not sure if that falls under the category of a life-limiting anomaly.

Shes met patients who feel angry by the lack of options due to the lack of clarity.

To hear that they may not be supported by the providers, which have to be guided by the law, is disheartening, Veazey said, and creates distrust in the medical system.

What about Down syndrome?

As of July 1, North Carolina is one of several states that prohibit abortion if the reason is a presumed or confirmed fetal Down syndrome diagnosis, a diagnosis that is not considered a life-limiting anomaly.

Families can have diagnostic testing at 12 weeks that can confirm a diagnosis of Down syndrome, but they are limited in what they can do at that point, Veazey said.

Ive had conversations with multiple families about the restrictions around Down syndrome, and I see it impacting some of them already.

Patients feel secrecy, shame, embarrassment or concern that theyre making the wrong decision, Veazey said.

She said families have a host of questions: What if there are birth defects? What are individual clinics willing to do? Do they immediately need to go out of state?

Bioethicists Megan Allyse and Marsha Michie, writing on the ethics of prenatal genetic screening in the journal Cell Reports Medicine, point out that even the earliest available prenatal tests will not be early enough in many states for parents to make informed decisions about pregnancy continuation.

I have seen people wanting more testing earlier in pregnancy, Veazey said. The fact that there is a decision or an option to be made is meaningful to the majority of the patients that Ive seen.

Genetic counseling and grief counseling

Genetic counselors help families decide if continuing a pregnancy is the most appropriate option.

For patients who choose to continue with their pregnancy, genetic counselors help them find support, community and resources to understand what the day-to-day looks like.

Im not used to doing that for families that would not have chosen to continue a pregnancy, Veazey said. I think that our job as genetic counselors is about to become a lot more about grief counseling.

Veazey said many of her patients experience a grieving process when a genetic condition or birth defect is diagnosed in pregnancy. They grieve a path they had pictured for themselves thats been shifted.

The grief depends on a number of factors and adjustments  like whether the family can afford the care of the child or can adjust their work schedules to meet the childs needs.

Forcing a family down a path will mean a more significant grieving process, Veazey said.

That is heartbreaking, from my genetic counselor perspective, to try to force the family to go down a road that they would not have to go down in another situation. And I think were going to have to see a lot more of that.

Early testing and diagnosis are not always accessible in North Carolina, Veazey said.

Patients may not have access to OB care, or may not be able to afford traveling out of state, testing and taking off work to go to appointments, she said.

I assume that were going to end up having a higher rate of genetic conditions or birth defects within those populations where access to care is limited, or a very late diagnosis pushes them into a corner, Veazey said.

Finding support

For legal aspects and up-to-date information about current abortion laws across all states, Veazey relies on the Guttmacher Institute.

For support in navigating the changing legal landscape, she leans on and provides a shoulder for other genetic counselors and health care providers.

I work with a lot of people that share the same overall goal, Veazey said  providing the same quality of care to all of our patients.
Riley Smith keeps meticulous records of all sorts of information for around 25 patients  what treatment theyre getting, the date their treatment started, parental consent records and other data.

Diligent note taking has become more essential to his job than ever. His medical license in North Carolina now depends on it.

Smith is a family physician and an assistant professor at UNC School of Medicine. He provides medical gender-affirming care for adolescents, in addition to adults.

Its a part of his profession that he always loved, he said. But he cant provide that care much longer in North Carolina.

House Bill 808, which was approved by Republican lawmakers over the veto of Gov. Roy Cooper, effectively bans most forms of gender-affirming care  such as puberty blockers, hormone therapy and gender transition surgeries  for minors. Exceptions are included for adolescents with sex development disorders or minors who started their treatment before Aug. 1. Physicians who violate the ban will have their medical license revoked, under the new law.

There was maybe at least a glimmer of hope that something might change and the bill would not actually pass, Smith said. But now, it definitely feels very real.

The bill puts physicians like Smith in limbo as they continue to provide care for patients who started gender-affirming treatments before Aug. 1. Smith estimates there are a few dozen doctors who provide gender-affirming care in large state health systems like UNC or Duke.

Any patient under 18 seeking gender-affirming care now will have to consider out-of-state options. Virginia is the closest state without a ban in place or being considered.

In preparation for the bills enactment, Smith spent as much time as he could with families looking into gender-affirming care. The stress of their fate  and his  has weighed on him, and at times, he said, he felt powerless.

We know what this impact is going to be, Smith said. But theres only so much that you can do.

More than 20 states have passed restrictions on gender-affirming care for people under 18, according to the Human Rights Campaign. In some states, including Florida, providers can be charged with a felony.

A very rewarding career in gender-affirming care

Around 7:30 a.m. on days Smith does clinical work, he checks to see what patients hell see that day.

He might spend time with patients in the hospital. There may be babies to deliver. General primary care is typical for his list of things to do.

But of all the medical services Smith offers as a family physician, one of the most joyful parts of his job is providing gender-affirming care to minors. Its one of the few areas of his profession where patients want to come to the doctor and take their medicine, he said.

They are happy with everything that the medicine is doing for them and it is truly improving their life every single day, said Smith, who emphasized that he was speaking for himself and not the clinic or the university.

He said hes been told by several parents that his medical services made them feel that they have their kid back after their child experienced debilitating bouts of suicidal thoughts and depression.

If more people saw that, then these laws wouldnt be happening, Smith said.

Two-thirds of transgender teenagers were found to have depression, according to research submitted to the Endocrine Society and published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society. A study from the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention group for LGBTQ youth, showed transgender adolescents at a higher risk for suicide than cisgender youth.

Smith acknowledges those findings, but he tries to highlight positive stories of his adult transgender patients who are successful engineers, lawyers and teachers to his younger patients.

This is a normal part of human experience, and its a way we can support people in being their authentic selves, he said.

Advocates opposing veto overrides of bills banning transgender athletes and restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors hold a press conference at the Legislative Building in Raleigh on Wednesday, Aug 16, 2023. Travis Long/tlong@newsobserver.com

Did not foresee NC legislation on transgender health care

Everyone seems to have an opinion on transgender rights, Smith said, but I did not foresee this being an issue in my career.

I dont know what others thought, he said. Maybe I was naive.

He now worries about telling people he is a gender-affirming care provider. His profession never felt fringe within the medical world, but a lot has rapidly shifted.

Smith, who is from North Carolina, went to Northwestern University and Ohio State University, where he gained his passion for LGBTQ health. He and his wife eventually landed at the University of Colorado for their residencies.

From the start, Smith provided gender-affirming care at his residency clinic.

Eventually, he had adolescents coming from across eastern Colorado because his clinic was the closest to them, Smith said.

During his residency, Smith deeply and strongly advocated for his adolescent patients who were pursuing gender-affirming care, said Elizabeth Kvach, Smiths mentor and Denver Healths LGBTQ+ health services medical director. He had frequent follow-up visits to ensure they werent falling through the cracks, she said, which showed his dedication.

Dr. Smith is such a high caliber physician and I would send my own family members to him, she said.

Doctors fearing for their safety

Over the past few years, its become a scary climate for doctors who provide gender-affirming care, Kvach said. She worries for all providers who may face restrictions, and her institution has already taken steps to safeguard Colorado physicians.

I myself have certainly taken measures to try to protect myself and the work that were doing in Denver, Kvach said.

They removed the names and faces of staff members who provide gender-affirming care from Denver Healths website, Kvach said. They also deleted social media accounts, videos that reveal where certain practices are and other internet presences.

A family physician in the Triangle who asked not to be identified for fear of harassment or negative impact on her employment, said shes concerned about the demonizing and criminalizing of gender-affirming care in North Carolina.

When she came to North Carolina for her residency five years ago, she hoped to gain the skills to incorporate youth-focused gender-affirming care into her primary care practice. She also wanted to provide abortion care.

HB 808 and the 12-week abortion law ended that dream, the doctor said. It isnt feasible for her to include that care in her daily practice, she said, due to legal hoops she needs to jump through as a family physician.

Looking at the way legislation has progressed in North Carolina, the doctor said she wouldnt train in the state if she was a prospective student now.

As she prepares for a new job elsewhere in North Carolina, she said she needs to make calculated decisions to protect her well-being. Shes selective about who she gives her cell phone number to and which phone calls she answers.

Feeling optimistic can be difficult, she said. Even if the legislation is reversed, there will still be a really long turnaround time of undoing, she said.

I just really, really, really, really want politics out of the exam room, she said.

Provider education on gender-affirming care

Some groups around North Carolina continue to educate physicians on gender-affirming care  now more so on treating transgender adults  despite HB 808. Charlotte Trans Health, or CTH, teaches local doctors how to incorporate gender-affirming care into their daily practice.

The group has recently received more requests for training to navigate the political landscape, said Holly Savoy, one of the CTH founding members. National health groups have also stepped in to teach topics like how to testify in a state legislature or doctors privacy issues.

Casey Mesaeh, the CTH administrative and community education coordinator, has considered leaving the state. They grew up in Western North Carolina and have complex feelings about leaving the South.

I dont necessarily know if the South is always going to be a place where its viable for me to do that, Mesaeh, who is a member of the transgender community, said.

For now, Mesaeh plans to continue their work at CTH. Even if transgender youth cant get the transition medication needed, Mesaeh said, they will still need doctors in North Carolina who can maintain an affirming relationship with them.

A lot of our providers, even if their work is limited, are still going to be seeing trans kids, Mesaeh said. These kids will continue to be trans, whether or not theyre on hormones.

Savoy and Mesaeh said CTH has seen continued membership growth and support from the Charlotte community.

Charlotte Trans Health started with 13 providers. In 2022, that number was 67, Savoy said in an email. Membership increased to 78 providers as of Aug. 8, and Savoy said she expects the group to keep expanding.

Uncertain future for transgender youth health care in NC

A year has passed since Smith returned to North Carolina to continue his medical career. Despite having a wonderful experience at UNC, the last few months have been one of the hardest times in his life.

Hes seen families who are devastated by what could happen to their childs health care in light of HB 808. Most of the time, they come to him with questions on what their childs future will look like.

There are aspects of the bill that Smith is still navigating himself  specifically the bills continuing care and medical malpractice clauses.

HB 808 does not prohibit youth patients from continuing or completing a course of treatment. That includes undergoing surgery, receiving hormone therapy or taking puberty blocking drugs. The deadline laid out in the bill was Aug. 1 for patients with active ongoing treatment.

Its unclear what is defined as a course of treatment, Smith said. Hes sought guidance on that issue, and the safest conclusion Smith has come to is that a patient was prescribed their medication before Aug. 1.

Im not a lawyer. Im not a politician. I dont know who is going to interpret this law somehow, Smith said. It is absolutely something that is on peoples minds and what were trying to make sense of.

Thats when the thorough notetaking became necessary. To keep track of which patients seemed to qualify for a continued course of treatment, he needed to ensure his records could hold up to any challenges.

Smith struggles with the idea of turning people away who need his care, but who didnt meet the deadline. He still can talk to patients about nonprescription transition options, but in many cases, that means leaving North Carolina.

The bill also includes a medical malpractice clause, which Smith called completely unprecedented.

The bill allows a patient or a patients parent to sue a physician who performed gender-affirming care for physical or emotional damage up to 25 years after the patient turns 18.

The typical statute of limitations for medical malpractice in North Carolina is four years, according to North Carolina law.

Several gender-affirming care providers were sued in July by a former patient seeking damages for their treatment. The plaintiff, Prisha Mosley, is a detransitioner  someone who reverts back to their original gender identity after transitioning  who testified in support of HB 808.

I worry something like that is going to scare providers, Smith said. It scares me. That is a very, very, very long time to be liable for something.

But Smith said he is committed to providing legal health care to those he can. At the very least, he can refer patients to other people who can help them receive care he can no longer give, he said.

There may also come a time when Smith himself may need to leave. Smith and his wife have started discussing whether their future is in North Carolina. He considers the state home, he said, and wants to raise his family here.

For now, Smith said he doesnt think he can leave  there will still be children who need his care, and he wants to be here for them.
New provisions in the state budget expand lawmakers exemptions to public records law and could potentially give them full discretion to determine which of their records are public, a move open government advocates say is a drastic reinterpretation of years of precedent in public records law.

This is one of the most brazen and troubling rollbacks of access to public records as it pertains to the General Assembly that Ive ever seen, Brooks Fuller, director of the NC Open Government Coalition, said.

One of the provisions, which was first found in a draft copy of the budget and left unchanged in the final bill, says the custodian of any General Assembly record shall determine, in the custodians discretion, whether a record is a public record.

Republican leaders told reporters that this section was intended to have a narrower scope, applying only to archival records. However, a new section was added in the final budget, which appears to explicitly expand legislative privilege to public records law.

It specifies that lawmakers, even those who are no longer in office, shall not be required to reveal or to consent to reveal any document, supporting document, drafting request, or information request made or received by that legislator while a legislator.

This provision covers any document or supporting document made or received by a legislator during their time in office, Fuller said. So it basically covers everything that a legislator would do in the scope of their public service and makes it privileged.

Asked why legislators are exempting themselves from public records law, House Speaker Tim Moore, a Kings Mountain Republican, said I think its important to clear up any ambiguity.

Pressed on whether lawmakers will have full discretion over which of their records are released, Moore said I dont know if its quite that way, youd have to ask the lawyers.

Legislators are already considered to be custodians of their own records, but current law only allows them to withhold records if they claim an exemption to the law, Fuller said. These new provision could negate the need for any exemption at all and give lawmakers full authority to determine if any of their records should be public.

It could essentially render the public records law meaningless as it relates to the General Assembly, Fuller said.

The first provision, which gives lawmakers discretion over which records are public, is not clear about whether it extends to all public records or just those related to the archival process. Interpreted narrowly, it could mean lawmakers have more authority to determine which of their records become part of the historical archive managed by the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Interpreted broadly, it could give lawmakers discretion to deny public records requests from anyone.

Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters on Wednesday that the provision is intended to address a dispute between DNCR and the legislative services officer, who handles some archival duties. The issue regarded whether or not the executive branch should have the ability to tell the legislature that certain things have to be saved in order to be archived, Berger said.

Asked if the section was meant to give lawmakers the ability to have more discretion over records requests from the public, Berger said, Thats not my understanding of what the intent was. That would not be the way that language should be interpreted.

Moore, also asked by reporters if the section was intended to let lawmakers decide what records to release to the public, said, I dont know if I would characterize it in quite that way.

I think it clears up some ambiguity and some gray areas and that way we all know the rules of the road, he said.

Berger and Moores comments came before the new language  which appears to broadly expand legislative privilege to public records law  was released to the public.

Current law says that state officials can only destroy or dispose of records if they certify to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that the record no longer has any value and the department certifies the same. The new provision appears to allow lawmakers to decide not to turn records over to DNCR, without the departments certification.

The proposed amendment comes without forewarning and poses a significant threat to the publics right to see public records in the hands of the General Assembly when records are archived, Phil Lucey, executive director of the North Carolina Press Association, said in an email to members of the NCPA and North Carolina Association of Broadcasters. The NCPA, and the NCAB, aim to turn back this unprecedented and unjustified attempt to change the publics right to know in North Carolina.

The ACLU of North Carolina also came out in opposition to the change.

The government is supposed to be by and for the people, Liz Barber, director of policy and advocacy for the ACLU of NC said in a statement. Open records laws are critical components of protecting democratic institutions and ensuring transparency and accountability. North Carolinians should be outraged that their government is trying to close the door on them by keeping their documents from public scrutiny.

Legislative correspondence played a key role in exposing the behind-the-scenes effort in 2005 to steer the newly formed state lotterys operations to contractor Scientific Games. Emails The News & Observer obtained via a public records request to then House Speaker Jim Blacks office revealed that his unpaid political director, Meredith Norris, was lobbying on behalf of the company.

Norris had not registered as a lobbyist for the company, as state law required. The emails showed that she had set up a dinner between Black and a company vice president and helped recruit lawmakers and others for a yacht cruise with the vice president during a legislative conference in Seattle. She and the vice president, Alan Middleton, received misdemeanor convictions for lobbying law violations.

Berger and Moore in 2021 created a new policy allowing lawmakers to destroy emails older than three years, WRAL reported.
Hundreds of pregnant Americans have been criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, according to a new report from Pregnancy Justice.

Hundreds of pregnant Americans have been criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, according to a new report from Pregnancy Justice.

Women have long been at risk of being arrested for their behavior while pregnant  and advocates worry that state laws passed since the fall of Roe v. Wade will make such punishments more common.

A new report from Pregnancy Justice, a legal advocacy organization for pregnant people, reveals that hundreds of pregnant Americans were criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage, even when Roe was in effect. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines the criminalization of pregnancy as penalizing people for actions that could be seen as harmful to their fetuses, even if those behaviors wouldnt otherwise be considered criminal.

Nearly 1,400 criminal arrests took place between 2006 and June 2022, according to Pregnancy Justices report, for things like using illicit substances or drinking alcohol while pregnant. Other cases include pregnant women being criminalized for not wearing a seatbelt, refusing a C-section, not getting prenatal care while pregnant and having HIV.

We should all be incredibly concerned about the fact that pregnant people are getting arrested, prosecuted, separated from their children and incarcerated for actions that should not be illegal, Lourdes Rivera, the president of Pregnancy Justice, said during a press call on Tuesday.

Many of the stories included in Pregnancy Justices report made national headlines. In 2014, for example, a Tennessee woman who was nine months pregnant was arrested for driving without a seatbelt. She had engaged in conduct which placed her baby in imminent danger or death or serious bodily injury, according to the warrant for her arrest.

The Dobbs decision basically flung open the gates for these types of criminalizations to continue and increase.Lourdes Rivera, Pregnancy Justice

Geography and income level are the greatest factors when it comes to pregnancy criminalization, according to the report. White pregnant people who are low-income are the most criminalized group, while Black pregnant people who are low-income are also overrepresented in the data.

Around 80% of these arrests occurred in five Southern states: Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Three of those states  Alabama, South Carolina and Oklahoma  recognize fetuses as people in their criminal codes, an increasingly common type of legislation known as fetal personhood laws.

We can tie this increase in criminalization directly to the expansion of the increased ideology of fetal personhood. The idea that a fetus or a fertilized egg has the same, if not more rights, than the actual person carrying the pregnancy, Rivera said. During the period that were looking at 2006 to June 2022, fetal personhood gained influence and has increasingly become embedded in laws in judicial decisions.

Fifteen states had some form of criminal fetal personhood laws in effect before Roe fell last summer. Many, like South Carolina and Alabama, center on drug use during pregnancy and have historically been weaponized against the most marginalized, including poor women and people of color.

Over 95% of the nearly 1,400 cases of pregnancy criminalization dealt with substance use during pregnancy, Pregnancy Justice found. The three most common substances found in these cases were methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana; the latter is legal in many states. One-quarter of the cases involved the alleged use of legal substances, such as prescription opiates, nicotine and alcohol.

One case included in Pregnancy Justices report was a 19-year-old woman from Oklahoma who, in 2020 went to the hospital after experiencing a miscarriage, but she was arrested and charged with manslaughter after she told hospital staff she had used marijuana and methamphetamine while pregnant. The young woman couldnt afford her $20,000 bail and remained in jail for a year and a half before she was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years in prison.

And these cases dont just happen in red states. A pregnant woman in California gave birth to a stillborn baby in 2018. She was later charged with murder, and the prosecutor in her case argued that her meth use caused the stillbirth, and she spent four years in prison before the charge was dropped.

Fetal personhood laws that focused on pregnant people and drug use, like those in effect before Roe fell, allowed prosecutors to charge pregnant women with chemical endangerment of a child. For example, Alabama passed its chemical endangerment law in 2006 to protect children from dangerous fumes and chemicals found in home-based meth labs.

Not long after, district attorneys started applying the law to drug-using pregnant women, despite the law including nothing about fetuses. Prosecutors stretched the interpretation of the law, reasoning that a fetus is a child, and by ingesting drugs, the pregnant person is bringing chemical harm to the so-called child. As a result, Alabamas law has been used to criminalize dozens of pregnant people in the state when they test positive for an illegal drug or legal medication.

Pregnancy Justices report also contextualizes the history of substance use for pregnant people in the U.S., pointing to the racist and politically motivated war on drugs campaign of the 1980s.

Pregnancy criminalization first became widespread in the 1980s, amid the sensationalized, racialized, and resoundingly debunked crack baby epidemic, the report reads. This armed the anti-abortion movement with a perfect narrative to move their agenda forward: it played on racist and sexist tropes about Black women and their right to reproduce and it created a new category of crime victim: the innocent fetus, fertilized egg, or embryo. Black women were overwhelmingly the targets of pregnancy criminalization in the first several decades after Roe.

Chemical endangerment laws and other fetal personhood laws are still in effect in those 15 states and will likely target even more pregnant people without the protections of Roe. Last year, Georgia became the first state to pass a fetal personhood law after the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs, which overturned Roe.

The Dobbs decision basically flung open the gates for these types of criminalizations to continue and increase, Rivera said. Unless we do something about it, this is unfortunately going to be the trend.

Head here to read the Pregnancy Justice report in full.

Related...
Ending a prolonged snub, President Biden held a "very candid" meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, welcoming possible rapprochement between Israel and Saudi Arabia and cautioning him to preserve democracy at home.

The meeting pointedly did not take place at the White House, as Netanyahu would have preferred, but in a New York hotel on the margins of the annual United Nations General Assembly, which both leaders were attending this week.

Today, we're going to discuss some of the hard issues," Biden said ahead of the session, seated with the Israeli prime minister in front of an array of flags from both countries. The topics to be covered, he said, were "upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems and preserving the path to a negotiated two-state solution, and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon.

The president was alluding to Netanyahu's efforts to overhaul the Israeli judiciary in ways that many in that country say would undermine democracy and gut one of the few balances of political power there. The move has triggered massive demonstrations for months. Biden has urged Netanyahu and his coalition government to seek consensus instead of pushing ahead with such unpopular measures, but to little avail.

Biden also referred to the importance of an independent Palestinian nation  the two-state solution  hopes for which have all but vanished with the arrival of Israel's most right-wing and nationalistic government to date.

A senior Biden administration official, who briefed reporters after the meeting on condition of anonymity in keeping with White House protocols, described the session as "very constructive, very candid  [and] ultimately, we hope, productive."

Netanyahu emphasized ongoing talks to open diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, an extension of the Abraham Accords brokered during the Trump administration in which a handful of Arab and Muslim countries formally recognized Israel. Before then, Egypt and Jordan were the only countries in the Middle East that did.

I think that under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia," Netanyahu said. "And I think such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state, and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Biden added: If you and I 10 years ago were talking about normalization with Saudi Arabia, I think we'd look at each other like, Whos been drinking what?

But privately, U.S. officials remain cautious about a normalization deal, saying it has a long way to go. Saudi Arabia has a formidable list of asks, including assistance with a civilian nuclear energy program and a security pact that would include a NATO-style commitment that the U.S. will go to Saudi Arabia's defense in case of attack.

The Saudis also insist that improvements be made in the plight of the Palestinians, several million of whom live under Israeli military occupation.

The senior official said "it was understood" by Netanyahu that an agreement on the Palestinians would have to be part of any Saudi rapprochement deal, but declined to go into details.

"Nobody has ever said this is right around the corner," the official said of normalization. "We've worked on this for some time. We have been making some progress, but ... there's some ways to travel on this before we get there.

Breaking with tradition, Biden did not invite Netanyahu to the White House immediately after his inauguration in January 2021. At the time, Netanyahu had been out of power for several months, returning last December. Still, there has been no invitation. Administration officials said the intent was to show disapproval for some of the moves the Netanyahu government was making. In addition to the judicial changes, some members of his Cabinet have a history of espousing anti-Arab racist rhetoric and inciting violence.

This has coincided with an outbreak of gang violence by Jewish settlers in the West Bank, attacking Palestinians and their homes, in addition to shootings and bombings by Palestinian militant groups targeting Israelis.

U.S. officials have repeatedly voiced alarm at the surge in violence, but have done little to stop it. The last year has been one of the deadliest in a decade, mostly for Palestinians.

Protesters, many from Israel and waving Israeli flags, have dogged Netanyahu at his appearances in New York, including outside of the Biden meeting. They are protesting the attempt to take away power from the Israeli Supreme Court, which some critics see as Netanyahu's way to escape his own prosecution on corruption charges.

With Biden, Netanyahu seemed to downplay the concerns many people have over the judicial overhaul and other steps critics see as anti-democratic, including inserting Orthodox Judaism increasingly into public life. But he insisted "one thing will never change: ... Israel's commitment to democracy."

On Iran, both governments, along with Saudi Arabia, have broad agreement on the need to contain that country's nuclear program. It was largely frozen under the 2015 international Iran nuclear agreement signed by then-President Obama and five other countries. But then-President Trump pulled out of the deal in 2018, and Iran has steadily increased its enrichment of uranium, a key step in building nuclear bombs.

"That shared goal of ours [to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon] can be best achieved by a credible military threat, crippling sanctions and supporting the brave men and women of Iran who despise that regime and who are our real partners for a better future," Netanyahu said.

Biden and Netanyahu noted that they have known each other for 40 years, dating to when they were just starting their political and diplomatic careers.

Despite his decision to shut out Netanyahu for months, Biden made a point of saying that his loyalty to Israel was unbending.

Even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, you know, is ironclad," Biden said. "I think without Israel, there's not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has discussed cooperation in the civil defence and protection of human lives sphere at a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, where the session of the UN General Assembly was held.

Source: Ukraine's President's Office

Details: Zelenskyy informed Netanyahu about the situation at the front and the airstrikes, in particular by Iranian-made drones, which Russia continues to use in their attacks on peaceful Ukrainian cities, civilian targets and port infrastructure facilities.

Zelenskyy expressed concern over the increasingly close military cooperation between Russia and Iran.

The Ukrainian President also invited Israel to support the Ukrainian Peace Formula and talked about the Global Peace Summit preparation.

In addition, Zelenskyy and Netanyahu discussed cooperation within the UN and other international platforms.

Background:

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, 19 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on other states to join in preparations for a summit on Ukraines Peace Formula.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy drew the attention of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the fact that Russia is using Iranian drones to attack Ukraine's port and agro-industrial infrastructure.

Zelenskyy also proposed to construct grain hubs in African ports.

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!
Neuralink, Elon Musks brain-computer interface startup , is seeking human volunteers to participate in its first clinical trial. In a September 19 announcement , the company says its Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface (PRIME) Study will test a groundbreaking investigational medical device in test subjects already suffering from quadriplegia due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or cervical spinal cord injuries.

Once implanted via surgical robot using ultra-fine, flexible wiring, the preliminary BCI device reportedly will wirelessly transmit data to an external computer to decode patients movement intentions. Neuralinks ultimate goal for the (PRIME) Study is to grant its volunteers the ability to wirelessly control a computer mouse or keyboard with their brains.

The company faced numerous setbacks leading up to the studys final approval by an independent institutional review board and its first hospital site. Despite promises from Musk as far back as 2019 regarding the technologys imminent arrival, Neuralink reportedly only first sought the FDAs approval for human clinical testing approval in 2022. The regulatory body denied Neuralinks request at the time, citing concerns over potential brain injuries resulting from BCI devices faulty wiring and overheating, as well as complications regarding its removability. In May, the FDA finally granted Neuralink an investigatory device exemption (IDE).

[Related: Neuralinks request for human trials of brain implants was reportedly rejected by the FDA .]

But even before its applications to begin human clinical trials, Neuralink repeatedly drew ire from critics and watchdogs concerning its treatment of test animals. In a December 2022 Reuters expose, internal staff complaints concerning animal welfare issues described  hack job  procedures resulting in over 1,500 dead test subjects since 2018. The report also revealed the employees accounts prompted the US Department of Agricultures Inspector General to launch a probe into the matter. Since then, the USDAs investigation received its own share of criticism over bias and conflicts of interest.

Neuralink has so far demonstrated successful BCI integration with rats , as well as shared footage of a macaque monkey playing Pong via a wired prototype brain implant. Meanwhile, similar BCI devices have been in various development stages for years some of which already achieve and surpass the goals for Neuralinks PRIME Study. Earlier this year, researchers at Stanford University demonstrated devices that successfully translated an ALS patients thoughts to words to aid in communication. Meanwhile, another company backed by Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates announced in February 2023 that its researchers successfully implanted a neuroprosthesis device in four human subjects.

During a public Neuralink presentation in December 2022 , Musk expressed hopes that human trials would begin within six months time.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  Authorities on Tuesday arrested a fugitive former cop after nearly three decades of manhunt, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo told CNN Philippines in a message that former SPO1 Joel Consuelo Villanueva was arrested in Cainta, Rizal following a warrant issued by Lucena City Regional Trial Court Branch 56.

In a statement, the PNP said Villanueva was dismissed from service in 1995 after being convicted of homicide over the death of a military officer in 1991.

He escaped from Lucena City Jail on July 29, 1995, but he was recaptured the following year. He escaped again while undergoing a medical examination at the hospital, the PNP added.

Fajardo said Villanueva is now under police custody pending return of the warrant of arrest to issuing court.
Wildlife responders in Alaska were confronted with an "unusually dramatic" rescue situation after an orphaned, newborn sea otter was saved after an orca attack.

The Sept. 9 attack was witnessed by Natalie Hunter, a laboratory technician and wildlife response team member at the Alaska SeaLife Center, the center said in a news release. Because Hunter saw the incident while on a recreational fishing trip, responders were aware of the full details, which the group said was "unique." Some of the attack was even filmed by Hunter's group, and the agency shared the video online.

Hunter's group, which included friends with wildlife response experience, first spotted two wild orcas, and then a "commotion" occurred when the orcas attacked a floating otter. The otter did not try to escape, and the group heard "characteristic young otter calls" that made them realize the otter was carrying a pup. "Multiple" attacks from the orcas targeted the otters, and Hunter's group saw "both the mother otter and the pup burst out of the water after an impressive tail slap from one of the orcas." The two otters were separated, and the orcas turned their attention to the mother. The attacks continued, and "eventually, the mother did not resurface."

The newborn otter pup. / Credit: Alaska SeaLife Center

"Persistent cries from the water indicated that the pup" had indeed survived the attack, though. Hunter's group waited to make sure that the orcas were gone and the mother otter wasn't resurfacing. Once some time had passed, they called the agency's wildlife response hotline and waited for information about how to help the otter pup.

"My brain was in wildlife response mode during the entire incident, thinking we, unfortunately, may have an otter pup rescue on our hands," Hunter said in the agency's news release. "It wasn't until the entire event ended, the wild orcas had left the area, and the pup started crying out for its mother that I knew we had to think about the next move."

Once the wildlife center received permission from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services to respond to the otter pup, the group carefully pulled the animal out of the water and onto their boat, then brought her back to shore.

"Her cries were gurgly, and when we got her out of the water, she was soaked," Hunter said. "Her coat wasn't repelling water and keeping her buoyant like it should have been."

A response team from the wildlife center met the group and the otter halfway between Homer, where they had been in the water, and Seward, where the wildlife center is located. The response team immediately brought the pup back to the center, where it was found that the animal was fatigued, hungry, and only a day old -- possibly less.

The otter being bottlefed. / Credit: Alaska SeaLife Center

The pup is now receiving round-the-clock care at the Alaska SeaLife Center, where it is the second orphaned otter pup admitted in less than a week. The 24/7 care is meant to resemble the "constant care and attention" such otter pups receive from their mothers.

Photos and videos from the wildlife center show the otter being held in a towel, bottle-fed by employees, and kept warm with a hair dryer.

Severe weather events strain U.S. insurance system

Alabama high school band director who was tased, arrested accuses police of "excessive" force

Instacart's rise from supermarket to stock market
[Source]

A video of alleged Chinese migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border is making rounds on Instagram.

What the video shows: In the video posted by user @gopaaron14, several Asian people  including children  from what appears to be a group are seen walking next to a steel border. The apparent entry lies at one edge of the fence on a small hill of giant rocks. It is unclear where exactly this supposed access point is.

The facts: Chinese nationals are able to cross the U.S.-Mexico border. More than 6,500 of them were apprehended between October 2022 and March 2023, Reuters reported in April. By July  the latest month on tally  the number had ballooned to more than 17,600, the largest on record by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

More from NextShark: NBA champion Jeremy Lin signs with CBA's Guangzhou Loong Lions

How they are doing it: The Chinese migrants typically start their journey in Ecuador, which is visa-free for Chinese citizens, as per The Diplomat. From there, they head to Necocli, a town in Colombias northern coast, which then leads to the Darien Gap, a 66-mile dense jungle reportedly filled with armed guerillas, drug traffickers and deadly biodiversity. Some who undertake the treacherous journey allegedly pay smugglers up to $35,000 for help.

Why they are doing it: The migrants cite various reasons for going the illegal route. One common excuse is the difficulty of obtaining a U.S. visa. Pandemic travel restrictions have also exacerbated the demand.

Security concerns: This week, U.S. Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee, told the Daily Mail that there has been a massive increase of Chinese nationals tied to Chinas military who had crossed the southern border.

More from NextShark: Toronto police officer, auto repair shop owner killed in Canada shootings

Earlier this month, the FBI and the Department of Defense reported that there are more than 100 incidents involving Chinese nationals who pose as tourists before attempting to breach U.S. military bases.

Enjoy this content? Read more from NextShark!

Chinese man accused of killing Nigerian ex-girlfriend says he spent $132,000 on her
Family of U.S. resident left out of prisoner deal with Iran demands answers

Washington  Shahab Dalili's family members have been anxiously waiting by the phone for seven years.

They waited to hear whether he was even still alive when he wasn't on his flight back to the U.S. from Iran, where he attended his father's funeral in 2016. They've waited for the occasional phone calls from him since he's been imprisoned in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, serving a 10-year sentence for allegedly aiding and abetting a foreign country. They've waited for acknowledgment from the U.S. government to their pleas for help.

And since the Biden administration announced a deal last week that could bring five other detained Americans home from Iran in the coming weeks, the family is now waiting for an explanation on why Shahab has been left out.

"It was heartbreaking," his son Darian Dalili told CBS News on Wednesday. "I had to go protest and go on a hunger strike for my father to even be acknowledged."

He said his father feels "betrayed," telling him in a recent phone call that "the Americans would bring back whoever they wish to bring back, and it appears they don't wish to bring me back."

Shahab Dalili, a U.S. permanent resident and Iranian citizen who is now 60, emigrated to the U.S. in 2014 with his wife and their two sons after he retired as a trade ship captain.

"He was just some retired guy, hoping to send his kids to college in the U.S. and make a good life for them," Darian, 28, said.

Shahab Dalili, on the left, with his family. / Credit: Courtesy of Darian Dalili

In April 2016, Shahab returned to Iran to attend his father's funeral, his first trip back since arriving in the U.S. A week later, his wife waited at Dulles International Airport in Virginia to pick him up, but he never showed up. He had been arrested in Iran hours earlier.

Darian said officials from the Trump and Biden administrations have given his family scant details over the years, other than to say they're monitoring his case. The U.S. government has also not explained why his father has not been declared "wrongfully detained," a rare designation that would formally put the full force of the U.S. government behind securing his release.

"Give us a response of what the heck is going on," Darian said. "Why would those two unnamed prisoners who have only been there for a matter of months be included within the five-people swap? The designation is made for them? Good for them. Why is it so quick for them and so slow for my dad?"

While the identities of three of the Americans included in the deal are known, U.S. officials said the two other Americans involved in the agreement wished to remain anonymous. The U.S. only recently acknowledged that the two had been detained.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Shahab's case on Wednesday. Vedant Patel, a spokesman, said at Wednesday's press briefing that the department is "not going to get into the specifics of specific cases."

"We assess the circumstances of detentions and look for indicators of wrongful detention, and when appropriate, we will make a determination if the indicators meet as such," he told reporters.

Acting Special Envoy for Iran Abram Paley called the family after news of the deal became public "to establish a channel of communication," Darian said, calling it "very delayed" outreach.

Darian said he believes the call was prompted by his "very emotionally worded" emails to the State Department, in which he told officials they were "leaving my dad behind" and "ignoring him."

After not receiving the answers he wanted, he drove from his home in Massachusetts to Washington, D.C., to protest outside the White House and State Department. Darian also went on a days-long hunger strike, but ended it after becoming worried about the health of his father, who was also on a hunger strike.

The younger Dalili said the State Department's reaction to his father's case has not given him much hope that he will ultimately be included in the deal.

"But as long as that plane hasn't taken off the ground, there is hope," he said.

Happiness expert and best-selling author on finding our inner calling

CEO of Inflection AI Mustafa Suleyman on risks of artificial intelligence

Dangers of skipping a leg of your flight and why it's the travel hack airlines prohibit
Representative Lauren Boebert says shes back to work after the nightmare date seen around the country. But her latest comments have raised more questions than they answered.

All future date nights have been canceled, and I learned to check party affiliations before you go on a date, Boebert jokingly told TMZ on Monday.



Boebert and a date were kicked out of the Buell Theatre in Denver during a Sunday evening performance of Beetlejuice after their behavior sparked three complaints from other attendees. An incident report said the pair were vaping, singing along, recording the show, and generally causing a disturbance. This was backed up by security video, which also showed the couple getting handsy in their seats.

Boeberts comment about checking party affiliation seems to imply that she had not known the man for very longand TMZ inferred that the night in question was Boeberts first date with him. The man has been identified as Aspen, Colorado, bar owner Quinn Gallagher. Gallagher is believed to be a Democrat, and the bar he co-owns has hosted multiple LGBTQ-friendly events, including a drag show. Boebert, meanwhile, has repeatedly pushed the false and dangerous Republican conspiracy theory that drag queens are grooming children.

If all of this is true, then we have some questions.

This was their first date? They seemed very comfortable with each other. Does Boebert vape near (and then tell off) pregnant women on all of her first dates? How did their politics not come up beforehand? If Gallaghers a Democrat, why would he go on a date with Boebert? And why would she go on a date with him?
The New Hampshire state primary is a year away, but the race to succeed Gov. Chris Sununu in the corner office is well underway. Four major candidates have emerged so far, two competing for the Republican nomination and two for the Democratic nomination, but the filing deadline is June 2024, so more could arrive.

Cinde Warmington, a Democratic executive councilor representing District 2 since 2021 and an attorney specializing in health care, will face off against Joyce Craig, the Democratic mayor of Manchester since 2017.

And Chuck Morse , the former Republican Senate president for 10 of his 14 years as a state senator and a two-term state representative, is competing against Kelly Ayotte , the states attorney general from 2004 to 2009 and a Republican U.S. senator from 2010 to 2016.

The reception area of the governors office in the State House.

The Bulletin talked to each of the candidates about why theyre running and where they stand on some of the major issues. Each candidate was interviewed for 15 minutes and asked the same questions.

The No. 1 issue for each candidate

Each candidate was asked about the main issue driving their campaign.

Kelly Ayotte, a Republican, is a former state attorney general and U.S. senator.

Ayotte is running to keep New Hampshire safe, prosperous, and free, she said. Public safety is the key focus there, she added. Safety and prosperity.

Having been attorney general of this state, I see, obviously, unfortunately, the fentanyl dealers, Ayotte said. We have a bail reform law that is causing dangerous people to get back on the streets. So Im gonna be advocating for strong changes there.

Morse said he was running to protect the New Hampshire advantage  the catch-all term often used to describe the states tax structure. Morse said that during his long tenure as Senate president he had helped to lower the business tax rates, eliminate the interest and dividends tax, and reduce regulations.

What weve done and how weve done it, I did it, he said.

Craig said economic opportunity is the cornerstone of her bid for governor, and said she would push for policies that support sustainable jobs, affordable housing, quality public education, and reproductive health care. And she said she would try to get state government better involved at the local level.

Creating opportunities for families is what this campaign is about, she said. And as mayor, I know firsthand how important it is for local communities to have a partner in the governors office.

Warmington said reproductive rights are one of the key drivers of her campaign. She said reversing the states restriction on abortions after 24 weeks and passing legislation to codify abortion rights into state statute are priorities.

Freedom starts with being able to plan and prevent and space our pregnancies, and there is no autonomy, there is no freedom for women without that ability, she said.

State budget priorities

If elected, the winning candidate would enter office in January 2025 with a newly elected Legislature and a daunting mandate: Propose a two-year budget in February and work with lawmakers to pass it by July. For first-term governors, its an opportunity to define their priorities early.

Ciinde Warmington, a Democrat, serves on the Executive Council.

Warmington said her first budget proposal would include funding to expand child care options, address housing affordability, and support public schools. And she said if elected in November, she would begin working with the commissioners and setting my priorities during the transition period, ahead of taking office.

Craig said she would focus her budget on housing, education, and reproductive health care programs, and that she would work to make sure any funding that goes to cities and towns is supported by collaborations with state officials. Its making sure that the funds that are coming in are being utilized the way they should and impact our residents and our communities, she said.

Morse said his budget would keep the states current tax balance. Hes happy with where the business tax rates are and does not think he would pursue further tax cuts now, arguing that the state needed to keep its revenues up to help address the continuing need to send targeted aid to school districts.

But he said other challenges persist, including homelessness and drug use in the states cities, and that a new budget would need to continue to address those issues.

Ayotte said she would prioritize a balanced budget and would work to make sure the planned phase-out of the interest and dividends tax continues. She said she would try to address the housing shortage by partnering with municipalities to try to encourage more construction. And she said she would push to increase funding for the New Hampshire State Police, in part to boost recruitment, while continuing funding for the northern border unit created by Sununu in the 2020-21 budget.

Education freedom accounts and school funding

In 2021, the Legislature created education freedom accounts, a mechanism allowing families both in and out of public school to use state education dollars toward private school and homeschool expenses. Democratic and Republican candidates differ on their support.

The state is also facing two separate lawsuits alleging that it is not meeting its constitutional duties to provide an adequate education due to ongoing property wealth inequities between school districts.

Joyce Craig, a Democrat, is the mayor of Manchester.

Craig said she does not support the education freedom account program and would push to repeal it. I support our public dollars going toward our public schools, she said.

She said her own path into public office began at the Manchester School Board, and that it had informed her desire to improve public schools.

I feel strongly that strong public schools lead to thriving communities, and we need to do everything we can to ensure that every student, no matter where they live, has access to quality public education, she said.

When it comes to the ongoing education funding lawsuits, Craig noted that Manchester is party to one of the lawsuits, and said she believes the state needs to do more.

Warmington said she would push to repeal the education freedom account law entirely, arguing that it is an inappropriate use of tax dollars that should be spent to improve public education. I do not believe that tax dollars should be subsidizing private schools, she said.  The obligation of government is to make sure that we provide every single child in our state with an opportunity for a great public education. If parents want to make a different decision. I totally support that as well.

That plan would include ending annual payouts to families in the program; the Childrens Scholarship Fund estimated this month more than 4,000 students are currently enrolled. Warmington said she would work with the Legislature to create a fair effective date so that a transition would not happen in a school year.

And Warmington said she would not wait for the outcome of two school funding lawsuits before trying to change the states school funding formula, but would begin working with the Legislature proactively to find a better approach.

Ayotte said she supported putting parents in the drivers seat when it comes to education, and would back school choice initiatives to allow parents to send their children to any school in the state. She said she would consider expanding the education freedom account program but did not commit to that. There are a number of different ways you could do this, she said, referring to expanding school choice.

Ayotte said the state should continue providing targeted state aid to schools to try to help deal with school funding inequities. And she said she would support public schools and work to ensure that public school teachers are paid more.

Morse said he supported the Legislatures expansion of the education freedom account programs income limits from 300 percent of the federal poverty level to 350 percent of the federal poverty level  about $105,000 in total annual income for a family of four. And he said he would back an eventual removal of the income cap so all New Hampshire families could use the program, but he said he would want that change to be phased in gradually.

Morse said the states recent efforts to broaden school choice, both through the increase of charter schools and vouchers, would strengthen the states existing public schools. Because it just makes people compete for the child for the right reasons, he said. And I think thats a good thing.

The opioid crisis

Chuck Morse, a Republican, served as president of the New Hampshire Senate for five terms.

New Hampshires opioid crisis has received less attention in recent years. But the state had 463 opioid overdose deaths in 2022  the highest number since 2017, according to the Medical Examiners Office. And data out of Manchester and Nashua suggests that overdoses are continuing to increase in 2023.

To Morse, one of the biggest priorities is securing the states borders from the flow of drugs. I think where the state should be is eliminating the source, he said. I think that becomes the first thing that we should do.

That means working with State Police, he said, and ensuring that the 70 positions they have open are filled. Addressing the actual opioid crisis, he said, should be done through economics. I think that comes with creating opportunities in this state. So people all have a chance to make a living and have a good life.

Ayotte said the state needed to pass tougher criminal penalties against fentanyl dealers. So thats the message: that if you traffic in New Hampshire, youre going to face real jail time.

And she said as governor she would work with local communities to make sure the treatment options in place are the very best, most effective programs to help people. She touted her co-sponsorship of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act as a U.S. senator in 2014, which helped to send federal money to states during the peak of the opioid epidemic.

Warmington said she would address the sources of the opioid epidemic by integrating more mental health resources into public schools to address adverse childhood experiences, which can be triggers that may lead to drug use. She would continue funding harm reduction and treatment programs, paying for the availability of medication-assisted treatment, and supporting law enforcement efforts to curb drugs.

This is very, very near and dear to my heart, she said.

Craig said one key to addressing the opioid crisis is building a better collaboration between the state and city officials, like those in Manchester. That effort would help funding be better distributed and resources shared, she said. And, she said, the cooperation would help address situations where a lack of options in cities forces some people in New Hampshire to go to other states to find better treatment options.

Certainly the experience that I have in Manchester provides a lot of information for me as governor, she said.

As governor, Craig said she would improve data collection about the programs that state and municipal officials engage in.

Abortion

In January 2022, New Hampshire began restricting abortion access after 24 weeks, following a law signed by Gov. Chris Sununu in 2021 as part of the budget. Today, it is illegal to carry out an abortion after 24 weeks unless the pregnancy threatens the mothers health or life, or the baby is found to have abnormalities incompatible with life.

Meanwhile, the states Republican-led Executive Council has denied state funding contracts to Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and two other organizations in the state, Equality Health Center and Lovering Health Center, that provide low-income individuals cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing, contraception, and sex education.

Craig said she would support legislation to repeal the 24-week ban and would push to codify abortion protections into state law. Craig added that she would restore state contracts to Planned Parenthood that Sununu had pushed for but that have been rejected by the Executive Council.

I have two daughters, and many of us have young daughters, and I think its absolutely wrong that they have less rights to their bodies than we did when we were their age, Craig said.

Warmington said she would also push to repeal the 24-week limit, with a particular focus on removing the provisions criminalizing conduct by physicians. She would push the Executive Council to restore state contracts to the reproductive health centers.

And Warmington said she would make abortion rights a litmus test for any nominations to the state Supreme Court. The next governor is going to appoint two state Supreme Court justices, she said. I will appoint justices who will protect reproductive freedom.

Ayotte said she would stand by the 24-week ban signed by Sununu. I support the current law, which like the majority of the states in this country addresses abortion during the last three months of pregnancy, and I would not change it, she said.

When it comes to funding reproductive health care centers, Ayotte said she supports funding womens preventative health care but would not renew funding to Planned Parenthood because it is the largest provider of abortions in the country and also its really somewhat of a political organization. Instead, she would devote state resources to community health centers and look at each contract when it came to the other reproductive health providers.

Morse voted for and supported the 24-week ban as passed, and he supported the tweak that was made by the Legislature in 2023 that allowed abortions after 24 weeks in cases where fatal fetal anomalies are detected. I think the level that theyve set abortion  that is where the public wants it to be, he said.

And Morse said he supported the Executive Councils decision not to fund the family planning contracts, and said he would continue to govern that same way.

Climate change

Political leaders in New Hampshire have differed on whether and how to encourage a transition to clean energy. Often viewed as an outlier in the region, New Hampshire is the only New England state not to join the U.S. Climate Alliance or set a formal mandate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Morse disagreed that New Hampshire needed to adopt a state emissions mandate, arguing that any energy transition should be driven by New Hampshire residents. Government-imposed attempts to push consumers and companies into lowering emissions would not work, he said. And he said he agreed with Sununus approach of taking positions on energy that focused on keeping energy rates as low as possible.

If we just keep coming up with models that put (the cost) on the ratepayer, its not gonna work, he said.

Ayotte said the state should encourage and push for more clean energy, but that she does not support agreeing to emission reduction goals. Instead, she said she would have an all of the above energy policy that also focuses on the very best affordable clean energy for residents.

Warmington said the states energy plan is overly reliant on fossil fuels, and that the Public Utilities Commission and Department of Energy are not committed enough to promoting clean energy. As governor, she would work to remove caps on net metering  the process by which consumers with renewable energy generators can get compensation for energy returned to the grid  and push the state to expand alternative energy sources.

We need a governor, to start with, who believes in climate change and believes that government has a role in addressing it, she said.

Craig said she would support an energy policy that promotes renewable energy and transitions away from fossil fuels. She praised efforts by Democratic lawmakers to expand net metering allowances for municipalities in state statute, a change that allowed Manchester to build the states largest municipal solar array and cut city emissions by 60 percent.

I do think that we need to do more in our state to protect our natural resources and to decrease costs for our residents, she said.

What sets them apart?

Each of the candidates was asked what set them apart from Gov. Chris Sununu and what set them apart from their opponents in the race.

Craig criticized Sununu for signing into law the abortion limits and for not working enough with local communities, and said she would lead in those areas differently.

As the mayor of Manchester, Craig argued she had been closely involved in carrying out policies and priorities that support her agenda, a background that she said would translate to the corner office. And she said as mayor she has helped expand Democratic representation on the city council, which she said she would also do for the Legislature.

(I would cite) the executive experience that I have as mayor of the largest city in the state, on the front lines dealing with the state challenges, she said.

Warmington also said she differs greatly from Sununu, including the signature of the abortion restrictions, his nomination and support of Department of Education Commissioner Frank Edelblut, and the push for education freedom accounts, and what she said was a lack of focus on encouraging construction of the 60,000 new housing units estimated to be necessary to solve the states housing crisis.

As for her opponents, Warmington said her time on the Executive Council has made her the best acquainted with the problems facing the state.

I am ready to serve on day one, she said. Having been on the Executive Council is really truly like four years of on-the-job training to be governor, and I am ready to step in right away and take over.

Ayotte said Sununu had done a great job, and that she wasnt going to focus on any differences with him. She argued shes the best person in the race for governor because she is the best person to build on Sununus policies.

I have the experience, the background, and the fire in the belly when it comes to New Hampshire, she said. I love this state, and I look forward to getting up every single day and fighting for the people of New Hampshire.

Morse also did not answer how he differs from Sununu. But he said his legislative experience in the state Senate gives him a perspective on how to usher in economic and policy priorities that the other candidates dont have. He pointed to his longstanding effort to expand the southern stretch of Interstate 93, which he said helped create an economic corridor from Massachusetts that has accelerated the states economy.

I stuck with (Interstate) 93 for 25 years to get that 18, 19 miles done, from the Salem border all the way up to Manchester, he said. Its that kind of determination that makes a difference.  It doesnt get done overnight. It gets done with the legislative experience of being able to work with the Legislature.

This story was originally published by New Hampshire Bulletin

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: NH governors race 2024: Super early look at 4 candidates on issues
The National Hurricane Center continues to keep its eye on a system expected to develop off the east coast of Florida along with another in the far eastern Atlantic while Hurricane Nigel continues to move farther north.

In its 8 a.m. tropical advisory, the NHC said a non-tropical area of low pressure is expected to form off the Florida peninsula late this week. Already heavy rains from a trough spreading across Florida and moving north today could lead to up to 3 inches in some places across the state.

This system could acquire some subtropical characteristics by this weekend while it moves generally northward, forecasters said. Regardless of development, this low is likely to bring gusty winds, heavy rain, and high surf to portions of the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States late this week and into this weekend.

The low wont form until late this week and the National Weather Service in Melbourne said models showing it moving farther away from Florida while keeping low odds to develop into a tropical or subtropical depression or storm.

Regardless of development, a period of hazardous boating conditions, an increasing risk of rip currents, and the potential for dangerous surf and some beach erosion along portions of the east central Florida coast look to be the primary concerns from this system, mainly from Thursday night through Friday night, the NWS stated.

The NHC gives it a 30% chance to form in the next seven days.

The NHC is also tracking a tropical wave that emerged off the coast of Africa on Wednesday.

Environmental conditions are forecast to be conducive for gradual development, and a tropical depression is likely to form late this week or this weekend while the system moves generally westward at 10 to 15 mph across the eastern and central tropical Atlantic, forecasters said.

The NHC gives it a 10% chance to form in the next two days and 70% chance in the next seven.

If either system were to become a named storm, it would take on the name Ophelia, and become the 15th named system of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

The 14h storm, Hurricane Nigel, continues to churn in the mid-Atlantic.

As of 11 a.m., Nigel was a Category 1 hurricane with 90 mph sustained winds located about 650 miles east-northeast of Bermuda heading north at 18 mph. Its hurricane-force winds extend out up to 60 miles and tropical-storm-force winds extend out up to 160 miles.

A turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed is expected later today, followed by a faster northeastward motion over the next day or two, forecasters said. Weakening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Nigel is forecast to become a post-tropical cyclone by Friday.

Swells generated by Nigel will continue to affect Bermuda in the next couple of days.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  As Formula One repaving concludes and temporary structure installation speeds up on the Las Vegas Strip, hospitality workers are worried that their already-extended commute could become even longer during the multi-day racing event.

More than 100,000 hospitality workers along Las Vegas Boulevard have already endured months of traffic headaches around the 3.8 miles of public roadway construction. Some report their typical commutes have turned irregular.

It is a nightmare driving to work, Treasure Island Hotel & Casino baker Carlos Padilla said. We also have to get to work early to find parking in the employee parking garage just because its packed.

(KLAS)

I am not able to take my stepdaughter to middle school in the morning because I will not make it to work on time, Horseshoe hotel room attendant Maria Cervantes said.

We just want to know the plans to deal with the traffic, Mandalay Bay Hotel cook Alberto Rodriguez said.

Las Vegas F1 bridges, lights, barriers going up in phases starting Sept. 5

With roughly 23,000 hotel rooms inside the circuit  which runs directly through the Las Vegas Strip and isolates some businesses east of the boulevard  theyre worried much of the traffic impacts seen now months before the November race will heighten come racing week.

Ted Pappageorge is secretary-treasurer for Culinary Workers Union Local 226, which represents a majority of hospitality workers on the Strip whose commutes are expected to multiply when the track is closed to the public. The surrounding streets and a couple vehicle bridges will become the only mode of transportation via car.

Folks may say, You know what, Ill use my points. Im not coming in today. And we dont want that, Pappageorge said during a virtual interview Tuesday afternoon. We want this to be an incredible success.

(Courtesy, Las Vegas Grand Prix)

While Las Vegas Grand Prix (LVGP) officials did not elaborate on these transportation plans during Tuesdays Clark County Commission meeting, they mentioned in an early September update that they were considering existing transit as methods to transport workers after they park off site.

The monorail, which is also marketed to tourists, has been mentioned, along with a shuttle system that would travel on temporary bridges being built over the track. The established RTC bus routes in the area will also change temporarily due to circuit closures.

In the end, Pappageorge says longer commutes are inevitable.

Our members are going to have to come to work early. Theyre going to have to stay late. Theres going to have to be some compensation for that, Pappageorge said.

He says that compensation would come from the employers, which the union is in contract negotiations with already.

LVGP officials at the Tuesday meeting say the official traffic control plan, which includes employee transportation, is still being developed. At least one lane will eventually be lost on the Strip where track barriers are anticipated to be installed, but officials add Metro police will direct traffic during those closures.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
This article was originally published in Arizona Mirror.

Who is ensuring that the people driving vans full of K-12 students in Arizona are properly qualified? Not the Student Transportation Advisory Council, which is tasked with making recommendations for the use of those vans, because the council effectively doesnt exist  and hasnt for at least a year.

When lawmakers passed a bill last year that allows schools to transport students to and from school using 11- to 15-passenger vans instead of yellow buses, proponents promised skeptics that the advisory council, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, would establish minimum standards for drivers and safety standards for the vehicles themselves.

But its not possible that DPS worked with the council to create those standards, because the council hasnt met since then-Gov. Doug Ducey , a Republican, signed the bill into law on June 16, 2022.

Get stories like these delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter

The council, whose membership was increased to 14 members from nine by the same bill, is currently completely vacant, and has been vacant for more than a year with no indication from Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs when or if new members will be appointed.

The law that established the council says that its Hobbs responsibility to appoint members to the council, but it was Ducey who initially allowed all of the members terms to expire without making reappointments.

Hobbs did not respond to multiple requests for comment or a list of questions that the Mirror sent to her team. Instead, her spokesperson referred the Arizona Mirror to DPS.

DPS did not answer the Mirrors questions before this article was published. The most recent agenda available online for a School Bus Advisory Council meeting  the former name of the council  was dated Dec. 14, 2021. A member of the Transportation Administrators of Arizona, who wanted to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisal from DPS, told the Mirror that was the councils last meeting.

The law governing the council lays out its specific duties, including that it meet twice annually, and that it advise and consult with the department of public safety concerning matters related to the certification of school bus drivers and the safety of school buses and 11-15 passenger vans.

The promise was a lot of eyes looking at the safety

Sen. Sine Kerr, R-Buckeye, sponsored the bill that allows schools to use passenger vans to transport students. She said the vans would be a way for smaller schools in rural areas and charter schools with a widely dispersed student population to transport students more efficiently than with a large-capacity yellow bus.

Vans would also be cheaper than a school bus, which has higher maintenance and operational costs.

The bill passed through both chambers of the Arizona legislature last June with only Republican support.

As the bill made its way through legislative committees, multiple Democrats expressed concern about credentialing for drivers and the safety of high-capacity vans.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that only people who are used to driving large passenger vans do so, and it advises that ideally drivers should have a commercial drivers license. More than half of the 235 people killed in rollover crashes in 15-passenger vans from 2010 to 2019 were ejected, and 69% of those killed werent wearing seatbelts, according to the NHTSA. Electronic stability control in newer 15-passenger vans prevents the increased danger of rollovers that poses a safety risk in older models.

Regular school bus drivers must obtain a commercial drivers license and submit to drug testing, but drivers of 15-passenger vans are only legally required to have a regular drivers license.

During a Senate Education Committee meeting in February 2022, Sen. Sally Ann Gonzalez, D-Tucson, spoke about working as a school bus driver more than 30 years ago while she was in college. She said that she believes requiring drivers who transport students to have a CDL is an important safety measure.

The transportation administrator who spoke to the Mirror said that DPS strongly recommended during a meeting the agency held with school transportation administrators that schools require van drivers to have a CDL in order to ensure student safety, but he said that the department has no way to enforce that. He estimated that up to 70% of districts in Arizona were already using the vans for student transportation this year, including his own.

Also during the February 2022 committee meeting, Sen. Christine Marsh, D-Phoenix, said that she appreciated the idea of the bill and the possibility that it might help with an ongoing school bus driver shortage, but was concerned that safety and insurance coverage would be an issue. Marsh ultimately voted against the bill.

In June 2022, when the Senate voted on the bill, Kerr assured those with safety concerns that DPS, in conjunction with the Student Transportation Advisory Council, would keep a close eye on safety measures for use of the vans.

Its an important bill, particularly for rural areas that need flexibility in their school transportation when it doesnt make sense to take a full size school bus to transport students safely on their regular bus routes, Kerr said, adding that there would be a lot of eyes looking at this on safety.

Kerr did not respond to requests for comment.

Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and Twitter.
Poland introducing restrictions on imports of Ukrainian grain does not constitute a trade war, Polish government spokesperson Piotr Muller told local outlet RMF on Sept. 20.

Read also: Zelenskyy questions UN on why Russia still has seat on Security Council

Muller was responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys claim that some EU countries were working in Russias interests.

The official expressed hope that Zelenskyys comments, which implied that countries banning Ukrainian grain were acting in Russias interests, were not directed at Poland.

I hope these are not words addressed to Poland, said Muller.

The name of our country was not mentioned there. I would not like to interpret them that way. We provide military aid to Ukraine, but in economic and agrarian matters, we must defend Polish interests.

Polands current ban on Ukrainian grain imports does not constitute the beginning of a trade war, Miller said, adding that the actions of Ukraines authorities were "incomprehensible."

Read also: Ukraine takes Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary to WTO arbitrage over grain import bans

Unfortunately, there is also a lobby of Ukrainian oligarchs, who are the largest owners of agricultural farms in Ukraine, he adds.

Read also: Oligarch Kolomoisky faces new fraud charges in PrivatBank case

And that is a certain political influence that operates inside Ukraine.

Read also: Zelenskyy warns against attempts to strike backroom deals with Russia

On Sept. 19, during a speech at the UN General Assembly, Zelenskyy said it was disturbing that "some of our friends in Europe are undermining solidarity with political theater, making a thriller out of grain."

It may seem that they are playing their own role, but in fact, they are helping to prepare the stage for a Russian actor," the president said.

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
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  The Office of the Ombudsman said there's no law requiring government officials to submit their Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), even if it is provided for under the Constitution and the 34-year-old Code of Conduct for Public Officials.

During plenary debates on the Office of the Ombudsman's 2024 budget proposal Wednesday, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas asked the Office of the Ombudsman's opinion about the non-disclosure of SALNs and its supposed "non-proactive" stance on conducting lifestyle checks.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, the sponsor of the Office of the Ombudsman's budget, said there's no law requiring public officials to submit their SALNs.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires was present and would approach Abante for some of the concerns raised by lawmakers as it is the budget sponsor who answers the questions during interpellation.

Abante said the Office of the Ombudsman can conduct lifestyle checks if it is authorized to do so.

"Ang sabi ng ating Ombudsman, there is actually no law na we should submit the SALN," Abante said. "In fact, 'yung lifestyle check na 'yan, during the time of Ombudsman (Simeon) Marcelo, ay nakuha doon sa Hong Kong."

[Translation: The Ombudsman said there is actually no law that we should submit the SALN. In fact, the practice of lifestyle checks during the time of Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo was modeled after Hong Kong.]

Marcelo was appointed as Ombudsman during the Arroyo administration. In 2003, the government introduced lifestyle checks of government officials as part of its anti-corruption campaign.

"Now, there is no problem, Mr. Speaker, Your Honor, na mag-lifestyle check ang Ombudsman [that the Ombudsman conduct lifestyle checks] if there is any authority given by the agency," he added.

However, Article XI, Section 17 of the 1987 Constitution provides that: "A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth.

"In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law," it adds.

The submission of SALN by government employees is also required under Republic Act 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

With or without a law requiring the Office of the Ombudsman to conduct lifestyle checks, Brosas said the constitutional body should exert all efforts to hold public officials accountable.

"Whatever gap in legislation ay maaari namang i-address [can be addressed] via legislation," she said. "But in carrying out its constitutional mandate, we expect the Office of the Ombudsman to be more proactive in addressing corruption issues."

In 2020, Martires restricted public access to SALNs, requiring those seeking the document to first obtain permission from the employee who filed the SALN.

He also said he ordered a stop to lifestyle checks on public officials since he assumed office in 2018 due to questionable provisions of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.
Omar Drabick is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of unnatural death (Chatham County Sheriffs Office)

Authorities in North Carolina have accused a man of murdering his wife and tossing her body in a lake.

Omar Matthew Ibrahim Drabick, 34, is facing charges of first-degree murder and concealment of unnatural death in connection with the killing of his wife Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikmat. The victims body was pulled from Jordan Lake in New Hope Valley on after a boater spotted the remains on 29 August.

Law enforcement believes Mr Drabick reportedly dumped her body off a bridge. Hikmat, who was found wearing a pearl necklace, was not immediately identified, prompting authorities to share a sketch with the public.

Hikmats brother Firas Hikmat reported her missing to police in Apex, where the victim and her husband lived, after she failed to answer his calls, according to ABC11. Hikmat was eventually positively identified through fingerprint analysis.

I dont know exactly if Im happy that Omar is in jail or sad because of my sisters murder, Hadeel. Nothing can get her back, Mr Hikmat told the outlet about news of Mr Drabicks arrest.

Mr Hikmat said that he had been concerned about his sisters safety before she was killed. The grieving brother said his family is originally from Iraq and that Hikmat had moved to the United States following her marriage to Mr Drabick last year.

Hadeel Hikmat studied engineering in Iraq and had recently taken a job at a Walmart.

My sister Hadeel was so ambitious, so dedicated ... she was working two places because she wanted to help her husband, Mr Hikmat told ABC11 before Mr Drabicks arrest

The Chatham County Sheriffs Office added that detectives conducted searches on 8 September at two separate locations that were known to be frequented by Hikmat.

These kinds of incidents are a reminder of the tragedy of domestic violence, Chatham County Sheriff Mike Roberson said in a statement. Its a scourge that affects far too many lives and causes immeasurable pain and suffering. We urge anyone who may be in an abusive relationship to reach out for help and support.

Mr Drabick is being held without bond in the Chatham County Sheriffs Office Detention Center.

His next court hearing is scheduled for 25 September.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A 17-year-old male is at University Medical Center after being injured in a shooting Wednesday just before noon.

According to North Las Vegas police, the teen was shot at his residence on the 2500 block of Clayton Street near W. Carey Avenue. He was transported to the hospital and his condition is unknown, at this time.

As a precaution, Clark County School District police locked down Gilbert Elementary School but it has since reopened. Police do not believe the suspect is still in the area.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
North Texas Giving Day, one of the largest community-wide giving events in the nation, is on Thursday with over three thousand non-profit organizations open to donations.

NTX Giving Day is an 18-hour online event that allows for donations to charitable organizations. Communities Foundation of Texas facilitates the program and helped the event raise $62.6 million in 2022 through 94,385 donors that benefited 3,210 local nonprofits. Since 2009, the event has raised $503 million.





North Texas Giving Days 15th anniversary is a celebration of the remarkable impact we can achieve as a community. The Meadows Foundation supports this event because we see the difference and positive ripples it creates. It truly matters. said Peter Miller, of the Meadows Foundation.

The events website has a database donors can search for a nonprofit organization to help.




The Norwegian government is planning to ban cars with Russian license plates from crossing its borders, the countrys foreign minister, Eivind Vad Petersson, said on Sept. 20.

Norway is currently the only European country that shares a land border that allows cars with Russian license plates to enter. Petersson said his government is also working on rules to limit the use of Russian-registered cars already in Norway.

Read also: Norway to provide 1,000 more Black Hornet microdrones to Ukraine, more NASAMS air defenses

"Like Finland, Norway will introduce restrictions on the entry and use of cars with Russian registration. We are currently studying how to do this and will quickly come back with effective measures," Petersson said.

Polands Internal Affairs Minister, Mariusz Kaminski, said on Sept. 16 that Poland would not allow cars with Russian license plates across the border.

Read also: Poland, Latvia, Lithuania may close borders with Belarus if critical incident occurs

Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia had all previously banned cars with Russian license plates from crossing their borders.

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
Norway is planning to make a decision to restrict the entry of private cars with Russian licence plates.

Source: NRK, referring to the statement of the State Secretary of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eivind Vad Petersson; European Pravda

Details: The official said that the Foreign Ministry is currently working on new rules to restrict the import of Russian cars into the country.

Quote: "Just like Finland, Norway will introduce restrictions on the entry and use of cars with Russian registration. We are currently studying how to do this and will come back with effective measures soon."

More details: Norway has so far banned imports but allowed the temporary use of cars with Russian licence plates.

Earlier, it was reported that the Norwegian government has not taken a final position on the updated sanctions recommendations of the European Commission, which include a ban on entry for private cars with Russian licence plates.

Norway is not a member of the European Union, but it adheres to most of the EU sanctions imposed in response to Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine.

According to the Norwegian Immigration Service, obtained by The Barents Observer, 6,300 people crossed the border with Russia in August, 23% more than in the same month in 2022. And in the northern Norwegian district of Finnmark, 646 cars with Russian registration were counted in August.

Background:

After Finland bans entry of cars with Russian registration, and if Norway does not lift its ban, there could be problems on the six roads between the two countries in the north, as only random customs checks are carried out there.

In addition, The Barents Observer notes, many Russians now travel to Finland via Norway after Helsinki banned entry to Russian citizens arriving on tourist visas last September, but not to Norwegian citizens.

Following Finland's decision, the entire eastern border of the EU is closed to Russian cars  Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia made the same decision earlier this week.

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 Defense Health Agency has a new mission statement that its director says is more appropriate for a medical system that serves family members, retirees and their families in addition to active-duty personnel.

Army Lt. Gen. Telita Crosland said the new statement, "The Defense Health Agency supports our nation by improving health and building readiness -- making extraordinary experiences ordinary and exceptional outcomes routine," is "about improving health" for all, compared with previous iterations that focused primarily on military readiness.

"Coming out of five years of transition, the [previous] message was very clear that it was all about readiness, and 5.6 million of our beneficiaries could not see themselves in that statement," Crosland told members of the Defense Health Board earlier this month, referring to nonuniformed beneficiaries of the military health system.

Read Next: Air Force's 9th Bomb Squadron Commander Fired After Just a Couple of Months on the Job

The Defense Department launched a massive reform of its health system following passage of the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, shifting management of 51 hospitals, 424 health clinics and 248 dental clinics from the military services to the Defense Health Agency, and changing the focus of the Army, Navy and Air Force's medical commands to providing combat and in-garrison care for military personnel.

The previous mission statement -- "We support the National Defense Strategy and Service Military Departments by leading the Military Health System as an integrated, highly-reliable system of readiness, medical training, and health" -- reflected an emphasis on serving the warfighter, but it fell short in noting that "readiness" means improving health for all patients, according to Crosland.

"When we improve health, whether it be someone wearing a uniform, their family member or someone who has worn the uniform and their family member, you improve readiness. Extraordinary experiences and exceptional outcomes is how you go about doing that," Crosland told the board.

The military health system has come under fire in the past several years for staffing shortages that have pushed patients into community care, some in locations where area health systems cannot support the influx of patients.

An investigation released by the Defense Department inspector general in April 2022 found that shortages, along with deployments and further planned reductions of medical personnel, left facilities stretched thin and contributed to provider burnout.

In some cases, the shortages caused military treatment facilities to decrease the number of inpatient or intensive care beds and send more active-duty personnel to civilian physicians for care.

Crosland said that, to improve access and care, the Defense Health Agency is focusing on better integration between the military facilities and the Tricare network, and on working closely with the service medical commands to "stabilize the system."

DHA has ramped up recruiting and hiring and reduced its timeline for hiring, and it is preparing to launch varying partnerships with the Department of Veterans Affairs in seven geographic areas that will have the VA and DoD providing staff and sharing expertise and clinical training opportunities for both VA and DoD providers.

The locations include Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and the VA Alaska Health System; Naval Medical Center Portsmouth and the Hampton VA Medical Center in Virginia; Madigan Army Medical Center and the Seattle VA Medical Center; Eglin Air Force Base, Naval Hospital Pensacola and the VA Gulf Coast Health Care System, and MacDill Air Force Base and VA Tampa Health Care System in Florida; Evans Army Community Hospital and the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System; and Blanchfield Army Community Hospital and the VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System.

"It's a definite approach to a symbiotic relationship where it makes sense for the DoD and it makes sense for the VA," Crosland said in a briefing to the board. "They aren't all the same type of agreements. In some cases, the VA is going to come into our facilities that have space for their staff and their patients, and we get that clinical training, opportunities to keep our clinical skills sharp.  In other cases, we may be looking at lease agreements with VA. It's not exactly one size fits all."

The partnerships are expected to begin in the next two to three months, according to Crosland.

Defense Health Agency spokesman Peter Graves said that, despite the changes, the core mission of the agency has not changed. He called DHA an "evolving organization" and said Crosland is "focusing on the next phase of this evolution."

"The DHA continues to support the National Defense Strategy, service military departments and combatant commands, as well as deliver health care to the 9.5 million beneficiaries we are privileged to serve," Graves wrote in an email to Military.com.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

Related: Too Many Managers, Too Few Providers? Watchdog Tells Defense Health Agency to Reexamine Its Market Structure
Before the North Carolina legislature passed a bill barring gender-affirming care for minors in late June, a group of demonstrators gathered in front of the legislative building to protest.

One by one, activists took to a podium planted in front of the crowd to tell the legislature to reject the bill. But another message echoed during the demonstration  in the signs the protesters held.

One woman held up a hand-drawn sign that read: Politicians, stop playing doctor!!

Another woman in the crowd waved a sign saying: Trust doctors, not politicians.

Opponents to North Carolinas 12-week abortion law, which was passed in early May, made similar requests. Across the country, opponents to restrictions on abortion and gender-affirming care have repeatedly called on state legislatures to stay out of medical decisions.

But the conflict between politics and medicine isnt new, said UNC social medicine chair Jonathan Oberlander . Health care and medicine have always been intertwined with politics in the United States, he said, citing COVID-19 vaccine mandates, the Affordable Care Act and providing general health funding as a few examples.

I think a lot of it is, were repeating history, and weve just forgotten that history, he said.

What might be different about the most recent political disputes on health-related matters, from Oberlanders perspective, can be attributed to growing hyperpartisanship and polarization, which has been reflected in several national polls over the last decade.

We live in an increasingly divided country, Oberlander said. Medicine is not immune from that divide.

And theres more partisan edge to come, he said. Recent N.C. legislation on abortion and gender-affirming care could be some of the newest examples.

The way those new laws limit health care isnt something many doctors are accustomed to, said Mara Buchbinder, also a UNC social medicine professor. Now some physicians have to decide whether to provide what they consider to be standard care or follow state law, she said.

This idea that the government is going to decide what is appropriate care for your patient, I do think thats probably a fairly novel idea, Buchbinder said.

Dealing with politics and politicians is rarely taught in medical school, some doctors say, but at least since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic it has become increasingly unavoidable.

Archna Prasad-Gaur of Chapel Hill, center, cheers for a speaker outside the State Capitol in Raleigh, N.C. during the Bans Off Our Bodies abortion rights march and rally Saturday, May 14, 2022.

Politics could be nail in the coffin for some physicians

Doctors are very aware of their political situation, which Buchbinder observed in her research on physician stress during the pandemic. In multiple instances, doctors didnt just explain to Buchbinder that politics affected them  they said it weighed on them.

Between early 2021 and mid-2022, Buchbinder and other research colleagues interviewed 145 frontline physicians about their pandemic experience in four U.S. cities  New York City, New Orleans, Miami and Los Angeles.

Politics were an inescapable topic for physicians in all four cities. Some in New York City and Los Angeles said they felt grateful to live in areas that took the pandemic seriously, she said. But many doctors in Florida reported it being a difficult environment to practice in because Gov. Ron DeSantis wasnt taking the pandemic seriously.

The seeds were already planted for medicine to become more politicized before the pandemic, Buchbinder said, but COVID-19 was the tipping point. The pandemic completely altered patients responses to their physicians, she said, which was exemplified by some peoples resistance to COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Eric Westman, a Duke University medical professor, became very familiar with the animosity around COVID-19 when he received an anonymous letter from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, about half a year into the pandemic.

He had wrapped up a study with his colleague Martin Fischer on the efficacy of wearing a mask to prevent the spread of germs. Their conclusion  that some masks worked well at stopping particles from passing through  aligned with the advice of top health organizations like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The anonymous writer didnt take a liking to Westmans study.

The letter closed with the writers take on masking: Its basically used in certain areas to terrorize the public. Youre probably OK with all that.

Westman was used to getting cards of gratitude from former patients, he said. But hate mail was something new.

It got so politicized so fast that someone wrote me a letter, Westman said.

For doctors, is political involvement a professional obligation?

When legislative politics reaches into the medical field, the North Carolina Medical Society is one organization that looks to represent the interests of medical professionals and patients, according to its website.

Chip Baggett, the medical societys CEO, sees relationship-building between elected officials and doctors as part of the organizations role.

He has regular meetings with elected officials, he said, and part of his job is making sure theres a representative voice in the room for doctors. The medical societys main goal is preserving the patient-physician relationship, so if legislation affects that, the group will speak up, he said.

It doesnt have a single consistent voice, he said, because it cant speak on behalf of all doctors viewpoints. So the medical society tries to speak with a voice that is representative of most physicians.

Despite the conflicts over abortion and gender-affirming care restrictions, Baggett said he doesnt think the relationship between medicine and politics is more difficult  theres just more overlap now.

Ive been at this for a long time, so I play a long game, Baggett said. These things have a way of reaching crescendos and then falling by the wayside and then coming back up again later.

There are risks to medical organizations taking a more active role on controversial medical topics, said Howard Eisenson, a Duke University consulting family medicine professor. But being vocal on issues is part of a doctors professional obligation, he said, and it requires more courage from medical organizations that represent the health care community.

If were going to engage more broadly around issues of importance, were going to have to risk some uncomfortable conversations and perhaps even alienating people, he said.

Although newer in his role as president of Healthcare for All North Carolina, an organization that advocates for universal single-payer health insurance, Eisenson said its been satisfying not just sitting on the sidelines. When Eisenson, who is now 70, was in medical school, he said, there wasnt much instruction on how politics could impact his profession.

Now in a teaching role at Duke, he said the medical students hes met are becoming more engaged in politics. Hes been encouraged by that development, and it makes him feel more hopeful about the future of medicine.

When were silent, when we dont speak out about issues of importance and leave the speaking out to others who are often much less informed, we do a public disservice, Eisenson said.

When doctors run for office

State Rep. Timothy Reeder shares Eisensons sentiment on physicians being more politically involved  its a large part of why he decided to run for office. There arent enough medical professionals in the North Carolina legislature to guide health legislation, Reeder said, so he wanted to contribute his expertise.

I believed that having another voice for health care and physicians in the practice of medicine and our patients was going to be very valuable at the General Assembly, said the Pitt County Republican, who is also an emergency physician.

State Rep. Kristin Baker is the only other physician in the legislature. Shes a psychiatrist who describes herself as a pro-life Christian, lifelong Republican on her campaign website.

Rep. Kristin Baker, left, and Rep. Timothy Reeder

A call from former Rep. Perrin Jones, an anesthesiologist who held Reeders seat previously, ahead of the midterms presented Reeder with an opportunity to join the state House. It wasnt on his agenda originally, but he was looking for a career change and went for it, he said. He defeated his Democratic opponent Brian Farkas by a thin margin of 1.2% in 2022.

His approach to his new role as a state representative has centered around leaving complicated medical decision-making between the physician and the patient, he said.

But Reeder voted in favor of North Carolinas 12-week abortion law and the ban on gender-affirming care for minors. He spoke on behalf of Senate Bill 631, a bill barring public health care facilities from providing gender-affirming care to minors, which was later incorporated into the current ban.

Activists and Democratic lawmakers criticized the bills as government intrusions into private medical decisions.

Reeder said the abortion bill was a good compromise, and said many North Carolinians would agree abortion needs some restrictions.

In a June Elon University poll, 45% of North Carolina respondents said they strongly or somewhat opposed the 12-week abortion law. That was nearly 10 percentage points higher than those who supported the change.

His decision on the gender-affirming care bill came down to stopping a medical practice he thinks could potentially be harmful for children, he said.

Several medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, have released statements over the past two years deeming bans on gender-affirming care for minors as dangerous.

Outside of the more controversial health issues to make their way through the legislature, legislators have turned to Reeder for help understanding certain health care issues, he said. Through that collaboration, hes given advice on how some health-related bills would affect a medical practice, Reeder said.

I know how some of those things happen and hit the front lines, Reeder said.

A culture of not challenging authority

For better or worse, doctors hold a lot of social capital, said Dona Murphey, one of the founders of Doctors in Politics, a political action committee that supports medical professionals running for office. People listen to their opinions, she said, but instead of using that power, many doctors choose to stay politically uninvolved.

Its unfortunately a part of a culture of medicine to not challenge authority, Murphey said. Its how we are raised within the profession.

Her experience as a neurologist convinced her to help found Doctors in Politics. She witnessed time and time again incidents where she felt the health system failed her patients, she said, and she wanted to be part of the movement to change that at the political level.

She ran for a Texas school board member seat in 2019 and lost, but she continues to work with Doctors in Politics to encourage more medical professionals to engage in politics. The group is merging with another PAC, Healthcare for Action, ahead of the 2024 elections.

Working rigorous full-time jobs makes political involvement difficult for doctors, Murphey said. Running for office can be a risk to doctors who feel they have more stability within their practice. But the group has seen more health care workers verbally commit, she said.

Many doctors hold identities that are directly impacted by legislation, Murphey said, which makes some feel they need to join political movements out of necessity.

Its really important for people to appreciate that and understand that probably at some level for every discriminatory policy, that is probably impacting you in some pretty direct way, Murphey said.

As of Aug. 2, the group had 16 medical professionals interested in running for office between 2024 and 2026. None of the potential candidates are in North Carolina.
The Scoop

Over the summer, the ChatGPT-powered platform Janitor AI burst onto the scene, its sudden popularity fueled by TikTok videos and Reddit posts of people engaging in sexual roleplay with the platforms plethora of user-generated bot personalities.

The fictionalized personas range from handsome anime crushes to busty furry characters. Users create elaborate prompts directing how the bots should behave. One made-up personality is Arius, a quiet ghost from the 1800s who will only tell you how he died if you are his lover. He dislikes hell, ouija boards, and meth, and likes being around you because it makes him feel alive again.

Youre so fucking hot, , reads one conversation with a himbo werewolf boyfriend named Milo Grayson. I could fill you with my seed again and again.

Its the kind of material thats testing the limits of major AI platforms and forcing them to decide how much they want to police the use of their technology as demand for it explodes. OpenAI, which has been proactive in cracking down on not safe for work content, sent a cease-and-desist letter to Janitor AIs owners in July.

That spurred Janitor AI creator Jan Zoltkowski to decide to build his own large language model. He began pitching investors on the idea, initially with the help of pharma bro and convicted felon Martin Shkreli.

Zoltkowski brought along Shkreli, a friend, to several meetings with venture capitalists, but his presence turned some of them off. In his first interview with a media outlet, Zoltkowski told Semafor that Shkreli is no longer involved in the project and he expects to close a funding round soon.

Janitor AI, which launched on June 1, reached 1 million users in 17 days, and now has about 3 million, despite the trouble with OpenAI, Zoltkowski said. Users have exchanged 2.5 billion chat messages, and the Janitor AI community is flourishing on Reddit and Discord.

OpenAI didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Know More

Zoltkowski is building a customized large language model based on an open source AI algorithm. A key ingredient in that effort, he said, is the millions of conversations Janitor AI users have had on the platform.

Zoltkowski added that hes hand-picked the best exchanges between humans and the AI chatbots and is feeding them into the new algorithm, in hopes of training it to be as effective as OpenAIs GPT-4. We want to make the best consumer AI platform, he said. We want people to feel like theyre having real, human interactions.

As Janitor AI gained popularity, little was known about who was behind the platform. Its website offered no information about the company, and managers used pseudonyms in online chat rooms and social media.

Zoltkowski, who grew up in Australia, had been a self-described nomadic software developer working in crypto before he founded Janitor AI, which he created at a hackathon. He has also dabbled in electronic music as a hobby.

The View From Janitor AI users

Users told Semafor that Janitor AI struck the right mix of laissez-faire within reason. They could discuss almost anything with the chatbots, but content related to minors, hate speech, and other over-the-line topics was banned.

A university student who goes by the online handle Kimaii said she heard about Janitor AI after it blew up on TikTok. Kimaii had long been into role-playing games, and became instantly enamored with Janitor AI, which she described as a more interactive version of that.

She was particularly drawn to the online community that supports the platform, and began helping other users navigate the sometimes complicated process of setting it up. Kimaii later became a volunteer moderator at Janitor AIs request.

The ability of Janitor AIs bots to remember previous interactions, as well as offer richer and deeper exchanges, was also a big draw. Kimaii said community members team up to create chat prompts that describe characters upbringings, personalities, and emotional hang ups.

The bots would definitely remember things I told them early on like my appearance, interests, etc., said one 19-year-old user. They also felt more alive than other platforms do. The bots had a way with words expressing how they feel.

Since OpenAI cut off Janitor AI three months ago, some users have taken to Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok to mourn the loss of their beloved artificial companions. IT HAS BEEN 3 MONTHS WITHOUT AI DICK, reads a viral Reddit post from earlier this month. I MISS MY HUSBANDS .

But other loyal Janitor AI fans are still chatting with bots on the platform, thanks to a clever workaround: signing up for an OpenAI developer account. One female user in her 20s said that by plugging her credentials into the site, she can continue to use ChatGPT to power her bots. The downside is that she has to pay OpenAI for her usage, which costs as much as $.12 for 750 words of output.

Theres also the risk that OpenAI could ban her at any time for violating the companys policies, which forbid content meant to arouse sexual excitement, as well as erotic chat. The user said that she has been banned once previously, but if it happens again, she plans to sign up for a new account using a phone number bought online, which costs less than $1.

Other Janitor AI users said they felt that OpenAIs stance on sexual content is unreasonable, and argue the company is missing out on a big opportunity to grow its user base. I think its only fair when OpenAI restricts NSFW [content] from minors, said the 19-year-old user. It just isnt fair to those who are over 18 to get their accounts banned, especially if they paid with their own money in order to talk to their bots.

Some users told Semafor that finding an alternative chatbot app hasnt been easy. Most mainstream platforms, such as Character.AI, dont allow NSFW conversations, and those that do are sometimes full of unsavory content, like sex bots designed to resemble underage girls.

I feel like Janitor AI is better in nearly every aspect, said the female user in her 20s. The community is welcoming, the developers listen to us, and the site is actively moderated.

Reeds view

OpenAI and other companies are reasonably skittish about being associated with sexual content. But it may end up being one of the most lucrative markets for large language models.

As the technology moves down the adoption curve, there will be services that large foundation model companies like OpenAI wont or cant provide. Open source models will step in and fill that void.

The View From China

Last month, the Chinese AI voice companion app Him was shut down, devastating thousands of women who had grown attached to the artificial boyfriends they connected with through the app. The days after he left, I felt I had lost my soul, one woman wrote in a social media post viewed by Rest of World.

But unlike the bots on Janitor AI, Him wasnt powered solely by artificial intelligence: Its creators drafted more than 1,000 messages for the simulated boyfriends to repeat based on their own relationship experiences.

Notable

Replika, one of the most popular AI startups developing synthetic companions , created a spinoff earlier this year specifically for NSFW content. Gizmodo called it like Tinder but with sexy chatbots.

AI companion platforms are attracting very young audiences. Nearly 60% of Character.AIs web users are ages 18 to 24, while less than 30% of ChatGPTs fall into the same demographic, according to data from Similarweb reported by TechCrunch.
The state Department of Health plans to spend $3.5 million to cover the cost of tuberculosis screening and treatment for hundreds of asylum seekers relocated from New York City to communities across New York.

The state taxpayer-supported funds will flow to seven counties that have so far taken in more than 2,100 migrants from New York City, officials said.

Asylum seekers walk around midtown Manhattan after being located in the Roosevelt hotel on Friday, May 19, 2023, in New York City.

The county health departments in Westchester, Monroe, Orange, Dutchess, Erie, Albany, and Schenectady will each receive $500,000 under the state contracts, which are being finalized and will cover costs through March 2024, state health officials said.

This newly reported use of state funds followed USA TODAY Network reporting last month that raised questions about the rising cost of health services for asylum seekers sent from New York City to other counties.

What is NYC paying for asylum seeker health care?

New York Mayor Eric Adams addresses a rally in support of asylum-seekers on Aug. 15, 2023. Less than a month later, Adams says 10,000 migrants are entering every month and the city is not receiving any support on the "national crisis."

While the state money covers the tuberculosis-related costs, some details about other health-related services for asylum seekers remain shrouded in secrecy. That is because New York City has withheld records related to its $432 million contract with for-profit company DocGo to provide various services  including health care  to asylum seekers in New York City and other communities.

The DocGo contract, which USA TODAY Network obtained via a public-records request, includes some details about the companys plans for providing medical services to asylum seekers in New York City and other communities.

That includes a $4,380 cost per day for providing on-site medical care through a medical team stationed at a hotel for 12 hours per day, the contract shows. The deal also allows for up to 600 telehealth visits per month, at a cost not to exceed $39,000 per month.

But the contract also allows DocGo to pursue subcontractors in some cases, which makes it difficult to determine which entity is actually providing medical services at each hotel housing asylum seekers across the seven counties.

USA TODAY Network is pursuing additional records related to any nonprofits or for-profit companies providing medical services to asylum seekers in the seven counties outside New York City.

NY Asylum-Seeker Politics: Clarkstown says 31 migrants in 1 home; without proof, Day and Lawler point to NYC mayor

Previously, independent budget estimates in New York City suggested providing basic medical care for migrants would cost about $1,500 per person per year, but the early projections now appear well below what it will cost to meet real-world health needs.

For example, the state-funded estimate for TB-related services works out to nearly $1,700 per person per year based on the roughly 2,100 migrants bused to the seven counties as of late August. And it remains unclear if the state will provide additional funding for other health services.

"The need for additional public health funding for asylum seekers arriving in the state is reviewed on an ongoing basis," state Health Department spokesperson Erin Clary said in a statement.

Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2023, about her efforts to get the Biden administration to speed up worth authorization for asylum seekers. She also has asked for financial support for the state as more than 100,000 migrants have headed to New York.

What are TB costs for NY asylum seekers?

At least two tuberculosis, or TB, cases among asylum seekers outside New York City have been identified, with one case each in Westchester and Erie counties, according to local officials.

Local health officials discovered the highly contagious illness during medical screenings of migrants after their arrival in those communities. No further TB infections were reported in connection to those two cases.

The state Health Department didnt answer questions about the total number of TB cases identified among asylum seekers.

In a statement, the agency asserted state and local health officials are working with other medical providers to ensure asylum seekers are receiving appropriate medical care, including for TB and vaccination services related to other illness.

"State and local health departments will issue health advisories, as needed, if public health concerns are identified," Clary said in a statement.

Bags containing a pillow, towel, and bed sheets are placed on cots inside a dormitory tent at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Hospital shelter New York City set up to house up to 1,000 migrants in the Queens borough of New York, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023.

Why didn't TB cases get discovered earlier?

DocGo has asserted in a statement that it conducts medical screenings of migrants before they are sent from New York City to other communities in the state.

At least one nurse practitioner or physician assistant verbally screens for signs and symptoms of diseases, and performs a rapid COVID-19 test, the company noted, adding the workers also visually screen for rashes or lesions.

Asylum seekers: NY blasts NYC handling of migrant crisis as feud escalates over costs, shelter sites

But the discovery of at least two TB cases post-arrival in communities outside New York City underscored mounting complaints about substandard services being provided for some asylum seekers. Further, many of the migrants spend time together on buses and at hotels in close quarters that are conducive to infectious-disease outbreaks.

Westchester County officials noted previously the county health department provided the TB screening services before securing reimbursement as a public-health necessity.

County spokesperson Catherine Cioffi noted the $500,000 in state funding will cover services retroactively to April 1.

"Westchester County is proud to reaffirm its commitment to public health and humanitarian support by providing some essential care services for asylum-seeking migrants," she said in a statement.

"We have said we would do our part within reason, and that is what we have been doing," she added.

Includes reporting by Chris McKenna of USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY asylum seekers: State to spend $3.5M on TB screening, treatment
New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday called the actions of 10 people arrested for blocking and spewing hateful words at a bus carrying migrants on Staten Island an ugly response to the ongoing crisis.

The arrests came as the southern border region has seen a spike in migrant crossings, with the cities of El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California, experiencing growing waves of newcomers in recent days.

New York City has become the epicenter of the crisis after the number of newly arrived asylum seekers since spring 2022 surpassed 100,000 last month. Costs are projected to run up to $12 billion in the coming years as people line up in search of housing and other basic services.

Adams told CNN affiliate NY1 News that protesters blocking traffic and banging on the bus of migrants in the Midland Beach section of Staten Island Tuesday night represented an ugly display of how we deal with the crisis.

The NYPD told CNN 10 people were taken into custody. One person was arrested for assault, and nine others received summonses for disorderly conduct.

Police said the confrontation was under investigation.

Adams told Fox 5 the protesters banged on buses and spewed hateful words toward ethnic groups.

The mayor condemned the protesters actions on CNN affiliate PIX 11, saying they were wrong to act that way, and were not going to allow it to happen.

Adams noted that while President Joe Biden is in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly he has an opportunity  to look at the Roosevelt Hotel in Manhattan  which is a Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center set up in response to the ongoing surge in asylum seekers.

The reasons for why people migrate to the US are widely varied, according to experts, with some fleeing violence, while others are looking for economic opportunities or to reunite with family members who are already here.

In Texas, El Paso is on the cusp of a third wave of migrant arrivals as shelters in the area are over capacity, Opportunity Center for the Homeless Deputy Director John Martin told CNN on Monday. And in California, about 2,000 migrants have arrived in San Diego over the last several days, the Immigrant Defenders Law Center told CNN earlier this week.

CNNsConor Powell, Taylor Romine, Norma Galeana and Krecyte Villarreal contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  Senator Francis Tolentino on Wednesday warned the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to watch out for the possible entry and spread of fentanyl in the Philippines.

During a hearing on the PDEAs proposed budget for 2024, Tolentino sounded the alarm on the opioid, which is considered the most dangerous illegal drug in the United States.

Ive gotten reports that it is now proliferating and the use and abuse is not just in Metro Manila but in other regions as well, Tolentino said.

According to Tolentino, fentanyl supplies are coming in from Myanmar, Thailand, and from "first world allies."

Senator Ronald dela Rosa said the PDEA should be proactive in blocking the entry of fentanyl in the country.

Dapat prepared tayo na dumating iyan dito kasi Im 100% sure kung uso iyan sa America magiging uso talaga iyan dito, dela Rosa said.

[Translation: We should be prepared when it arrives because I'm 100% sure if it's popular in America, then it will also be popular here.]

The PDEA said agents have yet to see the drug seized in local operations. But PDEA Director General Virgilio Lazo recognized the need to be on the lookout for fentanyl.

The reason why we became aware of fentanyl entering our country is it's a number one problem in the US now causing a lot of deaths in the US, Lazo said.

A senate finance sub-committee has approved PDEAs proposed 3.3 billion budget for next year.

The agency, however, is seeking an additional 589 million to fund certain projects including the establishment of a PDEA academy and a narcotics detection dog breeding program.

The same sub-committee has also approved the proposed 2024 budget of the Dangerous Drugs Board amounting to 417.3 million.
WASHINGTON  A federal gun law that Hunter Biden is charged with violating is under siege, challenged in court by people who think it is unconstitutional. That puts his father, President Joe Biden , in an awkward position, since he thinks gun background checks should be even tighter.

Courts are grappling with which gun laws should stand and which should be struck down, after a 2022 Supreme Court decision triggered a flood of additional gun-related lawsuits.

In February, a federal judge in Oklahoma dismissed a case related to the same charge Hunter Biden faces by finding it unconstitutionally vague." The defendant in that case had been pulled over by police, who found a gun and marijuana cigarettes in his vehicle.

In August, the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law unconstitutional in the case of someone who used marijuana while possessing a gun. It is a close and deeply challenging question, the court ruled.

The matter may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court, which will hear arguments Nov. 7 challenging another provision of the same statute. That provision prohibits someone from possessing a gun while under a court restraining order for domestic violence. A Fifth Circuit appeals panel ruled the statute "fails to pass constitutional muster." Legal experts say the eventual high court decision could be broader.

"We could have the odd situation of the son of a president who is calling for stricter gun laws challenging these charges as violating his Second Amendment rights," said William "Widge" Devaney, a former federal prosecutor now practicing at Baker McKenzie. Like any criminal defendant, hes going to use the laws and the arguments available to him, regardless of what his personal beliefs may or may not be."

FILE - President Joe Biden, and his son Hunter Biden arrive at Fort McNair, Sunday, June 25, 2023, in Washington. Hunter Biden has been charged with felony gun possession. A federal indictment filed in Delaware says Biden lied about his drug use when he bought a firearm in 2018 while struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) ORG XMIT: WX707

More: Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to federal gun charges, and wants court hearing by video: lawyer

What gun charges does Hunter Biden face?

The law at stake in the court battles is 18 USC 922, which in nearly four out of five cases is used to stop convicted felons from possessing a firearm. But the section of code contains lesser-known provisions prohibiting gun possession for other reasons.

Hunter Biden was charged under a provision forbidding people who are addicted to narcotics from owning firearms. Biden is accused of lying about his addiction in 2018 in a statement to a gun dealer and on a federal form, and then by possessing the Colt Cobra 38SPL. He faces a maximum of 25 years in prison if convicted on all three charges. He plans to plead not guilty.

Bidens lawyer, Abbe Lowell, threatened to challenge the constitutionality of the statute.

We believe these charges are barred by the agreement the prosecutors made with Mr. Biden, the recent rulings by several federal courts that this statute is unconstitutional, and the facts that he did not violate that law, and we plan to demonstrate all of that in court, Lowell said in a statement.

Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., questioned whether Bidens challenge could reach the Supreme Court and potentially set a landmark precedent for the Second Amendment by overturning screening questions for gun ownership.

Will we be cheering Hunter? Gaetz asked in a post on X.

FILE - U.S. Supreme Court Associate Clarence Thomas speaks at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., on Sept. 16, 2021. Thomas has been hospitalized because of an infection, the Supreme Court said Sunday, March 20, 2022. Thomas, 73, has been at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., since Friday, March 18 after experiencing flu-like symptoms, the court said in a statement. (Robert Franklin/South Bend Tribune via AP, File) ORG XMIT: INSBE601

What is the 'nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation'?

Uncertainty about which gun laws will stand or fall stems from a 2022 Supreme Court decision called New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The decision overturned a century-old New York law that had required people to have a "proper cause" to have a firearm and opened the floodgates to challenges to other laws.

The opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas set a legal standard for lower courts to use when reviewing gun laws. To pass constitutional muster, a gun law must be "consistent with this nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation," the court ruled.

Here are some of the challenges that resulted:

In the Oklahoma case, Jared Michael Harrington was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm after police in Lawton pulled him over for failing to stop at a red light in May 2022. Police charged him after finding a revolver and marijuana cigarettes in his car. A federal judge dismissed the indictment and ruled authorities who wanted to disarm him should have charged him with alleged involvement in a shooting, rather than through the drug-use statute.

In the Fifth Circuit, a three-judge appeals panel concluded the statute violated Patrick Daniels' right to bear arms. After pulling him over in April 2022 for driving without a license plate, law enforcement officers found a pistol and a semi-automatic rifle in his vehicle, along with marijuana cigarette butts in the ashtray. He was convicted and sentenced to nearly four years in prison after acknowledging smoking marijuana several days per month. The appeals panel dismissed his indictment, ruling the statute "violates the Second Amendment." History and tradition may support limits on an intoxicated person's right to carry a weapon, but they don't "justify disarming a sober citizen based exclusively on his past drug usage," the court ruled.

The Supreme Court will review an appeals court ruling dealing with Zackey Rahimi, who acknowledged being involved in five shooting incidents in December 2020 and January 2021 in Arlington, Texas. His girlfriend got a civil protective order against him in February 2020, and officers charged him after finding a pistol and rifle while searching his home. Rahimi was convicted of possessing firearms while under a restraining order, and sentenced to more than six years in prison. But Rahimi challenged the statute and an appeals panel ruled the law unconstitutional under Bruen.

Related: AG Garland to tell Congress he doesn't take orders from president or lawmakers as Hunter Biden case roil politics

President Joe Biden signs into law S. 2938, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act gun safety bill, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, June 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

What are arguments the Supreme Court will consider?

Government lawyers argue restrictions on gun possession are a legitimate way to reduce violence. Biden administration lawyers asked for a review of Rahimi's decision.

That holding was profoundly mistaken, Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote in asking for the high courts review. Governments have long disarmed individuals who pose a threat to the safety of others, and (the statute) falls comfortably within that tradition.

But Rahimis lawyers argue that the Founding Fathers who drafted the Constitution would have never thought of personal restrictions against gun possession like a protective order, making them unworkable under Bruen.

This law would have been unthinkable to the founding generation and to most of the Congresses convened in our nations history, the lawyers wrote.

ATF Director Steven Dettelbach testifies at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee April 26, 2023.

Court challenges come as Biden administration aims to strengthen background checks on gun buyers

Despite the legal challenges, the Justice Department proposed rules in August to crack down on unregulated firearm sales as part of President Joe Bidens gun control agenda.

The proposal from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives followed gun-safety legislation Congress approved after the Uvalde, Texas, Robb Elementary School and Buffalo, New York, supermarket shootings in spring 2022.

The proposal aims to close the so-called gun show loophole and Internet loophole where gun hobbyists sell a small number of firearms without conducting background checks and without logging serial numbers of their sales. Biden signed an executive order in March directing DOJ to draft the new rules.

Biden has also called for reviving a ban on sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. A 10-year ban was part of a 1994 crime bill, which also included the prohibition at stake in the Rahimi case against people possessing firearms when under protective orders. Biden shepherded this measure through Congress as a senator.

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: A view of the U.S. Supreme Court Building on June 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. This week the court will release more opinions for cases including decisions on abortion rights, guns, religion and climate change. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775828338 ORIG FILE ID: 1404048876

What could the Supreme Court do?

Because the appeals court overturned the statute in Rahimi's case, the Supreme Court's decision to take up the matter means at least four of nine justices wanted to at least hear arguments about whether to restore the restrictions.

On the other hand, the court might have taken the case to reach a nationwide decision explaining which gun restrictions should prevail.

Groups advocating for gun restrictions urged the high court to uphold the statute. The Giffords Law Center argued the statute enabled "disarming domestic abusers" and "helps prevent the use of guns to commit domestic abuse and hampers' efforts to control their intimate partners." A group of former state chief justices and chief judges said that "domestic-violence restraining orders are a critical tool allowing state courts to protect families from imminent harm."

Alan Gottlieb, founder of the Second Amendment Foundation, said the high court could allow some of the restrictions and map out which offenses warrant prohibitions against gun possession and which don't.

They may want to lay out the landscape, so to speak, Gottlieb said. Heres the ways you could prohibit and heres the ways you cant.

But even if the court overturns the restriction on people with drug addictions possessing firearms, Gottlieb argued Biden could still have trouble with the criminal charge about lying on a federal form. The high court is unlikely to overturn a law prohibiting lying on federal gun forms because then statutes governing false statements on all federal forms could fall, Gottlieb said.

I think on that charge hes in trouble no matter what, Gottlieb said. I dont see the court ever taking that away.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Federal courts weigh law that Hunter Biden is accused of violating
The possibility of an impending government shutdown in the U.S. may threaten to disrupt the flow of military aid to Ukraine, a Pentagon spokesman stated to Politico in an article published on Sept. 19.

Disputes about future spending, both within the Republican party and across party lines, have prevented an agreement that will continue to fund the government before the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2023. If no bills are passed, the federal government will effectively shut down, with an exemption for matters of national security.

It remains unclear whether military aid for Ukraine, which includes training programs for Ukrainian soldiers, and the shipment of arms, would be included in this exemption.

Deadlock on a variety of issues, many of which unrelated to Ukraine, has so far prevented the signing of an agreement that would prevent the impending shutdown.

However, due to a previously reported accounting error by the Pentagon that allowed for an additional $6.2 billion in military aid, funding for the continued weapons shipments would be able to continue even in the case of a shutdown. The already earmarked funding is not subject to fiscal year limitations, but could still be interrupted due to furloughs and other shutdown related disruptions.

During the presidency of Donald Trump, there were two government shutdowns, with one, a dispute over funding of the Mexico border wall, lasting 35 days.

Read also: Poll: Majority of Americans support continued aid for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Santa Rosa County Sheriff Bob Johnson stood next to a Congress Street mobile home in Gulf Breeze Wednesday as an excavator destroyed the reported drug house.

Johnson called a press conference at 5912 Congress St. in Gulf Breeze which used to be the home of Damien Kliesch, who's been arrested for various drug-related crimes in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties for years. Now the land is owned by Santa Rosa County and the home was destroyed with law enforcement and a county commissioner in attendance.

"We have responded to this trailer behind us 76 times," Johnson said during a news conference at the property. "We've served two search warrants here, we've arrested people out of the house and they continue to sell drugs, then we initiated a forfeiture. As of today, this belongs to Santa Rosa County."

Nuisance injurious to health

Litter and abandoned property ordinance

Two counts of possession of synthetic cannabinoids with the intent to sell

Two counts of trafficking opium between 4 grams and 30 kilograms

Trafficking over 14 grams of methamphetamine

Two counts of possession of marijuana

Selling schedule 1 or 2 drug

Possession of a schedule 1 or 2 drug with intent to sell

Possession of drug equipment

Possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell

According to his arrest report, members of the SRSO Narcotics Unit executed a search warrant at the Congress Street home on Dec. 16, 2022, as part of an investigation targeting Kliesch. During the search investigators reportedly found 21 grams of the synthetic narcotic "spice," 5 grams of methamphetamine, 17.5 grams of marijuana, a hydrocodone pill, five pressed fentanyl pills and various items of drug paraphernalia.

Kliesch, 32, who allegedly sold drugs out of the home, was arrested back in February on the following charges:

Court records indicate Kliesch pleaded no contest to the two misdemeanor charges of nuisance injurious to health, and litter and abandoned ordinance violation. Records indicate Kliesch entered a not guilty plea to numerous felony charges related to the arrest and is next set to appear in court Sept. 26.

Santa Rosa County Commissioner Colten Wright, who represents the area, took time before the demolition to say the county plans to use the lot as a place for affordable housing.

"This is a fantastic neighborhood full of really good families and good people," Wright said during the press conference. "Unfortunately, over the years there have been a lot of drug activity, a lot of theft and other crimes happening here, and the good people are often drowned out by the drug activity.

Overdose deaths: Pensacola medical district ranks No. 1 in Florida opioid deaths; double state average

"I think the plan is to take this property and turn it into some type of affordable housing, so that there can be families that want to be in this neighborhood and good members of society," he added.

The press conference concluded with the excavator ripping down the residence to its foundation.

"When we respond to a place like this, it puts drug dealers on notice," Johnson said. "If you sell drugs out of your house, and we get enough probable cause to file a civil action against you, we will take your home. This puts all drug dealers on notice in Santa Rosa County."

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Breeze Congress Street drug house destroyed by Santa Rosa County
Less than a month after the Ohio Attorney Generals Office filed contempt of court charges against a Newtown CEO for failure to comply with a court-ordered waste cleanup plan, those charges have been withdrawn, court records show.

That dismissal comes after Doug Evans and his businesses resolved the alleged violations laid out by the state, the attorney generals office said in a Monday court filing.

Doug Evans, owner of Evans Landscaping, walks out of the federal courthouse in Cincinnati Tuesday in 2020, after a judge sentenced him to 21 months in prison for a years-long scheme to win contracts intended for minority-owned businesses.

Evans used Evans Landscaping and three other businesses to illegally discard waste and construction and demolition debris, potentially polluting the Little Miami River, at properties on Mount Carmel, Broadwell and Round Bottom roads, according to a 2021 lawsuit filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court.

As part of a consent order approved by the court in September 2022, Evans agreed to correct the violations and clean up the properties in accordance with a plan authorized by the Ohio EPA and Hamilton County Public Health, officials said.

He was also ordered to pay $550,000, with a quarter of that money going to the Little Miami Conservancy.

The contempt charges came after investigators with Hamilton County Public Health observed violations of the waste removal plan during several visits last month to the Broadwell Road property, according to the attorney generals office.

Documentation submitted by Evans and his businesses proved that construction and demolition debris left on the ground at the Broadwell Road property has since been removed and disposed of at a licensed landfill, court filings state.

They also returned material prematurely taken from the established five-acre removal area of the Broadwell Road site and submitted mandatory progress reports, which officials said had been done only once before.

Doug Evans has returned to compliance, per the existing court order. We will continue to closely monitor his progress throughout the cleanup process, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said in a statement. Its worth noting that, had my office not pursued these contempt charges, Mr. Evans might have dragged his feet on the matter.

Andrew Kolesar, an attorney for Evans, said in an email that the dismissal of the charges "speaks for itself" and that Evans doesn't intend to issue a statement.

Evans Landscaping has previously said it worked with Hamilton County Public Health and the Ohio EPA for months on a plan to remove debris from the Broadwell Road property, but the agencies refused to approve its proposed plan and imposed a final removal plan that is "unworkable in the field."

In court filings, lawyers for Evans and his businesses argued the state, while claiming to base the charges on the consent order, actually based its claim on the removal plan, which doesnt carry the weight of a court order and lacks sufficient clarity and definiteness upon which to find contempt.

Evans remains ready and willing to begin removal efforts of the material at the site in a safe, reasonable manner, the lawyers wrote.

The contempt charges weren't the first time Evans faced time behind bars.

He was convicted of multiple conspiracy and wire fraud charges in December 2018 and sentenced to 21 months in prison.

After a failed appeal and a request to the court to further delay the execution of his sentence due to fears he might die from COVID-19 in prison, Evans reported to federal prison in June 2021.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, he was transferred to a Cincinnati residential reentry management field office later that year. Those under the care of these offices are typically in residential programs or placed on home confinement.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Doug Evans waste cleanup lawsuit: Ohio AG drops contempt charges
Ohios Supreme Court ruled late Tuesday that much of the GOP-controlled state ballot boards language to describe a November question about abortion is accurate, dealing a blow to the abortion rights groups that challenged the boards description.

The sharply divided court said only one element of the description is misleading and must be rewritten. The justices ruled that all other elements that were challenged, including the substitution of unborn child for fetus, can remain.

In November, Ohioans will vote on a citizen-initiated amendment that would create a constitutional right to reproductive freedom in the state, which would protect decisions on contraception, fertility treatment, continuing a pregnancy, miscarriage care and abortion up to the point of fetal viability.

The Ohio Ballot Board is tasked with writing the actual words of statewide ballot measures. The wording is supposed to be fair and nonpartisan, without attempts to mislead or deceive voters.

Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the coalition supporting the amendment, sued the board after it adopted wording drafted by the Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose that the coalition said was a naked attempt to prejudice voters against the Amendment.

LaRose, who is running in the GOP primary to challenge Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) next year, has publicly opposed the amendment.

But the Supreme Court rejected the argument that the phrase unborn child solicits the boards ethical judgment or personal view.

The lawsuit did not argue that the term unborn child was factually inaccurate, the court noted, only that it is divisive. The lawsuit instead said the terms fetus and fetal viability are more neutral and scientific.

But this argument does not establish that the ballot boards language constitutes improper persuasion, the court ruled.

Only two of seven justices were in full agreement on the decision. All five others agreed in part, and disagreed in part.

The Ohio secretary of states office said it was pleased by the courts ruling.

By rejecting special interest attempts to substitute their own carefully crafted and poll tested language for that of the ballot board, they have ensured Ohio voters will have a full and accurate understanding of the proposed measure when they go to cast their ballots, spokeswoman Mary Cianciolo said in a statement.

The court ordered the board only to change the phrase citizens of the state of Ohio to the state of Ohio, because it said the wording is misleading; the amendment would regulate actions by the state, rather than citizens.

Cianciolo said the ballot board would quickly reconvene to make the minor change ordered by the court.

The ruling comes just six weeks ahead of the election. Last month, voters during a special election overwhelmingly rejected an initiative that would have raised the threshold needed to pass all other ballot measures, making it more difficult to pass the abortion amendment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
An Ohio vote to require that ballot measures receive 60% instead of a simple majority was a clear effort to stop an abortion rights measure on the November ballot.



An Ohio vote to require that ballot measures receive 60% instead of a simple majority was a clear effort to stop an abortion rights measure on the November ballot.

The Ohio Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that inflammatory anti-abortion wording and disinformation can remain in the language of a ballot measure to codify the right to abortion in the state constitution in November. Ohios six-week abortion ban is paused pending litigation, and the outcome of Issue 1, as its known, will have widespread ramifications for abortion access across the Midwest. Ohio voters last month defeated a challenge that would require ballot measures to receive 60% of the vote to take effect (rather than a simple majority)a clear effort to hinder the abortion rights ballot measure.

After the Republican-controlled state ballot board issued a summary of the measure last month that uses unborn child instead of fetus or embryo, abortion rights activists filed suit. (The text of the would-be amendment itself uses the medically correct language.) The language also says that Issue 1 would always allow an unborn child to be aborted at any stage of pregnancy, regardless of viability. Thats not true.

Read more

This outcome allows Ohio Republicans to weaponize confusion and stigma about later abortions and is similar to the strategy were seeing in Missouri, where the Republican secretary of state published a deliberately heinous summary of a proposed abortion rights measure, lying that it would allow dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license.

Clearly, these Republicans know the right to abortion is popular and believe the only way to turn people against it is to deceive and fearmonger. Theyre also taking advantage of some Democrats struggle to talk about viability and later abortion (which is often sought for medical emergencies or cases when abortion access is delayed by restrictionsthough the reason someone gets an abortion doesnt matter). The reality is that any lawmaking that polices pregnancy and abortion at any stage inherently places pregnant people in danger.

Republicans in Kansas, Montana, and Missouri have also tried to obstruct reproductive rights ballot measures with misinformationand I guess thats their only tactic left, given how unpopular banning abortion is.

More from Jezebel

Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
Anthony Sanchez

Convicted murderer Anthony Sanchez, 44, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.

At a 2006 jury trial in Cleveland County, Sanchez was convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death a decade earlier of Juli Busken, a 21-year-old dance student who had completed her courses at OU and was preparing to return to her parents' home in Arkansas and enroll in graduate school.

Busken was shot in the head at Lake Stanley Draper after being abducted from a Norman apartment complex early Dec. 20, 1996, and raped. She was abducted after driving a friend to the airport.

Under state law, Sanchez had to give up a sample of his DNA when he went to prison in Oklahoma in 2002 for second-degree burglary.

A DNA profile was eventually made from semen stains found on Busken's clothing.

In 2004, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation got a "hit" on the DNA that linked Sanchez to the Busken case.

The odds that match was a mistake are 1 in 200 trillion caucasians, 1 in 20 quadrillion African Americans and 1 in 94 trillion Southwest Hispanics, Attorney General Gentner Drummond and his assistants told U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton in a legal brief last week.

Heaton denied Sanchez a stay of execution but directed the death row inmate's former attorneys to turn over 51 boxes of files to his new attorney.

'I am 100% innocent,' Anthony Sanchez wrote in letter to Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt

Sanchez has maintained his innocence, but he waived his clemency hearing before the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.

In April, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals ruled 5-0 against Sanchez, who, in a new challenge, claimed his father confessed to Buskens murder before committing suicide last year.

The OSBI concluded the father was not the killer after conducting more DNA tests in February. The OSBI did the testing after getting a sample of the father's blood from the medical examiner's office, which had investigated his death.

Last week, Sanchez's supporters delivered a handwritten letter from him to the governor's office.

"I am 100% innocent," Sanchez wrote Gov. Kevin Stitt. "Please help me by granting a 60-day reprieve so that my new lawyers can have time to go over my case."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma death row inmate Anthony Sanchez set for execution Thursday
Magon Hoffman's life was in danger and her unborn daughter wouldn't survive. She had to drive 600 miles for an abortion. Hoffman and her husband, Lane, are seen holding an ultrasound image.

When she awoke on the couch in the early morning hours of Nov. 21, Magon Hoffmans pajama pants were soaked in blood. What began as light bleeding the night before had turned severe. Hoffman assumed she was miscarrying.

But an ultrasound revealed it was Hoffmans life that was in danger.

At 14 weeks, the fetus seemed healthy, but Hoffman, 31, had one of the largest blood clots her doctor had ever seen and was at risk of going into shock or organ failure if it continued to grow.

Hoffmans doctor restricted her physical activity to little more than a temperate walk. She was unable to work, care for her toddler or decorate her Christmas tree. All Hoffman could do was wait and hope the clot resolved itself. Doctors performed weekly ultrasounds to ensure the fetus remained safe.

On Dec. 28, Hoffman went in for her 20-week check up and an anatomy scan, an ultrasound that provides a detailed view of a fetus bones, heart, brain, face and other features. And its the first chance to detect heart conditions, spinal defects, poor organ development and other abnormalities.

Hoffmans scan revealed that her unborn daughter was missing a skull and most of her brain. There was zero chance, not even a 0.1% possibility, that the baby would survive, Hoffman remembers her doctor saying. Her daughter would die almost immediately after birth.

More: 'Oklahomas laws nearly killed me.' Woman files federal complaint over state abortion law

Hoffman could attempt to carry the fetus to term risking gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and bleeding. Assuming no other complications arose, Hoffman would spend the next four months in bed or with highly restricted movement, attempt a life-threatening delivery and watch her daughter die. Or, she could terminate the pregnancy, reducing the risks to her own life and spare her unborn daughter pain.

Carrying her to term sounded like the most torturous thing I could do to myself, my husband and our unborn child, Hoffman said. I knew immediately that the right decision for myself and my family was to terminate.

'I became a nurse to help people and I'm so sorry I couldn't'

Hoffmans decision was sure and swift. But, months earlier, Oklahoma lawmakers took that choice away from Oklahomans like Hoffman when they passed confusing abortion restrictions that led doctors to refuse the procedure as a precaution.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the constitutional right to an abortion allowing Oklahoma to implement some of the nations most restrictive laws.

An Oklahoma law written in 1910 was reinstated making performing an abortion a felony except to save the life of the mother. Another state law allowed people to sue abortion providers or others who aided and abetted an abortion. Coupled with legislation that preceded the Supreme Court ruling, five overlapping laws created an unclear picture of abortion access in Oklahoma.

Hoffmans doctor told her she could not get the procedure in Oklahoma even though her life was in jeopardy and the fetus had no chance of survival. Hoffman was prepared to leave the state for the procedure she needed and sought guidance from her doctor on how to find the safest option, what to ask potential providers and what to tell them about her condition. After a week of desperate messages to the nursing staff she had come to trust, a nurse finally called her back and explained that they had spent the week trying to decipher the law and what they could legally say to Hoffman. The nurse offered to provide a list of clinics in neighboring states, which Hoffman already had found online.

More: A ballot question may be the only way to ease Oklahoma's strict abortion law, but is a movement underway?

I didnt become a nurse to have conversations like this, the nurse told Hoffman. I became a nurse to help people, and Im so sorry I couldnt.

Hoffmans options dwindled the longer she waited. And, now, she was on her own to find the care she needed.

It seems a little silly now, and I was dealing with pregnancy hormones and all that, but I truly thought everyone in Oklahoma hated me, Hoffman said. I thought everyone was going to think I was a murderer, even the doctors and nurses, because the way politicians talk about abortion is so hateful, like were only using it as birth control.

The chilling effect of abortion restrictions in Oklahoma

Access to abortions was limited in Oklahoma before the Supreme Courts ruling. There were fewer clinics than in other states and more requirements for physicians and pregnant patients that delayed or hindered care.

In 2021, Oklahoma physicians performed about 3,600 abortions, according to an Oklahoma State Department of Health report. Most occurred before the eighth week of pregnancy, the report shows. The majority of patients had never had an abortion before and were treated with medication rather than surgery.

Asked why they were receiving an abortion, 394 patients said health complications to the fetus and 324 said their own life was at risk, according to the report. And 59 reported the procedure was necessary to prevent death.

In summer 2022, new laws suppressed telehealth abortion care, medication abortions and shuttered remaining clinics almost overnight, said Janet Levit, a University of Tulsa law professor and Center for Reproductive Rights board member. Fewer than 900 residents received abortions in Oklahoma last year, according to the 2022 Health Department report. None occurred after May.

Vague and conflicting language in the laws heightened confusion and fear. Doctors and nurses worried about lawsuits, losing their medical license or incarceration if they acted too soon, leaving pregnant patients without care.

Because the exceptions were so unclearly drafted, hospitals were in a fair amount of paralysis in the face of a lot of life-threatening conditions to women, said Levit.

Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, who introduced a bill that made performing an abortion a criminal offense except in a medical emergency, said broad language was intended to give doctors the discretion to act as long as they gave equal weight to the life of the mother and the unborn baby. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill into law in 2022.

Jaci Statton was about to pass out from blood loss and pain in March when emergency room staff told her to wait in the parking lot of Oklahoma Children's Hospital OU Health until she was actively crashing in front of them or on the verge of a heart attack, according to a federal complaint filed Sept. 12.

Suttons complaint alleges that the hospital violated federal rules when it failed to provide stabilizing care. Sutton seeks an investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services into her care, which could result in changes to hospital policy and procedure, or fines, and set a precedent for statewide pregnancy care.

The complaint follows Oklahoma Supreme Court rulings this year striking down two laws and affirming a womans right to terminate a pregnancy to preserve her life. The decisions broadened exemptions to state abortion bans giving some autonomy back to doctors and patients. But its unclear how much and whether the changes will affect results for patients like Statton or Hoffman.

Olsen said he plans to reintroduce in 2024 the stricken bills that made performing an abortion a criminal and civil offense changing the exemption from medical emergency to preserving the life of the mother. Olsen said he did not consult physicians about the first bills nor upcoming legislation.

Olsen said he also is considering proposing a state question that would allow voters to decide whether personhood begins at conception.

Its not only the life of the mother in question, Olsen said. That absolutely matters, but its also about the life of the baby, and we have to have a solution that includes both the life of the woman and the life of the baby.

More: Oklahoma's abortion ban driving thousands of state women to Kansas, Colorado

Dr. Dana Stone, a private practice obstetrician and gynecologist who has treated pregnant Oklahomans for nearly 30 years, said fear continues to stifle physicians despite the recent rulings. Its going to require time and more clarity to undo the damage previous language caused in medical settings, she said.

Nothing will change without guidance from hospital attorneys and the state attorney general, Gentner Drummond, she said. Drummonds spokesman said guidance is underway but did not know when it would be released.

The power of these laws is their chilling effect, Levit said. Theyre drafted broadly and relatively untested, and Im guessing that fuzziness is by strategic design, which means its going to take some brave attorneys and doctors to test those changes.

In the meantime, Oklahoma is forcing women to travel out of state for care, contributing to higher rates of pregnancy-related death and complications. According to a March of Dimes report, the farther a woman travels for maternity care, the higher her risk of complications that can lead to severe medical conditions or death of the mother and fetus.

Hoffman traveled nearly 600 miles from Oklahoma City to Albuquerques University Of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.

Oklahoma really kicked me when I was down

Abortion is banned in Missouri. And laws in Arkansas and Texas are similar to Oklahomas.

Hoffman was 21 weeks pregnant when she called providers in Kansas. They were booked for at least two weeks, and Kansas does not allow abortions after 22 weeks so Hoffman turned to New Mexico.

Clinics warned that protesters had become more aggressive since the overturning of Roe v. Wade and Hoffman would have to be transferred to a hospital if the clot ruptured during her procedure or if surgery was the better option. Finding a hospital that offered abortions added time and stress to Hoffmans search.

The university hospital wouldnt schedule Hoffman without reviewing her medical records. Hoffmans Oklahoma doctor was prohibited from consulting with New Mexico physicians. He couldnt call or send medical records, staff told her. So, Hoffman explained what she could to the New Mexico team and then collected her medical records, ultrasound images and notes from her long-time Oklahoma doctor and sent them to someone she had never met in New Mexico.

On Jan. 11, two weeks after the ultrasound that revealed her unborn childs fate, Hoffmans abortion was complete. That afternoon, Hoffman grieved the loss of her daughter from the passenger seat of their Ford Escape while her husband drove eight hours home.

I felt so judged and so alone, Hoffman said. This was one of the hardest moments of my life, and Oklahoma really kicked me when I was down.

Olsen said it sounded like Hoffmans doctor could have made the case to perform an abortion under the medical emergency or to preserve her life. But, he said, its complicated.

The doctors judgment of non-viable was likely correct, but sometimes you hear that physicians give a horrible report and then it turns out expectedly better, so theres always that risk, Olsen said. The doctor needs to do all he can to preserve the life of both of them.

Hoffman lost her job and spent nearly $6,000 on the procedure, hotel stay and other travel expenses that, she said, could have been avoided had physicians been allowed to care for her at home.

What happened to my daughter was a tragedy, Hoffman said. But what happened to me was the fault of the state of Oklahoma.

Whitney Bryen is an investigative reporter at Oklahoma Watch covering vulnerable populations. Her recent investigations focus on mental health and substance abuse, criminal justice, domestic violence and nursing homes. Contact her at 405-201-6057 or wbryen@oklahomawatch.org. Follow her on Twitter @SoonerReporter.

Oklahoma Watch, at oklahomawatch.org, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers public-policy issues facing the state.

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: Oklahoma abortion laws force women to travel for life-saving care
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority announced Tuesday the agency along with law enforcement in Kay County recently shut down five marijuana businesses. This comes after the authority recently increased scrutiny of Oklahoma's potential to overproduce and export the product, likely fed by illegal grows.

Responding to complaints about medical marijuana businesses in the Ponca City area, the authority and Kay County law enforcement from Sept. 11 to Sept. 14 performed 19 routine compliance inspections at licensed facilities and seized or embargoed 14,000 marijuana plants and 4,850 pounds of marijuana.

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority filed emergency orders that immediately shut down growers, pending further administrative action.

OMMA shut down five grow operations after citing illegal activities

According to the orders, on Sept. 11, investigators at Polar Lights LLC found six large blue storage containers filled with 160 pounds of untraceable and untagged marijuana. At JN Green Grow, officials found thousands of untagged and untraceable marijuana plants and numerous totes, coolers, plastic bags and trash bags filled with suspected illicit marijuana. On Sept. 13, there were 31 vacuum-sealed bags with untraceable marijuana were discovered at DIHOW. Investigators at Zhangs Farm found more than 3,400 untagged marijuana plants and untraceable harvested marijuana. Officers at L&L Magic Grower found 14 trash bags with 214 pounds of untraceable marijuana.

Authorities seek the public's help to reduce illegal grows

Voters approved Oklahoma's medical marijuana program in 2018 that launched with no limits on the number of marijuana producers, sellers or users. Nearly 10% of Oklahomans have a license to use marijuana.

Today, Oklahoma might be producing 64 times more marijuana than needed by licensed cannabis consumers, according to a June study released by the authority.

Data from the state's new seed-to-sale tracking system and surveys of more than 1,300 licensed marijuana users were used to create the report.

Officials say the significant oversupply is likely funneling large amounts of marijuana out of state and adding to the illegal market.

We encourage the public to notify our call center or use the business complaint form on our website when they suspect illegal activity in their area, authority Executive Director Adria Berry said in a statement. Our enforcement, compliance and legal teams stand ready to ensure the safety of our patients and their communities through swift action.

During the enforcement action, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority worked with investigators from the District 8 District Attorney Task Force, Kay County district attorneys office, Kay County Sheriffs Office, Ponca City Police Department and Osage County district attorney's office.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma officials seize thousands of untraceable marijuana plants
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska has appealed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and the United Nations as a whole, to help bring children abducted from the occupied territories back from Russia and home to Ukraine.

Source: Ukrinform

Details: Zelenska said over 19,500 Ukrainian children have been deported or forcibly removed by Russia: "And these are only the cases we know about for certain, because it seems that there may be hundreds of thousands of such children."

She recalled that the Office of the Prosecutor General has recorded 231 cases of sexual violence committed by the Russian military against civilians, including 13 children, 12 girls and one boy. The youngest victim at the time of the crime was just four years old.

The First Lady noted that Ukraine has lost 504 children, and hundreds more have suffered injuries that will affect them for the rest of their lives.

More than 3,700 schools in Ukraine have been destroyed. Half of Ukraines children are forced to study remotely, and a third have lost their homes or left them to become internally displaced persons within Ukraine or abroad.

Zelenska called for help to obtain data on children abducted by Russia, to stop them from being assimilated and forced into Russian citizenship, and to get children out of the occupied territories through special safe corridors.

So far, Ukraine has managed to bring back only 386 abducted children, and they all say the same thing, Zelenska said.

Quote: "They were told that their parents didnt need them. That nobody needs them. That their country doesn't need them. That no one is looking for them... The abducted children were told that they were no longer children of Ukraine, but children of Russia, that Ukraine never existed and never will exist, that it is part of Russia. That they should love Russia, not their homeland.

Taking this opportunity, I appeal to the UN Secretary-General and the entire Organisation: help us save Ukrainian children. On behalf of all the children of Ukraine, I ask you to make personal efforts so that they wont suffer anymore, so that this terrifying counter [counting the growing number of abducted children] stops.

Our children need justice, because everything that is happening is not the random crime of an individual criminal. This is a deliberate policy of the aggressors, and we are calling on the entire democratic world to ensure that the war criminals are punished."

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!
Global beverage giants instill long-lasting confidence in Chinese market

Xinhua) 10:13, September 20, 2023

SHANGHAI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- With a new coffee innovation park entering into operation in east China's Jiangsu Province, global beverage chain Starbucks has set a new milestone in its business in China.

The park enables China to be the first market in the company's global network to complete a fully scaled vertical integration "from bean-to-cup." With an investment of 220 million U.S. dollars, it is also the coffee giant's largest manufacturing and distribution investment outside the United States.

"As one of the largest consumer markets in the world, China presents tremendous opportunities for Starbucks," said Laxman Narasimhan, CEO of Starbucks Coffee Company, at the launch ceremony.

"The opening of this remarkable facility -- a first for us globally -- reinforces our long-term commitment to investing in our growth in China as well as our strategy to become a truly global company," noted Narasimhan in a letter to partners on Tuesday.

Located in the city of Kunshan, about a one-hour drive from Shanghai, the park covers an area of about 80,000 square meters and incorporates a roasting plant, an integrated distribution center, and an immersive experience center.

The pursuit of high-quality development and the coverage of the whole industrial chain have become the two key words for foreign investors to increase capital in China's beverage market in recent years.

In 2020, Italian coffee brand Lavazza opened its first store in Asia in Shanghai, focusing on promoting Italian food life. U.S. coffee chain Blue Bottle Coffee, which officially entered the Chinese mainland market in 2022, set up a roasting plant since its inception to bring small-batch freshly roasted coffee beans from Yemen, Costa Rica, and Bolivia to Chinese consumers.

Following the launch of the Starbucks innovation park, construction of another project by Swire Coca-Cola Ltd., a bottler of Coca-Cola beverages, will also commence soon. Prior to the latest project, the company had already expanded its production line in China's Guangdong, setting a new record for its single investment on the Chinese mainland.

The foreign beverage giants' continuous investment demonstrates their confidence in the Chinese economy and the recognition of an ever-growing market volume of the entire Chinese market, noted Zhu Danpeng, a food industry insider.

The scale of China's coffee industry has grown from 165.1 billion yuan (about 23 billion U.S. dollars) in 2021 to 200.7 billion yuan in 2022, and is expected to reach 369.3 billion yuan in 2025, with coffee becoming a daily necessity for more Chinese consumers, according to a report jointly published by domestic commercial data analysis firm CBNData and Shanghai Jiaotong University in May.

During his previous visit to Shanghai, Narasimhan specified that though Shanghai has become the city with the largest number of Starbucks stores in the world, there is still huge growth potential in terms of the average cups of coffee purchased.

"The average person in China drinks around 12 cups of coffee a year, compared to about 200 in Japan or 380 in the United States, presenting a clear runway for a growing coffee drinking culture in one of the world's largest consumer markets," Narasimhan noted.

Starbucks, therefore, has laid out a bold blueprint for its future in the Chinese market. Currently boasting a market footprint of over 6,500 stores across more than 250 Chinese cities, it aims to operate 9,000 stores across 300 Chinese cities by 2025.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  The Philippines ranked second worldwide when it comes to online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), according to the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).

"Other people all over the world look at us as unethical on the internet" Assistant Secretary and CICC Deputy Executive Director Mary Rose Magsaysay said during a budget hearing of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday.

DICT chief Ivan Uy added that poverty is the root cause of the problem and admitted that the agency lacks technical equipment to counter OSAEC.

READ: Cybercrimes in Metro Manila up by 152% in first half of 2023  PNP

"Iyong mga magulang tsaka kapitbahay, mga kapatid pinapakita nila iyong alam niyo na na mga bata online para kumita," Magsaysay said.

[Translation: Their parents, neighbors, siblings, they show these children online to make money.]

Senators, meanwhile, expressed shock and alarm over the lagging digital literacy of Filipinos while cases of child exploitation climb.

"Nakakalungkot sa sexual exploitation mataas tayo tapos sa attacks tayo rin ang ina-attack, tapos sa literacy tayo ang number 1 sa pinaka illiterate digitally," Sen. Loren Legarda said.

[Translation: It's sad that we are high in sexual exploitation, and we are also the ones being attacked, but in literacy we are number 1 among the most illiterate digitally.]

DICT is proposing a 8.729-billion budget for next year but appealed for a 5.6-billion increase, citing the need for CICC funding.

In a bid to reduce child exploitation cases online, Sen. Bato Dela Rosa raised the idea of blocking some online platforms. But Uy said the country needs an enabling law to execute it.

The Philippines was previously identified as a hotbed for online scams.

Last Aug. 18, authorities were able to seize 7 million in cash, 24,000 pre-registered SIM, over 9,000 cellphones, passports, credit cards, and documents like contracts from 32 vaults in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators hub in Pasay City.

READ: Nearly 7M, 24,000 SIM seized in POGO hub

"Ito isang facility lang ha, may 1 billion yung load tapos yung budget ng CICC, 320 million lang. [This facility alone has a 1 billion load while the CICC only has a 320-million budget]. You're really fighting Goliath," Sen. Grace Poe said.

-With reports from CNN Philippines correspondent Eimor Santos.
One person was killed and another injured in a fight Tuesday night outside an auto parts store in Kansas City, Kansas, which police say allegedly began as a shoplifting incident.

Officers responded to a disturbance around 6:20 p.m. at OReillys Auto Parts at 4700 Parallel Pkwy, where they found a man unresponsive outside the store, said officer Jovanna Cheatum, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.

Dispatchers said two men were stealing from the store, when a physical fight broke out between employees and the shoplifters.

One man, identified as one of the alleged shoplifters, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another man who also allegedly tried to steal from the store had minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in stable condition.

Police have a suspect in custody.

The killing was the 19th homicide in Kansas City, Kansas this year, according to data tracked by The Star, which includes fatal police shootings.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call the anonymous TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.
Hi OnPolitics readers! Its been a busy week in Washington, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle trying to dodge a government shutdown, Republicans investigating President Joe Biden and more.

 But lets catch up with the news out of New York, where world leaders gathered for the annual meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. USA TODAYs Michael Collins and Maureen Groppe are breaking down everything you need to know about challenges around the world, from the war in Ukraine to American tensions with China, Russia and Iran.

Israel: Biden sat down with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the summit, but its not exactly what the Israeli leader wanted. Netanyahu had been pushing to meet with Biden at the White House, but Biden has concerns over his plan to overhaul Israels judicial system.

Ukraine: The president also warned in an address that the world must stand with Ukraine: If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? Biden asked. I respectfully suggest the answer is no.

Iran: Ebrahim Raisi, Irans president, criticized the U.S. for pulling out of the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers in 2018: They represent the past, he said, and we are the future.

And Bette Midler? While Biden was in New York, he took time for fundraisers for his reelection campaign and told a story about a time he took his sons to a Bette Midler show.

Read more here: Here's what you need to know about United Nations General Assembly

Stay in the know on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel, Ukraine, Iran: Joe Biden visits the UN
The latest round of Operation Consequences included several arrests, and the seizing of firearms and drugs in Apple Valley, Adelanto and Victorville.

Apple Valley, Adelanto, and Victorville were listed among the latest crime suppression targets during Operation Consequences.

Led by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department, the week of crime suppression activity ending Sept. 15 included the following locations:

6800 Block of Bookasta Street, Adelanto

6800 Block of Bookasta Street, Adelanto

20200 Block of Yucca Loma Road, Apple Valley

4400 Block of Del Rosa Road, Victorville

16500 Block of D Street, Victorville

17300 Block of Jasmine Street, Victorville

2700 Block of Serrano Road, San Bernardino

2000 Block of E Highland Avenue, San Bernardino

3900 Block of Conejo Drive, San Bernardino

1500 Block of Magnolia Avenue, San Bernardino

3900 Block of Conejo Drive, San Bernardino

1500 Block of Magnolia Avenue, San Bernardino

1600 Block of Genevieve Street, San Bernardino

1600 Block of Genevieve Street, San Bernardino

7700 Block of Shasta Avenue, Highland

7200 Block of Stoney Creek Dr, Highland

2700 Block Del Norte Circle, Highland

14600 Block of Aliso Drive, Fontana

1200 Block of Baseline Road, Rialto

1400 Block of E Santo Antonio Drive, Colton

10900 Block of Locust Avenue, Bloomington

3700 Block of Duffy Street, Muscoy

The latest round of Operation Consequences included several arrests, and the seizing of firearms and drugs in Apple Valley, Adelanto and Victorville.

The operation included 28 search warrants where Investigators made 17 felony arrests and seized 19 firearms, four of which were unserialized or ghost guns. Investigators also seized nearly one pound of narcotics.

The operation was conducted by the sheriffs gangs/narcotics division and specialized enforcement division, and multiple patrol stations.

The latest round of Operation Consequences included several arrests, and the seizing of firearms and drugs in Apple Valley, Adelanto and Victorville.

Additionally, personnel from county probation, the California Highway Patrol, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Department of Homeland Security.

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Operation Consequences targets crime in Apple Valley, Victorville
Editors Note: Alexis Coe is a presidential historian, a fellow at New America and the author of, most recently, You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington. The views expressed here are her own. Read more opinion on CNN.

Presidential history is lousy with neer-do-well sons. John Quincy Adams was the earliest exception and the widely-admired Beau Biden the most recent, but for much of Americas nearly 250-year history, First Sons have been embarrassing their fathersbut until now, virtually none of them were considered grist to sway a presidential election.

Alexis Coe - Sylvie Rosokoff

Republicans are betting that President Joe Biden s other son Hunter, the first wayward offspring of a sitting president to be charged by the Justice Department, will cost his father dearly in the political arena. American history tells us a different story: Bad presidential sons are as old as the nation itself, yet political opponents have never thought weaponizing them would win an election.

If voters want the American Experiment to continue, they should view this unprecedented situation with alarm: Our democracy only functions when we play by the same rules. If there is evidence that a sitting president, a former president, a presidential candidate, a presidential heir or anyone else, has committed a crime, he or she should be held accountable. But in modern America, one party has just shown us that no one is above the law. The other appears to believe in an eye for an eyebut if they come up short, an eye for an heir will do just fine.

One founding father did try to warn us about this sort of thing. In his 1796 Farewell Address, George Washington cautioned friends and citizens against political parties sharpened by the spirit of revenge. It was clear even then that he was worried future generations might not heed his warning.

To be fair, this founding father was used to being ignored by younger generations. Washington, the subject of my last book, played Sisyphus to John (Jacky) Custis, his step-son, for 22 of his 26 years. I never did in my Life know a Youth so exceedingly indolent, or so surprisingly voluptuous, Jacks tutor, Reverend Jonathan Boucher, wrote to George Washington. But that was before Wash, Jacks son, was born. Washington described Wash, who he raised while president, as having almost unconquerable disposition to indolence in every thing that did not tend to his amusements. In addition to gambling, drinking and womanizing, historians believe Wash fathered at least 10 children with enslaved women.

Washington anticipated some ill effects power-hungry political parties could do to our democracy, but even he couldnt have imagined his successors in office Thomas Jefferson , James Madison and James Monroe, who Washington blamed for the rise of partisanship during his presidencywould target his family. The same was true for Madison. It was common knowledge that Madisons reckless stepson, John Payne Todd, was jailed on several occasions for debt and guns. I pitty our Good Brother Madison, John Adams wrote to Thomas Jefferson in 1817.

Robert Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln, between 1870 and 1880. - Heritage Images/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

You have tried your game of robbery long enough, Mary, Abraham Lincolns widow, wrote to Robert, their only surviving son, after a year-long campaign to free herself from the asylum hed damned her to. Robert, who wanted to be seen as Lincolns heir apparent, was determined to be the center of attention at the 10-year anniversary of his fathers assassination. He set her up for trial on insanity charges (which required a jury trial in Illinois) in a kangaroo court that was so appalling, the public rallied around Maryand turned on Robert.

And in the modern era, not much has changed. When George H.W. Bush was president, both of his sons made news. George W. Bush was best-known for partying, but Neil Bush was sued by federal regulators for allegedly violating conflict-of-interest regulations and failing to act to stop improper loans when he was the director of Silverado Banking, Savings and Loan. But he was allowed to settle out of court. And thats the way it usually goes.

Neil Bush testifies on day two at the House Banking, Finance & Urban Affairs Committee hearings about his role in the $1 billion failure of the Silverado Banking, and Savings and Loan, Washington DC, May 23,1990 - Mark Reinstein/Corbis Historical/Getty Images

I could write articles about all the presidents daughters, too. I can do one of two things, Theodore Roosevelt is quoted as saying about his attention-grabbing 19-year-old daughter. I can be President of the United States or I can control Alice Roosevelt. I cannot possibly do both. Patti Davis, Ronald Reagans daughter, protested her fathers administration, wrote a tell-all autobiography and posed for Playboy.

I could fill a book with the sad and sordid tales of the presidents bad relatives, but in particular, their sons. Itd be much easier than to sleuth through a presidential archive, which can yield few revelationsor none at all. But the sons, who take up very little space in those archives, are comparatively cheap thrills. My fan base might welcome a fun, fast bookbefore completely turning on me.

Devoted students of history would object to wasting precious time and resources on a nothingburger scandal about a presidents unelected son. Thats what social media is for.

If Hunter Biden dominates the news during the 2024 race while former President Donald Trump stands trial in multiple courtrooms, it wont be good for the Republican agenda, either. If Hunter fails to beat the gun charges using a Second Amendment argument, a favorite of conservatives, itll open the door to more gun reform. And itll expose another threadbare lie, too: Trump, who has been indicted four times while (in addition to denying wrongdoing) while whining about being targeted by political enemies, cant credibly claim to be tough on crimebut Biden can. If I were his biographer, I know just what I would write:

Unlike his immediate predecessor in office, who sought to bend the Justice Department to his will, President Joseph P. Biden is so deeply committed to equal justice that he empowered that department to pursue anyone they believed had broken the lawincluding his only surviving son.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Editors Note: Akanksha Singh is a Mumbai-based writer whose work has appeared in the BBC, The Independent, South China Morning Post and numerous other publications. The views expressed in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion at CNN.

India has changed the names of many of its towns and cities over the years. The port city and one-time capital Calcutta became Kolkata in 2001. The name of Indias financial capital Bombay, was changed to Mumbai in 1996. That same year, Madras was renamed Chennai. Over the years, even some roads, railway stations and markets have been renamed. The idea, we Indians were told each time, was to allow the nation to make a clean break once and for all with its colonial past.

Akanksha Singh - Courtesy of Akanksha Singh

Now, the most dramatic rebranding of all may be in the offing.

Earlier this month, India hosted the G20 gathering of the worlds richest nations. A dinner invitation from Indian President Droupadi Murmu described her as the President of Bharat, prompting rampant speculation in political and journalistic circles that a formal name change could be in the countrys future.

As the inaugural G20 sessions got underway, suspicions heightened: The nameplate at Prime Minister Narendra Modi s seat identifying the country he represented read Bharat instead of India. Indian officials, meanwhile, wore badges with the words Bharat Official.

Those clues dropped at the G20 might have been a long run-up to a grand unveiling.

Various media outlets are reporting that the Modi government may put forward a resolution during a special session of Indias parliament this week to officially change the countrys name to Bharat, although no agenda has been officially announced. On Tuesday, Modi proposed a new name for the old parliament building itself, suggesting it be called Samvidhan Sadan going forward.

The question on the minds of many people who follow events in India, is why any name change would be needed. Bharat, which means India in Hindi, is already one of the countrys two official names. In fact, Article 1 of the nations constitution, reads: India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states.

What seems patently clear to me is that this proposed rebranding has nothing to do with stamping out the vestiges of a reviled colonial past. The goal, which has been at the forefront of the Modi governments agenda, is to erase every facet of Indian history that doesnt feed its right-wing Hindu ideology.

Indeed, the state goal of Modis Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is to make India a Hindu rashtra (nation). A name change to Bharat would be, first and foremost, about Hindu nationalism. Its an opportunity to double down on Indias Hindu identity, even in the name by which it is called. Wiping away the vestiges of British rule, is no longer the main goal, if indeed it ever was.

Since coming to power in 2014, Modi has made life increasingly difficult for Indias 200 million Muslims, the countrys largest minority group, (they make up about 14% of the population) which faces discrimination in finding work and in getting an education, and who increasingly are targets of communal violence.

Since his reelection in 2019, conditions for Indias Muslims have only worsened, as the government ramps up policies that critics say attempt to divest Muslims of their rights and seeks to disenfranchise them.

Against that backdrop, the name changes being carried out by the Modi government may seem a comparatively small slight, but erasure is yet another insult to an already beleaguered community. Indeed, in recent years, several towns and cities whose names reflect the Muslim empires that dominated the Indian subcontinent centuries ago have been renamed by BJP governments.

In 2018, the northern city of Allahabad, founded by Mughal emperor Akbar, was changed to Prayagraj. A nearby historic railway exchange, Mughalsarai Junction was renamed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, honoring a 20th century Hindu nationalist leader, after being scrubbed of the name Mughalsarai. The list of name changes is long and growing.

The decision by Modis move to signal the name change at the G20 was curious. For months before the start of the event, officials planning the event had been referring to the host country as India. Perhaps the idea was to field test the new name at the G20, where the world would be watching, to gauge what international reaction would be, and to sniff out possible public disapproval within India.

In fact, there has been considerable opposition to changing Indias name. During a recent European tour to meet with politicians and prominent members of the Indian diaspora, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called the proposition of a name change absurd.

Even if Modi proposes renaming the country as Bharat, some experts say changing Indias name would require a constitutional amendment and therefore two-thirds support of both houses of parliament  a heavy lift, since the opposition would be unlikely to support it. The debate is a live one, however: Some disagree, saying that no amendment to the constitution would be needed to change Indias name.

If the measure were to succeed, there would a price to pay, as there always is for these kinds of sweeping, symbolic changes. According to some, this particular name change could cost tens of millions of dollars. Landmarks would have to be re-inscribed, maps redrawn, books reprinted.

And in the event that this name change goes through, theres the question of how it is to be put into place and how far officials plan to take the name change. Does the RBI  the Reserve Bank of India  become the RBB? Do the countrys Indian Institutes of Technology become BITs? Has any of this even been thought through?

Its an enormous expenditure of capital in what is the worlds fifth largest economy, which has the worlds largest population, but a per capita income that is one-quarter that of Chinas.

What else might Modi do with those funds to improve the lives of the people of India (or Bharat, if you must)? And where else might he direct the nations focus and energies? For starters India is roiling with rampant ethnic violence. Ive not heard Modi address the alarming spiral of violence in the northeastern state of Manipur, from where a particularly horrific sexual assault captured on video continues to shock the conscience of the nation.

Here are some things Id address in Modis shoes: Several activists, poets, lawyers, journalists, academics, and musicians are still in jail under a draconian anti-terror law that the government exercises at its own will, without accountability or any indication of a timeline. I think that the worlds largest democracy might work toward living up to the name and free or at the very least, properly prosecute those activists who have been imprisoned.

I might also look for ways to address the countrys staggeringly high unemployment rates. And perhaps the government could look for ways to address the plight of women, religious minorities and caste-based minorities remain unsafe, while its human rights record is getting worse all the time.

There are some hopeful signs. The United Nations and humanitarian groups have condemned New Delhis actions against the Muslim minority, although BJP has repeatedly pushed back against criticisms, stating somewhat duplicitously that it respects all religions.

Encouragingly, earlier this year, amid the headlong rush to rename Indias towns and villages, the Supreme Court rejected a petition to rename vast numbers of historical sites, saying that the proposal went against the principle of secularism enshrined in the Constitution.

We are secular and supposed to protect the Constitution. You are concerned about the past and dig it up to place its burden on the present, the court ruling said.

Very much so. And its a message Modi and his political companions should heed.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The American Heritage School choir stands between two giant American flags during the Constitution Month kickoff event at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. Civics education helps the next generation understand the values of the Constitution. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

When the American founders came together in the muggy summer days of Philadelphia in 1787, they represented vastly different geographic areas, political perspectives, religious views and economic outlooks. They sweated out nearly four months behind closed doors and windows because they were committed to the fledgling nation of the United States of America.

That joint endeavor enabled the birth of the U.S. Constitution and the strengthening of our young country. Though imperfect, the Constitution contained the seeds with which to improve itself  such as through amendments in the Bill of Rights, those of Reconstruction, the 19th granting womens suffrage, and more.

Like the founders, Americas parents and teachers are engaged in a joint endeavor to strengthen our country by supporting our students. They recognize the need to shore up our civics education to include knowledge, skills, dispositions and virtues. These are taught first in the home and second in the schools. This collaboration is vital to the strength of our unity and the robustness of our democratic republic.

Civics education is multifaceted. Its knowledge dimension embodies an understanding of the facts and concepts about our nations history and government, including the miracle at Philadelphia in 1787. We must also recognize the many missing from early American concepts of We the People. Civics-related skills are those required to effectively participate in civic and political life, such as thoughtful speech, listening and collaboration. Dispositions are personal commitments to the ideals important to democracy, such as allegiance to the constitutional rights and freedoms of others, respect for the rule of law, and a recognition of the need for reason and humility.

But it is the quality of civic virtues that lays the foundation for all other components, and these are often first ingrained in the home. According to the National Constitution Center, civic virtues describe the personal qualities associated with the effective functioning of the civil and political order or the preservation of its values and principles. Civic virtue includes public spiritedness, charity, civility, courage, integrity, prudence and justice. Most of these virtues have in common, according to Judge Thomas B. Griffith, the deliberate decision to set aside personal interests and seek the well-being of others and the nation. Significantly, notes the National Constitution Center, (T)he Founders designed the American republic with those qualities in mind and believed they were essential to upholding it.

Related

Moreover, for many in the early colonies and new republic, the American Revolution and efforts to form a constitution were not only a civic but also a family affair  both women and men hoped, worked and sacrificed for independence and then debated what form of government would be necessary to govern We the People. Nowhere is this better exemplified than in the correspondence between the members of the Abigail and John Adams family during the period of the American founding.

In a letter to John dated Nov. 27, 1775, Abigail expressed her apprehension over what type of government would soon arise: a Monarchy or democracy or what ever is to take place ... (B)ut whatever occurs, may justice and righteousness be the Stability of our times. ... Great difficulties may be surmounted, by patience and perseverance. Here we see her concern, above all else, for the preservation of civic virtues, including justice and righteousness, patience and perseverance. A few months later, as she continued to contemplate the new government to be established, Abigail reminded John to Remember the Ladies, and ... (d)o not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands.

Finally, as Abigail and Johns son John Quincy Adams traveled to France in 1780, his mother encouraged the development of the virtues she saw in her husband. To truth she suggested adding justice, fortitude, and every Manly Virtue which can adorn a good citizen. Abigails lifelong dedication to civic virtues explains the opening line of her obituary: This lady was not more elevated by rank, than eminent by her virtues. By likewise promoting civic virtues, we contribute to this joint endeavor.

As you consider how you will support our democratic republic, be willing to expand your understanding of patriotism and love of country. While many of us demonstrate these things by dressing in red, white and blue, waving the flag, or reciting the pledge of allegiance, the founders concern was more about our ability to develop civic virtues and practice self-restraint. Individual self-government, they believed, was foundational for public self-government.

We at the Civic Thought and Leadership Initiative and the Center for Constitutional Studies at Utah Valley University support the joint effort that parents and teachers are making in the civic education of Utahs students. Next month, we will host our annual civics-educator conference. This year, our audience will not only be teachers; parents will participate as well. Were calling it Home Cooking with Schoolhouse Seasoning: Teachers and Parents Partnering on Civics.

Together, We the People  families, parents, teachers, children  can support one another in this joint endeavor to raise up a new generation with the civics knowledge, skills, dispositions, and particularly virtues needed to sustain our democratic republic.

Lisa R. Halverson is a Civics Education Fellow at Utah Valley Universitys Center for Constitutional Studies.
Tina Cordova grew up in a small town close to where the U.S. government detonated the first nuclear bomb in the desert of New Mexico.

Her family has lived in New Mexico for six generations and shes collected the stories of people who were as close to 12 miles away from where they tested the bomb.

They didnt have running water, they collected the rain for cooking and bathing. They didnt have electricity or grocery stores and ate food produced on their land. The government didnt warn them before the first nuclear test. Ash fell from the sky and contaminated their water supply and their food.

Cordova, who is in her 60s, is the fourth generation in her family to have thyroid cancer. When she was diagnosed at 39, the doctors asked when she was exposed to radiation. Her 23-year-old niece was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Shes the fifth generation.

This is our history, Cordova said Tuesday, at a press conference out side of the Capitol. This is the legacy of the nuclear development and testing that took place in our country during the Cold War and before. And it is time for justice.

Cordova, the co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, is among a group of advocates pushing to expand a 1990 law called the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which provides a one-time payment for people who have certain diseases  like thyroid cancer  either because they were downwind of nuclear tests or because they worked in uranium mines helping to create the bombs.

But the original act only covers some areas  it doesnt cover people who were downwind of the first bomb tested in New Mexico. It doesnt include the people who were exposed to radioactive material used to make nuclear bombs for the Manhattan Project in St. Louis County in the 1940s, where nuclear waste spilled into Coldwater Creek.

But now, the activists are close to seeing the change. Sen. Josh Hawley, a Missouri Republican spurred by evidence of contamination at Jana Elementary School in St. Louis County, teamed up with Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat who has long pushed for expansion of the original act.

The two were able to get an amendment into the Senates version of the National Defense Authorization Act  the bill that funds the countrys military  with the support of 61 senators.

Listen, this is a basic principle, Hawley said. If a government is going to create a disaster the government should clean it up. If the government is going to expose its own citizens, to radioactive material, radioactive waste, radioactive contamination for decades, the government ought to pay the bills of the men and women who had gotten sick because of it.

Advocates are hopeful that the legislation will pass, especially amid new attention to the first nuclear test in the aftermath of the hit Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer, about the scientist, Dr. Robert J. Oppenheimer, who led the Manhattan Project.

Both the House and Senate have passed different versions of the National Defense Authorization Act, which means the two chambers need to negotiate over the details. Lawmakers were appointed to a conference committee to iron out the deal this week.

Hawley and Lujan pushed to expand the benefits to people in Missouri, near the Coldwater Creek site, and to people in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah who were downwind from nuclear testing. It also expands benefits to some people who mined uranium until 1990. It increases the amount people

The senators will have to convince the members serving on the conference committee to keep the language in the bill.

Dawn Chapman, a Missourian who founded Just Moms St. Louis, has pushed for Missourians to be eligible for benefits. She said the Senate vote moved mountains and that she had faith the House would get on board too.

Were not asking for a handout, Chapman said. Were asking for the extension of a program thats already in existence.
Oregon State Hospital administrators have corrected three workplace safety violations identified in 2022 by Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The Oregon State Hospital has submitted a plan to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for improving secure transport of patients to and from the hospital following a citation from CMS Friday ordering immediate action.

The need for safety improvements came to light following the recent hospital escape of Christopher Lee Pray, an extremely dangerous patient currently facing 21 charges, including attempted murder and assault.

Pray, who was in full restraints, was being returned to Oregon State Hospital following an emergency medical care visit to Salem Health the night of Aug. 31. Employees transporting Pray stepped out of the vehicle to assist him, leaving the keys in the ignition, according to a CMS report.

Pray took the opportunity to jump into the driver's seat and drive off. He was caught in Portland Sept. 2.

A CMS surveyor came to the hospital following the incident and cited Oregon State Hospital for issues related to safe transport of patients involved in the criminal justice system, specifically aid and assist and guilty except for insanity patients.

Aid and assist patients like Pray are facing criminal charges but have been found unable to aid their lawyers in their defense due to a mental illness. Guilty except for insanity patients have been convicted of a crime but were determined to have done so without intent or unknowingly due to a mental illness.

Without a safe and secure transport process, these justice-involved patients are likely to suffer serious adverse outcomes by eloping from OSH, such as engaging in risky behavior that could lead to injury or death to themselves or others and remaining unmonitored in the community, the corrective action plan submitted by the state hospital reads.

Corrective actions

The state hospital was given 23 days to make changes to address CMS findings. If it failed to do so, its eligibility to receive Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement would be terminated.

The corrective action plan submitted Wednesday includes the following actions for improving transport safety:

Using secure vehicles with barriers between the front and back seats to transport patients involved in the justice system.

Only allowing patients to enter and exit vehicles within enclosed garages.

Ensuring hospital staff has control of vehicle keys at all times.

Having employees involved in transport complete a departure and arrival trip checklist to ensure the above protocols have been followed.

Providing additional training to staff on new transport protocols.

The hospital confirmed it will have these changes completed by Sept. 27.

The plan now awaits approval from CMS, and a surveyor is expected to conduct another unannounced visit to ensure the state hospital is implementing actions outlined in the plan.

Sydney Wyatt covers healthcare inequities in the Mid-Willamette Valley for the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions, and tips to her at SWyatt@gannett.com, (503) 399-6613, or on Twitter @sydney_elise44

The Statesman Journals coverage of healthcare inequities is funded in part by the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, which seeks to strengthen the cultural, social, educational, and spiritual base of the Pacific Northwest through capacity-building investments in the nonprofit sector.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon State Hospital must make immediate safety improvements
Orem Mayor David Young was assaulted after Tuesdays City Council meeting where he ranted for 20 minutes over news articles about the city and disparaged a reporter. The daughter of the reporter is accused of the assault. | City of Orem

The daughter of a newspaper reporter was arrested Tuesday and accused of assaulting Orem Mayor David Young after a City Council meeting in which Young ranted for 20 minutes about news articles and repeatedly disparaged the reporter.

After the meeting, Linnea Pugmire, 31, of Orem, confronted the mayor and at some point spit on him and slapped him, according to a police booking affidavit.

"Pugmire admitted to being upset at the mayor over personal concerns with family," the affidavit says. "While speaking with the victims and witnesses of this incident, officers also learned there was a second victim who had been hit and spit on." The arrest report does not identify the second person.

Pugmire was booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of assault, disorderly conduct, propelling a bodily substance and threatening elected officials.

In a video recorded by a witness, Pugmire is seen saying, "How dare you?" multiple times to the mayor before appearing to spit on him. She continues arguing with the mayor and others in the video, saying "he deserves it." After a few minutes of arguing, Pugmire lurches towards the mayor, hitting him, and then appears to hit a woman next to him.

Daily Herald Managing Editor Ryan Christner confirmed Linnea Pugmire's family relationship to her mother, but declined any other comment on the incident.

In a YouTube recording of the City Council meeting, Young spent about 20 minutes pointing out several Daily Herald articles, complaining about headlines, the placement of stories, as well as questioning the news value and reporting in "off the rails articles," at times offering other topics that could have been reported that would be more complimentary.

"I would encourage you  well, I am not going to encourage you to look at it, it's a waste of your time," the mayor said about one of the articles about alleged censorship at an Orem library.

The mayor spent considerable time complaining about news stories about him, including a weekend story about a $1 million fraud lawsuit in Alabama that the mayor was named in last year.

"It's just mind-blowing the disconnect. What's going on in this newspaper versus what's going on in reality?" he said.

Young then accused reporter Genelle Pugmire of being in "cahoots" with an attorney on the opposite side in the personal civil case he is fighting.

"Who on earth works with an opposing attorney if you're trying to find the truth?" he asked. "So Danny Evans  the attorney we have been working against for the last 16 months  is in cahoots with Genelle Pugmire writing an article in Utah? And there's no reaching out to any other side?" the mayor said.

Yet the mayor went on to say that the reporter had actually reached out to him for comment on Thursday, but he didn't notice until Friday afternoon after he had been hiking.

Young, his real estate company Torch13 LLC, and his son were ordered by an Alabama judge to pay more than $1 million in a lawsuit over fraudulent business loans in 2022. The judge called the Orem mayor "a lynchpin to this fraud" and said both Young and his son were "extremely lacking in credibility."

Young later sued his former daughter-in-law and an Alabama man for what he claims was an illegal scheme designed to defraud him and his real estate company.

During Tuesday's City Council meeting, the mayor again said he did nothing wrong, was not involved in the Alabama fraud case and called it a dispute between his son and his son's friend. The mayor said he has appealed the $1 million judgment to the Alabama Supreme Court, calling it a "desperate money grab that I will continue to defend myself against."

Young also told the council he questions why Utah media have covered the judgment against him when no media organizations in Alabama have covered the case. He says it is a civil disagreement that "normally gets no press. Anyone who knows anything about anything knows that," the mayor said.

"These kind of articles promote extreme divisiveness," Young said. "It is sad when people work so hard to increase contention and divide our community for political gain. It is pathetic and we should all push back against it."

Young said Orem is a model for other cities and there are great things happening despite what news articles about the city show.

"Orem is better than this and let's work together to end the misinformation and division," the mayor said in ending the meeting, to which he received a standing ovation from all seven City Council members and many in the audience.

A statement from Orem city officials was given to KSL.com on Wednesday.

"We are deeply troubled by this incident because City Hall should be a place for civil civic dialogue where everyone feels safe and protected. The security and safety of our public officials is a top priority. The city of Orem will continue to promote civility at all times and ask for the public to join us in this effort," the statement reads.
Julian Brunt/Special to the Sun Herald

Julian Brunt/Special to the Sun Herald

The Louisiana Health Department cited more than 50 restaurants in Slidell and New Orleans for critical conditions, including five that didnt label shrimp and crawfish as imported and several whose ice machine wasnt clean.

Restaurants are cited for critical violations that are more likely to lead to food contamination or illness and must be corrected immediately. These violations are similar to a C grade in Mississippis restaurant inspection grading system.

Non-critical violations are issues that could become critical if left uncorrected, according to the Retail Food Inspection website, and should be corrected by the next regular inspection, or according to the compliance schedule.

Louisiana waits a week after the inspection to release the reports. These restaurants inspected between Aug. 8 and Sept. 11 had critical violations:

Slidell

SOGO Japanese Restaurant, 3091 Pontchartrain Dr., Slidell, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 14. It was cited for:

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch (repeat)

Corrected on site were:

 Employees were drinking in food preparation area or other area where food equipment were stored

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat (repeat)

 Raw animal food with different cooking temperatures not separated to prevent cross contamination (repeat)

It also had six non-critical violations, three of them repeat.

All critical violations were corrected at a follow-up inspection Aug. 17.

Which Wich, 664 Town Center Parkway, Slidell, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 14. It was cited for:

 Cold-holding temperatures not 41 degrees or below

 Improper solution for warewashing

Corrected on site was employee was eating in a food preparation area or where food or equipment was stored.

It also had one non-critical violation

Western Steel had a follow-up inspection Aug. 14. It was cited for not having a current food safety certificate.

Corrected during the inspection was flies present (repeat)

It also had one non-critical violation.

Another follow-up inspection on Aug. 24 showed all critical violations were corrected.

Not Just Donuts, 3162 Pontchatrain, Slidell, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 21.

It was cited for: Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  ice machine

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Food consists in whole or in part of a filthy, putrid, or decomposed substance. Damaged goods to be returned should be labeled

 Chemicals are stored with/above food, equipment, utensils,

It also had 10 non-critical violations, four of them repeat violations.

A follow-up inspection on Aug. 24 showed all critical violations were corrected. Four repeat non-critical violations remain.

Brunos Taqueria, 2060 Old Spanish Trail, Slidell, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 10. It was cited for seven critical violations:

 Food prepared on premises held for more than 24 hours not date marked

 Food cold-holding temperature not at 41 degrees or below

 State food safety certificate not held by owner or designated employee

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food

 Equipment or utensils not constructed of approved materials

 Flies present

Corrected on site was hot water provided to all fixtures and equipment

It also had four non-critical violations.

A follow-up inspection Aug. 14 showed no violations.

The Soda Shop, 301 Cousin St., Slidell, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 16. It was cited for improper chlorine sanitizer concentration for warewashing.

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Food prepared on premises and held under refrigeration not disposed of after seven days

 Raw animal food not separated from, or placed above, ready to eat food

It also had four non-critical violations

Circle K, 101 S. Military Road, Slidell, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 30. It was cited for:

 Food was held at temperature of less than 135 degrees - peanuts and hot hold sandwich area.

Corrected on site were chemicals stored with or above food or equipment

It also had four no-critical violations.

A follow-up inspection on Sept. 1 showed no critical violations.

Circle K, 60545 Hwy. 11, Slidell, was inspected Sept. 7 after a complaint. It was cited for rodents present.

Corrected during the inspection was:

Food prepared, packed, or held under conditions where it may have been contaminated  bitten through food items done by rodents

It also had two repeat, non-critical items: Openings are not protected against the entry of rodents or insects and floors are not clean  rodent droppings.

A follow-up inspection on Sept. 11 showed no critical violations but six new non-critical violations.

Circle K, 1900 Shortcut Hwy., Slidell, had a routine, renewal inspection Sept. 7. It was cited for flies present.

Corrected during the inspection was hot holding temperature below 135 degrees.

It also had four non-critical violations.

A follow-up inspection on Sept. 11 showed all critical violations were corrected.

NOLA Southern Grill, 1375 Gause Blvd., Slidell, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 18. It was cited for:

 Food contact surfaces and utensils are not clean to sight and touch

 Chlorine sanitizer for warewashing not at correct levels

 Sufficient quantity of hot water not provided to meet peak demands

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Food prepared on premises held for more than 24 hours not date marked (repeat)

 Chemicals stored with or above food or equipment (repeat)

It also had four non-critical violations.

The restaurant had a follow-up inspection Aug. 29 and there were no critical violations.

New Orleans

Melbas Seafood, 3219 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 31. It was cited for:

 Imported crawfish and shrimp are not identified as specified by law

Corrected on site were:

 Food prepared on premises and held more than 24 hours not date marked

 Hot holding temperatures of less than 135 degrees (repeat)

 Food not marked with the time when it would be cooked, served or discarded.

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food (repeat)

It also had eight non-critical violations.

Landrys on the Lake, 8000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 31, It was cited for:

 Imported crawfish and shrimp are not identified as specified by law

 Food prepared on premises held for more than 24 hours not date marked

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food

Corrected on site were:

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food

 Chemicals stored with or above food or equipment

It also had nine non-critical violations.

Thaid Up, 1839 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 11. It was cited for: Imported crawfish and shrimp are not identified as specified by law.

Corrected during the inspection was cold holding temperatures not at 41 degrees or below.

It also had four non-critical violations.

Mr. Eds Oyster Bar & Fish House, 301 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 7. It was cited for:

 Imported crawfish and shrimp are not identified as specified by law

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Cold holding temperatures not 41 degrees or below

 Raw animal foods with different cooking temperatures not separated to prevent cross-contamination

 Improper quatenary ammonium solution for warewashing

It also had five non-critical violations.

Hunan Wok, 2201 St. Bernard Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 6. It was cited for:

 Imported crawfish and shrimp are not identified as specified by law

Corrected during the inspection was: Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food

It also had four non-critical violations.

Elizabeths Restaurant, 601 Gallier St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 14. It was cited for:

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch

 Warewashing equipment used as food contact surfaces are not cleaned as required  dish racks

 Three compartment sink not used in proper sequence to wash, rinse, sanitize

Corrected during the inspection were

 Cold holding temperatures not at 41 degrees of lower

 Approved cooling method not used to meet temperatures

Roaches present  recent pest control

It also had 11 non-critical violations.

Corner Oyster House, 500 St. Peter St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 15.

It had five critical violations, four of which were corrected during the inspection.

It was cited for: backflow prevention device not installed on threaded faucet where a hose is attached.

Corrected on site were:

 Food prepared on premises and held under refrigeration was not disposed of after 7 days

 Raw animal foods with different cooking requirements are not separated to prevent cross contamination (repeat)

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  can opener (repeat)

 Three compartment sink not used in proper sequence to wash, rinse, sanitize

 Chemicals stored with or above food or equipment

It also had 12 non-critical violations, eight of them repeat violations

South Philly Steak and Fries, 500 Port of New Orleans, suite 230, New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 15. It was cited for food contact surfaces and utensils are not clean to sight and touch  ice machine

Corrected during the inspection was chemicals stored above food equipment (repeat)

It also had two non-critical violations.

Juniors, 789 Harrison Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 10. It had was cited for:

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  soda gun

 Approved sanitizer not used during warewashing

Corrected during the inspection was: Employee did not wash hands and exposed portions of arms.

It also had three non-critical violations.

Schiros Deli and Bar, 2483 Royal St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 14. It was cited for:

 Food prepared on premises and held for more than 24 hours not date marked (repeat)

 Food not prepared with least possible manual contact, with suitable utensils and on surfaces that were cleaned, rinsed and sanitized prior to use to prevent cross-contamination

 Raw animal foods with different cooking temperatures not separated to prevent cross contamination

 Roaches are present

Corrected during the inspection was: Direct connection between the drainage system and a drain line originating from food handling equipment

It also had 10 non-critical violations.

A follow-up inspection on Aug. 22 showed no critical violations and five non-critical violations, three of them repeat violations and one of which was corrected on site.

Waffle House, 5801 Read Blvd., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 23. It was cited for:

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to site and touch - ice machine, mugs, scoop

 Flies are present

It also had 17 non-critical violations.

Leos Caboose Restaurant, 1520 Delachaise St., New Orleans had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 31. It was cited for:

 Food prepared on premises held for more than 24 hours not date marked

 Approved cooling method not used to meet temperature requirements

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food

 Medicines or first-aid supplies stored with or above food or equipment

It also had eight non-critical violations.

Traceys, 2604 Magazine St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 25. It was cited for:

 No food safety certification (repeat)

 Chemicals are stored with or above food or equipment

Corrected during the inspection was: Sufficient quantity of hot water not provided to meet the peak demands in the food establishment.

It also had six non-critical violations.

The Bower bar, 1320 Magazine St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 30. It was cited for flies present.

It also had three non-critical violations.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ, 400 Lafayette St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 8. It was cited for food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to site and touch  ice machine.

Corrected during the inspection was cold holding temperatures not at 41 degrees or lower.

It also had four non-critical violations.

Magazine Pizza, 1068 Magazine St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 16. It was cited for:

 No current food safety certificate

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  soda machine.

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Food packaging not in good condition  dented can

 Employee did not wash hands and exposed portions of arms while handling food

It also had five non-critical violations.

At a follow-up inspection on Aug. 21, the restaurant was cited for food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  soda machine

Caesars Superdome, the Crown Royal Signature Kitchen, 1500 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 17 and was cited for a rusty grill. It also had five non-critical violations.

North Endzone Feature Bar at the Superdome had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 17. It was cited for hot not water provided to the handsink. It also had three non-critical violations.

Shaytiggs, 7190 Downman Road, New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 23. It was cited for having roaches present.

Corrected during the inspection was cold holding temperatures not at 41 degrees or below.

It also had five non-critical violations.

A follow-up inspection the next day on Aug. 24 showed all critical violations corrected and three non-critical violations.

Peche, 800 Magazine St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 25. It was cited for: Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  ice machine

Corrected during the inspection was: Chemicals stored with or above food or equipment

It also had five non-critical violations

China House, 7040 Bullard Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 30. It was cited for:

 Ready to eat food prepared on premises held 24 hours not date marked

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food (repeat)

Corrected during the inspection was:

 Food has been prepared, packaged or held under unsanitary conditions

 Employee was eating in a food preparation area or other area where food or equipment were stored

It also had 14 non-critical violations.

Cafe at the Square, 500 Saint Charles Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 30. It was cited for:

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  ice machine

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food (repeat)

 Chemicals stored with or above food or equipment

It also had one non-critical violation.

Ruby Slipper, 315 S. Broad St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 30. It was cited for: Flies present.

Corrected during the inspection were:

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food (repeat)

 Food contact surfaces and utensils are not clean to sight and touch.

It also had 12 non-critical violations.

El Gato Negro II, 300 Harrison Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 28. It was cited for:

 Chlorine sanitizer for warewashing not at correct levels (repeat)

Corrected on site were:

 Food cold-holding at 41 degrees or below

 Chemicals stored with or above food and equipment

It also had four non-critical violations.

A follow-up inspection Aug. 29 found no violations.

Tacos & Beer, 1622-26 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 6. It was cited for improper chlorine sanitizer concentration for warewashing. Corrected during the inspection were:

 Food prepared on site and held for more than 24 hours not date marked (repeat)

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food (repeat)

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  can opener

It also had six non-critical violations.

A follow-up inspection on Sept. 11 showed the critical violation with improper chlorine concentration was not corrected.

Suis Generis, 3219 Burgundy St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 8. It was cited for:

 Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  ice baffle

 Hot water not provided to all equipment as required  restroom

It also had four non-critical violations.

Parasols, 2533 Constance St., New Orleans had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 8. It was cited for:

 Cold holding temperatures not 41 degrees or below

Corrected on site were:

 Food prepared on premises and held for more than 24 hours not date marked (repeat)

 Raw animal food not separated from ready to eat food (repeat)

 Chemicals stored with or above food or equipment (repeat)

It also had two non-critical violations

Our Bar, (Back Space Bar), 139 Chartres St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Aug. 29. It was cited for:

 Equipment/utensil with which food is prepared, held or served, not cleaned, rinsed and sanitized prior to use

 Food contact surfaces not clean to sight and touch  ice machine (repeat)

 Improper quaternary ammonium solution for warewashing (repeat)

It also had six non-critical violations, three of them repeats.

A follow-up inspection on Sept. 6 showed no critical violations.

NOLA Taphouse (bar), 1128 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 8. It was cited for Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  soda gun

It also had three non-critical violations

NOLA Sugar & Spice Deli, 237 Royal St., New Orleans, had a routine renewal inspection Sept. 1. It was cited for:

 Equipment/utensils with which food is prepared, held or served, not cleaned, rinsed and sanitized prior to use

 Three compartment sink not used in proper sequence to wash, rinse and sanitized  sink stoppers not available

 Chemicals stored with or above food or equipment

It also had seven non-critical violations.

All critical violations were corrected during a follow-up inspection on Sept. 6.

Burger King, 2727 Canal St., New Orleans, had a routine/renewal inspection Sept. 7. It was cited for:

 Flies present

Food contact surfaces and utensils not clean to sight and touch  ice machine

 Food not marked with the time when it would be cooked, served or discarded.

There also were three non-critical violations.

Venezia, 134 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, was inspected Sept. 7 following a complaint. It was cited for:

 Food prepared on premises and held more than 24 hours not date marked (repeat)

 Plumbing system not installed in accordance with sanitary code.

It also had two non-critical violations.

No food safety certification - 29

 Burger King, 120 Brownswitch Road, Slidell

 Dominos Pizza, 550 Old Spanish Trail, Slidell (repeat)

 Gilligis Island, 4826 Pontchartrain Dr., Slidell

 Panda Express, 1638 Gause Blvd., Slidell (repeat)

 Pearls Seafood Market and PoBoys restaurant, 502 Gause Blvd., Slidell

 Redfish Fuel, 3605 3605 Pontchartrain Dr., Slidell

 Adrians Bakery & Ice Cream, 4710 Paris Ave., New Orleans

 The Avenue Pub, 1732 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans

 Avenue Cafe, 1907 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans

 Bamboulas Kitchen, 514-16 Frenchmen St., New Orleans (repeat)

 Bywater American Best, 2900 Chartres St., New Orleans

 The Franklin, 2600 Dauphine St., New Orleans (repeat)

 French Market Restaurant, 1001 Decatur St., New Orleans

 Frenchmen Praline, 542 Frenchmen St., New Orleans (repeat)

 Great American Cookies Riverwalk, 500 Port of New Orleans (repeat)

 Guss World Famous Chicken, 308 Diamond St., New Orleans

 Hi Ho Lounge, 2239 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans

 Mr Bubbles Cafe, 1441 Canal St., New Orleans

 New Orleans Pelican Cafe, 5800 Airline Drive, Metairie

 Parish Parlor, 1912 Magazine St., New Orleans

 Popeyes Famous Fried Chicken, 5757 Read Blvd., New Orleans

 Poppas Seafood & Deli, 3311 N. Galvez St., New Orleans

 The Quisby, 1225 Saint Charles Ave., New Orleans

 Sukothai Restaurant, 2200 Royal St., New Orleans - 13 non-critical violations

 Tutti Frutti Lakeview, 6300 Canal Blvd., New Orleans

 Vaucresson Creole Cafe & Deli, 1800 Saint Bernard Ave., New Orleans

 Voodoo Chicken and Daiquiris, 227 Bourbon St., New Orleans (repeat)

 Waffle House, 11951 I-10 Service Road, New Orleans

 We Dats Chicken & Shrimp, 9820 Lake Forest Blvd., New Orleans
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  The Philippines is studying the possibility of taking China to court again, the government said on Wednesday, as it considers its legal options following the reported massive damage to coral reefs in the West Philippine Sea suspected to be the East Asian giant's doing.

According to Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, his office has begun studying the courses of actions the country can take over issues in the contested waters.

Among them is filing a complaint before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague, Netherlands.

"Filing a new complaint before the PCA is indeed one legal option that will be covered by the OSG (Office of the Solicitor General) study," Guevarra told CNN Philippines in a text message.

In 2013, the country  under then President Benigno Aquino III  filed a case before an international tribunal created under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, with the PCA serving as registry.

The case challenged Beijing's claims to virtually the entire South China Sea, particularly to areas within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

After three and a half years, the PCA upheld the Philippines' sovereign rights and jurisdiction in parts of its EEZ that China contests.

The court also ruled that Beijing's "nine-dash line" claim had no legal basis.

Guevarra, however, stressed that the OSG is still in the fact-finding and data-gathering stage of its study and that other options are also being studied.

"Until we have completed our inquiry and evaluated the merits of each and every legal option, it will be premature to say that we will recommend a specific course of action, such as filing a new complaint against China before an international tribunal," he explained.

"These matters require a lot of prudence and circumspection," Guevarra added.

Over the weekend, the military said Beijing could be harvesting corals at Rozul Reef (also known as Iroquois Reef), as it observed rampant damage in the area which is frequented by Chinese maritime militia and fishing vessels.

The Philippine Coast Guard later said that the "severe damage" to the marine environment and coral reefs was also spotted at Escoda Shoal.

It noted that no other foreign vessels aside from those from Beijing were recently seen in these two areas, which are both within the country's EEZ.

READ: PCG to tap marine experts to inspect WPS reefs supposedly damaged by China

Maritime law expert Jay Batongbacal also argued there is good reason to believe that the vessels behind the damage are from China, noting there is an entire industry in Hainan that profits from the harvested corals and other raw materials.

On Tuesday, the Department of Justice said it recommends the filing of cases against Beijing over the matter, which it called "a very ripe case" for adjudication in an international court.
FILE - In this April 17, 2019, photo, reviewed by U.S. military officials, the control tower is seen through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. A military medical panel has concluded that one of the five 9/11 defendants held at Guantanamo Bay has been rendered delusional and psychotic by the torture he underwent years ago while in CIA custody. A military judge is expected to rule as soon as Thursday whether al-Shibhs mental issues render him incompetent to take part in the proceedings against him. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  A military medical panel has concluded that one of the five 9/11 defendants held at the Guantanamo Bay naval base has been rendered delusional and psychotic by the torture he underwent years ago while in CIA custody.

The findings heighten uncertainty over whether Ramzi bin al-Shibh, who has long complained he was under attack by invisible rays at Guantanamo, will stand trial. A military judge, Col. Matthew McCall, is expected to rule as soon as Thursday whether al-Shibhs mental issues render him incompetent to take part in the proceedings against him.

Defense lawyers argue that the best hope of al-Shibh, a Yemeni accused of organizing one cell of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers, regaining competency to stand trial is a step that some Americans are likely to find distasteful: for him to be provided with post-torture trauma care and no longer subject to solitary confinement.

Al-Shibh's newly disclosed diagnosis  post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features  is the latest development to show how the George W. Bush administration's approval of abusive interrogation of alleged al-Qaida attackers is complicating U.S. efforts to try the men more than two decades later.

On Tuesday, al-Shibhs lead attorney, David Bruck, told the courtroom that the diagnosis is creating a moment of truth" and an opportunity for the country to take into account the harm that was done by allowing torture.

On Sept. 6, the White House said President Joe Biden had declined to approve or deny demands presented by defense lawyers in plea negotiations to settle the case. They were seeking guarantees that all five men would get care for the physical and mental damage of their torture, and would be spared solitary confinement going forward.

Biden was unsettled about accepting terms for the plea from those responsible for the deadliest assault on the United States since Pearl Harbor, a White House National Security Council official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Defense and prosecution attorneys had been negotiating a possible deal that would have the defendants plead guilty in exchange for being spared the death penalty. Some family members of 9/11 victims objected to the plea negotiations. Conservatives faulted the Biden administration for allowing the negotiations.

Al-Shibh's mental issues meant he was not included in the plea negotiations. Any future plea negotiations are on hold at least until the military commission gets a new presiding military official next month, lawyers said.

No trial date has been set for the five defendants after more than a decade of proceedings. Logistical challenges and legal questions have slowed the commission at Guantanamo. That includes the question of how much evidence has been rendered inadmissible by torture while they were in CIA custody. The case has had a succession of military judges, with the fourth announcing Tuesday that he will retire in April.

The charges accuse alleged lead conspirator Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other four of helping orchestrate the killings of 2,976 people on Sept. 11, 2001. Al-Qaida attackers commandeered commercial aircraft and flew them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and, when passengers thwarted one attack, a field in Pennsylvania

The Associated Press monitored the military commission's hearings in Cuba on Tuesday via a relay provided by the Pentagon.

The five defendants are being prosecuted jointly. Tuesday was the first time in more than a year the men were in the Guantanamo commission room together.

Bruck pointed to what he said was al-Shibh's solitary confinement over four years in detention at CIA black sites, and torture that included his being forced to stand sleepless for as long as three days at a time, naked except for a diaper and doused with cold water in air-conditioned rooms, for the man's lasting belief that guards at Guantanamo were subjecting him to unseen attacks to deprive him of sleep.

Prosecutor Clayton Trivett and the judge acknowledged what they said were the man's persistent demands for an end to the invisible attacks over the years. Bruck estimated that al-Shibh's defense team spent as much as 90% of its time dealing with al-Shibh's mental challenges and trying to show him it was taking his complaints of invisible attacks seriously.

Al-Shibh is currently being held in disciplinary solitary confinement at Guantanamo, after staging a protest in his cell about the invisible attacks, Bruck said. The defense lawyer said the event did not injure others but gave no details.

Prosecutors are fighting a designation of incompetency for the defendant.

While al-Shibh is delusional, he has the capacity to participate with his lawyers and it's really just a choice, Trivett argued.

Trivett said prosecutors would seek to separate him from the case against his four co-defendants if the judge does deem him incompetent.

For al-Shibh ever to improve, defense lawyer Bruck told the court, his PTSD has to be treated. It's not going to get any better until it is.

The Bush administration after 9/11 cited the threat of future attacks in authorizing abusive interrogation by the CIA and military. It instituted a secret CIA detention program for hundreds of suspects, many of whom were later cleared.

The five 9/11 defendants were variously subjected to repeated waterboarding, beatings, violent repeated searches of their rectal cavities, sleep deprivation and other abuse.

A Senate investigation concluded what the administration called enhanced interrogation was ineffective at obtaining information.

The CIA's detention and interrogation program ended in 2009. The agency declined comment Wednesday.

This June, the first U.N. independent investigator allowed to meet with detainees at Guantanamo said even though the 2001 attacks were crimes against humanity, the treatment of the detainees was unjustified. She noted that most of the more than 700 men brought to Guantanamo over the years were detained without cause and had no role in terror attacks. She said all still suffered from physical and psychological trauma and urged torture rehabilitation.

The Biden administration, which has said it wants to close the Guantanamo facility, said in a statement attached to the report that the United States disagrees in significant respects with many factual and legal assertions but it will carefully review her recommendations.

___

This story has been corrected to reflect that the hearing took place on Tuesday, not Wednesday.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, approved a new version of the law on asset declarations on Sept. 20, with the amendment that declarations will be made publicly accessible immediately.

According to MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak, 341 lawmakers voted in favor.

On Sept. 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky vetoed the bill the Verkhovna Rada had previously passed on Sept. 5, due to an amendment to that would block public access to officials' asset declarations for one more year.

"Declarations must be open. At once. Not in a year. The registry should be opened now," Zelensky said on his Telegram channel at the time.

The president had been under pressure from the public to veto the draft law.

Anti-corruption campaigners were particularly concerned that only law enforcement agencies would be able to check asset declarations. Before February 2022, asset declarations were open to the public, but the system was suspended at the full-scale invasion.

A petition published on Sept. 6 that asked President Volodymyr Zelensky to veto the draft law on asset declarations reached over 35,000 signatures in one day.

The law as it stood would deprive citizens and journalists "of a tool for monitoring the actions of officials and a main safeguard against corruption during the war," the petition argued.

On Sept. 7, members of the European Parliament also asked Zelensky to veto the law due to concerns it would undermine trust in anti-corruption reforms.

The system of compulsory asset declarations was originally instituted as part of the country's fight against corruption following the 2014 Euromaidan Revolution.

At the start of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the requirement for submitting e-declarations was suspended and public access to the declarations was shut down. Officials have still been able to submit them on a voluntary basis.

Following the veto, Zelensky proposed that the bill be amended so that open access to the asset declarations would be reinstated, though certain categories of government employees may be excluded, such as members of the Armed Forces or State Border Guard Service.

Under Zelenskys proposals, these exceptions would not apply to military personnel holding or seconded to positions as ministers and deputy ministers, or as heads and deputy heads of central and local executive bodies.

Read also: Officials accused of using war as pretext for hiding ill-gotten wealth

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
1Password, the popular password manager , is finally rolling out support for passkeys , the company announced in a blog post on Wednesday. The login technology, which does not require links or two-factor authentication codes, has been available to 1Password users in beta form since June .

To use passkeys on a desktop device, youll need to download the 1Password extension, which works with Chrome and Safari, as well as some less popular browsers like LinuEdge and Brave. Firefox is still not supported, unfortunately, though the company said in its blog post that its coming soon.

When it comes to mobile compatibility, 1Password users can enable passkeys on an iPhone or iPad so long as the device is running iOS 17 or iPadOS 17. Google is still working on making passkey available on Android 14 and via APIs, 1Password explained in its blog post, although its unclear how soon Google will be ready to roll this out.

Ready to unlock the web without passwords?



Create, save, and sign in with passkeys using 1Password in the browser and on iOS.



 Learn where you can use passkeys

 Quickly create and share passkeys

 Manage passkeys with tags and vaults



Read the blog: https://t.co/EHZTuIHhWX pic.twitter.com/ehdxxzsJQz  1Password (@1Password) September 20, 2023

As The Verge notes, this update does not include the ability to replace your accounts master password with a passkey, even though 1Password has been saying since February that this feature is in the works. However, you can find out which third-party sites support the protocol by scanning through this public directory. Some popular platforms that are compatible with the login tech include Adobe, Amazon, Nintendo, PayPal, and Okta, just to name a few.

An individual 1Password subscription , which starts at $3 a month, gives you access on all of your devices with 1GB of storage. If you have multiple users or up to five relatives who will share a plan, you can opt for a family subscription for $5 a month. Additionally, as part of its official rollout, 1Password is allowing business clients using the 1Password Business version to manage when their team members can start saving and using the tool. This feature, which is part of the $8-a-month business subscription, can be controlled in the policies tab from within the platforms settings menu.
Former Vice President Mike Pence knocked former President Trump for skipping the second GOP primary debate in the 2024 presidential cycle, in an interview Monday.

I think its a missed opportunity for Donald Trump, and I think its a missed opportunity for Republican voters, Pence said in an interview Monday on CBS News, when asked about Trumps decision not to attend the second debate in the GOP primary. Pence is also running for the GOP nomination in 2024.

Look, this country is in a lot of trouble. Joe Biden has weakened America at home and abroad, and I think the former president  just like all the rest of us vying for the Republican nomination  owe it to the American people to express what our agenda will be for turning this country around, Pence added.

The Trump campaign confirmed reports Tuesday that Trump plans to deliver a speech to autoworkers in lieu of attending next weeks second GOP debate, which will be hosted by Fox Business.

Trump skipped the first Republican debate, explaining his decision at the time by pointing to his commanding lead in the race and suggesting Fox News Channel was hostile to him, so he did not want to boost its ratings.

Pence said Monday that the second debate would be an opportunity for Trump to pitch a conservative agenda to voters. He referenced Trumps comments this week against the six-week abortion ban in Florida as an example of Trump yet to put forward a conservative agenda.

When we ran in 2016, Donald Trump promised to govern as a conservative, and we did govern as conservatives, Pence said. But he makes no such promise today.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pennsylvania became the 24th state in the nation to enact automatic voter registration on Tuesday, a practice that Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) said equals a stronger democracy.

I can tell you, I begin and end the conversation, Nicolle, by believing that greater voter participation equals a stronger democracy, Shapiro said, in an interview on MSNBC.

Shapiro, whose office noted in their announcement, that the practice of automatic voter registration has been implemented by both Democrat and Republican governors, said a more engaged citizenry is best, no matter who someone is voting for.

I fundamentally believe, no matter who youre going to vote for or what your particular viewpoint is, the more engaged our citizenry, the stronger our country, the healthier our democracy. And we took a giant leap forward here in the commonwealth today to do just that, Shapiro said.

Pennsylvanias switch to automatic voter registration, announced on National Voter Registration Day, means voters in the state will automatically be enrolled into the voting system when they renew or obtain new ID cards or drivers licenses. This differs from the old system, where people had to personally opt into the process to become registered voters.

Republicans have been critical of automatic voter registration in the past, wondering whether or not the practice will ensure that only citizens can vote.

Stephen Miller, an advisor to former President Donald Trump echoed those concerns in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, following Pennsylvanias announcement.

And, I can promise you, there will be no citizenship verification, Miller said in a re-post.

Oregon became the first state to enact automatic voter registration in 2015, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, while Minnesota was the latest state to do so prior to Tuesdays announcement, also implementing it this year.

The other states with automatic voter registration are Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and West Virginia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) dismissed former Trump adviser Stephen Millers recent criticism of the Keystone States automatic voter registration system, calling Miller a dope.

When asked on CNNs This Morning to respond to a post from Miller, who argued the new system will not have citizenship verification, Shapiro said, Look, Im not going to respond to Stephen Miller.

That guys a dope who cant tell the truth, he added.

CNN anchor Poppy Harlow told Shapiro she was not asking about Miller, but rather the substance of his post.

Well, he doesnt raise any substance, Shapiro said. Here is the actual substance  when you go to get a drivers license, when you go to renew your drivers license, you have to bring identifying documents in order to be able to secure that drivers license, the same documents that are required to be able to register to vote.

Shapiro announced Tuesday that Pennsylvania will start automatically enrolling eligible voters into the registration system when they renew or receive new identification (ID) cards or a drivers license.

Under the previous system, eligible voters were required to personally opt in to the process to become a registered voter in the state. Those who do not want to be registered to vote will still be allowed to opt out of the process.

Shapiro defended the new program, calling it good for our democracy and an important way to expand voter participation.

It goes through our DMV process, which already includes safeguards to ensure that the person registering to vote is eligible to vote, Shapiro said.

If you choose not to register to vote, if you want to opt out, thats perfectly fine. But we think we need to make it easier for eligible voters to participate in our democracy, he added.

The Pennsylvania governor also took a dig at the series of election fraud claims that surfaced after the 2020 election.

I went to court more than 40 times to defeat people like Stephen Miller and others who tried to thwart the will of the people in Pennsylvania who made up all kinds of ridiculous claims after the 2020 election, Shapiro said. And I won every single time in court and defended the will of the people here in Pennsylvania, defended the right to vote.

Pennsylvania is now the 24th state to use automatic voter registration. And, as one of the nations few swing states, Pennsylvania has often played a large role in determining the result of presidential elections.

In 2016, former President Trump won the state, but then he lost it to President Biden in 2020. As Shapiro stated, automatic voter systems are often seen as a way to increase voter turnout in states with narrow voter margins.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE - An early election ballot completion area is prepared at a collection location inside the North Park Ice Skating Rink Lodge area, Oct. 9, 2020, in McCandless, Pa. Pennsylvania's state Senate approved a bill Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, to move up the state's 2024 primary election by five weeks to March 19, aiming to avoid a conflict with the Jewish holiday of Passover and give voters more of a say in deciding presidential nominees. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Pennsylvania's state Senate approved a bill Wednesday to move up the state's 2024 primary election by five weeks to March 19, aiming to avoid a conflict with the Jewish holiday of Passover and give voters more of a say in deciding presidential nominees.

The bill passed, 45-2, although it still requires passage in the state House of Representatives.

Under the bill, the primary election would move from April 23 to March 19, the same primary date as in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Arizona. Still, that date comes after primaries in other big delegate states, including California, Texas, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia, Massachusetts and Tennessee.

Under that scenario, Pennsylvania would leap over Delaware, Rhode Island and Wisconsin, as well as New York where Gov. Kathy Hochul on Wednesday signed a bill that sets that states presidential primary for April 2.

Democrats have warned that the change would compress the primary calendar, giving courts and counties less time to handle election-related duties.

Pennsylvania is a premier battleground in presidential elections, but state law sets its primary date on the fourth Tuesday in April, relatively late in the presidential primary calendar. It hasnt hosted a competitive presidential primary since 2008, when Hillary Clinton pulled off a win to stay alive against Barack Obama, the leader in delegates and eventual winner of that years Democratic nomination.

Here we are, the fifth-most registered voters in the country not having input into who the candidates are for our parties. This bill gives Pennsylvania citizens a voice at the beginning of the process, because it always comes down to us at the end of the process, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, told colleagues during floor remarks.

She said she hopes the House returns soon to take up the bill. The chamber was scheduled to return to session Tuesday, although House Democratic leaders have not said whether they will support it and would only say Wednesday that they were reviewing the bill.

For now, President Joe Biden faces a couple of Democratic challengers but is expected to secure his partys nomination, while former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have dominated the early Republican race in a field that is about a dozen deep.

Many states want to hold presidential primaries earlier, to give residents more influence on the trajectory of presidential campaigns. But Pennsylvania lawmakers have long resisted a change because it would push the beginning of the states customary 13-week primary season into the winter holidays.

The bill passed Wednesday would compress the primary season to 11 weeks, making Jan. 2 the first day that candidates could start circulating petitions.

This year, more lawmakers are motivated to support a change because April 23 is the first day of Passover, a Jewish holiday when observant Jews typically avoid the same activities they avoid on the Sabbath, such as driving, working or using electricity.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, has said he supports changing the date.

___

Follow Marc Levy on Twitter: http://twitter.com/timelywriter
A 44-year-old driver in a pickup truck sent visitors fleeing in panic as he tried to run over people in a park, Colorado police reported.

Police received numerous calls about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, reporting that a man in a pickup truck was trying to hit people at Central Park, Boulder police said in a news release.

Despite some incredibly close calls, the driver narrowly missed hitting multiple people who ran to get away, police said.

The truck entered and left the park numerous times, also striking a light pole, a railing and a traffic sign, police said.

Officers arriving minutes later found the damaged 2004 Ford pickup truck abandoned on a nearby street, per the release.

An officer spotted the suspected driver walking on the street at 9:50 a.m. and arrested him, police said.

Bruce A. Alvey faces charges including attempted murder, with additional charges pending, police said.

Detectives believe this crime was an isolated incident and do not believe its connected to any political groups or movements, police said. Alvey may have been driving under the influence of drugs, investigators said.

Police ask anyone with information to contact them at 303-441-1829 or HerF@bouldercolorado.gov.

I dont know how we escaped this mornings incident without injuries to anyone, but I am thankful, Police Chief Maris Herold said at a news briefing posted on YouTube. She described it as a really scary incident.

We are so lucky not to have significant injuries to multiple people, the chief added.

Central Park will remain closed for two weeks to repair damage.

Boulder is about 30 miles northwest of Denver.

Kids at park purposely targeted and nearly hit by reckless driver in SUV, CO cops say

61-year-old stabbed in back pulls out knife and stabs intruder, California cops say

Two die after speeding car crashes through dead end into canal, California cops say
The Peoples Satellite, operated by ICEYE, has proven to be a highly valuable asset to Ukraine over the course of a year by providing crucial intelligence for military operations and destroying tons of Russian military equipment, the Ukrainian militarys Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) reported on Sept. 20.

Read also: Volunteer explains benefits of ICEYE satellite, data Ukraine will now receive

The satellites pivotal role was revealed in the recent attack on Sevastopol Bay on Sept. 13, where it played a crucial part in the destruction of the Russian large landing ship Minsk and the submarine Rostov-on-Don.

Intelligence officers also presented satellite images of the Dyagilevo airfield in Russias Ryazan Oblast, where Tu-22M3 bombers sustained damage, and in Belgorod Oblast, where enemy equipment was targeted.

Read also: Crowdfunded Ukrainian satellite has helped destroy more Russian armored vehicles than its own cost

The Peoples Satellite continues to serve the interests of military intelligence and the Ukrainian people, added the HUR.

Serhiy Prytulas charitable foundation acquired the satellite in Aug. 2022 with funds raised as part of the Peoples Bayraktar project, with blogger Igor Lachenkov playing a crucial fundraising role.

In just three days, Ukrainians contributed 600 million hryvnias ($16 million) for drones. The manufacturing company, Baykar, later announced that they would donate three Bayraktars to the frontlines free of charge.

Read also: Ukraines defense minister explains advantages of satellite purchased by Prytula Foundation for army

Within six months of using the satellite, Ukraine has reportedly destroyed Russian military equipment worth billions of dollars, according to the HUR. There have also been strikes on Russian military concentrations and logistics facilities.

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
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  The proposal to expel Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country has made headway in the Senate, according to Sen. Win Gatchalian.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said the call for the immediate expulsion of POGOs mustered enough support from the panel's members.

Isa itong mahalagang hakbang para mapigilan ang paglaganap ng krimeng nagmumula sa ilang kumpanya ng POGO. Inaasahan natin na maabot ang ating layunin na mapanatili ang kaayusan sa bansa, na siyang magdudulot ng paglago ng ating ekonomiya, Gatchalian said in a statement on Wednesday.

[Translation: This is an important step to prevent the spread of crime coming from some POGO companies. We hope to achieve our goal of maintaining order in the country, which will lead to the growth of our economy.]

He also formally filed Committee Report No. 136 containing the recommendation.

It took more than six months for the committee report to get enough signatures after Gatchalian delivered a privilege speech in March calling on colleagues to support the report.

It will be tackled next in the plenary after securing ten signatures, which include Gatchalians and Committee on Public Order chairman Bato dela Rosa.

Several crimes have been linked to POGOs, prompting some lawmakers to call for its ban in the country. However, monetary officials said banning their operations would result in billions of pesos in revenue losses.

READ: PH's gamble on the multi-billion peso POGO industry

Gatchalian reiterated on Wednesday that the revenue being contributed by POGOs is not worth the massive social costs associated with POGO-related crimes.

While the lawmaker has been vocal against POGOs, the Gatchalian family has stakes in Waterfront hotels and casinos in the country. Earlier, the senator denied his direct involvement in a Manila Bay reclamation project being conducted by Waterfront Manila Premier Development Inc.

CNN Philippines Correspondent Eimor Santos contributed to this report.
Standard pet ID tools, like tags and chips, are imperfect. Tags become easily detached, and not every owner is comfortable with the idea of microchipping their pet. Even those who are comfortable often run into problems with microchips, like chip damage and outdated ID databases.

The challenge inspired Jesse Joonho Lim and Ken Daehyun Pak to launch an app, Petnow, that they claim can identify cats and dogs by scanning their faces. Petnow, which has raised $5.25 million in funding so far from Daedeok Venture Partners and DigiCap at a $24 million valuation, is a participant in the Startup Battlefield 200 at TC Disrupt 2023.

Before founding Petnow in 2018, Lim co-lead a semiconductor startup called Chips&Media, which later pursued an IPO. Pak -- who, like Lim, has a doctorate in electrical engineering -- had been working as an AI video processing researcher for over a decade before joining Petnow.

At a high level, Petnow works by running a camera-based scan of a pet's face from a mobile app for Android and iOS. Leveraging AI trained on a set of around 200,000 images of dog and cat snouts, collected both by the Petnow team and sourced from users' pets, Petnow creates a biometric profile of a pet that's unique to them.

Lest you be concerned the app accidentally captures, say, a family member standing behind a pet, Petnow claims to use an algorithm to automatically detect and hone in on dogs or cats while cropping out the rest.

For dogs, Petnow records a "nose print." Yes -- a nose print. The startup claims that a dog's nose is as unique as a human fingerprint and doesn't change over time, making it a reliable way to distinguish between puppers. For cats, Petnow looks at a cat's "facial contour," which Petnow says remains distinctive due to cats' individual "grooming habits." (To this reporter, that sounds a little more dubious than a dog's nose print -- but I digress.)

Lim and Pak envision people using Petnow to register their pets without visiting a vet, find missing pets and create "pet IDs" for checking insurance status.

"The pet identification market may not be mature at the moment, but it will eventually become big," Lim and Pak told TechCrunch in an email interview. "Pet identification technology is a fundamental product that can be continuously used by people, unlike products or services that go viral only for short periods of time. The market has great potential, because pets should have IDs like people, and their data can be backed up to form an ultimate pet platform."

Petnow

Image Credits: Petnow

But the question is, does the tech work as advertised?

Petnow claims its algorithms are "99% accurate" at identifying individual cats and dogs. It's well understood, however, that even the best image-analyzing AI is prone to bias -- intentional or no.

For example, at least six people, all Black, have been mistakenly arrested by police using facial recognition technology. Facial recognition algorithms are often trained on datasets that lack a critical mass of Black faces -- introducing biases. Or, they're trained on mugshot databases that contain an overwhelming number of Black faces, many shot in poor and grainy lighting conditions that interfere with the algorithm's ability to distinguish one face from another.

Setting aside the challenges unique to facial recognition for a moment, in the animal realm, even experts struggle to tell the difference between breeds -- let alone animals of the same breed. A recent study involving 5,000 dog experts nationwide found that only a small minority could pick out even one of the breeds identified in the dogs by their DNA.

Petnow claims that its training database is continually growing and that it uses AI to ensure pet photos are taken with the best possible brightness and sharpness. (In the same breath --- perhaps anticipating questions about data privacy -- Petnow says that it doesn't provide a user's or pet's information to third parties without the user's consent and offers an option to delete stored data at any time.) And Petnow points to a study co-authored by its data scientists in the journal IEEE Access, which shows that its dog nose-print identifying tech was over 99% accurate at distinguishing between noses.

The study dates back to 2021, though, when the training dataset was presumably smaller. And while Petnow claims it's working on a companion paper for its cat face-recognizing algorithm, it's yet to make that research public.

The stakes are high. One can imagine an algorithmic mistake stymieing a family's search for a missing pet, or causing a vet to pull up the wrong animal's vaccination records.

Those aren't imminent threats, to be fair, given Petnow's relatively slow uptake among pet care providers and shelters. While Petnow has around 70,000 users at present, it's only signed five undisclosed enterprise and public sector customers in France, Toronto and South Korea (where the company is based).

Petnow is pre-revenue, with a $150,000-per-month burn rate. But it anticipates a contract with Korean domestic and international pet insurers by October and pilots in France and a metropolitan government in Canada for their pet registries.

"Thanks to the pandemic, the pet population has grown more rapidly and people spend more time with their pets ... Theres still huge room to grow," Lim and Pak said. "Government pet registry and affiliation programs with pet insurance providers are currently on the way from South Korea, and we'll have our product enterprise-ready for the North America and Europe regions soon."

I only hope that Petnow -- and its rivals -- deliver on their promises of accurate pet identification. To fall short would be irresponsible; misleading pet owners feels like an exceptionally cruel form of deceptive advertising.
FREEPORT, N.Y. (WPIX)  A Ukrainian man is being hailed a hero after jumping into a canal in Long Island, New York, to save a driver who crashed into the water Tuesday morning, authorities said.

The rescue happened in Freeport, New York, around 9:15 a.m., authorities said. Nassau County officials said the driver was likely speeding through a marina, went airborne over a boat, and landed in the water.

To get over the bulkhead and also over the boat and into the water, he had to be going at a fairly high rate of speed, said Ray Maguire, executive director of the Freeport Fire Department.

Volodymyr Zubko, the Ukrainian man, heard the crash in the water and dove in to help.

Moments later, Nassau County police officers arrived and also jumped into the canal to help bring the driver to safety.

I saw just one leg and another leg from the man, and I decided to jump into the water and swim and pull, and police helped to pull him from the water, Zubko said.

NY man rescued after treading water in Atlantic Ocean for over 5 hours: police

The driver was hospitalized in critical condition after the crash, which remains under investigation.

The car, which was submerged 18 feet underwater, was later lifted out of the canal.

Zubko has only been in the United States for four days. He is from Kharkiv, and has been staying in Freeport after escaping the war in his country. Zubko said he only plans to stay in the U.S. for about a month.

When Zubko was asked if he considers himself a hero, he said: No, I dont think so. I just helped someone.

Maguire, however, does consider Zubko a hero and encouraged him to apply and join the local fire department.

He did a phenomenal job, and if he stays more than a month, Im getting him an application to join the fire department, Maguire said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
North Charleston, S.C.  The pilot of a $100 million stealth fighter jet parachuted safely into the backyard of a home in South Carolina after a malfunction forced him to eject from the aircraft, causing the plane to crash into a wooded area about 60 miles away.

A U.S. Marine Corps official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the investigation into Sundays crash told The Associated Press that the aircraft was not found until the next day. A state law enforcement helicopter located the jet and debris around 5 p.m. Monday in a field near Indiantown, South Carolina.

The pilot, who has not been identified by the Marine Corps, did not have serious injuries and has been discharged from the hospital.

Hes unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather, someone can be heard saying of the pilot on audio from a Charleston County Emergency Medical Services call shared Tuesday by a local meteorologist.

Airmen from Joint Base Charleston walk down Old Georgetown Road when setting up a base during the recovery process for an F-35 that crash landed in a field nearby in Williamsburg County, S.C., on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. (Henry Taylor/The Post And Courier via AP)

A trip that began as a routine training flight did not last very long. The pilot experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject on Sunday at an altitude of about 1,000 feet just 1 mile north of Charleston International Airport, according to a situation report given to AP by the Marine Corps official.

More questions than answers remained Tuesday around how an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter wound up leaving a debris field described as extensive by the local sheriffs department. Officials closed about one mile of road indefinitely as they continued searching rural Williamsburg County for any wreckage. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

Federal, state and local officials worked Sunday to locate the jet, and the military appealed to the public for help in finding the aircraft, which is built to evade detection.

The Marine Corps said the pilot of a second F-35 returned safely Sunday to the base where both aircraft had departed earlier that day for the routine training flight.

In a military aviation incident where there are two or more aircraft, its standard practice for remaining aircraft to stay on location, said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps Reserves colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. If one goes down the other will circle to make sure the pilot is ok and relay the crash location information, Cancian said.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was designed in three variants. There is the F-35A Air Force version and the Navys F-35C, which is equipped for carrier takeoffs and landings. Then theres the Marine Corps F-35B variant, which can hover and take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The aircraft involved in Sundays crash was an F-35B, the Marines said.

Each variant has an ejection seat. The Marine Corps variant has a specialized seat that can auto eject to better protect pilots in case an incident occurs while the plane is in hover mode. An F-35B crashed last December in Fort Worth while descending in hover mode and the pilot safely ejected.

Watch pilot eject after F-35B crashes on Texas runway

Jeremy Huggins, a spokesperson at Joint Base Charleston, told NBC News that the jet was flying in autopilot mode when the pilot ejected from the aircraft. Huggins told The Washington Post on Sunday that the warplane has different coatings and different designs that make it more difficult than a normal aircraft to detect. He added that the jets transponder was not working for an undetermined reason.

Huggins would no longer answer questions on Monday, according to Joint Base Charleston, as the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing had taken the lead on communications related to the mishap. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing told AP that there was an investigation ongoing and would not share any more details.

The jet belongs to the most expensive weapon system program in the U.S. Department of Defense, according to a May 2023 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Department of Defense is weighing its options to modernize the engine, according to the report, and the overtasked cooking system requires that the engine operate beyond its design parameters.

The extra heat is increasing the wear on the engine, reducing its life, and adding $38 billion in maintenance costs, the report found.

The Marine Corps announced Monday it was pausing aviation operations for two days after the fighter jets crash. Three Class-A mishaps have occurred over the past six weeks, according to the announcement. Such incidents occur when damages reach $2.5 million or more, a Department of Defense aircraft is destroyed, or someone dies or is permanently disabled.

Commanders will spend the stand-down reinforcing safe flying policies, practices and procedures with their Marines, according to the Monday release.

The announcement gave no details on the two previous incidents. But in August, three U.S. Marines were killed in the crash of a V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a training exercise in Australia, and a Marine Corps pilot was killed when his combat jet crashed near a San Diego base during a training flight.

Copp contributed from Washington, D.C. Pollard is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
The pilot of a $100 million stealth fighter jet parachuted safely into the backyard of a home in South Carolina after a malfunction forced him to eject from the aircraft, causing the plane to crash into a wooded area about 60 miles away.

PAST COVERAGE: Chopper 9 video shows debris field in South Carolina after F-35 fighter jet mishap

A U.S. Marine Corps official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release details of the investigation into Sundays crash told The Associated Press that the aircraft was not found until the next day. A state law enforcement helicopter located the jet and debris around 5 p.m. Monday in a field near Indiantown, South Carolina.

The pilot, who has not been identified by the Marine Corps, did not have serious injuries and has been discharged from the hospital.

VIDEO: Chopper 9 flew over the area where crews searched for debris.

Hes unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather, someone can be heard saying of the pilot on audio from a Charleston County Emergency Medical Services call shared Tuesday by a local meteorologist.

A trip that began as a routine training flight did not last very long. The pilot experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject on Sunday at an altitude of about 1,000 feet just 1 mile north of Charleston International Airport, according to a situation report given to AP by the Marine Corps official.

More questions than answers remained Tuesday around how an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter wound up leaving a debris field described as extensive by the local sheriffs department. Officials closed about one mile of road indefinitely as they continued searching rural Williamsburg County for any wreckage. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

Federal, state and local officials worked Sunday to locate the jet, and the military appealed to the public for help in finding the aircraft, which is built to evade detection.

The Marine Corps said the pilot of a second F-35 returned safely Sunday to the base where both aircraft had departed earlier that day for the routine training flight.

In a military aviation incident where there are two or more aircraft, its standard practice for remaining aircraft to stay on location, said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps Reserves colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. If one goes down the other will circle to make sure the pilot is ok and relay the crash location information, Cancian said.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was designed in three variants. There is the F-35A Air Force version and the Navys F-35C, which is equipped for carrier takeoffs and landings. Then theres the Marine Corps F-35B variant, which can hover and take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The aircraft involved in Sundays crash was an F-35B, the Marines said.

Each variant has an ejection seat. The Marine Corps variant has a specialized seat that can auto eject to better protect pilots in case an incident occurs while the plane is in hover mode. An F-35B crashed last December in Fort Worth while descending in hover mode and the pilot safely ejected.

Jeremy Huggins, a spokesperson at Joint Base Charleston, told NBC News that the jet was flying in autopilot mode when the pilot ejected from the aircraft. Huggins told The Washington Post on Sunday that the warplane has different coatings and different designs that make it more difficult than a normal aircraft to detect. He added that the jets transponder was not working for an undetermined reason.

Huggins would no longer answer questions on Monday, according to Joint Base Charleston, as the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing had taken the lead on communications related to the mishap. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing told AP that there was an investigation ongoing and would not share any more details.

The jet belongs to the most expensive weapon system program in the U.S. Department of Defense, according to a May 2023 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Department of Defense is weighing its options to modernize the engine, according to the report, and the overtasked cooling system requires that the engine operate beyond its design parameters.

The extra heat is increasing the wear on the engine, reducing its life, and adding $38 billion in maintenance costs, the report found.

The Marine Corps announced Monday it was pausing aviation operations for two days after the fighter jets crash. Three Class-A mishaps have occurred over the past six weeks, according to the announcement. Such incidents occur when damages reach $2.5 million or more, a Department of Defense aircraft is destroyed, or someone dies or is permanently disabled.

Commanders will spend the stand-down reinforcing safe flying policies, practices and procedures with their Marines, according to the Monday release.

The announcement gave no details on the two previous incidents. But in August, three U.S. Marines were killed in the crash of a V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a training exercise in Australia, and a Marine Corps pilot was killed when his combat jet crashed near a San Diego base during a training flight.

VIDEO: New Chopper 9 video shows debris field in South Carolina after F-35 fighter jet mishap
The pilot of the F-35 fighter jet that went missing ejected and landed in the backyard of a South Carolina home.

The Associated Press reported that the pilot parachuted safely into the backyard on Sunday.

The pilot was forced to eject from the F-35B Lightning II jet during a training mishap.

The pilot of the US stealth fighter jet who ejected from the aircraft during a training mishap wound up parachuting into the backyard of a home in South Carolina, according to the Associated Press.

The AP, citing an anonymous US Marine Corps official, reported that the pilot of the $100 million F-35B Lightning II jet touched down safely in the home's backyard on Sunday as the warplane flew on pilotless and went missing before ultimately crashing.

The pilot, who has not been identified, was not seriously injured and has since been released from a local medical center, according to the news outlet.

While flying at roughly 1,000 feet and just one mile north of Charleston International Airport on Sunday, the jet pilot "experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject," the AP reported, citing a situation report that the news outlet obtained from the Marine Corps official.

"He's unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather," a person can be heard saying in audio from a Charleston County Emergency Medical Services call that was shared online by a local meteorologist on Tuesday, according to the AP.

The stealth fighter jet wound up crashing into a wooded area about 60 miles away from where the pilot ejected, but the debris field from the aircraft was not discovered until the next day.

"The debris was discovered two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston," officials from the base previously told Insider. "Members of the community should avoid the area as the recovery team secures the debris field."

Local news outlet WMBF reported parts of the aircraft were found near Bartells Road in Indiantown, South Carolina.

Before the jet was found, the US military called on help from the public to locate the missing aircraft.

Meanwhile, Joint Base Charleston spokesman Jeremy Huggins initially told NBC News the jet was left on autopilot when the pilot ejected, but has since walked those comments back, according to the news outlet, saying authorities are still investigating.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A Cessna crash-landed on a street near Compton/Woodley Airport on Wednesday morning. The FAA is investigating. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

No injuries were reported and damage was minimal when the pilot of a single-engine plane crash-landed in a Compton neighborhood Wednesday morning.

The Federal Aviation Administration reported that a Cessna 172 landed on a road after losing engine power after taking off from nearby Compton/Woodley Airport around 8:30 a.m. The plane landed just outside the airport at 159th Street and Central Avenue, according to local officials.

Upon touching down, the planes left wing struck a parked car, according to the FAA.

There was only one unidentified person in the plane, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department confirmed, and the vehicle was unoccupied. The plane is registered to Tania Guzman of Downey, according to FAA records.

The pilot of the plane suffered minor injuries and refused aid, according to Compton Fire Battalion Chief Luis Hernandez.

The plane just basically crashed into the middle of the street and it was lucky no one was hurt, Hernandez said.

Fire personnel stopped and cleaned up a small fuel leak coming from the plane, according to the fire chief.

Hernandez said it is the second such incident over a three-week span. He noted another single-engine plane crashed in Compton on Sept. 3. One person was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the latest incident.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday compared Ukraines fight for survival to that of a drowning person capable of bringing down those who try to help.

Ukraine is behaving like a drowning person clinging to anything available, Duda told Polish journalists, the Financial Times reported. A drowning person is extremely dangerous, capable of pulling you down to the depths  simply drown the rescuer.

Dudas comments come just days after Poland led a group of neighboring countries in banning Ukrainian grain imports.

Poland has been a steadfast supporter of Ukraine since the war began and has taken in more than a million Ukrainian refugees.

Public sentiment around the issue, however, has started to deteriorate, putting the ruling party in a difficult position ahead of a close October election. The far-right Confederation party is hoping to capitalize on the waning support in the country.

Reuters reported that a recent poll showed support for Ukrainian refugees fell from 91 percent when the war started to just 69 percent recently. The same survey showed a quarter of Poles are against supporting refugees, compared to 4 percent in early 2022.

At the same time, however, Duda has maintained his commitment to helping Ukraine. In an interview with CNNs Jake Tapper on Tuesday, Duda reaffirmed his support for defeating Russia completely.

Russia can be stopped only if it is defeated, and it will be defeated when Ukraine pushes out the Russian army from the occupied territories, thanks to the help of the United States, thanks to the help of the West, and when it regains control over its internationally recognized borders, Duda said in the interview.

Only then will we be able to say that Russian imperialism was really defeated, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that Warsaw may expand the list of banned Ukrainian goods if Kyiv imposes its own import embargo on certain Polish food products, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported on Sept. 20.

This is only the latest move in the ongoing dispute between the two countries, sparked by Poland's decision to extend the import ban on Ukrainian grain products past its expiration date set by the EU on Sept. 15.

The EU instituted the measure in May at the request of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria, who feared that the influx of cheaper Ukrainian products would put pressure on their farmers.

In response to Poland's decision, Kyiv said it would sue Warsaw in the World Trade Organization and also threatened to introduce an embargo on onions, tomatoes, cabbage, and apples from Poland.

The disagreement has strained Ukraine's relationship with Poland, traditionally one of its most ardent supporters in the face of Russian aggression.

During his speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called out the "alarming" behavior of Ukraine's partners regarding the grain import bans.

While not naming specific countries, the statement came shortly after Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia said they would prolong the import restrictions.

In protest to Zelensky's statement at the U.N. headquarters, the Polish government also summoned Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych, PAP reported.

Previously, the two countries summoned each other's ambassadors in a diplomatic dispute during the summer, after a Polish official said that Ukraine should be more grateful for the aid it is receiving.

Read also: Zelensky at UN: Russias aggression poses threat beyond Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story said this and a shooting that occurred Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, were related to the nearby celebration of Mexican Independence Day at the Marycrest Building. They were not related. The Tribune regrets the error.

SOUTH BEND  A man has been arrested and charged in connection with shots fired on Friday night at a large party near Carlisle and Huron streets as police continue to investigate separate shootings that occurred over the weekend.

Roberto Ramirez, 45, is being held in the St. Joseph County Jail. According to a news release from the South Bend Police Department, Ramirez was charged Tuesday by the county prosecutor's office with a felony charge of criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a handgun, a misdemeanor charge.

According to the news release, officers responded Friday night to Carlisle and Huron streets on reports of gunfire at a large party.

Weekend shootings: Four shot Saturday night while hundreds gather on South Bend's west side

About that time, officers reported Ramirez had arrived at Memorial Hospital with an apparent gunshot wound that did not appear to be life-threatening.

The South Bend Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit's investigators believe Ramirez was at the party and fired a weapon into a large group of people. Investigators also believe Ramirez suffered a gunshot wound after he left the scene, but the news release did not say when or where that occurred.

Friday's shooting incident took place one day prior to the shooting on Saturday night that wounded four people in the same area. There, police said more than 100 shots were fired in an area near Philippa and Huron streets, and the four people who were shot were all believed to have injuries that were not life-threatening.

Along Huron and Philippa streets, police estimate there were several hundred people when shots were fired from multiple guns, with the gunfire striking the four victims.

Anyone with information about the Friday or Saturday night shootings is encouraged to contact Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP.

Email Tribune staff writer Greg Swiercz at gswiercz@sbtinfo.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: South Bend man charged in shooting gun Friday at west side party
Your article is being updated or not found. Please refresh after a moment
A 25-year-old Beverly man is accused of multiple incidents of anti-LGBTQIA+ graffiti and vandalism throughout Salem, police said Wednesday.

Mohammed Saeed Rajab is facing multiple vandalism-related charges including destruction of a place of worship and hate crimes, police said in a statement.

Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said Rajab is charged with five counts related to hate incidents that occurred in Salem. Rajab pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Salem District Court on Wednesday.

Judge Randy Chapman ordered Rajab held on $2,500 bail, with a GPS curfew. He was also ordered to stay out of Salem, have no firearms or dangerous weapons and to surrender his passport, Tucker said.

On Sept. 13, Salem Police responded to multiple incidents of anti-LGBTQIA+ graffiti and vandalism that had occurred throughout the City of Salem, police said.

The doors at the Tabernacle Congregational Church at 50 Washington St. and the Pride flag at the Northeast Animal Shelter at 347 Highland Ave. were defaced with anti-LGBTQIA+ graffiti, police said. A Pride flag at Lappin Park was also torn down, and several Pride-themed crosswalks were defaced with paint.

Salem Police detectives launched an investigation and, working with detectives from the Beverly Police Department, identified Rajab as a suspect, police said.

I am so proud of the hard work that my detectives did to resolve this case, Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller said in a statement. We have made this investigation our highest priority. I realize that this arrest does not erase the harm caused by Mr. Rajab, but I hope that it shows the commitment that the Salem Police Department has to our friends, our neighbors, and our colleagues in the LGBTQ community.

Rajab is due back in court on Oct. 11 for a pretrial hearing.

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
A now-former police officer was on duty when he attacked his domestic partner at their shared home, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Kyle Richard Horton, a 42-year-old Ridgeland resident, was arrested Tuesday on a second-degree domestic violence charge, SLED said in a news release.

Horton was a member of the Ridgeland Police Department when the July 17 attack occurred, according to an arrest warrant.

He was actively working a shift when he and the victim had an argument in their shared home, the arrest warrant shows. The argument turned into a physical altercation when Horton choked and pushed the victim into a closet shelf where the victim suffered a head injury, according to the arrest warrant.

Information about why Horton and the victim were arguing was not available.

Hortons body worn camera activated during the attack, and part of the violent incident was recorded, the arrest warrant says.

Photos taken of the victim the day after the attack showed they suffered injuries on the arm and neck, according to the arrest warrant. Further information on the victims condition was not available.

No other injuries were reported.

SLED called Horton a former Ridgeland police officer, but there was no word if he was fired or otherwise left the department.

Messages left with the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy about Hortons status as a law enforcement officer were not immediately returned.

Horton is not currently listed on the Jasper County Detention Center inmate roster, and there was no information about bond in online Jasper County court records.

If convicted on the misdemeanor domestic violence charge, Horton faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine, according to South Carolina law.
Kaba, a construction worker months away from becoming a father, was unarmed when he suffered a single gunshot wound after a Met Police officer fired into his vehicle.

A police officer faces murder charges in the shooting death of a Black man in London last year.

According to BBC News, the unidentified Met Police officer will appear Thursday at Westminster Magistrates Court, where he will be formally charged in the case of Chris Kaba, 24, who died following a police operation on Sept. 5, 2022.

After a referral from the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the Crown Prosecution Service has had the evidence file since March.

One of the many demonstrators gathered outside New Scotland Yard in London holds a sign during a protest over the killing of Chris Kaba last September in London. No firearms were found at the scene. A Met Police officer is now facing a murder charge. (Photo: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS special crime section, said they undertook a thorough review of the evidence.

Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap called the charge decision a significant and serious development in the probe, adding that the organization fully supported the IOPC investigation and that our thoughts are with everyone affected by this case.

We must now allow the court process to run its course, Millichap said, BBC reported, so it would not be appropriate for me to say more at this stage.

Kaba, a construction worker months away from becoming a father, was unarmed and suffered a single gunshot wound when a Met Police officer fired into his vehicle. He died in the hospital the following morning.

IOPC had earlier stated that a thorough check of the car and the immediate area had turned up no non-police issue firearm.

The police watchdog said the officer and Kabas family received word of the forthcoming charges on Wednesday morning. The officer is presently suspended, and Met Police said the agency will review misconduct issues after the criminal case has been resolved.

Chris was so very loved by our family and all his friends. He had a bright future ahead of him, but his life was cut short, Kabas family said in a joint statement, BBC reported. Our family and our wider community must see justice for Chris.

The Met Police Federation supports the officer in question, a spokesman said.

The federation spokesman contended that working as a firearms officer in London is one of the toughest jobs in the world and that the decision to file charges would leave serving Metropolitan Police colleagues concerned as they go about their extremely difficult and dangerous work.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post Police officer who fatally shot Chris Kaba charged with murder in London appeared first on TheGrio.
Chris Kaba was killed by a single bullet while driving in south London in September 2022

An armed Metropolitan Police officer who shot dead the black rapper Chris Kaba in south London last year has been charged with murder, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.

The officer, who can only be identified as NX121 at this stage, is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The decision to authorise the charge against him was taken following a review of evidence provided by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) which carried out a six-month investigation into the shooting.

Mr Kaba, a 24-year-old expectant father, was killed by a single bullet fired by a police marksman on Sept 5 last year.

He was alone at the time and had been driving an Audi Q8 through south London when he was stopped by police in the Streatham Hill area.

Armed officers in an unmarked police car had been covertly following the vehicle after Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology flagged it as having been linked to a firearms incident the day before.

The Audi was not owned by Mr Kaba or registered in his name, and Scotland Yard said officers were not aware of the identity of the driver at the time.

The street in Streatham Hill where Kaba was shot dead - UkNewsinPictures

After he was shot no firearms were discovered inside the vehicle.

The specialist firearms officer was initially placed on restricted duties but was subsequently suspended.

Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the officer are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.

We pray justice will be served

Following the announcement, Mr Kabas family issued a statement which read: Chris was so very loved by our family and all his friends. He had a bright future ahead of him, but his life was cut short. Our family and our wider community must see justice for Chris.

We welcome this charging decision, which could not have come too soon. Now we await the trial of the firearms officer without delay and hope and pray that justice will be served.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police Federation, which represents rank and file officers in the capital, said: Being a firearms officer in London is one of the worlds toughest jobs. Officers, who volunteer for the role, know the responsibility and accountability that come with it.

The Metropolitan Police Federation notes todays statement from the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to one of our firearms colleagues and makes no further comment on that at this time.

What we will say is that this decision will leave serving Metropolitan Police colleagues concerned as they go about their incredibly difficult and dangerous work.

The officer in question retains our full support as we now go through the legal process.

List of prosecutions of UK cops - murder and manslaughter charges following deaths

While adult defendants charged with criminal offences are usually named when they are charged, the officer has not been identified at this stage.

Amanda Rowe, director of the IOPC said he had not been named for legal reasons.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Millichap from the Met Police said: We have fully supported the IOPC investigation as it has worked to establish the facts.

Todays announcement is a significant and serious development. We must now allow the court process to run its course so it would not be appropriate for me to say more at this stage. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this case.

Its important now that criminal proceedings are able to run their course. We would reiterate the importance of not reporting, commenting or sharing information online which could in any way prejudice those proceedings.

It is not the first time an armed Met officer has been charged with murder over a fatal shooting while on duty.

In 2015 former officer Anthony Long was accused of murdering Azelle Rodney, who was shot dead during a police operation in Edgware, north London in 2005.

Mr Long was acquitted of murder by a jury following a trial at the Old Bailey.

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.
Law enforcement in Central Florida is searching for a man who is accused of exposing himself on a Lynx bus.

Crimeline released a sketch of the man who is described as being in his 40s with short gray facial hair.

A woman told law enforcement that the man got on a bus at the Florida Mall around 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 2 and exposed himself to her.

Watch: Florida Amazon delivery driver bitten by venomous rattlesnake while dropping off package

The woman told police she believed she had seen the same man on the bus before and he is frequently in the area.

Recognize this subject? Give an anonymous tip at https://t.co/e55L0426KN pic.twitter.com/PjGXvhLlms  Crimeline (@CrimelineFL) September 19, 2023

Crimeline is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads them to a man.

Watch: Disturbance in Atlantic to increase dangerous conditions at Central Floridas coast this week

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Police searched multiple Davis school campuses  as well as two homes of Davis Joint Unified School District employees  after bomb threats were made against the schools, as well as the districts office and the Davis library Wednesday morning.

Police said at 8 a.m. that the conducted searches turned up no such devices, and that campuses have been deemed clear and schools are open for classes.

Police and district officials originally announced that three schools  Cesar Chavez Elementary, Oliver Wendell Holmes Junior High and Davis Senior High School  were targeted in the bomb threat emailed to officials about 2:20 a.m. The email included threats to the Mary L. Stephens branch of the Yolo County Library system, which is adjacent to two schools, and the school districts main office at 526 B St.

In an updated news release, police said they had searched the three schools, as well as North Davis Elementary, which is near Davis High and the library, and the Davis School for Independent Study, which is housed at the district offices while Yolo County sheriffs deputies searched the library at 315 E. 14th St.

Those searches, eight sites in all, came up with no such explosives, police said. Officials did not say the names of the district employees whose homes were searched.

The Davis Police Department and the Davis Joint Unified School District take these criminal threats seriously and are closely working together to ensure the safety of students, educators, and the community, Davis police said after the searches, adding that officers will pursue every investigative lead to identify those responsible for these criminal threats.

We know these incidents cause a substantial amount of concern and even trauma. These investigations can be very complex, and we will provide timely updates as more information is known to us, officers said. The community can feel confident that Davis PD will continue to use all available resources to ensure the safety of our community.

A spokesman for the Police Department did not return calls about the incident Wednesday, though officials said Davis police, Yolo deputies and other law enforcement in the area would step up patrols around all schools in the district as detectives work to identify the source of the threats.

Local authorities also are coordinating their efforts with the FBI, police said.

Davis Joint Unified operates 17 campuses in all  nine elementary schools, four junior highs and a high school, as well as independent studies and the Da Vinci Charter Academy and a related junior high program. In all, the district educates roughly 8,300 students and has 800 people on staff.





Officials said in a bulletin to the community just after 6:30 a.m. that an email was sent to several different individuals indicating that bombs had been placed at the homes of Davis Joint Unified School District (DJUSD) employees.

The language and content of the threats have some similarity to the previous bomb threat incidents at the Yolo County Library in Davis, officials said.

In August, a bomb threat containing anti-LGBTQ hate speech prompted authorities to evacuate the library and forced a shelter-in-place for the nearby schools. It was the third threat against the library that week, authorities said at the time.

In February, Oliver Wendell Holmes was evacuated after receiving a bomb threat sent through social media.

A few months later, the school was evacuated again when officials found a written bomb threat on campus. Students were taken to a nearby park for early pickup.
A man was critically injured Tuesday after being shot by police as he held a woman hostage at knife-point in Round Lake.

The suspect, a 33-year-old, was transported to a hospital with critical injuries, but is expected to survive, according to the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, which is investigating the incident.

The victim, a 30-year-old woman, sustained minor injuries during the attack, was evaluated by paramedics but declined to go to the hospital, authorities said.

At about 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, Round Lake police officers were dispatched to a residence on North Park Road for an unknown problem. Upon arrival, officers spoke to a woman outside the home who said there was a woman in the basement who needed help.

The homeowner answered the door, and allowed the officers inside. The homeowner told officers that a man and a woman live in the downstairs basement of the residence. Round Lake officers attempted to speak to the downstairs residents through the basement door in attempt to figure out what was happening.

Meanwhile, an officer on the outside of the residence looked through the basement window and saw the man holding a knife to the womans throat, according to reports. Round Lake police officers attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the man refused to put the knife down or release the victim, officials said.

Due to the nature of the situation, the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) and a regional SWAT team were called to the scene. Both the victim and the man are Spanish-speaking, so Spanish linguists were on-scene to lead communication efforts.

During negotiation efforts, the man grew increasingly agitated and refused to drop the knife or follow instructions, the release stated.

Two members of NIPAS discharged their firearms, hitting the suspect.

Members from NIPAS were able to rescue the victim from the mans grip, the release said. Police officers provided aid to the suspect until paramedics arrived.

The two officers involved in the shooting were transported to area hospitals for evaluation, per protocol.

The initial woman police encountered outside of the home was an acquaintance of the victim, who the victim attempted to contact while being attacked, authorities said.

Evidence, including two knives, was collected from the scene. Charges against the man who took the victim hostage are pending, the release said.
A 41-year-old New Jersey man wanted for driving under the influence has been cited after authorities allege he struck and injured a Morrisville police officer.

Falls police said that it does not appear that Juan Martinez, of Trenton, was impaired when he struck Morrisville officer Cpl. William Smith while he was assisting Falls police with a disabled vehicle.

Morrisville cop injured in accident Morrisville police officer injured after vehicle hits cruiser on Route 1 on Monday night

Williams was struck from behind in the accident, which happened Monday shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Route 1 South in the area of Route 32 in Morrisville, police said.

Smith was taken to Capital Health in Trenton with head and neck injuries, but he was not admitted, Falls police said on Wednesday.

Martinez was taken to Jefferson Health in Falls where he was treated and then arrested on an outstanding bench warrant for driving under the influence. The Bucks County Sheriffs Department took him into custody.

Martinez received multiple traffic citations including one for driving under a DUI-related suspension.

More Bucks County news Old Reedman overpass on Route 213 comes down. Here's why and what will replace it

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: What we know about the Morrisville police officer injured in accident
Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek, Polish Minister for EU Affairs, has suggested that Poland's support for Ukraine may be reduced amid the crisis over Ukrainian agricultural imports.

Source: Szynkowski vel Sek in an interview with PAP, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Answering a question about the conflict over the grain embargo, the minister said the Polish government is "relentless" in this matter, taking into account the interests of farmers.

"Ukraine's actions make no impression on us... but they do make a certain impression on Polish public opinion. The polls prove this, as well as the level of public support for further assistance to Ukraine. And this is harmful to Ukraine itself," said Szynkowski vel Sek.

He stressed that the absence of public support for assistance to Ukraine at the same level as before would mean that it would have to be reduced.

"We would like to further support Ukraine, but we must have the support of the Polish people in this matter for that to be possible. Therefore, unless there is support from the Polish people, it will be challenging for us to continue to support Ukraine as we have done so far," the minister said.

Asked whether agrarian issues would be a bargaining chip in Ukraine's possible accession to the EU, he stressed that Ukraine must fulfil clearly defined conditions in a range of areas.

"Ukraine, as a country with a highly developed agricultural sector, must realise that it faces a number of specific conditions to join the European Union. And not only in this issue," he said.

"Ukraine will have to fulfil all the conditions, and Ukrainian agriculture may certainly have access to European markets, but not in a way that threatens Polish farmers," the minister added.

Background:

Earlier, Polish government spokesman Piotr Muller admitted that Poland is likely to cut financial support for Ukrainians seeking refuge from Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

Ukraine has applied to the World Trade Organisation for consultations on the EU agri-embargo and is ready to impose a ban on imports of certain goods from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

During his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was alarmed to see "some of our friends in Europe play out solidarity in political theatre" by turning grain supplies into a thriller, in fact helping "to set the stage for a Moscow actor".

Zelenskyy was supposed to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, but the planned meeting did not occur.

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!
Polish European Affairs Minister Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek said that Kyiv's steps in the ongoing grain import dispute undermine Polish public support for aid for Ukraine, the Polish Press Agency (PAP) reported on Sept. 20.

"Ukraine's actions do not impress us... but they make a certain impression on Polish public opinion. This can be seen... in the level of public support for continued aid for Ukraine," the official said.

"We would like to support Ukraine, but we must have the support of Polish citizens for this to be possible."

The minister indicated that it would be challenging to continue backing Ukraine to the same extent as Poland has done until now without the public's support.

Read also: Poland threatens further import bans, summons Ukrainian ambassador over grain dispute

Ukraine's dispute with Poland, traditionally one of its most ardent supporters in its struggle against Russian aggression, was sparked by Warsaw's decision to extend the import ban on Ukrainian grain products past its expiration date set by the EU on Sept. 15.

The EU instituted the measure in May at the request of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria, who feared that the influx of cheaper Ukrainian products would put pressure on their farmers.

In response to Poland's decision, Kyiv said it would sue Warsaw in the World Trade Organization and also threatened to introduce an embargo on onions, tomatoes, cabbage, and apples from Poland.

Read also: This Week in Ukraine: Ukrainian grain exports, and the mayhem they cause in Europe on Apple Podcasts

Polish Prime Minister responded that if Ukraine imposes such restrictions, his country will extend the import ban on further products.

During his speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called out the "alarming" behavior of Ukraine's partners regarding the grain import bans.

While not naming specific countries, the statement came shortly after Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia said they would prolong the import restrictions.

In protest to Zelensky's statement at the U.N. headquarters, the Polish government also summoned Ukraine's Ambassador to Poland Vasyl Zvarych, PAP reported.

Slovakia and Hungary joined Poland in extending the ban, while Romania prolonged it for 30 days until it can clear out precise licensing rules on grain imports.

The Bulgarian Parliament voted against the prolongation. However, Sofia asked Kyiv to withhold the shipments until the licensing regime can be fully clarified.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(CNN)  At least 27 people have been killed and 200 wounded in a military operation by Azerbaijan in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, according to an official in Armenian-controlled territory there.

Azerbaijans defense ministry said Tuesday it had begun an anti-terrorist campaign in the region, as Armenian media and local authorities reported heavy bombardment of the regional capital of Stepanakert.

According to the information received from the Stepanakert morgue by the Office of the Human Rights Defender, as of 22:30, there are 27 victims due to the continuous full-fledged terroristic attack by Azerbaijan, among whom 2 are civilians, wrote Gegham Stepanyan, the ombudsman in the region, on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian enclave that is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, has been the cause of two wars between the neighbors in the past three decades, most recently in 2020.

Tensions have been simmering around the region for months, after Azerbaijani troops blockaded the Lachin corridor in December, cutting off the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and preventing the import of food to its roughly 120,000 inhabitants.

Russian peacekeepers, who deployed to Nagorno-Karabakh under the terms of the 2020 ceasefire, have been tasked with preventing a fresh conflict breaking out. But Moscow has been accused of being unable or unwilling to intervene to protect Armenia, its long-term ally, in the face of continuing aggression from Azerbaijan.

Karabakh authorities said they have asked for immediate talks with Azerbaijan, amid continued shelling of the region.

In response, the Azerbaijani Presidency said it is willing to meet with Karabakh Armenians, but added in a statement: To stop anti-terrorist measures, illegal Armenian armed groups must raise the white flag, surrender all weapons, and the illegal regime must dissolve itself. Otherwise, anti-terrorist measures will be continued until the end.

CNN has been unable to verify the claims of either side in the conflict.

Systematic shelling

An Azerbaijani presidential adviser on Tuesday played down reports of civilian casualties inside Nagorno-Karabakh, but said that collateral damage is a possibility in any military operation.

Confronted with reports of civilian casualties during Azerbaijans military operation in the disputed region on Tuesday, Hikmet Hajiyev, a political adviser to the president of Azerbaijan, told CNNs Matthew Chance in an exclusive interview that he doubted their accuracy.

Hajiyev also said that Azerbaijans counterterrorism action against Nagorno-Karabakhs Defense Army was triggered by the death of six people in landmine explosions inside Azerbaijan, including two civilians and four police officers.

The Azerbaijani government has made a decision to start with an unlimited, but local counterterrorism actions and measures on the ground to neutralize finally the military installations of military infrastructure that illegally exists on our territory, Hajiyev said.

He stressed that the military action would not stop until military forces inside the Nagorno-Karabakh disarm and raise a white flag.

Azerbaijans defense ministry demanded in a statement Tuesday the complete withdrawal of ethnic Armenian troops and the dissolution of the government in Stepanakert and said only legitimate military targets are being incapacitated.

The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the dissolution of the puppet regime, it said.

The ministry claimed its army had come under systematic shelling from Armenias armed forces, and that Armenia had fortified its positions, bringing units to a high level of combat readiness. It also alleged that mines had been planted in previously de-mined areas, and had already caused the death of two civilians.

Armenia denies claims that its army is in Nagorno-Karabakh

Armenias foreign ministry has rejected claims that the Armenian army was in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Armenias assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh is of a humanitarian nature, the need for which is further confirmed by the humanitarian crisis caused by the illegal blockade of the Lachin corridor, it said in a statement.

Armenian news agency Armenpress reported that Nagorno-Karabakhs army, which is not part of Armenias armed forces, is displaying resolute resistance to the Azeri militarys attempts to advance.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has convened a meeting of the Armenian Security Council against the backdrop of the situation in Karabakh.

Armenian news agency Armenpress said the city of Stepanakert City was under heavy Azerbaijani bombardment, and that mobile and internet connection had been disrupted.

Recently, the Azerbaijani side has been carrying out daily troop transfers and stockpiling of various weapons, which were accompanied by intensive information and propaganda activities, preparing the ground for large-scale aggression against Artsakh, the Foreign Ministry of Artsakh  the local term for Nagorno-Karabakh  said in a statement.

Now we are witnessing how Azerbaijan, in order to implement its policy of genocide, is moving towards the physical destruction of the civilian population and the destruction of civilian objects.

The previous war, which ended in a crushing defeat for the de-facto Nagorno-Karabakh state backed by Armenias government, lasted 44 days, before a Moscow-brokered ceasefire ended the conflict.

The deal provided for around 2,000 Russian peacekeepers to deploy to Nagorno-Karabakh to guard the Lachin corridor. But Russias peacekeepers did not prevent Azerbaijani troops from establishing a military checkpoint along the corridor, stopping the import of food to the enclave.

Earlier this month, Pashinyan said Azerbaijan had concentrated troops on the border with Armenia and the dividing line with Nagorno-Karabakh, and warned of a possible escalation.

Over the past week, the military-political situation in our region has deteriorated significantly, Pashinyan said. The reason is that Azerbaijan has been accumulating troops along the contact line of Nagorno-Karabakh and the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for several days now.

Military escalation should not be used as a pretext

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Tuesday described the sudden escalation of conflict as Russia at play, telling CNNs Isa Soares that its no coincidence that the tensions escalated as world leaders gather in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.

The European reaction is absolutely clear. Full condemnation of the actions that we saw earlier today in Karabakh, complete request for cessation of activities, he said  a position echoed by the French foreign ministry and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.

The European Unions High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell also condemned the attack, saying military escalation should not be used as a pretext to force the exodus of the local population.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for called for Azerbaijan to immediately cease its military actions, saying in a statement Tuesday that the United States is deeply concerned.

Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan, however, defended Bakus actions, saying Azerbaijans government found itself compelled to take necessary measures on its sovereign territory.

Continuation of negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is only way to establish peace, security, prosperity and permanent stability in the region, the Turkish ministry stressed in its statement, according to Turkish state media TRT.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said it was deeply alarmed by the sharp escalation in the region, and urged parties to stop the bloodshed.

(The) Russian side urges the conflicting parties to stop the bloodshed, immediately cease hostilities and return to the path of political and diplomatic settlement, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Tuesday, claiming the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues to fulfill its tasks.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also expressed concern about the sharp escalation of tensions and the outbreak of hostilities, and called for Armenia and Azerbaijan to adhere to the tripartite agreements signed after the war in 2020.

Russian state media TASS reported that Russian peacekeepers had organised the evacuation of nearly 470 people, including 185 children, in Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday.

TASS also said that Russian peacekeepers had recorded numerous ceasefire violations on Tuesday by Azerbaijan, citing information from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

But Pashinyan criticized Russia for not alerting his government about Azerbaijans plans to launch military action.

We havent received any information from our partners in Russia about that operation, Pashinyan was quoted by Armenpress as saying, describing this as strange and perplexing.

Azerbaijan has essentially launched the ground operation to subject the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh to ethnic cleansing, Pashinyan said.

We believe that the Russian peacekeeping forces should first of all take measures, and second of all we expect the UN Security Council to take measures as well.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Azerbaijan launches operation against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh"
Poland is ready to extend the ban on the import of products from Ukraine if Kyiv "escalates the conflict," Mateusz Morawiecki , Prime Minister of Poland, said.

Source: Morawiecki, in an interview with Polsat News, as reported by European Pravda

Details: This is how the Polish Prime Minister reacted to the recent statement by Taras Kachka, Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative of Ukraine, regarding a possible embargo on onions, tomatoes, cabbage and apples from Poland.

Quote from Morawiecki: "I am warning the Ukrainian authorities because if they escalate the conflict this way, we will add more products to the list of prohibited imports to Poland."

Details: Morawiecki added that his country "has done a lot for Ukraine", and therefore, it expects that its interests "will be understood".

"We will defend our interests with all determination. This means that, of course, we treat all problems on the Ukrainian side with respect, but for us, the interests of our farmers come first," Morawiecki said.

Background:

Due to the unilateral embargo by three EU states, Ukraine has asked the WTO for consultations. Ukraine is also ready to introduce a ban on the import of certain goods from Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

During his address to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was alarmed to see "some of our friends in Europe play out solidarity in political theatre" by turning grain supplies into a thriller, in fact helping "to set the stage for a Moscow actor".

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 Tuesday 19 September, Andrzej Duda , President of Poland, defended Warsaw's decision to impose unilateral restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products, which Kyiv is challenging at the World Trade Organisation.

Source: European Pravda; Polish media outlet PAP citing Duda at a Polish media briefing outside the UN headquarters in New York

Details: The President of Poland compared Ukraine to a drowning man, explaining that "anyone who has ever taken part in rescuing a drowning man knows that he is incredibly dangerous, that he can drag you down to the depths."

Quote: "This is a bit like the situation between Poland and Ukraine. Ukraine is under Russian attack, undoubtedly in a very difficult situation, clutching at whatever he can. Should we be offended by it [Ukraine]? Of course, you can be indignant about it," Duda said.

"Should we act to protect ourselves from being harmed by a drowning man? Of course we must act to protect ourselves from a drowning man causing us harm, because if the drowning man causes us harm and drowns us, he wont get any help. So we have to look after our own interests, and we will do this effectively and decisively," he said.

Duda also admitted that although he had planned to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he had not been able to "for organisational reasons" - delays in the schedule of leaders speeches at the UN General Assembly - but he does not rule out that a meeting will take place later.

On Friday, the European Commission announced that it would not extend restrictions on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine after 15 September, but Kyiv agreed to take measures to limit imports from its side.

However, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have decided to impose unilateral restrictions, with Warsaw saying their restrictions will remain in place indefinitely.

Ukraines Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced that Ukraine would request the arbitration of the World Trade Organisation if Poland blocked the export of Ukrainian grain.

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!
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki explained on Wednesday, 20 September that Warsaw is now focused on rearming its own army and therefore is not providing military assistance to Kyiv.

Source: Morawiecki said this on the Polsat television channel, reports European Pravda

Details: Answering the question of whether Poland will continue to support Ukraine in military terms, the head of the Polish government said that at the moment, Warsaw is not providing Kyiv with any weapons because "we are arming ourselves with the most modern weapons".

Quote: "If you don't want to be on the defensive, you have to have something to defend yourself with. This is our principle, so we have increased purchases [of weapons - ed.]," he added.

Morawiecki also mentioned his recent visits to weapons factories where Polish equipment is made, including the self-propelled Krab howitzer and Rosomak armoured personnel carriers.

"Here we focus mainly on the modernisation and rapid arming of the Polish army so that it becomes one of the strongest armies in Europe. And this is in a very short time," the Prime Minister of Poland explained.

He added that Poland's decision not to give Ukraine weapons would not jeopardise the security of Ukraine: "Our hub in Rzeszow, in consultation with the United States and NATO, is still playing the role it has been playing and will continue to play it".

According to the Polish authorities, Warsaw has provided over 3 billion in military aid to Kyiv since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

This includes ammunition, armoured vehicles and heavy equipment, as well as Soviet-era fighters, which Poland was one of the first to provide.

Morawiecki's statements came amid tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv over Polish unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural products and Ukraine's response.

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!








WARSAW (Reuters) - Poland's ruling party has condemned a new film criticising the country's rejection of migrants from the Middle East and Africa and challenged the opposition to follow suit, as campaigning for October's election focuses increasingly on migration.

"Green Border", directed by veteran Polish filmmaker Agnieszka Holland , has drawn a furious response from conservatives in Poland ahead of its release in Polish cinemas on Friday, who say its depiction of Polish officials' treatment of migrants dishonours those who were protecting their country.

With Poland's Oct. 15 elections just weeks away and the ruling nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) party facing an electoral challenge from the far-right, PiS is taking a tough stance and has urged the European Union to close its borders, while accusing the opposition of being soft on illegal migration.

Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak on Wednesday called on Donald Tusk, the leader of the largest opposition grouping Civic Coalition (KO), and Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski to apologise to soldiers, saying that Holland was linked to the opposition.

Holland appeared at an opposition event organised by Trzaskowski in August.

"Mr Tusk and Mr Trzaskowski - you have a moral obligation to apologise to Polish soldiers and officers for everything Ms Holland is guilty of through her film," Blaszczak told reporters at a conference next to the fence the Polish government has put up on its eastern border with Belarus.

The leader of a grass roots group supporting servicemen and women, Brigadier General pilot Dariusz Wronski, said soldiers were really outraged by the film, which he said showed them as drunks and thugs.

Holland declined to comment. A KO spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Holland has previously rejected criticism of the film by PiS, saying that it is "an attempt to give voice to those who are voiceless".

"Green Border" tells the story of refugees, charity workers, activists and border guards, whose lives intersect in the cold, swampy forests between Poland and Belarus.

Migrants started flocking to the border in 2021, after Belarus, a close Russian ally, opened travel agencies in the Middle East offering a new unofficial route into Europe - a move the European Union said was designed to create a crisis.

Poland refused to let them cross, leaving hundreds stranded in a freezing no-man's land.

Polish Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro has compared the film to Nazi propaganda. Holland demanded an apology, saying she would take Ziobro to court if she did not receive one.

The government is facing opposition accusations that it was complicit in a system in which migrants received visas at an accelerated pace without proper checks after paying intermediaries.

PiS said the opposition had exaggerated the extent of the issue.

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz)
A new poll released on Sept. 20 by Ukrainian grassroots organization Razom has recorded 63% of respondents in the U.S. expressing support for continued military aid to Ukraine.

A vast majority (87%) of self-reported Democrat respondents articulated their support for the continuation of aid, compared to 48% of Republican respondents.

Despite this partisan divide, there was widespread agreement across the political spectrum to the assertion that, Russia is committing human rights atrocitiesthey must be stopped and made to pay for the destruction they have caused.

Other key takeaways from the that a majority of respondents would prefer to vote for a candidate that will argue for continued support to Ukraine, and that fewer than 20% want Ukraine to settle the war now.

Americas continued support for Ukraine has already become a hot-button issue in the upcoming 2024 presidential election campaign. This is especially apparent among Republicans, which was illustrated during the first Republican debate in Aug. 2023.

Read also: Zelensky at UN: Russias aggression poses threat beyond Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Haphazard planning and shoddy oversight from Pentagon leadership has subjected thousands of rank-and-file service members to dirty and dangerous living conditions in military barracks, government investigators have found.

The 118-page Government Accountability Office report, published Tuesday, documented widespread housing issues, many of which are already familiar to many lower-ranking service members across the armed forces  mold, dysfunctional plumbing, no heating in the winter, no air conditioning in the summer. Investigators warned that these conditions risk undermining the militarys readiness and morale.

GAO officials visited barracks at ten different military installations and analyzed service member housing satisfaction data dating back to 2019. They found that some military barracks do not meet DOD minimum standards for assignment or occupancy.

We observed and military service members and officials told us that living conditions in some barracks pose potentially serious risks to health and safety and that not all barracks meet minimum privacy and configuration standards, they note in their report.

Service members at five of the ten installations reported regular water issues; four installations reported broken or malfunctioning fire safety infrastructure. All ten reported mold infestations and broken, malfunctioning, or non-existent heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Investigators also documented broken door locks and first-floor windows at three installations. They observed insufficient lighting, vacant units occupied by unauthorized personnel, or no existing or working security cameras at seven installations.

Maintenance teams tend to be slow or unresponsive. GAO officials found that some installations require residents to take care of quality-of-life issues themselves. According to the report, officials at one installation said service members are responsible for cleaning up the biological waste that might stain a room after a suicide.

It takes longer than a month, sometimes three months, for maintenance to come and check out an issue, one resident told investigators.

Some barracks are faulty by design, according to the report. DOD housing standards mandate that troops living in units without a living room should each have a private bedroom and share a bathroom with no more than one other person. Room layouts at six installations violate these guidelines.

Service members told GAO officials that the condition of these living spaces worsen the mental and physical health of their residents. Officials and troops also stressed that poor living standards disincentivize reenlistment and scare away prospective enlistees.

Service members consider leaving the military because they are miserable [in barracks], one senior enlisted member told investigators. They want to control how they live.

Despite an abundance of complaints and billions of dollars allocated toward facility sustainment, the Pentagon has struggled to bring barracks up to par.

Investigators note that DOD has deferred $137 billion in installation maintenance costs as of 2020. Much of the money that has trickled through is pipelined towards mission-critical facilities, leaving barracks by the wayside. When pressed by GAO officials to detail how much sustainment funding would be dedicated to barracks renovations, DOD officials struggled to provide specific estimates, investigators added.

The report also faults the defense departments unreliable system for assessing the quality of life on installations.

The military assigns facilities a condition score from 0 (worst) to 100 (best). Investigators discovered that a number of barracks with condition scores above 80 needed significant improvement. Officials at one installation described the barracks as uninhabitable, even though its condition score passed 90.

The GAO recommended that the DOD conduct more thorough and frequent assessments of its barracks to keep tabs on conditions. It also suggested that the branches tidy their budgets to streamline renovation funds to where theyre needed most.

The Defense Department has concurred or partially concurred with all of the GAOs 31 recommendations, according to the report.
ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday called for an end to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian breakaway region in Azerbaijan that has come under attack by Azeri forces over the last 24 hours.

"I once again appeal to all the parties involved and to the international community to silence their weapons and make every effort to find peaceful solutions," Francis said during his weekly audience in St Peter's Square.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Cristina Carlevaro)
The Port of Benton is buying a 12,000-square-foot office building in the Richland Airport Business Park using a low-interest loan from the Washington Department of Transportation.

The port is borrowing $1.1 million from the Community Aviation Revitalization Board, a WashDOT program that helps airports be financially self sufficient, such as earning money from leasing space.

The port will become the landlord for existing tenants at 1845 Terminal Drive while offering vacant space to aviation-related businesses, it said.

Built in 1977, the property was owned by Cheryl Ann and Robert Moe of Granger, according to Benton County property records. The 2023 tax bill on the property was $8,061. The port is a public entity and does not pay property taxes.
CRYSTAL RIVER  Rogelio Rauda stood in the parking lot of a waterfront motel, warning a fellow construction laborer on the other end of the phone not to go to Perry. Hed heard the Florida city, farther north and closer to Hurricane Idalias landfall, had a heavy police presence and was less safe for immigrants who dont have legal status.

Rauda had spent the morning dumping mold-freckled drywall from the storm-damaged motel into a dumpster, scooping up the smaller pieces in his bare hands like graham cracker crumbs. He and his crew came to Crystal River in Citrus County as part of a national workforce that follows natural disasters like seasonal crops. They provide labor during the grueling months after hundreds or thousands of properties are damaged or destroyed.

Many of these migrants, including Rauda, flocked to Southwest Florida less than a year ago after Hurricane Ian to help homeowners rebuild. But this year is different. This time, many are too afraid to enter the state because of a new immigration law that took effect in July  part of a slate of measures pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis shortly before he announced his presidential campaign.

Already, there have been news reports of the law causing labor shortages in the states restaurant, hotel and agricultural industries. Hurricane Idalia will be the first test of whether the labor shortages brought on by that new law will also hamper rebuilding efforts in Florida, just as the state enters peak hurricane season.

Rauda said all the precautions theyve had to take because of the Florida law exact a mental toll.

People are scared, he said. You walk on eggshells.

A national nonprofit group called Resilience Force, which advocates for post-disaster laborers without legal status, informally polled its roughly 2,000 members about whether Floridas new immigration law would prevent them from traveling to the state.

Well over half said yes, said Saket Soni, the groups executive director. Many were people who worked in Florida after past hurricanes like Michael in 2018 and Ian.

Ive never heard so many workers so unanimously afraid. These are people who have been deploying to rebuild homes after hurricanes since Katrina, Soni said, referring to the 2005 Category 5 storm that devastated Louisiana.

Florida Senate Bill 1718 made it a third-degree felony to knowingly and willfully transport a person without legal status into the state. It required private businesses with at least 25 employees to use E-Verify, the online federal system that checks the immigration status of workers. It also mandated that hospitals that accept Medicaid ask about patients immigration status on intake forms, and invalidated drivers licenses issued by other states to people unable to prove lawful residency in the country.

Soni said DeSantis policies would ultimately hurt homeowners, and the impact of a labor shortage will only worsen if another storm hits a more populous area than Idalias landfall in rural Big Bend.

This is a governor whos grabbing headlines for a presidential run. Thats ultimately more important to him right now than his own constituents, homeowners who desperately need workers to rebuild their homes, he said. Thats a practical problem, not a political one.

The governors office did not respond to emails requesting comment. When DeSantis has spoken about immigration policy on the campaign trail, hes emphasized the dangers that he said are posed by people coming to the country illegally, citing drug trafficking. His campaign rolled out a hardline immigration plan that proposed to do away with birthright citizenship for people born in the U.S. to parents without legal status, and DeSantis has said suspected cartel members should be shot stone-cold dead.

Rauda has been working in disaster recovery since arriving in the U.S. from Honduras 22 years ago, and decided to risk coming to Florida because of the job opportunities to make money quickly. Rauda said he sends the money he makes back to his family in Texas. He estimates he needs to make about $3,500 a month to feed his family and cover their bills.

We want to work, yes, but its not easy. And, at the same time, subcontractors are also afraid of hiring us because of the law, he said.

Last year in Fort Myers, it was common to see migrant construction workers eagerly waiting for work all over town: at gas stations, on corners, outside Home Depot stores. In Crystal River last week, there were few signs of their presence. Debris piles lay baking in front yards next to manatee-shaped mailboxes that invoked the towns famous tourist attraction.

After police told his crew they could no longer sleep in their cars in a shopping plaza, Rauda said, four of them crammed into one room at a cheap motel for $70 a night. They advertise their services by holding a handmade sign: Demolition, Cleaning, Drywall  but were asked to move to a different street corner by a nearby store manager.

Maria Oyuela is one of the workers who are staying away.

For four months after Hurricane Ian, she and her husband slept in their car in a Fort Myers Home Depot parking lot, having left their son with family in another state so he could keep going to school, she said. They installed sheetrock, made repairs and painted homes.

But the temperature of the immigration debate in Florida was already rising. Oyuela said local police repeatedly asked her about her papers or threatened to deport her. This year, with the new law in place, she said they decided it was too dangerous.

It hurts a lot to not be able and go help people and find work, Oyuela, who is also from Honduras, said in a phone interview from Louisiana. I feel frustrated, but I cant go.

Two other migrant workers interviewed by the Tampa Bay Times, who declined to provide their full names because of their immigration status, said they made the same choice. Even as rebuilding work slows to a crawl in other hurricane-struck states along the gulf, it wasnt worth the risk of deportation, they said, which could leave their families without breadwinners.

All three migrants said they hadnt ever opted to stay out of any state until now.

Contractors interviewed by the Times had differing views of what the labor shortage will mean, though not whether there will be one. They said the construction industry has already been grappling with a labor shortage that was years in the making.

Daniel Osborne, owner of DRR Drywall Repair in Ocala, said the immigration law would help ensure homeowners hire licensed tradespeople like him to rebuild their homes. Workers not held to those same standards, like those in the country illegally, run the risk of mishandling repairs that could lead to dangerous mold problems, he said.

If individuals are being forced to explore and secure local, legal, licensed professionals, thats going to help their local, legal, licensed community, Osborne said.

Brent Taylor, a general contractor whos president of Taylor Construction Group in Tampa, said the smaller supply of labor will lead to longer timelines and higher costs for homeowners affected by Idalia to make repairs. He said the construction industry needs workers even if they dont have legal status because younger Americans have stayed away from trades after generations were encouraged instead to seek out white-collar careers.

I believe that we have a crisis when it comes to (immigration). But I also believe that there is maybe other ways to resolve the problem, rather than just, You cant work, said Taylor, who is also president of an organization called Tradesmen for Triumph, which helps hurricane-affected homeowners find licensed tradespeople and contractors. Whether it was after Ian or not, our industry is very heavily dependent on what were calling migrant workers.

At the Crystal River motel, Rauda was back to demolition  ripping out the bottom half of each rooms mint green-painted drywall, prying nails off with a crowbar to get down to the studs. Dust filled the musty-smelling air. In parts of the walls they hadnt yet torn down, mold had already started growing so thickly that it was fuzzy, like cotton.

Following two rooms behind was Rogelios nephew, Junior Moises George Rauda, who was caulking baseboards to the new sections of drywall. For their work, the group of migrants will be paid $1,000 per room to split, though sometimes a chunk of their profit has to be used for building materials.

Taped to the glass on the small motels front office was a notice from an inspector on bright red paper, with a handwritten note that said water had rushed into the building, possibly damaging the electrical system.

At the top, an all-caps heading read: UNSAFE.

Times staff photojournalist Ivy Ceballo contributed to this report.
New York (CNN)  US President Joe Biden on Tuesday made a forceful call for the world to stand up to Russias invasion of Ukraine, calling for leaders to stand firm in their support of President Volodymyr Zelensky and his nation as the war heads toward its second autumn.

Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin and his armed forces are betting that the world will grow weary of supporting Ukraine and it is incumbent upon the countries in the United Nations to stand firm against Putins aggression.

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I respectfully suggest the answer is no. We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, Biden said.

Thats why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom, he added.

The annual UN talks are unfolding for the second year under the shadow of the war in Ukraine, and the conflict will remain a focus for leaders. While the UN has led on organizing humanitarian aid during the conflict, it hasnt acted as a mediator in the war. Biden is set to meet with Zelensky  who was in the audience for Bidens speech on Tuesday  in Washington later this week.

For the second year in a row, this gathering  dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts  is darkened by the shadow of war. An illegal war of conquest brought without provocation against its neighbor Ukraine, Biden said.

He added, Russia alone bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. And its Russia alone that stands in the way of peace.

Later Tuesday, in remarks to the United Nations Leaders Reception at the New Yorks Metropolitan Museum of Art, he told other world leaders: Our world stands at an inflection point, and the decisions we make now are going to determine our future for decades to come.

The US president made reference to Russia, observing that the world stands poised at a moment where basic principles like sovereignty, territorial integrity, universal human rights are being tested, and a member the United Nations Security Council has launched a brazen and brutal attack against the people of Ukraine  attacks that go against the very character of the United Nations.

During his speech to the General Assembly, Biden also returned to an issue that he frequently turns to in his public remarks  the future of democracy in the world. The US president has often cast the fundamental motivating issue of his presidency as democracy vs. autocracy. And one day after the US president railed against his predecessor, former US President Donald Trump, in a sharpened speech at a fundraiser warning that Trump was determined to destroy democracy, Biden pressed the importance of democratic institutions.

We will defend democracy: our best tool to meet the challenges that we face around the world. Were working to show how democracy can deliver in ways that matter to peoples lives, he said, pointing to global infrastructure partnerships and investments in low and middle income countries.

The US president frequently uses China as an example of that contrast. But at the UN, he sought to emphasize a more diplomatic tone regarding the American relationship with China, saying he wants competition and not conflict.

I want to be clear and consistent: We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict. Ive said we are for de-risking, not decoupling on China, he said, warning that the US will push back on aggression.

Biden says US future is tied to other nations

This year, the nations of the global south are also demanding attention from leaders. Many have watched with skepticism as the West rallies attention and funding for Ukraine while their crises go unnoticed.

Biden will meet Wednesday with Brazils President Lula da Silva to discuss labor issues and Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with whom Biden has clashed on the countrys controversial judicial reform plan.

Biden and Netanyahu, the senior official said, will discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues focused on the shared democratic values between our two countries and a vision for a more stable and prosperous and integrated region, as well as compare notes on effectively countering and deterring Iran.

But with high-level absences from Russia, China, France, and the UK  all permanent members of the UN Security Council  the Biden administration will be relegated to lower-level engagements with key allies and adversaries, all while hoping to elevate the United States views of global infrastructure, food security, democratic values, and territorial sovereignty.

Reiterating his belief that the world is at an inflection point in history, Biden told the assembly, As president of the United States, I understand the duty my country has to lead this critical moment.

Biden heralded his administrations efforts toward fighting the climate crisis, including investment toward clean energy, climate financing in developing countries, and steps toward the climate finance pledge outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement, though he called for additional public and private sector investment.

As the US seeks to counter the authoritarian pull of Russia and China, Biden is joining the presidents of five Central Asian nations  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan  for the first-ever so-called C5+1 presidential summit on Tuesday, the first senior official said, for a discussion on regional security, trade and connectivity, climate, and reforms to improve governance and the rule of law.

The United States seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable world for all people, because we know our future is bound to yours.  And no nation can meet the challenges of today alone, Biden said Tuesday.

Questions over UNs effectiveness

A major challenge for the Biden administrations ability to generate attention and headlines for its foreign policy goals: Forum fatigue, with the G20 meeting of world leaders, BRICs summit of developing countries, APEC gathering focused on Indo-Pacific policy, and the climate-focused COP28 conversation all happening in an unusually condensed calendar, taking some of the urgency away from the conversation happening in New York.

Theres always been a sense that when you cant get what you want from the UN, you go somewhere else, said Marti Flacks, director of the Human Rights Initiative at the Council on Strategic and International Studies. Theres more of them being led by US competitors, particularly China. And so theres a sense that they are growing in strength.

Still, Biden stressed the importance of the body in facing new challenges.

We also recognize that to meet new challenges of our decades-old institutions and approaches, they must be updated to keep pace with the world. We have to bring in more leadership and capability that exists everywhere, especially from regions that have not always been fully included.  We have to make sure were delivering for people everywhere.  That starts with the United Nations  starts right here, he said.

There are areas where the administration acknowledges progress will remain elusive. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said hes not optimistic UN leadership and partner countries can make progress reinstating the Black Sea grain initiative, despite UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres holding meetings on it with Zelensky and other partners New York this week.

We know the Turks are working hard at this; Guterres is working hard at this, Sullivan told reporters. But the Russians are not giving us a huge amount of cause for optimism at this moment.

The issue raises the broader question of UN efficacy, with Russia remaining a member of the United Nations Security Council, despite multiple demands from the council to end the war in Ukraine. Thomas-Greenfield said the US is working closely with Ukrainians to document war crimes and atrocities for future prosecution  but it remains unclear when any such tribunal would take place.

In addition to strengthening institutions, Biden called on the UN to forge new partnerships, and confront new challenges on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, which, he said, offers both enormous potential and enormous peril.

We need to be able to break the gridlock that too often stymies progress and blocks consensus on the council. We need more voices, more perspectives at the table. The United Nations must continue to preserve peace, prevent conflict, and alleviate human suffering. And we embrace nations stepping up to lead new ways to seek new breakthroughs on hard issues, he added.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Biden at the UN urges the world to stand firm in support of Ukraines fight against Russian invasion"
President Joe Biden has issued an executive order to protect the people of East Palestine, Ohio and surrounding communities after the toxic train derailment.

According to a news release, the president has directed FEMA to appoint a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator.

The coordinator will oversee long-term recovery efforts.

President Biden also announced new steps to ensure Norfolk Southern continues meeting its obligations to the community.

Four federal agencies will report back to the president regarding the status of cleanup and recovery.

The executive order directs the following federal agency actions:

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Within five days of the Executive Order, FEMA will designate a Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator to oversee long-term recovery efforts in the affected communities. The Coordinator will conduct a comprehensive assessment of any unmet needs that are not addressed by Norfolk Southern and would qualify for Federal assistance. The Coordinator will also collaborate with the Federal, State and local governments, the private sector and voluntary, faith-based and community organizations supporting the recovery.

The State of Ohios request for a major disaster declaration pursuant to the Stafford Act will be held open. If the FEMA Administrator receives new information from the State, including needs that are not being addressed by Norfolk Southern, she will immediately submit a recommendation on whether a major disaster declaration is warranted.

Environmental Protection Agency

EPA will continue to direct removal of contaminated soils and wastewater from the derailment site, in compliance with state and Federal law. In addition, EPA will ensure that any remaining contamination in surface stream sediments is addressed, and that air and water monitoring continue.

Within 30 days, EPA will provide a report to the President on the status of air, soil, and water monitoring and whether Norfolk Southern continues to comply with the Federal Unilateral Administrative Order to address the imminent and substantial endangerment caused by the companys derailment. Moving forward, EPA will provide the President with an updated report every 60 days until all cleanup, assessment, and monitoring work required by EPAs Order has been completed.

Health and Human Services Administration

Within 60 days, HHS will provide the President with a report summarizing key conclusions from the public health testing and assessment that has been conducted to date, and the resources HHS and the CDC have provided to address any health conditions related to the derailment.

In coordination with the affected States, HHS will continue to monitor the public health consequences of the derailment, including to determine whether any acute medical conditions develop. If such medical conditions develop, HHS and EPA will each evaluate whether a public health emergency should be declared.

HHS will provide technical assistance to the States of Ohio and Pennsylvania in the event that either State considers submitting a proposal for services through the Medicaid program for individuals affected by the derailment.

Department of Transportation

Within 60 days, DOT will provide the President with a report detailing the actions the Department is taking in response to the East Palestine train derailment. This report will be updated within 120 days of the final National Transportation Safety Board investigation, and DOT will provide the President a preliminary set of follow-on actions to ensure accountability.

Norfolk Southern has issued a statement:

From the beginning, Norfolk Southern has committed to making it right in East Palestine and covering all costs associated with the clean-up. In the months since, we have made significant progress, keeping our promises to safely and thoroughly clean the derailment site, support the needs of the community, and invest in its future. We remain committed to East Palestine today, and into the future, and will continue to work closely with federal, state, and local leaders.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

15-year-old student killed in school van crash in Dravosburg Man hit and killed by truck in Wilmerding identified Woman accused of running her boyfriend over with a car in Hempfield Township VIDEO: 2 males critically injured in Mount Oliver shooting DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
Sen. Tommy Tuberville plans to circumvent his months-long hold on military promotions.

He told fellow GOP senators he intended to force a vote to appoint a new Marine Commandant.

Tuberville's single-handedly prevented more than 300 military promotions this year.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville privately told a group of Republican senators that he planned to circumvent his ongoing blockade of military promotions in an effort to appoint a new Marine commandant.

On Tuesday, according to The Hill, Tuberville conferred with his GOP colleagues at their weekly conference lunch about his intention to force a vote in the Senate on Wednesday in an attempt to confirm Gen. Eric Smith to head the Marine Corps.

In July, Gen. David Berger retired from his role as Marine Commandant, passing the baton to Smith to serve in a non-Senate-confirmed capacity in addition to his role as assistant commandant.

While traditionally military promotions are done in the Senate in batches via unanimous consent, Tuberville has pledged to block any such vote after the Pentagon changed its abortion policies to allow service members to be reimbursed for traveling out of state to receive abortion-related services following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade's prior protections in 2022.

To get around his blockade, Tuberville's reportedly convinced sixteen GOP senators to sign a petition supporting a cloture motion. According to Senate rules, a lawmaker can bring a cloture motion to the floor once it's been backed by at least 16 senators, ultimately leading to a greater vote on the cloture.

If that vote passes, the topic of the cloture petition is then considered. In this case, it would be to force a one-off vote to confirm Smith to his new post.

Since Tuberville began his mission to block military promotions earlier in 2022, he's single-handedly prevented more than 300 officers from receiving promotions. Top defense officials have publicly criticized the senator, including the Secretary of the Navy, Carlos Del Toro, who accused Tuberville of playing "Russian roulette with the very lives of our service members."

Tuberville, who has no military experience and once claimed there's "nobody more military than" him, doesn't appear like he'll lift his hold anytime soon. Just over a month ago, he said on a podcast that he thought the military was "a little overloaded to begin with" with four-star generals.

Read the original article on Business Insider
William, Prince of Wales, greets fans as he visits a FDNY Firehouse on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, in New York City. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Pool Photo via AP)

NEW YORK (AP)  With deadly extreme weather hitting all over the globe, rising temperatures peaking during the hottest summer on record and carbon pollution levels that keep climbing, Britains Prince William and wealthy entrepreneurs Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg promised a warming world a degree of hope.

That comes in the form of innovation, creativity and technology, the trio and others said at a summit Tuesday in the posh Plaza Hotel. They announced finalists for Williams third annual Earthshot Prize that offers five awards of 1 million pounds ($1.2 million) to companies and groups that come up with new ways to save the planet.

Weve got to hang onto optimism and hope because it is the biggest driver of change, the biggest driver of innovation, William told the crowd of movers and shakers, after mentioning that he'd slipped away for a morning jog in New Yorks Central Park.

While a healthy dose of realistic pessimism about Earths climate is important, the heir to the British throne said he wants people to believe there is hope; there are people out there doing incredible things that will have massive impacts on our futures.

Williams summit highlighted 15 different finalists from around the world, including efforts to reduce London air pollution from vehicle tires, reduce livestock methane emissions by new types of seaweed feedstock and use DNA technology to make more sustainable textile dyes.

DIFFERING VISIONS OF THE FUTURE

Days after protesters in the street, many of them under 30, talked of robbed futures, speakers at the Earthshot summit  named because it was inspired by President John F. Kennedys moonshot effort in the 1960s  saw a different world developing, mainly because of changes in technology.

Theres a lot of climate exaggeration, said Gates, who founded Microsoft and is now a philanthropist. The climate is not the end of the planet. So the planet is going to be fine.

The world will not be able to meet its agreed-upon goal to limit future warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperatures, but it wont hit the 3-degree Celsius mark either, said Gates, who is not a climate scientist.

Gates cited a reason for thinking it won't be as bad as it once looked: Since 2015, until last year, the world went on a gigantic innovation binge in efforts that could help curb climate change.

Gates promoted a winner from last year who tries to use rock-like resources to safely store carbon dioxide sucked from the atmosphere, speeding up a natural process by 100,000 times. If that company can get the price of storing carbon dioxide down to $50 a ton it brings in this additional tool that reduces the temperature rise.

AVOIDING INVESTMENT IN HEAT-TRAPPING GASES

Later, at the same hotel, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen talked about more down-to-Earth financial issues  how powerful companies could have whats called net-zero investments, which is not funding industries and firms that emit heat-trapping gases.

The climate crisis has propelled a massive economic shift, Yellen said.

She introduced a series of best practices for these financial institutions to carry out their net-zero commitments called  Principles for Net-Zero Financing and Investment. They include encouraging banks and other institutions to finance clients pursuing decarbonization in high-polluting industries and investing in clean energy projects. Some financial institutions could supplement emissions reduction measures with the voluntary purchase of carbon credits, according to a handout.

She said the goal is to affirm the importance of credible net-zero commitments and to encourage financial institutions that make them to take consistent approaches to implementation."

Yellen also announced that a group of philanthropic organizations  including Bezos Earth Fund, Bloomberg Philanthropies and others  would pledge $340 million to help financial institutions develop and execute robust, voluntary net-zero commitments, she said.

In a statement, David Arkush, director of Public Citizens Climate Program, said the new Treasury commitments, suffer from major shortcomings.

Offsets are a loophole large enough to drive most carbon pollution through," he said.

Afterward, Prince William headed toward ground zero, where he visited with firefighters at FDNY Ten House, the station that was the first on the scene at the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks. He then greeted scores of people lined up behind metal barricades across the street. The Prince shook outstretched hands and chatted briefly with people.

-

Hussein reported from Washington. Bobby Caina Calvan contributed from New York. Follow APs climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment and follow Seth Borenstein at http://twitter.com/borenbears and Fatima Hussein at http://twitter.com/fatimathefatima

___

AP climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Without the diplomatic immunity conferred on visiting heads of state, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi might be in a real pickle. His resume is littered with corpsesthousands of men and women whose summary executions in 1988 constitute grave war crimes, according to the Swedish court that last year sentenced a former guard to life in prison for assisting in the deaths Raisi had, along with two other Iranian officials, ordered.



Instead, Tuesday found Raisi at the plenum of the U.N. General Assembly, claiming the moral high ground during what he would likely count as a successful visit to the Great Satan. By the time he left New York City, the news was no longer the one-year anniversary of the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, whose killing in September of 2022 ignited months of spontaneous protests across the Islamic Republic. The subject had changed to the release Monday of five U.S. citizens, in exchange for access to $6 billion, informal assurances on the status of Irans nuclear program, and the reciprocal release of five Iranians. The Council of Foreign Relations invited Raisi to a stop by, and he also passsed an hour with a group of U.S. journalists.

Theres that theater. There was an opportunity to change the subject from talking about the anniversary of the protests," says Vali Nasr, a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies who advised the Obama Administration on Iran. "The American media would be focusing on this instead.

Read more: Mahsa Amini's Death Still Haunts the Iranian Regime

The regimes security forces needed four months to reclaim the streets from protesters, killing more than 500 and arresting tens of thousands in the process. For several weeks, the uprising, led by young women, was so widespread and intense that a prominent dissident said it might actually topple the theocracy that has ruled the nation of 88 million since 1979.



I think this particular year, for Raisi, its very important to show that Iran is still standing after the protests last year, and that its not isolated, says Nasr. Thats an important message that they want to send to constituents at home, to the protesters, to the reporters, to Iranians abroad, and to other governments."

The White House helped. Though the Biden Administration voiced strong support for the protests, it also has made a priority of freeing Americans imprisoned abroad. Eventually it not only re-engaged with the mullahs, it also arranged a windfall, ordering the release from South Korean accounts of $6 billion in oil revenue frozen by U.S. sanctions. Transferred to the safekeeping of Qatar, the middleman in the hostage deal, the money may be used only to buy food or medicine. But that frees up $6 billion in Irans $53 billion annual budgeteffectively boosting it by 11%.

Raisi is normalizing evil with some success, says Roya Boroumand, an Iranian exile whose father was assassinated, and who has invested years in tallying the number of people the Islamic Republic has killed. (Were around 26,000, she says. But its certainly much more.) Boroumand says the trappings of legitimacy around the annual U.N. gathering are "directly harming the people who get killed in the streets, because it makes them more vulnerable. It makes the state more arrogant: I've killed more than 1,000 people, and I'm getting money back for returning people I have wrongly detained, and they sit and talk to me.



One of those detained was Siamak Namazi, a dual American and Iranian citizen who ran a consulting business in Tehran. Named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, in Tehran he also received reporters endeavoring to untangle Iranian politics, which for a couple of decades appeared to be a genuine contest. Though ultimate power in the country is held by unelected, hardline clerics, reformers regularly won elected offices, including that of President, thereby keeping alive the hopes of a population chafing at the hardliners' domination of almost every element of life.

That hope officially ended with Raisis 2021 electionin a contest that, because unelected hardliners decide what names will appear on the ballot, did not even include a reform candidate. His ascension sealed the retrograde and brittle rule that protesters rose up against a year ago, and that Raisi spent the week assuring everyone will remain. Most of the protesters, he said, were naive youths misled by outside influences, including Western media.



Not only are they not backing down, but they're toughening the laws, Boroumand notes. The confrontation is going to become more bloody because these girls are not backing down either.

And yet the impression, for now, is of a return to the status quo ante. Nasr says the prisoner exchange and the $6 billion will buy peace through the uncertainty of the U.S. presidential election, which may return to office Donald Trump, who pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 nuclear deal. Tehrans tacit understanding with the Biden Administration, Nasr says, is that in the meantime Iran will neither advance its nuclear program nor direct the militias it controls to attack U.S. forces in the Middle East. The larger argument is this at least establishes some sort of baseline so the U.S. and Iran can hold on to a ceasefire for the next year and a half, which gets us through the U.S. elections," he says. "If they can ever dream of addressing other issues, they had to do this much.

Read more: Iranian Women Are Still Fighting

Raisi's visit gave Israel an opportunity to post "Butcher of Tehran" cutouts around Manhattan. On the nearest corner to the hotel where he met invited journalists on Monday, dozens of protestors chanted the names of the prisons where as many as 5,000 people were hanged without trial in the space of three months in 1988. The massacre was a pivotal event in the history of the Islamic Republic, so outraging the deputy of then Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini that a new successor had to be found. Raisi, who held the title of deputy prosecutor for Tehran, was one of the three officials who briefly questioned the prisoners, deciding who would live or die, before sending them to the gallows.

A colleague with whom I often worked, years later when I was covering the country, had been an inmate in Evin Prison at the time. He said he had been ordered to cut down the bodies. When he freed the first, the head hit the pavement with a sound he says he cannot forget.

In the meeting with journalists, each was allowed one question. I asked Raisi his views on universal jurisdiction, the legal concept under which countries may prosecute war crimes that were committed elsewhere. Its how Sweden tried and convicted Hamid Noury, the former guard. I was asked to repeat the question. He had been implicated in war crimes; would he have come to New York without diplomatic immunity?



His answer came through a translator, and sounded a bit like a threat.



The ones who should be concernednot even traveling throughout the globe but even staying in their own homesare not the ones who have not trampled upon any laws nor disrupted the balance of society, the peace of society, Raisi said, his voice rising. The ones who on the other hand should be concerned are the ones who are promoting and propagating the disruption of balances in societies."



Contact us at letters@time.com.
Judy B. is a 64-year-old professional therapist who lives in the Houston area. Shes also a Republican who wants the United States to give more aid to Ukraine as it tries to eject Russian troops who invaded in 2022.

And now shes the star of one of the ads trying to convince other Republicans to also support Ukraine. Hers is a 30-second YouTube ad that will appear nationally, sponsored by the group Republicans for Ukraine.

Were the leader of democracy in the world, she told HuffPost, saying her desire to speak out stemmed from her belief the U.S. has a unique responsibility to defend democracy globally.

This is what we do, she said, regardless of party.

While Judy, who agreed to talk on the condition that her last name not be publicly disclosed, is bullish on supporting Ukraine, many in her party have soured on supporting the war. Opponents cite more immediate needs at home, fear of an escalation by Russian President Vladimir Putin or worry over his increased ties with China since the war began. An August CNN poll found 71% of Republicans did not support further aid.

This is what we do, regardless of party.Judy B., Republicans for Ukraine

As Putins opponent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meets with President Joe Biden and lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week to make his case for more aid and more capable weapons, its a perilous time for the aid request.

After weeks of bite-size intermittent battlefield gains, the Ukrainian counteroffensive has picked up momentum recently, seeing victories in the southern and eastern regions. While slow, the initiative has begun bearing some fruit.

But at the same time, many Republicans in the House, reflecting the mood of the party members at the ground level, have gone wobbly in terms of support. One group, the House Freedom Caucus, has held up spending bills needed to keep the government open and one of its demands is no unconditional support for Ukraine.

And House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) will not meet with Zelenskyy individually, but instead as part of a small group meeting of House lawmakers and party leaders.

Wheres the accountability in the money weve already spent? What is the plan for victory? I think thats what the American public wants to know, McCarthy told reporters.

State Emergency Service personnel respond to a Russian drone strike on industrial warehouses in Lviv, in western Ukraine on Tuesday.

State Emergency Service personnel respond to a Russian drone strike on industrial warehouses in Lviv, in western Ukraine on Tuesday.

The coming weeks will be critical for America and for Ukraine, said Gunner Ramer, spokesman for Republicans for Ukraine. The group is a campaign of Defending Democracy Together, a nonprofit activist group founded by old-line conservatives like Bill Kristol and Mona Charen.

The MAGA Republicans are so opposed to supporting Ukraine that theyre willing to shut down the government over it. Failing to provide this funding would be disastrous, leaving our Ukrainian ally without the military and humanitarian resources necessary to defend their territory and their democracy, Ramer said.

The group in August announced a $1 million ad campaign to go through the end of the year. It spent some of that on an ad during the first GOP presidential debate and now some of it will be put to use as the spending fight may be nearing a conclusion.

In addition to the YouTube ad, the group will be airing 30-second ads on Fox News between Sept. 18 and Sept. 22 as well as during four of the Sunday morning news interview shows.

Wheres the accountability in the money weve already spent? What is the plan for victory? I think thats what the American public wants to know.House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)

The group also launched a report card, assessing Republican House members stances on Ukraine and grading them A through F. The biggest groupings were found on the ends of the grading scale, with 82 As and 72 Fs. Sixty-eight Republicans were given grades between those extremes.

President Joe Biden has proposed about $20 billion in Ukraine-related assistance, as part of a larger $40 billion supplemental Ukraine and national disaster aid package that could ride along with a temporary spending bill to keep the government open past Sept. 30.

As of September, the United States has already committed about $77 billion in direct assistance to Ukraine since the war started in February 2022. Thats slightly less than half as much as contributions from European nations, through both collective organizations like the European Commission and as individual countries, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I would respectfully suggest the answer is no, said President Joe Biden in his address to the United Nations Tuesday. Zelenskyy has said if Ukraine loses, surrounding nations in NATO could be attacked, drawing the U.S. into the war.

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), the only Ukrainian-American in Congress, talks to reporters as she leaves a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), the only Ukrainian-American in Congress, talks to reporters as she leaves a House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

After initially joining the national wave of support for Ukraine after Russias unprovoked attack, Republican enthusiasm for giving aid has steadily fallen. That has been reflected in the stances of some of the Republican presidential candidates.

Former President Donald Trump has suggested that further aid be withheld until the FBI, the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service hand over records House Republicans can use to investigate President Biden. Vivek Ramaswamy opposes more aid, saying supporting Ukraine is pushing Russia and China together, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has said Europe needs to pay its fair share of the costs before more aid is sent.

Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), the only Ukrainian-American in Congress, said the split with her fellow Republicans was in part due to Russian propaganda.

I think theyve been very effective now in making our base very upset, she told reporters Tuesday.

But she also said the stakes of the war, which Ukraine supporters say include incentives for strong countries to invade weaker neighbors if Ukraine is abandoned and the eventual involvement of NATO, have not been conveyed to the American public.

I also think its important to communicate to our base and our people, she said.

For Judy B., a Republican for 40 years, it all goes back to the role of the U.S. in protecting and defending democracy globally.

This is the essence of what we do as Americans, she said. If were not going to do this, who will?

Related...
Sep 8, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Joseph Hodge stands in front of his home in Columbus. The house rose in value 169% over the past few years.

Michael Stinziano is Franklin County auditor.

Throughout the 2023 mass reappraisal process, the Franklin County Auditors Office continues to hear ongoing concerns from the residents about taxes and the way the property reappraisal process impacts all our neighborhoods.

Before tentative values were determined and released, we advocated for solutions and sought to address many of the concerns now being shared.

Last year, I met with the tax commissioner and explained the perfect storm driving these historic property value increases, but he insisted state law was not flexibleand values must reflect the market.

More: Columbus schools levy: A look at the $100M request, and state and federal COVID funding

Letters: Your house value is likely going to increase, but there's good news.

As a county, we are required to administer an outdated process that the General Assembly has long ignored, until it arrived at the front door of its constituents.

At a public forum in 2019 on affordable housing, hosted by Congresswoman Joyce Beattys office, many older residents expressed concerns about being property taxed out of their neighborhood.

Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano

From that forum on, your county auditors office began working with members of the Ohio General Assembly on solutions to address this problem.

For example, during the past three general assemblies, the Auditors office has worked with state Sen. Hearcel Craig and Rep. Latyna Humphrey on legislation that would cap property tax increases property owners would be required to pay, to prevent large property tax increases.

Letters: Why those 65 and older, childless should not have to pay school property

The state legislature has not passed the bill but we continue to understand this proposal, as well as several other solutions, could be successfully pursued and implemented.

Further, your auditors office has supported House Bill 60 which would modernize the homestead exemption, expanding the amount of home value exempted and relaxing the income qualification so it can be utilized by more of our older homeowners.

Older residents have always been top of mind, and as such, the auditors office remains dedicated to finding ways to help older homeowners remain in their neighborhoods.

Solutions identified included recommending increased funding for the Property Tax Assistance Program, a program that is administered by the auditors office to help older homeowners with onetime emergency property tax assistance.

More: Franklin County Auditor addresses property values, taxes, levies and being 'house poor'

Proudly, with the support of Commissioners OGrady, Boyce, and Crawley, the Property Tax Assistance Program has been vastly expanded and its funding increased exponentially to help more of our older residents pay their property taxes.

We need new state legislation to address the problem of unaffordable taxes for our longtime homeowners, many who are on fixed incomes and cant afford large property tax increases.

Ohio does not have a valuation problem; we have a taxation problem.

In central Ohio, we need to build homes of all types and price points, so our increasing population can find and keep stable, safe, and affordable housing. We need to stop the half-measures that only patch the problem and instead demand foundational changes to build a better future.

Michael Stinziano is Franklin County auditor.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mad about your property valuation? Problem is deeper| Franklin County auditor
A progressive campaign group is getting in on school board battles, with a goal of an eight-figure war chest for the hyper-local races.

Run For Something, a progressive group focused on supporting candidates in down-ballot races, says its planning a $10 million investment in left-leaning school and library board candidates in 2024 and 2025. The Wednesday announcement comes amid intensifying battles for school and library boards, with conservative campaigns moving to slash funding and restrict education on topics like race and gender. Some right-wing groups, like Moms for Liberty, have already led school board campaigns, and signaled plans to increase their electoral efforts.

Amanda Litman, cofounder of Run For Something, said her organization launched the project after identifying a real hole in the ecosystem on the left, particularly around school and library board races in the electoral space.

The California Megachurch Pushing Public Schools to the Far Right

There are a lot of organizations that do legal fights, Litman told The Daily Beast, referencing organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, which has filed recent lawsuits against censorship in schools. There are some organizations that show up at school and library board meetings to protest or speak up. There are some that train volunteers. There is no one actually asking people to run for school board and then helping them do that.

Run For Something is planning a $3 million pilot program for school and library board races in 2024, with the goal of scaling up to $7 million in 2025, and continuing the effort over the next five years. School board races will be the programs primary focus.

Litman said her organization is currently seeking funding for the campaign but we feel pretty confident in securing funding. Run For Somethings 2023 budget is approximately $16 million, she said.

Her group is not the only organization setting its sights on school board races. The conservative 1776 Project PAC launched in 2021 after its founder objected to the way he perceived schools to be teaching about race.

Moms for Liberty Loses Its Shit Over School Yearbooks LGBTQ Page

The 1776 Project PAC poured approximately $3 million into school board races between its 2021 launch and the November 2022 elections, the Wall Street Journal reported last year. The group told the Journal that it had supported approximately 100 candidates who won school board seats.

Moms for Liberty, which has spearheaded opposition to discussions of race, gender, and sexuality in schools, told the Journal that it had endorsed 270 candidates in November 2022 races. Approximately half of those candidates won, Moms for Liberty told the Journal.

Conservative candidates fared worse in April school board elections, with most candidates backed by Moms for Liberty or 1776 Project PAC losing their closely watched races in Wisconsin and Illinois. The lackluster performance prompted some Republican activists to warn that voters were losing their appetites for candidates who campaign on restricting discussion of race and gender in schools.

But at its summit event this summer, Moms for Liberty signaled plans to go all-in on elections. The group plans to start endorsing at the state board level and elected superintendents, its co-founder said.

Run For Something and other liberal groups have also previously endorsed school board candidates. The liberal group Campaign for Our Shared Future Action Fund endorsed 38 school board candidates in Arizona, Florida, Louisiana, and Michigan in the 2022 election cycle, spending an estimated $100,000 on the campaigns, EducationWeek reported last year.

But Litman said her group is planning a more end-to-end process of training, vetting, and campaigning for school board candidates.

We did a series of trainings earlier this year in Pennsylvania as part of the prep for this pilot program, Litman said. We did three events and had about 150 people come out to talk about running for school board. Half of them ended up filing to run. Thats an incredible conversion rate.

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.
Progressive abortion rights activists want to go much further in advancing abortion protections, and are pushing Democrats nationally and at the state level not to put any limits on the procedure.

As abortion rights supporters increasingly look to ballot initiatives in red and purple states, there are internal divisions over what limits, if any, they should be proposing.

Most Democrats, including the Biden administration, say they want to codify the protections that existed under Roe v. Wade, which made abortion legal to the point of viability but allowed states to restrict it later in pregnancy.

But progressive advocates for abortion access say Democrats should be aiming higher.

Rachel OLeary Carmona, executive director of Womens March, characterized the focus on simply bringing back Roes protections as too narrow and backward looking.

Roe is gone. Its gone, and its not coming back in the form that it was in, OLeary Carmona said, urging Democrats to think bigger and broader.

Public opinion on abortion has shifted and its shifted in favor of abortion. So now is the time for Democrats to strike when the iron is hot and put forth a vision that is of a future where we can all win, she said.

Democratic leaders argue Roes viability standard is consistent with where most of the country stands on abortion.

This is our position, said Rep. Diana Degette (D-Colo.), chairwoman of the House pro-choice caucus. The parameter set forth in Roe v. Wade. Thats the position, and actually a great majority of Americans agree with that too.

When pressed in a recent interview about how long into a pregnancy Democrats would support abortion, Vice President Kamala Harris repeatedly referred to the Roe standard.

We need to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade, Harris said on Face the Nation, but did not articulate a specific time limit.

In a CNN interview on Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said he and many other Democrats support abortion rights until viability.

But he also said the government shouldnt be involved in the decision, and called out Republicans like former President Trump for what he said were false flag attacks by claiming Democrats support abortion up to and after birth.

Its a canard. Its a political thing. Its total BS, Newsom said.

There is some concern that going further than Roe could risk alienating more conservative voters, and by not articulating a limit could open Democrats to attacks from Republicans about supporting unlimited abortion.

But some activists and lawmakers say those attacks are happening anyway, regardless of a politicians actual position.

They argue limiting abortion to viability is an unnecessary compromise with a GOP that wants to end all abortions, and will take away the full freedom of choice.

I think that the Republican Party in general has done a really good job of framing the issue in a way that has Democrats back on their heels, said OLeary Carmona.

In Missouri for instance, groups wanting to restore abortion access have submitted multiple versions of a ballot initiative for 2024, most of which include some kind of viability limit.

But the inclusion of such language led the abortion rights movement to fracture.

The local Planned Parenthood affiliate earlier this year stopped working to help pass the initiative, arguing it would harm patients and allow lawmakers to interfere and continue to restrict abortion.

Abortion is almost entirely banned in Missouri, which was the first state to enforce its trigger law in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision last year.

According to medical experts, the concept of viability is more of a range than a hard line in the sand. Viability addresses whether a fetus might survive outside of the uterus, but there is no medical test to determine it.

Most abortions are performed around 12 weeks of pregnancy, and later abortions are extremely rare. Only 1 percent of all abortion occur after 21 weeks of pregnancy, according to health research group KFF, and are usually done in cases of fetal abnormality or when the life of the mother is in danger

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) described viability as a complex calculation with multiple variables, including gestational age, delivery circumstances and genetics.

Policy making around viability interferes in the patientphysician relationship. ACOG strongly opposes legislation or regulation of the clinical definition of viability, the group said.

Mary Ziegler, an abortion historian and professor of law at the University of California, Davis said viability was a legal compromise from Justice Harry Blackmun, who sought a middle ground between abortion supporters and opponents when the Supreme Court was deliberating Roe v. Wade.

In the post-Roe era, Ziegler said that standard can still be politically expedient for Democrats.

Viability has the advantage of something that people already know about. Polling suggests Americans like Roe, lets just codify Roe, Ziegler said. Theres a sort of automatic quality to it that I think is appealing to people in states that  are not by any means kind of uniformly progressive.

Before Roe was overturned, Ziegler said there was more unanimity between moderate Democrats and progressives about not being too critical of the decision because it could fuel backlash to undermine it.

But now, the circumstances have changed and it makes sense for there to be tensions between the two sides, she said. Still, there is an acknowledgement that abortion protections can move more easily in the states, and what works in one area doesnt necessarily work nationwide.

I live in Amarillo, Texas. If we could get legislation moved forward that allowed abortion protected in a certain [point], that would be a win, said OLeary Carmona. That would be a loss in Los Angeles. I just dont think that we can talk about wins or losses in absolute terms.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  One of the Crystal Palaces most distinctive features is its roster of larger than life bronze statues of country music greats. Well, that roster of statues is about to drop by one. Hurt as it might, its for all the right reasons.

Garth Brooks will soon be coming to Bakersfield  sending his team, anyway  to permanently adopt the bronze symbol of one of his lifes most memorable moments.

As celebrity marriage proposals go, his was right at the top  the Friends in Low Places superstar and fellow superstar Trisha Yearwood , country music royalty if there ever was such a thing, on stage before 7,000 screaming fans on May 25, 2005.

Yearwood probably figured she was in Bakersfield simply to witness the Legends In Bronze concert and dedication at Buck Owens  Crystal Palace  the unveiling of nine larger-than-life statues of nine country music giants  10 statues, technically, including one of the host, forged a few years before. Sculptor Bill Rains had produced  foot likenesses of Buck Owens, Garth Brooks and eight others: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Jones , Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Merle Haggard, George Strait and Bob Wills.

Mechanics Bank Theater welcomes 30 choreographers for National Dance Day

Jim Shaw, the Buckaroos longtime keyboard player and Bucks right hand man  still, to this day, 17 years after Bucks death  said it all came down like this:

I had the artist, Bill Rains, do sketches of all the statues (to show) what they were gonna look like, Shaw said. And he did a nice rendition of Garth where he was holding his hat in front of him like he was at the end of his show, yknow, very humble, and sent it off to Garth and said, Heres what your statues gonna look like. Garth says, Well, thats good, I like that. But would you mind if I flew up to Billings, Montana, where (Rains lives), and pose?

Brooks  the youngster among the group of honorees had a secret plan: Have Rains put a bronze engagement ring on Bronze Brooks finger, unveil the statue and let the magic happen. As long as Buck doesnt inadvertently spoil the party, that is.

I had to keep that secret for a long time, Shaw said. I couldnt tell Buck. Cuz I knew Buck couldnt keep a secret.

Then, that fateful day in Bakersfield. Buck, Garth and Trisha took center stage. The curtain dropped from around Brookss statue.

Then (Brooks) dropped down to his knee and the crowd went crazy, Shaw said.

Owens made a promise to Brooks that day. After hes gone, if Brooks still wants it, Owens was willing to bequeath the bronze statue  worth an undisclosed many tens of thousands of dollars  to his friend, who had, after all, kicked in significantly on his statue.

Were gonna honor that agreement, Shaw said.

Bill Rains, whose work can be seen in places like the old home of the Grand Ol Opry, Graceland, and the Buck Owens Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, died in August 2021 at age 84.

New Vintage Grill employees start fundraiser for children

Owens is almost two decades gone now, Brooks and Yearwood are still happily married, and Brooks has a nice, cozy place for that statue.

Thats right  the joyous, welcoming statue of Garth Brooks that has greeted visitors at the entrance to Bucks museum and dinner club for almost two decades, will play that same role at Brooks soon-to-open, four-story bar and honky-tonk on South Broadway in Nashville: Friends in Low Places. An LLC linked to Brooks bought the building for $48 million in December 2021.

Brooks is expected to open the club with a concert Nov. 24 but nothing official has been announced. A Metropolitan Nashville-Davidson County Department of Transportation sidewalk closure permit for the property expires Oct. 30 but a permit extension, for a covered pedestrian walkway, runs through February 2024. The old, renovated historic building has been under construction for two years.

The honky-tonk will be laid out like this, according to Brooks himself: First floor, bring your helmet. Second floor, a little more calm, but hang on to your helmet just in case. Third floor, Trisha Yearwood classic cool. Fourth floor, up on top, The Oasis, where the partys at. And next door? An adjacent Metro Nashville Police Department substation.

Notably, Brooks bar, at 411 Broadway, is next door to the now-closed iconic Ernest Tubb Record Shop, a Nashville country music institution for more than 70 years.

And, addressing the recent controversy, Brooks says, yes, you can get Bud Light at his bar.

Brooks joins Dierks Bentley, John Rich, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Justin Timberlake and Eric Church as yet another celebrity lending his name  and financial support  to new bars on the iconic Broadway stretch in Music City.

We havent been told exactly where the bronze of Garth will go, but we know this  it wont be in Bakersfield.

Bakersfields loss? Maybe, but as Tennyson aptly put it, Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
A Macon federal gangster trial last month connected to an Athens murder used an anonymous jury for safety reasons, court documents show, a rarity in the Middle District of Georgia.

The U.S. v. Chambers case, tried at Macons federal courthouse in August, consisted of RICO and murder charges against five high-level members of the Gangster Disciples. Attorneys worried the gang might retaliate violently against jurors, according to court documents.

Attorneys filed a motion for the anonymous jury in April with concerns that stemmed from past actions of some of the gangsters on trial, including one defendant who sent letters instructing gang members to kill people who cooperated with law enforcement, court documents showed.

The gangsters also routinely disrupted court during pretrial events, case documents said, increasing the risk for jurors. One defendants mother accompanied him to court and interrupted proceedings.

The judge approved the use of an anonymous jury in May, bringing something to Georgias Middle District that had not happened in several years.

Melissa Hodges, a spokesperson for the U.S. District Attorneys Office, said no one in the Georgia Middle Districts office could recall another instance of an anonymous jury in recent memory.

Former U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Maxwell Wood tried what may have been the most recent in the area to use an anonymous jury, the high-profile trial of cult leader Malachi York for child molestation charges in 2004.

York led the Nuwaubian nation, a pseudo-religious group he founded, and attracted so much publicity before the trial that it had to be moved from Macon to Brunswick.

Its not often that it happens, but when it does, its to avoid sequestering the jury, Wood said of anonymous juries. (The York trial) is the only one I ever worked, or even heard about, I believe.

Keeping jurors sequestered

Sequestering consists of keeping the jury more or less locked within a hotel, Wood said, moving them back and forth between their room and court for the entire trial. When trials can last weeks and even occasionally months, sequestering can be difficult.

You feel pressured morally to go for almost seven days a week, because youve got these people in a hotel room away from their families, Wood said. So you try and avoid it when you can.

Wood could not recall whether he and his fellow attorneys knew the names of the jury in the York trial nearly 20 years ago, but they were anonymous to the defendants and the courtroom was closed.

Measures were even more severe in the Gangster Disciples trial this year, as the jurors remained anonymous throughout the questioning process and did not reveal their addresses or occupations, according to court documents.

Jurors even met at an undisclosed location before court began where the U.S. Marshals Service would pick them up and drive them to the courthouse, court documents showed. Deputy U.S. marshals also escorted jurors to an undisclosed location for lunch each day.

The jurors did this for two weeks as the trial unfolded in August, hearing evidence of the murder and multiple drug deals. By the time the trial ended Aug. 17, the jury convicted three of the gang members on the RICO charges, while two defendants pleaded guilty.

The court scheduled sentencing for the gang members for early November.
Hong Kong (CNN)  Chinas Foreign Ministry on Tuesday declined to address a report its former foreign minister Qin Gang was ousted from his position over an alleged extramarital affair.

Earlier that day, the Wall Street Journal reported that Qin, who was abruptly removed from his position this summer, was found by a Communist Party investigation to have been engaged in an extramarital affair while serving as Chinas envoy to Washington, citing people familiar with the matter.

Qin, a career diplomat and trusted aide of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, was replaced without explanation in July after only seven months in the role in a highly unusual shake-up of the countrys foreign policy leadership.

The sudden move, approved by the top decision-making body of Chinas rubber-stamp parliament on July 25, followed weeks of speculation and rumor about the fate of Qin, who had been absent from public view over the month prior.

His removal has since been followed by other high-level personnel shake-ups in Chinas military Rocket Force, as well as on-going questions about the status of Chinas Defense Minister Li Shangfu, who has now been absent from public view for more than two weeks.

Beijing has never issued an explanation for Qins removal nor said that the former minister was under investigation.

Prior to his ouster, the Foreign Ministry in July briefly cited health reasons when Qin missed a diplomatic gathering, but that response was later missing from an official briefing transcript and when asked about it, a spokesperson said she had no information to provide.

According to the Wall Street Journal, senior Chinese officials were briefed last month on the Communist Partys investigation into Qin and were told that the formal reason for Qins dismissal was lifestyle issues, a term commonly used to refer to sexual misconduct, people familiar with the matter said.

The officials were told that the investigation found that Qin had engaged in an extramarital affair that led to the birth of a child in the US, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing two people. The names of the woman and child were not disclosed to officials, the report said.

According to the Wall Street Journal, an investigation is still underway and Qin is cooperating. According to the sources, the probe is looking into whether the alleged affair and any other actions Qin might have taken, could have affected Chinas national security, the report said.

CNN has not been able to independently verify the reporting. CNN has reached out to Chinas State Council Information Office, which handles press inquiries for the central government but did not receive a reply.

When asked about the report during a regular press briefing Tuesday, a spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry said she was not aware of the information.

As for the appointment and removal of the Chinese Foreign Minister, the Chinese side has released information before, spokesperson Mao Ning said in an apparent reference to the July announcement of his replacement.

Qin was replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi, but remains listed as one of Chinas five State Councilors  a high-ranking role in Chinas top administrative body.

Qins removal earlier this summer came as national security has taken on an enhanced importance under Xi, who sees significant threats for China within strained tensions with the United States and its allies and is widely seen to have bolstered Chinas counter-espionage and intelligence gathering apparatuses.

Qin served as Chinese Ambassador to the US from July 2021 until early 2023 when he assumed his short-lived role as foreign minister.

During his tenure, he played a key role in efforts by the US and China to restore communication, including meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in mid-June during the American diplomats visit to Beijing.

According to a biographical information page on Chinas Foreign Ministry website, Qin is married with a son.

The page, which gives Qins qualifications up until 2021, is part of a listing of former vice and assistant ministers. Qins name is not included in the list of former foreign ministers nor in the Chinese language version of the former vice and assistant minister page.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "China declines to address WSJ report foreign minister was removed over extramarital affair"
A Connecticut school district is under fire after a Black student reported that his white teacher used a racial slur multiple times in class. Despite the district launching an investigation, no resolution has been made nearly three weeks after the incident.

On Tuesday night, members of the community flooded the West Hartford School Board meeting to show their support for an eighth grade student who said his math teacher at Sedgwick Middle School used derogatory language.

It is wrong; it is unacceptable and inappropriate, the boys grandmother Lee Thomas-Morton said during the meeting. There needs to be justice. It needs to be heard, and it needs to be expeditious.

Just three days into the new school year on Sept. 1, the teacher, who has not been identified, went over classroom policy and profane language, CT Insider reported.

According to the eighth graders mother, CheLaMora Hardy, her son was excited for the academic year because the family had just moved to the neighborhood, she told local outlet NBC Connecticut. However, when he asked the teacher to elaborate on what she meant by language that couldnt be used that wasnt considering cursing, the math teacher said the N-word.

She said, You dont even know what it means. It means my slave, Hardy told NBC Connecticut, adding that the kids in the room were surprised that the teacher used the word. Shes like, Yeah, well, I know you guys are shocked that I said it. I said it, and I can say it because Im a teacher. You guys cant because youre students.

CT Insider reported that on Sept. 2, Hardy filed a complaint with the West Hartford School District, claiming the teacher directed the term toward her son as a word that she thought students used all the time.

She racially profiled my kid, Hardy told the outlet, accusing the teacher of assuming her son used the term because he was Black.

On Sept. 7, West Hartford School District Superintendent Paul Vicinus released a statement to the community saying the teacher had been removed from the classroom while an investigation was underway.

I want to make it unequivocally clear that derogatory language, racial slurs, and hate speech have no place in our schools and work against our mission to develop a sense of community and belonging, Vicinus said, according to CT Insider. Pending the outcome of the investigation, we will take appropriate action, and while we will not prejudge the outcome, the serious nature of this incident may merit suspension and/or termination.

However, roughly three weeks later, not a squeak was heard from the district and community members rallied together to demand answers.

Just an hour before the school board meeting Tuesday, advocates for the student gathered outside of West Hartford Town Hall with Black Lives Matter signs and calls for justice, CT Insider reported.

I hope that we can find ways to heal the people who were involved and every child in the classroom and every child in West Hartford because theyve all been impacted, West Hartford resident Sarah Raskin said. I just want to recognize that these events dont happen in a vacuum. They happen as part of systems. One of those systems is just racism in our culture. But at a more local level, this system is the West Hartford Public Schools.

I just urge and hope that this is an opportunity to look at how it could be possible that a teacher who was in the West Hartford schools could stand in front of a room of children and say something like that, Raskin continued. There shouldn't have been a way that somebody who has been vetted by our school system could do that.

The eighth graders grandmother, Thomas-Morton, explained how she was a first-generation Black American and had never been called a slur. But now, her grandson has and will be affected for the rest of his life.

I dont want this to become an issue where he struggles to go into a classroom because of the color of his skin, Thomas-Morton said. Its about the content of your heart. Whatever you want to do, you can do. I am a professional. Why? Because my family stood behind me. Being first generation wasn't easy, but we made it. We're going to continue to look to see what's going to be done in this situation.

Yvette Early, a Black woman, addressed the crowd and referred to her own experiences with racial slurs and how the current incident immediately brought [her] back to [her] childhood.

I was 14 and in school history class, and that word was used alongside with the word of slavery, Early said. And then, I had my teacher who happened to be white look at me and smile. I was the only Black student in class and having all of the other children laugh at me and mimic me every day.

Attendee Amy Fishman spoke about school safety and how resource officers dont always help students of color, especially when pictures of the teacher who allegedly used the racial slur were still seen around the school. Then, she blasted the districts investigation.

I saw the safety plan. I think its just words, to be perfectly honest because we have no update and we have an eighth grader still going to school with a picture of this woman still up. So, we have to think about how our students of color feel, Fishman said. Step out of your white world for five seconds. This is not going away. The conversation is just beginning.

Every public comment was in support of the eighth grader.

Neither Sedgwick Middle School nor West Hartford School District immediately responded to The Daily Beasts requests for comment Wednesday.

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 police pursuit of a stolen car ended with a crash into a streetlight pole and several arrests, according to the Mukilteo Police Department.

Tuesday afternoon, Mukilteo officers saw a stolen car near Front Street and Mukilteo Speedway. When officers attempted to pull the car over, the driver fled southbound on the Mukilteo Speedway.

The car was spotted by other officers, with the driver taking off again. The car then crashed into a pole near the intersection of Paine Field Boulevard and 84th Street Southwest.

After running from the scene, the driver - a juvenile male - was arrested. The others were taken into custody.

Roads in the area were temporarily closed as officers investigated the scene.
WEST PALM BEACH  Federal agents eyed the package of white powder traveling to Boca Raton from Cincinnati and took note of the woman waiting to collect it. Petite, and old enough to be their grandmother, she drove it home in the trunk of her car.

The package was different from the 90 or so others like it she had received before. In addition to 1.4 grams of Methaqualone packed neatly inside, it contained a small tracker that led Homeland Security straight to 70-year-old Linda Horn's door.

When she wasn't caring for her 94-year-old mother, the septuagenarian was weighing out Quaalude capsules  some to take herself, and others to sell to associates she described as "successful people in her community." Horn made more than $1.3 million from the decade-long drug deals and faced up to 20 years in prison for the package investigators confiscated in 2021.

Medical malpractice: South Florida jury awards $20 million in damages after man's death

She wept in a federal courtroom on Sept. 14 and begged the judge for mercy. U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg, who was still a child when Quaaludes became the drug of choice at discos and parties across the U.S., obliged.

Rosenberg sentenced Horn to three years of probation and no prison time, exactly as the prosecutor and Horn's defense attorney recommended. Horn's age and remorse, as well as her cooperation with investigators and the $1.3 million in profit she handed over, earned her the favorable deal.

It was a win for Horn and one she shared with attorney Michael Gottlieb alone. The courtroom gallery behind them was empty. Her husband, too nervous to come in, waited in a car outside.

"I wish you well, Mrs. Horn," Rosenberg told her. "Put this behind you."

Horn nodded, a crumpled tissue in hand.

Substance abuse began in college and continued for 50 years

Linda Horn began using Quaaludes long before she began selling them. Though she said little about how she became ensnared in the international drug trade, court filings written by Horn's lawyer tell a story that begins in the early 1970s.

The Detroit native began experimenting with alcohol, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms and LSD during her sophomore year of college, Gottlieb wrote. She took her first Quaalude around the same time lawmakers made recreational use of the drug illegal nationwide.

Once heralded as a less addictive sleeping pill, Methaqualone persisted as the drug of choice for partygoers in search of a relaxed, drunken euphoria between the '70s and '80s. Horn's first Quaalude was a "landmark moment in her life," Gottlieb told the judge.

It eased her anxiety and made the "fast crowd" on her college campus more tolerable and attractive, the attorney said. She abandoned the marijuana and psychedelics and began taking the sedative routinely, pausing only during the pregnancies of her three children with her husband, Howard.

West Palm homicide: South Florida man accused of punching girlfriend to death convicted, but not of murder

Gottlieb described Howard Horn as a commodities broker with fleeting success. He led a "fast and glamorous lifestyle," the attorney said, and he and Horn formed a troubled, volatile relationship. Horn blamed the relationship as much as her substance abuse for the "devastating" turn her life has taken.

Gottlieb said the Horns' children, traumatized by their upbringing, cut ties with both parents. Linda and Howard divorced 16 years into their marriage and remarried in 2016 in hopes that it would end their children's estrangement. It didn't.

Amid the broken and mended relationships that kept her adult life in flux, one thing remained constant: Quaaludes.

Horn worked with dealer in Portugal to supply social circle

Horn took on the role of Methaqualone dealer in 2012 when the person who sold it to her social circle died, Gottlieb wrote. Horn said she jumped on the opportunity to support herself, her children and her aging mother, whose husband died of bone and prostate cancer that same year.

She traveled to Jamaica in search of a supplier and connected with one from Cameroon, who introduced her to another in Portugal. The Portuguese supplier shipped small bags of Methaqualone with invoices that read "research samples" to Horn, who sold the drug to friends and family in 2014 to the tune of $28,000. The total grew year after year.

By the time investigators raided the 5,500-square-foot home she shares with her mother just days before Thanksgiving, the net proceeds exceeded $1.3 million.

Teacher's arrest: Man had inappropriate relationship with Wellington High student, PBSO alleges

Federal agents found the package of Methaqualone in a bathtub and handcuffed Horn and her husband. Horn's mother was present during the 2021 raid but has since been "shielded from the reality of that day" by her daughter, Gottlieb said.

Horn's nonprison penalty will likely aid those efforts.

During her probation, Horn must perform community service, undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations and complete any recommended treatments, according to the terms of her sentence.

"I'm so very glad to be free of a life lived in shadows and begin to make amends," Horn told the judge. "I'm so very sorry."

Gottlieb told the judge Horn plans to continue caring for her mother and husband while living a "quiet, peaceful and lawful life." He and Horn declined to comment.

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: Boca Raton woman, 70, sentenced for selling $1M worth of quaaludes
In an effort to resume executions in South Carolina after over a decade, the state Department of Corrections has notified the state Supreme Court that the agency now has the drugs to carry out lethal injection executions.

In an affidavit submitted to the court on Tuesday, Sept. 19, SCDC Director Bryan Stirling stated that the Department was able to obtain pentobarbital, a common sedative used in lethal injection executions, after making over 1,300 contacts in search of the drugs.

The affidavit was submitted along with a motion to vacate a circuit court order from Sept. 2022 that declared the states other methods of execution, the firing squad and electric chair, unconstitutional and to dismiss the case entirely.

The department has struggled to obtain drugs for lethal injection executions since 2013 and the last execution carried out in the state was in 2011.

"Justice has been delayed for too long in South Carolina," Gov. Henry McMaster said in a statement Tuesday. "This filing brings our state one step closer to being able to once again carry out the rule of law and bring grieving families and loved ones the closure they are rightfully owed.

Bryan Stirling director of SCDC, a witness, during the trial regarding the state's death penalty, listens to lawyers questions at Richland County Courthouse, in Columbia, Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

Attorneys with Justice 360, a nonprofit organization in SC working to reform policies and practices in capital cases, representing four men on death row have 10 days to respond to the states motion, according to rules governing the state appellate court, and then the state Supreme Court will have to decide how to proceed.

"Attorneys for the Plaintiffs are currently reviewing and will respond to the Department of Corrections filings in the South Carolina Supreme Court," Lindsey Vann, executive director for Justice 360 said in a statement on Wednesday. "There still remain important questions about the efficacy of the execution drugs obtained and, given that the statute provides inmates with a choice of execution methods, the circuit courts findings that the electric chair and the firing squad are unconstitutional need to be resolved."

Here is what to know about the years-long case against the death penalty in South Carolina:

Shield law passes in SC, securing access to lethal injection drugs

Among the 1,300 contacts Stirling said SCDC made in the search for lethal injection drugs were manufacturers, suppliers, compounding pharmacies, other States Departments of Corrections and potential sources that the Department learned about from the relationships that Department employees have with other individuals in penological institutions.

Stirling credited the states shield statute, signed into law by Gov. McMaster in May, with the department's ability to eventually obtain pentobarbital.

The law states that any identifying information about a person or entity that participates in the planning or administration of an execution will be confidential, even through legal discovery. It also makes disclosure of such information about a former or current member of an execution team or their immediate family subject to imprisonment for up to three years.

Shield law and accountability: SC once obtained execution drugs overseas.

Proponents against the shield law said similar legislation across the country has created a black hole of information around execution protocols.

Its startling the lengths to which states will go to get drugs for lethal injection and escape any kind of oversight, Alexandra Klein, a professor at St. Marys School of Law in Texas who researches capital punishment, said in April. This is one of the most intense things the government can do, and they do it without such little transparency. Its very troubling.

Little is known about South Carolinas death penalty protocols to begin with. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, SC is one of the only states that doesnt make its execution protocols publicly available. The only version obtained from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is from 2002 and is heavily redacted.

In Stirlings affidavit, he noted the Department has revised its lethal injection policy to provide the use of one-drug protocol in contrast to a three-drug protocol used in prior executions.

The affidavit states the one-drug protocol with pentobarbital is essentially identical to the protocol used by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and at least six other states.

However, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a national moratorium on federal executions in 2021 while the department reviews execution policies and procedures. In Sept. 2022 the Department requested information about the use of pentobarbital in regard to the risk of pain and suffering associated with the use of the drug. The use of the drug has been central to lawsuits filed following federal executions carried out in 2020.

South Carolinas shield law also states that no drug shall be used in an execution unless approved by the Food and Drug Administration. However, in 2019, the U.S. DOJ determinedthe FDA does not have any obligation to regulate drugs for the use of capital punishment.

Congress has repeatedly authorized the death penalty on the assumption that there are lawful means to carry it out, but the regulation of such articles under the FDCA (Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) would effectively require their prohibition because they could hardly be found 'safe and effective' for such an intended use, an opinion issued by the DOJ in 2019 said.

Similar to other death penalty states, South Carolina officials have proposed the use of compounding pharmacies, or a pharmacy that customizes drugs that are not mass manufactured.

These pharmacies are also not FDA-approved. In some cases, the use of compounding pharmacies has already created concerns around expired products.

Dig deeper: Shield laws havent stopped problems with executions, but they have kept them hidden

Daniel Plyler, attorney for SCDC speaks with his team during the trial regarding the state's death penalty, at Richland County Courthouse, in Columbia, Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

Motion seeks to reverse constitutionality ruling on firing squad, electric chair

The state Supreme Court initially requested more information about SCDCs efforts to obtain drugs for lethal injection drugs after hearing arguments to appeal a trial judges order that the states alternative methods of execution  the firing squad and electric chair  are unconstitutional.

Now that the state has obtained drugs for lethal injection, attorneys representing SCDC and Gov. McMaster argue the order should be reversed and the case dismissed.

Now that all three statutorily authorized methods are available to SCDC and Respondents may elect lethal injection, there is nothing left for any court to decide in this case, the attorneys wrote in their motion on Sept. 19.

In May 2021, McMaster signed legislation that made the default method of execution the electric chair and added an additional option for the firing squad.

A person convicted of a capital crime and having imposed upon him the sentence of death shall suffer the penalty by electrocution or, at the election of the convicted person, by firing squad or lethal injection, if it is available at the time of election, the revised statute says.

This Aug. 17, 2018, photo provided by Justice 360 shows death row inmate Richard Moore at Kirkland Reception and Evaluation Center in Columbia, S.C. Moore was sentenced to death in the 1999 fatal shooting of James Mahoney, a convenience store clerk in Spartanburg County, S.C.

But when the state attempted to schedule executions for Brad Sigmon and Freddie Eugene Owens, both of Greenville, a month after the legislation was enacted, the firing squad policies and procedures were not yet in place, so the executions were stayed.

That same month, a lawsuit alleging that the two methods are prohibited by the state's constitution was filed on behalf of Owens and Sigmon by attorneys with Justice 360. Richard Moore, of Spartanburg, and Gary Dubose Terry, of Lexington, were later added to the case.

In April 2022, Judge Jocelyn Newman heard a weeks worth of debate on the constitutionality of the firing squad and electric chair.

Expert witnesses for both sides debated the meaning of pain and consciousness, and definitions of cruel, unusual and corporal punishment, which is prohibited by the state constitution.

Ultimately, in Sept. 2022, Judge Newman ruled the methods were unconstitutional.

"In 2021, South Carolina turned back the clock and became the only state in the country in which a person may be forced into the electric chair if he refuses to elect how he will die. In doing so, the General Assembly ignored advances in scientific research and evolving standards of humanity and decency," the order read.

The case against SC's death penalty: Does it violate the state's constitution?

Judge Jocelyn Newman talks with Daniel Plyler, attorney for SCDC, right, Josh Kendrick, attorney for the plaintiff, left, for the trial regarding the state's death penalty, at Richland County Courthouse, in Columbia, Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

However, during the trial, Newman granted a protective order during the pretrial phase that barred attorneys from inquiring about SCDCs efforts in obtaining drugs for lethal injection during the discovery process. Attorneys for SCDC argued such discovery was irrelevant because Justice 360 attorneys werent arguing the constitutionality of that method.

Supreme Court justices seemed to disagree as they kicked back SCDCs appeal of Judge Newmans order in January and called for more information regarding the availability of lethal injection drugs written in the states death penalty statute.

On the current record, it is impossible to know exactly what steps the State has taken to procure the drugs for lethal injection and to evaluate the State's assessment that such drugs are not 'available' in South Carolina, the Supreme Courts order read.

But now that the SCDC says lethal injection drugs are available, and because the shield law statute has passed, attorneys argue there is no need for discovery on prior efforts to obtain the drugs.

Respondents sought declaratory and injunctive relief related to electrocution, the firing squad and Act 43. But lethal injection is now available, so Respondents can be executed by their preferred method of execution (with their preferred drug, no less) and no declaratory judgment or injunction on other methods of execution can provide Respondents any relief from that ultimate result, the motion to dismiss the case said.

The motion concludes that with the case dismissed and all three methods of execution available, the Court can direct its Clerk to issue notices of execution.

Josh Kendrick, center, attorney for the plaintiff, shows images in court for the trial regarding the state's death penalty, at Richland County Courthouse, in Columbia, Tuesday, August 2, 2022.

Advocates against SC death penalty react, attorneys to appeal

Proponents against the death penalty responded to Gov. McMasters statement about the availability of lethal injection drugs on Tuesday, saying the announcement had little to do with justice.

No matter the method, South Carolinas system of capital punishment is broken, Jace Woodman, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union in SC, said in a statement Tuesday. We know that a persons likelihood of receiving a death penalty has less to do with the facts of the case than with the race and gender of the victim, the location of the offense, and the solicitor in office at the time of the offense.

Reporting from The Greenville News in July 2022 broke down racial basis and prosecutorial discretion that has historically occurred in death penalty cases in South Carolina.

According to state sentencing data provided by Justice 360, Black defendants make up 46.9% of those sentenced to death in the modern era, while white defendants make up 51.9%. However, only 16.9% of defendants have been sentenced to death for killing a Black victim, while 80.9% of defendants have been sentenced for killing a white victim.

The Greenville News also found that death penalty sentences are concentrated in a handful of counties, and have historically been handed down by a handful of prosecutors.

Further, sixty percent of death sentences in the state have been reversed since 1972, according to data from Justice 360. Capital prosecutions have been plagued with prosecutorial misconduct, improper evidence, the exclusion of admissible evidence and other blunders, research by The Greenville News found.

The death penalty will continue to disproportionately affect individuals who are impoverished, have Black and Brown skin, receive inadequate legal representation, and suffer from persistent mental health issues, Rev. Hillary Taylor, executive director of South Carolinians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty said in a statement. Our message remains consistent: if the state of South Carolina wants to create true community safety and healing, our limited taxpayer dollars would be better spent on effective violence prevention programs, including child abuse prevention, mental health care, treatment for substance use, and community violence interrupters.

Attorneys are expected to respond to the SCDCs motion within 10 days, and then the SC Supreme Court will decide the fate of the states death penalty.

Kathryn Casteel is an investigative reporter with The Greenville News and can be reached at KCasteel@gannett.com or on X @kathryncasteel.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Death penalty in SC: State has drugs for lethal injections. What's next.
It was a shocking sight on a July morning in 2019: An FBI van parked outside Los Angeles City Hall and agents upstairs, scouring the headquarters of the city attorneys office.

The government was there to collect evidence in a complex criminal case growing out of a scandal that erupted years earlier at another powerful city agency, the Department of Water and Power.

A new DWP billing system rolled out in 2013 proved to be a costly debacle, as well as a huge political crisis for City Hall. Customers were flooded with outrageously inflated bills, including a Van Nuys couple charged nearly $52,000.

The city attorney's office, seeking to play the hero, swooped in. Federal prosecutors would later describe in charging documents how attorneys crafted a sham lawsuit over the faulty DWP bills and covered up their wrongdoing when the scheme unraveled. The charade has cost the city tens of millions of dollars in legal fees and other expenses.

The government probe uncovered other schemes, too. Four individuals pleaded guilty to various federal crimes, including a former high-level advisor to former City Atty. Mike Feuer , an outside attorney hired by Feuer's office and two top DWP officials, including the general manager.

In response to inquiries by The Times, the U.S. attorneys office said this month that its investigation into the city attorney's office and DWP is closed. The last defendant will be sentenced next week.

But the end of the government's case is prompting a new round of questions. Critics ask why certain individuals  including high-ranking personnel in the city attorney's office who remain unidentified in prosecutors' public court filings  escaped punishment.

Jack Humphreville, who chairs the DWP advocacy committee for the citys neighborhood councils, is frustrated by the federal probe's outcome. He wants to know who took part in the scam.

It feels like people got off scot-free, Humphreville said. The whole thing stinks.

The city's bungling of the DWP lawsuit spurred other litigation. In one case, an attorney is seeking the government's confidential notes to see if those documents reveal the identities of those involved in the schemes.

*

Prosecutors used the term "collusive lawsuit" in a news release in November 2021 to describe the legal scheme carried out by the city  a term that essentially meant city attorneys were secretly working both sides of the case.

The city was facing multiple class-action lawsuits from DWP customers over the billing debacle. Seeking an end to the litigation, a "senior member" of the city attorney's office authorized a plan to settle the combined cases with a "friendly" opposing lawyer  effectively undermining the adversarial nature of the legal system, prosecutors said in a charging document against one defendant.

The goal, prosecutors said in another charging document, was to settle on the city's "desired terms."

Paul Paradis, right, accompanied by his attorney, David Scheper, arrives at the federal courthouse for a June hearing. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Paul Paradis, a New York attorney hired by the city attorneys office to work on the billing litigation, helped the city carry out the collusive plan, prosecutors said.

Paradis reached out to an Ohio attorney he knew to bring a class-action suit against the city over the faulty DWP bills. Paradis secretly drafted the lawsuit, and also provided a draft to at least one member of the city attorney's office to review before it was filed by the Ohio attorney, prosecutors said in court papers.

Read more: Attorneys under investigation by State Bar in DWP billing scandal

Authorities never revealed the identity of the "senior member" of the city attorney's office who directed the scheme. But prosecutors' public court filings over a three-year period provide clues.

In a charging document filed against Thomas Peters, a former high-level advisor to Feuer, prosecutors refer to a "city attorney official" who authorized the collusive lawsuit as "senior" to Peters.

The roster of Feuer's executive team, provided to The Times by his office in 2019, listed three people senior to Peters: Feuer; Feuer's chief of staff, Leela Kapur; and Deputy City Atty. Jim Clark.

A massive 2019 investigation ordered by a Superior Court judge into attorney misconduct in the DWP billing case concluded that Clark authorized the plan for the Ohio attorney to sue the city. Clark also violated several state ethics rules, according to the investigation overseen by Edward Robbins, a former federal prosecutor.

Clark has long denied any knowledge of the scheme.

Clark retired from Feuer's office in 2020 and collects a $3,587-a-month pension from the city, according to the city's retirement division.

Kapur, Feuer's former chief of staff, declined to speak to The Times.

Authorities never named or charged the Ohio attorney. Details in prosecutors' court filings make clear that it was Jack Landskroner, who represented DWP customers in the class-action lawsuit settled by the city for $67 million.

Landskroner received more than $10 million in attorney fees from the city. He died in 2021 after an illness.

The city continues to pursue the recovery of the attorney fees paid to Landskroner in an Ohio court.

Prosecutors said Paradis accepted a kickback from the Ohio attorney. He pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and will be sentenced next week.

During the federal investigation, Paradis went undercover and took part in "184 covert missions," according to his attorneys. Prosecutors called Paradis' cooperation in their investigation "extraordinary."

*

Thomas Mrozek, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles, declined to answer specific questions about the government's charging decisions and spoke generally about recent public corruption cases, noting that prosecutors had "aggressively targeted officials who violated the public trust and federal law."

Where the evidence did not establish every element of a federal offense beyond a reasonable doubt, we have not pursued charges, Mrozek said.

In addition to the DWP case, the U.S. attorney's office has led cases against onetime city Councilmembers Mark Ridley-Thomas and Jose Huizar and others.

"We believe these successful prosecutions are the result of charging decisions that were based on a thorough and fair assessment of the evidence and whether the evidence established a violation of federal law beyond a reasonable doubt, Mrozek said.

The Times interviewed several former prosecutors who worked for the U.S. attorney's office about the government's case. Simply taking part in a collusive lawsuit isn't a federal crime, some said. Others saw avenues for possible criminal charges, including obstruction of justice, based on the public facts.

William Carter, who has held top positions in both the U.S. attorneys office and L.A. city attorneys office, said the government may have determined that its witnesses werent credible.

Prosecutors may also be hoping that the California State Bar, which is now investigating several attorneys involved in the case, takes action, said Carter, now a criminal defense lawyer.

Former Chief Assistant City Atty. Thomas Peters, left, arrives for his sentencing hearing in May. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Neama Rahmani, a former assistant U.S. attorney, said prosecutors aren't going to "tip their hand" and explain charging decisions.

They dont have to tell the judge, they dont have to tell the press, said Rahmani, now in private practice representing plaintiffs.

Some attorneys watching the government's case said in particular they did not understand why prosecutors didn't bring more criminal charges over an extortion scheme that ensnared Peters, Feuer's former chief of the civil litigation branch.

In 2017, a former employee at a Beverly Hills law firm threatened to reveal the citys collusive lawsuit, prosecutors wrote in Peters' plea agreement.

The employee had recently been terminated by Kiesel Law, the firm headed by Paul Kiesel, an attorney who was also working for the city on DWP litigation, according to the agreement.

Kiesel's former employee had "stolen or improperly retained" documents showing the collusive lawsuit and demanded money for their return, the agreement said.

Prosecutors said Peters, then handling civil litigation for Feuer, met with other "senior members" of the city attorney's office on Dec. 1, 2017, and gave them an "update" on the employee's demands.

Peters told them of a failed mediation between Kiesel and the employee in the cafeteria at the DWP's headquarters.

At the Dec. 1 meeting, Peters was directed to take care of the situation, and he stated he would do so, prosecutors wrote.

Former Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer, shown in 2022, has denied knowing about a collusive lawsuit handled by his office. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Peters ultimately threatened to fire Kiesel from his job with the city unless Kiesel got the documents back. Kiesel later told Peters that he agreed to pay the employee $800,000, prosecutors said in the agreement.

Peters agreed to plead guilty last year to aiding and abetting extortion. No one else was charged in connection with the matter.

Prosecutors have never revealed the identity of the employee or the senior members who discussed her threats with Peters.

Feuer's calendar for Dec. 1, 2017, shows a scheduled meeting that afternoon with Peters, Feuer's chief of staff Kapur, and Joseph Brajevich, a city attorney and general counsel to the DWP.

NBC4 first reported details of the calendar. A spokesperson for Feuer's office told the news outlet that "it appears" Feuer attended the meeting, based on his schedule.

Feuer has consistently maintained he had no knowledge of the collusive lawsuit or the extortion threat. Prosecutors told Feuer in a letter last year that he wasn't a target in their criminal investigation.

"I never attended any meeting in which there was discussion of an extortion threat to reveal collusive litigation in the DWP matter," said Feuer, who is running for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Adam Schiff.

As for others scheduled to be at the Dec. 1 meeting, The Times viewed a text message sent to Peters from Brajevich in the early evening of Dec. 1, 2017.

Read more: Former top city attorney gets 9 months of home detention in DWP corruption case

In the text, Brajevich writes, Thom  When you have a chance, I want to follow on the fact that the mediation took place at dwp. Not urgent and can wait until Monday. Thanks and have a great weekend.

Brajevich, who no longer works for the city, told The Times that he didn't know about the city's collusive lawsuit and never participated in a meeting where there was a discussion about the employee's alleged extortion threat. He declined to explain his text, citing attorney-client privilege and any ongoing investigations.

Jamie Court, president of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said he's outraged that more people aren't being held accountable.

"You have the architect of the collusive lawsuit in the city attorneys office, who is not named and free to live their life," Court said. "And you have two attorneys  Paradis and Peters  charged when others knew about the fraud on the city."

At a May hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. sentenced Peters to nine months of home detention, less than the 18-month prison sentence sought by prosecutors.

Explaining the lighter sentence, Blumenfeld suggested that he weighed Peters behavior against his concerns about "others." At another point, the judge noted the number of attorneys involved in the fraud. Blumenfeld also revealed the employee's name when he asked prosecutors if she had been charged, according to a transcript of the hearing.

The employee, Julissa Salgueiro, declined to comment about her alleged connection to the case through her attorney, William Pitman.

Shes never been charged with a crime and has no criminal history of any kind, Pitman said.

Carter, the former prosecutor who isn't involved in the DWP case, said that it's common for a federal investigation to end without tying up loose ends.

This investigation is unusual because "there are a lot of unanswered questions about who did what and why," Carter said. "It remains unresolved, in the eyes of the public."

Attorneys are also seeking more information. Filippo Marchino represents a DWP customer who sued several attorneys over their handling of the DWP billing lawsuit.

Marchino is seeking access to some of the government's confidential documents in the DWP probe, including search warrants, to see if any attorneys are implicated.

Prosecutors have argued the release of the documents would hurt future investigations because it would reveal the government's tactics.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday attended a U.N. Security Council meeting in person for the first time since Russia invaded in February 2022. Following are notable quotes from the meeting:

UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKIY:

"Unfortunately, this seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupies illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash the aggression and the genocide being carried on by Russia.

"Therefore, the U.N. General Assembly should be given a real power to overcome the veto. This will be the first necessary step. It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor."

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE ANTONY BLINKEN:

"It's hard to imagine a country demonstrating more contempt for the United Nations and all that it stands for - this from a country with a permanent seat on this council.

"President Putin is betting that if he keeps doubling down on the violence, that if he's willing to inflict enough suffering on enough people, the world will cave on its principles and Ukraine will stop defending itself.

"But Ukrainians are not giving up for they've seen what life would look like if they submit to Russian control."

RUSSIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER SERGEI LAVROV:

"Today, the West turns selectively to norms and principles (on) a case-by-case basis exclusively based on their parochial geopolitical needs. This has resulted in a shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fomenting of new hotbeds of tension, (and) risks of global conflict."

CHINA'S VICE FOREIGN MINISTER MA ZHAOXU:

"The Ukraine crisis has dealt a heavy blow to world economic recovery and global development and severely affected the world food, energy and financial security. Developing countries are the first to bear the blunt brunt.

"Relevant countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction and protect the security and the smooth operation of global production and supply chains."

ECUADOREAN PRESIDENT GUILLERMO LASSO:

"When this organization was built, we the peoples of the United Nations determined to preserve and spare future generations from the scourge of war.

"How can we uphold the principles and purposes of the UN Charter for effective multilateralism and at the same time invade a neighboring country or not condemn that invasion?"

GHANA'S PRESIDENT NANA AKUFO-ADDO:

"Russia's aggression against Ukraine is plainly wrong.

"The war is having an increasingly devastating toll on the people in Ukraine and elsewhere in the world.

"The only pathway for a comprehensive peace ... is one that must be just and based on the charter of the United Nations, and international law."

SWISS PRESIDENT ALAIN BERSET:

"With Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, the (U.N.) Charter has been violated on a massive scale. Yet Russia ... has been denying its responsibility. Its responsibility for the thousands of dead and wounded in Ukraine. Its responsibility for the millions of displaced persons. And finally its responsibility for all those plunged into deep insecurity wherever they are in the world, including incidentally in Russia."

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER FUMIO KISHIDA:

"We condemn in the strongest terms Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which is a clear violation of international law including the U.N. Charter. The aggression must be stopped immediately and the troops must be withdrawn, right now, and unconditionally.

"The occupation and militarization of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant pose a threat to world peace and stability. Russia's nuclear threats, let alone its use of nuclear weapons, are unacceptable."

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska and Humeyra Pamuk; Editing by Don Durfee)
Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel is reportedly in hot water with Biden administration aides for recent social media posts.

The social media posts include Emanuel questioning the recent whereabouts of Chinese government officials and accusing Chinese President Xi Jinping of disinformation.

President Xis cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christies novel And Then There Were None, reads one of Emanuels posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. First, Foreign Minister Qin Gang goes missing, then the Rocket Force commanders go missing, and now Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasnt been seen in public for two weeks. Whos going to win this unemployment race? Chinas youth or Xis cabinet? #MysteryInBeijingBuilding

According to NBC News, National Security Council officials warned the staff of the ambassador to Japan about the risks of his comments. They said it could jeopardize attempts by the Biden administration to repair rocky relations with China.

A White House official who spoke on condition of anonymity to NBC News said the ambassadors posts are not in keeping with the message coming out of this building.

Emanuel, ambassador since 2021, is the former Chicago mayor and White House chief of staff under former President Obama.

During comments at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden said he does not want the rivalry between China and the U.S. to tip into conflict.

I have said we are for de-risking, not decoupling with China. We will push back on aggression and intimidation and defend the rules of the road, Biden said.

We also stand ready to work with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts. Nowhere is that more critical than  the accelerating climate crisis, Biden added.

The Hill has reached out to the State Department and the National Security Council for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE - A CSX freight train passes through Homestead, Pa., Monday, Feb. 12, 2018 (Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Railroad unions are calling for a full-scale investigation after a carman was fatally struck by a remotely operated train in Ohio.

Fifty-six-year-old Fred Anderson, a worker at CSX Transportation, was instantly killed after his body was pinned between two cars in a railyard in the village of Walbridge.

In a statement, the Transportation Communications Union and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen demanded an in-depth review of the use of remote-controlled locomotives. Andersons death on Sunday is the third fatal incident at a CSX yard, according to the union.

Enough is enough. A full-scale review of the use and practices around remote-control locomotives is long overdue, the unions president Artie Maratea said.

CSX  and every railroad  must evaluate their use of these supposed technological advancements to ensure they are actually making our members safer, and not merely replacing people to continue lining the pockets of Wall Street.

An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is underway. Spokesperson Keith Holloway said Anderson was struck when he walked into the path of a moving locomotive that was being operated by remote control.

CSX mourns the loss of this employee and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. The safety of our railroaders is our highest priority. CSX is working with officials to determine exactly what happened, a companys spokesperson said.

The use of remote-controlled locomotives was approved by the Federal Railroad Administration in 2005. They are primarily used inside railyards to help assemble trains.

Regulators issued guidelines for railroads back then calling for precautions, including ensuring the trains dont operate at speeds above 15 mph, but there arent detailed regulations on exactly how they can be used.

Typically, a railroad worker stationed on the ground near a train controls its movements with a remote, although sometimes that worker rides aboard the train while it is moving.

Railroading is a dangerous environment, and theres long been a culture of watching out for each other. But when headcounts have been cut to the bone, whos left to watch your back? Mr Maratea said.

Railroad safety has been a key concern nationwide this year ever since a Norfolk Southern train derailed and caught fire in eastern Ohio in February. That crash prompted evacuations, lingering health concerns, a massive ongoing cleanup and calls for reforms.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
(CNN)  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva put inequality and the climate crisis at the center of a speech Tuesday that opened the annual UN General Debate in New York, lamenting that the international community has numbed to its responsibility to care for the worlds poor.

We must overcome resignation, which makes us accept such unfairness as a natural phenomenon, said the popular leftist, often referred to as Lula. Theres a lack of political will from those who govern the world to overcome inequality.

In his first appearance at the global summit since resuming office earlier this year  after more than a decade out of power  Lula also touted a new geopolitical order that could challenge the Wests global economic sway, and pushed for greater dialogue around the war in Ukraine.

Since taking back the Brazilian presidency, Lula has worked quickly to position himself as a climate progressive and global leader on the issue, bringing Amazon deforestation levels this summer to the lowest rate in six years  a remarkable reversal after the environmentally damaging policies of his predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro.

The whole world has always talked about the Amazon. Now the Amazon is speaking for itself, he said Tuesday.

Lula urged rich countries to complete their clean energy and international climate funding goals, arguing that a $100 billion funding plan had already become an insufficient sum.

Rich countries grew based on a model with high rates of climate damaging gas emissions, he said. We, developing countries, do not want to repeat this model. In Brazil we have already proven once and will prove again that a socially fair and environmentally sustainable model is possible.

Still, Lula has faced criticism for his administrations investments in fossil fuels, including plans for a possible off-shore drilling project.

In remarks earlier Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted that G20 countries, among them Brazil, are responsible for 80 percent of greenhouse emissions.

They must break their addiction to fossil fuels, Guterres said.

The UN gathering comes less than a month after the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, where Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa agreed to open their coalition to new entrants, expanding an alternative geopolitical and economic vision to the West.

The recent expansion of the group at the Johannesburg summit meeting strengthens the fight for an order which accommodates the economic geographic and political plurality of the 21st century, Lula said. We are a force that works towards fairer global trade in a context of a serious crisis in multilateralism.

Lula has tried to fashion himself as a potential broker for peace amid Russias war in Ukraine, putting forward earlier this year a controversial plan for negotiations. While not clearly defined, the proposal involved forming a coalition of other similarly unaligned countries to mediate.

Lula has also suggested that Ukraine cede Crimea, which Russia had annexed in 2014, in pursuit of a peace deal. The notion has been rejected by Kyiv and condemned by Washington.

We do not underestimate the difficulties of achieving peace, but no solution will be lasting if it is not based on dialogue, Lula said Tuesday. I have reiterated that work needs to be done to create space for negotiations.

Lula is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday in New York, according to his spokesperson Cynthia Ribeiro.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "The Amazon is speaking for itself: Brazil President Lula puts climate and inequality at the center of UN address"
One day, Igor Jablokov wants to count every Fortune 500 company as a customer. For now, his Raleigh artificial intelligence startup Pryon serves a few dozen of the firms on the venerable list, Jablokov says, with several more blue chips on their way.

Every month, for the remainder of this year, were going to have some exciting announcements, he teased during a phone interview Tuesday afternoon.

The exciting news actually began earlier that day, when Pryon announced it had raised $100 million in a Series B funding round.

Launched in 2017, the startup offers business leaders what Jablokov called AI-enhanced knowledge management. Pryons virtual platform pulls information from an array of sources, both internal and external, to a business network, to provide attributed answers to corporate inquiries.

Consider a company that wants to know how its West Coast division performed relative to the rest of its business last quarter. Finding this answer might take an employee minutes or even hours, a lapse Jablokov called friction. The Pryon platform, he said, can generate a response in seconds.

And then (it is) always showing you the actual artifact where Pryon learned that fact, he added.

Users can interact with the platform through a chatbot, or they can choose a more traditional search-style interface.

If some of this sounds like Amazon Alexa for business leaders, that makes sense. In 2011, Jablokov sold his previous startup, Yap, to Amazon, and the e-commerce giant went on to use Yaps technology to develop its widespread voice assistant.

After selling Yap, Jablokov moved from Charlotte to the Triangle to serve as an entrepreneur-in-residence at UNC-Chapel Hill. In early 2021, four years after Pryon formed, the company launched its first virtual assistant platform.

Igor Jablokov, now CEO and founder of Pryon, and formerly founder of Yap which was sold to Amazon and used in its Alexa smart speaker technology, stands for a portrait at the NC Museum of Art on Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, in Raleigh, NC.

Weve never pivoted, Jablokov said. People use us because they need an element of truth and trustworthy computing.

Today, the company has 100 employees, including five who are based in the North Carolina Triangle.

Leading the latest funding round was billionaire entrepreneur and former film producer Thomas Tull (Godzilla, 42, Inception), whose US Innovative Technology Fund invested around $80 million. Smaller investors from previous funding rounds include the Triangle Tweener Fund, which maintains a portfolio of local early-stage tech startups.

With its Series B closed, Pryon is now valued at more than $500 million.

Open Source

Do you enjoy Triangle tech news? Subscribe to Open Source, The News & Observer's weekly technology newsletter and look for it in your inbox every Friday morning. Sign up here.
This story in the May 4, 1993, Town Talk describes the hunt for Larry Roy, who later was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the slaying of Freddie Richard Jr., 33, and Rosetta H. Silas, 75. Roy was sentenced to death, but is seeking clemency to have his sentence changed to life in prison. The Rapides Parish District Attorney's Office is seeking an injunction to stop the hearing.

Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell joined some of his counterparts Wednesday in seeking an injunction to stop clemency hearings set to begin next month.

The Rapides case at question is that of Larry Roy, a Cheneyville man found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in July 1994. The jury recommended death, and he was formally sentenced to death in August 1994.

On May 3, 1993, Roy attacked five people with a knife in a Cheneyville home. Killed were Freddie Richard Jr., 33, and his aunt, 75-year-old Rosetta H. Silas. Richard's ex-wife, Sally Richard, and his two sons, ages 10 and 8, survived.

Roy was the former live-in boyfriend of the injured woman and was described as "jealous," according to a Town Talk article about the murders. The divorced couple had decided to get back together, said Terrell.

He said Roy confronted them hours before he broke into their home while everyone was asleep. Freddie Richard was killed first, then he attacked Sally and the couple's sons.

Silas, who was battling cancer, was attacked last.

Now, 30 years later, Roy is among 56 Louisiana death-row inmates who have filed for clemency. According to the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, a clemency hearing for a non-capital offense can take up to a year.

Terrell is among several district attorneys who filed for an injunction Wednesday morning. In the filing, he claims recent actions by the Louisiana Board of Pardons violates the state's open meetings law.

He told The Town Talk that the issue isn't about whether the death penalty is right or wrong, but rather that the victims in this case are being denied due process through the board's actions.

"Were frankly demanding that the victims be treated fairly," he said.

According to the association, the board voted on July 24 to return the clemency applications for those 56 inmates to them because they violated its rules. But the board reversed that decision on Aug. 10 without a meeting after Gov. John Bel Edwards asked it to reconsider.

Those hearings are slated to begin on Oct. 13.

Teen killers: Rapides murder victims' families seek to keep killers behind bars

'I don't want him out'" Victims' families upset at parole chances for teen killers

The association, and Terrell's request for an injunction, contends the board violated the state's open meetings law and its own rules and policies in reversing the decision.

"The applicants are attempting to force 50+ capital clemency hearings into a four-month period," reads the release. "This process is a direct attack upon and complete disregard for the victims, their families and the rule of law. The rushed and hurried consideration of these complex and most serious applications introduces chaos and distrust into a deliberate, measured and trustworthy process."

The filing by Terrell and other district attorneys follows one made on Sept. 12 by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore in three other cases.

But the executive director of the Louisiana Capital Appeals Project, a nonprofit that works on behalf of indigent death-row inmates, said the board has been "completely transparent" in handling the clemency applications and has followed it rules.

"It is disheartening to see the district attorneys and AG Landry working so hard to block the board from considering these individuals claims of innocence, intellectual disability, serious mental illness, prosecutorial misconduct, youth, ineffective counsel and the other serious flaws in their cases and Louisianas death penalty system," said Cecelia Kappel in an emailed statement. "If the prosecutors have confidence in the integrity of these convictions and death sentences, they should have nothing to fear from a clemency hearing."

Terrell, other DAs and some victims spoke Wednesday morning outside the association's Baton Rouge office. He called the Roy case "such a heinous" one and spoke about what had happened.

Standing with Sally Richard and her niece, Brea Compton, he told onlookers how Roy had tied the three survivors with electrical cords and slit their throats, telling them they'd soon be dead.

"They managed to drag themselves out of the house," said Terrell, who said the three could hear Silas screaming while being stabbed to death.

Roy evaded authorities for a few days, and Terrell said there was evidence that showed he tried to reach the victims while they were recovering in a hospital. Richard and her sons later testified against him.

Terrell said both the verdict and the sentence of death against Roy were unanimous and that he deserved to be on death row.

He reiterated that the board wasn't following the correct procedure and that it had violated both those procedures and the open meetings law.

"This came as a shock to our victims, and they have the right to have these things appropriately heard," said Terrell.

Roy's hearing is set for Nov. 8, and Terrell said that does not give his office enough time to go over the hundreds of pages of records or secure their own experts to fight against Roy's petition.

He said it's "not fair" to go ahead without being prepared. He said his office plans to file motions for discovery and ask the board if they followed their own rules.

No court dates have been scheduled yet. Terrell said he was waiting to see who will represent the board since the AG's office normally would defend it.

But Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is the leading Republican candidate to replace Edwards in next month's primary election, filed a lawsuit of his own on Wednesday, also opposing the hearings.

Terrell called that a "conundrum," but said his office plans to defend the case "vigorously."

"We think were right.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Rapides DA says victims of murderer Larry Roy deserve fair treatment
Ray Epps, a former Marine who became the focus of conspiracy theories that alleged he was an FBI informant, pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot as part of a deal with government prosecutors.

Epps, 62, admitted to engaging in disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds after storming the Capitol, falsely claiming the 2020 presidential election had been stolen. He appeared before the court over Zoom, calling in from home with his wife while wearing a black suit and gray tie.

As part of Eppss plea agreement, the government agreed not to prosecute him further in connection with the Capitol attack. Epps agreed for his social media to be reviewed by law enforcement and to pay $500 in restitution.

He faces up to one year in prison, though the sentencing guidelines for his offense range from zero to six months. His sentencing is scheduled to take place virtually Dec. 20.

Since the Capitol attack, Epps has become the focus of conspiracy theories that allege he was a federal agent who instigated violence that day to tarnish other rioters.

During the hearing Wednesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon read a statement into the record due to the unusual nature of the case that affirmed Epps was not before, during or after the Capitol riot a confidential source or an undercover agent for the government, the FBI, DHS or any law enforcement.

The theories largely originated from a Jan. 5, 2021, video where Epps is seen talking about heading to the Capitol the next day and images showing the Arizona man whispering in the ear of another rioter who is accused of being the first to breach police barricades. Those actions are part of his statement of offense, which Chief Judge James Boasberg, who is overseeing the case, summarized for the record. The government requested that the document be placed into the public record.

The statement of offense, as detailed by the judge, also says that the government has a record of five attempts Epps made to de-escalate the crowd at the Capitol.

Just hours before Epps entered his plea, the timing of his indictment was harshly questioned by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. Massie asked Attorney General Merrick Garland whether federal agents instigated the mob on Jan. 6, a question he said he had asked before to no avail.

You had two years to find out, and the day  by the way, thats in reference to Ray Epps, and yesterday you indicted him. Isnt that a wonderful coincidence? On a misdemeanor? Meanwhile, youre sending grandmas to prison, Massie said.

There is no evidence Epps is a federal agent nor that other federal agents played a role in fomenting the Capitol attack more than two years ago. FBI Director Christopher Wray told the same committee last month its ludicrous to suggest the agency or its assets helped orchestrate the riot.

Epps gained enough prominence to land on 60 Minutes earlier this year, where in an interview he said he was on the run after threats against him and his wife forced them to sell their home.

On Wednesday, Eppss attorney Ed Ungvarsky asked the court to impose minimal pretrial conditions, citing the harassment Epps has received since the riot. He also said the facts in Eppss statement of offense were known by the government in 2021 despite no charges being filed.

Boasberg, the judge, waived the typical pretrial condition of travel restriction, meaning Epps may travel freely within the U.S. without informing the court. He will still surrender his passport, Ungvarsky said.

Epps sued Fox News in July for allegedly spreading claims about him and his actions on Jan. 6  accusations he called destructive conspiracy theories. He suggested that his then-pending criminal charge was a byproduct of the relentless attacks by Fox and Mr. [Tucker] Carlson and the resulting political pressure.

Michael Teter, an attorney in Eppss case against Fox News, said Wednesday that from the very moment Epps learned the FBI sought to identify him, he cooperated and took responsibility for his actions.

Todays hearing and the plea agreement reached with the Department of Justice is further proof of that, Teter said in a statement after the arraignment. It is also powerful evidence of the absurdity of Fox Newss and Tucker Carlsons lies that sought to turn Ray into a scapegoat for January 6.

Some 1,100 rioters have been charged in connection with the Capitol attack.

Rebecca Beitch contributed.

Updated at 4:21 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ray Epps, who was placed at the centre of a right-wing conspiracy theory alleging that he was a federal informant instigating a mob to storm the US Capitol on January 6, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanour charge of disorderly conduct.

Mr Epps appeared virtually for a brief federal court appearance on 20 September to enter a plea agreement following a charge of disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds, as he admitted to breaching police barriers outside the building, placing his hands on a sign that pushed into police, and wrote text messages admitting his presence and role in the mob on the Capitol grounds.

FBI officials have repeatedly denied conspiracy theories surrounding Mr Epps, who is suing Fox News and Tucker Carlson for defamation after the now-former network host repeatedly amplified false claims that Mr Epps worked for the federal government. Prosecutors told the court on Wednesday that Mr Epps was neither a confidential source nor an undercover agent for the government, FBI, DHS or law enforcement.

Earlier on Wednesday, Republican US Rep Thomas Massie berated US Attorney General Merrick Garland during a House Judiciary Committee hearing while promoting the false claim that Mr Epps was an FBI informant.

With respect to Mr Epps, the FBI has said he was not an employee or informant of the FBI, Mr Garland said.

On his Tucker Carlson Tonight programme, Carlson claimed there is no rational explanation why this mysterious figure who helped stage-manage the insurrection had not yet been charged, among more than two dozen statements collected in the lawsuit, which notes that the claims were not isolated to Carlsons prime-time program.

Fox repeatedly published defamatory falsehoods about Epps, including by broadcasting and rebroadcasting defamatory statements by Tucker Carlson who devoted over two dozen segments to Epps and by republishing those falsehoods across Fox platforms, according to the lawsuit.

Mr Epps  former wedding venue operator from Arizona who supported Donald Trump  did not go inside the Capitol, his image appeared only briefly on a government website for January 6 suspects, and he did not previously face arrest or charges, until now  all fuelling still-ongoing conspiracy theories that he was working with law enforcement to entrap Trump supporters, part of a long-running belief among Republicans that federal authorities are using the levers of power to discriminate against them.

Mr Epps was removed from that FBI wanted list after he turned himself in, prosecutors wrote in court filings. He gave two interviews to law enforcement and identified himself two days later.

The former president himself platformed bogus claims about Mr Epps wife on his Truth Social account. Is this really true? he wrote in a post that linked to a completely false claim that she worked for Dominion Voting Systems, the voting machine company subjected to a flood of bogus statements from Trump allies.

In sworn testimony to a House Judiciary Committee hearing earlier this year, FBI Director Christopher Wray shot down similar claims about Mr Epps.

I will say this notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous and is a disservice to our brave, hardworking dedicated men and women, Mr Wray told the committee.

A lawyer for Dominic Pezzola  a member of the neo-fascist Proud Boys who used a stolen police shield to bash through a window into the Capitol  claimed in court filings that at least 40 undercover agents were present. Earlier this year, when he testified in his own defense at trial, Pezzola repeatedly invoked the conspiracy theory involving Mr Epps but admitted that he had no evidence.

Pezzola was later convicted on a range of charges, including robbery and assaulting, resisting or impeding police, and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Michael Teter, Mr Eppss lead counsel in his case against Fox News, said in a statement shared with The Independent that Mr Epps has cooperated and has taken responsibility for his actions.

Todays hearing and the plea agreement reached with the [US Department of Justice] is further proof of that, he added.

It is also powerful evidence of the absurdity of Fox Newss and Tucker Carlsons lies that sought to turn Ray into a scapegoat for January 6. Had Ray been charged earlier, Fox News would have called him a hero and political prisoner. Instead, Fox News spread falsehoods about Ray that have cost him his livelihood and safety, he added.
Kentuckys second-largest city is older the United States.

And in 2025, Lexington is planning a blowout year of celebrations for its 250th birthday.

On Tuesday, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton unveiled a new 23-member 250Lex Commission to help fundraise and oversee the citys 250th anniversary celebrations.

One of the first steps of the commission is to unveil a 250th birthday branding competition. Residents are encouraged to submit design ideas for logos for the official 250Lex brand. In addition, the group is already asking the public to submit ideas for possible birthday celebrations.

We are planning a year-long party celebrating all things Lexington, Gorton said at a special celebration on the steps of the former Fayette County courthouse on Main Street Tuesday night. Thanks to the work of this commission and with the input from our residents, 2025 will be a year full of events and programs celebrating our rich history. It will take time to organize, but this group will do a great job in making sure our residents and visitors have opportunities to learn and discover all that has made, and still makes, Lexington a great city.

The group also wants to make the month of June 2025, which is when Lexington got its name, a homecoming month.

Were calling it Come Home month, Gorton said. Were inviting anyone who has lived here, has family here or would like to see all we have to offer to travel here for a month-long cultural experience.

The commission is co-chaired by Eunice Beatty and Kip Cornett.

Beatty said they want to make sure the year-long celebrations are welcoming to everyone.

Beatty said the commission will meet soon to determine a fundraising goal for more than 12 months of celebrations.

We are looking at big numbers, Beatty said of the fundraising goal. The group wants corporate sponsors similar to what Atlanta had during the 1996 U.S. Olympic games.

We are ready to party in Lexington in 2025, Beatty said. We need Lexington voices for ideas. We need volunteers, partners and participation.

Beatty said they want organizations to build Lexingtons 250th birthday into their annual events.

As we plan over the next 15 months, lets showcase what makes Lexington great and look for new ways to improve our city for the future, Beatty said.

Lexington was founded in 1775, one year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, by William McConnell and other explorers who set up camp near a natural spring, which is now known as McConnell Springs. After hearing about the battle of Lexington and Concord  nearly a year later  McConnell and others named their new home Lexington.

To participate in the design competition or to submit ideas for possible celebrations send emails to 250Lex@lexingtonky.gov or go to www.250lex.com.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Mohave County Sheriffs Office said Wednesday that a body found in Arizona 27 years ago has been identified as a Los Angeles Army Veteran.

On Jan. 22, 1996, two men looking for rocks and running with their dogs found human remains in a shallow grave 3 miles north of Stockton Hill Road outside of Kingman, according to the Countys Facebook page.

With the help of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Tucson, police were able to determine that the victim was a Black man, approximately 30-40 years old, 510 to 61.

His cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.

The Mohave County Sheriffs Office said several attempts to identify him were unsuccessful.

Then, In Feb. 2023, Special Investigations Unit Detectives sent a sample from the victim to Othram, Inc., a laboratory located in Texas, hoping to create a DNA profile to attempt to identify him.

The Mohave County Sheriffs Office has identified human remains found 27 years ago as Sherman George. (Mohave County Sheriffs Office)

Using what they called advanced DNA testing, Forensic Grade Genome Sequencing, and forensic genetic genealogy, they were able to identify the victim as Sherman George from Los Angeles County, CA.

Records show that George served in the military, based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, which is now called Fort Liberty.

Mohave police say George was known to frequent the desert area both in California and Mohave County, Arizona with his former army friends.

George was estranged from his family, so they never reported him missing, the sheriffs office said. They last saw him in late 1994.

Anyone with information regarding this case, and/or Georges military and post-military activities, is encouraged to contact the Mohave County Sheriffs Office Detective Division at (928) 753-0753 ext.4288, and reference DR# 96-01362.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Nearly 10 months after a federal board changed the name of Squaw Valley to Yokuts Valley, Fresno County supervisors want voters to amend the county charter to clarify it should control name changes in unincorporated parts of the county, requests often made by residents or groups because they feel like some names are offensive or inappropriate.

District 5 Supervisor Nathan Magsig said Tuesday he introduced the resolution in response to a 2022 state law that will remove the word squaw, widely considered a slur, from California places by 2025, as well as the citys push to rename a major road that includes stretches of county jurisdiction in honor of civil rights leader Cesar Chavez.

According to the countys resolution, the existing state laws provisions disregard historical factors and local control involved in the naming of geographic features.

Magsig said hes open to name changes that include input from residents of a community, but he has long been critical of the federal governments process in changing Squaw Valley on the principle that local residents didnt have enough say in the decision.

The goal of the ballot measure, Magsig said, is for voters to weigh in on whether local control matters for name changes. I thought it was important to have as much local control as possible, he said.

The resolution might be largely ceremonial because federal and state law tends to trump local authority. Its not immediately clear if or how the charter amendment, if approved, would impact name changes that are already in place in Fresno County.

The Fresno County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to add the charter amendment measure to the March 5, 2024, primary election ballot. Supervisors Sal Quintero and Brian Pacheco cast the two no votes.

Magsig represents Yokuts Valley, the east Fresno County foothill community formerly known as Squaw Valley. The unincorporated towns name was changed by a federal geographic naming board in January after a local coalition submitted a formal name change petition to the federal government.

Last year, a federal task force voted to remove the derogatory term from six other places in the Fresno area after Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland formally declared the term to be derogatory in a secretarial order.

The resolution is the countys latest push to defy recent state and federal name changes within the county.

In April, Fresno County filed a lawsuit against the state of California over AB 2022, arguing that it violates the communitys right to free speech and that the state has no authority to order the name change. Many critics  including some residents of Yokuts Valley  called the lawsuit frivolous.

Fresno County residents show their support of the name Yokuts Valley and call on the Board of Supervisors to throw out its frivolous lawsuit against the state of California in downtown Fresno on April 11, 2023.

Three speakers spoke in favor of the Tuesday resolution and said they were against the Yokuts Valley name change and thanked the board for protecting local control.

Other speakers, including Roman Rain Tree  the activist who led the name change petition and is a member of the Dunlap Band of Mono Indians and Choinumni tribes  said the countys move was bogus.

Its a prime example of institutionalized racism, Rain Tree said. He added that Fresno County had the chance to weigh in on an alternative name, such as Bear Mountain, earlier on in the name change process. The County instead sent a letter to the federal board formally opposing the name change altogether.

While Pacheco commended Magsig for advocating on behalf of his constituents, he said he opposed the resolution because it was a symbolic act of futility prompted by a divisive issue rather than a true administrative need.

In my opinion, this issue or procedure has already been decided by our current laws, he said. He added that in a constitutional republic, the federal government supersedes the state and the state supersedes the county.

Thats our system, he said. We may not always like the outcome, but that is the system and the rules that we have in place.

In recent years, another historic California place also changed their name  without such public opposition from county authorities.

In September 2021, owners of the Lake Tahoe-area resort long known as Squaw Valley changed the resorts name to Palisades Tahoe, after extensive research and dialogue with the local Washoe tribe. The site is famous for hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics. A year later, a federal task force renamed the Placer County unincorporated community surrounding the resort from Squaw Valley to Olympic Valley.

State responds to Fresno County lawsuit

In July, the state of Californias Attorney General Rob Bonta and deputy attorneys general, Matthew Wises and Clinton Woods, responded to Fresno Countys lawsuit, arguing in a filing with the Fresno County Superior Court that the case suffers from numerous fatal defects and fails on legal grounds and also because the case should be filed in federal, not state court.. Fresno County, the state argues, sued the wrong entity.

Yokuts Valley was renamed as a result of federal action, not a state decision, the states response says.

2023.07.20 State Response Fresno County Lawsuit by Melissa Montalvo on Scribd

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Magsig said in an interview with The Bee in March that the county decided to go after the state instead of the federal government due to the specific requirements the new law will place on California counties.

The state also argued that the countys First Amendment complaint was insufficient because the Free Speech Clause regulates only private, not government speech, and that the First Amendment does not prohibit the state from articulating a policy viewpoint. The filings also say that as a political subdivision of the state, the countys right to government speech doesnt override the will of the state.

A case management conference is scheduled for December 14 at 3:30 pm.
Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, speaks during the Sutherland Institutes 2023 Congressional Series at the University of Utah Hinckley Institute in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Utah Republican Rep. Burgess Owens will serve as a key negotiator in the effort to merge House and Senate versions of the annual defense authorization bill.

Owens was one of 25 conferees selected by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from outside the House Armed Services Committee, which is represented by 20 of its members, to finalize the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2024.

The position will give Owens a unique place at the table in coming weeks to influence the programs, projects and policies that will be implemented by the Department of Defense and other defense-related agencies in the coming year.

As our nation faces escalating threats from foreign adversaries, our core responsibility in Congress is to deliver a national defense that stands as a global standard of strength, intelligence, and strategic foresight, Owens said in a statement Wednesday.

I will work diligently alongside my colleagues to craft a National Defense Authorization Act that provides for the needs of our service members and their families, strengthens homeland defense, and counters the aggression of our adversaries, all while making my constituents in Utahs Fourth District and Americans across the nation proud.

How will Owens influence the defense authorization bill?

Owens represents Utahs 4th Congressional District, which includes the western portions of Salt Lake and Utah counties, and all of Sanpete County. While the district does not have any military bases, it is home to Camp Williams, a Utah National Guard training site west of Lehi.

One of Owens priorities for the FY2024 NDAA will be to secure the passage of the Retain Skilled Veterans Act, an Owens spokesperson said. The legislation, introduced by Rep. Blake Moore, of Utahs 1st Congressional District, aims to increase veteran hiring by permanently waiving the requirement that former servicemen must wait six months after their retirement to apply for certain Department of Defense positions.

Moore has said the bill would make it easier for veterans to find employment and would be a boon for Utahs Hill Air Force Base, located near Clearfield within his district. The bill, which Owens co-sponsored, was included in the House version of the defense authorization bill passed in July, along with a number of culture war amendments that are unlikely to survive the House-Senate reconciliation process which Owens will soon be a part of.

Related

What are the NDAAs culture war amendments?

Some of the measures least likely to garner support in the Democratic-led Senate include amendments repealing the Pentagons policy of reimbursing abortion-related travel costs, limiting the militarys insurance coverage of gender-transition treatments, and prohibiting the use of federal funds for military diversity, equity and inclusion activities.

Owens has signaled his support for the controversial amendments, criticizing what he sees as a deterioration of military readiness under the Biden administration.

In only three years, President (Joe) Biden has managed to tarnish our Armed Forces 248-year legacy of service by prioritizing identity politics and failing to stand up to our adversaries in Beijing, Tehran, and Moscow. This years Department of Defense priorities are clear: Taxpayer-funded abortions, DEI programs, and divisive Critical Race Theory, Owens told the Deseret News in July, shortly before the passage of the House NDAA for FY2024.

In the reconciliation process, Owens will also push for the inclusion of an amendment that would reinstate service members who were fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccines. Owens sponsored a bill to the same effect in June.

Jeopardizing the might and readiness of our U.S. Military, President Biden and his administration discharged more than 8,400 active-duty servicemen and women for choosing not to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Owens said in a statement about the bill. Despite signing Republicans repeal of the vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. armed forces, there is no plan to repay these men and women who were wrongfully fired.

Whats next for the defense authorization bill?

The 2,300-page, $870 billion House NDAA passed mostly along party lines in mid-July, with all of Utahs House members voting in favor. It will now enter a bicameral, bipartisan conference in which it and the Senate NDAA, of similar length and cost, must be synthesized into a final product that can pass both chambers before being signed by the president.

The Senate bill includes the same 5.2% pay raise for service members and Department of Defense employees, as well as assistance for Ukraine and resources to counter China. However, it passed with more bipartisan support than the House version, as it excludes any culture war amendments.

During the bicameral conference, constituents and other stakeholders will have an opportunity to influence additional provisions to be added or blocked from the final bill.

Following the reconciliation process, the conference committee will produce a conference report containing the final legislative language, which will receive a final debate in both chambers but cannot receive any additional amendments.
A 25-year-old man was found dead Tuesday night after a report of a shooting in Alexandria, according to police.

A 25-year-old man was found dead Tuesday night after a report of a shooting in Alexandria, according to police.

Tyruin Green was found dead in the road at the intersection of Chester and Polk streets after the Alexandria Police Department responded to a call around 10:45 p.m., reads a news release.

There have been no arrests, but an investigation is continuing.

On June 23, the department responded to a home invasion at the Chateau Deville Apartments on Lakeside Drive in which one man was critically wounded. The victim in that shooting was 25-year-old Tyruin Green, according to the June news release.

The department had no comment Wednesday on whether the victims in the two shootings are the same person.

In the home invasion, a warrant on charges of attempted first-degree murder and home invasion was issued for Andrew Dawayne Howard, 34. The department states Howard is from Alexandria, but online Rapides Parish jail records list an address in Beaumont, Texas.

Larry Roy death row case: Rapides DA Phillip Terrell joins other in trying to stop clemency hearings for killers

Plea agreements: 2 Alexandria men take pleas in fatal shooting cases, sentenced to prison

Howard, a lifetime sex offender after a 2009 Rapides Parish conviction for forcible rape, remains at large.

Anyone with information about the fatal shooting is asked to call detectives at 318-441-6416, dispatch at 318-441-6559 or Crime Stoppers of CenLa at 318-443-7867.

People also can email detectives at APD-Detectives@cityofalex.com.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Investigation continuing into shooting that killed Tyruin Green, 25
Hard-line Arizona members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus are playing a big role in holding up a federal budget that could trigger a partial government shutdown this month.

A handful of the most conservative Republicans in the House have made clear they are willing to grind things to a halt to get what they want  spending cuts, no money for Ukraine, and border security.

If lawmakers dont reach a deal by Sept. 30, they risk a government shutdown that would begin the next day. They can also buy time with a continuing resolution to extend current funding.

Rep. Andy Biggs , R-Ariz., played a major role in jamming things up Tuesday when he was among five Republicans who refused to even pass a military funding measure in protest of the larger budget being negotiated. His fellow Arizona Republican Reps. Eli Crane and Paul Gosar appear just as unwilling to join their party in passing a budget and sending the debate to the Senate.

Arizona has nearly 60,000 federal employees, according to the state Office of Economic Opportunity, though not all of them would be out of work in a shutdown because essential services like Border Patrol would stay on the job.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy , R-Calif., has urged passing a broader budget measure to give the GOP at least some policy victories and to shift the spotlight to the Senate, which is controlled by Democrats and unlikely to approve a budget from the Republican-controlled House.

But even getting House Republicans to agree on a stopgap funding measure has been impossible because members of the Freedom Caucus want more impactful cuts to spending than what the broader Republican membership has proposed.

During the weekend of Sept. 16, Republicans in the House proposed a budget that would have cut government spending by 8% excluding defense and veterans affairs.

The short-term deal would keep the government running through October, giving time to reach a longer-term deal. But on Tuesday, Republicans postponed a procedural vote on the deal.

Biggs took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to explain his Tuesday vote against the defense-spending measure, and said he doesnt trust McCarthy and House leadership.

They are trying to make us look bad and put us in a corner because they havent done their job, Biggs said.

I dont want to hold the military hostage, Biggs continued. Thats not what we are trying to do.

Biggs' spokesperson Matthew Tragesser added Wednesday that he does not support a short-term funding resolution and wants federal spending returned to pre-COVID 2019 levels, and for the budget to address weaponization of the federal government, the southern border, woke initiatives and waste.

Crane is among the few Freedom Caucus holdouts in the House. Spokesperson Zach Kahler said he also will not support a continuing resolution to fund the government short term.

Hes committed to not kicking the can down the road, Kahler said Wednesday. This country is in a financial crisis and the only way Washington will change is if its forced to change. The Congressman believes we need to go through the actual appropriations bills like House leadership promised, and write them to the levels that were agreed upon with Speaker McCarthy in January. They promised a lot of people a lot of things and its time to pay up.

Its time to force lasting change or grind this machine to a halt.  Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) September 19, 2023

Crane took to social media Tuesday to emphasize that the 8% spending cut was not enough and that hes willing to take the blame for a shutdown if it results in larger government cutbacks.

Its time to force lasting change or grind this machine to a halt, Crane said on X. Its time to cut up the credit cards and make some tough decisions, he said in another post.

For the first time in history, U.S. national debt has eclipsed $33 TRILLION dollars.



Congress has failed. Both parties.



Its time to cut up the credit cards and make some tough decisions.  Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) September 19, 2023

He also shared comments from Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., that suggested Congress defund special counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the federal prosecution of former President Donald Trump, stop funding to Ukraine, lower spending and add in policy riders.

Biggs also downplayed the severity of a shutdown in a social media post, saying it would be a pause in out-of-control federal spending related to nonessentials.

Our government will continue to operate during this period, Biggs wrote.

Biggs also criticized spending on Ukraine.

It was acknowledged by both Republicans and Democrats that Ukraine is one of the most corrupt countries in the world pre-Russian invasion. Well never have an account of all the money weve sent them. Why does the Biden Administration keep throwing away our taxpayer dollars? Biggs said on X.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., turns as he speaks with Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., ahead of the 13th round of voting for speaker in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Meanwhile, Rep. Juan Ciscomani, R-Ariz., who like Crane is serving his first term but in a significantly more competitive district that has drawn a Democrat opponent for next year, has been urging Republicans to agree on a deal while also calling out federal spending.

We must get Washingtons rampant spending under control, Ciscomani said on X. $33 trillion is unacceptable. House Republicans have passed appropriations bills that REDUCE spending. And this week Congress has an opportunity to deliver on them. It's time to do our job.

After Biggs and four other Republicans held up the defense-spending measure, Ciscomani chastised his own party.

"What happened yesterday on the floor is unacceptable," Ciscoman said Wednesday on X. "We have a mandate to govern and thats what I came to Washington to do. As appropriators, we have done our job, passing 10 of 12 bills out of the full committee. If Republicans cant even agree to move the defense appropriations bill, then what will it take to find an agreement? Our service members deserve their pay raises and our military needs to be funded. Our border needs to be secured. The government needs to stay open to serve the public. These are my priorities and we need to work around the clock to get it done."

Republicans have a slight majority in the House, meaning that they can only lose a few votes from their own caucus and still move something past the Democratic minority. Losing any more of their own partys votes ensures the failure of any measure without some Democratic votes.

Embedded content: https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2023/roll398.xml

That is what happened Tuesday when five Republicans opposed a measure to fund the Defense Department, leaving the measure to fail 214-212. Ciscomani, Crane, Gosar and Debbie Lesko from Arizonas GOP voted yes on that. Biggs was one of five Republicans to join Democrats in voting no. Four other Republicans didnt vote on the matter.

Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said Wednesday in an interview with The Arizona Republic that the bipartisan agreement struck earlier this year when Congress had to extend the debt ceiling included spending cuts that McCarthy bragged about at the time, and House Republicans should honor that agreement now.

Leadership and governing are the art of compromise, he said. It did have budget caps in that. I didnt love that agreement. But you dont substitute the perfect for the good when you are in a leadership position.

He said the way to avoid an economically devastating shutdown is for McCarthy to get his members to stick with that deal.

First rule of politics is, you reach an agreement, you have to stick with it, he said.

He called it a real test over whether or not we can govern.

If we end up in a long government shutdown because the speaker wont move forward on the agreement he made, it is dishonorable and hurts the American people and the American economy.

Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., told The Arizona Republic earlier in the summer he was concerned that partisanship would lead to a shutdown.

Sen. Mark Kelly, Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego and Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller speak about the Inflation Reduction Act at the Valley Metro maintenance center on Aug. 2, 2023.

"Unfortunately there are members of the House and maybe even some in the Senate that don't have a problem with government shutdowns. I do," Kelly said. "People don't get paid, and when that happens it puts incredible stress on families. The government provides a lot of valuable services. It affects our national defense. We should not ever consider shutting the government down."

Government shutdowns created havoc in 2018, 2019

The most recent government shutdowns occurred in 2018 and 2019 under then-President Donald Trump and in 2013 under then-President Barack Obama.

The 35-day partial shutdown that ended in January 2019 was the longest in U.S. history, and arose over a dispute between Trump and Democrats over funding for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.

The shutdown ended when Trump relented on his insistence for $5.7 billion for spending on a border wall.

But that was only after it put thousands of Arizonas federal workers under extreme financial hardship, with banks and credit unions offering special loans to help them make ends meet. Food banks also had to step up as workers went more than a month without a paycheck.

Trump relented after at least three major airports in the Northeast were seeing significant slowdowns because of security staffing shortages and as many government employees missed their second paycheck.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated the shutdown resulted in an $11 billion hit to the economy, although about $8 billion of it was expected to be recovered as people got paid and resumed their normal spending. The other $3 billion was estimated as a permanent loss to the economy.

The approximately three-day shutdown in January 2018 arose over a dispute about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration policy.

That shutdown put about 692,000 federal workers on furlough, including many of the 55,000 federal workers then working in Arizona, a number that has increased by about 5,000 today. Critical workers stayed on the job, but residents who needed help from the Internal Revenue Service, immigration courts or U.S. Forest Service were out of luck. Those pulled off the job included 860 people with the Arizona National Guard.

The IRS is not expected to be affected if the government shuts down this year.

The October 2013 shutdown lasted 16 days and had roots in a debate over funding for the Affordable Care Act. It caused about 850,000 government workers nationwide to go without paychecks, although they were paid retroactively when they returned to work.

Will the Grand Canyon stay open in a shutdown?

One positive that arose from the shutdowns in 2018 and 2019 was an executive order from then-Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, who struck a deal with the National Park Service to spend hundreds of thousands of state dollars to keep the Grand Canyon open to visitors.

The park set a record in 2018 with more than 6.3 million visitors who spend almost $1 billion in the state, according to data from a visitation study.

His successor, Gov. Katie Hobbs, said Wednesday she will continue that policy to keep the park open if the government shuts down.

Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @UtilityReporter.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Reps. Andy Biggs, Eli Crane among holdouts in federal budget showdown
Republican governors are calling on the Biden administration to release more detailed statistics on immigration and asylum processing, while accusing President Biden of incentivizing illegal immigration.

In a letter to Biden on Tuesday, 25 governors spearheaded by Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) asked for detailed information on where the migrants admitted at the southern border are being relocated in the United States, in addition to comprehensive data on asylum claim timelines and qualification rates, and successful deportations.

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (R) was the only sitting Republican governor who did not sign the letter.

Beyond requesting information, the signatories used the bulk of the letter to attack Bidens record on migration and border security.

The governors conflated border crossings, public safety, terrorism and the fentanyl epidemic as part of a singular issue, a controversial approach thats drawn criticism from experts on those topics.

In the past two years, 244 people on the terrorist watchlist were stopped trying to cross the southern border  an all-time record. Absent transparency from your administration, though, we cannot know how many terrorists have evaded capture and are now freely moving about the country, wrote the governors.

In a House Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday, Alex Nowrasteh , the Cato Institute vice president for economic and social policy studies, explained why rising terrorist watchlist encounters do not indicate a threat of increased terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

The watchlist, Nowrasteh said, yields many false positives, and the framework of the watchlist leads to more people being added to the [list] than is warranted.

From 1975 to 2022, Nowrasteh said, only nine known terrorists have illegally crossed the southern border, and none has perpetrated attacks leading to deaths or injuries.

During that time, the number of people murdered in attacks on U.S. soil committed by a foreign-born terrorist who entered illegally was zero. The number of people injured in an attack committed by a foreign-born terrorist who entered illegally was zero. Suffice to say, the number of people killed or injured by an illegal immigrant [terrorist] who entered illegally across the U.S.-Mexico border is also zero, said Nowrasteh.

Yet the Biden administration has shown political vulnerability on border issues, and a growing number of migrant arrivals at the southwest border threatens to keep the issue front and center.

The 25 governors also accused the federal government of turning a blind eye to the fiscal effects of illegal immigration.

Analysts estimate the annual net cost of illegal immigration for the United States at the federal, state, and local levels is at least $150.7 billion, they wrote.

Although the governors did not cite a source for that figure, a March report by the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), a restrictionist advocacy organization, arrived at that same figure.

Estimates on the net fiscal cost of immigrants and specifically undocumented immigrants have historically varied wildly.

A broad 2017 study published by the National Academies of Sciences found that immigrants have a small fiscal effect overall, and found the most important variables to predict a persons net fiscal impact were age of arrival and educational attainment, not immigration status.

A 2023 Cato Institute update of that study found that fiscal effects of immigration are generally more positive for the federal government, and a somewhat negative impact on the finances of state/local governments.

The immediate fiscal effects of newly arrived migrants have created tension between Biden and Democratic mayors and governors, particularly New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

The 25 GOP governors highlighted that rift.

This is not a partisan issue. Democrat New York City Mayor Eric Adams stated, This is not a New York City problem. This is a national problem. [Funding for the influx of migrants to New York City is] going to come from our schools services. Its going to come from our streets. Its going to come from what we provide to children,' wrote the governors, adding that Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) declared a state of emergency, calling the issue a federal crisis of inaction.

The GOP governors call for data contrasted with calls from Democratic state and local officials, many of whom have called for Biden to focus his efforts on speeding up work permits for migrants in the country.

The Republicans called on the Biden administration to release the immigration data immediately, but also regularly as the crisis at the southern border continues.

Without such information, we cannot fulfill our fundamental duties to protect our citizens while providing our communities with appropriate services, they wrote.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Republican Partys war on itself has turned its inoperative House majority into a clown show and a dysfunction caucus and is handing wins to the Chinese Communist Party  and thats just what some of its own members say about it.

Days of recriminations between far-right hardliners, moderates, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his nihilistic tormentors reached a new peak on Tuesday in extraordinary scenes of inter-party infighting on the south side of the US Capitol.

The legislative train wreck made clear that more is now at stake than McCarthys loosening grip on a job he craved for years and the capacity of the GOP to fulfill the chambers most basic function  setting a budget to run the country.

The Republican majoritys farcical self-harm now increasingly appears to be putting America on a path hurtling toward a government shutdown ahead of a deadline for new federal funding at the end of next week. This could mean furloughs for federal workers who provide basic services, that troops could go unpaid and the possibility of severe damage to an economy that cant afford more knocks if the impasse is prolonged.

A shutdown  provoked by the demands for massive spending cuts by GOP hardliners that they have no hope of forcing through the Senate or getting President Joe Biden to sign, could sour voters on the small House majority they gave to Republicans in the midterm elections. More broadly, it could raise fresh doubts about the capacity of a polarized nation  featuring an ever more extreme and performative Republican Party in ex-President Donald Trumps image  to govern itself.

And the chaos could spread beyond the US. Another failure Tuesday to pass a defense bill raised the possibility that political discord now and in the future could hamper US readiness amid a challenge from a rising Chinese superpower. And Ukraines fight for survival looks increasingly hostage to the Houses unwillingness or inability to finance a new lifeline of arms and ammunition.

What the standoff is about

McCarthys leadership team is still struggling to find a way to pass a stop gap spending bill known as a continuing resolution  or a CR  to keep government open and buy more time to end a fierce internecine dispute over demands for massive spending cuts by hardliners. But the radicals may have the numbers to stop the measure from even reaching the House floor and demand more concessions.

I dont know how they will get to 218, South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, referring to McCarthys magic number to pass a bill, said after leaving a conference meeting.

In Congress, chaos and ill-feeling often reach their most extreme pitch just before the fever breaks and a creative solution emerges to punt a problem weeks down the road. McCarthy has been hoping this is the case by refusing to abandon the CR. But the Republican majority is so thin  the speaker can lose only four votes with its current margin  and the party is so bitterly divided, that past experience may be a poor predictor of outcomes. And for some a smallish block on the extreme edge of the pro-Trump conference, the chance to close down a government that many of them disdain could get them points from base voters and the ex-president and may be an end in itself.

Rep. Mike Simpson, a veteran member for Idaho, bemoaned the situation where recalcitrant members can hold the rest of the chamber hostage. He said its frustrating that the place doesnt work anymore.

Simpson added: Were being dragged around by 20 people, but 200 of us are in agreement.  They want their way or the highway. And thats not the way this government works.

Simpsons comment encapsulated both the reality of the tiny GOP majority and also the fact that the GOP radicals essentially reject the premise of constitutional divided government itself. They have failed to build sufficient public support through elections to win power  but they are trying to wield it anyway  an approach that threatens democracy but is in keeping with the character of much their party in the age of Trump.

Could a tie-up between moderate Republicans and Democrats save the day?

There is however one potential solution that could head off the crisis  an emerging discussion of a tie-up between a number of moderate House Republicans whose seats are at risk in 2024 and Democrats that would extend government funding and even potentially furnish Ukraine with new aid.

A complex set of maneuvers could send a spending bill out of the House that a sufficient number of senators of both parties in the Democrat-led Senate could agree on. Still even this arcane answer is a long shot. For one thing, the use of the so-called discharge petition would take time to work through legislative hoops as the shutdown clock runs down.

That means a compromise between moderate Republicans and Democrats might be a more viable option to end a shutdown than to prevent it. It would also require minority Democrats to decide to line up alongside GOP lawmakers from states like New York whom they will target in their bid to take back the majority in 2024. So handing a win to the critical Republicans on whom the GOP majority depends may be a poor strategy. And a partnership might also have the effect of bailing McCarthy out of a situation in which his conference looks incapable and dysfunctional and from which Democrats can profit.

On the other hand, Democrats might enjoy the optics of hijacking the House chamber and making the speaker look even weaker. Intrigue about a potential revenge of the moderates spiked on Tuesday after Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, from a New York swing district, said he was open to working with Democrats.

If the clown show of colleagues that refuse to actually govern doesnt want to pass the CR, I will do everything we need to make sure that a CR passes, Lawler said.

The bottom line is were not shutting the government down, he added.

Rep. Mike Lawler talks on his way to a House Republican Conference meeting at the US Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

In a sign that Democrats are considering their options, their leader Hakeem Jeffries will meet the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus on Wednesday. The group has a bipartisan plan to fund the government by temporarily extending current spending levels and include aid for recent domestic national disasters, Ukraine funding and some border security provisions. But underscoring potential tensions within the Democratic Party over any eventual deal, the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced a meeting to discuss their perspective on the budget negotiations.

The notion of a moderate revolt and cross-party bipartisan solutions from the political middle have often been mooted in age of hyper-partisan fury in Congress. On odd occasions theyve worked  for instance in the infrastructure program passed by President Joe Biden in a win that eluded his predecessors. But such efforts usually collapse on the logic of partisanship. Sometimes, they are used as a feint by party members to call the bluff of more radical members of their conference. And any decision by a handful of Republicans to split with McCarthy, who supported them with fundraising and advice in the midterm elections would be a tough one, personally and politically. It could also make them persona non grata on their own benches.

If moderate Republicans sign a discharge petition with Democrats, they are signing their own political death warrant and they are handing it to their executioner because it wont be me and the conservatives off hunting the moderates, Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, McCarthys most prominent GOP critic, said. Itll be the very Democrats that they would be working with under that hypothesis.

And weighing on Republican moderates will be the risk they could cost the speaker his job. A bill that passed the House with Democratic votes could be the final straw for McCarthys enemies and cause a vote to unseat him.

Rep. Matt Gaetz talks on his way to a House Republican Conference meeting at the Capitol on September 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The House cant even fund the military

The plight of a speaker saddled with a tiny majority and a rebellious conference in a party that rewards extreme rabble rousing rather than legislating and governing was laid bare on Tuesday when five conservative members killed an attempt to pass a defense bill that was loaded with GOP priorities  normally one of the easiest legislative lifts.

They just handed a win to the Chinese Communist Party as a result of this vote, Rep. Mike Garcia, a Republican from California and an ex-Navy fighter pilot, told CNNs Manu Raju.

Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon, who represents a Biden swing district, commented to reporters as he motioned toward the House floor: The dysfunction caucus at work.

The bizarre circumstances of the House crisis were encapsulated during one appearance before reporters on Tuesday by McCarthy when tensions appeared to boil over when he was asked about aid to Ukraine  that Biden warned at the United Nations on Tuesday was critical to winning a war that would spill far beyond its current footprint amid Russian expansionism if the US abandons Kyiv.

Was Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I dont think so, McCarthy said, in a striking outburst against a Washington ally fighting a war for his countrys survival. Zelensky will be in the Capitol on Thursday, on a mission to shore up his countrys desperately needed aid pipeline from the US.

Even to a leader from a war zone constantly under attack from Russian drones and missiles, Washingtons utter failure to govern itself is likely to look like dysfunction run riot.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Miami Beach City Commission candidate David Suarez has a history of supporting Republican politicians.

A year ago, according to campaign-finance data, Suarez gave $2,900 to the U.S. Senate campaign of Blake Masters, a former Colorado candidate who was described by Politico as a hard-line nationalist and promoted a theory that Democrats were encouraging immigration to change the demographics of this country.

In 2020, he gave $25,000 to a slew of Republican candidates and PACs, including more than $100 to the campaign of Laura Loomer, a far-right Florida congressional hopeful. In 2018, records show, Suarez gave $5,000 to a political committee supporting the gubernatorial campaign of Ron DeSantis . And in 2016, he gave more than $1,000 to groups supporting Donald Trump .

Do Miami Beach voters care?

As Suarez and several other candidates with Republican ties seek office in a city known for its liberal leanings, the Nov. 7 election may help provide answers.

Miami Beach elections are nonpartisan. Typically, candidates are muted about their party affiliations, focusing instead on local issues as they seek to appeal to a broad swath of voters. But in a city seen as a haven for the gay community where less than a quarter of registered voters are Republicans  and as DeSantis culture-war battles continue to rock institutions across the state  party ties could help voters pick between candidates with similar local priorities.

I think a lot of us chose to make Miami Beach our home because it historically has been an open-minded and welcoming place in recent decades, said commission candidate Tanya Katzoff Bhatt, a registered Democrat. Its important that we dont let others who dont share our values change what makes our city special.

There are just four registered Democrats among 10 total candidates for mayor and three commission seats, according to public records: mayoral candidates Mike Grieco and Michael Gongora and commission candidates Mitch Novick and Katzoff Bhatt. Mayoral candidate Bill Roedy is registered with the Independent Party.

The remaining five candidates have no party affiliation and were previously registered as Republicans before switching to NPA within the past decade, records show.

None of the 10 candidates are incumbents. Six are seeking political office for the first time.

READ MORE: The field is set for a crucial Miami Beach election. Here are the candidates

Suarez, a skincare company marketing director and activist against short-term rentals, did not respond to an interview request for this story. Records show he switched his Republican registration to the Independent Party in 2021, then no party last year.

David Suarez

His political consultant, David Custin, shared details of campaign contributions Suarez has made to several Miami Beach Democrats, including City Commissioners Laura Dominguez, David Richardson and Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, as well as donations he made this year and last year to LGBTQ advocacy group Equality Florida.

We hope youll balance your reporting of his contribution history with this information, Custin said in an email.

David Geller, the president of the Miami Beach Democratic Club, said its common for local candidates with conservative bents to become non-party affiliated to try to boost their chances. Among more than 47,000 Miami Beach voters, 37% are Democrats, 24% are Republicans and 39% are NPAs or registered with minor parties, according to the latest available data.

We are concerned with the number of NPA candidates who are running for mayor and commission telling voters they are moderates or lean Democrat in order to win over voters, when public records and their own social media suggest different, Geller said.

Account highlights Republican ties

Suarezs contribution to DeSantis PAC recently surfaced on an anonymous social media account, No MAGA Takeover in Miami Beach, that has sought to expose Miami Beach candidates ties to the political right.

A post on Facebook last month launching the account suggested those ties are especially relevant now, as the Republican-controlled Legislature has sought to strip away power from cities.

It matters because DeSantis and [other Republicans] have weakened our city with preemption laws that have given big developers enormous power to demolish our historic city, the post said. They have attacked local LGBTQ-owned businesses which are an enormous part of our tourist economy. And they have attacked public education and opened the floodgates to censorship and book bans.

Hello #MiamiBeach! We're going to document the MAGA connections of our local politicians.



Local residents who care about the rule of law, democracy and freedom deserve to know if our local politicians are connected to the MAGA movement. #justaskingquestions #sayfie #FlaPol  No MAGA Takeover in Miami Beach (@nomagatakeover) August 15, 2023

Few candidates have been spared from the accounts sleuthing and biting commentary.

Joe Magazine, a finance professional who has served on the citys Planning Board, was featured for several social media posts he made in 2016.

One day after a man shot and killed five police officers in Dallas during a protest against the police killings of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota, Magazine took to Facebook to write that he was sick of hearing a bunch of f---ing morons talk about whose lives matter.

To me, my familys lives matter, my life matters, Magazine wrote. And if anyone decides to try and jeopardize that, theyll see how little their life matters to me.

In an interview this week, Magazine said the post was worded poorly, but that it was an emotional reaction to two extremes coming together, bestowing violence upon our country.

Joe Magazine

The day after Trump was elected president, Magazine wrote on Facebook that he has supported Trump for over a year and a half, attaching a photo of himself wearing a Trump 2016 hat.

Magazine, who dropped his party affiliation in February 2022, said he sees himself as a moderate and no longer supports Trump. He said he voted for Joe Biden in 2020.

My main desire was to bring the country together and its clear that didnt happen during his administration, Magazine said of Trump, noting that he is pro-choice and supports the LGBTQ community. I categorically reject extremism on either side.

The No MAGA Takeover account has also called out Magazines opponent, art curator Marcella Novela, for donating $1,000 last June to the campaign of Republican State Rep. Fabian Basabe and $1,000 last August to a political committee that backs DeSantis.

Novelas political consultant, Eric Johnson, said Novela was a social friend of Basabe before he entered local politics and was shocked by how hes behaved in office and how hes voted. Basabe came under fire last year for voting in lockstep with DeSantis despite campaigning as a social moderate, and faced allegations of sexual harassment by two staffers, which he has denied.

Novela has since donated $1,000 to the campaign of Joe Saunders, a Democrat running against Basabe.

As for the DeSantis donation, Johnson said Novela made it during a Miami Beach fundraiser hosted by the governors wife, Casey. She was probably not as politically active as she certainly is now, Johnson said. She certainly would not support DeSantis in the future.

Novela, a former Republican who has had no party affiliation since 2017, acknowledged the donations in a recent comment on Instagram, saying Basabe and DeSantis turned out to be horrible liars and traitors.

Not moderate at all!! she wrote.

Marcella Novela

Will local priorities take precedent?

The November election may be an indicator of where Miami Beach residents priorities lie  and whether South Floridas tourist hub is following countywide political shifts to the right.

City officials, including Democratic Mayor Dan Gelber, have pressed ahead in recent years on a host of controversial tough-on-crime policies in response to constituent demands, even when they have drawn criticism from progressives. At a meeting last week, commissioners voted on first reading to subject homeless people to arrest if they refuse a shelter bed, despite advocates cautioning against it.

Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber (left), former Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez (center) and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (right), at the Miami Beach Convention Center on April 8, 2020, discuss the Army Corps building of a coronavirus field hospital inside the facility.

The question of Miami Beachs role in state and national battles has come up repeatedly as elected officials have sought to condemn DeSantis initiatives. Steven Meiner, a commissioner who is running for mayor, has refused to support such resolutions, saying they arent directly relevant to the city. That has opened him up to criticism from colleagues who say its important to take a stance.

Theyre important issues, but theyre not for Miami Beach, Meiner said at a recent candidate forum.

Miami Beach Commissioner Steven Meiner is one of four candidates for mayor.

READ MORE: Who will be the next mayor of Miami Beach? Four hopefuls square off at first forum

Andres Asion, a real estate broker facing off against Katzoff Bhatt for City Commission, called recent attacks about candidates past party allegiances ridiculous.

None of those topics are relevant to the fact that, when somebody picks up the phone, they know that Im a get-it-done guy for the past 25 years of my life, Asion said.

The No MAGA Takeover account has featured a February 2021 Instagram post in which Asion shared a photo of himself with DeSantis, which has since been deleted.

With the best Governor in the country, Asion wrote. Thank you for making Florida the best state to live!! Keep doing what your [sic] doing!!

Asion, who has had no party affiliation for the past decade, said the post was taken out of context. It referred only to DeSantis lifting COVID restrictions and opening Florida to business ahead of other states, he said, and wasnt meant as a comment on the governors other policies.

Asion said he is pro-choice and pro-LGBTQ, in part because he has a brother who is gay. He has supported Republican candidates like Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio in 2016, and Democratic candidates like Matt Haggman, a former Herald reporter who ran unsuccessfully for Congress, in 2018. And he said he has donated thousands of dollars to SAVE, an LGBTQ advocacy group.

Andres Asion

In a country divided between people who are hard left and people who are hard right, Asion said, I dont fit in any of those two boxes.

Everything doesnt have to be Republican or Democrat, he said. You can live in the middle.
The Senate voted 49 to 48 Wednesday to block a motion to suspend the rules to overcome an objection Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) raised last week against a government funding package.

Senators voted against ending debate on the motion to suspend the upper chambers rules, prolonging the impasse over the minibus appropriations package funding military construction and the departments of Veterans Affairs (VA), Agriculture, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Senate Democrats needed 60 votes to advance a motion to suspend the Senates rules, which in turn would have needed the support of 67 senators to pass. But they failed to get the 60 votes to bring a suspension of the rules up for direct consideration.

As a result, the so-called minibus spending package Johnson blocked last week remains in limbo.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) now has a choice to make: Either proceed to a narrower bill funding only military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs  which passed the House in July  or negotiate with Johnson.

The Wisconsin Republican floated a potential compromise Tuesday by offering to waive his objection to the package if colleagues agreed to vote on a bill to end government shutdowns.

That bill, sponsored by Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.), would require members of Congress to stay in Washington to complete work on the annual spending bills if they fail to pass them by the Sept. 30 deadline.

It would also implement an automatic continuing resolution on rolling 14-day periods to avoid government shutdowns.

Schumer called the result of the vote wholly disappointing and warned it undermines months of hard work appropriators have done to move appropriations bills through the regular order.

Johnson caused a ruckus on the Senate floor last week by bringing a minibus appropriations package to a screeching halt.

He invoked Senate Rule XVI to object to a substitute amendment offered by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.) to add the Agriculture and Transportation/HUD spending bills to a bill funding military construction and the VA, which the House passed in July.

Rule XVI bars senators from expanding the scope of an appropriations bill.

Johnson called for breaking up the minibus to give colleagues more time to scrutinize the legislation.

The importance of bringing up each bill individually is that it gives us some ability to scrutinize whats in that particular bill, Johnson said. This place is grossly broken.

He also accused Democrats of following the Senates rules selectively, ignoring them when it suits their purposes.

We have rules until leadership decides they dont want to have rules. That sounds like regular order, right? he quipped. So, youre going to suspend the rules of the Senate so you have regular order.

Murray urged colleagues Wednesday to vote to keep the spending package on track.

Last week, an overwhelming 91 senators voted to begin debate on the bipartisan appropriations package, a package of bills which each passed the Appropriations Committee unanimously, Murray said on the Senate floor.

But then a few senators decided to object to a run-of-the-mill procedural request threatening to derail our months of hard work, halt a return to order, and prevent the full Senate from having a chance to debate and offer amendments, she added.

But Murray failed to persuade even Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the vice chairwoman of the Appropriations Committee, to vote to advance a motion to suspend the rules.

Collins last week criticized Johnson for derailing the package.

Im both surprised and disappointed that the senator from Wisconsin is objecting to this unanimous consent agreement, Collins said at the time. Why is the senator from Wisconsin objecting to proceeding to three appropriations bills that were reported unanimously  unanimously each one of them from the Senate Appropriations Committee after a great deal of work?

Senate Democratic and Republican leadership staff were spotted huddling on the floor at the start of the vote.

Murray said after the vote that she would continue to seek consent to move forward with the appropriations bills.

While this full package may not be moving forward right now through this process, I will not be stopped, she said. I will not stop working to return this process back to regular order and keep things moving.

I will keep talking to colleagues about how we get all 12 of our bipartisan spending bills across the finish line here in the Senate, Murray added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The late-night TV landscape has been silenced by Hollywood strikes, leaving audiences with fewer laughs, depriving candidates of an easy way to get attention and generally upsetting the nations normal political discourse.

Instead of polishing monologue jokes or getting ready to poke fun at the crop of 2024 candidates, late-nights lineup of network funnymen  including NBCs Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon , Stephen Colbert The Late Show on CBS, and ABCs Jimmy Kimmel  is staying off the airwaves in solidarity with actors and writers on the picket lines.

Its a problem for the shows, which usually use the fall season to make themselves relevant in the national conversation.

Its OK for the top shows to run reruns during much of the summer, when the hosts might be taking vacations or the audience might not be there, but as the election cycle draws closer, their absence at 11:30 p.m. will be sorely missed by millions of viewers who had gotten used to tuning in, said University of Mary Washington professor Stephen Farnsworth.

Beyond the punchlines and wisecracks, with the hosts MIA on late-night TV, Democrats are also deprived of rallying voices.

In 2017, Kimmel made an impassioned plea on his ABC show for ObamaCare, saying tearfully that his son was born with a heart defect.

Just days after the 2020 presidential election, Colbert choked up during his Late Show monologue as he accused Donald Trump of being a fascist after the then-president claimed without evidence that the election was being stolen from him.

I didnt expect this to break my heart. For him to cast a dark shadow on our most sacred right, from the briefing room in the White House, our house, not his, that is devastating, Colbert said at the time.

Republicans, for their part, will likely see fewer critical one-liners told at their expense given the liberal leanings of the network shows.

Colbert was one of Trumps fiercest late-night TV critics throughout his presidency, ripping the 45th commander in chief nearly nightly and seeing his ratings climb.

If this continues into 2024, this is very bad news for Democrats, not just because the narrative tends to be more critical of Republicans than Democrats, but also because late-night television is a key vehicle for getting younger people interested in politics, said Farnsworth, the co-author of 2019s Late Night with Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency.

Weve seen in survey after survey that late-night comedy is sort of a gateway drug to political involvement for some 20-somethings or those not naturally interested in politics, the scribe said. The absence of Colbert, and Fallon, and Kimmel and others will mean the Democrats will have to work double time when it comes to engaging the turnout of younger voters.

Yet Republicans  particularly 2024 White House hopefuls  dont necessarily have reason to jump for joy at the muzzling of GOP-slamming TV hosts, either.

I think the big challenge for every Republican not named Donald Trump is how to get noticed, said Farnsworth, the director of University of Mary Washingtons Center for Leadership and Media Studies, of the GOP presidential primary field.

Youre simply not going to learn very much about [former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson] on the debate stage. But if he were willing to sit down for a 10-minute late-night talk show segment, people would be exposed to him in a much more extensive way than would be possible in a big field, he said.

Lizz Winstead , the co-creator of Comedy Centrals The Daily Show, said theres a real opportunity for social media to help fill that late-night void  if political campaigns are savvy enough to utilize it.

[Republican presidential candidates] need to figure out how to differentiate themselves from their front-runner, because no six-minute, one-time appearance on a late-night show is going to help them do that, said Winstead, an abortion rights advocate.

If they were smart, she said of the GOP field, any of these candidates, they would use TikTok to create an entire space that allows them to really have a bunch of facets of who they are laid out, so that people could watch short videos, see their brevity, see their humanity and see their ideas.

Although contract negotiations between the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the major Hollywood studios are expected to resume Wednesday, the strike also means no viral Saturday Night Live sketches  whether its Alec Baldwin taking an Emmy Award-winning turn as Trump or current cast member James Austin Johnson portraying President Biden.

Who knows what impact Will Ferrells version of George W. Bush during the recount and all of that, or during the whole time, had in softening up that image? Or Tina Fey as Sarah Palin? Obviously, those late-night jokes are making fun of people, said Wayne Federman, a comedian and lecturer at the University of Southern Californias School of Dramatic Arts.

But Federman, an Emmy Award-winning producer and former head monologue writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon whos been on the picket line with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, said, I really think theres no way to definitively say how much it moves the needle.

The Sarah Palin years  I think the countrys perception of her as a candidate was very profoundly shaped by Tina Feys impression, said Laura Valk, a former senior segment producer at TBSs Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. Fey made nearly weekly headlines on SNL playing Alaskas Republican governor who became a 2008 vice presidential candidate.

I think shows like that, with the resources that they have, are able to reenact political discourse in a very theatrical way that has a bigger effect than say just, you know, a one-off performer on a different platform, like TikTok or Reels, or something like that, said Valk, a production supervisor on Saturday Night Live from 2013 to 2019.

The political environment is so toxic that the one thing that comedy does is just cut through the chaos to make somebody feel like, This is a clown show, and Im feeling the clown show, and this person is articulating that for me, said Winstead, who was a Daily Show head writer and correspondent.

So the exhale and catharsis that you get from late-night shows zeroing in and pinpointing on whats happened I think is what really can be lost, added Winstead, a member of SAG-AFTRA and the WGA.

Going to bed without a nightly dose of political humor might prove to be no laughing matter for politicians and TV watchers alike, according to Farnsworth.

Late-night television is one of the best vehicles out there for politicians who are trying to humanize themselves, to make themselves appear to the country as regular Joes and regular Joanies, the political science professor said.

Without it, the conversation will be nasty attack ads and gotcha clips from a smattering of debates. The political discourse suffers, and will continue to suffer, from the absence of these late-night shows.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
With the House GOP fumbling as it attempts to reach an internal agreement on how to avoid a government shutdown, Republicans are scrambling to come up with a plan B.

But moderates and conservatives are heading in opposite directions on possible paths forward after GOP leaders pulled a procedural vote on a partisan stopgap funding bill proposal.

On the moderate side, members are quietly exploring how to move forward on spending issues with the help of Democrats.

I think we should cut our losses at this point, and start working bipartisan, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), a co-chairman of the Problem Solvers Caucus, said Tuesday morning that while there is not a bipartisan plan in place, members of the group are talking about possible ideas.

By the afternoon, Bacon said that the group was working on a plan but not yet ready to unveil it.

Weve got to start thinking out of the box. And the sooner we do it, the sooner these five to ten people become irrelevant, Bacon said.

He was referring to conservative members who have roiled the slim GOP majority over spending issues for months  and whose demands have become all the more potent ahead of a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline.

In a demonstration of that Tuesday, five hard-line conservative members sank a procedural vote on advancing a House GOP Pentagon appropriations bill over demands for lower spending levels across all appropriations bills that the House passes. The members argue that passing the bills at a topline level of $1.471 trillion, to match fiscal 2022, would set the House up for the best negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate over funding over the next year.

But before the appropriations process can be completed, Congress must contend with a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline.

Leaders of the hard-line conservative House Freedom Caucus and the more pragmatic Main Street Caucus unveiled a continuing resolution (CR) plan over the weekend to fund the government through Oct. 31, with an 8 percent cut for everything but the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, and the bulk of the House GOP H.R. 2 border crackdown bill.

But the attempt to project GOP unity on an idealized bill before heading into negotiations with the Senate was quickly foiled after more than a dozen conservatives swiftly announced their opposition to the bill.

As GOP leaders pulled a procedural vote on the plan, a flurry of GOP members met in House Majority Whip Tom Emmers (R-Minn.) office to discuss possible adjustments to the bill.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) proposed an amendment related to funding for independent counsels for the Department of Justice, in a nod to GOP gripes about government weaponization.

Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla.), chairman of the Republican Study Committee, pitched an amendment to revise the spending cuts portion of the continuing resolution to match the fiscal 2022 levels laid out in the Limit, Save, Grow Act, the House GOP debt limit bill from earlier this year that was the precursor to the debt limit bill that Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) later struck with President Biden.

Some of the holdouts, including Reps. Bob Good (R-Va.) and Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), indicated support for that change  but only with the caveat that the overall House GOP goes back to craft appropriations bills at the $1.471 trillion fiscal 2022 levels, the issue that also fueled opposition to the defense appropriations bill procedural rule.

I dont think we have the votes for a CR right now without some other kind of agreement on topline approps, Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.) said emerging from Emmers office Tuesday evening.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.), meanwhile, said: I wont support a CR at all.

Some moderates dismissed the idea of adjusting the spending levels, expressing frustration with quibbles on a bill that will not pass the Senate anyway.

Some of these guys are just not going to vote for anything. Im of the opinion that we need to work across the aisle, because you got to get Senate support anyway, Bacon said.

Lets deal with reality and not fantasy land, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said when asked about the proposal to adjust the numbers.

Moderates are increasingly expressing their displeasure with conservative blockades.

Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.) led a press conference with House GOP military veterans following the procedural rule for the defense bill failing.

Im disappointed. Im pissed off, Garcia said. He added that the five members who sunk the procedural vote handed a win to the Chinese Communist Party as a result of this vote.

Lawler also led a press conference with Republicans who represent districts that Biden won in 2020.

Theres certainly a level of frustration with what some of our colleagues are doing in terms of how they are going about negotiating within the conference, Lawler said. None of us support a shutdown.

Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), who helped craft the CR proposal, argued in favor of Republicans coalescing behind a movable CR plan and warned about moderates going a different direction.

The risk here is that were going to have some of our more moderate members who are going to say, You know what, Im washing my hands of this. Im going to accept the clean CR from the Senate, Roy said on Sean Hannitys radio show Tuesday.

Aris Folley and Mychael Schnell contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Durham city leaders cleared the way this week for a development that could bring up to 480 new apartments and townhomes to the Wake County line.

The Durham City Council unanimously voted to annex and rezone the property after the developer promised to make 5% of the units affordable for 20 years.

The 24 units, all rentals, would be set aside for those making 60% or less of the area median income. This year in Durham, thats below $42,480 for a single person or $60,660 for a family of four.

The 48-acre site is forested today. Its being developed by Al. Neyer, which operates in the eastern U.S. and expanded into the Raleigh market in 2019.

The plans call for:

480 units

A mix of at least 200 apartments and 50 townhouses. The final breakdown hasnt been decided yet.

City water

The land is at 5751 Lumley Road, along U.S. 70 in southeast Durham. Its property line is on the Wake County border

Jamie Schwedler, an attorney representing the developer, said theyre working with Durham County to extend sewer lines to the site.

The developer came into the meeting offering 3% of the units as affordable, but council member Javiera Caballero asked if they could increase that percentage Schwedler whispered to her client for a brief moment and agreed to 5%.

Schwedler said a 20-year commitment (as opposed to the traditional 30 years) is a growing trend, given that the City Council wants more affordable units at the lowest possible incomes.

You can think of the number of units, the percent of AMI and the years as three different levers, she said. You can kind of tighten one, but then you have to have a little bit more flexibility on the other.

Second development approved

At the same meeting, a development 10 miles across the county also got the go-ahead.

Its on a 3-acre site in southwest Durham at 3641 Shannon Road, beside the library and across the street from the post office.

Scott Harmon, of Center Studio Architecture, represented the development team Monday night. He estimated the townhomes could sell for $500,000 to $600,000 and said the project would bring a welcome and needed diversity of housing types.

Their plans include:

48 townhouses

17 apartments (studios and one-bedrooms)

Vertically integrated with 3,500 feet of commercial space

They offer some affordable units as well, though the terms are more complex. They have promised:

Three apartments and one townhome

A 30-year commitment

If the units is for sale, the AMI will be set at 80%

If the unit is a rental, the AMI will be set at 60%

Two residents expressed traffic concerns, and the rezoning request ultimately passed 5-1, with council member Monique Holsey-Hyman voting against the project.

Both projects came heavily recommended by the Planning Commission.
FILE - Then-Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 8, 2022. Retired U.S. Rep. Speier announced Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, she is running for a seat on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, which is where she launched her political career 40 years ago. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Retired U.S. Rep. Jackie Speier is running for a seat on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, which is where she launched her political career more than 40 years ago.

"I know from experience that local action can make a huge difference for us all, and Im concerned that our quality of life in San Mateo County faces big challenges, Speier said in a news release sent Tuesday, announcing her candidacy for a seat on the five-member board.

The Democrat from the San Francisco Bay Area suburb of Hillsborough announced in 2021 that she would not run for reelection to Congress, citing a desire to return home to be with her family and the people she has represented since 2008.

Speier served on the county board of supervisors from 1980 to 1986 before winning seats in the state Legislature and then Congress.

While not unprecedented, it has definitely been a while since a California member of Congress has returned to local government, said Alex Vassar, spokesperson at the California State Library. Karen Bass did, but her local government was becoming the mayor of Los Angeles."

Janice Hahn and Hilda Solis are also former members of Congress turned county supervisors. But their county  Los Angeles  is the most populous in the U.S. with nearly 10 million residents.

San Mateo County is a coastal community south of San Francisco and has about 740,000 people. Like the rest of the Bay Area, the county struggles with a lack of affordable housing and deep income inequality.

In the news release, she said she wants to make childcare more affordable and to build more affordable housing.

When I announced that I was not running for re-election to Congress, I made clear that I was not done and not retiring, she said. I believe I have found the path where I can make the greatest contribution to those I have represented for so many years.

Speier is running for a seat held by a supervisor who is termed out of office. The election is in March.
PROVIDENCE  A Rhode Island Hospital nurse critically injured earlier this month after allegedly being assaulted by a patient is in the thoughts of his colleagues, while the attack is on the radar of criminal investigators.

As of Monday, Scott Amaral, 53, of Johnston, was still in critical condition more than 11 days after the Sept. 8 assault, according to Providence police Detective Major David Lapatin.

A hospital spokeswoman, Kathleen Hart, said Tuesday in a statement that she could not provide an update on the condition of the employee, or much other information, due to patient-confidentiality laws.

The statement confirmed, in part, reports of a hospital employee being assaulted by a patient. Hart said the assault took place in an inpatient hospital unit and described it as deeply saddening, tragic and traumatizing for other employees who saw it take place.

Rhode Island Hospital in Providence.

"Our thoughts are with our employee, the employees family, and their co-workers at the hospital and throughout Lifespan," she said.

Patient charged with assault on a health care provider

George Bower, 37, has been charged with felony assault and felony assault on a health care provider in connection with the attack, Lapatin said. At the time, he said, Bower was reportedly arguing with Amaral about an issue involving his use of a telephone.

Following the latest charges, Providence District Court Judge Pamela Woodcock-Pfeiffer on Sept. 11 ordered Bower held without bail and also ordered a competency evaluation, according to an online court record.

Crime: He shot his ex-girlfriend 6 times and fled to Georgia. Now RI man will serve a life term

Earlier in 2023, Bower was the focus of hearings in District Court, Warwick, to assess his mental competency to stand trial as a criminal defendant, according to an online court record. He had been charged with simple assault in late 2022.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Rhode Island Hospital nurse attacked, patient charged with assault
Richard Madeley is being criticised for his vile and patronising treatment of Guyana president Irfaan Ali on Wednesdays (20 September) episode of Good Morning Britain.

Ali is set to address world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York today about his belief that the UK needs to realise it still benefits from its historical role in slavery.

Hours before his address, the Guyana leader appeared on GMB via video link where Madeley appeared to grow angry with his guest over the suggestion that the royal family should offer to pay reparations to todays generations.

When Madeley questioned why someone who maybe had an ancestor seven or eight generations ago should... carry the burden of past actions, Ali replied: Oh, its not a burden at all. You are one of the beneficiaries of that slave trade, so this is not a burden.

He continued: You should be concerned and you should pay because you today still benefit from the greatest indignity to the human being, and that is the slave trade. And not only did you benefit during the slave trade, and your country develop, but look at what it cost the developing world.

During slavery, resources were used to build your country, build up your capacity. You were able to then become competitive, able to invest in mechanisation and developing countries like ours were left behind. So you should be very concerned, because you are prime beneficiaries of exploits of slavery.

Madeley, growing increasingly frustrated, asked: One of the points that you'll be making today is about our royal family, and you feel it's not just about the finances involved for you in terms of reparations about slavery, it's about gestures.

Here, he slammed his hand on the desk in front of him, adding: And you think the British royal family should make gestures, dont you? What do you mean? Hand over a palace?

Ali, keeping his cool, replied: Well no, we dont want the British to hand over a palace that we built.

While Madeley could be heard laughing at Alis answer in the background, the president continued: If you go to many of the palaces in Britain, youll see the lovely hard work from Guyana. You will see the sweat, tears and blood of the slaves who were exploited, and the revenue that was earnt from the exploitation. So were not asking for a palace; were asking for justice.

Richard Madeley is being called out for ignorant treatment of Guyana president Irfaan Ali on GMB (ITV)

Madeley has since been criticised not only for his questions, but the vile and condescending manner in which he asked them, and his reaction of slamming his hand on the table and laughing over Alis response.

Award-winning musician and film score composer Nitin Sawhney wrote on X/Twitter: Madeley really is an arrogant, ignorant, patronising piece of work isnt he? He addressed a president with mocking laughter and aggressive table thumping in response to a request for Britains historical exploitation of slave Labour to be acknowledged.

@L_A_D_J added: Richard Madeley, a breakfast news show host, talking down to and mocking the PRESIDENT of another country with a pompous fake laugh. The f***ing disrespect and entitlement is insane.

Meanwhile, @TerrelleGraham wrote: Who does Richard Madeley think he is? Slamming his hand down on the desk and talking to the president of Guyana in such a rude and disrespectful manner. The subject matter of this discussion makes his behaviour even worse.

The Independent has contacted Madeleys representatives and ITV for comment

Find more reactions to Madeleys comments below.

Sorry but who does Richard Madeley think he is? Would he talk to Macron or Biden like this? https://t.co/riiGcfceSm  Ash (@theashrb) September 20, 2023

Richards conduct is a disgusting show of disrespect towards a President of another Nation https://t.co/ZPH9399gwc  Jessica Dunrod  (@JDunrod) September 20, 2023

Richard Madeley needs to lower his tone and vim. You can't be approaching the topic of reparations with such bias and laughing at the response in such a shady way. https://t.co/F4FBiOGPOh  fat belly simma  (@leizenomis) September 20, 2023

In August, Ali said the descendants of European slave traders should offer to pay reparations to todays generations.

rHe also proposed that those involved in the slave trade be posthumously charged for crimes against humanity.
(CNN)  The second son of Thailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn made a surprise visit to a New York exhibition featuring the stories of people who have been prosecuted under the countrys harsh royal defamation laws, signaling a willingness to talk openly about the taboo topic.

Thailand has some of the worlds strictest lese majeste laws, and criticizing the King, Queen, or heir apparent can lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence for each offense, which makes even talking about the royal family fraught with risk.

Sentences for those convicted under Article 112 of Thailands Criminal Code can be decades long and hundreds of people have been prosecuted in recent years.

The exhibition, named Faces Of Victims Of 112, was held at the LeRoy Neiman Gallery at New Yorks Columbia University by Thai dissident Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an outspoken critic of the Thai monarchy and a royal academic who himself faces charges under lese majeste.

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, the Kings second-oldest son, who lives in New York, confirmed that he went to see the exhibition on his official Facebook page Monday.

I love and hold my loyalty to the monarchy, but I believe that knowing is better than not knowing, and each individual has their own opinion which is derived from their own experiences, Vacharaesorn wrote.

Even if we dont listen to their opinions, it doesnt mean that their viewpoints and opinions dont exist. Therefore, it is good to know and listen and hear reasons and viewpoints from parties.

He added that it is another matter whether to agree or disagree, but we have to talk with principles.

Vacharaesorns presence at the exhibition comes a month after he returned to Thailand for the first time in almost three decades, since his familys estrangement from the royal family following his parents divorce in 1996.

That highly-publicized visit by Vacharaesorn and his younger brother was seen as especially significant by analysts because the King, who is 71, has not named an heir apparent since ascending to the throne in 2016.

Analysts saw the visit as a testing of the waters for a future potential homecoming.

It also came at a delicate time for the monarchy, with growing calls from the public for royal reform, especially among younger Thais  making his presence at the exhibition particularly significant and loaded with symbolism.

Presence at exhibition has important implications

Pavin, who ran the exhibition, posted photos on his Facebook page of himself and Vacharaesorn speaking with each other at the event next to images of 25 Thais who have been prosecuted under lese majeste.

This was such a civilized way to talk about an issue which is full of barbarity. The society cant move forward if the old power doesnt open their mind to listen to the problem, he wrote.

Speaking to CNN, Pavin said Vacharaesorns presence was important because the topic itself is so significant.

Making a dialogue is better than turning our backs away from the problem, he said. You cant run away from this issue.

Pavin, associate professor at Kyoto Universitys Center for Southeast Asian Studies, said the visit was significant because it signals a certain willingness of the establishment in Thailand to move ahead for sake of its own survival.

For him to pay attention to this very important issue, from an academic viewpoint, this could produce a lot of important implications on Thai politics, he said.

Thailand has been run for decades by a small but powerful clique that maintains deep ties to the military, royalist and business establishments.

King Vajiralongkorn assumed the throne following the 2016 death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej who had reigned for 70 years.

Military coups against democratic governments dotted Bhumibols reign, often in the name of protecting the monarchy from a perceived threat, and lese majeste prosecutions were frequently brought against critics of both the royal family and the military elite.

Even Bhumibol once appeared to question the restrictive climate.

If the King can do no wrong, it is akin to looking down upon him, because the King is not being treated as a human being, he said in his 2005 birthday speech. The King can do wrong.

Nonetheless lese majeste prosecutions continued in the last decade of his reign, and increased dramatically when the military seized power in a 2014 coup.

In 2020, mass anti-government protests swept the Southeast Asian nation demanding democratic, military and constitutional reforms. An unprecedented demand was royal reform to ensure the King is answerable to the constitution and amendments to the royal insult law.

Elections in May saw progressive party Move Forward turn those protest demands, including lese majeste reforms, into a successful political campaign that resonated with the Thai public, winning the party the most seats in parliament.

But the party was sidelined over its royal reform agenda. Thailands new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the populist Pheu Thai party has said the coalition government wont touch amendments to lese majeste and has formed a coalition government with the help of the same military-backed forces that toppled previous democratically elected administrations.

A political tool

For years, human rights organizations and free speech campaigners have said lese majeste has been used as a political tool to silence critics of the Thai government.

Anyone  ordinary citizens as well as the government  can bring lese majeste charges on behalf of the King, even if they are not directly involved with the case.

Those who have fallen foul of the law in the past include one man accused of liking a Facebook page deemed insulting to the late King Bhumibol and posting a sarcastic photo of his pet dog.

In 2021, a Thai woman was handed a 43-year jail sentence, believed to be the toughest ever imposed, after pleading guilty to sharing audio clips on YouTube and Facebook that were deemed critical of the royal family.

Local NGO Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said that since the start of the mass protests beginning in July 2020 and up until July 2023, at least 1,918 people have been prosecuted for their political participation and expression, with 215 of those cases involving children.

At least 253 people have been charged with lese majeste during that time, the group said.

The current wave of lese majeste charges and arrests comes after former Thai Prime Minister and coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged to protect the monarchy against pro-democracy protesters in 2020, according to TLHR.

Once a taboo subject, the issue of royal reform and amendments to lese majeste has seen a turning point since the protests, with people increasingly speaking about the monarchy openly and publicly, despite the legal risks.

Though the reformist Move Forward party now finds itself in the opposition and parliamentary discussion of 112 off the table, those within the youth movement say these issues are now in the public consciousness and will not easily be suppressed.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Thai Kings son signals willingness to talk about countrys strict royal insult law as he attends lese majeste exhibition."
RICHMOND, Ind.  A Richmond man was arrested early Wednesday after he allegedly stabbed a man and a woman at a North 10th Street home.

Stephen Michael Ray Centers, 25, was preliminarily charged with two counts of battery with a deadly weapon. He was being held in the Wayne County jail under a $1,250 cash bond.

According to Zach Taylor, a lieutenant with the Richmond Police Department, city police about 2 a.m. were sent to an address in the 200 block of North 10th Street, where two victims were found suffering from stab wounds.

The victims  Tyshawn Cochran, 25, and Melissa Darling, 43, were taken by ambulance to Reid Hospital. Cochran was later transferred to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio.

More: Richmond man gets nine years for shooting-related convictions

Centers was identified "as the suspect" and was arrested, according to a news release.

Richmond police were assisted by city firefighters at the scene.

Taylor said the investigation was "active and ongoing," and asked anyone with information to call the Richmond Police Department at 765-983-7247.

In November 2022, Centers was convicted of intimidation in Wayne Superior Court 1. A month earlier, he had been convicted of carrying a handgun without a license in Wayne Superior Court 3.

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 resident arrested after man, woman are stabbed
At least five counties in western states have paid tens of thousands in taxpayer funds to a right-wing group organizing a push against a federal land conservation program.

The Biden administrations 30 by 30 plan is a voluntary environmental program with a goal of conserving 30 percent of the countrys land and water by 2030. But anti-conservation groups have a darker interpretation of the initiative. One group, American Stewards of Liberty (ASL), has whipped up opposition to the plan, with leaders comparing the program to genocide. And some counties are buying into the conspiratorial hypeliterally.

At least five counties that signed onto ASLs anti-30 by 30 effort this summer have paid ASL tens of thousands in recent months. Another has earmarked unspecified funds for the group. Others have indicated involvement in a potential ASL lawsuit over federal conservation efforts, with the planning director of one ASL-aligned county announcing that the suit would be funded by counties connected to the oil and gas industries.

The move comes amid an apparent lag in support for ASL from governors and U.S. congress members who previously worked alongside the group, said Aaron Weiss, deputy director of the conservation group Center for Western Priorities.

Youve seen American Stewards retreating into their conspiracy theory comfort zone, as they were not able to successfully build that bridge into more respected conservative circles, Weiss told The Daily Beast.

ASL did not return requests for comment.

On Aug. 7, Garfield County, Colorado, signed a $30,000 contract with ASL for federal land policy consulting services, public records show. The contract describes the funds as going toward ASLs Multiple Use Alliance, a group of counties ASL is organizing for potential legal action against conservation efforts. Garfield is one of the alliances signatories.

While courting county-level officials across the country, ASL leaders have painted an apocalyptic vision of the Biden administrations environmental program.

At an ASL event in 2021, executive director Margaret Byfield agreed with a speaker who warned that the voluntary conservation plan would lead to a situation like the Holodomor, a 1930s genocide of millions of Ukrainians by famine under Soviet rule. I agree, Byfield said. Thats what I see coming if we dont stop it. Thats exactly what I see coming.

Trent Loos, an ASL associate who also spoke at the event and agreed with the Holodomor comparison, has previously warned The Daily Beast that the natural state of the United States before Lewis and Clark was a horrific place, adding that conservation efforts might return the U.S. to an era of famine and horse-eating. Even Lewis and Clark had to eat horses to get across mountain ranges. So to return it to its natural state is to regress us by 250 years.

GOP Guv Stokes Wacky Far-Right Fantasy of Biden Land Grab

A nonprofit, ASL was founded to help foot the bill for rancher Wayne Hages long-running legal battle with the federal government. Hage, Byfields father, refused to pay fees after he let his cattle graze on public lands without a permit. Hages family finally lost the case in 2016two years after rancher Cliven Bundy led an armed standoff with federal agents over similar charges of $1 million in unpaid grazing fees on public lands.

Today, ASL is run by Byfield and her husband, Daniel. In 2020, ASL spent just over 94 percent of its budget on the Byfields salaries, the Texas Observer reported. (In 2021, the last year for which ASLs tax returns are publicly available, the couples compensation was just over half the nonprofits expenses.)

This year, at least tens of thousands of ASLs funding will come from county-level taxpayers.

In June, Utahs San Juan county signed an $18,000 contract with ASL for assistance in Coordinating and Advising in Federal Land Planning. San Juan County is a member of ASLs Multiple Use Alliance.

Another MUA member, New Mexicos Otero County, signed a $20,000 contract with ASL in July. Otero also paid ASL $20,000 last year. (Also in 2022, the county paid $49,750 to a conspiracy-peddling group for an audit of the 2020 presidential election. The audit found no fraud but resulted in a congressional probe against the auditors, and allegations that a convicted sex offender had participated in audit-related efforts to knock on residents doors.)

Kane County, Utah, another MUA member, has paid ASL more than $16,000 since 2022, state records show. During a county commission meeting in July, Kane officials reaffirmed their commitment to the MUA and stated that, while they werent pledging new funds related to the MUA at that meeting, we could always decide at a later time to contribute a certain amount.

Chaves County, New Mexico also paid $10,000 on 6/30/23 to American Stewards of Liberty for the Multiple Use Alliance, a county spokesperson told The Daily Beast.

Some of that funding comes in advance of anticipated ASL legal action against a new proposed Bureau of Land Management land use plan, which ASL outlined in a July letter. ASL described MUA counties as being central to a potential legal challenge, which will be led by the law firm Fennemore Craig.

One MUA member, Californias Modoc County, has already signaled potential involvement with a lawsuit. During a June county commission meeting, Modocs planning director suggested that counties with oil and gas royalties would bankroll the potential ASL effort.

An opening legal salvo would be prepared by an attorney thats being paid for by several of the counties that would be signatories on the letter that have oil and gas royalties at stake, the Modoc planning director said.

Counties that signed the MUA have previously awarded generous contracts to ASL and Fennemore Craig, which often represents ASL.

Chaves County paid ASL more than $185,000 over five years, the New Mexico Wildlife Foundation reported in 2021.

In December invoices obtained by the watchdog group Accountable.US and reviewed by The Daily Beast, Byfield charged Kane county $1,073 for airfare, auto expenses, and a hotel. She billed the county another $1,500 for natural resource consulting in February, and in March billed the county $4,500.

During an October 2022 meeting with Kane County officials, Byfield also recommended the county hire Fennemore Craig attorneys for a potential fight against conservation rules, even though we have several good attorneys involved already, emails obtained by Accountable.US show.

Byfield estimated that the attorney fees could run between $5-10k, but we would need to get a more specific bid directly from them. Utah records show that Kane County actually paid Fennemore Craig $32,000 that year.

Although public records do not show any other recent Kane County payments to Fennemore Craig, Kane previously paid the Arizona-based law firm $203,000, the Salt Lake Tribune reported in 2021. Those payments appear related to a legal fight over roads, which ASL was spearheading. During that legal battle with the Bureau of Land Management, Kane County paid ASL $483,000, the Tribune reported.

Some watchdog groups like Accountable.US have accused ASL of crossing a legal line for nonprofits. In 2021, Accountable.US filed an IRS complaint alleging that ASL was engaged in lobbying work, in violation of its 501(c)(3) status.

ASL is scheduled to hold a three-day Stop 30x30 conference in Texas this week. The event will feature the screening of a new film by the right-wing media group Epoch Times. The film, No Farmers No Food: Will You Eat The Bugs? is a reference to a conspiracy theory about elites trying to crack down on food supplies and making people eat insects.

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 U.S. Navy McDonnell F4H-1 Phantom II of Fighter Squadron VF-74 Be-Devilers assigned to Carrier Air Group 8 (CVG-8) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal (CVA-59) pictured taking off from an unidentified airfield. On 8 July 1961. (U.S. Navy photo)

The Navy's F-4 Phantom II performed well for the U.S. and its pilots, most importantly in the Vietnam War. But tough rules of engagement made flying the plane extra risky. So pilots understandably got angry when sent to blow up possible targets that turned out to be a "lot of dirt."

The F-4 Phantom II

The designers of the F-4 Phantom saw the future, and it was advanced missiles and radar that allowed one fighter to hit another from afar before a dogfight could even begin. But then the F-4 Phantom II went to Vietnam.

In Vietnam, restrictive rules of engagement limited pilots. They could only fire after receiving fire or at least had proof of a radar attempting to lock onto them. That meant a fighter designed to ambush from afar now had to survive ambushes itself.

Each plane carried two pilots and a lot of ordnance and fuel. So the costs in blood and treasure of every downed F-4 were quite high. That would, obviously, make most military planners risk-averse.

But the ground war in Vietnam went badly for the U.S. for quite a while, and so strikes against possible targets got ordered often.

Two U.S. Air Force McDonnell F-4D-30-MC Phantom II fighters (s/n 66-7576, 66-7628) from the 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, over Vietnam, off the wing of a Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker. (U.S. National Museum of the U.S. Air Force)

Risky missions for only potential payoff

During Operations Linebacker I and II, America lost about 150 F-4 Phantom IIs. One Vietnam War pilot vented some frustration to the Imperial War Museums of Britain.

Air Force Maj. John "Spike" Naysmith said:

Some of the missions were pathetic. We're flying 4 airplanes. Each one cost 3 million bucks. There's two guys on each airplane and we take off and go to North Vietnam. Everybody in the world is shooting at you and you dive bomb a crossing of two roads where they think there might be fuel buried under the roads. So here we are and all these fancy airplanes and 'boom, boom, boom,' you blow up a lot of dirt. I can remember one mission where we dropped bombs on a bamboo bridge and the bombs were longer than the bridge. Air Force Maj. John "Spike" Naysmith

And Naysmith had good reason to complain. He lost his $3 million jet to an enemy surface-to-air missile that sent him plummeting to the ground. He successfully ejected but spent over six years as a prisoner of war .

The F-4 Phantom II served primarily with the U.S. and British air forces and navies. But it also was a staple of the Iranian Air Force before and after the fall of the Shah and Iranian Revolution.

One version of the F-4, the F-4G Wild Weasel , was specifically designed to find and suppress enemy air defenses like the one that downed Spike Naysmith.
Drivers will be impacted when traveling on U.S. 35 in Greene County for the rest of the week.

>>1 hospitalized following rollover crash in Greene County

The right lane of Westbound U.S. 35 will be closed near Trebein Road tomorrow and Friday, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Road crews from Eagle Bridge will be placing gravel to build construction exit and entrance points.

The right lane will be closed between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The left lane will be open on Westbound U.S. 35.
Florin Barbu , the Romanian Agriculture Minister, announced on Wednesday, 20 September that Bucharest and Kyiv would work together for a month on a grain export control plan that will help protect Romanian farmers.

Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters

Details: The Romanian official said that within 30 days, after which the export control system in Ukraine should come into force, Romania will create a "clear import-licencing procedure for Romanian farmers and processors".

Quote: "I am confident that this mechanism proposed by the European Commission, taken on board by Ukraine and negotiated by us in farmers' interest, will fully function," Barbu added.

The Romanian Minister of Agriculture also said that Bucharest would issue import licences only to Romanian farmers and processors who need to replenish stocks and not to intermediaries, and that all imports would be checked for food safety.

Background: Romania is one of five Eastern European EU countries, along with Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia that have experienced a sharp increase in imports of Ukrainian grain since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

This distorted local markets and sparked protests from farmers, leading the EU to approve restrictions on imports of Ukrainian grain until 15 September, while allowing grain transit to other countries.

After that, instead of restricting imports to the EU, Ukraine proposed to the European Commission and the five countries an export control plan for four groups of crops  wheat, corn, sunflower and rapeseed  to protect their domestic markets.

Despite this, Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian imports, prompting Ukraine to file a complaint against these three countries with the World Trade Organisation.

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 crew of a cargo ship in the Black Sea has been evacuated following an explosion, the Romanian maritime search and rescue organization ARSVOM reported on Sept. 20.

The cargo ship SEAMA was off the coast of Sulina, a port in Tulcea County near the Ukrainian border, when ARSVOM picked up an emergency signal at around 06:50 a.m. local time.

The crew was evacuated between 07:20 and 07:30 a.m., ARSVOM said.

Dan Ichim, the chief captain of the Tulcea Port Authority, said that all 12 crew members had been rescued and were receiving medical treatment.

CNN reported that the crew believed the ship had hit a mine, but the cause of the explosion has not yet been confirmed by the Romanian authorities.

Tulcea Port Authority has started an investigation into the cause of the incident, Ichim said, adding that "whether the explosion was due to a mine remains to be determined by the Defense Ministry."

The SEAMA, flying the flag of Togo, had departed from the Turkish port of Bartin on the Black Sea on Sept. 11, according to the ship tracking website MarineTraffic.

Read also: Minister: First ship with Ukrainian grain leaves Black Sea port through temporary corridor

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An explosion rocked a Togo-flagged cargo ship off Romanias Black Sea coast, though the Romanian Navy is disputing that the vessel hit a naval mine, reported Romanias Digi24.

Twelve crew members were evacuated from the Seama ship after the explosion in Romanias Sulina Canal in the Danube in the early morning of Sept. 20.

The explosion occurred outside Romanian territorial waters.

A rescue operation began at 6:50 a.m. after an emergency call, and 12 people on board  five Syrians, four Turks, one Lebanese, and one Egyptian  were safely evacuated to the Romanian port of Sulina. Eleven people suffered panic attacks and one suffered a concussion, according to Romania Libera (RL).

It is not yet known whether the ship hit a mine or whether the explosion occurred in the engine room.

Read also: First merchant vessels navigating temporary corridor to Ukrainian port

The Romanian Navy said that there was no indication yet that the explosion was caused by a naval mine. The Romanian Defense Ministry reported that the Navy sent the minesweeper vessel Vice Admiral Constantin Balescu, with a group of divers on board, to the area to assist the civilian authorities in their investigation.

Adrian Mihelciu, Romanian Seafarers Free Union president, doubts that the incident was caused by a mine. If the explosion had occurred at the level of the ship's hull, it would have caused serious damage and possibly sinking.

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
By Luiza Ilie

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian port operators in the Black Sea port of Constanta are investing to boost their grain handling capacity as Ukraine ramps up exports through its neighbour, the manager of operator Comvex said.

Ukraine is one of the world's biggest grain exporters and since Russia's invasion last year, Constanta has become Kyiv's largest alternative export route, with grains arriving by road, rail or barge across the Danube.

The Romanian government has said it aims to double the monthly transit capacity for Ukrainian grain through its Constanta port to four million metric tons in the coming months from virtually zero before the Russian war started.

In August, roughly 2.7 million tons of Ukrainian grain passed through Constanta, Comvex manager Viorel Panait said in an interview with Reuters.

Since July, when Moscow abandoned a deal that lifted a de facto Russian blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports, Russia has repeatedly struck Ukrainian river ports that lie across the Danube from European Union and NATO member Romania.

"You cannot count on a single means of transportation because this leaves you vulnerable, as we have seen after the attacks on Ukraine's Danube ports," Panait said.

"You need truck, train and barge transport to converge."

Comvex, which doubled its barge unloading capacity last year and is currently in the process of raising its grain storage capacity by 25% to 250,000 tonnes, is now working on increasing its train processing speeds, Panait said.

It has partnered with rail operator Grup Feroviar Roman (GFR) on a new train reloading system at the Ukrainian-Romanian border crossing of Vadul Siret-Dornesti.

Panait said the system, which will become operational by mid-October, will enable Comvex to handle an additional 120,000 tons of grains per month. The operator is also adding a second automated quality control system, doubling its train processing capacity.

Comvex is also looking at a plan to unload grain from trains to barges on the Moldovan bridge of Giurgiulesti.

LOGISTICS CAPACITY

Freight logistics group TTS, which handles agricultural products, minerals and chemicals on the Danube river, completed the takeover of Constanta port solid bulk cargo operator Decirom S.A. earlier this year.

TTS director for investor relations Gabriel Techera said earlier this week the group, which has an investment budget of 80 million euros ($85.58 million) in 2023, added two floating cranes to its operations in early September.

Port operator SOCEP S.A. said it had paid 10 million euros for new equipment at its grain terminal silo and ship loader.

Panait, who is also president of the Constanta Port Business Association, said some port operators are using a digital system, which has reduced the time required to process customs statements to 30 minutes from up to 48 hours.

"I would say more than half of the port's 13 grain operators are already authorized or in the process of being so."

A government source told Reuters Constanta now had a logistics capacity of 40 million tons of grains per year, sharply higher than its annual record high 25 million tons set in 2021.

($1 = 0.9348 euros)

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
A new book claims that Ron DeSantis pushed  and possibly kicked  Tucker Carlson's dog under a table.

Both Carlson and the DeSantis campaign strongly deny it, calling the claim "absurd."

"He never touched my dog, obviously," Carlson wrote in a text to Insider.

The Iowa Caucus is less than four months away, and Ron DeSantis' campaign is responding to a claim that the Florida Governor kicked Tucker Carlson's dog.

"This is absurd," the former Fox News host wrote in a text to Insider. "He never touched my dog, obviously."

New York Magazine published an excerpt from controversial author Michael Wolff's forthcoming book "The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty," which includes a passage on a purported meeting between DeSantis and the former Fox News host in April 2023.

According to the excerpt, Ron and Casey DeSantis had lunch at Carlson's home in Boca Grande, Florida, where the couple exhibited a "total inability to read the room" as DeSantis listed off "an unself-conscious list of his programs and initiatives and political accomplishments."

Most strikingly, though, was the claim that at one point during the lunch  where Carlson's wife, Susie, was purportedly present  DeSantis pushed, and possibly kicked the Carlson family's dog under the table.

"The Carlsons are dog people with four spaniels, the progeny of other spaniels they have had before, who sleep in their bed," reads the excerpt. "DeSantis pushed the dog under the table. Had he kicked the dog?"

The book also claims that Carlson came away from the meeting believing that DeSantis was a "fascist."

Asked about the claims, DeSantis campaign spokesman Andrew Romeo also issued a strong denial.

"The totality of that story is absurd and false," Romeo said in a statement to Insider. "Some will say or write anything to attack Ron DeSantis because they know he presents a threat to their worldview."

"But rest assured that as president the one thing he will squarely kick is the DC elitists in both parties either under or over the table, and that's why they are so desperately fighting back," he added.

Wolff has faced questions about the accuracy of his books before. He published three different books during Donald Trump's presidency, each of which were filled with lurid descriptions of the behavior of the president and his inner circle.

Several of the claims from Wolff's first Trump book, Fire and Fury, were disputed by the subjects involved, and the book contained some factual errors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
TALLAHASSEE  Courting evangelical voters in early nominating states, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is looking to become politically reborn  turning his struggling Republican presidential bid fully toward faith-based conservatives.

DeSantis has unveiled endorsements from dozens of pastors and religious activists and spent last weekend campaigning at several Iowa social conservative events, including the states major Faith and Freedom Coalition fall banquet.

Leaning into his record in Florida, DeSantis touted having signed a ban on most abortions after six-weeks  a measure whose fate will soon be decided by the states Supreme Court, where five of the seven justices are appointees of the governor.

The ruling could help loosen former President Donald Trump s powerful grip on evangelical voters, DeSantis supporters say. Trump holds a 30% lead in Iowa over DeSantis and a 42% margin nationwide among GOP voters, according to Real Clear Politics poll averages.

But even as DeSantis was training his focus on evangelicals, Trump called the governors signing of the six-week law a terrible mistake, heightening the divide between the former president and his closest rival for the GOP nomination.

Among likely Republican voters in Iowas first-in-the nation caucuses in January, 80% described themselves as pro-life in a recent survey. DeSantis is selling himself to these voters, based on his Florida record.

"We've also in Florida not just given lip service but we've put our money where our mouth is when it comes to promoting a culture of life, DeSantis told the Concerned Women for America's Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., last week, before heading to Iowa.

We signed the Heartbeat Protection Act ... the strongest protections for right to life in the modern history of the state of Florida, he added. We've also stood up very strongly for religious liberty,"

DeSantis portrayed faith-based voters as constantly under attack.

"One of our most foundational freedoms of all, the freedom to practice our faith, is coming under assault by leftist elites all across the country," DeSantis said, adding "there is a better way forward... if we make the right choices over these next 18 months."

Iowa looks make or break for DeSantis

Gov. Ron DeSantis courts evangelical voters, hoping his struggling presidential campaign can be reborn.

But DeSantis is mostly focused on January  and the Iowa caucuses, where he desperately needs to emerge as a viable alternative to Trump. DeSantis once promising campaign has cut staff, blew through money and changed campaign managers as the governors poll numbers fall further behind Trump.

But abortion, and social conservative voters, now may prove a political lifeline.

DeSantis strict abortion stance is out-of-step with polls in the U.S. and Florida, which show most voters support keeping abortion generally legal. But among Republicans, a majority of voters say they want a candidate who will fight against abortion rights.

Still, many Republicans acknowledge their party is alienating many voters, especially suburban women, with the strict abortion position.

Trump has told allies he sees the abortion issue as hurting Republican candidates. And he may have handed a political gift to DeSantis in Iowa during an appearance Sunday on NBC-TV's Meet the Press when he said of the governors six-week ban, I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake.

Youre not going to win on this issue, Trump said.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, who DeSantis has said hed consider as a running mate, also recently signed a six-week abortion law.

'Tailor-made' for Trump defeat

I think Iowa is tailor-made to defeat Trump here in the Iowa caucuses, and I believe this adds to it, Bob Vander Plaats , president and CEO of The Family Leader, an Iowa social conservative organization, told the USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida.

Bob Vander Plaats, Governor Kim Reynolds, and Casey DeSantis applaud as Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis talks with moderator Tucker Carlson during the Family Leadership Summit in Des Moines, Friday, July 14, 2023.

I believe DeSantis and others are doing everything right... theyre building an organization that can deliver on caucus night. I wouldnt let the poll numbers basically sway anybody at this point, added Vander Plaats, who plans to endorse a Republican candidate around Thanksgiving.

Vander Plaats said Republicans appreciate what Trump did as president, particularly with the naming of three U.S. Supreme Court justices who helped overturn the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide in 1973.

But he said many GOP voters are now exhausted by Trump and may be ready to move on.

Vander Plaats has endorsed the last three winners of the Iowa caucuses, none of whom went on to become the GOP presidential nominee. DeSantis campaign this summer poured $95,000 into the Family Leader Foundation for advertising, tickets and events surrounding a July forum which Vander Plaats organization sponsored.

Justices asked to reverse on privacy Abortion access on the line in Florida before DeSantis-heavy Supreme Court

Waters prove deep for Florida candidates Like earlier Florida presidential hopefuls, DeSantis struggling in deep political water

Trump has stayed away from the evangelical events in Iowa attended by DeSantis and many of the large field of other Republican contenders.

But the former president is stepping up his focus on Iowa, with two appearances Wednesday in the state. He is also spending $700,000 on advertising there this week, according to AdImpact, the tracking firm.

Some Trump advisers have said he is seeking to end DeSantis campaign in Iowa by clobbering the governor in the nominating contest.

DeSantis abortion stance gives him edge, supporters say

Florida anti-abortion advocates say DeSantis has gained an edge over Trump on the issue.

These comments, among the pro-life movement, are really going to cause a sea change, said John Stemberger, president of the Florida Family Policy Council, which championed the states six-week law.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, signs a 15-week abortion ban into law, Thursday, April 14, 2022, in Kissimmee, Fla. The move comes amid a growing conservative push to restrict abortion ahead of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could limit access to the procedure nationwide. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

A lot of people just want to be entertained and feel like somebody is behind them and fighting for them, Stemberger said of Trump. But issues matter, and this is the defining issue, or should be, for Christians and social conservatives.

Floridas current abortion law prohibits the procedure in most cases after 15 weeks of pregnancy. That law, which took effect last year, was argued earlier this month before the state Supreme Court, with Planned Parenthood affiliates saying it violates Floridas constitutional right to privacy.

The court in 1989 said that privacy right safeguards abortion. But the conservative, DeSantis-heavy court is being asked to revisit that ruling and now determine that the voter-approved privacy law was never intended to protect abortion access.

Florida lawmakers, anticipating that justices will side with the states arguments, last spring approved the six-week law, which will go into effect one month after a court ruling stripping away privacy protections.

The timing of the courts decision could help DeSantis grab another headline underscoring his support for abortion restrictions, closer to the January caucuses in Iowa.

Unfortunately for Floridians, their right to have the freedom to make their own private health care decisions has become just another pawn in Ron DeSantis political ambitions, said Anders Croy, spokesman for DeSantis Watch, a website critical of the governor that is backed by progressive nonprofit organizations.

But Croy said a proposed constitutional amendment affirming the right to abortion in Florida could share space on next Novembers presidential ballot. The campaign is currently gathering signatures to put before voters a measure that could restore abortion access in Florida.

While the governor may believe that a ruling upholding his abortion ban in Florida will be a political win for him with far-right voters in Iowa, the fact is that Floridians will have the final say next year when they enshrine abortion rights into our state constitution, Croy said.

John Kennedy is a reporter in the USA TODAY Networks Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at jkennedy2@gannett.com, or on Twitter at @JKennedyReport

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Ron DeSantis courts evangelicals on abortion as he struggles in polls
Central Chinese city revived after embracing green development

Xinhua) 10:28, September 20, 2023

CHANGSHA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Jiang Qiugui, 62, was left in awe after walking on the mossy stone roads and appreciating the delicate architecture at a scenic spot in Suxian District of Chenzhou City, central China's Hunan Province.

The Changjuan culture and tourism town, or "Scroll Town," is a place with replicas of iconic antique buildings from 11 districts and counties of Chenzhou. It also gathers the intangible cultural heritage features of many sites nationwide.

In mid-September, an intangible cultural heritage exhibition was held in the town. As a representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of the Linglong tea-making technique in Hunan Province, Jiang and a 10-year-old apprentice showed their tea-making skills to the visitors during the exhibition.

However, not long ago, the town's land was heavily polluted and lay in waste.

"In the past, Chenzhou was famous for its minerals. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Yangxi River basin, where Scroll Town is located, bustled with mining activity," said Zhu Qianjin, commander of the coordination headquarters of the Scroll Town project.

In those years, some enterprises had poor environmental protection awareness, causing pollution in rivers and soil, Zhu added.

To turn "environmental debt" into development wealth, the Suxian District started to promote the control of heavy metal pollution and ecological restoration in the Yangxi River basin.

Today, the traces of mining and mineral processing have been replaced by lakes, grasslands, and historical and cultural blocks. After treatment, the once-polluted area has become a popular tourist attraction.

"By paying off the 'environmental debt' through ecological restoration, we can achieve multiple goals by showing intangible cultural heritage and presenting a new image," said Jiang.

As a city rich in mineral resources, the mining economy once accounted for 60 percent of Chenzhou's GDP. Chenzhou hopes to show the modernization picture of harmony between humanity and nature through the transformation of development concept, governance mode, industrial development, and ecological value, said Wu Jupei, secretary of the Chenzhou municipal committee of the Communist Party of China.

Thanks to the change in development concept, more residents in Chenzhou also benefit from the city's ecological restoration efforts. In Kuandong Village, Beihu District of Chenzhou, villagers who worked away from home returned to their hometown. They started homestay businesses as the number of tourists increased.

At present, there are about 30 homestays in the village. "The change is closely related to ecological restoration," said He Guojun, an official with the Kuandong Village.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Hong Kong (CNN)  At the onset of his unprecedented third term, Xi Jinping stacked Chinas top ranks with a slate of loyalists who he presumably hoped would smooth the paths to achieve his grand vision for China.

Less than a year on, however, a storm of turbulence is roiling Xis hand-picked ruling elite, raising questions about his judgment and dampening international confidence in his governance  at a time when China is facing major economic troubles at home and increased competition with the United States on the world stage.

In just a matter of months, two senior members of Chinas cabinet who served as the countrys key interlocutors with the world have gone missing. Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for three weeks, sparking speculation he is under investigation. Weeks earlier, Foreign Minister Qin Gang was dramatically ousted after vanishing from public view for a month.

Their sudden absence comes as Xi is seeking to eliminate any perceived threats and vulnerabilities in a drive to bolster national security, amid rising tensions with the West.

Both Li and Qin serve among Chinas five state councillors, a senior position in the cabinet that outranks a regular minister. Li also sits on the Central Military Commission, a powerful body headed by Xi that commands the armed forces.

Meanwhile, the surprise removal of two top generals has rocked the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force, an elite unit set up by Xi to modernize Chinas conventional and nuclear missile capabilities, sparking concerns of a broader purge in the military.

The Chinese government, which has become even more opaque under Xi, offered little in the way of a public explanation for the series of personnel shake-ups, nor did it show any interest in clearing up the inevitable speculation that has run rampant since.

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Qin was found by an international Communist Party investigation to have been engaged in an extramarital affair while serving as Chinas envoy to Washington, citing people familiar with the matter. Chinas Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the report.

The lack of transparency over the fate of two high-profile ministers has dealt a blow to the international image of Beijing, which has touted its political model as more stable and efficient than Western democracies.

Experts say the growing uncertainty among Chinas ruling elite has exposed the vulnerabilities of its one-party system  which have only been amplified by Xis concentration of personal power during what is now his third term.

Whats going on in China really represents and has reflected an absolutely tremendous political risk emanating from Beijing, said Drew Thompson, a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore.

The political risk is both among Xi Jinping and his relationship with his handpicked subordinates, but also the lack of established rules and norms that govern behaviors in the system.

As defense minister, a largely ceremonial role in the Chinese system, Li does not command combat forces. But he is an important face of Chinas military diplomacy to the outside world, said James Char, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

If Li Shangfu is really in trouble, Beijing will be perceived in a very negative way to have two state councillors removed so soon in Xi Jinpings third term, he said.

Since being promoted to the post in March, Li has traveled twice to Moscow to meet his Russian counterpart, visited Belarus president in Minsk, and shook hands with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a security conference in Singapore.

In recent weeks, however, Li has reportedly missed a series of diplomatic engagements, including an annual meeting on border defense with Vietnamese officials and a meeting with Singapores Navy Chief in Beijing.

But experts noted there is one silver-lining in Lis mysterious absence when it comes to efforts to stabilize US-China relations.

Li was sanctioned by the US in 2018 over Chinas purchase of Russian weapons, and Beijing has repeatedly suggested that the US wont get a meeting with Li unless the sanctions were revoked.

If Li was removed as defense minister, it could potentially open a window for the resumption of high-level military talks between the two superpowers.

Xi could not escape the blame

The potential downfall of Xis own loyalists would reflect badly on the top leader, who has concentrated power and decision-making into his own hands to a level unseen in China in recent decades, analysts say.

Two state councillors single-handedly promoted by Xi had run into troubles within six months, no matter how hard the authorities try to defend it, Xi could not escape the blame, said Deng Yuwen, a former editor of a Communist Party newspaper who now lives in the US.

There will be questions within the party over what kind of people he has placed in important positions.

Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan, even compared Xis cabinet line-up to Agatha Christies novel And Then There Were None.

Whos going to win this unemployment race? Chinas youth or Xis cabinet? the ambassador wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

China is already battling a series of economic woes  from record youth unemployment and mounting local government debt to a spiraling property crisis. The growing uncertainty in Xis ruling circle risks fueling a crisis of confidence in the worlds second largest economy, analysts noted.

Xis latest high-level purge underscores his belief that ideological cohesion, not economic performance or perceived military prowess, are the cornerstones of a nations strength, a lesson he drew from the Soviet Unions collapse, said Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington DC.

Lis removal may not seriously impinge on Chinas state relations, but it will almost certainly reinforce the international business communitys growing concerns regarding party overreach and dwindling transparency in China.

Fighting corruption

Military leader Li, 65, cut his teeth at one of Chinas main satellite-launch sites in the southwestern province of Sichuan, rising through the ranks to become its director.

After three decades at the launch center, he was promoted to work in the PLAs headquarters on armaments in 2013, soon after Xi rose to power.

Li is believed to be a protege of General Zhang Youxia, Xis childhood friend and closest ally in the military. In a sign of his prominence, Zhang was promoted to first vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) during the leadership reshuffle last October despite having well passed the unofficial retirement age.

From 2017 to 2022, Li was in charge of Chinas weapon procurement as the head of the CMCs Equipment Development Department, a position Zhang previously held.

In July, days before the two top generals at Rocket Force were abruptly removed, the Equipment Development Department announced a fresh crackdown on corrupt procurement practices, calling for tips on questionable activities dating back to 2017  coinciding with the time Li took the helm of the department.

Since coming to power, Xi has wielded an unrelenting anti-corruption campaign, which ensnared hundreds of senior officials and generals and millions more lower-level cadres.

If you look back over 10 years, Xi Jinping is still battling corruption. Hes still battling disloyalty. Hes still expressing his concerns about the loyalty of the army towards the party, said Thompson, the researcher at the National University of Singapore.

This really reveals some fundamental problems in the nature of governance in Beijing. The lack of checks and balances, the over-reliance on top down party control does nothing to remove the incentives that underpin the behaviors that theyre constantly trying to root out.

Such purges will keep happening

Even as he has already amassed more power than any other Chinese leader in recent decades, Xi is still doubling down on a campaign to consolidate his authority in the party and the military.

Last week, as speculation mounted over the whereabouts of the defense minister, Xi called for unity and stability within the military during an inspection in Chinas northeast.

The lack of political trust between individuals in the system is an underlying driver of of this campaign, Thompson said.

Xi is not the only Chinese leader who has turned against his own circle after amassing unrivaled personal power. Chairman Mao Zedong, Communist Chinas founding father and the most powerful leader before Xi, purged many of his once trusted allies in the Cultural Revolution.

Char, the expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, warned the political shake-ups does not suggest Xi is losing his grip on power.

The very fact that he can remove anyone he wantssays a lot about the extent of control Xi has achieved, Char said.

But he noted the disappearance of Li and Qin is a symptom of the one-party centralized rule in China.

Until Xi Jinping has the gumption to reform the entire political systemIm very sure this kind of purges will just keep happening.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Turbulence in Chinas top ranks raises questions about Xi Jinpings rule"
A federal judge on Wednesday set a Dec. 11 trial date to determine how much former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani must pay two Fulton County, Ga., election workers for defaming them after the 2020 election.

The judge previously found Giuliani automatically liable for defaming election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss after Giuliani resisted turning over discovery in the case.

The trial will only be held to determine how much Giuliani owes in damages, and the judge had asked both sides to submit three proposed trial dates between November and February.

In a joint filing submitted Wednesday, the parties proposed the trial begin either Dec. 11, Jan. 8 or Feb. 20. They said the trial would last between three to five days.

Hours later, the judge chose the December date in a brief order.

Plaintiffs strong preference is for the trial to take place at the earliest possible date, and in all events, before the end of 2023, the filing states. Unfortunately, given counsel and witness schedules, the parties were able to find only one week in November or December of 2023 in which the parties could be available.

Freeman and Moss sued Giuliani after he made a series of statements in the wake of the 2020 election about Freeman and Mosss work at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, where ballots were counted.

Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City turned Trump attorney, and others baselessly claimed the two workers committed election fraud by processing suitcases of illicit ballots.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell , who is overseeing the case, last month found Giuliani civilly liable by default for defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy after he refused to turn over discovery.

Howell suggested Giuliani may have resisted doing so to avoid legal exposure in other cases. He was indicted alongside former President Trump in the Georgia election subversion case last month. They pleaded not guilty.

Perhaps, he has made the calculation that his overall litigation risks are minimized by not complying with his discovery obligations in this case, Howell wrote. Whatever the reason, obligations are case specific and withholding required discovery in this case has consequences.

Howell ordered Giuliani to pay nearly $90,000 and his businesses to pay more than $43,000 to reimburse legal fees the election workers incurred in their attempt to compel Giuliani to turn over the materials.

Giuliani has appeared to face a cash crunch in the wake of his legal battles. His ex-lawyers sued him earlier this week for unpaid legal bills.

This story was updated at 6:59 pm.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rupert Murdoch has become a "frothing-at-the-mouth" enemy of Donald Trump, according to a new book.

The Guardian obtained a copy of Michael Wolff's "The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty"

Wolff claims in the book that Murdoch often fantasizes about the former president's death.

The billionaire media mogul Rupert Murdoch, who owns Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, has developed such a deep animosity toward Donald Trump that he often wishes death upon him, according to a new book.

Author Michael Wolff wrote in "The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty" that Murdoch has in recent times become a "frothing-at-the-mouth" enemy of Trump, per The Guardian's reporting on it.

The Guardian obtained a copy of the book, which will be published in the US next Tuesday.

Murdoch's empire once gave Trump its informal backing, with his outlets  Fox News, the Journal, and the New York Post  defending and giving the former president a platform.

However, a public rift ensued after Fox News projected President Joe Biden's 2020 victory in Arizona ahead of other outlets.

Over time, Murdoch's outlets streamlined their coverage of Trump and became increasingly critical of him.

According to Wolff, Murdoch's relatively composed attitude toward Trump during his early presidency, when he was able to dismiss the president "merely as a 'fucking idiot,'" has now transformed into a "churning stew of rage and recrimination."

According to Wolff's book, Murdoch's anger has now escalated to the point where he has become fixated on the former president's demise.

Trump's death is increasingly "a Murdoch theme," Wolff wrote, per The Guardian.

Wolff claims that Murdoch has made statements like: "'We would all be better off ?' 'This would all be solved if...,' 'How could he still be alive, how could he?' 'Have you seen him? Have you seen what he looks like? What he eats?'"

Wolff's reporting on Murdoch and Trump has faced criticism in the past, with PolitiFact noting that his bestseller "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" contained inaccuracies and issues relating to sourcing and transparency.

The Guardian reported that Wolff describes his source material as "conversations specifically for this book, and other conversations that have taken place over many years  scenes and events that I have personally witnessed or that I have recreated with the help of participants in them."

CNN Business said that while some of the claims in Wolff's latest book will prove to be accurate, a "quick glance" reveals a number of sloppy mistakes, spelling mistakes, and questionable fact-checking processes.

News Corp, which is owned by Murdoch, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukrainian air defense systems shot down 17 out of 24 Russian attack drones overnight, according to preliminary data from the Air Force on Sept. 20.

Air defense downed the Shahed "kamikaze" drones above Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, the Air Force added.

One drone did hit an oil refinery in Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast, causing a fire to break out, the Air Force said.

Poltava Oblast Governor Dmytro Lunin reported on Telegram emergency services are at the oil refinery and that there are currently no reports of casualties.

On Aug. 10, a drone attack destroyed an oil depot in Rivne Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian advances point to severe degradation of Russian units, says ISW

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian air defence forces have brought down 17 of the 24 Shahed UAVs used by Russia to attack Ukraine on the night of 19-20 September.

Source: Ukrainian General Staff on Facebook

Quote: "The occupiers attacked Ukraine overnight with 24 Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones, including 17 destroyed by Ukrainian air defence."

Details: The Ukrainian General Staff added that information on the aftermath of the terrorist attack is currently being established.

Update: Later, the Ukrainian Air Force specified that Russian UAVs were moving from the southeastern and northern directions.

As a result of work of air defence, 17 Shahed drones were down in Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts

"Unfortunetaly, there were a couple hits to an oil refinery in Poltava Oblast, causing the operation of the factory to temporarily shut down. Relevant services are dealing with the aftermath," the Air Force summed up.

Background:

On the night of 19-20 September, the Russians launched several groups of drones to attack Ukraine from different directions. Air-raid warnings were issued in the country's north, east and south, and in the city of Kyiv. The all-clear was sounded in all oblasts at around 05:00.

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 Defense Ministry claimed that air defense units destroyed two drones over Belgorod and Oryol oblasts on the night of Sept. 19, Russian state media agency RIA Novosti reported.

The ministry claimed that at about 10:30 p.m. local time, Russian air defense shot down a Ukrainian drone over Oryol Oblast.

At about 11:45 p.m. local time, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed that another drone was intercepted over Belgorod Oblast.

No damage to infrastructure or casualties were reported as a result of the alleged incidents.

Claims of Ukrainian drone strikes within Russian territory have increased in recent weeks, though Kyiv seldom comments on the reports. On Sept. 18, Russia claimed that two unspecified aerial targets were shot down over Belgorod Oblast.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian advances point to severe degradation of Russian units, says ISW

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian forces are conducting reconnaissance of Ukrainian energy facilities with the aim of further strikes; the Defence Forces are intensively preparing for such actions.

Source: Andrii Yusov, representative of Ukraines Defence Intelligence, during national 24/7 newscast

Quote from Yusov: "There is also information that the enemy is also carrying out intelligence activities on the energy infrastructure, and there is a threat of repeating terrorist attacks."

Details: Yusov says that Ukraine is intensively preparing for such a scenario. He emphasised that there is no need to hope that the aggressor country will abandon its plans to attack the energy industry.

"And we have to take it seriously. Just like ordinary citizens in terms of preparing for this period and just responding to air raid sirens, and of course, the defence forces. And that's the work going on!", Ukraines intelligence representative emphasised.

At the same time, Yusov said that today the rate of production of missile weapons in Russia does not allow replenishing its stocks at the previous level. "Plans are one thing, how these plans are implemented is another," he emphasised.

He recalled the most massive attack by the Russians, when they launched 120 missiles over Ukraine at the same time. Currently, the Russians are incapable of such a thing, but their missiles and drones still remain a threat. "No matter how many of those missiles there are, of course, they must be shot down. And qw will work to make sure it happens this way," Ukraines intelligence representative said.

Background: On 16 September, the UK Ministry of Defence reported that they expected Russia to launch missile strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in the winter, like it did last year.

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!
(Reuters) - Relations between Russia and Iran have reached a new level despite opposition from much of the Western world, Russia's Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said during his visit to Tehran on Wednesday.

"We are aiming at an entire range of planned activities, despite opposition from the United States and its Western allies," the Interfax news agency cited Shoigu as saying.

"Sanctions pressure on Russia and Iran shows its futility, while Russian-Iranian interaction is reaching a new level."

Shoigu met Iran's top security official Ali Akbar Ahmadian on Wednesday and they talked about a wide range of topics, especially the developments in the Caucasus region, according to Iran's Nour News.

Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that Russia's minister of defence also visited the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force on Wednesday, where he met the head of the Revolutionary Guards Aerospace Force Amirali Hajizadeh while Iran's drones, missile and air defence systems were displayed to him.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Alex Richardson)
The past month has not been kind to Russia's forces in occupied Crimea.

In a span of weeks, a ship, a submarine, and multiple air defense systems were destroyed.

Ukraine said these targets included Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, optimistically named the Triumph. Purported videos of attacks on Aug. 23 and Sept. 15 recorded very large explosions, suggesting that launchers went up in flames.

These weren't the only successful attacks on the four S-400 battalions Russia had defending occupied Crimea since at least 2018. In comments to the Kyiv Independent, Ukrainian intelligence sources claimed to have already destroyed two of these battalions.

Newsweek cited open-source outlet Oryx that Russia lost key S-400 parts on at least five separate occasions.

Ukrainian forces also recently took out some other anti-air radar and weapon systems, further weakening Russia's ability to deny the skies.

Read also: Deadly drone arms race intensifies as Ukraine, Russia embrace the future of war

"This significantly undermines the occupiers' ability to defend the peninsula and their regional dominance," Andriy Yusov, Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate spokesman, told the Kyiv Independent.

These are grim tidings for Moscow. The S-400 was supposed to be one of Russia's trump cards, able to reliably delete flying targets hundreds of kilometers away.

It was supposed to help turn occupied Crimea into an impregnable fortress and catch the eye of procurement officials around the world, making its $500 million price tag sound like a bargain.

Instead, Russia might have to watch the interest fade from potential buyers' eyes, as it scrambles to reposition and protect its remaining systems and ships.

The recent successful strikes on Moscow and other targets inside Russia likely created pressure to move some systems back into its territory, the vast airspace of which is porous to missiles and drones.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is using more diverse tools to strike at Russia, such as the Storm Shadow cruise missile, which was reportedly instrumental in the latest attacks.

Ukrainians' creative combination of the tech at their disposal showed that they can take out Russia's most advanced defenses if they try, making the critical peninsula seem a lot more vulnerable than Moscow had probably planned for.

Read also: Russias southern mistake  Surovikin lines, Gerasimov tactics

Penetrating Crimean defense

Russia's strategic Black Sea Fleet is based at the captured Ukrainian ports of Crimea. Its bridge and military bases sustain a main supply line to its forces on the ground.

The way Crimea sticks out towards the middle of the Black Sea is great for threatening its waters and littoral with long-range weapons.

The sunny peninsula also attracted many civilian resettlers, especially from Russia's northern reaches. Finally, controlling Crimea is a matter of prestige that Moscow takes very seriously.

Ukraine has staked its counteroffensive on recapturing Melitopol and Berdiansk and cutting the supply line through Crimea. Part of this entails eroding Russia's defenses there, making continued occupation harder and harder.

Many Western commentators doubt the realism of Ukraine liberating Crimea, but neutralizing Russian forces on the peninsula appears central to Kyiv's plan to liberate everything else.

And if Ukraine is set to receive its first Western aircraft, it ought to get rid of as many SAM platforms as it can beforehand.

"It seems a lot of the focus for Ukraine is destroying the ability to defend Crimea," Marcel Plichta, former researcher at the Department of Defense in Washington, told the Kyiv Independent. He likened these attacks to untangling a knot one thread at a time.

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us

Innovation and having varied tools are big parts of the untangling process.

A Ukrainian intelligence operative with the codename Picture described the latest strike to the Kyiv Independent: Ukrainians attacked with modernized S-200 missiles, provoking the Russian radar that was then targeted by AGM-88 HARM anti-radiation missiles.

Ukraine then followed up with the Storm Shadow cruise missiles it got from the U.K.

Picture said that Crimea is second only to Moscow by density of air defense units. Yusov was less specific but agreed that Crimea's airspace is one of Russia's most heavily defended. These defenses include the S-400 units.

Lack of Triumph

Since its 2014 takeover of Crimea, Russia formed the 12th and 18th Air Defense Regiments, with two battalions apiece. On paper, one battalion should have several batteries of S-400 launchers, with their attendant loading and radar vehicles.

According to both Picture and Yusov, two of the four battalions are effectively eliminated at this time. Picture said Ukrainians also destroyed an S-300V4 missile complex and multiple advanced sensor arrays.

"Apart from the SAM batteries, Russians are gradually losing critical radar systems," said Can Kasapoglu, an air defense expert with the Hudson Institute. "The Podlet-K1, which they lost last month, is a very, very critical system for low-altitude flight detection."

"The Nebo-M is important to detect low-observability targets. Another key asset lost was the Kasta2-E2 omnidirectional/low-altitude detection radar. These are expensive and hard-to-replace systems, Ukraine well cherry-picked the target set."

Read also: Inching forward in Bakhmut counteroffensive, Ukraines hardened units look ahead to long, grim war

S-400s are quite good weapons by Russian standards, Plichta said. The Hudson Institute's Bryan Clark said that they have "a capable radar and long-range interceptor." However, there are major weak points in the weapon systems themselves and how the Russians use them.

Clark said the system looks vulnerable to stand-off and stand-in jamming and may be confused by small, slow-moving targets.

Ukraine doesn't have dedicated stand-off jamming planes, but multiple drones can serve in a pinch to degrade Russian radar and "greatly improve" the survivability of Storm Shadows and their French equivalents, SCALPs.

Russians seem to have failed to add layers to shore up these weaknesses.

"Upon the recent Ukrainian strikes, I conclude that there is a grim trouble as to the Russian SAM configuration," Kasapoglu said. "The S-400 should be (should have been) adequately layered with short-to-medium range assets, such as the Pantsir baseline and the TOR-M2 variants, to operate safely."

"In other words, these assets are supposed to protect the S-400 from low-flying threats (such as cruise missiles). Overall, the Russian SAM architecture has some severe gaps, and Ukraine is successfully capitalizing on these setbacks."

Picture went even further, saying Russia's air defense units are organizationally flawed on a fundamental level. He said they are all set up identically, regardless of whether they're defending Moscow or Crimea, despite the very different threat environments.

The successful attacks on the SAM sites and navy ports in Crimea already resulted in some Russian ships scattering for safety, Yusov said. Some went to Novorossiysk, which Ukrainian drones had also previously hit. Others are trying to find safety by spreading out across multiple harbors.

Military Intelligence said this won't save them.

Read also: Military intelligence: Strike on shipyard in Sevastopol damages 2 Russian vessels

"There is no safe place (for Russian troops) anywhere in Crimea," Yusov said, repeating the words of his boss, military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov.

Plichta said the remaining air defense systems might become less effective if they have to reposition often, or be moved back to Russia to avoid being destroyed. Russia cannot produce such precious systems quickly, experts noted. Even though Russia evades sanctions, the skills and technology required are limited.

As Russia's air defense degrades, it opens more gaps for Ukrainian drones, missiles, and aircraft.

The country's indigenous Army of Drones program has greatly ramped up this year, with over two dozen contractors producing 40 types of remote-controlled weapons for air and sea, some of which have already collapsed part of the Crimea Bridge, picked off strategic bombers and terrorized central Moscow's office buildings.

Meanwhile, Ukraine expects to get its first Western jets early next year. Even with weakening air defenses, Russia's Su-35 and Su-30 jets are still better than Ukraine's Mig-29s, Kasapoglu said. It's why the F-16s will be such a boost for the Ukrainian Air Force.

"If Ukraine can keep up, gradually taking down the Russian SAM-radar complexes, and minimize the F-16 digestion period, we can see a different local (southern) air picture in Spring 2024," he said.

"Such a change in the air would doctrinally translate into a change in the land battle  air superiority, at least bare minimum local air superiority, is a prerequisite to win 21st-century wars."

Note from the author:

Hi, this is Igor Kossov, I hope you enjoyed reading my article.

I consider it a privilege to keep you informed about one of this century's greatest tragedies, Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. With the help of my colleagues, I will continue to bring you in-depth insights into Ukraine's war effort, its international impacts, and the economic, social, and human cost of this war.

But I cannot do it without your help. To support independent Ukrainian journalists, please consider supporting us. Thank you very much.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian shelling damaged a fire and rescue station in Orikhiv in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on the evening of Sept. 19, the State Emergency Service reported on Sept. 20.

No emergency workers were injured in the attack and the equipment of the fire department was not damaged, the report said.

Orikhiv was one of 24 towns and cities in Zaporizhzhia Oblast targeted by Russian forces over the past day, Governor Yurii Malashko reported on the morning of Sept. 20.

The city, from which almost all civilians have now left, is located around ten kilometers from the sector of the front line where some of the most intense fighting of Ukraine's counteroffensive is ongoing.

There have been 128 Russian strikes on the oblast over the past day, and Orikhiv was hit by both drone strikes and airstrikes, Malashko said.

The governor did not report any casualties in Orikhiv, but said that a Russian drone attack injured two men aged 32 and 42 in Stepnohirsk.

Read also: Russia attacks Ukraine with 24 drones overnight, oil depot hit in Kremenchuk

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(CNN)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged a global front against Russian aggression in a dramatic speech delivered Tuesday during the UN General Assembly  his first in-person address to the global body since Russias 2022 invasion.

The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our lands, our people, our resources into a weapon against you, against the international rules based order, Zelensky said. Many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression.

Hailed with vigorous applause when he took the stage, Zelensky used his 15 minutes to accuse Russian leaders of terrorism and genocide, citing in particular the removal of Ukrainian children from the country.

Ukraine has long accused Russia of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children from occupied areas  allegations which form the basis of an international war crimes arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Some Russian officials have admitted the practice, publicly boasting about their efforts to bring children to Russia, place them in Russian families and, in some cases, give them Russian passports.

Zelensky also said the country was weaponizing the global food trade, after revival of the Black Sea grain deal failed, and of turning other countries power plants into real dirty bombs.

Weaponization must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home, and the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united to make it and well do it, he said.

In a warning to other nations over shady cooperation with Russia, the Ukrainian president also invoked the death of Russian Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin last month.

I am aware of their attempts to make some shady dealings behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putins promises, he said.

The Russian representative in the General Assembly hall was shown on UN cameras taking notes and checking his phone throughout the speech.

Zelensky is expected to meet with US President Joe Biden and travel to Washington later this week.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Zelensky urges unity in dramatic UN address"
A crew of the Swedish TV channel TV4, which was working in Ukraine, has been attacked by a Russian strike drone in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Source: TV4s website, as reported by European Pravda

Reporter Johan Fredriksson and photographer Daniel Zdolsek were not injured in the attack.

The attack occurred in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on Tuesday at 11:30 when Fredriksson and Zdolsek got out of their car.

Quote: "This time we were lucky. The Russian strike drone crashed right into the back door of our car. Fortunately, there was no one in the car," Fredriksson said.

Ukrainian producer Oleksandr Pavlov was slightly injured in the attack, and two Ukrainian policemen accompanying the TV4 team were also injured.

The shooting crew's car and their filming equipment were completely destroyed during the attack.

The report indicates that the TV4 employees planned to record a story about the Ukrainian counteroffensive. The trip to this area was planned and organised by the local police department.

The TV4 team has completed several security training courses. Fredriksson has been covering events from hot spots for over thirty years.

Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden, called the incident "absolutely horrific."

"It highlights that the war is constantly affecting people who are merely civilians and who are there for other reasons. I assume there will be a very thorough investigation into what's behind that," he said, suggesting that Russia was pushing for less media presence on the ground, so that journalists cover this war as little as possible.

Background:

On 24 July, Dylan Collins, a 35-year-old American video journalist for AFP, was injured in a drone attack while reporting on the work of Ukrainian artillery forces near Bakhmut.

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!
It is not just in Ukraine that Vladimir Putin s dream of restoring Russias imperial greatness is collapsing before his eyes. The violence this week in the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in the Caucasus provides yet further proof of Moscows inability to provide even a modicum of influence over a region that once formed a key part of the Soviet Union.

During the two decades that he has dominated Moscows political arena, Putin has committed himself to restoring Russia to something approaching the immense power it was in the Soviet era. From his perspective, Moscow reserves the right to exercise its influence over Russias so-called near abroad, the independent republics that emerged following the dissolution of the Soviet Union  an event he maintains was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century.

Yet, despite maintaining a relentless campaign to persuade them to return to Moscows fold, Putins bully boy tactics have achieved the opposite effect. His ill-judged decision to invade Ukraine has merely strengthened the resolve of former Soviet republics, especially in the Baltics and eastern Europe, to protect themselves from any future threat of Russian encroachment.

If the Ukraine conflict has greatly diminished the Kremlins hopes of re-establishing its influence on its western flank, its waning powers are also evident in the former Soviet republics of Central Asia and the south Caucasus, as the resumption of hostilities over Nagorno-Karabakh graphically illustrates.

The rival claims of Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh have been a constant source of concern for Moscow since they achieved independence in 1991.

A mountainous region located at the southern end of the Karabakh mountain range, the enclave is internationally recognised as being part of Azerbaijan, despite the fact that most of its 120,000 inhabitants are ethnic Armenians, who have their own government with links to Armenia. Tensions, which have seen Armenia and Azerbaijan fight two wars over the enclave in the past three decades, have been exacerbated by claims from the Armenian minority, who are Christian, that they are at risk of persecution by Azerbaijans Turkic Muslims.

Ideally, Moscow would like to distance itself from the dispute and remain on good terms with both Baku and Yerevan. It was with this in mind that, after Azerbaijan initiated the Second Karabakh War in 2020 in which at least 6,500 people were killed, Moscow negotiated a ceasefire. Under the terms of the deal, Russia, which has a defence treaty with Armenia, agreed to deploy 1,960 Russian peacekeepers to protect the Lachin Corridor, the main humanitarian supply route linking Armenia to Nagorno-Karabakh.

By the end of last year, with Moscow desperately seeking reinforcements for its faltering military offensive in Ukraine, its inability to fulfil its commitments to protect the Lachin Corridor resulted in Azerbaijani paramilitary groups establishing roadblocks. This prevented aid supplies from reaching the Armenians, effectively placing the enclave under siege.

This week, Azerbaijan went further. It insists that it was forced to launch its anti-terrorist operations because the supply route was being used to smuggle arms by Armenian separatists. These are concerns that should now be allayed after leaders of the Armenian separatists agreed to dissolve their army and hand over their weapons as part of a fresh ceasefire deal agreed yesterday.

Russias failure, though, to avert another flare-up in the dispute between two former Soviet republics underlines its growing inability to influence events in areas it used to dominate.

During the Soviet era, the so-called stans of central Asia  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan  made a significant contribution to the Soviet economy, providing energy for its industry and manpower for the military. Since 2002, Moscow has sought to maintain its historic ties with the region through the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO), a military and political alliance comprising Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Whether Moscow can maintain its ties with these rapidly developing regions must now be open to question after its failure to keep the peace in the south Caucasus. It will certainly not have escaped the attention of capitals ranging from Tashkent to Dushanbe that Moscows defence pact with Armenia amounted to very little when facing aggression from Azerbaijan.

This may well lead them to conclude that their long-term interests are far better served by moving closer to China, another major power that covets the regions vast mineral wealth. This trend was already evident earlier this year when Beijing hosted the China-Central Asia Summit in Xian, a city located on the Silk Road. While all the stans were represented, Russia was the one notable absentee, a reflection of Moscows diminishing role in a region it once regarded as its own backyard. With Putin preoccupied by Ukraine, Beijing was able to conclude investment deals worth $50 billion.

Putin may dream of rebuilding the Russian empire, but the brutal reality is that Moscow no longer has the strength or influence to do so.

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.
Russian forces are suffering steep losses in the western Zaporizhia Oblast in Ukraine.

Russian units lost more than 300 troops in one day, a US think tank said, citing a Ukrainian official.

Ukrainian forces are seeking to breach Russian defensive lines in the region.

Russian forces suffered steep casualties on a key part of the front line in Ukraine, losing more than 300 troops in one day, according to a US think tank.

The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank that provides daily updates on the conflict, said that Russia is likely struggling to find "combat-effective" units in the face of mounting losses in the western Zaporizhia Oblast, one of the key points of Ukraine's counteroffensive.

Citing Ukrainian military spokesman Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, it said Russia suffered 313 casualties near the village of Tavariisk on Monday, where ferocious fighting has raged in recent weeks.

It's an increase on the 200 casualties Russian forces in the area suffered in each of the previous two days, said Shtupen.

After weeks of grueling fighting as part of their counteroffensive to drive back Russia from territory it occupies in south and east Ukraine, Ukrainian forces in late August achieved a significant success: they broke through Russia's first line of defense and took control of the village of Robotyne.

It brought them one step closer to breaching Russia's formidable defensive lines and advancing on the strategically vital town of Melitopol, a Russian logistics hub.

Insider was unable to independently verify the casualty figures cited by the ISW, but the think tank said it had previously assessed that elite Russian airborne, or VDV, units appeared to have been significantly "degraded" in launching counterattacks against Ukrainian forces in Robotyne.

It said so-called "storm V units" of Russian convict recruits had been sent to the region, presumably to act as "cover" should elite units need to retreat.

"'Storm-Z' detachments are often combat ineffective and will likely provide the Russian defense in western Zaporizhia Oblast with marginal combat power," it noted.

The report echoes claims by British military intelligence, which in a tweet on Monday said that VDV paratroopers were being deployed to Robotyne, that the units were significantly under strength, and that their deployment signalled that Russian ground forces in the region were over-stretched.

"Throughout the war, Russian commanders have attempted to regenerate the airborne forces as a highly mobile, striking force for offensive operations. Once again, they are being used as line infantry to augment over-stretched ground forces," it said.

Ukraine is believed by analysts to be preparing for an attack on the town of Tokmak, which sits on a road to the strategically vital town of Melitopol. The core aim of Ukraine's southern counteroffensive is to sever Russia's land bridge to the occupied Crimea peninsula by seizing Melitopol.

Read the original article on Business Insider
In the west of Zaporizhzhia Oblast, the losses of Russian troops have increased significantly, and there is a shortage of combat-ready units that the command could transfer to this section of the front.

Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

Details: Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, the spokesman of the joint press centre of the Defence Forces of the Tavriia front, said that on 18 September, Russian troops lost 313 people on the Tavriia front. Analysts of the Institute believe these were killed and wounded.

Shtupun said that this was significantly more than in the previous two days, when approximately 200 casualties happened each day.

According to Shtupun, Russian Airborne Forces are conducting defensive actions on the Tavriia front, and Storm-Z units with conscripts have arrived to "cover". They will probably act as a cover during a possible withdrawal.

ISW analysts had previously observed how units of the 7th Guards Mountain Division and the 76th Guards Division conducted counterattacks against Ukrainian forces in the area of Robotyne and assessed that these operations severely impaired Russian forces.

At the same time, the Storm-Z units are often combat-ready and may help the Russian defence in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways for 19 September:

The Russian government quickly signalled on 19 September that Russian peacekeeping forces would not intervene in Azerbaijans military operation into Nagorno-Karabakh, despite Russias previous security ties to Armenia.

Russian and Ukrainian sources credited superior Ukrainian combat coordination, more precise artillery fire, and stronger electronic warfare (EW) systems for recent Ukrainian advances south of Bakhmut amid continued discussions of significant Russian losses in the area.

Russian losses have reportedly significantly increased in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast in recent days, and the Russian military likely struggles with a lack of available combat-effective units that the Russian command is willing to laterally redeploy to this sector of the front.

Russian forces conducted a series of Shahed-131/-136 drone and ballistic missile strikes on Ukrainian rear areas on 19 September.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu met with Iranian Armed Forces General Staff Chief Major General Mohammad Bagheri in Tehran, Iran on 19 September.

Russian forces conducted offensive operations along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line, near Bakhmut, along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line, and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast but did not advance on 19 September.

Ukrainian forces conducted offensive operations in at least two sectors of the front on 19 September and advanced along the Kupiansk-Svatove-Kreminna line and in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

A Latvian company has reportedly been exporting chips and microcircuits to Russian defence industrial base (DIB) companies despite international sanctions designed to prevent Russia from importing such components.

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!
In an apparent war crime, one man was injured after a group of Swedish journalists traveling in Zaporizhzhia Oblast was deliberately targeted by a Russian military drone, reported security expert Maryna Avdeeva on X (Twitter) on Sept. 20.

The group of journalists, who reportedly work for Swedens TV4 channel, were traveling in a car near Stepnohirsk when they noticed they were being followed by a drone.

Read also: Ukrainian journalists lucky to be alive after coming under Russian fire while reporting from Donetsk Oblast

Reporter Johan Fredriksson and photographer Daniel Zdolsek got out of the car to film what was happening when the drone attacked and destroyed their vehicle.

A Ukrainian national working as a producer for TV4 was slightly wounded in the attack, said Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Oleh Nikolenko.

The attack was carried out despite the fact that all members of the group were wearing vests and helmets marked with PRESS, clearly identifying them as journalists.

Read also: Civilian killed and Italian journalist injured by Russian shelling in Ukraine

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the attack, describing it as another example of Russian war crimes.

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 invaders attacked the city of Toretsk and its outskirts in Donetsk Oblast on 20 September with a 2S4 Tulpan (Tulip) mortar system, killing four civilians.

Source: Press service of Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Quote: "On 20 September 2023, the Russians hit the city of Toretsk and its outskirts with a 240 mm 3F2 active-reactive mine of the 2S4 Tulpan system. The city itself and the village of Pivnichne were hit by the projectiles."

Details: It is reported that a 19-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man were killed in Toretsk as a result of their injuries. During the attack, they were in a private family home.

Two more people  an 84-year-old mother and her 60-year-old son  sustained life-threatening injuries on a street in Pivnichne.

The attack by the Russian invaders also destroyed private houses and damaged outbuildings.

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!






Russian forces shelled Donetsk Oblast's Toretsk and the Pivnichne settlement on its outskirts on Sept. 20, killing four residents, the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office reported.

The prosecutors said that Russian troops carried out the strike using a 240 mm 2S4 Tyulpan heavy mortar system, targeting Toretsk and its surrounding area, including Pivnichne.

In Toretsk, shelling reportedly damaged a house and killed a 19-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man inside.

The strike against Pivnichne killed an 84-year-old woman and her 60-year-old son in the street, the officials clarified.

Toretsk lies not far from the front line and is a common target of Russian strikes. On Sept. 8, Russian shelling of Pivnichne damaged a house and injured a family of four.

Read also: As their kids find refuge abroad, Ukrainian fathers struggle with separation

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian invaders have attacked Zolochiv hromada in Kharkiv Oblast and Bilozerka hromada in Kherson Oblast on the evening of 20 September. Two men have been injured as a result of attacks [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories  ed.].

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration on Telegram; Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Details: Reportedly, the Russians deployed artillery to attack the settlement of Perovske in Zolochiv hromada at 17:00. A man born in 1958 has been injured.

Early reports indicate that a house has been significantly damaged. Information on other destructions is being clarified.

Prokudin also reported attacks on Bilozerka in the Kherson Oblast. "The light went out in the village due to an enemy attack. Specialists are working to restore it. A 23-year-old man has been injured, walking down the street at the time of the enemy attack," he said.

The injured man is now in hospital, where doctors are providing him with medical assistance.

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that the Russian occupation forces intensified airstrikes on the coastal hromadas of Kherson Oblast.

Apart from that, the Russian occupiers attacked the settlements of Kupiansk, Bohodukhiv and Izium districts in Kharkiv Oblast on 19 September. As a result of a guided aerial bomb attack on Kupiansk, three cars with civilians inside were destroyed. Six people were killed four men and two women.

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!






Reservists drafted during the partial mobilisation attend a departure ceremony in Sevastopol, Crimea, on September 27, 2022. (Photo by STRINGER/AFP via Getty Images)

From 2014 to 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin made a series of odd claims declaring that Crimea is everything to Russia, from its "Temple Mount" to "...a holy land for us, for Russians." Russian historians were not so sure about the comparison.

But the bridges between Russia and Crimea are crumbling. The Black Sea Fleet is under regular attack. Russian air defenses are dying to the exact weapons they're supposed to shield against. And Ukrainians are pressuring the last of the vaunted Russian land bridge supply routes. "Temple Mount" looks quite vulnerable.

The pressure on Sevastopol and the Black Sea Fleet

The Black Sea Fleet boasts a long history and an important place in the Russian navy strategy and structure. But Russia's expansion of the war in Ukraine in 2022 forced Ukraine to get creative. Ukraine received Western arms and found new ways to attack enemy vessels.

Ukraine started by firing small missiles from their coast against Russian vessels that came close, as well as audacious attacks like the air-to-surface destruction of the Muskva. But over time, it developed its own surface and undersea drones and other weapons to attack Russian ships in port.

In just the last week, Ukraine reportedly attacked at least three Russian patrol ships in addition to the much-discussed destruction of a submarine and an amphibious landing ship.

According to U.S. Navy Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, " If youre on a Russian naval ship, youre not safe anywhere in the Black Sea , but youre particularly not safe in a fixed locationin port or at anchor."

And those ships are needed to protect the already vulnerable supply lines and bridges going into the Crimean Peninsula. Their failure makes the peninsula more open to attack .

Meanwhile, Crimean supply is already dicey

While Crimea has great static defenses emplaced over nearly a decade, its defenders need to eat, their trucks need fuel, and their weapons need ammo. But Ukraine is severely restricting the supply lines into Crimea, to the point that Russia likely needs to evacuate the remaining civilians and beachgoers while rushing as much winter supply in as possible.

It is not doing so yet.

Supply into Crimea and the areas west of it comes primarily through actual bridges connected to Russia or through the "land bridge," occupied Ukrainian territory stretching from Russia to the Black Sea.

But Ukraine struck Russian bridges repeatedly, cutting the number of vehicles and amount of weight that can cross the bridge at any time. Additional attacks against the supports or road surface would choke Russia even more. And a strong hit against the rail bridge would put an end to effective levels of resupply.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has technically reached a point where it can close the land bridge using HIMARs , though it doing so is unlikely unless it can take a bit more territory.

With additional pressure on both or a successful severing of one or the other, Russian supply going into the winter would fail.

Russia appears to understand the stakes. While it has famously conserved its quite large air force after heavy losses early in the war, jets now strike Ukraine's deepest penetrations . Russia needs to stop all progress in that salient, and it knows it. Committing air forces might slow Ukrainian progress, but only by risking Russia's already poorly performing pilots.

3D Render of a Topographic Map of Ukraine and the Black Sea. (U.S. Department of State)

And Russian air defenses are dying to air attacks

One of the main defenses for Crimea is the network of surface-to-air missiles supposed to keep the Ukrainian air forces at bay.

But Ukraine hit another S-400 "Triumf" missile system on September 14, the day after it hit the two major ships of the Black Sea Fleet. That's the second battery blown up in the last month , pointing to a systemic failure of the units to defend against aerial attacks, which is literally their exact job.

So Crimean forces suffer regular hits from the air and sea as the land offensive slowly chokes it of needed supply headed into winter. Russia still has more combat mass than Ukraine, but the bear needs to get some serious fat on its bones if it's going to survive the cold months ahead.
Russia has redeployed troops away from Bakhmut, likely weakening its defenses, the UK MOD said.

Ukrainian troops are within 5 miles of the city, the Ministry of Defence added.

It's part of Ukraine's attempts to draw troops away from the main axis of the war, one expert said.

Russia's redeployment of troops to strengthen its fighting in southern Ukraine has likely weakened its defenses around Bakhmut, the UK Ministry of Defence said on Wednesday.

In its latest intelligence update, the UK MOD noted that Ukrainian forces have had "tactical success" in retaking two villages  Klishchiivka and Andriivka  bringing them closer to a key supply road into Bakhmut from the south.

Ukrainian forces are now five miles away from the city, it said, but added that Russia still holds a railway line that runs along an embankment between Klishchiivka and the T 05-13 road, "creating a readily defendable obstacle."

The UK MOD update follows a Tuesday report by the Institute for the Study of War, or ISW, which said that Russian troops had suffered "severe" damage following Ukrainian attacks.

Ukraine breached a strategic defensive line and recaptured two villages, with Russian forces "likely battle-weary from the recent efforts to hold Klishchiivka and Andriivka," the ISW said.

It added that Russian forces "will likely struggle to replenish their combat strength and defend against any further Ukrainian offensive activity."

Ukrainian attacks on secondary axes, like Bakhmut, are part of Ukraine's strategy to draw Russian forces away from the main axis of the war, Alex Kokcharov, a risk analyst with S&P Global Market Intelligence, told Insider.

Kokcharov added that Ukrainian advances near Bakhmut are likely a "diversionary tactic" to weaken Russian military presence on the main battlefield south of Orikhiv, in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Ukrainian attacks on secondary axes "likely serve the objective of forcing Russia to redeploy troops to these areas," he said.

The MOD drew a similar conclusion in an intelligence update on Tuesday, saying that Ukrainian troops are fighting Russian troops on small islands in the sprawling Dnipro River to draw Russian units away from the main battle in Zaporizhzhia.

The Ukrainian strategy seems to be gradually paying off, the ISW said, with Ukrainian forces appearing to have made steady but slow gains with breakthroughs in the southern frontline since late August, despite complex Russian defenses.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(CNN)  Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to share his peace plans publicly if the former US president has a way to end the war between Ukraine and Russia  but the Ukrainian president cautioned in an interview Tuesday that any peace plan where Ukraine gives up territory would be unacceptable.

He can publicly share his idea now, not waste time, not to lose people, and say, My formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression, Zelensky told CNNs Wolf Blitzer, following his speech Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly. And he said, how he sees it, how to push Russian from our land. Otherwise, hes not presenting the global idea of peace.

The Ukrainian president added: So (if) the idea is how to take the part of our territory and to give Putin, that is not the peace formula.

Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has claimed that he would be able to cut a deal with Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. Pressed Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press about whether the deal would let Putin keep the land hes taken, Trump said, No, no. Id make a fair deal for everybody. Nope, Id make it fair.

Trump, asked at the time whether it would be a win for Putin, said, You know, thats something that could have been negotiated. Because there were certain parts, Crimea and other parts of the country, that a lot of people expected could happen. You could have made a deal. So they could have made a deal where theres lesser territory right now than Russias already taken, to be honest.

Zelenskys trip to the United Nations comes as Ukraine is facing its stiffest headwinds in the US to date over support for the war. A faction of the House GOP conference is openly hostile to providing Ukraine with any additional military aid, and it remains unclear whether House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will be willing to sign off on more funding.

In the interview, Zelensky gave a positive assessment of Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive, which has sparked concerns that its failing to achieve expected results. And he reiterated Ukraines desire to obtain long-range missiles from the US, which President Joe Biden is still considering, saying it would be a loss for Ukraine if they do not receive them.

We are on the finishing line, Im sure of that, Zelensky said.

Zelensky told Blitzer that hes planning to meet with McCarthy when he travels to Washington later this week. Asked about those skeptical of offering more funding to Ukraine, Zelensky said that it was difficult for those who have not seen war up close to compare domestic problems like civil rights or energy to the existential threat facing a country under attack.

Its so difficult to understand when you are in war, and when you are not in war, Zelensky said. Even when you come to the war, to the country which is in war, when you come to one day, you can understand more than you live, you hear, you think, you read. No, you cant compare. Its different situation. Thats why Im thinking we cant compare these challenges.

Biden last month asked Congress to approve an additional $24 billion in emergency spending for Ukraine and other international needs. While theres bipartisan support for the funding package in the Senate, theres no sign yet that the Republican-led House will play ball.

Following his speech Tuesday at the UN General Assembly, Zelensky is traveling to Washington, DC, where he will hold talks with Biden at the White House, along with a visit to Capitol Hill. Zelensky addressed a joint meeting of Congress in a surprise appearance last December.

Zelenskys trip to the Capitol this week gives him the chance to make a personal pitch to skeptical lawmakers to approve more aid for the war. The Ukrainian leader is slated to speak at an all-senators meeting, though a similar meeting is not planned for the House.

McCarthy, who is expected to meet with Zelensky along with other House leaders, declined Tuesday to commit to more funding for Ukraine.

Was Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I dont think so. I have questions for wheres the accountability on the money weve already spent? What is this the plan for victory? the California Republican said.

Nobody knows

Asked whether a major breakthrough was possible this year in Ukraines military counteroffensive, Zelensky said, I think nobody knows, really.

But I think that we will have more success, he said, noting gains Ukraine has made in the east.

Zelensky said he remained focus on obtaining more long-range missiles from the US, arguing that Ukraine did not want them to target Russia but to keep the battlefield capabilities level between the two sides.

Biden is expected to make a final decision soon on sending the long-range Army Tactical Missile Systems, also known as ATACMS, CNN reported earlier this month.

It would be a loss for us if the weapons are not provided, Zelensky said, adding it would result in more casualties on the battlefield and elsewhere.

He also reiterated the need for more air defense systems, particularly the US-made Patriot air defense system, saying they were needed to help protect civilian areas.

Zelensky downplayed tensions between the US and Ukrainian officials over Ukraines military strategy in Russian-occupied Crimea, when asked about skepticism from officials in Washington over Ukraine ramping up missile strikes to try to disrupt Russian logistics and resupply efforts.

We think the same way, he said.

Still, Zelensky defended the strategy.

Temporary-occupied Crimea  its a place they store weapons to kill our civilians, he said. Theyre shooting from Crimea into our territory. And of course, we have to see where their rockets are coming from, and we have to basically deal with it.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Zelensky urges Trump to share Ukraine peace plan but says he wont give territory to Russia."
Russia's trade with the US has hit a 30-year low amid Western economic sanctions against Moscow.

Commerce between the two countries totaled $277.3 million in July  the lowest since March 1993.

Meanwhile, Russia's trade with China is on track to hit an all-time high of more than $200 billion.

The war in Ukraine is reshaping Russia's economic ties with the world.

The Eurasian nation's trade with the US plunged to a three-decade low in July, while its commerce with China is on track to hit an all-time high of more than $200 billion this year.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the value of trade between Russia and the US totalled 277.3 million in July this year  the lowest since March 1993. That also marked a collapse of almost 90% from levels reported at the end of 2021, shortly before President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine.

US sanctions against Moscow in response to the Ukraine war have largely fueled the slide in bilateral trade, as the West seeks to economically isolate the Kremlin in retaliation for its aggression.

The measures have dealt a heavy blow to the Russian economy - with a crippling impact on its key energy trade - causing the nation's current-account surplus to plummet 85% during the January-July stretch of this year, from the same period of 2022.

One of the biggest new themes to emerge amid Moscow's struggles with Western sanctions is the nation's growing economic dependency on China  for everything from selling oil to buying consumer goods.

Russia's trade with China is set to surpass the $200 billion milestone this year, according to the minister of economic development Maxim Reshetnikov, per a local Russian news outlet.

"This suggests that the goal set by the heads of our countries, to reach a trade turnover of $200 billion by 2024, will be achieved this year, and we will clearly even exceed this bar," Reshetnikov said.

Russia is now the world's No. 1 buyer of Chinese cars, after western manufacturers such as General Motors, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz exited the country in response to the war.

Imports of Chinese cars saw a stunning 543% surge in the first half of this year to $4.6 billion in value, from the same period of 2022, the Russian news website RBC reported in July, citing figures from the Chinese customs department.

However, Russia's oil and gas trade now appears to be making something of a comeback after a year of pain, thanks to a rally in global oil prices.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Unknown saboteurs blew up several Russian aircraft at a military base near Moscow, Ukraine reported.

Kyiv said the attack damaged two planes and a helicopter and caused 'hysteria' in the Russian military.

The reported incident this week marks the latest in a recent string of attacks on airfields in Russia.

Unknown saboteurs "blew up" several Russian military aircraft at a base near Moscow earlier this week, Ukraine's military intelligence agency said on Wednesday.

The reported attack marks the latest in a string of assaults specifically targeting airfields inside Russia's internationally recognized territory, which have taken place hundreds of miles away from active fighting along the Ukraine war's front lines and exposed major shortcomings in Moscow's domestic security apparatus.

An unidentified group of individuals managed to place and detonate explosives at the Chkalovsky airfield on Monday, the Ukrainian Main Directorate of Intelligence, an arm of the country's defense ministry that's also known as the HUR, said in a statement.

Kyiv said the sabotage damaged a Antonov An-148 passenger jet, a Ilyushin Il-20 ground attack aircraft, and a Mil Mi-28 attack helicopter that was previously used to shoot down drones around the Moscow region  systems used in attacks that have become an increasingly regular occurrence.

The Antonov An-148 regional jet. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin

"The damage caused to the planes makes their rapid restoration improbable. A tail part of the helicopter was damaged by the explosion. Another AN-148 parked close to other ones was slightly damaged," the HUR said, according to a translation from Ukrainska Pravda.

It claimed the incident caused "major hysteria in the top military command," as high-profile reconnaissance aircraft and Russia's so-called "doomsday" planes  which can serve as an airborne command and control center in the event of a major disaster or conflict  are said to have been stationed at Chkalovsky at the time.

Although Ukraine revealed the attack and even published satellite imagery of the airbase, it did not specifically claim responsibility. Russia's defense ministry did not immediately publish a comment on the sabotage, but the HUR said Moscow has launched an investigation into the incident.

The reported sabotage at Chkalovsky follows other Ukraine-associated attacks on airbases within Russia's own borders and far from the ongoing fighting in Ukraine. These attacks, some of which were carried out by drones, have damaged and destroyed several Russian military aircraft and underscored serious gaps in Moscow's force protection capabilities and air-defense network.

Moscow has celebrated its sophisticated and layered defenses for being able to stop threats like missiles and aircraft, but small drones have managed to bypass and overcome these seemingly protective measures. Britain's defense ministry said in a late-August intelligence update that Russia saw over two dozen separate drone attacks during that month alone. This problem has prompted Moscow to urgently seek a variety of solutions.

The Ilyushin Il-20 ground attack aircraft. NIKITA SHCHYUKIN/AFP via Getty Images

In late August, several drones that Ukraine said were launched from within Russia's own territory attacked an airbase, destroying two Ilyushin Il-76s  Soviet-era airlift planes  and damaging two more. After the incident and in an attempt to better protect the airbase from future attacks, Moscow turned to a newly created civilian volunteer force to patrol the area.

Hundreds of civilian volunteers are not the only unusual measure Russia has taken to help secure its domestic security network. Other remedies to the problem include copying a World War II-era system by constructing towers with guns on top and placing car tires on vulnerable aircraft to project them form aerial threats. These makeshift efforts have even extended to the maritime theater in the occupied Crimean peninsula, where Moscow purposefully sank ships to protect a key bridge from potential Ukrainian sea drone attacks.

And the string of reported deep strikes is not just limited to Russia's internationally recognized territory. Ukrainian forces have carried out several high-profile attacks on strategic Russian targets on and around the occupied Crimean peninsula  which was illegally annexed by Moscow in 2014  over the past few weeks.

Last week, for instance, Kyiv's forces launched a massive cruise missile strike on a Russian naval base in Sevastopol, which is home to Moscow's Black Sea Fleet, causing extensive damage to the facility and two vessels that were undergoing repairs. Western intelligence assessed in the aftermath of the attack that the damage will probably cause significant long-term challenges for Russia's naval operations around the Black Sea area.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Nearly four months after being asked to relocate, the Brazilian Center for Cultural Exchange of Sacramento has filed a discrimination and breach of contract lawsuit against the operating company that manages its rented space.

The lawsuit follows failed negotiations over the summer, and continues an ongoing back and forth between the center and midtowns E. Claire Raley Studios for the Performing Arts, CLARA.

The center was founded in 2006 by Executive Director Saara Burga, with the intent of spreading South American culture through dancing, cooking and fundraisers. Over the years, the center has expanded its outreach to other cultures and moved into midtowns CLARA Studios in 2015. At the time, Burga envisioned this space as a permanent home.

But last May, CLARA Studios informed the Brazilian Center that its lease would not be renewed. The 30-day notice came as a surprise to Burga, who has invested $80,000 of her familys money in renovations over the last eight years.

Burga and the lawsuit allege the eviction stems from discrimination and retaliation by CLARA Studios and its executive director, Megan Wygant. Other allegations in the centers lawsuit are breach of contract.

This appears to be an unjust targeting of our organization to acquire our greatly improved space for free, and for embracing diversity and giving voice to immigrant groups, Burga said.

Paul Nathan Phillips, the Sacramento attorney overseeing the lawsuit, said his client experienced multiple instances of injustice, including being excluded from classroom programs and an incident of harassment in the CLARA Studios parking lot.

Phillips said that the center was given an extension to remain in the space, but negotiations broke down in July, after a dispute over the centers kitchen, which has seen many renovations over the years. Noted upgrades include working ovens, new freezers and restorations to the refrigerator.

The kitchen and other repairs to the property space are now central parts of the lawsuit, with Burga and Phillips alleging that compensation is deserved. The lawsuit is asking for damages, restitution and recovery of costs that come with filing.

It seems to be fueled by some on the board to remove this minority-led group and chill community advocacy, Phillips said. And quite frankly, a disdainful money grab taking advantage of the hard work of this successful immigrant cultural arts nonprofit organization, including its total and very expensive renovation of the Brazilian Centers studio space.

CLARA Studios filed its own eviction lawsuit in early August against the center, alleging that it had refused to leave the studio after an extension on its 30-day notice.

In a written statement, Wygant said the plan for the space remains the same, with a goal to make it available to a variety of cultural groups on a rotational basis and provide greater access to more members of the underserved arts community.

She added that the board exercised its option to end the lease per terms of the agreement and not for cause.

The board went above and beyond by extending the deadline to vacate beyond 30 days to allow the Brazilian Center more time to transition, and the board continued to meet with the Brazilian Center to ensure a smooth transition, Wygant said in the statement. Unfortunately, those talks were not successful. The board was left with no choice but to file a forcible detainer to remove the Brazilian Center from the space, which took place just before the lawsuit was filed.

The Brazilian Center remains in the space, offering limited classes, which they plan to do so until the litigation settles.
Sacramento police have arrested a man suspected of gunning down a 43-year-old victim in the Pocket neighborhood earlier this month.

The Sacramento Police Department arrested Amatari Mabinton, 43, on suspicion of homicide. Mabinton was taken into custody with the help of the Elk Grove Police Departments SWAT team, Sacramento police said in a social media post.

Police began investigating after responding to reports of a shooting in the 1000 block of Florin Road around 11:40 p.m. Sept. 5.

When they arrived, officers found one man who had suffered a gunshot wound. Officers began performing medical aid until personnel from the Sacramento Fire Department arrived. The man was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

He was later identified by the coroner as 43-year-old Russell Malcolm, of Sacramento.

According to dispatch recordings archived by Broadcastify.com, the call of the shooting came from Nugget Market in the Lake Crest Village shopping center, where witnesses described a person shot in the abdomen lying in the parking lot.

Mabinton was booked late Tuesday into the Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of homicide. He is currently ineligible for bail, jail records show, and is due to appear Thursday afternoon in Sacramento Superior Court.

UPDATE: On 9/19/2023, Sacramento Police Department Detectives arrested 43-year-old Amatari Mabinton for Homicide related charges with the assistance of @ElkGrovePD SWAT. https://t.co/nCGr2Df5xJ  Sacramento Police Department (@SacPolice) September 20, 2023
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (10) makes a catch in front of New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye (6) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

METAIRIE, La. (AP)  New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Maye has been suspended without pay for three games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, the league said Wednesday.

The suspension starts with Sunday's game at Green Bay and ends following New Orleans' Week 5 game at New England on Oct. 8.

Maye's punishment stems from his 2021 arrest in Florida on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol after his involvement in a car crash in Fort Lauderdale. He was a member of the New York Jets at the time and signed with the Saints as a free agent during the 2022 offseason.

Maye last month agreed to a no-contest plea and six months' probation.

Through two games, Maye is third among Saints defensive players in tackles with 13. He intercepted Ryan Tannehill during New Orleans' season-opening 16-15 victory over the Titans and sacked the Panthers' Bryce Young during Monday night's 20-17 victory at Carolina.

Hes been playing outstanding, fellow starting safety Tyrann Mathieu said. He provides us with a different attitude. Hes a hell of a tackler. Theres a lot of different things we do with him within the scheme that were probably going to miss.

Because Maye's case was more than two years old, the Saints had prepared for the possibility of a suspension, coach Dennis Allen said.

Obviously missing a player of Marcus Mayes stature is a blow to us but yet we feel good about the guys we have backing him up, Allen said. We knew that this was certainly a possibility as we got into the season.

Allen said candidates to fill in for Maye would include rookie Jordan Howden, special teams stalwart J.T. Gray, Ugo Amadi and Lonnie Johnson.

We'll have a plan in place for making sure we're good in that spot, Allen said. All throughout training camp, we felt like the secondary was a position of strength.

Howden, a fifth-round draft choice out of Minnesota, has rotated in for snaps at safety more than other reserves.

He's a good young player, Allen said. He's smart. He's in the right spots, made some plays on the ball in training camp and we feel good about that player.

The first game of Maye's suspension will overlap with the final game of star running back Alvin Kamara 's three-game suspension in connection with a February 2022 melee in a Las Vegas hotel during Pro Bowl weekend.

NOTES: In addition to injured running back Jamaal Williams, who is expected to miss at least one game because of his hamstring pull, tight end Foster Moreau also did not practice on Wednesday because of an ankle injury. ... Rookie running back Kendre Miller , a third-round draft choice out of TCU, could make his debut in Green Bay after practicing fully on Wednesday. He had missed the first two games with a hamstring injury.

___

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Salesforce held an alumni event last week with 50 former executives who were gifted with stuffed animals.

The company is encouraging former executives to "boomerang" amid a hiring drive.

Salesforce recently announced plans to hire 3,000 people despite brutal layoffs earlier this year.

Salesforce said it is hiring over 3,000 people last week despite brutal job cuts earlier this year, and has already rehired several former executives to the company, CNBC reported Monday .

The company hosted an alumni event at its Dreamforce conference in San Francisco last week, inviting 50 former employees who were greeted by current executives, assigned seats, and given gifts including a stuffed animal in a yellow shirt with a boomerang illustration, per CNBC.

Earlier in the week, CEO Marc Benioff had said that the message from the event was one of: "It's OK, come back," per a report from Bloomberg.

Kendall Collins, chief business officer and chief of staff to Marc Benioff since April 2023, posted about attending the alumni event on LinkedIn with a picture of the stuffed animal and commented he's "grateful for the opportunity to boomerang."

Collins had spent 12 years at Salesforce as a marketing executive, leaving in 2016 to take on leadership positions at companies like WeWork and Okta.

Ariel Kelman, former vice president of platform product marketing at Salesforce, said he personally received a direct message on Twitter from Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff in early April who wanted to know if he was ready to come back, according to CNBC.

Kelman, who left the company in 2011 for leadership stints at the likes of Amazon Web Services and Oracle, said it was "good timing," and rejoined as president and chief marketing officer.

"This is a company I had a great time at," he said at the conference.

Another executive Miguel Milano, who rejoined as president and chief revenue officer in August, after spending some time at data processing firm Celonis said he was persuaded by Salesforce's chief operating officer Brian Milham while on vacation in Madrid, per CNBC.

Collins' LinkedIn post referenced several other old-timers who had also boomeranged including Katie Kutzer , David Winslow , Craig Shull , Steve Fisher , and Dean Robison .

Salesforce said it is hiring 3,300 employees across sales, engineering, and its data cloud product teams to help grow its artificial intelligence business last week, per Bloomberg.

The news came after Benioff informed staff earlier this year that 8,000 people would be cut from its workforce in brutal layoffs to help reduce costs at the company.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Sam Bankman-Fried's dad was not happy with his $200,000 salary at FTX, a lawsuit said.

In emails cited in the lawsuit, Joseph Bankman said he believed he would be paid $1 million by FTX.

He then apparently looped in his partner, Barbara Fried  Bankman-Fried's mom.

Sam Bankman-Fried's father was unhappy that his $200,000 salary from the now-bankrupt crypto exchange FTX was just a fifth of what he believed he would be paid, a lawsuit filed by the firm against SBF's parents and seen by Insider said.

The lawsuit, filed Monday, accused Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried of siphoning millions of dollars from FTX for their own benefits and causes. It detailed a complaint made by Bankman to his son about his pay from FTX and his subsequent involvement of Fried in the matter.

The exchange detailed in the lawsuit between the founder and his dad took place in January 2022.

In the emails, per the lawsuit, Bankman told the company's US head of administration he was getting only $16,667 a month from the company when he was "supposed to be getting $1M/yr, starting in December," which "would be a bit more than $80,000 a month, gross."

He then apparently took his complaints to his son, who cofounded the company and was its CEO, writing in an email: "Gee, Sam I don't know what to say here. This is the first [I] have heard of the 200K a year salary! Putting Barbara on this."

FTX's lawyers then wrote: "In other words, Bankman lobbied his son to massively increase his own salary."

"Bankman's influence paid off, not only for him but for Fried too," the lawyers continued.

"Within two weeks, Bankman-Fried gifted Bankman and Fried together $10 million in funds originating from Alameda Ltd.

"Within three months, Bankman-Fried caused the couple to be deeded a $16.4 million property in The Bahamas paid for with funds ultimately provided by FTX Trading. Bankman and Fried enjoyed the benefits of more than $90,000 in expenses, paid for by FTX Trading, for their Bahamas residence."

The lawsuit also said Bankman donated $5.5 million to Stanford University in an effort to "curry favor with and enrich his employer at the FTX Group's expense."

Bankman's and Fried's attorneys did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider, sent outside regular US working hours.

In a statement to the crypto publication The Block, the couple's attorneys, Sean Hecker and Michael Tremonte, accused FTX of attempting to "intimidate" Bankman and Fried.

"This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their child's trial begins. These claims are completely false," they said.

The FTX group, including Bankman-Fried's trading firm Alameda Research, filed for bankruptcy in November 2022, with the cofounder stepping down from his role as CEO. The company's collapse revealed that Bankman-Fried had used significant chunks of FTX customers' funds to keep Alameda Research afloat.

He's since pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges, including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and is residing in a notorious Brooklyn jail where Ghislaine Maxwell was also held.

Correction: September 22, 2023  An earlier version of this story misstated the name of Joseph Bankman's attorney. It's Sean Hecker, not Sean Heckler.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mayor Erik Arroyo delivers his State of the City speech during the Sarasota City Commission meeting at City Hall on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022.

SARASOTA  City Commissioner Erik Arroyo accused a law firm of trying to embarrass, intimidate and harass him by using the criminal legal system to gain legal leverage, according to a Florida Bar complaint filed by the former mayor.

Arroyo's complaint focuses on a document and alleged communication Bentley Goodrich Kison attorney Ashley Gaillard provided to prosecutors that he claims used "rumor and innuendo" to focus investigators on a charity he helped create called the Sarasota City Foundation.

Gaillard was a former assistant state attorney who joined the Sarasota law frim in July 2022.

Arroyo said the actions of the Bentley firm went "beyond the pale, violated several rules of conduct and drained substantial public resources and unethically damaged several reputations."

Morgan Bentley, the firm's managing partner, denied Arroyo's allegations in the Bar complaint.

"Mayor Arroyo's complaint is not only frivolous but also misunderstands the facts, the law and the nature of his responsibilities as a public official," he said in an email.

Bentley Goodrich Kison is representing the Ritz-Carlton residences condo board in ongoing litigation and to oppose the development of One Park Sarasota, an 18-story condo project in downtown Sarasota at The Quay, as its development application proceeds at City Hall.

Arroyo alleges the firm violated Florida Bar rules by lobbying law enforcement officials to gain advantage in a civil matter, which culminated in a "baseless criminal complaint" that ultimately found he did not "willfully" break Florida law.

Florida law requires charities to obtain a solicitation certificate before accepting donations. Arroyo's foundation raised about $70,000 from an event called The Mayor's Ball prior to obtaining that certificate. The charity has since obtained the required documentation from state officials.

A criminal investigation was opened in April after a Sarasota Planning Board member sought advice from the deputy city attorney on whether a discussion about possible future work with an investor in One Park Sarasota would require he recuse himself from an upcoming vote about the project. Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators determined there was no evidence that discussion broke any Florida laws.

Gaillard's memo to investigators  submitted after the Sarasota Police Department opened an investigation  points to "apparent attempts by members of One Park development team to improperly influence city officials," including that One Park developers were rumored to have donated to the Sarasota City Foundation at The Mayor's Ball and that Arroyo had not provided a list of donors at the event after the firm requested them.

An email from Bentley to Arroyo appeared to pressure Arroyo to disclose the records the firm sought to clear up rumors about the Sarasota City Foundation's donors, arguing that by not disclosing the donors he left himself open to criticism.

"You have to admit, a reporter with an imagination could spin this thing into something it isn't and then where are we," he wrote to Arroyo. "Why not just make the contributors and expenses known and avoid the whole mess?"

Arroyo interpreted that exchange as a threat aimed at pressuring him to release the data the firm sought.

Bentley dismissed Arroyo's complaint and its allegations, noting his firm did nothing wrong by forwarding investigators information or seeking the donor lists from the Sarasota City Foundation.

"Our society functions on law enforcement obtaining as much information as possible regarding potential criminal activities," he said in an email. " ... Indeed, public confidence as to the integrity of governmental proceedings was well served by the investigations."

Previous coverage: No charges against Sarasota commissioner after no evidence Arroyo 'willfully' broke law

Related: Sarasota trial over One Park, Quay waterfront plans gives insight into development process

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Arroyo alleges "rumor and innuendo" used to push FDLE probe
In this photo released by the Saudi government, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, right, meets with a delegation from Yemen's Houthi rebels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, Sept. 20 praised the "positive results" of talks with Yemen's Houthi rebels after they visited the kingdom for peace talks, though Riyadh released few details on their negotiations to end the war tearing at the Arab world's poorest nation. (Saudi government via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Saudi Arabia on Wednesday praised the positive results of negotiations with Yemen's Houthi rebels after they visited the kingdom for peace talks, though Riyadh released few details on their discussions to end the war tearing at the Arab world's poorest nation.

The five days of talks, which represented the highest-level, public negotiations with the Houthis in the kingdom, come as Saudi Arabia tries a renewed bid to end the yearslong coalition war it launched on Yemen. That conflict had become enmeshed in a wider regional proxy war the kingdom faced against its longtime regional rival Iran, with which it reached a detente earlier this year.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry in a statement early Wednesday marking the end of the Houthis' trip welcomed the positive results of the serious discussions regarding reaching a road map to support the peace path in Yemen.

The kingdom continues to stand with Yemen and its brotherly people and ... encourages the Yemeni parties to sit at the negotiating table to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution in Yemen under the supervision of the United Nations," the statement read.

The Houthi delegation even met with Saudi Arabia's defense minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the brother of the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during their visit. In a social media post, Prince Khalid referred to those visiting him as the Sanaa delegation, not using either the Houthis nor the rebel group's formal name, Ansar Allah.

I emphasized the kingdoms support for Yemen and reaffirmed our commitment to promoting dialogue among all parties to reach a comprehensive political solution under U.N. supervision, Prince Khalid said.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the chief Houthi negotiator, wrote online that the rebels held extensive meetings with the Saudi side in which we discussed some options and alternatives to overcome disagreements that previous rounds touched upon.

We will submit them to the leadership for consultation and in a way that will help in speeding up the disbursement of salaries and addressing the issues of the humanitarian situation that our Yemeni people are suffering from, leading to a just, comprehensive and sustainable solution," Abdul-Salam said.

The Houthis long have demanded the Saudi-led coalition pay salaries of all state employees under its control  including its military forces  from Yemen's oil and gas revenues, as well as open all airports and ports under Houthi control as part of any peace deal.

The rebel-controlled SABA news agency acknowledged the delegation's return to Sanaa, without elaborating on the talks.

An official working on Yemen's peace negotiations at the United Nations, which is now hosting the annual General Assembly in New York drawing world leaders, praised the talks.

The renewed momentum is an important step that contributes positively to the United Nations effort to mediate an agreement," special envoy Hans Grundberg said in a statement. There is a continued need to work together and build on the gains and progress of the past months to initiate an inclusive platform where Yemenis can come together, grapple with their differences, and agree on solutions to achieve peace, recovery and development.

A joint statement issued by the United States and the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation Gulf Arab bloc led by Riyadh, commended Saudi Arabias sustained efforts to encourage Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue.

The ministers also emphasized their support for an inclusive, Yemeni-Yemeni political process under U.N. auspices that durably resolves the conflict, that statement read.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also met with the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on ending the war on the sidelines of the U.N. summit.

We are, in our judgment, in a moment of opportunity, opportunity to help the people of Yemen chart a path toward a durable peace and durable security, Blinken said.

Yemens conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis seized Sanaa and much of the countrys north. The internationally recognized government fled to the south and then into exile in Saudi Arabia.

The Houthi takeover prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene months later and the conflict turned into a regional proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with the U.S. long involved on the periphery, providing intelligence assistance to the kingdom.

However, international criticism over Saudi airstrikes killing civilians saw the U.S. pull back its support. But the U.S. is suspected of still carrying out drone strikes targeting suspected members of Yemens local al-Qaida branch.

The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more. A cease-fire that expired last October largely has held in the time since, however. Saudi Arabia, its local allies and the Houthis conducted a prisoner exchange in April as part of peace talks efforts.

Progress on negotiations is likely to remain slow and incremental, but with Saudi Arabia looking for an exit, a shift in Irans calculations in Yemen and the Houthis inability to militarily impose their ideological aspirations, momentum toward a frozen conflict will continue, the risk intelligence firm RANE said in an analysis Wednesday. However, even if the two sides can eventually find a way to freeze the conflict, Saudi Arabia and the United States will remain concerned that negotiations could split Yemen into a Houthi-run north and a destabilized south.
By Matt Spetalnick and Eric Beech

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a U.S. television interview that his country was moving steadily closer to normalizing relations with Israel and also warned that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, "we have to get one."

"Every day we get closer," the crown prince told Fox News in wide-ranging remarks broadcast on Wednesday, when asked to characterize talks aimed at long-time foes Israel and Saudi Arabia reaching a landmark agreement to open diplomatic relations.

The conservative U.S. network's interview with the crown prince, widely known as MbS, comes as President Joe Biden 's administration presses ahead with an effort to broker historic ties between the two regional powerhouses, Washington's top Middle East allies.

The normalization talks are the centerpiece of complex negotiations that also include discussions of U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear help that Riyadh has sought, as well as possible Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.

"For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part," MbS, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, said when asked what it would take to get a normalization agreement. "And we have a good negotiations strategy til now."

"We got to see where we go. We hope that will reach a place that will ease the life of the Palestinians and get Israel as a player in the Middle East," he said, speaking in English.

MbS also voiced concern about the possibility that Iran, a mutual adversary of Saudi Arabia and Israel that the U.S. wants to contain, could obtain a nuclear weapon. Tehran has denied seeking a nuclear bomb.

"That's a bad move," he said. "If you use it, you got to have a big fight with the rest of the world."

Asked what would happen if Iran did get a nuclear bomb, MbS said: "If they get one, we have to get one, for security reasons and the balance of power in the Middle East. But we don't want to see that."

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF MEGA-DEAL

While U.S. officials insist any breakthrough is far away and steep obstacles remain, they privately tout the potential benefits of a regional mega-deal.

These include removing a possible flashpoint in the Arab-Israeli conflict, strengthening the bulwark against Iran and countering China's inroads in the Gulf. Biden would also score a foreign policy win as he seeks re-election in November 2024.

The broadcast of the crown prince's pre-taped comments came on the same day as a long-waited meeting between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which they pledged to work together toward Israeli-Saudi normalization, which could reshape the geopolitics of the Middle East.

Both leaders also said Iran could not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

MbS issued the stark warning to Tehran despite the two countries having agreed in Chinese-brokered talks in March to restore relations after years of hostility.

But he offered an olive branch to Iran, saying the two countries had made a "good start" and he hoped it would continue.

Facing criticism from the U.S., MbS, whose country is the world's top oil exporter, also defended OPEC+'s decision to cut oil output, saying it was based on market stability and not intended to help energy-dependent Russia in its war in Ukraine.

MbS, asked about Russia's military campaign, said the invasion of another country was "really bad" but he appeared to stick to his position of not taking sides in the war.

Among the challenges the U.S. faces in brokering a wide-ranging deal would be satisfying MbS's demands. He is reported to be seeking a treaty committing the U.S. to defend the kingdom if attacked, and also wants advanced weapons and assistance for a civilian nuclear program.

From the Israelis, MbS is pushing for significant concessions to the Palestinians to keep alive prospects for statehood in the occupied territories, something Biden is also pushing for but which Netanyahu's far-right government has shown little willingness to grant.

There is a growing a sense of urgency in Washington over China's effort to gain a strategic foothold in Saudi Arabia. The administration also seeks to further heal ties with Riyadh, which Biden once vowed to make a "pariah."

But an upgraded U.S.-Saudi security relationship would face resistance in the U.S. Congress, where many are critical of MbS over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Riyadh's intervention in Yemen and its role in high oil prices.

Asked about Khashoggi's killing, MbS said he was reforming the kingdom's security system to make sure this kind of "mistake" does not happen again.

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Leslie Adler, Josie Kao and Sandra Maler)
The bankrupt husk of crypto exchange FTX has filed a lawsuit against Stanford law professors Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried , parents to the company's former CEO and fallen crypto wunderkind, Sam Bankman-Fried. The charge, according to court documents? That the couple "exploited their access and influence within the FTX enterprise to enrich themselves, directly and indirectly, by millions of dollars, and knowingly at the expense of the debtors."

In the months since FTX's brutal November implosion, representatives for Bankman and Fried have maintained that neither parent was particularly involved in the business  a claim that SBF himself has reiterated, telling The New York Times back in December that his parents were never involved in any "relevant parts of the business," like risk assessment or balancing company books.

Recent reports, however, have painted a much different picture of the Stanford professors' involvement in the now-defunct crypto exchange, with court documents revealing both figures to be quite entangled in the company's operations, personally profiting immensely as the company climbed to a peak $32 billion valuation. Now, FTX is suing Bankman and Fried for those FTX-gleaned profits, arguing that SBF's parents are holding onto cash that was never really theirs in the first place. The money, according to the suit, really belongs to defrauded FTX customers.

Bankman and Fried "either knew  or ignored bright red flags revealing  that their son, Bankman-Fried, and other FTX insiders were orchestrating a vast fraudulent scheme," reads the suit.

FTX is specifically asking that Bankman and Fried return a $10 million cash gift they received from the crypto exchange in 2022. It's important to note that two major aspects of the professors' financial relationship were already public knowledge: 1. the existence of this cash gift, which they'd refused to give back on grounds that they needed the money to fight their son's legal battle, and 2. that FTX funds had been used to purchase a $16 million Bahamian condo deeded to Bankman and Fried. (According to Bankman and Fried, though, the house wasn't really theirs, it was FTX's  they would just stay in it while they were in town.)

The new court filings, however, lay bare a number of other mommy and daddy-related expenses that previously flew under the radar. For example, according to the suit, some $90,000 in FTX funds were used to pay for various condo expenses including "maintenance, cleaning services, utilities, furnishings, property assessments, and residency fees." This money, says FTX, was never reimbursed.

Speaking of condo expenses, the suit also alleges that Fried had FTX employees order furniture for them. Employees were allegedly tasked with ordering a "sofa, at least eight vases, and five rugs, one of which was a Persian hand-knotted rug costing more than $2,500." FTX claims that all of these purchases were either placed on a company card, or on the personal card of an employee who was later paid back with FTX funds.

The suit only gets more bizarre from there. In one instance, annoyed that he was only making around $16,000 per month during his official tenure as an FTX employee, Bankman complained to his son in an email, explaining that he was supposed to be making an annual salary of one million  before looping in Fried to see that the change was made. (As Coinbase's Conor Grogan put it in a post on Twitter-formerly-X, Bankman seemingly pulled the classic "I'm telling your mother!" move.)

"Gee, Sam I don't know what to say here," Bankman wrote in the email, according to the court filing. "This is the first [I] have heard of the 200K a year salary! Putting Barbara on this."

Elsewhere, the suit alleges that Bankman charged private jet tickets, $1,200-a-night hotel stays, and even Formula 1 tickets to the crypto company. Fried, meanwhile, is said by the suit to have had a major role in her son's political donations, advising the family's prodigal scion to make "straw donations"  a form of political donation designed to "avoid (if not violate) federal campaign finance disclosure rules" by "concealing the FTX Group as the source of the contributions," as the lawsuit reads.

In a statement to the NYT, lawyers for the Bankman-Frieds argued that the allegations are "completely false," adding that the lawsuit is "a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process" ahead of the SBF's criminal trial.

Still, it's unclear what evidence, if any, the couple has to combat the suit's allegations. And considering that their younger son, Gabriel Bankman-Fried, apparently wanted to use FTX funds to  checks notes  buy the island of Nauru and turn it into a doomsday haven, where they might perhaps do human genetic experimentation as well, it wouldn't be surprising to see every face on the family's cursed Mount Rushmore collapse. As it turns out, sweeping things under the rug might just come back to bite you  even, sadly, when that rug costs a cool $2,500.

More on FTX: Sam Bankman-Frieds Parents May Have Been More Involved in Ftx than We Thought
South Carolinas U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace is urging former colleagues in the S.C. State House to fix a gap in the law that has historically allowed adults to attempt to lure children away from their parents with impunity.

Following a recent incident in the Lowcountry where a man allegedly attempted to separately lure two children to go fishing, Mace is calling on South Carolina lawmakers to pass a bill  H. 3015  that would make it a crime for an adult to attempt to lure a child into a car, house or any type of building without parental consent.

Hearing a man in the Lowcountry allegedly tried to lure kids into his car this past weekend but there is no law in South Carolina preventing it, Mace, a Charleston-area Republican, said on the social media platform X. Child predators should be thrown in jail in South Carolina.

South Carolina is one of a handful of states that doesnt have a law against child luring, which has resulted in several cases where men who were identified as attempting to lure children into their vehicles have avoided criminal charges.

Over the weekend, in Mount Pleasant, a man reportedly attempted to lure away two boys on two separate occasions in the same day from the Pitt Street bridge. The man was ultimately identified and reported to police, who are currently investigating the incident, according to a News 2 report.

In 2018, when a similar incident occurred in the same town, the accused escaped prosecution.

In light of these repeated attempts, concerned parents recently began a petition urging state Rep. Weston Newton, R-Beaufort, as chair of the House Judiciary Committee to pass H. 3015.

There is a history of people crossing into S.C. from other states because they understand this loophole, the petition reads. Documented reports of individuals luring children with a puppy, a bucket of gum from a U-haul van, etc. and law enforcement has historically been unable to file charges because of this gap in our laws.

Newton said that he recently became aware of petition and the the contents of H. 3015 and intends to assign a subcommittee to the measure at the start of the next legislative session in January 2024.

Today more than ever, I appreciate the efforts of people that take the time and effort to make our state a safer place to live and raise families. Ive got young children as well, Newton told The State in response to the petition, adding that hes unaware of any opposition to the bill but that there have been some questions about redundancy as it relates to the states kidnapping and attempted kidnapping laws that already exist.

Shortly following the 2018 incident, Mace introduced a child luring law while serving as a S.C. state representative, alongside state Rep. Lee Hewitt, R-Georgetown. Because of setbacks caused by the pandemic and changes in leadership over the House Judiciary Committee, the measure stalled.

To me its a gap in the law where we need to try and figure out something because our kids are the most precious things that we can have, Hewitt said Wednesday. To have a situation where somebody can ride around and just try and lure kids into a bad situation, without any penalties for that, I think is wrong.

Although no longer a member of the S.C. House, Mace, with Hewitt, is reviving her push for the bill, while calling her constituents into action.

It must be passed immediately when the S.C. legislature returns to session, Mace said on X, referring to H. 3015. Ill be making calls, and encourage you to do so as well.

Under the bill, any adult who attempts to lure a child without parental consent would be guilty of a misdemeanor subject to a fine up to $500 or one year in jail. For a second offense, or subsequent offense, it would also be a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, result in a fine up to $1,000, three years in jail or both.

If a person tries to lure a child under the age of 13, the penalties would be heightened. A first offense would be a felony, mandating a fine up to $5,000 or five years in jail. For a second offense, penalties include a fine up to $10,000, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

Im sorry it took another incident like this to get this conversation going again, Hewitt told The State, referring to the Pitt Street bridge episode, adding that he hopes the recent occurrence will prompt action on the bill in the House at start of the legislative session next year.

Newton confirmed that it will.

Its not as if its being held back for any reason, Newton said. When we reconvene in January, it will be one of the matters identified for the criminal law subcommittee of judiciary to take up for a hearing.

Hearing a man in the Lowcountry allegedly tried to lure kids into his car this past weekend but there is no law in South Carolina preventing it.



Child predators should be thrown in jail in South Carolina.



I wrote the original bill as a state legislator with Lee Hewitt. It  Nancy Mace (@NancyMace) September 19, 2023
South Carolina is the latest target in a longshot Republican presidential candidates nationwide effort to boot Donald Trump from 2024 ballots, citing the former presidents alleged role the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection.

Texan John Anthony Castro, who plans to run as a write-in presidential candidate, filed a lawsuit against Trump and S.C. State Election Commission Director Howard Knapp in federal court, seeking to keep Trump off the Palmetto State ballot. Castro has filed similar suits in a number of states, including Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico and others.

Castros suit relies on the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in the wake of the Civil War, which states, No person ... or elector of President and Vice-President ... shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.

In his South Carolina suit, Castro claims Trump provided aid or comfort to the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection, which led to more than 1,000 people being criminally charged. Castro claims he has implied cause of action for relief under the 14th Amendment, and his relief is removing Trump from the ballot.

Castro, in his lawsuit, says Trump summoned his mob to our nations Capitol and cites multiple examples he believes show Trump aided in insurrection, including Trumps statement two weeks after the Capitol breach telling people involved in the event, We love you. Youre very special.

Trump has also said he would pardon the Capitol rioters and treat (them) fairly in 2022.

Besides Castro, groups from across the country, including Free Speech for People in Minnesota, have filed lawsuits using the 14th Amendment as justification for booting Trump from presidential ballots. According to CNN, the cases are seen as legal longshots. The ban has only been applied twice since the late 1800s for use against formerConfederates, and the Constitution doesnt specifically say how the ban can be enforced, according to CNN.

Well vigorously defend our Partys ability to be represented on any ballot by any candidate that Republicans decide to nominate at any level, South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick said in a statement to The State. Period.

It is not clear who will be defending Knapp in his role as state elections director, as there arent any attorneys listed on the lawsuit.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has teed up votes for Wednesday night to advance three top military nominees who have been jammed up by Sen. Tommy Tuberville  a reversal after the Democratic leader said for months he wouldnt hold standalone votes on confirmations.

But with the Alabama Republican forcing his hand, Schumer filed cloture, a procedural motion to end debate, on three of President Joe Biden's senior picks  Gen. C.Q. Brown to be Joint Chiefs chair, Gen. Randy George to be Army chief of staff and Gen. Eric Smith to be Marine commandant.

The Senate will vote Wednesday afternoon to cut off debate on Browns nomination, followed by a vote in the evening to confirm him and then pivot to the other two nominees. Schumer locked in the votes after Tuberville said he wouldnt stand in the way, portraying the Democratic leaders push to hold votes as a cave.

The move comes as Tubervilleplanned to force his own cloture vote on Smith's nomination to lead the Marine Corps, which could have placed Democrats in the awkward position of blocking Bidens nominees.

The votes on Wednesday do nothing to help the hundreds of senior officers who remain in limbo, however. Tuberville has for months blocked quick confirmation of general and flag officer promotions in a bid to force the Pentagon to overturn its policy that covers the costs of troops who travel to obtain abortions. The number of frozen nominations now exceeds 300 officers.

The blockade has wreaked havoc up and down the military ranks. Three spots on the Joint Chiefs  the top posts in the Army, Navy and Marines  are being filled temporarily by those services No. 2 officers after the service chiefs retired without Senate-confirmed replacements. George and Smith will be confirmed to jobs theyre already holding on an acting basis as the vice chief of staff and assistant commandant, respectively.

Two more Joint Chiefs picks are also caught in the chaos, Adm. Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy and Gen. David Allvin to be Air Force chief. Both are waiting to advance through the Armed Services Committee before the Senate can confirm them.

Following Schumers announcement, Tuberville said he won't block same-day confirmation votes on the trio of Joint Chiefs picks on Wednesday.

Individually? Lets bring them tonight, Tuberville said. As long as we go through cloture, as long as we do them individually, not as a group, Im good with it.

Tuberville, who has argued that Democrats can simply vote to confirm officers individually, called Schumer's move a win. Democrats have until Wednesday rejected the possibility of confirming individual nominees, which would fuel Tubervilles argument that he isnt actually preventing anyone from being confirmed. They have also said that approving nominees individually politicizes the moves, and that this is Republicans mess to clean up.

Weve been saying this for months, we call them out and they blink," Tuberville said. I asked them to do this and theyre doing it. Thats a win.

The confirmations would mark only incremental progress toward breaking the larger logjam. The remainder of the nominees awaiting confirmation would still be subject to Tubervilles blanket hold, creating the logistical burden of holding separate votes on each officer.

Still, voting on all nominees individually would be impractical and require the Senate to do nothing besides confirming promotions that are typically approved in large groups with little controversy.

Schumer said Wednesday's move was done in response to Tuberville's holds, and argued the Alabama Republican is "forcing us to confront his obstruction head-on."

"The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the senior senator from Alabama," Schumer said.

Tubervilles move to force a cloture vote is rare for a member of the minority party. Arnold Punaro, a former staff director of the Senate Armed Services Committee, condemned Tubervilles move as a very serious breach of conventions, noting that typically only the Senate majority leader invokes cloture.

Punaro said the decision to use cloture for military confirmations will set a bad precedent and politicize the process.

I was around when they did cloture for the first federal judge and said we're not going to do it again. And now 100 percent are having to go through cloture to get [judges] confirmed in a Republican or Democratic administration, Punaro said. We politicized the federal judiciary. We certainly dont want to politicize the military promotion process, which is sacrosanct.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday moved to tee up votes on three military nominations, including for Charles C.Q. Brown to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking Democrats first maneuver to get around Sen. Tommy Tuberville s (R-Ala.) hold on more than 300 promotions.

Schumer also teed up votes on Gen. Randy George to become chief of staff of the Army and Gen. Eric Smith to become the next commandant of the Marine Corps.

The majority leader and top Democrats had held off holding one-off votes on top military brass as they worried it would start a slippery slope on such nominations, which are usually done en bloc and are noncontroversial.

On Wednesday Schumer called Tubervilles action a poorly conceived tactic, noting that Senate GOP leadership has also been opposed to it.

Schumer said that he would ask for consent to hold votes on the three nominations later on Wednesday. He added that if Tuberville or another Senate Republican objects, the votes will be held on Friday and Saturday.

The Army and Marines  along with the Navy  are without Senate-confirmed heads, while outgoing Join Chiefs Chairman Mark Milleys term ends on Oct. 1.

Close

Thank you for signing up!

Subscribe to more newsletters here

The latest in politics and policy. Direct to your inbox. Sign up for the Defense and National Security newsletter

Schumers move came shortly before Tuberville was set to go to the floor in an attempt to advance Smiths nomination around his own hold.

Simply put, besides the most extreme elements of the Republican Party, no one thinks this is a good idea, and in the face of that opposition, it seems that Sen. Tuberville is becoming more and more desperate to get out of the box he put himself in, Schumer said, referring to Tubervilles vote threat. The blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the senior senator from Alabama.

The Senate should not have to go through procedural hoops just to please one brazen and misguided senator, but this is where we are, Schumer said.

Democrats earlier in the day had said they were unsure of how they would proceed on Tubervilles push.

Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.), the No. 2 Senate Democrat, told reporters that he didnt know what the party strategy would be on the issue. However, he was adamant that going through these nominations one by one would cost time that the Senate does not have as they continue to wade through judicial and administration nominations, as well as business such as the ongoing spending efforts for Fiscal 2024.

Taking these promotions one at a time would cost over 100 days on the Senate calendar, Durbin said. This is not a solution to his challenge. It really is going to drag this out at the expense of everything else that needs to be done in the Senate.

Only minutes before Schumers announcement, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) argued that the idea of moving to individual military nominations that would be handpicked by Tuberville is just fundamentally wrong.

Democrats have been hammering Republicans for months on the issue and have laid the blame at their feet, saying that it was their responsibility to get the Alabama senator to release his hold. The GOP in turn has been beating the drum that Schumer could move at any moment to advance these nominations individually despite the time-consuming process.

Updated at 2:16 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Seattle police are searching for suspects in two attempted carjackings in West Seattle Tuesday afternoon, according to the Seattle Police Department.

Police say the incidents occurred just minutes apart, at 3 p.m. and 3:06 p.m.

One happened near Southwest Spokane Street and Harbor Avenue Southwest, with the other at Harbor Avenue Southwest and California Way Southwest.

Police say in both incidents, the suspects were driving a white Lexus which struck the victims cars from behind.

When both victims stopped, the suspects got out of their car and attempted to carjack them at gunpoint.

Both victims were able to drive away from the scene unharmed.
Are you noticing haze and smoke in the skies over San Luis Obispo County?

Air quality in areas of the county has degraded as wildfire smoke drifts through the region.

The worst impacts have been felt in the coastal areas of the county.

As of Wednesday morning, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control Districts air quality data show that the Nipomo Mesa area had air quality that is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The air quality index, known as the AQI, was at about 120 for the Nipomo Mesa area as of 1 p.m. Wednesday, according to the air pollution control district.

San Luis Obispo saw unhealthy air quality Wednesday afternoon as well. The local air pollution control district measured an AQI of 124 as of 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Other areas, such as Atascadero, had moderate air quality Wednesday morning with an AQI of 95, the air pollution control districts website said.

The smoky skies are the result of several wildfires burning in Northern California and other areas of the northwestern United States.

The Smith River Complex fire burns here on Aug. 17, 2023, near the Patrick Creek Historic Lodge along Highway 199 in Northern California.

The largest of the fires is the Smith River Complex burning along the Oregon and California border just east of Crescent City. The blaze started on Aug. 15 and has burned 92,180 acres in California and 12,460 in Oregon. It was 73% contained as of Tuesday, according to Cal Fire.

The 2023 Happy Camp Complex had burned 32,398 acres as of Wednesday in the Scott Bar Mountains west of Montague in Northern California, according to Cal Fire. It was 70% contained after starting on Aug. 16.

And the 2023 SRF Lightning Complex and Redwood Lightning Complex had burned 28,829 acres and was 7% contained as of Wednesday. The fires started on Aug. 15 and are burning just east of Redwood National Park, according to Cal Fire.

At least three other fires were burning in Northern California as of Wednesday morning, according to Cal Fire. Plus, several fires were burning in Oregon and Idaho.

A screen capture of the AirNow map on Wednesday morning. The green dots show good air quality, while yellow, orange, red and purple are where poor air quality conditions have been measured.

While San Luis Obispo County was expected to see smoky skies for the rest of Wednesday, conditions have not deteriorated to the levels seen in the Bay Area and coastal Northern California.

There, extremely unhealthy air quality has been observed, with AQI in one area just south of Eureka measured at 222, according to AirNow, a partnership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Park Service, NASA, Centers for Disease Control and tribal, state and local air quality agencies.

Those living in San Luis Obispo County who may be affected by the poor air quality from the wildfire smoke are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, the local air pollution control district advises.

Additionally, people may want to avoid strenuous outdoor activities and close all windows and doors that lead to outside to prevent bringing smoke inside, the local agencys website said.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Tommy Tuberville has spent months blocking promotions at the Pentagon in protest to a new abortion policy but Wednesday seemed poised to try to force the Senate to vote on a key nominee  an effort to flip pressure onto Democrats after criticism from them and members of his own party.

Tuberville sought to force the Senate to confirm Gen. Eric Smiths promotion to Marine Corps commandant on Wednesday afternoon, a Senate aide with knowledge of the plan told NBC News  implementing a combination of procedural and political gymnastics as Democrats and the White House paint his hold as endangering military readiness.

Lets go. Its time to vote, Tuberville posted on X Wednesday morning, captioning a photo of him signing a document known as a cloture petition.

Smith is currently serving in an acting capacity due to Tubervilles blockade, leaving the Pentagon operating without a Senate-confirmed commandant for the first time in over 150 years.

But before Tuberville could act, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer took to the floor to start the process of voting on three nominees  a move that appeared to try to blunt the Republican efforts.

"Senator Tuberville is essentially trying to make himself the gatekeeper of which officers are promoted and who sits and waits," Schumer said on the Senate floor. "Instead of just getting out of the way and allowing the Senate to approve the promotions that these decorated military officers deserve the senator from Alabama, unfortunately and wrongly is using them as pawns."

Tuberville's push to force the vote would seem to be at odds with the fact that he has been the one stopping confirmations, a blockade he said he would lift if the Pentagon reverses a policy meant to help military members access abortions if they have been stationed in a state that prohibits them.

The Alabama Republican on Tuesday said he doesnt plan to lift his holds unless the Pentagon policy, which pays travel expenses for servicemembers who need to go out of state to have an abortion, is changed. Im not changing my mind, he stressed.

The delays have irked Democrats and Republicans and become a White House talking point, which aims to paint congressional Republicans as unreasonable and unfit, or unwilling, to govern.

Tuberville and some members of his party have argued that if Democrats are so concerned about the national security risk, Schumer can call each of the hundreds of nominees up for a vote individually (normally, nominees would be approved in packages).

Tuberville cast Schumers move to bring up three nominees as a win, saying he wont object to considering them.

Its about time, he said. Ive been calling for that for months. ... Im all for it. Individually, lets get them done.

As long as we go through regular order, Im good with it, Tuberville continued. Ive been saying that for months. Now ... weve called them out, they blinked.

Approving one by one would take up a significant amount of the Senate's time  amid a government funding fight and other key deadlines. Democrats have declined to vote on individual promotions on principal, as well, arguing that it would be ceding to Tuberville's demands.

But because Democrats won't hold individual votes, Republicans think they can turn the political pressure off the GOP and that forcing a vote on Smith's promotion will ultimately make Democrats look bad.

Schumer seemed to seek to blunt that strategy when he started the process on Wednesday to vote on Smith as well as Gen. CQ Brown to be Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Gen. Randy George to be Chief of Staff of the Army.

Tuberville secured 16 signatures on the petition to force a vote, the source detailed, utilizing a rarely invoked procedural tool.

Republican Sens. Rand Paul, of Kentucky; Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina; John Kennedy, of Louisiana; and Marco Rubio, of Florida, told NBC News on Tuesday they signed the petition. Republican Sens. JD Vance, of Ohio; Marsha Blackburn, of Tennessee; Eric Schmitt, of Missouri; and Ted Budd, of North Carolina also signed onto the cloture petition, their respective spokespeople confirmed. No member of Senate leadership signed the petition, according to the source with knowledge of the petition.

Schumer dismissed Tuberville's efforts as avoiding the real problem.

This is a problem created by Republicans, and its up to them to solve, Schumer said at a recent press conference.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has criticized Tubervilles holds in the past, even calling them a mistake.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The Senate overwhelmingly voted Wednesday to advance the nomination of Gen. Charles C.Q. Brown to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the first military nomination to advance in the chamber since Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) began his blockade seven months ago.

The Senate voted 89-8 to tee up a final vote on Browns nomination.

Brown, an Air Force general, is set to replace outgoing Chairman Mark Milley, whose term ends Oct. 1. A vote on final passage on Brown to fill the post will take place Wednesday evening.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) earlier Wednesday moved to set votes on the three military leaders  Brown, Gen. Eric Smith to become commandant of the Marine Corps and Gen. Randy George to serve as chief of staff of the Army  in an attempt to ward off a plan by Tuberville to force votes on Smith in the coming days, a move that is rarely put to use by rank-and-file senators in the minority.

A vote to end debate on Georges nomination is also slated for later Wednesday.

The Army and Marine Corps  along with the Navy  are without Senate-confirmed heads due to Tubervilles hold, which has kept more than 300 military promotions from being advanced. The Alabama Republican has kept these promotions in limbo over the Pentagons move last year to cover travel expenses of service members who seek abortion care.

Democrats have consistently said in recent months that they had little interest in bringing up individual votes on top military promotions and have maintained that it was the job of top Senate Republicans to loosen Tubervilles grip on the nominations.

The Marine Corps motto is not, Support the top brass and leave everyone else behind, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) told reporters shortly before Schumer announced his plan.

We need leadership throughout our military, Warren continued. The idea that Sen. Tuberville can just pick off one leader here and one leader there, and he decides where we actually have military taking the assignments that they were given months ago is just fundamentally wrong.  I get that hes feeling some heat, but the right answer is: Lift the hold and let our military leadership do their jobs.

Tuberville announced his plan to force a vote  essentially going around his own hold  during the Senate GOP lunch Tuesday and was set to go to the floor with the requisite 16 signatures by senators backing his push. None of the 16 senators were members of leadership and most are within the conservative wing of the Senate GOP conference.

Its time to get something done, Tuberville told reporters, adding that he had planned on making his cloture push earlier this month but decided to wait a little longer.

We need to get the Joint Chiefs filled, he added.

Tuberville voted no on advancing Browns nomination Wednesday, along with Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) and JD Vance (R-Ohio).

Republicans have been stymied throughout in their quest to end Tubervilles hold, with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) saying that he disagrees with how the Alabama senator has gone about this tactically.

We cant have a permanent hold on them, no matter how you feel about the policy, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), an ally of GOP leadership, told reporters shortly before Schumer announced his plan. What were trying to do is say, weve got to have a path. If youre going to take a position, you  needed to know in advance that it was going to result in precisely what needed to occur to get off of it.

I dont think it was thought through, quite honestly, Tillis added. Thats why we are where we are.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A group of 46 Senate Republicans sent a letter to Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday asking that he reverse his decision to relax the Senate dress code.

Schumer announced the change Sunday, allowing senators to wear what they want on the chamber floor. Men were previously required to wear jackets and ties, and business attire for women.

Allowing casual clothing on the Senate floor disrespects the institution we serve and the American families we represent, the group wrote.

The letter, led by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), was signed by almost every Republican senator. Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) did not.

The group of lawmakers argue that the Senate floor, a place of honor and tradition, deserves the respect of a dress code.

The world watches us on that floor and we must protect the sanctity of that place at all costs, the letter reads.

The dress code change does not require senators to change how they dress  just gives them the option. Schumer said he will continue to wear a suit for work.

Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who notably prefers sweatshirts and shorts over jackets and ties, celebrated the change Tuesday.

America  its about freedom and choice, Fetterman told The Hill. Its like [a] Burger King You Rule kind of a thing.

Much of the backlash against the change is focused on Fetterman, though he denied being the driver for the effort.

Some Democrats have also been unhappy with the new dress code.

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) told The Hill on Tuesday that he brought the issue up with Fetterman himself, calling the dress code change wrong and saying it degrades the Senate floor.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Members of the U.S. Senate are pressing MV Realty for answers about its 40-year listing agreements.

Channel 9 has reported in a series of Action 9 investigations over the past year about MV Realty and its listing agreements.

PAST COVERAGE: Preliminary injunction issued in NC against company Action 9 investigated

You get a small check now but a big penalty later, which is 3% of the value of your home, if you dont use it to sell your house.

Action 9 investigator Jason Stoogenke has told you how after his reporting, North Carolina banned the long-term real estate contracts that MV Realty uses.

In the video at the top of this webpage, the concern for homeowners who are still bound to those contracts.

MORE PAST COVERAGE:
The Senate will no longer be enforcing a dress code for members, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , a New York Democrat, announced this week. After the announcement, Sen. Susan Collins joked about what she would be wearing. "I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor," the Maine Republican jokingly told reporters, the Associated Press reports.

Collins went on to clarify she "obviously" is not going to wear a bikini, according to the Washington Examiner. "But of all the issues that we have to deal with right now, ranging from the possibility of the government shutting down to what we do about Ukraine, we're talking about the Senate dress code? That's extraordinary to me."

While Schumer himself still plans to wear suits, other lawmakers may take him up on the offer to "choose what they wear on the Senate floor." Sen. John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has often worn casual clothes like sweatshirts and basketball shorts to work. Now, there is no rule prohibiting it.

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., waves to members of the media on April 17, 2023, on Capitol Hill. / Credit: Jacquelyn Martin / AP

But some took issue with the lack of dress code. Sen. Markwayne Mullin said on Fox News on Monday that part of him is excited for the change, but he added, "I hate wearing a tie and I'd rather be in blue jeans and a pair of boots and a white T-shirt," the Oklahoma Republican said. "The fact is, you do dress for the job, and we need to be respectful of the position we hold and I totally disagree with what [Schumer] is doing here."

When asked if he thinks the change was made because of Fetterman's affinity for gym shorts and hoodies, Mullin said "of course it is," adding that Fetterman's causal dress is "completely disrespectful for the people who put him in the position and the position that he holds."

In an interview with Bloomberg on Monday, Sen. Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said he had a lot of strong opinions on Schumer's announcement, but didn't want to express them publicly. "Because I will say, behind closed doors, lots of people have a pretty energized opinion on this topic," he said.

Even lawmakers who are not in the Senate weighed in. On X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called it a decision to "appease Fetterman," saying it was "disgraceful."

When asked about the critics, Fetterman told reporters: "They're freaking out, I don't understand it," according to the Associated Press. "Like, aren't there more important things we should be working on right now instead of, you know, that I might be dressing like a slob?"

Some lawmakers were already seen embracing the change. Republican Sen. Josh Hawley flew back from his home state of Missouri on Monday wearing jeans and boots, as he always does when he flies, and took that outfit to the Senate, according to the AP.

Sen. Chris Murphy also ditched the tie, telling reporters he had been reprimanded for doing so in the past. "They would tell us when we were doing it wrong," the Connecticut Democrat said, according to the AP.

The sergeant at arms, who is elected by senators and acts as a protocol officer and law enforcement, enforced the dress code, which is not explicitly spelled out on paper. But sleeveless attire and open-toed shoes were previously not allowed.

The latest change only applies to senators  staff members must still follow the code, which requires business attire, CBS News' Nikole Killion reports.

Alabama high school band director who was tased, arrested accuses police of "excessive" force

McCarthy faces pressure to unite GOP and avert shutdown

FDA rejects approval of epinephrine nasal spray
Lexington 1 schools are slated to receive more than $1 million as part of a national settlement against e-cigarette makers.

The school board on Tuesday approved a settlement with Altria, the parent company of tobacco giant Philip Morris, which will award the school district a gross recovery of $249,951. The district previously received a settlement of $829,853 from electronic cigarette company Juul as a part of the same lawsuit.

Altria is a 35% owner of Juul, which manufactures vaping devices that allow smokers to inhale an amount of nicotine as a vapor. The devices have grown in popularity in recent years as an alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes.

The school district in central Lexington County was one of several nationwide that joined the lawsuit in a northern California federal court. When the school board approved Lexington 1s participation in the suit in 2020, it was the first school district in South Carolina to sign up to the nationwide legal action.

The lawsuit was spurred by a rise in vaping among high school students in the Palmetto State in recent years, with data showing electronic smoking devices are now students preferred method of using tobacco. At the time, Lexington 1 reported it had seen in-school discipline referrals for vaping rise from 147 in the 2017-18 school year to 358 in 2018-19. The lawsuit centered on what efforts if any Juul had made to discourage the underage use of its products.

Attorney David Duff told the board Tuesday that between 60% and 70% of the settlement should be dispersed to the district by mid-December. Lexington 1 has not yet identified how it will spend the money.

When the school district filed the lawsuit, Juul had just opened a production facility with plans for more than 500 jobs in Lexington County in 2019. Lexington County Council approved an incentive package for the $125 million project, but by the end of 2020 the plant had closed, partly in response to new restrictions on vape products and what a Juul spokesperson called the need to earn the trust of society.

Also at Tuesdays meeting, the Lexington 1 board approved joining another class-action lawsuit, this time against a host of social media companies. The district accuses the companies platforms of having a similarly deleterious effect on students and their education.

Theyre on so frequently and so long, they become quote addicted, Duff told board members. In a different way than e-cigarettes and vaping, but with the same outcome.

The litigation, which Duff said several other school districts in South Carolina have also signed up to, targets social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and others. The suit claims the companies have harmed children through inadequate age verification, a lack of parental controls, constant notifications and algorithms that encourage endless scrolling, Duff said. Experts say an excessive use of social media can have a negative impact on young peoples mental health.

The school board voted unanimously to join the suit led by Kansas City-based law firm Wagstaff and Cartmell.
By Felix Light

YEREVAN (Reuters) -Thousands of protesters gathered in the Armenian capital on Wednesday to denounce the Armenian government's perceived failure to support Armenian separatists in Karabkh, after the breakaway region was forced into a humiliating surrender by Azerbaijan.

The protesters gathered on Republic Square in the heart of Yerevan. Many demanded the resignation of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan , who presided over defeat to Azerbaijan in a 2020 war, and now the final collapse of Karabakh's Armenian authorities.

Harut, a 32-year-old solar engineer said: "We hope he leaves. It's better for a leader who lost the war to leave than to stay and continue."

He said that the defeat was all the more painful given how long Armenians had fought for Karabakh.

"It's something that we've been fighting for for 30 years, for more than 30 years and now it all went for nothing."

Opposition politicians gave speeches from a stage denouncing Pashinyan, who took power in a 2018 revolution during which he addressed rallies on the same square.

Some of those in Republic Square yelled "Artsakh!", others "Nikol is a traitor!"

Many of those attending waved Nagorno-Karabakh flags and some scuffled with police. Others threw bottles and stones at the prime minister's office on Republic Square.

Riot police sealed off the government offices, while military-style trucks were parked near the square amid a heavy security forces presence.

Azerbaijan said on Wednesday that it had halted its offensive after Armenian separatist forces in Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire - whose terms signalled the area would return to Baku's control.

Armenians, who are Christian, claim a long historical dominance in the area, which they call Artsakh. Azerbaijan, whose inhabitants are mostly Muslim, links its historical identity to the territory too.

Samvel Sargsyan, 21, a student at the Theatre and Cinema University in Yerevan, who was born in Karabakh's capital, known to Armenians as Stepanakert and to Azeris as Khankendi.

"We need Armenia to join up with Artsakh and fight," he said.

"Armenians can't accept another country, another religion. Why should we? Why should Armenia give a part of itself to another nation?"

Sargsyan, who was holding the red, blue and orange flag of Artsakh, added: "If we lose Artsakh, we lose Armenia. Because the next step will be Armenia."

Another protester, Khachatur Kobelyan, said he was "really shocked with aggression of Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh".

"I think that the U.N., USA and Russia, they are the players that could do something, but I'm really very disappointed and I don't see any hope connected with this solution."

Pashinyan has publicly accused Russia in recent months of not doing enough to support Armenia. He said on Tuesday that unidentified forces were talking about a coup in Yerevan.

Azerbaijan said that it wanted a "smooth reintegration process" for Karabakh's Armenians, and rejected Armenian accusations that it wanted to "ethnically cleanse" the region.

Many of those on the square evoked the memory of the Armenian genocide of 1915, referring to the massacres of Armenians under the Ottoman Empire.

(Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Alex Richardson)
The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 4:45 p.m. Wednesday for parts of West Tennessee, including Shelby and Tipton counties.

A severe thunderstorm was located near Frayser, moving northeast. Wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible.

Watch live coverage with Tyler Eliasen above.

 Check to see if your county has a watch or warning.

Check interactive Weather Radar

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Of the 100 members of the U.S. Senate, 10 are named John or Jon.* Three of those Johns Thune , Cornyn , and Barrasso also happen to be potential successors to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell .

Two recent incidents, where McConnell froze for several seconds when answering press questions, have ratcheted up the scrutiny on the so-called three Johns as people contemplate life after McConnell.

This is not to suggest that a change is imminent. McConnell has no intention of stepping down from his leadership position, and none of the Johns, or any of their Republican colleagues, is likely to immediately challenge the upper chambers longest-serving party leader or openly vie for his job.

There is no jockeying, said Republican Senator John Boozman , indicating that members have bigger fish to fry; after all, the government runs out of funding at the end of the month. People are being supportive [of McConnell] and trying to get through this Congress. Its not like we have a lack of issues to overcome.

As GOP Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota wryly noted, the three Johns are considered the top potential replacements for McConnell in part because theyve never been dumb enough to take him on. Little wonder: The only senator who has challenged McConnell since he took the top leadership post in 2007, Rick Scott, only received 10 votes in his bid earlier this year.

Because the minority leader is firmly ensconced, any discussion with Republicans of life after McConnell must involve multiple caveats. This is a function not only of his unmatched tenure in leadership but of his unprecedented control over his conference, said a former Cornyn aide. McConnell has been willing to be the villain, the former aide said. Hes been willing to take the heat and be wildly unpopular to hold this conference together and carry out the things that needed to be done. The Republican leader has welcomed his status as Grim Reaper for Democratic priorities and even called himself Darth Vader.

The next GOP leader will undoubtedly face near-constant comparisons to McConnell, given the defining role that he has played in Republican politics for decades. But each of his potential successors is a formidable politician in his own right.

Thune may be the most obvious contender, as he is the second-highest-ranking Republican in the Senate. It might not be obvious at first glance but the affable, handsome-in-a-politician-way South Dakotan is a king-killer: He defeated thenMajority Leader Tom Daschle in a hotly contested 2004 race. Thune is friendly with colleagues and reporters, and popular among his fellow Republicans. (At 62, he is also the youngest of the three Johns; Cornyn and Barrasso are both 71.) When McConnell recuperated from a concussion earlier this year, Thune temporarily took the reins and led the conference.

He took on the role and did a great job, and he had support from the leadership team. There was no dissension that we could see, said Senator Mike Rounds . As his colleague from South Dakota, Rounds said he would support Thune for the leadership post, although he praised all three Johns as class acts who work together.

This is a body politic, and if youve got the votes, youre OK. So time will tell, and the conference will make a choice, Rounds told me. But personally, Im in John Thunes corner, and the other Johns know that.

But the former Cornyn aide, who did not support any particular John, wondered whether Thune had the fire in his belly to fight for the top position in the conference.

It seems to be priced in that people think its going to be Thune, the former aide said. I wouldnt want to get carried away there, because I think Cornyn has a sneaky inside game.

Cornyn is the only John not currently in leadership, although he previously served as the Republican whip and remains a close ally to McConnell. The senior senator from Texas has recently burnished his cross-partisan bona fides, supporting a bipartisan measure investing in semiconductor production and spearheading the negotiations for gun safety legislation. Cornyn also chaired the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2010 and 2012, helping elect 10 GOP senators who are still in office, and is known for his fundraising prowess.

He has significant relationships within the conference that date back to recruiting those guys, getting them across the finish line, and orienting them as whip, the former Cornyn aide said.

However, Thune and Cornyn share an attribute that could complicate their path to leadership: Both have criticized former President Donald Trump and have openly hoped that another candidate would win the GOP presidential nomination in 2024. Thune has endorsed fellow Senator Tim Scott, and theres no love lost between the mild-mannered South Dakotan and the bombastic former president. Trump called for Thune to be primaried in 2022, and did not endorse him in his reelection bid. Thune did not face a serious challenge in the primary and won the general election handily.

Barrasso, Thunes colleague from neighboring Wyoming, has vocally supported Trump. Barrasso, who chairs the Senate Republican Conference, is the strongest on being able to connect to the Trump world, said a former senior adviser to a top Republican senator. The contest to succeed McConnell could be influenced by external factorsif, say, Trump opposes Thune or Cornyn as majority leader, it could prompt senators on the partys right flank to back Barrasso.

I think that Barrasso is the interesting third candidate here, the former senior adviser said. Some of those more conservative members of the Senate could step forward and say, Nope, we want somebody who voices more of our positions.

Barrasso is a wild card because it isnt a given that he will run for the top spot. (Though Senator Cynthia Lummis, Barrassos colleague from Wyoming, said she had told him that whatever position he wants to seek, if any, Im in his corner.)

Thune had publicly mulled retiring, and so his decision to run for reelection in 2022 indicated an interest in advancing to the position of party leader. Cornyn has also been open about his leadership ambitions, saying in 2021 that should [McConnell] decide to step down and no longer serve as a leader, Ive made it no secret that I would like to succeed him.

Between Thune and Cornyn, they both have to run for it, said the former senior adviser. Whereas Barrasso could do it but doesnt have to do it if he doesnt want to.

Cramer said that he didnt believe any of the three Johns had a particular edge: They might have equal edges, he said with a laugh.

I think itll be a fascinating time, when it comes, Cramer said, adding that it would be difficult to choose between them. I generally dont vote present, but you never know.

*Yes, pedants, we know that Senators Jack Reed and Pete Ricketts technically have the first name John, which would put the number at 12. But we are going by what the senators call themselves, and so they are not included in the list of Senate Jo(h)ns.
Knowing how to share your location on Google Maps can be a valuable tool. With just a single tap, this feature will let your friends know youre safe if youre walking home alone, give your family some peace of mind when youre traveling, and help you keep an eye on your teen while theyre on their first solo drive.

When you share your Google Maps location, the person on the other side will be able to track your movements, see how much battery is left on your phone, and even set an alert that announces your arrival or departure from a specific location.

But be careful: In some cases Google Maps will generate a link that anybodyeven people you dont knowcan use to see your whereabouts. Youll need to be careful who you share it with. Its also a good idea to routinely check the app and see who has access to your location and remove permissions when necessary.

How to share your location with another Google account

With Google Maps, sharing your location is easy whether you have an iPhone or an Android device. Before you begin, open the app and if youre not logged in already, sign in using your Google account credentials.

1. If the person youll be sharing your location with isnt already on the contacts list associated with your Google account, start by adding their Gmail address to your list.

If they dont have a Google account or youd rather not add them to your contacts list, skip to the next section.

2. On Google Maps, tap your profile picture in the top right corner of your screen and on the emerging menu tap Location Sharing.

Find your friends in the wild.

3. The next screen will explain how Location Sharing works and what information other people will be able to access when you share your whereabouts with them. On Android, tap Share my location to continue; on iOS, tap New Share.

Very handy if you don't have a great sense of direction.

4. Then youll be able to determine how long the person you'll be sharing your location with can track you. This is crucial, as you may want them to keep an eye on you while you head home, but dont want them to know where you are next week. Protect your privacy by choosing the least amount of time possible. On Android and iPhone, under Share your real-time location, use the plus (+) and minus (-) to set the exact amount of time your whereabouts will be available to others, ranging from 15 minutes to a day.

On Android, you also have the ability to share their location until they decide not to. To do that, tap the circle next to Until I turn it off.

You may only want to share your location temporarily.

5. After selecting a time limit, tap the profile of one or more people you want to share your location with. You may need to grant Google Maps access to your contacts in order to do this.

Youll notice some contacts have a tiny Google Maps icon on their profile pictures. Theyre the people that also have the app on their phonesif you share your location with them, theyll be able to track you directly from there.

6. If you havent already, Google Maps will prompt you to grant it access to your location at all times. Follow the instructions on the screen to do it.

Note: You wont be able to share your location with other users if you dont change this setting. But if youre not comfortable with Google Maps knowing where you are at all times, you can always change it back. On Android, go to Settings, Location, Google Maps, and tweak permissions as you see fit. On iPhone go to Settings, Privacy & Security, Location Services, and Google Maps.

7. Tap Share to finish.

Share your Google Maps location with someone who doesnt have a Google account

Even if the person you want to share your location with doesnt have a Google account, you can still share your whereabouts with them on Google Maps.

1. From the Google Maps app, tap on your profile, then Location sharing.

2. On an iPhone, tap on New Share and choose More Options at the bottom of the screen. On Android devices, tap Share my location and focus your attention on the bottom of the screen, where youll see the apps you can use to share a link with your location.

3. From here, you have a bevy of options for sharing a direct link to your Google Maps location. You can choose from a list of your favorite text message chats on several platforms, plus email and social media apps. You can also just copy the link and paste it wherever you want.

Android users will also have the chance to choose a contact that doesnt have Google Maps on their phonetheyre the ones without the multicolor pin icon over their profile pictures. For them, the way you share your location will depend on the information shown below their names: If you see a phone number, theyll receive an text with a link to your location on the web version of Google Maps; if you see an email, theyll receive the link via email.

Warning: The link Google Maps generates with your location is public, which means that anybody who has it will be able to know where you are in real time. Be careful who you share this link with. If possible, share it only through direct and private channels with people you know and trust.

You can share your location on Android by email as well.

How to share your trip on Google Maps

In some cases, you may not want to give someone the ability to track you while you move for a set amount of time, but rather for a particular trip. This is ideal if youre visiting friends and family and want to give them the ability to keep tabs on you as you travel from point A to point B .

1. Start a journey on Google Maps: Select a destination and tap Start.

2. Once Google Maps has started your trip, tap the bottom of the screen to bring up an options menu and choose Share trip progress.

This feature can help you make sure friends and family get home safely.

3. Google Maps will display your frequent contacts at the bottom of the screentap one to share your trip with them.

If the person you want to share your location with is not there, Android users can slide the icons to the left and tap More to open a more comprehensive contacts list. You can also pick one of the apps at the bottom of your screen and share a link through one of them.

Meanwhile, if you have an iPhone, you can tap More options at the bottom of the page to access various messaging and email apps to share a link with your trip information.

4. As soon as the contact you shared your trip information with opens the link, they will be able to track your progress up until the trip ends.

FAQs

Q: How do you stop sharing your location on Google Maps?

Whenever you want to stop sharing your location on Google Maps, simply open the app, tap your profile picture, and then hit Location sharing.

Then, touch the username of the person you want to stop sharing your location with and tap Stop.

Q: How do you see someone elses location on Google Maps?

From the Google Maps app, tap your profile picture and go to Location sharing. Tap the profile picture of the person you want to locateyou will be able to see their location if they have shared it with you. Touch Refresh to update their location.

Q: How do you request someones location on Google Maps?

You can request someone elses location on Google Maps, but only if theyve shared their location with you in the past or youve already shared your location with them.

1. On Google Maps, tap your profile picture and go to Location Sharing.

2. Choose the name of the contact whose location you want to requestremember: you mustve already shared your location with them. If you havent, start by sharing your location.

3. Tap Request. The person on the other end will immediately get an email and notification letting them know about your inquiry, but its up to them whether they accept or deny it. They can also block it, which means you wont be able to request their location again.
Members of the public pack the Salem City Council Chambers July 10 to speak about a proposed payroll tax.

What's your opinion of the proposed tax and possible cuts? Take the Statesman Journal payroll tax survey and share your thoughts here.

What's the status of the tax?

A payroll tax on all workers in Salem is on the ballot this November. Revenue from the tax would be earmarked for police, fire and homelessness services.

The Salem City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2024 budget in June with the understanding that if new revenue wasn't found, the budget would need to be amended.

In a 5-4 split, the council voted in July 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.

But the tax, and the way the council went about implementing it, has faced strong public backlash.

The Oregon Business & Industry, a statewide chamber of commerce and trade association, launched a successful effort to refer the tax to voters in a Nov. 7 special election.

5 things to know: Whats on the line as Salem faces $11M budget shortfall?

Proposed cuts

City officials are beginning discussions about what cuts would need to be made if the payroll tax fails.

Among the possible cuts outlined in a recent council work session are:

Eliminating new positions for the homeless camp response team.

Closing the West Salem library branch.

Stopping the ability of Salem Police to investigate high-level drug trafficking cases.

Cutting funding to the city's 180 temporary microshelter beds and navigation center.

Cutting library hours.

Closing splash pads, drinking fountains and bathrooms at city parks.

Closing two fire stations.

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: Share your thoughts ahead of November vote
SHELBY  Students were in the spotlight at Monday's Shelby City Schools Board of Education meeting.

Board members recognized 17 students who earned a perfect score on a portion of the Ohio State Test during the spring of the 2022-23 school year.

"That is amazing. It's not easy to get a perfect score," Superintendent Michael Browning said. "It's a testament to the school district."

Those students received a certificate of achievement from board member Scott Rose.

Jackson McClain received a perfect score on eighth-grade math on the Ohio State Test. He was one of 17 Shelby students to earn a perfect score on a portion of the test. Standing to the right is school board member Scott Rose.

"Those tests are hard," board member Kim Nadolsky said. "The reason you were successful was because of your strong work ethic."

Board recognizes 8 student council members

In addition to those students, the board recognized the eight members of the student council at the high school.

"I've had good student councils before, but these guys are setting the bar pretty high," high school Principal John Gies said, noting council planned the orientation for incoming freshmen.

Also recognized were a number of students who were nominated by their teachers for various reasons.

As a school district, Shelby fared well on the state report card, released last Thursday. The district received an overall rating of four stars, out of a possible five, meaning it exceeds state standards.

The high school welcomed two international students, who attended Monday's meeting. Franka Dittmer hails from Germany, and Ismael Sirvent Martinez is from Spain.

"I think our students really enjoy when we get to bring these students from other countries," Gies said while thanking the host families.

Martinez said high school in the United States is different from his experience in Spain.

"I think I like it more here," he said, drawing laughter.

Public forum requested for school board candidates

Members of the public addressed the board on two issues. Teri Hummel asked for a public forum of the four school board candidates who are running for two seats.

"I believe voters deserve transparency," Hummel said.

Board President Lorie White said there has been discussion about such a forum. Browning said a date has not been set, but it would probably be in mid-October.

Board members voted to set graduation for 3 p.m. May 26, a Sunday, at the high school gym.

A woman asked for a date that wasn't "so close to Memorial Day weekend." She suggested a Friday night.

Gies said Sunday is preferable because graduation season coincides with the postseason in spring sports. He said some students would have to miss the commencement ceremony if they were participating in the regional track meet, for example.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MarkCau32059251

Top students

The following Shelby students earned a perfect score on the Ohio State Test during the spring of the 2022-23 year: McClellan DeLauder, fourth-grade math; Copper Duniver, fourth-grade math; Reagan Rodenbaugh, fourth-grade English; Isabella Britt, fifth-grade math; Kayla Lykins, fifth-grade math; Stella McNary, fifth-grade English;

KC Cooke, sixth-grade math; Charles Long, sixth-grade math; Walter Downs, eighth-grade math; Alexis Kershner, eighth-grade math; Jackson McClain, eighth-grade math; Dean Medley, eighth-grade math; Maximus Miller, eighth-grade math; Ella Keller, eighth-grade English; Sawyer Eshelman, algebra; and Aryn Frangella, American history.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Shelby City Schools Board of Education recognizes top students
Antonio Almaraz, 31, had only been hired as a deputy sheriff in February ( Bexar County Sheriff's Office)

A sheriffs deputy in Texas who left his infant child in a hot car for three hours has been fired and arrested.

Antonio Almaraz, 31, left his two-month-old baby alone in his car on Monday, as temperatures in San Antonio reached around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Mr Almaraz had taken his child to a routine pediatrics appointment at 9am. He returned home an hour later and left his child in the car parked outside.

At about 1pm, the baby was found unresponsive in the car. She was rushed to Methodist Hospital and their condition remains critical.

The hospital reported the incident to authorities, but according to the sheriffs office, Mr Almazaz initially gave a different narrative when he was questioned about what happened.

Mr Almaraz had been charged with injury to a child, endangering a child and abandoning a child, with a bail set at $80,000.

The deputy had only started his job in February and has now since been fired due to the treatment of his child.

He will not be allowed to appeal his dismissal nor be eligible for rehire, no matter what the outcome of his case is, the sheriffs office said.

The child had been left unconscious after being trapped in a hot car on a summer day (Facebook)

Given the amount of awareness in the community regarding leaving children unattended in vehicles, there is absolutely no valid excuse for this to have occurred, Sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement. My family and I are praying for the best possible outcome for this precious baby.

The inside of a vehicle can increase over 20 degrees within ten minutes, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states.

It was only in late July that another infant was stuck in a hot car in San Antonio, Texas. The baby was accidentally locked inside the car and the parents took to smashing in the windows before it was too late.
Violent shoplifting gangs are escaping justice because police are not attending crime scenes if offenders have fled, shop owners have warned.

In an open letter to police and crime commissioners in England and Wales, independent retailers have called on forces to reassure workers by proactively investigating all reports of intimidation and assault.

The group described shoplifting as the primary trigger for violence and abuse of shopworkers and said the vast majority of crimes were committed by prolific offenders or organised gangs.

Over the past year, shop staff have reported being threatened with screwdrivers, being spat on, being kicked and being confronted with weapons after accusing people of shoplifting.

Others said they have had bottles of wine poured over their heads and had been hit with walking sticks.

The call for action comes after reports of record levels of shoplifting and allegations of organised looting.

The open letter, which has been signed by seven major organisations representing retailers, said shops were facing unprecedented levels of theft and organised looting of their businesses on a regular basis.

The letter continued: We often see scenarios where violence against shopworkers is not responded to by the police because incidents do not meet forces threat, harm and risk criteria as offenders have left the premises after committing an offence.

In the vast majority, if not all, of retail businesses there will be CCTV footage available to support police lines of inquiry into violent incidents.

Therefore, we would like to see the proactive collection of evidence prioritised by police forces.

The letter has been signed by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the British Independent Retail Association (BIRA), the Federation of Small Businesses, the Federation of Independent Retailers (FIR) and shopworkers union Usdaw.

The group is calling for police to prioritise on the ground evidence gathering related to violent attacks.

They also want police forces to make it easier for retailers to report crime and submit evidence as well as prioritising identifying prolific offenders who are behind most of the thefts and anti-social behaviour.

The BRC has estimated that theft is costing retailers nearly 1 billion per year, while the ACS says 90 per cent of workers have experienced verbal abuse in that period.

A survey published by Usdaw earlier this year of 7,755 shopworkers found 74 per cent were verbally abused in 2022 while 49 per cent had been threatened. Almost eight per cent said they had been physically assaulted.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of BIRA, said that he had seen a real loss of confidence from shopworkers over the likelihood of a police response.

If we cant tackle this issue then either everything in a shop will end up behind a counter, or in secure packaging and prices will rise because stock costs money, he added.

Members of FIR and BIRA have previously called on the Government to provide funds to help them cope with rising crime levels.

The trade groups have written to Chris Philp, the policing minister, for a 1,500 government grant per retailer to help beef up security systems amid the shoplifting epidemic.

Katy Bourne, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners lead for business and retail crime and Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, a force praised in the letter for its response to the crime wave, said she had seen for herself the fear, the harm and the damage that too many shop staff and retailers are experiencing.

She added: Id also like to see prolific shoplifters monitored with electronic tags, as happens with persistent domestic abuse perpetrators and burglars, so Ill be raising this with ministers and officials.

If we want to retain our villages and high streets and shopping malls as pleasant places to shop and visit we have to be more proactive, more imaginative and more robust. We cant retreat and give up or our stores will close up.

The National Police Chiefs Council lead for acquisitive Crime, Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, said forces take any incident of violence incredibly seriously, and will prioritise our response where there is a risk to individuals.

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 shutdown, temporary suspension of work of the US government, may affect the scale of US military aid for Ukraine.

Source: Chris Sherwood, spokesperson for US Department of Defense, as reported by European Pravda with reference to CNN

Sherwood stated that in the event of a shutdown, military aid for Ukraine and the ongoing training of Ukrainian forces in the US could be impacted by furloughs of personnel and suspension of all activities deemed not essential to US national security.

A possible government shutdown may also affect the aid supply within the framework of the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI) program, which has funded the production of key equipment like Abrams tanks and training programs like the ones for F-16 pilots.

"Work or delivery of any equipment funded on previous USAI notifications such as F-16 pilot training would continue, but execution could be impacted by furloughs and DoD's suspension of non-excepted activities," Sherwood said.

In the event of a shutdown Pentagon will also not be able to sign new contracts with defence companies to produce more equipment under USAI.

Earlier, Kevin McCarthy, speaker of the United States House of Representatives, confirmed that he would meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on 21 September but refused to promise to him the approval of further financing of aid for Ukraine in Congress.

Ukraines President Zelenskyy reported about his arrival in the US on the evening of 18 September. There he will have talks with his American counterpart Joe Biden, and chambers and Congress parties leaders.

Zelenskyys visit is underway while the US Congress is considering the request by the White House for additional US$23 billion aid for Ukraine. But its approval is still undetermined since there are serious disagreements in the Republican party concerning this issue.

The White Houses request will make it less likely that the Congress prevents the shutdown  a forced suspension of work of federal bodies, when the financing ends on 30 September.

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!
(Bloomberg) -- Hong Kongs half-century reign as the worlds freest economy has ended, according to the most recent rankings compiled by a Canadian think tank that cited eroding judicial independence as one factor.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Asian financial hub fell to second place in the Economic Freedom of the World Index for the first time since its records began in 1970. The Fraser Institute report released Tuesday is based on data from 2021, and the organization said the citys ranking is expected to fall even further in the following years.

Hong Kongs recent turn is an example of how economic freedom is intimately connected with civil and political freedom, said Matthew Mitchell, senior fellow at the Fraser Institute, in a press release.

Singapore beat Hong Kong to top the list, while Switzerland, New Zealand and the US rounded out the rest of the top five spots.

The Hong Kong government called the reports claims on the citys judiciary as totally groundless and unsupported by objective evidence, the South China Morning Post reported Wednesday. A representative for the Hong Kong government didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

READ MORE: HK Says Court Should Have Followed Leaders Call to Ban Song

Hong Kongs slip in the report signals its struggle to maintain its reputation as a global financial center, after years of pandemic isolation and political instability.

Part of Hong Kongs longstanding appeal to international business is the reputation of its judicial system. They citys courts are distinct from those in China, which are opaque in their actions and effectively controlled by the ruling Communist Party.

Since President Xi Jinping imposed a national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020 their independence has been called into question. Last month, Chief Executive John Lee fanned those concerns again when he said judges should have followed his wishes and banned a controversial protest song from the internet, due to its perceived threat to national security.

The UK decided last year to withdraw top judges from Hong Kongs highest appeals court, saying China is using the national security law to undermine fundamental rights and freedoms in the former British colony.

The Biden administration in 2021 warned investors about the risks of doing business in Hong Kong, saying Chinas push to exert more control over the financial hub threatens the rule of law and endangers employees and data.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Slovakia is already studying Ukraine's proposed plan to export agricultural products and considers it potentially acceptable.

Source: This was discussed by Mykola Solskyi, Ukraines Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food, at an online meeting with his Slovak counterpart, Jozef Bires, reports European Pravda

Details: The ministers discussed cooperation in the agricultural sector, in particular the export plan proposed by Ukraine to the European Commission.

Bires stressed the importance of bilateral understanding on the issue of agricultural exports.

As Bires stated, Slovakia is already studying the Ukrainian action plan and considers it to be acceptable.

The ministers agreed to finalise the plan as soon as possible, as well as coordinate the situation.

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!
Migrants wait, as they are detained by Slovakian police, after illegally crossing the border close to the Slovakia-Hungary border in the village of Chl'aba

Migrants wait, as they are detained by Slovakian police, after illegally crossing the border close to the Slovakia-Hungary border in the village of Chl'aba

By Krisztina Than

CHLABA, Slovakia/IPOLYDAMASD, Hungary (Reuters) - Residents of Chlaba say large groups of illegal migrants have been traipsing through their tiny border village in southern Slovakia every day in the past few weeks after fording a local river or crossing a railway bridge from neighbouring Hungary.

The migrants mostly arrive by night and do not intend to stay long as their final destination is usually Germany, but the uptick has stirred anxiety and calls for tighter border controls in Slovakia as it prepares for an election on Sept. 30.

"They don't want to live or work here, they are in transit, they rush through as they can," said Jozsef Barta, 70.

Although he knew of no criminal incidents involving the migrants, he added: "People are scared to walk in the street."

Renata Gregusova, manager of a foodstore where the migrants often drop by, said they ask locals to call the police and sit down by the road, waiting for the police van to take them to a detention centre. There, under a Slovak law, they can get a document registering their entry to the European Union.

"Somehow this (flow) should be limited... They should be checked to find out whether they were really forced to flee their country," she said.

Around three quarters of Slovaks want the next government to tighten rules against illegal migration, according to a poll by the AKO agency this month.

SECURITY MEASURES

The SMER-SSD party of former prime minister Robert Fico , campaigning on an anti-immigrant platform, has urged Slovakia's caretaker government to suspend Europe's Schengen 'open border' rules and reinstate passport checks on the Hungarian border.

"The government lets in every illegal migrant. We know nothing about them, they have no documents, they make up names, dates of birth, but the government allows them to stay here," Fico told a news conference on Tuesday.

Opinion polls put Fico's party ahead with about 20% support, ahead of its main rival the liberal Progresivne Slovensko, but no party is expected to win an overall parliamentary majority.

The Slovak government says it is virtually impossible to seal the 655-km border with Hungary, though caretaker Prime Minister Ludovit Odor recently sent up to 500 soldiers to help police patrol the border and maintain order.

Last weekend, Odor visited the border crossing at Chlaba-Ipolydamasd, which has the second highest migrant detention rate with around 2,000 this year, and said police were trying to increase a sense of security in the local villages.

The number of illegal migrants detained in Slovakia has increased ninefold from a year ago to more than 27,000 so far this year, the country's interior ministry said.

Police discouraged Reuters from trying to speak with a group of migrants they had just rounded up, but the increased popularity of this route into western Europe appears linked to the Slovak law that allows Syrians and Afghans - deemed to be refugees fleeing war - to register.

This, experts say, gives them a measure of assurance that they cannot be deported from the EU and then they typically leave their detention centres and continue westwards, via Slovakia and the Czech Republic to Germany.

"For Slovak authorities, this is an administrative issue but it makes it worthwhile for migrants to divert from their standard route and make a stop in Slovakia," said Marian Cehelnik who deals with migration at the People in Need NGO.

POROUS BORDERS

The migrants, predominantly young men from the Middle East and Afghanistan, have mostly come up via the so-called Balkan route, entering Hungary from Serbia despite a steel fence that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had built after the 2015 migration crisis that rocked Europe.

Hungarian police data also showed a jump in illegal migrant crossings on Hungary's southern border with Serbia in the past weeks, from where they head for Slovakia or Austria.

"Despite Hungary's efforts, there are migrants who evade border defence and cross Hungary's territory on their way to other countries of Europe," a government spokesman told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Hungary pushes migrants back to Serbia - which is not in the EU - but they make repeated attempts to climb or cut through the fence, and many make it with the help of gangs of smugglers who then ferry them north to the border with Slovakia.

Slovak police patrols are helping their Hungarian colleagues to catch the smugglers but that has proven little deterrent.

Orban's government, citing overcrowded prisons and a lack of financial help from the EU, has released more than 1,500 foreign nationals convicted of people smuggling since April.

(Writing by Krisztina Than, additional reporting by Jason Hovet and Jan Lopatka in Prague; Editing by Gareth Jones)
A Smartmatic lawyer compared Rupert Murdoch to a "mafia boss" in a court hearing Wednesday.

The company says Fox News and parent company Fox Corp. defamed it through 2020 election conspiracy theories.

Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch "ordered a hit" on Smartmatic, the Smartmatic lawyer argued.

An attorney for Smartmatic Voting Systems compared Rupert Murdoch to a mafia boss in a court hearing Wednesday, arguing he "ordered a hit" on the election technology company when Fox News engaged in conspiracy theories about the 2020 election.

"I can think of an analogy like a mafia boss ordering one of his lieutenants, 'Take out Johnny Two-Bones. That's your instruction,'" J. Erik Connolly, who's representing Smartmatic in its $2.7 billion lawsuit, said in a downtown Manhattan courtroom.

"The mafia boss doesn't say, 'I want you to whack him on this day, I want you to use this tool, I want this henchman to do it.' The mafia boss doesn't give the direction of exactly how the henchman carries out that hit," he continued. "But, unquestionably, we would all say the mafia boss participated in the hit when the hit happened. Exact same thing happened here."

Connolly made the extended analogy to argue that Fox Corp., the parent company of Fox News, shouldn't escape liability in the case. Smartmatic is suing both companies, along with several hosts, alleging they defamed it when Fox News aired conspiracy theories alleging the election technology company rigged the 2020 election.

At Fox Corp., Rupert Murdoch is the chairman and his son Lachlan is the CEO. But at Fox News, CEO Suzanne Scott and President Jay Wallace are in charge. Connolly argues that the Murdochs had a hand in shaping Fox News' narrative about Smartmatic in the wake of Donald Trump's election loss, which makes the parent company responsible in the case.

"Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch ordered a hit. They saw the ratings take a huge dive, they saw their stock price taking a dive. So Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch said, 'Oh, if we aren't embracing this disinformation, it's going to be a problem,'" Connolly said in court Wednesday.

"So they ordered their lieutenants, Suzanne Scott and Jay Wallace, 'You're taking out Smartmatic, you are embracing this disinformation about voting machines,'" he continued. "And lo and behold, that's exactly what happened."

Erin Murphy, an attorney representing both Fox Corp. and Fox News, argued that it wasn't enough to show that the Murdochs were generally involved in shaping Fox News's editorial coverage.

In order for Fox Corp. to remain a defendant in the case, she said, Smartmatic would have to prove that the Murdochs were specifically talking about Smartmatic when they communicated with top Fox officials about the direction of news coverage.

"It's all a very good story," Murphy said in court Wednesday. "The problem is, they don't actually allege any facts that connect between the vast gulf between saying, 'They should pivot and we should be careful about our messaging,' and then connecting it to, 'And therefore you should say a bunch of things about Smartmatic.'"

Smartmatic says it has evidence of the Murdochs' involvement

Smartmatic initially filed its lawsuit against Fox Corp. and Fox News in 2021, arguing they defamed the company when their hosts allowed Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell  who are also defendants in the case  to spout false conspiracy theories about how Smartmatic rigged the 2020 presidential election against Trump and in favor of now-President Joe Biden.

The network's motivation for pushing those theories, Smartmatic argued, was to fend off competition from the likes of Newsmax, which had more readily embraced those false theories and was, in turn, embraced by Trump, who held powerful sway over the Republican electorate.

"We will be ready to defend this case surrounding extremely newsworthy events when it goes to trial, likely in 2025," a Fox News representative said in a statement. "As our financial expert's report shows and ongoing discovery has since confirmed, Smartmatic's damages claims are implausible, disconnected from reality, and intended to chill vital First Amendment freedoms."

Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch at the US Open. Jean Catuffe/GC Images/Getty Images

Dominion, another election technology company that was the subject of many of the same conspiracy theories, agreed to settle its defamation lawsuit against Fox earlier this year for a historic $787.5 million. Both Smartmatic and Dominion also have pending lawsuits against Newsmax, as well as other right-wing figures and media organizations that pushed false theories.

Fox News has asked New York Supreme Court Justice David B. Cohen, who's overseeing the Smartmatic case, to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing its actions were protected by the First Amendment. Last year, Cohen allowed the case against Fox News to move forward. An appeals court upheld that decision, but said Smartmatic needed to specifically identify who at Fox Corp. played a role in the alleged defamation to keep the parent company involved in the case.

Now, Smartmatic says, it's more clear that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch were involved.

Connolly said they "set in motion" the interviews with Powell and Giuliani that defamed Smartmatic.

"This isn't idle gossip. This isn't just guessing. We have extensive allegations about what they were doing," Connolly said. "We have extensive emails with our discussing that they have a game plan to pivot. The pivot is the disinformation. It's not a coincidence."

Cohen said he would decide whether to dismiss the claims against Fox Corp. at a later date.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Can a smile and a wave really make a positive and lasting impact on passersby? Well, if you read the social media comments mourning the death of Christopher Alan Thomas, the answer certainly is yes.

For years, this retired Harris County resident performed his daily ritual of neighborly bonding: He greeted every vehicle driving by as he sat in a folding chair outside his double-wide, where he lived alone across Fortson Road from Bigham Chapel United Methodist Church.

Thats where family and friends will gather Sept. 21 for his memorial service, starting at 7 p.m., according to the arrangements announced by Cox Funeral Home in his obituary.

Friday morning, someone called 911 after finding Thomas collapsed and unresponsive on the front steps outside his home, Harris County coroner Joe Weldon told the Ledger-Enquirer. Weldon pronounced him dead from natural causes at 11:49 a.m. Thomas was 64.

Heres a sampling of the more than 100 comments posted about Thomas on the Harris County, GA, Chat Facebook page:

We looked forward to seeing him in the mornings and his sweet wave to every car, wrote Melissa Phillips Hall.

It makes my day going by his place Im constantly blowing the air horn in my jeep and wave every single time super cool guy, wrote Brad Davis.

I went that way just so I could see him smile when I beeped and waved. He touched many people sitting out there. Such a nice man, wrote Beth Martin.

Im so sad. He made me smile every day, wrote Karen Norman.

He will be missed. Made lots of friends with just a kind wave. RiP, wrote Heidy E. McConnell.

Its like he was saying goodbye to all of us, people hadnt seen him a few days prior and then hes out the day before he passed to say a final goodbye, DeAnna Wine wrote.

He deserves a statue right off the side of Fortson road, so we can continue waving to him, wrote Troy Moore.

Thomas niece, Lezlie Winters, was thinking about driving from her home in Florida to visit Thomas for his birthday, which would have been Saturday, the day after he died. Now, shes helping plan a different celebration in his honor.

He was a fixture in the community, she told the Ledger-Enquirer. He was a great guy all around, one of the nicest people youd be blessed to have known.

This was the scene Sept. 19 outside the home of Christopher Alan Thomas on Fortson Road in Harris County, where mourners left tributes to the man who sat in that folding chair to smile and wave to passersby each day. Thomas died Sept. 15. He was 64.

Who was Christopher Alan Thomas?

Thomas was born in Columbus and served in the U.S. Army for nine years, rising to the rank of sergeant.

After leaving the military, Thomas drove concrete mixer trucks for several companies.

In retirement, along with smiling and waving at passersby, his daily routine included walking 2 miles each way to the Chevron on Route 315 to hang out with his buddies.

He rode horses. He participated in Civil War reenactments. He smoked Marlboros and drank Coca-Cola. He watched the Georgia Bulldogs and NASCAR.

His favorite saying was, The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.

He just loved life, Winters said.  He had a strong love for the community, and the community had a strong love for him. I and the rest of my family, were extremely grateful for everything and everyone. Its just beyond words.

Thomas also is survived by his sister, Barbara, and two nephews, Stefan and Jacob.

Tuesday, although Thomas was gone, that folding chair outside his home still was occupied  full of various tributes, as was the chain-link fence. Flowers, cards, notes and miniature American flags expressed appreciation.

Its beautiful to know that he had such a strong touch on everybodys life, Winters said. Everybody is leaving this bright, colorful stuff because he brightened their day.

Winters wasnt aware of any health problems Thomas might have had.

He was kind of private, she said. He didnt want to worry us.

Thomas will be buried in the church graveyard across from his home, joining his mother and brother there.

Winters welcomes anyone connected to Thomas to attend his memorial service, especially the countless passersby who benefited from his daily smiles and waves.

The more the merrier, she said.  You never really know how much a small gesture could bring. You never know what type of day they are having and how impactful it can be.

Folks who drove by the home of Christopher Alan Thomas have a good idea.
The Army will deploy units from the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division to Europe later this fall, service officials announced Wednesday afternoon.

The deployments are one-for-one replacements of teams already stationed across the continent to enhance deterrence against Russian military aggression beyond Ukraine.

Around 200 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne, based out of Fort Liberty, North Carolina, will relieve personnel from Fort Drum, New Yorks 10th Mountain Division. The 10th Mountain troops have cycled through postings across Eastern Europe this month and are currently preparing for joint exercises with the Romanian military.

Roughly 3,400 soldiers from the 101st Airbornes 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, based out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, will replace the divisions 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Brigade will fan out across Eastern Europe to join various other units currently reinforcing NATOs Eastern Flank, according to a division press release. The first brigade is approaching the seventh month of a nine-month deployment to the region supporting an ongoing mission to bolster Europes defensive posture and deter potential adversaries, like Russia. The announcement marks the latest in a string of deployments to Eastern Europe since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The mission to reinforce our NATO partners remains vital to maintaining security on the European continent, Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia said. I am confident the Rakkasans of 3rd Brigade will continue to represent our division with distinction alongside our European allies and partners.

The Armys third infantry division assumed command of the branchs Poland task force earlier this month. Around 4,500 3rd division troops are slated to be deployed across the continent in support of European Assure.
Composers and songwriters are heading to Washington to speak with lawmakers about putting in place protections for creators amid the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Around 30 members of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) will meet with members of Congress Thursday to talk about the threats AI is already posing to the industry as part of the organizations Stand with Songwriters advocacy day.

Were in the midst of this. This is a situation that has to be dealt with, and its moving so quickly, ASCAP President Paul Williams told The Hill.

To match the quickly innovating world of AI, Congress must also act fast, Williams said.

We need to have an awareness of our needs. Were protecting the lives and livelihoods of almost a million members, and across the board and the music industry this is a tsunami of problems to be dealt with. And we need the assistance from legislators, he said.

Ahead of Thursdays push on the Hill, several ASCAP members will perform Wednesday night at a We Write the Songs concert at the Library of Congress. The annual event is returning for the first time since 2019.

The concert will feature performances across genres from R&B and pop songwriting duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, producer and songwriter Jermaine Dupri, pop songwriter Madison Love, Broadway and screen songwriting duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and contemporary Christian artist Matthew West.

The performers will be introduced by Reps. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) and Ben Cline (R-Va.).

The lobbying push from ASCAP comes as lawmakers race toward regulation on AI on a wide range of topics, from copyright protection to national security. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing in June on intellectual property concerns stemming from AI, one of several hearings on risks and benefits of the technology.

Last week, the Senate convened a forum with civil rights leaders and tech CEOs to discuss the wide range of risks and benefits associated with the technology.

Some legislative proposals have emerged, but so far, the new rules of the road set by the federal government on AI have been through voluntary commitments from companies.

During conversations on the Hill Thursday, Williams said ASCAP members will discuss the organizations six guiding principles on AI protections: human creators first, transparency, consent, compensation, credit and global consistency.

ASCAP is definitely not anti-tech, Williams said, but he added that protections are needed to help create an even playing field.

Were in a world thats becoming more and more automated, he added. There actually is no voice of AI because all of culture has been usurped.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A South Carolina city earned a nod for its food scene  and no, it wasnt Charleston.

Greenville ranks as the Souths No. 1 retirement destination for food lovers, according to results published Tuesday, Sept. 19.

To determine the top places for retirees to live, Southern Living magazine said it worked with the financial website Investopedia to evaluate 41 cities. In March, those cities had been named among The Souths Best, a distinction for places that received nominations from editors and rose to the top after thousands of magazine readers completed a survey.

The final list of Best Places to Retire was chosen based on how each city or town compared to the U.S. as a whole on a variety of economic and lifestyle criteria including: home and rental affordability, average resident age, unemployment, best industries for jobs and wages, prevalence of restaurants, hospitals, and colleges, Southern Living wrote in its new report.

Why does Greenville rank No. 1 for retirees?

Among the 12 retirement-related categories considered, Greenville reigned supreme when it came to food. Southern Living gave the city of about 72,000 people a nod for having restaurants that serve regional classics and local specialties.

Its all good, and area chefs and restaurants have the James Beard Award recognition to prove it, the magazine said.

In addition to highlighting Greenvilles top-tier dining spots, Southern Living praised the city for its food festivals. There also are classes and volunteer opportunities to help people stay active during retirement.

We chose Greenville partly for the climate  a May snowfall in Des Moines sent us looking to the South, Scott Butler told the magazine. Every time we go on a trip, it just feels so good to come back here.

Greenville ranks among the regions best places for people dreaming of retirement to call home.

The results come after another South Carolina destination repeatedly received praise as a top place to eat a meal.

This year, Charlestons dining scene ranked on national lists from Tripadvisor and Food & Wine. And when it comes to retirement, the popular tourist town also was named one of the best U.S. places for older adults to settle down.

But Greenville has made its mark, too, recently ranking among the nations top cities to visit this fall. Greenville County also was named the No. 1 place to live in South Carolina, McClatchy News reported.

On the Southern Living list, Chattanooga, Tennessee, ranked as the best all around retirement destination. Other categories included the best places for cities, outdoors, nature, beaches, mountains, healthy living, affordability, lifelong learning, home buying, and arts and culture.

Southern Living only published one top winner in each category, and no others were from South Carolina. In an email to McClatchy News, the magazine said the rankings focused on 17 states in the Southeastern part of the country.

This barbecue joint was named the best in South Carolina. What makes it so special?

This hotel in a SC tourist town ranks as one of nations best. Why people love it
In April, five women lawmakers from South Carolina made national headlines when they filibustered a proposed total abortion ban in the state Senate. They called themselves the Sister Senators and people heaped praise on the bipartisan group. And on Tuesday, it was announced that theyll receive the 2023 John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Profile in Courage award. Except two of them previously voted for a six-week abortion ban, Senate Bill 474, that is currently in effect and has dealt yet another blow to access across the South.

State Senators Penry Gustafson (R), Margie Bright Matthews (D), Mia McLeod (I), Sandy Senn (R), and Katrina Shealy (R) got national TV interviews and were hailed as The Unexpected Women Blocking South Carolinas Near-Total Abortion Ban by the New York Times. But almost all of the coverage glossed over the fact that just months before, in February, Republicans Gustafson and Shealy voted for an earlier version of S.B. 474 to ban abortion at six weeksmeaning two weeks after a missed period if someones periods are regular, and thats a big if.

Read more

But here is the website of the JFK Library, ignoring those earlier February votes:

Weeks later, when the governor called the South Carolina legislature into a special session to further curtail abortion rights, the Sister Senators remained in alliance and stood strong in opposition to a measure banning most abortions at the 6th week of pregnancy. Despite their efforts, that legislation was eventually passed into law.

When reached for comment by Jezebel, a spokesperson for the JFK Library Foundation said, While both Senators Shealy and Gustafson originally voted for S. 474, after the House amended it, the five Senators stuck together and voted against the final version of the bill. The spokesperson continued, We celebrate the courage of these five women to come together and take a stand for abortion rights despite different political backgrounds and views on the issue.

The JFK Library Foundation announced the women as the recipients on Tuesday, complete with Caroline Kennedy and her son, Jack Schlossberg, appearing on the Today Show. The ceremony isnt until October 29, which means theres still time to rescind the award for so-called courage from these two women.

More from Jezebel

Sign up for Jezebel's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster walks off the stage during a rally with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Florence Regional Airport on March 12, 2022 in Florence, South Carolina. The visit by Trump is his first rally in South Carolina since his election loss in 2020 (Getty Images)

South Carolina officials say the state has obtained drugs to carry out executions by lethal injections after a pause of 12 years.

The state went more than a decade without being able to buy the necessary drugs from pharmaceutical companies and has not carried out an execution since 2011.

Justice has been delayed for too long in South Carolina, said Governor Henry McMaster. This filing brings our state one step closer to being able to once again carry out the rule of law and bring grieving families and loved ones the closure they are rightfully owed.

Officials at the South Carolina Department of Corrections say they made more than 1,300 contacts in search of lethal injection drugs, according to the governor.

The state did not say where they had procured the drug.

South Carolinas 12-year hiatus on executions came after the lethal injection drug they used expired in 2013.

The states execution default is the electric chair but allows death row inmates to choose a firing squad or lethal injection.

The SCDC says that it has 34 inmates on death row, but did not specify if any would choose lethal injection.

Governor McMasters announcement that executions can resume in South Carolina has little to do with justice. No matter the method, South Carolinas system of capital punishment is broken, said Jace Woodrum, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina.
FRAMINGHAM  A major breakthrough in the city's ability to handle the ongoing migrant crisis took place last week, as it now has a emergency care provider for families staying at two hotels.

The South Middlesex Opportunity Council is handling all food and services for the homeless population that is staying at the two unnamed hotels, having taken over from the city last week.

Since July, more than 130 homeless individuals have been moved into Framingham hotels. Many of them are ethnic Haitians who are seeking asylum in Massachusetts due to ongoing violence in their native country. Because they have been granted asylum in the state, the migrants need to have housing provided, due to a state law that mandates the state provide housing to all homeless families that have at least one child under age 21.

Due to more homeless families coming into the state, the state's emergency housing system has been overwhelmed, leading to state officials placing large populations of migrant families in hotels, spread throughout the commonwealth.

'Lack of communication': Framingham reports about 40 Haitian migrants are staying in a city hotel

During a Sept. 5 City Council meeting, Mayor Charlie Sisitsky said the city has had to scramble to provide some level of care and resources to the migrants, who had recently been placed in Framingham and had received little support from the state beyond basic shelter.

City struggled to consistently deliver food to migrants

As you know, we have migrant families staying at three different hotels in the city," the mayor said at the time. "One of the hotels we have an emergency organization agency that is handling the overall program for the state, and the city has no role in running that program at all. Unfortunately the state has not provided an emergency organization yet for the two (other) hotels, so we have been struggling to coordinate the volunteers who are providing the services and goods.

Sisitsky also reported during the Sept. 5 meeting that while the city originally had two companies providing food for families, balancing deliveries was tedious. The state has since hired a catering company from East Boston to provide meals. But the mayor said there are still issues in getting food to families consistently and on a timely basis.

So far it has not been very successful, Sisitsky said at the time. There have been some problems with food delivery and food distribution.

A key issue in Framingham was the lack of an emergency organization to handle things such as meal provision and other social services that migrants need. While Jewish Family Services of Metrowest is handling migrants at one hotel, the state had not provided an emergency provider for those staying at the two others.

'Looking for work': Why employment for asylum-seeking refugees is a long road in Mass.

On Sept. 5, Sisitsky said that SMOC, which has served as an emergency provider for migrants in Marlborough and other MetroWest communities, has registered with the state to be a provider for additional migrants in Framingham.

Last week, Framingham Public Information Officer Susan Petroni confirmed that SMOC was overseeing all services that had previously been handled by the city, having officially taken over on Sept. 8.

The mayor (and I) are grateful to all the organizations who worked with the City of Framingham on the Mayors task force to provide basic humanitarian needs for these families for the 25 days until SMOC took over," said Petroni, who has been working as an emergency coordinator for the hotels. "Many of these organizations in Framingham and MetroWest are continuing to provide services.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: SMOC is second emergency provider for Haitian migrants in Framingham
Following the most recent meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format), Spain will deliver another package of military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Spanish Defense Ministry announced on Sept. 19.

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles welcomed the new Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov and noted the "excellent level of cooperation" with his predecessor, Oleksii Reznikov. She announced the transfer of new armored personnel carriers, inflatable boats, missile launchers, anti-air missiles, ambulances, and other equipment to Ukraine.

Read also: Spanish director of NGO aiding Ukraine and Canadian volunteer killed in Russian shelling

The minister also noted the progress in training Ukrainian servicemen in Spain and informed that about 4,000 troops will undergo training  twice as many as Madrid originally planned. Also, Spain will be offering additional courses for Ukraine's defenders.

Read also: How defense minister Umerov begins to reform his department  expert interview

Robles stated that Ukraines Armed Forces can count on her country's constant support.

The Sept. 19 Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, held at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, was the first one for Ukraines newly-appointed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

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
Latinos in the United States have a complicated relationship with the Spanish language.

While the language can be a unifying force and even a competitive advantage, its also a source of tension, particularly among immigrant generations, according to a report released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center.

The report found that most Hispanics in the U.S. speak Spanish, with 75 percent of adults reporting they can carry on a conversation in Spanish, both understanding and speaking, at least pretty well.

Foreign-born Hispanics are more likely to have Spanish as a first language, and 93 percent of them speak it.

Though 57 percent of U.S.-born Hispanics speak the language, the children and grandchildren of immigrants report speaking Spanish at a lesser rate: 69 percent of second-generation Latino immigrants speak Spanish, and only 34 percent of third-generation immigrants speak the language.

Theres tension among Latinos  on the one hand, the U.S.-born are not necessarily growing up speaking Spanish like their parents did, but they also have a great sense of pride about the importance of the Spanish language, said Mark Hugo Lopez, director of race and ethnicity research at Pew and one of the co-authors of the report.

A broad majority of Latinos say its not necessary to speak Spanish to hold a Latino identity: 78 percent disagree that the language and identity are linked, while 21 percent say they are.

Foreign-born Latinos are the most likely to link identity and language, and even in that group, only 34 percent say speaking Spanish is a prerequisite for Hispanic identity.

Yet many Spanish speakers use bilingualism or Spanish-dominance as a cudgel against non-Spanish speakers.

The survey found 54 percent of Hispanics who dont speak Spanish well have at some point been shamed by Spanish speakers for their language skills.

Spanish-shaming is more or less stable generationally, but 61 percent of college graduates who dont speak Spanish reported being showed up by their peers.

The survey also reported a majority of Latinos have sometimes or often heard their friends and family make fun of other Latinos who do not speak Spanish.

Among all Latinos surveyed, 40 percent said they often witnessed friends and family mocking or commenting on third-parties use of the language, 29 percent said they sometimes witnessed mocking, and 30 percent said they rarely or never witnessed language shaming.

Shaming was most prevalent among younger Latinos  50 percent of respondents aged 18-29 reported often witnessing mocking  and among bilingual Latinos, 47 percent of whom reported witnessing shaming regularly.

Those trends reflect a complex web of migration, centuries-old Southwestern Hispanic identity, elitism in Latin America and competition among Latin American nations.

Language chauvinism is prevalent in Latin America and Spain, where comparisons of linguistic purity or quality in the larger Spanish-speaking countries are common.

That hispanophone elitism has historically been used to demean U.S. Latinos, in particular by Mexican nationals against Mexican-Americans.

That tension, in conjunction with U.S. attitudes toward Spanish speakers, was likely a disincentive for Spanish-language instruction in the United States through the 20th century.

Whether bilingualism has faced a resurgence or whether it endured under-the-radar among U.S. Latinos, the Pew survey found that 85 percent of Hispanics say its somewhat, very or extremely important that future generations keep up their language skills.

While we do see that about half of non-Spanish speaking Latinos are shamed for not speaking Spanish, we also do see that a large majority  in fact, I might even say a vast majority of Latinos, no matter their language skill, say that its important that future generations of Latinos speak Spanish in the country, said Lopez.

However, at the same time we also see that the majority of Latinos say that you dont have to speak Spanish to be considered Hispanic.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
At least 20 teenage girls said they saw AI-generated naked photos of themselves, per Spanish media.

An investigation is underway after parents filed complaints, according to El Pais.

Spreading such photos is punishable by up to nine years in prison, a Spanish lawyer said.

Teenage girls in Spain are seeing AI-generated nudes of themselves spreading on social media, according to Spanish media reports.

Isabel, 14, whose name was changed at her mother's request, told the Spanish newspaper El Pais that AI-generated naked photos of her were being passed around her school, and had become the center of discussion among students.

One boy even came up to her and told her: "I saw a naked photo of you," she told the newspaper.

The 14-year-old is one of at least 20 teenage girls from the town of Almendralejo who have seen AI-generated naked photos of themselves spread on social media, according to Spanish media.

The mothers of the girls learned about the growing number of cases after calling each other and sharing their stories in a WhatsApp group that one of them created.

As of Monday, at least seven people had filed complaints with the local police, per El Pais.

The local Juvenile Prosecutor's Office has now launched an investigation and identified several alleged perpetrators, local police sources told the newspaper.

The local Juvenile Prosecutor's Office didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comments.

Fatima Gomez, the mother of one 12-year-old girl, told the regional broadcaster Canal Extremadura that she filed a complaint last Friday after discovering photos online.

Gomez said a boy sent her daughter an AI-generated naked photo of herself on Instagram after she refused to give him money, per the regional broadcaster.

Her daughter blocked the boy's profile, which the local police believe could be a fake, she told the broadcaster.

Miriam Al Adib, a mother of four teenage daughters, told El Pais that her "heart skipped a beat" when her 14-year-old daughter showed her an AI-generated photo of her.

"If I didn't know my daughter's body, this photo looks real," she told the Spanish newspaper.

In an Instagram video, Al Adib said police told her that the perpetrators may have uploaded the photos onto OnlyFans or child pornographic sites.

"This, girls, won't be tolerated. STOP THIS NOW. Girls, don't be afraid to report such acts. Tell your mothers. Affected mothers, tell me, so that you can be in the group that we created," she said, according to the El Pais translation.

A picture of one of the girls reportedly had the fly logo of the AI-powered app ClothOff. The company's website says it "undresses anybody with our free service," per the newspaper.

ClothOff didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Its website says it doesn't take any responsibility for images created using its site.

Under Spain's Criminal Code, the sale, distribution, exhibition, provision, and facilitation of child pornographic material are punishable by up to nine years in prison.

AI-generated images fall under this legislation, Fernando Cumbres, a lawyer specializing in criminal, family, civil, and administrative law, told Canal Extremadura.

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON  House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday signaled that when he meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week he wants to understand the U.S. ally's plan for defeating Russia.

"I think a lot of people have the question ... whats the strategy to win? Accountability, they want to make sure the resources are going to the right place," McCarthy, R-Calif., told reporters about skepticism among House Republicans about continuing to provide aid to Ukraine more than 18 months after the conflict started.

McCarthy and other congressional leaders from both parties are expected to meet with Zelenskyy on Capitol Hill on Thursday. Zelenskyy came to the U.S. this week to deliver a speech at the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Many GOP lawmakers  especially close allies of former President Donald Trump, a harsh critic of the Biden administration's support of Zelenskyy during the conflict  have questioned the need to provide further U.S. assistance to Ukraine. McCarthy said before last November's election that a GOP-controlled Congress would not give a "blank check" to Ukraine.

Image: (Eduardo Munoz / Pool via AP)

Funding for Ukraine has become a major sticking point in congressional negotiations over funding the government beyond a Sept. 30 deadline. House Republicans released a short-term spending bill on Sunday that did not include aid to Ukraine that the White House and Democratic lawmakers are seeking.

In order to avoid a government shutdown in October, the House and Senate will need to pass the same funding bill. The Senate is controlled by Democrats, who will need some GOP support for the eventual legislation.

When asked Tuesday whether he would commit to giving Ukraine another round of aid, McCarthy told reporters: "Is Zelenskyy elected to Congress? Is he our president? I dont think I have to commit anything and I think I have questions for him."

"Wheres the accountability on the money weve already spent? What is the plan for victory? I think thats what the American public wants to know," he said.

The U.S. has committed $113 billion in various forms of aid and military assistance to Ukraine since last year.

On the other side of the Capitol, a number of Senate Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, support continued funding for Ukraine and believe that it's critical to defeating Russia.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ST. LUCIE COUNTY  A deputy was suspended two days without pay after being arrested in May on a DUI charge, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office.

Deputy Nicholas Colangelo, 25, was arrested in the early morning hours of May 8 by Port St. Lucie police on the misdemeanor DUI charge after a traffic stop in the area of Southwest Village Parkway and Southwest Meeting Street, an arrest affidavit states.

Colangelo, a court services deputy, was off-duty at the time, records show.

Police reported Colangelos vehicle, a pickup, was swerving between lane markers and aggressively switching lanes.

A police officer reported Colangelos speech was slurred and he appeared to stumble while walking to an area to perform field sobriety exercises.

Colangelo, who declined to submit to a breath test, was arrested after performing the exercises.

He later told sheriffs officials he had worked a full shift and went to work out before going to a restaurant and having a few drinks.

A report regarding the sheriff's internal affairs investigation into the incident was released earlier this month.

Colangelo was found to have violated a policy rule by being arrested, and received an unpaid, two-day suspension, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Development, growth tax police: Fort Pierce Police working to address it

'Right wing came off': Account from survivor of deadly plane crash in St. Lucie County in NTSB report

Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on X @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: Deputy Nicholas Colangelo arrested in May on DUI and later suspended
A high-ranking official with the Los Angeles Police Department has been placed on administrative leave after allegations he used an Apple AirTag to stalk another officer he was allegedly in a romantic relationship with, according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.

The officer who made the allegations against LAPDs Assistant Chief Al Labrada said she found the tracking device in a waterproof Pelican box inside of her vehicle and that the device was traced back to his city-issued smartphone.

She filed a report about the tracking device with the Ontario Police Department on Sept. 7.

Labradas cell phone was reportedly confiscated shortly after the report was filed, with the officer also reporting the incident to internal affairs and the inspector general.

We deny all of those allegations, Jeremy Tissot, Labradas attorney, said at the time. Those are false allegations, and we fully expect Mr. Labraba will be vindicated.

Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief, Al Labrada, is under investigation after being accused of stalking a female officer while they were romantically involved. (LAPD)

Labrada, the highest-ranking Latino in the department, joined the LAPD in 1993 and is one of three assistant chiefs who report directly to Chief Michel Moore. When Moore travels, Labrada, at times, has acted as chief in his place.

The announcement about Labrada being placed on administrative leave came at Tuesdays meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners, the departments oversight body.

Chief Moore told the commission that while he is taking the allegations seriously, he was limited in what he could say about the issue.

We will continue to cooperate with the outside agency as they continue their investigation, as well as conduct our internal investigation, Moore said, according to the Times. That means consequences should these allegations prove to be true.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
FILE - People walk on the Stanford University campus beneath Hoover Tower, March 14, 2019, in Stanford, Calif. Following a lawsuit filed Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, that alleges Stanford University received millions of dollars in donations from FTX Trading, the school said Wednesday, Sept. 20, that it will return the funds of all gifts collected from the now-collapsed cryptocurrency exchange. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  Following a lawsuit against FTX Trading founder Sam Bankman-Fried's parents alleging that Stanford University received millions of dollars in donations from the now-collapsed cryptocurrency exchange, the school says it will return the funds of all gifts collected from FTX and related companies.

Lawyers for FTX on Monday accused Allan Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried of exploiting their influence over their son to siphon millions from the company, while spending lavishly on a luxury home as well as funneling contributions to pet causes  and Stanford University.

The suit claims that Bankman, who is a Stanford law professor and expert in tax law, directed more than $5.5 million in charitable contributions from FTX to the university  in what the complaint describes as naked self-dealing in an attempt to curry favor with and enrich his employer at the FTX Groups expense.

In a statement sent to The Associated Press on Wednesday, a university spokesperson said that Stanford received gifts from the FTX Foundation and FTX-related companies largely for pandemic-related prevention and research.

Stanford is in discussions with attorneys for FTX debtors to recover the gifts, the spokesperson added, and "will be returning the funds in their entirety. The university did not specify the monetary value of the gifts it received.

Like Bankman, Fried worked at Stanford for many years. She's a retired law professor.

FTX entered bankruptcy in November when the company ran out of money after the equivalent of a bank run. Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to charges that he cheated investors and looted customer deposits to make lavish real estate purchases, campaign contributions to politicians, and risky trades at his cryptocurrency hedge fund trading firm Alameda Research.

Monday's complaint, filed in the company's bankruptcy case in Delaware, accuses Bankman-Fried's parents of participating in the wrongdoing that led to FTX's collapse  writing that, in addition to the couple draining millions from FTX for personal interests, Bankman played a key role in perpetuating this culture of misrepresentations and gross mismanagement and helped cover up allegations that would have exposed the fraud committed by the FTX insiders.

Attorneys for Bankman and Fried issued a statement calling the claims completely false  adding that the lawsuit is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their childs trial begins.

Bankman-Frieds trial on federal fraud charges is scheduled to begin Oct. 3 in New York. Several other former FTX executives have pleaded guilty to fraud and conspiracy charges and are cooperating with investigators.

__________________

AP Reporter Randall Chase contributed to this report from Dover, Delaware.
Stanford University has said it plans to return millions of dollars in gifts it received from FTX.

According to a lawsuit, the university received $5.5 million from the now-bankrupt crypto firm.

Co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried's parents both held teaching roles at the prestigious California university.

Stanford University plans to return millions of dollars in donations it received from the bankrupt crypto exchange FTX and cofounder and CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's parents, according to various reports including from Bloomberg News and CNN .

Bankman-Fried's parents  Allan Joseph Bankman, a Stanford law professor, and Barbara Fried, who was a Stanford law professor but has now retired  have been accused by FTX's lawyers of siphoning "millions of dollars out of the FTX Group for their own personal benefit and their chosen pet causes," according to a lawsuit.

The lawsuit states that Bankman donated over $5.5 million from FTX to Stanford University in an effort to "curry favor with and enrich his employer at the FTX Group's expense."

A spokesperson for Stanford University responded to the lawsuit in an emailed statement to Insider: "Stanford received gifts from the FTX Foundation and FTX-related companies largely for pandemic-related prevention and research."

They added: "We have been in discussions with attorneys for the FTX debtors to recover these gifts and we will be returning the funds in their entirety."

Stanford did not disclose the exact amount it received from FTX.

Bankman and Fried were also accused of splashing out $18.9 million of FTX funds on a 30,000-square-foot luxury house in the Bahamas which was then furnished and maintained using a further $90,000 from FTX.

FTX Group and Bankman-Fried's trading firm Alameda Research filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2022, and Bankman-Fried resigned from his role as CEO on the same day. FTX's collapse exposed that Bankman-Fried was funneling billions of dollars of customer funds to prop up Alameda Research.

The disgraced founder has since pleaded not guilty to eight criminal charges including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and is now being held at a Brooklyn jail notorious for its poor conditions.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Regulators have revealed when they expect to approve a launch license to SpaceX for the next major flight test of its Starship rocket.

The head of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) commercial space division said a mishap investigation from the last test in April had been concluded and a license would likely be granted somewhere in mid to late October, assuming SpaceX make the necessary changes.

Starship is the biggest rocket ever built, measuring 394 feet (120 metres) and capable of producing 5,000 metric tons of thrust, however it is yet to make it to orbit.

An attempt on 20 April, 2023, saw it blow up just over three minutes into a 90 minute flight. The debris that came down in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as from the destroyed launchpad in Texas, became the subject of an FAA investigation.

The federal agency said SpaceX would need to take 63 corrective actions before another launch license is approved.

SpaceXs next-generation Starship spacecraft explodes after its launch (Reuters)

Kevin Coleman, the FAAs associate administrator for commercial space transportation, told SpaceNews this week that 27 of the 63 corrective actions are related to public safety.

So one thing that well need to see before the next operation is evidence that shows that the company has closed out the corrective actions that are specifically tied to public safety, he said.

Were on a pretty good schedule. It probably set us somewhere in mid to late October for conclusion of the safety review.

A separate environmental review from the US Fish and Wildlife Service is also required in order to comply with the Endangered Species Act, though Mr Coleman said he hoped it would be wrapped up by the time the safety review is complete.

Earlier this month, SpaceX boss Elon Musk said Starship is ready to launch after it was pictured on the launchpad of the firms Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

The tech billionaire plans to build hundreds of the rockets in order to establish a permanent human colony on Mars before 2050.

SpaceX has already secured a multi-billion dollar contract with Nasa to develop the craft for use in the US space agencys Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the surface of the Moon this decade.
The former head of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Tiffany Carr, was arrested Monday on criminal corruption charges accusing her of defrauding the state of $3.4 million, using government funds provided through grants to help fund domestic violence shelters across Florida.

Carr turned herself in to the Jackson County Sheriffs Office in North Carolina, was released on $1 million bond, but law enforcement officials said she was not extradited to Leon County because she cited a medical condition that prevented that. Np further details about her arrest were available.

Her arrest came nearly a week after Patricia Duarte, 57, the former chief financial officer, turned herself in to Leon County authorities on the same charges. Duarte is accused of receiving $291,000 on excessive compensation as a result of the scheme.

In the probable cause affidavit for the two women, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement spells out a scheme in which they would create false positions on the books, credit the empty positions with high salaries, file false quarterly reports, and receive thousands of dollars in over payments from the Florida Department of Children and Families. The state agency contracted with the defunct organization for services at Floridas 42 domestic violence shelters.

Carr, 54, and Duarte would then obtain the funds by receiving large amounts of paid time off in conjunction with their annual performance reviews, as well as annual raises and bonuses, the affidavit said. Carrs performance review was conducted by a hand-picked board of shelter operators whose organizations received funds from FCADV. Carr would conduct Duartes annual performance review.

Investigators found that between 2013 and 2020, Carr was awarded 2,382 days (about 6.5 years) of paid time off by the executive committee that when cashed out gave her a total of $3.4 million in excessive funds, the affidavit said. Duarte received 575 days of PTO, which cashed out at $291,387.

Agents with FDLEs Office of Executive Investigations interviewed the members of the FCADV Executive Committee and each explained that the committee provided Tiffany Carr with PTO awards during her annual evaluations because Carr advised them she had a brain tumor and would need large amounts of time off for treatment and potentially brain surgery which would require Carr to miss up to one year of work.

They also said the documents they were provided appeared to indicate the funds from her compensation had come from private funds, not DCF.

The board members told FDLE they never saw any documentation from Carr confirming her tumor diagnosis and that at the time there was no reason to doubt Carrs claim. One board member even volunteered to take Carr to her treatments at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, but Carr declined the help.

Most members also told OEI Inspectors that they felt like Carr manipulated them, the probable cause affidavit said.

They explained that in hindsight, they found that Carr would say negative things about people seeking to get on FCADVs board of directors to spread distrust of that individual among existing board members.

Records obtained by the Herald/Times and reviewed by the Florida House Public Integrity and Ethics Committee showed that Carr, who resigned from the organization in November 2019 citing health problems, was paid $7.5 million over three years.

Investigating since 2021

The case has been under investigation by FDLE since 2021, after inspectors received information from the Florida Office of the Chief Inspector General, the Department of Children and Families and the Florida House of Representatives. It will be prosecuted by Attorney General Ashley Moodys Office of Statewide Prosecution.

Duarte and the coalitions former chief operating officer Sandra Barnett were ordered to pay $60,000 in a settlement agreement reached with the the state in 2021. As part of that settlement, Carr was ordered to pay $2.1 million.

These officials were entrusted to run an organization to assist those seeking a safe haven from abuse. Instead of ensuring state funds went to help those in need, they schemed together to steal more than $3.7 million for grossly inflated salaries and vacations, Moody said in a statement on Sept. 21.

The investigations were announced after a series of stories by the Miami Herald and the Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau over 18 months revealed how Carr used her tight control of the coalition to inflate her compensation, all while domestic violence victims across the state were denied services.

READ MORE: Thats ... ridiculous. Florida domestic violence chief is paid $761,000 a year.

Tiffany Carr  shown during a 2004 visit to a Hollywood nail salon where she spoke on domestic violence  was the longtime CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

As the nations largest domestic violence coalition, the FCADV served as the sole clearinghouse for about $52 million annually in state and federal domestic violence funds that flowed to local Florida agencies that provided shelter, support and care for victims of domestic violence. Carr, who was the organizations longest-serving CEO, earned a reputation as a crusader against domestic violence and an advocate for victims.

Under her direction, FCADV had enormous political access, even securing special protected status in state statute, but as she was padding her salary, the 42 domestic violence centers across the state struggled to stay afloat financially.

After Carr resigned, she took a contract with FCADV as a paid consultant. Documents obtained by the Herald/Times revealed that the board of directors  all hand selected by Carr  allowed her to accumulate exorbitant amounts of paid time off, which she cashed out in massive amounts over three years.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis listens to Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody during a press conference in Orlando on Aug. 26, 2021.

Scouring property records in Florida and North Carolina, the Herald/Times also revealed that Carr used the proceeds of her compensation to purchase three homes, while selling another to one of the organizations board members.

READ MORE: Was nonprofit CEO at home in $2M mountain retreat? We rang the bell. No one answered.

After the Herald first reported Carrs lucrative salary in July 2018, the Department of Children and Families ordered an audit in 2019, but FCADV refused to cooperate.

The Public Integrity and Ethics Committee of the Florida House of Representatives launched its own investigation in 2020. It voted to subpoena Carr, as well as 14 executives and board members of the coalition, and asked for the boards resignation.

Pati Duarte, chief financial officer of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, testifying before the Florida House Ethics Committee on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020.

CEO cashed out more than $4 million in time off

Documents obtained by the committee and investigated by the Herald/Times revealed that the coalitions compensation committee, comprised of shelter operators and friends of Carr, agreed to pad her salary with bonuses and more than $3 million in paid time off.

Other records showed that the FCADV staff and board sought to justify Carrs compensation by comparing her salary to CEOs at other non-profit agencies, then backdating and forging documents to support their position.

Patricia Duarte, the former chief financial officer of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, was arrested on theft and fraud charges Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Tallahassee, for her role in scheme that paid her and her former boss, Tiffany Carr, millions in excessive compensation.

Carr evaded the House subpoenas by living in one of her homes, a $3.4 million estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Florida officials couldnt reach her because she remained out of state.

After the House investigation in 2020, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1087 into law, which severed the state contract with FCADV. The coalition was then ordered dissolved by Leon County Circuit Court Judge Ronald Flury in March 2020, and its operations were transferred to the Department of Children and Families. Flury appointed a receiver to access the funds from the centers non-profit foundation.

Settlement recovers $5 million

In August 2021, Moody and DeSantis announced they had reached a settlement with Carr, the coalitions former employees and their insurers to recover $5 million of the $7.5 million Carr had been paid. The money was paid to the Florida Department of Children and Families and a court-appointed receiver.

The settlement resolved two lawsuits that accused Carr and the others of defrauding the state and federal government.

READ MORE: State takes two legal shots at embattled nonprofit and ex-CEO to recover cash, records

Non-profit organizations exist to improve the lives of others, but during our investigation, it became clear the only thing these FCADV executives were serving were each other, FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass said in a statement. Their selfishness and greed came at the expense of domestic violence victims who needed their organization the most. I appreciate the work of our agents and analysts, exploring years of documentation to detail these crimes as well as DCF who assisted on this case.

Chris Kise, attorney for Tiffany Carr, the former CEO of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, looks over a show-cause order passed by the House of Representatives being delivered to him Thursday in Tallahassee by Chris Compton of the Process Service of America.

Carrs attorney, Chris Kise, defended Carrs behavior in 2021, noting that the settlement did not admit any liability. He said that DCF, which had oversight over the coalition, had access to all the organizations certified financial audits, including paid time off provisions. He said DCF never raised a question about the accrual of paid time off, which her contract allowed her to convert into cash.

Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, chair of the House committee that spent several days interviewing former FCADV staff and board members said Thursdays arrest begins the process of closing an ugly chapter in Floridas history.

What these women did is despicable and justice cannot be served until they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Im proud of the work my House colleagues and I did to help bring these two to justice.

This story was updated on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023, to reflect the arrest of Tiffany Carr and add details about the charges against her and Patricia Duarte.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@miamiherald.com and @MaryEllenKlas

Rep. Thomas Leek, R-Ormond Beach.
Our regions ferry woes continued Wednesday when riders on several routes saw delays and cancellations.

Washington State Ferries says there are six boats out of service and have informed lawmakers about the issues.

Officials say there are two major issues impacting the ferry system: the condition of some older vessels, and crew shortages.

Ive run late a couple of times, said ferry rider Brian Moreland.

Ferry riders like Moreland say that over the last few years, the ferry system has become unreliable.

The ferry Walla Walla was taken out of service on Friday when crews found damage to one of its propellers.

Since then, officials say it has been a game of Tetris, reassigning fleets, which has impacted passengers who take the Edmonds-Kingston ferry.

I go to Kingston, I go to work, so time is kind of the essence, said Moreland.

Riders who use the Anacortes-San Juan route agree. They faced cancellations Wednesday due to staffing shortages.

State ferries face two big challenges. One of them is sort of short and medium-term, and that is due to staffing  theres a worldwide shortage. The next issue is vessels. There are only 21 vessels in the fleet, said WSF spokesperson Ian Sterling.

Officials say staffing is easier to address, and that they are working on getting new vessels.

So new boats, yeah, we need them. Were authorized to build five new ones; we need to find a shipbuilder. We havent been able to come to terms with a price thats good for taxpayers, yet once we find that we will get to building, and sometime in the next five years youll see a new boat come on the line, said Sterling.
A 30-year-old migrant farmworker from Mexico died on a North Carolina sweet potato farm this month after fainting and becoming unconscious.

Jose Alberto Gonzalez Mendoza was working on a very hot day at Barnes Farming in Spring Hope the morning of Sept. 5.

Both the days high temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit and the average temperature that day were the highest recorded for a Sept. 5 since 2000, topping the averages by about 9 degrees and 6 degrees, respectively, according to the National Weather Service.

Gonzalez Mendoza had come to work on the farm with a seasonal H-2A visa less than 14 days before his death, according to Barnes Farming.

His death, first reported by WUNC, is being investigated as a possible cardiac arrest by the Nash County Sheriffs Office. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy, according to the Sheriffs Office

The entire Barnes Farming team is deeply saddened by the tragic passing of one of our coworkers. Our hearts and prayers go out to his wife, two children, and family, Barnes Farming said in a statement to The News & Observer.

Our company makes every effort to comply with all regulatory requirements and we follow well-established policies concerning workplace safety and environmental conditions, the statement read.

Reported feeling ill

According to the company, Gonzalez Mendoza felt ill and went to rest on a bus near the field he was working in.

Farm personnel called 911 after checking on him and finding him unconscious, the company said. He died that day, though the company did not say whether he died on the farm or at a hospital.

The Company empowers team members to take breaks when needed, and does not limit these breaks to specific times, Barnes Farming said in response to questions from The N&O.

The farm appropriately shortens shifts based on the weather and provides water to its workers, the farm said through an attorney representing them.

Gonzalez Mendoza was from the state of Guanajuato in Mexico, according to Casa Azul de Wilson, a Latino community nonprofit that organized a GoFundMe fundraiser to help his family return his body to Mexico. It had raised over $10,500 as of Wednesday.

A workers death automatically triggers a weeks- or months-long investigation by the states Occupational Safety and Health Division.

The N.C. Department of Labor confirmed the state is investigating the death and has investigated Barnes Farming before. Those investigations were related to insufficient toilet and handwashing facilities in 2019 and a hazardous chemical issue in March 2020, for which the farm paid fines, according to spokeswoman Erin Wilson.

The N.C. Growers Association is one of the nations biggest users of the H2-A guestworker program, which allows primarily Mexican workers to come harvest North Carolinas biggest crops, including tobacco and sweet potatoes.

An estimated 15,000 people work under the program each year in the state. While it helps migrant laborers support their families back home, the program has been criticized for workplace abuses, sub-standard worker housing, and generally harsh working conditions.

He just passed out

Two 911 calls made before 11 a.m. Sept. 5 cited the heat as a possible factor in Gonzalez Mendozas death.

I have a guy that ... he just passed out, a man reported at 10:42 a.m. Were picking sweet potatoes, and its hot out here.

A second caller minutes later reported a sweet potato harvester with possible heatstroke.

A Sheriffs Office death investigation report requested by The N&O cited the incident under the code CARDIAC OR RESPIRATORY ARREST-HOT without additional details.

Heat-related events are prevalent in the state when outdoor temperatures exceed 95 degrees with high relative humidity, according to a Department of Labor heat stress investigation information sheet.

The heat index in the Spring Hope area was about 84 degrees around 10 a.m. when Gonzalez Mendoza complained about feeling ill, according to State Climate Office records.

Though it was much lower at that time than the 103 degrees later that day at 5 p.m., it had also been very hot the day before when the heat index exceeded 90 degrees from about noon to 8 p.m., topping out at 101.9 around 5 pm.

Theyre out here in the heat

The nonprofit Casa Azul de Wilson has been in touch with many H-2A farmworkers across eastern North Carolina, offering one-time financial assistance.

Theyre out here in the heat hustling, trying to put food on our table, cofounder Elizabeth Herrera said in an interview. A lot of (workers) have spoken out, and say They dont give us enough breaks.

Herrera was in touch with Gonzalez Mendozas brother, also a worker at the same company, who alleged that Gonzalez Mendoza was pushed to work despite feeling unwell and wasnt allowed to rest until it was too late, WUNC reported.

The N&O and McClatchy reported in 2020 that North Carolina law lacks a heat standard that requires companies to give farmworkers and other employees rest and water breaks when temperatures reach certain levels.

Several states across the country including California and Washington have introduced some kind of heat standard.

About 36% of farmworkers in North Carolina have suffered symptoms of heat stress and 67% have reported working in extremely hot temperatures, a 2016 study from Wake Forest University found.
Pennsylvania state police are investigating after several schools in Westmoreland County were emailed bomb threats Wednesday.

According to state police, troopers responded to Derry Area School District, where Explosives Detection Canine teams were requested to conduct protective sweeps of the schools campus.

According to state police, there is no evidence to suggest the threat is credible at this time.

RELATED >> Several local school districts evacuated after bomb threats

State police said the treats are being treated seriously and they have been in communication with the Westmoreland Intermediate Unit and schools throughout the region.

Similar incidents have been recently reported throughout Pennsylvania.

RELATED >> State police investigate bomb threat made against Albert Gallatin Area School District

On Monday, several schools in Washington County were evacuated after they were emailed bomb threats.

Multiple schools were also emailed bomb threats over the weekend, including Albert Gallatin Area School District in Uniontown.

Anyone with information that may assist with these investigations is encouraged to immediately contact their local law enforcement agency and/or state police.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

TRENDING NOW:

15-year-old girl killed in school van crash in Dravosburg Woman accused of running her boyfriend over with a car in Hempfield Township Kraft Heinz is recalling some American cheese slices because the wrappers could pose choking hazard VIDEO: 2 males critically injured in shooting in citys Mount Oliver neighborhood DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
A complex German processing machine used to produce tank shells is en route to Russia, reported the Ukrainian sanctions accountability project, Trap Aggressor.

The CNC lathe, created by the German manufacturing company Spinner, was imported by a Russian company, YUMAK, and transported through Turkey.

Its intended destination is the Russian Serov Mechanical Plant, which produces tank shells and other ammunition.

The information about the machine transfer was verified by Ukraines National Corruption Prevention Agency (NACP), who also reported that they sent a letter to Spinner condemning the transaction and clarifying that it would be used to produce shells used by the Russian military.

Spinner has had an office in Russia since 2011, and continued to supply components for the Russian military industry, including to companies under Ukrainian sanction, after the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

Read also: Investigation: EU inability to ramp up production behind acute ammunition shortages in Ukraine

In 2023, Spinner stopped directly sending military hardware to Russia, and instead went through intermediary countries and companies, which Trap Aggressor alleges is an attempt to disguise their final destination and evade sanctions.

Trap Aggressor alleges that Spinners business dealings with Russia have increased sixfold since 2021.

Despite widespread sanctions against Russias military-industrial complex, Western companies have found ways to bypass them and continue business dealings with Russia.

Trap Aggressor is a project created by the Ukrainian NGO StateWatch, which was created in 2018 to help promote good governance.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
An 11-year-old boy told Miami-Dade detectives that he lost count of the number of times he was sexually assaulted by his now jailed step-grandfather  and police said Wednesday there may be additional possible victims.

The boy said that Javier Martinez, 55, had inappropriate sexual conversations with him, showed him a pornographic video and sexually abused him multiple times during the span of a year as he, his sister and mom lived with the defendant, according to Miami-Dade police.

The child recorded at least one of the sexually explicit conversations where, police say, Matinez can be heard telling the boy in Spanish what hed like to do to him.

The victim disclosed that he has lost count of how many times the defendant had sexually battered him, Martinezs arrest report says.

The report notes Martinez has denied the allegations and told Miami-Dade officers to send me to the electric chair.

Investigators are not discarding the possibility of additional victims, police said Wednesday in a news release.

Martinez was arrested Sept. 8 in his Northwest Miami-Dade home, and has been charged with sexual battery of a minor, molestation of a child and lewd conduct of a child, records show.

He has been denied bond on two charges and remained behind bars at the countys Metrowest Detention Center as of Wednesday afternoon.

His first formal court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 29.

Investigators are urging anyone who has been victimized by Martinez to call the Miami-Dade Police Department, Sexual Crimes Unit at (305) 715-3300.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to anonymously contact Miami-Dade & The Florida Keys Crime Stoppers by dialing 305-471- 8477 or 866-471-8477 or visiting crimestoppersmiami.com.
Stephen Fry has issued a warning against Artificial Intelligence (AI) after discovering that his voice had been impersonated by machine learning.

The 66-year-old actor, author and narrator recently attended the CogX Festival in London where he showed the crowd a clip of his voice narrating a historical documentary.

I said not one word of that  it was a machine, Fry revealed, according to Fortune. Yes, it shocked me. They used my reading of the seven volumes of the Harry Potter books, and from that dataset, an AI of my voice was created and it made that new narration.

He continued: What you heard was not the result of a mash-up. This is from a flexible artificial voice, where the words are modulated to fit the meaning of each sentence. It could therefore have me read anything from a call to storm Parliament to hard porn, all without my knowledge and without my permission. And this, what you just heard, was done without my knowledge.

Fry added: So I heard about this, I sent it to my agents on both sides of the Atlantic, and they went ballistic  they had no idea such a thing was possible.

He cautioned over the technology: Tech is not a noun, it is a verb, it is always moving. What we have now is not what will be. When it comes to AI models, what we have now will advance at a faster rate than any technology we have ever seen. One thing we can all agree on: Its a f***ing weird time to be alive.

AI is among the key issues up for debate between the actors and writers unions in their ongoing strikes against major Hollywood studios.

Stephen Fry (PA)

Over the last decade, AI has found several uses in the movie and television industry, from de-ageing actors, analysing patterns and behaviours of viewers on streaming platforms, bringing back the voices of late actors and even helping stitch together entire movie trailers.

Screenwriters are concerned that AI could be used to create a rough first draft with a few simple prompts and writers may then be hired after this first step to punch such drafts up  albeit at a lower pay rate.

Meanwhile, actors are concerned about the use of their likenesses in screen roles. In a recent interview, Tom Hanks suggested that AI could keep him appearing in films forever.

I can tell you that there [are] discussions going on in all of the guilds, all of the agencies, and all of the legal firms in order to come up with the legal ramifications of my face and my voice  and everybody elses  being our intellectual property, Hanks said.

I could be hit by a bus tomorrow and thats it, but my performances can go on and on and on. Outside of the understanding that its been done by AI or deep fake, therell be nothing to tell you that its not me and me alone, and its going to have some degree of lifelike quality.
Stoke Space successfully landed its reusable second stage rocket system this week, an important demonstration of the company's innovative engineering concepts.

The test, dubbed Hopper2, saw Stoke Space's Hopper launch vehicle lift off about 30 feet off the ground and safely return to the ground, landing in its targeted landing zone after flying for about 15 seconds. The test was meant to demonstrate the soundness of several of the rocket's systems and design elements, including its hydrogen/oxygen engine, coolant-based heat shield and a propulsion system that maneuvers the rocket by throttling its different engines.

Stoke Space is confident that the successful test moves the company towards its goal of developing fully-reusable rockets. "We've also proven that our novel approach to robust and rapidly reusable space vehicles is technically sound, and we've obtained an incredible amount of data that will enable us to confidently evolve the vehicle design from a technology demonstrator to a reliable reusable space vehicle," the company said in a statement .

Related: US Space Force grants 4 companies launch pads at Cape Canaveral

a squat metal cylinder hovers above the ground with a plume of fire beneath it

Among the features tested were the rocket's differential throttle, which is used for attitude control of the vehicle and isn't widely used in the modern space industry, as well as its regeneratively cooled heat shield, which uses pressurized coolant passing through metal pores in the exterior of the rocket to cool its surface during reentry.

The latter is especially interesting since this type of shielding was the type of heat shield that Elon Musk originally wanted for SpaceX's Starship before that plan was abandoned in favor of a more traditional design. While the design has a lot of proponents, no spacecraft has ever attempted reentry into Earth's atmosphere using the design, so it is still unproven.

RELATED STORIES:

 Rocket Lab suffers anomaly during launch, Earth-observation satellite lost

 Polaris Spaceplanes wraps up MIRA-Light prototype flight tests

 Artemis 3 rocket hardware arrives in Florida for crewed moon mission

Still, Stoke Space says that "although this vehicle didn't directly experience the heat from hypersonic atmospheric re-entry, it has successfully operated at 100% of the expected heat load in a simulated environment."

While the test of the second stage rocket has been a success, Stoke Space has a way to go before reaching its goal of building a 100% reusable rocket with a turnaround time of just 24 hours. Still, the company says it is encouraged by the results so far, and will now turn its attention to developing a reusable first stage rocket.
DELRAY BEACH  Using a postal key stolen from a mail carrier, five Delray Beach men gained access to locked mailboxes across Palm Beach County to commit thousands of thefts of money, personal information and even firearms, city police said in announcing their arrests this month.

Investigators said the men used the key to steal checks from the mailboxes, then altered them or used them as templates to print counterfeit ones that were deposited into people's bank accounts.

A search of the men's residences revealed more than 2,000 stolen checks, more than 200 fraudulent bank accounts the men had created and five stolen firearms, according to a statement Delray Beach police released last week.

The arrests come amid rising reports of robberies of mail carriers nationwide. One means of doing that is to target the keys that open drop boxes, like the kind seen at shopping centers and on street corners, and community mail boxes, like those seen in neighborhoods.

Was it murder? He claimed to fire in self-defense in West Palm Beach. What a judge decided in court

Officers on Sept. 11 arrested Dario Cadet, 23, Billy Cadet, 21, and 20-year-olds Robbie Cadet, Schan Padovany, and Jordan St. Val on charges of organizing a scheme to defraud, criminal use of personal identification and grand theft.

During a court hearing at the Palm Beach County Jail, County Judge Danielle Sherriff assigned Robbie Cadet a public defender and set his bail at $10,000. He remained in custody as of Tuesday morning, jail records show.

His co-defendants posted bond amounts ranging from $8,000 to $40,000. Court records did not indicate whether any of the co-defendants has hired an attorney.

Robberies of mail carriers on rise nationally, postal officials say

Thefts of mail carriers, like this one seen in Denver in July 2020, have increased nationwide in the past several months. Some of those incidents took place in South Florida, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said.

Authorities say postal keys have become highly sought after by thieves in recent years as they can be used to open both community mailboxes and blue mail-drop boxes.

"We have had a few instances of robberies of mail carriers for their postal keys," said Blanca Alvarez, spokesperson for the Miami Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which serves as the law-enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service.

"The primary motive for that is because people want to steal the mail because they want to take items of value from the mail."

The Postal Service reported a rising number of mail-carrier robberies nationally, listing 305 such incidents from Oct. 1, 2022, to March 31, the first half of the current fiscal year. It reported 412 robberies during the 2022 fiscal year, from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022.

Medical malpractice: South Florida jury awards $20 million in damages after man's death

It is a federal offense for someone who is not a postal service employee, and who is not on duty, to be in possession of a postal key, Alvarez said.

"Postal keys in general are the possession of the Postal Service and nobody should have it on them if they're not working," she said,

In January, law enforcement arrested two people on federal charges, alleging they participated in a string of robberies and attempted robberies of mail carriers in Palm Beach and Broward counties. Teron and Tira Bethel are awaiting trial as they face charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon of a U.S. Postal employee; assaulting, resisting or impeding certain federal employees; and unlawful possession of a U.S. Postal Service mail key.

A federal complaint did not specify their relationship to each other. In May, the U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service held a joint briefing in Congress to discuss efforts to protect mail carriers.

Residents urged not to let sensitive documents sit in mailboxes

The U.S. Postal Service is taking steps to increase the security of its traditional blue mail-drop boxes, like this seen in Annapolis, Maryland, in August 2020. Many of them will have electric locks.

The safety improvements will include installing 12,000 high-security blue collection boxes nationwide and replacing the 49,000 arrow locks with electronic ones, officials said.

Federal and local law-enforcement officials urge residents to pick up delivered mail as quickly as possible, and avoid leaving sensitive documents sitting in mail collection boxes overnight or over the weekend. Checks and financial documents should be brought inside the Post Office.

Mail tampering and fraud should immediately be reported to the Postal Inspection Service.

'I know that customers and carriers have been frustrated with the amount of robberies and the mail theft that has been occurring," Alvarez said. "The Inspection Service has been investigating and the Delray Beach arrests are an example of the work that we're doing with our local law enforcement partners stop these criminals."

Police: One person facing charges detailed operation during interview

According to Delray Beach police, Robbie Cadet was arrested in February on unrelated burglary charges and an investigator requested to speak to him about the mail thefts.

He identified Dario and Billy Cadet as his cousins, who lived together at an address on Southwest 14th Avenue, and told investigators that St. Val and another person shared a residence on Northwest Fifth Court in Delray Beach.

Lyft driver's death: Grand jury indicts man on first-degree murder charge in fatal shooting of Gary Levin

Robbie explained methods employed by the group to obtain postal keys, steal and collect mail. He alleged that Billy Cadet washed stolen checks using the chemical acetone and Q-tips. He described witnessing St. Val use a computer and printer to create counterfeit checks.

Police investigators obtained a search warrant for the Northwest Fifth Court address, where they found a postal service arrow key, and more than 1,600 stolen or counterfeit checks, the arrest report said.

City detectives reportedly found at least one postal arrow key, a universal key that opens a region of collection boxes. The case may result in additional arrests, police said.

Tips to prevent mail theft

The Postal Service has several suggestions to help prevent mail theft and harm to mail carriers:

Customers are encouraged to report stolen mail as soon as possible by submitting an online complaint to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at www.uspis.gov/report or calling 877-876-2455.

Dont let mail sit in your mailbox. Retrieve it daily.

Don't drop mail into a collection box at night. Take it into a post office.

You can sign up for the Informed Delivery program and the Postal Service will send you an online preview of what mail and packages are coming.

If you are going out of town, sign up to have your mail held at the post office.

Julius Whigham II is a criminal justice and public safety reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jwhigham@pbpost.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at @JuliusWhigham. Help support our work: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Mail theft in Delray Beach: Five face charges after postal key stolen
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle came to an end early Wednesday morning after the suspect was taken down by a K-9 officer just south of downtown Nashville.

A News 2 crew was on scene as the pursuit passed the Metro Nashville Police Department headquarters on Murfreesboro Pike just before 4 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

 Have breaking come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts 

(Source: WKRN)

(Source: WKRN)

(Source: WKRN)

(Source: WKRN)

According to Metro police, the pursuit began after a man  identified as 52-year-old Felix Keele  was seen sitting in a stolen parked Chrysler 300 in the 800 block of Glastonbury Road.

An arrest report states the vehicle was reported stolen on Saturday, Sept. 16. from Lincoya Bay Drive after it was left with the windows down and the key inside.

In fact, the Chryslers owner told officers she saw Keele driving her car the same day on Murfreesboro Pike with the windows rolled down.

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

As officers approached the vehicle, Keele reportedly asked them, Whats the reason for the stop? He then drove toward the exit of the apartment complex, which is when the pursuit began.

Metro police said they had to spike the vehicle multiple times as Keele reached speeds over 70 miles per hour. The pursuit went on for about 20 minutes before the vehicle failed near the intersection of Lewis Street and Garden Street.

Once the vehicle came to a stop, Keele exited with his hands in the air and then ran on foot down Lewis Street. He was later apprehended by a K-9 officer.

According to Metro police, Keele was bitten in the arm by the K-9 officer and taken to a hospital for treatment.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

An arrest affidavit states that officers found an open bottle of Whiskey in the center console while searching the vehicle.

Keele was charged with two counts of evading arrest, felony vehicle theft, driving on a suspended license and an open container violation. He remains in Metro Jail on a $80,000 bond, according to booking records.

Metro police said Keele has a lengthy criminal history in Davidson County, which includes multiple felony convictions, and is on supervised felony probation until 2028.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
When it comes to international participation, few countries experience as many hurdles as does my own  Taiwan. Over the past several decades, Taiwan has transformed into a vibrant democratic society, becoming a global leader in public health and creating a world-class economy along key supply chains. Yet Taiwan still struggles to find a seat at the international table.

The Peoples Republic of China has effectively blocked Taiwans participation in the United Nations through an intentional misinterpretation of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 2758, adopted in 1971. This resolution doesnt mention Taiwan even once, and it certainly doesnt mandate Taiwans exclusion from the global stage.

Just last month, however, Resolution 2758 was once again invoked, this time by the Central American Parliament, which regrettably decided to replace Taiwan with China as a permanent observer  a further step in Beijings growing sway in Latin America.

Not long ago, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for more universal involvement in the World Health Organization, one of many U.N. specialized agencies. Taiwans experts, however, have been continuously banned from attending the annual World Health Assembly and other meetings due to Beijings political interference.

Tension in the Taiwan Strait: U.S. leaders meet with Taiwan's president and China sends warships. Now what?

As China has fabricated a legal basis within the United Nations for its claim to sovereignty over Taiwan, even Taiwanese journalists and tourists have lost access to U.N. buildings around the world. Earlier this year, the spokesperson for the U.N. secretary-general was asked about Taiwans routine exclusion  and he failed to provide any coherent explanation: I will get back to you as soon as I have the answer."

The people of Taiwan resent this discrimination. There is an urgent need to stop Resolution 2758s misinterpretation, which has not only damaged the rule of law within the United Nations but also silenced the voices of the Taiwanese people.

President Joe Biden addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 19, 2023.

'We the peoples of the United Nations'

The United Nations should bear in mind that it is ruled by the peoples, not by authoritarian regimes, as its founding charter indicates in the preamble: We the peoples of the United Nations (are) determined ... to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights.

The legitimacy and moral authority of the United Nations to use its power is lawful only when consented to by the peoples over which that political power is exercised.

We appreciate U.S. support for Taiwans meaningful participation within the United Nations and opposition to Beijings attempts to redefine Resolution 2758. This summer, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Taiwan International Solidarity Act, a piece of legislation calling for Taiwans participation in international organizations.

Supporters cheer Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arriving in New York City on March 29, 2023, as she begins an international trip.

Another encouraging example of support for Taiwan came from the Group of Seven major industrial nations on Monday, during the G7 foreign ministers' visit to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York. Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko issued a statement on behalf of the G7 foreign ministers calling for Taiwans international participation and bringing global attention to Chinas coercive activity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The statement stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

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.

Democratic government ruled by the people and for the people

As a force for good in the world, Taiwan has also been practical and tried to find other opportunities to contribute, working closely with partners who are open to supporting Taiwans meaningful participation on a pragmatic basis. One of the most outstanding examples of this is the Global Cooperation Training Framework, under which Taiwan, the United States, Australia and Japan jointly co-sponsor forums and workshops dedicated to tackling global challenges.

Through this platform, participant nations apply their expertise to international issues and learn from one another  an exemplary model for international participation.

US semiconductor production ramps up. But without STEM workforce, we'll lose the race.

Taiwan is ready and willing to share our expertise and experience with the world, but we can only help if were given the opportunity.

It is our hope that the United Nations and other international organizations will soon correct their Taiwan policy and provide equal opportunity for participation to the people of Taiwan.

We will continue to demonstrate how a democratic government ruled by the people and for the people can stand strong to safeguard freedom and human rights for all.

Bi-khim Hsiao is Taiwans representative to the United States.

Bi-khim Hsiao is Taiwans representative to the United States.

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: Why did the UN stop recognizing Taiwan? They keep catering to China
A TikTok influencer shared how they got ready for their "sugar daddy."

Then came the twist: The "sugar daddy" in question was the US Army.

"Did I say sugar baby? I meant soldier," user Desire Victoria said on TikTok.

Stay fit. Look good. And, in return, get that bag. These are the hallmarks of a sugar daddy arrangement.

But a TikToker going viral for sharing the strict requirements that they follow for their "sugar daddy" revealed that the man wasn't a rich businessman paying for their lifestyle: It was Uncle Sam.

"Did I say Sugar baby? I meant Soldier," Desire Victoria wrote in a TikTok post published on August 27.

Victoria's video, which has 4.5 million views and over half a million likes at press time, starts off with them getting ready for the "sugar daddy."

This embedded content is not available in your region.

"He definitely prefers my hair ponytail pulled back away from my face when it comes to my appearance as a whole," Victoria said. "He likes it very natural. He's a wholesome man. When it comes to, like, my actual body, he likes fit and healthy."

Victoria said the "sugar baby" benefits include money for rent, flights and transportation, and personal expenses.

The monologue ends with a twist, however, with Victoria suiting up in an Army uniform.

Many people flooded the comments saying that Victoria's video had them fooled.

"This was great! The US Army needs to use this as their recruiting commercial, I was sold!" one commenter wrote under the video.

Some said they could see the twist coming based on the T-shirt Victoria was wearing in the video.

"When I saw the green shirt, I said oh she talking bout Uncle Sam," read one comment.

The popularity of the video follows a trend of military influencers going viral on TikTok for sharing glimpses of their life with the armed forces.

Better known as Military TikTok, or "MilTok," videos under the genre usually offer humorous takes on their life in uniform.

Last month, a US Army soldier named Anthony Gonzales went viral for his videos poking fun at Gen Z and how they might react on the battlefield.

Gonzales told the New York Post in a story published in July, that he was going to become an influencer after his Army contract ends in two years.

The US Army had earlier banned soldiers from using TikTok on government devices, according to a report by Military.com in December 2019. The ban does not apply to the troops' personal devices.

"We cannot direct anyone to do anything with their personal devices. If they do download this or any application on their device they are recommended to be wary of the ones they download," US Army representative Robin Ochoa told Insider in a story published in January 2020.

According to a US Army webpage on personal social media use, personnel are told to "avoid use of DoD titles, insignia, uniforms or symbols in a way that could imply DoD sanction or endorsement of content on your personal page."

Gonzales' TikTok account currently does not contain any videos as of press time.

It is unclear if Victoria's video is a violation of the US Army's standards for online conduct.

Representatives for Victoria and the US Department of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Archaeologists uncovered a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian and Greek artifacts.

It included gold and silver trinkets, likely used in ritual ceremonies to bless the pharaohs.

They were found on the site of the sunken city of Thonis-Heracleion, which was lost until 2000.

A treasure trove of ancient Egyptian and Grecian artifacts has been uncovered in sunken temples in a mysterious underwater city off the coast of Egypt.

A team of archaeologists made the discovery while working to uncover the legendary site of Thonis-Heracleion, an Egyptian port city that completely disappeared after sinking into the Mediterranean more than 1,000 years ago.

The new excavation revealed the gold and silver treasure of the sunken temple of Amun, which included artifacts that were likely used to bless the pharaohs as they ascended to the throne. It also found a Grecian temple to Aphrodite and ancient Greek weapons.

"It is very moving to discover such delicate objects, which survived intact despite the violence and magnitude of the cataclysm," Franck Goddio , the president of the European Institute for Underwater Archaeology, who led the excavation with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt, said in a statement seen by Insider.

Divers uncovered the artifacts under thick layers of sediment. Christoph Gerigk Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

The lost city of Thonis-Heracleion was only found about 20 years ago

Thonis-Heracleion had long been relegated to the status of legend until it was uncovered in 2000 by Goddio and his team.

Established near the mouth of the Nile, Thonis-Heracleion was once the biggest port city in the Mediterranean. Until Alexandria was established, it was a hugely important political site, an obligatory point of entry into Egypt for all ships coming from Greece, and a hub of ritual ceremonies for the ruling class, according to Goddio's website.

But rising water, a series of earthquakes, and a tidal wave contributed to liquefying the soil under the city. Thonis-Heracleion eventually slowly disappeared into the Mediterranean, in what is now known as Aboukir Bay in Egypt, until it had completely vanished by the eighth century.

The city's name and story were lost through the centuries, only being mentioned in passing in ancient classic texts and rare inscriptions, Goddio's website says.

Using detailed survey work, Goddio and his team eventually discovered its remains, buried in deep layers of sediment underwater. They've been working to uncover the secrets of the lost city for the past two decades.

A diver looks at blocks that once made up the Amun temple. These were found buried under about 10 feet of hard clay. Christoph Gerigk Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

A temple to the king of ancient Egyptian gods

The latest excavation located a precious site: the sunken temple of Amun.

The temple would've had a special significance for Egyptians at the time. Amun was the king of the Egyptian gods. Accordingly, this is where the pharaohs at the time would have gone to be blessed as they rose to power, the statement says.

Ancient Egyptian artifacts were uncovered in the remains of the Amun temple. Christoph Gerigk Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

At the site, the archaeologists discovered artifacts from the temple's treasury, including gold jewelry and a "Djed pillar," a symbol of stability, made of a blue semi-precious stone named lapis lazuli.

They also found silver platers and an alabaster container that were probably used to contain perfumes and unguents during ritual ceremonies. Silver would have been extremely rare in ancient Egypt and would have been seen as a very precious commodity, the statement said.

Two silver plates and an alabaster container, used in ritual ceremonies, are shown here. Christoph Gerigk Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

Some discoveries that were made did not contain precious metals but could hold just as much archaeological significance. Wooden structures wrapped in papyrus dating back from 500 BC were also found during the dig. These would have been part of the underbelly of the temple.

Goddio said in a translated statement seen by Insider that he was very moved to find these structures, as these would have been hidden from most people's view, even back when they were first built.

A Grecian sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite was located nearby

Scientists also found 3,000-year-old weapons and ritual paraphernalia, indicating ancient Greeks were taking root in the city before it sunk. Christoph Gerigk Franck Goddio/Hilti Foundation

The excavation also uncovered another sacred site, but this time, it was devoted to ancient Greek rituals.

East of the temple of Amun, Goddio and his team found the bronze and ceramic objects from a sanctuary dedicated to Aphrodite, the Grecian goddess of love and beauty.

This is proof that ancient Greeks, who were allowed to trade in the city, had started to take root in Thonis-Heracleion during the 26th dynasty of Egypt, about 2,500 years ago, the statement said.

Weapons at the site also suggest Grecian mercenaries were employed in Thonis-Heracleion, likely to defend the city, the statement added.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Supermodel Linda Evangelista has claimed she was abused by her ex-husband, French former modelling agent Gerald Marie.

Evangelista, 58, was married to Marie from 1987 until 1993, during his time as head of the European division of Elite Models.

In an interview for a new Apple TV+ documentary, The Super Models, Evangelista described her five-year marriage to Marie as an abusive relationship.

Its easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship, she said in the programme released on Wednesday 20 September. I understand that concept, because I lived it. If it was just a matter of saying, I want a divorce, see ya... it doesnt work that way.

She added: He knew not to touch my face, not to touch the money-maker, you know?

The Independent has contacted representatives of Marie for comment.

In a statement provided to Apple TV+, and obtained by The Telegraph, the 73-year-old denied the abuse allegations, and said he has never committed the slightest act of violence.

Evangelista described her marriage to the former French model agent as abusive (Apple TV+)

Marie was accused of rape and sexual assault by multiple women during the 1980s and 1990s. He denied all of the allegations.

In 2021, French prosecutors decided to close their investigation since the allegations exceeded the countrys statute of limitations for reporting sex crimes.
When the Supreme Court hears Moore v. United States in its upcoming term, the justices will technically be hearing a case about a minor one-time repatriation tax that was buried in a federal tax-code overhaul six years ago. What they may actually be deciding is whether Democratic proposals for a federal wealth tax are unconstitutional.

That is the hope, at least, of the dozens of right-wing legal groups and other organizations representing wealthy Americans that filed friend of the court briefs with the justices this month. Uninvolved third parties have already filed around two dozen briefs in Moore, and most of them urge the justices to preemptively declare that a major liberal policy idea cant be implementedbefore it is even enacted into law. If nothing else, the briefs are a revealing look into the conservative legal sausage-making apparatus.

Ironically, the actual law in question is also of conservative origin. In 2017, a Republican-led Congress passed, and then-President Donald Trump signed, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which revamped significant portions of the federal tax code. Part of the law restructured how the government taxes Americans who own all or a significant part of a foreign corporation.

Since a 1986 tax-code change, those Americans had generally only been taxed when the corporations paid out dividends to shareholders. But that approach, according to the Justice Department, encouraged U.S. shareholders of foreign corporations to avoid payment of U.S. taxes by keeping their foreign earnings offshore. Between 1986 and 2015, the government said, the gap allowed Americans who owned foreign businesses to avoid taxes on nearly $2.6 trillion in offshore earnings.



The 2017 law eliminated the tax on those dividends as part of a broader overhaul of how U.S. corporate taxes apply to overseas earnings. To avoid effectively rewarding Americans for not repatriating their earnings under the old system, the 2017 law also imposed a one-time tax known as the Mandatory Repatriation Tax on Americans post-1986 earnings from shares in foreign corporations. The net effect, according to the government, was $340 billion in federal tax revenue as companies and individuals repatriated hundreds of billions of dollars in offshore earnings.

Not everyone was satisfied with this change. Charles and Kathleen Moore, the named plaintiffs in the lawsuit, owned between 10 and 13 percent of a tool-manufacturing company in India that one of their friends had started. They received no dividends from their share; the profits were instead reinvested into the business. The Washington-based couple learned in 2018 that they would have to pay an additional $14,729 in taxes based on more than $132,000 in deferred income since 2006. The Moores paid the additional tax and then sued the federal government to have it refunded to them, arguing that the repatriation tax went beyond what is allowed by Congresss Article I powers and the Sixteenth Amendment.

Under the taxing and spending clause, Congress has the constitutional power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises. Another provision in Article I imposes a major limitation on that power: No capitation, or other direct, tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. In other words, direct taxes would have to be apportioned based on the population of each state. If Congress somehow found the will or desire to impose a direct federal property tax, for example, Americans in Wyoming would only have to pay 0.17 percent of the national share.

Apportionment of direct taxes is so impractical that Congress did not generally levy them, relying instead on tariffs, excise taxes, and the like to fund the early federal government. Lawmakers did not enact an income tax until the Civil War, to pay for the Union war effort. The Supreme Court later upheld the 1864 version of that tax as an indirect one by concluding that the Framers had meant to apply the apportionment rule to taxes against real estate and slaves, essentially treating it as one of the many compromises struck with slaveholders in the early republic. That tax expired in 1873.



When Congress passed a new income tax in 1894, however, a more business-friendly iteration of the court struck it down as an unapportioned direct tax. To overturn that ruling, Congress and the states ratified the Sixteenth Amendment in 1913, which unequivocally established that Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several states, opening the door to the modern federal tax code.

The question then moved on to what counts as income. The Moores argued that unrealized gains do not fall under the Sixteenth Amendments scope, citing a 1920 Supreme Court case known as Eisner v. Macomber. But the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected that interpretation in ruling against them last year. The three-judge panel concluded that the Supreme Court had never required realization to fall under the Sixteenth Amendments scope, that the reference to it in Macomber was a nonbinding suggestion made in passing, and that the high court had at times expressly avoided reaching that conclusion.

If all of this sounds mind-numbingly boring, thats because it isat least at first glance. Moore would normally be one of the dozens of relatively minor cases that the Supreme Court hears every year. The justices take up between 50 and 75 full cases each term, and most of them dont really impact peoples day-to-day lives. Most Americans only know about the ones that affect their personal liberties or major policy issues, not the ones about minor procedural aspects of the legal system or hypertechnical legislative arcana.

This case, however, is not as mundane as it first seems. The plaintiffs and their many allies are hoping to use it not just to overturn the repatriation tax but also to prevent Democrats in Congress from enacting a federal wealth tax in the future. As I reported in June, the Moores lawyers framed the case in their petition for review as a vehicle for the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of a wealth tax before it is passed. They even made similar pleas in the conservative-friendly pages of The Wall Street Journals opinion section.

If the courts confirm the Sixteenth Amendments limited reach now, that would relieve them from having to do so in a politically explosive case directly challenging a wealth tax, the two lawyers wrote in a 2021 op-ed. The courts would do well to remind Congress at this opportune time that its taxing power is not without limits. One of the two lawyers who wrote that op-ed, David Rivkin, later interviewed Justice Samuel Alito for the Journal along with one of the papers employees to discuss the courts work in general terms. Alito publicly declined to recuse himself from the Moores case last week for participating in the interview after Democratic lawmakers called upon him to do so.

A sizable host of conservative and libertarian legal organizations have also joined the chorus. FreedomWorks, a right-wing policy group that receives the bulk of its funding from wealthy donors, urged the court in no uncertain terms to address the wealth tax concerns. The government argues that this Court should avoid any examination of a wealth tax as premature, the groups brief said. It is important, however, to explain how that tax works and why a wealth tax will give rise to grave constitutional concerns. The briefs authors were Richard Epstein and John Yoo, two prominent conservative law professors.

The Cato Institute, a libertarian legal and policy group, urged the court to take decisive action. It is not a ruling in favor of [the Moores], but a ruling against [the Moores], that would be sweeping, it argued in its brief. Such a ruling would jettison over a century of this Courts jurisprudence. And it would embolden Congress to use the Sixteenth Amendment as a cloak to unconstitutionally tax other amounts, without apportionment, that are not income. The organization concluded with an even more direct warning: If the Ninth Circuits decision stands, Congress may be emboldened to unconstitutionally subject other amounts to the income tax.

Echoing that warning was a group called Saving Americas Family Enterprises. It described its mission to the court as educating the public about the risks of tax proposals that complicate the tax code, incentivize tax avoidance, or harm family businesses, family farmers, homeowners, and the middle class. Its brief, authored by Neal Katyal, a former acting solicitor general in the Obama administration, built hypotheticals upon hypotheticals by arguing that a future wealth tax on wealthy Americans could lead to an even-more-future wealth tax on everyone else.

This is no idle threat, the group claimed. Recent years have seen a slurry of proposals to impose wealth taxes targeting the unrealized gains of wealthy families and successful family businesses. Although these proposals initially take aim at economic elites, history teaches that a tax on the unrealized gains of middle-class Americans is not far behind. No policy organization or elected official has argued for such a thingand its hard to imagine that anyone who actually wanted to win an election wouldbut such fanciful imaginings still led the group to urge the justices to take action.

Other organizations were even more blunt in their predictions. In its brief, the Manhattan Institute argued that the Ninth Circuits ruling was the first time a federal appeals court had ever ruled that realization was not necessary for constitutionality. That is a stark departure from this Courts precedents, the history of the Sixteenth Amendment, and common sense alike, the group argued. And if allowed to stand, it will invite continued experimentation with taxation of wealthan outcome that would be as harmful to the nation as it would be startling to the Framers.

The Manhattan Institutes brief doubles as both a legal argument and a policy paper. Taxes on wealth undermine fundamental principles of economic liberty, discouraging entrepreneurship, innovation, and upward mobility, the group argued. It claimed that wealth taxes simply do not work because valuation is difficult, that they do far more harm than good, that they shrink the tax base because wealthy people will just seek out friendlier tax environments, and that they rot out the rungs of upward mobility by making it harder for entrepreneurs to start new businesses. None of this has anything to do with the Sixteenth Amendment, but it might nonetheless resonate with the courts conservative justices.

Even a coalition of 18 Republican-led states joined the chorus. Although state governments have no direct stake or interest in how federal taxes apply to foreign corporations, the GOP attorneys general expressly worried about the effects of a hypothetical wealth tax. By defining income without an eye toward realization, the Ninth Circuit has granted the federal government a permission slip to start taxing in all manner of new waysways better seen as the direct taxes with which our Constitution is most concerned, they claimed in their brief. Perhaps a federal property tax could be on the table. Perhaps a federal wealth tax. Perhaps some other new and destructive idea.

Perhaps? The Supreme Courts job, which is also defined in the Constitution alongside the Sixteenth Amendment, is to hear cases and controversies, not answer hypothetical questions. These barriers have been weakened as of late, thanks to the courts generous view of legal standing and its willingness to take up cases where the basic facts are strongly disputed. Even by those standards, it would be extraordinary for the court to prospectively block Congress from enacting a law before a single lawmaker casts a vote on it.

Its worth noting that these briefs are not necessarily representative of all the third-party briefs that might be submitted in Moore. The Justice Department will submit its own merits brief later this fall, and third-party legal experts and public policy groups that support the governments position would typically submit their own friend of the court briefs right after that. No such individuals or groups filed briefs during the petition stage, however. As a result, the federal government might find itself arguing alone against not only the Moores but also a broad swath of the conservative legal apparatus about something that hasnt even happened yet.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, right, comforts sheriff's deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer's fiancee Brittany Lindsey, second from right, joined by Clinkunbroomer's parents, Kim and Mike Clinkunbroomer, during a news conference at the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. The man charged with murder of Clinkunbroomer, who was killed Saturday in an ambush, entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel)

LOS ANGELES (AP)  The man charged with murder in the ambush killing of a Los Angeles County sheriffs deputy entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday.

Officials say Kevin Cataneo Salazar fatally shot 30-year-old Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was sitting in a patrol car, on Saturday. The attack occurred in Palmdale, a city of more than 167,000 residents in the high desert of northern Los Angeles County.

Prosecutors charged Cataneo Salazar, 29, with one count of murder, plus special circumstance allegations of murder of a peace officer, murder committed by lying in wait, murder committed by firing from a car and personal use of a firearm.

His attorney, George Rosenstock, entered a plea of not guilty and a dual plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on his behalf during Wednesday's arraignment.

Prosecutors havent laid out a motive in the case or said whether Clinkunbroomer and Cataneo Salazar previously knew each other.

Authorities said the deputy was targeted but would not say whether Cataneo Salazar was seeking to harm Clinkunbroomer specifically or any member of law enforcement generally.

Cataneo Salazar allegedly followed Clinkunbroomer just before 6 p.m. Saturday as he left the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Palmdale Station, the district attorney's office said in a news release.

The deputy was waiting for a red light to turn when he was shot, Sheriff Robert Luna said. That was one block away from the station, officials said.

Cataneo Salazar was arrested Monday after an hourslong standoff with sheriff's deputies. He had barricaded himself inside his family's Palmdale home.

Cataneo Salazar remained held without bail and is scheduled to return to court in November. Rosenstock did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment, though his office said the legal team would not be discussing the case further.

At an afternoon news conference, District Attorney George Gascon said prosecutors owe it to the slain deputy's family to secure a conviction and a sentence of life.

Were going to do everything in our power to make sure the defendant never gets out of prison, Gascon said. He was flanked by Clinkunbroomer's fiancee, parents, brother and sister. Dozens of sheriff's deputies lined the walls wearing black mourning bands over their badges.

Brittany Lindsey, Clinkunbroomers fiancee, fought back tears as she recounted their plans to get married and raise a family.

Ryan was the best guy I ever met, Lindsey said during the news conference. I couldnt wait to start our lives together.

Cataneo Salazar's mother and other family members did not return phone and email messages seeking comment.

His mother, Marle Salazar, told the Los Angeles Times her son was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic about five years ago. He would say he was hearing voices in his head, she said, and sometimes claimed that cars or people were following him. He twice attempted suicide, she said.

My son is mentally ill, and if he did something, he wasnt in his full mental capacity, she said in an interview with the paper.

Marle Salazar told the Times that she didnt know her son owned a gun, but she was told by detectives that he had legally bought the weapon used in the attack. The gun was purchased in the weeks before the shooting, Deputy District Attorney Michael Blake said at Wednesday's news conference. He would not say whether it had been legally bought.

Under California's so-called red flag law"  the first of such legislation to be enacted in the country  firearms can be seized from people who are considered a danger to themselves or others. Law enforcement and family and household members, as well as some co-workers, employers and teachers, can petition the court to remove the guns from the person's possession or bar the person from purchasing them.

Despite Cataneo Salazars reported schizophrenia diagnosis, it was not clear whether he would have qualified under the states red flag law or other statutes designed to keep guns out of the hands of people with mental illnesses.

There were no Los Angeles County court records indicating someone had petitioned to seize his weapons or prevent him from buying them.

Marle Salazar said that her son had been hospitalized in the past year, but it was not clear if he sought treatment himself or was involuntarily committed.

She said she called deputies at least twice in the past, asking for help when her son refused to take his medication and grew aggressive toward himself. She said he had never hurt anyone before, and his aggression was always self-directed.

I have called the police several times, she told the newspaper. In the end, they would say, Hes an adult, so if he doesnt want to take (his medication), we cant do anything.

Officials on Wednesday said investigators were looking into Cataneo Salazar's reported history of mental illness and whether there were law enforcement calls to the home.
A Romeoville Police officer carries out a door from inside of the home where four people were shot to death, on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Romeoville Ill. (Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune via AP)

A suspect in the shooting deaths of a suburban Chicago couple and their two children died in a fiery crash Wednesday in Oklahoma, police said.

Nathaniel Huey Jr., 32, of Streamwood, Illinois, was suspected in the deaths of Alberto Rolon, Zoraida Bartolomei and their two sons, ages 7 and 9, whose names have not been released. The victims were believed to have been shot between Saturday night and early Sunday in their home in Romeoville, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

Police were asked to check on the family Sunday night after one family member failed to show up for work that morning and phone calls had gone unanswered, police said.

Three dogs were also found dead, multiple news outlets reported.

There was a relationship between the victims and Huey, Romeoville Police Deputy Chief Chris Burne told reporters at a news conference, without elaborating. Burne further said investigators have developed a possible motive for the shootings without disclosing what it is.

Huey tried to elude authorities after a digital license plate detector spotted the vehicle in Catoosa, Oklahoma, but he crashed the vehicle and it caught on fire, Burne said.

Officers on scene heard two noises, believed to be gun shots. A female, with a gunshot wound, was located and removed from the passenger side of the vehicle and is listed in critical condition, Burne said. A man with a gunshot wound was found deceased on the driver side, he said.

The woman, described as having a relationship to Huey and who had been identified as a person of interest in the shootings, was reported by family as a missing/endangered person out of Streamwood, Illinois, Burne said.

Streamwood, Illinois, is about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northwest of Chicago and the same distance north of Romeoville.

Nothing in our investigation to this point leads us to believe that there are any other suspects, Burne said.

Hunter McKee, spokesman for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, told The Associated Press that the agency was called in to assist the Catoosa Police Department following the police chase.

McKee said police received two alerts: one for a missing female, the other for an armed and dangerous suspect.

Catoosa officers saw the suspects vehicle, but no one was inside. As officers watched the vehicle, two people got in and drove away. Police initiated a pursuit, and the driver of the vehicle fled before crashing into a concrete barrier.

Were still investigating the relationship between the two, and how the man died and how the woman was injured, McKee said.

The AP left several messages Wednesday afternoon seeking comment from people associated with Huey compiled from a public records search. One of those messages was left on a voicemail for Cristiana Espinoza, who then returned the call to AP.

Espinoza, 25, said she filed the missing persons report Tuesday afternoon for the woman found wounded in the vehicle in Oklahoma because she was concerned for the womans safety.

I know she left with him willingly about 4 p.m. Tuesday, Espinoza said. When I saw her, she was scared. She was crying. I was in contact with her. We knew where she was. I was begging for her to come home. I honestly feel she left to protect her family.

Espinoza said she was acquainted with both Huey and the woman.

A GoFundMe page created to raise money for helping the Rolon-Bartolomei family with funeral expenses describes the victims as hard-working people who had just bought their first home.

Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away, the organizers said.

The incident represents the 35th mass killing in the U.S. this year, according to a database maintained by The AP and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University. A total of 171 people have died in those killings, which are defined as incidents in which four or more people have died within a 24-hour period, not including the killer  the same definition used by the FBI.

___

This story has been corrected to remove that the suspect died of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police have not said or suggested who fired the gunshot wound he suffered. It has also been updated to correct the age of Nathaniel Huey Jr. Huey is 32, not 31, as police originally stated.

___

Ken Kusmer reported from Indianapolis, Corey Williams reported from West Bloomfield, Michigan, and Lisa Baumann reported from Bellingham, Washington. AP researcher Jennifer Farrar in New York contributed.
Kevin Salazar has been arrested for murder after shooting the deputy sheriff in a suspected drive-by attack (Keynews.TV)

The man accused of killing a Los Angeles sheriffs deputy suffers from schizophrenia, according to his mother.

Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested on Monday after he allegedly gunned down Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, 30, inside his patrol car in what authorities believed to be a targeted ambush.

Mr Salazar barricaded himself in his Palmdale family home for hours before he finally surrendered to the Los Angeles County Police, Sheriff Robert Luna said in a press conference on Monday.

Marle Salazar, the suspects mother, revealed in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that her son had a paranoid schizophrenic diagnosis about five years ago. He said he could hear voices in his head and that people or cars were following him as he walked in the street.

She said that she and her family were caught off guard when police showed up to raid their home.

Mr Salazar had returned home after he allegedly shot the deputy while he was stopped at a red light in his patrol car just outside the Palmdale sheriffs station. News came that a shooting had taken place and that police had started a manhunt for the killer, but Mr Salazar seemed unphased, his mother said.

My son is mentally ill, and if he did something, he wasnt in his full mental capacity, she said. Theyre only saying that he was the one that shot the deputy, but nobody is saying he has a record for needing mental help.

His mother stressed in the interview that he has had two suicide attempts in the past. Its not my son that did it, its the disease that did it, she said. They are putting all this out there that my son killed someone, but nobody is saying that my son is sick. Hes sick, and so many people talk about schizophrenia, but then nothing happens.

Ryan Clinkunbroomer was shot and killed while sitting in his patrol car in Palmdale, Los Angeles (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

However, Mr Salazar allegedly stopped taking his medication around 10 months ago, but the family did not encourage him to continue because he seemed calm and was doing better.

According to the mother, she did not know her son had legally purchased a gun that was allegedly used to attack the police officer.

His mother and his family said they had absolutely no indication of what happened when he came home.

I didnt know when it happened, I just saw him normal, she said. We were here, working, cleaning chairs and tables and he was OK. None of us knew anything.

Law enforcement told the Los Angeles Times they launched a manhunt that led them to the house in East Palmdale and arrested Mr Salazar after hours of him barricading himself in the family home.

While his family exited immediately, Mr Salazar decided to detain himself in the house, but officers were able to employ various techniques to de-escalate the situation and lure the suspect out of the house.

After he was arrested, the officers were able to recover a substantial amount of firearms from the suspects home. They also identified his car, a dark grey Toyota Corolla, which pulled up behind Mr Clinkunbroomers patrol car before he was killed.

Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department held a conference on Monday, where they also read out a statement from the victims family (Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department/YouTube)

Clinkunbroomer was on duty Saturday night when he was ambushed, LA Sheriff Robert Luna said. The deputy was found unconscious by a good samaritan around 6pm.

In a statement from Mr Clinkunbroomers family, they said that he was a hardworking deputy who was proud to work alongside his colleagues while keeping the community safe.

Ryan made the ultimate sacrifice in doing so. Ryan was recently engaged to the love of his life as our firstborn son, Ryan will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and the Sheriffs Department as a whole, the statement read.

Mr Salazar is under arrest for murder, but the investigation is ongoing.
Two suspects sought by police in the murders of a family of four outside of Chicago were found shot inside a burning car states away in Oklahoma, authorities said Wednesday.

Nathaniel Huey Jr, 31, of Streamwood, Illinois, and an unnamed woman were identified as persons of interest in the slayings after the two adults, two children and three dogs were found inside a home in the small Illinois town of Romeoville over the weekend.

Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne told local news outlets that a car linked to the man was spotted by a license plate reader in Catoosa, Oklahoma, sparking a traffic stop.

But when officers tried to stop the vehicle, it sped away, crashed and caught on fire. Officers on the scene reportedly heard two noises believed to be gunshots, Chief Burne said.

Officers found the man fatally shot in the drivers seat and a critically wounded woman in the passenger seat.

This is still an active and evolving investigation and this portion of the incident is still unfolding, Chief Burne said.

He did not say what the relationship was between Huey and the family who was killed over the weekend, but said evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspect and the victims, as well as a possible motive.

It comes just days after a family of four was gunned down in a Chicago suburb.

Police were called in for a welfare check at the home in Romeoville, Illinois, on Sunday morning.

Officers arrived to find the bodies of Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, their two boys, aged 7 and 10, and their dogs.

I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband and WHY? Bartolomeis sister Bryana wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post.

The loss of the Rolon-Bartolomei family has shocked many friends and family members  with Bartolomeis sister Bryana stepping forward and sharing her heartache with the community.

In the description of a GoFundMe, Bryana wrote: This fundraiser has been created with the aim of helping the Rolon-Bartolomei family with funeral expenses, as well as to create awareness of this ongoing case. Zoraida Bartolomei, Alberto Rolon, their kids Adriel & Diego (ages 10 & 7) were involved in a horrific crime that took their lives and shattered countless others.

Bryana said her sister and brother-in-law had just brought their first home together and described the children as the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away.

The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them, she added.
A suspect in the shooting deaths of a south suburban couple and their two children and his female companion have both died following a fiery traffic crash in Oklahoma, Romeoville police and Oklahoma authorities said Wednesday.

Romeoville Deputy Police Chief Christopher Burne said police had identified Nathaniel Huey Jr., 31, as a person of interest in the killings of Alberto Rolon, Zoraida Bartolomei, their two sons and their three dogs.

Police first found Rolon, Bartolomei and their children shot to death along with their dogs while conducting a wellness check at their home on the 500 block of Concord Avenue Sunday evening. All four victims were pronounced dead at at 11:50 pm. that night, according to the Will County coroners office.

Shortly afterward, Burne said police identified Huey and a woman linked to Huey, both of Streamwood, as people of interest in the familys death. The woman was reported missing and endangered on Sept. 19, Burne said.

Burne said police in Catoosa, Oklahoma, on Wednesday morning attempted to stop a car with a license plate of interest in the investigation. The driver fled police, crashed and caught fire, Burne said. Police heard gunshots and found both occupants of the car, a man and a woman, with gunshot wounds. The man died in the incident while the woman was taken to a local hospital in critical condition and later died, according to a statement from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Authorities did not identify the woman.

Richard Hackworth, a neighbor of Hueys and the unidentified woman said he had a friendly relationship with Huey and said he had been very surprised to hear that his neighbor was a suspect in the weekends killings.

I never even could think of him doing that, Hackworth told the Tribune on Wednesday. He was a happy, fun guy.

Burne said information was still limited and did not give the relationship between the suspect and the victims. This portion of the incident is still unfolding, he said. This literally just happened. Nothing in our investigation leads us to believe there are any other suspects.

The Will County Major Crimes Task Force is assisting Romeoville police with investigating the deaths, which it said took place overnight between Saturday and Sunday. Final cause and manner of death for the four victims will be determined after police, autopsy and toxicological reports are completed, the coroners office said.

The Catoosa Police Department could not be immediately reached for comment.

CKubzansky@chicagotribune.com
CATOOSA, Okla. (WGN)  A 31-year-old man, who was deemed a suspect in the slaying of a Romeoville, Illinois, family Sunday, has been found dead with a gunshot wound in Oklahoma, according to police.

On Sunday, police in the Illinois village 30 miles southwest of Chicago conducted a well-being check on the family of four after one of them did not show up to work.

Upon arrival, Romeoville Police found two adults, their two children, and three dogs with fatal gunshot wounds. The adult victims were identified as Alberto Rolon, 38, and Zoraida Bartolomei, 32. Police said the deceased children, ages 7 and 9, belonged to both Rolon and Bartolomei. The childrens identities have not yet been released.

The shooting was not a random incident, Deputy Chief of Police Chris Burne said in a Tuesday afternoon update.

In a Wednesday update, Romeoville Police explained they identified a person of interest in the deaths shortly after the shooting: Nathanial Huey Jr., 31, of Streamwood, Illinois. A female with a relationship to him was also identified as a person of interest.

On Tuesday evening, the female was reported missing by her family in Streamwood. Later that evening, Romeoville police issued an alert to other police agencies noting that Huey Jr. was a credible suspect in the slayings.

Police in Catoosa, Oklahoma, were alerted to the presence of Huey Jr.s vehicle Wednesday morning in their jurisdiction, police said. The town is located about 15 miles east of Tulsa.

The vehicle attempted to elude police and it was involved in a fiery single-car crash. Two gunshots were heard at the scene by responding officers. The female was located with a gunshot wound and was transported in critical condition.

A man believed to be Huey Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said theres a possible motive between Huey Jr. and the family, but would not expand on it, citing the investigation.

Romeoville police said Wednesday afternoon they are not looking for any additional suspects, but the investigation remains active.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Hong Kong: Immigration phone scam highlighted

The Immigration Department (ImmD) today reminded citizens to remain vigilant when receiving suspicious calls from people claiming to be immigration officers and to take the initiative to verify their identities.

The department made the appeal after it has come to their attention that fraudsters have recently impersonated immigration officers to make calls to members of the public.

During the conversation, the fraudsters added credibility to their scams by offering the names, titles, contact numbers and office addresses of serving immigration officers for identity and verification.



While saying that its staff will call people to process their applications with the department on an individual basis, the department reminds citizens, when receiving suspicious calls, to refrain from believing the callers hastily or disclosing personal information arbitrarily.

In addition, the department reminds the public that it will not make any pre-recorded voice calls to non-users of its appointment reminder service, nor will it transfer the calls to non-local authorities and request the call recipients to provide personal information.

Citizens who are in doubt may contact the department by calling its enquiry hotline 2824 6111 or send an email, or call Polices 24-hour Anti-Scam Helpline 18222.

Anyone suspecting a phone scam should report it to Police immediately.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New list of happiest places in China for entrepreneurs released

Xinhua) 10:32, September 20, 2023

NANJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- A total of 20 Chinese cities and districts have been listed as the happiest places for entrepreneurs in 2023.

The list was unveiled during a forum held in the city of Taicang in east China's Jiangsu Province on Tuesday.

The happiest cities at the prefectural level or above are Ningbo, Chengdu, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Qingdao, Hefei, Changsha, Ordos, Wenzhou and Taizhou. Ten county-level cities and urban districts were also selected as the happiest places for entrepreneurs.

The list was compiled by Oriental Outlook magazine, run by Xinhua News Agency, based on a survey and a process that involved big data collection, online questionnaires, field research and panel discussions.

"Entrepreneurs' happiness cannot be separated from the city's pursuit of improving the business environment," said Ren Weidong, deputy editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, at the forum.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A suspect in the apparent fentanyl death of a toddler at daycare called her husband twice before calling police, prosecutors say.

One-year-old Nicholas Dominici died of a suspected drug overdose on 15 September at a nursery in the Bronx, New York City.

The owner of the Divino Nino nursery in the Bronx, Grei Mendez, 36, and her tenant, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, were arrested following the childs death and face federal narcotics possession and murder charges, according to federal prosecutors.

Three other children, who range from eight months to two years old, inhaled fentanyl at the nursery and were admitted to hospital.

Three children were given Narcan, an emergency medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, police said.

Police searched the nursery and found one kilo of fentanyl that was discovered underneath a mat where the children had been sleeping earlier, said NYPD chief detective Joseph Kenny on Monday.

Ms Mendez has denied knowing that drugs were being kept in the nursery.

But police said the 36-year-old phoned her husband twice before calling 911 after she found the children ill.

Ms Mendezs husband, who is the cousin of Mr Brito, then showed up and removed several full shopping bags from the nursery, officials said.

Nicholas Dominici, 1, and his family (Otoniel Feliz/Facebook)

Authorities are still searching for her husband, who has been identified in court documents as a co-conspirator.

We allege the defendants poisoned four babies, and killed one of them, because they were running a drug operation from a daycare centre, Manhattan US attorney Damien Williams said on Tuesday.

A daycare centre - a place where children should be kept safe, not surrounded by a drug that can kill them in an instant.

A lawyer for Ms Mendez said his client denies the charges. Her only crime was renting her room to someone who had a kilo, said attorney Andres Aranda, ABC News reported. There is no evidence that she did anything but care properly for these children.

Both Ms Mendez and Mr Brito have been labelled as flight risks by authorities and are being held without bail. They each face life in prison if convicted.

Fentanyl, a synthetic painkiller 50 times more powerful than heroin, has been blamed for a rise in US drug deaths.

Police said the drugs recovered from the nursery could have killed 500,000 people.

At a news conference, mayor Eric Adams called for a full national assault on the drug.

A tenth of a size of a fingernail can kill an adult. So imagine what it could do to a child, he said.

In 2010, less than 40,000 people died from a drug overdose across the country, and less than 10 per cent of those deaths were tied to fentanyl.

By 2021, over 100,000 people had died annually in drug overdoses, with an estimated 66 per cent of those tied to fentanyl.
A 59-year-old man died in southeastern Kentucky this week after he was attacked by a swarm of bees, a county coroner is reporting.

The area where the man was stung is near the Virginia state line, about 160 miles southeast of Lexington.

According to the coroner, the 59-year-old man in the process of moving an old bag of potting soil from his porch on Monday when he was stung by a swarm of bees from inside the bag.

Family who witnessed the attack attempted CPR until an ambulance arrived and transported the man to a hospital where the coroner reported he was pronounced dead at 5:50 p.m. Monday.

Close up wild hive with cluster or swarm of bees on tree branch.

'It's too dangerous!' Massive mako shark stranded on Florida beach saved by swimmers

Official cause of death remains under investigation

The man's identity was being withheld pending notification of his next of kin, the coroner said.

The coroner said the man's official cause of death remains under investigation pending official autopsy results.

Arizona man dies after bees attack: Elderly Arizona man dies after being stung by swarm of bees

What to do if you encounter aggressive bees

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends avoiding bees which often nest in areas including pipes, holes, and cavities within trees.

If you encounter aggressive bees:, the USDA recommends the following:

Run fast towards an enclosed shelter like a vehicle or building and do not stop to help others. As you run, pull your shirt over your head and use your arms to protect your face.

Do not swat at bees as they are aggravated by movement and crushed bees emit a smell that attracts additional bees.

Once you are safe, remove all stingers. Scrape the stinger out sideways. Do not remove it with tweezers.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior correspondent for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bee swarm attacks Kentucky man, stinging and killing 59-year-old
FILE - Judge Mans Wigen speaks during a press conference after the sentencing of Yahya Gungor, in the Stockholm district court, Thursday, July 6, 2023. A Swedish appeals court on Wednesday, Sept. 20 has maintained a 4.5 years prison sentence for a Turkish man for attempted aggravated extortion, weapons possession and attempted terrorist financing, saying he was acting on behalf of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party. However, the court said Yahya Gungor should not be deported after serving his time, citing his ties with the PKK. (Oscar Olsson//TT News Agency via AP, file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

STOCKHOLM (AP)  A Swedish appeals court on Wednesday upheld a 4 1/2-year prison sentence for a Turkish man who was found guilty of attempted extortion, weapons possession and attempted terrorist financing, saying he was acting on behalf of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party.

However, the Svea Court of Appeal said Yahya Gungor should not be deported after serving his sentence, reversing the lower court's ruling.

Since a possible expulsion is not too far in the future, the Court of Appeal considers that it is reasonable to believe that the obstacle will remain at that time, the appeals court said, citing threats the man would face if deported to Turkey because of his ties to the party, also known as PKK.

In July, the Stockholm District Court said he would be expelled from Sweden after serving his sentence and banned from returning.

It was the first time that a Swedish court has sentenced someone for financing the party. PKK has waged an insurgency in southeast Turkey since 1984 and is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

In May, Sweden tightened its anti-terrorism laws, a move expected to help gain approval for the Nordic nations request to join NATO. The revised laws include prison terms of up to four years for people convicted of participating in an extremist organization in a way that is intended to promote, strengthen or support such a group.

The following month, Gungor, a Kurd, was charged with attempting to extort money in Stockholm in January by pointing a revolver at a restaurant owner, firing in the air and threatening to damage the restaurant unless he received funds the following day. Gungor has denied any wrongdoing.

The lower court said the investigation into the case showed that the PKK conducts a very extensive fundraising activity in Europe using, e.g., extortion of Kurdish businessmen.

Last year, Sweden and neighboring Finland sought protection under NATO's security umbrella after Russia invaded Ukraine. Finland joined the alliance earlier this year but Sweden, which abandoned a long history of military nonalignment, is still waiting to become NATO's 32nd member.

New entries must be approved by all existing members, and Turkey has so far refused to ratify Swedens application. It said this was because Sweden has refused to extradite dozens of people suspected of links to Kurdish militant organizations. Turkey also has criticized a series of demonstrations in both Sweden and Denmark at which the Quran, Islams holy book, was burned.

At a NATO summit in Vilnius in July, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his country would drop its objection to Swedens membership after blocking it for more than a year. However, the Turkish parliament must still ratify the application, as must Hungary.
A car of two Swedish news channel TV4 journalists came under an attack by a Russian drone in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, leaving them unharmed but injuring their local Ukrainian producer and two policemen, TV4 reported on Sept. 20.

The attack was said to have taken place at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 19. Reporter Johan Fredriksson and photographer Daniel Zdolseks stepped out of their car just as a drone hit the back of their vehicle.

"This time we were lucky. A Russian attack drone crashed right into the back door of our car, fortunately, there was no one in the car," Fredriksson said.

While the two reporters escaped without wounds, their local producer, Oleksandr Pavlov, and two Ukrainian policemen accompanying the team reportedly suffered light injuries.

The car and the camera equipment have been destroyed, the journalists said.

Darina Levada, the chief police investigator in Vasylivka, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, told TV4 that the incident is being investigated as a war crime.

Not all journalists who came under Russian fire when reporting from Ukraine's battlefields have escaped unharmed. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office said in June that 63 journalists from 14 countries, including Ukraine, have been killed since the start of the full-scale invasion.

Read also: AFP journalist killed by Grad rockets in Chasiv Yar

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
In this June 23, 2018, file photo, then-President Donald Trump , left, is greeted by Nevada State GOP Chairman Michael McDonald as he arrives at the podium to speak during the Nevada Republican Party Convention at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. | L.E. Baskow, Associated Press

An important swing state is pushing to change how its Republican presidential nominee will be selected, a move that critics say would almost guarantee a victory for former president Donald Trump.

The Nevada Republican Party is moving to hold a preference primary poll during caucus meetings instead of a primary election in February 2024, a move that party leadership claims will be less expensive and more secure. But conversations with Republican strategists and campaign surrogates in Nevada reveal another possible reason: A caucus would increase the chances of a victory for Trump.

Two other western states  Utah and Idaho  will hold caucuses instead of primary elections, too. But party leadership in Utah insists they want to hold caucuses to encourage candidates to visit the state, not to give any candidate an advantage.

Related

Will Trump be the only candidate on the NV caucus ballot?

The Nevada state party sued the secretary of states office to cancel its primary election, saying the requirement to hold a primary violates Republicans First Amendment rights to freedom of association. A district court dismissed the case, but the state party appealed to the Nevada Supreme Court, the Nevada Independent reported.

Nevada is considered a 2024 swing state, with some election forecasters placing it among four states that could decide the election. Its First in the Nation caucus traditionally makes it an important battleground for Republican candidates.

At present, the states primary election is scheduled for Feb. 6 and its caucus Feb. 8. A move to cancel the states primary would avoid the embarrassing scenario that one candidate wins the primary and another wins the caucus, one Nevada Republican strategist said.

The Nevada Republican Central Committee is scheduled to meet this weekend in Winnemucca  a remote, mountainous town northeast of Reno  to vote on several resolutions dealing with the caucus. The resolutions, according to former Nevada GOP executive director Chuck Muth, would require presidential candidates who wish to participate in the caucus to file with the state party and pay it a $55,000 fee. Further, any candidate who participates in the primary will be deemed ineligible to participate in the caucus  and thus forfeit a chance at winning the state.

Indeed, its entirely possible that, with this rule in place, Trump will be the only candidate whose name appears on the caucus ballot, Muth wrote.

Nevada Republicans have argued that a caucus would save taxpayer money, increase turnout and prevent fraud. A caucus, wrote Nevada Republican National Committeeman Jim DeGraffereid, gives all the decision making power to grassroots Republicans.

Critics of the caucus system point to the inconvenience of voters arriving to an in-person location at 5 p.m. on a weekday, saying it will lead to decreased turnout when compared to vote-by-mail or a full day of voting.

Related

GOP candidates are avoiding Nevada

Nevada, which is forecast to be one of four states that could decide the 2024 election, has received little attention from Republican hopefuls. Presidential candidates have focused their attention on the other early-voting states  Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.

Last weekend alone, six Republican candidates visited the city of Nevada, Iowa, population 7,000; in the past year, only three have visited Nevada, the state.

Strategists point to ongoing uncertainty about Nevadas caucus system and ballot access as the reason. Why come and spend resources if at the end of the day, someones going to come in and pull the rug out from underneath you? said Alex Jones, a Las Vegas-based strategist at Red Rock Strategies.

DeSantis suspends efforts in Nevada

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose campaign knocked over 150,000 doors in Nevada during the summer, suspended its door-to-door canvassing efforts in August, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. Days earlier, the Nevada Republican Party informed campaigns it would not be working with political action committees, an alleged shot at DeSantis, whose PAC  Never Back Down  is the backbone of his campaign operation.

Whatever the Trump people want, the Nevada party chairman, (Mike) McDonald, is going to do, Ken Cuccinelli, founder of Never Back Down, said in a statement provided to the Deseret News. Theyre creating an unusual and very subjective way that they can control who gets into the caucus to vote, who the delegates are that come out, and stifle the First Amendment ability to participate in the caucus on the day of.

McDonald told the Review-Journal that the decision had nothing to do with any specific candidate, but instead was geared toward guaranteeing a transparent election.

McDonald has long been an ally of Trump. He supported Trumps 2016 candidacy and backed false claims that Trump won the 2020 election. The Nevada GOPs executive director, Alida Benson, left her post in July to become the Trump campaigns Nevada state director.

Nevada canceled its 2020 GOP caucus and primary, ensuring that Trump would go unopposed in the state.

Dollar for dollar, your ability to reach out to new voters is so much better in Nevada than in Iowa or New Hampshire, one Republican strategist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the Deseret News. But theyre rigging the system for Trump, so its stupid for any (other candidates) to be here.

Trump is against rigged elections when they hurt him, he doesnt appear to be against rigging elections when it benefits him, and Nevada is a prime example, Cuccinelli said.

Utah, Idaho also will hold caucuses

The Utah Republican Party notified the lieutenant governors office last month that it would not host a primary election in 2024 to select a presidential nominee, but would instead hold a presidential preference poll during caucus meetings. In Idaho, the state legislature passed a bill during its spring legislative session that axed primary elections, amid confusion among lawmakers.

While Nevada state law now mandates a primary election, Utah is a caucus state  local officials, like state and county delegates, are elected in caucus. State law allows the parties to decide whether to host a primary election or a caucus to vote for presidential candidates.

Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson insists the partys decision was not made to benefit any specific candidate, noting hes received criticism from a number of Trump supporters who assumed it was an effort to undermine Trump. In reality this process will be fair for all candidates and is best for Utahns as we foster an effective and widely attended caucus, Axson said. We will not stack the deck for or against any candidate and look forward to Utah Republicans making the decision.

Early projections show Utah as the most competitive red state, as Trump maintains an 8-percentage-point lead over DeSantis in the latest Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. Nationally, Trump leads DeSantis  currently his closest challenger  by over 40 percentage points.

Though the caucus system is less convenient for voters than submitting ballots by mail, Axson believes the format encourages discourse, involvement and informed voting.

I want citizens to ask themselves: why are you so afraid of spending an hour-and-a-half, once every two years, with your neighbors to talk about some of the most important questions, as it pertains to our civic duty and our system of government and decisions that will be made over the next couple of years? Axson said.

Axson has also argued that holding a caucus will encourage candidates to campaign in Utah, rather than simply sending mailers or airing ads. When Utah has held a caucus to vote for presidential candidates, like in 2016, there is more incentive and reason for presidential candidates to engage with Utah.

So far only two declared presidential candidates  DeSantis and former vice president Mike Pence  have visited Utah this election cycle.

A person close to the Utah Republican Party confirmed that party leadership discussed the decision to hold a caucus with several of the Republican presidential campaigns, and each were supportive.

Only a handful of states continue to use closed caucuses instead of primary elections. In a closed caucus, voters must arrive at planned precinct meetings, often on a weekday afternoon, at a school or other rented place, and vote in-person. Only registered members of the respective party can attend  though in Utah, voters can register as Republicans on the day of the caucus, Axson said.

Primary elections, while still closed only to members of the respective political parties in Idaho, Utah and Nevada, allow voters to send ballots by mail or arrive at voting locations during longer hours on election day.
As Hawaii recovers from the devastating wildfires, which left at least 97 dead and caused vast damage, hope emerges as Lahaina's historic banyan tree, which was scorched during the disaster, began to sprout new leaves.

Video footage shared by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) on September 13 showed fresh, green leaves sprouting from the trees branches.

The survival of the tree has become a symbol of hope for the fire-ravaged town, officials told Hawaii News Now.

County arborist Timothy Griffith told the Honolulu Star Advertiser that he noted at least a dozen new shoots on both the aerial root props and main limbs anywhere from six to 20 feet up in the tree.

Griffith said that it was a "welcome sight" and that he hopes it is the beginning of more to come.

Lahaina's iconic banyan tree shows signs of recovery after new leaves sprouted from its branches.

'In a coma'

Volunteers, arborists and experts had gathered in the aftermath of the fires to keep its iconic banyan tree alive.

Arborist Steve Nimz, who is part of the effort to restore the tree, explained to USA TODAY that the lower trunks had living tissue under the bark, which is a good sign. The leaves and twigs on the major branches of tree, however, have all been burnt and are no longer viable.

As Hawaii recovers from the devastating wildfires, hope emerges as Lahaina's historic banyan tree, which was scorched during the disaster, began to sprout new leaves.

The team of experts comprised of arborists and landscapers came together to put a plan in action, said Nimz, which included bringing water in from a mile away to shoot onto the tree from the top of large water trucks. After removing ash and providing moisture from these water cannons, water was also introduced to the ground beneath the tree.

The team also focused on the soil the tree lives in, making a compost mixture of organic matter to provide nutrients and stimulate growth in the tree's roots.

"[The tree] is kind of in a coma," Nimz told USA TODAY. "So, it's just like when you're in a coma, they give you intravenous fluids in your veins and they keep your vital signs going until they see you blink or move a finger or something. So, we're doing the same thing with the tree."

Nimz had said that the team is closely monitoring the tree for signs of that "blink," which could be a new, green bud popping up or an indication from the sensors they've installed that movement, such as sap traveling or expansion or contraction in the trunk.

An iconic 150-year-old Banyan tree in Lahaina, Hawaii was found still standing after the Maui town was devastated by a deadly fire.

Hawaii wildfires: The historic banyan tree in Lahaina stands after Maui fires, but will it live?

What is the Lahaina banyan tree?

A beloved landmark in Lahaina, the 60-foot tall Indian banyan tree spans 1.94 acres in length and shades nearly two-thirds of an acre, according to the Lahaina Restoration Foundation. Its branches have witnessed love and loss with weddings, vow renewals, honeymoon photos and funerals taking place under its warmth and shade.

It was planted as a sapling in 1873 after being imported from India to honor the 50th anniversary of the first protestant missionaries to arrive in the area, started at the request of Queen Keopuolani.

The tree, which turned 150 years old in April, is the largest banyan tree in the U.S. and one of the largest in the world, according to the official Lahaina website. Also home to hundreds of mynah birds, the tree is known as the heartbeat of Lahaina Town" and sits in Lahaina Banyan Court Park, which was impacted by the fires.

Huge Banyan tree in downtown Lahaina on Maui in Hawaii, Jan. 6, 2016.

Tracing the fires: Maps, before-and-after images of the destruction in Hawaii caused by Maui fires

'Deadliest fire'

While the banyan tree was lucky enough to survive, many historic landmarks such as the 200-year-old Waiola Church were unable to survive the flames and burnt down.

The Lahaina fire is the deadliest in the U.S. in more than a century. Caught in a hellscape, some residents died in their cars, while others jumped into the ocean or tried to run for safety. The Aug. 8 blaze reduced much of the historic town to ash.

Lahaina, the former capital of the Kingdom of Hawaii, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1962 for its cultural and historical significance.

'Burned down to ashes': Why devastated Lahaina Town is such a cherished place on Maui

'Sobering': Data shows US set record for natural disasters, climate catastrophes in 2023

Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY

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: Maui banyan tree update: New leaves sprout after Lahaina fire damage
(Bloomberg) -- One thing Hou Yu-ih wants Taiwans voters to know about him as they prepare to elect a new president is that he used to be a great cop.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The 66-year-olds decades-long career, which saw him work his way up from a police officer to become Taiwans top law enforcement official, is a core part of the image hes projecting ahead of the election in January 2024. Hous pitch is simple. His time working as a cop in very high-stakes situations makes him the best choice to manage one of the worlds most-dangerous geopolitical hot spots as Taiwans next president.

I have participated in countless gun battles and I always stood on the front line, Hou said during an interview in New York on Saturday. Facing down opponents in a hostage situation teaches you that whether youre on the offensive or the defensive, you must also engage in dialogue and negotiations.

He has a lot of work to do. Polling by broadcaster TVBS in August put Hou, running as the candidate of the opposition Kuomintang, in third place with 19% support. Lai Ching-te, the nominee for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, was in the lead with 30%, followed by Ko Wen-je, whos running as the candidate of a party he founded in 2019. Billionaire founder of Foxconn Group Terry Gou, who Hou defeated for the KMT nomination, is running as an independent and polling in fourth.

In addition to being cool under pressure, Hous campaign has also argued that hed be able to open lines of communication with Beijing, something current president Tsai Ing-wen , also a member of the DPP, hasnt been able to do since she first took office in 2016. Dialogue would make Taiwan safer by reducing the potential for misunderstanding and would also improve business links with the islands biggest trading partner, Hous team have argued.

The main stumbling block to dialogue over the past eight years has been an understanding between the two sides known as the 92 Consensus, which essentially says that Taiwan is part of China. Beijing has insisted that Tsai, like her predecessor, must first affirm the 92 Consensus before there can be talks. Tsai and Lai, who currently serves as her vice president, have both said that isnt something theyll do, suggesting if Lai were to win that the communications freeze would continue.

Ko, running as the nominee of the Taiwan Peoples Party, said in an interview earlier this month that he wouldnt outright reject the 92 Consensus in order to keep the door open for talks with Beijing, even though he felt there was no market for the understanding among the islands population. Gou has indicated hed affirm the 92 Consensus.

Asked in New York if he saw any value in the 92 Consensus, Hou responded that he has the responsibility to protect the lives of 23 million people and to ensure the sustainable prosperity of this land. This is my responsibility.

A few days after that interview, which took place as part of a US trip that also included stops in Washington DC and San Francisco, Hou published an article in Foreign Affairs magazine that affirmed his support of the understanding. I support the 1992 Consensus, the approach to cross-strait dialogue agreed to by Taiwanese officials and counterparts from the mainland, he wrote.

The relationship with China is the top issue facing Taiwans voters. Beijing, which considers the island a part of its territory, has pledged to take control of Taiwan, by force if necessary. With the US having long been the guarantor of the islands security, thats fueled concerns about a potential military conflict between the worlds biggest economies.

In addition to dialogue, Hou also stressed that hed seek to bolster Taiwans military capabilities by increasing defense spending to more than 2.5% of gross domestic product. He said he was open to spending increasing to 3% or more of GDP, though emphasized the need to spend wisely because of the disparity in military budgets between Taiwan and China.

No matter how the mainland changes, we must be prepared and we must have strength, Hou said. Sun Tzus Art of War said: Dont rely on the enemy not coming, rely on me being prepared to wait for him.

As Hou was traveling in the US, where he met with members of the US Congress as well as State Department and national security officials, Chinas Peoples Liberation Army sent a record 103 warplanes and nine ships into the vicinity of Taiwan through Sunday and into the early hours of Monday. Those sorties coincided with visits to Taipei by US Under Secretary of Commerce Laurie Locascio and the governors of Arizona and New Mexico. Beijing has long protested visits by American officials to the island.

The current state of ties across the Taiwan Strait are a far cry from where they were eight years ago, during the final days of the last KMT presidents term in office. Then-President Ma Ying-jeou traveled to Singapore in November 2015 for a historic face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Since, there has a been a US-China trade war, a global pandemic, Russias invasion of Ukraine and a series of American sanctions that have cut off Beijings access to advanced semiconductors.

Asked if hed seek a meeting with Xi as Ma did, Hou downplayed the possibility. What is most needed now, he said, was stability in the relationship. To do that, Taiwan has to first improve its own defense capabilities and then to seek dialog with Beijing.

The situation at that time was completely different from how things are now, Hou said. At this stage, Taiwan is facing constant conflicts, and it would be easy to spark a conflict accidentally and trigger a war. We must be prepared to face a conflict that could trigger a full-on war at any time.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Recently, a plan to open up Tampas Riverwalk on the water behind a cruise ship terminal at the port appeared to hit a wall.

Now Tampa officials are exploring another Riverwalk-related proposal: extending the popular 2.6-mile recreational path that runs along the waters edge through downtown north along the port area from the Florida Aquarium toward Ybor City.

A big difference between the two ideas? The proposed new path wouldnt be on the water, like the rest of the Riverwalk, but near it.

If we allow the Riverwalk to go along the water (at the port), it could be a disaster for the maritime industry, said Tampa City Council member Bill Carlson, reviewing the preliminary proposal at a September Community Redevelopment Agency meeting.

Instead, the path would cut through existing port-area parking lots and walkways before veering over to Channelside Drive and turning east at Adamo Drive, according to a preliminary map shown at the meeting. But Carlson said a red line marking that path on the map is just an arbitrary line to get feedback and will likely move.

When the cruise ships arent in, youll be able to see the water, he said.

The majority of the land involved is owned by the port and the city.

Waterside access for the public at the port was a sticking point for a recent Riverwalk proposal supported by Mayor Jane Castor and other city stakeholders. They hoped to open up the area currently locked behind security gates behind cruise ship Terminal 2  not far from where the Riverwalk ends  to extend the path along the water when no ships are in port.

Port officials expressed concerns, including over security, liability and loss of revenue. At a recent port board meeting, a study group offered up options from pricey to complex to routing riverwalkers up to a city street.

The mayor, who said a very simply doable idea was being made overly complicated, indicated after the meeting that the proposal did not seem to be a priority for the port or its board.

This latest idea, touted by Carlson, met with enthusiasm from other council members. Lynn Hurtak said she loved the concept, was fine with not being on the water for the whole thing and expressed a fascination with ships.

A trail through the industrial maritime area could highlight Tampa as a port city, Hurtak said. And, she said, I think that kind of grittiness is, I mean, dare I say, its a little sexy.

Were a city thats really working, Hurtak said. We have a port and we have high-rises and we have the aquarium.

Council chairperson Guido Maniscalco talked about how this could extend the Riverwalk into the growth of the burgeoning Water Street area and the incoming Gas Worx development in Ybor City. The Riverwalk, he said, is a jewel, and its just going to further expand there while also respecting maritime properties.

Asked by the Tampa Bay Times about the preliminary proposal, Port Tampa Bay spokesperson Lisa Wolf-Chason replied via email: As we come up with our strategic plans for our property for the next decades, we will be looking to create a working maritime waterfront that maximizes growth and sustainability with our community.

Council members voted for staff to return Dec. 14 with feedback from the community.
Two stories of teachers facing discipline and a gubernatorial candidate using flamethrowers underscore the difficulties facing educators as the new school year begins.

The Washington Post reported this week on the story of a South Carolina teacher, Mary Wood, returning to school following a reprimand earlier this year after two students in her Advanced Placement English class filed a complaint that she had assigned Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates , a book on race in America by an award-winning Black author.

The two complainants in the all-white class said the assignment violated a rule forbidding teachers from making students feel discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress over their race. Coates showed up at a school board meeting this summer to support Wood, whose firing was advocated by many attendees despite the fact that she had taught the book the previous year without complaint.

A Texas middle school teacher was fired after assigning her eighth grade class an illustrated version of The Diary of Anne Frank, the book by a Jewish teenager who wrote about her experience hiding from the Nazis, because it contained a passage describing genitalia. The Beaumont, Texas, outlet KFDM reported that while the school district has claimed the book was not approved, it was on a reading list sent to parents at the start of the school year.

In Missouri, a Republican state senator who is running for governor in 2024 and one of his colleagues used flamethrowers on a stack of boxes at a fundraising event.

In the video, I am taking a flamethrower to cardboard boxes representing what I am going to do to the leftist policies and RINO corruption of the [Jefferson] City swamp, state Sen. Bill Eigel told the Kansas City Star in a statement. But lets be clear, you bring those woke pornographic books to Missouri schools to try to brainwash our kids, and Ill burn those too  on the front lawn of the governors mansion.

The stories highlight the challenges that teachers and educators are dealing with in the current political climate.

Read more on Yahoo News: Book bans: In 3 years, 60 texts have been challenged in Iowa schools. A new law could ban more, from USA Today

How we got here

School curricula have become a flash point in today's culture wars. (Getty Images)

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an outsized impact on teachers, who were demonized in the media and targeted by some parents for their concerns about returning to in-person instruction without proper safety measures against the virus. Then came a wave of laws across the country in Republican-controlled states that have restricted lesson plans and books that discuss race, gender and sexuality.

Such challenges are often coordinated by groups like Moms for Liberty, a Republican-aligned group supporting conservative school board candidates that has risen in prominence since its founding in 2021.

The compounding issues have led to massive teacher shortages in many areas of the country. Trina Berg, an Arizona teacher and union president, told NBC News last month, Its a lack of respect that the position seems to have right now. Were under attack, unfortunately, by different parent groups and different political groups. And then everything kind of just builds up on you.

A day after the Missouri state senator pledged to burn woke books, the American Library Association released its preliminary report on book challenges so far this year, finding that nearly 2,000 titles were targeted. According to the group, this represented a 20% increase over the same period in 2022, which featured the highest number of book challenges since tracking began more than two decades ago. Books by authors of color and LGBTQ authors have been disproportionately targeted.

Read more on Yahoo News: In Florida, more than 300 books have been removed from school shelves, from HuffPost

A push for parental rights

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis promoting the so-called Stop WOKE Act in Hialeah Gardens, Fla., in April 2022. (Daniel A. Varela/Miami Herald via Zuma Press Wire)

Florida is facing one of the nations largest teacher shortages. Its also been the epicenter of the parental rights push by Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who is running in the 2024 presidential race. Teachers there have cited low pay and a series of restrictions put in place by DeSantis like the Dont Say Gay bill, as well as a law banning critical race theory, an academic study of racisms systemic impact that is generally not taught below the university level.

The results of those laws are confusion over whether the states schools can offer an Advanced Placement course in psychology and changes to the AP African American studies program.

The state faced blowback this summer for introducing new education standards that included teaching the benefits of slavery, and has approved the use of videos from PragerU, a nonaccredited outlet founded by conservative radio host Dennis Prager that opponents call right-wing propaganda due to its content on subjects like the Civil War and climate change. The state placed No. 1 in the Educational Freedom rankings assembled by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

In June 2022, the Washington Post reported that more than 160 educators had lost their jobs over political debates during the previous two academic years. Recent examples include a Wisconsin teacher who was critical of the district for not allowing the Dolly Parton-Miley Cyrus song Rainbowland to be performed at a concert and the termination of a Georgia teacher for reading to her class from a book on gender identity.
Temple University's acting president JoAnne Epps died suddenly Tuesday after collapsing at a university event. She was 72 years old. Photo courtesy of Temple University

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Temple University's acting president JoAnne Epps died unexpectedly Tuesday after collapsing on stage at a university event, as officials called her loss a "gut punch." Epps was 72 years old.

The university said Epps became ill Tuesday during a memorial service at Temple for Charles Blockson, a curator of the Blockson Collection. She was taken to Temple University Hospital for treatment and was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m., the university said.

"It is with deep heartbreak that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps suddenly passed away this afternoon," the university wrote Tuesday in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Dear Members of the Temple Community, It is with deep heartbreak that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps suddenly passed away this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/lvzxcLud9E Temple University (@TempleUniv) September 19, 2023

While the university did not disclose a cause for Epps' death, a doctor at the hospital in Philadelphia said she suffered a "sudden episode" and could not be revived.

"It sounds like President Epps suffered a sudden episode during the event, was promptly attended to by emergency medical services, was transported here to Temple Hospital where resuscitation efforts continued but unfortunately were unsuccessful," Dr. Daniel del Portal at Temple University Hospital told reporters.

"There are no words that can describe the gravity and sadness of this loss. President Epps was a devoted servant and friend who represented the best parts of Temple. She spent nearly 40 years of her life serving this university, and it goes without saying her loss will reverberate through the community for years to come," the university said in a statement Tuesday.

During her time at Temple, Epps served as the dean of Temple Beasley School of Law between 2008 and 2016. She became the university's executive vice president and provost in 2016 before stepping in as acting president in April.

Condolences poured in over social media Tuesday following her death, including from the governor of Pennsylvania.

"JoAnne Epps was a powerful force and constant ambassador for Temple University for nearly four decades. Losing her is heartbreaking for Philadelphia," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote in a post on X.

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney wrote: "Heartbroken by the sudden passing of Temple University's acting President JoAnne A. Epps. She was a passionate and steadfast leader who inspired many. I feel fortunate to have known her."

"My heart is with the Temple community and JoAnne's family and loved ones," he said.

As Temple's Board of Trustees plans to meet Wednesday to determine how the university will move forward without her. A vigil will be held in Epps' honor.

"We invite the entire Temple community to join us at the Bell Tower at noon tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 20, for a special vigil in President Epps' honor," the university wrote in a post. "This will be a time to reflect, remember and support one another during this time of grieving."

We invite the entire Temple community to join us at the Bell Tower at noon tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 20, for a special vigil in President Epps' honor. This will be a time to reflect, remember and support one another during this time of grieving. https://t.co/gegWBTD4WQ pic.twitter.com/fO7e3veCDc Temple University (@TempleUniv) September 20, 2023
The Texas Republican Party has been at war with itself for years, waging battles large and small, consequential and petty. The split over Attorney General Ken Paxton spilled it all into the open.

But just because the House voted to impeach Paxton and the Senate voted to acquit him, it doesnt follow that the GOP, which runs everything at the statewide level, should fight indefinitely. But there are some, inside and outside the tent, encouraging just that.

By Saturday afternoon, as senators began to vote on Paxtons fate, it had become clear that there arent just Republicans who think hes guilty and those who think hes innocent. There are many who obsess over grievances against what they believe are corrupt federal institutions and there are some who dont  and they prefer to expend their energy elsewhere. These differences have become all-consuming, in part because of the towering figure they involve, and they ensure the Republican party will remain less effective.

That figure himself, Donald Trump, magnified the fractured nature of the GOP when he took credit for helping Paxton get acquitted. On his Truth Social site Monday, Trump wrote that he used the platform to save Paxton from going down at the hands of Democrats and some Republicans, headed by PAUL RINO (Ryan), Karl Rove, and others, almost all of whom came back to reason when confronted with the facts.

If Trump was involved in some way, thats inexcusable. He has no business even attempting to interfere in such an important, sober, state-centered matter. And his argument that Ryan, the former U.S. House speaker, and Rove, who did more to build the Texas GOPs dominance than almost anyone, were part of a cabal against Paxton is, as usual, paranoid and fact-free.

Still, his post is a reminder that the Texas Republican Party embraces Trump and Trumpism, obsessing over one man who still cant acknowledge 2020 election results and embraces whatever positions are the most convenient to get elected (or re-elected). Trumps insistence that only he can convey to Congress and the world the everyday concerns of the Everyman, including Texans, while himself living in a vortex of lies, deceit, machinations, and indictments is hypocritical, immoral, and ineffectual. This form of populism must be rejected.

The two factions of the Republican Party, the grassroots most personified by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the more traditional conservatives aligned with House Speaker Dade Phelan, have always been rivals. But when Trump entered politics, it increased tenfold. Now, in Texas, there are only Democrats, Republicans for Trump, and Republicans who never want Trump to hold office again. (Sorry, Libertarians.)

Following the acquittal, Patrick gave a 10-minute speech describing what he thought about the entire process. He scolded the House on how quickly it sent over articles of impeachment. He also called for amending the Texas Constitution on impeachment to require that testimony in a House investigation be under oath, and the target must be allowed to be present with a lawyer to cross examine the witnesses, two frequent complaints from Paxtons defenders.

He also recommended giving the House two weeks to review any future impeachment-related evidence before voting next time. And on Monday, he requested a full financial audit of the impeachment proceedings. Its good to learn lessons about the process, but do we need to look back on this and have more House-Senate bickering?

Patrick and Phelan have continued to trade barbs, though, and House Republicans who voted for impeachment can count on vigorous primary challenges.

Matt Rinaldi, the chairman of the state party, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after the Paxton acquittal: The Texas House needs new leadership that will (1) stop the GOP civil war @DadePhelan started and (2) end the absurd practice of sharing power with Democrats. Texas Republicans are united for 2024. We invite House Republicans to join the team.

Rinaldi is right that a civil war is bad for the GOP, but hes incorrect to observe that Texas Republicans are united or that the only way to do so is to support MAGA conservatives, which he does. This is neither conservatism nor right, morally or politically.

True conservatism embraces individual freedom, personal and fiscal responsibility, rule of law, human dignity, free markets, and a limited government. True conservatism is an idea based on a set of principles, not a person, and certainly not one who continually abuses power, whether that be Trump, Paxton, or anyone else.

There is a time for everything  there is even a time for internal fights, especially if it purges one side of harmful or petty influences. But an indefinite war does the GOP no good. A split GOP is useless, unfocused, and accomplishes little.

Its unfortunate that the Senate failed to remove Paxton. But its time for Republicans to focus where they agree and govern for the benefit of all Texans.

Do you have an opinion on this topic? Tell us!

We love to hear from Texans with opinions on the news  and to publish those views in the Opinion section.

 Letters should be no more than 150 words.

 Writers should submit letters only once every 30 days.

 Include your name, address (including city of residence), phone number and email address, so we can contact you if we have questions.

You can submit a letter to the editor two ways:

 Email letters@star-telegram.com (preferred).

 Fill out this online form.

Please note: Letters will be edited for style and clarity. Publication is not guaranteed. The best letters are focused on one topic.
Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, son of Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn, leaves a temple in Bangkok on Aug. 10, 2023. Credit - Sakchai LalitAP

An exhibition in New York about a controversial Thai law that criminalizes insulting the countrys monarchy welcomed an unlikely visitor this week: the son of Thailands king.

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, the estranged second son of King Maha Vajiralongkorn , showed up Monday to the Faces of Victims of 112, an exhibition at Columbia University that highlights stories of people who have either been imprisoned or gone into exile because of Section 112 of Thailands criminal code, a royal defamation law that observers say has been largely wielded against political dissent.

Lese-majeste, which can carry a sentence of up to 15 years in jail, has covered a wide range of acts deemed offensive to the Thai royal familyfrom tongue-in-cheek jabs at the king (or at the kings dog) to sharing social media posts critical of the monarchy. As frustrations with Thailands military-backed government reached a fever pitch in 2020 and 2021, protests swept the country and the repeal of Section 112 became a rallying cry. Since then, according to the organization Thai Lawyers for Human Rights, more than 250 people have been charged under Section 112, including children as young as 14 years old, for their political expression.

Read More: I'm Facing Life in Prison for Violence Against the Thai Queen. I'm Innocent

Most recently, the law was at the center of Thailands chaotic political transition this year: in a May general election, a plurality of the public supported the progressive Move Forward Party, which campaigned on reforming Section 112, but the partys leader Pita Limjaroenrat was thwarted by the countrys conservative establishment from taking the top job. Instead, the second-place, populist party Pheu Thai, abandoned its previous alliance with Move Forward and partnered with royalist parties to form a new government led by Srettha Thavisinthough analysts believe public sentiment toward Section 112 will continue to define Thai electoral politics in the future.

After his visit to the Section 112 exhibition, the 42-year-old Vacharaesorn, who is a lawyer and lives in New York, wrote in a Facebook post: I love and honor the monarchy. But I believe that knowing is better than not knowing. Each person has their own opinion that comes from their experience. If we don't listen to their opinions, it doesn't make their views and opinions disappear.

The posture by the kings son is an encouraging sign, says Thai political scientist Pavin Chachavalpongpun, the organizer of the exhibition and a prominent critic of the monarchy who has faced charges of violating Section 112 and now lives in Japan.

Maybe he wants to use this opportunity to convey a message to the palace that this is the way that the Thai palace must go, for the sake of the monarchys own survival, Pavin tells TIME.

Protesters demonstrate against Section 112, Thailand's royal defamation law, in Bangkok on Jan. 26, 2023. Varuth PongsapipattSOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

Vacharaesorns appearance and comments come just a month after he and his brother, Chakriwat, made a surprise trip to Thailandtheir first return in nearly 30 years, since then-Prince Vajiralongkorn announced his divorce from their mother in 1996. The August trip, during which Vacharaesorn was photographed riding a tuk-tuk, eating pad thai, and visiting historical sites, sparked speculations that he is being considered as a potential successor, which the 71-year-old Vajiralongkorn has not yet officially named.

The future of the Thai royal family was thrown into uncertainty in December when the kings first daughter and eldest child Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati collapsed and went into a coma. She is believed to remain in hospital on life support, though there have been few official updates on her condition. Among the kings six other children across his four marriages, there is no heir apparent. Vacharaesorn is the third child and second-eldest son behind his brother Juthavachara, who is unlikely to be considered for succession due to his marriage to a foreigner.

The palace did not comment on Vacharaesorn and his younger brother Chakriwats visit to Thailand, and its unclear if they met with their father. But observers note that such a return would have been very unlikely without approval from the monarchy.

Without the green light from the palace, he wouldnt have been able to return home. So the fact that he went home  he had to get some kind of permission, says Pavin. Perhaps they are looking into him as a kind of alternative to the succession.

This time I have to leave again, I hope in the future I and my brothers and family will be able to visit Thailand again, Vacharaesorn said at a news conference before he left the country.

Whether Vacharaesorns social media post on the Section 112 exhibition could help or hurt his chances of ascending to the throne is not quite clear. The Thai palace has remained largely silent as debate over Section 112 has intensified, though in 2020 then-Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha said that Vajiralongkorn had urged authorities to refrain from charging people under the controversial law.

If [Vacharaesorn] wants to be someone important in Thailand in the future, he has to stand on his own legs, says Pavin. Anyone with sense, or intelligent enough, or progressive enough, they must know that the Thai monarchy cannot go on like this.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The second son of Thailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn made a surprise visit to a New York exhibition featuring the stories of people who have been prosecuted under the countrys harsh royal defamation laws, signaling a willingness to talk openly about the taboo topic.

Thailand has some of the worlds strictest lese majeste laws, and criticizing the King, Queen, or heir apparent can lead to a maximum 15-year prison sentence for each offense, which makes even talking about the royal family fraught with risk.

Sentences for those convicted under Article 112 of Thailands Criminal Code can be decades long and hundreds of people have been prosecuted in recent years.

The exhibition, named Faces Of Victims Of 112, was held at the LeRoy Neiman Gallery at New Yorks Columbia University by Thai dissident Pavin Chachavalpongpun, an outspoken critic of the Thai monarchy and a royal academic who himself faces charges under lese majeste.

Vacharaesorn Vivacharawongse, 42, the Kings second-oldest son, who lives in New York, confirmed that he went to see the exhibition on his official Facebook page Monday.

I love and hold my loyalty to the monarchy, but I believe that knowing is better than not knowing, and each individual has their own opinion which is derived from their own experiences, Vacharaesorn wrote.

Even if we dont listen to their opinions, it doesnt mean that their viewpoints and opinions dont exist. Therefore, it is good to know and listen and hear reasons and viewpoints from parties.

He added that it is another matter whether to agree or disagree, but we have to talk with principles.

Vacharaesorns presence at the exhibition comes a month after he returned to Thailand for the first time in almost three decades, since his familys estrangement from the royal family following his parents divorce in 1996.

That highly-publicized visit by Vacharaesorn and his younger brother was seen as especially significant by analysts because the King, who is 71, has not named an heir apparent since ascending to the throne in 2016.

Analysts saw the visit as a testing of the waters for a future potential homecoming.

It also came at a delicate time for the monarchy, with growing calls from the public for royal reform, especially among younger Thais  making his presence at the exhibition particularly significant and loaded with symbolism.

Presence at exhibition has important implications

Pavin, who ran the exhibition, posted photos on his Facebook page of himself and Vacharaesorn speaking with each other at the event next to images of 25 Thais who have been prosecuted under lese majeste.

This was such a civilized way to talk about an issue which is full of barbarity. The society cant move forward if the old power doesnt open their mind to listen to the problem, he wrote.

Speaking to CNN, Pavin said Vacharaesorns presence was important because the topic itself is so significant.

Making a dialogue is better than turning our backs away from the problem, he said. You cant run away from this issue.

Pavin, associate professor at Kyoto Universitys Center for Southeast Asian Studies, said the visit was significant because it signals a certain willingness of the establishment in Thailand to move ahead for sake of its own survival.

For him to pay attention to this very important issue, from an academic viewpoint, this could produce a lot of important implications on Thai politics, he said.

Thailand has been run for decades by a small but powerful clique that maintains deep ties to the military, royalist and business establishments.

King Vajiralongkorn assumed the throne following the 2016 death of his father Bhumibol Adulyadej who had reigned for 70 years.

Military coups against democratic governments dotted Bhumibols reign, often in the name of protecting the monarchy from a perceived threat, and lese majeste prosecutions were frequently brought against critics of both the royal family and the military elite.

Even Bhumibol once appeared to question the restrictive climate.

If the King can do no wrong, it is akin to looking down upon him, because the King is not being treated as a human being, he said in his 2005 birthday speech. The King can do wrong.

Nonetheless lese majeste prosecutions continued in the last decade of his reign, and increased dramatically when the military seized power in a 2014 coup.

In 2020, mass anti-government protests swept the Southeast Asian nation demanding democratic, military and constitutional reforms. An unprecedented demand was royal reform to ensure the King is answerable to the constitution and amendments to the royal insult law.

Elections in May saw progressive party Move Forward turn those protest demands, including lese majeste reforms, into a successful political campaign that resonated with the Thai public, winning the party the most seats in parliament.

But the party was sidelined over its royal reform agenda. Thailands new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin of the populist Pheu Thai party has said the coalition government wont touch amendments to lese majeste and has formed a coalition government with the help of the same military-backed forces that toppled previous democratically elected administrations.

A political tool

For years, human rights organizations and free speech campaigners have said lese majeste has been used as a political tool to silence critics of the Thai government.

Anyone  ordinary citizens as well as the government  can bring lese majeste charges on behalf of the King, even if they are not directly involved with the case.

Those who have fallen foul of the law in the past include one man accused of liking a Facebook page deemed insulting to the late King Bhumibol and posting a sarcastic photo of his pet dog.

In 2021, a Thai woman was handed a 43-year jail sentence, believed to be the toughest ever imposed, after pleading guilty to sharing audio clips on YouTube and Facebook that were deemed critical of the royal family.

Local NGO Thai Lawyers for Human Rights (TLHR) said that since the start of the mass protests beginning in July 2020 and up until July 2023, at least 1,918 people have been prosecuted for their political participation and expression, with 215 of those cases involving children.

At least 253 people have been charged with lese majeste during that time, the group said.

The current wave of lese majeste charges and arrests comes after former Thai Prime Minister and coup leader Prayut Chan-o-cha pledged to protect the monarchy against pro-democracy protesters in 2020, according to TLHR.

Once a taboo subject, the issue of royal reform and amendments to lese majeste has seen a turning point since the protests, with people increasingly speaking about the monarchy openly and publicly, despite the legal risks.

Though the reformist Move Forward party now finds itself in the opposition and parliamentary discussion of 112 off the table, those within the youth movement say these issues are now in the public consciousness and will not easily be suppressed.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
NEW YORK  President Joe Biden went out of his way at a Tuesday night reception to praise a certain New York official for hosting him for the past three days during the United Nations General Assembly.

It wasnt New York City Mayor Eric Adams .

I first want to thank Gov. [Kathy] Hochul, Biden said at the top of his speech at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Kathy, thank you very much for everything this great city has done to make this General Assembly a success.

The comments served as the latest evidence of heightened friction between Adams and Biden, Democrats who once appeared to be close allies. The two are not planning to have any face time during the presidents trip to Manhattan amid public spats over the White Houses response to the citys migrant crisis.

Adams has had a packed schedule this week meeting with dignitaries from around the globe and mayors from around the country. Biden never made the calendar.

The Democratic mayor said Wednesday his office was still working closely with the White House, but he also refused to sugarcoat challenges that the influx of asylum-seekers has brought to the city. That bluntness, he suggested, has contributed to the deteriorating relationship with the president.

There's an authentic communication style that I have, and sometimes that offends people, Adams said on Fox 5 in New York when asked about Hochuls interaction with the commander in chief. But I'm not going to be dishonest to New Yorkers and finding a word in a thesaurus that makes it sound politically correct.

Hochul and Adams have both been critical of the federal governments response to the more than 100,000 migrants who have come to the city over the past year, with more than 60,000 still in the citys care.

But the governor has been more measured in her appraisal compared to the outspoken mayor. As a result, she has maintained a more cordial relationship with the nations most powerful Democrat.

Hochul told reporters Wednesday that after she arrived at the reception, she was told Biden wanted to see her.

I always welcome the president when he comes when its available.  There was interest in the White House in having me spend time speaking with the president, and thats exactly what happened, she said.

The two discussed many of the requests Hochul has made over the past year, including more federally owned sites where the city and state could erect migrant shelters.

She did not, however, raise the issue of the state issuing its own local version of work authorization to speed up getting migrants placed in jobs.

I felt that he is listening to us, she said of her tete-a-tete, which she described as productive.

Hochul remains on a list of surrogates for the presidents reelection while Adams was dropped from the roster after saying the president failed New York City earlier this year.



Adams, while invited, declined to attend the soiree.

It wasnt always this way.

Shortly after winning the Democratic primary for mayor, Adams dubbed himself the Biden of Brooklyn. After taking office, he hosted the president during a visit to the city to discuss public safety. And at this time last year, Biden and Adams rubbed elbows at both a fundraiser and a UN reception.

As of late Wednesday morning, however, there was no indication the two would meet before Biden heads back to Washington in the evening.

The city estimates it will spend $12 billion on asylum-seekers through 2025, a price tag that has driven Adams to repeatedly plead for more funding from Washington and quicker work authorization for the migrants, along with a more cohesive strategy at the border to spread the flow of migrants out to more places in the country.

I have to defend the city that I defended as a police officer and now as the mayor of the city," he said during a separate television interview Wednesday on PIX 11. "New York City must not be going through this. It's not sustainable."

His administration has opened more than 200 emergency shelters and is currently preparing to house thousands of asylum-seekers in tents at Floyd Bennett Field, a former federal airbase that was the subject of negotiations between Hochul and Biden.

A group of Republican and moderate Democrat lawmakers have sued to stop the opening of that facility  part of a broader backlash against shelters in certain pockets of the city.

Late Tuesday, as Biden settled in for the night in Manhattan, residents in Staten Island blocked a bus carrying migrants, shouting that the passengers inside were not welcome.

The protest was the latest sign of tension in the city. Adams condemned the display.

We'll manage this crisis, but we're not going to do it with violence, and we're not going to do it with hateful terminologies spewed at individuals, Adams said of the protest.
This summers Federal Trade CommissionMicrosoft trial revealed all kinds of intriguing details about how the tech companys gaming arm saw its rivals and the future of gaming. But now, a court document leak has spilled the beans on new consoles, a new controller and even a list of new game projects. (New Dishonored? Yes, please.)

TMA

The most leftfield part, though, might be a letter from Xbox chief Phil Spencer talking about Nintendo. He said Nintendo was a prime asset for Microsofts continued push in gaming and could be the companys best bet for consumer relevance. Spencer added Nintendo had a board of directors that had not pushed for increases in market growth in ages  indicating, of course, a massive difference in how Nintendo governs itself compared to Microsoft. Eventually, Xbox bought gaming giants Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, so fewer plumbers and more gunners.

Microsoft has attempted to acquire Nintendo for a while. When Bloomberg published an in-depth on the development of Xbox in 2021, it revealed that Microsoft execs had asked Nintendo if it was willing to be acquired  and were laughed out of the room.

By the end of yesterday, Spencer commented on X, saying: so much has changed since those documents. He added the company will share the real plans when we are ready.

 Mat Smith



The biggest stories you might have missed

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is building a massive GPU cluster to cure, prevent or manage all diseases

We put the Dyson Zones air filters to the test. Heres what we found.

Microsoft AI researchers mistakenly leaked 38TB of company data

Netgears new wallet-busting Orbi router has just about every feature imaginable

How to watch and follow Thursdays Microsoft Surface event

Talos Principle 2 and the quiet subversion of optimistic sci-fi

Can Microsofts Surface PCs get out of their rut?

Apple makes the strongest case yet for its biggest, priciest phone.

TMA

Its the year of the USB-C iPhone, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max adds a new action button and the most versatile camera system yet. Apple has kept the same price for the Pro ($999) and Pro Max ($1,199) while doubling the storage capacity on the base model of the latter. If youve been holding on to an iPhone thats at least two years old (or even just a year old), this could well be the year to upgrade. The changes coming to Apples Pro handsets feel meatier than before, and a new titanium build makes these devices seem fresher too.

Continue reading.

The console could land November 2024.

Microsoft is planning a mid-generation refresh of the Xbox Series X with a new discless cylindrical design, according to those leaked documents. Microsoft previously said it has no plans for a mid-gen console refresh, but that doesnt appear to be true according to the document. In fact, the company may be working on three new consoles. The first, codenamed Ellewood, is a light refresh of the Xbox Series S (set to arrive around September 2024), while Brooklin, tentatively planned for November 2024, is a new discless version of the Xbox Series X.

Another model, XDL, matches Brooklins specs but will presumably offer Xbox Design Lab customization. Another slide details a two-tone Sebile controller with built-in accelerometers and haptics that would make it more like Sonys latest DualSense controller. There are apparently some sustainability tweaks, like a swappable battery, recycled materials and improved repairability. If youre looking even further into the future, the documents also detailed a cloud hybrid Xbox for 2028, which would combine console power with cloud strength.

Continue reading.

The company wants to test its implants on people with quadriplegia.

Elon Musks Neuralink company, purveyors of the experimental N1 brain-computer interface (BCI), announced on Tuesday it has finally opened enrollment for its first human study.

The study aims to evaluate the safety of our implant (N1) and surgical robot (R1) and assess the initial functionality of our BCI for enabling people with paralysis to control external devices with their thoughts. As such, this study is looking primarily for those who have quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The release adds: The initial goal of our BCI is to grant people the ability to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.

Continue reading.
Thirty-two countries are participating on the third day of a hearing raised by Russia at the UN International Court of Justice in The Hague to object to Ukraines accusation of acts of genocide.

Hungary is the only EU state to refuse participation, while Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Liechtenstein, and the UK also took part, reported Ukrinform on Sept. 20.

Read also: ICJ session starts hearings on Ukraine's genocide case against Russia; Moscow says Hague court lacks jurisdiction

Representatives of several countries have stated that they joined the case as parties to the UN Genocide Convention, under which Ukraine has made its accusations against Russia. The country will also seek reparations from the Russian government.

Earlier, Ukrainian representative to the UN, Anton Korynevich, said that Russia has abused the convention by justifying its war against Ukraine as an attempt to stop a genocide in Donbas.

Read also: London to host meeting of justice ministers to help probe Russian war crimes for The Hague

No independent organization or state has supported Russias claims.

The UN International Court of Justice began public hearings on Sept. 18 covering Ukraine's claim against Russia for committing acts of genocide.

Russia called on the International Court of Justice to dismiss the case, claiming that Kyiv's legal arguments were "hopelessly flawed."

Ukraine took the case to the International Court of Justice days after the Russian invasion, arguing that Russia was abusing international law by justifying the invasion as an attempt to stop "alleged genocide" in eastern Ukraine.

Read also: UN commission has not found sufficient evidence of genocide in Ukraine

The hearing, which will run until September 27, will not deal with the merits of the case, instead it will focus on legal arguments about jurisdiction.

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
Michael Torres gestures toward his dry well in the unincorporated Fresno County community of Tombstone Territory in August 2022. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

Even though California enacted sweeping legislation nearly a decade ago to curb excessive agricultural pumping of groundwater, new research predicts that thousands of drinking water wells could run dry in the Central Valley by the time the laws restrictions take full effect in 2040.

The study, published this month in the journal Scientific Reports, casts critical light on how the state is implementing the 2014 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The research reveals that plans prepared by local agencies would allow for heavy pumping to continue largely unabated, potentially drawing down aquifers to low levels that would leave many residents with dry wells.

The researchers warned that unless local agencies adopt more stringent measures or come up with backup plans, many people in the Central Valley could be left without access to drinking water, and low-income communities could be severely affected.

Study authors reviewed 60 local groundwater plans throughout the Central Valley and examined a key metric called minimum thresholds  the aquifer levels groundwater agencies have set as lower limits while they implement the groundwater act's rules and restrictions over the next 16 years.

A worker with H&B Drilling & Sons places gravel around a newly drilled 240-foot water well in unincorporated Fresno County last February. Researchers found that plans for managing groundwater in the Central Valley leave thousands of wells at risk of running dry. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times)

They found that more than 5,000 domestic wells would be left completely dry, while an additional 4,000 household wells would be partially dewatered, leading to problems such as low water pressure or damaged pumps.

In all, they said, more than 9,200 household wells and 1,000 public supply wells could fail if water levels are allowed to decline to the plans' minimum thresholds.

The numbers are quite large and have the potential to impact many, many people, said Darcy Bostic, a researcher with the West Sacramento-based. nonprofit Rural Community Assistance Corp., who led the study.

Bostic and her colleagues found that plans submitted by local agencies would allow major declines in groundwater between now and 2040. They said the thresholds allow for aquifer levels to decline, on average, 80 feet below 2019 levels, while some agencies set their thresholds more than 200 feet below current levels.

Such large drops would closely resemble status-quo, business-as-usual declines driven by unrestricted pumping, the researchers said. They urged state and local water officials to strengthen protections for drinking water wells and take steps to mitigate the effects.

If we are not careful or aware of this, impacts to drinking water access and even to agricultural economies may be severe, Bostic said. I hope that there's a conversation around how we can support particularly rural and lower-income communities that will be impacted by declining groundwater levels.

Read more: Despite storms, many Californians are still coping with dry wells and awaiting fixes

The researchers said contingency plans could include securing funds to lower peoples pumps, drill new wells or connect homes to other water sources.

Few Central Valley plans currently include an evaluation of how many wells could fail, authors said. They recommend that state officials require local agencies to analyze vulnerable wells, and study how stricter thresholds could reduce the number of failures.

Overall, researchers estimated that 32% of the 29,567 domestic wells analyzed are at risk under the plans that agencies submitted, as well as 21% of the 5,259 wells that supply public water systems  a burden thats likely to fall disproportionately on rural disadvantaged communities.

The findings add to a body of research that has identified failings and weaknesses in implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

The legislation requires groundwater basins that are deemed to be in critical overdraft to halt overpumping and meet locally developed "sustainability" goals by 2040.

Read more: 'Full-on crisis': Groundwater in California's Central Valley disappearing at alarming rate

The law broadly defines sustainability as managing and using groundwater in a manner that can be maintained during the planning and implementation horizon without causing undesirable results," one of which is chronic lowering of groundwater levels.

SGMA lets local groundwater agencies decide how to achieve sustainability  with input from state regulators  and researchers say many plans fail to say how they will address overpumping.

Rich Pauloo, a hydrogeologist and data scientist who co-wrote the study, questioned how business-as-usual groundwater extraction could continue until 2040 and then just magically stop.

Allowing groundwater pumping to continue at these rates is like driving a car downhill towards a wall  you have to apply the brakes gradually as you descend, Pauloo said. If you charge downhill at full speed and expect to stop on a dime at the bottom, youre likely to crash through the wall and keep going.

As climate change intensifies California's drought cycle, there is widespread agreement among scientists, government officials and water managers that halting chronic groundwater depletion is critically important.

Farms in the Central Valley have long depended on heavy groundwater pumping to produce crops such as almonds and grapes. Increased pumping during droughts has led to especially large drawdowns.

According to state data, about 1,500 dry household wells were reported last year. This year  despite an extremely wet winter  more than 400 dry wells have been reported.

Read more: Amid soaking storms, California turns to farmland to funnel water into depleted aquifers

Paul Gosselin, deputy director of the state Department of Water Resources sustainable groundwater management office, said the study provides valuable analysis.

Obviously, having projections out with those number of wells projected to go dry is disturbing and is counter to what the promise of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was, Gosselin said. But I will say their analysis and report was at a point in time of when those plans were submitted.

Gosselin said state officials raised similar concerns as they reviewed plans, and local officials have since made changes to many plans. He praised the study as outstanding work and said state officials are interested in collaborating with the researchers to do further analysis over time.

This year, the Department of Water Resources declared local groundwater plans inadequate in six areas of the San Joaquin Valley where excessive pumping has left many residents with dry wells.

That action triggered intervention by the State Water Resources Control Board, which plans to hold hearings on whether to put local agencies on probationary status. State regulators could eventually step in to require stronger measures.

The study also examined how many wells are at risk in different areas. It found that areas with large numbers of projected well failures included those where state officials have approved plans  such as Kings and Merced counties  as well as areas where officials deemed plans inadequate, such as Kaweah and Tule.

We're going to continue to work with these basins and do incremental improvements, Gosselin said. There's going to be a lot of changes, even to these approved basins' plans over time.

The Department of Water Resources also announced $187 million in state grants this month to support groundwater management efforts, such as projects to capture stormwater, recharge aquifers and equip monitoring wells.

Read more: Winter storms boost Central Valley water supplies, but aquifer levels remain depleted

The researchers said that nearly 40% of the wells in disadvantaged communities are at risk, and that some of these communities lack nearby monitoring wells that track aquifer levels.

They said dry wells have disproportionately affected low-income and Latino communities, and prior research has found that 84% of Californias disadvantaged communities lack formal representation in groundwater sustainability agencies.

From my perspective, this is a complete failure to really take care of all groundwater users, especially those who are the most vulnerable, said Linda Esteli Mendez-Barrientos, a co-author and assistant professor at the University of Denver. The state needs to figure out how to play a better role to actually protect communities.

If the plans arent strengthened, Mendez-Barrientos said, they will in effect establish sacrifice zones where many people will be left to struggle with dry wells and find other sources of drinking water.

Either protect the wells or create tangible alternatives. That also may take years to implement. So they need to come up with a plan, Mendez-Barrientos said. Where is the plan for a just transition that is going to make sure that these communities have drinking water?

Read more: Amid well-drilling and pumping, calls grow for stronger California water regulation

Researchers with the Public Policy Institute of California have estimated that by 2040, agricultural water supplies could decrease by 20%, forcing growers to stop cultivating large portions of the valleys farmlands.

But Mendez-Barrientos team found that many plans ignored solutions that limit water demand, such as switching to less water-intensive crops, restricting pumping or leaving some croplands fallow.

The researchers said that the findings point to a need to clarify ambiguities in the law, and that state agencies could provide clearer metrics to guide local efforts.

I think there is a broader question about what we're calling sustainable, Bostic said. Should the definition of sustainability be the status quo?

In another recent study, scientists examined groundwater sustainability plans statewide and found various failures. Their analysis showed that about 60% of wells  both agricultural wells and domestic wells  are either not covered or not protected by the plans.

They also found 91% of ecosystems that depend on groundwater in regulated areas arent protected from going dry.

We're already seeing ecosystems dry up across the state, and we're seeing wells go dry, said Melissa Rohde, a co-author of the study. In order to really protect those users, the groundwater sustainability agencies need to incorporate their needs.

Rohde and her colleagues found that many groups of stakeholders had little involvement in planning and decision-making, and that small farms and disadvantaged communities are less integrated and protected. They also found that when diverse stakeholders are integrated in planning and decision-making, they benefit by being better protected under the plans.

There is a lot of opportunity to improve the plans so that we are achieving groundwater sustainability and also protecting those that are most vulnerable, Rohde said.

The main culprit of the problem is that we're pumping too much groundwater, Rohde said. We need to address that if we're going to achieve any sustainability.

Meanwhile, state legislators have passed a bill, AB 779, that aims to improve the legal process when disputes over groundwater land in court. The legislation would make various changes to the process, including adding a requirement that a court take into account the needs of disadvantaged communities and small farmers.

Among other provisions, the bill states that a court may refer questions to the State Water Resources Control Board and request officials to report back.

The bill, which is awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsoms signature, was introduced by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), who called it an effort to make the groundwater adjudication process more accessible, efficient and transparent for all water users.

UCLA law students Adrianne Davies, Owen McAleer and Gabi Rosenfeld, who did research and testified on the measure in the Legislature, wrote in a recent blog post that the bill would level the playing field for all groundwater users, particularly small farmers and farmers of color, and would align the adjudication process more closely with the goals of SGMA.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Someone reportedly broke into a mink farm in Pennsylvania, setting free thousands of its furry inhabitants.

Before 6.50am on Sunday, an unidentified suspect  or suspects  cut holes into the fences around the Richard H Stahl Sons farm in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, according to the state polices report.

This resulted in the release of roughly 6,000 to 8,000 mink from their pens, the report stated.

Numerous state agencies and farm staff are currently working on recovering the mink that escaped the fence, the report added.

Mike Workman, the Pennsylvania Game Warden, said that while the animals are different colours, most will be brown and tannish.

He also warned locals to steer clear of the mink: Just stay away. Dont touch it, dont try to trap it, and dont try to catch it. They will bite you, and they can potentially hurt you. We want to make sure the public is safe.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission said that mink are most active at night or early in the morning. They are agile and fierce fighters, killing prey with a hard bite to the back of the skull, the commission said.

Mink are opportunists, the commission added, feeding on whatever is most easily caught or found... Mink occasionally kill more than they can eat.

For this reason, pet-owners should heed caution.

Dr Beverly Shaw, who works at the nearby Sunbury Animal Hospital, also told the outlet that pets shouldnt go near the escaped creatures either: Take your dogs out on a leash. Mink might not be big enough to go after a big dog, but that doesnt mean they cant get injured by one. I would suspect cats and kittens, kittens especially, could be at risk.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Richard H Stahl Sons farm opened in 1955; today, it is one of the states few remaining producers of mink pelt.
A 15-year-old is in custody after several Midlands schools were targeted in threats, the Lexington County Sheriffs Department said Tuesday.

The threats said bombs would be placed in schools and included plans about shooting students, the sheriffs department said in a news release.

No injuries were reported.

The Lexington 1 schools named in the threats were White Knoll High School, River Bluff High School and the North Lake Community Learning Center, according to the release.

Law enforcement officers responded to schools that were targeted in threats.

The threats were issued electronically, the sheriffs department said.

The 15-year-old, whose name is not being made public because of his age, was charged with threatening the use of a destructive device, and student threats, according to the release. Hes being held at a South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice facility, the sheriffs department said.

Detectives connected the 15-year-old to the threats by means of electronic evidence and obtained a search warrant to enter his house to secure additional evidence, Sheriff Jay Koon said in the release. He confessed to making (the) threats when interviewed by detectives.

Information about why the teenager made the threats was not available.

A police dog was part of the law enforcement response to schools that were targeted in threats.

The response to these threats on the part of school administrators and law enforcement is the perfect example of across-the-board coordination, Koon said. Thanks to the Lexington Police Department, as two of the locations are in their jurisdiction, everyone stayed safe and each campus remained secure.

Those are River Bluff High and the North Lake Community Learning Center. Both schools were put on secure, searches of the schools were completed, and no explosives were found, Lexington police said.

There was no word if any weapons or destructive devices were discovered in a search of the 15-year-olds house.

Classes resumed following the searches, according to police.

The University of South Carolina Police Department sent three K-9 teams to assist Lexington police in the campus searches.

The 15-year-old will appear in Lexington County Family Court at a later date, the sheriffs department said. There was no word if the teen is a student at one of the schools, or if he is facing any punishment from the district.
This article was first published by Source New Mexico.

A Source New Mexico review of posts on social media by elected officials and other users following the public health order issued in New Mexico on Sept. 8 shows numerous calls for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to be hanged or killed by other means, and for the publication of private information about Lujan Grisham, her family and staff.

Threats were made in various forums, including the comments section of a website owned by a state representative, and during a rally attended by several state Republican party officials.

New Mexico State Police say they are aware of threats against Lujan Grisham and her family in the wake of a public health order that temporarily banned carrying firearms in New Mexicos most populous county, but have not made any arrests.

Any credible threats of violence against a public official are investigated, no matter the source, said Department of Public Safety Secretary Jason Bowie. Individuals engaging in this form of threats or intimidation will be held accountable.

A protester flies the Gadsden flag on Sept. 9 in Albuquerques Old Town neighborhood, in defiance of a state public health order prohibiting possession of firearms in most public spaces.

Open threats at gun rally

At a rally defying the order in Albuquerques Old Town Neighborhood on Sept. 9, a few in the back of the crowd called for killing Lujan Grisham. A woman repeatedly said, hang that b****.

One attendee told a reporter unprompted that hes to the right of Attila The Hun, and he thinks we need to bring back public hangings.

Lujan Grisham has repeatedly pointed to the death of an 11-year-old Albuquerque boy in a road rage incident as an example of the kind of gun violence her order seeks to prevent. A preacher who spoke to the crowd from the Old Town gazebo wondered aloud whether the 11-year-olds death was a false flag to give pretext for the governors emergency order.

Among the rallys attendees were Rep. Stefani Lord, a Republican member of the state House of Representatives from Sandia Park, Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block, state Senate candidate Nicole Tobiassen, and U.S. Senate candidates Eric Knight and Ben Luna.

In a social media post on Sept. 11, Block compared Lujan Grishams gun order to the al Qaeda terrorists who attacked the World Trade Center.

Never forget the Islamic extremists who attacked and killed thousands of innocent Americans in Shanksville, PA, the Pentagon, and the World Trade Center 22 years ago. Today, extremists come in all forms to either kill you or take away your rights, he wrote. One extremist a few days ago attacked our constitutional rights. Always stand guard, never forget, and always fight for your God-given rights and your beautiful country.

The post included pictures of the World Trade Center towers exploding in the terrorist attack next to a picture of Lujan Grishams face.

In an interview, Block said he did not intend the post as a comparison between the governor and al Qaeda.

Im talking about extremism on many sides, he said. What she did was extreme.

Asked if he thinks the post was potentially offensive to families who lost loved ones on 9/11, Block said none have contacted him to complain.

You could even say how offensive it is that we have 6,000 more abortions in the state of New Mexico, because the governor is funding them, he said. I find it offensive that the southern border is open and the governor took away the National Guard.

Asked on Friday about the heightened rhetoric, Lujan Grisham said it is not surprising but incredibly disgusting.

She said any time she talks about gun violence or background checks, there is a significant uptick in threats against her.

Ive been compared to Hitler, to al Qaeda, to ISIS, you name it. Its a slurry of slurs, Lujan Grisham said. This is not the kind of discourse I recognize in my state or my community.

State representatives website hosts threats

The Pinon Post, a website run by Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo), has published more than a dozen stories about the executive order, calling it an illegal order and condemning gun-grabbing Gov. MLG.

Block, an unindicted participant in the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection, has called for Lujan Grishams impeachment, and called her a tyrant in a social-media post. In another post, he encouraged followers to defy the executive order. He also retweeted a post by Senate candidate Eric Knight comparing the gun ban to the circumstances that led to the American Revolution in 1776.

In the Pinon Posts comments section, Blocks readers demanded blood.

One commenter opined that (Lujan) Grisham needs to be taken out back and beaten senseless, and another wrote let her swing whilst her feet kick!!! A commenter compared Lujan Grisham to a rodent and wrote too bad DeCon [rat poison] wont work on a rat of that size and another wrote Dont worry, I have a shotgun to back up the Constitution.

In response to questions from Source NM about the threats hosted on his site, Block said he removed the comments flagged for him by this publication.

I get countless comments daily, and I dont have time to read each and every one missed by the spam or expletive filters, he said in an email. I never have, and I never will condone violence against anyone. I totally disavow any and all calls for violence in any form on any platform.

Block said he had also received death threats, along with Rep. Lord and state Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Dona Ana). He provided a screenshot of a message he said was sent to the three politicians, which did not contain a death threat.

God knows how to stop gun violence Have every gun owner shoot themselves in their head with their own gun, the message read.

Some comments threatening violence remained on Blocks site as of Friday evening, including one commentator who seemed to threaten a repeat of the Jan. 6 riot (It just means we are one step closer to having fun storming the castle, as they said in the Princess Bride) and another wishing death on the governor (someone please make her null and void).

Block and Lord penned an op-ed calling for the governors impeachment that ran on Fox News website on Sept. 16. When Lord posted a link to the article on social media, several commentators advocated violence against the governor in the replies to her post.

You need to bring the military or the constitution doesnt mean crap have the military drag her out TODAY! wrote one. Impeachment since tar and feathering has fallen from favor wrote another.

Clements chat filled with threats

Former New Mexico State University professor David Clements, the states most prominent election denier, posted numerous times on social media about the governors gun order, claiming she endangered every law enforcement officer in the city and writing Come and get em. And see what happens in reference to his guns.

The violent ideation was even more explicit in a chatroom he maintains on the social-messaging app Telegram. In the days following the order, Clements followers made numerous explicit threats of violence against the governor.

One of Clements followers wrote Lujan Grisham needs to be put out force ably (sic) while another called for tarring and feathering the governor. A man claiming to be a police officer of rank in Arizona encouraged Clements followers to make a citizens arrest, while another wrote her untimely death should be soon.

Clements has openly encouraged political violence, once telling a crowd assembled at Gospel Light Baptist Church in Rio Rancho that voting is useless and politicians should be tried for treason and have the remedy of firing squads.

Thats what we need, and we need to focus on that, he said.

Last year, acting on advice from Clements and his wife Erin, the Otero County Commission refused to certify the results of New Mexicos primary election. Jay Block of the Sandoval County Commission also followed the Clements advice and refused to certify election results; he was outvoted by a majority of that commission.

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and some of her staff were deluged with death threats when her office moved to force Otero County to certify the results.

Toulouse Oliver said Friday threats of physical violence and acts of intimidation have become more and more common toward elected officials in our polarized political environment.

We need to turn the temperature down for the sake of all Americans, she said. There is no place for threats and violence in our democratic republic and I strongly condemn these threats being made against the Governor, her family, and her staff.

In response to questions from Source NM, Clements called Lujan Grisham a domestic terrorist and a power hungry tyrant. In an email, he said he suspects the threats in his chat were planted by Source NM as fodder for the article (they were not), even while advocating armed resistance to the order, writing in the email The 2nd Amendment was created for this very purpose.

Clements assertions about Source NM are wrong.

Its been a pattern for years

Media Matters For America, a liberal watchdog organization, identified examples of comments from users of the r/conspiracy subreddit calling for militias in New Mexico to be mobilized and for the governor to be hanged for treason.

A user on Sept. 9 called the governor a tyrant, asking, Can we. you know,? Short drop and quick stop. The phrase appears to be a reference to hanging. Another user on the same day called for the governor to be publicly hung for treason.

Reddit prohibits content that encourages, incites, or calls for violence, and the site has previously punished subreddits for violating that policy.

Reddit administrators removed the violating content and users, a spokesperson for Reddit said. But as of Monday, they left the subreddit as a whole intact.

The r/conspiracy subreddit is one of the bigger conspiracy forums on the internet, according to Alex Kaplan, a senior researcher with MMFA who first reported on the threats against the governor.

Kaplan has seen other types of hate speech proliferate on the forum, including antisemitism, homophobia, and transphobia, along with anti-vaccine misinformation, and false flag conspiracy theories.

Then-governor of Oregon Kate Brown in 2019 received similar threats on the r/The_Donald subreddit, which Reddit quarantined from the rest of its website after Kaplan wrote about the violent rhetoric.

Reddit has so far not taken that same response here, Kaplan said. Its not even just that there were a couple comments. It is a pattern. And its been a pattern for years.

Musk calls for governors arrest

Elon Musk wrote on the social media platform he owns that the governors actions are next-level illegal, and asked, How soon can this person be removed from office?

Several hours later, far-right conspiracy theorist Tim Pool posted a video of Lujan Grisham and wrote Police should arrest her immediately. Musk responded Yes.

The leader of a social media company engaging in that kind of heated language can have downstream effects that might encourage violence, Kaplan said.

He said Musks general attitude towards certain content, certain people has probably emboldened some of the far right on (his site) and elsewhere.

After Musks posts, a prominent conspiracy theorist on the website tagged Musk in a threat to doxx Lujan Grisham, her family, and a spokesperson if any New Mexico State Police officer enforced the order.

The account has been suspended for making violent threats in the past and was boosted by a Republican gubernatorial candidate in Arizona.

Governor says Trump encouraged fear tactics

Lujan Grisham said she has long disagreed with elected officials in both parties, but its primarily Republicans who make those kinds of hateful, directed, spiteful, intentional (statements)  knowing that that intimidation factor could result in my direct harm.

She said she and her colleagues have been targeted by similar rhetoric since 2016, when she was a representative in Congress, and it reached a fever pitch in 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She said former president Donald Trump invited that kind of intimidation and fear tactics to prevent elected leaders and policymakers from doing their job.

Lujan Grisham said many Republicans in New Mexico and nationwide offer no solutions to addressing public safety in our state, but would rather increase tensions by those reckless statements.

Shaun Griswold and Patrick Lohmann contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Threats proliferate on social media following NM gun ban
Athens Technical College's three new board members, from left, Mike Sale, Phil Bettendorf and Cheveda McCamy were sworn in recently by Judge Lawton Stephens.

Three new Athens Technical College Board of Directors members were swore in recently by Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Lawton Stephens.

The trio  Phil Bettendorf, Cheveda McCamy and Mike Sale  were appointed for three-year terms.

Bettendorf is a senior vice president for Synovus Bank, where he has worked for 29 years. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Louisiana State University. He is active in the community including the Rotary Club of Athens, the Athens Symphony, the Piedmont Athens Regional operating board and the Boy Scouts of America.

McCamy, appointed as a Superior Court judge in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2020, has practiced law in Georgia for more than 20 years as a prosecutor and civil attorney. A native of Covington, she is a graduate of UGA and Mercer University. She is active in organizations in Newton and Walton counties.

Sale, president and CEO of The Commercial Bank, also serves as chairman of the board of directors for the bank serving Madison, Clarke and Oconee counties. He has degrees from UGA and Brenau University. He has served on numerous charitable, civic and trade organizations during his career.

The board also announced a new chair in Madison Mayor Fred Perriman and co-chair, Reginal Woods, who is retired from UGA.

Athens Tech President Andrea Daniel told the gathering she looks forward to working with the members of the board.

Entry point: Goodwill of North Georgia offers 'entry point' job training in several fields

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Three new board members join Athens Technical College
Upholding the First Amendment is often viewed as central to defending the U.S. Constitution. Among those who join the military, however, there can be a fine line between free speech and service.

As far as freedom of religion is concerned, that right is even more muddled for Muslim troops who face scrutiny for their beliefs  not just from fellow service members but from those close to them as well.

Now, a documentary film by David Washburn (An American Mosque) is shedding light on the struggles, triumphs and spirit of three Muslim chaplains who work tirelessly to end stigmas about Islam, provide spiritual counsel, and serve proudly in the military.

In the film, Air Force Maj. Rafael Lantigua, Army Col. Khallid Shabazz, and Air Force Capt. Saleha Jabeen share their experiences navigating the complexities of serving both their faith and the U.S. Armed Forces.

Despite decades of military service, some still view them as the enemy and unfit to serve because of their beliefs, notes the documentarys press release. Rather than blend in, they accept the challenges and inherent dangers of being the public face of Islam for the U.S. military.

Scrutiny of the chaplains, meanwhile, does not just come from fellow troops. The film also captures the turbulence between families struggling to understand why one would volunteer to work within a system viewed as oppressive to their beliefs.

Why do you want to join forces with a system that is hell-bent on destroying your own Muslim sisters or brothers? Jabeen notes in the trailer as one of the first questions she recalls being asked by family.

Still, the three ultimately view their roles as a necessity in promoting diversity among the militarys ranks, and as a measure of showing that Muslims are every bit as American and dedicated to upholding the Constitution as their counterparts.

Three Chaplains premieres on Nov. 6 on Independent Lens on PBS.
Lawyers for three of former President Donald Trump's co-defendants in Fulton County, Georgia, told a federal judge Wednesday that their clients' cases should be considered in federal court, claiming they were tantamount to federal officials in their role as appointed electors for the Republican party.

David Shafer, Shawn Still and Cathy Latham all say their charges should be moved out of state court because they served a federal function as electors when they allegedly took actions to contest Georgia's 2020 election results. They have all pleaded not guilty.

The three Georgia politicians are accused of being so-called "fake" electors. They were among a group of 16 who submitted to the U.S. Senate and the National Archives a false certification attesting that Trump had won Georgia in the 2020 election. In their court filing seeking removal, they described themselves as "contingent" electors, "acting under officers of the United States."

If the court finds they acted as federal officials, the three could have their prosecutions moved out of the Fulton County Superior Court to the federal district court, where their attorneys argue they'd be entitled to certain immunity protections.

"Our clients did what federal law allows them to do," Holly Pierson, an attorney for Shafer, told the court.

Attorneys for the defendants criticized the frequent use of the terms "fake" or "sham" to describe their elector status, saying they had been appointed by the state's Republican party to stand by as contingent electors, in the event of a successful challenge of the Georgia election results.

Attorneys said their clients "did their duty" when they were called on by attorneys for the Trump campaign to gather and vote, in case the election was flipped in his favor, and maintained that the trio, along with the other electors, were told this was the procedure by lawyers for the Trump campaign.

Special Prosecutor Anna Cross pushed back on the defense attorneys'' arguments, telling the court that their position is "not grounded in facts or law." She disputed the defense's assertion that the defendants met the definition of "federal official," at one point calling it "nonsense," and noted that there was no evidence to suggest that they were acting on behalf of anyone. There was "not a federal official in the bunch," she said.

Judge Steve Jones interjected during Cross's argument with a question that is at the heart of the dispute: "Should the defendants be considered federal officials because they were performing a federal function?"

Cross argued no.

"They were fake electors," she said. "There was no tie here; that was a fantasy."

Even if Trump campaign lawyers had succeeded in challenging Georgia's presidential election results, Cross asserted that the remedy in the statute would have required a new election, not a simple replacement of the electors, despite the defense lawyers' claims that this was lawful protocol. Ultimately, the state argued that Shafer, Still and Latham were not federal officials and that they were not electors at all.

Cross said Shafer, Still and Latham were working to advance campaign goals, on the advice of Trump campaign attorneys. There's "no federal official role" for nominated electors for the losing candidate, Cross said.

Latham is a former chairwoman of the Coffee County, Georgia Republican Party, Still is now a state Senator, and Shafer was chairman of the Georgia Republican Party at the time. All three say Shafer was in communication with officials from the Trump administration who were involved in the effort to contest Trump's defeat. None of them were present in court for the hearing, which lasted about three hours.

The trio were among 19 people charged, including Trump, in Fulton County, Georgia, on Aug. 15. All defendants in the case have pleaded not guilty. They're accused of taking part in a "criminal enterprise" geared toward flipping the state after a majority of its voters chose Joe Biden to be president.

Shafer's attorney argued in a court filing that he "not only subjectively believed his actions were justified, but his belief was objectively reasonable." Latham's lawyer said she "was acting to assist Congress in its count and announcement of the electoral votes." Still's lawyer said he believed that "the contingent vote was necessary to preserve the right to lawfully contest the election."

The arguments became heated for a brief time when Craig Gillen, an attorney for Shafer, accused the district attorney's office of bringing the charges based on politics, commenting that supporting Trump means "tough luck  you are in the danger zone."

Cross called the accusation "borderline offensive."

This is the third time Jones has heard arguments on this issue from defendants in the Fulton County case seeking removal to federal court. Jones rejected a similar attempt by former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, ruling on Sept. 8 that he had "not met even the 'quite low' threshold" to move his case.

Jones has yet to rule on the effort by another co-defendant, former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, whose hearing on the issue took place on Monday.

Rupert Murdoch stepping down as Fox, News Corp. chairman

Republicans divided over Zelenskyy's request for more Ukraine aid

Bank of England pauses interest rate hikes for first time since December 2021
Three Illinois men were arrested Tuesday in connection to the homicide of a Belvidere man three years ago.

Jerrell Burnett, 43, of Chicago, Antoine Lovelace, 44, of Elgin and Cody Matthews, 29, of Marengo, all face first-degree murder, aggravated unlawful restraint and concealment of a homicidal death charges.

Police said on June 18, 2020, troopers responded to the Calumet-Sag Channel for a body in the water.

The body was pulled out of the water and identified as Carl Gordon Jr., 35, of Belvidere.

The Cook County Medical Examiners Office later said Gordon Jr. died from multiple gunshot wounds. At the time of Gordon Jr.'s death, police said foul play was suspected.

More: Belvidere mans fatal shooting a homicide: Cook County official

All three suspects were indicted on the charges on Sept. 14, 2023, in Will County. All three men were arrested Tuesday without incident, according to a news release from state police.

Lovelace was taken to the Will County Jail while both Burnett and Matthews were arrested out of the state. Both men will be brought back to the Will County Jail, police said.

No other information is being released at this time.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Three Illinois men charged in death of Belvidere man Carl Gordon Jr
When it comes to sweltering temperatures in the U.S., theres a surprising factor contributing to the problem: lawns.

As sunlight hits the earth, the material the light lands on makes a big difference in what happens to it. For example, bright polar ice reflects most light, cooling the planet, while pavement and roofs absorb sunlight and release heat into their immediate areas.

Lawns are much better than asphalt at keeping their patch of ground cool, but they arent the best option. TikToker Kyle Lybarger (@nativeplanttok) explained the issue in a video on TikTok this August.

Yall wanna know why its so hot outside? Im about to show you, says Lybarger. He then measured the soil temperature in several different locations.

Its 94 degrees, and Im out here standing in the middle of a tall grass prairie, he says, then showing that the soil temperature is 80 degrees  14 degrees cooler than the air.

And this is your average lawn, made up of non-native turf grasses and frequently mowed. Soil temp: 113, he says. That means the ground is almost 20 degrees warmer than the air and 33 degrees hotter than the grassland. Concrete, by comparison, rang in at 131 degrees.

Its evident that grasslands have more cooling power than lawns, but even that isnt the whole story. Lybarger also showed the soil temperature in a closed-canopy forest, which was the lowest yet at 67 degrees.

So you can see why itd be tempting for humans to plant forest in places that werent historically forested, Lybarger says.

In the video description, however, he called out the problem with that approach: If you truly believe theres a problem lets use some common sense. Heres how ecosystems have changed.. we have more trees than ever, while weve lost 99.9% of grasslands.

According to the Alabama resident, a savannah, which is a mix of forests and grasslands, is ideal for keeping us cool and is what historically covered more of the U.S.

Grasslands are good for more than just regulating the temperature. Lybarger says: Grasslands are some of our most diverse ecosystems, and theyre more reliable carbon sinks than even forests are.

That means they help remove heat-trapping carbon pollution from the air and store it in the plants themselves.

The good news is, it doesnt take as long to get grasslands back, Lybarger concluded. You can have something that resembles this in a years time.

Join our free newsletter for cool news and cool tips that make it easy to help yourself while helping the planet.
Senator Tim Scott, a Republican from South Carolina, attends a parade in Merrimack, NH, on July 4, 2023. Credit - Mel MustoBloomberg via Getty Images

Despite lagging in the polls since he launched his presidential bid four months ago, South Carolina Senator Tim Scott sounded almost like a frontrunner on Wednesday when asked at a New Hampshire campaign stop who might be on his shortlist for running mates.

Oh boy, someone in the audience said through chuckles as the question hung in the air. Oh boy, Scott echoed, before rattling off some options: Trey Gowdy, a TV pundit and fellow South Carolinian who served in the House until 2019; John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who was Director of National Intelligence for less than a year during the Trump administration; New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu ; and Trump-era Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Scott described the contenders as aligning with his desire to lead "a team anchored in conservatism that wants to make sure that America remains the city on the hill." But with Scott polling around fifth place in national polls and in-state surveys, even some of his supporters are skeptical his campaign will ever need that list.

Read more: How Tim Scott Plans to Stand Out in a GOP That 'Craves Catastrophe'

More From TIME

Scott addressed about 50 people at Politics & Eggs, a series that has become a must-visit stop in the Granite State on the presidential campaign trail. He spent much of the event offering subtle contrasts to his own positions and those of the races clear frontrunner, Donald Trump, without ever mentioning the former President by name. He reiterated his support for a 15-week federal limit on abortionan issue Trump has recently suggested conservatives should compromise onwhile acknowledging the political difficulties of passing one.

I believe that will take my entire first presidency, my first four years, to even get that accomplished, he said. We have to win the hearts and minds of the American people. The good news is about 72%, nearly three out of four Americans, agree with a 15-week limit. To get that through Congress, however, it would take the entire four years, likely.

Scotts abortion stance made his inclusion of Sununu on his VP shortlist even more striking, as the vocally anti-Trump governor is widely viewed within his party as a moderate on abortion. At a bakery up the road, reporters cornered Scott about his shortlist as he waited for a breakfast sandwich. He said that he had talked to Sununu before, but not about the possibility of the governor running for Vice President.

Earlier in the morning, Scott tried to clarify his position on labor unions, after seeming to deride striking United Auto Workers earlier in the week by praising President Ronald Reagans decision to fire striking federal workers. Asked about that comment Wednesday, Scott redirected his criticism towards President Joe Biden.

I brought up the Ronald Reagan years because I do think that we need to have, front and center, the example of a president who stands strong and today's president, who stands weak, so weak that he's using yourthere's no such thing as a federal dollar, they're all your dollars, our dollars, as citizenstaking $86 billion dollars out of our collective pockets, to use that to shore up the unions, in my opinion, is wrong, he said.

Scott is one of roughly six Republicans expected to make the stage for next weeks second presidential debate. Asked by TIME what he made of Trumps decision to skip the debate to speak to the striking autoworkers, Scott said, I think him not being on the stage is a mistake, but in the end, I'll use that extra time and do the best we can to tell people why we know America can do for anyone what shes done for me.

State Senator Regina Birdsell, who attended Politics & Eggs because it was in her district and because her campaign manager is working for Scott, says Scott is her second choice for the GOP nomination after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

He's a class act, Birdsell says of Scott. He's just a nice person. And for me, he's got the right values.

But being known as the nice guy wont be enough to tear voters away from the candidates currently at the front of the pack. Asked what voters are saying about Scott, Birdsell replies, Not much right now. I think it's a little bit early. But I think people like him a lot.

Write to Mini Racker at mini.racker@time.com.
The remains of the orca Tokitae were returned home to Washington Wednesday, according to the Lummi Nation.

The 57-year-old orca died suddenly on Aug. 18. Before her death there were plans to release the orca back into her home waters before Thanksgiving.

Tokitae, the last southern resident killer whale held in captivity, was captured off Whidbey Island more than 50 years ago.

Her remains arrived at Bellingham International Airport and her ashes will be spread in a private traditional water ceremony.

A public celebration of life will be announced at a later date.
Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., will attempt to seek a vote this week to confirm Gen. Eric Smith to serve as the permanent commandant for the Marine Corps, coming as the Republican lawmaker continues his long-held protest over the Pentagon's abortion policy.

Tuberville will make the move on Wednesday, his office confirmed to USA TODAY. Its not clear whether Senate Democrats, who control the upper chamber, will object to the effort as part of broader opposition to holding these one-off votes for military leaders.

The Alabama lawmaker has blocked promotions for more than 300 senior Pentagon officers that require Senate confirmation as a protest against a Department of Defense policy. The provision includes some paid leave and other expenses for service members traveling to have an abortion. He has claimed the policy is a violation of federal law.

Gen. David Berger stepped down as commandant of the Marine Corps earlier this year after taking over in July 2019. Smith was able to serve as the acting commandant.

The last time the Marine Corps was led by an acting commandant was 1910, according to the Associated Press.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., talks with reporters as he walks to a vote on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Tubervilles protest has largely been met with indifference among his Republican colleagues, a USA TODAY survey found. Democrats and Pentagon leaders maintain that Tubervilles nine-month hold on military promotions has damaged national security by preventing generals and admirals from taking key commands.

The Alabama senator has also been accused of creating hardships for military families and injecting politics into a nomination process that for decades was little more than a formality.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, has said he doesnt support Tubervilles blockades, but individual senators can hold up votes in the upper chamber.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, previously told USA TODAY that "I think there ought to be some kind of negotiation or discussion going on to see if theres not some compromise or meeting of the mind.

"Find some middle ground and move on, but I don't want to see our military continue to be affected as it is, he added.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tuberville to seek Marine Corps leader vote despite abortion protest
Editors note: This story was corrected at 5:45pm Eastern to note that Gen. Charles Q. Brown would be the second Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, not the first, which was Gen. Colin Powell.

Senate leaders announced plans Wednesday to fill three vacancies on the Joint Chiefs of Staff  including the chairman post  after a surprise breakthrough in the ongoing chamber confirmation fight that has snarled hundreds of military promotions for months.

Gen. Charles Q. Brown was confirmed as the new Joint Chiefs chairman by a 83-11 vote Wednesday night. Gen. Randy George, the nominee for Army chief of staff, and Gen. Eric Smith, the nominee for commandant of the Marine Corps, will face similar confirmation votes on Thursday as part of an agreement reached with Republican leaders.

The news came as Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., prepared to force a chamber vote on Marine Corps nominee Smith, whose nomination has been held up since June by Tuberville as part of a blanket hold he has put on senior military promotions. Tuberville has been pushing for votes on individual nominees, but Democratic leaders had balked at his demand.

Schumer on Wednesday angrily blasted Tubervilles moves as partisan games but acknowledged that some confirmations needed to move ahead as soon as possible to keep the ongoing political fight from turning into a national security threat.

Due to the extraordinary circumstances of Sen. Tubervilles reckless decisions, Democrats will take action, he said. Its not the path a vast majority of senators on either side of the aisle want to go down, but Sen. Tuberville is forcing us to face his obstruction head-on.

Will Dems change Senate rules to push ahead military nominations?

Schumer indicated he would oppose similar individual or small-group votes of defense nominees in the future. Ahead of Wednesdays votes, Tuberville said he was pleased with the outcome.

Im OK with it, Tuberville said. Ive been saying that for months. Today we called them out on that, and they blinked.

Tubervilles objections center on changes announced last fall to the Defense Departments abortion access policy, which allows travel stipends and leave time to service members forced to travel across state lines to access abortion services.

The White House and congressional Democrats have called the move critical health care for service members. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has argued the policy allows the military to recruit, retain, and maintain the readiness of a highly qualified force.

But Republicans have largely decried it as an illegal work-around of state and federal laws. House GOP lawmakers have included plans to roll back the military abortion policy in a series of pending defense budget bills.

Tubervilles holds have snarled the typically non-controversial military promotions process. Wednesdays deal filled in three key leadership positions but still leaves the fate of nearly 300 others in doubt.

The new Joint Chiefs

Currently, the Army, Navy and Marine Corps are without confirmed service chiefs because of Tubervilles holds. In each case, the second-in-command leaders for the services are taking on the role of acting leader.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army Gen. Mark Milley, is set to retire at the end of the month. Brown is President Joe Bidens choice to replace Milley as the top uniformed officer in the military, and is the second Black officer to hold the post.

The prospect of leaving the most senior uniformed military post open for any stretch of time has caused significant concern within the Pentagon and White House, as well as around Capitol Hill.

What Gen. CQ Brown would bring as chairman of the Joint Chiefs

The Marine Corps was the first military service to face a senior leadership vacancy, following the legally required departure of Gen. David Berger in July.

Smith, officially the assistant Marine commandant, took on Bergers responsibilities upon his predecessors retirement. In his acting role, he cant issue the commandants long-term planning guidance, and he doesnt have a deputy to help him juggle the work of leading the Marine Corps and serving on the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Smith has refrained from criticizing Tuberville directly, in keeping with the norm that uniformed military leaders stay out of political fights. But he warned at his confirmation hearing in June that the hold on nominations could hamper military readiness. And he said in September that he fears his not sustainable lack of sleep will make it hard for him to make good decisions, Marine Corps Times reported Monday.

In August, the Army became the second military service to have no Senate-confirmed leader at the top. Gen. Randy George, the Armys vice chief of staff, is the acting leader, performing a double duty akin to Smiths.

Brown previously served as Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and his promotion leaves that post vacant now.

Nominees still waiting

Among the remaining pending nominees are Adm. Lisa Franchetti, Bidens pick to serve as the top Navy officer, and Gen. David Allvin, nominated to be the top Air Force leader. Those two had confirmation hearings last week and are expected to have their files forwarded to the full Senate in the next few weeks, where they will then face Tubervilles opposition.

Even with Smith now taking over the most senior Marine Corps post, he still lacks a top deputy, because Tubervilles remaining holds include Lt. Gen. Christopher Mahoneys nomination to be assistant commandant.

The same is true of George, who wont get the assistance of Army Lt. Gen. James Mingus, the vice chief nominee, unless the Senate confirms him sometime in the near future.

Ahead of Wednesdays vote, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said the moves by the Senate were good for the United States Marines, certainly good for the United States Army and good for the Joint Staff, but it aint good enough for US national security. These holds need to be lifted, all of them.

As both the No. 1 and No. 2 Marine, his schedule is not sustainable

On Tuesday, officials from VoteVets  which has ties to the Democratic party  set up posters with the names and faces of all the blocked nominees on the grounds outside the Capitol. Tuberville said he was aware of the display but unmoved by it.

Earlier in the day, Senate Democrats blasted Tuberville for his continued obstinance and criticized his Republican colleagues for not doing more to end the blockade.

The motto of the United States Marines Corps is not help out the top brass and leave everyone else behind, said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. Sen. Tuberville evidently does not understand that.

Tuberville said he has no plans to change his stance on nominees now to speed up filling the remaining vacancies.

They finally figured out I wont want to give in, and Im still not, he told reporters. Lets do these votes one at a time and or change the (abortion) policy back.

But Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., said he was confident that Wednesdays breakthrough will produce more confirmation agreements in coming days.

Were going to keep on the pressure, and I think youre going to see more on this next week, he said.
TCS World Travel operates global group travels by private jet.

Its recently unveiled 2024 and 2025 itineraries start at 16 days for $120,000.

Travelers will get to fly on a 52-guest custom Airbus A321 with lie-flat seats and large bathrooms.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a private jet full of wealthy travelers on their way to fly around the world.

Travelers have been flocking to around-the-world cruises over the last few years. Interest has been so high, luxury cruise lines like Regent Seven Seas and Oceania have seen strong or "record-breaking" booking success.

But for wealthy travelers who're interested in traveling around the world but don't want to spend over 100 days at sea, there's another option: go by jet.

Companies like TCS World Travel do just that.

TCS World Travel

And the luxury travel company's trips have been so popular, several of its itineraries through 2023 and 2024 already have a waitlist. Like its cruise counterpart, "demand for private jet expeditions has just grown since the pandemic," TCS told Insider in a statement.

For travelers who couldn't book these trips in time, TCS has unveiled 11 more of these private jet-based global itineraries.

TCS World Travel

This lineup includes deep dives into Asia and the Middle East, journeys around Africa, a South America-based itinerary, and even a "wildlife and natural wonders" trip seeking out "magnificent creatures."

If the company sounds familiar, that's because it also operates Four Seasons' private jet travel arm.

Four Seasons

But outside of its work with Four Seasons, TCS holds its own weight in the luxury travel world as well.

To facilitate these tours, guests will be flown around in a custom Airbus A321.

TCS World Travel

The Airbus is operated by Titan Airways, a UK-based charter airline. Before this, TCS relied on a less environmentally friendly Boeing 757.

Unlike a typical commercial flight, this jet can seat up to 52 guests.

TCS World Travel

Compared to other single-aisle planes, TCS says its Airbus A321 has the "largest cabin by height and width."

To make extended traveling more comfortable, the aircraft has plush amenities like custom lie-flat seats and larger-than-usual bathrooms with full-length mirrors.

TCS World Travel

To accommodate the over 50 guests, the aircraft can fly an additional 18 crew including a chef and physician.

The shortest journey in this new lineup will be the 16-day "Galapagos, Patagonia and Beyond: South America" itinerary.

cge2010/Shutterstock

Starting at about $120,000 per person, it's also the cheapest on this list.

From mid-October to early November, TCS says the up to 52 guests on this trip will travel roundtrip from Miami to several South America destinations.

Cesar Augusto Rosenow Suarez/EyeEm/Getty Images

TCS' itinerary includes stops in the Galapagos Islands, Mendoza's wine region in Argentina, Chile's Patagonia, Santa Cruz and Uyuni in Bolivia, and Bogota, Colombia.

Despite being the cheapest option, this $7,500-per-day itinerary has a higher daily cost than the longest trip on the list.

Sean Heatley/Shutterstock

The longest 25-day "Around the World: A Luxury Tour"  TCS' "flagship"  starts at $155,000 per person, making it one of the more expensive options overall. Despite this, the company predicts its global itineraries will be "completely booked soon," it told Insider in a statement.

Like the previous itinerary, this 2025 trip from late-January to mid-February will be roundtrip from Miami.

The Great Barrier Reef. Grant Faint/Getty Images

From there, travelers will fly to either Peru's Cusco and Machu Picchu or Pisco; Easter Island, Chile; Papeete, Tahiti; Australia's Great Barrier Reef; Angkor Wat, Cambodia; India to see the Taj Mahal; Tanzania's Serengeti or Ngorongoro; Luxor and Cairo, Egypt; and Marrakech, Morocco.

For these hefty price tags, at least the vacations will be all-inclusive.

TCS World Travel

There's no need for travelers to book their own accommodations, restaurants, or activities.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Trevor Reed, a former U.S. Marine who was released by Russia in a 2022 prisoner exchange after being detained for over 2.5 years, on Tuesday rejected criticism of the deal the Biden administration struck with Iran to free five American prisoners.

The U.S. agreed to release $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds in return for Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi, Morad Tahbaz and two other so-far unnamed Americans coming back home. The deal also stipulates that Iran can only use the money for humanitarian transactions.

But some, including former President Donald Trump, were quick to call out the agreement, saying this would only provide further incentive to U.S. adversaries to take American hostages.

Once you pay, you always pay, & MANY MORE HOSTAGES WILL BE TAKEN, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Our grossly incompetent leader, Crooked Joe Biden, gave 6 BILLION DOLLARS for 5 people. Iran gave ZERO for 5.

Reed, though, told CNNs The Source this is far from the truth, pointing to his own case. He said even when the U.S. refused to negotiate with Russia after it captured former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, the Kremlin went ahead and took Reed hostage anyway, and later on also detained WNBA star Brittney Griner .

Reed and Griner were released in 2022 in separate prisoner swaps, while Whelan remains in custody.

Anyone that is reasonable can see that you refusing to negotiate with these governments does not guarantee that theyre not going to take other hostages, Reed said.

Last year, Russia also detained Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, the first American journalist to face spying charges in the country since the Cold War.

Reed argued that the main reason foreign governments capture Americans is to show that they have the power to put the U.S. in an embarrassing position, and that this is likely to continue regardless.

Their incentive for taking Americans hostages is that theyre Americans and they can show that to their own citizens, he said.

Trevor Reed responds to criticism of the deal that led to the release of five American prisoners from Iran. "Anyone that is reasonable can see that refusing to negotiate with these governments does not guarantee that they're not going to take other hostages." pic.twitter.com/NR2TnmH9Lg  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) September 20, 2023

Reed added that he appreciates Bidens decision in the Iran deal, noting that it must have been challenging to do so ahead of an election year.

That was probably rooted in his morals and his feeling that he needed to do what was right over politics, Reed said.

Related...
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Northland man accused of shooting a teenager who went to the wrong address now has a trial date after pleading not guilty.

Andrew Lester is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting Ralph Yarl this past April.

Judge grants order to partially seal Ralph Yarl shooting case

During an arraignment Wednesday, a judge scheduled Lesters trial for Oct. 7, 2024. Lester has been charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Friends and family of Yarl were there Wednesday, including long-time family friend Philip Barolle. He described Yarl as a quiet and good kid who had always followed the rules.

He said nothing to anybody to get shot. Its a problem. We are not happy, Barolle said. Ringing a doorbell is not a crime. If I came to your house, if I made a mistake, ring your doorbell, you have two options. Dont come out, call the police.

During Lesters preliminary hearing last month, a dozen witnesses spoke recounting the details of the night Yarl went to the wrong house to pick up his younger brothers.

Complete coverage: Ralph Yarl shooting case in Kansas City

Guns are the problem, and people are also the problem, Barolle said. You can own your gun but go hunting. Guns were made to go hunt, Its not to be hunting me in the street because of the color of my skin or because I rang your doorbell.

Lesters attorney is arguing self-defense and that the 84-year-old feared for his life that night.

His next court date is set for Dec. 15 in Clay County Circuit Court.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
To create a safe family friendly environment on Halloween, a California city has banned some from possessing a handful of messy products.

The Beverly Hills City Council voted unanimously Tuesday, Sept. 19, to ban those under the age of 21 from possessing silly string, shaving cream and hair removal products for a 24-hour period, according to a Sept. 20 news release from the city.

The ordinance would not, however, forbid the sale of such products, according to the release.

The ban will be in effect annually from 6 a.m. on Oct. 31 to 6 a.m. on Nov. 1, according to a city council staff report.

With the introduction of the ordinance at a Sept. 12 city council meeting, council members agreed on its importance.

As long as I can remember, this has been an issue, council member Sharona R. Nazarian said.

Vice Mayor Lester Friedman called the ordinance an excellent and needed idea.

With a resurgence in Halloween events and attendance over the past two years, there has also been an increase in the misuse of these products leading to increased vandalism to property, personal injury to those engaged in the use of these products, and threats to the safety of non-participant bystanders, the staff report says.

The school district will help teach students and parents about the newly adopted ordinance, according to the staff report.

On Halloween, the staff report says there will be signage about the ban in areas where historic concerns have been raised, where individuals can voluntarily surrender any products.

Those who do not comply with the ordinance may face violations, such as misdemeanors, infractions or civil administrative action, the staff report says.

Is it safe to trick-or-treat this year? What the CDC says about Halloween and COVID-19

US city bans trick-or-treating this Halloween over COVID-19 concerns. Can it do that?

Halloween hits differently this year, in the age of COVID-19
A woman was killed by a person in a semi in a suspected road rage shooting on a Texas interstate, according to local authorities and news reports.

The shooting happened at 1:20 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19, on Interstate 20 in Van Zandt County, according to KLTV.

Van Zandt County Sheriffs officials said the woman was a passenger in a vehicle and was shot at from a tractor-trailer traveling the same direction on the highway, KTBS reported.

The woman, whose age and identity have not been publicly disclosed, was pronounced dead at the scene, deputies told KETK.

Authorities say the occupant of the semi, Jason Rashad Williams, was arrested after the shooting, multiple outlets report. He was charged with murder and three counts of aggravated assault, deputies told the Killeen Daily Herald.

Sheriff Joe Carter told news outlets the shooting is still being investigated, but its believed to be a road rage incident.

Van Zandt County is in northeast Texas about 65 miles east of Dallas.

Road rage shooting left 6-year-old girl paralyzed, Kentucky cops say. Two now arrested

Road-rage crash kills race car driver who was engaged to be married, Indiana cops say

Road-rage argument escalates into deadly shooting in popular tourist town, NC cops say
Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada was "not looking to provoke" after he alleged India could be behind the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil.

Mr Trudeau told Canadian parliament that there were "credible allegations" of the Indian government's involvement in the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was fatally shot dead on 18 June in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surry, British Columbia.

Nijjar, 45, was president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and a wanted terrorist in India with a bounty of Rs1m (9,710) for information leading to his arrest. He was accused of leading a proscribed militant organisation called the Khalistan Tiger Force which calls for a separate homeland for the Sikh religious community to be carved out of Indias Punjab state.

The claim was dismissed by India as "absurd and motivated", with the foreign ministry lashing out over "growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities".

Livid India on Monday expelled one of Canadas most senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa fired an Indian diplomat working for Indias intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing.

With the worsening diplomatic row, the Canadian prime minister appeared to try to subdue the situation with a fresh statement.

"We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them and we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes," he said.

"India and the government of India need to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.

The burgeoning issue of Khalistan was raised by both Mr Trudeau and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi in September.

A mural features the image of late Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was slain on the grounds of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in June 2023 in Surrey (REUTERS)

Mr Trudeau said he had personally and directly raised Nijjar's killing with Mr Modi. India's foreign ministry said Mr Modi expressed "strong concerns" over Canada's handling of anti-India activities of extremist elements".

The Canadian prime minister reportedly raised Nijjars killing with the members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance that also includes the UK and the US  home to a sizable Sikh population.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said Canberra was "concerned" by the shocking allegations made by Canada against the Indian government.

Indian policemen secure the premises around the Canadian embassy in New Delhi (EPA)

"I note that investigations are still underway," Ms Wong was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as saying. "But obviously, these are concerning reports, and as I've said, we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners."

The White House expressed "concerns" over allegations, adding that it was "critical that Canadas investigation proceeds and the perpetrators be brought to justice".

"These are serious allegations. It is right that the Canadian authorities should be looking into them," said Max Blain, a spokesperson for British prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Avtar Singh Khanda, who played a prominent role in protests for an independent Sikh homeland, died in June in the city of Birmingham under "mysterious circumstances".

Paramjit Singh Panjwar, a designated terrorist by India, was shot dead in May in Lahore, Pakistan, by unidentified assailants.
Former President Trump knocked conservative pundit Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, calling her nasty just days after sitting with her for an extensive interview.

I sat down for an hour, and then I did a Megyn Kelly one, Trump told a crowd of supporters during a campaign event in Iowa on Wednesday, apparently referring to his previous interview with NBCs Meet the Press.

I, she was, you know, boy, she became nastier all of a sudden, Trump said of Kelly. She was pretty nasty, didnt you think, anyone that watched it.

During the interview with Kelly, which was released last week, the pundit pressed the former president over his handling of classified documents after leaving the White House. She noted that his lawyers had signed off saying they turned over everything asked for in the subpoena, only for federal agents to find more classified materials.

I dont know what the timing is. Again, Id have to check, Trump said. I just dont know the timing. All I know is, Im allowed to have those documents.

But once you get a subpoena, you have to turn them over, Kelly responded.

I dont even know that because I have the right to have those documents. So I dont really know that, Trump said.

Feuds between Trump and Kelly are nothing new.

The most notable clash between the two came when Kelly was a host on Fox News and was moderating a Republican debate in 2015.

After reacting to questions she had asked about his comments on women during that debate, Trump infamously said you could see there was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever.

Kelly, who has since left Fox and launched a podcast and YouTube show, said recently the beef between her and Trump is a thing of the past.

You know, all that nonsense between us is under the bridge, and he could not have been more magnanimous, she said of one recent informal meeting with the former president.

Trump is the front-runner for the GOP nomination and does not plan to attend next weeks second Republican primary debate, citing his large lead in most polls.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Former President Donald Trump added some fuel to the fire of Republican discord over whether to give more aid to Ukraine, arguing that the US has already sent too much money to the embattled country.

Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday morning: Our Country has spent almost 200 Billion Dollars more than the countries of Europe in fighting go Ukraine. Does anybody think this is fair and reasonable? Europe should equalise before we go forward!

This isnt the first time the GOP 2024 frontrunner has shared an opinion about the ongoing conflict. He previously claimed that he could end the war in Ukraine in just 24 hours  but didnt offer many details on how that would occur. During the CNN town hall in May, when asked whether he wants Ukraine to win the war, he didnt answer directly and instead said: I dont think in terms of winning and losing. I think in terms of getting it settled so we stop killing all these people.

Most recently, Mr Trump was asked over the weekend on Meet the Press whether Vladimir Putin should keep the land he has taken during the Russian invasion: No, no. Id make a fair deal for everybody. Nope, Id make it fair.

After these comments, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenged Mr Trump to reveal his plan to end the war, saying on Tuesday: He can publicly share his idea now, not waste time, not to lose people, and say, My formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression.

Mr Zelensky added, And he said, how he sees it, how to push Russian from our land. Otherwise, hes not presenting the global idea of peace.

While the White House has firmly said that it is seeking $24bn in security and humanitarian aid, the topic of giving aid to Ukraine has divided the GOP.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has said would prefer to vote on Ukraine funding as a standalone bill, rather than tacking it onto other measures.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has urged Congress to send more aid to Ukraine, and he has tried to make it a priority. Earlier this month, the Kentucky Senator tried to dispel the notion that the US has been providing the most aid to the country when taking relative economies into account  conflicting Mr Trumps assertion on Wednesday.

Mr McConnell said, In fact, when it comes to security assistance to Ukraine as a share of GDP, 14 of our European allies are actually giving more.

Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene is on the other end of the spectrum, as she has been a vocal opponent of sending additional aid. She said earlier in September: I will not vote to fund a war in Ukraine. We have to have peace.
Donald Trump Jr.s account on X, formerly known as Twitter, was hacked Wednesday morning, leading to the spread of false and inflammatory posts under his name.

A representative for Trump Jr . confirmed to The Hill that the account, which has more than 10 million followers, was hacked.

In one post, the hacker wrote: Im sad to announce, my father Donald Trump has passed away. I will be running for president in 2024.

This just in: North Korea is about to get smoked, read another post.

Another post from the hacked account read, in part, Fk @JoeBiden.

The posts were deleted just before 9 a.m. Wednesday, having been up on Trump Jr.s page for less than an hour.

A spokesperson for X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump Jr. still maintains a large following on X and regularly uses the platform despite his fathers use of Truth Social, a social media platform that the former president has a financial stake in.

Elon Musk purchased Twitter earlier this year and rebranded it as X in July. Musks takeover was viewed as a win for conservatives such as Trump Jr., who complained that the previous ownership had repressed conservative voices.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A poll released Wednesday shows GOP presidential hopefuls will need to ramp up their messages to voters if they want to catch up to former President Trump in the 2024 primary.

The Emerson College poll found that Trump expanded his lead to 47 points over his GOP rivals  marking his largest lead since the pollster started tracking it in June 2022. Support for the former presidents 2024 bid jumped up by 9 points to 59 percent since last months poll.

The increase comes amid his ongoing legal woes and his decision to skip the first Republican debate.

The Trump voter remains resilient, and despite a dip in Augusts post-debate poll, Trump has now expanded his lead and has improved his position from before the first debate, Spencer Kimball, the executive director of Emerson College Polling, said.

Support for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis remained stable at 12 percent since last month, while conservative entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy fell 2 points to 7 percent. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and former Vice President Mike Pence each received 5 percent; former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley received 3 percent and Sen. Tim Scott (S.C.) garnered 2 percent of support.

An additional 5 percent of GOP primary voters said they were undecided on who to vote for.

Sixty-three percent of GOP primary voters said they will definitely support their chosen candidate, but another 36 percent said their minds are open and they can choose someone else, according to the survey. Overall, 75 percent of those who selected Trump said they would definitely support him in the upcoming primary  showing little room for GOP rivals to make a dent in the front-runners base.

The poll also shows that Trump and President Biden are neck-and-neck in a hypothetical general election, with each front-runner garnering 45 percent of the vote. This is in line with the YouGov/Yahoo News poll also released Wednesday that showed Trump and Biden locked in a dead heat.

The poll was conducted Sept. 17-18 among 1,125 voters and has a margin of error of 2.8 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Donald Trump does not care about the issue of abortion. That's why if he's elected, he will sign a national ban on the procedure the second he has a chance. If, heaven forbid, he gets back to the White House, it will be because the Christian right carried him. Banning abortion in all 50 states will be a way to pay them back, without having to give up anything he cares about.

This should be obvious, and yet, somehow, many in the press are being fooled by Trump's latest public posture about abortion, even though it's transparently dishonest. During his recent NBC News interview with Kristen Welker, Trump tried to strike a "moderate" pose on abortion. Referring to what the press misleadingly calls a "six-week" ban (it's really a two-week ban) on abortion in Florida, Trump said it was "a terrible mistake" for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign the draconian legislation.

"You will win on this issue when you come up with the right number of weeks," Trump asserted about a topic that has dogged the Republican Party at the ballot box since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

Trump then went on to talk about this medical procedure like he was negotiating alimony for his next ex-wife.

"We're going to agree to a number of weeks or months or however you want to define it," he said, boldly claiming, "Both sides will come together. And for the first time in 52 years, you'll have an issue that we can put behind us."

Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.

The pomposity of that statement should have been a reminder that Trump should be assumed to be lying about his abortion position, just as he lies about most things. And yet, much of the press took his statements at face value, even going so far as to report that he had angered anti-choice activists, which of course, only helps bolster Trump's false claims of moderation.

Never-Trump Republican Matt Lewis swallowed Trump's bait whole in a Daily Beast response that assumes Trump's "true" position is pro-choice. "[A]t some point, Trump's presidency might even be a net-negative for pro-lifers," Lewis wrote, arguing anti-choice voters "will have no one to blame but themselves" for believing Trump will back their cause. But Lewis is wish-casting here. It's a fantasy to think that all of these anti-abortion Republicans will wake one day, rueful that they sold out their "family values" to back a guy who wouldn't even ban abortion for them. However, the evangelical voters who appear ready to hand Trump the GOP nomination soon are making a very safe bet. They know that Trump is just lying to Welker and that he will sign a national abortion ban if he wins  likely within a few weeks of being inaugurated.

Evangelical voters know Trump doesn't care about abortion and has likely caused a few himself. But that's why they're right to believe he'll sign any ban put in front of him, no matter how draconian. Trump takes a wholly transactional view of politics, and his only concern is amassing power for himself. Certainly, he doesn't care how many women die or are maimed because of a ban. If he wins the White House, he'll want to keep the religious right on his side, and giving them a total or near-total ban on abortion is a way to do that that costs him nothing.

In a political environment where very little is predictable, there is one thing we can count on: If Trump is returned to the White House, a national abortion ban is a near-certainty. After all, if Trump wins, that means Republican turnout was high and Republicans are probably taking Congress, as well. Looking at state legislatures should kill any hope that Republicans will show constraint on this issue. Republicans keep banning abortion, despite strong public opposition. And when voters turn out to protect abortion rights in the states, Republican politicians retaliate by passing more laws to curtail voting rights.

For Trump, who opposes democracy, this is a win-win.

Anti-choice fervor in the GOP is driving anti-democracy fervor, which only makes it easier for Trump to sell his "why not end democracy altogether" plan. Giving evangelicals an abortion ban will just ensure their support for Trump's unsubtle yearning to be dictator-for-life. And if it makes Trump less popular with the larger public, well, that's why he wants to destroy democracy. The end goal is to put his power out of the reach of voters.

It's always wiser to look at what a politician does more than what he says, but with Trump, it's triply important. No other politician lies as much as Trump. No other politician has been less interested in keeping his promises. Trump himself doesn't even really bother to hide that he's lying. To one audience, he pretends to be "moderate" on abortion. To others, he brags that "I was able to terminate Roe vs. Wade." There is simply no relationship between what he says and what he does. What he says is worse than useless.

On the "what he does" front, the track record is clear: Trump gives all the power to fundamentalist Christians.

During his first term, Trump nominated judges from a list compiled by the far-right Federalist Society, which was initially founded for the purpose of banning abortion. Trump also let anti-choice radicals use White House powers to wage war on birth control access, filling health care offices with people who oppose any effort to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Trump's Department of Health passed rules making it harder for women to use their insurance to pay for birth control, and his administration repeatedly tried to cut funding for contraception services for low-income women. Trump officials spent the entire four years of his administration trying to destroy Planned Parenthood altogether.

This will all be much worse if Trump takes office again, starting with the near-inevitable national abortion ban he'll sign. He won't be worried about voter backlash. After all, he won't legally be able to run for a third term, so his focus will be on trying to find a way to install himself illegally in office on a permanent basis. To get that done, he will need the most fanatical forces in the GOP on his side. One way to do that is give them what they want, which is an abortion ban. From Trump's personal point of view, there's no downside and only upside to banning abortion. And the smartest bet of all is that Trump will always do what he thinks benefits him, no matter who gets hurt in the process.
PALM BEACH  Former President Donald Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago Sunday for what will be a consequential winter social season here in Palm Beach  and beyond.

Trump has spent winters here for decades, usually arriving in early fall and then departing in May. By the time he departs next spring, however, the world may know whether he is the 2024 Republican presumptive nominee for president and a convicted felon.

That is, if he leaves his Palm Beach club, which traditionally closes for the summer after Mother's Day. A federal judge in Fort Pierce has scheduled Trump's trial on charges related to his possession and alleged mishandling of U.S. classified documents for May 20 of next year.

Jun 13, 2023; Miami, FL, USA; A motorcade with former President Donald Trump leaves the Wilkie D. Ferguson Jr. U.S. Courthouse after the former president pleaded not guilty in Miami federal court.

Whether that date holds remains to be seen. Ditto for the March 4 trial date in Washington, D.C. on four felony counts related to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. And the March 25 date set for the trial on New York state charges related to a purported hush money payment to a porn star in the weeks before the 2016 presidential election.

Trump's local fans say they are looking forward to having him in town, and attending events at Mar-a-Lago. A schedule of political festivities and fundraisers has not been released but an invite was circulated last week for an event "honoring" the Republican Party of Florida on Nov. 9.

I don't think people are really caring much about none of this legal problems he has, said Lydia Maldonado, a Hispanic Republican activist in Palm Beach County, about local events for Trump. Theyre all going to be there, theyre going to support them, so we might have more events now than we did before.

Legal troubles No. 1 on campaign report: Trump campaign finance report shows millions being spent in legal expenses

Most GOP primaries will take place during Palm Beach winter season

What is certain is Trump's comeback presidential campaign will either be a success or have stunningly fizzled by the time the 2023-2024 winter season on Palm Beach ends. The primary calendar starts for Trump and his GOP presidential rivals with the Jan. 15 Iowa caucus, followed, for the moment, by the New Hampshire primary on Feb. 6 and then Super Tuesday on March 5.

By the time Trump would depart Palm Beach for his summer oasis in Bedminster, New Jersey, next year, more than 40 states and territories will have held their presidential primaries and caucuses.

Unlike last year, Trump has not commented on his Truth Social platform about his return to Florida.

But he did issue posts noting his widening lead in polls. In fact, an average of 10 polls issued this month, including by Quinnipiac University, YouGov, Morning Consult and Fox News, shows Trump up 58% with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis trailing far behind at 12.6%.

Like Trump, his local supporters, including the nearly 20 or so who were on Southern Boulevard to greet the former presidents's return despite the bad weather on Sunday, tout the many voter surveys showing Trump leading the pack.

Willy Guardiola, who routinely organizes street side demonstrations of support for Trump, declared that he has already won the primaries.

... so he is literally gearing for the general," Guardiola said. "Anything hes doing right now is for the general election.

Trump got another sort of welcome home gift upon his return to the Sunshine State, his official residence since 2019.

The Florida Republican Party rescinded a requirement that GOP presidential candidates promise to support the party's nominee in order to be on the March 19 Florida primary ballot. The decision catered to Trump's rejection of the "loyalty pledge" and was seen as a slap at DeSantis in a state where he won re-election by double-digits.

The president is battling a lot of different fights on a lot of fronts, certainly it shouldnt be with the party," said state Sen. Joe Gruters, a former party chair and stalwart advocate for Trump's candidacy.

Reporting by Zac Anderson of the USA Today Florida network was used in this story.

Stephany Matat is a politics reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY-Florida network. Reach her at smatat@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Former President Donald Trump back at Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach
A former assistant to Donald Trump has reportedly said she was told by the former president to pretend she didnt know anything about the boxes containing classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

Mr Trumps long-time assistant Molly Michael told investigators that the former president told her to hush up about the boxes after he learned that federal investigators wanted to quiz her following the raid at her house, a person familiar with her comments to investigators told ABC News.

You dont know anything about the boxes, Mr Trump allegedly told Ms Michael.

She was interviewed by the investigators as part of the probe into the former presidents handling of secret government documents which were found stashed in his home during a raid on 8 August last year.

She told investigators that she received tasks or requests from Mr Trump that were written on the back of a notecard  that she later recognised were sensitive White House materials  more than once.

The notecards had visible classification markings that were used to brief Mr Trump when he was still the president on matters involving foreign leaders and other international-related matters, according to the report.

They were not taken by the FBI agents during the raid and Ms Michael found them the next day when she went there to clean up her office space, sources told the outlet.

She helped transfer them to the FBI that same day, they added.

The former president was hit with federal charges in June for mishandling government documents after leaving office.

Mr Trump pleaded not guilty after he was indicted on 37 counts of criminal charges related to the handling of classified documents. He has denied all the charges and denounced the investigations against him as a political witch hunt.

A Trump spokesperson told the network that the claims were illegal leaks that lacked proper context and relevant information and insisted that he did nothing wrong.

She is one of the two witnesses who could be called to testify against Mr Trump in the classified documents trial and present the evidence that the former president attempted to obstruct the governments investigation.
In May 2022, Donald Trump received a federal subpoena demanding all the documents with classification markings that remained in his possession at Mar-a-Lago. At that point, SiriusXM talk show host Megyn Kelly suggested in an interview with the former president last week, he was legally obligated to surrender those records.

"I know this," Trump replied, then immediately corrected himself: "I don't even know that, because I have the right to have those documents." That startling response epitomized the lazy arrogance that Trump displayed in January 2021, when he removed thousands of presidential records from the White House, and during the ensuing year and a half, when he stubbornly resisted efforts to recover them.

In addition to 32 counts of willfully retaining national defense information, that pattern of defiance resulted in eight obstruction-related charges, which may pose the most serious threat to Trump's continued freedom. While the other three indictments against Trump face formidable obstacles, including controversial legal interpretations, complicated narratives, and difficult questions of knowledge and intent, the story behind the documents case is relatively straightforward: Trump took a bunch of stuff that did not belong to him and refused to return it.

Trump disputes both parts of that story. Under the Presidential Records Act, he told Kelly, "I'm allowed to do what I wanna do" with government documents, classified or not.

That is a counterintuitive reading of the statute, which says "the United States shall reserve and retain complete ownership, possession, and control of Presidential records." Those records include all documents a president produces or sees in the course of his work, except for material "of a purely private or nonpublic character."

As Trump noted in his interview with Kelly, that law was a response to "Richard Nixon, because he kept everything." Yet Trump claims the law is no bar to his similar assertion of complete discretion over the fate of presidential records.

Even if Trump had a credible argument to that effect, Kelly noted, that did not give him the right to defy a federal subpoena. If Justice Department officials had asked him for the classified material at Mar-a-Lago, Trump insisted, "I would have given it to them."

But that is not what happened. Through his lawyers, Trump said he had complied with the subpoena by surrendering every responsive document. That was not true: During its search of Mar-a-Lago on August 8, 2022, the FBI found 102 additional records marked as classified.

When Kelly pointed that out, Trump preposterously claimed "I just don't know the timing" of those events. "All I know is I'm allowed to have those documents," he said.

Trump could claim he accidentally overlooked some documents with classification markings. But that defense would be complicated by conversations in which Trump reportedly suggested hiding the documents, his clandestine removal of file boxes from the storage room his lawyers searched, and his alleged attempt to cover up that cover-up by instructing his underlings to delete security camera footage.

Instead, Trump is suggesting he did not have to comply with a subpoena he claimed to be obeying. This does not seem like a winning legal strategy.

Kelly also asked Trump about the top-secret Defense Department document he allegedly waved around during a July 2021 meeting with two people working on his former chief of staff's memoir. A recording shows that Trump said the "highly confidential" document contained "secret information," adding that "as president, I could have declassified it," but "now I can't," so "this is still a secret."

Trump later told Fox News anchor Bret Baier "there was no document"only press clippings. When Kelly asked him to reconcile that claim with what he said at the time, Trump replied, "I'm not going to talk about that, because that's already been, I think, very substantiated, and there's no problem with it."

Trump told Kelly he plans to testify in his own defense. For his own sake, his lawyers should try to talk him out of that.

 Copyright 2023 by Creators Syndicate Inc.

The post Trump's Preposterous Defense in the Purloined Documents Case appeared first on Reason.com.
Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville and a group of his fellow GOP senators are plotting a new tactic to break the Senates gridlock on stalled military nominees: they may force a procedural vote on the Marine Corps commandant nominee, in a breach of Senate protocol.

Senators huddled behind closed doors in Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnells office to discuss taking the unusual step. It is extremely rare for a rank-and-file member to force a procedural vote  that is usually left to the Senate majority leader, due to concerns that normalizing this in the minority could make the already cumbersome Senate even more difficult to manage.

With the effort, Republican are seeking to shift the blame in the growing feud over Tubervilles block on Pentagon nominations to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer , who has refused to put individual nominees on the floor over concerns about the Alabama Republicans tactics. The Democratic leader has argued that such nominations have long been quickly confirmed in the Senate by voice votes and doing otherwise would set a damaging precedent in the chamber.

Its unusual, but its where members are, said South Dakota Sen. John Thune, citing pent up frustration, because Schumer wont allow a vote. He added, I dont know where it goes from here, but at least this is one way of breaking things.

Its the latest development in a monthslong blockade by Tuberville over his demands that the Pentagon scrap its policy providing a travel allowance for troops and their families who must travel to receive an abortion because of the state laws where they are stationed. Tuberville argues the policy is illegal and should be up for a vote in Congress, while Pentagon officials have pointed to a Justice Department memo that says the policies are lawful.

But with the Pentagon and Tuberville not budging, GOP senators are looking to take matters into their own hands.

Schumer has refused to schedule a vote on any of the nominees out of concerns that giving into Tuberville could incentivize other senators to place holds to achieve their policy objectives. He has instead demanded that Tuberville drop his blockade and allow the nominations to quickly be confirmed by voice vote.

The process that Tuberville is trying to use involves him collecting 16 other signatures on a petition  at that point he could file the petition to set up a procedural vote, which would require 51 votes to succeed. Thune believes Tuberville has enough support to at least force the vote.

I didnt sign it, Thune said. Hes got the  I think hes got the requisite number of signatures. Well see where it goes. I mean, I think there were other ways of getting this done, but he was intent on pursuing a cloture petition, to use that mechanism. So well see where it lands.

Sen. John Cornyn said that he has not signed on, but he will. I havent yet, but I intend to, the Texas Republican told reporters. Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida added that they had signed the petition.

It is unclear how this will play out, and Schumer has tools at his disposal to undercut Tubervilles tactics.

Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan was close to using this same process to force a vote on one of the military nominees before the August recess, but at the time, McConnell helped talk him out of doing it due to its implications for the Senate.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
In October, Kim Thomas was terrified to learn her cervix was 4 centimeters dilated at just 21 weeks pregnant with twins, indicating to doctors Thomas was going into labor.

I was just scared, Thomas recounted to Good Morning America.

Twins Kimyah and DJ are two of the youngest twins ever to survive premature birth at the Cleveland Clinic. https://t.co/3CuEyLqZYP  Good Morning America (@GMA) September 15, 2023

Thomas medical team at the Cleveland Clinic told the outlet they did everything they could to keep her labor at bay, as she was only halfway through her pregnancy. They were highly concerned about the babies wellbeing.

The odds of survival is very low, Dr. Firas Saker, medical director of the Cleveland Clinic Childrens Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Hillcrest Hospital, explained to GMA.

Thomas labor persisted, and on Oct. 12, 2022, at just 22 weeks and one day, Kimyah and DJ were born. They were so small they could fit into the palm of an adults hand, weighing less than a pound. The Cleveland Clinic Childrens staff told Good Morning America they had never treated babies as small as Kimyah and DJ. The youngest premature twins to survive in history were one day younger than Kimyah and DJ. According to the Guinness World Records, those babies were born just a few months before Thomas babies, in March 2022.

Kimyah and DJ immediately went to the neonatal intensive care unit shortly after birth. Doctors told Thomas and the twins father, Damante Jackson, to prepare for the worst.

They said even if they do survive, its not likely theyd make it the first three days, Jackson told Good Morning America.

Thomas said that while the twins arent likely to remember their harrowing birth, it was hard for them.

The road to recovery wasnt smooth sailing for the twins, who had to battle several health issues. During their first months, they suffered from a collapsed lung and a brain bleed, but their family never gave up on them.

Almost New Years [2023], we were like, OK, we got this. Thats when they finally got to meet each other,' Thomas said.

Thomas and Jackson finally got the green light to bring their twins home on Feb. 27 after spending 138 days in the neonatal unit. Theyre officially the youngest surviving premature twins born at the Cleveland Clinic.

Everyone showed up  every doctor that worked on them, pretty much all the nurses that were there, Thomas told Good Morning America, reflecting on a day she will remember forever.

Kimyah and DJ are healthy, happy and gearing up to turn 1 next month.
Two people were transported to the hospital after four people including a child were caught in a rip current off the beach in Salisbury.

Witnesses say a 13-year-old boy was caught in a rip current when his father went in to try to help him he ended up getting stuck too.

I heard someone yelling and it was child saying help help so the father went running into the water and they both got in trouble, said Robin DiNatale, bystander who called 911.

Two Good Samaritans at the beach jumped in to the water help and was able to get the young boy back to the shore, but the boys father was still at least 100 yards out.

There were two gentleman on the beach the younger one went running in and then so did the other one, said DiNatale.

When Salisbury fire and police arrived on scene, an officer and the fire chief rushed into the water to rescue the boys father. Police say the man had been out there for at least 20 minutes.

When rescuers brought the man back to shore, emergency crews jumped in and immediately started life-saving measures.

He was transported to a local area hospital in unknown condition.

One of the Good Samaritans was hospitalized due to trouble breathing. He has since been released, police say.

Massachusetts State Police Air Wings and Newburyport Coast Guard also responded to the rescue.

There are no lifeguard on this section of the beach at this time of year, despite lifeguards saying it is the worst section for rip currents.

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
A damaged residential apartment building following shelling in Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh, on Sept. 19. Azerbaijan on Tuesday declared that it started what it called an "anti-terrorist operation" targeting Armenian military positions in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Credit - Siranush SargsyanAP

Against the backdrop of Russias invasion of Ukraine, combating authoritarian aggression has taken center stage in Washingtons foreign policy agenda. But given the Wests inaction in the face of yet another Azerbaijani assault on Nagorno-Karabakh this weekwhich resulted in the death of at least 32 people and the forced displacement of several thousand moreit is clear that not all crises are made equal.

During U.S. President Joe Bidens remarks on Tuesday before the United Nations General Assembly, he asked "if we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state of this body feel confident that they will be protected?" Yet just hours prior, Azerbaijan launched an unprovoked assault on Nagorno-Karabakh following nine months of blockading the region's 120,000 indigenous Armenians. The blockade was already causing critical shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and other basic necessitiesforcing Karabakhs Armenians into a position of dependence and subservience. Under these conditions, many Armenians will see no option but to leave their homes. But if Azerbaijans record of detaining civilians at its military checkpoint tells us anything, its that the ability for Armenians to flee persecution isnt guaranteed.

A ceasefire announced on Wednesday appears to have largely brought the latest assault to a halt. Yet the latest fighting is a crisis the U.S. had every opportunity to prevent but spent months ignoringprioritizing the preservation of energy ties with authoritarian Azerbaijan over the imminent threat to Armenian lives. The U.S. did not simply turn a blind eye to Azerbaijans longstanding attempts to impose its will on the Armenian people through starvation and forceit repeatedly emboldened and legitimized Azerbaijan's coercive diplomacy by refusing to hold Azerbaijan accountable for its blockade. In standing by as Armenia was forced to engage in peace talks with a gun to its head, the U.S. appeared content with waiting until the Armenians of Karabakh were desperate enough to submit to Azerbaijans terms.

But the U.S. can learn from its past mistakes and make clear to Azerbaijan that its acts of aggression will not be rewarded. With negotiations between Azerbaijan and Karabakhs Armenians on the horizon, the fate and status of the regions Armenian population remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is that Azerbaijan cannot be trusted with their security.

Protesters clash with police as they call on Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign in central Yerevan on Sept. 19. Azerbaijan launched a military operation against the the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, warning it would "continue until the end" in the territory. Karen MinasyanAFP/Getty Images

Prior to Azerbaijan's assault on Nagorno-Karabakh, international legal experts including former International Criminal Court Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo and former U.N. Special Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide Juan Mendez warned that Azerbaijan's actions constituted a violation of the United Nations Genocide Convention. Those concerns remain no less pertinent todayand the risks of further tragedy remain extremely high should the international community fail to take action and hold Azerbaijan to account.

More From TIME

During a recent U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Yuri Kim vowed that "the United States will not countenance any action or effortshort-term or long-termto ethnically cleanse or commit other atrocities against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh."

Read More: Column: Dont Just Remember the Armenian Genocide. Prevent It From Happening Again

Despite this, the U.S. failed to match those words with any meaningful action, an approach that could create a credibility crisis and embolden other would-be aggressors. To rectify this, the Biden Administration should suspend military assistance to Baku via the enforcement of statutory restrictions outlined in Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, which was enacted in the early 1990s in response to Azerbaijans first war on Nagorno-Karabakh and humanitarian blockade against Armenian civilians. Indeed, this is what the chairs of the Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees, Bob Menendez and Jack Reed, urged in a recent letter to Secretary Blinken.

For decades, successive U.S. administrations have waived Section 907 restrictions on national security grounds. The State Department says it is reviewing assistance to Azerbaijan but refuses to publicly enforce restrictions out of fear this would undermine peace talks with Armenia and push Baku into Moscows arms. But if withholding the enforcement of these restrictions was meant to compel behavioral change in Baku, then clearly this strategy has failed.

The U.S. must also directly target Azerbaijani officials complicit in the perpetration of human rights abuses with sanctions, including under the Global Magnitsky Act. The Biden Administration can use Thursdays upcoming emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council convened by France to pursue robust guarantees for Nagorno-Karabakhs Armenians. This must include an international peacekeeping force on the ground and a humanitarian mission that ensures Armenians are not left at the mercy of Azerbaijan.

How the U.S. responds to Azerbaijan's latest assault on Nagorno-Karabakh will be a test of its commitment to not only combating authoritarian expansionismbut also in the duty to prevent further atrocities. A failure to change course would not only threaten the survival of Nagorno-Karabakhs Armenians, but send a dangerous signal to despots the world over.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

The United Nations chief said humanity has opened the gates to hell in a speech Wednesday that warned that the global effort to cut planet-heating emissions is still dwarfed by the scale of the challenge.

Its the latest attempt by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to capture in a soundbite the horrors unfolding in what is on track to be the hottest year in human history. Last year, he described the planets trajectory as a highway to hell. In March, he said that humanity is on thin ice  and that ice is melting fast. In July, when temperatures reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit in parts of the world, he declared the start of the era of global boiling.

By August, the United States tallied 23 climate disasters that eclipsed at least $1 billion in damages each so far in 2023  with four months left before the year ends. Floods swept through Libya, killing thousands and sweeping enough bodies to sea that the tides deposited corpses on the beach like foamy driftwood. At the start of the hottest August on record, the U.N. International Childrens Emergency Fund published new data showing that heat and humidity exposed 76% of children in South Asia to extreme temperatures.

Guterres delivered his speech at the opening of the climate ambition summit of the latest U.N. General Assembly in New York. Since 2009, New York has made the most of having many of the worlds leaders and diplomats in the city for the General Assembly by hosting an annual week of climate-focused events  known as Climate Week  ahead of the official U.N. summit that takes place overseas in November.

The U.N. climate summit in two months will take place in Dubai, where the United Arab Emirates put Sultan Ahmed Al-Jaber, the head of its state oil company, in charge of the talks. The conference is scheduled to be the first since the historic 2015 Paris Agreement  the first global pact to cut emissions that included the two biggest polluters, China and the U.S.  to require an official stocktake to examine what progress has been made in the past eight years.

The move from fossil fuels to renewables is happening  but we are decades behind, Guterres said Wednesday. We must make up time lost to foot-dragging, arm-twisting and the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuels.

Of course, doing so wont be easy, he said. Rich countries failures to provide funding to help poorer nations adapt and avoid using more fossil fuels have left many angry that they are suffering most from a climate crisis they did not create and angry that promised finance has not materialized, Guterres said.

Shady pledges have betrayed the public trust, he said. Shamefully, some companies have even tried to block the transition to net zero  using wealth and influence to delay, distract and deceive.

He urged governments to start negotiations now to build momentum for November.

We need a transformation to rebuild trust, he said. Governments must push the global financial system towards supporting climate action.
The University of Mississippi is the state's top university, according to the U.S. News and World Report's 2024 rankings, and Millsaps leads the state as the top liberal arts college.

On the national stage, Ole Miss ranked No. 163 and Millsaps ranked No. 124 on their respective lists.

The news didn't come as a surprise to Millsaps' interim President Keith Dunn, but it was exciting news for the college.

"Everything we do here is about the students and about supporting our students," he said.

University of Mississippi students walk across campus in Oxford, Miss., in this Nov. 14, 2019, file photo. Ole Miss is the state's top university, according to the U.S. News and World Report's 2024 rankings. (Bruce Newman/AP file photo)

Ole Miss also credits its success to its support of students.

"U.S. News & World Reports recognition of the University of Mississippi as the top university in the state  and the best value  is a testament to our impact in the state and an indication of our commitment to students and their families," Jacob Batte, director of News and Media Relations at the University of Mississippi said in an email.

illsaps College sophomores Alexa Dubrow, left, of Fort Mill, S.C., and Allyssa Hearn, right, of Tampa, Fla., work in The Bowl on Millsaps' Jackson, Miss., campus Tuesday, Sept. 19. Millsaps has been rated as the top liberal arts college in the state, coming in at 124 in the U.S. News and World Report 2024 National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings.

U.S. News & World Report this year made some changes to its rankings formula, the organization reported in a story about the 2024 list of Best Colleges.

U.S. News reported it dropped or modified some criteria and added a few new ones.

"As in past years, changes in methodology, together with changes in individual schools' data, can result in significant changes to schools' rankings," the news organization reported.

"We increased the emphasis on how often schools' students from all socioeconomic backgrounds earned degrees and took advantage of information on graduate outcomes that was not available until recently."

Dunn said some of the criteria focused on graduation rates and first-year retention rates.

"Those are things that work in our favor," he said, "with our concentration on student support  academic support and comprehensive student support."

Millsaps College students work in and mill around The Bowl on Millsaps' Jackson, Miss., campus Tuesday, Sept. 19. Millsaps has been rated as the top liberal arts college in the state, coming in at 124 in the U.S. News and World Report 2024 National Liberal Arts Colleges Rankings.

Another big plus for Millsaps has been its efforts to diversify its student body "significantly over the last couple of decades," Dunn said.

"We have grown from an institution that was around 20% Pell (Grant) eligible students to the last several years, where we are over 40% Pell eligible," he said. "Millsaps is really focused on being a place of academic excellence but it is also a place of opportunity in academics."

Mississippi State University (216), William Carey University (345), the University of Southern Mississippi (352) and Mississippi College (369) round out the state's Top 5 universities. Their national rankings are in parentheses. Belhaven University and Jackson State University also made the list.

After Millsaps, Mississippi's Top 3 liberal arts colleges include Tougaloo College (181) and Rust College.

Do you have a story to share? Contact Lici Beveridge at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Ole Mis, Millsaps top universities in Mississippi, US News reports
With a No. 9 ranking, UNC Asheville received national recognition for being a Top Public School in the Liberal Arts Colleges category in the 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges.

ASHEVILLE - Western North Carolina colleges were recognized in the U.S. News and World Report 2024 Best Colleges rankings. One school was ranked top 10 in the nation for Top Public Schools in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category, and another ranked in the top 20 for Colleges in the South.

With a No. 9 ranking, UNC Asheville received national recognition for being a Top Public School in the Liberal Arts Colleges category.

"This is something that we're very proud of, and it's not new news for us either," UNC Asheville spokesperson Michael Strysick told the Citizen Times Sept. 19.

"We've been in the top 10 for the last several years, and it's really confirmation that the things we're doing to prepare young people are having an impact and a positive effect."

For the second year in a row Mars Hill University made the top 20 for Colleges in the South, coming out at No. 20.

U.S. News evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using up to 19 measures of academic quality such as, graduation and retention rate, social mobility, financial resources, faculty resources, borrower debt, incoming students' college entrance exam scores, and reputation among peer institutions, its website said.

Sharece Hunter, left, of Lincolnton, helps her niece, Cearra Holmes, carry her belongings to her dorm room at UNC Asheville during first-year move-in day at the university in 2019.

How did Western North Carolina colleges rank?

Appalachian State

No. 1 Most Innovative Universities in the South.

No. 2 Top Public Universities in the South.

No. 2 Best Undergraduate Teaching Universities in the South.

No. 2 Best Universities for Veterans in the South.

No. 3 Regional Universities in the South.

Brevard College

No. 2 Best Undergraduate Teaching Colleges in the South.

No. 2 Most Innovative Colleges in the South.

No. 21 Best Value Colleges in the South.

No. 33 Best Regional Colleges in the South.

Mars Hill University

No. 12 Best Colleges for Veterans in the South.

No. 20 Best Regional Colleges in the South.

No. 27 Best Value Schools in the South.

Montreat College

No. 75 Best Regional Colleges in the South.

UNC Asheville

No. 9 Best Liberal Arts Public School.

No. 138 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.

No. 139 Best National Liberal Arts College.

Warren Wilson College

No. 17 Best in Service Learning.

No. 185-204 Best in National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Western Carolina University

No. 123 Best Public Schools.

No. 138 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.

No. 183 Best in Nursing.

No. 227 Best National Universities.

Social mobility

The annual rankings list of the nations best colleges made history this year with its methodology, U.S. News and World Report said in a news release on Sept. 18.

"This years rankings placed a greater emphasis on social mobility and outcomes for graduating college students, demonstrating the most significant methodological change in the rankings history," the release said.

Colleges are ranked by its social mobility based on enrolling and graduating large proportions of disadvantaged students who are awarded Pell Grants. The majority of these federal grants are awarded to students whose families make $50,000 a year or less.

UNC Asheville placed among the top 100 nationally for social mobility. This is the fifth year in a row UNC Asheville has received acknowledgment for its dedication to social mobility, according to a Sept. 18 news release from the university.

Strysick told the Citizen Times that the school is pleased to see its ranking on social mobility.

"Families are recognizing that at UNC Asheville we offer opportunities, and we offer it in a way that's accessible and affordable. I think the best proof of that is in this most recent incoming class. We had increased numbers of first-generation students," he said.

The number of Pell-eligible students doubled from last year, increasing 97%, and 28% are first-generation college students, which is a 48% increase from the previous year, according to the release.

UNC Asheville ranked 90 in social mobility in the national liberal arts college category.

Among WNC schools, Mars Hill University ranked he highest for social mobility at No. 33 in the South Regional Colleges category.

Mars Hill University President Tony Floyd told the Citizen Times Sept. 19 that they are most proud of the school's social mobility ranking.

"We accept a lot of young people who come from challenged backgrounds, and challenged economic circumstances, we help them rise up the social mobility ladder, and our faculty is really good at doing that," Floyd said.

Social mobility rankings

Appalachian State: No. 38 Regional Universities in the South.

Western Carolina University: No. 53 National Universities.

Brevard College: No. 54 Regional Colleges in the South.

Montreat College: No. 89 Regional Colleges in the South.

UNC Asheville: No. 90 National Liberal Arts Colleges.

Warren Wilson: No. 164 National Liberal Arts Colleges.

More: Asheville, Buncombe students win full-ride scholarships; Where are they attending college?

More: UNC Asheville searches for a new chancellor; who's on the search committee?

McKenna Leavens is the education reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at mleavens@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter @LeavensMcKenna. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: U.S. News and World Report ranks WNC colleges in 2024 report
U.S. President Joe Biden meets Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at Alsalam Royal Palace in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on July 15, 2022. Credit - Royal Court of Saudi ArabiaAnadolu Agency via Getty Images

Whether it's managing an increasingly tense relationship with China or trying to sustain Western military support for Ukraine, the U.S. has its hands full. The Biden Administration, however, has nonetheless chosen to devote a significant amount of diplomatic capital trying to advance a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, two of its longstanding partners in the Middle East.

Theres no question the Biden Administration views such a deal as a seismic win in a part of the world often associated with conflict and diplomatic logjams. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called the prospects of such an accord a transformative event. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan commented this month that while the negotiations werent close to being finalized, the sides have settled on a broad understanding of many of the key elements. President Biden will no doubt speak about the diplomacy with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly.

The question, however, isnt whether an Israel-Saudi normalization agreement would be a good thing for the U.S.its how high a price Washington is willing to pay to get the deal across the finish line. Its imperative for the White House to ensure that its desire for a major diplomatic accomplishment doesnt blind itself to the risks of giving away too much.

Read More: The Limits of the U.S.-Saudi Relationship

More From TIME

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) recognizes that normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia is a key U.S. foreign policy priority in the Middle East. Even so, its deeply unpopular in Saudi Arabia and the broader Arab world absent concessions from Israel such as reaffirming Muslim rights at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, a comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian dispute or, at the very least, greater Palestinian Authority control in the occupied West Bank. MBS has no intention of signing onto the dotted line for free given the likely blowback and the fact that his father, King Salman, is very much invested in supporting the Palestinians cause for an independent state.

For these reasons, MBS is using the prospect of a normalization accord in order to extract a series of U.S. concessions for Riyadh. At the top of the list is a U.S. security guarantee for the kingdom, which would reportedly compel the U.S. to come to Saudi Arabias defense in the event of an external attack like the one that occurred in September 2019, when a volley of cruise missiles hit two major Saudi oil facilities. (Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack. However, U.S. and Saudi officials have pointed the finger at Iran, with Reuters reporting in November of that year that Iran's leadership approved the operation, according to several Iranian officials the outlet spoke to. Tehran has strongly denied any involvement.)

If this is indeed on offer, the U.S. should have the common sense to walk out of the room right now before its too late. A U.S. security guarantee to Saudi Arabia should be avoided at all costs because the downsides are so numerous.

First, there would be nothing mutual about a so-called mutual defense clause with the Saudis. The kingdom has not shown itself to be a strong partner during past U.S. requests for assistance. When the Islamic State was at its peak in 2014 and 2015, controlling vast stretches of territory in Syria and Iraq, the Saudis were relative bystanders in the counter-IS coalition. Whereas the United Arab Emirates and Jordan contributed combat aircraft to the mission and conducted airstrikes against the group, the Saudi contribution largely centered on allowing the U.S. to use its territory to train anti-IS fighters.

Second, granting the kingdom a security guarantee would in effect turn U.S. soldiers, sailors, fighter pilots, and marines into security guards for the Saudi royal family running the kingdom. While this would no doubt serve the interests of the Saudis, who have proven to be incompetent warfighters in Yemen despite tens of billions of dollars in U.S. defense sales, it wouldnt be in the best interest of the U.S., which should be downsizing its presence in the region in order to better resource its shift toward Asia. It should be noted that, ceasefire talks with the Houthis notwithstanding, the Saudi military is still very much engaged in an eight-year war in Yemen. Would a resumption of Houthi missile attacks into the kingdom compel U.S. forces to get involved in Yemen militarily? Right now, this is a hypothetical question. But it becomes a matter of urgency for U.S. policymakers if Washington and Riyadh have an active defense agreement or, more significantly, a defense alliance.

Lastly, MBS has made major missteps in recent years, exposing him as an unreliable partner with poor judgment. By the U.S. intelligence communitys own assessment, he approved the killing of former Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, which hurt the kingdoms reputation in the West and for a time degraded its image on Capitol Hill. His government also allegedly kidnapped former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri and forced him to resign on television because he was insufficiently hawkish on Hezbollah (although Hariri later withdrew his resignation after he returned to Lebanon). And, in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, MBS helped orchestrate a land and sea blockade against Qatar in an attempt to coerce Doha into altering its foreign policy to Riyadhs liking. That policy failed to elicit the policy reforms the Saudis demanded, even as it divided the Gulf Cooperation Council and pushed Qatar closer to Iran.

MBS has been a more pliable figure lately stressing conciliation rather than confrontation. The Saudis have since mended ties with Qatar and have normalized relations with Iran, not to mention its ongoing ceasefire talks with the Houthis. But nobody can say with confidence that this transformation is permanent, and there is a risk that a U.S. security guarantee could push MBS to revert to his previous ways.

The bottom line is that the Biden Administration needs to be extremely cautious as it tries to play peacemaker between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Otherwise it could find itself fleeced in the process.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Two U.S. senators are urging the Biden administration to appeal to the Iraqi government to help secure the release of a Princeton University graduate student believed to have been abducted by an Iranian-backed militia in Iraq six months ago.

In a letter obtained by NBC News, Democratic Sens. Bob Menendez and Cory Booker , who both represent New Jersey, home to Princeton, conveyed their grave concern about Elizabeth Tsurkov s plight in their appeal to Secretary of State Antony Blinken .

They called on the administration to use our close and abiding relationship with Iraq to raise Elizabeths abduction and call for her release at every opportunity and level.

Tsurkov, 36, is a citizen of both Israel and Russia, placing her in a uniquely vulnerable position, the senators said. Israel is constrained in its ability to press for Tsurkovs release, as it has no diplomatic relations with Baghdad because Iraq does not recognize Israel. And Russia has done nothing to advocate for Tsurkovs release as she has openly criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to the letter.

In the letter dated Sept. 11, the senators, both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said that we believe the United States can and should play a role in advocating for her since her home countries are unable or unwilling to do so.

Tsurkov was conducting research in Iraq for her dissertation when she was abducted by Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Shia militia in Iraq financed and armed by Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to human rights groups and the Israeli government. Also known as the Hezbollah Brigades, the militia has staged deadly attacks on U.S. troops in Iraq and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

The militia receives funding from the Iraqi government and is supposed to answer to an Iraqi government chain of command.

Israel said in July that Tsurkov was being held by Kataib Hezbollah but the militia group has denied that claim.

Tsurkov has been living in the United States on an academic visa and has regularly briefed congressional staff on Middle East issues for years, according to a congressional aide.

The Iraqi government so far has not devoted enough attention to resolving Tsurkovs case, the aide added.

In a statement to NBC News, Tsurkovs sister Emma, a researcher at Stanford University, said, "My sister is a brave, compassionate and brilliant person who was in Iraq to study its people, society, and politics as part of her dissertation at Princeton until she was abducted. I join Senators Menendez and Booker in calling for a concerted U.S. effort on Elizabeths behalf to see the Iraqi governments help to secure Elizabeths safe and immediate release from her kidnappers.

A State Department spokesperson said, We wont comment on intended actions by members of Congress. As we have previously stated, we condemn her abduction and are closely tracking this case. For privacy and security reasons, we have nothing further at this time.

The Iraqi Embassy in Washington, D.C., did not respond to a request for comment.

Suggestions from online disinformation posts attempting to paint her as a spy are patently false and dangerous, the senators letter said.

They also asked the State Department to brief their staff members on the case within the next 30 days.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain posted an update on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on how bargaining between his union and three major automakers is going Tuesday.

In the update, Fain posted a scene from the 2017 film The Hitmans Bodyguard starring Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson . The scene features Jackson honking and yelling out of a car window.

You about done? Jackson says in the scene. Tick tock, motherfer!

The update appears to be a cheeky insult directed at the automakers  Stellantis, Ford and General Motors  as the UAW navigates its first few days of striking against all three companies simultaneously for the first time. The union and the auto companies failed to reach an agreement before a Friday morning deadline, so the UAW went on strike.

A recent Morning Consult poll found a majority of Americans  54 percent  support the strike.

The UAW has also received support from both ends of the political spectrum, from President Biden to former Vice President Mike Pence. The UAW endorsed Biden in 2020 but is withholding its 2024 endorsement from him, because they expect action, not words, according to Fain.

Our endorsements are going to be earned, Fain said on CBSs Face the Nation Sunday. Weve been very clear about that, no matter what politician.

Who the president is now, who the former president was or the president before them isnt going to win this fight, Fain continued. This fight is all about one thing  its about workers winning their fair share of economic justice instead of being left behind as they have been in the last decades.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A drivetrain plant in Tuscaloosa, Ala., went on strike Wednesday, joining several United Auto Workers (UAW) in the Midwest striking against major automakers.

ZF Chassis Systems, which supplies a nearby Mercedes factory, is the fourth UAW plant to join the effort since the union began striking Friday. Other plants involved are near St. Louis; Detroit; and Toledo, Ohio.

The historic UAW strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis is focused on demands for higher wages, shorter work weeks, union representation for battery plant workers and better retirement benefits  including restored pensions for new hires.

UAW President Shawn Fain threatened that strikes will continue and expand if automakers dont up their contract offers and come to the negotiating table by Friday.

Our members have been clear about their demands, and we know the companies can afford to make things right. Record profits mean records contracts, Fain said Tuesday. Weve been available 24/7 to bargain a deal that recognizes our members sacrifices and contributions to these record profits.

If we dont make serious progress by noon on Friday, Sept. 22, more locals will be called on to stand up and join the strike, he continued.

The union strike strategy has called on only a few local facilities to strike at a time, with little to no notice. The strategy reserves strike funds and, as Fain said, is intended to keep the companies guessing.

The strikes are backed by the Biden administration, though controversy has erupted over whether President Biden  who branded himself as pro-union during his campaign  should show up and speak with striking workers. He made statements in support of the strikes last week.

I believe they should go further.  Record corporate profits, which they have, should be shared by record contracts for the UAW, Biden said.

Former President Trump announced Tuesday that he will visit striking workers in Detroit later this month instead of attending the second GOP presidential primary debate.

While the UAW has so far refused to endorse Biden over concerns about electric vehicle policy, Fain has been sharply critical of Trump; he said the UAW will not endorse Trump and is still open to endorsing Biden.

Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers, Fain said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The potential impact is difficult to quantify, as it all depends on how long the strike lasts and how many more workers strike.

A full-fledged 10-day strike against the Big Three could carry economic costs topping $5 billion, the Anderson Economic Group estimated in an August report.

A monthslong work stoppage could also eat into the auto giants liquidity, especially if more workers strike, Fitch Ratings warned Friday.

UAW President Shawn Fain called up nearly 13,000 workers to strike at three plants  one from each of the Big Three  to strike last Friday after union negotiations failed.

We expect the initial financial impact of this first round of strikes to be limited, since the UAW is only striking one plant each at Ford, GM and Stellantis, Stephen Brown, senior director at Fitch Ratings, said in a written statement.

During a Facebook Live event hours before the contract deadline, Fain warned the union wont rule out an all-out strike.

Some automakers and suppliers are already laying off workers, and thousands more UAW members are bracing to make just $500 per week on the picket line.

The UAW has amassed an $825 million strike fund. The union has said it would extend stipends to workers laid off because of the strikes.

The first impact of a strike will be felt in auto worker homes and communities, who will see a drop in revenues, as strikers shift to spending less, Juscelino Filgueiras Colares, a business law professor at Case Western Reserve University, told The Hill in an email.

The Hills Taylor Giorno has more here.
Neighborhood residents, joined by anti-migrant activists, hold a 5th demonstration and rally to protest the city housing migrants at a closed Catholic school, St. John Villa Academy, September 14, 2023, in the Arrochar neighborhood of Staten Island, New York.



Neighborhood residents, joined by anti-migrant activists, hold a 5th demonstration and rally to protest the city housing migrants at a closed Catholic school, St. John Villa Academy, September 14, 2023, in the Arrochar neighborhood of Staten Island, New York.

On Tuesday night, ten Staten Island protestors channeled their inner Donald Trump and were arrested for temporarily blocking a bus carrying asylum seekers. They were charged with disorderly conduct, and a 48-year-old man was charged for allegedly assaulting an officer who was attempting to make an arrest.

The incident took place outside a former Midland beach senior living facility. Demonstrators learned that the building was set to house migrants and blocked the bus as it pulled up to the facility thats being run by the nonprofit Homes for Homeless.

Read more

However, they werent advocating for accessible medical care for the asylum seekersthey were protesting their existence. Instead of taking your anger and aggression out on the migrants, you should perhaps evaluate how city officials are actually using their allocated government funds.

You should also ask why affordable housing has become all but impossible to obtain for New York City residentsnative or not.

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.
LONDON  Air defense and long-range strike weapons are on the U.K. governments priority list for supply to Ukraine, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said on Wednesday.

In a statement issued on the sidelines of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein air base in Germany on Sept 20, Britains new defense chief said the equipment would be delivered to Kyiv over the coming months, though he provided few details.

The announcement that additional air-defense capabilities were on their way followed a plea 24 hours earlier by his U.S. counterpart, Lloyd Austin, urging allies to dig deep to increase the supply of weapons to counter Russias continuing aerial bombardment of Ukraine.

The Ramstein meeting brings together ministers and senior officials from nearly 50 nations to coordinate international support for Ukraine.

Britain has already supplied hundreds of air-defense weapons to the Ukraine, including Starstreak and AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles.

Long-range strike weapon deliveries from the British include Storm Shadow cruise missiles and M270 multiple launch rocket systems.

Shapps, who made his first appearance at the Ramstein meeting since taking over as defence secretary from Ben Wallace late last month, said the list of capabilities destined for Ukraine in the coming months would also include artillery ammunition, training and maintenance and repair.

The British recently completed the delivery their 300,000th artillery round to Ukraine since the conflict with Russia started.

Today weve demonstrated the U.K.s unwavering commitment to Ukraine and set out more military support, including pledging tens of thousands more artillery shells to enable Ukraine to defend itself against Russias unprovoked invasion, Shapps said.

Support of British military vehicles in service in Ukraine is also of growing importance.

In July British defense contractor Babcock was awarded a contract by the U.K. MoD to support urgent operational requirements for Ukraines military vehicle assets as part of Londons support for the country.

The initial 12-month contract is worth around 50 million ($62 million) and will see Babcock support British-supplied armored vehicles to the Ukrainian military, including Challenger 2 tanks.

The company recently signed a cooperation agreement with Ukrainian state defense concern Ukroboronprom to study opportunities for implementing joint defense projects locally.

Late last month BAE Systems revealed it was doing something similar with exploration of possible local production of 105mm light guns.
Russia still controls a railway line near the recently liberated settlement of Klishchiivka but its defence has likely weakened in the city of Bakhmut while the Defence Forces of Ukraine are approaching the road the Russians use as a supply route to Bakhmut from the south of Ukraine.

Source: UK Defence Intelligences update on the situation in Ukraine from 20 September

Quote: "Since 15 September 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have secured the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, approximately 8km to the south of the Donetsk Oblast town of Bakhmut.

This tactical success brings Ukrainian forces closer to the T 05-13 road, one of the main supply routes into Bakhmut from the south.

However, Russia continues to hold the railway line which runs along an embankment between Klishchiivka and the T 05-13, creating a readily defendable obstacle."

Details: At the same time, the UK analysts assume that recent redeployments of Russian airborne forces from Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia Oblast have likely weakened Russias defences around Bakhmut.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  20 September 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/zM33VFupoe



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/VWdtEUc6w9  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) September 20, 2023

Background:

On 15 September, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have liberated Andriivka during their assault actions, are continuing their offensive, and have had partial success near Klishchiivka in Donetsk Oblast. Soldiers of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade posted footage of the operation to liberate Andriivka in the Bakhmut district of Donetsk Oblast.

On 17 September, the Defence Forces of Ukraine confirmed the liberation of the settlement of Klishchiivka to the south of Bakhmut.

Institute for the Study of War (ISW) supposed that the liberation of Klishchiivka and Andriivka could have caused the severe degradation of the Russian units that were fighting for them.

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!
Recent explosions in occupied regions of Crimea on Sept. 20 were part of planned security and defense operations conducted by Ukraine, confirmed Andriy Yusov , a spokesperson for the Ukrainian militarys Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR), on national television on Sept. 20.

Work is underway to address military installations held by the occupiers in temporarily occupied territories, including Crimea. The Armed Forces and the General Staff will soon provide further details, said Yusov.

Read also: Multiple explosions rock Crimea, hitting two airfields, and a military base in Sevastopol

When asked for specifics regarding the targets and the effectiveness of these operations, Yusov urged patience, citing the recent influx of news from Crimea.

He noted that all of these operations are part of a comprehensive strategy and deemed them all effective. The ultimate objective is the liberation of the peninsula, he noted, with the current focus on undermining Russian positions.

Read also: HUR shares footage of daring special ops to recapture offshore drilling rigs off Crimean coast

Crimea continues to serve as a key logistical hub, facilitating the movement of enemy forces and resources to other parts of the front. To disrupt this, various operations are being conducted  at sea, on land, and in the air  and there are more to come, Yusov added.

Read also:

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
Can Russia's cultural scene be as hollow or imperialistic in its worldview as the Russian state?

The confrontation between Ukrainians and Russians in the cultural sphere has been going on since the first minutes of the invasion of 2022. Ukrainian cultural practitioners and institutions united on the morning of February 24 and sent the first appeals to the international community, raising the alarm about Russian aggression. The Vilnius Book Fair started that day. Our Lithuanian colleagues began the opening ceremony by making public our testimony and protest against the war. Even then, Ukraine was expecting some kind of reaction from the Russian cultural community: speeches in the international press, actions of solidarity with Ukraine. No matter how symbolic, these steps were essential. But the Russians froze and remained silent.

Read also: Finland seizes Russian Scientific and Cultural Center land and building in Helsinki

Ukrainians were surprised and not surprised at the same time. In those days, I often remembered a music video by Vakhtang Kikabidze that I first saw after Russia's war against Georgia. It is a song written in the tradition of Soviet pop music, and the video begins with archival footage of a happy, friendly visit of Russian sixties poets to Georgia: the signature "Yevtushenko" is featured prominently, reciting inspirational poems about Georgia in Russian, laughing, dancing, hugging. The atmosphere is one of happy unity.

The scene gives way to recognizable footage of the Russian invasion of 2008. Kikabize sings in the chorus: "You did not know, you hardly knew. You didn't betray me, you disappointed me." So, no, the silence of the Russians was not surprising because we have heard it many times. However, somewhere deep in our minds, it was still not so much a thought as a feeling: "It can't be!" Disappointment mixed with deep bewilderment: how could the cultural scene of an entire country be as voiceless or as imperialistic in its view of the world as its state?

The most important task of the Russian intellectual today is to rethink their country

This behavior of Russian intellectuals determined the attitude of their Ukrainian counterparts. It is impossible to be close to people who do not fulfill their most important function, perhaps at the most dramatic moment in their history. As a result, Ukrainians have consistently refused to participate in international cultural events alongside Russians and have called on international cultural institutions to do so.

However, the question remained unclear: what exactly should Russian cultural figures do, and what would make the Russian cultural scene an interlocutor? Here, it is appropriate to clarify for ourselves the role of culture in times of crisis, and thus of cultural practitioners, and most of all of those we usually call intellectuals. An essential function of culture is to comprehend reality and the human situation in this reality. What is happening to us, what does this experience indicate, how to live together, what is our future  all these are the central questions of culture. According to one of the well-known definitions, an intellectual is a person who has a mandate from society to interfere in matters that are not their own. That is, to comment on reality, speak out and take a position, and point out injustice. Do Russian intellectuals fulfill this function? Obviously, no. But how could they fulfill it?

The most important task of the Russian intellectual today is to rethink their country in terms and within the limits that would allow it to be a peaceful, non-predatory state that does not threaten its neighbors. That is, to internally de-imperialize it. The logic of imperial existence, when domination and expansion are the permanent and desirable state of an entire country, makes Russia a bloody predator. But this logic can only be changed by its own citizens from within, by proposing a new concept of statehood.

Read also: Russian Cultural Center in Cyprus set ablaze by Molotov cocktails  video

In the second half of the twentieth century, Polish intellectuals from the circle of Jerzy Giedroyc accomplished a similar task concerning Polish state identity. This is an arduous task, requiring a revision of the foundations of the Russian national myths. To achieve this, it is necessary to make a deep historical introspection and imagine a Russia that is not a direct heir to Kyiv. It is necessary to recognize the legacy of the Golden Horde and reconsider the proportion of medieval Russian heritage in its national myth. It is necessary to understand the role of the colonization of Siberia and, accordingly, the colonized peoples. There are many similar "musts."

The last time such a large-scale intellectual process concerning Russia took place was probably in the eighteenth century, and doubts about the ability of the modern Russian intellectual to cope with it are only growing. But hope, as the saying goes, burns to the last. In the meantime, anyone who supports the previous status quo  Russia as it has been imagined so far  is consciously or unconsciously prolonging the predatory version of the Russian state.

Read also: Kremlin pleased by Popes acknowledgment of Russian cultural heritage, Vatican clarifies statement

Without this work, it is impossible to end the confrontation between the Ukrainian and Russian cultural scenes, nor for Russians to eliminate the burden of complicity. At the same time, Ukraine is in the process of emancipating itself from the Russian state project, and the Russian cultural scene can either help or hinder this process. In any case, the disappointment with Russian intellectuals has deepened the confrontation and thus increased the repulsion of cultures. We are on this trajectory. And this is wonderful.

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
Ukrainian forces are increasingly successful at targeting Russian S-400 Triumf anti-air systems in Crimea, Newsweek wrote on Sept. 20, citing Sidharth Kaushal of the London-based Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) think tank

Read also: Following failures, Russia recalibrates its air defense systems around Moscow

The loss of an S-400 system, though still relatively rare, is a painful, expensive, and humiliating hit to Russia's air defense coverage. Each S-400 battery costs around $200 million, according to Kaushal.

"Of course, the system can be replaced, but it is still not a trivial loss," the expert said.

S-400 systems are interlinked with other anti-air systems like Buk, meaning that if an S-400 is taken out, it "undercuts the functionality of the local air defense cluster as a whole."

At the start of 2023, Russia had around 96 S-400 mobile surface-to-air missile systems, also known by their NATO moniker SA-21 Growler, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

It is difficult to get an accurate picture of Russian losses in mainland Ukraine and in occupied Crimean, but according to open-source intelligence outlet Oryx, Russia has lost key components of its S-400 batteries on at least five separate occasions, including command posts, launchers, and radars.

The S-400 is Russia's "flagship" air defense system, yet Russia losing several S-400s in recent months is significant for several reasons, according to military expert David Hambling. The first is that the S-400 "appeared to have performed well previously but now appears vulnerable." The loss of S-400s had made Russian targets in Crimea more vulnerable to Ukraine launching Anglo-French Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles.

Read also: Russia deploys more Iskander-M missile systems to Belarus  report

"We may now be seeing the start of a trend where S-400s are increasingly targeted," said Hambling.



The Ukrainian Armed Forces have confirmed that they successfully destroyed a Russian S-400 anti-air system near Yevpatoriya in Crimea, according to a press release on Sep. 14. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that they had downed 11 drones over the occupied peninsula overnight.

Read also: Multiple explosions rock Crimea, hitting two airfields, and a military base in Sevastopol

Speaking to NV, confidential sources confirmed that an S-400 anti-air missile system was destroyed in the operation. The target came under assault by drones and Ukrainian-made Neptune cruise missiles. SBU drones incapacitated the complexs radar and antennas, followed by naval forces firing two Neptune missiles.

Read also: Ukraine destroys state-of-the-art Russian missile system in Crimea

This marked the second time a Triumf system met its demise, with the prior incident occurring at Cape Tarkhankut in Crimea on Aug. 23.

S-400 Triumf is Russias state-of-the-art long-range surface-to-air missile system. A full complex comes with a hefty price tag of $1.2 billion.

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 expects to receive an interim decision of the International Court of Justice by the end of this year on its claims that Russias accusations that Ukraine was engaging in genocide; hearings on the merits may begin in 2025.

Source: Oksana Zolotariova, Director of the International Law Department of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry and representative of Ukraine for the International Court of Justice case, in an interview with European Pravda

Details: When asked about the possible timing of the consideration of this interstate complaint by Ukraine against Russia, Oksana Zolotariova noted that an interim decision is possible by the end of 2023.

Quote: "Let's hope it will be that fast, given the pace at which things are moving... The interim decision will have to do with whether the court has jurisdiction to hear this case. Now the court is considering legal arguments as to whether it has the authority to consider this case; it will not examine the evidence," she explained.

After that, there will be a stage of exchange of written filings, which takes quite a long time, and after that, a hearing on the merits.

"Basically, we can go to oral hearings on the merits in 2025," said Oksana Zolotariova.

She also said that if the Court recognises that Moscow violated international law and that the war was unjustified, Ukraine would consider this a victory.

Read also: First Genocide Case against Russia. How Ukraine and 32 Countries Sue Kremlin in the Hague

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!








(Bloomberg) -- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Ukraine is making progress in enacting the reforms required to join the European Union, while Polands head of state criticized the government in Kyiv for its handling of a dispute over imported grain.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The disagreement has intensified after Poland extended a ban on imports from its eastern neighbor in a push to placate its farmers, whose support will be crucial in parliamentary elections next month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier accused some in Europe of turning grain into a thriller and helping set the stage for a Moscow actor.

Ukraine downed 17 out of 24 Shahed drones launched by Russian forces overnight, according to a statement from the countrys General Staff on Facebook. The Kremenchuk oil refinery in central Ukraine temporarily halted operations after a Russian drone attack, Poltava regional Governor Dmytro Lunin said on Telegram.

Latest Coverage

Polands Duda Makes Dig at Zelenskiy as Once-Strong Bond Frays

EUs Von Der Leyen Praises Ukraines Progress on Membership Bid

Biden Calls for Additional Ukraine Aid as Allies See Longer War

EIB Says Cant Wait for Peace Treaty to Start Rebuilding Ukraine

First Grain Ship Since July Leaves Ukrainian Black Sea Port

Coming Up

United Nations General Assembly continues in New York

UN Security Council meets to discuss situation in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov participates in BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organization meetings on sidelines of UNGA

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Ukraine refused to take 10 German Leopard tanks because they were in bad shape, German media reported.

In the rush to get them out, issues of parts and maintenance were neglected, Der Spiegel said.

Germany has committed 110 tanks to Ukraine as part of a $2.9 billion package.

Ukraine has rejected 10 Leopard tanks sent from Germany because they were in such poor condition, a new report says.

Authorities in Kyiv refused to import the group of Leopard 1A tanks on the grounds that they needed significant repairs, the German newspaper Der Speigel reported on Tuesday.

Ukraine lacks the spare parts and technical expertise to fix them, the outlet said.

Germany has committed to sending 110 tanks to Ukraine as part of a $2.9 billion military-aid package announced in the spring. Most of these are Leopard 1As, the first of which began to arrive in July, The New York Times reported.

But problems with the rollout have been well documented.

The German news outlet Die Welt reported that, as of early August, just 10% of the country's promised tanks to Ukraine had been delivered. (Insider shares a publisher, Axel Springer, with Die Welt.)

Forbes reported a group of Leopard 1As also broke down immediately on arrival in Ukraine over the summer.

Last used by Germany in 2000, the 1A model is an obsolete Cold War-era tank. But the NYT reported it can still best the T-72 tank that has been used heavily by Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.

After the German announcement, its army was quickly tasked with fixing up the tanks, which had been in storage, and Ukraine sent soldiers to be trained on their use, der Spiegel reported.

In the rush to get the tanks on the battlefield, however, it emerged that there were problems with getting the right spare parts and training Ukrainian technicians on making repairs, the outlet reported.

The German Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider, and a spokesperson for the defense minister, Boris Pistorius, refused to comment on the case to Der Speigel.

Ukraine has held back much of its stock of heavily armored vehicles  many of which come from Western allies  during its counteroffensive after highly publicized losses early on.

Faced with strong defenses, Ukraine turned to weakening Russian forces with artillery fire and picking a way through minefields with sappers and infantry units while holding tanks back until they'd pierced the first layers of defense.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of committing criminal and unprovoked aggression as he came face-to-face with Vladimir Putins officials for the first time since his country was invaded.

The aggression violated both the norms of war and the UN Charter itself, he told a special meeting of the UNs security council.

All eyes were on possible interactions between Mr Zelensky and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov, but Mr Lavrov was not in Russias seat as Mr Zelensky spoke.

Earlier, Ukrainian forces struck a Russian Black Sea fleet command post near Sevastopol in Crimea, the Ukrainian military said.

The Moscow-installed governor of the city  a resort where Vladimir Putin spends his summer holidays  said a missile attack had been prevented.

Some reports described it as a kamikaze drone hit and that Russia had downed several drones in the area. Russia seized and annexed Crimea in 2014.

Separately, footage of an inferno near the Adler International Airport in Sochi circulated on Telegram.

There were no casualties, the mayor of Sochi, Alexei Kopaigorodskyi, said on the Telegram platform.

Key Points

Drones shot down over Russian cities near Ukraine border in overnight attack

At UN General Assembly, Biden asks world to stand by Ukraine

Moscow court declines to consider appeal by US reporter Gershkovich against pre-trial detention

Russia violating UN Charter, Zelensky tells security council

UN incapable of defending national borders, says Zelensky

19:46 , Jane Dalton

Ukraines President Zelensky has repeated his call for reform of the UNs general assembly and security council to end the war.

574 days of pain, losses, and struggle have already passed since the start of the full-scale aggression launched by the state, which, for some reason, is still present here among the permanent UNSC members, he wrote on social media.

In a long thread he wrote: All in the world see what makes the UN incapable. This seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupied illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the USSR, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash Russias ongoing aggression and genocide...

Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a dead end...

Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defence of the sovereign borders of nations.

His proposals included expanding membership of the security council to include Germany and the African Union, among others.

He said the epicentre of efforts to protect territorial integrity and sovereignty and human rights, as well as preventing aggression and genocide should be in UNs general assembly and security council.

If reform of UN institutions is necessary for this, then we should not be afraid of it. We are ready to work together with UN members who joined the Peace Formula on draft resolutions and amendments to the UN Charter.

The council has met dozens of times since Russia invaded Ukraine, but it has been unable to take any action because Moscow holds a veto.

574 days of pain, losses, and struggle have already passed since the start of the full-scale aggression launched by the state, which, for some reason, is still present here among the permanent UNSC members. pic.twitter.com/K5ucPhmlWS  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 20, 2023

Firstly, the UN General Assembly should be given real power to overcome the veto. In the event of 2/3 of the votes reflecting the will of nations from Asia, Africa, Europe, both Americas, and the Pacific, a UNSC veto should be effectively overcome by such binding UNGA resolution.  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) September 20, 2023

Four die in Russian shelling

21:12 , Jane Dalton

Russian forces have shelled the city of Toretsk in eastern Ukraine, killing four people, the Ukrainian General Prosecutors Office said.

The office, in a report on the Telegram messaging app, said that two people had died inside the city and two more in the adjacent town of Pivnichne.

The tense encounter that almost happened  but didnt

18:57 , Jane Dalton

Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov avoided staring each other out across the UN Security Councils famous horseshoe-shaped table:

Ukraine, Russia and the tense U.N. encounter that almost happened  but didn't

Russian ambassador objects to Zelensky speaking

18:46 , Jane Dalton

Before Ukraines President Zelensky took the floor to speak to the security councils 15 members, Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia objected.

Albanian prime minister Edi Rama, serving as president of the tense session, responded with a gibe at Moscow, which has long said the invasion does not amount to a war but was a special military operation.

I want to assure our Russian colleagues and everyone here that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency, Mr Rama said to muted laughter across the room.

There is a solution for this, he continued. If you agree, you stop the war and President Zelensky will not take the floor.

Mr Nebenzia said the session was a show.

Lavrov runs over by at least 20 minutes

18:29 , Jane Dalton

The speech of Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov lasted for more than 24 minutes. Security Council delegates had been asked to limit speeches to four minutes.

Nazis can skip queue to join EU, Lavrov claims

18:25 , Jane Dalton

Nazis could skip the queue to join the EU, Sergei Lavrov claimed - in contrast with countries such as Turkey, where talks had dragged on.

Mr Lavrovs rambling speech to the security council has already lasted much longer than those of other delegates and is continuing with regular swipes at Western aggression and hypocrisy.

Russian minister accuses West of fomenting global tensions

18:16 , Jane Dalton

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov accused the West after the cold war of ignoring the legacy of the founding fathers of the UN, fomenting new global tensions.

He accused the US and allies of meddling in Ukraines politics since fall of the Soviet Union to force pro-western policies in Kyiv, which did not represent the views of the people of Donbass (the Russian-occupied area of Ukraine), Mr Lavrov said.

And he accused the West of trying to suppress Russian culture, including people using their native language.

Volodymyr Zelensky left the security council meeting after his speech, avoiding a clash with Mr Lavrov and his team.

Russia committing war crimes daily, says Blinken

18:02 , Jane Dalton

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cited heinous examples of homes being targeted and children being removed form their homes, saying Russia was committing war crimes daily.

He listed examples of acts of destruction he said Russia was carrying out, including targeting grain supplies, using Iranian drones.

Its hard to imagine a country demonstrating more contempt of the UN, Mr Blinken said.

But Ukrainians were not giving up, he said.

He pledged the US would continue to do more than its share of supporting the war effort and send a clear message to aggressors.

UK gives 3m to food programme as Russia targets hungry'

17:54 , Jane Dalton

The UK is giving another 3m to the UN Food Programme following disruptions to grain supplies, the UKs deputy prime minister told the security council.

Oliver Dowden said the hungry and malnourished people of the developing world were also victims of Russias war of choice.

Russia was impervious to UN demands and conducted sham elections in Ukraines sovereign territory, he said, as he highlighted the need for effective multilateralism to secure peace, restore grain flows and help Ukraine in its recovery.

Poland angered by Zelensky grain remarks

17:31 , Jane Dalton

Poland summoned Kyivs envoy to the foreign ministry, after comments by Ukraines president on a ban on grain imports angered the government in Warsaw, which is toughening its stance ahead of October elections.

Poland has been one of Ukraines staunchest allies, but the countries are now embroiled in a deepening conflict over agricultural imports since Poland, along with Hungary and Slovakia, extended a ban on grain imports from their war-torn neighbour.

President Volodymyr Zelensky told the United Nations General Assembly Kyiv was working to preserve the land routes for grain exports, but he added that the political theatre around grain imports was only helping Moscow, which invaded Ukraine last year.

(Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski) conveyed the Polish sides strong protest against the statements made by President V. Zelensky at the UN General Assembly yesterday, alleging that some EU countries feigned solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

UN must remove Russias veto, says Zelensky

17:21 , Jane Dalton

Volodymyr Zelensky called for the UN General Assembly to remove Russias veto power on the security council.

Ukraine is exercising its right to self-defence, the Ukrainian president told the meeting.

And he said support for Ukraine amounted to backing for the aims of the UN Charter.

He called on nations to support Kyivs 10-point peace plan  which the Kremlin has previously rejected.

Russia appears isolated in UN meeting

16:57 , Jane Dalton

All eyes were on the Russian delegation as Ukraines Mr Zelensky came face-to-face with their officials for the first time since his country was invaded.

But Russia appeared isolated in the security council chamber, according to Washington Post reporter Michael Birnbaum.

Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya is sitting alone at the table with other members of the Russian delegation behind him. No merriment and small talk for the Russians, he reported.

Zelensky calls for reform of council to reach peace

16:48 , Jane Dalton

President Zelensky called for reform of the security council.

Our aspiration for peace should drive the reform, he told the special gathering of international delegates.

Russia violating UN Charter, Zelensky tells security council

16:43 , Jane Dalton

Volodymyr Zelensky has started addressing the special United Nations Security Council session, saying Ukrainian soldiers were doing what the UN security council should be doing by vote.

He accused Russia of criminal and unprovoked aggression that violated the UN Charter.

(EPA)

US to give Kyiv fresh aid as Zelensky plans Washington trip

16:30 , Jane Dalton

US president Joe Biden plans to announce a significant military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday to coincide with a visit to Washington by president Volodymyr Zelensky, a US official has said, on condition of anonymity.

Watch live - Live: World leaders gather for UN General Assembly

14:22 , Lydia Patrick

There is speculation of a Zelensky and Lavrov face-to-face showdown.

Cargo ship crew evacuated after explosion near Romanian Danube port

14:12 , Lydia Patrick

The crew of a Togo-flagged general cargo ship bound for one of Ukraines Danube river ports were evacuated early on Wednesday after an explosion on board near the Romanian port of Sulina, Romanian officials said.

The Seama ship reported an explosion early on Wednesday and requested the evacuation of the 12-person crew near Sulina, where the Danube flows into the Black Sea.

At the moment the causes ... are unclear, whether it was a mine or merely an explosion in the engine room, Romanian Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu told reporters.

A former explosion on Romania Danube Ports (Provided)

ICYMI: Sochi fuel depot goes up in flames in suspected first drone strike on Putins summer resort town

13:36 , Lydia Patrick

A suspected kamikaze drone attack targeted resort city Sochi where Vladimir Putin spends his summer holidays and led to a massive fuel tank going up in flames, said officials.

This is the first suspected drone strike made on the Russian presidents resort city during the course of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Putin has also hosted the 2014 Olympic games in the city.

Sochi fuel depot up in flames in first drone strike on Putins summer resort town

Zelensky and Lavov face-to-face showdown expected to at United Nations Security Council

13:00 , Lydia Patrick

Volodymyr Zelensky faces an in-person showdown with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov at a meeting of the UN Security Council today, after warning Russias evil cannot be trusted.

Mr Zelensky is due to speak today at a UN Security Council meeting about Ukraine. Russia is a permanent, veto-wielding member of the council, and Mr Lavrov is expected to make remarks.

Asked whether he would stay in the room to listen, Mr Zelensky said, I dont know how it will be, really.

Yesterday, the Ukrainian leader delivered a powerful speech to fellow UN leaders and urged for the world to unite against Putin.

He warned of Russia using tactics that he claimed to be more catastrophic than those of nuclear destruction.

He said:But truly not the nukes are the scariest now.While nukes remain in place, the mass destruction is gaining its momentum.

The last time Zelensky and Lavrov faced each other at the UN Security Council in September 2022 was an explosive encounter. Lavrov called Zelensky a b****** and stormed out of the room.

UN General Assembly (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Putin formally accepts invitation to visit China in October

12:30 , Lydia Patrick

Putin is set to visit China this October on his first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him.

The Kremlin denies the allegation that he deported children from Ukraine.

(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Putins Black Sea holiday resort rocked by drone strike

11:43 , Lydia Patrick

A kamikaze drone attack struck Putins black sea holiday resort this morning, reports claim.

Telegram footage shows fire near the Adler International Aiport in Sochi.

Plumes of black clouds can be seen in the video footage as the strike hit a tank containing 1,200 tons of diesel The Metro reported.

A previous blast in the Black Sea (via REUTERS)

Ukrainian soldiers say Western arms would speed up counteroffensive

11:20 , Lydia Patrick

Ukrainian troops on the eastern front say they need more arms to accelerate their successful Bakhmut counteroffensive against Russia, report Reuters.

Kyiv says it has recaptured two villages south of Bakhmut which will help its forces advance on the shattered city, which has been occupied by Russian forces since May.

But troops taking cover in a bunker near Bakhmut this week said they were still heavily reliant on Soviet-era Grad multiple rocket launchers, and dream of receiving the more sophisticated U.S.-made HIMARS rocket launchers.

Things would be brighter, a lot more interesting if we had HIMARS, one soldier, who gave his name only as Denys, said as explosions echoed nearby.

Or at the very least one of those made Czech-made Vampires (rocket launchers), he said to Reuters.

(Ukraine armed forces)

Russia suffer significant losses in Western Zaporizhzhia, say ISW

10:50 , Lydia Patrick

Russian losses have significantly increased over recent days in Western Zaporizhzhia, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

They reported:

Russian losses have reportedly significantly increased in western Zaporizhia Oblast in recent days, and the Russian military likely struggles with a lack of available combat-effective units that the Russian command is willing to laterally redeploy to this sector of the front.

ISW

EU to ask China to push Russia towards just peace in Ukraine

10:15 , Lydia Patrick

European Council President Charles Michel will ask China directly at the United Nations Security Council to do more to push Russia towards a just peace in Ukraine, according to his draft speech seen by Reuters at the UNGA.

At the Security Council meeting held on Wednesday during the annual high-level U.N. General Assembly in New York, Michel will call for a just peace that respects the U.N. Charter and its core principles the territorial integrity of a sovereign nation, says Reuters.

Chinas Vice President Han Zheng is in New York for the annual gathering of world leaders for the UNGA, and is currently expected to attend the meeting of the 15-member council for China, diplomats said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is also expected to attend the council meeting.

Charles Michel will ask China to push Russia towards peace

More grain conflict in Poland

09:57 , Lydia Patrick

Poland may ban the import of more Ukrainian agricultural products if Kyiv escalates the conflict over a ban on grain imports, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warns.

The warning comes Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced their own restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports despite the European Comissions decision to not extend prexisting ban over Ukraines five neighbouring countries.

Ukraine was one of the worlds top grain exporters before Russias 2022 invasion reduced its ability to ship agricultural produce to global markets. Ukrainian farmers have relied on grain exports through neighbouring countries since the conflict began as it has been unable to use the favoured routes through Black Sea ports.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Russian jet crashed during training flight

09:50 , Lydia Patrick

A Russian Su-34 fighter jet crashed in Voronezh region in Central Russia during a training flight on Wednesday morning, TASS news agency reported citing the defence ministry.

The plane was flying without ammunition and crashed in a deserted area, the report said. The crew of two people ejected and was later evacuated, it added.

The cause of the accident could be a technical malfunction, the ministry said.

The jet crash which killed Yevgeny V. Prigozhin (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Sochi fire extinguished

08:54 , Lydia Patrick

A fire at a fuel tank near an airport in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi has been extinguished, the citys mayor said on Wednesday.

There were no casualties, the mayor, Alexei Kopaigorodskyi, said on the Telegram messaging platform.

The airport and the entire transport system are operating as normal, report Reuters.

The cause of the fire is being investigated further.

Zelensky tells UN to not do deals with evil Russia: Ask Prigozhin whether Putin can be trusted

08:30 , Lydia Patrick

Volodymyr Zelensky condemned evil Russia and emphatically warned fellow leaders of stop shady deals with Russia.

He said: Evil cannot be trusted  ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putins promises, Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday, claiming he was aware of attempts to make some shady deals behind the scenes.

Please, hear me. Let unity decide everything openly.

Read the full story here

Zelensky tells UN to not do deals with evil Russia: Ask Prigozhin

Zelenskys UN speech warned of Putins World War'

07:39 , Lydia Patrick

The Ukrainian president addressed other world leaders in his UN General Assembly speech, urging them to unite as he claims country suffers under conditions worse than nuclear destruction.

Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to New York to deliver his speech to the UNGA to stress the need for collaboration and peace.

Zelensky delivered UN speech in New York (Getty Images)

He argues Russia holding nuclear weapons isnt the scariest part of the war, but rather the weaponisation of other things such as food, energy and children.

He said:

But truly not the nukes are the scariest now. While nukes remain in place, the mass destruction is gaining its momentum. The aggressor is weaponising many other things and those things are used not only against our country but against all of yours as well.

Zelensky

Why did Russia invade Ukraine?

07:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias special military operation in Ukraine has been raging for one year now as the conflict continues to record devastating casualties and force the mass displacement of millions of blameless Ukrainians.

Vladimir Putin began the war by claiming Russias neighbour needed to be demilitarised and de-Nazified, a baseless pretext on which to launch a landgrab against an independent state that happens to have a Jewish president in Volodymyr Zelensky.

Ukraine has fought back courageously against Mr Putins warped bid to restore territory lost to Moscow with the collapse of the Soviet Union and has continued to defy the odds by defending itself against Russian onslaughts with the help of Western military aid.

More here:

Heres why Putin really invaded Ukraine

ICYMI: Shapps pledges unwavering support for Ukraine in first meeting with Umerov

06:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Grant Shapps pledged the UKs unwavering commitment to Ukraine with tens of thousands more artillery shells as he met the countrys new defence minister for the first time.

The Defence Secretary attended the 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) at the US Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany, alongside Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

The group brings together ministers and senior officials from nearly 50 nations to coordinate international support for the war-torn nation.

Nina Lloyd reports:

Shapps pledges unwavering support for Ukraine in first meeting with Umerov

Drones shot down over Russian cities near Ukraine border in overnight attack

05:58 , Arpan Rai

Russias air defence units have shot down two Ukrainian drones flying over Belgorod and Oryol oblasts as Kyiv increases the pace of its counteroffensive against Moscows invasion.

The drone attacks come as Ukraine overtook two key villages recently and has stepped up counter attacks on Russia. Drone and missile attacks deep inside Russia and on Russia-controlled territory have shot up drastically in recent months, with the Russian defence ministry blaming the Kyiv regime for what it calls terrorist attacks.

While Ukraine has seldom responded to accusations of attacks, it has expressed satisfaction at the destruction of Russian military infrastructure and critical military sites.

Drones shot down over Russian cities near Ukraine border in overnight attack

ICYMI: Russia is weaponising food, energy and children in war on Ukraine, Zelensky tells UN

05:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia is weaponising everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky told leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

While the world has agreements that restrict arms, there are no real restrictions on weaponization, he said.

He was addressing the gathering at a sensitive point in his countrys campaign to maintain international support for its fight.

Alastair Jamieson reports:

Russia is weaponizing food, energy and children in Ukraine, Zelensky tells UN

Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products

04:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine is filing a complaint at the World Trade Organization against Hungary, Poland and Slovakia after they banned grain and other food products coming from the war-torn country, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Tuesday.

It lays bare a widening rift with the three members of the European Union, which has been a pivotal backer of Kyiv as it works to fight off Russias invasion.

In a break with the wider EU, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have announced bans on grain and other food from Ukraine, a major agricultural supplier to parts of the world where people are going hungry. The 27-nation bloc last week lifted restrictions on Ukraines exports to five member states, also including Romania and Bulgaria.

More here:

Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products

Biden calls on world leaders to stand up to Russias naked aggression against Ukraine

03:00 , Eleanor Noyce

President Joe Biden on Tuesday called on world leaders to uphold the UN Charters core tenet of sovereignty and territorial integrity by supporting Ukraines fight against Russias invading forces during remarks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mr Biden reminded the world leaders who had gathered to hear him at UN headquarters that the annual gathering, which he described as one that is dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts, was once again darkened by the shadow of war, an illegal war of conquest brought without provocation by Russia against its neighbour, Ukraine.

Mr Biden said the US, which has been Ukraines chief supporter during the nearly two-year war, wants the conflict to end, and stressed that no nation wants this war to end more than Ukraine.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

Biden calls on UN leaders to stand up to Russias naked aggression against Ukraine

Why new fighting in Azerbaijan's troubled region may herald a new war

02:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Azerbaijans launch of reportedly intense artillery firing in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Tuesday raised fears that another full-scale conflict with Armenia could be underway, less than three years after a war that killed more than 6,000 people.

Nagorno-Karabakh, with a population of about 120,000, is an ethnic Armenian region of Azerbaijan that has been a flashpoint since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The region and sizable surrounding territories came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military at the 1994 end of a separatist war. Azerbaijan regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself in fighting in 2020.

Read more:

Why new fighting in Azerbaijan's troubled region may herald a new war

Ukraine has one month to hold knife to Crimeas throat and force Putin into peace talks

01:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine has just four weeks to hold a knife at Crimeas throat and force Vladimir Putin into peace talks before Russias army recoups over winter, experts have warned.

Professor Mark Galeotti, academic and author of more than 20 books on Russia, said Volodymyr Zelenskys troops need to move another 10 miles southwards to be in range of striking key Russian supply routes in Crimea.

He claimed this is the only serious chance Ukraine has to force Mr Putin into negotiations before the Russian army has the opportunity to regroup over winter.

Alexander Butler reports:

Ukraine warned it has one month window to force Putin into talks

ICYMI: Kremlin says Russia and China must edge closer to counter Western efforts to contain them

Wednesday 20 September 2023 00:01 , Eleanor Noyce

A senior Kremlin official on Tuesday called for closer policy coordination between Moscow and Beijing to counter what he described as Western efforts to contain them as he hosted Chinas top diplomat for security talks.

Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russias Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Moscow seeks progressive development and strengthening of the Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.

Amid the campaign unleashed by the collective West that is aimed at the double containment of Russia and China, its particularly important to further deepen Russian-Chinese coordination and interaction on the international arena, Patrushev said.

Read more:

Kremlin says Russia and China must edge closer to counter Western efforts to contain them

ICYMI: A Moscow court delays decision on the appeal of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich

Tuesday 19 September 2023 23:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich filed an appeal Tuesday to be released from jail on espionage charges, but the Moscow City Court did not immediately rule on it, causing confusion from Russian media that reported contradictory results from the closed session.

The court said in a statement it sent Gershkovichs case back to a lower court due to procedural violations. The state news agency Tass reported the court had rejected Gershkovichs appeal, meaning he will remain jailed until Nov. 30.

Before the session was closed, Gershkovich appeared in the glass defendants cage, smiling at journalists and wearing a yellow sweater and blue jeans. He was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) east of Moscow.

In case you missed it:

A Moscow court delays decision on the appeal of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich

Flames rage from destroyed warehouse after Russian drone strike on Lviv

Tuesday 19 September 2023 22:30 , Eleanor Noyce

A Russian drone attack over the city of Lviv, Ukraine, early on Tuesday 19 September heavily damaged a warehouse facility and injured a 26-year-old man, according to the regional governor.

Maksym Kozytsky reported that 15 out of 18 drones were intercepted.

Footage from the ground shows flames raging from a warehouse, as firefighters battle to control the blaze.

The state emergency service said the fire, caused by the drone attack, has reached 9,450 square meters.

A total of 27 out of 30 Shahed drones were intercepted Monday night across Ukraine, according to the Air Force report.

Watch:

Flames rage from destroyed warehouse after Russian drone strike on Lviv

ICYMI: Putin still has well over 200,000 troops in occupied Ukraine, top US general says

Tuesday 19 September 2023 21:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine could take time to kick out over 200,000 of Vladimir Putins troops from its soil even if its military counteroffensive achieves all its goals, a soon-to-retire US military general has claimed in a new interview.

The comments come as Ukraine has stepped up its counteroffensive against Russia in the last few days by retaking a couple of key villages near battle-worn Bakhmut and launched joint intelligence ops in Crimea, the territory Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.

Theres well over 200,000 Russian troops in Russian-occupied Ukraine, General Mark A Milley, who is set to retire as the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in an exit interview to CNN.

Arpan Rai reports:

Putin still has well over 200,000 troops in occupied Ukraine, top US general says

Zelensky tells Russia to stop war so world can fight climate, other crises

Tuesday 19 September 2023 21:20 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky implored world leaders gathered at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to stand united against Russias invasion and said Moscow had to be pushed back so the world could turn to solving pressing global challenges.

Zelensky drew applause as he took his place at the United Nations General Assembly lectern in New York for his first in-person appearance at the annual UNGA since Russia invaded his country in 2022.

Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after Russian aggression, no one in the world will dare to attack any nation, he said. Weaponisation must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home and the occupier must return to their own land.

We must be united to make it - and well do it.

He accused Russia of manipulating global food markets to seek international recognition of ownership of land it seized from Kyiv.

In a nod to the Global South, whose support he is seeking in his standoff with Russia, Zelensky spoke about the worsening climate crisis and natural disasters, mentioning the recent earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya.

We have to stop it. We must act united to defeat the aggressor and focus all our capabilities and energy on addressing these challenges, he told the General Assembly.

Voices: Republican supporters of Ukraine dont sweat the GOP critics

Tuesday 19 September 2023 20:50 , Eleanor Noyce

The fight amongst Republicans about how to keep the government open has many facets, but perhaps one of the most fraught ones includes whether to include support for Ukraine. And it is coming just as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is about to come to Washington.

Earlier this year, I reported how Republican backing for Ukraine was always fraught, with some being sceptical about US support for the country as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his assault and some elected officials are outright hostile to Ukraine and Mr Zelensky. The split between pro-Ukraine and anti-Ukraine Republicans came on full display during the first GOP presidential primary debate as well.

Erica Garcia writes:

Republican supporters of Ukraine dont sweat the GOP critics

UN General Assembly: Ukraine urgently needs air defenses -NATO head

Tuesday 19 September 2023 20:25 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine urgently needs air defenses, including ammunition, spare parts and maintenance for the systems the Ukrainian military already has, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told Reuters on Tuesday.

Stoltenberg said the war, now well into its second year, was a war of attrition but not a stalemate, given the gains Ukraine has made with a counteroffensive it began in June to try to reclaim territory occupied by Russian forces.

If we want an end to the war, if we want a just and lasting peace, then military support to Ukraine is the right way, said Stoltenberg in an interview while in New York for the annual high-level United Nations General Assembly. Ukraine needs many different types of support.

There is an urgent need for air defense, not only new systems, but also ammunition, maintenance, spare parts ... We see that air defense is saving lives every day in Ukraine and we need to sustain the air defense systems of Ukraine.

He spoke after a senior State Department official said earlier on Tuesday that reinforcing Ukraines air defenses was key, including to protect critical infrastructure as winter descends.

Stoltenberg declined to say how many rounds of munitions NATO allies can deliver to Ukraine each year, or when exactly F-16s would be delivered to Kyiv.

Allies are working hard to train (F-16 pilots) as fast as possible, he said. The importance of the F-16s is also that it sends a message of long-term and enduring support.

We are ready for the long haul. Not because we are able to predict exactly how long this war will last, but because we need to send a message that President Putin cannot wait us out.

(REUTERS)

UN General Assembly: End wars, focus on climate change instead -Colombia's Petro

Tuesday 19 September 2023 20:05 , Eleanor Noyce

Colombian president Gustavo Petro used his speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday to call for peace summits to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and the Palestinians, so humankind can focus instead on addressing climate change.

Petro, Colombias first leftist leader, is seeking peace and surrender deals in his own country with rebel groups and crime gangs to end a six-decade conflict which has killed at least 450,000 people.

I propose ending war so we have the time to save ourselves. I propose the United Nations sponsor as soon as possible two peace conferences. One on Ukraine, the other on Palestine, not because there are not other wars in the world, like in my country, but because it would show how to make peace in all the regions of the world, Petro, 63, said.

Petro called climate change the mother of all crises and said the world should work toward a de-carbonised economy.

(AP)

War crimes tribunal ICC says it has been hacked

Tuesday 19 September 2023 19:51 , Eleanor Noyce

The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday its computer system had been hacked, a breach at one of the worlds most high-profile international institutions and one that handles highly sensitive information about war crimes.

The ICC said it had detected unusual activity on its computer network at the end of last week, prompting a response that was still ongoing. A spokesperson declined to comment on how serious the hack was, whether it has been fully resolved, or who might be behind it.

Immediate measures were adopted to respond to this cybersecurity incident and to mitigate its impact, the ICC said in a short statement.

The ICC is the permanent war crimes tribunal in the Dutch city of The Hague, established in 2002 to try war crimes and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors at the court are currently conducting 17 investigations into situations in Ukraine, Uganda, Venezuela, Afghanistan and the Philippines, among others.

In March, the court made headlines when it issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on suspicion of illegally deporting children from Ukraine. The Kremlin rejects the accusations and the courts jurisdiction.

Highly sensitive documents at the ICC could include anything from criminal evidence to names of protected witnesses, though the court did not disclose what part of its systems had been accessed.

The court said in its statement that it was continuing to analyse and mitigate the impact of this incident with the assistance of the Dutch government. It said it was also taking steps to strengthen its cybersecurity.

Zelensky tells UN General Assembly: Russian occupier must return to own land

Tuesday 19 September 2023 19:35 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky told world leaders gathered at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday that Russia was trying to manipulate global food shortages to win international recognition of land it grabbed from Kyiv.

In his first in-person appearance at the annual UNGA since Russia invaded his country in 2022, Zelensky criticized Moscow for what he said was an attempt to weaponize (a) food shortage on (the) global market in exchange for recognition of some, if not all, of captured territories.

He accused Russia of committing genocide by kidnapping Ukrainian children and said Kyiv was working on preparing a global peace summit.

Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after the Russian aggression, no one in the world would dare to attack any nation, Zelensky said. The occupier must return to his own land.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Shapps pledges unwavering support for Ukraine in first meeting with Umerov

Tuesday 19 September 2023 19:28 , Eleanor Noyce

Grant Shapps pledged the UKs unwavering commitment to Ukraine with tens of thousands more artillery shells as he met the countrys new defence minister for the first time.

The Defence Secretary attended the 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) at the US Air Force base in Ramstein, Germany, alongside Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

The group brings together ministers and senior officials from nearly 50 nations to coordinate international support for the war-torn nation.

Read more:

Shapps pledges unwavering support for Ukraine in first meeting with Umerov

Ukraine should remember help it receives from Poland, says Polish president

Tuesday 19 September 2023 19:05 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine should remember that it receives help from Poland, the Polish president said on Tuesday, amid a deepening row between the countries over agricultural imports.

It would be good for Ukraine to remember that it receives help from us and to remember that we are also a transit country to Ukraine, Andrzej Duda told reporters in New York following an address to the United Nations General Assembly.

(AP)

Russia targets cargo ship in Black Sea

Tuesday 19 September 2023 18:35 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia has targeted a cargo ship in the Black Sea, the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has alleged.

Declassified intelligence shows Russia targeted a cargo ship in the Black Sea, a statement on X, formerly Twitter, read.

The Russian militarys pattern of targeted attacks against civilian ships demonstrates Putins willingness to weaponise food at the expense of the rest of the world.

Declassified intelligence shows Russia targeted a cargo ship in the Black Sea.



The Russian militarys pattern of targeted attacks against civilian ships demonstrates Putins willingness to weaponise food at the expense of the rest of the world.#FoodIsNotAWeapon pic.twitter.com/uXOAJZS0bz  Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (@FCDOGovUK) September 19, 2023

ICYMI: A Moscow court delays decision on the appeal of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich

Tuesday 19 September 2023 18:05 , Eleanor Noyce

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich filed an appeal Tuesday to be released from jail on espionage charges, but the Moscow City Court did not immediately rule on it, causing confusion from Russian media that reported contradictory results from the closed session.

The court said in a statement it sent Gershkovichs case back to a lower court due to procedural violations. The state news agency Tass reported the court had rejected Gershkovichs appeal, meaning he will remain jailed until Nov. 30.

Before the session was closed, Gershkovich appeared in the glass defendants cage, smiling at journalists and wearing a yellow sweater and blue jeans. He was detained in March while on a reporting trip to the city of Yekaterinburg, about 2,000 kilometres (1,200 miles) east of Moscow.

More here:

A Moscow court delays decision on the appeal of jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich

Why new fighting in Azerbaijan's troubled region may herald a new war

Tuesday 19 September 2023 17:35 , Eleanor Noyce

Azerbaijans launch of reportedly intense artillery firing in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Tuesday raised fears that another full-scale conflict with Armenia could be underway, less than three years after a war that killed more than 6,000 people.

Nagorno-Karabakh, with a population of about 120,000, is an ethnic Armenian region of Azerbaijan that has been a flashpoint since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The region and sizable surrounding territories came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military at the 1994 end of a separatist war. Azerbaijan regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself in fighting in 2020.

The latter war ended with an agreement to deploy Russian peacekeepers in the region, but tensions have soared since December when Azerbaijan began blocking the road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia proper. The artillery firing that Azerbaijan calls an anti-terrorist operation started hours after it said four soldiers and two civilians were killed by landmines that it claimed were planted by Armenian saboteurs.

Read more:

Why new fighting in Azerbaijan's troubled region may herald a new war

Biden calls on world leaders to stand up to Russias naked aggression against Ukraine

Tuesday 19 September 2023 17:17 , Eleanor Noyce

President Joe Biden on Tuesday called on world leaders to uphold the UN Charters core tenet of sovereignty and territorial integrity by supporting Ukraines fight against Russias invading forces during remarks at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Mr Biden reminded the world leaders who had gathered to hear him at UN headquarters that the annual gathering, which he described as one that is dedicated to peaceful resolution of conflicts, was once again darkened by the shadow of war, an illegal war of conquest brought without provocation by Russia against its neighbour, Ukraine.

Mr Biden said the US, which has been Ukraines chief supporter during the nearly two-year war, wants the conflict to end, and stressed that no nation wants this war to end more than Ukraine.

Andrew Feinberg reports:

Biden calls on UN leaders to stand up to Russias naked aggression against Ukraine

UK pledges tens of thousands of more artillery shells for Ukraine

Tuesday 19 September 2023 17:00 , Eleanor Noyce

Britain will supply tens of thousands more artillery shells to Ukraine this year, the governments defence department announced on Tuesday.

Today weve demonstrated the UKs unwavering commitment to Ukraine and set out more military support, including pledging tens of thousands more artillery shells to enable Ukraine to defend itself, defence minister Grant Shapps after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Germany said.

We have also set out how the UK will go further in the coming months in our priority support areas, including air defence and long-range strike capabilities, and training.

Britain, a key defence supplier for Ukraine, is trying to increase its production of weaponry, particularly artillery shells, to try to help Kyiv push back Russian forces and replenish its own stockpiles.

Russia the aggressor stands in the way of peace, Joe Biden tells United Nations

Tuesday 19 September 2023 16:52 , Eleanor Noyce

At the U.N. General Assembly, Joe Biden has warned that Russia the aggressor stands in the way of peace.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence, Biden said in his speech to UNGA. If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?

Elsewhere, he described the situation in Ukraine as an illegal war of conquest.

Watch:

Ukraine has one month to hold knife to Crimeas throat and force Putin into peace talks

Tuesday 19 September 2023 16:37 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine has just four weeks to hold a knife at Crimeas throat and force Vladimir Putin into peace talks before Russias army recoups over winter, experts have warned.

Professor Mark Galeotti, academic and author of more than 20 books on Russia, said Volodymyr Zelenskys troops need to move another 10 miles southwards to be in range of striking key Russian supply routes in Crimea.

He claimed this is the only serious chance Ukraine has to force Mr Putin into negotiations before the Russian army has the opportunity to regroup over winter.

Alexander Butler reports:

Ukraine warned it has one month window to force Putin into talks

Latvia to shut one of two Belarus border crossings to stop illegal migrants

Tuesday 19 September 2023 16:22 , Eleanor Noyce

Latvias government decided on Tuesday to close one of its two border crossing points with Belarus as the prime minister accused Minsk of again using illegal migrants as a hybrid threat to undermine the Baltic states security.

In 2021, Latvia, Poland and Lithuania faced an immigration crisis when thousands of people, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, began crossing from Belarus.

The three countries, all members of NATO and the European Union, eventually resorted to pushing the migrants back, a policy that remains in place.

Fifty officers now working at the Silene border station will be redeployed to guard the actual border, in what Latvias border guard chief has described as the most tense situation since 2021 due to an influx of migrants from Belarus.

Guards have turned back 894 people attempting to cross the border in the last six days, taking Septembers total to 1,773, Latvian news wire LETA reported.

Border tensions are increasing, and Belarus is engaging more and more in such a hybrid threat, that we have an increasing number of illegal travellers, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina told reporters.

The border crossing point has been closed to send signals internationally, she added.

However, Belarus Border Guard said on its website on Tuesday that the Silene crossing point remained open and that Latvia had not informed it of any changes.

Poland and Lithuania have fenced their borders with Belarus and the new Latvian government has pledged to finish its own fence by the end of the year.

Belarus is a close ally of Russia. It allowed Russian armed forces to use its territory as a staging post to invade Ukraine, Belarus southern neighbour, in early 2022. In May this year, Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus.

Flames rage from destroyed warehouse after Russian drone strike on Lviv

Tuesday 19 September 2023 16:05 , Eleanor Noyce

A Russian drone attack over the city of Lviv, Ukraine, early on Tuesday 19 September heavily damaged a warehouse facility and injured a 26-year-old man, according to the regional governor.

Maksym Kozytsky reported that 15 out of 18 drones were intercepted.

Footage from the ground shows flames raging from a warehouse, as firefighters battle to control the blaze.

The state emergency service said the fire, caused by the drone attack, has reached 9,450 square meters.

A total of 27 out of 30 Shahed drones were intercepted Monday night across Ukraine, according to the Air Force report.

Watch:

Flames rage from destroyed warehouse after Russian drone strike on Lviv

Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:50 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine is filing a complaint at the World Trade Organization against Hungary, Poland and Slovakia after they banned grain and other food products coming from the war-torn country, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said Tuesday.

It lays bare a widening rift with the three members of the European Union, which has been a pivotal backer of Kyiv as it works to fight off Russias invasion.

In a break with the wider EU, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have announced bans on grain and other food from Ukraine, a major agricultural supplier to parts of the world where people are going hungry. The 27-nation bloc last week lifted restrictions on Ukraines exports to five member states, also including Romania and Bulgaria.

Read more:

Ukraine complains to WTO about Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banning its farm products

At UN General Assembly, Biden asks world to stand by Ukraine

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:49 , Eleanor Noyce

U.S. president Joe Biden appealed to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to stand with Ukraine against Russian invaders, hoping Republicans in Congress will also take notice.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence, Biden said in his speech to UNGA. If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?

Bidens address at the annual gathering was the centrepiece event of his three-day visit to New York, which will include meetings with the heads of five Central Asian nations, and the leaders of Israel and Brazil.

Biden, a Democrat, has made rallying U.S. allies to support Ukraine a leading component of U.S. foreign policy, arguing the world must send a clear signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will not be able to outlast the West.

Biden has faced criticism from some Republicans who want the United States to spend less money on the war effort.

Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, has vowed to seek a quick end to the war if returned to power.

Trump has voiced scepticism about Washingtons engagement with traditional allies, including NATO, and has been complimentary of Putin.

House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the leading Republican in Washington, has questioned whether the United States should keep sending billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine.

In his speech, Biden argued that Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and occupation of territory violated the founding U.N. Charter, a main principle of which is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Biden echoed remarks of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who in his opening speech to UNGA on Tuesday said Russias invasion has unleashed a nexus of horror.

(REUTERS)

Ukraine lawyers insist that UN's top court has jurisdiction to hear Kyiv's case against Russia

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:21 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine insisted Tuesday that the United Nations highest court has jurisdiction to hear a case alleging that Moscow abused the genocide convention to justify launching its devastating invasion last year.

Kyiv wants judges at the International Court of Justice to order Russia to halt its attacks and pay reparations. But it appears unlikely Moscow would comply. Russia has flouted a binding interim order issued by the court in March last year to end its invasion.

Russias defiance is also an attack on this courts authority. Every missile that Russia fires at our cities, it fires in defiance of this court, the leader of Ukraines legal team, Anton Korynevych, told the 16-judge panel.

Mike Corder reports:

Ukraine lawyers insist that UN's top court has jurisdiction to hear Kyiv's case against Russia

Kremlin says Russia and China must edge closer to counter Western efforts to contain them

Tuesday 19 September 2023 15:05 , Eleanor Noyce

A senior Kremlin official on Tuesday called for closer policy coordination between Moscow and Beijing to counter what he described as Western efforts to contain them as he hosted Chinas top diplomat for security talks.

Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russias Security Council chaired by President Vladimir Putin, told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that Moscow seeks progressive development and strengthening of the Russian-Chinese relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation.

Amid the campaign unleashed by the collective West that is aimed at the double containment of Russia and China, its particularly important to further deepen Russian-Chinese coordination and interaction on the inetrnational arena, Patrushev said.

More here:

Kremlin says Russia and China must edge closer to counter Western efforts to contain them

UN chief assails Russia's war in Ukraine for 'unleashing nexus of horror'

Tuesday 19 September 2023 14:49 , Eleanor Noyce

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday assailed Russias invasion of Ukraine as a violation of the U.N. Charter, telling the annual U.N. gathering of world leaders that the war has unleashed a nexus of horror.

He warned that the world badly needs Ukrainian food and Russian food and fertilisers to stabilise markets and guarantee food security, adding - to the applause of leaders - I will not give up on my efforts to make it happen.

G7 countries recognise Russia settling in Ukraine war for longer term, U.S. says

Tuesday 19 September 2023 14:35 , Eleanor Noyce

There is a recognition among the G7 advanced countries that Russia is settling into its invasion of Ukraine for the medium and long term, and therefore the collective response should focus on supporting it accordingly, a senior State Department official said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity, the official said reinforcing Ukraines air defenses was key not only for the battlefield but also to protect Ukraines critical infrastructure as the winter settles in.

Macron and Starmer reaffirm will to support Ukraine and its people

Tuesday 19 September 2023 14:19 , Eleanor Noyce

French President Emmanuel Macron and British opposition leader Keir Starmer on Tuesday stressed the importance of strengthening the cooperation between the two countries as well as the need to guarantee economic and energetic security in Europe.

The also reaffirmed their will to bring an ongoing support to Ukraine and its people, the French presidency said in a statement after a meeting between the two men in Paris.

This meeting took place on the eve of King Charles state visit to France, from Wednesday to Friday.

Keir Starmer attends a breakfast meeting in central Paris ahead of his bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, 19 September (Getty Images)

Moscow court declines to consider appeal by US reporter Gershkovich against pre-trial detention

Tuesday 19 September 2023 14:05 , Eleanor Noyce

A Moscow court on Tuesday declined to consider the latest appeal by U.S. reporter Evan Gershkovich against his pre-trial detention, nearly six months after his arrest on spying charges that he denies.

The courts press service announced the decision without explanation, after a closed hearing. State news agency RIA said the appeal was being sent back to a lower court because of unspecified procedural violations.

Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was arrested on 29 March in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that carry up to 20 years in prison.

No date has been set for his trial, and last month his detention in Moscows Lefortovo prison was extended by three months to Nov. 30.

He had failed in two previous appeals, in April and June, against his pre-trial detention.

The United States has designated Gershkovich and Paul Whelan, an American convicted of espionage in 2020 and serving 16 years in a Russian penal colony, as wrongfully detained, meaning that it considers the cases against them to be bogus and politically motivated.

It is unacceptable that Evan Gershkovich and Paul Whelan still languish in Russian prisons on charges that are baseless, U.S. ambassador Lynne Tracy told reporters after Tuesdays hearing.

The United States will not rest until Evan and Paul are safely at home with their families and friends.

Russia said Gershkovich was caught red-handed on a trip to the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, where the FSB security service said he was trying to obtain military secrets.

Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich stands in a glass cage in a courtroom at the Moscow City Court, in Moscow, Russia, 19 September 2023 (AP)

Russia using genocide 'lie' as pretext to destroy, Ukraine tells World Court

Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:51 , Eleanor Noyce

Ukraine told the U.N.s highest court in The Hague on Tuesday that Russia justified waging war against Ukraine by invoking a terrible lie that Moscows invasion was to stop an alleged genocide.

The international community adopted the Genocide Convention to protect. Russia invokes the Genocide convention to destroy, Ukraines representative Anton Korynevych told judges.

He called on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to decide that it has jurisdiction to hear the case fully and eventually rule that Russia must pay reparations for invading under a false pretext.

Can a state use false allegations of genocide as a pretext to destroy cities, bomb civilians and deport children from their homes? When the Genocide Convention is so cynically abused, is this court powerless? The answer to these questions must be no, Korynevych said.

On Monday, Russia urged the ICJ, also known as the World Court, to throw out the case, claiming Kyivs legal arguments were hopelessly flawed.

Ukraine brought the case before the ICJ, also known as the World Court, days after the Russian invasion on 24 February last year.

Kyiv argues Russia is abusing international law by saying the invasion was justified to stop an alleged genocide in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine says there was no risk of genocide in eastern Ukraine, where it had been fighting Russian-backed forces since 2014. The convention defines genocide as crimes committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such.

Ukraine has already cleared one hurdle as the court decided in its favour in a preliminary decision in the case in March last year. Based on that, the court ordered Russia to cease military actions in Ukraine immediately.

Russia has so far ignored the ICJs orders to stop its military actions and the court has no way of enforcing its decisions. Experts say a full ruling in favour of Ukraine can pave the way for compensation payments.

Korynevych told journalists after the hearing Tuesday that reparations were a key issue for Ukraine in this case. However, any discussion about amounts and implementation we will be dealing with further on, he said.

The hearings, set to run until 27 September, will not delve into the merits of the case, but will instead focus on legal arguments about jurisdiction. The court is expected to rule if the case can go forward in several months.

South Korea urges Russia to halt military cooperation with North Korea

Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:36 , Lydia Patrick

South Korea summoned Russias ambassador to warn Moscow against any military cooperation with North Korea after last weeks summit raised concerns about a possible arms deal.

First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoned Russias ambassador in Seoul to urge Russia to immediately halt any moves to expand military cooperation with North Korea and to abide by (UN) Security Council Resolutions, South Koreas foreign ministry said in a statement.

Chang said Russia should live up to its role as a member of the U.N. Security Council to address North Koreas nuclear threat, and added that any actions that threaten its security would seriously undermine Russias relationship with South Korea.

Kim Jong-un travelld to Russia and spent six days at Putins summit (AP)

Russia's defence minister to visit Tehran on Tuesday

Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:21 , Eleanor Noyce

Russias defence minister Sergei Shoigu will visit Tehran on Tuesday, Irans semi-official Tasnim news agency reported, adding that he would meet top Iranian officials.

Since the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Tehran and Moscow have deepened their bilateral ties, notably in the military sphere.

Tasnim added that Shoigu would discuss defence cooperation and regional developments with top Iranian officials, including his Iranian counterpart.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan said its armed forces had launched what it called local anti-terrorist activities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region to restore constitutional order by disarming and forcing the withdrawal of Armenian military formations there.

Iran borders both Azerbaijan and Armenia, and has called upon Baku and Yerevan to uphold a 2020 ceasefire backed by Russia.

Last month, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russias military cooperation with Iran would not succumb to geopolitical pressure, following a report that Washington had asked Tehran to stop selling drones to Moscow.

Irans air force received in recent weeks the delivery of two Russian Yak-130 pilot training fighters, Tasnim said.

Tehran has acknowledged sending drones to Russia but said in the past that they were sent before Russias invasion in Ukraine. Moscow has denied its forces have used Iranian drones in Ukraine.

Russia says Ukraine struck Kostiantynivka with missile on 6 Sept

Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:11 , Eleanor Noyce

Russia said on Tuesday that Ukraine was responsible for an explosion on 6 September in the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka this month that killed at least 16 people.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Ukraine had fired a 9M38 missile from a Buk surface-to-air missile system which struck the city.

Even if it was done unintentionally, it is obvious to everyone: the complete demilitarisation of the Kyiv regime is not just a requirement, but a vital necessity, Zakharova said.

The New York Times reported that evidence suggested the explosion had been caused by an errant missile fired by Ukraine.

Ukraine blamed Russia for the attack at the time. President Volodymyr Zelensky said it was evidence of the need to destroy Russian evil.

Putin still has well over 200,000 troops in occupied Ukraine

Tuesday 19 September 2023 13:00 , Lydia Patrick

As Ukraine makes significant gains in its couteroffensive, a US military general has claimed kicking out Putin troops, of over 200, 000 could be a lengthy process.

Theres well over 200,000 Russian troops in Russian-occupied Ukraine, General Mark A Milley, who is set to retire as the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in an exit interview to CNN.

This offensive, although significant has operational and tactical objectives that are limited in the sense that they do not  even if they are fully achieved  they do not completely kick out all the Russians, which is the broader strategic objective that president Zelensky has, he said.

Read the full story by Arpan Rai here

Putin still has well over 200,000 troops in occupied Ukraine, top US general says

Ex CEO of top firm accuses Zelenskys advisor of corruption

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:36 , Lydia Patrick

The former chief executive of one of Ukraines biggest construction firms has accused Zelenskys aide of bribing public officials and law enforcement, reportReuters.

Oleh Maiborada has spoken out against Oleh Tatarov, a lawyer who is now a senior advisor to President Zelensky. In an interview with Reuters Maiborada alleged when he worked in construction, Tatarov would pay officials to approve building requests.

Maiborada spoke to Reuters in Vienna where has settled to escape prosecution in Ukraine, say Reuters.

Tatarov, the presidents adviser on law enforcement and security agencies since 2020, has denied wrongdoing, report Reuters.

He has said his accusers are trying to settle political scores.

Zelensky has previously said corruption has no place in his administration. He said: I want to emphasise if those who work with me are suspected of corruption, these people will be fired. And I have not yet seen such examples in my Office, he said in an interview in December 2020 with Ukraines Focus magazine.

Congress Ukraine (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

At least three people killed in Russian attack

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:12 , Lydia Patrick

At least three people have been killed in a Russian attack on the northeastern Ukrainian town of Kupiansk on Tuesday, a regional official said.

Today, the enemy attacked the town of Kupiansk with a guided air bomb, Kharkiv region governor Oleh Synehubov said on the Telegram messaging app.

A previous shelling that took place in Kupiansk (AP)

Ukrainian police sergeant killed by Russian shell

Tuesday 19 September 2023 12:06 , Lydia Patrick

A Ukrainian police sergeant has been killed by a Russian shell which hit a trolley bus.

Two more civlians have been injured in the attack, according to local reports.

The Russian military shelled #Kherson Region, hitting a trolleybus. A 49-year-old police sergeant was killed. Two more civilians were wounded, Ukraine's National Police reported. pic.twitter.com/NyOaDPFPdh  KyivPost (@KyivPost) September 19, 2023

Russia drastically ramped up military hardware production

Tuesday 19 September 2023 11:36 , Lydia Patrick

Russia has ramped up the production of missiles, drones, combat vehicles and artillery by more than tenfold to supply its army in Ukraine, Moscows biggest weapons producer said today.

President Vladimir Putin has ordered production to be cranked up to ensure Moscow achieves the aims of what he calls its special military operation in Ukraine despite the West supplying Kyiv with weapons worth billions of dollars and imposing unprecedented Western sanctions on the Russian economy.

Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the armament complex at Rostec, the Russian state corporation which controls much of the weapons industry, said production volumes for various types of weapons had increased from between two and 10 times.

Ozdoev said: We are going forward at cruising speed, smoke from all the pipes.

He said there had been significant growth in production of tanks, armoured vehicles, rocket launchers, artillery, the Iskander short-range ballistic missile, the Pantsir medium-range surface-to-air missile system and the hypersonic Kinzhal missile.

A rocket launches from a S-400 missile system (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine lawyers insist that UNs top court has jurisdiction to hear Kyivs case against Russia

Tuesday 19 September 2023 11:06 , Lydia Patrick

Ukraine have insisted that the United Nations highest court has jurisdiction to hear a case alleging that Moscow abused the genocide convention to justify launching its devastating invasion last year.

Kyiv wants judges at the International Court of Justice to order Russia to halt its attacks and pay reparations, but their cooperation remains doubtful.

Russia has flouted a binding interim order issued by the court in March last year to end its invasion.

Russias defiance is also an attack on this courts authority. Every missile that Russia fires at our cities, it fires in defiance of this court, the leader of Ukraines legal team, Anton Korynevych, told the 16-judge panel.

World Court Ukraine Russia (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Kyiv filed the case shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.

It argues that the attack was based on false claims of acts of genocide in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions of eastern Ukraine.

Russia is waging war against my country in the name of this terrible lie that Ukraine is committing genocide against its own people, Korynevych said.

Putins brigades suffer heavy losses as three Russian brigades targeted

Tuesday 19 September 2023 10:31 , Lydia Patrick

Russian troops face significant losses as three brigades have been rendered ineffective and a commander has been killed, according to the Institute of Study of War.

Ukrainian military officer Oleksander Syrskyi said troops destroyed the combat capability of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Brigade (3rd Army Corps), the 31st Guards VDV Brigade, and the 83rd Guards VDV Brigade during the liberation of the villages Andriivka and Klishchiivka, south of Bakhmut.

Russian commander Alexander Khodakovosky claimed the 31st VDV brigade commander had been killed as the Ukrainian counteroffensive liberated Bakhmut.

(Ukraine armed forces)

Heartbroken Ukrainian girl breaks down in tears after seeing her nursery destroyed in Russian attack

Tuesday 19 September 2023 10:06 , Lydia Patrick

In pictures - the aftermath of Russian blasts on Lviv causing a Warehouse inferno

Tuesday 19 September 2023 09:40 , Lydia Patrick

Black smoke billows over the city after drone strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv

Black smoke billows over the city after drone strikes in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv (AFP via Getty Images)

Firefighters work at a site of an industrial warehouse damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russias attack on Ukraine

Firefighters work at a site of an industrial warehouse damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russias attack on Ukraine (via REUTERS)

The dramatic blaze at the warehouse struck by Russian attack

Firefighters work at a site of an industrial warehouse damaged by a Russian drone strike (via REUTERS)

Watch Live : World Court hears Ukraines response to Russian objections in genocide case

Tuesday 19 September 2023 09:06 , Lydia Patrick

Ukraine claims Moscow falsely applied genocide law to justify Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Why is Zelensky in New York City today?

Tuesday 19 September 2023 08:36 , Lydia Patrick

The Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelesnsky will join other world leaders in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly to make a security speech.

The war in Ukraine and the climate crisis are expected to be discussed at great lengths as more than 140 leaders gather.

It is not yet clear if he will stay for Russian diplomat Sergei Lavrovs speech, last year Lavrov called Zelensky a b******* and walked out after a strong line of accusations and condemnation aimed at Russia.

The Ukrainian leader questioned world leaders as to why Russia still has a place in the UN ahead of his speech.

He said: For us, its very important that all our words, all our messages, will be heard by our partners. And if in the United Nations still  its a pity, but still  there is a place for Russian terrorists, the question is not to me. I think its a question to all the members of the United Nations.

(Getty Images)

Ukraine destroys 27 Russian drones and one missile

Tuesday 19 September 2023 08:06 , Lydia Patrick

Ukraines air defence systems destroyed 27 out of 30 drones and one Iskander ballistic missile that Russia launched on in the early hours of Tuesday, Ukraines air force said on the messaging platform Telegram - as reported by Reuters.

The Iranian-made Shahed drones were destroyed in Ukraines southern, central and western regions, while the missile was launched in the direction of Kryvyi Rih in central Ukraine, it said.

Reuters could not independently verify the report.

(Kommersant Photo/AFP via Getty I)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a high level Security Council meeting during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  It was a moment the diplomatic world was watching for  but didn't get.

In the end, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov avoided staring each other down Wednesday across the U.N. Security Council's famous horseshoe-shaped table. Zelenskyy left before Lavrov arrived.

The near-miss was somewhat to be expected. Yet the moment still spoke to the U.N.'s role as a venue where warring nations can unleash their ire through words instead of weapons. The choreography also underscored the world body's reputation as a place where adversaries sometimes literally talk past each other.

Zelenskyy denounced Russia as a terrorist state while Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia sat facing him near the other end of the table's arc. As Zelenskyy launched into his remarks, the Russian looked at his phone, then tucked the device away.

Zelenskyy left before Lavrov's arrival, which came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken was accusing Russia of having shredded key provisions of the U.N. Charter.

Lavrov, in turn, reiterated his country's claims that Kyiv has oppressed Russian speakers in eastern areas, violating the U.N. charter and getting a pass on it from the U.S. and other western countries. Across the table was Ukrainian Ambassador Sergiy Kyslytsya, his eyes on his phone during at least parts of Lavrov's remarks. (Blinken, for his part, took handwritten notes.)

If there was no finger-pointing face-off, the atmosphere was decidedly prickly.

Before Zelenskyy's arrival, Nebenzia objected to a speaking order that put the Ukrainian president before the council's members, including Russia. (Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, the meeting chair, retorted: You stop the war, and President Zelenskyy will not take the floor.)

Zelenskyy had been in the same room, but hardly eye to eye, with a Russian diplomat during the Ukrainian leader's speech Tuesday in the vast hall of the U.N. General Assembly, which this week is holding its annual meeting of top-level leaders. (Russian Deputy Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky later said, wryly, that he'd been focusing on his phone and didn't notice Zelenskyy's address.) Before that, Zelenskyy last encountered a Russian official at a 2019 meeting with President Vladimir Putin.

Theres a long history of delegates walking out on rival nations' speeches in the council and other U.N. bodies, and it's not unusual for speakers to duck in and out of Security Council meetings for reasons as simple as scheduling. The group's member countries must have a presence during meetings but can fill their seats with any accredited diplomat.

Ukraine isn't a member but was invited to speak. Ahead of the meeting, Zelenskyy suggested that U.N. members needed to ask themselves why Russia still has a place on a council intended to maintain international peace and security.

There have been verbal fireworks  by diplomatic standards, at least  during the council's scores of meetings on the war. And even the seating chart was a sticking point last year when Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba both attended a council meeting that, like Wednesday's, happened alongside the General Assemblys big annual gathering.

The two foreign ministers had no personal interaction at that 2022 session, which Lavrov attended only briefly, to give his speech. But beforehand, a placard marking Ukraines seat was moved after Kuleba apparently objected to its placement next to Russias spot.

This time, the two countries' seats were separated from the start.

___

Associated Press journalists Mary Altaffer at the United Nations and Emma Burrows in London contributed.
At a meeting with his Chilean counterpart, Gabriel Boric, in New York, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed the need to deepen cooperation with Latin American states.

Source: Office of the President

Details: The presidents discussed the possibility of organising a Ukraine-Latin America summit for further rapprochement of the countries.

Zelenskyy also stressed the importance of Chile's full involvement in the implementation of the Ukrainian peace formula and the country's participation in the upcoming Global Peace Summit.

Quote Zelenskyy: "Thank you for your position in support of our people, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is very important that you support our resolutions at the UN."

Background:

On 30 September, for the first time ever, Zelenskyy met with Penny Pritzker, US Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery, and discussed with her the priorities for rebuilding the country's regions as well as support for the most promising sectors of the Ukrainian economy.

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 latest wave of Ukrainian strikes against targets in Russian-occupied Crimea reportedly hit a command post of the Black Sea Fleet , among others targets, on Wednesday morning. The Ukrainian military intelligence service described the attacks as successful, but provided few additional details, while Russian authorities claimed that they had repelled a missile strike on Sevastopol and had brought down multiple Ukrainian drones.

Numerous videos indicate that air-launched Storm Shadow and/or SCALP-EG cruise missiles were apparently used in the attacks, these weapons being launched from Ukrainian Air Force Su-24 Fencer strike/reconnaissance aircraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuJNU6SmC2I\u0026t=1s https://www.twitter.com/clashreport/status/1704118338618593622?s=20

Speaking to the Kyiv Post, a spokesperson for Ukrainian military intelligence, Andriy Yusov, said: Missile strikes are being launched on the military facilities of the invaders in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian Crimea.

The planned work of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine continues.

https://www.twitter.com/Tendar/status/1704446691187843458?s=20

Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Russian-installed governor of Sevastopol, provided the following account of the strikes in a statement on the Telegram messaging app:

According to updated information, our air defense services repelled a missile attack on Sevastopol. Now everything is calm in the city. Information on possible damage from fallen parts of downed missiles and casualties is being clarified. All emergency services are operating.

https://www.twitter.com/WhereisRussia/status/1704451163184144709?s=20

Razvozhayev had previously reported fires started in Verkhnyosadove and Kacha, presumed to be the result of wreckage from downed drones, several of which he said were brought down by air defenses near Sevastopol. At least one video posted to social media showed a column of smoke rising over Verkhnyosadove.

https://www.twitter.com/KyivPost/status/1704442635727827454?s=20

Meanwhile, social media accounts described explosions being heard near Inkerman, as well as near the airbases of Belbek and Kacha, and in Sevastopols Southern Bay, home to the Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

This is just the latest round in a new cruise missile campaign directed against southern Crimea. Other recent strikes have targeted high-profile objectives such as the dry dock at the naval port of Sevastopol that contained a submarine and amphibious landing ship and S-400 air defense systems , also on the peninsula.

Before we head into the latest from Ukraine, The War Zone readers can catch up on our previous rolling coverage here.

The Latest

On the battlefield, the latest update from the U.K. Ministry of Defense claims that, in the past five days, Ukrainian forces have secured the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, approximately 5 miles to the south of Bakhmut, the city in the Donetsk Oblast that was the scene of fierce fighting overall months until falling into Russian hands earlier this summer.

https://www.twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1704367760162054234?s=20

As the U.K. MOD notes, success here is significant since it brings Ukrainian forces closer to the T 05-13 road, which provides one of the main supply routes into Bakhmut from the south. The report adds that recent redeployments of Russian airborne forces from Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia have likely weakened Russias defenses around Bakhmut, although Russia continues to hold the railway line which runs along an embankment between Klishchiivka and the T 05-13, creating a readily defendable obstacle.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a U.S.-based non-profit, also provides evidence of Ukrainian progress south of Bakhmut, drawing upon reports from the Ukrainian General Staff of assaults in this area, as well as claims of heavy losses inflicted on the Russian opposition. Meanwhile, the ISW quotes Russian sources with claims that fighting was continuing as of September 19 near Klishchiivka, Andriivka, and Kurdyumivka and that most of Andriivka and Klishchiivka are now contested gray zones.

https://www.twitter.com/TheStudyofWar/status/1704300451322024231?s=20

The United Kingdom has confirmed it will supply tens of thousands more artillery shells to Ukraine this year. The U.K. Ministry of Defense announced the move yesterday.

https://www.twitter.com/DefenceU/status/1704220314253525478?s=20

Ukraines demand for air defense systems is something we have explored on several occasions in the past . Speaking on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, said air defense will remain Ukraines greatest need in the war against Russia for the foreseeable future. His remarks came after a meeting with the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an alliance of 54 supporting Kyiv by sending military equipment. Secretary Austin said: Air defense will continue to be Ukraines greatest need to protect the skies, its civilians, and its cities as well as innocent people far away from the battlefield.

The next U.S. military aid package for Ukraine is expected to be announced tomorrow, coinciding with a visit to Washington by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

https://www.twitter.com/Reuters/status/1704109331984339085?s=20

One item that may not be included in that next tranche of weapons is the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS), a ballistic missile that Ukraine has long campaigned for. You can read all about the saga here . Talking to CNN, Zelensky said that not receiving ATACMS would be a loss.

https://www.twitter.com/elisegaro/status/1704568896173346887?s=20

In the meantime, Germany and Spain, too, have announced their latest defense assistance packages for Ukraine.

Berlin has pledged a considerable quantity of artillery ammunition, including more than 30,000 155mm shells and more than 100,000 120mm rounds. Also included are M26 anti-armor projectiles for the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System ( MLRS ), and armored vehicles including undisclosed mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, plus Dachs and Bergepanzer combat engineer vehicles.

https://www.twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1704162935512109323?s=20

The package from Spain is said to include armored personnel carriers, rigid-hulled inflatable boats, undisclosed anti-aircraft missile launchers and anti-aircraft missiles, trucks, and ambulances.

https://www.twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1704459215601799241?s=20

The New York Times reports that a missile strike that hit a busy market in the Ukrainian city of Kostiantynivka earlier this month, killing at least 16 civilians, may have been the result of a Ukrainian surface-to-air missile that went astray. The incident, on September 6, also injured another 32 people. The missile in question came down around 12 miles from the front lines in the Donetsk region and was blamed by Ukrainian authorities on Russia.

https://www.twitter.com/nytimes/status/1703929427493622047?s=20

Drawing upon new forensic evidence from the Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT), a group of open-source investigators, the New York Times says that the missile likely arrived from the northwest, in an area held by Ukrainian forces.

Based on an analysis of the missiles warhead and impact damage, it seems likely the munition involved was a 9M38 missile launched by a Buk air defense system, rather than a Russian S-300 system as claimed by Ukrainian officials.

A Ukrainian Buk (SA-11 Gadfly) surface-to-air missile system. Ukrainian Ministry of Defense

Security camera footage shows that the missile flew into Kostiantynivka from the direction of Ukrainian-held territory, not from behind Russian lines, the newspaper reported.

Ukraines military has so far declined to comment on the claims but says its currently running an investigation of its own.

The threat of mines in the Black Sea has been a persistent concern since the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine and may now have claimed a new victim. According to Romanian authorities, an explosion occurred aboard the Togo-registered cargo ship Seama early on Wednesday, with reports that a mine was responsible.

https://www.twitter.com/visegrad24/status/1704393069028667438?s=20

The incident occurred around nine miles from the Romanian port of Sulina on the Danube River, this being the last city that this river flows through before entering the Black Sea.

A ship under the flag of Togo, transporting cement, reported an explosion in the engine room and asked for the ship to be evacuated, Romanias transport minister said in a statement.

Romanian rescue services evacuated 12 crew from aboard the vessel and brought them to shore for medical checks.

Romania also says its deployed a minesweeper and mine-clearance divers to look for further mines in the area and has put helicopters on standby.

Since the current war began in February 2022, around 80 mines have reportedly been discovered in Romanias territorial waters. Romanian ports on the Danube have seen a considerable uptick in maritime traffic since Russias blockade of Ukrainian seaports.

https://www.twitter.com/The_Lookout_N/status/1704408477815173220?s=20

In the ongoing battle against Russian suicide drones sent to attack targets in Ukraine, authorities in Kyiv have said they shot down 17 drones overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force said that Russia launched a total of 24 unmanned aerial vehicles against targets in Ukraine. One of these apparently hit an oil refinery in Kremenchuk, leading to a fire and putting a temporary stop to operations.

According to Ukraines state broadcaster Suspilne:

On the night of September 20, air defense forces over Ukraine destroyed 17 drones. In total, Russian troops launched 24 unmanned aerial vehicles, the air force reported.

At night, the Russian army hit an oil refinery in Kremenchuk. As a result, a fire started. The work of the plant was temporarily stopped.

As a result of shelling in Kherson oblast, two people were killed and four others were injured. Two people were injured in Zaporizhzhia, and five in Donetsk region.

https://www.twitter.com/GlasnostGone/status/1704399364674777340?s=20

Ukrainian drones, too, are said to have fallen victim to Russian air defenses, with a report from Reuters quoting the Russian Ministry of Defense and local officials. According to these sources, Russian air defenses destroyed Ukraine drones over the regions of Belgorod and Oryol late on Monday. Local officials claimed that there was no destruction or casualties.

Using the Telegram messaging app, the Russian Ministry of Defense said that two drones were destroyed over the Oryol region in the southwest of the country and one over the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine .

https://www.twitter.com/MoscowTimes/status/1704397683660615743?s=20

Ukraine continues to use other means to hit targets across the border in the Russian Federation, at least according to claims from authorities in Russia. The governor of the Belgorod Oblast in Russia , Vyacheslav Gladkov, reported today that cross-border shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces has left three settlements in the region without power. Gladkov also said that one person had been killed and another injured, by shelling near the village of Maksimovka.

https://www.twitter.com/Cosmonaut19/status/1704496664248033548?s=20

The Russian Su-34 Fullback strike fighter fleet has suffered heavy losses in the war in Ukraine, due in no small part to its extensive use in the conflict. The latest example of Su-34 attrition, however, appears to have been non-combat-related. Reports today came in of a Su-34 crashing during a training flight in the Voronezh region, which borders the Ukrainian region of Luhansk. The two pilots are said to have ejected, with unconfirmed reports that the aircrafts landing gear failed to properly deploy.

https://www.twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1704499172672516343?s=20

Speaking of Luhansk, the following footage is said to have been taken in that region, although the date is unconfirmed. Regardless, it clearly shows considerable destruction meted out to a Russian armored push that is said to have been heading toward the village of Novoiehorivka. Among the vehicles that can be seen destroyed here are, according to the Oryx open-source intelligence group, one T-90M and three T-72B3 main battle tanks, as well as a BMP-3 and two BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.

https://www.twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1704111186780795141?s=20

There are reports that a new kind of first-person view (FPV) loitering munition is now being used in combat by Ukraine, namely the Zugzwang, which is the product of the Escadrone company, a non-profit group organized specifically to manufacture attack drones of this type. The video below purportedly shows a Zugzwang being used to target a Russian 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm self-propelled artillery system. Although fitted with a cope cage to counter drone attacks, the loitering munition successfully destroys the Gvozdika after the second hit.

https://www.twitter.com/GloOouD/status/1704104917487554996?s=20

Loitering munitions continue to make their mark in Russian hands, too, as evidenced by the video below that purportedly shows a Ukrainian MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter being hit by a Lancet loitering munition. The location is said to be Kryvyi Rih International Airport in central Ukraine, reportedly more than 40 miles away from the closest Russian positions.

https://www.twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1704157972937498935?s=20

Russia apparently also has a new loitering munition in the works, the izdeliye 54 (Product 54) seemingly having broken cover during a visit to a drone manufacturer by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The company responsible, Aeroscan, also announced the new drone on the Telegram app. According to the firm, the izdeliye 54 is a long-range loitering munition with an enlarged warhead designed to defeat enemy military equipment and manpower. Aeroscan claims the drone uses the latest artificial intelligence algorithms and is currently undergoing final testing before being put into production. Continuing Russian drone developments could also point to a likely restart of Russias assault on Ukrainian power infrastructure this winter.

https://www.twitter.com/sambendett/status/1704502575649751473?s=20

Unmanned systems are also playing a merciful role in the conflict, as seen in this video of a Ukrainian-developed robotic, tracked stretcher. As well as taking casualties off the battlefield, the system is said to be intended to move ammunition, food, and other items. The robotic stretcher is said to require only two or three soldiers to effect a medical evacuation, compared to the seven human medics normally needed.

https://www.twitter.com/front_ukrainian/status/1703785928320340270?s=20

To wrap up todays coverage, some of the most extraordinary footage we have seen of the Ukrainian Army Aviations Mi-24 Hind assault helicopter in action. Operating at the very low level to which we have become accustomed by now, the Mi-24 is seen ejecting flares as well as lobbing unguided rockets right past the drone recording the video. These kinds of lofted rocket delivery tactics, forced by the very dense ground-based air defense environment in which these helicopters operate, are something that we have discussed before at The War Zone.

https://www.twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1704205600664494328?s=20

Thats it for now. Well update this story when theres more news to report about Ukraine.

Contact the author: thomas@thedrive.com
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany  The strain on Ukrainian officials was easy to see at a high-level meeting of defense chiefs of its main backers held in Germany this week.

Facing a languishing offensive that is running out of time before winter, Ukraine found its allies richly praising its bravery on the battlefield but short on pledges to deliver the sort of aid Kyiv says it needs to defeat Russian forces.

Our commitment remains unwavering, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley , said at the 15th meeting of what is known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a gathering of more than 50 nations aimed at procuring military aid for Ukraine. Behind every weapon, we should all remember, there is a brave Ukrainian soldier and their resolve is equally unwavering.

In front of the media on the sun-drenched terrace of a hall at the colossal Ramstein Air Base, Ukraines new defense chief, Rustem Umerov, hurried through a spare two-minute speech at the conclusion of the meeting that contained no new major pledges.

We held productive meetings, he said, reading in English off an iPad. We are actively preparing for the winter.

Two women look at an apartment block in Izium, Ukraine, ruined in the shelling of Russian troops on the first anniversary of the liberation of the city from Russian invaders, on Sept. 20, 2023. (Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy / Ukrinform / Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Umerovs first international appearance since being appointed follows a dramatic reshuffle of Ukraines military leadership after several corruption scandals that undermined confidence during a critical time for the countrys survival. Umerov was brought in two weeks ago, and six deputy defense ministers were fired Monday, the eve of the meeting at Ramstein.

The shakeup comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy faces the biggest struggle of his life off the battlefield.

More than 18 months into the Russian invasion, he is trying to convince his foreign backers to continue supporting Ukraine amid a sluggish offensive, looming winter and waning international attention.

As President Joe Biden urged world leaders not to abandon Ukraine in its grinding war against Russia as he spoke at the United Nations on Tuesday, some 4,000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean, his defense secretary said Washington and its allies were moving heaven and earth to get Ukraine what it needs to defeat the Kremlins army.

Still, while promises to supply Ukraine with more tanks, missiles and ammunition came Tuesday, there was no mention of weaponry that was discussed by analysts and the media ahead of the gathering of the kind that Kyiv says could really give it an upper hand against heavily-mined and fortified Russian defense lines. They included longer-distance weapons, such as U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS), with a range of up to 190 miles, and Germanys Taurus cruise missiles, with an even greater range of more than 300 miles, as well as Swedish Gripen fighter jets that could help Ukraine provide its ground troops with the desperately-needed air cover.

In fact, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at Ramstein on Tuesday that the 31 M1 Abrams tanks, promised by the U.S. some nine months ago, are just now about to enter Ukraine.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Army U.S. General Mark Milley, U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov (Ida Marie Odgaard / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP - Getty Images)

In all, since the beginning of the war, Washington and its allies have pledged more than $76 billion in direct security assistance to Kyiv, he said.

Although Washington has celebrated what it calls a tangible progress in Ukraines counteroffensive, it also appeared at odds with Kyiv about just how much time Ukraine had to keep its campaign going. Kyiv pushed back against comments made by Milley earlier this month that it had as few as 30 days of fighting weather left.

At Ramstein, Milley appeared to walk back those comments, saying that, in fact, there was plenty of fighting weather left and that there was no intention whatsoever by the Ukrainians to stop fighting during the winter. He also acknowledged that Ukraine is in for a tough fight trying to expel all the Russian troops from its occupied territories.

Its a fight Washington has long said Russian President Vladimir Putin hopes will tire out Ukraines supporters. The Russian leader indicated last week he was bracing for a long war, as he held talks with North Korea leader Kim Jong Un amid Western concerns that Pyongyang could help arm Moscows shell-deprived troops.

Speaking at the U.N. shortly after the Ramstein gathering, Biden said the Kremlin is counting on the world growing weary of the war, but admitted that the U.S., like every nation in the world, wants it to end, and strongly supports Ukraine in its efforts to bring about a diplomatic resolution.

Mention of a diplomatic resolution comes ahead of what promises to be a bruising 2024 presidential election, with some voters fatigued by support for Kyiv and Republicans increasingly resistant to seemingly unlimited aid for Ukraine.

42nd Separate Mechanized Brigade In Eastern Ukraine (Yan Dobronosov / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images file)

Yet, Zelenskyy has so far ruled out any diplomatic solution, refusing to negotiate with Russia as long as Putin is in power. In fact, the Ukrainian leader has intensified Ukraines efforts to bring the war home to Russia in a clear message that Kyiv intends to keep up the fight.

Despite vowing to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes, Biden may be facing an uphill battle to keep Americans interested in the war in Europe, with recent polls hinting at waning levels of public support and the 2024 presidential election looming in the distance.

Biden will host Zelenskyy at the White House on Thursday, where more aid for Kyiv could be announced.

Regardless of any possible discussions and disagreements that may be happening behind the scenes, Austin sought to round out the day by stressing that the war was about more than a fight for Ukraine.

Its also a fight for a world where autocrats cant just rewrite borders by force, he said, as he closed out Ramsteins session for the 15th time. Its a fight to avoid a grim new era of chaos and tyranny.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Ukraine is on the finishing line in negotiations with the United States regarding the transfer of ATACMS ballistic missiles to Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with CNN on Sept. 19.

Zelenskyy reiterated Kyivs strong desire to acquire U.S.-made long-range missiles, emphasizing that any contrary decision would be a loss for Ukraine.

Read also: Biden cautions UN against making concessions to Russia over Ukraine

We are on the finishing line, Im sure of that, he said.

Following his address to the UN General Assembly in New York, Zelenskyy will travel to Washington for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Read also: US to hold off on ATACMS missile announcement until after Zelenskyys Washington visit

Previously, several media outlets reported that the White House is nearing a decision to provide Ukraine with long-range missiles. However, the Pentagon is yet to provide any official confirmation of potential supply of ATACMS to 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
Key developments on Sept. 20:

Ukrainian military claims successful strike on Black Sea Fleet command post near Sevastopol

Russia attacks Ukraine with 24 drones overnight, oil depot hit in Kremenchuk

Planned $325 million US military aid package for Ukraine not to include ATACMS

ISW: Russian forces sustaining higher casualties in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast

Russian airbase hit by sabotage attack, military intelligence agency says

Russian Su-34 jet reportedly crashes in Voronezh

Fire breaks out near Sochi International Airport

Ukraine hit a Russian Black Sea Fleet command post near occupied Sevastopol in Crimea, the military's Strategic Communications Directorate reported on Sept. 20.

Sevastopol, in the southeastern part of occupied Crimea, hosts Russia's Black Sea Fleet headquarters.

The footage published online shows explosions near the Russian airbase Belbek, north of Sevastopol.

Ukraine's military hasn't specified the extent of the damage.

Mikhail Razvozhaev, the Russian official leading the occupation authorities in Sevastopol, said it was a Ukrainian drone attack, claiming the Russian air defense downed the loitering munition.

No casualties have been reported.

Since August 2022, explosions in Russian-occupied Crimea have been reported regularly.

In recent months, there were several high-profile strikes on Russian forces in the area, including using marine drones and missiles on Sept. 13 that damaged landing craft, a submarine, and port infrastructure in Sevastopol.

In addition, Ukraine's military intelligence reported on Sept. 20 that the ICEYE satellite purchased via a Ukrainian crowdfunding campaign last year had a "very important role" in the Sept. 13 Sevastopol attack.

The Russian landing craft was "functionally destroyed," and the submarine suffered "catastrophic damage" in the attack, according to U.K. intelligence.

Military intelligence said that Sept. 20 marks a year since Ukraine received the satellite, allowing the Ukrainian military to "receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations."

Until the purchase of the ICEYE satellite, Ukraine did not have its own satellite in orbit and, therefore, relied on satellite imagery from its allies for the first six months of the full-scale Russian invasion.

Read also: Uncertain Triumph: Ukraine picks apart Russias best air defenses in Crimea

Meanwhile in Russia

Russian state-owned media reported that a fire had broken out in Sochi, a city on the Black Sea shore, near an oil depot and local airport on Sept. 20.

A tank with diesel fuel exploded, creating a fire 96 square meters in size, according to the report.

Footage published online showed flames and smoke billowing into the early morning sky.

It is currently unclear what caused the explosion, and no casualties have been reported.

Over 1,100 kilometers north of Sochi, a Russian Su-34 supersonic jet crashed in the Voronezh region on the morning of Sept. 20, Russian state media reported.

The aircraft crashed in a field following the ejection of both crew members, state media said, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.

Russian telegram channel Baza said that preliminary data pointed to the crash being caused by a failure of the aircraft's landing gear.

The Su-34 is a fighter-bomber aircraft able to hit targets up to 900 kilometers away while carrying 12 metric tons of bombs and missiles.

In neighboring Belgorod and Oryol regions, the Russian air defense downed two loitering munitions overnight, the Russian state news agency reported, citing the Russian Defense Ministry.

Moscow blamed Ukraine for launching drones. Ukraine hasn't commented on the claim.

No damage to infrastructure or casualties were reported due to the alleged incidents.

Meanwhile, "unknown saboteurs" have seriously damaged two planes and a helicopter at Chkalovsky Military Air Base in Moscow Oblast, Ukrainian military intelligence reported on Sept. 20.

Russia is investigating how saboteurs managed to enter the "closely guarded" airfield, which is 25 kilometers northeast of Russia's capital, and damage an An-148 transport jet and an Il-20 surveillance aircraft.

A second An-148 that was parked in the vicinity received "minor damage," military intelligence said.

One Mi-28N attack helicopter was also seriously damaged, military intelligence said, adding that this helicopter was "actively involved in shooting down attack drones over Moscow region."

The Russian authorities frequently claim that drones are shot down over Moscow Oblast.

Read also: George Monastiriakos: The best reason why Russia must be defeated in Ukraine? Because it is weak

Russian attacks

Russian forces launched 24 Shahed loitering munitions against Ukraine overnight on Sept. 20. The air defense downed 17 of them, the Air Force reported.

Kamikaze drones were shot down in Sumy, Poltava, Kirovohrad, and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts, according to the report.

One drone struck an oil refinery in Kremenchuk in Poltava Oblast, causing a fire, the Air Force said.

Poltava Oblast Governor Dmytro Lunin reported on Telegram that emergency services are at the oil refinery.

In total, Russian forces launched 72 air strikes and 35 multiple rocket launcher attacks across Ukraine over Sept. 20, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces reported in its evening update.

Meanwhile, Russian losses in Zaporizhzhia Oblast have significantly increased in recent days following intense fighting during the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the southeastern axes, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported in its latest update.

Colonel Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesman for Ukraine's Tavria Forces, said Russian forces took 313 casualties on Sept. 18 and that this is significantly higher than estimated losses in the previous two days, which were roughly 200 soldiers each day.

According to Shtupun, Russian Airborne forces are conducting defensive operations in the area, while the Storm-Z unit, composed of recruited inmates, arrived to support the Russian airborne troops.

ISW has previously reported that units of Russia's 7th Guards Mountain Airborne Division and the 76th Guards Airborne Division were conducting counterattacks near liberated Robotyne village in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, likely resulting in high casualties.

ISW assesses the Storm-Z units to have limited combat effectiveness and will "likely provide the Russian defense in western Zaporizhzhia Oblast with marginal combat power."

More aid, no ATACMS

U.S. President Joe Biden will soon announce a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $325 million, including more cluster munitions but not the much-desired ATACMS long-range missiles, Reuters reported on Sept. 20, citing a U.S. official.

The U.S. president will present the latest tranche on Sept. 21 when his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky visits Washington, D.C., as part of his U.S. trip, the news agency said.

Aside from cluster munitions for 155 mm howitzers, Washington also plans to send Avenger short-range air defense systems using Stinger missiles, TOW and AT4 anti-tank weapons, GMLRS rockets for HIMARS systems, Javelin anti-tank missiles, and other equipment, the unnamed source told Reuters.

However, the content of the package is still being finalized and could change, according to the report.

Read also: Larger US military package required, says former special representative for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Russian occupiers have attempted to regain their lost grounds near Andriivka and conducted offensive actions near Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. Meanwhile, Ukrainian defenders continue their assaults south of Bakhmut.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 06:00 on 20 September

Quote: "In the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group on the Bakhmut front, Ukrainian Defence Forces successfully repelled Russian attacks near Yahidne in Donetsk Oblast. The occupiers attempted to regain their lost ground near Andriivka in Donetsk Oblast, but failed. Ukraines Defence Forces continue their assault operations in the area south of Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, inflicting significant losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian forces and consolidating their positions."

Details: In the area of responsibility of the Tavriia Operational Strategic Group on the Marinka front, Russian troops launched an unsuccessful offensive in and around the city of Marinka in Donetsk Oblast. They have carried out over 13 unsuccessful attempts to force Ukrainian units out of their positions over the past 24 hours.

On the Avdiivka and Shakhtarsk fronts, Ukraines Defence Forces are holding the initiative at captured positions, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian forces.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, Russian forces suffered losses both in manpower and equipment after their attacks on Mala Tokmachka, Robotyne, and Novodanylivka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

On the Melitopol front, Ukraines Defence Forces continue their offensive actions, inflicting losses in manpower and equipment on the Russian occupying army and exhausting them.

In the area of responsibility of the Odesa Operational Strategic Group on the Kherson front, Ukrainian defenders continue to wage counter-battery combat, destroying supply depots and successfully hitting the Russian rear.

In the area of responsibility of the Pivnich Operational Strategic Group, on the Volyn and Polissia fronts, the operational situation remains without significant changes.

On the Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna fronts, the Russian army retains a grouping of troops to cover their state border. They are actively conducting sabotage activities in the border areas to prevent the deployment of Ukrainian forces to vulnerable areas and are increasing the density of minefields along the state border in Russia's Belgorod Oblast.

A total of 24 combat engagements occurred over the past 24 hours. Russian forces launched 9 missile strikes and 79 air strikes and fired on Ukrainian positions and populated areas 60 times using multiple-launch rocket systems.

At the same time, over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Air Force inflicted 1 strike on a command post, 16 strikes on areas where Russian personnel and military equipment were concentrated, and three strikes on Russian anti-aircraft missile systems.

Units from Rocket Forces and Artillery struck three command posts, an anti-aircraft missile system, nine artillery pieces, one ammunition storage point and a radio-electronic warfare station belonging to the Russians.

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 losses in the war against Ukraine are growing daily, as the Ukrainian Defence Forces killed 520 Russian soldiers and destroyed 34 artillery systems, 17 armoured combat vehicles and 37 drones over the past 24 hours.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 20 September 2023 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses  ed.]:

approximately 273,980 (+520) military personnel

4,635 (+7) tanks

8,868 (+17) armoured combat vehicles

6,096 (+34) artillery systems

779 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems

526 (+0) air defence systems

315 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft

316 (+0) helicopters

4,821 (+37) tactical UAVs

1,479 (+0) cruise missiles

20 (+0) ships/boats

1 (+0) submarines

8,633 (+32) vehicles and tankers

906 (+3) special vehicles and other equipment

The data is being updated.

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 Armed Forces of Ukraine have confirmed that they successfully attacked the command post of the Russian Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol on the morning of 20 September.

Source: Directorate of Strategic Communications of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (StratCom)

Quote: "The Armed Forces of Ukraine successfully attacked the command post of the occupiers' Black Sea Fleet near Verkhniosadove near the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol on the morning of 20 September. Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine!"

Background: The media and Telegram channels reported on a strike at a military unit near temporarily occupied Sevastopol.

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!
Ukraine's First Lady, Olena Zelenska, received the 2023 Clinton Global Citizen Award from Hillary and Bill Clinton during her visit to New York, where the 78th session of the UN General Assembly is taking place, her official Instagram page announced on Sept. 20.

Read also: Olena Zelenska opens up about challenges of family separation during war, children's struggles

The 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton, and his wife, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, honored Zelenska with the Clinton Global Citizen Award, established in 2007. The award is given to individuals whose vision and leadership inspire societies around the world and demonstrates that significant change can be achieved through collaboration.

Zelenska noted that she shares the award with all Ukrainians. She believes that every person in Ukraine is a dedicated leader.

@ //Telegram

"A mother who takes her child to school and then rushes to work after a sleepless night due to an air raid. A teacher who teaches a lesson - often in a bomb shelter, remotely, in danger, but still teaches. Rescuers and doctors who rush to the victims of the shelling. And courageous men and women who stand on the front line to prevent the invader from entering their homes, cities, and also not to let aggression further into the world. These are real leaders who have taken responsibility for their lives, the country, and the preservation of security in the world. They are my compatriots. Thank you to them and on their behalf for this award."

Read also: Olena Zelenska talks mental health in Ukrainian schools on first day back to classes

Ukraine's First Lady also thanked the American people, and Hillary Clinton in particular, for supporting the Olena Zelenska Foundation, which helps Ukrainians rebuild their lives.

@ //Telegram

Read also: First Lady Zelenska highlights plights of Ukraines children, confirms 504 dead, almost 20,000 kidnapped

"This is not just financial support. It does something more important: it inspires. Our world is global. Everything in it is interconnected. We all become leaders when we help, when we care. So, our victory over aggression will be our shared reward."

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 intelligence services may be behind a series of drone strikes and a ground operation against Wagner-backed rebels near Sudan's capital.

Source: CNN, citing a Ukrainian military source, a senior Sudanese military source, US officials, another senior Sudanese source, and military informants from Chad

Details: Asked whether Ukraine was behind the attacks, a Ukrainian military source characterised it as the work of a "non-Sudanese military". According to him, "Ukrainian special services were likely responsible".

CNN reports that the operation consisted of a series of attacks on the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which is supposedly financed by the Wagner Group in its fight for control in Sudan against the countrys army.

The publication emphasises that it has not been able to independently confirm Ukraine's involvement in this series of attacks. However, the video footage obtained by CNN shows signs of "Ukrainian-style" drone attacks.

Quote from CNN: "Two commercially available drones widely used by Ukrainians were involved in at least eight of the strikes, with Ukrainian text seen on the drone controller. Experts also said the tactics used  namely the pattern of drones swooping directly into their target  were highly unusual in Sudan and the wider African region.

Covert strikes by Ukraine in Sudan would mark a dramatic and provocative expansion of Kyivs theater of war against Moscow.

...Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks, which were captured in the drone footage. Portions of those videos have been circulating on social media since Thursday. Footage of the ground operation has not previously been published."

More details: A senior Sudanese military source said he had "no knowledge of a Ukrainian operation in Sudan" and did not believe it was true.

Several US officials seemed surprised both to learn of the incident and at the suggestion that Ukrainian forces could be behind the strikes and ground operation.

The video footage, which can be viewed on CNN's website at the link above, shows a series of drone strikes in and around Omdurman, a town near the capital Khartoum that has become the centre of fighting between the two groups.

The video of the drone strikes shows a DJI MAVIC 3 drone. Text in English and Ukrainian can be seen on the drones. The drone's operator, who appears to be a foreigner, can be seen in the controller's view, but he was wearing a balaclava and thus could not be identified.

PHOTO: CNN

A British researcher who runs the weapons identification website Calibre Obscura analysed the footage for CNN and said the device was similar to those used by Ukrainian forces to control DJI MAVIC drones.

CNN has identified the locations of the attacks and ground operations shown in the drone footage, but has not been able to independently verify the date of the footage. Several strikes on the Shambat Bridge, which connects Omdurman and Khartoum, appear to tally with social media reports of an attack on 8 September.

 , ,       . : NN pic.twitter.com/TcaQDKDg9D     (@ukrpravda_news) September 20, 2023

Another senior Sudanese source reports the strikes were carried out just two days after Wagner assisted in transferring a large convoy of weapons to Sudan through the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) garrison in Al-Zurug, in the southwest of the country, near the border with Chad.

A source told CNN that many vehicles arrived in Zurug on 6 September, including several trucks with weapons from Wagner. The publication obtained satellite images showing more than 100 vehicles, including dozens of trucks, on the territory of the garrison on the same day senior Sudanese sources reported a convoy with weapons.

Two military informants from Chad told CNN that the convoy was heading through Chad to Zurug.

Six drone strikes were aimed at pickups driving across the Shambhat bridge. Eight other attacks targeted parked cars, buildings and armed men in Omdurman and the western suburbs of Omdurman, where the Sudanese military has carried out a series of air raids on Sudanese rebel positions in recent weeks that have reportedly taken dozens of civilian lives.

One video shows at least three foreign militants raiding the building. The military was wearing night glasses, and one of the soldiers was probably carrying a grenade launcher in the video, which was probably taken on a chest camera. CNN links an aerial image showing the military advancing on the building to an area in Omdurman near the site where the drone strikes were carried out.

CNN previously reported that, according to sources, Wagner supplies the RSF with surface-to-air missiles that support paramilitary RSF fighters and their leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagal, in a power struggle with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the head of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Wim Zwinenburg, head of the humanitarian disarmament project at the Dutch peacekeeping organisation PAX, said that "such (FPV) loitering drones are being seen in the African continent for the first time ever".

CNN notes that Ukrainian and Russian troops have been experimenting with FPV drones since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, equipping them with rocket-propelled anti-tank grenade launchers. Highly manoeuvrable, accurate ammunition can carry a large load and destroy a car. Although drones have previously been used to drop bombs in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Libya, armed commercial drones that explode in a collision are new to Africa.

A senior Sudanese source told the publication that about 90% of the RSF's weapons came from Wagner, adding that supplies did not stop despite the deaths of Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the mercenary group, and his deputy Dmitry Utkin in a plane crash.

The same source noted that the Kremlin was repeatedly asked about Wagner's support, but they replied that they had no information: "For us, the Kremlin and Wagner have become the same."

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!
(Photo : Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)

Republican hardliners are blocking a defense spending bill, causing rising tensions within the GOP and sowing discourse among lawmakers.

House GOP hardliners are trying to block a defense spending bill, worsening the Republican dispute as a government shutdown is looming.

The situation makes the Pentagon the latest casualty of the supposed civil war between Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his conservative critics. GOP rebels worked to block the annual defense appropriations bill in a procedural vote and delivered a stunning loss to McCarthy.

Republican Dispute

They are also looking at who sought to break an impasse over federal spending that forced leaders to pull the legislation back last week. House Republicans are still at odds regarding the coming spending confrontation, with the Senate only being 12 days out from a government shutdown.

Additionally, many conservatives withheld their votes on the Pentagon bill to force Republican leaders to take a harder line on a stopgap to keep the lights on in the government. As per Politico, the procedural vote on the $826 billion defense spending bill ultimately failed in a 212-214 vote on Tuesday.

Five Republican lawmakers defected on the procedural vote, which almost always falls along party lines. These were Reps. Andy Biggs, Dan Bishop, Ken Buck, Ralph Norman, and Matt Rosendale.

Defense hawks have decried conservatives, led many by the House Freedom Caucus, which has worked to stop military funding for the past week. Some military-oriented Republicans also urged McCarthy to force a vote on the defense measure, even knowing that it was doomed to fail. They forced conservatives to take the blame for holding up the situation.

An appropriator, Rep. Mike Garcia, who has urged leadership to force the issue, also called out the five GOP defectors by name and likened their votes to appease China. He added that the defectors handed a win to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) due to the vote.

As tensions within the House Republican conference rise, New York Rep. Mike Lawler said, "This is stupidity." He was referencing hardliners' demands on spending, which prompted the Republican freshman to privately propose a new plan to work with Democratic lawmakers and force a vote to keep the government from shutting down, according to CNN.

Read Also: Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders Seeks Overhaul of State's Records Law Amid Lawsuit

Averting a Government Shutdown

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is at the center of most of the drama as he attacked McCarthy personally. However, he has also engaged in social media spats with fellow hardline conservatives who helped broker a House GOP plan to continue funding the government that was revealed on Sunday.

One of the lead negotiators for House Republicans' current stopgap spending proposal, Rep. Byron Donalds, criticized moderate members who were warming up to working with the left to avoid a shutdown.

Tensions within the GOP are rising partly due to disagreements over what kind of a stopgap spending bill, known as a continuing resolution (CR), to pass or even if one should be passed in the first place.

In a statement, Donalds added that many of his colleagues, Freedom Caucus members, and others should be concerned that some GOP members are willing to agree on a deal with Democrats. He said that such a decision eliminates their leverage to do anything, said Fox News.

Released Article: GOP Senator Mitt Romney Stands Down on Senate Reelection Bid

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Ukraine's Strategic Communications Directorate reported on Telegram that the country's military hit a Russian Black Sea Fleet command post near occupied Sevastopol, Crimea.

Videos showing explosions near the Russian airbase Belbek, near occupied Sevastopol, circulated on Telegram channels, the Russian service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

It is unclear at this time the extent of the damage.

Mikhail Razvozhaev, the head of the illegally appointed Russian authorities in Sevastopol, stated that it was the result of a drone attack. He said that air defense shot down the drones and that the attack caused no casualties.

Since August 2022, explosions in Russian-occupied Crimea have been reported regularly.

In recent months, there were several high-profile strikes on Russian forces in the area, including using marine drones and rockets on Sept. 13 that damaged naval boats and military hardware.

Read also: Uncertain Triumph: Ukraine picks apart Russias best air defenses in Crimea

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Verkhovna Rada has approved the veto applied by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and adopted the amended law on the restoration of electronic declarations of incomes for public officials.

Source: Yaroslav Zhelezniak, Ukrainian MP from the Holos (Voice) political party, on Telegram

Quote: "[The Verkhovna] Rada has approved the president's veto and corrected the law on the restoration of electronic declarations.

 The changes provide for the immediate opening of declarations."

Details: 341 members of the Parliament supported the decision, with 226 votes necessary to pass.

Here is how the MPs voted: Sluha Narodu (Servant of the People) faction  214 votes; European Solidarity  22 votes; Fatherland  13 votes; Platform for Life and Peace  18; For the Future  11; Voice  18; Trust  17; Restoration of Ukraine  12; non-aligned members of parliament  16 votes.

Background:

On 5 September, the Verkhovna Rada adopted draft law No. 9534 on the restoration of electronic declarations for public officials, but the register will only be launched in one year.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that he would make a decision regarding the law on electronic declaration adopted by the Verkhovna Rada after consultations with Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.

In just one day, Ukrainians collected over 25,000 signatures on a petition demanding that the president veto draft law No. 9534 and return it to the parliament to establish a register of public officials property declarations.

On 12 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy vetoed a law that preserves restrictions on electronic declarations for public officials.

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!
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Ukraine's allies at the Sept. 19 Ramstein meeting agreed to form 'Capablities Coalitions' around five key defense priorities: air defense, artillery, aviation, the navy, and armored vehicles.

"Held productive meetings on the sidelines of Ramstein 15," Umerov said. "Hope results will soon be tangible for our warriors on the battlefield."

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group met at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany to discuss coordinated security assistance efforts in the 15th meeting of its kind since April 2022.

In a press briefing following the summit, United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that creating targeted coalitions was part of the long-term strategy to aid Ukraine.

"Meanwhile, our long-term support for Ukraine will continue to evolve through dedicated capability coalitions, like the ones that we started for armor and F-16 training and information technology," Austin said.

"And these important coalitions will help Ukraine continue to build up a combat-credible force for the future."

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us

Umerov thanked a number of allied nations, including the U.S., the U.K., and Germany for participating in "substantive talks" at the summit.

The U.K. pledged to donate tens of thousands of artillery shells to Ukraine, while Germany affirmed its commitment to an aid package worth over 400 million euros.

"We are providing support in a way that maximizes the benefits to Ukraine, focusing on the core areas of artillery, air defense, ammunition, sustainment and training," said German Parliamentary State Secretary Siemtje Moller.

The German support package will include air defense systems, artillery munitions, and mine-clearing systems.

This marks Umerov's first Ramstein summit since being appointed Ukraine's Defense Minister on Sept. 6.

Read also: Biden asks UN leaders to stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The United Nations is calling on the Taliban in Afghanistan to reform the way it treats prisoners, citing more than 1,600 human rights violations in a report released Tuesday.

More than half of the violations were instances of torture or other degrading treatment, according to the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) report.

The personal accounts of beatings, electric shocks, water torture, and numerous other forms of cruel and degrading treatment, along with threats made against individuals and their families, are harrowing. Torture is forbidden in all circumstances, U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said.

The report is the result of a year-and-a-half study  January 2022 to July 2023  of human rights violations in Afghanistan.

Detainees are often physically harmed in order to garner a confession, and they are frequently denied legal counsel, the report claims. The UNAMA lists more than 550 human rights abuses against detainees, most of which involving physical suffering.

The human rights violations continue despite statements and policy from the Taliban government discouraging the conduct, with the UNAMA stating that the rules are not sufficiently followed at the operational level.

The prevalence of torture, coupled with the systemic violation of procedural safeguards in custody, such as lack of access to lawyers, must be comprehensively addressed by the de facto authorities, Turk said.

Specifically, the report requests that Afghanistans de facto government establish a legal aid framework and work to end arbitrary and prolonged detention.

There is a pressing need to consider more engagement with the de facto authorities to end these practices, and I hope the report and its recommendations are seized upon as a matter of priority, UNAMA head Roza Otunbayeva said. We remain committed to the people of Afghanistan and our efforts to maintain constructive engagement, with impartiality and in good faith.

The report claims that the 1,600 figure is likely a significant undercount, noting that many human rights abuses go unreported. In collecting information, the U.N. group spoke with mostly Afghan civilians, but also some government workers, military personnel and journalists.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Valerie Volcovici

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday will gather heads of state and business leaders that he has identified as taking stronger action on climate change for a meeting aimed at building momentum ahead of the COP28 climate summit.

Missing from the list of 34 speakers representing countries at Guterres' Climate Ambition Summit are the world's biggest emitters China and United States, as well as the United Arab Emirates, the host of the COP28 gathering in December.

The summit will feature speeches from leaders who are responding to his call to "accelerate" global climate action, including Brazil, Canada, the European Union, Pakistan, South Africa and Tuvalu.

Guterres said one of the aims was to spur action from countries and companies whose climate plans were not in line with the global climate target.

Non-member states and international financial institutions that will get speaking slots include Allianz, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the city of London and the state of California.

U.S. Special Envoy on Climate Change John Kerry will attend the summit but will not deliver a speech, a spokesperson said.

The Secretary-General's office has kept a close hold on the list of invited speakers. Guterres' climate adviser Selwin Hart said in an interview with Reuters this week that the purpose of the summit was not to "embarrass" countries or companies that did not make the cut but to inspire more action from others.

The criteria for a leader to be selected to speak include proposals to update their country's pre-2030 climate plan; updated targets to achieve net-zero emissions energy transition plans that commit to no new oil, gas or coal; and plans to phase out fossil fuels.

New climate funding pledges or adaptation plans are also among the criteria for countries to particpate.

For businesses, cities and financial institutions, the UN requries them to represent transition plans aligned with UN integrity recommendations, emission reduction targets for 2025 that include indirect emissions, as well as plans to phase out fossil fuels that do not rely on carbon offsetting.

Guterres has been blunt in his public assessment of countries' climate actions and whether they will deliver on the Paris agreement goal to limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5C.

"I'm not sure all leaders are feeling the heat. Actions are falling abysmally short," he said in his opening remarks of the UN General Assembly.

A report released by the U.N. earlier this month said existing national pledges to cut emissions were insufficient to keep temperatures within the 1.5 C threshold. More than 20 gigatonnes of further CO2 reductions were needed this decade - and global net zero by 2050 - in order to meet the goals.

China's mission to the United Nations and UAE did not immediately respond for comment.

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Stephen Coates)
By Humeyra Pamuk

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met for the first time in person on Tuesday, a milestone as two countries have been slowly improving ties strained by disputes over policies toward the Palestinians.

The leaders, who held talks during the annual high-level United Nations General Assembly, agreed to visit each others' countries soon, a statement from Netanyahu's office said.

Israel's top-rated Channel 12 TV said Erdogan may seek to mark the 100th anniversary of the Turkish republic next month with a pilgrimage to a major Jerusalem mosque. There was no formal confirmation of the report.

Relations between the former allies crashed after Israel's forces killed 10 Turks in a 2010 raid on a pro-Palestinian activist ship that tried to breach its blockade on the Gaza Strip, which is ruled by Hamas Islamists proscribed in the West.

Ankara expelled Israel's ambassador, a move reversed in 2016 but repeated two years later over the killing of dozens of Palestinians who took part in violent protests at the Gaza border. Israel, which had complained at Ankara's hosting of Hamas leaders, reciprocally expelled Turkey's envoy in 2018.

A visit to Turkey by Israeli President Isaac Herzog in March 2022, followed by visits by both foreign ministers, helped the thaw.

Erdogan and Netanyahu discussed political, economic and regional topics as well as the Israeli-Palestinian issue, the Turkish Presidency said in a post on social media platform X.

Erdogan told Netanyahu that the two countries can cooperate on energy, technology, innovation, artificial intelligence as well as cyber security, the presidency said.

Energy has emerged as a main area for potential cooperation.

"In the meeting, opportunities for energy cooperation primarily in areas like natural gas exploration, production and trade were discussed," said Turkey's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, who participated.

Turkey began a charm offensive in 2020 to repair ties with estranged rivals, making overtures to Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia as well as Israel.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk; editing by Grant McCool and Lincoln Feast.)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a high level Security Council meeting during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Ruttle)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  Ukraines president accused Russia of waging a criminal and unprovoked aggression that undermines all norms of war and the U.N. charter Wednesday at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. Volodomyr Zelenskyy also urged world leaders to strip Russia of its veto power.

The Ukrainian leader told the council that his proposal to end the 19-month war starts with adherence to the charter that ensures the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all 193 U.N. member nations. He stressed that restoration of all Ukrainian territory is the key to peace.

Before the meeting started, there was intense speculation about whether Zelenskyy and Russias top diplomat, Sergey Lavrov , would clash, speak or totally avoid each other. But no confrontation happened because Zelenskyy left the council soon after his address.

The meeting started with a clash over his speech. Before Lavrov arrived, Russian U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia protested the council presidents decision to allow Zelenskyy to speak ahead of the 15 council members.

He said Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama , this months council president, was trying to turn the meeting into a one-man stand-up show, adding that it would be nothing more than a spectacle  a dig at Zelenskyys past as a comedian.

Rama cited the council rule allowing a nonmember to speak first. He added that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency, eliciting laughter with a quip about Russias insistence on referring to its offensive against Ukraine as a special military operation.

After another heated exchange over whether Nebenzia had referred to Rama as Albanias prime minister and a NATO member instead of as the council president, Rama declared: I take note, and well continue with our session.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres then briefed the council, reiterating that Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 was in clear violation of the United Nations charter and international law.

The war is aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world, the U.N. chief warned.

Guterres again condemned the war and repeated his call for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine in line with the U.N. charter and international law  for Ukraine, for Russia and for the world.

Zelenskyy was the next speaker, sitting behind the Ukraine plaque at the Security Councils horseshoe-shaped table and wearing his traditional fatigues.

He called the invasion a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia" that was "aimed at Ukraines territory and resources.

But its not just that, he said. The terrorist state is willing, through its aggression, to undermine all the grounds of international norms meant to protect the world from the wars.

Ukraine has long accused Russia of being an illegal successor to the former Soviet Union, which collapsed in the early 1990s, and Zelenskyy went after Russia again for claiming the Soviet Union's Security Council seat through backstage manipulations.

The Ukrainian leader accused Russia of mass atrocities of human rights and said action should be taken to prevent Moscow from using its veto at the Security Council. The U.N.'s most powerful body is charged with ensuring international peace and security, but it has been blocked from taking any action on Ukraine because of Russias virtually certain veto.

Zelenskyy called for reforms to allow the 193 members of the U.N. General Assembly, where there are no vetoes, to suspend or strip the veto power of one of the five permanent members of the Security Council for egregious violations of the U.N. charter.

The assembly has condemned Russias invasion and demanded the withdrawal of its forces and a reversal of its annexation of Ukrainian territory, but its resolutions are not legally binding.

Ukraine has come under pressure from some council members, including China, to engage in talks to end the war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives on both sides.

Zelenskyy laid out two key concrete steps to ensure Ukraines future security: a complete withdrawal of all Russian troops, mercenaries and military and paramilitary formations, and ships, from Ukraines internationally recognized territory and its Black Sea waters. That step would be followed by full restoration" of Ukrainian control "over the entire state border and exclusive economic zone.

Only the implementation of these two points will result in an honest, reliable and complete cessation of hostilities, he said.

In a high-profile speech Tuesday to the General Assembly during its annual meeting of world leaders, the Ukrainian president accused Russia of using food, energy and even children as weapons in the war  and he warned other leaders that when hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there."

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the council that Russia "has shredded the major tenets of the U.N. charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international humanitarian law  and flouted one Security Council resolution after another.

The invasion violates the charters central pillar of respecting every countrys sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

Russia is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity on a daily basis. he said.

Blinken said Russian President Vladimir Putin declared from the outset that the Kremlins aim is to erase Ukraine from the map and restore Russias lost empire.

Lavrov blamed the West for a shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fomenting of new hotbeds of tension. He said the U.S. and its satellites have egregiously and openly interfered in the domestic affairs of Ukraine, heightening the risks of global conflict.

He insisted that Russia has fully respected the provisions of the U.N. charter in an interconnected way.

___

This story has been corrected to indicate that Edi Rama is Albania's prime minister, not president.
The site of a forthcoming affordable housing project in Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. The Liberty Wells project will have 30 apartments and 36 townhomes, built on land donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is part of a plan to build 850 affordable housing units in Utah over the next three years. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

In an effort to help tackle what Gov. Spencer Cox calls the No. 1 issue facing Utah  the states increasingly unaffordable housing market  two Utah-based foundations are joining forces to build about 900 income-restricted rental units in seven different cities on and off the Wasatch Front.

Charitable foundations created by Utahs largest homebuilder, Ivory Homes, and FJ Management (a holding company with a portfolio that includes Maverik, Crystal Inn Hotel and Suites, Big West Oil and WellQuest) announced a new partnership at a news conference in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, meant to fund construction of apartments, townhomes and condominiums to help house low-income families that make 35% to 80% of the area median income.

The partnership, deemed Housing for Impact, has seven projects in the works in Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Draper, Lehi, Magna, Francis and Park City. Some are further along in the planning process than others, but the foundations aim to make about 900 housing units available in the next several years. Theyll be rent-subsidized units (unless the foundations make a future deal with other parties to contribute an amount to turn them for sale at an affordable rate).

Were hoping there will be many more housing units in the years to come, said Abby Ivory, president of Ivory Innovations, a nonprofit based at the University of Utah devoted to fostering innovative affordable housing solutions. This is just the first three years, and were just getting started.

The governor, along with dozens of city and county leaders and housing advocates, attended the announcement at the old Liberty Wells Center, 707 S. 400 East in Salt Lake City, which was donated to the foundations by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Housing for Impact partnership is slated to turn the former gym into 30 apartments and 36 townhomes.

Cox and the foundations leaders applauded the Housing for Impact effort and called for more public-private partnerships to solve Utahs housing problem, which is on track to worsen as the states housing shortage is projected to grow to over 37,000 units by 2024.

Utah is now facing its least affordable housing market in history, researchers at the University of Utahs Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently said with the release of the State of the States Housing Market report last week.

Gov. Spencer Cox speaks during a press conference about seven new affordable housing projects in Utah, made possible with a partnership between Ivory Innovations and Call to Action Foundation, at the site of the future Liberty Wells development in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The Liberty Wells project will have 30 apartments and 36 townhomes, built on land donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is part of a plan to build 850 affordable housing units in Utah over the next three years. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Related

I get asked routinely what are the things that worry me the most about the state of Utah, what are the things that keep me up at night, Cox said. I never hesitate to give the answer. Always, always, always, the No. 1 thing that I worry about in our state is the price of housing right now.

The states water availability is now a close second, he said, but when an estimated 77% of your state cant afford the price of housing today, we know that something has gone wrong, Cox said.

With home prices sticking stubbornly high amid the states low housing availability despite mortgage rates now hovering over 7%, researchers at the Gardner Institute have estimated over three-quarters of Utahns have been priced out of the states median priced home.

We understand that this is supply and demand, Cox said, noting Utah is among the fastest growing states in the U.S. With that additional growth comes a need for additional housing.

More supply and innovation from public and private partnerships can help meet that demand, he said.

Heres the thing, this is not something government alone can solve and its not something the private sector alone can solve. Its going to take all of us working in concert to do more housing, better housing, Cox said.

Yes, 900 units may seem like a drop in the bucket in comparison to Utahs daunting 37,000-unit housing shortage and its accompanying affordability issues, Cox acknowledged to the Deseret News after Tuesdays press conference, but you need drops in the bucket to fill the bucket, thats how it works.

So this is just many, many projects that were working on right now, but its a really important one, Cox said. Thats the thing, if we can scale what theyre doing and inspire others to get involved, I think we can really start to make a dent in this issue.

Crystal Maggelet, FJ Management CEO and chairwoman, talks to Gov. Spencer Cox at a press conference about seven new affordable housing projects in Utah, made possible with a partnership between Ivory Innovations and Call to Action Foundation, at the site of the future Liberty Wells development in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The Liberty Wells project will have 30 apartments and 36 townhomes, built on land donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is part of a plan to build 850 affordable housing units in Utah over the next three years. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Clark Ivory, CEO of Ivory Homes, and Crystal Maggelet, CEO of FJ Management who also leads the companys foundation Call To Action, said they will be pooling resources to form what we hope will be a very long lasting partnership where we can add many, many affordable units to our wonderful state.

Call to Action and Ivory Homes aspire to create upward of $1 billion in housing investment, not planning to stop at 900 units. Clark Ivory said the two foundations are expecting to split investments 50-50.

Over the next several years, well put tens of millions of dollars of equity (into projects), Clark Ivory told reporters. Its substantial. And then of course we have financing on top of that. So what wed love to see over time is wed love to produce a billion dollars worth of affordable housing in the next few years and then take it from there.

Our aspirations is to build not just 1,000 units ... but maybe even 10,000 and beyond, Clark Ivory said.

Clark Ivory credited some cities for being great partners when it comes to offering more affordable housing stock, but he also needled others that need to get with it. He declined to name names, though.

Maggelet said Utahs housing affordability issues sharpened personally for her several years back when her company conducted a survey of its hourly employees because we wanted to see what their needs were.

I thought certainly education or child care are going to be (at the) top of their list. I was very surprised when the top of their list was food and housing, she said. I was blown away, honestly. It made me very sad.

Clark Ivory, Ivory Homes CEO, talks to members of the media at a press conference about seven new affordable housing projects in Utah, made possible with a partnership between Ivory Innovations and Call to Action Foundation, at the site of a future Liberty Wells development in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The Liberty Wells project will have 30 apartments and 36 townhomes, built on land donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is part of a plan to build 850 affordable housing units in Utah over the next three years. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

Wage growth has not kept pace with housing costs, and addressing that gap is the best way we can help childhood poverty and economic upward mobility, she added.

Utah has lost an estimated 41% of its affordable units since 2011, Maggelet said. That is almost double what California and New York have lost in affordable units in the same amount of time. This is definitely an issue.

Last year, when Call to Action was formed, Maggelet said they spent an initial $8 million to buy 400 units. This year, theyll spend another $23 million to buy additional units for preservation. They wanted to do more, so she said they decided to partner with Ivory Innovations.

Clark had me at one call, she said. I knew that this was going to be a partnership where we could do a lot more, much quicker.

Here are the details (so far) on Housing for Impacts projects. More details on projects in Park City, Draper and South Jordan are still taking shape.

Liberty Wells , Salt Lake City : 36 townhomes, 30 apartments.

Holbrook Farms , Lehi : 240 residential units with one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans with a neighborhood park, clubhouse and tutoring center.

Francis Commons , Francis, Summit County : 12 apartments with one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, 16 two-bedroom townhomes with a neighborhood park.

Mahogany Ridge , Magna : 300 affordable townhomes with two- and three-bedroom floor plans with multiple neighborhood parks.

Senior housing in South Jordan : 138 senior apartments with a senior center.

Park City Heights, Park City : About 15 townhomes, more details coming.

Vista Station, Draper: About 186 apartment units that would be the states first ever high-rise modular building, built using off-site construction, more details coming.

Related

People attend a press conference about seven new affordable housing projects in Utah, made possible with a partnership between Ivory Innovations and Call to Action Foundation, at the site of the future Liberty Wells development in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. The Liberty Wells project will have 30 apartments and 36 townhomes, built on land donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is part of a plan to build 850 affordable housing units in Utah over the next three years. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Not that this notion was ever questioned, but Black people in the United States are not the only people who deal with police violence. Its something Black people all around the world have to fight against.

On Wednesday, a London police officer was charged with murdering 24-year-old Chris Kaba, an unarmed Black man who was fatally shot nearly a year ago in September 2022, according to The Independent.

Read more

I am lost for words.



Sky News reporting the Justice for Chris Kaba march as a tribute walk for the Queen's death.



Disgraceful. pic.twitter.com/3jsDmfq4C9  Tony Tactics (@loyih92) September 10, 2022

Chris Kabas cousin says Chris fiance was supposed to be planning a baby shower, not a funeral. Unspeakably heartbreaking. #ChrisKaba #JusticeforChrisKaba pic.twitter.com/3VSBkil7OY  Georgie Robertson (@_GeorgieBlaise) September 17, 2022

A Metropolitan Police officer has been charged with the murder of Chris Kaba, the Crown Prosecution Service has said.



Below is the video I posted a year ago of his family, Chris was 24 years old. This is the human cost



Justice must be served.





Chris Kabas parents and pic.twitter.com/Fyk5aJ30Ix  Misan Harriman (@misanharriman) September 20, 2023

In a statement, Kabas family said, Chris was so very loved by our family and all his friends. He had a bright future ahead of him, but his life was cut short. Our family and our wider community must see justice for Chris.



They continued, We welcome this charging decision, which could not have come too soon. Now we await the trial of the firearms officer without delay and hope and pray that justice will be served.



The officer who is being charged is currently suspended from duty, according to BBC.

This case should remind African Americans that the fight against police violence is not just a national issue, its a worldwide one.

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.
Microsoft has leaked documents that suggest executives predicted in 2022 that gaming growth would result from advertising and mobile purchases over the next several years.

The disclosure in a Microsoft presentation dated May 2022 is only the latest insider information from the software maker's legal battle against the Federal Trade Commission over the pending Activision Blizzard acquisition.

Microsoft's Document Leak

Prior documents have shown that the tech giant has set a target of $500 billion in total revenue by the 2030 fiscal year and is analyzing its corporate clients' use of products from its rivals. Federal Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley of the US District Court for the Northern District of California ruled in July favor of Microsoft and Activision.

Since that decision, the two companies and others involved with the case requested and received approval for the redaction of documents before the court released them to the public. Following a decision by the court to upload the documents to its website, the parties said that they contained nonpublic information, which prompted Corley to remove them from public view, as per CNBC.

The leaked presentation describes plans for a new Xbox console for a 2028 release. The new product would follow the Xbox Series X and Series S, which became available in 2020. These consoles are the successor to the company's Xbox One, first released in 2013.

However, the document does not provide information regarding the $68.7 billion deal with Activision, which was announced a few months prior. Despite this, Activision is critical to achieving the type of revenue that was described in the presentation.

The leaked documents also provide an insight into Microsoft's plans beyond the current console generation. The product slated for a 2028 release is described as an "immersive game and app platform" that would focus on "cloud hybrid games" as well as artificial intelligence integration, according to Game is Hard.

Read Also: Microsoft Accidentally Leaks 38 Terabytes of Internal Sensitive Data Through Azure Storage

Plans for Future Games

The company is also planning many new games, including Doom Year Zero, Oblivion and Fallout 3 remasters, a new Dishonored game, a sequel to Ghostwire: Tokyo, and DLC for Starfield. The latter game will receive full mod support starting next year.

However, it is important to note that the leaked documents are all internal, which means that Microsoft or Bethesda has officially announced none of their contents. Many details are expected to change over time, and the leak could change some plans.

Microsoft's leaked documents also showed that the company foresees next-gen DirectX raytracing, dynamic global illumination, ML-based super-resolution, micro polygon rendering optimization, and many others.

The term "hybrid compute" would presumably differ from regular cloud gaming because it uses hardware and cloud computing to display in-game elements simultaneously. This means that primary characters would run on your local GPU, while NPCs, background elements, and others would be generated remotely, said Engadget.

Related Article: TSMC Plans to Expand Advanced Chip Packaging to US: Bloomberg

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
FILE - Mist gathers on the horizon at Dud's Corner World War I Cemetery in Loos-en-Gohelle, France, on March 13, 2014. On Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, First World War cemeteries and memorial sites in Belgium and France were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List during the annual meeting of the World Heritage Committee. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

PARIS (AP)  UNESCO added World War I funerary and memorial locations across the Western Front to its prestigious World Heritage registry, expanding its list of landmarks of monumental importance.

The World Heritage Committee announced the decision Wednesday during its ongoing meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The list includes sites the panel has deemed of outstanding value to humanity, according to the agency, and deserving of special protection"  including funding and international protection in times of war under the Geneva Convention.

The newly added sites stretch from Belgiums north to eastern France, battle zones where the Allied forces clashed with the German army from 1914 to 1918. The array of sanctuaries ranges from expansive necropolises bearing multitudes of soldiers from different nationalities to humbler graveyards and individual monuments.

The list previously included 1,157 sites notable for their extraordinary natural wonders or distinctive human contributions.

From the archaeological remnants of Turkeys Gordion to the well-preserved Jewish heritage sites in Germany, this years additions aimed at encouraging reflection and admiration for world culture, according to UNESCO.

In a statement released Wednesday, Frances defense ministry hailed the decision as a recognition of the exceptional universal value these WWI sites hold, marking a meaningful counter to the inhumanity of war.

Belgium and France have been campaigning to include these sites in UNESCOs registry since the early 2010s. Sites are nominated to and designated by the U.N. cultural agencys World Heritage Convention.

The incorporation of the WWI memorial grounds into the World Heritage List is meant to be a testimony to the legacy of the fallen soldiers, according to UNESCO.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, left, listens as Security Council President and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama speaks during a high level Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 at United Nations headquarters. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

UNITED NATIONS (AP)  It's Day 3 of the U.N. General Assembly high-level meeting that brings world leaders together at U.N. headquarters in New York. Here are the highlights of what happened Wednesday at the U.N. and what to keep an eye on Thursday. Follow our live updates to keep up with developments all week.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON WEDNESDAY

 All eyes were on the Security Council's meeting on Ukraine for possible fireworks when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov crossed paths. But then they didn't.

 At the Climate Ambition Summit, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry wasn't permitted to speak. But at least one American was: California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

 On the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, U.S. President Joe Biden held highly anticipated bilateral meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

 With two days of speeches under the General Debate's belt, is any one specific storyline emerging?

 Speech count: 40

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON DAY 3

 Key speeches: Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's internationally recognized government; Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe; Kenyan President William Ruto; China's vice president Han Zheng; Abdel-Fattah Burhan, Sudan's military leader and chair of its ruling Sovereign Council.

 Burhan's speech comes on the heels of last week's resignation of the U.N. envoy in Sudan, Volker Perthes. At least 5,000 people have been killed and more than 12,000 others wounded since simmering tensions between Burhan's military forces and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into open warfare, according to Perthes, who said the actual casualty toll is likely much higher.

 We'll hear from two of the three permanent observers invited to speak to the General Assembly: the European Union, represented by Charles Michel, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Last year, Abbas had the longest speech of the week.

 The U.N. Security Council is also scheduled to meet on two topics. On the agenda: a continuance of the meeting on Ukraine, as well as a separate meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh.

 A few hundred miles away, U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet at the White House. Zelenskyy is also expected on Capitol Hill.

 The General Debate will reach its halfway mark by the end of Thursday, increasing the likelihood we'll start to see some exercises of the right of reply.

QUOTABLE

It is a relationship of equals.

 Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, characterizing his country's dynamic with the United States during a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on workers' rights.

NUMBER OF THE DAY

22 billion: Metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions the world has to cut in the next seven years to reach the climate-fighting goal, per Sultan Al Jaber, who will run the upcoming climate negotiations in Dubai.

___

For more coverage of this year's U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  It's Day 2 of the U.N. General Assembly high-level meeting that brings world leaders together at U.N. headquarters in New York. Here are the highlights of what happened Tuesday at the U.N. and what to keep an eye on Wednesday. Follow our live updates to keep up with developments all week.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON TUESDAY

 Motorcades and barricades choked midtown Manhattan as the world's top dignitaries convened for the first day of the U.N. General Assembly's annual meeting, which kicked off with a stern speech from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

 The first day saw speeches from high-profile leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

 While speeches have likely been in the works for a while, the addresses Tuesday still referenced very recent events  from last week's floods in Libya to renewed hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 Speech count: 37, including opening speeches from the secretary-general and General Assembly president

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON DAY 2

 Key speeches: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni,Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova, Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Marshall Islands President David Kabua

 The U.N. Security Council will also meet. On the agenda: maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine. That country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is expected to attend.

 Also happening: the U.N. Climate Ambition Summit, where only leaders from nations that bring ideas for new and meaningful action will be allowed to speak.

 On the sidelines, U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will finally meet for the first time since Israel's leader took office again. They're meeting in New York, and a large anti-Netanyahu demonstration is expected at the same time.

 Many speeches have directly invoked several world crises, but no single issue has quite dominated the discourse yet. Will that change Wednesday?

QUOTABLE

I want them to live in the times in which the human being knew how to cease killing itself on the planet and managed, understanding its own cultural diversity, to fulfill the expansion of the virus of life through the stars of the universe.

 Colombian President Gustavo Petro, speaking of his grandchildren in an address full of literary flourishes.

NUMBER OF THE DAY

3: The number of women who spoke from the rostrum on Tuesday.

___

For more coverage of this year's U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly
Shaakirrah Sanders will receive $750,000, bringing an end to a lawsuit in which she alleged she was discriminated against and retaliated against by two former deans.

A former University of Idaho law professor has settled a racial and gender discrimination lawsuit filed against two former deans  but not without proposed changes to the colleges bylaws.

On Monday, Judge Lynn Winmill entered an agreed settlement awarding Shaakirrah Sanders $750,000, ending a case the former professor brought against the College of Law and former deans Mark Adams and Jerrold Long, according to KTVB 7 News.

For the University of Idaho, this settlement is a business decision and in the best interest of our students, the university, and the state of Idaho, said UIs spokesperson, Jodi Walker. Litigation costs money and time as well as creates the potential for ongoing distraction to employees and students. We wish Professor Sanders the best in her future endeavors.

A former University of Idaho School of Law professor has settled a racial and gender discrimination lawsuit filed in 2019 against the college and two former deans. (Photo: Adobe Stock)

Court documents indicate that Sanders, now at Penn State Dickinson Law, filed her lawsuit in 2019, alleging discrimination and retaliation from Adams and Long.

Adams  currently a professor at University of Idaho  served as dean from June 2014 to June 2018. The provost eventually asked him to step down due to concerns regarding his leadership, which court documents noted included issues of racial, gender and disability discrimination.

Long, who served as dean from June 2018 to May 2021, succeeded Adams.

Last year, a judge found adequate evidence to continue Sanders case in a trial.

Bloomberg Law reported in October 2022 that the jury would learn the law school neglected to maintain interview notes from an internal inquiry into Sanders racial and sexual discrimination allegations, adding that jurors could assume the notes corroborate the professors claims.

However, the jury ultimately informed the court it could not agree on a verdict, according to KTVB. The university, Adams and Long denied all allegations they violated Sanders rights.

I initiated this litigation to obtain a record of, and accountability for, my experience as the first descendent of enslaved Americans to earn the rank of full professor at either the University or the law school, Sanders said, KTVB reported. I sought this record on the faith of my upbringing, my education, and my law practice experience prior to joining the legal teaching academy.

TheGrio is FREE on your TV via Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Roku and Android TV. Also, please download theGrio mobile apps today!

The post University of Idaho agrees to settle, change bylaws after racial discrimination claims from professor appeared first on TheGrio.
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has reported that two Russian aircraft and a helicopter were damaged at the Chkalovsky airbase in Moscow Oblast on 18 September.

Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine

Quote: "A group of the Investigative Committee of Russia is investigating a sabotage operation which resulted in two aircraft and a helicopter being damaged on 18 September 2023.

The incident caused major hysteria in the top military command: government planes, the so-called judgement day planes and special aircraft (reconnaissance aircraft) are stationed at this airbase."

Details: According to Ukrainian intelligence, unknown individuals planted explosives at a thoroughly guarded airbase and blew up an AN-148 and an IL-20 aircraft (both belong to the 354 special purpose air regiment), as well as a MI-28H helicopter which was actively involved in shooting down drones above Moscow Oblast before.

        .

TWO RUSSIAN AIRCRAFT AND A HELICOPTER DAMAGED AT THE CHKALOVSKY AIRBASE

PHOTO: DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE

Quote: "The damage caused to the planes makes their rapid restoration improbable. A tail part of the helicopter was damaged by the explosion. Another AN-148 parked close to other ones was slightly damaged."

     

SABOTAGE AT THE AIRBASE IN MOSCOW OBLAST

.PHOTO: DEFENCE INTELLIGENCE

Details: Punitive bodies of Russia are looking for the saboteurs and trying to prevent the spreading of information about the incident to local media.

For reference: AN-148 is a passenger aircraft, and IL-20 is an electronic reconnaissance and electromagnetic warfare aircraft, created on the basis of the IL-18 and equipped with a side-viewing radar, an infrared scanner, and other sensors.

Previously: A Su-34 fighter jet crashed in Voronezh Oblast in Russia on the morning of 20 September.

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 judge must expect to be the subject of constant public scrutiny and accept freely and willingly restrictions that might be viewed as burdensome by the ordinary citizen.  Commentary to the Code of Conduct for United States Judges

Recently, certain United States Supreme Court justices have been in the news for accepting but failing to disclose gifts of private plane travel, vacations, school tuition, and other items they have received from individuals they are acquainted or friendly with. The Code of Conduct for United States Judges quoted above is like other codes of conduct that apply to virtually every judge, state or federal, in the country, except those on the U.S. Supreme Court, who have never adopted a code for themselves.

All State of Idaho judges are subject to a Code of Judicial Conduct established and enforced by the Idaho Judicial Council, a group of nine including the chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court, a district judge, a magistrate judge, two attorneys, and four citizens. Every member except the chief justice is appointed by the governor. This code establishes ethical rules under four general canons that govern an Idaho state judges or justices conduct while performing their job. The canons also extend to what these judges do in their private affairs, and to their activities during elections, which all Idaho judges face. Thus, the canons apply to Idahos Supreme Court justices, and every other state judge in the state.

Here is what the Canons require:

Canon 1: A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.

Rules within this Canon require judges to be good citizens, promote confidence in the judiciary, and avoid any abuse of the prestige of the office they hold.

Canon 2: A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently.

Judges must perform their duties timely and efficiently, without bias or impartiality for or against any party. Judges must conduct themselves with the highest professionalism, with patience and dignity, assuring the rights of all parties to be heard. Sometimes, disqualification from certain cases may be necessary and appropriate.

Canon 3: A judge shall conduct the Judges personal and extrajudicial activities in such manner as to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office.

Outside the office, judges cannot be members of discriminatory organizations or participate in activities that might interfere with their duties or appear to undermine their independence or impartiality. Though judges are encouraged to participate in educational, religious, or charitable organization activities, they cannot do any direct fundraising. Once on the bench, a judge may no longer practice law. Of great importance, a judge in Idaho may not accept gifts or anything of value that would appear to undermine their integrity or impartiality.

Canon 4: A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the Judiciary.

Idaho judges are defined as non-partisan and must conduct themselves that way, even though all of them stand for election in some form, and the manner of initially taking the bench may vary.

Any alleged failure to comply with the rules within the Canons is subject to investigation by the Idaho Judicial Council, either through the filing of a complaint by a third party or on the Councils own initiative. The procedure established to lodge a complaint regarding ethical violations can be found at judicialcouncil.idaho.gov.

Distinctions must be drawn, however, between ethical violations and legal decisions. Historically, nearly all complaints to the Council regard issues with the outcome of a court case and are not within the authority of the Council to resolve. Only appellate courts review the actual decisions made by a judge to determine whether they are correct. Being wrong in a legal decision is not an ethical violation.

In the event any ethical violation is found, disciplinary measures imposed against a judge can range from education orders or warnings to private or public reprimands, to, in extreme cases, a recommendation to the Supreme Court that a judge be removed from office.

Idaho is blessed to have a high-quality judiciary and ethical misconduct by trial or appellate court judges is extremely rare. Upon assuming the bench and entering public service, judges willingly accept a diminished social circle and limitations on their out-of-court lives. I am proud to count myself among them.

G. Richard Bevan is the chief justice of the Idaho Supreme Court.
In the weeks before she became one of the GOPs fake electors in Georgia and helped a secret MAGA team access a rural countys voting machines, local political operative Cathy Latham visited the Trump White House, snapped a picture with Sidney Powell, and ran into conspiracy theorist Mike Flynn.

These detailspublished here for the first timepaint a broader portrait of this minor character in last months Fulton County indictment. But they also hint at her role in the wider scheme, one that could bolster the case against the former presidents associates.

Latham was charged alongside former President Donald Trump and was one of the 19 people booked in jail for taking part in what the local district attorney claims was a mafia-like criminal enterprise.

Her account offers a preview of what judges and jurors could hear in the coming months about the coordinated effort that resulted in racketeering charges, as District Attorney Fani Willis plans to put them all on trial as soon as the courts allow.

Fulton County DA Flames Jim Jordan: You Lack a Basic Understanding of the Law

In May 2022, at her home some 200 miles southeast of Atlanta, Latham sat down with The Daily Beast for a 90-minute interview about her whirlwind of life-changing experiences in the maelstrom after the 2020 election. During that interview, she lied about her role in the secretive operation to tap into her countys election equipment, a deceit that we exposed at the timeprompting a federal judge to greenlight investigative subpoenas to probe further.

But now that she has been formally indicted alongside several of the people who took part in that mission, some of what she shared during that sit down carries new significance that Fulton county prosecutors could further explore.

Latham is a career grade school teacher who takes part in shooting competitions with her classic .22-caliber Ruger pistol, moonlights as a copy editor for friends, and claims to abhor traditional American politics.

Politics is dirty, she said, while sitting on her front porch during a thunderstorm. I get tired of the corruption, and it seems to permeate everything.

And yet, Latham said she was proud to do anything she could to involve herself in Trumps 2020 re-election bid.

When the states GOP chair, David Shafer, invited her to the Republican convention to be a Trump delegate that year, she was disappointed to declinesaying the $5,000 cost of attendance was far more than she could afford on her teachers salary. Thats why she instead jumped at the opportunity when he offered to place her on the slate of electors, noting to this reporter that it would only cost her a $1.87 filing fee.

Come on, thats cool. Youre part of the process. To be a part of history like that, it was kind of neat, she said.

At noon on Dec. 14, 2020, she met with the others at the state capitol in Atlanta and became one of the 16 fake electors who signed certifications purporting to represent the official votes for the state of Georgia. Those documents were later submitted to the National Archives, cementing their place in historyalbeit not the one she intended.

Texts Reveal GOP Mission to Breach Voting Machine in Georgia

Latham, Shafer, and state Senator Shawn Still were indicted last month in Fulton County and charged with impersonating a public officer, forgery, false statements, and criminal attempt to file false documents. From the DAs own disclosures in court papers in the run-up to that indictment, it appears that other fake electors flipped and began cooperating with investigators by offering damning information on their colleagues sometime this summer.

But at her home last year, Latham wasnt ready to discuss any of that with this reporter, citing deep concerns that she might face a subpoena from the DA.

Instead, she noted the way top Georgia Republicans seemed keenly interested in the happenings in her sparsely populated city of Douglas, where the tiny downtowns low-lying buildings are surrounded by open farmland and the fragrance of poultry barns. She recalled joining a Zoom call in December 2020, the express purpose of which was to better understand why the faraway county did not certify a second recountthis time an electronic one.

Publicly, local election officials issued a letter citing an inability to repeatably duplicate creditable election results. Republicans wanted to know more, and Latham took on the role of calling into question the elections security. She remembered that several key GOP players were on the call, including Shafer, the states entire Republican executive board, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones campaign manager Stewart Bragg, and a Trump campaign liaison named Joe. Latham would repeat this role when testifying before the state Senate.

By mid-December, Coffee County somehow made it to the shortlist of locations mentioned in a draft Trump presidential executive order that called for seizing voting machines. Latham told The Daily Beast she had no idea how it got there, but she guessed it probably had to do with that Zoom meeting.

Later that month, during the winter holidays, Latham recalled traveling to Washington for two days and staying at the Willard Hotelthe very same place that became the MAGA war room, where Trump loyalists plotted to keep the loser in power and interacted with insurrectionists on Jan. 6, 2021. She didnt remember which days exactly but said that it was all jotted down in her diary.

Latham joined a yearly tour of some 20-or-so put together by Julianne Thompson, a former Georgia Republican Party spokeswoman whos married to a top GOP operative in the state. However, at least one person with her noticed that Latham only stuck around for brief period of timeand would disappear with an attorney who runs a lobbying group, Preston Haliburton.

"She disappeared so often. She was constantly gone. No one really knew why or where she was going. She was being really cryptic about it," said Jason Shepherd, a Republican lawyer in Georgia who was also in the tour group.

Latham told The Daily Beast they stopped by the Museum of the Bible and visited the White House, where she admired Melania Trump s decorationsfondly remembering the Christmas trees, which that year were blood red, human-sized cones.

But the highlight of her trip seemed to be the Trump International Hotelso cool, she saidwhere she sat on the sofas having drinks with friends and ran into Sidney Powell and disgraced Army Gen. Mike Flynn, both of whom later came under the Fulton DAs scrutiny and became targets of her Trump coup investigation.

We got yelled at because we kept leaving our masks off, she recalled.

By Lathams telling, it was pure happenstance akin to a celebrity sighting in her political circles. And she claimed that it was the only time she ever crossed paths with Powell, despite the fact that she was technically Lathams lawyer in federal court. By the time they met at the Trump hotel, they were one month into one of Powells self-described Kraken lawsuits trying to overturn the 2020 election results. And in this case, Lathams status as a Georgia resident was used to give Powell standing to sue in that districtnot that it helped anyway, as they eventually gave up and dismissed their own case the day President Joe Biden was sworn in.

Trump Co-Defendant Just Cannot Get Unstuck From Sidney Powell

Lathams willingness to take part in that lawsuit was no surprise. At the time, Latham said, she was still incredibly frustrated with Georgias handling of the election and the way it improved access to the polls during the pandemic by stretching out early voting and installing more ballot drop boxes across the state.

I want to make it as hard as possible. I had family members who died for the right to vote, she said while petting her dog.

As Georgia was undergoing several recounts, Latham was the chair of Republican Party in Coffee County and naturally close with several employees and elected officials at the Board of Electionswhich is what made it all the more curious that she claimed to have zero knowledge about a covert mission by MAGA diehard conspiracy theorists to illegally access the districts election system computers.

She stuck to that story when a regional voting rights activist named Marilyn Marks began to dig around and had surmised that some kind of visit had occurred. It actually took place Jan. 7, 2021, the day after the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

When asked about the coordinated visit, Latham denied knowing anything about it.

I laughingly said, How could somebody sneak down here? Do you know where the elections board is? she asked this reporter. Its in the middle of downtown. You could not have snuck anybody in here without everybody going, Whos at the board office?

Latham also claimed to know nothing about Scott Hall, a bail bondsman who initially boasted about putting together the crewonly to slink back into the shadows when questioned by journalists.

She told The Daily Beast that theyd only crossed paths once on a Zoom call, one of so many calls she could hardly remember the details.

Text messages obtained by The Daily Beast would later show that Latham was actually in contact with Halls team the entire time they were making their way south from Atlanta to Douglas and was coordinating the entire affair. Government surveillance footage obtained by The Washington Post would later show her greeting Hall and the team at the board of elections office herself.

But at her home during this interview in May 2022, Latham was in denial mode.

I never heard that before I read Marilyn Marks letter, she claimed during the interview. I cant testify to that.

In reality, she will indeed be testifying about that. Prosecutors last month charged Latham, Powell, Hall and a former elections employee with conspiracy to commit computer theft, trespass, and invasion of privacy. And ironically, all were charged with conspiring together to commit election fraudthe very crime they professed to care so much about after Trumps stunning loss.

Latham, in particular, was hit with an additional chargeperjuryover the way she repeated the same lies she told this reporter to lawyers during a deposition in a civil case brought by voting rights activists.

Lathams current attorney, William Cromwell, did not reply to a request for comment or clarification of her previous statements.

Last year, however, Latham seemed unapologetic.

Theres no regrets in life. Everything puts you on a journey, Latham said, as thunder literally rumbled in the background at that exact word. I believe in full transparency in every form and fashion. Be open and you dont have problems.

I just try to always do what is right, she continued. Be a good American. Do whats right.

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.
At the request of the Fraternal Order of Police and with no public notice, Wichita has reopened its contract with the police union ahead of schedule, City Manager Robert Layton confirmed.

The move, aimed at addressing recruitment and retention issues in the Wichita Police Department, is a break from standard practices at City Hall.

This is exceptional. We have not done that in the 14 years Ive been here, Layton told The Eagle, calling it a narrow reopening of the contract with a focus on staffing. It comes 15 months before the existing FOP contract is set to expire and two months before a majority of seats on the City Council will be decided.

If we werent in a position where we were concerned about the number of officers that we have on staff, or the number of vacancies, we wouldnt have reopened, Layton said.

He wouldnt say what specific contract provisions are up for discussion beyond retention strategies and recruitment strategies, indicating the city could spend more on the police force a month after approving a 2024 operating budget that increases WPD funding to $122.5 million or 41% of general fund expenses.

The city is also using the opportunity to push for the implementation of an unspecified number of changes to the FOP contract recommended by Jensen Hughes in a blistering cultural analysis of the police department published in March.

We just thought it was a good time for a few of these Jensen Hughes recommendations to be on the table for discussion, but I think we have to recognize that most of the Jensen Hughes recommendations that pertain to negotiations or the contract itself  most of those will be in next years discussion for the new contract, Layton said.

In an emailed response to The Eagle, FOP President David Inkelaar said the union does not support Jensen Hughes recommendation to eliminate a contract provision that allows officers who have been accused of excessive force or other wrongdoing to review all evidence against them, including transcripts of full witness interviews, before they present their own narrative during an internal investigation.

The 30-day window for renegotiating the existing contract expires on Oct. 4 but Layton said it could be extended if talks prove constructive.

The idea was to keep pressure on both sides to have serious discussions and not drag this out, Layton said.

Contract priorities

The City Council has increased police funding by about $30 million over the last three years, which includes money for 708 commissioned officers. But the department has had difficulties achieving that number.

A police spokesperson told The Eagle over the summer that the department had 608 commissioned officers, with two groups of recruits going through the academy that could add about 30 officers by the end of the year.

Im looking for the ability to attract new officers to our department, Chief Joseph Sullivan said when asked about his priorities for reopening the contract. I want to compensate the officers that we have for the work that theyre doing out there shorthanded each and every day.

We also want to ensure a way to incentivize those officers that are eligible to retire to hang in there with us a couple more years while we get the department back up to strength.

According to the WPD spokesperson, 26 officers retired in 2022 and another 22 had retired by mid-July 2023. The department provided no context for how many retirements it expects to have in a normal year.

Wichita mayoral front-runner Lily Wu, who has made concerns about police staffing a core theme of her campaign, told The Eagle earlier this month that she supported reopening the FOP contract early.

We really should be addressing this recruitment and retention problem, and part of recruitment and retention is pay, Wu said on Sept. 1, four days before the city agreed to reopen the contract at the FOPs request. So, really, we cant wait until months from now when we really need to address it at this current moment.

Incumbent Mayor Brandon Whipple said he learned from Layton that the existing contract had been reopened for negotiation.

Well of course work with the union to make sure that they get a good contract moving forward, but also, we cant let that supersede the goals of creating the most professional, effective, community-focused police department in Kansas, Whipple said.

Both Whipple and Wu said they support the Jensen Hughes recommendation of eliminating the Code of Conduct Standard Differential Pay, a contract provision that went into effect in 2022 and rewards officers who havent been caught breaking rules other city employees are also expected to follow with an extra $2 an hour if they have worked with the department for at least three years.

If every sergeant, detective and officer is eligible, the cost of these payments to the taxpayer is $2.7 million (each year),the Jensen Hughes report stated. This is a large sum of pay for expected behavior.

Both mayoral candidates said they support giving that money to officers outright and eliminating the stipulation of more pay for following city rules.

Im not sure why that was put in, so I cant talk to the history, said Whipple, who was mayor in December 2021 when the City Council unanimously adopted the last FOP contract despite activists concerns that it protected bad cops by continuing to conceal the names of officers accused of wrongdoing.

When it comes to the code of conduct part, to get money just for basically following the policy  they should get that pay because theyre good officers, right? Because theyre doing the job, Whipple said.

Wu said officers should already be doing what theyre supposed to do and the extra $2 an hour, which is set to rise to $2.25 an hour in 2024, should be rolled into police salaries.

Sullivan would not say which Jensen Hughes recommendations he supports approving ahead of next years full-contract renegotiation.

Jensen Hughes is always going to be a priority. Its a priority of mine and its a priority of city officials, Sullivan said. But again, right now its just too early in the process to say what exactly were going to address and when.

Police accountability

Jensen Hughes was hired by the city to conduct an operational assessment of the culture of the Wichita Police Department in the aftermath of a mishandled internal investigation into text messages that were racist, sexist, homophobic and casual about violence against civilians. The messages were shared by members of the SWAT team, including Wichita police officers and firefighters and Sedgwick County deputies.

Nineteen of the 54 Jensen Hughes recommendations are listed as implemented in the dashboard maintained on the city website.

Another 22 proposed reforms are marked in progress and 13 are under review, including those that relate to the FOP contract.

Im going to say that we are progressing at an acceptable pace, recognizing that several of the issues that are outstanding are significant recommendations and are going to take some time to implement, Layton said.

Sheila Officer, chair of Wichitas Racial Profiling Advisory Board, sees it differently.

I think it just needs to be said that theres very little progress being done with regard to the Jensen Hughes report, Officer said in an interview earlier this month.

What does in-progress mean? What have you actually done? We need a word-by-word ledger on whats been done? What are you waiting to do? Whats the progress?

Other than the recommendation to eliminate code of conduct pay, Jensen Hughes has two ideas for reforming the police union contract. One recommendation calls for the establishment of specific misconduct violations that will trigger removal from specialty assignments and the other suggests getting rid of the provision that allows officers and their lawyers to review the entire investigative file before sitting for an interview with the Professional Standards Bureau.

The cultural assessment notes that the access to evidence allows officers accused of wrongdoing to construct a story that may discredit or nullify any of the evidence.

Whipple said he supports getting rid of the special privilege to review the investigative file before being interviewed for an internal investigation.

Jensen Hughes commented that this is incredibly counterproductive to the process, but also, from the conversations that Ive had with the chief and the conversations that hes had with other chiefs, that provision is almost unheard of, Whipple said.

Wu was unwilling to commit to taking a position on the proposed contract change.

I know that the Jensen Hughes report kept talking about that thats definitely not a best practice, and I want to know a little bit more regarding that, Wu said.

Inkelaar, the FOP president, said he is unaware of any instance in which an officers ability to review the evidence against them has interfered with a criminal or internal investigation.

The Jensen Hughes report suggested, without citing any evidence of such occurrences, that the opportunity to review the file would allow an officer to tailor his or her responses to questions, Inkelaar wrote in an email.

The FOP finds it insulting that there would be a presumption that officers who enter an interview with a strict duty to provide truthful responses will use this exercise of their due process rights as an opportunity to provide false testimony. In fact, the first piece of advice the FOP gives an officer being interviewed is to tell the truth.

Officer, the chair of Wichitas Racial Profiling Advisory Board, said the group has urged the city in the past to get rid of the provision, which she says presents a privacy risk to people trying to report excessive force violations and other wrongdoing.

An officer who has a complaint filed against him has access to any and all information from the complainant  their address, their telephone number, their family information  all of that, Officer said.

Citizens Review Board

During 2021 contract negotiations, the city declined to adopt a transparency recommendation by the Citizens Review Board, which was established to recommend policy and increase oversight and trust in the police department.

That proposal would have required the city to disclose officer grievances and arbitration proceedings.

State law allows cities to release those records but the citys contract with the FOP ensures the proceedings  which decide whether or not an officer is disciplined  remain secret. That secrecy keeps the public from knowing when the chief of police and city manager are in agreement or at odds with disciplinary action or when discipline is overturned.

It also protects officers by providing visibility to any claims that police management is acting in an unfair or arbitrary way in applying discipline measures, a statement by the CRB sent to Layton and the City Council in 2021 says.

It was intended to be a transparency recommendation to the community, former CRB chair Jay Fowler said. It wasnt necessarily to help us do our job more effectively. We thought there was a benefit.

Fowler, a lawyer who is still on the CRB, said the board would still like to see the change now or in 2025. But the city has not asked the CRB to weigh in on its current negotiations.

The short answer is I knew there were going to be some discussions with the FOP, but the CRB has not been consulted on this current round of discussions, Fowler said. That has not been an agenda item, and we have not had a report on it or anything of that nature.

City spokesperson Megan Lovely said there is no timeline yet for when regularly scheduled 2024 FOP contract negotiations will take place.

Contributing: Chance Swaim and Michael Stavola of The Eagle
Former senior provincial legislator sentenced to 15 years in prison for accepting bribes

Xinhua) 10:35, September 20, 2023

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Gong Jianhua, formerly a senior legislator in east China's Jiangxi Province, was on Tuesday sentenced to 15 years in prison for accepting bribes.

The verdict was issued by the Intermediate People's Court of Zhangzhou City in east China's Fujian Province.

From 2004 to 2020, Gong took advantage of his positions in Jiangxi Province to assist individuals in project contracting and career promotions, accepting money and valuables totaling over 83.61 million yuan (about 11.66 million U.S. dollars) in return.

Per the verdict, the defendant was also fined 5.5 million yuan, and has been deprived of his political rights for life. His illicit gains have been confiscated and will be turned over to the national treasury.

Considering facts including Gong's confession of his crimes after surrendering himself, and that he showed remorse and was cooperative in returning his illegal gains, he was granted a lenient sentence, according to the court.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
(Photo : Leon Neal/Getty Images)

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reportedly is planning to cut back the region's climate pledges, including car phase-out and net-zero policies.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is considering cutting back on the country's climate pledges, including gas car phase-out and other net-zero policies.

Sunak reportedly plans to present the rollbacks in a speech in the coming days, and Downing Street does not deny the information. The development was revealed in leaked documents that suggest the prime minister could announce the policy changes as the government is pushing back the ban on the sale of new gas cars from 2030.

UK To Cut Back on Climate Pledges

The prime minister is also expected to say that the phase-out of gas boiler installations by 2035 will be reduced to only 80% by the same year. Also, there will be no measures to encourage carpooling or new energy efficiency regulations on homes.

The planned rollbacks have sparked overwhelming anger from users on X, formerly known as Twitter. Additionally, the former chair of the UK government's new zero review, conservative MP Chris Skidmore, said that the problem with a delay to the pledges also comes with a cost, as per Electrek.

The UK government previously promised to invest $2.4 billion in charging points for electric vehicles, prioritizing fast chargers on motorways and major roads to address range anxiety among drivers.

Additionally, lawmakers planned to install on-street charging points near workplaces and homes. Based on the UK government's proposed timeline, motorways and major roads will have 2,500 "high-powered charge points that can charge your car so it can drive over 100 miles, all in the time it takes to have a cup of coffee" by 2030.

If Prime Minister Sunak's government can follow through and push the ban back, it would align the region with what is expected from the European Union. The EU passed a ban on internal combustion vehicle sales for 2035, spurred by pushback from Germany and Italy, resulting in an exemption being carved out for vehicles powered by e-fuels.

Read Also: England's Halted Salt Reduction Effort Allegedly Leads to More Premature Deaths

Potential Dangers of Transitioning

A number of the world's biggest carmakers, other than Germany and Italy, have expressed concern about the idea of a petrol and diesel sales ban. In a statement in 2022, the CEO of Stellantis, Carlos Tavares, said that the dogmatic decision to ban the sale of thermal vehicles in 2035 has social consequences that he said are not manageable, according to Car Expert.

Tavares added that a forced transition to electric vehicles would price people out of the market, which suggests that he has a view that battery costs will not reduce enough to get to the parity point with ICE.

Sunak said that the government is still committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 but in a "more proportionate way." The goal of net zero is to have the UK take as many greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere as it puts in.

The prime minister noted that politicians in governments of all stripes have not been honest about costs and trade-offs for too many years, said BBC.

Related Article: Ukraine Sues Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia Over 'Unilateral' Grain Import Ban

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Andrew Muhammad, an economist at the University of Tennessee, was recently invited to give a talk to the Tennessee Poultry Association. As he pored over recent data, he noticed something striking. The export of U.S. chicken to China jumped 10,000% from 2019 to 2022. And almost all those sales were one item: frozen chicken feet.

It surprised me, Muhammad said.

Last year, Muhammad found, the U.S. sold China $1.1 billion worth of chicken, and 85% of those exports were feet. The top chicken producing states are in the South, with Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina and Mississippi leading the list.

This year, however, U.S. sales of chickens to China have plummeted. China has banned imports from 37 U.S. states, including Tennessee, following outbreaks of bird flu. The U.S. chicken industry argues the virus has been eradicated in most of those states and China should lift the import ban.

China has banned chicken imports from 37 U.S. states, including Tennessee, following outbreaks of bird flu.

These feet were made for eating

Most of the world has little appetite for chicken feet, also known as paws. Often feet are sold to rendering plants for a few pennies per pound.

In China, however, chicken feet, often called phoenix talons, are popular everywhere from street stalls to banquet halls. And the Chinese appetite for paws in on the rise.

They are in such demand that they are often more expensive than actual chicken meat, said Renan Zhuang, an economist for the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council.

Chinese consumers prefer American feet.

U.S. exported chicken paws are bigger, fleshier and more tender than Chinese domestically produced chicken paws, Zhuang said.

The rise and fall of U.S. paws

The huge, 10,000% increase in U.S. chicken exports to China over the last four years is somewhat deceptive, because China banned all U.S. poultry imports after a 2014 avian flu outbreak. But the renewal of sales to China has been lucrative for American farmers. The value of poultry sales to China rose from $10 million in 2019 to $1.1 billion in 2022.

China is also paying more for frozen feet, from $1 per kilogram (about 2.2 pounds) in 2014 up to $5 and even $6 per kilogram in 2022.

According to an agreement China signed, import restrictions should be lifted 90 days after the avian flu has been eliminated in an area. Despite protests from U.S. poultry producers, that has not happened this year.

In the first half of 2023, U.S. poultry exports to China fell by 30%.

Both the Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have raised concerns about the continued poultry ban, according to the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council.

But because of the larger tensions between the U.S. and China, a higher level of diplomatic engagement likely would be necessary to cause any change in the situation, said Greg Tyler, president and CEO of the council.

Despite the ban, the Chinese continue to enjoy chicken feet. The volume of poultry imports continues to rise, with Brazil and Russia benefiting from the partial ban on U.S. chicken.

Todd A. Price is a regional reporter for the USA Today Network. He can be reached at taprice@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why US chicken sales to China skyrocketed and then fell
(Bloomberg) -- Joe Biden called on world leaders to stand by Ukraine in its struggle to eject Russian troops, even as Kyivs allies said they now expect the war to last for years to come.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The US presidents appeal comes amid growing questions at home about the cost of backing Ukraines fight and rising pressure from major developing countries for a quick end to the conflict.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy made his case for pressing on with the war effort Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York and will do so in Washington later this week. But with his troops struggling to make major gains on the battlefield despite tens of billions of dollars in weapons, training and other aid from the US and its allies, Zelenskiy is likely to face tougher audiences in both cities.

Accusing Russia of turning everything from food and energy to children into weapons of its war, Zelenskiy told the UN, Weaponization must be restrained. War crimes must be punished. Deported people must come back home. And the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united to make it. And we will do it.

But in Congress, opposition is growing to continued funding for support to Ukraine, and several Republican candidates in next years presidential elections have called for slashing the commitments. Elsewhere, Ukraine and its allies have made little progress in winning over major nations of the so-called Global South, with many pushing for peace talks.

We have to stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, Biden told the UN gathering Tuesday. The US and its allies and partners, he said, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom.

A senior official from one European Group of Seven country said the war may last as long as six or seven more years and that allies need to plan financially to continue support for Kyiv for such a long conflict.

Thats much longer than many officials had expected earlier this year, but slow progress in Ukraines counteroffensive in recent months has tempered expectations. A number of officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue.

It wont be easy. Itll put a lot of pressure on societies, on governments, through different elections in Europe, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in an interview. But having this midterm strategy of long-term support to Ukraine, itll ultimately guide us for having success.

Still, Ukraine will face increasing challenges with insufficient weapons supplies from the West and increasing manpower losses, a top European official said.

G-7 officials discussed the darker outlook at a dinner on the sidelines of the UN meeting Monday night and agreed that the conflict is likely to last for the medium or long term, a senior US State Department official told reporters Tuesday.

Kyiv and its allies remain opposed to negotiations at present, officials said, unwilling to accept any resolution that doesnt involve a full withdrawal of Russian troops.

Russian President Vladimir Putin believes the West wont have the staying power to continue supporting Kyiv, according to a senior US official. But a cease-fire deal accepting Russias de facto annexation of the 17% of Ukrainian territory it now occupies is unacceptable and the minimum outcome should be the Kremlins withdrawal from all lands it conquered since invading the neighboring state in February last year, the official added.

The ingredients are not in place for the Ukrainians to make the kind of rapid gains they did last year, said Dara Massicot, a former Pentagon senior analyst on Russian military capabilities whos now a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. This is a very hard fight for Ukraine.

The US and its allies have injected tens of billions of dollars in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine to help it repel Russias invasion, which is now in its second year, while avoiding direct action that would widen the scope of the conflict.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said he was confident the US and other allies would continue to support Ukraine, despite rising opposition.

It would be a tragedy for the Ukrainians if President Putin wins in Ukraine, but it would also be dangerous for us, Stoltenberg said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Not supporting Ukraine would be much more costly for the alliance in the long run, because then we would be more vulnerable for Russian or Chinese coercion or military threats, he said. So its in our security interest to support Ukraine, and therefore Im confident that the United States will continue.

The European Union announced over the summer an additional 50 billion ($53 billion) support package for Ukraine to be delivered through 2027, which doubles total EU commitments. Germany, Ukraines second-biggest supporter in the fight after the US, has pledged to provide 5 billion annually through that period.

But in the US, the $24 billion Biden is seeking in additional support for Ukraine is facing growing opposition in Congress.

Zelenskiy will meet legislators in Washington later this week, including prominent Republicans whove questioned the need for more aid.

On Wednesday, Zelenskiy meets Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a prominent leader of the so-called Global South who has so far refused to pick sides.

Allies provided weapons and training for Ukraines counteroffensive, but Kyivs forces have struggled to break through Russias extensive defensive lines.

The Ukrainians have penetrated several layers of defense. It is not 100% penetrated yet, but theyve penetrated several of the layers, General Mark Milley, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff said after a meeting of allied officials on military support in Germany Tuesday.

US officials wouldnt commit to provide the longer-range ATACMS missiles that Kyiv has long sought, however, saying that air defenses are a more pressing need. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said a delivery of Abrams tanks would arrive soon, while Denmark, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic pledged Tuesday to provide 45 older-model tanks.

Ukraine is bracing for an escalation of Russian attacks on its energy infrastructure as cold weather approaches and the Kremlin continues to throttle the nations grain exports, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said.

People are preparing for a severe winter, she said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Tuesday. The blockade of Ukrainian ports is a situation of survival for the embattled nations economy, while Russias conditions for restarting a deal to secure Black Sea commerce are impossible, she said.

--With assistance from Jenny Leonard and Volodymyr Verbyany.

(Updates with Czech, analyst comments from ninth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The new US military aid package to Ukraine worth US$325 million is not expected to contain the ATACMS long-range missiles that Kyiv has been asking for in recent months to hit Russian targets in the deep rear.

Source: European Pravda, citing Reuters, referring to an unnamed American official

Details: The source told Reuters that the aid package will contain the second tranche of 155 mm cluster munitions and additional weapons for Ukrainian air defence, in particular the Avenger Air Defence System.

The package also includes TOW and AT4 anti-tank weapons, projectiles for HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems and Javelin anti-tank systems. At the same time, it is still being finalised and may change.

Background:

It is known that in recent months, Ukraine has been actively asking the United States to provide long-range ATACMS missile systems to hit targets in the Russian rear. In September, the Financial Times reported that the United States was close to making a decision to provide ATACMS to Ukraine.

A new aid package is expected to be announced by US President Joe Biden during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Thursday, 21 September.

Zelenskyy's visit to the US comes as the US Congress is considering a White House request for an additional US$23 billion in aid to Ukraine. But its approval is still uncertain, as there are serious divisions within the Republican Party on the issue.

Part of the right wing of the Republican Party of the United States, led by Donald Trump, argues that the United States is giving Ukraine too much aid and should focus on domestic priorities.

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!






For roughly 24 hours, between the afternoon of September 17 and the evening of September 18, the United States Marine Corps couldnt find one of its F-35B stealth fighter jets. The pilot had ejected, but it took the military a spell to find the jet, and in the process it put out a call for the public to keep their eyes peeled for the plane. Joint Base Charleston confirmed Monday evening that a debris field was found two hours northeast of the base, believed to be the crashed plane.

So how does the military lose a stealth jet? Thats the $100-million question. F-35 unit prices vary by model and the lot in which they are purchased; recent F-35B purchases have cost a high of $108 million per jet and a low of $78.3 million . On the other hand, F-35A models, which the Air Force fly, cost around $69.9 million now, though older lots cost up to $89.2 million.

The nature of stealth helps explain how its possible, in 2023, for the Department of Defense to lose track of one of its own jets, prompting a call for citizens to help search. Stealth is a technology designed to hide planes from radar, so that stealth fighters and bombers can attack buildings, ships, vehicles, and other targets in war with less fear of getting detected and shot down by enemy aircraft and anti-air missiles. To achieve this sort of radar-invisibility, stealth planes have physical shapes that reduce radar signature, along with special coatings that dampen the reflectivity of radio waves.

Because the stealth characteristics are built into jets like the F-35 series, as well as the F-22 fighter, and the B-2 and B-21 bombers , they are just harder for radars to track. One way to keep track of where planes are is a transponder, which sends out a signal announcing the aircrafts location. Transponders are useful for commercial and military aircraft, and required for almost all flights in US skies, as they allow aircraft to avoid each other. The Washington Post reported that the F-35Bs transponder was not working at the time the pilot ejected, leading the military to ask the public for help locating the plane.

Another way to make stealth jets more visible, and to conceal the true ability of their radar-avoiding shape, is to include high-radar-visibility augmentation, as is sometimes done at air shows. The military sometimes augments the F-35s cross-section during public or semi-public flights so they will look different on a radar from how it would during an actual combat mission, retired Air Force General Hawk Carlisle told Defense News .

Public transponder records, as reported by the War Zone (which is owned by PopSci's parent company, Recurrent), show the search pattern the Air Force used to try to locate the lost F-35B before finding the debris field. If other techniques were used to find the plane beyond visual search, it is likely the military will want to keep those secret , as details about how to find a stealth plane could undermine the massive investment already put into stealth jets.

Even if it briefly created a flurry of media attention , the case of the temporarily missing F-35B is just the latest incident of the US military losing control of something powerful and important. Here are several others.

Lost drones

For as long as the military has operated drones, some of those drones have gotten lost. Both of these instances have some similarity to this weeks wild F-35 hunt.

A plane called the Kettering Bug was built during World War I as an aerial torpedo, or a flying uncrewed bomb that would, in the fixed trench combat of the time, travel a set distance and then shed its wings to crash into an enemy position with explosive force. The war ended before the Bug could see action, but this predecessor of both drones and cruise missiles was tested as a secret weapon in the United States.

On October 4, 1918 , the biplane bomb took off, and then flew off track. The US Army searched the area near its Dayton, Ohio launch site, asking the public if they had seen a missing plane . Several of the witnesses reported what appeared to be a plane with a drunk pilot, and the Army went along with those stories, saying the pilot had jumped out and was being treated. The plane, as an uncrewed weapon, had no human pilot on board. Rather than reveal the secret weapon, the Army let witnesses believe they had seen something other than the aerial torpedo. The Army found the wreckage of the Bug, recovered its reusable mechanical parts, and burned the wrecked fuselage on the spot.

Almost a century later in 2017, the US Army lost an RQ-7B Shadow drone , which was launched from a base in southern Arizona on January 31, then discovered over a week later on February 9, having crashed into a tree outside of Denver. The Shadow drone has a stated range of under 80 miles, though that range is how far it can fly while remaining in contact with the ground station used by human operators. Shadow drones can also fly for nine hours, with a cruising speed of 81 mph, so the 630-mile journey was within the distance the drone could technically cover. While drones like the Shadow are programmed to search for lost communications signals, autonomous flight features mean that a failure to connect can lead to unusual journeys, like the one the Shadow took.

Lost jets

The F-35B that went missing in South Carolina is just the latest such plane to crash and require search and recovery. In November 2021 , a British F-35B operating from the HMS Queen Elizabeth crashed into the Mediterranean. The pilot ejected safely, but the sunken stealth jet, once found, required a maritime salvage operation.

Then, in January 2022, the US Navy lost an F-35C in the South China Sea. The plane approached too low on a landing, skidded across the deck, and then fell off the decks edge into the ocean after the pilot had ejected. The incident injured seven sailors, including the pilot. The sunken stealth jet had to be recovered from a depth of 12,400 feet, using a specialized remotely operated vessel.

While in both cases these crashes featured witnesses in the general vicinity who knew where the lost planes ended up, the recovery took on a similar sense of importance, as even a crashed and sunken jet could reveal crucial details of the aircrafts design and operation to another country, had one of them gotten there first.

Lost nukes

While jets are often the most expensive piece of hardware lost in a crash, theres also the cargo to consider. In February 1958, the US Air Force lost a Mark 15 thermonuclear bomb off the coast of Tybee Island, Georgia, following a mid-air collision with an F-86 fighter jet. To date, the bomb has not yet been found in its watery resting place, despite extensive searching by the US Navy for the months after the incident.

In January 1961, a B-52 bomber transporting two nuclear bombs started to fall apart in the sky above North Carolina. The two bombs crashed into the ground, either as part of the plane or released independently (accounts vary), and neither bomb detonated. But both bombs did come close to detonation, as several safety triggers were activated in the fall, and the whole incident prompted a change to how easy it was to arm US nuclear bombs.

The incident over North Carolina was just one of several nuclear near-misses that came from the transport and failure of systems around US nuclear bombs. In January 1966, a US bomber collided with the tanker refueling it above the village of Palomares in Spain , releasing one nuclear weapon into the sea and three onto land, where two of them cracked open and dispersed the bombs plutonium into the wind. The three bombs on land were found and recovered quickly, and the fourth bomb was recovered from the sea after an extensive underwater salvage operation. Cleanup work on the site where the bombs scattered plutonium continued into the 2010s.
FILE PHOTO: The seal of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is seen at their headquarters in Washington, D.C.

By Douglas Gillison and Michelle Price

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Wall Street's top regulator on Wednesday adopted a new rule cracking down on so-called "greenwashing" and other deceptive or misleading marketing practices by U.S. investment funds.

The changes to the two decades-old Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) "Name Rule" requires that 80% of a fund's portfolio matches the asset advertised by its name.

It takes aim at a boom in funds that have tried to exploit investor interest in environmental, social and governance, or ESG, investing with names that do not accurately reflect its investments or strategies.

"A funds investment portfolio should match a funds advertised investment focus," SEC chair Gary Gensler said on Wednesday at a meeting to vote on the rule. "Such truth in advertising promotes fund integrity on behalf of fund investors."

The SEC since 2021 has also focused on prosecuting ESG-related misconduct and "greenwashing", bringing enforcement actions and levying fines.

Financial reform advocates say billions of dollars are now invested in popular funds that may actually support fossil fuel production and do not meet the ESG goals suggested by their names, which can change frequently.

The rule also targets funds with names suggesting a focus on particular characteristics, like "growth" and "value," or particular economic themes or investment strategies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, or health innovation.

Funds would also be required to define the terms they use and explain the criteria for selecting investments in their disclosures.

The 80% investment requirement currently applies to other fund characteristics such as risk. As a result of the change, 76% of investment funds would be subject to the "Names Rule" up from the current 60%, SEC officials said prior to the vote.

Trade organizations have attacked the proposal, first issued in May of last year, claiming its requirements would be impracticably subjective, cause confusion among investors, and encourage superficial judgments based solely on names.

"The rule sweeps more than three-quarters of all the funds in the U.S. into its dragnet, going far beyond ESG fundsthe supposed root of the rulemakingwith no justification," Eric Pan, CEO of the Investment Company Institute, a major Washington funds group, said in a statement on Wednesday.

"The only thing that this rule achieves is to insert the SEC deeper into funds investment decision-making processes."

In a concession to industry, the change will allow 90 days, rather than the originally proposed 30, for corrective action if funds fall out of compliance with the 80% standard.

(Reporting by Douglas Gillison and Michelle Price; Editing by Sonali Paul and Timothy Gardner)
South Korean police have arrested two people and questioned more than a dozen American soldiers on suspicion of smuggling and distributing synthetic cannabis after raiding two US army bases.

The raids, which took place in May, were reported by the Pyeongtaek police department in a news release on Wednesday.

Police said they carried out search and seizure operations at Camp Humphreys, south of Seoul  the largest US military installation outside of the United States  and Camp Casey north of the capital, after receiving intelligence from the US Army Criminal Investigation Division.

Police videos of the raids show officers entering residential buildings and putting handcuffs on several individuals, both men and women.

Two people  a South Korean and a Filipino  were arrested for alleged drug distribution. After being taken into custody, they were transferred to the prosecution for indictment, police told CNN.

Another 20 people, including 17 US soldiers, were brought in for questioning but not detained, and sent to the prosecution for further investigation, police said.

CNN has reached out to the United States Forces Korea for comment.

One police raid took place at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, seen here on June 29, 2018. - Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images

Recreational use of cannabis is illegal in South Korea, where drugs are a social and cultural taboo and users face harsh penalties. The maximum sentence for cannabis use or possession in the country is five years in prison or a fine of up to 50 million Korean won (about $37,600).

The police news release alleged that between May and August this year, a 24-year-old American soldier had smuggled 350 milliliters [11.8 oz] of liquid synthetic cannabis sent from the US mainland via military mail, then distributed and sold it to other US soldiers based at Camp Humphries and Camp Casey.

Seized items included rolls of cash, according to police videos. - Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police

The soldier, who is among those questioned, sold the drug to a Filipino distributor, who then sold it to a South Korean distributor and other US soldiers, the release alleged.

During the raid, police seized 80 milliliters of synthetic cannabis, 27 electronic cigarette devices and nearly $13,000 in cash allegedly earned from drug sales, the release said.

Videos released by the police show the seized items, with rolls of $50 and $100 bills, as well as numerous cell phones and colorful cylindrical tubes that look similar to vape pens.

The release added that police are cooperating with the US Army Criminal Investigation Division to investigate the US soldiers, as well as the alleged drug sender in the US and the smuggling route.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson speaks during an interview Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Farmington, Utah. Wilson was the first Republican to publicly announce he's considering vying for Mitt Romney's seat in next year's Senate race and said this week he plans to resign as Speaker in November in order to focus on his run.

Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson announced this week his plans to resign from the state legislature as he eyes a run to replace outgoing Republican U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney .

Wilson did not give a specific reason for his plans to leave the statehouse but the move comes shortly after he was the first member of the GOP to say he might make a run to replace Romney after the sitting senator and former presidential hopeful announced he wouldn't seek reelection.

Wilson was named Speaker in 2019. A real estate developer by trade, the Kaysville Republican was first elected in 2010. He is expected to make official his candidacy for Romney's Senate seat sometime later this month.

"Serving in the Utah House of Representatives and as speaker of the House has been the honor, privilege and opportunity of a lifetime  and I don't say that lightly," Wilson said in a written release. "I did not anticipate the lifelong impact of my decision to run for public office nearly 14 years ago. My service in the Legislature stems far beyond the policies passed and progress achieved. I have built lifelong friendships and come to love and appreciate the people of Utah. I am excited for my next chapter and have full confidence in my peers in the House, Senate and executive branch to continue making Utah the best place to live, learn, work and play."

Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson speaks during an interview Thursday, April 13, 2023, in Farmington, Utah. Wilson is the first Republican to publicly announce he's considering vying for Mitt Romney's seat in next year's Senate race. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Wilson said he would resign effective Nov. 15.

The House, which is controlled by a large Republican majority, will vote to replace Wilson as speaker. Current House Majority Leader Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, said he would plan to run for the position.

Wilson's announcement comes on the heels of Romney saying he would not run for reelection, saying that at age 76 he felt it was time for a younger generation of leaders.

Some took that message as a swipe at the two frontrunners for the 2024 presidential election, with President Joe Biden at age 80 and former President Donald Trump age 77.

"The times were living in redemand the next generation step up and express their point of view and to make the decisions that will shape American politics over the coming century," Romney said.

Wilson was the first to announce his interest in the position but there is speculation that several others could join the race.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: House Speaker Brad Wilson steps down, eyes run to replace Romney
Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) issued a warning Wednesday that the impeachment inquiry into President Biden could prompt voters to penalize the Republican party if they move too far too fast.

If we get too far ahead of the evidence, then yeah, I think the American people will penalize us, Vance told Axios political reporter Sophia Cai during the outlets News Shapers event Wednesday morning.

Vance said that the core mission of the probe is to deliver justice, but only if the evidence supports the cause.

I think we have to recognize that if the evidence suggests that we can do something here, that we have to do it, Vance said. We cant let politics or other things sort of distract us from the core mission. And the core mission, if at the end of the day in this proceeding, is to do justice.

The Ohio senator also said that if the upper chamber received the impeachment articles, it would not be a distraction from other priorities.

I dont think its a distraction; I think fundamentally the Senate will have an important constitutional duty at that time, and I plan to do it, he said.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) directed three House committees to open a formal impeachment inquiry last week, and its first hearing is scheduled for next week.

President Biden said last week that the House GOP was determined to impeach him regardless of the facts of the case, but that his focus was on matters of greater importance.

Well, I tell you what, I dont know quite why, but they just knew they wanted to impeach me, Biden said. Now, best I can tell they want to impeach me because they want to shut down the government.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks as he attends the Climate Ambition Summit at the United Nations Headquarters on September 20, 2023 in New York City. (Getty Images)

California Governor Gavin Newsom called out the deceitful fossil fuel industry during a speech at the United Nations on Wednesday, a rare and excoriating move which drew cheers and applause.

The governor spoke at the UN Climate Ambition Summit  an event championing the first movers and doers who are taking more accelerated action to cut the greenhouse gas emissions boiling the planet.

Countries like the United States, China and other major polluters were not given the floor at the summit which UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres described as having no room for back-sliders, greenwashers, blame-shifters, or repackaging of announcements from previous years.

Californias governor was seated alongside London Mayor Sadiq Khan, another subnational leader who spoke at the same time as his national leader, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, was back in London announcing a rollback of the UKs net-zero pledges.

Mr Newsom began by sharing details of the work that California has done to phase out fossil fuels and boost clean energy in its plans to be carbon neutral by 2045.

Last week, the state of California filed a lawsuit against some of the worlds largest oil and gas companies, claiming they deceived the public for decades about the risks of fossil fuels.

Mr Newsom used his time at the UN to speak directly to the fossil fuel industrys damaging actions.

Its time for us to be a lot more clear. This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis, he said, to applause and cheers from some attendees.

He continued: Its not complicated. Its the burning of oil. Its the burning of gas. Its the burning of coal. And we need to call that out.

For decades and decades, the oil industry has been playing each and every one of us in this room for fools. They have been buying off politicians. Theyve been denying and delaying science and fundamental information that they were privy to that they didnt share or they manipulated. Their deceit and denial going back decades, have created the conditions that persist here today.

His words were echoed by Chiles president Gabriel Boric and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, who also addressed the role that the fossil fuel industry had in creating, and continuing, the climate crisis.

Mr Newsoms candor was lauded by climate organisations.

UNPRECEDENTED  No political leader said it as is! tweeted Harjeet Singh, head of political strategy at Climate Action Network International.

Governor Newsom is showing President Biden what real climate leadership looks like: a commitment to not only scale up clean energy, but also to phase out fossil fuel production and hold Big Oil accountable, said Jamie Henn, director of Fossil Free Media and a spokesperson for Make Polluters Pay, a new effort to hold Big Oil accountable for climate damages.

Taking on fossil fuels isnt just a ticket to the UNs climate summit, its also the way to voters hearts, especially the young people and progressive base Biden needs to mobilize for this election. 

Mr Newsoms UN speech is the latest in a number of profile-raising moves including setting up his own political action committee, national media appearances and a proposed debate with 2024 Republican presidential nominee, Ron DeSantis.

The Democrat told CNN earlier this week that he has no interest in running for president this cycle, and threw his support behind President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

But his recent headline-grabbing manouevres have provided grist for the mill among political commentators that he could launch a bid in 2028.
(Photo : Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had to conduct an audit to determine the exact number of paid informants who were present at the Capitol Hill riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) allegedly lost count of how many paid informants it had during the Capitol Hill riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

The agency later had to perform an audit to determine the exact number of "Confidential Human Sources" run by different FBI field offices that were present that day. Steven D'Antuono, formerly in charge of the bureau's Washington field office, said that at least one informant was communicating with his FBI handler as he entered the Capitol.

FBI's Paid Informants

D'Antuono has previously testified behind closed doors to the House Judiciary Committee that his office knew that some of their informants would attend a "Stop the Steal" rally that former United States President Donald Trump led.

However, he said that he only learned after the fact that informants run by other field offices were also present, along with others who had participated of their own will. The situation and confusion prompted the Washington field office to ask the FBI headquarters to conduct a poll or put out something to get a handle on the scale of the agency's spying operations on that day, as per the New York Post.

The official said they also started getting responses from FBI headquarters, which helped them identify which field offices had planted confidential informants in the crowd of rioters.

There was one paid informant who was from the Kansas City field office who was at the Capitol as the crowd rushed inside. He allegedly communicated with his FBI handler while they were inside the building.

When asked how many informants the audit discovered were among the crowd on the riot day, D'Antuono only said there were "a handful." The FBI spends an average of $42 million yearly in payments made to its Confidential Human Sources.

Read Also: NYC Officials Warn of Far-Reaching Implications of Migrant Crisis

Capitol Hill Riot Investigations

The situation comes as an Arizona man was falsely accused of being an undercover FBI agent and instigating the U.S. Capitol riot. On Tuesday, he was charged in connection with the January 2021 attack, according to Yahoo News.

The man was identified as Ray Epps, a former U.S. Marine, and he is now facing one misdemeanor count of disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted Capitol grounds. The charges are related to his involvement in the storming of Congress.

While more than 1,100 people have already been charged in relation to the Capitol Hill riot, the FBI's investigation into the matter is still ongoing. The agency has still not yet identified 312 other Capitol rioters, which include 15 who were pictured on camera assaulting police officers or members of the media.

A former FBI senior executive, Joshua Skule, who now runs national security services company Bow Wave, said that using smartphones and social media made searching for fugitives easier and harder. It was made easier because of electronic trails but more difficult because of the rise of encrypted communications, said BBC.

Related Article: Climate Activists March in New York City, Demanding End to Fossil Fuels

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A 17-year-old has been arrested nearly a week after a mother and her daughter were found dead in their Pennsylvania home, officials say.

The arrested teen, John Bradley, was the ex-boyfriend of the 16-year-old victim, identified in an obituary as Rianna Glass.Bradley is being charged as an adult, Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck said in a Sept. 19 news briefing streamed by WFMZ.

Rianna and her 39-year-old mother, Rosalyn Glass, were found dead inside their North Catasauqua home Sept. 14.

Houck said Bradley was involved in a single-vehicle crash hours before the bodies were discovered. He and a 14-year-old in the car were both ejected from the vehicle and were hospitalized, Houck said.

The vehicle, according to Houck, belonged to the 39-year-old mother. Officers found a double-edged knife with a red stain near the crash site, according to the district attorney.

Authorities said the bodies of the mother and daughter were found later that morning.

Rosalyn Glass was found with stab wounds at the top of the stairs in her home, and Rianna Glass was discovered stabbed in a bedroom, according to Houck. Both of their deaths were ruled as homicides.

The district attorney said Bradley previously dated Rianna, and he just learned that she began dating someone else.

Surveillance footage of neighboring homes captured Bradley and the 14-year-old walking to and from the Glasses home, Houck said. Footage also showed them later driving Rosalyn Glass vehicle, according to the district attorney.

Bradley was taken into custody Tuesday, Sept. 19, and was charged with two counts of criminal homicide and theft of a motor vehicle, authorities said. He is being held in jail without bond.

Rosalyn worked at a health and beauty shop and enjoyed singing and dancing, according to a joint obituary. Her daughter, the obituary says, was a junior at Northampton High School and was active with the 3D Dance Studio.

North Catasauqua is about 65 miles northwest of Philadelphia.

Woman hides in ex-boyfriends car with knife then tries to kill him, PA officials say

Woman shot and killed when ex-boyfriend ambushes her in parking lot, Michigan cops say

Man kills 3 women, including ex-girlfriend holding their baby, Oklahoma police say
The man gunned down near McLane High School was identified Wednesday by Fresno police.

Benito Cortez, 24, was shot in the head after he exchanged words with another man about 3:30 p.m. Monday on Union Avenue near Cedar and Clinton avenues, police said.

The violence a few hundred feet from McLane High School triggered a significant police presence in the area near Sacred Heart Catholic Church, but police quickly determined Monday the homicide did not involve a student.

A deputy with the Fresno County Sheriffs Office was a couple of blocks away when the shots were reported and arrived to provide aid first, police said.

No suspect description has been given by police in Wednesdays brief update.

Benito Cortez, 24, of Fresno was killed Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Fresno in a shooting near Cedar and Clinton avenues, police said.

A woman broke through the crime scene Monday and yelled my baby before she was blocked by police. The woman appeared to be a family member or a girlfriend, police said.

The killing was the 27th intentional homicide in Fresno this year. There were 41 at the same time last year.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Police officers respond to the scene of a homicide in the 4200 block of East Union Avenue near Cedar and Clinton avenues in Fresno, California, on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023.
By Amanda Ferguson

BELFAST (Reuters) - The British government faces 16 legal challenges, mostly from victims' families, against a contentious new law that would give amnesties to former soldiers and militants involved in decades of violence in Northern Ireland, a court heard on Wednesday.

Victims' families, human rights organisations and all major political parties on the island of Ireland - both British unionist and Irish nationalist - have condemned the law which offers immunity from prosecution for those who cooperate fully with a new investigative body.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar , whose government is also considering mounting a legal challenge, raised the issue with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Varadkar said.

Lawyers for the applicants in Belfast expect the 16 legal challenges to be streamlined into a smaller number that would test the legality of the new system. A ruling could be issued by Christmas, said Gavin Booth, acting on behalf of four families.

"The UK government doesn't seem to give a damn about us. We'll fight on no matter how long it takes," said Martina Dillon, whose husband, Seamus, was shot and killed in 1997, shortly before a peace deal largely ended the conflict.

"All we're asking for is justice. We're entitled to it. If it happened in any other country, it wouldn't be stood for," she told reporters outside the packed courtroom.

Britain has argued that prosecutions linked to the events of up to 55 years ago are increasingly unlikely to lead to convictions and that the legislation is needed to draw a line under the conflict.

The challenges lodged cover inquests, criminal prosecutions and civil claims that would cease under the new system. An inquest into Seamus Dillon's murder began in March.

Amnesty International, which is supporting some of the victims, called on Dublin to swiftly decide to take a case against the British government.

"The burden of legal challenge should not fall solely on the shoulders of victims. It is also over to the Irish government to stand by victims," Amnesty International Northern Ireland deputy director Grainne Teggart told reporters.

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson, writing by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Toby Chopra)
By David Lawder

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday asked U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to support granting the communist country "market economy" status and help ease other trade irritants as the Biden administration courts the Southeast Asian export powerhouse as a strategic and counterweight to China.

Chinh raised the issue, along with numerous U.S. anti-dumping duty investigations on Vietnamese goods, at the start of a bilateral meeting with Yellen on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

"I hope that the United States will come up with the strong political will to recognize the market economy status of Vietnam, like you did to the Russian Federation," Chinh told Yellen.

He was referring to a 2002 determination that Russia's economy was market-driven, a status that limited the calculation of U.S. anti-dumping duties on Russian goods at the time. But the U.S. Commerce Department revoked Russia's market economy status in November 2022, citing significant increases in state direction of its economy, especially since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Vietnam and China are treated as non-market economies with extensive state determination of production, which allows the Commerce Department to use third-country pricing in determining the fair market value of goods, resulting in significantly higher anti-dumping duties.

Chinh also called for a reduction in the number of U.S. duty investigations into Vietnamese exports to the U.S., including on footwear, apparel and electronics.

The often high duty rates are irritants for Vietnam as its economic relationship with the United States deepens.

During a visit to Hanoi last week, U.S. President Joe Biden struck deals with Vietnam on semiconductors and minerals, and Vietnam elevated the U.S. to its highest diplomatic status, alongside China and Russia.

In remarks to Chinh, Yellen did not address Vietnam's market economy status but instead emphasized the upgrade of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship to a "comprehensive strategic partnership"

"The Biden-Harris administration views Vietnam as a key partner in our 'friend-shoring' approach to deepen integration with a broad set of partners and allies to create diverse, resilient, and sustainable supply chains in key industries," Yellen said.

"We are encouraged by the growing investments that companies are making in Vietnam and recognize Vietnam's tremendous potential as a major player in the semiconductor industry," Yellen added.

Vietnam is now the among the top 10 U.S. trading partners, with record two-way goods trade of nearly $139 billion last year, bolstered by a many companies shifting production to the fast-growing Southeast Asian country from China.

But some aspects of the relationship remain strained, including Commerce Department investigations into Vietnamese exports of steel, solar panels and other products for potentially circumventing duties on Chinese-origin goods through further processing in Vietnam.

Vietnam had been labeled a currency manipulator by the Treasury Department during then-President Donald Trump's administration, and was subjected to a U.S. "Section 301" investigation for its currency practices, which threatened potential broad tariffs.

The probe did not lead to tariffs, and recent Treasury currency reports have removed Vietnam from the "watch list."

Chinh ended his remarks by thanking Yellen for the Treasury's work on the Section 301 probe and on currency issues.

(Reporting by David Lawder; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
In this image taken from a video, Virginia legislative candidate Susanna Gibson addresses the Women's Summit in Virginia Beach, Va., in September of 2022. Gibson has denounced the disclosure of live videos on a pornographic website in which she and her husband engaged in sex acts. (Neil Smith via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP)  More Virginia Democrats on Tuesday cast the controversy surrounding a legislative candidate who livestreamed herself performing sex acts as a distraction from the stakes in this fall's elections, while stopping short of fully championing her continued campaign.

Neither the state party nor the House Democratic caucus has publicly called for Susanna Gibson to end her campaign after it was revealed last week that she had sex with her husband in live videos posted on a pornographic website and asked viewers to pay them money in return for carrying out specific sex acts.

But neither group has publicly declared how much support  financial or otherwise  Gibson can expect moving forward.

Our focus is and has always been on flipping the House and taking back the majority. The MAGA Republicans are continuing to try to distract us while working to implement their plan to ban abortion and roll back the rights and freedoms of all Virginians, House Democratic Caucus Executive Director Amy Friedman said in a statement to The Associated Press.

House Democratic Leader Don Scott said in a brief interview Tuesday: Us regaining the majority is all I'm focused on so that we can make sure we protect womens reproductive freedom."

Del. Dan Helmer, campaign chair for the House Democrats, said Monday his thoughts were with Gibson's family while emphasizing that she's running against an opponent who supports additional restrictions on abortion.

Every seat in the General Assembly, which is currently politically divided with the House of Delegates controlled by Republicans and the Senate by Democrats, will be on the November ballot. Both parties see a possible path to total control, and the suburban Richmond seat where Gibson, a nurse practitioner, is competing with retired home builder David Owen is seen as a critical battleground.

Virginia Democrats, Gibson among them, have made protecting abortion access a top campaign priority. Many Republican candidates in competitive districts, including Owen, have coalesced around GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin's proposed ban on abortion after 15 weeks with certain exceptions. Most abortions take place before that cutoff, federal data show.

Virginia, an outlier in the South for its relatively permissive access, currently allows abortion during the first and second trimesters. The procedure may be performed during the third trimester only if multiple physicians certify that continuing the pregnancy is likely to substantially and irremediably impair the mental or physical health of the woman or result in her death.

Gibson's campaign did not respond to an interview request or a detailed list of questions from the AP on Tuesday. Gibson previously denounced the release of the videos as a violation of law and her privacy. She's given no indication of ending her campaign, saying she won't be intimidated or silenced.

On Tuesday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published a commentary piece by Gibson addressing prescription drug prices and her work in health care. She didn't mention the controversy.

While the caucus and some of its leaders have weighed in, many other Virginia Democrats have either declined to comment, insisted on anonymity to discuss their frustrations or deliberations about the matter, or have not responded to media inquiries. The state party also maintained its silence on Tuesday, with spokesperson Liam Watson declining to comment.

Among elected officials, Democratic state Sen. Louise Lucas has stood out for her early, clear and vocal support of Gibson.

A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who previously endorsed Gibson, did not immediately respond to an emailed inquiry asking about a post on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, featuring Spanberger and Gibson that appeared to have been deleted.

Clean Virginia, an energy policy advocacy group that's a major donor to mostly Democratic candidates, is not commenting on this story, spokesperson Cassady Craighill said. Clean Virginia gave Gibson $175,000 in August, according to campaign finance records, which also show Gibson ended the latest reporting period with over $460,000 cash on hand, about $220,000 more than Owen.

Citing what he called Gibson's remarkable fundraising, Bob Holsworth, a longtime political analyst, said he thinks it's entirely possible that Democrats come back in the end and help Gibson campaign and raise money.

My big question is: Does she still have the organizational volunteers who are going to generate enthusiasm and turnout?" Holsworth said.

Most Republican elected officials also have kept their distance from the matter, although the state party has spoken out, casting Gibson's behavior as disqualifying.

In a social media post days after the news broke, the Republican Party of Virginia accused Democrats of celebrating a candidate who moonlights as a porn star, adding: They are the party of moral decay.

Aaron Evans, a campaign spokesperson for Owen, said Tuesday that Gibson's campaign was misrepresenting Owen's position on abortion.

The Gibson campaign is dumping thousands of dollars into lying about Davids commitment to defend choice during the first 15 weeks of pregnancy and his support for exceptions in the cases of rape, incest, and health of the mother. The fact they are lying about David reinforces that his common-sense, consensus building position is resonating with voters for a win in November," Evans said in a written statement.

___

Associated Press reporter Denise Lavoie in Glen Allen, Virginia, contributed to this report.
Missing mother Lauren Cook and her three children were last seen on 5 September, almost two weeks ago (Franklin County Police)

The search continues for a young mother and her three children in a small Virginia town, despite remarks made by her husband that she is not missing.

Thirty-year-old Lauren Cook, her sons Benjamin, 7, and Elijah, 2, and 5-year-old daughter Hannah were reported missing last week after the mother-of-three failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Franklin County.

Family members last spoke with Ms Cook on 5 September, and she was later confirmed to have travelled to Illinois.

Initial reports that Ms Cooks husband Jordan Cook was worried were followed by a statement in which he categorically denied his family was missing and claimed he had no reason to be concerned about [their] safety or well-being.

However, the Cooks kids have been entered into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Franklin County Sheriffs Office said that a missing persons investigation will remain open until deputies can establish contact with Ms Cook.

Heres everything we know about the case:

The disappearance

The Cooks live with their children in the southwest Virginia town of Ferrum.

The missing mother did not appear for a scheduled court appearance on 5 September in Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. Details about her pending case are not available as juvenile records are sealed to the public.

The investigation was officially launched on 13 September, when Ms Cook failed to show up at the rescheduled court hearing. Sheriffs Sgt Megan Huston told ABC13 that Ms Cook was not believed to have run away with her children.

Usually you see where a non-custodial parent will run off with the kids, which is not this situation, Sgt Huston said last week. There is concern as to where she is at and where the kids are at after it has been over a week now since anybody has had communication with her.

Benjamin, 7, and Elijah, 2, and 5-year-old Hannah are missing along with their mother, police say (Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

Sgt Huston also said that Mr Cook was extremely concerned for his family and had no idea where his children and wife were.

Hes upset, as any parent would be of Where are my children at?, Sgt Huston initially said. We dont have any signs that she is in danger, but were just trying to locate them and make sure theyre safe.

Ms Cooks phone last pinged on 7 September in Lexington, a town about 90 miles from her home. There has been no activity in her bank account since she vanished.

Missing mother was in Illinois, police say

Authorities said that Ms Cook has had no contact with her family since 5 or 6 September. According to investigators, it was confirmed on 14 September that the mother-of-three and the children were in Litchfield, Illinois.

Law enforcement did not clarify how it was determined that they travelled out of state or whether they are believed to still be there. However, it was mentioned in a press release that the family has ties in other states.

To clear Lauren and her children from being missing persons, a law enforcement agency must make in-person contact with them in order to confirm that they are okay and not under duress, the statement read. Until then, they will remain in local and national databases as missing.

Husband says Lauren Cook and children are safe

Ms Cooks husband released a statement to WSET-TV saying that there was no reason to be concerned, adding that his wife had communicated with him.

Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not missing, Mr Cook said. I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being. I have heard from my wife, and Im sure she and my children are doing well. We ask that our familys privacy be respected at this time.

However, Sgt Huston told USA Today that her agency was not aware of that communication and continued to search for Ms Cook and her children.

Lauren Cook and the three children are still entered as missing. Law enforcement (wherever it may be) has to lay eyes on her and the children in order for them to be removed as missing from the system, she said in a statement.

It is thought that the mother and her three children could be travelling in a blue 2013 Chrysler van with Virginia tags.

Anyone with information regarding Ms Cooks whereabouts is asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriffs Office at 540-483-3000.
Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) railed against her Republican colleagues for blocking the Pentagon spending bill, labeling the move as unacceptable and offensive.

Todays actions by five members of my own party  in coordination with every Democrat  are unacceptable and offensive. Every lawmaker who cast a no vote willingly chose to deprive our Armed Forces of the resources and tools they need to confront emerging threats across the globe, she said in a statement.

My grandfather served, my father served, I served, my husband served, my children are serving.I know firsthand how much our brave men and women in uniform sacrifice for our safety and our freedoms. They deserve better than this, she added.

Five House conservatives voted against advancing a Pentagon funding bill Tuesday, joining Democrats to block the rule for the appropriations bill. This prevented the House from debating the legislation on the floor and from eventually voting on whether to pass it.

Republican Reps. Dan Bishop (N.C.), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.) and Ken Buck (Colo.) all broke from the party during the rule vote, largely due to their demand to see spending levels cut across all 12 appropriations bills. This right-wing coalition of Republicans has suggested that they will hold up approving the appropriations bills until the GOP leadership meets their demands.

Kiggans called on Republicans to pass the Pentagon appropriations bill immediately.

This type of governing is as irresponsible as it is destructive. Government is not a game. We MUST pass this bill without further delay, she said.

Other Republicans expressed outrage at the far-right flank of the GOP on Tuesday. Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), a former Navy fighter pilot, told reporters following the vote on the rule that he was pissed off.

What we just saw with these five individuals was them adding, effectively, their name to that list that are enabling Chairman Xi right now, whos looking at this with a sign of relief that we didnt just get this DOD package to the floor, Garcia said.

Emily Brooks contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Vivek Ramaswamy is on TikTok now, thanks to Jake Paul .

In the week since he joined the platform, Ramaswamy has amassed about 33,000 followers, secured an endorsement from one of the most polarizing creators in YouTube history and attempted to establish himself as the millennial politician who's cool enough to use TikTok but anti-woke enough to appeal to the right. He's also been the butt of Gen Z's relentless comments about getting off to his content. (The top comments on his videos are consistently "Vivek I edge to you" and demands to hit the griddy.)

"I care about the issues that affect not just millennials, but Gen Z and all young people in this country," the Republican presidential candidate said in his inaugural video. "We have a generation of politicians that is badly out of touch."

Ramaswamy's TikTok presence diametrically opposes his previous stances on social media and young voters. During an Iowa town hall days before he launched his account, Ramaswamy described TikTok as "digital fentanyl" from China. He has also notoriously proposed barring anyone under 25 from voting, unless they serve in the military or pass a civics exam.

Paul, a YouTuber turned boxer who has been embroiled in a string of scandals since he was kicked off of Disney Channel's "Bizaardvark" in 2017, convinced Ramaswamy to join the app. In a tweet, Ramaswamy admitted that despite privacy concerns, the Republican party can't reach young voters without leaving their "echo chambers."

This embedded content is not available in your region.

https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js

Paul endorsed Ramaswamy in an unenthusiastic TikTok posted last weekend, which featured the candidate and influencer bouncing in what appears to be an attempt at matching the beat.

In follow up videos, Ramaswamy invited TikTok users to "keep the comments flowing," which incited a fresh wave of edging jokes.

"You're keeping something coming alright," a commenter said.
An illegal immigrant in Texas was arrested at the Maverick County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday, Sept. 19.

The 64-year-old man has been charged with murder due to his alleged connection to a homicide in Eagle Pass, which happened on Sept. 18.

Illegal Immigrant in Texas Arrested, Faces Murder Charge

According to Fox News' latest report, the illegal immigrant was identified as Roberto Emilio Vasquez-Santamaria.

Authorities said that this man came from Peru and was illegally staying in Texas. Sheriff Tom Schmerber said that the migrant is connected to a homicide.

Via its official Facebook post, the Maverick County Sheriff's Office said that the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division helped them arrest the migrant criminal.

Before his arrest, some U.S. Customs and Border Protection sources said that Emilio illegally crossed into Texas back in May. He was released into the United States with a court date in 2025.

They claim that Vasquez-Santamaria was processed by Border Patrol after promising that he will appear in court for upcoming proceedings. After that, he signed a notice to appear on his own recognizance.

Then, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took over Emilio. CBP sources said that after he was transferred to ICE, he was released to a non-government agency in Eagle Pass.

As of writing, law enforcement authorities haven't released any specific information about Emilio or the homicide case he's allegedly involved in.

Read Also: New York Daycare Death: NYPD Seeks 3rd Person Involved in Fentanyl-Related Killing of 1-Year-Old Boy

What Netizens Say About Emilio's Alleged Homicide Linkage

In Maverick County Sheriff's Office's FB announcement, many American netizens shared their disappointment about Emilio's alleged linkage to a homicide case.

One of them criticized the immigrants, questioning his action when he was already receiving assistance from the U.S. government.

"Free housing, free medical, 3 meals a day. Well played dude!" said Octavio Mendoza.

Meanwhile, others are asking for more information about Emilio. They said that they wanted to know the exact backstory of the illegal immigrant.

Right now, many Americans are criticizing immigrants for various reasons. For example, NYC Mayor Eric Adams recently explained how the influx of immigrants will lead to New York City's downfall.

He explained that they are already spending billions of dollars just to accommodate hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers.

Meanwhile, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talked about the recent mass shooting, which happened in May. He claimed that the crime involved illegal immigrants.

Being linked to different crimes and the draining of the budget of cities and states are just among the issues that Americans point out when they criticize migrants in the U.S.

Related Article: Texas' Floating Border Barriers Draw Concerns from Mexico; US Judge To Seek If Buoys Can Remain To Block Migrants

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday urged former U.S. President Donald Trump to reveal his long-teased plan for ending Russias war in Ukraine in 24 hours.

He can publicly share his idea now, not waste time, not to lose people, and say, My formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression, the Ukrainian leader told CNN, according to a translation provided by the network.

But Zelenskyy noted the plan cannot involve Ukraine handing parts of its own territory to Russian President Vladimir Putin .

That is not the peace formula, he told CNNs Wolf Blitzer.

Volodymyr Zelensky urged Donald Trump to share his peace plans publicly if the former US president has a way to end the war between Ukraine and Russia but tells CNN's @wolfblitzer that he won't give territory to Vladimir Putin. https://t.co/ShS6nOgj73pic.twitter.com/3cD3wogERW  CNN (@CNN) September 19, 2023

Trump told NBCs Meet the Press in an interview broadcast Sunday that he would end the conflict within a day by negotiating a fair deal for everybody by speaking to Putin and Zelenskyy but declined to provide any further details.

The former president also noted that a deal between the two countries could have already been struck if Ukraine had handed over Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.

Thats something that could have been negotiated, Trump said. Because there were certain parts, Crimea and other parts of the country, that a lot of people expected could happen. You could have made a deal. So they could have made a deal where theres lesser territory right now than Russias already taken, to be honest. And you could have made a deal where nobody was killed.

Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations General Assembly earlier this week and is expected to visit Washington on Thursday to meet with President Joe Biden at the White House and lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Biden recently asked Congress for an additional $24 billion package for Ukraine, but House Republicans have raised objections.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) told reporters he has questions for Zelenskyy, adding that Americans deserve to know Kyivs plan for victory.

Is Zelenskyy elected to Congress? McCarthy asked. Is he our president? I dont think I have to commit anything and I think I have questions for him.

Asked about GOP resistance to providing further aid to his country, Zelenskyy told CNN its not fair to equate war with domestic U.S. issues like energy.

We cant compare these challenges, Zelenskyy said, adding that one could understand the difference even by spending one day on the ground in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy had previously called on McCarthy to travel to his country to see the fighting up close, but the House speaker rejected the invitation.
Several voting rights organisations, including the NAACP and American Civil Liberies Union, have asked the US Supreme Court to deny Alabama state lawmakers request to not redraw congressional lines that provide a fair opportunity for Black voters to elect a candidate of their choosing.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that Alabama Republicans congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act by packing most of the states Black residents into one single district  despite making up 27 per cent of Alabamas population.

In a second attempt to redraw lines, state lawmakers made one district containing more than 50 per cent of Black residents and another district with 39 per cent of Black residents and refused to re-draw them even after a lower court ordered it.

What the Secretary cannot do is pretend this motion is something other than what it is: a request to defy this Courts decision by implementing a remedy that cures nothing and prevents Black voters from having an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice in a second congressional district, the brief filed on Wednesday says.

It is the latest in a series of dramatic back-and-forth between Alabama lawmakers and voters as well as voting rights advocates after the court ruled Alabamas congressional districts violated the Voting Rights Act.

Lower court judges told state lawmakers earlier this month that they failed to allow Black residents the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice and ordered them to redraw lines that includes either an additional majority-Black district, or an additional district in which Black voters otherwise have an opportunity to elect a representative of their choice.

However, Alabama lawmakers disputed this and asked the Supreme Court to intervene by allowing them to defy the lower courts order.

In the brief, voting rights advocates said Alabama, through its secretary of state, unabashedly defied the lower court and Supreme Court and did not provide good reason to not re-draw lines.

The simple fact is that the Legislature failed even to try to comply with the district courts order  and the Secretary now seeks to argue that it need not to have done so, the brief says.

The States response recalls instead our unfortunate history of State resisting civil rights remedies through laws and practices which, though neutral on their face, serve to maintain the status quo.
Looking for work? Kansas City is hiring for a wide variety of roles throughout the municipal government.

Whether you prefer the flexibility of part-time hours or are looking for a comfortable nine-to-five schedule, the city may have a position that works for you. The Star reviewed the citys 80 open job listings and noted some of the highest-paying positions below.

You can apply for any of these jobs through the citys online jobs portal. For more information, you can email jobs@kcmo.org or call 816-513-1929.

Pay: starts at $8,140 per month

Description: This supervisory role in the Public Works department involves overseeing major civil engineering projects like roads, bridges, utility upgrades and transportation infrastructure. Applicants must be registered engineers with 10 or more years of civil engineering experience.

Pay: starts at $5,173 per month

Description: This role in the Neighborhood Services Department involves managing a team of building inspectors and investigating code violations and nuisance properties. Applicants should have at least four years of experience in city planning, zoning, code enforcement or building inspection.

Pay: starts at $12,389 per month

Description: The Kansas City Fire Department is looking for a new fire chief to oversee its over 1,200 employees. The applicant chosen for this job will be appointed by the City Manager and coordinate with city leaders on fire safety. Applicants must be trained firefighters, and extensive leadership experience and Fire Officer certification is preferred.

Pay: starts at $5,794 per month

Description: This City Hall job involves overseeing the citys payroll staff and making sure city employees are paid properly and on time. The position requires either a Masters degree with three years of experience in an accounting related field, or a Bachelors degree with five years of experience, including at the Analyst level.

Pay: starts at $28.96 per hour

Description: This part-time job with the Kansas City Health Department involves administering vaccines at 2400 Troost Avenue, alongside occasional duties helping with medical tasks in other departments such as STI testing. You must be a registered nurse to apply.

Pay: starts at $6,489 per month

Description: This senior engineer will work in the Water Departments Smart Sewer program overseeing improvement projects for Kansas Citys sanitary sewer system. You must be a registered engineer to apply, and experience working with wastewater systems is preferred.

Pay: starts at $27.25 per hour

Description: This senior electronics technician role in the citys Public Works department is all about maintaining and fixing the citys traffic lights. Applicants should have five years of experience as an electronics technician, or an Associates degree with three years of experience.

Do you have more questions about labor or employment issues in Kansas City? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
I got a $235 rose-gold permanent bracelet which has a a special nod to my late grandfathers.

I decided to get the bracelet welded on after years of contemplating a tattoo.

This is a fun, risk-free alternative for those who are too indecisive to get inked.

Anybody who knows me understands how I feel about tattoos.

I've been obsessed with the idea of getting inked for years; I'm constantly scouring Pinterest and Instagram for ideas, and I regularly interview tattoo artists about the latest trends.

The only problem? I'm incredibly indecisive.

Placing something on your body forever can be an exhilarating and risky decision, especially for someone like me who struggles to stick to a specific placement or design concept. I'm often fearful that I'll end up regretting the tattoo design, and have to go through the expensive and timely process of laser removal.

So when I discovered permanent jewelry, I realized it would be a fun, risk-free alternative to getting inked.

I got a bracelet permanently welded onto my wrist

Getting a permanent bracelet, also sometimes referred to as a "forever bracelet," involves having a bracelet chain welded onto your wrist without a clasp so that it can't be removed.

There are a handful of specialist jewelry companies that do bracelet welding in the US and the UK, including Catbird in New York City, and Astrid & Miyu, which has stores in various cities including NYC, London, and Glasgow.

This type of jewelry gained popularity on TikTok in 2022, with many users sharing their experiences getting matching permanent bracelets with friends and loved ones. I was inspired to get one after reading about my colleague Jordan Parker Erb's experience in August.

After doing some research, I realized there are a huge variety of options in Glasgow, where I'm based in the UK. Some welded jewelry stores charge as little as 10, or around $12.40, while others such as Astrid & Miyu charge hundreds for high-quality chains.

I booked an appointment at Astrid & Miyu in Glasgow for the beginning of September.

Unlike tattoos, the permanency of the bracelet doesn't scare me

Astrid & Miyu offers welded bracelets, anklets, and rings in a variety of solid gold and silver chains with charms, according to its website.

When I arrived at the company's Glasgow store on a Saturday afternoon, I was greeted by a jeweler who showed me a selection of chains to choose from. I opted for a 9-carat rose-gold chain, which cost 130, or around $160.

Mikhaila is pictured getting her bracelet welded. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

At first, I wasn't sure about getting the bracelet because of the price tag. I don't usually treat myself to expensive jewelry. But at the end of the day, I was happy to pay for a good quality chain. Just like with tattoos, if you are going to have something on your body forever, you want it to be of a high standard.

Then I chose two charms to go on the bracelet. Since I had researched online beforehand, I already knew that I wanted two birthstones with a special meaning. I chose a sapphire charm and an amethyst charm, the birthstones of my two late grandfathers.

Mikhaila's bracelet has two charms with a special nod to her late grandfathers. Mikhaila Friel/Insider

It cost an additional 30, or around $37.20, per stone, bringing the bracelet to a total of 190, or around $235.

The process was incredibly easy; the jeweler measured my wrist and made sure I was comfortable before she started the welding process. It probably took around 10 minutes in total.

It's been around two weeks since I got the bracelet, and I'm in love with it. The chain actually sparkles (I'm not exaggerating) and it seems pretty durable so far. I've worn it while swimming and to the gym, and it looks exactly the same as when I got it.

Of course, there's no telling how long it will actually stay on my wrist. The jeweler said she has met people who have had their bracelets stay on for four years, while others' have broken after a year. If my chain breaks within the first year, Astrid & Miyu will fix it for free, the jeweler said. (They added that a small charge would apply if it breaks after one year.)

And while the bracelet can't be removed in the traditional sense, the chain can of course be broken with a pair of scissors, according to the company's website. It's comforting to know that I can easily (and painlessly) take it off if I change my mind.

I'll likely pluck up the courage to get inked one day. But until then, this bracelet is a painless alternative.

Read the original article on Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Poland summoned Ukraines ambassador and threatened to expand a grain ban to other imports from its neighbor, escalating a dispute thats threatening to wreck an alliance key to Kyivs fight against Russia.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The government in Warsaw reacted to remarks from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday in which the Ukrainian leader accused some European Union countries of feigning solidarity with his war-torn nation and appeasing Russia.

While Zelenskiy didnt single out Poland, his language triggered an angry response there. The ruling Law & Justice party is seething over earlier criticism from Kyiv about its decision to unilaterally extend a ban on Ukrainian grain imports  a move seen as a pre-election appeal to rural Polish voters.

After an initial exchange of barbs between Zelenskiy and his Polish counterpart, Andrzej Duda , on Tuesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki threatened to add more products to the grain ban if Kyiv escalates.

I warn the Ukrainian authorities, Morawiecki told Polsat news. We were the first to do a lot for Ukraine, and therefore we expect our interests to be understood. We will defend our interests with all determination.

The dispute cast into sharp contrast the unity that had defined the relationship between the neighbors before the grain dispute, a friendship that seemed to epitomize western solidarity with Ukraine. Zelenskiy and Duda had regular phone conversations early in the war and in April, Duda vowed alongside Zelenskiy that Russia would never drive the neighbors apart.

But Duda laid into his counterpart on Tuesday in New York, comparing Ukraines reaction to the grain ban to that of a drowning man, who can be extremely dangerous, because he can drag you to the depths and drown the rescuers.

We cannot allow that Ukrainian grain is sold on the Polish market without any control, Duda said in an interview Tuesday on Bloomberg Television with Annmarie Hordern in New York. We also have our own citizens, we have to care for their interest.

The Polish leader also apparently snubbed Zelenskiy. Duda had planned to meet him on the sidelines of the UN meeting, only to say later that scheduling conflicts made it impossible. Ukrainian officials never confirmed the meeting, according to a person familiar with the protocol, who spoke under condition of anonymity.

The back-and-forth signaled that what seemed to be a relatively minor disagreement has ballooned into something larger. Any worsening could have direct implications for the war, as Poland is the primary destination for refugees and the gateway to about 90% of all the western aid and military equipment headed for Kyiv.

The timing is also a blow to Ukraine, as the war of words flared just as Zelenskiy pressed his case in New York for more global support and Ukrainian forces advance in a grinding counteroffensive to retake occupied territory.

Read More: Ukraine Reaps a Big Harvest, But War Risks Trapping It at Home

For Poland, the issue is a political one. The ruling Law & Justice party, seeking a third term in office in next months contest, is reluctant to alienate its rural base while growing discontent over the cost of supporting Ukraine has boosted the partys opponents on the far right.

Zelenskiys allies complain that a promise in April by Morawiecki to avoid a unilateral move on grain was broken by the announcement days later by Law & Justice leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski, according to an official familiar with Kyivs thinking. The relationship with Warsaw is now hostage to the election campaign, the official said.

Ukraine responded this week by filing a World Trade Organization complaint against Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

Read more: Ukraine Files Complaint With WTO on EU Neighbors Grain Ban

In addition to serving as a major source of military assistance to Ukraine, Poland has accepted about 2 million refugees from Russias invasion. But the Polish government said Monday it may not extend support for the refugees next year.

In the interview, Duda said there were many different problems, including people-to-people problems.

But its normal, its just human, he said. A lot of Polish people have sacrificed a lot to help their neighbors from Ukraine.

Neither side looked ready to back down.

Personally, I regret there is a discussion going on in the media, Duda told Bloomberg. Ill try to cut it off for sure, because someone needs to be wiser here, and the situation isnt easy.

History of Wars

In a historical context, the division is nothing new: Ukraine and Poland have fought wars dating to the 17th century. A commemoration of the 1943 massacres of Poles in the Ukrainian region of Volhynia this year triggered complaints by Law & Justice officials that Zelenskiy should have apologized for the mass killings.

Ukrainian authorities took a dim view, noting that a formula for reconciliation had been agreed on  and that the issue was artificially being raised again in Warsaw by politicians, an official familiar with the discussions said. Zelenskiy joined Duda at a church service to mark the event in July.

History should be left to historians and experts and the two countries should think about the future, Ihor Zhovkva, Zelenskiys deputy chief of staff responsible for foreign affairs, said in an interview. We have a lot in common, despite the difficult history. Today, we have more in common than what separates us.

--With assistance from Natalia Ojewska and Annmarie Hordern.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Faith Bergevin lives a block from an ocean walkway in Victoria, British Columbia, so she regularly spends time on the water.

Recently, she headed to Ogden Point  a popular tourist spot along the water in Canada where cruise ships frequent  for a moment to recharge, according to a Sept. 12 blog post.

Even though I go a few times a week, Ive never spotted whales. Sea otters, sea lions, yes, Bergevin wrote. ... But whales? They remained a mystical dream that seemed impossible to be realized.

That is until the morning of Sept. 12 on her walk when Bergevin spotted a pod of at least five orcas about 10 feet from where she was standing.

I stood there, with my camera and another woman who had a souped-up camera ready to capture what remains so elusive, she wrote on her blog. It was just us two standing on rocks feet from the water as people stood above us from a safer distance at the lighthouse.

Bergevin posted videos of her encounter on Facebook.

A gift on a cool dreary morning for all of us who happened upon a visit. I have never been this close to whales before, she wrote in a Sept. 12 post. To say I am excited is an understatement ... seriously me and another photographer were shaking.

The incredible sighting was almost unbelievable, Bergevin told McClatchy News in an email.

I honestly cant believe I captured this. If I didnt film it I dont think Id believe this happened, she said.

Ogden Point is in Victoria, about 60 miles southwest of Vancouver.

Unusual splashes lead boaters to sea creatures playdate in Iceland. See photos

See the absolutely magical moment boaters spot incredibly rare creature in Alaska

Boaters get breathtaking glimpse at the biggest fish in the world. See the video




Showtime's highly anticipated queer limited series Fellow Travelers is getting closer.

The series, which stars Matt Bomer (The Normal Heart, The Boys in the Band), and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton) as clandestine lovers is set to make its streaming debut on Paramount+ with Showtime on Friday, October 27, and it'll debut on Showtime on Sunday, October 29, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Fellow Travelers is being billed as an epic love story and political thriller. The series chronicles the forbidden romance of two very different men who meet in McCarthy-era Washington  the time of the Lavender Scare.

In the scene below, Bailey's character, Tim Laughlin, and his lover Hawkins "Hawk" Fuller, discuss some business while Tim sits in Hawk's lap, and Hawks strokes Tim's chest hair.

After Tim asks to be invited to a party, Hawk refuses. However, Tim seems to be able to change Hawk's mind.

Im your boy, right? And your boy wants to go to the party, Tim says as he moves from Hawk's lap to in front of him and between his legs.

How much does he want to go? Hawk asks Tim.

The show was created for television by Oscar-nominee Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia, Homeland) and stars Bomer, Bailey, Jelani Alladin (The Walking Dead World Beyond), Allison Williams (Get Out, Girls), and Noah J. Ricketts (American Gods).

Created by Nyswaner and based on the novel by Thomas Mallon, Fellow Travelers chronicles "the clandestine romance of two very different men who meet in McCarthy-era Washington. Bomer plays charismatic Hawkins Fuller, who maintains a financially rewarding, behind-the scenes career in politics. Hawkins avoids emotional entanglements  until he meets Tim Laughlin (Bailey), a young man brimming with idealism and religious faith," according to the show's description.

The two begin a romance just as the Lavender Scare begins with a crackdown by the federal government on queer people  so-called "sexual deviants."

"Over the course of four decades, we follow our five main characters  Hawk, Tim, Marcus (Alladin), Lucy (Williams), and Frankie (Ricketts)  as they cross paths through the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, the drug-fueled disco hedonism of the 1970s and the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, while facing obstacles in the world and in themselves."

Catch the scene below as well as images and the show's trailer. And also check out The Advocate's sibling publication Out's recent cover story with the Fellow Travelers cast.

www.youtube.com

Fellow Travelers Official Sneak Preview | SHOWTIME

www.youtube.com

Fellow Travelers Streaming October 27 | SHOWTIME

www.instagram.com

www.instagram.com

Fellow Travelers Official Teaser | SHOWTIME

www.youtube.com

Fellow Travelers Official Teaser | SHOWTIME

A first look at Fellow Travelers, a new limited series starring Matt Bomer and Jonathan Bailey. Coming soon to Paramount+ with SHOWTIME.Subscribe to the SHOW...
Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A Pennsylvania school district is hailing the arrival of the "Twin-dergarten" school year, with 17 sets of twins starting kindergarten in the 2023-24 school year.

The Colonial School District in Montgomery County said seven pairs of twins are starting kindergarten at Ridge Park Elementary school, six sets are attending Whitemarsh Elementary School and four are starting at Plymouth Elementary.

"While the first day of kindergarten can sometimes be anxiety-inducing for young children, having a built-in buddy along on the first day of school is one of the benefits for these incoming twin-dergarteners," the district said. "Many of the children reported that having someone who is always around is one of the things they like best about being a twin."

Peggy Smith, who teaches kindergarten at Ridge Park, said this year's "twin-dergarten" class is unprecedented.

"I have been a kindergarten teacher for 20 years," Smith told WPVI-TV. "Usually, there's maybe a couple sets of twins, if that."
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to reject the first needle-free alternative to EpiPens.

FDA officials claim that this new medicine product needs further research before they can support the approval.

FDA Claims Needle-Free Alternative to EpiPens Need Further Research

ARS Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker behind Neffy-the first needle-free alternative to epinephrine autoinjectors-was surprised by FDA's rejection.

This is because the FDA Advisory Committee (PADAC) was the one that voted to recommend approval of the Neffy drug back in May.

This approval was supposed to allow Neffy to be used by both adults and children. Health experts said that this is a rare case since the FDA usually approves products that have been recommended by its own committees.

"We are very surprised by this action," said ARS Pharmaceuticals CEO Richard Lowenthal via NBC News.

Aside from Lowenthal, other Americans also questioned the decision of the FDA to reject Neffy. One of them is Dr. Zachary Rubin of Oak Brook Allergists in Illinois, saying that he was shocked.

"You basically have epinephrine autoinjector devices, needle options, and people have been clamoring for years to get a needle-free option," he said.

As of press time, FDA officials want ARS to conduct additional studies on the first needle-free EpiPen alternative. But, the drug maker now plans to appeal the FDA's request for additional research.

Read Also: DHS Warns Mexican Drugs, Including Fentanyl, More Likely To Cause More Fatalities as Overdose Cases Rise

What FDA Specifically Asks For

According to Globe News Wire's latest report, the FDA issued a CRL (Complete Response Letter) regarding the NDA (New Drug Application) for Neffy.

The health organization said that it wants ARS to provide a completed pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic study assessing repeat doses of the needle-free EpiPen alternative.

They want to have this so they can compare if Neffy is really as effective (or more efficient) as existing epinephrine autoinjectors. This request contradicts the recent decision of PADAC, which recommended the drug's approval without the need for further studies.

Recently, ARS Pharmaceuticals already conducted numerous studies involving animals and human subjects who don't have anaphylaxis.

Based on their findings, Neffy, a nasal spray drug, is comparable to an EpiPen. The creation of this first needle-free EpiPen alternative is a big deal for many people with extreme allergies, especially children.

Dr. Maryann Amirshahi, one of the members of the FDA's Advisory Committee, said that he heard some parents talking about how traumatic it was for their children to use epinephrine autoinjectors.

However, Amirshahi explained that the scary thing is not really taking a shot of EpiPen and other similar drugs. What's scary is when the medicine fails to treat a life-threatening condition.

Related Article: COVID Booster: CDC Recommends New Vaccine for Nearly All Americans Over 6 Months as Cases, Hospitalizations Rise

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
With a government shutdown looming, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has been fielding attacks from fellow Republicans accusing him of failing to lead his party through the chaos.

Still, he has vowed to push forward: Ive told all of Congress youre not going to go home. Were going to continue to work through this, McCarthy told reporters at the Capitol on Monday. Things that are tough sometimes are worth it.

The attacks are likely to continue as the Sept. 30 deadline approaches. Here are some of the harshest rebukes McCarthy has seen so far:

Rep. Victoria Spartz: 'Weak ... another worthless Congress'

Spartz, a first-term representative from Indiana, has directly lambasted the House speaker for being weak, blaming him for being unable to get the far-right members of his party in line.

It is a shame that our weak Speaker cannot even commit to having a commission to discuss our looming fiscal catastrophe, she said in a statement on Monday. Our founding fathers would be rolling over in their graves to see how this institution is betraying our Republic for personal political ambitions and our children will be ashamed of another worthless Congress.

McCarthy hit back, saying that if Spartz, who said she wont seek reelection, is concerned about fighting stronger, I wish she wouldve run again and not quit.

Im not quitting, Im gonna continue to work for the American public, McCarthy told reporters.

Rep. Matt Gaetz: McCarthy is 'lying like a dead dog'

Feuds between Gaetz and McCarthy are common, but the Florida representative has used the shutdown as a launching pad to call for McCarthys removal as speaker. That was most clear after Gaetz apparently left a motion to remove the House speaker in a bathroom at the Capitol on Tuesday.

Gaetz also accused McCarthy of being misogynistic after the speaker clapped back against Spartz.

Hes been reckless and unhinged and rattled and misogynist in how hes attacked those who are making a substantive argument, Gaetz told NewsMax on Tuesday, referencing how McCarthy criticized Spartz for saying she wont seek reelection but hasnt rebuked male lawmakers in the past for similar decisions.

The pair also traded shots last week after McCarthy accused Gaetz, who has been investigated for ethics violations multiple times, of colluding with Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) to work against him.

Matt is working with Eric Swalwell, but let me be very clear, McCarthy told CNN. Matt is upset about an ethics complaint. I dont care what they threaten against me. Im not gonna interject into an independent committee like ethics, and Im not going to put Swalwell back on the intel committee. So, they can do whatever they want.

Gaetz, in turn, accused the House speaker of lying like a dead dog.

I am the most investigated man in the entire Congress, and right there you saw Kevin McCarthy lying like a dead dog because I have never asked him to interfere in any ethics matter, Gaetz told MSNBC last Wednesday, adding that hes a sad and pathetic man who lies to hold onto power.

Rep. Nancy Mace: 'He ought to take ownership'

Mace blamed McCarthy for not holding individual votes on spending bills, predicting that the speaker would lean on temporary solutions such as continuing resolutions.

"That doesn't give a budget for the country, and that doesn't give consistency for the economy, for businesses that are trying to grow," the South Carolina representative told ABC on Sunday. "And both sides, quite frankly, have put us in this position and he ought to take ownership of it and so, too, should Republicans."

Rep. Ken Buck: McCarthy's promises are 'coming due'

Buck agreed that a continuing resolution would be necessary to avoid a shutdown, but with several unresolved issues facing the House GOP, McCarthy could soon be in hot water, he said.

On the one hand, weve got to pass a continuing resolution, the Colorado representative told MSNBC last Sunday. We also have the impeachment issue. And we also have members of the House, led by my good friend, Chip Roy, who are concerned about policy issues. They want riders in the appropriations bills, amendments in the appropriations bills that guarantee some type of security on our Southern border.

Its a perfect storm of issues, Buck said.

So you take those things put together, and Kevin McCarthy, the speaker, has made promises on each of those issues to different groups. And now it is all coming due at the same time, Buck said.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis aligns with insurgent conservatives

McCarthy was one of former President Donald Trumps staunchest allies in Congress  so its his fault that the government has racked up so much debt in the past few years, DeSantis said.

Kevin McCarthy says Im a little different from Donald Trump. I agree, DeSantis posted on social media Monday. In Florida, we run budget surpluses. Weve paid down our debt. Ive kept every one of my promises. Meanwhile, McCarthy and Trump worked together to add $7 trillion  more debt than our country racked up in its first 200 years  to the debt in just four years.

The rebuke followed McCarthy telling Fox News that Trump is a more formidable presidential candidate than DeSantis, who has polled in a distant second place for the GOP ticket.

The attack returns DeSantis to his own political roots as a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, a group that is now a key focal point for opposition to McCarthy and his proposed deal for spending reductions.
Then-President Donald Trump meets in 2019 with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, and President Moon Jae-in, of South Korea, in the Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South.

Biden a little older but not bizarro

Theres been much concern expressed, and rightfully so, about President Joe Bidens age, 80. But little has been said about Donald Trump s insistence on spewing insults and lies and his bizarre and often nonsensical harangues at his advanced age of 77.

If we compare their actual mental ability to handle the job, their true physical and mental health and any thoughtful and sound decision-making qualities of Biden versus Trump, its clear which one is the more rational, stable and capable candidate.

If Biden claimed Mexico would pay for a border wall, altered a hurricane forecast map with a Sharpie, proposed buying Greenland, praised Vladimir Putin , fell in love with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, insisted that a lethal pandemic would just disappear and proposed drinking bleach as a remedy, right-wing politicians and media would lose it and rightfully invoke the 25th Amendment.

Yes, Biden is an old man, but hes in decent physical shape and hes not a threat to democracy.

And just consider the alternative.

Write to us: How to send a letter to the editor

Trump is an amazingly immature, erratic, dangerously overweight, 77-year-old serial liar whose entire former Cabinet has uniformly declared him unfit. You make the call.

Con Nicholas, Sarasota

Floridian brings COVID to Vermont

A friend from Tallahassee recently visited us in Vermont. After we spent a day in the car together, she tested positive for COVID-19, evidently picking it up while traveling here.

She had to cancel her subsequent plans to drive upstate, and she quarantined in our house for three days, sharing bathroom facilities, before flying back to Florida.

We have not gotten sick; we got vaccine boosters about a month ago. Your surgeon general, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, in support of your governors position, says there are a lot of red flags regarding the vaccine and says there are no arguments in favor of getting it.

Vermonts Republican governor and his commissioner of health have strongly encouraged us to get the COVID-19 vaccine, with cautions based on individual health circumstances.

More: COVID is back again, Florida, and you're on your own. DeSantis, Ladapo still don't care.

In March 2023, the COVID-19 death rate in Vermont was 149 per 100,000 people, while the Florida rate was 404, according to Statista.

Isnt this a strong argument in favor of vaccines? Floridians seem to be unnecessarily dying because of bad advice from their state government.

Roger Turner, Dummerston, Vermont

DeSantis scores zero on transparency

What does Gov. Ron DeSantis have to hide?

He got the Legislature to pass laws to prevent us from finding out who he is meeting with and where he is going. Such laws prevented us from finding out that he was using Florida government vehicles in his presidential travels in other states. It was only through the grace of God and a car accident that this information came to light.

He has refused to answer the question of whether he has been vaccinated against COVID-19 while advocating against it for others. His claim of medical privacy would carry more weight if he and his wife hadnt continually used her struggles with breast cancer to elicit sympathy.

DeSantis hides from voters anything that will cast him in a negative light while disclosing everything that will win him votes, no matter how private. On the transparency scale, he gets a big fat zero.

Felton Marans, Lakewood Ranch

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Biden older but he never suggested drinking bleach to cure COVID
WESTBOROUGH  Prior to a Select Board vote Tuesday on a motion to promote him to police chief, Todd Minardi made a 30-minute presentation, describing his career and goals going forward, should he be selected.

Minardi told the board his "guiding principal" was a quote by Sir Robert Peel, who founded what is considered the first modern police force, the London Metropolitan Police in 1829: "The police are the people, and the people are police."

"I have a view of community policing that may be radical," Minardi told the Daily News in an interview on Thursday. "I just call it 'police doing right.' It's getting back to doing police the way it should be done. We are part of the community. We're not supposed to be viewed as being separate from them."

The Westborough Select Board voted unanimously to appoint Todd Minardi as the town's next police chief.

'He deserves a promotion': In replacing police chief, Westborough Select Board has major decision to make

The five-member Select Board voted unanimously to promote Minardi from deputy chief to chief. The appointment is pending successful contract negotiations.

Minardi has served as acting chief since June, when former Chief Jeffrey Lourie left to become Falmouth's police chief.

New chief is a lifelong Westborough resident

Minardi was born and raised in Westborough, and is graduate of Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western New England College in Springfield and a master's in public administration from Anna Maria College in Paxton.

Minardi said that as a child, he liked the idea of being a police officer but became a carpenter after graduating from high school.

"Even as a young child, I was drawn to police shows  it was always something that interested me," said Minardi. "I worked as a carpenter and I loved what I was doing, but I always felt like I was missing something."

'Definitely a resource': Special, reserve, auxiliary. Police reinforcement comes in many forms

Minardi attended the National Park Service Academy in North Carolina, cementing in his mind that he wanted to make a career change.

He joined the Westborough Police Department as a reserve officer in 1994 and became a full-time officer the following year. He was promoted to sergeant in 2001 and lieutenant in 2006. He was promoted to deputy chief in 2018.

During his time with the department, Minardi received the department's Medal of Valor for Bravery, served as a member of the motorcycle unit and was a firearms instructor and field training officer. He said he also lobbied for stop sticks, which are used to blow out the tires of a vehicle during a chase, and they're now in all cruisers.

Westborough Police Chief Todd Minardi started his adult life as a carpenter before switching to police work.

'Unlimited uses': How MetroWest police departments are using drones

Minardi said he also started the department's first formal roll call and helped organize its first active shooter training exercise. He said he wrote grants that brought in about $1.5 million.

Going forward, Minardi said he would like to reinstate the traffic officer position. Due to a staffing shortage, that position has been rolled into the patrol division.

He said, like many communities, Westborough has to deal with drug crime. Currently, the department has an officer assigned to a federal Drug Enforcement Agency task force.

"Drugs are not just a Westborough problem  it's a regional problem," Minardi said, adding that the set-up allows local police to use federal resources when conducting a drug investigation.

He said he would like to possibly have an officer join a similar task force that targets human trafficking, so they could use those assets to battle what he calls an "ugly problem." Still another goal is to help promote awareness and help teach residents how to protect themselves from crimes occurring.

Staffing is an issue

Minardi said he would like to take another look at supervisor coverage. There are currently five patrol supervisors, so when there are days off and vacations, it leads to a lot of overtime hours and pay, he said.

Like many police departments, Westborough is having recruitment issues. It currently has 38 officers, two fewer than budgeted. Minardi said he started a recruitment team last month to boost recruitment efforts. The team has developed a recruitment brochure and is working on a recruitment video.

"It's been a struggle to attract candidates," he said.

Later on, Minardi said he would like to build a state-of-the-art training facility. He had previously started the Westborough Police Foundation to raise money to assist with funding such a project. The training facility, he said, would have modern technology and training modules to help prepare officers for their jobs.

"It'll be unlike anything in the area," he said. "It will be a great accomplishment for our community."

Keeping things positive

Minardi said he doesn't plan major changes, but to instead build on what already makes the department successful.

"I don't have any radical ideas," he said. "I've been involved with this department for a long time and I've been involved with building the vision of this department. I want to keep things positive and keep us relevant by staying on top of training and technology."

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date public safety news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Westborough Select Board votes to promote Todd Minardi to police chief
TAMPA  The Channel District just outside of Tampas downtown core has come a long way in the past decade. As someone who frequented the area as a University of South Florida student circa 2008, I remember when Bennigans was the hot dining establishment on the block.

Now, stepping out onto Water Street  both an actual street and the proper name for one of the areas newest developments  feels like stepping into a whole new city. You can take a 1-mile stroll that spans a handful of hotels, trendy restaurants and Sparkman Wharf, the outdoor food court that kick-started the areas revitalization when it opened in 2018 right along the waterfront. There are tall buildings and terrible parking options and overpriced cocktails  just like a real big city!

There is a wine shop, a home design store and no less than four places to grab a casual bowl-style lunch: Cava, Crisp and Green, Naked Farmer, Wagamama. Bring your takeout to Raybon Plaza, one of many lovely courtyards with ample seating where you can eat, work remotely or just soak up the scene. For an area that once seriously lacked worthy dining options, there are now almost too many to choose from, from breakfast to brunch to happy hours to dinner.

If your budget was deep enough, you could spend days eating around Water Street. And there is more to come, with dining options including Ash, Toastique and Yard House still to open. Here are just a few ideas for where to eat and drink. Find a full list of restaurants here.

Get coffee and drinks at The Edition

Dont overlook The Edition for dining. Yes, its a five-star hotel that draws celebrities and other well-to-dos. But it also has great food and drink options. At The Market in the lobby, an Italian-leaning menu is accompanied by a full bar, which is currently offering a social hour with deals from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Market is the more accessible dining option here compared with Lilac, a prix fixe restaurant that received one of the areas first Michelin stars earlier this year, and Azure, a rooftop spot that showcases Greek cuisine.

If youre looking for more cocktails, you cant do much better than Punch Room on the hotels second floor. An intimate space swathed in royal blue velvet, the vibe alone is worth the trip. But the drink program is unique, taking cues from Tampas history of 17th century pirates, traders, and privateers, according to its website. The menu revolves around old-school punches, pulling in flavors and spirits from the Caribbean especially.

And, if you come between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m., look for a punch cart in the lobby. The woman doling out little samples of the (alcoholic) punch on a recent weekday said the service happens every day between those hours, and is offered to basically anyone who walks in the lobby, even if youre not staying in the hotel.

For a different kind of beverage, stop by the Editions lobby coffee bar for espresso drinks and a wide selection of confections. From a spelt wheat croissant to giant slices of cake, its a tranquil spot for your morning or afternoon coffee fix.

Eat dinner at Predalina

This seafood-driven restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine has some of the tastiest bites in the development. The stunning space is made up of a large bar and a modestly sized dining room full of natural light. The restaurant feels tranquil, even when its buzzy. Predalina pays homage to the founders great-grandmother, Predaliana Oliveira, who lived in seaside communities throughout the world. The menu is inspired by her and, according to the restaurant, many of the ingredients it uses are sourced directly from such places in Europe.

The menu is big but focused, with a section for raw seafood, smallish plates and entrees. Some of our favorite items on a recent visit were the Crudite and Pita, a sampling of four different spreads plus house-made pita and fresh veggies; and the Blistered Cauliflower small plate, a tender whole floret topped with herbs and set atop a creamy tahini puree. The snapper dish was a standout entree, with artichoke, roasted fennel, chickpeas and a complex saffron broth. The saganaki may be my favorite plate on the menu: Aged kasseri cheese is wrapped in crispy phyllo and served with truffle honey, preserved cherry and zaatar. This is a splurge spot for sure, but if youre going to go big, this is the place to do it.

Pull up a bar stool at The Pearl

The Pearl is a nice option when you find yourself on Water Street but still want something relatively casual. The nautical-themed gastropub from restaurateur Cameron Mitchell has a wide seafood selection and raw bar, plus a tavern-style menu that elevates some classic dishes.

Start off with plump raw oysters or get a salty-sweet fix with the Devils on Horseback  dates stuffed with cheese, wrapped in bacon and topped with chimichurri. Jalapeno Corn Spoon Bread with whipped butter and local honey is a decadent sharable. The Pub Burger features beef that is ground daily  and you can taste the freshness. With melty Cambozola cheese and tomato jam, its a nice update on a classic, especially when paired with the perfectly textured Tavern Fries.

I have returned more than once for the margarita, which is citrusy and among the best Ive ever tasted. The Pearl is the kind of place where you can just drop in for a drink at its ample bar and indulge in prime people-watching.  Maggie Duffy, Times staff writer

Soak up big-city vibes at Boulon

One of the first big restaurants to open in the new development, you cant miss the large red letters spelling this restaurants name as youre walking or driving around Water Street. Its a splashy sign for a splashy place, a French brasserie with an American twist from restaurant group Next Level Brands.

From caviar to steak frites to a $19 bowl of lobster bisque, this is a high-end spot. Boulon serves lunch, brunch and dinner, and boasts a bar and bakery, too. Its a fun place to indulge in some French classics, from garlicky escargots in puff pastry to the iconic chicken dish coq au vin to French onion soup heavy on the melty cheese. The stunning dining room gives big-city vibes, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering great views of the busy roads outside.

Get tequila and guacamole at Lona

This Mexican spot from chef Richard Sandoval is inspired by the original location in Fort Lauderdale. This one is in collaboration with chef Pablo Salas, founder and owner of Mexico restaurant Amaranta. Grab a seat at the large bar and order a couple of small things to snack on, either at the beginning or end of a long night. I opted recently for the traditional guacamole with tomato, onion, lime and cilantro, which was pretty standard but delightful. My favorite plate was the Lona Chopped salad, with mixed greens, bacon, roasted corn, cheese and a cilantro ranch dressing. Although the greens in this salad are not chopped per se, most of the toppings were, making it easy to get all the delicious flavors in one bite.

This is the spot to grab a tequila cocktail. Nearly all the drinks on Lonas signature cocktail list feature the spirit, which makes sense: The beverage program includes a list of more than 200 mezcals and tequilas.

If all else fails, go to Publix

Floridians know we can always rely on Publix, and if you havent been to the Greenwise Water Street location, well, it will not disappoint. Nestled under Heron, the residential and retail complex at 815 Water St., its an oasis of grab-and-go goodies. There are standard groceries, sure, but it was created to serve the residents and visitors of Water Street who are in need of a quick lunch or a to-go dinner. Aside from the classic sub counter, there are stations offering made-to-order pasta, pizza and Italian appetizers; sushi, ramen and rice bowls; and burritos. Surrounding the stations are coolers full of every beverage imaginable, fresh fruit and other snacks. Its certainly the most affordable dining option on Water Street.

On the opposite side of the store, youll find the Pours bar, serving up coffee, kombucha and, yes, beer and wine. Chill on the bar stools or shop the large selection of wine bottles and beer nearby. Dont miss the wine bottle chiller in the wine section, which is able to chill any bottle of wine in the store in seconds.

Where to park

Street parking is available and can be easy to score when its not too busy. Parking lots are plentiful too: Theres the Cumberland Parking Lot (309 S Caesar St.), and the Garrison Parking Lot (615 Channelside Drive) across from Sparkman Wharf is a two-minute walk away.

If you have the Park Mobile app, you can reserve a spot at the Cumberland Garage (1045 E Cumberland Ave.) and the Channelside Garage (369 S 12th St.), or you can reserve it at waterstreettampa.com. This is really helpful when theres an event at Amalie Arena, but you can also try these garages even if you dont reserve a spot. The Pam Iorio Garage (301 Channelside Drive) is another option. And, in general, its wise not to come when theres an event at the arena if youre able to be flexible.

You can valet on Water Street starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and 5 p.m.-close Saturday-Sunday. Additional valet options are at the JW Marriott (510 Water St.) or the Tampa Marriott (505 Water St.).  Maggie Duffy, Times staff writer
White homeowner pleads not guilty in shooting of Black teen who rang the wrong doorbell

The 85-year-old White homeowner accused of shooting a Black teenager who rang the wrong doorbell pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action.

Andrew Lester did not speak during the brief arraignment in a courtroom in Clay County, Missouri. His trial date was set for October 7, 2024, and Lester will remain out on bond pending trial.

Andrew Lester has pleaded not guilty. - Clay County, Missouri, Sheriff's Office

The Kansas City homeowner garnered national attention after the April 13 shooting of Ralph Yarl.

Ralph, 16, was trying to pick up his younger siblings on April 13 when he went to the wrong address  1100 NE 115th Street instead of 1100 NE 115th Terrace.

After ringing Lesters doorbell, Ralph was shot in the head and arm. The teen survived but faces an arduous recovery, his family has said.

Prior to Lesters arraignment Wednesday, several of Ralphs supporters wore shirts in court that said, Ringing a doorbell is not a crime. The bailiff asked them to turn their shirts inside out before the arraignment started.

Lester was initially detained but released hours after the shooting. Days later, an arrest warrant was issued for Lester, and he turned himself in on April 18.

When asked whether Lester could also face hate crime charges, Clay County Prosecuting Attorney Zachary Thompson has said that in Missouri a hate crime is a lower level of felony. He said adding such charges could constitute double jeopardy.

But I can tell you there was a racial component to this case, Thompson said at an April news conference, without elaborating.

The shooting was among a spate of cases involving young people shot or killed after mistakenly going to the wrong house, the wrong driveway or the wrong car.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said he believes Ralph was racially profiled by the shooter. To pretend that race is not a part of this whole situation would be to have your head in the sand, Lucas said. This boy was shot because he was existing while Black.

But Lesters attorney, Steven Salmon, said there was no evidence that race had anything to do with the shooting, CNN affiliate KMBC reported.

Also, there was an admission that Yarl grabbed the storm door handle of Lesters door to gain access to the house, Salmon said, according to KMBC.

Lester told police he opened fire immediately after answering the doorbell when he saw Ralph pulling on an exterior door handle, according to the probable cause document obtained by CNN.

He also told police he didnt exchange words with the teen before he fired at him through a locked glass door, according to the probable cause document.

But Ralph said he never pulled on the door. He rang the doorbell and waited a while before a man eventually opened the door and immediately shot him in the head, according to the document.

While Ralph was still on the ground, he told police, the gunman fired again and shot him in the arm.

Lester said he was scared to death due to the boys size, according to court documents.

But an attorney for Ralphs family said that notion is absurd because the teen was 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighed 140 pounds.

Hes the least imposing kid that Ive come across, attorney Lee Merritt said in April. He is a 16-year-old musician. He is not known for his physical prowess.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Joe Biden speaks at a leaders' reception at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Biden is in New York attending the 78th United Nations General Assembly as first lady Jill Biden listens. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is creating the first-ever federal office of gun violence prevention, according to two people familiar with the plans.

The office will coordinate efforts across the federal government and will offer help and guidance to states struggling with increasing gun violence, while taking the lead on implementation of the bipartisan gun legislation signed into law last year. Biden tentatively plans to announce the new effort with an event Friday at the White House, said the people, who had direct knowledge of the plans and who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The office fulfills a key demand of gun safety activists who banded together as a coalition to endorse Biden for president in 2024, and is an effort by the White House to keep the issue front-and-center as the president pushes for a ban on so-called assault weapons and urges Congress to act.

The creation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the White House will mark a turning point in how our federal government responds to an epidemic that plagues every state and every community in America," said Kris Brown, president of the gun safety group Brady, which has advocated for the office since 2020.

Tackling this epidemic will take a whole-of-government approach, and this new office would ensure the executive branch is focused and coordinated on proven solutions that will save lives."

Greg Jackson, the executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, and Everytown for Gun Safety's Rob Wilcox are expected to hold roles in the newly created office, which White House staff secretary Stef Feldman will oversee, the people said. The White House's plans were first reported by The Washington Post.

There are few people who care more about the work of gun violence prevention than President Biden, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., who has drafted legislation with Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., that would create such an office. Establishing a White House office dedicated to this fight will save thousands of lives and strengthen the federal governments implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Firearms are the No. 1 killer of children in the U.S., and so far this year 220 children younger than 11 have died by guns and 1,049 between the ages of 12 and 17 have died. As of 2020, the firearm mortality rate in the U.S. for those under age 19 is 5.6 per 100,000. The next comparable is Canada, with 0.08 deaths per 100,000.

But Republican support for gun restrictions is slipping a year after Congress passed the most comprehensive firearms control legislation in decades with bipartisan support, according to a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Most Democrats, 92%, want gun laws made stronger, in line with their views in a UChicago Harris/AP-NORC poll conducted in July 2022. But Republican desire for more expansive legislation has dropped to 32% from 49% last summer and independents support has also declined slightly to 61% from 72%.

Yet despite the political divide, both sides believe its important to reduce mass shootings that plague the nation, the poll found. As of Monday, there have been at least 35 mass killings in the U.S. so far in 2023, leaving at least 171 people dead, not including shooters who died, according to a database maintained by the AP and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.

That puts the country on a faster pace for mass killings than in any other year since 2006, according to the database, which defines a mass killing as one in which four or more people are killed, not including the perpetrator, within a 24-hour period.
The White House took a swing at House Republicans over a Wednesday hearing featuring Attorney General Merrick Garland , calling it a distraction campaign.

In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, White House Spokesman for Oversight and Investigations Ian Sams called the hearing part of a not-so-sophisticated distraction campaign from their own actions that are hurtling America to a dangerous and costly shutdown. House Republicans have struggled to pass bills recently due to heated debates over spending as an end-of-the-month government shutdown looms.

They cannot even pass a military funding bill because extreme House Republicans are demanding devastating cuts like slashing thousands of preschool slots nationwide and thousands of law enforcement jobs including border agents, so they cranked up a circus of a hearing full of lies and disinformation with the sole goal of baselessly attacking President Biden and his family, Sams said.

Garland defended the Justice Department against claims of political bias at the hearing Wednesday. He faced questions from House Republicans about his appointment of Special Counsel David Weiss and the Justice Departments handling of the investigation into the presidents son, Hunter Biden.

He denied GOP claims of stalling or limiting the investigation into the Presidents son when responding to a lawmaker about whether they have any basis in reality.

No it does not, he replied.

Hunter Biden was indicted last week on three gun charges by prosecutors in Delaware. The most serious charges he faces could land him in prison for up to 10 years and up to $250,000 in fines.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ethnic Armenian fighters in Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to lay down their arms after Azerbaijan launched a brief but bloody military offensive on Tuesday, handing a boost to Azerbaijan as it seeks to bring the enclave under its control.

Whether this leads to a lasting peace is not yet clear. Armenia and Azerbaijan have already fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The flare-up  which killed hundreds of people, according to local authorities  alarmed the international community and raised questions over Russias ability to maintain its long-term role as power broker in the region.

What is Nagorno-Karabakh?

Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh to Armenians, is a landlocked region in the Caucasus Mountains and lies within Azerbaijans borders. It is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan but is home to around 120,000 ethnic Armenians, who make up the majority of its population and reject Azerbaijani rule.

The region has its own de facto government which is backed by Armenia, but it is not officially recognized by Armenia or any other country.

Under the Soviet Union, of which Azerbaijan and Armenia are both former members, Nagorno-Karabakh became an autonomous region within the republic of Azerbaijan in 1923.

Karabakh officials passed a resolution in 1988 declaring its intention to join the republic of Armenia, causing fighting to break out as the Soviet Union began to crumble, in what became the First Karabakh War. About 30,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands were displaced when the Armenian side gained control of the region and seven surrounding districts in Azerbaijan.

After years of sporadic clashes between the two sides, the Second Karabakh War began in 2020. Azerbaijan, backed by its historic ally Turkey, won a crushing victory in just 44 days, reclaiming the seven districts and about a third of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The war ended after Russia, a longtime ally of Armenia but with growing ties to Azerbaijan, negotiated a ceasefire. The Moscow-brokered deal provided for about 2,000 Russian peacekeepers to deploy to the region to prevent further Azerbaijani encroachments and guard the Lachin corridor, the only road connecting the enclave to Armenia.

Why are tensions flaring again?

Despite Russias peacekeeping presence, Nagorno-Karabakh has been under blockade for nine months. In December 2022, Azerbaijan-backed activists established a military checkpoint along the Lachin corridor, preventing the import of food and prompting fears that residents were being left to starve.

In the days leading up to the strikes on Stepanakert, the Karabakh foreign ministry warned that the Azerbaijani side has been carrying out daily troop transfers and stockpiling of various weapons preparing the ground for large-scale aggression.

Azerbaijani servicemen stand guard at a checkpoint at the Lachin corridor, which links Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. - Tofik Babayev/AFP/Getty Images

Despite the tensions, Tuesdays escalation was sudden. Justifying its strikes on Stepanakert, Azerbaijans defense ministry said an Azerbaijani vehicle had struck a mine that had been planted in previously de-mined areas, killing two civilians.

Azerbaijan also said its army had come under systematic shelling from Armenias armed forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.

But Armenias foreign ministry rejected claims that its armed forces were in Nagorno-Karabakh, which instead is protected by the Artsakh Defense Army. Armenias assistance to Nagorno-Karabakh is of a humanitarian nature due to the ongoing blockade, it said in a statement.

CNN was not able to independently verify either sides claims.

By late Wednesday, at least 200 people were reported to have been killed in the military operation, including 10 confirmed civilians and five children, local officials said. The ceasefire came into effect at 1 p.m. local time Wednesday, after the Karabakh presidential office agreed to the dissolution and complete disarmament of the armed formations.

Children sheltered during Azerbaijan's shelling of Stepanakert overnight Tuesday. - Siranush Sargsyan/AP

What are Azerbaijan and Armenias positions?

Armenia no longer disputes that Nagorno-Karabakh is part of Azerbaijans territory.

After the 2020 war exposed Armenias military inferiority, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan conceded in April this year that his government is willing to relinquish its claims on the region. He argued peace is possible only if Armenia limits its territorial ambitions to the borders of the former Armenian Soviet Socialist Republic  that is, excluding Nagorno-Karabakh.

Now, Azerbaijans longtime President Ilham Aliyev is seeking to press home what he sees as his advantage. His rhetoric has grown increasingly aggressive in recent months. In a speech delivered in May, Aliyev said of Karabakh Armenians: Either they will bend their necks and come themselves, or things will develop differently  a veiled threat of military action.

Azerbaijans position on Tuesday was uncompromising, as it called for the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces and the dissolution of the puppet regime in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Under the terms of Wednesdays ceasefire, Nagorno-Karabakh has dissolved its army, while Armenia has continued to insist that it did not have a military presence of its own in the region. How far Azerbaijan is willing to go in insisting on the dissolution of the de facto government is not yet clear.

How are Russia and Turkey involved?

Russia is a historic ally of Armenias, while Turkey has long provided support to Azerbaijan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey supports the steps taken by Azerbaijan, where we act with the motto of one nation, two states, to protect its territorial integrity, during his speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Turkey has itself launched a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Armenians, in a genocide of the Armenian subjects of the Ottoman Empire during World War I.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov expressed concern about the sharp escalation of tensions and the outbreak of hostilities.

Analysts said the effectiveness of Russia's peacekeeping presence, which began after the war in 2020, has diminished over time. - Karen Minasyan/AFP/Getty Images

However, the latest violence came during what some analysts have argued may constitute a fracture in the close relationship between Armenia and Russia.

Armenia has for decades trusted Russia as the sole guarantor of its security, which Moscow purports to provide through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance of post-Soviet states that includes Armenia but not Azerbaijan.

But Armenia has grown frustrated by Russias unwillingness or inability to defend it against Azerbaijani aggression, as ties between Moscow and Baku have grown.

With Russia failing to deliver on its commitments, analysts told CNN that Armenia has felt it had little choice but to diversify its security apparatus.

This month, Armenia sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine for the first time. It then hosted joint military training exercises with the US. Its parliament is also set to ratify the ICCs Rome Statute  meaning it would be obliged to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin if he were to set foot in the country.

Pashinyan criticized Russia on Tuesday for not alerting his government about Azerbaijans plans to launch military action: We havent received any information from our partners in Russia about that operation, he was quoted by Armenpress as saying.

The news of fresh strikes on Nagorno-Karabakh sparked cryptic reactions from prominent Russian figures showing little sympathy for Armenia. Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of state-owned Russia Today, said the news was tragic, hopeless and predictable, adding the fate of Judas is unenviable.

Previous reporting from CNNs Tim Lister, Gianluca Mezzofiore, Anna Chernova, Nick Paton Walsh, Katherina Krebs, Mariya Knight, Chris Liakos, Maya Szaniecki, Radina Gigova and Alex Hardie.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
An Armenian soldier looks through binoculars at a combat position near the village of Taghavard in Karabakh, January 2021

Despite the latest statements by the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan about the possibility of signing a peace treaty before the end of this year, Azerbaijani forces launched strikes on targets in Karabakh on Sept. 19. NV explores how the region has been living recently and what preceded the latest violent outbreak in the decades-long conflict.

After months of blockade and amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Baku announced the start of anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh. This is what everything was heading towards, Azeri political commentator Shahin Rzayev explained regretfully to NV.

This is pressure on Armenia to fulfill its obligations, he says. In particular, it was required to disarm military formations in Karabakh and open a road through its territory to the Azerbaijani exclave of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic.

According to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense, the goal of the military operation is to disarm pro-Armenian forces, neutralize their infrastructure, and ensure peace and Azerbaijani sovereignty in Karabakh, which has been controlled by pro-Armenian authorities for the past three decades.

Read also: Azerbaijan to begin gas supplies to Hungary by years end

All this time, the conflict between neighboring states smoldered and periodically flared up  from skirmishes on the border to a four-day war of 2016 and the second Karabakh war of 2020. The situation has recently worsened. As reported by the UK newspaper The Telegraph, citing information from the Center for Information Resilience (CIR), Azerbaijani armed forces increased their military capabilities near Armenia in early September. Moreover, Azerbaijani military equipment began bearing V and Z symbols, which are used by the Russian army in Ukraine, CIR researchers noted.

After the start of the Azerbaijani military operation, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan stated that his country was not involved in the hostilities and would not take any rash steps. Meanwhile, Russia, which has peacekeeping forces in Karabakh, stated that it was deeply alarmed by the escalation.

The tacit consent of the Russian contingent and the Russian Foreign Ministry was unexpected for me, admits Rzayev. I suspect that [everything] was agreed in advance.

History lessons

Karabakh is an internationally recognized territory of Azerbaijan, the vast majority of the population of which are ethnic Armenians. In the early 1990s, members of the Armenian community proclaimed an independent republic in this territory, which was not recognized by any country in the world, not even Armenia. In April 2023, Yerevan agreed to affirm Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh, after which representatives of Baku expressed hope for establishing peace between the two states.

However, now Karabakh Armenians fear ethnic cleansing and attempts by Azerbaijan to expel them from their own homes. Baku is really not ready to provide any security guarantees to the Karabakh Armenians, Rzayev explains, even though he admits that they are necessary.

I really want the Karabakh Armenians to become the same citizens as the Karabakh Azerbaijanis, like Baku Azerbaijanis, Rzayev says. They should have the same rights and the same responsibilities: pay taxes, serve in the army. Sure, not immediately, but after 10-15 years of a transition period, he adds, citing historical examples of the use of such practices in Northern Ireland and the Balkans.

Read also: Breaking: Ceasefire announced in Nagorno-Karabakh

Karabakh Armenians themselves, recalling the previous steps by Azerbaijan, do not expect loyalty from it. Baku has already applied pressure in the past: in addition to blocking the Lachin corridor  the only route through which the Armenian population can enter and leave Karabakh  the Azeris have periodically cut off gas and electricity supplies to Karabakh residents in order to establish control over the region, recalls Richard Giragosyan, director of the Center for Regional Studies in Yerevan.

The final step in Azerbaijans strategy to drive the Armenian population out of the region was the use of siege warfare, says the Armenian analyst, and this strategy was largely successful due to both the growing strength of Azerbaijan and the growing weakness or complicity of Russia.

Without fruit, salt, and fuel

Since the beginning of the year, Karabakh, with its population of 140,000, has been suffering from a humanitarian crisis due to Azerbaijan blocking the Lachin road. According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the only non-governmental organization allowed to deliver aid along this route, Baku stopped allowing humanitarian supplies into Karabakh in mid-June. Since then, local supplies of food, medicine, water and fuel have only dwindled.

Less than two weeks ago, on Sept. 8-9, the parties agreed on the simultaneous opening of two routes to Karabakh: through the Azerbaijani Agdam and through the Lachin road from Armenia. Thanks to this, on the morning of Sept. 18, the first trucks with humanitarian aid drove to Stepanakert along both roads. As reported by Armenian media, 23 tons of flour from Armenia and medical and hygiene products from Azerbaijan were delivered to Karabakhs largest city.

Read also: Armenian PM claims his country not Russias ally in war against Ukraine, Kremlin reacts

Before this, Karabakhs self-proclaimed authorities stated that dairy products, cereals, fish, chicken, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, fruits and vegetables, as well as fuel and hygiene products were not available in the region. The situation in the region has grown from a humanitarian crisis into a humanitarian catastrophe, Giragosyan argues.

The Armenian population of Karabakh is forced to endure serious shortages of basic food products, essential medicines, and other essential goods, he says.

As local residents told foreign journalists, the months-long blocking of the Lachin road caused a fuel shortage, which in turn led to a halt to public transport, daily eight-hour power outages, a stop in water treatment and, as a result, a surge in disease. There have been dangerous problems with local emergency services such as fire and police, Giragossian adds. Garbage collection is also halted.

However, the Azerbaijani side has always rejected accusations of blockading the region. Rzayev calls what happened in Karabakh not a humanitarian crisis, but a political crisis. He recalls the refusal of local separatist authorities to accept humanitarian aid from the Azerbaijani Red Crescent Society and suggests that it aims to renew its demands for annexation to Armenia.

And this contradicts international principles of territorial integrity, Rzayev argues.

Moscows Hand

Yerevans dependence on Russia for security turned out to be a strategic mistake, Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan admitted in early September.

Read also: In a betrayal of longstanding ally Armenia, Russia recognizes Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijans

The security architecture of Armenia was 99.999% linked to Russia, in particular when it came to the purchase of weapons and ammunition. But today we see that Russia itself needs weapons and ammunition [for its war against Ukraine], and in this situation it is clear that Russia will not be able to ensure the security of Armenia, even if it wanted to, he said.

Recall that after the brief war in the fall of 2020, Azerbaijan and Armenia signed an agreement to cease hostilities through Russian mediation. At that time, Baku brought under its control part of the territories of Karabakh and adjacent regions of Azerbaijan which had been occupied by Armenian troops in the early 1990s, and Russian peacekeeping forces were stationed in the region. But Pashinyan recently stated that they had failed in their mission.

Russia is bogged down by its failed invasion of Ukraine, and it is now clear that Karabakh and Armenia should not count on Moscow or the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to fulfill their security obligations, Giragosyan states.

Now, unfortunately, Russias influence in Azerbaijan is much greater than in Armenia, and Azerbaijan is taking advantage of this

Russia is on Azerbaijans side, and has been since the failure of the 2003 negotiations, Rzayev emphasizes. Now, unfortunately, Russias influence in Azerbaijan is much greater than in Armenia, and Azerbaijan is taking advantage of this, he says. I am 90% convinced that after 2025, when the [basing] of Russian peacekeeping forces [in Karabakh] expires, Azerbaijan will extend it  why not, if the interests of Aliyev, Putin, and Erdogan align.

Peace until the end of the year?

Meanwhile, bilateral diplomatic negotiations continue between Armenia and Azerbaijan, focusing on a draft Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. According to a recent statement by Pashinyan, it could be signed before the end of this year.

It is important that the parties agree on the delimitation of borders, Rzayev emphasizes. Indeed, due to the lack of an agreement on establishing state borders between the two neighboring states, Azerbaijan still controls some territories that belonged to Armenia in Soviet times and vice versa.

However, signing agreements between Yerevan and Baku may not be enough to ensure peace in the region. After all, any agreement will be limited to bilateral interstate relations, Giragosyan notes. It will have no real impact on the status of Karabakh and will not contain a binding security element for the region.

Read also: Azerbaijan to claim Nagorno-Karabakh after Armenia withdraws all troops in ceasefire agreement

At the same time, Giragosyan believes that Baku has a domestic political agenda that encourages escalation. The Aliyev father-son dynasty has ruled the country for more than a quarter of a century, he notes, and to distract from the lack of democracy and entrenched family corruption, the Azerbaijani leadership needs an enemy.

That is why, after the conclusion of the agreement, the West must do a great deal of work to ensure a strong and lasting peace, Giragosyan insists.

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
The fact that Sen. Mitt Romney, instead of publishing his own memoir next month, worked with the Atlantics McKay Coppins on a biographyRomney: A Reckoningtells us two things. First, Romney knows that hes never going to be president. Second, on his way out, Romney is still responding to a callingone that comes in part from his own Mormon faithto try, one last time, to dislodge the GOP from Trump and save the American republic from Trumpism.

Its not a surprise that Romney has turned to Coppins to help author his farewell address. Coppins, an excellent storyteller and chronicler of Republican politics in the Trump years, is a fellow Latter-day Saint who came of age in Massachusetts when Romney was governor of the state. That shared background is important. We found out last week, when Coppins published an excerpt of the biography on the Atlantics website, that in 2021 Romney and Coppins began meeting in Romneys Senate offices or in his tony Washington town house, and had long conversations during which, Romney told Coppins, no subject would be off-limits.

Romney also gave Coppins access to a space even more intimate, and perhaps even more Mormon: Romneys personal journals and other papers from his time as a senator. On these pages, Romney presents himself as a vestige of a mostly mythic past, when senators spoke and voted based on their principles, not party expediency. As Coppins writes in typically vivid prose:

[Romney] handed over hundreds of pages of his private journals and years worth of personal correspondence, including sensitive emails with some of the most powerful Republicans in the country. When he couldnt find the key to an old filing cabinet that contained some of his personal papers, he took a crowbar to it and deposited stacks of campaign documents and legal pads in my lap. Hed kept all of this stuff, he explained, because he thought he might write a memoir one day, but hed decided against it. I cant be objective about my own life, he said.

Historians of Mormonism can relate to Coppins implied feelings of joy and overwhelm. Weve all had cabinets full of papers dumped in our laps. To be sure, its not only Mormons who collect and compile written records of their lives, with the idea of one day turning that archive into a narrative for personal, familial, and historical posterity, or turning that archive over to a biographer to do that sorting for them. But journaling is a particularly Mormon pastime.

The Book of Mormon, the faiths foundational text, reads like a series of journal entries penned by ancient prophets who recorded the goings-on of ancient history with the expectation that future generations would read them to know the past and to learn what to do in the present and future. Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism, declared at the first official meeting of the church on April 6, 1830, Behold, there shall be a record kept among you. This revelation established the position of the church historian and recorder, the person in the hierarchy responsible for taking the minutes of meetings and speeches of church leaders, compiling membership information, organizing sacred and mundane records of the church, and narrating the history of the church.

To paraphrase prominent historian of Mormonism Jan Shipps, Latter-day Saints dont have a theology; they have a history. The mandate of the church historian and recorder was to capture on paper the trials and blessings of the people of God as their history unfolds in what Mormons describe as the latter days, before the second coming of Christ. On these pages, church historians and recorders show how, from their perspective, God speaks to and intervenes in the life of the church, and how in turn members of the church leadership act to create a kingdom of God fit for Christs (somewhat) imminent return.

Its not just the official church that has kept journals that chronicle the unfolding history of Mormonism. Individual Mormons have, and still do, with the same spiritlooking to identify Gods involvement in their lives, often in the face of religious persecution, and to discern how they should act godly, to choose the right, as the Mormon saying goes.

Journaling has been an integral part of the Romney familys Mormon faith ever since Mitts great-great-grandfather Miles Romney (18061877) became the familys first Mormon convert after he heard missionaries preach in his native England in 1837. Soon after, Romney immigrated to the U.S., eventually joining the Mormons in Utah, where he served as an architect, designing temples, tabernacles, and the homes of the churchs second prophet Brigham Young.

Miles Romneys journal from the early 1850s is largely mundane. Reports of the weather. Descriptions of various infrastructure projects. Summaries of sermons. Births, sicknesses, deaths among the Mormon brethren and family members. Reports of attacks of Native Americans against mail trains. Romney also wrote into his journal transcriptions of anti-Mormon newspaper clippings, especially about Mormon polygamy. In April 1852, Romney recorded, A Massachusetts paper says, a lady from Lynn, who has recently returned from the Mormon settlement at the Great Salt Lake confirms the statement that the laws of the community permit the men to have as many wives as they can supportthe young being able to take five [or] six only, and the older twenty-five to thirty. Miles Romney married as many as 12 wives before he died in 1877. One of his sons, Mitts great-grandfather Miles Park Romney , married five wives. During the U.S. governments anti-polygamy campaigns of the 1880s, Miles Park Romney led a party of polygamists to Chihuahua, Mexico, to escape imprisonment. It was there, a generation later, that Mitt Romneys father, George Romney, was born into a monogamous family, after the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ended polygamy in the first decade of the 20th century.

In his journal, the elder Miles Romney wrote about his own sacred work, and recorded prophecies about the work his sons Miles and George would have to take up to preserve the faith in the face of persecution. My son George you are born to a great man, Miles Romney wrote in May 1852. I have commenced the work of regeneration and am trying to lay a foundation which you will be called to finish and build the building, to the patriarchal government ere long will devolve to govern your brethren in rightious. May the Lord give you wisdom and power to accomplish it.

For the diarists in Mitt Romneys family tree, journals might have been personal. But they were never meant to be private. Instead, they were always fashioned with an audience in mind. Thats why in their biography of another of Mitt Romneys great-great-grandfathersParley P. Pratt, the most beloved Mormon in the early church who was not named SmithTerryl Givens and Matthew J. Grow turned not to Pratts copious journal for details of his spiritual doubts and troubles in his family life, but to his private correspondence with family members.

The fact that many among the faithful penned journal entries with an eye toward future readers did not mean that Mormon writers were all necessarily making things up in their diaries. In her book The Polygamous Wives Writing Club, historian Paula Kelly Harline compared journals of polygamous Mormons, most of whom were not the wives of famous Mormon leaders, to the autobiographies that these women wrote for their children and grandchildren. Harline found that these journals revealed more about their trials and tribulationspregnancies getting in the way of intimacy, potential job prospects out of the home, and jealousy among fellow wives were common preoccupations in their day-to-day musingsthan the stories of triumph that their more polished and edited memoirs immortalized.

To the contrary, Mormon journals, especially the ones written by those outside the patriarchy, have long served as correctives to the official histories written by Mormon men. Take, for example, Adelia Almira Wilcoxs journal entries from October 1853. That fall, Utah was in the midst of the Walker war, a sporadic series of violent encounters between the Mormon settlers and the Utes, who were then led by Wakara, the famed horse thief and slave trader who was alternately friend and foe to the Mormons.

According to the official account penned by Major George W. Bradley, a military commander at Fort Nephi in central Utah, the Mormon militia tried to question a group of Utes (or, possibly, Goshuteswe arent entirely sure) about the murder of a Mormon wagon team the previous month. The Natives refused to lay down their arms. Instead, they showed fight and began shooting arrows at the Mormons, wounding a few. Bradley had no choice, he said. He wrote in his report, I ordered them to be fired upon. Several Indians were killed and the squaw [w]as taken prisoner.

Wilcox, a Mormon settler, was also at Nephi during this skirmish, as Bradley referred to it in his report. But Wilcox wrote in her journal that the Mormons, not the Native Americans, had been the belligerents. They were shot down like so many dogs, picked up with pitchforks, put on a sleigh and hauled away, she wrote. It was afterwards [I] learned that they  had no hand in murdering our brethren. What Bradley called a skirmish between two warring parties was, according to Wilcox, really a massacre of innocents. In 2006, during an excavation of a foundation for a new house in Nephi, a mass grave was unearthed; archaeologists connected it to the violent encounter in October 1853. An examination of the remains proved Wilcox correct: The Native Americans had been bound, tortured, then assassinated at close range, likely while they were forced to kneel or lie on the ground.

Such bald-faced truth telling has long been part of Mormon journaling culture. Church leaders from the 19th century to the present have encouraged Mormons to keep journals to discern the right in ones own life, alongside chronicling the wrong in others. As Matthew Bowman, the Hunter chair of Mormon studies at Claremont Graduate University, told me, Mormon journaling is a reflection of the impulse to record keeping present in the church from the beginning, the sense that cataloging and marking events and times is key for the reordering of life and society the church hoped to accomplish. Still, the focus has moved toward the interior in the generations of Latter-day Saints during which Romney came of age. Theres a deep impulse toward self-examination and self-discipline that runs through the church, Bowman said, and thats the individual as opposed to the social aspect of record keeping.

From the public nature of Mormon journaling, which has remained a constant, a new wrinkle has emerged along with changes in technology. In the 2000s, Mormon mothers turned their journaling practices into Mormon mommy blogs, in which the audience was no longer imagined and in the future. It was known and in the now. And even more recently, YouTube and other social media have made stars of (and fortunes for) Mormon women who share their experiences raising children in the faith, experiences that in previous generations would have been recorded in journals. But audiences can now talk back to these content creators. Take the case of Mormon mommy vlogger Ruby Franke, who last month was arrested for child abuse. Members of her audience had long raised concerns about the apparently abusive nature of her child-rearing practices and declared themselves unsurprised after her arrest. Sometimes, the audience becomes the truth teller.

Even when they never intend to make their journals public, many of the Mormon journalers I have spoken to about the practice felt as if someone was always watching as they wrote. One Mormon friend, who has been journaling since he was in high school, told me he believed that angels would read his journals. Ironically, for some others, journaling became a way out of the church. As she learned more about early church history, including the origins of polygamywhen Joseph Smith married several teenage girlsand witnessed what she viewed as the churchs continued lack of concern for the plight of LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints, one friend who is now a former Mormon told me that journaling became a space where she discerned what the right thing was. And that right thing for me was to leave, she said. Another friend who has also left the church explained that he never wrote about his doubts in his journals. I was nervous someone in my family would find it.

In the journals that he shared with Coppins, Romney does not chronicle a loss of faith in his church. But he does chronicle a loss of faith in his Republican Senate colleagues. Romney kept a tally of all the GOP senators who in private thanked him for criticizing Trump and told him they would have done the same if they had his constituency of voters. In his journal, Romney also recalled how, in March 2019, at a weekly lunch of the Senate Republican caucus, Trump was greeted with a standing ovation, and the senators listened to Trump ramble on about the Russian investigation, among other grievances. But as soon as Trump left the lunch, the senators burst into laughter.

Later, during Trumps first impeachment trial, Romney wrote in his journal that he was dismayed that Mike Pence had shown up to another Senate luncheon in which the vice president outlined the White Houses plan of defense. As his fellow Republican senators failed to act with the kind of impartiality he believed that the trial warranted, Romney presents himself in his journals as going through a kind of dark night of the soul as he grappled over how he should vote. He went back and forth: Sometimes I think I will be voting to convict, and sometimes I think I will vote to exonerate. He made lists of for and against. He was so weighed down by examining the right thing to do that he lost sleep. He did not want to vote to convict. But on the pages of his journal the night before the vote, he wrote page after page, Coppins explains, until finally the truth was clear to him: Trump was guilty.

The next day, from the Senate floor, Romney, through tears, gave one of the most powerful speeches in recent American politics, explaining why he was voting to convict. He did so even in the face of calls that he stand with the [Republican] team. Even though he knew that it would not lead to Trumps removal from office. Even though he knew that the vote would make him a pariah among his party. His vote, he said, was made based on faithfulness to the Constitution and on his promise before God. And echoing the same sentiments found in his great-great-grandfather Miles Romneys journals, about the legacy of faithfulness in the face of persecution, he added: With my vote, I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability, believing that my country expected it from me.

And now were about to get a biography that tells more of these kinds of stories. If you look at him as the latest in a long line of Mormon diarists, you can see that Romneys deliberations are both deeply personal and meant for display; discerning, but also created for posteritys eyes to see. These journals might not always reveal ultimate truth, though thats what Mormon diarists believe they are writing themselves toward. Still, Mormon journals do reveal a lot about the lives of members of what is perhaps the most American of religionslives that, like Romneys, have sometimes changed the course of American history.
Entomologists from Thailand made a discovery of a new "electric blue" tarantula in the southern part of the country in what they are calling an "enchanting phenomenon."

The newly discovered creature is known as the Chilobrachys natanicharum and is seen as having a "blue-violet hue" that resembles the color of electrical sparks. Researchers from the Entomology Museum at Khon Kaen University and the Natural History Museum of the National Science Museum published a paper announcing the finding.

Newly-Discovered Spider Species

In a statement, the researchers said that the animal's blue coloration is a fascinating and relatively rare instance in the natural world. Blue color in tarantulas is a unique instance of structural colors that evolved independently at least eight different times.

The name of the newly-discovered species was chosen in a nationwide auction and the creature was named after the executives of Nichada Properties Co. Ltd., a real estate company. Photographs of the new creature showed that the spider has blue-purple hair on its legs and its body, as per CBS News.

The coloring on the creature's legs is "unique" and "iridescent," said the researchers. Scientists said that female spiders and young male spiders of the same species have "more violet than metallic-blue hairs. Male spiders have a bright blue color that is more prominent. However, females typically have less intense coloring.

The researchers also noted that the newly-discovered animal seems to reside within Thailand's southern mangrove forests. The spiders were found to live within tree hollows in the area and are also believed to live in evergreen forests.

Unfortunately, the habitat of the newly discovered spider is in danger due to habitat destruction and the hunting of tarantulas. All the tarantulas in the country are considered to be controlled wildlife and researchers emphasized the need to conserve and protect the species as well as their habitats.

The researchers noted that tarantulas are known for having unique patches of bristle-like hairs that create stridulation organs. When the animals rub these organs against surfaces, they produce a noise that is used to communicate with other tarantulas, according to the Miami Herald.

Read Also: US Cities to Receive $1 Billion in Federal Funding for Tree Planting

Rare and Unique Phenomenon

The male tarantulas were also meticulously cataloged by the researchers, who recorded them as having a size range of roughly 1.51 to 2.19 inches while their female versions measured between 2.24 and 2.66 inches.

The carapaces of the creatures also had a distinction between genders, as males had jet-black colors while females had a mix of metallic-blue and violet hairs. The Chilobrachys genus also possesses extraordinary thorn-like setae, which are aptly named "strikers," comprising their stridulating apparatus.

Prior to the finding in the wild, the species was only known to experts through the commercial tarantula trade market, said The Thaiger.

There was also another type of spider that was discovered earlier this year, a new and rare "giant" trapdoor spider species. This creature was found in Australia, a finding that was announced by the Queensland Museum Network.

Scientists discovered the massive creature in the Brigalow Belt located in central Queensland and named it Euplos dignitas. It comes from the Latin word dignitas, which means dignity or greatness that the museum said reflects the creature's impressive size and nature.

Related Article: Lincolnshire Commits Generous Funding to Safeguard Endangered Crystal Moss Creature

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
WASHINGTON (AP)  House Republicans grilled Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday about the Justice Department investigation of Hunter Biden in a contentious hearing that delved into aspects of the criminal justice system that typically play out long before the case enters a public courtroom.

Many questions from members of Congress centered on the yearslong investigation of the president's son, who has been under scrutiny for his business dealings and has now been indicted on a federal firearms charge alleging he lied about his drug use as he bought a gun in 2018.

Internal Revenue Service agents have claimed in whistleblower testimony the investigation was slow walked and the authority of the prosecutor in charge was curtailed by the Justice Department. Garland has strongly denied the allegations, but they could become a main line of attack as an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden unfolds.

While the Hunter Biden case is far from typical, it touches on some of the more mundane but less-well-understood aspects of the criminal justice system.

Here are some common questions and answers about the workings of criminal prosecutions:

HOW DO CASES GET FILED?

In the federal court system, cases typically start with investigators at agencies like the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration or Homeland Security. There are 94 U.S. Attorney's Offices where prosecutors look at evidence and decide whether to file charges. Some cases turn into criminal charges, while in others prosecutors decline to proceed. Prosecutors typically have wide discretion about who to charge, how many charges to file, and how serious those charges should be  and they may differ from counts investigators cited in an arrest or investigation.

WHAT IF AN INVESTIGATION CROSSES ANOTHER STATE?

If authorities following leads in one case find allegations that cross into another state or jurisdiction and prosecutors want to file charges, there are at least two paths they can follow.

A U.S. attorneys office can partner with counterparts in the other state and file the case together. If prosecutors in the other state decline to work together, a U.S. attorney can request permission to bring a case outside of his jurisdiction under whats known at the Justice Department as a 515 order.

The order  its name references a section of federal law  says the prosecutor has been directed to work in the other jurisdiction by the attorney general. Such an order, requiring approval in this case by Garland or another senior Justice Department official, gives the prosecutor whats typically known as special attorney status.

In his testimony on Wednesday, Garland referred to that process as very common and nothing cumbersome.

In the Hunter Biden case, IRS agents have alleged that Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, the prosecutor overseeing the case, was turned down by his counterparts in Washington and California when he wanted to file tax charges there. Republicans cite that as evidence that Weiss never had full authority to pursue the case. Garland acknowledged that U.S. attorneys can refuse to cooperate for reasons ranging from workload to their view of the strength of the case, but said that he quickly gave Weiss special status.

WHAT IS A SPECIAL COUNSEL?

A special counsel is an attorney who is appointed to investigate a case in which the Justice Department perceives itself as having a conflict or where its considered to be in the public interest to have someone outside the government come in and take responsibility.

This person is not subject to day-to-day supervision of the Justice Department, but must still comply with department regulations, policies and procedures. The attorney general is expected to give great weight to special counsels' views, but can also seek explanations about any investigative or prosecutorial step they want to take. The attorney general retains final say and is the one government official who can fire them, but must notify Congress if a move the special counsel wants to make is rejected.

Republicans raised questions Wednesday about Weiss's status as a special counsel appointed in August, saying a plea deal his office was ready to strike with Biden was a sweetheart deal" and showed he wasn't the best choice for the role. Garland, for his part, said he made the appointment because Weiss requested it and was leery of changing horses midstream."

He demurred on other questions about the timing of the decision, saying he didn't want to share details of an ongoing investigation and had been purposely hands-off on the Hunter Biden probe in particular to avoid any perception of political interference.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMPLICATIONS ON THE HUNTER BIDEN CASE?

Congressional Republicans have been investigating nearly every aspect of Hunter Biden's business dealings, as well as the Justice Department's handling of his case. Several federal investigators have testified to having differing views of Weiss authority in the waning months of the investigations late last year.

Gary Shapley, a veteran IRS agent who had been assigned to the case, testified to Congress in May that he heard Weiss say in a October 2022 meeting that he was not the deciding person whether charges are filed against Hunter Biden.

But in the past two weeks, senior FBI agents Thomas Sobocinski and his deputy  two of seven people in attendance  told lawmakers that they have no recollection of Weiss saying that.

At no point did I think he did not have that authority to do all of those steps with all that we were looking at, Sobocinski said. He added later in the interview, I never thought that anybody was there above David Weiss to say no.
The hype around Disneyland can be explained by psychological phenomenons, experts say.

Perhaps the most interesting one is how our brains react to the park's familiar smells.

Disneyland has been known to employ "Smellitzers" at the park to release nostalgic scents.

If you've ever longed to float down the river on the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride at work or have the insatiable urge to traverse Main Street on a Monday night, there may be some science to explain why.

That's according to a new feature from the Los Angeles Times , which broke down the reasons Disney-obsessed adults and children just can't get enough of the magical theme park.

Psychologists and social media experts provided a list of explanations: a dreaded fear of FOMO thanks to social media, a desire to relive childhood fantasies, and a yearning for travel.

But perhaps the most innovative way Disneyland takes your money is through your nostrils.

Around the park, devices known as Smellitzers shoot scents toward passersby. For example, a Smellitzer near the Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen blasts the smell of sweet treats onto Main Street.

"The Smellitzer was named after the famous WWI shell launcher, the howitzer," Gavin Doyle, a Disney enthusiast behind the site Disney Dose, told Insider in 2015. "Instead of launching deadly shells, it launches glorious aromas."

David Ludden, a professor of psychology at Georgia Gwinnett College, told the Los Angeles Times that part of Disney's success lies in its ability to use smell to "influence our behavior at an unconscious level."

"Smell is a chemical sense, and it is evolutionarily ancient, so it connects more directly with the emotional parts of the brain than the other senses do," Ludden told the publication.

This tracks with what a former Disney employee wrote about the reasoning behind why Imagineers designed the Smellitzer.

In a memoir about Disney, former employee Jody Jean Dreyer wrote that the Imagineers wanted to use scents to trigger memories of childhood nostalgia.

"That's why smell can transport us to a time and feeling that we'd long forgotten," Dreyer wrote, Fast Company reported in 2017.

Read the original article on Insider
Wildfire smoke may be affecting air quality in the San Joaquin Valley, but so far Stanislaus County has largely not entered the unhealthy range, according to both the National Weather Service and the SJ Valley Air Pollution Control District.

The Weather Service posted Wednesday on social media an AirNow air-quality map that shows areas north and west of Modesto  including the West Side of Stanislaus County  with air considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The ratings are based on measurements of PM2.5, or fine, inhalable particles with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometers and smaller.

When air quality levels are unhealthy for sensitive groups, the Weather Service says, that means people with heart or lung disease, pregnant women, children and older adults should limit prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Also, use air filters and keep windows closed, the Weather Service recommends.

According to the air district, fires that may be affecting SJ Valley air are the SRF Lightning and Redwood Complex in Humboldt County, the Happy Camp Complex in Siskiyou County, the Smith River Complex in Del Norte County and the Redwood Fire in Tulare County.

A forecaster at the Weather Service in Sacramento said it looks like Stanislaus County could get northwest and west-northwest winds on Thursday, but that doesnt necessarily mean air quality will worsen. On Valleyair.org, the next days air quality forecast is available daily after 4:30 p.m.

The NWS seven-day forecast for Modesto shows mild winds through Friday but so far includes no air quality alerts.

Where is the smoke coming from?

Multiple fires are burning farther north in the state and bordering the Oregon border, including Siskiyou, Trinity and Humboldt counties.

See where with our live-updating map:

Current wildfires in Northern California

Map: NATHANIEL LEVINE | Sources: U.S. Department of the Interior, IRWIN, NIFC, NASA, NOAA and Esri
The process of ordering wine off a menu is intimidating enough to make your palms sweat. Should you pick a wine based on region? (People seem to talk a lot about Australian wines...) Is it better to go for one youve heard of or be adventurous and try something new? Maybe you should just call it a day and order the second-cheapest.

Sometimes whats most helpful is the process of elimination. If you can automatically nix some of the wines on the menu, its easier to decide between the few that are left. Its something sommeliers do when they go out to eat.

As people who are literally trained in wine drinking, they know what is and isnt worth ordering. Want to order like a somm? Find out what wines they would never spend their money on and how they decide whats actually worth it.

3 Characteristics Of Wine That Sommeliers Immediately Eliminate

1. Wines From Famous Regions

Napa Valley, Tuscany, Sicily  while all these regions produce a lot of amazing wines, wine educator and sommelier Warner Boin skips them when she sees them on the menu. Wines from renowned regions usually have a significantly higher markup, she said. I typically skip over wines from Bordeaux, Burgundy or Napa Valley at a restaurant  unless someone else is offering to buy!

Boin explained that since these options are from recognized regions for producing quality wine, theyre in more demand and most commonly ordered, which drives up the price. If youre wanting a better bang for your buck, look for lesser-known regions or varietals, or wines local to you when possible, she said.

Sommelier and Somm in the City creator Sara Jimenez thinks similarly, saying, Many restaurants still focus on really big wineries and mass-produced wines due to their ability to sell. I like to try smaller production domestic wines. A bit more boutique if you will.

Sommelier Samantha Capaldi agrees, saying that she often finds amazing wines at a great price point from smaller, less famous regions. I know its intimidating for some to branch outside their New Zealand sauvignon blanc or Napa cabernet, but to really appreciate and find more wines youll love, you have to try new wine regions and unfamiliar grape varieties, she said.

2. Wines You Can Get Cheaper At The Grocery Store

If Capaldi sees a glass of wine on the menu that she knows she can get as an entire bottle for the same price elsewhere, shes not going to order it. From experience, I see a lot of California, Washington and Oregon wines priced up high on wine lists, so depending on if I know I can get it significantly cheaper, Ill avoid those, she said.

Karen MacNeil, the author of The Wine Bible, has a similar logic. Anything that Ive seen stacked by the case in a supermarket or wine shop  usually at a fraction of the price the restaurant is charging  Im going to automatically eliminate, she said. If its floor-stacked in a retail store or supermarket, it means its been discounted. Why pay $60 on a restaurant wine you saw for $11 at Safeway?

It might be worth a quick Google to see if the price of that glass is much less than an entire bottle at your local wine shop.

It might be worth a quick Google to see if the price of that glass is much less than an entire bottle at your local wine shop.

Related to this, Sarah Looper, a sommelier and wine educator, said that wine price can absolutely help with narrowing down your choice. Dont be afraid to state your budget when asking the server for recommendations, she said. There is no shame in that game.

3. Wines They Dont Like (Which Isnt As Much Of A No-Brainer As You Might Think)

I immediately eliminate wines that I dont often drink or care for, like simple pinot grigio, or sweet Moscato  wines that dont appeal to my palate, said Randa Warren, a master sommelier and certified wine educator. Sommelier and winemaker Andre Hueston Mack said the same goes for him. If theres a wine on the menu he knows he doesnt like, he automatically eliminates it from consideration.

While this may sound like a no-brainer, its actually not because many people havent figured out what they do like, which is key for knowing what you dont. That means being open to trying new wines, even if youre nervous you arent pronouncing the name right or are unfamiliar with the region.

Learn to describe what you like or dislike to the sommelier or server, Looper said. This can be as simple as knowing if you prefer dry wines to sweet ones or it can be a bit more nuanced as you learn more about wine. For example, if you know you dont like oaky, lush chardonnays, being able to say something like, I tend to like a French-style chardonnay rather than the California-style chardonnay because I dont like the Californias buttery flavor, will help your somm immensely, Looper said.

Putting this tip into action is similar to how you figure out what you want to eat. If youre eating at a Thai restaurant and you know you dont like green curry, you arent going to order it, allowing you to focus on other entrees. The same goes for wine.

How To Choose Wine Thats Actually Worth The Price

Now that youve eliminated some options, now what? Looper and Mack both said to consider the environment. I ask myself, What is this restaurant about? Looper said. For example, if youre at a tapas restaurant, there are probably some great Spanish wines to ask about.

Second, every single sommelier said that if you arent sure what to order, you should ask your server for a recommendation. Jimenez said that not asking the sommelier or server for recommendations is the No. 1 wine-ordering mistake most people make. Again, this is where knowing what you do and dont like can be helpful. But even if you dont know that, you can start by asking your server what pairs well with the entree you plan to order, or put the sommeliers other tips into action by asking about wines from lesser-known regions or that are produced locally.

If youre still not sure what to order, MacNeil said to go for the second- or third-least expensive wine. Its usually one of the sommeliers favorites, she said. In fact, Warren said that its a total myth that the most expensive wine on the menu is always the best wine.

In the end, all of the sommeliers said that as long as you like what youre drinking, thats all that matters. Even though wine is just grape juice, it continues to carry this air of snobbiness and classism, Looper said. If you like what youre drinking, you can consider your money well spent  no matter what wine you landed on.

Related...
Conservative radio host and pundit Erick Erickson is getting roasted on social media after he tried his hand at right-wing medias latest outrage by offering a hot take on the change in the Senate dress code.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tweaked the informal code to allow lawmakers to wear whatever they choose when entering the chamber, which many took as a nod to Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and his wardrobe of hoodies.

Thats led to breathless coverage by conservative outlets, such as Fox News, and endless tweets by far-right figures, including conspiracy theorist Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.).

On Tuesday, Erickson joined the chorus.

Dems who were outraged by January 6 rioters storming the Capitol because of the violence wrought against that great Temple of Democracy are okay with a man at war with the English language and pants getting to wear a hoodie and shorts onto the Senate floor, Erickson wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Just no bison helmets.

Critics couldnt help but point out the false equivalence  and some struggled to believe the tweet was even real:

I thought this was parody.  George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 20, 2023

On the one hand, 9/11 was horrible, but on the other hand, a Starbucks employee once wrote "Erig" on my cup, so...samesies. https://t.co/n1AniQRcpW  Rex Huppke (@RexHuppke) September 20, 2023

Is this satire?  Marc Goldwein (@MarcGoldwein) September 20, 2023

This is a really bad tweet. https://t.co/H4Us4k0MLL  Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) September 20, 2023

One side wants to wear shorts, the other wants to overthrow the government. Who's to say which is worse? https://t.co/IKdUEF20TM  Steve Lafleur (@Steve_Lafleur) September 20, 2023

Yes, yes, these are the same. The reason we are mad at the January 6 rioters, who we definitely elected into office, is because of how they are dressed. https://t.co/GESWgYhDqf  Geraldine @everywhereist@mastodon.social (@everywhereist) September 20, 2023

This cant be real. Youve been hacked      (@FreeGirlNowNYC) September 20, 2023

Hahaha libs you say you dont like people smashing the Capitol, shitting in the corridors, and trying to do a coup, and yet youwear sweatshirts.



Touche I say! Touche!!! https://t.co/P1WgcHPM4h  Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) September 20, 2023

Because Fetterman's clothes can overthrow the government.   Yasmine Mary, ARNP-FNP-C (@yazzy1967) September 20, 2023

These folks stopped trying to communicate with anyone outside of the MAGA Cinematic Universe ages ago. Its long past time for us to stop treating this like actual civic discourse. https://t.co/fMBQ0Moziy  Melissa Ryan (@MelissaRyan) September 20, 2023

Yes, insurrection is exact same thing as poor fashion sense.  Ethan Sacks (@ethanjsacks) September 20, 2023

Yeah. Because that's the same: a single man wearing a hoodie = an massive armed insurrection against the government.



Do you guys even listen to what you're saying? Or do the words just come out, like a splattering verbal stomach flu? https://t.co/BMYTrWzRpz  Michael Marshall Smith (@ememess) September 20, 2023

trying to kill elected officials and invalidate an election is just like wearing a hoodie to your government job. Im running out of ideas and no one is helping https://t.co/p4uVDXCDoA  Brendan Karet (@bad_takes) September 20, 2023

Yet again, it simply cannot be overstated how much Fettermans victory broke the brains of some on the right.



Gym shorts = trying to beat capitol police officers to death in an attempt to overturn the United States Constitution https://t.co/R9tgo2cLAO  Max Steele (@maxasteele) September 20, 2023

Worst . Take . Ever  Brian Brettschneider (@Climatologist49) September 20, 2023

One guy tried to overthrow democracy with a violent mob and one guy wore a sweatshirt. Which is worse for this country? https://t.co/dbHMhIXffm  Seth Kafila (@seth_kafila) September 20, 2023

"Every inch of exposed hairy leg is a dagger to the heart of the founding fathers!"  Darren Kaplan (@DarrenKaplan) September 20, 2023

I think I would rather see the senate stick to business attire but theres a pretty big difference between changing the dress code and trying to storm the building in hopes of coercing congress into overthrowing the results of a the president election. https://t.co/n1R2nimx1w  Matthew Yglesias (@mattyglesias) September 20, 2023
A woman trying to stab a dog that stole her Burger King chicken sandwich instead critically wounded her one-year-old niece Tuesday night, according to court records.

Sharon Key, 32, is facing a felony charge of criminal recklessness after the stabbing at a hotel in Castleton, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

The womans niece was taken to a hospital in critical condition from the Days Inn by Wyndham, located at 8300 Craig Street, around 11 p.m. The child is expected to survive, but she was left with stitches in her ear and head and a fractured temporal bone, according to a probable cause affidavit for Keys arrest.

The childs mother told police she was giving her son a bath when the stabbing happened and that her sister, Key, fled the hotel room afterward.

More Indianapolis crime news: Police arrest Indianapolis man in death of Cumberland 4-year-old

She had laid her daughter down on one of the hotel beds after returning to the room from Burger King. As she was getting the bath ready for her son, she heard a commotion. The mother walked out of the bathroom and saw her sister holding a knife and her daughter bloody and screaming on the hotel bed, she told police in the affidavit.

Key immediately told her sister the stabbing was an accident, while the childs mother applied pressure to the stab wound and called 911. Key fled from the hotel room while the mother ran downstairs to meet police and medics out front with her two kids, she stated.

Surveillance video from outside the hotel corroborated the mothers statement to a detective, according to the affidavit.

Three hours after the stabbing, around 2 a.m. Wednesday, Key was found hiding in a large bush near the Days Inn. She had blood on her arms, hands and cellphone and it appeared she was sleeping, police said.

In an interview with a detective, Key began to cry hysterically and said she would never intentionally hurt her niece. The stabbing happened after her pitbull dog grabbed her Burger King chicken sandwich from the hotel bed and ate it, she told police.

The woman tried grabbing the dog to get her sandwich then it growled at her. Key got angry, took out her knife and tried stabbing the dog, she stated.

The dog was running around the room and then jumped on the bed as she was trying to stab it. Key missed the dog and instead stabbed her baby niece, according to her statement to investigators.

After the stabbing, an animal control officer responded and took the tan and white dog from the hotel room.

The childs mother told police that Key has drug, mental health and temper issues. The woman told police she was letting Key stay with her family at the hotel and that she had been dropped off the morning before the stabbing, according to the affidavit.

An employee at the front desk of the hotel Wednesday morning said he and other employees were unaware of the stabbing until police arrived. The employee also said he couldnt provide any more information.

Online police reports indicate the hotel has been the site of roughly 18 calls this year, including several domestic violence incidents.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, the hotel franchise company that owns Days Inn, did not respond to a request for comment before publication of this article. An attorney for Key was not yet listed in online court records before publication of this article.

The Marion County Prosecutors Office will make a final charging decision in the case, according to IMPD.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana baby stabbing: Aunt was trying to get food from dog, court docs state
NEW CITY - She said she was a 40-year-old mother of two from Ecuador, a migrant who was put on plane to New York after entering the U.S. and then brought to a house in Rockland County three weeks ago.

No, there weren't 31 people living in the house, the woman told reporters for the Journal News/lohud and USA Today Network on Tuesday. There were 10, including her. Others that inspectors found in a search on Friday were temporary guests, awaiting transfers to other homes in Rockland, she said.

The woman, who spoke in Spanish and declined to give her name, answered questions through her front window shortly after a TV news crew drove off. In the span of a few days, the three-bedroom house on New Hempstead Road had been the subject of a raid, a fiery news conference, and now a court action seeking to evict her and the other occupants.

A woman from Ecuador talks about living in a house on New Hempstead Rd. In New City that Clarkstown has cited for allegedly housing 31 migrants and violating numerous codes Sept. 19, 2023.

Clarkstown officials allege the home was overcrowded with at least 31 people and rife with code violations, putting children and adults in difficult and potentially dangerous living conditions.

On Monday, those claims were pulled into the mosh pit of immigration politics, a focal point far from the border.

At a news conference with Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann, Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Rep. Mike Lawler, both Republicans, linked the packed house to Rockland's months-long clash with New York City over housing of asylum seekers, suggesting Mayor Eric Adams was somehow to blame for migrants being placed in that home.

They cited no evidence, and an Adams spokesman dismissed the accusation as "lies."

Crowded house: Clarkstown says 31 migrants in 1 home; without proof, Day and Lawler point to NYC mayor

The woman's account on Tuesday didn't fully explain how a group of Ecuador natives wound up in a suburban home in the Rockland County seat, about two miles up the road from Day's office. But her story gave no indication that the Adams administration had anything to do with it.

How did they get here?

She said that after crossing into Texas with her family, they were directed to a Catholic aid agency that offered to fly her to New York City and paid for her flight.

"We were received by immigration and they asked, 'Do you have a place to go? Do you have money for a flight?" she recalled. "We said no. Then they said, 'We will help with the flight so you can go.'"

She said her family stayed one night in the city before being driven to the New City house, which was empty when they arrived.

Fire hazards, code issues: What we know about Clarkstown 'flophouse' ordered shut by judge

The person who found the house and took them there was a former neighbor from Ecuador who knew the house's owner, she said. The other nine people now living with her in the house - five adults and four children - were all from Ecuador and had all traveled to New York on the same flight.

They included her husband and their two children, ages 15 and 17, who are enrolled in East Ramapo School District, she said.

Asked why the house was so crowded when inspectors came, she said, "those people just got here recently, and other people came to bring them to another place. "

A couple who live next door and declined to give their names said the migrants' house - occupied for decades by the same family until it was sold last year - had its first tenants several months ago: what seemed to be a family with kids playing outside. Then the number of children and the amount of garbage left outside gradually began to grow.

On Friday, the day of the raid, a van pulled up to the house and let out 10 to 12 people, the husband said.

What's the back story in Rockland?

The conflict between New York City and Rockland officials erupted in May, when Adams and his aides revealed that the city planned to move asylum seekers at an Orangeburg hotel to relieve crowding in its shelters. The city had taken in steady busloads of asylum seekers from the U.S.-Mexico border that have now surpassed 110,000 since the spring of 2022.

Clash erupts: Plan to house asylum seekers at Rockland hotel may be blocked by county executive's order

Rockland sued and won a temporary court order blocking the placements, one of a string of ongoing court cases with multiple counties over the planned transfer of asylum seekers to hotels around the state. The city is now housing about 2,200 migrants in 14 hotels in seven counties.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Alexandra Rivera covers breaking and trending news for The Journal News/lohud.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: New City NY migrant house not overcrowded, says occupant of home
A Lexington woman who was shot and injured by the Lexington Police Department faces up to four years in prison after she agreed to plead guilty in the criminal case that stemmed from the incident.

Lasielle White, 29, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, fleeing police and two counts of first-degree wanton endangerment. She faces one to four years in prison for those charges. She originally faced three additional charges of first-degree wanton endangerment, but those were amended down to second and third-degree offenses as part of a plea agreement. She faces an additional 12 months on those charges. Shell also have to pay more than $4,500 in restitution, according to court records.

Any sentence White receives on misdemeanor charges will run at the same time as any sentence she receives for her felony charges, according to her attorney, Gregory Coulson.

White was shot in an altercation with police that stemmed from a domestic violence incident, according to prior police statements and court testimony. She was accused of stabbing a man, backing her vehicle into a police cruiser and nearly hitting several Lexington firefighters while fleeing police.

Coulson said White is a survivor of abuse dating back to her childhood and lives with post-traumatic stress disorder. A forensic evaluation near the time of her arrest suggested mental health contributed to what happened during the incident in February.

Lasielle White, 29, appeared in court again Thursday for a preliminary hearing after she was charged in a domestic violence case and shot by police during a subsequent incident.

White was originally arrested and charged with attempted murder, wanton endangerment, criminal mischief and fleeing/evading police. A grand jury indicted her in April on reduced charges. White has been living on home incarceration since posting a $7,500 bond on Feb. 17, court documents show. A judge previously reduced Whites bond because she has no prior criminal history.

The Fayette grand jury considered this evidence as well as the testimony of relevant witnesses. During the time that she, a person with zero criminal history, was on bond she was able to raise her children, work, and receive critical care, Coulson said. The decision to permit her a constitutional bond with close monitoring saved the community untold thousands of dollars in resources and ensured public safety.

Coulson told the Herald-Leader he hopes a judge will allow the entirety of the sentence to run concurrently for a total of one year, but plans to request White receive probation at sentencing.

White has spent her life giving back to her community and ensuring that those most at risk didnt fall through the cracks, Coulson said, noting that she earned a bachelors degree in social work and continues to volunteer with a local organization to help with at-risk youth.

We are appreciative of the commonwealth for its careful consideration of all of the evidence and its fairness in dealing. We look forward to watching Lasielle continuing her impactful and important work, Coulson said.

What happened the night of the arrest

Police were called to the 2300 block of Lonan Court at 4:15 p.m. Feb. 7 for a report of a domestic violence incident involving a weapon, Lexington Police Chief Lawrence Weathers said at a news conference after the incident.

The victim in the domestic violence incident had fled the area, and officers did not make contact with anybody at the home.

Court documents say White tried to stab a man with a kitchen knife, but a cross-body bag prevented the knife from penetrating his chest. White subsequently slashed the two front tires of his car. Police and firefighters were called back to the home at 5:04 p.m. that same day for a report of wanton endangerment involving a collision.

Police were in a standoff with a person in a vehicle at Coldstream Park in Lexington, Ky., Tuesday, February 7, 2023.

Weathers said White had tried to hit someone with a vehicle and then hit a residence. She was in the vehicle and refused to get out.

Police said she backed into a cruiser, then drove forward and almost hit several firefighters.

In response to the life-threatening situation, an officer fired their weapon, striking the driver, Weathers said.

Court documents say White caused more than $1,000 in damage by colliding with the cruiser. White then left the scene, and police pursued her through parts of Fayette and Scott counties before she stopped in Coldstream Park.

White got out of the vehicle after the Lexington Police Departments crisis negotiation unit made contact with her.

White is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 19.
I extended both hands level in front of my face, left hand representing the property tax base, right one standing in for the tax rate.

See, I told my friend, when the property tax base goes down My left hand scissored downward 6 inches. Then, to bring in the same revenue, the tax rate must go up. My right hand scissored upward 6 inches, leaving a foot of empty air between.

Thats why taxes on our homes are high, I told her. The higher tax rate.

Thats also where my friend and I  and probably you as well  are trapped. Because tax giveaways to wealthy companies lower the tax base, rates must scissor upward on everybody else to raise the required revenue.

No, no, no, the business lobby will argue. They are not tax giveaways. They are incentives to build something: strip malls, big box stores, supermarkets, luxury apartments, a factory paying low wages in a former cornfield.

Or, as in the case of Olathes Great Mall of the Great Plains and other projects, our taxes help rebuild with a fresh gush of subsidies after an earlier subsidized project failed. Thus we help bail wealthy business people out of their folly. Incentives, they call these tax giveaways, as if without them no one otherwise would build here in Johnson County, the richest and most populous county in Kansas.

Workers earning the rotten Kansas minimum wage of $7.25 hourly live in the hard world of free enterprise. But here the wealthy are incentivized  paid off out of the taxes we pay  to get something built. And then often rescued if they fail.

Most giveaways save the builder only half the tax bill and last only a decade. The very same deal for my modest 58-year-old Shawnee home would save me more than $20,000 over 10 years. If I seem frustrated, thats because it was in 1963 that I wrote my first Kansas City Star story evaluating tax giveaways  to no effect.

Jobs, jobs, we create jobs, cry the leaders who hand out these freebies. Sometimes the jobs even pay a living wage. Often they do not. Our public contribution leaves clerks and janitors and maintenance staff stranded at pitiful wages without even a stool to sit on during long shifts. The corporations often speak of public-private projects, yet the public ends up owning nothing. Private business owns all of it.

Competition. They tell us thats why we must give away taxes to attract wealthy builders. Because if we dont, someone else will.

Its Olathe (with 42 projects active now) against Edgerton (29) against Lenexa (24) against Shawnee (17) against Overland Park (seven) against Merriam (three) and now even against tiny DeSoto, where the Panasonic Corporation  incentivized by a billion or so taxpayer dollars  is building an auto battery factory. The giveaways also pit Kansas against Missouri, each against the other and all other states of the Union, from sea to shining sea.

An old Star colleague of mine from the 1960s, James B. Steele, wrote a book refuting the competition dodge. He asks the federal government to tax back every penny our states give away in this insane contest. That would level the playing field and return rich developers to the same free enterprise system we ordinary Americans navigate.

So skip the smoke and mirrors. If we must subsidize corporations, just tax us all outright and hand money straight to developers. Then we will at least know what were doing.

That also would switch the scissoring trick with two hands. Swelled at last with fair taxes paid by rich developers, the tax base would go up. High tax rates  so painful to homeowners and long-established businesses  would slide downward. Thats the outcome Ive been yearning for since 1963.

Contact the columnist at hammerc12@gmail.com.
(The Hill)  YouTube announced it has suspended actor and comedian Russell Brand from its platform after several women made allegations of sexual assaults against the creator.

The suspension means that Brand cannot earn any revenue from ads that run within and alongside his YouTube videos.

Brand, whose main YouTube channel has 6.6 million subscribers, has other side channels on the social media platform, including Awakening With Russell  which has 426,000 subscribers  and Stay Free With Russell Brand, with 22,200 subscribers.

This decision applies to all channels that may be owned or operated by Russell Brand, YouTube said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.

Musk: X, formerly Twitter, moving toward monthly fee

We have suspended [monetization] on Russell Brands channel for violating our Creator Responsibility policy, YouTube said in a statement to The Hill. If a creators off-platform behavior harms our users, employees or ecosystem, we take action to protect the community.

This decision applies to all channels that may be owned or operated by Russell Brand, the company added.

YouTube follows a list of organizations distancing themselves from Brand, including the British Broadcasting Company (BBC), which also removed content from the comedian from its streaming services.

This comes as British politicians have called on local authorities to launch an investigation into the allegations against the comedian. A spokesperson for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the allegations should be treated seriously and treated with sensitivity.

We have to be particularly careful when we listen to the voices of the people who are relatively powerless, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly told the BBC. Because we, I think, collectively have missed opportunities to do the right thing and intervene much, much earlier.

Brand, 48, has publicly denied the allegations made by four women in a Channel 4 television documentary, and in the The Times and the Sunday Times newspapers. He has maintained that all of his relationships were always consensual.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
(Photo : ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images)

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: A pit-bull dog lays between legs of its owner, a Hungarian sympathizer of the organizer 'Ver es Becsulet Egyesulet' (Blood and Homour Association), in front of the German Embassy building at the historical Castle District 16 April 2005 during a rally of dozens of neo-Nazis in Budapest. The demonstrators protested against German laws against those who deny the existence of the Holocaust. Germany recently passed new laws designed to limit protests by neo-Nazis. A neo-Nazi group which has dismissed the Holocaust as "a lie" was banned on Tuesday by the eastern German state of Brandenburg. AFP PHOTO / ATTILA KISBENEDEK

In the wake of a series of violent attacks, including the tragic mauling of Ian Price, 52, a father of two, the United Kingdom is poised to confront a challenging issue: the American XL Bully dog breed.

As concerns about public safety escalate, government officials and experts are set to meet this week to define the breed's characteristics, with plans to implement a ban by the end of the year, USA Today reported.

The Debate Over Banning American XL Bully Dogs

However, this move has sparked a contentious debate, as questions arise about identifying these dogs and managing the existing population accurately. The decision to ban American XL Bully dogs gained momentum following the tragic death of Ian Price, who fell victim to a fatal mauling incident.

UK's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took swift action to address this issue, vowing to outlaw the breed within months after Mr. Price's death.

The primary challenge authorities face is accurately defining what constitutes an "American XL Bully" breed. To tackle this issue, Environment Secretary Therese Coffey announced that experts, including police officers, canine and veterinary specialists, and animal welfare stakeholders, would convene to establish a clear definition.

This is a crucial first step toward adding the breed to the list of dogs prohibited under the Dangerous Dogs Act. One of the key measures associated with the ban is an amnesty for existing American XL Bully dog owners.

To qualify for this amnesty, owners must ensure that their pets are registered, neutered, and muzzled when in public. Government officials have clarified that, through compulsory neutering, the breed is expected to eventually phase out, eliminating the need for a cull.

American bullies, specifically the XL variant, are a relatively new breed that emerged in the 1980s. These dogs are typically a mix of American pitbull terriers and American, English, and Olde English bulldogs.

However, it's important to note that American bullies can also be bred with larger dogs like mastiffs, resulting in even more significant variations known as XXL or even XXXL. The absence of official registration as a breed by the UK Kennel Club makes it challenging to estimate the exact number of American XL Bullies in the country.

Their relative popularity and concerns over a rise in violent incidents linked to the breed have prompted the government's decisive action, according to the Daily Mail.

Read Also: New York Daycare Death: NYPD Seeks 3rd Person Involved in Fentanyl-Related Killing of 1-Year-Old Boy

Banning American XL Bullies for Safer Communities

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has labeled American XL Bullies as a "danger to our communities" and has pledged to introduce rules to ban them by the year's end under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

This determination follows a harrowing incident in which Mr. Price was mauled to death by two suspected American bullies. Just days prior, 11-year-old Ana Paun was injured in an attack by a similar dog, associated with ten deaths since 2021.

The proposed ban is not without controversy, as it has triggered a public outcry. Over half a million people in the UK have signed a petition urging Prime Minister Sunak not to add American XL Bullies to the list of banned dog breeds.

Due to the substantial number of signatures, the petition may be debated in the House of Commons, further fueling the discussion surrounding this issue. While a ban on American XL Bully dogs is imminent, the specifics of its implementation remain under discussion.

The government is considering options such as mandatory neutering and muzzling in public as part of a transition period. The goal is to ensure public safety while managing the existing population of these dogs in a humane manner. In the coming weeks and months, the UK will grapple with regulating and phasing out the American XL Bully breed.

As the government addresses public safety concerns and navigates the controversial debate surrounding this issue, one thing remains clear: the welfare of both humans and animals will be at the forefront of the discussion, as per the Economic Times.

Related Article: IRS Vows To Crackdown One-Percenters, Changes Audit Strategy

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
FILE PHOTO: A coffee machine featuring Novo Nordisk logo is seen at the company headquarters in Copenhagen

By Maggie Fick

(Reuters) -Swiss medical technology company Ypsomed announced on Wednesday a long-term supply deal with Novo Nordisk for autoinjectors, the latest sign of how the Danish drugmaker's weight-loss drug business is a boon for pharmaceutical services companies.

Ypsomed said it would expand its manufacturing capacities over the coming years, with Novo Nordisk contributing a significant part of the investment for the additional production infrastructure.

The autoinjectors will be used by people self-administering drugs to treat various metabolic indications, Ypsomed said, adding that the pens were "for various drugs currently undergoing clinical trials".

It said "significant capacity" for manufacturing its autoinjectors will be available for Novo in 2025.

Ypsomed shares surged 5% after the market opened.

Ypsomed will manufacture autoinjectors for Novo's "second-generation GLP-1s", which are currently in clinical trials, Ypsomed's head of investor relations Thomas Kutt told Reuters by phone after the announcement.

"We will deliver autoinjectors for this upcoming device, which may be available in two or three years on the market," he said.

Wegovy is in a class of drugs known as GLP-1s used to treat diabetes and obesity. In the United States, where it was launched in June 2021, it is the first and so far only one of a group of newer and more effective GLP-1 drugs approved specifically for weight loss.

Novo has been unable to keep pace with demand for Wegovy, which uses autoinjectors, in the five markets where it is available: the United States and four European countries.

It is spending billions to build new factories and hiring contract manufacturers for a range of supply chain and production tasks. On Monday, Reuters reported that Novo has hired U.S. private contract manufacturer PCI Pharma Services to handle assembly and packaging of Wegovy.

Novo declined to comment on the Ypsomed agreement but referred Reuters to its previously announced plan to invest about 25 billion Danish kroner ($3.6 billion) "in expanding capacity across all relevant production facilities" this year alone.

The main companies producing components for self-injection drugs include West Pharmaceuticals, Ypsomed and Gerresheimer, according to a Bernstein research report published in August.

Healthcare-focused investors and pharma industry analysts have recently told Reuters that shares of companies with "exposure" to the booming obesity market, which some analysts estimate will be worth $100 billion by 2030, are performing well on expectations of even more demand for GLP-1 injection drugs in the years ahead.

Once companies like Ypsomed win supply contracts with big pharma companies like Novo who market these drugs, their components are likely to be used for years given the complex regulatory approval process for injection-pen devices, industry experts say.

"Once this is approved, it's like a marriage, in a very Catholic way, where divorce doesn't exist, Ypsomed's Kutt told Reuters.

(Reporting by Maggie Fick in London and Louise Breusch Rasmussen in Copenhagen, Editing by Rachel More and Hugh Lawson)
(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy lashed out at Russia for killing tens of thousands of his citizens in his first in-person address to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, calling for Moscow to be stripped of its powerful veto as one of the permanent members of the UNs top decision-making body.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into deadlock, Zelenskiy told council members during a tense session, adding that it is impossible for the body to stop Russias invasion of Ukraine because of Moscows ability to veto any effort or initiative at the Security Council.

Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war. It is a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation, aimed at seizing Ukraines territory and resources, Zelenskiy, clad in the military-style fatigues that have become his hallmark since Russias invasion in February 2022, said.

Amid the impassioned speeches, it was admissions of the UNs powerlessness to stop the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II that rang truer than the calls for changing the international bodys rules, something that few diplomats think is likely.

Zelenskiys appeal came as Ukraines allies in the US and Europe have grown increasingly pessimistic about prospects for ending the war soon. Kyivs counteroffensive has progressed slowly and officials now see the fighting continuing for years to come, challenging governments to keep up military and financial support amid growing domestic opposition to the cost.

Read More: Biden Calls for More Ukraine Aid as Allies See Longer War

Russia is digging in for a long conflict, confident it can outlast Kyivs allies, according to US and European officials.

In a long speech to the Security Council session, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended Moscows veto power as a legitimate tool of international relations and blamed Ukraine and its allies for causing the conflict. Zelenskiy had left the hall by the time he spoke.

Speaking shortly afterward, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned against calls for an immediate cease-fire - which would leave Russia occupying a large chunk of Ukrainian territory. We all want an end to the killing today rather than tomorrow. And yet we must beware of seemingly easy solutions that promise peace in name only, he said.

Zelenskiy will be in Washington Thursday to press his case for more assistance with President Joe Biden and Republican leaders in Congress, some of whom have questioned calls for continued support.

Russian Objection

At the beginning of the heated Security Council meeting, Russias UN envoy objected to Zelenskiys presence. As the meeting focused on Ukraine began on Wednesday morning, Russias ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, immediately protested Zelenskiys participation on procedural grounds and began sparring with the councils president, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

We do not believe that the arguments youve advanced are compelling, Nebenzya told the chamber, reading from a script, as he repeatedly tried to stop Ukraines president from addressing the world leaders and foreign ministers gathered for the high-level meeting during this weeks UN General Assembly.

Rama, who was chairing the meeting and was clearly frustrated with Nebenzyas interruptions, made a joke about how he wasnt engaging in a special operation to allow Zelenskiy to speak  a reference to Russias vague euphemism for its invasion of Ukraine.

Coming from you, all these lectures at violating the rules of this building is quite impressive, Rama said, telling the Russian representative that Zelenskiy wouldnt need to talk if Russia simply brought an end to the conflict it started in Ukraine.

After the sharp exchanges, Zelenskiy began his remarks. Nebenzya repeatedly looked at his cell phone during the address.

Mass Atrocities

Zelenskiy called for a reform of the UN system with a vote in the broader General Assembly that would allow veto-power to be taken away, in an echo of broader concerns among nations in the so-called Global South that a small clique of powerful countries enjoy unequal influence at the global organization due to their veto power.

What we observe in the United Nations is increasing support for the idea that in cases of mass atrocities against human rights, veto power should be voluntarily suspended, Zelenskiy continued. Regardless of who you are, the current UN system still makes you less influential than the veto power possessed by a few and misused by one  Russia.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the chamber, arguing that Russias invasion has worsened international relations more broadly and made it more difficult to solve other global problems.

Russias invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, is aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat, and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world, Guterres said.

(Updates with Russian foreign ministers, German chancellors comments from eighth paragraph. An earlier version of this story had an incorrect spelling of Zelenskiys name in headline.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
In a Tuesday interview with CNN, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky encouraged former President Donald Trump to share his ideas on how to stop the war with Russia.

He can publicly share his idea now, not waste time, not to lose people, yes, and then say that My formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression, Zelensky told CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer. And he said, how he sees it, how to push Russian from our land. Otherwise, hes not presenting the global idea of peace.

Zelensky also emphasized that he does not want to give up Ukrainian territory for a peace negotiation. He questioned Trumps claim of being able to quickly end the war in July.

It seems to me that the sole desire to bring the war to an end is beautiful, Zelensky told Martha Raddatz on ABCs This Week through a translator. But this desire should be based on some real-life experience. Well, it looks as if Donald Trump had already these 24 hours once in his time. We were at war, not a full-scale war, but we were at war, and as I assume, he had that time at his disposal, but he must have had some other priorities.

Last weekend, Trump welcomed praise by Russian President Vladimir Putin for the former presidents comments on wanting a speedy end to the war. He said he would get Zelensky and Putin into a room together and figure out a deal.

I like that he said that because that means what Im saying is right, Trump said on Meet the Press Sunday.

Zelensky is visiting the U.S. this week and will meet with U.S. leaders including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and President Joe Biden. His visit comes at a time when Congress is divided over whether aid to Ukraine should be included in a continuing resolution to keep funding the government.

At a press conference Tuesday, McCarthy said he has questions for the Ukrainian leader.

Wheres the accountability on the money we already spent? McCarthy said, listing off questions he said he would ask the Ukrainian leader when he meets with him. What is the plan for victory?

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for reforming the United Nations Security Council during an address to the body Wednesday, urging it to suspend the veto power Russia has used to deadlock the council in responding to the Kremlins war against Kyiv.

Veto power applies to the five permanent members of the Security Council, including Russia. The Kremlins U.N. ambassador has used the power to reject any resolution that seeks to condemn Moscow or impose costs for its invasion of Ukraine  from its 2014 invasion of eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea to its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

We should recognize that the U.N. finds itself in a deadlock on the matters of aggression. Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the U.N., Zelensky said in a speech at the Security Council.

Ukrainian soldiers now are doing at the expense of their blood what the U.N. Security Council should do by its voting; theyre stopping Russia and upholding the principles of the U.N.

Zelensky called for empowering the General Assembly in votes to overcome the Security Council veto. Security Council resolutions, when passed, can impose real-world consequences like sanctions or authorizing the use of force, including peacekeeping missions.

The General Assembly has voted on resolutions condemning Russias invasion and calling for its withdrawal  though these are nonbinding and serve as records of statements.

The Ukrainian president also called for expanding the number of permanent members to the Security Council, a reform idea that is backed by the U.S. and other nations but with little consensus on how best to expand the council. The council has seats for 10 nonpermanent members that are elected for two-year terms by the General Assembly.

In addition to its veto power, Russia often tries to frustrate the work of the Security Council by pushing back against procedures. Russian Ambassador to the U.N. Vasily Nebenzya delayed the opening of Wednesdays session by lobbing objections at Zelenskys appearance, arguing it did not follow typical procedures of the council.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who chaired the meeting, pushed back.

I must say that, coming from you, all this lecture of violating rules in this building is quite an impressive shoot, Rama said. But as far as you repeat it, many times that the violation here is about President Zelensky speaking before the council members, there is a solution for this. If you agree you stop the war and President Zelensky will not take the floor.

Zelensky spoke to the U.N. body following a speech in the General Assembly the day before, where he warned the organizations 193-member states that Russian President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine will not stop at its borders.

Many seats in the General Assembly Hall may become empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression, he said.

The Ukrainian president will next travel to Washington, D.C., where he will hold meetings with President Biden and members of Congress in an effort to rally ongoing military and financial support pushing back against Russias war in his country.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on Sept. 19, the Presidential Office reported on Sept. 20.

Zelensky thanked Guterres for "supporting Ukraine's efforts to ensure the stability of food markets and exports," and discussed the Russian use of Iranian attack drones to target Ukrainian port infrastructure.

The two also discussed the possibilities for the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia withdrew from on July 17, causing spikes in wheat prices and fears about food security worldwide.

The collapse of the initiative "will strike a blow to people in need everywhere," the U.N. Secretary-General said that day, and expressed his regret at Russia's decision.

"Ultimately, participation in these agreements is a choice. But struggling people everywhere and developing countries dont have a choice," Guterres said in his statement on July 17, adding that the hundreds of millions of people facing hunger "will pay the price."

The deal, which was first brokered by the U.N. and Turkey and signed in Istanbul in July 2022, ensured the safe passage of over 32 million metric tons of food commodities from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea, according to U.N. figures.

On Sept. 4, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan went to Sochi to discuss the restoration of the initiative with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Putin repeated his claim that Russia will only rejoin the initiative once sanctions related to Russian grain and fertilizers for European markets would be lifted.

However, Erdogan told the press in Sochi that he hopes a solution will be reached soon, and that a new package of proposals from the U.N. has led to "significant progress."

Read also: Zelensky at UN: Russias aggression poses threat beyond Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Volodymyr Zelensky met with the new U.S. special representative for Ukraine's economic recovery, Penny Pritzker , in NYC on Sept. 20. The two officials discussed priority areas in Ukraine's reconstruction, as well as support for "the most promising branches of the Ukrainian economy."

Penny Pritzker is the former U.S. Secretary of Commerce under the Obama Administration. Upon her appointment, President Biden stressed that she would help mobilize private and public investment and open export markets impacted by the Russian invasion.

In a statement published after the meeting, President Zelensky's office stated that Ukraine "noted the importance of participation of American business in the restoration of infrastructure facilities destroyed as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion...including schools, kindergartens, residential buildings, as well as energy facilities."

Representative Pritzker emphasized that American companies can support the reconstruction's of Ukraine's energy system.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Strikes on command post in Crimea, saboteurs attack airbase near Moscow

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sept. 20 proposed reforms of the U.N. Security Council, including restrictions on the veto powers of its permanent members, arguing that Russia has been abusing its veto rights.

The president said in his address to the Security Council that Russia, as an aggressor state, continues to block decisions and paralyze the U.N. body's work.

"A veto should not serve those who are obsessed with hatred and war," Zelensky said at the meeting in New York, also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Ukraine's head of state proposed that the U.N. General Assembly should be able to overcome the veto with two-thirds of the votes, "which will reflect the will of the nations from Asia, Africa, Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific Ocean region."

He added that the membership in the Council should be suspended for states carrying out aggression against other U.N. members.

Zelensky further proposed to expand the ranks of the Security Council's permanent members, suggesting Germany, Japan, India, and other nations from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia as suitable candidates.

Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us

As a third step, the president suggested creating a sanctions system for preventing aggression. The president specified that any member of the General Assembly could suggest imposing sanctions against an aggressor, which would be then referred to the Security Council.

Aside from Russia, the U.N. Security Council comprises the U.S., the U.K., France, and China, and 10 more non-permanent members sitting on a rotating basis.

According to the U.N. Charter, the Council's responsibilities include establishing peacekeeping operations, enacting international sanctions, and authorizing military actions.

Zelensky arrived in New York on Sept. 18, delivering a speech at the U.N. General Assembly a day later. During his address at the U.N. headquarters, the president warned that Russia's aggression threatens not only Ukraine but also other nations worldwide.

After his New York trip, Zelensky will head to Washington, D.C. to hold a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, senior members of Congress, and other American political and military leaders.

Read also: Zelensky at UN: Russias aggression poses threat beyond Ukraine





Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that he and the United States are in agreement when it comes to military strategy.

CNNs Wolf Blitzer asked Zelensky if he and the U.S. were on the same page over Ukraines military strategy, pointing to Kyivs recent attacks of Russian targets in Crimea.

We think the same way. We dont have any disagreements, Zelensky said, speaking through a translator, on CNNs The Situation Room.

Zelensky is expected to meet with congressional leadership and a limited number of lawmakers on Thursday during a visit to Washington. He earlier on Tuesday delivered a speech to the United Nations in New York warning the Russia would expand its fight if it is not stopped in Ukraine.

His visit this week comes amid growing skepticism among Republican lawmakers over additional aid to Ukraine. It also comes as the House GOP struggles to agree on a stopgap measure to keep the government funded amid ongoing spending negotiations.

Zelensky told Blitzer that he will be meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) during his visit to Capitol Hill. When asked about growing hesitancy toward providing Ukraine with additional aid, Zelensky said it was difficult for lawmakers to compare the war with domestic problems if they havent seen it up close.

Its so difficult to understand when you are in war, and when you are not in war, Zelensky said. Even when you come to the war, to the country which is in war, when you come to one day, you can understand more than you live, you hear, you think, you read. No, you cant compare. Its different situation. Thats why Im thinking we cant compare these challenges.

The White House asked Congress to attach supplemental funding for Ukraine, along with disaster relief and border security spending, to a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. A GOP-backed proposal put forward Sunday night did not include additional funding for Ukraine.

President Biden has been adamant about keeping up support for Ukraine, as the U.S. has already provided billions of dollars in aid to the country. He called on the U.S. and its allies at the U.N. to stick up for Ukraine in its effort against Russia.

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? he said. I respectfully suggest the answer is no. We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Zelenskyy says new successes of the Armed Forces counteroffensive are expected

No one knows if a major breakthrough in the Ukrainian Armed Forces counteroffensive is possible this year, Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with the U.S. television channel CNN on Sept. 19.

I think nobody knows, really, said the Ukrainian president.

Zelenskyy added that they anticipate new successes for the Defense Forces, particularly in the eastern part of the country.

But I think that we will have more success, he noted without specifying details.

Despite acknowledging that the counteroffensive is progressing slower than initially anticipated, Zelenskyy underscored the daily advancements made by the Defense Forces.

Earlier in September, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, the commander of the Tavriya operational-strategic troop grouping, announced the Ukrainian Armed Forces successful breach of the first line of Russian defenses in the southern direction.

Read also: Zelenskyy questions UN on why Russia still has seat on Security Council

The Defense Ministry subsequently confirmed the liberation of Robotyne village in Zaporizhzhya Oblast.

Currently, Ukrainian soldiers are advancing towards the villages of Novoprokopiivka and Ocheretovate, with notable achievements near Verbove.

Progress is also evident in the Ukrainian Armed Forces advance near Bakhmut.

The Ukrainian Defense Forces have reclaimed 260 square kilometers of territory in southern Ukraine and another 51 square kilometers near Bakhmut, reported former Defense Minister Hanna Maylar on Sept. 18.

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
On Wednesday, 20 September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on former US President Donald Trump to share his peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview with Wolf Blitzer from CNN after the speech at the UN General Assembly

Details: But the president cautioned that any peace plan that includes Kyiv giving up the territory is unacceptable.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "So (if) the idea is how to take the part of our territory and to give (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, that is not the peace formula."

Background:

Earlier, Trump dodged the question whether he wants Ukraine to win and refused to call Putin a war criminal.

He also claimed that the US supplied Ukraine with too many weapons.

In addition, Trump "liked" the praise he received from Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding his intentions to regulate the Russian war in 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!
(Photo : Andressa Anholete/Getty Images)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva spoke at the United Nations General Debate and called on world leaders for climate action.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged world leaders to take immediate action to fight back against climate change as he accused the international community of having "numbed" to its responsibility to care for the world's poor.

The popular leftist put inequality and the climate crisis at the center of his speech on Tuesday during the annual United Nations General Debate that was held in New York. he said that the world must overcome resignation, which he claims made us accept such unfairness as a natural phenomenon.

Brazilian President Calls for Climate Action

Lula da Silva said that there is currently a lack of political will from those who govern the world to overcome inequality. This year is the Brazilian president's first appearance at the global summit since resuming office earlier this year, which he achieved after being out of power for more than a decade.

The official touted a new geopolitical order that could challenge the West's global economic sway and he has pushed for greater dialogue regarding the war between Russia and Ukraine. Since taking the presidency back from former President Jair Bolsonaro, Lula da Silva worked to position himself as a climate progressive and global leader on the issue, as per CNN.

He worked to bring the Amazon deforestation levels this summer to the lowest rate in the last six years. This is an extraordinary reversal of the situation after the environmentally damaging policies of his predecessor, Bolsonaro.

During Lula da Silva's speech on Tuesday, he noted that the whole world has always talked about the Amazon rainforest but argued that it was now speaking for itself. The Brazilian president also urged rich nations to complete their clean energy and international climate funding goals.

The leftist president argued that a $100 billion funding plan was quickly becoming an "insufficient" sum. Lula da Silva claims that wealthy countries grew based on a model with high rates of climate-damaging gas emissions.

In recent months, Lula da Silva traveled around the globe and visited 21 countries, from the United States to China, Italy to India, and Argentina to Angola. He has been looking to boost his country's cred with each state visit and speech, making one multilateral forum after another, according to the Associated Press.

Read Also: Zelensky, Biden Expected to Speak at UN General Assembly, Multiple Reports Say

Brazil is Back

The Brazilian president also said during his UN speech that Brazil is re-encountering itself as a region, as well as the world and multilateralism. He repeated his slogan that "Brazil is back" and said that his nation has returned to give its due contribution to face the world's primary challenges.

The situation comes as Lula da Silva's government has agreed to cancel Bolsonaro's cuts to its climate ambition and to begin efforts on a new and improved climate target. The decision was agreed upon by a group of government ministers at the Interministerial Committee on Climate Change that was held last week.

Officials will change the country's climate plan and resume the level of ambition that it presented in 2015 "in terms of absolute values of greenhouse gas emissions." The nation's former environment minister and Lula advisor, Izabella Teixeira, welcomed the decision and said that Brazil is finally recognizing the mistakes that were made by the previous government under Bolsonaro, said the Climate Change News.

Related Article: Rishi Sunak Considering Weakening Climate Pledges

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday and told them that humankind no longer pins its hopes on the the U.N. when it comes to the defense of the sovereign borders of nations.

Ukrainian soldiers now are doing at the expense of their blood what the U.N. Security Council should be doing with its votes, Zelenskyy said. Theyre stopping Russia and upholding the principles of the U.N. charter.

There have been 574 days of pain, losses and struggle, Zelenskyy said, with tens of thousands of Ukrainians killed and millions more turned into refugees.

Before Zelenskyy spoke, Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, addressed assembled leaders. He condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling it a clear violation of the United Nations charter and international law. The war, he said, has traumatized a generation of children, torn families and communities apart and turned vast areas of farmlands into deadly minefields. Some 18 million people, nearly half of Ukraines population, need humanitarian assistance and more than 6 million have fled the country, he said. Guterres emphasized that the U.N. is fully committed to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and said there is never an alternative to dialogue, diplomacy and a just peace.

Related

Zelenskyy calls for Security Council changes

Veto power in the hands of the aggressor has pushed the United Nations into gridlock, Zelenskyy said. The Ukrainian leader accused Russia of mass atrocities of human rights and said action should be taken to prevent Moscow from using its veto at the Security Council. It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those who condone the aggressor, he said. Zelenskyy proposed giving the larger body of the United Nations the ability to override a veto. Currently, only five countries have veto power: Russia, Britain, China, France and the United States.

When Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the council, he backed up Zelenskyys claim about the ineffectiveness of the Security Council. He said The Security Council is no longer the guarantor of international security and has become a battleground where the political strategies of five countries clash. According to the Turkish media, he also repeated his slogan for U.N. reform: The world is bigger than five.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the council that Russia has shredded the major tenets of the U.N. charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international humanitarian law  and flouted one Security Council resolution after another. He also said that Russia is committing war crimes and crimes against humanity on an almost daily basis.

Zelenskyy called on world governments to back Ukraines 10-point peace plan, a plan which Russia has rejected. Blinken pointed out that while Zelenskyy has offered that 10-point peace plan, Putin has offered nothing.

We must send a clear message, not only to Russia but to all would-be aggressors, that we will stand up  not stand by  when the rules that we all agreed to are being challenged; not only to prevent conflict, instability and suffering, but to lay the foundation for all that we can do to improve peoples lives in times of peace, said Blinken.

Russias response

Russia attempted to prevent Zelenskyy from speaking by objecting repeatedly to him speaking first before official members of the council. The meeting chair, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, told Vasily Nebenzya, the Russian ambassador to the U.N., that, Coming from you, this lecture of violating rules ... is quite impressive. He added: There is a solution for this. ... You stop the war and President Zelenskyy will not take the floor.

After Zelenskyy had left for Washington, D.C., Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived to give his speech. He defended Russias use of its veto power as a legitimate tool, claimed the West had orchestrated a coup in Ukraine in 2014 to install a pro-Western puppet president and blamed the West for shaking global stability.

Whats next?

Zelenskyy will be in Washington to meet with President Joe Biden and leadership from both houses to rally support for more military and humanitarian aid. House Republicans have refused to pass any funding bills, including an additional $24 billion in aid to Ukraine.

Holly Richardson is the editor of Utah Policy
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Penny Pritzker , the US Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery, in New York on Wednesday.

Sources: European Pravda, citing a report by the Office of the President of Ukraine

Details: Zelenskyy discussed with Pritzker the priority regions of Ukraine for reconstruction and support for the most promising sectors of the Ukrainian economy.

"I stressed the importance of American businesses taking part in rebuilding Ukrainian infrastructure destroyed by Russian aggression: schools, kindergartens, residential buildings, and energy facilities," the president added on social media.

He also called on US companies to join the reconstruction of the Ukrainian energy system.

Background:

On 14 September, US President Joe Biden appointed Penny Pritzker as Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery.

Her responsibilities include working with the authorities of Ukraine, the US and partners, as well as the private sector.

Read also Pritzker's interview: "Ukraine Will Have Conditions for US Money" Interview with New US SpecRep for Ukraine's Economic Recovery.

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!










Volodymyr Zelenskyy , President of Ukraine, believes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will achieve success on the front by the end of the year.

Source: Zelenskyy in an interview for CNN

Asked whether a big breakthrough in the counteroffensive is possible this year, Zelenskyy said: "I think nobody knows, really. But I think we will have more success."

Details: Zelenskyy also remarked that the Ukrainian forces are advancing in the east.

He added that, like before, he is focused on receiving long-range missiles from the US.

He stressed that they are not needed for launching attacks on Russia but for equalising the potential of both sides on the battlefield.

The Ukrainian President explained that the absence of ATACMS will lead to "more casualties on the battlefield and elsewhere".

He also stressed the need for more air defence systems, mainly US Patriot systems, stating that they are necessary for the protection of civilian areas.

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 is expected to visit the Pentagon on Thursday, his first trip to the U.S. militarys headquarters in Arlington, Va., since last years full-scale Russian invasion, a top White House official said Wednesday.

At the Pentagon, Zelenskyy will meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley and other senior military leaders, said John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council. New Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will also attend, according to a person familiar with the visit, who was granted anonymity to speak about sensitive plans.

The visit is just one stop on the Ukrainian presidents trip to the United States this week. In the morning he will meet with lawmakers on Capitol Hill, before heading to the Pentagon, and then meeting with President Joe Biden at the White House, Kirby said. It will be the third time the two leaders have met at the White House.

During his meetings on the Hill, Zelenskyy is expected to discuss his goals in Ukraines counteroffensive against Russia, Kirby said.

We think it's really important that he's the best messenger for the people of Ukraine and his armed forces, Kirby said.

The Biden administration is weighing sending Ukraine long-range missiles, the Army Tactical Missile System that can reach 190 miles, but has not made a final decision, Kirby said.

It is still in active discussion within the interagency and certainly with our Ukrainian partners, Kirby said.

Zelenskyys trip to the U.S. comes ahead of an expected political fight over sending additional military and humanitarian aid for Ukraines fight against the Russian invasion. Biden has requested Congress provide as much as $24 billion in additional support, but some Republicans have called for slashing funding for the war.

The visit comes after Biden is slated to return to Washington this week from New York City, where he made the case for countries to continue supporting Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly.

I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United States to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? Biden said in his address Tuesday. If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?"

Paul McLeary contributed to this report.

CORRECTION: This article has been updated to make clear that this is Volodymyr Zelenskyy's first visit to the Pentagon since last years full-scale Russian invasion.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Charles Michel , President of the European Council, on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Source: Office of the President

Details: The leaders discussed the implementation of the European Commission's seven recommendations for Ukraine's EU membership.

Zelenskyy briefed the European Council President on the situation on the battlefield. In this context, the parties emphasised the importance of the EU's defence support for Ukraine.

They also discussed the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and preparations for the Global Peace Summit.

Background:

Speaking at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, 19 September, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on other states to join in preparations for a summit on Ukraines Peace Formula. He also stated that he is aware of attempts to conclude "shady dealings behind the scenes" with Russia, but emphasised that "evil cannot be trusted".

Zelenskyy also met Kenyan President William Ruto to discuss the construction of grain hubs and the provision of Ukrainian agricultural products to the 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!
Ukraine may establish hubs for millions of tonnes of grain annually in particularly sensitive areas, such as African ports.

Source: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy during the Sustainable Development Goals Summit; Ukrainian President's Office

Details: Zelenskyy said Ukraine has already started talks on such opportunities. This will help prevent any shocks to the global food market.

The president also stressed that Ukraine will never abandon its role as a guarantor of global food security: "Nobody expected from us that we could press the Russian fleet out of our Black Sea waters, providing more room for the Black Sea Grain Initiative as well as humanitarian initiative  Grain from Ukraine. And the results are truly remarkable".

Quote from Zelenskyy: "Ukraine food exports have reached the shores of Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Somalia, Tunisia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, Turkiye, Yemen, and others. The roads from intermediary ports have carried our products to Ethiopia and Sudan.

This was a total of 32 million tons of food. This is 32 million tons less chaos.

I thank all those leaders who supported our export programs. Thank you very much, guys! We have made it. And nothing prevents us from reaching far more ambitious goals."

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!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during his speech to the UN Security Council on Wednesday, presented proposals for reforming the UN, primarily to prevent situations where permanent members of the Security Council can block any decisions.

Source: European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy stressed that the work of the UN is currently paralysed precisely because Russia, as the aggressor state, is blocking any decisions, as it has a veto as a permanent member of the Security Council.

Quote: "The veto in the hands of the aggressor is what has driven the UN into a dead end."

"The use of the veto is what needs to be reformed, and it could be a key reform. One that restores the power of the UN Charter."

More details: As a first step towards reforming the UN, Zelenskyy proposed giving the UN General Assembly a real opportunity to override vetoes, provided that two-thirds of the votes reflect the will of the nations from Asia, Africa, Europe, both Americas and the Pacific.

The second step towards UN reform, he said, was to expand the permanent membership of the Security Council to include states from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific. Among European countries, he mentioned Germany.

The third step in the reform of the Organisation, the president named the creation of a system of preventing aggression through preventive sanctions, which should be automatically submitted to the UN Security Council "when any member of the General Assembly declares a threat of aggression".

Background: The issue of reforming the body has become particularly acute in view of Russias full-scale invasion, which has a right of veto and can block any decisions that would hold it accountable for violating international law.

The United States is known to have begun drafting a proposal to reform the UN Security Council, which would expand its membership to better represent the regions of the world, but without the veto power.

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 UN is deadlocked and unable to fulfill its mission to maintain global peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during a UN Security Council meeting on Sept. 20.

Read also: Zelenskyy warns against attempts to strike backroom deals with Russia

The Ukrainian leader pointed out that "humanity no longer places its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defense of sovereign national borders."

Everyone in the world sees what exactly makes the UN ineffective, said Zelenskyy.

In this seat on the [UN] Security Council, which Russia occupies illegally through backstage manipulations after the collapse of the Soviet Union, there are liars [Russian representative Vasily Nebenzya was present] whose job is to justify aggression and genocide carried out by Russia.

Zelenskyy added that Russia's ability to veto Security Council resolutions has landed the UN in a predicament, with the aggressor nation using its veto power to the detriment of all other UN members.

He called for a reform of UN, saying that a key change would be addressing the veto power of five permanent members of the Security Council, which should not "serve as a weapon for those obsessed with hatred and war."

Read also: Zelenskyy addresses possibility of major breakthrough in Ukraines counteroffensive this year

The UN General Assembly should be given a real opportunity to override [Security Council] vetoes, the president said.

It is the first necessary step. If two-thirds of votes are received, reflecting the will of nations from Asia, Africa, Europe, both Americas, and the Pacific region  the [super]majority should feasibly override the veto, and such a resolution of the General Assembly should be binding for all member states.

Read also: Thirty-two countries participating in genocide case against Russia at the Hague

He also called for the UN Security Council to be accountable to the nations of the world and to expand representation on the Council, as well as enable more participation and access to the Security Council and its auxiliary bodies to all peaceful UN members. Any Security Council member's participation should be suspended while the country is engaged in armed aggression.

Read also: Battlefield situation in southern and eastern Ukraine  expert interview

Zelenskyy suggested introducing a system of aggression prevention through an "early response" mechanism, in particular, the implementation of preventive sanctions.

"Ukrainian soldiers are now doing with their blood what the UN Security Council should do with its voting: stopping aggression and protecting the principles of the UN Charter," he concluded.

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
NEW YORK  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy , facing a relentless Russian war, questioned the very point of the United Nations on Wednesday. Not long after, Russias top diplomat offered a similar criticism.

Both Zelenskyy and Sergey Lavrov appeared in person at a tense special session of the U.N.s most powerful body, the Security Council, in New York. Their complaints about the use and abuse of the United Nations are sure to find sympathy among many countries that have tried to stay neutral in the war  countries that Ukraine and Russia are trying to court to their side.

In fact, other nations in attendance also used the moment to air their frustrations, not just with the war, but also with the United Nations and alleged violations of its principles. Speakers included a parade of world leaders and top diplomats, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken .

Zelenskyy, dressed in his standard green military fatigues, decried Russian atrocities in the war and spoke of the sacrifices Ukrainians have made in defending their sovereignty since the Kremlins full-scale invasion in February 2022. He urged support for a 10-point Ukrainian peace proposal.

But he reserved his sharpest words for the Security Council, urging U.N. members to suspend Russias veto power as a permanent member of the 15-nation body. He called for much bigger reforms as well, including better representation of countries from Africa, the Pacific and beyond  appeals that were echoed by some fellow speakers.

Ukrainian soldiers now are doing at the expense of their blood what the U.N. Security Council should do by its voting. Theyre stopping aggression and upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter, Zelenskyy said.

He added that 547 days of full-fledged Russian aggression means 547 reasons for changes in this chamber.

Lavrov, who avoided a face-to-face encounter with Zelenskyy by appearing after the Ukrainian had left, trashed other countries alleged failure to uphold U.N. values, such as not interfering in a nations internal affairs. His targets appeared to primarily be the United States and Europe.

Today, the West turns selectively to norms and principles on a case-by-case basis exclusively based on their parochial geopolitical needs, Lavrov said. This has resulted in a shaking of global stability.

He added: "The Russian Federation has, and continues to insist on all provisions of the United Nations Charter being respected and applied not selectively, but fully in their full and interconnected way."

The Security Council session was one of the most dramatic events of this years U.N. General Assemblys gathering of world leaders, the first Zelenskyy attended in person since Russias 2022 invasion.

The United States is itself pushing for reforms to the Security Council, including expanding it in ways that are more inclusive of nations with smaller economies. Blinken used his time at the mic to slam Russia for ignoring basic U.N. principles and flouting U.N. resolutions.

Russia's invasion itself violates the central pillar of the U.N. Charter: respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations, Blinken said.

Lavrov, meanwhile, alleged that the U.S. and its allies are openly and unceremoniously trying to privatize the secretariat of the U.N. in ways that hurt countries which are inconvenient to Washington.

During the speeches, Russias delegates offered little emotional response. Russias ambassador to the United Nations, Vassily Nebenzia, appeared to be texting as Zelenskyy spoke and only one Russian diplomat could be seen at the countrys desk during most of the other speeches, staring blankly into space.

When Lavrov took his seat during Blinkens speech, he spent much of the time writing on a pad with little discernible reaction. Ukraine returned the favor; its singular delegate at the table could be seen texting during Lavrovs remarks.

Several others who spoke at Wednesdays session expressed their deep frustration with Russian actions  or inactions  at the United Nations, but seemed unable to muster much beyond despair given the low likelihood of changes anytime soon at the Security Council or broader U.N. system.

The fact that the United States, Russia and Russias supporter, China, are permanent, veto-wielding members of the Security Council and are often at odds makes any change to the U.N. system hard to push through.

"Abuse of the veto power  cannot be accepted by the international community," Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned.

Several speakers pointed to the global effect of the war on food supplies, disruptions to the energy sector and nuclear security.

Even Chinese executive vice minister of foreign affairs Ma Zhaoxu highlighted how developing nations are the first to bear the brunt of what he repeatedly termed the Ukraine crisis.

The Ukraine crisis has become what it is today for a variety of deep and complex reasons, Ma said. A prolonged and expanded Ukraine crisis is in no one's interest.

But in a dig at the United States and Europe, Ma also warned countries to stop abusing unilateral sanctions.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, meanwhile, put the blame squarely on Russia.

Some argue that this war could have been prevented by diplomatic means, Scholz said, detailing hundreds of meetings since 2014 to find a diplomatic solution. All these endeavors failed because one party, Russia, chose war over diplomacy.

Security Council gatherings tend to be relatively staid affairs. They rarely devolve into shouting, but the words can be sharp, the tension thick and procedure used as a weapon.

At the start of Wednesdays meeting, Nebenzia raised procedural objections, questioning why Zelenskyy was given a speaking slot so early in the session, predicting the whole event would be a spectacle.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who was chairing the meeting because his country is the president of the Security Council this month, shot back at Nebenzia that the decision was within normal bounds.

You stop the war, and President Zelenskyy will not take the floor, Rama said.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took his nation's case before the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, urging the council to expand its permanent memberships and drop veto powers for its members in cases of "mass atrocities."

Zelenskyy also proposed that nations resorting to aggression be suspended. Such sanctions should be automatically submitted for consideration to the Security Council when any General Assembly member reports a threat, he said.

"Ukrainian soldiers now are doing at the expense of their blood what the U.N. Security Council should do by its vote," Zelenskyy said. "They are stopping aggression and upholding the principles of the U.N. charter."

Before he spoke, the Russian representative to the council, Vassily Nebenzia, tried to have Zelenskyy dropped from the agenda, saying he was not a member and did not have the standing to speak. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, serving as council president, dismissed the effort.

"There is a solution for this if you agree," Rama said. "You stop the war and President Zelenskyy will not take the floor. What makes him important  is made from you, not from us."

A woman takes a selfie with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy before he speaks at the SDG Summit at United Nations headquarters on Sept. 19, 2023.

Zelenskyy warns of a 'final war': Conflict will come if world leaders don't stop Russia

Developments:

 Zelenskyy is scheduled to address Congress on Thursday morning before visiting the Pentagon. Afterward he will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House.

 Biden will announce a $325 million military assistance package for Ukraine that includes cluster munitions during Zelenskyy's visit, Reuters reported.

 Two Russian aircraft and a helicopter were destroyed by "sabotage" at the Chkalovsky airbase 20 miles northeast of Moscow, Defense Intelligence of Ukraine claimed.

 Moscow-Tehran cooperation is reaching new highs despite opposition from the U.S. and the West, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Wednesday. Russia has worked to improve relations with other nations, including China and North Korea, in the face of troubled relations with the West.

 Ukrainian soccer champion Shakhtar Donetsk, which can't play at home because of the war, took a 3-1 loss against Porto in the Champions League. Shakhtar played in front of a near capacity crowd of 46,700 in its first game at its temporary home in Hamburg, Germany.

Zelenskyy to Trump: Share your peace plan

Zelenskyy, speaking Tuesday on CNN, said GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump should share his Ukraine peace plan publicly. Trump has said he could end the war in 24 hours, but Zelenskyy warned he could not accept any proposal that involved Ukraine ceding territory to Russia.

He can publicly share his idea now, not waste time, not to lose people, and say, My formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression, Zelenskyy told CNN. How he sees it, how to push Russians from our land. Otherwise, hes not presenting the global idea of peace.

UN head assails Russia's violation of charter

Zelenskyy was hardly alone in assailing Russia's war of choice at the Security Council meeting.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, like Zelenskyy, pointed out the Russian invasion was a violation of the organization's charter, which calls for respecting other countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Guterres called for peace in Ukraine and decried how the war was "aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world.

Guterres' comments did not reach the ears of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who didn't arrive until shortly before he was scheduled to speak and Zelenskyy had left, avoiding a potentially uncomfortable face-to-face encounter. Lavrov repeated the Kremlin's well-worn talking points that the U.S. manipulates Kyiv and that Ukraine had oppressed Russian speakers in eastern areas, and he accused the West of following U.N. guidelines only when it's convenient.

"Today, the West turns selectively to norms and principles (on) a case-by-case basis exclusively based on their parochial geopolitical needs,'' he said.

Ship explosion highlights risks of sailing in Black Sea

Just as Ukraine tries to establish a Black Sea shipping corridor to export its grain, the danger of sailing in those waters becomes apparent.

The crew of a cargo ship on the Black Sea headed for a Ukrainian port on the Danube River was evacuated Wednesday after an explosion damaged the vessel, according to Romanian officials.

The 12-person crew of the Togo-flagged ship, the Seama, was taken to the Romanian port town of Sulina at the mouth of the Danube, close to the border with Ukraine.

At the moment the causes (of the blast) ... are unclear, whether it was a mine or merely an explosion in the engine room, Romanian Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu said. Both sides have laid numerous mines in the Black Sea since the war began.

On Tuesday, the Palau-flagged Resilient Africa reached Romanias waters, becoming the first grain-carrying vessel to safely leave a Black Sea port in Ukraine since Russia withdrew in July from a deal that allowed the exportation of Ukrainian agricultural products.

That ship took a different route along Ukraines new corridor, but Wednesdays explosion served as a reminder of the perils in the Black Sea, not only from the mines but from possible Russian attacks. After pulling out of the agreement, the Kremlin said any ship headed toward Ukraine would be deemed as potentially carrying military cargo.

Ukraine closer to disrupting Russian supply line near Bakhmut

Ukraine liberated the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka in the Donetsk province during the last week, bringing its troops closer to a road that serves as a key supply route into the devastated city of Bakhmut, the British Defense Ministry said in a war update.

Russia's decision to transfer airborne forces from Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia in the south facilitated that success, but Moscow's troops still control the railway line between the road and Klishchiivka, the ministry said.

Though Russia took Bakhmut in May after a grinding monthslong battle led by Wagner mercenaries, Defense Minister Hanna Maliar said Ukraine has reclaimed 20 square miles around the city.

Polish president: Ukraine like a 'drowning person'

Polish President Andrzej Duda defended his administration's decision to block Ukrainian grain for entering his country, saying Ukraine was behaving like a drowning person desperate for help. Duda said Russia's invasion has put Ukraine in a difficult situation and "it is grasping at everything it can," Polish media outlet PAP reported. Poland has the right to protect its interests and will do so decisively, Duda said. But he said Poland remains a strong ally of border neighbor Ukraine.

"A drowning person is extremely dangerous," Duda said. "If the drowning person causes harm and drowns us, he will not get help."

Putin to visit China in October

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he has accepted an invitation to visit China next month during the Belt and Road Summit. Russia and China are integrating our ideas of creating a large Eurasian space," said Putin, whose global travel has been stunted by an International Criminal Court warrant that could result in his arrest in many countries. Beijing has been spending billions under its Belt and Road Initiative, expanding its influence in the developing world by financing infrastructure projects.

Russia has strengthened its ties with China since the war began and has increased sales of gas and oil that once powered European countries. China has claimed neutrality in the war but has chastised the West for sanctions imposed on Russia. Beijing has accused the U.S. of helping prompt the war by pressing NATO expansion and last year announced a "no limits" connection with Moscow.

Ukraine poll shows Americans support military aid to Kyiv

A newly released survey shows 63% of respondents in the U.S. expressing support for continued military aid to Ukraine, according to the Ukraine advocacy agency Razom. An overwhelming majority (87%) of self-described Democrats supported continue aid compared to 48% of Republican respondents. The survey was conducted online Aug. 10-17, polling 4,190 voters across the U.S., Razom said.

Also, 79% of those polled agreed Russia is committing human rights violations and must be stopped "and made to pay" for the damage it has caused. But only 23% of those polled believe the government should warn Russia that the U.S. will continue supporting Ukraine for one more year before "the U.S. will escalate against Russia directly" if Russia has not pulled out.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ukraine Russia war live updates: Zelenskyy at UN Security Council
A certain Polish priest named the Rev. Tomasz Zmarzy is being investigated after police discovered a sex party involving a male prostitute inside his apartment in the city of Dabrowa Gornicza.

The Daily Mail, which was the first to publish the matter in English, reported that the priest allegedly threw a small party and ordered a male prostitute and later called an ambulance after a friend of his collapsed from an overdose of erectile dysfunction pills.

Local media added that Zmarzy, assigned at the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels Parish Church in Dabrowa Gornicza, refused to let paramedics in after the prostitute called emergency services before being ordered by the priest to leave.

Police were later called to the scene, forcing Zmarzy to allow emergency crews in to take his unconscious friend to hospital for treatment.

The man later recovered and was discharged from the hospital.

Read Also: Cardinal Burke, Traditional Catholics Warn Upcoming Vatican Synod is a 'Pandora's Box,' 'Trojan Horse' in New Q&A Book

Church, State Authorities Launch Investigation

A source familiar with the incident told the newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza that the event was "organized by clergy and was purely sexual," and confirmed that the participants in the incident "took potency pills."

However, Zmarzy denied the allegations he organized a "gay orgy" when he informed his superior, the Bishop of Sosnowiec, about the incident.

In response, the bishop stated he has appointed a commission to "urgently explain the circumstances of the situation."

If proven to be true, Zmarzy might face dismissal from the Catholic priesthood.

Meanwhile, state prosecutors have launched their own investigation into the priest for failing to help his friend.

"The local prosecutor's office is conducting proceedings regarding failure to provide assistance to a person whose life is at risk," Dabrowa Gornicza deputy district prosecutor Czesaw Kurpis said.

Blessed Virgin Mary of the Angels Parish was the very first church in Poland to be called a basilica after Pope Leo XIII bestowed the title to the church. Polish cardinals Stefan Wyszynski and Karol Wojtya (the future Pope John Paul II) also visited the church in 1968.

Related Article: Ex-Cardinal McCarrick Unfit to Stand Trial, Judge Says

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has drawn the attention of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the fact that Russia is using Iranian drones to attack Ukraine's port and agro-industrial infrastructure.

Source: Office of the President

Details: The head of state thanked the UN for its efforts to minimise the consequences of full-scale Russian aggression and expressed hope for further active assistance in promptly responding to the urgent humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian population.

The parties discussed the prospects for resuming the work of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

President Zelenskyy thanked Antonio Guterres for supporting Ukraine's efforts to ensure the stability of food markets and exports.

Background:

Zelenskyy spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York on the evening of 19 September. In particular, he called on other states to join in preparations for a summit on Ukraines Peace Formula.

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 Campbell County grand jury recently indicted Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell, on two felony charges of malicious wounding and hit-and-run and a misdemeanor count of reckless driving in connection with a March incident.

A jury trial is scheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 19 in Campbell Circuit Court, according to online court recordings.

Three witnesses  the responding Virginia State Trooper, an independent eyewitness and alleged victim, Julie Miles  testified during an August preliminary hearing in Campbell General District Court to the events that transpired on the evening of March 2, Roanoke County Commonwealths Attorney Donald Caldwell said.

According to a written complaint filed by Miles on March 3, she was riding in the car with Fariss on U.S. 501 the day before, heading to Halifax.

Miles wrote Fariss was tailgating someone and she told him to cut it out, leading Fariss to pass the car at an excessive speed, causing a tire to blow out.

She wrote during the tire change, Fariss became angry, prompting her to start to walk up 501 to my cousins home in Winfall, which Miles wrote was less than a mile away. According to her complaint, Fariss began yelling at her to get in the truck, to which she responded with a firm no, the complaint shows.

She then wrote Fariss turned the vehicle to the left at a 90-degree turn and hit me [with] the Tahoe," spinning her to the ground.

This could have easily killed, paralyzed, maimed me, she wrote in the complaint.

She went on to write Fariss told her You should have gotten in the g  d  car, as she was scampering away on the ground, fearing at this point he may shoot me.

According to her complaint, an onlooker saw all of it transpire from across the street, and once Fariss saw the man, Miles wrote he got in his car and fled the scene.

Fariss turned himself in to police on March 3 and was released on a $7,500 bond, court records show.

The grand jury returned the indictments on Sept. 11, court records show.

Fariss, a Republican, was first elected in 2011 to represent the Virginia House of Delegates 59th District, which covers Appomattox and Buckingham counties, plus parts of Albemarle, Campbell and Nelson counties.

While he did not receive the Republican Partys nomination for the newly drawn 51st District in this Novembers House of Delegate elections, Fariss has registered to run as an independent in the Nov. 7 election, the Campbell County Registrars Office has said.

Eric Zehr, a former Campbell County supervisor, is running for the seat as a Republican. All 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly are up for election this year.
Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Downtown Lynchburg Association (DLA) was awarded a total of $310,000 across three grants.

According to a news release, the funding will support the growth of Downtown Lynchburg through three upcoming projects and programs including: Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk, Launch LYH 2024 and a new micro-grant opportunity that will assist in funding physical improvements and beautification efforts of current Downtown Lynchburg storefronts.

Downtown Lynchburgs growth and vitality have always been at the heart of our mission. With this funding, we have an opportunity to provide the community with new and exciting ways to experience our city, while also executing programs that allow our current and future business owners to succeed, James Ford, interim executive director for Downtown Lynchburg Association. These projects represent a commitment to supporting local businesses and enhancing the vibrancy of our city center.

Forty-five grants were awarded across the Commonwealth. Among them, Downtown Lynchburg Association secured three grants and received the highest total funding combined.

Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant ($135,000)

The Virginia Business District Resurgence Grant will fund DLAs efforts to keep Downtown Lynchburg a welcoming and attractive environment through a new micro-grant program that will fund storefront improvements and beautification for small businesses.

Program guidelines and applications will be posted on the DLA website in early 2024.

Community Business Launch Grant ($100,000)

The Community Business Launch Grant will fund DLAs second Launch LYH program beginning in early 2024. Launch LYH was created to provide current and potential small business owners resources they need to start or expand a business in a Downtown Lynchburg location, addressing storefront vacancy and fostering entrepreneurship at the same time.

Additional information on the 2024 program will come later this year. However, information on this years program can be found at downtownlynchburg.com/launch-lyh.

Downtown Investment Grant ($75,000)

The Downtown Investment Grant will assist in funding DLAs inaugural eight-week holiday experience, Bright Nights on the Bluffwalk, which will transform the Bluffwalk into an immersive holiday spectacle full of dazzling lights, large-scale installations, festive music and more. This attraction will begin with the Bright Nights Kick-off event on Sunday, Nov. 19, which will include a tree lighting ceremony, food truck vendors, live music and performances, artisan vendors and more festive activities that will all take place on a closed-down section of Commerce Street.
The Mills County Sheriff's Office is still searching for 72-year-old Judy Krueger of Glenwood.

Krueger, who is 5 feet and 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 130 pounds, was reported missing on Saturday, Sept. 16. She has reddish-gray hair and suffers from dementia.

In an update shared late Tuesday police offered details of the latest known sighting of Krueger. She was last seen at the intersection of Jamett Road and Levi Road, just down from her house, on Saturday, Sept. 16, around 1:52 p.m. She turned to face south, but it is unknown which direction she traveled from the intersection, police said.

She was said to have been wearing blue jeans and a black ad white patterned sweatshirt.

Further searches were held Monday and Tuesday, including abandoned residences, woodede and overgrown areas. Roadside areas of Levi Road and Kane Road were walked.

The Iowa State Patrol conducted an additional aerial search Monday afternoon and an underwater sonar search of Campbell Park Lake and Mile Hill Lake were conducted by the Council Bluffs Fire Department.

Area hospitals, homeless shelters and neighboring law enforcement agencies have all been notified.

On Tuesday, police provided an updated map of the areas that had been searched, as well as an updated photo of Krueger.

Police ask that community members who want to continue to search be respectful of personal property boundaries and search in pairs or teams for safety.

Police are asking the public to continue to keep an eye out and call 911 if she is seen.
Conservationists with USDAs Natural Resources Conservation Service are encouraging Iowa landowners with marginal cropland or land adjacent to trees, brush and pasture to seed down native warm-season grasses to benefit the northern bobwhite quail and other wildlife.

Through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS has about $1.2 million available to landowners in 35 southern Iowa counties to implement quail habit-improving practices, such as conservation cover, brush management, upland wildlife habitat management, early successional habitat management and tree and shrub establishment.

Landowners can apply any time for EQIP conservation practice funding at their local NRCS office, said Sam Adams, NRCS assistant state conservationist for programs in Iowa. The first cutoff to apply for Iowa NRCS programs for fiscal year 2024 is Nov. 3.

Northern bobwhite quail habitat has decreased by 30 million acres nationwide due to a rise in cattle grazing non-native forage like fescue and advanced agricultural equipment that leaves fewer weeds and brush. Quail populations have decreased by 80% the past 60 years.

Darrell Geib, area resource conservationist for NRCS in Atlantic, said it is important for landowners to sign up early this year.

We want to give our conservation planners time to work with landowners on habitat development this fall, he said in a news release. Areas adjacent to CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) ground and old pastures will be prime locations for these practices.

To help reconnect cattle and quail, NRCS is working with producers to manage for native warm-season grasses that create productive and palatable grazing options for livestock while benefitting quail and other wildlife species. Common native warm-season grasses include switchgrass, big bluestem, eastern gamagrass and Indiangrass.

In addition to improving soil and water quality, warm-season grasses can boost livestock productivity and provide habitat for pollinators.

Visit the NRCS website for more information about practices to help restore quail habitat. To apply for program funding, visit your local NRCS field office.
Rwanda has recently signed two landmark deals that may see the East African country become a hub for research in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and nuclear energy  both of which are part of Rwandas ambitious aspirations to become an upper-middle income country by 2035, and a high-income country by 2050.

Rwanda has been chosen by a global technology company for its new office from which to conduct AI research and solutions for Africa. The London-based company, InstaDeep, has recently opened its office in Kigali, with the mission to strengthen African AI. Artificial Intelligence, commonly known as AI, is any technology that enables machines to emulate human capabilities to sense, comprehend, and act.

According to Tunisia-born Karim Beguir, InstaDeep CEO, it makes sense to deploy and grow our team in Kigali as Rwanda emerges as a leader in building the economy of the future. Were excited to share this news at the Deep Learning Indaba with this dynamic community of African AI researchers and developers.

While the Rwandan government estimates a potential AI ecosystem worth $589 million in the next five years, implementing the policy will require an investment worth $76.5 million within the same period.

The government also seeks to turn Rwanda into a nuclear energy hub in Africa, when it recently signed a nuclear energy generation deal with Canadian-German nuclear company, Dual Fluid, as the country takes a big step in exploring nuclear in expanding its energy sources needed to power its development.

The first outcome of the deal will be the construction of a demonstration Dual Fluid nuclear reactor in the country, to be operational by 2026, which will be followed by testing of the Dual Fluid technology, to be completed by 2028. The nuclear energy project is expected to contribute up to 300 MW to the grid, according to the CEO of Rwanda Atomic Energy Board (Raeb), Ndahayo Fidele. This deal is intended to expand Rwandas energy generation mix, Dual Fluid has patents to this technology, it will provide laboratory equipment and set it up, train our people in this technology and conduct tests, Fidele added.
Several agreements in the field of green hydrogen were signed on Tuesday in Marrakech, on the sidelines of the ongoing third edition of the World Power-to-X Summit (PTX23).

The agreements aim to promote innovation and consolidate training around green hydrogen in favor of sustainable development, and to put in place appropriate measures to ensure the success of Moroccos energy transition.

The first agreement, between the Guelmim-Oued Noun regional Council and the Research Institute for Solar Energy and New Energies (IRESEN), is meant to establish cooperation in research and various activities linked to sustainable development.

The second agreement, signed between the Vocational Training and Work Promotion Office (OFPPT), the GreenH2 Cluster and IRESEN, aims to jointly develop and implement vocational training programs for professionals in the green hydrogen value chain in Morocco and Africa.

The third agreement, inked between Huawei, the Green Energy Park (GEP) and IRESEN, relates to the development of research projects in the field of renewable energies and energy storage.

The fourth agreement, between IRESEN and the regional Centre for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), covers collaboration on capacity building, research projects and partnerships in the fields of climate change, renewable energies and energy efficiency.

The fifth agreement between the GreenH2 Cluster and Eco-Stream Nederland B.V. concerns a joint action to establish a win-win partnership to support the development of the green hydrogen industry in Morocco.

The third edition of the World Power-to-X Summit (PTX23) kicked off Tuesday in Marrakech, featuring the participation of numerous political decision-makers, industry leaders, research experts, and global innovators.

The edition, placed under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, is held under the theme Unleashing green hydrogen and clean molecules for a carbon-free future, a theme of particular significance amid a global energy crisis heightened by accelerating geopolitical tensions and reorganizations.

The World Power-to-X Summit serves as a leading platform for catalyzing regional and international dialogue around the opportunities and challenges of the industrial, logistical, and technological value chain of green hydrogen and its applications.

On a national level, the summit takes a significant dimension thanks to the dynamism spurred on by the King, who has given his instructions to deploy an operational and incentivizing Morocco Offer. This ambitious initiative aims to position Morocco as a regional leader and African hub in the hydrogen field, drawing on its natural assets, national strategy, and solid international partnerships.
King Mohammed VI thanked the heads of state of the UAE, Qatar, Spain, and the UK for the contribution of their rescue teams in the relief efforts after the earthquake.

Morocco accepted aid from the four countries following a 7- magnitude earthquake that left around 3000 deaths and destroyed whole villages in the High Atlas Mountains.

The sovereign thanked King Felipe VI and the acting president of the Spanish government Pedro Sanchez in two separate messages for the participation of their country in the rescue effort.

This fraternal initiative on the part of your country will remain forever anchored in the history of the friendship and excellent relations of cooperation and neighborliness that unite the Kingdoms of Morocco and Spain, said the king in a message to King Felipe VI.

In his message to the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the king said what consoles and comforts us in this painful circumstance is the outpouring of sincere solidarity towards Morocco from brotherly and friendly countries, including the State of Qatar, as usual.

Likewise, the King thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his noble humanitarian and generous initiative to mobilize an Emirati rescue team, which provided strong support to its Moroccan brothers and illustrated the strength of the ties of constant affection and sincere brotherhood uniting the two brotherly peoples.

The King also thanked the UK in a message to King Charles III saying I should like Your Majesty to know how touched I am by your kind, comforting words. I also deeply appreciate the active solidarity and humanitarian initiative taken by the Government of the United Kingdom to mobilize a UK ISAR team to assist their Moroccan counterparts in search and rescue operations in the affected areas, a mission they discharged with great diligence and a keen sense of professionalism.

In a similar message to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Mr. Rishi Sunak, the Sovereign pointed out that the UK ISAR teams contribution is testimony to the enduring friendship, fruitful cooperation and active solidarity between our countries and our peoples, who share a firm belief in, and a commitment to, the universal values of solidarity, empathy and mutual assistance.

The Sovereign had earlier sent messages of thanks and gratitude to the heads of the four rescue teams that participated in the assistance effort.
The parliament in Burkina Faso authorized Tuesday September 19 plans by the transitional leader Captain Ibrahim Traore to send troops to neighboring Niger facing a looming foreign military intervention to restore deposed leader Mohamed Bazoum.

All the 71 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal. The contingent will have a three-month renewable mandate starting from date of deployment or the beginning of regional bloc Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)s intervention.

The parliaments nod is the second after that of the cabinet in August which supported the deployment of a contingent to Niger in line with our countrys strategic commitments.

Without warmongering, it must be noted that this commitment is made to prevent and in the best interest of our fight against terrorism, a deep aspiration of the Burkinabe people, said Defense minister Col. Maj. Kassoum Coulibaly.

What affects Nigers security fundamentally affects the security of Burkina Faso, he explained furthermore.

Niger is currently ruled by a junta which deposed west-backed Bazoum on July 26. The coup met the wrath of the ECOWAS and several countries including France.

The ECOWAS in August said it prepared standby troops for intervention in Niger to restore Bazoum.

The Junta-led Niger also granted permission to Burkina Faso and Mali to intercede on their side in the event of aggression, following threats of military intervention by ECOWAS.

Late last week, the three countries signed a mutual defense pact establishing an Alliance of Sahel States (AES) that will allow them to cooperate against threats of armed rebellion or external aggression.

The AES was established by the Liptako-Gourma Charter, in reference to a region, where the Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger borders meet. According to the Charter, any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracting parties will be considered an aggression against the other parties. The Charter also binds the three countries to work to prevent or settle armed rebellions.
Mauritania has declined demands by Malian Tuareg rebels fighting the Malian army to host wounded fighters for medical treatment, local media alakhbar reports citing an official source.

The northern Malian historic city of Timbuktu, near the Mauritania border, has been the focus of fighting between the Malian army and a rebel group called the Coordination of Azawad Movements (CMA), formed by semi-nomadic Tuareg people.

The Malian army launched an offensive in August to flash out the rebel who control the region around the city.

The clashes have turned fierce since Sunday September 17. The Malian army announced the loss of five soldiers and an aircraft. It also claimed the killing of seven rebels and the destruction of eight vehicles belonging to the rebels.

The rebels on their part claimed taking soldiers hostage and seizing two army bases in Lere city.

A Mauritania source who asked not to be named told alakhbar that Nouakchott has turned down the rebels request to treat injured fighters on its soil. The source also added that Nouakchott does not want to be involved in an external conflict. The two sides should engage in talks and solve peacefully their problems, the source added.
Residents of Staten Island continue their discontent regarding the use of their neighborhood as a shelter for asylum seekers and other migrants in New York City after outraged residents took to the streets Tuesday night (September 19) to physically block the arrival of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus carrying asylum seekers to a newly-converted shelter.

Protestors Jeer Migrants Inside MTA Bus

According to the New York Post, protesters were captured on video wailing and banging on the sides of the bus they had intercepted, which was scheduled to head to the former Island Shores senior assisted living facility, where the migrants are to stay.

In one of the videos, which has since been deleted, some protestors outside the facility at Father Capodanno Boulevard and Midland Avenue showed people whistling and screaming, "You're not welcome!" and "You are illegal!"

Other videos show demonstrators carrying signs and chanting "USA!" while a man with a megaphone denounced the migrants' arrival.

Read Also: Migrants Suffer Outside New York's Roosevelt Hotel as Mayor Eric Adams Warns Worse Situation To Come

Arrests and Reactions

Police said 10 people were arrested and taken into custody, nine of them being issued summonses for disorderly conduct. One of those arrested, 48-year-old Vadim Belyakov, was also charged for allegedly assaulting an officer who was trying to make an arrest.

Despite this, police stated that no physical altercations were reported with any migrants or bus personnel.

In the aftermath of the incident, New York Mayor Eric Adams (D) told reporters Wednesday morning (September 20) that the demonstration was an "ugly display" put on by a very small group of New Yorkers that should not represent the city's 8.3 million residents as a whole.

"Of course, New Yorkers are frustrated, New Yorkers are really concerned. And even the migrants are really concerned," he said. "We are both stating that this crisis should be dealt with in a manner where the national government carries out the role that it is supposed to. It should not be left on the backs of New York City residents."

Most of Staten Island's residents are Republican supporters, the only one of New York's five boroughs that lean towards the GOP.

New York's Efforts to Tackle Asylum Seekers, Migrants

Meanwhile, the city's officials have been considering changing how long single adult asylum seekers can stay in city shelters from 60 days to 30.

It has been earlier reported that New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) met with US President Joe Biden Tuesday (September 19) during his New York trip for the UN General Assembly this week to apparently discuss the migrant crisis. However, the president has not met Adams about the matter.

Nevertheless, Adams told local media he would be looking forward to having the asylum seekers issue resolved.

"We need a decompression strategy, we need to properly fund this national crisis by calling it a state of emergency and we need to allow the asylum seekers to work," he emphasized, adding that he thought it "wrong" for New Yorkers to be responsible for what he said could be a $12 billion tab over the next three years.

Related Article: Protesters Clash Outside New York City Mayor's Home Amid Worsening Migrants Surge

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Morocco becomes a natural partner to build strong friendship and cooperation ties with the European Union, EU ambassador to the Kingdom, Patricia Pilar Llombart Cussac, said Tuesday.

With its substantial energy resources, its proximity to Europe and its strong friendship and cooperation ties at all levels (), Morocco becomes a natural partner to build such a relationship, Cussac said at a plenary session under the theme Green hydrogen and the path to COP28, as part of the two-day World Power-to-X Summit held in Marrakech.

It is not by chance that Morocco was the first country with which the EU developed a green partnership, the diplomat underlined, adding that this partnership has become the political framework for mutual cooperation on green issues.

In this respect, she noted that the EU and Morocco have increased contacts at all levels and together developed an ambitious action plan for this green partnership in the fields of energy transition, climate change adaptation, environmental protection, and promotion of the green and blue economy.

Hydrogen can become a key element for decarbonizing energy systems and thus achieving climate ambitions, the diplomat pointed out.

Held under the theme Unleashing green hydrogen and clean molecules for a carbon-free future, the 3rd PTX holds particular significance amid a global energy crisis heightened by accelerating geopolitical tensions and reorganizations.

The event has a significant dimension for Morocco thanks to the momentum spurred by the King, who has given his instructions to deploy an operational and incentivizing Morocco Offer. This ambitious initiative aims to position Morocco as a regional leader and African hub in the hydrogen field, drawing on its natural assets, national strategy, and solid international partnerships.
Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Rudy Giuliani has been accused of a staggering amount of untoward and even illegal behavior in recent years. Worst among the allegations are his former employees claims that he sexually assaulted and harassed her, which she is currently suing him over, and his campaign to steal the 2020 election for Donald Trump, which led to Giuliani being hit with 13 felony counts, including racketeering, in Georgia last month.

Incredibly, Giuliani has now been accused of engaging in sexual misconduct and conspiring to steal the 2020 election simultaneously. In her forthcoming memoir, Enough, former Trump administration aide Cassidy Hutchinson accuses Giuliani of groping her backstage at the January 6, 2021, Stop the Steal rally in D.C., which immediately preceded the Capitol riot.

At the time, Hutchinson was serving as assistant to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows (who was indicted in Georgia last month along with Trump and Giuliani). In an excerpt of the book obtained by The Guardian ahead of its release next week, Hutchinson says that during the rally, the presidents lawyer and former mayor of New York put his hand under my blazer, then my skirt. She says she encountered Giuliani and Trump election lawyer John Eastman backstage. Per The Guardian:

I find Rudy in the back of the tent with, among others, John Eastman, she continues. The corners of his mouth split into a Cheshire cat smile. Waving a stack of documents, he moves towards me, like a wolf closing in on its prey.

We have the evidence. Its all here. Were going to pull this off. Rudy wraps one arm around my body, closing the space that was separating us. I feel his stack of documents press into the small of my back. I lower my eyes and watch his free hand reach for the hem of my blazer.

By the way, he says, fingering the fabric, Im loving this leather jacket on you. His hand slips under my blazer, then my skirt, Hutchinson writes.

Hutchinson says Giuliani proceeded to grope her as Eastman looked on:

I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh, she writes. He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to [Trump adviser] John Eastman, who flashes a leering grin.

I fight against the tension in my muscles and recoil from Rudys grip  filled with rage, I storm through the tent, on yet another quest for Mark.

Hutchinson is best known for her explosive testimony before the House Select Committee investigating January 6 in 2022, in which she described how Trump and his inner circle plotted to keep him in power. She mentioned Giuliani several times during her testimony, saying she heard him discussing the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, and that he told her days before the riot that things might get real, real bad on January 6. If Hutchinson told the committee that Giuliani groped her, it was not reported publicly.

Giuliani denied the allegation in a Newsmax interview with on Wednesday evening, saying it is Completely, absolutely false. Totally absurd. He continued, per Mediaite:

She claims that I groped her in a tent on January 6, where all the people went in that were very, very cold as a result of the presidents speech, etcetera. Im gonna grope somebody? With a hundred people? First of all, Im not gonna grope somebody at all, and number two, in front of like a hundred people? Plus, that day, I had extra security and I had my entire staff around me virtually all day because I took them to the speech as kind of a reward for all the work they did.

So I brought 10 people to the speech and they were with me virtually at every moment that I was there, and if I wasnt talking to them, I was taking pictures with people. So there would have been no occasion for this to happen. Its completely absurd, its as crazy as her statement that the president jumped over the, I guess, jumped over the seat and took over the car.

A representative for Giuliani also told Insider that the newness of the accusation indicates that Hutchinson is lying, and Giuliani will take legal action against her.

Its fair to ask Cassidy Hutchinson why she is just now coming out with these allegations from two and a half years ago, as part of the marketing campaign for her upcoming book release, said Ted Goodman, a political adviser to Giuliani. Mayor Rudy Giuliani will pursue all appropriate legal action against this disgusting lie.

Following through on that threat may prove difficult for Giuliani. Hes already in so much legal trouble that he cant afford to defend himself. Giuliani recently lost a defamation case brought by two Georgia election workers because he couldnt afford to proceed with the case, and earlier this week, his former lawyer sued him for allegedly failing to pay his $1.4 million bill.

This post has been updated with Giulianis response on Newsmax.
Photo: Jefferson Siegel/New York Daily News via Getty Images

After spending years protecting him, Columbia University has apologized to the numerous victims of Robert Hadden, a former obstetrician who has been accused of sexual abuse by at least 245 former patients.

In the statement released Tuesday, Minouche Shafik, the university president, and Katrina Armstrong, the CEO of Columbia University Irving Medical Center, said the institution continues to grapple with the magnitude of harm done by Hadden and applauded the courageous women who helped bring him to justice. We commend them for coming forward. We offer our deepest apologies to all his victims and their loved ones, they said. (Shafik and Armstrong joined Columbia after Hadden was fired.)

The apology comes a week after a joint investigation by New York Magazine and ProPublica showed how the university covered up for Hadden after multiple female patients accused him of abuse. Columbia allowed Hadden to continue to practice for five weeks after a woman in 2012 reported to police that he sexually assaulted her during an exam, resulting in his arrest. At least eight other women that Hadden saw during those five weeks alleged that he assaulted them.

Columbia also stonewalled authorities, refusing to cooperate with an investigation by the Manhattan district attorneys office. The university failed to hand over evidence in its possession despite subpoenas that compelled it to do so, according to authors Bianca Fortis and Laura Beil, and didnt inform the district attorneys office when more patients came forward with additional accusations. In 2016, Hadden accepted a plea deal from the DA office that allowed him to avoid prison time while giving up his medical license. Manhattan federal prosecutors though charged Hadden in 2020, leading to his conviction this past July. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the university has settled several lawsuits with victims of Hadden, including a $165 million agreement from last year with 147 of his former patients, but never officially admitted fault. The university is also alleged to have dragged its feet in notifying Haddens former patients that he left the institution and the letters that eventually went out in the mail did not say why Hadden was no longer practicing. Shafik and Armstrong said the university has continued to work to improve its practices after what happened.

Since Hadden last saw patients more than a decade ago, Columbia has worked to enhance the policies and processes in place to afford our patients a safe environment of care, and we remain committed to strengthening the safeguards that are essential for earning patient trust, they wrote.

Columbias apology was strongly condemned by survivors Marissa Hoechstetter and Evelyn Yang. In a statement co-written with their attorney, they called the universitys words self-serving propaganda.

The statement from Columbia Universitys new president, picks up exactly where the last one left off. There is no ownership of the universitys pastand ongoing failures. Instead, it comes from a place of self-preservation, a continuation of Columbias 35-year refusal to acknowledge that they enabled and protected Haddens abuse, they wrote. Columbia failed to protect patients and get rid of this known sexual predator.

Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.
Photo: Bill OLeary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has relaxed the institutions formal dress code and unleashed chaos. Forty-six Republican senators signed a letter deploring the change. One of them, Susan Collins of Maine, has threatened to wear a bikini to the floor. Schumer has done everything he can to destroy the traditions of the Senate, complained Republican John Cornyn of Texas. Many of those outraged blame John Fetterman, the Democrat from Pennsylvania who famously prefers a hoodie and gym shorts to a suit. Joe Manchin even lectured Fetterman, telling him that Schumers decision was wrong and that he, Manchin, would try to hold the decorum of the Senate, the New York Times reported.

The editorial board of the Washington Post has now weighed in. At the risk of idealizing the place, the Capitol is, or should be, thought of as the temple of the worlds oldest continuous democracy. Within that, the Senate floor is its most sacred space, members wrote. Throughout history, those who participated in its proceedings dressed accordingly. Admittedly, the appropriate level of dignity is subjective; you know it when you see it. And when a senator comes to the floor in pickup softball gear, you dont. Others labored to make a point about liberal hypocrisy. Dems who were outraged by January 6 rioters storming the Capitol because of the violence wrought against that great Temple of Democracy are okay with a man at war with the English language and pants getting to wear a hoodie and shorts onto the Senate floor, the conservative commentator Erick Erickson posted on X of Fetterman, who is recovering from a stroke he had last year that nearly killed him.

January 6 wasnt shocking because the Capitol is a temple, or because the Senate floor is a sacred place. The harm was not symbolic, but material: Rioters tried to violently overthrow the government. Similarly, the problem with the Senate is not how it looks, but what it does. Joe Manchin is largely responsible for doubling child poverty last year  who cares what he wears? His vote is what matters.

Manchins behavior gets at the heart of things. The Senate is a profane and occasionally grotesque institution, concerned more with an esoteric sense of decorum than with human welfare. Most senators deserve contempt, no matter what they wear. If you dont believe me, listen to Mitt Romney. The Republican from Utah is no fan of a casual dress code, but hes not much fonder of his fellow senators. I dont know that I can disrespect someone more than J. D. Vance, he told The Atlantics McKay Coppins. Vances book, Hillbilly Elegy, had once impressed Romney (poor judgment, in my view), but the Ohio senators transformation into thirsty Trump acolyte disturbs him now. Vance is likely more comfortable in the Senate than Romney, who has announced his retirement.

Suits cant save the Senate from itself. The Senate is indeed the setting for Americas most consequential debates on war and peace, freedom and slavery, as the Post said. The Senate is also an innately undemocratic institution, making it irredeemable. Recently, its flaws float close to the surface. It is where our pandemic-era experiment in social democracy went to die. Its where a barely cognizant Dianne Feinstein gets wheeled in for her votes and where Mitch McConnell struggles to stay on task. The same Republicans who are just so shocked at Fettermans outfits are largely in thrall to Donald Trump, who certainly has no respect for the Senate as a deliberative body or for democracy in general. The real spectacle isnt Fetterman in his shorts, but the Senate itself. A dog in a suit is still a dog. Let Joe Manchin bark.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Instacart

Wall Street loves when people buy things. It is at the very heart of American capitalism  the more people consume, the more money traders, bankers, and brokers get. But what Wall Street loves even more is when someone comes up with a new way of selling something. Silicon Valley knew this during the 2010s tech boom. Uber, DoorDash, Peloton  all these companies were innovative in creating an experience rather than actually making a new thing that would change your life. Bad-mouth it all you want, but as far as the investing class cares, it works (or, in the case of Peloton, used to work).

Another company joined that club on Tuesday when Instacart  the company that buys your groceries for you  made its New York Stock Exchange debut as a $14 billion company. Maybe you see this number and think that, like the groceries you buy, that number is inflated and appalling. And maybe it is. But consider where it was just a few years ago. This is a company that was valued at $39 billion in early 2021, during that slog of the pandemic era when vaccines were around but not yet widely available. But Instacart is not as straightforward a story as a pandemic darling gone flat, or even a tech company thats managed to find a way into your life and not let go. Instead, its about a Silicon Valley star capitulating, finding that its reason for existing doesnt work the way it thought it would, and quietly changing its business model so that New York money can keep it going for longer.

There are two groups who made lots of money off Instacart on Tuesday: the people who held shares (or options) for a long time and those who held it for less than a day. According to the Wall Street Journal, those who invested in the company since 2015  for the last eight years!  were under water upon the IPO pricing. To put that into perspective, Instacart was founded in 2012. Giant funds like T. Rowe Price and venture firms like DST Global have all lost money on their investments. And look  nobodys crying over their getting hosed. Tech was an obvious bubble for a very long time, and anybody who didnt see it pop gets what they get. Its the other group of people that I think is the most interesting. These are the investors who bought the shares at $30 each, then figured that there was enough demand to make a killing. They were right. The shares started trading at $42. They made a tidy profit just for doing little more than being in a room with the right banker at the right time. (By the end of the day, it fell back down to $33.70.)

https://twitter.com/tanayj/status/1704188468132466999?s=46&t=-CqTaUsmUznz2a170rkOsQ

There is an obvious coastal divide in American money. How can the same company be beloved in California for $39 billion just two and a half years before Wall Street loves it at $14 billion? The reason is that, quietly, Instacart changed what it does. That joke tweet above is what most people think of when they see one of these tech companies  some app thats supposed to make life more convenient is charging you a ton of money for inscrutable reasons. And for Instacart, that is certainly still true. But its found another way to make money, which is advertising. Financiers and traders love it because ad sales is an old, battle-tested industry that, even during a down year (like in 2023) is still understandable. It also makes sense. When someone opens up Instacart, they are there to spend money. You think they came in to get out of the rain? Guy doesnt walk on the lot unless he wants to buy!

Its worth it to contrast Instacart not so much to Uber or DoorDash, which basically do the same thing in different ways, but to Peloton. When that company debuted, it flopped. You can stick an iPad on a bike and call it a company, but that doesnt mean that anybody has to like it. That changed during the pandemic when it reached its all-time high in January 2021  right around the time that Instacart crested. The difference, though, is that Peloton is still basically the same thing that it was then. Or, at least, a zombie version that kind of resembles it.

The reality is that Silicon Valley is now two bubbles past the Uber-for-Blank craze. The crypto one was fun, both on the way up and down. The AI one is weird, disconcerting, and probably nowhere near over. If Instacart is any guide, then whatever it is that the VCs are hyping now will either burn out or find a long life as something else entirely.
WARNING  DISTURBING VIDEO: The tragic death of a ferry passenger in Greece has triggered national outrage after video emerged of the moment he was killed. It appears to show the man being pushed into the water as the ship leaves the port in Piraeus for Crete.

What you need to know

Victim Andonis Kargiotis, 36, was trying to jump back onto the Blue Horizon ferry's loading ramp after stepping off the ship shortly before it was due to depart.

Video footage shows crew members arguing with Kargiotis and pushing him off the ship.

The victim fell between the ramp and the port's edge just as the ferry was departing, vanishing into the water where the ship's huge propellers had started turning.

Witnesses say his lifeless body appeared 10 minutes later and was in the water for 30 minutes before it was pulled out.

The ferry sailed off, before being ordered to return. Four people, the captain and three crew, have been charged over the death.

The passenger tried to re-board the ferry but staff refused, video shows. Source: X

 Its hard to believe, but

The entire incident was captured on videos which were shared across social media, leaving many in disbelief over the alleged actions of the crew. Several passengers appear to have witnessed the tragedy.

As soon as Kargiotis falls into the water, it can be seen swirling as the ferry's propellers kick in. The crew appeared to do nothing to help him. The coroner has ruled his cause of death as drowning.

Crew members of the ship #BlueHorizon are seen to push away a 36yo passenger that was late.

That led to the passenger losing his balance, falling in the sea and unfortunately, losing his life.

The incident took place tonight on the #Piraeus port, #Athens. pic.twitter.com/PfXW2uWdhu  Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) September 5, 2023

        #bluestar #antireport pic.twitter.com/fc88aZPRTZ  V E L O C I T Y  (@Sacco_69) September 5, 2023

 What they said

Witness Froso Tetrandonaki to news outlet Neos Kosmos: "They pushed him three or four times before the ships gangway was raised."

Story continues

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis: [This was] a combination of irresponsible behaviour and cynicism, contempt and indifference. Yesterdays shameful incident is not indicative of the kind of country we want."

Greek Shipping Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis: "The behaviour of the four detained crew members is criminally and morally reprehensible. It is a vulgar insult to all seamen working in the Greek shipping industry. There is no doubt that the offence is manslaughter.

Attica Group, operator of the Blue Horizon: The scenes that we all saw last night are unimaginable, they do not consist with the Groups values and do not express in the slightest the ethos and professionalism, not only of our crews, but also of the Greek navy as a whole.

 So what next?

The death has triggered outrage across Greece, with protesters heading to the scene of the incident as well as the port in Crete, where the ferry was heading, on Wednesday night.

The port authority and government says it is in the midst of a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are punished appropriately.

       ,     .# #bluehorizon pic.twitter.com/SNeSjDdUvd       (@1stinthevillage) September 6, 2023

 Go deeper...

With AP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
India and the U.S. are expected to deepen their partnership across several areas, including energy, following a G20 summit. In an attempt to counter Chinese dominance, the countries leaders are focused on strengthening their relationship to support Indias economy, boost trade, and accelerate the global green transition. This follows several previous discussions between the two powers focused on enhancing their collaboration on energy, particularly clean energy and related technologies.

At the G20 summit held in Delhi, India this month, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Joe Biden pledged to deepen their ties. This marks their second bilateral meeting in under six months. In a personal meeting between the two leaders at Modis official residence, they delivered a 29-point statement, which highlighted the main areas of focus in their new relationship. It included constructing resilient strategic technology value chains and collaboration on renewable and nuclear energy, as well as climate financing.

A joint statement from the meeting outlined several areas of cooperation between India and the U.S., many of which were closely linked to the energy sector. The two powers will support the building of resilient global semiconductor supply chains, including a multi-year initiative of Microchip Technology, Inc., to invest approximately $300 million in expanding its research and development presence in India and Advanced Micro Devices announcement to invest US$400 million in India. They also reiterated the importance of nuclear power in providing greater energy security in the green transition. India and the U.S. expect to collaborate on the development of both countries nuclear power capacity, as well as on the construction of next-generation small modular reactor technologies.

No representatives from China or Russia attended the recent G20 meeting, which India and the U.S. hope will demonstrate to the Global South that the remaining G20 countries provide a more realistic proposition for food security to debt resolution. The summit was aimed at accelerating sustainable development, enhancing multilateral cooperation, and developing a global consensus for inclusive economic policies. During talks, Biden and Modi emphasised the importance of The Quad, an informal security alignment between Australia, India, Japan and the U.S. to counter Chinas power in the Indo-Pacific region.

When it comes to energy, the U.S. and India have been working more closely together in recent years. In June, USAID and Indian Railways announced a Memorandum of Understanding to combat climate changeand achieve Indian Railways target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. Together, the two partners aim to accelerate the development of renewable energy capacity, enhance energy efficiency and energy storage technologies, and align with the net-zero goal.

In July, the U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri hosted the third ministerial meeting of the U.S.-India Strategic Clean Energy Partnership(SCEP), which began in 2021. The partnership builds upon work by government, industry, and other stakeholders to enhance energy security, build the countries clean energy capacity, and decarbonise. The two representatives emphasised the importance of bilateral energy cooperation for enhancing energy security, boosting employment, and supporting the global green transition.

The SCEP is expected to grow energy trade between the two powers, as well as encourage greater innovation in clean energy technology, such as battery storage and green hydrogen. Both countries view green hydrogen as key to the global energy transition and will support one another in the development of their green hydrogen capacity and the development of new hydrogen technologies to reduce production costs. SCEP also focuses on deepening the cooperation between the public and private sectors to support decarbonisation.

Despite deepening ties with the U.S., India plans to continue its energy trade with Russia, even in the face of mounting criticism from several major world powers. Indias imports of Russian crude increased ten-fold in 2022, according to Indian state-controlled lender Bank of Baroda. This was due to the huge price reduction of Russian oil following sanctions imposed on Russian energy from the U.S. and Europe. To ensure it could continue to export oil and maintain its revenues, Russia has sold crude at a highly discounted price, attracting trade with major powers such as India and China.

But Indias main energy company, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), believes that Indias import of Russian crude is a win-win for the world economy. K.C. Ramesh, the executive director of ONGC, recently explained, By importing from Russia, India also has helped the global economy in the sense that [we] freed up some oil on the Gulf for other countries to source, particularly Europe. So, it was kind of a win-win situation. He added, [It has] a very huge impact on our economy, in terms of helping the [Indian] economy grow  the price being very reasonable that we get from Russia.

The U.S. is continuing to deepen its energy partnership with India to help develop its role in the Asian region, as well as to enhance energy security and support the global green transition. The recent G20 summit emphasised the two powers commitment to deepening ties across several areas, including energy. This comes despite Indias continued purchase of Russian crude and failure to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
After entering office on August 7th, 2023, Colombias leftist President, Gustavo Petr, implemented his plan to cease issuing new hydrocarbon exploration contracts and ban the controversial extraction technique of hydraulic fracturing. It is feared those policies will destroy Colombias energy security and spark a crisis that will roil the Anden countrys hydrocarbon-dependent economy. In an effort to offset those risks, Petro secured a contract with Venezuela to import natural gas from Colombias neighbor. While at face value, this appears to be a strategy for mitigating the risk of a natural gas shortage in Colombia, it will be almost impossible to complete. Indeed, while Venezuela possesses Latin Americas largest natural gas reserves, totaling 203 trillion cubic feet, it has surprisingly never exported the fossil fuel.

Decades of economic mismanagement, malfeasance and corruption along with strict U.S. sanctions, caused Venezuelas economic backbone, its oil industry, to implode. That not only triggered the worst economic collapse of modern times to occur outside of war but saw economically vital petroleum output plunge to record lows. By 2020, oil production had plunged to a record low of 500,000 barrels per day, less than a sixth of the record 3.1 million barrels lifted for 1998 before Hugo Chavez assumed power in February 1999 and initiated his socialist Bolivarian revolution. Since then, with assistance from Russia, China and especially Iran, Caracas has rebuilt some key industry infrastructure, which allowed PDVSA to lift oil production to 730,000 barrels per day for August 2023, although it is still less than a quarter of Venezuelas 1998 output.

The gradual rebuilding of Venezuelas upstream oil infrastructure is also important for natural gas production because the fossil fuel is a byproduct of oil extraction. While Venezuela has never exported natural gas, production continues to expand, averaging 2.3 billion cubic feet per day for 2022, which was 3% higher than a year prior. There is considerable pressure on Caracas and the national oil company PDVSA to boost natural gas production because of a chronic shortage in Venezuela. PDVSA is producing less than half of the liquified petroleum gas (LPG) consumed in Venezuela, where it is a key household fuel used mainly for cooking. This is hitting everyday Venezuelans especially hard in a country where three-quarters of the population is believed to be living in extreme poverty.

By 2021, the shortage was so dire the Biden White House, on humanitarian grounds, authorized LPG exports to Venezuela. The license was extended earlier this year to July 2024, but the license reputedly remains unused because it prevents PDVSA from using oil to make payments to suppliers. Strict U.S. sanctions are preventing PDVSA from exporting, meaning the company is incapable of generating sufficient capital to perform the critical facility maintenance required to boost output. Irans assistance only increased production by so much, meaning after recent infrastructure refits funded by Tehran and increases in production, PDVSA has no further spare capacity. Various industry experts estimate that it will take investments of between $110 billion and $250 billion over nearly a decade to rebuild vital petroleum infrastructure and revive hydrocarbon production. As a result, Venezuela still suffers from a natural gas shortage.

For these reasons, it is near impossible for Caracas to expand hydrocarbon output without access to the capital, technology, skilled labor and parts required to rebuild Venezuelas shattered petroleum infrastructure. That will not occur until Washington eases harsh sanctions, which prevent the authoritarian Maduro regime from accessing international capital markets and exporting crude oil onto world energy markets. For that to occur, Washington expects the autocratic regime to agree to a timetable for free elections in Venezuela and a restoration of democracy. That is unlikely to transpire for as long as the Department of Justice has arrest warrants for Maduro and key regime figures. Furthermore, the Venezuelan presidents ability to eliminate any effective opposition, including U.S.-backed interim President Juan Guaido, and restart economic growth makes it extremely difficult to topple him.

For those reasons alone, it is difficult to see how Colombia can secure the importance of natural gas from Venezuela with constrained supply already impacting the OPEC members economy. These factors are further complicated by the condition of the 480 million cubic feet per day Antonio Ricaurte natural gas pipeline, which was mothballed in 2015 and has been idle ever since. The 139-mile-long pipeline connects Colombias Ballena natural gas field in the department of La Guajira to Maracaibo in the state of Zulia, which is at the heart of Venezuelas oil industry. Since being mothballed, the Antonio Ricaurte pipelines condition has deteriorated considerably, with key parts being stolen or vandalized, to the point where the facility is no longer operable. It will take considerable investment and time to restore the Antonio Ricaurte pipeline to operational condition.

Estimates vary as to the investment required to bring the pipeline, which cost $335 million to build nearly a decade ago, back online, but it will take, at the very least, an investment of tens of millions of dollars. PDVSA doesnt have any capital available to invest, and Colombia is unable to loan Venezuelas national oil company the funds because of U.S. sanctions. It is also speculated that the rusting 16-year-old Antonio Ricaurte pipeline may have deteriorated so severely (Spanish) that it cannot be brought back to operational status. In that case, a new natural gas pipeline will have to be built, costing hundreds of millions of dollars, which is capital that PDVSA and Caracas are incapable of raising and Colombia is blocked from providing.

The considerable risks associated with importing natural gas from Venezuela dont end there. Industry insiders assert it will cause the price of the fuel in Colombia to spiral higher, not only because of the cost of reactivating the Antonio Ricaurte pipeline but also due to ongoing transportation expenses. Felipe Bayon, former CEO of Ecopetrol, cautioned during August 2022 (Spanish) that natural gas imported from Venezuela will cost three to four times more than that produced domestically, with Colombian consumers bear the brunt of that price rise. It is poorer Colombians, in a country where government statistics show that 39% of the population lives in poverty, who will be the hardest hit with natural gas being an important household fuel used primarily for cooking.

The potential for sharp price increases will cause the gap between rich and poor to widen in Colombia which during 2021 was ranked as the most unequal country in Latin America. This deep socioeconomic inequality is responsible for a soaring crime rate and rising violence in the strife-torn Andean nation. That wont be the only economic fallout. Importing natural gas from Venezuela will cause Colombias balance of trade to worsen at a time when there is a ballooning deficit, placing greater pressure on a weak economy. There will also be significant fiscal pressures for Bogota, which is battling a hefty budget deficit, forecast to be 3.8% of gross domestic product for 2023, and a lack of tax revenue to fund urgently required social programs.

In a devastating blow for Petros plan to import natural gas from Venezuela, Prodata Energy, the privately owned company that was to facilitate the trade, was caught up in a far-reaching corruption scandal (Spanish) that was initially focused on PDVSA. After Venezuelan authorities arrested Bernardo Arosio, a key Prodata shareholder, earlier this year, shareholders voted to liquidate the company, which was dissolved immediately. The investigation into PDVSA (Spanish) was initiated by President Maduro who claimed the scalp of Oil Minister Tareck El Aissami. This event, along with the potential for falling afoul of strict U.S. sanctions, highlights the considerable political risk and difficulties associated with conducting business with Venezuela as well as entities operating from within the OPEC member.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
That many more train and trucks laden with goods should be rumbling through Turkmenistan  heading north, south, west and east  is a core tenet of the governments vision for the economic future of the country.

Projects past and present attest to that.

In December 2014, the leaders of Iran, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan inaugurated a railroad linking their three countries. In January 2019, work began on construction of a 640-kilometer highway running from the border with Uzbekistan to the capital, Ashgabat. This troubled project is part of a broader highways development agenda that is seen as integral to the success of another piece of grand infrastructure-building: the high-tech $1.5 billion Turkmenbashi Sea Port on the Caspian Sea, unveiled in May 2018 in a classic case of horse-before-cart thinking. Another ongoing major work is a highway from the city of Garabogaz along the shores of the Caspian Sea to the border of Kazakhstan. Completion of that stretch of road will in theory lay the ground for large volumes of freight traffic running from Russia to Iran.

The rhetoric around this theme is fittingly grand. Speaking in mid-July at a convocation of the Halk Maslahaty, or Peoples Council, former president and now-National Leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov remarked that the construction of roads, bridges, and buildings has always been considered a noble cause by our people.

Hardware is only one part of the equation, however. President Serdar Berdymukhamedov (the son of the previous president) as much as conceded this in a speech before his Central Asian peers at a consultative meeting in Tajikistan last week.

[The proposal is] to consider the possibility of launching a Central Asian transport and logistics platform, the main objective of which could be to  create transportation hubs in the region, form transit corridors and increase the efficiency of existing ones, and optimize and harmonize customs, migration and other procedures along international transport routes going through our states, he said.

Lack of progress in making some or all of this happen will mark a serious failure for Turkmenistans dreams of evolving from a resource-dependent backwater into a strategically weighty transit hub.

At least one axis is already showing signs of success. Speaking in a September 15 interview to the TASS news agency, Dmitry Murev, the general director of Russian Railways Logistics, observed that freight traffic in January-August on the railway network between Russia and Turkmenistan along the eastern route of the North-South Interior Transport Corridor had increased by 57 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

The volume of railway transport is growing at a particularly rapid pace at border crossings between Turkmenistan and Iran, Murev said.

Considerable energies are being invested into keeping the momentum going. On September 18, a delegation of officials from Russias Federal Customs Service arrived in Ashgabat for two days of meetings focused on how to simplify customs procedures for goods transported between Russia and Turkmenistan.

Nobody can have missed that this development is a clear offshoot of Russias invasion of Ukraine and the concomitant turn away from the West. Placing this purely in the context of Russias evolving (mis)fortunes may be reductive, though.

Kazakhstans President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met on September 18 with his Iranian counterpart, Ebrahim Raisi, on the side-lines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York to talk transportation, logistics and trade. Tokayev and Raisi alluded to the full exploitation of the Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway as key to their mutual trade ambitions. The Kazakh president further used the occasion to remind Raisi of a pledge made by Iran to provide Kazakhstan with 15 hectares of land for the building of a dry terminal at its Bandar Abbas port.

In this optic, the north-south railroad becomes as much an opportunity for Central Asian nations to diversify their logistics solutions away from dependence on Russia as it is a way for Moscow to thwart Western attempts to isolate its economy. The only small kink in this being that the whole plan requires the acquiescence of another Western bogeyman: Iran.

Turkmenistans own position is that it can be a friendly and reliable partner to allcomers. In other action in New York on September 18, President Berdymukhamedov sat down for a meeting with European Council president Charles Michel. Turkmen state media cited Berdymukhamedov as saying that Turkmenistan attaches great importance to strengthening friendly ties and constructive dialogue with the [European Union], which are growing every year and covering new areas of interaction.

That is as may be, but when Central Asian presidents convened in June in Kyrgyzstan for the Second Meeting of Heads of State of Central Asia and the President of the European Council, Berdymukhamedov snubbed the event, sending a bland minion in his place.

Berdymukhamedov did not only talk about transportation and trade in Dushanbe. The second day of the Dushanbe consultative meeting, on September 15, was devoted to a meeting of heads of state of founder nations of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The Turkmen leader seized on this talking shop to comically recall that his government has proposed establishing a Regional Center for Climate Change Technologies in Central Asia. Given that Turkmenistan has belched such gargantuan volumes of methane into the atmosphere, such initiatives are difficult to take seriously.

In fairness, though, Ashgabat is taking tentative steps toward making up for lost time. Speaking in an interview to Baku-based news agency Trend, Jean-Francois Gauthier, the vice president at Canadian satellite company GHGSat, said he had hopes of tying up with Turkmenistan on projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the near future. Gauthier said he had had positive discussions with Turkmen officials at an investment forum in Dubai in April.

GHGSat is not just any satellite company. It is the very company that picked up on the dizzying quantity of greenhouse gases that were being discharged into atmosphere from pipelines and unlit flares in Turkmenistan.

Another environmental matter discussed at the Dushanbe event was, naturally, given the name of forum, the state of the regions rivers. This issue has always been political, and has grown only more so against the backdrop of Afghanistans efforts to build the giant Qosh Tepa Canal, which is to be filled with large quantities of water from the Amu Darya River.

ADVERTISEMENT

Berdymukhamedov demurred in grasping the Afghan nettle, however, and spoke mainly, and in vague terms, of bolstering the formal mechanisms for regulating the use of water.

It fell to Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev to do the dirty deed of calling out Kabul.

The commission of [this canal] could radically change the water regime and balance in Central Asia, he said. We believe it is imperative to form a joint working group to study all aspects of the construction of the Qosh Tepa Canal and its effect on the water regime of the Amu Darya.

Mirziyoyev wrapped up this passage by suggesting that representatives of the government in Afghanistan be invited to participate in regional dialogue on the use of water resources.

By Eurasianet.org

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Volvo will soon sell more electric vehicles come 2024.

The popular automaker recently announced it will produce its last diesel car sometime in early 2024, becoming "one of the first legacy car makers" to take such a step.

Volvo didn't mention which of its diesel car models will have the honor of having Volvo's last diesel car.

Going Permanently Green

Volvo mentioned in its announcement at this year's Climate Week NYC that it intends to end the production of all its diesel-powered Volvo car models sometime in early 2024. This decision follows the one it made last year, which had it exit the development of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The automaker's announcement is part of its efforts to achieve its goal of selling only fully electric vehicles (FEVs) and to be a climate-neutral company by 2040. To that end, Volvo sold its entire stake in Aurobay, the joint venture company that harbored Volvo's last ICE assets, since Nov. 2022.

It has also stopped spending its R&D budget on developing new ICEs, ensuring that it will focus entirely on the research and development of FEVs. Jim Rowan, Chief Executive at Volvo Cars, stated that the automaker is fully focused on creating "a broad portfolio" of premium, FEVs that deliver everything Volvo customers expect while still being a key part of its response to climate change.

Read More: Genshin Impact 4.1 Update Unlocks New Fontaine Region, Characters

"Electric powertrains are our future, and superior to combustion engines: they generate less noise, less vibration, less servicing costs for our customers and zero tailpipe emissions," Rowan said. "It is high time for industry and political leaders to be strong and decisive, and deliver meaningful policies and actions to fight climate change. We're committed to doing our part and encourage our peers as well as political leaders around the globe to do theirs."

Volvo's decision to end its production of diesel cars also helps its expenditures when manufacturing its vehicles. According to an article from Reuters, the majority of the cars Volvo sold in Europe in 2019 were diesel, though they now made 8.9% of the automaker's sales come 2022. With the automaker ceasing production of its diesel cars soon, it will sell either FEVs or petrol cars exclusively soon.

Automakers Transitioning To EVs

Volvo isn't the only automaker in the world to be transitioning to developing FEVs exclusively. According to a Protocol report, Stellantis, Volkswagen, Honda, General Motors, and BMW pledged to become carbon-neutral and ell FEVs exclusively in the foreseeable future.

Meanwhile, Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Ford are steadily replacing their ICE lineups with FEV ones at a slower rate, with some of them only introducing their FEV lineups this year. Toyota, for instance, only introduced its first widely available FEV, the BZ4X electric SUV, this year.

Most, if not all, of these automakers agree that EVs are more reliable, cost-efficient, and environmentally friendly, per Carcility. Not only that, but EVs also present a unique opportunity for automakers to flex their creative muscles and develop an electric car that looks quite different from anything people have seen thus far.

Related Article: BMW, Mercedes Unveil Concept Electronic Cars
Canadian pipeline giant Enbridge will consider adding around 200,000 barrels per day to its oil pipeline system carrying crude to the United States once the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline in Canada becomes operational, a senior Enbridge executive has told Reuters in an interview.

Enbridge operates the Mainline pipeline network, which has the capacity to transport nearly 3 million bpd of light and heavy crude oil from Edmonton, Alberta, to the U.S. Midwest and Ontario.

But the Trans Mountain Expansion project, whenever it becomes operational, is set to triple the takeaway capacity from Alberta to the Canadian Pacific Coast in British Columbia, competing with Enbridges Mainline system for shipping Canadian crude.

Once the expanded Trans Mountain oil pipeline begins operations, Enbridge would consider boosting the capacity of Mainline, Marc Weil, Senior Vice President of commercial in Enbridge's Liquids Pipelines business unit, told Reuters.

Once that happens, we do have some additional egress options for the basin and we think that at the right point in time, (producers) will be looking for some additional insurance and we'd be engaging in talks with them at that point, Weil said.

Throughputs on the Mainline pipeline network near Gretna, Manitoba, have been higher than the five-year average so far this year, according to data from the Canada Energy Regulator.

Yet, the Trans Mountain Expansion project, set to triple the volume of crude shipped from Canadas oil sands to its Pacific Coast, would intensify competition for Canadian heavy crude in the Midwest, where refiners have so far received discounted crude from Canada, analysts say.

The Trans Mountain expansion is expected to raise the prices U.S. refiners in the Midwest pay for Canadian oil by up to $2 per barrel, analysts tell Reuters.

Currently, the project is expected to start up early next year, but further delays cannot be ruled out after years of setbacks.

Construction on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project was 94% mechanically complete with around 42 kilometers of pipe left to install as of the middle of August 2023.

ADVERTISEMENT

However, the start-up of the expanded pipeline could be set back by nine months unless regulators approve a proposed change of its route.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
An Omaha man convicted of killing an Oklahoma man in an Old Market bar last year was sentenced on Tuesday.

Douglas County District Court Judge Russell Derr sentenced 23-year-old Nolan King to 19 to 20 years in prison each on charges of manslaughter and use of a weapon other than a gun to commit a felony in the killing of 41-year-old Rodney Pettit. The sentences will be served consecutively.

King was originally charged with second-degree murder in Pettit's death, but a jury in July found King guilty of manslaughter instead.

First responders found Pettit unconscious inside the Parliament Pub on Feb. 5, 2022, at about 11:45 p.m., The World-Herald previously reported. Pettit was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center, where he died Feb. 7.

King attacked Pettit after Kings girlfriend told him that Pettit had brushed up against her at the bar, prosecutor Eric Fabian said.

A prosecutor at a previous hearing said that Pettit had gone to the VIP room in the bar, and footage from a surveillance camera showed King waiting outside the room for Pettit to come out, The World-Herald previously reported. King hit Pettit in the head with a bottle, knocking him down, and then jumped on Pettit and pummeled him with his fists, the prosecutor said.

Fabian described Pettits death as a senseless killing. King chose to ambush Pettit with a weapon instead of throwing a punch or approaching him, Fabian said.

During the sentencing, Derr said he had difficulty envisioning a worse set of circumstances that would fall under the definition of manslaughter.

This wasnt a bar fight that got out of hand, he said.

Public defender Tamara Mosby read aloud a statement written by King at the sentencing that stated that King wished he had acted differently that night, that the killing was an accident and that he knew telling Pettits family he's sorry is an inadequate response to their loss.

Mosby unsuccessfully argued that probation should be considered in Kings case due to his lack of significant criminal history and low likelihood of recidivism.

King was also involved in a fatal stabbing on Sept. 28, 2019, near 33rd and Howard Streets. King initially was taken into police custody after the stabbing of 31-year-old Shane E. Inks, who died of his injuries at the Nebraska Medical Center. But King was released after police determined that he was the victim of an assault by Inks and a woman.

A court affidavit said that the woman, who was 21 at the time, had been in a relationship with both King and Inks and that she and Inks had lured King to the area intending to harm him.

King was found at the scene with blunt-force trauma to the head and body, according to the affidavit.

At Tuesday's sentencing, Pettits 20-year-old daughter Vanessa read a letter she had written about the loss of her father. Pettit left behind a fiance and four children, including a daughter who was less than a month old at the time of his death, Vanessa said.
Two boys under age 16 have been arrested in connection with the shooting of an Omaha woman Monday near 72nd and Maple Streets.

Taea Byrd, 20, told officers she was in the parking lot at 7301 Corby St. when the boys, ages 15 and 12, demanded money before shooting her, an Omaha police spokesman said Wednesday. Officers were called to a nearby Speedee Mart, where Byrd had gone for help.

Byrd was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center with an injury that was not life-threatening. Police located and detained the boys in connection with the shooting.
Education leaders urged a gathering of more than 500 people on Tuesday to stop "admiring the problem" of Nebraska's early childhood education crisis and instead find solutions to an ongoing issue that's only worsening in the state.

The group of school districts, organizations and government agencies convened at the annual Thriving Children, Families and Communities Conference in Kearney to explore the state's early childhood education system. Like other states, Nebraska's system has been lacking funds, staff and widespread providers for years.

Nine out of 10 Nebraska counties do not have enough early childhood education providers, according to the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, the conference's facilitator. Ten counties have no providers at all.

The funding gap for providers will also widen in the coming months as millions of dollars in federal pandemic funds expire.

In southeast Nebraska, Shane Keeling, special education director for Auburn Public Schools, sees early childhood educators switching to districts across the Missouri River.

Cathy Luther with Little Eagles Learning Center in Overton, Nebraska, said the center's funds are running dry and their vacancies are growing as most of their staff is still in high school.

Heath Mello, president of the Greater Omaha Chamber, said chamber members have stopped expanding in certain areas of the metro because there is no access to child care.

Gov. Jim Pillen spoke at the conference, saying community members need to talk about these problems more often in order to start creating solutions.

"If we don't get our neighbors to reach out and have impacts in our communities, by the time they get to it, it will be way too late," he said. "We have to start educating our kids as early as possible. We have to figure out how to make that process more standard, especially for the kids growing up in poverty."

Walter Gilliam, executive director of Buffett Early Childhood Institute, pointed to recently collected data to paint a picture of the story behind staff turnover in early childhood education.

Gilliam presented preliminary results from a survey of more than 25,000 providers around the U.S., including 127 in Nebraska. He said the results haven't been officially released, but he debuted a preview at Tuesday's conference.

Many results revolve around reasons why providers have left the early childhood education profession. One popular answer in Nebraska that wasn't common among other U.S. states was a lack of respect, Gilliam said.

Gilliam said because of obstacles like the state's political climate, teachers and the education profession are often viewed in a negative light.

"I hear stories from teachers about how they feel they are perceived from the community," Gilliam said. "As a former public school teacher (years ago), I would have never dreamed that teachers would feel the way they feel now in their communities."

In the survey, 13% responded that they plan to return to the field, which is slightly higher than the U.S. average of 10%.

"Thirteen percent isn't a lot  we have kind of lost a lot of these people," Gilliam said. "If we are going to find a way to retain them, it is the pay and benefits they deserve."

Besides a bump in base pay, the survey did convey that some educators would have stayed in the field if they received retention stipends. About 13% of Nebraska providers said that a stipend of $500 would have convinced them to stay at least one more year. That number jumps to 27% for stipends in the amount of $1,500, $2,000 and $2,500.

A stipend of $3,000 would have kept 40% of the Nebraska respondents.

In Nebraska, early childhood employees made an average wage of just $12.31 an hour in 2022, according to the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

"Paying people more money will cause them to stay," Gilliam said.

Other school leaders and business owners shared solutions that they've found helped with local child care shortages.

Tammy Day, owner of Norfolk transportation company Daycos, helped form the Norfolk Area Child Cooperative as a way to help the 600 children who are lacking child care in the community.

"We originally started to look at this as an employee issue and thought if we had a center at Daycos, thats nice, but Norfolk is short (hundreds) of child care slots, so what if something was replicated across the community to have a larger impact?" Day said.

Day said the cooperative is one of its kind in Nebraska. It consists of eight local businesses that are using their own funding to sustain a child care center. The businesses themselves don't operate the center, but their investment keeps it going, she said.

Another solution was created 26 miles east of McCook, Nebraska, with the help of Jarod Albers, superintendent of the Cambridge Public Schools.

"We have a local community investment club Im a part of that generates funds to put to projects in the community, and one of the (members) looked at me, knowing I work at school, and said, 'The school needs to solve a (child) care problem in our community.'"

Albers said he and other community members explored the town for a location to put a center, but no business or church had room. The only space he could think of was inside his own school.

"We pulled some strings and were in one room at the school and it flourished from there," Albers said. "This has been a great opportunity to allow families to jump in school system earlier."

Conference attendees were able to discuss similar solutions in several breakout sessions, with representatives from across the state and even from different states. Gilliam, from the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, said during the conference that work won't be made without communities coming together.

"We know it's important to start to not just admire the problem, but talk about what to do about it," he said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2023
The Omaha City Council on Tuesday welcomed Ron Hug as its newest member, representing District 4.

With friends and family by his side, Hug was sworn into office by Nebraska Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Heavican. Hug takes over for former councilman Vinny Palermo, who was ousted by the councils six other members for missing meetings after he was arrested on federal felony charges.

Although Hug, a 67-year-old Democrat, was originally scheduled to be sworn in next week, the council agreed to his request that the ceremony be moved up. Hug returns the council to its full strength of seven members for the first time since Palermos April 21 arrest.

While his new office at City Hall has yet to be decorated, Hug said he was eager for District 4 to be represented as soon as possible. District 4 mostly covers South Omaha.

I just felt that the seat has been vacant for so long, Hug told The World-Herald after his first council meeting.

Hug wasnt the councils first choice to succeed Palermo, winning the appointment with a 6-0 vote on the third ballot. Councilman Brinker Harding said Hug emerged as the consensus candidate out of the 12 applicants, five of whom were interviewed by the other council members.

Hug said he did not feel slighted by being chosen on the third ballot, describing himself as shocked and surprised in a good way to be selected. He said that during his nearly 25 years on the Metropolitan Community College board, he saw vacancies filled by razor-thin margins.

The 6-0 vote sent a clear message that they ultimately all agreed that I was the most qualified candidate, he said.

Hug said his experience on the community college board gives him a certain way to look at issues and helped him develop the skills to address issues.

Hug said he was involved in a land agreement in South Omaha in the early 2000s that led to the establishment of a joint library near the colleges south campus at 28th and Q Streets. He said he also worked with the city to establish a Metro transit hub station.

From there, you can go anywhere in the city, he said. Acquiring the land provided a blank canvas for South Omaha.

Hugs South Omaha roots stretch back four generations. He calls the area, which has historically attracted immigrants and was annexed by Omaha in 1915, a welcoming community.

Now that hes sworn in, Hug said he plans to meet with Omaha community leaders and groups. With just 1 years left on the term hes serving, Hug said hes absolutely running for reelection.

Well do what we can do to keep South Omaha the thriving, diverse community that it is, he said.

Tuesday, Hug voted with the vast majority of the council on all items requiring a vote.

One key item, which was approved in the consent agenda, is the updated contract with the Omaha Police Officers Association. It increases the pay for newly hired officers by 15% next year, and pay for existing officers of all ranks by 8%.

Photos: Ron Hug sworn in as Omaha City Councilmember, replacing Vinny Palermo
Pull down that cowboy hat tight, buckaroos, because the Omaha River City Rodeo will be charging out of the chutes this weekend at the CHI Health Center.

Some of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world will be in Omaha on Friday and Saturday trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Preparations for turning the CHI Health Center into a rodeo venue include the arrival Wednesday of 1,870 tons of dirt.

The Omaha River City Rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association will present seven events each night, including steer wrestling, team roping and bull riding. Omaha is one of the final stops on the PRCA circuit, and contestants will be vying to be among the top 15 in their event in order to reach the finals.

Creek Young, 22, of Rogersville, Missouri, is the top bull rider coming to Omaha. He is currently in sixth place and finished 11th in the world standings last year.

Cole Reiner, 24, of Buffalo, Wyoming, is in ninth place for bareback riding. Reiner has first-place finishes this year in Springfield, Missouri, and Eugene, Oregon.

Wyatt Casper, 24, of Miami, Texas, is the leading competitor coming into Omaha for the bronc riding event. Casper, who is seventh in the standings, has wins this year in Los Fresnos, Texas; Elizabeth, Colorado; and Innisfail, Alberta.

Wenda Johnson, 42, of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, is the top-rated competitor this weekend in barrel racing. She comes into the weekend ranked 11th and has reached the National Finals Rodeo each of the past three years.

The Omaha River City Rodeo is produced by a nonprofit organization of about 100 volunteers who came together in 2018 to bring the excitement of professional rodeo action back to the city after a two-year absence. The professional rodeo events begin at 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday with ticket prices starting at $60 and ranging up to $275.

Other events include a PRCA Youth Camp explaining rodeo basics Friday at 12:30 p.m. in the main arena. On Saturday, children with special needs can experience simulated rodeo events at 10 a.m. Then at 12:30 p.m., high school rodeo contestants from five states will compete for scholarships.

More information is available at the Omaha River City Rodeo website.

Photos: Dirt floor put into CHI Health Center for River City Rodeo
Former President Donald Trump will travel to the battleground state of Michigan next week to meet with striking autoworkers instead of participating in the second Republican presidential debate, a person familiar with his plans said.

Trump, who also skipped the first debate last month, has signaled that he is already focused on the 2024 election against President Joe Biden as he maintains a wide lead against his GOP rivals in primary polls.

In recent days, he has been leaning hard into the strike, painting himself as sympathetic to the workers.

The Sept. 27 trip, first reported by The New York Times, will also include a prime-time speech, according to the person familiar with the plans who spoke condition of anonymity.

That's the date others in the GOP field will gather at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, for the cycle's second primary debate.

When his fellow GOP contenders gathered in Milwaukee last month, Trump instead took part in a taped interview with Tucker Carlson, which aired on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter during the debate's first hour.

Trump has long sought to paint himself as a fighter for the "forgotten men and women" of the working class and spent much of his 2016 campaign campaigning in Rust Belt towns suffering from the shift away from mining and manufacturing.

This year, he visited East Palestine, Ohio, after a train derailment, a visit aides considered a key moment in his campaign as he worked to recover from midterm losses, and as they tried to move his focus away from his 2020 loss.

Ammar Moussa, a Biden campaign spokesperson, said Monday: "Donald Trump is going to Michigan next week to lie to Michigan workers and pretend he didn't spend his entire failed presidency selling them out at every turn. Instead of standing with workers, Trump cut taxes for the super-wealthy while auto companies shuttered their doors and shipped American jobs overseas."

Moussa argued that Trump would have let auto companies go bankrupt during the financial crisis rather than bail them out, as President Barack Obama did in 2009.

Dave Green, a United Auto Workers regional director in Ohio and Indiana, said the former president's actions during his time in office give him "zero credibility" with organized labor now, adding that he doesn't see a way the UAW would ever endorse Trump.

"His only intention here is to try and get votes for himself. And also divide our members against each other using political rhetoric," Green said Monday.

Photos from the first 2024 Republican presidential debate
LINCOLN  Prosecutors filed enhanced charges Tuesday against the 22-year-old Lincoln man accused of killing a 55-year-old man in an apparently random assault on a downtown street corner late last month, according to court filings.

The Lancaster County Attorney's Office initially charged Angel Rodriguez Alvis with first-degree assault for his alleged attack on James Baylor near 13th and P Streets on Aug. 27.

Rodriguez Alvis had already gotten out of jail after paying 10% of his $500,000 bail when Baylor, who was recalled as "a dear, kind, tender soul" by friends and family, died of his injuries nine days after the alleged attack.

Prosecutors filed an amended complaint Tuesday in Lancaster County Court, charging Rodriguez Alvis with first-degree assault and adding manslaughter to the two-count complaint against him, according to court filings.

Deputy County Attorney Chris Turner also had filed a motion imploring Judge Laurie Yardley to review Rodriguez Alvis' bail amount and conditions, according to the filings.

Yardley did not order an increase in the 22-year-old's bail amount but did update its conditions, according to an order filed Tuesday that noted Rodriguez Alvis is not allowed to possess or consume alcohol or contact any witnesses in his case as it progresses through the court system.

Rodriguez Alvis is allowed to leave Nebraska only for "employment purposes," Yardley said in the order. The Lincoln man told Judge Thomas Zimmerman at his initial court appearance that he is a member of the Kansas National Guard.

The amended complaint prosecutors filed Tuesday comes more than three weeks after police were dispatched to the southeast corner of 13th and P Streets shortly after 1 a.m. Aug. 27 on a report of a man who was "bleeding from the head and barely breathing," police said in court records.

Rescue crews took the man, later identified as Baylor, to Bryan West Campus with a "significant brain bleed." He died more than a week later.

A 39-year-old man who witnessed the alleged attack told police that he saw a man wearing a plaid shirt get out of a green station wagon-style vehicle and approach Baylor, punching him in the face a single time, police said.

Two women who had been with the man in plaid  later identified as Rodriguez Alvis  were trying to stop the 22-year-old from punching Baylor, the witness told police.

Baylor fell backward after Rodriguez Alvis punched him and struck his head on the sidewalk. Rodriguez Alvis got back into the station wagon and drove away.

Less than an hour later, Rodriguez Alvis drove the distinct car back to the alleged crime scene, where police recognized it and followed it before arresting him amid a traffic stop near 18th and O Streets.

The charges Rodriguez Alvis now faces carry a combined penalty of up to 70 years in prison. The 22-year-old is scheduled to appear in court again in November.
LINCOLN  A Nebraska lawmaker is asking his colleagues to consider the state's biggest mental and behavioral health needs and set a "strong mental health agenda" for the 2024 session.

Members of the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee heard from a collection of mental health experts Wednesday at a hearing for Legislative Resolution 202. The resolution, brought by State Sen. John Fredrickson of Omaha, calls for an interim study into Nebraska's ongoing mental and behavioral health needs.

"This is a time, as a state, we need to step up," Fredrickson said.

Fredrickson, a mental health professional himself, said mental health care in Nebraska has reached a crisis point. According to a study by Mental Health America, Nebraska has some of the highest prevalence of mental illness in the country, particularly among youths, where the state ranks 49th. The state ranks 29th when it comes to access to care.

Fredrickson said the study aims to examine multiple facets of the mental health care industry, including the continued shortage in providers, best practices and ways to increase access to care.

Several testifiers shared that the pandemic exacerbated many of the challenges facing the industry, but even though COVID-19 cases have now waned, their needs still remain.

One of the biggest ongoing issues is a shortage in providers, which currently impacts 88 of Nebraska's 93 counties, according to Marley Doyle, director of the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN). The center is housed at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Since BHECN was created in 2009, she said the center has increased Nebraska's mental health workforce by more than 40%, but there are still significant gaps.

"This is great, but it's not enough," Doyle said.

There were several explanations for the shortage shared at the hearing, with some saying that many of the existing workforce is beginning to age out into retirement, and others saying workers are leaving due to burnout.

One contributor that concerned Fredrickson was a lag in the licensure process. Multiple testifiers said incoming mental health professionals can wait up to three to six months to obtain their license, with no obvious reasons behind the delays.

Annette Dubas, executive director of the Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, said there's no single answer to solve the state's mental health issues. She and others stressed the importance of ensuring that providers are adequately paid. While the Legislature recently approved rate increases for a range of health care providers, Tami Lewis-Ahrendt with the nonprofit CenterPointe said the state could benefit from a more stable system.

Nebraska has made some significant improvements to mental and behavioral health care in the last year. This past session, lawmakers passed Legislative Bill 276, the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Act, which enables more comprehensive care for people struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse.

While Fredrickson said he is eager to see the benefits of that bill, he noted that it will take time for its effects to be noticeable.

Nebraska also launched its 988 suicide prevention and mental health crisis line last summer. In its first year, the line saw more than double the amount of calls received by the state's previous suicide hotline, according to Michelle Nunemaker, 988 Nebraska state administrator with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Nunemaker said the most common age group to call 988 are those 18 and younger, which she said falls in line with national trends. While suicidal ideation is a top reason for the calls they receive, she said other common causes are people dealing with anxiety or seeking continued treatment.

Fredrickson called the launch of 988 a big success for Nebraska, but noted a concern in the line's relationship with 911 call centers. While 988 is able to connect people to 911 when necessary, he said the same isn't true for 911 operators.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of September 2023
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.
Maiden voyage of China's first home-grown cruise ship to start in 2024

Xinhua) 10:36, September 20, 2023

SHANGHAI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- China's first domestically-built large cruise ship, the "Adora Magic City," is scheduled to start its maiden voyage on Jan. 1 of 2024 from Shanghai, marking the beginning of its commercial operation, the operator Adora Cruises Limited said Tuesday.

The cruise ship, measuring 323.6 meters in length with a gross tonnage of 135,500 tonnes, has a total of 2,125 guest rooms and 22 distinctive restaurants and bars. It can accommodate up to 5,246 passengers.

The cruise ship, scheduled to depart from the Shanghai Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal, will provide a unique cruise experience with gourmet food, entertaining shows, and world-class shopping at sea.

A series of specially-designed activities for children will also be available on the cruise.

On Tuesday, the company revealed the Northeast Asia route of the cruise from Shanghai. It will also launch routes to countries in Southeast Asia in the future.

Tickets for the cruise ship's itineraries will be available for booking from Wednesday.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Upcoming rom-com stars Kang Ha-neul, Jung So-min

By Pyo Kyung-min

In the upcoming movie 30 Days, actors Kang Ha-neul and Jung So-min are set to delight theater-goers with their comedic chemistry, promising smiles and laughter.

Best known for his roles in television dramas The Heirs (2013) and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), Kang expressed his immense delight during the filming process in a press conference held at Yongsan IPark Mall in Seoul, Monday.

"This script stood out among the many I've read and it had me in stitches when I first read it. I thought it'd be a fun ride. The on-site experience surpassed my expectations. I havent got the chance to watch the whole movie yet, but from the clips Ive watched, I believe the final product has exceeded the script's brilliance," he said.

Jung, who plays Kang's on-screen wife, also shared her sentiments. "I believe the film's charm shines thanks to the director's unique sense of humor," she said. "When I first got the script, it was such a delightful read. On set, it felt like a gathering of creative minds in a relaxed atmosphere, and the result is something truly captivating."

The plot centers around Na-ra (Jung) and Jung-yeol (Kang), a couple who have grown weary of each other's company. Despite initially experiencing a picture-perfect romance, their exasperation with each other's drastic differences drives them to consider divorce.

However, the story takes an unexpected turn during the 30-day divorce mediation process when the two are involved in an unforeseen accident, resulting in both falling into amnesia.

Directed by Nam Dae-joong, known for his knack for comedy, the film aims to serve up a fresh mix of humor.

"I'm quite passionate when it comes to comedy. Even within the seemingly straightforward comedy genre, I'm driven by a strong desire to approach it from various angles. I intended to create a comedy with a wide range of different elements, including the theatrical aspects and the type of humor often found in short-form content," Nam explained.

The director also revealed some behind-the-scenes stories, emphasizing the joyful atmosphere that permeated the set.

"There was never a moment when I didn't find myself happy during the filming of this movie. On set, the question that often crossed my mind was, 'How will I bring laughter to the audience if I can't bring laughter to the person standing right beside me?' This became a collective effort, with the cast and crew working in harmony to create a truly uplifting experience," he said.

At the press event, the cast displayed a heartwarming camaraderie as they actively listened to and cheered for one another.

This is not the first time Kang and Jung have worked together. The two first displayed their chemistry when they appeared together in the 2015 movie "Twenty."

"Back then, we were relatively inexperienced, but now we've grown as actors. It's quite satisfying to reunite with the more experienced version of Kang," Jung said.

Kang added, "There was no need to fret about how to connect with my co-star and build rapport. As a result, we started filming comfortably right from the very first scene. I believe this ease allowed us to approach the scenes with more flexibility and comfort."

The film's fun doesn't rely solely on the chemistry between the two lead actors. It also features a cast of scene-stealers who are sure to get audiences laughing. Veteran actors such as Jo Min-su, Kim Sun-young and Yoon Kyung-ho, along with entertainers Song Hae-na and Uhm Ji-yoon, also took part in Mondays event.

Jo, a seasoned actress born in 1965, takes on the role of Na-ra's mother in the movie. She revealed that this was her first step into comedic acting. "At first, I contemplated declining the role because I was hesitant to step out of my comfort zone," she said.

"Throughout my career, I've mainly portrayed serious roles. However, I decided to join this film out of curiosity, wanting to explore how I would fare in a comedic setting,"

Despite her initial reservations, her impeccable acting skills earned her a reputation as one of the movie's prime sources of laughter.

All the actors present at the event collectively expressed their desire to bring boundless laughter to the audience, reflecting the enjoyment they experienced during the filming process.

Actress Hwang Se-in, who portrays Na-ra's younger sister, makes her screen debut with this film. She expressed her gratitude for the positive atmosphere on set, particularly as it marked her debut in the world of film.

"I wonder if I'll ever encounter such a wonderful experience in the future. I learned that filmmaking is about collaboration rather than showcasing individual talents, Hwang said.

Uhm, a well-known comedian in Korea with her YouTube channel Umjirella, said, "When I asked my fellow comedians, everyone agreed that there couldn't be a more enjoyable set than this one."

Exuding confidence in the movie, she added, "Our film is a delight, and I hope it brings laughter to all who watch it."

"30 Days" is set to hit local theaters on Oct. 3.
SPRINGFIELD  Matt Mitchell, the former Illinois State Police trooper who caused a high-speed, distracted-driving crash that killed sisters Kelli and Jessica Uhl, asked this week to delay his Sept. 20 hearing for the reinstatement of his drivers license.

Henry Haupt, a spokesperson for Illinois Secretary of State Alex Giannoulias, said in an email that the hearing had been postponed until Nov. 1 at Mitchells request.

Mitchell pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless homicide and two counts of aggravated reckless driving in connection with a crash the day after Thanksgiving in 2007 on Interstate 64 east in St. Clair County. That conviction triggered the revocation of his drivers license. He has tried five times in the past to have his license reinstated.

Former Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White had previously blocked Mitchells attempts to have his license restored, overturning recommendations by a hearing officer to reinstate his driving privileges.

White left the office in January, making this Mitchells first attempt under Giannoulias.

In the crash that killed the Uhl sisters, Mitchell was responding to a call and said that a white car cut him off, causing him to lose control. He crossed the median, sending his squad car airborne before it struck Jessica Uhls Mazda 3 head on, causing it to catch fire. Uhl, 18, and her sister Kelli Uhl, 13, who was a passenger in the car, were pronounced dead at the scene.

A later investigation by an Illinois State Police accident reconstructionist revealed Mitchell was traveling at 126 mph and was talking on the phone with his girlfriend. The investigation further found Mitchell was using his in-dash computer. Witnesses refuted Mitchells account of the cut-off car.

He resigned from the state police in 2010.

Photos: Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White through the years Circa 1955 Circa 1955 Circa 1955 July 1971 February 1973 June 1981 September 2004 April 2005 April 2006 February 2010 January 2012 January 2012 June 2013 April 2013 January 2017 August 2019 August 2021
In the vast universe of cryptocurrencies, Pirate Chain emerges as a beacon of digital privacy. Delve into its unique features and real-world applications, setting it apart from other privacy coins. If you are a beginner looking to invest in bitcoin, altrix-prime.com is a good place to start.



Understanding the Technical Foundation



Pirate Chain's success and distinctiveness in the crypto realm don't just stem from its vision but from its powerful technical underpinnings. At the heart of Pirate Chain's unmatched privacy features is zk-SNARKs, or Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Argument of Knowledge. This cryptographic method ensures that transactions on the Pirate Chain network are completely private. But what exactly are zk-SNARKs? They are a form of zero-knowledge proofs which allow one party to prove to another that a statement is true without revealing any specific information about the statement itself. In the case of Pirate Chain, it means transactions are verified without revealing the sender, recipient, or transaction amount.



But privacy isn't the only technical marvel of Pirate Chain. The currency's security foundation is solidified by the Delayed Proof of Work (dPoW) mechanism. This system is a novel fusion of both security and efficiency. dPoW provides an additional layer of security, safeguarding Pirate Chain against potential attacks. It operates by leveraging the security of established blockchains, like Bitcoin, ensuring that Pirate Chain inherits and maintains a robust defense against potential threats.



Pirate Chain vs. Other Privacy Coins



In the bustling market of cryptocurrencies, privacy coins have carved a niche of their own. They're not just digital assets; they're tokens of anonymous transactions and data protection. Pirate Chain is one such contender, but it isn't alone in this race. Other notable privacy coins include Monero, ZCash, and Dash, each with its unique blend of features.



Monero, for instance, has been a stalwart in the privacy coin sector, known for its Ring Signatures and stealth addresses. ZCash introduced the concept of shielded and transparent transactions, with the former allowing for privacy and the latter being public. Dash, on the other hand, offers PrivateSend as an option for transaction mixing, ensuring user discretion.



But what makes Pirate Chain stand out amidst these titans? It's the depth of privacy. While other coins offer levels of obscurity, Pirate Chain promises complete anonymity, with its transactions being 100% private by default. No public or transparent transactions exist on its blockchain, ensuring that every transaction detail remains undisclosed.



Furthermore, Pirate Chain boasts a vibrant and passionate community. The collective belief in the cause of true digital privacy and the active contributions of its members have further solidified ARRR's position in the market. While each privacy coin has its merits and a dedicated community, Pirate Chain's unwavering focus on ensuring complete anonymity sets it a class apart.



In the end, while choices abound in the world of privacy coins, Pirate Chain's commitment to ensuring an unparalleled cloak of privacy for its users makes it a shining star in the digital realm.



Real-World Applications of Pirate Chain



In an age where every digital footprint is scrutinized, the need for privacy is paramount. Pirate Chain, with its uncompromising approach to transactional anonymity, is more than just a digital asset; it's a tool for privacy empowerment in various real-world scenarios.



Imagine the world of eCommerce, where each transaction is a testament to user preferences, buying behavior, and financial strength. Integrating Pirate Chain in such platforms guarantees customers a transaction experience devoid of prying eyes. Every purchase, big or small, is concealed from marketers, third-party vendors, and even potential hackers. Its not just about financial discretion; its about giving users the autonomy of choice without repercussions.



Then, there are decentralized platforms  the champions of web 3.0. As these platforms challenge the centralized web status quo, they need a currency that echoes their ethos. Pirate Chain, with its decentralized and private nature, fits this role perfectly. Whether its decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms or non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces, ARRR can be the coin of choice for transactions that users wish to keep undisclosed.



Lastly, consider philanthropy. Many a time, benefactors prefer anonymity, either due to personal reasons or to keep the focus on the cause rather than the donation. Pirate Chain enables such selfless acts, allowing donors to support their chosen causes discreetly.







Conclusion







Pirate Chain isn't just a cryptocurrency; it's the future of anonymous transactions. As the digital landscape evolves, ARRR stands as a testament to true digital privacy and empowerment.













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 notorious Kenyan murderer who was serving two life sentences in the United States for killing two elderly women has been killed by his cellmate.



Prison officers found 50-year-old Billy Chemirmir dead in his cell at the Coffield Unit prison in Texas on Tuesday morning.



The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said that Chemirmir was killed by his cellmate on Monday night.



A US court sentenced Chemirmir to life in prison in 2022 for killing 81-year-old Lu Thi Harris and 87-year-old Mary Brooks.



He had been indicted on charges of killing 20 other elderly people in north Texas over two years.



Authorities said that Chemirmir posed as a caregiver or maintenance worker to access care homes in north Texas.



He targeted elderly women at the facilities, often robbing them of valuables like jewellery before killing them.



Chemirmir was arrested in March 2018 after a 91-year-old woman he targeted at her independent living community apartment reported him to authorities.

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
Some 90 primary school students have been hospitalised after eating muffins suspected to be laced with cannabis in South Africa.



The incident, which took place in Soshanguve township, north of Pretoria, came to the attention of the authorities after students displayed symptoms of nausea, stomach cramps and vomiting.



Gauteng Education Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Matome Chiloane expressed his concern and said that investigations were ongoing.



This is concerning for us and we call for patience from parents while investigations are underway and learners are recovering," he said.



"We implore learners to be vigilant of what they purchase and consume, and be cautious of who they purchase food from. We wish all affected learners speedy recovery.



The students, aged between six and 14, are alleged to have bought the laced muffins from a street vendor on their way to school. Teachers witnessed strange behaviour from the students in class and immediately called emergency services for support.



Police were also called to further investigate and identify the suspected vendor.

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
Burkina Fasos Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) has unanimously voted to send troops to neighbouring Niger, where the military seized power on 26 July.



State TV quoted Defence Minister Col Maj Kassoum Coulibaly as saying the troops will have a three-month renewable stay in Niger, fighting terrorism and contributing to stabilising Sahel states.



Burkina Fasos interim cabinet on 30 August approved the deployment of troops to Niger in anticipation of a planned military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas).



Burkina Faso and Mali are among the few countries that have backed Niger's military junta, which is under pressure from Ecowas to restore the democratically elected government or risk further sanctions and possible regional military intervention.



Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have also signed an agreement to set up a joint body to co-ordinate efforts aimed at tackling common challenges, including a jihadist insurgency, general insecurity and underdevelopment.

Source: BBC









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A proposed anti-gay bill in Kenya wants gays and lesbians jailed for 50 years for non-consensual sex.



Dubbed the Family Protection Bill 2023, the draft law sponsored by Homa Bay Town legislator Peter Kaluma, is recommending a ban on homosexuality, same-sex unions and any LGBTQ activities and campaigns.



It also seeks to prohibit gay parades, assemblies and marches on streets, and cross-dressing in public.



A person who engages in sexual act with a person of the same sex without the consent of the other person shall upon conviction be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years and not exceeding 50 years, says the bill.



Owners of premises used for same-sex relations will pay a fine of $14,000 (11,000) or face a jail term of seven years if the bill goes through.



Gay sex is already illegal in Kenya, but the government can also be tolerant of gay people - for example, it has given asylum to people from other African countries, including Uganda, who faced persecution in their home countries because of their sexual orientation.



Last week, clerics and some civil society organisation groups held anti-LGBTQ protests in the coastal city of Mombasa.



This followed a re-enforcement by Kenyas Supreme Court of a decision in mid-September to allow the registration of LGBTQ non-governmental organisations.



Kenyas NGO Coordinating Board had declined to register the National Gay and Lesbian Rights Commission, saying it promotes same-sex behaviour, dragging the case for a decade.



The Supreme Court early this year deemed the move discriminatory and unconstitutional hence allowing LGBTQ organisations to register in a landmark ruling.

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
The Electoral Commission has expressed confidence in the success of their ongoing limited registration exercise despite the grievances from political parties about the process.



The limited registration will end in October and is aimed at giving opportunity to persons of legitimate age who couldn't register their names and exercise their voting right.



However, the opposition says the exercise will disenfranchise many Ghanaians, particularly because it is being held at the district offices of the Commission which, to the critics, are too distant to encourage the citizens to participate in the process.



They also argue that the EC's restriction to use Ghana Card for the registration will deprive many people of their voting right.



In an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show, Dr. Bossman Asare, a Deputy Electoral Commissioner, shared contrasting views as he revealed how successful the process is going.



Although admitting there were few challenges at the onset of the exercise and this was due to some internet interruptions because the registration is primarily predicated on internet connectivity, the problems have been addresse and the exercise is smoothly going on.



Dr. Bossman Asare said data available to the Commission shows 182831 people have currently registered their names, stressing "how we were expecting it is what is happening".



He was hopeful more people will partake in the process.



On the issue of an injunction against the exercise, Dr. Bossman Asare replied that the Commission's legal team is dealing with it and regarding arguments by some Members of Parliament that the process will disenfranchise people, he noted the EC's workplan before commencing the limited registration was laid before Parliament.



"This limited registration exercise was included in our budget to Parliament for approval. They gave us the approval. If you want to know what I am saying is the truth, take a copy of our budget in Parliament and you will find out that we specified this exercise in it. So, Parliament was fully aware of what we wanted to do," he told Kwami Sefa Kayi.





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 Chief Executive Officer of the State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea says the upcoming presidential race of the New Patriotic Party(NPP) will be a "one-horse gallop".



The New Patriotic Party(NPP) will elect their flagbearer on November 4 and already the election is expected to be a showdown between the Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and Assin Central MP, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong.



Dr. Bawumia made an emphatic statement with his overwhelming victory in the NPP special delegates election on August 26 and this brought the now popular term "showdown" as Hon. Kennedy Agyapong promised to give Dr. Bawumia after accusing him and the President of terrorizing his polling agent.



But Nana Akomea says Dr. Bawumia will win the November 4 election hands down.



According to him, "what happened on 26th August is the same thing that will happen".



He explained his one-horse gallop to be that there is no challenger to Dr. Bawumia.



"I have no doubts in my mind that Dr. Bawumia will win it so easily because he is working very hard, and I have strong belief that it will pay off," Nana Akomea asserted in his submissions on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" panel discussion programme.





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
Nana Akomea has issued an emphatic statement to the Member of Parliament(MP) for Assin Central and NPP presidential aspirant, Kennedy Agyapong, ahead of the New Patriotic Party's presidential election.



The New Patriotic Party will on Saturday, November 4, go to the polls to elect their flagbearer.



Four candidates; Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Assin Central MP, Kennedy Agyapong, Former Agric Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie-Akoto and a leading member of the New Patriotic Party, Francis Addai-Nimoh are all gunning for the flagbearer position.



Prior to the election, Kennedy Agyapong has threatened to give Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia a "showdown"; the showdown interpreted to mean he will give the Vice President a run for his money.



Although Dr. Bawumia won the NPP super delegates election on August 26 with a wide margin, Mr. Agyapong strongly believes he will defeat the former in the upcoming election which involves over 200,000 delegates unlike the 961 delegates that participated in the Super Delegates Conference.



But when it comes to a showdown, the STC Chief Executive, Nana Akomea believes the person who will give the showdown on November 4 is Dr. Bawumia.



"We will give him (Kennedy Agyapong) a showdown," Nana Akomea, a member of the Bawumia's campaign team, established on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" show.



He also said the Dr. Bawumia has adopted showdown term to his advantage stating "we have turned the showdown against the NDC which is where it should be".





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
MMCA Deoksugung reveals painter's long-lost first family portrait in 'The Most Honest Confession'

By Park Han-sol

Sometimes, two bite-sized paintings are all that it takes to encapsulate an artists decades-long quest to find beauty in the mundane and the simple.

In a dimly lit space, reminiscent of a small room tucked away in a hanok (traditional Korean house), at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Deoksugung stand Chang Uc-chins (1917-90) two mini-oil paintings  Family (1955) and Family Portrait (1972).

For Chang, noted as one of the key 20th-century Korean masters on par with Kim Whanki, Lee Jung-seop, Park Soo-keun and Yoo Young-kuk, the 1955 Family was his first in several ways. It was the first of more than 30 family portraits he produced during his lifetime. It was also the first piece he ever sold at his debut exhibition in Seoul in 1964.

But since its last known sale to a Japanese collector, the paintings whereabouts had remained elusive for nearly six decades  that is, until its unexpected rediscovery on the outskirts of Osaka early this year. The piece now greets viewers alongside Family Portrait  the artists recreation of the 1955 piece  at his largest retrospective to date, The Most Honest Confession.

Chang Kyeong-soo, the painters eldest daughter and the honorary director of the Chang Ucchin Museum of Art in Yangju who appears in both portraits, recalled gently stroking the textured surface of her fathers canvas work as a little girl.

I joked that my fingerprints must still be there, she said during a recent press preview at the museum. Although covered in dust and slightly damaged, the (retrieved) painting looked the same as I had seen six decades ago. That brought tears to my eyes.

Besides its long-awaited return to its home country, Family offers a glimpse into Changs signature style achieved via an organic composition of his favored everyday motifs: birds, trees, houses and human figures, many of whom were inspired by his own family members.

Looking at a series of his canvas works populated by magpies, green trees, the sun and the moon is like entering the artists version of utopia that retains childlike innocence.

My paintings are my true self. I confess myself in my paintings; I reveal and release myself entirely. Nothing is truer than my works, the artist once said in an interview with Chosun Ilbo daily newspaper in 1973.

And there are plenty of chances to dive into the modernists unique ensemble of poetic simplicity, idyllic nature and even Zen Buddhist musings in this exhibit that brings together more than 270 pieces  oil paintings, ink wash drawings, woodcuts, illustrations and ceramic drawings  from his early school years in the 1920s to his passing in 1990. (It is here that viewers get a chance to see for the first time the very last oil painting he created, Magpie and Village (1990).

The retrospectives sheer size alone  featuring more than a quarter of the prolific artists entire known oeuvre  allows visitors to trace the lifelong evolution of his thematic and formative aesthetics.

Among the recurring motifs in his works, the show presents the magpie as Changs avian alter ego that reflects his changing emotional state and the tree as the visual foundation of his autonomous, imagined universe. And the sun and moon, which often appear together on one screen, seem to embody the idea of timelessness.

But Bae Won-jung, curator behind The Most Honest Confession, pointed out that even though the artist featured these same icons time after time for decades, none of his paintings are identical. In fact, it was the dynamically variegated composition of his figures, often placed in different forms of symmetry, that birthed unique visual microcosms for each of his pieces.

The exhibition also delves into Changs lesser-known experimentation with different styles and materials in his later years.

It wasnt until spending a whole week without food as he worked on Zinzinmyo: My Wifes Buddhist Name (1970)  a rare solo portrait of his wife, Lee Soon-kyung, a devout Buddhist, portrayed as a bodhisattva  that he turned to incorporating elements of Buddhist beliefs into his canvas.

This shift coincided with his discovery of ink wash paintings. Although his works during this period, filled with spontaneous brushstrokes imbued with a sense of freedom, are not explicitly religious, they still visualize his pursuit of enlightenment and spiritual attainment.

Changs formalistic experimentation continued until his passing as he began to mimic the airy visuals of watercolor and ink wash paintings with oil paint.

The pieces here reinterpret aesthetics from different periods of Korean art history, including Goguryeo-era tomb murals as well as Joseon-era literati paintings and folk art.

By harmoniously expressing Eastern spirituality with Western materials, Chang achieved a true form of Korean modernism, Bae said. The fact that he unwaveringly forged his own path (throughout his whole artistic life) allows me to say that Chang has become a singular genre in himself.

The Most Honest Confession runs through Feb. 12, 2024, at the MMCA Deoksugung.
Apostle Agyenim Boateng of the Peniel Outreach Ministries International has opposed the possibility of the Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Kennedy Agyapong becoming the New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate.



The pastor has asserted that Agyapong's past actions, particularly his criticism of the Church of God, disqualifies him from being considered as the party's flagbearer.



Speaking via a television broadcast, he urged NPP delegates to carefully consider their choice for the presidential candidate and emphasized that only Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia can secure victory for the party in the upcoming elections in December 2024.



He highlighted the controversial moments when Agyapong publicly criticized the Church during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.



He recalled Agyapong's statements in which he suggested that, if he were president, he would "collapse all one-man churches in Ghana."



When Covid came, a man that I respect so much, I respect him more than any other honorable in Ghana, Kennedy Agyapong I respect him more than any other men of God.



"But when Covid came, this same man rose up against the church thinking that he was disgracing the churches and he had the audacity to say that if he was president, he will collapse all one-man churches in Ghana and today the same man needs the church's vote.



"When you are talking be careful, I am telling you the only hope, and I am saying it today and again that the only hope for NPP is Dr. Bawumia, if not him the party will lose. If they get 38% then it means that God is not alive.



The same man that rose up against the church and Ghana is a Christian country and this man rose up singlehandedly against the church claimed that if he was the head only Roman, Methodist, and Pentecost would be left and today the same man needs the same people to vote, you see how God is?



During the COVID-19 era, the Assin Central Member of Parliament launched a crusade against various Ghanaian pastors whom he accused of being fake. Among them were prophet Nigel Gaisie, Prophet Badu Kobi, Obinim among others.



Agyapong will contest for the flagbearership slot of the NPP along with three other contenders including Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, and Addiah Nimoh.



The NPP has slated November 4, 2023, to elect a successor to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo as leader of the party.

Source: Ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Immediate past Campaign Coordinator for Alan Kyerematen in the Ahafo Region, Joseph Dahah has called on delegates of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to vote massively for Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and give him a landslide victory in November to become the party's flagbearer.



"In the interest of our party, let us all come together and join the winning team and support of Vice President so that he can win massively in November to put fear in the NDC and finish them off in 2024", Joseph Dahah said.



Declaration of Support



Joseph Dahah appeared at Vice President Bawumias interaction with delegates in the Ahafo Region and declared support for him.



He explained that following the outcome of the Super Delegates Conference and the withdrawal of Alan, it is obvious the NPP is strongly behind Dr. Bawumia, so he has to join the "winning team" in the interest of the party.



"As we say, unity is strength so I'm appealing for all of us to unite to be able to make this history.



"Yes I was in charge of Alan's Campaign in the Brong Ahafo Region but since he has announced his withdrawal from the race, any responsible party member who loves the NPP would think about the unity of the party.



"In doing so, one has to look at the direction of the party and follow suit. If you look at the results of the recent Super Delegates election, everything points to the fact that the party really wants our brother Vice President Bawumia", he asserted.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
Ghanas Reggae and Dancehall icon, Samini, has expressed unwavering confidence in his ability to fill Londons prestigious O2 Arena by himself, given the appropriate support.



The veteran musician believes that his global recognition and electrifying performances can attract fans from all corners of the world.



Samini shared his bold assertion during an interview on the Day Show with Berla Mundi, where he emphasized the potential of his brand to draw massive crowd.



Referencing his Batman, brand days, Samini highlighted his international acclaim and past accomplishments as a Mobo Award winner as some of the things to win attention out there.



By myself, I will fill it, he confidently declared, adding that the arena could reach full capacity with the right investment and promotion.



He underscored that he had been known internationally as Batman before adopting the Samini persona, and many around the world recognize the brand.



However, Samini clarified that he wouldnt embark on such a venture alone. He expressed reservations about relying solely on Ghanaian investors, citing past experiences where their promises often went unfulfilled. Im not gonna take that money and go and do this because a Ghanaian wants to see the place full. Hell no, no Ghanaian investor is going to do that, Samini explained.



He pointed out that its not in Ghanaian culture to readily invest funds in such endeavours, and he doesnt fully trust Ghanaian investors to support such a project.



Samini concluded that typical Ghanaian investors may engage in discussions and appear supportive, but when it comes to financial backing, their commitment tends to wane.



Despite this, he remains steadfast in his belief that with the right backing and promotion, he could achieve the remarkable feat of filling Londons O2 Arena, making him a force to be reckoned with on the global music stage.

Source: Daily Guide









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
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:

How many baby blackbirds do you see? AI-powered video analysis could help biologists zero in on individual bird calls despite background vegetation and noise, saving a lot of time and effort. Credit: Ivana Schoepf

Artificial intelligence could make studying birds easier, thanks to the work of a University of Alberta student.

Priscilla Adebanji, a computing science student at Augustana Campus, spent her summer experimenting with AI to improve the analysis of U of A research video showing red-winged blackbirds and their nests.

The tweaks, once fully developed, could save hours of time needed to manually review the video to identify specific birdsa task vital to her work, says Augustana professor Ivana Schoepf, who is exploring the effects of parasitism on bird behavior.

Currently, the only way to detect the identity and actions of each bird is by listening for their distinct calls, which means reviewing hours of video. It also requires expertise, Schoepf notes.

"There has to be a level of knowledge about bird biology, and it also takes time to learn the birds and their calls."

Though existing software can track the movements of animals like mice in the lab, "for the field it's more complicated," she says. "There's a lot of background vegetation and noise, like wind, so recording conditions are not optimal for automatic detection."

Nor is the quality of the video high, "so it can be impossible to tell the male from the female birds," Schoepf adds. The nests are also well hidden in marsh cattails, making it difficult to see whether the birds are feeding their chicks, cleaning the nest or leaving it using an off-camera route, she notes.

With two field seasons' worth of videototalling about 30 hours of film on 30 nestsSchoepf approached Adebanji's computing science professor Thibaud Lutellier, looking for a way to automatically detect the birds without having to review the tape.

"We felt there were a lot of applications in AI that could help, though we had no idea what to expect," says Lutellier. "We had to figure out what kind of machine learning to use. There was a lot of groundwork and research involved."

Adebanji worked through various challenges, including false readings generated by existing AI models. "They seemed to sometimes detect the bird as an airplane, and things like shadows were falsely detected as bears in the background," she says.

Using computer vision tools and motion detection algorithms to help analyze the video, she reduced the tracking sensitivity enough to count the birds, single them out from other objects and determine whether the same bird had already been recorded.

By the end of the summer, Adebanji was able to develop software that refined Schoepf's raw footage enough to pinpoint the exact times the birds visit their nests to feed their chicks, along with whether they are entering or leaving.

"It's a big step up for saving time," says Adebanji. "We have gone from eight hours to a couple of minutes to automatically detect everything."

Though the software still needs more work, Schoepf hopes she'll eventually be using it to reduce the labor-intensive process involved in collecting data for her research.

"It will save time in reviewing the videos, and effort in terms of having to train people to analyze themand you need to have at least two people involved, to compare results for consistency."

She's also excited about the software's potential for the larger field of animal biology.

"This could provide broad applicability to a multitude of species and projects in different settings, beyond birds. It could improve and expand ecological research."

Further work on the program will include exploring AI applications for determining how long the birds visit their nests, and analyzing their calls to determine gender. Future students will also be tasked with better "cleaning" the videos of background sounds like wind, and seeing whether the software can apply to other animals like rodents, Lutellier says.

For the AI field, small, innovative projects like this one "highlight some of the issues we have with computer vision" in motion-detecting technologies such as self-driving vehicles and drones, he notes.

"This is useful for developing better AI, because there was a lot of trial and error during the process of developing this software. Rather than testing on very precise, high-quality benchmarks, we were working with a lot of unknown factorsand that's how real life is. AI has to deal with it safely and successfully."

Now in her fourth year of undergraduate studies, Adebanji says the project has sparked her interest in exploring AI as a career and taken her beyond the classroom.

"It feels good to work on a real-world application, to be able to help people with the knowledge I've learned."
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:

Amazon Jungle, Brazil. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The Amazon river basin is known for its immense and lush tropical forests, so one might assume that the Amazon's land is equally rich. In fact, the soils underlying the forested vegetation, particularly in the hilly uplands, are surprisingly infertile. Much of the Amazon's soil is acidic and low in nutrients, making it notoriously difficult to farm.

But over the years, archaeologists have dug up mysteriously black and fertile patches of ancient soils in hundreds of sites across the Amazon. This "dark earth" has been found in and around human settlements dating back hundreds to thousands of years. And it has been a matter of some debate as to whether the super-rich soil was purposefully created or a coincidental byproduct of these ancient cultures.

Now, a study led by researchers at MIT, the University of Florida, and in Brazil aims to settle the debate over dark earth's origins. The team has pieced together results from soil analyses, ethnographic observations, and interviews with modern Indigenous communities, to show that dark earth was intentionally produced by ancient Amazonians as a way to improve the soil and sustain large and complex societies.

"If you want to have large settlements, you need a nutritional base. But the soil in the Amazon is extensively leached of nutrients, and naturally poor for growing most crops," says Taylor Perron, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT. "We argue here that people played a role in creating dark earth, and intentionally modified the ancient environment to make it a better place for human populations."

And as it turns out, dark earth contains huge amounts of stored carbon. As generations worked the soil, for instance by enriching it with scraps of food, charcoal, and waste, the earth accumulated the carbon-rich detritus and kept it locked up for hundreds to thousands of years. By purposely producing dark earth, then, early Amazonians may have also unintentionally created a powerful, carbon-sequestering soil.

"The ancient Amazonians put a lot of carbon in the soil, and a lot of that is still there today," says co-author Samuel Goldberg, who performed the data analysis as a graduate student at MIT and is now an assistant professor at the University of Miami. "That's exactly what we want for climate change mitigation efforts. Maybe we could adapt some of their indigenous strategies on a larger scale, to lock up carbon in soil, in ways that we now know would stay there for a long time."

The team's study appears in Science Advances. Other authors include former MIT postdoc and lead author Morgan Schmidt, anthropologist Michael Heckenberger of the University of Florida, and collaborators from multiple institutions across Brazil.

Modern intent

In their current study, the team synthesized observations and data that Schmidt, Heckenberger, and others had previously gathered, while working with Indigenous communities in the Amazon since the early 2000s, with new data collected in 201819.

The scientists focused their fieldwork in the Kuikuro Indigenous Territory in the Upper Xingu River basin in the southeastern Amazon. This region is home to modern Kuikuro villages as well as archaeological sites where the ancestors of the Kuikuro are thought to have lived. Over multiple visits to the region, Schmidt, then a graduate student at the University of Florida, was struck by the darker soil around some archaeological sites.

"When I saw this dark earth and how fertile it was, and started digging into what was known about it, I found it was a mysterious thingno one really knew where it came from," he says.

Schmidt and his colleagues began making observations of the modern Kuikuro's practices of managing the soil. These practices include generating "middens"piles of waste and food scraps, similar to compost heaps, that are maintained in certain locations around the center of a village.

After some time, these waste piles decompose and mix with the soil to form a dark and fertile earth, that residents then use to plant crops. The researchers also observed that Kuikuro farmers spread organic waste and ash on farther fields, which also generates dark earth, where they can then grow more crops.

"We saw activities they did to modify the soil and increase the elements, like spreading ash on the ground, or spreading charcoal around the base of the tree, which were obviously intentional actions," Schmidt says.

In addition to these observations, they also conducted interviews with villagers to document the Kuikuro's beliefs and practices relating to dark earth. In some of these interviews, villagers referred to dark earth as "eegepe," and described their daily practices in creating and cultivating the rich soil to improve its agricultural potential.

Based on these observations and interviews with the Kuikuro, it was clear that Indigenous communities today intentionally produce dark earth, through their practices to improve the soil. But could the dark earth found in nearby archaeological sites have been made through similar intentional practices?

A bridge in soil

In search of a connection, Schmidt joined Perron's group as a postdoc at MIT. Together, he, Perron, and Goldberg carried out a meticulous analysis of soils in both archaeological and modern sites in the Upper Xingu region.

They discovered similarities in dark earth's spatial structure: Deposits of dark earth were found in a radial pattern, concentrating mostly in the center of both modern and ancient settlements, and stretching, like spokes of a wheel, out to the edges. Modern and ancient dark earth was also similar in composition, and was enriched in the same elements, such as carbon, phosphorus, and other nutrients.

"These are all the elements that are in humans, animals, and plants, and they're the ones that reduce the aluminum toxicity in soil, which is a notorious problem in the Amazon," Schmidt says. "All these elements make the soil better for plant growth."

"The key bridge between the modern and ancient times is the soil," Goldberg adds. "Because we see this correspondence between the two time periods, we can infer that these practices that we can observe and ask people about today, were also happening in the past."

In other words, the team was able to show for the first time that ancient Amazonians intentionally worked the soil, likely through practices similar to today's, in order to grow enough crops to sustain large communities.

Going a step further, the team calculated the amount of carbon in ancient dark earth. They combined their measurements of soil samples, with maps of where dark earth has been found through several ancient settlements. Their estimates revealed that each ancient village contains several thousand tons of carbon that has been sequestered in the soil for hundreds of years as a result of Indigenous, human activities.

As the team concludes in their paper, "modern sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation efforts, inspired by the persistent fertility of ancient dark earth, can draw on traditional methods practiced to this day by Indigenous Amazonians."

More information: Morgan Schmidt et al, Intentional creation of carbon-rich dark earth soils in the Amazon, Science Advances (2023). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adh8499. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adh8499 Journal information: Science Advances

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
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

Plants are often attributed with abilities similar to those known in the animal or human world. Trees are said to have feelings and can purportedly care for their offspring, like mothers. In an article in the review journal Trends in Plant Science, 32 international plant and forest researchers followed up on such assertions.

Led by Prof. David G. Robinson, professor emeritus for cell biology at the Center for Organismal Studies (COS) of Heidelberg University, the researchers analyzed the claims in two popular publications on forests and reached the conclusion that conjecture is equated with fact. They warn against "anthropomorphizing" plants.

The article scrutinized the assertions in two widely received books about the hidden life of trees and the search for the so-called "mother tree." The researchers report that in those works, trees are attributed with human characteristics and behaviors, including the ability to feel pain and pleasure, to communicate with one another, and to act altruistically.

Based on existing research literature, Prof. Robinson and his co-authors provide detailed evidence that the main assertions are scientifically untenable. The Heidelberg researcher points out that numerous research papers on the significance of intraspecies competition clearly contradict the contention that trees of a single species support one another and keep each other alive.

According to Prof. Robinson and his colleagues, newer studies also render the "mother tree concept" untenable. Many publications based on this concept that presume to substantiate a targeted transfer of carbon from older to younger trees via networked fungithe mycorrhizaeare flawed due to a lack of control variants.

"And where the data does actually suggest such a transfer, the quantity of carbon transferred is so small that it is physiologically completely irrelevant for the recipient tree," states Prof. Robinson. The researchers also criticize that both books cite evidentiary sources that were not peer-reviewed.

Finally, the authors point out the fatal consequences such claims could have for the adaptation of forests to climate change if political decisions are "based on pleasant-sounding but false messages" rather than scientific fact, adds Robinson. The article's authors included researchers from the University of Gottingen as well as from Austria, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Ireland, Israel, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the U.S. They represent the fields of biology, forestry, and plant science.

More information: David G. Robinson et al, Mother trees, altruistic fungi, and the perils of plant personification, Trends in Plant Science (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.tplants.2023.08.010 Journal information: Trends in Plant Science
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:

Honeybee populations around the world are threatened by the Varroa mite.

Australia on Wednesday abandoned its fight to eradicate the destructive Varroa mite, an invasive parasite responsible for the collapse of honeybee populations across the planet.

Desperate to keep Varroa out of the country, authorities have destroyed more than 14,000 infected beehives since the tiny red-brown pest was first detected north of Sydney in June 2022.

The government on Wednesday conceded its US$64 million eradication plan could not stop the mite from spreading, saying the country's beekeepers should now prepare to live with the incursion.

"The recent spike in new detections have made it clear that the Varroa mite infestation is more widespread and has also been present for longer than first thought," officials said in a statement.

Australia was one of the last major beekeeping countries to successfully keep Varroa at bay.

Smaller than a peppercorn, Varroa mites attach themselves to honeybees and slowly feast on their body tissue from the outsideeventually spreading through hives and causing colony collapse.

They are the "most serious pest of honeybees worldwide", according to the Australian government.

Australian National University ecologist Saul Cunningham said the Varroa infestation would also damage agricultural industries reliant on pollination.

"Varroa mite will cause significant economic damage in agriculture, and so it is vital that we focus on adaptation to life with Varroa," Cunningham said.

Australia's native honeybees have proven resilient to Varroa mites but do not currently play a major role in honey production or agricultural pollination.

University of Sunshine Coast researcher Volker Herzig said the "final nail in the coffin" was a government decision that allowed beekeepers to transport their hives across state boundaries to help with pollination.

Every year, some 270,000 beehives are trucked into the state of Victoria to pollinate almond orchardsan annual pilgrimage billed as the "largest movement of livestock" in Australia.

Herzig said Australia must "now find permanent solutions for managing our beehives", which "most other countries around the world" have been doing for years.

The government's decision was "quite a shock", said native bee researcher James Dorey of Flinders University.

"The impacts of this decision will be felt for decades to come in how beekeepers manage their hives and how farmers pollinate their crops," he said.

"In particular, farmers may not be able to rely on passive pollination from feral honeybees any longer."

 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 Galapagos National Park said in a statement that it had picked up three positives for the H5N1 virus, after reports of visibly sick birds on the islands.

The Galapagos National Park said Tuesday that it had detected its first cases of avian flu on the remote islands, home to unique bird species that helped inspire the theory of evolution.

Three positive cases of the H5N1 virus were detected after reports of visibly sick birds on the islands, the park said in a statement.

The Galapagos archipelago is a bird-watchers paradise with scores of unique and colorful species, such as the blue-footed booby with its quirky mating rituals, and endemic penguins, cormorants and albatrosses.

English naturalist Charles Darwin developed his theory of evolution after studying finches and mockingbirds on the Galapagos islands in 1835.

The islands, 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) from Ecuador's coast, are home to "78 species of native and endemic birds," according to the environment ministry.

Ecuadoran authorities said in December they had put in place a monitoring system on the Galapagos as a global bird flu outbreak reached South America.

The H5N1 bird flu has typically been confined to seasonal outbreaks, but since 2021 cases have emerged year-round, and across the globe, leading to what experts say is the largest outbreak ever seen.

There is no treatment for bird flu, which spreads naturally between wild birds and can also infect domestic poultry.

Avian influenza viruses do not typically infect humans, although there have been rare cases, including that of a nine-year-old girl infected in Ecuador in January.

The outbreak has infected several mammal species, such as farmed minks, cats, and sea lions, and the World Health Organization warned in July this could help it adapt to infect humans more easily.

 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:

Imprisonment for unpaid debts might seem Dickensian, a relic of harsher times. But thousands of people serve jail time each year in the U.S. for failure to pay fines, fees, and other court costs, often resulting from lower-level violations such as traffic tickets.

Harvard researchers have brought attention to the plight of such debtors in a new paper, "Forgotten But Not Gone: a Multi-state Analysis of Modern-Day Debt Imprisonment," published in PLOS ONE. Theirs is a first attempt to quantify the magnitude and prevalence of imprisonments for court debts in the U.S., for which no standardized record-keeping exists.

First author and statistics graduate student Johann Gaebler first became aware of debt imprisonment while an intern at the American Civil Liberties Union in Wisconsin, just after graduating from the College in 2017 with a degree in mathematics.

"I didn't even realize that this existed in the American legal systemthat there are still mechanisms for jailing people for unpaid court debts," said the Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences student. "And it felt like nobody really knew what was going oneven at the state level, to say nothing of the national levelbecause there was no integrated data."

Gaebler started the project while working at the Computational Policy Lab run by Sharad Goel, now a faculty member at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. With Goel and journalists Phoebe Barghouty and Cheryl Phillips of the Stanford Computational Journalism Lab, he culled data from millions of records collected through hundreds of public records requests to county jails to produce their first-of-its-kind dataset.

Over about four years, they collected and standardized the records of more than 4 million jail bookings and almost 3 million court cases. Stanford economics graduate student Sarah Vicol rounded out the team.

The data presented an order-of-magnitude estimate of the prevalence of debt imprisonment in specific states: Between 2005 and 2018, Texas courts jailed people for failure to pay around 38,000 times per year, and Wisconsin courts around 8,000 times per year, with the median time served being one day in jail in both states.

They also looked at court debt data in Oklahoma, finding that unpaid fines and fees leading to imprisonment came most commonly from traffic offenses, for which a typical Oklahoma court debtors owes around $250, or $500 if an arrest warrant is issued.

Their data-gathering included case studies of individuals. "Ms. Smith," a Black woman from Austin, Texas, spent a night in jail in 2017 after several years of unpaid traffic citations and an arrest for failure to pay. Her jailing, the researchers wrote, represents an extreme example of what some researchers have termed "criminalization of poverty." These are ways in which the American criminal justice system metes punishments through mechanisms that disproportionately affect poor people, such as cash bail, fines, and fees related to court appearances.

At the outset, the project felt unusual for academic research, even for Gaebler, who has worked on other projects that apply a statistical lens to issues of social justice and policy. "It didn't involve fancy estimation or a clever scientific idea. It really was just, "Here's a really important thing that, unfortunately, takes a huge amount of work to measure.'"

Imprisonment for debt "feels like something that shouldn't happen anymore," Gaebler said. Their analysis highlights that some states, like Colorado, have eliminated the practice of issuing failure-to-pay warrantsso change is possible.

The researchers hope their analysis sparks conversation and enables other researchers or policymakers to better understand debt imprisonment within individual communities. They've made their data publicly available.

More information: Johann D. Gaebler et al, Forgotten but not gone: A multi-state analysis of modern-day debt imprisonment, PLOS ONE (2023). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0290397 Journal information: PLoS ONE

This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu.
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:

(a) The scatter graph showing the results from the principal component analysis (PCA) using the whole genomes of dogs, dingoes, and wolves. (b) The proportion of genetic admixture in each canine genome is shown. This analysis was performed assuming four ancestries for canines (K = 4). Credit: Ecology and Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10525

Genome sequencing comparisons with wolves, strays and dogs across the world has found Australia's dingoes have the highest loads of harmful mutationsand diversity levels that are 36% lower than the most inbred dogs.

The research led by the University of the Sunshine Coast established that the ancestral stock for the modern dingoes was much smaller than other canines, potentially creating a bottleneck effect that is still impacting the genetic diversity and health of populations in Australia.

As a result, the nation's largest land-based top-order predator is carrying higher loads of harmful and recessive mutations compared to other canines, increasing the threat of diseases, according to the study published in Ecology and Evolution.

UniSC Senior Lecturer in Genetics Dr. Sankar Subramanian, who led the study, said the findings helped to build our knowledge about the evolutionary history of dingoes, believed to have first arrived in Australia, most likely from South East Asia, up to 11,000 years ago.

"Our study has found genomic evidence suggesting that the founding population size of dingoes was much smaller than that of wild wolves and domesticated dogs, and this bottleneck led to a reduction in diversity and an accumulation of bad mutations."

The researchers said the findings highlighted the need to consider the genomic consequences of lethal control programs on dingo populations.

"For example, aerial baiting programs which realize a 90% population knockdown may initiate further bottlenecks and exacerbate the low genetic diversity and high mutational loads of targeted dingo populations with detrimental consequences," Dr. Subramanian said.

Investigating the dingo genome and its canine relatives

Saliva samples were used to sequence the genomes of two wild dingoes from The Kimberley in Western Australia and western New South Wales, and a captive dingo from the Alpine region.

Researchers also assembled whole genome data sets from a previous study of nine mainland dingoes.

For further context, comparisons were made with whole genome data from 11 wolves, 13 village dogs, and 32 breed dogs from various locations including the Artic, Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Co-author, UniSC Research Fellow Dr. Manoharan Kumar, said that this included 10 of the world's most inbred dog breeds, such as the Weimaraner and Scottish Terrier, as these dogs might also have been bred using a very small number of founding individuals.

"The study found five lines of evidence for bottlenecks from the small original population, accelerating the loss of genetic variation in dingoes," Dr. Kumar said.

This included a reduction in heterozygosity (genetic variability) and the presence of a large number of contiguous RoH segments (both parents transmitting identical genes from a common ancestor) in their genomes.

"The dingo had the lowest genetic variation compared to all other canines analyzed, except for Norwegian Lunde Hund and Bull Terrier dog breeds," Dr. Kumar said.

"Groupings based on inbreeding coefficients put the dingo's mean diversity at 36% less than that of highly inbred breed dogs and about four times lower than wolves. The number of RoH segments was four times higher than in village dogs and wolves."

Three other methods showed dingoes had the highest accumulation of harmful mutations load of all domesticated dog breeds, stray dogs and wolves studied.

These were a high dN/dS ratio (low selection pressure), elevated number of homozygous deleterious amino acid changing SNVs (increasing susceptibility to a range of diseases) and loss of function single nucleotide variants (severe disease-causing variants).

The research team says the next step is a wider study including more genomes from various geographic locations to reveal any additional bottlenecks specific to different populations.

Co-author Dr. Gabriel Conroy, an ecological genetics and conservation biology expert with UniSC's Center for Bioinnovation, said greater understanding of the genomic health of dingo populations at regional and local scales was needed to inform conservation and management practices.

"Ongoing genetic monitoring of lethally controlled populations may assist managers in designing conservation-aware dingo management plans, given the important ecological role and cultural significance of dingoes in the Australian landscape," Dr. Conroy said.

More information: Manoharan Kumar et al, Genomic signatures of bottleneck and founder effects in dingoes, Ecology and Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10525 Journal information: Ecology and Evolution
A customer enters a branch of BNK Kyongnam Bank in Seoul, Aug. 2. Yonhap





By Lee Yeon-woo







The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) has confirmed that the extent of embezzlement in the recent real estate project financing (PF) scandal at BNK Kyongnam Bank is significantly larger than initially thought, with the total amounting to 298.8 billion won ($224 million). This stands as the largest embezzlement case ever recorded in the Korean financial market.







According to the FSS on Wednesday, an employee identified only by his surname, Lee, embezzled 298.8 billion won while working in the PF department from 2009 to July 2022. He fabricated documents for loan transactions for real estate developers that had never actually requested loans, totaling 102.3 billion won. He also unlawfully diverted loan repayments from developers, amounting to 196.5 billion won.







Lee then transferred the embezzled funds to accounts belonging to his family, acquaintances or accounts he had opened without authorization. It is known that he used the embezzled amount to buy real estate and gold bars, finance his children's overseas education and invest in stocks.







The net loss of BNK Kyongnam Bank due to the embezzlement was tallied at 59.5 billion won.







"This massive embezzlement happened because the overall internal control systems of BNK Financial Group and BNK Kyongnam Bank have failed to operate properly," FSS noted.







Since BNK Financial Group acquired the bank in 2014, it has not conducted any internal investigations in PF departments, despite the high-risk nature of the business.







The fact that the bank's internal audits were either conducted without specific reasons or executed poorly, leading to the long-term failure to detect the embezzlement, exacerbated the extent of the incident.







Furthermore, both the group and the bank intentionally delayed reporting to the financial regulator, even though they became aware of the embezzlement case in April. Consequently, the employee remained and continued to work in the same department until July. No mandatory leave was enforced for the employee during that period.







"We will further verify where the embezzled funds were used. Based on the investigation results, strict actions will be taken against the individuals involved in illegal and unfair practices," FSS said.


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:

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weedkillers in the world but critics point to evidence that says it may cause cancer.

The European Commission proposed to renew the use of the controversial and widely used herbicide glyphosate in the EU for 10 years on Wednesday, after a report saw no reason to block it.

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weedkillers in the world but critics point to evidence that says it may cause cancer and constitutes a risk to biodiversity.

The European Union's 27 member states will discuss the proposal on Friday. It has to be approved by a weighted majority of countries during a meeting on October 13.

The proposal comes after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in July said it had not found "any critical areas of concern" preventing glyphosate from being reauthorised, sparking a backlash from environmental groups.

Environmental activists said there was scientific evidence that glyphosate may cause cancer, poison aquatic life and can be fatal to key pollinators like bees.

The previous authorization expired in December 2022 but was extended by a year pending a scientific study of the herbicide.

The proposal would authorize its usage until December 15, 2033, double the previous five-year authorization but less than the 15-year period initially planned.

Authorization can be withdrawn if any development warrants a change in position.

Environmental defenders accused the EU of putting people's health at risk.

"Industry interests clearly prevail over health and the environment," said Angeliki Lysimachou, head of science and policy at ecologist group PAN Europe.

European Parliament members also hit out at the plans.

Glyphosate: a controversial weedkiller.

"By destroying biodiversity, glyphosate endangers our long-term food security. This proposal is irresponsible," said Green MEP Benoit Biteau.

But the European Chemicals Agency last year said scientific evidence did not justify classifying glyphosate as a carcinogen.

Mitigating risk

The commission's proposal says the use of glyphosate must be accompanied by "risk mitigation measures".

For example, there must be a "non-sprayed buffer strip" of five to 10 meters (16 to 33 feet) in a field and equipment used to drastically reduce "spray drift".

The EFSA agency's report noted there were gaps in the data in some areas, and "identified a high long-term risk to mammals" in 12 of 23 of the proposed uses of glyphosate.

To address this, the commission urged member states, in charge of issuing permits at a national level and setting conditions of use, to "pay particular attention" to effects on the environment.

The countries must "pay attention" to the impact on small mammals and consider whether it is "necessary" to impose mitigating measures like limiting the timing of use or maximum dose rate.

The text also now bans glyphosate's use for desiccationdrying a crop before harvest.

Pascal Canfin, the head of the parliament's environment committee, criticized the lack of restrictions on use in the "unacceptable" proposal that was "not in accordance with the EFSA's conclusions".

Luxembourg had prohibited glyphosate in 2020 before the courts forced it to lift the ban earlier this year.

The proposal comes as the parliament and member states are bogged down in negotiations for a law that imposes binding pesticide reduction targets in the EU.

 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 weedkiller glyphosate is one of the most popular herbicides in the world.

One of the world's most popular weedkillers, glyphosate, has divided the scientific and health community, prompting several countries either to ban or limit its use.

The World Health Organization's cancer agency said in 2015 that the active ingredient in many generic herbicides, including Monsanto's Roundup, was "probably carcinogenic".

But on Wednesday the European Commission proposed to authorize its use for another 10 years in the EU, after a report found there was no reason to block it.

AFP looks at the situation around the world:

Europe: individual bans

Glyphosate has been debated in the EU for years but not banned. Its current authorization expired in December 2022 but it was extended for a year while scientists reviewed its safety.

Under pressure from environmentalists, individual countries have tried to curb its use.

In France, the Netherlands and Belgium, glyphosate is banned for household use.

Germany, the home of chemicals giant Bayer which bought Monsanto in 2018, has banned it in public spaces and plans a total ban at the end of this year.

Austria and Luxembourg both tried, but failed, to ban glyphosate.

US: billions in lawsuits

Monsanto, and more recently its new owner Bayer, have faced a wave of lawsuits in the US over claims its glyphosate-based herbicide Roundup causes cancer.

The use of glyphosate is limited and even banned in several countries around the world.

A protest against glyphosate in Colombia in 2021, where a ban on the weedkiller was lifted in 2020.

The firm denies such claims but has paid out billions of dollars to settle legal disputes.

California has led the charge against Monsanto, with several cities and counties banning or restricting glyphosate.

The Environmental Protection Agency in 2019 ruled it was "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans."

Latin America

The health agency of agriculture powerhouse Brazil also concluded in 2019 that glyphosate presented no risk to human health.

Colombia and El Salvador both banned glyphosate and then overturned the decision, while Mexico has pledged to outlaw its use by 2024.

Asia

Vietnam is the only country in Asia to have fully banned the use of the chemical.

The Sri Lankan government tried in 2015 but then canceled the ruling in 2021 for lack of scientific evidence.

 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

Over the past two decades, coral reefs have declined at unprecedented rates. This is in part because of extreme weather events, which cause wide-spread coral bleaching, a process during which corals lose their color because of stressors, including changes in water temperature, light, or nutrient availability. One of the worst mass bleaching events occurred in 2016 and 2017 on the Great Barrier Reef, causing bleaching on 91% of the system's reefs.

As frequency and severity of mass bleaching events are expected to increase in the future, researchers are looking for ways to protect corals from excessive radiation and temperatures. As part of the Cooling and Shading subprogram of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program (RRAP), which is developing solutions to help coral reefs resist, adapt to, and recover from warming ocean temperatures, researchers in Australia have examined the effectiveness of shading on two coral species.

"We show that intermittent shading under controlled conditions can moderate light stress and slow bleaching," said Dr. Peter Butcherine, a research fellow at Southern Cross University and lead author of the study published in Frontiers in Marine Science. "Reducing sunlight by 30% for four hours around solar noon can slow the onset of the bleaching response in some thermally-stressed shallow corals."

Just four hours of shade slows bleaching

Researchers collected two species of stony corals, Turbinaria reniformis, commonly known as yellow scroll coral, and Duncanopsammia axifuga, also called whisker coral. After transportation and acclimatization to a lab, tanks containing coral fragments were covered with 30% shade cloth for either four hours around noon, or 24 hours. Shading corals for four hours in the middle of the day recreates light reductions similar to those on a cloudy day.

Results showed that shaded corals bleached significantly less than unshaded ones, and corals that were shaded for 24 hours bleached less than those shaded for four hours. Higher water temperatures also favored bleaching.

Shading delayed the corals' bleaching response by up to three degree heating weeks (DHW). Corals begin to accrue DHW once water temperature exceeds the maximum monthly mean water temperature by more than 1C. After surpassing this threshold, they start to bleach. When heat stress reaches four DHW, significant coral bleaching can be observed.

Different responses to shading

Corals, however, did not respond in the same way to shading. For T. reniformis, 30% shading for four hours a day was found enough to delay bleaching. The shading response of D. axifuga, however, was more limited: While the coral responded to 24-hour shading until three DHW, it became unresponsive afterward.

"The complex nature of coral interactions with their environment means there are likely to be a range of responses to shading. We showed that coral species can respond differently when shaded, but these differences were not necessarily detrimental, just different from each other," Butcherine explained.

Yet, no matter how well corals respond to shading, thermal stress in intense prolonged marine heat waves can still overwhelm the shading benefit, the researchers pointed out.

How to shade a reef

"This work directly informs the development of cooling and shading interventions to help protect the Great Barrier Reef during future bleaching events," said Dr. Daniel Harrison, a researcher at Southern Cross University and program lead of RRAP Cooling and Shading. "Coral reefs are a critically important ecosystem so it is vital to investigate all the possible ways we can help them survive climate change."

There are several ways to shade reefs, including the use of artificial coverings and seawater fogging systems. The latter is one of the interventions that researchers in the RRAP Cooling and Shading program are working on. "The focus of the fogging technologies we are developing is for deployment at an individual reef site of some tens of hectares in size," Harrison continued. Currently, the team's efforts are aimed at localized cooling and shading of small high-value reef environments.

"Our trials show some promising results, but there is still more research and development required before the current technologies are ready for scaled up deployment in the field," Harrison concluded.

More information: Intermittent shading can moderate coral bleaching on shallow reefs, Frontiers in Marine Science (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1162896 Journal information: Frontiers in Marine Science

Provided by Frontiers
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 cave in Vietnam where the stalagmite was discovered. Credit: Northumbria University, Newcastle

Scientists have discovered a new technique that will shed light on the phenomena of winter monsoonsthe heavy autumn and winter rainfalls which can cause floods and landslides across southeast Asia.

While summer monsoons are well researched and understood, there is currently very limited understanding of winter monsoonsespecially of how they have changed during periods when there has been no data available from weather stations.

It has therefore been difficult to make accurate, long-term predictions about the timing and intensity of winter rainfall in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Malaysia.

The Asian winter monsoon brings significant rainfall to some coastal areas of Vietnam, the Philippines, Southeast India, Sri Lanka and Japan, playing a critical role in agriculture and water resources, as well as natural hazard risks related to flooding and landslides.

These regions include some of the world's largest food producers and exporters, causing not only the regional economy but also the already precarious global food trade to be vulnerable to changes in winter monsoon rainfall.

By examining an 8,000-year-old stalagmite from a cave in central Vietnam, researchers have been able to extract information about changes in seasonal rainfall patterns in Southeast Asia over thousands of years.

And, in a new research breakthrough, they have for the first time been able to distinguish between the rainfall caused by local weather conditions, and that which resulted from conditions across a much wider geographical area.

The investigations were led by Annabel Wolf, a Ph.D. student at Northumbria University at the time of the research, supported by Dr. Vasile Ersek, a paleoclimatologist and geochemist working within Northumbria's Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences.

A paper detailing their findings, entitled "Deciphering local and regional hydroclimate resolves contradicting evidence on the Asian monsoon evolution," has been published by the journal Nature Communications.

Annabel Wolf, now a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California, Irvine's Department of Earth System Science, said, "The past evolution of the winter and summer monsoons in Southeast Asia has been debated for decades.

"By examining this stalagmite from Vietnam, we were able to track autumn and winter rainfall over a significant period and, crucially, to differentiate between the rain which had fallen due to local weather systems, and the rain caused by wider regional systems.

"Our main conclusion was that the regional component of the monsoon, caused by atmospheric circulation, shows a contradictory relationship between winter and summer monsoons, driven by insolation in the northern hemisphere.

"However, the results from the local rainfall samples showed a strong connection between summer and winter monsoons."

The findings of the research mean there is now potential to re-examine samples from other areas in Southeast Asia and extract the local and regional rainfall levels, leading to much greater understanding of how weather patterns have evolved over time and how they may continue to change in future.

In contrast to the very well-studied Southwest Summer Monsoon, there are no robust records documenting the long-term changes in Southeast Asian rainfall associated with the Northeast Winter Monsoon under pre-industrial conditions. This means changes to rainfall in this region over longer timescales are not well understood.

As a result, many climate models underestimate the winter monsoon rainfall by as much as 50%, leaving considerable uncertainty in future climate projections.

Speaking about the research Dr. Ersek said, "By shedding light on potential discrepancies in paleoclimate reconstructions, scientists now have a critical tool to refine their understanding of historical climate patterns.

"Our findings have the potential to inform policies and strategies aimed at mitigating the impacts of intense rainfall in Southeast Asia, which becomes more imperative as climate change continues to exert its influence on global weather patterns."

More information: Annabel Wolf et al, Deciphering local and regional hydroclimate resolves contradicting evidence on the Asian monsoon evolution, Nature Communications (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41373-9 Journal information: Nature Communications
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:

Neighbour-joining networks of pairwise distances between individuals within parthenogenetic Timema species: A. T. genevievae. B. T. monikensis. C. T. douglasi. D. T. shepardi. Individuals of the two studied populations in each species are distinguished by brown and blue labels. Credit: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0404

A team of ecologists and evolutionary biologists at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, has found that some normally asexual species of stick insects, which are known to reproduce via parthenogenesis, occasionally mate to enhance the gene pool.

In their paper published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the group describes how they sequenced the genomes of four species of stick insect that are known to reproduce via parthenogenesis and what they learned by doing so.

Prior research has shown that some species of stick insect, of the genus Timema, do not have to mate to produce offspring. They instead reproduce through a process known as parthenogenesiswhere a creature reproduces by producing an egg that does not need to be fertilized to mature.

When reproducing this way, such creatures produce near clones of themselves, which means that most of their offspring tend to be femalealthough there is the rare possibility of a male resulting from this mode of reproduction. Parthenogenesis has been found in some invertebrates (including these species of stick insect) and some plants.

Prior research has also shown that creatures that reproduce via parthenogenesis tend to have less genetic diversity and because of that tend to have more difficulty adjusting to changes in their environment. In this new effort, the research team was wondering how stick insects might fare in light of global warming. Prior research has suggested that the insects have been reproducing via parthenogenesis for as long as a million years, seemingly making them particularly vulnerable to climate change.

To learn more, they went out into the field and captured multiple samples of four species of stick insects that are already known to reproduce via parthenogenesis. The research team sequenced the genes of eight populations from four stick inspect species that rely on parthenogenesis. In six of those populations, they found low genetic diversity, which points towards long periods of uninterrupted parthenogenesis.

However, in two of the populations belonging to the species Timema douglasi and T. monikensis, Susana Freitas and her team found evidence of more genetic diversity than should be the case for a creature that reproduces without mating. This suggests that these two species occasionally practice cryptic sex, where fertilization occurs post-mating and tends to have a male bias.

The research team concludes by suggesting their findings indicate that some creatures, such as stick insects, appear to be capable of adapting to environmental changes by adapting the means by which they reproduce.

More information: Susana Freitas et al, Evidence for cryptic sex in parthenogenetic stick insects of the genus Timema, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0404 Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B

 2023 Science X Network
Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho on Wednesday stressed that the consumption of seafood will be safe, despite lingering concerns about Japan's release of treated radioactive water into the ocean.

Choo made the remark as he visited a seafood market in Seoul, where he emphasized the government's efforts to guarantee the safety of seafood sold in the country.

"We are carrying out tests at various locations, and there have been no concerning situations so far," Choo said. "If there are any problems, the government will take special actions. For now, people can consume seafood safely without having to be worried."

"We plan to closely monitor the situation, and take necessary measures to ensure that fishermen face no difficulties and sales are normalized," Choo added. (Yonhap)
U.S. President Joe Biden addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on Sept. 19. AFP-Yonhap



U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday condemned North Korea's continued violation of U.N. Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, but reiterated his commitment to diplomacy to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.



Biden made the remarks in a speech at the U.N. General Assembly amid concerns that a recent summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin could lead to an arms deal in violation of UNSC resolutions.



"We condemned the DPRK's continued violation of U.N. Security Council resolution," Biden said, referring to the North by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "But we are committed to diplomacy to bring about the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."



Seoul and Washington have criticized the recalcitrant regime in Pyongyang for its relentless violations of UNSC resolutions through its weapons tests, including the launch of two short-range ballistic missile launches just last week.






  ,  Cookies        .          cookies.




A plan to use Atlantic City International Airport to house migrants appears to be dead, Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson said.

Over the past couple of weeks, municipal governing bodies around the county, from both parties, have passed resolutions opposing the plan.

Levinson said he believes that bipartisan opposition has led to the plan not moving forward. Since the plan came to light, there has been no new information on the proposal, he said.

Im hoping that its a dead issue, Levinson, a Republican, said Tuesday. Its the first time that I can remember where we have been unanimous on anything since the referendum for casino gaming in Atlantic City.

Immigrant advocates, however, have condemned assertions that asylum seekers dont have a place in South Jersey.

Officials across the county have rejected a plan to house migrants at the airport since it was first reported by Bloomberg, saying doing so would be burdensome on local assets. Officials also have expressed security concerns, as the airport property includes the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center and the 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard.

A bipartisan group of federal, state and local officials held a news conference in Atlantic City on Sept. 1, speaking out against the proposal.

That press conference we had was a success, Levinson said.

Ashley Brown, a spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, said Tuesday the congressman has been told no plans are in place to move migrants to Atlantic County.

However, the situation in New York, and frankly across the country, is continuing to get worse, so the congressman is remaining vigilant, Brown said.

Van Drew was expected to question U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on the topic during a hearing Wednesday, Brown said.

Within the past three weeks, governing bodies in Galloway, Hamilton and Egg Harbor townships, Absecon, Brigantine and Egg Harbor City have passed resolutions objecting the airport proposal.

The towns follow a similar move by the Atlantic County Mayors Association, which, immediately after the report surfaced, met to draft a letter opposing the plan.

According to Bloombergs Aug. 30 report, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had provided a list of 11 federally owned sites to officials in New York City as it deals with housing a migrant population that has swelled in recent months, many of whom were bused to New York from Texas.

The airport in Egg Harbor Township was on the list.

Egg Harbor Township Mayor Laura Pfrommer said Tuesday the Republican-led Township Committee felt obligated to act despite full details of the proposal not being known.

Brigantine not in favor of Atlantic City airport migrant proposal Members of Brigantine's governing body joined other local officials in opposing a plan to house migrants at Atlantic City International Airport.

When you hear your town mentioned on a list and nobody has had the decency to call and give any information on it, our responsibility is to respond to what we know and let our position be known, Pfrommer said.

Galloway Township Council, which is made entirely of Republicans, passed its resolution unanimously Sept. 12, Councilman Tom Bassford said.

Its not good for the area, Bassford said. Its a safety concern for the airport. We needed to make it perfectly clear to our residents of Galloway Township that were against this.

Absecon City Council, which leans Republican, passed its resolution Sept. 7.

Absecons mayor, Kimberly Horton, a Democrat, is the president of the Mayors Association. She led efforts to call a special meeting of that organization to address the issue shortly after it had been publicized.

It is our duty to prioritize the needs of our own community, including our homeless population and veterans, who deserve proper housing and support, Republican Absecon Council President Nick LaRotonda said.

As many as 60,000 migrants could be relocated under the proposal, Bloomberg reported.

Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy agreed with local officials after initial reports of the plan surfaced, saying New Jersey wouldnt be viable as a destination for migrants.
ATLANTIC CITY  Nearly three dozen resolutions that were approved by the Atlantic City Housing Authority Board of Commissioners in 2021 and 2022 have never been made publicly available, potentially defying the states sunshine laws and serving as another example of a lack of transparency at the agency.

The 32 missing resolutions include actions that awarded contracts to outside vendors; approved emergency services at two communities, including repairs to the underground hot water system at Stanley Holmes Village; granted rent abatement to some Stanley Holmes residents; established an accounts payable policy and a records retention policy; and approved the corrective actions plan concerning its public housing financial assessment score.

Three of the missing resolutions from 2021 authorized the authority to pay its monthly bills, including compensating contractors.

Without the document, it is unclear how much the agency spent that month and whom it paid. From that same year, other board-approved resolutions allowed the agency to make bill payments and show monthly spending ranged from nearly $233,000 to almost $1.3 million, and list each vendor who was cut a check.

Along with the unaccounted for resolutions, the Housing Authority has been unable to track down the minutes of the Jan. 14, 2021, board meeting.

We simply cant find them, its not that somebody is actively withholding or hiding or has attempted to prevent the creation of a resolution, Richard DeLucry, an attorney with Cooper Levenson and counsel to the Housing Authority, said Tuesday. We dont have that physical document.

On May 4, The Press of Atlantic City filed a formal public records request with the Housing Authority asking for copies of the missing minutes and resolutions. By law, the agency is required to respond within seven business days. When that deadline was reached, the records custodian asked for a 30-day extension. But more than four months after the request was received, the agency has not turned over dozens of records.

On Tuesday, DeLucry echoed the same explanation for the delay that he offered in a July email: The Housing Authority staff member responsible for maintaining these records was on leave for part of the two-year period when the board meetings took place.

Atlantic City Housing Authority staffer silenced at meeting resigns, warns of safety issue A staff member denied the right to speak at a recent Atlantic City Housing Authority board meeting has resigned and is warning of a safety issue at Inlet Towers that he says the procurement office did not take seriously.

It isnt clear who was in charge of preparing and maintaining the documents, or what was done with them, in her absence, he wrote.

But 22 of the adopted resolutions that cannot be found are from meetings where that staff member was in attendance, according to a review of board meeting records from 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Hours after DeLucrys Tuesday afternoon interview with The Press, he tracked down some of the documents sought by the news outlet.

I spent three hours looking again through old files here to see if they contained any of the so-far unlocatable board minutes or resolutions. To my surprise, I was unable to unearth several items, he wrote in an email.

Still, 32 resolutions and minutes for the January 2021 board meeting remain unfound.

CJ Griffin, a prominent public records advocate and an attorney at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden who has represented multiple New Jersey news outlets in their legal battles over government transparency, said the Housing Authoritys inability to promptly provide copies of board meeting minutes and resolutions is troubling.

The fact that some are there or not suggests to me either that there are some resolutions they would like to keep hush hush or whoever is in charge has horrible recordkeeping skills, Griffin said. They should have an organized system where they keep these sort of quintessential documents.

The states Open Public Records Act requires documents, including meeting minutes, resolutions, ordinances and statutes, to be readily accessible to the public, and also mandates a government agencys records custodian to provide these materials in response to a formal request within seven business days. Agencies can request an extension under certain circumstances, like if the requested records are archived or require an extensive review to redact privileged information. But thats not the case with the documents The Press of Atlantic City has sought.

Tenants ask judge to consider special master in suit vs. Atlantic City Housing Authority The Atlantic City Housing Authority has not complied with an Aug. 18 Superior Court judge's order to provide a detailed plan for safe, adequate, reliable heat, hot water and gas service to Stanley Holmes Village this winter, an attorney representing 87 tenants said in a brief filed Monday.

Youre just asking for a very basic document that is a public resolution that was passed in a public meeting. They should be accessible, Griffin said.

Other agencies have claimed in court that their records maintenance setup made it difficult to turn the documents over to the public, but the argument was shot down. The courts have said thats your obligation, she continued. You need to manage your records in a way that they are readily accessible.

Griffin also expressed concerns about the boards decision to deny Housing Authority employees the opportunity to speak during public comment at its most recent board meeting Sept. 7, though she cautioned this is a more nuanced issue.

Factors that could come into play are if the employee is on the clock, or if they were trying to discuss confidential personnel or residential information, Griffin said.

But it just raises some red flags for me about the First Amendment and free speech rights, she said. You cant discriminate against or limit the discussion because you dont want certain matters spoken.

Stephanie Marshall, chair of the Housing Authoritys board, defended the decision to prevent staff from commenting during the Sept. 7 meeting.

They should follow the chain of command, she said Monday. If something is not getting resolved through the executive director, then they can come to the board and possibly speak.

Marshall was unaware that there were resolutions and meeting minutes that had not been posted to the agencys website but said she would look into it to make sure that all resolutions are indeed on the website, because they definitely should be.
ATLANTIC CITY  Plans for a grocery store did not take a knockout punch Tuesday afternoon, but they sure seem to be on the ropes, as the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority rejected all four proposals that came in this year.

Thomas J. Meehan III, the CRDAs director of project implementation and management, told the board at its Tuesday meeting that staff recommended all proposals be rejected. He said all four had sought a financial subsidy, which he described as not in the best interests of the authority.

No one from CRDA or Village Super Market ever confirmed it, but multiple sources said it was a request for a $500,000-a-year subsidy that scuttled the last deal for a supermarket operator.

That deal seemed locked up, including a groundbreaking ceremony in 2021 attended by Gov. Phil Murphy and multiple other power players from Atlantic City and Trenton. But the work never started, and eventually the Murphy administration announced that talks had broken down and the CRDA would start again with a new request for proposals.

There was no discussion among board members at the remotely held meeting Tuesday afternoon, and no comments from the public about the grocery. The board did not discuss next steps, nor did any member ask about timing for a new proposal.

But Sharon Dickerson, the CRDA general counsel, said the plans were not dead yet.

We have not abandoned the project. We are working diligently to move it forward, she said.

State and local officials touted the previous proposal as an end to Atlantic Citys status as a food desert. The last full-service grocery left town close to two decades ago. There are numerous corner groceries and other food stores, but some community members have called for a national brand grocery for years.

CRDA may reject all grocery proposals In the latest setback to hopes for a full-service grocery store in Atlantic City, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is poised to reject all proposals submitted by the June deadline.

Dickerson said the CRDA would talk with stakeholders and work on what steps to take next.

At this time, the authority is reconsidering all of its plans and has every intention of providing healthy and appropriate nutritious food to the residents of the city of Atlantic City, she said.

But if subsidies are off the table, what will it take to get a grocery up and running in the city?

CRDA funding a new $18.7 million, 44,000-square-foot grocery on Baltic and Indiana avenues and leasing it for $1 a year was not enough to secure a new ShopRite, and none of the four proposals that came in this year were acceptable to CRDA.

The authority put out a new request for proposals in February and opened them in June. Those submitting proposals included Save-A-Lot under the company name Save Philly Stores and a new proposal from Village Super Market, which was set to open the ShopRite. Also submitting proposals were JAS Group Enterprise and Bailing International Firm. JAS Groups plan included 120 apartments, along with a grocery store, while Bailing Internationals plan called for a 55,000-square-foot facility.

Meehan told the board the Bailing International proposal was deemed incomplete before the vote, saying the company failed to submit additional information when it was requested.

There was no immediate response from an Atlantic City spokesperson to a request for comment on the CRDA decision.

A spokesman for the Murphy administration said Murphy is still pushing to get a grocery in the city.

The governor is incredibly frustrated by this delay and believes the people of Atlantic City deserve a grocery store in their community, said Bailey Lawrence, deputy press secretary for Murphy, after the Tuesday vote. The administration will continue working tirelessly to ensure that a grocery store is established as soon as possible.

Save-A-Lot owner sees potential move from Renaissance Plaza as a plus Shawn Rinnier believes he has a strong case for his Save-A-Lot store to receive the contract for a new grocery store for Atlantic City from the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority.

Whatever happens next, it will take time.

CRDA and Village Super Market were in talks for more than a year before the authority suspended negotiations. In that time, both sides indicated things were going fine, even as city residents could hardly fail to notice that the parking lot on Baltic where the new grocer was proposed stubbornly remained a parking lot.

If there is another request for proposals approved by November, a similar timeline would put any decision well into 2025. At the November groundbreaking, the stated estimate was for at least a year of construction, putting any supermarket opening off until at least 2026.
The decision to expedite the project, with a goal to finish it within a year, was reached during a collaborative meeting between the two entities

Progress on the much-anticipated flyover at Mundhwa, situated along the Pune-Solapur railway line, has reached an impressive milestone, with approximately 80% of the construction work now completed. This significant advancement comes as a result of a concerted effort by the civic body and railway administration, both committed to the project's swift completion. The decision to expedite the project, with a goal to finish it within a year, was reached during a collaborative meeting between the two entities.

The upcoming flyover promises to bring substantial relief to the residents of Mundhwa, Ghorpadi, and Kalyaninagar, who have long grappled with commuting inconveniences in the area. Despite its inception three years ago, the project encountered delays attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted construction activities across the nation.

MLA Sunil Kamble played a pivotal role in driving progress, convening a joint meeting that brought together municipal and railway officials. During this gathering, officials conducted a thorough inspection of the ongoing work.

In a recent tweet, MLA Kamble expressed optimism about the project's timeline, stating, "The project is expected to be completed within the next year." Once finalized, this vital infrastructure will significantly reduce travel times to east Pune localities such as Mundhwa, Keshavnagar, and Kharadi, subsequently alleviating traffic congestion that has long plagued the region.

As the flyover in Mundhwa inches closer to completion, it signifies a substantial step toward enhancing transportation infrastructure in Pune, promising residents a more efficient and seamless commute. The collaborative efforts between local authorities and the railway administration underscore a commitment to improving the quality of life for Pune's residents while addressing long-standing traffic challenges.
Major developments are happening in BizTown.

On Tuesday, Junior Achievement of the Heartland (JA) announced a new, $3.25 million capital campaign for a brand-new learning facility in the Quad Cities: the JA Inspiration Center.

Located in Vibrant Credit Union's Moline headquarters, the 13,000-square-foot facility is estimated to serve more than 8,000 local students annually  a 30% increase from its current JA World site in the Putnam Building of downtown Davenport.

Building owners decided not to renew JA World's lease this summer, prompting the move to Moline after 24 years.

"It was kind of a blessing," said Dougal Nelson, president and CEO of JA of the Heartland. "It gives us a chance to really recreate and reimagine what we're so good at. As workforce and job paths change, Junior Achievement's educational space should reflect those changes."

Like JA World, the new center will house the JA BizTown and JA Finance Park capstone program sites, which focus on developing students' work and career readiness; civic engagement, financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills via interactive simulations.

Upon completion, the facility will feature 14 storefronts in both JA BizTown and JA Finance Park  and for the first time, the two can run simultaneously.

"When kids came back to Finance Park, they felt like they were just going back to BizTown," Nelson said. "It didn't elevate their spirits, so to speak."

The new center will also come equipped with touchscreen tablets. Currently, JA World in Davenport is the only JA BizTown/Finance Park site in the country without this technology.

"The current facility is tired, and it lacks efficiencies," Nelson said. "We need to prepare students today for tomorrow."

With more space and better technology, JA of the Heartland will explore more educational pathways and career opportunities  particularly in the trades, health care and STEMrelated fields.

"We try to keep it very regionalized in the Midwest," Nelson said of how each JA site differs. "We try to bring business sectors into the picture that make the most sense."

Physically, the new Moline center is modeled after the JA Discovery Center in Atlanta, Ga.

Local officials, school district leaders and other stakeholders got a glimpse of this at Tuesday's announcement, held in the future JA Inspiration Center space.

"This is experiential learning. It's a memory these kids are going to have forever, and it's building skills," said Tony Hiatt, director of elementary education at Pleasant Valley.

Also on the initiative's planning committee, he reflected on JA's vast impact on students' college and career readiness.

"(Students) get that adult-like experience, and we're always blown away by the product," Hiatt said, citing interview skills, specifically. "Truly, the career readiness our students are showing in eighth grade is remarkable, and JA is a big part of that."

Safety and security was another key focus of the planning committee, he added, along with an efficient student pick-up and drop-off process at the facility.

Delivering Tuesday's opening remarks was Matt McCombs, CEO of Vibrant.

He said Vibrant and JA share an imaginative perspective on "what's possible" in Quad-City businesses and communities, noting how the Moline headquarters used to be a Sam's Club.

Dr. Rachel Savage, Moline Coal-Valley superintendent, took the podium next; she spoke on how JA aligns with the school district's career and technical education (CTE) pathway goals. Moline High School freshman Zoe Perez followed to share her personal experience.

"I think (JA Inspiration Center) is a wonderful complement to what is going on with our school districts," Moline Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati said.

This applies to the city's high school internships with the Moline Public Works and Administration Departments, she added.

"Anything we can do, in partnership, to help students see the opportunities for their lives is a wonderful thing," Rayapati said. "It really can have a multiplied impact, so that (capital campaign) 'rallying' is important in that sense."

To date, $2.3 million has been raised for the JA Inspiration Center

Vibrant will charge JA $1 to use the facility.

"We looked at this as an opportunity for us to invest in Junior Achievement," McCombs said. "To allow them to invest into the lives of the kids in our community."

This, he added, will help business leaders fill skilled workforce gaps.

"That is immense today," McCombs said. "And Junior Achievement is helping tackle that problem right here in town."

With renovations to begin this winter, the JA Inspiration Center is set to welcome students by October of 2024.
Alisha Alderson placed everything she needed for the last month of her pregnancy in various suitcases as she prepared to leave the comfort of her home in rural eastern Oregon. The only maternity ward within 40 miles abruptly closed in August, so she would be staying at her brothers house in Idaho to be closer to a hospital.

I was sitting in a hair salon a few days ago and some people started joking about me giving birth on the side of the road," the 45-year-old said. "And in that moment, I just pictured all the things that could go wrong with my baby and broke down in tears in front of strangers.

Fewer than half of rural hospitals in the U.S. have maternity units, which forces pregnant women to travel longer distances for care or face giving birth in an emergency room. It's also prompted government officials and families to scramble for answers. One solution gaining ground is freestanding midwife-led birth centers, but those also often rely on hospitals when serious complications arise.

The closures have worsened so-called maternity care deserts  counties, mostly rural, with no hospitals or birth centers and no OB providers. More than 2 million women of childbearing age live in these areas. And fewer hospital maternity units makes having babies less safe, doctors and researchers say.

"Moms have complications everywhere. Babies have complications everywhere, said Dr. Eric Scott Palmer, a neonatologist who practiced at Henry County Medical Center in rural Tennessee before it ended obstetric services this month. There will be people hurt. Its not a question of if  simply when.

The American Hospital Association says at least 89 obstetric units closed in rural hospitals between 2015 and 2019, and more have shuttered since. The main reasons are decreasing numbers of births; staffing issues; low reimbursement from Medicaid; and financial distress, according to Peiyin Hung, deputy director of the University of South Carolinas Rural and Minority Health Research Center.

Officials at Saint Alphonsus, the hospital in Baker City where Alderson wanted to give birth, cited a shortage of OB nurses and declining deliveries. While they said financial concerns didnt factor into the decision, they also underlined the unit had operated in the red over the last 10 years.

A lack of money was the major reason why Henry County Medical Center in Paris, Tennessee, closed its OB unit. CEO John Tucker told The Associated Press that it was a necessary step to save the hospital overall. He also said the number of deliveries had dropped in recent years.

Six days before the unit closed, just one woman was there to deliver. All of the other rooms contained empty beds and bassinets. Art had been removed from the walls.

Dr. Pamela Evans, who helped with deliveries for years and will stay on as a gynecologist, said she fears things like preterm deliveries, infant mortality and low-birthweight babies are bound to get worse. Prenatal care suffers when people must travel long distances or take lots of time off work for appointments, she said. Not all insurance covers out-of-state deliveries, and it's an hour or more to some alternative in-state hospitals that families are looking at.

A solution to the rural care crisis might be about two hours away, where a handful of women sat in a circle for a prenatal group meeting at The Farm Midwifery Center, a storied place in Summertown, Tennessee, thats more than a half-century old. Midwife Corina Fitch led discussions and gave them individual checkups.

This is the perfect place for me, said pregnant mom Betsy Baarspul of Nashville, whose first child was born in an emergency C-section in a hospital. It feels like youre held in a way.

Some states and communities are taking steps to create more free-standing birth centers. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont recently signed legislation that will license such centers to operate as an alternative for women with low-risk pregnancies.

Alecia McGregor, who studies health policy and politics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, said midwife-led birth centers "can be a very important solution to lowering costs within the U.S. health care system and improving outcomes.

A report on deliveries at The Farm in its first 40 years showed 5% of clients were transported to the hospital.

Doctors told the AP that rural hospitals will need to be part of the equation, and they believe governments must do more.

Oregon politicians mobilized this summer and considered requesting the help of OB nurses from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, which largely responds to natural disasters and disease outbreaks. While the idea didn't pan out, the federal service sent experts to Baker City, who recommended several things, including looking into establishing a free-standing birth center.

County commissioner Shane Alderson  the husband of Alisha  said rural communities shouldnt be stripped of health care options because of their size or the number of low-income people with public insurance.

Thats not equitable, he said. People cant survive like that.

80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventablehere's a closer look at maternal mortality in the US 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventablehere's a closer look at maternal mortality in the US Before the pandemic, the rate of pregnancy-related deaths approached 18 per 100,000 live births The overall national rate obscures significant racial disparities Causes of death demonstrate additional disparities
Hundreds of employees at John Deere Harvester Works in East Moline will be without jobs next month.

The agricultural giant told 225 production employees on Wednesday they would be placed on indefinite layoff effective Oct. 16. Employees were informed about the layoffs by factory leadership in meetings on Wednesday, according to a news release from Deere.

"Although John Deere has hired hundreds of employees in the Quad Cities in recent years, the company has consistently stated that each Deere factory balances the size of its production workforce with the needs of the individual factory to optimize the workforce at each facility," the release read.

John Deere Harvester Works has about 2,300 total employees with around 1,975 of them working in production and maintenance jobs.

In August, net income attributable to Deere & Company for its Fiscal Year 2023 was forecast to be in the range of $9.75 billion to $10 billion.

For the third quarter, Deere reported a net income of $2.978 billion, compared to $1.884 billion in Q3 of 2022.

For the first nine months of the year, net income attributable to Deere & Company was $7.797 billion, compared with $4.885 billion for the same period last year.

Worldwide net sales and revenues increased 12%, to $15.801 billion for the third quarter of 2023 and rose 24% to $45.839 billion for nine months. Net sales were $14.284 billion for the quarter and $41.765 billion for nine months, compared with $13 billion and $33.565 billion last year.

At the end of 2021, Deere made national headlines when UAW workers went on strike for 35 days. A contract was ratified on a third vote by union members.

The six-year contract covered about 10,100 production and maintenance employees at 12 facilities in Iowa, Illinois, and Kansas.

In Iowa, Deere made another splash in June 2022 when it announced cabs, welding and assembly work formerly done at the Waterloo plant would be moved to Ramos Component Works in Mexico. The move was to be done in phases and be complete by fiscal year 2024, according to Deere.

Approximately 250 employees were expected to be impacted, but officials said at the time that they "anticipate attrition and the tight job market over the next 18 months will mitigate that impact."

In August 2022, Deere announced it was moving jobs from Iowa to Mexico but a spokeswoman said Quad-City jobs were not in jeopardy. In the weeks leading up to the decision, the company made two announcements about transferring jobs south of the border, affecting manufacturing positions in Waterloo and Ottumwa.

At that time, there were nearly 9,500 John Deere employees in the Quad-Cities area, with about 4,000 workers represented by the UAW, the spokeswoman said.

Business editor's pick A look at the 2021 UAW strike against John Deere
A U.S. diplomat expressed concerns Tuesday over North Korean detainees in China who are at the risk of torture if repatriated, calling on Beijing to comply with the international principle of non-refoulement.

Jung Pak, deputy special representative for North Korea, made the remarks during a forum on the human rights conditions of the reclusive country, which she described as one of the "most repressive, authoritarian" states in the world.

"As the DPRK gradually reopens its borders, we are particularly concerned about DPRK detainees in China, who are at risk of detention and torture if returned," the official said at the forum hosted by the non-governmental National Endowment for Democracy. DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"We continue to raise this issue with PRC and urge it to uphold its non-refoulement obligations," she added, referring to China by its official name, the People's Republic of China.

Pak reiterated Washington's commitment to addressing the North's rights issues, highlighting that those issues are "deeply intertwined" with the growing security challenge posed by the recalcitrant regime.

"It is the DPRK's domestic repression that allows it to devote such a large share of resources to its weapons program without comment from the population, which continues to suffer from malnutrition and other forms of deprivation," she said.

The official also noted that forced labor and labor exploitation, both domestically and overseas, help generate revenue that sustains a regime in power and enables it to pursue its armament goals.

"We support the cause of North Korean human rights, not just because it is the moral thing to do, but also because we believe it is a critical component of addressing the overall challenge posed by the DPRK," she said.

Pak took a swipe at the North's growing restrictions on the inflow of outside information, stressing Washington's commitment to help advance North Koreans' access to information.

"Access to objective information not only empowers North Koreans to better understand the outside world, but also the ways in which their government's policies have led to widespread poverty and repression," she said. (Yonhap)
A 73-year-old Davenport man was killed Tuesday when he was struck by a truck at the CHS Davenport Grain terminal in Buffalo, police said.

Buffalo Police Sgt. Rich Aleksiejczyk said that at 8:55 a.m., Buffalo police and firefighters and deputies of the Scott County Sheriffs Department were sent to the 700 block of East Front Street to investigate the report of a man struck by a truck.

Upon arrival the victim was found to be trapped under the rear wheels of a tandem dump truck.

The victim, Gerald Boldt, owner of Boldt Trucking, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Iowa State Patrol is investigating the incident.

Blue Grass Police, Iowa State Patrol's Commercial Motor Vehicle Unit, and Medic EMS assisted at the scene.
DES MOINES  When Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds proposed a 1,500 page bill to overhaul and reorganize state government this year, hours and hours of meetings and hearings were spent on the bills changes to the states agencies and departments  but one little-discussed section calling for a review of Iowas boards and commissions has set off concerns over transparency.

The law called for convening a committee to review the number of administrative boards and commissions in Iowa, which work on regulations and licensing for areas like education, agriculture, the environment and myriad other professions and industries.

After the panel announced its preliminary recommendations last month to cut or consolidate more than 100 boards, dozens of members of those boards and stakeholders expressed concern during a public hearing about the effects the cuts could have on the services and opportunities offered to Iowans  including some who said they were never asked for input before their board was put on the chopping block.

The committee will announce its final recommendations in a meeting on Sept. 25. They will need to be approved by the state Legislature and then signed into law by Reynolds before taking effect.

Who is on the committee?

The committees membership includes several members appointed by Reynolds, as well as two legislators from each party that were selected by party leadership to be non-voting members.

Kraig Paulsen, the head of Iowas Department of Management, is the chair of the board and has led the process. Other members include Jacob Nicholson, chief operating officer for Reynolds; Nate Ristow, the state administrative rules coordinator; Larry Johnson, the director of the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing; David Faith, a deputy attorney general; and Barbara Sloniker, the boards public member and executive director of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.

Paulsen said cutting down on the number of boards and commissions in Iowas government would rein in the sprawling board structure and streamline the benefits for Iowans they offer.

Who did the committee contact before making recommendations?

When formulating the recommendations, the six-member committee split into two-member subcommittees that each handled different areas of the expertise, including licensing and medicine.

Those subcommittees met privately to review the boards before the committee made its initial recommendations at the end of August, Paulsen said.

Paulsen said at a recent meeting he had conversations with people on many of the boards he reviewed during the subcommittee process, but he said he could not confirm whether the other members of the committee reached out on their assigned boards.

"I know I did (reach out to board members)," he told reporters after the Sept. 6 public hearing. "And Im quite confident the others did as well, but I dont know whether these individual people were reached out to by somebody in particular."

But some board chairs said neither they or anyone on their board received any contact until their board was already recommended for removal.

Lynne Rush, the chair of the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Advisory Board, said she received no communication from the committee before being told, after the committee announced its recommendations, that her board was recommended for elimination by a Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing employee.

Rush said she thinks the decision was made arbitrarily and without proper input.

How do you evaluate efficiency and effectiveness if you dont contact those boards? she said. Whats your criteria that youre using to evaluate those boards if you dont get input from them?

Rush was not alone. Kerry Anne Dixon, a member of the state Elevator Safety Board, and Brenda Ellefson, the chair of Iowas Board of Examiners of Shorthand Reporters, both said nobody on their boards, which are recommended for elimination, received any communication from the committee.

Rush said she would continue to lobby for the board to stay intact as the recommendations go through the lawmaking process.

The Department of Management did not respond to a request for comment asking which boards the committee members contacted in its review process.

The Lee-Gazette bureau reached out to more than 20 individuals on more than a dozen boards and commissions that could be eliminated or consolidated and received only a handful of responses.

Some emails seeking comment were referred to the Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing. The departments spokesperson Diane McCool said the review process was intentionally structured to allow public input.

Additionally, the committee's final recommendation is just that, a recommendation to the Governor and Legislature, McCool said in an emailed statement. If a bill is filed based on the recommendation, there will be additional opportunities for the public to provide input.

The board solicited feedback from at least some commissions by way of a Google form obtained by the Lee-Gazette Des Moines Bureau. The form included dozens of questions about the boards mission and size, whether it oversees licensing or rulemaking authorities, and how much cost was associated with running the board.

David Walker, the chair of the Iowa Uniform Law Commission, said Michael Boal  a former Reynolds staffer who is now temporarily working with the Department of Management on the review process  reached out to him with the questionnaire in June, and he responded. Walker then learned his commission was recommended to be eliminated once the committee announced its first recommendations.

The commission works to ensure laws around financial institutions, family court, and a litany of other areas are uniform across state lines so entities can expect the same regulations regardless of which state theyre operating in.

I dont think there was real understanding of what commissioners do and the hours that we invest, he said. ...There wasnt a rationale other than someone spoke and said, Well, these duties can be transferred to the Legislative Services Agency. And  I believe we have quite different roles.

Transparency concerns

State Sen. Janice Weiner, a Democrat from Iowa City, said she was concerned about a lack of public input early in the process, when board members made their initial recommendations to shave down the number of state committees.

She said the public hearing held Sept. 6 was a helpful start to hear from the affected boards, but she wanted to make sure the committee considered the input from all affected boards, including those that did not speak at the hearing.

I think that we need to take a very close look at the finances, essentially a fiscal note, and what the rubrics, if any were, for examining these, she said. ...I think its a much needed process to do a review, we just have to make sure that we do it in the right way, so folks in important commissions and boards arent cut out.

In an emailed statement after a September meeting of the committee, Weiner said Reynolds had created an unaccountable committee and set an arbitrary timeline for its work.

Its clear to me that the goal of this sham process is to increase power for the governor  not Iowans, Weiner said.

Reynolds, Republicans approve of process

A spokesperson for Reynolds said in an emailed statement that reviewing the boards will ensure that Iowans are being served appropriately and the state government is operating efficiently. He noted the committee has received more than 1,000 public written comments and heard from dozens of people at the Sept. 6 public hearing.

The Boards and Commissions Review Committees duty is to simply provide a recommendation to the Governor and the legislature, said Kollin Crompton, Reynolds spokesperson. Any proposed changes will go through the legislative process just as every other bill does; where Iowans voices will be heard through their elected representatives.

Republican leaders in the Iowa Legislature expressed confidence in the process and said they do not share transparency concerns.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver and Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, leaders of their respective chambers in the Republican-majority Legislature, both also noted that any proposal made by the review panel also will have to go through the legislation process, which includes at least one hearing that allows for public input.

Anything that were going to do legislatively is going to go through the entire legislative process, plus multiple hearings and months of constituents being able to weigh in, Whitver said. So (Im) completely comfortable with the transparency of this process.

Grassley too said the legislative process includes other chances for public input.

Obviously the legislature is going to weigh in at some point, and I think we have a pretty good track record of keeping a transparent process.  So I dont see that as being a concern. Theres going to be ample opportunity (for public input)," he said.

Photos: Republican presidential candidates share stage at Iowa campaign event
Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity announced it has recently received $30,000 in grant funding from Wells Fargo and a Frontier pickup truck from Nissan.

Wells Fargo grants

The Wells Fargo Foundation awarded $30,000 in grants to Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity to build two new homes in the Black Hills region. Black Hills Area Habitat is one of more than 230 Habitat for Humanity affiliates awarded grant funding nationwide through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program, which helps more low-to-moderate income families access affordable homes.

The grant to Black Hills Area Habitat, along with the support of Wells Fargo volunteers, is helping to build a house in Sturgis and a home in Rapid City. These affordable new homes provide the opportunity for qualifying Black Hills Area partner families to become home owners who have affordable mortgages. To qualify, applicants must show a need, meet income level requirements, and be willing to invest 250 hours of sweat equity into construction labor, home repair and budgeting classes. The Habitat process helps ensure a sustainable future for the new homeowners.

At least one in 11 South Dakota households spends more than half of their income on housing, and the number of Black Hills area families who are struggling to afford rent is increasing.

Black Hills Area Habitat and its supporting partner Wells Fargo share a commitment to creating stronger communities, said Scott Engmann, Black Hills Area Habitat executive director. We are fortunate that through the Wells Fargo Foundation grant, we can help future Habitat homeowners achieve their lifelong dreams of affordable homeownership. Homeownership provides the sense of security and safety that so many families need today so they can focus on living productive and healthy lives.

Wells Fargos grant funding is part of a $7.5 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International through the 2023 Wells Fargo Builds program, which builds and repairs more than 350 affordable homes nationwide. Additionally, on Sept. 12, Wells Fargo volunteers joined Black Hills Area Habitat to help build two partner family homes in Sturgis as part of the companys Welcome Home initiative, where employees nationwide work locally to make an impact in housing affordability. Eight Wells Fargo volunteers came together with a partner family and more than 10 regular Habitat for Humanity volunteers to build interior walls, install windows, and clean up the property.

Nissan truck donation

The Frontier pickup truck donation to Black Hills Area Habitat for Humanity is part of Nissans $800K partnership with Habitat for Humanity to support local Habitat affiliates nationwide.

Nissan is donating five vehicles to local Habitat affiliates this year to use for projects such as new home construction and home repair. Additionally, Nissan employees will volunteer in 12 communities near Nissans manufacturing and operational locations.

Nissan has contributed more than $20 million to Habitat nationally since the partnership began in 2005, when Nissan donated 50 trucks and mobilized employees to assist in home building following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the Gulf Coast region. Nissans employees have contributed more than 112,400 volunteer hours working alongside future homeowners in communities nationwide.

"We are grateful to work with generous partners like Nissan who are dedicated to transforming lives through affordable home ownership," said Scott Engmann, Black Hills Area Habitat Executive Director. "We are extremely thankful for Nissans commitment to Habitat at the local level. We have the privilege of working toward a common goal that transforms the lives of people who simply need a safe affordable place to live. Nissans commitment to Habitat for Humanity helps us create stronger communities right here in the Black Hills.
A Pennington County magistrate judge set bond Tuesday morning at $2,000,000 cash only each for two local men arrested Saturday on accusations of murder.

Police responded early Saturday morning to a report of an unresponsive man in alleyway behind the 100 block of East Boulevard North in Rapid City, according to the RCPD. Officers determined the man  identified as Glennard Gunn in court documents  was "obviously deceased from wounds sustained in an assault."

Through an investigation, police identified Jacob Jumping Eagle, 29, of Rapid City, and Craig Returns From Scout, 28, of Rapid City as suspects. Both were booked into the Pennington County Jail Saturday afternoon and appeared before Magistrate Judge Janki Sharma on Tuesday morning for their initial appearances.

The two men are held on a criminal complaint for first-degree murder. First-degree murder is a class A felony with a mandatory penalty of life in prison and the potential of the death penalty if a murder meets certain criteria.

According to the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office, the prosecution asked the judge to hold the men on no bond citing a flight risk and the severity of the crime, but the judge opted for the high cash bond.

According to the state, the two men allegedly kicked and stomped the alleged victim to death and then attempted to hide the body.

The state made the same no bond request for Philip Chips, a 50-year-old Amsterdam, New York man, who was arrested for murder after a different body was found the day before. Sharma set Chips' bond at $1,000,000 cash only.
A Pennington County magistrate judge set an Amsterdam, New York man's bond at $1,000,000 cash only after his arrest on allegations he stabbed and killed a man in Rapid City. The body of the alleged victim is one of two discovered in Rapid City in less than a 24-hour period.

Police arrested 50-year-old Philip Chips on Monday morning after they found a man's body at about 9 a.m. on Friday near the 100 Block of Omaha Street. The criminal complaint filed on Monday accused Chips of first-degree murder and listed the alleged victim as Michael White.

Police also discovered a different deceased man in Rapid City shortly before 5 a.m. Saturday. Two different men were arrested for that alleged murder.

Chips appeared before Magistrate Judge Janki Sharma on Tuesday morning, according to court records. Sharma set his bond at $1,000,000 cash only.

According to police, an autopsy determined a stab wound was the cause of death. After an investigation and interviews with several people familiar with the alleged victim, police located Chips on Monday and interviewed him at the Public Safety Building in Rapid City.

After the interview with detectives, he was placed under arrest. Chips is held on a criminal complaint accusing him of first-degree murder. First-degree murder is a class A felony with a mandatory penalty of life in prison and the potential of the death penalty if a murder meets certain criteria.

Given the mandatory life sentence, the state asked for no bond under the belief Chips is a flight risk, according to the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office. The state also argued he is allegedly a danger to society due to the nature of the allegations.

Chips is scheduled to appear in Pennington County Court for a preliminary hearing at 11:15 a.m. on Oct. 4.

At a preliminary hearing  which is open to the public  the prosecution presents evidence and witness testimony before a judge, who will decide if there is enough evidence to formally charge a defendant.

A grand jury hearing serves the same purpose as a preliminary hearing, but is heard by several jurors and is not open to the public.

If the case is heard by a grand jury before the preliminary hearing date, the preliminary hearing is cancelled.
WARSAW, Poland  Poland is losing large numbers of Ukrainian refugees from its workforce as they choose to move to Germany for the higher wages and government benefits in the rich Western economy, according to a new report.

Although the refugees are not economic migrants, they are increasingly taking on work as the war in Ukraine drags on for more than a year and a half.

Where they choose to live impacts labor markets in European nations, which are desperate for workers and are facing demographic declines due to low birthrates.

Poland is not their first choice anymore, said Michalina Sielewicz, director of economic development for EWL, an employment agency that carried out the research along with the Center for East European Studies at the University of Warsaw.

We should be worried, she said.

But an economist cautioned that Ukrainian refugees cannot solve all of the labor shortages. Andrzej Kubisiak with the state-funded Polish Economic Institute said the greatest demand for workers in Poland and other countries in the region is in manufacturing, construction and logistics. Those are jobs traditionally done by men, while most of the Ukrainian refugees are women.

The study published Tuesday sought to understand why the number of Ukrainian refugees has been decreasing in Poland, a first stop for many after Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, and why the number has been growing in Germany. For the first months of the war, Poland hosted more Ukrainian refugees than any other country.

That has changed. According to European Union statistics, there were 1.1 million Ukrainian citizens registered in Germany at the end of June, compared to 975,000 in Poland. That amounts to a decrease of more than 350,000 in Poland since August 2022, while the number has grown more than 410,000 in Germany.

EWL, which works closely with Ukrainians in the labor market, says it estimates that of the 350,000 about 150,000 have left Poland for Germany, but acknowledges the number cannot be determined precisely. Others have left for other countries, with Romania, Canada and Italy seeing their Ukrainian populations grow.

France, Czechia and Sweden  like Poland  also are seeing outflows of Ukrainian refugees.

The study found that a developing network of Ukrainians in Germany is a factor in the migration shift, as people already established there help friends and acquaintances make the step. The Ukrainians questioned in the study also gave other reasons for choosing Germany, including higher wages, higher social benefits for refugees and better medical services.

The study also pointed to compulsory German language classes organized by the government for refugees as an important factor that has helped Ukrainians become integrated into society and find their way in the workforce. The Polish government, by contrast, offers free language training to refugees but it is not compulsory. The result is that Ukrainians are integrating better into German than Polish society, the report concluded.

The study interviewed 400 Ukrainian refugees who had first fled to Poland and then moved to Germany.

Jan Malicki, director of the Center for East European studies, said 400 was a large enough group to draw conclusions. But he cautioned that the biggest unknown now is how many people will want to return to Ukraine after the war, something that will be determined by the extent of the destruction and what conditions the Ukrainian state will be able to offer them.

Photos: Scenes of daily life around Germany
Blackfeet Actress Lily Gladstone and Leonardo DiCaprio share the cover of British Vogue this month, and Gladstones outfits and accessories highlight work of local Indigenous artists.

In one photo, Gladstone wears a large Apsaalooke style breast plate with vintage brass beads and pink conch pearls. The plate was made by Crow Artist Elias Jade NotAfraid, whose work also appears in the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In another photo, draped on a chair behind Gladstone is Blackfeet Artist John Pepions Butterfly Dreams blanket. The blanket, made of cotton, is inspired by butterfly images often painted on tipis or found in the beadwork of Blackfeet people.

The new film, Killers of the Flower Moon, is going to be epic, Pepion wrote on Facebook with a picture of Gladstone sitting on his blanket.

In other images, Gladstone dons pieces from other Indigenous artists, including Kiowa jeweler Keri Ataumbi, Jamie Okuma (La Jolla Band of Indians), Patricia Michaels (Taos Pueblo), Joe Big Mountain (Mohawk, Cree and Comanche), Jennifer Younger (Tlingit) and Louie Gong (Nooksack), among others.

Gladstone stars in Martin Scorsese's new film, "Killers of the Flower Moon," where she portrays Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman, whose family and people have become enriched by oil on their land in 1920s Oklahoma. The film is expected to open in theaters in mid-October.
A proposed federal conservation area of up to 250,000 acres around the headwaters of the Missouri River is up for public scoping through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

FWS officials announced the Missouri Headwaters Conservation Area proposal on Wednesday. It would seek willing sellers of conservation easements in parts of Beaverhead, Madison, Deer Lodge, Jefferson, and Silver Bow counties to protect wildlife habitat, open space and working ranch lands.

This area of Montana is known regionally and nationally for its significant biological resources, a FWS press release stated. Across this landscape, the large working ranches and rural character play a vital role in conserving fish and wildlife habitat. Agricultural lands in western Montana are being lost to residential and commercial development or converted to other non-agricultural uses. Such development tends to fragment habitat and erodes the agricultural land base that is important for wildlife populations across the state.

The announcement kicked off a public scoping process on Wednesday that runs through Oct. 26. After review of the public response, FWS may develop a Land Protection Plan to establish the Conservation Area. Those steps would also have public input opportunities.

The acquisitions would occur over several decades within 5.7 million acres of the southwest corner of Montana. That surrounds the communities of Wisdom, Divide, Twin Bridges, Alder, Lima and Dillon. FWS would use Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars to purchase conservation easements from willing sellers. The easements would restrict subdivision or development but allow grazing and other ongoing agricultural activity, as well as existing homes and buildings. The properties would remain in private ownership and on local property tax rolls.

The proposed project area is a stronghold for wildlife that has disappeared from much of their historic range and is the centerpiece for connectivity between the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Crown of the Continent, and the wilderness of central Idaho, the FWS release stated. In particular, this area includes high-priority connectivity and movement corridors for wide-ranging species such as grizzly bear, pronghorn, elk, mule deer and bighorn sheep. River systems and wetlands in the valley bottoms are essential to many species, including the few remaining native populations of Arctic grayling in the lower 48 states. In addition, the intact sage steppe habitat in this landscape is some of the highest quality in the nation and supports numerous wildlife species, migratory corridors, and winter range habitat.

The proposal drew immediate criticism from Montanas eastern-district Rep. Matt Rosendale, who called it a covert action. The region is not in Rosendales district, although the Republican is considering challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester for statewide office in next years election.

This is a topic that significantly affects Montanans, Rosendale said in a Tuesday press release. Having one of the largest proposed conservation areas in the nations history go on without any public comment or even being known to anyone outside the group plotting this land grab is disgraceful. This has been going on for several months, if not longer, with no public notice or available information on the USFWS website, despite the USFWS name and logo being prominent on the map of this MHCA.

However, it also drew support from hunting and conservation organizations, including the Anaconda Sportsmans Club and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.

Voluntary private lands conservation has been a success story for wildlife and working lands across Montana for decades, TRCP Vice President for Western Conservation Joel Webster said in an email on Wednesday. We are excited about this proposal to support Montana farms, ranches, and wildlife habitat, and we encourage the Fish and Wildlife Service to listen to local landowners as they refine the proposal.

The proposed support from the Fish and Wildlife Service for private lands conservation means ranching will remain a strong pillar in this valley, Dell rancher Jeff Johnson added in the TCRP email. Ranching is tough work, and the development pressures on farms and ranches make it that much tougher. These financial resources are what we need to make sure working lands remain productive.

FWS official Ben Gilles said on Wednesday that the project grew out of interest from area landowners who sought a conservation easement opportunity similar to existing programs on the Rocky Mountain Front and Blackfoot Valley.

"We've been having conversations with landowners and county commissioners for about 18 months to see if there's interest," Gilles said. "This is a landowner-driven initiative."
BY SALEEM SAMAD





Most political observers are curious to know, what's next after United States President Joe Biden and the world's longest-serving women Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina, both posed for selfie shots in New Delhi recently.





The two leaders met during a break at the G-20 Summit in Delhi in early September. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr Abul Kalam Abdul Momen admitted to the media that he approached Biden and sought his consent that his prime minister wished to take a photo with the leader of a super-power.





In a candid confession to television media, Dr. Momen said Biden promptly agreed with a smile. Hasina accompanied by her only daughter Saima Wazed approached for a selfie spree with Biden.

A grin of excitement from Biden, Hasina and Saima were reflected in the shots.





The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) press wing made urgent requests on WhatsApp group of embedded journalists accompanying the PM's media entourage to publish the selfie photos. Within a few hours, the selfies were splashed on the online edition of major news organisations. Why this hullabaloo of selfies?





Hasina's ranting against the USA came to a grinding halt. The following day, the governing Awami League party general secretary Obaidul Quader shot an arrow toward the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and told cheering crowds that "BNP shocked seeing Biden taking selfie with Sheikh Hasina."





For months, Hasina's political rhetoric against America hit hard on its foreign policy towards third-world countries, especially Bangladesh and pressure on the issue of human rights records, labour rights and vote fraud which severely dented Bangladesh's image.





She once said that America proposed to establish a naval base at 8 Sq. Km of Saint Martin's island in the southwest of the country on the Bay of Bengal. Her denial of such a proposal has made Washington determined not to see her (Hasina) in power again.





She also went a step forward and said the USA has struck a deal with BNP to establish a military base at a 'critically endangered' coral island. The base was to keep watch over a huge swatch of the Bay of Bengal, which merges with the Indian Ocean to monitor merchant vessels and battleships of China, which indeed an absurd proposition, says the former Ambassador to Washington.





Meanwhile, intermittent visits of US officials, the European Union and the United Nations call on the government to hold free, fair, credible and inclusive elections in the upcoming January 2024 general elections and to respect human rights compliance.





On selfie diplomacy, when asked whether the USA relations with Bangladesh is likely to thaw. Humayun Kabir disagrees and said a tete-a-tete between two heads of government and photoshoots usually will not make any change in US foreign policy.





The policy is prepared by a team of think tanks, consisting of seasoned diplomats and international security experts, and then the US State Department draws a road map with individual countries and Bangladesh is no exception.





Earlier, Washington threatened to restrict the issuance of visas to travel to the USA of any official, judiciary, individual, as well as governing and opposition responsible for or complicit in undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.





Her government has reiterated that the next elections would be "free, fair and violence-free elections". The foreign dignitaries visiting Bangladesh and listening to stakeholders including opposition leaders are not convinced of the government's commitment to an inclusive election.





The crackdown on opposition and intimidation by henchmen of Awami League often pounce upon opposition rallies, while the police remain a silent spectator.





Several thousand opposition members were arrested and thousands are languishing in prison for months. The New York Times writes that the opposition was deliberately targeted to punish them for demanding a 'caretaker government' to oversee the elections as they have lost hope in Hasina's government to hold credible general elections.





On the other hand, she is visibly annoyed over 170 global leaders and Nobel laureates who have urged the government to suspend legal proceedings against Muhammad Yunus.





In an open letter dated 27 August, leaders, including former US President Barack Obama, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and more than 100 Nobel laureates, said the case of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus. "We are alarmed that he has recently been targeted by what we believe to be continuous judicial harassment," the letter read.





The UN also voiced alarm at using legal proceedings in the South Asian country to intimidate and harass rights advocates and civil society leaders, including Yunus.





"While Yunus will have the opportunity to defend himself in court, we are concerned that smear campaigns against him, often emanating from the highest levels of government, risk undermining his right to a fair trial and due process in line with international standards, the letter said."





Angry Hasina said that such a statement challenges the integrity and credibility of the judiciary system of a country and remarked that the law should take its path in the case of Yunus.





Without naming Hillary Clinton, the former Foreign Minister of the USA, she invited her to come to Dhaka and defend Yunus against his "corruption" and robbing financial benefits of the staff of Grameen Telecom.





Law Minister Anisul Huq told Deutsche Welle of Germany that the lawsuits were not meant to harass the Nobel laureate. "Those who faced injustice sought remedy at the court. It's their right as citizens of Bangladesh. It will be decided at the court trial whether he committed any crime," Huq concluded.





Some say Hasina became infuriated when Yunus announced he would form a King's party in 2007 when a military-backed caretaker government took charge of the country.





However, the plan to formally float the King's party fell flat in a few weeks of its announcement. Since then Yunus never showed any interest in politics.





In yet another political development, a fresh global outcry was caused after sending two prominent human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan of Odhikar for two years.





They were accused 10 years ago of exaggerating the number of deaths during the police midnight crackdown on Islamist organisation Hefazat-e-Islam during a seize of downtown Dhaka on 5 & 6 May 2013.





Human Rights Watch reported at least 58 people killed in police action, Amnesty International said 44 died, government claims only 11, while Odhikar said 61 were killed.





Besides, nearly a hundred eminent citizens and several international rights organisations, Canada, the European Union, France, Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, United Nations Human Rights and the United States called on the government to release the defenders, which the UN said: "Such reprisals also have a chilling effect and may deter others from reporting on human rights issues and cooperating with the UN, its representatives and mechanisms."





"Have you ever seen a regime so insecure that they feel more threatened for critiquing the government," political historian Mohiuddin Ahmad poses the question.





Whenever or whoever raises the issues of human rights abuse, or holding of free and fair elections, the government starts shaking and scores of pro-government cyber warrior launches misinformation and disinformation campaign, remarked Ahmad.





As China and the US jostle for influence in Asia, French President Emmanuel Macron offered an alternative to Bangladesh during a recent short visit to Dhaka.





While the United States and China compete for influence in the wider region, Macron has pushed France as an alternative partner for Bangladesh, writes Arafatul Islam of German Deutsche Welle.





Sadia Aktar Korobi, a researcher on international affairs and studying at the University of Dhaka writes in the Fair Observer that India sees Bangladesh as both an economic and strategic investment, other major powers have their own goals with Dhaka.





Obviously, the US has shown a keen interest in Bangladesh, but its policies are complicated by Washington's ever-consistent need to interfere in the internal matters of others, says the researcher Korobi.





On one hand, the US wants Bangladesh to join the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) to restrain China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific. The growing frustration caused by incidents like this is pushing Bangladesh more towards China and India, the researcher concludes.





First published in nenews.in, 19 September 2023








Kathmandu, Nepal, September 20, 2023: The United States of America (USA) has congratulated the entire Nepali community on the occasion of Constitution Day- 2080 BS (2023) on Wednesday.





Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended best wishes to the Nepali community on the occasion of Nepal's Constitution Day.





On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my warmest congratulations to the people of Nepal on the occasion of Nepals Constitution Day on September 20. This is a moment to recognize Nepals achievements and the enduring friendship between our nations, US Secretary of State Blinken states in the statement.





In the statement, US Secretary of State Blinken also states that robust people-to-people ties between Nepal and the US are the cornerstone of bilateral relationship, fostering understanding, trust, and goodwill.




A special train carrying North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has arrived in Pyongyang after traveling to Russia for his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the North's state media reported Wednesday.

Kim arrived in Pyongyang on Tuesday evening after completing "immortal external revolutionary activities" that will be recorded in the history of strengthening friendly relations between North Korea and Russia, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

Kim was welcomed by top party and government officials, including Premier Kim Tok-hun, as well as a cheering crowd at Pyongyang Railway Station before reviewing an honor guard, the KCNA said.

Kim, who left Pyongyang on his armored train on Sept. 10, held talks with Putin at the Vostochny space center in Russia's Far East last Wednesday and toured a series of key military sites amid growing concerns of a possible arms deal between the two nations.

The North's leader visited a fighter jet plant in Komsomolsk-on-Amur on Friday and inspected Russia's nuclear-capable bombers, hypersonic missiles and a warship at a military airfield near Vladivostok the next day.

Including travel time, Kim spent a total of 10 days on his trip to Russia, marking the longest overseas trip by him since taking office in late 2011. (Yonhap)
Longoven, a seasonal tasting menu restaurant in Scotts Addition, has shuttered.

The brainchild of three chefs and co-owners  Andrew Manning, Patrick Phelan and his wife, Megan Fitzroy Phelan  Longoven was named one of the best new restaurants in America by Bon Appetit twice: first in 2016, when Longoven was a pop-up restaurant at Sub Rosa Bakery and, again in 2019, after Longoven opened its brick-and-mortar restaurant at 2939 W. Clay St. in Scotts Addition.

Longoven served a la carte dishes and a tasting menu with multiple courses that changed often, the food delicately plated, with tasting dinners running around $155 per person.

Described by Bon Appetit as tweezer food youll actually enjoy, Richmond Times-Dispatch dining critic Justin Lo wrote that Longoven is the restaurant Richmond deserves and that its tasting menus are worth every penny.

In January, Longoven pivoted and introduced Lost Letter, an easy Italian option with more affordable price points, at the front of the house. The restaurant kept the Longoven tasting room at the back of the house.

But the three owners decided to close Longoven in June.

The closing of Longoven was a difficult decision, Phelan and Fitzroy Phelan said in a statement. We want to thank our entire team, from our inception as a pop-up to our final service in June. Nothing that shoots for the stars is perfect, and we learned a lot along the way. We hope that Longovens ambition enriched those that it touched. ... We hope Longoven has left a lasting impression on the dining landscape of Richmond.

Manning added that there was not enough support from Richmond to keep it open.

Also, the three owners are no longer partners on the space.

Manning will be focused entirely on Nokoribi, the yakitori concept he launched at The Veil Brewing Co.s new taproom in Scotts Addition in April.

Phelan and Fitzroy Phelan will continue to run Lost Letter at 2939 W. Clay St.

Lost Letter offers a variety of antipasti dishes, hand-cut pasta courses, heartier dishes such as braised pork shank with white wine mustard sauce and fresh herbs, and sides like roasted eggplant with Romesco sauce. Prices range from $12 to $32.

The Lost Letter concept is an Italian restaurant with the ultimate goal of having guests craving more. [T]he team that made Longoven so special has driven the spaces transformation, Phelan said. Lost Letter is currently open Wednesdays through Sundays.

Phelan and Fitzroy Phelan will also be launching Lillian Oyster Hall this fall in Scotts Addition. More details will be coming on that space soon.

PHOTOS: Longoven restaurant in Scott's Addition 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE01 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE03 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE04 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE06 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE07 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE08 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE09 -- HIDE VERTICAL GALLERY ASSET TITLES -- 20180707_CULT_DISH_AWE02 Longoven - Sunchoke custard (Patrick Phelan).JPG Longoven - Grilled tiger figs (Justin Lo).JPG 20190304_DINE_LONGOVEN_05 20190304_DINE_LONGOVEN_07 20190304_DINE_LONGOVEN_04 20190304_DINE_LONGOVEN_08

PHOTOS: Longoven Longoven Longoven Longoven menu notes Longoven Longoven Longoven Longoven
DES MOINES, Iowa  A long stretch of hot, dry weather has left the Mississippi River so low that barge companies are reducing their loads just as Midwest farmers are preparing to harvest crops and send tons of corn and soybeans downriver to the Gulf of Mexico.

The transport restrictions are a headache for barge companies, but even more worrisome for thousands of farmers who have watched drought scorch their fields for much of the summer. Now they will face higher prices to transport what remains of their crops. Farmer Bruce Peterson, who grows corn and soybeans in southeastern Minnesota, chuckled wryly that the dry weather had withered his family's crop so extensively they won't need to worry so much about the high cost of transporting the goods downriver.

"We haven't had rain here for several weeks so our crop size is shrinking," Peterson said. "Unfortunately, that has taken care of part of the issue."

About 60% of U.S. grain exports are taken by barge down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where the corn, soybeans and wheat is stored and ultimately transferred to other ships. It's usually an inexpensive, efficient way to transport crops, as a typical group of 15 barges lashed together carries as much cargo as about 1,000 trucks.

As river levels drop, that cost has soared. The cargo rate from St. Louis southward is now up 77% above the three-year average.

The river south of St. Louis does not remain consistently deep enough now to accommodate typical barges. North of St. Louis, a series of locks and dams guarantees a 9-foot-deep channel as far north as Minneapolis-St. Paul. But that's not the case in the lower Mississippi.

"We're keeping things moving but could use some rain, some help from Mother Nature," said Merritt Lane, president of Canal Barge Company of New Orleans.

Canal Barge, which works much of the Mississippi as well as the Illinois and Ohio rivers, had to lighten loads so barges ride higher in the water. The company also can't link as many barges together because the shipping lane is narrower, Lane said.

A narrowed shipping lane also means barges from different companies must squeeze into limited space, forcing backups and delays.

This is the second-straight year drought caused the Mississippi to drop to near-record lows. With no significant rain in the forecast, it's likely to keep falling.
The family of Irvo Otieno has reached a settlement agreement with the state of Virginia, Henrico County and the sheriff whose deputies were involved in restraining the 28-year-old man before his death while in custody.

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the family, announced the settlement on Wednesday.

The family is pleased that they were able to find a resolution outside of court in a manner that honors Irvos life, Crump said in a statement.

Crump called the settlement confidential, but The Associated Press said the settlement agreement totaled $8.5 million for the family.

Otieno, 28, who was Black, died in March while handcuffed and pinned to the floor of Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County for about 11 minutes by seven Henrico sheriffs deputies and three hospital employees.

The death, which was captured on surveillance camera footage, became a national story. The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy at Otienos funeral in North Chesterfield, and Crump, who represented the families of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, became a spokesman for Otienos relatives.

On Monday, a wrongful death motion was filed by Otienos mother, Caroline Ouko, and brother, Leon Ochieng, listing the state, Henrico and county Sheriff Alisa A. Gregory as defendants.

NEWS ALERT: @AttorneyCrump and co-counsel Mark Krudys have announced that a Virginia Circut Court judge has approved a wrongful-death settlement between the family of Irvo Otieno and the Henrico County (VA), the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Henrico County Sheriff. pic.twitter.com/aay4bkPrw0  Ben Crump Law, PLLC (@BenCrumpLaw) September 20, 2023

The next day, Henrico Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Wallerstein Jr. approved the settlement, records show.

Mark Krudys, the Virginia civil rights lawyer representing Otienos family, did not comment on the settlement agreement.

The county enlisted former Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael Herring, who now works in private practice at the law firm McGuire Woods, to negotiate the settlement. Officials did not respond to questions from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Leslie Winneberger, a lawyer who represented Gregory, also did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. Victoria LaCivita, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Attorney Generals Office, which represented the state, said it could not comment.

Otieno, who emigrated to the U.S. from Kenya at the age of 4, was taken into custody on March 3. Henrico police encountered him while responding to a report of a possible burglary in the 8800 block of Fordson Road. Police said he became combative and was taken to Parham Doctors Hospital.

On March 6, he was taken from the Henrico jail to Central State by county sheriffs deputies.

Otienos death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation. All 10 defendants were indicted on second-degree murder charges, but charges against two of the hospital employees were later dropped.

Otienos family has said he had a lengthy history of mental health issues and was struggling to breathe while he was being held down.

During his eulogy, Sharpton called for a change in how law enforcement handles mental health cases.

He had an illness. He should have been doctored to, not treated with brutality, said Sharpton, who did not respond to a request to comment about the settlement.

The AP reported that the settlement agreement says the state, county and sheriff have not admitted any liability and deny that their actions caused Otienos death.

Crump and Krudys have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation into the death.

The new prosecutor handling the high-profile case said last month that he is pushing for more evidence and that additional investigation is needed.

Specially elected Dinwiddie Commonwealths Attorney Jonathan Bourlier said his top priority is familiarizing himself with the cases evidence.

In these cases before us, we felt much additional investigation was needed to ensure we are fairly and accurately prosecuting this situation, which we are still undertaking, Bourlier said.

Staff writer Sean Jones contributed to this report.
A state-appointed lawyer is calling the Chesterfield school systems decision to keep a special needs student out of classes last year as indefensible.

The lawyer, known as a complaint reviewer, has upheld a Virginia Department of Education decision over the disenrollment of the special education student in Chesterfield, which caused him to miss the entire 2022-23 school year.

Cecil H. Creasey Jr. wrote that Chesterfield County Public Schools decision to disenroll the student was indefensible, and that the school system had an obligation to do more than nothing related to that students education.

His decision affirmed a July Letter of Findings by the VDOE that said the Chesterfield system was noncompliant in carrying out an Individualized Education Program, or IEP, for the student, and that the student wasnt given a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), something that is guaranteed for students with disabilities under federal law.

The failure to implement this IEP document comes as Virginia is under fire from the U.S. Department of Education which is threatening to pull funding unless the state brings its special education programs into compliance.

The state board of education has acknowledged the need to repair its programs, but advocates and parents around the state say their children have been failed by the system for decades.

Chesterfield County Public Schools did not respond to questions submitted for this story.

Wendy Little was notified the night before the 2022-23 school year that her sons special education transportation had been cancelled. CCPS also barred her son, Eryn Little, 15, from being enrolled in the school system.

7 things to know about new COVID boosters in Virginia The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the shots are recommended for everyone over the age of 6 months. People with insurance will have no out-of-pocket costs.

Eryn Little spent this past school year at home without any educational instruction, falling at least two grade levels behind to date. Currently, he remains at home without a start date for the current school year.

Wendy Little and the Chesterfield system have been unable to agree to terms for her sons IEP.

The federally-mandated document is enforced by the states and serves as a blueprint for a special needs students education. It itemizes aspects of their education such as goals for the upcoming school year and necessary supports like physical therapy or social skills training. Parents typically meet with school IEP teams on an annual basis to develop or update an IEP.

Little and the Chesterfield system have been in a disagreement over the addition of an aide to her sons IEP. The nature of his compounding disabilities make it imperative that he have a one-on-one medical aide for daily hygienic needs. That disagreement began before the start of the 2022-23 school year.

Little offered her partial consent to an IEP document before the 2023 school year. She authorized her son to be enrolled as a student and receive special education transportation. She refused provisions that would see her son go to school without a medical aide.

Little said she also refused the IEP teams attempts to have her son placed in a high school. She reasoned that his eighth grade education at a local private day school  schools specializing in special education  in 2021-22 was subpar and left him unprepared for a higher grade level.

Officially, Chesterfield and the private day school said they agreed to transfer Eryn Little into general education classrooms with CCPS because it offered him more opportunity for subjects he was proficient in, like music.

Chesterfield schools interpreted Littles partial consent to the IEP as being unclear for the school system to proceed in offering Eryn Little enrollment and bus service.

The VDOEs original Letter of Findings said that the school system still had the obligation to provide Eryn Little with access to education; therefore, he was denied a free and appropriate public education. The VDOE issued a corrective action plan with six provisions. The first was to immediately assist the Little family in enrolling Eryn Little into the appropriate public school setting.

The state-appointed adjudicator affirmed the VDOEs conclusion and the corrective action plan it put in place.

PHOTOS: Richmond Ballet and Stoner Winslett
Virginia has reinstated almost 45,000 people  about half of them children  to the states Medicaid and child health insurance programs after they lost coverage in part because of a faulty review of their eligibility to remain on the rolls, and in part because the families didnt respond to subsequent requests for information.

The Department of Medical Assistance Services told federal regulators that Virginia had reinstated 44,622 people who had been dropped from the programs after an automated review failed to ensure that each person was evaluated at the individual rather than household level for eligibility to remain in the program.

Those people will be evaluated again by Sept. 30 after the state completes an upgrade of its automated system on Friday. The upgrade is Virginias response to a sweeping federal directive at the end of August aimed at correcting a potential error in states automated systems for updating eligibility of millions of Americans for coverage after the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Children face 'disproportionate' effect from Medicaid glitch Virginia and other states have two weeks to show whether they are improperly disqualifying children and other family members from health care coverage under Medicaid and the related Children's Health Insurance Program.

If they meet eligibility requirements, the state will extend their coverage for a year. If they dont, they will receive a required 10-day notice to apply personally for renewal or their coverage would end on Oct. 31.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, known as CMS, required states to determine if they were basing their ex parte or automated eligibility evaluations on households instead of the individuals in them, including children who would be subject to higher income thresholds to remain covered under the Childrens Health Insurance Program, or CHIP. Automated reviews are designed to use readily available information to screen participants for continued eligibility without requiring them to submit additional proof.

As the states ex parte process did not perform redeterminations on an individual basis, Virginia immediately reviewed all closures to identify any that occurred where an individual review could not be validated, Virginia Medicaid Director Cheryl Roberts told the federal agency in the states response on Sept. 13.

Theres just a lot

of barriers

That review identified 44,622 people who had lost coverage after the automated process did not ensure their evaluation on an individual basis. Of those, 18,109 were children in the Medicaid program and 3,726 were children in CHIP, or about 49% of those affected. The rest are adults, including those covered under Virginias expansion of Medicaid eligibility in 2019 under the Affordable Care Act.

The state said it reinstated their coverage on Sept. 9 and advised participants on how to seek help with any medical expenses they incurred after losing coverage.

However, state officials emphasized that Virginia does not drop anyone from Medicaid or CHIP solely because of an automated review. Instead, they would lose coverage only after also failing to return renewal forms sent to them to be evaluated manually, a burden of proof that the automated review is intended to avoid.

Advocates say its also hard to say whether people had a fair chance to respond to the renewal packets they were supposed to receive after being screened out by the automated process.

Ive seen people receive the communication days before it was due, said Cassie Edner, an attorney at the Virginia Poverty Law Center in Richmond.

Theres just a lot of barriers to put the onus on individuals to fill out the renewals, who otherwise would be eligible, Edner said.

Deborah Oswalt, executive director of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, agrees that people miss the paperwork deadline for different reasons.

Is it because its lying on the kitchen table with a bunch of mail? Is it because they dont live there anymore? she asked. Is it because the Postal Service didnt deliver it.?

But Oswalt gives high marks to the Department of Medical Assistance Services for responding quickly to the problem after federal Medicaid officials sounded the alarm and for doing everything possible to keep people in the program if they are eligible.

It really heartens me that the minute they realized this, they got right on it and took all of the appropriate steps, she said.

Unwinding process

The reviews are part of a massive undertaking by Virginias Medicaid program and Department of Social Services to re-evaluate the eligibility of 2.2 million people enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP as part of a yearlong unwinding process that is occurring across the United States with the end of the public health emergency. The state has received hundreds of millions of dollars in additional federal support for Medicaid during the pandemic, but in return could not drop participants from the program until the end of the federal emergency.

Its a national challenge, with about 72% disenrolled from Medicaid coverage for procedural reasons, such as not responding promptly to mailed renewal applications, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Virginia is doing a better job on that front, with procedural reasons accounting for 34% of the 144,645 people who have lost their coverage. The rest were due to non-procedural reasons, ranging from no longer complying with income or non-financial program requirements to moving out of Virginia or dying.

State Medicaid officials say Virginia always has required evaluation of eligibility on an individual basis, not just as a household, but the federal government requires states to use the automated process to initially determine whether people still qualify for benefits without requiring them to submit renewal applications to justify continue coverage. They also say the state has been following the same process it has used for a decade.

So they were surprised whether they first heard of the potential glitch during conversations with CMS in early August.

Like other states, we were caught off guard, said Sarah Hatton, deputy for administration in the state Medicaid office.

Virginia revised its automated system on Aug. 25  five days before receiving the official notice from CMS  to allow the state to track any manual renewals based on individual case reviews. The state expects to complete the upgrade on Friday to ensure that program participants are evaluated on an individual basis, although a permanent fix wont be in place for everyone until next June, with manual reviews conducted for those not covered by the automated system.

Thats why I think were going to end up in such a good position, Hatton said. Because we already have such a strong ex parte system and this is only going to make it stronger.

From the Archives: Richmond buildings that are no longer around
California repatriates over 1,200 archaeological pieces to Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico  Over 1,000 archaeological pieces are being repatriated to Mexico from California. On Tuesday, Mexicos Foreign Relations said 1,294 Mexican archaeological pieces from California are on their way back to the country.

The collection includes various objects of common and ceremonial use such as statuettes, necklaces and wind musical instruments. The pieces were returned at the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States.

Within the framework of cooperation and friendship between Mexico and the United States, especially California, and in outstanding collaboration with the County of San Bernardino, on September 15, 2023, it was formalized at the facilities of the San Bernardino County Museum (MCSB), the delivery of 1,294 pre-Columbian archaeological pieces

The pieces are from the various cultures of ancient Mexico. They will be repatriated to the Mexican nation through diplomatic channels. Their return is the result of coordinated work between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Mexico, through the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the Council of Supervisors of the County of San Bernardino and the MCSB.

Mexicos Foreign Relations said 1,294 archaeological pieces are on their way back to the country.

Photo: SRE September 15, 20236.

This achievement was possible thanks to the efforts of the Director and Deputy Director, David Myers and Tamara Serrao-Leiva, the SRE said in their statement.

The archaeological pieces were received by the Consul of Mexico, Itzel de Leon Villard, giving great recognition to the county and museum authorities in accordance with national guidelines recovery of cultural heritage assets.

The collection includes various objects of common and ceremonial use, statuettes, vessels, necklaces, bracelets, ceramic and copper bells, remains of burials, wind musical instruments, different work tools, objects used in the making of clothing, tips arrow, among others.
Lopez Obrador confirms commitment to return passenger train services in Mexico

Mexico City, Mexico  President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says it will not be long before passenger trains return to Mexico. Lopez Obrador made his comment Tuesday after traveling his first trip aboard the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Train.

During his morning press conference, he reaffirmed his commitment to complete more than 2,700 kilometers of railway tracks, of which 1,200 correspond to the Interoceanic Railway and 1,554 to the Maya Train.

In the not too distant future, passenger trains will return to the entire country, he said after touring the Isthmus of Tehuantepec train Monday.

AMLO said that his government put life into the countrys passenger trains after decades of neglect of the railway system during the neoliberal period.

AMLO vows to return passenger train service to Mexico. Photo: Isthmus of Tehuantepec Train AMLO September 18, 2023.

It was totally abandoned. I told them that Matias Romero is known as the railway city, but there was no longer a railway because these neoliberals, corrupt, irresponsible, put an end to the railways especially the passenger trains, he said at the end of his comprehensive railway project report.

He recalled that passenger trains stopped running during the six-year term of Ernesto Zedillo, who promoted the privatization of the Mexican railway system, granting concessions to companies for up to 50 years.

There were passenger trains from Mexico City, from Monterrey, from Mexico City to Guadalajara, from Mexico City to Yucatan and, well, up to Nogales, to the border.

The country was completely connected with passenger trains and these irresponsible people, I repeat, overnight, in the blink of an eye ended 150 years of history of the national railways, he said.

He says the Government of Mexico is returning passenger service to the nation, connecting the south-southeast states.

Lopez Obrador says the countrys trains were abandoned. Photo: AMLO September 18, 2023.3

The Tehuantepec Isthmus Railway will transport passengers and cargo through different routes from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, to Coatzacoalcos. From that point in Veracruz it will connect with the Port of Dos Bocas in Tabasco and the Mayan Train in Palenque, Chiapas.

In addition, it will connect Ixtepec, in Oaxaca with Ciudad Hidalgo, Chiapas, through 1,200 kilometers of railway tracks, which will be fully rehabilitated by July 2024.

The train is very good. The roads are practically finished. It is in a testing period until December when it will open to the public. The passenger trains are returning, he said Monday.

Tren Maya, with its 1,554 kilometers, will bring development and well-being to the people of the five states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Campeche, Yucatan and Quintana Roo starting in December of this year, he added in a statement.

The center of the country is not exempt from the new push for passenger trains. The El Insurgente Train will connect Mexico City with the State of Mexico, which will improve the quality of life of thousands of users by shortening the route to 39 minutes when the entire track is ready in 2024.
The Franklin County Sheriffs Office believes it has located a mother and her children who have been the subject of a missing persons investigation since Sept. 13. But the family is still considered missing.

The sheriffs office said in a news release Tuesday evening that on Sept. 5, 30-year-old Lauren Elizabeth Tousa Cook did not appear for a scheduled court hearing in Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. The hearing was rescheduled to Sept. 13, but she failed to appear again.

Shortly after that, the sheriffs office identified Cook and her three children, ages 7, 5 and 2, as missing persons. Law enforcement officers spoke with Cooks family members, who said they had lost contact with the family of four several days prior, according to the release.

The sheriffs office said there has been no reported contact with Cook since Sept. 5 or 6, when she stated that she was in New York visiting family.

On Sept. 14, investigators confirmed that Cook and her children were in Litchfield, Illinois, more than 700 miles from Franklin County.

The sheriffs office said in the release that Cook has connections in various other states. Investigators dont believe she and her children are in the Franklin County area.

To terminate a missing persons report, a law enforcement agency has to make in-person contact with the missing person in order to confirm that they are okay and not under duress.

Until then, the sheriffs office said, Cook and her children will remain in local and national databases as missing.

Sgt. Megan Huston, the sheriffs office public information officer, said in an email Sept. 15 that the family may be traveling in a blue Chrysler van.

We arent suspecting foul play at this time, she said.

To offer information about the location of Cook and her children, call 540-483-3000 or your local law enforcement agency.
Less than four hours after Roanokes Gun Violence Prevention Commission closed its monthly meeting Tuesday evening, a shooting rattled the citys northwest quadrant for the third time in as many days.

Tuesday nights shooting sent two males, one adult and one teenager, to the hospital with gunshot wounds that police said dont appear life-threatening.

Roanoke police said in a news release Wednesday that police were called at about 10:25 p.m. Tuesday to the 1400 block of Hershberger Road Northwest.

Officers found property damage to a business in the area consistent with a shooting, but no suspects or victims were located on scene, the release said.

As officers began collecting evidence at that scene, the release continued, they were told that the two male victims had arrived at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in a personal vehicle.

Police spoke with both victims, according to the release, but said Wednesday that details about what led to the shooting were limited and no arrests had been made.

To offer information about Tuesday nights shooting, call 540-344-8500, or text RoanokePD to 274637. Police say calls and texts can remain anonymous.

The citys latest gun violence statistics report, distributed at Tuesday evenings Gun Violence Prevention Commission meeting, show that 56 gunfire incidents, including homicides, aggravated assaults and domestic aggravated assaults, occurred in the city between Jan. 1 and Sept. 17. In the same time frame in 2022, there were 52.

At least 37 of 2023s 56 shootings occurred in the northwest quadrant, according to the statistics report.

We are seeing a little bit of a trend of a shift. Northwest has traditionally always been a place where gun violence seemed to be concentrated, and were starting to see some movement in some hot spots, as we refer to them, moving to the southwest, Interim Chief of Police Jerry Stokes said during the commissions Tuesday meeting. The Melrose Avenue corridor still remains a very hot area as far as criminal activity.

Of the 66 homicide, aggravated assault and domestic aggravated assault victims identified in the report, 47, or about 71%, are Black males. Of the 38 offenders identified, 31, or about 82%, are Black males.

Stokes said the number of identified offenders is expected to rise soon, as the Roanoke Circuit Court grand jury prepares to hand down four new indictments Oct. 2. He said arresting those individuals will raise the police departments gun-related homicide clearance rate from 11 to 15.

Search warrants reveal additional details about the weekends homicides. The first of the two fatal shootings occurred shortly after 4 a.m. Sunday at a residence in the 800 block of Westside Boulevard Northwest.

Officers found a man in an upstairs bedroom with a single gunshot wound to the chest, an affidavit reads. He died later at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, or CRMH.

The victims wife and two children were at the residence during the time police arrived on scene, the affidavit continues. The occupants were removed from the home, which was secured by police.

In the driveway of the home, officers found a vehicle. Its engine compartment was warm, the affidavit reads, indicating that it had been recently driven. But police did not locate evidence of a gunshot wound inside the vehicle or outside the residence.

From the home, police seized firearms, cartridges, cartridge cases, a sandal, a camera system, a phone, pistol magazines, ammunition, a gun box and clothing, according to the executed warrant. Police also took DNA swabs.

The second homicide occurred less than seven hours later, shortly before 11 p.m., at a residence in the 1200 block of Melrose Avenue Northwest. An affidavit reads police responded to reports of shots fired and people screaming.

When officers arrived, they found a deceased man in a silver 2011 Ford Escape parked in the alley behind the residence, the affidavit continues. A search of the vehicle returned keys and a purse.

Police also found a deceased woman on the back porch of the residence, the affidavit reads. Officers seized a beverage can, personal electronics, cartridge casings, a bullet and firearms from the home, according to the warrant.

In a white Lexus sedan near the southwest intersection of 10th Street and Salem Avenue, police found a man with a gunshot wound, the affidavit continues. He was transported to CRMH for treatment. Stokes said Monday that he is expected to survive.

In addition to the Ford and the residence, the affidavit reads that police also intend to search a surveillance camera on the rear of the residence.

The governor, and Virginia State Police, and the Attorney General and Secretary of Public Safety have really been concentrating on what they can do to help Roanoke, Stokes said Tuesday. We do have work to do. But I think the additional partnerships are working.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
A North Korean escapee speaks about her experience of living near the Punggye-ri nuclear test site during an event in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap



Residents kept in dark about facility and devastating physical effects



By Jung Min-ho



Lee Young-ran, a North Korean escapee, had been completely unaware of the nuclear test facility near her hometown in Kilju, North Hamgyong Province, until the regime conducted its third nuclear weapons test there in 2013.



When Lee finally realized what was happening less than 30 kilometers from where she lived, she had no idea about the potentially devastating health consequences of such experiments.



"After the news, many people celebrated it, with some dancing at the 'jangmadang' (local market)  I had not known about the effects of nuclear tests on health until I came to South Korea," Lee said during Wednesday's event held in Seoul for the 20th North Korea Freedom Week that is being held from Sunday to Saturday.



Now she blames radioactive contamination in groundwater from the Punggye-ri nuclear test site for the death of her son and many other young people in her village.



North Korea conducted six underground nuclear tests at Punggye-ri between 2006 and 2017. ?The regime claims that all the tests were carried out safely and no harmful materials were released. But the testimonies of three former Kilju residents suggest otherwise.



According to Kim Soon-bok, who lived in the county before defecting to South Korea in 2011, the number of young patients showing symptoms of tuberculosis, arthritis or dermatitis had already started to visibly increase before the third test.



"People started to call it 'ghost disease,'" she said. "Many old people as well as children suffered from arthritis."



Their testimonies came as the Ministry of Unification has been conducting radiation exposure tests on 89 defectors who hailed from areas adjacent to the test site. The government and human rights groups hope that the results of the investigation will help establish a link between the nuclear tests and their medical symptoms as well as the extent of the damage in the North.



The ministry is expected to announce its findings by the end of this year.



According to Transitional Justice Working Group, a rights group that has been studying the issue, eight cities and counties in three provinces fall within the suspected influence of the irradiated water system. This means the tests might have affected more than 1 million people.



North Korea's nuclear tests have also ravaged the environment, according to Nam Kyung-hoon, another speaker at the event.



"There used to be many snakes, pine mushrooms and fish in the region," he said. "At some point, it became difficult to see them."



The defectors said no one talked about the possible link between their health problems and the nuclear facility out of fear of persecution. Lee Young-ran said her ill son was not permitted to leave the area for medical treatment in a big city even if he offered money.



After North Korea's sixth nuclear test in 2017, experts have warned that another detonation of a nuclear device at Punggye-ri could destabilize the mountain and result in a massive leak of radioactive materials.



North Korea's human rights and development of nuclear weapons are closely related issues, said Lee Shin-wha, ambassador for international cooperation on North Korean human rights.



She said, in cooperation with the unification ministry, she would look more into human rights abuses connected to the regime's nuclear program.


Thank you for reading!

Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading.
COLUMBIA  Gov. Henry McMaster and the South Carolina Technical College System announced that 32,426 South Carolinians have earned an industry credential through McMasters Workforce Scholarships for the Future program.

The program provides scholarships to cover the cost of tuition and required fees at any of South Carolinas 16 technical colleges for any adult or recent high school graduate to pursue an industry credential or associate degree in high-demand career fields like manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, education, or logistics.

As South Carolina continues to attract major investments and tens of thousands of new jobs, developing our workforce is more important than ever, McMaster said.

Workforce Scholarships for the Future provide our people with the opportunity to learn the skills needed to take on these available, high-paying jobs and show current employers that South Carolinas workforce is ready to adapt to their needs. These scholarships are still available, so spread the word that there are good-paying jobs out there, and if you do the work, South Carolina will train you for them.

In early 2021, McMaster invested $12 million in Governors Emergency Education Relief Funds (GEER Funds) in the S.C. Technical College System to train South Carolinians for available, high-demand jobs in the state.By the end of the year, the program reskilled and employed 5,000 South Carolinians. Due to the programs success, McMaster formally created Workforce Scholarships for the Future in November 2021.

In July 2022, McMaster announced an additional $25 million investment into the program.

Our 16 colleges are committed to making higher education affordable and accessible for the citizens of South Carolina. This scholarship opens doors for South Carolinians, helping them get the training and education they need to work in high-demand fields across our state, said Dr. Tim Hardee, president of the S.C. Technical College System. Together, we are working to build a ready, skilled workforce.In total, McMaster has awarded $55.6 million in GEER Funds to the S.C. Technical College System for Workforce Scholarships for the Future. As of July 31, 2023, $44.3 million has been expended at an average cost of $1,367 per student.

We have more people working in South Carolina today than ever before, and Gov. McMaster is making sure that South Carolinians have every opportunity to be part of our thriving economy and workforce, said S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce Executive Director William Floyd.

Scholarship recipients are required to maintain a 2.0 grade-point average and complete one of the following requirements:Complete 100 hours of volunteer time at a nonprofit or public-service organization; or

Be employed; or

Take a financial literacy course offered at the technical college.

The General Assembly provided $93.7 million in the 2023-24 state budget to continue this initiative through the South Carolina Workforce Industry Needs Scholarship program.
According to SCStateHouse.gov, under chapter four, titled Freedom of Information Act, section 30-4-90 states that the minutes of meetings of public bodies shall be public records and shall be available within a reasonable time after the meeting except where such disclosures would be inconsistent with section 30-4-70 of the chapter.

Section 30-4-80 states that an agenda for regularly scheduled or special meetings must be posted on a bulletin board in a publicly accessible place at the office or meeting place of the public body and on a public website maintained by the body, if any, at least twenty-four hours prior to such meetings.

Our meetings are sent to several media outlets, they are posted on our website and the city council meetings are posted on our Facebook page. All the city council meetings are recorded, live-streamed and placed on our website for those who didnt watch it live to watch it at their convenience, Florence City Manager Randy Osterman said.

Deep diving into the accessibility of these agendas and minutes and the user-friendliness of them shows that for the most part, the city of Florence is doing what it needs to be doing.

Research showed that government gives the community fairly good access to meeting calendars, minutes and agendas. Online, the city has meeting minutes available and viewable for anyone. Not only are the agendas and minutes available, but they are relatively up-to-date.

Everything the city does is for the benefit of the general public and its very important for the citizens to be able to see and hear what is going on with their city council, Osterman said.

Agendas for each department are available; however, short agendas and complete agendas are only accessible for the city council meetings.

In other areas, complete agendas are more common, with shortened ones available scarcely throughout. Minutes files are only available for city council meetings.

Public official's guide to FOIA The latest version of the Public Officials Guide to Compliance with the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act is correct as of May 2017. 

Meetings with the Florence government can mostly be found online or always in person.

Research showed that before the pandemic, it was more difficult to find televised meetings online.

We just completed a survey related to just how citizens would like to receive information about the city and access to information related to the city, Osterman said. We will take that information and see if we can make improvements to our current situation with information.

School districts

The Florence District One School board has its meeting agendas and minutes accessible as well on the F1S website, with both categories being somewhat up to date.

The agendas are slightly more up to date than the minutes.

Accessibility for Florence School District Threes board, however, is not as up to date. On the district website, it is still accessible, but harder to reach. The user has to search around the website even after clicking the hyperlinks to find the agendas and minutes.

Florence County Council

Florence County Council meetings are easily accessible online. The councils short and full agendas of the most recent meeting are on their website, but research suggests that the minutes are harder to find.

Copying records

The fee schedule for copying public records can easily be found online for the city of Florence, with fees being 35 cents a page; search, retrieval and redaction of records cost $13 an hour; the applicant may be required to deposit 25% of the anticipated costs for the reproduction of the records.

The website further states the exceptions are as follows:

Fees are not charged for examination and review to determine if the documents are subject to disclosure.

Copy charges (35 cents a page) do not apply to records that are transmitted in an electronic format.

If records are not in electronic format and the city agrees to produce them in electronic format, the city may charge for the staff time required to transfer the documents to electronic format.

Documents may be furnished when appropriate without charge or at a reduced charge where the city determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest because furnishing the information can be considered as primarily benefiting the general public.
Government transparency ensures that average citizens have access to information regarding their city and state as well as the opportunity to participate in their government.

Darlington County is held to the same standard to deliver that accessibility and openness to the community when holding meetings, spending budget funds and making decisions that affect citizens.

SCFOIA reform With representatives from the S.C. Press Association and citizen advocates for open government at his side, Gov. Henry McMaster ceremonially s

Transparency is the key to success for any successful city, Hartsville City Manager Daniel Moore said. Without transparency, without the ability to show our citizens what were doing  and nothing is a secret here  this whole thing falls apart.

City council meetings

According to the Municipal Association of South Carolina website, All public bodies must give written public notice of their regular meetings at the beginning of each calendar year. The annual meeting notice must include the dates, times, and places of all regularly scheduled meetings. This can be found in the S.C. Freedom of Information Act, section 30-4-80 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

In FOIA Section 30-4-90 it is written: The [meeting] minutes shall be public records and shall be available within a reasonable time after the meeting except where such disclosures would be inconsistent with Section 30-4-70 of this chapter.

City of Darlington

The city of Darlington has a city council meeting every first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.

The citys meeting minutes are available but are not completely up to date. As of Aug. 16, the citys July 11 and Aug. 1 council meeting minutes were not available alongside its other pdf files, meaning that getting a written copy of minutes can sometimes be sporadic and take over a month to fulfill.

There were a few other discrepancies such as the minutes from a June 30 special meeting being unavailable and the minutes for a May 23 meeting being available but the agenda pdf file not existing.

Despite the delay in the posting of meeting minutes, a majority of the meetings can be found in video format on the citys Facebook page devoted to the posting of live recordings of the meetings. The June 30 special meeting was still not found and there are multiple complaints about the audio quality in the live comments.

Budget  Darlington

At the June 30 special council meeting, a new budget was proposed for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

According to Stephan Drew, editor of the Darlington News and Press, The gathering turned somewhat tense as concerns were raised by attendees, who demanded copies of the budget.

There were complaints regarding the fact that the budget was not posted online and that the city was breaking an ordinance by not having it available one week before the meeting.

City Manager John Payne emphasized that the ordinance  Section 2-120 (A)  only required the budget to be available for review at the clerks office upon request.

Though Darlington was not violating its own ordinance, the budget not being readily available without special request is an accessibility issue considering that people would have to have a schedule that allows them to get to the courthouse within its hours.

The June 30 meeting lacking published minutes and missing its correlating live stream takes on new meaning in light of this information. While the intention may not have been to cover up the peoples concerns, the missing records show a lack of transparency with the public.

The city of Hartsville

Hartsville does not have all meeting minutes posted. All of the meeting agendas are posted and are accompanied by a YouTube link to the dates meeting.

Meeting minutes are not presented near the meeting agenda as with the city of Darlington.

They can be accessed through a link on the Hartsville website that takes the user to a different page. Here minutes from 2007 to 2023 can be accessed; however, the last time 2023 minutes had been updated was for a Feb. 21 special meeting.

The lack of up-to-date online meeting minutes makes the meetings more inaccessible than if they were fully available. Even with better audio quality than the city of Darlingtons meeting videos, the elderly and those generally hard of hearing will have a harder time understanding what is happening in their city than if they could read each action taken.

Additionally, getting to the meeting minutes is a little harder to navigate than getting to the agendas or videos, which could prove a struggle to those less digitally inclined.

The city of Hartsville is working on this problem.

A big deal for us right now is we are putting out a new city website to further increase our transparency and further increase our ability for people to find stuff easily, Moore said.

The citys meetings take place at 5:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month and last until 7:30 p.m, making them accessible to those working the classic 9-5. Special meetings, however, take place in the morning, making it harder for the average working citizen to attend.

For example, a June 6 special meeting took place at 10 a.m. and lasted over an hour. An April 25 special meeting and workshop began at 9 a.m.

Budget  Hartsville

Both the draft of Hartsvilles proposed budget and a presentation of the proposed budget were available on the city of Hartsville website in lengthy pdf formats. A shorter version of the proposed budget that highlights some of the main expenditures was also available.

We at Hartsville, we really make a huge effort, Moore said. For instance, with our budget process, we release the entire budget beforehand; we let people have a copy of the draft so they can see it for themselves and see where their dollars are going; we show them where the revenues are coming from [and] where the expenses are going.

Darlington County School District

All school board meetings are open to the public and take place on the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m.

Agendas and minutes can be found on the Darlington County School District website. They are mostly up to date except for the meeting minutes of July 10 that as of Aug. 9 had not been uploaded.

Fee schedule

If seeking records through a FOIA request, fees for the search, redaction and retrieval of records will not exceed the prorated hourly salary of the lowest-paid staff member who has the necessary skills and training to fulfill the request, according to Section 30-4-30 (B) of the South Carolina Code of Laws. Physical copies of documents are 10 cents per page, but if an electronic copy is available it will be free. If a physical copy must be transferred into an electronic format, then one must pay for the time taken to do so.

S.C. courts

State court records are available on the South Carolina Courts website. To use the case record search, one must know one of these six details: a last name, case number, CDR code, indictment number, date or tax map number.

If someone wants to know the court roster in their specific county, that is also available.

The user interface could be hard to navigate for the less digitally literate as well as those who are less knowledgeable in court specifics. But if the user knows what they are looking for, they should be able to search with relative ease.
FLORENCE, S.C.  Four St. Anthony Catholic School student leaders attended the South Carolina Independent School Associations Student Government Middle School Fall Conference in the Senate Chamber of the State House on Monday.

The student leaders were Tristen Woodall, Gia Hieshetter, Oliver Thomas and Alex Finianos. These students are house prefects for the schools house system. The Saint Anthony House Prefects were elected by their teachers based on good leadership, manners and behavior, diligent work, and overall being positive role models for their peers.

St. Anthony was one of 20 schools from the South Carolina Independent School Association that participated in this conference.

Middle school student leaders from the South Carolina Independent School Association schools gathered to learn about the legislative process. They were taught how to write proposed legislation and the process of voting for approval.

We are honored for our student leaders to join the SCISA Middle School Fall Conference to learn about the legislative process and how to impact our community, said middle school history teacher Dan Spivey.

Each house is named after a saint and has a motto, color, and shield. Two teachers in each house serve as deans to oversee the house and support the house leadership. The house leadership consists of a prefect, an assistant prefect, a scribe, and a parliamentarian. The house leadership helps plan and lead house meetings each month.

House members work together to earn points for their house by participating in church events, extracurricular activities, school-wide contests, displaying positive behavior, engaging in service activities and getting involved in additional activities that might be going on in the school, church, or community.

This year the houses theme is We are Keepers of the Flame and the houses undertake service projects to put their faith to work.

St. Anthony Catholic Schools first service project of the year will be for Lighthouse Ministries Working Mothers Education and Support Program. Students will participate in a baby bottle coin collection to raise money to help support this community program that strives to prevent child abuse and neglect.
You have permission to edit this article.

Edit Close
Felicia Frazar is the managing editor of the Seguin Gazette. You can e-mail her at felicia.frazar@seguingazette.com .
If you are currently a print subscriber but don't have an online account, select this option. You will need to use your 7 digit subscriber account number (with leading zeros) and your last name (in UPPERCASE).
WhatsApp is bolstering its shopping experience for both merchants and users through a new feature called Flows, which will let users complete tasks such as picking a seat on a flight or booking an appointment without leaving the app.

Merchants will have building blocks ranging from a text box to a calendar and a seat picker to build these experiences. WhatsApp said these tools will be available to businesses in the coming months. A support page for Flows indicates use cases like booking appointments, product customization, logging into their accounts, filling out forms, and signing up for events.

The company said it has been testing flows with businesses such as Brazilian bank Banco Pan, retailer MagaLu, Lenovo, Indian travel service redBus, India-based bank SBI, and car-reselling platform Spinny.

"Shopping and e-commerce is one of the biggest verticals we want to focus on. The goal is to enable business messaging in a way that businesses and people can do a lot more right in the chat thread. We are trying to build rich experiences within the chat, and that's where Flows comes in," Nikila Srinivasan, VP of business messaging at Meta, told TechCrunch.

Srinivasan added that while Flows might be used by e-commerce businesses at the moment, WhatsApp wants to build rich experiences for other types of businesses as well.

Meta is not charging merchants for Flows separately. The company told TechCrunch that conversations with Flows will fit in under the current payment model.

WhatsApp currently charges businesses for conversations (interactions in a 24-hour window), which are categorized by marketing, utility, authentication, and service. So, for instance, a request by the customer to book an appointment is likely to fall under the utility category.

The company is also introducing new payment partners for the checkout experience for customers in India  where WhatsApp has more than 500 million users. Last year, WhatsApp partnered with Reliance Jio for an end-to-end shopping experience, but customers could only pay through the UPI-based  Unified Payment Interface network  WhatsApp Pay without leaving the app. Now it has teamed up with payment gateway providers Razorpay and PayU so users can pay through other UPI apps, and credit, and debit cards.

Story continues

WhatsApp is introducing more payment methods in India for shopping checkout

Image Credits: WhatsApp

Earlier this year, WhatsApp introduced users to merchant payment in Brazil and Singapore.

WhatsApp business revenue depends on merchants having more conversations and completing transactions. With Flows and extended payment support in India, the company likely wants to encourage end-to-end shopping experiences in order to increase frequent business transactions.

Earlier this year, WhatsApp said that its Business app had crossed 200 million monthly active users. The company said today that it has also started testing the personalized messages feature for merchants, which was announced in June. The feature lets businesses send custom messages such as discounts or offers to select customers.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, left, and former Ambassador to Kazakhstan Koo Hong-seok pose at Seoul City Hall, Friday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government



By Kim Hyun-bin



The Seoul Metropolitan Government has appointed Koo Hong-seok, the former ambassador to Kazakhstan, as its chief international relations officer.



Koo has 31 years of diplomatic experience and is renowned as an international relations specialist with expertise in the Northeast and Southeast Asian regions.



He graduated from Yonsei University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy and joined the foreign ministry in 1993, serving in various roles, including as minister-counselor in Japan and China, director-general for planning, director-general for South Asia and the Pacific, director-general for ASEAN and ambassador to Kazakhstan.



Notably, during his tenure as the ambassador to Kazakhstan, he facilitated the repatriation of Korean nationals stranded at Almaty International Airport during a major crisis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he ensured timely delivery of humanitarian aid, contributing to enhancing national interests and international cooperation.



The incoming ambassador is expected to provide counsel on various aspects of Seoul's international exchanges and cooperation, including interactions with overseas cities, hosting international conferences and official development assistance (ODA), drawing on his insights, experience and expertise in diplomacy.



Moreover, he plans to present Seoul's vision and policies to the international community as a global city, showcasing a diverse range of policies, from economic, culture and tourism to climate change adaptation and urban planning, among others.



"I will do my utmost to elevate Seoul's capacity for city diplomacy and ensure that Seoul's policies and visions bear fruit through strategic cooperation with overseas cities," Koo said.


SIOUX CITY  Applications for the 2024 Sioux City Mayor's Youth Commission are now available.

Applicants must be in either ninth or 10th grade and live in Sioux City or go to school in Sioux City.

Applications can be found at sioux-city.org/mayorsyouthcommission. They must be returned by Oct. 31.

The Sioux City Mayor's Youth Commission is a citywide high school student organization. Its purpose is to explore, communicate and provide for the needs, problems, issues and activities affecting the city's youth.
SIOUX CITY  Like many who have been in military combat, Patrick Burgess was less than an inch, sometimes maybe a second or two, away from having his Purple Heart awarded posthumously.

A combat engineer trained in demolition and minesweeping who first deployed to Vietnam in November 1967, Burgess spent days on patrols, blowing up mines and engaging with North Vietnamese soldiers he often couldn't see through the dark of night or the thick vegetation.

But he heard their bullets buzz past his ears on countless occasions. He could have been hit at any time.

"The difference between a Purple Heart and not getting a Purple Heart is millimeters," said Burgess, who was wounded at age 18 in a grenade explosion on Feb. 18, 1968, along a road between Dau Tieng and Tay Ninh.

Purple Heart Patrick Burgess Patrick Burgess, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, is reflected in a shadow box holding his medals in his Sioux City home. Burgess

Earlier this week, Burgess and his wife, Jean, traveled from Sioux City to New York, where he's representing Iowa at the 2023 Purple Heart Patriot Project, a weeklong event paying tribute to American veterans who were wounded in combat. The event's sponsor, the National Purple Heart Honor Mission, a nonprofit organization honoring Purple Heart recipients, flew Burgess to New York, where he and other Purple Heart recipients ranging in age from 37 to 100 are spending the week visiting the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the nearby National Purple Heart Hall of Honor museum and other historic sites.

They all belong to a smaller set of military veterans: those who have been wounded in service.

"Nobody understands being wounded and what you go through better than someone else who's been wounded," Burgess said last week before his departure.

Born in Eugene, Oregon, and raised in northern California, Burgess came from a family of combat veterans, his grandfather in World War I and father in World War II. At age 17, with his father signing for him because he wasn't old enough to do so himself, Burgess enlisted in the Army, not knowing if he'd wind up in Vietnam. While training in explosives and minesweeping, it was obvious where his skills would take him, and he was deployed to Vietnam as a member of the 25th Infantry Division.

Purple Heart Patrick Burgess Patrick Burgess, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, holds a photo taken of him and his buddies eating ice cream during break in the

He was one of two combat engineers attached to a platoon, and his job was to blow up seized enemy weapons and ammunition, blow up bunker complexes and look for and destroy booby traps and mines. On that fateful day in February 1968, Burgess was checking for mines ahead of a convoy when the U.S. troops came under fire and a grenade exploded near him, killing one soldier and injuring his friend Bob Filbirth. After helping Filbirth onto a chopper to be evacuated, medics told Burgess he needed medical care, too. In shock, Burgess hadn't realized the extent of his injuries: flesh wounds over his back, buttocks and under his arm.

After a day or two in the hospital, he left and hitched a ride with a convoy back to his base, where he finished his recovery and later received his Purple Heart medal.

"I was honored by it," he said. "Everybody that's in a unit when someone receives a Purple Heart knows it could have been them."

Burgess finished his tour of duty and was shipped home in November 1968. He returned for a second tour from June 1969 to July 1970 with the 299th Combat Engineers.

Purple Heart Patrick Burgess Patrick Burgess, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient, points out some his military insignia in his Sioux City home. Burgess, an Army 

In 1977, he began his career in the ministry with Loving Faith Ministries, moving to Sioux City 36 years ago to help establish a church in South Sioux City. He's since helped open other Loving Faith Fellowship churches in Sioux City and internationally in India, Pakistan, Mexico and the Philippines. He remains active in ministry after 46 years.

"Ministry has been something that really helped me with Vietnam. It just really helped me to deal with issues by being kind," Burgess said.

A member of Sioux City's Chapter 426 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, a veteran's organization for Purple Heart recipients, Burgess was nominated for the trip to New York by post commander Jack Hanson, who represented Iowa in 2021. After learning of his nomination, Burgess said he put in the back of his mind until he was notified he'd been chosen to represent Iowa.

"I was a bit overwhelmed," Burgess said. "You're touched and you're humbled by this great honor to represent."

Burgess looked forward to meeting other veterans who, like him, share the physical scars of battle.

"To be in the room with others who bled for their country, it's amazing," he said.
SIOUX CITY  A Chicago man was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in federal prison for the armed robbery of a Sheldon, Iowa, bank.

Leon Sutton, 38, pleaded guilty in May in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to one count of bank robbery.

Sutton entered Iowa State Bank at around noon on June 3, 2021, brandished a handgun at two bank tellers and demanded they fill a bag with cash. The tellers put $17,379 in the bag, and Sutton left.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, surveillance video captured footage of Sutton driving a recently purchased car with no plates canvasing the area, and he entered the bank twice the day before the robbery. Police located the car's previous owner and traced it to Sutton, who after the robbery fled to Chicago, where he was eventually apprehended.

Sutton was ordered to pay $17,379 in restitution to Iowa State Bank. A charge of using a firearm during a crime of violence was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

After completing his prison sentence, Sutton must serve three years on supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
A judge rejected attempts to dismiss allegations in one of the many lawsuits related to the Davenport building collapse in May.

Three people died during the May 28 partial collapse of the building at 324 N. Main St. Another person lost a leg and many people lost their homes and property.

As of Tuesday, there were seven suits related to the collapse pending in Scott County, including one filed by Quanishia White-Cotton Berry and Lexus Berry. Quanishia Berry is the person who lost her leg because of the collapse.

The suit names a dozen defendants, including building owner Andrew Wold and the city of Davenport.

On Monday, District Court Judge Mark Lawson denied several motions to dismiss filed by some of the defendants.

Motion to Dismiss by Waukee Investments and Parkwild Properties

The suit identifies Waukee and Parkwild as the buildings previous owners, according to Lawsons ruling.

The plaintiffs allege the two businesses failed to maintain or inspect the building, and failed to remediate unsafe conditions, according to Lawsons ruling.

Waukee and Parkwild argued the court should dismiss the allegations against them because they did not own the building when the west wall collapsed, Lawsons ruling states. They argued they did not control the property.

Lawson, though, denied the motion.

In his ruling, he wrote that the plaintiffs argued that either Wold knew of the buildings condition and did nothing or Waukee and Parkwild concealed the buildings condition from the new owner.

This creates a factual issue as to when the Wold entities discovered the dangerous condition, whether any delay was due to Waukees and/or Parkwilds concealment, and whether the Wold entities had a reasonable opportunity to take effective precautions against it prior to the collapse, Lawson wrote. Because there is a legal basis for their claim and the court cannot say they have no right of recovery against Waukee and/or Parkwild as a matter of law, the court must deny the motion to dismiss.

Allowing the allegation of negligent infliction of emotional distress

Lexus Berry accused the defendants of negligently causing her emotional distress because of the collapse and many of the defendants wanted the claim rejected, Lawson wrote.

Lawson also denied those motions to dismiss on Monday.

Iowa law recognizes a bystanders right to claim emotional distress damages in certain circumstances, the judge states in his ruling.

The criteria for making such a claim include the bystander being near the accident and that the emotional distress resulted from directly observing the accident occur, Lawson wrote.

The defendants argued the Berrys suit based the allegation on Lexus Berrys own injuries, not those she sustained as a bystander, Lawson wrote.

At first blush, this would appear to be correct, the judge said. However, a reading of the entire amended petition paints a different picture.

Lawson wrote that the allegation also incorporated narrative provided earlier in the suit. That narrative described the couple being together in their apartment when the west wall collapsed, taking Quanishia Berry and much of the couples home with it to the ground.

By including those elements, the suits emotional distress allegation satisfied the requirements needed for the plaintiffs to continue pursuing it, Lawson wrote.

Photos: Demolition continues Tuesday on the collapsed The Davenport apartments 061323-qc-nws-demolitioncontinue-056
SIOUX CITY  A former Lyon County seed salesman was sentenced Wednesday to 30 months in federal prison for defrauding seed dealers of thousands of dollars.

Nathan Christie, 44, of Larchwood, Iowa, had pleaded guilty in March in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to single counts of wire fraud and making false statements to a financial institution.

Christie worked for an Indiana-based seed company for whom he sold seed to local dealers, who would sell the seed to farmers and collect payment.

From June 1, 2011, through June 4, 2018, Christie defrauded the seed company and dealers by selling directly to farmers and collecting payments himself, causing seed dealers to provide seeds without obtaining payment themselves. Christie would deposit farmers' payments into his personal bank accounts to pay for gambling and other personal expenses and did not pay his employer or the dealers in full.

To conceal his actions, Christie falsified sales records, making it appear farmers had ordered and paid for amounts different from what they actually ordered.

To hide the scheme and cover dealers' revenue shortfalls, Christie forged his wife's name on bank loans and misled bank officials about the loans' purpose.

He was ordered to pay restitution of $202,440 to AgReliant Genetics and $258,825 to American State Bank.
PRIMGHAR, Iowa  An administrative assistant at a home for adults with mental illness and disabilities has been arrested on suspicion of stealing more than $23,000 from residents during several months.

Jennifer Storm, 48, of Primghar, was arrested Friday and booked into the O'Brien County Jail on 10 counts of dependent adult abuse and single counts of first-degree theft and ongoing criminal conduct. She has posted a $35,000 secured bond and was released from custody.

court stock art A judge's gavel rests on a book of law. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Her arrest came after an investigation by the State of Iowa's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit uncovered the theft of $23,358.28 from 21 residents at Pride Group in Primghar from Nov. 20, 2020, through March 29.

During that time, Storm was an administrative assistant and was responsible for residents' money. According to court documents, Storm made unauthorized withdrawals on some residents' accounts and altered the amounts on withdrawal slips in other instances and kept the extra money. Storm also is accused of using residents' debit cards to make online and in-person purchases for herself and taking Social Security funds from one resident's account and transferring them to other residents' accounts to cover up thefts from those accounts.
STORM LAKE, Iowa -- A Laurens, Iowa, man is accused of stabbing another man with a hunting knife multiple times in Storm Lake on Monday.

Oscar Ortiz, 31, has been arrested on the following charges in connection with the incident that occurred at a residence in the 1600 block of Lochedem Drive: Attempted murder and first-degree robbery, both class B felonies; assault while participating in a felony -- serious injury; and willful injury causing serious injury, both class C felonies, as well as going armed with intent, a class D felony.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Buena Vista County District Court, at approximately 5 p.m. Monday, Ortiz assaulted the victim at the residence and took his android cell phone.

The complaint stated that Ortiz "did knowingly and intentionally use a large hunting knife to stab" the victim five times -- four in the back and once in the front. The victim suffered serious injuries both inside and outside his body as a result of the assault, according to the complaint.
OMAHA  A Sioux City man was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in federal prison for cashing checks stolen from an Omaha tribal member.

Jordan Fourkiller, 31, had pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Omaha to embezzlement and theft from an Indian tribal organization. After finishing his prison sentence, he will serve three years on supervised release. He also was ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska reported to police in December 2021 that possible fraudulent checks had been cashed near the Omaha Indian Reservation. An investigation found two counterfeit checks in the amount of $1,500 were cashed at two convenience stores.

A check originally issued to an Omaha tribal member through the Omaha Nation's COVID-19 Emergency Relief Aid Program had been stolen and altered using check-writing computer software to create two checks to be paid to Fourkiller. He was not the person who altered the checks, but was asked to cash them because he had a tribal ID card. He agreed to cash the checks in exchange for keeping $500 from each check.
STORM LAKE, Iowa  A member of the Storm Lake Volunteer Firefighters Association has been charged with stealing more than $7,000 from the organization.

Jesus Rojo, 28, of Storm Lake, who served as secretary/treasurer of the firefighters association, was arrested Thursday on a charge of second-degree theft, a Class D felony.

According to court documents, Rojo served as secretary/treasurer from Jan. 3 through July 6. During that time, he is suspected of taking $7,769.35 in association funds through ATM withdrawals and debit card transactions and using the money for his personal use.
PISGAH, Iowa  On Monday, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will host an open house at Brent S. Olson Memorial Visitor Center (206 Polk St.) in Pisgah, Iowa to discuss possible restoration and management plans for the Preparation Canyon section of the Loess Hills State Forest.

Preparation Canyon Fire followup A pair of cyclists pedal past charred trees north of the Loess Hills Scenic Overlook along Oak Avenue in the Preparation Canyon Unit of the Lo

Preparation Canyon Fire followup Charred trees are shown just north of the Loess Hills Scenic Overlook in the Preparation Canyon Unit of the Loess Hills State Forest west of M

Preparation Canyon fire A car travels on Monona County Road E-54 Friday past scorched land near the Ingemann Danish Lutheran Church north of Preparation Canyon State 

In April 2023, about 2,300 acres of Preparation Canyon were devastated by a wildfire that blazed for two days. Overall, about 3,700 total acres of land in Monona County were burned by the fire which began as a structure fire.

"Damages caused by this wildfire have been evaluated and inventory data has been collected to guide restoration and management planning and implementation efforts," a release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources stated. "DNR representatives will present information related to the extent of this wildfire and the damages that occurred as well as our plans on restoring and managing these areas to maximize benefits to wildlife and the public."

After the presentation, members of the public can ask questions and discuss future plans with Iowa DNR officials who are on hand.
President Yoon Suk Yeol held a second day of summits with world leaders in New York on Tuesday (local time) as he continued his push to win support for Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in Busan.

Yoon, who arrived in New York the previous day to attend the U.N. General Assembly, is using the annual gathering to meet with dozens of leaders on the sidelines as a last-minute boost to Korea's campaign to win the Expo bid.

The host of the mega event is set to be decided at the end of November when member states of the Bureau International des Expositions, the international body in charge of overseeing the World Expo, will cast their votes in favor of one of three candidate cities  Busan, Korea; Rome, Italy; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Yoon met with Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo over lunch on Tuesday, saying Korea has been providing active assistance to help Ghana's digital transformation and considers the West African nation an important partner for peace and security, given its role as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council this year, according to his office.

Akufo-Addo noted Korean companies' contributions to his country's economic development, including in the auto and fisheries sectors, and called for strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership.

During a meeting with Prince Albert II of Monaco, Yoon proposed strengthening the digital partnership between the two nations, while with President Chan Santokhi of Suriname, he discussed plans to help the country's economic and social development, including in forest survey and recovery work.

Yoon also held a summit with Prime Minister Sam Matekane of Lesotho and promised to help boost the country's agricultural productivity by exploring possible cooperation projects and providing farming machinery.

In a meeting with Prime Minister John Briceno of Belize, he expressed hope for further exchanges based on a sister-city agreement signed between Busan and Belize City.

Yoon also met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and called for strengthening cooperation in the areas of nuclear power plant construction and critical mineral supply chains, citing Kazakhstan's rich natural resources and Korea's cutting-edge technologies.

In a separate meeting with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, he said the two countries should look for ways to capitalize on Uzbekistan's abundant resources, including semiconductor materials, and Korea's advanced technologies, to build critical supply chains.

Yoon also met with Vice President Tiemoko Meyliet Kone of Cote d'Ivoire, demonstrating his commitment to meeting as many leaders as possible, even if not at the summit level. (Yonhap)
SIOUX CITY  On Monday, construction work along Glen Oaks Boulevard in Sioux City is set to begin and is expected to shift traffic.

The work includes paving patch repairs, intake replacements and sidewalk replacements and traffic will move to one side of the street, at a time, according to a press release from the city of Sioux City. On street parking won't be available where work is taking place but there will be one lane of access to cul-de-sacs. The work is referred to by the city as "Stage 2."

"Stage 2A will close the east side of the intersection of 31st Street Court and Glen Oaks Boulevard. Two-way traffic on Glen Oaks Boulevard will be shifted to the west," the release said. "Stage 2B will close the west side of the intersection of 31st Street and Glen Oaks Boulevard. Two-way traffic on Glen Oaks Boulevard will be shifted to the east."

The release then noted: Work will be suspended for 2023 when weather no longer permits progress on the project.

Glen Oaks Boulevard work A map showing construction work on Glen Oaks Boulevard in Sioux City. The initial stage will run from Indian Hills Drive to south of 31st Street.

A second round of work, labeled "Stage 1" is then slated to begin in spring 2024 and will run from Teton Trace to Indian Hills Drive.

"Area will be closed to through traffic and a detour utilizing Indian Hills Drive, Cheyenne Boulevard, and Outer Drive will be posted," the release stated. "Stage 1A will close the intersection of Teton Trace and Glen Oaks Blvd to traffic."

Before the Sioux City Council approved the project, Councilman Matthew O'Kane expressed concerns about how the project would impact traffic around North Middle and North High schools, since Glen Oaks Boulevard is a "huge feeder path" and Outer Drive is already "incredibly congested."

Glen Oaks Boulevard work 2 Work on Glen Oaks Boulevard from Teton Trace to Indian Hills Drive in Sioux City is slated to begin in spring 2024.

The end date for the work is targeted for "June 21, 2024."

The project was awarded to Mark Albenesius, Inc. in May 2023 for $1,238,740.
SIOUX CITY  A number of students, age 18 and under, will be able to attend Sioux City Symphony Orchestra (SCSO) concert for free during the 2023 - 2024 season.

This is made possible by a significant gift from Gerald and Kathleen Weiner, which will allow the orchestra to provide an unprecedented opportunity to new generations of concert-goers.

"The Sioux City Symphony Orchestra is committed to being relevant and accessible to all residents of Siouxland," said SCSO Executive Director David Gross. "The generous gift from the Weiners has made it possible for us to work towards its mission to serve as many Siouxland residents as possible."

The SCSO will collaborate with youth, social and human service organizations to assist in the distribution of tickets to honor the spirit and purpose of the contribution.

"This 'Concert Crew' ticketing program provides a gateway to cultural development, educational growth and overall well-being for young people," Music Director Ryan Haskins said. "This opportunity enables them to experience live performance, encourages their cognitive skills and nurtures future generations of music enthusiasts and supporters."

"The (Weiner's) gift is the beginning of a transformation for young people attending concerts," he added. "We are all inspired by the Weiner's desire to make every child feel a sense of community and belonging."
NEW YORK  President Joe Biden raised "hard issues," including protecting the "checks and balances" in a democracy, in a Wednesday meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pushing the Israeli leader to find a compromise on a judicial overhaul that has set off months of mass protests in Israel and concerns in Washington.

Biden also raised concerns about the far-right Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians, urging Netanyahu to take steps to improve conditions in the West Bank at a time of heightened violence in the occupied territory.

The two leaders sat down to chat one-on-one on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly. It was their first meeting since Netanyahu took office at the helm of his country's far-right government late last year.

Relations have cooled since Netanyahu returned to office with a coalition of ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalist partners.

His new government has stepped up construction in West Bank settlements, angering the U.S., and pressed ahead with its contentious judicial overhaul plan despite deep divisions at home and criticism from the U.S. and other allies.

Netanyahu tried to play down concerns about the plan, saying there is "one thing that will never change and that is Israel's commitment to democracy."

Biden opened the meeting by stressing the U.S. friendship with Israel as being "ironclad" and saying that "without Israel, there's not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential." But Biden also acknowledged the tensions with Netanyahu's government and its policies.

"We're going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems," Biden said. He said they would also talk about a path to a negotiated two-state solution with Palestinians and "ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon."

A senior Biden administration official said Biden pushed Netanyahu to find a compromise on his planned changes to the Israeli court system. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting, did not want to characterize Netanyahu's reaction to what Biden said, only that the Israeli leader understood the need for a compromise.

Israeli media, citing a senior official, said Netanyahu assured Biden he was seeking a compromise. Netanyahu made similar pledges in recent months while pushing ahead with the plan, drawing accusations from his opponents that he is not negotiating in good faith. His coalition pushed the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July.

The location of the long-anticipated meeting  a New York hotel on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meetings rather than the grandeur of the Oval Office  has been widely interpreted in Israel as a sign of U.S. displeasure with Netanyahu's new government.

Netanyahu has been a frequent White House visitor over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of starting their tenure to the Oval Office. But his judicial proposals have raised concerns within Israel as well as the U.S. about his commitment to a democratic system.

Biden held out the possibility of the coveted Oval Office meeting, saying, "I hope we'll see each other in Washington by the end of the year." The U.S. later formally invited Netanyahu to the White House, eyeing a meeting in November or December.

Despite the cordiality between the two leaders, the Manhattan setting and Biden's past misgivings about Netanyahu's restructuring of the courts were signs of the strains in the alliance.

Biden has repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahu's plan to overhaul Israel's judicial system.

Netanyahu says the country's unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. His plan seeks to give more authority to the ruling coalition in parliament, which he heads.

Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.

The plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the United States, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the country's flag in protest Wednesday in New York. Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Early this year, Biden voiced his unhappiness over the judicial overhaul, saying Netanyahu "cannot continue down this road" and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise.

The Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire.

Netanyahu's coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Israel's government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians  a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.

According to a White House summary of the talks, Biden stressed the "need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation" in the West Bank, where violence between Israelis and Palestinians over the past 18 months has intensified to its worst levels in roughly two decades. The two leaders also reaffirmed their intention to stop Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
UNITED NATIONS  The head of the United Nations warned Wednesday that the gates of hell are at hand as climate change intensifies, and top international officials said the world's leaders still arent doing nearly enough to curb pollution of heat-trapping gases. They pleaded with major emitting nations to do more.

Those nations remained silent. They weren't allowed to speak because, organizers said, they had no new actions to take.

The only countries that touted their efforts  first movers and doers, the United Nations called them  were responsible for just one-ninth of the world's annual carbon pollution.

Humanity has opened the gates to hell, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday, opening a special climate ambition summit with yet another plea for action.  Horrendous heat is having horrendous effects. Distraught farmers watching crops carried away by floods. Sweltering temperatures spawning disease. And thousands fleeing in fear as historic fires rage.

Guterres convened the summit with the idea that only world leaders who came with new concrete actions would get to address their peers on the issue. But leaders of the countries that produce the most heat-trapping gases themselves chose not to even ask.

Heads of state from China, the United States, India, Russia, the United Kingdom and France all skipped the summit. The United States, which has put the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere over the decades, sent its climate envoy, John Kerry, to the summit even though President Joe Biden was in town. Then the United Nations didn't give Kerry a speaking spot. But California Gov. Gavin Newsom was given the space to speak and tout his state's efforts.

The 32 national leaders who did qualify represent only 11% of the world's carbon dioxide pollution. China and the United States both emit more carbon dioxide than those 32 countries combined. The European Commission's president was also permitted to speak.

We are in the final stages of what actions are needed to preserve this planet and regrettably Im not sure everybody is getting it, said Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who called on debt pauses and cancellations and changes in multinational development banks and the insurance industry.

Mottley, a leader of poorer nations struck frequently by extreme weather, lamented that everybody was paying attention to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was speaking at the same time at the Security Council. While she stands in support of Ukraine, she said, climate change is a greater threat because more lives are at stake globally than they are in Ukraine.

Even though the world in 2015 adopted a goal of limiting warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit since pre-industrial times, instead Earth is on a path to warming 5 degrees Fahrenheit  a dangerous and unstable world, Guterres warned. The world has already warmed at least 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the middle of the 19th century.

But the future is not fixed. It is for leaders like you to write it, Guterres said.

Guterres called on major emitters  who have benefitted most from fossil fuels  to make extra efforts to cut emissions, and on wealthy countries to support emerging economies to do so. They were silent.

Theres no doubt that the absence of so many leaders from the worlds biggest economies and emitters will clearly have an impact on the outcomes of the summit and diminish the contribution that many of us had hoped it could make, said longtime climate negotiations analyst Alden Meyer of the European think-tank 3EG.

On the same day Guterres called for more and faster cuts in heat-trapping emissions and in spending helping poor countries shift to renewable energy and adapt to a warmer world, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak appeared poised to slow down his country's efforts  and go in the opposite direction.

Sunak issued a statement Tuesday saying he would do a proportionate environmental effort in response to a BBC report saying the prime minister is considering extending deadlines for bans on new gasoline and diesel cars  currently set for 2030  and on new natural-gas home heating, due in 2035.

In contrast, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen crowed about how their members pledged to reduce carbon pollution 55% by 2030 and is doing even better than that. We should go faster in removing the root causes of climate change," von der Leyen said.

Guterres, a new special U.N. report on the lack of progress in the fight against climate change, activists and some scientists have called for a phase-out of fossil fuels coal, oil and natural gas. But international negotiations keep away from adopting such a big move.

On Wednesday, Guterres once again pushed for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, something he said reached an incredible $7 trillion in 2022. The secretary-general criticized the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuels.

He called on wealthy nations to fulfill their $100 billion pledges to help poorer countries deal with climate change.

Many of the poorest nations have every right to be angry, Guterres said. Angry that they are suffering most from a climate crisis they did nothing to create.

Photos: United Nations' climate agency's State of Global Climate 2022
WASHINGTON  House Republicans clashed with Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, accusing him and the Justice Department of the "weaponization" of the department's work in favor of President Joe Biden's son Hunter.

Garland's appearance before the House Judiciary Committee was his first in two years and came at an unprecedented moment in the department's history: He's overseeing two cases against Donald Trump, the first former president to face criminal charges, and another against the sitting president's son.

Republicans on the committee  led by chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio  set the tone with accusations that the Justice Department is favoring the Biden family while targeting his likely 2024 opponent, Trump.

"There's one investigation protecting President Biden. There's another one attacking President Trump," Jordan declared. "The Justice Department's got both sides of the equation covered."

Garland  carefully and deliberately  defended the country's largest law enforcement agency of more than 115,000 employees at a time when political and physical threats against agents and their families are on the rise.

"Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate," the attorney general said. "I am not the president's lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congress' prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people."

Republicans focused on allegations that the Justice Department interfered in the yearslong case into Hunter Biden and that the prosecutor in charge of that case did not have the full authority he needed to bring necessary charges.

An investigation into Hunter Biden had been run by the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss, who Garland kept on to finish the probe and insulate it from claims of political interference. Garland granted Weiss special counsel status last month, giving him broad authority to investigate and report his findings.

Republican Mike Johnson of Louisiana asked Garland whether he had talked with anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation. The attorney general's response began with a long pause before he said: "I don't recollect the answer to that question," later adding "I don't believe that I did."

Garland then said repeatedly that he purposely kept the details of the investigation at arms length, to keep his promise not to interfere.

His testimony came just over a week after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., launched an impeachment inquiry into Garland's boss, President Biden, with a special focus on the Justice Department's handling of Hunter Biden's case.

The White House has dismissed the impeachment inquiry as baseless and has worked to focus the conversation on policy instead.

"These sideshows won't spare House Republicans from bearing responsibility for inflicting serious damage on the country," Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement Wednesday.

Hunter Biden's legal team, on the other hand, has gone on the offensive against GOP critics, most recently filing suit against the Internal Revenue Service after two of its agents raised whistleblower claims to Congress about the handling of the investigation.

Republicans contend that the Justice Department  both under Trump and now Biden  failed to fully probe the allegations against the younger Biden, ranging from his work on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma to his tax filings in California and Washington D.C.

Last week, Weiss used his new authority to indict Hunter Biden on federal firearms charges.

A judge ruled Wednesday that Hunter Biden must appear in person for a hearing where he is expected to plead not guilty to federal firearms charges that were filed after the collapse of a plea deal in a long-running federal investigation.

The president's son had asked to appear via video conference for the hearing set for Tuesday, but U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke sided with prosecutors who said he should be there in person.

Hunter Biden is accused of lying on a form about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018  a period when he has acknowledged he was struggling with addiction  and keeping the gun for 11 days.

When asked by Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., whether he had tried to figure out if Weiss was facing any hurdles in bringing charges against the president's son, Garland said he purposely kept his distance to keep a promise not to interfere.

"The way to not interfere was to not investigate an investigation," Garland said.

One Republican during the more than five-hour hearing came to Garland's defense

Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, a former Justice Department prosecutor, told Garland that he was in an impossible situation after inheriting an investigation into the president's son and would have been criticized no matter what.

"Do you know what people would have said if you had asked for U.S. Attorney Weiss' resignation when you became attorney general?" Buck asked Garland. "They would have said that you were obstructing the Hunter Biden investigation and you were firing a Republican appointee so that you could appoint a Democrat to slow walk this investigation."

He added, "You would have been criticized either way, whether you acted or did not act in that situation."

Weiss, since 2018, has overseen the day-to-day running of the probe, while another special counsel, Jack Smith, is in charge of the Trump investigation, though Garland retains final say on both as attorney general.
WASHINGTON  Americans detained for years in Iran arrived home Tuesday, tearfully hugged their loved ones and declared Freedom! after being let go as part of a politically risky deal that saw President Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

The prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with clapping and cheers heard in the predawn hours. Siamak Namazi, the first off the jet, paused for a moment, closed his eyes and took a deep breath before leaving the plane. Loved ones, some holding small American flags, enveloped them in hugs and exchanged greetings in English and Farsi, the main language of Iran.

The nightmare is finally over, Namazis brother, Babak, said at the airport.

We havent had this moment in over eight years, he added, his arm around his brother and his formerly detained father, Baquer, who had been earlier released by Iran. Its unbelievable.

One of the other freed Americans, Emad Sharghi, received from his sister, Neda, a U.S. flag and a stuffed animal that she had given to their father 30 years ago when he had bypass surgery, a family representative said.

The former prisoners, who flew on the Gulfstream 5 that brought WNBA star Brittney Griner home after her detention in Russia, later posed for a group photograph with their families, calling out: Freedom!

The successful negotiations for the Americans' freedom brought Biden profuse thanks from their families but heat from Republican presidential rivals and other opponents for the monetary arrangement with one of America's top adversaries.

Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home, the Democratic president said in a statement released as the plane carrying the group from Tehran initially landed in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.

Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, on hand for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, suggested the exchange could be a step in the direction of a humanitarian action between us and America.

It can definitely help in building trust, Raisi told journalists.

Iran aired footage of the two prisoners who returned to the Islamic Republic as part of the swap, while two will remain in the U.S. and a fifth will go to a third country. The two who returned hugged their families and criticized the U.S. for their sentences.

The U.S government accused me of having the will to jeopardize U.S interests through disregarding the sanctions. I wonder how the U.S government can accuse someone of a crime by reading his mind? Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani told Iranian state television.

Kafrani was indicted in 2021. charged with unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment to Iran and money laundering, though his case had not yet moved to trial.

Also released, according to Nour News, was Mehrdad Ansari, an Iranian sentenced by the U.S. to 63 months in prison in 2021 for obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles, electronic warfare, nuclear weapons and other military gear.

Tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in disputes over Tehrans nuclear program and other matters. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

The prisoner release unfolded 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.

When the Americans initially stopped in Doha after their release from Iran, three of them  Namazi, Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz  emerged. They hugged the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, and others. The three then threw their arms over one another's shoulders and walked off toward the airport.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Namazi said: I would not be free today, if it wasnt for all of you who didnt allow the world to forget me.

The $5.9 billion in cash released to Iran represents money South Korea owed Iran  but had not yet paid  for oil purchased before the U.S. imposed sanctions on such transactions in 2019.

The U.S. maintains that, once in Qatar, the money will be held in restricted accounts to be used only for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food. Those transactions are currently allowed under American sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic over its advancing nuclear program.

The deal has already opened Biden to fresh criticism from Republicans and others who say the administration is helping boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to American troops and Mideast allies. That could have implications in his reelection campaign.

Former President Donald Trump, the early front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, called it an absolutely ridiculous deal on the Truth Social social media site. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Biden of rewarding and incentivizing Tehran's bad behavior.
Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds pushed back on comments former President Donald Trump made over the weekend suggesting state laws banning abortions after six weeks  like the one Reynolds signed into law in July  are a "terrible mistake."

Trump, the front-runner in the Republican presidential primary, made the comments in a Sunday interview on Meet the Press with Kristen Welker, pointing to the policy his presidential primary opponent Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law in April.

"Its never a 'terrible thing' to protect innocent life," Reynolds said Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter. "Im proud of the fetal heartbeat bill the Iowa legislature passed and I signed in 2018 and again earlier this year."

The Florida law makes abortion illegal after six weeks with some exceptions. Iowa's law, currently blocked because of a lawsuit, bans abortion after cardiac activity can be detected in an embryo or fetus with some exceptions, which can be as early as six weeks.

"I think what he did is a terrible thing and a terrible mistake," Trump said in the interview.

Reynolds signed a near-identical version of the law in 2018 which was permanently blocked by a district court. The new law is now before the Iowa Supreme Court to determine its constitutionality.

Trump, whose Supreme Court appointments were instrumental in delivering the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and federal abortion protections, did not say whether he would support a national abortion ban or what the cutoff should be. He said he would bring together Republicans and Democrats to find a number of weeks or months thats going to make people happy.

Trump is set to return to Iowa on Wednesday, making campaign stops in Maquoketa and Dubuque. Reynolds is not scheduled to appear at either of the events, and she has not appeared alongside Trump since March.

Trump criticized Reynolds for staying neutral in the Republican presidential primary in July and claimed credit for her 2018 gubernatorial election.

The thorny politics of abortion restrictions have driven Republican presidential candidates to adopt varied approaches to the issue as they seek support from conservative voters. Former Vice President Mike Pence has endorsed a 15-week national abortion ban, while former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley has downplayed the likelihood of a national ban while supporting broader pregnancy support and birth control access.

DeSantis's supporters also criticized Trump on Tuesday after he disparaged the Florida governor's abortion policy. Statements from Iowa pastors and Trump's legislative endorsers said the comments were an insult to the anti-abortion movement.

"Trump's comments are a slap in the face to Iowans and the entire pro-life movement," said House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley. "We should never compromise with Democrats on protecting life."

DeSantis shot back at Trump in an interview with Radio Iowa on Monday. He said any compromise Trump lands on would go against the aims of anti-abortion advocates.

I thought him saying that those bills were terrible, I think, was a terrible statement, and I think it's a window into how hes changing as hes running this campaign, DeSantis told Radio Iowa. And I think hes changing in a way that is not consistent with the values of the people of Iowa.
On Monday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stunned the world by all but accusing India of conducting an assassination on his countrys soil. Speaking in Parliament, Trudeau provided an update on his governments investigation into the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh-separatist Khalistan activist and Canadian citizen who was shot and killed in his truck by two masked gunmen in the British Columbia town where he served as president of a local gurdwara. Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the circumstances of Nijjars killing, Trudeau informed the public. Last week, at G20, I brought them personally, and directly, to Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi in no uncertain terms.

The statement sent shockwaves across the globe even before Canadas foreign affairs minister announced that the country was booting a senior Indian diplomat named Pavan Kumar Rai in connection with the investigation. Indias government then put out multiple statements on Monday referring to the allegations as absurd and accusing Canada of threaten[ing] Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity, subsequently returning the diplomatic favor by giving an unnamed senior Canadian official five days to leave the subcontinent. Trudeau said on Tuesday that hes not looking to provoke or escalate the already thick tensions between his country and India, but undeniably, his disclosure has inflamed suspicions and rage across a complex geopolitical webamong Nijjars family and friends, among the vibrant Sikh diaspora in Canada, among the nations allied with both sides, and among Modi-loyal Indians taken aback by the Canadian PMs audacity. The White House has already said its deeply concerned about the allegations, and further stated that it is critical that Canadas investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and how did his death become the center of a global conflict? How much does Canada know? And why is India even involving itself with so many people across the world who are not its citizens? Some answers.

Why was Hardeep Singh Nijjar killed, and why was it so significant?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a Punjab-born Sikh whod emigrated to Canada, where he became a citizen, owned a plumbing business, and presided over a local temple in Surrey, British Columbia, thats named for the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak. While Nijjar was a beloved member of Canadas Sikh populationwhich is the second largest of any country in the world, after Indiashe was legally perceived in his former country as a terrorist, thanks in large part to his advocacy for clawing back parts of the North Indian state of Punjab and establishing a sovereign state for the regions Sikhs, to be known as Khalistan.

Whats Khalistan?

Advertisement

The roots of the Khalistan concept lie in the waning years of British-ruled India, as the prospect of independence came into view. By the 1940s, it was clear that any postcolonial arrangement would have to include demarcations for separate Hindu- and Muslim-specific nations, as tensions between the two religious groups had long been inflamed by colonial duress. Many of Indias Sikhs, who hold roots in Punjab dating back to their religions 15th-century founding, similarly desired a country of their own, with borders encompassing the entirety of Punjab and other parts of North India. This obviously did not come to pass, and when Punjabs territory was split between India and Pakistan in 1947, the overwhelming majority of Sikhs made the treacherous Partition journey to settle within India. Several residents still pined for a separate state, leading Indias Parliament to establish Sikh- and Hindu-dominated states in the north, respectively recognized as Punjab and Haryana, by 1966. This did not stem the clamor, especially since thenPrime Minister Indira Gandhi refused to grant Punjab the kind of special autonomy that was given to the Muslim-majority state of Jammu and Kashmir. Going into the 1970s, idealistic Indian Sikhs took advantage of relaxed immigration laws to settle in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, spreading the Khalistan idea across the globe.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

By the 1980s, the movement had taken on a militant bent, with the most fervent separatists engaging in bombings and shootings that injured and killed hundreds of Hindu and anti-Khalistan Punjabis. The issue hit crisis mode in 1984, when Gandhi sent army and police forces to Punjabs Golden Templethe holiest place of worship for Sikhsbecause the most murderous Khalistan-movement factions were hiding out there. A shootout ensued, leading to brutal casualties not only among the fighters but also of several Punjabi civilians, only further stoking regional anger against the government. A few months later, Gandhis own Sikh bodyguard murdered her in retaliation, spawning retaliatory pogroms across North India that killed thousands of Sikhs and appeared to have been encouraged by the then-ruling Congress Party. The violence reached Canada the year after, when revenge-seeking Khalistan militants based there assembled and planted a bomb on Air India Flight 182, which exploded over the Atlantic Ocean while traveling from Montreal to London and killed all of the aircrafts occupants, including both Canadian and Indian citizens.* (This horrific attack, the worst of its kind in Canadian history, remains the primary example of Khalistani terrorism abroad; that same day, another Air Indiatargeted bomb exploded in Tokyos Narita International Airport, killing two staffers.) Punjab continued to erupt in both pro-Khalistan and anti-Sikh violence throughout the decade, which both heightened government crackdowns and reduced popular support for the movement within Punjab; however, many Sikh individuals and groups located both within and outside of India have professed their continued desire for a Khalistan state.

So was Nijjar involved in  any of that?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Not in that fraught history, nohe was only a teen by the time Khalistan-linked chaos quieted in the early 1990s. But Nijjar had been targeted time and again by the Modi administration, which kept tabs on the Sikh diaspora and their Khalistan cause sympathizers. Nijjar was an organizer with the Canadian arm of Sikhs for Justice, a U.S.-based pro-Khalistan organization thats attempted to hold Congress Party members accountable in international courts for the anti-Sikh violence of the 1980s. After it was banned from India in 2019, SFJ called for its myriad outposts to hold a referendum in favor of Punjabs secession from India, garnering ample support in Canada. This collective activism among Canadian Sikhs has long provoked Indias ire, spurring decadeslong tensions between Indian and Canadian leaders; Canadian PMs of all ideological persuasions have long rebuffed Indias requests to censor or surveil pro-Khalistan Sikhs, since they never evolved into anything resembling the 80s-era Indian militias.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Nevertheless, under Modis reign, India has continued to monitor and target Khalistan supporters abroad. In 2016, its government told Canada that Nijjar specifically was running a militant training cell near Vancouver, and that he was wanted in India in connection with a fatal 2007 movie theater bombing. (In 2014, all suspects accused in that case were cleared of their charges.) When a Vancouver Sun reporter tracked him down, Nijjar denied all the allegations, mentioning that hed been living in Canada for decades and was too busy with his family and career to get involved in such things. Yet India kept up its pursuit of Singh. In 2018, Punjabs chief minister at the time, Amarinder Singh, welcomed Trudeau to his state and presented him with a list of wanted criminals that named Nijjarwho was later taken into custody by Canadian police only to be released after 24 hours with no charges. Nijjar did not deny his support for pro-Khalistan groups, but he maintained his innocence against Indias terrorism charges, claiming he was being targeted and framed in false criminal cases. In 2020, India officially deemed Nijjar a terrorist, linking his pro-Khalistan activism to the widespread farmers protests that the national government was (unsuccessfully) attempting to crush. Last year, Indias counterterrorism agency accused Nijjar of being involved in an attack on a Hindu priest and promised a monetary award to anyone who could help authorities arrest him. After Nijjars murder on June 18, the World Sikh Organisation of Canada claimed that the Canadian Security Intelligence Service had warned him long in advance that he could be the target of an assassination plot.

Was there any proof for all the accusations against Nijjar?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

No firm proof as far as we can ascertain. There were multiple Indian government and police reports written so as to charge Nijjar in these acts, but no supplementary evidence was released to the public.

Why did India target him so voraciously, then?

Advertisement

The Modi administration often makes the Khalistan movement a scapegoat and a justification for crackdowns whenever protests have roared up against the prime ministers authoritarian, bigoted rule. Organizers of protests as varied as 2019s nationwide uprisings against Islamophobic legislation, 2020s rallies of farmers against government rollbacks of agricultural safety nets, and even this years mobilization of women wrestlers against institutional sexual harassmenttheyve all been accused by Modi allies, sans evidence, of being primarily linked to or driven by pro-Khalistan soldiers. This spring, when Punjabi police embarked on a manhunt to apprehend the militant pro-Khalistan ringleader Amritpal Singh Sandhu, and were countered by disapproving local Sikhs, they mass-arrested hundreds of those dissenters and shut down digital communication networks across the state for days. This suppression spread beyond Punjabs and Indias borders: The Modi administration, never reluctant to block a tweet it didnt like, ordered Twitter to obscure hundreds of accounts from Indian view, including those belonging to the Pakistani government, which India accused of funding current-day Khalistan movement terrorists, and to Canadian member of Parliament Jagmeet Singh, himself a Sikh whod attended pro-Khalistan rallies before entering politics.

Advertisement

Advertisement

So on one end, there is Indias persistent chasing of anyone and everyone it considers a pro-Khalistan gunman. Then there is Indias particular beef with Canada, its Sikhs, and their pro-Khalistan rallies, which recently have been as peaceful as Punjabs 80s insurgencies were bloody. Its also worth noting that Indian officials have felt empowered under Modi to flex their power on the international stage, coddled as the country is by powerful allies of all stripes, like the U.S. and Russia. Indian diplomats have spurned American politicians who call out the Modi eras human rights abuses, persuaded British royals not to trot out their Indian-origin crown jewels during this years coronation, and refused to cut ties with Russia after it invaded Ukraine, to the exhaustion of Western allies whove begged the country to take a firm pro-Ukraine stance. And yes, the government has stripped citizenship from and detained U.S.-based Indian-origin journalists. This is the first time Indias been accused of an out-and-out foreign assassination, howeverperhaps an indication that Modi and his goons stand to benefit from the impunity afforded to despots like Mohammad bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia who approved the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

To sum it up: Indias single-minded pursuit of anyone associated with the wide-spanning arms of the Khalistan movement, plus its willingness to confront and target Indians in foreign countries, made for a formula that could encourage India to chase whomever it liked, no matter how unsupported the individual charges. And if Indian diplomats were indeed behind Nijjars murder, they probably felt better about carrying out such an act in Canada, a country of which they arent too fond.

Related From Slate It May Seem Like the Iran Protests Changed Nothing. People There See It Differently. Read More

Theyre that mad at Canada because of Khalistan-sympathizing Sikhs?

Indeed. To be clear, there are plenty of Sikhs worldwide who dont necessarily want a Khalistan state, but they are opposed to how India goes after those alleged to be Khalistan supporters, which they see as pure persecution of Sikhs by Modis Hindu-nationalist regime. Throughout the Modi years, India-Canada relations have chilled as India-U.S. relations have warmed. When Trudeau expressed concern in late 2020 over Indias suppression of the farmers protests, the subcontinent characterized his remarks as straight-up interference in Indian affairs. (However, the farmers themselves appeared to welcome Canadian solidarity.) Finally, of course, there was the Group of 20 Summit in New Delhi, where Modi confronted Trudeau over anti-Modi Sikh rallies while Trudeau, as we now know, confronted Modi over Nijjars killing.

Advertisement

Advertisement

It seems Canada isnt yet releasing any hard evidence on Indias role in the killing. So why did Trudeau make such a loud announcement?

Reportedly, correspondents for the Globe and Mail newspaper heard about Canadas suspicions of Indian involvement from national-security sources and contacted Ottawa officials for confirmation. When it became clear the paper was going to publish the story no matter what, Trudeau decided to make the public announcement on Monday, after which the piece finally published. On Tuesday, Trudeau elaborated that Canadians have a right to know and need to know when things are going on like this. And thats why we made the decision to [reveal] this.

What  happens now?

Advertisement

Its hard to say. As the Washington Post reported Tuesday, Canada had asked friends like the U.S. earlier this summer to condemn Nijjars murder, only for them to decline; nations like the U.K. and Australia are now issuing delicate statements over the matter without implying that Indias to blame for anything.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the already fraught Canada-India relationship appears destined to crumble even further. On Monday, Canadian Sikhs posting about Nijjars death on Facebook had their posts taken down and accounts suspended; some were restored after the account holders appealed to Meta. Meanwhile, Canada updated its travel advisory for the subcontinent, asking citizens to avoid traveling to Jammu and Kashmir; in turn, India issued an advisory Wednesday asking Indians traveling to or residing in Canada to exercise caution. Sikhs in British Columbia alternately expressed relief that Canada finally appeared to acknowledge Indias aggressive silencing of pro-Khalistan voices, while lamenting that it took a stone-cold murder to bring that interference to light. Nijjars son told Canadian media Tuesday that he and his family had always suspected the Indian government was behind his fathers death, and said he hoped Canada could uncover the specific individuals involved.

This piece has been updated to include mention of the 1985 Air India Flight 182 bombing in Canada.
Remember this summer when Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed to debate? This was sure to be must-see TV. Two guys who really wanted to be president, both of them very much under 80, squaring up. For those who hadnt yet accepted that the 2024 presidential election would be a Biden-Trump redux, this looked like the very near future of American politics, two heavyweight rising stars, leaders of large states, R and D, an undercard in name only.

Now its looking increasingly unlikely that that debate will happen at all. In a recent appearance on Meet the Press, Newsom told host Chuck Todd that the debate is still in the works but mired in a disagreement over a venue issue. They wanted thousands of people and make it a performance. I wasnt interested in that. We were pretty clear on that. And so I think were getting closer, Newsom said.

But logistics are the least of their problems. Since the moment this idea was announced in August, things have not gone according to plan for either man. With Trump and Biden already looking like locks for presidential renominations, DeSantis and Newsom havent merely been put on ice; each has spent the intervening months spoiling their reputation with odd antics, their national appeal somehow fading faster than even the sundowning octogenarians at their respective parties helms. Both have filled their second and final gubernatorial terms with strange vanity projects and ill-advised public comments, accomplishing less and less with the mandate voters in each of their states gave them not long ago.

Advertisement

Advertisement

DeSantis falloff is well documented. Its not just his astonishingly off-putting trailside manner. Hes blown through a startling amount of campaign cash, worn out the backing of what was an exhaustive-depth chart of GOP megadonors, and somehow turned the opportunity of his chief rivals multiple federal indictments into a crushing blow for his own chances. He has nearly been passed up by Vivek Ramaswamy in national polls.

Advertisement

It has become clear that DeSantis vengeful conservatism, part Trumpism but with more ire for teachers and librarians and LGBTQ+ people in the Sunshine State, is not the future of the party. If anything, DeSantis frenzy of probably unconstitutional anti-choice, anti-education, punitive politics has been exposed as freakish and off-putting even to Republicans, who are rejecting him roundly. The fear of independents or Democrats outside of Florida falling under his sway seems legitimately laughable, even compared to where he was two months ago.

Advertisement

After his first Republican debate performance, where he suffered all the disadvantages of front-runner status with attacks from the field, but, of course, was very much not the front-runner, its unclear why DeSantis team would want to march him out to the dais for another round, this time with Newsom. Even a best-case scenario would have him taking hits, this time from the leftthe direction from which Trump is already hitting himand absorbing unnecessary blows his Republican opponents are avoiding. Worse still is the prospective visual of the 5-foot-something DeSantis in his heeled boots standing alongside the 6-foot-3 governor of California.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsom hasnt been the face of an embarrassing campaign meltdown this year, but he hasnt exactly been covering himself in glory, either. The geriatric logjam at the top of the northern wing of the California Democratic Party has continued with Nancy Pelosi choosing to run for reelection and Dianne Feinstein refusing to step down, robbing Newsom of a legacy-making opportunity to have appointed both of the states senators. This would obviously not be as desirable as winning one of those roles himself, but itd be better than nothing. Despite her obvious and well-catalogued deficiencies, Kamala Harris remains entrenched in her vice presidency, and is thus in front of Newsom in the California Democratic line as well.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Arguably, since his election as mayor of San Francisco in 2004, and most certainly since he won the states top office in 2018, Newsom has been a rising star, a much-talked-about presidential contender who looked to have timing on his side as the old guard aged out. When he sat out the 2020 primary race, it seemed like it was still only a one-term setback.

Now, he has effectively been pulled off even the shadow campaign trail for 2024. But instead of focusing on legacy policy achievements to burnish his resume for 2028, Newsom has instead committed himself to confounding, reactionary, and probably unconstitutional policymaking of his own, a series of descriptors one might even call DeSantis-esque for short.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Last week, Newsom announced that the state will intervene in a recent federal case over whether the city of San Francisco can sweep homeless encampments without providing more available shelter beds. The governor been happy to slap his smiling image on this campaign, personally involving himself in cleanup efforts. But the federal government has not smiled upon what homeless rights advocates have called a cruel and illegal processthe city has also been throwing out personal belongings found in encampments, including medication and cellphonesand U.S. Magistrate Judge Donna Ryu granted an injunction against the process, bringing it to a halt until the city can actually point to available shelter for the homeless.

Newsom responded to that decision with scathing remarks, calling the ruling a perverse interpretation of the law and announcing that he would commit the full legal force of the state to opposing the decision, filing an amicus brief on behalf of the approach to allow it to continue. Newsom said he hoped his offices intervention would push the issue into the outstretched arms of the Republican judicial supermajority on the Supreme Court, whose penchant for cruel and conservative decision-making might greenlight his preferred policy. I hope this goes to the Supreme Court, Newsom said. And thats a hell of a statement coming from a progressive Democrat.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsom has also announced a new tough-on-crime initiative, announcing the states largest-ever commitment to combating retail theft, which will cost a whopping $267 million and involve 55 law enforcement agencies. When shameless criminals walk out of stores with stolen goods, theyll walk straight into jail cells, Newsom said in a statement.

Related From Slate Democrats, I Implore You: Stop It Read More

California has struggled with a slight increase in violent crimeand a huge increase in fear of crime, particularly in Northern California; that crime panic helped oust San Franciscos reform District Attorney Chesa Boudin in a recall campaign, which predictably has done nothing to reverse those trends in the city. Simultaneously, conservative media and business groups have made a huge effort to convince the public of a shoplifting crime wave. But as NBC Bay Area reporter Velena Jones noted, Oakland, at the epicenter of this supposed spree, with a reformist district attorney to boot, has seen commercial burglaries increase just 7 percent from this time last year. In a January earnings call, Walgreens CFO James Kehoe admitted to investors that maybe we cried too much last year about retail theft.

Advertisement

Newsom has also trotted out new tough talk on drug dealing, doubling the number of state police officers in San Francisco, a confounding approach that seems to suggest a return to war-on-drugs, 1980s-style policy. All of which has the governor looking like the newest in a long line of Democrats self-styling as tough on crime, which continues to be a losing position for non-Republicans running for office.

Newsom built up an impressive track record in his first term and a half, and is certainly the states best governor in recent memory; he can and may still sign a number of consequential pieces of legislation that are currently sitting on his desk that would represent meaningful changes on everything from pollution to wages to gun control and more. But compared to the breakthrough legislative sessions overseen by Democratic governors in Michigan, Minnesota, and Illinois, all with much smaller Democratic majorities, those accomplishments seem less Herculean. Theres a reason that conversations regarding the future of the Democratic Party are now focused on a bunch of governors from the upper Midwest and make scant mention of the Californian.

Advertisement

Advertisement

So the pay-per-view-style showdown promised between Newsom and DeSantis seems destined to fade away. Possibly the decision lies with Fox, which had planned to host the event. Rupert Murdoch initially proclaimed support for DeSantis, but the network seems to be coming around to the fact that it will be Trump theyre doing ideological programming on behalf of yet again.

All of a sudden, the two governors who once fancied themselves the two poles of American politics seem to be on a very similar trajectory, staring down the possibility of settling for lower office or hoping instead for a Cabinet appointment from a friendly ex-rival. Would a Hannity-hosted TV special between two guys, both unlikely to ever be president, help ingratiate either one of them? That, I guess, is debatable.
Together we can: Chinese tech behemoth oils the wheels of African digital revolution

11:07, September 20, 2023 By Chi Zao ( People's Daily Online

People dance on a municipal plaza in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital city. Many dancers play music on their Chinese phones. Photo by Chi Zao.

Teenagers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, dance cheerfully to the beat of the music from their cell phones in a city plaza. Passengers wait for the train at a small station in Djibouti City, Djibouti, killing time with smartphone games. Farmers in Abuja, Nigeria, film their daily work with mobile phones and post the footage online.

Africa, home to the world's youngest population, has been an active participant in the ongoing global digital revolution. A major contributor to this effort is Transsion Holdings, a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer that has dominated the African smartphone market with feature-rich devices explicitly tailored to the needs of African users.

According to Canalys, Transsion, parent company of the TECNO, Infinix, and itel brands, led the African smartphone market in the second quarter of 2023, accounting for 54% of the total. TECNO was placed ninth on African Business' 2023 list of Africa's 100 most admired brands, Infinix was ranked twenty-ninth, and itel was ranked thirtieth.

"I've been using Transsion's phone since 2013. To ensure that no one in Africa is left behind in the digital transition, the Chinese company has made their phones accessible to even the lowest-income citizens," said Michael Abebe, a 27-year-old Ethiopian digital enthusiast, adding that the cheapest Transsion phone goes for as little as 10 dollars.

Making mobile phones for Africans

TECONs Addis Ababa sales manager, Shewangizaw Berhane, demonstrates the newest smartphone model. Photo by Chi Zao.

Although the mobile phone market in Africa is massive, only a few international brands have expanded to serve local consumers, as many Africans on tight budgets cannot afford the high price of smartphones.

Transsion is an exception. It is virtually unknown in China, and since its first mobile phone was released in 2007, each of its phones has been first released in the African market and aimed at African consumers.

The Chinese company sold 156 million mobile phones in 2022 and accounted for 11.7% of the global market share, with its smartphone shipments ranking first in Africa. Throughout Ethiopia, the brand can be found in over 300 branded stores and over 1,000 key retailer outlets.

"Transsion's success in Africa is a model case of a company that has nailed the specific needs of African customers. Our phones are more reasonably priced than competing foreign manufacturers and include many features designed specifically with African consumers in mind," said Shewangizaw Berhane, a 35-year-old sales manager for TECNO in Addis Ababa.

In most of Africa, where a tropical climate is common, mobile phones come into closer contact with users sweat. Human sweat is a mild acid with a PH value between 4.5 and 7. Transsion has developed an acid-proof coating for mobile phones that protects them from additional damage and extends their useful lives. It also guarantees that the phones fingerprint recognition feature continues to function normally even when the temperature outside is high.

Transsion has not only developed ways to extend the life of mobile phones, but also studied the local market and developed features that can help Africans save more money. Because many African countries are only getting started on their internet infrastructure, mobile phone consumers have few options and high data transfer costs. To improve and reduce the cost of internet access for people in Africa, the company has created cutting-edge technologies that can save data and maintain a stable connection even when the internet signal is poor.

While most mobile tech giants focus on fancy functions for wealthy clients, the Chinese brand stresses valuable features that help Africans save money. This is one of the reasons why the Africans love this brand so much, said Berhane.

Transsion's feature camera technology has thoroughly considered African people's skin tones and facial features, making its mobile phones very popular among African youth.

Transsion has also implemented cutting-edge technologies to enhance its African consumer service. Its smartphones now include AI voice services and keyboards for numerous African languages, and its cameras have been adjusted to better capture darker skin tones, allowing young Africans to create higher-quality photos and videos.

The beauty filters on most smartphones have one primary purpose: to make your skin tone and facial features look lighter and whiter. Using its own innovative algorithm, Transsion has created filters that lighten the skin while retaining our black or brown undertones. The improved facial recognition for Africans also makes it simpler for us to record ourselves, said Abebe.

This Chinese brand has shown genuine respect for Africa, giving us a leg up in the digital revolution sweeping the globe, he added.

Together we can: technological transfer makes Africa develop

Nibret Ayalew, 35, a production manager at Transsion Ethiopia for almost 11 years, introduces new technology to local youth. Photo by Chi Zao.

Transsion's success in Africa is attributable to the company's dedication to localization and its recruitment of African talent. Of the more than 400 people it employs at its mobile phone plant in Ethiopia, only four are Chinese. Most of the factory's administrators and chief engineers are locals.

Nibret Ayalew, 35, has been a production manager with Transsion Ethiopia for over 11 years. After earning his computer science degree from Admas University, he sought employment with Transsion to positively impact Ethiopia's technological advancement.

"The Chinese firm's motto is 'Together we can.' Ethiopia can accelerate its industrial and economic development by working with Chinese tech titans. Ethiopians like me can gain exposure to cutting-edge knowledge that will help us move further," said Nibret.

Nibret was awarded a Chinese government scholarship to visit Beijing for three months in 2018 and was then funded by Transsion to visit its headquarters in Shenzhen for one month in 2020. His time in China reaffirmed his conviction that the two countries could partner up to improve life in Africa, and he recognized the significance of technology transfers to Ethiopia's long-term progress.

The value of technology has become more apparent to me after visiting China. Transsion has been constructing factories throughout Africa and exporting such technologies to Ethiopians like me. I believe this will help my country create its industrial base while giving employment prospects to over 70,000 Ethiopian university graduates yearly, said Nibret.

According to Lou Xiaopeng, director of Transsion's Ethiopian factory, introducing technologies to locals like Nibret is the best way to hasten the digital revolution in Africa.

Transsion has promoted more Ethiopians to prominent positions in order to attract more Ethiopian talent to the Chinese corporation. There used to be twenty Chinese managers at this Ethiopian factory, while today there are just four.

"Africa's future is dependent on African youth. We have trained many local experts like Nibret, hoping they can play a significant role when we build more factories in other African countries, bringing technological advancement to more African nations," said Lou.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chengliang)
The Russian Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday dismissed reports that Moscow and Pyongyang discussed military cooperation at last week's bilateral summit.

On Tuesday, Seoul's foreign ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Kulik over Moscow's alleged discussions of military cooperation with Pyongyang during the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to the ministry, First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin called for Moscow to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions related to North Korea and immediately end moves to seek military ties with Pyongyang.

In a statement issued the following day, the embassy said it "directly informed our Korean partners that the speculations circulated by American and South Korean media on this topic are unfounded."

The embassy stressed Russia "consistently adheres to all the international commitments it has undertaken, including those related to the development of mutually beneficial relations with our good neighbor and long-standing partner, North Korea."

It also claimed the security threat on the Korean Peninsula stems from "the intense and disproportionate military activity of South Korea and the United States" aimed at "containing Pyongyang through forceful means." (Yonhap)
In a recent interview with the New Yorker, Hasan Minhaj confessed to bending the truthsome would say to the point of lyingin his stand-up. Coupled with allegations of fostering a hostile workplace for staffers, its raising some thorny questions about the comedian.

Minhaj took what real, everyday brown folks were going through and led those people to believe that hed also been thereearning his fame and plaudits from that very trust, as well as the trust that engendered among those who wished to understand brown Americans, Nitish Pahwa writes.

He takes a closer look at whats so maddening about Minhajs emotional truths.

Awkward!

Hunter Bidens indictment for improper gun ownership has put gun rights groups in quite an awkward bind: Should they delight in the indictment of a political enemy or attack a law they oppose? Molly Olmstead examines the contours of their dilemma.

Plus: Dennis Aftergut argues that the Hunter Biden charges hurt the Justice Departmentand all the rest of us, too.

And ICYMI: Mark Joseph Stern unpacks Hunter Bidens surprisingly excellent legal defense.

Sound of  separation?

Advertisement

Advertisement

Tim Ballard, of Sound of Freedom fame, is a star on the right. So why would his church denounce him? Benjamin E. Park argues its a sign of something bigger.

Terrible and flat-out ridiculous

In todays dispatches from the world of Trumps legal troubles:

Advertisement

 Lawrence Lessig takes apart the terrible plan to neutralize Trump that has somehow entranced the legal world.

 Norman L. Eisen and Richard W. Painter explain why the Trump camps argument for Judge Tanya Chutkans recusal is flat-out ridiculous.

Can private equity be  nice?

The incoming owners of Simon & Schuster are giving employees a stake in the publisher. Megan Greenwell asks: Is it corporate whitewashing, good capitalism, or both?

Ode to the cassette tape

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Two new movies find poetry in the worst form of recorded music. Sam Adams reviews Wim Wenders Perfect Days and the documentary Flipside, which both hit rewind on the long-beleaguered cassette tape.

And speaking of recorded music: Jack Hamilton shares his appreciation for one of the bestand most poorly mixedalbums of the 1980s, which has finally gotten the release it deserves.

Tickety Boo, I choose you

Whats it like to have many kids (and adults!) dream job: coming up with the zany names for nail polish colors? To find out, Heather Schwedel spoke to one of the main brains behind the names of Butter Londons range of shades.

Today, Slate is  * APPROPRIATELY ELDRITCH

 much like the deep-sea creatures in one particularly memorable episode of SpongeBob SquarePants. Its on the list of 40 greatest stand-alone TV episodes that Slate staff has curateda collection of snackable introductions and satisfying meals that you can consume without watching the whole series, along with details of where to stream them.

Thanks so much for reading! Well see you tomorrow.
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) refers to a scheme designed to give employees ways to deal with personal issues that may have a negative affect on their job performance, such as stress, anxiety and depression.

EAPs can be an effective way to help staff reach out for help, manage stress and maintain high levels of productivity and performance. However, some businesses benefit more from having an Employee Assistance Program in place than others. If you are deliberating whether to introduce an EAP at your company, the following guide may help you determine whether you need one.

Drive Traffic to Your Website Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Advertise Your Business Here

How an EAP Works

Through an EAP, your employees have access to trained and licensed counselors, should they need to talk to them. By making a phone call to a trained EAP counselor, your employees can get immediate assistance, typically for topics issues like:

Drug addiction

Workplace conflicts

Marital/relationship issues

Mental health issues, such as depression, anger management, anxiety,

Legal and family advice

Grief counseling

Financial counseling

Caregiving issues

The Benefits of an Employee Assistance Program

Any sessions carried out with counsellors are done so in complete confidentiality, giving your employees peace of mind that you will not be notified if they use this service.

In an emergency, staff have access to an EAP crisis counselor 24 hours a day via a Crisis Telephone Line for immediate assistance to tackle personal problems and mental health issues.

Small Business Deals

If left untreated, personal problems can escalate leaving your employees under performing at work, potentially having an attitude in the workplace, which can translate into poor customer services or relationships with other team members. Such personal issues can also run the risk of leading to injuries occurring in the workplace, which could end up costing your business dearly in workers compensation.

By talking with a trained, qualified counselor, an employee suffering with stress, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, or any personal problem, will have an outlet to open up about such issues and learn coping strategies and mechanisms, so their personal issues are less likely to impact their job performance.

From your perspective as the employer, having an EAP set up to help your members of staff overcome issues that may be negatively affecting how they perform at work, can have a positive impact on your business.

By having a resource to discuss their problems and finding coping strategies in a completely confidential way, EAPs can help create a more satisfied, happy, loyal and productive working environment. Consequently, an EAP can help reduce absenteeism rates in your company and the negative implications to productivity and profits absenteeism creates.

Benefits of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) Insights Confidential Counseling - EAP sessions are completely confidential, providing employees with reassurance that their privacy is protected. Emergency Access - EAPs offer access to crisis counselors 24/7 via a Crisis Telephone Line, ensuring immediate assistance for personal and mental health crises. Performance Improvement - Untreated personal problems can lead to reduced job performance, negative workplace attitudes, and potential impacts on customer service and team relationships. Injury Prevention - Unresolved personal issues can increase the risk of workplace injuries, potentially resulting in workers' compensation costs for the business. Coping Strategies - EAPs allow employees to discuss issues with trained counselors and acquire coping strategies, reducing the likelihood of personal problems affecting job performance. Positive Business Impact - Implementing an EAP can positively influence the workplace environment, fostering employee satisfaction, happiness, loyalty, and productivity. Reduced Absenteeism - EAPs can help reduce absenteeism rates in the company, mitigating the negative consequences on productivity and profits associated with employee absenteeism. Cost Savings - Addressing mental health and personal issues through EAPs can lead to cost savings, particularly in health insurance expenses, by reducing doctor visits and insurance claims.

How EAPs Can Reduce the Cost of Your Health Insurance

EAPs can also help reduce the number of grievances arising at your company, as well as terminations. By using the program to help combat mental health issues and stress-related illnesses, Employee Assistance Programs can also help reduce the cost of your businesss health insurance, because employees are making less visits to the doctors.

How EAPs Help Create a Culture of Health

EAPs help businesses achieve and sustain a desirable culture of health, which looks after the whole of an employees health. By looking after the physical, mental and social wellbeing of your employees, EAPs, by creating a culture of health, means your employees are not just more productive with less absenteeism, but they can be more loyal to your business and less likely to go elsewhere for work because they feel like they are being looked after.

With a more loyal set of workers, your business can benefit from higher staff retention rates and wont be plagued by the task of having to recruit and train new members of staff through high employee turnover rates.

How Much Does an EAP Cost?

Having an EAP set up at your company costs around $35 per employee per year, though this can vary depending on your location and whether you choose to pay the fixed rate per employee scheme or the pay-per-use program, so an EAP can cost anything from $10  $100 per employee per year.

Naturally, the size of your budget to pump into programs like this will significantly determine whether having an EAP in your business is feasible. However, if your budget can stretch, the productivity, turnover and potential money saved through looking after the health and welfare of your employees, your number one asset, could be a sensible business move.

Considering an Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Is It Right for Your Business?

If youre contemplating the implementation of an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at your company, its essential to evaluate whether it aligns with your business needs and goals. Here are some key factors to consider:

How an EAP Works

An EAP provides employees with access to trained and licensed counselors for confidential assistance with various personal issues. These issues may include:

Drug addiction

Workplace conflicts

Marital/relationship issues

Mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety, anger management)

Legal and family advice

Grief counseling

Financial counseling

Caregiving challenges

The Benefits of an Employee Assistance Program

EAPs offer numerous advantages for both employees and employers, such as:

Confidentiality: Counseling sessions are entirely confidential, reassuring employees that their use of the service will not be disclosed to the employer.

Emergency Support: EAPs often provide access to crisis counselors 24/7 through a Crisis Telephone Line, offering immediate assistance for personal and mental health crises.

Improved Employee Performance: Addressing personal problems through counseling can prevent them from negatively impacting job performance, reducing absenteeism, and potential injuries in the workplace.

Enhanced Workplace Environment: EAPs contribute to a more satisfied, happy, loyal, and productive work environment, fostering better employee relations and customer service.

Cost Savings: EAPs can reduce health insurance costs by addressing mental health and stress-related issues, leading to fewer doctor visits and health insurance claims.

Cultivating a Culture of Health: EAPs promote a holistic approach to employee well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and social health. This can improve employee loyalty and reduce turnover rates.

Benefits of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) Insights Confidentiality - EAP counseling sessions are kept entirely confidential, ensuring employees' privacy and trust in the service. Emergency Support - Access to crisis counselors 24/7 through EAPs' Crisis Telephone Line provides immediate assistance during personal and mental health emergencies. Improved Performance - Addressing personal issues via EAP counseling helps maintain employee job performance, reducing absenteeism and workplace injuries. Enhanced Workplace Environment - EAPs contribute to a positive workplace culture characterized by employee satisfaction, loyalty, productivity, and improved customer service. Cost-Efficiency - EAPs can lead to cost savings in health insurance expenses by tackling mental health and stress-related issues, resulting in fewer doctor visits and insurance claims. Fostering a 'Culture of Health' - EAPs promote a comprehensive approach to employee well-being, encompassing physical, mental, and social health, enhancing loyalty and reducing turnover.

Cost Considerations

EAP costs vary but typically range from $10 to $100 per employee per year, depending on factors like location and chosen program type (fixed rate or pay-per-use). Consider your budget and potential long-term savings when evaluating the feasibility of implementing an EAP.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?

An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a scheme designed to provide employees with resources and support to address personal issues that could adversely affect their job performance. These issues may include stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, financial troubles, and more.

How does an EAP work?

EAPs offer employees access to trained and licensed counselors who can assist with various personal challenges. Employees can reach out to these counselors through a dedicated phone line. Common topics addressed by EAP counselors include drug addiction, workplace conflicts, mental health concerns, family and marital issues, legal advice, and more.

What are the benefits of having an EAP in my company?

Implementing an EAP can bring numerous benefits to both employees and employers:

Confidentiality : EAP counseling sessions are entirely confidential, ensuring that employees can seek help without fear of their employer being notified.

: EAP counseling sessions are entirely confidential, ensuring that employees can seek help without fear of their employer being notified. Emergency Support : EAPs often provide access to crisis counselors 24/7 via a Crisis Telephone Line, offering immediate assistance for personal and mental health emergencies.

: EAPs often provide access to crisis counselors 24/7 via a Crisis Telephone Line, offering immediate assistance for personal and mental health emergencies. Improved Employee Performance : Addressing personal issues through EAP counseling can prevent these issues from negatively impacting job performance, reducing absenteeism, and the risk of workplace injuries.

: Addressing personal issues through EAP counseling can prevent these issues from negatively impacting job performance, reducing absenteeism, and the risk of workplace injuries. Enhanced Workplace Environment : EAPs contribute to a more satisfied, loyal, and productive work environment, leading to better employee relations and customer service.

: EAPs contribute to a more satisfied, loyal, and productive work environment, leading to better employee relations and customer service. Cost Savings : EAPs can lead to cost savings in health insurance expenses by addressing mental health and stress-related issues, resulting in fewer doctor visits and insurance claims.

: EAPs can lead to cost savings in health insurance expenses by addressing mental health and stress-related issues, resulting in fewer doctor visits and insurance claims. Cultivating a Culture of Health: EAPs promote a holistic approach to employee well-being, covering physical, mental, and social health. This approach can improve employee loyalty and reduce turnover rates.

How can an EAP reduce the cost of my companys health insurance?

EAPs can help reduce health insurance costs by addressing mental health issues and stress-related illnesses among employees. When employees have access to counseling and support through the EAP, they may require fewer doctor visits and make fewer health insurance claims, resulting in potential cost savings for the employer.

How does an EAP contribute to creating a Culture of Health in my company?

EAPs promote a Culture of Health by focusing on the overall well-being of employees, encompassing physical, mental, and social health. By providing support for various personal challenges, EAPs help employees feel cared for and supported by their employer. This can lead to increased employee loyalty and a reduced likelihood of seeking employment elsewhere, ultimately benefiting the company.

What is the typical cost of implementing an EAP in my company?

The cost of implementing an EAP can vary based on factors such as location and the chosen program type. Generally, EAP costs range from approximately $10 to $100 per employee per year. Employers should consider their budget and potential long-term savings when evaluating the feasibility of implementing an EAP.
Launching a bail bond business is a multifaceted endeavor that requires a deep understanding of legal intricacies, substantial financial investments, and a well-thought-out operational strategy. This sector, although fraught with challenges, offers a unique set of opportunities for those who manage to navigate its complexities successfully. A keen focus on legal nuances, financial planning, and operational details can set a strong foundation if you want to learn how to start a bail bond business.

Why Start a Bail Bond Business?

The bail bonds industry offers a unique blend of opportunities and challenges that are worth considering for entrepreneurs with an appetite for calculated risk.

Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Drive Traffic to Your Website Advertise Your Business Here

The sector can be highly rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of complexities, each requiring careful thought and planning.

Elements of Bail Bond Businesses Pros Cons Why? High Return Potential ?? Highly lucrative, especially in high-demand areas. Efficient management can lead to significant profits. Financial Risk ?? Involves risk as you're guaranteeing court appearances of individuals who may not comply, leading to potential financial losses. Recession Resistance ?? The need for bail bonds often remains constant, providing financial stability that is rare in other sectors. Regulatory Hurdles ?? Heavily regulated, requiring a deep understanding of legal requirements and compliance measures. Flexible Hours ?? Allows for more flexible working hours, an attractive feature for many entrepreneurs. High Stress ?? High stakes both financially and emotionally can lead to a stressful work environment. Community Service ?? Aids individuals in navigating the criminal justice system, offering personal rewards. Ethical Considerations ?? Role in the criminal justice system may present ethical dilemmas that need reconciliation.

Before you take the leap into bail bonds entrepreneurship, consider the following pros and cons.

Pros:

High Return Potential : The bail bonds industry can be highly lucrative, especially in areas with a high demand for such services. Significant profits can be realized if the business is managed efficiently, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs.

: The bail bonds industry can be highly lucrative, especially in areas with a high demand for such services. Significant profits can be realized if the business is managed efficiently, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs. Recession Resistance : The need for bail bonds often remains constant, irrespective of economic downturns. This provides a level of financial stability that is hard to find in other business sectors.

: The need for bail bonds often remains constant, irrespective of economic downturns. This provides a level of financial stability that is hard to find in other business sectors. Flexible Hours : The nature of this business often allows for more flexible working hours, which can be an attractive feature for many entrepreneurs.

: The nature of this business often allows for more flexible working hours, which can be an attractive feature for many entrepreneurs. Community Service: By providing a necessary service, you are aiding individuals in navigating the criminal justice system, which can be rewarding on a personal level.

Cons:

Small Business Deals

Financial Risk : The business model involves a certain level of risk, as you are essentially guaranteeing the court appearances of individuals who may not comply. This can lead to financial losses if not managed carefully.

: The business model involves a certain level of risk, as you are essentially guaranteeing the court appearances of individuals who may not comply. This can lead to financial losses if not managed carefully. Regulatory Hurdles : The industry is heavily regulated, requiring a deep understanding of legal requirements and compliance measures. Failure to adhere to these can result in severe penalties.

: The industry is heavily regulated, requiring a deep understanding of legal requirements and compliance measures. Failure to adhere to these can result in severe penalties. High Stress : The stakes are high, both financially and emotionally, which can lead to a stressful work environment.

: The stakes are high, both financially and emotionally, which can lead to a stressful work environment. Ethical Considerations: The role you play in the criminal justice system may present ethical dilemmas that you will need to reconcile.

What Does a Bail Bondsman Do?

A bail bondsman serves as a vital link between the court system and defendants.

The role comes with a range of responsibilities that extend far beyond merely posting bail.

Understanding the following duties is crucial for anyone considering entering this field:

Posting Bail for Defendants : The core function involves providing financial assurance to the court that a defendant will appear for all scheduled proceedings. This is the cornerstone of the bail bonds business.

: The core function involves providing financial assurance to the court that a defendant will appear for all scheduled proceedings. This is the cornerstone of the bail bonds business. Risk Assessment : Before issuing a bond, a thorough evaluation of the defendants likelihood to appear in court is conducted. This assessment is crucial for mitigating risks.

: Before issuing a bond, a thorough evaluation of the defendants likelihood to appear in court is conducted. This assessment is crucial for mitigating risks. Paperwork and Documentation : Accurate record-keeping is essential for tracking the status of bonds and the corresponding court dates. This administrative aspect cannot be overlooked.

: Accurate record-keeping is essential for tracking the status of bonds and the corresponding court dates. This administrative aspect cannot be overlooked. Client Recovery : In cases where a client fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman is responsible for locating and apprehending the individual. This is often a challenging but necessary part of the job.

: In cases where a client fails to appear in court, the bail bondsman is responsible for locating and apprehending the individual. This is often a challenging but necessary part of the job. Legal Compliance: Adhering to state and federal laws is crucial in maintaining the businesss operational legitimacy. Non-compliance can result in severe legal consequences.

The Essentials of Starting a Bail Bond Company

To establish a successful bail bonds business, several key components must be meticulously planned and executed.

These essential elements include conducting thorough market research, crafting a detailed business plan, and understanding the legal landscape comprehensively. Each plays a critical role in the long-term success of a bail bond company. Here are some specific steps to follow as you learn how to start a business in this industry.

Conducting Market Research on the Bail Bonds Industry

A deep understanding of the local market is essential for the success of your bail bonds business.

Comprehensive market research will provide valuable insights into local demand, competition, and the specific laws and regulations that could affect your business. Such information is crucial for making informed decisions and setting your business on a path to success.

Crafting a Business Plan for Your Bail Bond Company

A robust business plan serves as the backbone of your bail bond company. It should outline your business objectives, financial projections, marketing strategies, and operational plans.

Tailoring this plan to the specific needs and challenges of the bail bonds industry can provide you with a roadmap for success.

Understanding Legal Requirements and Bail Bond Law

Deciphering the legal requirements of a bail bond business can be a complex and daunting task.

From obtaining the necessary licenses to securing adequate small business insurance and understanding the bonding process, each step is fraught with its own set of challenges.

Compliance with these legal requirements is not just mandatory but critical for the credibility and longevity of your business.

Bail Bond Pre-Licensing and License to Be a Bail Bond Agent

Before commencing operations, prospective bail bond agents must undergo pre-licensing training and pass a state exam.

The process ensures that agents have the requisite knowledge and skills to operate within the legal framework. Failure to obtain the proper licensing can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Surety Company Partnership

A surety company acts as a guarantor for the bail bonds that your business will issue.

Establishing a relationship with a reputable surety company is essential for the smooth operation of your business. The partnership enables you to issue bonds while minimizing your financial risk.

Bail Bond State Exam and Bail Bonding License

Passing the state exam is a mandatory step in becoming a licensed bail bond agent. The exam tests your understanding of the laws and regulations that govern the bail bonds industry.

Upon successful completion, you can apply for a bail bonding license, which is a prerequisite for operating a bail bond business.

Startup Costs Involved in Bail Bond Businesses

Starting a bail bond business involves various financial commitments, including securing office space, marketing efforts, and licensing fees.

These costs can add up quickly, making it essential to budget carefully and allocate resources wisely.

Office Space

Securing a physical location for your bail bond business is one of the first significant expenses youll encounter.

The costs will vary depending on the location and size of the space. A well-placed office can enhance visibility and accessibility, thereby attracting more clients.

Bail Bonding License Fees

Obtaining a bail bonding license is a mandatory step, and it comes with its own set of fees, including application fees, examination fees, and sometimes even background check fees.

Budgeting for these costs is crucial for a smooth startup process.

Marketing and Branding for Commercial Bail Bonds

Creating a strong brand presence is vital for any business, including a bail bond company.

Marketing costs involve expenses for website development, social media advertising, and traditional marketing methods like flyers and billboards. Effective marketing can significantly impact your businesss success.

Employee Salaries

Hiring qualified staff to manage various aspects of the business is another cost to consider. Salaries for administrative staff, bond agents, and other employees will form a significant part of your monthly expenses.

Technology and Software

Investing in technology, such as bail bond management software and secure data storage, is essential for efficient operations. Such tools can streamline workflow, improve client management, and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

Legal and Professional Fees

Consulting with legal experts and industry professionals during the startup phase can incur additional costs. These consultations are crucial for ensuring that your business complies with all local, state, and federal laws.

How to Become a Successful Bail Bond Agent

Success in the bail bond industry hinges on a combination of traits, skills, and best practices, including building strong relationships with local authorities, effective risk management, and providing exceptional customer service.

Building Relationships with Local Authorities

Forging strong relationships with local law enforcement and judicial authorities can be a significant asset. Such connections can provide valuable insights into the local legal system and even lead to client referrals, enhancing your businesss credibility and reach.

Managing Risks Effectively

Effective risk management is crucial in the bail bond industry. It involves thorough background checks, risk assessments, and sometimes even asset collateral to minimize financial losses. A well-defined risk management strategy can be the difference between success and failure.

Providing Exceptional Customer Service

Customer satisfaction plays a vital role in the success of bail bond companies. Prompt service, transparent communication, and a compassionate approach can turn a one-time client into a loyal customer, thereby boosting your businesss reputation.

Financial Acumen

Understanding the financial aspects of the business, from budgeting to cash flow management, is crucial. A strong grasp of financial principles can help you navigate the ups and downs of the industry more effectively.

Ethical Conduct

Maintaining high ethical standards is not just a legal requirement but also a business imperative. Ethical conduct builds trust and credibility, which are essential for long-term success in this industry.

Types of Bail Bond Services to Offer

Offering a variety of bail bond services can broaden your client base and increase revenue streams.

Types of Bail Bond Description Pro of Offering Con of Offering Surety Bonds Involves a third-party surety company that guarantees the defendant's court appearance. Most common and financially secure for the bail bond agent. Requires a partnership with a surety company, which may have its own requirements and fees. Cash Bonds Requires the defendant or a co-signer to pay the full bail amount in cash. Less risky for the bail bond agent. Can be financially burdensome for the defendant, limiting the client base. Property Bonds Uses real estate as collateral to secure the bail amount. Useful for higher bail amounts, potentially leading to larger profits. Complex to arrange and requires a thorough evaluation of the property's value. Federal Bonds Used in federal court cases and are more complex than standard bonds. Allows for a broader range of services, attracting a diverse clientele. More expensive and complicated to arrange; requires a 15% premium and often additional collateral. Immigration Bonds Specific to cases involving foreign nationals. Expands client base to include a niche market. Higher risks and premiums; requires understanding of immigration law.

Bail bond services can range from surety bonds and cash bonds to property bonds, each catering to different client needs.

Surety Bonds

Surety bonds involve a third-party surety company that guarantees the defendants appearance in court. They are the most common type of bail bond and often the most financially secure for the bail bond agent.

Cash Bonds

Cash bonds require the defendant or a co-signer to pay the full bail amount in cash. The type of bond is less risky for the bail bond agent but can be financially burdensome for the defendant.

Property Bonds

Property bonds involve using real estate as collateral to secure the bail amount. These are more complex to arrange and require a thorough evaluation of the propertys value. They generally are used for higher bail amounts.

Federal Bonds

Federal bonds are used in federal court cases and are more complex than standard bonds. They require a 15% premium and often additional collateral, making them more expensive and complicated to arrange.

Immigration Bonds

Immigration bonds are specific to cases involving foreign nationals. These bonds are more complicated and often involve higher risks and premiums. Understanding the nuances of immigration law is crucial when offering this type of service.

Launching Your Bail Bond Business

Leaping planning to actually launching your bail bond business involves a series of well-coordinated steps.

Each phase is crucial for a successful launch, from securing initial financing and setting up your office to executing your marketing strategy and acquiring your first client.

Securing Initial Financing

Securing the necessary financing is the first step in launching your bail bond business. This could come from personal savings, bank loans, or investors.

A detailed business plan can aid in convincing stakeholders of the viability of your business, thereby facilitating the acquisition of funds.

Hiring Staff

Once financing is in place, the next step is to hire competent staff, including administrative personnel, bail bond agents, and possibly legal advisors.

Each staff member plays a crucial role in the smooth operation of the business, making the hiring process a critical component of your startup strategy.

Initial Marketing and Outreach for Bail Bond Businesses

You may wonder what is marketing for a bail bond business? But this step is essential for attracting your initial clientele. It involves executing the marketing plan youve previously crafted, which could include online advertising, community outreach, and partnerships with local legal firms.

Effective marketing strategies can set the stage for long-term success.

Legal Compliance and Documentation

Before opening your doors, ensure that all legal requirements have been met. These might include obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, as well as ensuring that all contracts and legal documents are in order. Compliance is not just mandatory but critical for the credibility and longevity of your business.

Office Setup and Logistics

Setting up your office involves more than just securing a location. It also includes arranging office furniture, setting up technology and software, and ensuring that all the necessary supplies are available for day-to-day operations. A well-organized office can significantly improve operational efficiency.

Acquiring Your First Client

The final step in launching your business is acquiring your first client. The client could come through marketing efforts, referrals, or partnerships with legal firms. The first client serves as a milestone, offering valuable experience and the opportunity to fine-tune your business operations.

FAQs: How to Start a Bail Bond Business

How profitable are bail bond companies?

The profitability of a bail bond business can vary based on location, marketing effectiveness, and operational efficiency. However, the industry is known for its potential for high returns, especially in densely populated areas. A well-managed bail bond business can yield significant profits over time.

What are the risks involved in running a bail bond business?

Running a bail bond business involves several risks, including financial risk from defendants failing to appear in court, regulatory risks from not adhering to state and federal laws, and reputational risks. Effective risk management strategies are crucial for mitigating these risks and ensuring long-term success.

What is a surety bond?

A Surety bond is a type of bail bond that involves a third-party surety company. The surety company guarantees the court that the defendant will appear for all scheduled proceedings. This is the most common type of bail bond and is often preferred for its financial security.

Do bail bond agents work with lawyers?

Yes, bail bond agents often collaborate with lawyers. Legal professionals can refer clients in need of bail bond services, creating a mutually beneficial relationship. This partnership can be a significant source of business and can also provide the bail bond agent with valuable insights into the local legal system.
Bringing up little ones is a full-time job in itself, so when busy moms are working and earning a living, its effectively like having two jobs. When a woman sets up and runs her own business on top of caring for her young child or children, shes considered a mompreneur, an inspiring figure for sure, whos faced with many rewards, as well as challenges.

Starting any new business takes dedication, time, energy and money, as does being a mom. By balancing the demands and stresses of running, typically a home-based business, as an entrepreneur, and the hectic, time-demanding responsibilities of being a full-time mom, mompreneurs are the epitome of multitaskers.

Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Drive Traffic to Your Website Sell Your Business Advertise Your Business Here

Despite the many challenges of balancing motherhood and family life with running a business, millions of women around the Unites States are successfully combining the two.

Current Mompreneur Trends

According to statistics, about one in three small business owners in the United States are mothers. Not only this, but women are starting their own business at a rate thats nearly twice as fast as men, meaning the current mompreneur climate is all but unstoppable.

Research shows that with 57 percent of mompreneurs starting their business venture at the age of 40 or over, mompreneurs tend to be waiting a while before setting up their own business. The average age of the first child tends to be six before a mompreneur embarks on her business venture.

The majority of mompreneurs  79 percent  are married and 95 percent have a partner who earns an income, meaning most mompreneurs are not the sole breadwinner in the family.

Small Business Deals

The same study, carried out by the online graphic design marketplace 99designs in 2017, found that 79 percent of mompreneurs have 1  2 children and 71 percent are the primary childcare provider.

Trend Statistics and Findings Percentage of Mompreneurs Approximately one in three small business owners in the United States are mothers. Entrepreneurial Gender Gap Women are starting their businesses at a rate nearly twice as fast as men. Age of Mompreneurs at Start 57 percent of mompreneurs begin their business ventures at the age of 40 or older. Timing of Entrepreneurship The average age at which mompreneurs have their first child is six years before starting their business. Marital Status A majority of mompreneurs, 79 percent, are married. Partner's Income 95 percent of mompreneurs have a partner who earns an income, indicating they are not the sole breadwinners. Number of Children 79 percent of mompreneurs have 1-2 children. Primary Childcare Providers 71 percent of mompreneurs serve as the primary childcare providers.

Challenges Mompreneurs Face

Naturally, juggling looking after young children with starting and running a small business, is not without its ups, downs and challenges.

Managing Your Schedule

One leading challenge almost every busy mompreneur is faced with is managing their schedule. With little ones to look after, finding the time to get on with business-related tasks isnt easy. Successful mompreneurs tend to work accordingly to their biological clock. For instance, if they are a morning person, theyll get up early and work on their business before the children wake up.

Switching Off from Work

Another leading challenge of mompreneurialship is knowing when to switch off. Completely stopping work might sound counterproductive but it can prove a godsend in gaining a better work/life balance, reducing stress levels and recharging your batteries for the next working session.

Asking for Help When You Need It

Mompreneurs might be multi-tasking, superheroes but with a million and one things to do each day, its important working moms know how to ask for help when they need to. Knowing when to ask for help, whether its having someone look after the kids for a few hours or outsourcing certain business-related tasks, such as bookkeeping and tax returns, help multi-tasking mompreneurs to not only keep their sanity but maintain a more successful, sustainable business.

Whats Available to Mompreneurs

When being the primary care provider of the children and running your own business, its not uncommon for busy mompreneurs to feel like theyre on their own. However, its important to know that youre certainly not alone and there is help and support available for ultra-busy working moms.

Books for Mompreneurs

Once source of help and support can be found through books. There is a whole host of books written for mompreneurs themselves, designed to help fellow working moms manage their time successfully, gain a better work/life balance and generally reduce stress and create a thriving business whilst bringing up children.

Mompreneur Blogs and Publications

Another source of support for mompreneurs can be found in blogs, magazines and other publications.

WAHM.com is a popular online magazine for work-at-home moms. The site features a wealth of information and support to work-at-home moms through a collection of informational articles and tips lists.

Working Mother is another credible digital magazine aimed at mompreneurs, providing sound advice on successfully juggling a career, business and motherhood.

What Businesses Are Ideal for Mompreneurs

With little ones to look after, mompreneurs typically start businesses they can operate from home. Some of the most common types of businesses for work-from-home moms include:

Arts and crafts designer

Blogger

Freelance writer

Interior designer

Web designer

PR consultant

Accounting/Tax Preparation/Bookkeeping

Online course tutor

Social media marketer

Internet researcher

Beauty product seller

Nutrition consultant

Business consultant

Event planner

Virtual assistant

Famous Mompreneurs

Some of the most successful, iconic and inspiring women in the world have been or still are mompreneurs, mastering the art of combining child rearing with running a business including:

Ariana Huffington

Mom of two Ariana Huffington is one such figure, who teamed up with Time Warners former AOL executive Ken Lerer in 2005 to launch a new outlet for political conversation. Henceforth, the Huffington Post was born and has never looked back.

J.K. Rowling

Another famous and globally-admired mompreneur is Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Rowlings story is exceptionally inspirational. Despite extreme poverty, the single mom wrote the legendary stories of the fictitious world of Harry Potter, when her youngest daughter was not much older than a baby.

Zhang Xin

In 1995, mother of two Zhang Xin co-founded Beijing Redstone, now SOHO China, with her husband. The company has gone on to be the largest real estate developer in Beijing  not bad for a work-from-home mom of two!

Navigating the Challenges: Strategies for Mompreneurs

Being a mompreneur comes with its unique set of challenges. Here are some strategies to overcome them:

Managing Your Schedule: Align your work hours with your biological clock; if youre a morning person, utilize early mornings for work. Prioritize tasks to focus on essential activities that drive your business forward.

Switching Off from Work: Establish boundaries for work hours and stick to them. This helps maintain a work-life balance. Regularly take breaks to recharge, reduce stress, and return to work with renewed energy.

Asking for Help: Dont hesitate to seek assistance when needed, whether its childcare for a few hours or outsourcing certain business tasks. Delegate responsibilities to trusted individuals or consider co-parenting arrangements to share childcare duties.

Utilize Available Resources: Books for Mompreneurs: Explore books tailored to mompreneurs, offering valuable insights into time management, work-life balance, and stress reduction. Mompreneur Blogs and Publications: Leverage online resources, such as blogs and digital magazines, like WAHM.com and Working Mother, for advice and support. Online Communities: Join online communities and forums specifically designed for mompreneurs to connect with like-minded individuals and share experiences.

Networking: Connect with other mompreneurs for mutual support and exchange of ideas. Attend local business networking events or join online groups to expand your professional network.

Connect with other mompreneurs for mutual support and exchange of ideas. Attend local business networking events or join online groups to expand your professional network. Professional Development: Invest in your skills and knowledge through online courses, workshops, or certifications relevant to your business. Continuous learning enhances your business acumen.

Invest in your skills and knowledge through online courses, workshops, or certifications relevant to your business. Continuous learning enhances your business acumen. Time Management Tools: Utilize productivity apps and time management tools to optimize your work hours and stay organized.

Utilize productivity apps and time management tools to optimize your work hours and stay organized. Self-Care: Prioritize self-care routines that promote physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and sufficient sleep.

Prioritize self-care routines that promote physical and mental well-being, such as exercise, meditation, and sufficient sleep. Financial Planning: Maintain a clear financial plan for your business, including budgeting and saving strategies, to ensure long-term sustainability.

Maintain a clear financial plan for your business, including budgeting and saving strategies, to ensure long-term sustainability. Flexibility and Adaptability: Embrace flexibility in your business model and adapt to changing circumstances. Being open to adjustments allows you to stay resilient and responsive to market dynamics.

Challenges Strategies Managing Your Schedule - Align work hours with your biological clock. - Prioritize essential tasks for business productivity. Switching Off from Work - Establish boundaries for work hours. - Take regular breaks for stress reduction and rejuvenation. Asking for Help - Seek assistance when needed, such as childcare or outsourcing tasks. - Consider co-parenting arrangements to share childcare responsibilities. Utilize Available Resources - Explore books tailored to mompreneurs for time management and stress reduction. - Leverage online blogs and publications for advice and support. - Join mompreneur-focused online communities and forums for networking. Networking - Connect with fellow mompreneurs for mutual support and idea exchange. - Attend local business networking events or participate in online groups. Professional Development - Invest in online courses, workshops, or certifications to enhance business skills. Time Management Tools - Utilize productivity apps and tools to optimize work hours and organization. Self-Care - Prioritize self-care routines for physical and mental well-being. - Include exercise, meditation, and adequate sleep in your routine. Financial Planning - Maintain a clear financial plan, including budgeting and savings strategies. Flexibility and Adaptability - Embrace flexibility in your business model and adapt to changing circumstances. - Stay open to adjustments to remain resilient in dynamic markets.

Conclusion

Mompreneurs are a remarkable group of women who navigate the demanding worlds of motherhood and entrepreneurship. As we delve into the trends, challenges, and success stories of mompreneurs, its evident that these individuals embody resilience, creativity, and dedication.

While the journey is not without its hurdles, such as managing schedules, achieving work-life balance, and knowing when to seek help, mompreneurs have access to a wealth of resources and strategies. From books and online communities to time management tools and self-care routines, these women are equipped with the tools to overcome challenges.

As the statistics reveal, the mompreneur trend is on the rise, with more mothers starting businesses at an age when they have valuable life experiences to draw upon. These women often share childcare responsibilities and have partners contributing to the family income, fostering a supportive environment for their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Mompreneurs operate diverse businesses, from arts and crafts to digital marketing, illustrating the versatility and adaptability of their ventures. Their ability to excel in multiple roles serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, demonstrating that with determination and the right strategies, its possible to thrive both as a parent and a business owner.

In the world of mompreneurs, iconic figures like Ariana Huffington, J.K. Rowling, and Zhang Xin have blazed a trail, proving that motherhood can be a source of strength and inspiration for entrepreneurial success.

As we explore the strategies for mompreneurs to overcome challenges, its clear that a combination of effective time management, self-care, networking, continuous learning, and adaptability is key. By embracing these strategies, mompreneurs can continue to excel in their entrepreneurial journeys while nurturing their families.

The mompreneur phenomenon continues to evolve, and these women are a testament to the power of determination, resourcefulness, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. As they navigate the unique path of being both moms and entrepreneurs, their stories inspire us all to pursue our dreams while cherishing the joys of motherhood.
If youre starting a business, youre probably asking,  What is financial accounting? Long story short is, this is about recording transactions. All your small business debits and credits.

What Exactly is Financial Accounting?

This covers all business operations over a specific time. There are categories detailing the financial transactions involved. Like revenue, expenses, liabilities and equity. This type of financial accounting aims to corral the numbers. To give a good picture of small businesses financial position over a specific period.

There are three statements included in a final report. Financial accounting brings all the necessary information into one place. That makes it more user-friendly and easier to understand. Without this type of financial reporting, SMBs would have a hard time operating.

Sell Your Business Discover the Zoho Ecosystem Drive Traffic to Your Website Advertise Your Business Here

Types of Financial Accounting

There are several different types of accounting methods involved. Learn more about the accrual method and cash accounting below.

Accrual Accounting

The accrual method of accounting is a systematic approach that emphasizes the economic events of a transaction over the actual cash flow.

With this method, expenses and revenues are recorded at the time they are earned or incurred, regardless of when the money changes hands.

Small Business Deals

For instance, if a business provides services in December but doesnt receive payment until January, the revenue would be recorded in December under the accrual method.

This offers a more comprehensive picture of a companys financial health as it recognizes all business activities, both cash and credit. Given its holistic approach, accrual accounting is the preferred method for many businesses, especially larger entities, as it provides a clearer, long-term view of financial performance and position.

While it may require more diligent bookkeeping, it ensures a smoother financial picture by evening out the ebbs and flows of cash transactions.

Cash Accounting

The cash method is different. The financial information recorded is more immediate. Revenue and expenses are recorded as they happen. Theres a drawback with this. The cash basis of accounting doesnt always provide accurate financial results for bigger companies and ones with larger inventories.

The cash basis method is good for sole proprietors.

Main Financial Statements in Financial Accounting

Financial accounting statements have reporting requirements. This type of accounting is the process of seeing how the following financial statements interact.

Income Statement

This shows profitability for a specified period. Its also called a profit and loss statement. Included are revenue from sales and expenses to arrive at a net income. A big indicator of financial health.

Balance Sheet

A balance sheet is one of the most important financial statements. Its a summary of the current assets, liabilities, and shareholders equity. Public companies include accounts payable and accounts receivable.

A retained earnings statement is added, along with stockholders equity.

Statement of Retained Earnings

This financial statement is in between the income statement and the balance sheet. Its another one of the accounting practices focusing on transactions. It reports on any deductions like dividends paid and the net amount left.

Cash Flow Statement

Financial statements dealing with cash flows are big indicators of how well a small business is doing. A statement of cash flow on any balance sheet should be positive. A good cash flow has more money coming in than going out. A negative cash flow on basic financial statements can lead to bankruptcy.

A cash flow statement also looks at how well you generate money. These financial statements use an indirect or direct method to gauge business operations. A cash flow statement complements the income statement and balance sheet.

Read More: what is cost accounting

Summary

Financial Statement Description Income Statement Shows profitability over a period, also known as a profit and loss statement. Includes revenues and expenses to derive net income. Balance Sheet A summary of assets, liabilities, and shareholder's equity, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and retained earnings. Statement of Retained Earnings Positioned between the income statement and the balance sheet; reports on transactions like dividends paid. Cash Flow Statement Measures cash inflows and outflows, indicating business financial health. Utilizes direct or indirect methods for analysis.

Why Financial Accounting is so Important

Recording a companys financial transactions over a period of time is critical. Financial accounting rules cover several important aspects in the same period. Like stockholders equity.

Here are five reasons why these financial statements matter.

They Detect Fraud: These accounting rules weed out fraud. And suspicious activity. Like an income statement full of fake revenues.

These accounting rules weed out fraud. And suspicious activity. Like an income statement full of fake revenues. They Highlight Performance: A companys annual report accesses its performance in relation to previous years and industry averages. The net income measures sales revenue.

A companys annual report accesses its performance in relation to previous years and industry averages. The net income measures sales revenue. They Determine Taxes: The accounting principles involved determine the taxes a small business needs to pay.

The accounting principles involved determine the taxes a small business needs to pay. They Help With Decisions: Any companys management uses these financial accounting reports to move forward with decisions about loans, expansions, etc.

Any companys management uses these financial accounting reports to move forward with decisions about loans, expansions, etc. Double-entry accounting: It provides a comprehensive income picture. Management can trust numbers like these since there are at least two accounts. One debit and one credit.

A trial balance detects any errors. Using the accrual basis also helps to see which months are profitable.

They Are Legal

The GAAP ( see below) are accounting standards adopted by the securities and exchange commission. These records can be presented in court.

Financial Accounting Vs. Cost Accounting

There are some differences between these two types.

Cost accounting handles cost records. Financial accounting cuts a bigger swath. It handles all of a small businesses financial data.

The period of time these get reported is different too. Costs get reported at frequent intervals while a financial report comes at the end of a fiscal year.

Similarities include the fact they both use the double-entry method to record a companys business transactions.

Financial Accounting Vs. Managerial Accounting

There are similarities and differences between these two methods too. The differences come down to the purpose for each.

Financial accounting collects data that gets turned into financial statements.

Managerial accounting is internal. Its used to look at business transactions.

Both of these look at the numbers for a small business. They are similar in that they show how any transaction affects a bottom line.

How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Financial Accountant?

As you might imagine, the cost to hire one of these professionals varies. Location, experience, and the type of work that needs to be done all factor in. According to ZipRecruiter, the national average is $55,045 a year which translates into about $26 per hour.

Deciding on the features you need will affect the cost. Maintaining financial records and tax planning advice are just a few to think about. Managing equity accounts that highlight performance is another.

Is Financial Accounting Right for Your Business?

Every business needs a comprehensive income statement along with having other types of financial statement boxes checked. An accountant can decide what works best. Whether to use the accrual basis or cash accounting for your enterprise. But theres a DIY option that can handle any accounting, such as FreshBooks or Quickbooks.

Do financial accountants follow generally accepted accounting principles?

The short answer is yes. The Financial Accounting Standards Board works to improve the quality of financial reporting. They develop standards and monitor their implementation. They follow the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( GAAP). They monitor both private and public companies.
The tower near the Slovak-Polish border will turn 50 next year.

Renovated domes and terraces of the lookout tower in the Duklas Pass, eastern Slovakia. (Source: Defence Ministry)

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share

The lookout tower in the Dukla Pass, eastern Slovakia, boasts a comprehensively renovated observation dome.

This tower is one of the main attractions of the Military History Museum in Svidnik.

Thanks to new multimedia equipment and exhibition panels, visitors to the tower will learn about combat operations in the pass during both world wars. They will also see a lot of photos here.

From the tower itself, they can enjoy views of the Dukla battlefield. This area is the most significant location of military history in northeastern Slovakia.

The Dukla Tower opened to the public in October 1974. It is 49 metres high and was built on the site of the original 18-metre wooden lookout tower from 1959, which served the public until 1967.

Tower closed on Monday

The tower - its facade and the interior of the ground floor - will undergo further makeover in the spring of next year.

During the summer tourist season, the tower is open from May 1 to October 31. Opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 17:00. The entrance fee is 1 for adults.

During the summer holiday, the Dukelacik tourist train also operated between Svidnik and Death Valley, an area covering nine villages where difficult battles took place during the Second World War.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/embed?mid=16a9NnkZ1M75x7fIVbVfFATYYvalyKcc&ehbc=2E312F

Spectacular Slovakia travel guides
James Stevko and Richard Swales share their experience.

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share

In this two-part podcast episode, we delve into the complex world of Slovak citizenship through the personal experiences of two individuals. The first part of the episode introduces the concept of citizenship and features an American, James Stevko, who is seeking Slovak citizenship by descent. His story raises intriguing questions about the intersection of bureaucratic formalities and cultural identity. The second part explores the successful journey of Richard Swales, a British expatriate who, after 18 years in Slovakia, decides to become a Slovak citizen.

Part One: Slovak Citizenship by Descent

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/6sPMpnM6Gdem63CYEDzQzg?utm_source=generator

The first episode delves into the intricate process of acquiring Slovak citizenship by descent, which is rooted in familial heritage. We are introduced to James Stevko, an American dancer, whose deep connection to Slovak ancestry fuels his desire to obtain citizenship. This process hinges on meticulous genealogical research and the gathering of vital documents that trace his lineage back to Slovakia.

The episode highlights the pivotal role of official documentation, emphasizing the challenges and triumphs faced by those on this path. It underscores the significance of not only understanding and respecting Slovak heritage but also navigating the bureaucratic intricacies of citizenship acquisition. James' quest for citizenship reflects a profound yearning to bridge the gap between familial roots and legal recognition.

Through interviews and narration, the episode provides a poignant portrayal of the emotional and cultural significance attached to Slovak citizenship by descent. The process is a testament to the enduring legacy of familial heritage and the lengths to which individuals are willing to go to honor their roots.

Part Two: Richard Swales' Journey

https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/24EUkb8sT4NQTA7WO5Vlao?utm_source=generator

Richard Swales, originally from Yorkshire, England, found himself in Slovakia in 2002, intending only a six-month stay. However, he decided to make Slovakia his permanent home, establishing a career as an English teacher. Swales' background, marked by familial exposure to international living and a father who later became a Member of Parliament, hinted at a propensity for global experiences. While becoming a Slovak citizen wasn't initially in his plans, changing political landscapes and personal connections ultimately led him to pursue it.

Swales' journey towards Slovak citizenship began in 2012 when he started contemplating the idea. However, he delayed the process until 2018, motivated by uncertainties surrounding Brexit and an evolving political climate. While he acknowledged that his rights as a British citizen were theoretically preserved post-Brexit, global events and stories from other countries served as a reminder of the unforeseeable future. The desire for a sense of security was a driving factor.

Navigating the Process: Swales provides an insightful breakdown of the procedural steps to acquire Slovak citizenship. This includes gathering essential documents from various authorities, such as the tax office, health insurance, and local council. He shares that, while the process was intricate, it reflected his existing status in Slovakia. Swales' business ventures as an English teacher and translator further reinforced his integration into Slovak society.

The episode delves into the practical aspects of acquiring citizenship, shedding light on the bureaucratic maze that candidates must navigate. Swales' experience serves as a valuable resource for those contemplating a similar path, offering guidance on the crucial documents and authorities involved. His entrepreneurial endeavors also illustrate how contributing to the local economy and community can be a powerful means of integration.

The Language and Civic Test: A pivotal part of the naturalization process is the language and civic test. Swales describes the examination as a conversation with government officials, where topics span from Slovak history to contemporary politics. He emphasizes the subjective nature of the test, as there's no defined proficiency level required. Swales also highlights a unique component where candidates are asked to read an article aloud and then provide a written summary without referencing the original text.

This section provides invaluable insights into the testing process, offering prospective candidates a glimpse into what to expect. Swales' experience underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of Slovak history and contemporary affairs. His description of the language and civic test serves as a realistic portrayal of the challenges and expectations candidates face.

The Impact of Citizenship: Upon gaining citizenship, Swales experienced a tangible shift in his sense of belonging. He notes that while he still identifies as British by nationality, he feels integrated into Slovak society. This transition is exemplified by his newfound ability to participate in local elections and vote for parliamentary representatives. Swales underscores the importance of being part of the political fabric, even as a foreigner who has settled long-term in another country.

The episode delves into the transformative impact of citizenship on one's sense of identity and belonging. Swales' experience resonates with individuals who have undergone a similar transition, illustrating the profound emotional and practical implications of acquiring citizenship. His reflections offer a nuanced perspective on the complex interplay between nationality, cultural identity, and legal recognition.

Reflections on Citizenship: Swales offers valuable perspectives on the nature of citizenship, particularly in the context of an 'old world' country like Slovakia. He acknowledges the subtle distinctions between nationality and citizenship, emphasizing that his primary identity remains tied to his native language. Nevertheless, he appreciates the acknowledgment he receives as a contributing member of Slovak society.

This segment delves into the nuanced nature of citizenship and identity, raising thought-provoking questions about how individuals define themselves within the framework of a new cultural and legal context. Swales' reflections provide valuable insights into the complexities of cultural integration and the evolving nature of one's sense of belonging.

These stories of an American tracing familial roots and a British expatriate's journey towards Slovak citizenship paint a vivid picture of the complexities involved. These personal narratives illustrate that citizenship is a multi-faceted process, influenced by factors ranging from familial heritage to geopolitical events. Ultimately, they reveal that while citizenship provides legal recognition, true belonging is a nuanced sentiment that transcends paperwork.

This episode was created with financial support from the Fund for the Support of the Culture of National Minorities
Quarter of respondents said child vaccinations do not work.

Font size: A - | A + Comments disabled Share

More than a fifth of young Slovak voters believe that governments are covering up the existence of aliens and a third believe Jews control the world, new research has revealed.

The findings are just a few of the results of a survey by the Focus polling agency for the Chcem Tu Zostat (I Want to Stay Here) non-partisan campaign to convince young people to vote in elections difference.

Researchers spoke to 712 people aged 18-25 to find out what young people think about several conspiracy theories.

Aliens

A total of 22 percent of respondents said that governments are covering up the existence of aliens and UFOs. This belief was most common among voters of the Republika party - 39 percent - followed by 32 percent of Smer voters, 20 percent of Hlas and 17 percent of Progresivne Slovensko (PS) voters.

In terms of the education of those who believed this, 28 percent had completed elementary education, 22 percent had secondary vocational education, 19 percent were high school graduates and 16 percent were university graduates.

Meanwhile, 25 percent of respondents believed vaccinating children does not work, and was just a way for pharmaceutical companies to make money from people. This belief was most widespread among supporters of the Republika movement - approximately 50 percent.

Jews control the world, some still believe

And 11 percent of respondents said Jews themselves were to blame for the Holocaust while 34 percent believe Jews rule and control the whole world. Again, support for these views was most frequent among Republika voters.

The survey also found that almost half of respondents (49 percent) believe that products are designed to break or become obsolete after a short period of time or before the end of their warranty period.

When it comes to party preferences, 71 percent of young voters of the far-right Republika party agree with the statement regarding planned obsolescene, followed by 51 percent of young voters of Hlas, and 41 percent of Progresivne Slovensko (PS) and Smer voters.

Related article
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/country-for-old-men-people-aged-80-and-above-make-up-top-10-of-japan-for-first-time-1113511229.html

Country for Old Men? People Aged 80 And Above Make Up Top 10% of Japan for First Time

Country for Old Men? People Aged 80 And Above Make Up Top 10% of Japan for First Time

Japans Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued a report on Monday confirming an aging population as an ongoing concern in the worlds third-largest economy.

2023-09-19T23:43+0000

2023-09-19T23:43+0000

2023-09-19T23:41+0000

asia

japan

fumio kishida

birth rate

population decline

population growth

population

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/102087/00/1020870012_0:89:2000:1214_1920x0_80_0_0_cff8e22e00d98366675b3bf29deaf4ff.jpg

Japans Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued a report on Monday confirming an aging population as an ongoing concern in the worlds third-largest economy.The report, released as Japan celebrates its Respect for the Aged Day, placed the number of people in Japan over 80 at nearly 12.6 million among a population of 124 million. Meanwhile, the number of people over 65, which the country defines as elderly, reached more than 36 million.Perhaps chief among the issues raised is the imperative to maintain a workforce sufficient to support the countrys various social programs. Pension obligations, health care, and other services demand more funding as Japans population ages, but a graying society means fewer people are able to generate income and pay taxes.Japan has struggled to maintain economic growth after once being expected to win the title of the worlds largest economy in the 1980s. The government has responded by urging mothers and the elderly to re-enter the workforce. Now, a quarter of all elderly people in Japan are employed, compared to 18.6% in the United States.But the measure is expected to only temporarily alleviate the problem, compounded by the famously conservative countrys reluctance to encourage immigration. Japans fertility rate of 1.3 remains far below the approximate rate of 2.1 deemed necessary to stabilize the population.Meanwhile deaths have outpaced births for more than a decade, a trend which seems likely to continue. Japan is on the brink of not being able to maintain social functions, warned Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in January.South Korea is eventually expected to surpass Japan as the most elderly nation in the decades to come as an aging population remains a concern in various Asian countries, as well as much of the Global North.Japanese companies have countered the crisis by investing in technological innovation, with automaker Toyota making efforts to increase efficiency in electronic vehicle manufacturing. A more playful response to the countrys demographic challenges has emerged in the phenomenon of dementia cafes staffed by elderly employees.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20181223/japan-birth-rates-lowest-in-history-abe-expanded-support-1070954379.html

japan

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

japans ministry of internal affairs and communications, japanese population, declining birthrate in japan, japan
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/renewed-anti-espionage-efforts-to-encourage-public-to-safeguard-national-security-in-china---1113519512.html

Renewed Anti-Espionage Efforts to Encourage Public to Safeguard National Security in China - Experts

Renewed Anti-Espionage Efforts to Encourage Public to Safeguard National Security in China - Experts

Since the new Counter-Espionage Law was enacted in July, China's Ministry of State Security (MSS), whose work is usually classified and covert, has now been stepping into the public limelight announcing a slew of detailed espionage cases over the last two months, as part of ratcheted up efforts to crack down on espionage.

2023-09-19T18:04+0000

2023-09-19T18:04+0000

2023-09-20T13:35+0000

china

espionage

global times

ministry of state security (stasi)

spy

world

central intelligence agency (cia)

us

william burns

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106121/64/1061216407_0:137:4000:2387_1920x0_80_0_0_50981e25695529dd626ba394430aa324.jpg

Experts noted that the recent exposure of US espionage activities highlights China's dire situation with a covert battle waged against the country, as the aggressive spying activities by the US against China are closely linked to Washington's current strategy of comprehensive suppression and the containment of Beijing.The consistent unveiling of espionage cases serves to emphasize China's capabilities and determination in defending itself against foreign infiltration and manipulation, effectively safeguarding national security.As the 23rd National Defense Education Day was marked on Saturday, comic strip posters warning of overseas spies were displayed in subway stations. The MSS provided information on how to prevent phones, emails, and other devices from being attacked on its newly opened official WeChat account. During the first class of the new semester, schools across the nation offered a special class dedicated to equipping teachers and students to identify and increase vigilance in safeguarding national security.China's recently intensified actions taken to combat espionage have raised concerns among certain Western media outlets, who misread it as a witch hunt that "spies are everywhere" and a "call to all members in society to apprehend spies."Chinese security experts refute such misinterpretation, stating that China simply aims to gain more public support in counter-espionage efforts, as solely relying on national security agencies is insufficient to combat pervasive overseas espionage forces.They stressed that the amended anti-espionage law further clarifies the boundaries of espionage activities to prevent abuse, noting that supervision systems along the anti-espionage process and communication channels through which breeches of the law can be reported are never absent.Seek support from the publicCIA Director William Burns acknowledged on July 20 that his agency had made progress in rebuilding its spy networks in China, following significant setbacks a decade ago. Ten days later, China's MSS opened its official WeChat account on August 1, published a call to action, encouraging members of society to contribute to counter-espionage efforts, which analysts said marked its transition from covert to overt.Just 21 days after Burn's provocative claim, China's MSS, on August 11, referred to the CIA's revelation while announcing the apprehension of a suspect surnamed Zeng, who was a Chinese military industrial group staffer and an important confidential employee, as conducting espionage activities after being recruited by the CIA during his study in Italy.China unveiled the second US-led espionage case against China within half a month on August 21, indicating that the country's national security authority cracked an espionage case involving a Chinese government employee who had been enlisted by the Japan branch of the US intelligence agency while studying in Japan.Afterward, the MSS, on September 11, released details about the case of John Shing-wan Leung, a permanent resident of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and a US passport holder, who conducted espionage activities including serving as an informant of a US intelligence agency and was spying for the US under the guise of charity.In addition, the state media's legal programs have gradually exposed typical early espionage cases in last two months, reminding the public to be more vigilant.The MSS also publicly exposed and denounced the "four dangerous mindsets" hidden in the newly released US' 2023 National Intelligence Strategy on its WeChat account on August 28.Where are attacks coming from?The US, famous for being an empire of hackers, has persistently launched cyberattacks against China.In recent years, the CIA has established two specific centers to hone the agency's focus on China, the "China Mission Center (CMC)" and the "Transnational and Technology Mission Center." The CMC is the only mission center established by the CIA to specifically target a single country while the "Transnational and Technical Mission Center" is responsible for assisting US spies in enhancing espionage technology, according to Li.The CIA attaches great importance to the application of artificial intelligence technology in cyberspace, and the chief technology officer Nand Mulchandani appointed by the CIA later comes from Silicon Valley.Li noted that the US originally had similar centers targeting Iran and North Korea, but as its tensions with China intensified, the US' redirected targeted activities against these two countries elsewhere, and a new department targeting China was established. This reflects a shift in the focus of US intelligence work.One of the two centers primarily relies on human intelligence collection, while the other relies on technological means. Moreover, the US often cooperates with other anti-China foreign forces in intelligence, including separatist forces in Hong Kong, the island of Taiwan, and Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region as they are highly consistent with their political objectives to destabilize China. The general public should understand the complex international situation, actively learn relevant laws and regulations, enhance national security awareness, and remain vigilant at all times, warned Li.What are popular means?According to the MSS, cyberspace has become an important battlefield for foreign intelligence agencies to conduct cyber espionage. China has become a major victim of advanced persistent threat (APT) attacks (typically a state or state-sponsored group, which gains unauthorized access to a computer network and remains undetected for an extended period).In recent years, China's national security agencies have discovered dozens of foreign intelligence agencies from different countries and regions conducting cyberattacks within its borders. They either establish specialized organizations, set up "cover companies," and develop professional means to directly carry out cyberattack infiltration actions, or employ "outsourcing services" or hacker groups to carry out attacks, or purchase data or lure and entice domestic institutions and personnel to sell their data, according to the MSS.A frontline police officer engaged in cybersecurity and counter-espionage work in northern China told the Global Times on condition of anonymity that with the rapid development of modern technology, spy techniques have also evolved, making it increasingly difficult to counter. For example, it is now possible to determine the content of conversations in a room from kilometers away by sensing electromagnetic radiation, and conversations in a room can be stolen using pre-placed microwave, laser, and nano listening devices.Cyberspace has become a breeding ground for espionage activities, and some software systems and hardware devices such as "zero-day," a vulnerability in a computer system, are increasingly being used. Furthermore, attacks are increasingly targeting research institutions, according to the police.The case of the cyberattack on Northwestern Polytechnical University in 2022 is a typical example of cyber espionage. Foreign intelligence agencies used 41 types of specialized cyber weapons to launch thousands of attacks and steal confidential information from Northwestern Polytechnical University.Li also underlines that foreign intelligence agencies are shifting their work toward more covert operations.The MSS previously exposed a case in April, in which a group of suspicious foreign individuals approached a regular fish farmer in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, under the guise of "installing free seawater quality monitoring devices." While claiming to help monitor water quality, these individuals intended to use this pretext to simultaneously monitor important sensitive data such as tides and ocean currents in non-open sea areas. This data would provide navigation assistance for foreign submarines to secretly enter the waters near our country's territorial waters.No arbitrary applicationMany foreign media outlets have exaggerated and sensationalized China's recent legitimate actions against espionage, portraying them as generalized attacks on foreign forces. Some have warned that the anti-espionage campaign could create further legal risks for and doubts among foreign companies, journalists, and academics.China is not the only country that has started issuing more severe warnings regarding foreign spies. Concerns have been raised about Washington fueling a new Red Scare, exemplified by the Justice Department's abandoned China Initiative that focused on academics and some countries' ban on the social media platform TikTok due to so-called security concerns.Every country has laws and actions against espionage, so why are they specifically expressing "concern" over China? Chinese netizens questions.As early as August 4, the MSS had directly responded to concerns and smears from foreign media sources, emphasizing that safeguarding national security is a common practice for countries worldwide. The authority reiterated that the provisions of the amended Counter-Espionage Law are open, transparent, and clear.When the CIA established the two aforementioned centers in 2021, China put forward the "Global Development Initiative" to the world and followed it up with the "Global Security Initiative" the following year. This means that coordinating development and security is a fundamental principle for China, according to analysts.Li stressed that the revised law refines the boundary of espionage to further prevent misuse. The new version also properly expands the scope of targets of espionage, with all documents, data, materials, and articles concerning national security and interests included for protection. It particularly warns agents against domestic overseas espionage, calling for more caution in selling data to suspicious agents.The expert underlined that monitoring measures are available to prevent the abuse of the espionage law, refuting claims by some foreign media outlets that the espionage law is a breach of public privacy.On August 7, the MSS again emphasized the supervision mechanism for counter-espionage work and announced the reporting channels on its WeChat account."This is not an era for everyone catching spies everywhere, but an important time for everyone to protect national security, via more scientific and legal means," said Li.This article was originally published by the Global TImes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230724/beijing-concerned-about-us-push-to-bolster-spying-efforts-in-china-1112111448.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230226/cia-director-says-military-conflict-over-taiwan-not-inevitable-1107827777.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230604/china-warns-nato-like-alliances-in-asia-may-plunge-region-into-whirlpool-of-conflicts-1110897321.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220808/the-china-syndrome-cia-reportedly-shifts-resources-from-counterterrorism-to-concentrate-on-prc-1099390144.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230315/cyber-attacks-on-au-west-does-not-want-african-unity-experts-say-1108413461.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220728/chinas-xi-tells-biden-he-plays-with-fire-with-taiwan-policy-in-phone-call-1097897925.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230705/cia-cringe-offensive-in-russia-falls-flat-1111676223.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

anti-espionage, anti-espionage efforts, espionage cases, espionage, china, crack down on espionage, ministry of state security, us spies, american spies, spying activities, foreign infiltration, foreign manipulation, william burns, cia, us cia, foreign intelligence
President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a stark warning against military cooperation between North Korea and Russia on Wednesday (U.S. time), saying any arms deal between the two countries would be considered a "direct provocation" against South Korea.

Yoon made the remark during a keynote address to the U.N. General Assembly in New York, referring to concerns North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to an exchange of North Korean ammunition for Russian weapons technology during their summit in Russia's Far East last week.

"It is paradoxical that a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, entrusted as the ultimate guardian of world peace, would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive arms and ammunition from a regime that blatantly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions," Yoon said.

"And if North Korea acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its WMD capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, the deal will be a direct provocation threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also the Republic of Korea," he added, referring to South Korea by its formal name.

"The Republic of Korea, together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by," he said.

During his speech, the president also outlined a series of actions South Korea will take to help reduce global gaps in development, climate change response and digital access.

He noted that South Korea increased next year's official development assistance (ODA) by more than 40 percent despite its policy of fiscal austerity and pledged to use the additional ODA to provide tailored development aid to recipient nations, particularly in education and training.

To reduce the climate divide, he vowed to increase South Korea's financial contributions to the fight against climate change and launch a Carbon Free Alliance to promote the use of carbon-free energy sources, such as renewable energy, nuclear power and hydrogen.

Additionally, Yoon offered to use South Korea's strengths in information and communication technology (ICT) to help developing nations' digital transformation and establish global digital norms, including by soon unveiling a "Digital Bill of Rights" that presents a vision for an ideal digital order.

Noting South Korea's election as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council from 2024-25, Yoon also emphasized the country's commitment to playing a responsible role in defending international peace and safety, and recalled his administration's plans to provide a total of US$2.3 billion in short- to long-term aid to Ukraine.

Yoon also promoted South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo in its southeastern city of Busan, saying the country hopes to use the event to share its experiences of growth and development with the world. (Yonhap)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/air-defense-takes-down-drones-near-sevastopol--authorities-1113519069.html

Air Defense Takes Down Drones Near Sevastopol  Authorities

Air Defense Takes Down Drones Near Sevastopol  Authorities

Russian air defense took down drones near Sevastopol, there were no casualties, Governor Mikhail Razvozhaev said on Wednesday.

2023-09-20T10:42+0000

2023-09-20T10:42+0000

2023-09-20T10:42+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

russia

sevastopol

ukraine

ukrainian drone attacks on russia

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/106223/46/1062234637_0:60:3427:1988_1920x0_80_0_0_ce818af1dc1884b8c8c495b5d80cf327.jpg

"As a result of the work of air defense systems in Verkhnosadove and in Kacha, according to preliminary data, downed UAVs fell. There are no casualties," Razvozhaev said on Telegram. A small grass fire began in the village of Verkhnosadove and grass is also on fire in a vineyard in the area of Kacha, and all operational services are working at the scene, the official said. The governor also said that an aerosol camouflage is being used in the bay of Sevastopol, reminding that it is safe for health.Ukraine has been sending drones into the Russian territory almost daily since it launched a counteroffensive in early June.Ukraine launched its latest counteroffensive in early June. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukrainian counteroffensive had failed, with Ukraine suffering over 71,000 casualties. Several Western officials have also admitted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive has not been successful.

russia

sevastopol

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

drones near sevastopol, russian air defense
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-agree-on-ceasefire-through-coordination-of-russian-peacekeepers---mod-1113518498.html

Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh Agree on Ceasefire Through Coordination of Russian Peacekeepers - MoD

Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh Agree on Ceasefire Through Coordination of Russian Peacekeepers - MoD

Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh have agreed on a complete cessation of hostilities through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

2023-09-20T10:27+0000

2023-09-20T10:27+0000

2023-09-20T12:33+0000

world

armenia

nikol pashinyan

ilham aliyev

nagorno-karabakh

azerbaijan

yerevan

russian defense ministry

russia

nagorno-karabakh conflict

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/0b/1d/1081308300_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1c18b070462f0420526187a2e9e35d4b.jpg

Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh have agreed on a complete cessation of hostilities through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.The Russian peacekeeping contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh is in contact with both Yerevan and Baku, discussing the prevention of bloodshed in the region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.Russian peacekeepers continue to perform their duties in Nagorno-Karabakh in aggravated conditions, the ministry said, adding that 2,261 civilians, including 1,049 children, are currently located in a base camp of peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.On Tuesday, Baku announced the launch of "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at "restoring the constitutional order." It also said Azerbaijani forces only targeted military objects in Nagorno-Karabakh, while Armenian state media reported multiple casualties among civilians as a result of Azerbaijani strikes. Yerevan described the operation as aggression and reiterated that it had no military presence in the disputed region.In 1923, the region was granted the status of an autonomous area called the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.In 1988, a movement for reunification with Armenia began in Nagorno-Karabakh. On September 2, 1991, it declared independence from Azerbaijan and changed its name to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. From 1992 to 1994, Azerbaijan attempted to regain control over the self-declared republic, resulting in full-scale military hostilities in which up to 30,000 people lost their lives.In 1994, the parties agreed to a ceasefire, but the status of the republic remained undetermined. In late September 2020, hostilities resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh. On the night of November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with Moscow's support, reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, maintaining their respective positions and exchanging prisoners of war and the bodies of the deceased. Russian peacekeepers were deployed in the region, including the Lachin Corridor.In 2022 with the mediation of Russia, the United States, and the European Union, Yerevan and Baku began discussing the terms of a future peace agreement. In late May of this year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that Yerevan was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty within its Soviet-era borders, including Karabakh.In September 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the Armenian leadership had essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan and Armenia could sign a peace agreement by the end of the year if Yerevan did not change its stance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/azerbaijani-announces-reached-agreement-to-suspend-anti-terrorist-activities-in-nagorno-karabakh-1113517950.html

armenia

nagorno-karabakh

azerbaijan

yerevan

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

azerbaijan, nagorno-karabakh, cessation of hostilities, russian peacekeepers, russian defense ministry
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/azerbaijani-announces-reached-agreement-to-suspend-anti-terrorist-activities-in-nagorno-karabakh-1113517950.html

Azerbaijan Announces Agreement to Suspend Anti-Terrorist Measures in Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan Announces Agreement to Suspend Anti-Terrorist Measures in Nagorno-Karabakh

The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan announced that an agreement was reached to suspend anti-terrorist activities in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 20 from 13:00 Moscow time.

2023-09-20T09:58+0000

2023-09-20T09:58+0000

2023-09-20T13:40+0000

world

ilham aliyev

nikol pashinyan

azerbaijan

nagorno-karabakh

armenia

azerbaijani defense ministry

nagorno-karabakh conflict

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/17/1101115945_71:0:3651:2014_1920x0_80_0_0_5f585a09b83b318b545703f2876aaae3.jpg

The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan announced that an agreement was reached to suspend counter-terrorist operations in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 20 from 13:00 local time (9:00 GMT)."The formations of the Armenian armed forces located in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and illegal Armenian armed formations are laying down their weapons, abandoning combat positions and military posts and are fully disarming. Units of the Armenian armed forces are leaving the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are being disbanded," the statement said.The ministry added that the "illegal formations" in Nagorno-Karabakh are handing over all weapons, heavy equipment under the reached agreement that is being ensured by Russian peacekeepers.Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Anar Eyvazov said that Azerbaijani forces took control of 90 Armenian combat positions before the agreement on suspending activities in Nagorno-Karabakh.No strikes are being carried out on the retreating "Armenian military formations," the spokesperson said.The administration of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday announced a meeting with representatives of Armenians in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh scheduled for September 21 to discuss reintegration issues in the city of Yevlakh.On Tuesday, Baku announced the launch of "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at "restoring the constitutional order." Yerevan described the operation as aggression against the population of Nagorno-Karabakh and reiterated that it had no military presence in the disputed region. In 1923, the region was granted the status of an autonomous area called the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.In 1988, a movement for reunification with Armenia began in Nagorno-Karabakh. On September 2, 1991, it declared independence from Azerbaijan and changed its name to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. From 1992 to 1994, Azerbaijan attempted to regain control over the self-declared republic, resulting in full-scale military hostilities in which up to 30,000 people lost their lives.In 1994, the parties agreed to a ceasefire, but the status of the republic remained undetermined. In late September 2020, hostilities resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh. On the night of November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with Moscow's support, reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, maintaining their respective positions and exchanging prisoners of war and the bodies of the deceased. Russian peacekeepers were deployed in the region, including the Lachin Corridor.In 2022 with the mediation of Russia, the United States, and the European Union, Yerevan and Baku began discussing the terms of a future peace agreement. In late May of this year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that Yerevan was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty within its Soviet-era borders, including Karabakh.In September 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the Armenian leadership had essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said that Baku and Yerevan could sign a peace agreement by the end of the year if Armenia did not change its stance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/kremlin-says-talks-between-putin-and-pashinyan-agreed-upon-1113517307.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/russian-peacekeepers-record-karabakh-ceasefire-violations-from-azerbaijani-side-1113502561.html

azerbaijan

nagorno-karabakh

armenia

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

ministry of defense of azerbaijan, anti-terrorist activities in nagorno-karabakh, agreement was reached
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/biden-and-zelensky-speak-at-un-president-assad-going-to-china-trump-goes-to-detroit-1113510947.html

Biden and Zelensky Speak at UN; President Assad Going to China; Trump Goes to Detroit

Biden and Zelensky Speak at UN; President Assad Going to China; Trump Goes to Detroit

Former President Donald Trump will be traveling to Detroit to give a prime time speech upstaging the GOP debate.

2023-09-20T04:00+0000

2023-09-20T04:00+0000

2023-09-20T11:39+0000

the critical hour

radio

iran

taiwan

volodymyr zelensky

iraq

uae

sergei shoigu

joe biden

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/13/1113510790_0:0:1920:1080_1920x0_80_0_0_736604baa8c3620751fe83d60f8a734a.png

Biden and Zelensky Speak at UN; President Assad Going to China; Trump Goes to Detroit Former President Donald Trump will be traveling to Detroit to give a prime time speech upstaging the GOP debate.

Dr. Gerald Horne, Professor of History at the University of Houston, TX, author, historian, and researcher, joins us to discuss the United Nations speeches of Joe Biden and President Zelensky today. President Biden and his proxy leader in Ukraine both spoke at the United Nations today. Dr. Gerald Horne says that Russia maintains escalatory dominance in Eastern Europe. Also, Biden channeled Secretary Blinken who conceded that we are now in a multipolar world but argued that the US is trying to confront both Russia and China simultaneously.Dr. Ken Hammond, writer and professor of East Asian and global history at New Mexico State University, joins us to discuss China. China deepens ties with Venezuela challenging the US hegemonic mindset. Dr. Kenneth Hammond says that the US projects evil onto any leader who will not go along with US interests. We are now seeing nations reaching out to help each other in the face of US economic coercion. He says that we will see more and more nations joining to resist US hegemony.Dr. Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack, thepolemicist.net, joins us to discuss the 2024 election cycle in the US. President Trump will deliver a prime-time speech in Detroit during next week's GOP debate. Dr. Kavanagh says that Trump speaking to the workers is smart politics. He questions what points President Trump will argue. Also, Jim says that this action will demonstrate a difference between Trump and Joe Biden, showing that Biden cannot make a coherent point.Tunde Osazua, coordinating committee member and outreach coordinator for The Black Alliance for Peace, joins us to discuss Africa. In Africa, the cost of a relationship with the West exceeds the benefit. Tunde Osazua says that trade and financial sanctions have been put in place to cripple Zimbabwe due to its move towards land reform. The fear from Western forces is that a mass uplifting of the African poor could happen. He also says that the new military alliance between Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso has an economic facet that can be built upon.Laith Marouf, broadcaster and journalist based in Beirut, Lebanon, joins us to discuss The Middle East. Syrian President Bashar Al Assad will visit China on Thursday at the invitation of President Xi. Laith Marouf says this is also part of the competition from the Chinese Belt and Road plan. He says the path through Turkiye may be blocked, and Syria needs China's investment for growth. Also, Russia's defense minister is going to Iran, and this is connected to Russia's reset with North Korea.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine. The Biden administration is now responsible for the Ukraine war down to the most basic of planning and attacks. Mark Sleboda says that absent any hope for Ukrainian success, the scope of Western intentions would shift to asymmetric attacks with drones, missiles, and improvised devices. This action, according to their plan, would force Russia to turn to negotiations.Kweku Lamumba, the former co-chair of the Atlanta Green Party and the coordinator of KOSSA, joins us to discuss Haiti. There is a battle for water in Haiti as the Dominican Republic tries to deny Haitians water from the Massacre River. Kweke Lamumba argues that the river was named after a massacre of Haitians in the1930 when those of darker complexion were murdered but the river also has an indigenous name. He says that there are treaties that have been signed that should allow Haitians to use the river. He says that the Dominican Republic problems with Haiti date back to French and Spanish colonial disputes.Dan Lazare, investigative journalist and author of "America's Undeclared War, joins us to discuss Nazis in Ukraine. President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky are speaking at the UN. Also, a former Ukrainian president was photographed wearing Nazi insignia as the Eastern European nation has become infamous for its connections to the iconography of the Third Reich. Dan Lazare says that everyone on earth knows that Biden's comments about bringing US-led peace to the world don't align with US imperial warmongering. Dan also says that Ukraine has a long history of aligning itself with a right-wing nationalist ideology, and the US is taking advantage of their hate for Russia.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

iran

taiwan

iraq

uae

china

ukraine

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg

Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.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

Garland Nixon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e5/02/13/1082125302_0:0:239:239_100x100_80_0_0_d5d43c970b0740f228597fbcdb4ffd66.jpg

the critical hour, biden united nations speech, china ties with venezuela, us hegemony, 2024 presidential election
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/dead-heat-new-poll-shows-trump-biden-tied-in-voter-preferences-for-2024-election-1113544185.html

Dead Heat: New Poll Shows Trump, Biden Tied in Voter Preferences for 2024 Election

Dead Heat: New Poll Shows Trump, Biden Tied in Voter Preferences for 2024 Election

A new poll on Tuesday showed US President Joe Bidens modest lead over his predecessor Donald Trump had evaporated in the 2024 race for the White House.

2023-09-20T20:57+0000

2023-09-20T20:57+0000

2023-09-20T20:55+0000

americas

joe biden

donald trump

yougov

democrats

morning consult

americans

white house

polling data

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/04/1113101496_0:257:2730:1793_1920x0_80_0_0_171568b733802747dde21e91fc0e6fe1.jpg

A new poll on Tuesday showed US President Joe Bidens modest lead over his predecessor Donald Trump had evaporated in the 2024 race for the White House.The poll, released by YouGov and Yahoo News, showed the candidates tied with each of them winning the support of 44% of registered voters. The results mark a shift from a poll by the same firm the previous month that showed Biden with 47% support and Donald Trump with 41%.A full 7% of registered voters said they were undecided while 4% said they would refuse to vote in a rerun of the 2020 election.In addition to the horse race numbers, a series of other findings showed ominous signs for Biden amidst a tightening race. The presidents job approval sunk to 38%, just above his record low of 35% in August 2022.Meanwhile, only 27% of voters rated Biden as fit to serve another term as president while 77% said the octogenarian politicians age is a problem. Some 47% of Americans believe Biden and his family are corrupt, and only 34% approve of his handling of the countrys economy.Trump seems to acknowledge his partys anti-abortion position may prove fatal for him next year. He recently appeared to strike a more moderate tone on the issue, calling Floridas recently-enacted six-week abortion ban a terrible thing in a weekend interview with US media. The remark was met with criticism from various conservative figures.The YouGov/Yahoo News poll comes amidst two other polls this week from Emerson and Morning Consult which also show a tied presidential contest. One average of polls from various firms showed Trump with a scant .5-percent lead over Biden in voter preference, confirming Americans are currently sharply divided between the two candidates.But surveys consistently show both major-party contenders are regarded unfavorably by over half of the voting public. Unpopular candidates have been a persistent feature of US politics since the 2016 election, when polls showed both Trump and then-contender Hillary Clinton were viewed unfavorably by more than 50% of Americans.Polling earlier this year showed about half of voters consider themselves to be political independents, dwarfing support for either of the two major parties. Polling over the last two decades shows 55% of Americans believe a third major party is needed, though the countrys rigid two-party system continues to stymie the emergence of one.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230804/washington-terrified-trump-may-defeat-biden-in-2024-election-1112383555.html

americas

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

new 2024 race polling, us presidents donald trump and joe biden, us 2024 election, voter preferences
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/how-russian-peacekeepers-stopped-hostilities-in-nagorno-karabakh--1113540718.html

How Russian Peacekeepers Stopped Hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh

How Russian Peacekeepers Stopped Hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh

Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh ceased hostilities on September 20 through the mediation of Russian peacekeepers, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

2023-09-20T19:15+0000

2023-09-20T19:15+0000

2023-09-20T19:19+0000

us

world

nikol pashinyan

dmitry peskov

nagorno-karabakh

azerbaijan

armenia

european union (eu)

russian ministry of defense

armenian armed forces

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/0b/1d/1081308300_0:161:3071:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_1c18b070462f0420526187a2e9e35d4b.jpg

An agreement was reached between Baku and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday on a complete cessation of hostilities in the region. The implementation of these agreements will be carried out in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent, as per the Russian Ministry of Defense.Yerevan denied the accusations and denounced Baku's actions as "aggression," at the same time making it clear that the Armenian Armed Forces would not repel the Azerbaijan advance. The crux of the matter is that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recognized Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory in October 2022, and then reiterated that position in April and May 2023.The situation in Nagorno-Karabakh is an internal matter of Azerbaijan, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told a Russian broadcaster on September 20.What's Behind Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict Over Nagorno-Karabakh?The September 2023 events were the third time when ethnic Armenians and Azerbaijani forces clashed over Nagorno-Karabakh, which proclaimed its secession from Baku in 1991-1992. Previously, hostilities erupted in the early 1990s and in 2020. The 2020 conflict ended with a Russia-mediated ceasefire and the deployment of Russian peacekeepers to the region.The legal status of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic has always been controversial. Under the Alma-Ata Protocols of 1991, which set the founding principles of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) following the collapse of the USSR, Nagorno-Karabakh  the autonomous region within the former Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR)  became a part of the new Azerbaijani state. Nonetheless, the predominantly Armenian-populated region did not agree with the established status quo and declared independence. Since 1994, the breakaway region has been largely reliant on Armenia and in many ways has been functioning as a de facto part of Armenia.Still, during his prime ministership, Nikol Pashinyan sent mixed signals with regard to the future of Nagorno-Karabakh. Prior to the second Karabakh conflict in 2020, Pashinyan repeatedly argued that "Artsakh is Armenia. Period."However, in October 2022, Azerbaijans President Ilhan Aliyev and Pashinyan signed a statement in Prague recognizing the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1991, thus officially confirming Baku's legitimate mandate over Nagorno-Karabakh.While addressing the Armenian parliament in April 2023, Pashinyan stated that peace in the South Caucasus is only possible if Armenia recognizes that its territory amounts to the 29,800 square kilometers of the former Armenian SSR in accordance with the Alma-Ata Protocol of 1991. In May 2023, in Brussels, at a summit under the auspices of the European Union, the borders of the two countries were again reaffirmed by Aliev and Pashinyan, confirming Azerbaijan's rights over Nagorno-Karabakh.How Russian Peacekeepers Shielded Armenians in Conflict ZoneRussian peacekeepers played a crucial role in both mediating the ceasefire and evacuating ethnic Armenians from the conflict zone. Since the beginning of active hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, Russian peacekeepers have evacuated 3,154 people, including 1,428 children, from the Mardakert, Martuni, and Askeran regions, according to the bulletin of the Russian Ministry of Defense."Through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached with the warring parties on a complete cessation of hostilities," the ministry's statement reads.However, the Russian military sustained losses during the peacekeeping operation. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported earlier on Wednesday that during the return of a Russian contingent from an observation post in the area of the village of Dzhanyatag, Nagorno-Karabakh, a car with Russian military servicemen came under fire. As a result, the Russian peacekeepers in the vehicle were killed, the ministry said. "To clarify all the circumstances of the incident, Russian and Azerbaijani representatives of the investigative authorities are working on the spot," the ministry noted, adding that following the cessation of hostilities, no violations of the ceasefire had been recorded so far.How West Proved Incapable of Solving Nagorno-Karabakh CrisisAfter the Russian peacekeepers stopped the conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a telephone conversation, during which they discussed the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and issues on the bilateral Armenian-Russian agenda, per the Armenian governments press service.The Indian scholar highlighted that despite Pashinyan's efforts to internationalize the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis and obtain support from the West, neither the US nor the European Union have proven to be capable of solving the regional dilemma.The fact that Russia stepped in and stopped the bloodshed in Nagorno-Karabakh again has busted the Armenian prime ministers earlier claims  made during an interview with a Western media outlet  that Moscow's influence was "waning" in the South Caucasus and that Russia was "leaving" the region.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russian-peacekeepers-actively-working-with-all-parties-involved-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict---1113521015.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230906/how-the-west-drags-armenia-to-its-side-amid-nato-proxy-war-in-ukraine-1113160287.html

nagorno-karabakh

azerbaijan

armenia

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Ekaterina Blinova

Ekaterina Blinova

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Ekaterina Blinova

russian peacekeeping mission, armenia, azerbaijan, nagorno-karabakh, russia, vladimir putin, nikol pashinyan, cecession of hostilities, ceasfire, eu, ilhan aliyev, alma-ata protocols, nagorno-karabakh conflict, azerbaijan counter-terror operation, ethnical armenians, civilians of nagorno karabakh
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/israeli-police-make-arrests-after-thieves-steal-idf-tank-stash-it-in-junkyard-1113532918.html

Israeli Police Make Arrests After Thieves Steal IDF Tank, Stash It in Junkyard

Israeli Police Make Arrests After Thieves Steal IDF Tank, Stash It in Junkyard

The Merkava series of main battle tanks makes up the backbone of the Israel Defense Forces heavy armored component, and has been used extensively in nearly all of Israels ground wars against neighbors since the 1980s.

2023-09-20T13:52+0000

2023-09-20T13:52+0000

2023-09-20T14:01+0000

beyond politics

benjamin netanyahu

israel

haifa

israel defense forces (idf)

israeli defense ministry

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/14/1113530133_0:40:1276:758_1920x0_80_0_0_4aea0f17f141e84e8f874e6ac8c71da1.png

Israeli police made two arrests Wednesday for the theft of a decommissioned IDF main battle tank from a military firing range and its stashing in a nearby junkyard.The Merkava Mark II was found in a in a scrapyard near Nesher, a suburb of the northern Israeli coastal city of Haifa, on Wednesday, about 20 km from where it was taken.The Israeli Defense Ministry reported the theft to police, which was said to have taken place overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, with the Coastal District Police locating the missing tank in short order. Police, the IDFs Military Police Investigations Unit, and IDF command have initiated probes into the incident.The reason for the theft remains unknown, although some Israeli media suspect the thieves planned to melt down the 62-ton armored behemoth for scrap metal.According to the IDF, the stolen Merkava was just a shell, and the tank had been deactivated many years ago and contained no armaments or other advanced onboard systems. The MBT was reportedly used in training.This weeks tank theft isnt the first of the year for Israel. In February, a group of IDF veterans made off with a relic Shot MBT, an Israeli Centurion variant, from a memorial to the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, planning to use it to protest the Netanyahu governments judicial reforms. Days later, the same group also took an old Bren armored personnel carrier for the same purpose. The vets were detained by police, but said they had permission to use the vehicles, which were later returned.The Mark II was equipped with a 105 mm main gun and 7.62 mm machine guns, anti-tank and anti-rocket defenses, thermal optics, and modular composite armor (on its final modification, the Mark IID). The IDF has repurposed some of its Mark IIs as armored personnel carriers, with the final tanks of the series retired from service in 2016.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/israel-debuts-new-barak-tank-with-ai-capabilities-1113513945.html

israel

haifa

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

tank, armor, stolen, idf, israeli defense forces, theft, grand theft, junkyard, junk, scrap, police
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/kremlin-says-talks-between-putin-and-pashinyan-agreed-upon-1113517307.html

Kremlin Says Talks Between Putin and Pashinyan Agreed Upon

Kremlin Says Talks Between Putin and Pashinyan Agreed Upon

Moscow expects to agree on the terms of a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Contacts with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are not being prepared but will take place if necessary, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

2023-09-20T09:33+0000

2023-09-20T09:33+0000

2023-09-20T12:09+0000

world

nagorno-karabakh

dmitry peskov

nikol pashinyan

vladimir putin

russia

yerevan

baku

armenia

azerbaijan

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/01/1112320936_0:106:3265:1943_1920x0_80_0_0_94cb76f524fa1090b130def879587e39.jpg

Moscow expects to agree on the terms of a telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Contacts with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev are not being prepared but will take place if necessary, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Russia's contacts with Armenia continue, it has been and remains Russia's ally and partner, and contacts with Azerbaijan, which is also an important partner of Russia, are also continuing, the official said.The actions of Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh are de jure taking place on its territory, Peskov said.The Russian military in Nagorno-Karabakh are not engaged in scholasticism, but are doing real things, helping to evacuate civilians, the spokesperson said.On September 19, Baku launched its "anti-terrorist operation" in Nagorno-Karabakh to allegedly restore constitutional order. Baku also stated that the Azerbaijani armed forces used high-precision weapons, allegedly targeting Armenian forces in the region. Yerevan, for its part, reiterated that it had no military presence in Nagorno-Karabakh and described the operation as aggression.In 1923, the region was granted the status of an autonomous area called the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.In 1988, a movement for reunification with Armenia began in Nagorno-Karabakh. On September 2, 1991, it declared independence from Azerbaijan and changed its name to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. From 1992 to 1994, Azerbaijan attempted to regain control over the self-declared republic, resulting in full-scale military hostilities in which up to 30,000 people lost their lives.In 1994, the parties agreed to a ceasefire, but the status of the republic remained undetermined. In late September 2020, hostilities resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh. On the night of November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with Moscow's support, reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, maintaining their respective positions and exchanging prisoners of war and the bodies of the deceased. Russian peacekeepers were deployed in the region, including the Lachin Corridor.In 2022 with the mediation of Russia, the United States, and the European Union, Yerevan and Baku began discussing the terms of a future peace agreement. In late May of this year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that Yerevan was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty within its Soviet-era borders, including Karabakh.In September 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the Armenian leadership had essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan and Armenia could sign a peace agreement by the end of the year if Yerevan did not change its stance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/unsc-emergency-meeting-on-nagorno-karabakh-to-convene-on-september-21-says-yerevan-1113513775.html

nagorno-karabakh

russia

yerevan

baku

armenia

azerbaijan

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

russian president vladimir putin, armenian prime minister nikol pashinyan, nagorno-karabakh
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/nagorno-karabakh-hostilities-may-re-flame-as-force-cannot-solve-such-conflicts-1113519605.html

Nagorno-Karabakh Hostilities May 'Re-Flame' as 'Force Cannot Solve Such Conflicts'

Nagorno-Karabakh Hostilities May 'Re-Flame' as 'Force Cannot Solve Such Conflicts'

Nagorno-Karabakh hostilities may 're-flame' as force cannot solve such conflicts, Dr. Marco Marsili told Sputnik.

2023-09-20T16:43+0000

2023-09-20T16:43+0000

2023-09-20T17:45+0000

russia

azerbaijan

armenia

nagorno-karabakh

nagorno-karabakh conflict

ilham aliyev

nikol pashinyan

vladimir putin

dmitry peskov

analysis

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/0d/1100708649_0:160:3111:1911_1920x0_80_0_0_36480b29e18ffdc90a81ed4db717eb29.jpg

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh were actively working with all parties involved in the conflict.Putin voiced Russia's hope that a de-escalation will be reached.The remarks came after the Russian Defense Ministry on Wednesday announced that Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh had agreed on a complete cessation of hostilities. The MoD added that the command of Russias peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh was maintaining contact with both Yerevan and Baku at the appropriate level, and discussing the prevention of bloodshed in the region. Compliance with the norms of humanitarian law in relation to the civilian population, as well as ensuring the safety of the Russian peacekeeping contingent are discussed," said the ministry.2,261 civilians, including 1,049 children, are currently located in a peacekeeping base camp in Nagorno-Karabakh, the MoD said, as it assured that the Russian peacekeepers continue to perform their duties in Nagorno-Karabakh.'Local-Level Anti-Terrorist Activities'The chain of events that unfolded so rapidly over the past days was triggered when Baku announced the launch of "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at "restoring the constitutional order." It also said Azerbaijani forces only targeted military objects in Nagorno-Karabakh, while Armenian state media reported multiple casualties among civilians as a result of Azerbaijani strikes. Yerevan described the operation as aggression and reiterated that it had no military presence in the disputed region.The current escalation was not surprising, Dr. Marco Marsili, associate fellow at the Center for Strategic Research and Analysis and former public official and election observer for the OSCE/ODIHR, told Sputnik.The pundit also referenced the outcome of the EU summit in Prague and the way it had failed to defuse the Nagorno-Karabakh situation."The previous EU summit in Prague, held in May 2009, had not expedited a solution to the longstanding conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, despite the enthusiastic declarations of the Armenian leadership. Since 1992, the OSCE Minsk Group has not made any significant advancement to settle the NK conflict, and all expectations for a peaceful resolution were frustrated. The summit held in October 2022 opened for a real solution; both the parties involved in the conflict declared their will to recognize each others territorial integrity and sovereignty and agreed to fix the border. Nevertheless, the EU is always ineffective in preventing or solving any of the conflicts that arise at its borders (e.g., Cyprus, Transnistria/Moldova, former Yugoslavia, Georgia, Ukraine, etc.)," said Dr. Marsili.On the heel of the renewed tensions, the Russian Defense Ministry called on both sides to immediately cease hostilities and return to efforts to renew the implementation of trilateral agreements. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Wednesday that a diplomatic settlement to the conflict still "exists."A Wednesday statement issued by the Russian Foreign Ministry called on "the conflicting sides to immediately stop the bloodshed, cease hostilities and avoid casualties among the civilian population."The ministry added that it believes "the fate of the Nagorno-Karabakh settlement was dramatically affected by Yerevan's recognition of Nagorno-Karabakh as part of the territory of Azerbaijan at the summits under the auspices of the European Union in October 2022 and May 2023," adding "this changed the fundamental conditions, under which the statement of the leaders of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia of November 9, 2020, was signed, as well as the position of the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent."The ministry also said that Russia's peacekeeping forces "have been faithfully carrying out the tasks of maintaining the ceasefire and ensuring contacts between the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides" since their deployment to the region.Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh recorded numerous ceasefire violations by the Azerbaijani side along the entire line of contact on Tuesday, the Defense Ministry said.From 12:00 [08:00 am GMT] on September 19, 2023, the Russian peacekeeping contingent has recorded numerous facts of ceasefire violations from the Azerbaijani side along the entire line of contact, the ministry stated, and called on the sides of the conflict to halt the use of force and engage in dialogue.The peacekeepers also organized the evacuation of civilians from the most dangerous areas and the provision of medical care for victims, the ministry added.A stream of demonstrations has come hot on the heel of the renewed tensions over Nagorno-Karabakh. In total, 34 people sustained injuries during clashes near the Armenian government building in Yerevan on Tuesday, including 16 law enforcement officers, the Health Ministry said. Footage on social media documented clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officials near government buildings in the Armenian capital.On Wednesday, the Kremlin stated that a conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was being agreed on. "Efforts are continuing. We are waiting for the timing of the telephone conversation between President Putin and Prime Minister Pashinyan to be agreed on. As soon as this conversation takes place, we will inform you," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a briefing on Wednesday, adding that no similar conversation is planned with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. "Not yet, contacts continue at the working level. If necessary, such a conversation, of course, can also take place," Peskov said.Russia's contacts with Armenia, our very important ally, partner, and a country close to us, continue, Peskov stated. Russia is also continuing contacts with Azerbaijan, which is also a very important partner of ours," the Kremlin spokesman clarified.Baku's Actions De Jure on Its TerritoryRegarding the actions of Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Kremlin spokesman emphasized that they were de jure taking place on its territory. In response to reproaches from Armenian Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan, who accused Russia of failing to fulfill its obligations to protect Nagorno-Karabakh, Peskov stated:The Kremlin is maintaining contacts with the Armenians in Karabakh, Peskov emphasized.Echoing the Kremlin's remarks about the current actions by Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh being de jure carried out on its own territory, Dr. Marco Marsili underscored Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's personal role in the current developments, saying:"I think that, when last April he declared to recognize Azerbaijans territorial integrity, Pashinyan made a serious mistake. First of all, because I believe that he did not take into account the feelings of the Armenian population, who have been fighting for over 30 years for the recognition of the independence of NK. This will generate frustration and anger among the Armenians, and a feeling of abandonment on the part of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh. Secondly, he showed weakness, and this strengthened the determination of the Azerbaijani leadership for a force solution, a military one. Its likely that the Armenian government will face demonstrations that could end up with the resignation of the Cabinet."Anti-Terrorist Activities SuspendedThe Azerbaijani Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that an agreement had been reached on the suspension of "local anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh and the disarmament of "Armenian illegal formations" on September 20, 2023 at 13:00 local time (9:00 GMT) on a number of conditions.The ministry added that the "illegal formations" in Nagorno-Karabakh were handing over all weapons and heavy equipment under the reached agreement, which was being ensured by Russian peacekeepers.Previously, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry spokesman Anar Eyvazov said that Azerbaijani forces had taken control of 90 Armenian combat positions before the agreement on suspending activities in Nagorno-Karabakh. No strikes are being carried out on the retreating "Armenian military formations," the spokesperson said.Furthermore, the administration of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday announced a meeting with representatives of Armenians residing in the Nagorno-Karabakh region scheduled for September 21 to discuss reintegration issues based on the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan and its laws in the city of Yevlakh.'Decreased' HostilitiesArmenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said on Wednesday that the intensity of hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh had sharply decreased.His remarks followed the announcement by the Russian Defense Ministry that Azerbaijan and representatives of the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh had agreed on a complete cessation of hostilities. Nikol Pashinyan also stated that Armenia did not take part in drafting the text of the agreement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh and was not a party to the discussions. At the same time, the head of government said that Yerevan had taken note of the document."The text mentions the Armenian Armed Forces and says 'the withdrawal of the remaining units of the Armenian Armed Forces from Nagorno-Karabakh.' This fact is not entirely clear to us in conditions where we have repeatedly stated that since October 2021 the Republic of Armenia does not have an army in Nagorno-Karabakh," Pashinyan said, adding that Armenia hopes the Russian peacekeeping contingent will entirely fulfill its obligations in the region.Weighing in on the announcement of a cessation of hostilities in the region, Dr. Marco Marsili was not overly optimistic, telling Sputnik:History of Nagorno-Karabakh ConflictNagorno-Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus, where the population is overwhelmingly Armenian. The region was granted the status of an autonomous area called the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic in 1923. However, a movement for reunification with Armenia began to gather momentum in Nagorno-Karabakh in 1988, and culminated in the region declaring independence from Azerbaijan and changing its name to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic on September 2, 1991.From 1992 to 1994, Azerbaijan attempted to regain control over the self-declared republic. Full-scale military hostilities erupted, which claimed up to 30,000 lives.The sides agreed to a ceasefire in 1994, but the status of the republic remained undetermined. Late September 2020 saw hostilities resume in Nagorno-Karabakh. On the night of November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with Moscow's support, reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, maintaining their respective positions and exchanging prisoners of war and the bodies of the deceased. To maintain the ceasefire, Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the region, including the Lachin Corridor.In 2022, with the mediation of Russia, the United States, and the European Union, Yerevan and Baku began discussing the terms of a future peace agreement. In late May of this year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that Yerevan was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty within its Soviet-era borders, including Karabakh.In September, 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the Armenian leadership, for all intents and purposes, had essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh.Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has openly stated that the question of Karabakh's status is no longer an issue, that it has been resolved, Vladimir Putin said at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok.If Armenia itself has recognized that Karabakh is a part of Azerbaijan What is there to talk about? The status of Karabakh has been determined by Armenia itself," Vladimir Putin underscored.Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev said during a meeting in Moscow on May 25 that his country and Armenia could sign a peace agreement by the end of the year if Yerevan did not change its stance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/kremlin-calls-on-yerevan-baku-to-adhere-to-trilateral-agreements-on-karabakh-1113498289.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/kremlin-says-talks-between-putin-and-pashinyan-agreed-upon-1113517307.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/several-injured-detained-amid-clashes-with-police-in-yerevan-over-nagorno-karabakh-hostilities-1113510555.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/azerbaijan-nagorno-karabakh-agree-on-ceasefire-through-coordination-of-russian-peacekeepers---mod-1113518498.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230523/pashinyan-yerevan-willing-to-concede-nagorno-karabakh-if-armenian-population-respected-1110528416.html

russia

azerbaijan

armenia

nagorno-karabakh

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

armenia and azerbaijan, situation in nagorno-karabakh region,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/obamas-hypocrisy-in-begging-aid-for-libya-after-destroying-country-in-2011-1113522896.html

Obama's Hypocrisy in Begging Aid for Libya After Destroying Country in 2011

Obama's Hypocrisy in Begging Aid for Libya After Destroying Country in 2011

Barack Obama has asked his fans to donate to charities in the wake of the floods in Libya. Margaret Kimberley pointed out that it was the he who transformed Libya from Africa's wealthiest nation to a war-torn and fractured state.

2023-09-20T17:34+0000

2023-09-20T17:34+0000

2023-09-20T17:34+0000

africa

barack obama

libya

2011 libya military intervention

libya after gaddafi

conflict in libya

hillary clinton

muammar gaddafi

emercom

nato

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/0f/1113409381_0:74:2365:1404_1920x0_80_0_0_1a10aaf5939f1b98def0ad7bebd02092.jpg

Barack Obama's crocodile tears over the deadly floods in Libya  a country his government destroyed  are disgusting, says one columnist.Some 11,000 people have reportedly died and 20,000 are still missing after flash floods in the North African country, which was the most prosperous on the continent until 2011.Russia has sent military transports with humanitarian aid and 50 Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) specialists to help relieve the suffering amid fears of outbreaks of waterborne diseases.The former US president took to X, formerly Twitter, to urge his 132 million followers to donate to several charities  based in the US and Britain  in the name of helping the victims.Journalist Margaret Kimberley told Sputnik that Obama had "a lot of nerve" after his first administration "destroyed the Libyan state" in 2011 with the help of its NATO allies.She recalled how Obama's foreign policy chief Hillary Clinton had laughed during a TV interview after rebel forces backed by the NATO bombing campaign captured and brutally murdered Muammar Gaddafi, leader of the 1969 Green Revolution against King Idris I that founded the Libyan Arab Republic. "We came, we saw, he died!" Clinton cackled.She recalled how then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron "personally went to Libya to gloat over this horrible victory.""Libya is still under sanctions having been destroyed," Kimberley stressed. "Libya doesn't even have the ability to fix its infrastructure, like repairing those dams that collapsed after that storm."The editor noted how Obama's predecessor George W. Bush had remained silent on the bloodier aspects of his eight years in office, especially the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, preferring to focus on his hobby of painting."Then he wants to act like he thought somebody called it a crap show and said the Europeans were supposed to do something," she added. "It's really disgusting to me that he has the nerve to say anything about Libya at all."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230916/first-50-specialists-of-russian-emergency-ministry-arrive-in-flood-hit-libya-1113416746.html

africa

libya

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png

James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

James Tweedie https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e4/08/1c/1080307270_0:3:397:400_100x100_80_0_0_7777393b9b18802f2e3c5eaa9cbcc612.png

floods in libya, russian disaster relief to libya, barack obama, nato air war against libya in 2011.
South Korea's Defense Ministry policy bureau head Choi Byung-ok, right, shakes hands with John Hill, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for space and missile defense, at the ministry's complex in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of the Ministry of Defense



South Korean and U.S. defense officials discussed possible space cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow during a bilateral tabletop exercise on space this week, Seoul's defense ministry said Wednesday.



Choi Byung-ok, head of the ministry's defense policy bureau, and John Hill, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for space and missile defense, led the discussion-based exercise, as well as working-level talks, from Tuesday to Wednesday at the ministry in central Seoul.



The exercise came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un met Russian President Vladimir Putin at Russia's Vostochny space center last Wednesday, raising concerns of possible space cooperation as Pyongyang has vowed to put a military spy satellite in orbit this year.



During the exercise, the allies improved their "unified understanding" on ways to respond to and deter potential threats from space and discussed the direction of their cooperation in the domain over the mid-to-long term, it said.



"The two countries also paid attention to the recently identified possibility of space cooperation between North Korea and Russia and shared their assessments on related activities," the ministry said in a release.



After the exercise, they held a session of the allies' regular Space Cooperation Working Group and discussed ways to enhance space cooperation as set out by their defense chiefs during the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) last year.



At the SCM, Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pledged to explore cooperative measures to strengthen space capabilities as an alliance.



North Korea has vowed to launch a military spy satellite next month after two failed attempts in May and August. (Yonhap)


https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/poland-may-stop-supporting-ukraine-in-light-of-ukraines-lawsuit-with-wto-1113530276.html

Poland Warns of Ending Support for Ukraine Over Kiev's WTO Complaint

Poland Warns of Ending Support for Ukraine Over Kiev's WTO Complaint

Poland may stop supporting Ukraine if public opinion is against it in light of Ukraine's lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against some EU member states, Polish Minister for the European Union Szymon Szynkowski vel Sek said on Wednesday.

2023-09-20T13:18+0000

2023-09-20T13:18+0000

2023-09-20T13:54+0000

world

poland

ukraine

world trade organization (wto)

european union (eu)

farmers

grain exports

grain

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/103254/68/1032546840_0:160:3073:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_2eeb81be21f889f4f872a9c70bf5b363.jpg

The Ukrainian Economy Ministry said on Monday that Kiev had filed lawsuits with the WTO against Poland, Hungary and Slovakia because of their prohibition on the import of Ukrainian products. On Tuesday, the WTO told Sputnik that Kiev has submitted a complaint to the organization, asking for consultations regarding the said ban on the import of Ukrainian grain to Poland, Slovakia and Hungary. Later on Wednesday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki warned that Warsaw would expand the list of import bans from Ukraine if the neighboring nation would further escalate the spat. He added that Poland had rebuffed all lawsuits and other legal proceedings brought against it, while accusing Kiev of failing to grasp how much Poland's farming industry was being destabilized. On September 15, the European Commission announced it would lift the ban on duty-free Ukrainian grain imports to five member states bordering Ukraine, as well as a demand that Kiev introduce export controls. Following the decision, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia announced that they were unilaterally extending the ban. In response, Kiev threatened to prohibit the import of certain goods from Poland and Hungary if they failed to remove the grain embargo.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/polands-duda-cancels-unga-meeting-with--zelensky-likens-ukraine-to-drowning-man-1113516031.html

poland

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

poland may stop supporting ukraine, polish minister for the european union, ukraine's lawsuit with the world trade organization
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/polands-duda-cancels-unga-meeting-with--zelensky-likens-ukraine-to-drowning-man-1113516031.html

Poland's Duda Cancels UNGA Meeting With Zelensky, Likens Ukraine to 'Drowning Man'

Poland's Duda Cancels UNGA Meeting With Zelensky, Likens Ukraine to 'Drowning Man'

Polish President Andrzej Duda has canceled a meeting with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky at the UNGA.

2023-09-20T08:39+0000

2023-09-20T08:39+0000

2023-09-20T08:39+0000

world

poland

ukraine

andrzej duda

volodymyr zelensky

un general assembly

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/14/1113515364_0:183:2993:1867_1920x0_80_0_0_9aad1031516462e5e6dc3966c3b32f40.jpg

A planned meeting between Polish President Andrzej Duda and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly has been cancelled. Duda told journalists outside the UN headquarters in New York that "organisational reasons" were behind the move, but he did not rule out a meeting with Zelensky later.The meeting was important because of the row that has erupted between Poland and Ukraine because of Warsaw's singlehanded decision to stop importing Ukrainian grain. Although the two presidents were reportedly supposed to confer on the course of the botched Ukrainian counteroffensive, another hot topic would undoubtedly have been the Polish embargo on agricultural products from Ukraine and the Ukrainian complaint to the WTO.Kiev filed lawsuits with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia because they had ceased their imports of Ukrainian products, the Ukrainian Economy Ministry said on Monday. Ukraine has retaliated by introducing an embargo on Polish onions, tomatoes, cabbages, and apples, Polish news outlets reported on 19 September.Shortly after his speech before the UN General Assembly, Duda told a Polish media briefing:Regarding the WTO complaint by Ukraine, Duda said that if Kiev went through with it, Poland would state its case before the tribunal. Pointing out that the ban applied only to imports of Ukrainian grain and not to grain passing through Poland, he added: "There are business circles that have interests in Ukraine and would like to sell grain as quickly as possible at the lowest possible cost. We have to defend ourselves against it."The Polish President also likened Ukraine to a "drowning man", dangerous because he can "drag you down to the depths". "Ukraine is ... undoubtedly in a very difficult situation," Duda said, adding:The Polish government has promised billions of euros in military and economic aid to Kiev, and eagerly taken in more than 1.5 million refugees fleeing the Ukrainian crisis. However, the grain row between Ukraine and its neighbors - who are members of the EU - over the ban of Ukrainian grain imports is escalating fast.In response, Ukrainian Deputy Economy Minister Taras Kachka called the three countries' decision unlawful, saying Kiev would dispute it with the WTO. He also said Ukraine might impose retaliatory sanctions to protect its economy.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230918/ukraine-files-import-ban-lawsuits-against-poland-hungary-slovakia-with-wto-1113471832.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230918/eu-ukraine-grain-row-may-spin-out-of-control-as-zelensky-threatens-wto-complaint---analyst-1113471135.html

poland

ukraine

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

un general assembly, polish president andrzej duda, ukraine's volodymyr zelensky, ukraine grain row, polish embargo on agricultural products from ukraine polish embargo on ukraine's grain
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/polish-ukrainian-spat-threatens-to-strip-zelensky-of-one-of-his-closest-nato-allies-1113536381.html

Polish-Ukrainian Spat Threatens to Strip Zelensky of One of His Closest NATO Allies

Polish-Ukrainian Spat Threatens to Strip Zelensky of One of His Closest NATO Allies

Polish President Andrzej Duda dramatically shelved plans to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday amid the quickly escalating trade dispute between the two countries. Sputnik turned to renowned geopolitical analyst Paolo Raffone for insights on some of the behind-the-scenes reasons for the spat.

2023-09-20T17:59+0000

2023-09-20T17:59+0000

2023-09-20T18:18+0000

analysis

volodymyr zelensky

andrzej duda

mateusz morawiecki

poland

ukraine

kiev

european union (eu)

foreign ministry

nato

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/14/1113535880_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_4f362e0585b3b645a6e7eba69b9c4aa7.jpg

The trade row between Kiev and Warsaw crossed the Rubicon into the political realm this week, with Polands Foreign Ministry summoning Ukraines ambassador Wednesday afternoon over Zelenskys comments at the General Assembly on Tuesday alleging that some EU countries feigned solidarity with Kiev while indirectly supporting Russia.On Tuesday, defending Warsaws decision to impose import restrictions on Ukrainian foodstuffs, Polands president compared Zelenskys Ukraine to an "incredibly dangerous" "drowning man" who threatens to "drag" others, including Poland, down "into the depths."Of course we must act to protect ourselves from a drowning man causing us harm, because if the drowning man causes us harm and drowns us, he wont get any help. So we have to look after our own interests, and we will do this effectively and decisively, President Duda told reporters in New York.Whats the Problem?The diplomatic spat between Poland and Ukraine began to take shape last Friday, when the European Commission announced that it would not extend restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural exports into the EU, effective immediately, which prompted Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia to slap unilateral restrictions on Ukrainian foodstuffs in a bid to protect local farmers.Polish Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus called Kievs actions a big surprise, and emphasized that while Poland would be sure to survive the hit taken from Ukraines agricultural embargo, its unknown whether Ukraine will be able to cope.Separately on Tuesday, Polish government Press Secretary Piotr Muller announced that Warsaw has no plans to continue providing assistance to the up to one million Ukrainian refugees living in the country in the new year. I think these rules will not be extended to any significant extent. We now know more about this conflict, including the lines of dispute and the possibilities of international assistance. The entire international community needs to be more involved, Muller said.Other Polish politicians have called for a harder line, with lawmaker Krzysztof Bosak recommending that Ukraine be billed for assistance already provided, presenting a figure of 101 billion zloty (about $23.4 billion US). Polish politician Slawomir Mentzen suggested Warsaw should stop allowing weapons and military equipment to be delivered to Ukraine through Polish territory. Ukraine is probably doing too well in their war with Russia if they want to start a trade war with Poland right now, Mentzen said.Old Dispute and Polands Imperial AmbitionsThe trade dispute is just the latest manifestation of growing tensions between Warsaw and Kiev, stemming from frustrations among many Poles over refugees, the economic downturn in Poland caused by the Ukraine crisis, unresolved historical issues related to the Ukrainian governments glorification of WWII-era Ukrainian fascists who murdered up to 100,000 Polish civilians, and dissatisfaction over Ukraine's failing counteroffensive.Polands engagement with Ukraine is coherent with the national Polish misperception of its own geopolitical role, Paolo Raffone, director of the CIPI Foundation, a Brussels-based geopolitical affairs think tank, told Sputnik.Peasants Vote TooThe scandal in Poland over cheap Ukrainian agricultural imports, which now threatens to unravel Polish geopolitical ambitions, makes sense amid the bitter, acrimony-filled political battles for power now underway in the country ahead of next years parliamentary elections, the observer noted.In Poland there is a fight between competing nationalist political parties with [former Prime Minister Donald] Tusks Civic Alliance openly supported by NATO, the EU, and some sectors of the US apparatus. The [ruling] PiS leaders (in power and seven points ahead in polls) are openly playing a gamble with the support of the hawks in Washington and the UK. The country is heavily divided and, without a serious game changer, neither party will be able to reach a majority to govern. This situation explains the harsh rhetoric, the observer noted.The Zelensky government will undoubtedly have reason to worry about any changes in Polands stance on the proxy war with Russia, Raffone believes, particularly in light of President Dudas likening of Ukraine to a dangerous drowning man in Europe.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/polands-duda-cancels-unga-meeting-with--zelensky-likens-ukraine-to-drowning-man-1113516031.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230811/what-is-polands-role-in-ukraine-and-could-warsaw-go-through-with-plans-to-invade-1112537045.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230910/polish-opposition-proposes-tribunal-against-president-pm-amid-bitter-election-battle-1113256065.html

poland

ukraine

kiev

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

poland, ukraine, kiev, warsaw, dispute, spat, argument, wto, agriculture, imports, history, bad blood, andrzej duda, volodymyr zelensky, relations, ties, nato, united states, foodstuffs, grain, restrictions, unilateral
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russia-iran-cooperation-reaching-new-level---shoigu-1113515912.html

Russia-Iran Cooperation Reaching New Level - Shoigu

Russia-Iran Cooperation Reaching New Level - Shoigu

The interaction between Moscow and Tehran is reaching a new level, with the countries set to implement the entire range of planned activities, despite opposition from the United States and its allies, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.

2023-09-20T06:44+0000

2023-09-20T06:44+0000

2023-09-20T07:02+0000

world

sergei shoigu

russia

iran

tehran

russian defense ministry

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/09/14/1113515566_0:110:2594:1569_1920x0_80_0_0_1663cd97c47d0bcac700c671921e0289.jpg

"We aim at implementing the entire range of planned activities, despite opposition from the United States and its Western allies. Sanctions pressure on Russia and Iran shows its futility, while Russian-Iranian interaction is reaching a new level," Shoigu said at a meeting with Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani in Tehran. The Russian minister also expressed readiness "for further joint actions in the field of strengthening stability and security in the Middle East," adding that the Russian-Iranian dialogue is developing especially intensively today. A Russian delegation led by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu arrived in Tehran on Tuesday for talks with Iran's military leadership. The visit will contribute to the strengthening of Russia-Iran military ties and will become an important stage in the development of cooperation between the two countries, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/shoigu-arrives-in-tehran-to-hold-talks-with-iranian-military-leadership-1113494041.html

russia

iran

tehran

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

russian defense minister sergei shoigu, russia-iran cooperation, interaction between moscow and tehran, does russia support iran, how does russia support iran, does iran cooperate with russia, russia shoigu foreign visits
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russia-takes-part-in-un-security-council-meeting-on-ukraine-1113516187.html

Russia Takes Part in UN Security Council Meeting on Ukraine

Russia Takes Part in UN Security Council Meeting on Ukraine

Sputnik is live as the UN Security Council holds a meeting on the topic of Ukraine, with the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.

2023-09-20T17:02+0000

2023-09-20T17:02+0000

2023-09-20T17:02+0000

world

russia

sergey lavrov

volodymyr zelensky

ukraine

new york

united nations general assembly

un security council (unsc)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/08/11/1099700245_0:56:1920:1136_1920x0_80_0_0_05968e33aafb516b5581779080d6ae0e.jpg

Sputnik comes live as the UN Security Council holds a meeting on the subject of Ukraine. The meeting for the heads of delegation of the UN General Assembly high-level week will take the form of an open debate which means that all the UN countries can participate rather than only the 15 members of the Security Council. Follow Sputniks feed to find out more!

russia

ukraine

new york

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

UNSC meeting on Ukraine UNSC meeting on Ukraine 2023-09-20T17:02+0000 true PT1S

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Sputnik International

un security council, russian foreign minister sergey lavrov, ukrainian president volodymyr zelensky
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russian-peacekeepers-actively-working-with-all-parties-involved-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict---1113521015.html

Russian Peacekeepers Actively Working With All Parties Involved in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict - Putin

Russian Peacekeepers Actively Working With All Parties Involved in Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict - Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are very actively working with all parties involved in the conflict and doing everything to protect civilians.

2023-09-20T11:16+0000

2023-09-20T11:16+0000

2023-09-20T12:39+0000

world

vladimir putin

wang yi

nikol pashinyan

azerbaijan

nagorno-karabakh

yerevan

nagorno-karabakh conflict

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/16/1112792722_0:0:3144:1770_1920x0_80_0_0_d8b0488dc7ca431728fd0edc2f4fbf50.jpg

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are very actively working with all parties involved in the conflict and doing everything to protect civilians.Russia is in close contact with all parties to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, and expressed hope that a de-escalation will be reached and a peaceful solution to the problem will be found, Putin said. On Tuesday, Baku announced the launch of "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at "restoring the constitutional order." It also said Azerbaijani forces only targeted military objects in Nagorno-Karabakh, while Armenian state media reported multiple casualties among civilians as a result of Azerbaijani strikes. Yerevan described the operation as aggression and reiterated that it had no military presence in the disputed region.In 1923, the region was granted the status of an autonomous area called the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) within the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic.In 1988, a movement for reunification with Armenia began in Nagorno-Karabakh. On September 2, 1991, it declared independence from Azerbaijan and changed its name to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. From 1992 to 1994, Azerbaijan attempted to regain control over the self-declared republic, resulting in full-scale military hostilities in which up to 30,000 people lost their lives.In 1994, the parties agreed to a ceasefire, but the status of the republic remained undetermined. In late September 2020, hostilities resumed in Nagorno-Karabakh. On the night of November 10, Azerbaijan and Armenia, with Moscow's support, reached a comprehensive ceasefire agreement, maintaining their respective positions and exchanging prisoners of war and the bodies of the deceased. Russian peacekeepers were deployed in the region, including the Lachin Corridor.In 2022 with the mediation of Russia, the United States, and the European Union, Yerevan and Baku began discussing the terms of a future peace agreement. In late May of this year, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that Yerevan was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's sovereignty within its Soviet-era borders, including Karabakh.In September 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the Armenian leadership had essentially recognized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani leader Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan and Armenia could sign a peace agreement by the end of the year if Yerevan did not change its stance.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/azerbaijani-announces-reached-agreement-to-suspend-anti-terrorist-activities-in-nagorno-karabakh-1113517950.html

azerbaijan

nagorno-karabakh

yerevan

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

russian peacekeepers, peacekeepers in nagorno-karabakh, russian president vladimir putin, all parties involved in the conflict
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russian-peacekeepers-die-from-shelling-in-nagorno-karabakh---defense-ministry-1113535446.html

Russian Peacekeepers Die From Gunfire in Nagorno-Karabakh - Defense Ministry

Russian Peacekeepers Die From Gunfire in Nagorno-Karabakh - Defense Ministry

A car with Russian peacekeepers came under shelling the area of Canyataq in Nagorno-Karabakh, the Russian military were killed, the Russian Defense Ministry stated on Wednesday.

2023-09-20T15:48+0000

2023-09-20T15:48+0000

2023-09-20T17:19+0000

world

russia

armenia

azerbaijan

nagorno-karabakh

russian defense ministry

nagorno-karabakh conflict

russian forces

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/03/1d/1094301409_0:174:3023:1874_1920x0_80_0_0_61fe866ab95377efecda3e1ccac5c9ff.jpg

"On September 20, on the way back from the observation post of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in the area of the settlement of Canyataq, a car with Russian military came under small arms fire. As a result of the shooting, the Russian servicemen who were in the car were killed," the ministry said. Russian and Azerbaijani investigators are working on the spot to determine all the circumstances of the incident, the ministry added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russian-peacekeepers-actively-working-with-all-parties-involved-in-nagorno-karabakh-conflict---1113521015.html

russia

armenia

azerbaijan

nagorno-karabakh

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

anti-terrorist activities, nagorno-karabakh, russia, peskov, karabakh, baku and yerevan, baku-yerevan, azerbaijan, armenia, azerbaijan-armenia, azerbaijan-armenia war, azerbaijan-armenia conflict, nagorno-karabakh conflict, nagorno-karabakh war, nagorno-karabakh crisis, russian peacekeepers, shooting, small arms fire, russian forces
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/russias-cutting-edge-lancet-kamikaze-drones-put-ukraines-air-bases-in-striking-range-1113514330.html

Russias Cutting-Edge Lancet Kamikaze Drones Put Ukraines Air Bases in Striking Range

Russias Cutting-Edge Lancet Kamikaze Drones Put Ukraines Air Bases in Striking Range

Russias next-generation kamikaze drones now boast a much longer-range, which means they can reach Ukraines main air bases, said a US report.

2023-09-20T08:38+0000

2023-09-20T08:38+0000

2023-09-20T08:38+0000

military

russia

ukraine crisis

russian ministry of defense

drone

drone strike

drone warfare

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/05/03/1110048465_0:172:2956:1835_1920x0_80_0_0_d3b2c5f009a50ae5a107be18c88155d8.jpg

As the Ukrainian Army drags on its futile attempts to break through the Russian defensive lines in a counteroffensive that has wrought huge losses in manpower and equipment for the Zelenksy regime, Kievs military is now facing another formidable opponent, a US magazine has revealed. Russias next-generation kamikaze drones now boast a much longer-range, emphasized the report, which means they can reach Ukraines main air bases.The publication cited footage, posted on the prominent social media platform X (formerly Twitter), showing an explosives-laden Russian drone strike on a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet at Dolgintsevo air base near Krivoy Rog, in the Dnepropetrovsk Region.A second drone was believed to have observed the Lancet attack from overhead  a fact that left the author of the report questioning the actions - or lack thereof  of Ukraine's air defenses at the base.What had the author of the report alarmed was that the distance between the air base and the frontline is 45 miles (72 kilometers). Accordingly, the outlet surmised that Russias Lancet kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are now able to range that far and reach Ukraines main air bases. The fact that scores of MiGs and Sukhoi jets sitting on the tarmac could now become easy prey for the longer-range Lancets Russia had developed.The Russian Lancet was touted by the report as one of the most effective, but it was claimed its previous range had not allowed it to reach that far.The report suggested that the allaged strike on the Ukrainian MiG at Dolgintsevo might have been a debut of the new Lancet - Izdeliye (lit. Product) 53. The outlet even made reference to Sputniks own story describing the characteristics of the cutting-edge drones as the next step in the evolution of the Lancetand one which, designers hope, will become nearly impossible to stop.Russian drone manufacturers had unveiled a number of new unmanned aerial vehicles at the Army-2023 International Military Technical Forum, earlier. Among them was the Izdeliye-53, also called Z-53), a next-gen loitering munition developed by ZALA Aero affiliate Aeroscan.Such drones, capable of carrying payloads of up to five kilograms, are designed to fly in groups, and communicate and coordinate with one another to seek out and assign ground-based targets, from enemy anti-air and rocket artillery installations to armor. Unlike current-generation Lancets, launched from a special pneumatic rail, Z-53s are deployed from small, ground-based tubes, similar in configuration to mortars, and are light enough to be carried around  either as tube launchers, or 2x2 batteries, using light vehicles, revealed the promotional video of the UAV by the company.Now, conjectured the US report, the Lancet's new, longer-travel range can threaten not just the MiGs at Dolgintsevo, but also any Ukrainian warplanes using the reserve base at Voznesensk in Nikolayev Region.Having ushered in these new Lancets that can cover greater distances, Russia has presented Ukraine with a new dilemma ahead of the arrival of the much-coveted secondhand European F-16s, concluded the report. Denmark and the Netherlands will begin transferring F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine within the upcoming months, following the appropriate training of pilots in the United States, the Pentagon said in August.The report comes as Russias Aerospace Forces delivered a strike on the Dolgintsevo airfield on September 11, wiping out two MiG-29 jets and three Su-25 warplanes belonging to Ukraines air force, the Russian Defense Ministry said.Moscow has been effectively using drones in the special military operation to cut back unnecessary risks to its troops, while conducting surgical strikes on the enemy. Thus, recently, the Russian Ministry of Defense released footage of airborne troops obliterating Ukrainian tanks with loitering munitions. After reconnaissance drones were first used to spot enemy vehicles, Lancet kamikaze UAVs were used to destroy them.Kamikaze drones (or loitering munitions) are a type of intelligent projectile that can loiter by definition, that is, passively wait for its prey before attacking it. These UAVs have built-in warheads and thus dont survive the attack.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230816/product-53-what-are-capabilities-of-next-gen-variant-of-russias-lancet-kamikaze-drone-1112639748.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230916/watch-russias-lancet-kamikaze-drone-take-out-ukrainian-tank-1113417174.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230829/russia-winning-drone-warfare-as-ukraines-counteroffensive-comes-to-standstill-1112966649.html

russia

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

2023

Svetlana Ekimenko

Svetlana Ekimenko

News

en_EN

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

1920 1080 true

1920 1440 true

1920 1920 true

Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rosiya Segodnya 252 60

Svetlana Ekimenko

russias next-generation kamikaze drones, drone warfare, russia's special military operation in ukraine
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/scientists-warn-mass-extinction-event-could-signal-collapse-of-civilization-1113513098.html

Scientists Warn Mass Extinction Event Could Signal Collapse of Civilization

Scientists Warn Mass Extinction Event Could Signal Collapse of Civilization

Professors at Stanford and the National Autonomous University of Mexico released a sobering study on Monday detailing the impact of human actions driving mass extinction.

2023-09-20T03:19+0000

2023-09-20T03:19+0000

2023-09-20T03:16+0000

beyond politics

mass extinction

extinction

civilization

study

research

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107725/12/1077251217_0:218:2865:1829_1920x0_80_0_0_badb3bc75b552a7d64813c66398aa79a.jpg

Professors at Stanford and the National Autonomous University of Mexico released a sobering study on Monday detailing the impact of human actions driving mass extinction.We are in the sixth mass extinction event, begins the paper authored by researchers Gerardo Ceballos and Paul R. Ehrlich. Unlike the previous five, this one is caused by the overgrowth of a single species, Homo sapiens.The current generic extinction rates are 35 times higher than expected background rates prevailing in the last million years, wrote Ceballos and Ehrlich.A number of human actions are identified as contributing to the phenomenon, including poaching, habitat loss, and pesticide use. The role of climate change is also examined, another crisis the researchers say is closely related.A number of startling events recently demonstrated these dual crises during a summer in the Northern Hemisphere, described by NASA as the hottest since global records began in 1880. Rising ocean temperatures have contributed to mass die-offs observed among birds, fish, and sea lions. Recently, vanishing polar ice contributed to the collapse of entire colonies of emperor penguins in Antarctica.An ongoing crisis regarding a decline in populations of bees and other insects has also been reported for several years.The authors caution the consequences of extinctions are difficult to predict because the interrelations between living beings are so complex. "If you take one brick, the wall won't collapse," said Ceballos. "You take many more, eventually the wall will collapse.People say that we are alarmist by saying that we expect a collapse. We are alarmist because we are alarmed.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230703/scientists-uncover-likely-cause-of-megalodons-extinction-1111641195.html

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

mass extinction event, collapse of civilization, national autonomous university of mexico, human-induced environmental setback
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/ukraine-loses-up-to-175-military-in-donetsk-direction---mod-1113522447.html

Ukraine Loses Up to 175 Military in Donetsk Direction - MoD

Ukraine Loses Up to 175 Military in Donetsk Direction - MoD

Ukraine has lost up to 175 military in the Donetsk direction over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

2023-09-20T11:39+0000

2023-09-20T11:39+0000

2023-09-20T11:39+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

ukraine

donetsk

russia

ukrainian counteroffensive attempt

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/06/19/1111462940_0:0:2969:1671_1920x0_80_0_0_230e53ec2357d4e1417cfe7a1898ca92.jpg

"Enemy losses [in the Donetsk direction] amounted to up to 175 Ukrainian military personnel, a tank, an armored combat vehicle and three pickup trucks," the ministry said in a statement. Kiev has also lost 135 military in the South Donetsk direction, the ministry added.Over the given period, the Russian armed forces have repelled five attacks by Ukrainian troops in the Donetsk direction, three attacks in the Zaporozhye direction, two attacks in the Krasny Liman direction, and one in the South Donetsk direction. Ukraine launched its latest counteroffensive in early June. Three months later, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Ukrainian counteroffensive had failed, with Ukraine suffering 71,000 casualties. Several Western officials also admitted that the Ukrainian counteroffensive had not been successful.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/retired-german-colonel-crushes-wests-misplaced-hopes-for-ukraines-counteroffensive-1113505209.html

ukraine

donetsk

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

russian defense ministry, donetsk direction, ukraine loses
A United States Forces Korea (USFK) service member has been arrested on charges of smuggling drugs from the U.S. via military mail and using, selling or distributing them in Korea, police said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old service member is accused of illegally importing 350 ml of synthetic cannabis through USFK mail between February last year and May this year, and smoking, selling or distributing them to USFK soldiers and others together with two civilian women, according to the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek Police Station.

The service member assigned to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 61 kilometers south of Seoul, allegedly used plastic containers for drug smuggling, taking advantage of the fact that it is not easy to distinguish between liquid synthetic cannabis and liquid electronic cigarettes.

The smuggled drugs have been mostly sold to U.S. soldiers stationed in Pyeongtaek and Dongducheon, 41 km north of Seoul, through the two women and five others, the police station said.

It said the two women -- a Korean and a Filipino -- have been arrested on drug trafficking charges and transferred to the prosecution for indictment. In addition, 17 other U.S. soldiers have been apprehended and sent to the prosecution without detention on suspicion of being involved in the purchases and sales of the banned substance.

Police have seized drug sales proceeds worth $12,850, 80 ml of synthetic cannabis and other materials from the suspects and plan to continue investigating their smuggling routes.

Police said they will cooperate with USFK authorities to prevent crimes that abuse military mail as a route to smuggle drugs. (Yonhap)
https://sputnikglobe.com/20230920/unsc-emergency-meeting-on-nagorno-karabakh-to-convene-on-september-21-says-yerevan-1113513775.html

UNSC Emergency Meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh to Convene on September 21, Says Yerevan

UNSC Emergency Meeting on Nagorno-Karabakh to Convene on September 21, Says Yerevan

The spokesperson said that Armenia had sent a letter to the UN Security Council requesting an emergency meeting on Azerbaijan's "large-scale military aggression".

2023-09-20T04:00+0000

2023-09-20T04:00+0000

2023-09-20T12:17+0000

world

azerbaijan

azerbaijan

armenia

nagorno-karabakh

nagorno-karabakh conflict

unsc

un security council (unsc)

/html/head/meta[@name='og:title']/@content /html/head/meta[@name='og:description']/@content

https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/02/15/1093243885_0:0:3000:1688_1920x0_80_0_0_fc00c731be55f056b4e4aacb0ec474e6.jpg

A UN source told Sputnik earlier on Tuesday that the UNSC meeting on the situation in the region is scheduled for September 21. On Tuesday, the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry said its forces launched "local-level anti-terrorist activities" in Nagorno-Karabakh aimed at restoring constitutional order. It also said Azerbaijani forces only targeted military objects in Nagorno-Karabakh, while Armenian state media reported multiple casualties among the civilian population of Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of Azerbaijani strikes. The Russia Foreign Ministry has called on "the conflicting sides to immediately stop the bloodshed, cease hostilities and avoid casualties among the civilian population," adding that Russian's peacekeepers have been "faithfully carrying out the tasks of maintaining the ceasefire and ensuring contacts between the Azerbaijani and Armenian sides.""Even in these hours, the Russian Peacekeeping Contingent is providing assistance to the civilian population, including medical aid, and is engaged in evacuation," the Russian ministry said.Azerbaijan and Armenia have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region wedged in between the two nations, which is seeking independence from Baku. The decades-long conflict reignited in the fall of 2020, marking the worst escalation since the 1990s. Hostilities ended in a Russia-brokered ceasefire and the deployment of Russian peacekeepers to the region. Yerevan and Baku began discussing a future peace treaty in 2022 with mediation from Russia, the European Union and the United States. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in May that Yerevan was ready to recognize Azerbaijan's territorial integrity within boundaries that include Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had said a peace treaty could be signed by the end of the year if Armenia did not change its position.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230919/several-injured-detained-amid-clashes-with-police-in-yerevan-over-nagorno-karabakh-hostilities-1113510555.html

azerbaijan

azerbaijan

armenia

nagorno-karabakh

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

armenia, azerbaijan, nagorno-karabakh, unsc, united nations security council
This year, the Harness Racing B.C. (HRBC) Board of Directors voted on replacing a live sale with a virtual online sale for the yearlings of 2023 and they will be eligible to the Sale Stakes that will race as a three-year-old.

Twelve well-bred B.C. yearlings will be auctioned off by OnGait.com on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Currency will be in Canadian dollars only.

The contact person during the auction is Maurice Chodash and he can be reached by telephone number or text at 1-561-706-4839 or by email at [email protected].

Click here to view the 2023 HRBC Sale Catalogue.

(With files from Harness Racing B.C.)
U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, last week joined fellow congresswomen Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, and Maria Elvira Salazar, a Florida Republican, to introduce legislation recognizing African Diaspora Heritage Month in September.

Virginia and Florida are home to two of the largest African diaspora communities in the country  and approximately 2.1 million sub-Saharan African immigrants live in the U.S., according to a release from Spanbergers office. The measure would recognize the history, importance, and contributions of the African diaspora in Virginia, Florida, and across the country.

I am proud to once again lead the effort to recognize African Diaspora Heritage Month, recognizing the vital role the African diaspora community has played in shaping our nations rich history and culture, said Spanberger in a statement. African immigrants have been essential to Virginias continued growth and prosperity, and Im proud to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary contributions of the African diaspora.

The African diaspora community has deep ties to Virginia, from the first Angolans who arrived on its shores in 1619 to now being one of the fastest growing immigrant populations in America, said McClellan. While in the State Senate, she said she led the charge to make Virginia the first state in the nation to designate September as African Diaspora Month.

Now in Congress, I am proud to co-lead this effort at the federal level with Congresswomen Spanberger and Salazar, McClellan said. The more than 115,000 African diaspora immigrants in Virginia  and over 2.1 million nationwide  should be celebrated for their incredible contributions to our local communities and our nation.

The Virginia General Assembly passed a resolution to designate September as Virginia African Diaspora Heritage Month in March 2022.

The African diaspora in the United States and Latin America make up an essential part of a rich cultural tapestry and it is important that the United States recognize these achievements, said Salazar in a statement.

The legislation is a companion to bill led in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tim Kaine, D-VA, and is is supported by the Virginia African Diaspora Community.

The African diaspora makes our Commonwealth and country stronger, said Kaine in a statement. Im proud to introduce this bill to celebrate this diverse group and acknowledge their abundant cultural and economic contributions to our communities.

Time is always right and the right time is the best; with our future ahead of us and our ancestors beside us; the time is now for the African Diaspora Heritage Month bill to pass and be a law, said Princess Philomena Desmond-Ogugua, Virginia African Diaspora Committee.

Bo Machayo, with the Virginia African Diaspora Committee, said they are grateful to see the measure reintroduced.

The African Diaspora is a vital and integral part of American society, and it is long overdue that we acknowledge and celebrate their significant contributions, said Machayo.
Scottsbluff City Council voted to send a negative recommendation to the Nebraska Liquor Commission for the application of a Scottsbluff business Monday.

The business, Wild Horse Saloon is cited as being opened by by Anne DeMaranville in an application for a Class C liquor license submitted to the City of Scottsbluff. However, the applicant met opposition from the citys Liquor License Investigative Board as well as from the public.

Among the issues with the application cited were the naming of DeMaranvilles business partner, Chad Leeling, as the liquor license manager.

The investigative board took issue with some of Leelings finances as he has previously operated multiple bars and restaurants in the Scottsbluff area including The Stomping Ground, Shots Bar and Grill, as well as Brothers 27th Street Wings and Burgers.

The council also heard public comment from Lanette Richards, with Monument Prevention, who did not feel that Leelings previous business practices qualified him to manage yet another liquor license specifically citing a violation that Leeling received for a sale to a minor.

He has a history of not paying bills, his staff, as well as the rent of his past businesses this does not show good business practices, ... and does not follow the guidelines as set out by the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission, Richards said.

The liquor license investigatory board also found that on at least two occasions Leeling had hired the Scottsbluff Police Department to act as security at events he had put on and did not pay the department. The board recommended that the council send a negative recommendation to the state commission.

During the meeting, Leeling blamed many of his issues with his previous businesses on the COVID-19 pandemic which he said forced him to shut his doors for extended periods of time. Leeling also blamed the sale of liquor to a minor at the business on an employee, who he said had been fired on the spot after committing the violation.

In her own comments, DeMaranville said she wanted to open the business to provide what she described as a country bar and pool hall which she felt would be a different experience than some of the other bars in town. She also emphasized that Leelings role was to be strictly managerial, and he would have no control over the finances of the business.

I will have full control over the finances, what comes in and what comes out as well as taxes and I think all day in and day out operations, she said.

Unfortunately, the council was not swayed and still felt that they did not trust Leeling in a managerial role and voted to send a negative recommendation to the State Liquor Commission.

More than 70 pages of documentation was submitted by the liquor license investigatory board and provided to the city council as part of the evidence presented. DeMaranville and Leeling will still have an opportunity to receive their license as they will go to plead their case to the commission in Lincoln. An agenda for the commissions upcoming Oct. 3 meeting was not yet available.

Scottsbluff City Manager Kevin Spencer also cited a number of issues that were still ongoing at the proposed business site, included needed repairs to the fire and suppression system and other building codes.

In other business, the council also heard from Economic Development Director Sharaya Toof as well as Papa Moon owner Ryan Massey as the winery sought to enter into an agreement under LB 840 for a loan to expand their business.

The Masseys have purchased what was the old Aulick DLC building on Avenue B and are renovating it to expand their manufacturing and add another facility where patrons can enjoy their wines ciders and meads.

The agreement was approved by the city council, providing Papa Moon Vineyards and Winery with a loan of roughly $730,000 from the citys LB 840 fund. The loan is contingent on payments and job creation but the Massey said he was confident that the requirements would not be an issue.

The council also adopted an ordinance to raise the allowable growth and basic growth limits for the next fiscal year by 1%. The measure essentially gives the city the ability to request more money in taxes. Spencer stressed that it was only intended to be used in a worst case scenario and an increase was very unlikely.

Scottsbluff City Council will meet again on Sept. 25 for a special meeting to discuss the citys budget for the 2024 fiscal year. The councils next regular meeting will take place on Oct. 2 at 6 p.m.
A Lincoln company that makes miniature surgical robots has snagged another large investment.

Virtual Incision announced Tuesday that it has received $30 million in additional funding from a group of investors that put $46 million into the business in 2021.

The investment  classified as a Series C round  was led by current investors Bluestem Capital, Endeavour Vision, Baird Capital, cultivate(MD) Capital Funds and PrairieGold Venture Partners, as well as new health-tech investors Arboretum Ventures and InVivium Capital.

This financing, particularly in the current fundraising environment, is a significant affirmation of the promise Virtual Incision offers to both patients and shareholders, said John Murphy, president and chief executive officer of Virtual Incision.

Virtual Incision, which was started in 2006 by Dr. Dmitry Oleynikov, who was then a professor of surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Shane Farritor, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, developed the worlds first miniaturized robotic-assisted surgery system, which is used for colon resections.

The company earlier this year finished its Food and Drug Administration Investigational Device Exemption clinical study, which is the last hurdle it has to clear to be able to submit a market authorization request.

Farritor told the Journal Star in April that it hopes to get FDA approval of the system early next year and then would do a "very controlled launch" of it, working with a select few surgical providers.

Virtual Incision, which in April moved from Nebraska Innovation Campus to an office building at 1501 Old Cheney Road, also plans to develop additional robotic surgery systems that could be used for other abdominal surgeries, such as gynecological procedures, and said it will use the new investment to help pay for a clinical study of gynecological procedures next year.

And the company said plans to develop a smaller version of its surgical robot to be used in future general surgeries.

"We are excited to invest in the Series C extension from our fund, Arboretum Ventures VI. Consistent with our previous funds, we partner with transformational organizations at the intersection of healthcare and technology to improve patient outcomes, said Dr. Tom Shehab, managing partner from Arboretum Ventures who is joining Virtual Incision's board of directors. Virtual Incisions long-standing investor support is a signal of the companys commitment to doing just that. The companys recent milestones demonstrate that the momentum of miniRAS is only going to continue to build, and were excited to be on board.

Photos: Make Lincoln 2023 at Turbine Flats
Before Islamic terrorism became a major source of violence, the most common cause of violent deaths in the north was clashes between farmers defending their land against nomadic tribes that lived off herds of animals that required new pastures. Rapid growth within the farming tribes over the last three decades led to more land being cultivated and no longer available for grazing animals. There were more armed clashes and deaths. Since 2001 this has left over 60,000 dead. Since 2o14 Islamic terrorism has triggered an even larger number of violent deaths. That includes over 78,000 Nigerians were killed by Islamic terrorists, bandits, fighting between farmers and herders, and local unrest. Most of these additional deaths were due to Islamic terrorism, especially against Christians, as well as banditry and clashes between farmers and herders. The worst year was 2014, when over 11,000 died, mainly because of increased Boko Haram violence and the military response. Deaths declined to less than half the 2014 total over the next six years. Then the annual deaths increased to about 10,000 a year in the last three years.

Spending on the military nearly tripled because of this but that wasnt enough to deal with the widespread violence in central and northern Nigeria. During the last five years, deaths due to Islamic terrorism declined while those due to banditry and tribal feuds increased, as did the number of people fleeing the violence. There are currently nearly four million of these refugees, many of them fleeing south to the capital or further to the Christian south.

This refugee movement, as well as the continued activities of Islamic terrorists in the north, has created an atmosphere that many Nigerians fear will trigger a major religious war between Christians and Moslems. The threat of a religious civil war was created by the continued Islamic terrorist attacks on Christians in the north, and now central Nigeria as well. Christians are beginning to arm themselves and for armed groups to protect Christian communities. This could lead to all-out war eventually. About half the Nigerian population is Christian and most of them are in the south, where they are the majority. The south is where the oil is. The Christians are better educated, but no less corrupt, than their Moslem neighbors. Nigeria was founded and survives because of an understanding that Christians and Moslems would get along. Leaders of both communities have largely striven to make that work. But Islamic radicalism is one aspect of Islam that Moslem secular and religious leaders are often unable to control. This puts the Moslem/Christian peace in Nigeria at risk.

Now that militantly anti-Christian (and anyone not the right kind of Moslem) disease has infested parts of the Moslem north it is spreading south. It is not Boko Haram moving south but one of the northern Moslem tribes that has been radicalized by the Boko Haram example. This new menace is the nomadic Fulani, who have long skirmishes with farmers and each other over access to water and grasslands for their herds in northeastern and Central Nigeria.

Most Nigerians want the original compromise to survive but the radical Islamic terrorist minority are unconcerned with such un-Islamic compromises and are willing to burn the entire nation down to prove their point. The Fulani violence has been escalating for years and overall has killed more than five times as many Christians as Boko Haram. Thats because the majority of Nigerians the Fulani attack are Christians. With Boko Haram, the Christians are a minority who are quick to leave when threatened and move to the Christian south. Boko Haram killed as many Christians as they could catch but most northern Christians were not eager to become martyrs. In Central Nigeria the Christians are defending their ancient homeland and livelihoods from invaders.

When the Christians fight back, the Islamic terrorists take heavy losses and are often driven away. This is why there is this north-south religious divide in Nigeria and several other African nations. Islam had been slowly moving south in Africa for over a thousand years when the Europeans showed up and moved inland early in the 18th century. The Europeans, like the Arabs before them, had no resistance to the many local diseases, especially in areas with more rainfall. The Arabs conquered and, as was their custom, intermarried, or simply had a lot of sex with their new subjects and after a few generations you had a lot of Africanized Arabs who could more easily survive moving further south.

There was a lot of resistance from the largely pagan tribes who practiced ancient local religions. These religions were not completely abandoned when conversion of Islam or Christianity took place. The Christians were more tolerant about incorporating older practices and were found to be more accommodating in general. Unlike the Moslems, Christians were opposed to slavery and the generally harsher rule under Islam. Moreover, Christianity was not based on conversion by conquest. That is an important distinction and it led to much faster spread of Christianity which halted the spread of Islam in Nigeria and elsewhere in Africa. The Christians had an additional advantage with their more advanced technology. The Europeans ended their own religious wars in the 17th century and carried that spirit of accommodation with them to Africa. But this accommodation has its limits, as Moslem conquerors in the Middle East discovered a thousand years ago when they persecuted local Christians and Christian pilgrims from Europe in the ancient Jewish lands where Christianity originated. This led to centuries of wars (the Crusades} as European Christians sought to defend their outnumbered Middle Eastern brethren. That effort continues and now it has come to Nigeria. The local Christians dont want a religious war but their Moslem antagonists dont seem to care.

This will not end well for the Islamic terrorists but it is uncertain how badly it will end for Nigeria as a whole. More Christians are questioning the policy of patience and forbearance while so many Christians continue to die for being Christians. Nigerian Christians are also dismayed by the widespread apathy among Western Christians to the plight of Christians being sought out and murdered by radical Moslems. Nigerians dont need foreign help to organize and carry out a crusade to protect themselves. This puts more pressure on Nigerian politicians to stop posturing and get serious about ending the sectarian murders in the north.

All this religious and tribal mayhem has had a very negative impact on the national economy. Despite being one of the largest countries in Africa and possessing a large oil production and export industry, Nigeria does not make a list of the 12 Most Advanced countries in Africa. That assessment is correct because the growth of corruption in Nigeria was fueled by the growing oil wealth produced in the Niger River Delta and offshore oil fields. Reform efforts since the 1990s included a 2008 audit of Nigerian oil income since the 1960s which concluded that a trillion dollars of the $1,190 billion of oil income was stolen with the help of corrupt politicians and businesses. The most obvious result was that the standard of living in Nigeria declined as oil income increased. This was most obvious when compared to rising living standards in neighboring countries lacking oil wealth. That oil money and tribal feuds led to over three decades of violence and military rule, interspersed by brief periods of elected government. Nigerians never lost their faith in democracy and in 1998 the last military government peacefully gave way to democracy. Elections have continued, as has a growing effort to curb corruption. The key problems have been identified but finding an effective and enduring solution has been difficult.

The twelve more advanced, but usually smaller and less affluent (in terms of income from natural resources) countries included Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Senegal, Namibia, Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Botswana, Tunisia, Morocco and South Africa. These twelve have better living standards and infrastructure as well as a better educated, healthier and more productive population.

Nigerian reformers have, over the last two decades managed to reduce the percentage of oil money stolen but this has not yet led to major improvements in rebuilding of infrastructure or expanding the number of firms creating employment for the growing population. Local corruption is as bad as ever but nationwide there has been some progress exposing the extent that oil income has been stolen and real efforts are being made to halt that and recover some of the lost billions. It has not been easy. But that effort is apparently one reason why the economy is recovering from a sharp, but apparently temporary decline in world oil prices.

The 2014-15 collapse in oil prices hurt the economy for several years. Yet even with Boko Haram and oil thieves still active and more and more corrupt officials being indicted, the kleptocrats know they still have a lot of power and do not hesitate to use it. Case in point is the need for economic reforms and changes in government spending. This has to go through the national legislature where budget details are subject to all manner of legal and illegal adjustments by legislators and senior government officials. Despite the growing waves of bad publicity this year, the kleptocrats in the legislature are doing what comes naturally and ignoring the increased risk of indictment and prosecution.

Despite the resistance, Nigeria is starting, for the first time, to look better in the international rankings for things that, indirectly, rate the degree to which corruption cripples the economy and public wellbeing in general. The World Bank, which has pioneered a lot of these international rankings, says Nigeria is becoming a more attractive place to invest in legitimate (legal) businesses. But the larger (and long term) investments requiring some certainty that the good government will last are not yet comfortable in Nigeria.

Corruption has at least become a major and persistent issue in the media. Beyond that not much has actually been done other than a few prosecutions (not always successful) of notoriously corrupt former officials (usually former state governors). Corruption is now a news staple and those speaking up no longer have to worry as much about retribution, which was once often fatal. But people notice that the billions of dollars allegedly recovered so far are not showing up in new projects. Lots of plans and promises are, but there isnt much to show for it. Some of this bad news is expected but still disappointing. For example, journalists in the Niger Delta can now see coastal tankers (as pointed out by locals) still engaged in smuggling. A little more investigation confirmed that these tankers do indeed obtain oil stolen from ruptured pipelines and sell it to brokers who pay bribes to allow their tankers to move the oil to neighboring countries where it is sold as legitimate. Revelations like this put officials of the national oil company under more pressure but so far there isnt much to show for this either. The Delta is still notoriously corrupt as are recent renewed threats by local militants are suspected of being connected with yet another effort by corrupt local politicians to deal with (and evade) anti-corruption investigators.

Many Nigerians attribute the corruption stalemate to the fact that the major political parties, especially the APC (All Progressives Congress), currently in power are busy trying to avoid accepting any blame for ignoring the corruption. It has become fashionable to declare corruption allegations an excuse by political rivals to bring down an honest opponent. Popular opinion considers all of them dirty to one degree or another and that the most corrupt should be tended to first. These politicians have the most to lose and have been very effective in hiding behind this its all politics smokescreen. Corruption is deeply entrenched and difficult to clean up, but in a democracy you have to show some tangible progress or get voted out of office by less honest politicians. The APC was founded in 2013 via a merger of three major opposition parties and was dedicated to clean government. That was only partially successful because as APC won more elections, it acquired a growing number of members who were less hostile to corruption.

During the last two decades, Nigerian reform efforts have been making slow progress against disorder (tribal and religious violence as well as criminal behavior in general) because the army and national police were resistant to reform efforts. Corrupt politicians were still getting elected but more of them were later arrested and prosecuted for corruption. More and more of the stolen money is recovered, even in foreign banks or property. The educational and health care systems still need a lot of work as do the government bureaucracies in general.

Reforming the national police, whose gratuitous violence against any disagreeable group turned Boko Haram into a major Islamic terrorism movement, is still a problem. It has finally been recognized as an impediment to solving many problems besides corruption, so there is growing pressure for major reforms in the police as well as the Nigerian government in general. This is a much larger and entrenched problem than a major outbreak of Islamic terrorism.

International Assistance

The MNJTF (Multinational Joint Task Force) continues to play a major role in destroying Boko Haram and other Islamic terrorist groups. Since 2015 the MNJTF has proved very effective at this. The 8,700-man MNJTF force maintains bases and camps near Lake Chad in northern Borno state and concentrates on hunting down and killing Islamic terrorists. MNJTF has taken the lead in containing local ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) groups, mainly ISWAP and blocking the Islamic terrorist efforts to once more control territory in the region.

Increasing violence across the border in Borno state led to the creation of the MNJTF, which consists of troops from Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin and Nigeria. At first the MNJTF was used mainly inside Nigeria but by early 2017 MNJTF was spending most of its time clearing Boko Haram out of border areas, especially the Lake Chad coast. Each member country assigns some of their best troops to the MNJTF and the Boko Haram have suffered heavy losses trying to deal with the MNJTF. This played a role in the 2016 Boko Haram split that turned Boko Haram operating near Lake Chad into ISWAP. MNJTF concentrated more and more on the areas around Lake Chad and has been successful at curbing ISWAP operations there.

September 19, 2023: In the southeast (Imo State) eight security personnel from the army, police and armed militia were ambushed and killed, apparently by Biafran separatists. the Biafra independence movement is 23 years old and its militant wing IPOB (Indigenous People of Biafra) has become increasingly active. Most recently IPOB sought to prevent locals from voting in national elections. The army and the federal government sought to block these IPOB efforts. In Imo and surrounding states there is an increased army presence because of renewed demands for an independent state of Biafra, dominated by Igbos and consisting of the southeastern states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Anambra, Imo and Abia. Local politicians advised the federal government to keep the army out of this and that the best, and most possible, solution to the Biafra/Igbo separatist movement threat was to offer some autonomy instead. The Biafra separatist movement was revived in 2015 and at first the government ordered police to crack down. By 2016 nearly 200 Igbo had been killed by police attacks on demonstrators and anyone suspected of separatist activity. The violent response was obviously making it worse and after 2018 a gentler approach was tried.

The pro-Biafran separatists have been around and increasingly active since the 1990s. Back in the 1960s the Igbo (or Ibo) people of southeastern Nigeria attempted to establish a separate Igbo state called Biafra. A brutal civil war followed before that rebellion was crushed. Separatist attitudes were silenced but not extinguished. Pro-Biafra groups began to appear again in the late 1990s, trying to revive the separatist movement. Since then, over a thousand separatists have been killed, and many more imprisoned, while the government continues to insist that Biafra is gone forever. But as details of the extent of government corruption during the last few decades came out, Biafra again seemed like something worth fighting for. Senior government officials, including outgoing president Buhari, paid attention, and sought to work out a compromise with the Igbos. The Fulani living in the southeast are less amenable to any compromise, especially since the Fulani are Moslem and consider themselves defenders of Islam against non-believers like the Christian Igbo.

In response to the threats of violence, IPOB took the lead in protecting Igbo from anti-Biafra violence. In areas where peaceful defense measures did not work, IPOB formed an armed security component, the ESN (Eastern Security Network), to defend Igbos in Imo State from Fulani and government violence. The government has responded by sending a battalion of infantry to an area thought to be a base for ESN members. This was unpopular with the locals as Nigerian soldiers are notorious for their violent behavior. These troops had been ordered to behave but that proved difficult for them to do so in the face of Igbo contempt and hostility.

September 15, 2023: In the south (Niger River Delta) the Air Force announced that it had concluded a two month long operation that had found and destroyed more than 30 illegal oil refineries. These crude rural refineries produce cut-rate fuels for rural customers. These refineries are easy to spot from the air and, when they are located, the army moves in via road or the navy via boat to shut them down. More frequently the air force carries out an airstrike if speed is of the essence. The illegal refining business is so lucrative that losing several refineries every month or so is an affordable cost for a full time refining operation. The refinery personnel usually escape and build another crude refinery. The outlaws are armed, although they rarely fight back against the military raids. The airstrikes cause more damage because the men operating the refinery are often killed or wounded during the air attack. The army or navy will often still go in to collect evidence and arrest any survivors. The retrieved documents or cell phones plus interrogations of survivors provides information on the state of the oil smuggling and refining gangs.

September 14, 2023: Electrical power has been restored after nationwide power blackout that lasted several hours. The nationwide blackout was caused by local blackouts that spread to neighboring distribution systems and continued to spread until 93 percent of the country had no electrical power. Nigeria does not have a system for isolating a local blackout before it spreads nationwide. Such systems are expensive to build and maintain and require dedicated staff to properly maintain and operate the system.

September 1, 2023: In the north (Kaduna state) Islamic terrorists attacked a mosque and killed nine people. Religious or tribal rivalries are often the cause of such attacks but Islamic terrorism has led to more such violence against churches and mosques,

August 31, 2023: In the northeast (Borno and Yobe states), military operations over the last two weeks have left 39 Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists dead, 159 arrested and 109 hostages released. The hostages were being held for ransom or to ensure cooperation by local civilians.

August 15, 2023: In the north, (near Lake Chad) MNJTF forces, over the last two days, accepted the voluntary surrender of four senior Boko Haram commanders, 13 of their armed followers along 45 family members.
The complementarity of Iranian and Russian roles in the Syrian-Turkish reconciliation file is evident, Munzer Eid writes in the pro-government al-Watan.

In recent days, Iranian diplomacy has taken center stage, offering a potential breakthrough in Syrian-Turkish relations. Tehran unveiled a proposal that aims to address the concerns of both Syrian and Turkish parties by suggesting the withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces as a starting point for reconciliation, followed by the deployment of Syrian forces along the border to ensure Turkeys security. This move not only aligns with Syrias vision for reconciliation but also addresses Turkeys apprehensions about withdrawal.

However, the mere presentation of this initiative by Tehran raises questions about its feasibility. This comes at a time when it appears that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has shifted his focus away from Syrian-Turkish reconciliation, unlike his previous urgency before the presidential elections.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian proposed an agreement in which Ankara commits to removing its forces from Syria in exchange for Damascus pledge to prevent any attacks on Turkish soil. The proposal also suggests Russia and Iran as guarantors of the agreement, emphasizing Tehrans commitment to revitalizing this diplomatic path. It is worth noting that Irans move aims to assert its role as a sponsor of Turkish-Syrian dialogue, alongside Russia, amid concerns that the growing partnership between Russia and Turkey could sideline its influence in Syria, especially as Russia becomes increasingly preoccupied with its conflict in Ukraine.

This is not merely a contest between Iran and Russia in the Syrian arena; it is more about an integration of roles and a continuation of existing dynamics. Both Moscow and Tehran are key allies of Damascus, each with its unique presence in Syrian politics. Their common objective is to find a resolution in Syria that alleviates regional tensions and prevents the situation from escalating into a full-scale war. This is especially crucial given the risk of miscalculations by those opposed to Damascus, potentially leading to a point of no return. As long as the policy of economic pressure on the Syrian people persists, the need for a diplomatic solution remains paramount.

The complementarity of Iranian and Russian roles in the Syrian-Turkish reconciliation file is evident, despite minor differences in approach. Earlier this month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov suggested a return to the 1998 Adana Agreement, allowing Turkish forces to enter Syrian territory to counter terrorism threats, with Syrias consent. This proposal aligns with Lavrovs previous statements suggesting the validity of the Adana Agreement, a sentiment echoed as far back as 2019.

Irans efforts to facilitate Syrian-Turkish rapprochement dovetail with Russias policy objectives. Moscow has been working since December 2022 to normalize relations between Damascus and Ankara, facilitating meetings between President Bashar al-Assad and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. These efforts have involved intelligence and defence discussions, followed by meetings between deputy foreign ministers, and ultimately culminating in a gathering of foreign ministers from Syria, Russia, Iran, and Turkey in May.

In politics, seizing available opportunities is a constant endeavour. Irans proposal comes in the wake of a prisoner exchange deal with the United States and the release of $6 billion in Iranian funds held in South Korea. Some speculate that this deal could serve multiple purposes, including influencing Irans stance in the nuclear negotiations and discouraging Tehran from supplying weapons to Moscow. Iran, in turn, may see this as an opportunity to play an active role in the Syrian-Turkish reconciliation process, ensuring that Washington does not pressure Ankara to reject the idea. Politics, driven by interests and pragmatism, embraces diverse ideas and proposals, even when they seem improbable. History reminds us that the pursuit of American interests often involves navigating contradictions, as exemplified by past withdrawals from Vietnam, Iran, and Afghanistan.

In the realm of geopolitics, where interests and strategies intersect, embracing unconventional solutions is not out of the realm of possibility. The world of politics thrives on such contradictions, shaping the course of events as it unfolds.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
A Seoul appeals court on Wednesday sentenced the grandson of the founder of Namyang Dairy Products to 18 months in prison for selling and smoking marijuana.

The Seoul High Court overturned the lower court's sentence of two years in prison and handed down the shortened term to the scion of the major dairy firm, identified only by his surname Hong, along with 40 hours of a rehabilitation program. The court also ordered a forfeit of 34.5 million won ($26,000).

"The defendant acquired a significant amount of financial gains by selling marijuana, worth 35 million won, 16 times, and possessed a raft of marijuana in his home," the court said.

In October, the 40-year-old grandson of Namyang Dairy Products' late founder, Hong Doo-young, was indicted for selling marijuana, and possessing and smoking the drug.

He was indicted with additional charges in February for selling liquid marijuana to five people 16 times, including to the son of a former police chief and a family member of JB Financial Group. (Yonhap)
This protest marked the sixth consecutive week of the ongoing popular movement in the governorate, according to Orient Net.

The Suweida protesters conveyed a message to China, expressing their concerns about the invitation extended to drug lord Bashar al-Assad and his wife to attend the opening of the Olympic Games. They emphasized their demands for his immediate departure, the overthrow of the regime, and the full implementation of UN Resolution 2254.

In the heart of Suweidas al-Karama Square, a significant demonstration unfolded, marked by the active participation of prominent women. This protest marked the sixth consecutive week of the ongoing popular movement in the governorate.

Letter to China

Demonstrators displayed placards featuring Chinese-language slogans calling for the departure of Bashar al-Assad, political transformation, and the implementation of Resolution 2254. They criticized the invitation extended to Assad and his wife to attend the opening of the Summer Olympics in China, with banners in Chinese reading, Long live Syria and the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

In southern Syrias Suweida, popular protests are gaining momentum, entering their thirty-second day. These protests demand a political transition in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, reflecting the absence of significant international political commitment to finding a solution in Syria.

Sources closely connected to Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, the spiritual leader of the Druze Almohad sect, disclosed in an interview with The New Arab that Hijri enjoys strong popular support both within and outside the governorate. Visitors from various segments of society flock to his residence in the town of Qanawat, and reports indicate that he has received unannounced calls of support.

On a different note, official and semi-official media outlets have attempted to undermine the Suweida demonstrations by disseminating rumours of fabricated bombings in Suweida and alleged attacks on military checkpoints, all occurring within hours. However, these rumours have not deterred the people from pursuing their uprising, as they remain undeterred by the regimes propaganda.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Ministers reaffirmed their support for the efforts of US and coalition forces in achieving the lasting defeat of ISIS, according to Baladi News.

The Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United States of America reiterated their unwavering commitment to achieving a comprehensive political resolution to the Syrian crisis. They emphasize the importance of preserving Syrias territorial integrity and sovereignty, fulfilling the legitimate aspirations of its people, and adhering to the principles outlined in the United Nations Humanitarian Charter.

Following a collaborative ministerial meeting between the Gulf states and the United States, the Ministers expressed their appreciation for Arab initiatives aimed at pursuing a gradual solution for Syria, aligning with the objectives of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254. This initiative was initially set forth during the Arab Ministerial Contact Group meeting on Syria held on May 1st, 2023, in Amman and further affirmed on August 15, 2023, in Cairo.

The Ministers reaffirmed their steadfast support for the efforts of US and coalition forces dedicated to achieving the lasting defeat of ISIS within the Syrian territory. They condemn any actions that pose threats to the safety and security of these forces. Furthermore, the Ministers emphasized the urgency of establishing a secure environment conducive to the voluntary, dignified, and safe repatriation of refugees and internally displaced individuals, consistent with United Nations guidelines. They also underscore the critical importance of providing essential assistance to Syrian refugees and their host nations.

The Ministers once again stress the necessity of a ceasefire in Syria and underscore the vital need to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access to all Syrians in need. This access must be facilitated through all available means, including cross-border and cross-line routes.

Ayman Safadi: The crisis in Syria is a burden on Jordan

Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, reiterated on Tuesday the unwavering commitment of his country to safeguard its security and national interests. He emphasized that the ongoing crisis in Syria and the issue of drug trafficking represent significant challenges for Jordan.

During a press interview on the tenth program, broadcast on the national screen, Safadi affirmed Jordans determination to take all necessary measures to eliminate any threats to its national security. He underscored, We are resolute in preventing the infiltration of drugs and the grave consequences they bring to Jordan.

Safadi further noted that drug trafficking is a well-organized operation, executed by individuals with considerable capabilities. Jordans stance is unequivocal: it will address the source of this threat and neutralize any danger it poses to the Kingdom. He pointed out that there are groups associated with regional and other entities responsible for the smuggling, and Jordan is steadfastly countering these illicit activities.

Referring to His Majesty King Abdullahs address to the United Nations General Assembly, Safadi stated that Jordans position is crystal clear  it will not tolerate any threat to its security and will confront any such challenges head-on.

In closing, he emphasized that the Syrian crisis has generated numerous threats in the past, including terrorist threats, which Jordan successfully managed with the assistance of its armed forces. Currently, the challenge is drug smuggling, and Jordan is actively addressing this issue. Safadi noted that Jordan has communicated its requirements to the Syrian regime government, and a continuous dialogue is in progress. However, in parallel, Jordan remains steadfast in taking all necessary actions to protect its security and stability.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Sheikh Tamim asserted that Syria requires a comprehensive settlement achieved through a political process, according to al-Modon.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, has called for a comprehensive resolution to the Syrian conflict, emphasizing the urgent need to end the suffering of the Syrian people. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly, he highlighted the necessity of addressing the injustices faced by the Syrian population and stressed that the current situation cannot be accepted as their fate.

Sheikh Tamim asserted that Syria requires a comprehensive settlement achieved through a political process that adheres to the principles outlined in the Geneva Declaration 1 and United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254. This approach aims to fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people while preserving Syrias unity, sovereignty, and independence.

Furthermore, the Emir of Qatar emphasized the importance of resolving conflicts through peaceful means, highlighting that peaceful resolution, though challenging, is a far less costly option than warfare.

In his address, Sheikh Tamim also touched upon various international and regional issues. He voiced concern over the plight of the Palestinian people living under Israeli occupation, describing the situation as akin to an apartheid regime in the 21st century. He expressed regret over the outbreak of violence in Sudan and condemned the crimes committed against civilians in Khartoum, demanding accountability for the perpetrators.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed the dire state of Syria, stating that the country has been reduced to rubble, and the prospects for peace seem more distant than ever. During his opening remarks at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Guterres highlighted the numerous challenges facing people worldwide, including disasters and conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.

Guterres called upon the General Assembly to renew and strengthen multilateral international institutions, reform the Security Council, and restructure the international financial system. He stressed that the current global landscape, characterized by multipolarity, necessitates effective and robust multilateral institutions to uphold peace and security.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The current toll from the clashes includes one member of the Syrian army killed, four others wounded, according to Athr Press.

The Hassakeh governorate has been experiencing heightened tensions since Tuesday evening, with clashes erupting between the Syrian army and the National Defense Forces (NDF). These clashes were triggered by the Syrian armys encirclement of NDF Commander Abdul Qader Hamos headquarters, situated in the al-Qudat neighbourhood at the heart of Hassakeh. The armys objective was to arrest Hammo and remove him from his position within the security apparatus.

Reports from Athr Press sources have confirmed that intermittent clashes have persisted since Tuesday evening, with plumes of smoke observed rising from Hammos residence in Hassakeh. These sources also suggest that the army is nearing the conclusion of its operation, which is intended to transfer Hammo to Damascus. It should be noted that the presence of civilians in the vicinity of Hammos headquarters has impeded the armys efforts.

During the clashes on the previous evening, the NDF detonated several explosive devices in an attempt to hinder the armys advance toward the headquarters. Mortar shells were also fired, with one landing in the Salhiya neighbourhood and the other in the Ghwayran neighbourhood. Fortunately, these incidents did not result in casualties.

According to the Health Directorate in Hassakeh, the current toll from the clashes includes one member of the Syrian army killed, four others wounded (including a captain), and six civilians injured, among them a child.

Due to this escalation of violence, local schools in the area were cancelled on Wednesday, and examinations scheduled in the faculties of al-Furat University in Hassakeh have been postponed, with a rescheduled date yet to be determined.

The origins of this conflict are traced back to a dispute that arose in August between the Jabour tribe and NDF Commander Abdul Qader Hamo. The dispute stemmed from Hamos attack on a prominent member of the tribe, Sheikh Abdul Aziz Muhammad Ahmed al-Meslet. This incident created a state of tension and alarm among members of the Jabour tribe in the governorate, prompting threats to storm the NDF headquarters due to the perceived insult to the tribes dignity. In response, the NDF Command removed Hamo from his post and appointed his deputy as his replacement. However, the tribe continued to demand Hamos removal from his security position and his accountability in Damascus. Hamo, in turn, did not adhere to the dismissal decision and remained in Hassakeh.

COMMENT FROM THE OBSERVER

The National Defense Forces (NDF) is a pro-regime paramilitary force in Syria that played a significant role in the Syrian civil war. The NDF was originally formed to protect government-held neighborhoods and major cities in Syria, such as Damascus, as the conflict intensified in 2012. Over time, it evolved and expanded its role, becoming an auxiliary force working alongside the Syrian military.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
Driving down Mill Plain Boulevard in east Vancouver, its hard to miss the new grand First Citizens Bank building that opened this summer.

The bank, which is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., opened its 5,900-square-foot building at 205 S.E. Park Plaza Drive at the end of July.

We found that theres been a lot of growth in Vancouver, said Nancy Tarabochia-Hart, area executive for First Citizens Bank. First Citizens previously operated a business banking office in Vancouver, where its served business and commercial clients.

Once you start building those relationships, from a bigger picture and long-term approach, clients want to be able to work with you on the consumer end and be able to come into the branch, said Tarabochia-Hart. We take that long-term approach at everything we do in building relationships.

With the business banking office growing substantially, clients began requesting more full-service operations in Vancouver.

It was time for us to really take that to the next level, she added.

Unlike some national banks that have many small branches, First Citizens Bank tends to open larger offices on the West Coast. Each location offers a variety of services to meet the needs of businesses, commercial and consumer clients.

First Citizens mostly focuses on business and commercial banking, but also offers consumer banking. So, people can come in to open a savings account, a business account or a get commercial loan.

Were full-service that way, said Tarabochia-Hart.

The bank also has a full-service location in Lake Oswego, Ore., and one in downtown Portland. The location in Portland is being replaced by one in Beaverton, Ore.

The company is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year.

The east Vancouver location officially opened July 31, though the company is holding its grand opening ceremony there this week.

First Citizens has 10 associates currently working in Vancouver, but the company plans to expand.

More and more financial institutions have opened in the county in the last several years. Richland-based HAPO Community Credit Union opened here in 2017. And Washington Trust Bank of Spokane announced last year that it planned to expand into Southwest Washington.

First Citizens will be one of the larger banks to open in the county, with $89.4 billion in deposits outside of Clark County as of June 2022, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Because First Citizens only had a business banking office in Vancouver, it didnt have any retail deposits in the county as of June 2022.

National banks have a large market share of deposits within the county, the FDIC reports. JP Morgan Chase Bank held the largest share at 22.57 percent of banking deposits in the Clark County in June 2022, while Bank of America had the second largest, 16.7 percent.

That being said, with the merger of Umpqua Bank and Columbia State Bank, Portland-based Umpqua may now have surpassed Bank of America in terms of the local market share. In June of last year, Umpqua held 13.36 percent of the countys deposit market share and Columbia had 4.36 percent.

These numbers dont include the deposits held by any of the several credit unions that operate in Clark County.
Editors note: In response to reader questions and concerns regarding housing conditions in Washington state, the Northwest Service Journalism team and Bellingham Herald staff have teamed up to offer insight into housing horrors plaguing current renters.

When looking for your ideal rental in Washington state, there are so many factors adding to the cornucopia of associated stress. You have to know your must-haves, your deal-breakers and your budget in mind, all while knowing and protecting your rights as a renter. Then comes the process of filtering through available rentals, touring and applying. It takes time, energy, and money.

How are renters supposed to balance all this and pay the required fees along the way, while sussing out any attempts to violate your renters rights? Use this guide as a breakdown of fees and deposits, plus what they can and cant be used for, according to the Revised Code of Washington.

Renters have more rights than people realize. Since many people do not have the time, energy or resources to file in small claims court, its difficult to determine the exact number of people whose fees and deposits have been illegally retained.

But there are resources outside of small claims court:

Tenants Union of Washington State

Local advocacy groups  look for other tenants rights organizations

Dispute resolution centers  offer free or low-cost mediation in most Washington counties

Local legal advocates  professionals connecting locals through legal processes, often offering free services for low-income individuals







What is a screening fee?

When vetting potential renters, landlords can screen for rental eviction, credit histories and criminal backgrounds. Screening fees fund this report, whether done through an outside company or by the landlord.

By law, the landlord must tell you in writing that they are running the report, everything the report will include and what would lead to a denied application. You cannot be charged a fee in excess of report costs. A landlord that breaks either of these rules can be sued.

If you are denied as a tenant because of the report, the landlord also must tell you their reasoning in writing. If you think the rejection was unfair, you can file a complaint in small claims court.

What is a security or damage deposit?

Around your move-in, the landlord will collect a security deposit, which can be used to cover damages or unpaid rent. This can also be used to cover your last months rent, but only if agreed upon in writing by both parties.

Most rentals will come with a security deposit. When you pay this deposit, your landlord is required by law to give you a receipt (if there are multiple deposits, a receipt for each), a written rental agreement, a written checklist or statement on the units condition signed by both parties, and the name and address of where the deposit is kept in writing.

If you dont get a checklist from your landlord, you can file to get the deposit back plus any court costs and fees.

What happens to your deposit when you move out?

When you move out, the landlord can only keep some of the security deposit if you damaged the unit or owe rent. They have to act within 30 days of you moving out to either send back your deposit or a written communication explaining why any amount of the deposit is kept.

What if you owe money?

If you owe the landlord more than you deposited, the landlord may be able to sue you. If the landlord uses your deposit incorrectly, you may be able to file to keep it.

What can a damage deposit be used/not used for?

Alternatively, your landlord may opt for a damage deposit, which can only be used to cover damages, not back rent. You have the right to request an installment plan for a deposit. In Washington state, any non-refundable deposit paid by renters must be adequately explained in the rental agreement signed by both parties.

Neither type of deposit can be used for standard upkeep, such as wear from ordinary use. Deposits can be used for holes, broken windows, excessive mess and other significant damage, not for worn flooring and chipped or faded paint.

How do you protect yourself from losing a damage deposit?

Your deposit should only be applied to damages caused by you or your guests. You should never be charged for damage caused by natural disasters, unknown people or former tenants. To avoid being charged for damage that was caused before you moved into the unit, tenant advocates recommend documenting the state of your rental by taking photos and videos during a walk-through.

Why is taking photos and writing things down crucial?

Documentation is a vital aspect in pleading a case about a disputed deposit, according to Washington Law Help, which is funded by the Legal Services Corporation and operated through the Northwest Justice Project. In order to increase your odds of reaching a resolution outside of court or winning a case in small claims court, document as much as you can about your rental experience.

Media proof like photos and video taken on a cell phone, written agreements and statements, and receipts are all significant documentation.

Will you owe a cleaning fee?

When you move out, you may also be charged a cleaning fee, depending on the rental agreement. This wont be covered by deposits and will not be returned regardless of how clean or messy you were.

What is an application/holding fee?

Some landlords will accept a holding fee, ensuring they wont rent to someone else before you move in. This cannot be more than 25% of your first months rent.

A holding fee cannot be kept if the landlord decides not to rent to you.

If you back out and decide not to move in, the landlord can keep the holding fee. If you do move in as agreed, the landlord must apply the fee toward either your security deposit or your first months rent. Landlords who wrongly keep this fee can be sued.

In Washington, its illegal for a landlord to accept fees from prospective tenants in order to be placed on a wait list for consideration. Holding fees must go toward holding the unit, not a spot on a wait list.

Last months rent paid in advance

As the name suggests, any money you pay in advance for last months rent must be used for your last month of rent. It cannot be applied to damages, deposits or anything else. This money has to be refunded if you give proper notice of an early move-out, or if you move out early at the landlords request.
Following a nearly three-year-long ordeal trying to get memorial design plans approved, John Bailey, 78, has finally succeeded in preserving one of the last two remaining pieces of the now-decommissioned and scrapped World War II-era destroyer USS Nicholas  the top third of the ships mast.

It is now displayed next to the Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter and the Desert Fox Republic F-105 Thunderchief in front of the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis.

Bailey is a member of the USS Nicholas Veterans Association.

While hes happy the mast is standing once again, Bailey is now working on the finishing touches to the mast memorial, which will include adding mock radar equipment, a replica of the USS Nicholas bell and memorial plaques with quotes from U.S. Navy admirals Chester Nimitz and William Halsey commemorating both the Nicholas, DD-449, and her sister ship, the USS OBannon, DD-450.

The Navy really treated both of these ships special and always kept them together, Bailey said. They were built next to each other in Maine, sailed alongside each other during WWII, decommissioned and mothballed together, then recommissioned and upgraded together before serving together during Vietnam.

Bailey served on the Nicholas during the Vietnam War as a drone anti-submarine helicopter (DASH) operator. Along with the finishing touches, Bailey is organizing an official dedication ceremony for the mast memorial the first weekend of next August.

The (U.S. Navy) Blue Angels will be up at Boeing then, Bailey said.

He is reaching out to U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps officials to invite them to next years dedication ceremony.

Hopefully, we can line up the four-stars (general and admiral), one or both, because this is unique. Theyre Navy ships both named after Marines, Bailey said.

Both the OBannon and Nicholas were Fletcher class destroyers built side by side by Bath Iron Works in Maine and put to sea in 1942. They were some of the first of a total of 175 Fletcher class destroyers built during WWII.

The Nicholas was named after Major Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marine Corps during the Revolutionary War, and the OBannon was named after Marine Corps First Lieutenant Presley OBannon, whose exploits are immortalized in the Marine Corps hymn with the line, to the shores of Tripoli.

The other remaining piece of the Nicholas, its bell, is currently housed at the Center House Marine barracks in Washington, D.C., home to the U.S. Marine Corps silent drill platoon, among other units.

Both ships were involved in numerous battles during the island-hopping campaign in the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal as a part of Admiral William Halseys fleet during WWII. The ships both earned the Presidential Unit Citation, according to Bailey, and the OBannon earned 17 battle stars during WWII, the most of any destroyer.

The Nicholas earned the nickname Road Runner as it was the fastest ship in the fleet, topping out at nearly 40 knots, and the OBannon became known as the Lucky O because despite the numerous battles the ships crew endured, not one crew member was given a Purple Heart for being wounded, Bailey added.

Bailey also said it was rumored Nimitz viewed the Nicholas as his favorite ship, and Halsey was known to love the OBannon.

Nimitz held all 175 Fletcher class destroyers in high regard, as evidenced by his Jan. 28, 1944, speech during the Nicholas Presidential Unit Citation award ceremony.

Our destroyers have truly been the silent part of our service, but their exploits and their capabilities are well known to those who have to know. Congratulations from the Pacific Fleet to every officer and man of Nicholas. Well done, Nimitz said.

After the Japanese surrendered in August of 1945, the Nicholas was given the honor of being the lead destroyer escorting the USS Missouri into Tokyo Bay for the signing of surrender documents.

Bailey and his fellow veterans rescued the top section of the Nicholas mast from where it was displayed at the Portland Sea Scout base along a frontage road near the Portland International Airport.

In 2020, the Sea Scouts were told by the Portland Airport Authority the mast needed to go, so they reached out to the USS Nicholas Veterans Association and asked if they wanted the mast. It was cut up into pieces then transferred up to Chehalis where it has now been reassembled and mounted.

Aside from his work at the museum helping preserve the Nicholas mast, Bailey and his wife, Roberta, tour the country interviewing other veterans who served on the Nicholas.

Roberta actually sewed the Lucky O flag for the OBannon since they didnt have one, Bailey added.

For more information on the ships or to get into contact with Bailey, visit http://www.sisterships.us/.

The Veterans Memorial Museum is located at 100 SW Veterans Way in Chehalis. For more information, visit https://www.veteransmuseum.org/.
Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's wife Chung Kyung-sim, center, leaves the Seoul Central District Court, Nov. 18, 2022. Yonhap



Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's wife will be released on parole next week ahead of the Chuseok holidays after serving one third of her four-year prison term for her involvement in document forgery related to her daughter's college admission, legal sources said Wednesday.



The parole review committee under the justice ministry convened on the day and determined Cho's wife, Chung Kyung-sim, is eligible for special parole on the occasion of Chuseok, the Korean equivalent of Thanksgiving, according to the sources.



She will be discharged from prison next Wednesday ahead of the holiday, which runs from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, they said.



Chung, a former professor at Dongyang University, was sentenced to four years in prison by the Supreme Court in January last year for forging her daughter Cho Min's academic credentials for admission to the Pusan National University medical school in Busan.



Cho Kuk resigned as justice minister in October 2019, just one month after his appointment, following allegations of academic fraud involving his children.



In February, a district court handed down a two-year prison sentence to Cho Kuk, who was found guilty on multiple charges, including his role in admission irregularities concerning his daughter and son.



Cho, a celebrity law professor at the top-notch Seoul National University, served as a senior presidential secretary for civil affairs from 2017 to 2019 during the Moon Jae-in government. He was appointed as justice minister in September 2019 before stepping down about a month later amid the scandal. (Yonhap)


The College Station school district announced Tuesday that Austin Dunson will be the new director of communications.

According to a press release, Dunson has eight years of experience in public school communications and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Texas A&M University.

Dunson, who is the current media design coordinator for Cypress-Fairbanks ISD in Cypress, said that he looks forward to taking on the new role.

I am honored to join the dedicated and talented team of administrators and educators that serves the College Station community, he said in a statement. CSISDs history and culture of success make it one of the premiere school districts in the state and I am excited to support and showcase its continued success.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. is the 5th largest bank in the world and the largest in the U.S. The current company is the result of a series of mergers that began in the earliest days of American banking history and include more than 1,200 original banks. The oldest predecessor is The Bank Of The Manhattan Company which was founded in 1799 by Aaron Burr. At the time, The Bank Of The Manhattan Company was the 3rd oldest bank in the U.S. and the 31st oldest in the world. The Chase Manhattan Bank, a precursor to JPMorgan Chase, was later formed when The Bank Of Manhattan Company purchased Chase Bank which was established in 1877.

JPMorgan & Co came to life in 1895 in order to finance the United States Steel Corporation. Itself a result of merger, the company also financed other early American businesses as well as aided the federal government by backing a bond offering. It wasnt until the year 2000 and after several more mergers that JPMorgan Chase & Co was born. It will be four more years before the merger with Bank One which is notable because it brings CEO Jamie Dimon into the picture.

JPMorgan Chase & Co was instrumental in aiding the US government during the 2008 financial crisis. It backed the accounts of several major banks including Bear Stearns and eventually took over their operations. Today, JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide with operations on every continent and in more than 60 countries.

JPMorgan Chase & Co operates through four segments that are Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). Services are available in branches in 48 of the 50 US states and around the world. Services are available via ATM, online, mobile, and telephone.

The CCB segment offers traditional banking services to consumers that include but are not limited to deposits, loans, mortgages, and lines of credit. The CIB segment provides investment banking products and services to businesses, institutions, and governments that range from prime brokerage, insurance, corporate strategy, and access to capital markets, to lending, cross-border financing, and derivative instruments. The CB segment provides financial services for small, medium, and large businesses including commercial real estate banking of all types.

The AWM segment provides investment management solutions to institutional and retail investors. This segment also provides retirement products, brokerage, trusts and estates, and investment management products.
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a cruise company in North America, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally. The company operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands. It offers itineraries ranging from three days to a 180-days calling on various locations, including destinations in Scandinavia, Russia, the Mediterranean, the Greek Isles, Alaska, Canada and New England, Hawaii, Asia, Tahiti and the South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand, Africa, India, South America, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean. It distributes its products through retail/travel advisor and onboard cruise sales channels, as well as meetings, incentives, and charters. The company was founded in 1966 and is based in Miami, Florida.
Sylvamo Corporation produces and markets uncoated freesheet, cutsize, offset paper, and pulp in Latin America, Europe, and North America. The company operates through Europe, Latin America, and North America segments. The Europe segment offers copy, tinted, and colored laser printing paper under REY Adagio and Pro-Design brands; and high-speed inkjet printing papers under the brand Jetstar; as well as produces uncoated freesheet papers. This segment also operates paper and pulp mill. The Latin America segment focuses on uncoated freesheet paper under Chamex, Chamequinho and Chambril brands, as well as produces HP papers. This segment also operates integrated mills and nonintegrated mills. The North America segment offers imaging, commercial printing, and converting papers, as well as uncoated papers under Hammermill, Springhill, Williamsburg, Accent, DRM and Postmark brand names. It distributes its products through a variety of channels, including merchants, e-commerce, agents, resellers, and paper distributors. The company was founded in 1898 and is headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.
Procter & Gamble Co, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a multinational consumer goods corporation founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble. The company has a rich history of innovation and has become a household name in many countries worldwide. Proctor & Gamble Co is a consumer staples stock. A consumer staples stock is a type of stock that offers investors a more stable and steady growth pattern that is minimally affected by economic factors.

With a market capitalization of over $327.9 billion as of February 2023, Procter & Gamble is one of the largest companies in the world. The company operates in over 70 countries, with its products sold in more than 180 countries globally. Its brand portfolio includes household names such as Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Crest, and Olay.

Procter & Gamble's business is divided into five segments: Beauty, Grooming, Health Care, Fabric & Home Care, and Baby, Feminine & Family Care. The Beauty segment includes SK-II, Pantene, and Herbal Essences. The Grooming segment comprises brands such as Gillette, Venus, and Braun. The Health Care segment includes brands such as Oral-B, Vicks, and Pepto-Bismol. The Fabric & Home Care segment includes Tide, Downy, and Swiffer brands. The Baby, Feminine & Family Care segment includes brands such as Pampers, Always, and Tampax.

Procter & Gamble's products are sold through various channels, including retail stores, online retailers, and direct-to-consumer channels. The company has also invested in e-commerce capabilities and digital advertising, recognizing the importance of these channels in reaching consumers.

Procter & Gamble has a long history of innovation and investing in research and development. The company's R&D efforts are focused on improving its existing products and developing new products that meet the evolving needs of consumers. Procter & Gamble also invests heavily in marketing and advertising, recognizing the importance of building strong brands that resonate with consumers.

Recently, Procter & Gamble has made sustainability a key focus area. The company has set ambitious goals to reduce its environmental footprint, such as using 100% renewable electricity at all its plants by 2030. Procter & Gamble has also committed to reducing its plastic packaging waste to reduce its use of virgin plastic by 50% by 2030.

Procter & Gamble has a strong financial position, a solid balance sheet and a history of strong cash flows. The company has a long record of paying dividends, with over 130 years of uninterrupted dividend payments. Procter & Gamble has also implemented a share buyback program, repurchasing over $30 billion of its shares in the past three years.

Despite its size and global reach, Procter & Gamble faces competition from various large and small companies. The consumer goods industry is highly competitive, with companies constantly vying for market share and consumer attention. Procter & Gamble must continue to innovate and invest in its brands to stay ahead of its competitors.
U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, who announced in April that she has Parkinsons disease, said Monday that she will not seek reelection next year, disclosing that she has now been diagnosed with a kind of Parkinsons on steroids. 

Wexton said that after receiving treatment and regular medical evaluations for Parkinsons disease over the past several months, she has received a modified diagnosis of Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy, a form of Atypical Parkinsonism.

As a result, the Northern Virginia Democrat said she will serve out her term and will not seek reelection.

When I shared with the world my diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease a few months ago, I knew that the road ahead would have its challenges, and Ive worked hard to navigate those challenges through consistent treatments and therapies, Wexton said in a statement.

But I wasnt making the progress to manage my symptoms that I had hoped, and I noticed the women in my Parkinsons support group werent having the same experience that I was. I sought out additional medical opinions and testing, and my doctors modified my diagnosis to Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy  a kind of Parkinsons on steroids.

Ive always believed that honesty is the most important value in public service, so I want to be honest with you now  this new diagnosis is a tough one. There is no getting better with PSP. Ill continue treatment options to manage my symptoms, but they dont work as well with my condition as they do for Parkinsons.

Im heartbroken to have to give up something I have loved after so many years of serving my community. But taking into consideration the prognosis for my health over the coming years, I have made the decision not to seek reelection once my term is complete and instead spend my valued time with Andrew, our boys, and my friends and loved ones.

Wextons announcement adds to Democrats challenge in Virginias 2024 congressional elections. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, reportedly is considering a run for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2025, which could mean that she will not seek reelection to Congress next year, which would open another Democrat-held district.

Wexton, 55, was elected in November to a third term representing the district anchored in Loudoun and Prince William counties. She received 53.2% of the vote to 46.7% for Republican Hung Cao, a retired U.S. Navy officer. Cao recently announced he was joining a large field seeking the GOP nomination to run next year against Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, said in a statement: Throughout her career, Jennifer has tenaciously fought to improve the lives of hardworking Virginians and their families, particularly women and children. Her intellect, determination, and ability to deliver real results for her constituents is an inspiration. Jennifer is a true civil servant and has helped make Virginias Tenth Congressional District, our Commonwealth, and our country a better place.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin, who called Wexton on Monday, praised the congresswoman Monday night following a GOP political rally in Western Henrico County.

Its a heartbreaking circumstance and Im so inspired and proud of her, Youngkin said. Shes shown incredible strength, he said, calling an interview that Wexton gave The Washington Post really inspiring.

Our family will be praying for herthat she actually has a miracle and is healed, Youngkin said. He added that we as a family and as a commonwealth will be praying for her.

The open seat in the 10th District could draw a number of potential candidates. Democratic hopefuls could include Phyllis Randall, chair of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors since 2016.

Wexton, a former Loudoun prosecutor, substitute judge and state senator, unseated Rep. Barbara Comstock, R-10th, in 2018, then defeated Republicans Aliscia Andrews in 2020 and Cao in 2022.
Rep. Youn Mi-hyang, center, speaks to reporters at the Seoul High Court, Wednesday. Yonhap



An appellate court sentenced independent lawmaker Youn Mee-hyang to a suspended jail term Wednesday on charges of embezzling funds donated to help support women who were forced into wartime sexual slavery by Japan during World War II.



The Seoul High Court delivered a 1 1/2-year prison term, suspended for three years, for Youn, a sentence far heavier than the fine of 15 million won (US$11,278) handed down by a district court in February.



Should the top court uphold the prison term, Youn will lose her parliamentary seat in accordance with a law that removes a sitting lawmaker who gets a prison term or other heavier sentence for any kind of crime.



Youn was indicted in 2020 for collecting hundreds of millions of won in donations in her private bank accounts and spending some of that money on personal matters, while heading a major civic group for wartime sexual slavery victims, the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery.



Youn led the group from 2005-20 before winning a parliamentary seat on the Democratic Party's (DP) ticket in 2020. The DP expelled Youn in 2021, and she has since been an independent.



The high court found Youn guilty of embezzling 80 million won, an amount far higher than the 17.2 million won the district court had recognized. The court also additionally found her guilty of misappropriating tens of millions of won provided by the gender ministry as subsidies, as well as condolence money collected after the death of a sexual slavery victim.



Following the ruling, Youn pledged to continue efforts to prove her "innocence," saying she will do her utmost so as not to have her 30-year-long campaign to resolve the sexual slavery issue "tarnished" by the scandal. (Yonhap)


DHL Express, Vietnamese bank ACB ink emissions cutting contract

By Lan Do Wed, September 20, 2023 | 3:05 pm GTM+7

Vietnamese bank ACB will be able to reduce 14 tons worth of CO2 emissions within a 12-month period when signing a GoGreen Plus service contract with DHL Express.

DHL Express has onboarded Asia Commercial JSC (ACB) on its GoGreen Plus service to reduce carbon emissions for its time-definite international (TDI) shipments through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Ngo Tan Long, deputy general director of ACB (left), and Bernardo Bautista, general director and country manager of DHL Express Vietnam, sign a GoGreen Plus service contract in Ho Chi Minh City, September 19, 2023. Photo courtesy of DHL.

The whole process is verified annually by an independent third-party agency, Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS). In addition, a complementary Carbon Footprint report will be updated monthly, detailing ACBs overall emissions with DHL Express.

Bernardo Bautista, general director and country manager of DHL Express Vietnam, commented: We believe that corporate social responsibility and business success always go hand in hand. Globally, sustainability and environmental protection are important for all of us, including our customers.

"With SAF as our key lever to effectively reduce carbon emissions, DHL Express is proud to be the first global express courier to enable our customers to do so. Our partnership with ACB will enable their customers to also make a direct contribution to climate protection."

ACB deputy general director Ngo Tan Long said: "ACB is providing international payment services with market-leading quality. We always want customers to enjoy more benefits when choosing ACB. With the GoGreen Plus partnership, ACB hopes to introduce a service that not only helps to add value for customers but also promotes the sustainable development spirit through the cooperation with DHL as well as our customers."

ACB has been a pioneering bank in integrating ESG-oriented (environment, social, governance) sustainable development goals into its business strategy. The bank says all its activities are aimed at "striking a reasonable balance between short-term results and long-term sustainable development, as well as between revenue growth and value creation for stakeholders, thereby achieving comprehensive growth across all three E, S and G criteria."

In 2022, ACB recorded that 93% of its employees were willing to implement ESG initiatives, and as a result, 215 tons of paper were saved and recycled through process digitalization, 32 tons of plastic was replaced with environmentally friendly materials, and 181 tons of CO2 were neutralized using recycled carpet materials.

Launched this year by DHL Express, GoGreen Plus leverages carbon insetting and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to enable customers to reduce their Scope 3 emissions. Unlike offsetting initiatives, GoGreen Plus (insetting) reduces emissions within the logistics sector. Following the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi), it can be used for DHL customers own voluntary emission reporting.

Instead of investing in external carbon-reduction projects like tree planting, insetting calls for the organization to commit to sustainable practices by directly reducing or preventing greenhouse gas emissions tied to its activities.

SAF is generated from alternative feedstock with a superior sustainable energy profile, including used cooking oil, corn, waste, hydrogen, or CO2 synthesis. This contrasts with traditional, carbon-intensive jet fuels - or kerosene - that are derived from petroleum. SAF is currently the only scalable solution for the coming years, given that it is the only option for long-range flights.

The DHL Group has committed itself to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and has unveiled plans to invest EUR 7 billion in carbon emissions reduction initiatives until 2030. It says: "With approximately 90% of its carbon footprint derived from the air network, viable and sustainable air transport solutions are important for creating cleaner and greener logistics operations. This includes two of the largest ever deals with bp and Neste, who will supply DHL with more than 800 million liters of sustainable aviation fuel until 2026.

"This contributes to the interim target of using 30% SAF for all air transport by 2030. Equally, DHL Express has also partnered with Eviation, who will deliver up to 12 electric cargo planes from 2027 onwards."
German investment can be powered by green electricity: diplomat

By Tri Duc Wed, September 20, 2023 | 5:45 pm GTM+7

Germanys private sector is very interested in investing more in Vietnam, but they also want to have green electricity, Santiago Alonso, development counselor with the German embassy in Hanoi, said Wednesday.

He was speaking at a conference titled Just Energy Transition = Job Accelerator for Vietnam? German-Vietnamese perspectives on employment and skills needs that the embassy hosted in the capital city.

Vietnam is in a very favorable situation with many investors worldwide targeting the country and, therefore, it can attract investments by providing a reliable framework as well as sufficient green energy, he said.

A conference on energy transition and employment hosted by the German Embassy in Hanoi, September 19, 2023. Photo courtesy of the embassy.

However, Alonso added, it may be challenging for the Vietnamese government to expand renewable energy to meet the needs of the private sector to advance green growth and green economy.

Energy transition is a complex and demanding process but Germany has been successful in this task, which requires a lot of investment. This situation presents both challenges and opportunities, Alonso said.

Vietnam and Germany have been exercising a very broad and close cooperation in the energy sector for years; and are set to upgrade their cooperation to that of a comprehensive energy partnership, the diplomat noted.

Other speakers at the conference also focused on the significant potential that energy transition will deliver to Vietnams economic and labor market growth. Just energy transition needs to incorporate social, cultural, environmental, economic and identity-related issues while ensuring no one is left behind, they said.

The first Vietnam-Germany project in renewable energy started in 2009. Since then, the cooperation has continuously grown and currently comprises an overall portfolio of ongoing and planned projects of more than EUR1 billion ($1.07 billion), German ambassador Guido Hildner said at the conference.

German Ambassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner. Photo courtesy of the embassy in Hanoi.

Deputy Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Ha proposed that experts and delegates share experiences in unlocking the potential of energy transition, and propose specific solutions related to employment and skills training for workers.

Vietnam is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and pursuing a just energy transition, said Ta Dinh Thi, Vice Chairman of the National Assemblys Committee on Science, Technology and Environment.

Vietnam is aware of the importance of developing necessary skills and is willing to learn from international examples. Vietnam highly appreciates German-Vietnamese cooperation and believes that this relationship will contribute to a just energy transition and green future for Vietnam, he added.
Retail electricity prices not keeping pace with market developments: parliament

By Huong Dung Wed, September 20, 2023 | 10:47 pm GTM+7

Vietnams current retail electricity price mechanisms do not reflect fuel costs, supply and demand in a timely manner, according to a National Assembly committee report.

Electricity prices are currently adjusted under annual and half-year mechanisms according to the Prime Ministers Decision 24/2017. The annual mechanism is based on objective turbulences of input parameters at all stages including electricity generation, transmission, distribution-retail, operation, industry management and power system support services.

Half-year electricity price adjustments might be made when there are input turbulences at the power generation stage.

A 500 kV transmission line section in Thuan Nam district, Ninh Thuan province, south-central Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Vietnam News Agency.

When input parameters drive the average retail electricity price up by 3% or more compared to the current level, the price will be considered for upward adjustment and vice versa in every six months. Power price adjustment decisions must be reported to the Prime Minister for consideration, according to Decision 24.

Electricity prices were kept stable by state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) during the Covid-19 period (2020-2022).

It increased by 3% in May 4, 2023, the lowest level under Decision 24, to over VND1,920 ($0.08) per kWh, in a move that sought to balance impacts on the economy and partly solve financial and cash flow difficulties for EVN.

Last year, the state utility recorded a loss of nearly VND20.7 trillion ($874.5 million) due to rising fuel production prices, which increased its electricity purchase costs. And in the first half of this year, the losses rose to more than VND35.4 trillion ($1.46 billion), according to a report by the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

After examining the above-mentioned issues, the parliamentary committees reported that the current retail electricity price mechanisms are not synchronized with actual market developments.

The legal framework for stakeholders to join the Vietnam Wholesale Electricity Market (VWEM) is still incomplete, it says, adding that renewable power plants built to enjoy the preferential feed-in-tariffs (FiTs) are facing many risks when participating in this market.

The 20-year preferential FiTs are 9.35 U.S. cents per kWh (Decision 11/2017) and 7.09-8.38 U.S. cents per kWh (Decision 13/2020) for solar power projects that became operational by December 31, 2020; and 8.35-9.8 U.S. cents per kWh (Decision 39/2018) for wind power projects that became operational by November 1, 2021.

The report proposes that electricity price adjustment mechanisms are adjusted to match reality. Price adjustments must ensure transparent management and not cause major, sudden and negative impacts on production and people's lives, it adds.

Earlier the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) submitted to the Prime Minister a draft decision amending Decision 24/2017, proposing that exchange rate differences and production and business losses at EVN be included in average retail electricity prices.

According to the ministry, the draft includes regulations on the authority to reduce and increase electricity prices. The price adjustment period will be shortened from the current six months to once every three months, which means there can be four price changes per year. Electricity prices will be updated quarterly based on electricity generation costs and other expenditures.

The report says implementation of necessary solutions must be speeded up to ensure electricity supply in the dry season in late 2023. The progress of ongoing power and grid projects must also be accelerated to make them operational at the earliest.

The government needs to introduce a mechanism soon to encourage the development of rooftop solar power at homes, offices and company headquarters, it says.

In May, the Prime Minister approved the new National Power Development Plan until 2030 with a vision extended to 2050 (PDP VIII), but there are yet to have schemes to realize it, the report notes.
US funds to pour massive money into Vietnam: Commerce Sec. Raimondo

By Minh Anh Wed, September 20, 2023 | 9:51 am GTM+7

American funds are expected to invest heavily in Vietnam once negotiations on the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) are finalized, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Raimondo has said.

Raimondo made the statement at a meeting in Washington D.C. on Tuesday (local time) with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a week-long visit to the U.S. starting September 17.

The IPEF is an initiative launched by U.S. President Joe Biden in May 2022 to build a network of economic partners in Indo-Pacific. Vietnam is among fourteen participating founding member nations.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Raimondo (L) meets with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Washington D.C., September 19, 2023. Photo courtesy of Vietnam's government portal.

In response to PM Chinhs request, Secretary Raimondo pledged to push for U.S. recognition of Vietnam as a market economy.

The Southeast Asian country leader had requested the U.S. to do so on September 8, two days before President Biden came to Hanoi for a 24-hour visit, and urged expedited processing of relevant procedures.

At the meeting, Chinh asked for wider market access for Vietnamese export staples such as electronics, garments, footwear, and farm produce. He also requested the U.S. to consider Vietnamese firms legitimate interests and not to impose trade defense measures against Vietnamese goods.

He proposed the two countries make breakthroughs in cooperation in science-technology and innovation and accelerate joint efforts in climate change response, green growth and renewables.

Raimondo committed to work with the Vietnamese side to implement the joint statement on the upgrade of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in priority fields such as the economy, trade and investment.
Vietnam govt agencies, US semiconductor firms sign cooperation deals

By Tri Duc Wed, September 20, 2023 | 9:41 am GTM+7

Three cooperation deals were signed between Vietnamese government agencies and U.S. semiconductor businesses in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday (local time), as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is on a week-long visit to the U.S.

The National Innovation Center (NIC), under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, signed a memorandum of understanding with Cadence Design Systems, Inc. to boost semiconductor chip design and development in Vietnam.

The NIC also signed an MoU with Arizona State University to develop the semiconductor workforce in Vietnam, while the Ministry of Education and Training signed an MoU with Intel to enhance human resources for Vietnams high-tech sector.

Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Van Phuc (front, right) exchanges documents with an Intel representative at a meeting in Washington D.C. on September 19, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese government's news portal.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung lauded the cooperation, saying it would help Vietnam expand its market and capacity in the semiconductor industry.

"Vietnams advantages for growth in the sector are the countrys prime geographical location, political stability, high potential for development, and the Prime Ministers focus on the sector, evidenced by the establishment of a plan to train at least 50,000 engineers until 2030," he said.

Meanwhile, the country has built a strong electronics industry and is attracting major semiconductor investors from around the world. Moreover, Vietnamese businesses, such as Viettel, FPT, CMC, VNPT; and universities, including Vietnam National University (VNU) Hanoi, VNU Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi University of Science and Technology, are ready and willing to develop the workforce for the sector, the minister noted.

Vietnam has already prepared infrastructure to welcome semiconductor investors, such as the NIC and three high-tech parks in Hanoi, HCMC, and the central coastal city of Danang, offering various preferential policies, he added.

In reply, U.S. semiconductor businesses highlighted the potential of the sector in Vietnam and emphasized that semiconductor cooperation would play a key role in the Vietnam-U.S. partnership. In the long-term, U.S. businesses will study the possibility of setting up chip factories in Vietnam.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on U.S. semiconductor firms to invest more in Vietnam, especially in infrastructure, technology transfer, design, production, distribution, human resources training, and others. He also asked relevant agencies to facilitate the operations of foreign investors, in reply to businesses recommendations related to tax, administrative procedures, land, and others.
Vietnams banh mi, pho among worlds 60 must-try dishes

By Hoang Minh Wed, September 20, 2023 | 11:09 pm GTM+7

U.S. news site Business Insider has listed banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) and pho (noodle soup) in a list of 60 dishes to try at least once in a lifetime.

The American news site called Vietnamese banh mi inexpensive staple.

The Vietnamese baguette usually consists of cold cuts and vegetables such as coriander, cucumber, pickled carrots, and daikon, and condiments from French cuisine such as pate and mayonnaise.

Banh mi can be easily found everywhere in Vietnam from large metropolises to rural villages as it is not only a popular breakfast/lunch/dinner to local people, but also a beloved street food by many foreign visitors.

Business Insider recommended visitors to try banh mi at Huynh Hoa stall at 26 Le Thi Rieng street in Ho Chi Minh City where a loaf of banh mi costs over VND60,000 ($2.45).

Located near Ben Thanh Market, one of the most popular tourism symbols in the southern economic hub, the banh mi stall has been attracting large crowds everyday, with long queues of buyers. The stall is open until 10 p.m.

A loaf of banh mi (Vietnamese baguette). Photo by Vietnam News Agency.

Pho noodle soup, considered a national dish, is also honored as the Business Insider urged tourists to dive into a warm bowl of pho, a Vietnamese noodle soup with tons of flavor.

The soup is traditionally served with chicken or beef broth where the bones simmer lazily for at least three hours until the broth is perfect.

A bowl of pho in HCMC and Hanoi costs from VND30,000 to 50,000 ($1.32-2.2).

Though the noodle soup is now ubiquitous throughout Vietnam, it has only been around little over a century. Pho was developed in the north of the country during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by Chinese traders but also by French colonisers, who popularised the consumption of beef.

The pho obsession spread to the south in the 1950s, when the country was divided and millions of northern Vietnamese migrated south, bringing their soup recipe with them.

The Business Insider compiled a list of the most famous foods from around the world in order to determine the top 60 dishes everyone should try at least once in their lifetime

Other dishes in the list were Japans sushi, Chinas pecking duck, South Koreas bibimbap, Italys pizza and Spains crispy churros dipped in warm chocolate sauce

Pho and banh mi have many times won praise from international tourism magazine and world-famous influencers, shaping the reputation of Vietnams cuisine on global map.

CNN earlier this month revealed its top 24 sandwiches in the world in 2023, with banh mi as Vietnam's representative.

CNBC last April named Vietnamese staples, pho and banh mi in a list of Southeast Asia's must try dishes and drinks, praising Vietnamese cuisine for "its fresh and vibrant flavors."

South Korean girl group bank Blackpink who arrived in Hanoi for their two-day performance tour last July also enjoyed pho and banh mi, showing their love to Vietnamese cuisine.
State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Zip Code
Calhoun Counting solar proposal

Calhoun County Council is considering the following changes to its zoning ordinances:

 Solar developments must be at least 500 feet away from any town, subdivision boundary. Security fence must also be 500 feet away from any existing structure on church, school, hospital or residential property. The existing ordinances require the same distance from churches, schools or residences.

 Vegetative buffer is required on all sides of the development. Three types of buffers must be proposed, which must be designed by an in-state landscape architect. Irrigation is required for new plantings. Dead, diseased plants must be replaced within 60 days. Currently, a buffer is only required on sides of the development facing residences.

 Fencing must be six feet tall and wildlife friendly, with no barbed wire.

 Stricter insurance policies required for land being returned to its original state after any decommissioning of solar facilities.

The proposed ordinances add some new regulations:

 Fencing surrounding a solar development must be set 250 feet back from the property line or further if needed to comply with the 500-foot structure ordinance. This may be reduced to 75 feet with a waiver from an adjacent property owner.

 Fencing must also be set back 150 feet from a road right-of-way.

 Interior roads on solar sites must be maintained with native soil or gravel. The gravel must be removed if the project is decommissioned, unless otherwise requested by the landowner.

 Any grading work cannot be done on more than 10% of the total site, with an additional 10% allowed for temporary work.

 All areas within the project must be planted and maintained according to the SC Solar Habitat Act as administered by Clemson University.

 At least 50 feet of required setbacks must retain their current vegetation.

 Existing wetlands must be protected. Land adjacent to any streams must be left undisturbed for 100 feet on both banks.

 Power inverters and other equipment that can produce sound must be at least 750 feet away from any home. There must be at least 100 feet of solar panel mounts between the inverter and perimeter fence.

 Developments must protect the views of public spaces such as parks, rivers and other historic or natural resources.

 Developers must obtain sufficient liability insurance to protect the adjacent properties from damage related to the solar equipment.

Unchanged:

 Solar developments may only be approved in rural and industrial districts.

 The maximum height of solar equipment is 15 feet.
By Jung Da-hyun







The Seoul Metropolitan Government will host three global events from Sept. 25 to 26 to highlight its smart city vision.







According to the city government, Sunday, the events will feature the Seoul Smart City Prize, the Seoul City Forum and the sixth general meeting of world smart sustainable cities organization WeGO.







The city aims to share its accomplishments and aspirations in the realm of smart cities and digital technologies with both domestic and international experts, fostering discussions and strengthening cooperation between global cities and companies to advance the development of smart cities.







The Seoul Smart City Prize, scheduled for Sept. 25 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, was established last September to bolster the city's commitment to tackling urban polarization and promoting inclusive growth.







From March to June, Seoul received a total of 240 applications, assessing the city's people-centric and technological innovation aspects. Forty candidates are selected through a three-step evaluation process by experts. The final review committee, whose members include Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, will announce 21 winners this Sunday.







The Seoul City Forum will take place on Sept. 26 at Seoul City Hall, aiming to share Seoul's core value of standing with the vulnerable alongside cities from across the globe.







The forum's theme is the challenges posed by digital innovation and integration. Artificial intelligence (AI) experts, smart city researchers and global public infrastructure specialists will take part in the forum.







The forum will delve into the bright and dark sides resulting from the abrupt changes in digital technology, particularly after the pandemic, and explore policies and visions essential for pursuing smart cities.







The forum will also be accessible online through the official

.







On the same day, the sixth general meeting of WeGO will also be held at Seoul City Hall.







WeGO, a membership-based international association, comprises local governments, smart tech solution providers and institutions dedicated to transforming cities into smart, sustainable urban centers by fostering public-private partnerships.







Mayor Oh will lead the meeting, guiding discussions on WeGO's strategic direction. Approximately 200 participants, representing 71 member cities, international organizations and IT companies will attend the meeting.







Attendees will also have an opportunity to experience Korean culture and explore the smart city by visiting Gwangjang Market and LG Science Park in Magok, Gangseo District, southwestern Seoul.


(TBTCO) - Cac quan chuc Cuc Du tru Lien bang My (FED) uoc cho la se giu nguyen lai suat on inh o muc cao nhat trong 22 nam khi ket thuc cuoc hop keo dai hai ngay vao thu tu, 1/11. Tuy nhien, cac nha au tu va nha kinh te se theo doi cac dau hieu e thay lieu lai suat co giu nguyen nhu vay hay khong - hoac lieu ngan hang trung uong co con nghi rang ho co the can phai tang lai suat tro lai trong nhung thang toi hay khong?
Hospice volunteer training

Come join our volunteer team and make a difference! Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions will hold a training for new volunteers on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Our volunteers are the Heart of Hospice and are crucial to the lasting impact we provide. As our services grow, the need for volunteers becomes greater. Opportunities to help include care and compassion visits with our patients and their families, running errands, spiritual care visits, providing transportation to appointments or shopping and vigil companionship. We also need Veteran volunteers to help with the special needs and concerns of our Veteran patients. There are no COVID vaccination requirements.

The training will be held at the Central Wyoming Hospice Administration offices from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If youd like to find out more about how you can help, please call Melissa at (307) 577-4832 or email melissah@cwhp.org.

Central Wyoming Hospice receives Edelweiss Fund Grant

Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions has received a generous grant to help women and girls with end-of-life care. The Edelweiss Lifes End Care Fund of the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole recently sent a check for more than $18,000 to be used toward charity care for low to medium income women receiving hospice care.

We are honored to receive the continued support of Edelweiss, said CWHT Development Director Rachel McPherson. CWHT is committed to ensuring our community has access to excellent end-of-life care regardless of their financial situation and this grant helps us keep that commitment by helping fund uncompensated care for women.

This grant was made possible by the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole.

Support Food Bank of Wyoming

Did you know that 1 in 9 Wyomingites are facing food insecurity? That means tens of thousands of neighbors in our state arent able to access or afford the nutritious foods they need to thrive.

Parents skip meals so they can feed their children, older adults choose between buying medicine and food, and students decide between their education and lunch. These tough choices are an unfortunate reality for many of our hardworking Wyoming neighbors.

But the good news is that together we can help answer the challenge of hunger. Will you join Food Bank of Wyoming this September to show your support during Hunger Action Month?

There are so many ways you can take action this Hunger Action Month:

Lend a helping hand and volunteer at our distribution center in Casper or one of our Mobile Pantries.

Encourage your local and national government representatives to support policies that work to reduce and end food insecurity, like the 2023 Farm Bill.

Make a generous donation today while your impact makes 2X the difference, up to $25,000, thanks to a generous match from Powder River Energy Foundation, with the support of Powder River Energy Corporation, CoBank, and Basin Electric.

Its going to take all of us working together to nourish our neighbors. Thank you for taking action with us this Hunger Action Month.

Community foundation grant expands care for Converse County

Our newest social worker has joined the care team at Central Wyoming Hospice and Transitions, due in part to a generous grant from the Wyoming Community Foundation. Douglas resident Desirae Laird will be serving our patients in Converse County, and she says its important to her to be able to help her friends and neighbors.

I am very excited to work for an organization whose primary focus is patient care, she says, and to serve the community I live in. Expanding our team in Converse County allows more people to stay home with hospice services, and the Wyoming Community Foundations $10,000 grant for hiring and training has helped make that possible.

Wyoming throw blankets support education

PEO is selling Wyoming throws. The 100% cotton 4 x 6 throw designed by Casper PEO members, exhibits images of Wyoming in a multi-colored design.

They are a perfect Mothers Day Fathers Day, graduation and wedding gift.

All proceeds from the sales support PEO projects to help educate women through grants, loans and scholarships.

More than 80,000 women have been recipients of PEO projects.

To purchase or order a Wyoming throw, call Becky at 307-259-3350.

Fleece Blanket Project to resume

The Fleece Blanket Project did not meet in June, July, and August. We resumed making blankets Saturday, Sept. 16. We meet the third Saturday of each month from September through April.

We celebrated our 7 year anniversary on Jan. 30, 2023. As of April 22, 2023 we have made 1,864 blankets which have been given to 29 organizations who give them to those who are in need of comfort and warmth. If you would like to be involved in this project or have any questions, please contact First Christian Church at 307-234-8964 or Debbie Mestas at debmestas@gmail.com.

What goes into a food box

Last month, we held a Family Volunteer Day. Families graciously gave their time to help sort and pack boxes here in Casper full of both shelf-stable food and fresh produce. Then the food boxes were sent off to one of our mobile pantry sites for distribution to individuals and families in need. (The group averaged an impressive packing rate of five boxes per minute! Bravo and thank you to them!)

Each box contains foods that families can make a meal out of. We try to be thoughtful about pairing items that they can cook into real meals.

Its worth noting that we are making more of these kinds of deliveries these days, in response to increased need for food assistance throughout Wyoming.

While packing, one of our volunteers, Jason, commented how great it is to see how far Food Bank of Wyoming is able to stretch a dollar. Thanks to your support, we are efficiently serving Wyoming residents who are experiencing food insecurity, both through our stellar network of Hunger Relief Partners and through our own Mobile Pantries in communities that do not have readily available access to food.

We are grateful to you, our volunteers, supporters, and advocates.
The United States Attorney's Office is hosting a public outreach program Thursday night in Cheyenne, as part of a nationwide effort to combat hate crimes.

"United Against Hate," which is a Department of Justice initiative, is meant to educate the public about federal hate crimes and anti-discrimination laws, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Through the program, Wyomingites will be encouraged to report hate crimes, hate incidents and unlawful discrimination to law enforcement and the Department of Justice.

The free event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Laramie County Library in Cheyenne, the statement said. It will include a presentation and open discussion.

"We believe that people deserve to live without fear of being attacked or harassed because of where they are from, what they look like, how they worship, or what they believe," U.S. Attorney Nick Vassallo said in the statement.

Although Wyoming has no statewide hate crime laws, there are many places for people to report federally.

Any act of hate can be reported to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Wyoming by emailing USAWY.ReportHate@usdoj.gov. Hate crimes can also be reported to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at https://tips.fbi.gov.

Unlawful discrimination can be reported by emailing USAWY.CivilRights@usdoj.gov or submitted online at https://civilrights.justice.gov/.

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.
The doors are open for a monumental shift in Wyomings public education.

Educators and officials from across the state gathered in an auditorium at Casper College on Monday morning to kickoff a new vision for Wyomings K-12 schools that emphasizes competency-based learning  subject mastery over test scores and classroom time. The event marked the launch of nine pilot programs in school districts across the state that are leading the redesign of the states education system.

Our workplace looks different than it did 30 years ago, 10 years ago, three years ago, and we have to innovate when it comes to educating children for the workplace, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder said.

We must challenge this notion of every student sitting in the same chair in the same classroom for the same number of hours, no matter how differently they can learn compared to the child next to them. Its time that our students learn at their own pace in their own way. And this concept of competency-based learning is the solution.

The kickoff event, which was attended by roughly 300 people, featured various breakout sessions delving into a range of topics: funding policy, scheduling, tackling systemic challenges like educator shortages, partnering with communities to engage students in real-world learning, to name some.

Its a significant milestone for an undertaking that began more than two years ago when Gov. Mark Gordon launched the Reimagining and Innovating the Delivery of Education (RIDE) Advisory group. The group, consisting of current and former education department officials, lawmakers, educators and others, met with communities across the state in 2021 and 2022 to collect feedback about their vision for Wyomings K-12 education.

Those sessions, as well as survey responses, resulted in recommendations to strengthen career-connected education and allow students to progress through school based on academic mastery. Central to those recommendations is an orientation toward competency over seat time and the individual learning of students.

I think it really gave us the opportunity to stop, reassess and take a moment to think about what the possibilities are, Gordon said on Monday of RIDEs work.

The RIDE Advisorys work paralleled efforts by other groups to adapt Wyomings education system to the needs of students today. In a first for the state, these groups  the Wyoming State Board of Education, the Wyoming Department of Education, the University of Wyoming and Gordons office  came together in a formal partnership over the summer to collaborate on pilot projects that aim to make competency-based learning in Wyoming classrooms a reality.

Several speakers  Gordon, Wyoming State Board of Education Chair Bill Lambert and Adam Rubin, cofounder of 2Revolutions, a firm that supports school redesign across the country  noted in their speeches Monday morning that this partnership is unlike anything theyve seen before.

While the concept of student-centered learning and its benefits is nothing new, UW College of Education Dean Jenna Shim said that Wyoming has set itself apart in its collective exploration of this approach in practice. The coalition is focused on students and the future, Gordon said. Its engaged in understanding the strengths of Wyomings public education, but at the same time recognizes that the state cant rest on any laurels.

We have so much more we can do, and we really have to think about the future, Gordon said. You all being here today says that our state is engaged in that endeavor.

The state coalition started accepting school district applications in May for an instruction and assessment pilot project that aimed to shift districts to more competency and student-centered instruction. Seventeen school districts applied. In July, Gordons office announced the nine Wyoming school districts that are participating in this program. Those districts include Albany 1, Converse 1, Laramie 1, Lincoln 1, Park 6, Park 16, Sweetwater 2, Teton 1 and Weston 7. Representatives from each of these districts spoke at Mondays event.

The pilots will be unique for each of these districts. Some want to have multi-age classrooms and leverage currently existing multi-tiered system of support frameworks. Others want to focus on improving the use of assessment data and changing their assessment models. But at the core of these goals lies a common focus on competency-based learning  prioritizing master rather than test scores and classroom time.

Other school districts in Wyoming will likely be able to participate in additional pilots next year.

There are also statewide learning opportunities available to districts that arent part of a pilot. Some of these opportunities include sessions on using data to improve education, leveraging real-world learning experiences, personalized instruction strategies and student-centered scheduling. People can register for these sessions at https://sites.google.com/2revolutions.net/wyoming-future-of-learning/home#h.fm7kuzd01rg5.
FORMER finance minister, Winston Dookeran, is calling for a shift in the Caribbean integration model in order to forge wider convergence spaces for approaching production, the institutional framework and economic frontiers.

Dookeran, an economist and former central bank governor, said the current integration model seems limited by size, design an inertia.
TEARS FOR HIS SON: Yermis Santollo, father of one-year-old Yaelvis Jose Santollo Sarabia, is overcome with grief as he weeps over the casket bearing the body of his son during the funeral service at the Church of the Nazarene, Arima, on Friday. His son was shot in the head in an incident involving the T&T Coast Guard at sea two weeks ago. Photo: JERMAINE CRUICKSHANK
Official poster for World Cities Summit Mayors Forum 2023 / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government



By Lee Hyo-jin



Mayors and delegations from nearly 50 cities around the world will gather in Seoul later this week for a summit to discuss ways to create more livable and sustainable cities, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.



The city government said delegates from 48 cities in 22 countries will participate in the World Cities Summit Mayors Forum (WCSMF) taking place at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) from Sept. 24 to 26.



It is the largest international event to be hosted by Seoul city since before the coronavirus pandemic.



Among the participants are Tory Whanau, mayor of Wellington, New Zealand, and Wayne Chiang Wan-an, mayor of Taipei, Taiwan. Business leaders and representatives of international organizations, including the U.N.-Habitat and Metropolis, are also among the list of some 200 guests invited to the forum.



On the first day of the three-day forum, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will introduce his administrative philosophy, dubbed "accompanying the vulnerable," which aims to better support vulnerable residents through improved welfare policies.



He will also promote some of the city's flagship policies such as the "Seoul Safety Income Project," an ongoing pilot project aimed at addressing the widening income gap among households by providing regular subsidies to low-income households.



A special pavilion will be set up at the forum venue to exhibit how technological advancements using robots and biotechnologies are enabling the latest in lifestyle improvements for Seoul residents.



In addition, a special field tour program around the Seoul Biennale of Architecture and Urbanism venue, Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service (TOPIS) and Cheonggye Stream will be organized to offer the guests a glimpse at Seoul's past, present and future.



"Through the forum, we will provide a platform for exchange of opinions about addressing urban issues and promote the city government's far-reaching policies to the city mayors from around the world, which will contribute to strengthening Seoul's global leadership," said Kim Tae-gyun, head of the Economic Policy Office at the Seoul city government, in a statement.



The annual forum has served as a platform for government officials and industry experts to address livable and sustainable city challenges and share integrated urban solutions as well as forge new partnerships.



Seoul was chosen as the venue for this year's forum after winning the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize in 2018. The award  jointly organized by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and the Center for Liveable Cities (CLC) in Singapore  is presented every two years to cities with outstanding urban policies.




Missouri-based Bass Pro Shops plans to build a 100,000-square-foot destination retail store at The Bridges development on Tucsons south side, its first in the area and third in Arizona.

Plans for the new store were revealed Tuesday as the Tucson City Council unanimously approved sales-tax incentives worth an estimated $1.4 million for the new store.

Details about groundbreaking for the new store, which is to be built on an undeveloped site at The Bridges, and its target opening date, were not immediately available.

Bass Pro Shops issued a news release announcing plans for the new store but did not include the timing of the project and did not respond to a request for details.

Bass Pro Shops is known for its massive Outdoor World stores, which combine a large selection of goods with features such as target ranges, fish tanks, restaurants and video arcades to create an immersive retail experience.

The company plans to spend $35.8 million to build the new store on roughly 13 acres at The Bridges, a 350-acre master-planned community adjacent to Interstate 10, between South Park Ave. and South Kino Parkway.

The retailer will employ about 128 workers in full- and part-time positions, according to a memo to the city council by City Manager Michael Ortega.

Ortega told the council that the economic impact of the new store will far outweigh the city sales-tax break.

The proposed incentive is a reimbursement, for qualifying expenses, of up to 45% of the 2% unrestricted city sales taxes, excluding construction, paid by the company over a five-year incentive term.

Over five years, the project is expected to generate direct revenue to the city of $4.7 million and more than $11.8 million to other taxing districts.

Ortega noted that Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World draws more than 200 million visitors annually across its locations in the U.S. and Canada, and more than half travel more than 30 miles, attracting significant numbers of out-of-town guests.

The stores feature large aquariums and water features stocked with native fish species and used for live fishing demonstrations, as well as local antiques and artifacts, trophy fish and wildlife mounts, and murals depicting local scenes.

Bass Pro Shops, which acquired rival Cabelas in 2017 in a deal worth about $5 billion, operates 171 stores under both brands combined across the U.S. and Canada.

Home Depot southeast

Do-it-yourselfers in the fast-growing area of southeast Tucson will have a shorter drive for lumber and other supplies when a new Home Depot opens on South Houghton Road near Interstate 10.

Home Depot plans to build a 136,000-square-foot home improvement retail store at Houghton Town Center, located at Houghton and Old Vail Road in southeast Tucson.

Details of that project also came to light Tuesday as the city council unanimously approved a sales incentive worth an estimated $2.6 million for the $40 million construction project.

Over a five-year incentive term, the project is expected to generate direct revenue to the city of $8.6 million, and more than $21 million to other taxing districts, Ortega told the council in a supporting memo.

The new Home Depot store will serve as an anchor tenant for Houghton Town Center and help attract additional businesses and customers to the city, Ortega said.
Sunrise Drive and Senita Valley elementary schools received national recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Education announced Tuesday.

National Blue Ribbon Schools are models of effective and innovative school practices for educators and other schools throughout the nation, according to the department.

Schools are judged based on their data, activities, programs and other measures.

Both Sunrise Drive and Senita Valley were nominated by the Arizona Department of Education.

Principal Andrea Davidson attributed Sunrise Drive Elementarys achievement to the attention faculty, staff, family members and the community give to its students.

But, as she told a group of fourth graders, its the students hard work and attitudes that made the grade.

This is a true recognition of your hard work  the spirit of sunrise, Davidson said.

Sunrise Drive is in the Catalina Foothills School District. It has nearly 500 students in grades kindergarten through fifth.

Whether youre new  like me  or have been here since the school opened  when you get to campus, there is a spirit of collaboration. Its palpable, said Chris Wittoesch, Senita Valleys interim principal.

Senita Valley is in the Vail Unified School District. It has nearly 670 students enrolled in grades prekindergarten through twelfth.

The recognition is based on a schools overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student groups on assessments. Sunrise Drive and Senita Valley are two of among 353 schools receiving the designation nationwide in 2023.

Arizona had another two schools honored: Fireside Elementary School in Phoenix and Neely Traditional Academy in Gilbert also were honored.
A Colorado company planning to build a plant to process reusable stainless-steel beer kegs on Tucsons southeast side is in line for more than $300,000 in city sales-tax breaks.

The Tucson City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a letter of intent to offer a tax incentive to MicroStar Logistics, based on its plan to spend $42 million to build and equip a 150,000-square-foot facility on a vacant industrial site at 9825 E. Old Vail Road.

The building is the first phase of a plan announced in July to build 270,000 square feet of keg-handling facilities at the Tucson site, a MicroStar spokesman said.

MicroStars new plant is expected to create a total of 243 new jobs at a projected average wage of $50,164, according to an agreement developed by the city manager at the request of the city council.

The estimated value of the incentive to the company is $322,387, which is contingent upon MicroStar meeting its employment projections of 25 jobs that pay more than $54,932 within five years of the approval of the development agreement.

Over five years, the project is expected to generate direct revenue to the city of $1.1 million, plus more than $2.9 million to other taxing districts.

MicroStar Logistics, a major supplier of outsourced beer kegs based in Denver, plans to use the new Tucson plant to for warehousing, distribution and processing operations related to keg maintenance, re-branding, refurbishment, repair and cleaning.

The company, which also offers keg rentals, more recently launched a network to process and manage reusable plastic shipping pallets used for beer kegs.

In February, MicroStar announced it would launch its pallet-management network with Constellation Brands, which recently purchased a new fleet of reusable plastic pallets.

Constellation brews Modelo and Corona beers for the U.S. market at two breweries in Mexico, including one in Obregon, Sonora.

The company touts stainless steel kegs as the most environmentally-friendly route to market for beer, supplanting the need for 6 million cans and bottles annually. If maintained properly, kegs can last over 30 years.
PHOENIX  The state Court of Appeals has struck down a bid by Republican lawmakers to immunize doctors and hospitals from claims they acted negligently in treating patients during the COVID outbreak.

In a unanimous decision, the three-judge panel said the 2021 law runs afoul of a provision of the Arizona Constitution which clearly spells out that lawmakers cannot revoke the right of anyone to recover damages for injuries. That same language bars any statute that caps the amount of damages someone who sues successfully can recover.

The new ruling most immediately affects anyone who claims they were injured by a medical provider who was furnishing care for virus suffers between March 11, 2020 when Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency and March 30, 2022 when he terminated it.

Pushed by a lobbyist for the company that insures most Arizona doctors, the law was intended to provide them protection from lawsuits.

It is not immediately known how many malpractice cases were filed during that time period. Unless the ruling is overturned it will mean there is no similar protection for doctors and hospitals the next time a governor declares a public health emergency.

But the ruling could have far broader implications.

Another provision of the measure crafted by then-Sen. Vince Leach, R-Tucson, also provided a similar legal shield for any business from being sued for negligence for failing to protect its customers from COVID. Ditto for landlords, educational institutions, property owners, nonprofit organizations, religious institutions and the state and local governments.

And given this new appellate court ruling, that immunity also would appear to have the same constitutional problems.

None of this should come as any surprise to the lawmakers and lobbyists who pushed this through in 2021.

Tim Fleming, the attorney for the House Rules Committee that reviews legislation for constitutionality, told panel members at the time the measure likely would not survive a legal challenge.

Republican lawmakers on the committee, however, ignored his advice and approved it anyway.

The case involves Robin Roebuck who had a heart transplant in 1993 and a second heart transplant and kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic in 2017.

He was hospitalized at Mayo on April 20, 2020 after presenting with COVID symptoms. Given his history, he was placed under the care of the clinic's congestive heart failure team.

Roebuck developed pneumonia and was given supplemental oxygen. But an electrocardiogram confirmed his heart was "doing pretty well" and the decision was made solely to manage the COVID.

A day later a doctor ordered an arterial blood gas test, a more accurate measure of determining the oxygen in a patient's blood. That revealed very low oxygen.

The following day he developed complications from the test and underwent surgery on his right hand, forearm and wrist. He was left with diminished strength and use of his right hand and arm and significant scarring.

Roebuck sued, alleging the test was negligently performed. But the case was thrown out based on the 2021 law  which lawmakers made retroactive to March 2020  which said such lawsuits related to COVID during a declared emergency can move forward only if there is an allegation of gross negligence, something far more hard to prove than the normal negligence he alleged.

That law was adopted on a party-line vote by the Republican-controlled Legislature after it was backed by dozens of lobbyists for various business and medical organizations who told lawmakers they were afraid that they could wind up in court for actions they took related to the pandemic.

"The COVID pandemic has presented a once-in-a-generation challenge from both the public health and economic perspective," testified Courtney Coolidge of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry. What it also has brought, she said, are "extraordinary legal uncertainties."

Mike Low, lobbying for the Mutual Insurance Co. of Arizona, which provides malpractice coverage for most doctors, said SB 1377 is reasonable because it would require anyone filing suit to provide "clear and convincing evidence." That is a higher standard than what normally exists in civil cases which says jurors decide based on a "preponderance of the evidence," meaning whether it is more or less likely that someone was negligent.

Appellate Judge Maria Elena Cruz, writing for the three-judge panel, said there was nothing wrong with that part of the bill. She said lawmakers are free to raise the burden of proof in any cases.

But this measure, Cruz said, goes farther by totally eliminating the right of anyone who is the victim of ordinary negligence without any legal options at all.

"The Legislature may regulate the cause of action for negligence so long as it leaves claimants reasonable alternatives or choices for bringing their claims," she wrote. But Cruz said SB 1377 "leaves no such alternative available to those injured by the negligence of medical professionals in providing COVID-related treatment."

And she pointed out that, in doing away with any remedy for normal negligence, that left patients like Roebuck with only one option: try to prove that the actions of the medical professional were grossly negligent, a far more difficult burden. That, Cruz said, would require not just a showing that the actions of the professional were merely negligent  meaning they did not act in a way that a prudent person would under the circumstances  but that the professional was guilty of "gross, willful or wanton conduct," a far higher burden on a plaintiff to prove.

"(The Arizona Constitution) does not permit the Legislature to wholly extinguish a particular type of claim available at common law even if alternative causes of action remain to injured claimants," Cruz wrote.

Leach, defeated in the 2022 Republican primary but looking to regain his old seat in 2024, told Capitol Media Services he would not comment on the ruling until he had a further chance to study it.
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:

The first taxpayer-funded public schools in the U.S. appeared in the Massachusetts colony early in the 17th century. In the mid-19th century, the eminent educator Horace Mann promoted the idea that public education should be universal, non-sectarian and free. By 1870 virtually all states had tax-subsidized public elementary schools. As of 2019, 91% of K-12 students throughout the U.S. are enrolled in public or public-funded charter schools.

In Arizona, school vouchers were first introduced by the Legislature in 2006. Three years later, the Arizoina Supreme Court ruled them unconstitutional, deemed illegal for giving public dollars to private schools. Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA), also referred to as School Choice, were created in 2011 to allow students with disabilities to access services to best meet their needs outside of the public school system. In 2022 former Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill expanding ESA eligibility to all students in Arizona. The law works around the Courts decision and unbelievably, the will of the voters, who in a 2018 referendum rejected the expansion by a 65 to 35% margin.

The laws current version includes the existing 1.1 million students in traditional public and charter schools. The expansion also includes students who currently attend private school (about 50,000 students) and those who are homeschooled (about 35,000 students). It appears that over half of the expanded vouchers are now going to that latter group (private and homeschooled students) who may have never attended a public school. These vouchers are not just used for tuition purposes, but in some cases have been used to pay for questionable items. In fact, 75% of ESA voucher users are from wealthy Arizona zip codes and many are redeemed via Amazon and Venmo purchases.

In an official statement from the Arizona Department of Education the estimated cost of the ESA program for the 2024 fiscal year will be close to $1 billion. These funds come from the money allocated overall for education in our state and are subtracted from public school resources. To add insult to injury, the minimum ESA voucher is $500 more than the current per student public school allocation. You may be already aware that Arizona is near last in the nation in per-student spending, ranks 49th in teacher salary, spends $5,900 less per child than the national median, and has classrooms that are the second-most crowded in the nation.

This is really not about school choice. Some 92% of Arizona parents choose to send their children to public schools and while polls show that many Americans are unsatisfied with the state of K-12 education, an overwhelming majority believe that their local schools provide a strong educational environment. This is about politicians rewarding generous donors with subsidies for their childrens private education. It is about them promising to get government out of your lives by turning over the future of our most precious asset, our children, to private corporations and religious-based institutions. And it most certainly is not about saving taxpayer money. The ADE is spending $600K on advertising to convince you to take your children out of public schools. Think about that for a minute.

Do not just take my word for it, do your own research. Do you like your students schools and their teachers? Dont allow these outside business interests to defund our public schools for their profit. Tell your fellow parents about this and urge your legislators to return the voucher program to what it was initially intended for, giving students with special needs, both physically and academically, an opportunity to seek those out somewhere else. Maybe we could actually fund our public schools to provide those services. What a novel idea!
Since Joe Biden was inaugurated as President in January 2021, there have been about 6 million people who have entered the country illegally at the southwest border. Just last night, 9/18, over 2,200 foreign people illegally crossed the Rio Grand River from Piedras Negras, Mexico into Eagle Pass, Texas. Most appeared to be adult males. A video has captured a train at Zacatecas, Mexico with dozens of open top hopper cars full of foreign people yelling and headed to the border. Last week in Arizona, the Border Patrol apprehended 2,000 foreign people a day. Their processing centers are at over capacity and are releasing people into the public. This is the border under President Biden. It all began with his rhetoric about immigration during the campaign. Rhetoric that many in foreign countries took to mean come to the U.S. Then as President, he immediately issued Executive Orders halting the border wall, the Mexican Protocols, asylum agreements with Central American countries, etc. We see the diasterous results.
A municipal councilor in the city of Gimpo, west of Seoul, was found dead on a street in the city Wednesday, police said.

The 47-year-old council member of Gimpo, affiliated with the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, wasn't breathing and had no pulse when a passerby found him laying on the street in Gimpo at 10:50 a.m., according to the Gimpo Police Station.

His wife reported to police late Tuesday that he had gone missing, officials said.

The councilor reportedly left a text message to his family, implying suicide, after he returned from a training trip to the island of Jeju earlier than other council members.

The police suspect he jumped off a nearby building and plan to request an autopsy to look into the exact cause of death. (Yonhap)
Sharon Bishop-Baldwin Sand Springs Leader Staff Writer Follow Sharon Bishop-Baldwin 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 federal grand jury has indicted a man who is alleged to have stolen clothing from the Sand Springs Walmart before holding law enforcement officers at bay for several hours.

Nathan Dwayne Burks, 32, was indicted Monday in connection with the Sept. 1 armed standoff on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm in Indian Country and carrying, using, brandishing and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

The case is being prosecuted in federal court because Burks, who records indicate is in custody, is a Cherokee Nation citizen and the crimes are alleged to have happened within the boundaries of the Muscogee Reservation.

Burks is accused of stealing clothing from the Walmart at 220 S. Oklahoma 97 about 3:20 p.m. that Friday, according to an affidavit by Justin Dowell, a special agent of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma.

Sand Springs Police Officer Charles Bybee responded to the shoplifting call and pursued a suspect identified as Burks on foot, the report states. Burks ran south to an enclosed trash dumpster behind the nearby Ascension Medical Group Urgent Care clinic at 402 W. Morrow Road, the affidavit alleges, further stating that he refused multiple commands from officers to come out from behind the dumpster.

Dowell asserts in his affidavit that he viewed Bybees bodycam footage of the incident and witnessed Bybee saying that Burks just cocked a gun. The affidavit says a gunshot is then heard and then Bybee says, He just shot. Bybee then fired his gun twice at Burks.

Neither Burks nor Bybee was struck by gunfire, the affidavit says.

A standoff unfolded over the next three hours that saw the Southwest Area Tactical Team, a multijurisdictional SWAT team composed of officers from Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Bixby and Jenks, respond, as well as officers from the Tulsa Police Department, the Tulsa County Sheriffs Office and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

Burks surrendered and was taken into custody about 7:20 p.m., according to the affidavit.

Authorities recovered a 9 mm pistol and several live rounds of ammunition from the dumpster where Burks had been hiding, the affidavit states.

According to a court detention order, however, law enforcement did not locate a shell casing from the firearm from which defendant is alleged to have fired.

During an interview with OSBI agents, Burks admitted to owning and handling the gun.

In a separate interview with OSBI agents, Officer Bybee reportedly said he heard Burks rack the firearm, saw him raise the handgun up over the dumpster, and then heard the gun fire and saw the muzzle flash before he returned fire.

The detention order denying Burks release from custody while the case is pending states that the evidence against Burks appears to be somewhat strong.

Burks has a history of substance abuse issues and has a significant criminal history, including convictions for domestic assault and battery in the presence of a minor, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and eluding law enforcement, the order of detention states.

Burks record also reflects numerous failures to appear for court and pending charges for bail jumping as well as an outstanding bench warrant for his failure to appear on the bail-jumping charge, the detention order states.

He was out on bond on a disorderly conduct charge at the time of the Sand Springs standoff, the document shows.

A jury trial in the current case is set for Nov. 20.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
The Tulsa Regional Chamber was named the Economic Development Organization of the Year by the International Economic Development Council during IEDCs annual conference this week in Dallas.

IEDCs Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world's best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials and the year's most influential leaders.

The Tulsa chamber, winner of a silver award last year and a bronze in 2021, was a gold award recipient in this years economic development organization of the year category (population 500,000 or greater).

We want to congratulate the Tulsa Regional Chamber and Tulsas Future on earning the gold award and being named the economic development organization of the year, said Nathan Ohle, president and CEO of the IEDC.

The Tulsa Regional Chamber continues to distinguish itself as an international leader in the economic development realm," he said.

The economic organization of the year award "is presented to organizations that have demonstrated long-term strategic planning, organizational development and significant community impact and innovation. Awards are judged by a diverse panel of economic and community developers," a Tulsa chamber news release said.

This award means as much to our region and all our economic development partners as it does to Tulsas Future, said Arthur Jackson, senior vice president of economic development for the Tulsa chamber.

Our staff strives daily to raise the profile of existing companies and attract young talent and new companies to the region, and we will continue to represent the Tulsa region as a vibrant and innovative destination for businesses.

Since its inception in 2005, Tulsas Future has generated more than 72,500 jobs and more than $4.25 billion in capital investment, the release said.

This is a tremendous honor for the Tulsa Regional Chamber and our Tulsas Future regional economic development partnership, said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa chamber.

IEDC represents more than 4,800 members and is the largest association for professional economic developers in the world.

Thousands of professionals attended IEDCs annual conference in Dallas this week to hear experts on topics such as leadership development, supporting entrepreneurship and economic transformation, the release said.

The Tulsa chamber "is an incredible asset to the city of Tulsa, and I cant think of a better organization" to receive the award, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said.

The chamber "continuously works to increase economic development opportunities in our city, and Im proud to have them as champions of our region," he said.

Tom Biolchini is chair of Vast Bank and the chamber board of directors.

Serving as chair of the (chamber) has allowed me to witness first-hand the dedication and drive of the people who represent the organization, Biolchini said. For that reason, Im so proud that the IEDC has chosen to recognize the singular leadership of the chamber and the economic impact it continues to make in the community.

Cliff Robertson, president and CEO of Saint Francis Health System in Tulsa, is vice chair of Tulsas Future.

The Tulsa Regional Chamber and Tulsas Future are the epitome of professionalism and high standards, Robertson said. The IEDC got it right. Hats off to a Chamber that perpetually seeks to improve quality of lives through economic prosperity.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.
Barbara Hoberock Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer Follow Barbara Hoberock 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  The Board on Judicial Compensation on Tuesday recommended a 17% pay hike for the states judges.

The recommendation moves to the Legislature for consideration.

Supporters said the hike was needed to attract and retain the best and brightest in the profession and to bring the state up to the average in the region.

The panel, which meets in odd years, voted in 2021 for a 7.67% increase. The Legislature took no action, so those raises went into effect, said Jari Askins, administrative director of the courts.

They can reject it or modify it in any way, she said of state lawmakers.

In 2019, the panel recommended about 9%, and the Legislature passed a 4.5% hike, Askins said.

Oklahoma has 75 district judges, 77 associate judges and 92 special judges, Askins said.

Currently, the chief justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court makes $185,245. A 17% hike would add $31,491.65 to that figure.

District judges make $156,732. The increase would add $26,644.44 to the salary.

The raise would not take effect until July 2024.

Chairman David Pitts said he had a hard time with a 17% increase, but not because judges dont deserve it.

It is a tremendous increase and probably deserved, Pitts said.

Member Andrew Rieger said he was concerned about the perception of the sizable hike and equity with other state employees.

Jim Webb, senior vice president and general counsel for Continental Resources, is a former member of the Judicial Nominating Commission, which recommends three names to the governor for candidates seeking to fill a judicial vacancy.

Webb said that in the six years he served on the JNC, he saw a drop in the number and quality of judicial applicants. He said some lawyers said they were not willing to apply for the bench because it would require a pay cut, more work and a campaign to keep the job.

There is a sweet spot, Webb said. There is a sweet spot in judicial compensation where you are going to get the best and brightest, who also have a public service mindset.

State court judges have a higher workload and make less than their federal counterparts, said Cody Cooper, Oklahoma County Bar Association president.

Michael Lauderdale, managing director of McAffee & Taft, said an attorney with more than 15 years of experience can make $350,000 or more annually.

At the point where a lawyer has the experience to be a judge, they are already priced out of the market because private pay is so much better, he said. An attorney with 10 years of experience can make $190,000 to $275,000.

The raises would cost about $8.6 million.

The new Tulsa World app offers personalized features. Download it today.

Oklahoma woman denied life-saving abortion shares her story.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, announced on Tuesday that it is investing up to VND3.5 trillion (US$150 million) in Vietnam's first-ever local currency sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) issued by BIM Land Joint Stock Company and its subsidiary, Thanh Xuan Joint Stock Company.

The first local currency SLBs in Vietnam aim to help issuers expand their businesses while creating jobs, boosting competitiveness, and supporting the country's low-carbon growth model.

IFC's investment comprises two subscriptionsover VND2.3 trillion (about $100 million) to be issued by BIM Land, a tourism and property developer in Vietnam, and nearly VND1.2 trillion (about $50 million) to be issued by Thanh Xuan Joint Stock Company.

Both the issuers are subsidiaries of BIM Group, a multi-sector corporation in Vietnam.

The proceeds will be used to develop the Thanh Xuan valley project in northern Vinh Phuc Province, including an eco-friendly and unique residential community alongside a hotel complex under the InterContinental brand and other relevant services and infrastructure.

IFC's funding will also help the developers implement water and energy saving solutions in two BIM Land hotelsInterContinental and Regenton Phu Quoc Island off southern Kien Giang Province.

The SLBs will provide financial incentives for both BIM Land and Thanh Xuan Joint Stock Company to improve water conservation and energy efficiency in three of their hospitality assets to be accredited by EDGE, IFC's green building certification system.

This is expected to avoid an estimated 4,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to greenhouse-gas emissions from 890 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles driven for a year.

IFC is also supporting BIM Land to develop a sustainability-linked financing framework with tailor-made sustainability performance targets.

Thomas Jacobs, IFC country manager for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, said, Private capital is a key to Vietnam's green transition. The issuance of the first local currency SLBs in the country will signal the viability of innovative green financing instruments as an alternative source of capital for climate-smart projects.

"IFC's funding will also encourage developers to align their interests with responsible investment and to mobilize funding from green capital markets, paving the way for a sustainable tourism sector."

In line with the government's twin goals to become a high-income country by 2045 and achieve net zero by 2050, climate and sustainability have become bigger focus areas for IFC engagements in Vietnam.

To date, IFC has committed over $900 million in long-term finance to support climate-related projects in the country.

IFC's commitments in Vietnam reached nearly $1.9 billion in fiscal year 2023, ending June 30, helping local companies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and navigate challenging internal and external environments.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Many American semiconductor firms have highly valued the huge potential for the semiconductor industry in Vietnam, expressing their hope of opening chip production facilities in the country.

The leaders of these companies were speaking during a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Wednesday morning (Vietnam time).

Prime Minister Chinh and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam on Tuesday morning (local time) landed in Washington, D.C., the second leg of their business trip to the United States.

During the meeting, the prime minister called on U.S. semiconductor enterprises to continue their cooperation with Vietnamese partners and beef up their investment in infrastructure, technology transfer, semiconductor design and production, and human resource training.

PM Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese government and ministries are building a fair and healthy business climate for all enterprises, including those from the U.S..

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C, 2nd row) witnesses a ceremony for exchanging signed cooperation agreements between the Vietnamese side and a U.S. firm. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

Cadence Design Systems, an American computational software multinational, Intel, and Arizona State University pledged to help Vietnam strengthen its workforce in technology and ramp up the capacity of chip design.

The prime minister witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnam National Innovation Center, under the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment, and Cadence Design Systems to design and produce chips in Vietnam.

The center also signed a memorandum of understanding with Arizona State University to develop a workforce for the semiconductor industry in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Education and Training clinched a deal with Intel to form a strong workforce in hi-tech industries.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) pose for a photo with some representatives of U.S. firms. Photo: Nhat Bac / Tuoi Tre

The signing acts as a stepping stone to deeper partnership in the semiconductor industry between Vietnam and U.S. organizations, said Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

The United States is one of the worlds leading semiconductor manufacturers, so the cooperation will open a wider door for Vietnam to develop a semiconductor industry ecosystem, he added.

Minister Dung also affirmed that Vietnam is capable of advancing the semiconductor industry.

Synopsys, an American electronic design automation company, and Nvidia, a U.S. multinational technology company, were committed to helping Vietnam foster its semiconductor industry development during Chinhs visit to Silicon Valley, where the two firms are headquartered, in San Francisco, California on Monday afternoon (local time).

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Scientists said on Tuesday they have found the "missing ingredient" for pink diamonds, some of the world's most expensive stones due their rarity and beauty, and the discovery could help find more.

More than 90 percent of all the pink diamonds ever found were discovered at the recently closed Argyle mine in the remote northwest of Australia.

But exactly why Argyle -- which unlike most other diamond mines does not sit in the middle of a continent but on the edge of one -- produced so many pink gems has remained a mystery.

In a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, a team of Australia-based researchers said the pink diamonds were brought to the Earth's surface by the break up of the first supercontinent around 1.3 billion years ago.

Hugo Olierook, a researcher at Curtin University in the state of Western Australia and the study's lead author, told AFP that two of the three ingredients for forming pink diamonds had already been known.

The first ingredient is carbon -- and it must be in the bowels of Earth.

Anything shallower than 150 kilometres (93 miles) deep would be graphite -- "that stuff in your pencils, not nearly as pretty on an engagement ring", Olierook said.

The second ingredient is just the right amount of pressure, to damage the otherwise clear diamonds.

"Push just a little bit and it turns pink. Push a little too hard and they turn brown," he said.

Most of the diamonds discovered at Argyle were of this less valuable brown hue, he added.

'Like a champagne cork'

The missing ingredient was the volcanic event that sent the diamonds shooting up to the Earth's surface, where humans could get their hands on them.

In the 1980s it was estimated that the Argyle diamonds emerged 1.2 billion years ago.

But there was no "trigger" for the rare diamonds to rise at that time, Olierook said, so the researchers sought to establish a more accurate timeline.

They used a laser thinner than a human hair to probe tiny crystals in an Argyle rock sample supplied by the mine's owner, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto.

By measuring the age of elements in the crystals, the researchers determined that Argyle was 1.3 billion years old -- meaning the diamonds came up 100 million years later than previously thought.

That lines up with the break-up of the world's first supercontinent, known as Nuna or Columbia.

In Nuna, "just about every single landmass on Earth was squashed together", Olierook said.

The immense pressure that twisted colour into the diamonds -- the second ingredient -- occurred during collisions between western Australia and northern Australia 1.8 billion years ago.

When Nuna started to break up five hundred million years later, it re-aggravated the "scar" from that event, Olierook said.

Magma shot up through this old scar "like a champagne cork going off", taking the diamonds along for the ride, he added.

Study co-author Luc Doucet said such a "massive explosion" -- which sent the diamonds travelling at near the speed of sound -- has not taken place in recorded human history.

Where to look next?

Over the last 200 years, people have mostly looked for diamonds in the centre of massive continents.

But knowing the "missing ingredient" for pink diamonds could assist future efforts to find the rare stones, Olierook said, adding that discovering more was unlikely to be easy or quick.

Old mountain belts marking Nuna's breakup near the edges of continents have the potential to be home to a new "pink diamond paradise", he said, naming Canada, Russia, southern Africa and Australia as possible locations.

John Foden, an expert on diamonds at the University of Adelaide not involved in the study, told AFP that the researchers had "convincingly shown" the age of the Argyle diamonds.

But he cautioned that other diamond-rich provinces had also been linked to Nuna's break-up -- and they had not produced pink diamonds.

This suggests that "pinkness seems to be a local Argyle attribute", he added.

The Argyle mine closed in 2020 due to "various financial reasons", Olierook said, meaning the value of pink diamonds could continue to rise as supply stalls.
THE HAGUE -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday its computer system had been hacked, a breach at one of the world's most high-profile international institutions and one that handles highly sensitive information about war crimes.

The ICC said it had detected unusual activity on its computer network at the end of last week, prompting a response that was still ongoing. A spokesperson declined to comment on how serious the hack was, whether it has been fully resolved, or who might be behind it.

"Immediate measures were adopted to respond to this cybersecurity incident and to mitigate its impact," the ICC said in a short statement.

The ICC is the permanent war crimes tribunal in the Dutch city of The Hague, established in 2002 to try war crimes and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors at the court are currently conducting 17 investigations into situations in Ukraine, Uganda, Venezuela, Afghanistan and the Philippines, among others.

Highly sensitive documents at the ICC could include anything from criminal evidence to names of protected witnesses, though the court did not disclose what part of its systems had been accessed.

The court said in its statement that it was continuing to "analyse and mitigate the impact of this incident" with the assistance of the Dutch government. It said it was also taking steps to strengthen its cybersecurity.

The entrance of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seen in The Hague March 3, 2011. Photo: Reuters

A spokesperson for the Dutch Justice Ministry confirmed the country's National Cyber Security Centre was supporting the investigation but declined further comment.

The president of the ICC's bar association, Marie-Helene Proulx, said lawyers for defendants and victims had been impacted "in the same manner as the court's staff" by unspecified security measures taken in response to the incident.

"We commend efforts ... in securing the court's information systems and hope that the situation will be resolved promptly," she said.

In August 2023, ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan said that cyber attacks could be part of future war crimes investigations. He warned that the ICC itself could be vulnerable and should strengthen its defences.

"Disinformation, destruction, the alteration of data, and the leaking of confidential information may obstruct the administration of justice at the ICC and, as such, constitute crimes within the ICCs jurisdiction that might be investigated or prosecuted," he wrote in a Foreign Policy Analytics report funded by Microsoft.

"But prevention remains better than cure."
Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Wednesday afternoon, commencing their official visit to Vietnam until Monday next week.

Their visit is aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of Japan  Vietnam diplomatic ties.

Crown Prince Akishino, 58, is the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito.

Akishino was declared first in line to the chrysanthemum throne in 2020.

This is the third time the Japanese crown prince has visited Vietnam.

His previous visits were made in 1999 and 2012.

Akishino is set to attend a welcome ceremony hosted by Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan at the Presidential Palace on Thursday morning, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two top Vietnamese and Japanese officials will hold talks after the ceremony.

Akishino and Kiko will also visit late President Ho Chi Minhs stilt house and fish pond.

As part of their Vietnam trip, they will sit in on a ceremony to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties.

The two and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will attend the world premiere of the Princess Anio opera, which is about a love story of a Vietnamese princess and a Japanese merchant, at the Hanoi Opera House.

Among his activities in Vietnam, Akishino will meet with State President Vo Van Thuong.

Akishino and Kiko will engage in various activities in Da Nang City and Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam.

The two top Japanese representatives will meet Vietnamese people who had earlier studied and lived in Japan, according to the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam.

Japan is Vietnams largest provider of official development assistance.

Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamikawa Yoko said that Japan and Vietnam have been deepening their partnership in numerous fields since their ties were upgraded to a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in 2014, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

This year marks the 50-year anniversary of Vietnam  Japan diplomatic relations, so the two nations aim to lift their relationship to a higher level, said Yoko.

A series of commemorative activities will be organized in the two nations this year, she added.

Akishinos Vietnam visit will contribute to cementing the two nations friendship and partnership, she underlined.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Over 100 students taken ill after dinner at hostel in central India

Xinhua) 13:26, September 20, 2023

NEW DELHI, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Over 100 students of a government residential school fell ill and were admitted to hospitals after having dinner at their hostel mess in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, officials said on Tuesday.

The incident took place at a hostel in Jabalpur, about 313 km east of Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh.

The students were rushed to hospitals on Monday night after they complained of nausea and stomachache and began to vomit.

"The students are undergoing treatment at the hospital. All of them are stable but still under observation," said Sanjay Mishra, a senior health official in Jabalpur.

Police have registered a case and initiated investigations into the incident.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
gettyimagesbank



By Lee Hyo-jin



The Korean government has requested Japanese authorities to conduct a swift and fair investigation into a case where a Korean national was served water containing bleach at a restaurant in Tokyo.



"We contacted the local police station as soon as we were notified about the incident," said an official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that the victim reported the case to the Korean Embassy in Tokyo on Sept. 6.



The official noted, "The Japanese police responded that they will do so, but refused to share details of the investigation at this stage."



The official also said the ministry was informed that the restaurant's operations were suspended for four days in relation to the incident.



On Aug. 31, a Korean woman surnamed Kang and her Japanese husband visited a high-end restaurant, famous for tempura, located in a department store in Tokyo's Ginza.



The couple was served two cups of drinking water upon their request, but after taking the first sip, Kang noticed a strange odor from the water.



"After the second sip, my throat began to hurt so bad I couldn't even talk properly," she said during an interview with local broadcaster JTBC, Monday.



She made complaints about the water immediately to the waitress and the manager, but they attempted to take the cup back without offering any explanation. Only after her husband strongly protested to the chef, the waitress admitted that the water was poured from a bottle of water containing bleach.



After showing symptoms of stomach pain and nausea, the victim was taken to a nearby hospital where she was diagnosed with acute food poisoning.



"As I tried to throw up while I was waiting for the ambulance to arrive, the waitress came up to me and said 'You should go to the restroom because that seems disrespectful,'" Kang was quoted as saying, expressing anger about the restaurant's improper response.



The restaurant later explained that its staff served the bleach-mixed water by mistake. It claimed that the employee accidentally mistook a stainless steel container filled with the cleaning agent for a regular container of drinking water.



The victim, however, claims she is the victim of a hate crime against Korean nationals, as she believes it would have been impossible to confuse the two containers as they look completely different.


Three people in Ninh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam suffered food poisoning after eating canh chua (Vietnamese sweet and sour soup) with puffer fish, with one of them dead later, local authorities said on Tuesday.

At 11:00 am on Friday last week, Huynh Van C., 35, Do Van Ph., 34, and Do Tai Tr., 35, caught a puffer fish weighing around two kilograms, according to the Peoples Committee of Thuan Nam District, Ninh Thuan Province, where the three reside.

They later cooked canh chua with the fish.

After eating the dish, the three developed symptoms of poisoning, such as numbness of the lips, tongue, hands, and legs, fatigue, and dizziness at 1:00 pm the same day.

They visited the medical station in Ca Na Commune, Thuan Nam District for first aid.

They were later transferred to the Ninh Thuan General Hospital for further treatment as the symptoms persisted.

However, C. died at 0:30 on Saturday last week.

Meanwhile, Ph. and Tr. have overcome the critical stage but are still at the hospital.

Chairman of the Ninh Thuan Peoples Committee Tran Quoc Nam has written to relevant departments and agencies asking them to enhance the food safety management in the province.

They should improve residents awareness of using food safely and ask locals not to eat puffer fish.

Nam also required units under the provincial Department of Health to figure out the cause of the above food poisoning case and the provincial General Hospital to provide intensive care for the poisoned patients.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Security officers at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi checked surveillance camera footage and detected a Vietnamese man taking a wallet and another picking up a watch dropped by other passengers at the airport before boarding flights to the south.

At 10:00 am on Monday, J.V.R., 31, of Indian nationality, reported to the Noi Bai Aviation Security Center that he lost a wallet containing his identity papers and cash totaling VND1.45 million (US$59.4) at the T1 domestic passenger terminal while completing procedures for his flight to Phu Quoc Island off southern Kien Giang Province.

Security personnel at Noi Bai International Airport checked the camera footage and found a man holding the wallet preparing to board a flight from Noi Bai to Can Tho City in southern Vietnam the same day.

At Can Tho Airport, the man, who is Ha Van T., 53, residing in Dien Bien Province in northwest Vietnam, was detained.

T. admitted to taking the wallet of the Indian passenger.

The security force at Can Tho Airport later handed over T. to the Southern Airports Authority for handling in line with the law.

Also on Monday, the Noi Bai Aviation Security Center received news that a passenger lost a watch at the security scanning area.

The center later found that a man who traveled on a flight from Noi Bai to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City picked up the watch.

The man was determined as Nguyen Truong Th., 33.

After reaching Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Th. contacted the airports security personnel to return the watch.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police in Ca Mau Province, located in Vietnams Mekong Delta region, are probing the murder of a man who was shot in the chest after an argument linked to his VND1.5-million (US$61.40) debt, a local official confirmed on Tuesday.

The fatal incident happened on Monday evening in Nam Can District. Nguyen Van Duong, a 29-year-old native of the district, is the confessed shooter.

At around 6:00 pm the same day, Duong steered a small boat toward a farmers hut where the victim, N.M.P. was looking after his shrimp farm, to collect a debt and both of them got into an argument over the money.

Duong got angry and took out his homemade gun to shoot P. in the chest before running away toward the nearby sea.

Three hours later, Duong threw the gun into the sea and turned himself in to police.

At the police station, Duong admitted to shooting P. because the latter had borrowed VND1.5 million from Duong but repeatedly failed to pay it back.

Duong added that he shot P. in the chest after P. was about to beat him with a stick.

According to a police report, P. died due to puncture wounds in his lungs and heart.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Police in Nha Trang City of Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam are investigating a case where a 20-year-old man rented a local house and turned it into a workshop for processing synthetic marijuana.

A police officer from the citys police agency said on Tuesday that dozens of police officers and investigators raided a house on Phan Vinh Street in Nha Trang City to arrest the man who was processing the illegal drug on Friday last week.

The arrestee was identified as Do Ngoc Tung, a resident of Vinh Truong Ward under Nha Trang.

Tung confessed to police that he bought various chemicals and herbs from Ho Chi Minh City to process synthetic marijuana.

Bags of synthetic marijuana processed at Do Ngoc Tungs workshop in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Ngoc Chi / Tuoi Tre

Each kilogram of the illicit drug processed by Tung sold for up to VND4 million (US$164.3).

The ground floor of the property housed equipment, machines, chemicals, and materials for processing.

A machine (R) used by Do Ngoc Tung for processing synthetic marijuana in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Ngoc Chi / Tuoi Tre

A police vehicle is pictured transporting tools, equipment, and machines seized from a house used as a drug processing workshop in Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: Ngoc Chi / Tuoi Tre

Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quoc Phong, head of the anti-drug investigative police team under the citys police agency, said that some 273 kilograms of synthetic marijuana was seized.

Police also confiscated a number of bottles of chemicals, drug processing equipment, and machines.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Phung Hiep District in the southern province of Hau Giang has returned an ambulance boat to the Australian Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AusCham) after over a year of sitting idle as there was no captain, a local official said.

Dong Hoang Tho, director of the Medical Center in Phung Hiep District, said on Tuesday that it returned the boat following the request of the Phung Hiep Peoples Committee although it was about to appoint someone to learn how to control the boat.

Tran Khong Dan, vice-chairman of the Phung Hiep Peoples Committee, said the provincial administration required the return of the ambulance boat.

Phung Hiep District suggested transferring the ambulance boat to another district in Hau Giang Province but AusCham said it would give the boat to another province which can use the vessel more effectively, Dan added.

In August 2022, AusCham handed over the ambulance boat worth VND700 million (US$28,675) to the Phung Hiep Peoples Committee in order to help transport patients, especially those living in hard-to-reach neighborhoods, to safety.

The boat is 5.4 meters long and can carry four people at a time.

It was Hau Giangs first ambulance boat, which was expected to help provide prompt transport services to patients.

However, the boat was left idle because most patients in need of emergency care can get access to ambulances, in addition to the fact that there was no captain.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The agriculture sector in Binh Dinh Province, located in south-central Vietnam, proposed the recovery of four hectares of coral reefs in Quy Nhon Bay during a working session with the United Nations Development Program on Tuesday.

The coral reef restoration is part of the 'Smart Coastal Communities Adapting to Climate Change in Vietnam' project in Binh Dinh, director of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Van Phuc said.

In the framework of the project, the province will form a marine reserve in Quy Nhon Bay and recover four hectares of coral reefs in the bay, belonging to Nhon Ly, Nhon Hai, and Nhon Chau Communes as well as Ghenh Rang Ward in Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh.

The Binh Dinh Department of Agriculture and Rural Development surveyed the marine environment in Quy Nhon Bay and planned to recover the coral reefs there to regenerate the marine ecosystem and environment while serving tourism, Phuc added.

A splendid coral reef in Nhon Hai Commune, Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam. Photo: A.D. / Tuoi Tre

The province planned to ask users of coral ecosystem-related services to buy insurance to raise funds for the protection of coral reefs.

It will also seek ways to reduce the impact of extreme weather on coral reefs.

In polluted coral reefs, the province will clean up marine debris to increase the survival rate of coral reefs and accelerate their recovery.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
Cinema fans will have the opportunity to enjoy free screenings of 19 documentary films at the 13th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival, scheduled to take place from September 22 to 28 in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

This year, the festival will present works from eight countries, including the UK, Austria, Italy, Germany, Spain, Finland, Belgium (Wallonie-Brussels Delegation), and host Vietnam.

These works focus on such topics as climate change, environmental pollution, gender equality, and ways to protect and coexist peacefully with nature.

This annual cultural event is co-organized by the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, and the European National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC).

Director Trinh Quang Tung, deputy head of the National Documentary and Scientific Film Studio, said the festival is a cultural exchange activity that has left audiences with a good impression over the years.

Through the festival, film buffs can explore more about the people and culture of Vietnam and European countries, as well as the relations between humans and current global issues, Tung said.

The 13th edition is expected to enable Vietnamese artists and film producers to broaden their experience in the film industry and come up with new ideas, Tung added.

Among the seven international works to be featured at the festival, a few have won prestigious awards and nominations such as The Happy Worker,' Sous Le Nom De Tania,' Die Unbeugsamen (Femocracy), and Living Proof: A Climate Story.'

Vesuvio or How They Learned To Live Between Volcanoes by Italian director Giovanni Troilo will be presented at the 13th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival.

The seven films from EU nations highlight the topics of climate change, environmental protection, and peaceful coexistence with nature, including Vesuvio or How They Learned To Live Between Volcanoes (Italy), Living Proof: A Climate Story (the UK), Matter Out Of Place (Austria).

Film enthusiasts can also explore stories about other contemporary global issues including employment in The Happy Worker (Finland), and womens rights and gender equality in Sous Le Nom De Tania (Wallonie-Brussels) and Die Unbeugsamen (Germany).

Donna McGowan, director of the British Council in Vietnam, said the film festival will help us reflect on contemporary global issues.

Participants at a press meeting to announce the 13th European-Vietnamese Documentary Film Festival in Hanoi, September 18, 2023. Photo: Dau Dung / Tuoi Tre

Vietnam is vulnerable to climate change. Audiences will learn more about issues this country is encountering, McGowan elaborated.

The 12 Vietnamese films at the event tell stories about environmental pollution, the post-war period, cybercrimes, wildlife protection, epidemics, and gender equality.

The festival will also feature documentary films by independent authors, comprising Children Of The Mist (Vietnam), Road Back To The Wild (Vietnam), and I Want To Breathe (Vietnam).

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!
The Australian International Documentary Conference has opened applications for the 2024 FACTory International Pitching Showcase.

The FACTory will take place during AIDC 2024 in Melbourne.

Applications are now being accepted for projects including features, singles, and series (limited and returnable) across three strands: Central Showcase, New Talent Showcase, and Rough Cut Showcase.

AIDC CEO / Creative Director, Natasha Gadd, said, AIDCs FACTory International Pitching Showcase has a proud history of selecting highly original and engaging documentaries and series to pitch on the world stage, garnering support from our panel of industry representatives and going on to be realised. With so many impressive projects in development across the globe, we cant wait to welcome this years suite of bold, creative and courageous projects to receive mentorship and training, and to pitch to our line-up of world-class decision makers.

The FACTory provides a platform for the most exciting new feature documentary and series projects from around Australia and the world. Up to 15 teams will be selected to present their work to a world-class line-up of Australian and international commissioners, sales agents, funders, and distributors at AIDC 2024.

In 2024, The FACTory will feature an extensive line-up of in-person and online international decision makers assessing and providing feedback on projects; access to expert-level mentoring and pitch training conducted by experienced screen practitioners; and expanded opportunities for one-on-one meetings with key international decision makers.

Project submissions will be assessed by a panel of international experts, including Theresa Navarro, Co-Director & COO, Catapult Film Fund (USA); Alexandre Marionneau, Commissioning Editor & Head of International Co-productions, ARTE France (France); Lindsay Monture, Festival Director of imagineNATIVE (Canada); Patrick Hurley, Head of Distribution & Business Affairs, Sandbox Films (USA); and Jia Zhao, Director Co-production & Sales (Asia), Off the Fence (China/Netherlands).

Entry to The FACTory is competitive, and assessors will consider criteria like originality, marketplace viability, and international appeal.

Since its inception in 2016, over 100 projects have been pitched in The FACTory, including acclaimed documentaries Mystify: Michael Hutchence, Under the Volcano, No Time For Quiet, Theres No I in Threesome, Delikado, The Last Daughter (Netflix), The Black Hand (ABC), Hot Docs Best International Documentary winner, Blue Island, and AACTA Awards Best Documentary nominees Clean and Franklin.

Plus, as a special bonus to help FACTory applicants prepare the best possible pitch, Getty Images have partnered with AIDC to provide free access to their extensive library of over 25 million clips and stills for every subject imaginable for use in applications.

The regular submission deadline for projects is Wednesday, 15 November 2023. Projects submitted by the late deadline of Sunday, 19 November 2023, will accrue an additional fee.

Applicants can submit projects and find out more about the Getty Images library offer through the FACTory portal here.

AIDC 2024 will take place 3-6 March 2024 at ACMI and Fed Square in Melbourne / Naarm, followed by an online international marketplace, 7-8 March 2024.
Production has begun on a six-part neo-western drama Desert King (working title) for Netflix, now filming on the traditional land of the Larrakia people (Darwin, Northern Territory) and the Kaurna people (Adelaide, South Australia).

When the worlds largest cattle station is left without a clear successor, generational clashes threaten to tear the Lawson family apart. Sensing this once great dynasty is in decline, the outbacks most powerful factions  rival cattle barons, desert gangsters, Indigenous elders and billionaire miners  move in for the kill. Desert King is described as an explosive drama about power, family, land and legacy.

A joint production between Easy Tiger and Ronde, the series is created by Tim Lee (Mystery Road, Bump) and Ben Davies; executive produced by Ben Davies (Bondi Rescue, The First Inventors, Outback Ringer), Rob Gibson and Ian Collie (The Twelve, Jack Irish, Colin from Accounts); produced by Paul Ranford (Stateless, True History of the Kelly Gang) and directed by Greg McLean (La Brea, Wolf Creek).

Netflix Director of Content ANZ, Que Minh Luu says, Desert King is the ultimate tale of big land, big money and all the high-stakes drama that come with it. Were excited to be shooting our next premium Australian series in the Northern Territory for the first time, where this epic family drama is set, and at the world-class production facilities in South Australia. Were working with some of Australias leading creators and crew to bring to life a version of this country were proud to show to our members both here at home and around the world.

Executive Producers Ben Davies and Rob Gibson say, Were beyond excited to be heading into the remote outback to make this epic and distinctively Australian drama for audiences worldwide on Netflix. And were thrilled to have assembled an incredibly creative team, on- and off-screen, to do justice to the rarely-seen world, characters and stories of the Top Enda place where timeless meets modern, and where landscape is life and livelihood, but also mortal danger. More soon!

Director of Screen Territory Jennie Hughes says: We are thrilled to be working again with Ben Davies of Ronde who has a long history with the NT through productions such as Outback Ringer and The First Inventors. We are also delighted to welcome the Easy Tiger team to the NT and to have the opportunity to work with one of the best production companies in Australia. This is an ambitious Netflix series which could not have been made anywhere else but in the Territory. It captures the vastness, beauty and scale of the Territory, which is going to give this project an unparalleled sense of authenticity, aesthetic and audience appeal. Desert King features all the ingredients to become a flagship Australian series with an extraordinary cast and crew featuring Australias finest talents. This is the largest series ever to be filmed in the NT and Screen Territory is delighted to have contributed production finance through its Production Attraction Incentive Program to assist in bringing Desert King to the NT where it belongs.

SAFC CEO Kate Croser says: We are delighted to welcome Netflix back to South Australia along with award-winning production companies Easy Tiger and Ronde for Desert King, set to be the largest Netflix series ever made in the state. This major new series is the latest exciting example of the fruitful screen production alliance that exists between South Australia and Northern Territory, where the SAFCs flexible Adelaide Studios production facilities, coupled with South Australias world-class crews and PDV providers, provides the perfect base for productions filming at locations across both regions. The SAFC is proud to support this exciting new series which will utilise a majority South Australian crew comprising post-production services and key creatives, including top South Australian producer Paul Ranford, and which will once again provide a showcase for our states screen production capability and talent.

The series is backed by Northern Territory Governments Production Attraction Incentive Program (PAIP) and by funding from the South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) through the SAFC Screen Production Fund. The PAIP provides an opportunity to attract large-scale Australian and international footloose productions to the Territory to build capacity of the local screen industry whilst contributing to the NT economy through employment and goods and services.

Post-production is also taking place in South Australia, supported by the SAFCs SA Post-Production, Digital and Visual Effects (PDV) Rebate.

Prior to production, Netflix and Screen Territory partnered on the First Nations Production Ready Bootcamp to support 10 First Nations participants by providing a comprehensive overview of the ins and outs of screen production, while also preparing them for trainee and attachment positions.
There are 3 x Cannes Confidential DVDs up for grabs in this Fridays subscriber newsletter, thanks to Acorn Media.

The UK mystery stars Lucie Lucas & Jamie Bamber as detective Camille Delmasse and international conman Harry King, respectively, as they solve crimes on the French riviera.

Entry details are in this Fridays subscriber newsletter.

If you havent yet subscribed to the Friday newsletter you can do so here.

Cannes Confidential is a high-concept blue sky detective series revolving around the bicker-banter relationship between gutsy no-nonsense detective Camille Delmasse and charming international conman Harry King, thrown together solving crimes on the French riviera. Camille and Harrys relationship lies at the heart of the show against the luxurious backdrop of Cannes. Camille and Harrys chemistry is complicated by the fact that Camilles colleague and wing-woman, Lea Robert, has a secret crush on Camille, creating a love triangle arcing across the series. And the deal Camille and Harry makes to free her father, the ex-Chief of Police, from corruption charges. Harry will help her find evidence, or shell report him to Interpol.

Run Time: 360 minutes

Release Date: September 27, 2023

Rated: M  mature themes, violence and coarse language

RRP: $34.95
The floor leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday called for more dialogue and cooperation between the main rival parties amid a prolonged parliamentary deadlock on pending political issues.

In a speech delivered at the National Assembly, Rep. Yun Jae-ok made such a suggestion while claiming that the previous government's reported rigging of housing price statistics and a fake interview that had purportedly targeted President Yoon Suk Yeol while he was a candidate have put the country's democracy in trouble.

"The manipulation of real estate statistics, revealed in an audit from the Board of Audit and Inspection, is a serious challenge to free democracy," he said.

Yun then criticized the alleged fake interview by independent online media outlet Newstapa in 2021 that was purportedly engineered to slander then presidential candidate Yoon, describing it as criminal behavior.

Regarding Fukushima, Yun said the National Assembly should break away from engaging in propaganda or distorting facts on the water release and work together to monitor if Japan fulfills its promises while protecting the livelihoods of the fishing industry population.

Yun also said his party will make efforts with the government on improving the human rights of North Koreans.

"Approximately 2,600 North Korean refugees are detained in China and are at risk of being returned to the North once the borders open," he said.

He also highlighted eight areas to cooperate with the main opposition party, including support for businesses, the socially vulnerable and solving of pending social problems.

In particular, he proposed establishing a parliamentary committee dedicated to policies on tackling South Korea's population drop and a special task force to revamp parliamentary discipline measures for lawmakers. (Yonhap)
French mystery drama Beyond Signs (pictured), German period spy drama Bonn and Swedish documentary series The Prize of Silence drop this week at SBS on Demand.

Thursday, 21 September:

Beyond Signs

All five episodes available. In French with English subtitles.

11 year old Lily disappears at her mothers birthday party, a little boy, Diego, has strange visions linked to the tragedy . When these come to the attention of the police captain and his psychologist wife Sarah, they investigate the special bond , only to find links between Diego and obscure elements of Sarahs own past. Beyond Signs will also air at a later date on SBS and will be available

Bonn

All six episodes available. In German with English subtitles.

In 1950s Germany, Toni is determined to seize every opportunity and overcome every obstacle in her male-dominated world. But what at first appears to be only an entry-level office job at one of the countrys two competing secret services soon sucks her ever deeper into a clandestine world of suspicion and betrayal, where nothing and nobody is as they appear, and where trust and morality are simply two more currencies in a very high stakes game. Torn between her obligations to country and family, and for the man she loves, Toni will be forced to choose a side, or lose it all. Stars Mercedes Muller, Juergen Maurer and Martin Wuttke.

The Prize of Silence

All four episodes available. In Swedish with English subtitles on SBS On Demand.

A searing indictment of the cultures of silence and ingrained power structures amongst the cultural elites, The Prize of Silence lays bare the scandal and the ensuing chaos that would shake the foundations of one of Swedens most venerated cultural institutions, force the involvement of the Swedish King, and lead to the 2018 Nobel Prize for Literature being cancelled.
Surviving Summer Season 2 is making waves around the globe, with 2.1m views since its release last Friday.

The new season is currently at #7 in the global Top 10 and holding the same place in Australias Top 10.

Joanna Werner, Producer said, We couldnt be more thrilled that audiences around the world are loving Surviving Summer Season 2. The second season has aged up and is on a bigger scale, with more sun, surf and relationship twists and turns for Summer, Ari and the crew from Shorehaven. To be in the top 10 shows on Netflix globally after only three days of its release is just so exciting!

in S2, Summer returns to Shorehaven with her sights set on the national surfing competition where a new rival, Wren, drops in and challenges Summer on the waves and for the boy she loves.

The first season also landed itself on the Global Top 10 series list and was a top 10 show in 42 countries including Austria, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany and South Africa.

Season 2 is the latest Australian story to feature in the Netflix Top 10 List alongside recent hits Run Rabbit Run, Wellmania, True Spirit, The Stranger and Heartbreak High.
With a current timeslot stoush that has spilled into the media, yesterday Nine issued a press release around the dominance of The Block.

It followed up last night with a victory at 621,000 metro viewers and topping all the demos.

That was enough to eclipse MKR (559,000), 7:30 (432,000), Kitchen Cabinet (350,000), Shark Tank (223,000) and Great British Railway Journeys (157,000).

Later a season finale for The Hundred with Andy Lee led with 332,000 then RFDS (324,000) with a big lift in Total TV, The Whiteley Art Scandal (320,000) and The Cheap Seats (306,000).

A second Neighbours episode drew 113,000 / 38,000.

Seven network won Tuesday with 31.6% then Nine 28.4%, ABC 17.2%, 10 14.7% and SBS 8.1%.

Seven News was #1 at 853,000 / 850,000 then The Chase (468,000 / 313,000) and Home & Away (463,000). Ambulance: Code Red was 127,000.

Nine News drew 795,000 / 768,000 for Nine. A Current Affair led with 679,000 then Hot Seat 374,000 / 250,000. Love Triangle was 103,000.

ABC News pulled 584,000 for ABC. Makers of Modern Australia (153,000) and The Drum (134,000) followed.

The Project managed 256,000 / 153,000 then 10 News First was 198,000 / 140,000 then NCIS (113,000).

On SBS it was SBS World News (142,000 / 119,000), Insight (112,000) and Dateline (59,000).

Would I Lie to You? led multichannels at 111,000.

Sunrise: 207,000

Today: 183,000

News Breakfast: 94,000 / 52,000

In Total TV numbers last Tuesday were:

RFDS: 795,000

The Block: 1.08m

MKR: 1.03m

Shark Tank: 419,000

Home & Away: 947,000

Kitchen Cabinet: 648,000

OzTAM Overnights: Tuesday 19 September 2023
New ABC show WTFAQ has generated a bit of publicity for itself with a Chaser-like prank when Kirsten Drysdale addressed the question, What baby names cant you legally use?

She submitted the name Methamphetamine Rules for her newborn son to the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages with ABC posting it to YouTube ahead of its broadcast next week (49,000 views in a day and climbing).

That cleverly generated some juicy, somewhat controversial, publicity.

Language

A spokesman told Daily Mail Australia, While an unusual name has unfortunately slipped through, the NSW Registrar will be exercising her ability to correct the name in consultation with the parents.

The Registry has since strengthened its processes in response to this highly unusual event.

The vast majority of parents do not choose a name for their newborn baby that is obscene, offensive or contrary to the public interest.

We thought, what is the most outrageous name we can think of that will definitely not be accepted? Drysdale told news.com.au.

It was really just a lighthearted, curious attempt to get an answer to this question.

She also told ACA she checked what the risks were before proceeding, and there was no need for a change of name process.

No, he wont, because thats if you do a change of name. This is a different thing, its a correction, so theres no endorsements on the bottom of the birth certificate that way.

Meanwhile the official synopsis for tonights episode is:

Chas Licciardello takes a bath in custard to see if Centerlinks hold music is deliberately annoying, & Lawrence Leung goes to great heights to discover why birds can sit safely on powerlines.

9pm tonight on ABC.

Updated.
The National Assembly was set to vote Thursday on two separate motions seeking the arrest of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

The motions will be put to an anonymous vote during a plenary session in the afternoon.

The motion requesting parliamentary consent to lift the arrest immunity of Lee of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) came after the prosecution sought an arrest warrant for him over breach of trust and other charges.

By law, sitting lawmakers are immune from arrest while parliament is in session and can be arrested only when the National Assembly consents to it. But the privilege came under criticism that it is abused to protect corrupt politicians.

Lee has been accused of breach of trust, bribery and other charges in connection with a scandal-ridden land development project and involvement in a company's illegal cash remittance to North Korea.

In order for the motion to pass, it requires a majority of the assembly members to vote and a majority of those voting to cast their ballots in favor.

The motion, however, can be rejected if DPK lawmakers vote against it, as the party holds a majority with 167 seats in the 297-member parliament. The vote is expected to be cast by 295 lawmakers, excluding Lee, who has been hospitalized, and an independent lawmaker under detention.

Lee, who has been on hunger strike for nearly three weeks in protest against government policies, called for the motion's rejection, even though he had earlier promised to give up the privilege of arrest immunity.

The fate of the motion depends on the decision of non-Lee faction lawmakers within the DP and independent lawmakers.

Supporters of Lee have announced plans for a large-scale rally during the plenary session, reportedly mobilizing around 100,000 people.

To prevent potential clashes, the major gates of the National Assembly building will be closed during the voting.

In February, the prosecution's attempt to detain Lee on allegations of corruption in two separate corruption cases fell through after parliamentary disapproval.

Separately, the DPK submitted the motion seeking Han's dismissal to the parliament Monday, accusing him of serious incompetence as chief of the Cabinet and holding him responsible for President Yoon Suk Yeol's policies.

However, Yoon is expected to reject the motion, despite it being highly likely to pass.

The DPK has passed two dismissal motions since the launch of the Yoon administration -- one against Foreign Minister Park Jin and another against Interior Minister Lee Sang-min. Both were rejected by the president. (Yonhap)
By Nivedita Balu

TORONTO (Reuters) -Oracle is ready to cater to Canadian banks for their open banking needs and provide tools as needed when the country make its available, a financial services executive with the cloud computing giant said.

"We are open banking ready," Sonny Singh, executive vice president of Oracle Financial Services said in an interview.

"It just depends whether the policies that Canada decides to deploy will require banks to go down that path."

Singh was speaking at SIBOS in Toronto where fintech, financial firms and tech companies gathered to discuss sustainable finance, risk management in an unpredictable landscape, among other key topics.

Open banking allows consumers and small businesses to securely and efficiently transfer their financial data among financial institutions and third party service providers.

It is not yet available in Canada, and is available in other countries, like Australia and Britain.

"From a technology perspective, this is about having banking applications that are exposed through API and have a robust mechanism of monetization," Singh said.

Oracle's suite of financial products - used in 140 countries, billing and managing $500 billion in revenue - includes purpose-built products for financial services from financial crime, compliance applications and risk management.

Canadian banks are partnering with fintech firms as they look to address the banking needs of thousands of newcomers in the country and facilitate easy banking access.

Oracle already counts some Canadian banks as clients for one or many of its services, that includes cloud to enterprise applications.

The American company lost billions in market value earlier this month after its weak forecast suggested that strong competition in the cloud-computing industry and a digital spending pullback were weighing on its revenue growth.

Oracle, known for its database software, has been playing catch-up with cloud majors such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft's Azure and Alphabet's Google Cloud at a time businesses are dialing back tech spending over concerns about the economy.

(Reporting by Nivedita Balu in TorontoEditing by Marguerita Choy)
Kate Middleton.

Kate Middleton has stayed in the UK while Prince William is New York so she can continue to do the school run and make sure her children are settled in the evenings before bedtime.

While Prince William is in New York for royal engagements, Kate Middleton has stayed at home in Windsor to make sure Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis are settled.

The Princess is also expected to stay behind in the UK later this year when her husband flies to Singapore for the Earthshot Prize Awards.

In other royal news, Kate Middleton is interested to see how Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis different temperaments develop as they grow up.

While Kate Middleton and Prince William are carrying out royal engagements, it's always clear that their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are never far from their minds.

Whether the couple are talking about their kids with the people they meet on the many trips they undertake, such as when Prince William recently revealed he was teaching the youngsters how to be 'losers,' or they see something that they know the kids would love, like the 'healthy' new snack Kate was introduced to on a trip to Madley Primary School's Forest School, or they include a discreet nod to their children through what they wear, like Kate's necklace that you might have missed, the three children, who currently sit second, third and fourth in the royal line of succession and are set to receive new royal titles when their dad becomes King, are clearly always in their parents thoughts.

But with William currently in New York to attend a series of engagements including the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit, Kate has stayed behind in the UK to take care of their children, drop them off at school and spend the evenings with them when theyre done with lessons.

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis meet head of Lambrook school

According to The Daily Record, while the couple do still rely on their long term nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, who is never allowed to say this poignant word around the children, they never want to let their royal duties interfere with their hands-on parenting style and always try to make sure that, at the very least, one parent is there to drive the kids to school in the morning as well as be at home with them in the evenings.

Story continues

Their approach is a constant 'balancing act,' according to a source who previously revealed that the couple are eager to give their kids a 'normal childhood' while still preparing them for life in The Firm. Part of that normality is making sure that the children can spend quality time with their mum and dad even though they're senior royals.

Speaking specifically about how the couple are giving their oldest son, Prince George, a normal childhood, the Palace insider told PEOPLE Magazine, "It's a massive balancing act. William and Kate are doing the right thing, protecting him so he can have as normal a childhood as possible, but he's also dipping into duties as a future monarch.

"Hes getting firsthand experience of what its like to be a royal and a monarch and firsthand experience of being a normal boy.

Prince William and Kate Middleton

For the same reason as to why she's staying in the UK during William's current overseas trip, Kate is also expected to be staying at home while William attends the 2023 Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Singapore later this year.

Many royal fans had expected Kate to both make an appearance with William in New York and also for the third annual Earthshot Awards ceremony but, according to The Telegraph, despite the fact there has been no official announcement yet, she is likely to stay at home with the children.

Many fans have voiced their disappointment at her absence but it's unlikely to change the Princess's plans. She has never been afraid to go against the royal grain when it comes to parenting, always wishing to make sure her children are the top priority in her life, even when it reportedly upsets King Charles III.
(Bloomberg) -- President Joe Biden and his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, launched an initiative to improve labor conditions in their countries, as the US looks to bolster ties with its South American neighbor.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Over the last few days, the nations of the world have talked about climate change, sustainable development, food security, economic resilience. We know our progress on these challenges depends on our workers, Biden said Wednesday at an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. We have to empower them.

The partnership aims to help workers address what the two leaders consider central challenges, such as the transition to the gig economy and clean-energy technology. It will also look at way to stop worker exploitation  including forced labor, child labor, and workplace discrimination against women, LGBTQ persons, and racial and ethnic groups. Greater scrutiny will be placed on accountability in public and private investments, according to US officials.

Brazilian authorities have said Biden and Lula are lockstep in their support for organized labor. Biden calls himself the most pro-union president in American history and has taken steps to strengthen labor unions, a key part of his electoral coalition before the 2024 election. At the same time, he is facing an auto-workers strike that is testing the limits of his union support.

Lulas labor minister, Luiz Marinho, visited with United Auto Workers union members while in the US.

In the face of complex global challenges, from climate change to rising poverty levels and economic inequality, we must put workers at the center of our policy solutions, the leaders said in a joint statement obtained by Bloomberg News. We must stand with workers and empower them to drive the innovation we urgently need to secure our futures.

Story continues

Read More: Lula Has a Date With Zelenskiy in NYC Despite Past Acrimony

Biden administration officials stressed the relationship with Brazil is a broad global partnership on issues such as non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and food security. The nations are the two largest food exporters in the world.

One administration official pointed out that the US president encouraged more leaders to step up in his United Nations General Assembly speech on Tuesday, and said Biden and Lula have a mutual interest in safeguarding the rights of working families.

The two nations intend to expand their labor partnership with more countries, aides said.

Biden on Wednesday called their announcement an invitation to every global leader and every labor organization to join us and commit to a better future.

This is the second time Biden has met in person with Lula after he returned to the Brazilian presidency earlier this year. The first encounter was at the White House in February. Brazil will host the Group of 20 summit next year.

Ahead of their meeting, Biden administration officials said the presidents were likely to talk about Lulas criticism of the US embargo on Cuba. The US is also seeking to move Brazil closer to allies helping Ukraine fight Russias invasion.

Lula also plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Wednesday. He has refused to take sides in the war, and has boasted of having a strong relationship Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is not attending the General Assembly.

Gaining even tacit support from Lula would be a major success for Zelenskiy, given the Brazilian leaders place as one of the highest-profile leaders of the Global South.

(Updates with new information, leaders statements throughout)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
BERLIN (Reuters) -Delivery Hero confirmed talks on a partial sale of its Asia business on Wednesday, adding that the deal's value is still under negotiation.

The Wirtschaftswoche business magazine first reported the news earlier in the day, saying Singapore's Grab could pay a little more than 1 billion euros ($1.07 billion) for the unit.

The Berlin-based company plans to sell its activities under the foodpanda brand in Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Thailand, it said in a statement.

Investors in the online takeaway food company welcomed the report, lifting its shares as much as 13.5%.

Grab did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment.

Delivery Hero has been focusing on reaching profitability while maintaining growth as investor confidence in the company started to wane after a pandemic-driven boost.

The group has said that it reached an adjusted profit before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the first six months of the year, although it did not quantify it, after a loss of 323 million euros in the same period a year earlier.

Last month, Chief Executive Niklas Oestberg said that Asia was the segment where the company saw most opportunity to invest.

Singapore internet firm Grab posted $567 million in revenue in the quarter that ended June 30 and expects to break even on an adjusted core earnings basis in the current quarter. Grab makes most of its sales from its food delivery business and has recently seen strong growth in its ride-share business.

($1 = 0.9334 euros)

(Writing by Rachel More, additional reporting by Andrey Sychev; editing by Matthias Williams, Kirsten Donovan)
The King and Queen are set to make a state visit to France on Wednesday, six months after the trip was postponed because of widespread rioting across the country.

Charles and Camilla were due to tour Paris and Bordeaux in March, but after violent nationwide demonstrations by those opposed to President Emmanuel Macrons retirement age reforms, the trip was shelved.

Emmanuel Macron, President of France (Carl Court/PA)

The overseas tour was to be the King and his wifes first state visit, but Germany  the second leg of the journey  became the historic first destination for the royal couple.

The royal couple will arrive in Paris on Wednesday afternoon and it is understood the programme for the state visit will remain broadly similar to events planned for the March trip.

President Macron is still expected to host a state banquet in honour of his royal guests.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement announcing the rescheduled trip: The King and Queen will undertake a state visit to France, visiting Paris and Bordeaux, from Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd September 2023.

The visit will celebrate the shared history, culture and values of the United Kingdom and France.

The decision to defer the state visit was taken after the French leader asked the British Government to postpone the trip, Downing Street said at the time.

Images of Bordeauxs town hall set on fire by protesters, a few days before the trip was due to begin, were symbolic of the fury felt by some over Mr Macrons reforms, and followed more than a week of daily protests.

French unions had also called for nationwide pension demonstrations, which would have coincided with Charles and Camillas planned visit in March.

President Macron spoke to the King on the phone on the morning the trip was cancelled after discussions between the UK and French governments.

The French leader later pushed through his unpopular reform, raising the state pension age from 62 to 64.
One year after the start of the war in Ukraine, more than 8 million Ukrainian refugees are registered across Europe, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Just over half of these exiled Ukrainian citizens - 4.8 million - fled to an EU Member State and the UK. In absolute numbers, Poland (1.5 million) and Germany (1 million) host the most Ukrainian refugees in 2023.

Each has twice as many Ukrainians as the Czech Republic (490,000), which is the third largest EU member state to host refugees from Ukraine according to UNHCR figures.

The effort does not weigh the same depending on the size of the country. In terms of refugees per 1,000 inhabitants, Estonia (50.5) and the Czech Republic (46.6), followed by Poland (41.5) have the highest ratios of Ukrainian refugees, again according to UNHCR figures.

This exodus is the largest and fastest refugee migration in Europe since the Second World War. Four days after the outbreak of the conflict, the UNHCR already counted 500,000 refugees.

In response to this situation, the European Union set up an emergency "temporary protection to displaced persons" system for Ukrainians fleeing the war on 4 March 2022. The number of decisions granting protection peaked in March and April 2022 and then has decreased in most EU countries.

The refugees are mainly women with young children. According to figures collected by the European statistical institute, Eurostat, from the Member States, 64% of the 3.8 million people benefiting from temporary protection are women and a third are children. The vast majority of these minors (78%) are under the age of 14.

Do the countries bordering Ukraine host the most refugees?

According to UNHCR figures, more than half of the 8 million Ukrainian refugees in Europe (4.8 million) are in the countries bordering Ukraine: Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, but also Moldova, Belarus and Russia. 2 million of them are registered in the border Member States and Moldova.

Story continues

The remaining 2.8 million are in Russia and Belarus, countries which, in the emergency of a shifting frontline, can sometimes be the only recourse. Many Ukrainians also have relatives in Russia.

However, the Ukrainian government accuses its enemy of deporting Ukrainians to Russia against their will, including children.

Within the European Union alone, Poland is the main destination for Ukrainian refugees. At the beginning of the conflict, the country granted 675,000 temporary protections in March alone.

The Czech Republic is the second most important country in terms of temporary protection, although it has 2.5 times fewer demands granted than Poland.

The other three Member States bordering Ukraine granted far fewer applications in March 2022 than other countries further away in the EU, such as Spain, which has the highest number of applications after Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In December, the number of Ukrainian citizens benefiting from temporary protection is slightly more spread across the EU, with movement from one Member State to another sometimes driven by opportunities in the Ukrainian diaspora.

"The arrival of the refugees was made possible by a woman who has been living in this village for ten years and who first wanted to get her relatives out of danger, and then seized the opportunity to bring in other compatriots who had nowhere else to go," reported Euronews special correspondent Carlos Marlasca in May from a village near Toledo in Spain. This was also the case for two Ukrainian women interviewed in Italy in March because they knew someone already living in Italy.

Poland, the Czech Republic, Italy and Spain were already the countries with the largest number of Ukrainian citizens with residence permits at the end of 2021, before the start of the open war with Russia.

Which EU Member States host the most Ukrainian refugees as a proportion of their population?

However, the effort is not the same for all countries hosting Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war. On average over the whole of 2022 and as a proportion of its population, the Czech Republic took in the most beneficiaries of temporary protection granted by the EU with almost 36 refugees per 1,000 inhabitants.

It still had 41 refugees in December 2022, a figure that increased steadily throughout the year.

Estonia, a small country with a population of about 1 million, was hosting almost 29 Ukrainians per 1,000 inhabitants at the end of December

Poland still had just over 25 Ukrainian citizens per 1,000 inhabitants at the end of the year, but this share has been falling steadily since September as Ukrainians either moved to other European countries or returned to Ukraine.

Romania, Denmark, Lithuania, Cyprus and Finland, for example, have seen the share of Ukrainian refugees in their populations rise sharply over the months.

France, Greece, Italy, Malta and Hungary maintained a low proportion of Ukrainians received as a proportion of their population throughout the year and had the lowest refugee ratios in December 2022.

The integration of these Ukrainians remains a challenge for each Member State and requires schooling for children and work for adults.
UU researchers are working to improve dementia diagnosis and develop new treatment strategies for Alzheimers disease through personalised medicine. (Photo: Nigel McDowell/Ulster University)

Alzheimers disease and dementia represent one of the key global challenges affecting our society impacting over 55 million people worldwide and 13,625 individuals in Northern Ireland.

Research is underway at the Personalised Medicine Centre, located in the School of Medicine at the University's Derry campus and Altnagelvin Hospital, by a team of local researchers involving dementia and Alzheimers patients from the local area.

So much about dementia is still unknown and there is a pressing need to improve and shorten the diagnostic process and for effective and affordable therapeutics. Diagnosis of dementia takes a long time and is primarily based on the clinical judgement after assessment of neuropsychological test scores and imaging of the brain. It is still the case that a definitive (firm/definite) diagnosis cannot be confirmed until a post-mortem has taken place.

Diagnosing different types of dementia is difficult, and misdiagnosis affects the quality of care and appropriate access to services.

Researchers are aiming to answer the unknown questions surrounding dementia by investigating different causes of dementia and also different subgroups of Alzheimers disease. The aim is to reduce diagnostic delays for patients, and identify safe, affordable, drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Paula McClean. (Photo: Nigel McDowell/Ulster University)

One approach from the field of personalised medicine that the researchers are exploring is the analysis of biomarkers from blood samples in order to differentiate between dementia subtypes and Alzheimers disease. Blood-based diagnostic tests would significantly reduce the time taken to diagnose and permit timely access to treatment, so has the potential to greatly impact patient outcomes. This is extremely important if drugs to treat the underlying cause of Alzheimers disease become widely available.

Evidence suggests that an early diagnosis provides dementia patients with the chance to live independently in their own home for longer, avoiding early or unnecessary admission to a care home or hospital, enhancing their quality of life and providing substantial savings onpro long-term care costs. Drug and non-drug treatments can be more effective the earlier someone is diagnosed.

Ulster Universitys research focusing on early detection, more accurate and faster Dementia diagnosis will further compliment drug developments, most recently the donanemab drug which has been hailed as a turning point against the disease, slowing clinical decline by up to 35%. However optimal results for patients using this drug rely on an early and accurate diagnosis which is currently detected using a limited supply of PET scanners in the UK, meaning that only 2% of the population will be diagnosed early enough for this new drug to have a real impact.

Story continues

Senior Lecturer of Personalised Medicine, Dr Paula McClean, from Ulster Universitys School of Medicine explained the significance of this research study;At the Personalised Centre we are focusing on evaluating blood-based biomarkers, which may be used to diagnose disease. The overall aim is to enable differential dementia diagnosis that can help us to identify different types of dementia and subtypes of Alzheimers disease, so that patients can receive an accurate and timely diagnosis and that more targeted and effective therapies can be identified.

Another area of research at the Personalised Medicine Centre is drug repurposing studies, in which researchers are looking at drug treatments that exist for other conditions to establish if they may be effective in the treatment of Alzheimers disease. The hope is that they may identify effective  and, importantly,  affordable treatments for Alzheimers which would be available sooner rather than later as approved drugs will have undergone significant safety testing already.

Paula explains: Alzheimers disease dementia is a life-limiting illness which varies considerably from person to person. Some individuals experience a fast decline in cognitive function whilst others decline much more slowly. We are linking all health-related history to determine what factors influence disease progression and aim to evaluate whether this may be predicted by biomarkers. We are very grateful to members of the public who are actively participating within our clinical studies. Research offers hope to many families affected by dementia and, without their participation, new medical developments would not be possible.

Existing treatments which treat the symptoms of Alzheimers are widely available, however, they do not treat the disease itself and are, unfortunately, not effective for all patients. In the last year, two new drugs have been approved for use in the USA, however approvals have not yet been granted in Europe and the UK.

Whist this seems like a promising step forward for those affected by Alzheimers disease and their families, these drugs are expensive and unlikely to be accessible to the worldwide population who urgently need them. The majority of those with dementia are from low- and middle-income countries therefore it is imperative that new drugs must be affordable  this a priority for PMC researchers.

Additionally, there are some safety concerns which mean that patients taking these drugs have to be closely monitored through MRI scans which are associated with additional clinical time and access to MRI infrastructure that is not widely available to the populations in many low- and middle- income countries.

This means that there is a critical unmet need for affordable, safe, disease modifying drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer disease. Those working in the PMC are exploring a number of disease modifying drugs that target the underlying causes of Alzheimers disease. Researchers are excited by the potential of one of the drug candidates that has shown significant promise in a preclinical model of Alzheimers disease. With further research, they are hoping it would represent a safe, effective and affordable therapeutic strategy for all of those affected by Alzheimers disease.

The study involves collaboration with Queens University, local clinicians in the Western Health and Social Care Trust, Alzheimers disease charities and the Learmont Dementia Friendly Hub.

Clinical research undertaken within the PMC was supported by research grants from the European Union Regional Development Fund (ERDF) EU Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for N. Ireland; Northern Ireland Public Health Agency (HSC R&D) & Ulster University and the European Unions INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

Drug development research has been part-funded by INVEST NIs proof of concept programme, contributing 140,000 investment. Additional investment in dementia research is urgently needed to accelerate the pace at which discoveries can benefit patients. The Personalised Medicine is actively seeking investors/donations to advance this work at pace.

These are just some of the multiple research projects designed to improve healthcare which are currently ongoing at the Personalised Medicine Centre, which this year marks its 10th anniversary of being at the forefront of innovation in personalised and precision medicine.

Studies led by the team include research into multiple long-term conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, blood cancers, vision, neurodegenerative disorders and arthritis. The Centre represents a 25million funding investment and, since its establishment in 2013, it has been leading data-driven research, innovation and education designed to improve healthcare provision and patient outcomes. Its expert team of almost 60 Ulster University staff and PhD researchers and over 20 Western Trust clinical leads, conducts research studies for future implementation in clinical settings that tailor medical decisions and interventions to an individual.

Personalised medicine moves away from a one-size-fits-all approach to better manage patients health and targets therapies to achieve better outcomes in the management of the patients disease. It relies not only on the reading of human genomes but requires the collection of large amounts of personal, clinical and lifestyle data supported by underpinning technologies such as consumer apps and wearable technologies.

Integrated into the Universitys School of Medicine, the Personalised Medicine Centre contributes to the delivery of the Schools ambitious vision, teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students in personalised medicine, as well as on the MBBS, Physician Associates and University's Biomedical Sciences degree programmes.
By Nobuyasu Abe

Last month, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.K. Parliament recommended that its government support a formal agreement for closer engagement with the second pillar of AUKUS technological defense cooperation in the area of advanced technology development and building military capabilities, with Japan and South Korea in the short term. This recommendation would be welcome from a Japanese security perspective.

Unlike its foreign counterparts, the Japanese defense industry has been grappling with the challenge of financing research and development costs for new weapons systems. Japan maintains a strict weapons export policy, making it difficult to spread the cost of research and development on foreign exports. One of the latest efforts in this regard is the ongoing Japan-U.K.-Italy joint development of a next-generation fighter called GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme). Recently, Japan and the U.S. also announced that they would cooperate in the development of a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) that will operate alongside the next-generation fighter. Japan has been gradually easing its weapons export restrictions, although it still maintains tight controls. For example, in the ongoing war in Ukraine, Japan firmly supports the Ukrainian government but remains cautious about providing lethal weapons to Ukraine.

The Committee report also suggested that eventually, AUKUS partners might invite Japan to join AUKUS itself, including the first pillar, which involves the sale of nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. However, nuclear-powered submarines would be a very different story for Japan. Unlike South Korea, which has already expressed interest in acquiring such submarines, a significant part of the Japanese population still maintains a strong aversion against anything nuclear. Japan continues to monitor radioactive releases from American nuclear-powered warships when they visit Japan. There is a historical precedent of Japan abandoning its civil nuclear-powered ship project after an experimental vessel named Mutsu was found to have released radioactive waste. The residents of Mutsu port refused the entry of the ship, leading to its eventual abandonment in 1990.

Moreover, unlike Australia, which has to think about defending islands across the vast Pacific Ocean and potential confrontations with China, located far away from Australia, the main task for Japanese submarines is patrolling and defending Japanese military assets in the seas directly surrounding Japan. Japan possesses advanced submarine technology, enabling its subs to remain undersea for extended periods and operate more quietly. In fact, when Australia sought for the next generation of submarines, Japanese manufacturers attempted to sell their advanced conventional submarines but lost the competition to a French manufacturer. This decision was later abandoned when Australia decided to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS agreement.

For Japan, which is currently aiming to increase its defense spending to up to 2 percent of its GDP, it is in its self-interest to reconsider its security arrangements. A particular concern is that Japans GDP remains stagnant while its competitor, China, continues to experience economic growth. In the current landscape, Chinas defense spending, which already surpassed that of Japans towards the end of the last century, continues to grow, exacerbating the existing gap between the two countries.

As Japan contemplates enhancing its security through cooperation with the U.S. and other AUKUS members, it is crucial to pursue such efforts in tandem with initiatives aimed at arms control, risk reduction, and crisis management. Such measures may include nuclear arms control between China and the U.S., risk reduction strategies concerning Taiwan, and mutual identification of nuclear-armed and non-nuclear-armed weapon systems and their respective locations. These initiatives are essential for promoting peace and security in the region as well as the rest of the world.





Nobuyasu Abe is a former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and former Director-General for Arms Control and Science Affairs at the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as a member of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (APLN). This essay is published in cooperation with the APLN (www.apln.network).
HCM CITY  Toyota is the best automotive brand in Viet Nam while Vinfast enters the top 5, surpassing many established global players, and achieves the second position in the northern region, according to Decision Lab Automotive Brand Rankings 2023.

It was closely followed by Mercedes-Benz and BMW in second and third places, respectively. Honda is in fourth place. Other brands that are in the top 10 are Ford, Audi, Hyundai, Porsche, and Lexus.

Unveiled by Decision Lab, the exclusive partner of YouGov in Viet Nam, the ranking is based on data from YouGov BrandIndex, a syndicated brand tracker that collects data on over 400 Vietnamese brands daily. This is also the first automotive ranking in the Vietnamese market.

The Decision Lab Automotive Brand Rankings 2023 measures overall brand health by taking the average scores of six YouGov BrandIndex metrics, including general impression, quality, value, corporate reputation, customer satisfaction, and recommendation.

"This ranking provides a comprehensive and unbiased assessment of the brand health of Viet Nams automotive players, using six metrics that reflect how consumers perceive and interact with them," said Thue Quist Thomasen, CEO of Decision Lab.

It also offers valuable insights for automotive businesses to understand their brand performance, benchmark themselves against their competitors, and identify areas for improvement, he said.

"We hope this ranking will help automotive businesses make better decisions and drive growth in this dynamic and competitive market, he added.

The Decision Lab Automotive Brand Rankings 2023 are calculated using data collected from YouGov's online panel in Viet Nam daily from the flagship YouGov BrandIndex solution. The ranking shows the brands with the highest average Index score between August 31, 2022 and August 30, 2023.  VNS
DALLAS  Rikkeisoft, the largest private technology company in Viet Nam, specialising in helping customers with digitalisation and innovative solutions, is embarking on a strategic commitment to invest up to US$30 million in the US over the next three years.

The announcement was made by Bui Hoang Tung, Senior Executive Vice President of Rikkeisoft and CEO of RKTech (Rikkeisoft's US subsidiary), during the Viet Nam and the US Business Forum - Technology and Innovation Co-operation in San Francisco on Monday (the US time).

This was announced in the presence of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegations from both countries.

Tung said that RKTech would primarily focus the investment in M&A plans, expanding new offices, and developing technology human resources. Specifically, the investment for 2023 is set at $2 million and is expected to increase to $30 million by 2026.

This significant investment is projected to generate hundreds of technology-focused job opportunities in the US market, propelling Rikkeisoft into the ranks of tech companies worth billions of dollars within the next five years.

RKTech, wholly owned by Rikkeisoft, was established in Dallas in early 2023 to provide high-quality and comprehensive information technology solutions and services to American businesses. To date, RKTech has already achieved initial success in expanding its network of US partners and fostering technological collaborations in various sectors, such as automotive and manufacturing.

"This investment is more than a financial infusion. It is a solution to the pressing talent shortage in the US tech industry, Tung said.

With Viet Nam's burgeoning highly skilled and cost-effective tech talent, we are uniquely positioned to offer value-added services to US clients. Rikkeisofts goal is not just to reach an IPO in the US in 2028. It is to fundamentally enrich the US tech landscape by providing a sustainable solution to talent scarcity.

Ta Son Tung, Chairman of Rikekisoft said that the US market represents a strategic investment for Rikkeisoft.

"The company envisions becoming a global technology services firm with a market capitalisation of $1 billion. Consequently, a substantial market like the US can significantly contribute to Rikkeisoft's realisation of this goal," he said.  VNS
HA NOI  The new environmental fees imposed on gas-emitting facilities under a draft decree could lead to duplicate taxation.

That was the comment of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) on a draft decree drawn up recently by the Ministry of Finance, which was aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through financial measures.

VCCI said the decree would incur new environmental expenses on petrol-, oil-, and coal-powered facilities since the fuels are categorised as the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

However, the expenses would overlap with the environmental tariffs that have been factored into fuel prices under the Law on Environment Protection Tariffs (LEPT). In other words, the decree would cause the facilities to be charged twice for their environmental impact.

VCCI suggested several revisions to the decree to avert duplicate taxation. For example, petrol-, oil-, and coal-powered facilities could be made entitled to tax credits, which they would use to set against the environmental fees.

If a system of tax credits for the facilities is too complicated to establish, the ministry could push the National Assembly for the abolishment of the environmental tariffs and set the fee mechanism introduced by the decree into motion.

VCCI also said the decree is problematic because it does not establish different fee levels for different locations in which gas-emitting facilities are located. In fact, facilities situated in urban locations are likely to pose greater risks to public health than those in non-urban, so they should be subject to higher fees.

"The decree should be revised in such a way that it incentivises the relocation of gas-emitting facilities from urban to non-urban areas, reducing air pollution in densely populated cities," VCCI said.

From VCCI's perspective, the fees introduced by the decree would be more effective in reducing gas emissions than the tariffs imposed by LEPT because the former is based on facilities' actual environmental impact whereas the latter, their consumption of fuels.

As such, the fees would act as a driving force for facilities to embrace emission control and improve combustion technology. The downside is that they require more monitoring efforts for environmental watchdogs than the tariffs.  VNS
Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu, center, speaks to an employee at Saeul Nuclear Power Plant in Ulju County in Ulsan, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy



By Ko Dong-hwan



Korea's new Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu visited a nuclear power plant under construction in Ulsan and a Busan port for his first day on the job, signaling the ministry's priorities under his watch.



Starting his duty on Wednesday, Bang visited Saeul Nuclear Power Site in the southeastern coastal city of Ulsan and Busan New Port, the biggest port in Busan which sees 63 percent of the country's overall maritime international trade.



Saeul power plant has two APR1400 reactors, the same model exported to the United Arab Emirates for the Barakah nuclear energy plant in Abu Dhabi. Reactors 1 and 2 at the plant are also the first APR1400s in Korea.



Reactors 3 and 4 are currently under construction. Their construction was previously suspended during the previous Moon Jae-in administration when tensions divided the country on whether nuclear power should be abandoned due to its possible environmental risks or developed further to spur power generation and export.



The minister visited the construction site and encouraged the workers there.



Bang then went southwest to visit Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, where he met workers in the city's specialized industry of manufacturing parts and equipment for nuclear power plants. During a luncheon with the workers, the minister admitted that the country's nuclear energy industry has been losing capital and workforce since the previous government pushed forward its anti-nuclear policies.





Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Bang Moon-kyu, right, inspects containers at Hanjin Terminal at Busan New Port's wharf 3, Wednesday. Courtesy of Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
OTTAWA  With a high demand for rice, Canada is considered a potential market for exporters of Viet Nam, according to insiders.

Viet Nam holds the 5th place among the rice exporters to the North American country.

After the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) took effect, Viet Nams rice export value to this market increased by more than 60 per cent to nearly US$9.5 million in the 2018-22 period, according to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA).

In the first six months of this year, its value rose by more than 35 per cent year-on-year, topping $6 million.

However, Vietnamese rice makes up just 3 per cent in volume and 1.5 per cent in value of the North American countrys import of this commodity and less than one-tenth of the market share of Thai rice. Therefore, ample room remains for Vietnamese rice since it has a competitive advantage in terms of price in comparison with other products of the same type.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Trade Counselor Tran Thu Quynh said the embassy in Canada has made great efforts to support Vietnamese businesses, particularly those of overseas Vietnamese, to access the retail system of the host country.

As a result, Viet Nam's rice products have posted a strong growth in both quantity and export price since the beginning of this year, she said, adding that the price of Vietnamese rice reaches $800-830 per tonne on average.

According to Quynh, the number of businesses importing Vietnamese rice in the Canadian market is still modest and operating in some large cities such as Vancouver, Montreal, or Toronto. Previously, they often imported Thai rice but have shifted to importing ST25 brand, contributing to the growth of Vietnamese rice to this market, she noted.

inh Trung Dung, director of the Vietnam CanadaTrading Ltd, said that Canada is a large rice consumption market, demanding about 500,000 tonnes per year. However, this market also has strict requirements in terms of quality. Therefore, he said that there should be close coordination from all parties, including the local Trade Office, exporters and importers, to ensure stable quality, especially for the ST25 brand, as the Thais did for their high-quality Hom Mali rice.

The Vietnam Trade Office in Canada is also actively coordinating with domestic agencies, rice associations and exporters and importers to increase Viet Nam's rice market share in the Canadian market, Quynh said, elaborating that importers will get support to market research to draw up business expansion strategies.  VNS
WASHINGTON  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested Viet Nam and the US create breakthroughs in cooperation in science-technology, innovation, and education-training at a meeting with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Washington DC on September 19.

Host and guest shared the view that the formation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, co-operation and sustainable development on the occasion of the recent state visit to Viet Nam by President Joe Biden will open up a new stage for the intensive and extensive co-operation between the two countries, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

Chinh thanked the Trade Representative for her contributions to the development of the bilateral ties, and suggested the two sides actively coordinate to quickly materialise agreements reached by their high-ranking leaders, including the USs priority of accelerating the recognition of Viet Nams market economy mechanism, and further opening door for Vietnamese goods like garments-textiles, footwear and farm produce, as well as its consideration of interests of Vietnamese businesses, and not imposing trade remedies on Vietnamese goods on the basis of ensuring balance, fairness and mutual benefits.

The PM also suggested the US help Viet Nam in building a semiconductor-related supply chain.

Tai, for her part, emphasised the importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which, she said, will open up opportunities for the two sides to boost their economic-trade ties.

Recalling her visit to Viet Nam in February, the Trade Representative said it helped her understand much more about the Southeast Asian nation.

The US always regards Viet Nam as an important partner in the region, and hopes for stronger economic and trade co-operation, she said, pledging that the Office of the Trade Representative will further play a role in enhancing the bilateral relations in the time ahead.

Tai also noted her hope that Viet Nam will continue supporting efforts to soon conclude the discussion of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), for the sake of countries and people in the region.

The same day, Chinh met with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, during which the PM affirmed that Viet Nam has taken economic-trade-investment cooperation as a foundation and a driving force of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He highly valued practical contributions by the US Department of Commerce and its Secretary to fostering the trade ties between the two countries over the past time.

To effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the PM suggested the US soon recognise Viet Nams market economy mechanism, pay more attention to enhancing the economic-trade relations, especially encouraging US high-tech firms to operate in Viet Nam, and step up delegation exchange and experience sharing.

The two countries should promote collaboration in climate change response, green growth and renewable energy, he continued.

Raimondo shared Chinhs views on the importance of President Bidens Viet Nam visit earlier this month, and the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

US firms are interested in seeking business and investment opportunities in Viet Nam, the official said, expressing her belief that after the conclusion of the IPEF discussion, more US businesses and investment funds will inject capital in the Southeast Asian nation.

Chinh suggested the US further open its door for Vietnamese goods like electronics, garment-textiles, footwear, agricultural products and fresh fruits, and work together with Viet Nam to maintain the growth pace of the two-way trade.

Raimondo pledged to urge the US to soon recognise Viet Nams market economy mechanism, and coordinate to put in place the contents agreed in the joint statement, especially in economy, trade and investment, thus making the bilateral cooperation more intensive, extensive, substantive and effective.  VNS
HA NOI  Feasibility in disbursement must be studied carefully before proposing and approving new public  investment projects, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said during a meeting with the Working Group No 3 including 17 ministries and agencies on solutions to speed up disbursement of public investment in remaining months of this year.

Quang said that many projects had been raised for allocation of public investment but failed to be implemented for many years.

The Ministry of Planning and Investments report showed that under the National Assemblys plan, the total public investment this year was at VN711.68 trillion (US$29.16 billion), in which the Working Group No 3 was in charge of nearly VN43 trillion.

As of August 31, the group reported the disbursement rate of 44.12 per cent, higher than the countrys average of 42.35 per cent.

Ministries and agencies with good disbursement results include the Management Board of the President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (58.49 per cent), Ministry of National Defence (50 per cent), the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (42.8 per cent) and Viet Nam Farmers Union.

However, some reported low disbursement rates of below 10 per cent. Projects with slow disbursement are those mostly related to equipment purchasing, construction or information technology upgrading.

Vice Chairman of the Government Office Cao Huy said that accountability must be enhanced at ministries and agencies with low disbursement rates while solutions must be raised to speed up disbursement and achieve the disbursement rate of at least 95 per cent.

Stressing the important role of public investment disbursement in promoting socio-economic development, Deputy PM Quang said that close watch would be on ministries and agencies which were found to refund the allocated investment with an aim to beautify their disbursement rates.

For future public projects, ministries and agencies must study their feasibility carefully, especially in site clearance and planning to prevent failure in disbursement, he said.

The Working Group No 3 was one among five working groups established under the Prime Ministers Decision No. 235/Q-TTg dated March 13, to speed up public investment disbursement in 2023.

Remove bottlenecks

The Ministry of Transport which was allocated VN95.2 trillion worth of public investment in 2023 achieved a disbursement rate of 52 per cent.

Despite a good disbursement rate, the workload remained huge for the transport sector in the remaining months of this year as more than VN45 trillion must be disbursed.

In order to speed up the disbursement, it was critical to remove bottlenecks in term of policies and site clearance, the ministry said.

According to the ministrys Department of Planning and Investment, transport projects such as Mai Son  National Highway No. 45, Vinh Hao  Phan Thiet, Phan Thiet  Dau Giay, My Thuan 2 Bridge which got around VN4 trillion sourced from the socio-economic recovery and development programme were waiting for detailed instructions for the disbursement of the capital.

Some projects were stuck due to slow site clearance, including component projects of the North-South Expressway.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang urged hastened efforts to remove bottlenecks in site clearance and materials to fulfil the disbursement goal.

Still, control must be enhanced to ensure quality of projects, he stressed.  VNS
HA NOI  A collection of hundreds of high-quality photos depicting the culture and life of 54 ethnic minority groups across Viet Nam is being exhibited for the first time on the global digital platform, Google Arts & Culture.

The exhibition, titled "Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum" by French photographer Rehahn Croquevielle, includes vibrant photos showcasing over 60 colourful traditional costumes from various ethnic groups such as Dao, Bo Y, O u, Phu La, La Hu, Pu Peo, Pa Then, and Si La.

It also features interesting stories and unique artefacts that the author collected during his journey throughout Viet Nam, discovering the beauty of the country and its people.

Information on each photo is provided in Vietnamese, English, and French. Images of 54 ethnic groups living in the regions of North, Central, and South Viet Nam, each with distinct characteristics, lifestyles, and customs, are vividly portrayed, enabling viewers to better appreciate the rich and diverse national cultural identity.

In Rehahn's eyes, the North of Viet Nam is an area of stunning beauty, having travelled to the most remote parts of the country to photograph the ethnic groups and learn their traditional songs.

He was especially taken with the Si La people in their costumes adorned with silver coins, which are believed to bring luck.

Rehahn also encountered the Dao, Pu Peo, Kho Mu, and Mong Hoa peoples, discovering that each has its own language, skills, and traditional attire. He expressed that while the northern mountain region might be remote and challenging to traverse, its captivating landscapes, colours, and contrasts have drawn him back time and again.

The photographer's journeys to the central and southern regions have been equally intriguing. He mentioned that in many areas, ethnic minorities live with scant opportunities to interact with foreigners, leading him to work there for many years.

Rehahn revealed that the most memorable encounter for him was likely with the O u people, the smallest ethnic group in Viet Nam, numbering only 376 individuals.

Rehahn's online photo exhibition on the Google Arts & Culture platform also allows viewers to appreciate and learn about the indigo dyeing technique of the Dao, Nung, Mong, and La Chi.

The dyeing technique imparts the characteristic green colour of the indigo plant and offers a process to create a non-toxic dyeing substance. It also encompasses weaving methods that have been handed down through centuries, such as harvesting hemp and batik design  a traditional handmade fabric with beeswax motifs using natural dyes. These techniques form an integral part of the culture, heritage, and in some instances, the livelihoods of ethnic minorities.

Additionally, the exhibition, accessible at https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/precious-heritage-art-gallery-museum, showcases and introduces various traditional local occupations, including the coffee production process of the K'Ho people and organic honey farming by the Co Tu.

After his initial exploration of the northern region, he devoted five years to immerse himself in the diverse, intricate culture and the delicate preservation of the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups.

Born in Normandy, France, Rehahn travelled to over 35 countries before choosing to settle in the ancient town of Hoi An, which he regards as his second home.

Drawn to capturing images of diverse cultures and collecting traditional costumes and invaluable artefacts, he chose to renovate an old house from the French colonial period in Hoi An. He transformed this dwelling into an art museum, dedicated to narrating the stories of Viet Nam's 54 ethnic groups.

He also made a profound impression on the hearts of the Vietnamese art-loving community through portraits in Viet Nam, Cuba, and India.

His career was accentuated with the release of a photo book titled "Mosaic of Contrasts" in 2014 in Viet Nam, followed by the exhibition "Ageless Beauty" at the Vietnamese Women's Museum.

His Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum houses the permanent display of Rehahns Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting viewers to the remotest parts of Viet Nam, the collection reveals the rich cultural mosaic of the ethnic tribes.

"Discover striking portraits, stories, and heirlooms that cant be found anywhere else in the world. Both a celebration and a call for preservation, this free museum, the only one of its kind, is a labour of love and respect. It stands as a testament to the connection, appreciation, and importance Rehahn feels for these remarkable tribes," states Google Art and Culture.

"Five rooms, covering over 500 sq.m in a 19th-century French house, display hundreds of portraits, over 60 costumes, tribal songs, and a sense of wonder," Google describes.

"As you explore each room, you can accompany Rehahn on his almost decade-long journey to document the 54 ethnic tribes and their subgroups remaining in the country."  VNS
BERLIN  One decade after their comprehensive partnership was set up (September 19, 2013-2023), Viet Nam and Denmark have enjoyed extensive, substantive and effective cooperation, Vietnamese Ambassador to Denmark Luong Thanh Nghi has told the Vietnam News Agency.

The two sides regularly maintain delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits and meetings, which not only shows respect for each other's roles, but also helps orient specific cooperation contents. Most recently, in the official visit to Viet Nam by Danish Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary Elizabeth last November, the two sides signed 14 memoranda of understanding on cooperation in the field of energy, particularly renewables.

They also support each other at regional and international multilateral forums such as the United Nations and its bodies, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the European Union (EU).

Two-way trade nearly doubled in the past decade from US$480 million in 2013 to nearly $900 million last year. More and more Danish investors are paying attention to seeking cooperation opportunities and expanding business and production in Viet Nam. As of December 2022, Denmark had run 155 investment projects worth $1.78 billion, ranking 22nd out of the 141 nations and territories pouring capital into the Southeast Asian country.

However, there remains ample room to further develop the bilateral ties, Nghi said, adding that the two sides are working on upgrading their relationship to a new height to create a premise to promote cooperation in many new areas such as green transition, digital transformation, and renewable energy development, which all hold strategic significance for Viet Nam's development as well as for the benefit of each country.

Currently, most Danish businesses operating in Viet Nam or in their country are accelerating their green transformation and fulfilling their social responsibilities, especially in environmental protection, following the criteria set by the Danish government.

A prominent example is the construction of the world's first carbon-neutral factory with a total investment of over $1 billion, which Lego is currently implementing in Viet Nam's southern province of Binh Duong. Therefore, creating conditions for large businesses like Lego and others to operate effectively in Viet Nam not only provides immediate benefits such as job creation and contributions to the Vietnamese economy but also offers long-term value by encouraging and attracting more Danish businesses as well as businesses from other countries to confidently invest in Viet Nam, the ambassador said.

To soon upgrade the bilateral relations to a green strategic partnership level, Ambassador Nghi proposed the two countries continue deepening and consolidating the bilateral political and diplomatic relations, maintaining delegation exchanges, boosting collaboration in economics, trade and investment, with focus on renewable energy, hi-tech agriculture, health, transportation, logistics, digital transformation and innovation.

Priority will be given to collaboration in fields related to green growth and sustainable development such as renewable energy development, specifically offshore wind power and the development of human resources and supporting industries in this field.

The embassy will exert every effort to serve as a bridge connecting the two countries people and businesses, thus contributing to each countrys development and the bilateral comprehensive and strategic relations, added Nghi.  VNS
A NANG  Participants from ASEAN countries began sharing opinions and experiences on tackling fake news and disinformation, setting it as a regional and global danger that needs closer cooperation among member states and technological platform companies as well as internet users.

Fake news and disinformation could hit society, the economy and political platforms, and it needs to be curbed to minimise the impact on the public, the forum was told yesterday.

The forum on fake news and disinformation precludes the 16th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsive for Information and related Meetings (AMRI) in the central city of a Nang on September 20-23.

Izzad Zalman, a senior officer of the ASEAN secretariat said: ASEAN needs guidelines in combating fake news and disinformation in the media for the government officers as it provides a framework for government information officers in collaboration with media organisations, journalists, and other stakeholders to identify and prevent the spread of false information.

These guidelines typically aim to promote ethical journalism practices, fast-checking, and transparency in reporting. It also helps to ensure that accurate and reliable information is disseminated to the public.

Establishing common standards and best practices recognised by media organisations and other stakeholders could provide the way of verifying sources, distinguishing between the fact and opinion, avoiding sensationalism and reporting on controversial issues in a balanced and fair manner."

He also discussed responses to combat fake news and disinformation including fast-checking the information; identifying the source; providing accurate information; using clear and concise language; addressing the impact; using social media; being persistent and not amplifying the fake news or disinformation.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Nguyen Thanh Lam, said: "ASEAN has proceeded with many activities to increase awareness of tackling the harmful effects of fake news since 2017.

Continuous programmes and workshops on fake news and disinformation prevention have been held to share management policies and improve digital literacy for citizens and electronic information management agencies.

It was an outstanding milestone when the Framework and Joint Declaration on Reducing the Harm Effects of Fake News was approved in 2018 by the 14th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsive for Information (AMRI) and related meetings. The 19th ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI) Meeting in 2022 approved the initiative proposed by Viet Nam to establish an ASEAN Task Force on Fake News.

The ASEAN framework and mechanism have provided a platform for ASEAN member countries to enhance cooperation, share information, and propose feasible solutions to solve the problem in the region, he added.

Nguyen Thanh Lam, a representative of TikTok in Viet Nam said the technological platform has been cooperating with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) in Viet Nam posting identified swindling cases on social networks.

He said it would help social network users easily detect possible fraudulent information by cross-checking key reports from KOLs and reliable sources.

Dimas Aditya Nugraha from Indonesia shared ways to detect fake news and disinformation including checking the source; the authors credibility; and other sources.

He said checks should be made to verify if things are a joke and if images that people see on social media could have been edited or manipulated.

Fake news relies on believers reposting, retweeting, or otherwise sharing false information, so it needs to use a fast-checking site or system, he added.

Tran Ngoc Long, from VietnamPlus.vn, an online newspaper of Viet Nam News Agency, shared experiences on combating fake news.

He said the spread of fake news globally shows the press needs to connect with readers and audiences more effectively, while fake news has attracted more attention than official news.

Long said: The TikTok account Factcheckvn, a fact-checking channel launched by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on TikTok in 2020 is part of the VNAs fake news project named The fight against fake news - Creative ideas and Effective solutions.

We have close cooperation with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Information and Communications and some other ministries in Viet Nam. Once we get any rumours, our reporters will check the news sources and disseminate accurate information to alert readers and audiences.

We combine crowd and audiences (especially the Generation Z audiences) to detect false news on social media. Any TikTok or Facebook users could tag @Factcheckvn or Vietnamplus if they think any suspicious news on social media platforms so that our reporters could detect fake news and publish accurate information in the form of interviewing experts or relevant authorities.

For VietnamPlus - the official online newspaper of Vietnam News Agency - detecting fake news is a multi-step procedure that entails analysing the content of the news to assess its trustworthiness, he explained.

Long added: TikTok Factcheckvn is Vietnam News Agencys Gateway to Generation Z. Up to now, we have 2.68 million followers and 1.5 million likes. Our project has good feedback from many readers and audiences.

The 16th AMRI will continue with SOMRI meetings and forums on digital transformation for media  creativity and innovationknowledge.  VNS
WASHINGTON DC The establishment of the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development will open up a new period for the enhancement of bilateral relations across spheres, including cooperation between the two legislative bodies, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a meeting with leaders of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington DC on Tuesday.

During the meeting, part of his trip to the US for the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities, Chinh affirmed that Viet Nam considers the US a partner of strategic importance.

He used the occasion to thank the US Senate in general and its Foreign Relations Committee in particular for their support for promoting the Viet Nam-US relations over the past time, including the settlement of war consequences.

The support and cooperation of the two countries legislatures plays a crucial role in concretising new collaboration frameworks and areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the time ahead, the leader stressed.

Chinh called on the committee to further support joint efforts in fostering cooperation in economy-trade-investment, and other fields like science-technology, innovation, semiconductor industry, energy transition, and climate change response, while stepping up assistance to Viet Nam in war consequence settlement.

For his part, Chairman of the committee Senator Bob Menendez and other committee members noted with pleasure the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development on the occasion of the recent visit to Viet Nam by President Joe Biden, saying it is expected to bring about tangible benefits to people of both nations.

Praising socio-economic achievements Viet Nam has recorded over the past time, they said the country has played an increasingly important role with significant voice in the region.

The senators agreed with the Vietnamese PM that the two countries should continue to enhance cooperation in such key areas as economy-trade, high-tech, education-training, human resources development, climate change response, war legacy settlement and people-to-people exchange.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern, and agreed on the need to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEA)s centrality, and strengthen the ASEAN-US comprehensive strategic partnership as well as the Mekong-US relationship.  VNS
WASHINGTON DC  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the US House of Representatives and Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in Washington DC on Tuesday (local time).

During the meeting, part of his trip to the US for the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities, Chinh expressed his pleasure about the important developments in bilateral relations, especially the establishment of the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development on the occasion of President Joe Biden's recent visit to Viet Nam.

He thanked the contributions of the US House of Representatives in general and the House Foreign Affairs Committee in particular to the relationship between the two countries.

Chinh suggested that the two sides strengthen coordination to early put the new framework of relationship into practice, with a focus on promoting cooperation in areas such as economics, trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, semiconductor collaboration, high-quality human resources training, digital transformation, energy transformation and climate change response.

The Vietnamese Government leader also hoped that the US Congress will support the US's early recognition of Viet Nam's market economy status as well as continue to assist the country in overcoming the war aftermaths.

For their part, the US congressmen expressed their desire to continue promoting cooperation and exchange of delegations between the two legislatures in the coming time, focusing on prioritised areas of both sides, including economy, trade, investment and climate change response.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed on the necessity to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)s centrality, strengthen the ASEAN-US comprehensive strategic partnership as well as the Mekong-US relationship and resolve disputes in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea) by peaceful means based on international law.

On this occasion, Chinh conveyed an invitation from National Assembly Chairman Vuong inh Hue to Speaker McCarthy and US Congressmen to pay a visit to Viet Nam, which the latter accepted with pleasure.  VNS
NEW YORK  US President Joe Biden highlighted the relations between Viet Nam and the US in his speech at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 19.

For decades, it would have been unthinkable for an American President to stand in Ha Noi alongside a Vietnamese leader and announce a mutual commitment to the highest level of countries partnership, he said at the high-level debate themed Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all, referring to his historic Viet Nam visit earlier this month that resulted in the two sides agreeing to lift bilateral ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

With a concerted leadership and careful effort, adversaries can become partners, overwhelming challenges can be resolved, and deep wounds can heal, the leader continued.

Through this example, Biden affirmed that the US stands ready to cooperate with countries to address disputes and that the US commits to promoting multilateralism to settle global challenges.

President Joe Biden paid a State visit to Viet Nam on September 10-11 at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Patty of Viet Nam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.

During their talks in Ha Noi on September 10, both leaders have reached an agreement to lift the Viet Nam-US relations to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace, Cooperation and Sustainable Development, less than 30 years after the two countries formally normalised diplomatic ties in 1995 and 10 years after the establishment of Comprehensive Partnership in 2013.

Addressing the debate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on countries to enhance dialogues, promote multilateralism, and reform international administration system, especially international and UN economic and financial institutions to better meet requirements of sustainable development.

A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh CHinh will attend high-level sessions with many important activities to promote the Vietnamese Partys, States and Governments consistent policy on a Viet Nam of peace, cooperation and integration to international friends, and elevate the relations between Viet Nam and the UN and countries to a new height.  VNS
ONG NAI  Pham Ngoc Huyen, an 8-year-old from ong Nai Province, got back her beautiful smile through the South Korean firm Hyosung Groups medical programme for people with cleft lip and cleft palate.

Huyen was born with cleft lip and cleft palate, a condition where her upper lip and mouth were separated. Her family is in a difficult circumstance living in Hiep Phuoc Commune in the provinces Nhon Trach District.

Thanks to Hyosung's medical programme called Smile Expedition, she was offered free surgery for the first time at Gachon University Gil Hospital in the Republic of Korea (RoK) in 2016 when she was just one year old.

Last year, Hyosung continued to provide support to help her undergo a second surgery at the National Children's Hospital in Ha Noi and she is leading an almost normal life now.

Huyen had a recent interview with reporters from the Vietnam News Agency's (VNA) Viet Nam News newspaper and RoKs Yonhap News Agency that reviewed exemplary cases that have yielded positive results as part of the multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

She shared that she now can speak better, eat easier, and can play and have fun with friends after undergoing the surgeries.

She said with a big smile: I'm so happy because I can eat my favourite fried chicken.

"I want to become a doctor to be able to offer medical check-ups and treatment to the poor and needy people," she expressed.

During the interview, Huyens mother, Pham Thi Binh, 37, expressed her deep gratitude towards Hyosung Groups support.

Binh shed tears when talking about the difficulties that she and Huyen had to face when her daughter was born with a disability.

Doctors said that early surgery is very important for children with cleft lip and cleft palate, because food may reflux into the nose or affect their respiratory system.

Children with cleft lip and palate are also exposed to several risk factors for physical development and language delays, affecting their facial appearance and confidence.

Binh and her husband were very surprised and devastated as their daughters face was deformed when she was born, but more painful than that was the treatment for her was not affordable due to financial difficulties, she said.

Fortunately, my daughter received surgical support from the Smile Expedition programme through an introduction from my uncle, who is working at ong Nai Province-based Hyosung Viet Nam, she said.

CSR efforts

In 2007, a factory of Hyosung Viet Nam Co. Ltd. was established in Nhon Trach 5 Industrial Zone in ong Nai Province.

Up to now, Hyosung Group has invested more than US$3.2 billion in Viet Nam, and has eight facilities across the country, including in ong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Quang Nam and Bac Ninh provinces, and has created jobs for about 9,000 labourers.

Kim Kyung Hwan, general director of Hyosung Viet Nam, said the company is carrying out a number of social activities as a part of its responsibility towards development commitments.

We always follow Chairman Cho Hyun Joons business motto, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together, and maintain our slogan, Global excellence, innovation, accountability and integrity, he said.

Implemented in ong Nai Province since 2011, the Smile Expedition programmes medical volunteer team, including about 30 Korean doctors and nurses, provides free healthcare services for disadvantaged people in many fields such as dentistry, obstetrics, internal medicine and orthopedic surgery.

More than 1,500 Vietnamese people with disadvantages have benefited from the programme.

At the end of October this year, the company will cooperate with the medical team of Korea University Anam Hospital to continue conducting this programme.

The company has renovated three kindergartens in ong Nai and Quang Nam provinces, and seven libraries for primary schools in ong Nai Province, aiming to improve the educational environment for local students.

A total of 1,300 computers have been donated to elementary schools, middle schools and high schools in ong Nai Province since 2013, and are replaced with new ones every five years.

Since 2018, more than 1,190 Vietnamese children living in low-income areas have received support from the donation of a portion of the monthly salary of all employees in the groups Korean headquarters, and the company also supports with a donation of the same amount.

In addition, the company is also implementing projects to support Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin and single mothers.

Viet Nam and the RoK officially elevated their relations to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties in December last year.

Economic cooperation between the two countries has been strongly promoted. This can be attributed to the joint efforts and contributions of South Korean businesses and local workers working together for mutually beneficial economic prosperity for both sides.  VNS
LG CNS CEO Hyun Shin-gyoon, left, poses with Kang Young-goo, chairman of IGIS Asset Management after agreeing to cooperate on digital transformation-related business at the former's office in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of LG CNS



By Baek Byung-yeul



LG CNS forged a partnership with real estate investor IGIS Asset Management to develop new businesses such as cloud data centers and micro fulfillment centers (MFCs), the company said Wednesday.



Under the agreement, the two sides will cooperate on expanding the construction of cloud data centers at home and abroad, attracting new customers, building urban logistics centers and launching new businesses based on AI and cloud computing.



LG CNS and IGIS Asset Management said they are currently working together to build large-sized data centers domestically.



Utilizing LG CNS' overseas business partnerships and know-how in operating data centers internationally, and IGIS Asset Management's global network and capital, the companies plan to expand their global data center construction operations.



In particular, they will actively seek new opportunities in Asia's data center business through collaboration with IGIS Asset Management's Singapore-based subsidiary IGIS Asia.



Given that logistics bases located in rural areas have recently moved to urban areas to meet the growing demand for faster delivery, the two companies aim to focus on urban-based MFC business.



As the country's leading logistics automation service provider, LG CNS will be in charge of building MFC infrastructure and operating facilities by utilizing technology such as AI, data and logistics robots. IGIS Asset Management will be responsible for real estate assets and capital investment and will work together to attract customers.



"By combining LG CNS' digital transformation capabilities such as cloud data centers and MFCs with the investment expertise and know-how of IGIS Asset Management, the largest real estate asset manager in Korea, we will foray into new businesses," Hyun Shin-gyoon, CEO of LG CNS, said.



"Based on our strategic collaboration with LG CNS, we will continue to create future real estate and infrastructure business opportunities, such as data centers and logistics centers, to maximize the value of our assets," Kang Young-goo, chairman of IGIS Asset Management, said.


UNESCO has recognized 9 world natural and cultural heritage sites in Vietnam, of which the Ha Long - Cat Ba complex stands out for its natural beauty; Hue and Hoi An are attractive for their cultural heritage, while Trang An is a combination of natural and cultural values.

On September 16, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee recognized the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago complex as a world natural heritage. Thus, Vietnam currently has 3 natural heritages, 5 cultural heritages, and 1 mixed heritage.

According to the Department of Cultural Heritage, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago is recognized by UNESCO for containing many areas of natural beauty, including limestone islands covered with vegetation and sharp peaks of limestone mountains above sea level with associated karst features such as domes and caves. The breathtaking, untouched scenery of islands covered with vegetation, saltwater lakes, and sharp limestone peaks with cliffs rising above the sea is also part of the reason.

Also read: Halong Bay recognized as World Heritage Site the second time

"Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba archipelago is a geological museum containing heritage with outstanding global value. This place witnesses typical changes in the Earth's historical development", excerpt comments from the Department of Cultural Heritage.

In addition to the new title awarded on September 16, Ha Long Bay is a world natural heritage recognized by UNESCO twice before. In 1994, the bay was recognized as a natural heritage with outstanding global aesthetic value and became the first natural heritage of Vietnam to be honoured. In 2020, Ha Long Bay was recognized for the second time as a world natural heritage, but this time according to the geological and geomorphological value standards.

Located in the Northeast region, including the waters of Ha Long City, Cam Pha, and part of the Van Don island district, Ha Long Bay has a total area of more than 1,550 km2 with 1,969 large and small islands. The world-recognized heritage area has an area of 434 km2, including 775 islands, like a triangle with three vertices: Dau Go Island (west), Ba Ham Lake (south) and Cong Tay Island (east), according to the National Tourism Administration.

Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province, was twice honoured by UNESCO. In 2003, Phong Nha-Ke Bang was honoured as a heritage site for the first time according to exceptional geological and geomorphological value criteria. In July 2015, this place was honoured for the second time for two criteria: "being an outstanding example representing ecological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial ecosystems" and "possessing the natural habitats" are most significant for biodiversity conservation.

Read more: Phong Nha-Ke Bang on list of world's 25 best national parks

The World Heritage Committee 2015 approved expanding the Park from 85,754 hectares to 123,326 hectares.

Trang An Complex was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural and natural heritage, becoming the first mixed heritage site in Vietnam in 2014. Located in Ninh Binh province, in the south of the Red River Delta, Trang An scenic complex includes 3 main conservation areas: Hoa Lu Ancient Capital Special National Monument; Special National Relics Trang An - Tam Coc - Bich Dong Scenic Area and Hoa Lu Special-Use Forest.

The total area of the complex is 4,000 hectares, occupying the entire Trang An limestone massif and surrounded by a buffer zone of 8,000 hectares, consisting mainly of rice fields.

UNESCO recognized the Ho Dynasty Citadel relics in Thanh Hoa as a world cultural heritage in June 2011.

As the capital of the Ho Dynasty, the citadel was built by Ho Quy Ly in 1397, also known as Tay Do, to distinguish it from Dong Do (Thang Long - Hanoi). After building the citadel, Ho Quy Ly moved the capital from Thang Long to Tay Do. However, the Ho Dynasty only existed for 7 years (from 1400).

The central relic area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Hanoi, was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in August 2010. According to the Vice Chairwoman of the Hanoi People's Committee at that time, Ms Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, the Imperial Citadel was the successive power centre of Vietnam for more than a thousand years of history and was a unique testament to the evolution of the Vietnamese national civilization in the history of the development of a Southeast Asian monarchy. The Central Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - cultural expression, values and events of global significance mark Hanoi.

Three outstanding characteristics recognize the outstanding global values of the heritage site:

The length of cultural history

The continuity of heritage as a centre of power

The layers of relics

The ancient town of Hoi An connects to the East Sea through Cua Dai, borders Duy Xuyen and Dien Ban districts, 20 km from Da Nang, and was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1999. From the 17th century onwards, Hoi An was connected to the East Sea trade with Da Nang via Co Co River. Currently, this is the most popular tourist attraction in Quang Nam province.

Read more: What makes Hoi An ancient town outstanding among Vietnam spots?

The Hue Monuments Complex, built from the early 19th century to the first half of the 20th century, became a world cultural heritage in 1993. The structure stands out with three citadels from largest to smallest: Imperial City, Imperial City and Forbidden City.

The Imperial Citadel is an important construction, including a defence area, a ceremony area, a shrine area... placed in the middle of a large natural space. After nearly 2 centuries and witnessing many important historical events of the nation, Ngo Mon Gate still exists and is considered an excellent ancient architecture.

My Son relic site in Duy Phu commune, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province, was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1999. Built by King Bhadravarman in the 4th century and completed at the end of the 13th century, In the early 14th century under the reign of King Che Man, My Son was a complex with more than 70 temples and towers with many architectural and sculptural styles representing each historical period of the Champa kingdom.

Most of the architectural works and sculptures at My Son are influenced by Hinduism. Most of the temples and towers face the east direction of the rising Sun, the abode of the gods, except for a few towers facing west or both east-west directions, expressing the thoughts of the afterlife kings who were deified after death and showing nostalgia for their ancestors, according to the Web Portal in Quang Nam province.

In addition to the 9 world natural and cultural heritages mentioned above, Vietnam has many intangible cultural and documentary heritages recognized by UNESCO, such as Woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty, Hue Royal Court Music, and pulling rituals.
Haze covers Bangkok, the capital of Thailand on January 27. (Source: AFP/VNA)

Bangkok  More than 90 per cent of the population in Thailand are living in poorer air conditions than the safety standard set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and this condition can shorten the average lifespan of Thais by 1.8 years, according to a report by Air Quality Life Index.

WHO stipulates that PM 2.5 does not exceed 50 micrograms per 1 cu.m of air is a safe level.

Air pollution, notably PM2.5 fine dust, caused by the burning of plantations, especially sugarcane, affects around 44 million people in Thailand every year, the Industry Ministry reported, adding that long-term exposure to fine dust is linked with chronic diseases including lung and heart problems.

Thai farmers resort to burning their fields after harvest to get rid of the stumps. This method, while cost-saving, creates huge environmental impacts.

The Thai government has proposed measures to address the fine dust problem since 2019, including arresting farmers caught breaking the law by burning crops.

According to the ministry, burning crops is not only illegal but also creates a burden on society as air pollution from the smoke can linger in the atmosphere above densely populated areas for up to six months.

The affected areas are the North, the Northeast, the East, and the Central region including the Bangkok metropolitan area, which have a combined population of about 44 million people.

To help sugarcane farmers struggling financially, the ministry has been providing a subsidy of 120 THB (3.4 USD) per tonne of output to hire labour or buy equipment to properly and cleanly get rid of the harvest stumps, noting that 14.38 billion THB has so far been disbursed.

It also supports farmers interested in using modern technology in sugarcane harvesting to reduce the need to burn their fields, the ministry added.

Thailand urges tuberculosis screening to prevent spread In an attempt to prevent the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in the community, Thailands Department of Disease Control (DDC) is urging the public to get screened for the disease, especially individuals with underlying medical conditions.

Thai PM initiates committee to enhance universal healthcare services Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has directed Public Health Minister Dr Cholnan Srikaew to establish a committee aimed at improving services within the universal healthcare programme.
At the 2023 Australian Investment Forum in Ho Chi Minh City last week, deputy director Vu Van Chung of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment noted that Vietnamese businesses are now well-equipped to venture into major economies, no longer limiting their focus solely to countries of similar economic stature.

One-on-one meetings with representatives from Australian states and territories were held within the Forum. Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam

Traditionally, weve collaborated with nations matching our development level, management capabilities, and potential, Chung said. However, in the past five years, investments from Vietnamese firms have witnessed unprecedented growth in both quality and quantity.

With its burgeoning economic development, Vietnam offers myriad collaboration and international integration opportunities.

Currently, we have approximately 850,000 enterprises, with ambitions to expand this figure to over one million by 2025. Numerous Vietnamese corporations have established strong brand identities and are keen on broadening their investments overseas, including Australia, Chung added.

While we welcome Australian firms to continue exploring and expanding their investments in Vietnam, we anticipate an increase in Vietnamese business projects and brands making their mark in Australia in the near future.

Vietnam currently holds 1,665 projects across 80 nations and territories, amassing to a registered capital of approximately $22.1 billion.

In Australia alone, Vietnam has established 93 ventures with a total registered capital of around $586.4 million. Australia ranks 11th among the 80 nations and territories that house Vietnamese overseas investments. Recent notable Vietnamese investments in Australia include those by TH Group, Hoa Phat Group, TTC AgriS, and Vitadairy.

This interest is mutual. Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Sarah Hooper, pointed out that Australian investors currently have almost 600 projects in Vietnam with a cumulative registered capital nearing $2 billion.

Primarily, these investments target manufacturing, processing, hospitality, and agriculture. A rising trend, however, is Australias keen interest in Vietnams energy sector, especially renewables and advanced storage solutions, Hooper said.

Given our open economy, numerous trade pacts, and strong cultural ties with Asian nations, we recognise the vast potential in expanding trade and investment ties with Vietnam. Theres a veritable trove of opportunities awaiting Vietnamese investors willing to explore and conduct business in Australia, she added.

Such integration is bolstered by free trade agreements (FTAs). Both Vietnam and Australia are members of at least three deals, and both nations are successfully implementing the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy.

However, Ngo Chung Khanh, deputy head of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, pinpointed a paradox where Vietnamese investments in Australia have not surged. He attributed this anomaly to the intricate technical commitments which are challenging to enact, coupled with Vietnamese businesses not having full insights into the detailed benefits of FTAs to seize new prospects.

Khanh also analysed that there remains significant room to mutually enhance exports and imports of strategic commodities in each others markets.

Vietnamese businesses should leverage the advantages offered by FTAs to recalibrate the current trade imbalance skewed towards Australia, ensuring sustainable strategic development. Concurrently, measures should be introduced to equate bilateral investments with the stature of commercial activities, Khanh said.

In a visit to Vietnam at the end of August, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong underscored the nations progressive educational aspirations.

Vietnam teems with a young demographic, keen to embrace avant-garde education and to further hone their skills and knowledge. Our ties are emblematic of the robust educational exchange between our nations in terms of both students and faculty, remarked Wong.

Further, Australia has exhibited keenness in collaborating with Vietnam, especially with Ho Chi Minh City, to lay down a legal framework that would invigorate educational cooperation between the two nations. This initiative aims to pave the way for Australian academic institutions to establish their presence in the city, and concurrently stimulate student exchanges.

Moreover, Wong said that current economic landscapes are in a state of flux, a transformation that goes hand in hand with the challenges proffered by climate change. However, both Vietnam and Australia have exhibited resolve in addressing the climate conundrum.

Given that the lions share of global economies has pledged emission reductions by the end of this decade, nations that successfully leverage the advantage of low emissions and clean energy  attributes the world is eager to label in goods and services  are poised to thrive in the current milieu, Wong explained.

Vietnam and Australia promoting bilateral trade and investment As Business Champions Vietnam-Australia 2022 celebrates its first anniversary, it promises to continue facilitating trade and investment.

Australian funds taking deeper interest in Vietnam This year, Vietnam and Australia will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations. VIRs Kim Oanh talked to Phan Huu Thang, director of the International Institute for Investment Research, about the achievements so far between the two countries.
Green-certified office buildings on the rise, Photo: Shutterstock

Standard Chartered Bank Vietnams head office in Hanoi was the latest to be awarded LEED Gold certification at the beginning of September, demonstrating the banks commitment to sustainability and delivering the most environmentally conscious design.

The bank has fulfilled the standards set by the LEED Green Building rating system of the US Green Building Council (USGBC). The verification includes a range of factors including energy efficiency, human health and wellbeing, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, sustainable and regenerative material cycles, and active community engagement.

Michele Wee, CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (Vietnam), said that certification reflected the banks shared values and commitment to crafting spaces that excel in functionality while minimising ecological footprint.

Standard Chartered commits to continuing to drive sustainable economic growth, embrace responsible practices, and invest in the Vietnamese community, she said.

Also at the beginning of September, Frasers Property Vietnam (FPV) announced that its commercial building Worc@Q2 had received LEED Gold certification for operations and maintenance.

The certification, also from the USGBC, recognises the buildings strong sustainable and healthy building practices. Worc@Q2 is FPVs first commercial building to receive such certification, setting a new industry benchmark and reflecting the companys commitment towards sustainability.

According to Edwin Tan, deputy CEO, FPV has the goal to green certify the vast majority of its owned and asset-managed properties by 2024.

Benchmarking our properties to international green building standards is part of how we embed sustainability across our assets lifecycle, which helps ensure our portfolio remains resilient and future-proof as well as aligned with the countrys net-zero carbon commitment, Tan said.

Peter Templeton, president and CEO of the USGBC, said that the work of innovative building projects, such as the Worc@Q2 office, was a fundamental driving force in transforming the way it builds, designs, and operates buildings.

Buildings that achieve LEED certification contribute to reduced carbon emissions, lower operating costs, and conserving resources while prioritising sustainable practices and the wellbeing of its occupants, Templeton said.

It is no coincidence that the green office trend has flourished in the market. Since November 2020, companies listed on the Vietnamese stock exchange must publish environmental, social, and governance reports as well as environmental and social impact assessments. All businesses need to evaluate criteria such as greenhouse gas emissions, energy, and water savings.

As a result, the office market has witnessed a significant increase in the demand for renting new buildings, built and completed with high-quality technical systems, which are sustainable and environmentally friendly green buildings.

Having to report and evaluate environmental impact criteria has affected the rental market, with added economic complexities and a number of businesses being dissolved this year, while Grade A offices with green certification still operate actively.

According to Nguyen Thi Thuy Nguyen, director and head of Office and Industrial Park Leasing at CBRE Vietnam, green trends in real estate are being taken more seriously not only because of the negative impacts from climate change, but also because of investor expectations that they will receive higher rents with green certification.

Going green is no longer a trend but an urgent need in construction projects, especially for commercial and office projects and buildings. It requires deep attention and commitment from all levels of staff at each company and within government. Customers belonging to multinational corporations have raised green office standards as a mandatory factor in choosing an office, Nguyen said.

She added that more and more new relatively large-scale commercial/office projects are being built with green criteria, while older projects and buildings have been and will be upgraded to meet the needs of customers, as well as increase competitiveness.

Figures from CBRE Vietnam show that Ho Chi Minh City currently boasts 11 green-certified offices, and this will increase to 18 in the next three years. This number in Hanoi is slightly lower with four current buildings, though this is expected to double in the same period.

Breaking barriers in green buildings The absence of a financial priority mechanism, the cumbersome registration process, and the fear of increasing investment capital are the main barriers hindering greener construction projects in Vietnam.

Developing sustainably with rise of green buildings In 1990, the Building Research Establishments Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) was born in the UK, marking the worlds first foundation of green building.

Vietnam ranks 28th worldwide in terms of green buildings With over 250 LEED-certified constructions over the last decade, Vietnam is increasingly demonstrating the relevance of green aspects in architectural design, operations, and the maintenance of existing buildings.
The meeting between PM Pham Minh Chinh and CEOs of US semiconductor firms in Washington DC on September 19 (Photo: VNA)

Washington DC  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working lunch with chief executive officers of leading US enterprises in the semiconductor industry in Washington DC on September 19 morning (local time).

The event, part of his trip to attend the high-level week of the 78th United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities in the US, was also attended by US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper and President and CEO of the USs Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) John Neuffer.

The US businesspeople spoke highly of the potential of the semiconductor industry in Vietnam, which boasts high-quality human resources and increasingly improved capacity of local enterprises and training establishments.

They held that the two countries cooperation potential in this industry is substantial and highly meaningful for bilateral relations in the new period.

Participants discussed investment opportunities in Vietnam and proposed cooperation measures for developing a semiconductor ecosystem in the country, with the US being a strategic partner of leading importance. In the long term, they said, US firms can consider the possibility of building chip factories in Vietnam.

PM Chinh said that aside from existing cooperation focuses, in the recent statement on establishing the countries comprehensive strategic partnership, Vietnam and the US agreed to turn science - technology and innovation into a new pillar of bilateral ties.

He asked the two countries enterprises to coordinate actively with each other and prioritise some focal fields of Vietnam, including the semiconductor industry.

PM Pham Minh Chinh and officials witness the exchange of MoUs on cooperation in the semiconductor industry between Vietnam and the US on September 19 (Photo: VNA)

Applauding the semiconductor companies that have invested and operated in Vietnam  a contribution to the elevation of bilateral relations, the Vietnamese government leader called on US semiconductor enterprises to continue investing more in the country in all steps, from infrastructure building, technology transfer, design, production, distribution, and manpower training with the participation of both countries businesses, research institutions, and training establishments.

That will create conditions for improving human resources quality and Vietnamese firms capacity, and gradually helping the country further engage in value and supply chains of the global semiconductor industry, he went on.

Developing the semiconductor industry matches the current global trend as well as the potential and resources of Vietnam while generating benefits for people, so Vietnamese people will take an active and effective part in this process, he added.

PM Chinh went on to say that the Vietnamese Government, ministries, and sectors will create an equal and healthy business environment and provide the best possible conditions for foreign enterprises, including semiconductor companies of the US, to operate stably, effectively, and sustainably in the country. He emphasised the spirit of harmonised interests, risk sharing, and mutual benefits to contribute to the countries relations.

On this occasion, the PM witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the implementation of activities to boost the semiconductor chip designing and developing capacity in Vietnam between the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Cadence Design Systems, Inc.; an MoU on developing human resources for the semiconductor industry in Vietnam between the NIC and Arizona State University; and another on developing human resources for hi-tech industries between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and Intel.

HCM City calls for US investment to 10 major projects Ho Chi Minh City has called on US enterprises to invest in 10 major projects of the city, especially those in infrastructure construction.

US banks push deals in Vietnamese market US financial institutions and digital payment innovators are intensifying their capital commitments to the burgeoning Vietnamese market.
Furthermore, the Vietnam Maritime Administration recently announced a draft to replace the Ministry of Transports Circular No.54 concerning the pricing of container handling and other associated services at Vietnamese seaports.

The draft proposes a 10 per cent increase in the price of container handling services effective from January 1, 2024 in various ports including Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City and the Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaport complex in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

In addition, the draft proposes terminals able to receive ships capable of transporting more than 160,000DWT can impose a 10 per cent additional increase for loading and unloading services, meaning that those terminals could increase fees by as much as 20 per cent.

As a result of these developments, shipping stocks have been actively traded on the stock exchange of late, with several firms witnessing steady increases in share prices in recent trading sessions.

Hanoi-based securities firm VNDIRECT JSC has predicted that Hai An Transport and Stevedoring JSC, trading under the ticker symbol HAH, will improve, particularly as we head into 2024. In the first half of this year, Hai An achieved revenue amounting to $53.4 million with a post-tax profit of $9.1 million, down 19 and 50 per cent respectively on-year.

VNDIRECT's forecast suggests that Hai An's 2023 profit would fall 25 per cent on-year, before posting a 25 per cent jump in 2024, and its post-tax profit would total $19 million this year, increasing to $21.7 million next year.

The company currently operates 11 container ships, with a total carrying capacity of approximately 16,000TEUs, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of the carrying capacity of Vietnams entire shipping container industry. The company plans to receive four new container ships of 1,800TEUs each over the next 12 months, bringing the capacity of their fleet to more than 23,000TEUs.

Gemadept Corporation, under the ticker GMD, saw $76.5 million in consolidated revenue in the first half of 2023, down 2 per cent on-year, and $83.2 million in post-tax profit, a three-fold increase for the same period last year. The strong profit growth came as the shipper registered more than $78.6 million in financial income from a capital transfer deal at Nam Hai Dinh Vu Port in the first six months of the year.

SSI Securities expects Gemadept to handle 1.4 million TEUs of containers in the second half of 2023, up 9.5 per cent compared to the first half. Its total weight load for the year is estimated to be 2.9 million TEUs, down just 6 per cent on year. In 2024, the figure is expected to reach 3.5 million TEUs, a jump of 22 per cent.

On September 6, the GMD ticker reached an historic peak of VND63,900 ($2.7), showing a 46.2 per cent jump since the start of the year.

Vietnam Ocean Shipping JSC, trading under the VOS ticker, earned $67.2 million in revenue in the first half of 2023, an increase of more than $16.5 million on-year. However, its post-tax profit, fell $10.1 million for the same period to just $3.12.

An Binh Securities in Hanoi has suggested that the demand from major export markets in the United States, Europe, and China will bottom out in the second half of 2023 and then gradually start to recover.

Shipping upgrades targeted for 2030 Developing a local shipping fleet to serve international routes could widen business prospects for carriers and relieve logistics burdens for exporters.

Sugar firms foresee sweet prospects Sugar businesses expect a strong rebound in 2023 amid a spike in price and safeguard measures.
A part of Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province of Thailand (Photo: VNA)

Bangkok - Six countries along the Mekong River  Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand - have committed to working together to tackle climate change issues, according to Surasee Kittimonthon, Secretary-General of Thailands Office of the National Water Resources (ONWR).

Surasee said the ONWR represented Thailand at the meetings of the third Lancang-Mekong Water Resource Cooperation Forum and the 18th World Water Congress in Beijing on September 10-13.



Also present at the meetings were senior officials from six member countries of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC). Mekong River is 4,880 kilometres in length and feeds 326 million people in those countries.



The Thai official said that the meetings were held to exchange knowledge and technology, as well as present the performance of projects funded by an MLC special fund. The meetings also reported progress of the idea exchange under the Mekong-Lancang water management cooperation between member countries.



At the meeting, Thailand stressed the importance of the cooperation between member countries in water resources management through every mechanism of society including state agencies, private and civil society sectors, or even women and youth organisations to tackle the impact of climate change such as flooded, drought and an increasing demand of fresh water.



He said Thailand proposed a water management plan based on the countrys 20-year water management masterplan aiming to achieve sustainable management of water following the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.



In addition, Surasee said the member countries also agreed on having the first phase of the joint study between the Mekong River Commission and MLC to pave the way for better information sharing about reservoir operations on the Mekongs water flow, and water release as well as solutions to reduce the impact, both droughts and floods, along the areas in the countries downstream of the river.



Surasee revealed that a joint expert group will be set up to run studies. There will also be a joint Lancang-Mekong survey to study the impact on communities living along the river, he added.

Greener principles will light a path for climate victory We are facing a triple planetary crisis with three interconnected challenges: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. Climate change is happening even faster than scientists anticipated, and the past two months were the hottest ever recorded.
Condo buildings under contruction in Bangkok (Source: Pattanapong Hirunard)

Bangkok  While the number of Thai nationals buying domestic condominiums has slowed down, the demand from foreign buyers continues to surge, accounting for 24.6 per cent of the total property transfer value nationwide in the first half of this year, up from 20.5 per cent the previous year.

Leading the way among foreign buyers are customers from China with 3,488 units, followed by Russia, the US, France and the UK.

Vichai Viratkapan, Acting Director General of the Real Estate Information Centre (REIC), said the increase in the transfer value of condominiums to foreign buyers is due to Thailand fully reopening in the second half of the previous year. This allowed foreign buyers of pre-sale condominiums to return and complete their transactions. Furthermore, the number of foreign buyers of completed condominiums, ready for transfer from developers, has also increased, he added.

According to the REIC, the number of condominium transfers to foreign buyers in the first half of this year reached 7,338 units, with a total value of 35.2 billion THB (979 million USD), representing increases of 65.6 per cent and 57.8 per cent, respectively.

Chon Buri province has taken the lead in the number of condominium transfers to foreign buyers, surpassing the capital city of Bangkok for the first time.

Thailand to restart FTA negotiation with EU Thailand is preparing to embark on talks on a free-trade agreement with the EU with the aim of concluding the deal within two years.
During 2023 Green Building Week in Ho Chi Minh City on September 18, the Ministry of Construction (MoC) held a dialogue on the policies to promote the development of green buildings.

According to the MoC, while cities globally occupy just 3 per cent of the Earth's surface, they account for over 70 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

To keep global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius or lower, urban areas must achieve net-zero emissions, and Vietnam's government has made a robust commitment to achieving this by 2050.

As a developing nation, Vietnam's economic growth has significantly strained both its infrastructure and environment, particularly in terms of housing demand, energy consumption, waste management, and escalating pollution.

In response to these challenges and in pursuit of sustainable, low-carbon growth, the government has initiated various policies to bolster green construction.

"The concept of green building began its journey globally in the 1990s and soon became a movement, setting the trend for construction and operational management in over 100 countries and territories. In Vietnam, the emergence of green buildings can be traced back to between 2005 and 2010," reported the MoC.

"As per the statistics up to Q2/2023, Vietnam boasts nearly 300 green buildings certified to international standards, including Lotus, Edge, LEED, and Green Mark, covering a combined floor area of around seven million square metres. Currently, the nation ranks 28th globally in terms of LEED-certified buildings," the report added.

However, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Tuong Van remarked, "This figure is rather modest compared to the actual number of constructions and their operational potential, especially when considering energy usage, resource conservation, efficiency, and environmental protection."

To date, no building in Vietnam has been designed, constructed, or managed to meet net-zero emissions criteria.

The national programme for energy conservation and efficiency from 2019 to 2030, approved by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Decision No.280/QD-TTg dated March 2019, aims to certify 80 green buildings by 2025, with this figure rising to 150 by 2030.

Additionally, the MoC has launched a climate change action plan for the construction sector from 2022-2030, with a view to 2050, to fulfil Vietnam's commitments from COP26. Measures to encourage energy-efficient and green construction have been laid out in the 2020 Amendment to the Construction Law and Decree No.15/2021/ND-CP governing investment project management.

It is evident that green construction, sustainable development, and climate change are paramount in the urban development and construction sectors. Promoting green building ensures that urbanisation benefits both present and future generations, while also being sympathetic to the natural environment.

Nevertheless, leaders from the MoC acknowledge the challenges in advancing green construction, citing the impacts of slowing real estate growth, declining consumer demand, and hurdles relating to access to investment capital and the shortage of skilled project planning and management personnel.

Furthermore, there remains an absence of mandatory regulations for the labelling and certifying of green, energy-efficient building materials.

Citi highlights green finance at CEO 100 meeting Citi's Vietnam country officer Ramachandran A.S. delivered a speech focusing on financial solutions to support green growth and sustainable business at an investment event that gathered 100 CEOs from major global corporations.

P&G Vietnam and Central Retail Vietnam push forward new green initiative On September 8, P&G Vietnam and Central Retail Vietnam, two businesses pioneering sustainability, joined forces for a day of volunteering in Dong Nai Nature Reserve in southern Vietnam, as part of the Forests For Good initiative.
The trade fair is taking place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC), from September 20 to 23, and will feature exhibitors from various supply chain sectors offering a wide array of top-quality products, services, and solutions.

According to Phung Quoc Man, deputy chairman of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA), "Vietnam's wood exports have shown signs of recovery since the beginning of the third quarter this year. The turnover of wood exports reached over $1.1 billion in August after a long period of decline."

"So, VietnamWood 2023 is taking place just at the right time, the wood industry is showing signs of recovery and preparing to enter a new cycle after a long, challenging period. We expect to host 320 exhibitors from 28 regions and countries as they present the latest woodworking product lines and engage in various curated events and activities," Man added.

Vietnam is the world's fifth-largest exporter of wood and timber products, and Vietnam imports about $240 million of wood processing machinery on average each year.

With a strong focus on the national digital transformation of the past few years, VietnamWood 2023 will display the Automatic Production Line and Wood System Integration aiming to transform the Vietnamese woodworking industry.

In addition, there will be eight themed pavilions, including representatives from Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, the United States, and Taiwan, providing a platform for Vietnamese businesses to interact and exchange ideas with foreign companies on perspective technological developments.

As Vietnam has a substantial demand for woodworking machinery and components, VietnamWood offers a comprehensive showcase of woodworking technology, raw materials, and essential consumables. The exhibition's highlights include primary and secondary processing, surface treatment, furniture fittings, hardware, locks, and accessories.

VietnamWood is organised by Vinexad National Trade Fair & Advertising JSC, together with Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co., Ltd., and is co-hosted by the HAWA.

Woodworking firms up investment in technology, machinery Nguyen Phuong, sales director of Minh Thanh Co., Ltd, said his company plans to invest more than VND50 billion (US$2.15 million) in a production chain for bedroom and living room furniture.

Production revamp wanted in woodwork Vietnam is becoming a destination for many woodworking machinery manufacturers seeking to cement partnerships with local partners.
A U.S. energy firm said Tuesday it will appeal a district court's decision earlier this week to dismiss its lawsuit filed to stop two Korean state-run companies from exporting nuclear power plants.

On Monday, the District Court for the District of Columbia rejected the complaint that Westinghouse Electric filed against Korea Hydro Nuclear Power (KHNP) and Korea Electric Power (KEPCO) last October. The court determined that Westinghouse "lacks a private cause of action" and was therefore not qualified to take such a legal move.

"The decision by the U.S. District Court merely holds that export control enforcement resides with the U.S. government," David Durham, the president of Energy Systems at Westinghouse, said in a statement sent to Yonhap News Agency. "Westinghouse intends to appeal the decision."

It claimed that the use of Westinghouse intellectual property outside of Korea is the "principal" dispute between the parties.

"The decision has no bearing on the ongoing arbitration proceeding against KEPCO/KHNP involving KEPCO/KHNP's non-allowed transfer of Westinghouse's intellectual property outside Korea," it said.

Westinghouse filed the suit to prevent the Korean companies from transferring technical information on reactor designs, which it claims have been licensed by it, to Poland and other countries under a U.S. export control regulation, called Part 810.

The defendants have contended the Atomic Energy Act does not contemplate "private" enforcement and delegates to the attorney general the "exclusive authority" to enforce relevant provisions. Part 810 is designed to implement the act.

The lawsuit stirred up a debate over whether Korea's export of reactors that its companies have domestically mastered with the initial technological assistance from the U.S. firm should be subject to U.S. export control regulations. (Yonhap)
A new state law requiring school library book vendors to rate books according to sexual content is unconstitutional and unduly burdensome on booksellers, Waco-based U.S. District Judge Alan Albright said in an order this week blocking its enforcement.

Albright granted a preliminary injunction in favor of book industry plaintiffs, preventing state agencies from enforcing House Bill 900, which took effect Sept. 1.

Albright blasted the new law in 59-page order issued Monday, saying it is vague in defining "sexually explicit" content and violates the First Amendment's free speech guarantees. He declares that "state of Texas impermissibly seeks to compel an individual or corporation to create speech that it does not wish to make, and in addition, in which it does not agree with."

The bill, called the Restricting Explicit and Adult-Designated Education Resources Act, would have required school book vendors to issue ratings relating to sexually relevant or sexually explicit material before selling any books to school districts. The sale of "sexually explicit" books would be banned.

The bill also required vendors to compile and submit to the Texas Education Agency lists of books rated to be sexually inappropriate that were sold to districts before the bill became law and list on their websites all books rated as sexually inappropriate.

The bill also gave the TEA the unilateral power to declare books as sexually explicit.

In the order, Albright agrees that children should be protected from obscene content in school. However, he said the law puts too much of a burden on booksellers to determine whether sexual content is impermissibly offensive, and provides no appeals process if the Texas Education Agency overrules their determination.

READER misses the mark on obscenity with a web of unconstitutionally vague requirements, Albright wrote. And the state, in abdicating its responsibility to protect children, forces private individuals and corporations into compliance with an unconstitutional law that violates the First Amendment.

The lawsuit against the Texas State Library, Texas Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education was filed July 25 by several Texas book vendors, including Book People Inc., American Booksellers Association, Association of American Publishers, Authors Guild Inc. and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. The plaintiffs are represented by Austin law firm Haynes & Boone, while the state is represented by the Office of the Attorney General.

In the initial complaint, the vendors claim the bill creates an unconstitutional regime of compelled speech. It states that the law punishes vendors who refuse to rate books or adopt the governments ratings by blocking them from selling books and publicly shaming them on the TEAs website. The complaint also takes issue with the lack of an appeal to TEA designations.

Albright was appointed by President Donald Trump in 2018 to be Waco Division federal judge for the Western District of Texas. He held the hearings in Austin for the Austin division of the district in late August.

Siding with the plaintiffs, Albright writes that provisions put booksellers in an impossible position due to the high cost of compliance with issuing ratings. Albright noted that one of the plaintiffs estimated the cost to rate each book to be between $200 and $1,000, plus an additional $4 million to $500 million to read and rate books already sold to districts, well over the total sales of $1 million per year the vendor sees.

Albright also agreed with plaintiffs that the READER Act "fails to inform the public or any Plaintiff whose community standard it is referencing. It is an open question whether this community standard is based on Austin, Texas, or Onalaska, Texas  or any of the more than 1,200 incorporated municipalities across Texas."

Consequently, he said it is "guaranteed" that different book distributors and sellers would issue conflicting ratings for books.

HB 900 has already an impact on Texas schools, spurring Fort Worth Independent School District to shutter all of its libraries in August to hunt for explicit materials, removing 100 books in the process. Katy ISD also decided earlier this year to halt the purchase of any new library books until April in order to wait on the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to adopt school library standards.

In a joint statement, the executives of each of the plaintiff companies said they look forward to the final resolution of the lawsuit.

We are grateful for the Courts swift action in deciding to enjoin this law, in the process preserving the long-established rights of local communities to set their own standards; protecting the constitutionally protected speech of authors, booksellers, publishers and readers; preventing the state government from unlawfully compelling speech on the part of private citizens; and shielding Texas businesses from the imposition of impossibly onerous conditions," the plaintiffs said.

The TEA and the office of the Attorney General did not immediately respond to email and phone messages requesting comment.
PRESS RELEASE

In the midst of subdivisions and recreation parks in an area of Bowling Green, KY lies a growing education display to aviators of the area. The Aviation Heritage Park was born in 2008 when the first aircraft on display, an F-4D Phantom II flown by Brigadier General Dan Cherry (USAF Retd) during Vietnam, arrived at the park and was reassembled for display. The park has since grown to feature several additional military aircraft, each of which honors a different aviator from Kentucky. Continuing that growth, they broke ground on the addition of a museum building in 2018. This building will house additional education displays and provide an extension to the aircraft on display externally.

With the completion of the museum building, Aviation Heritage Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky has announced the appointment of Bob Bubnis as the park and museums Executive Director. Bubnis is the former Curator of Collections and Exhibits Manager for the National Corvette Museum. With a proven leader at the helm of the development of the collection inside the recently completed 12,470 square-foot Aviation Heritage Park Museum things are moving forward at full throttle.

The museum will formally open to the public on Saturday, September 23. The event begins with a flyover by the Tennessee Pterodactyls, a team of highly skilled Swift pilots. The pilots are Don Abbott (Air Force C-130, Special Ops and retired American Airlines 777 pilot), Jerry Kirby (GA and Aerobatic pilot for over 59 years who is in the Tennessee Aviation Hall of Fame), Jim Roberts (Air Force U2 pilot, retired American Airlines and retired operations manager at McGhee-Tyson Knoxville airport), and Paul Mercandetti (highly decorated Vietnam medevac pilot and retired US Air Pilot) These guys have over 68,000 flight hours and 212 years of experience amongst them.

The flyover will be followed by the ribbon cutting, program, and museum tours. Special guests for this event will be astronaut Col. Terry Wilcutt (ret) and RADM James Finney (ret) on behalf of his brother CMDR David Finney. Finneys and Wilcutts stories connected at NASA and are memorialized in the circle of honor with a historic T-38 in Aviation Heritage Park.
By Moreno Aguiari

During a recent trip to South West England, I had the opportunity to visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum  thirty years after my first visit as a young man! Located at RNAS Yeovilton, the Fleet Air Arm Museum is one of the largest aviation museums in Europe, celebrating British naval aviation from 1909 to the present.

In 1963 a small enclosure was created beside the perimeter fence at the Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, to allow the public to view flying activities on the airfield. One year later, the new Fleet Air Arm Museum, housed in a single hangar, was opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. It began with just three aircraft, but over the years has grown into a nationally significant collection of over 100 airframes, and many thousands of artifacts, photographs, and archives.

Incorporated into the National Museum of the Royal Navy in 2015, the Fleet Air Arm Museum is now proud to display the heritage of British naval aviation and is a world leader in historic aircraft paint conservation, as well as being home to the UKs Concorde 002 prototype. [Click on the photographs to reveal the captions.]

A lot has changed since my last visit, using the best of digital technology, and immersive exhibits like a reproduction of a carrier flight deck. Visitors are transported through 100 years of this unique aviation history, from the pioneering years of the First World War all the way through to the modern HMS Queen Elizabeth carriers.

The Aircraft Carrier Experience  Airfield at Sea is truly an immersive experience giving visitors the opportunity to experience the flight deck of a working aircraft carrier, and see naval aircraft in their natural environment. The whole hall has been converted into a mock-up of the fleet carrier HMS Ark Royal as it would have appeared in the 1970s, with the addition, also, of older historical aircraft such as the Supermarine Seafire. The visitor is flown from Hall 2 onto the carrier through a converted (vibrating) Wessex helicopter cabin.

The lineup of aircraft is in chronological order, starting with replica Sopwith Pup N6452, then Supermarine Seafire F.17 SX137, Supermarine Attacker F.1 WA473, de Havilland Sea Vixen FAW.2 XS590, Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 XN957, British Aerospace Sea Harrier FA.2 XZ499 and a McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 XT596 ready to be launched off the carrier. The exhibit includes a reproduction of the HMS Ark Royal deck and operations rooms, enhancing the immersive experience for the visitors. [Click on the photographs to reveal the captions.]

One of the most significant airplanes exhibited at the Fleet Air Arm Museum is the Corsair KD431, an example of aircraft preservation. In 2000, David Morris, the Curator of the museum made a bold decision. The outer paint layer was carefully removed in a process akin to an art restoration, layer by layer, to see if the as-built aircraft scheme could be uncovered, and also the wartime finish, if either remained beneath.

The process, which was meticulously documented, and published in the book Corsair KD431  The Timecapsule Fighter (in two editions) was a mammoth undertaking. The end result revealed what is probably the last truly original Corsair fighter left in existence and one of very few Second World War aircraft displayed in such original condition. We have published a detailed article about this aircraft here.

Hall 4 is dedicated to test flying, with the aircraft exhibited demonstrating how advances in design and technology allowed the British aircraft industry to lead the world up to supersonic flight. Concorde epitomized the glamour of the transatlantic jet age during the 1970s and 1980s, and rightly is remembered as proud achievement in Britains (and Frances) aeronautical history. [Click on the photographs to reveal the captions.]

A rare and historically important aircraft on exhibit, Concorde 002 is the second prototype of this Anglo-French supersonic airliner. She was assembled in Britain and made her maiden flight from the British Aircraft Corporations plant at Filton, Bristol, on 9 April 1969, with the first French prototype Concorde 001 flying from Toulouse, France, a month earlier on 2 March 1969. On completion of her test program, she arrived at RNAS Yeovilton in July 1976 and was placed on permanent display at the Fleet Air Arm Museum. The aircraft interior is open to the public.

Visitors can see into (but, for safety reasons, not enter) the restoration workshop between Hall 3 and Hall 4. In 2023 the projects currently underway are a Fairey Barracuda torpedo bomber and a Gloster Sea Gladiator biplane fighter.

Not a single complete Barracuda aircraft exists today, but this remarkable project, to bring a Barracuda back, has been underway since the 1970s. Led by the Fleet Air Arm Museum, the ambitious mission is to reconstruct a complete (non-flying) Barracuda aircraft. The Barracuda Live: The Big Rebuild presentation opens in September 2023 , showcasing Barracuda DP872s reconstruction in the museums new Arthur Kimberley Viewing Gallery. To learn more and support this particular project click HERE.
As part of its planned expansion to add three more Cold War jet aircraft to its collection, the Air Force Museum Society of Alberta (AFMSA) received on loan from the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton. The Voodoo was one of Canadas Cold War fighter jets and flew armed with nuclear weapons (although that was never officially confirmed at the time). The 58 McDonnell CF-101 Voodoos, located at Air Force bases from Comox, British Columbia, to Chatham, New Brunswick, were the main defense fighters against any incoming Soviet attack.

The Voodoo was an all-weather interceptor aircraft operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Canadian Forces between 1961 and 1984. They were manufactured by the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation of St. Louis, Missouri for the United States Air Force (as F-101s), and later sold to Canada. CF-101s replaced the obsolete Avro CF-100 Canuck in the RCAFs all-weather fighter squadrons. The Voodoos primary armament was nuclear AIR-2A Genie unguided air-to-air rockets, and there was significant political controversy in Canada about their adoption. Although they never fired a weapon in wartime, the CF-101 served as Canadas primary means of air defense from quick reaction alert facilities at Canadian airbases.

Voodoos were regularly dispatched to intercept unidentified NORAD radar contacts, usually off-course airliners, although Soviet Tu-95 Bear bombers were occasionally intercepted flying along the Atlantic coast to Cuba. Fortunately, no situation arose in which a CF-101 pilot fired his weapons in engagement.

Between 1970 and 1972, Canada traded 56 original CF-101s back to the USAF for 66 replacements under Operation Peace Wings.

Tim Strocel was a Canadian Air Force pilot between 1974 and 2008 and flew the CF-101 from March 1981 until July 1984 accumulating 653.4 hours on Voodoos and 5034 total hours during his military career. The CF-101 Voodoo was a remarkable all-weather, high-altitude, supersonic interceptor that was easy to fly with highly responsive flight controls and two powerful J-57 P-55 turbojet engines, Strocel said. I dont recall the exact time it took to climb from take-off to intercept altitude (30,000 ft.) but it was extremely quick in all weather conditions and any time of day or night. I remember the very first time I exceeded Mach 1. The most striking characteristic was the sudden, absolute quiet as the aircraft broke through the sound barrier and outpaced the sound from the aircraft engines.
WATERLOO  The city of Gilbertville is seeking a funding commitment from Black Hawk County to move forward with its emergency services building.

Last week, Mayor Mark Thome and Councilmember Scott Becker told the countys Board of Supervisors that the total estimate for the project was $2.6 million. With much of the funding secured, they requested the board provide no more than $200,000 to the city in the event that the building project exceeds the funds available.

The new 12,400-square-foot building will house the fire department as well as police and emergency medical services. Those first responders cover 69 square miles.

Becker returned to the board Tuesday with the $2.3 million contract amount, slightly below the estimate. The city received eight bids for the project and awarded the contract to the lowest bidder. The name of the contractor was not immediately available.

City officials now say about $97,000 from the county would be enough to help with the project. Along with a bond measure that was passed in March allowing the city to issue $1.25 million in general obligation bonds, the city has secured a $225,000 grant from the Black Hawk County Gaming Association and $500,000 in federal money as well as dollars raised by the community.

Becker said that the countys money would be the last funds used. If the money isnt needed, it wont be used.

Last week, the board decided to use American Rescue Plan Act replacement revenues rather than money from the countys reserve funds. This was amended because some of the supervisors were wary of using county reserve funds for a single city.

I have trouble funding another taxing entity when we have an obligation as the Board of Supervisors to take care of our county departments, Supervisor Tom Little said, mentioning the future evidence intake building project. We should be addressing items like that first before we start looking out.

Supervisor Tavis Hall expressed support for using the countys reserve fund, saying that many people believe it has too much money and that Gilbertvilles emergency services are used by the whole county.

Becker said that 97% of fire calls are outside of the city of Gilbertville and 68% of medical services are to other places in the county, with the most calls going to the Interstate Highway 380 interchange.

Supervisor Chris Schwartz said the ARPA money should be saved for other big projects the county is working on, like renovating the public health building.

Ultimately, the request to use ARPA reserve funds was passed unanimously. The request from the city of Gilbertville will have to come back to the board to be formalized.

In other business Tuesday, bids were read for new health care services at the Black Hawk County Jail. Three bidders submitted proposals for the three-year contract.

The first one was from Elevate, based in Waterloo. It bid $777,103 for the first year, $1.9 million for the second year and $2 million for the third year.

Naphcare, based out of Alabama, is the jails current health care provider. its bids was $2.6 million for the first year, $2.7 million for the second year and $2.8 million for the third year.

The third bidder was Advanced Correctional Healthcare, out of Illinois. It had proposed an annual cost of $3 million.

A committee will meet next week to decide on a bidder and the bid will be awarded in two weeks.

How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years How spending on public safety and policing has changed over the last 40 years Spending on public safety in cities in the US has doubled since 1980 Police funding has remained about half of public safety budgets consistently for 40 years Even with ballooning public safety budgets, many cities allocate more money to the police Some cities have reigned in police spending, while others have tightened overall public safety budgets
BILL SCHUETTE

Sauk County Historical Society

Private John Greenslit is the only known veteran of the Revolutionary War, 1775-83, to be buried in Sauk County.

The Greenslade family immigrated to the new colonies from England around 1642, when Thomas and Ann arrived on the shores of America.

The unusual surname can be traced to the Old English Slaed which was used to denote a valley. Thus, Greenslade translates to mean a green valley.

John was born June 5, 1767, in Hampton, Connecticut, to John and Sarah Greenslit, descendants of that original pioneer family.

It is interesting to note that Ann Greenslade, Johns great-great-great-great grandmother, was pronounced under the laws of Salem, Massachusetts, to be a witch and sentenced to death. She was hanged around the age of 65 in 1692. Subsequently the family surname was changed to Greenslit. Ann Greenslade was finally exonerated from the charge of witchcraft by an act of the Massachusetts Legislature in 1957. The Sauk County Historical Society has the complete account of her trial and the contemporary efforts to clear her name.

In 1776, the British army took over New York, and Long Island became their stronghold for the duration of what was to become known as the Revolutionary War.

In September 1782, John Greenslit, Jr., at the tender age of 15, enlisted with the Connecticut State Troops to help America fight for its independence. Toward the end of the war, it was not unusual for boys of his age to enlist. He served at Fort Trumbull, Newton, Connecticut, and then at Fort Griswold in Groton.

With the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781, Americas war for independence was nearly over. However, there were still minor battles between the British and colonists for another two years.

Private John Greenslit experienced several incursions into Long Island during his year of service in the army and perhaps saw some action, although it is not recorded in his family history.

On Sept. 3, 1783, the Paris Peace Treaty was signed by representatives of the combatants, and the Revolutionary War officially ended. The British finally left New York and Long Island on Nov. 15, 1783.

Pvt. John Greenslit was mustered out of the service in September 1783, at the age of 16 and returned to his family home in Connecticut.

He married Salome Pitts of Ashford, Connecticut, in 1790, and they became the proud parents of a family which would eventually number eight children.

It is not inappropriate to assume that during the long, cold New England winters, seated near the fireplace around a roaring fire, that he would recount his youthful encounter with the Redcoatshis young children listening in rapt attention to every detail. Later in life, he would again retell the stories to his grandchildren, perhaps embellishing a bit upon his role as a soldier during those exciting times in Americas history.

Salome died in 1860, and is buried beside her husband in Dellona Center Cemetery.

On July 4, 1975, the people of Reedsburg honored the Greenslit family and dedicated a bronze plaque which was placed on the grave at the Dellona Center Cemetery. The grave was located through the work of the Wisconsin Sons of the American Revolution and the Wisconsin State Old Cemetery Society. Greenslit descendants from across the country came to pay their respects that sunny summer day.

Bill Schuette has served on the board of directors at the Sauk County Historical Society since 1993. He lives in rural Loganville.
Her Chul-ho, sixth from left, CEO of Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC), poses along with others during a tape-cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the company's R&D center in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 7. Courtesy of KGC



By Baek Byung-yeul



Korea Ginseng Corp. (KGC) opened an R&D center in Gwacheon, outer Seoul, to enhance its research capabilities and secure competitiveness in the fierce health and functional food market, the company said Wednesday.



KGC said the new R&D center, which covers 3,821 square meters and uses nine floors, will help improve the company's research capability as it features the latest research equipment. KGC held an opening ceremony on Sept. 7 to commemorate the new facility.



"With the expansion and relocation of our Gwacheon R&D center, we have expanded our infrastructure and increased efficiency. We expect the facility will serve as a key base for new leaps through research and development innovation based on our world-leading ginseng and red ginseng technology," Hur Chul-ho, CEO of KGC, said at the opening ceremony.





KGC employees pose during an opening ceremony of KGC's R&D center in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, Sept. 7. Courtesy of KGC
JUNEAU  A 48-year-old former Reeseville man was sentenced on Monday to 22 years in prison on charges of sexually assaulting two boys while he was residing in the village prior to 2021.

Terry Gould, whose current address is in Fitchburg, was found guilty by a jury in August to crimes include repeated sexual assault of the same child. Dodge County Judge Kristine Snow also sentenced Gould to 15 years of extended supervision.

According to the criminal complaint, the boys mother contacted authorities on Oct. 17, 2021, after being told by one of them about the abuse that happened years earlier.

Both boys are now in their teens, but one of the boys said the abuse began as early as he could remember. One of the boys confronted Gould, who threatened to take his own life if they told on him, the complaint states.
Mauston is in search of a new administrator after Randy Reeg submitted his resignation and the city terminated his contact on Monday.

Reeg, who served in the position for nearly five years, emailed his resignation letter to Mayor Dennis Nielsen and the Common Council on Sept. 13. His resignation was to be effective Sept. 18, the same day the city officially terminated Reegs contract without cause following a closed Common Council session, according to a release from Nielsen.

The city would not comment further on Reegs resignation and contract termination.

Deputy Treasurer Daron Haugh is serving as the citys interim administrator. Haugh would not say whether the city had accepted Reegs resignation.

Reeg sent the mail to Nielsen and the council informing them of his resignation the day after after a Sept. 12 meeting of the Common Council, in which, following a closed session, the council agreed to postpone discussions regarding Reegs employment with the city until the Sept. 18 special meeting.

The closed session (on Sept. 12) raised concerns about unity and transparency within the organization, which are values I hold dear, Reeg wrote in his resignation letter. As a result, I can no longer continue in my role at the City of Mauston.

Reeg was criticized for his role in a dispute with a firefighter who was suspended for 30 days earlier this year. Mauston residents have expressed concerns with Reegs leadership through social media posts on the Concerned Citizens of Mauston Facebook page and an online petition started on Feb. 22 on Change.org.

Haugh, who is handling all inquiries regarding Reegs departure, said a Mauston resident had initiated legal action against the city but would not comment further.

Huckleberry Ulbricht, a Necedah resident who runs an online publication, the Juneau County Herald, filed a federal lawsuit on Sept. 11 in U.S. District Court against the city of Mauston claiming that his 1st and 14th Amendment rights were violated over a time period from 2021 to August of this year. Nielsen, Reeg, deputy clerk Nicole Lyddy, and Mauston Police Sgt. Brandon Arenz are named in the lawsuit.

An attempt to reach Reeg was unsuccessful.

The former administrator expressed gratitude for his experiences in the role but said it was in mutual best interest for him to leave the position.

He also wrote an email to other city officials, including Police Chief Michael Zilisch and Fire Chief Kim Hale, expressing his pleasure in working with them.

Our accomplishments certainly havent been without some headaches, heartaches, and turmoil, but we persevered, Reeg wrote.

Reeg began his tenure as Mauston city administrator on Oct. 9, 2018 after serving in the same position in Thorp and in an interim capacity in Necedah. Shortly after he was hired, Reeg admitted to the Mauston Common Council that he stole $1,900 from the DNR in 2003.

A revitalization of Lions Park, the groundbreaking for fiber optic high-speed internet, and initiatives to solve the citys housing issues were highlights of Reegs tenure.
We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on!

Go to form
Doctors say it is beneficial for people to get the vaccines, especially if it has been more than 2 months since their last COVID vaccine.
The man accused of killing an 18-year-old north of Reno has pleaded not guilty.

The Washoe County District Attorney's Office says Todd Tonnochy pleaded not guilty all charges - he will now go to trial starting in August 2024.

He is accused of killing Hailey Nieto and leaving her body near a road in Cold Springs in March.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

The man accused of killing an 18-year-old near Cold Springs is facing new charges in part due to his alleged conduct following his arrest.

According to the Reno Justice Court, Todd Tonnochy is now facing charges related to attempting to bribe and intimidating a witness.

The Washoe County District Attorney's office tells us along with his conduct -- they were filed based on evidence from prior convictions.

Tonnochy is accused of killing Hailey Nieto in March.

He's now scheduled to be back in court next Monday, September 25th.

July 17 Update:

On Monday, a judge denied Tonnochy's request for new representation.

His preliminary hearing is set to happen September 15.

June 24 Update:

The man accused of killing an 18-year-old mother earlier this year is expected in court on Monday.

Todd Tonnochy is accused of killing Hailey Nieto and leaving her body near a road in Cold Springs in March.

According to court documents, Tonnochy has already made appearances in court on March 19 and June 5.

Tonnochy's next court appearance will be a status hearing.

Tonnochy remains in the Washoe County Jail where he is being held on no bail.

May 18 Update:

The man accused of killing 18-year-old Hailey Nieto is now back in Washoe County after being extradited from Texas.

39-year-old Todd Tonnochy was booked into the Washoe County Jail on Thursday on charges of open murder and concealing/destroying evidence.

Tonnochy was arrested by U.S. Marshals on March 28 in Midland, Texas.

As of right now, there is a no court date scheduled for Tonnochy.

Nieto's body was found on the dirt extension of North Virginia Street in March, and her death was ruled a homicide.

MARCH 31, 2023:

Authorities say a man is now behind bars accused of killing 18-year-old Hailey Nieto and leaving her body near a road in Cold Springs last week.

On March 28, 2023, through an investigation led by the Washoe County Sheriffs Office, the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 39-year-old Todd Tonnochy.

On March 28, 2023, the U.S. Marshals, with the assistance of the Midland County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigation Division and SWAT team, successfully located Tonnochy at a motel in Midland, Texas, where they took him into custody.

Washoe County Sheriffs Office detectives say there are no outstanding suspects in this case, and they would like to thank the members of the public who provided tips and information.

----

A viewing was held Wednesday for the woman whose body was found north of Reno last week.

The family sent us photos of the viewing they had for Hailey Nieto at Mountain View Mortuary.

Her brother and parents were among those who attended the 18-year-old's viewing.

As we reported, her body was found last week with a gunshot wound on the dirt extension of North Virginia Street and is being investigated as a homicide.

In a statement, her family said:

"Hailey was a daughter, mother, granddaughter, great granddaughter, cousin, niece and aunt. She loved her two baby girls and loved taking them to the park to see the ducks and go on the swings. She was a Reno Native, born and raised here. She was studying to be a mortician and wanted to work at Mountain View Mortuary someday. Its very sad that she ended up there in a different way. She loved doing art, makeup, fashion, loved music, camping, Hawaii and Lake Tahoe in the summer. She was so empathetic, she would occasionally go to cemeteries, read about peoples stories and show her respect. She leaves behind a two-year-old and nine-month-old, Luna & Mila."

Authorities are looking for anyone who may have been in the area between 5:00 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

If you have any information that can help authorities, call or text your anonymous tip to Secret Witness at 775-322-4900. A $5,000 reward is being offered.

The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help expenses. Click below -
When Joel and Ethan Coen first asked him to take a supporting role in The Big Lebowski as Theodore Donald Kerabatsos, the mild-mannered, oft-dismissed bowling enthusiast who succumbs to a heart attack while fighting a trio of nihilists, Steve Buscemi didnt recognize their invitation as a ticket to immortality. If anything, his gut told him to decline.



I remember thinking that I didnt want to play this part, he says now, reunited on the stage of New Yorks Hammerstein Ballroom with principal members of the Lebowski cast and crew  including Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, John Turturro, Julianne Moore and musical director T Bone Burnett  to celebrate the movies Aug. 16 premiere on Blu-ray.



I couldnt figure why anyone would want to be this guy  until the end, when were up against the nihilists, and [Johns character] is so protective of Donny. It was very moving, and I finally got it. Those two are like the Skipper and Gilligan [from Gilligans Island]. Thats their relationship. And I realized I had to do the movie. What was I thinking?



Hailed today as one of Americas most beloved cult comedies, Lebowski was greeted at the time of its March 1998 release by middling reviews and small, somewhat indifferent crowds. Far from a legend in the making, it was initially considered a flop, despite eventually recouping its modest $15-million budget.







No more. With a slick new Blu-ray set to complement five differently packaged DVD editions, Lebowski is more than a commercial hit  its a cultural phenomenon, inspiring rabid devotees to gather in cities across the country (including San Francisco in 2008 and 2009) for annual festivals featuring bowling and costume parties, where the beverage of choice is always the Dudes favorite: a White Russian.



Could any of the actors have foreseen such a response? Not Buscemi. People would come up to me on the streets, he says. This was about five years after it came out, and by then most movies have already died. Theyd say, Ive seen the movie five times. Well, thats good, I guess. Then the next year  Ive seen the movie 10 times!



I didnt believe them. Why would you watch it 10 times? Well, now I believe them. And when people come up to me and say, Shut the fuck up, Donny, I take it as a sign of respect.



Turturro, who plays rival bowler Jesus Quintana  The Jesus, if youre into the brevity thing  was similarly caught off guard by the reaction, especially to his character, whose shady past (as a notorious pederast) and garish purple jumpsuit inspired some unusually explicit solicitations.



I actually got a lot of sex mail, says Turturro. Some women, but mostly guys talking about things they wanted The Jesus to do to them. Its flattering, but it sounds pretty exhausting.







Assembled for one night only  barring a possible sequel  the stars seem as tickled by the boisterous exuberance of fans who sold out the Hammerstein as by their undiminished fascination with the labyrinthine (and, it must be said, extraordinary silly) mythology of Jeff Lebowski  the man just right for his time and place, better known to friends and well-wishers simply as The Dude, Duder, His Dudeness or even El Duderino.



To Bridges, of course, he is but one of many characters the Oscar-winning actor has played over a remarkable 60-year career in film, starting with his appearance, as an infant, in the 1951 romantic drama The Company She Keeps. But that doesnt mean The Dude doesnt hold a special place in his heart.



I remember, chronologically, meeting the first time with the brothers in [their] reading room. They hadnt cast the movie yet, so they drew this guy, the Big Lebowski, on a chalkboard, or a marker board, I guess, says Bridges, who almost turned down the part, concerned that his daughters, then in their teens, wouldnt want their dad to be known as the worlds laziest stoner.



So they had a cartoon of this guy. I think the brothers will tell you that I was pretty resistant in the beginning  you know, they had to drag me to the party. But boy, Im glad I went to that party, man. And theyre the best. They really know how to do it, getting all the right cooks together in the kitchen, man.



On their fondest memories of filming Lebowski:

John Goodman (Walter Sobchak): Its the most fun Ive ever had working on a film. Id go to the set on my days off, and thats going a long way for me. I loved the spirit of the movie. I never thought about it being released or anything like that, I just loved it, from the first time I read the script until the day I said good-bye to everyone. And I never worked in the business again.



Julianne Moore (Maude Lebowski, the Dude's fucking lady friend): I loved the language. I read the script, and I thought, OK, I know how [my character] talks, I can figure this out. And the first time I did it, Ethan said to me, I love that boarding-school accent you do. I told him it wasnt an accent, it was an affectation. And that was the character, to me.



John Turturro: The Coens kept telling me they werent sure it was going to happen, they didnt know if Jeff would do the film. But they told me they had a part for me, and I read the script. I told them, all this guy does is [go bowling], but they said, Yeah, but youll do something interesting with it. So I took him, and the result, of course, is very close to my life.



Jeff Bridges: I remember you showing up to the set, and you were just in and out, there for a day. You were wearing that hot-pink jumpsuit.



JT: That was a good costume. All actors have to credit their costumes.



SB: One thing I did, and Ive never done this on any film that Ive worked on, is that I had the whole cast sign a bowling ball. I remember Sam Elliott said, Man, I dont usually do this, but well, all right. And Im afraid to mention that I have this bowling ball because Im afraid somebody is going to break into my house and find it.



JT: I had a bowling ball, too, that I sold for charity. The tragedy is they sold off all my jumpsuits, soon after the movie came out. They should have waited, they could have got a lot of money for those for charity.







On when they realized the movie had gained a cult following:

JG: People started accosting me on the streets, more than usual. Actual people, not just the voices in my head.



JM: It was the same thing for me  people coming up to me and saying, Youre in my favorite movie! Youll never guess what it is! And Id say, 'The Big Lebowski?' And theyd say Yeah, man! Howd you know? And a couple years later it was the same thing. Theyd seen it five times, 10 times, 20 times. Maybe it was the only movie theyd ever seen.



On where their characters are now:

JB: [Maude and I] have three kids. Weve gone in and out of it. Weve been married a couple times.



JM: In and out? Yeah, thats cool.



JB: The Dude is giving a massage right now. Hes become a masseuse.



JG: Walter tried to be become a member of the French Foreign Legion, but they wanted him to work on Shabbas. Now he raises pigeons.



SB: I couldnt believe that Donny died. I couldnt believe [the Coens] did that to me. After being put through a wood chipper [in Fargo], I thought I deserved a little better.



JB: What do you guys think about this theory that Donny doesnt actually exist? Have you heard that? You think thats bullshit?



SB: The feeling is that Donny is a figment of Walters imagination, because nobody ever really acknowledges Donny.



JB: I never acknowledge you!



SB: When I say, Phones ringing, Dude. Phones ringing, Dude. And you say, Thank you, Donny. So there  Donny does exist!



On the possibility of a sequel:

T Bone Burnett: I would do it in a heartbeat. I mean, its the Coen brothers, Id do anything they wanted.



JT: I would agree to it if Donny comes to live with The Jesus so we can finally have some kind of relationship. So it would have to be a prequel.



JB: A prequel? Yeah, now thats a good idea.



JM: Wed get the kids back from boarding school. Wed do it.



JG: Itll never happen. I could pitch my time in the movie a million different ways but Im down for anything.



SB: Actually, we did do a sequel, of sorts. I did this DirecTV commercial, and its a chicken and an egg, and theyre both watching a movie. They wanted me to be the egg, and they said they would have John Goodman as the voice of the chicken. So I told them, Ill do it if John does it. I thought, I have that line in the movie  I am the walrus. Well now, Im the egg man.



JG: Coo coo ca choo.



The Big Lebowski is now available on Blu-ray. To purchase a copy from Amazon, click here. To purchase tickets to see Jeff Bridges and his band, The Abiders, at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium on Aug. 24, click here.
A researcher works at CBM's viral vector researching facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Courtesy of SK pharmteco



By Ko Dong-hwan



SK pharmteco's acquisition of American genetic medicine developer CBM has given the Korean firm an advantage in the principal genetic medicine markets in the U.S. and Europe, according to SK Group.



SK, one of Korea's biggest conglomerates, said Wednesday its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) subsidiary has acquired the Center for Breakthrough Medicines (CBM), a Philadelphia-based American CDMO for cell gene therapy (CGT). CGT is an emerging bio-medicinal technology that is anticipated to provide highly effective medicinal treatment.



With the acquisition, SK pharmteco has prepared for itself complete pipelines for the development and mass production of chemical drugs and CGT in the world's two biggest medicine markets. The production capacity upgrade has placed SK among the world's five CDMOs with such infrastructure. In 2021, SK pharmteco expanded its European production capacity by acquiring Yposkesi, a French CDMO.



CBM has completed building almost half of a 65,000 square meter-large CGT medicine factory, the world's its kind. The factory is expected to flexibly supply the growing demand for medicine production. The company also plans to build another factory for plasmid, a component for cell therapy and CGT, the next year.





CBM headquarters in Cellicon Valley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the U.S. / Courtesy of SK pharmteco
Scammers prey on veterans, exploiting their trust and goodwill, often striking when they are most vulnerable.



Thats what happened to John McKendrick, 80, of West Palm Beach, Florida, a retired Navy lieutenant commander and veteran of 20 years who lost his life savings. Now, he wants to warn other veterans.

You can subscribe here to AARP Veteran Report, a free e-newsletter published twice a month. If you have feedback or a story idea then please contact us here.

McKendrick was grieving the death of his wife of 46 years and preparing to go to England for her funeral when the scammer struck. He was, as he puts it, not in a good frame of mind when he noticed an odd charge for Norton on his credit card statement.

His bank advised calling Norton Security, so he Googled the company and found a phone number. The customer service representative asked McKendrick to click a link that would allow him remote control of the computer to check for the Norton software.

Against my better judgment, I allowed him to do this, McKendrick told AARP Veteran Report. Once on my computer, he verified that I did not have Norton Security installed. But he did report that during his inspection, he had found at least 28 active hackers on my computer.

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

At this point, McKendrick, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and a member of the class of 1966, didnt realize there was only one hacker inside his machine: the man he was speaking to on the phone.

According to Troy Broussard, senior adviser to the AARP Veterans and Military Families Initiative, enabling a hacker to infiltrate your computer is a turning point: Giving any type of control to a potential scammer can lead to escalated losses. It is so easy to do. Many years ago, I experienced this myself when a scammer was about to take over my computer, but I realized it at the last moment.

Once the scammer has control, the result can be devastating. That is exactly what happened to McKendrick next. The man said Norton was working with the FBI and other federal agencies to catch hackers and that McKendrick could help them.


Operations Update Odin-1 Flow Rates

Melbourne, Sep 20, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Vintage Energy Ltd ( ASX:VEN ) and Operator of the PRL 211 Joint Venture ("JV"), other Interest holders: Metgasco Ltd, 25%; and Bridgeport (Cooper Basin) Pty Ltd, 25%) provides an update on the performance of the Odin-1 gas well which commenced production on 14 September 2023.



Odin-1 has produced consistently and strongly since coming online, ramping up until the morning of 15 September 2023 from when it has averaged production of 6.0 million standard cubic feet per day ("MMscfd") at an average flowing wellhead pressure ("FWHP") of 1649 psig in the 4-day period to 19 September 2023.



The high FWHP of Odin-1 and excellent deliverability potential is being controlled to manage flowing temperatures within the limits of the well's composite pipe connection. This rate is slightly above the targeted rate for initial production from the well and was achieved ahead of expectations. Odin-1 flowed 6.5 MMscfd on test after its discovery in May 2021.



Associated water production has been negligible and in line with expectations.



Managing Director, Neil Gibbins said the well's performance had confirmed expectations. "With 5 days of solid production history we have the data which shows Odin-1 is a good well from which we expect to realise a significant uplift in our production and cash generation" he said.



Gas produced by the field is being supplied to Pelican Point Power Limited, a joint venture between ENGIE Australia and New Zealand (72%) and Mitsui & Co Ltd (28%) until 31 December 2024. The agreement provides Pelican Point Power with all of Odin's gas production over the contract term with commercial terms encouraging field appraisal and production expansion. As producers supplying less than 100 PJ exclusively to the domestic market, Vintage and the JV are exempted from the gas price cap.





About Vintage Energy Ltd





Vintage Energy Ltd (ASX:VEN) has been established to acquire, explore and develop energy assets principally within, but not limited to, Australia, to take advantage of a generally favourable energy pricing outlook.

Related Companies
Lionsgate Movie

The 'Matrix' actor begged for his hitman character to be 'definitively killed' in the fourth movie because the role left him physically and emotionally exhausted.

Sep 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Keanu Reeves pleaded for his titular character in "John Wick: Chapter 4" to be "definitively killed" at the end of the movie, according to one of the producers. Basil Iwanyk has revealed how the 59-year-old Hollywood star was left so "physically and emotionally destroyed" after shooting the motion picture that he wanted his character - a former hitman who is forced back into the criminal underworld - to be axed.

"After the second, third, and fourth movie, making these films is so exhausting and it destroys Keanu, physically and emotionally. By the end, he's always like, 'I can't do this again,' and we agree with him," Iwanyk said to Collider.

Iwanyk admitted Reeves is like a "shell of himself" at the end of filming because he gives so much to the part. He added, "The guy is just a shell of himself because he just goes off and goes for it. He was like, 'I wanna be definitively killed at the end of this movie.' We were like, 'You know, we'll leave a 10 per cent little opening.' "

In May, it was revealed "John Wick 5" is in the early stages of development. Lionsgate chairman Joe Drake revealed at the time that a fifth movie was already in the works, along with a host of other projects at the production studio.

During a recent financial call, he said, "We're now moving across that franchise, not just in the AAA video game space, but looking at what the regular cadence of spin-offs, television really growing that universe so that there is a steady cadence of a franchise that there's clear appetite by the audience."

"What is official is that, as you know, 'Ballerina' [starring Ana de Armas] is the first spinoff that comes out next year. We're in development on three others, including 'John Wick 5' and including television series, 'The Continental', will be airing soon."

"And so, we're building out the world and when that five movie comes, will be organic - will be organically grown out of how we're starting to tell those stories. But you can rely on a regular cadence of John Wick."

You can share this post!
Sonny Perdue, chancellor of the University System of Georgia, standing on the left side, poses with Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Eui-sun, standing on the right, after Hyundai signed a memorandum of understanding with Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia, Tuesday. Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group





By Lee Min-hyung







Hyundai Motor Group has clinched a partnership with Georgia Institute of Technology for joint research in future mobility areas encompassing batteries and hydrogen economy, the Korean automaker said Wednesday.







The partnership builds upon the group's long history in the U.S. state. Under the leadership of the group's Honorary Chairman Chung Mong-koo, Kia Georgia's West Point assembly plant began vehicle production in 2009. Kia is an affiliate of Hyundai.







Hyundai is also expanding its investment in Georgia by investing $12.6 billion (16.7 trillion won) in electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturing facilities there. The investment includes the $7.59 billion Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America site in Bryan County, Georgia, and the $5 billion battery manufacturing facility joint venture with SK on in Bartow County. The former will help create more than 8,500 direct jobs and the latter around 3,500.







Hyundai's latest partnership with the institute will help the group engage in more advanced tech research in key mobility areas. Both sides will hold diverse joint projects in such aforementioned future-oriented mobility sectors as well as software.







"Georgia is like a second home to us," Hyundai Motor Company CEO Jay Chang said. "We are a mission-driven organization with a very compelling point of view about the future. We are thrilled to create a partnership with Georgia Tech that includes research and applications to support the future of sustainable mobility, hydrogen economy, workforce development and smart cities, among many other areas of cooperation."







Georgia Tech also welcomed the recent partnership with Korea's leading automaker.







"Like Georgia Tech, Hyundai is a global brand that is synonymous with quality, innovation and a commitment to advancing technology to make a positive difference in the world," Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera said. "I am grateful for the transformative investments Hyundai is making in our state, and I am proud that the Hyundai brand will feature prominently on our campus. I look forward to working with Hyundai leaders to deepen our partnership as we work to develop exceptional leaders and produce new ideas that will shape the automotive industry and advance mobility in the future."







According to a study by the Center for Automotive Research, Hyundai Motor's automotive operations contributed $20.1 billion and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy in 2021 alone.


YouTube/Warner Bros. Pictures Movie

The 'Beetlejuice' director, who almost directed Cage in a Superman movie in 1990s, gets honest about his opinions when he's asked about the actor's cameo as Man of Steel in 'The Flash'.

Sep 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Tim Burton doesn't like seeing Nicolas Cage as Superman in "The Flash". The iconic filmmaker was originally hired to work on Cage's "Superman Lives" in 1998 when the plug got pulled after two years of pre-production work, while the actor did play the role - albeit with a lot of CGI - in a multiverse sequence in the 2023 movie, which also saw Michael Keaton reprise his role as Batman.

"No, I don't have regrets. I will say this, when you work that long on a project and it doesn't happen, it affects you for the rest of your life. Because you get passionate about things, and each thing is an unknown journey, and it wasn't there yet. But it's one of those experiences that never leaves you, a little bit," he told the British Film Institute when asked if he has regrets over missing out on the Superman movie.

And he drew a negative comparison between seeing Cage and Keaton in "The Flash" with the controversial use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. He insisted, "But also it goes into another AI thing, and this is why I think I'm over it with the studio."

"They can take what you did, Batman or whatever, and culturally misappropriate it, or whatever you want to call it. Even though you're a slave of Disney or Warner Brothers, they can do whatever they want. So in my latter years of life, I'm in quiet revolt against all this."

Burton had very kind words for Keaton, describing their working relationship was "beautiful" with work paused on the "Beetlejuice" sequel amid the ongoing Hollywood strikes.

However, he did weigh in on their reasons for not reuniting for a third "Batman" movie together, which the director blamed on "the studio," comparing it to Disney not working with him on a follow-up to "Vincent" and "Frankenweenie" in 1982 and 1984 respectively. He added, "Well, the studio [Warner Bros], it was like the earlier Disney situation. They had enough of me for that one. I think I upset McDonald's or something."

You can share this post!
Instagram/YouTube Celebrity

Prince Jackson talks about his late superstar dad, explaining that the King of Pop struggled with anxiety because of his 'blotchy' appearance caused by vitiligo.

Sep 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Jackson has opened up his dad Michael Jackson "had a lot of insecurity" about his skin condition. The late King of Pop's eldest child, 26, has dished on his father's experience of with vitiligo - a chronic disorder which causes patches of skin to lose its pigmentation - and how it caused his anxiety.

"He had a lot of insecurity around, kind of looking blotchy in his appearance. So he wanted to see if he could smooth out his appearance, to help with his security on his physical appearance," Prince said on the "Hotboxin' With Mike Tyson" podcast.

Prince revealed when he was younger, his father "was always explaining" his condition. Back in 1994, Michael - who died in 2009 - reflected on his vitiligo during an interview with Oprah Winfrey after his changing appearance and cosmetic surgery sparked speculation he was trying to alter his skin colour.

He said at the time, "I have a skin disorder the pigmentation of my skin. It is something I cannot help. When people make up stories that I don't want to be who I am, it hurts me. It's a problem for me. I can't control it. But what about all the millions of people who sit in the sun to become darker, to become other than what they are? Nobody says nothing about that."

Meanwhile, Prince told Mike Tyson that as he's grown up, he's learned to "appreciate how unique and interesting" his childhood was, including growing up on the Neverland Ranch surrounded by animals including "elephants, tigers, lions, a lot of primates like monkeys, gorillas, orangutans."

He added, "[My dad] loved animals when he was a kid. As he was making more money and more music, he was able to buy more animals."

And now, almost 15 years after his father's death, he is still learning about him as a person, as he continues to do "a lot of research" about Michael's life on tour. He said, "What impact does that have on you? To see a sea of people just singing your lyrics back to you and wanting to reach out and touch you. The impact of that has got to be very profound."

You can share this post!
Cover Images/Vince Flores Celebrity

Hours before crashing her car into a property in Newport Beach, California, the 'Real Housewives of Orange County' alum reportedly hung out with her friend at a nearby bar.

Sep 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Shannon Beador appeared to have had a fun night prior to her legal trouble. Before getting arrested due to DUI alcohol and hit-and-run, the star of "The Real Housewives of Orange County" was reportedly tipsy at a bar.

Speaking to TMZ, an eyewitness revealed that she was "pretty boozed up" when she hung out with her friend and business partner Steve Muller, hours before she crashed her car into a building. She was spotted at the A Restaurant in Newport Beach, California, which was located half a mile from where the accident took place, on Saturday night, September 16. However, the eyewitness did not offer any information on the drink she was sipping on.

The source revealed, "She was loud and boisterous through the night, with her arms flailing in the air." At one point during her outing at the bar, she made one of her fans smile by agreeing to take a photo with her. Picture from the night was released by the outlet.

In addition, the source claimed to have overheard Shannon complaining about her former co-star on the Bravo series Alexis Bellino, who was also spotted at the same restaurant at that time. Alexis' attendance did not stop Shannon from talking about the former with people around her.

Later on, Alexis confirmed to the outlet that she and Shannon were at the same bar that night. "When my girlfriends and I arrived for a fun night out together, it was soon brought to my attention that Shannon was also at the same restaurant," she recalled. "Shannon and I did not interact that night."

"But it greatly saddens me to learn that she may harbor negative feelings or resentment toward me, as I was not involved in Jim Bellino's lawsuit against Shannon," she continued, making a reference to her former husband Jim, who filed a million-dollar defamation lawsuit against Shannon back in 2018. "From one single mother to another, I wish Shannon nothing but the best as I know she is facing trying times ahead."

Shannon was arrested for DUI alcohol and hit-and-run after she crashed her car into a property in Newport Beach on Saturday night. In CCTV footage obtained by TMZ, it could be seen that she was driving at a high speed prior to the crash. The clip further showed her driving away from the damaged property. She was later arrested before "she was cited and released without bond."

In the wake of the legal problem, Shannon appeared to have received support from her pals, including Kelly Dodd and Vicki Gunvalson. Kelly, who claimed to have sent food to Shannon's paparazzi-packed house on Tuesday morning, revealed on her YouTube show "Daily Smash", "I have to say, Vicki Gunvalson is a very good friend at this time to her."

In contrast, Kelly said that Tamra Judge is "not so much" of a good pal to Shannon without explaining the reason why. Meanwhile, in her Monday, September 18 episode of "Two Ts in a Pod" podcast, Tamra shared that she had a conference call with Shannon and said that the latter did not discuss her arrest. Tamra later added, "I will not even have one drink and get into the car because you don't know how an alcoholic beverage is going to hit you."

You can share this post!
Instagram Celebrity

In a newly-published interview, the 'Captain America: The First Avenger' actor reveals the discussions that he had with the 'Warrior Nun' actress in the beginning of their relationship.

Sep 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Chris Evans has shared an insight into his relationship with his new wife Alba Baptista. The leading man in "Captain America: The First Avenger" opened up about his private life with the "Warrior Nun" star despite rarely making comments on the matter.

The 42-year-old Marvel star revealed one of the discussions that he had with the 26-year-old actress in the beginning of their relationship in an interview for his GQ profile, which was published on Tuesday, September 19.

During the chat, which was conducted a couple months prior to his marriage to Alba, Chris was referring to her as his "girlfriend." He said, "My girlfriend that I've had for a while, when we began dating I was like, 'Yeah, I do one movie a year. I try to never work now.' "

"The Avengers" actor went on to reveal, "And then, after like a few months of dating, boom, guess what? We're living in Atlanta for a year." He recounted, "Get ready. And even when that year was happening, I was like, man, never again."

During the chat, Chris received a question if the interviewer made the actor feel like he was put "in one particular box or other." In response, he assured, "No, not at all. Not at all." He then spilled about Alba, "Actually, that's so funny. My girlfriend's really big into people's energies and first impressions."

Meanwhile, Chris admitted, "I'm not so much." On the reason why, he explained, "Because I feel that I don't always give off the same thing out of the gate. So I try to really reserve judgment." He then gushed over the interviewer by saying, "But you had a very, very nice energy when you first came in."

Chris and Alba tied the knot on September 9 in an intimate wedding, which was held at their home in Massachusetts. The couple invited a number of their closest family and friends to have a blast on the special day. The guests reportedly included his "Avengers" co-stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner.

Following the ceremony, it was reported that Chris and Alba were planning to host a second wedding. "There is going to be a second gathering in Portugal for members of Alba's family who couldn't be in Massachusetts. Sometime this week, I believe. Then they'll depart from Portugal for their honeymoon," an insider spilled to the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column.

You can share this post!
Cover Images/ROGER WONG/Janet Mayer Celebrity

The former 'American Idol' star sets the record straight amid suggestions that she looked 'uncomfortable' during her appearance with the comedian on 'Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'.

Sep 20, 2023

AceShowbiz - Katharine McPhee defends Russell Brand amid suggestions that she looked "uncomfortable" during her appearance with the comedian on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon". Setting the record straight, Katharine called Russell "harmless" in an Instagram comment.

On Tuesday, September 19, Katharine reacted to a resurfaced video of her and Russell's interaction. "I know nothing [about] what you are trying to claim here but this specific incident was over 10 years ago and it was harmless," the 39-year-old shared. "Please don't try and use me for whatever purpose you are trying to serve."

In the 2013 clip, the "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" actor was already seated next to host Jimmy Fallon when Katharine walked out on the set. The host asked Russell to move over so the "American Idol" alum could have his seat. However, the actor pulled the wife of David Foster onto his lap instead.

"Katharine is welcome to sit here," he said while wrapping his arms around Katharine's waist, "For the queen!" Russell eventually stood up and moved before saying to Katharine, "You're beautiful. I'll just be here with my sexual charisma."

The video resurfaced amid the rape, sexual assault and abuse allegations against Russell. In a report published by U.K. newspaper The Times, four women accused the former husband of Katy Perry of sexual assault between the years of 2006 and 2013.

Shutting down the allegations, the comic said in a video, "I have received two extremely disturbing letters, or a letter and an email, one from a mainstream media TV company, one from a newspaper, listing a litany of egregious and aggressive attacks. Amidst this litany of astonishing, rather baroque attacks, are some very serious allegations that I absolutely refute."

"When I was in the movies, and as I've written about extensively in my books, I was very, very promiscuous. During that time of promiscuity, the relationships that I had were absolutely always consensual," he continued. Referring to The Sunday Times' joint investigation with The Times and Channel 4's "Dispatches", he added, "[There are] witnesses whose evidence directly contradicts the narratives that these two mainstream media outlets are trying to construct, apparently, in what seems to me to be a coordinated attack."

He concluded, "I don't want to get into this any further because of the serious nature of the allegations but I feel like I'm being attacked and plainly they are working very closely together."

You can share this post!
SaaS-based accounting platform, HostBooks, provides automated accounting solutions to MSMEs and SMEs to optimise and streamline their business and financial solutions. The platform was initially formed in the US in the year 2015, where Kapil Rana, the founder, and a well known CA, was able to identify a number of challenges in the market, faced by medium and small businesses in managing their accounting and financial tasks. In the year 2018, the company made its entry in the Indian market as an AI platform to streamline, automate and optimise accounting workflows.

Accounting processes, which are conventional, comprise of repetitive, manual tasks, which include audits, MIS, bookkeeping, reporting, compliance, and these can tie down an accountant or an entrepreneur. Moreover, the newly introduced tax regime and economic changes have led to complicated statutory and accounting processes. In order to make up for the gaps created by the conventional accounting methods, Hostbooks provides tools, applications, which are secured, data protection, on-the-go accessibility of data. The platform is empowering accountants, entrepreneurs, tax professionals with interesting and out of the box tools in order to simplify the compliance, accounting, taxation, financial processes for businesses of all kinds of sizes.

Within a short span of time, it has got important clients, which include Sagar Ratna, Amazon, Haldirams, The Leela Palace and Resorts, NSDL, E-filling Income Tax Department India, Flipkart, Shopify. Its USP is the strong combination of industry focussed solutions, its Cloud 360 ERP, Big Data insights, a modular approach eradicating the all-in-one constraint, AI & ML abilities, scalability for large and medium enterprises, multi-channel integration. All these make HostBooks a state-of-the-art industry-specific solution provider that, along with streamlining operations, also empower businesses to survive in their specific industries. The business model of HostBooks is based on a number of types which include Tiered Pricing, Subscription based, Customer Support and Custom Solutions.

In conversation with Adgully, Kapil Rana, Founder & Chairman, HostBooks, said, HostBooks commitment to innovation, customisation, and user-friendliness positions it as a valuable tool for a wide range of businesses, from small and medium firms to larger organisations and professionals.

What are the main products and services that HostBooks is offering?

HostBooks is a dynamic FinTech startup with a strong commitment to transforming the way businesses manage their operations. Established in 2016-17 by Kapil Rana & Biswajit Mishra, our mission is to empower businesses by providing comprehensive, automated solutions that streamline financial processes, reduce costs, and facilitate smart decision-making.

HostBooks offers a wide range of integrated products and services, including:

SME 360o ERP (for small businesses)

Cloud 360o ERP (for mid to large size businesses)

Accounting

Business Intelligence

Neo-Banking

GST compliance

TDS management

E-invoicing & E-way Bill

Payroll processing

Order management

CRM

Point-of-sale (POS) solutions

Manufacturing and Quality Control

Distribution Management

Hotels and Cafes management

Transport Management

Construction Management

HostBooks differentiates itself by providing modular functionalities that can be customized to meet specific business segment needs, replacing the one-size-fits-all model. It stands out with its exceptional Cloud 360 ERP solution, multi-channel integration, AI and ML capabilities, and the ability to provide custom solutions for complex financial issues. HostBooks commitment to innovation, customization, and user-friendliness positions it as a valuable tool for a wide range of businesses, from small and medium firms to larger organizations and professionals. It operates with the goal of positively impacting millions of lives through high-quality IT-enabled services and remains dedicated to enhancing accounting support standards.

What differentiates HostBooks from other similar brands in the market? What is its USP?

HostBooks offers a truly exceptional Cloud 360 ERP solution, catering to the distinctive needs of multi-segment businesses across various industries such as Retail, Distribution, FMCG, HORECA, Manufacturing, Logistics and Transportation, and Construction. Tailored specifically for mid and large enterprises, HostBooks USP lies in its comprehensive array of features:

Multi-Segment Product: HostBooks stands out as an industry-specific solution that understands the intricacies of diverse sectors and provides sector specific solutions like Retail 360, Distribution 360, F&B 360, Hotel 360, Manufacturing 360, Transport 360, Project 360, Hospital 360 and Construction 360. This industry-focused approach ensures that businesses can seamlessly manage their operations, addressing unique challenges and requirements. Cloud 360 ERP: HostBooks is a fully integrated Cloud 360 ERP system, empowering businesses with the ability to manage their entire operation from a single platform. This holistic approach streamlines processes, optimizes resource utilization, and enhances decision-making by providing a unified view of various business segments. AI & ML Powered Insights: Leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, HostBooks provides actionable insights derived from Big Data analysis. This enables businesses to make data-driven decisions, predict trends, and optimize their strategies for enhanced growth and competitiveness. Multi-Channel Integration: HostBooks excels at connecting various sales channels, such as brick-and-mortar stores, online marketplaces, and e-commerce platforms. This seamless integration ensures consistent data flow, real-time updates, and a unified customer experience across all touchpoints. Scalable for Mid and Large Enterprises: Designed with scalability in mind, HostBooks is tailored to meet the needs of mid-sized and large enterprises. As businesses expand, the platform grows with them, offering the flexibility to adapt to changing demands and complexities. Eliminating All-In-One: HostBooks deviates from the traditional all-in-one approach, recognizing that different industries have unique operational requirements. Instead of a one-size-fits-all solution, it offers modular functionalities that can be customized to cater to specific business segments, ensuring a more precise fit. Enhanced Efficiency: By automating routine tasks and processes, HostBooks significantly improves operational efficiency. This allows businesses to focus on strategic activities and growth initiatives while minimizing manual workloads and potential errors. Comprehensive Industry Solutions: HostBooks doesn't just offer a generic ERP  it delivers tailored solutions for each industry it serves. From inventory management in Retail to supply chain optimization in Manufacturing, businesses can leverage specialized tools for their specific operational challenges.

In conclusion, HostBooks USP is a powerful combination of its Cloud 360 ERP approach, industry-focused solutions across various segments, AI & ML capabilities, Big Data insights, multi-channel integration, scalability for mid and large enterprises, and a modular approach that eliminates the all-in-one constraint. This makes HostBooks a cutting-edge solution that not only streamlines operations but also empowers businesses to thrive in their respective industries.

What are the trends observed in its industry and consumer behaviour currently, especially after the pandemic?

In the fintech industry, especially in the context of consumer behaviour, several notable trends have emerged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic:

Increased Adoption of Digital Solutions: The pandemic accelerated the shift towards digital financial solutions. Consumers and businesses turned to online banking, digital payments, and fintech apps for convenience, safety, and contactless transactions. Rise of Neo-Banking: Neo-banks, or digital-only banks, gained popularity as they offered user-friendly interfaces, reduced fees, and innovative features. Consumers sought out these alternatives to traditional banks for their banking needs. Remote Work and Financial Services: With the rise of remote work, there was an increased demand for remote financial services. Fintech platforms that facilitated online payroll processing, expense management, and digital tax solutions saw increased adoption. Digital Wallets and Contactless Payments: Consumers favoured digital wallets and contactless payments to minimize physical contact. QR code-based payments and mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay became commonplace. Cryptocurrency and Blockchain: Interest in cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology surged. Consumers explored cryptocurrencies as investment opportunities and blockchain for secure and transparent transactions. Personal Finance Management: The pandemic highlighted the importance of financial planning. Consumers turned to personal finance management apps to budget, save, invest, and monitor their financial health. E-commerce and Online Shopping: E-commerce experienced unprecedented growth. Fintech solutions that integrated seamlessly with online marketplaces and offered payment gateways became essential for businesses. Regulatory Changes: Regulatory bodies introduced new guidelines to support the fintech industry's growth and ensure consumer protection. Compliance and adherence to these regulations became critical for fintech companies. Cybersecurity Awareness: Consumers became more vigilant about cybersecurity. They expected fintech companies to prioritize data security, prompting investments in advanced security measures. Financial Inclusion: There was an increased focus on financial inclusion, with fintech companies working to provide underserved populations with access to financial services. Sustainability and ESG Investing: Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing gained traction. Consumers sought investment opportunities aligned with sustainable and ethical principles.

HostBooks, as a fintech start-up, has been adaptable and responsive to these industry trends and shifts in consumer behaviour. Weve integrated advanced security measures, expanded our digital offerings, and enhanced our user-friendly interfaces to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals in the post-pandemic era. Our commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions positions us well to navigate and thrive in this dynamic landscape.

How is HostBooks helping MSMEs and SMEs to streamline their business and financial processes and solutions?

HostBooks plays a crucial role in helping Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) streamline their business and financial processes by offering comprehensive solutions and services:

All-in-One Platform: HostBooks provides an integrated platform that covers a wide spectrum of financial and compliance needs. This eliminates the need for businesses to invest in multiple standalone software, saving them time and money. Automation: HostBooks leverages advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, to automate manual and repetitive tasks. This automation reduces the risk of errors, enhances efficiency, and allows staff to focus on more strategic aspects of their roles. Ease of Use: HostBooks is designed with user-friendliness in mind. Its intuitive interfaces and simplified workflows make it accessible to users with varying levels of technical expertise, ensuring a smooth transition into automated financial processes. Real-Time Insights: The platform provides real-time business insights, including cash position tracking and customizable dashboards. These features enable businesses to make informed decisions promptly and adapt to changing circumstances. Compliance Management: HostBooks offers hassle-free compliance solutions for tasks such as tax management, GST compliance, and TDS management. This ensures that businesses remain compliant with regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of penalties. Neo-Banking Integration: HostBooks enables banking integration, allowing users to have enhanced control over their banking activities, real-time cash positions, and simplified payments. This integration streamlines financial management. Business Intelligence Tools: HostBooks' business intelligence tools empower users to gain a comprehensive view of their business key performance indicators (KPIs) through customizable dashboards, voice search, and data access from various sources. Device Independence: HostBooks ensures that its modules are accessible across different devices, including computers, mobile phones, and tablets. This flexibility allows users to access their financial records and processes from anywhere. Cost Savings: By automating tasks, reducing compliance costs, and offering competitive pricing, HostBooks helps MSMEs and SMEs save money, making it an affordable solution for businesses of all sizes. Customer Support: HostBooks offers exceptional customer support, assisting users promptly and effectively. This support ensures that businesses can rely on HostBooks for guidance and assistance whenever they need it.

In summary, HostBooks empowers MSMEs and SMEs by simplifying their financial and compliance processes. Its all-in-one platform, automation capabilities, real-time insights, compliance management, and user-friendly design make it a valuable tool for businesses seeking efficiency, cost savings, and strategic financial management.

What is the brand vision of HostBooks? What is its marketing strategy?

HostBooks envisions becoming a leading automated business solution for every small and medium-sized business enterprise. Our vision is to empower businesses by simplifying financial and compliance management through innovative and integrated solutions. We aim to be the go-to platform that helps businesses save time and costs, ensuring they can focus on their core operations and growth.

HostBooks Marketing Strategy

Our marketing strategy revolves around several key principles:

Customer-Centric Approach: HostBooks places customers at the center of everything we do. We strive to understand their pain points, needs, and preferences, and tailor our solutions and marketing efforts accordingly. Digital Presence: We have a strong digital presence, utilizing websites, social media, and email marketing to reach and engage our target audience effectively. This enables us to connect with businesses and professionals online. Content Marketing: We create valuable and informative content, including blogs, articles, webinars, and tutorials, to educate our audience about financial and compliance management challenges and solutions. This establishes us as a thought leader in the industry. SEO and SEM: We invest in search engine optimization (SEO) and search engine marketing (SEM) to ensure that our products and services are discoverable by businesses seeking financial and compliance solutions. Customer Testimonials and Case Studies: Real-life success stories and testimonials from satisfied customers demonstrate the tangible benefits of using HostBooks. This builds trust and credibility among potential users. Partnerships and Alliances: HostBooks forms strategic partnerships and alliances with industry leaders, banks, and financial institutions to expand our reach and provide added value to our users. User Training and Support: We offer user training sessions and exceptional customer support to ensure that our customers can effectively utilize our platform. This creates a positive user experience and promotes word-of-mouth recommendations. Innovation: HostBooks continues to innovate by staying updated with the latest industry trends and emerging technologies. This allows us to offer cutting-edge solutions that meet evolving customer needs. Feedback Loop: We actively seek feedback from our customers and use it to improve our products and services continually. This iterative approach ensures that our offerings remain relevant and valuable. Community Engagement: We engage with our user community through forums, webinars, and user groups to foster a sense of belonging and encourage knowledge sharing among our users.

HostBooks marketing strategy is built on the foundation of customer-centricity, digital outreach, educational content, and a commitment to innovation. Our goal is to not only meet but exceed the expectations of our customers, helping them streamline their financial and compliance processes effectively.

Can you share details about your pricing model?

HostBooks follows a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) business model, which means it provides its all-in-one automated business solutions as a subscription-based service. Here are the key aspects of HostBooks business model:

Subscription-Based Service: HostBooks offers its comprehensive suite of business solutions, including accounting, tax, GST, payroll, invoicing, order management, CRM, and more, on a subscription basis. Customers pay a recurring fee annually, to access and use the platform. Tiered Pricing: HostBooks offers different subscription tiers (User and features based pricing), each offering varying levels of features and capabilities. Customers choose the plan that best suits their business requirements. Custom Solutions: Apart from the standard plans, HostBooks offer customized solutions to meet the specific needs of medium and enterprise businesses. These custom solutions address complex financial challenges and provide tailored features to meet individual business requirements.

Overall, HostBooks SaaS-based business model provides a cost-effective, scalable, and user-friendly solution to businesses and professionals seeking to automate their financial management processes. The recurring subscription revenue model ensures a steady income stream for the company, and the focus on customization and customer support enhances the overall customer experience and satisfaction.

How has the first half of the year 2023 been for HostBooks?

Over the past six months of the fiscal year 2023-24, HostBooks has experienced remarkable growth in both user acquisition and revenue. Notably, the users registered in the last two quarters constitute approximately 37% of the total users registered from October 2019 to August 2023. Additionally, there has been a consistent increase in monthly revenue, with a substantial figure of approximately Rs 2.5 crore in monthly revenue.

Regarding product enhancements, HostBooks has expanded its offerings to cater to the specific needs of various industries, including Manufacturing, Retail, HORECA, Transport, Construction, and E-Commerce. These tailored solutions reflect the company's commitment to providing comprehensive and industry-specific support to businesses across diverse sectors.

What are the future plans and revenue targets for the upcoming year?

In the present business landscape, accounting and compliance are shifting to the automation technology space. Based on SaaS technology, the cloud-based platform is available on the go to resolve a myriad of pain points for businesses. The platform reduces human intervention in accounting and compliance tasks, leading to increased productivity for businesses.

Additionally, with limited human dependency, the platform makes the entire process transparent, simple and scalable. While successful automation drops the operational costs of businesses by 70 per cent. Presently, HostBooks has recorded revenue of over Rs 20 crore, growing between 75% and 100% YOY.

How is HostBooks leveraging technology and AI for developing its products and overall functioning?

HostBooks leverages cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop its products and enhance overall functioning in several key ways:

Advanced Automation: HostBooks harnesses the power of AI to automate manual and repetitive tasks in financial and compliance management. This includes data entry, transaction categorization, and reconciliation, significantly reducing the risk of errors and saving valuable time. Data Analysis and Insights: AI-driven analytics tools enable HostBooks to provide users with real-time business insights. These tools analyze financial data, identify trends, and offer actionable recommendations, empowering businesses to make informed decisions. Predictive Analytics: HostBooks uses AI and machine learning algorithms to provide predictive analytics. This enables businesses to anticipate future trends, identify potential issues, and make proactive adjustments to their financial strategies. Natural Language Processing (NLP): HostBooks employs NLP technology to enhance user experiences. Voice search and chatbot capabilities allow users to interact with the platform naturally, making it more intuitive and accessible. Bank-Grade Security: HostBooks employs AI-driven security measures to safeguard sensitive financial data. This includes threat detection, anomaly identification, and encryption protocols to protect against cybersecurity threats. Neo-Banking Integration: AI is used to streamline banking integrations, enabling real-time cash position tracking, automated bank reconciliations, and one-click payments for users. This integration enhances overall financial management. Customizable Dashboards: AI-driven dashboards are customizable, allowing users to create views that display the specific KPIs and data they need to monitor their business effectively. Data Extraction and Conversion: AI technology assists in extracting data from various formats and converting it into a usable digital form. This is particularly valuable for tasks like digitizing paper documents. User Insights and Personalization: AI analyzes user behavior and preferences to offer personalized recommendations and experiences. Continuous Improvement: HostBooks uses AI to continually improve its products. Machine learning models learn from user interactions and data, enabling the platform to evolve and adapt to changing user needs.

By incorporating AI and advanced technology, HostBooks strives to provide innovative and user-friendly solutions that streamline financial and compliance management. These technologies not only improve efficiency, but also empower businesses to make smarter decisions based on data-driven insights.

What methods are HostBooks employing to protect sensitive stored financial data and those which are handled by it?

HostBooks employs robust methods and practices to protect sensitive financial data, ensuring the utmost security for data stored and handled by its platform. Here are some of the key methods and measures HostBooks employs:

Bank-Grade Encryption: HostBooks employs state-of-the-art encryption techniques, including SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) and TLS (Transport Layer Security), to encrypt data transmitted between users and the platform. This ensures that data remains secure during transmission. Data Encryption at Rest: Data stored on HostBooks' servers is encrypted using industry-standard encryption algorithms. This means that even if unauthorized access occurs, the data remains unreadable and inaccessible without proper decryption keys. Regular Security Audits: HostBooks conducts regular security audits and assessments to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats. These audits help in proactively addressing security issues. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): HostBooks provides MFA as an option for users. This additional layer of security requires users to provide multiple forms of identification before gaining access to their accounts. Access Control and Permissions: Role-based access control (RBAC) ensures that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive financial data. Users are assigned specific roles and permissions, limiting their access to what is necessary for their job functions. User Authentication: Strong user authentication mechanisms, including secure passwords and password policies, are enforced to prevent unauthorized access. Firewall Protection: HostBooks uses firewalls to monitor and filter incoming and outgoing network traffic. This helps in identifying and blocking potential threats or malicious activities. Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS): IDS and IPS are employed to monitor network traffic for suspicious behavior and automatically respond to potential threats. Regular Software Updates and Patch Management: HostBooks keeps its software and systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates to address known vulnerabilities. Security Training and Awareness: HostBooks invests in security training and awareness programs for its employees to ensure that security best practices are followed. Data Backup and Recovery: HostBooks regularly backs up data and has robust disaster recovery plans in place to ensure data can be restored in the event of unforeseen incidents. Regulatory Compliance: HostBooks adheres to industry-specific regulatory compliance standards, such as GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).

These comprehensive security measures illustrate HostBooks commitment to safeguarding sensitive financial data. The platform continually evaluates and updates its security protocols to stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain the trust of its users.

Are the products of HostBooks in compliance with any tax or accounting standards? How is it ensured that changing requirements are followed?

Yes, HostBooks ensures that its products are in compliance with relevant tax and accounting standards, and it actively monitors and adapts to changing requirements. Heres how compliance is ensured:

Regulatory Adherence: HostBooks products are designed to adhere to the tax and accounting regulations specific to the regions in which they are offered. For example, in India, HostBooks ensures compliance with GST (Goods and Services Tax) regulations and other tax laws. Regular Updates: Tax and accounting standards can change frequently due to legislative amendments. HostBooks provides regular software updates to reflect these changes in tax laws and accounting standards. Users receive notifications and access to updated features to ensure compliance. Collaboration with Experts: HostBooks collaborates with tax experts, accountants, and legal professionals who specialize in various jurisdictions to stay informed about regulatory changes. This collaboration helps in interpreting and implementing the latest requirements accurately. Monitoring Regulatory Updates: HostBooks closely monitors regulatory updates, including tax rate changes, reporting requirements, and compliance deadlines. This information is incorporated into the platform promptly. Customer Communication: HostBooks communicates regulatory changes to its users through announcements, emails, and in-platform notifications. This ensures that users are aware of and can adapt to any modifications in tax or accounting standards. User Support and Training: HostBooks offers user support and training to help users navigate and comply with changing tax and accounting standards. This includes assistance with understanding new requirements and how to use the platform to meet them. Compliance Tools: HostBooks provides compliance tools and features within its products to simplify the process of adhering to tax and accounting standards. These tools help users generate accurate reports and filings. Customization: HostBooks allows for customization to accommodate specific user requirements and unique regulatory challenges. This flexibility ensures that the platform can adapt to changing compliance needs. Third-Party Integrations: HostBooks integrate with third-party compliance and reporting tools to enhance its ability to meet evolving regulatory requirements. Feedback Loop: HostBooks encourages user feedback regarding any compliance-related challenges they may encounter. This feedback loop helps identify areas for improvement and ensures that the platform remains aligned with users' needs.

In summary, HostBooks places a strong emphasis on compliance with tax and accounting standards and actively engages in practices to ensure its products evolve in response to changing requirements. This commitment ensures that users can rely on HostBooks to navigate complex regulatory landscapes accurately and efficiently.
Lenovo has released an insightful and light-hearted video, called Millet Masters, featuring stand-up comedian Abish Mathew. The short film aims to create awareness around a technology-powered millet revival initiative and food revolution taking place in Kathalloor, Kerala, under Lenovos Work For Humankind initiative. This project shines a spotlight on stories of local farmers who are revolutionizing the millet economy through Lenovos smarter technology and support from student volunteers.

Taking the audience on a journey to discover Kanthalloor, regional millet production, and how millets go from field to food, the short film follows Abish Mathew as he seeks out student volunteers and 25 local millet farmers, whom he calls millet masters. Mathew learns about the local millet revolution taking place and witnesses first-hand the positive role that Lenovos technology has played in empowering farmers to progress their farming practices, improve yields, and grow profitability. Ending on a message of hope, the short film concludes with Mathew revealing that local efforts have already more than doubled the variety of millets grown regionally, from two to five varieties, and he encourages viewers to learn more about millets.

As part of the Work For Humankind project, Lenovo has also partnered with a number of other influencers to raise awareness for millets as a nutritionally rich food source and as part of its mission to create a more robust marketplace for the crop.

"At Lenovo, we believe in building a more equitable and sustainable world for all by using our smarter technology to empower local communities for positive change, said Emily Ketchen, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Intelligent Devices Group and International Markets, Lenovo. That belief is at the heart of Lenovos Work For Humankind India project, and why were collaborating with Abish Mathew to shine a spotlight on the stories of local farmers on a mission to start a millet food revolution. This is a remarkable example of people, communities, and technology coming together to help revive a once disappearing grain, raise awareness around millet cultivation, and ultimately make millet farming more commercially viable for the farmers of Kanthalloor.
Stepping into a brighter future: stories of an Ethiopian shoe factory

13:27, September 20, 2023 By Chi Zao ( People's Daily Online

Ethiopian workers at the Huajian shoe factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Photo by Chi Zao.

It's six o'clock in the morning. The dawn light highlights the silhouettes of the workers filing into a Chinese shoe factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In the factorys canteen, chefs prepare Injera, a local sour fermented flatbread, as the workers get ready to begin their day.

As Ethiopias biggest footwear producer, Huajian has seen it all. Once the largest export enterprise in Ethiopia, the company saw its output halted for over three years due to the pandemic and political upheaval. After a lengthy hiatus, production resumed in March, and the company has since worked tirelessly to deliver on its commitment to the people of Africa by creating new jobs and advancing industrialisation there.

"I've been working with this Chinese company for over 11 years. It has been collaborating with Ethiopians to boost the country's industrial development, and now we are taking the next step on a new path," said Adamseged Demerew, the companys 30-year-old HR manager.

Taking the steps toward a better life

32-year-old Mindaye Gulilat has been working for Huajian over a decade. Photo by Chi Zao.

Ethiopians at this factory are well-versed in the Chinese proverb "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," which is the most accurate description of Huajian Group's progress in Africa.

In 2011, when the company first came to the country, it only had a small footwear factory, but exports of Ethiopian leather goods then increased by 57% that same year. Thanks to its nine cutting-edge shoe production lines and corresponding shoe material facilities, the company can now produce three million pairs of women's shoes yearly.

32-year-old Mindaye Gulilat's "single step" toward a better life came ten years ago when Huajian Group expanded its business in Ethiopia. He began as a worker for the company, but through studying technology and the Chinese language, he has advanced to the position of customer and marketing manager.

"A decade ago, Ethiopia's economy relied primarily on agriculture and animal husbandry, and finding work in the contemporary industrial sector was not easy. After landing a job in Huajian and studying technology under the tutelage of Chinese experts, I can now pass on the knowledge to Ethiopian youth," said Gulilat.

Guliat's hard work has paid off. His salary has climbed substantially over the past decade at the Chinese firm, and he is now a proud father of a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter.

My kids can now converse in Chinese with me. My dream is to save enough money to buy my house and send my children to study in China when they grow up, said Guliat.

While Guliat dreams of a cosy family life, Mulugeta Ayana, 29, and Silenat Demelash, 24, a young couple who work on Huajian's assembly line, have much more ambitious goals: they hope to one day open their own shoe shop using the skills they've learned at the Chinese firm.

We've been married for four years; we met while working here. Now my husband is a leader with over 36 employees, and I'm an operator on the assembly line," said Silenat.

To help fulfil his wife's lifelong ambition of becoming a sleeper designer, Mulugeta has set a three-year goal of learning skills and amassing enough cash to build their shoe store.

"I just got a promotion, and it's time for us to put our professional lives first," said Mulugeta.

My husband and I agree that we'd like to have a family of four kids. Our salaries cannot support such a lifestyle, so we must work and study hard to start our own business. This factory is a big classroom; we can learn much from it, said Silenat.

With the Chinese company extending its operations and hiring more locals, many young Ethiopians, such as Mulugeta and Silenat, have chosen Huajian as a stepping stone to a better life. Ethiopian News Agency reported in May that Huajian had created over 12,000 jobs for locals since the company started its investment in the country in 2011.

Together into a brighter future

Adamseged Demerew, a 30-year-old HR manager, has fulfilled his dream to start a family after years of working at Huajian. Photo by Adamseged.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Huajian had made a total investment of 150 million US dollars in Ethiopia before the COVID-19 pandemic, generating revenues of 200 million dollars. However, the company must now find a new way to maintain its former glory after the pandemic dampened its manufacturing, and the United States has opted to discontinue its duty-free trading relationship with Ethiopia.

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) is a US initiative that eliminates tariffs on goods exported from sub-Saharan African nations to the USA. In 2022, the deal was cancelled by the US due to Ethiopias human rights violations.

Doctor Kalu Kebede, a 39-year-old general advisor to the Chinese company, stated that the end of AGOA could cause severe damage to Ethiopia, a country that needs foreign capital to develop its own industries.

We've tried the Western ways, and they simply don't work. I believe it is time for Ethiopia to attract more Chinese investment, and that our company's strategy needs to adapt to the country's present climate, said Kalu.

Kalu's suggestion echoes China's decision to provide zero-tariff treatment to 98 percent of taxable commodities originating in Ethiopia in 2023. Huajian is now building an international Light Industry City in the outskirts of Addis Ababa, allowing international companies, including Chinese ones, to set up business in Ethiopia. The Chinese company is expanding into a new market by providing services like building industry-related infrastructure and consulting for foreign firms interested in relocating to Ethiopia.

Over 20 Chinese tech companies dispatched teams to study the industrial city project in the first half of 2023, with an emphasis on solar energy, electric vehicles, and medicine.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Huajians Light Industry City is expected to produce footwear and apparel in large volumes in the coming five years, with job creation ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 and foreign exchange earnings of 1.5 billion US dollars.

Ethiopia's economy is mostly built on agriculture and animal husbandry, and if we are to flourish, we must build our own industries. I've gone to China, and I believe the Chinese economic model is appropriate for Ethiopia's future development; we can learn from Shenzhen's modernization," said Kalu.

By attracting more Chinese investment and more Chinese tech businesses to the new industry city, Kalu argued, the two countries could collaborate to lay Africa's industrial base while also advancing frontier technologies like electric vehicles.

Chinese companies have no interest in Ethiopian politics and seek just to conduct open and honest trade with their African counterparts. I believe that with more Chinese investment and experience in Ethiopia, we can build a better future together, said Kalu.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Wu Chengliang)
Container ships dock in Korea's southeastern port city of Busan in this undated file photo. Yonhap



By Lee Min-hyung



Korean companies are on track to reduce reliance on China and increase investment in other Asian markets, in attempts to minimize potential losses from the escalating hegemonic struggle between the U.S. and the world's second-largest economy.



Industry watchers and experts said Korean firms have no choice but to adopt a long-term exit strategy from China and gradually cut huge export reliance on the country, as the global hegemonic conflict is showing little sign of abating as Beijing moves toward a closed economy.



Recent data from Seoul's trade ministry also showed that the number of Korean firms that established new branches in China fell by 12.1 percent to 87 during the first half of this year from the previous year. The figure in the Japanese market soared to 118 during the same period.



This marked the first time since 1989 that the number in Japan outpaced that of China.



"China and Hong Kong account for 33 percent of Korea's total exports, which far exceeds the global average of 15 percent," said Kim Dae-jong, professor of business administration at Sejong University.



"It is natural for more Korean firms to turn to other Asian markets such as Japan and Vietnam as China's recent political gesture displays an apparent sign of its return to the closed economy. Big Korean conglomerates, including Shinsegae and Lotte, also withdrew their retail businesses there, and smaller firms also have fewer incentives to expand there."



It is high time for Korea to reshape its export strategy and focus on other Asian markets, according to the professor, as China is unlikely to shift its political stance any time soon.



Kim Moon-tae, head of an industry policy division at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said fewer Korean firms will choose to increase investment in China, as they have witnessed escalating management uncertainties in China after its COVID-19 lockdowns.



"Even after the end of the pandemic, China is moving to challenge U.S. hegemony," he said. "It's not just Korean firms adopting an exit strategy there. Other foreign firms are also taking a similar strategy and choosing other alternatives in places such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan."



As the U.S. introduces stricter rules against products made in China, a number of Korean big tech conglomerates cannot increase their investment there, he pointed out.



"For now, we do not have any other options but to look for other Asian markets," he said. "For instance, more Korean firms appear to be seeking new opportunities in Japan, jumping on the recent thawing of political tension between Seoul and Tokyo."


Birmingham-based Capstone Building Corp. has completed a 144-unit apartment complex in the greater Nashville area.

The Park at Beasley, in Dickson, Tenn., covers 187,280 square feet. Units are available in one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans.

The project includes a clubhouse and playground, and each apartment features a balcony or patio, walk-in closets, dining room and washer/dryer connections.

The Park Companies is the developer, while architectural work was done by English & Associates.

Jason Pilkinton, director of Dicksons office of planning and zoning, said he was thankful for all the hard work that went into the project.

From the beginning, I was very excited about the potential of this development and the timing was excellent. The final result is exactly what we all wished for, Pilkinton said.
A 15-year-old boy will be held without bond after a judge last week determined he will be charged as an adult in the deadly April shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville.

Sherman Peters, who will turn 16 in December, had an Aniahs Law bond hearing on Monday.

He is one of six suspects charged with four counts of reckless murder, 24 counts of first-degree assault for the 24 victims who sustained penetrating gunshot wounds, and one count of third-degree assault for a victim who sustained a superficial gunshot wound.

Here is full coverage of the case

The other five charged are: 19-year-old Willie George Brown Jr. of Auburn; 20-year-old Wilson LaMar Hill Jr. of Auburn, Johnny Letron Brown, 20, of Reeltown, and brothers Ty Reik McCullough, 17, and Travis McCullough, 16, of Tuskegee.

Aniahs Law, passed in 2022, adds a list of serious crimes other than capital offenses for which a defendant could be held without bail before trial. Aniah Blanchard, a 19-year-old college student from Homewood, was abducted from a convenience store in Auburn in 2019 and found dead a month later.

The man charged in Blanchards kidnapping and murder, Ibraheem Yazeed, had been released from jail on a $280,000 bond after being charged with kidnapping, robbery and attempted murder from a January 2019 incident in Montgomery.

Those killed in the April 15 shooting at a Dadeville dance hall were Phil Dowdell, 18, Shaunkivia Nicole Keke Smith, 17, Marsiah Emmanuel Siah Collins, 19, and Corbin Dahmontrey Holston, 23.

On Tuesday, District Judge William Whorton ruled that Peters remain held without bond.

The court finds from the testimony that the defendant, a minor, possessed a 9mm firearm at the scene and made a subsequent statement to law enforcement confirming that he fired the weapon multiple times inside the building, the judge wrote.

The nature and circumstances of the alleged charge weigh very heavily against the defendant being granted bond, Whorton wrote.

The judge noted that Peters faces the possibility of multiple life sentences if convicted, which is highly relevant to the risk of non-appearance in court.

The evidence against the teen is compelling, the judge said, and not condition or combination of conditions of release would reasonably ensure Peters appearance in court or protect the safety of the community.

Whorton also ordered Peters be allowed to continue his mental health treatment while incarcerated and that his counselor should have reasonable access to him to continue that treatment.

Special Agent Jess Thornton, the lead investigator in the case, testified in Mondays bond hearing.

In a previous hearing, Thornton said there were 50 to 60 people inside the dance hall, which is 38-feet-long and 26-feet-wide.

At one point in the evening, a DJs speaker fell over, making a sound similar to a gunshot, Thornton said. When that happened, several of the young people there lifted their shirts to show they had guns.

LaTonya Allen, mother of Phil Dowdell and birthday girl Alexis Dowdell, said anyone over 18 or carrying a gun needed to leave.

Not long after that, shots rang out leaving multiple shell casings, blood everywhere, Thornton testified.

One of the guns was found sitting on the chest of Holstons lifeless body. The gun had been fired, Thornton said.

Witnesses also said Holston at one point wore a ski mask.

Most of the suspects said he fired first, Thornton said.

Another gun was found in Collins waistband, but it had not been fired.

Those were the only two guns recovered from the scene. At least four different caliber weapons were fired, Thornton said. Those were a 9 mm, 22 caliber, 40 caliber and 45 caliber.

Witnesses reported hearing rapid fire and Thornton testified one defendant admitted his gun had been altered to be fully automatic and investigators believe another gun had also been converted to automatic.

The six defendants are all relatives or friends, Thornton said. They were not invited but knew of the party and met up there from Auburn and Tuskegee.

Of the six, only Willie Brown denied being at the party. Thornton said, however, shell casings from an unrelated incident in Auburn in which he is a suspect matched one used in Dadeville.

One of the juvenile suspects, it was not clear which, had an ankle monitor from an unrelated shooting in Tuskegee and its GPS tracker showed he was in Dadeville.

Under Alabama law, the crime of reckless murder is committed when a person recklessly engages in conduct which creates a grave risk of death to a person other than himself or herself and causes the death of another person.
190 workers at ZF in Tuscaloosa, Alabama are now ON STRIKE for a fair contract. These members of UAW Local 2083 (Region 8) supply front axels to Mercedes, and have been fighting for a fair contract that ends tiers, raises wages, and provides decent healthcare.#UAW #solidarity pic.twitter.com/iTXQxduUyO  UAW (@UAW) September 20, 2023

About 190 members of the United Auto Workers this morning began striking against Mercedes-Benz supplier ZF in Tuscaloosa.

Local 2083 is standing in solidarity to fight for their right to have a strong contract and support their future, a statement on the UAW website states.

ZF Chassis Systems is a tier-1 supplier for Vances Mercedes-Benz US International plant, making drive train components. It has been operating in Tuscaloosa for 26 years and employs more than 300 people.

UAW Region 8 Director Tim Smith and several Region 8 International staffers recently visited the local to show their support.

The strike comes after the local voted down a third contract proposal, according to the union. Healthcare, wages and tier structures are the main issues.

BREAKING: 190 workers at ZF in Tuscaloosa, Alabama are now ON STRIKE for a fair contract. These members of UAW Local 2083 (@uawregion8) supply front axels to Mercedes, and have been fighting for a fair contract that ends tiers, raises wages, and provides decent healthcare.  UAW (@UAW) September 20, 2023

Tony Sapienza, a spokesman for ZF North America, said the company is committed to continuing negotiations in good faith and (is) hopeful that we can come to a resolution soon. The plant continues to run during these discussions.

Mercedes-Benz declined to comment.

The UAW began a strike on Friday against Detroits Big Three automakers in what has been dubbed the Stand Up Strike. There are currently 13,000 workers in Detroit in a walkout that is the first of its kind in that the union is taking on all three simultaneously.

Alabamas automakers - Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Honda and Mazda-Toyota - have largely resisted large-scale unionization, as have all other Southern car marking plants.
The director of the Alabama Public Library Service told Gov. Kay Ivey in a letter that parents are primarily responsible for determining what library books are appropriate for their children.

Alabama Public Library Service Director Nancy Pack wrote a letter to Ivey on Sept. 12 responding to the governors questions to her in a Sept. 1 letter about childrens access to what some consider age-inappropriate books and about the APLS affiliation with the American Library Association.

Over the summer, some parents and groups objected to certain books, triggering calls by Republican lawmakers and the chair of the state GOP for Alabama to drop its membership with the American Library Association, whose president has described herself as a Marxist.

In Iveys Sept. 1 letter to Pack, the governor said she shared the concerns of parents about certain books available in the childrens section of libraries, including several about gender identity.

Ivey asked Pack what the APLS is doing to ensure that libraries provide a means for parents to supervise their children before they encounter age-inappropriate books.

Pack wrote that the APLS has not received any specific requests from libraries seeking guidance on helping parents supervise their childrens access to age-inappropriate books. She said the APLS encourages libraries to involve their communities in setting policies.

Its essential to recognize that the responsibility for determining the suitability of library materials for children lies primarily with parents or guardians, Pack wrote. Children constitute a diverse demographic with varying abilities, talents, and needs, influenced by factors such as age, cultural background, sociological context, and economic circumstances. Consequently, it is crucial to account for this diversity when planning library services.

The Alabama Public Library Service actively encourages libraries to engage their communities in the policy-making process. This collaborative approach helps libraries better align their services with the unique requirements and preferences of their local populations, fostering a more inclusive and responsive environment for families and children seeking appropriate materials and resources.

(You can read Packs letter to Ivey at the end of this article.)

Ivey took questions from reporters Tuesday after speaking to the Montgomery Kiwanis Club. She was asked about the responses she received from Pack.

Were poring over that response as we speak, Ivey said. We just got it recently. And we will certainly make some recommendations.

But right now our goal is for the children to certainly have the opportunity to visit libraries and read. At the same time, we want them and their families to feel safe while theyre in the library and read books that are appropriate for them.

So its a work in progress and well certainly continue to delve into the responses the library association gave us and continue to work on that.

Iveys Sept. 1 letter listed several books about gender identity as examples of those that caused concern, including Who are You?: The Kids Guide to Gender Identity, and If Youre a Kid Like Gavin, a book about gender transition.

As several parents have eloquently put it, their concern is not about removing these books, Ivey wrote. The concern is about ensuring that these books are placed in an appropriate location.

Ivey noted in her letter to Pack that local libraries submit certain policies to the APLS to qualify for supplemental state aid. The governor asked to what extent those policies facilitate supervision over childrens browsing.

Pack responded that the APLS collects and retains policies for more than 220 libraries, policies set by the boards of those libraries. Pack said the APLS does not approve or disapprove of the policies.

The APLS compiled findings from a review of those policies and included those in an attachment to Packs letter to the governor. Pack wrote that the findings were not definitive because libraries frequently update their policies.

In the governors letter, she asked Pack about the extent of American Library Association influence on Alabama library policies. The governor asked about the associations American Library Bill of Rights, which says all people, regardless of age, have a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use.

Pack wrote that the APLS adopted the 1996 version of the American Library Bill of Rights, but that it does not include the article that confidentiality of library use applies to all ages because that conflicts with an Alabama law that says parents have access to information about the books their children check out. Pack wrote that the APLS notifies local libraries of that provision in state law.

Pack attached to her letter a report she compiled that said withdrawing from the American Library Association would be a disservice to Alabama libraries and the communities they serve. The report, Should the Alabama Public Library Service Sever Ties With The American Library Association? A Critical Analysis, was compiled at the request of the APLS executive board. (You can see the report at the end of this article.)

The report, prepared August 30, said cutting ties with the American Library Association would reduce funding opportunities, professional development, and help with national issues such as e-book licensing and digital access available to Alabama libraries.

Cutting ties would isolate Alabama libraries from national initiatives such as literacy campaigns, deprive the state of the help with the challenges of rapid technological advancement, and hurt collaboration with other libraries, Pack wrote in the report.

In summary, disassociating from the American Library Association could lead to a variety of negative repercussions that affect both library professionals and the communities they serve, Pack wrote. In conclusion, instead of disengaging, lets work together to ensure that our libraries remain places of intellectual freedom, balanced curation, and access to diverse perspectives. Constructive dialogue and collaboration are essential in upholding the values of democracy and empowering our citizens to make informed decisions.

Ivey asked Pack how much the APLS had paid the American Library Association over the last five years. Pack wrote that the total was $38,011, which included annual membership fees and fees for conferences, workshops, and other services.

Read more: What does American Library Association provide Alabama? Not enough, says state GOP head

Alabama library controversies over inappropriate childrens books draws scrutiny from Kay Ivey

Alabama GOP chairman suggests state consider withdrawal from American Library Association

Alabama library service approves GOP chairmans proposal to create list of controversial books
An Alabama man and his brother have been convicted in a murder-for-hire conspiracy in the death of his ex-wife, an elementary school teacher and mother of four.

Jason Starr, 50, and Darin Starr, a 54-year-old Texas resident, were indicted on federal charges of racketeering murder in the Nov. 27, 2017, shooting death of Sara Starr, a fourth-grade teacher at Harrand Creek Elementary School in Enterprise and the mother of two sets of twins.

The federal trial began last week in the Middle District of Alabama. The jury reached its verdict late Wednesday morning.

Sara Starr was killed just four months of her divorce was finalized.

The couple was to share custody of their four children, and Jason Starr was ordered to pay his ex-wife $1,050 a month in child support and $1,500 in alimony. She also was awarded a portion of his military benefits.

Shortly after the divorce, from September 2017 to November 2017, Jason Starr sent approximately $2,600 to his brother, Darin Starr, authorities said. He reportedly also gave his brother a motorcycle.

Testimony in the trial showed that cell phone records indicated that Darin Starr traveled from Texas to Coffee County just before Thanksgiving in 2017 and, on multiple occasions, was very near the home of his brothers ex-wife.

Darin Christopher Starr

Around midnight on November 27, 2017, Darin Starrs phone was turned off.

About seven hours later, Darin Starr shot and killed his brothers ex-wife in her driveway as she was leaving for work.

Darin Starr turned his phone back on around 8 a.m. when he was on I-10 heading back to Texas.

Federal prosecutors said in rendering its verdict  which came late Wednesday morning - the jury determined that the money sent by Jason Starr to his brother was payment for the murder of his ex-wife.

A sentencing hearing will be held in the coming months. That hearing date has not yet been announced.

The brothers face a mandatory sentence of life in prison. There is no parole in the federal system.

The tragedy endured by the victims family is unthinkable, said Middle District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Sandra J. Stewart. I am grateful for the hard work of all the investigating agencies in this case. Their efforts resulted in bringing Jason and Darin Starr to justice.

The FBI, the Coffee County Sheriffs Office, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency investigated the case, with Assistant United States Attorneys Joshua J. Wendell and B. Chelsea Phillips prosecuting.
Get John Archibalds newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to Johns weekly newsletter:

This is an opinion column.

Read this paragraph from law professor Bernard E. Harcourts essay in the New York Times this week, about nitrogen hypoxia, Alabamas experimental new chosen method for killing people:

We do not even reserve this fate for dogs or cats, he wrote. Nitrogen gas asphyxiation was previously used to euthanize pets. However, the American Veterinary Medical Association no longer recommends nitrogen asphyxiation for nonavian animals, citing data that indicates those animals may experience panic, pain and severe physical distress before dying. The group states in its 2020 guidelines that nitrogen gas is unacceptable for animals other than chickens and turkeys.

I did not know that. And I thought I knew a lot about Alabamas ineptitude and indifference to killing people. Ive watched a botched execution. Ive paid attention.

But damn. We literally wouldnt kill a dog like that. Just turkeys and chickens and certain people, in this state that proclaims itself in love with life and the Constitution.

I dont usually columnize about other peoples columns. I find it better to have my say and let them have theirs.

But Harcourt, a lawyer and author and professor who specializes in methods of punishment, among other things, laid out a case  under the headline Alabama Has a Horrible New Way of Killing People on Death Row  that people in Alabama who claim to care about life and justice should read.

What past executions amply demonstrate is that the State of Alabama is not competent at performing the task, he wrote, in a plain, clear, accurate and sobering statement of truth.

It is one thing to botch an execution, which is commonly understood to mean that an execution caused unnecessary agony or showed gross incompetence by the execution team, he went on. Alabama has botched four of the nations nine known botched executions since 2018. It is another thing for a state to preside over both a botched and failed execution, in which the condemned person actually survives. Three of the six known failed executions since 1946, according to my research, have taken place in Alabama, and all of those have occurred since 2018.

Its macabre. And hes right. Although Alabamas bungling did not begin in 2018.

I stood in the observation room at Holman prison in 1989 and watched my state strap a man with an IQ of 69 to an electric chair lovingly nicknamed Yellow Mama. His father watched beside me as my state hit him with a massive electrical charge, but the man did not die. So they hit him again, as his father stood shaking beside me.

It took me almost 30 years to decide how I felt after that. Alabamas nonchalance about its own repeated cruelties helped me understand.

The state is as evil as any murderer, because the kind of record Harcourt describes cannot be an accident. It is a result of practice, and attitude, and process. It is willful disregard for inflicting conscienceless and unconstitutional cruelty on prisoners in its charge.

While Attorney General Steve Marshall and Gov. Kay Ivey dare defend the wrongs, or pretend they are rights.

I talked to Harcourt, who represents a client on Alabamas death row, after reading his piece. I was particularly struck by the way Alabama treats other mammals better than its people. Harcourt said he was haunted by the casual cruelties.

Guards last month went to inmates on death row to hand out new protocols detailing how they will be killed, asking them to sign for a document without telling their lawyers, he said.

I dont know if its callous or if its intentional terrorism  to go around out of the blue and say Hey, heres the way were gonna kill you now. And heres the document, Harcourt said. You can sit down in your cell all by yourself in isolation on death row with nobody there but you in your 9x8 cell. And why dont you just read that a little bit? Thats just really striking.

Never mentioning, of course, that we wouldnt do this to a pet squirrel.

Im not saying this is cruel and unusual punishment. At this point, its not unusual at all.

John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner for AL.com.
Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce from disgraced actor Danny Masterson weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two former members of the Church of Scientology.

Phillips filed her petition for divorce Monday in Santa Barbara, The Times confirmed. In a statement shared with multiple outlets, Phillips lawyer, Peter A. Lauzon, said the divorce comes during this unfortunate time.

Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family, Lauzon said. Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life. Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.

Representatives for Phillips and Masterson did not immediately respond to The Times requests for comment Tuesday.

Phillips, 43, and Masterson, 47, married in 2011 and share 9-year-old daughter Fianna Francis.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo handed Masterson his decades-long sentence on Sept. 7, after he was convicted in May on two counts of rape. The assaults took place in the early 2000s, when Masterson starred as Steven Hyde on That 70s Show.

Mastersons victims said they waited years to come forward because Scientology doctrine forbade them to report a fellow member to police.

On Sept, 7, Mastersons defense team issued a statement maintaining that Masterson is innocent, saying they have identified a number of significant evidentiary and constitutional issues which they will address in briefs to both state and federal appellate courts.

Phillips filed her petition just days after a source told People that the model and actor loves Danny and has no plans to file for divorce.

She will be by his side for it all, the source told People.

Times staff writers Jonah Valdez, Christi Carras and James Queally contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

2023 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday announced the formation of a civilian-led Public Safety Advisory Committee as part of an ongoing effort to build trust between the community and law enforcement.

A former governor and a former Birmingham police chief will be part of the group.

The committees actions will provide an independent assessment of police operations, according to city officials.

Creation of the committee is a direct response to the recommendations from the City of Birminghams Public Safety Task Force and national calls for re-imagining public safety.

It revises policy and replaces a civilian review board established in 2021.

Woodfins announcement said the committees purpose is to provide transparency to the public about police operations, provide the mayor with an independent assessment of police operations, create a space for accountability of the city and the police department for its operations in support of public safety and create a space to review community complaints in support of public safety.

The experience surrounding the initial creation of a civilian review board provided greater insight into the needs of such a panel and shed light on how the policy would interact with state law. Woodfin said. This transition to a Public Safety Advisory Committee will jumpstart efforts to support our intent.

The committee members serve on a voluntary basis and are not compensated.

Members are:

 Rev. Lawrence Conoway  pastor, Fellowship Bible Church

 T. Marie King  activist, speaker, trainer/facilitator. King is also a community activist who helped produce a documentary about the life of Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth.

 Annetta Nunn, YWCA domestic violence court advocate; former chief, Birmingham Police Department. Nunn was the first woman police chief and the second Black chief in the citys history.

 Victor Revill  criminal justice attorney, Public Safety Task Force member

 Don Siegelman  attorney and the only person in state history to serve as governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and and secretary of state of Alabama. Siegelman served six years in federal prison for a bribery conviction before being released and getting his law license back.

King will serve as committee chairperson.

The committee will hold the first monthly meeting on Sept. 21, at 1 p.m. in the Gallery of Distinguished Citizens on the second floor of City Hall. The meeting will be open to the public.

Requests for a review of a matter by the committee can be made at www.BirminghamPSAC.org or by mailing a form to Division of Social Justice and Racial Equity re: PSAC, 710 20th Street North, Birmingham, AL 35203.

In addition to an online form, paper forms will be available at Birminghams public libraries and the Office of Public Information located on the third floor of City Hall. Anyone who wants to hand deliver a form can drop it off at the Office of Public Information located on the third floor of City Hall.

Upon completion of an investigation, committee actions and recommendations will be forwarded to the mayor. Findings of the committee will be made public in regularly scheduled reports.
A 37-year-old man is under arrest after police say he was found with an adolescent Hoover girl who had run away from home.

Herbert James Cox is charged with traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, second-degree rape, second-degree sodomy and furnishing a controlled substance to a minor.

The investigation began Sept. 15 when Hoover police received a report of a 12-year-old runaway, said Lt. Daniel Lowe.

Detectives with the Special Victims Unit began an investigation and developed a possible location for the child after receiving information from a family member that indicated she may have been with an adult male she met online.

On Sept. 16, Birmingham police officers located the girl at a residence in the 8000 block of Fourth Avenue South and contacted Hoover detectives.

Lowe said detectives determined Cox had engaged in sexual acts with the child.

Cox was taken into custody and transported to the Hoover City Jail.

Because the case involved activity in both districts within Jefferson County, the cases were presented to the district attorney offices in both Birmingham and Bessemer.

Cox was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 6:20 p.m. Monday and remains held without bond.
The organizations and Black voters who prevailed in their federal court challenge to Alabamas new congressional map have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to deny the states emergency request for a stay to block that ruling.

The Milligan plaintiffs filed their motion Tuesday, the due date set by Justice Clarence Thomas, who handles stay requests for the 11th Circuit.

On Sept. 5, a three-judge district court ruled that the new map passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature during a special session in July failed to fix the dilution of Black voters that was likely in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

The Milligan plaintiffs, represented by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and others, said there is no basis for a stay because the new map does not add a second district where Black voters have an opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice.

The Legislature passed the new map because the same three-judge court had found last year that the 2021 map likely violated the Voting Rights Act. The judges said the remedy was a map that added a second majority Black district or one that was close to majority Black, an opportunity district for Black voters. The Supreme Court affirmed that decision in June.

But the new map leaves one majority Black district out of seven in a state where one-fourth of residents are Black.

The defendant in the case is Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, who is represented by Attorney General Steve Marshall and Solicitor General Edmund LaCour. They argued that the new map complies with the Voting Rights Act even though they concede it does not create a second opportunity district.

The plaintiffs say that concession eliminates any grounds for a stay.

The district court found  and this court affirmed  that Alabama likely violated (Section) 2 of the Voting Rights Act by failing to create a second congressional district in which Black voters had an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice, the plaintiffs wrote in their motion filed Tuesday.

Remedying that violation requires creating a second district in which Black Alabamians would have that opportunity. Yet the Alabama Legislature never even attempted to do this. The Secretarys concession that the Legislatures 2023 plan lacks such a district begins and ends this appeal. The Secretary is not entitled to a stay to implement a congressional map that openly defies the clear rulings of the district court and this Court.

The three-judge district court ordered a special master and cartographer it appointed to submit three proposed maps by Sept. 25. The parties will have three days to file objections. The court set a hearing for Oct. 3 at the Hugo L. Black U.S. Courthouse in Birmingham.

The state asked the Supreme Court for a stay to be issued by Oct. 1, or at the latest, Oct. 3.

Allen has told the court a new map needs to be approved by early October to prepare for next years congressional elections.

LaCour and Marshall said in the request for the stay that the district courts order required Alabama to racially gerrymander a second majority Black or near majority Black district.

The state attorneys said the 2023 plan passed by the Legislature in July was an appropriate response to the Supreme Court ruling because it unified the Black Belt to the extent possible, maintained communities of interest in Mobile and Baldwin counties and in the Wiregrass, improved compactness, and minimized county splits.

Under the map, District 7 in west Alabama remained the only majority Black district, with a Black voting age of 51%, while District 2, which extends from Montgomery across southeast Alabama, has a Black voting age population of 39%. The other five districts range from 7% to 25% in Black voting age population.

The Milligan plaintiffs proposed a map during the special session that would have made District 2 a second majority Black district, at slightly more than 50%.
U.S. President Joe Biden appealed to world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday to stand with Ukraine against Russian invaders, hoping Republicans in Congress will also take notice.

"Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence," Biden said in his speech to UNGA. "If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?"

Biden drew applause when saying that the United States and its allies would stand with Ukraine's fight for freedom. "Russia alone bears responsibility for this war," the president said. "Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately."

Biden's address at the annual gathering was the centerpiece event of his three-day visit to New York, which will include meetings with the heads of five Central Asian nations, and the leaders of Israel and Brazil.

Biden, a Democrat, has made rallying U.S. allies to support Ukraine a leading component of U.S. foreign policy, arguing the world must send a clear signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin that he will not be able to outlast the West.

Biden has faced criticism from some Republicans who want the United States to spend less money on the war effort.

Former President Donald Trump, the front-runner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 presidential election, has vowed to seek a quick end to the war if returned to power.

Trump has voiced skepticism about Washington's engagement with traditional allies, including NATO, and has been complimentary of Putin.

House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the leading Republican in Washington, has questioned whether the United States should keep sending billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine.

In his speech, Biden said Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and occupation of territory violated the founding U.N. Charter, a main principle of which is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

His remarks echoed those of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who in his opening speech to UNGA on Tuesday said Russia's invasion "has unleashed a nexus of horror."

A Biden administration official said Biden and U.S. officials would also focus at the U.N. meetings on mobilizing resources for infrastructure and sustainable development and fighting climate change.

Solid majorities of Americans support providing weaponry to Ukraine to defend itself against Russia and believe that such aid demonstrates to China and other U.S. rivals a will to protect U.S. interests and allies, according to a Reuters/Ipsos survey in June.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy, who attended and applauded Biden's remarks ahead of his own speech at UNGA on Tuesday, was expected to visit Biden at the White House on Thursday and to meet some congressional leaders as well.

The United States is preparing a new military aid package for Ukraine to coincide with Zelenskiyy's visit, and Congress has been asked to approve billions of dollars more in security assistance for the rest of the year.

"We have confidence that there will be bipartisan support for this. I think President Zelenskiyy does as well," White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

After his speech, Biden was due to sit down with Guterres to discuss world hot spots.

Later, he will attend a summit with the presidents of five Central Asian nations, a first. They are Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

On Wednesday, Biden will meet Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and join him in an event with labor leaders from Brazil and the United States.

Also on Wednesday, Biden will have his first face-to-face meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Netanyahu regained power last December.

Sullivan said they would discuss "a vision for a more stable and prosperous and integrated region, as well as to compare notes on effectively countering and deterring Iran." (Reuters)
A woman protesting Alabamas unlined coal ash ponds on Wednesday poured water over the head of former Alabama State Rep. Kyle South during a public hearing on the states coal ash plan.

The EPA has proposed a denial of Alabamas state coal ash plan on grounds that it does not meet Agency rules for coal ash.

At the hearing, several concerned residents and environmental groups lobbied the EPA to require Alabama utilities to dig out and remove unlined coal ash pits that sit near the banks of rivers.

Utilities and business groups argued that the existing state coal ash program was adequate and that removal of that much coal ash would be costly and dangerous.

South had spoken in favor of reinstating Alabamas state program when a woman who identified herself as Anne DiPrizio began to speak.

Rather than walking to the microphone at the front of the room, DiPrizio shouted from the back of the room that Alabamians were being poisoned by toxic chemicals in the water.

DiPrizio then proceeded to pour water over Souths head twice during her speech before beginning a screaming tirade that was laced with obscenities and directed ire at nearly everyone present  the EPA, Alabama Power, and people she said are not doing enough to stop pollution.

A woman named Anne DiPrizio just poured water over the head of former Alabama State Rep. Kyle South at a Montgomery hearing about Alabama Powers storage of coal ash. Story to come for @insideclimate pic.twitter.com/HSYjAhieGi  Lee Hedgepeth (@lee_hedgepeth) September 20, 2023

When moderators attempted to stop DiPrizio, she continued to shout while standing on a chair in the conference room at the Embassy Suites hotel in Montgomery. The hearing adjourned early for lunch, resuming an hour later.

South, a Republican from Fayette who had represented the district since 2014, resigned in June to become president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama.

DiPrizo has been arrested multiple times for her protests, according to news reports.

In 2019, she reportedly threw paint in the state house, during the debate of a bill that would ban nearly all abortions, WSFA reported at the time.

Diprizio was arrested in 2018 when Hoover police received a report of someone in front of Hoover City Hall throwing Christmas ornaments into traffic in a protest following the shooting death of E.J. Bradford in the Riverchase Galleria by a Hoover police officer on Thanksgiving Day of that year.

Authorities said Diprizio also was standing in traffic on U.S. 31 and tried to climb on the hood of a vehicle while stating she was going to stop traffic until there was justice for EJ.

In 2015, she was arrested on a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge when she offered to marry a lesbian couple inside the Autauga County Probate Office, The Montgomery Advertiser reported. Probate Judge Al Booth had halted all marriage ceremonies in the office and she reportedly refused to leave.
A series of lawsuits filed against Homewood city departments have alleged troubling patterns of racial discrimination and offensive language by department heads and police officers who patrol the suburb just south of Birmingham.

While a new suit objects to treatment within the fire department, two older suits involving the police department have seen new filings with incendiary claims of overt racist statements by police.

Recently filed court documents in a case against the Homewood Police Department contend that a sergeant called a Black officer tar baby. Former officer Jon Newland, who is white, said in an affidavit filed on August 7 the police department tolerated a racist culture and described the training offices as a White Guys Clubhouse. In the same affidavit, Newland said Homewood officers targeted non-whites for traffic stops in an area nicknamed the woodpile that has a higher proportion of minority drivers.

All three lawsuits contend that department heads favored white employees in promotion and disciplinary decisions.

Homewood Mayor Patrick McClusky did not respond to AL.coms requests for comment for this article.

Police Chief Tim Ross said the department could not comment on pending litigation.

The city, which has a highly rated school system and sits in an area convenient to downtown Birmingham, has seen a significant increase in the price of housing in recent years as newcomers flock to the area. The influx of new residents has transformed the citys politics. While other over-the-mountain suburbs vote solidly Republican, Homewood voters split closer to the middle.

Kelly Housholder and her family moved to Homewood four years ago from Colorado, drawn by a mid-century fixer upper on a quiet, family friendly street. She became aware of allegations filed by former police dispatcher Charity Howard several years ago. Housholder, who is white, hoped to raise awareness of the issue during the 2020 mayoral election.

I was enraged, Housholder wrote in an email. I immediately summoned everyone I could think of from the Mayoral candidates, to current and running city council folks, to Homewood citizens. I truly believed that if people knew about these lawsuits, theyd also be moved to action.

Since then, she has become aware of more lawsuits against the city involving police and a firefighter. Housholder said leaders have not done enough about these allegations to root out racism in the departments.

In Homewood, we are all stuck in a vicious lawsuit cycle where the city leaders refuse to speak (as advised by the city lawyer), and they follow the legal proceedings where they adamantly refuse any wrongdoing and gaslight those who filed the lawsuits, Housholder wrote.

About 80 percent of the nearly 28,000 Homewood residents identify as white, according to the most recent U.S. Census estimates. The three city employees who filed lawsuits are Black, and their supervisors are white.

Demetrius Webb, the most recent employee to sue the City of Homewood, served 36 years in the Homewood Fire Department but said in court documents he was passed over for promotion to battalion chief due to racial discrimination. That lawsuit was filed in August against the city and Fire Chief Nicholas Hill.

We have a department that we believe engaged in blatant race discrimination by passing over a highly qualified Black candidate for promotion and then punished that candidate when he had the audacity to speak out about it, said Artur Davis, the attorney representing Webb.

Webb had been a captain for several years when he applied for the position. The new fire chief changed the interview process, according to Davis. He also created a new requirement that applicants pass a physical test but didnt allow Webb to take it. After Webb filed a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Davis contends, he was required to take another physical and ruled unfit for duty, despite being cleared by previous exams.

Davis said Webb was the last Black employee to be promoted by the Homewood Fire Department in 2017.

It is a department that has very few Blacks, and the Blacks that are there have run into a very sharp-edged glass ceiling, Davis said.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the fire department denied Webbs allegations.

The City and Chief Hill were concerned that Captain Webb could not pass a fitness test, the statement said. Captain Webb expressed concern that he could not pass a test, and he did not take the test. Captain Webb also decided during his career not to obtain paramedic certification, which is an important credential in any Fire Department. The City did not discriminate against Captain Webb, and Chief Hill did not retaliate against him.

An email sent by a white firefighter to city leaders and provided to AL.com reiterated Webbs allegations of racial bias.

Homewood fire Department is run by White Males, said the email from firefighter Tony Franklin. The current Administration has not promoted a single non white male. In a city that prides itself on diversity I find this troubling.

Franklin also filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that alleged retaliation after he raised concerns about racial bias in the fire department. He was reassigned to another fire station where he said he would face extra scrutiny from department leadership due to a belief that he is stoking racial strife in the department, the charge said.

This is a very volatile time in the department because a race discrimination case has been filed against the City of Homewood and Chief Hill by former Capt. Webb and the HFD leadership is concerned, the charge said.

The city has not yet filed a response to Webbs lawsuit in federal court.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has not ruled on Franklins charge of retaliation for raising concerns.

Meanwhile, the police department is in the middle of two lawsuits against the city. Each could go to trial next year and each has recently seen new claims of racist statements by officers.

Charity Howard filed her lawsuit in 2022 after she was fired in 2020 as a dispatcher from the Homewood Police Department. Her supervisors suspended her in June 2020 for posting on social media during work hours, including commenting on posts related to George Floyd protests. After Howard filed grievances alleging that she was punished more harshly than white employees who posted racially offensive statements online, she was fired, according to her complaint.

Howards complaint includes several allegations of racist behavior by other employees of the Homewood Police Department. A particularly racist white officer called his Black colleague a tar baby and received no punishment, Howards suit claims. Another officer faced no penalty after he posted a meme on Facebook that included a racial slur for Asians. According to the suit, the Homewood officer posted: We used to stack Gooks like you four deep in Korea.

In contrast, Howards suspension for posting in support of protesters was unfair and racially biased, her complaint said.

Although Homewoods Police Department claims to have zero tolerance regarding racism within it, in fact, the HPD leadership and decision makers overlook and/or otherwise give short-shrift to racist acts committed by its Caucasian employees, the complaint said.

In a response to the lawsuit, attorneys for Homewood said Howard was fired for refusing to answer questions about her social media use while on shift as a dispatcher. She was supposed to be monitoring the livestream of a protest for the police but spent 10 to 15 minutes posting and responding to comments, the city contends. Other employees social media posts occurred when they were off the clock. Anecdotal evidence and hearsay about other employees experience does not amount to a culture problem, the response said.

The case could go to trial in June of 2024.

Howard filed a previous lawsuit in 2019 alleging that she was scrutinized more closely for taking medical leave than white dispatchers. A magistrate judge dismissed the case, but an appeals court partially reversed that decision, reinstating her claims of retaliation for making medical claims, but dismissing racial bias accusations. That case is ongoing.

The other ongoing lawsuit involving the police department was filed by Black Officer Victor Sims in 2022.

A supervisor told Sims in 2021 he would be reassigned from the special investigations unit to serve in patrol or as a school resource officer, a transfer that was motivated by race, he alleged.

Other officers who are white were allowed to stay in special assignments permanently, Sims alleged, while he was forced to follow a policy that required reassignments after five years. After he filed a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the suit claims, Homewood Police Chief Tim Ross eliminated the special investigations unit and demoted Sims to patrol.

In court documents, Sims accused department heads of having double standards for Black officers, who faced higher scrutiny in decisions about promotions and discipline. His lawsuit is also scheduled to go to trial in June 2024.

Former Homewood Police Officer Jon Newland filed an affidavit in support of Sims. It contained the allegation, A culture of racism exists within the HPD, according to the affidavit.

But Newland, who is white, had a controversial run with the department. In 2020, a rap video he posted on Facebook created outrage in the community after many interpreted references to Valhalla and the rebel yell as racist dog whistles. He received a three-day suspension after dozens of protesters gathered in Homewood.

Newlands affidavit alleged that some Homewood police officers targeted minority drivers for traffic stops.

Sims filed a previous discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2015, alleging he was forced to work during a Black Lives Matter Protest because of his race and passed over for promotion. The agency was not able to make a finding of racism, but the former police chief announced his retirement soon after the allegations became public.

The city has not yet filed a response to Webbs lawsuit in federal court. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has not made a finding on Franklins charge.

In its statement, the fire department said Webbs complaint had inaccuracies and omissions.

The City of Homewood has a racial composition in its workforce similar to the racial composition of workforces in surrounding communities, the statement said. The City and Chief Hill will defend this lawsuit vigorously.
Johnny Mims, the Minor High School band director tased and arrested by Birmingham police, told Good Morning America on Wednesday he did not deserve to be hit with a stun gun.

I didnt deserve to be tased, regardless of how people say it or how people feel about it. I never deserved that. Im a good citizen, Mims told ABC News DeMarco Morgan.

To hear those kids cry  [that] is the most heartbreaking thing that anybody can ever experience, Mims said on ABC.

Mims told CNN This Morning he had lost regular use of his right arm as a result of the incident.

I have a great doctor that Ive been working with to try help me get regular use of my arm because I was tased in the shoulder as well as the lower torso area, Mims told CNN on Wednesday. I use my shoulders for, of course, most of the things that I do.

"To hear those kids cry  [that] is the most heartbreaking thing that anybody can ever experience."



High school band director Johnny Mims speaks out after being arrested and tased by police after football game. @demarcoreports has more. https://t.co/NNwy162GUG pic.twitter.com/4ClWpJNAao  Good Morning America (@GMA) September 20, 2023

At a late night homicide scene on Tuesday, Birmingham police spokesman Officer Truman Fitzgerald mentioned the ongoing controversy over last weeks arrest of the Jefferson County high school band director.

A lot of people around the nation are trying to tear us apart, make it the police vs. the community, he said. The BPD is not the communitys enemy and, if anything, we need them more than weve ever needed them.

Theres no way we combat (crime and homicides) if were at odds with one another, Fitzgerald said. We need to come closer together and not pay any mind to national rhetoric being spread that were out to get the community.

A press conference is planned for later this morning with Mims lawyer, State Rep. Juandalynn Givan, and the Alabama Education Association.

My biggest prayer is that first of all, that these students will not hold a grudge that they will be able to overcome this  that they would one day be able to move forward and continue to be the great people that they are, Mims told GMA.

Mims, charged with disorderly conduct, harassment and resisting arrest, is on administrative leave with pay pending ongoing investigations.

Its extremely upsetting to me that our students, our children, had to witness that scene. Nothing is more important than their well-being. Counselors from our JEFCOED Cares team have been made available to those students who wish to talk about what they saw, superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin said on Tuesday.

Givan has said she and Mims are looking into possible legal action against BPD and said the incident illustrates the need for police reform.

Its not acceptable what happened with my client, Givan said on Tuesday. No ones life was in jeopardy.
A man was shot to death in a Birmingham neighborhood Tuesday, the second fatal shooting in the city in just a matter of hours.

West Precinct officers were dispatched before 9 p.m. to a person shot call in the 1900 block of 13th Way S.W., which is just off Mayfield Avenue.

Officers arrived and found an adult male lying on his back near a curb in between two vehicles. He was unresponsive and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said detectives are in the early stages of the investigation have little information about what led up to the fatal shooting.

We have a lot of people on the scene, but officers and detectives are trying to determine if theres any information they can give us, because details limited, he said. No one has spoken yet about what led to the shooting.

It wasnt immediately clear if the victim lived in the neighborhood, but he was known to hang out there. Numerous family members and friends flocked to the crime.

We know people know something, he said. Its just a matter of getting those details to our detectives.

A man was shot to death Sept. 19, 2023, in the 1900 block of 13th Way S.W. (Carol Robinson)

The killing is the third in the city since Sunday.

These homicides show the reality that our community members and our officers face, and that is we have a criminal element that has taken almost 100 lives away in our city, he said.

Fitzgerald mentioned the ongoing controversy over last weeks arrest and tasing of a Jefferson County high school band director.

A lot of people around the nation are trying to tear us apart, make it the police vs. the community, he said. The BPD is not the communitys enemy and, if anything, we need them more than weve ever needed them.

Theres no way we combat (crime and homicides) if were at odds with one another, Fitzgerald said. We need to come closer together and not pay any mind to national rhetoric being spread that were out to get the community.

Tonights victim is the 94th in the city this year.

Anyone with information is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
A Thai restaurant, regularly ranked as one of the Birmingham areas best, plans to reopen Wednesday after temporarily closing.

Blue Pacific at Hoover Food Mart notified patrons in August via its Facebook page that it would close due to a family emergency. The nature of the emergency that required the operators to return to Thailand was not disclosed.

Late Tuesday, a new Facebook post announced its reopening.

We are excited that we will be back operating our normal business hours starting tomorrow Wednesday Sept. 20 at 11am!! the post reads. We appreciate everyones patience as we had to handle our family emergency back in Thailand. We are so excited to be back and to see everyone! We hope to see some familiar faces this week. Please come by soon!

The mini-mart and restaurant was opened in 2015 by Sam Aroon, who operated it with his wife, Prachit, and her brother, Dominic.

The format was unusual: When word-of-mouth began to spread soon after its opening, a reviewer entered to find the convenience store to the left, a small industrial kitchen in front of us, and three small tables to our right. Aroon later added more tables to meet rapidly growing demand.

Blue Pacific tends to feature in Best Thai restaurant rankings for the Birmingham area, including recommendations published by Yelp.com and soul-grown.com.
A 25-year-old Prichard man is in custody and facing multiple charges after he admitted to no less than 82 auto burglaries in the Mobile area, the Mobile County Sheriffs Office said Wednesday.

Dakwon Oliver was taken into custody Wednesday morning by the MCSO Special Operations Unit. Oliver was taken to the sheriffs office southside substation, where he was interviewed and confessed to the vehicle burglaries, including:

14 cases in Mobile County

35 cases in Saraland

20 cases on Dauphin Island

8 cases in Semmes

5 cases in the City of Mobile

As of Wednesday afternoon, Oliver is charged with 10 counts of unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle and six counts of fraudulent use of a credit card. He is being held without bond at the Mobile Metro Jail awaiting a Sept. 22 court appearance.

Oliver is also facing revocation of his probation from a previous burglary conviction. He was released on probation in April 2022 after serving 4 1/2 years in state prison.

Two other suspects were arrested in connection with the rash of auto burglaries.

Montreal Alonzo Standberry, 26, of Mobile was arrested Aug. 25 and charged with seven counts of breaking and entering of a vehicle. He, too, is facing probation revocation. In February 2019, Standberry was charged with the January 2018 murder of 21-year-old Theron Bennekin Jr.

Standberry would ultimately plead guilty to manslaughter and serve 2 years and 18 months in prison for that crime. He was also sentenced to three years post-release supervision. Standberry is also being held without bond, with his next court appearance set for Oct. 2.

Also arrested was 32-year-old Norgie Deon Flemming of Prichard, who is charged with hindering prosecution. Investigators found Oliver hiding inside Flemmings home Wednesday. Flemming also had an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance.

Flemming also remains in Mobile Metro Jail, being held under $3,500 bond with a Sept. 22 court appearance pending.
As Huntsville continues to grow, the city council president says the west side of Alabamas largest city needs new schools and the city should invest in more affordable housing.

John Meredith, who represents District 5 in west Huntsville and serves as council president, told AL.com that he wants the city to set aside millions of dollars from online sales tax revenue to fund new schools and affordable housing in his district.

I want to do it because we need schools constructed out west with Huntsville growing at the rate its growing, with the west being the biggest pocket of growth, Meredith told AL.com on Tuesday.

School overcrowding is a frequent topic of discussion in Huntsville, a concern expressed at town halls, planning commission meetings and other public venues in the fast-growing city. The new $75 million Grissom High School is already over capacity after opening in 2017, the Huntsville Lede reported earlier this month. While some have advocated for building new schools in eastern Huntsville locations, Meredith says he sees a need and a funding opportunity to build in his west Huntsville district.

Huntsville has received $50 million from the online sales tax revenue since 2016 and mingled it with the citys general fund. The current budget proposal up for a city council vote next week has $16 million projected from that fund. Meredith wants the council to set aside portions for the schools and affordable housing projects.

After discussing his proposal at the city council work session on Thursday, Meredith said he plans to sponsor a resolution to provide a portion of the online sales tax revenue for Huntsville City Schools to leverage the funds for more school buildings. The city council will vote on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Sept. 28.

Meredith noted that his district, which covers a larger area than any other council district, has only Columbia High School, Williams Elementary School, and Providence Elementary.

So considering that District 5 goes all the way west of I-65 now, we already have kids that live on Old Railroad Bed and Balch Road that are taking hour-long trips to get to school, and thats unacceptable, he told AL.com. Weve got to provide the folks that are out there now, and frankly, the folks that are going to be moving out there to a school thats nearby, particularly the elementary and middle school children.

Meredith also said that he sees a dire need for affordable housing in the city because of skyrocketing costs.

I would also like to take a percentage of that money and create and fund an affordable housing fund as well to address the need for affordable housing in the city, he said. Its no secret that a certain percentage of folks that work in the city of Huntsville cannot afford to live in the city of Huntsville, rents are just going up and through the roof, and when you look at the average income of Huntsvillians, housing is not affordable.

His ideas include the city using a portion of the online sales tax to buy land and selling it to developers at reduced prices to incentivize them to build more affordable housing.

This would help ensure that affordable homes are constructed based on a whole lot of things, but primarily the reduction of land price that this fund could accommodate, as well as limiting the profit that developers can make, and then helping provide alternatives to stick-built homes that are far less expensive to build, he said. So, by subsidizing land price and utilizing different building techniques that are more affordable, you can create an affordable home.
A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit alleging that the city of Gulf Shores was improperly charging property developers and misspending impact fees in the city.

Last week, both the plaintiffs and defendants in Wymer v. Gulf Shores filed a motion in Baldwin County Circuit Court for approval of the settlement and class. The court will now conditionally certify the class, according to Kris Anderson, of Yates Anderson, an attorney for the plaintiffs. Notice of the lawsuit will then be published in a newspaper for 30 days and members of the class will have the opportunity to object or opt out.

Members of the class are defined as All persons who were charged an impact fee on new development by the City of Gulf Shores, Alabama pursuant to Ordinance No. 1480 since May 14, 2007 and Ordinance No. 1538 since March 23, 2009. No money is being returned to plaintiffs at this point.

The lawsuit will change how impact fees are collected in Gulf Shores, which was the seventh fastest-growing city in Alabama in 2022. Under Alabama law, impact fees are to be capped at 1% of the assessed market value of the completed development, including the value of the land. The fees are also only to be used for public improvements needed to accommodate a new development.

Residents of Baldwin County frequently complain about the rapid pace of development in their areas and the lack of infrastructure to keep up. Impact fees are intended to be used to aid in improving infrastructure.
A former Alabama high school guidance counselor was sentenced Monday for having sexual contact with a student, court records showed.

Jessica B. Herb, 40, who was a guidance counselor at Asheville High School in St. Clair County during the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to the offense last week.

As part of a plea deal with prosecutors, Herb received a three-year sentence -- with 1 1/2 years of the sentence being served in an Alabama Department of Corrections facility and the other 1 1/2 years in community corrections.

She pleaded guilty to one count of school employee having sexual contact with a student.

Seven other counts against Herb were dismissed as part of the plea agreement -- five counts of school employee having sexual contact with a student and two counts of school employee distributing or soliciting obscene matter to a student, according to court records.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Judge Phil Seay sentenced Herb on Monday.

Herb was placed on administrative leave when she was charged in late January.

Ashville High School Principal Leann Ford could not be reached for comment on Herbs current employment status but WTVM reported Herb no longer works for the school.
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.

The Biden administration is launching the American Climate Corps training program for 20,000 young people thatll prepare them for jobs in clean energy and climate resilience sectors, the White House announced in a press release Wednesday.

The initiative, created through executive action, is part of President Joe Bidens Investing in America agenda, which supplied billions of dollars in federal funding for jobs in infrastructure, clean energy, semiconductors and biotechnology.

While the program is paid, the Biden administration did not release specifics on what the wages would be.

Its modeled after President Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal policies of the 1930s, specifically the Civilian Conservation Corps, which created millions of jobs for men between the ages of 18 and 25 working on environmental projects during the Great Depression.

According to the press release, the program will put young people to work conserving and restoring around 21 million acres of public land and water, bolstering community resilience, deploying clean energy, implementing energy efficient technologies and advancing environmental justice.

An interest form released on the climate corps website asks prospective members to specify if theyre interested in training related to clean energy, coastal restoration or agriculture projects, among other sustainable career paths.

The program is set to create pathways to careers in environmental industries in public and private sectors once graduates complete the training course. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics shows that environmental employment is projected to grow over the next 10 years.

Similar programs currently exist in 10 states, including California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, Washington, Arizona, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina and Utah.

Its not clear how much the initiative will cost, but the Investing in American plan set aside $17.4 billion to bolster funding to tackle climate change and other threats in communities across the country.

Prior to the announcement, the administration already set aside $500 million for good-paying union jobs, the release noted.

Democratic lawmakers praised Bidens decision to create the initiative.

This is a major victory, Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, calling the program a monumental step forward in our fight against climate change.

In a statement also posted to X, Sunrise Movement, an organization advocating for more employment in the climate change sector, said that the move was a long-time coming.

This didnt happen overnight, the statement read. We began the fight for a climate corps in 2020 and spent the last three years organizing our communities, protesting, building coalitions and pushing our leaders to stand with our generation.
China on Tuesday urged increased cross-border connectivity with Russia and deeper mutual trade and investment cooperation, as both allies vowed ever closer economic ties despite disapproval from the West after Russian forces invaded Ukraine last year.

The Russian minister of economic development held "in-depth" discussions on economic cooperation with the Chinese commerce minister in Beijing on Tuesday, coinciding with a trip by China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, to Moscow for strategic talks that led to the confirmation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing next month.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said in the Beijing discussions that Sino-Russian economic and trade cooperation had continued to deepen and become more "solid" under the "strategic guidance" of the two heads of state, according to a statement from his ministry.

With the war in Ukraine well in its second year and Russia under Western sanctions, Moscow has leaned on its ally Beijing for economic support, feeding on Chinese demand for oil and gas as well as grain.

Beijing has rejected Western criticism of its growing partnership with Moscow in light of Russia's war on Ukraine. It insists the ties do not flout international norms, and China has the prerogative to collaborate with whichever country it chooses.

On Tuesday, Group of Seven ministers reiterated its call, without naming any countries, on third parties to "cease any and all assistance to Russia's war of aggression or face severe costs."

The Russian Far East bordering China as well as North Korea has gained new strategic significance as a zone of cross-border trade and commerce.

Last week, Russia's United Oil- and Gas-Chemical Co. and China's Xuan Yuan Industrial Development agreed to build a transshipment oil complex near a railway bridge linking the Russian town of Nizhneleninskoye to China's Tongjiang as Moscow diversifies its exports of commodities away from Europe, which it now deems politically "unfriendly".

Chinese state media also says there is a growing "necessity" for China and Russia to step up their grain trading amid continued tight global supplies. The construction of a grain corridor linking Russia to Heilongjiang, China's northeastern bread basket, will help bolster China's food security.

Earlier in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared that Heilongjiang should become a "pivotal" gateway for China's opening up in the north, saying the province ought to play an active role in safeguarding national defence, food, and energy security. (Reuters)
Monarchy: A system of government where supreme power is vested in a single genetic lineage  a dictatorship passed through family inheritance.

Communism: A system of government in which the State plans and controls the economy and a single, authoritarian party holds power  a dictatorship of the proletariat.

Fascism: A system of government marked by the centralization of authority under a dictator in which an economy is subject to stringent governmental controls and political opposition is violently suppressed.

Globalism: A system of government marked by the elimination of national sovereignty and the centralization of authority within international organizations such as the United Nations, World Health Organization, and World Economic Forum  all run by a small group of wealthy elites.

Monarchy, communism, fascism, globalism  what's the difference? At the end of the day, we are talking about a system of government in which centralized power belongs to a small group of elites who use their control over economic, military, and intelligence-collecting institutions to rule over everyone else. Whether it is a government run by Mussolini, a king, the self-described "proletariat," or an international cabal of central banks and corporations  it is a dictatorship all the same.

Let's not pretend that raw "democracy" is significantly different. As early-twentieth-century sociologist Robert Michels laid out in his treatise, "Political Parties," an "iron law of oligarchy" guarantees that a small group of elites eventually rise to "rule over" any form of democratic organization. Representative democracy, Michels argued, is a "facade" that legitimizes the continuing "rule" of some elite class.

Administrators, bureaucrats, and political leaders love to talk about "democracy" because doing so buttresses their pretense that the people are actually in control. Nothing could be farther from the truth. It is the "ruling class" that hoards power, and the more any elite member speaks of "democracy," the more certain you can be that the elites are actively betraying the overall will of the people. No matter how much this hurts, remember, you asked for it  because this is a "democracy"!

Note that a member of the "ruling class" or one of its controlled institutions (such as Wikipedia) could easily use the above paragraphs to vilify "populism." Think about the doublespeak tightrope that the "ruling class" now walks:

Democracy: A system of political government controlled by the common people.

Populism: Political ideas and policies that are supported by the common people.

Crikey, that's a distinction without a difference! All the "very best people," though, are always telling us that "democracy" is very important and that "populism" is very dangerous. How could it possibly be that a "government by the people" is wonderful, but that ideas "popular among the people" are terrible? Well, this kind of political doublespeak makes perfect sense if democracy in practice really just means "rule by a small group of elites." If that's the case, then of course the small group of elites actually in control of the "democracy" have no interest in hearing what the common people really think. To save democracy, we must deprive the people of their voice! Quick, censor everyone on social media who dares to think and speak freely!

This whole globalist march toward a New World Order is taking us to a place where Klaus Schwab, Bill Gates, George Soros, their clones, a few royal families, a few multinational investment firms, a handful of central bank pirates, and a small club of international politicians can sit around a circular table adorned with a map of the world under their oppressive control. Even then, with the whole world belonging to a few dozen people (sprinkled with a politically correct ratio of races, ethnicities, and made-up genders, of course), the ruling dictators will haughtily chortle, "This is what democracy looks like."

They would be right. In practice, "democracy" looks a lot like a small cabal of ruling elites forcing everyone else to obey their commands. Whenever sane people reach the mistaken conclusion that they are actually in charge of their own government, they are quickly reminded that all dissent must be met with political persecution, lawless surveillance, unjust arrest, and censored speech  you know, the standard J6 treatment.

Mass protests against vote fraud and in support of free and fair elections are arguably the essence of real democracy  unless "democracy" really just means rule by the Clintons, Bushes, Obamas, McConnells, Pelosis, the Federal Reserve, the Intelligence Community, and the wealthiest, woke-iest ESG-DIE-supporting elites. In that case, real democracy must be punished as insurrectionist treason. The people must be made to believe that they are governing themselves but can never be allowed to actually do so.

The "ruling class" will spy on, harass, intimidate, imprison, and torture the whole American population, by golly, if doing so will allow it to preserve the illusion of a stable "democracy." Any American who opposes being Abu Ghraibed on U.S. soil, after all, is only pushing some dangerous form of "populism" that should be ignored. Much as an abuser justifies physical harm for the victim's "own good," the federal government has decided that the surefire way to save "democracy" is to beat the American people into submission. Only when the people have been coerced into a state of compliance will they be given back their "privileges." When the "ruling class" says that MAGA is a threat to "democracy," what it means is that any political movement operating outside of its control is a threat to the continued dictatorship of the Deep State.

What, then, is the opposite of monarchy, communism, fascism, globalism, and Deep State democracy?

The answer is simple: freedom. The only unique form of government is a political system that respects personal liberty and private property and intrinsically protects individual freedom from government intrusion. The only system that truly values "the will of the people" is one that recognizes inalienable rights as belonging exclusively to each individual  immune from government infringement, no matter how compelling the government's reason. Any form of government that treats rights and freedoms as mere "privileges" that can be watered down during times of emergency is, in fact, just another dictatorial system run by a "ruling class" of elites. It matters little if you live within a "democracy" if you remain a slave inside the government's iron cage.

State control versus individual freedom is the only contest that really matters. It is the contest that will continue to define the twenty-first century.

It is no surprise, then, that the U.S. and other Western governments speak so little about inalienable rights and freedoms and so much about "hate speech," "disinformation," "climate change," and COVID. Speaking about liberty reminds common people that there are limits to the powers of any legitimate government. Inventing new things for people to fear, however, often clouds their reason just enough to steal their rights away.

What comes next? If history is our teacher, then the answer is obvious: conflict comes next. No matter how sophisticated the A.I.-powered surveillance State becomes, more people will resist. No matter how coercive central bank digital currencies and social credit scores become, more people will choose to fight for their freedoms. In fact, the more oppressive the overall system is, the more that people will commit themselves to fighting it, no matter the cost.

There are many recurring themes to humanity's story but none so consistent as this: wherever tyranny takes hold, movements for freedom grow powerful. One of Mel Gibson's memorable speeches as William Wallace in Braveheart applies well today: "There's a difference between us. You think the people of this land exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom." No matter how much the government censors, the people will eventually have their say.

Hat tip to HAL.

Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Back in 1979, Jimmy Carter gave a televised address that has been called the "national malaise" speech. It's true that the word "malaise" doesn't appear in it, but Carter's remarks on America's "crisis of confidence" basically boiled down to the same thing. Most political analysts agree that the speech  and Carter's ineptitude dealing with the Iran hostage crisis, which began four months later and continued through the rest of his administration  not only ensured he'd be a one-term president, but probably paved the way for the Reagan landslide.

Americans don't like negativity. "Don't worry, be happy" is the smiley face we like to put on things. Optimism and a conviction that things will have a happy ending seem to be our expectations.

This is what bothers me about a particularly dangerous spot, where that malaise seems to have metastasized: our expectations about the future.

The New York Times ran an op-ed September 18: "The World's Population May Peak in Your Lifetime. What Happens Next?" It notes that population replacement levels in virtually every developed (and less developed) country are now below replacement level. In other words, we are on the verge of an era where, absent disease or war, the human population will shrink radically.

Those folks still in a 1970s time warp  who still think Paul Ehrlich and his Zero Population Growth groupies were right  may applaud. They will probably be joined by climate fundamentalists who begrudge the human carbon footprint on their idyllic world of lichens, pine trees, and babbling brooks. (But if there's no human being there to listen, does a brook babble?) But Dean Spears, the author of that op-ed, rains on their parade, claiming that human shrinkage may "arrive far too slowly to be more than a sideshow in the effort to save the planet."

Spears seems most worried by the clash between many people wanting fewer or no children amid their more prosperous material living standards and the economic realities that declining demographics means for the welfare state they believe provides those standards. Without children, a top-heavy demographic pyramid of old people will topple, whether we are talking about the lack of those children actually to care for their elderly parents or to contribute to social security schemes that pay the state to do that job. Inter-generational compacts work only when there's a generation coming to assume the task.

But what I find most incredible about these discussions is what they say about our cultural, social, and mental mindset. Jimmy Carter's malaise seems to have blossomed in our attitude toward the human future.

For most of humanity, the idea of "life going on," of passing on oneself and one's family through one's children, was self-evident. Being able to pass something on to one's children  most basically, being able to pass life on  was seen as a blessing. "May you live to see your children's children" (Ps. 128:6) was a blessing in Israel.

What has gone wrong? For most of human history, that aspiration drove people forward, even despite adversity. Indeed, it was typically amid adversity that the instinct for survival was strongest. In the depths of the hell of the Holocaust, how many fought for life?

And today  without disease and war in the picture  we are dying off?

Have we become such slaves to our things that our very lives are given away in the process? Has our aspiration for a certain standard of material prosperity corroded our love of life itself? Back in 1969, long before most people in the world had heard of him, a Polish cardinal named Karol Wojtya looked at the flight from fertility and presciently asked: "Why is opposition to [the giving of life] in inverse relation to proximity to the 'hunger belt'?" In other words, why was the alienation from life greatest in the countries where, objectively speaking, life was easier?

This is not a problem for "data-driven analysis." It is a question of values. It was captured by an observation made in conjunction with a family-planning campaign launched to decrease population in 1960s India.

How does one communicate in a country of many different languages and many people who cannot read any of them? Pictures. On the left, a picture of a multi-child family in a poor hovel, minimal standards, poor clothing, and simple food. On the right, a picture of a middle-class family in a nice apartment with two children, a phonograph, and a bountiful table. Except that many people viewing the poster looked at the picture on the right and commented, "Poor family! Only two kids!"

Sometimes a picture  and the words that follow  are worth a thousand op-ed pieces.

If there has not been a seismic shift towards a culture of death  toward a culture that has made its peace with gradually dying off  consider simply the current phenomenon of "affirming" the chemical castration and/or physical mutilation of minors in the name of "identity." A number of jurisdictions are already toying with the idea of setting norms that parents who "affirm" such barbarism are the kinds of parents the modern state wants to encourage. Consider what that means. It means the ideal parent is the parent who is willing to say that his child should never be able to be what today's parents themselves are: parents. It says that bringing your family's lifeline to an end is a legitimate, indeed laudable, "choice."

The 20th-century American poet Carl Sandburg once wrote that "a baby is God's opinion that the world should go on." The problem is whether 21st-century man shares that divine opinion.

John Grondelski (Ph.D., Fordham) was former associate dean of the School of Theology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. All views herein are exclusively his.

Image via Raw Pixel.
Zimmerman, Robert. Conscious Choice: The Origins of Slavery in America and Why it Matters Today and for Our Future in Outer Space. Publisher:ebookIt.com

The story of Americas colonization is frequently cast as a morality tale, of good and evil. In the northern settlements and colonies, such as New England, settlers acted upon what we consider the good of America: an understanding and respect for individualism and individual rights. Settlers and colonists in the southern part of nascent America, on the other hand, chose the evil of America, creating societies that denied the inherent individual rights of humans, and treated large numbers of human beings (primarily Africans) as beasts of burden.

But morality tales take us only so far in understanding what happened. A morality tale supplies a spiritual understanding of what was done -- that evil behavior was often chosen over good behavior -- but it does not shed light on the why of such choices.

This is where Robert Zimmermans book Conscious Choice: The Origins of Slavery in America and Why it Matters Today and for Our Future in Outer Space makes a contribution, because Zimmerman looks beyond the spiritual and moralistic choices of the leading actors of the time to examine the outside forces: the powerful social incentive structures that propelled, constrained, and guided their conscious choices.

While Conscious Choice is social history of Americas past, Zimmermans overarching focus is on the Far Horizon: the human colonization of space. Zimmerman is concerned that humanity is starting off with incentive frameworks for extraterrestrial development (the Outer Space Treaty,) that are likely to take our future space colonies down the path of evil, dehumanizing social forms (akin to what played out in colonial Virginia) rather than more individualistic and humanistic social forms that developed in New England.

So what were the incentives which led to what looks like the conscious choice to enslave ones fellow man in the southern American colonies, and how do they compare to the incentive systems of the northern colonies?

In the Southern colonies (mostly focused on Virginia), six major incentive structures led, somewhat obviously and inexorably in hindsight, to chattel slavery: continuance of the British royalist top-down caste system; a pre-existing system of indenture; a Crown-corporate economic model based on a single product (tobacco); Headright (Royal land-grants from the British Crown); Weak religious authorities and social organizations (Anglican); and weak to non-existent education of lower caste people.

Chief among these, the incentives of maintaining royalist caste structure, and particularly, the practice of sending lower-tier nobility off to seek fortune by having the King grant them land, in a distant place where land ownership and tobacco growing was the only path to prosperity, created an armored incentive pathway to chattel slavery. Its a simple formula: to succeed in Virginia, you had to grow/sell tobacco on good land. As a distant connection to the Crown, you could get land grants for settling yourself, your wife, your family, and heres the kicker, your servants and indentures. And theres the ratchet toward chattel slavery. One also notes that these incentives paved the way to the development of an administrative state, through the royalist practice of rule-by-taxes-and-regulation. Collecting those taxes and enforcing those regulations naturally created an entrenched class of corrupt, self-serving administrative elites: perhaps the origins of Americas appetite for the administrative state into which we have descended since the turn of the 20th century.

Most Virginians lived in dispersed settlements, without towns, and totally dependent on farming tobacco. The Anglican church barely functioned, with most parishes lacking ministers. Schools were similarly neglected, and the colony, in 1643, had no education to speak of.

Similarly, in the Northern Colonies, six incentive structures paved a path away from chattel slavery towards greater individualism and individual rights: Antipathy toward rule-from-above, and preference for individual self-rule; greater individualism and liberty (fewer regulations/taxes); stronger, more local religious organizations; constrained capitalism in which pure pursuit of profits was suspect; A strong emphasis on education; and an economy based on diverse resource development. Developments of the North were driven less by one dynamic individual, and more by the leadership of various Christian sects.

Which brings us back to the utility of of Conscious Choice for our future space colonists, whoever you may be: Zimmermans work suggests you must make a conscious choice when designing your colonial incentive structures, or in science-fictional terms, your Social Operating Systems. This is also the place where I insert the obligatory slightly negative aspect of the review: Zimmerman could have made this thesis a bit more explicit, for my taste. But here it is: Do you go with a system akin to the Virginia Operating System of the early 1600s, or more with a system akin to that of New Englands Operating system of the same time? Because though it should be obvious that (we hope) future space colonists will be of good intentions, we need to understand that when push comes to shove, their choices will be based on the incentive structure -- the operating system -- in which they are embedded, and the rightness or wrongness of small choices may seem unclear (or irresistible) at the time.

Zimmerman seems to be concerned that existing space law -- the Outer Space Treaty -- favors the path more toward Virginia. By explicitly ruling out the idea of extraterrestrial sovereignty or property rights, the likely development of space, again, in Zimmermans view, would fall to resource production corporations: for-profit enterprises operating without legal systems guaranteeing protections for property or individual rights.

Under the Outer Space Treaty, warns Zimmerman, future space colonists will not have the same rights and freedoms of those who live in that free world on Earth. They will be forced into military conflict should they want to establish their sovereignty to those settlements. This might make for good science fiction, but it sounds like it would make for dreadful science fact.

What makes Conscious Choice interesting is that its not just another social history of what happened, and who did what to whom in a horrible time of mans inhumanity to man. Its an effort to draw concrete knowledge from the past, for application to solving predictable problems in the not-too-distant, not altogether impossible future.

Conscious Choice reads easily, flows smoothly, is linguistically elegant, covers an extremely important topic, and asks important questions. Conscious Choice is also well referenced, with two appendices of additional data and sourcing information for the deepest dive. Conscious Choice is well worth reading simply to revel in the technical merits, which are far too rare these days. It would also pair well with a rereading of Robert A. Heinleins classic The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, possibly while listening to Jason Aldeans Rich Men North of Richmond, and sipping a few pints of good New England beer.

Image: RawPixel
With the unconscionable persecution of the January 6th protesters, the unabashed government censorship of speech, the weaponization of federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and the egregious abuse of presidential executive orders and emergency declarations, the American police state is no longer a hypothetical possibility but an increasingly indisputable reality.

While imperceptibly evolving over many decades, the emergence of the American police state was significantly accelerated with the overreaction to the September 11, 2001 terror attack. Even more important was the Covid 19 pandemic that dramatically increased the momentum toward a police state as once a people are terrorized it is easy to impose a police state on them.

When societies lose their freedom, it is not ordinarily because autocrats or tyrants have forcibly taken it away. It is usually the result of the population willingly surrendering their freedom in return for protection against an external threat. While the threat is oftentimes real it is invariably exaggerated.

In both 911 and Covid-19, the general public was stampeded into demanding action from their elected leaders. The politicians responded and did not pause to ask whether the actions undertaken would work; just do something was the mantra. They were unconcerned about the unintended consequences or the financial and societal cost to the nation.

Any student of history and human nature would recognize that these are the classic symptoms of collective hysteria. Hysteria is contagious. This nation turned itself inside out as the media and unscrupulous politicians grossly exaggerated these threats and did not stop to ask if the cure would be worse than the disease.

In times like those, it was to be expected that the citizenry would look to the government for guidance and assistance. When that happens in an environment of mass hysteria, then it is unsurprising that the state will take on or assume new power as that is what has been demanded of it. This historically has been the process which led to the rise of authoritarianism and police states.

In the immediate aftermath of September 11, 2001, when the reality of international terrorism was fresh in the minds of the American people, The Patriot Act was passed. An irrational fear had taken over the citizenry that the government used to justify the most sweeping forms of domestic surveillance in the history of the Republic. The law granted virtually unchecked power to domestic intelligence and law enforcement agencies. Powers which were quickly turned against the American people who did not genuflect to the political establishment.

However, it was the exploitation of Covid-19 that dramatically accelerated the formation of a potential all-encompassing police state as it handed the government an unprecedented weapon to manipulate the American people: the declaration of a national health emergency.

The American political class, utilizing the most draconian of tactics, plunged this nation into economic and societal chaos, claiming they had to do so in order to stem the tide of the life threatening Chinese Coronavirus. Grossly error-prone projections and the choreographed shutdowns and mandates in Communist China were trumpeted by politicians and the media as fear and anxiety gripped the country.

Declaring a national emergency, shutting down a nation, and curtailing freedoms in order to combat a virus with an infection fatality rate essentially equivalent to the annual flu for people under 70 would have been unthinkable at any other time in human history but the politicians and bureaucrats began clamoring for a national shutdown by pointing to the spurious success of Chinas lockdown policies.

On March 13, 2020 President Trump issued a national emergency declaration for Covid-19. On March 16, 2020, in the most egregious mistake of his otherwise highly successful presidency, he announced an effective national shutdown of 15 days to slow the spread.

Inevitably, 15 days became 45 and then extended into multiple months as states and cities initiated their own tyrannical lockdown regimens pointing to Trumps health emergency declaration as the justification.

The vast bulk of the terror-stricken citizenry dutifully obeyed. They remained silent as the governing class:

A surfer errsted for surfing alone (YouTube screengrab, cropped)

Politicians and bureaucrats, constitutionally or statutorily limited in their power, exercised near dictatorial authority in their edicts claiming the pandemic warranted putting much of the nations population into house imprisonment.

That is what a police state is like. It is a nation in which the government can issue orders and edicts or convey preferences with little or no legal authority. Yet, it appears the majority of the American people were willing to sacrifice their freedoms and way of life in order to empower such a potential police state in the guise of conquering a pandemic or protection from terrorism.

Governments never give up power once attained. They only seek to normalize it and now they have in their toolbox the knowledge that the citizenry will meekly acquiesce to any national emergency being declared an existential health crisis which requires government to unconstitutionally impose its will on the people.

Recently the Governor of New Mexico unilaterally suspended the right to carry firearms in public across their largest city citing her declaration of a public health emergency as the basis. The Democrats and Joe Biden are plotting to declare a national climate emergency, ostensibly because of health risks due to climate change, in order to impose their radical green agenda on America.

The march to a police state cannot be reversed by cosmetic changes to the intelligence and law enforcement agencies. The Patriot Act must be repealed. The FBI should be disbanded, and its intelligence functions spread among other agencies and the bulk of its law enforcement activities returned to the various states. The CIA should also be disbanded, and its functions returned to the Departments of Defense, State and Treasury. And the fig leaf that is the FISA Court must be abolished.

Additionally, Congress needs to amend the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to limit and more clearly define the Presidents prerogative to declare national emergencies. The various state legislatures must do the same with the Governors in their individual states.

If the Democrats win the White House in 2024 none of these reforms will be undertaken and in combination with their intent to pack the Federal Judiciary, the citizens of the United States will soon find themselves living in a permanent American police state.
When one thinks about the benefits provided by our local, state, and federal government our daily lives, what comes to mind? What do we get as taxpaying U.S. citizens? Many do not think of taxes in terms of the return on our investment as Americans. When taxes are thought of in those terms, it seems like a very bad deal. It appears that taxes, fees, and fines are never reduced, but the quality of the service is. Why do we accept that?

Our constitutional republic was created by those who had lived under monarchy. They knew what we do not, and they experienced what we have not -- until now. The Founders created a framework that would enable a system of limited government that secured our liberty for as long as we could keep it. If we can keep it is the key phrase. Over the last couple of generations, We, the People have relinquished our freedoms and have given them to our elected and non-elected leaders and to the governmental process in which we have misplaced our trust and faith. They have been careless, reckless, and irresponsible with our money.

We do not need them. They need us.

They need our compliance and, more importantly, they need our money in the form of taxes, fees, and fines. The annual tax received from U.S. citizens for the year 2018 was $1.5 trillion. Where was this money spent? What did we receive for our payments? Very little.

We live our lives. We go to work, raise families, contribute to our communities and, for the most part, live our lives in independence. Unless retired or on government assistance, we dont receive monthly payments from the government. It is difficult for the average and responsible citizen to monitor this spending or the recipients of the money, especially since most of these programs are portrayed as positive and necessary. It is difficult and time-consuming. The system has incrementally been changed to reduce accountability. The money we pay has been reduced to a number on a pay stub or the bottom line on a tax return. If you are an owner of a small business, it is much worse. Lets consider a few items for which all of us pay in our local communities. Do our towns and cities have continuous potholes in your streets and constant construction with ten highway workers holding up shovels? Probably yes. Do you continuously call 911 in need of fire or law enforcement assistance while new police and fire departments build new buildings? Probably not. Did you vote for a new bicycle path or green space? Probably not. Are you familiar with your towns budget spending? Definitely not. Our local, state, and federal governments are taxing and spending money without our input or approval with impunity. We are not getting the value for the taxes we pay when compared to what we would expect on the purchase of another good or service. Taxes, which are the investment in our country, are one of the areas where we receive little to no return on our investment. It is equivalent of ordering a pizza that never gets delivered and we then cannot determine what happened or who is responsible. Your only choice is to order another pizza and hope for the best. We cant blame our local, state, and federal officials. We have let them run amok without supervision, and they are weak. It is easy to be reckless when ones own money is not being spent. It is our job as American citizens to pay attention and hold them to account.

Did we vote for massive aid to Ukraine? If we are expected to support our local levy, shouldnt we have a say in a $40B+ payout to a foreign country? The border is wide open. Did we participate in that decision? No. Both examples have or will impact us directly, and we have had no input. These are a few examples where the case was made by the government to the people that if we do not agree with these endeavors, we are bad people or unpatriotic. It is frustrating to watch our Republican leadership hold hearings and conduct investigations resulting in little accomplished. These motions are our elect officials are beginning to resemble theater.

This disconnect between the citizens and our government is not new, but has been increasing over the last 20 years. The COVID lockdown proved it. The government did whatever it wanted, and American citizens complied. The success of this compliance has spoken volumes to those in power. What lesson did they learn? They learned that they could do anything they want if they have the media to back their decisions and bang the drum. They imposed mandates on private businesses and churches while not enforcing these mandates on fast-food restaurants and big box stores. The government, on all levels, picked favorites. Why and how did this happen? Are the majority of Americans so browbeaten into not offending anyone or anything as to give our government and its experts the power and credibility they do not deserve? Have Americans become so afraid of the almighty power of the government that asking questions or resisting is unthinkable?

There is a single question many people ask: What can be done?

AOF  American on Fire is a private citizen who has had enough. americanonfire@gmail.com and www.americanonfire.com .

Image: Public Domain
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations began its first joint naval exercise on Tuesday at a time when several member countries are responding more strongly to increasing Chinese assertiveness in the area.

The non-combat drills, named ASEAN Solidarity Exercise, include joint maritime patrol operations, search and rescue operations, and humanitarian and disaster relief, Indonesian military chief Adm. Yudo Margono said.

He said the five-day exercise in Indonesia's Natuna waters aims to boost military ties among the ASEAN nations and enhance interoperability. The drills also involve civilian groups involved in humanitarian relief and disaster prevention.

ASEAN nations have taken part in naval exercises before with other countries ? including both the United States and China ? but this weeks drills are the first involving just the bloc and are being read by many as a signal to China.

Chinas nine-dash line, which it uses to demarcate its claim to most of the South China Sea, has brought it into tense standoffs with rival claimants Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines, with Chinese fishing boats and military vessels becoming more aggressive in the disputed waters.

The line also overlaps with a section of Indonesias exclusive economic zone extending from the Natuna Islands. Margono initially said the exercises would take place in the North Natuna Sea at the edge of the South China Sea, a fault line in the rivalry between the U.S. and China, following meetings of ASEAN defense officials in Bali in June.

However, Indonesia, which holds the rotating chair of ASEAN this year, decided to move the drills to the South Natuna Islands, away from the disputed area, apparently to avoid any reaction from Beijing.

China and ASEAN signed a nonbinding 2002 accord that called on rival claimant nations to avoid aggressive actions that could spark armed conflicts, including the occupation of barren islets and reefs, but violations have persisted.

China has come under intense criticism for its militarization of the strategic South China Sea but says it has the right to build on its territories and defend them at all costs.

Those who carry out any exploration or activities in that area must not violate state territory, Margono said after an opening ceremony for the exercise attended by ASEAN military leaders on Batam island next to Singapore. That has been clearly regulated by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Asked whether ASEAN was sending a stronger message against Chinas competing territorial claims in the South China Sea, Margono replied, "We have had a firm stance.

He told reporters that ASEAN has agreed to hold military exercises annually. In the future, they will be expanded to full war drills involving the army, navy and air force, he said.

Indonesia and China enjoy generally positive ties, but Jakarta has expressed concern about what it sees as Chinese encroachment in its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea. Increased activities by Chinese coast guard vessels and fishing boats in the area have unnerved Jakarta, prompting its navy to conduct a large drill in July 2020 in waters around Natuna.

Despite its official position as a non-claimant state in the South China Sea, Indonesia renamed part of it the North Natuna Sea in 2017 to underscore its claim that the area, which includes natural gas fields, is part of its exclusive economic zone. Similarly, the Philippines has named part of what it considers its territorial waters the West Philippine Sea.

Vietnam, one of the four ASEAN claimant states, has been vocal in expressing concerns over Chinas transformation of seven disputed reefs into man-made islands, including three with runways, which now resemble small cities armed with weapons systems.

Two ASEAN members, Cambodia and Laos, both Chinese allies, have opposed the use of strong language against Beijing in the disputes. (AP)
Hes still a libtard, but kudos to Bob Odenkirk for eating a big wedge of humble pie.

As reported by the New York Post yesterday:

Actor Bob Odenkirk said he regretted dismissing a cranky conservative doctors medical advice during a podcast. Odenkirk told podcaster and comedian Tig Nataro that he had a cranky, conservative doctor while discussing a health scare that occurred on the set of Better Call Saul in 2021.

At the age of 50, Odenkirk had been with the same physician for 20 years. The doctor was a conservative with We do not accept Obamacare signs up around the office, a fact that irked the actor; as Odenkirk said, I hated this side of him that I only learned over time. When his doctor advised that he begin taking statins, Odenkirk sought a new practitioner who said the drugs were unnecessary and Odenkirk had an episode. From the article:

And I had a heart attack. And I think the first doctor was right, the actor said. The cranky conservative jackass was right, because he was a good doctor. His political point of view doesnt have anything to do with his ability to judge your health and your health choices and needs.

Now, I think Odenkirks realization highlights two very interesting truths.

The first is that Odenkirk is only half-right. Hes correct in acknowledging that the doctors political view didnt act as a blinder from his ability to practice the best medicinethats what I infer Odenkirk meant by his statement abovebut on the contrary, the doctors political views absolutely have something to do with his ability to judge a patient and their needs, in turn, making him an even better doctor. (Ill explain why in just a moment.)

The second is that conversely, and this point adds to the one I just mentioned, if a doctors conservative political views makes him/her a better candidate to provide the best care, then politically left views would be a detriment to a physicians ability to administer proper care.

Why, though? Well, because good medicine is grounded in objectivity and at this point in time, leftists are by and large, proponents of subjectivity. Ideas like best and proper care are relative to and measured against realities like biology, chemistry, and anatomy. Reality is reality, whether you want to accept it or not, and what is true does not hinge upon how a person feels about it.

If a doctor subscribes to modern leftism, he almost certainly believes that biology is an invented social construct, obesity isnt unhealthy, plant-based is best, and abortion is healthcare. His approach to medicine is going to be influenced by his conflicting political views. On the other hand, conservative political views are in harmony with reality; furthermore, conservatives likely developed conservative viewpoints because theyre critical thinkersobviously a healthy skeptic will yield better health advice than a bandwagon dunce.

As my colleague Andrea Widburg always says, conservatives deal with facts and reach conclusions while leftists have conclusions and sell them as factsbut Id further point out that these leftist conclusions have no anchor, making them not only illogical given the sequence of reasoning but drifting further and further away from the vicinity of what objectively true.

Image: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
Just one more reason we need to police the police.

In the Bay Area of California, former police captain John Whitney has finally reached a settlement with his former employer, Vallejo Police Department; in 2019, Whitney was terminated, shortly after blowing the whistle on questionable alleged behaviors in the workplace culture.

As reported by the Los Angeles Times via Yahoo! News:

Whitney alleges in a lawsuit filed against the city and his former employers in 2020 that he was fired after he told Vallejo City Manager Greg Nyhoff, Mayor Bob Sampayan and then-City Atty. Claudia Quintana that members of the Police Department were bending the corners of their badges to commemorate every time an officer killed a civilian.

According to the report, Whitney joined the department in 2000, eventually earning the rank of captain in 2015, which was around the time badge-bending first came to his attention; when a colleague was placed on administrative leave in 2019, he learned it was because of the practice. Whitney then reportedly asked commanding chief Andrew Bidou to look into the matter, who allegedly refused. Also from the article:

Whitney then ordered all supervisors to collect any bent badges, and about 10 were found. Bidou allegedly ordered the badges returned to the officers and told them to fix them.

Whitney said he was concerned about what he considered to be the destruction of evidence and contacted Vallejo city officials, who were apparently as uninterested in the issue as Bidou, and in August 2019, Whitney was let go from the department.

The lawsuit came to an end last week when Whitney and the city settled out of court; in Whitneys words:

I feel vindicated by the settlement agreement because of the amount, Whitney told The Times in an interview Monday. You dont settle for nearly $1 million if you did everything correct.

I dont actually think the badge-bending practice in and of itself is unethical; clearly there are law enforcement officers who risk their lives every day to confront the most vile and subhuman scum on the face of the earthfor all intents and purposes, they enter war zones. Am I upset when Tier One forces conduct missions against legitimate terrorists? Absolutely not, theyve done humanity a tremendous service, and I couldnt care less if they want to commemorate a notch on the belt. Now, thats not an argument for foreign intervention and wars of profit in the Middle East, but pink-misting men who engage in bacha bazi is a silver lining.

If these cops were taking out MS13 gang members and child abusers, and bending their badges, more power to them, but in the context of growing tyranny, things like this ought to be highly scrutinized, and especially in this case, where Whitney alleged additional and legitimate acts of wrongdoing.

Now I dont subscribe to the libertarian-anarchist worldview (although there is a little of it in me) that any and all law enforcement is unnecessary, because my reformed Chrisian faith teaches that humans are inherently bad (not good), and any simple or shallow observation of the world around us supports this beliefso we absolutely do need law enforcement.

And, this is not to take a swipe at all law enforcement officers, because I know there are a number of them that take their oath to support and defend the people and the Constitution very seriouslyjust look at any sheriff that dares armed agents from the USDA, the IRS, the FBI, or any other number of federal bureaucracies to step foot in his county.

But the bottom line is, police forces beholden to politicians (like the Vallejo Police Department) instead of the people need to be abolished, and the good, constitutionally-minded officers absorbed by legitimate law enforcement forces, like the institution of the sheriff. Officers should answer directly to the people they are entrusted to protect and serve; law enforcement was intended to be a local, votable issue, and we ought to restore it as such.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
With Hurricane Lee churning off the New England coast this past weekend; the mainstream media is now filled with articles claiming climate change will cause more hurricanes to strike New England. In reality, the objective data show New England is experiencing a dramatic and ongoing decline in hurricanes as the climate modestly warms. There is also no indication that the beneficial trend will reverse itself anytime in the foreseeable future.

The Associated Press, USA Today, and ABC News are among the many media entities exploiting the recent offshore storm to make alarmist New England hurricane claims. Climate change could bring more monster storms like Hurricane Lee to New England, reads the title of the Associated Press article. Hurricanes almost never hit New England. That could change as the Earth gets hotter, reads the USA Today title.

The media articles reference a 2021 paper in which the authors claim they devised a computer model that predicts a warming climate will bring more hurricanes to places like New England. The planet has been modestly warming since the end of the Little Ice Age approximately 150 years ago, so if the computer model is accurate, we should already be seeing a longstanding increase in the frequency of New England hurricanes. The objective data, however, show a dramatic decline in New England hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) keeps meticulous data on hurricanes and hurricane strikes. On the NOAA webpage, NOAA Historical Hurricane Tracks, one can see the storm-by-storm path and strength of all U.S.-impacting hurricanes since 1851. One can also focus specifically on hurricanes that have struck New England.

Since 1851, 14 storms have struck or moved over New England at hurricane strength. From the 1850s through the 1950s, New England experienced an average of exactly one hurricane per decade. Since 1960, however, New England is experiencing just 0.65 hurricanes per decade. Moreover, it has now been 32 years and counting since the last New England hurricane, which is the second-longest period without a hurricane in New England history.

Its not just that New England hurricane frequency is declining. The strength of New England hurricanes is declining, too. The hurricanes from the 1850s through the 1950s had an average maximum strength of 1.8 while over New England. The hurricanes since 1960 have had an average maximum strength of 1.6 while over New England.

Climate alarmists and their media allies try to indoctrinate the public to believe that warmer temperatures directly lead to more frequent and stronger hurricanes. However, many factors determine hurricane formation and strength. Wind shear, for example, rips hurricanes apart before they form and weakens hurricanes after hurricane formation. Scientists have long reported that warming global temperatures may increase wind shear, and that such an increase in wind shear may outweigh any impact of warmer temperatures on hurricanes. In New England, throughout the United States, and throughout the world as a whole, real-world evidence supports that theory.

Ultimately, real-world scientific data trump expert speculation and faulty computer models. Rather than scaring the public into believing climate change is or will make New England hurricanes more frequent and deadlier, the media should report the welcome facts that New England hurricanes are becoming rarer and less deadly as the planet modestly warms.

James Taylor (JTaylor@heartland.org) is president of The Heartland Institute.

Image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Over the summer, the Atlantic ran a story titled "How Chewing Gum Lost Its Cultural Cachet" alongside a devastating subtitle, "It's just not cool anymore." The point of the piece is irrefutable. Compared to the times of Grease, in which smoking cigarettes and chomping away a pack of gum was an unquestionable sign of subversiveness and rebellion, we're in a completely different world. But the push to rout gum from classrooms and school hallways because of popping sounds and its association with class troublemakers might have had an underappreciated cost.

Since the emergence of chewing gum as a pop-culture asset, it has also been heavily studied by a vast array of researchers in the field of neuroscience. A remarkable discovery emerged from a 2002 study that bore the title 'Chewing gum selectively enhances certain facets of memory in individuals without health issues.

Researchers found that both immediate and delayed word recall functions were improved in test subjects who chewed gum compared to those who had none. Numeric working memory was also improved, meaning test subjects had an easier time recalling larger number sets while chewing, including when they merely pretended to chew.

You might recall similar debates over focus and physical action during the Fidget Spinner craze. Doing something while listening in a classroom or board meeting has been shown to help with focus. That includes chewing. Teachers dont tend to hand out fidget spinners to students, but teachers in Oregon are reportedly dispensing gum to students during testing.

The reason why chewing improves memory is because it increases the flow of oxygen to the parts of the brain responsible for attention. The Scientific American looked at a 2012 study in the British Journal of Psychology which found that their test subjects who were gum chewers maintained superior focus during an exercise that involved listening to a 30-minute recording that involved a sequence of numbers.

Scientific American humorously concludes, "so the next time your mind is wandering in class, maybe try some gum. If it doesnt help you concentrate youll at least be asked to leave."

As the Atlantic piece points out, American and British schools had both banned chewing gum during class, but with the knowledge we have about the benefits of the practice, that might actually have been ill-advised. Under experimental conditions, gum was associated with higher alertness regardless of whether performance tasks were completed and altered sustained attention," found this 2017 study. Another one, published in 2015, showed mood improvement and stress relief for those who chewed gum during mentally engaging activities.

It appears that the methodical act of chewing reduces the salivary cortisol levels, which governs the body's stress response. Chewing sugar-free gum increases saliva flow which helps to wash away bacteria, viruses, and toxins found in the mouth, nasopharynx, and upper gastrointestinal tract. Unlike the socially accepted uppers' commonly promoted in the workplace, such as coffee, chewing gum keeps working people level-headed without the downside of restless legs, the jitters or nervous jaw clenching. A lot of the benefits are associated with the artificial sweetener used in sugar-free gum, namely xylitol.

A 2022 study by American researchers used data from over 10,000 pregnant women in Malawi and found that those who chewed sugar-free xylitol-containing chewing gum were 25 percent less likely to experience preterm births. The study also found that the women had better oral health overall, with decreased instances of periodontal disease.

That said, the legacy of chewing gum hasn't moved on since the 1970s. Between rebellious teens and being associated with unhealthy lifestyles and nonchalant and disrespectful attitudes, chewing gum still isn't seen as anything desirable for reasons other than being a sweet treat. Gum was not banned in schools because it was known that sugar-containing gum was detrimental to the teeth of youngsters, but because it was seen as unruly to have your mouth open during class -- even when it didn't involve talking.

Now that many chewing gum brands have switched to sugar-free alternatives, and the literature on the benefits of gum is as extensive as the flavors gums come in (there is even a bacon-flavored chewing gum), its past time we reevaluate the simple act of chewing.

All this stands as a fine example of how a neutral or even healthy activity can be driven from polite society if labeled as an act of youthful rebellion. With consensus now quite strong regarding the mild benefits of chewing gum, we should wonder what really motivated teachers and principals to police gum so strongly in the first place.

Bill Wirtz is the senior policy analyst at the Consumer Choice Center

Image: Parka Lewis
In Staten Island, it's happening.

There's a spontaneous grassroots uprising against migrants being shifted around to their part of New York City, with the actions to block buses a bit more than stern warnings.

Here are some Twitter videos:

Staten Island police arrest residents who try to block migrants that are set to be housed in a neighborhood nursing home. pic.twitter.com/6D4tPFwXnl  Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) September 20, 2023

Residents Of New York Are Attempting To STOP The Illegal Migrants From Being Bussed In By The Government & Dropped Off In Their Neighborhoods 



They Are Fighting Back!  pic.twitter.com/lMnhAeLSdu  Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) September 19, 2023

It calls to mind the Murrieta protests of 2014, which was a similarly situated community being subject to migrant dumping by the big blue cities and at the time President Obama's lax border enforcement. I went to those protests at the time, and found a lot of up and striving legal immigrants and people of color who had bought their first homes and were just hanging on and wanted to protect their safe and friendly conservative community of 100,000 or so. I found black homeowners, Iranian legal immigrants in professional jobs, legal Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants who were homemakers as part of two-parent families, and other decent people who are the salt of the earth, the American dream personified yet anything but the cossetted elites. They were concerned about imported crime, overwhelmed social services, the impact on public education, and the trash and mess of those who have crossed into the U.S. illegally, all of which they knew they would pay for. In Murrieta, they explicitly felt that the Obama administration was targeting them for the dumps because they generally voted Republican. "We don't want to be Pomona," as one told me.

It's a fair guess that the Staten Island protestors may have similar profiles.

According to today's New York Post, the public mood in New York is this:

The grim data on New Yorks slide into nonlivability keep arriving. The latest numbers can be found in a Siena poll: Some 57% of New Yorkers think life here is getting worse. That includes 43% of Democrats, with only 22% saying its getting better. These ugly results hold across racial lines, with 60% of Latinos, 58% of whites and 50% of blacks saying its getting worse.

There are two causes for it:

A huge majority, 73%, say crime is a major problem (including 64% of Dems); similar majorities also agree across racial and class lines. Some 62% say the migrant influx is a major problem.

Migrants. It's so bad it's got them protesting. We see some of this going on in Europe, too.

What's vivid here is that these are the kind of people who have always been seen as the silent majority, the slow to anger groups that channeled their political feelings into their votes and carried on life as normal. Now that New York has so badly mismanaged its migrant influx, still refusing to end its sanctuary city status as well as "right to shelter" laws, they're trying to fob the problem they've created out to the outer boroughs, where they assume nobody will pay attention.

Well, they are paying attention, and taking to the streets. If the Staten Island people can be doing this, then this is far from the last of such protests as Joe Biden's open borders are getting worse than ever. Not only is a Trump vote being activated, it's becoming visible.

That's a tip of the iceberg, and very bad news for the Biden administration.

Image: Twitter screen shot
In the satirical 1956 musical Lil Abner, one of the songs is entitled The Countrys In The Very Best of Hands, and it makes the point that incompetents are in charge. Now, weve gone beyond incompetence into anti-constitutionalists and liars. I mention this because that song has turned into an earworm since I read that DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has announced that he has established a Homeland Intelligence Experts Group. Gracing this group are two names everyone should recognize: John Brennan and James Clapper, two career bureaucrats who used their power for partisan purposes and lied to Congress and the American people.

The press release from the DHS explains that a collection of private sector expertswill provide their unique perspectives on the federal governments intelligence enterprise to DHSs I&A [Intelligence and Analysis] and the Office of the Counterrorism Coordinator. Were assured that this group will help make Americans safer from foreign nation-state adversaries, domestic violent extremists, cyber criminals, drug-trafficking cartels and other transnational criminal organizations. Well, that would indeed be nice, but Im not optimistic.

I dont recognize most of the names on the Experts Group members, but two certainly caught my eye:

Image: John Brennan and James Clapper. YouTube screen grab (cropped).

John Brennan , Distinguished Fellow, Fordham University School of Law and University of Texas at Austin (Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency)

, Distinguished Fellow, Fordham University School of Law and University of Texas at Austin (Former Director, Central Intelligence Agency) James Clapper, CNN National Security Analyst (Former Director of National Intelligence)

Yeah, those two. Most recently, they signed onto the letter from 51 national security experts, all assuring the American people that Hunter Bidens hard drive was Russian disinformation.

Its beyond dispute that the letter was wrong, as Hunter Biden himself has admitted. Given that we always knew the provenance of the hard drive, and given the remarkably personal nature of its contents, its reasonable to believe that at least some of the signatories were engaging in actual fraud: as in, they were knowingly lying to cause the American people to change their conduct in reliance on the lie.

Of course, Im not accusing anyone specific of fraud. Its just that those signatories who werent defrauding the American people were, quite obviously, painfully stupid.

But Brennan and Clapper arent just problematic because of the letter. There are a whole lot more problems attached to them.

It was Brennan who established the FBI team that used grossly unethical means to investigate Trumps campaign based upon manifestly, provably fake charges of Russia collusion. As part of his efforts to use his incredibly powerful, theoretically non-partisan government position to keep Trump from the White House and, as of January 2017, to boot Trump from the White House, Brennan openly lied to Congress. One could write books, not paragraphs, about Brennans political corruption.

James Clapper is no better. Clapper lied to Congress on several occasions. He also conceded in 2017 that he had no knowledge about alleged Russian collusionbut that didnt stop him from pushing it, including saying in 2019 that Trump was a possible Russian asset.

I have no words for the disrespect in which I hold these two men, both of whom are proven liars who are blinded by partisan animus. And yet, under Biden, they are again being elevated to positions of prominence with power attached.

What do you bet that theyll help that group conclude that the real threat to America doesnt come from military-aged men storming our southern border from across the world? Or from Chinas open spying, technology theft, drug importation, etc.? Instead, expect to hear that everything thats wrong with America would be fixed if we just removed conservatives legal rights and civil rights protectionskind of like a mass, nationwide January 6 sweepall in the name of national security and our democracy.

Oh, and heres that Lil Abner song. Back then, it was just about incompetence and graft, not hostility to the Constitution, Americas institutions, and the well-being of the American people:
In absence of functional U.S. leadership, the United Nations General Assembly, is worse than it usually is this year.

Sure, Joe Biden did his part to sound like an idiot, praising the United Nations leadership instead of American leadership for lifting a billion people out poverty and the like.

Not far behind, Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky, who, after pleading with the world for war aid and support for his invaded country, went on to declare global warming the world's most pressing problem.

What a brown-noser.

But the big prize for jackassery goes to Colombia's far-left anti-American president, Gustavo Petro, a close ally of the late, unlamented Hugo Chavez, who first threatened to ship illegals to the states, a country that without irony he compared to Nazi Germany. Then berated the U.S. with a string of false claims about U.S. treatment of illegal aliens, whipping out the race card for good measure.

He was like a crude satire of one of the third world "confusion and resentment" nominal intellectuals straight out of V.S. Naipaul.

According to the Washington Examiner:

Colombian President Gustavo Petro predicted that billions of people will defy armies to migrate to the United States and other Western democracies, which he has previously likened to Nazi Germany. Billions of people will defy armies and will change the earth to do this, Petro told the United Nations General Assembly. The exodus across the borders has increased. They have set the dogs and the hounds on the immigrants. They have put people on horses to pursue them with whips in their hands, with stocks and chains. They have built prisons.

Whips? Nazis? That would explain why they keep coming, right, Gus?

The nominal U.S. treaty ally and recipient of millions in U.S. foreign aid, went on, pulling the race card:

"Prisons have even been built at sea so that these women and men cannot tread the Earth of the white people, who still believe themselves to be the superior race, he said Tuesday. [They] are nostalgic for this, and through their choices and elections they revive the leader who said so and who killed millions as a result.

Where do we even start to unpack this?

Start with the lie that the U.S. is enforcing its border and trying to keep migrants out.

What is he talking about?

The Biden administration is employing catch and release, letting all comers into the country, with some of the highest numbers ever seen happening now. Some six million illegals have been let into the country as of Biden's presidency. His supporting argument, that the Border Patrol is using "whips" on migrants is an even bigger whopper. Even Politico reported that more than a year ago. He's out repeating it for the record, though, rousing the other anti-Americans of his ilk, even as he encourages others to enter the U.S. illegally.

Who says the border surge isn't an invasion? He sure sounds like it is and he wants it to get bigger, knowing very well that unchecked illegal immigration is a very good way to destroy a country's sovereignty. From his perch in Colombia, the far-left socialist and former guerrilla terrorist is now egging it on.

His use of the race card was pretty amazing, too, given that he's lily white himself, with photos showing him with blue eyes and Wikipedia saying his ancestry is Italian. This guy is one of the whites he warns us about, and a pampered elitist one, too. What a hypocrite.

The broad picture though, is perhaps most disturbing. He's letting the cat out of the bag that migrant movements are intentional and being exploited by socialists of his ilk from outside U.S. borders. Anybody bring that up here in the states? No, because we must have wrongly assumed that this was just migrants, not an organized conquest. Instead of expressing shame that his own country has shipped so many illegal immigrants who would do anything to avoid being sent back to the Colombia that he rules, he's cheering the surge and calling it a victory of the brown people over the white people, ignoring the sentiment of the locals in very Latino south Texas where the surge is the worst. He sees the migrant surge as something he's "winning."

Unless of course, the U.S. pays up for global warming, he throws in. He'd like that greenie cash given his destruction of Colombia's top export industry, oil, in the name of going green, which has since been replaced not by windmills, but this being Colombia, cocaine.

It's astonishing how emboldened they get when they sense weak U.S. leadership. Petro knew very well that the U.S. wouldn't respond to him, and of course they didn't, they just sat there and took it like nothing was wrong. The U.S. should be pointing out that Colombia has become a miserable place since he took over, changing net migration from nearly zero during the time of President Alvaro Uribe, to tens of thousands of Colombians now fleeing the socialism of his country.

That would be too much to ask of Joe Biden, so Petro is hitting out at the country he hates, ironically claiming "credit" for the mobs of humanity trying to escape his country trying to get in.

Image: Screen shot from Gustavo Petro video, via YouTube
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them...well, I have others."

Groucho Marx

While funny, the joke (as so much humor does) points to a tragic reality. A house built upon shifting sand cannot endure the storms of life, while a house built upon solid rock can (see Matt. 7:24-27). Lives guided by moral relativism will bring ruin and have been doing so for a long time.

The modern, real-life parables of this truth are many. The sad tale of Chloe Cole, or more precisely, that of her parents, is but one example. Deceived by false counsel, they sent their temporarily gender-confused daughter to so-called "gender-affirming" surgery, which irreversibly mutilated her with a double-mastectomy and hormones. Miss Cole later decided to "de-transition" and present herself as the girl she is, but much life-altering damage had already been done.

Being the father of a daughter myself, I could not help but wonder what possessed the now remorseful parents to consent to such a travesty. And being no paragon of virtue or moral strength myself  not by a long shot  I must be careful to avoid the hypocrisy which the great author of parables Himself so despised. What would I have done in their place?

As dispassionately as I can, and without assigning blame or guilt, I can diagnose the problem as the lack of bedrock principle. The parents of the then-fourteen-year-old Chloe were told, by the so-called experts, that many transsexuals who are denied "gender-affirming" treatments commit suicide. The experts framed the alternatives as an ironically binary choice: "Would you rather have a live son or a dead daughter?" The pressure must have been immense. Who could resist?

The advice, as the choice, however, was based on a false ideology and false compassion. Chloe Cole is the victim of forces beyond her understanding or control, which applies to all of us in varying degrees. Without firm principles, we cannot make reliably good decisions.

This is not exclusively about the parents, and so it does not matter that I do not know their religion, political affiliation, or other important factors that influenced their decision. I am sure that they did not rely on bedrock Christian principles. Neither did I throughout much of my life, much to my regret.

This is about our crumbling society. The Founders of our nation were of various religions and social beliefs (including pro-slavery!), but they did not lightly pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of independence on some whimsical theories that violate the teachings of what they recognized as "nature's God."

I am not wise enough to rank our social ills in order, but I am sure that the phenomenon of so-called transsexualism is either near the top of the list or the direct result of the abandonment of the bedrock principles upon which America was founded. It is not hyperbole to say our culture will survive or fall based on how we confront transsexuality.

There are many other victims. Their horror stories should be broadcast as widely as possible. Luka Hein's story is similar to Chloe Cole's in its tragic results. She is suing the doctors.

But let's be clear. This is not like other social issues. It will not be solved in the courts, or even the legislatures, as important as those are. This is about the core values of our society, values that are under vigorous assault in more ways than there is room here to detail. We who wish to protect children from the profiteers of the "sex change" industry are being called intolerant, hate-mongers, and worse. Many of us are being "canceled," fired from our jobs, expelled from schools, and even threatened with having our own children taken from us.

Many of us living lives built on shifting sand will wind up sacrificing our children to the false gods of "Wokeism." Pray that more of us will choose the solid rock, the bedrock of eternal principles. If you do not like those, the alternatives will bring tragedy to your life.

Image via Pxfuel.
The Suez Canal may be a marvel of modern engineering, but there is nothing modern about digging canals. Navigable waterways have been dug since ancient times, even across deserts in Northern Africa. The Suez Canal is only the most recent of these manmade waterways that once snaked their way across Egypt. Dug under the patronage of different Egyptian pharaohs under different time periods, they connectedunlike their modern versionthe Red Sea with the Nile River.

Canal of the Pharaohs. Image by annie brocolie/Wikimedia Commons

According to Aristotle, the first attempt to dig a canal connecting the Red Sea and the Nile River was made by the legendary Egyptian Pharaoh Sesostris (who could either be Senusret III of the 12th Dynasty, circa 1800 BC, or Ramesses II of the much later 19th Dynasty, circa 1200 BC). Aristotle also notes that construction of the canal was stopped when the pharaoh discovered that the sea was higher than the land. The pharaoh feared that opening the Nile River to the Red Sea would cause the salty sea water to flow back into the river and spoil the Egyptians most important source of hydration.

According to Greek historians Strabo and Diodorus Siculus, after Sesostris, work on the canal was continued by Necho II in the late 6th century BC, but he did not live to see the canal completed. Later, Darius the Great picked up from where Necho II left, but like Sesostris, he too stopped short of the Red Sea when he was informed that the Red Sea was at a higher level and would submerge the land if an opening was made. It was finally Ptolemy II who finished the canal connecting Nile with the Red Sea. According to Strabo the canal was nearly 50 meters wide and of sufficient depth to float large ships. It began at the village of Phacusa and traversed the Bitter Lakes, emptying into the Gulf or Arabia near the the city of Cleopatris.

Route of the modern Suez Canal. Image: NCERT

However, according to Herodotus, the canal was completed by Darius and that it was wide enough for two triremes to pass each other with oars extended. By Darius's time a natural waterway passage possibly existed between Bitter Lakes and the Red Sea, but it had become blocked with silt. Darius, employing a vast army of slaves, cleared it out so as to allow navigation once again. Darius was so pleased with the results and with himself that he left several inscriptions on pink granite boasting of this accomplishment. One of these inscription discovered in the mid-19th century read:

King Darius says: I am a Persian; setting out from Persia I conquered Egypt. I ordered to dig this canal from the river that is called Nile and flows in Egypt, to the sea that begins in Persia. Therefore, when this canal had been dug as I had ordered, ships went from Egypt through this canal to Persia, as I had intended.

In the late 19th century, another stela called the Stone of Pithom provides evidence that Ptolemy constructed a navigable lock, with sluices, at the Heroopolite Gulf of the Red Sea, which allowed the passage of vessels but prevented salt water from the Red Sea from mingling with the fresh water in the canal. There is evidence that in ancient times the Red Sea and its Gulf of Suez extended as far northward as the Bitter Lakes of Egypt. The Red Sea has gradually receded away over the centuries, with its coastline slowly moving southward away from Lake Timsah and the Great Bitter Lake, so that two hundred years later, the eastern end of the canal that opened in the Red Sea became chocked with silt.

Also Read: How War Marooned 15 Ships in The Suez Canal For Eight Years

The canal existed in one form or the other up to the 8th century, until it was closed shut by the Abbasid Caliph al-Mansur in 767 to prevent his enemies and rebels from using the canal to ship men and supplies from Egypt to his detractors in Arabia. Lack of maintenance caused the canal to slit up and it disappeared into the desert and from peoples memory as well.

The Suez Canal in 1869. Engraving from "Appleton's Journal of Popular Literature, Science, and Art", Wikimedia Commons

The canal was rediscovered by Napoleon in 1798 during the French campaign in Egypt and Syria. Napoleon had its motives to search for the canal, because if the canal could be reconstructed it would allow France to monopolize trade with India. With this design Napoleon instructed his chief civil engineer, Jacques-Marie Le Pere, to make a topographical survey of the Isthmus of Suez while looking for vestiges of the ancient canal. Le Pere and his fellow engineers were able to follow and eventually trace the Canal of the Pharaohs from the Red Sea all the way to the Nile. Later, when Napoleon became the Emperor, he asked his chief engineer to find a way to reopen the canal, but Le Pere, like his predecessors two thousand years ago, erroneously reported to Napoleon that the Red Sea was higher than the Mediterranean, and locks would be needed to prevent a catastrophic mingling of waters.

Construction of the Suez Canal wouldn't begin until fifty years later in 1859. Excavation was conducted using forced labor, just like under the pharaohs. Some sources estimated that tens of thousands of laborers died from diseases such as cholera and other epidemics, although a conservative estimate puts death at fewer than 3,000. The canal has no locks, for the sea level is the same. Its route, unlike the Canal of the Pharaohs goes through the isthmus passing through the Great Bitter Lakes northward until it opens in the Mediterranean near the port city of Suez.
Azerbaijans launch of reportedly intense artillery firing in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Tuesday raised fears that another full-scale conflict with Armenia could be underway, less than three years after a war that killed more than 6,000 people.

Nagorno-Karabakh, with a population of about 120,000, is an ethnic Armenian region of Azerbaijan that has been a flashpoint since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The region and sizable surrounding territories came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military at the 1994 end of a separatist war. Azerbaijan regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself in fighting in 2020.

The latter war ended with an agreement to deploy Russian peacekeepers in the region, but tensions have soared since December when Azerbaijan began blocking the road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia proper. The artillery firing that Azerbaijan calls an anti-terrorist operation started hours after it said four soldiers and two civilians were killed by landmines that it claimed were planted by Armenian saboteurs.

It looks like it could be, unfortunately, terrible ? war number three, something that people have been fearing but hoping to avoid with diplomacy in the last few weeks and months, said Thomas de Waal, a regional specialist at the Carnegie Europe foundation.

Mountainous Nagorno-Karabakh, smaller than the U.S. state of Delaware, has significant cultural importance to both Armenians and Azeris. It had a substantial degree of autonomy within Azerbaijan when it was part of the Soviet Union. As the USSR deteriorated, Armenian separatist unrest broke out, later turning into a full-scale war after the Soviet Union collapsed.

Most of the Azeri population was driven out by the end of the fighting in 1994. Then amid the 2020 fighting, around 90,000 ethnic Armenians were displaced, some of them setting their homes ablaze before Azeris could resettle.

The Russian peacekeeping force was tasked with ensuring that the road leading to Armenia, called the Lachin Corridor , would remain open. But it has been mostly blocked since December as Azerbaijan alleged that Armenians were smuggling in weapons and conducting illicit resource extraction. That brought severe food shortages to Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenian allegations that Azerbaijan aimed for a genocide by starvation.

After months of dispute and negotiations, the International Committee of the Red Cross arranged a shipment of about 20 tons of flour into Nagorno-Karabakh this week from Armenia as well as medical supplies via a different road leading from Azerbaijan-held territory.

Nagorno-Karabakh officials had previously resisted aid coming by the latter road, saying it was a strategy for Azerbaijan to absorb the region.

Although the shipments suggested the crisis could be easing slowly, Azerbaijans report of military and civilian mine deaths on Tuesday escalated tensions and Azerbaijan then launched the artillery operation.

Armenia has repeatedly criticized Russian peacekeepers for failing to keep the Lachin Corridor open and for disregarding sporadic small clashes along the border.

Although Armenia is a longtime Moscow ally, including hosting a Russian military base, relations have deteriorated notably in the past year. Along with the road dispute, Armenia this year angered Russia by refusing to allow exercises on its territory by the Moscow-led Collective Treaty Security Organization bloc and by holding joint exercises this month with U.S. troops. In addition, Moscow was offended by Armenia providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Russias involvement in ending the 2020 war was seen as a significant accomplishment that boosted its influence in the region. But its esteem has seriously eroded over the past year.

The acclaim it gained could be lost if it doesnt take stronger measures to open up the road.

Russia doesn't appear eager to step into the new conflict. Commenting on Armenias demand for Russian peacekeepers to end the fighting, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, What about Yerevans recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan?

And former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, resentful of Armenias distancing itself from Russia, said of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, Guess what fate awaits him.

Pashinyans assenting to the Russia-brokered agreement to end the 2020 fighting was widely unpopular in Armenia, with opponents accusing him of being a traitor and large protests demanding his resignation.

The new hostilities will likely prompt a new wave of popular dismay. And Pashinyan is aware of the potential power of such protests, having become prime minister himself on the heels of large demonstrations in 2018. (AP)
Amazon hardware staff are reportedly not excited about the slate of upcoming devices, with admissions of low morale due to a weak pipeline of products. Amazons hardware division, called Lab126, is the division at Amazon who designs and creates everything from its popular Fire Tablets and Fire TVs to the Echo smart speaker powered by Alexa.

Not all of Amazons hardware releases have been success stories. The Fire phone was by all accounts a commercial failure for the company. Many of its products however have been extremely popular and continue to drive business to Amazon in one way or another. But a new report from Reuters suggests that future devices may not gain the same level of popularity. Stating that they fear these devices wont be a hit with consumers.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Reuters says it interviewed more than 15 employees (both former and current) about Amazons future hardware products. And the general consensus doesnt seem great. The common theme appears to be lack of excitement because theres nothing groundbreaking on the way. Many of the upcoming devices are geared towards customers using Alexa. Some employees described upcoming devices as a hodgepodge of products.

Amazon hardware staff morale is also low due to layoffs

Layoffs are another big reason that morale is reportedly low with those left within the division. Amazon over the past year has laid off scores of employees. In July it reportedly shut down the division responsible for the Halo tracker, laying off all employees and stopping support for the device on July 31.

In November of 2022 it laid off staff from both the Alexa and Luna divisions. And more recently it was revealed that Amazon hardware chief Dave Limp will be stepping down, who will be replaced with Panos Panay who previously led Windows and Surface for Microsoft.

New Amazon devices include a home projector

Theres not a lot of information about these devices, but according to the report there are a few different products that were confirmed to be on the way. This includes a home projector device that can turn any surface into a screen.

Another device was described as a digital measuring device. As well as a carbon monoxide detector and a home energy consumption monitor. Amazon is also said to have been working a device to test for viruses. All of these are reportedly powered by Alexa.

Amazon will be holding a hardware event on September 20 at 8am PST. Although its unclear if any of these devices will make an appearance.
The DOJ has been ordered to remove files from its website that pertain to its antitrust trial with Google. In a new report from The Verge (via Bloombergs Leah Nylen), Nylen says that the Judge Amit Mehta told the Justice Department to remove trial documents from its website. Mehta followed the request by saying he would make a decision about the documents in the morning. Referencing whether or not those documents could be made available for public access again.

Google has been in court with the DOJ for its antitrust trial since last week Tuesday. Leading to revelations that the search company has allegedly trained employees to avoid certain words or phrases that could make them sound like monopolists. Google has also allegedly hid evidence by deleting chat logs according to the DOJs Kenneth Dintzer.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Google lawyers informed Judge Mehta that the DOJ was posting the files online

The DOJ removal of the files from its website apparently comes from a conversation involving Google during the antitrust trial. Google lawyers reportedly alerted Judge Mehta that the DOJ was posting these files up on its website.

And the argument seems to be over whether or not the public should have access to these particular files. Judge Mehta isnt opposed to the files being posted he says. But hasnt come to a decision on if they should be public. Should the department decide to post future documents, it says it will notify Google ahead of time. In doing so, Google would have an opportunity to voice its opinion on whether the documents should be posted.

And that could help avoid this sort of thing again. Googles fear is likely that public access of these documents could lead to information being disclosed that isnt supposed to be. And it obviously doesnt want such a thing to happen.
In a new announcement, Samsung points out to the public that the Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis cars digital keys will be public. Previously, the digital keys for these vehicles were Samsung exclusive thanks to their usage of the tech giants framework. Now, all three vehicle brands are moving over to use the Google digital key framework for more accessibility.

With the Samsung digital key, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles could only use digital key access if the vehicle owner had a Samsung device. This key is stored in the vehicle owners Samsung Pay (Wallet) on their smartphone. So instead of pulling out the vehicles key to unlock the car, owners could simply pull out their smartphone and unlock their vehicle.

Advertisement

Advertisement

This posed a challenge to owners of the vehicles under consideration that used other smartphone brands. To solve this issue once and for all, Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are shifting over to use the Google digital key phrase murdered. To make this switch, the vehicle brands in this article will have to wait for a software upgrade.

The upcoming One UI 6.0 software upgrade allows Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis to move over to using Googles digital key

With the roll-out of the third One UI 6.0 beta, owners of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles will notice a major change. Their digital key will no longer use Samsungs framework, but will instead shift to Googles framework. Stable software updates to bring this change will become available with the Android 14 and One UI 6.0 stable update.

Because the release of Android 14 is around the corner, owners of the vehicles in question could be expected. This coming change will make their digital keys accessible on any devices that they own. This will come as a relief to lots of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis owners who dont have Samsung devices.

At the moment, beta testers of the available One 6.0 software are already getting this change. If these testers own a vehicle from the brand in consideration they can transfer their digital key to any smartphone for usage. The smartphones this new digital key framework works with are numerous.

If you own an Android or Apple device with NFC, Bluetooth LE, and UWB then youd be able to use the digital key. But if the driver owns a Genesis, reports say that they need to have the existing Genesis Connected Services app. With this app, theyd be able to better benefit from the switch to Googles digital key framework.

The One UI 6.0 software thatll bring this feature is still in development, awaiting Android 14 release. This software bringing this digital key change will soon roll out for public usage. Until then, owners of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles must exercise a bit of patience while waiting.
Samsung has released the One UI 6.0 beta update for the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 series. The two flagship lineups follow the Galaxy S23 series, Galaxy A54, and Galaxy A34 to the companys Android 14 beta programs. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5 are also confirmed to receive the beta update this month.

As of this writing, the first beta build of Android 14-based One UI 6.0 for the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 phones is available in Samsungs home country South Korea. The former lineup is receiving the update with the firmware build number S90*NKSU3ZWIA. That for the latter is not known, though the OTA (over the air) file size for both lineups, weighing over 2.5GB. Its a major Android OS update, after all.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Samsung will probably expand the One UI 6.0 beta programs for its 2022 and 2021 flagships to more markets soon. The beta update for the Galaxy S23 lineup is available in China, Germany, India, Poland, the UK, and the US as well. The aforementioned two mid-range Galaxy A models havent got the update in all of these markets, though. We shall see how Samsung treats the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 lineups.

If youre using any of these phones, including the latest foldables, and live in a supported country, you can check for the availability of One UI 6.0 beta from the Samsung Members app. If available, the app will show a banner about the beta program on the home page. Tap on the banner to proceed to the registration page. Once you have enrolled your Galaxy device, the beta update will arrive as a regular OTA update.

The stable One UI 6.0 update for the Galaxy devices may be delayed

Samsung opened the One UI 6.0 beta program for the Galaxy S23 series on August 11. Over the past five weeks, it has pushed three beta builds to the latest flagships, with each new build addressing several issues present in the previous build. The company also released a few hotfix updates to patch some critical bugs.

If history is any indication, the stable One UI 6.0 update should arrive by the end of October, at least for the Galaxy S23 series. However, Google has delayed the public release of Android 14 until the first week of October. Thats a one-month delay from the original schedule of the early September rollout. This may affect Samsungs plans as well. Well have to wait and see whether we will get a timely release of One UI 6.0.
Another copyright battle between Sonos and Google over an audio patent is now over. Over the years, this case has been a back-and-forth of various court case fillings between the two parties. One of the cases between Sonos and Google has been decided in favor of Sonos, while the rest are still pending.

The investigations on the first patent infringement filing came to an end in 2022, and it found Google guilty as charged. Following the conclusion of the investigation by the ITC, Google had to make some software changes to their products. This was to enable the tech giant to ship its speakers and audio devices internationally without any restrictions.

Advertisement

Advertisement

However, since the ITC investigations on some issues became available to the court, the hearing of the case resumed. The court found Google guilty of infringement on one of Sonos audio patents. This led to the court giving Google a fine of $32.5 million in royalty payments to Sonos, but this is just the beginning.

Sonos first victory in their patent battle against Google is just the start of a chain of legal reactions

Sonos victory is just one of many other patent violation cases that the court has to look into. Over the past few years, the two parties in this case have filed patent infringement cases against themselves. All these cases are currently under investigation, with the verdict on one coming in favor of Sonos.

While Sonos celebrates this victory, Google is going back to the draft board to come up with new plans. Regardless, this is just one victory amid lots of cases that both parties have tabled before the court. Most of these cases seem to be on hold, awaiting conclusive investigations by the ITC on the nature of the cases.

This delay might last for a while, hence lingering the case in court and giving both parties time to prepare. Reports have it that Google on their part have some solid grounds for their patent cases against Sonos. The latter on their part are also putting up a good fight in court to prove their innocence regarding infringing Googles patents.

Google still needs to find solid evidence if they are to prove that Sonos infringed on their patents. If the tech giant can prove Sonos is guilty, then the latter will not be smiling for so long. This case is a rather bulky one, with each party pointing fingers at the other whilst laying allegations of patent infringement.

The court will need to investigate each case thoroughly after proper investigations. By doing this, the court will be able to make sound rulings for or against either party. In the coming weeks, more details on the outcome of the other cases will become available.
China's former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was ousted from his position in July, had an extramarital affair while he was ambassador to the United States, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with a briefing.

The report said Qin was cooperating with the investigation, which was now focused on whether the affair or Qin's conduct had compromised China's national security.

Senior Chinese officials were told that an internal Communist Party investigation found Qin engaged in the affair throughout his tenure as China's ambassador to the United States, the report said. Two sources told the newspaper the affair had resulted in the birth of a child in the U.S.

During a regular press briefing on Tuesday, China foreign ministry spokeperson Mao Ning was asked about the article and said: "on the appointment and removal of the Chinese foreign minister, the Chinese side has released information before and I am not aware of the other information you mentioned."

Qin was replaced by veteran diplomat Wang Yi in July as the foreign minister after a mysterious one-month absence from duties barely half a year into the job.

He was China's top envoy in Washington from July 2021 until January this year. (Reuters)
(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 20 - Effective fiscal governance should support the growth potential of the European Union (EU), European Central Bank (ECB) executive board member and future governor of the Bank of Italy Fabio Panetta said on Wednesday.

"The budgetary framework needs to reflect the fact that the sustainability of public finances depends on both the numerator and the denominator of the debt/GDP ratio," said Panetta during a workshop in Frankfurt.

"We need to pay close attention to debt dynamics, but this would be useless without growth," he continued, insisting on the need for "sufficient flexibility in our fiscal governance".

"To be successful and ensure fiscal sustainability and growth, fiscal governance reform must reflect lessons learned from the past and provide the necessary safeguards by protecting investments, incentivising reforms, ensuring national ownership and providing a simple and stable framework," said Panetta.

The EU is in the process of reforming its Stability and Growth Pact on budget rules, with Italy insisting that these need to focus less on stability and more on growth. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 20 - Over 1.6 billion euros of EU funding for Sicily is at risk, according to the European Commission's cohesion portal.

The structural funds resources earmarked for Sicily are those most at risk of decommitment in the 2014-2020 Cohesion Policy programming cycle, said the data available on the portal.

For Sicily, between the regional programmes ERDF and ESF, more than 1.6 billion euros are missing, the data said.

The deadline for the funds to be spent is the end of this year.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 20 - An antritrust authority probe into Ryanair for possible abuse of its dominant market position "will make it clear to passengers that they can book directly on Ryanair.com to get the lowest fares", the company said in a statement Wednesday.

"In this way, we will then be able to communicate directly with (passengers) to ensure that they make the necessary security declarations and are informed of all security protocols and regulations, as required by law," said Ryanair.

"However, we are surprised that the antitrust authority has shown no interest in the fact that the prices of Ryanair flights and optional services on online travel agency sites are often up to 200% higher than the prices on Ryanair.com," it added.

"Ryanair continues to offer licensed access to its fares to compare prices on online platforms; travel agents can also access Ryanair inventory through our GDS partners," it concluded.

On Wednesday Italy's antitrust authority said it had opened a probe into Ryanair in a move CEO Eddie Wilson said was "welcome".

The antitrust authority is looking into reports it received from May onward over the airline's alleged attempts to "extend its market power" by offering additional services, such as hotel and car-hire bookings, and whether it was harming travel agencies - both online and offline ones - and consumers by doing so.

It said Ryanair seems to hamper the acquisition of air tickets by travel agents directly from its site, while allowing traditional agencies to buy them via the GDS platform, but under less favourable conditions. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 20 - A total of 460 migrants and refugees landed on Lampedusa in 14 separate groups on Wednesday, including one of 40 people intercepted directly on the island.

The figures were updated to around 5 pm local time.

On Wednesday morning 511 new arrivals were transferred off the island by ferry to the Sicilian port of Porto Empedocle where they were due to arrive in the evening.

Regular transfers from Lampedusa resumed on Monday after a problem of overcrowding at the tent camp set up in Porto Empedocle to receive migrants and refugees arriving from the island was resolved. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 20 - The government is working on a compromise on the windfall tax that it is imposing on surplus profits made this year by the country's lenders following the ECB's interest-rate hikes. following criticism inside and outside the country, Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Wednesday.

Premier Giorgia Meloni's fanfare announcement in early August of the new 40% windfall tax on banks' surplus profits caused immediate stock market turmoil.

The losses were partially reversed after the government said the windfall tax would be capped at 0.1% of institutes' assets, but skepticism remained, with Moody's saying the measure is "credit negative" and the Financial Times describing the move as "disastrous" and the government's "biggest blunder so far".

Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti was also reported to be dubious about the move, although he eventually emerged form initial silence on it to support the measure.

Tajani. leader of late ex premier and media mogul Silvio Berlusconi's centre-right Forza Italia (FI) party, said that if the current text of the bill changes then FI will pull its amendments to the measure, softening its impact.

"The text must be corrected so as not to penalise savers and small banks," he said.

"We must give a signal to international markets." Tajani was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 20 - Speaking at the second EU-China High Level Digital Dialogue in Beijing, European Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova stressed the need to engage China in "designing effective governance at the multilateral level" on the challenges and risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI), despite the very different approaches of the two sides.

In talks with her Chinese counterparts including Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, Jourova said she discussed the need for a "clear commitment to defend universal human rights" that is required by the acceleration of AI, and referred to the "UN report on the use of AI against human rights in Xinjiang, which is a cause of concern for us". At the same time, the EU-China High Level Digital Dialogue co chair said "the extreme risks posed by the exponential growth of AI imply that we will need to design effective global governance at the multilateral level", recalling the EU's priorities on the issue including finalization of the European AI Act and the Hiroshima Process within the G7. For the EU, however, "global outreach" is needed and, "given China's position, dialogue is still needed, despite our approaches being far apart", Jourova explained.

The two sides, she added, agreed to contribute to the "process set out by UN Secretary-General Guterres", who has committed to creating a high-level advisory body on AI that should provide recommendations on global governance by the end of the year.

The vice president concluded by saying that China "has expressed a willingness to engage in international fora" such as the second EU-China High Level Digital Dialogue in Beijing.

The talks are focusing on key issues such as digital platforms, data regulation, AI, research and innovation, the cross-border flow of industrial data and the safety of products sold online.

(ANSA).


BBC director general Tim Davie said a rigorous piece of work was conducted when Russell Brand left BBC Radio 2 but wonders if more could have been done.

Mr Davie was the corporations director of audio when Brand left his Radio 2 show in 2008 after he and guest Jonathan Ross left a lewd voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs  who died in 2016  about his granddaughter.

Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame and working for the broadcaster as well as Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

Russell Brand has denied allegations of rape, assault and emotional abuse (PA)

Speaking during a session at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Cambridge Conference on Wednesday and reflecting on how the corporation handled the issue in 2008, Mr Davie said it did a rigorous piece of work which led to significant departures.

Asked if he does not regret that more was not done at the time, he said: I always look back with hindsight, when you hear things coming out, and you go, Could you have done more?

Were always going to have questions.

The BBC boss said he is proud of the culture at the corporation, adding: Were having, I think, profound conversations and we have been for years now in terms of saying, Are we getting it right in terms of ensuring that (there are) no abuses of power, that people behave flawlessly in terms of respecting each other, kindness?

The broadcaster has launched an investigation into comedian and actor Brands time at the BBC and has removed content featuring him from its platforms.

Brand, who worked on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programmes from 2006 to 2008, has strongly denied the allegations.

Mr Davie said the claims are very serious and feels broadcasters cannot be complacent about how they approach such allegations.

This is not an issue that can be just put down as wholly historic, if Im honest, he said.

I think theres an important, healthy dialogue to have around these deep imbalances of power.

The BBC boss said there have been deep problems with misogyny (and) abuse of power and the way to tackle it is to be utterly vigilant, be unaccepting of it and create a culture in which theres a trust that bringing information forward is treated very seriously.

The BBC said the review into Brands time at the corporation will be led by its director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston, who is the former director of BBC Northern Ireland.

Mr Davie said during the RTS session he has not ruled out an external review, adding: I think its the right approach and proportion at this point to get a serious internal review led by Peter Johnson, who is an excellent and senior leader with great experience in this area.
A disabled man whose father was a nuclear test veteran has said the disclosure of medical records could provide answers he needs for his son.

Steve Purse, 49, was born with short stature about a decade after his father, Flight Lieutenant David Purse, served with the RAF in Maralinga, Australia, where British nuclear tests were carried out.

The father of one, who lives in Prestatyn in Denbighshire, North Wales, told the PA news agency that medical records which he believes are held by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could provide information which would help his two-year-old son Sascha.

He said: When I was born it was obvious there was an issue, there was a problem.

I was taken away from my mum for a few days and the doctors told my dad, basically, that I was disabled.

Steve Purse and his son Sascha (Peter Byrne/PA)

He broke the news to mum, but he said to her I think its all my fault, I think its linked to my service at Maralinga.

Obviously disability can be a chance thing, an act of God, but when you start putting the things together and youre adding one thing to another you think this is not an act of God, its an act of government.

Flt Lt Purse, who died in 2015, was in charge of the airfield at Maralinga from 1962 to 1963 and told his family he had seen ground zero where nuclear weapons were detonated and that a single-strand wire fence separated the area of the desert classed as contaminated.

Flight Lieutenant David Purse serving at Maralinga, Australia, in 1962 and 1963 when nuclear tests were carried out (Family handout/PA)

The condition which Mr Purse was born with is a genetic mutation which is probably unique in the world, he said.

He believes medical records, which could show what his father was exposed to, are needed to start research into conditions which affected veterans and may impact on generations to come.

But despite making a number of applications to different bodies for information from the monitoring programme of servicemen at Maralinga, who had blood and urine samples taken regularly, Mr Purse has not been able to access any information.

Its as if the MoD are withholding these records because theyre a bit frightened of what might come out, he said.

Maralinga airfield terminal in Australia (Family handout/PA)

The actor, originally from Wirral, Merseyside, said son Sascha was born without disabilities but he worried he may be affected by health problems later on in life.

He said: You do wonder whether you have played genetic Russian roulette with his life.

Every headache, every cough, every sneeze from him Im wondering is this the start of something, is it going to get worse?

As time goes by Im going to constantly be thinking whats his future got and if something awful does happen Im responsible for that.

Mr Purse said he hoped launching legal action against the MoD could provide answers.

He added: If they have withheld information that, a, could have saved lives but, certainly, would have lessened the trauma and would have lessened all the anguish all these families have gone through, then they need to be held accountable for that because they have done that knowingly and willingly.
A farmer still feels angry about the delayed response from police after he reported a crash which led to the deaths of two people, an inquiry has heard.

John Wilson, 53, from Stirling, gave evidence on Wednesday to the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of Lamara Bell, 25 and John Yuill, 28, in July 2015.

Miss Bell and Mr Yuill were driving back from a camping trip early on July 5 that year when their car crashed on the M9, at the eastbound junction with the M80.

Mr Wilson told Falkirk Sheriff Court he was driving on Pirnhall Road in Stirling at around 10am that day with his father in the passenger seat.

He told the inquiry that his father, who was not named in court, saw the couples blue Renault Clio down an embankment.

Mr Wilson said he reported the sighting to Police Scotland on 101 at around 11.28am that morning, after discussing it with his family when they got home.

The inquiry heard a recording of his call as well as a transcript of Mr Wilsons conversation with Sergeant Brian Henry, who answered his 101 call.

Mr Wilson gave Sgt Henry the details and said the officer told him he would look on the police system, and get it checked out if the incident had not already been reported.

The fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of John Yuill and Lamara Bell is taking place at Falkirk Sheriff Court (Police Scotland/PA)

Earlier this week, the inquiry heard Sgt Henry made inquiries about the incident but failed to log the call.

Mr Wilson was asked by advocate depute Gavin Anderson KC if he had expected the police to do anything.

He replied that he would have expected police to check it out and that he was doing his duty as a member of the public by reporting it.

Mr Wilson said he was driving in the same area the following day, Monday July 6, at around 9.30am.

Mr Anderson asked him if he paid close attention to that part of the road and Mr Wilson confirmed he did.

He told the inquiry he noticed there was damage to trees at the location the crash took place, new tree bark and tyre skid marks.

He did not do anything further at this time.

He said he drove past the crash site again on the morning of Tuesday July 7 and noted there was still no change.

On Wednesday July 8, Mr Wilson said he was told by his wife in a phone call that she had heard a helicopter landing on the field behind her office, which was close to the crash site.

Mr Wilson then travelled to the site, which he told the inquiry was around a quarter-of-a-mile from his farm.

He said he returned home and made another call to the police on 101 to inform them he had reported the car on Sunday morning.

Mr Anderson asked Mr Wilson why he phoned the police again.

Mr Wilson said: Internal anger was starting to boil up in me.

An air ambulance was pulling out a stretcher. I thought: This is not a recovery job, its a rescue job.

There is someone in that vehicle.

My blood pressure was rising and the anger was starting to take over.

I had to get out of there.

Later, he was asked by the solicitor representing the family of Miss Bell, Andrew Thomson KC: Do you still have that anger?

The car had crashed down an embankment on the M9 (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Mr Wilson responded: Yes.

I felt let down. It angers me that nothing had been done.

The inquiry also heard recordings of two other calls Mr Wilson made to Police Scotland on July 8, in which he spoke to a call operator named Andy.

During the call, Mr Wilson said he speculated on a missing persons appeal he had seen on the news on Monday morning and told the police it could be them, but that he was just guessing.

The call operator assured Mr Wilson while on the phone he would find out about the incident.

In the recording, he told Mr Wilson: I will let the powers that be know about this.

If I can find out quickly, I will call you right back.

Mr Wilson told the inquiry he did not receive a call back about the incident and had to call police himself to find out the outcome of the crash.

He was told by a 101 call handler that information could not be given on the phone for various reasons, but if the incident warranted it a press release would be issued.

Mr Wilson was later visited by police officers who he gave statements to about the incident.

Later on Wednesday, the inquiry heard from Superintendent Mandy Paterson, who was the chief inspector of the Falkirk division of Police Scotland at the time.

The inquiry heard helicopter searches of the area identified by police covered an area of around 700 square miles but stopped at the Keir Roundabout in Dunblane, around a 10-minute drive on the M9 from the crash site.

Mr Anderson asked Ms Paterson if with the benefit of hindsight she would have done anything differently.

She said: I am always going to say yes on a human level and that we would have found the missing people quicker.

But on balance, this was a really difficult, complex and huge geographical area.

It is difficult to say what I would have done differently.

The inquiry, before Sheriff James Williamson, continues.
The precise cause of death of a police sergeant who died in hospital five days after being hit by a train as he attempted to save a distressed man on the tracks has not yet been ascertained, a coroner has said.

Nottinghamshire Assistant Coroner Elizabeth Didcock opened and adjourned an inquest into the death of 46-year-old Graham Saville on Wednesday at Nottingham Coroners Court.

The response officer based at Newark police station, who was attempting to save a distressed man, suffered serious injuries on the railway in Balderton, near Newark, on August 24.

During a hearing which lasted less than two minutes, Dr Didcock said the officer had died at Nottinghams Queens Medical Centre on August 29.

The coroner told the hearing, which was not attended by any family members: I am today opening the inquest touching the death of Graham Saville.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out. The precise cause of death is yet to be ascertained.

This hearing now stands adjourned for the completion of further inquiries. I extend my sincere condolences to all of Mr Savilles family.

The incident happened on tracks near Newark (Danny Lawson/PA)

During the hearing, it also emerged that Sergeant Savilles body was formally identified under hospital protocols by a consultant who saw the patient both in life and death.

Nottinghamshire Police made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after the distressed man sustained severe electrical burns in the incident.

The watchdog said it would independently investigate the circumstances surrounding how the man, aged 29, came by his injuries.

British Transport Police is looking into the broader circumstances of the incident but there is no criminal inquiry connected to the death.

Police and a railway worker a day after the incident. (Danny Lawson/PA)

Police said Sergeant Savilles death has devastated the father-of-twos loved ones but they have taken great comfort from the outpouring of love and admiration for him.

In a statement issued on August 31, Sergeant Savilles widow paid tribute to her wonderful husband.

She said: He loved his job and joined the police to do something worthwhile and to make a difference.

Ultimately his desire to help others has led to him making the ultimate sacrifice. We are devastated. The outpouring of love from all those who knew him is testament to the amazing person he was.

We are so lucky to have loved him.

A JustGiving fundraiser for Sergeant Savilles family has reached almost 155,000 in donations.
Former London mayor Ken Livingstone is suffering from Alzheimers disease, his family has announced.

The disease is a physical illness which damages the brain, according to the Alzheimers Society charity.

It is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.

There are currently estimated to be 900,000 people in the UK with dementia and the figure is projected to rise to 1.6 million people by 2040, according to the charity.

Some 209,600 people will develop dementia this year in the UK, equivalent to one every three minutes.

An elderly person at a charity tea party (Jonathan Brady/PA)

There are 55 million people living with dementia around the globe.

It is estimated that this number will rise to 139 million by 2050.

Symptoms for Alzheimers disease include severe memory loss, confusion, disorientation, anxiety and hallucinations, according to the NHS.

Alzheimers disease, and other types of dementia, affect one in six people over the age of 80.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimers disease.

But there is medicine available that can temporarily reduce the symptoms, according to the health service.

There were 141 drugs in clinical trials to treat Alzheimers disease in July, according to the Alzheimers Society.

On average, people with Alzheimers live for around eight to 10 years after first developing symptoms.

Its exact cause is unknown, but increasing age, family history of the condition, previous severe head injuries and lifestyle factors linked to cardiovascular disease are thought to increase the risk of developing it.

Alzheimers disease is named after Alois Alzheimer, the doctor who first described it.
The King and Queen will begin their postponed state visit to France on Wednesday with a ceremonial welcome at the Arc de Triomphe and a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles.

Charles and Camilla are travelling to Paris and Bordeaux for a three-day trip, six months after it had to be rescheduled because of widespread rioting across the country.

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a poignant welcome ahead of Charless arrival, writing on social media: You visited as a Prince, you return as a King. Your Majesty, welcome.

You visited as a Prince, you return as a King. Your Majesty, welcome. pic.twitter.com/HcDXHcylRl  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 20, 2023

Mr Macron shared archive footage of some of the Kings 34 previous official trips to the country as the Prince of Wales, with snippets of addresses he delivered in French.

Later in the week the King will become the first British monarch to give a speech from Frances senate chamber, to senators and national assembly members.

Other highlights include the royal couple meeting sports stars as France hosts the Rugby World Cup.

The King and Queens planned tour in March was to be their first state visit, but it was postponed at the last minute after violent nationwide demonstrations by those opposed to President Macrons retirement age reforms.

Bordeauxs town hall was set on fire by protesters just a few days before the trip was due to begin.

Germany  the second leg of the overseas tour  became the historic first state visit destination for Charles and Camilla instead.

The King and Queen will spend three days in France (Chris Jackson/PA)

On Wednesday, the King and Queen will join their hosts, Mr Macron and his wife Brigitte, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath-laying at the Arc de Triomphe in the heart of Paris.

As part of the ceremony, the King will be invited by the president to symbolically light the monuments eternal flame which burns in memory of those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

Afterwards, the foursome will process down the Champs Elysees by car towards the Elysee Palace, the presidents official residence, where Charles and Mr Macron will sit down for talks.

In the evening, Charles and Camilla will be guests of honour at a grand black tie state banquet hosted by Mr and Mrs Macron in the splendour of the Palace of Versailles Hall of Mirrors.

The late Queen at a luncheon given in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles during her state visit to Paris in 1957 (PA)

Both the King and Mr Macron will address the 160 guests, who will include high-profile figures chosen for their contribution to UK-France relations.

The majority of the royal programme has been retained but a few new elements have been added, including Camilla and Mrs Macron launching a new Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France.

A senior official from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) described Britains ties with France as an absolutely massive relationship, both government to government and people to people.

French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte arrive at Westminster Abbey for the Kings Coronation in May (Ben Stanstall/PA)

Its what we call a full spectrum relationship, ranging through defence  trade, migration, and a key part of it is sustainability and our work together on the environment, both with each other and in the world, the official said.

In Bordeaux, the King and Queen will meet emergency workers and communities affected by the 2022 Bordeaux wildfires, as well as UK and French military personnel to hear more about how the two nations are collaborating on defence, and will also attend a GREAT campaign showcasing British and French businesses.
A left-leaning Labour MP has demanded an independent review into a selection contest which she claims was undemocratic and discriminatory after losing to a front bench colleague.

Beth Winter has said the way in which the party chose its candidate for the Welsh seat of Merthyr Tydfil & Upper Cynon was flawed from beginning to end.

The sitting MP for Cynon Valley was defeated by shadow Scotland minister and Merthyr Tydfil and Rhymney MP Gerald Jones.

The two constituencies Ms Winter and Mr Jones currently represent are due to be scrapped and effectively merged into one under UK boundary changes  setting up the two-way contest between them.

In a dossier shared with the Welsh Executive Committee, Ms Winter has claimed the process made it easier to cast votes online than by post and indirectly discriminated against older members.

I believe that this process is in breach of the express condition set out in the Guidance on Ballots that the selection process will be carried out in accordance with the principles of the Equality Act and that there will be no discrimination on the grounds of age and other protected characteristics, she said.

She has also suggested Mr Jones had been allowed to use Labour Party resources in an internal selection campaign and failed to respond to her questions about the contest.

A lack of clarity about the start date of the process, a short voting period and an absence of in-person meetings or hustings are among other alleged issues Ms Winter has complained about.

The MP claimed that problems persisted after the count, with the procedures secretary promising to supply candidates with a breakdown of the vote which has not been provided.

She said: My experience as outlined above presents in my view a process that is neither inclusive, fair or democratic. This leads to feelings of a lack of trust and confidence in Labour Party procedures.

Ms Winter is among several politicians from the left of the party who have lost out on candidacies in recent months.

A row has flared up over the decision to block Jamie Driscoll, the serving North of Tyne mayor who has been described as the last Corbynista in power, from running in another role in the region.

Mick Whitley MP, who along with Ms Winter is a member of the left-wing Socialist Campaign Group parliamentary caucus, also lost a contest in his Birkenhead seat to shadow employment minister Alison McGovern.

John McDonnell, who was the Corbyn-era shadow chancellor, has accused the Labour leadership of allowing a right-wing faction to become drunk with power and attempt to destroy the left of the party.

Senior party figures have rejected the accusation, with Angela Rayner insisting that left-wing voters will not be taken for granted.

Welsh Labour has been contacted for comment.

It previously defended the Merthyr Tydfil & Upper Cynon selection process.
Sixteen legal challenges have been lodged so far against the UK Governments controversial new laws to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles, a court has heard.

The families of a number of victims gathered at Belfasts Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday as a brief review of the cases took place in the High Court.

Representatives for the victims said the hearing was the first step in their battle to oppose the new legislation.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent on Monday despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government.

The most controversial aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

It will also halt future civil cases and inquests.

Campaigner Raymond McCord, left, speaks to the media outside the Royal Courts of Justice (Liam McBurney/PA)

Legal firms Madden & Finucane, KRW Law, O Muirigh Solicitors, Phoenix Law and victims campaigner Raymond McCord are among those who have already announced legal action over the legislation.

Some of the actions challenge the ending of Troubles inquest proceedings and civil cases.

The court was told there have been 16 judicial review applications so far, involving victims cases ranging from 1971 through to the mid-1990s.

Mr Justice Colton said: It is quite clear there is a degree of overlap in those applications so as a first step I would like all the applicants solicitors to address or identify what case or cases they say should proceed.

There is absolutely no benefit to anybody in multiple cases arguing exactly the same point.

Having done that, I would encourage all of you to liaise with each other to see whether or not it would be possible to identify core cases to proceed.

That may not be possible and I may have to direct. I dont want to do that because no doubt all the applicants in this case have a genuine interest.

I can assure everybody that all legal arguments will be considered by the court.

What I want to do is to do so as expeditiously as possible.

Mr Justice Colton said he will hold a further review hearing on September 28.

Speaking outside court, Martina Dillon, who been waiting for an inquest into the death of her husband Seamus, who was shot and killed in 1997, claimed the Government has proven it does not care about victims.

She said: We are here for the long-run, we will fight on, no matter how long it takes. We will not give up.

We are hopeful the courts will stand by us. All we are asking for is justice.

Grainne Teggart, from Amnesty International, called on the Irish Government to launch an inter-state case against the UK Government over the Legacy Act.

She said: Today is step one in the fight back against this Act.

We are encouraged that the court seems to be taking a pragmatic approach on how to deal with these cases.

We will return next week for the next step in this process.

The Royal Courts of Justice heard a brief review of the cases on Wednesday (Liam McBurney/PA)

We call on the Irish Government to swiftly decide to take an inter-state case and lodge those proceedings.

Gavin Booth from Phoenix Law, which represents some of the victims, said the families had attended court to show their commitment to opposing the legislation.

He added: For us, this Bill is not only unlawful but it is also immoral and it is now time for the courts to step in where Government has failed.

Mr Booth said he hopes the High Court will rule on the matter before Christmas.

Campaigner Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalists in 1997, said the human rights of victims are being breached.

He said: We are here to challenge the British Governments Legacy Bill through the courts.

Three-hundred or so people (in Parliament) decided that victims human rights are going to be breached.

We were left with no option, we have to take it to the courts.

We never dreamt that we would have to fight the state as well as the system to get justice for my son.
Erica Taylor (L) wants to donate her womb to her daughter Dannielle Maydom. (SWNS)

A mum has offered to donate her womb to her daughter so that she can have a baby.

Dannielle Maydom, 28, was born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome - a rare congenital disorder that affects the female reproductive system.

Her MRKH diagnosis means that Maydom was born without a uterus and doctors have told her that she would neve be able to have children.

Maydom first noticed that something may be amiss when she was 16 and hadnt started her period.

"I just knew something wasnt right," she explains. "It is one of the strangest, most unsettling feelings - knowing that there is a problem with your body, but not being able to pinpoint what it is."

After scheduling an appointment with a doctor just after her 18th birthday, Maydom was told that she didnt have a womb.

Read more: UKs first womb transplant a massive success after sisters donation (PA Media, 7-min read)

Dannielle has always wanted children despite her diagnosis. (SWNS)

"After my diagnosis I didnt leave my house for months," she says. "My dad, Stephen, was 39 when he passed away. I was 10 years old and I was his only child.

"The thought of me never being able to carry on his bloodline haunted me."

Now, Maydoms mother, Erica Turner, 48, has said that she would donate her womb to her daughter so that she can have a child.

"I have five children and don't want anymore, being Dannielle's mother, hopefully I would be a good match for her," Turner, a carer, from Birkenstead, Hertfordshire, says.

"I would find it amazing if Dannielle had her own child through my womb. I know I would be an emotional wreck - knowing that she would be carrying her own child and I know the bond between myself, Dannielle and my grandchild would be extremely special."

Read more: UK's first successful womb transplant  key questions answered (The Conversation, 4-min read)

While Maydom is currently single, she does hope to be a mother one day. Her cousin, Jeanette, 39, has also offered to be her surrogate should the womb donation not pan out.

It comes after the UKs first-ever womb transplant happened earlier this year at Oxford Churchill Hospital where a 40-year-old woman, who already had two children, decided to help her 34-year-old sister who was also born without a uterus.

"I was with my mum at home when I found out about the transplant, and we were so happy to hear about it," Maydom says.

What is Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome?

Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome is a rare condition that women are born with and affects their genital area. It affects around one in 5,000 women in the UK.

Not being able to menstruate is the major symptom of MRKH. (Getty Images)

According to the NHS, it often means a woman has a shortened vagina, absent cervix and an absent or undeveloped uterus.

MRKH is classified into Type I and Type II. Type I includes the shortened vagina and absent cervix and womb, while Type II includes all of these aspects as well as urinary tract variations, kidney development issues and even hearing difficulties and bone changes.

Around 40% of women with MRKH have Type II.

Read more: Womb transplants for trans women many years off  UK surgeon (PA Media, 3-min read)

Signs of MRKH syndrome

Women with MRKH usually discover it during puberty. They will develop breasts and pubic hair but will not have periods. The lack of periods is the main symptom.

MRKH syndrome treatment

If you suspect you may have MRKH and want to have an official diagnosis, visit your GP who can then refer you to a gynaecologist.

Tests will generally involve a blood test, ultrasounds and sometimes an MRI test too.

MRKH cannot be treated, but a womb transplant could be an option.

Watch:UK's first-ever womb transplant hailed by doctors as 'dawn of new era' in fertility treatment

Additional reporting SWNS.
Police officers are not turning up to deal with violent attacks on shop staff because the criminal has already fled, a coalition of businesses and workers has said as it calls for a commitment to tackling unprecedented levels of theft.

The group has written to police and crime commissioners in England and Wales calling on forces to make it easier to pass on evidence and boost efforts to find repeat and violent offenders.

Its letter comes amid reports of record levels of shoplifting and even organised looting.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman said: The unprecedented levels of shop theft being faced by retailers cannot be allowed to continue.

We have set out a three-pronged approach for police forces across the UK to adopt and make it clear that they are committed to tackling the problem.

Theft and abuse are a blight on communities, with addicts and criminal gangs repeatedly targeting hardworking retailers and their colleagues.

These are not victimless crimes, and they must be investigated to bring the most prolific offenders to justice.

The coalition is made up of business groups the ACS, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the British Independent Retail Association, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Federation of Independent Retailers and shopworkers union Usdaw.

Concerns have been raised about unprecedented levels of shoplifting (Caitlin Doherty/PA)

Its letter says: Rather than seeing this as high volume, low value crime, we can recognise the opportunity it gives us to identify prolific offenders who blight communities by committing these and other crimes.

You should expect retailers to provide good quality evidence on offenders, and they should expect this to be analysed, investigated and followed up with meaningful interventions for those individuals.

We can break the cycle of reoffending if we take this opportunity to commit to this approach.

It calls for police action in three areas:

 To make it easier for retailers to report crime and submit evidence. Currently systems are unclear and time-consuming, the group said.

 To identify prolific offenders behind most of the thefts and anti-social behaviour  it singles out Nottinghamshire and Sussex police forces for praise for their systems that focus on collecting data on the worst criminals.

 To prioritise gathering evidence related to violent attacks.

Policing minister Chris Philp has called for a zero tolerance approach to shoplifting (PA)

The letter says: We often see scenarios where violence against shopworkers is not responded to by the police because incidents do not meet forces threat, harm and risk criteria as offenders have left the premises after committing an offence.

In the vast majority, if not all, of retail businesses there will be CCTV footage available to support police lines of inquiry into violent incidents.

Therefore, we would like to see the proactive collection of evidence prioritised by police forces.

The BRC has estimated that theft is costing retailers nearly 1 billion per year, while the ACS says 90% of workers have experienced verbal abuse in that period.

Both Home Secretary Suella Braverman and policing minister Chris Philp have already called on police to be tougher on shoplifting.

The National Police Chiefs Council has been approached for comment.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: Retail crime is getting worse  thieves are becoming bolder, and more aggressive. Violent and abusive behaviour is on the rise.

These confrontations might be over in a matter of minutes, but for many victims, their families and colleagues, the physical and emotional impact can last a lifetime.

Retailers are working hard to reduce crime, investing nearly 1 billion into crime prevention measures in the last year. But now we need the police to do more to prioritise retail crime and bring levels of violence, abuse and theft down for good.

Katy Bourne, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners lead for business and retail crime, said PCCs are working at a national level to improve the police response.

She said: I completely understand the sectors frustration and their concerns for their members. Ive seen for myself the fear, the harm and the damage that too many shop staff and retailers are experiencing.

From the many businesses I have met it is sadly evident that, too often, the policing response they have received  assuming they got one  is not what they expect.

However, we also cannot overlook the fact that police forces face a huge daily demand on their finite resources so they will have to prioritise a physical response based on the threat posed to staff and customers and the likelihood of catching up with the offender.

Some forces are reviewing ways to make reporting shoplifting easier, while Sussex already has a number in place including one that reduces the time needed from 30 minutes to two.

There is also Operation Pegasus, a scheme to gather intelligence about organised crime groups who shoplift.

Ms Bourne, who is Sussex PCC, added: Id also like to see prolific shoplifters monitored with electronic tags, as happens with persistent domestic abuse perpetrators and burglars, so Ill be raising this with ministers and officials.

If we want to retain our villages and high streets and shopping malls as pleasant places to shop and visit we have to be more proactive, more imaginative and more robust. We cant retreat and give up or our stores will close up.
Rishi Sunak has been criticised for announcing plans to roll back on climate change commitments on the same day world leaders met at a UN climate summit.

The Prime Minister said in a speech from Downing Street that he believes we risk losing the consent of the British people for net zero policies without a change in approach and denied he was watering down green targets.

It comes on the same day world leaders gathered for discussions on preventing future pandemics and tackling the climate crisis at the UN General Assembly (Unga) in New York and Secretary General Antonio Guterres Climate Ambition Summit.

Critics have condemned the Prime Minister for his absence at the summit, warning that the UK is throwing away its reputation as a world leader on climate change.

Britain was also notably not among a coalition of countries, of which it is normally a leader, to sign a key statement on Wednesday pledging ambitious action on the climate crisis.

Mr Sunaks speech also overshadowed Environment Secretary Therese Coffeys announcement that the UK would sign the UN Ocean Treaty in New York.

Lissa Batey, head of marine conservation at The Wildlife Trusts, said: It is shocking that the UK Government appears happy to sign up to international agreements one minute, and completely undermine them the next.

While we welcome the signing of the UN High Seas Treaty  which is crucial to achieve the UKs pledge to protect 30% of seas by 2030  we are concerned that todays climate announcements put this commitment at risk.

Despite signing the treaty, the UK risks being left adrift if we delay or weaken ambitions to meet existing net-zero targets. The UK Government must stay on course and live up to its commitments.

Shaun Spiers, executive director at Green Alliance, said: Global leaders are meeting for a climate ambition summit at the United Nations today  and Rishi Sunaks not on the list.

Our legally binding commitment to reach net zero by 2050 ought to have earned us a place with the early movers showing the world how its done today.

Mr Spiers said the UK has not matched ambition with concrete action.

The Prime Minister claims Britain is leading the world on climate change, he said.

The truth is that, by sacrificing climate policies for short-term political gains, were throwing away hard-won progress on the climate and with it our international reputation on this issue.

Rebecca Newsom, head of politics at Greenpeace UK, said: The UK governments absence from Guterres climate summit is an embarrassment.

The grim reality is that Britain is no longer seen as a serious player in the global race for green growth.

Under the Conservative government, Britain has gone from leader to laggard on climate change and further planned u-turns leaked last night will only hasten our waning influence on the world stage.

Guterres is right: the time for slogans and rhetoric is over. Real climate leaders will rise to the challenge of tackling one of the defining challenges of the 21st century.

They will enact ambitious policies to cut emissions as quickly and fairly as possible and support the most vulnerable communities already losing lives and livelihoods to climate change. At present, Sunak is way below the bar on both.

Meanwhile, Helen Clarkson, chief executive of Climate Group, said: The Prime Minister should be in New York with other world leaders for Climate Week NYC and the UNs Climate Ambition Summit, pushing for stronger action.

He should be in New York talking to the CEOs of global businesses that are already investing heavily in going green and want to go faster.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak delivers a speech on the plans for net zero commitments in the briefing room at 10 Downing Street (Justin Tallis/PA)

Instead, hes in Westminster hatching a plan that will stifle the economy, let down voters and drive up costs for consumers in the long term.

Mr Sunak is the first UK prime minister in a decade to skip the UN summit, blaming pressures on his diary although reports suggested he risked being barred from speaking at the UN Climate Ambition Summit since only countries that could demonstrate tangible actions on emissions would be allowed.

On Wednesday, Mr Sunak said that sticking with the status quo on climate pledges would risk losing the consent of the British people.

The Prime Minister said in his speech that the UK is so far ahead of every other country in the world on tackling climate change.

He added: How can it be right that British citizens are now being told to sacrifice even more than others? Because the risk here for those of us who care about reaching net zero, as I do, is simple.

If we continue down this path, we risk losing the consent of the British people.

Mr Sunak continued: Thats why we have to do things differently. We need sensible green leadership.

It wont be easy and it will require a wholly new kind of politics. A politics that is transparent and the space for a better, more honest debate about how we secure the countrys long-term interests.
Ken Livingstone was a figurehead of the Labour left for more than four decades, despite being a divisive figure across the political spectrum.

In his heyday, Red Ken was a thorn in the side both of Margaret Thatchers Tories and New Labour under Tony Blair.

Ken Livingstone as mayor of London outside City Hall, London, in February 2008 (Ian Nicholson/PA)

In their efforts to thwart him, the Conservatives resorted to legislation to end his reign at the Greater London Council, while Labour was so determined to prevent him becoming London mayor it stitched up the selection process, to disastrous effect.

But his time in the party ended ignominiously, when he quit the Labour Party in 2018 amid furious demands for his removal over allegations of antisemitism.

Born on June 17 1945 in south London, to a working-class family, Mr Livingstone, the son of an acrobatic dancer and a ships master in the Merchant Navy, first began to blaze a trail through London politics in the early 1970s.

Within two years of joining the Labour Party in 1969, Mr Livingstone was elected as a councillor in his native Lambeth in south London in 1971 before joining the Greater London Council in 1973.

In 1981, Labour took control, and he was elected leader, quickly becoming a national figure.

He revelled in being a bete noire of the right, supporting everyone from striking miners to Sinn Feins leaders at the height of the IRAs bombing campaign.

GLC leader Ken Livingstone beneath the giant sign erected on the roof of County Hall showing the number of people out of work in Greater London (PA)

He goaded Mrs Thatcher across the Thames in Parliament during the turbulent 1980s by displaying the unemployment figures on City Hall.

After she secured revenge by abolishing the GLC, he joined the ranks of Labours left-wing MPs as member for Brent East from 1987-2001, harrying the Tories but also clashing frequently with the New Labour modernisers.

When Mr Blair restored devolved government to the capital and created the powerful post of mayor he certainly did not anticipate that it would open the door for his foes return.

But every attempt to prevent his worst-case scenario backfired, as Mr Livingstone stood as an independent against official Labour candidate Frank Dobson in 2000 and won.

Such was Mr Livingstones popularity that Mr Blair was forced to welcome him back into the fold and ensure he was the official Labour candidate in 2004.

Boris Johnson gives his victory speech in City Hall, London after he was re-elected Mayor of London watched by Ken Livingstone (Lewis Whyld/PA)

During that second term, Mr Livingstone won widespread praise for the way he stood up for London after the July 2005 suicide bombings and he helped win the 2012 Olympic Games for the capital.

However, he also became embroiled in a series of disputes with sections of the capitals Jewish community, leading to allegations of antisemitism.

In 2006, a High Court judge said he made unnecessarily offensive and indefensible remarks likening a Jewish reporter to a Nazi concentration camp guard.

He was however cleared of bringing the office of mayor into disrepute, a ruling he hailed as a victory for democracy and common sense.

His time in office was ended in 2008 when he was defeated by an equally maverick and colourful opponent in Boris Johnson and a failed bid to return to City Hall in 2012 marked the end of his electoral ambitions.

The election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in 2015 appeared to have given him a fresh lease of life politically, as he enthusiastically backed the policies of his old ally on the left.

However, he found himself at the centre of a new storm the following year when he came to the defence of MP Naz Shah who had been suspended over offensive social media posts.

Then mayor of London Ken Livingstone meets Hugo Chavez, then president of Venezuela (Lindsey Parnaby/PA)

Mr Livingstone insisted that, while her remarks were over the top, she was not antisemitic, and that he had never encountered antisemitism in 40 years in the Labour Party.

He then sparked fury by going on to claim in a radio interview that Hitler was supporting Zionism before he went mad and ended up killing six million Jews.

Despite being suspended by the party, he insisted he stood by the comments which he said referred to an agreement in 1933 between the Nazis and some German Zionists to resettle Jews in Palestine.

Mr Livingstone announced his resignation from Labour on May 21 2018, although he maintained his support for Mr Corbyn as leader of the party.

Nearly four years later, in January 2022, Mr Livingstone announced his intention to join the Green Party, although at the same time urging other socialists to remain with Labour, but his application was rejected.
TOKYO, Sep 21 ( NHK ) - Japanese legal authorities have acknowledged that a lawmaker of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party violated human rights by posting a discriminatory comment about the country's indigenous Ainu people.

LDP Lower House lawmaker Sugita Mio posted a comment on her blog and social media in 2016 about a UN conference she attended. She wrote, "A middle-aged woman cosplaying in an Ainu ethnic clothing appeared. Breathing the same air with her makes me feel unwell."

An Ainu woman who participated in the conference filed a complaint in March with the Sapporo legal affairs bureau in Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture, where the Ainu people originate. She called Sugita's remarks insulting, discriminatory and deny human rights.

The woman said the legal affairs bureau conducted an investigation and concluded that Sugita committed a human rights violation. The woman said bureau officials instructed the lawmaker in September to learn more about the Ainu culture and to be more discreet about what she says.

Sugita's office said it has been informed by the Justice Ministry that the human rights violation by her has been acknowledged as a fact.

Sugita had already been under fire for her past controversial remarks about LGBTQ+ people and other instances of discrimination.

The woman said the bureau's judgement is a big step and that she wants society to become a place where the Ainu and other socially vulnerable people find it easy to express their views.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu told reporters on Wednesday morning that discrimination against the Ainu because of their ethnicity should not be tolerated.

Matsuno said Ainu people should be allowed to live with pride in their ethnicity and that should be respected. He said the government must promote measures to realize such a society.
Samuel L Jackson has brought his Hollywood dramatics to a new advertising campaign for British baking firm Warburtons.

In the two-minute clip, which will premiere on ITV on Friday evening, the Pulp Fiction and Marvel star, 74, can be seen impersonating the chairman of the baking company, Jonathan Warburton.

The Hollywood heavyweight follows in the footsteps of George Clooney, Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone, who have all previously starred in adverts for the breadmaker.

Jackson said it was a pleasure to meet the man at the helm of Britains biggest family bakery.

And what an honour to follow in the footsteps of Bolton alumni George Clooney and Robert De Niro, he said.

We had a lot of fun on set so I hope people enjoy the finished product  the ad and toastie loaf.

Mr Warburton said of the advert: Samuel L Jackson was a pleasure to work with and is welcome back at our bakeries any day.

Not many people can be that commanding and so charming at the same time, and I love his hilarious take on why our toastie loaf is the real deal.

Quality will always be at the core of our fifth-generation family run business, and our new ad highlights this commitment to freshness and quality in all that we bake.

Inviting the big-screen hero of Samuel L Jackson into the business was a uniquely memorable experience, and we hope to bring some light-hearted humour to viewers at home  while reminding the nation that our toastie truly offers our customers the best of the best.

The advert opens in Warburtons HQ in Bolton where Jackson is seen taking over the office of chairman Mr Warburton.

Dressed in a blue shirt and orange tie, Jackson says: Hi, Im Jonathan Warburton, chairman of the UKs largest family bakery.

Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson stars in the new Warburtons advert (Ian West/PA)

Looking to camera, Jackson then shares a social post in which a person called Steve has questioned the similarity of Warburtons much-loved toastie loaf with other shelf contenders.

This prompts anger from Jackson, who says: Hell hath no fury like a baker scorned, Steve.

A montage then follows which shows the effort that goes into making the perfect toastie loaf before Jackson appears on the doorstep of Steves parents house at breakfast time, where he swaps out their toast for the Warburtons toastie loaf.

Also in the advert, Jackson is seen testing for softness, butter-ability and bounce-back-ability.

The clip ends with the Hollywood star knocking down the door of the chairmans office where he finds the real Mr Warburton, who says: I couldnt have said it better myself.

The bread-baking business is run by the fifth-generation of Warburtons, having been set up in 1876 as a grocery shop in Bolton by Thomas and Ellen Warburton.

The new advert will go live on social media on Thursday and will premiere on ITV 1 on Friday evening.
Suppressing negative thoughts might be good for your mental health after all, a new study suggests.

The findings contradict the commonly-held belief that ignoring these thoughts means they stay in our unconscious mind, influencing our behaviour and wellbeing.

University of Cambridge researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit trained 120 volunteers worldwide to suppress thoughts about negative events that worried them.

They found that not only did these become less vivid, but that the mental health of those in the study also improved.

Professor Michael Anderson said: Were all familiar with the Freudian idea that if we suppress our feelings or thoughts, then these thoughts remain in our unconscious, influencing our behaviour and wellbeing perniciously.

The whole point of psychotherapy is to dredge up these thoughts so one can deal with them and rob them of their power.

In more recent years, weve been told that suppressing thoughts is intrinsically ineffective and that it actually causes people to think the thought more  its the classic idea of dont think about a pink elephant.

When Covid-19 appeared in 2020, like many researchers, Prof Anderson wanted to see how his own research could be used to help people through the pandemic.

Dr Zulkayda Mamat  at the time a PhD student in Prof Andersons lab and at Trinity College, Cambridge  said: Because of the pandemic, we were seeing a need in the community to help people cope with surging anxiety.

There was already a mental health crisis, a hidden epidemic of mental health problems, and this was getting worse.

So with that backdrop, we decided to see if we could help people cope better.

In the study, each person was asked to think of a number of scenarios that might occur in their lives over the next two years  20 negative fears and worries they were afraid might happen, and 20 positive hopes and dreams.

For each scenario, they were to provide a cue word and a key detail.

Each event was rated on a number of points, vividness, likelihood of occurrence, distance in the future, level of anxiety or joy about the event, frequency of thought, degree of current concern, long-term impact, and emotional intensity.

The volunteers also completed questionnaires to assess their mental health.

Then, over Zoom, Dr Mamat took each participant through the 20-minute training, which included 12 no-imagine and 12 imagine trials, where they were asked to either vividly think, or stop thinking about an event, after being given a cue word.

At the end of the third day and three months later, the volunteers were once again asked to rate each event on vividness, level of anxiety, and emotional intensity.

According to the study, at both points the volunteers reported that suppressed events were less vivid and less fearful. They also found themselves thinking about these events less.

Dr Mamat said: It was very clear that those events that participants practised suppressing were less vivid, less emotionally anxiety-inducing, than the other events and that overall, participants improved in terms of their mental health.

But we saw the biggest effect among those participants who were given practice at suppressing fearful, rather than neutral, thoughts.

According to the findings, suppressing thoughts even improved mental health among those with likely post-traumatic stress disorder.

Among those with post-traumatic stress who suppressed negative thoughts, their negative mental health scores fell on average by 16%, whereas positive mental health scores increased by almost 10%.

In general, people with worse mental health symptoms at the start of the study improved more after suppression training, but only if they suppressed their fears.

The researchers also report that one participant was so impressed by the technique that she taught her daughter and her own mother how to do it.

Funded by the Medical Research Council of the United Kingdom, and the Mind Science Foundation, the findings are published in the Science Advances journal.
Boston College indefinitely suspended its swimming and diving program after administrators said there was hazing involved in the program, the school announced Wednesday.

In the school's handbook, examples of hazing include "alcohol use, personal servitude; sleep deprivation andrestrictions on personal hygiene; yelling, swearing, and insulting new members/rookies."

Also included are being "forced to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire in public; consumption of vile substances or smearing of such on one's skin; brandings; physical beatings; binge drinking and drinking games;sexual simulation and sexual assault."

The handbook also added the Massachusetts State Law on Hazing and how to report such behavior.

Statement Regarding the Suspension of the Swimming & Diving Program



More Info: https://t.co/O94hBDRBEopic.twitter.com/62sLEYCkDe  Boston College Eagles (@BCEagles) September 20, 2023

"The University does not - and will not- tolerate hazing in any form," the school said in a statement.

The school did not provide in the statement who was hazed or what actions preceded the suspension of the program, but added that athletes will continue to have access to academic and medical resources.

The first Maroon vs. Gold intrasquad meet was set for Saturday with the regular season starting with a meet scheduled for Oct. 7 at George Washington.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boston College suspends swimming, diving program after hazing incident
Florida Governor and GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that his energy plan aims to give people relief at the pump.

We need to embrace the resources that we have, both in terms of hydrocarbons but also in terms of having an auto industry that makes sense, DeSantis said in an interview on Fox Business Network. Were going to get rid of the EV mandates, so that people can buy the cars they want.

DeSantis is expected to drop his energy plan on Wednesday. His comments come as the average price for gas hit $3.88 earlier this week, up about 20 cents from a year ago.

In states like California, Washington, Nevada, Hawaii and Oregon, gas prices are well over $4.00, according to AAA data. States like Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina, meanwhile, all have average gas prices lower than $3.50. In DeSantiss Florida, average gas prices are somewhere in the middle: around $3.70 per gallon.

Gas prices remain lower than they were last June, when the national average was $5.01 per gallon.

Bidens energy policy benefits China, Iran, Russia and Venezuela, DeSantis said. Were going to restore energy dominance. Were going to be so dominant, that all those hostile regimes are going to have a disadvantage and thats, I think, what the American people want.

As well as an uptick in gas prices, Florida has suffered record heat in recent months and in late August was hit by a major hurricane. This summer, two major insurance companies left the Sunshine State due to increasing weather risks.

As governor of a state severely threatened by climate change, DeSantis has taken some action to build up Floridas resilience against rising sea levels. But he has been dismissive of efforts to actively reduce green house gas emissions and, like most of the GOP presidential field, he has mostly shrugged off the issue on the campaign trail even as this years slew of extreme weather events has underscored climate changes impact.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Environmental groups slammed Elon Musks X app in a report Wednesday ranking social media platforms on their approach to climate change misinformation.

X, formerly known as Twitter, ranked last because its not clear the app has policies against the spread of misleading information about climate change, according to Climate Action Against Disinformation, the creator of the score card. The group is a coalition of more than 50 environmental groups, ad agencies and other organizations.

Finding false climate information is relatively easy on X, with some of the platforms large accounts posting that climate change is a hoax or spreading conspiracy theories about green energy projects. Musk himself has said erroneously that what happens aboveground has no impact on climate change.

The stakes are high, according to the coalition, because false information about climate change has stalled action, including further limits on fossil fuels.

A toxic and fossil-fueled minority is drowning out the voices of science and reason and social media platforms are complicit, Erika Seiber, a spokesperson for coalition member Friends of the Earth, said in a statement.

The coalition was formed in 2021 as environmental groups worried about misinformation around that years United Nations climate summit in Scotland.

An open letter published by the coalition includes signatories such as WWF International, Patagonia and Ben & Jerry's.

The coalition timed the report for release during Climate Week NYC, when figures from civil society and other sectors meet to discuss strategy on climate change, and during this weeks session of the U.N. General Assembly.

Before Musk bought Twitter last year, the app said it banned advertisements that contradict the scientific consensus on climate change. Now, though, its not clear that the ban has continued.

In the case of X/Twitter, Elon Musks acquisition of the company has created uncertainty about which policies are still standing and which are not, the report said.

Representatives for X did not respond to a request for comment from NBC News. The researchers said they also reached out to X in preparing their report but did not hear a response.

X notched a score of 1 on the score cards 21-point scale. The apps only point came from having a privacy policy thats easily accessible and readable  something that researchers said was important in fighting climate misinformation because fossil fuel companies, like other advertisers, can use personal data to sway public opinion. The worst possible score was zero.

Pinterest did the best on the score card with 12 points. It was the only platform that had set out to define climate misinformation in detail in its community guidelines and the only one that releases an annual report on climate misinformation trends, researchers said. (Other platforms define misinformation in general, not specific to climate.)

Pinterest also got credit for banning the monetization of climate misinformation and for trying to protect the personal data of people who protest against fossil fuels.

The company said Tuesday that it was proud of its work.

At Pinterest we have a long history of creating policies that help to build a positive place online. Fighting misinformation is complex and always evolving, so were constantly evaluating our guidelines and enforcement approaches, Pinterest said in a statement.

Pinterest was followed by TikTok at 9 points, Meta at 8 points and YouTube at 6 points. The score card didnt measure all apps that sometimes fall under the umbrella of social media, but the researchers said theyve held meetings with other tech platforms not covered in the report, including LinkedIn and Wikipedia.

Social media researchers have for years expressed alarm at the spread of climate change denial, arguing that tech platforms are adding to problems like rising sea levels if they dont take a more active role in taking down misleading content. Climate-related conspiracy theories are sometimes intertwined with other misinformation, including about Covid, and the theories sometimes spike after extreme weather events, including among Spanish-language users.

The platforms have begun to take a harder line against climate misinformation, employing different strategies.

In 2021, Meta, then known as Facebook, said it would label posts that include climate misinformation and direct users via a link to a new information hub to promote scientific findings. Outside researchers said, though, that Facebook didnt always apply the labels.

That same year, YouTube said it would stop climate deniers from being able to make money off its system  although as of this year, some deniers were still doing so, The New York Times reported in May.

In a statement responding to the climate score card, YouTube said: Our climate change policy explicitly prohibits the monetization of content that denies the existence of climate change, as well as ads that promote these claims. Debate or discussions of climate change topics, including around public policy or research, is allowed, but when content crosses the line to climate change denial, we stop showing ads on those videos. In general, our systems also dont recommend or prominently surface content that includes climate change misinformation.

YouTube also said it raises videos from authoritative sources in search results and recommendations.

TikTok had no immediate comment on the score card. Meta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The score card didnt systematically evaluate how well the social media apps are enforcing their policies but whether the policies exist at all and how comprehensive they are.

Weighing down all the scores: None of the platforms give researchers or academics reasonable access to nonpersonal data about content and advertising, it said.

CORRECTION (Sept. 20, 2023, 10:51 a.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated who belongs to Climate Action Against Disinformation. WWF International and Patagonia are not members of the coalition; the Friends of the Earth is.
By Isabel Woodford

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Some cargo trains run by Mexico's Ferromex have restarted after they were halted following a spate of serious injuries and fatalities to migrants traveling on them, the rail operator's parent company said on Wednesday.

In a step Mexico's president described as "unusual," Ferromex temporarily suspended operations of 60 northbound trains after about half a dozen migrants suffered death or injury, it announced on Tuesday.

Company estimates show stopping 60 trains represent a daily loss of 40 million pesos ($2.34 million), a company spokesperson said in a local radio interview.

However, Ferromex owner Grupo Mexico said on Wednesday rail freight operations had been restarted on routes where no "heightened risk" had been identified. The company did not say how many trains were still not operational.

Grupo Mexico said it would continue evaluating the situation and was in touch with authorities over how it proceeded.

For years, migrants trying to reach the United States have crisscrossed Mexico on cargo trains. Collectively, such trains have become known as "La Bestia," (The Beast), for the risks riding via rail represented.

Ferromex said the presence of migrants in its railcars and rail yards had grown significantly in recent days to more than 4,000 in several cities throughout Mexico.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador flagged that trains were restarting after calling Tuesday's announcement by Ferromex "strange" and "unusual."

Lopez Obrador has clashed with Grupo Mexico this year, and in May moved to expropriate some tracks the company controls in southern Mexico for a flagship infrastructure project.

Mexico's National Migration Institute has proposed adding agents to the affected routes, noting in a statement it also requested the company increase its private security aboard trains.

Ferromex executives will meet with members of the Mexican government and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Friday to discuss further measures, the Mexican institute added.

($1 = 17.0849 Mexican pesos)

(Reporting by Raul Cortes Fernandez and Isabel Woodford; Additional reporting by Carolina Pulice and Valentine Hilaire; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Dave Graham, Alexandra Hudson and Richard Chang)
The White House issued a stark warning Wednesday that a looming government shutdown could threaten crucial federal programs, blasting extreme House Republicans as lawmakers struggle to reach consensus on a funding plan.

While President Biden has been in New York this week showcasing Americas global leadership on the world stage, extreme House Republicans are consumed by chaos and marching our country toward a government shutdown that would damage our communities, economy, and national security, the White House warned on Wednesday.

Instead of following the bipartisan example of Republicans and Democrats in the Senate, extreme House Republicans continue to demand a reckless laundry list of partisan proposals as a condition of keeping the government open  from an evidence-free impeachment that even some of their own members dont agree with, to reckless cuts to programs millions of hardworking families and seniors count on, to a litany of other extraneous ideological demands.

With government funding set to expire on September 30, House Republicans, who hold a majority in the chamber, are trying to push through a plan to temporarily fund the government and beef up border security. But the caucus appears deeply divided on the path forward as conservative hardliners dig in in their opposition to the plan, which is dead on arrival in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

If lawmakers are unable to reach an agreement, the White House said, active-duty military and federal law enforcement personnel would be forced to work without pay until funds are appropriated, while FEMAs Disaster Relief Fund  which the administration has already warned is running dangerously low  could be depleted, complicating disaster relief efforts.

The White House estimates 10,000 children would lose access to Head Start programs across the country as the Department of Health and Human Services is prevented from awarding grants during a shutdown, while air traffic controllers and TSA officers would have to work without pay, threatening travel delays across the country. A shutdown would also delay food safety inspections under the Food and Drug Administration.

These consequences are real and avoidable  but only if House Republicans stop playing political games with peoples lives and catering to the ideological demands of their most extreme, far-right members, the White House said. Its time for House Republicans to abide by the bipartisan budget agreement that a majority of them voted for, keep the government open, and address other urgent needs for the American people.

House GOP leaders are planning to vote on the proposal to fund the government this week, as some of the conferences more conservative members have threatened to oppose a procedural vote, which would prevent the bill from coming to the floor.

Meanwhile, some Republicans and Democrats are considering teaming up on a so-called discharge petition to fund the government if the House Republican-brokered plan fails.

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries will huddle with the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus on Wednesday amid the ongoing discussions, two sources told CNN on Tuesday.

CNNs Melanie Zanona, Lauren Fox, Annie Grayer and Haley Talbot contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
The IRS wont target low-income Americans with tax investigations as much as it had in the past.

The agency this week said it plans to reduce audits for taxpayers who claim the earned income tax credit, or EITC, a tax benefit that largely helps lower-income households. Instead, it will focus its efforts on wealthier individuals and large corporations that are not footing their tax bill as well as bad actors who victimize taxpayers.

The move should free up tax refunds faster for the families who need them the most and go a long way toward addressing the racial disparity in tax audits.

"Over-reliance on audits to resolve basic errors can lead to fewer taxpayers receiving credits and deductions for which they are eligible and thus decrease accuracy in tax administration," Commissioner Daniel I. Werfel said in a letter Monday to the Senate Finance Committee. "We are making broad efforts to overhaul compliance efforts in a manner that robustly advances our commitment to fair, equitable, and effective tax administration."

Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Daniel Werfel (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Almost half of the IRS audits in 2022 focused on families making less than $25,000 and claiming the EITC, according to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. And the vast majority of those received the audit by mail.

That can drag out the audit process, hurting lower-income households that depend on tax refunds to pay bills and other necessities. Tax refunds can make up as much as 30% of a low-income familys annual income, Joanna Ain, associate director of policy for nonprofit Prosperity Now, previously told Yahoo Finance.

If these taxpayers need to amend a return during an audit, that process can take up to 16 additional weeks.

These households also have a harder time navigating the audit process, because unlike wealthier taxpayers, they dont typically have lawyers involved.

"Correspondence audit letters fail to provide a point of contact," Erin Collins, the National Taxpayer Advocate, wrote in her annual report to Congress. "Low-income taxpayers encounter communication barriers that hinder audit resolution, leading to increased burdens and downstream consequences for taxpayers."

The agencys latest move may alleviate some of that burden.

Internal Revenue Service building in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

The effort also comes after a study by Stanford in conjunction with the Treasury this year found that the Internal Revenue Service audits Black taxpayers 2.9 to 4.7 times the rate of non-Black taxpayers, with the "main source of the disparity" stemming from claiming the EITC.

A disparity in audit rates still existed among Black taxpayers who did not claim EITC benefits.

"The Commissioner's letter to the Senate was a great first start," Dorothy Brown, lawyer and tax professor at Georgetown Law, told Yahoo Finance. "Going forward, he needs to ensure that regardless of income level, Black taxpayers are not more likely to be audited than non-Black taxpayers."

The agencys new focus is on "unscrupulous return preparers and other bad actors" such as those who file tax returns for more vulnerable taxpayers like low-income earners, taxpayers of color, and filers whose first language is not English.

The agency believes targeting these bad actors will help reduce the number of taxpayers at risk of audit.

"The initiative outlined in this letter is an outcome of the incredible work of legal thinkers and tax law professors like Dorothy Brown and Steven Dean to bring this disparity to the attention of the media and policymakers," Ain told Yahoo Finance.

"The need to focus tax audits on the wealthy and corporations and high-end tax evasion rather than households with low-incomes and households of color is critical to putting forward a fair and equitable tax code."

Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on Twitter @writesronda.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
One-year-old Nicholas Dominici died after being exposed to fentanyl that federal prosecutors say was stored on top of play mats at a Bronx day care. The owner of the facility and her tenant are being charged with narcotics possession with intent to distribute resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, ABC News reports. Three additional children under the age of three were treated with Narcan.

In Florida, 19-month-old Enora Lavenir died in August 2021 while her family was staying at a rental home in Wellington. Lavenir died from acute fentanyl toxicity, according to NBC News, and was found unresponsive by her mother after going down for a nap. It's not clear how she ingested the drug, but her family is suing Airbnb, alleging that they were misled into renting what was known as a "party house."

In San Francisco, a 10-month-old nearly died in November 2022 after it's believed the baby may have ingested fentanyl at a park. The baby's father, Ivan Matkovic, told CBS News that he believed that his son touched something with a trace amount of fentanyl powder on it and then put his fingers in his mouth.

A 3-year-old child died after accidentally being exposed to a family member's fentanyl patch, according to a 2021 case study.

It's understandable to feel uneasy about accidental fentanyl exposure and kids  the Food and Drug Administration and American Academy of Pediatrics both warn about it, after all. With a study noting that opioids like fentanyl were responsible for 52% of poisoning-related deaths of kids age 5 and under in 2018, you probably have questions. Here's what doctors want you to know about fentanyl exposure and kids.

How might kids be exposed to fentanyl?

Fentanyl is most commonly used by doctors to treat severe pain, including in those with advanced cancer, but it also circulates heavily among illicit drugs. Fentanyl can come in several different forms  liquid, powder, pill or patch  or be added to other drugs, Dr. Erin McKnight, adolescent medicine physician and medical director of the substance use treatment and recovery program at Nationwide Children's Hospital, tells Yahoo Life.

"Approximately 1 out of every 4 pills that someone buys online or on the street are 'pressed pills' that are laced with fentanyl  this includes pills that are sold as Percocet, Vicodin and OxyContin, as well as Xanax, Ativan and Adderall," McKnight says. "A toddler or child can accidentally be exposed to fentanyl if someone has purchased fentanyl to use and has not put it in a secure location and a child gets ahold of it."

It doesn't take much fentanyl to do harm. "Fentanyl is very potent  it's 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine," Dr. Kristine Cieslak, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Lurie Children's at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital, tells Yahoo Life. "As little as 2 milligrams can be lethal in adults and even smaller amounts can cause death in children."

Pills that have been laced with fentanyl may look like candy and be swallowed by children if they're found at a park or in a home, Dr. Danelle Fisher, a pediatrician and chair of pediatrics at Providence Saint John's Health Center in Santa Monica, Calif., tells Yahoo Life. Even fentanyl patches could be mistaken by kids as stickers and applied to the skin, poisoning them in the process. "Fentanyl is just so, so powerful," Fisher says.

What does fentanyl do to your body?

Fentanyl "does the same thing to a big body and a little body  it just takes less to impact children," Dr. John Brancato, division head of emergency medicine at Connecticut Children's, tells Yahoo Life. Fentanyl can cause a euphoric feeling, along with respiratory depression  meaning difficulty breathing, he says.

Fentanyl binds to the mu opioid receptors in the body, which are central to pain control, Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Life. "Fentanyl binds to its target receptor very tightly," she says. "The drug does many things, but the most concerning is respiratory depression. This can lead to death."

The medication can also cause drowsiness, nausea, confusion, unconsciousness and stroke, Cieslak says. "A perfectly healthy person can just fall over after being exposed to fentanyl," Fisher says.

How to protect your children from fentanyl exposure

With the exception of fentanyl patches, it's worth noting that fentanyl isn't absorbed through the skin from casual contact, such as touching money or doorknobs, which is a common misconception. Instead, experts say it's crucial to tell your children that they should never put objects, particularly pills, that they happen to find in their mouths. "Tell your child that if they ever find or see anything unusual, they should tell you or another adult nearby rather than ingesting it," Brancato says.

But this is tricky with younger children, who are known for putting things in their mouths, Fisher points out.

If you have fentanyl in your home or your children visit the home of someone who has been prescribed fentanyl, like a grandparent, McKnight says it's crucial to make sure the medication is stored safely and out of reach. "Always keep all medications in a secured, locked location," she says.

If you've rented a home or are visiting a new area, McKnight says it's not a bad idea to inspect the place before letting your children explore. "Don't hesitate to ask about cleaning practices prior to arrival to new areas, if able," she says. "After you arrive, do a walk-through, and if you feel the place has not been cleaned, do not hesitate to reach out to the manager to have the site cleaned."

What to do if you suspect your child has been exposed to fentanyl

Fentanyl moves fast, which is why it's important to call 911 immediately if you suspect your child has been exposed, Cieslak says. "First responders carry Narcan and can administer this lifesaving medication," she explains. "Narcan reverses an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opiates on the brain and restoring breathing. Seconds or minutes count and can be the difference between life or death, so parents should not attempt to drive their child to the emergency department."

If your child seems off and you're not sure why, Brancato recommends looking at their eyes. "Look for tiny pupils," he says. "That strongly suggests opioids of some kind."

But Fisher says parents can go down a rabbit hole with fears over fentanyl. "If you see a substance and you're unsure of it, stay away from it," she says. "Don't let your kids put it in their mouth. Have discussions with older kids about not putting 'candy' they find in their mouths. That's the best you can do."


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Kendall Jenner had another pantsless fashion moment in New York City yesterday.

The model was photographed out in a blue pinstripe button-down. She paired it with black loafers, Khaites large Maeve Weekender bag, and sunglasses.

Robert Kamau - Getty Images

Shop Now Maeve Weekender large textured-leather tote net-a-porter.com $3400.00

Jenner has spent the last couple of days in New York. She and her boyfriend Bad Bunny were seen out in the city multiple times, including last Wednesday when the two got dinner at Carbone.

So far, Jenner has remained tight-lipped on current projects. She notably didnt walk in any runway shows during New York Fashion Week, though there is a chance that the model could return to the runway in Milan or Paris.

Jenner last walked Jacquemus show at Versailles in France this past June.



Stephane Cardinale - Corbis - Getty Images

She has previously spoken about the anxiety shes felt in the past walking for designers. I used to get really nervous during fashion shows, she told ELLE.com in 2019. I feel like when youre walking on the runwayI say this from experienceyoure just thinking, Walk straight! Walk straight!and you try to just focus on that. Especially me, because I used to get really nervous when I knew people in the audience. I would try and force myself to zone out. But now, Im cool with itIve actually gotten so much better at it that I like knowing whos there, and Ill kind of peek over to see whos in the audience before I come out. But it took a little while to get to that point.

In an interview released earlier this month, Jenner spoke to W about her business ambitions beyond just modeling.

I come from a long line of businesswomeneven my grandmother and my great-grandmother had their own businesses. I watched them when I was very, very young, and I watched my mom find her way, she said. She never went through any sort of training to do the things that she did. She just bossed it out.

Regarding her own career path and women she looks up to, models Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford are my inspirations, Jenner said. I just love how they moved with class and theyve aged with class. Theyre two people Id love to model my career afterpun intended.

You Might Also Like
Now that summers coming to an end, that means its time to pull out your scarves, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and reassess your tech stocks. This series helps you decide what to do with your shares of the biggest names in tech  Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Nvidia, and Tesla  known as the Magnificent Seven. Up next is Microsoft, a leader in artificial intelligence.

Microsoft (MSFT) is even bigger than you probably think, and it's gaining momentum.

"This is the year for Microsoft where the aircraft carrier is at its apex, where acceleration starts happening based on changes from some time ago," D.A. Davidson analyst Gil Luria told Yahoo Finance.

Aircraft carriers aren't built overnight. According to Luria, the shift for the tech behemoth now worth over $2.4 trillion began when Satya Nadella took over as CEO in 2014.

"Microsoft was coming off 15 years of stagnant growth, when the business grew but the stock did not," Luria said. "They'd missed the shift to mobile, and at the time they had been far behind on the shift to cloud. Then, Satya Nadella took over."

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella listens to a question as he sits in front of the Windows logo during the annual Microsoft Corp. shareholders meeting, Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, in Bellevue, Wash. (Ted S. Warren/AP Photo)

Right away, Nadella sought to make Microsoft less insular.

"He made it into a company that was far better integrated into the soft software technology ecosystem," Luria explained. "The second change he made was to become far more developer friendly, using a more open source approach ... and [making] the business approach more developer friendly."

Today, Microsoft is everywhere and embedded in our digital lives through cybersecurity, enterprise software, and its cloud business. These days it's even making inroads in search, thanks to the company's leadership in AI.

"The next big disruptive wave is AI, and Nadella recognized that early, which is why they invested in Open AI more than two years ago," Luria said, adding, "Not only did they invest in OpenAI, they put the wheels in motion to adapt their business to AI."

That's not to say there are no chinks in the armor. This year, Microsoft has been in the crosshairs of a number of cybersecurity failures, including one involving the State Department, which its competitor CrowdStrike was quick to point out.

"These continued developments reveal some of the systemic risks that Microsoft poses to consumers, businesses, and national security as a whole," CrowdStrike chief security officer Shawn Henry told Yahoo Finance. "We should all have higher expectations, and stakeholders across the security ecosystem should work together to restore faith in the security of critical systems.

The nature of tech itself is also a risk for Microsoft. AI and its disruption could eventually facilitate a decline for Microsoft if it turns out that the giant aircraft carrier can't move fast enough or is headed off course.

"Anytime there's a big disruptive technology, it opens the door for new competitors and new businesses that build their business based on the new technology, and we're at that point in time," Luria said. "That's the biggest risk to all these bigger companies  but specifically for Microsoft."

So what should you do with Microsoft stock?

Still, as it stands today, Microsoft's AI-powered future looks bright. Currently, Wall Street analysts' recommendations for Microsoft break down to 54 Buys, six Holds, and one Sell.

On Wednesday, Microsoft also announced it will increase its quarterly dividend to $0.75 per share, a 10% increase over the previous quarters dividend.

The stock is up 37% year to date, which is unsurprising given the AI-fueled tech rally this year.

"Microsoft has built a formidable position in this generational transition that is AI," Tola Capital partner Aaron Fleishman, who previously worked at Microsoft, told Yahoo Finance. "The early partnership with OpenAI was a stroke of genius that will pay dividends for years to come. Microsofts ability to monetize both downstack through Azure consumption as well as upstack through the application layer with Office and other products positions the company particularly well to be a leader in AI for a long time."

Investors could take a pause on valuation, but the stock isn't in "runaway" territory just yet.

"Microsoft's on the higher end of its valuation range, but it's not that high," Luria said. "It traded up to 35 times earnings just a couple of years ago, and now we're closer to 29 or 30 times."

According to Luria, if you're looking at Microsoft, consider these three things: Watch how it's integrating generative AI tools into products, whether (and how) AI is driving cloud growth, and where competition is emerging  and whether Microsoft seems equipped to handle it.

If it can get all those engines roaring, that giant Microsoft aircraft carrier can go into hyperspace.

Allie Garfinkle is a Senior Tech Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @agarfinks and on LinkedIn.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
A man sought in connection to the slaying of a family of four in the Chicago suburb of Romeoville was found dead inside a burning car in Oklahoma, authorities said Wednesday.

Nathaniel Huey Jr., a 31-year-old from Streamwood, Illinois, and a woman "with a relationship" to him were both called a "person of interest" before the woman was reported missing and in danger by her family on Tuesday night, Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne told reporters.

A car linked to the man was spotted by a license plate reader in Catoosa, Oklahoma, just outside of Tulsa  about 650 miles from the crime scene  when officers allegedly tried to stop the vehicle but it sped away, officials said.

The car crashed and caught on fire as officers on scene heard two noises believed to be gun shots," Burne said.

Officers found a critically wounded woman inside the vehicle and the man fatally shot in the driver's seat, Burne added.

That man in the driver's seat is "believed to be Huey," according to a police statement.

The fiery crash led to lanes of westbound Interstate 44, near Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, to be temporarily shut down at about 11:30 a.m. CDT, NBC affiliate KJRH reported.

The slayings of Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two boys, 7 and 9, shook the suburb just southwest of Chicago.

"Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspect and the victims as well as possible motive, said Burne.

The deputy chief declined to elaborate on that possible motive.

"Although Huey is identified as a suspect, this is still an active and evolving investigation," according to a police statement. "This portion of the incident is still unfolding."

Police, not long after the bodies were found, dismissed any of the victims as the possible shooter and called the slayings a targeted attack that took place between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday.

The victims were found Sunday night after a relative asked police for a well-being check because one of the victims did not show up for work, police said.

This is a developing story. Please refresh here for updates.
A significant crash in Meridian affected Interstate 84 traffic Tuesday afternoon and evening for four hours, according to a news release from Idaho State Police, with all eastbound lanes blocked near Meridian Road, which is Exit 44.

Traffic was diverted at Exit 42, on Ten Mile Road, but the eastbound lanes still were backed up all the way to the west side of Nampa.

Police said Wednesday that a 28-year-old man from Bonney Lake, Washington, was driving east in a Ford truck towing a 15-foot trailer full of gravel. The trailer jackknifed when the man hit his brakes, police said. A jackknife accident occurs when a trailer moves out in front of a truck to form a 90-degree angle at the tow hitch, which serves as the point of connection for the two parts, according to FVF Law.

A 56-year-old man from Pasco, Washington, driving a semitrailer collided with the Ford truck at about 2 p.m., according to police. This caused diesel to spill on the road, the Ada County Highway District said on social media, and all of the lanes were closed for cleanup of the accident and spill.

Idaho State Police said both drivers were wearing seat belts and did not report any injuries.
By Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren

OTTAWA (Reuters) -Canada this week divulged it had intelligence possibly linking Indian government agents to the murder of a separatist Sikh leader, the kind of news that usually sparks uproar among democratic allies. Not this time.

India is being courted by the United States and others as a counterweight to China, and Trudeau's rare attack just days after New Delhi hosted a G20 Summit is putting Western nations in an awkward position.

"India is important in Western calculations for balancing China, and Canada is not," said Stephanie Carvin, a professor of international relations at Ottawa's Carleton University.

"This really does put Canada offside among all other Western countries," she said.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that Canada was "actively pursuing credible allegations" that Indian agents had potentially been involved in the murder of Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

At that point Ottawa had already been discussing the matter with key allies such as the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance, which also includes the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand.

The results so far have been muted. Britain refused to publicly criticize India and said bilateral trade talks will continue as planned. Indeed, a statement from Foreign Secretary James Cleverly about the affair did not mention India by name.

Britain is in a difficult position, caught between supporting Canada and antagonizing India, a country it wants as a trading partner and ally to help confront China, said Chietigj Bajpaee, India expert at the Chatham House think tank in London.

"Short of there being any definitive evidence of India's involvement, I think the UK response is likely to remain muted," he said. A free trade deal would be a "major political win" for both India and Britain, Bajpaee said.

'WAITING GAME'

White House national security adviser John Kirby said the United States was "deeply concerned" and encouraged Indian officials to cooperate in any investigation. India rejects the idea it was involved in the murder.

The Washington Post reported Trudeau had pushed for a joint statement condemning India at last week's Group of 20 summit in New Delhi and was turned down by the United States and others.

Kirby said "any reports that we rebuffed Canada in any way whatsoever are false, and we will continue to coordinate and consult with them on this."

The muted response to Trudeau's allegations is stark when compared to the uproar after Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were poisoned by nerve agent in England in 2018. Britain, the United States, Canada and others threw out more than 100 Russian diplomats to punish Moscow for an attack it has always denied carrying out.

"Our Five Eyes partners are understandably reluctant to really wade into this, given everybody's interest in advancing ties with India, in the context of the ongoing tension with China," said Wesley Wark of the Centre for International Governance Innovation think tank in Waterloo, Ontario.

"It's a bit of a waiting game. If the Canadians come up with very solid evidence about egregious Indian state involvement in an assassination attempt, I think we'll hear more from our allies in support," he said.

With allies unwilling to contemplate any kind of joint condemnation of India, the Canadian options now look limited, at least until it can provide incontrovertible evidence.

"If we don't get our allies to support this, either publicly or privately, Canada's not going to be able to do a great deal to move India," said Richard Fadden, former head of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service.

"And I think the greatest thing we can aspire to in the short term or the medium term is to get India not to do this again," he told CTV.

Canadian government sources indicated they would have preferred to wait longer before making a statement but felt they had to act, given some domestic media outlets were about to break the story.

Trudeau would have never spoken "out loud if we didn't have the information lining up into a fact base", said one source, adding that they hoped more information would come soon.

Canada has not made public the intelligence it has because there is an active murder investigation, the senior source said.

"On the cusp of the global opportunity for India, they absolutely need to handle this responsibly - for their own interests," the source said.

(Reporting by Steve Scherer and David Ljunggren; additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill in London; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland defends the Justice Department at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)

Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland stressed his independence from the White House and Congress during a contentious hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

"Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate," Garland said. "As the president himself has said, and I reaffirm here today: I am not the presidents lawyer. I will add that I am not Congress prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people."

Garland appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday for what would normally be a routine oversight hearing focused on policy, crime and department initiatives, but was instead expected to serve as a forum for Republicans to attempt to bolster their new impeachment inquiry against President Biden. Republican lawmakers were set to air grievances about the charges brought against former President Trump and the ongoing special counsel investigation of the president's son, Hunter Biden.

The committee, led by Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), said the hearing was to "examine how the Justice Department has become politicized and weaponized under the leadership of Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland."

Jordan started the hearing, which was expected to last several hours, by comparing the investigation of Hunter Biden by special counsel David Weiss to the two cases brought against Trump by special counsel Jack Smith.

Theres one investigation protecting President Biden; theres another one attacking President Trump," Jordan said. "Justice Departments got both sides of the equation covered. 

New York Rep. Jerrold Nadler, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee, criticized Republicans for wasting time on fruitless investigations into Hunter Biden's laptop rather than oversight of the Justice Department or passing spending bills.

I implore the public to see through the sham. I have no doubt that you will hear a deluge of conspiracy theories and baseless accusations," Nadler said.

Republican committee members grilled Garland with rapid-fire assertions about his role in deciding who would conduct the ongoing investigation into Hunter Biden and statements made by a former Internal Revenue Service investigator, Gary Shapley, about that investigation. The GOP lawmakers claimed that the Justice Department had slow-walked potential felony tax charges against Hunter Biden until the statute of limitations expired.

Garland remained soft-spoken, often declining to respond other than citing what was already in the public record. He reiterated that when he chose Weiss, a federal prosecutor in Delaware appointed by Trump, he vowed not to interfere with the investigation into the president's son, which had been underway for several years, including not being involved in charging decisions. Last month, Garland named Weiss special counsel  after Weiss requested the designation, which gives him broader power.

Weiss indicted Hunter Biden last week on two charges that he lied about his drug use to buy a handgun in 2018 and on one charge of illegally possessing the weapon.

"Mr. Weiss will have an opportunity to explain the decision [to let the statute of limitations expire]," Garland said. "I have intentionally not involved myself in the facts of the case not because I'm trying to get out of responsibility, but because I'm trying to pursue my responsibility."

Garland told lawmakers that the Justice Department welcomed public scrutiny, criticism and legitimate oversight, but cautioned that singling out individual career public servants who are just doing their jobs is dangerous  particularly at a time of increased threats to the safety of public servants and their families.

We will not be intimidated, Garland said. We will do our jobs free from outside interference. And we will not back down from defending our democracy.

Get the best of the Los Angeles Times politics coverage with the Essential Politics newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Barbara Lee speaks at her US Senate campaign launch event (ONLINE_YES San Francisco Chronicle)

The Bernie Sanders-backed group Our Revolution has cast its endorsement behind Barbara Lee in Californias Senate primary, which has grown more contentious in recent months as a number of House Democrats vie for the top spot.

Our Revolution president Joseph Geevarghese is set to make the announcement Tuesday evening on a livestream.

Mr Sanders himself has not officially endorsed Ms Lees candidacy, though that can now be expected before the nonpartisan primary election next year. The congresswoman is running in the primary against two of her colleagues in the lower chamber, Katie Porter and Adam Schiff.

California uses a unique primary system wherein the top two candidates, regardless of affiliation, advance to the November general election.

BREAKING: Tonight, Our Revolution will endorse Barbara Lee, swinging its network of grassroots activists and a list of more than 1.1 m CA supporters behind the campaign that the congresswoman identifies as a march for justice for all.- @NicholsUprising https://t.co/kNrcFHhpRn  Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) September 19, 2023

She has gone on the offensive against her opponents as the three have become the likely frontrunners for the seat, which is currently held by retiring Sen Dianne Feinstein. In a recent tweet, she criticised Mr Schiff by name for support of what she has called George W Bushs endless war resolution  the Authorisation for Use of Military Force (AUMF). That resolution, against which Ms Lee was the lone dissenter in the House of Representatives, began the USs post-9/11 crusade against terrorism in Afghanistan and elsewhere.

22 years ago, while the nation was mourning 9/11, President Bush put forward a 60-word resolution allowing any president to go to war at any time, in any place, for any reason. I voted against itknowing it would lead to endless war. @AdamSchiff voted for it, she wrote.

On this day, 22 years ago, while the nation was mourning 9/11, President Bush put forward a 60-word resolution allowing any president to go to war at any time, in any place, for any reason.



I voted against itknowing it would lead to endless war.@AdamSchiff voted for it. pic.twitter.com/kdZuFGtaWL  Barbara Lee (@BarbaraLeeForCA) September 14, 2023

The intent of the message was clear: Ms Lee plans to stake out her progressive bona fides and consolidate support on the partys left flank, leaving her two opponents fighting for what remains. That journey could be successful with the backing of the Sanders wing of the party, which remains a resilient force in many Democratic races.

While Mr Sanders was not a participant in the Tuesday evening livestream event hosted by the group he founded after his 2016 battle with Hillary Clinton, several of his allies in the House of Representatives were  Ayanna Pressley, Mark Pocan and Ro Khanna. The backing of the three prominent progressives in a primary against two of their own is not an insignificant pickup for Ms Lees candidacy.

Adding to the national attention around the race are the continued concerns regarding the health of Ms Feinstein, the incumbent. At 90, the senator and Judiciary Committee chair has raised serious questions regarding her ability to carry out her duties in the upper chamber over the past year after she was out for several weeks due to an illness and was unable to preside over her panels efforts to press the Supreme Court on ethical concerns. In numerous instances she has also appeared confused about her surroundings or what she was doing while in view of reporters in the Capitol.

The issue has led to Ms Lee sparring with Californias governor, Gavin Newsom, over who should be appointed to the seat should Ms Feinstein retire early.
In a brief White House address to the nation, hours after thousands of American auto workers walked off the job to launch an historic strike, President Joe Biden urged Detroits Big Three automakers to continue negotiating with union leaders.

American auto companies have seen record profits because of the extraordinary skill and sacrifices of United Auto Workers union members, he said in brief remarks on 15 September, clearly standing alongside striking workers.

Those record profits have not been shared fairly, in my view, with those workers, he added. Auto workers  deserve a contract that sustains them and the middle class.

The president also announced that he would deploy adviser Gene Sperling and acting Labor Secretary Julie Su to Michigan, but the administration is now pausing those plans as members of Congress and labour advocates urge more support from the White House and the most pro-union president in the labour battle.

Donald Trump, meanwhile, is making his own plans to meet with striking workers at a rally in Detroit next week during the second debate among Republican presidential candidates  a visit rejected by labour leaders and Democratic officials.

Donald Trump skipping the debate to rally with striking autoworkers is like a wolf showing up at a sheep convention promising better wool, said Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow.

UAW president Shawn Fain, whose union represents nearly 150,000 workers, said in a statement that every fiber of the union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers.

We cant keep electing billionaires and millionaires that dont have any understanding what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by and [expect] them to solve the problems of the working class, he added.

Several members of Michigans congressional delegation and state lawmakers have rallied with striking workers and other labour organisers and advocates in recent days, and both of the states senators have announced their support for strike demands.

The right to strike is the single most powerful tool to fight corporate greed, US Rep Rashida Tlaib, whose father was a member of the union as a Ford factory worker, said in remarks on the House floor earlier this month.

Solidarity with the 150,000 @UAW members planning to strike for a fair contract.



In the first six months of this year, the Big Three: Ford, Stellantis and GM made a combined $20 billion in profits.



Record profits should mean record contracts. pic.twitter.com/A8Eep5ksl1  Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) September 13, 2023

The Big Three needs to value their own workers more than they value their own CEO pay increases. They need to do whats right: they have record profits, and that should result in record contracts, she said, echoing the demand among striking workers and labour leaders.

Mr Bidens remarks from the White House two days later echoed that same statement.

I do appreciate that the parties have been working around the clock, he said. But I believe they should go further to ensure record corporate profits mean record contracts for the UAW. Im going to say that again: Record corporate profits  which they have  should be shared by record contracts for the UAW.

Michigan officials who spoke to The Washington Post have said the president should meet with striking workers on picket lines, a visit that is also reportedly welcomed among UAW leadership, according to the newspaper.

The White House has declined to comment on calls for his presence at striking facilities, a move that would be an historic first among American presidents.

A statement from a White House official shared with The Independent said that Acting Secretary Su and Mr Sperling have consistently engaged with the parties on the state of negotiations but they will not be traveling to Michigan, for now.

Given that negotiations are ongoing between the negotiating parties, it is most productive for Sperling and Su to continue their discussions from Washington and allow talks to move forward, and well continue to assess travel timing based on the active state of negotiations, according to the statement, reaffirming that the president stands with UAW workers, and believes that record corporate profits must mean record contracts for the UAW.

Administration officials have held several calls with union leaders, Michigan lawmakers, company executives and other parties, while the White House has opened an inter-agency process to study the strikes economic impacts, according to Reuters.

United Auto Workers strike sign outside the Stellantis Jeep plant in Toledo, Ohio on 19 September. (REUTERS)

Union workers at the nations Big Three automakers  Ford, General Motors and Stellantis-owned Chrysler  began a series of targeted strikes at three facilities at midnight on 14 September.

Union officials and auto companies remain far apart in negotiations over wages, benefits and worker schedules, among other issues. Leaders are asking for a 36 per cent pay increase over four years to match the rates of executive pay, as well as a reduced 32-hour workweek, a return to traditional pensions, the elimination of compensation tiers and a restoration of annual and automatic cost-of-living adjustments, among other benefits.

GMs CEO Mary Barra, the highest-paid CEO among the three automakers, defended her $29m salary in a recent interview with CNN, adding that the companys offer of a 20 per cent raise over four years is very compelling. Her earnings increased by 34 per cent within that same time frame.

My compensation, 92 per cent of it is based on the performance of the company, she said. One of the strong aspects of the way our compensation for our represented employees is designed is not only are we putting a 20 per cent [wage] increase on the table. We have profit sharing. When the company does well, everybody does well.

United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain. (REUTERS)

Republicans like Mr Trump have blamed the conditions that sparked the strike not on the automakers or company leadership but on electric car manufacturing, as GOP officials hope to drive a wedge between workers and a Democratic agenda to meet climate goals.

The auto workers are being sold down the river by their leadership, and their leadership should endorse Trump, the former president said in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday. If somebody wants gasoline, if somebody wants all electric, they can do whatever they want, but theyre destroying the consumer and theyre destroying the auto workers.

In remarks at a recent campaign event, Republican Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, who is also seeking the Republican nomination for president, said that former President Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when he fired striking federal workers in the 1980s.

Nikki Haley, another candidate for the GOPs nomination, blamed the strike on Mr Bidens support for union organising.

When you have a president thats constantly saying go union, go union, this is what you get, she told Fox News. The unions get emboldened, and then they start asking for things that companies have a tough time doing.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will host a second summit with leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum at the White House on Monday, part of his efforts to step up engagement with a region where the U.S. is in a battle for influence with China.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement the summit with the 18-member forum would take place on Monday and Tuesday.

At the summit, Biden would "reaffirm the U.S. commitment to our shared regional priorities" with the Pacific islanders, and deepen cooperation with them in a range of areas, the statement said.

These included "tackling the climate crisis; advancing economic growth; promoting sustainable development; strengthening health security; countering illegal, unreported fishing; and expanding our people-to-people ties," it said.

The statement said the summit would build on an inaugural summit between the two sides in September last year.

Biden hosted a first summit with 14 Pacific island nations a year ago at which his administration pledged to help islanders stave off China's "economic coercion," and he promised to work harder with allies and partners to address their needs.

The Secretary-General of the Pacific Islands Forum Henry Puna told an event in New York on Monday ahead of this week's annual U.N. General Assembly that he hoped the summit would bring concrete actions on issues including climate change and the region's efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Puna said the Pacific island region had gone from a period of strategic neglect just a decade ago to become a subject of strategic interest, competition and "manipulation" today - a reference to the geopolitical rivalry for influence in the region between the United States and China.

He said the stance of the Pacific island countries was that they would "engage with any partner who is willing to work with us, rather than around us."

Mark Brown, prime minister of the Cook Islands and current chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, said at the same event the region was looking to the Washington summit for "tangible" U.S. engagement that would help economic growth through improved transportation links and increased trade.

They also sought significant U.S. contributions to the Green Climate Fund at a pledging conference in Germany next month, Brown said.

"Climate change is the most significant challenge to our progress towards achieving sustainable development," Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

He described an island he fished on as a child that is now two-thirds submerged by rising sea levels, causing turtles to lay eggs in a tidal zone where they are unlikely to survive.

Simplified access to climate financing was "crucial" for the Pacific's small island states, whose economies are struggling from a tourism downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and rising costs fuelled by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he said.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh, Eric Beech and David Brunnstrom; additional reporting by Kirsty Needham. Editing by Doina Chiacu, Sandra Maler and Michael Perry)
With the opening of the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, leaders from across the world convened to take stock of a global order that has not seemed shakier since the coldest days of the Cold War.

The assembly saw speeches by President Biden as well as by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who made his address in person (last year he spoke over video link from Kyiv). Zelensky also spoke to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City on Tuesday. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Russias ambassador to the U.N., Vassily Nebenzia, was at the second address, in which Zelensky excoriated his nation for its invasion of Ukraine. In response, Nebenzia tried to stop him from speaking. Failing to do so, the Russian ambassador slumped in his seat, staring at his smartphone. It was a childish response, perhaps, but also a reminder that even the grandeur of the U.N.s headquarters on the East Side of Manhattan can sometimes take on the cliquish feel of a high school cafeteria.

In Tuesdays remarks, Biden argued that for the world to be fractured into competing alliances would undo the very purpose of the U.N.

We have to grapple with the challenges that are more connected and more complex, he said. We have to make sure were delivering for people everywhere, not just somewhere, everywhere.

But evidence of that fracture was right before his eyes.

Read more on Yahoo News:Unversed in UNGA? Stumped by SDGs? A glossary of U.N. General Assembly meeting lingo, from the Associated Press

A world unhinged

Zelensky and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at U.N. headquarters on Tuesday. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images)

Our world is becoming unhinged.

That was how United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres bleakly assessed the state of affairs. And, he added, we seem incapable of coming together to respond.

From climate change to artificial intelligence, existential threats are on the rise, Guterres said. He pleaded with global leaders, all with interests of their own, to put humanitys interests above all.

Read more on Yahoo News:Climate takes center stage at U.N. as global temperatures hit record, from Reuters

High-profile no-shows

Chinese President Xi Jinping at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on Aug. 24. (Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images)

Few could have been surprised that Russian President Vladimir Putin, considered a war criminal by much of the West, did not make the journey to New York. His ally President Xi Jinping of China also stayed away, though he participated in the assembly last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, who recently met with Biden in New Delhi, remained at home as well.

Two other, less expected no-shows were President Emmanuel Macron of France and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom. Both said they had conflicts, and there is no reason to believe that their absence is a sign of a deeper rift.

For some European leaders right now there is not a lot of political capital in going to big summits, and you need to be seen at home a lot more, Richard Gowan, U.N. director of the International Crisis Group, told the Associated Press.

Still, it was hard to avoid seeing the empty seats as somehow symbolic.

Read more on Yahoo News:Everything you need to know about this years meeting of leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, from the Associated Press

Biden warns that Russia must not win

President Biden addresses the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. (Susan Walsh/AP)

It was Biden who, in early 2022, helped forge an international alliance to help Ukraine defend itself against the invasion Russia launched that February. Support for Ukraine has held, but it has also shown signs of fraying.

Speaking on Tuesday, the American president said that if Ukraine were abandoned by allies, and Russia allowed to formalize claims on land it has conquered and annexed, a dangerous new geopolitical chapter would begin.

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, he wondered, is the independence of any nation secure?

Read more on Yahoo News:Biden makes impassioned plea at U.N., warning what could happen if world abandons Ukraine, from USA Today

Zelensky comes to New York

Zelensky speaks at the General Assembly on Tuesday. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Zelensky made his second trip to the United States in order to attend the assembly. On Thursday he will meet with American lawmakers in Washington.

A surprisingly savvy politician (he was an actor and producer before running for the presidency, and winning the post, in 2019), he grasps that his demands have exhausted world leaders, who have their own domestic concerns.

At the same time, he cannot allow their support for Ukraine to flag, or for Russia to reestablish relations that were severed when the invasion was first launched. So he pressed his case with the urgency of a leader under siege. And, like Biden, he made the case that failing to stop Russia would embolden other despots.

Weaponization must be restrained. War crimes must be punished. Deported people must come back home. And the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united to make it, Zelensky said on Tuesday. Then, on Wednesday, he spoke to the Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member. He lamented that reality, calling on Russia to be stripped of its veto power.

It is impossible to stop the war because all actions are vetoed by the aggressor, he said.

Read more on Yahoo News: President Zelensky visits Ukrainian soldiers in New York hospital, from the Kyiv Independent

Meetings, meetings, meetings

President Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the General Assembly on Wednesday. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

On Wednesday morning, Biden met with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister. The two have known each other for years but have not met since Netanyahu returned to the post in December 2022 as the leader of a far-right coalition.

Since then, Netanyahu has unveiled a series of highly unpopular judicial reforms supported by religious conservatives and West Bank settlers. He has also effectively sanctioned escalating violence.

The White House said in a statement that Biden emphasized the need to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation, maintain the viability of a two-state solution, and promote a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

He also encouraged Netanyahu to work with him on what would be a historic security agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

His invitation for Netanyahu to visit Washington later this year appeared to be something of an enticement.

Later, Biden  who is intent on showing that, even at 80, he has the energy of his younger peers  sat down with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. He said the United States and Brazil would work together to stem the climate catastrophe.

Biden is also to sit with leaders of the Stans, as the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are known. All are in a crucial swath of Central Asia that acts as a kind of buffer between Russia and China, making any alliances there potentially crucial for the United States as tensions with China escalate.

Read more on Yahoo News: Biden set for busy week of foreign policy, including talks with Brazil, Israel and Ukraine leaders, from the Associated Press
Mexico spells out plan to take active role in G77+China

Xinhua) 13:35, September 20, 2023

MEXICO CITY, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mexico on Tuesday declared its intention to actively participate in the Group of 77 plus China (G77+China) and spelled out the steps it would take to do so.

"Mexico will analyze the group's agenda to find those areas where it can contribute by joining together to act in one voice," the Mexican Foreign Ministry said.

Once officials have identified the relevant topics and forums, "Mexico will present its request to participate in the work of the Group of 77 plus China," the ministry said in a statement.

The move reflects "a frank desire to strengthen the bloc's negotiating position in the complex international scenario," it added.

Mexico hopes to "continue contributing to giving a voice to the people of the South in the search for development that does not exclude any country," the ministry said.

At the G77+China Summit of Heads of State and Government in Havana, Cuba, on Friday and Sunday, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said it was "a great honor" for Mexico to be invited to the gathering by the host country.

Barcena also underscored the importance of the bloc's role as a coordinating mechanism to address the most urgent issues on the international agenda for the Global South.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Blog Archive: Nov 2023 (5) Oct 2023 (155) 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)
Samantha Haines has been charged with the murder of her friend Daniel Faircloth (Sampson County Detention Centre)

A North Carolina woman who showed up at a church bloodied and in distress told a pastor she thought she had hurt someone before leading police to her friends dead body, according to authorities.

Samantha Haines, 31, arrived at the Mt Carmel Church of God of Prophecy near Autryville as pastor Bryan Strickland was closing on Sunday night and asked for help, according to a statement posted to the churchs Facebook page.

I asked her what was going on and she said that she thought she had hurt someone, Mr Strickland told WRAL.

She thought she had tried to kill someone.

Mr Strickland said he called 911, and Sampson County Sheriffs deputies arrived to find Ms Haines in distress in a red Ford Mustang in the churchs parking lot.

Ms Haines reiterated her belief that she may have been responsible for a persons death, but due to her unfamiliarity with Sampson County, she could not provide specific details about the location of the incident, the sheriffs office said in a statement.

Authorities learned the vehicle was registered to Daniel Faircloth, 32, and found his dead body outside his home less than a mile away.

Daniel Faircloth, 32, was remembered as respectful and sweet by family (Facebook / Daniel Faircloth)

Faircloth had been stabbed to death, authorities say.

Ms Haines was charged with murder and made a first appearance in court on Monday. She has been booked into the Sampson County Detention Centre without bond.

Faircloths grieving family told WRAL they thought Ms Haines may have been homeless and staying with him at the time of the alleged murder.

His stepmother Lauriel Renee told the news station Faircloth was a respectful and sweet person who would light up a room when he entered.

Mr Strickland called on parishioners to pray for the Faircloth family as they dealt with their loss.
Attorneys on Tuesday argued in Placer Superior Court over the July escape of a man who faces charges of murder and attempted murder in a standoff earlier this year with law enforcement at a Roseville park, and whether the criminal cases for the escape and standoff should be combined.

A judge ultimately ruled to combine them, and also granted the filing of two new attempted murder charges to the defendants case, with prosecutors alleging Eric James Abril fired shots at two more law enforcement officers than had previously been reported.

Abril, a 35-year-old Roseville resident, is accused of taking two hostages during a shootout with police after California Highway Patrol officers tried to serve a search warrant April 6 at Mahany Park. He was taken into custody shortly after the shootout at the park, during which he allegedly shot both hostages, one of whom died.

Abril also faces an additional felony charge of escaping from law enforcement custody. Abril had been in Placer County Sheriffs Office custody until July 9, when he escaped from Sutter Roseville Medical Center.

Sheriffs officials said he was being guarded by a deputy but managed to defeat his restraints and slip out of the hospital shortly after 3 a.m. while the deputy was on a bathroom break. Abril was captured after a 33-hour manhunt.

On Tuesday morning, the Placer County District Attorneys Office asked the court to combine Abrils case in the park shooting with the separate case stemming from his reported escape.

Eric James Abril appears for his arraignment on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in Placer Superior Court. He is accused of shooting a California Highway Patrol officer and two hostages during a standoff April 6, 2023, at Mahany Park in Roseville. One of the hostages died, and the other hostage and a CHP officer were wounded by gunfire. Hector Amezcua/hamezcua@sacbee.com

Abrils attorney, assistant public defender Brandon Bob, firmly objected against the prosecutions request. He argued that the escape charge is not in the same class of crime as the charges in the shooting case.

The defense attorney told the judge that the prosecution only wants to combine the cases so they can use evidence in the escape case to establish a consciousness of guilt in the park shooting case. Bob argued thats a decision to be made in a trial phase, and its too early to combine the cases now.

The cases will not have any shared witnesses, Bob said, and it will not create an undue burden on the prosecution to have two preliminary hearings to determine whether the cases have enough evidence to move to trial.

Deputy District Attorney David Tellman said it is appropriate to combine Abrils cases now, and evidence in each chase will be admissible in the other. He said this can be done at any point before trial, and its done all the time in California.

This is not a controversial proposition, the prosecutor argued in court. It would prejudice (the prosecution) to have two preliminary hearings. It would waste the courts time every time we come to court on two separate cases.

The judges decision

Judge Sharon Lueras granted the prosecutions request, considering the fact that evidence in each case will be admissible in the other. She also said a consciousness of guilt theory presented by the prosecution will be left for a jury to decide.

Police officials have said Abril shot a CHP officer at the park before he took two hostages and shot them both during the standoff with law enforcement. James MacEgan of Roseville and his wife, Patricia MacEgan, were taken hostage at the park. James MacEgan, 72, died from his injuries. His wife and the CHP officer were wounded by gunfire.

Abril was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with officers, police said. He was hospitalized until the following evening, when he was booked at the Placer County Jail.

Abril is accused of murder in MacEgans death along with special allegations of using a 10 mm handgun to kidnap the victim while committing the crime. Prosecutors also have charged Abril with aggravated kidnapping causing bodily harm in holding MacEgans wife at gunpoint, along with special allegations of using the handgun in the crime.

The District Attorneys Office also charged Abril with attempted murder of a peace officer, CHP Officer Matthew Hiatt, with special allegations that Abril used the handgun and was wearing a body armor vest in the crime. He also faces a charge of being a convicted felon in possession of a gun.

New attempted murder charges

Lueras also granted the prosecutions request to file additional felony charges against Abril stemming from the Mahany Park shootout.

On Tuesday morning, Tellman filed two more counts of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, alleging that Abril also fired gunshots at two other officers during the April 6 standoff with police.

In a motion filed Aug. 18, Tellman wrote that reports prosecutors have received since the park shooting provide a legal basis to file the additional attempted murder charges against Abril.

Its unclear what new information was in those reports. Only Hiatt and the woman taken hostage were wounded. No other injuries in the park shooting have been reported.

Police respond to a scene of a shooting incident at Mahany Park in Roseville that left a hostage dead and another hostage and a California Highway Patrol officer injured Thursday, April 6, 2023. A suspect was taken into custody. Hector Amezcua/hamezcua@sacbee.com

Prosecutors allege Abril fired the handgun at peace officers Tyson Becker and Leo Smith. The additional attempted murder charges include the same special allegations for using the handgun and body armor vest.

Becker is a Sacramento County deputy probation officer and Smith is a CHP officer, according to compensation records provided by the county and state to Transparent California. Numerous law enforcement officials from agencies in the surrounding area were called to Mahany Park that afternoon to assist, but its unclear what roles Becker and Smith played in the park shootout.

The defense attorney on Tuesday entered not guilty pleas to the charges on behalf of his client and denied the special allegations against Abril.

The judge scheduled Abril, who remains in custody at the jail, to return to court Oct. 10 for a status hearing. His preliminary hearing remains scheduled to start Nov. 6.

There was no discussion in court Tuesday on whether combining the cases will delay that start date.
A Charlotte middle school is among the best in the United States along with seven others in North Carolina named National Blue Ribbon Schools.

Jay M Robinson Middle School earned the honor in Charlotte, the second time its earned the honor since 2016. Principal Rebecca Thompson told The Charlotte Observer the school reflects and honors a diverse group of students who uplift the entire community.

Our staff and families work together and push students to exceed their expectations of themselves during such a sensitive time in their development, said Thompson, who was named the schools principal Aug. 15 after serving as the assistant principal for six years. Our community celebrates this achievement but also looks forward to future success for many years to come.

The schools current enrollment is 1,347 for grades 6-8 in South Charlotte. It serves a diverse population of students, including 30% Asian, 11% Hispanic, 9% African American, 3% two or more races and 47% white, according to its application to the U.S. Department of Education.

Michael Miliote, who served as the principal at Jay M. Robinson from August 2014 until this summer, says everyone holds each other to high standard and nurture a peer culture of high accountability.

The staff has developed a mindset that rising tides rise all ships, said Miliote, now principal of a yet-to-be-named South Charlotte relief high school. They embody the idea that kids can! This mindset is truly what makes JMR one of a kind, their unwavering beliefs in each other and in what kids can do.

The Department of Education recognized 353 schools for 2023, it announced Tuesday. The recognition is based on a schools overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments, the release said.

Last year, five schools in North Carolina garnered the coveted honor.

What other schools in NC were recognized this year?

 W. R. Odell Elementary School, Concord, Cabarrus County Schools.

 Fairview Elementary School, Fairview, Buncombe County Schools.

 Highland School of Technology, Gastonia, Gaston County Schools.

 Greensboro Academy, Greensboro.

 Lucama Elementary School, Wilson County Schools.

 Beaufort County Early College High School, Washington, Beaufort County Schools.

 Heyward C Bellamy Elementary School, Wilmington, New Hanover County Schools.

The honorees have set a national example for what it means to raise the bar in education, said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, Cardona said.

What is the Blue Ribbon award?

Since its inception in 1982, the National Blue Ribbon Schools program has bestowed some 10,000 awards to more than 9,700 schools. As many as 420 schools may be nominated each year.

The department recognizes all schools in one of two performance categories, based on all student scores, subgroup student scores and graduation rates:

 Exemplary high-performing schools are among their states highest performing schools as measured by state assessments or nationally standardized tests.

 Exemplary achievement gap-closing Schools are among their states highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a schools student groups and all students.

 Nominated schools also complete an application describing their culture and philosophy, curriculum, assessments, instructional practices, professional development, leadership structures and parent and community involvement.
Cindy Crawford reflected on her exchange with Oprah Winfrey in the Apple TV+ docuseries "The Super Models." (Jordan Strass / Invision / Associated Press)

Cindy Crawford has come to see her first appearance on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" in a different light, nearly 40 years after it aired.

The iconic model who rose to fame in the 1990s reflected on the early stages of her career in the Apple TV+ docuseries "The Super Models," which premiered Wednesday. In 1986, Winfrey hosted Crawford  who was 20 years old at the time  and Elite Model Management founder John Casablancas to introduce the rising star to her audience.

"Did you always have this body?" Winfrey asked Crawford, before asking her to stand and show off her figure. "Now this is what I call a body."

Read more:Kaia Gerber, Cindy Crawford's daughter, says not all 'nepo babies' are created equal

Reflecting on the interview, which was featured in the docuseries, Crawford said she "was like the chattel or a child  be seen and not heard."

She added: "When you look at it through todays eyes... Oprahs like, 'Stand up and show me your body... Show us why youre worthy of being here.'"

Crawford, who is the mother of model and "Bottoms" actor Kaia Gerber, said she did not realize how she felt in the moment of the interview. Now decades after the exchange, the model said "that was so not OK really, especially from Oprah."

After the 1986 interview resurfaced Wednesday, Winfrey's team reportedly made a clip of the conversation private and unavailable for public viewing on YouTube.

Read more:Naomi Campbell makes the leap from model to designer at New York Fashion Week: 'A dream come true'

Representatives for Winfrey did not immediately respond to The Times' request for comment Wednesday.

Elsewhere in the pilot, Crawford, 57, recalls having her hair cut for a shoot with fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier. She said she was unaware that stylists would transform her wavy locks into a boy-ish cut.

"I was so traumatized," she said. "I really felt I was not seen as a person who had a voice in her own destiny."

In addition to Crawford, Apple's four-episode "The Super Models" also features Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington. The stars reflect on their careers and the fashion scene of the 90s  in all its glamour and controversies.

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 Brad Brooks

BRIGHTON, Colorado (Reuters) -Two Colorado police officers on trial for Elijah McClain's death ignored his cries for help as they restrained him, a prosecutor said on Wednesday in an opening statement at their trial, but defense lawyers said it was a fatal dose of a sedative administered by paramedics that killed the young Black man.

Lawyers for the two officers in the Denver suburb of Aurora also said one of them had seen McClain try to grab a fellow officer's gun during the struggle with police, justifying their efforts to restrain him.

Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt went on trial for reckless manslaughter and second-degree assault in Adams County Court for the 2019 death of McClain, 23, who died several days after the incident. Roedema was suspended pending the outcome of the case, while Rosenblatt was dismissed.

One other officer and two paramedics involved in the incident will have separate trials in the coming months. All the police and paramedics charged in the case are white.

On the night of the encounter, McClain was walking home from a convenience store on Aug. 24, 2019. He was unarmed and appeared to be breaking no laws, but wore a ski mask and a winter coat on a warm evening. That triggered a 17-year-old bystander to call 911 and report him as acting suspiciously.

Three police arrived and nine seconds after confronting McClain they laid hands on him, according to the body camera video showed by the prosecution.

McClain resisted and tensed up, leading to a struggle and the accusation that he tried to grab an officer's gun, which prosecutors strongly denied.

Such an attempt does not appear on body camera video of the encounter, but Roedema can be heard yelling at Rosenblatt that McClain had reached for the officer's gun. Rosenblatt later told a supervisor that he did not feel McClain grabbing for the firearm.

Police quickly wrestled McClain to the ground, applied a "carotid" chokehold twice and handcuffed him, while McClain complained he could not breathe, vomiting repeatedly and choking.

Reid Elkus, Roedema's attorney, told jurors the officers had sufficient motive for taking McClain down and using the carotid hold because of his client's perception that McClain tried to grab Rosenblatt's gun.

"Just because a tragedy occurred, doesn't mean criminality occurred," Elkus told jurors.

GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS

Initially no charges were brought in McClain's case, but it gained attention after the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked a summer of global protests over the mistreatment of African Americans and other minorities by U.S. law enforcement.

Using the same phrase repeated by Floyd, McClain told officers "I can't breathe" or made other pleas for help seven times, prosecutors said.

Harvey Steinberg, Rosenblatt's attorney, told the jury the only reason the trial was taking place at all was because of political pressure stemming from the Floyd protests.

Jonathan Bunge, a lawyer prosecuting the case for the state of Colorado, said McClain was "just walking home" with a plastic bag holding three cans of iced tea and listening to music with earbuds when confronted by police.

Bunge argued that police had operated without any reasonable suspicion and ignored their training by failing to de-escalate or properly check on McClain's well-being after applying the choke hold on him.

After police restrained McClain, paramedics injected him with an overdose of the powerful sedative ketamine, Bunge said. He then lapsed into cardiac arrest and died days later at a hospital.

A revised autopsy report in September 2022 concluded McClain died from "complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint."

Defense lawyers told jurors they would show it was the ketamine injection given by paramedics that resulted in McClain's death.

They said body camera footage shows McClain was speaking even after the officers had held him down for 15 minutes, indicating he was alive when the emergency medical responders arrived and, they argue, took control of the scene.

No Black people were among the 12 jurors and two alternates chosen during a selection process that began on Friday.

After McClain's death, the Colorado attorney general determined that Aurora's police department routinely violated the law by engaging in racially biased policing and excessive use of force.

The city of Aurora agreed in November 2021 to pay McClain's family $15 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, Calif.; Editing by Donna Bryson, Chris Reese, Daniel Wallis and Michael Perry)
By Isla Binnie and Greg Roumeliotis

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A senior official organising the upcoming COP28 United Nations climate summit in the United Arab Emirates endorsed the early work of the new World Bank chief on Wednesday, but said more needed to be done to finance the transition to a low-carbon global economy.

Majid Al Suwaidi, director general of COP28, which will be held in Dubai in December, said reforming development institutions like the World Bank was a priority.

"The reform conversation is one that I have been pleasantly surprised by," Al Suwaidi told Reuters during the annual U.N. general assembly in New York.

"With Ajay (Banga) leading the World Bank there has been a lot of progress there," he added, referring to the former Mastercard chief executive who took the helm at the U.S. government-backed bank less than four months ago.

Banga's plan to help channel money to help free up lending includes offering pauses in debt repayments, providing new types of insurance and helping to build advance emergency systems.

Al Suwaidi said it still took too long to get money out of vehicles like the U.N.-backed Green Climate Fund (GCF).

"The GCF takes seven years to deploy capital to developing countries, that can't be acceptable," he said.

"The World Bank and other international financial institutions are not supporting green investment at scale for various complicated reasons, whether it be around risk or risk appetite or credit ratings ... capital is not flowing."

Installing wind turbines, solar panels and other low-carbon technology to replace coal and gas plants and fossil-fired transport that currently underpin many of the world's economies will require investment of around $4 trillion a year by 2030, the International Energy Agency has estimated.

(Reporting by Isla Binnie; Editing by Richard Chang)
A couple who shared a flight with a snorting, farting dog have been offered thousands of dollars in compensation by the airline following their experience.

Earlier this month, Gill and Warren Press were on the first leg of their journey from Europe to New Zealand, flying the 13 hours from Paris to Singapore with Singapore Airlines.

Having paid extra for premium economy seats, they found themselves next to a passenger with an emotional support dog who made the journey less than peaceful. Mrs Press said at the time that she heard this noise  a heavy snorting and didnt want to sit next to the animal for the entire flight.

However, when she asked a member of cabin crew if they could move, Mrs Press was told the only seats available were at the back of economy class. They stayed where they were  but claimed the smell became unbearable about halfway into the journey as the dog was farting, while also taking up Mr Presss legroom.

The owner couldnt have the dog out in the aisle because they couldnt get the trolleys through, so it had to come in further, which meant his head was under my husbands feet, said Mrs Press. My husband was in shorts, and was getting the dogs saliva goo on his leg.

After their multiple complaints and requests for a refund, Singapore Airlines offered a travel voucher worth NZ$200 (96)  which Mrs Press argued was unacceptable as the couple didnt receive the experience we paid for.

The airline has now reached out to the couple and said that as a gesture of goodwill, they would reimburse them for the difference in cabins, which amounted to NZ$982.50  or around 472  each.

The pair will also be able to keep their previously gifted travel vouchers.

Mrs Press told Stuff that they were planning to donate the money to a New Zealand guide dogs charity.

It wasnt about the money in the end, she said. The fight was more about principles and normalising things that really arent normal and acceptable.

The Independent has contacted Singapore Airlines for comment.

The carrier previously said: Singapore Airlines endeavours to notify customers who may be seated next to an assistance dog prior to boarding the flight.

We sincerely apologise that this did not occur in this case, and will work with our airport teams to ensure that this lapse does not occur in future.
Free at Sea  that is the name of the all-inclusive drinks and WiFi package offered by Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL).

But passengers who paid hundreds of pounds for the deal are furious to find that they face additional charges when drinking in Spanish waters. On voyages beginning at ports in Spain, and while in Spanish territorial waters during other cruises, they must pay 10 per cent in VAT on every drink.

The tax also applies if they dine at one of the specialty restaurants on board an NCL ship. A meal in one of these a la carte restaurants is included in the package  but Free at Sea passengers now face a bill for tax on the cost of whatever they order.

People who had booked the package, which typically costs 20 per person per day, were told: 10 per cent VAT will be applied to all food and beverage purchases made onboard, including purchases made under our Unlimited Open Bar or Specialty Dining packages, for certain sailings departing from Spain or any European itinerary while in Spanish waters.

The authorities in Madrid take the view that as tourists on dry land pay tax on their food and drink, those aboard ships should do the same.

The policy was brought in during the spring of 2023. But passengers who bought packages after it was introduced were told only later that inclusive did not include Spanish tax.

Stephen Donoghue of Newcastle, who has just set sail from Bilbao on NCL with his wife, described it as the latest attempt to extract more money from me by effectively making me pay twice for the same thing.

Mr Donoghue told The Independent: At the time of our booking, the Free at Sea upgrade cost us 249 each. We like the fact we can both relax, and not have to worry about a large bill at the end of our cruise.

After paying for the upgrade, he was sent an email about the tax.

I would assume NCL could have just factored in the VAT into their Free At Sea package and increased the price pro rata, and the customer would be none the wiser, but that of course would raise the cost of the package and perhaps make it less attractive.

As for the here and now, I cannot see how I can or should pay VAT on something which, from my perspective, is free. Ten per cent of nothing equals nothing. Not my problem, NCL.

Ray Fromm, who is due to sail from Lisbon on 1 November to Spain, Morocco and Gibraltar, made a similar point: How can Spanish VAT be charged on pre-purchased bar and specialty dining packages when part of the already paid fare includes these items?

Another NCL passenger, Brendan Monaghan from Glasgow, is booked on a cruise from Southampton to France, Portugal and Spain in October aboard the NCL Prima. He told The Independent: I was not advised of the liability when I booked the cruise and I do not think that Spanish VAT is a new tax. So why are NCL introducing this now?

A spokesperson for NCL said: We were advised with the beginning of our Europe season earlier this year that guests will be charged additional VAT on certain sailings.

In its terms and conditions, the company tells passengers: Guests cheque [sic] may reflect applicable VAT and/or taxes for certain ports or itineraries.

Taxes which are not included in the confirmed holiday price must be paid by you. Additionally, unless otherwise specified at the time of booking, fares do not include  charges imposed by local authorities whilst in port or within territorial waters on goods and services provided on board ship.

For voyages that depart from Spanish ports and do not call at any nation outside the European Union, the tax is charged throughout the trip. On other cruises, VAT applies when the vessel is within 12 nautical miles (22km) of the Spanish coast.
Bijou Phillips reportedly filed for divorce as her husband, former That 70s Show actor Danny Masterson, was jailed for 30 years for raping two women between 2001 and 2003.

According to legal documents obtained by TMZ, the 43-year-old model and actor filed on Monday in a California court, citing irreconcilable differences as the cause and requesting that Masterson pay for her attorney fees.

Speaking to the outlet, her attorney Peter A. Lauzon said: Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time. Her priority remains with her daughter.

Her request included a plea to terminate the courts ability to grant support to her husband. Additionally, she asked for full legal and physical custody of their nine-year-old daughter, Fianna, with visitation rights for Masterson.

She did not mention a prenup upon asking the court to divide their assests as separate property.

Phillips had been at the side of her husband of 12 years for the duration of his trial and she was in court as powerful victim impact statements were read out.

When you raped me, you stole from me, said one woman who Masterson, 47, was convicted of raping in 2003. Thats what rape is, a theft of the spirit.

You are pathetic, disturbed and completely violent, she added. The world is better off with you in prison.

The other victim told Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo that the actor has not shown an ounce of remorse for the pain he caused.

I knew he belonged behind bars for the safety of all the women he came into contact with. I am so sorry, and Im so upset. I wish Id reported him sooner to the police, she told the court.

Following his sentencing  which means he will not be eligible for parole until he is 77 years old  he blew a kiss to Phillips, who was wearing dark glasses.

Phillips has been at the side of her husband throughout his trial (Invision)

Bijou Phillips, daughter of The Mamas & The Papas musician John Phillips and his third wife Genevieve Waite, was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, on 1 April 1980. Neither of her biological parents raised her. Instead, she was placed in upstate New Yorks foster care system around the age of three because Phillips and Waite were found unfit to take care of her. By age 14, shed officially dropped out of school and emancipated herself. Three years later, when she was 17, she entered rehab.

In a 2018 Instagram post, Phillips explained how her parents continued to fight for custody while she was placed under the care of multiple foster families.

They spent years and years fighting for custody, so I bounced around a lot, she wrote. When I was a kid separated from my parents, I remember my mother coming and wanting to take me and just wanting to go with her so much and screaming and crying and gripping the door, I was dragged inside, it took two adults and the door closed.

Phillips is the daughter of former Mamas and Papas musician John Phillips and his third wife Genevieve Waite (Getty Images)

I didnt see her again for months. Its a pain I still feel and I look at my baby and cant imagine that happening to us. My foster parents were so great... Im still really close with my foster family and love them so much.

Following her emancipation, Phillips moved into her own apartment near Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. Per The Guardian, this marked her party girl time in her life, when she reportedly became addicted to heroin, cocaine, and ecstasy. She had kickstarted her modelling career at age 13, landing a Calvin Klein underwear advertisement. With no parental guidance, her own expendable income, and invites to glamorous club events, Phillips said she found it difficult to refrain from the substances being passed around her.

In conversation with The Observer in 2002, Phillips said: I was 14 years old. What was I supposed to do? If you were 14 years old and able to live on your own in an apartment in New York City, and you got invited to all these clubs, and you got a bank account and you had a car service you could call so that you could go wherever you wanted... what would happen?

However, when her friend Davide Sorrenti overdosed on heroin at age 20, Phillips said her father encouraged her to go to rehab.

The Almost Famous actor has two half sisters: Mackenzie, 64, and Chynna, 55. All three daughters have sought treatment inside a rehabilitation centre over the years  Bijou and Mackenzie for drug abuse, and Chynna for anxiety.

In 2009, Mackenzie said she had been the victim of an incestuous relationship with her father since she was 19, beginning with her father allegedly raping her the night before her wedding. She later said she had been forced to have an abortion as she wasnt sure whether the baby would be her fathers child or her husbands at the time.

In 2004, Phillips met Masterson at a poker tournament in Las Vegas.

Five years later, the pair was engaged. They tied the knot in 2011 and welcomed their daughter on Valentines Day in 2014.

Both on-screen artists identify as Scientologists, as do the women Masterson was convicted of raping.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) saw his support in New Hampshire tumble as some of his GOP rivals numbers continue to rise and surpass him in the key early-voting state, according to a new poll.

A CNN/University of New Hampshire poll published Wednesday found DeSantis has around 10 percent of the Granite States likely GOP primary voters, a 13-point drop since the last UNH survey in July.

Meanwhile, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamys support ticked up to 13 percent, an 8-point increase since July, passing DeSantis. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie also rose past DeSantis with 12 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott had 6 percent of the vote, while former Vice President Mike Pence, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, former Rep. Will Hurd (Texas), former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and conservative radio host Larry Elder all had less than 2 percent.

Despite some of the candidates rise in numbers, former President Trump continues to maintain a strong lead, with 39 percent of the likely GOP primary vote.

DeSantis, who was once considered to be Trumps main competitor, has struggled to catch up to the former president in recent weeks. A CNN poll published earlier this month showed Trumps national lead over DeSantis widened to 34 points.

The numbers rolled in ahead of next weeks second GOP primary debate, where several candidates are set to take the stage at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California.

As of Wednesday, DeSantis, Ramaswamy, Pence, Haley, Scott and Christie have met the Republican National Committees qualifications for the second debate, which included signing a pledge to support the eventual GOP nominee.

Burgum and Hutchinson, who both qualified for the first debate and signed the pledge, have not yet qualified for next weeks debate.

As with the first debate, Trump has qualified for the second debate but plans to skip it to instead speak with autoworkers in Detroit.

The CNN/University of New Hampshire poll surveyed 2,107 Granite State Panel members  who were recruited randomly from phone numbers across New Hampshire  between Sept. 14-18. The poll has a margin of error of 2.1 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) said Tuesday that this week is not a good time for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit to Capitol Hill.

The first thing Ill tell you is theres no money in the House right now for Ukraine. Its not there, he told reporters in a video posted by The Recount on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Zelensky is expected to meet with congressional leadership and a limited number of lawmakers Thursday during a visit to Washington. The wartime leader delivered a speech to the United Nations in New York City on Tuesday warning the Russia would expand its fight if its not stopped in Ukraine.

Donalds is part of a Republican minority wing that has consistently opposed Ukraine funding. On Tuesday, he pointed to the U.S. deficit as reason for not wanting to send additional aid to Ukraine, and blamed President Biden for the war.

To be blunt, were running a $2 trillion deficit. Any money we give to Ukraine, were borrowing from our future. Thats the facts, he said.

This will be Zelenskys second time visiting Washington since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. During his first visit, in December 2022, he delivered a speech to a joint session of Congress, when Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate.

His visit this week comes amid growing skepticism among Republican lawmakers over additional aid to Ukraine, and as the House GOP struggles to agree on a stopgap measure to keep the government funded amid ongoing spending negotiations.

The White House asked Congress to attach supplemental funding for Ukraine, along with disaster relief and border security spending, to a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government. A GOP-backed proposal was put forward Sunday night but did not include additional funding for Ukraine.

Whats happened with Ukraine is frankly the fault of leadership of Joe Biden, Donalds said. Lets be very clear of that. So dont put that on the backs of the American people. Now, if we had a commander in chief who knew how to lead as opposed to take naps, then we will be in a much better situation when it comes to Ukraine and global security for that matter.

Biden delivered his own speech at the U.N. on Tuesday, offering a call to action for the U.S. and its allies to stick with Ukraine for the long haul.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence, Biden said. But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the U.N. Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that they are protected?

If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? he added. I respectfully suggest the answer is no. We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Russias air defence units have shot down two Ukrainian drones flying over Belgorod and Oryol oblasts as Kyiv increases the pace of its counteroffensive against Moscows invasion.

The drone attacks come as Ukraine overtook two key villages recently and has stepped up counter attacks on Russia. Drone and missile attacks deep inside Russia and on Russia-controlled territory have shot up drastically in recent months, with the Russian defence ministry blaming the Kyiv regime for what it calls terrorist attacks.

While Ukraine has seldom responded to accusations of attacks, it has expressed satisfaction at the destruction of Russian military infrastructure and critical military sites.

The drones were shot down at 10.30pm and 11.45pm local time on Tuesday night, the Russian defence ministry said in two separate posts on its Telegram channel on Wednesday. No immediate damage or casualties in the overnight attacks has been reported by the officials of both regions.

It said an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an aircraft-type UAV on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped.

Kyiv has maintained that destroying Russian military infrastructure far away from the wars frontlines targets Moscows war efforts while aiding Kyivs own efforts to reclaim land Russia has occupied.

Belgorod, roughly 40km away from the Ukrainian border, has witnessed a wave of attacks in the last two months, with the most seen this month.

In return, Russia has continued its campaign of air strikes and shelling across Ukraine.

The regional governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed attacks every day on the territory, stating either unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) dropping ammunition payloads in the region or being shot down by Russias active air defences heavily concentrated in the bordering city.

A day earlier, Russia claimed its air defences shot down two unspecified aerial targets over Belgorod. The governor said initial reports indicated some damage to power lines but no casualties.

Last month, three people were killed in a drone attack in Belgorod after another drone had targeted central Moscow.
With just 12 days until its planned rollout of time-based electricity rates in Missouri, utility giant Evergy has withdrawn most of its recent requests to state regulators to modify the program.

The company is now only requesting that the Peak Reward Saver plan, which it has touted as the closest to its current flat rate, be adopted as the default for customers when the program officially launches in just a few weeks.

Evergy filed with state regulators Monday night to withdraw its other requests, which included adding a flat rate option next spring and making it more difficult for customers to switch between plans.

The Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates investor-owned utility monopolies in the state, now has to decide how to handle the companys amended request. Other parties like commission staff, customer advocacy groups and nonprofits have until Monday, Sept. 25 to weigh in.

What does this mean for Evergy customers in Missouri?

As of Tuesday afternoon, nothing about Evergys upcoming time-of-use rate plan has officially changed. However, if state regulators give the company its way in the coming weeks, two main details of the rollout will change:

Evergy will start switching its Missouri customers onto mandatory time-of-use rates on Oct. 14, instead of Oct. 1. Customers who havent already chosen a plan will be assigned to the Peak Reward Saver Plan, which is closer to Evergys flat rate, instead of the Standard Peak Saver plan, which has larger premiums and discounts throughout the day.

Well learn more about what the Public Service Commission plans to do with the new modified request at their Thursday morning agenda meeting.

Why is Evergy changing its requests at the last minute?

Evergy claims its withdrawing most of its requests because of the strong reactions from groups like state regulatory staff, Renew Missouri and the Office of Public Counsel (OPC), a small group of lawyers tasked with representing utility customers before the commission.

Evergy did not anticipate the significant amount of response from other parties that the Commission has received, the company wrote in its Monday night filing.

Geoff Marke, the OPCs chief economist, put it more bluntly in a conversation with The Star Monday.

There was an immediate pushback from all parties, Marke said. This is just not how things are done, typically.

Usually, he said, rate change requests from large utilities like Evergy take upward of nine months for state regulators to process. But the companys Sept. 8 request for four major changes came just 22 days before the Oct. 1 rollout date. And Evergys filing Monday night suggested a new rollout date of Oct. 14  just 24 days away.

Regardless of how the ongoing case turns out, Evergy customers in Missouri can soon expect to see new time-based electricity rates.

The basics havent changed: all four of the new rate plans will charge a premium price for electricity from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays. And all four will offer customers a discount on electricity used between midnight and 6 a.m. every day.

Do you have more questions about Evergys upcoming time-of-use rate plans? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
Former Rep. Stephen Buyer (R-Ind.), 64, was sentenced in New York to nearly two years in prison on Tuesday for insider trading.

The nine-term former congressman was sentenced to 22 months in prison for trading inside information he learned as consultant ahead of two separate companies mergers.

After leaving office in 2011, Buyer worked as a corporate consultant. U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams convicted and sentenced Buyer.

He abused positions of trust for illicit personal gain, and today he faced justice for those acts, Williams wrote in a statement released Tuesday. No insider trader is above the law, and we will continue to bring those who undermine the fairness and integrity of our markets to justice.

In March, Buyer was convicted on four counts of misappropriating non-public information for his former consulting clients.

In July 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Buyer and nine others with insider trading. The SEC alleged that Buyer used the information he gained as a consultant for personal gain. Authorities said that Buyer obtained $568,000 in Sprint shares in 2018 after finding out that the merger between Sprint and T-Mobile was planned.

T-Mobile was a client of Buyers consulting firm, the Steve Buyer Group. According to evidence presented during trial, Buyer engaged in two separate, interrelated insider trading deals to place timely, profitable securities trades based on that stolen information.

In 2019, Buyer traded shares of Navigant Consulting group ahead of the organizations acquisition by Guidehouse. Evidence presented in court found that Buyer made more than $223,000 from his illegal Navigant trades.

When Buyer testified in March 2023, he provided false explanations for his trades. During sentencing, U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman found Buyers statements to constitute an obstruction of justice.

Buyer was ordered to pay more than $350,000 in forfeiture and restitution.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Rep Steve Buyer asks a question during a House Oversight and Investigations subcommittee hearing, 23 Feb 2010 (AP)

Steve Buyer, the former Republican representative for Indiana, was sentenced to 22 months in prison and ordered to forfeit more than $300,000 as well as pay a $10,000 fine for insider trading on Tuesday.

Buyers sentencing comes just six months after a federal jury found him guilty of four counts of securities fraud based on insider information of company mergers before they went public.

Prosecutors said Buyer, 64, learned of the telecommunication company, T-Mobiles, plan to acquire Sprint in March 2018. Before the merger went public, he bought $568,000 in shares of Sprint securities the following day.

Then in June 2019, Buyer learned that Guidehouse LLP would be acquiring Navigant and purchased more than $1m worth of Navigant shares before the acquisition was announced publicly.

In total, Buyer profited $353,000 which he was ordered to return in addition to his jail sentencing.

Defence attorneys for Buyer asked District Judge Richard Berman to consider home confinement and community service as punishment for their client, claiming he had suffered enough.

While Judge Berman rejected sentencing recommendations of 33 to 41 months, he said the seriousness of Mr Buyers crimes still warranted jail time, according to the Lafayette Journal and Courier.

Judge Berman opted to give Buyer 22 months, reducing the sentencing due to his public service in the US Army as well as Congress.

Buyer served as a representative of Indianas 4th congressional district from 1993 until 2011 when he chose to give up his seat.

While in Congress, he chaired the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

After leaving Congress, Buyer formed a consulting firm, the Steve Buyer Group, which provided services to T-Mobile and Guidehouse LLP among other clients.

Buyer maintained his innocence throughout his trial and during sentencing said he planned to appeal his conviction.

When insiders like Buyer  an attorney, a former prosecutor, and a retired Congressman  monetize their access to material, nonpublic information, as alleged in this case, they not only violate the federal securities laws, but also undermine public trust and confidence in the fairness of our markets, Gurbir Grewal, the director of the Securities and Exchange Commission Enforcement Divison said in an initial press release.

Buyer will report to prison on 28 November.
Fresno State was ranked in a tie for eighth among U.S. public and private universities in social mobility, an assessment of how well schools graduate economically disadvantaged students to a higher standard of living.

It made a big jump, up from No. 30 a year ago, and is one of five California State University campuses in a Top 10 compiled by U.S. World and News Report in its Best Colleges Rankings. Long Beach State is No. 1 in the social mobility rankings, with Cal State Fullerton tied for No. 2, Cal State San Bernardino tied for No. 4 and San Francisco State tied with Fresno State and Oakland City University in Indiana at No. 8.

Fresno Pacific also was rated high in its social mobility category, ranked No 4 among regional universities in the West. It was tied there with Cal Poly Pomoma, as well as No. 12 among best value schools and in a tie for No. 41 overall with La Sierra University in Riverside and Montana Tech.

The social mobility category is one Fresno Pacific often has excelled  it was No. 2 in 2022.

This high and significant ranking on social mobility is especially important for our students, their families and our region, as it means that Fresno State allows our students to find the best versions of themselves, and in doing so, they become the leaders we all need in our Valley and the world, Fresno State President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval said in a statement from the university.

Thats why graduation day is so meaningful to me  we are graduating the leader-professionals who will strengthen communities and elevate the quality of life for everyone in our Valley.

Fresno State earlier this month was No. 6 in a similar social mobility ranking by the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse. It also received 4.5 stars out of a 5-star rating in Money magazines list of best colleges for quality and affordability.

In the U.S. World and News Report social mobility rankings, UC Riverside was tied with Cal State Fullerton at No. 2 and UC Merced was tied with Cal State San Bernardino at No. 4.

The media company has published rankings of U.S. colleges and universities for 39 years, as well graduate schools, hospitals and mutual funds.

U.S. News and World Report refined its rankings formula this year, which allowed Fresno State to make a sizable jump in its ranking among national universities. U.S. News dropped five factors long-used in its formula for determining its rankings and modified others, while increasing an emphasis on graduation rates of students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. It also added a metric tied to first-generation college students.

Fresno State as a result is ranked in a tie for 185th among national universities by U.S. News and World Report, up 64 spots from a year ago. It also is ranked in a tie for 101st among public schools and 204th among best value schools.

The university was tied for No. 12 in electrical/electronic/communications, behind CSU campuses Cal Poly (No. 2), Cal Poly Pomona (No. 3), San Jose State (No. 8), Cal State Fullerton (tied for No. 9).

It also was tied for 49th among undergraduate engineering programs at schools where a doctorate degree is not offered and No. 129 among best colleges for veterans.

In determining its social mobility rankings, U.S. News and World Report aggregated two factors tied to the graduation rates of economically disadvantaged students who receive federal Pell Grants - six-year graduation rates and graduation rate performance, relative to students who did not have Pell Grants.

Students whose family income is less than $50,000 annually are eligible for federal Pell Grants.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) is set to release a tell-all book this fall chronicling her meteoric rise to fame, as one of the nations most prominent far-right lawmakers and most loyal supporters of former President Trump in Congress.

I wanted people to hear my side of the story, Greene told the Washington Examiner in an interview published Tuesday. Some of it is setting the record straight.

Greenes publisher confirmed the report in a statement to The Hill.

We are thrilled that Congresswoman Greene is publishing her first book with Winning Team Publishing, a spokesperson for the publishing company said in the statement. Few individuals have taken Congress by storm in the same way as she has. This book will pull back the curtain on her life, politics and the Washington swamp.

The book will be titled MTG and will be released on Nov. 21, the Washington Examiner reported. It reportedly has been in the works for about a year.

Im always controversial, but I think this book might be a little controversial with some of the stories, Greene said in the interview. She added she hopes to introduce myself to America as me, not the character that the mainstream media created and has sold to America over the past few years.

Greene told the DC-based news outlet that the book is about 300 pages long and will chronicle her upbringing, her first campaign for Congress in 2020 and her three years on Capitol Hill.

I tell about COVID. I talk about COVID and my personal experience going through that when my dad died. I talk about fights Ive had with people. I talk about the speakers race. I talk about the House Freedom Caucus. So Im pretty much running the gamut, and I even talked about Jewish space lasers, she told the Washington Examiner.

The Hill has reached out to Greenes office for further comment.

Updated at 5:18 p.m. Judy Kurtz contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Hunter Biden is expected to plead not guilty to three gun charges stemming from a firearm purchase in 2018, according to a letter from his attorney to the judge presiding over the case.

A federal court filing on 18 September requests that the presidents son attend his first court appearance virtually following last weeks grand jury indictment.

Mr Biden also will enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference, according to a letter from his attorney Abbe Lowell to US Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke attached to the motion.

In short, Mr Biden is satisfied that his constitutional rights will be met by conducting his initial appearance by video conference, the letter added.

The charges follow a five-year investigation under Delaware US Attorney and recently appointed US Department of Justice special counsel David Weiss.

Mr Biden was set to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges and enter a diversion agreement related to a felony gun charge in July, but a plea agreement came under scrutiny during a federal court hearing and ultimately fell apart. Prosecutors later announced they would intend to seek a grand jury indictment by the end of September.

The indictment alleges that the younger Biden was using crack cocaine when he bought a Colt Cobra .38 special revolver from a federally licensed gun dealer in Delaware in October 2018. He indicated on a federal form that he was not using illegal narcotics at the time, according to prosecutors.

He is charged with illegally owning a gun as a drug user and with allegedly lying on a form when he bought it. Mr Biden possessed the gun for 11 days.

His attorney argued that a virtual appearance for the hearing, which is common, would also prevent significant strain on government resources, including Secret Service escorts and additional security personnel.

Prosecutors have opposed the request, which Mr Lowell called puzzling.

Mr Biden is not seeking any special treatment in making this request. He has attended and will attend any proceedings in which his physical appearance is required, according to Mr Lowells letter.

Mr Lowell had previously indicated that he would present a Second Amendment defense, as a series of federal court rulings surrounding similar issues have deemed the charges unconstitutional in the wake of last years landmark US Supreme Court ruling under the conservative courts expansive Second Amendment lens.

We believe these charges are barred by the agreement the prosecutors made with Mr Biden, the recent rulings by several federal courts that this statute is unconstitutional, and the facts that he did not violate that law, and we plan to demonstrate all of that in court, Mr Lowell said in an earlier statement.

The case is separate from Republican-led impeachment threats targeting the president and investigations into the Biden family, which have not yielded evidence that the president was influenced by or profited from his sons dealings while in office. Those probes come as as the GOPs leading candidate for the partys 2024 nomination, Donald Trump, faces four sprawling criminal trials of his own, including charges for serious crimes allegedly committed while in office.
President Joe Bidens son, Hunter Biden, plans to plead not guilty to federal gun charges, he said in a court filing Tuesday.

He is also asking for his initial court appearance to be held remotely.

In a letter to Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke, attorney Abbe Lowell said Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to the three felony gun charges relating his possession of a revolver in 2018 whether the appearance is held over video or in person.

Mr. Biden is not seeking any special treatment in making this request. He has attended and will attend any proceedings in which his physical appearance is required, Lowell wrote Tuesday.

Mr. Biden also will enter a plea of not guilty, and there is no reason why he cannot utter those two words by video conference, the letter states. In short, Mr. Biden is satisfied that his constitutional rights will be met by conducting his initial appearance by video conference.

Hunter Biden was indicted last week on three charges relating to his purchase of a gun in 2018, including making a false statement on a federal form and possession of a firearm as a prohibited person.

Prosecutors say Hunter Biden was a drug user at the time of the purchase and was therefore not legally permitted to own the weapon and lied on a federal form by not disclosing his drug use.

Earlier this summer, the presidents son attempted to reach a deal with prosecutors over the alleged firearm offense as well as two tax misdemeanors but the diversion agreement quickly fell apart after a federal judge probed the limits of the agreement, which prosecutors and defense attorneys for Hunter disagreed on.

Hunter Biden was previously fingerprinted and had his mug shot taken when he was in court in July when his plea deal collapsed. Because it was in federal court, the photo was not made public.

His lawyer said the burden would be on government resources since Biden is protected by the Secret Service and would need to be transported across the country with enhanced security needed around the Wilmington, Delaware, courthouse.

Prosecutors oppose the request, the judge noted on Monday.

This story has been updated with additional developments.

CNNs Holmes Lybrand contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Marion Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel on Monday publicly accused Marion Police Chief Gideon Cody of committing crimes during a series of raids last month that included her private home and the Marion County Records newsroom.

And she said Mayor David Mayfield is violating his duty as mayor by failing to suspend Cody for what she called an illegal search and seizure at her house on Aug. 11.

The search warrants for her house, The Records newsroom and the home of its owner, publisher and editor were revoked by the county attorney five days later for insufficient evidence. The seized materials were returned, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation, which is ongoing.

Cody remains on the job as the chief of Marion police.

Herbel, citing a discrepancy between the search warrant and search warrant applications, said she believes Cody falsified documents to illegally obtain a search warrant at her house and failed to inform her of the crimes she was being investigated for.

Herbel said she has not filed a formal complaint against Cody or Mayfield with any law enforcement agency. But she plans to file a federal lawsuit this week, she said.

I turned this over to my attorneys, Herbel said. I havent talked to KBI yet. But when I do talk to KBI, I will certainly mention that. But I turned it over to my attorney, and they are making the decisions whos responsible and whos getting a lawsuit against them.

The allegations came during the Marion City Council meeting, where three of the citys five council members  Mayfield, Zach Collett and Kevin Burkholder  blocked Herbels move to discuss Codys employment during an executive session.

Its the latest development in a controversial law enforcement action that brought international attention to the small town about 60 miles north of Wichita. Codys raids have been condemned by free press advocates as government overreach and an attack on the First Amendment.

Marion Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel

Herbel, 80, said she and others in the Marion community live in constant fear of Cody and his officers after they executed search warrants to investigate a complaint by restaurant owner Kari Newell, who was upset that they had uncovered records of her drunken driving history as she was seeking a liquor license.

Im terrified of him, Herbel said of Cody in an interview with The Eagle. My kids told me to put up security cameras. Im wondering if I should go out and buy a pistol. I grew up with guns, so they dont really scare me. But that man scares me.

Herbel is pushing for Cody to be suspended. Mayfield could suspend Cody or a majority of the council could vote to put him on paid administrative leave. Herbel said a majority of the council has sided with Mayfield, who said he is waiting for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to complete its investigation to take any action.

Herbel said at Mondays meeting Cody falsified records to commit criminal fraud by lying on his search warrant application to obtain illegal search warrants, so there is no need to wait.

Herbel said the search warrant provided by Marion police on Aug. 11 does not match the application that was filed with the district court on Aug. 14. Both copies, provided to The Eagle by Herbel, are signed by Cody and Magistrate Judge Laura Viar. Both allege Cody had probable cause to believe Herbel committed identity theft.

But the search warrant documents differ when it comes to a second crime alleged by Cody. The warrant says he had probable cause to believe Herbel committed unlawful acts concerning computers. But the warrant application, filed with the District Court Aug. 14, did not include that allegation. It said Cody had probable cause to believe she committed official misconduct.

This is an excerpt from a copy of a search warrant provided to Marion Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel on Aug. 11. The search warrant alleged Marion Chief Gideon Cody had probable cause to believe Herbel had committed unlawful acts concerning computers. But a signed affidavit filed with the district court shows Cody did not include that crime in his application for the warrant.

This excerpt Marion Police Chief Gideon Codys application for a search warrant at Marion Vice Mayor Ruth Herbels home shows he sought a warrant under suspicion that Herbel had committed official misconduct, not unlawful acts concerning computers, which was listed on the search warrant document she was provided on the day of the search.

The difference means Herbel was not made aware of what crimes she was under investigation for when authorities entered her home and removed items of interest, including her personal computers and cellphone.

Herbel said the change constitutes criminal fraud by Cody in order to get the search warrant and shows that his investigation was on shaky ground to begin with.

He (Cody) falsified the documents by changing the warrant after it had been served to me by changing the words identity theft and unlawful acts concerning computers to identity theft and official misconduct before filing the warrant in district court, Herbal said. This is criminal fraud committed by a person acting under the color of law. This, within itself, should be enough to suspend Cody until the KBI completes its investigation.

The timing of the change is unclear. The search warrant was signed and dated at 9:05 a.m. on Aug. 11. The signature line on the warrant application is dated Aug. 11, with no time stamp, and was not filed in district court until 8:23 a.m. on Aug. 14.

Cody did not attend the council meeting and did not respond to emailed questions.

Herbel said Mayfield is in violation of a state law  K.S.A. 14-307  that requires mayors to cause all subordinate officers to be dealt with promptly for any neglect or violation of duty.

Mayfield did not respond to Herbels comments during the city council meeting and did not respond to a request for comment for this story. He previously defended Codys actions.

As far as Im concerned, Cody has violated his duty all over the place, Herbel said. And I would complain to the attorney general, if I thought the attorney general would listen. But I really doubt that he will. So were kind of out here in the sticks by ourselves.

If filed, Herbels lawsuit will be the second federal suit against Cody in the Marion incident. Record reporter Deb Gruver, who had been digging into Codys questionable exit from the Kansas City Police Department, sued Cody last month for violating her rights by seizing her personal cell phone  an item that was not included in the search warrant affidavit  and re-injuring her finger.

Herbel said there was no need to search her home because she turned over all the information she had  which had been given to her by community member Pam Maag  to City Administrator Brogan Jones before the raids.

Maag told The Eagle that she legally obtained Newells records through the states court records system and a publicly available online database maintained by the Kansas Department of Revenue. She said she sent copies to Herbel and The Record.

It was not CJIS, the Kansas criminal justice database system, Maag said. You have to have a token to get into that. Those tokens are set to each individual. Theyre trackable. You have to get a new one every two years. So, no, it never went through CJIS. It never went through law enforcement. It was all done based off the Kansas Department of Revenue and the Odyssey court system.

Maag also addressed the Marion City Council on Monday.

If you would have called me, . . . all of this wouldnt have happened, Maag said. I would have told you who I sent it to, and I would have told you why.

But Cody didnt interview Maag, though he did mention her in his applications for search warrants.

Instead, Cody opened an investigation into Herbel and The Record for computer crimes and identity theft, alleging that they must have stolen Newells identity to access her drivers license records on the Kansas Department of Revenues public database. He sent his entire police department and multiple Marion County sheriffs deputies to Herbels house, the newsroom of the Marion County Record and the home of its owners, Eric Meyer and his mother, 98-year-old Joan Meyer, who died of sudden cardiac arrest the day after the raids.

Marion County Attorney Joel Ensey later revoked the search warrants and called for the seized items to be returned, saying in a written statement that insufficient evidence exists to establish a legally sufficient nexus between this alleged crime and the places searched and the items seized.

Herbel said Codys raid, which included at least five law enforcement officers, terrified and mortified her husband, who suffers from dementia.

A majority of the council is hoping itll all blow over, and well pretend it didnt happen, Herbel said. But you cant pretend something like this didnt happen. They terrified that 98-year-old woman so much that she died the next day. And that was the worst thing about this whole thing and the fact that theyve terrified my husband and traumatized him, and hes still not back to normal.

Meyer, The Records owner, publisher and editor, expressed frustration after Mondays council meeting that the warrant at Herbels house has gotten less attention than the newspaper raid.

I feel really sorry for Vice Mayor Ruth Herbel, Meyer said. Theres not a national association of vice mayors to come defend her the way there is with journalism groups defending us. The warrant against her  theres not even cause. Shes not accused of committing a crime. Theres no probable cause. Everything they could have found, shed already given them. So why raid her house?
What appears to be a draft of a motion to vacate the House Speaker written by Florida Rep Matt Gaetz was found in a mens restroom below the House floor, according to a report.

A Raw Story reporter discovered the discarded draft on a baby changing table in the mens restroom. The draft has Mr Gaetz written all over it.

The top of the page reads: Declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant. The draft was dated 15 September 2023.

This finding isnt too surprising as the Florida Republican has repeatedly threatened to remove House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his post. Mr Gaetz recently told reporters: If we have to begin every single day in Congress with the prayer, the pledge and the motion to vacate.

Last week, Mr Gaetz made a number of demands on the House floor for Mr McCarthy to comply with  otherwise, he faces being ousted. One such demand was to avoid passing temporary spending measures to prevent a government shutdown.

The government will shut down if a bill to prevent it isnt passed by the end of September. Mr McCarthy previously expressed that he intends to avoid a shutdown, telling reporters last week: Nobody wins in a government shutdown. Nobody wins. Ive been here.

Its put up or shut up time not just for McCarthy but for the 20 because if we arent serious about bringing him into compliance with the deal, then we were never really serious about the deal in the first place, Mr Gaetz added.

He seemed to be alluding to the 20 House Republicans who voted against Mr McCarthys speakership in January, causing inter-party turbulence. It took 15 voting rounds before Mr McCarthy was finally elected House speaker.

The House speaker seems to be cornered. Those within his own party and across the aisle are blasting him.

Rep Jamaal Bowman, a Democratic New York Congressman, also weighed in on Mr McCarthy. He posted a video of Mr Gaetzs speech saying this reaction is what Mr McCarthy created.

You are the worst kind of coward and now you reap what you sow. You have cow-towed and bent to the demands of the most EXTREMIST zealots in your party at the cost of our institutions and Democracy, Mr Bowman wrote.

He continued, You might be Speaker today, but if you dont stand up to this harmful element of your own party, you will allow them to destroy you and us in the process. Mr. Speaker, grow a back bone. Because until then, you do not SPEAK for anyone.

Florida Democratic Rep Maxwell Frost posted on X: The weakest Speaker in the history of our country: Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

In response to Mr McCarthy launching an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, Democratic Rep Gerry Connolly wrote, Kevin McCarthy is feeding the right-wing outrage machine so he can placate his craziest Members who are threatening to oust him from his post. Its a sham, its pathetic, and the American people know it.
By Laura Gottesdiener

MONTERREY, Mexico/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican railroad operator Ferromex has temporarily suspended operations of 60 trains on northbound routes, the company said on Tuesday, after nearly half a dozen deaths or injuries of migrants using the cargo trains to travel.

Ferromex, owned by conglomerate Grupo Mexico, said in a statement the presence of migrants in its railcars and rail yards had grown "significantly" in recent days, growing to more than 4,000 in several cities throughout the country.

"Due to this, Ferromex will temporarily suspend its operations on the affected routes to protect the physical integrity of the migrants and will be monitoring whatever measures authorities implement," the rail operator said.

Despite the risks, migrants frequently hitch rides atop cargo trains to travel hundreds of miles across Mexico towards the U.S. border.

The suspension of some Ferromex trains comes as large groups of migrants are arriving in various Mexican border cities, including Ciudad Juarez, Piedras Negras and Tijuana.

A Venezuelan migrant named Heyder, who asked to be identified only by his first name as he planned to cross illegally, said he decided to hop aboard a cargo train en route to Ciudad Juarez after waiting more than three months in northern Mexico hoping to land an appointment on a U.S. government smartphone app to present himself at a port of entry.

"We are risking everything aboard the train, our lives, everything," he told Reuters by telephone as he rode a train across the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua on Tuesday. "Because in our countries there is no hope."

(Reporting by Laura Gottesdiener in Monterrey, Mexico and Kylie Madry in Mexico City; Editing by Valentine Hilaire, Timothy Gardner and Lincoln Feast.)
By Camillus Eboh

ABUJA (Reuters) -Nigeria's two main opposition leaders on Tuesday filed separate appeals at the Supreme Court challenging a tribunal ruling that earlier this month upheld President Bola Tinubu's victory in a disputed February election.

No legal challenge to the outcome of a presidential election has succeeded in Nigeria, which returned to democracy in 1999 after three decades of almost uninterrupted military rule and has a history of electoral fraud.

Atiku, from the People's Democratic Party who came second in the election, said in a court filing that the tribunal erred in law "when it failed to nullify the presidential election ... on the ground of non compliance" with the electoral law.

Labour Party's Peter Obi, who polled third in the presidential race, also filed his appeal, a spokesperson for his campaign told Reuters.

The two had up to Wednesday to challenge the Sept. 6 tribunal ruling. The Supreme Court, the highest in Nigeria, has 60 days to rule on the appeals.

A five-member tribunal had rejected the challenge by Atiku, and Obi, who asked the tribunal to cancel the election, alleging irregularities.

Tinubu, who is attending the United Nations meeting in New York, has defended his victory, saying he won fairly.

(Reporting by Camillus Eboh, writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe, Editing by William Maclean, Alexandra Hudson)
A Wake Forest man who claimed to be acting as a journalist and entered the U.S. Capitol along with rioters on Jan. 6, 2021, was found guilty of four misdemeanors by a jury in federal court.

Stephen Horn, who was 23 at the time, says he hid among protesters to accurately record those who stormed the Capitol. A jury on Monday decided he did not have the same rights as credentialed journalists and was instead a rioter, according to reporting by the Washington Post.

Horn is one of at least 34 North Carolinians who have been charged in connection with the attack on the Capitol. This protest turned riot led to five deaths and about 140 officer injuries, The Charlotte Observer previously reported

A 12-person jury found Horn guilty of: Entering or remaining in a restricted building; disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a capitol building; and parading, demonstrating, or picketing in the Capitol building, according to court documents.

The Observer contacted Horn for comment but did not receive a response.

After the riots, Horn posted on Facebook: I was in DC today when the Capitol was stormed.

I did not enter the Capitol building as part of the protest or for cheap thrills, but to accurately document and record a significant event which was taking place, Horn wrote two years ago.

After the verdict Tuesday, Horn re-shared his Jan. 7 Facebook post and said I told the same truth to the jury that I posted along with my video.

The FBI used this post along with a news photo and Horns video footage when prosecutors brought charges against him in federal court in March of that year, according to a statement signed by an FBI agent in Horns court files.

During the riot, Horn climbed onto a statue, joined protesters in a chant of USA  and entered then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office, according to court records.

Horn is one of around 1,070 people who have been arrested in connection with the riot, the Observer previously reported.

Capitol riot

Just five days after the insurrection, someone who knew Horn notified the FBI that a photo in New York Times Magazine depicted him inside the U.S. Capitol during the riots, according to court filings accessed via CourtListener, a non-profit database operated by the Free Law Project.

This person, who is not identified in court documents, told the FBI that they believed Horn was in the Capitol as a journalist but said they were not aware of him possessing any media credentials.

The photo shows Horn standing on a statue of Abraham Lincoln and using his cellphone to record those around him.

Horn sat for voluntary interviews with the FBI before authorities eventually charged him for trespassing at the Capitol.

After Jan. 6, Horn published nearly two hours of footage documenting the event from his perspective. Both prosecutors and his defense used this footage in court during his two-day trial.

Horn later used the footage to create a documentary titled 79 Minutes: the Breach of the Capitol. The documentary analyzes the period of time and series of events between the initial violence at the edge of Capitol Grounds and the breach of the Capitol Building nearly an hour later, Horn said in a post to X.

Horns lawyer argued that on the day of the attack, Horn was acting as an independent journalist and he notes that Horn did not destroy property or behave as other rioters did, according to the Posts coverage of the trial. Prosecutors argued that Horn did not behave like a journalist and knowingly trespassed alongside a violent mob.

His journalism started when he needed an excuse for his criminal liability, Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashely Akers said, according to the Washington Post.

Horns sentencing hearing is set for January and federal law stipulates he could face up to a year in prison on his charge of entering and remaining in a restricted building.

The investigation into the Jan. 6 insurrection remains ongoing, and anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
A North Myrtle Beach business owner has been named as the alleged shooter in the fatal incident that killed a North Carolina man in the Longs area Sep. 9.

15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson confirmed Tuesday that Weldon Boyd, who operates Buoys on the Boulevard along South Ocean Boulevard, was one of two people allegedly involved in the shooting. Boyd has not been charged with any crime.

Richardson named Boyd in a letter that he sent to the state Attorney Generals Office Sept. 15 asking for a review of the case after Horry County Police are finished with their investigation.

Horry County law enforcement had declined to release the name of the second person involved in the shooting more than a week after it occurred. Police have asked South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to join the investigation, Richardson said.

Richardson said because Boyd posted on Facebook a statement thanking police and the Solicitors Office for their hard work, he asked for the review so that there wouldnt be any issues of impropriety.

Before and after that post, I have received several calls from community leaders with questions about the case, the letter said. Rumors have slipped in to fill the gaps as the investigation has carried on the past few days.

Boyd issued a statement Sept. 12 on his personal and business Facebook pages offering his condolences and apology to the family and friends of the person who lost his life and to the other motorists who were also victimized.

Boyd declined to comment Sept. 13 when contacted by The Sun News about whether the statement was in regards to the shooting.

We have no comment at this time, Boyd said. He did not return a message Sept. 19.

Boyd directed calls to his attorney. A message left with his attorney was not immediately returned.

Scott Spivey of Tabor City, North Carolina, was shot and killed Saturday near S.C. 9 in Longs, according to the Horry County Coroners Office.

What happened in the shooting?

Horry County Police say Scott Spivey, 33, of Tabor City, North Carolina, was killed in an exchange of gunfire while on Camp Road near S.C. 9.

Spivey was shot about 5:50 p.m., according to an email from the Horry County Coroners Office Sunday. Spivey died on the scene.

A police report showed that two other people were involved in the shooting that killed Spivey.

It is not clear who fired their weapons and when.

The events that unfolded were truly tragic and have left a lasting impact on me, my good friend from college, and all the many other motorists that were involved and affected, Boyds statement said. We were certainly at the wrong place at the wrong time. I dont know if we will ever understand or come to terms with why these random and traumatic events occurred.

Based on the police report, it appears that Spiveys vehicle was in front of another vehicle when the shooting occurred at the intersection of Camp Swamp Road and S.C. 9 in the Longs area.

A driver of a white Dodge TRX truck told police that the guy in the black truck jumped out and started shooting at us and I shot back. I think hes dead. The driver said he still had his pistol on him. The officer retrieved it out of his holster, the report said. The passenger of the white truck stated his firearm was on the passenger seat, and the officer also retrieved it.

The drivers side front door in the Black Chevy pickup was open and the driver was hunched over the center console of the truck, with his right arm hanging over the console into the rear passenger area, the report said. He had no movement. A black handgun with the slide locked back was just under his hand, the report said.

The police report did not say what led to the shooting.

The coroner said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident but remains under investigation by the Horry County Police Department.
CAIRO (AP)  More than 1,200 children under age 5 have died in nine camps in war-scarred Sudan in the past five months, because of a deadly combination of measles and malnutrition, the U.N.s refugee agency said Tuesday.

The UNHCR said the deaths, between May 15 and Sept. 14, were documented by its teams in the White Nile province, where thousands of Sudanese have sheltered as fighting has raged for six months between rival generals, in the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere. There were thousands of suspected cases of cholera in other parts of the country, UNHCR public health chief Allen Maina said.

Dozens of children are dying every day  a result of this devastating conflict and a lack of global attention, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi said.

Sudan plunged into chaos in mid-April, when simmering tensions between the military, led by Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, and the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, commanded by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, exploded into open warfare.

The conflict has turned the capital and other urban areas into battlefields. At least 5,000 people have been killed and more than 12,000 others wounded, according to Volker Perthes, the U.N. envoy in the country, who announced his resignation last week. The actual casualty toll, he said, is likely much higher.

More than 2.5 million people fled their homes, including more than 1 million who crossed into Sudans neighboring countries, according to the U.N.s migration agency.

The fighting wrecked the countrys health care system, with many hospitals and medical facilities out of service. The World Health Organization said that it documented 56 attacks on health care facilities that left 11 deaths and 38 injuries since the war broke out in mid-April.

Local health care workers desperately need the support of the international community to prevent further deaths and the spread of outbreaks, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA, warned Monday that the conflict, coupled with hunger, disease, displacement and destruction of livelihoods, threatens to consume the entire country.

OCHA said about half of the countrys population  around 25 million people  needs humanitarian assistance by the end of this year. They include about 6.3 million who are one step away from famine, the agency said.

The U.N. refugee agency said that many displaced Sudanese are suffering from measles and malnutrition. Many refugees arriving in South Sudan and Ethiopia also have contracted measles and are malnourished. Acute malnutrition among children was reported in Chad, which hosts the largest number of Sudanese refugees since the conflict began.

The U.N. children's agency has also warned that many thousands of newborns may die in Sudan by the end of the year because of a lack of access to treatment.

Those newborns and their mothers needed adequate care at a time when such care was becoming less likely by the day, said UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, who just returned from Sudan.
(Reuters) - Paraguay supports Taiwan joining the United Nations system, the South American country's president, Santiago Pena, said on Tuesday, speaking at the U.N. General Assembly (UNGA).

Due to a 1971 U.N. resolution, Taiwan has been excluded from the international body, which recognizes the People's Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China to the U.N.

"The government of Paraguay expresses its support for the Republic of China - Taiwan to be an integral part of the United Nations system," Pena said.

Paraguay is the last South American country with formal relations with Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory.

When asked about Taiwan last week, U.N. Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said exclusion of anyone can harm global goals.

"Every person matters, whether it's Taiwan or otherwise. And I think it's really important for member states to find a solution," she said.

However, Taiwan has conceded it would be "very hard" to achieve membership.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by Sarah Morland)
At least six earthquakes were recorded in western Stanislaus County Monday afternoon through early Tuesday morning, and some Modesto-area residents said they felt at least one of them.

Several faults run through Stanislaus County, including the Great Valley thrust fault system. The series of lines runs along the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, said Belle Philibosian, a research geologist with the United States Geological Survey.

This particular earthquake, its hard to say exactly which fault line its on, Philibosian said. It may not be associated with any of the major known, mapped fault lines.

Here are the earthquakes that happened in Stanislaus County in September 2023, which parts of the county are most at risk and what officials say to do if you feel one:

Where are the faults in Stanislaus County?

The San Joaquin and Ortigalita fault lines are part of the Great Valley thrust fault system, Philibosian said.

The earthquakes this week were located slightly north of the Ortigalita fault, in an area without any mapped fault lines at the surface, she said.

These earthquakes, of course, occurred some miles deep in the earth, Philibosian said. I would hesitate to associate these earthquakes with any one of those particular mapped faults, but theyre happening on that broader fault zone.

In the southern area of the Diablo Range, an area west of I-5, is the Ortigalita fault. Most construction in this area is prohibited without a geographic study, according to the county.

A map of the faults that run through Stanislaus County.

No active faults are currently known to exist within the valley portion of the county, a 2017 version of the countys hazard mitigation plan says.

Most development in the unincorporated county is not near the areas of greatest shaking potential, according to the county, with exception of the Diablo Grande community.

All of the recent earthquakes were in the area of Diablo Grande and Westley.

This seems to be part of a longer sequence that started on Aug. 25, Philibosian said. Most of the earthquakes have been quite small and probably not felt. The activity really ramped up after that magnitude 4 last night.

Here are the locations and sizes of the earthquakes, according to previous Bee reporting:

5:15 p.m. (4.0)- 14 km south-southwest of Westley, at a depth of 0.1 km

8:44 p.m. (3.6)- 15 km southwest of Westley, depth imprecise

9:13 p.m. (4.5)- 15 km southwest of Westley, at a depth of 3.5 km

9:40 p.m. (3.2)- 16 km west-southwest of Patterson at a depth of 1.4 km

10:25 p.m. (3.2)- 17 km west-southwest of Patterson at a depth of 1.9 km

3:21 a.m. (3.1)- 16 km west-southwest of Patterson at a depth of 0.3 km

How common are earthquakes in Stanislaus County and where is the risk?

The area is no stranger to small earthquakes, Philibosian said. Since the 1970s when there were instruments to record them in Stanislaus County, there have been dozens of similarly sized earthquakes.

Mondays magnitude 4.5 temblor was the largest earthquake ever recorded by instruments in the county, Philibosian said.

The western region of Stanislaus County  like Diablo Grande and Westley that experienced Monday and Tuesdays quakes  has more earthquakes than the eastern part.

What triggers an earthquake and how are they measured? A California physicist answers

The active faults that may cause ground shaking in the county include the San Andreas, Calaveras and Hayward faults, according to the county.

Damage from earthquakes hasnt occurred for over 200 years, according to the county, except for two occurrences in the extreme western region that borders Santa Clara County. Stanislaus County has declared no disasters caused by earthquake since 1950, the hazard plan states.

While the effects of an earthquake on Stanislaus Countys fault lines lessen in the more incorporated parts of the county  like Modesto  the dangers from a large earthquake in the region are present.

Map of Stanislaus County earthquake shaking zones.

Stanislaus County is not expected to be an epicenter for a major earthquake, the county states, but damage could result from shaking and aftershocks in other areas. All of California is at high risk for earthquakes.

There is an 80.62% chance of a major earthquake within 31 miles of Stanislaus County within the next 50 years, according to the 2017 hazard plan, and the probability of one impacting the region is likely.

What to do during an earthquake

Even areas that seem relatively quiet  like Stanislaus County  are not without risk of an earthquake, Philibosian said.

The way to avoid panic is to think about the possibility of these events happening in advance and then you can take steps to be prepared so that you dont suffer injury or damage, she said.

StanEmergency offers several tips for what to do during an earthquake, including:

Stay inside

Minimize movement

Take cover and hold on to whats near you

Stay away from glass, windows or anything that can fall

If youre in bed, stay there and cover your head with a pillow

Cover your face and head and crouch in an inside corner

If you are outside, stay there and move away from buildings, street lights and utility wires

If youre in a vehicle, stop and stay put

Do not use elevators

The Bees Deke Farrow contributed to this story.

What do you want to know about life in Modesto? Ask our service journalism team your top-of-mind questions in the module below or email servicejournalists@modbee.com.
By Alan Charlish

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland summoned Kyiv's envoy to the foreign ministry on Wednesday, after comments by Ukraine's president on a ban on grain imports angered the government in Warsaw, which is toughening its stance ahead of October elections.

Ukraine's foreign ministry called for calm in the dispute pitting Kyiv against three of its neighbours over their decision to impose unilateral ban on Ukrainian farm imports.

Poland has been one of Kyiv's staunchest allies since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, but the countries are now embroiled in a conflict over imports. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia have extended a ban on Ukrainian grain imports.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the United Nations General Assembly Kyiv was working to preserve land routes for grain exports, but added that the "political theatre" around grain imports was only helping Moscow.

Poland's foreign ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski had "conveyed the Polish side's strong protest against the statements made by President V. Zelenskiy at the U.N. General Assembly yesterday, alleging that some EU countries feigned solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia".

It said Jablonski also told Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych that "putting pressure on Poland in multilateral forums or sending complaints to international tribunals are not appropriate methods of resolving disputes between our countries".

Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced curbs on grain imports from Ukraine on Friday after the European Commission decided not to extend a ban on sales into five EU states, including Romania and Bulgaria.

The ban was introduced to protect farmers from a surge of grain and food imports from Ukraine, after Russia's invasion largely blocked Ukraine's routes via Black Sea ports.

CALL TO SET ASIDE EMOTIONS

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko, writing on Facebook, said: "We urge our Polish friends to put aside their emotions. The Ukrainian side has offered Poland a constructive path to resolve the grain issue."

Nikolenko said Ukraine's ambassador explained Kyiv's position on the "unacceptability" of the Polish ban and suggested Kyiv's proposals "will become the basis for moving the dialogue into a constructive course".

Ukraine's ambassador, Nikolenko said, also underlined the "incorrectness" of remarks by Polish President Andrzej Duda in New York that Ukraine should remember that it receives help from Poland. Duda had likened Kyiv to a "drowning person".

Romanian Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu, meanwhile, said Bucharest would work with Ukraine over the next 30 days on a grain export control plan to help protect Romanian farmers.

A World Trade Organization spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that Ukraine had taken the first step in a trade dispute by filing a complaint to the global trade body.

He did not name the countries although Kyiv has previously said the complaint targeted Poland, Slovakia and Hungary.

Also on Tuesday, Ukraine said it would impose retaliatory import curbs on certain goods from Poland and Hungary if they did not lift their unilateral bans, drawing a response from Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

"I warn the Ukrainian authorities, because if they escalate this conflict in this way, we will add more products to the ban on import into the territory of the Republic of Poland," Morawiecki told Polsat News.

In a live broadcast on Facebook, Morawiecki said that Warsaw was ready to help Kyiv but "not at the price of destabilising the Polish market".

(Reporting by Alan Charlish and Pawel Florkiewicz; editing by Christina Fincher, Tomasz Janowski, Mark Heinrich and Ron Popeski)
After the Charlie Hebdo Massacre, Support those Fighting the Religious-Right

After the massacre in Charlie Hebdo in Paris on January 7, 2015, expressing indignation, as so many are doing, is not enough.

A quick look at the English-speaking media shows that whilst many condemn the violence itself, they also assert that Charlie Hebdo courted (and maybe deserved?) a strong response from aMuslimsa . Charlieas regular cartoonists did not spare Islam, any other religion, nor fanatics and bigots.

This trend in the media requires our attention. Apparently secularists, agnostics and atheists must keep silent and do not deserve the kind of respect that believers are entitled to; nor can they enjoy free speech to the same degree.

In the name of arespecta of religions and of the religious sentiments of believers, it is indeed the fanatical religious-Right that is being supported and given centre stage. Meanwhile, those who are on the forefront of countering armed fundamentalists are left to their own devices. It is high time to give these secularists prominence, to recognise their courage and their political clarity and to stop labelling them aIslamophobica .

In October 2014, secularists a including atheists, agnostics and believers from many countries, in particular many Muslim-majority countries, met in London to denounce the religious-Right and to demand being seen as its alternative. It is high time to learn from their analysis and lived experiences.

The tragic massacre in Paris will undoubtedly give fuel to the traditional xenophobic far-Right and the immediate danger is an increase in racism, marginalization and exclusion of people of Muslim descent in Europe and further. We do not want to witness aanti-Muslim witch huntsa nor do we welcome the promotion of amoderatea Islamists by governments as official political partners. What is needed is a straightforward analysis of the political nature of armed Islamists: they are an extreme-Right political force, working under the guise of religion and they aim at political power. They should be combated by political means and mass mobilisation, not by giving extra privileges to any religion.

Their persistent demand for the extension of blasphemy laws around the world is a real danger for all. France has a long a and now growingly endangered a tradition of secularism; which allows dissent from religions and the right to express this dissent. It has had a rich tradition to mock and caricature powers that be a religious or otherwise. Let us keep this hard won right which cost so many lives in history, and, alas, still does a as Charlie Hebdoas twelve dead and numerous wounded demonstrate.

Signed:
Doorbell camera of Columbus police | Screenshot via TikTok

Columbus, Ohio, authorities are investigating two police officers who casually discussed charging an 11-year-old girl with manufacturing child porn. The girl in question had allegedly sent inappropriate photos of herself to a much older man, prompting her father to call the police.

"Sexual Assault Unit detectives were immediately notified of the incident and have since initiated an investigation," said the Columbus Department of the Inspector General in a statement, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

The interaction between the police officers and the girl's father was captured by a doorbell camera and posted to TikTok. The account that posted the video on TikTok did not respond to a request for comment.

In the video, the police arrive at the girl's house at about midnight, according to the father, who complains that he called them many hours earlier. The father steps outside the door and explains the situation: His 11-year-old daughter sent pictures of herself to an adult man. He suggests that he wanted the police to convey the seriousness of the situation to her, though she has already gone to bed.

"I just want her to realize what this was," says the father. "I mean, reality is not much I probably can do about it, is there?"

One of the police officers responds: "I mean, she can probably get charged with child porn."

The father is taken aback, and clarifies that he believes his daughter is the victim, not the perpetrator.

"Doesn't matter," says the officer. "She's still making porn."

At that point, the fatherquite wiselytells the officers to have a good night and shuts the door in their faces.

The viral video created understandable outrage on social media, which has prompted the authorities to investigate their own response. Most people do not think an 11-year-old girl who has produced pornographic images of herself should be arrested for it.

An adult male coercing a child into sending sexual images is absolutely engaging in criminal activity, and if that's what happened here, it should be dealt with. It's not at all encouraging that the police seemed to have the situation backward.

Nevertheless, state laws criminalizing child pornography often fail to make this important distinction. Indeed, underage teenagers are often charged for consensually swapping sexts. Overzealous police have a habit of making things worse rather than better.

The post Police Threaten To Arrest 11-Year-Old Victim of Child Porn appeared first on Reason.com.
Prince William wrapped up his flying visit to New York on Tuesday by unveiling the finalists of his million-pound Earthshot prize for climate and environmental innovations.

He said that it was wonderful to be back in the city for the first time since 2014, adding that earlier attempts to return had been put back by the pandemic and death of his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth.

The prince took part in a fireside chat with previous Earthshot prize winner, Vaitea Cowan, during a summit at the Plaza Hotel on Tuesday in Manhattan, where he began by confirming that he had started the day with a quintessential New York activity.

I decided to join the hordes of New Yorkers doing their morning routine as they went round Central Park. It was wonderful waking up in New York on a sunny morning after the rain we had yesterday, and it was beautiful getting some fresh air this morning, Prince William said.

He explained that the success of the Earthshot prize, which is in its third year, was cause for optimism but that he was impatient to scale up the innovations that emerging from the competition.

For me, something I havent quite cracked yet is how do we scale faster, he said. You guys provide the products and inspiration. My role is to get as fast and as scalable as possible. I think we still have some work to do.

He pointed out that the prize isnt a philanthropic thing.

Were doing this because the vast majority of these solutions are commercially viable, he added.

He told the audience that Earthshot had been inspired by President John F Kennedys Moonshot challenge which drove space innovation in the 1960s and saw the United States put the first man on the moon.

Prince William pointed out that JFKs project had resulted in inventions that we take for granted today, such as the X-ray.

William, Prince of Wales, walks in the water as he visits the Billion Oyster Project in New York City on September 18, 2023 (Getty Images)

Mike Bloomberg, the billionaire former mayor of New York and financial partner of the Earthshot prize, opened the event by welcoming the audience to the greatest city in the world.

He lauded the prince for his popularity in America after a recent poll discovered that 60 per cent of Republicans and 60 per cent of Democrats view the royal favorably.

The US has not seen that bipartisanship since 1776, Mr Bloomberg joked.

Advisers to the Earthshot prize, Dame Jacinda Ardern, the former New Zealand prime minister, and Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, also took part in conversations at the event.

Each of the 15 finalists, who span six continents, are in the running to receive one of five 1 million ($1.2m) awards in five categories - Protect and restore nature; Clean our air, Revive our oceans; Build a waste-free world; and Fix our climate.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Singapore this November.

Among the finalists are a community initiative from Peru that is working to protect native high Andean forest ecosystems; a British company that designs tyres for electric vehicles that reduce harmful particulate pollution; and a tech company from South Africa that helps small fishing communities make their catches more sustainable while earning a living.

The Earthshot Prize summit coincides with New Yorks annual climate week and the United Nations General Assembly taking place across town.

On Monday evening, Prince William met with UN Secretary General Antonio Gutterres where they both expressed hope that the Cop28 climate summit, held later this year in Dubai, will deliver a significant outcome on reducing emissions, Kensington Palace said.

The Prince of Wales spent Monday afternoon getting waist-deep in New York harbour to learn about the Billion Oyster Project which returns restaurants discarded oyster shells to the waters in order to help with water filtration and create new habitats.
FBI agents in downtown Los Angeles in 2019. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

It was a shocking sight on a July morning in 2019: An FBI van parked outside Los Angeles City Hall and agents upstairs, scouring the headquarters of the city attorneys office.

The government was there to collect evidence in a complex criminal case growing out of a scandal that erupted years earlier at another powerful city agency, the Department of Water and Power.

A new DWP billing system rolled out in 2013 proved to be a costly debacle, as well as a huge political crisis for City Hall. Customers were flooded with outrageously inflated bills, including a Van Nuys couple charged nearly $52,000.

The city attorney's office, seeking to play the hero, swooped in. Federal prosecutors would later describe in charging documents how attorneys crafted a sham lawsuit over the faultyDWP bills and covered up their wrongdoing when the scheme unraveled. The charade has cost the city tens of millions of dollars in legal fees and other expenses.

The government probe uncovered other schemes, too. Four individuals pleaded guilty to various federal crimes, including a former high-level advisor to former City Atty. Mike Feuer, an outside attorney hired by Feuer's office and two top DWP officials, including the general manager.

In response to inquiries by The Times, the U.S. attorneys office said this month that its investigation into the city attorney's office and DWP is closed. The last defendant will be sentenced next week.

But the end of the government's case is prompting a new round of questions. Critics ask why certain individuals  including high-ranking personnel in the city attorney's office who remain unidentified in prosecutors' public court filings  escaped punishment.

Jack Humphreville, who chairs the DWP advocacy committee for the citys neighborhood councils, is frustrated by the federal probe's outcome. He wants to know who took part in the scam.

It feels like people got off scot-free, Humphreville said. The whole thing stinks.

The city's bungling of the DWP lawsuit spurred other litigation. In one case, an attorney is seeking the government's confidential notes to see if those documents reveal the identities of those involved in the schemes.

*

Prosecutors used the term "collusive lawsuit" in a news release in November 2021 to describe the legal scheme carried out by the city  a term that essentially meant city attorneys were secretly working both sides of the case.

The city was facing multiple class-action lawsuits from DWP customers over the billing debacle. Seeking an end to the litigation, a "senior member" of the city attorney's office authorized a plan to settle the combined cases with a "friendly" opposing lawyer  effectively undermining the adversarial nature of the legal system, prosecutors said in a charging document against one defendant.

The goal, prosecutors said in another charging document, was to settle on the city's "desired terms."

Paul Paradis, right, accompanied by his attorney, David Scheper, arrives at the federal courthouse for a June hearing. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Paul Paradis, a New York attorney hired by the city attorneys office to work on the billing litigation, helped the city carry out the collusive plan, prosecutors said.

Paradis reached out to an Ohio attorney he knew to bring a class-action suit against the city over the faulty DWP bills. Paradis secretly drafted the lawsuit, and also provided a draft to at least one member of the city attorney's office to review before it was filed by the Ohio attorney, prosecutors said in court papers.

Read more:Attorneys under investigation by State Bar in DWP billing scandal

Authorities never revealed the identity of the "senior member" of the city attorney's office who directed the scheme. But prosecutors' public court filings over a three-year period provide clues.

In a charging document filed against Thomas Peters, a former high-level advisor to Feuer, prosecutors refer to a "city attorney official" who authorized the collusive lawsuit as "senior" to Peters.

The roster of Feuer's executive team, provided to The Times by his office in 2019, listed three people senior to Peters: Feuer; Feuer's chief of staff, Leela Kapur; and Deputy City Atty. Jim Clark.

A massive 2019 investigation ordered by a Superior Court judge into attorney misconduct in the DWP billing case concluded that Clark authorized the plan for the Ohio attorney to sue the city. Clark also violated several state ethics rules, according to the investigation overseen by Edward Robbins, a former federal prosecutor.

Clark has long denied any knowledge of the scheme.

Clark retired from Feuer's office in 2020 and collects a $3,587-a-month pension from the city, according to the city's retirement division.

Kapur, Feuer's former chief of staff, declined to speak to The Times.

Authorities never named or charged the Ohio attorney. Details in prosecutors' court filings make clear that it was Jack Landskroner, who represented DWP customers in the class-action lawsuit settled by the city for $67 million.

Landskroner received more than $10 million in attorney fees from the city. He died in 2021 after an illness.

The city continues to pursue the recovery of the attorney fees paid to Landskroner in an Ohio court.

Prosecutors said Paradis accepted a kickback from the Ohio attorney. He pleaded guilty to one count of bribery and will be sentenced next week.

During the federal investigation, Paradis went undercover and took part in "184 covert missions," according to his attorneys. Prosecutors called Paradis' cooperation in their investigation "extraordinary."

*

Thomas Mrozek, a spokesperson for the U.S. attorneys office in Los Angeles, declined to answer specific questions about the government's charging decisions and spoke generally about recent public corruption cases, noting that prosecutors had "aggressively targeted officials who violated the public trust and federal law."

Where the evidence did not establish every element of a federal offense beyond a reasonable doubt, we have not pursued charges, Mrozek said.

In addition to the DWP case, the U.S. attorney's office has led cases against onetime city Councilmembers Mark Ridley-Thomas and Jose Huizar and others.

"We believe these successful prosecutions are the result of charging decisions that were based on a thorough and fair assessment of the evidence and whether the evidence established a violation of federal law beyond a reasonable doubt, Mrozek said.

The Times interviewed several former prosecutors who worked for the U.S. attorney's office about the government's case. Simply taking part in a collusive lawsuit isn't a federal crime, some said. Others saw avenues for possible criminal charges, including obstruction of justice, based on the public facts.

William Carter, who has held top positions in both the U.S. attorneys office and L.A. city attorneys office, said the government may have determined that its witnesses werent credible.

Prosecutors may also be hoping that the California State Bar, which is now investigating several attorneys involved in the case, takes action, said Carter, now a criminal defense lawyer.

Former Chief Assistant City Atty. Thomas Peters, left, arrives for his sentencing hearing in May. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Neama Rahmani, a former assistant U.S. attorney, said prosecutors aren't going to "tip their hand" and explain charging decisions.

They dont have to tell the judge, they dont have to tell the press, said Rahmani, now in private practice representing plaintiffs.

Some attorneys watching the government's case said in particular they did not understand why prosecutors didn't bring more criminal charges over an extortion scheme that ensnared Peters, Feuer's former chief of the civil litigation branch.

In 2017, a former employee at a Beverly Hills law firm threatened to reveal the citys collusive lawsuit, prosecutors wrote in Peters' plea agreement.

The employee had recently been terminated by Kiesel Law, the firm headed Paul Kiesel, an attorney who was also working for the city on DWP litigation, according to the agreement.

Kiesel's former employee had "stolen or improperly retained" documents showing the collusive lawsuit and demanded money for their return, the agreement said.

Prosecutors said Peters, then handling civil litigation for Feuer, met with other "senior members" of the city attorney's office on Dec. 1, 2017, and gave them an "update" on the employee's demands.

Peters told them of a failed mediation between Kiesel and the employee in the cafeteria at the DWP's headquarters.

At the Dec. 1 meeting, Peters was directed to take care of the situation, and he stated he would do so, prosecutors wrote.

Former Los Angeles City Atty. Mike Feuer, shown in 2022, has denied knowing about a collusive lawsuit handled by his office. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Peters ultimately threatened to fire Kiesel from his job with the city unless Kiesel got the documents back. Kiesel later told Peters that he agreed to pay the employee $800,000, prosecutors said in the agreement.

Peters agreed to plead guilty last year to aiding and abetting extortion. No one elsewas charged in connection with the matter.

Prosecutors have never revealed the identity of the employee or the senior members who discussed her threats with Peters.

Feuer's calendar for Dec. 1, 2017, shows a scheduled meeting that afternoon with Peters, Feuer's chief of staff Kapur, and Joseph Brajevich, a city attorney and general counsel to the DWP.

NBC4 first reported details of the calendar. A spokesperson for Feuer's office told the news outlet that "it appears" Feuer attended the meeting, based on his schedule.

Feuer has consistently maintained he had no knowledge of the collusive lawsuit or the extortion threat. Prosecutors told Feuer in a letter last year that he wasn't a target in their criminal investigation.

"I never attended any meeting in which there was discussion of an extortion threat to reveal collusive litigation in the DWP matter," said Feuer, who is running for the congressional seat being vacated by Rep. Adam Schiff.

As for others scheduled to be at the Dec. 1 meeting, The Times viewed a text message sent to Peters from Brajevich in the early evening of Dec. 1, 2017.

Read more:Former top city attorney gets 9 months of home detention in DWP corruption case

In the text, Brajevich writes, Thom  When you have a chance, I want to follow on the fact that the mediation took place at dwp. Not urgent and can wait until Monday. Thanks and have a great weekend.

Brajevich, who no longer works for the city, told The Times that he didn't know about the city's collusive lawsuit and never participated in a meeting where there was a discussion about the employee's alleged extortion threat. He declined to explain his text, citing attorney-client privilege and any ongoing investigations.

Jamie Court, president of the advocacy group Consumer Watchdog, said he's outraged that more people aren't being held accountable.

"You have the architect of the collusive lawsuit in the city attorneys office, who is not named and free to live their life," Court said. "And you have two attorneys  Paradis and Peters  charged when others knew about the fraud on the city."

At a May hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. sentenced Peters to nine months of home detention, less than the 18-month prison sentence sought by prosecutors.

Explaining the lighter sentence, Blumenfeld suggested that he weighed Peters behavior against his concerns about "others." At another point, the judge noted the number of attorneys involved in the fraud. Blumenfeld also revealed the employee's name when he asked prosecutors if she had been charged, according to a transcript of the hearing.

The employee, Julissa Salgueiro, declined to comment about her alleged connection to the case through her attorney, William Pitman.

Shes never been charged with a crime and has no criminal history of any kind, Pitman said.

Carter, the former prosecutor who isn't involved in the DWP case, said that it's common for a federal investigation to end without tying up loose ends.

This investigation is unusual because "there are a lot of unanswered questions about who did what and why," Carter said. "It remains unresolved, in the eyes of the public."

Attorneys are also seeking more information. Filippo Marchino represents a DWP customer who sued several attorneys over their handling of the DWP billing lawsuit.

Marchino is seeking access to some of the government's confidential documents in the DWP probe, including search warrants, to see if any attorneys are implicated.

Prosecutors have argued the release of the documents would hurt future investigations because it would reveal the government's tactics.

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jet (Getty Images)

A Russian fighter jet worth more than $30 million has crashed over Russia during a training exercise, according to the countrys defence ministry.

The Ministry said two crew members on board the Su-34 fighter jet were able to eject as it crashed in a deserted area of the Voronezh region in Central Russia.

The Su-34, made by Russian aircraft manufacturer Sukhoi, first flew in 1990 but entered the Russian Air Force fleet in 2014.

In 2015, they were used during the Russian military intervention in Syria to attack ISIS targets. The estimated value is reportedly between $36m and $50m.

It comes after the debris of an $80m Marine Corps F-35 fighter jet that went missing when its pilot ejected during a mishap was found in a South Carolina field after a day-long search.

It was discovered in the Indiantown area of Williamsburg County, United States, according to officials. The search for the jet began on Sunday after its pilot was found on in North Charleston, South Carolina, after safely ejecting.

And in September last year, a Russian pilot fired two missiles towards an RAF surveillance plane after mistakenly believing he had permission to fire.

Following the incident, Russia claimed it had been caused by a technical malfunction, with the UKs Ministry of Defence publicly accepting their explanation last week.

However, intercepted communications reveal that one of the Russian pilots believed he had been given permission to target the aircraft following an ambiguous command from a Russian ground station.

After firing, the first missile missed the RAF plane while the second failed to launch successfully. If it had reached its target, it could potentially have drawn a Nato member into a military confrontation with Mr Putins Russia.

The two Russian SU-27 fighter jets had encountered the RAF plane, which was carrying a crew of up to 30 people, as it was flying a surveillance mission over the Black Sea in international airspace on 29 September.
By Matt Spetalnick and Eric Beech

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a U.S. television interview that his country was moving steadily closer to normalizing relations with Israel and also warned that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, "we have to get one."

"Every day we get closer," the crown prince told Fox News in wide-ranging remarks broadcast on Wednesday, when asked to characterize talks aimed at long-time foes Israel and Saudi Arabia reaching a landmark agreement to open diplomatic relations.

The conservative U.S. network's interview with the crown prince, widely known as MbS, comes as President Joe Biden's administration presses ahead with an effort to broker historic ties between the two regional powerhouses, Washington's top Middle East allies.

The normalization talks are the centerpiece of complex negotiations that also include discussions of U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear help that Riyadh has sought, as well as possible Israeli concessions to the Palestinians.

"For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part," MbS, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, said when asked what it would take to get a normalization agreement. "And we have a good negotiations strategy til now."

"We got to see where we go. We hope that will reach a place that will ease the life of the Palestinians and get Israel as a player in the Middle East," he said, speaking in English.

MbS also voiced concern about the possibility that Iran, a mutual adversary of Saudi Arabia and Israel that the U.S. wants to contain, could obtain a nuclear weapon. Tehran has denied seeking a nuclear bomb.

"That's a bad move," he said. "If you use it, you got to have a big fight with the rest of the world."

Asked what would happen if Iran did get a nuclear bomb, MbS said: "If they get one, we have to get one, for security reasons and the balance of power in the Middle East. But we don't want to see that."

POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF MEGA-DEAL

While U.S. officials insist any breakthrough is far away and steep obstacles remain, they privately tout the potential benefits of a regional mega-deal.

These include removing a possible flashpoint in the Arab-Israeli conflict, strengthening the bulwark against Iran and countering China's inroads in the Gulf. Biden would also score a foreign policy win as he seeks re-election in November 2024.

The broadcast of the crown prince's pre-taped comments came on the same day as a long-waited meeting between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which they pledged to work together toward Israeli-Saudi normalization, which could reshape the geopolitics of the Middle East.

Both leaders also said Iran could not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.

MbS issued the stark warning to Tehran despite the two countries having agreed in Chinese-brokered talks in March to restore relations after years of hostility.

But he offered an olive branch to Iran, saying the two countries had made a "good start" and he hoped it would continue.

Facing criticism from the U.S., MbS, whose country is the world's top oil exporter, also defended OPEC+'s decision to cut oil output, saying it was based on market stability and not intended to help energy-dependent Russia in its war in Ukraine.

MbS, asked about Russia's military campaign, said the invasion of another country was "really bad" but he appeared to stick to his position of not taking sides in the war.

Among the challenges the U.S. faces in brokering a wide-ranging deal would be satisfying MbS's demands. He is reported to be seeking a treaty committing the U.S. to defend the kingdom if attacked, and also wants advanced weapons and assistance for a civilian nuclear program.

From the Israelis, MbS is pushing for significant concessions to the Palestinians to keep alive prospects for statehood in the occupied territories, something Biden is also pushing for but which Netanyahu's far-right government has shown little willingness to grant.

There is a growing a sense of urgency in Washington over China's effort to gain a strategic foothold in Saudi Arabia. The administration also seeks to further heal ties with Riyadh, which Biden once vowed to make a "pariah."

But an upgraded U.S.-Saudi security relationship would face resistance in the U.S. Congress, where many are critical of MbS over the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Riyadh's intervention in Yemen and its role in high oil prices.

Asked about Khashoggi's killing, MbS said he was reforming the kingdom's security system to make sure this kind of "mistake" does not happen again.

(Reporting by Rami Ayyub and Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Leslie Adler, Josie Kao and Sandra Maler)
By Felix Light and Andrew Osborn

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Azerbaijan said on Wednesday it had halted military action in its breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh after its battlefield success forced Armenian separatist forces to agree to a ceasefire that will see the area fully return to Baku's control.

Under the agreement, outlined by Azerbaijan and the Russian Defence Ministry, which has peacekeepers on the ground, separatist forces are meant to disband and disarm, while talks on the future of ethnic Armenians who live there are due to start on Thursday.

The ceasefire took effect from 1 p.m. (0900 GMT) on Wednesday.

In a speech to the nation on Wednesday evening, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said that Baku had restored its sovereignty "with an iron fist" and that Armenian forces had begun handing over their weapons and leaving the region.

He said Karabakh Armenians would be told that they could take part in Azerbaijani elections, receive state education, and freely practice their Christianity in his Muslim-majority nation.

"We will turn Karabakh into paradise," said Aliyev, who said he was a man of his word.

Karabakh, a mountainous area in the volatile wider South Caucasus region, is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory, but part of it has been run by separatist Armenian authorities since a war that ended in the early 1990s.

Armenians claim a long historical dominance in the area, which they call Artsakh. Azerbaijan links its historical identity to the territory too.

Fearful of what the future might hold, thousands of Armenians massed on Wednesday at the airport in Stepanakert, the capital of Karabakh which is known as Khankendi by Azerbaijan. Others took shelter with Russian peacekeepers in the hope of being flown out.

Azerbaijan, which sent troops backed by artillery strikes into Karabakh on Tuesday to bring the breakaway region to heel, says it plans to integrate the area's 120,000 ethnic Armenians.

But some Armenians - given the region has been at the centre of two wars since the 1991 Soviet fall - are sceptical and neighbouring Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of trying to ethnically cleanse the territory, something Baku denies.

"They are basically saying to us that we need to leave, not stay here, or accept that this is a part of Azerbaijan - this is basically a typical ethnical cleansing operation," Ruben Vardanyan, a former top official in Karabakh's ethnic Armenian administration, told Reuters.

Another separatist Armenian official said at least 200 people had been killed in the fighting and more than 400 wounded. He said 10 of those killed were civilians, of whom five were children. Reuters could not verify his assertion.

ARMENIAN PM UNDER PRESSURE

The outcome, a military victory for Turkey-backed Azerbaijan whose forces far outnumbered the separatists, could cause political turmoil in neighbouring Armenia, where some political forces are angry that Yerevan was unable to do more to protect the Karabakh Armenians.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is already facing calls from some opponents to resign and thousands of protesters gathered in the Armenian capital on Wednesday evening to demand that the government do more for the Karabakh Armenians.

Some of them yelled "Nikol is a traitor!"

Others are furious that Russia, which has peacekeepers on the ground and helped broker an earlier ceasefire deal in 2020 following a 44-day war, was unable to stop Azerbaijan.

The Kremlin rejected that criticism on Wednesday and President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying that Russian peacekeepers, some of whom were killed on Wednesday when their car was shot at, would protect Karabakh's civilian population.

Separatists running the self-styled "Republic of Artsakh" said they had been forced to agree to Azerbaijan's terms - relayed by Russian peacekeepers - after Baku's army broke through their lines and seized a number of strategic locations.

"The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal from the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire," they said in a statement, complaining that the international community had not done enough to end the fighting.

Azerbaijan had said it could no longer tolerate a situation it regarded as a threat to its security and territorial sovereignty.

HANDOVER OF WEAPONS

Separatist fighters were expected to leave Karabakh for Armenia after handing over their tanks and artillery to Russian peacekeepers, though some of them figure on an Azerbaijani wanted list and are likely to be arrested.

Armenia, which says it has no military forces in Karabakh despite Azerbaijani assertions, did not intervene militarily.

It was unclear how many ethnic Armenians would opt to stay in Karabakh.

Russia's defence ministry, which has thousands of peacekeepers on the ground, broadcast footage of Karabakh Armenians being given temporary shelter at a makeshift Russian military facility.

Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannissyan told Reuters that Karabakh Armenians could "in an ideal world" live under Azerbaijani rule but that historical experience made it hard to imagine.

Azerbaijan's military operation had faced sharp criticism from the United States and some European countries.

They said the Karabakh problem should have been solved through talks and that Baku's actions were worsening an already dire humanitarian situation on the ground following a nine-month blockade of the area by Azerbaijan that caused acute shortages of food and other staples.

(Writing by Andrew Osborn in London and Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow; Editing by Kevin Liffey, Jon Boyle and Alex Richardson)
By Stephen Nellis

(Reuters) -The chair of the U.S. House of Representatives' committee on China is planning to meet with a semiconductor industry group to express concerns over U.S. investments in China's chip industry, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The source said the meeting was originally planned for Tuesday but was subsequently postponed, due to scheduling conflicts. It has yet to be rescheduled.

Representative Mike Gallagher, an influential Republican lawmaker whose select committee has pressed the Biden administration to take a tougher stance on sending U.S. technology to China, wants to meet with the Semiconductor Industry Association, the source said.

The group represents major chip firms such as Nvidia and Intel, whose sales to China have been affected by recent changes in U.S. export rules.

Gallagher plans to tell the group he believes that U.S. rules enacted last October that cut off the sale of advanced artificial intelligence chips to China should be tightened to cover less advanced chips, the source said. The source added that Gallagher also aims to talk with the group about reducing the number of semiconductor manufacturing machines that could be sent to China.

Also among the planned discussion topics is U.S. investment in Chinese chip firms, according to the source. Intel, Qualcomm and other firms have venture capital arms that have invested in Chinese technology companies.

Gallagher also will express his concerns that a massive Chinese effort to build up capacity to build less advanced chips used in automobiles, washing machines and other everyday products could one day result in China dumping those chips on the U.S. market and drive U.S. makers of such chips out of business, the source said.

A representative for the Semiconductor Industry Association declined to comment.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San FranciscoEditing by Nick Zieminski and Rosalba O'Brien)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Republican lawmakers on Wednesday urged the U.S. Treasury Department to conduct a security review over China-linked ownership of Gotion Inc, which plans to build electric vehicle battery plants in Michigan and Illinois, arguing its management is under Beijing's sway.

The move is the latest push by Republicans to question Chinese-linked EV battery producers looking to set up shop in the U.S., possibly with access to taxpayer funding.

The governors of Michigan and Illinois have announced plans for Gotion to open EV plants in their states, facilities expected to create thousands of jobs.

Republican Senator Marco Rubio and Republican representatives from the states sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, urging the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review Gotion's ties to China's Communist Party.

The lawmakers said that despite Germany's Volkswagen AG being the largest single shareholder at about 30% of Gotion's parent company, Gotion High-Tech , China maintained "effective control" through multiple individual shareholders.

Those include the company's founder Li Zhen and his son whom, they said, were members of CCP organizations. Most of Gotion High-Tech's other top shareholders, they wrote, were owned by Chinese government-linked entities, and its bylaws vow to implement the major strategic decisions of the party.

That should trigger the review, and if necessary, Gotion High-Tech's divestment, the lawmakers said, especially since President Joe Biden has identified electric vehicles and batteries as critical parts of transportation infrastructure.

"It is not in the interest of the United States to allow the CCP to control facilities estimated to produce thousands of those batteries, much less to provide it with hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funded subsidies to do so," they said.

The Treasury Department, Gotion and Gotion High-Tech did not respond immediately to requests for comment.

China has moved in recent years to enhance the CCP's influence in Chinese companies, where maintaining a party unit is often required under law.

Republicans also have asked Tesla to detail its relationship with Chinese battery manufacturer CATL amid concerns U.S. electric vehicle subsidies were improperly flowing to foreign entities, and have been probing Ford Motor's planned $3.5 billion investment to build a battery plant in Michigan using technology from CATL.

(Reporting by Michael Martina; editing by Timothy Gardner)
Shady deals with Russia must be stopped as Vladimir Putin cannot be trusted, Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky said in an emphatic address to the UN General Assembly.

Evil cannot be trusted  ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putins promises, Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday, claiming he was aware of attempts to make some shady deals behind the scenes.

Notorious mercenary leader and Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin died in an unexplained crash when a plane carrying him and some of his top lieutenants went down while flying between Moscow and St Petersburg in late August.

Western leaders have suspected the Kremlins involvement in his death as the mercenary leader had attempted a coup in Russia just weeks before.

Please, hear me. Let unity decide everything openly, the Ukrainian president said.

The war-time leader told the UN assembly that Russia has no rights to hold nuclear weapons while it continues to blackmail other nations by weaponising food.

History shows that it was Russia who deserved nuclear disarmament. Terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons, he told the UN member states gathered in New York.

He called for a global front on the war and warned of dangers from Russia to the UN General Assembly.

The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our lands, our people, our resources into a weapon against you, against the international rules-based order. Many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression, he said.

Mr Zelensky was addressing the gathering at a sensitive point in his countrys campaign to maintain international support for its fight against the invasion.

Nearly 19 months after Moscow launched its war, Ukrainian forces have stepped up a counteroffensive that has continued for three months now amid comments that it has not gone on as fast or as well as initially hoped.

We must stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, US president Joe Biden earlier told the assembly.

The world must remain united in defending Ukraine, he said, warning that no nation can be secure if we allow Ukraine to be carved up.

This is not the first time Mr Zelensky has blamed the Russian regime under Mr Putin for Prigozhins death.

Earlier this month, he said Mr Putin orchestrated the killing of Wagner boss Prigozhin.

The fact that he killed Prigozhin  at least thats the information we all have, not any other kind  that also speaks to his rationality, and about the fact that he is weak, he had said.

Russia will get its chance to address the General Assembly on Saturday. Its deputy UN ambassador Dmitry Polyansky was in Russias seat during Mr Zelenskys address.

Did he speak? Mr Polyansky said when an Associated Press reporter asked about his reaction to the address. I didnt notice he was speaking. I was on my phone.
The preliminary autopsy of a lifelong New England Patriots fan who died after a "scuffle" at an NFL game didn't "suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue," officials said.

Dale Mooney, a 53-year old New Hampshire man, died following a "scuffle" during Sunday night's Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins game at Massachusetts' Gillette Stadium, according to the Norfolk District Attorneys Office. Mooney collapsed and was taken to a hospital, prosecutors said.

PHOTO: Dale Mooney (GoFundMe for Dale Mooney's Family)

Witness Joseph Kilmartin told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB that Mooney "basically grabbed another fan. ... They started tussling around for a few minutes. At one point, another fan walked over. He punched him ... and [Mooney] just went out."

"It was pretty hard to watch," Kilmartin said.

Mooney's cause and manner of death are "undetermined pending further testing," the district attorney's office said Wednesday.

PHOTO: A view outside of Gillette Stadium, Sept. 10, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

MORE: Police searching for former NFL player Sergio Brown after mother was found dead

Mooney's wife, Lisa Mooney, told WCVB, "I want to know what happened. ... What caused this?"

Prosecutors said Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing. Prosecutors urged any witnesses or fans with video of the incident to call investigators at 781-830-4990.

Gillette Stadium officials said in a statement, "We are heartbroken to learn of the tragic passing of Dale Mooney, a lifelong Patriots fans and 30-year season ticket member."

"We continue to work with local authorities to assist them with their ongoing investigation," stadium officials said. "We extend our sincerest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Dales family and to all those who are mourning his loss."

Patriots fan's death after 'scuffle' at Gillette Stadium didn't suggest traumatic injury: DA originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
sacw.net - 6 July 2016 [updated on 31 July 2016]

[A version of this article has appeared in print and web editions of the Mainstream Weekly, 9 July 2016]

After 1945, in war-ravaged Europe, its economically drained people, saw peace as crucial for democracy; and the route taken was economic integration. The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1951 to set up the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), and in 1957 the Treaty of Rome had six countries forming the European Economic Community (EEC). It was a project of the elites to engage in creating economic cooperation, and for social stability, and it took decades to grow into what became the EU of today. European unity, abolition of the borders that separate the peoples of Europe, a European Parliament where directly elected representatives from 28 member states from all political streams from across Europe meet and debate issues of import, are commendable gains made in the EU experiment  these are progressive social gains. Why would any sane person or political formation want to roll them back?

For all its early social democratic promise and internationalist virtues, Yes, EUs policies over the past decade or so have become sharply driven by an economic governance model based on austerity and neoliberal policies (what was called monetarism in the 1960s). EU needs democratisation and change.

Britain joined the EEC in 1973, but with reservations and in a halfhearted manner; and even decades on, they did not join the Eurozone, had restrictions regarding the schengen pact, etc. Unlike many other European states, Britain has a long tradition of Euro-scepticism.

Euro-scepticism has been around on the left, and got big with the British Conservatives, particularly after 1988, and Thatcher led the charge; but it had its votaries in the left already in the 1970s. The most adored figure of the Labour left in Britain, Tony Benn, had been an opponent of the EEC (sadly he had even shared an anti-EU platform with Enoch Powell at that time). In 1975, in the United Kingdoms referendum on Europe, 47.5% of Labour supporters voted to leave the EEC  at least a third more than in the referendum of 23 June 2016 .

In 2013 David Cameron promised Britons a referendum on whether the UK should remain within the European Union. Euro-sceptic, right-wing United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) won just a single seat in parliament in the 2015 elections, but its influence set the Brexit vote in motion. (UKIP got some 3.8 Million votes in the 2015 elections)

There was a massive campaign by the right in Britain and its simple anti-EU, anti-immigrant props with a nationalist tone had an echo that dragged in a large section of Labour and working class voters to its side. A genie of ugly nationalism got un-bottled. On June 23, 2016, the Leave EU campaign won the referendum.

Brexit is a triumph of national chauvinism and is damaging to the left. We have seen a dramatic spurt in instances of racism all over Britain. All this is a shot in the arm for the far right.

Terror in th Streets 1916 drawing by George Grosz

Europes far-right parties have hailed the UKs vote to leave the European Union as a victory for their own anti-immigrant and anti-EU stance and have vowed to push for similar referendums in their own countries. Marine Le Pen of Frances far right National Front, in an op-ed in the New York Times, described the Brexit vote as a courageous act of the British, and said that now its time for a peoples spring across Europe. Le Pen and her counterparts from far right parties have a big resonance among sizeable sections of the labouring people

The EU has been weakened by the fallouts of the 2007 financial crisis, and now Brexit threatens it in a big way with ricochet effects in different parts of Europe. The EU will be under the huge stress of being pulled apart not by any left-driven idealism of the people but by brute hyper-nationalism and inward-looking politics of fear. The right wing is far better at selling nationalism, and the left shouldnt be playing this game.

International capital and the big banks that face damage will weather this storm. Trade unions will not in any way come out strengthened by Brexit. The EU has been weakened, with a country that was the second largest economy of Europe, contributing 15 per cent of its overall GDP, leaving. Britain lost more money in the 48 hours after the referendum thanA it ever contributed in the past decades when it was part of the EU. The British economy has apparently shrunk to become the 6th largest in the world, ceding its place to France which has now become the 5th largest.

Most disturbing in all this is the unmistakable working-class character of the Brexit vote. Like the Labour Party, the British trade union leaders have shown themselves to be out of touch with the views of their own members. The Labour Party is reeling from the fact that voters in areas that have traditionally voted Labour swung heavily behind Brexit. Labour Partys leader Jeremy Corbyn (he like Tony Blair voted against joining EEC in the referendum of 1975), a long-time Euro-sceptic, has defended his conduct amid criticism of his lukewarm support for the Remain in EU campaign. (Weeks before the referendum a leaked memo from aBritain Stronger In Europe, a group campaigning for the UK to stay in the EU, pointed out that some 50% of the Labour Party supporters didnt know whether their party was for Brexit or was in favour of the EU.)

o o o

EU technocrats running EU affairs far removed from ordinary citizens is a problem, but this is true also of technocrats in national governments and the UN. Ultranationalist parties, far left groups and anti-globalisation movements within Europe have rubbed shoulders at anti-EU campaigns for the past many years, and they share a common repertoire.

The nationalist groups conveniently club together of anti EU-ism with anti-immigrant propaganda, xenophobic fear of migrants giving them a better sales pitch than for the left salesmen. Many on the left denounce racism but have hardly taken this problem head on. Workers and union members, and the unemployed, in large parts of Europe are racist: but unions havent run mass campaigns to address this. Widespread unacknowledged everyday racism exists in Britain. Great Britain is a atoleranta country, immigrants have been tolerated, not really integrated. Britain is divided and ghettoised thanks to institutionalized multiculturalism.

These are dark times in European politics. The backdrop for this crisis dates to the 2008 financial meltdown that affected the world economy and the Eurozone. Across Europe the economic crisis fuelled the rise of quick fix, aanti political and aanti-systemic movements and also of the far right while taking away the sheen of the old established mainstream political parties, leading to loss of influence. Nationalist and far right parties that have been on the margins have been slowly but systematically growingA across Europe. Many of these ultranationalist parties with xenophobic and retrograde social agendas have been getting mainstreamed by repackaging themselves in Europe. Frances National Front was formed in 1972 and was on the margins, but today it has some 30% of the national vote share. In the UK we have had many Euro-sceptic and right wing formations, the fastest growing one being UKIP and aBritain First (emanating from British National Party and the English Defence League). Across the continent, from Switzerland (Swiss Peoples Party), Belgium (Vlaams Blok now Vlaams Belang), the Netherlands (Party for Freedom), right down to the south in Italy (Northern League, Tricolour Flame, New Force etc), Greece (Golden Dawn), the far right groups have crafted a comeback. In the once famous social democratic north from Austria (Freedom Party) to Denmark (Danish Peoples Party) and Sweden (Swedish Democrats), far right parties have made huge forays. In former socialist bloc countries from Poland (Law and Justice party) to Hungary (Jobbik party), and Serbia (Serbian Radical Party) there is a huge resonance of the far right. What was unthinkable a decade ago has come alive even in Germany. An anti immigrant formation called Pegida has drawn thousands to its ranks; even more worriesome is the mainstreaming of Alternative for Germany (AfD), an ultra right wing formation with a presence in a few of the german state parliaments, polls suggest that its vote share is now bigger than that of the leftwing Die Linke.. Memories of Fascism and the terrible price that Europeans paid seem to have been set aside. However corrupted the European Union project was about ensuring free movement of people across Europe, the creation of the schengen and the rollback of borders was indeed a marvellous project. The forces of the left remained in their national cocoons and never really built a cross-border solidarity movement in the past decades. Why should the left in the 21st century oppose European capitalist integration any more than opposing the merger of two companies? Shouldnt they have been arguing for ground level Europeanisation of the union federations? NO, they prefer the prison house of the nation state.

Sections of the British Left Getting a High on Nationalism

In 2009, aNo2EU a left-wing Eurosceptic electoral alliance (Socialist party, Communist Party of Britain and National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)) was formed in the UK. It participated in the 2009 European Parliament elections and the European elections in 2014 with the party name "No2EU" It campaigned for Britains withdrawal from the EU.

Like the No2EU nuts other reckless fabulists of the British far left pushed aA Left ExitA (Lexit) campaign that was led by the Socialist Workers Party  saying that withdrawal from the European Union would strike a blow to the interests of dominant sections of British capital, and to European elites, opening opportunities for workers struggle in the United Kingdom. Similarly there was a Labour Leave campaign from within the Labour Party campaigning for Brexit (it has been revealed that this group was funded by right wing and Conservative Party donors). The left-wing fight against neoliberal globalisation sits neatly juxtaposed to the strategy of right-wing movements and turns the left into allies of Farage (UKIP), Le Pen (National Front), Wilders, et al. Large numbers of Labour voters have voted for UKIP (something similar has been happening in France, where large numbers of socialist and communist voters have switched to the National Front)

A Modern Cross Border Euro-Left

In 1972 Tom Nairn had shown unique moral courage from the new left in critiquing dominant socialist opinion on British entry to the Common Market and argued that the Left was betraying its principles by siphoning discontent into nationalistic opposition to Europeanisation.

Decades on in 2014-2015 the courageous Greek socialists of SYRIZA took the bull by its horns and did not wish to leave the EU; even their left wing never demanded this as an option. The European Central Bank gave the Syriza govt a very tough time by imposing a very hard austerity regime but they stood their ground; there was no Grexit. Thats the kind of forward looking left politics we need despite huge odds in the current day EU that is hollowed out of its social aims. A left of the future has to be open to a European strategy beyond borders and should struggle for democratisation of the EU from both within and outside the EU.

In that tradition a radical challenge to LEXIT-type nationalism (peddling asocialism in one country) should be seen in the Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DIEM25) campaign run by Yanis Varoufakis (the former Greek Finance Minister) to promote a radical, internationalist vision of a Europe-wide movement to democratize and transform EU structuresA from within. But it has had few takers in Britain.





a vote to leave the EU in the UKas referendum in June 2016 would lead to the disintegration of the European Union and a return to the xenophobia, racism and ultra-nationalism of the 1930s. - Yanis Varoufakis tells Owen Jones (Guardian Video - 15 April 2016)

EU did some good for the UK

The Jacques Delors Commission played a crucial role in securing the adoption of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers in Strasbourg in 1989

The EU has played a limited but crucial role in extending and expanding rights at work in the UK, reversing decimation of industrial relations heralded under the Thatcher government - from protection for part time and temporary workers, protection of workers rights in event of mergers and acquisitions (called TUPE regulations under UK law) to protection from discrimination from rights for working parents to the right to paid holidays and regular lunch breaks, etc.

Though it is widely said in left circles that the European Court of Justice leans towards corporate interests there is a long stream of cases in fields such as equality law, transfer of undertakings law, insolvency law and free movement of workers law in which the [European] Court has leaned in favour of giving as extensive an interpretation as possible to workers rights (see E. Ellis, EU Anti-DiscriminationA Law (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2005).

UKs labour market remains one of the least regulated in the developed world, and the limited checks and balances from the EU were good for workers. The exit from the European Union is bound to undermine workers interests in Britain. [The European Trade Union Congress in has already express concern on the situation after BREXIT]

The Irish peace process got support from the European Union. The EU Peace programme provided huge support to Northern Ireland institutions, industry and initiatives such as Inter-trade, Peace and Tourism Ireland, which were successful in bringing together communities both north and south of the border to promote cooperation between contending interests. It helped stabilise the Peace Agreement of 1998. Brexit will mean the creation of an external border between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic. Are people prepared for a border to be back, once a course highly militarized border?

Latent Racism, identity politics, crisis and expanding influence of authoritarianism:

The 2015 British Social Attitudes Survey provided a sense of who would vote for Brexit. aThe 2015 report by NatCen Social Research found the years of austerity since the financial crash of 2008 have entrenched the class divide and hardened attitudes on a range of political subjects, including possible anti-establishment feelings towards bureaucracy and government  and also immigration.a

Yes there was a big campaign of fear mongering about a migrant tidal wave and it sold well. Denial of working class racism is irresponsible. Supporting toleration, multi-culturalism keeping differences rather than uniting people on common rights, and jointly fighting racism is not the same thing. The left better wake up, if only to save its ass. A right wing fire storm is starting in Britain and playing identity politics wont douse the flames.

John Pilger prescribes this Brexit style direct democracy and called on socialists to rejoice in it. Peddling this form of plebiscitism is dangerous business. Does he remember the Referendum Party of millionaire right-winger Jimmy Goldsmith ? Referendums are rarely fought on facts, and more often on quick fix slogans. Imagine a national referendum for mass expulsion of migrants from Britain  after bombarding the public with anti-immigrant propaganda.

British socialists who supported Brexit have blown up an opportunity to forge alliances with workers from across Europe to fight neoliberal politics by building a pan European network. They have exited the EU but they havent exited capitalism. They would do well to remember that capital on British shores isnt necessarily English, it is multinational; London being the hub of finance capital, Britain will now get into a deeper embrace of unfettered neo-liberalism; there will more cuts and austerity. The Brexiters promised let athe people take control, but they will now see this is as a short-lived orgasm.

France:

While the campaign for Brexit was going on in the past weeks in Britain, there was an unprecedented workers mobilization across the English Channel in France against a change in the labour law supposedly to be in conformity with EU regulations.

Cartoon on Nuit Debout Protests in France by Chappatte from Le Temps, Switzerland

In 2009, a case was opened against France for breaching EU rules which stipulate that its deficit must not exceed 3 per cent of GDP. This excessive deficit procedureA can result in a fine of billions of euros, and in the case of France, a severe loss of face to its EU partners.

The excessive deficit procedureA is in the so-called Six-Pack set of EU rules in 2011  a key part of the austerity-focused economic governance package. The unions have massively challenged this but the sad irony is that vast sections of the French working class which stand for their rights also happen to be voting for the far right parties. Far right parties have become a big pole of attraction for workers in France. Research is beginning to demonstrate that far right parties do very well during times of crisis.

It is important to note that the extreme right formations have very deftly co-opted and absorbed the Left critique of neoliberal policy of European Union technocrats and deployed it in their own discourse and manifestoes. The left continually ties to demarcate itself from the far right but given the similarity of the isolationalist, nationalist stance facts dont seem to matter. The National Front in France is a draw for a lot of workers and what was once a communist audience.

Looking at it from India:

Dont people remember the political language of the Hindutva driven aSwadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM) which used to challenge globalization, foreign direct investment? It was difficult in the 1990s to distinguish between the discourse of the Azaadi Bachao Andolan run by the unorganized left, the reactionary SJM and also that of sections of the organised left. That was some time ago.

Today, the right wing BJP-led government in India has very successfully pushed its hyper patriotic and aspot the antinational politics. The left & progressive forces have their swan song anationalism saying the nationalism of the right is rotten but ours is good;

Do people of the left in India not recall what was the aAdhikari resolution of the undivided Communist Party of India which saw the mass mobilization by the Muslim league for Partition of India where the main message was Hindus and Muslims are separate nations as something worthy? The left very rightly highlights the dirty role played by the Hindutva right but decided to keep silent on its own rationalization of Partition of India. Isnt it time in 2016 to do public self-criticism of its posture on 1947 partition? It is never too late.

Nationalism & Patriotism remainA holy cows; while campaigning and challenging the right wing government, they havent pushed against communalism or identity politics among the labouring poor and working class which are divided along communal lines. Trade unions and mass organisations duck the identitarian and communalism questions. Can anyone tell us if there was a national strike call in India from the Left and the rail, postal, electricity and sea port workers went on strike on Gujarat 2002 pogroms or to call for a no war pact with Pakistan ?

Anti imperialism and nationalism call the shots in the discourse of the left, internationalism is out of fashion. National interest and national sovereignty remain key words in the vocabulary of the Indian Left, which simply does not have a South Asian vision. SAFTA and SAARC were produced by the South Asian political elites, not by any call from the left. The left here that made noise not long ago about the horrors of Syrian refugees fleeing to Europe have all been for closed borders and the deportation of Bangladeshis from India and havent called for the Indian government to accept Rohingyas, Syrians, Afghans, Pakistanis.

This is pathetic aThis doesnt sell politics? Does the left have ambitions to re-invent itself and get into the 21st century mode and take on globalization without getting into the standard defensive nationalist mode? Why cant it drive the creation of the first cross-border trade union in South Asia ? When will it announce a public policy that left run governments in India will provide refuge and shelter to trade unionists, writers, journalists under assault from the far right and fundamentalists in Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri-Lanka or Iraq, Syria and even the UK?

Comrade General Secretaries, please, break free, will you, you have nothing to lose but your chains.

References:

Brian Shaev (2012)The French Socialist and German Social Democratic Parties and the Future of the Working Class in the European Coal & Steel Community, 1948-1954 in: Diacronie [Online], NA 9, 1 https://diacronie.revues.org/3054

Roy Willis (1968) France, Germany, and the New Europe: 1945-1967, Stanford, Stanford University Press.

PES (2014) Towards a New Europe - PES Manifesto https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/partyofeuropeansocialists/pages/1101/attachments/original/1394819127/pes_manifesto_-_adopted_by_the_pes_election_congress_en.pdf?1394819127

IPA (2014) Common rights in a single market? The EU and rights at work in the UK http://www.ipa-involve.com/resources/publications/the-eu-and-rights-at-work-in-the-uk/

ABC (2016) Brexit: Dudley, the traditional Labour-voting town that helped swing the EU referendum http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-03/brexit-dudley-labour-voting-town-voted-to-leave-eu/7564674

Geoffrey Evans and Jon Mellon (2016) Working Class Votes and Conservative Losses: Solving the UKIP Puzzle, Parliamentary Affairs, Volume 69, Issue 2

Left Foot Forward (2016) Labour Leave is funded by Tory donors and Vote Leave, not aLabour and trade unionsa http://leftfootforward.org/2016/06/labour-leave-is-funded-by-tory-donors-and-vote-leave-not-labour-and-trade-unions/

Marine Le Pen (2016) After Brexit, the Peopleas Spring Is Inevitable, The New York Times (28 June) http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/opinion/marine-le-pen-after-brexit-the-peoples-spring-is-inevitable.html

BBC (2016) Guide to nationalist parties challenging Europe http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36130006

EurActive (2012 EU judges reinforce fixed-term workersa rights http://www.euractiv.com/section/social-europe-jobs/news/eu-judges-reinforce-fixed-term-workers-rights/

David Butler and Uwe Kitzinger (1976) The 1975 Referendum (London: Macmillan) http://www.eureferendum.com/documents/1975referendum1.pdf

Steven Erlanger (2016) Political Winner in Britain: Far Right, at Labouras Expense, The New York Times, June 30 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/01/world/europe/to-remake-britains-labour-party-jeremy-corbyn-might-kill-it.html

Nate Cohn (2016) Right-Wing Populism Is Prevailing in Left-Wing Strongholds Around the World, The New York Times, June 27 http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/upshot/brexit-is-a-reminder-of-how-populism-is-redrawing-us-political-lines.html

Rowena Mason (2016) Labour voters in the dark about partys stance on Brexit, research says (May 30) http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/may/30/labour-voters-in-the-dark-about-partys-stance-on-brexit-research-says

Jason Heyes (2016) Why Brexit would be bad for employment rights, The Conversation, March 8

Karine Tournier-Sol (2015) Reworking the Eurosceptic and Conservative Traditions into a Populist Narrative: UKIPs Winning Formula?, JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies - Special Issue 2015: Interpreting British European Policy, Volume 53, Issue 1, pages 140a156, January 2015 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jcms.12208/abstract;jsessionid=907380B2456524DCBE6CE0B282267387.f02t02

Daniel Trilling (2012) Bloody Nasty People: The Rise of Britains Far Right https://books.google.co.in/books?isbn=1844679594

European Journal of Political Research, Volume 51, Issue 2, Version of Record online: 17 MAY 2011 http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-6765.2011.01994.x/pdf

Ted Jeory (2016) Austerity and class divide likely factors behind Brexit vote, major survey suggests, The Independent, June 29 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/brexit-austerity-working-class-divide-factors-british-social-attitudes-survey-a7109641.html

Robbie Travers (2016) UK Labour Party: Haven for Racists? http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8340/labour-party-racists

Ruth Smeeth (2016) Statement on todays launch of the Chakrabarti Report (June 30) http://www.ruthsmeeth.org.uk/statement_on_the_launch_of_the_chakrabarti_report

Tim Hume (2016) Britains Labour Party in turmoil over Brexit vote results, CNN (June 27) http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/26/europe/uk-brexit-labour-corbyn/

Kevin Hickson and Jasper Miles (Editors) (2016) The Labour Case for Brexit (London: Labour Leave) http://www.labourleave.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/The-Labour-Case-for-Brexit.pdf

Barry Finger (2016) Brexit: A Victory for the Populist Right, New Politics (June 25) http://newpol.org/content/brexit-victory-populist-right

T.Nairn, The Left Against Europe?, (1972) I/75, New Left Review 5-120 https://newleftreview.org/I/75/tom-nairn-the-left-against-europe-special-issue

Ben Wellings and Emma Vines (2016) Populism and Sovereignty: The EU Act and the In-Out Referendum, 2010a2015, Parliamentary Affairs

Volume 69, Issue 2 http://pa.oxfordjournals.org/content/69/2/309.abstract

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/the-times/brexit-victory-for-older-whiter-voters-but-a-disaster-for-economy/news-story/74a7958984daf54da195346a3cc0a782

Szczerbiak, A. and Taggart, P. (2008), Opposing Europe? The Comparative Party Politics of Euroscepticism Volumes 1 and 2, Oxford: Oxford University Press https://global.oup.com/academic/product/opposing-europe-the-comparative-party-politics-of-euroscepticism-9780199258352?cc=in&lang=en&-

De Vries C. E. and Edwards E. E. (2009), aTaking Europe to its extremes: Extremist parties and public Euroscepticism, Party Politics, 15(1) http://ppq.sagepub.com/content/15/1/5.abstract

The working-class vote explains the rise of Austrias far-right http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/05/the-working-class-vote-explains-the-rise-of-austrias-far-right/

Daniel Oesch (2008) Explaining Workers Support for Right-Wing Populist Parties in Western Europe: Evidence from Austria, Belgium, France, Norway, and Switzerland, International Political Science Review, June 2008 vol. 29 no. 3 http://ips.sagepub.com/content/29/3/349.abstract

MickaAl Wamen - Pourquoi le FN gagne du terrain chez les ouvriers https://youtu.be/phvQD5EymD0

Luc Peillon (2011) Le discours social du FN gagne du terrain syndical, Liberation, 28 mars

Ouvriers, employAs, jeunes : la sociologie prAoccupante du vote Le Pen http://www.regards.fr/web/article/ouvriers-employes-jeunes-la

Les-Crises.fr (2015) Le rAsultat des dApartementales en 1 graphique (50 % des ouvriers votent FNa) https://www.les-crises.fr/le-resultat-des-departementales-en-1-graphique-50-des-ouvriers-votent-fn/
Aniya Harmon said it was bad enough when she learned that an image of her exposed breast had been made into a meme and shared in May with employees at Sussex Central High School in Delaware, where she was a student. But what made it worse, she and her mother, Tosha White, said in interviews, was who they believed to be responsible: two principals at the school.

Harmon and White said Bradley Layfield and Matthew Jones, the principal and assistant principal, used security camera footage from the school to create a meme that replaced Harmons face with that of Janet Jackson, in reference to an incident when the singers breast was exposed by Justin Timberlake during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. Those allegations also are made in a lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court in New Castle County.

Im still upset, Im hurt, disappointed, said Harmon, who graduated from the school this year and is in college.

Harmon sued the principals this month alleging invasion of privacy by intrusion and publication of private matters. The lawsuit also names Sussex Central High School and Indian River School District as defendants.

A representative for the school declined to comment Wednesday, referring NBC News to the school district, which said it does not comment on pending litigation. David Maull, a spokesperson for Indian River School District, also declined to comment on the status of the mens employment, saying its a personnel issue.

Layfields attorney, Thomas S. Neuberger, denied any wrongdoing by his client, who was head principal. He said Layfield was placed on leave on May 22. Jones did not immediately return requests for comment.

Aniya Harmon. (Courtesy Ryan Julison)

According to Harmon and the lawsuit, at about 7:30 a.m. May 17, she was walking to class when she encountered two students, a boy and a girl, arguing. Harmon said she told the girl, who was screaming, to be quiet, at which point the girl screamed obscenities at her and bucked at her threateningly. A woman who works at the school stepped in and pulled Harmon forcefully, causing her clothes to come apart, exposing her breast, the lawsuit claims. Neuberger says her breast became exposed while she was involved in a fight, which Harmon disputes.

The suit alleges Jones had worked with Layfield and possibly others to create the meme and that Jones showed it to other vice principals, administrators, teachers and others on his school-issued laptop. At least six people had access to images of Harmons breast, the suit states.

White said that a few days after the incident, she started hearing from people in the community that the meme existed.

I didnt have any proof that it was my daughter, but all of the facts started to add up, White said.

She said she didnt receive confirmation until eight days after the incident, when the assistant superintendent called her to schedule a meeting. By this point, White and her attorney said, both men had been placed on administrative leave. The assistant superintendent made no mention of the video or the meme, White said, until she asked whether the meeting was in reference to both. White never met with the assistant superintendent and instead hired an attorney. (The school district spokesperson declined to comment on Whites timeline of events.)

I was in shock. I just couldnt process it right away, White said. And then, after the shock came down, it was more anger, hurt, disbelief. So many emotions.

She added: And still to this day. I still have all of the emotions.

Without naming Harmon, Layfield and Jones specifically, India Sturgis, a spokesperson for the Delaware State Police, said the agency is investigating any potential crime related to an incident that occurred at Sussex Central High School in collaboration with the Delaware Department of Justice, which did not immediately return a request for comment.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide an estimated timeline for the investigation, as investigations can often be unpredictable, and its not uncommon for unexpected developments to arise, Sturgis said, adding that the state police could not share any further information.

Emeka Igwe, an attorney for Harmon, said what happened to her is reprehensible and that the purpose of the lawsuit is to hold the administrators responsible.

No person of authority should ever do that to a student and we want to make sure that they never work in any school setting again, Igwe said. Once the investigation is concluded, we hope that it will result in criminal charges being brought against these two individuals.

Sussex Central High School in Georgetown, Del. (Google Maps)

Neuberger said Layfield was not involved in creating or circulating the meme, and that Layfield showed the security video to nine people, including state troopers and some staffers, such as administrators and teachers, with the intent to keep children safe. He said his client was following procedure when he did so.

If the video is ever released, he said, one does not even notice the disrobing from the long distance.

Neuberger placed the blame for the meme on Jones, whom he said created and shared it.

Neuberger said the Delaware State Board of Education has informed Layfield that it is investigating him and that its possible his teaching license is revoked. The board did not immediately return a request for comment.

My client is innocent and hes being used for monetary purposes, Neuberger said.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified punitive damages, as well as attorneys fees.

White said its been difficult to witness her daughter become subdued since the image was disseminated.

Her school and her work are definitely her outlets to keep her mind off of what is going on, White said. Its been hard on all of us.
PALAMAS, Greece  With Europe at war with extreme weather caused by climate change, Greece is on the front lines, with unprecedented flooding and wildfires hitting the country within weeks of each other this summer.

And as the weather becomes more extreme, so does the public anger. NBC News traveled the length of the country to speak to scientists, political leaders and people rebuilding their lives after the catastrophic events, and witnessed what looks to be a new era of climate politics taking hold in Greece and perhaps other democracies in the world.

Storm Daniel moved through the Mediterranean the first week of September, bulging the two rivers that flow on either side of the town of Palamas in central Greece's Thessaly plain, which is known as the countrys bread basket. At least 17 people were killed across the country as communities reeled from three days of intense rainfall.

A man walks in front of a destroyed house in the flooded village of Palamas, Greece, on Sept. 8, 2023. (Yorgos Karahalis / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images file)

The floods came just weeks after other parts of Greece suffered the worst fires in Europe. Climate change and a tinder-dry year created one of Greeces hottest summers on record and the perfect conditions for an uncontrollable inferno that destroyed hundreds of square miles of forest.

Lifetimes work lost

On one corner of a ruined street in Palamas, an entire wall has been ripped away to reveal a bedroom with family pictures still hanging up.

The bed has been thrown about by the water, but coats remain untouched on a rack. Also visible are a Greek flag and a military cap sent to the homeowners, whose son died during military service.

On a street in this quiet, rural town, every house was flooded. Personal belongings are strewn across Nicholas Plasteras street, the cars covered in thick sludge, homes damaged or destroyed. People searched for days through the wreckage looking for valuables.

A damaged home in Palamas, Greece, on Sept. 13, 2023. (Dave Copeland / NBC News)

Sotiris Boutas, 35, described how he fled to a roof at 4 a.m. with 12 others. They were without food or water for two days, he said. The townsfolk had received no warning, he said.

Boutas ran a restaurant serving souvlaki, the classic Greek dish of marinated, grilled meat. Not anymore.

Its destroyed, he said. Only the walls of his house are left.

Thousands of acres of farmland and crops have been ruined in the region of Palamas.

Many farmers have lost a lifetimes work. But some here dont blame the global effects of climate change but what they see as local corruption and incompetence.

Sotiris Boutas in Palamas, Greece, on Sept. 13, 2023. He escaped onto a roof to survive the flooding. (Dave Copeland / NBC News)

Georgia Bloufa, a 60-year-old widow, worked at a local restaurant but her job is now gone, along with much of her belongings. She saved a wedding picture, but little else. Like many here, she is coming to terms with a new reality of extreme weather, having never thought about climate change before.

Her family escaped their house at around 5 a.m., her youngest grandson carried on his fathers shoulders. Her cousin called the police, but it was no use.

They said they dont know anything, she said. People were not warned.

Its a sentiment felt across the town. Many residents said they only received text message alerts when it was too late to evacuate their houses safely.

For those opposed to Greeces leaders, its a political opportunity.

Georgia Bloufa in Palamas, Greece, on Sept. 13, 2023. She lost most of her belongings in the flood. (Dave Copeland / NBC News)

The government doesnt care about ordinary people, said George Archontopoulos, president of the Thessaloniki-based Eyath trade union, which represents local water service workers.

The government is now in its second term and is out of excuses, he said.

They only care about the big multinationals, big lobby and the big construction companies that are friends of the government, Archontopoulos said.

Climate change is global and affects everyone, he argued, whereas the lack of protection and preparedness is a Greek problem.

Dissatisfaction with environmental politics  and a distrust of those in power  is a trend sweeping Europe: from the movement opposing the closure of Dutch farms, to protesters in London warning of conspiracy theories about climate lockdowns.

And this could only be the start. Greeces leading climate scientist, Christos Zerefos, believes his homeland and the whole of Europe needs to completely redesign its civil protection programs or face political upheaval.

Firefighters respond to a wildfire in Evros, Greece, on Aug. 31, 2023. (Ayhan Mehmet / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images file)

If we dont, we shall be relying and depending on calculations from 50 years ago and from the past climate, which is no longer the same, he said. The climate has been warmed up.

Zerefos said people are worried because the fires and the storms are a warning of what can happen if the country doesnt adapt to a new reality. Storm Daniel was the worst disaster in Greece for 400 years, but could become the norm.

After the year 2050, 2060, all of the Mediterranean will be in bad shape in terms of extreme events, Zerefos said. They would happen more often and with larger intensity.

Anger at politicians

Across southern Europe the changing climate is bringing with it a new political reality. It is beginning to increase immigration from North Africa into Europe, putting a strain on Greece, Italy and the wider Mediterranean region, pushing voters to political extremes.

An election in June saw far-right parties win 13% of the Greek national vote, earning them 34 seats in Parliament; 12 of those went to the Spartans party, widely seen as a successor to the banned neo-Nazi group Golden Dawn. The ruling center-right New Democracy Party has been dragged toward the extreme right, analysts say.

Vassilis Stigas, leader of Spartans party, in parliament in Athens, Greece, on July 8, 2023. (Yorgos Karahalis / AP file)

Greeces leadership has been trying to address the concerns of ordinary people most acutely affected by floods and wildfires, many of whom direct their anger not at global warming or the use of fossil fuels  but politicians.

In the capital, Athens, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke to NBC News just after securing a 2.25 billion euros ($2.4 billion) pledge from the European Union in post-flood support.

He is in no doubt about the scale of the problem.

The fact that we are witnessing these extreme events with greater frequency means that we need to plan our civil protection in a different way, he said. Its a war we have to fight with an enemy, sometimes we cannot avoid, sometimes we can contain.

A firefighter runs as wildfire intensifies in Evros, Greece, on Aug. 31, 2023. (Ayhan Mehmet / Anadolu Agency via Getty Images file)

Phoebe Koundouri, an expert in the economics of climate change at Athens University, said it is natural for people to be angry when the right information about what is causing the extreme weather, and how to mitigate its effects, has not found its way to politicians, businesses or the public.

They are angry, yes. They are desperate and theyre angry at everyone. The solution needs science, it means saying, I understand that climate change is happening and I understand I can be part of the solution, she said.

Politicians need to understand that this is an emergency  but also that there are huge opportunities for job generation, added Koundouri.

Live by luck

A six-hour drive from Palamas, in the far northeast, is the Evros region, which borders Turkey and Bulgaria.

Theodora Skartsi near Dadia, Greece, on Sept. 14, 2023. Skartsi is the manager of the Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace. (Dave Copeland / NBC News)

Theodora Skartsi, 60, manager of the Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace, an environmental group, takes NBC News on a winding drive to a vantage point in the National Forest near the village of Dadia, where birds of prey circle overhead. Almost everything here was charred or turned to ash and rubble.

In some places, the forest is totally burned. In some other places, they kept their leaves but the trunk was burned. And in some other places we have some green islands, she said, describing the forest as having been attacked by a fire monster.

Rallying a response to climate change is made harder because many factors are at play. Skartsi has worked here since 1993 and is convinced global warming is a catalyst.

Climate change is here and it was an important factor for the strong fire. Its difficult to fight against it because the forest was very dry and easily burned, she said. And if forest fires continue, flooding then becomes a hugely increased risk, she warned. But she had a list of other issues.

Problems stretching back decades, such as a lack of rangers to protect the land, a lack of funding for the fire service and the abandonment of traditional farming methods, result in a forest that has little resilience to climate change, she said.

Christos Siaranferis, a volunteer firefighter, in Greece on Sept. 14, 2023. (Dave Copeland / NBC News)

Christos Siarnaferis, 34, a volunteer firefighter, agrees.

There are people who grew up on this mountain  lumberjacks, hunters, locals, farmers, too  their land is next to the forest. The authorities didnt listen to them. We had predicted 4-5 days earlier that the fire would get here. They didnt take us seriously, and thats the result, he said.

However, Siarnaferis doesnt squarely blame global warming but the Mediterranean regions long hot year. This past winter it only rained for a month, which was not enough. It didnt snow, he said.

Even in a relatively small country like Greece, catastrophic climate events are having different impacts in different places. And hitting the country hardest where it is already facing a climate of political cynicism.

People do not trust the government, Archontopoulos, the union leader, said. We say here, You live by luck in Greece.

Keir Simmons and Alex Holmes reported from Greece, Patrick Smith reported from London.
Investigators are resuming their search for a missing Idaho woman who was last seen at an Oregon convenience store on June 27.

A T-shirt belonging to 27-year-old Gwen Brunelle was found on Sept. 10 about a mile and a half from where her abandoned car was found in June, the Malheur County Sheriffs office told USA TODAY.

Malheur County Undersheriff David Kesey said Wednesday that authorities are set to relaunch search efforts Saturday, Sept. 23. The latest search will focus on the surrounding area of where the shirt was found.

Brunelle is from Boise and left the area on June 26, Kesey said. She was last seen around noon on June 27 at Sinclair gas station in Jordan Valley, Oregon, about 83 miles southwest of Boise, according to posts from the Boise Police Department and a family member.

Since then, the Malheur County Sheriffs Office in Oregon and the Boise Police Department have been working to find her. USA TODAY has reached out to the Boise Police Department for more information.

Gwen Brunelle, a woman whose car was found on June 28, 2023 abandoned in Oregon. She was last seen in a Jordan Valley convenience store.

'Numerous' searches centered on abandoned car

Brunelle was last seen wearing a dark-colored short-sleeved shirt, black leggings and black knee-high boots with flat soles. She is 5-foot-7, weighs 160 pounds and has medium length brown hair and brown eyes.

Boise Police investigators have been working to establish a digital footprint to help detectives track her last communications and possible locations, Boise police wrote in an August 2 Facebook post.

A patrol deputy found her vehicle abandoned on a road near the Oregon-Idaho border on June 30, Kesey told USA TODAY. The deputy ran the registration and saw that the vehicle belonged to Brunelle.

The vehicle Gwen Brunelle was driving when she was last seen in June 2023.

Investigators searched the immediate area that night and then on July 1, another search was conducted using both ground crews and an airplane.

"Since that time there has been numerous other searches conducted by the sheriffs office, private citizens and non-profit organizations," Kesey told USA TODAY, adding that multiple groups and private citizens with airplanes have helped search for her.

The Malheur County Sheriffs Office stopped its search in the area of the abandoned vehicle on July 6.

Missing: Ex-NFL player Sergio Brown missing after his mother killed near Chicago-area home

Missing: Police say a Virginia mom, her 3 kids are missing. Her husband says he's not concerned.

The Malheur County Sheriff's Office in Oregon also posted pleas for help finding Brunelle, noting that she was last seen at a convenience store and no one had heard from her.

Since Brunelle went missing in June, a family member has shared updates on Facebook, adding that the family is trying to keep hope alive shell be found safe.

Anyone with information should call Boise police at 208-377-6790 or the Malheur County Sheriff at 541-473-5125.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gwen Brunelle: Search for missing Idaho woman focuses on shirt found
The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike is intensifying, with the union threatening to hit more plants and politicians entering the fray. Republican presidential contender Donald Trump says hell address striking workers on Sept. 27, and some Democrats are urging President Joe Biden to show more solidarity with folks walking the picket lines.

Economists are trying to tally the damage the strike may cause to the broader economy. But the most notable thing may be how little damage the strike causes and how rare work stoppages have become, especially compared with the decades following World War II.

Back in the 1950s  happy days, to many nostalgic Americans  there were an average of 352 strikes per year, affecting 1.6 million workers. Strikes remained common until they started to drop off in the 1980s. During the last 10 years, by contrast, there have been only 15 strikes per year, on average, affecting 140,000 workers. Thats a 91% drop-off in the number of workers going on strike each year.

Less disruption via strikes is good for the economy. The UAW strike will strengthen the perception that the US has been plunged into a new period of industrial unrest at the hands of resurgent unions, Capital Economics noted in a Sept. 19 analysis. But this is hardly a return to the chaos of the 1970s.

Its more debatable whether the trends responsible for the huge drop-off in strikes are beneficial. Union membership has declined from a peak of 34% right after World War II to a post-war low of just 10.1% last year. Unions tend to give workers more bargaining power, so the decline of unions has left some workers with less leverage to demand better pay, benefits, and work conditions.

A Treasury Dept. report from August linked the decline in union membership with stagnating middle-class wages and worsening income inequality during the last 40 years. Increased unionization has the potential to contribute to the reversal of the stark increase in inequality seen over the last half century, the report concluded.

Its also true, however, that the manufacturing work most likely to be unionized has shrunk as a total of all employment, from 30% in 1950 to just 8.3% today. Most workers are in the service economy, which is far less likely to be unionized.

United Auto Workers members strike at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant on Sept. 16, 2023 in Wayne, Mich. This is the first time in history that the UAW is striking all three of the Big Three auto makers, Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis, at the same time. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

[Drop Rick Newman a note, follow him on Twitter, or sign up for his newsletter.]

The popularity of unions also dropped, from a peak approval rating of 75% in the early 1950s to a low of 48% in 2009, when overstuffed union contracts contributed to the General Motors and Chrysler bankruptcies. Unions have become more popular since then, but given the broad retreat of unions, that could be more of a theoretical belief that unions can help struggling workers than a judgment on unions actual effectiveness.

Theres been a modest resurgence of strike activity in 2023, which some labor activists find reassuring. Around 530,000 workers have gone on strike this year in 34 different labor actions, the highest number of striking workers since 1986.

The biggest strike so far this year is the Screen Actors Guild stoppage, which began in July. That involves 160,000 workers and is still ongoing. A Writers Guild strike that began in May and involves 11,500 workers is also still underway. If the UAW strike intensifies it could ultimately involve more than 100,000 workers and cause a shortage of some vehicles on dealer lots, just as the auto industry is getting back to normal from several years of dislocations related to the COVID pandemic.

It's unlikely, however, that a new era of muscular labor unions is dawning. If the UAW workers were to get what they want, it would put the three Detroit automakers at an even bigger disadvantage on labor costs than they already face compared with non-unionized competitors such as Tesla and most of the foreign brands that operate factories in the United States.

General Motors, Ford, and Jeep parent Stellantis have options. They all have substantial operations in Mexico, where labor costs are sharply lower. They can still earn a healthy profit building high-margin trucks and SUVs with union labor at US plants, but many lower-priced vehicles are only economically viable if built outside the United States.

There are now fewer than 400,000 unionized auto workers in the United States, with UAW membership down 11% since 2017. The number of auto workers in Mexico is more than twice the number of UAW workers and growing. The UAW has some leverage in 2023, but the unions glory days are in the increasingly distant past.

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
The federal government is discharging $37 million in student loans for over 1,200 former students who attended the University of Phoenix.

The action applies to borrowers who enrolled in Phoenix between Sept. 21, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2014, and applied for a borrower defense loan discharge, a legal ground borrowers can take against a school that engaged in misconduct related to the loan or the educational services it provided.

These borrowers will receive emails from the Department of Education by early October and no further action is needed. Any payments already made to the department on related federal student loans will be refunded.

Borrowers who attended Phoenix but did not file a borrower's defense discharge will need to complete an application on the Federal Student Aid website.

This discharge comes after the department reviewed evidence obtained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its investigation into Phoenix that resulted in a $191 million settlement in 2019.

"The University of Phoenix brazenly deceived prospective students with false ads to get them to enroll," Richard Cordray, chief operating officer at Federal Student Aid, said in a statement. "Students who trusted the school and wanted to better their lives through education ended up with mounds of debt and useless degrees. Todays announcement builds on the FTCs work to provide relief to those affected by Phoenixs misconduct and delivers on the Biden-Harris administrations mission to support student loan borrowers."

As of Wednesday, the Biden administration has discharged more than $117 billion, which includes $14.8 billion for 1.1 million borrowers whose colleges took advantage of them or closed abruptly.

The local office for the online school University of Phoenix located in Raleigh, N.C. (Photo by Jason Arthurs/Raleigh News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The "closed school loan discharge" and "borrower loan defense discharge" programs allow borrowers to apply to get their student debt discharged if their school closes while enrolled or if the school misled students.

In the latest action, the department found that Phoenix "brazenly deceived" borrowers with a national ad campaign "falsely representing that its partnerships with thousands of corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, would benefit students by, for example, giving them hiring preferences at those companies," the department said in a press release.

For instance, Phoenix did not have partnerships with companies nor did its relationship with corporate partners result in any benefits to students. Corporate partners simply allowed Phoenix to display their logos in a career database portal, when all the jobs posted were available to the general public, not uniquely to Phoenix students.

Although management at Phoenix was aware that the corporate relationships did not exist, a senior vice president described one of the advertisements as "smoke & mirrors." Phoenix continued to advertise its "connection" and "partnership" with corporate employers until December 2014, the department said.

The Department of Education is seeking to recoup costs for the borrower's defense discharge and repayment of the liabilities associated with these approved claims at a later date from the University of Phoenix.

We respectfully, but adamantly disagree with the U.S. Department of Educations allegations related to the Dec. 2019 University of Phoenix settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)," a University of Phoenix spokesperson told Yahoo Finance. "The claims made by the FTC and the Dept. of Ed were never tested in court. We stand behind our statement from Dec. of 2019 in which we admitted no wrongdoing in the Lets Get Back to Work campaign, a single campaign that ran from late 2012 to early 2014. We encourage review of our statement and the ads on a University of Phoenix microsite."

"Students deceived by the University of Phoenix deserve strong relief, and todays action is an important step forward," Samuel Levine, director of FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said. "We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to protect students."

Borrowers who believe they were defrauded can apply for a borrower's defense discharge on the Federal Student Aid website.

Read more: Student loan issues? Here's how to file a complaint with the Department of Education

Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on Twitter @writesronda.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
A teacher was removed from an eighth-grade classroom last week for reportedly allowing students to read from a graphic novel adaptation of "The Diary of Anne Frank" that includes sexual content and images of nude statues.

The Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District teacher was removed from the classroom on Sept. 14, as first reported by local news station KFDM last week. District spokesperson Mike Canizales told the station that this version of Frank's diary "was not approved" to be read in class.

"The teacher was sent home [Wednesday]," Canizales said. "There is an active investigation."

Anne Frank in 1942. (Anne Frank House via Flickr)

Canizales would not confirm the details of the incident after multiple requests for information from NBC News. Canizales instead provided an email that went out to parents on Friday about "concerns" over the reading curriculum and a substitute teacher.

"The District is currently in the process of posting the position to secure a high-quality, full-time teacher as quickly as possible," the email said. "During this period of transition, our administrators and curriculum team will provide heightened support and monitoring in the reading class to ensure continuity in instruction."

Anne Franks Diary: The Graphic Adaptation is an illustrated version of Frank's unabridged diary, which was first published in 1947, two years after she and her sister died in a German concentration camp.

This version of the diary includes sections omitted from earlier publications, in which Frank suggests to a friend they show each other their breasts and a section where Frank walks past nude statues.

The book was removed from a Florida school library in April after a leader of Moms for Liberty in Indian River County raised objections to the content. A spokeswoman for the School District of Indian River County said the book had only been checked out twice before it was removed.

The graphic novel was also on a list of books removed by the Keller Independent School District in the Forth Worth, Texas, area last year, according to NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.
A Delta Air Lines flight from Accra, Ghana, to New York wound up in the Azores, Portugal. A Southwest flight from Fort Myers, Florida, to Pittsburgh that went to Baltimore. A LATAM flight from Miami to Santiago, Chile, landed instead in Panama City.

Flying is usually the fastest way to get somewhere. But if something goes wrong during your flight, you could wind up hundreds or even thousands of miles away from where youre trying to go with unnecessary time added to your trip.

Flight diversions are a frustrating reality of air travel, especially at certain times of the year, but they never happen out of spite  its pretty much always because diverting is the safest thing to do.

Heres everything a traveler needs to know about diversions and some expert tips on handling the situation if it happens to you:

Flight diversions are frustrating but safety comes first.

Why do flights get diverted?

Off the top of my head, I can think of at least two flights I have been on that got diverted. The first was on JetBlue, heading from Cancun, Mexico, to New York. Severe weather in New York closed the airports, and my flight wound up landing in Baltimore. More recently, I was on a puddle jumper in Puerto Rico from Culebra to San Juan, and we had to make an extra stop in Ceiba to pick up a commuting crew member.

According to Ahmed Abdelghany, associate dean for research and a professor of operations management at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, weather is an extremely common reason for diversion, but crew issues, not so much.

The common reasons are weather and mechanical problems and medical issues  unexpected serious medical issues for passengers or crew, he told me.

Reg Wright, CEO of Gander International Airport Authority, told me that unruly passengers can also lead to flight diversions.

Gander is a large airport in a fairly remote part of Newfoundland and is a common diversion point for transatlantic flights that experience trouble. Its especially famous as the setting for the Broadway musical Come from Away, based on the true story of 38 flights with thousands of passengers and crew that landed there after U.S. airspace closed on Sept. 11, 2001.

According to Wright, about one in 15,000 transatlantic flights these days wind up having to make a pit stop at Gander. In fact, he said, an American Airlines jet made a stop there just hours after we spoke.

How long do flight diversions usually last?

Flight diversion timing is extremely unpredictable and is largely based on what led to the rerouting in the first place.

Every situation is different, Abdelghany said. If this is the end of the day, you might end up sleeping at the airport if nearby hotel rooms are already booked up.

Diversions for an onboard medical issue can be handled fairly quickly, while a mechanical problem could result in a longer delay  especially if a replacement aircraft is required, or if the crew runs out of duty hours while waiting for the issue to be fixed.

A recent Delta flight from Accra, Ghana, to New York was forced to divert to a small airport in the Azores due to a mechanical issue, and passengers reportedly wound up spending about 12 hours on the ground with little in the way of refreshments while waiting for a new plane and crew to arrive.

Abdelghany said when a flight is forced to divert to an airport that its airline doesnt usually serve, as was the case in Deltas diversion to the Azores, it can be even more complicated for the company and frustrating for passengers.

Wright said that Gander, which had its peak popularity before the jet age when prop planes required stops to refuel on trans-oceanic flights, is better equipped than many remote airports to handle diversions.

The advantage we have in Gander is we have a facility here that we still maintain that was built for aviation as it existed in 1959, he said. We have the international lounge, which is a sterile space thats not quite Canada. That facility has capacity for upwards of 1,000 people under fire codes, and theres washrooms there.

Wright said passengers tend to appreciate the ability to stretch their legs during a long diversion.

Will I ever get to my destination?

Yes.

Airlines do not want you to get stranded any more than you want to be stuck somewhere; they always work to get you reaccommodated.

But, Abdelghany said, the carriers can be constrained in how quickly they can provide that accommodation in some cases.

As passengers you dont know the big picture, he said, pointing out that severe weather could disrupt hundreds of flights, and crews have strict limits on how long theyre allowed to work between mandatory rest periods.

Sometimes, passengers choose to make their own arrangements. He said he was once flying to Orlando, Florida, and his plane got diverted to Miami. Rather than wait for the airline to rebook them, he and some fellow passengers just rented a car and drove the final leg.

Am I owed anything if my flight gets diverted?

Department of Transportation regulations do not require compensation or other accommodation for diversions. Weather diversions are typically considered uncontrollable by airlines, though mechanical diversions may fall under the category of controllable delays, in which case the DOTs consumer dashboard outlines the commitments each carrier has made for reaccommodation.

Keep in mind that airlines are unlikely to leave you stranded somewhere, even if their policy doesnt officially cover diversions. Reporters like me would make it a headache for any company that totally abandoned its passengers.

When my family and I were sent to Baltimore on the way home from Cancun, JetBlue chartered buses to get us the rest of the way to New York (about a three-hour ride).

Last week's Cruising Altitude: Kids on planes can be annoying but separation isn't the answer

What should I do if my flight gets diverted?

Wright said its important to remember that, while diversions are frustrating, theyre not the end of the world.

Take stock, calm down, maybe have a bite to eat  Airlines are going to do their very best to get you moving so soon as they humanly can, he said. Theres a bit of novelty in it, so long as everyone is safe and well, you can always put a thumbtack in a part of the world you probably didnt intend to see  We all need to cultivate an adventurous spirit sometime.

Zach Wichter is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in New York. You can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Your flight might get diverted: what to know | Cruising Altitude
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.

At the onset of his unprecedented third term, Xi Jinping stacked Chinas top ranks with a slate of loyalists who he presumably hoped would smooth the paths to achieve his grand vision for China.

Less than a year on, however, a storm of turbulence is roiling Xis hand-picked ruling elite, raising questions about his judgment and dampening international confidence in his governance  at a time when China is facing major economic troubles at home and increased competition with the United States on the world stage.

In just a matter of months, two senior members of Chinas cabinet who served as the countrys key interlocutors with the world have gone missing. Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for three weeks, sparking speculation he is under investigation. Weeks earlier, Foreign Minister Qin Gang was dramatically ousted after vanishing from public view for a month.

Their sudden absence comes as Xi is seeking to eliminate any perceived threats and vulnerabilities in a drive to bolster national security, amid rising tensions with the West.

Both Li and Qin serve among Chinas five state councillors, a senior position in the cabinet that outranks a regular minister. Li also sits on the Central Military Commission, a powerful body headed by Xi that commands the armed forces.

Meanwhile, the surprise removal of two top generals has rocked the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force, an elite unit set up by Xi to modernize Chinas conventional and nuclear missile capabilities, sparking concerns of a broader purge in the military.

The Chinese government, which has become even more opaque under Xi, offered little in the way of a public explanation for the series of personnel shake-ups, nor did it show any interest in clearing up the inevitable speculation that has run rampant since.

On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that Qin was found by a Communist Party investigation to have been engaged in an extramarital affair while serving as Chinas envoy to Washington, citing people familiar with the matter. Chinas Foreign Ministry declined to comment on the report.

The lack of transparency over the fate of two high-profile ministers has dealt a blow to the international image of Beijing, which has touted its political model as more stable and efficient than Western democracies.

Experts say the growing uncertainty among Chinas ruling elite has exposed the vulnerabilities of its one-party system  which have only been amplified by Xis concentration of personal power during what is now his third term.

Whats going on in China really represents and has reflected an absolutely tremendous political risk emanating from Beijing, said Drew Thompson, a senior research fellow at the National University of Singapore.

The political risk is both among Xi Jinping and his relationship with his handpicked subordinates, but also the lack of established rules and norms that govern behaviors in the system.

As defense minister, a largely ceremonial role in the Chinese system, Li does not command combat forces. But he is an important face of Chinas military diplomacy to the outside world, said James Char, a research fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

If Li Shangfu is really in trouble, Beijing will be perceived in a very negative way to have two state councillors removed so soon in Xi Jinpings third term, he said.

Since being promoted to the post in March, Li has traveled twice to Moscow to meet his Russian counterpart, visited Belarus president in Minsk, and shook hands with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at a security conference in Singapore.

In recent weeks, however, Li has reportedly missed a series of diplomatic engagements, including an annual meeting on border defense with Vietnamese officials and a meeting with Singapores Navy Chief in Beijing.

But experts noted there is one silver-lining in Lis mysterious absence when it comes to efforts to stabilize US-China relations.

Li was sanctioned by the US in 2018 over Chinas purchase of Russian weapons, and Beijing has repeatedly suggested that the US wont get a meeting with Li unless the sanctions were revoked.

If Li was removed as defense minister, it could potentially open a window for the resumption of high-level military talks between the two superpowers.

China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu gives a speech during the Moscow Conference on International Security on August 15. - Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images/File

Xi could not escape the blame

The potential downfall of Xis own loyalists would reflect badly on the top leader, who has concentrated power and decision-making into his own hands to a level unseen in China in recent decades, analysts say.

Two state councillors single-handedly promoted by Xi had run into troubles within six months, no matter how hard the authorities try to defend it, Xi could not escape the blame, said Deng Yuwen, a former editor of a Communist Party newspaper who now lives in the US.

There will be questions within the party over what kind of people he has placed in important positions.

Rahm Emanuel, the US ambassador to Japan, even compared Xis cabinet line-up to Agatha Christies novel And Then There Were None.

Whos going to win this unemployment race? Chinas youth or Xis cabinet? the ambassador wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

China is already battling a series of economic woes  from record youth unemployment and mounting local government debt to a spiraling property crisis. The growing uncertainty in Xis ruling circle risks fueling a crisis of confidence in the worlds second largest economy, analysts noted.

Xis latest high-level purge underscores his belief that ideological cohesion, not economic performance or perceived military prowess, are the cornerstones of a nations strength, a lesson he drew from the Soviet Unions collapse, said Craig Singleton, a senior China fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington DC.

Lis removal may not seriously impinge on Chinas state relations, but it will almost certainly reinforce the international business communitys growing concerns regarding party overreach and dwindling transparency in China.

Fighting corruption

Military leader Li, 65, cut his teeth at one of Chinas main satellite-launch sites in the southwestern province of Sichuan, rising through the ranks to become its director.

After three decades at the launch center, he was promoted to work in the PLAs headquarters on armaments in 2013, soon after Xi rose to power. t

Li is believed to be a protege of General Zhang Youxia, Xis childhood friend and closest ally in the military. In a sign of his prominence, Zhang was promoted to first vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) during the leadership reshuffle last October despite having well passed the unofficial retirement age.

From 2017 to 2022, Li was in charge of Chinas weapon procurement as the head of the CMCs Equipment Development Department, a position Zhang previously held.

In July, days before the two top generals at Rocket Force were abruptly removed, the Equipment Development Department announced a fresh crackdown on corrupt procurement practices, calling for tips on questionable activities dating back to 2017  coinciding with the time Li took the helm of the department.

Since coming to power, Xi has wielded an unrelenting anti-corruption campaign, which ensnared hundreds of senior officials and generals and millions more lower-level cadres.

If you look back over 10 years, Xi Jinping is still battling corruption. Hes still battling disloyalty. Hes still expressing his concerns about the loyalty of the army towards the party, said Thompson, the researcher at the National University of Singapore.

This really reveals some fundamental problems in the nature of governance in Beijing. The lack of checks and balances, the over-reliance on top down party control does nothing to remove the incentives that underpin the behaviors that theyre constantly trying to root out.

Such purges will keep happening

Even as he has already amassed more power than any other Chinese leader in recent decades, Xi is still doubling down on a campaign to consolidate his authority in the party and the military.

Last week, as speculation mounted over the whereabouts of the defense minister, Xi called for unity and stability within the military during an inspection in Chinas northeast.

The lack of political trust between individuals in the system is an underlying driver of of this campaign, Thompson said.

Xi is not the only Chinese leader who has turned against his own circle after amassing unrivaled personal power. Chairman Mao Zedong, Communist Chinas founding father and the most powerful leader before Xi, purged many of his once trusted allies in the Cultural Revolution.

Char, the expert at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, warned the political shake-ups does not suggest Xi is losing his grip on power.

The very fact that he can remove anyone he wantssays a lot about the extent of control Xi has achieved, Char said.

But he noted the disappearance of Li and Qin is a symptom of the one-party centralized rule in China.

Until Xi Jinping has the gumption to reform the entire political systemIm very sure this kind of purges will just keep happening.

CNNs Simone McCarthy contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A United Airlines plane. Thierry Monasse/Getty Images

Airlines have been on the lookout for potentially dodgy spare parts.

The supplier has been under investigation by regulators who say it used false documentation.

United, Southwest, and Virgin Australia have all identified suspect parts, per Bloomberg.

United Airlines has joined the ranks of air carriers affected by inauthentic engine parts from a supplier called AOG Technics, Bloomberg first reported.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a notification about the London-based supplier last month, suspecting unapproved parts.

It said AOG Technics had used false documentation for engine parts of unknown origin.

Bloomberg previously reported the dubious parts were used for repairs of CFM56 engines, which power many Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 planes, leaving companies scouring their records for references to the supplier. The total number of suspect spare parts is still unknown.

Since then, three major airlines have discovered that the components had been used in some of their engines.

A spokesperson for United told Insider that components were discovered in a single engine on each of two aircraft, one of which was already undergoing routine maintenance.

"We are replacing the affected engines on both aircraft before they are returned to service, and we'll continue to investigate as new information becomes available from our suppliers," they added.

Also on Monday, Virgin Australia Airlines found a second suspected unapproved part from AOG Technics, Bloomberg reported. Flightradar24 data showed the Boeing 737 in question was diverted during a flight on Saturday.

"At Virgin Australia, safety is our highest priority and we apply a highly stringent approach to maintenance to ensure our safety standard is upheld," a spokesperson told Insider.

Southwest Airlines was the first major carrier to disclose that it had identified components from AOG Technics. "We became aware of the issue in early August and took necessary steps to ensure we do not have any parts in our fleet from AOG," a spokesperson said in a statement shared with Insider.

"Our suppliers conducted a review of Southwest parts and identified one engine that contained two low-pressure turbine blades from this vendor. In an abundance of caution, we made an immediate decision to promptly replace those parts on that single engine."

Read the original article on Business Insider
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland told a House committee on Wednesday that Republican threats to defund the FBI would be "catastrophic" if carried out and that the Justice Department did not exist to do anyone's political bidding.

Garland pushed back against Republican lawmakers who have criticized the Department of Justice for its handling of the indictments of Republican former President Donald Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden.

"Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate," Garland told the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee.

"I am not the presidents lawyer. I will add I am not Congresss prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people."

Some of Trump's hardline Republican allies have called for a defunding of the FBI to protest its investigation into and prosecution of more than 1,140 Trump supporters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in a bid to overturn his election defeat.

Garland warned that carrying out that threat would leave the nation "naked" to everything from the "malign influence of the Chinese Communist Party" to "domestic violent extremists."

"I just cannot imagine the consequences of defunding the FBI," Garland said. "They would be catastrophic."

Wednesday marked Garland's first testimony before Congress since two historic firsts: the department's criminal charges against a former U.S. president and against a sitting president's adult child.

It also comes a week after the Republican-led House launched an impeachment inquiry into President Biden, related to Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings and as congressional inaction threatens to cause the fourth partial U.S. government shutdown in a decade beginning next month.

The White House has dismissed the impeachment probe as politically motivated and unsubstantiated. The committee's ranking Democrat, Jerrold Nadler, on Wednesday accused Republicans of wasting "countless taxpayer dollars" on investigations into Biden "to find evidence for an absurd impeachment."

Special Counsel Jack Smith, appointed by Garland last autumn, has twice secured indictments of Trump over his alleged mishandling of classified records and for his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Trump, the front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has pleaded not guilty to those charges and to two state criminal indictments he faces in New York and Georgia.

The former president has repeatedly verbally attacked Smith, potential witnesses, and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the election subversion case, saying the prosecutions he faces are politically motivated.

Republicans have also been critical of the department's handling of a five-year-long tax investigation into Hunter Biden, 53.

The younger Biden was set in July to plead guilty to two misdemeanor tax counts and to agree to enroll in a program to avert a gun charge as part of a deal with the then-U.S. Attorney for Delaware, David Weiss.

The deal collapsed after a federal judge questioned its terms.

Shortly before that, an Internal Revenue Service whistleblower who worked on the criminal tax probe also claimed that the Justice Department stymied Weiss from pursuing more serious tax charges by failing to appoint him sooner as special counsel, so that he could pursue the cases in either Washington, D.C., or Central California. Hunter Biden lives in California.

Amid mounting Republican criticism, Garland appointed Weiss as special counsel so he could continue to investigate and possibly pursue tax charges in other federal districts.

Weiss' office this month charged Hunter Biden with three counts related to purchase and possession of a firearm while he was using illegal drugs. He intends to plead not guilty.

Republicans on Wednesday grilled Garland about the Hunter Biden case.

"Has anyone from the White House provided direction at any time to you personally or to any senior officials at the DOJ regarding how the Hunter Biden investigated was to be carried out?" Republican congressman Mike Johnson asked.

"No," Garland said.

The attorney general also defended how the investigation was carried out under Weiss, saying he never "intruded" into Weiss' work and telling Congress that Weiss always had "full authority to conduct his investigation" as he saw fit and only recently sought special counsel status.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch; Editing by Scott Malone, Matthew Lewis and Jonathan Oatis)
sacw.net - 11 February 2018 [ last update on 27 Feb ]

A Public Event Announcement - Remembering Asma Jahangir (New Delhi, 15 Feb 2018) http://www.sacw.net/article13640.html

o o o

Road side flex in Lahore as hundreds march to attend Asma Jahangirs funeral prayers at Lahores Gaddafi Stadium on 13 Feb.

Thousands of men and women bid farewell to the mighty Asma Jahangir in Lahore. As a sharp lawyer and passionate human rights activist she battled bigotry, misogyny, repression and dictatorship for Pakistanis of all faiths, class and creeds. Good bye, fighter. Photo via Tweet from Nadeem Paracha

Photo of front cover of the lahore newspaper Daily Times (14 Feb 2018) on Asma Jahangirs fundral prayer meeting

Funeral bridges religious and ethnic divides by Marvi Sirmed (14 February 2018) https://dailytimes.com.pk/201679/funeral-bridges-religious-ethnic-divides/

o o o

I. News reports from around the world from 11 Feb 2018

PAKISTAN MEDIA:

https://www.geo.tv/latest/181414-human-rights-icon-asma-jahangir-passes-away-in-lahore

Leading human rights lawyer Asma Jahangir passes away in Lahore https://www.dawn.com/news/1388771/asma-jahangir-leading-human-rights-lawyer-passes-away-in-lahore

Human rights icon Asma Jahangir passes away in Lahore https://tribune.com.pk/story/1632167/1/

Eminent lawyer and activist Asma Jahangir passes away https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/279732-eminent-lawyer-and-activist-asma-jahangir-passes-away

Asma the fearless - Editorial in Dawn (February 12, 2018) https://www.dawn.com/news/1388808

INTERNATIONAL COVERAGE:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43023082 http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43023082

Pakistani leading rights activist, Asma Jehangir, dead at 66 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/pakistani-leading-rights-activist-asma-jehangir-dies-at-66/2018/02/11/891e2e2a-0f16-11e8-a68c-e9374188170e_story.html

Mort dAsma Jahangir, militante pakistanaise des droits de lhomme http://www.lemonde.fr/disparitions/article/2018/02/11/mort-d-asma-jahangir-militante-pakistanaise-des-droits-de-l-homme_5255135_3382.html

Leading Pakistani Rights Activist Asma Jahangir Dies At 66 https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-leading-rights-activist-asma-jahangir-dead-66/29033365.html

REPORTS IN INDIA / SOUTH ASIA:

Pakistanas iron lady Asma Jehangir passes away http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistans-iron-lady-asma-jehangir-passes-away/article22721342.ece

Asma Jahangir, Champion Of Human Rights, Critic Of Pak Army, Dies At 66 https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/top-pakistani-rights-advocate-asma-jahangir-dies-family-1811316

Threats Did Not Stop Asma Jahangir From Fighting For Rights In Pakistan https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/threats-did-not-stop-asma-jahangir-from-fighting-for-rights-in-pakistan-1811433

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/pakistani-activist-asma-jahangir-dies-of-cardiac-arrest/articleshow/62872038.cms Pakistani activist Asma Jahangir dies of cardiac arrest - PTI | Updated: Feb 11, 2018

Condolences pour in for Asma Jehangir on Twitter http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/condolences-pour-in-for-asma-jehangir-on-twitter/article22722098.ece

o o o

II. STATEMENTS / TRIBUTES:

South Asians For Human Rights

SAHR mourns the passing away of Asma Jahangir

February 11 2018

Press Statements

South Asians for Human Rights ( SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, is deeply saddened at the passing away of Asma Jahangir. Asma was a senior advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, a founding member of SAHR, and its current Spokesperson and bureau member. As a remarkably vocal human rights advocate, her contribution at regional and global level is immense.

Asma Jahangir was a former chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and President of the Supreme Court Bar Association of Pakistan. She held the UN mandate as Special Rapporteur on Extra Judicial Killings from 1998 to 2004 and Freedom of Religion or Belief from 2004 to 2010. At the time of her demise she was a board member of International Crisis Group and UN Special Rapporteur of Human Rights in Iran.

SAHR offers its deepest condolences to Asmaas family at this difficult time. Her sudden demise is a irreplaceable loss not only to SAHR but to her fellow human rights comrades in Pakistan, South Asia and the world.

On behalf of the members of South Asians for Human Rights

Sultana Kamal, Chairperson

Mohamed Latheef, Co-chairperson

o o o

The UN Secretary General on the death of my tireless human rights activist Asma Jahangir . pic.twitter.com/pmRp2Oo4wv  Munizae Jahangir (@MunizaeJahangir) February 12, 2018

o o o

Pakistan: My friend Asma by I A Rehman

A little lawyer from Lahore became the greatest defender of human rights in the subcontinent. What a life to celebrate for a long, long time http://www.sacw.net/article13648.html

The Importance of Being Asma by Mohammed Hanif

For a couple of years, Mohammed Hanif followed Asma Jahangir on her annual fact-finding missions to Balochistan. http://www.sacw.net/article13647.html

Against Deification | Maryam Hussain

Little Big Woman | Najam Sethi (The Friday Times Issue: 16 Feb 2018)

In Memoriam: Asma Jahangir, 1952-2018 by International Crisis Group https://www.crisisgroup.org/who-we-are/crisis-group-updates/memoriam-asma-jahangir-1952-2018

Pakistan: Asma Jahangir leaves behind a powerful human rights legacy

Amnesty International (12 February 2018) https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2018/02/asma-jahangir-leaves-a-brave-human-rights-legacy

Asma Jahangir obituary by Victoria Schofield (13 February 2018) https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/feb/13/asma-jahangir-obituary

o o o

III LINKS TO SOME PAST INTERVIEWS AND PORTRAITS OF ASMA JAHANGIR

Profile: Asma Jahangir: The street fighter https://herald.dawn.com/news/1153540

Who is Asma Jahangir? http://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-asma-jahangir-pakistan-lawyer-human-rights-activists-5059594/

Asma Jahangir Interview by Amitav Ghosh (1997) http://amitavghosh.com/blog/?p=6123

A conversation with Asma Jehangir by Ritu Menon (2001) http://himalmag.com/a-conversation-with-asma-jehangir-interview/

Days of Rage: Challenges for the nationas future by William Dalrymple

( 2007) https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2007/07/23/days-of-rage

Blood and guts by Declan Walsh https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/jul/21/pakistan.declanwalsh

IV SELECT VIDEO RECORDINGS:

25 Oct 2017 - Remarks by Ms. Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, at the 31st meeting of the Third Committee http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/treaty-bodies/watch/asma-jahangir-special-rapporteur-on-human-rights-in-iran-at-the-third-committee-31st-meeting-general-assembly-72nd-session/5621682190001/?term=&sort=popular

Asma Jahangir: Personal Journey to Justice (2016) [Jahangir received an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Pennsylvania on May 16, 2016]

2014 Right Livelihood Award Laureate Asma Jahangir on defending human rights in Pakistan

2014 Right Livelihood Award Laureate Asma Jahangir on defending human rights in Pakistan from Right Livelihood Award on Vimeo.

Walking Together for Freedom with Asma Jahangir (2012)

Asma Jahangir: "Will Pakistans Democracy Survive?" (2009)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered a grim view of the future at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday: If Russia's aggression is allowed to spread, it won't stop there.

The chilling remarks by the Ukrainian president were aimed at countries that have been ambivalent about whose side they're on since the conflict began in February 2022 and nations that were with him in the beginning but have pulled back on their support.

Russia's invasion of his country is pushing the world to the "final war," the Ukrainian president told world leaders attending the annual gathering in New York. Zelenskyy argued that nuclear nonproliferation cannot be the only deterrent to the international conflict.

Invoking aggression toward nearby Georgia and Russia's military intervention in Syria, he declared, "When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there."

"Many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty  empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression," Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at United Nations headquarters, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) ORG XMIT: UNSW133

Zelenskyy's plea to world leaders came during a two-part visit to the United States that will take him to Washington on Thursday for talks with U.S. lawmakers. They are debating whether to provide Ukraine with another tranche of aid. He will also meet at the White House with President Joe Biden.

On a prior visit to the U.S. last December, the Ukrainian leader was able to rouse Congress into approving a large aid package. Zelenskyy's success this time is not guaranteed with some Republicans in the House of Representatives deeply opposed to tapping taxpayer funds to provide additional military support.

Fearful of a broader weakening of the global coalition supporting Ukraine, Zelenskyy spoke out about Russian President Vladimir Putin's alleged crimes against his country. He warned nations that if they abandon his country their borders could be violated next.

Zelenskyy called out neighboring European countries, in particular, for making it harder for Ukraine to export grain.

In remarks that were apparently directed at Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, Zelenskyy accused "some of our friends in Europe" with engaging in "political theater" with grain agreements.

As he delivered the charge, a diplomat from Russia was shown on the United Nations' feed toying with his cellphone.

Hours earlier, Biden pushed the international community to continue supporting Ukraine at the forum. Putin has been charged with crimes by the International Criminal Court and is not attending the General Assembly.

Putin's alleged role in the mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia led the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for the Russian leader in March.

"Time goes by. What will happen with them? What will happen with them?" Zelenskyy asked on Tuesday. "Those children in Russia are told to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide."

The Group of 20 nations refused earlier this month to condemn Russia by name for the invasion, in spite of a push from Biden for nations to stand by tough language they approved at a previous summit.

Without providing any details, Zelenskyy hinted at the United Nations at an alleged effort by some individuals to broker a secret peace deal with Putin.

Zelenskky warned anyone who would trust Putin, to recall the fate of Russian mercenary Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was assumed dead last month after challenging Putin's leadership.

"I am aware of some attempts to make some shady dealings behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin's promises," he said.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zelenskyy warns about 'final war' with Russia during UN speech


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.
Express your opinion! Fill out this form to submit a Letter to the Editor.

Submit
In the wake of the recent shocking spate of arbitrary arrests of 5 rights activists and under the draconian UAPA, and raids on the premises of 5 others by the Maharashtra Police on 28 August 2018, PUDR, PUCL and WSS invite you to attend a press conference on 30 August 2018, Thursday at the Press Club (Raisina Road) at 4 pm.

We condemn this attempt to distract the public from this real conspiracy with a fabricated one. We condemn the crushing of dissent. We stand in solidarity with all those who speak for our fellow citizensa rights.

This too at a time when the investigation into the assassination of Gauri Lankesh, MM Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar has revealed bombs, guns, camps for arms training, hit lists and plans for what can rightly be called acriminal conspiracya to use violence to kill, crush diversity and dissent, undo the Constitution, and the India it promises all of us.

Who are some of these alleged aconspiratorsa who have either been taken into custody or had their homes searched? Sudha Bhardwaj is an advocate and the national secretary for Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). Father Stan Swamy is an active campaigner against communalism in Jharkhand. Arun Ferreira is an activist who has also written on issues such as casteism, communalism and economic inequality. Varavara Rao is a Marxist writer and teacher of Telugu literature. Gautam Navlakha is a civil rights activist, journalist and writer. Anand Teltumbde is a respected writer, civil rights activist and political analyst. K. Sathyanarayana is a professor a dalit studies scholar.

We demand immediate release of the arrested individuals, dropping of all false and malicious charges, as these arrests are politically motivated and unjustified.

The arrests should be seen in continuation with the recent attacks on pro-justice voices such as Swami Agnivesh, Umar Khalid and many other student activists from Delhi to Lucknow. A BJP lawmaker from Karnataka even advocated the murder of aintellectuals.a Both the arrests and the physical attacks on justice loving people must be seen in a series of attempts to stifle dissent and deny social justice.

The so-called raids carried out on the houses of these activists are aimed at creating a spectacle, as the writings and views of these intellectuals are already publicly known and are well documented. This seems like a conspiracy to divert attention from the gravity of the Sanatan Sanstha conspiracy to carry out serial bomb attacks on Eid and Ganesh Chaturthi! The same Sanatan Sanstha was also involved in the murder of Gauri Lankesh, as per the ongoing investigations by Karnataka police. Todayas arrests have been carried out in order to give cover to the murderers of Gauri Lankesh. People like Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha and others who have been arrested are friends of the people who have dedicated their entire lives to the betterment of the Indian public. By arresting them, the BJP is only exposing its insecurities and its intolerance to any dissent or criticism of its policies.

We, the undersigned, are shocked by the serial raids across the country on the homes of activists and public intellectuals who are critical of the government and the ruling party at the Centre. The arrests of prominent activists and intellectuals Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves, Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, Kranthi Tekula and others, are nothing but an attempt by the government to strike terror among those who are fighting for justice for the marginalised. This is also an attempt by the BJP to invent a false enemy and engage in scaremongering in order to polarise the 2019 elections in its favour. Already, the government and the media houses close to the BJP have been trying to spin a false narrative of a Maoist conspiracy since June, 2018. Terms like aurban naxalsa are invented in order to stifle any criticism of the government. We have learnt that the Delhi Police, after having arrested Sudha Bharadwaj, waited for Republic TV to arrive before taking her to the court. This simply shows that the arrests are incomplete without the accompanying sensationalist media propaganda to demonise activists, human rights defenders and intellectuals.

4.

STATEMENTS FROM HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANISATIONS

Statement from Human Rights Forum (HRF)

Press Release

28-8-2018

Hyderabad

The Human Rights Forum (HRF) unequivocally condemns the arrests of social activists and leftist intellectuals including Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao and several others by the Pune police today. The arrests are part of a clear design to lock down on democratic dissent, undermine free speech and create a climate of fear. This is quite alarming.

These arrests as well as the raids on the homes of a total of nine persons in Delhi, Ranchi, Bombay and Hyderabad are plainly intended to persecute dissenters and those critiquing rights violations by governments. They are based on utterly vague and numerous flimsy and sweeping accusations. According to information available, the highly undemocratic legislation - the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 is being invoked against those arrested. The UAPA is a draconian statute that is in open contempt of fundamental political freedoms and should not have any place in a civilised society. It affords free rein to the police to target and harass virtually anyone they wish to. It allows presumption of guilt, and alleged aintentiona to commit crimes to become the basis of arrests, incarceration, and prolonged denial of bail.

These raids and arrests are part of a concerted onslaught by the State to clamp down on politics that is inconvenient to the ruling dispensation.

Slapping the label Maoist has become the routine option for the State to crack down on dissent. The adiscoverya of incriminating Maoist literature/letters is of a piece with this dubious strategy.

The real intent is to criminalise the democratic activity of these activists, harass them and ensure their extended incarceration. We demand the immediate dropping of the spurious charges against all those arrested and their unconditional release.

S Jeevan Kumar (HRF AP&TS Coordination Committee member)

VS Krishna (HRF AP&TS Coordination Committee member)

o o

Amnesty International India

Bangalore/Delhi: 28 August 2018 7:05 pm

Crackdown On Activists Cannot Become The Order Of The Day

The nationwide crackdown on activists, advocates and human rights defenders is disturbing and threatens core human rights values, Amnesty International India and Oxfam India today said jointly in response to the massive crackdown on rights activists in the country by the Maharashtra state police.

aTodayas arrests is the second of such crackdowns on rights activists, advocates and journalists who have been critical of the state. All these people have history of working to protect the rights of some of Indiaas most poor and marginalized people. Their arrests raise disturbing questions about whether they are being targeted for their activism,a said Aakar Patel, Executive Director, Amnesty International India.

aThese arrests cannot become the order of the day. The government should protect peopleas rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly instead of creating an atmosphere of fear,a said Amitabh Behar, CEO, Oxfam India.

According to media reports, the Maharashtra state police have arrested Chhattisgarh-based human rights lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, Maharashtra-based social activist Vernon Gonsalves, former secretary of Peopleas Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) Gautam Navlakha, Maharashtra-based activist Arun Ferreira, and Telangana journalist Varavara Rao. The premises of several other activists like Anand Tetlumbde and Father Stan Swamy were also raided.

In June this year, five activists were arrested on the suspicion of inciting caste-based violence on 1 January in Bhima Koregaon, Maharashtra. Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson, Sudhir Dhawale, Shoma Sen and Mahesh Raut were arrested under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and several sections of the Indian Penal Code.

For more information please contact:

Smriti Singh

Email: smriti.singh[at]amnesty.org.in

Phone: 080 493 88 000

o o

Peoples Union For Civil Liberties (PUCL)

Press Statement: 28th August 2018

PUCL STRONGLY CONDEMNS AND DENOUNCES THE ARRESTS UNDER THE DRACONIAN UAPA OF:

1. Sudha Bharadwaj, PUCL National Secretary

2. Gautam Navalakha of PUDR,

3. Prof. Anand Teltumde of CPDR,

4. Vernon Gonsalves and Arun Ferreira, advocates, and

5. Vara Vara Rao, noted poet and rights activist.

PUCL also denounces the simultaneous multi-city raids conducted today, 28th August 2018 in a concerted and pre-meditated manner across the country at the premises of other eminent human rights activists including:

Father Stan Swamy in Jharkhand;

Senior Writer and Poet Varavara Rao, as also the houses of his two daughters and sons-in-law, Anala and the Hindu journalist KV Kumaranath; and Pavana and her husband, Prof. Satyanarayana, of English and Foreign Languages University;

Namaste Telangana journalist Kranthi Tekula in Hyerabad;

Anand Teltumbde in Goa;

Gautam Navlakha in Delhi,

Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves and Susan Abraham, Advocates in Mumbai.

PUCL asserts that the arrests and raids are nothing but a targetted crackdown and attack by the police and state on civil liberties and democratic rights activists across the country in a concerted attempt to crush human rights interventions and silence voices of dissent;

Such systematic and pre-meditated crackdown on human rights activists is unprecedented and unheard of in a democracy and PUCL strongly condemns this unconstitutional crackdown by the state and police ;

PUCL stands firmly in solidarity with advocate Sudha Bharadwaj, National Secretary, PUCL and the other human rights activists who face raids and have been arrested under false and fabricated charges.

We would like to point out that in a Habeas Corpus petition filed before the Delhi High Court, his transfer on transit warrant to Pune has been stayed pending further hearing of the habeas corpus petition tomorrow 29th August, and he is currently under house arrest. As per sources, Anand Teltumbdeas house in Goa was raided by the police in a completely illegal manner, in his absence, after procuring keys from the security guard. While some news channels state that the raids and arrest have been made in the Pune case of Bhima Koregaon caste violence, where the prime accused are Hindutva right wing groups and leaders who are enjoying state impunity and at large, some other news agencies are alleging that the arrests are linked to claims of alleged plot to assassinate Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

It is pertinent to note that just last month on 4th July 2018, a scurrilous, motivated, fabricated and malicious media propaganda and hate campaign was run by Republic TV and its anchor Ms. Shivani Gupta, Deputy Editor Mr. Shrawan Sen and its Managing Director, Mr. Arnab Goswami, by way of a series of programmes presented as aSuper Exclusive Breaking Newsa and also showcased by way of a national debate on Prime Time TV. Relying on a fabricated letter allegedly addressed by her to a Maoist named aComrade Prakasha, the channel repeatedly aired, completely false, unsubstantiated and scurrilous accusations against Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj, falsely profiling her as aUrban Naxala . The allegations were categorically denied by Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj in her rebuttal statement. The programmes were aired with headers ofa#UrbanNaxalsExposeda and similar allegations were made against other human rights activists like Mr. Gautam Navlakha in part 2 of the programme, via a second letter supposedly procured by the Channel. PUCL has previously issued a statement dated 7th July 2018 strongly condemning the incident and demanding strict action against the Channel. Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj also issued a legal notice in respect of the Channelas illegal acts.

The current arresta and raids are taking place in the backdrop of the arrests of five human rights activists a Advocate Surendra Gadling, Professor Shoma Sen, Rona Wilson, Mahesh Raut and Sudhir Dhawale a who were also arrested under UAPA on 6th June 2018, relying on a similar fabricated letter produced by Republic TV allegedly addressed to the same "Comrade Prakash", in the same Pune case. Following this, on 7th June 2018, Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj had addressed a press conference organized by the Indian Association of Peoples Lawyers (IAPL) in New Delhi to condemn the arrest of Advocate Surendra Gadling of the Nagpur High Court. Susan Abraham, Arun Fererreia and Vernon Gonsalves are in fact representing the Bhima Koregaon accused in Court.

Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj has been a dedicated trade unionist for more than three decades and has served as a general secretary of its Chhattisgarh branch, during which time the branch did remarkable work in the State. She is also associated with the Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, which was founded by the late Shankar Guha Niyogi. She started her legal practice in the year 2000 and has since, fought innumerable cases of workers, farmers, adivasis and poor people in the fields of labour, land acquisition, forest rights and environmental rights. Since the year 2007, she has been practicing in the High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur and was nominated by the High Court to be a member of the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority. She also supported young lawyers to set up the Jagdalpur Legal Aid group as a civil society initiative to provide legal aid to incarcerated Tribals. She is a visiting faculty at the National Law University Delhi, where she teaches the course on tribal rights and land acquisition.

PUCL believes that the intention of the state and police in targeting the aforesaid human rights activists by foisting false and fabricated cases against them, is clear and apparent from their profiles of work. All the aforesaid human rights activists targeted in this multi-city aoperationa by the police have been tirelessly involved in advocating the cause and fighting for the rights of the most poor, marginalized sections of society against serious state violations and unscrupulous corporates. They have stood for the principles of human rights enshrined in the Indian Constitution and the international standards on human rights.

PUCL strongly condemns the actions of the state and police. This simultaneous crackdown against human rights activists across the country signals the imposition of an unofficial Emergency in our nation and is a direct attack on Indian democracy. This is a deliberate strategy of the state to target noted human rights activists in a clear act of reprisals against them for calling out the human rights violations by the state and police, and to intimidate those who are fighting for justice.

PUCL cautions the public at large on the concerted efforts underway to stifle voices of dissent and threaten the democratic fabric of the country.

In light of the above, PUCL makes the following urgent demands:

1. PUCL calls upon the state and the police to immediately and unconditionally release human rights activists, Sudha Bharadwaj, Gautam Navalakha, Anand Teltumbde, Varavara Rao, Arun Ferreira, and Vernon Gonsalves and withdraw the false and fabricated case against them;

2. PUCL calls upon the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to urgently intervene to ensure the release of the human rights activists and to order an immediate, transparent, effective and impartial investigation into the simultaneous multi-city raids and arrests of the human rights activists by the state and the policeon false and fabricated accusations and charges ;

3. PUCL also calls upon the democratic minded citizens of India to condemn the unprincipled manner in which human rights activists are being targeted and oppose such insidious and collusive attempts by State agencies and media outfits to silence human rights activists against the vindictive State policies and action ;

4. PUCL further condemns the constant profiling as aUrban Naxals/ Maoistsa and criminalisation of human rights activists working tirelessly against the stateas anti-people actions and policies, in an attempt to malign them and influence public sentiment.

Mr. Ravi Kiran Jain, National President, PUCL; Dr. V. Suresh, National General Secretary, PUCL

o o

o o

Text of Statement from PEN Delhi and PEN South Asia

August 29, 2018

A Dark Day for Democracy and Freedom of Expression

PEN Delhi and PEN South India join large numbers of Indian citizens in unequivocally condemning the arrests and searches conducted on the homes of human rights activists, writers and thinkers on the 28th of August. Sudha Bharadwaj, lawyer and rights activist, known for her work with tribal and womenas rights, P Varavara Rao, poet, activist and teacher, Gautam Navlakha, journalist, writer and human rights activist were arrested suddenly, with extensive searches being conducted on their homes and with material such as laptops, books and notes being confiscated. Vernon Gonsalves, activist, and Arun Ferreira, activist, writer and cartoonist, were also arrested. Other activists and intellectuals, including Anand Teltumbde, K Satyanarayana, KV Kurmanath and Father Stan Swamy had their homes searched. These intellectuals and activists have consistently spoken out on behalf of the poor and marginalized, and have used their writings in the service of human rights. It is a dark day for India when crackdowns and arrests target those who fight for human rights, while murderers such as those who killed journalists, thinkers and writers, Govind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh are yet to be convicted. Pen Delhi and Pen South India stand in solidarity with the activists and writers and their right to freedom of thought and expression.

o o

Statement by WSS

Fascism at our doorstep

Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS) Condemns Arrests of Sudha Bharadwaj, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, Gautam Navlakha and Varavara Rao. WSS strongly condemns targeted attack on democratic rights activists, blatantly retributive actions of Maharashtra Police and demands immediate and unconditional release of all arrested activists, lawyers, writers and journalists.

Convenors Ajita, Nisha, Rinchin and Shalini;

Email ID againstsexualviolence[at]gmail.com

WSS strongly condemns the arrests of its member Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj, and activists Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Ferreira, Gautam Navlakha, Varavara Rao, and the raids at the homes of Father Stan Swamy, Dr. Anand Teltumbde, Prof. K. Satyanarayana, Pavana, Anala, Kurmanath, Kranti Tekula and others conducted by the Maharashtra police along with the state police of Telangana, Jharkhand, Goa and Delhi. These searches and arrests are a diversionary tactic to draw attention away from the spine chilling revelations about Hindu Sanatan Sanstha and Hindu Janjagruti in connection to the assassinations and bomb terror which they have been masterminding.

On the 28th of August, in a coordinated operation, days before the 90 day period for judicial custody period of the five arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case end, several well known academics, lawyers, writers, poets, priests and journalists have been arrested and their homes raided by the police. Just under three months following the arrests of Professor Shoma Sen, Advocate Surendra Gadling, activists Sudhir Dhawale, Rona Wilson and Mahesh Raut, the Maharashtra police appear to be persistently cracking down on all voices that have stood in solidarity with them. This coordinated effort to harass and malign human rights activists all over the country is intended solely to create a sense of terror amidst the democratic people of this country and must be seen as a war against democracy. Despite the fact that no incriminating evidence has emerged in these cases, with no respect or regard for the law, the police continues to arbitrarily arrest and detain activists, lawyers, writers and professionals who have dedicated their lives to ensure that justice is served where it is due.

Following orders sent by the Swargate police station in Pune, all of those targeted through raids and arrests today have the following charges against them a IPC Section 153, 505, 117,120B; UAPA Sections 13, 16, 18, 18b, 20, 38, 39, 40. These charges include promoting enmity between people, public mischief, abetting commission of offences, criminal conspiracy, unlawful activities, terrorist acts, raising funds for terrorist acts, recruiting for terrorist acts, being members of terrorist organisations, support for terrorist organisations and providing funds for terrorist organisations. With these charges, the police are making all efforts to brand democratic activists as aterroristsa and ensure that they are kept in custody for extended periods of time. It is well known that the use of draconian laws like UAPA in cases, when contested in court, invariably fall apart. But the time spent by those charged under these laws is meant as a punishment even if they are eventually acquitted of all charges. Thus, the tactics of the police force is clear. It is meant, now, not merely to spread a sense of fear amongst all those who oppose its brutal ways but as retribution for daring to speak out.

Sudha Bharadwaj, who is a WSS member, is a lawyer and trade unionist who has been tirelessly advocating for the rights of workers, adivasi communities and other marginalised groups for the last three decades in Chhattisgarh. Since 1986, she has been working with the labour movement in Chattisgarh that grew out of the work of the Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha, advocating for the rights of workers in the mining belt of Bhilai and other areas. Sudha is also a part of a legal organisation called Janhit which takes up cases of illegal land acquisition, violations of forest rights and environmental issues. Janhit has supported democratic movements like Chhattisgarh Bachao Andolan, which takes on issues of forced evictions, movements in Sarguja fighting against violations of laws like the Forest Rights Act and Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA), etc. Apart from the scores of cases she has fought for workers across the state, Sudha has also argued cases of human rights violations against Adivasi communities in the Chhattisgarh High Court. She has extended her support to different democratic groups working for constitutional rights such as the Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), which she represents currently as its National Chairperson, the Indian Association of Peoples Lawyers (IAPL). She is also a visiting professor at the National Law University, Delhi.

Sudha Bharadwaj has been facing harassment since Junea18 when Republic TV produced a fabricated letter charging her of unlawful and terrorist activities along with Arun Ferreira and Gautam Navlakha. In July this year, Father Stan Swamy and 19 activists, writers, and professionals were charged with sedition by the Jharkhand police. Today in early morning raids across the country, the Maharashtra police have simultaneously targeted the homes of all these human rights activists, seized all electronic devices, including Sudha and her daughteras phones, laptops, pen drives, and password to social media accounts, and diaries with empty pages - raising concerns of potential police tampering and fabrication of evidence. Father Stan Swamy had to endure hours of questioning along with raids where they seized his phone, laptop and all electronic items they found at his residence. Gautam Navlakha was taken to Saket court, where the division bench of Delhi High Court has stayed his transit remand to Pune. The irony of holding Gautam Navlakha under UAPA is not lost on us, as he has been outspoken about the draconian and undemocratic nature of UAPA, and earlier POTA, TADA. Varavara Raoas home in Hyderabad was ransacked by an extraordinarily large contingent of police that gheraoed his apartment complex and deliberately created panic amongst the residents. His daughters and sons-in-law Pavana and K. Satyanarayana, and Anala and Kurmanathas homes were also raided, as was the home of journalist Kranti Tekula. Dr. Anand Teltumbdeas home in Goa was searched in his absence after taking the key from the guard outside raising alarms about potential fabrication and planting of evidence as well as clearly indicating trespass on private property.

Vernon Gonsalvesa family, including partner Susan Abraham, clearly stated that they have no idea why he has been arrested as no reasons were given. Arun Ferreira has also been picked up from his home in Thane by the Mumbai police in the afternoon after being interrogated all morning. All of them are expected to be taken to Pune to the Vishrambagh police station. It is crucial to note that Arun Ferreira and Susan Abraham were representing the five arrested in connection with the Bhima Koregaon case. By arresting the lawyers of the five arrested in June, the police has essentially crushed the judicial process and further vitiated the environment of fear.

All this continues while those responsible for the violence at the traditional Bhima-Koregaon celebrations are not only roaming scot free, but also enjoying the utmost support of those in power. The Hindu Sanathan Sanstha, Milind Ekbote and Sambaji Bhide are being treated like royalty and mass murderers are being garlanded by ministers, while those carrying on Ambedkars fight for justice and protecting constitutional values of Liberty, equality and fraternity are being arrested as a threat to national security and for spreading  disaffection in societya!

This repression, along with the terror unleashed in Maharashtra after Bhima Koregaon and in many states after the 2 April protests, not only reveals the anti-dalit nature of the State, but it also makes clear that creating a sense of terror and helplessness amongst the democratic people of this country is the primary intention of the Maharashtra police. In this open assault on democratic people of this country, the police force a both state and central a have played the role of agents of terror instead of upholding the law. The Modi-Shah regime has brought fascism to our doorsteps. The arrests of well known democratic rights activists from across the country, with the police trawling for any and all persons it considers a threat, is particularly targeting activists who have stood resolutely by the dalits, adivasis, Muslims, and worked all their lives for the betterment of marginalised sections of the country, in line with a true democratic spirit. This is meant to strike terror amongst the vast majority of people who have been daring to speak out against the anti-people policies of the state a be it opposing land acquisition, against relentless loot of resources, displacement and brutal violence committed by the security forces against the people of this country and standing tall in the face of Brahmanical fascism in all its forms. By using terms like aUrban Maoistsa for democratic rights activists, the police working with the BJP and RSS makes an effort to malign and isolate those raising uncomfortable questions while shielding right wing leaders like Milind Ekbote and Sambhaji Bhide despite all evidence. Today, we are faced with the challenge of standing united against a ruthless state apparatus that abuses the law to its own ends. The use of several sections of IPC and UAPA reveals the desperation of the state to project intellectuals, activists, lawyers, writers and journalists as criminals. The BJP-RSS machinery uses the institutions of the state to serve its own ends while blatantly trampling on democratic principles. The retributive nature of the Maharashtra police is an extension of this policy that can only be termed fascism. We are now living under a state of emergency.

Laws like UAPA have no place in a democratic country. The law has been routinely used to suppress dissent and disagreement with those in power. Such laws give the state and its apparatus undue power to define and brand people as aterroristsa at will. Such a branding is not just arbitrary but also is an abuse of power and vindictive. In times when the aterroristsa have come to find an image and identity in our mind, such actions by the government are ways of branding and defaming people. Additionally the same charges seem to be conspicuously missing when people are killed and maimed in the name of cow aprotectiona .

It is up to us to fight back and reclaim our democratic space in this country. The arrest of Professor Shoma Sen, the harassment of Professor GN Saibabaas partner Vasantha, the harassment and now arrest of Advocate Sudha Bharadwaj, three of our members who have been working across the states of Delhi, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, to expose instances of sexual violence and abuse by the police and right wing agents are now finding themselves facing the might of the state. In light of these arrests of democratic rights activists, WSS is determined to remain united and fight back against this assault on our democratic rights with unwavering conviction and resolve. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case.

We appeal to all citizens to rise as one and defend the country against the current decimation of the Rule of Law and the terror being unleashed by the State against its people.

Women Against Sexual Violence and State Repression (WSS)

o o

Statement from SAHMAT Condemning Arrest of Activists

http://www.sacw.net/article13878.html

o o

Statement by Peopleas Alliance for Democracy and Secularism against arrest of five Intellectuals and Activists on 28 August, 2018 http://www.sacw.net/article13880.html

o o

Jharkhandas civil society condemns recent raids on Stan Swamy and other human rights activists http://www.sacw.net/article13883.html

o o

India: 5 More Rights Activists Detained | Stop Prosecuting Dissent; Repeal Abusive Counterterrorism Law - Press Release by Human Rights Watch https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/08/30/india-5-more-rights-activists-detained

o o

Statement by Anand Teltumbde on the Police Acton against him on 28 August 2018 http://www.sacw.net/article13879.html

o o

aCase against me is nothing but an absolute fabricationa - Full Statement by Stan Swamy http://sacw.net/article13893.html

o o

Release the wrongfully arrested activists: Full text of petition filed by Romila Thapar and others https://scroll.in/article/892151/this-timely-novel-explores-a-dystopian-asian-future-the-result-of-interference-with-nature

o o

Notice from NHRC [The Official National Human Rights Commission]
A heavily armed group of militants led by Khan had last Wednesday killed two Army officers

SRINAGAR: Uzair Khan, one of the most wanted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commanders, was along with another militant gunned down by the security forces as an intense anti-terror operation in the woods of Kokernag in Kashmir Valleys southern Anantnag district entered its seventh day on Tuesday.

A heavily armed group of militants led by Khan had last Wednesday killed two Army officers Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of the Armys 19 Rashtriya Rifles (12 Sikh Light Infantry) and Major Ashish Dhonack and deputy superintendent of the J&K police Humayun Bhat and injured a couple of more security personnel soon after they had entered the Gadool hamlet of Kokernag to flush it out.

On Friday, one of the injured soldiers died in a military hospital here. On Sunday, the corpse of another Army jawan Pradeep Singh, who had gone missing amidst the initial exchange of fire between the two sides on September 13 was recovered from the encounter site. Another charred body beyond recognition was found lying in the forested area on Monday, the officials said.

Uzair Khan has been killed and his body has been retrieved. There is another body lying on the ground. We had information about the presence of two to three terrorists in the area, Additional Director General of Police, Vijay Kumar, told reporters here. He added that the security forces may go for DNA sampling of two bodies beyond recognition.

The ADGP, however, also said that even as Khan who had been involved in or was the mastermind of a series of the terror attacks carried out by militants in the southern Kashmir in the recent past including the killing of three Army jawans in the Hallan forest area of Damhal Hanjipora area of the Kulgam district on August 4 will continue till it is ensured that no more terrorists are hiding in the region.

Mr. Kumar said, The operation will go on for some more time. I urge the locals not to go closer to the encounter site as unexploded grenades or shells may cause harm to them.

In the operation, one of the longest carried out against militants in J&K, apart from hundreds of men from different infantries of the Army, the counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) of the J&K police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the special forces of the Armys Mountain Division trained for high-altitude warfare and their airborne counterparts from its Parachute Regiment have been taking part.

They have used latest weaponry and other equipment including combat helicopters, IAI Heron, a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the Malat division of Israel Aerospace Industries, Hexacopters , quad copters, RPGs, grenades and drone-fitted guns to track down the militants who were frequently changing locations, the police sources said.

J&Ks DGP, Dilbagh Singh, had last week said that given the tough terrain and huge risks involved, the security forces were following a proper plan to track down the terrorists and, therefore, it was taking more time than expected to come to logical conclusion.

He and the commander of the Armys Srinagar-base Chinar Corps Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai and other senior Army and J&K police officers spent quite some time in the area to oversee the operation.

On Saturday, Army's Northern Command chief Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi also visited the area to review the operational situation near the site of the gunfight. He was briefed by the ground commanders on the high-intensity operations, in which hi-tech equipment is being used for surveillance and delivery of firepower, along with the high impact of precision fire being used by the forces, a defence spokesman had said here. End it

Late Tuesday, ADGP Vijay Kumar told reporters that the family of Muhammad Uzair Khan has identified one of the bodies recovered from the encounter site as that of their kin.

"The family members have identified LeT commander Uzair's body", he said.
PM emphasised on inclusion of women in policy-making

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union Ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, BJP MP JP Nadda and other parliamentarians walks towards the new Parliament building, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (PTI Photo)

NEW DELHI: A day after the Union Cabinet approved women's reservation, the government on Tuesday introduced a constitutional amendment bill "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam" to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for women.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the purpose of the new women's reservation bill is to expand women's participation in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies and it will further strengthen Indian democracy. The Prime Minister urged members of both Houses of Parliament to pass the bill unanimously.

Introducing the bill, the government said that it will enable greater participation of women in policy-making at the state and national levels and help achieve the goal of making India a developed country by 2047.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the first bill in the new Parliament building, was introduced in Lok Sabha by Union of law and justice Arjun Ram Meghwal.

In his address, the Prime Minister informed the Lok Sabha that the Union Cabinet had decided to give a go-ahead to the women reservation bill and emphasised the need for the inclusion of more women in policy-making so that their contributions to the nation increase further.

Mr Modi urged the members to open the doors of opportunity for women on this historic day.

"Taking forward the resolution of women-led development, our government is today presenting a major constitutional amendment bill. The purpose of this bill is to expand the participation of women in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas. Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will further strengthen our democracy," Mr Modi said, assuring that his government is committed to making this bill into law.

"I assure all the mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation that we are committed to making this bill into law. I request as well as urge all the colleagues in this House, as a pious and auspicious beginning is being made. If this bill becomes law with consensus, then its power will magnify manifold. Therefore, I request both the Houses to pass the bill with full consensus," the Prime Minister said in the Lok Sabha.

Later, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister mentioned that the issue of reservation for women in Parliament has been pending for decades and everyone has contributed towards it in their capacity.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the bill will finally become law and ensure Nari Shakti towards nation-building with the new energy of the new building.

Mr Modi informed the Rajya Sabha about the governments decision to introduce the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam as a constitution amendment bill in the Lok Sabha, which will be up for debate tomorrow. The Prime Minister urged the members of the Rajya Sabha to support the bill unanimously so that its power and outreach are amplified to the fullest.

While introducing the bill in the Lok Sabha, Mr Meghwal said that the number of women members in the Lower House will rise to 181, from 82 currently, after the bill comes into force.

The bill has proposed that the reservation will continue for a period of 15 years and that there will be a quota for SC/STs within the reserved seats for women. Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise.

With several parties pushing for the reservation of women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies and Delhi Assembly, the bill is likely to see a smooth passage this time, unlike the earlier instances when it was opposed by several regional parties.

However, its implementation may still take some time and is unlikely to be in force for the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as the reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed.

The government said that women participate substantively in panchayats and municipal bodies, but their representation in state Assemblies, Parliament is still limited.

"The true empowerment of women will require greater participation of women in the decision-making process as they bring different perspectives and enrich the quality of legislative debates and decision-making," the government said.

There have been several efforts to introduce women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies since 1996. The last such attempt was made in 2010, when the Rajya Sabha had passed a bill for women's reservation, but the bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha.
The Prime Minister also stressed that the country needs to meet goals in a time-bound manner as the new generation is restless

New Delhi: Hailing the new Parliament building as the "beacon of parliamentary democracy" in the country and a "symbol of a new beginning," Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called on MPs to forget all past bitterness and start a new chapter, asserting that whatever they are going to do in the new complex should be an inspiration for every citizen of the country.

The PM also mentioned the presence of the sacred "Sengol", which was installed on the day the building was inaugurated in May, as a link between the old and the new and as a witness to the first light of freedom.

Appealing in both Houses of Parliament to pass the "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam" (bill), the PM said the bill will further strengthen Indian democracy. Mr Modi also extended greetings on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Samvatsari Parva, a festival of forgiveness, and Michhami Dukkadam, a festival of Jains.

Earlier at the Lok Sabha, the PM noted that India, at the dawn of the Amrit Kaal, is moving forward with a resolve for the future by heading into the new Parliament edifice and highlighted some of the recent achievements of the country, including the successes of Chandrayaan-3 and the successful completion of the G-20 and its impact on the global level.

Referring to the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Mr Modi said that Lord Ganesh is the God of prosperity, auspiciousness, reason and knowledge and "it is the time to accomplish the resolutions and begin the new journey with renewed enthusiasm and energy."

Remembering Lokmanya Tilak on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and the new beginning, Mr Modi said that during the freedom struggle, Lokmanya Tilak turned the festival into a medium for igniting the flame of swaraj in the entire country.

"Today we are moving with the same inspiration," said the PM.

On Samvatsari Parva, the PM said the festival is about asking for forgiveness for any intentional and unintentional acts that might have hurt somebody.

"Calling the Sengol a link between the old and new and a "witness to the first light of freedom," Mr Modi said it was touched by the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru and "therefore, Sengol links us with a important part of our past," Mr Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that the grandeur of the new Parliament building anoints the Amrit Kaal and remembered the hard work of the "shramiks and engineers" who kept on working on the building even during the pandemic. He also informed the gathering that more than 30,000 "sharmiks" contributed to the building and mentioned the presence of a digital book carrying the full details of the shramiks.

"Bhawan (building) has changed, bhav (feelings) should also change The Parliament is the supreme place to serve the country," said the PM as he underlined that the House is not meant for the benefit of any political party but only for the development of the nation.

Later at Rajya Sabha, Mr Modi said, "September 19 is a memorable as well as a historic day" as both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha moved to the new Parliament building It is not just a new Parliament building, but a symbol of a new beginning."

The Prime Minister also stressed that the country needs to meet goals in a time-bound manner as the new generation is restless.

In his speech, Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the various measures taken by his government in the last nine years for women's empowerment.

Noting that the Rajya Sabha is considered the Upper House of Parliament, the PM underlined the intentions of the makers of the Constitution that the House becomes a centre for serious intellectual discussions rising above the ebb and flow of political discourse while giving direction to the nation.

Quoting Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan that Parliament is not just a legislative body but a deliberative body, the PM said it is always a pleasure to hear quality debates in the House. "The new Parliament is not just a new building but is also a symbol of a new beginning. At the dawn of Amrit Kaal, this new building will infuse new energy into 140 crore Indians," said Mr Modi.

Stressing the need to achieve goals in a set time frame as the nation is "no longer ready to wait," Mr Modi said the time has come to move with new thinking and style to meet the aspirations of the people and that will require expanding the scope of work and thought process. He said that the House can be a "source of inspiration for the legislative bodies all over the country with regard to parliamentary probity".

Noting that the country celebrated 75 years of Independence in the "Samvidhan Sadan" (old building), the PM said when the country will celebrate the century in the new building in 2047, "it will be a celebration in viksit Bharat."
This proposed amendment opens doors for private sector leaders with extensive experience, irrespective of government service, to lead TRAI.

The proposed Telecommunications Bill could specify that the TRAI chairperson can come from the private sector. (AA File Image)

The Centre is reportedly mulling over a crucial amendment to the TRAI Act, aiming to reshape the telecom sector. This change would allow senior corporate executives to become TRAIs chairperson, a significant shift towards greater private participation in key regulatory positions.

The proposed Telecommunications Bill could specify that the TRAI chairperson can come from the private sector, provided they possess a minimum of 30 years experience in senior executive positions, such as board members or CEOs.

Currently, TRAI requires its members to have held government posts equivalent to secretary or additional secretary for at least three years, without specific criteria for the chairpersons appointment. The current TRAI chairperson P.D. Vaghela and his predecessor R.S. Sharma, both had government roles before their appointments.

This proposed amendment opens doors for private sector leaders with extensive experience, irrespective of government service, to lead TRAI. It would amend Section 4 of the TRAI Act, 1997, granting the Centre the authority to appoint individuals with specialized knowledge in telecom, industry, finance, accountancy, law, management, or consumer affairs to head the regulatory body.

The move is a pivotal moment in Indias telecom history, acknowledging the private sectors role in innovation and competition. Moreover, the move aligns with Indias broader vision of fostering a pro-business environment, attracting investment and bolstering digital infrastructure. While some may express concern about potential conflicts of interest, stringent eligibility criteria and safeguards should ensure impartiality and transparency.

Karnataka HC quashes proceedings against 3 retired IAS officers

A recent pronouncement by the Karnataka high court has focused attention on the complexities of accountability and the rule of law. The court has quashed criminal proceedings and an ongoing probe against three retired IAS officers, marking a significant turn of events in a case that revolves around alleged financial irregularities within the rural development and panchayat raj (RDPR) department, dating back to 2009-15.

The crux of the matter is the accusation that six officers of the RDPR department, including the three retired IAS officers, were responsible for causing a loss of Rs 269 crores to the state exchequer due to the alleged misappropriation of funds during the specified period. In a system where the wheels of justice are known to grind slowly, the high courts intervention has thrust this case into the public eye, as also the fact that the officers are former principal secretaries Amita Prasad and T.M. Vijay Bhaskar (the latter also being a former chief secretary) and E.V. Ramana Reddy, who recently retired after serving as additional chief secretary. These officers had all worked in the RDPR department during the years 2011-15.

The high court, responding to a petition filed by the officers challenging the proceedings against them, said the special court could not have taken cognisance in the absence of the competent authority for proceeding against the officers, based on a private complaint. The petitioning officers had claimed that as public servants at the time, it was mandatory to obtain sanctions to prosecute them.

Interestingly, the high court ruling does not exonerate the retired IAS officers or absolve them of the charges against them. Instead, it raises a crucial question about the procedural integrity of the case. It highlights the significance of adhering to the rule of law, even when pursuing those in positions of authority.

IAS versus IPS officers in UP turf war

In the intricate corridors of Uttar Pradeshs political landscape, the enduring tug-of-war between IAS and IPS officers has a long history. Under chief minister Yogi Adityanaths leadership, this persistent power struggle has once again taken the spotlight, with recent events shining a glaring light on this unending tussle.

A fresh set of guidelines, aimed at reviewing development and law and order in UP, triggered unease within the IPS ranks. Last month, UPs chief secretary Durga Shanker Mishra issued an order decreeing that district magistrates (DMs) would assume the responsibility of overseeing law and order in 68 out of 75 districts. This meant that the DMs would preside over monthly law and order meetings, with attendance from senior police officers, additional district magistrates, prosecutors and station house officers (SHOs).

In the remaining seven districts, including Agra, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Lucknow, Noida, Prayagraj and Varanasi, the police commissioners would be responsible under the police commissionerate system. The order quickly sparked uproar among the senior UP Police officers, prompting them to take up the matter with the chief minister. Within hours, Yogi Adityanath intervened and revoked the controversial order.

Sources have informed DKB that this is not the first instance of such a power play. In 2017, a similar order was issued and then swiftly withdrawn after vociferous protests from the top brass of the IPS. Then the following year, a government order mandated that district police chiefs consult with DMs when appointing SHOs. This directive too resulted in friction in several districts, further intensifying the simmering tensions between these two elite services.

This latest episode has deepened the conviction among senior police officers that it was just another attempt of the IAS lobby to nibble away at the powers of the state police. Such a situation does not auger well for the two services or the public morale in Uttar Pradesh.
The issue of Khalistan is, however, a lot more complicated than the public uproar betrays.

Indias relations with Canada have been roiled ever since the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver on June 18. Exactly three months later, they hit rock bottom when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in the House of Commons in Ottawa that his countrys security services had evidence of a credible link between the killing and Indian agents. The White House expressed deep concern and sought the inquiry to be pursued. The British government was a bit more circumspect, choosing to withhold comment until the investigation concludes. The Five Eyes intelligence alliance of Australia, Canada, Britain, New Zealand and the United States has also expressed concern. The diplomatic damage to India has been limited so far, but if more credible proof of a nexus emerges then, as The Economist surmised, it is unclear how high a price India will pay.

The issue of Khalistan is, however, a lot more complicated than the public uproar betrays. The demand for an independent province for the Sikhs dates from before the 1947 Partition of India. The leaders of the Sikhs had argued that if Muslims could seek and get a Pakistan, then why could not the Sikhs -- the last sub-continental power to be subdued by the British. The call re-emerged when the states were reorganised after 1956. Only Punjab was denied the right to form a state on a linguistic basis, due to the unstated fear that Punjabi and Sikhism were inseparable. Thus, a state based on that language could be the first step towards the Sikhs seeking independence.

These irrational fears guided Jawaharlal Nehrus approach to the issue, as indeed of his daughter Indira Gandhi. When the demand was eventually conceded in 1966, the division was vitiated by, amongst other conditions and territorial restraints, the partitioning of the capital Chandigarh. No other state, since or before, when getting divided has faced that inequity.

The history of Punjab politics since 1966 is a struggle for greater autonomy and resistance to the Union governments interference. This culminated in the Anandpur Sahib Resolution adopted by the Akali Dal, seen as either a demand for greater state autonomy or a charter for independence. From this quagmire emerged Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, harnessing the communitys alienation and fury. Punjab had also begun economically slipping after the Green Revolutions peak. The 1980s saw the military intrusion into the Golden Temple, the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh security personnel and the pogrom against Sikhs, especially in New Delhi. A generation of youth that grew up seeing this chaos migrated to the Anglophone nations, both to escape the police-militant face-off in Punjab as indeed to seek better economic opportunities abroad. This writer had served in the Indian consulate-general in New York in 1980-83. Being involved with community outreach, amongst other duties, he witnessed

that the gurdwaras were still in the hands of responsible and otherwise economically successful diaspora members. After the mid-1980s all that changed. The loyalists of Bhindranwale captured control of many of the major gurdwaras.

The situation in Canada, if anything, was even worse. The reason is the different socio-economic profile of the immigrants in Canada. In the United States, after the immigration rules were relaxed in the 1960s, the first generation of Indians were educated and sought and got high-paid professional jobs. The migration into Canada was dominated by the peasantry from rural Punjab. The latter group has been more sensitive to developments in Punjab. Moreover, the Sikhs in Canada number more than 770,000 (over 40 per cent of the Indian diaspora), and constitute the largest Sikh population abroad. Geographical concentration in some provinces gives them disproportionate political leverage.

Proverbially, the immigrants to far-off lands tend to value their faith much more strongly. The Catholics of Latin America could be more inflexibly orthodox than those in Rome. Thus, unsurprisingly, the seed of Khalistan keeps regenerating in Canada. The 1985 terrorist bombing of an Air India flight cost 329 mostly Canadian lives. But Khalistan cannot be formed by those who left their Indian citizenship and settled abroad. The developments in Punjab are shaped by local and national politics.

Radicals abroad and Pakistani agencies can only exploit fissures created in India.

The Akali Dal, which indirectly controls the institutions that handle the Sikh religion and the gurdwaras, has lost its moral authority after mishandling the desecration of the Sikh Granth Sahib in 2015. Investigations revealed the complicity of Dera Sacha Sauda followers, who revere their chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim, now jailed for rape and murder. In Sikh minds, he and his followers are perceived as endangering the Sikh religion. But the Dera has had electoral clout in Punjab and Haryana.

The Haryana governments mollycoddling of this serial offender for electoral benefits offends Sikh sentiments. It is such fault lines that Nijjar and his many clones exploit.

When the farmers agitation began in 2020 over the Union governments three controversial farm laws, they were promptly labelled as Khalistan supporters. This lie dissipated as the support of farmers in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh swelled, helping sustain the agitation, until the Union government relented. Hence, to blame the diaspora for disaffection in rural Punjab is to ignore the real causes, mostly created by unwise policy-making in India and then by mishandling the ensuing angst.

In 2018, terrorism charges were filed by the Indian agencies against H.S. Nijjar. Logically, India could have sought his extradition. Indias failure to do so may have been due to its flawed extradition request or Canadian foot-dragging. Indias frustration is understandable as even domestically the BJP progressively treats even mild criticism of the government, especially of the Prime Minister, as seditious and anti-national.

They see Canadian arguments about freedom of speech covering pro-Khalistan slogans as appeasement. It is true, however, that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau relies on right-leaning partners like the New Democratic Party, led by Jagmeet Singh, an unabashed supporter of Sikh causes.

Prime Minister Trudeau has somewhat downscaled his rhetoric on India in his latest statements. His pique appears mainly over Prime Minister Narendra Modi having rejected outright the information he shared about the episode, in his short interaction on the sidelines of G-20 summit in New Delhi. Clearly this was a diplomatic slip-up. If India has nothing to hide, then engagement would have been a first step towards finding a cooperative resolution. The Khalistan issue needs nuanced handling as it is not simply a security matter. Nor is it merely a freedom of speech problem, as the Canadians see it. Damage control requires both sides to abandon their uni-dimensional approach.
India rubbishes Canada PMs absurd allegations

New Delhi/Toronto: In a dramatic development that holds wider implications for ties between India and the West, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India on the floor of the Canadian Parliament on Monday of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan radical whom India regarded as a terrorist and the alleged head of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), after which Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat, with India later retaliating and expelling a senior Canadian diplomat.

New Delhi swiftly rubbished the Canadian PMs allegations, calling them absurd, adding India was a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law It also turns out that Mr Trudeau had raised the matter pertaining to Nijjars killing with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the recent G-20 summit in New Delhi and Mr Modi had rejected his claims. Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was gunned down in June this year in the parking lot of a gurdwara at Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia.

Media reports from Toronto said Canada had expelled Indian diplomat Pavan Kumar Rai, who is learnt to be the head of the RAW station in Canada, while India expelled Canadian diplomat Olivier Sylvester, believed to be the head of the Canadian intelligence unit in New Delhi. Canadas high commissioner to New Delhi Cameron MacKay was also summoned to the external affairs ministry and told about Indias decision, with New Delhi accusing Canada of granting shelter to pro-Khalistan terrorists and extremists threatening Indias sovereignty and giving space to a range of illegal activities, including murders, human trafficking and organised crime, adding that the inaction of the Canadian government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern.

In a fierce reaction to the Canadian allegations, the MEA said: We have seen and reject the statement of Canadas Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their foreign minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. Similar allegations were made by the Canadian PM to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected. We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law.

The MEA added: Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern. That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern. The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities, including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new. We reject any attempts to connect the Government of India to such developments. We urge the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.

In a second statement, New Delhi said: The high commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days. The decision reflects the Government of Indias growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

Mr Trudeau informed the House of Commons in Ottawa on Monday (early Tuesday IST): I am rising to inform the House of an extremely serious matter. I have also informed the leaders of the Opposition directly Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada is a rule of law country. The protection of our citizens and defence of our sovereignty are fundamental. Our top priorities have been  one, that law enforcement and security agencies assure the continued safety of all Canadians; and two, that all steps be taken to hold the perpetrators of this murder to account.

Mr Trudeau further said: Canada has declared its top concerns to the top security and intelligence officials of the Indian government. Last week, at the G-20, I brought them (up) personally and directly to Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi in no uncertain terms. Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty. It is contrary to the fundamental rules by which free open and democratic societies conduct themselves. As you would expect, weve been working closely and coordinating with our allies on this very serious matter.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, quoting unnamed government sources, said Mr Trudeau had briefed some key foreign leaders, including US President Joe Biden, British PM Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron on the matter.

The Canadian PM added in Parliament: In the strongest possible terms, I continue to urge the Government of India to cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter. I also expect it to reiterate that its position on extra judicial operations in another country is clearly and completely in line with international law. I know many Canadians, particularly members of the Indo-Canadian community, are feeling angry or perhaps frightened right now. Let us not allow this to change us. Let us remain calm and steadfast inour commitment to democratic principles and adherence to the rule of law. This is who we are and what we do as Canadians.
Chinese diplomats have tried to block a conference held yesterday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Beijing claims it is shutting down internment camps when in fact it is simply moving inmates to regular prisons.

New York (AsiaNews)  Chinas repression in Xinjiang against ethnic Uyghur Muslims has intensified recently; this now includes disrupting meetings and missions by international organisations trying to examine allegations of abuses and violations.

The latest example is a forum held yesterday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In order to organise a boycott against the event, Chinese diplomats last weekend wrote to various UN missions warning them against attending.

This backfired as the forum drew scores of ambassadors and activist groups. A panel of diplomats and human rights experts discussed Beijings latest move against the Uyghurs, i.e. the decision to close internment camps in Xinjiang by moving inmates into its regular penal system.

Beth Van Schaack, US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, described the Chinese UN missions letter as yet another example of a global campaign of transnational repression against the Muslim minority.

Sophie Richardson, China director for Human Rights Watch, brandished a copy of the letter, citing Chinas strong recommendation that nobody attend the event.

Any government that's going to go out of its way to bother doing this, first of all, has no business sitting on the UN Human Rights Council, but also it's essentially confirming that it's got a lot to hide, she said.

Gady Epstein, a senior editor at The Economist magazine and the forums moderator, noted that the closure of internment camps has pushed what is happening in Xinjiang into the background.

Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said the drop in attention was not due to any changes on the ground. Uyghurs, she said, cannot freely move, practise their religion or culture. Any claims of camp closures were disingenuous; in fact, we are witnessing more and more arbitrary detention [and] the shifting of individuals into formal prisons.

Out of more than 15,000 Xinjiang residents whose convictions are known, more than 95 per cent  often on very vague charges like separatism or endangering state security  were given sentences ranging from five to 20 years, in some cases even life imprisonment.

A recent example of Chinas crackdown comes from Chuluqai, a village in Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Ghulja County, about 650 km west of Xinjiangs capital Urumqi. On the pretext of maintaining peace and security, it was completely walled off with barbed wire.

Its 13,500 residents are under 24-hour surveillance, restricted in their movements with a single, electrified gate for people and vehicles to go in and out.

This is found in other places, proof that Uyghurs live in a climate of repression, their rights violated, despite Chinas official position.

A local guard told Radio Free Asia (RFA) that the gate entrance operates as a checkpoint with identity controls  people who want to enter the village must state where they come from and if they have family in jail.

The guard said he had personally observed a similar situation in the villages of Ewlia, Uchon, and Mollatoxtiyuzi, all of them in Ghulja County.

Chinese officials commonly refer to building barriers around communities in Xinjiang as building new villages or transforming neighbourhood appearances, but in reality, this is meant to limit the freedom of movement of residents.

Beijing's violations against the Uyghurs in Xinjiang are an unresolved issue. In the recent past, the UN Human Rights Council rejected an internal report detailing the abuses and refused to address the question. Most of the countries that did so are predominantly Muslim, but have long given in to Beijings lobbying.

One of the charges against Beijing is detaining close to two million people, mostly Uyghurs, in forced labour camps. China has denied the allegations, claiming that the camps in Xinjiang are vocational centres designed to reduce poverty, as well as fight terrorism and separatism.
by Mathias Hariyadi

Semarangs Catholic university hosts a workshop dedicated to preserving bits of Indonesias history, locked up in the archives of Dutch missionary institutes and local Catholic organisations.

Semarang (AsiaNews)  Soegijapranata Catholic University in Semarang (Central Java) hosted a two-day workshop on Church archives, their digitisation, and their use as historical sources.

In cooperation with Radboud University in Nijmegen (Netherlands), the seminar focused on preserving the legacy of Catholic documentation in Indonesia. The Dutch establishment is currently working on the archives of Dutch missionary congregations engaged in the apostolate in Indonesia.

Prof Marit Monteiro, of Radboud University, highlighted the archives great potential for historical research, stressing the urgency of preserving the documents of religious institutes in Indonesia.

This work is already underway through digitisation, Dr Maaike Derksen explained. Once completed, it will have mapped, preserved, and made accessible Catholic collections currently scattered in different places.

Accessible means that inventories (and documents) can be shared by owners, individuals, as well as made available for international research and education, Dr Derksen said.

Working with Indonesian partners, the digitisation of thousands of documents involves four religious institutes: the Indonesian Jesuit province, the Karangpanas orphanage in Semarang, the Vincentius orphanage in Jakarta, and the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception in Semarang.

Opening the seminar, Archbishop Robertus Rubiyatmoko of Semarang said that under Canon Law, the Church has two different types of archives: those open to the public and the secret archive, which can be consulted if authorised by bishops.

Fr Budi Subanar SJ hopes the Department of History at Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta will be able to make the best use of the archives. Thousands of documents in Indonesia and in the Netherlands are still untouched and could provide material to research and publications.
Published by sacw.net, this report compiles publicly available tax records, newspaper articles, and other materials on non-profit groups in the United States affiliated with the Sangh Parivar (family of Hindu nationalist groups) from 2001-2014, documenting a segment of the projects and priorities of U.S.-based Hindu nationalism. This report discusses the strategies and activities of Hindu nationalist groups in the United States in four areas of mobilization.

released via sacw.net - 1 July 2014

Hindu Nationalism in the United States: A Report on Nonprofit Groups

by J.M.

Executive Summary

1. Over the last three decades, a movement toward Hinduizing Indiaaadvancing the status of Hindus toward political and social primacy in Indiaa has continued to gain ground in South Asia and diasporic communities. The Sangh Parivar (the Sangh afamilya ), the network of groups at the forefront of this Hindu nationalist movement, has an estimated membership numbering in the millions, making the Sangh one of the largest voluntary associations in India. The major organizations in the Sangh include the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

2. Hindu nationalism has intensified and multiplied forms of discrimination, exclusion, and gendered and sexualized violence against Muslims, Christians, other minorities, and those who oppose Sangh violations, as documented by Indian citizens and international tribunals, fact-finding groups, international human rights organizations, and U.S. governmental bodies.

3. India-based Sangh affiliates receive social and financial support from its U.S.-based wings, the latter of which exist largely as tax-exempt non-profit organizations in the United States: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America (VHPA), Sewa International USA, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation-USA. The Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party - USA (OFBJP) is active as well, though it is not a tax-exempt group.

Youth and Family Programs

4. Sangh-affiliated youth and family programs, such as those held by the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, have concentrated their classes, camps, events, and materials on Hindu cultural identity. As of May 2014, there were 140 HSS shakhas (chapters) in the United States listed on the HSS website. Between 2002 and 2012 the HSS and VHP have collectively spent more than $2.5 million on youth and family programs. Literature used by such programs often prioritize a version of history and culture that highlights the Sangh Parivar leadership of India and Brahminical (upper-caste) narratives and practices, while diminishing the struggles and contributions of lower caste and non-Hindu communities.

5. In 2009, Sangh-affiliated Hindu Students Council (HSC) student groups were present on 78 U.S. and Canadian university and college campuses, including those of Duke University, Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, McGill University, New York University, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Stanford University, Syracuse University, University of California at Berkeley, Irvine, and San Diego, University of Ottawa, and University of Texas at Austin and Houston.

Charitable Organizations

6. From 2001 and 2012, five Sangh-affiliated charitable groups (India Development and Relief Fund, Ekal Vidyalaya Foundation of America, Param Shakti Peeth, Sewa International, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America) allocated over $55 million dollars to their program services, funds which are largely sent to groups in India. Several of the recipient groups have affiliations with the India-based Sangh Parivar, and more investigation is needed into:

a) other funding channels from the United States;

b) whether the monies collected were allocated to the purposes reported to the Internal Revenue Service; and

c) the effects of funding recipientsa work.

Academic and associated sites

7. Hindu nationalist groups have increasingly inserted themselves into curricular, administrative, and financing arenas in academic and educational institutions, specifically in the disciplines of history, religious studies, Indology and other fields. Particular projects include the establishment and operation of a religious college, the Hindu University of America, at least one religious studies conference (World Association for Vedic Studies), and funding institutions, such as the Infinity Foundation and the Vivek Welfare and Educational Foundation. From 2001 to 2013, the Infinity Foundation gave more than $1.9 million to researchers, academic associations, and academic departments around the world, including the Association for Asian Studies, California Institute of Integral Studies, the Center for the Study of Developing Societies, Columbia University, Harvard University, Melbourne University, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Rutgers University, University of Hawaii, and the University of Texas at Austin.

Sangh Leadership in Indo-American Communities

8. Over the last two decades, Sangh-affiliated organizations have emerged as leaders in Indo-American communities. Major events include:

a) Overseas Friends of the BJP (OFBJP) co-hosted a luncheon on Capitol Hill in early March 2002 with two other major Indian-American organizations, while BJP-ruled Gujarat witnessed mass killings of Muslims.

b) OFBJP members and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) were among the leadership that sought to host Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as an honored guest speaker in 2005.

c) In the California textbook controversy of 2005-2006, the Vedic Foundation and Hindu Swayamsevak Sanghas educational wing, the Hindu Education Foundation, led an effort to insert edits into California textbooks that foregrounded Hindu nationalist priorities and downplayed gender and caste oppression in Ancient India.

d) Since the textbooks controversy, the Hindu American Foundation has become a voice for Hindu nationalist interests to U.S. politicians.

Further Steps

9. Further investigations are needed to explore:

a) possible legal culpability of U.S.-based Sangh groups and members in Sangh-led violent acts in South Asia;

b) possible violations of 501(c)(3) regulations and restrictions; and

c) the involvement of other U.S.-based groups and individuals in supporting violence perpetrated by Hindu nationalist groups.

DOWNLOAD AND READ THE FULL REPORT HERE:

Hindu Nationalism in the United States: A Report on Nonprofit Groups [PDF] by J.M.

us.hindu.nationalism[at]gmail.com

July 2014

[released via sacw.net]

Hindu Nationalism in the United States: A Report on Nonprofit Groups (epub version) by J.M.

July 2014 - released by sacw.net

Back-up version in PDF acting as mirror in case of problems with above version:

http://tinyurl.com/m37oahv
by Vladimir Rozanskij

The clashes broke out just as a convoy organized by the International Red Cross managed to reach the enclave that had been isolated for months. The military campaign launched by Baku after accusing Stepanakert of sabotage. Armenian sources already speak of 27 deaths. There is also tension in Yerevan where Prime Minister Pasinyan is in the crosshairs.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Just as a glimmer of hope seemed to be opening in the humanitarian corridor, the situation in Nagorno Karabakh has worsened again, according to the classic pattern of the border conflict between Armenians and Azerbaijanis.

After three months of total blockade (and nine months after the start of the crisis on the Lachin corridor that connects the enclave to Armenia), 23 tons of flour and various products were finally sent through, organized by the international Red Cross with Russia and Switzerland.

At the same time, however, accusations of Armenian war sabotage also came from Baku, immediately rejected by Stepanakert as "the usual disinformation".

The National Security Service of Azerbaijan accused some armed units of entering km 58 of the Akhmedbejli-Fuzili-Shusha highway, placing an anti-tank mine that caused the death of two civilians.

Baku also speaks of four other Azeri policemen who were killed by a mine on another road, the one that leads to Gadrutsk province through the Tagavard tunnel, while the police were trying to "reach the terrorists".

Based on this, the Azerbaijani army launched an extensive military campaign in Nagorno Karabakh yesterday: military forces stormed the defense lines of the Armenian enclave while Stephanakert was targeted by artillery fire.

Armenian sources speak of 27 deaths in a few hours, including at least two civilians, and over 130 injured.

The situation is therefore getting out of hand again. The International Red Cross has expressed its deep concern about the impact of the military escalation on civilians.

"We ask all military authorities to do everything possible to protect the lives of civilians - he wrote in a note - and to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution, in line with the obligations established by international humanitarian law".

Appeals are also coming from Russia to stop and guarantee the safety of the Russian interposition forces, while the Baku defense ministry claims to have created humanitarian corridors and reception points to evacuate the population from the dangerous area, while "only military targets" would be attacked legitimate."

But - eloquently - for the Azeris the only path to peace in the region would be "the complete withdrawal of the Armenian army from Karabakh and the dissolution of the Stepanakert pseudo-regime".

The tension also reached Yerevan, where the police forces deployed to protect the government building, in anticipation of further protests by the population against the conduct considered too "submissive" of the executive led by Nikol Pasinyan, who tried to consult with Macron and Biden on ways to defuse the conflict.

All this comes after three months of stalemate, in which the roads were blocked and no solution could be found, pushing Armenia to increasingly turn elsewhere than Moscow and Baku.

The loads arriving in recent days had instead been "synchronized" from the two directions of the corridors of Lachin and Agdam, on the one hand flour and foodstuffs, on the other medicines and hygiene products of Russian and Swiss origin.

The Red Cross stressed that the blockade had been overcome "thanks to very persistent diplomatic efforts", but Azerbaijan denied that it was a "surrender of border sovereignty". It was only a "demonstration of goodwill" by the Baku government, according to the foreign ministry's declarations, while new Azerbaijani troops are massing in the area.

The Armenian director of the Center for Caucasian Studies, Ovik Avanesov, is one of the Armenian representatives who has spoken out most clearly against the opening of the Agdam route, while the Armenian population of Nagorno Karabakh only needs free access to the Lachin corridor.

For this reason the humanitarian cargoes were held back for a few days, and the episodes of sabotage would be a consequence of this conflicting interpretation of the "openings".

Avanesov believes that the sole goal of the Azerbaijanis remains the expulsion of all Armenians from the area: the blockade will continue and humanitarian problems will not be resolved, because Azerbaijan will continue to prevent free access from all sides even after individual openings, it's their way of doing things."

If Baku obtains accessibility recognition from Agdam's side, the direct line of communication with Armenia via Lachin will remain blocked forever, according to what Armenian observers complain, not only for humanitarian cargoes, but also for trade and people.
Lee Jae-myung, head of the Democratic Party of Korea, is accused of corruption, which he has always denied. He was hospitalised two days ago. Meanwhile, his party has tabled a motion calling on the prime minister to resign. In a deeply divided country, confidence in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is sinking, driven by its failure to oppose Japans release of radioactive waters from the Fukushima plant in the name of the detente with the former colonial power.

Seoul (AsiaNews/Agencies) South Koreas ruling party, the People Party (PP), today presented a motion in Parliament calling for the arrest of progressive-leaning opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, while the latters party, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has tabled a motion, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Both motions will be put to a vote in a plenary session tomorrow.

DPK leader Lee Jae-myung has been accused of a series of crimes. He was hospitalised two days ago after going on a hunger strike three weeks ago to protest against what he calls an "incompetent and violent" government.

Some of the allegations Lee faces date back to his time as mayor of Seongnam (2014-2017), a city south of Seoul, and involve charges of abuse of office, bribery, and illegal cash remittance to North Korea.

Under South Korean law, MPs enjoy parliamentary immunity and may not be tried without the consent of the National Assembly.

Despite the election of conservative Yoon Suk Yeol to the presidency last year, the DPK retains a majority in South Koreas National Assembly with 167 seats out of 297. As a result, a motion to lift Lees immunity was defeated back in February.

It is not clear, however, how lawmakers will vote tomorrow, especially since former President Moon Jae-in visited Lee in hospital yesterday and asked him to end his hunger strike.

Lee himself has said in recent months that he does not expect his party to protect him.

The DPK instead filed a motion calling for Prime Minister Han Duck-soos resignation, accusing him of incompetence when he was chief of staff and blaming him for what the failures of the Yoon administration, like South Koreas response to Japan's release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and the mismanagement of last month's World Scout Jamboree

Some political commentators expect President Yoon to reject the oppositions motion if it is approved by parliament, which he did when the DPK majority vote to have Foreign Minister Park Jin and Home Secretary Lee Sang-min dismissed.

For the DPK, Yoons decision to go along with the motion for Lee's arrest while he was in New York at the UN General Assembly meeting was particularly galling. For DPK spokesperson Kang Sun-woo, Yoons approval of the arrest motion amounted to signing a death warrant for a political rival and amounts to a declaration asking an opposition party leader to die already.

Lee lost to Yoon, a former prosecutor, in last years presidential election by a razor-thin margin and has been under criminal investigation ever since.

He has rejected all the allegations, calling the Yoon administration "a dictatorship by prosecutors" in which the judicial system is used to intimidate and discredit political opponents.

In recent weeks, Yoon, whose approval ratings have dropped considerably since his election, has stepped up attacks on progressives, comparing some of them to "anti-state forces, accusing others of colluding with North Korea or spreading "fake news."
10 Cologne Hacks to Smell Good All Day

Insider Tips to Upgrade Your Scent Game Without Spending More Money

Men share a special bond with their preferred fragrance. They bathe in it, make it part of their grooming rituals, and, most importantly, use it as a stimulant to feed off the desirable attributes most women fantasize about. So when the relationship has run its course, we do everything possible to milk every last drop from it, literally, for the sake of preserving its intoxicating scent. Well, that and to spare us the pain of dipping into our wallets for a replacement bottle.

But with colognes featuring potent formulas comes the ability to manipulate such aromas to achieve prolonged outcomes. Through some experimentation, along with the use of some skincare agents and grooming tools, every fragrant-centric gent can make the most of his signature fragrance, managing spray proportions at the same time.

RELATED: Best Colognes for Men

So before logging onto Amazon Prime and re-upping your order of Tom Ford Velvet Orchid, considering taking a whiff of these creative cologne hacks to keep your scent strong and pleasurable all day long.

Cologne Hacks to Improve Your Scent Game

Moisturize Before Applying

Skincare experts believe fragrances last longer on hydrated skin, as dryness tends to reduce the length of time a smell lasts after absorption. Invest in a 24-hour unscented moisturizer to prevent dehydration, because the longer your skin stays moist, the longer it will hold the scent.

Save the Last Drops for Your Body Lotion

Its incredibly tempting to apply the water cologne trick when nearing the bottom of your Givenchy Pi Extreme bottle. But youre only diluting the formula, genius. Youre better off pouring the rest of it into a body lotion; that way it salvages whatever spice is left, while strengthening the smell of your unscented ointment. Just dont slap any to your moneymaker. Depending on the sensitivity of your face, it could lead to some irritation.

Employ the Cotton Ball Technique

Ever wondered why women hold scents much longer than men? Or why their lingerie smells so enticing every night? The secret lies in the cotton ball. Soaking one of these in a liquid essence to either spread across the skin or stuff inside a suit pocket will help you hold your scent throughout the day  though youll want to go with something more distinguished, such as a decorative handkerchief, to top off that Armani suit.

Squirt Some on Your Hair Brush

Turns out your locks carry aromas better than most parts of the body. Hug your woman and take a whiff of her hair if youre feeling skeptical. But lets be clear: spritzing an alcohol-based perfume directly onto the head will dry out your hair. Thats just pure common sense. Instead, spray some on a hair brush and apply several strokes to spread the bouquet.

Rub Vaseline on Your Pulse Points

So what exactly are pulse points? Places on the body where your heart rate can be felt through blood vessels that are closest to the skin. Some of the more common ones are found behind the knees, inside the elbows, on the neck, wrists, and temples, and at the base of your throat. Rubbing some Vaseline on these areas will allow the colognes mist to stick onto the skin and emit the aroma for a longer period of time.

Dip Underwear in Perfumed Water

Another way to make the best of those last few droplets of cologne is by pouring the leftovers into a bowl of cold water to create a batch of perfumed water. Seeing how fragrances last longer on fabrics, dunking those briefs or boxers into the special elixir will produce a lingering fragrant-effect. This wont only leave your jeans (and genitals) smelling fresh, but will also transfer the smell throughout your body.

Layer Fragrances

Balancing multiple scents can become difficult, especially since one is liable to overpower the other depending on the dosage used. Its still one of the most efficient ways to keep your eau de parfum smelling strong without wasting a third of the bottle on a Friday night. Do some hands-on research and find the lightest skin oil that pairs well with your favorite cologne. This will help create a base for the liquid scent. Once you do, spray the stronger scent first, followed by the lighter one, to stabilize the outcome, saving a few sprays in the process.

RELATED: How to Wear Cologne

Spray Your Pillow for an Overnight Scent

If youre failing to practice any of the essential grooming tips before hitting the sack due to sheer laziness, then at least mask your funk with an alluring body scent. Like deodorant, cologne can be more effective at night, since body temperature is cooler when in sleep mode. So if you plan on waking up next to the misses or a Tinder hookup in the morning, know that spraying some cologne on a pillow will leave you smelling like a boss come breakfast time.

Drip Some in Your Irons Steamer

As we stressed, cologne has a strong attraction to fabrics. Remember this next time youre pulling out the ironing board. Release some drops into the steamer and press your clothes with this unique concoction. Your ensemble will be grateful for the treatment.

Store Them in a Linen Closet or the Original Packaging

For years, its been said the best place to store fragrances are in the bathroom cabinet. Wrong. Excessive heat, let alone the steam from a scorching hot shower, can affect the top notes of a fragrance by making them mustier. Exposure to the sunlight doesnt help them either. A linen closet can protect your colognes from environmental hazards, as well as keep them cool and dry. Storing them in their purchased boxes will have the same results.

You Might Also Dig:
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
"Fighting over toys" acquires an entirely different meaning when the fighting is between the heirs of a billionaire and the toys in question include, among mansions and valuable art, one of the most revolutionary and gorgeous megayachts in the world.

The Cement King and the bitter estranged wife

Photo: Oceanco

Photo: Oceanco

The Black Pearl, a megayacht like no other before

Photo: Oceanco

Photo: Oceanco

This is the story of the Black Pearl, a 2018 Oceanco megayacht that was named after Captain Sparrow's sailing yacht in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and which has since become a legend in its own right.This was possible because of its hybrid propulsion and revolutionary sailing rig and, perhaps against the will of all those involved in the build , because it ended up at the center of a $3.7 billion inheritance war. Black Pearl , the gorgeous, highly innovative, and luxurious sail-assisted megayacht, is still caught in that war. At least it's not sanctioned or seized, one could say if one was of a less pessimistic inclination.It's been a couple of years since the inheritance war began with the death of Russian oligarch Oleg Bourlakov, also known as the Cement King and one of the most secretive and richest Russian oligarchs. Russian oligarchs are known for being secretive, so for Forbes to stick this label to Bourlakov gives you an idea of just how private he was.Bourlakov passed away in late 2021, presumably from Covid, though certain members of his family believe a more sinister plot was involved. His death kicked off the ongoing war , with his estranged wife Lyudmila Bourlakova and one of his daughters on one side and his sister and brother-in-law on the other.The former team claims they've been cheated of what would have rightfully been theirs and are asking a London court to hold valid a 2008 will naming them beneficiaries. The latter duo is asking for the lawsuit to move to the U.S., insisting a 2014 handwritten will should be held as Bourlakov's wish for the division of assets.According to a recent report on the matter, the latest development in the ongoing saga means the lawsuit will go ahead in London, with a judge granting Bourlakova's request to add other claimants as she sees fit.The report also offers a more accurate appreciation of what's at stake besides the $200 million megayacht . Bourlakov also left behind a Monaco house estimated at $100 million and valuable artwork, and they're all being disputed.Even without those other multi-million assets, the Black Pearl would be a coveted "prize."It's appropriately dubbed one of the most beautiful vessels in the world  so beautiful that it even bewitched Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos into commissioning a similar one , down to the glimmering black hull and white masts. His Oceanco megayacht, which he named Koru, is bigger, more luxurious, and more expensive, with an estimated value of $500 million, and that amount doesn't include the cost of the shadow yacht.But the Black Pearl is the OG and, until Koru , was the world's second-largest sailing yacht. Total length is 350 feet (106 meters), with three 229-foot (70 meters) carbon masts part of a DynaRig system  the first application of one on a privately owned luxury vessel of this size. As gorgeous, luxurious, and controversial as Black Pearl is, nothing beats the fact that it's a highly innovative vessel.The sailing rig on the megayacht allows it to cross the Atlantic with zero fuel and offers incredible ease of use. Deploying the 2,877 square meters (30,900 square feet) of sail takes under 10 minutes and just one press of the button, and the masts can pivot in place, so the three squared sails join to form a single area, improving efficiency and speed. According to Oceanco, the Black Pearl can hit top speeds of 30 knots (34.5 mph/55.5 kph), an impressive achievement even for a boat of smaller dimensions.Though often referred to as a sailing yacht, Black Pearl is a sail-assisted yacht. The innovation here is that propulsion is hybrid, diesel-electric, thanks to twin MTU 12V2000M72 diesel engines and two 400kW electric motors. Without making use of its sails, Black Pearl cuts through water at a maximum speed of 17.5 knots (20.1 mph/32.4 kph), which is still solid performance but more on par with other, more traditional builds.Accommodation onboard is for 12 guests across five cabins, with separate quarters for an unspecified number of crewmembers. With all the innovation the Black Pearl has made possible and the media coverage it got, the interiors were never shown to the public  and not many specifics were revealed, either.Inside, a single-level engine room layout allows for maximum use of space for the guests. Nuvolari Lenard did the exterior design but also worked on the interiors with Gerard P. Villate and Valentina Zannier, aiming for a style that would bring to mind the styling of the era of France's last king, Louis XIV. Amenities range from a multi-level atrium with a glass elevator to an expansive beach club that converts into a cinema, a raised pilothouse, and a superyacht sundeck.Right now, the Black Pearl is in Tivat, Montenegro, but it hasn't traveled much since the inheritance war started, which makes sense: ownership is being disputed. Its travels were a mystery before, to such an extent that Bourlakov wasn't confirmed as owner after his death when court documents leaked.
kW

kWh

ICE

Spied recently while it was undergoing testing on public roads, this is the next-gen Opel Crossland . Notice the lightning stickers applied to its trippy camouflage? Those, as well as the lack of tailpipes and the closed-off grille, signal the presence of a battery-electric powertrain.The move to the eCMP (electric Common Modular Platform) means that it will share multiple components with other electric vehicles made under Stellantis' roof. These include the Peugeot e-2008 and the DS 3 Crossback E-Tense . And while details surrounding the actual drivetrain are inexistent, we will assume it will get a single-motor unit, making either 134 or 154 hp (136-156 ps/100-115), backed up by respective battery packs of 50 and 54But the next-gen Opel Crossland will not stick to the battery-electric recipe solely, as a model packing an internal combustion engine is expected to join the lineup. It has been reported that it might put the Corsa supermini's 1.2-liter mild-hybrid assembly to use, which is offered with two outputs. The lesser variant has 99 hp (100 ps/74 kW), and the upper spec enjoys 134 hp (136 ps/100 kW). The-powered Crossland is expected to be available for a limited time, as Opel plans to go electric in Europe by 2028.In terms of visuals, the pictured prototype sends Citroen C3 Aircross vibes. But it won't be identical to its French cousin, as the German model will get the brand's Vizor face, different headlights and taillights, and reshaped bumpers. Chances are the quarter panels, and the door design will be different too. The lower parts of the body should still be decorated with black trim. Overall, it has boxier proportions compared to the crossover it will replace, and we think this styling suits it better.We cannot see the interior at all in the multitude of scoops sent to us by our spy photographers, but we will assume it will be an important departure from its predecessor. We expect the next-gen Crossland to feature a larger infotainment system and a digital instrument panel, regardless of the powertrain. The model will also get new tech features and improved safety gizmos, and chances are Opel might improve the overall build quality to further distance it from the slightly smaller Mokka.Speaking of which, the next Crossland is expected to be a bit larger than the current one, and it is likely that rear-seat passengers will get more legroom. The cargo area will also be improved, and it will probably have more storage space in the cabin. All will be revealed in due course, though, with the vehicle expected to premiere sometime next year.
Alfa Romeo has recently unveiled the 33 Stradale, the car they tag as 'super-sexy,' and they are not going to stop at it. The Italians are reportedly already working on a new supercar and are planning to roll out a limited-run model every year.

Photo: Alfa Romeo

Photo: Alfa Romeo

ICE

EV

The success of the 33 Stradale inspired and encouraged the carmaker, now ready to kick off the development of another supercar. Before the official unveiling of the 33, the last supercar that Alfa introduced came almost 17 years prior.The new Alfa model is going to be unveiled in 2026 as a 2027 model year. It is going to be a limited-run halo car, inspired, just like the 33 Stradale, from the history of the carmaker. The company has already identified potential customers and asked them for suggestions regarding the design of the upcoming supercar.They have all suggested models from the 1960s and the 1970s, with four cars in particular being their favorites, as Cristiano Fiorio, head of strategic projects, revealed. He indicates the 1963 Giulia TZ, famous for its truncated rear end ('Coda Tronca'), which is not only a design feature, but also helps with aerodynamics.The list of cars customers would want to see in a contemporary approach also includes the Alfa Romeo Montreal from 1970 and the 1960 Alfa Romeo Giulietta SZ. No matter what the Italians go for, the standards are high since they labeled the 33 Stradale as 'the most beautiful car in the world.'



For the recently unveiled 33 Stradale, Alfa Romeo looked for inspiration in the 1967 model with the same name. Even though the carmaker is not necessarily stuck on retro styling, that seems to be what customers really want right now, Alfa Romeo's head of design, Alejandro Mesonero-Romanos, reveals.For the development of the 33, but also of the upcoming supercar, Alfa Romeo came up with the Bottega special bespoke division. 'Bottega' is Italian for 'studio' or 'workshop.' Every single model wearing the Bottega signature will be low volume, with maximum runs of 50 or fewer, in an attempt to keep them exclusive and make sure that their value is increasing over the years. Alfa is planning to come up with a new special model every year.16 months. That is how long Alfa's Bottega worked on the 33 Stradale, the company's first supercar in almost two decades. They already had the chassis and combustion engine from the Maserati MC20, so that must partially explain the speed of the development.Alfa is also going to come up with an electric version of the 33. A total of 33 examples will be sold, and all have already been spoken for. The automaker has never mentioned a price for the super special supercar, but it reportedly costs $2.1 million.Those who are on the customers' list are yet to decide if they go for the 3.0-liter V6 or the electric powertrain. It seems that most of them are choosing the. The Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is the last petrol-powered supercar, according to the Italians. This is a clear indication that the upcoming model is going to be powered by two or more electric motors.Before rolling out a new supercar, the first with an electric powertrain, Alfa Romeo is working on a small electric crossover , a Jeep Avenger twin, underpinned by the e-CMP architecture. Theis set to debut sometime in 2024, and it will join the Stelvio and the Tonale in the high-ground-clearance cars lineup bearing the Alfa Romeo badge.
Codenamed RZ34, the current-gen Z is closely related to the naturally-aspirated Z34 before it. Marketed as the Fairlady Z in Japan, the fastback-styled coupe will soon receive a nicer exhaust from Pennsylvania-based exhaust specialist AWE Tuning.

Backed up by a no check-engine-light guarantee, said exhaust suite comprises dual 3.0-inch piping, an X-pipe for a throatier soundtrack, and drone-canceling technology for the road-oriented Touring specification. There's also a Track option in the offing, advertised by the company as 50-state legal.Founded in 1991, the exhaust specialist from Horsham further promises a dyno-proven gain of 6 horsepower compared to stock. Pricing information remains a mystery at press time, and we don't know if said exhausts are compatible with the Z NISMO. What we do know is that AWE offers either Chrome Silver or Diamond Black exhaust tips, as well as Track-to-Touring/Touring-to-Track conversion kits.Manufactured at Nissan Motor Tochigi Plant in Kaminokawa on the assembly line that used to make the 370Z, the Z uses a slightly updated FM platform. The front-midship architecture can trace its roots back to the V35-series Nissan Skyline (2001 to 2007) and Infiniti G35 (2002 to 2007), which came with a 3.5-liter V6 bearing the VQ35DE codename. For the 2023 model year and beyond, the sole engine available is the VR30DDTT which Nissan also uses in the V37 Skyline and the Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400.Think of it as the smaller brother of the R35 -specific VR38DETT, a twin-turbo sixer that puts out up to 592 horsepower at 6,800 revolutions per minute and 481 pound-feet (652 Nm) of torque in the GT-R NISMO. By comparison, the 3.0-liter V6 mills in the Z and Z NISMO develop 400 horsepower and close to 420 ponies. Torque maxes out at 384 pound-feet (521 Nm), which is alright for this displacement and cylinder count. It could be much better, thoughThe high-output Hurricane in the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, for example, has 510 horsepower and 500 pound-feet (678 Nm) to its name, thus besting the standard-issue HEMI 392 naturally-aspirated V8. We also have to remember that BMW squeezes out 503 and 479 (650) from the S58 twin-turbo I6 of the M3 Competition, a powerplant that's been proven to 553 horsepower in the manual-only 3.0 CSL coupe.Be that as it may, there's no denying that Nissan offers the best value in the segment with the Z. At $40,990 for either the manual or torque-converter automatic (produced under license from Merc), the Japanese fastback coupe is more affordable than the four-cylinder Toyota GR Supra ($45,540), Ford Mustang GT ($42,495), Dodge Challenger R/T ($41,305), and slightly pricier than the Chevrolet Camaro LT1 ($40,395 sans the destination fee).The RZ34 may also be the final combustion-only Z car, with Nissan currently pivoting to electric vehicles. Even the R36 is expected to embrace hybrid assistance in order to stay relevant. After all, both the Corvette E-Ray and 992.2 facelift of the Porsche 911 Turbo S have or will receive hybrid assistance.
Tiny houses are basically everywhere nowadays, leaving many people perplexed by the huge architectural trend they have started. While tiny living is not for everyone, it's safe to say almost all of us are intrigued by these diminutive dwellings and many are ready to move out of their full-size homes for a taste of the popular tiny life.

Photo: Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Photo: Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Photo: Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Though homeowners might have different ideas regarding what makes a tiny home beautiful and charming, we can all agree that designs that blend functionality with style and coziness are the most desirable. Add in a few luxury features like a fireplace, a spacious closet, and spa-like bathroom facilities, and you have a proven recipe for success.The Cuyamaca tiny home is a great example of a small but mighty tiny home filled with clever ideas that make it highly functional while still retaining the cuteness of a diminutive living space. This particular house was built by Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses for a medical worker in the San Diego area, so it boasts a custom design tailored specifically to the client's needs.Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses is based in Durango, Colorado, and has been building beautiful tiny dwellings since 2013. Founded by tiny living enthusiast Greg Parham, the company offers plans, shells, and gorgeous custom tiny homes with everything that the clients specifically require.Built on a gooseneck trailer , the Cuyamaca tiny house measures 29 feet (8.83 meters) in length and was designed with privacy in mind. As such, you will notice there are fewer windows with a higher placement, and the front door has no glass whatsoever. But this does not mean the interior is dim and dull. On the contrary, the bright white walls and predominantly white furniture make up for the lack of sunlight while also giving the interior a clutter-free look.The duo-tone exterior of this tiny house features a sleek and stylish appearance, with a combination of cedar and charcoal metal siding, a simple shed roof, and a beautiful blue door. There is also an exterior closet at the rear of the house for storage. The owner parked it up in the mountains east of San Diego, close to a place called Cuyamaca, hence its moniker.Coming into the tiny home through the single entrance door towards the rear of the trailer, we arrive in the main living space, which is laid out in an open plan and comprises a small living room and a generous kitchen.The compact living area is furnished with a modular bench couch with sections that allow for multiple configurations. The owner can rearrange the cubes based on their needs and create either a regular couch with two storage ottomans or a guest bed. The modular units can also be arranged to form an L-shaped or a U-shaped seating space. An electric fireplace with a wood mantel and a TV above it completes the living room design, while a small lofted area above the couch offers additional storage space.Since the owner of this tiny home is an avid cooker, the kitchen had to be the centerpiece of the interior layout. It's a U-shaped kitchen that occupies a great portion of the main floor and has a luxury look and feel thanks to quartz countertops and a nice glass mosaic tile backsplash. It features a large peninsula with plenty of counter space for meal prep, modern appliances, and an abundance of Robin's Egg Blue cabinets that add a lovely pop of color.The kitchen's functionality is given by an undermount sink, a two-burner gas cooktop, a Breville air fryer oven, an over-the-range microwave, a dishwasher drawer, and a full-size stainless steel refrigerator. There is also a fold-up table opposite the kitchen counters that can serve as both a dining area and a working space.The bathroom at the other end of the house is small but modern and has an all-white design that gives it a pristine look. This is not one of those regular tiny home bathrooms where only the basic facilities are included, as the builders equipped it with a full-size tub with tiled walls and rainfall shower head, a flush toilet, an L-shape vanity with quartz counter, and an on-demand water heater. To help the owner keep all their things organized, there is also a medicine cabinet and a linen cabinet above the toilet.Next to the bathroom, a few storage stairs lead to the gooseneck bedroom, which has been designed as a private space with a narrow passage door with a beautiful chevron pattern. Inside the master bedroom, there is enough standing height and space to fit a king-size bed. Rocky Mountain Houses crafted a hydraulic assist lift platform for the bed to allow the owner to easily access the storage space underneath.To the left of the bed, there is another step that takes you up on the loft above the bathroom. This area serves as a closet space, and it also houses a washer/dryer combo unit. Though it only has kneeling room access, it offers way more clothes storage space than most tiny houses we've seen.Despite the space limitations, the Cuyamaca tiny home proves that exquisite attention to detail and clever design ideas make small living spaces compatible with a luxurious lifestyle. There is no word on the exact price of this custom model, but the builder says that a similar tiny home would cost around $95,000 with current market prices.
Download and Read The Full Report Here:

Fast Track to Troubling Times Released by Ghadhar Alliance - September 22, 2014 [PDF version]

Ghadar Alliance

Press Release

September 22, 2014

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -

100 DAYS OF MODI POINTS TO EMERGENT DISASTER

ECONOMY, RELIGIOUS EXTREMISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS AREAS OF BIGGEST CONCERN

The Ghadar Alliance, a US-based educational/watchdog coalition created by concerned citizens in the wake of the BJP victory, today released a comprehensive a100-day reporta evaluating the performance of the Modi governmentas first 100 days in office. The report, titled aFast Track to Troubling Times,a is being released as Modi prepares for his first visit to the US as Indiaas Prime Minister. Modias US tour begins on September 26th.

The report is the first independent apeopleasa report to be published since Modi came into office, and identifies the economy, religious extremism and human rights as grave areas of concern. aWe have been very careful and meticulous in collecting data only from public sources to build an evidence-based and fully data-driven report,a said Raja Swamy, economic anthropologist and one of the authors of the report. aWhen it comes to the economy, our report shows that the new administration wants to eliminate all democratic protections in favor of corporate giveaways and ripoffs. One example of this are the amendments that the Modi regime has proposed to the Land Acquisition Act of 2013 that do away with meaningful safeguards for those losing land, especially for Indiaas poor, marginal peasantry and indigenous peoples. The proposed amendments accept in-toto all corporate demands and eliminate existing safeguards. From the evidence available, can we not conclude that the minimal protections for ordinary people are being wiped out to favor corporations?a he added. The report is replete with such detail as it compares the Modi budget with the previous United Progressive Alliance budget, and points to such facts as the BJP governmentas plan to raise four times more money through the asale of State assetsa than the previous government did.

The report highlights the empowerment of violent gangs of the supremacist Hindu Right under the Modi dispensation. In the three months since Modi took charge, there have been over 600 cases of anti-minority violence in one single state, Uttar Pradesh (a state in the North), and several cases of forced areconversiona of Dalits (Indiaas so-called untouchable castes) to Hinduism. aIf there is one thing that is clear already it is that under Modi, Hindu supremacist gangs will virtually rule the streets. There is a palpable sense of insecurity today among minorities, Dalits and women as non-state actors have turned hyper-aggressive, and Modi, through his consistent silence and refusal to hold offenders accountable, has given tacit approvala said Anu Mandavilli of the San Jose Peace and Justice Center and a co-founder of the Ghadar Alliance. aThe privileging of economic growth as the primary goal functions to dictate an amnesia about Modias Gujarat record with US investors eager to capitalize on the Indian market,a added Professor Snehal Shingavi, also a co-founder of the Ghadar Alliance. aAnd for many of us born and raised in a racialized US context, the targeting of minorities in India by Hindu reactionaries uncomfortably corresponds to our own experiences with anti-immigrant racism here.a

The report compares the first 100 days of the new government with Modias 12 years of rule in Gujarat. aExamining Modias first 100 days in the context of his record in Gujarat reveals a number of disturbing parallels, and these parallels legitimize the reportas predictive capacity,a said Mandavilli. The report is the first in a series of actions that the Ghadar Alliance is initiating to keep a consistent and critical focus on the BJP/RSS from outside India. The Founding Committee of the Alliance is intergenerational, of multiple faiths, of diverse professions and geography. aWe represent the true diversity of India rather than the narrow homogeneity of Modi supporters lining up to welcome him here in the US,a said Dr. Swamy.

For More Information Contact:

Anu Mandavilli: 408-480-5805 or email at anu@ghadaralliance.org

Snehal Shingavi: 510- 484-5242 or email: snehal100@hotmail.com

Raja Swamy: 864-804-0216 or email: raja@ghadaralliance.org
Given how it kind of feels the Ducati Multistrada has been around forever, it's hard to believe this bike was only launched onto the market exactly two decades ago. It's been used ever since by the Italian company as a test bed for new technologies and ideas, yet it somehow managed to survive all the trials and tribulations. And now a new model joins the range.

Photo: Ducati

ABS

Adaptive Cruise Control

ACC

Photo: Ducati

To properly mark the bike's anniversary, Ducati unleashed this week the Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour. It may be seen, for instance, as just a beefed-up version of the existing S, but it packs so much additional tech that it is definitely worth a closer look.The Grand Tour is, if you will, a collection of the best things Ducati has to offer, especially in terms of the advanced systems it has developed over the years. Add to that the many other standard features, and the nearly endless list of customization options, and you have a very solid offering on your hands. If you're into long travels into the wild, that is.Because it's based on an existing motorcycle, the Grand Tour borrows a lot of elements from the existing model. Its frame is of monocoque design in aluminum, pulled over a steel tube subframe. A double-sided aluminum swingarm holds the rear wheel.Inside the frame Ducati installed one of their most acclaimed engines, the 1,158cc V4 Granturismo  a unit the Italians proudly claim every chance they get has been developed by applying lessons learned during the company's involvement in the MotoGP. The numbers for the V4 in the Grand Turismo application are 170 horsepower and 125 Nm of torque.The engine sends its power to a rear wheel that's sized at 17 inches and, just like the 19-inch front one, wears Pirelli Scorpion Trail II rubber. Brembo braking hardware is fitted on both to handle stopping power.The suspension system devised to move the wheels up and down and keep the bike upright and safe even on less-than-friendly terrain is of the Marzocchi Ducati Skyhook variety. That's a semi-active suspension control system with up to 180 mm of travel that, for the first time, includes an Autolevelling function.What this system does is recognize how the two-wheeler has been set up by its rider and, all on its own, move the seat so that it stays at the proper distance from the ground, based on rider preferences.There is also the Minimum Preload function for the shock absorber, a feature that gives people a chance to lower the bike when the speed of travel is low or the bike is not moving at all.Safety-wise, the Ducati Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour is packed full of high-tech systems meant to cover as many riding scenarios as possible. The list of extras starts with the usual suspects in Ducati books when it comes to safety  tire pressure monitoring system,cornering, wheelie control, traction control, and vehicle hold control  but continues with several things you'll have a pretty hard time finding on any other bike.That would be things like a radar system that works in conjunction with the) and Blind Spot Detection (BSD). That's tech we've first seen on the Multistrada V4 back in 2020 and which has proven extremely popular since.There are actually two radars in this system. The one at the front basically governs the ACC when the bike's speed is between 30 and 160 km/h (18 to 99 mph), providing slight inputs on deceleration and acceleration when it detects obstacles. The one at the rear works with the BSD, alerting the rider of approaching vehicles.Earlier this year the Multistrada V4 S got the so-called Easy Lift function, and that was transplanted to the Grand Tour as well. It allows riders to lift the bike more easily off its stand by softening the bike's front and rear suspension.Design-wise, the Grand Tour is not significantly different than the model it is based on, but it does come with a bunch of extras. The most visible are the additional LED lights, and the bags at the rear, capable of holding 60 liters (2 cubic feet) of cargo.The bike rolls off the factory lines complete with a central stand, heated grips and seats for both rider and passenger, and a ventilated compartment for the smartphone. Speaking of which, the bike is smartphone compatible, meaning it can mirror the device on a 6.5-inch TFT screen.The Italians say the new Multistrada V4 S Grand Tour will be available "shortly," but they don't get more specific than that. We also have no info at the time of writing of where pricing for this one will sit.Whatever that will be, expect it to go a lot higher than MSRP, thanks to the wide range of accessories you'll probably not be able to resist: extra luggage solutions, carbon fiber body elements, LEDs, solid aluminum components, you name it.There will however be a single color to go for, the specially-designed Grand Tour livery that's basically a lot of gray with touches of black and red.
It was at the end of last year that Japanese bike maker Honda pulled the wraps off the XL750 Transalp adventure bike. Back then, it was announced as a player in this segment only on the European continent, but it seems its success there has prompted Honda to bring it stateside as well.

The Transalp family was born in the Honda stables back in 1986 and has been growing in popularity since. The XL750 incarnation of the breed is supposed to be a nod to the original bike from back then, while bringing to the table all the modern touches a two-wheeler needs to succeed.Built with a steel frame propped on wheels sized 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, the bike uses a 755c unicam engine rated at 90 hp and 75 Nm of torque. That's more than enough for outdoor adventures, but if you throw into the mix the bike's suspension gear, the offering becomes even more enticing.At the core of the bike's riding capabilities sits the front Showa fork with an impressive 200 mm of travel. The rear is backed by a shock absorber of the same make with 190 mm of travel and backed by a swingarm.This is pretty much the hardware the bike comes with over in Europe, in its 2023 model year incarnation. For the U.S. however, the bike maker will offer it as a 2024 model year, so don't be surprised if you see some minor changes here and there.The Japanese confirmed the bike's arrival on the U.S. market, and said people waiting for it should see it on dealer's lots as soon as next month. The price of the ride has been set at a rather affordable $9,999, and only one color is on the table, Matte Black Metallic. Expect the price to go up as soon as you start configuring the ride, seeing how the accessory catalog will be quite extensive.When available for Americans, the ride will join the Africa Twin and CB500X in the True Adventure lineup of bikes already sold there.On a separate note, but also concerning the American market, Honda confirmed the fact that the mighty CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP will come in 2023 model year guise as well.As far as we can tell, there will be no major changes made to this bike, meaning the same impressive performance levels remain. And so do the color scheme and pricing, as the bike will be offered in the same Pearl White guise and for a starting price of $28,900. The bike is already available to order, alongside the identical one wearing the 2022 model year stamp.
Takashi Watanabe was elevated to the position of Lexus International president in April 2023. Under his watch, the luxury-oriented marque intends to launch a plethora of EVs from 2026 onward. The plan is to launch electrified options for every model by 2030, the intention being to go fully EV by 2025.

EV

The lynchpin of this zero-emission shift is Toyota's next-generation batteries, which promise high driving ranges. For lithium-ion batteries, make that more than 800 kilometers (497 miles). Lithium iron phosphate batteries are due in 2026 with over 600 kilometers (373 miles) of driving range. Come 2027, Toyota plans to launch lithium-ion batteries of the solid-state variety capable of more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). The second generation of solid-state battery packs are said to be good for in excess of 1,200 kilometers (746 miles) on a charge.Pretty intriguing, but not as intriguing as Takashi Watanabe confirming that Lexus is open to an electric pickup truck. Speaking to Australian motoring publication Drive, the big kahuna made it clear that Lexus isn't considering an internal combustion-engined pickup truck based on an existing model. Fully electric is the only way to go.Watanabe further made it clear that consumer demand is key to the Lexus electric pickup truck happening or not. For the time being, the brand isn't even considering such a thing because not even Toyota has ventured into the electric truck segment.Toyota is  of course  tasked with the development of electric pickup trucks. If a Tacoma- or Tundra-sized electric workhorse sells in sufficient numbers, then Lexus will be much obliged to spruce said vehicle up with a nicer interior and exterior styling.When Toyota released its financial results for the fiscal year that ended on March 31, the Japanese manufacturer confirmed the introduction of a dedicated battery-electric vehicle platform in 2026. The company didn't say whether said platform is a unibody or a body-on-frame design, which leaves the door open for speculation. There is a possibility for the TNGA-F of the Tacoma and Tundra to be adapted forapplications, but remember that a platform developed for internal combustion-engined vehicles isn't the optimal choice for battery-electric vehicles.We also have to remember that no fewer than two electric truck concepts were revealed in December 2022 by former Toyota chief executive officer Akio Toyoda. The smaller IMV 0 concept is expected to start production in Thailand sometime in the first half of 2024, whereas the Hilux Revo BEV concept is obviously related to the current-gen Hilux. The latter isn't coming to market anytime soon, and neither will the 2024 model year Tacoma-inspired concept from December 2021.
Rivian has been making a lot of changes lately. The most recent one is about its so-called "secret shop," which is nothing but an online marketplace. It allows prospective buyers to see what units are already available. If a pickup truck or SUV matches their order or something partially similar piques their interest, they could swap the individualized design for an inventory unit.

SUV

Photo: Rivian

LA Silver R1Ts with prices ranging between $87,000 and $91,500;

Glacier White R1Ts with prices ranging between $88,750 and $92,600;

Red Canyon R1Ts with prices ranging between $89,500 and $95,000;

Midnight R1Ts with prices ranging between $92,000 and $94,350;

Rivian Blue R1Ts with prices ranging between $93,350 and $96,500;

Limestone R1Ts with prices ranging between $91,250 and $95,250;

Forest Green R1Ts with prices ranging between $90,750 and $95,600;

El Cap Granite R1Ts with prices ranging between $89,500 and $94,350;

Compass Yellow R1Ts with prices ranging between $89,500 and $95,000.

kWh

EV

Dual-motor R1T + the standard battery pack (not yet in production);

Dual-motor R1T + the large battery pack;

Dual-motor R1S + the standard battery pack (not yet in production).

That was a perk given only to those with pre-orders or post-price-hike reservations. But now, everyone can access it. That suggests Rivian is keen on offloading units awaiting a buyer so that it can move forward with the cheaper-to-make dual-motor R1T and R1S EVs.The main advantage of the Rivian vehicles with two motors is that they need fewer chips, and two partners supply them. The young Irvine-based brand learned from last year's mistakes. It won't go through a parts issue in this respect anytime soon.The automaker first tested the so-called "Enduro" drive units with Amazon's all-electric vans known as EDV s. The feedback was great, and the math checked out, which prompted the brand to put them on the R1T and R1S as well.That move also allowed Rivian to implement a sneaky strategy that increases profit margins. Customers who want to unlock the full output of the two motors must pay $5,000 extra. Doing so raises the horsepower figure from 533 to 665.When writing, ordering a custom R1T translates into a waiting period of about four months to take delivery. That's not something you want to hear If you need wheels now.When it comes to the R1S, things are a tad bit trickier. Rivian said it accelerated manufacturing its three-rowbecause more buyers have shown interest in the model. But things haven't improved too much. Currently, one tailored to your taste will arrive in your driveway in 2024 at the earliest.But if you can "settle for" the very capable pickup truck, Rivian has opened its secret shop to everyone. Reserving an inventory R1T guarantees prospective buyers that they'll take delivery in as little as one week or a month tops. On top of that, it has never been easier to buy a Rivian directly from the company.All interested parties have to do is head onto Rivian's dedicated webpage for inventory R1Ts , type in their ZIP code, and look around.We checked the electric pickup truck's availability for people living in Santa Cruz, California, and found six: Compass Yellow was discontinued, so snatching a vehicle finished in this color could guarantee a better secondary market value in the long run.All the above-mentioned models were quad-motor units paired with the large 135-battery pack. Different wheel options, interior look, and specific add-ons set the price difference.We also checked what's available for Americans living in Harris County, Texas, and the results were eerily similar. The no-secret-anymore shop displayed six options for each color, and all were quad-motor R1Ts with the large battery pack. It looks like Rivian is ready to move units around, depending on where the buyers live. It doesn't have certain sets of vehicles awaiting a customer at various service centers nationwide.That is a bit weird because, on Wednesday, users with access to the secret shop discovered that the cheaper dual-motor-equipped EVs started being marked as available. Could it be that Rivian decided to offload its quad-motor plus large battery pack units first? We'll let you be the judge of that.Keep in mind that none of these inventory units we told you about qualify for thetax credit. Rivian buyers who are eligible for the federal perk can take advantage of the $3,750 (half of the total) only when ordering a brand-new:Rivian doesn't allow prospective buyers to explore inventory R1S units when writing. The platform includes only R1Ts for now.
Among the many worldwide best-known German brand names originating in neighboring Austria, Porsche probably ranks a distant second. Although I am willing to bet that the undisputed occupant of the top step of this podium isnt famed for his Vienna residence, the runner-up Porsche is now a well-established institution of German automotive mastery. Recently, one of the companys electric creations went down under to see whats what about the Mozart, not Kangaroos conundrum.

EV

Photo: Porsche

kW

Photo: Porsche

kWh

Specifically, an electric Taycan 4S Cross Turismo went all the way to the far end of Planet Piston  as seen from Stuttgart  to go on a walkabout in the scorching Australian heat, from Darwin to Bondi Beach. Thecovered 5,000 clicks (3,200 non-metric land miles) during its 19-day road trip.The German company didnt mention when the journey began with hours-and-minutes accuracy or when the Taycan crossed the finish line. (the car manufacturer didn't even say when the Taycan went on this past-time testing session). But the Stuttgart-based company makes it clear that it took 85 charge-hours (3 days 13 hours) to get the car going from one charging point to the next. In total, the automobile needed 27 stops to replenish the depleted cells.Since most plug-in sessions occurred at night, we can deduce that Taycan only worked the day shifts. Considering the total number of hours for this endurance test (456 for the 19 days), we can calculate that the electric Porsche was effectively available for active duty for 371 hours (15 days 11 hours  give or take).To make the best out of this Australian version of a cannonball run, the Taycan 4S Cross Turismo brought the 22-onboard charger (optional equipment for the lightning-bolt-munching Porsche). The recharging sessions were performed on all available stations  from outback cattle farms to fast chargers or Porsche Destination Charging.En-route destinations pitted the Taycan against the harsh Australian landscape, from Nitmiluk National Parks Gorge in the Northern Territory to the Big Red sand dune in the Simpson Desert, before heading towards the surfers Nirvana at Bondi Beach, New South Wales.Porsche used this event to demonstrate that EVs can coexist with and within our current way of living, no matter how adverse the environment is. The Germans wanted to prove that electric road trips are not only feasible but also enjoyable, choosing the most hostile continent on earth to do that. (they should probably look at what the Scottish are doing; maybe they will find some inspiration in the flat Munro .)(If we would list the worlds most human-adverse regions, Australia wins by default. Apart from being home to some of the deadliest creatures on our planet, the sheer size of the Australian outback transforms an otherwise straightforward road trip into a rally stage. Bring survival gear for the driver and car and pray for favorable fortunes).The Taycan 4S Cross Turismo had only the innate natural abilities to get through this trial. A 93.4-battery pack feeding the 360-kW (484 hp /490 PS) dual-motor powertrain (one over each axle). I dont suspect any hard launches were necessary during this three-week adventure, so the Taycan didnt showcase the overboost peak power of 420 kW (565 hp /571 PS) or the maximum torque of 650 Nm (480 lb-ft).
The Charger arrived for the 1966 model year as a sleek fastback with a premium-appointed interior. The GTX made its debut one year later. But unlike the Charger, which featured unique sheet metal, the GTX was mainly a fancied-up two-door Belvedere.The Plymouth moved about 12,000 units in its first year on the market and became known as "the gentleman's muscle car." The GTX faired better in 1968, with more than 17,000 examples delivered, but sales dropped significantly every year until the nameplate went into the history books at the end of the 1971 model year.But even though it was short-lived and nowhere near as popular as its more affordable sibling, the Road Runner, the Plymouth GTX is now among the most iconic Mopars ever made. And at about 55,000 units sold over five model years, it's one of the rarest, too. Especially the HEMI version, of which only 1,526 were produced.And things become even scarcer if we include the convertible layout in the mix. Not only were drop-tops not very popular then, but Plymouth discontinued the body style after the 1969 model year. And it only managed to sell 73 examples from 1967 through 1969 (including nine cars shipped to Canada). The convertible you see here is one of those vehicles.Spotted at the Holley MoParty in Bowling Green, Kentucky, this GTX is, first and foremost, one of the first 1968-model-year examples that left the assembly line in September 1967. It's also one of only 40 HEMI drop-tops sold that year and one of 36 delivered to US customers. That's not all! The automatic transmission makes it one of 24 rigs with this drivetrain layout.But this is more than a run-of-the-mill HEMI GTX . This Mopar spent its early days as a test vehicle for various magazines. It was first sent to Car Craft Magazine and then found its way to Car Life Magazine and Popular Hot Rodding for drag testing. Once it completed its promotional mini-tour, the GTX paced the Riverside Grand Prix with 1957 Indy 500 winner Sam Hanks behind the steering wheel.With too many miles to be sold as new, the GTX was left to Prince Chrysler Plymouth of Inglewood, California, which sold it as a used car in June 1968. Driven by its first owner until sometime in the 1970s, the HEMI drop-top was then parked for several years until the current owner bought it in 1986.Fast forward to 2023, and the Mopar has been restored to its original specifications, also regaining its pace car livery in the process. And thanks to its gold color and options/drivetrain combo, this 1968 HEMI GTX is a one-of-one gem. Hit the play button below to check out one of the rarest HEMI-powered Mopars ever built.
20 September 2023 13:15 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

In the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan, under the control of Russian peacekeepers, the terrorist groups and the separatist elements of Armenia, who commit terror and provocations against the Azerbaijani Army servicemen and civilians, have already attracted the attention of bloggers from across the world. Although the separatists have bribed many in the US Senate and the European Union Parliament, the truth still speaks for itself. Indeed, the world is bigger than five.

Azerbaijani policemen and two state agency employees who died in a mine explosion as a result of Armenian terrorist provocations yesterday were a clear proof of Armenia's insidious intentions. The world was not silent about what happened; Italian military expert Thomas Theiner reacted to the processes and called on the separatist forces to surrender on his X social network page (formerly twitter).

"In September 2020 I said after 3 days that Armenia has lost the war in Karabakh In March 2022 I said after 7 days that Russia has lost the war in Ukraine. In September 2023 I say after 20 minutes of fighting that Karabakh Armenians have lost the war. It is over. Surrender now," the Theiner wrote.

In fact, Theiner's statements are not new. Azerbaijan has repeatedly declared it internationally that Armenia is a defeated state and that it should end its policy of invasion. There is also an interesting calculation in Theiner's statement that shows Armenia's backwardness in development. Three years ago, when Armenia attacked Azerbaijan, only three days were enough for the Azerbaijani Army to expel the invading military forces of Armenia from the occupied territories. Three years have passed since that event, and the attack plan of the same invading groups that did not want to leave Garabagh violating the 10 November Statement signed in 2020 was crushed by the victorious Azerbaijani Army in just 20 minutes. Analyzing all the processes, the military expert also wants to say that the Armenian military forces do not have any strong potential. As the saying goes, beat a dead horse. Although Armenia dreamed of restoring its military strength due to the military aid it received from outside, it could not put it dreams come true. The latest provocations of the Armenians made them surrender and showed once again that no provocation attack can affect Azerbaijan, neither in its own territory nor from outside.

During the proceedings, the position of the West attracted considerable attention. US congressman Adam Schiff, who is constantly on the agenda with his biased views on Azerbaijan, tirelessly tried to defend terrorist forces on his X social page yesterday. Shouting the name of the unrecognized so-called artsakh, Adam dressed up the terrorists as innocent and called on a group of pro-Armenian forces like himself to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan.

In addition, the co-chairs of the Armenian Affairs Committee of the Congress, Gus Bilirakis, Frank Fallon and David Valadao, prepared a so-called joint statement on the 'fate' of Armenian terrorist groups. In a joint statement, they claim that Azerbaijan is committing genocide against the terrorist groups. But there can be no doubt that the statement is absurd and totally ridiculous. First of all, the members of the congress should report the bribes they received from the lobbyists who finance the separatist Armenians. There's no doubt that because the amount going to them this time is high, as the voices of the Congressmen Adam Schiff, Gus Bilirakis, Frank Fallon and David Valado are coming louder. But let them not forget that if they consider themselves strong with their voices, Azerbaijan is strong in every sense.

Western forces cannot present themselves as the right side to the world by supposedly recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Because justice and honour are not as cheap as their dignities in the world. The value of the words spoken at the meetings held in Brussels was as worthless as the confessions made by Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan. This is not what Azerbaijan says, but many farsighted people of the West express these in their quotes. The other day, the faculty member of the US Naval Postgraduate School, foreign policy specialist, an influential American expert in South Caucasus, Brenda Shaffer's reaction to the President of the Council of Europe Charle Michel expressing the name of Garabagh economic region as "Nagorno Karabakh" was an extremely fair and adequate step.

It's not "Nagorno-Karabakh Oblast"-- the USSR collapsed over thirty years ago. It is Azerbaijan's region of Karabakh, Shaffer wrote on her X social page in response to EU Council Presidents political gaffe.

With this statement, Brenda Shaffer taught the head of the European Council a lesson about justice and honesty. If the territory of Azerbaijan is recognized at the level of the leadership of the Council of Europe, then its name should be duely respected.

In general, the different approaches of the West regarding the situation in Garabagh create such an idea that truth and justice are not within statements sealed on documents on the desks of the US Congress or various international organizations - they are in the words of people who hold not high positions, receive no bribe, can see the truth and are able to say the right word.

---

Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews deputy editor-in-chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 16:30 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

While avoiding the signing of a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, Armenia finds an excuse for information attack and manipulation against its citizens and Azerbaijan in order to spread repeated lies hoping that the world will perceive lies as truth.

On 19 September, on the Ahmedbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha road, a mine planted in advance for terrorist purposes by the reconnaissance-sabotage groups of the Armenian Armed Forces in the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan killed civilians and disabled a vehicle belonging to the State Roads Agency of Azerbaijan, and on the same day, a vehicle carrying military personnel, planted by the reconnaissance-sabotage group of the Armenian Armed Forces, was killed by a mine on the same road.

The Ministry of Defence of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that the continued presence of Armenian armed forces formations in the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan in violation of the provisions of the Trilateral Statement signed on 10 November 2020 is a source of serious threat to peace and stability in the region.

After these terrorist attacks from the Armenian side, Azerbaijan launched a local anti-terrorist operation in Garabagh.

Immediately after these events, the patrons of Armenians in the person of US congressmen who have repeatedly supported Armenians and exerted all kinds of pressure on Azerbaijan emerged and watched with closed eyes the terrorist acts committed by Armenians on the territories of Azerbaijan for 30 years.

Congressman Adam Schiff vehemently promoted the false "blockade" of Khankendi two months ago, which he continues to do to this day. Having published lies about the situation in Garabagh on social media, he demanded President Joe Biden to put pressure on Azerbaijan, impose sanctions, and stop all U.S. aid to Azerbaijan. In the past, Schiff has counted the alleged "blockade" by days, stopping at "200" days. The "great Armenian patriot" looked more enthusiast about separatists elements that Armenians are.

Along with the congressman, other corrupted pro-Armenian rupors, such as the co-chairs of the Armenian Affairs Committee Gus Bilirakis, Frank Fallon and David Valadao also expressed their concerns about separatists elements involved in terrorist acts in Azerbaijan's Garabagh. The majority in America, according to many surveys that can be found on the Internet, do not know where Azerbaijan is, what is Garabagh like, and where is the Caucasus region.

The snake tongues of the secretaries of state continue to sow the same propaganda that the Armenians introduced during and after the First Garabagh War. The congressmen's blatant anti-Turkic statements could have been influenced by the beautiful view from the window where a huge Turkish flag was displayed in New York's Times Square with the inscription: "The age of Turkiye has begun", to the delight of many Armenian and pro-Armenian politicians.

Adam Schiff instituted a stubborn policy of promoting Armenian issues, and advocated for the recognition of the alleged "genocide" of Armenians, being an ex-officio member of the Appropriations Subcommittee he also promoted the issue of unrecognized "artsakh" in the alleged blockade from Turkiye and Azerbaijan, which distorts the reality and the minds of Americans, but not Armenians as they have enough of that distortion.

So what happened was that congressmen suddenly woke up after 30 years of deep sleep to defend Armenians, whom they have been using as a tool for years... Armenians have long been offered to solve the issue by returning part of the captured territories and signing a peace treaty, which in the end turned out as it is in reality. Constant accusations of Russia, all kinds of attempts to serve the West, breaking of agreements, and desire to protect their native "artsakh" (not officially recognized by Armenia itself) only on loud words. Similarly, the exercises with the United States and the cancellation of the exercises with Iran are all causes and consequences of the complete incompetence and morality of the political, military, and separatist regime of Armenia.

The time will come and judgment will be passed on all the minions of chaos of the Armenians.

Abbas Ganbay is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @Noend33

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 21:59 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

After the humiliating defeat in 2020 and inking the November 10 declaration, contrary to all expectations, both Armenia and its puppet separatist regime in Garabagh have not stayed still. They have resorted to all kinds of provocations and tried to draw other forces, such as France, the USA, and so on, into the region. Violating the provisions of the November 10 Declaration, they did not unblock the communications; continued to transfer ammunition and military personnel through the Lachin-Khankendi road; and even did not hesitate to hold the entire population of Garabagh as hostages. Sneaking into the liberated territories and planting landmines was the worst among the provocations. Due to this terrorist tactic used by PKK terror organizations, Azerbaijan has lost 61 people for three years since the endorsement of the November 10 Declaration.

As a matter of course, Azerbaijan did its best to keep the situation under control, but the Armenian side raised the stakes every time; they found new measures, new tactics every time. Thus, the tensions between Azerbaijan and the separatist regime formed and supported by Armenia broke out once again in the wake of the terror acts resulting in the death of 9 on September 19. So, Azerbaijan was obliged to take more strict steps and commenced the anti-terror activities in Garabagh for ensuring prevention of possible future terror acts and fulfillment of the provisions of the November 10 Declaration. The anti-terror activities lasted one day. The separatist gang in Garabagh tried to resist and called for help its mouthpieces, but no country in the world, including its patron Armenia did not or could not come to the help. Finally, the separatist regime surrendered, accepted all condition declared by Azerbaijan and the meeting is expected on September 21.

So, there is one big question that interests everyone in the region. What will be next?

Azernews learned the opinion of British journalist and political scientist, Neil Watson on the issue. He noted that after three years of Armenian prevarication and obstreperousness, the recent politicisation of aid supplies, the unrecognised elections by the illegal Armenian regime in Khankendi, the failure to remove Armenian forces from Garabagh, and the moving of Armenian forces close to the border, it only took the anti tank mine explosions and resultant deaths to tip the situation into high tension.

I believe that Azerbaijan will eliminate the illegal Armenian regime in Khankendi and reassert its control over Garabagh. It is using precise weaponry and will not deliberately cause civilian casualties, for the Garabagh Armenians are Azerbaijani citizens and this is being fought on Azerbaijani soil. I believe that, ultimately, Russian involvement in the South Caucasus will be minimised. My one concern is that Pashinyan, who is being called traitor by some of his own people, will be removed and someone more deluded and belligerent will replace him. Although he is ineffective at persuading his population, the diaspora and Armenian supporters, I believe he reluctantly understands the need for peace. Azerbaijan will achieve its objectives. Let us hope this ends soon with minimal requirement for martyrdom, Neil Watson conclude.

---

Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 11:35 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusifova and the senior director of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) Joseph King have discussed prospects of cooperation in the cultural field.

The meeting was organized in Riyadh within the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the meeting, Joseph King recalled his visit to Azerbaijan and shared his impressions about Azerbaijan's cultural heritage.

Saadat Yusifova stressed the importance of protecting Azerbaijan's cultural heritage. She expressed her interest in ICCROM's support mechanisms for training restoration and conservation experts.

The meeting also discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda regarding the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and ICCROM, the exchange of experience in the field of protection and restoration of cultural heritage samples, and the joint organization of training and seminars for this purpose.

Note that the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee will last until September 26, 2023.

The committee is chaired by H.H. Princess Haifa Al Mogrin, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. Currently following countries are members of the World Heritage Committee: Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand and Zambia.

The World Heritage Committee considers the implementation of the 1972 UNESCO Convention on Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Member States.

For the time being, 195 countries are State Parties to the Convention. Up to date 1157 cultural/natural properties from 167 State Parties are inscribed to the World Heritage List under the 1972 Convention. Among them 43 are transboundary properties from 67 State Parties.

The World Heritage Committee also considers new nominations to the World Heritage List. Based on the evaluation made by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) following cultural sites from IICAS's Member States were recommended to inscribe to the World Heritage List: Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and Koc Yolu Transhumance Route (Azerbaijan), Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Puer (China), Deer Stone Monuments and Related Sites of Bronze Age (Mongolia), Gaya Tumuli (Republic of Korea), Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan) and Gordion (Turkiye). According to the evaluation by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), following natural sites from IICASs Member States were recommended to inscribe to the World Heritage List: Cold Winter Deserts of Turan (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan) and Tugay Forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve (Tajikistan).

The final decision will be made by the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
25th March 1980: Members of the National Federation of Indian Women demonstrating outside the Supreme Court, New Delhi as they demand the re-opening of the Mathura rape case. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

See also the previous version of womens rights page @ sacw.net

wonderful feminist remake of the film poster of Mother India by Pinjra Tod feminists in Delhi
20 September 2023 18:19 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

Azerbaijani artist Ayna Huseynova has demonstrated her art works in Motsartplats Gallery in Salzburg, Austria.

The exhibition "Colors of Feelings" featured 40 paintings dedicated to Azerbaijani culture and traditions, Azernews reports.

Ayna Huseynova's art works aroused great interest among art enthusiasts. The exhibition will be on display until October 31.

Note that Ayna Huseynova is a graduate of the Azim Azimzadeh State Art School and the Salzburg Academy of Media Design.

Since 2002, the artist lives in Austria. Although Ayna Huseynova works as a media specialist, she continues to create paintings in her home studio. The artist, who cites the creation of female images as one of his strengths, works primarily in oil paints, but also uses pencil techniques.

Through her art, Huseynova expresses her feelings on canvas using vibrant color, the play of light and shadows.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 September 2023 22:54 (UTC+04:00)

On September 19, the Ministry of Defense held a briefing for media representatives, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry.

Head of the Press Service, Colonel Anar Eyvazov, at a briefing said: "The local anti-terrorist activities carried out by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Karabakh region continue successfully.

During the anti-terrorist activities, more than 60 combat positions of the Armenian armed forces formations passed under the control of the Azerbaijan Armed Forces. Moreover, more than 20 combat vehicles, 40 artillery installations, 30 mortars, 6 'Martira' electronic warfare (EW) stations, and 2 anti-aircraft missile systems, and other military-purpose equipment belonging to the Armenian armed forces formations were destroyed.

The information spread in some Armenian social media resources about the firing of civilian objects by the Azerbaijan Army Units is provocative disinformation. The aim here is to harm the image of the Azerbaijan Army and create a misconception about local anti-terrorist activities in the international community. From the videos that are shared on the official website and social media accounts of the Ministry of Defense, it is clear that Azerbaijan Army Units strike only legitimate military targets.

In the course of the local anti-terrorist activities carried out in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, it was repeatedly observed that the Armenian armed forces formations to avoid being targeted by the Azerbaijan Army Units deployed various purpose armored combat equipment and firearms in residential areas, and at the same time involved civilians in military-purpose facilities.

As it is known, the armament of the Azerbaijan Army has high-precision weapons and military equipment that meets the most modern requirements. The fulfillment of tasks on destroying military facilities targeted by the Azerbaijan Armys professional servicemen by the use of these weapons was stopped in many cases due to the detection of civilians at a military facility.

We reiterate that only long-term firing points, combat equipment and military infrastructure used for military purposes are incapacitated and neutralized as a result of high-precision fire, despite the fact that formations of the Armenian armed forces deploy combat equipment in or around human settlements.

Videos related to the mentioned facts have been regularly presented to the public and will be presented in the future.

We call on the formations of the Armenian armed forces stationed in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan to lay down their weapons and surrender. We also recommend civilians in the area to stay away from them and not to provide them with any help. Advisory notifications are delivered through loudspeakers and other technical means.

During the briefing, a video was shown to media representatives.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 14:52 (UTC+04:00)

The Kremlin has called groundless accusations from Yerevan against Moscow that it is not fulfilling its obligations on Garabagh, noting that after Armenia's recognition, Baku is de jure conducting the operation on its territory, Azernews reports.

"Such accusations against us are absolutely groundless, not based on anything," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov noted that in the situation with Garabagh, the Kremlin proceeds, firstly, from the trilateral agreements between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from 2021-2022.

"The second archival criterion at the moment, when Prime Minister Pashinyan announced the recognition of Azerbaijan's borders according to 1991. This means that the Armenian side recognized Garabagh as an integral part of Azerbaijani territory," he continued.

"This has significantly changed a number of provisions, and we do not accept such reproaches in our address, especially after the official decision of the Armenian side to recognize Garabagh as part of Azerbaijan," the Kremlin spokesman continued.

According to him, "de jure now we are talking about the actions of the Republic of Azerbaijan on its own territory."

At the same time, Peskov said that Moscow continues its contacts with Armenia, which remains an important ally and partner of Russia. In addition, the Russian Federation continues its contacts with Azerbaijan, which is also its important partner.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 20:17 (UTC+04:00)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemns a series of large-scale military provocations and terrorist attacks by the Armenian armed forces stationed in the Garabakh region of Azerbaijan on September 19, and denounces the death of civilians as a result of the explosion of landmines planted by Armenian reconnaissance-sabotage groups in Garabagh, Azernews reports, citing the OIC.

The General Secretariat extends deep condolences to the families of the victims, to the Government and people of Azerbaijan and wish the injured a speedy recovery.

The General Secretariat calls upon the Republic of Armenia to fulfil its obligations in accordance with the Trilateral Statement signed between Azerbaijan, Armenia and the Russian Federation on 10 November 2020, as well as the agreements reached between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and withdraw armed forces of Armenia in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan as per the provisions of the Trilateral Statement.

Recalling the resolution adopted by the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers at its 49th session held in Nouakchott, Islamic Republic of Mauritania on 16-17 March 2023, the General Secretariat further calls for the normalization of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia on the basis of mutual recognition of and respect for each others sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders.

The General Secretariat considers that ensuring the continuation of comprehensive negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia is the only way to establish peace, security, prosperity and permanent stability in the region.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 01:44 (UTC+04:00)

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan once again calls on the formations of the Armenian armed forces stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to lay down their weapons and surrender. In this case, anti-terrorist activities will be stopped, Azernews reports, citing MoD.

We are in operational contact with the Russian peacekeeping contingent temporarily stationed in the territory of Azerbaijan, and we are creating all conditions for them to fulfill their duties.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
19 September 2023 20:44 (UTC+04:00)

Brenda Shaffer, faculty member of the US Naval Postgraduate School, foreign policy specialist, an influential Amrican expert in South Caucasus, has sharply criticised the President of the European Council Charles Michel in her response to his post regarding the anti-terror activities conducted by the Azerbaijan Army in Garabagh economic region, where he uses the outdated expression of "Nagorno Karabakh".

In her response she wrote on her X (formerly titter):

It's not "Nagorno-Karabakh Oblast"-- the USSR collapsed over thirty years ago. It is Azerbaijan's region of Karabakh.

It's not "Nagorno-Karabakh Oblast"-- the USSR collapsed over thirty years ago. It is Azerbaijan's region of Karabakh. https://t.co/Auj2YKu0Uj  Brenda Shaffer (@ProfBShaffer) September 19, 2023

Meanwhile, local anti-terrorist activities have been launched to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, suppress large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, disarm and secure the withdrawal of formations of Armenias armed forces from Azerbaijani territories, neutralize their military infrastructure, provide the safety of the civilian population returned to the territories liberated from occupation, the civilians involved in construction and restoration work, and our military personnel, and ultimately restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

"The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that contrary to the provisions of the Trilateral Statement signed on 10 November 2020, the continued presence of Armenias armed forces formations in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan is the source of grave threat to regional peace and stability.

As part of the measures, positions on the front line and in-depth, long-term firing points of the formations of Armenias armed forces, as well as combat assets and military facilities are incapacitated using high-precision weapons.

We reiterate that the civilian population and civilian infrastructure facilities are not targeted. Only legitimate military targets are being incapacitated.

The command of the peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation and the leadership of the Turkish-Russian Monitoring Center are informed about the ongoing activities," the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 11:50 (UTC+04:00)

"Yesterday, as a result of terrorist attacks carried out by Armenian armed forces, two civilians were killed," Azernews reports, citing senior prosecutor of the press service of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan Kanan Zeynalov, at a briefing held on 20 September.

He said that one of the civilians is Vidadi Farhadov, born in 1967, who worked in the housing and communal services, and the other is Mehman Hasanov, a civilian born in 1992, an excavator operator of one of the companies carrying out rehabilitation works in the area, was intentionally killed with multiple shrapnel wounds.

"All this indicates that illegal Armenian armed formations, as in the previous period, continue to commit terrorist crimes against civilians. Criminal cases are being investigated on each fact, and under the circumstances, investigative actions are being carried out by the Prosecutor's Office. Appropriate expertise has been appointed to determine the amount of damage to civilian infrastructure facilities. Unfortunately, since yesterday some social media users have been posting unverified information on official government agencies, which has caused an artificial agitation around topics that are sensitive to the population, especially about the fact that we have a large number of false martyrs."

It should be noted that placement of information prohibited for dissemination on the information resource "Internet" or in the information and telecommunication network, as well as failure to prevent the placement of such information entails responsibility," Zeynalov emphasized.

He said that now law enforcement agencies are working in concert and any unlawful actions of this kind will be prevented.

"People who committed unlawful actions will be brought to justice. We are confident that the Azerbaijani people will demonstrate civil-state unity, as did during the 44-day Patriotic War, and unlawful actions will not be tolerated".

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 12:15 (UTC+04:00)

The information spread on some Armenian social media accounts over the alleged Azerbaijan Armed Forces shelling Khankendi once again does not reflect the truth and is aimed at disinformation, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

"We categorically deny this spread information. We state once again that units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan target and destroy only legitimate military facilities and military infrastructure with high-precision weapons."

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 13:56 (UTC+04:00)

Armenian separatists in Garabagh announced their surrender to Azerbaijan. Thus, based on the conditions of the official Baku, the formations of the armed forces of Armenia and illegal Armenian armed groups lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and are completely disarmed. Units of the Armenian armed forces leave the territories of Azerbaijan, and illegal Armenian armed groups are released, Azernews reports.

In parallel with this, all weapons and heavy equipment are handed over. It is ensured that all these processes are carried out in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent. Since the separatists have surrendered, as stated by Baku, a meeting with Azerbaijani officials will take place tomorrow in Yevlakh district.

It should be noted that for ensuring the provision of the tripartite declaration, the prevention of large-scale provocations committed in the Garabagh economic region, the disarmament and withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from our territories, the neutralization of their military infrastructure, the returning of civilian population to the liberated territories, as well as the civilian workers involved in the reconstruction and restoration works and in order to ensure the safety of our military personnel and to restore the constitutional structure of the Republic of Azerbaijan, local anti-terrorist measures have been started in the region.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 16:15 (UTC+04:00)

Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov has met with OSCE Secretary General Helga Schmid on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Azernews reports.

During the meeting, the sides discussed the cooperation between Azerbaijan and the OSCE, as well as the current situation in the region.

Minister Jeyhun Bayramov informed Helga Schmid about the current situation in the region, noting that the peace agenda initiated by the Azerbaijani side is today under serious threat as a result of military-political provocations committed by Armenia.

Jeyhun Bayramov emphasized that the military and political provocations of Armenia, contrary to the Trilateral Statement, the congratulations of the Prime Minister of Armenia to the so-called puppet regime, as well as the terrorist attacks that led to the death of Azerbaijani civilians and soldiers on September 19, had further aggravated tension in the region. He noted that the measures carried out by Azerbaijan were directed against illegal forces and the civilian population was not targeted.

The minister underlined that actions and statements by the Armenian leadership refuting the essence of previous statements recognizing Azerbaijans territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as a smear campaign based on false claims about the existence of a humanitarian crisis and a blockade in the region aimed at misleading the international community undermines the peace process.

He stressed the importance for the international community to focus not on such false allegations, but on the withdrawal of illegal Armenian armed groups, which poses a major threat to peace and security in the region, and dissolution of the puppet regime created by Armenia.

During the meeting, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Ant Group introduces 7 new Asian e-wallets to Chinese mainland

Xinhua) 14:24, September 20, 2023

SINGAPORE, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Ant Group officially welcomes seven new leading e-wallets and payment apps from Asia to the "Alipay+-in-China" (A+China) Program, according to the press release of Ant Group Tuesday.

Users of mPay (Macao SAR, China), Hipay (Mongolia), Changi Pay (Singapore), OCBC (Singapore), Naver Pay (South Korea), Toss Pay (South Korea) and TrueMoney (Thailand) will be able to use their familiar home e-wallets on their own phone to enjoy seamless mobile payment experience in the Chinese mainland across Alipay's merchant network.

The new additions bring the total number of overseas e-wallets accepted in the Chinese mainland to 10. AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China), Touch 'n Go eWallet (Malaysia), and Kakao Pay (South Korea) piloted the program in late 2022. In total, these payment methods reach a population of over 175 million in Southeast and East Asia.

Users of these e-wallets may use their own payment apps wherever Alipay works, to enjoy secure, smooth and cashless payment, and transparent and competitive exchange rates.

A suite of cross-border mobile payment, marketing and digitalization solutions developed by Alipay+, the international business group of Ant Group, enables payment partners to connect global and local merchants to cross-border digital consumers.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)


Ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) "suspended parliamentarian" Raghav Chadha and actress Parineeti Chopra's wedding in Udaipur, the picture of the couple has gone viral, while they attended the ardaas ceremony and kirtan in a Gurdwara. The couple will leave for Udaipur for their wedding at a luxury hotel on September 23 and 24. Yesterday, the paath was also held at Chadha's residence in Pandara Road, here. His MP's residence saw Punjab Police personnel keeping a hawk's eye on the tastefully manicured entrance, keeping photographers on the other side of the busy road.



Now, on Wednesday, the pictures of the couple went viral on social media, wherein we can see Raghav wearing a pastel pink coloured kurta-pajama and nehru jacket, while Parineeti wore a powder pink coloured sharara set. Both can be seen sitting in a Gurdwara, and praying. They are accompanied by their family members.



Earlier, the wedding card of the couple had gone viral on social media. The wedding date reads September 24 on the card, which is white in color. "Divine Promises: A pearl white Indian wedding... Leela Palace Jaimala: 3:30 p.m. Pheras: 4:00 p.m. Vidai: 6:30 p.m.," read the card.



The card has beautiful sketches of the landscape of Udaipur. The wedding festivities will start from September 23 with Parineeti's Choora ceremony at 10 a.m. at Maharaja suite. A 'Fresco Afternoon' will be held on the terrace near the ballroom on September 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.



On September 24, Raghav's 'Sehrabandi' will take place in Taj Lake Palace at 1 p.m. Then 'Baraat'- The Royal Procession will move from Taj Lake Palace at 2 p.m.



The reception gala, which has a theme of 'A night of Amore' will happen in Leela Palace Courtyard, at 8.30 p.m.



During this period, many big personalities from politics and Bollywood will come to Udaipur.



Several film personalities, including Parineeti's sister Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas, and leaders from Delhi and other states are expected to attend the event.






20 September 2023 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting in New York with the head of Cintana Education Douglas Becker, Azernews reports, citing Kun.uz news agency.

This company was established in cooperation with Arizona State University, operates in 30 countries of the world, and is engaged in improving the quality of education in universities.

Cintana's founder and chairman, Douglas Becker, is working with ASU to establish the American University of Technology in Uzbekistan.

From 2024, it is planned to start training qualified personnel in such areas as healthcare, engineering, architecture, and design.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved these plans and stated that Uzbekistan is ready to create favorable conditions for the implementation of projects in the field of education.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
20 September 2023 20:35 (UTC+04:00)

Turkiyes first lady introduced age-old Anatolian textiles at an exhibition to the wives of heads of state she hosted at the Turkish House in New York, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

Speaking to her guests on Tuesday, Emine Erdogan said the Atlas of Turkish Weaving event was held "in order to add the unique cultural treasures of Anatolia to the universal heritage of humanity," adding that the oldest weaving in the world found yet was unearthed in Anatolia and dates back some 9,000 years. Emine Erdogan is accompanying her husband, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, attending the annual UN General Assembly meetings.

Noting that the oldest weaving samples were found in excavations at the famed site of Catalhoyuk, she said: "Art that was once woven on looms in homes continues to present a visual feast in Renaissance paintings in world museums today."

Erdogan, who introduced the handmade textile products to her guests one by one at the exhibit, said the "rarest examples" of kemha weaving, which Westerners call brocade, began to be woven much earlier in the Turkish regions now known as Bursa and Amasra.

She said that during the Ottoman era, brokers sought out the colors and patterns of quality fabrics, and that the world's first consumer laws were enacted in Istanbul.

"Our fabrics, which are woven from linen, silk, wool, and cotton threads and colored with natural dyes, have gained value not only for their durability but also for their protecting health."

"As industrial fabrics appeal to the disposable society, they no longer have to worry about durability," said Erdogan, adding that Turks were able to weave waterproof bristle tents "thousands of years before the invention of nanotechnology," without using any synthetic materials.

Erdogan said Turkish textile masters are registered in the inventory of Living Human Treasures in the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The wives of the leaders of Kenya, Serbia, Albania, Croatia and North Macedonia were also present at the event.

Impressed by the products shown, the wives of the leaders praised the Turkish textile industry and thanked Erdogan for her contributions to the Atlas of Turkish Weaving.

Also in attendance were Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Ozdemir Goktas, Industry and Technology Minister Fatih Kacir, and Trade Minister Omer Bolat.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Lois Henry is the CEO and editor of SJV Water, a nonprofit, independent online news publication dedicated to covering water issues in the San Joaquin Valley. She can be reached at lois.henry@sjvwater.org. The website is sjvwater.org.


SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Following the killing/death of three dreaded pro-Khalistani terrorists in the past few months, the name of designated Khalistani terrorist and chief of the banned Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, is on the top of the security agencies radar now. Facing 22 criminal cases in Punjab, including three of sedition, Pannun is known to be operating from Khalistani terrorists safe heaven Canada.



On May 6, Khalistani leader Paramjit Singh Panjwar, the head of the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), was shot dead in Lahore. On June 15, Avtar Singh Khanda, a leading exponent of Khalistan and handler of separatist Amritpal Singh, died of cancer at a hospital in the UK.



Three days later on June 18, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and chief of the banned outfit Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was gunned down by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.



Be it the rocket-propelled grenade attack on Punjab Police's Intelligence headquarters in Mohali last year, an audio message asking Kashmiri Muslims residing in Srinagar to go to Delhi and disrupt the G20 Summit, or assassination threats to multiple Chief Ministers and other who's who via telephonic audio messages -- they all have been linked to the proscribed terrorist organisation Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) founded by Pannun.



Just last week, Pannun declared to hold Shaheed Nijjar kill India referendum on the question: Is Indian High Commissioner Verma responsible for the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar?



He also announced to hold Khalistan Referendum-II on October 29 in Surrey, British Columbia.



Pro-Khalistan leader Nijjar, who was declared a wanted terrorist by the Indian government, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen on the premises of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, of which he was the head, in the Punjabi-dominated Surrey city on June 18.



Since Nijjars killing, many radical activists have been questioning as three killings of Sikh separatists took place within one month. They say: Is there a pattern in the sudden killings of three Khalistani terrorists?



On Monday, Canada, in a surprise move, expelled a top Indian diplomat amid probe into the killing of Nijjar on its soil.



Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Indian government and the killing of the Khalistani terrorist.



Now the question is over the role being played by Pannun of instigating a momentum on the foreign soil against the Indian government.



Who is Pannun?



The police in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have registered separate FIRs against Pannun, a law graduate from Panjab University in Chandigarh, over threats and attempting to disturb peace, stability and communal harmony.



Despite SFJ being a banned organisation in India since 2019 on grounds of secessionism and Pannun being declared a terrorist, countries like Canada, the UK and the US, with a sizable Sikh diaspora, have allowed the organisation to conduct anti-India activities, including holding illegal referendums to building a campaign for secession of Punjab.



Member of Indian diaspora admit that people like Pannun are raising charity in the name of referendums by abusing and accusing Indian authorities for atrocities against minorities, particularly the Sikh.



In fact, most of the second or third generation of a particular community born and brought up in foreign shores, who have never witnessed the true face of militancy in Punjab (from 1981-1992), have been raising a bogey against India just at the instance of freedom, remarked a Sikh scholar.



He told IANS that they are the one who have never witnessed the dark days of militancy.



In the name of referendums, a handful of separatists like Pannun get the opportunity to establish their base overseas by raising funds from Pakistan's ISI and similar agencies in China, said a police official.



The Western countries don't see crime to prosecute Pannun and other hardliners as they think it will be a violation of freedom of expression, he added.



Reacting to Trudeau's allegations of potential link between Indian government agents and murder of Nijjar, senior BJP leader and former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said the murder was the result of a factional feud within the management of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.



He said Trudeau had unfortunately walked into a trap owing to vote-bank politics and put at stake the diplomatic relationship between India and Canada.



In Punjab, 1,792 police personnel had sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorism between September 1981 and August 1992.



Back to the separatist activities of Pannun, he has been booked in 22 cases since 2017, including on terrorism and sedition charges. Recently, he was booked by the Punjab Police for sedition after SFJ activists wrote a pro-Khalistan slogan on a glass box covering the statue of slain Chief Minister Beant Singh in Jalandhar.



Himachal Pradesh Police in May had booked Pannun under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for hoisting of Khalistani flags outside the state Assembly complex in Shimla.



A law graduate from Panjab University, Pannun is currently residing in Oakville on the outskirts Canada's Toronto.



Originally from Khankot village on the outskirts of Amritsar, Pannun's father, Mahinder Singh, was an employee with the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board.



His family had migrated from Pakistan to Khankot during Partition in 1947. Pannun is little known in his village, where he owns property worth crores, including agricultural land. In fact, he rarely visited the village.



Pannun, an attorney at law in the US and Canada who has been offering employment abroad, besides cash incentives for hoisting the Khalistani flag on public buildings, is one of the founders of SFJ, which claims to be "an international advocacy and human rights group".



Pannun, who asks the youth in Punjab to hoist the Khalistani flag on Independence Day, has been actively propagating and funding the secessionist Khalistan agenda abroad.




Archived Results for Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

Newer Older Entries  Page 1 Page 2
If you don't know where I stand on issues in Washington by this point and have either decided to vote for me because I'm the right candidate or that I'm the devil incarnate you probably haven't started paying attention to the municipal elections yet at all which is just fine. There's very few in town that are somewhere in the middle and I've come to peace with that. But just in case you still don't know what issue stands I've taken or how I intend to approach the position of City Council Member you can check out garyceres.com.But this article isn't about me. This about the other 10 candidates that are running and my unfiltered, honest assessments and if you've read my articles you should expect nothing less as I expect nothing less than both positive and hateful reactions to my article as always. But I have put myself in the public sphere so let the chips fall where they may. For starters I do not consider the vast majority of the other candidates as opponents but rather as competitors. Almost all have the city's interests at heart, care deeply about their community and are intelligent and hard-working people wanting to make a difference in the lives of others. So let me get out of the way the one candidate I cannot in any way endorse and that I believe needs to be removed from the City Council in this election and that is Richard Brooks.I'm sure Richard is a nice guy. He's a minister and he's championed the cause of minority communities for years. But therein lies the problem. Richard Brooks has been in office for more than 28 years. It's time to go. On top of that Mr. Brooks owns several slum properties in town, has done nothing in 28 years to visibly improve the economic situations of the minority communities he claims to represent and has been a rubber stamp vote for Mayor Sadler and City Manager Russell on almost every vote. He falls asleep at City Council meetings, doesn't show up to do the work with the community unless its a ribbon cutting, hand wave and a photo-op. He's also embroiled in questionable property dealings with the Housing Authority where he received free utility, sewage and water hookups on lots that the Housing Authority helped him obtain (using funds he made the motion to move from the City General Fund to the Housing Authority) and then sold back two of the lots at a profit on Gladden Street and had the deeds notarized in Greene County thinking no-one would notice (I did and pulled the deeds). So Richard Brooks does not deserve re-election but rather a thank you for years of service and a graceful exit.There are three candidates though that I have come to know quite well that I am prepared to recommend. I'll start with the one incumbent that I think has earned your vote. William Pitt is by far the most active Council Member. He is still actively working all the time with our First Responders, attends meetings on behalf of the city statewide when other council members cannot be bothered, and cares deeply about his community despite numerous personal struggles. He comes under criticism as a lackey of Mayor Donald Sadler but this is untrue and Mayor Sadler has actually targeted past William Pitt supporters to not display his signs since Mayor Sadler does not like dissent or independent thinking. And if you talk to William Pitt for more than five minutes you instantly like the guy. He and I do not agree on many issues including the need to raise utility rates and property taxes but William Pitt voted for you against the last budget, stands against the corruption in city government, for more public input and for transparency in an era of city deception by the martini sippers. He's earned my recommendation.I have known Leesa Jones for over 13 years. When she first came up with the idea of African-American history tours I helped her promote them through my former store I Can't Believe It's a Book Store (located in the now Bank Bistro building). Leesa is a minister, former teacher and one of the classiest people I know. She's my moral compass and I often call upon her wisdom when confronted with moral dilemmas. Her devotion not only to the Underground Railroad museum but to the preservation of history in Washington while simultaneously being hands-on in the betterment of people is beyond admirable. And she's as smart as they come, tough as nails when confronted with lies and deception, and wants to see all people included in city government not just the martini sippers. Her integrity is beyond reproach. She will make an excellent Council Member and I hope that I get to work with her on the Council.Andrew Tex Melton is someone I did not know prior to running. But I've had many meetings with the man and I have to say I'm impressed. Andrew moved to Washington in 1980 and graduated from Washington High School where he played football and ran track. He joined the Army and served as an infantry man in the 82nd Airborne Division. He's very active in the community having graduated from Beaufort Community College, maintaining an active membership with the Bunyan Volunteer Fire Department for 28 years, and assisting with the Washington High School Football Team. What I like most is that Andrew is taking stands just like William Pitt and Leesa Jones. He stands with me on demanding a more transparent City government that includes everyone in the city and in his words Not just up to 3rd Street. He's outraged over the misuse of storm water fees just as I am. And he stands with me on improving our roadways and repairing potholes citywide. So he's earned my recommendation.Of the other candidates, I know three fairly well enough to comment, one a small amount and two not really at all. Ellen Brabo is a military veteran with active participation in many community organizations, owner of the successful Ell Hotel, young, energetic and head of the Young Professionals. The only reason I cannot fully recommend her is that I've seen no where that she's be willing to take any tough stands on issues. While its great to speak in generalities about wanting to improve the city (we all do), people deserve to know specific stands on controversial issues even if it alienates some. Everyone knows I take a controversial stand just about everyday but you never have to question where I stand on an issue. That said, if Ellen were to win I would certainly not be upset and would be happy to work with her.Mary Beedle is a woman with a very kind heart that I've only gotten to know recently. She's a former Nurse Practitioner that has a passion for helping those that are in need and seems genuinely concerned with improving the community. But again, I haven't seen any firm stands on issues nor have I seen any commitments on issues such as cutting budget items, reducing utility bills, etc. That's not to say I'd be upset if she won either. I just cannot recommend a vote for her unless I see some tough stands.Lou Hodges is one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure of meeting. The loss of her husband, former Mayor Mac Hodges, weighs heavy on her heart and you can tell with the loving way she speaks of him. She's usually responsive to questions and always has been good to me when I've run into problems of being able to speak at council meetings or open meetings for public input so she's been open for the people there. The problem with voting for Lou is that she supported the last budget which was atrocious and raised storm water fees significantly, used gimmickry to balance the budget and served the needs only of the martini sippers. This was after assurances that she would not back the budget. I'm not sure if Mayor Sadler got to her or not. For that reason I cannot recommend a vote for her but as with Mary Beedle and Ellen Brabo I'd be happy to work with her.Antwan Horton I have met on occasion at some community events and in passing. He seems like a genuinely nice young man who doubles as a minister. The problem here again is what is he running on? Generalities do not a campaign make. There are rumors that he was recruited by Mayor Sadler himself to run to act as a rubber stamp for Mayor Sadler and City Manager Russell but rumors are just that rumors and its unfair to judge someone on rumors alone. But I've heard literally no stances on issues from Antwan and he seems to be relying solely on his status as a minister and a member of the minority community to win election. For that reason I cannot recommend voting for him but were he to win his pleasant demeanor would certainly make him someone I personally could work with.I admit to knowing nothing about Anthony Tyre. And that's a problem for me when early voting starts in 30 days. Blank slate candidates scare me. You have no idea what they stand for or how they will vote. So for that reason I cannot recommend voting for him.Likewise I have never met nor seen AJ Congleton campaign in any capacity. When people don't put themselves out there to take controversial or any stand for that matter its a problem. So I do not recommend a vote for AJ Congleton either.To sum up, my recommendations are to vote for four candidates, William Pitt, Leesa Jones, Anthony Tex Melton, and myself, Gary Ceres.Let the agreeable comments and continued hatred-filled comments commence!Early voting starts October 19th and Election Day is November 7th.
Here are three ASCs who have faced opposition so far in 2023:

1. In November, Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist earned approval to construct a $30 million ASC on a property it purchased for $12.5 million in Greensboro, N.C. Now, Greensboro, N.C.-based Cone Health is actively opposing its construction.

Last year, Cone Health opened a $97 million ambulatory care center two miles from where Atrium plans to open its ASC.

Cone Health and Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health are also opposing Atrium's proposed $246 million hospital in Greensboro, which has already received conditional approval from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' certificate of need division. Cone Health plans to appeal the department's decision. Greensboro-based Southeastern.

2. In June, a proposed ASC in Glen Carbon, Ill., faced vocal resident opposition at a zoning commission meeting. Nearly a dozen residents attended the meeting to express concern about the development of the 40,000-square-foot ASC. Residents expressed concerns about the increase in traffic, stormwater drainage, effects on property values and increased lighting from the development.

The plan is for Maryville's Mid-America Plastic Surgery Center, owned by Ryan Diederich, MD, to relocate and build a new facility.

3. In April, a planned 60,000-square-foot medical office building in Greensboro, N.C., faced opposition from residents over possible Revolutionary War soldiers' graves. In 1781, 24 soldiers died in a Revolutionary War battle on the same land, with opponents claiming the lot could contain buried soldiers.

A third-party archaeological firm assessed the site for potential graves, determining their presence was unlikely. The City Council voted unanimously to approve the medical office building rezoning.








Patients at Manchester-based Eastern Connecticut Health Network have run into numerous patient care and billing issues since an August cyberattack on the health system's parent company, the Journal Inquirer in Manchester reported Sept. 19.

People told the news outlet they had imaging canceled without notification, missed payments and lost medical records because of the hack. The health system's parent organization, Culver City, Calif.-based Prospect Medical Holdings, fully restored its IT systems Sept. 12, 40 days after the Aug. 3 ransomware attack.

"Nobody's reached out. Nobody's said anything. There's not really been any answers," Manchester patient Molly Abrahams told the Journal Inquirer. "It's just annoying to have to go through all of these extra steps for something that isn't our responsibility."

A spokesperson for the health system told the news outlet that the company in charge of its payment plans is "taking steps to adjust the payment schedules given the recent data security incident that disrupted our operations."

Prospect Medical does not believe the cybersecurity incident will affect Yale New Haven (Conn.) Health's planned $435 million acquisition of Eastern Connecticut Health Network, the spokesperson added.
Epic is building roads and buying farmland around its rural Wisconsin headquarters as the EHR vendor constructs a new campus and welcomes loads of new employees, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Sept. 19.

Epic has altered the small town of Verona since its arrival there in 2003. The company has about 12,800 employees there, nearly matching Verona's entire population of around 14,500. Epic has another 1,200 staffers at other sites around the globe.

All those people need space, and roads to get to and from work. Road projects planned for the next couple of years in the Verona area include two new roads, widened bridges and a new interchange, according to the State Journal. Epic either pays for the roads completely before handing them over to the city or funds the design plans.

"(Epic's) projects tend to be faster because they're paying for more," Verona Mayor Luke Diaz told the newspaper. "If it has to come from the city budget, there's a process and it's slower, and if it's the kind of thing like, 'Oh, we need to pay $500,000 for design costs,' (but) Epic's paying for it, it's a lot easier to fit into the budget when it's $0."

Epic has also bought 430 acres from surrounding landowners over the past two years, more than the 340 acres it purchased to move there in the early 2000s, according to the story. Some neighbors, however, worry about environmental effects from all the construction on things like the groundwater aquifer or nearby marshland.

All that growth has brought economic benefits, with Epic paying annual taxes of about $12.3 million to the local school district, $5.5 million to the city and $3.5 million to the county, the newspaper reported. The EHR vendor, which is the county's largest private-sector employer, has developed about 510 of the 1,700 acres it owns.

In addition to the sixth campus that Epic started building this summer, it is also adding three-story office buildings to its Wizards and Storybook campuses that "would look at home in the Harry Potter series or a futuristic science fiction novel," the news outlet noted.
Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare proposed a new $602 million lease to run Desert Regional Medical Center for another 30 years, Desert Sun reported Sept. 19.

Desert Healthcare District currently owns the Palm Springs, Calif.-based hospital. Tenets current lease to run the hospital expires in 2027. The health system's new 30-year proposal would give it an opportunity to purchase the hospital at the end of the lease.

If the new lease is approved, Tenet will make an initial payment of $75 million and a final payment of $75 million if it decides to purchase the hospital at the end of its lease. Additionally, Tenet would be responsible for retrofitting the hospital to meet seismic requirements, which would cost an estimated $222 million.

"We don't see the need to have a big, lengthy, drawn-out negotiation over this term or that term or this issue or that issue," Tenet Healthcare CEO Saum Sutaria, MD, told the Sun. "It's our general belief that the organizations have worked together effectively, through multiple leaders on both sides, and issues get worked out that don't need to be put into the finest of language."
Columbia, Md.-based MedStar Health has named Patrick Wall vice president of patient financial services, according to a post on his LinkedIn page.

He started the role Sept. 18, according to the post. He joins the system from Savannah, Ga.-based St. Joseph's/Candler Health System, where he served as vice president of revenue cycle since December 2020.

Mr. Wall said in the post he is incredibly proud of what the St. Joseph's/Candler revenue cycle team was able to accomplish during his tenure.

"From the COVID-19 pandemic, a cyber-incident, and nationwide staffing challenges, the strength of this team never wavered," he said in the post. "Through it all, we still managed to build an innovative, high performing revenue cycle team that operates in the top quartile. I leave knowing that they will continue to do great things beyond my time here."






Eli Lilly filed lawsuits across seven states alleging various spas, clinics and compounding pharmacies are illegally selling versions of its Type 2 diabetes drug Mounjaro, according to court documents.

The drugmaker is the sole patent holder of Mounjaro's active pharmaceutical ingredient, tirzepatide. Eli Lilly is requesting monetary damages and that these companies be blocked from selling tirzepatide marketed as Mounjaro.

Mounjaro is a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, which is the same drug class as Ozempic and Wegovy, two Novo Nordisk drugs that have been in short supply for about a year because of weight loss trends. Novo Nordisk also filed similar lawsuits against spas, clinics and compounding pharmacies in mid-2023 along with claims of companies selling unapproved copycats.

"Products claiming to contain tirzepatide that are made and/or distributed by compounding pharmacies or distributed by counterfeit sources have not been reviewed by the U.S. FDA or global regulatory agencies for safety, quality, or efficacy; are not FDA-approved like Mounjaro; and may expose patients to potentially serious health risks," Eli Lilly said in a Sept. 19 news release.

The lawsuits are in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Minnesota, South Carolina, Texas and Utah.


Amid diplomatic standoff between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is learnt to have briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the developments. According to sources, Jaishankar met the Prime Minister in Parliament and is learnt to have briefed him over the developments related to Canada, sources said.



Diplomatic ties between the two nations hit an all-time low when on September 18, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged in his Parliament that Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.



Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly had said on the same day that an Indian diplomat had been expelled.



On Tuesday, India, while expelling a senior Canadian diplomat, had described the allegations by Trudeau as "absurd and motivated".



The High Commissioner of Canada to India (Cameron Mackay) received a summon on Tuesday (September 19) during which the Government of India conveyed its decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat currently stationed in the country. The concerned diplomat has been officially instructed to depart from India within the next five days, a statement issued by the external affairs ministry mentioned.



"The decision reflects Government of Indias growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities," the statement had said further.






A former VCU Health employee charged in the fatal shooting of a colleague is claiming self defense, ABC affiliate WRIC reported Sept. 20.

Christopher Boisseau is pleading not guilty to first-degree murder charges in the death of Ty'Quan White. Police say the two men were arguing in a stairwell at Richmond, Va.-based VCU Medical Center North Hospital before the May 10 shooting.

Mr. Boisseau's defense claimed that he feared for his life and repeatedly tried to de-escalate the altercation eight times. In Sept. 20 testimony, Mr. Boissseau said he used his gun in self-defense after Mr. White allegedly reached for his pocket where he also had a gun.

Prosecutors allege the argument started over a trash assignment and that Mr. White was "killed over nothing," according to the report. They also claim that Mr. Boisseau violated hospital policy by carrying a gun.

Jury deliberations in the trial started Sept. 20.

Marlon Levy, MD, interim CEO of VCU Health, issued the following statement after the shooting:

"We are so incredibly thankful and grateful for the joint police response and the brave actions of our own team members and first responders. Our first responders and team members demonstrated the best of what VCU Health stands for."
ADHD-related medication errors rose 299 percent between 2000 and 2021, according to new research published in Pediatrics on Sept. 18.

Experts from the Center for Injury Research and Policy and Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus examined 87,691 medication error cases involving attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications within the time period.

Among the most common errors identified in the study, researchers also found that:

54 percent had inadvertently taken or been given medication twice

13 percent had inadvertently taken or been given someone else's medication

13 percent had wrong medication taken or given

"The increase in the reported number of medication errors is consistent with the findings of other studies reporting an increase in the diagnosis of ADHD among U.S. children during the past two decades, which is likely associated with an increase in the use of ADHD medications," said Natalie Rine, PharmD, co-author of the study and director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital, said in a news release.
The COVID-19 uptick in some parts of the country may have peaked, recent wastewater surveillance data suggests.

Experts look to wastewater surveillance as an early indicator of what's to come, since people can shed the virus in their stool days before they have any symptoms. Across the nation, current average COVID-19 levels are about 5 percent lower than they were last week, according to a Sept. 19 report from NBC News.

The news outlet cited data from Biobot Analytics, which monitors wastewater samples at 257 U.S. locations.

"All fingers crossed," Cristin Young, PhD, an epidemiologist at the analytics company, told NBC. "This wave is plateauing and may be declining."

CDC wastewater surveillance data shows levels have declined at sites in some Mid-Atlantic states, including Virginia and Maryland. However, the Midwest and Northeast are seeing a steady uptick, according to the data.

Nationwide, COVID-19 admissions increased for the ninth week straight for the week ending Sept. 9. The hospitalization rate was highest in Florida, with 10.65 new admissions per 100,000 population in the last week. Any level of plateau or decline likely won't be reflected in admissions trends for a few weeks.
Carlsmed received its second FDA breakthrough device designation for Aprevo, the medtech company said Sept. 20.

The designation is for patients with cervical spine disease, according to a news release. Aprevo devices are designed specific to each patient and is designed for spinal fusions.

"Maintenance of sagittal balance after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures is an important parameter to reduce risk for subsequent degeneration at adjacent levels," spine surgeon Christopher Ames, MD, said in the release. "Using Aprevo personalized interbody devices in conjunction with careful preoperative planning for cervical procedures may help surgeons more reliably achieve the optimal alignment for each individual patient."
Inside one of the rooms on Bruce Street

The opening of Belfasts latest student accommodation block has brought the number of rooms in the city to 5,000.

Vita Student said its 270 studios on Bruce Street, costing from 184 a week, were fully occupied.

David Nevin, who monitors the development of new buildings in Belfast, said the Bruce Street project and others at Botanic Link in south Belfast and Library Street in the Cathedral Quarter had pushed the number of purpose-built student accommodation rooms to 5,000.

Despite this, Queens has been unable to house 120 returning students who wanted to live in a university-owned place.

Queens owns blocks costing from 110 per week, many of which pre-date the surge in student building, which began around seven years ago.

A communal area in the block

The university has acquired three new sites in the city centre to meet the need, and will invest 100m in the next four years.

But the National Union for Students NI warned more of the same expensive accommodation was not the answer.

President Chloe Ferguson said: The housing crisis facing students needs addressed, but the long-term solution is not the construction of unregulated, luxury purpose-built student accommodation.

We need to be looking at creating affordable options which do not leave students scrambling to survive after rent.

We are continuing to call for a rent freeze and the establishment of a Student Renters Bill to tackle the barriers against students having a safe home.

Read more Burglar caught with TV taken from Belfast student accommodation block is jailed

Belfast has an estimated 45,000 full-time students in third-level education, with Queens estimating another 3,000 rooms will be needed within the next five years.

Caroline Young, vice president of students and corporate services at the university, told the Belfast Telegraph: We have been able to provide accommodation to all new students this year and have allocated over 4,100 places in total to Queens students.

While we were able to meet the demand for the majority of applications, approximately one-third of returning students (120) who applied to live in university accommodation did not get offered a place.

This is why we are fully committed to investing in student accommodation to meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable accommodation.

We have recently acquired three new sites in the city centre and will invest up to 100m in the next four years.

Read more How uni kits can help prepare students for life on and off campus

Ulster University said it was turning to options other than purchase-built accommodation.

It added: Ulster University has this year expanded the number of bed spaces available adjacent to Belfast campus, and invested to provide a range of other accommodation options.

All students seeking accommodation have been allocated a room, with the exception of a small number of applicants who are on a waiting list for a specific type of accommodation.

The development has 270 rooms

Paul Mac Flynn, from the Nevin Economic Research Institute, said the trend for student homes in the city centre was a mixed blessing.

He explained: Its bringing development to an underutilised area of the city, but I worry whether the necessary social infrastructure is coming with it.

You have to ask why there seems to be so much appetite for this kind of development and not traditional housing.

Vita Student described Bruce Street as the worlds best student living experience.

It said: The all-in living experience includes utility bills, super-fast connectivity, a state-of-the-art residents gym, bookable private dining and study rooms, a cinema and a beautiful, design-led hub which is perfect for getting out of your apartment to meet friends, study and co-work.

Residents also get complimentary breakfast, tea and coffee, housekeeping and a packed-out roster of events.

The building has an in-house chef who teaches students to cook, as well as personal trainers, and brand partnerships with luxury retailers such as LOccitane and Harvey Nichols.

The accommodation block was constructed by the Co Tyrone developer MRP.
Rishi Sunak has delayed a ban on new petrol and diesel cars (PA)

Rishi Sunak has been accused of leaving the motoring industry high and dry after delaying a ban on new petrol and diesel cars.

Speaking in Downing Street on Wednesday, the Prime Minister confirmed the plans alongside a raft of changes to how the Government tackles greenhouse gas emissions.

Reacting to the news, Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, said: The PM has left the industry and drivers high and dry by sacrificing the 2030 target on the altar of political advantage.

The car industry has called for clarity (PA)

According to our research, only half of people could see how an EV (electric vehicle) could fit into their lifestyle as it is, suggesting major barriers to adoption.

We should be positively addressing concerns over affordability and charging rather than planting seeds of doubt.

This announcement has only served to remove trust and confidence in the UK market.

Another industry leader, the RAC Foundation, said the change contradicted the huge sums of money that the Government has already spent on electric battery production.

Steve Gooding, director of the transport research organisation, said: It is hard to understand the rationale for the Prime Ministers decision to delay the ban on sale of petrol and diesel cars by five years  what message does taking his foot off the gas in this way send to an auto industry that was confident of its ability to hit the 2030 deadline on the basis of a clear and consistent regulatory regime?

Be they motorists or not, taxpayers might wonder how back-pedalling on the switch to electric cars can be consistent with the Government having put huge sums of public money on the table to support battery production.

He said that RAC research estimated that if the UK is to meet its carbon reduction obligations then at least 37% of all miles driven by cars, taxis and vans will need to be zero emission by 2030.

But with only 844,000 of the 33 million or so cars on the UK roads today being pure battery electric that means we have a mountain to climb, he added.

It comes after Ford UK said earlier on Wednesday that the change undermined ambition, commitment, and consistency.

The chair Lisa Brankin said: We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high.

The RHA, which represents the interests of the haulage industry, said they needed clarity, not delays from the Government.

A spokesman said: Government needs to collaborate with industry to come up with a detailed plan that provides certainty for investment, drives innovation, and directs support for those who want to do the right thing.

This is the only way to bring down costs and encourage companies to make the switch to net zero in the long term. Simply changing deadlines without a clear plan in place will do neither.

We will continue to seek the clarity and certainty our industry urgently needs to bring costs down.

Another car maker, Stellantis, also called for clarity on the important legislation.

A spokesman for BMW, which owns the Mini brand, said: Mini has already announced that it will become a purely electric brand from 2030 globally and this will not change.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said high demand for electric cars within the UK is needed if more are to be built in the country.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme earlier on Wednesday: You want to build close to where you sell, so you need a strong market here in the UK to help secure future investment.

The concern now is, does this cause consumers to delay their purchase?

SMMT figures show the private share of the market for battery electric new cars has already fallen from more than a third (36.2%) in the first half of 2022 to less than a quarter (24.2%) during the same period this year.

Demand has grown for fleet registrations, partly due to the lower company car tax for electric cars.

General secretary of the Unite union, Sharon Graham, said the Government was kicking the can down the road rather than developing a proper industrial strategy.

She said: Instead, we get ever more uncertainty for workers, industry and consumers from a government that deals in piecemeal policies delivered on the hoof.

Tory MP for Lincoln Karl McCartney described Rishi Sunaks reported plans as the common-sense decision.

He said the costs to normal drivers will be too high if the 2030 ban is maintained.

He added: The only people who will complain about this delay are the central London eco-zealots who do not live in the real world and are rich enough not to be affected.
From micro-bakeries to working on Netflix programmes, Amy Cochrane sees how their careers have progressed after the TV show

Baking fever is set to take over our TV screens next week with the return of the 14th series of the popular Great British Bake Off.

While there will be no Northern Irish representative at this years competition, some of the previous winners are continuing to grow their blossoming baking careers after their appearance on the show, from becoming a producer on a hit Netflix baking show to starting up their very own micro-bakery.

Last years local contestant, Ballymena native Rebecca Lightbody, departed from the show early on in the fourth week.

At the time she said she hoped that she made the people from Northern Ireland proud during her time on the show and has since been sharing a range of bakes  from focaccia breads to cookies and cakes  to her 19,000 Instagram followers.

She has also had her Turkish Simit recipe included in the Great British Bake Off Favourite Flavours cookbook.

Another previous contestant from Antrim, Iain Watters, also exited the show on the fourth week back in 2014. Known for the infamous bin-gate scandal, the bearded baker had a meltdown on the show  as did his ice cream  after his Baked Alaska dessert was accidentally left out of the freezer by fellow contestant Diana Beard and subsequently melted.

He famously binned his ruined dessert and was voted off soon after.

Iain Watters

Read more Deaf contestant and intelligence analyst compete on The Great British Bake Off

Although he hasnt been active on Twitter since 2020, the local baker has amassed an impressive 23,800 followers on the micro-blogging site, and continues to live in London, where he works in construction.

Co Down baker Andrew Smyth reached the final of the 2016 series and has now risen to the heady heights of Netflix fame as an executive producer on the streaming platforms show Baking Impossible.

Andrew Smyth

He said back in 2021 that the show combines his love of engineering and baking  which he called Bakineering  where pairs made up of one baker and one engineer design culinary creations that must pass a taste test and, more unusually, undergo extreme engineering challenges.

Co Tyrone woman Imelda McCarron had an extremely short stint on the show back in 2018 when she was voted off in the first week. The Dromore woman previously said that taking part in Bake Off was one of the best experiences of her life, despite being the first contestant to leave the ninth series.

Imelda has continued her passion for baking, combining it with her love of road trips, and is known online as The Rambling Baker where she shares sweet treat recipes and travel snaps from her other account, Exploring Wild Ireland.

Imelda McCarron

Portadown man Mark Lutton competed on the show back in 2020 during the pandemic and was eliminated in week six during Japanese week after what judge Prue Leith described as a disaster of a showstopper.

Despite this, the Co Armagh man, known as @thebakingbuddha on Instagram, has amassed a following of almost 76,000 people and shares recipes and bakes from his micro-bakery Roles and Holes  specialising in cinnamon rolls and donuts  based in Liverpool.
Nicole Stirling and baby Rayna with Michelle Fullerton, Senior Youth Worker from Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club at the launch of the new Dolly Partons Imagination Library in Belfast. Pic: George Pennock

These books are made for reading, and thats just what 100 Belfast youngsters will do thanks to the generosity of a legendary country singer.

A new Dolly Partons Imagination Library has been launched in the city to provide free books to 100 children under the age of five.

Established in 1995, Dolly Partons Imagination Library has gifted over 200m books in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland and Australia.

A new Department for Communities and Housing Executive partnership with Ledley Hall Boys and Girls Club and Apex Housing Association will give kids the opportunity to receive free books each month.

Donna Matthewson of Apex said: We are delighted to be able to support such a worthwhile initiative for families in Belfast. The global Imagination Library programme has already been proven to have a positive impact on early childhood development and literacy skills; and working with Ledley Hall, we are thrilled to give local children in south and east Belfast the opportunity to begin their lifelong love of reading.

Ledley Hall youth worker Michelle Fullerton said: This programme will provide opportunities for children and their families to build relationships from birth, prior to being able to attend school or youth services.

Harry Maher of the Department for Communities said: This is a great project that will engage young people from across south and east Belfast.

Meg Fletcher from The Dollywood Foundation UK said: We know that the simple act of gifting a book has such an incredible impact on families.

If you live in BT5, BT6 or BT7 you can register your child by coming along to Ledley Hall on Wednesday, September 27 between 1pm and 4pm, or telephone Ledley Hall on 028 9045 1722.
Lawyers for jailed terrorist Christine Connor are awaiting CCTV and bodycam footage from inside Hydebank Wood Womens Prison over allegations she attacked three female guards.

The case against the lone-wolf dissident bomber is proceeding as per the charges, a court heard today; however, defence lawyers are awaiting CCTV and bodycam footage.

A prosecuting lawyer told Newtownards Magistrates Court the case against Connor (38) is proceeding and so he was seeking a two-week adjournment for the accused to be put on her election and plea.

Connor, whose address was given as c/o Hydebank Wood Womens Prison, faces two charges of causing actual bodily harm to two females and common assault of a third, all alleged to have been committed on April 7 this year; the court has heard the alleged victims are all prison officers.

Defence counsel Kelly Doherty said she would consult with the defendant in the meantime, but highlighted that theres some CCTV and body-worn footage that we will need to see.

Connor did not appear in court today and, although District Judge Mark Hamill put the case back to October 4, he ordered that Connor is not to be produced until the CCTV footage has been disclosed.

Connor is currently serving a sentence of life imprisonment, with a minimum tariff of 25 years, for the attempted murder of a police officer, at whom she threw a pipe bomb.

She was jailed in August 2020 for four offences of attempted murder and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life, relating to two incidents in May 2013.

These included an attack on police, who were lured to the scene by a bogus 999 call Connor made in which she claimed to be the victim of domestic violence.

Christine Connor: The lone wolf republican terrorist

Describing the attack on police as both cynical and sinister, Judge Stephen Fowler KC said he was satisfied it was an attempt by Connor to lure police into an ambush by making a hoax call claiming to be the victim of domestic abuse requiring urgent police assistance.

He said Connor is a committed dissident republican wedded to violence and that, when she made the bogus 999 call, she knew that police would regard a domestic violence situation as a high priority.

One of the devices landed at the right foot of a PSNI officer, who was entirely fortuitous to escape with his life, said Judge Fowler, adding that the incidents were terrifying for all those caught up in them.

He continued: The aim and intentions behind these attacks was to kill police The devices were effective anti-personnel devices and their planning and deployment were detailed.

The defendant was the driving force behind the attacks, securing the making of the pipe bombs, the reconnoitre of the attack locations and throwing the bombs.

In my view, she remains a committed dissident republican and nothing has changed. She is still wedded to violence.

Her pivotal role in these attacks demonstrated a commitment to the dissident republican cause and a willingness to murder to further those ends. She has also shown no remorse.

Initially, Connor had been handed a 20-year term; however, judges in the Court of Appeal increased that to 25 years.
A Derry man charged over the seizure of guns and explosives linked to the New IRA is an alcoholic stooge more akin to a character from cartoon sitcom The Simpsons, the Hight Court heard today.

Gerard Anthony Kelly was likened to the television shows town drunk Barney Gumble as a judge ruled that he can be released on bail.

The 48-year-old accused, of Victoria Place, was arrested earlier this month as part of a major police operation in the city.

Two Soviet grenade heads, plastic explosives, two electric detonators and two handguns were seized in searches carried out at properties on September 7.

Sixteen PSNI officers sustained injuries when rioting broke out during the operation.

Gerard Kelly is allegedly linked by DNA from a bag located in a bin which contained some of the weapons.

He faces counts of possessing a firearm, ammunition and explosives with intent to endanger life.

His 26-year-old daughter, Shannon Marie Kelly of Creevagh Heights in Derry, has already obtained bail on similar charges.

During police interviews Gerard Kelly claimed he found the bag on the street and then dumped it in the bin without examining the contents.

Items seized in Derry include ammunition rounds, a suspected firearm, suspected plastic explosives and suspected detonators. Pic PSNI.

Although not suspected of being part of the New IRA, a Crown lawyer claimed he was part of a network used to store weapons on behalf of the terrorist organisation.

He would be described as a facilitator, as opposed to an active member, she submitted.

Disputing the prosecutions assessment, defence counsel Stephen Mooney argued that Gerard Kelly has such a serious drink problem that he may not even remember the incident.

He is a stooge, an alcoholic and a street drinker, the barrister said.

Read more NI victims campaigner makes graveside pledge to murdered son ahead of legacy laws legal battle

It is perhaps indicative of how far those involved have fallen that they felt it necessary to involve an individual who is effectively the Barney Gumble of Derry.

Mr Mooney suggested his client may have been prevailed upon because of debts he owed.

He wasnt on the police radar until he drunkenly fell into their lap due to a farcical enterprise which would be comedic if it wasnt so serious, counsel added.

Granting bail to Kelly, Mr Justice OHara imposed a curfew and ordered him to report to police three times a week.

The judge also commented: In a way its good news the dissidents are now relying on alcoholics to do their business for them.


Launching an attack on Sonia Gandhi, Union minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday said in Lok Sabha that the Congress leader clarified in her speech earlier in the day that the 73rd and 74th Amendment to the Constitution were not done by a specific (Gandhi) family but by the Narasimha Rao government. Irani, while participating in the discussion on the women's reservation bill, referred to Sonia Gandhi mentioning Rao's name, while speaking on the bill in the morning.



The minister said that it is the same Narasimha Rao, whose dead body was not allowed inside his own party's office.



Irani further said that women's reservation bill which was passed in Rajya Sabha during Manmohan Singh's government, had a provision for reservation only for 10 years, whereas in the current bill being discussed, the reservation will be for 15 years.



Further attacking the Congress, Irani said that while the BJP runs according to the Constitution, the opposition party believes in destroying it.



If we look from the perspective of the dignity of the Constitution, then (Goddess) Lakshmi has taken a Constitutional form through this bill, she said further.








A victims campaigner made a graveside pledge to obtain justice for his murdered son before attending the start of a major legal fight against the Governments controversial new legacy laws.

Raymond McCord is taking one of the 16 challenges lodged so far in response to the legislation aimed at dealing with Northern Irelands violent past.

The Belfast man, whose 22-year-old son Raymond McCord Jr was murdered by loyalist paramilitaries in 1997, revealed that he visited the cemetery on the outskirts of the city en route to the preliminary High Court hearing.

He said: I put roses on Raymonds grave and told him I will keep my promise son, I will get you justice. In 26 years I have never done that before any other cases, but thats how strongly I feel about this.

A raft of applications for judicial review have been brought against the fiercely opposed Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act.

The legislation, which received Royal Assent on Monday, offers a conditional amnesty to those accused of Troubles-related offences.

It will also bring an end to future civil litigation and inquests into deaths which occurred during more than 30 years of violence.

The Government has described it as an attempt to draw a line under past events in Northern Ireland.

But it has drawn fierce criticism from all main political parties in the region and victims groups resisting any attempt to ban prosecutions or remove access to justice.

Lawyers for those mounting the challenges claim the legislation is unconstitutional, unlawful and incompatible with the Human Rights Act.

During todays initial review, a judge urged all lawyers to identify lead cases in a bid to streamline and fast-track proceedings.

Counsel representing the Government argued that the proliferation of cases raised similar points.

Tony McGleenan KC said they cover events ranging from 1971 to the mid 1990s, and indicated that in some there may be a dispute over the legally required status of being a victim.

Suggesting that individual cases should be selected for judicial scrutiny, he submitted: There is a great degree of overlap and commonality.

Every single one I have seen has sought expedition, but it will not be possible if the court has to address 16 or more judicial review applications.

Addressing the packed courtroom, Mr Justice Colton agreed with the need to identify individual challenges which address all of the relevant issues.

There is absolutely no benefit to anybody in multiple cases arguing exactly the same point, he said.

But the judge stressed: I can assure everybody that all legal arguments will be considered by the court.

I want to do so as expeditiously as possible, to ensure all legal arguments can be adjudicated upon.

Proceedings were adjourned until September 28, at which stage the lead cases are expected to be confirmed.

The new legislation involves the establishment of an Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery (ICRIR) which aims to help victims relatives discover more about how they were killed.

Self-confessed perpetrators who cooperate and provide a truthful account to the legacy body headed up by former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland Sir Declan Morgan may be offered immunity from prosecution.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has insisted that the controversial legislation is aimed at delivering better outcomes for those most affected by the Troubles while helping society move forward.

But it is widely predicted that the legal challenges will ultimately reach the Supreme Court.

Following the preliminary hearing, Mr McCord welcomed the approach taken by the judge.

He didnt make a big fuss, it was just about getting this moving, the campaigner said.

Every victim who was there this morning would have appreciated that.
Wheelchair-using girl (8) with brittle bone disease was left distressed by situation

A disability discrimination case over a young girl being forced to wear a nappy to school because it did not provide adequate toilet facilities has been settled.

Violet Heasley (8) attended Dunmurry Primary School for nursery and primary one until March 2020 when classes were forced online because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Violet lives with brittle bone disease, and was the only wheelchair user at the school.

As there was no suitable toilet for her, she had no choice but to wear a nappy.

The Co Down family brought a case on Violets behalf to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal with the support of the Equality Commission.

The case has now been settled without admission of liability.

The childs mother, Shelbie Heasley, said: The situation became so distressing for Violet that in the end we took her out of the school altogether; she did not return after the initial school closures due to Covid.

We were told that the toilet was approved and necessary works would be carried out, but these werent completed while Violet attended as a pupil at the school.

It was just awful. Where was her dignity? It took months to find another school that could accommodate her needs.

Violets new school has the appropriate facilities and she is able to fully participate in everyday life at school and is thriving.

Securing her new school place wasnt an easy process either  it was a result of our persistence, hard work and a lot of stress.

Read more Belfast modern languages head not surprised by report stating language requirements in Republic are deterrent to NI students

Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner at the Equality Commission, said it was very aware of the challenges faced by many parents of children with disabilities or with special educational needs to secure an appropriate place at a school.

She added: Whilst recognising the pressures faced by both individual schools and the Education Authority, it is important that all children are in a school environment which meets their needs and where they will be happy and flourish.

I am delighted to hear that Violet has settled into her new school and is enjoying school life.

The commission believes every child must have equality of access to a quality educational experience and must be given the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

This remains the case even when times are difficult and budgets tight.

In settling the case, Dunmurry Primary School said it regretted any upset to Violet and her parents regarding the toilet facilities and affirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity for all disabled pupils.

The school has committed to liaising with the parents of disabled children from enrolment to ensure it is fully aware of any needs of the child and those needs are met, and to keep parents informed of the progress of any planned adjustments in respect of their child.

It added that an accessible toilet had now been installed at the school.
The high grade requirements for Northern Ireland students applying to universities in the Republic are completely unreasonable, secondary school pupils have said.

Earlier this week, a report by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) report identified a series of barriers for Northern Irish students wanting to do their degrees in the south.

It noted how only a handful of students in Northern Ireland take the four A-levels needed to achieve the maximum points in applications.

Applicants from Northern Ireland are only able to be given full points from the Republics Central Applications Office (CAO) should they get four A*s (including maths) at A-Level.

The language requirement for many CAO courses also limits access to students from Northern Ireland, where smaller numbers take a foreign language compared to the uptake by Leaving Certificate students in the south.

Read more Three school merger confirmed for north coast

Even when offered a CAO place, Northern Ireland applicants are less likely to accept, possibly because CAO offers are issued later than UK offers.

Accommodation costs and lack of housing availability in the Republic are undoubtedly barriers to students moving from Northern Ireland, and the rest of the UK, the report states.

In response to the reports findings, the Secondary Students Union of Northern Ireland (SSUNI), with support from the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU), has called for reform of the university application process between Northern Ireland and the Republic.

SSUNI noted that roughly only 4% of Northern Irish students study for four A-Levels, so this is a major factor in only 0.6% of students in the Republic of Ireland being from Northern Ireland.

That 0.6% figure is for 2020-21, when 1,255 students from Northern Ireland attended universities and higher education establishments in the Republic.

SSUNI believes this low cross border movement limits massively opportunities for Northern Irish students, and is a contributory factor to the brain drain and loss of young talent from Northern Ireland.

The student body also said it believes the high admission standards contribute to students stress and poor mental health.

SSUNIs International Officer Lauren Bond said: The extremely high grade requirements needed for students from Northern Ireland to gain access to universities in the republic are completely unreasonable  adding more stress and pressure to an already demanding workload.

Read more Belfast school settles discrimination case over girl forced to wear nappy due to no disabled toilet

To expect students to not only take four A levels, but also achieve an A/A* in all of their subjects sets a ridiculously high standard and for many students makes attending a university in the Republic completely unfeasible.

There is nothing more valuable than our North-South and East-West relationship, and so to see so many barriers put in place for students to study with their peers in the Republic is not only disappointing but unnecessary. Urgent reform is needed.

SSUNI is also calling for greater support in Northern Ireland for students so that they are prepared in school for CAO applications.

SSUNI Secretary Ryan Kearney said: There are significant challenges for students in Northern Ireland when applying to universities in the south due to the modern language requirement.

Students may not have had the opportunity to study a second language extensively in their schools or may have decided not to continue with one at GCSE, unaware as to how that limited their future options.

Its crucial that we have more education in schools about CAO to ensure that the application process is welcoming to all.
Councillors in Belfast have approved plans for a social housing estate despite advice that parts are at risk from flooding, as they are in a climate change flood plain.

The estate in Ballymurphy in west Belfast is to go ahead despite officials from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) warning 34 of the houses could be vulnerable.

The developer has told councillors its resilience measures will include use of water resistant materials, putting more drains around doors, and placing electrical sockets higher up walls.

At a meeting of the Belfast City Councils Planning Committee in February, elected members approved a proposal for a social housing and mixed tenure residential development of 122 dwellings.

Read more West Belfast social housing scheme receives 117 objections

The site, formerly used for a school, is at lands north of Mill Race and Belfield Heights and south of St Gerards Manor, Ballymurphy, and has access from Springfield Road.

However, at the City Hall Planning Committee this week, councillors were asked to reconsider their decision, after a report from Stormont indicated a risk of flooding at the site as a result of climate change.

A council officer told the chamber: DfI Rivers provided its response on August 30 and objected to the proposal on the grounds that a portion of the site is in a climate change flood plain, and the proposal is contrary to policy on climate strategy.

However DfI Rivers have since confirmed that is advice for the committee to consider.

He added: In terms of their advice, they say that parts of the northern and southern ends of the site are at risk of flooding, from the adjacent Mill Race to the west, when allowance is made for climate change.

The applicant has already modelled this impact in a flood risk assessment submitted in August last year, and they more recently provided us with a plan showing that 10 dwellings are affected in the south and 24 dwellings in the north  in total 34 out of the 122.

DfI advises that the council may however approve the application where the proposal is considered to be of overriding regional or sub regional economic importance.

It also advises that where this is the case, a flood risk assessment and flood management plan will enable a proper assessment of the flood risks.

The officer told councillors: There has been no substantive change in policy approach since last year when DfI Rivers offered no objection.

He said: A suitable flood management plan can be secured by means of a condition; moreover, a range of flood resilience measures to protect the dwellings will be secured by means of a planning condition.

And whilst it is acknowledged that some of the dwellings may be at risk of flooding, conditions would in this case provide appropriate mitigation, also having regard for the need for housing in this location.

The officer recommended that the committee continue its approval of the application, and councillors duly agreed.

The successful application, by Eglantine Developments Ltd, Campsie Business Park, Eglinton, proposes 110 social rented homes and 12 intermediate homes.

There will be a total of 114 semi-detached units, with the remaining eight located within two apartment blocks.

A representative from planning consultant Clyde Shanks, on behalf of the applicant, told the committee: In terms of methods to mitigate against any flood event, we put forward approximately 10 resilience measures, that include locating electricity sockets at certain levels above floor height, additional drainage channels at doorways, moisture resistant insulation, resistant plaster board, water resistant PVC materials on doors.

There are a whole raft of measures we can put forward.
Fr Downey died in Antrim Area Hospital on Monday, with his death being announced by the Parish of Ballinascreen, which he served.

Hollywood star Roma Downey paid tribute to her brother, posting to social media: "Friends, My family has suffered a terrible loss. Our beloved brother Fr John has passed away in the night . We are grateful for all your prayers. His passing was peaceful and thats a blessing. May he rest in peace.

Ms Downey (63) is most renowned for her recurring role as Monica the angel in the CBS television series Touched by an Angel.

Sticking to religious roots like her late sibling, she also produced the mini-series The Bible for the History Channel and appeared in it as Mary, mother of Jesus.

Fr Downeys remains were removed to St Eugene's Church in Moneyneena on Wednesday morning for Mass at 11.00 am where he will lie in repose until the recitation of The Rosary at 9.00pm.

His funeral mass will take place in the church at noon on Thursday, followed by interment in the Derrys City Cemetery.

A notice for the late priest states that he was the beloved brother of Pat, Ann, Jacinta, Roma and the late Lawrence.

In a social media post, a spokesperson for the Ballinascreen parish said: It is great sadness that we inform you of the death earlier today (Monday) in Antrim hospital of Fr John Downey, RIP. Please pray for the happy repose of his soul as we thank the Lord for his many years of devoted service as a priest in our parish.
Belfast City Council (BCC) needs to see major improvement when it comes to managing staff absences, as well as other areas, according to the local authoritys latest accounts.

The councils Head of Audit, Governance and Risk Services (AGRS) said that, while they were able to provide positive statements of assurance across the majority of audits completed in 2022/23, significant improvement is needed in five areas.

In addition to information governance and absence management, these areas also include police and community safety partnerships and the councils data strategy relating to corporate risk.

Another area identified as needing work is that of continuous improvement.

The AGRS said these weaknesses have been reported in detail to BCCs Audit Assurance Board and Audit and Risk Panel.

In particular, given the current budgetary pressures and the role that service design and absence management will have in delivering potential efficiencies, I highlight the importance of ensuring that the agreed actions from the internal audits of continuous improvement and absence management are implemented timely, they said.

Read more Testing of Lough Neagh fish for poison begins 10 days after full extent of pollution crisis revealed

The AGRS said that, looking ahead, the high level of vacancies in certain departments  along with budgetary pressures and the planned implementation of a new accounting system during this financial year  could have a negative impact on governance arrangements and the delivery of services.

An update was also provided regarding governance issues that had been identified in last years accounts which are ongoing. These include financial planning and work relating to post-Brexit arrangements at Belfast Port.

BCC has duties overseeing the importation of food at the port, as well as carrying out checks on high-risk food not of animal origin and fish products for human consumption.

Read more Cross-border murder investigation team set to meet in The Hague over killing of woman in Limerick

Since the end of December 2020, when the UK left the EU, checks apply to these products arriving in Belfast Port from Great Britain, and other countries outside the EU.

Temporary grace periods and easements of checks under the Northern Ireland Protocol were extended in 2021 and remain in place, but these are set to be replaced by arrangements set out in the Windsor Framework.

The AGRS said uncertainties remain regarding the new arrangements, which are due to come into force after October.

Uncertainty in the last financial year resulted in delays to the construction of new inspection facilities at the ports and developing new IT processes.

The AGRS said the council is liaising closely with Stormonts Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, which also has a role in checks at the port.

Regarding the five areas needed major improvement, a BCC spokesperson said: In line with our usual processes, management have set timelines and allocated lead officers to implement the recommendations arising from each audit. The councils Audit, Governance and Risk Services section regularly follows up on the implementation of audit recommendations, with progress reported to the relevant directors, senior management and the councils Audit and Risk Panel.
A Sinn Fein councillor for Mid and East Antrim has said it is shocking that he and his colleagues were only made aware of a gaping hole in the councils finances by an external report.

Ian Friarys comments came after BBC News NI reported that the council is facing a funding shortfall of about 7m this year.

It is understood the information came via an independent analysis of the councils finances via PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which was commissioned by the authority.

It is shocking that councillors were only made aware of this gaping hole in the councils finances by an external report, said Cllr Friary.

This is a huge sum of money and Sinn Fein is still seeking clarity on a number of the issues raised within this report.

The accountability and reporting mechanisms within the council have clearly not been fit for purpose.

Sinn Fein has often raised concerns about transparency within council processes and how ratepayers' money is spent.

This revelation is more evidence that much needs to change within Mid and East Antrim council

Our ratepayers deserve better and need to know how this situation arose in the first instance and significant change is needed if ratepayers are to have any confidence that the appropriate lessons will be learned.

A spokesman for Mid and East Antrim Borough said councillors are "committed to implementing measures that address these failings and provide oversight and transparency of the core business of the council".

"We are working closely with external public bodies in supporting our oversight and grip to enable solid foundations to be created and support the council in its ambition to deliver services for citizens that they need and value," he added.

The council noted that there have been "no discussions regarding job cuts" currently.

A spokesman for the Department for Communities, which oversees local government in Northern Ireland, said that its auditor, Colette Kane, would consider the "financial resilience" of the council as part of her annual audit.

The council has been asked for further response regarding Cllr Friarys comments.
Members of ambulance trade unions in Northern Ireland will partake in a two-day strike as part of wider industrial action within NIs healthcare system.

Strike action will commence just after midnight on Thursday (September 21) and will last for 48 hours.

Its estimated that more than 4,000 union members from across NIs health and social care systems will take part, as a result of ongoing disputes over pay.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) anticipates that there will be challenges throughout this period and a spokesperson said they have planned to maintain the safety of those patients whose need is greatest.

"The impact of the action will be felt most on those patients calling NIAS whose need is less clinically urgent. We anticipate that there will be lengthy delays in responding to these categories of calls, the representative added.

To ensure that we maintain the levels of cover required to respond to the most urgent calls, we would ask the public to call us only in life-threatening emergencies such as cardiac arrest, loss of consciousness, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding and others.

We would also ask that, having placed a 999 call, the public should refrain from calling back to check on the arrival time of the ambulance. The ambulance will arrive at the earliest opportunity and calling back repeatedly can block lines into the Control centre for other emergencies.

The service has stressed that ambulances will still be available, but they will be limited and patients with life-threatening injuries or illnesses will be prioritised.

Callers should not hesitate to call 999 in the case of serious illness or injury, but other callers should consider other options including self-care, seeking GP or pharmacy advice, or presenting themselves to Emergency Departments.

A statement from NIAS continues: This period of industrial action will impact all services provided by NIAS including Non-Emergency Transport, Emergency and non-Emergency Control Centres as well as Administration and Support Services.

We acknowledge that this is a longer period of strike action than before and that, as a result, the impact will be greater. We will continue to work with Trade Union colleagues to ensure that life and limb cover is provided in the quickest possible time.

We would also take this opportunity to thank our staff for their ongoing commitment to providing the highest levels of clinical care to those who have need of our services and also our Trade Union colleagues who have engaged constructively with us to ensure the most vital services are retained during this period of Industrial Action.

Health workers say they are striking over being denied the same pay offer provided to NHS workers in England and Wales; an outcome which will leave Northern Ireland NHS workers paid less than those employed anywhere else in the UK.

Department of Health officials have told trade unions that they cannot pass on the Barnett consequentials, including extra funding, arising from the NHS pay increase in England to NHS workers in Northern Ireland because the overall budget set for the health service by the Secretary of State is too low.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite the Union said: It is scandalous that NHS workers  who only a couple of years ago were being clapped by our politicians  are once again forced onto picket lines.

"The blame for this lies squarely with the Conservative Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris who has enforced a punitive and completely inadequate budget on the health department.

At the time when the Health Service in Northern Ireland is losing critical services due to staffing pressures, health workers in the region once again face being left behind on pay.

"That will only make recruitment and retention of staff even more difficult and redouble the staffing crisis. Our members will have Unites full support in their fight for fairer pay.

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson said: "The Secretary of State recognises the important and often life-changing work that healthcare workers carry out.

"The UK Government does not have any authority to negotiate pay in Northern Ireland, it will be for the Northern Ireland Department of Health to make final decisions on pay policies.

"It remains the Governments top priority to restore the Executive and for locally accountable political leaders to take fundamental decisions on Northern Ireland's public services and deliver better outcomes for the people of Northern Ireland.
Rishi Sunaks decision to review some of the UKs net zero targets has been described as cynical opportunism by SDLP leader Colum Eastwood MP and as a failure of leadership by Alliances Stephen Farry MP.

However, DUP MP Ian Paisley said the Prime Ministers announcement was sensible in light of the cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Sunak said in a speech from Downing Street that he believes we risk losing the consent of the British people for net zero policies without a change in approach.

He accused previous governments of trying to reach net zero simply by wishing it, and listed a raft of changes affecting how the Government plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including delaying the ban on new petrol and diesel cars to 2035, replacing the previous deadline of 2030.

Mr Paisley said: People support efforts to ensure we hit net zero, but they do not see those efforts as being a higher priority than feeding their family or heating their home.

There is nothing wrong with setting targets, but there is also nothing wrong with reviewing the approach in light of the circumstances we face. No decision occurs in isolation, but it will have a direct impact on households across the country.

"In Northern Ireland we still have a heaver reliance on road transport than other parts of the United Kingdom, and our home heating market continues to be heavily reliant on oil. Indeed, the 2035 target for car transition, brings the UK into line with other major European countries.

He continued: It is unfortunate that some will attempt to paint any kind of review as a complete abandonment of efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

"There will need to be a continued pressure from Government to ensure that we stay on that path, but it will be impossible to reach those goals if people simply cannot afford to make the changes that will be needed.

"Any measures cannot work without bringing the public along, and they must ensure that costs are not borne by the most vulnerable in our society.

Foyle MP Mr Eastwood described Mr Sunaks shift as cynical opportunism dressed up as difficult decision making.

He continued: Rishi Sunaks shameless U-turn on the scale of action needed to halt the irreversible breakdown of our climate is a cynical stunt by a Prime Minister who hasnt yet realised that his days in government are numbered.

While other advanced economies are meeting on the fringes of the UN General Assembly to discuss how the international community can accelerate the move to net-zero, it is astounding that Britain is pulling the brakes on urgent action to challenge the greatest threat that our planet faces.

That the Prime Minister would make an announcement of this nature while Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake on these islands, is experiencing an ecological crisis is a damning indictment of his leadership and his government.

The independent Climate Change Committee said earlier this year that Britain had lost its global leadership position on climate change. Industry leaders have vocally protested the incoherence, inconsistency and reckless nature of what Rishi Sunk has announced today.

"This weak, directionless approach cannot continue. A Labour government is badly needed.

Stephen Farry tweeted: This is a failure of leadership. The signs of climate change are even more apparent. We need to be accelerating plans not slamming on the brakes.

The Prime Minister has been widely criticised for announcing plans to roll back on climate change commitments on the same day world leaders met at a UN climate summit.

Mr Sunak was absent from the summit, causing critics to warn that the UK is throwing away its reputation as a world leader on climate change.

Lissa Batey, head of marine conservation at The Wildlife Trusts, said: It is shocking that the UK Government appears happy to sign up to international agreements one minute, and completely undermine them the next.

While we welcome the signing of the UN High Seas Treaty  which is crucial to achieve the UKs pledge to protect 30% of seas by 2030  we are concerned that todays climate announcements put this commitment at risk.

Despite signing the treaty, the UK risks being left adrift if we delay or weaken ambitions to meet existing net-zero targets. The UK Government must stay on course and live up to its commitments.

Rishi Sunak waters down climate commitments to avoid public backlash

Shaun Spiers, executive director at Green Alliance, said: Global leaders are meeting for a climate ambition summit at the United Nations today  and Rishi Sunaks not on the list.

Our legally binding commitment to reach net zero by 2050 ought to have earned us a place with the early movers showing the world how its done today.

Downing Street has been contacted for comment.
From left, Martina Dillon, wife of Seamus Dillon, sisters Lynda, Isobel, and Donna McManus, daughters James McManus, with Peter McCarthy outside the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA)

A series of legal challenges to the UK Governments new legacy legislation are set to be mentioned at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast later.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent on Monday despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government.

The most controversial aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

It will also halt future civil cases and inquests.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said the act provides a real opportunity to deliver greater information, accountability and acknowledgement to victims and families.

But multiple judicial review challenges to the act have been mounted on behalf of people who were bereaved in Northern Irelands troubled past.

Several people who had inquests, independent investigations or civil claims pending have backed the challenges.

Victims campaigner Raymond McCord (PA)

Legal firms Madden & Finucane, KRW Law, O Muirigh Solicitors, Phoenix Law and victims campaigner Raymond McCord are among those who have already announced legal action over the legislation.

On Tuesday, Mr McCord said he had a constructive and positive meeting with advisers to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Irish government has been made aware of my challenge to the Legacy Act as well as other victims challenges, he said.

No indication has been given around what action the Irish government will take.

My legal team and I will concentrate on my case in court in Belfast.

Solicitor Padraig O Muirigh (PA)

Solicitor Padraig O Muirigh said his office lodged judicial review proceedings on behalf of four clients challenging the lawfulness of the act.

Our office represents hundreds of individuals and families who will be adversely impacted by this draconian legislation, he said.

It is our view that the act is unlawful and is a clear breach of the European Convention of Human Rights, of which the British Government is a signatory, and international human rights standards.

We will also be lodging applications to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on behalf of individuals and families in the coming weeks.


Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again raised the Kashmir issue saying that resolving it through dialogue by India and Pakistan will lead to regional stability. "Developments that will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan," he said on Tuesday at the high-level UN General Assembly meeting.



"Turkiye (Turkey) will continue to support the steps to be taken in this direction," he added.



His latest comment was mild as it had been the last two years and by avoiding references to UN resolutions or a direct mediation offer, it was closer to India's position that the Kashmir dispute was a bilateral matter.



In 2020, Erdogan called the Kashmir situation a "burning issue" and criticised the abolition of the special status for Kashmir.



The previous year, he had asserted that "despite the resolutions (UN) adopted, Kashmir is still besieged and eight million people are stuck in Kashmir".



Last year, only Erdogan and then-Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan were the only two leaders to refer to the Kashmir issue while the 191 others ignored it despite Islamabad's lobbying, showing its isolation in the UN.



Erdogan signalled to the Taliban regime, which has barred women and girls from education in the name of Islam that and most work, that it would be accepted internationally if it gave up the restrictions.



"The transformation of the interim (Afghanistan) government into an inclusive administration in which all segments of society are fairly represented will pave the way for Afghanistan to be positively received in the international arena," he said.



He criticised China for its treatment of the Uyghur minority, who are mostly Muslim.



"We will continue to express our sensitivity regarding the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Uyghur Turks, with whom we have strong historical and humanitarian ties," he said.



Erdogan said that the Security Council "has ceased to be the guarantor of world security and has become a battleground for the political strategies of only five countries".




Belfast Met is one of Northern Ireland's six further education colleges to be impacted by the redundancies

Staff at all six further education colleges in Northern Ireland have been made aware that they are facing potential redundancies, whilst in the middle of a week of employees taking strike action over pay and workload issues.

In a letter to South Eastern Regional College (SERC) workers on Wednesday, seen by the Belfast Telegraph, the institutions principal and chief executive writes: We wish to let all members of staff know that we have, today, written to recognised trade unions to notify them that, regrettably the college may need to reduce its staffing complement in the 2023/24 academic year.

This is as a result of an extremely challenging fiscal and political climate in which the Further Education sectors budget has already been reduced by almost 9m in the current (23/24) financial year and it appears likely that the scale of the budget pressure will grow worse, not better in future years.

We appreciate this will be concerning and possibly upsetting news. Please rest assured that as matters become clearer, we will continue to inform and consult with the sectors recognised trade unions and staff.

The University and College Union (UCU) said that it has received similar letters from all six college principals threatening their members with job losses.

Under redundancy legislation, an employer is obliged to initiate formal consultation with trade unions when it proposes to make 20 or more workers redundant.

The law compels the employer to demonstrate that posts are no longer required or that there is a reduced need for a particular kind of work.

The UCU says the letters it has received from college principals all state: At this moment in time, I am unable to determine the potential areas or numbers of reductions which may be required as I do not have sufficiently developed proposals about which to commence formal consultation.

The UCU Northern Ireland Official, Katharine Clarke said: The issuing of these letters in the middle of a week of industrial action when the employers cannot provide UCU any of the information required by law, is a blatant attempt to intimate our members into abandoning legitimate strike action.

There are many adjectives I could use about the employers latest move, but I think their wickedness speaks for itself, she continued.

"I am 100% certain this threatening communication to staff will further increase support for our campaign for lecturers to be paid and treated fairly.

The UCU said it was extremely disappointed the employers had prioritised threatening staff above seeking resolution and that it will not waver in the face of vague redundancy warnings.

College members are currently three days into their five-day strike this week, which began on Monday to coincide with the beginning of course delivery.

The union has said such action is set to continue, and the sector will face ongoing disruption for the rest of this year, and into the next, if the employers do not address pay and workload".

Plans have already been put in place for the industrial action to continue for the next three months in a continuous dispute about unsatisfactory pay and working conditions.

The UCU previously said it has been forced to act in response to a 10-year period in which their members have experienced a pay freeze, followed by pay restrictions.

These restrictions have resulted in annual pay increases for lecturers being limited to a range of 1% to 2%, said the union.

Further Education lecturers in Northern Ireland earn significantly less per year compared to school teachers and university lecturers.

This pay gap also exists in Scotland, Wales and many areas of England, where salaries are significantly higher.

Read more Physiotherapy staff to take strike action across Northern Ireland

The Department for the Economy is the department with responsibility for further education in Northern Ireland.

A representative for the Stormont section said that when comparing the Secretary of States budget to the Draft Budget 2022-25, the Department for the Economy must deliver its services with 100m less and, in addition, fund pressures of 30m identified for 2023/24.

"Therefore, currently the Departments overall Resource spending power is reduced by 130 million, or 16%, they continued.

As a result, whilst there was a funding reduction applied to the Further Education Sector in 2023/24, this has been offset by one-off funding provided in 2023/24 to address rising costs.

"However in recognition of the significant budget pressures facing the Further Education Sector going forward into the 2024/25 financial year, and the 9m reduction in 2023/24 funding provided to the Sector as part of 2023/24 Budget outcomes, the Department for the Economy has informed the Further Education Colleges that it will consider a staff redundancy proposal from them which delivers a proportionate and sustainable reduction in costs.

"Funding will be made available by the Department in the 2023/24 financial year should a proposal be approved.

A Northern Ireland Office spokesperson responded: ""Further education policy is a devolved matter.

"This year's budget allocation from the UK Government gave the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy a total allocation of 772 million. The decisions required to live within this budget continue to rest with the Northern Ireland departments.

"In the absence of an Executive, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland has written to the Permanent Secretaries of the Northern Ireland departments, directing them to launch public consultations on measures for supporting budget sustainability and raising additional revenue.

"Conducting these consultations will enable Northern Ireland departments to identify ways to improve the sustainability of public services and public finances, paving the way for long awaited improvement and transformation of these services that we all rely on and want to protect.

"We are clear that we hope NI parties will restore locally elected, accountable and effective devolved government as soon as possible, which is the best way to govern Northern Ireland."
Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris has written to Stormont departments directing them to launch public consultations on introducing revenue-raising measures, such as water charges and increasing university tuition fees.

Mr Heaton-Harris is also going to review the level of domestic and non-domestic rates here, in light of Northern Irelands dire finances.

He is writing to the permanent secretaries of the Stormont departments ordering them to launch the public consultations under the NI Interim Arrangements Act.

Earlier this year Mr Heaton-Harris set a budget for Northern Ireland, in the absence of a functioning Executive, which resulted in financial shortfalls for all departments.

The Secretary of State said that, to improve the sustainability of public finances, generating revenue is not merely an option but a critical necessity.

Of course, it is my clear wish that these matters were being dealt with by a fully functioning Executive and Assembly. And we are working tirelessly to bring that about, he said.

In the absence of an Executive, public consultations will be run by Northern Ireland departments on measures for supporting budget sustainability and raising additional revenue.

Conducting these consultations will enable Northern Ireland departments to identify ways to improve the sustainability of public services and public finances, paving the way for long awaited improvement and transformation of these services that we all rely on and want to protect.

I am keen that the public and all interested parties have an opportunity to consider the range of options being examined and to feed in their views.

It is my expectation that a returning Executive will consider responses to these consultations and use this to make the necessary decisions to put Northern Irelands public finances on a sustainable footing. It is important that we do not lose momentum on this work.
Protesters outside Leinster House, Dublin, as the Dail resumes after summer recess (Brian Lawless/PA)

Thirteen people have been charged by gardai during a day of protests outside the Dail that saw demonstrators block entrances and display a mock gallows.

Photographs of high-profile politicians were attached to the gallows placed outside Leinster House as Dail business returned following the summer recess.

There was a sizeable gardai presence, with metal barricades erected, as politicians, media and Oireachtas staff were barracked arriving and leaving the building.

Protesters carried signs saying Ballybrack says no in reference to plans to house asylum seekers in a building in the area, which sparked mass protests earlier this year (Brian Lawless/PA)

Some TDs and senators required gardai escorts to leave the Dail through the shouting crowds of protesters.

The gallows, which featured an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of enterprise minister Simon Coveney, education minister Norma Foley and minister for children Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Eoin O Broin from Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also featured.

Members of the Garda form a barrier as a car leaves Leinster House, Dublin after protesters blocked the gate (Brian Lawless/PA)

On Wednesday morning around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House on Kildare Street, where the main entrance was fenced off by gardai, as part of what has become a traditional day of protest for the return of the Dail session.

Far-right protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws.

Politicians and journalists entering the Leinster House premises were called traitors by the gathered crowd.

Demonstrators held signs featuring slogans such as Irish lives matter and Ballybrack says no.

Earlier this year, several gardai responded to the Ballybrack area of Co Dublin as groups of anti-migrant protesters damaged a building they did not want to be repurposed for refugees.

Many of the protesters held banners and signs (Brian Lawless/PA)

Outside Leinster House on Wednesday, the protesters regularly chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

The nearby National Library of Ireland shut as a result of the protest.

Later in the day, protesters moved to the other entrance to the Dail on Merrion Street.

While their numbers had reduced to below 100, they attempted to form human chains at the entrance to prevent people leaving.

At one point several politicians cars were trapped inside the grounds before gardai moved to clear a path.

Members of the Garda outside Leinster House (Brian Lawless/PA)

A Garda statement said: Gardai at Pearse Street put in place a policing operation to facilitate the resumption of the 33rd Dail at Government Buildings today, Wednesday September 20 2023.

On a number of occasions gardai were required to intervene during public order incidents which occurred on Molesworth Street, Kildare Street and Merrion Street.

Regular uniform gardai were supported by plain clothes units and the public order unit in soft cap mode.

In total 13 arrests were made over the course of today connected with incidents in the vicinity of Government Buildings.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed, overseeing an investigation team based at Pearse Street, to co-ordinate and investigate all of the circumstances regarding these incidents and any other matters which may be identified as necessary for investigation which occurred around Government Buildings.

Later, gardai said 13 people had been charged.

Two men (40s) have already appeared before the courts, a spokesperson said.

Two women (40s and 30s) and nine males (ages ranging from 20s-60s) are due to appear before Court No.3 at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin at a later date.
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly is on an overseas trip to the United Nations (Brian Lawless/PA)

Opposition parties have called on the Minister for Health to return from New York due to ongoing concerns over orthopaedic surgeries at a childrens hospital.

It comes after an external review into spinal surgery at Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) Temple Street Hospital was ordered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) following a number of poor outcomes, including the death of a child.

Concerns had been raised about some complex spinal surgeries, including a high incidence of post-operative complications and infections.

The Childrens Health Ireland investigation was prompted after two serious post-operative surgical incidents in spinal surgery were reported in CHI at Temple Street in July and September.

The review of spinal surgery at Temple Street Hospital in Dublin was ordered by the Health Service Executive (Niall Carson/PA)

CHI commissioned serious incident investigations into these two events which are currently in progress.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is taking part in an overseas trip to the United Nations.

Speaking to reporters outside Leinster House as the Dail returned from summer recess, Social Democrats TD Roisin Shortall said the matter was an appalling national scandal involving children who are probably the most vulnerable group of children in the country.

Ms Shortall called on Mr Donnelly to make a full and comprehensive statement on the matter in the Dail on Thursday.

She said: Weve literally heard nothing from the minister in relation to this appalling situation.

She also called for the immediate publication of the CHI reviews into orthopaedic services at the hospital.

Labour party leader Ivana Bacik said it was simply not good enough for Mr Donnelly to be abroad during the controversy.

Ms Bacik said: We want to ensure the parents are given full supports by Government, that full communications are made with parents.

She later called for an urgent Dail debate on the matter.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy agreed that Mr Donnelly needed to appear before the Dail as soon as possible.

What this is a story of is a really shameful failure yet again by the State of children with spina bifida, he said.

It is absolutely essential that the voices of the patients and the families are at the centre of this review.

Mr Murphy said that he had raised the issue with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in mid-July.

During debate on the Dails order of business on Wednesday, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney said Mr Donnelly would be available for questioning in the house on Tuesday.

Mr Coveney also called on CHI to publish both the internal and external reports into the surgeries.

Neither has been published. Instead, CHI published a combined report, which is CHIs interpretation of the two existing reports. I dont believe that thats good enough, and nor does the Government.

And the Government has insisted that CHI publish both reports in full and they will do so, I hope as soon as today and if not today, certainly, very shortly after, but I hope that will happen this evening.

The reports were published after 5pm on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the family of a 10-year-old girl who died following a number of operations at Temple Street said her parents wanted answers around the surgeries at the hospital.

The case file of Dollceanna Carter, from Co Meath, was one of 19 examined as part of external reviews into operations at the hospital.

Dollceanna had spina bifida and scoliosis and died in September last year.

RTE News reported her parents Michael and Bridget Carter as describing their daughter as a perfect girl.

Speaking on RTEs News At One, solicitor Ciaran Tansey said families affected by the surgeries were racked with pain, upset, worry.
A van is driven through floodwater on a road into Dawlish, Devon (Ben Birchall/PA)

A deluge of heavy rain could cause travel disruption in parts of England and Wales while strong winds are expected in western Scotland.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain across parts of south-east England from 4pm on Wednesday until 3am on Thursday.

It said spray and flooding on some roads will probably make motorists journeys longer and could also cause delays to bus and train services during the busy evening travel period.

Some areas could see 15 to 20mm of rainfall within an hour and up to 30 to 40mm over two to three hours, bringing a small chance of flooding to a few homes and businesses, the Met Office said.

(PA Graphics)

It comes as South West Water announced that it will lift all hosepipe restrictions across Devon and Cornwall on September 25.

Amid the soggy weather, the company said Roadford Reservoir is at 53% storage, up 10% from this time last year, while Colliford Reservoir is at 52% storage, up 28% from last year.

The Met Office has also warned of strong winds in western Scotland between 1pm and 7pm on Wednesday.

The warning, covering Argyll and Bute and part of the Highlands, says gusts of 50-60mph are expected fairly widely and a few places are likely to see gusts of 70-75mph, particularly across Mull and Tiree.

Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk said: We have several warnings out, the latest being the two issued today, one for wind in north-west Scotland and the other for rain in south-east England during the rush hour period and into the early hours.

Low pressure is dominating with a band of rain pushing its way eastwards, becoming very slow moving across south-eastern areas later.

She said Wednesday evenings expected downpours may lead to some travel disruption, especially during the busy evening travel period as well accompanied by stronger winds too.

Rain falls on the M5 near Taunton, Somerset (Ben Birchall/PA)

From midnight on Monday to 12pm on Wednesday, Ms Chalk said there has been more than 150mm of rainfall in both Cumbria and Snowdonia, over 100mm in the Brecon Beacons and more than 80mm in Dartmoor, with 165.2mm in Honister Pass, Cumbria, and 161.8mm in North Wales.

On Wednesday, the BBC reported that more than 500 properties in Wales were without power after storm force gusts of 75mph were recorded at Snowdonia.

Earlier weather warnings for rain in parts of Wales and north-west England, in place since 6am on Tuesday, are set to expire at 6pm on Wednesday.

The Environment Agency has issued one flood warning, for Keswick campsite in the Lake District, where overflow is expected.

It has issued 15 flood alerts for areas where flooding is possible, and the affected areas include places along the River Eden in Cumbria and the River Wye in Herefordshire.
A woman with a scarf in colors of Armenian national flag gestures in front of police line during a protest against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday (Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via AP/PA)

Azerbaijan claimed full control of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region on Wednesday after local Armenian forces there agreed to lay down their weapons following the latest outbreak of fighting in the decades-long separatist conflict.

Authorities in the ethnic Armenian region that has run its affairs without international recognition since fighting broke out in the early 1990s declared around midday that local self-defence forces will disarm and disband under a Russia-mediated ceasefire.

They also said representatives of the region will start talks on Thursday with the Baku government on Nagorno-Karabakhs reintegration into Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev addressed the nation in a televised address, saying that in just one day, Azerbaijan fulfilled all the tasks set as part of local anti-terrorist measures and restored its sovereignty.

Children shelter during shelling in Stepanakert in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan (Siranush Sargsyan/AP/PA)

On Tuesday, the Azerbaijan army unleashed an artillery barrage and drone attacks against outnumbered and undersupplied pro-Armenian forces, which have been weakened by a blockade of the region in the southern Caucasus Mountains that is recognised internationally as being part of Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan said at least 200 people, including 10 civilians, were killed and more than 400 others were wounded in the fighting. He said earlier that children were among the dead and wounded.

His casualty figures could not immediately be independently verified.

The hostilities worsened an already grim humanitarian situation for residents who have endured food and medicine shortages for months as Azerbaijan enforced a blockade of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

Thousands of Nagorno-Karabakh residents flocked to a camp operated by Russian peacekeepers to avoid the fighting, while many others gathered at the airport of the regional capital, Stepanakert, hoping to flee the region.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in a speech that fighting decreased following the truce, emphasising that Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh are fully responsible for its residents security.

If peacekeepers have proposed a peace deal, it means that they completely and without any reservations accepted the responsibility of ensuring the security of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians, and provide the conditions and the rights for them to live on their land and in their homes safely, he said.

Police officers try to block an entrance of the government building during a protest against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, Armenia, on Wednesday (Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via AP/PA)

Mr Pashinyan, who has previously recognised Azerbaijans sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh, said Armenia would not be drawn into the fighting. He said his government did not take part in negotiating the deal, but has taken note of the decision made by the regions separatist authorities.

He again denied any Armenian troops were in the region, even though separatist authorities said they were in Nagorno-Karabakh and would pull out as part of the truce.

Protesters rallied in the Armenian capital of Yerevan for a second straight day on Wednesday, blocking streets and demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijans move to reclaim control over Nagorno-Karabakh raised concerns that a full-scale war in the region could resume between the two neighbours, which have been locked in a struggle over Nagorno-Karabakh since a separatist war there ended in 1994.

The conflict has long drawn in powerful regional players, including Russia and Turkey. While Russia took on the mediating role, Turkey threw its weight behind longtime ally Azerbaijan.

Russia has been Armenias main economic partner and ally since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union and has a military base in the country.

The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with Mr Pashinyan on Wednesday, welcoming the deal to end the hostilities and start talks between Azerbaijani officials and representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Russias Defence Ministry said some of its peacekeepers were killed on Wednesday, although it did not say how many and whether it happened before or after the start of the ceasefire. The ministry said the peacekeeping contingent had evacuated more than 3,100 civilians.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the US was deeply concerned about Azerbaijans military actions.

We have repeatedly emphasised the use of force is absolutely unacceptable, he said, adding that the US was closely watching the worsening humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh.
India has advised its citizens to be careful when travelling to Canada as a rift between the two nations escalates further in the wake of Ottawas allegations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver.

The Foreign Ministry in New Delhi issued an updated travel advisory, urging its nationals and especially those studying in the North American country to be cautious because of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes.

Indians should also avoid going to venues in Canada where threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, the ministry said.

Ottawa and New Delhi, two key strategic partners on security and trade, are locked in a diplomatic rift after Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was connected to the killing of a Sikh independence advocate on its soil in June.

A photograph of late temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar on a banner outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, British Columbia (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canada has yet to provide any evidence of Indian involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader killed by masked gunmen in Surrey, outside Vancouver.

For years, India has said Mr Nijjar, a Canadian citizen born in India, has links to terrorism, an allegation he denied, saying he was working to organise an unofficial Sikh diaspora referendum on independence from India at the time of his killing.

Mr Trudeaus announcement was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat in Ottawa.

New Delhi responded by rejecting Mr Trudeaus accusation as absurd and motivated and later expelling a Canadian diplomat.

Indian authorities designated Mr Nijjar a terrorist in 2020 and accused him of supporting demands for an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan, that started as an insurgency in Indias Punjab state in the 1970s and 1980s and was crushed in an Indian government crackdown.

The movement has since lost much of its political power but still has supporters in Punjab, where Sikhs are in a majority, as well as among the sizable overseas Sikh diaspora.

Indias Foreign Ministry also said Mr Trudeaus allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministry regularly issues travel advisories.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 10 (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

In September last year, it asked Indian citizens to remain cautious while travelling in Canada because of a sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities there.

The modern Sikh independence movement reaches back to the 1940s but eventually morphed into the 1970s and 1980s insurgency.

In 1984, then-prime minister Indira Gandhi ordered a raid to capture armed separatists taking refuge in Sikhisms holiest shrine.

The raid killed hundreds of people, and two of Ms Gandhis Sikh bodyguards assassinated her shortly after.

In response, anti-Sikh riots took place across India in which members of the minority were dragged out of their homes and killed.

And though the insurgency was suppressed long ago, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned repeatedly that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback.

Mr Modis government has been asking several countries  including Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom  to take legal action against Sikh separatists.

India has also for years accused Canada of giving free rein to Sikh separatists, including Mr Nijjar.

The duelling expulsions of diplomats have escalated tensions  Mr Trudeau had frosty encounters with Mr Modi during this months Group of 20 meeting in New Delhi, and a few days later Canada cancelled a trade mission to India planned for the autumn.
John Grisham and George RR Martin are among 17 authors suing OpenAI for systematic theft on a mass scale over copyright issues (AP)

John Grisham, Jodi Picoult and George RR Martin are among 17 authors suing OpenAI for systematic theft on a mass scale, the latest legal action by writers concerned that artificial intelligence programmes are using their copyrighted works without permission.

In papers filed in federal court in New York, the authors alleged flagrant and harmful infringements of plaintiffs registered copyrights and called the ChatGPT programme a massive commercial enterprise that is reliant upon systematic theft on a mass scale.

The suit was organised by the Authors Guild and also includes David Baldacci, Sylvia Day, Jonathan Franzen and Elin Hilderbrand among others.

It is imperative that we stop this theft in its tracks or we will destroy our incredible literary culture, which feeds many other creative industries in the US, Authors Guild chief executive Mary Rasenberger said in a statement.

Great books are generally written by those who spend their careers and, indeed, their lives learning and perfecting their crafts. To preserve our literature, authors must have the ability to control if and how their works are used by generative AI.

The lawsuit cites specific ChatGPT searches for each author, such as one for Martin that alleges the programme generated an infringing, unauthorised, and detailed outline for a prequel to Game Of Thrones that was titled A Dawn Of Direwolves and used the same characters from Martins existing books in the series A Song Of Ice And Fire.

The press office for OpenAI did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Earlier this month, a handful of authors that included Michael Chabon and David Henry Hwang sued OpenAI in San Francisco for clear infringement of intellectual property.

In August, OpenAI asked a federal judge in California to dismiss two similar lawsuits, one involving comedian Sarah Silverman and another from author Paul Tremblay.

In a court filing, OpenAI said the claims misconceive the scope of copyright, failing to take into account the limitations and exceptions (including fair use) that properly leave room for innovations like the large language models now at the forefront of artificial intelligence.

Author objections to AI have helped lead Amazon.com, the countrys largest book retailer, to change its policies on e-books.

The online giant is now asking writers who want to publish through its Kindle Direct Programme to notify Amazon in advance that they are including AI-generated material.

Amazon is also limiting authors to three new self-published books on Kindle Direct per day, an effort to restrict the proliferation of AI texts.
Oscar Pistorius during his sentencing in the high court in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2014 (Alon Skuy/Pool Photo via AP/PA)

Oscar Pistorius was eligible for parole in March under South African law and the double-amputee Olympic runner may have been wrongly denied early release from prison because of an error over when he began serving his sentence for murder, new court documents show.

Justice and correctional services authorities submitted the documents to the countrys apex Constitutional Court on Tuesday and said they will not oppose an appeal by Pistorius arguing that he has served the prescribed amount of time in prison and should immediately be declared eligible for parole.

Offenders sentenced to more than two years in prison in South Africa must serve half their sentence to be eligible for parole.

Pistorius appeal says he was eligible six months ago when he attended a parole hearing and was denied early release. He attended the hearing on March 31 and a parole board ruled he was not eligible until August next year.

The new papers submitted to the Constitutional Court indicate that was an error.

Oscar Pistorius leaves the High Court in Pretoria, South Africa, on June 14, 2016 during his trail for the murder of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp (Themba Hadebe/AP/PA)

They were submitted by a senior parole board official on behalf of South Africas minister of justice, the commissioner of the corrections department, and parole and prison authorities. They show that authorities accept Pistorius had served half his sentence on March 21 this year.

The confusion dates back to Pistorius long and complex murder trial for the fatal shooting of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp at his home in the early hours of Valentines Day 2013.

The case went through numerous appeals in different courts, first over Pistorius conviction and then over his prison sentence.

The multiple Paralympic champion was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to 13 years and five months in prison in 2017 for shooting the 29-year-old model multiple times through a toilet cubicle door with his licensed 9mm pistol.

But that sentence came only after prosecutors successfully appealed against a conviction on a lesser charge of culpable homicide  a charge comparable with manslaughter  and also an initial murder sentence of six years.

Barry Steenkamp, the father of Reeva Steenkamp, died this month aged 80 (Phill Magakoe, Pool Photo via AP/PA)

When South Africas Supreme Court of Appeal finally sentenced Pistorius to the 13 years and five months, there was a reason for that number. He should have been sentenced to 15 years, the minimum for murder in South Africa, but had already served a year and seven months between the time he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced in late 2014 and the time it was upgraded to a murder conviction in July 2016.

The Supreme Court of Appeal counted that time and subtracted it from a 15-year sentence.

But it should have started Pistorius new sentence from July 2016. In an apparent oversight, it ruled the new murder sentence should start on November 24, 2017, the date it delivered its final judgment.

That meant the 16 months between those two dates  when Pistorius was still in jail and his sentence was being appealed against  were not counted.

Pistorius parole lawyer said in April that it was an obvious mistake. The new court papers also say that the Supreme Court of Appeal had noted that it unfortunately neglected to include that extra time Pistorius served.

But while the court error appears to be clear, the Supreme Court of Appeal has not yet delivered a judgment correcting its mistake.

So, when parole board officials asked the Supreme Court for clarity over Pistorius sentence ahead of his parole hearing in March, a clerk from the Supreme Court replied that there was no new judgment changing the dates, justice authorities said in their papers to explain what happened with Pistorius parole hearing.

The parole board then had no option but to rule Pistorius ineligible, they said.

Pistorius is appealing to the Constitutional Court, the highest in South Africa.

He is asking to be declared eligible to be considered for parole immediately. The Constitutional Court has yet to hear the appeal and the court documents were submitted as pre-hearing papers.

Even if Pistorius does get a new parole hearing, it is not certain he will be released from the Atteridgeville Correctional Centre in the capital, Pretoria, where he has served seven of his nearly nine years in prison.

Parole boards take a wide range of factors into account when considering if an offender can be released early and placed under correctional supervision at home, including submissions from a victims relatives.

Steenkamps parents, Barry and June, opposed Pistorius parole in March. Barry Steenkamp died last week at the age of 80. He had said earlier this year that Pistorius should remain in prison.
South Koreas president sounded a warning to fellow world leaders on Wednesday about possible co-operation between North Korea and Russia.

Speaking before the UN General Assembly in New York, Yoon Suk Yeol said any action by a permanent UN Security Council member to circumvent international norms would be dangerous and paradoxical.

He remarked on North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns visit last week to Russia, which is one of the five permanent members of the council, the UNs most powerful body.

Mr Kim met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russias far east. The two said they may co-operate on defence issues but gave no specifics, which left South Korea and its allies  including the US  uneasy.

It is paradoxical that a permanent member of the UN Security Council, entrusted as the ultimate guardian of world peace, would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive arms and ammunition from a regime that blatantly violates Security Council resolutions, Mr Yoon told fellow leaders on the second day of the UN General Assemblys annual gathering of leaders.

He had been expected to raise the issue.

Mr Yoon said that if North Korea acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its weapons of mass destruction in exchange for giving conventional weapons to Russia, that would also be unacceptable to the South.

Such a deal between Russia and the DPRK will be a direct provocation threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also the Republic of Korea, he said, using the acronym for North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

The Republic of Korea, together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by.

South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (Richard Drew/AP/PA)

South Korea has expressed support for Ukraine, in its fight against the 2022 Russian invasion of its territory. At the G20 summit in India earlier this month, Mr Yoon said Seoul would contribute 300 million dollars (242 million) to Ukraine next year and  eventually  a support package worth more than two billion dollars (1.6 billion).

The nuclear and missile programmes of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea pose not only a direct and existential threat to the peace of the Republic of Korea, but (are) also a serious challenge to peace in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe, Mr Yoon said in his speech.

Foreign experts speculate that Russia and North Korea were pushing to reach arms transfer deals in violation of Security Council resolutions. Both countries are in major disputes with the West, and both are under international sanctions.

While Russian-North Korean co-operation is feared to fuel Russias war efforts in Ukraine, it has also encouraged unease in South Korea, where many think a Russian transfer of sophisticated weapons technologies would help North Korea acquire a functioning spy satellite, a nuclear-powered submarine and more powerful missiles.

On Tuesday, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoned the Russian ambassador to Seoul, Andrey Kulik, and urged Moscow to immediately stop its military co-operation with North Korea, which he said would have a very negative impact on its relations with the South.

North Korea has been increasing its nuclear arsenal for years, ratcheting up tensions in the region as it threatens to use nuclear weapons in conflicts. It regularly conducts missile tests, particularly in the past year.

In response, Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden in April agreed to expand joint military exercises, increase the temporary deployments of U.S. strategic assets and launch a bilateral nuclear consultative group.
Radius Announces $19m Sale of Facility, Material Reduction in Debt Levels

Radius Care (NZX: RAD ) has signed an agreement to sell the Arran Court facility, located in Te Atatu, Auckland.

The sale is for 100% of the business, including the freehold property. The sale proceeds are approximately $19.0m (net of sale costs), with settlement planned on 16 January 2024.

The sale is conditional on ASB approval. The pending transaction is also conditional on the purchaser completing satisfactory due diligence and obtaining finance and regulatory approvals. All conditions are due to be satisfied by 30 November 2023.

Brien Cree, Executive Chair, said Our people at Arran Court have been an important part of the Radius Care community since 2007. We will work closely with the purchaser to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of the care standards our residents and their families expect.

The sale proceeds will be applied to repay existing debt, representing significant progress in meeting the goals of the debt management program (as outlined in Radius Cares 2023 Annual Report).

For further information, please contact

Andrew Peskett

Chief Executive Officer

Phone: +64 21 747 363

Email: andrew.peskett@radiuscare.co.nz

Jeremy Edmonds

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +64 22 650 9354

Email: jeremy.edmonds@radiuscare.co.nz

ENDS

About Radius Care

Radius Residential Care Limited was founded in 2003 and operates in the New Zealand aged care and retirement village sectors. It is a nationwide provider offering the full range of accommodation and care options giving residents the ability to "age in place". Today, Radius Care operates 24 aged care facilities, of which it owns 13 and leases 11. Four owned facilities also include retirement villages and Radius Cares online shop sells specialist assisted-living products. The company employs over 1,900 people, including highly qualified healthcare staff who are committed to providing the very best in nursing care. Radius Care listed on the NZX in December 2020. For more information visit radiuscare.co.nz or check out our Facebook page

Comments from our readers

No comments yet

Add your comment:

Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process.

Related News:

GTR - Full-Year Results Announcement Date

Synlait Annual Meeting 2023

EROAD H1 FY24 Results and Conference Call Details

TWL - TradeWindow Director resignation

November 1st Morning Report

General Capital Subsidiary Director Resignation

Arvida Bank Facility Update

BFG - Capital Return - Interim Orders Received

CHI - Exchange Mechanism of CHI010 notes for CHI030 bonds

CHI - Channel launches retail bond offer


Danny Masterson, right, and his wife Bijou Phillips at a Los Angeles court in May (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce from convicted rapist Danny Masterson, days after the former That 70s Show actor was jailed for 30 years for two sex crimes that took place in 2003.

Ms Phillips, 43, filed the petition for divorce in Santa Barbara Superior Court on Monday to end her nearly 12-year marriage to Masterson, 47.

Ms Phillips and Masterson share a nine-year-old daughter.

No further details were immediately available on the divorce proceedings, with lawyers for Ms Phillips failing to respond to the Associated Press request for comment.

Danny Masterson in 2017 (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)

A representative for Masterson declined to comment on the divorce filing.

However, Masterson does intend to appeal the two rape convictions handed down to him in a Los Angeles court on September 7.

His legal representatives said they intend to appeal on the basis of evidentiary and constitutional issues regarding the former Hollywood stars case.

Los Angeles Superior Court judge Charlaine F Olmedo handed down her sentence to the 47-year-old actor after hearing statements from his victims about the trauma they experienced and the suffering caused by the disturbing memories in the years after his attacks.

The two women whose testimony led to Mastersons conviction said at the height of his sitcom fame, in 2003, the then-young star gave them drinks and that caused them to become woozy or to pass out.

They said he then violently raped them.

After an initial jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape in December 2022, a mistrial was declared and prosecutors retried Masterson on all three counts earlier this year.

This time, a jury of seven women and five men found him guilty of two counts on May 31 after seven days of deliberations.

He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses a high level Security Council meeting during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday (Craig Ruttle/AP/PA)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Russia as a terrorist state at the UN Security Council in New York.

Mr Zelensky and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov avoided each other on Wednesday with Mr Zelensky leaving the meeting before Mr Lavrov arrived.

Mr Zelensky called Russia a terrorist state while Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia sat facing him.

Mr Zelensky left before Mr Lavrovs arrival, which came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was accusing Russia of having shredded key provisions of the UN Charter.

Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during the Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine on Wednesday (Mary Altaffer/AP/PA)

Mr Lavrov, in turn, reiterated his countrys claims that Kyiv has oppressed Russian speakers in eastern areas, violating the UN charter and getting a pass on it from the US and other western countries.

Before Mr Zelenskys arrival, Mr Nebenzia objected to a speaking order that put the Ukrainian president before the councils members, including Russia.

There is a long history of delegates walking out on rival nations speeches in the council and other UN bodies, and it is not unusual for speakers to duck in and out of Security Council meetings for reasons as simple as scheduling.

The groups member countries must have a presence during meetings but can fill their seats with any accredited diplomat.

Ukraine is not a member but was invited to speak. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Zelensky suggested that UN members needed to ask themselves why Russia still has a place on a council intended to maintain international peace and security.
Allison Morris breaks down the stories of the republican women in Hydebank Prison.

The four female prisoners being held in Fern 4, the separated unit of Hydebank Wood detention centre

Christine Connor is serving life for attempting to kill police officers - her catfishing led to the death of two vulnerable men.

There are more female republicans in prison now than at any time since the Good Friday Agreement, with four women being held in their own building at Hydebank.

One of them is Christine Connor  the so-called lone-wolf terrorist.

The four female prisoners being held in Fern 4, the separated unit of Hydebank Wood detention centre

The north Belfast woman used a fake profile picture on Facebook  of a Swedish model  to lure two vulnerable men into helping with her one-woman terror campaign.

Both of these men later took their own lives.

Belfast Telegraph Security Correspondent Allison Morris joins Ciaran Dunbar to tell the story of Northern Irelands female republican prisoners, and how Christine Connor landed a 25-year sentence.
A police officer looks at a group of Chinese nationals who were arrested during a police raid on suspicion of running an online love scam syndicate that ensnared hundreds of victims in China, at a building of the Kara Industrial Park in Batam, Riau Islands province, Indonesia, Aug. 23, 2023.

Indonesian authorities on Wednesday deported 153 Chinese nationals who they accused of running online romance scams targeting victims in China.

Using Indonesia as a base, the suspects, including five women, pretended to have romantic feelings for their victims and tricked them into sending money, police said.

Love scams are an organized crime with a very large investment. The profit from this crime is also huge, said Krishna Murti, the head of international relations at the national police.

The gang duped victims of more than 20 billion rupiah (U.S. $1.3 million) in about a year of operations in Indonesia, police said.

Indonesian police and the Chinese Ministry of Public Security cooperated to uncover the case, Krishna said.

The suspects, who were arrested from Batam island in Riau Islands province and Singkawang on Borneo island, were part of an international network targeting Chinese through social media and dating apps, police said. The victims could not speak English or Indonesian.

China Southern Airlines flew the suspects home on three planes from Hang Nadim Airport in Batam, which is near Singapore, accompanied by 300 Chinese police officers, Krishna said.

The suspects are expected to face criminal charges in their home country.

Police said the alleged scammers entered Indonesia gradually by air and sea using tourist visas and chose Batam as their base because it is a border area and easy to flee from by the sea. The suspects had been in Indonesia for about a year when they were arrested.

Love scams are a form of cybercrime that involves deceiving people into believing they are in a romantic relationship with someone they met online, and then asking them for money or personal information.

The female suspects among those deported used video call sex recordings they had made to blackmail victims. They threatened to release the recordings online unless they were paid, said Zahwani Pandra Arsyad, Riau Islands police spokesman.

In Batam, the scammers were working out of an industrial park building zoned for commercial and residential use, he told the Associated Press news agency after an arrest last month.

A cybersecurity analyst said authorities should pay more attention to this type of fraud because many people have fallen victims to it.

They could use artificial intelligence to create fake videos and photos and fool victims who lack digital literacy, analyst Pratama Dahlian Persadhatold BenarNews.

Last year, the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center reported detecting transactions valued at billions of rupiah from online fraud cases.

Cyber scam operations have proliferated across Southeast Asia, with hundreds of thousands of people believed to be involved  some voluntarily, many not  in cajoling, stealing or blackmailing billions of dollars annually from their victims, according to United Nations estimates.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee in Washington, March 23, 2023.

The Philippines has set up a task force to study a possible ban on government security employees using Chinese-owned platform TikTok to block the apps potential for cyberespionage, a National Security Council official said Wednesday.

The ban is also being considered to ensure the app is not used as a propaganda tool, Jonathan Malaya, assistant director general at the NSC, told a local television channel, amid growing concern about TikToks risks and heightened tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea.

The reason for this proposal [to ban TikTok] is two-fold. Number one, is the threat of data collection or cyber espionage  and number two, the possible use of TikTok as a social influence tool, Malaya said.

You know through algorithms you can affect civic discourse, so it is on that basis that were making the study and we hope we finish soon.

The task force includes the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, the military, and the Department of Information and Communication Technology. It will determine whether TikTok is being used to gather crucial intelligence information, Malaya said.

TikTok is owned by Beijing-based ByteDance Ltd., and under Chinese law, all Chinese companies have to cooperate with their government, the NSC official noted.

The task force was looking into the proposal to ban government security workers from using TikTok as a proactive step to ensure the security of our security personnel, Malaya said.

The United States, Canada and the European Commission previously banned the social media platform from government staff phones and devices to protect data and over national security concerns.

In November, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation director said the agency was concerned that the Chinese government could use TikTok to manipulate data for the purpose of spreading propaganda, and China's ruling Communist Party could gather personal information and vital intellectual property.

Philippine rheumatologist Geraldine Zamora watches one of her TikTok videos on her smartphone, Nov. 3, 2022. [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP]

NSCs Malaya said during the television interview that the governments security sector had suggested civilians, including public school teachers and other state employees, also not be allowed to use TikTok.

For example, its been suggested that the Bureau of Immigration should also be covered by the ban  [and other] individuals, for example, from the National Bureau of Investigation, who are in law enforcement, Malaya said.

Were starting with the security sector and maybe [will] expand [it], depending on what the study reveals [about] the possibility of TikTok being a tool for data collection or cyberespionage.

TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew has denied the social media app has links to the Chinese Communist Party.

Appearing before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee in March, he said the companys Beijing-based parent ByteDance is not owned or controlled by the Chinese government, reported Radio Free Asia, a news site affiliated with BenarNews.

We do not promote or remove content at the request of the Chinese government. It is our commitment to this committee and all our users that we will keep [TikTok] free from any manipulation by any government, Chew said according to other media reports.

But Winthrop Yu, chairman emeritus and acting spokesman of the Internet Society Philippine Chapter, said he doubted TikTok could ignore any demands from Beijing.

TikTok has no choice but to surrender all their accumulated information to Chinese security services, he was quoted as saying in a Sept. 11 report by the state-run Philippine News Agency.

All phone apps are dangerous and represent a security risk, particularly if the app maker is subservient to its government.

Meanwhile, armed forces spokesman Col. Medel Aguilar told BenarNews the military had put in place measures to protect against spyware disguised as harmless applications.

There is a policy already on the use of social media platforms to make sure the security of the organization is not exposed and the credibility of the armed forces is not also compromised, Aguilar said.

He said military personnel have been given strict guidelines on the use of social media.

The observance of communication and operational security is emphasized, Aguilar said.

We will support this plan of the National Security Council.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Manila contributed to this report.
A fisherman rows his boat near the bank of the Mekong River in Phnom Penh early this year.

In Thailand, farmers complain that their crops wont grow properly. In Cambodia, fishermen say their catch is smaller than ever. In Laos, unexpected water fluctuations have played havoc on livelihoods.

But while low river levels have plagued the lower Mekong River through August and most of September, China faced no such shortage. In the first week of September, two massive dams that sit on the upper Mekong, or Lancang, as it is known in China, restricted more than 5 billion cubic meters of water.

That represented the most water ever held back in a single week, according to the Washington-based Stimson Center, whose Mekong Dam Monitor records river levels, reservoir volume and precipitation across the river basin.

Releases from smaller Chinese dams that began last week have helped Mekong levels rise on the Lao-Thai border by two meters, while increasing rains downstream also helped low levels recover somewhat.

But for much of August and September, parts of the lower Mekong were reaching record lows as Chinas hydropower reservoirs continued to grow. Between July 18 and Sept. 3, Chinas Xiaowan Dam reservoir increased in size from 6.7 billion cubic meters to about 14.3 billion cubic meters of water, according to the Mekong Dam Monitor.

The water being held back exacerbated a downstream wet season drought, said Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia program director at Stimson.

Forecasts predict that El Nino will bring a dry fall, so its likely that Chinas dam operators took the water when it was available in August, Eyler said. Last year [due to drought] they werent able to fill up to adequate levels, I imagine there is pressure on dam operators to fill up as much as they can.  The tragic issue is that its needed desperately downstream.

Low levels

Much of the lower Mekong has been suffering from diminished water flow, but no areas have been as hard-hit as the communities along the Lao-Thai border.

Vientiane prefecture in Laos, pictured, and Thailand's Nong Khai province across the river both suffered from low Mekong levels caused by China's upstream dam restrictions. [RFA Laos]

Gauges at Chiang Sen in Thailands Chiang Rai province showed the rivers level about three meters below the average the first two weeks of September.

Instead of water coming in as part of the natural river flow, the restrictions in the large reservoirs upstream meant levels were rising through the summer only when there was rain or flash floods. But because this rainy season had been so dry, levels remained extremely low.

Its not normal, said a villager from Xayaburi province. It depends on dams opening and closing the water gates, and this year there is not much rain.

Sothea Khem, a river flood forecasting specialist at the Mekong River Commission, an inter-government agency that works with regional governments to manage river resources, noted that until rains picked up last week, most stations in the region showed water levels well below the long-term average.

He said climate change was having a far larger effect on downstream levels, noting that the total inflow from China is typically 16% to 25%.

The lower Mekong basin is much more influenced by rainfall. If you think about the inflow from China, of course, it impacts. Nevertheless, we must consider how our tributaries inflow contributes to our main Mekong basin region.

While inflows from China may account for a smaller fraction of the basinwide levels, Chinas contribution at Chiang Saen is nearly 100 %, Eyler said.

Climate impacts are typically the most significant, and dam restrictions work together with a lack of rain during the dry season to drive low river levels. However we found that in August 2023 dam restrictions were far greater than lack of rain on driving low levels, he wrote in an email.

It is precisely that combination of upstream water restrictions and regional changes to the climate that has environmentalists concerned over the long-term impacts on the regions biodiversity.

Located at the northern edge of Cambodias Stung Treng province at the border of Laos sits a 14,600-hectare protected wetland, or Ramsar, site. It boasts flooded forests, deep Mekong pools and sandy islands. But the delicately balanced ecosystem has been badly unsettled by the Mekong River damming.

In the past, by June and July the river was full of water, but now it is already September, the water is still at the bottom of the river, environmentalist Ly Vichetra told Radio Free Asia, a news service affiliated with BenarNew. When the water is high, the fish spawn more and more. As the water level changes the fish perish accordingly.

Fluctuations

China has for years promised more transparency around how it stores and releases water. On Sept. 10, China and five other Mekong countries signed an agreement to share water flow data from their dams.

In an email to RFA, an MRC spokesperson explained a key purpose was to be able to prepare for climate risks and the need to operate the reservoirs accordingly in order to minimize the risks to the downstream communities.

But such data has been shared for years, and it has not yet resulted in improved conditions downstream, said a Lao environmentalist who spoke on the condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The important data is about the data on water release from dams, he said. Another one is data on fish migration, environment [impacts] and fisheries.

Citizens in downstream countries said they struggle with rapidly changing water releases that come with little or no warning and have hurt their livelihoods. These include not only Chinas dams, but dams throughout the lower Mekong and on its tributaries.

A villager in Laos Xayaburi province said that unexpected water releases have damaged boats and washed away fishing equipment in his community.

If we know when the dams will release water, we will have time to prepare. One or two days in advance, the people will feel calm.

One thing that we want to know the most is data on water release, echoed a villager in Thailands Nong Khai province. These days, the water level along the Mekong river is always up and down. Even if it is raining heavily, once dams in China keep water, the water level in the Mekong is suddenly down.

Leang Bunleap, executive director of the 3S Rivers Protection Network, a local NGO that has studied the impacts of dams on the Mekong and its tributaries, said the Cambodian government and the MRC should do more to find ways to reduce transboundary environmental impacts. That includes pressing China to take downstream needs into account.

The releases that began last week may well reflect that recognition from China.

Cambodia should inform the upstream countries, inform them to respect the international law, let them keep the flow as natural or prepare to give and share information and cooperate with other countries to make the water management more efficient.

Subel Rai Bhandari contributed to this report.
If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us

We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom.
The United States today announced the commitment of more than US $19 million in additional funds to further the development of Sri Lanka, in a ceremony at the Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance.





The U.S. $19.23 million (Rs 6.2 billion) is obligated through the Development Objective Grant Agreement between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the government of Sri Lanka. This development assistance will support economic growth and democratic governance activities and demonstrates the ongoing U.S. commitment to its partnership with Sri Lanka and in building lasting people-to-people ties.





[ Image provided by Embassy of the United States of America, Colombo ]





The signing was commemorated today in a ceremony with Mission Director Grau and Mr. K M Mahinda Siriwardana, Secretary to the Treasury, Ministry of Finance Sri Lanka.





This investment demonstrates the United States ongoing commitment to our partnership with Sri Lanka and our steadfast support to the people of this stunning, opportunity-filled country, as USAID Administrator Samantha Power and H.E. President Wickremesinghe discussed in New York, said Gabriel Grau, USAID Sri Lanka and Maldives Mission Director. With these funds well continue to work with the government of Sri Lanka to improve economic growth and democratic governance and advocate for vulnerable populations.





The people of Sri Lanka appreciate the continued close collaboration and the very cordial partnership and support extended by the Government of the United States of America to Sri Lanka, said Secretary Siriwardana. This grant will reinforce the governments efforts to strengthen a democratic, prosperous, and resilient Sri Lanka.





The United States has provided more than $2 billion (nearly Rs720 billion) in assistance to Sri Lanka since 1956.
Two men are facing charges for allegedly threatening others with guns in separate incidents in Pittsfield
LEE  Lee is pulling out of the five-town Rest of River Municipal Committee and demanding a refund on any money it has contributed to the effort.

The town also is demanding its $25 million share of Housatonic River cleanup money from the General Electric Co. that the committee is holding in escrow.

Town officials said the contract among the towns does not say that one town is prohibited from leaving if it has cause. They also say that Lee is prepared to sue the committee if it does not release the money.

In a letter drafted Tuesday from the Select Board to the committee, the board says Lee will end its membership on the panel effective Dec. 31, citing various actions by the panel related to its continued support for placing a toxic waste site in Lee. The letter lists five different ways the committee allowed the member towns to disenfranchise Lee.

These include information gleaned from emails between the committees chair and attorney that refer to Lee as an opponent of the panel, and a suggestion by the chair that the attorney provide misleading information to throw their attorneys off track" amid legal action over the waste site.

The letter says the committee has forsaken the covenant of good faith and fair dealing implied in every contract."

At the board's Tuesday meeting, Chair Bob Jones read the letter, and said the federal Environmental Protection Agency, which is overseeing GE's cleanup of PCBs from the river, is committed to working with the town even without its membership on the committee.

Thomas Matuszko, who is chair of the committee as executive director of the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, said he had not yet received the letter and did not want to comment until he sees it.

The estimated $577 million cleanup stems from decades of GEs dumping of PCBs  or polychlorinated biphenyls  from its Pittsfield plant. It used the substance, made by Monsanto, as a fireproof insulating fluid in its manufacturing and service of electric transformers. The cleanup is really a public health enterprise: Studies link a slew of health ailments, including certain cancers, to PCB exposure.

GE has already dredged PCBs from the river just south of the transformer plant, and now turns its cleanup to the Rest of River  the polluted areas downstream.

But just under half the pollution will be buried in Lee, at the Upland Disposal Facility, a 20-acre slice of land next to October Mountain State Forest. GE purchased the property, which sits atop a sand and gravel aquifer, from Lane Construction.

While waste with the highest concentrations of PCBs will be trucked out of state to a licensed landfill, more than a million cubic yards of lower-level sediments will be trucked to Lee or through Lee  something signed off on by the committee, which at the time was composed of different Lee Select Board members.

The EPA initially said the company would have to ship it all out of state. But the EPA switched course on this as part of the revised 2020 settlement agreement between GE and the agency. The agreement was reached in a closed-door mediation that included members of the Rest of River Committee.

The EPA's analysis of trucking versus rail for several disposal options is what justified the change, according to the agency.

The EPA's Dean Tagliaferro said GE plans to make the PCB landfill safer than regulations require. Among other things, the company, he said, will add five liners to seal in the pollutants, rather than the two required.

But it is both the toxic waste landfill and the trucking of it through South County  both to the dump and to the Massachusetts Turnpike on its way out of state  that has set off lawsuits and fury in Lee and beyond.

For example, at Tuesdays board meeting, Lee resident Anne Langlais said she had just penned a Stop the Trucks, Switch to Rails" petition.

When these trucks start rolling through our towns, you cannot hold your nose in the town of Lee to get to the Turnpike, thinking that you're not going to get exposed to the dust, Langlais said. The rail line runs along the Housatonic River and thats where most of these PCBs are.

The committee formed in 2013 for the towns to advocate for common interests during GE and EPAs planning and eventual execution of the Rest of River cleanup. It also includes Lenox, Stockbridge, Sheffield and Great Barrington. The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is the panels coordinator.

But the waters of collaboration have been turbulent. Other reasons listed by Lee for its withdrawal from the committee includes the panels support for GE amid a lawsuit attempting to stop construction of the dump, as well as other allegations of bureaucratic malfeasance at Lee's expense.

The allegations include the committee having refused to allow Lee residents to speak on multiple occasions in 2023 open sessions.

Lee is demanding the committee release $25,394,789.28. That total represents the sum of money Lee has put into Rest of River coffers, as well as its share of GE's $55 million payout to the five towns.

The town will says it also wants 45.91 percent interest accrued on that GE money between Tuesday and Dec. 31. That interest amount is the same as Lee's slice of GEs compensation escrow fund  now at $57.2 million.

Lee Select Board member Gordon Bailey alleged that the other towns haven't shown concern for Lee's fate. The town, he said, will use the money to hire scientists or do whatever else is needed to keep the community safe.

We just want our money so that we can go about doing what we need to do for our citizens without interference from the other towns for doing what we feel is best for this town, Bailey said.
You are the owner of this article.
by Stephen Bryen





Nikol Pashinyan, Armenias Prime Minister, has decided to align Armenia with the United States, maybe also with NATO. Accordingly, he has arranged anti-Russian protests in Yerevan, and carried out military exercises with the United States. It is unlikely the Russians will allow him to make deals with Washington.





Armenia, a country with around 3 million people, is wedged between Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Iran and Georgia. While Armenias historical enemy is Turkiye, in recent years Armenia has been involved in supporting ethnic and religious Christian Armenians living in Nagorno Karabakh.





Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev [File Photo]





Armenia has considerable support in the United States, especially due to the Armenian genocide carried out by Turkiye (1894-1896, 1915-1918) that took the lives of 1.5 million Armenians. Almost 400,000 Armenians live in the United States.





Nagorno Karabakh is a landlocked region in the South Caucasus within the mountainous range of Karabakh, lying between Lower Karabakh and Syunik and covering the southeastern range of the Lesser Caucasus mountains. The area is territorially part of Azerbaijan and is recognized as such. The Armenians had purged the region of ethnic Azeris, destroying homes, farms, mosques and even cemeteries, and driving tens of thousands of local Moslems out of the country. In 2020 war broke out leading to a significant Azeri victory, and a defeat for the Armenian government headed by Pashinyan. He blamed the defeat on the lack of support from Russia, although he agreed to a settlement brokered by Vladimir Putin that placed Russian peacekeepers around the Lachin corridor protecting the Nagorno Karabakh capital, Stepanakert.





Recently, according to Azerbaijan, Armenia had moved forces into the region and had started shelling Azerbaijani positions, leading to an Azeri military operation in a so-called anti-terror campaign. Armenia agreed to a ceasefire brokered again by the Russians, but the situation remains highly unstable.





On Wednesday, September 20th, Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno Karabakh came under small arms gunfire and were all killed. Clearly intended as a provocation aimed at the Russians, it is likely the shooting was carried out by pro-Armenia forces. A joint investigation has been launched by Russia and Azerbaijan.





Observers in Moscow and in Europe believe that the Armenian leader precipitated the latest conflict to drive the Russians out of Nagorno Karabakh, or at least to blame the Russians for the trouble.





Under the ceasefire terms it seems that the pro-Armenia fighters in Nagorno Karabakh are required to give up their weapons. It is still too early to tell if this will happen.





Whether Russian peacekeepers will remain in Nagorno Karabakh is uncertain, although the Russians are clearly worried about the budding romance between Armenia and the United States, led by Pashinyan. Pashinyan had called already for the United States to intervene, an invitation Washington did not take up. Instead Washington, like Russia and others, condemned the renewed fighting.





It is in Azerbaijans interest for the Russians to stay in Nagorno Karabakh, since their presence blocks, for the most part, any serious effort by the United States to set up a base in Armenia. Likewise it is in Irans interest, since a US base would directly threaten Tehran. If the Russians would decide to pull out there is reason to think that Iran would step in, using its increasingly large ground forces.





The wild card is the United States. Should the US push to set up a military base in Armenia, the Russians will not sit still, any more than they sat still for Ukraines move to join NATO. The country, originally part of the former Soviet Union, is well within Russias sphere of influence. Moreover, Russia is increasingly alarmed by the US and NATO ambition to expand in Ukraine, the Caucasus and Central Asia. A. Singh explains that the Grand ChessBoard theory of (Zbigniew) Brzezinski states that in order to sustain its position as a global hegemon, the US needs to control and manage Eurasia. The US is again stirring the pot in Georgia, in Uzbekistan and elsewhere (now including Armenia).





Pashinyans plan seems to be to seek aid and support from the United States and blame the Russians for the loss of Nagorno Karabakh. Whether he can pull off such a maneuver remains to be seen. It is unlikely Russia will stand by and watch this happen.





Will the US go ahead and put US troops in Armenia? Would it lead to a direct conflict with Russia?





Stephen Bryen is a former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense and is a leading expert in security strategy and technology. Bryen writes for Asia Times, American Thinker, Epoch Times, Newsweek, Washington Times, the Jewish Policy Center and others.
Christians look forward to the return of Jesus Christ, as they will be reunited with their Savior, Lord, and King. While they wait for that, they hold onto and obey His last words that He said before He ascended back to the right hand of God the Father.

The Gospels record the visits He made to many people after the Resurrection, including one to 11 of His disciples. There He said many things to them, including the phrase, Peace be with you. He repeated this phrase several times. It was a common greeting among the Hebrew people during that period of history, but it also had significance when Jesus said it after the Resurrection.

He was both greeting His friends, and encouraging them that Gods peace would be with them at all times.

What Does Peace Be with You Mean?

The word for peace used in both usages by the Lord in the Greek Septuagint translation of the New Testament is eirene. It is a feminine noun that generally was used to mean, peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace, a common Jewish farewell, in the Hebraistic sense of the health (welfare) of an individual (Strongs Concordance). It also had the connotation, being derived from the root eiro, to join, to tie together into a whole, or wholeness.

The Hebrew word that was commonly used for this greeting, and is still used today, was shalom, which is often used for hello and goodbye.

What Is the Context of This Verse?

The chapter commonly organized in the Bible as John 20 recounts the resurrection of Jesus Christ after He died on the cross for the sins of the world, and several of His appearances to His followers. The passage where the phrase is found three times is when He makes Himself known to His disciples, including the eleven remaining who were most close to Him. The Bible recounts He first said it as a greeting.

He issued it both as a greeting, but probably to assure them as well. During His first encounter, He entered a room despite the doors being locked. On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, Peace be with you (John 20:19). To show them He was Himself, and probably to calm them down, He showed them His nail-pierced hands and side and the scars He still bore.

The second time He said it, He began instituting the Great Commission, and did an act which was the precursor to Pentecost.

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit (John 20:20-22).

When Jesus said Peace be with you a second time, He more than likely was indicating the Fathers peace was going to be with them in a more permanent and sustainable way after He ascended. At this moment, He gives them the Holy Spirit, and begins the process of instituting the church. This moment did not formally give every believer the Holy Spirit, just the disciples present in the room. However, it did empower the ones there to begin acting in His name.

The Holy Spirit is also called the Comforter in many translations of the Bible into English, because it is Gods permanent presence in the believer, bringing peace.

Do We See This Verse Anywhere Else in Scripture?

Not all of the remaining eleven disciples were present that day when Jesus appeared in the room with the locked doors. Thomas was not present, and did not believe the others when they told Him about the incredible moment, and the miraculous resurrection of Jesus. So later, when Jesus appeared before them with Thomas in the room, He once again repeated the greeting.

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe. Thomas answered him, My Lord and my God! (John 20:26-28).

Here, again, this phrase most likely served as a common greeting, and as an extension of Gods peace.

This phrase, or the use of the word eirene for peace in a similar context, is repeated several times during the Gospels. These instances include:

Matthew 10:13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.

In this context, Jesus was commissioning the disciples early in His ministry to go out and spread the good news of God. When determining which houses they should spend time in, and which ones they should leave, Jesus encouraged them to discern whether or not the peace of God was in the home.

Mark 5:34 And he said to her, Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.

When the woman with the bleeding disease believed that just touching Jesus garment would heal her, her faith was rewarded. Jesus also blessed her, telling her to go in peace, the same peace He greeted His followers with, physically and spiritually whole.

Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

In a Pharisees home, a woman approached Jesus and cleaned His feet with her tears and precious oils. She was known to be sinful, and the Pharisee looked down on her. Jesus, however, saw that she repented and believed in Him for the right reasons. He sent her with peace. While this was a common farewell, He was also sending her with the assurance of His love and forgiveness  eternal peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Even before His crucifixion, Jesus was letting His disciples know that He would be sending them an ever-present peace in the Holy Spirit. He assured them of a complete peace, one that would come from Heaven, and be with them regardless of what was going on in life or in the world.

While many Christians today, especially those from a gentile, non-Jewish, background, do not use shalom as a greeting anymore, Jesus use of it can still be an assurance for them.

When Jesus speaks of peace, He speaks of eternal salvation, of Gods love, and assurance. The Holy Spirit brings peace because of these things, guaranteeing the believer of their relationship with Christ.

For anyone who does not have this peace but wishes to have it, there is only one way. The Lord Jesus said, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6b). People are separated from God and lack His peace because they are sinful, and cannot perform any works good enough to erase the wickedness from their own hearts. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth and died after living a sinless life, to pay the price for those sins. Anyone who repents of that sin, and accepts that Jesus Christ is the Lord of their life and that His death and resurrection provide salvation from sins and eternal life, can have a relationship with God, and know His peace forever.

Sources

Grassi, Joseph. Jesus is Shalom A Vision of Peace from the Gospels. New York: Paulist Press, 2006.

Strong, James. Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible: Updated and Expanded Edition. Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC, 2007.

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Old Testament and New Testament. United States of America: Victor Books, 1987.

Wilmington, H.L. Wilmingtons Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1981.

Photo credit: Getty Images/ChrisHackett

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.
BillOReilly.com is not available in this country.



We apologize for any inconvenience.
Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province and elsewhere in Saudi Arabia
Avatar has announced Philip Ireland's appointment as its chief creative officer, (CCO) as Veli Ngubane, former CCO, shifts to the role of chief growth officer, overseeing South Africa and other African markets.

(Image supplied) Philip Ireland (cetnre), has joined Avatar as chief creative officer, Veli Ngubane, (right) is the new chief growth officer. Left: M&N executive chairman, Zibusiso Mkhwanazi

In another appointment, Lynda Fiebiger has been named Avatar MD. Fiebiger, previously FoxP2 (now Dentsu Creative South Africa) MD, joins forces with Mzamo Xala, Avatar's GCEO.

Creative vision and direction

In his position, Ireland will be responsible for setting the creative vision and direction for the group, ensuring that it continues to deliver innovative and impactful solutions to clients.

"I'm honoured to be entrusted with the role of chief creative officer at Avatar as I know I am coming into something special, enthuses Ireland.

"M+N, and Avatar in particular, has a rich history of creative excellence and I'm eager to build on that legacy by leading, building and nurturing creative talents to even greater heights. Together, we will continue to innovate and deliver outstanding creative work that moves people.

Expansion into Africa and the international market

In his new role Ngubane will leverage his experience and expertise to manage and coordinate growth amongst the growing group of agencies within M+N, driving Avatar's expansion efforts in the African and international markets.

Ngubane has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities in these regions, and is therefore well-positioned to spearhead the company's global growth strategy and further cement Avatar's presence on the international stage.

"I'm excited to take on this new role and lead Avatar's growth initiatives into new territories," says Ngubane.

"We have a talented team and a passion for creativity that knows no bounds. I look forward to leveraging our collective strengths to deliver exceptional results for our clients and propel Avatar in realising its mission: to be respected globally and preferred locally in the markets we operate in."

A pivotal figure at Avatar

Ngubane, a creative strategist with a track record in the advertising and marketing industry, has been a pivotal figure at Avatar for over a decade.

As chief creative officer, he played a vital role in shaping the agency's creative direction and has been instrumental in delivering innovative solutions for clients across various industries in multiple markets, including as Tecnos global brand agency that saw the group roll out its Stop at Nothing campaign in several countries in South America, Africa, Central Europe and Asia.

An exciting chapter in our journey

M+N chairman, Zibusiso Mkhwanazi, expressed confidence in both Ngubane and Ireland, emphasising the company's commitment to growth and creativity.

"These leadership changes represent an exciting chapter in our journey. Philip's creative brilliance and entrepreneurial mindset make him the perfect choice to lead our creative team into the future.

At the same time, as a co-founder, Veli has been instrumental in shaping our creative vision, and I have no doubt that he will excel in his new role as chief growth officer.
In the sprawling landscapes of rural South Africa, beauty is often contrasted by harsh realities. One such reality is the lack of access to clean drinking water, a crisis that disproportionately affects children. According to staggering data, one in five deaths among South African children under the age of five is due to diarrhoea 1 . It's a sobering fact that calls for immediate action. That's why Hoorah is proud to have conceptualised and executed the Enterogermina 5th Child campaign in collaboration with Sanofi, the makers of Enterogermina - the world's leading over-the-counter probiotic* and Save the Children South Africa.

A campaign with a heart and purpose

The Enterogermina 5th Child campaign transcends traditional advertising. It's a life-changing initiative aimed at making real-world impact by supporting a worthy cause: For every pack of Enterogermina, R20 is earmarked to bring clean water solutions to the most vulnerable communities in South Africa.

Together with Save The Children South Africa, Sanofi has installed 22 JoJo tanks and 22 handwashing stations at early childhood development (ECD) centres and schools in KZN communities, which directly impacted the lives and health of 52,071 people.

The campaign invites you to meet the "5th child". This character serves as a poignant representation of the countless young lives at risk due to waterborne diseases. Through storytelling, the 5th child shares their daily experiences  going to school, spending time with family  only to reveal the grim end of their day: drinking contaminated water. The campaign leaves you with a deep, emotional connection and the clear message: This is a problem we can and must solve.

The power of integrated storytelling

Hoorah, known for our innovative approach to digital storytelling, has crafted a comprehensive media strategy for this cause. Utilising multiple channels  from social media ads to video content  weve not only spread awareness but also driven significant fundraising. The campaign's success lies in its ability to humanise the statistics. Weve made it nearly impossible to look away, igniting a collective call to action that's far more compelling than facts and figures alone.

Changing lives, one pack at a time

Already, the campaign is yielding transformative results. Funds raised are directly contributing to the installation of clean water systems in KZNs informal areas, providing a critical lifeline to the communities in KZN that have long suffered from water insecurity  especially after the floods in 2022. But this is just the beginning. As more and more people participate, the impact grows exponentially.

A collective effort

We are immensely proud of what the Enterogermina 5th Child campaign has achieved so far, but we also know that real change takes a collective effort. For every pack of Enterogermina, R20 is donated to bring clean water solutions to the most vulnerable communities in South Africa. To find out more, visit our campaign page and follow along as we strive to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need.

We invite you to be a part of this journey. Together, we can rewrite the stories of thousands of children, offering them a chance at a healthier, happier life.

Thank you for your support, and for making the Enterogermina 5th Child campaign an exemplar of whats possible when creativity meets compassion.

#Sanofi #EnterogerminaZA #5thChildCampaign #1in5Children #CleanWaterForAll #SaveTheChildren #HoorahDigital

Visit our website  https://hoorahgroup.com/

References

*Nicholas Hall's Global OTC database, B6, 2022.

1. Awotione, O.F., et al. 2016. Systematic review: Diarrhoea in children under five years of age in South Africa (1997-2014). Tropical Medicine and International Health, 21(9), 1060-1070.

Legals

S0 Enterogermina 2 billion/5 ml, each 5 ml vial contains 2 billion polyantibiotic-resistant Bacillus clausii spores (strains SIN, O/C, T, N/R). Class D: Complementary Medicine: Health supplement  34.9 Probiotics. This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use. For full patient information refer to the patient information leaflet. S0 Enterogermina 4 billion/5 ml, each 5 ml vial contains 4 billion polyantibiotic-resistant Bacillus clausii spores (strains SIN,O/C, T, N/R). Class D: Complementary Medicine: Health supplement  34.9 Probiotics. This unregistered medicine has not been evaluated by the SAHPRA for its quality, safety or intended use. For full patient information refer to the patient information leaflet. Opella Healthcare South Africa (Pty) Ltd, Reg. no.: 2020/176440/07. 4th Floor, Building I, Hertford Office Park, 90 Bekker Road, Midrand, 1652. Tel: (011) 256 3700. www.sanofi.co.za. MAT-ZA-2300837-1.0-09/2023




With its burgeoning technology landscape, Africa stands poised at a confluence of innovation and partnership characterised by rapid digital transformation and a desire for sustainable growth - setting the stage for a vibrant channel ecosystem.

Yesh Surjoodeen, managing director for HP Southern Africa. Image supplied

This dynamic interplay, nurtured by a continent historically rooted in community and collaboration, is being driven by a new breed of African consumers who are increasingly discerning in their choices and redefining the narrative for businesses across the spectrum.

Recent studies suggest that over two-thirds of African consumers now prioritise sustainability and community impact over cost. This shift is not just a nod to the changing consumer landscape - it is an embodiment of Africa's spirit, where community and sustainability are deeply interwoven.

Corporations are not mere entities here; they are custodians of this spirit. They have a profound duty to the communities they operate in and the environment at large. Joining hands with like-minded partners amplifies their impact, fostering an environment where sustainability and business growth are not just parallel tracks, but intersecting trajectories.

In this collaborative spirit, an overwhelming majority of partners are choosing to pool and share data. Partners harnessing data-driven insights in the African channel ecosystem are not only scaling faster but are also crafting experiences tailored to the unique needs of the African market.

On their own, businesses might find their data pool limited, making it challenging to spot significant patterns or insights. However, by collaborating and pooling data resources, partners can derive deeper insights and make more informed decisions, reinforcing the assertion that in Africas digital landscape, data-centric collaboration is the key to success.

A change in the way businesses operate

The shift to digital platforms in Africa, and across the globe, has also triggered a monumental change in the way businesses operate, prompting them to gear up for what lies ahead. Given the complex landscape of Africas digital evolution, many businesses are seeking refuge in advanced channel partner programmes.

These initiatives are not merely tools but crucial blueprints, designed to instil flexibility, streamline processes, promote expansion, and encourage teamwork. These programmes function as beacons, helping businesses adapt not only to the technological demands but also to the preferences of the continent's youth - a demographic powerhouse ready to engage with businesses that echo their digital fluency and socio-environmental consciousness.

Initiatives such as HP Amplify Impact play a pivotal role in fostering a forward-thinking channel environment. Setting a unique precedent, HP Amplify Impact offers partners an evaluative framework, tools, and training to catalyse positive transformation, positioning sustainability as a key differentiator.

Within just over a year, partners associated with this programme have clinched over 7,000 transactions where sustainability was a deciding factor, underscoring the profound influence of collaborations rooted in shared purpose.

Considering the immense value in fortifying its partners, HP also rolled out an array of enhanced features and benefits within the framework of the programme. These pioneering steps are tailored to hone skills, encourage synergies among participants, and elevate overall performance.

Yet, navigating this landscape is not without its hurdles.

Overcoming challenges

Connectivity disparities, infrastructural challenges, and cyber threats present considerable obstacles and there is also the task of nurturing the technical prowess and skill sets needed to keep pace with rapid technological advancements. However, it is in facing these challenges head-on that solutions tailored to Africa's unique ecosystem emerge.

Advanced training programmes, investments in secure digital infrastructure, and embracing hybrid models that merge online and offline approaches offer a path forward.

Moreover, knowledge-sharing workshops and cross-border collaborations can further act as catalysts, turning potential roadblocks into avenues of opportunity.

The journey through Africa's channel ecosystem is about harnessing the collective strength of partnerships, celebrating successes, learning from setbacks, and moving forward with a shared vision that is deeply rooted in Africa's heritage and forward-looking in its ambitions.

With a forward-thinking perspective and the support of innovative partner programmes, African enterprises can not only navigate present-day hurdles, but also emerge stronger and more resilient and successful.
In a remarkable twist of fate, Johannesburg, emerged as the global leader in making property ownership more attainable for its local residents since 2018, according to a comprehensive study conducted by UK-based Online Mortgage Advisor.

This groundbreaking research delved into the intricate interplay between ever-fluctuating house prices and the average salaries of full-time employees across 219 global cities. The findings were nothing short of astonishing.

The analysis was two-fold. First, it sought to determine which cities witnessed the most significant increase in property affordability for their citizens. To measure this, researchers compared the amount of square meters of property an average full-time employee could afford in 2018 with what they could afford in 2022. Astonishingly, Johannesburg emerged as the undisputed champion in this category.

But the study didn't stop there. It also investigated the alarming issue of local workers being priced out of their rental markets. To gauge this, they examined how much property prices had outpaced local wages during the same period. The metric for this analysis compared each city's average monthly net salary to the average rental cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre.

In this aspect, Cape Town led the way by becoming the most affordable city for renters, as workers spent a remarkable 14.85% less of their salary on rent compared to 2018. Johannesburg, while excelling in property affordability, also demonstrated a 6.7% decrease in rental costs relative to income, signifying that rent had become cheaper in relative terms for its residents. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Port Elizabeth proved to be the unfortunate outlier, with workers there now shelling out a staggering 22.6% more of their income on rent during the same period.

The methodology behind this groundbreaking study was meticulous, with data gathered from Numbeo for each city in the analysis. For property affordability, researchers compared the average price per square metre of a flat in the city centre to the average annual take-home wage in both 2018 and 2022. Meanwhile, for rental affordability, they scrutinised the average monthly take-home pay in each city against the average cost of renting a one-square-metre flat in the city centre to calculate the ratio change between 2018 and 2022.

This extensive research took into consideration crucial metrics, such as the price of a one-bedroom flat in a city centre, the average monthly take-home wage (post-tax deductions), the price per square metre for purchasing property in a city centre, and the cost of renting a one-bedroom flat in a city centre. It encompassed 219 cities worldwide for property purchasing power and 422 cities for rental data.

The results not only provide valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between property prices and wages but also shine a light on how certain cities, like Johannesburg and Cape Town, are actively working to make homeownership and rental housing more accessible to their citizens. In a world where housing affordability is a critical issue, these cities serve as beacons of hope for those seeking a place to call home without breaking the bank.
The Drakensberg Boys Choir School is excited to announce that they will showcase their talents to an international audience for their upcoming tour to Mauritius from 17 to 24 September 2023. The Drakensberg Boys Choir is a South African treasure and brings diverse music lovers the most beautiful music across classic choral, contemporary African and entertaining afro-pop genres.

"The Drakensberg Boys Choir is delighted to be travelling and performing for international audiences again. The choir is excited and looks forward to experiencing the rich heritage and cultural diversity of Mauritius, also known as the pearl of the Indian Ocean," states DBCS executive head Dave Cato.

The Drakensberg Boys Choir Mauritius Tour promises to be a true island highlight for local Mauritian audiences and the many international visitors. The tour highlights will include performances at the Caudan Arts Centre on 19 and 20 September, the South African Chamber of Commerce in Mauritius Gala Event on 21 September, and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute on 22 and 23 September. Brand South Africa, the national flagship marketing organisation of the Republic of South Africa, proudly supports the tour.

The Drakensberg Boys' Choir, also fondly known as Drakies, is blessed and fortunate to bring choral and music lovers across the globe the most beautiful and entertaining music, either through live performances, streaming or recordings of their outstanding work. "Music is the ministry of the Drakensberg Boys Choir, states Cato.

He highlights that the school's internationally acclaimed programme combines the art of choral singing and performance with rigorous academic training. The boys who leave DBCS do so as well-adjusted young men who are adequately equipped to face the challenges of their late high school years and beyond. One of the highlights of the choir's proud 57-year history was an invitation from Pope John Paul II to perform in St Peter's Square in 1983. The choir also performed for the first president of democratic South Africa, Mr Nelson Mandela, on top of a unique location in the majestic Drakensberg, a South African world heritage site. The choir was the first South African cultural group to perform behind the Iron Curtain in 1985. Drakensberg Boys Choir also performed at the American Choral Directors' Association Congress 2007.

"We are very excited to go on tour and to extend our concert programme after our recent successful concerts. The recent Johannesburg Music in the City 2023 at the Joburg Theatre was a resounding success and included a special performance at the invitation of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation to celebrate the former presidents 81st birthday," says Vaughan Van Zyl, artistic director, Drakensberg Boys Choir School. "We have a diversified programme catering for many tastes with a range from classical choral work to popular contemporary and energetic afro-pop works," he adds.

It was an honour for the Drakensberg Boys Choir to be welcomed by the South African High Commissioner Her Excellency Dr Hlamalani Nelly Manzini at the airport

The tour programme's first half includes classic choral works like Mozart's first movement from Regina Coeli in B flat major, Eric Whitacre's Fly to Paradise and Amigos Para Siempre, the official song of the 1992 Summer Olympics. After the interval, the Afro Pop second half tells the story of South Africas journey through music. A lively, authentically South African set comprises the second half, where they perform unique arrangements of well-known hits by, among others, Miriam Makeba, Mango Groove, Johnny Clegg and songs from Ipi Ntombi and The Lion King. The audience is encouraged to sing along, get out of their seats and enjoy the spirit and vibe of South African music with us.

Since its establishment, the Drakensberg Boys Choir School has seen many different conductors and delivered many successful musicians from the boys who have passed through its doors. The school consists of approximately eighty boys, from Grade 4 to Grade 9, selected through auditions held across South Africa. Each day, the boys have a full range of academic lessons, various music subjects, and two hours of choir rehearsals.

The Drakensberg Boys Choir School (DBCS) builds character and develops boys to harness the gift of music to bring hope, impact and positive change in South Africa and beyond. We offer a unique, complete and diverse schooling experience that will forever change every Drakie boy's life by being part of this centre of excellence," Cato adds. DBCS builds resilience, grows relationships, and fosters global ambassadors with music as the tool to spread its message of hope, he says. "We are proud of the young men the school produces, and the benefits of choral music as part of the educational curriculum are well known. As evidence of this, our boys regularly win scholarships and are sought after by high-calibre schools when they leave after grade nine," concludes Cato.




Saudi Arabia, the EU (European Union) and the World Bank are all urging Israel to accept a peace deal with the Palestinians that includes an independent Palestinian state. None of these proposals address the Palestinian demands that Israel must be destroyed before there can be peace. Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza are the two Palestinian governments and disagree on many issues but both agree that Israel must be destroyed and Jews expelled from the region before there can be peace. In the meantime, Hamas and Fatah both encourage violence against Israelis and a growing number of Palestinians comply. Outsiders like the Saudis, EU and World Bank dismiss or trivialize the realities that Israel faces from Palestinian violence. They also assume that Hamas and Fatah can prevent their radical factions from violently disrupting any outside peace efforts. Some foreign donor nations, especially Moslem nations, are aware of the reality of the situation but keep silent. Contradicting the Saudis, EU and World Bank by pointing out the reality of the situation is ignored. What cannot be ignored by Israel is the growing Palestinian violence.

During the last six months there has been more violence in the West Bank that required Israel forces to deal with. At first it was armed Palestinian groups fighting each other for dominance while organizing attacks on Israelis or in Israel itself. This led to a degree of fighting in the West Bank not seen since 2021 may be the start of a new Palestinian offensive or intifada. This would be the third one. The first lasted from 1987 to 1993 while the second one was from 2000 to 2005.

Israel defeated the 2000 Intifada terror campaign by 2005. But as long as Palestinians had free access to Israel, Palestinian government (Fatah) urged and encouraged Palestinians to attempt attacks inside Israel. The Israelis responded with tighter border controls which kept the terrorist threat low in Israel. Fatah insisted they had a right to keep trying to kill Israelis and, for over a decade, Arab and Western nations kept providing aid to the West Bank and Gaza despite the fact that more and more of it was used to support and encourage more terrorism against Israel. Some Palestinian leaders tried to describe the violence as an effort to defend Islam. The Palestinians were not very religious and their violence against Israelis was justified by their belief that Israel must be destroyed and Israelis driven from the region.

There were other problems, mainly involving corruption. This has led more donor states, Moslem and non-Moslem, to openly complain of Fatah misuse of aid money. Fatah denied it and continued their corrupt ways. The donors cut their aid, often to nothing. It was not just the Fatah support of terrorism but the growing Fatah corruption which meant a lot of the aid was stolen to enrich Fatah leaders. Palestinians also opposed the Fatah policy and Fatah was forced to tolerate more and more Palestinians renouncing terror to pass the background check and work in Israel. West Bank Palestinian jobs in Israel have become a crucial part of the West Bank economy even more so than they were back in 2000.

The post-2000 ban on Palestinian workers was unpopular with many Israeli employers, but the threat was so great that Israeli employers had to pay more to import and hire non-Moslem foreigners for as long as there was a threat that Palestinian workers were likely to try and kill Israelis. Both Israel and the former or potential Palestinian workers knew that a growing number of those Palestinian workers could be trusted to work in Israel. Those who violated that trust faced prison or worse if they played any part in an attack. Anyone associated with these untrustworthy Palestinians had a more difficult time getting permits to work in Israel. The growth in the number of trustworthy Palestinian workers was something neither Israel nor Fatah wanted to publicize lest the Islamic radicals declare war on Palestinians working or seeking to work in Israel. This might trigger a civil war in the West Bank, something Fatah did not want but the radicals were less opposed to. There are Palestinian factions that believe chaos in the West Bank would spread to Israel and weaken Israeli power. This is a minority belief that ignores the Israeli ability to organize effective responses to Palestinian violence. Life inside Israel is peaceful, most Palestinians wish they had a similar situation, and they would be correct if not for the endless supply of radical factions insisting violence is the solution.

For example, Hamas does not care about any form of collateral damage from forcing Palestinians working in Israel to cooperate with terrorists. Most Palestinians recognize that Hamas is hard-core about attacking Israel, which is why Hamas has had a hard time gaining political traction in the West Bank. Palestinians know that Hamas policies produce more poverty and casualties for Palestinians. The only thing that got Hamas control of Gaza during the last Palestinian elections in 2007 was the belief that Hamas would be less corrupt than Fatah. That was true in 2007 but became less so ever since. Hamas forbids working in Israel and punishes anyone who protests about Hamas corruption.

West Bank violence between Palestinians and Israelis living in the many Jewish settlements has been on the increase for over a decade. The upsurge in violence is the result of the Palestinian leadership calling for another intifada (uprising) in 2013. This was a side-effect of the rebellion in Syria and the Arab Spring in general. While some Palestinian leaders call for another uprising (intifada), most Palestinians, especially the older ones (over 30), fear the economic consequences of that and warn the pro-intifada radicals that there is not a lot of popular support for another round of violence. Israel has shown they know how to handle this at little cost to themselves and great cost to the Palestinians.

All this is complicated by persistent American efforts to achieve a negotiated peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The Palestinian peace talks never made much progress. The talks were held at the insistence of the U.S., which threatened to cut aid if the talks did not happen. American leaders are aware of Palestinian attitudes on peace with Israel but the U.S. still assumes that a peace deal is possible if you keep trying. Thats one definition of insanity, continuing to make the same policies work and failing. For years Palestinian leaders have agreed with give peace talks a chance approach when speaking to Western leaders and reporters but they then turn around and tell their followers that, of course, Israel must be destroyed and that there is no other solution.

For most Western leaders the disunity, corruption and general chaos within the Palestinian community is seen as a larger problem than a peace deal. That may be true, but without a positive attitude towards a peace deal, there wont be any peace. Despite all this, for over a decade many Palestinians have been talking about a Third Intifada as if more civil disorder will change anything. Peace is not on the agenda. Most Israelis and Americans agree. Even without a new intifada, casual violence in the West Bank kept increasing. This usually takes the form of young men throwing stones at Israeli soldiers or civilians. Israeli women and children are the preferred targets because they are the least likely to shoot back if the rocks begin to inflict injuries. Palestinian propaganda praises those who kill children just as much as those who killed soldiers or police. All are heroes of the Palestinian struggle to destroy Israel. This is becoming embarrassing for some Western nations when it was pointed out that their aid money was being used directly for some of this propaganda.

The recent West Bank violence was the result of Israeli security forces shutting down a major Palestinian effort to recruit, train and arm hundreds of Palestinians to carry out attacks against Israelis living in the West Bank as well as in Jerusalem and Israel in general. The Palestinian terrorism operation was real as Israeli troops encountered armed resistance as they approached locations where weapons and munitions were stored, and newly recruited Palestinians were trained and armed. These operations were shut down, but only after fighting between Israeli troops and armed Palestinians. Once the fighting is over the weapons and munitions are disposed of and the Israeli troops withdraw, taking Palestinian suspects with them. Israeli troops are wounded and at least one has been killed in these operations. This sort of thing had not been seen in the West Bank since 2002. Until recently Palestinian security forces kept the peace in the West Bank. The current growth of terrorist activity in the West Bank can be attributed to Gaza-based and Iran-supported terror group Hamas. There have been increasing Hamas efforts to establish operations in the West Bank. Most West Bank Palestinians want no part of this because similar activity in Gaza has brought nothing but poverty and trouble to the Palestinians living there.

The disruptive impact of small groups of radicals is a long tradition in the Middle East, especially after Islam was introduced over a thousand years ago. Islam is the only major religion whose scripture mandates continuous violence against infidels (non-believers). The Islamic scriptures make it clear that the mere existence of infidels is a threat to Islam and these infidels must be attacked, no matter what the cost. Most Moslems ignore this aspect of their religion, at the risk of being declared a heretic if conservative Moslems near them decide to get violent and go jihad (war on) against any Infidels within reach. Many Moslems, including Gulf oil state Arab governments are openly seeking a way to reform Islam and eliminate this flaw which has been crippling Islam and killing Moslems for over a thousand years. This is a serious effort and one reason for making peace with Israel. The Islamic militants in Gaza and the West Bank oppose efforts to give peace a chance.

September 16, 2023: There 15.7 million Jews worldwide, with 7.2 million in Israel. This is nearly half the worldwide population. Most, j.2 million, of the 8.5 million Jews outside of Israel are in the United States. In the Middle East Israel has established peaceful relationships with a growing number of Moslem nations. Israel has long possessed the most dynamic and prosperous economy in the region. Israel also maintains the most powerful military in the region. Israel is the only nation in the region with nuclear weapons and the ability to deliver them via ballistic missiles or submarine launched cruise missiles. Most Arab states see Israel as a useful ally against the growing Iranian threat. The primary exception to this trend is the Palestinians, who believe that peace with Israel is no longer an option and that Israel had to be destroyed. But, to keep the foreign aid coming, mostly from the West, non-Arab media are told that peace negotiations with Israel will continue. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators go through the motions of agreeing to seek a peace treaty. It is official, and well publicized, Palestinian policy to use such negotiations to weaken and ultimately destroy Israel, not to achieve any real peace. The U.S. insists that talks take place periodically anyway and threatens to withhold substantial foreign aid from both Israel and Palestinians if negotiations do not happen every few years. In 2017 the U.S. said they were out of patience and told the Palestinians they either make a peace deal or see most of their foreign aid disappear. The aid had already been shrinking. That plus the Americans moved their Israel embassy to Jerusalem. Only four other nations have their embassies in Jerusalem while, while most nations will not defy Arab opposition to foreign embassies to Israel moving to Jerusalem and keep them in Tel Aviv, the Israeli capital since the 1960s. In 1980 Israel passed a law that confirmed Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The Palestinians also claim Jerusalem as the capital of their non-existent state. Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world and was founded over 4,000 years ago by the common ancestors of Arabs and Jews. Palestinians ignore that common origin and insist Jews are alien invaders. Foreign empires, mainly Persian (Iranian) or Egyptian (Arab), tried to deport the Jews from Israel to what is now Iraq or Egypt. Most of these exiles maintained their Jewish identity and returned to Jerusalem and Israel.

Palestinians deny this history of Jews in the area and were by decades of support from other Arab countries. While the Arabs have never been able to defeat Israel militarily they have achieved more success spending billions to turn Western public opinion against Jews in general and Israel in particular. Recent opinion surveys indicate that Palestinian propaganda has convinced hundreds of millions people worldwide that Israelis are the new Nazis because they refuse to give in to the demands of the Palestinians for a separate Palestinian state in the region. What Palestinian leaders and Palestinian media tell Palestinians is that Israel must be destroyed. Palestinians are more moderate in non-Arabic media where they settle for coexistence. Most foreigners ignore the Palestinian Israel must be destroyed attitude and turn to their traditional anti-Semitism. This is a problem because that anti-Semitism is violently practiced by the rapidly growing Moslem population in Europe against a rapidly shrinking Jewish population. But back in the Middle East the attitude shifts have gone against the Palestinians.

As a result of all this more and more Israelis are calling for everyone to agree that efforts to implement a two-state solution did not work. This disappoints many because in the early 1990s there was a lot more optimism. Back then the humiliation suffered by Yasser Arafat and his PLO (Palestinian Liberation Organization) at the hands of Israelis in Lebanon during Operation "Peace for Galilee" in 1982 effectively ejected Arafat's armed group from the country and went a long way towards paving the way for negotiations and the Oslo Accords in 1993. This ended the PLO's armed campaign and began years of futile peace talks. Instead of a separate Palestinian state many Israelis wanted Jordan to take back the West Bank and Egypt to take back Gaza. Neither Jordan nor Egypt wanted the Palestinians, who have, since 1993, demonstrated an inability to govern themselves and alienated a growing number of their Arab supporters.

The Palestinian efforts to destroy Israel have backfired in a big way and now the two organizations that control the Palestinians (Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza) are losing the financial and diplomatic support they have enjoyed for over half a century. The cause of this calamity is the inability of the Palestinians to form a united and effective government. Instead, they have suffered under decades of corrupt and ineffective leaders that led, in 2005, to a split with Islamic radicals (Hamas) taking control of Gaza while Fatah continued to rule the West Bank. Both factions agree on a few things; Israel must be destroyed and violence is justified to get it done. Fatah was more willing to pretend it would negotiate a peace deal with Israel but has proved to be as intransigent as Hamas about actually doing so. Fatah now openly admits it shares the Hamas attitude that peace is not possible with Israel and the only solution is the destruction of Israel. Despite many opportunities to negotiate a peaceful solution, the radical Arab factions intervene. The Palestinian policy seems to be; never miss and opportunity to miss an opportunity. All societies have a radical faction that demands unworkable solutions. The radicals must be controlled before solutions can be achieved. Israel has radicals that want to expel Arabs in Israel and annex most of the West Bank. Israel ignores their radicals while Palestinians submit to the demands of their radicals.

The Palestinian problem was invented by Arab countries when Israel declared independence in 1948. Arab nations refused to accept that and absorb the many Moslems who fled from the newly created Israel on the promise of the Arab nations soon mobilizing sufficient military strength to destroy Israel, drive the Jews out and allow the refugees to return home. That never happened and it was quickly recognized that there was a serious refugee problem. The UN established a program to take care of these refugees but in a very unusual move the 750,000 original and later called Palestinian. refugees were allowed to pass on their refugee status to their children. No other refugee group was allowed to do that by the UN and now there are calls from major donor nations, especially the U.S., which has paid for most of that special treatment from the beginning, to rescind that rule. About the same number of Jews were driven out of Moslem countries after 1948 and they were all accepted and absorbed by other nations, mainly Israel and the U.S. Since 1947 the number of Palestinian refugees has grown to five million and Arab states continue to refuse to absorb them. Many Palestinians have managed to find acceptance and citizenship in other nations, especially those that are not Moslem majority ones. Despite that, few Palestinians have renounced their right to be hereditary refugees. This situation was all about Arabs believing they had the right to decide who can live in Moslem territories and for them Israel was a major offense. This is nothing new. Moslems had been driving infidels out of Islamic nations for a long time. This has not worked with Israel and the Moslem world in general takes this as a great offense. That was the attitude for many decades but nothing changed. In the 1960s those Arab refugees rebranded themselves as Palestinians and began seeking what their Arab sponsors had promised them, a home of their own.

Since 2005 the Arab donors have become increasingly disenchanted with the Palestinians. Even by Middle Eastern standards the corruption, ineffective government, ingratitude and double dealing of the Palestinians had become intolerable. The Palestinians ignored years of warnings from their Arab backers after they failed to maintain a united Palestinian government. This wasted a lot of the Arab aid money and the corruption among Palestinian politicians became too obvious, excessive and embarrassing even for Arab backers, who had their own problems with corruption. This was compounded by the Palestinian inability to make peace with the Israelis, who had made lasting deals with Jordan and Egypt and unofficial ones with a growing number of other Arab states. Worse, the Palestinians were saying to their own people, and the Arab world, that they had no intention of making peace and were dedicated to destroying Israel. This was only said in Arabic and it was only a matter of time before these print, radio and TV pronouncements were translated and became known to the rest of the world. During the last decade it has become common knowledge in non-Moslem states. The result is that now the Palestinians have few friends in the West except for anti-Semites and some leftist groups. Worse, there is less foreign aid, which is all that kept the Palestinian scams going. At this point the Palestinians have run out of affluent donors who are willing to give. The Palestinian leaders who ran this scam for decades have no easy or safe, for themselves, way to change tactics without admitting responsibility for the mess. It used to be said that the Palestinian situation could not get worse but Palestinian leaders regularly defied that prediction and found a way to make things worse in ways no one expected.

September 13, 2023: In Gaza six Palestinians were killed while trying to place a bomb next to the Gaza side of the border fence. The explosion wounded 25 Gaza civilians. Apparently the bomb detonated prematurely. Gazans have been once more holding demonstrations along the fence, this time to mark the 19th year since Israel withdrew all its troops from Gaza. Radical group Hamas soon took control of Gaza and called for actions to attack and destroy Israel. The fence then went up and was guarded by Israeli forces.

In Syria, Israeli air strikes hit air defense systems in the north (Tartus) that killed two Syrian soldiers. Later in the day another attack hit military targets in the north (Hama.)

September 12, 2023: An August 7 Israeli air strike near Damascus apparently killed a Syrian army officer who was working on a project that would enable Hezbollah in Lebanon to launch another missile attack into Israel using some new Iranian technology. Israel is generally successful in detecting and launching airstrikes on Iranian weapons shipments into Syria or moving through Syria to Lebanon. Iranian technology transfers to Syria or Hezbollah are more difficult to detect, which is why Israel launches air strikes in Syria against any sight where new Iranian tech is being installed. Syria has several military bases where such work is carried out and Israel attacks these bases whenever they suspect something is going on.

September 11, 2023: In the West Bank several Israeli raids to arrest terrorism suspects ran into resistance, the arrests were made but there was some armed resistance and two locals were killed and several wounded.

September 9, 2023: In the West Bank a Palestinian threw a fire bomb at some Israel soldiers, who fired back and killed the attacker. None of the soldiers were hurt.

September 5, 2023: In the West Bank, an Israeli raid to arrest Palestinians suspected to terrorist activity ran into some armed opposition and one Palestinian was killed while 17 were arrested.

September 1, 2023: In Lebanon (Beirut) Iranian officials met with Lebanese and Hezbollah leaders about supplying these groups with more weapons and UAVs to be used against Israel as well as opponents in Lebanon and Syria. Israel regularly locates and uses air strikes to attack Iranian weapons moved into Syria and Lebanon. Iran also wants to arm Palestinian militias in the West Bank so they can take on Israeli forces.

August 31, 2023: In the West Bank, an Israeli raid to seize weapons and locally made bombs ran into some resistance. One Palestinian opened fire and was killed. At least seven Palestinians were arrested and numerous weapons and munitions seized.

August 30, 2023: In the West Bank, a Palestinian driver ran his car into some Israeli soldiers. The Israelis fired on the car, wounding the driver before arresting him. One Israeli soldier was killed.

August 28, 2023: In northern Syria (Aleppo) an Israeli airstrike damaged airport facilities and halted flight activities for at least two days as repairs were made. Attacks on commercial airports are seen as a way to halt or slow down Iranian use of commercial air transports to deliver high-tech weapons to Syria. These airstrikes are delivered by Israeli warplanes operating off the coast and firing high-speed air-to-ground missiles at the airports.

August 20, 2023: Israel, South Korea and the United States were all actively seeking a suitable replacement for the thousands of M113 APCs (armored personnel carriers) each used. All three nations still use lots of M113s. About 10,000 M113s are still in use worldwide and the U.S., South Korea and Israel account for more than half of them. Everyone wanted a more effective but still affordable replacement. The U.S. settled on a support version of the M2 IFV. South Korea developed the K21 to replace the M113 in combat and the 16-ton 6x6 K806 to replace the M113 for non-IFV functions. A larger version of this vehicle, the 8x8 K808 is similar to the American Stryker. The U.S. considered a Stryker variant as a M-113 replacement but found that this vehicle could not keep up with M1 tanks and M2 IFV while traveling cross-country in a combat situation. Since AMPVs will comprise about 30 percent of the armored vehicles in an armored brigade that became the deciding factor for the AMPV.

In 2016 Israel selected the Eitan, an 8x8 wheeled APC. Eitan relies on new technologies to keep its weight under 35 tons and eliminate the cost to build and maintain tracked vehicle technology. Eitan also provides an affordable, well protected and more reliable APC than heavier and more expensive proposals. The Eitan used new types of lightweight armor and the Trophy APS (Active Protection System) for defense against RPGs (an unguided rocket propelled grenade fired from a metal tube balanced on the shoulder) and ATGMs (Anti-Tank Guided Missile). New mechanical and electronic technologies enable the Eitan to handle off-road movement as well as a tracked vehicle. That concept had to be field tested extensively, which is why Israel first built Eitan prototypes to test mobility, protection and general usefulness. Eitan passed those tests. The new lightweight armor designs and Trophy have already been tested in combat. Trophy was first used in combat during 2011 and several times since. It has worked consistently. APS consists of a radar to detect incoming missiles and small rockets to rush out and deal with the incoming threat. A complete system weighs about a ton. Eitan will have a remotely (from inside the vehicle) controlled 30mm or 40mm autocannon and carry a crew of two and twelve passengers. The Eitan will mainly replace Israeli M113s by the end of the 2020s and cost about 20 percent less than the AMPV.
As matric exams draw near, learners are eager to find answers about these assessments. To assist with this, the team at FundiConnect has compiled a list of answers to the top five frequently asked questions (FAQs) about matric exams.

1. What are the matric exams in South Africa?

Matric exams, short for matriculation examinations, are the final high school examinations in South Africa, equivalent to Grade 12 exams in many other countries. These exams play a pivotal role as they are the gateway to obtaining a national senior certificate (NSC), unlocking opportunities for higher education and employment.

2. When do the matric exams start and end?

Matric exams typically begin in October - NSC Timetable.pdf?ver=2023-07-19-121957-547 October or November each year, with specific dates varying slightly from year to year. For those scheduled to take matric exams in 2023, the journey commences on Monday, 30 October 2023, with English Home Language, Second Language, and First Additional Language exams. The concluding dates depend on the subjects selected, and learners must consult the official examination timetable.

3. What is a bachelor's pass in matric?

Achieving a bachelor's pass in matric entails obtaining a national senior certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 40% in the home language and three other subjects. Additionally, learners must secure at least 30% in two additional subjects. It's essential to verify specific entry requirements for tertiary institutions.

4. What happens if you miss a matric exam?

Missing a matric exam doesn't have to spell the end. Learners have the opportunity to try again through whats known as a supplementary exam. The application process is straightforward:

Learners must obtain the supplementary exam application form from their high school or local district and provincial education offices. They can also request it via email from the Department of Education.



Alternatively, learners can register online through the South African e-Service portal.



Learners need to prepare the necessary documents and clearly specify the subjects they need to rewrite.



They will then need to submit the completed form to the Department of Basic Education.



Finally, learners will then await their admission letter in the mailbox, which will provide details about the supplementary exam dates and locations.

To pass the matric rewrite, learners will need to aim to score at least 50%. It's their opportunity to secure that matric passing grade.

5. Can you rewrite matric exams?

Learners who didn't pass your matric exams on their first attempt can most certainly rewrite their matric exams. Several institutions offer matric rewrite programmes to help you improve your grades, including:

Department of Education: Through the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP), learners under 21 can redo matric subjects. Successful completion leads to either a senior certificate (SC) or national senior certificate (NSC).



Through the Second Chance Matric Programme (SCMP), learners under 21 can redo matric subjects. Successful completion leads to either a senior certificate (SC) or national senior certificate (NSC). Elroi Academy: This institution offers distance education for matric rewrites, catering to different groups of learners.



This institution offers distance education for matric rewrites, catering to different groups of learners. Matric College: Designed for those aged 21 and older, Matric College offers distance learning courses, allowing learners to earn an accredited matric certificate.

Regardless of your circumstances, there is a pathway to success, whether it's retaking exams or exploring alternative educational opportunities.

Matric exams represent a pivotal moment in a student's academic journey. By addressing these FAQs and tapping into available support, South African matric students can approach their exams with confidence, resilience, and the determination to succeed.

For more information, visit www.fundiconnect.co.za. You can also follow FundiConnect on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.




Subscribe to daily business and company news across 19 industries

SUBSCRIBE
by Sean Adl-Tabatabai

Some of the worlds most powerful people are panicking following news that the real Epstein list of elite pedophiles has been leaked online.

As Bidens DOJ continues to block the client list of Epstein, investigators have released new names of VIP pedophiles connected to the child sex trafficker.

New York magazine has painstakingly compiled a list of VIP pedophiles known to have met with Epstein who do not appear in his infamous little black book:

Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black

Bard College president Leon Botstein

Google co-founder Sergey Brin

CIA Director William Burns

Professor Noam Chomsky, whose meetings with Epstein included a dinner with director Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn

Former U.S. Virgin Islands first lady Cecile de Jongh, who is accused of helping Epstein get visas for his alleged victims

Bill Gates, whose ties to Epstein have been well known for years

FedEx board member Joshua Cooper Ramo

Former diplomat Terje Rd-Larsen

Edmond de Rothschild Group chairwoman Ariane de Rothschild

Goldman Sachs general counsel Kathryn Ruemmler

JPMorgan executive Jes Staley

Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers

PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel

Slaynews.com reports: New Yorks list also includes Prince Andrew and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

However, Andrew and Baraks names do in fact appear in Epsteins black book.

In April, the Wall Street Journal reported in April that Epsteins calendar was packed.

On one day alone, Sept. 8, 2014, he had scheduled meetings with Gates, Black, Ruemmler, and Botstein, as well as with Hyatt Hotels chairman Thomas Pritzker, media owner Mortimer Zuckerman, and adviser Barnaby Marsh.

The previously unreported documents reviewed by the Journal include thousands of pages of emails and schedules dating from 2013 to 2017.

The Times said it had obtained Epsteins schedules through a public records request to the attorney general for the U.S. Virgin Islands, which had sued Mr. Epsteins estate.

Several of the power players identified in the documents gave statements to the Journal.

The CIA said Burns did not know anything about Epstein and that the two had no relationship.

Summers said he deeply regrets being in contact with Epstein after his [2008] conviction.

Meanwhile, Ruemmler said, I regret ever knowing Jeffrey Epstein.

A Goldman Sachs spokesperson added that Ruemmlers relationship with Epstein was professional.

Barak acknowledged that he often met with Epstein, but never with girls or minors, or even adult women in improper context.

The Edmond de Rothschild Group, which had previously claimed Ariane de Rothschild had no connection to Epstein, admitted that that claim was inaccurate.

The organization said de Rothschild was  unaware of any questions regarding his personal conduct when she met with him.

Chomsky, meanwhile, said in an email to the Journal that his association with Epstein is none of your business. Or anyones. 

I knew him and we met occasionally, he admitted.

What was known about Jeffrey Epstein was that he had been convicted of a crime and had served his sentence, Chomsky added.

According to U.S. laws and norms, that yields a clean slate.

Epsteins relationship that still raises the most cause for concern, however, is his close friendship with former President Bill Clinton.

Clinton was a frequent flyer of Epsteins private jet, the Lolita Express.

The plane was set up with beds and is where multiple victims have stated their abuse took place.

Clinton is also believed to have visited Epsteins private island known as Pedophile Island.

The remote Carribean island is the main location for abuse as identified by Epsteins victims.

Epstein was also a regular visitor at Clintons White House.

Visitor logs show Epstein visited Clintons White House 17 times during his presidency.

Democrat President Joe Bidens DOJ, meanwhile, is still withholding the client list.

These are all the same players directly and indirectly involved in the PSYOP-19 pandemic. They are all eugenicists (e.g. Epsteins planned for insemination facility Zorro Ranch, Gates numerous depopulation admissions, etc.) that want to control you and ultimately kill you just like the innocent trafficked children that they pathologically molest and murder.

Do NOT comply.
F acebook/March for Jesus

A court in Alberta, Canada, sentenced Pastor Artur Pawlowski on Monday to 60 days in prison for a speech to Freedom Convoy truckers in February 2022 in which he supported their protests against repressive lockdown, vaccine, and other mandates related to the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic.

Pawlowski, who first rose to prominence for expelling Canadian police from his church for trying to shut down an Easter service in 2021, faced multiple charges, including mischief, a crime in Canada, and violating the Critical Infrastructure Defense Act (CIDA). The latter charge suggested that Pawlowskis speaking to protesters on the Alberta-Montana border was an attack on the provinces road infrastructure, as he encouraged them to continue an ongoing blockade demanding the lifting of coronavirus-related mandates. Prosecutors were demanding up to ten months in prison for the pastor on the grounds that he has publicly and repeatedly denied having any remorse for his vocal opposition to lockdowns.

Im not ashamed of what I did. If I had a chance to do it again, I would do it again, gladly, Pawlowski told a crowd of supporters after his conviction on Monday.

Judge Gordon Krinke reserved a conviction on the charges of attacking infrastructure, as Pawlowskis defense had challenged the CIDA as unconstitutional, and proceedings regarding that law are ongoing. He found Pawlowski guilty of mischief and breaching a release order in May. The 60-day sentence handed down on Monday includes time served, so Pawlowski walked out of the court free  but with a criminal conviction on his record.

A period of incarceration is required in order to achieve the objectives of denunciation and deterrence, Krinke said at the sentencing, according to the CBC.

Prior to the sentencing, prosecutor Steven Johnston argued that the case, in which Pawlowski faced charges for delivering a sermon, was not about freedom of religion and it is not about free speech.

In this case, the accused comes before the court with no sense of remorse, Johnston said. The lack of remorse, the lack of introspection is important in this case because of the fact he is likely a high risk to redo this.

Pawlowski appeared to agree in remarks to the 200 supporters who convened to celebrate his release on Monday.

For the past 18 months theyve done everything in their power to force me to say that I am guilty, that I am sorry. They were forcing me to apologize, but I have nothing to apologize for, the pastor said.

I hope that my oppressors are listening because this is not over. This is just the beginning, Pawlowski added, also stating that he would gladly repeat the actions that resulted in his arrest if he deemed it necessary:

A Free Man! The Fight Continues!

Praise Jesus! Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.  Psalm 105:15 pic.twitter.com/ojc6PWvMjM  Artur Pawlowski (@ArturPawlowski1) September 18, 2023

HOLD THE LINE: Unrepentant Pastor Artur Pawlowski gives a fiery speech in front of the courthouse. He was found guilty for giving a sermon to freedom truckers in Coutts, AB. Follow @MediaBezirgan for more on-the-ground coverage as it happens.    Support my coverage if pic.twitter.com/rtDozQBmi5  Mocha Bezirgan (@BezirganMocha) September 18, 2023

Hundreds of supporters similarly rallied in support of the pastor following his initial conviction in May.

Canada faced a wave of protests in early 2022 that later came to be known as the Freedom Convoy due to the large presence of truckers using their vehicles to occupy space throughout the country in protest. Many convened in Ottawa, the nations capital, where they blocked the streets with their trucks, honked loudly for extended periods of time, and built a peaceful tent camp with a festival atmosphere to which many brought their children.

Robert Kraychik / Breitbart News

The objective of the Freedom Convoy protests was to pressure radical leftist Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the provincial governments to end vaccine mandates  which disproportionately hurt truckers attempting to regularly travel between provinces  as well as the suspension of freedoms of assembly and religion. Protesters also demanded the full reopening of all schools, an end to mask mandates, and other restrictions.

Pawlowski was charged with criminal actions for his speech to a Freedom Convoy group that convened on the border between Alberta and Montana in early 2022, causing major disruptions in regional commerce by shutting down the road. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney ended the vaccine passport system and mask mandate for schoolchildren in place at the time during the ongoing blockade.

Pawlowski told the protesters during a sermon at the local Smugglers Saloon in February 2022 that they were heroes and encouraged them not to go breaking the line.

I believe that the eyes of the world are fixed on this place right here. Thats right  this little pitiful piece of land, Pawlowski said. The eyes of the world are fixed right here on you guys. You are the heroes. Dont you dare go breaking the line.  For the first time in two years, you have the power. You pack your stuff, you go to Edmonton and you will be lost.

Pawlowski posted an extended recording of his speech on Rumble on Monday.

Pawlowski has faced a barrage of other criminal charges for his opposition to restrictions on freedom of assembly and other civil rights violations by the Trudeau government during the pandemic.

Pawlowski first faced police trouble for holding an illegal Easter service in April 2021, attracting six police officers who tried to shut it down. Pawlowski forced them out of his church, disparaging them as Gestapo Nazi communist fascists and psychopaths, and continued his service. Police arrested him a month later for continuing to serve his faithful, contrary to the religious restrictions imposed by Canadian officials:

In addition to fines, travel restrictions, and imprisonment, the Canadian government attempted to force Pawlowski to read a government statement every time he condemned civil rights violations in the name of the pandemic, which stated in part, The majority of medical experts favour social distancing, mask wearing, and avoiding large crowds to reduce the spread of COVID-19 [sic].

Pawlowski appealed the many charges against him for performing the responsibilities of a pastor, and in July 2022, an Alberta court of appeals agreed, ruling that his arrest and many fines and other punishments were illegal.

Trudeau, who memorably confessed in 2019 that he had worn blackface so often he did not remember every instance in which he did so, has condemned those who opposed his civil rights violations, calling them racist, misogynistic  anti-vaxxer mobs, accusing Freedom Convoy supporters of hateful rhetoric and mocking them as tinfoil hat-wearers and a few people shouting and waving swastikas.

RELATED: Exclusive Video  Ottawa Freedom Convoy Supporter: Do I Look like a White Supremacist?

Robert Kraychik / Breitbart News

Follow Frances Martel on Facebook and Twitter.
'China, US share more similarities than differences': Gene Hartigan

(People's Daily App) 15:56, September 20, 2023

American Gene Hartigan, the associate chairman of the US-China Cooperation and Development Committee, believes China and the US are a perfect match since the two countries share more similarities than differences. Click on this video to see more.

(Video source: Shanghai Daily)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)


Al Nofi's CIC

Issue #479, Jul 8th, 2023 This Issue... Infinite Wisdom

Incidents of War - The Fabian Disaster on the Cremera

- The Fabian Disaster on the Cremera From the Archives - The Beating of Centurion Lucius Statorius

Infinite Wisdom "Our ancestors left us steel to defend our city, not gold to buy freedom from greedy conquerors." -- The people of Cinginnia, Lusitania,

summoned by the Romans

to surrender and pay tribute,

136 BC



La Triviata Although freedmen were legally Roman citizens, not until 296 BC, during a major crisis in the Third Samnite War (298-290 BC), were they first required to perform military service.

Campaigning in Spain in 151-150 BC, the Tribune Gaius Memmius proved so inept that his commander, Scipio Africanus the Younger told him To me you will be worthless for only a short time, but to yourself and the state for ever!

The least impressive of the 300-some Roman triumphs held over a dozen or so centuries was probably that of the Praetor Lucius Furius Purpureo in 200 BC, in which, the historian Livy tells us, despite his supposedly having slain 40,000 Gauls and added to the treasury 320,000 asses of bronze and 100,500 pounds of silver, No prisoners were led before his chariot, nor were any spoils exhibited, nor was he followed by his soldiers, though later while serving as Consul in 196 he inflicted a major defeat on the Boi, for which he was awarded a more traditional triumph.

Although the stern statesman Marcus Porcius Cato the Elder (234-149 BC) was the first of his family to attain political distinction in Rome, his grandfather, Marcus Porcius Priscus (c. 285-240 BC), was so notable a cavalryman that the Republic granted him special compensation for the five horses he had lost in combat.

At one point during the Hannibalic War (218-201 BC), learning that the sesterce-pinching Roman Senate had refused to ransom some prisoners for the sum he had agreed upon, the great Quintus Fabius Maximus Cunctator sold a farm to raise the money, rather than have his word dishonored.

During a battle in his African campaign (47-46 BC), Caesar saw the standard bearer of the legio Martia turning to flee, and promptly grabbed him by the throat, twisted him around to face front, and shouted Where are you going? There are the enemy!, thus averting a potentially disastrous panic.

Campaigning in Asia against Mithridates VI in 72 BC, Lucius Licinius Lucullus gave orders that no enemy soldiers missing an eye were to be killed, in the hope of capturing Marcus Marius, the monocular leader of Roman rebels supporting the Pontic king, so that the traitor could be put to death under the most shameful insults.

While on campaign during the Second Punic War, Scipio Africanus carried a copy of the Cyropaedia, an idealized biography of the Persian King Cyrus the Great by the Athenian soldier-scholar Xenophon.

During the Roman Republic, in dire crises the Senate, the Consuls, or a Dictator could decree a tumultus, a levee-en-masse that brought every man into military service, even normally exempt priests and freedmen, a measure that was referred to with the phrase the Romans changed their clothing, because everyone had to don the sagrum, the deep red military cloak.

Immunized against every known poison, when King Mithridates VI of Pontus (, 134-63 BC), chose to end his life rather than be taken by the Romans he told an aide, "Your strong arm has done me great service in struggles against my enemies. It will do me a greater service if you would now make an end of me, in danger as I am of being captured.

Caesars sometime lover Servilia once bought some property he had confiscated from his enemies at a very low price, prompting the orator Cicero to say, "Of course you will the better understand Servilia's bargain if you realize that a third was knocked off the purchase price," referring to the fact that Servilias a daughter Junia Tertia ( Junia the Third) had also been the Dictators lover. More...


Mohamed Kilani, when he was a student at Bowdoin.

Interviewer Steve Leveen recorded the installment, "Meet a Spanish Teacher in Maine," on Bowdoin's campus.

Kilani, who majored in Hispanic studies and education, now teaches Spanish at Falmouth Elementary School in Maine.

Besides Spanish and English, he speaks Arabic as well as an Iraqi dialect his parents spoke, and a bit of French and Russian.

Leveen describes Kilani's life as a modern-day odyssey. He was born in Amman, Jordan, to Iraqi parents who had fled war and economic hardship. When he was a young boy, his mother and her two sons were granted asylum to the United States. So with his mother and his younger brother, Khalil Kilani 25, Kilani arrived in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, in 2009, but moved a few months later to Portland, Maine.

Kilani said part of the respect he had for his own teachers is why he pursued a teaching career. And he loves languages and teaching languages.

"I think learning a language is an empathetic thing you can do for someone else. If you have a new immigrant community [nearby], it would be wise to learn a few phrases, learn about their community, see what they're doing. Maybe share that with them, so you can be friends," he told Leveen.
The War in Ukraine included numerous Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian military, industrial and civilian targets. While Ukraine was obtaining most of its weapons and munitions from NATO countries, Ukraine also had its own defense industries that were thriving before the Russian 2022 invasion. Before Russia turned on Ukraine in 2014, Russia was one of many foreign customers for Ukrainian military technology. By 2022, Ukraine and Russia were no longer supporting each others defense industries. While Ukraine had NATO nations as a wartime supplier, Russia was on its own and scrambling to cope with numerous economic sanctions imposed after they invaded Ukraine. Many Ukrainian defense industry personnel have detailed knowledge of Russian defense industries and what the key vulnerabilities are. This enables Ukrainian military intelligence to monitor Russian weapons production. Ukraine believes that Russia has nearly exhausted its pre-2022 stocks of Kalibr cruise missiles, Iskander tactical ballistic missiles and lacks the industrial capability to replace those stocks or even produce a significant number under wartime conditions. Ukrainian and NATO industrial intelligence efforts have identified Russian sources for key missile components that must be imported and which suppliers are willing to smuggle items into Russia. Smuggled components are a lot more expensive because the smugglers have expenses and must take into account losses when smuggled shipments are intercepted and seized. Russia also has to seek out and use alternative components to those it simply cannot obtain. This complicates production because the substitute components do not always function as effectively as the original parts.

Ukraine is using its detailed knowledge of Russian military production to also target key Russian production facilities for attacks. These are carried out by missiles or UAVs equipped as bombers and ,if that is not possible, Ukraine has the option to use operatives inside Russia to attack or sabotage the facility. So far these efforts have crippled but not halted Russian missile production. The quality of the new Russian missiles is less than before and the Russians accept this because most of the missiles will still work as intended. Russian-made missiles and munitions were always known to be less reliable and an increase in unreliability is considered acceptable to the Russians, though a relief to Ukrainians be targeted. Dud missiles are not harmless. They will land somewhere in Ukraine and some will even explode when they hit the ground. Ukrainians are used to Russian missiles and shells not exploding when they land nearby, realize the things might still go off, and usually call for EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) teams to deal with them.

The shabby construction of recently manufactured Russian missiles reduces the number of effective attacks on Ukrainian targets. NATO and Ukraine are continuing and expanding these efforts to all manner of military items, some of them dual use. This includes truck tires. Russian made truck tires were notorious for their poor quality and unreliability. Before the war, vehicle owners would, if they could, buy foreign tires but that is not an option in wartime. NATO sanctions and Ukrainian sabotage efforts have made tires produced in Russia even more unreliable. This has a disruptive impact on the Russian economy and for Russian troops its another reason why supplies or reinforcements dont arrive on time, if at all.

The Ukraine War has been bad for Russian defense industries and continued sanctions has put many firms out of business while others are barely surviving. A similar disaster took place after the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991 and military procurement funds nearly disappeared for most of the 1990s. Since the late 1990s surviving Russian defense firms have been trying to rebuild. The Ukraine War seemed, at first, to be a source of more business. There was more activity, but of the malevolent kind that brought more problems rather than more procurement money.
WASHINGTON (PTI): The United States is in active talks with the Indian government to look at producing military systems in areas related to ISR and ground-based conventional warfare, a senior Pentagon official has said.



Efforts are also on to establish a reciprocal defence procurement agreement with India, Siddharth Iyer, Director for South Asia Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defence said in Washington on Tuesday at an event organised by the prestigious Hudson Institute.



"We are in active talks with the Indian government to look at producing military systems in areas related to ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance), and then of course ground-based conventional warfare. And we'll have more to say on that as they become ripe," he said.



Indian-American Iyer said the talks between India and the US to finalise the security of supply arrangement, which would streamline the ability of defence firms to procure their requirements, is making good progress.



"We are also moving at an aggressive clip to establish a reciprocal defence procurement agreement, which would allow and create the conditions for US and Indian defence industries to increase and streamline market access," he said.



This relationship is one of the top priorities for the Pentagon, Iyer said.



"Our belief is that getting the US-India relationship right is not just necessary, it's essential to achieving our strategy in the Indo-Pacific. There's a broad and deep commitment to making that happen," he said.



"I think one of the ways in which we think about the roadmap is really a manifestation of (Defence) Secretary (Loyd) Austin's commitment to accelerating India's military modernisation, and for him, putting the department on the hook to find targeted opportunities to propose to advance India's indigenous defence production capabilities," he said.



The India-US defence roadmap, Iyer said, among other things, identifies the priority military areas where their industries should focus their collaborative efforts.



It identifies some concrete mechanisms by which they can work together to integrate the supply chains. And then ultimately, it also establishes the oversight mechanism to ensure that bureaucratic logjams and regulatory barriers don't impede progress.



"On some of the concrete initiatives, I think the GE engine deal has received some of the most attention in the press," Iyer said.



"I think it is a testament to the significance of the deal. Certainly, it's an arrangement between private companies but the governments had to work extremely closely with each other, with industry and we had to take a really holistic view about how we think about technology security and what it means to advance our strategic interest and balance tech security and US national security requirements to make this come about," he said.



The deal provides India access to jet engine technology that is some of the most sensitive military technology available to the US and what many consider to be a crown jewel, he said.



"In the months ahead, I expect we are going to make progress on a number of different fronts," Iyer said.


State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada

Postal Code
Harmonious Innovation Tree for the Taking founders Sam Aronson 20, Heller MBA23, and Alden Kennedy, Heller MBA23, are crafting guitars for a more sustainable future. Play Video

As part of an assignment in an environmental studies class his senior year, Sam Aronson 20, Heller MBA 23, researched how the Tongass National Forest was opened to logging. As a fourth-generation guitar player, what he learned struck a chord. I saw this picture of what had to be a thousand-year-old tree. It took up the entirety of the bed of a flat truck, Aronson recalled. At the very end of the article, it said that the tree would be turned into 3,000 guitar tops. I felt shame, and I felt immediate guilt. These are meant to be tools for art creation, and here is this massive environmental crime. The images stuck with him. Three years later, Aronson started Tree for the Taking, an upstart that aims to change the guitar industry. The vision: to mass-produce sustainable, affordable, and American-made electric guitars. I dont want to accept that I am part of the generation that will eventually have to look back and say, sorry, we used up all of the exotic wood, all of the old growth wood, for guitars, Aronson said. I want to, from the inside, steer the guitar manufacturing industry away from deforestation.

Using additive manufacturing techniques, Aronson developed a prototype guitar this summer in a workshop set up in his garage in Natick. The guitars body is made of a composite of epoxy and Tree of Heaven, an invasive species he harvested from the edge of the Theater Parking Lot on the Brandeis campus.

I want to, from the inside, steer the guitar manufacturing industry away from deforestation. Sam Aronson

His love for the instruments carries a deep connection. Aronsons father, Neal, was an avid musician, audiophile, and collector of guitars and stereo equipment. When he died in 2015, Aronson inherited four of his guitars. Love for guitars has passed through the generations in Aronsons family  from his great-grandmother Hilda, who had performed in the guitar orchestra at the Worlds Fair in New York in 1939, to his grandmother, Judith Aronson 55, to his father. My father was like a musical savant. He had perfect pitch and an ear like a dog, and he tried to teach me to play, Aronson recalled. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I didn't take him up on it. Aronson only learned to play after inheriting his fathers collection. I felt a responsibility not to leave them unplayed, and it was a way to continue his legacy, he said.

As Aronson headed off to Brandeis, what had started as a hobby soon became a passion. Some might even call it an obsession. Im always thinking about how things connect to guitars, he said. Every school project, anytime I got the choice to choose my subject matter, it would be about guitars. He first became familiar with Tree of Heaven in an environmental science class during his senior year. As part of one assignment, the class  which was being held remotely at the time  was tasked with identifying all the trees in each students nearest woods. In his backyard in Natick, and around his neighborhood, Aronson found lots of narrow trees with light gray bark and green leaves. He learned they were called Tree of Heaven.

Once I noticed it, I started seeing it absolutely everywhere, Aronson said. Its invasive, and it really isnt a good neighbor. When Aronson decided to apply to Hellers Social Impact MBA program, he had a specific goal in mind: to improve the ethics of the guitar industry. In his Heller School application, he wrote about the importance of stopping deforestation and the impact of the production of new instruments on logging exotic trees.

He first began to develop the concept for Tree for the Taking in 2021 as a pitch for the Heller Schools Startup Challenge, which awards funding for innovative business, social enterprise, and other creative projects. The winner of the start up challenge gets a place in Brandeis Innovations Spark Program, which provides support for innovation projects. The programs annual SparkTank competition offers an opportunity to win funding, mentorship and other project support. Aronson wasn't able to assemble a team around the project that year, but he did get some interest from Alden Kennedy, Heller MBA 23  the only other guitar player in his MBA cohort. "I told him if it didn't work out this time, then I was in for next year," Kennedy recalled. And when the 2022 challenge rolled around, we were very determined.

My father was like a musical savant. He had perfect pitch and an ear like a dog, and he tried to teach me to play. One of my biggest regrets in life is that I didn't take him up on it. Sam Aronson

Aronson and Kennedy developed a pitch, with Aronson focusing on the details of the business model and manufacturing, and Kennedy developing a marketing plan. After winning the Heller Startup Challenge and $1,500, Aronson began to create guitar picks. Once in the Spark program, Aronson and Kennedy were introduced to Gess Kelly, a PhD candidate in physics, who helped to teach them more about additive manufacturing and material science. After a semester of honing their business plan and prototyping methods, and building a website, Tree for the Takings pitch took first prize at the SparkTank competition and was awarded $10,000 in funding. Aronson is the perfect person to lead such a project, Kennedy said. Hes the biggest guitar fanatic in the state of Massachusetts, Kennedy said. He's also really into trees.

The first product Tree for the Taking developed with the $1,500 won from the Heller Startup Challenge were guitar picks made with powdered biomass from Tree of Heaven and epoxy, but making picks was not the ultimate goal. I knew I couldn't change the world making picks, Aronson said. Guitars are a different story. After researching and investing in manufacturing equipment, Aronson spent the summer working with intern Ethan Gelman 24 on developing prototype guitars. He had never built a guitar from scratch before and learned as he went along.

The result: a semi-hollow, telecaster-style guitar with a matte brown composite-molded body made of a blend of ecopoxy and Tree of Heaven with a reclaimed cedar top from a warehouse board. The neck is made of leftover mahogany from a deck repair project. Becoming a viable company will require a long, complex progression  including finding traceable, reclaimed material for the necks, ways of grinding up larger quantities of Tree of Heaven, figuring out how to make the guitar lighter, and how to produce them on a larger scale, while keeping the product affordable. Eventually they will need to create custom made molds, and find assistance with labor.

Kennedy has taken a full-time job in Chicago, but he still helps with updating the Tree for the Taking website, developing a marketing plan and helping with project management. Meanwhile, Aronson is building more prototypes to improve the design. The plan is to eventually launch a Kickstarter to fund the production of an initial small batch for retail.

Theres still a ways to go, but for Aronson, his prototype strikes exactly the right note. "This is my new favorite guitar. I really haven't even tried to play my others since I finished this, he said. The fact that I made this one, and I made it the way I wanted to, it's really everything for me.
Plans for a hotel bed tax on visitors to Dublin have reached an impasse, according to a senior official with Dublin City Council.

Elected members of the council came out in favour of the controversial proposal earlier this year after a report showed that over 12 million could be raised annually through the introduction of a 1 per cent tax or levy on tourist accommodation charges in the capital.

Advertisement

However, the councils head of finance, Kathy Quinn, has admitted that the introduction of a hotel bed tax in Dublin cannot be progressed without new legislation being passed by the Government.

We need for the Government to give powers to local authorities to set a charge, said Ms Quinn.

She told a recent meeting of the councils Economic Development and Enterprise Committee that similar taxes are being planned in Scotland and Wales with their national governments bringing in legislation to allow local councils to impose a charge.

Advertisement

Were not at that point, said Ms Quinn. Were at an impasse really in terms of where we go with this.

Advertisement

She said hotel bed taxes or similar charges were already well established in a number of jurisdictions.

Ms Quinn said one example was Amsterdam where research had demonstrated that there was no price sensitivity to the introduction of a tax on visitor accommodation.

They found increases in the tax were not going to stop tourists coming, she added.

In reply to a question from Labour councillor, Alison Gilliland, Ms Quinn said reports about the proposal for a hotel bed tax had been sent to both the Department of Finance and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Advertisement

However, she said both seemed to indicate it was an issue for the other department.

Ms Quinn acknowledged that there had been a lot of reaction to the proposal with some views that a hotel bed tax would not be a helpful initiative.

I think if its seen to be not just a Dublin thing, it might be seen to be more acceptable, she remarked.

In a report prepared for a meeting of the councils Finance Committee on Thursday [tomorrow], Ms Quinn said the council does not have the legal capacity to introduce a hotel bed tax as it stands.

Advertisement

Advertisement

From recent discussions with Amsterdam City Council, Ms Quin said the tourist tax introduced in the Dutch city in 2012 has been successful with little opposition.

It is accepted that residents and businesses of Amsterdam pay for the maintenance and upkeep of many facilities enjoyed by tourists such as road and cycle networks, parks, cultural institutions, events, water and drainage.

Ms Quinn said it was an accepted argument in the Netherlands that it is wholly reasonable to ask tourists to contribute towards the costs associated with aspects of the place they are visiting.

The committee will also be told that the Welsh government is preparing legislation to give local authorities in Wales powers to introduce a visitor levy, which was a commitment given in its programme for government.

Advertisement

Ms Quinn has proposed that the councils Finance Committee should again request the Government to start a process to consider and implement a visitor accommodation tax given how similar charges operate maturely in cities like Amsterdam.

A report published earlier this year showed that a tax or levy based on 1 per cent of the cost of accommodation in hotels in Dublin could raise 12.2 million in a full year based on an average occupancy rate of 78.5 per cent and an average room rate of 171 per day.

The Commission on Taxation and Welfare, which sought to identify how the tax and welfare systems can support economic activity and promote increased employment and prosperity in Ireland, also recommended the introduction of an accommodation tax in a major report published last year.

It pointed out that several European cities including Paris, Berlin and Vienna already have such taxes applied to hotel accommodation.

Rates across EU member states range between an average of 0.40 and 2.50 per night and vary depending on the type of accommodation.

The proposed tax is favoured by a large number of councillors in Dublin city who regard it as a potential new revenue stream to reduce the councils dependence on rates paid by businesses.
Fans of the TV series and book Slow Horses will enjoy Mick Herrons latest offering

Fiction

1. The Secret Hours by Mick Herron is published in hardback by Baskerville

Advertisement

THE SECRET HOURS by Mick Herron is out! 



'I doubt I'll read a more enjoyable novel all year' Paula Hawkins

Never has a work of popular fiction delighted me more The Spectator

One of his best books yet Daily Telegraph



Grab a copy: https://t.co/2GFKut0m1h pic.twitter.com/ODyo3Af8js  David Higham Books (@DHAbooks) September 14, 2023

Advertisement

A break-in followed by an adrenaline-fuelled chase through Devon woods propels this tightly and satisfyingly plotted story into action. It then focuses on Monochrome  an inquiry into the secret service which is going nowhere. Suddenly, a file appears and a witness comes in to testify about the goings-on in Berlin just after the fall of the wall. Avoiding plot spoilers, things get even more intricate. Safe to say Herrons trademark humour is woven in throughout, and its clear who some of the digs are aimed at. Big issues come under the spotlight: who owns your data, identity, loyalty, truth and realpolitik, but all the characters feel human and individual. Though its described as a standalone and can easily be read as such, lovers of the Slough House series will pick up on some familiar characters being illuminated in new ways.

9/10

(Review by Bridie Pritchard)

Advertisement

2. The Wake-Up Call by Beth OLeary is published in hardback by Quercus

Advertisement

Only two weeks to go until THE WAKE-UP CALL publishes!



The glowing reviews are coming in and we know you're going to love it 



Don't forget to pre-order a copy so it lands on your doorstop on pub day: https://t.co/xHgtunpYIK pic.twitter.com/GjzW6hi6gc  Quercus Books (@QuercusBooks) September 12, 2023

Advertisement

Beth OLeary, the queen of complicated relationships, is back. The backdrop of this two-handed tale is a formerly popular hotel, failing in the wake of lockdown. Artistic Izzy, grasping at straws to save the hotel and her job, sets herself the mission to return a lost wedding ring and in the process receives a large reward. Stoic Lucas is more methodical, but finds himself in competition with Izzy to return the remaining rings in the lost property box, hoping that another monetary reward will save the hotel from closing. Izzy and Lucas are loyal to the hotel yet somehow rub each other the wrong way. OLeary keeps the enemies-turned-lovers story fresh by exploring events from both sides, and the short chapters keep the story moving like a rom-com film.

9/10

(Review by Rachel Howdle)

Advertisement

3. Edge Of Here: Stories From Near To Now by Kelechi Okafor is published in hardback by Trapeze

The short story Councilwoman is dedicated to the memory of Jill Dando and all the other people who had their lives snatched away for attempting to get to the truth.  pic.twitter.com/ptxCS3vMlL Advertisement  Kelechi (@kelechnekoff) September 14, 2023

The clues are found in your imagination when it comes to Kelechi Okafors debut short story collection. Merging the worlds of Yoruba cosmology and science-fiction, Okafor poses a series of questions to readers about the way we choose to live our lives. Using eight stories  all with thoughtfully written non-prescriptive endings  the book flips contemporary black womanhood on its head through ancient and ultramodern tales that explore the themes of love, mental health, race, grief, and spirituality. Okafor has fun foreseeing the innovation of technology and allows herself to be surprised by the boldness of her imagination, and it shows. This is the perfect book for those who arent afraid to be challenged by fiction.

8/10

(Review by Yolanthe Fawehinmi)

Non-fiction

4. The Bone Chests by Cat Jarman is published in hardback by William Collins

Here it is, my next book:

THE BONE CHESTS - out 14/9/23 with @williamcollins!



The extraordinary story of the six mortuary chests in Winchester cathedral.



Perched high up on the stone choir in the heart of the cathedral, the chests contain 1400 years of remarkable history: pic.twitter.com/zOzWqOMVpW Advertisement  Dr Cat Jarman FSA (@CatJarman) June 23, 2023

The Bone Chests provides an engaging, readable history of Englands pre-Conquest monarchs, from famous figures such as Alfred the Great and Aethelred the Unready, to long-forgotten kings Cynegils and Centwine, linked through the story of the chests reputed to contain some of their bones in Winchester Cathedral. It is a period that previous centuries have looked to for inspiration but has more recently fallen out of public consciousness, and for that alone the book is worth reading. But unlike Cat Jarmans previous outing  the excellent River Kings  it lacks a clear, overall argument, with the theme of how living rulers used the mortal remains of their predecessors for political purposes fading in and out of focus and leaving the book as, mainly, a straightforward account of ancient kings and queens.

7/10

(Review by Christopher McKeon)

Childrens book of the week

5. Beneath by Cori Doerrfeld is published in hardback by Scallywag Press

Beneath by @CoriDoerrfeld encourages children to think about what lies beneath the surface in people's hearts and minds. Through empathy, Finn learns to cope with his own emotions as well as support others. This is a lovely story for FS & KS1.@Scallywagpress pic.twitter.com/sh4CbzfzyI Advertisement  Kate Heap: Scope for Imagination (@KateHeap1) September 13, 2023

Beneath is the sweet tale of young Finn, whos in a grumpy mood. His grandfather wants to help him get out of his funk, so he takes him for a walk  encouraging him all the while to think about whats beneath. This spans everything from the roots under their feet, to fish in the sea, and even whats inside other peoples heads. The powerful lesson gets children outside of their own head and thinking about whats around them, while teaching emotional intelligence. Theres a nice message behind it and children will no doubt enjoy the tale  but in the crowded world of picture books, the storyline and illustrations perhaps dont allow it to stand out from the crowd.

7/10

(Review by Prudence Wade)

Book charts for the week ending September 16th

Hardback (Fiction)

1. The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

2. Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown

3. The Secret Hours by Mick Herron, Mick

4. Holly by Stephen King

5. So Late In The Day by Claire Keegan

6. In Memoriam by Alice Winn

7. The Fraud by Zadie Smith

8. Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

9. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

10. Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

(Compiled by Waterstones)

Advertisement

Hardback (Non-fiction)

1. Politics On The Edge by Rory Stewart

2. The Diary of A CEO by Steven Bartlett

3. 5 Ingredients Mediterranean by Jamie Oliver

4. Scattershot by Bernie Taupin

5. The Abuse Of Power by Theresa May

6. Oh Miriam! by Miriam Margolyes

7. Fearless by Trinny Woodall

8. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own

9. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

10. Abroad In Japan by Chris Broad

(Compiled by Waterstones)

Audiobooks (Fiction & non-fiction)

1. The Last Devil To Die by Richard Osman

2. Politics On The Edge by Rory Stewart

3. Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson

4. The Diary Of A CEO by Steven Bartlett

5. None Of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

6. The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

7. Oh Miriam! by Miriam Margolyes

8. Atomic Habits by James Clear

9. Holly by Stephen King

10. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

(Compiled by Audible)
Feeling a tinge of gloom as the darker months roll in is not unusual. But for people with seasonal affective disorder  or SAD  autumn and winter can bring a significant bout of depression.

Its estimated around 7 per cent of the Irish population are affected by SAD, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE), with symptoms including low mood and energy, feeling hopeless and tearful, sleep disruption, appetite changes and loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy.

Advertisement

As Dr Ali Zawwar from Lloyds Online Doctor Ireland explains, the exact cause is not fully understood, however we do know it seems to run in families, suggesting its partly genetic, he adds.

Advertisement

And its believed to be linked to reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter daylight hours of autumn and winter, Zawwar explains. Its thought a lack of sunlight may stop the brains hypothalamus working properly. This may increase the production of melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy.

Advertisement

It may also affect serotonin production  the hormone that affects your mood, sleep and appetite, and is linked with feelings of depression.

The question is: if this pattern sounds all too familiar and youre dreading another bout of winter blues, are there steps you can take now to help you cope?

Self-help measures go a long way

Advertisement

A humble walk can do wonders. Photo: Yui Mok/PA

The good news is, there are many ways you can help yourself to improve your SAD symptoms, and for most people self-help is all that is required, says Belfast-based Dr Paul Van Der Westhuizen, specialist digital clinician at Medichecks.

For example, you can take walks during the daytime to maximise your sunlight exposure, bump up your physical activity levels, or create healthy sleep routines. Its also important to seek the support of friends and family  after all, were social animals that desperately require social contact.

Zawwar agrees self-help measures play an important part. As well as lifestyle choices that generally promote wellbeing, like exercising regularly and reducing stress, try to get as much natural sunlight as possible  by taking a brief lunchtime walk or even sitting near windows when indoors. This will help reduce melatonin levels and boost serotonin, one of the brain chemicals that affects mood.

Advertisement

Let there be light

Advertisement

Zawwar adds: Light therapy is another treatment option, which uses a special lamp called a light box to stimulate exposure to sunlight. Although, its not clear how effective this is.

Similarly, Van Der Westhuizen says dawn simulating alarm clocks are another option people could try.

These products are widely available to purchase, and while  as Zawwar noted  clinical evidence on their effectiveness may be limited, many people with SAD report finding them helpful.

Speak with your doctor

If your symptoms are severe, however, remember you dont have to struggle alone.

Advertisement

You should talk to your doctor if you notice you are experiencing some of the symptoms of SAD and feel you are struggling to cope, says Zawwar. Your GP can carry out a mental health assessment by asking you about your thoughts, mood, behaviour, lifestyle, sleeping patterns and eating habits.

Like other forms of depression, talking therapy and antidepressants can also be used to treat SAD, sometimes in combination.

Ireland The best autumn walks for exploring Ireland this s... Read More

Van Der Westhuizen says: You may not always realise how low in mood you are, especially if symptoms come on gradually, so it sometimes takes a friend or relative to give you a nudge to seek help. Its easy to push them away or dismiss these nudges, but try to listen to those around you who are doing their best to help.

Advertisement

As well as checking in with your doctor, he highlights that online resources and helplines  such as Samaritans and Samaritans Ireland  are always available if you need to talk in confidence.

Van Der Westhuizen adds: If you feel you are struggling to cope, especially if your symptoms are beginning to affect all areas of your life, its important to seek help.
US President Joe Biden raised hard issues including protecting the checks and balances in a democracy, in a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

He pushed Mr Netanyahu to find a compromise on a planned judicial overhaul that has set off protests in Israel and concerns in Washington.

Advertisement

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It was their first meeting since Mr Netanyahu took office at the helm of his countrys far-right government late last year.

Mr Netanyahu tried to play down concerns at the start of the meeting about his contentious proposed judicial overhaul, saying there is one thing that will never change and that is Israels commitment to democracy.

Mr Biden opened the meeting by stressing the US friendship with Israel as being ironclad and saying that without Israel, theres not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential.

Advertisement

But Mr Biden also acknowledged the tensions with Mr Netanyahus government and its policies.

Advertisement

Were going to discuss some of the hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems, Mr Biden said.

He said they would also talk about a path to a negotiated two-state solution with Palestinians and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon.



Advertisement

Mr Netanyahu stressed common goals in his opening remarks.

Under your leadership as President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, he told Mr Biden. Mr Netanyahu said he would uphold democratic values, despite his proposed changes to Israels court system.

Given the concerns about Mr Netanyahus commitment to democratic checks and balances, the setting of the meeting in Manhattan instead of the Oval Office was a sign of the strains in the alliance.

Advertisement

Meeting at the White House symbolises close relations and friendship and honour, and the denial of that shows exactly the opposite, said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on US-Israeli relations at Israels Bar-Ilan University.

This is not going to be a pleasant meeting.

Biden administration officials have repeatedly raised concerns about Mr Netanyahus contentious plan to overhaul Israels judicial system.

Advertisement

Mr Netanyahu says the countrys unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Mr Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.

Advertisement

His plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the US, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the countrys flag in protest Wednesday in New York.



The face of Joe Biden appears on a sign during a protest near the site of a meeting between Mr Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York (Seth Wenig/AP/PA)

Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Early this year, Mr Biden voiced his unhappiness over the judicial overhaul, saying Mr Netanyahu cannot continue down this road and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise.

Mr Netanyahus negotiations with the opposition have stalled and his coalition has moved ahead with its plan, pushing the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July.

The Israeli governments treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire. Mr Netanyahus coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state.

Advertisement

Israels government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians  a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.

The Biden-Netanyahu meeting came at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Mr Netanyahus government shares American values.

Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.

Tom Nides, who stepped down as US ambassador to Israel in July, said the timing and location of the meeting were issues and he acknowledged some policy differences.

Thats what friends do. Friends argue with each other. We can articulate a strong view against settlement growth. We can say, quite frankly, arguably that they should get some compromise on judicial reform. Whats wrong with that? Mr Nides said.

But he predicted a good meeting devoid of fireworks, noting that Mr Biden and Mr Netanyahu are longtime friends and the countries are still close allies. The relationship is as strong as it has ever been, he said.

Advertisement

Mr Netanyahu is expected to eventually get a White House invitation, though the timing of such a visit could depend on how the New York meeting went.

Topping Mr Netanyahus wishlist were discussions on US efforts to broker a deal establishing full diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Mr Netanyahu, who also led Israel when former president Donald Trump brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and four Arab countries, has said that a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would mark a quantum leap forward for Israel and the region.

The White House has acknowledged that it is seeking such a deal, but obstacles lie in the way. Saudi Arabia is pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal and defense guarantees from the US.

The Saudis have also said they expect Israel to make significant concessions to the Palestinians.

Mr Biden was expected to make clear to Mr Netanyahu that any deal will need to consider Palestinian interests. Mr Biden understands that the Saudis are wary of proceeding with normalising relations with Israel at a time when it is led by the most right-wing government in its history, and when tensions have soared with the Palestinians.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, told reporters there is no other way to solve the conflict than by establishing a Palestinian state. But senior ministers in Mr Netanyahus government have already ruled out any concessions to the Palestinians.

Advertisement

Israel has also been eager to consult with the US about Iran, particularly over their shared concerns about Irans nuclear programme. Iran says the programme is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
Several Catholic priests held a ceremony blessing same-sex couples outside Cologne Cathedral on Wednesday in a protest against the German citys conservative archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.

Their protest was triggered by Cologne church officials criticism of a priest from Mettmann, a town near Dusseldorf, who in March had held a blessing ceremony for lovers  including same-sex couples.

Advertisement

Officials from the Cologne archdiocese, which Mettmann belongs to, had reprimanded the priest afterwards and stressed that the Vatican does not allow blessings of same-sex couples, German news agency dpa reported.

The blessing of same-sex couples on Wednesday was the latest sign of rebellion of progressive believers in Germanys most populous diocese with about 1.8 million members.



Same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany (Martin Meissner/AP/PA)

Advertisement

Advertisement

Several hundred people attended the outdoor blessing service for same-sex and also heterosexual couples. Waving rainbow flags, they sang the Beatles hit All You Need Is Love, dpa reported. About 30 couples were blessed.

The German governments LGBT+ commissioner called the service an important symbol for the demand to recognise and accept same-sex couples in the Roman Catholic Church.

It is mainly thanks to the churchs grassroots that the church is opening up more and more, Sven Lehmann said, according to dpa. Archbishop Woelki and the Vatican, on the other hand, are light years behind social reality.

Catholic believers in the Cologne archdiocese have long protested their deeply divisive archbishop and have been leaving in droves over allegations that he may have covered up clerical sexual abuse reports.

Advertisement

The crisis of confidence began in 2020, when Archbishop Woelki, citing legal concerns, kept under wraps a report he commissioned on how local church officials reacted when priests were accused of sexual abuse.



A demonstration against a public blessing ceremony is secured by police in front of Cologne Cathedral (Martin Meissner/AP/PA)

A second report, published in March 2021, found 75 cases in which high-ranking officials neglected their duties.

Advertisement

The report absolved Archbishop Woelki of any neglect of his legal duty with respect to abuse victims. He subsequently said he made mistakes in past cases involving sexual abuse allegations, but insisted he had no intention of resigning.

Advertisement

Two papal envoys were dispatched to Cologne a few months later to investigate possible mistakes by senior officials in handling cases. Their report led Pope Francis to give Archbishop Woelki a spiritual timeout of several months for making major communication errors.

In March 2022, after his return from the timeout, the cardinal submitted an offer to resign, but so far Francis has not acted on it.

Germanys many progressive Catholics have also been at odds with the Vatican for a long time.

Advertisement

Several years ago, Germanys Catholic Church launched a reform process with the countrys influential lay group to respond to the clergy sexual abuse scandals, after a report in 2018 found at least 3,677 people were abused by clergy between 1946 and 2014.

The report found that the crimes were systematically covered up by church leaders and that there were structural problems in the way power was exercised that favoured sexual abuse of minors or made preventing it more difficult.

The Vatican, however, has tried to put the brakes on the German churchs controversial reform process, fearing proposals concerning gay people, women and sexual morals will split the church.

On Wednesday night, just across from the hundreds of believers celebrating the blessings of same-sex couples, there were also about a dozen Catholics who demonstrated against the outdoor service, dpa reported. They held up a banner that said Lets stay Catholic.
A child killer in the UK, Jon Venables, is to face a two-day parole hearing, which could potentially see him released from prison before the end of the year.

The hearing is scheduled for November 14th and 15th, and a decision on whether prisoners can be released is usually made within 14 days.

Advertisement

Venables and Robert Thompson, who were then just 10-years-old, tortured and killed two-year-old James Bulger after snatching him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

The two boys were jailed for life but released on licence with new identities in 2001.

Venables was sent back to prison in 2010 and 2017 for possessing indecent images of children, and was given a 40-month sentence.

In 2020, the Parole Board was asked to review his case when he became eligible, but the panel decided he should not be released.

Advertisement

Advertisement

A Parole Board spokesperson said: An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Jon Venables and is scheduled to take place in November 2023.

Advertisement

Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead-up to an oral hearing.

Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison, as well as victim personal statements, are then given at the hearing.

Advertisement

The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing, which often lasts a full day or more.

Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.
Rishi Sunak insisted his delay on net zero policies was not a short-term decision aimed at winning the next general election.

The British prime minister, who has faced criticism from Tories including Boris Johnson, said slowing measures including a shift to electric cars were not about the politics.

Advertisement

Mr Sunak has come under fire from the environmental wing of the Conservative Party, but he has also delighted Tories who fear the cost of net-zero policies could lose them votes at the election expected next year.

Because the upfront cost for families is still high, and to give us more time to prepare, were easing the transition to electric vehicles.



That means youll still be able to buy new petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035, in line with countries like Germany and France. pic.twitter.com/4nPiQ0gvGc Advertisement  Rishi Sunak (@RishiSunak) September 20, 2023 Advertisement

But Mr Sunak said: No, this is not actually about politics. This is not about the politics.

This is about doing whats right for the country in the long term.

Advertisement

Polling has suggested Britons support measures to tackle climate change  but the balance shifts when asked their opinion if such actions dealt a blow to their personal finances.

The prime minister said that as chancellor, he was already critical of Mr Johnsons government being on autopilot to just adopt green policies.

And now as prime minister, Ive got an opportunity to change things and what I dont want to do is make yet more short-term decisions, easy ways out and ultimately not be straight with the country about what those mean for them.

But he ruled out the prospect of a public vote on the commitment to reach net-zero by 2050: I think we have had enough referendums, quite frankly.

Advertisement

Boris Johnson warned Rishi Sunak not to falter over net-zero commitments. Photo: Leon Neal/PA.

Mr Johnson warned Mr Sunak not to falter on key climate crisis initiatives, arguing that heaping uncertainty on businesses could drive up prices for British families.

The former prime minister told the Conservative leader that he cannot afford to lose our ambition for this country, as he argued policies were generating jobs and driving growth.

Advertisement

Advertisement

The car industry has also reacted angrily, with Ford warning that delaying the ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles will undermine its needs from the Government.

In a statement, Mr Johnson said that businesses must have certainty about our net zero commitments.

We cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country.

Today we're adopting a new approach to Net Zero that is pragmatic, proportionate and realistic  meeting upcoming targets without adding burdens to working families.



We have led on reducing emissions faster than any other major economy.



A thread pic.twitter.com/ndGZAMq000  UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) September 20, 2023

It was Mr Johnson who in 2020 announced plans to bring the ban on new cars being powered solely by fossil fuels to 2030  something Mr Sunak delayed until 2035.

Mr Johnsons ally and prominent Tory environmentalist Lord Zac Goldsmith went as far as to demand a general election over the economically and ecologically illiterate decision.

The peer, who quit as environment minister in June with a scathing attack on Mr Sunaks environmental apathy, described it as a moment of shame for the UK.

However, not all of Mr Johnsons allies agreed.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who served in his cabinet as one of his most ardent supporters, called Mr Johnson a net-zero zealot.

Advertisement

He backed Mr Sunaks plans to water down measures, with the British prime minister still voicing commitment to reaching carbon neutrality in 2050.

And former prime minister Liz Truss urged Mr Sunak to go further by ending the windfall tax on oil and gas firms and lifting the fracking ban.

I welcome the delay on banning the sale of new petrol and diesel cars as well as the delay on the ban on oil and gas boilers. This is particularly important for rural areas, she said.

I now urge the government to abolish the windfall tax on oil and gas and lift the fracking ban, which would reduce peoples energy bills and make the UK more competitive.

The Conservative Environment Network warned Mr Sunak his unnecessary watering down of green policies risks damaging the Conservative Partys hard-won reputation on environmental issues.

Director Sam Hall said: Today the PM has changed little of substance besides delaying the transition to electric cars.

Sticking to the 2030 deadline would have saved UK motorists money, supported car firms that have invested in new EV factories, and unlocked crucial investment in charge point infrastructure. New measures to speed up grid infrastructure and incentivise heat pump uptake are very welcome, however.

Advertisement

But the framing of todays announcements has created an unhelpful impression for voters that the party is backtracking on climate action.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a Bill setting the states presidential primary for April 2, potentially putting former president Donald Trump on the ballot as he stands trial in Manhattan for a hush-money criminal case.

The new primary date could add a new layer to an increasingly chaotic calendar for Mr Trump next year, as the Republican frontrunner attempts to navigate court cases in multiple states while he seeks a return to the White House.

Advertisement

His New York trial is set to begin on March 25, and though the date could change, it may set up an extraordinary scenario in which the former president might find himself in court as Republican voters in the state are picking their next presidential candidate.

Mr Trump became the first former US president in history to face criminal charges when he was indicted this year on charges in New York state stemming from hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to bury allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. He has pleaded not guilty.

Advertisement

Former president Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Maquoketa, Iowa (Charlie Neibergall/AP/PA)

Advertisement

Since then, Mr Trump has been indicted in a handful of other cases, including a federal classified documents case in Florida, a federal elections interference case in Washington and an election subversion case in Georgia.

He also faces two civil trials in New York, one alleging he fraudulently misstated the value of assets and another regarding the alleged defamation of a writer who accused Mr Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s.

Gov Hochul, a Democrat, signed the Bill setting the new April 2 primary date after the Democrat-controlled legislature approved it this summer.

Primary elections are set for March 19 in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Arizona. Pennsylvanias state Senate on Wednesday approved a Bill to move their states primary to March 19 as well, though the proposal still requires passage in the state House of Representatives.

Advertisement

Mr Trump is so far leading a pack of Republican presidential hopefuls seeking the Republican nomination.

Donald Trump addresses a rally in Maquoketa, Iowa. Photo: Charlie Neibergall/AP/PA.

He began an autumn push on Wednesday to lock in thousands of Republican caucus-goers in early-voting Iowa, where the former president faces sky-high expectations in his campaign for a White House comeback.

Advertisement

Having campaigned far less often in Iowa than his 2024 rivals, Mr Trump was making his first of five Iowa visits planned through to the end of October, aimed at converting what polls in Iowa show as a commanding lead among committed supporters and volunteers.

Advertisement

In less than four months from now, were going to win the Iowa caucuses in a historic landslide, Mr Trump predicted as he addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 people in the town of Maquoketa.

In 2016 Mr Trump finished a close second to Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Supporters from across north-east Iowa lined up outside the expo building at the Jackson County fairgrounds hours before Mr Trumps arrival. His campaign aimed to collect signed cards from the crowd pledging to back him in the January 15 caucuses.

Advertisement

Mr Trump addressed his 2016 loss at the start of his speech, blaming his previous campaign team.

They didnt do the caucus thing too well and I learned a lot, Mr Trump acknowledged, adding: I dont like second, though.

Mr Trump has visited Iowa seven times this year, headlining policy and political events.

Were not taking anything for granted. Were going to fight for every vote. Youre going to see that in every event, said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.
Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce from convicted rapist Danny Masterson, days after the former That 70s Show actor was jailed for 30 years for two sex crimes that took place in 2003.

Ms Phillips, 43, filed the petition for divorce in Santa Barbara Superior Court on Monday to end her nearly 12-year marriage to Masterson, 47.

Advertisement

Ms Phillips and Masterson share a nine-year-old daughter.

No further details were immediately available on the divorce proceedings, with lawyers for Ms Phillips failing to respond to the Associated Press request for comment.



Danny Masterson in 2017 (Wade Payne/Invision/AP)

Advertisement

A representative for Masterson declined to comment on the divorce filing.

However, Masterson does intend to appeal the two rape convictions handed down to him in a Los Angeles court on September 7.

His legal representatives said they intend to appeal on the basis of evidentiary and constitutional issues regarding the former Hollywood stars case.

Advertisement

Los Angeles Superior Court judge Charlaine F Olmedo handed down her sentence to the 47-year-old actor after hearing statements from his victims about the trauma they experienced and the suffering caused by the disturbing memories in the years after his attacks.

Advertisement

The two women whose testimony led to Mastersons conviction said at the height of his sitcom fame, in 2003, the then-young star gave them drinks and that caused them to become woozy or to pass out.

They said he then violently raped them.

After an initial jury failed to reach verdicts on three counts of rape in December 2022, a mistrial was declared and prosecutors retried Masterson on all three counts earlier this year.

This time, a jury of seven women and five men found him guilty of two counts on May 31 after seven days of deliberations.

Advertisement

He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy denounced Russia as a terrorist state at the UN Security Council in New York.

Mr Zelenskiy and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov avoided each other on Wednesday with Mr Zelenskiy leaving the meeting before Mr Lavrov arrived.

Advertisement

Mr Zelenskiy called Russia a terrorist state while Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia sat facing him.

Mr Zelenskiy left before Mr Lavrovs arrival, which came as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was accusing Russia of having shredded key provisions of the UN Charter.

Russias foreign minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during the Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine on Wednesday (Mary Altaffer/AP/PA)

Advertisement

Mr Lavrov, in turn, reiterated his countrys claims that Kyiv has oppressed Russian speakers in eastern areas, violating the UN charter and getting a pass on it from the US and other western countries.

Before Mr Zelenskiys arrival, Mr Nebenzia objected to a speaking order that put the Ukrainian president before the councils members, including Russia.

Advertisement

There is a long history of delegates walking out on rival nations speeches in the council and other UN bodies, and it is not unusual for speakers to duck in and out of Security Council meetings for reasons as simple as scheduling.

The groups member countries must have a presence during meetings but can fill their seats with any accredited diplomat.

Advertisement

Ukraine is not a member but was invited to speak. Ahead of the meeting, Mr Zelenskiy suggested that UN members needed to ask themselves why Russia still has a place on a council intended to maintain international peace and security.
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 Irony is a gamble at the start of any conversation but this is Sparks, so I begin the Zoom call by apologising for Cate Blanchett on behalf of all Australians. Forgive her, I tell Ron and Russell Mael, shell do anything to get close to people who are more famous and influential than she is. The nerve of that woman, Ron responds. Were just trying to help out a budding actress whos trying to get a leg up in the industry, adds his younger brother Russell the one without the moustache. But seriously  if that word can apply to a song called The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte  Blanchetts starring role in the LA pop duos new video is a coup. The best living actress (says Russell) dancing deadpan in a yellow suit, an act she repeated on stage with the band in Glastonbury in June, is a neat illustration of how high the Mael brothers stock has risen, 52 years after their first album. The unlikely collaborators connected at the Cesar Awards in Paris in 2021, where Blanchett picked up a Lifetime Achievement gong and Sparks won Best Original Music for Annette, their debut feature co-written and directed by Leos Carax. Russell accepted in fulsome, breathless French. Ron remained in character, mostly mute. Afterwards Blanchett crashed their dressing room to tell them shed been a fan forever, which is a long time. Sparks arrived in 1974 with Kimono My House and its pop-operatic single, This Town Aint Big Enough for Both of Us. Their Australian breakthrough came with 1980s synth-pop hit When Im with You.

Advertisement

On a whim the Maels sent her the title song of their 25th album. We had no ideas for what to do with that subject matter, says Russell, so she came up with that dance and that persona. We said, Well stand behind you and you do that, and we did it all in one take. We were just so happy to have her be a part of this whole new phase of Sparks. Ron and Russell Mael, aka Sparks. Credit: Munachi Osegbu This whole new phase kicked off two years ago with the double whammy of Annette and English action-comedy director Edgar Wrights documentary, The Sparks Brothers. It continues with bigger shows full of new fans, says Ron, doing cosplay as Cate, wearing probably slightly-less-expensive yellow outfits. The nature of Edgars film seemed to resonate with a lot of people, says Russell. Weve had this younger and more diverse audience thats now coming out to see Sparks shows, which is really encouraging for us at this point in our career. Russell and Ron Mael in a still from The Sparks Brothers. Credit: Focus Features Apart from its aptly comical tone, the distinction of Wrights rock doc is that it portrays an act that never peaked or faded. The melodramatic vocals of Russell and the ironically observed songs of scowling keyboard player Ron comprise a product of rare consistency in the smash-and-grab annals of pop. It would be an unusual show that didnt include the hits above, or Angst In My Pants, or The Number One Song in Heaven, or When Do I Get To Sing My Way. But to fresh ears, The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte is as good a starting point as any. Past decades have brought radical departures  check out the choral/orchestral genius of 2002s Lil Beethoven  but album 25 is another thrill of catchy tunes and shopping mall social observations.

Advertisement

We try not to be writing songs to be played live, says Ron, but the expanded six-piece Sparks has toured so much that I think maybe that [sound] was in the back of our minds. Loading Were fortunate that what were doing now we can do in a sincere way. We dont feel like were writing down to reach people  These are songs that we think have extended both our definition of what pop music is from previous albums, but just in a general sense, what pop music can be. One Sparks hallmark is the heightening of banal subject matter with often incongruously sophisticated music. Besides the enigmatically distressed cafe patron of the title, the new album includes a thumbs-down from a day-old infant, Nothing Is as Good as They Say It Is, an unrequited love story on the fleeting tracks of an Escalator, and an accountant-and-teacher couple pretending to be fugitives in a dramatic fast-car getaway. Were observant, says Russell. We take notice of people and what they do, even very mundane things. And when you do that in the context of a song you make those mundane things become bigger than maybe they warrant being. Russell and Ron Mael on the cover of their album Angst In My Pants. Credit: Getty Images He doesnt mean to name-drop (again) but they did meet legendary French filmmaker Jacques Tati in the 1970s.

Advertisement

There was a project we were going to do together and he actually came to the meeting on the bus. He liked to take public transportation to observe people. The waitress came up to take our order when were with him and he was kind of mimicking, not in a nasty way or anything, but just [noticing] her manner  That observation of human [behaviour], theres something to it. The pairs confessed snobby Francophile streak obviously hit the jackpot with Annette after decades of projects falling over. To have their debut screenplay open the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, and Carax receive the Best Director award, was a dream come true, says Ron. Theyre naturally working on a follow-up, reportedly titled X-Crucior, which is completely different story-wise than Annette, but its again our sensibility with the music and the story is a little bit  unconventional, maybe, for a movie musical, Russell says. Loading Meanwhile, the biggest tour of their lives rolls to its Australian conclusion next month, including their Sydney Opera House debut and the Palais Theatre in Melbourne, where they last played a half-full Corner Hotel 22 years ago. When we stand back from all this, its really strange, says Ron. In Los Angeles we just played the Hollywood Bowl, and for us at this stage of our career to be playing the biggest show weve ever played in such an iconic place, youre kind of thinking, What am I doing here? Its bizarre, but just incredibly inspiring. You hate to use the word vindication, but we do feel a certain measure of that; that maybe for a certain area and segment [of people], for some of that time, we were right.

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

In Dann Barbers world, a person can play a waiter and a table at the same time. Discarded boxes become walls to other realities; scraps become intricate masterpieces.

The Melbourne-based designers work has recently been seen in productions such as Victorian Operas Melbourne, Cheremushki, Kadimah Yiddish Theatres Yentl and Red Stitch Theatres The Amateurs. For him, the theatres stage should function as a physical poem  in other words, it should have a certain sense of heightened, compressed meaning.

You want the audience to come away with an emotional response to the space, he says. There has to be a poetic sentiment youre building the design around, so its not purely aesthetic.

Set and costume designer Dann Barber in his studio. Credit: Penny Stephens

Barbers practice encompasses set and costume design. In both, his work marries the gothic with the painterly: he is interested in things that do not have pretensions towards naturalism. The creators he admires  like Terry Gilliam, Jan Svankmajer, Jane Campion  are distinguished by their singularity of vision. Each has an aesthetic that is both instantly recognisable and unmistakably their own. Its this consistency that he strives for in his own work. I am interested in being typecast, he says. I admire designers where you can see the hand of that person [in their work].

Barber studied drawing and fine arts at RMIT, but the theatre was his first passion. In his final year of university, he went to see Love Never Dies, the splashy, critically panned sequel to Andrew Lloyd Webbers The Phantom of the Opera.

It was this production, he admits somewhat sheepishly, that inspired him to pursue set design. I was so blown away by how the design was so strange, and entirely world-building, and completely immersive, that it could be so fully realised, he says.
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 One is a conservative talkback radio legend, the other co-hosts a top-rating national drive show on youth-oriented Nova. Yet in 2019, octogenarian John Laws and Tim Blackwell, then in his late 30s, found themselves lunching together at Sydneys exclusive Otto, where Beyonce, Zac Efron and other A-listers have also dined. When Laws asked Blackwell what hed like to order, he replied: Im just going to do, eat and drink everything you do  and I did exactly that, including the Wild Turkey and Coke at the end of the meal. Interestingly, he had the Wild Turkey in one glass and the Coke in another; hed take a sip of Wild Turkey and then a sip of Coke but he never mixed them, which I thought was interesting. Blackwell (left) has admired John Laws radio career since he was a child. Credit: Dion Georgopoulos, Fiona Morris There were many memories racing through Blackwells mind as he sat opposite the man nicknamed Golden Tonsils. He recalled reading Laws books and buying his albums of country poetry (a genre unlikely to be heard on Nova). He remembered Laws sonorous voice booming from the radio inside his childhood home. He even cast his mind back to the Young Talent Time musical kit his grandfather had given him. Tossing the guitar aside, Blackwell would plug the microphone into the amplifier, set himself up in the kitchen and broadcast radio programs to his mother. When Blackwells Nova workmates learned of a charity auctioning off a lunch with Laws, there was no question theyd secure the winning bid. They werent always that kind  they didnt suffer fools. Tim Blackwell on his former co-hosts  and now close friends  Kate Langbroek and Dave Hughes. It was just a huge honour [to meet Laws], says 42-year-old Blackwell, speaking via Zoom from the Sydney studio where his Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel program broadcasts to almost 1.6 million weekly listeners in the five major capitals alone. (Musician and TV host Ricki-Lee Coulter sits opposite him in Sydney while comedian Joel Creasey connects from Novas Melbourne studio.) I wasnt necessarily in love with what he was saying, I was just in love with the fact he was doing this as a job.

Advertisement

Blackwell is a survivor in the notoriously cutthroat world of commercial radio. In 2001, he secured his first full-time job with Nova  where he has worked for 22 years straight, including a dozen years in drive  while finishing his studies at the Australian Film Television and Radio School. Except he was forbidden from breathing a word about his new gig to anyone. I think the show has never felt more energetic, Blackwell (centre) says of the program he hosts with Ricki-Lee Coulter and Joel Creasey. Credit: Nova Earlier that year, Nova had launched to much fanfare in Sydney, styling itself as a hipper alternative to the then-dominant FM broadcaster, 2Day. Its initial owners, the Daily Mail Group, also purchased a licence in Melbourne but hadnt revealed the stations format. They said, Were going to give you $36,000 a year but we need you to sign a confidentiality agreement because if people work out weve employed someone in their early 20s, everyones going to know it will be a young station, Blackwell says. I just sat there and stuffed my face in front of her. Blackwell on an early date with his now-wife, Monique. He was then dispatched to a studio in Albury with the rest of the stations yet-to-be-revealed line-up, including Nova Melbournes debut breakfast hosts Kate Langbroek, Dave Hughes and Dave ONeil. [Preparing for the launch in secret] was the most exciting thing Ive ever been a part of in my life, he says. Because we were all there together, building something from the ground up, that energy was infectious.

Advertisement

Blackwell began with the music-based midnight-to-dawn shift. Although the hours werent ideal, the job was: since he was a child, hed dreamed of being a music announcer. In late 2002, he was tasked with launching Nova in Perth. Every newspaper and TV station in town  as well as billionaire Lord Rothermere of the Daily Mail Group  was there as Blackwell, trembling with nerves, became the first voice heard on air. Nova Melbournes debut line-up in 2001. Left to right at back: Andy Ross, Josh Kirby, Dave ONeil, Kate Langbroek, Dave Hughes, Brendan Dangar and Tim Blackwell. Front: Corey Layton and Justin Wilcomes. Credit: Nova Lord Rothermere, then in his mid-30s, travelled from Britain especially to meet the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, who agreed to help launch the station. Blackwell so impressed the group that they offered to play him a song, unaware that Perth band Jebediah were meant to be the debut musical act. (Needless to say, Jebediah were not amused when the Chilli Peppers re-tuned their instruments and unwittingly stole their thunder.) Incredibly, launching a new station and hanging out with one of the worlds biggest bands was not the days highlight for Blackwell  meeting his now-wife, Monique, was. He shudders to think what he was wearing when he asked her out but suspects it involved some combination of skinny jeans, thongs, an artificially paint-splattered T-shirt and an excess of hair product. Nevertheless, Monique said yes and pencilled a date into her Filofax. (For those younger than 40, this is a personal organiser containing actual paper pages.) Every year, Monique and Tim Blackwell celebrate their wedding anniversary with a room-temperature bottle of bubbly. Credit: Brianne Makin One of their early dates was at Dome, a popular West Australian coffee shop franchise. When Monique told Blackwell she wasnt hungry, he took her at her word, oblivious to the fact her measly salary meant she couldnt afford a meal. I just sat there and stuffed my face in front of her, he cringes. In hindsight, I probably could have shouted her a chicken salad. Monique had obviously forgiven him when, years later, she accepted his marriage proposal. In a villa in Santorini, Blackwell prepared for the big moment by placing some sparkling wine inside their minibar fridge, which Monique later removed to make room for water. By the time he proposed, the bottle was lukewarm. Now, they have three children and celebrate each wedding anniversary with a deliberately tepid glass of bubbly.

Advertisement

As a boy, Blackwell spent his early years in Hobart before moving to Sydney, then Washington D.C. (where he listened religiously to famous American shock jock Howard Stern) before returning to Hobart, then back to Sydney. As a teenager, he volunteered at various community and commercial stations and has worked for Nova in every major city except Adelaide, including a stint in Melbourne with Kate Langbroek and Dave Hughes. Loading They werent always that kind  they didnt suffer fools, he says. If you made one mistake on that show, you never made it again. But it was an incredible way to learn and theyre dear friends now. Im so thankful to them every day  Ive been doing a drive show for 12 years because of those guys. In 2020, Blackwell launched a podcast, Introducing With Tim Blackwell, in which he does in-depth interviews with musicians, and also appears on Nines Getaway and Today Extra. (Nine owns this masthead.) Naturally, commercial networks slice and dice the numbers to their own advantage. Between 4pm and 6pm, when Ricki-Lee, Tim & Joel airs, the program was No. 1 in every major mainland city except Sydney in the most recent ratings survey. But technically, the drive shift is 4pm to 7pm, allowing other networks to claim victory in some cities. In March, when Blackwell and Creaseys co-host Kate Ritchie joined Novas Sydney breakfast show, Coulter replaced her. I think the show has never felt more energetic, he says. Even the fact we have a new person in Ricki has refreshed mine and Joels relationship. TAKE 7: THE ANSWERS ACCORDING TO TIM BLACKWELL Worst habit? The one Whoopi wore in Sister Act 2. Greatest fear? Completing the below questions. The line that stayed with you? No Regrets. Biggest regret? See above. Favourite room? Panic. The artwork/song you wish was yours? Happy Birthday. If you could solve one thing  Saturdays crossword in Spectrum.

Advertisement
About 8000, or 75 per cent, of the workforce at GC&CS were women, who operated cryptographic and communications machinery, translated enemy signals, and undertook many other duties: most were Wrens.

GC&CS had many names: To the wits it was the Golf, Cheese and Chess Society, to others in wartime it was the mysterious Station X, in 21st-century shorthand it is Bletchley Park (named after its principal location), but to the thousands of members of the Womens Royal Naval Service  the Wrens  who served there it was the stone frigate, HMS Pembroke V or simply PV.

Margaret Betts, who has died aged 99, was a member of the Womens Royal Naval Service, and, when she was barely out of her teenage years, was also one of the last Bombe operators of the Government Code and Cypher School (GC & CS) during World War II.

They generally worked in three eight-hour shifts around the clock, and, operating the large analogue decoding machines Colossus and Bombe  used for breaking enemy coded signal traffic  they were the beating heart of GC&CS.

Vera (Elvira) Laughton Mathews, director of Wrens at the time, was a Catholic and a feminist and determined that her girls should have proper work and not merely replace men in menial shore jobs. She actively schemed that, even if far from the sea, Wrens should be recruited to contribute directly to the war effort at GC&CS.

Originally, there were just two machines in a hut at Bletchley, but as the number of machines grew steadily, new ones were dispersed to outstations to reduce risks from German bombing. A few Bombes were left at Bletchley Park for demonstration and training purposes only.

Then, when it was reckoned that the introduction of a fourth rotor to the German navys Enigma cipher machine would need more than 70 new Bombes, Mathews enthusiastically co-operated in recruiting an additional 700 Wrens, even if she was not allowed to visit GC&CS, nor know precisely what her girls duties were.

Margaret Betts (nee Booth) volunteered for the Wrens in early 1943. They had the best uniform, she said: she was issued with it after two weeks initial training at Mill Hill in north London.
The climate activist group behind a controversial attempted protest outside Woodside chief executive Meg ONeills home last month has targeted the home of the companys high-profile board member Ben Wyatt.

In a one-man protest, Noongar man and deputy chair of the deaths in custody watch committee Desmond Blurton planted an Aboriginal flag outside Wyatts Perth home on Wednesday morning before performing a smoking ceremony.

Desmond Blurton outside Woodside board member Ben Wyatts home on Wednesday. Credit: X (Twitter)

Wyatt, who has Yamatji heritage, was WAs treasurer during the first three years of the McGowan government and is a former Aboriginal affairs minister. He joined the boards of Rio Tinto and Woodside shortly after leaving politics in 2021.

Blurton streamed the protest on the Disrupt Burrup Hub TikTok page, where he said he wanted answers from Wyatt about Rio Tintos destruction of Juukan Gorge and Woodsides impacts on rock art at the Burrup Peninsula in the Pilbara, where the company is expanding its operations.
Sydney has had a taste of the hot, dry summer ahead with near-record September temperatures, extreme bushfire conditions and blazes burning out of control on the citys fringe.

Hot, dry west-northwesterly winds battered Sydney throughout Wednesday, reaching gusts of up to 67kmh at Fort Denison, as temperatures soared to 33.9 degrees at Observatory Hill, just short of the September record of 34.6 degrees set in 1965.

The highest recorded temperature in the city was 35.7 degrees at the airport just before 3pm.

The Rural Fire Service said as of 8pm there were 68 blazes across NSW, with just under 30 uncontained.
A property executive accused of stealing a taxi while drunk and driving across Sydney claims he was under duress and left after being assaulted, and believed he was being followed, a court has heard.

Brett Henson, 43, has pleaded not guilty to taking and driving a conveyance without the owners consent, driving recklessly and driving under the influence of alcohol on the night of November 4, 2022, after attending The Ivy restaurant and bar.

Brett Henson and lawyer Paul McGirr outside Downing Centre Local Court in December. Credit: Nick Moir

Henson worked at the time as senior capital transactions manager for property giant Mirvac.

Opening the defence case at a hearing in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, Hensons lawyer, Paul McGirr, said there was no dispute regarding identification of his client as the driver.
The state governments first major move to effectively double the housing density surrounding one of Sydneys Metro stations has ignited a war with the local council, which says nearby schools are too full to accommodate the extra homes.

Late last week Planning Minister Paul Scully announced he would remove a cap on the number of dwellings permitted in the precinct surrounding Showground Metro station, in the Hills District, which the previous government had set at 5000. He estimated 9500 homes could now be built.

Several apartment blocks are under construction near Hills Showground Metro station. The government has abolished a cap limiting the precinct to 5000 homes. Credit: Brook Mitchell

Scully said development approvals were nearing the limit and removing the cap would mean more infill housing can be added relatively quickly within a few minutes walk of a station  a theme of Labors election platform.

But the move has angered the Liberal-led Hills Shire Council, which says the cap was put in place because local schools are bursting at the seams.
The court heard that on the evening of March 12, 2022, Declan Cutler attended a house party in Reservoir, in Melbournes north, with friends. One of the friends was affiliated with a youth gang, but Cutler  known to friends and family as DJay  was not a member. At the same time, a group of eight teens  some of whom were part of a rival gang  left the western suburbs of Melbourne in a stolen Mazda and travelled to the streets surrounding the party. The entire attack was captured on CCTV footage and lasted approximately two minutes. The footage emits not sounds, but screams of horror. Rita Incerti, Supreme Court judge As Cutler and his friends walked away from the party about 2.30am the following morning, the group chasing them got out of the stolen car and began stabbing, kicking and stomping on Cutler as he lay alone on the nature strip of a nearby home.

Cutler had no affiliation with any gangs and instead appeared to have been targeted as he was nearest to his attackers. Loading The attackers stole Cutlers shoes before leaving him to die on the side of the road. The next day, the Mazda used in the attack was set on fire. The entire attack was captured on CCTV footage and lasted approximately two minutes. The footage emits not sounds, but screams of horror, the judge said. Declan is repeatedly stabbed, kicked and stomped on.

Declan was alone and unarmed when he was set upon and he was utterly defenceless. Declan was entitled to feel safe leaving the party. A post-mortem found Cutler suffered more than 100 injuries. Incerti said while the then 13-year-old did not stab Cutler, he repeatedly kicked and stomped on the 16-year-old as he was being stabbed by others. No kid should have to walk around Melbourne feeling unsafe. Bryan Beattie, Declan Cutlers father Incerti said the criminal age of responsibility in Victoria was 10. When a child is aged under 14, the common law presumes the child lacks the capacity to be criminally responsible for their actions.

It is then the prosecutions role to rebut this presumption and prove the child knew their actions were seriously wrong in a criminal sense. Doli incapax is the principle that means children aged between 10 and 14 are seen as criminally incapable, and lacking moral reasoning, for some crimes, unless the prosecution can prove otherwise. In this case, Incerti said this had not been established. The starting point is a child under 14 is presumed in law to be incapable of being criminally responsible for their actions, the judge said. I find the prosecution has not rebutted this. I therefore find [the teenager] not guilty of murder.

Cutlers family was visibly emotional as the verdict was read out after a judge-only trial. Is my son next? one of the victims adult friends yelled. Bryan Beattie (centre), hugging his sons best friend, says he is devastated by Wednesdays judgment. Credit: Chris Hopkins Its disgusting. Outside court, Beattie sobbed and hugged his sons best friend.

I want everyone to know ... [Declan] was having a crack at life, concreting for my brother, doing VCE. Declan was walking home [when he was attacked] because he had to work on Monday, Beattie said. You wouldnt wish this upon your worst enemy. No kid should have to walk around Melbourne feeling unsafe. Family friend Renah Backx said Cutlers death had affected many people. She said kids should be able to be kids, and not leave home fearing they could be killed. No family deserves to go through the pain and suffering my friends and family are going through. So many people are suffering because of this, Backx said.

Loading I hope no one elses kids gets buried. Enough of the gang violence. We need justice for Declan. Last week, the brother of the acquitted 13-year-old  who was a year older than the boy and on bail at the time of the killing  was jailed for at least 10 years for murder. Another teenager involved in the attack, then aged 16, was sentenced to four years in youth detention after pleading guilty to manslaughter, while a second 16-year-old was sentenced to three years and six months in youth detention after pleading guilty to intentionally causing serious injury. The four other teens allegedly involved in the attack are due to face a judge-only trial later this year.
The first three towers, in Flemington and North Melbourne, will be knocked down and redeveloped by 2031, with the remaining 41 to be rebuilt over coming decades. Approvals for significant housing developments  worth at least $50 million in Melbourne and $15 million in regional Victoria  will be streamlined if they deliver at least 10 per cent affordable housing, including build-to-rent projects. A public housing tower in Alfred Street, North Melbourne. Credit: Chris Hopkins Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny will immediately become the decision-maker for projects that meet these criteria, with the faster approvals claimed to cut the process from 12 months to four months. In an Australian first, Victoria will introduce a tax on short-stay accommodation, and small second homes such as granny flats will no longer need a planning permit if they are below 60 square metres.

The government has pledged to create 210,000 new homes across activity centres including Broadmeadows and Ringwood, and priority precincts such as Fishermans Bend and Arden. Loading Although the housing statement outlines significant incentives for faster building, it does not detail how goals will be enforced. The policy instead said the government would update its 30-year strategy, Plan Melbourne, and this would include housing targets for each council area. The Andrews government will consult about major changes to the states planning laws, with industry figures telling this masthead the state was moving towards a model where decisions in key precincts would be made by a lead minister or metropolitan planning boards. This would require further talks amid concerns of a backlash in areas where councils were sidelined.

The housing statement also commits to banning all rental bidding and features a simplified process to resolve disputes between tenants and landlords. Notices to vacate or increase rent will be extended from a minimum of 60 days to 90. Loading The Grattan Institutes Brendan Coates said that in avoiding taking all planning powers off councils, the state government would be hard-pressed to reach 800,000 homes in a decade. Theyve chosen not to take on councils and, in the absence of that  its not clear you are getting 800,000 homes, he said. Taken as a whole, its a good step in the right direction, but it wont fulfil the ambition the premier has. Australian Bureau of Statistics figures, when seasonally adjusted, show about 59,000 new dwellings were completed in Victoria in the year to March.

Coates also questioned the location of 10 activity centres around Melbourne, in which the government planned to build 60,000 additional homes. The activity centres are a long way out of the city and not necessarily in job-rich areas, he said. It doesnt shake the city as much as expected, which means housing affordability might get worse. Swinburne Universitys Dr Stephen Glackin, who specialises in urban planning and density, said the state needed to step in if it wanted to make inner-Melbourne suburbs more dense. He said in Brisbane, where a larger council oversees much of the city, priority development areas had specific targets for housing, and the Andrews government could adopt a similar model.

Councils are too close to their constituents, Glackin said. To achieve this [density] in any major city, you need a larger body overseeing the process. When asked if Victoria could build 80,000 homes a year, he said it would be difficult to surpass existing levels given there were not enough workers and builders were under financial pressure. Infrastructure Victoria chief executive Jonathan Spear said that earlier this year the agency had recommended housing targets for council areas as part of its report on providing more housing choices. We say this should be done in collaboration with councils, he said. Then you can prioritise the right areas in terms of transport, infrastructure and amenity.

Spear said these targets needed to be accompanied by incentives such as streamlining approvals for well-designed developments and expanding use of zoning for low-rise apartments. Adding to the states social housing stock, including redeveloping dilapidated public housing, was also a key recommendation in Infrastructure Victorias 30-year strategy. Spear said other areas of reform yet to be addressed were changes to developer contributions towards infrastructure costs and removing the first home buyers grant. The government will also sell 45 unidentified parcels of government land to property developers for up to 9000 additional homes, with 10 per cent allocated as affordable housing.

The tax on short-stay properties including Airbnb will be a 7.5 per cent levy on revenue, usurping local council fees for short-term rentals. Andrews said money raised from the tax on the states 36,000 short-term rentals would be reinvested in social housing. A short-term stay levy will be imposed, taking in 7.5 per cent of revenue from platforms such as Airbnb and Stayz. Credit: Elke Metizel The government estimates the levy, which Andrews described as a modest charge, would raise $70 million a year after it is introduced on January 1, 2025. Other cities around the world already tax short-term rentals. Holidaymakers in California are slugged with a 14 per cent levy, and the charge is 6 per cent in Toronto.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani said the tax could not come at a worse time, with spending in regional Victoria falling by more than 20 per cent in May and 16 per cent in June, compared with the same times last year. We cant afford another handbrake on tourism. Our industry has not fully recovered from three years of fires, floods and COVID, and the latest data shows regional tourism spending is crashing compared to the same period last year, Mariani said. The change will require the support of the Greens and at least two crossbench MPs to pass in the upper house, where the government does not have a majority. Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam said the party was concerned the levy would not go far enough. It wont release the rentals we need onto the long term rental market, she said. The government will also accept all 35 recommendations from a recent parliamentary inquiry on improving apartment design standards, which will mean new properties need more natural light, better storage and more family-friendly designs.
Canada by any standard is one of the safest, if not the safest, country in the world, that is governed by the rule of law. People should read that statement for what it is, he told reporters in Ottawa. Canada is a safe country and will remain a safe country. Loading Separately on Wednesday, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said the US is co-ordinating and consulting with Canada closely on the issue. This is a serious matter and we support Canadas ongoing law enforcement efforts. We are also engaging the Indian government, she said in a statement.

Relations between Canada and India have sunk to their lowest point in years as the two countries swapped accusations and expelled each others diplomats over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader. Experts said it remains to be seen if it will create a lasting rift between the two US and Australian allies, but its nonetheless an awkward situation for Western countries seeking to woo New Delhi as a counterweight to China and win Indias co-operation on the Ukraine war. Five years ago, Trudeau captured headlines in India for enthusiastically embracing the countrys culture during a weeklong trip with his family. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India in 2018. Credit: The Canadian Press/AP He donned a series of colourful, glittering traditional Indian suits, visited monuments and even received Prime Minister Narendra Modis signature bear hug  a sign that their relationship was on the up.

Those days seemed gone for good when Trudeau said Monday that his government is investigating credible allegations that India may have been tied to the killing of a Canadian Sikh independence activist in British Columbia in June. India rejected that as absurd on Tuesday and accused Canadian diplomats of interfering in internal matters. Loading New Delhis anxieties about Sikh separatist groups in Canada have long been a strain on the relationship, but the two have maintained strong defence and trade ties, and share strategic interests over Chinas global ambitions. Signs of a diplomatic rift emerged at the summit of the Group of 20 leading world economies, hosted by India earlier this month. Trudeau skipped the official dinner for the G20 leaders and local media reports said he was dealt a snub when he got a quick pull aside meeting with Modi, instead of a sit-down bilateral meeting.

Modi raised concerns that Canadas government was soft on Sikh separatists, according to an Indian statement released at the time. Trudeaus trip ended with even more awkwardness when his plane broke down, forcing him to stay in New Delhi for some 36 hours longer than planned. Canada has yet to provide evidence of Indian involvement in the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader who was killed by masked gunmen in British Columbia. Loading India, though, has accused Canada for years of giving free rein to Sikh separatists, including Nijjar who was a leader in what remains of a once-strong movement to create an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan. While the active insurgency ended decades ago, the Modi government has warned that Sikh separatists were trying to stage a comeback and pressed countries like Canada, where Sikhs make up more than 2 per cent of the population, to do more in stopping them.

In June, India summoned Canadas highest diplomat to complain about a parade float seen in a small Canadian town that commemorated the assassination of Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at the height of the Sikh insurgency. In late 2020, it did the same to complain after Trudeau made sympathetic comments about protests by farmers from Punjab, where Sikhs are a majority. The issue never dominated ties between the two countries, but some experts say that could change. Narendra Modi welcomes Justin Trudeau upon his arrival at the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9. Credit: AP While both dont want a rupture in relations, theyre going to have trouble finding off-ramps after events of the last few days, said Michael Kugelman, director of the Wilson Centres South Asia Institute. The tensions likely sparked Canada to recently halt talks with India on a new trade deal, a sign that their relationship isnt as resilient and foolproof as many would like it to be, added Kugelman. The two countries are relatively minor trading partners, but proponents had argued that a trade deal could boost jobs and GDP for both.

The allegations could also hurt Modis growing soft power in the West, Kugelman said, but values and morals dont necessarily drive foreign relations. Loading Were not going to see the Western democracies try to remove India from their strategic calculus, especially in terms of countering China. The strategic convergences are too strong, he added. Western countries have sought to pull India away from its Cold War-era ally Russia, particularly during the Ukraine war as they try to isolate Moscow. So far, allies like the United Kingdom and the United States have expressed concern about the killing, but have stopped short of commenting on Indias alleged role.

On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canadas allegations were concerning, and that Canberra was monitoring developments and had raised the issue with India. Loading Derek Grossman, a senior defence analyst at the RAND Corporation, said India may be able simply to wait the issue out. If Saudi Arabias experience following its murder of Jamal Khashoggi is any guide, Indias best friend is time, he said, referring to the 2018 killing of a US-based Saudi journalist in Istanbul. The longer disputes over the incident drag on, the more likely it is that both sides and others will want to move on.

Some Indian experts said Modis confrontational response to the allegations reflects a pattern of hyping separatist threats to consolidate its Hindu nationalist base. It is unprecedented, but not entirely unexpected, because of the way this government has held its foreign policy hostage to domestic politics, said Sushant Singh, a senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research in India. Modi has sought to cast India as a rising global power, adept at juggling ties with developing countries and Russia on one hand, and the West on the other. Singh said the incident will put India under pressure and it will have to devote a lot of energy to contain that fallout.

A number of Indian news sites and TV channels ran headlines like: India trashes Canadas big charge or referred to Indias savage reply to Canada. Social media users criticised Trudeau for not taking Indias separatism concerns seriously. Some Indian commentators have also been sceptical over the allegations, saying Trudeau didnt offer hard evidence and suggested he was trying to appeal to Sikh constituencies for political points. But to many other Indians, especially students, Canada is more relevant as an attractive destination overseas. In 2022, the country had nearly 300,000 Indians students pursuing higher education. Kulwinder Singh  who runs a store in Punjabs Amritsar, home to the holiest site for Sikhs  worried that the tensions could adversely impact our students and workers living in Canada, he said. Prabhjit Singh, a 21-year-old student in New Delhi, felt the same way  he hoped the strained ties dont affect the dreams and careers of young Indians like him.
Rupert Murdoch often wishes that Donald Trump was dead during frothing at the mouth rants about the former US president, according to a new book.

The media tycoons Fox News backed Trump as he won the White House in 2016 but Murdoch, 92, is vehemently opposed to the possibility of a second Trump presidency.

Rupert Murdoch and Donald Trump. Credit: Reuters/AP

Murdoch has become a critic of the 77-year-old, who is the overwhelming favourite to face Joe Biden, 80, in the 2024 presidential election.

Trumps death has become a recurrent subject in the Australian billionaires rants, according to new book The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty by Michael Wolff.
London: Britain will delay its ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and relax a transition away from gas and oil heaters in homes, amid cost of living pressures and a looming electoral wipe-out for the ruling Conservatives next year.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a series of U-turns on key targets to tackle climate change on Wednesday, claiming his pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach to reaching the countrys 2050 target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions would protect vulnerable households.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has rolled back several climate change commitments. Credit: AP

In a press conference at Downing Street he said the present approach would impose unacceptable costs on the poorest families and lead to the collapse of the national consensus on tackling climate change.

Polling from YouGov released after the announcement found 50 per cent of Britons supported the governments proposal to push back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, 34 per cent opposed, and 16 per cent didnt know.
Latest News Mortgage interest charges up 68.6% Employee living expenses are twice the rate of inflation

Broker of the year shares secrets of success He plans to empower next generation of brokers

Australian Broker has recognised the nations fastest-growing mortgage businesses in this years Fast Brokerages award.

Now on its third year, the Fast Brokerages 2023, sponsored by non-bank lender Liberty, celebrates 12 brokerages across Australia that achieved 20% growth in combined revenue and settlement volume in the 2021/22 and 2022/23 financial years  which is no mean feat in todays challenging economic climate.

Of the 12 winners, eight have been in the business for three years or less, earning them the title of Fast Starters.

Among the Fast Brokerages for 2023 is RL Financial Group. Its average loan size decreased by around 10% from the fiscal year ending 2022/23 but it achieved an approximately 25% gain in total settlement value.

Rocky Lim (pictured above left), owner of RL Financial Group, shared one key to the companys success.

Just one bank might not cut it, Lim said. We offer solutions from 30, 40, or 50 different lenders if it needs to be right and you are not locked into one solution. Versatility is important to all Australians, whether they are upgrading, investing, or refinancing.

Another Fast Brokerage winner, education-based lending service, 10X Home Lending, settled more than $50 million in loans and achieved a 35% increase year-on-year over the past 18 months.

I am driven by how many people I am able to help and serve, said Michael Wu (pictured above second from left), mortgage broker at 10X Home Lending.

Cinch Loans, which was also recognised as a 2023 Fast Brokerage, targets professionals in legal, medical, consulting, and IT, has been nominated for more than 75 different industry awards, including the Bankwest New Brokerage of the Year Award at the 2023 Australian Mortgage Awards.

It has also won multiple Elite Broker awards and CEOs Choice awards, and the Finance Broker Business Award at the MFAA Victoria and Tasmania State Excellence Awards.

I am an entrepreneurial, trusted adviser with a strong financial services background who gets his energy from helping people own their homes faster, said Suvidh Arora (pictured above far right), founder and CEO of Fast Brokerage Cinch Loans.

We personally know each and every one of our clients and connect with them at a personal level. Nothing can beat the human touch.

John Mohnacheff (pictured above second from right), group manager of sales at Liberty, said the non-bank takes great pride in sponsoring Australian Brokers Fast Brokerages 2023 special report.

The broker channel is at the heart of the Australian mortgage and finance industry and Liberty is proud to acknowledge those contributing to its bright future, Mohnacheff said.

For the full list of Fast Brokerages 2023 winners, read the special report here.
Latest News Mortgage interest charges up 68.6% Employee living expenses are twice the rate of inflation

Broker of the year shares secrets of success He plans to empower next generation of brokers

All four major banks have been questioned by a Senate committee inquiring into bank closures across regional Australia.

With over 1,200 bank branches closing across regional towns in six years and more shutdowns expected to come, industry representatives defended their positions as consumers transition to digital banking.

The inquiry, which featured senior executives from Commonwealth Bank (CBA), Westpac, NAB, and ANZ along with unions and other groups, comes after submissions closed in April after the investigation began on February 8.

NAB criticised for continued bank closures

While CBA and Westpac have committed to no bank closures while the inquiry continues, NAB has closed regional branches even while the Senate investigation rages on.

You've announced or closed 30 branches since this committee has formed, Nationals Senator Matthew Canavan said to NAB. Why are you acting in this way and continuing to close your branches right across rural and regional Australia while other banks are pausing and taking a look at what they're doing?

NAB managing director and CEO Ross McEwan (pictured above far left) maintained that the bank had continued to do the right thing.

In his opening address, McEwan said banks were experiencing rapid changes in how customers interacted with them and accessed their services and products.

Digitisation has ushered in a new era of convenience, and we are all adapting to these dynamics, McEwan said. Today, 93% of interactions with our personal customers occur through digital channels  and this is growing  in fact, our data shows us that digital adoption is occurring at the same in regional Australia as it is in metro areas.

Only 3% of our personal banking customers do their banking exclusively through a branch and we now processing more than one billion payments online annually. In contrast, our Corrigin branch in regional Western Australia, for example, averaged only six transactions a day last year.

CBA, Westpac and ANZ state their positions

In Commonwealth Banks opening statement, CEO Matt Comyn (pictured above second from left) said the bank, which has 728 branches across the country, had reduced its branch footprint over time due to the way customers engage with banks continues to change.

As our branch footprint has reduced, we have chosen to skew closures towards metropolitan areas, Comyn said. Today, around 40% of our branches are in regional areas yet regional Australia only accounted for only 25% of closures over the past four years.

Westpac CEO Peter King (pictured above second from right) said the bank had used technology to connect the groups brands to regional customers.

We've almost completed a national rollout allowing customers of any regional brand, that's St George, Bank of South Australia, Bank of Melbourne, can now use any Westpac branch, King said. This is increasing overall availability of branches for our customers.

While King admitted that the use of cash was coming down and regional branches were being used not as much as is the past, he said the Westpac Group did not close a bank if there is no alternative bank in the community.

ANZ, which is the smallest of the big four, has 390 branches across the country  140 of those in regional areas.

We would love it if people would use our branches, but the reality in ANZ is that our customers are rapidly moving towards digital channels, said ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott (pictured above far right).

Elliott said while most customers preferred digital channels for many of their transactions, branches continue to be important.

We know that closing a branch can have a big impact on communities and we do not make that decision lightly, Elliott said. When we do make the difficult decision to close a branch, we work hard to support our employees and our customers.

How do banks consult regional communities on bank closures?

A significant theme of the inquiry involved how banks consult communities about closures.

Canavan asked Comyn what the problems would be if the government mandated a provision that required consultation.

Comyn responded that he didnt think it would have a significant impact and that CBA was moving towards the most telegraphed consultation process in banking history.

When questioned later on about what CBA is doing now to consult customers, CommBanks executive general manager of retail Mark Jones (pictured below) said the bank had more than 750 regional and agribusiness bankers who can turn up and talk face to face.

Another point of interest was how banks decide to close a branch with Canavan asking whether it was based on the profit and loss of branches.

Comyn admitted that while there might have been a point in time when profit and loss were considered at an individual level, that was no longer the case.

We think about serving customers holistically across segments and across regions, whether it's through digital, whether its through our contact centre, whether its through our branches.

NAB executive general manager of retail Krissie Jones (pictured below) responded to this point, saying there was not a formula but a range of factors.

We look at a range of factors, whether that's over the counter, the types of inquiries the customers coming in but also the way that they're banking, Jones said.

Westpacs King said in places such as Townsville where branches had closed, education sessions were run before the closure occurred.

In towns where we're closing a branch, we have a fairly lengthy period where were consulting with our customers, King said.

We've enabled our call centres to be able to take calls from customers anywhere in Australia where they can continue that digital education with customers online.

We would have had 340,000 of those conversations with customers since March this year.

Are post offices the new banks?

An interesting undercurrent to the discussion throughout the session was the use of Australia Post as a viable alternative to regional banking.

Bank@Post gives access to over 80 banks and financial institutions, including CommBank, Westpac and NAB, and allows customers to conduct some banking processes through participating post offices across more than 1,800 remote locations.

For example, the Senate pointed out that research showed the closest NAB branch to Emerald is Longreach in regional Queensland  about a four-hour drive away.

In response, McEwan noted that there are a large amount of regional post offices that will service those needs.

King alluded to the impact regional branches had on shareholders, saying that the 10-year commitment to Australia Post was very important because it's a scaled game, with the amount of cash use shrinking fast.

The shareholders will get the ups and downs particularly of an economic cycle, King said. We've been fortunate enough in Australia to have 20 years of growth. And that's seen good, profitable banking systems in relation to services in the region.

However, the Finance Sector Unions Myrna Ellery pointed out that there were some transactions that cannot be done anywhere but at a bank branch.

They range from identity checks to cries for help from the most vulnerable in the community impacted by violence or misadventure, Ellery said. It includes loan applications, opening new accounts for children or community organisations.

All these interactions have one thing in common. They must be performed by a suitably qualified bank worker. They cant be done in a post office. It is disingenuous at best to suggest that a post office branch can do the job of a bank.

Elliott agreed that there were some situations where a branch was needed. ANZ does not use Bank@Post services.

However, he said ANZ would continue to reach a fair and proportionate agreement with Australia Post to use the services.

The final report is set to be published on December 1, 2023.
Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles (VECV) is exploring new export markets and is keen on electric vehicles (EVs), compressed natural gas (CNG), and liquid natural gas (LNG) vehicles segments in India, it said on Wednesday.

As the joint venture company between the Volvo Group and Eicher Motors completes 15 years in India, it expressed its commitment to target markets in West Asia, South East Asia and Africa for exports. It will expand its footprint in light and medium duty, heavy duty trucks and buses.

If you think globally, traditionally we have been very strong in the South Asian market, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka. Now, we are aggressively looking at West Asia, South East Asian markets like Indonesia and Malaysia, some countries in Africa and Latin America, said Vinod Aggarwal, VECV's managing director and chief executive officer.

When we started in 2008, we were having revenue of around $200 million and now we have a size of $2.2 billion. It was an amazing journey in terms of growth this year. The company is well invested in terms of product range, capacity and service network. We are a company that is very well positioned for continued growth, said Sofia Helena Frandberg, chairperson of VECV. The company has in 15 years increased its market share in light and medium duty trucks from 25 per cent to 33 per cent, 1 per cent to 9 per cent in heavy duty trucks, and 5 per cent to 24 per cent in buses.

We are already a strong player in CNG. On the other hand, on LNG, we are ready for the market whenever infrastructure is ready. We are also betting big on electric vehicles and are growing at a faster pace too. We are focusing on all the above sectors, said Aggarwal.

VECV, in September, signed an agreement with GreenCell Mobility to supply 1,000 Eicher electric buses for the mass mobility companys inter-city business NueGo in the next five years.

In August, VECV announced it would collaborate with Amazon for the electrification of the e-commerce firms delivery operations in India. The collaboration will introduce some 1,000 zero-emission electric trucks across various payload categories into Amazons delivery operations over the next five years.

Also Read After Mercedes, Volvo to adopt direct-to-customer model for sales in India Eicher Motors cracks 6% as Hero Moto-Harley Davidson tie up for X440 bike Motorcycle to commercial vehicles: Eicher Motors stock cruising smoothly Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo revs up with EVs, eyes record sales in 2023 Commercial LPG cylinder prices slashed by Rs 171.50; to cost Rs 1856.50 France's Total Energies to invest $300 mn to form JV with Adani Green India's solar tech firm finalist in Prince William's Earthshot Prize 2023 GIC, TPG healthcare fund buys major stake in AINU hospital chain for $72 mn SJVN inks pact with PFC to get finance for projects worth Rs 1.18 trn Audio content firm Kuku FM raises $25 mn from existing investors

VECV comprises five business verticals: Eicher Trucks and Buses, Volvo Trucks India, Eicher Engineering Components, VE Powertrain, and VECV Engine Business. Aggarwal said that the joint venture has helped in new product development, quality and standardisation, manufacturing, sales, and research and development. For Volvo, the tie-up has helped in cost-efficient productions.
Former pilots of Akasa Air have contested the validity of lawsuits filed against them in the Bombay High Court for not meeting their contractual notice period obligations. The pilots contend that since their employment contracts were signed in Delhi, the case should fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi High Court, as per media reports.





Also Read: In contrast, Akasa points to a specific clause in the employment contracts stating that in the event of a dispute, the matter would be decided by the Bombay High Court. According to Indian law, the court under whose jurisdiction a contract was executed is empowered to handle contractual disputes, although this jurisdiction can change if both parties agree.Also Read: Akasa Air files court case against 40 pilots for not serving notice period

The airline refrained from commenting further on the ongoing case, stating that it is sub judice. However, Akasa confirmed that they had initiated legal proceedings against a small group of pilots who had failed to serve their mandatory notice periods. "Their actions were not only in breach of their contracts but also against the country's civil aviation regulations. This has led to a wave of flight disruptions between July and September, stranding our customers," the airline said in a response to a Business Standard query.





Also Read: Akasa has approached the Bombay High Court, seeking an urgent stay against the pilots who left without serving their obligatory notice periods, resulting in the cancellation of 600 flights in August alone. The airline mandates a six-month notice period for first officers and a one-year period for captains.Also Read: Akasa Air widens gap with SpiceJet in domestic passenger market share

"All we ask is that pilots fulfil their contractual and legal notice periods. Failure to do so causes significant public inconvenience," the airline stated. Akasa's market share fell from 5.2 per cent in July to 4.2 per cent in August, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) data, due to these disruptions.

The airline is now seeking substantial compensation from each pilot, amounting to crores of rupees, citing "operational losses" and reputational damage from the cancellations.

In a related development, Akasa Air's legal team informed the Delhi High Court that training replacement pilots is a lengthy process, taking approximately seven to eight months.
Indias second-largest hospital chain Manipal Hospitals has acquired a majority stake -- 84 per cent -- in Kolkata-based AMRI Hospitals, which is part of Emami Group, for an undisclosed amount in a bid to strengthen its presence in the countrys eastern region. The region witnesses an influx of patients from a few neighbouring countries, too.

The deal size, according to market sources, is estimated at around Rs 2,300 crore. The agreement took months of negotiations and legal battles.

Manipal Hospitals, which now has 9,500 beds with the addition of 1,200 beds from AMRI, is looking to expand to 12,000 beds in three years through both organic and inorganic routes.

Manipal Group, which has a significant stake in Manipal Hospitals, said that the deal fits into its growth strategy to have a wider footprint and expanded presence across eastern India, and finally emerge as the largest hospital chain in that region. Emami Group, on the other hand, said it decided to divest its majority stake in AMRI Hospitals to focus on its core business, including FMCG.

Dr Ranjan Pai, chairman, Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG), said: Manipal Hospitals always had patrons from eastern India and countries like Bangladesh. This acquisition is in sync with our objective to further strengthen our presence and serve the patients in eastern India -- an underserved area when it comes to health care.

Dilip Jose, MD and CEO of Manipal Hospitals, told Business Standard that now that it would now have four hospitals in Kolkata and that the hospital chain would look to expand further to tier-2 cities and towns of West Bengal. We are already setting up three hospitals with a cumulative of 750 beds in Bengaluru, and adding another 350 beds in Raipur, Jose said.

Manipal Group plans to add more beds over the next 18-36 months through the inorganic route, taking its bed count to 12,000 beds across India.

Claiming that AMRI Hospitals has been very close to their heart, Emami Group directors Aditya Agarwal and Manish Goenka stated: In an endeavour to focus on our core businesses, we have divested our majority stake in AMRI Hospitals, which is a significant step in Emami Groups stated objective. We will, however, continue as an investor in AMRI Hospitals with a 15 per cent stake. The Government of West Bengal will also have around 1 stake in AMRI Hospitals.

Also Read Manipal Health aims adding 3,600 beds yrs after Temasek controlling stake From adding beds to more high-end surgeries, Manipal's next health plan We will continue to hold 30% in Manipal Health: Manipal group chairman Manipal Group likely to inject Rs 1,000 cr into PharmEasy for 18% stake TMS Ep490: Manipal help Byju's, August rains, markets, full-service airline JSW, Tata, Adani make a beeline to meet industrial green energy needs Honasa's Derma Co crosses annual run rate of Rs 350 cr in June quarter Former Akasa pilots challenge maintainability of lawsuits filed by airline Hyundai Motor India net profit jumps 62.3% to Rs 4,709.25 cr in FY23 Casio to start local manufacturing of watches in India by the end of 2023

We have never viewed it as a business entity but a way of giving back to society, they further said.

Emami promoters are trying to reduce their share pledge in the FMCG company Emami Ltd from 33 per cent. In the first quarter earnings call, the company had indicated that the share pledge would come down to 18-20 per cent.

In April, Singapore-headquartered investment company Temasek acquired an additional 41 per cent in Manipal Health Enterprises (MHE), valuing MHE at Rs 40,000 crore. Sheares Healthcare Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary and independently managed portfolio company of Temasek, retained its existing 18 percent stake. Manipal Group now holds around 30 per cent of MHE, which was founded by Dr Ramdas Pai in 1991.

MHE closed FY23 at a consolidated revenue of around Rs 4600 crore and Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation) of Rs 1,200 crore, resulting in an Ebitda margin of over 25 per cent, market sources said. It had an average revenue per occupied bed of Rs 2 crore a year at a network level, which is at par with Fortis Healthcare and Apollo Hospital Enterprises, they said.

The AMRI-Manipal deal took a while due to legal trouble and negotiations. In February this year, MHE and Emami Group renewed their discussions after the former moved the Delhi High Court in November 2022, seeking to bar Emami Group from selling a majority stake in AMRI Hospitals to a third party or alter the management after a deal between the two parties fell through.

Owing to differences over the terms and conditions of the deal and pending clearances from the West Bengal government, the deal between Manipal Health and Emami did not fructify. Reportedly, Max Healthcare had entered the fray for AMRI Hospitals, offering a better bid than Manipals Rs 1,800-crore offer for AMRI. According to reports, Maxs counter offer was around Rs 2,700 crore. Max Healthcare had not confirmed the development.

Deals bedrock

- Manipal Hospitals targets 12,000 beds in 3 yrs; looks to expand in West Bengals hinterland

- It is adding 1,100 beds via greenfield expansion in Bengaluru and Raipur



- After AMRI deal, it has 9,500 beds across India



- Emami Group to focus on core business
During the third day of the Special Parliament Session and the second day in the new parliament building, members of parliament (MPs) took the floor to debate the Women's Reservation Bill.

This has nothing to do with politics: Union minister Meghwal

In Lok Sabha, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Women's Reservation Bill, emphasising its significance in empowering women. He assured a day-long discussion and urged that the deliberations should not be politicised.

Ahead of the session, he told the media, "Discussion will be done throughout the day. It will begin at 11 and it has been scheduled to continue till 6 pm...This has nothing to do with politics."

Yes to women quotes, but with immediate effect: Congress' Sonia Gandhi

Sonia Gandhi led the debate on the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. While she expressed her support for the Bill, Gandhi demanded that it be immediately implemented.

She stated, "I stand here in support of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam." Gandhi added, "The immediate implementation of the women's reservation bill by removing all obstacles not only necessary but also possible."

Sonia Gandhi stressed the importance of including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) women in the reservation following a caste census. She deemed any delay in implementing the reservation as a "gross injustice" to Indian women.

"Rajiv Gandhi's dream is only half fulfilled. It will be fulfilled with the passage of this Bill. The Congress supports this Bill. We will be happy with the passage of this Bill, but we also have a concern. I want to ask a question, for the last 13 years, Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities, and now they are being asked to wait for a few more years -- two years, four years, six years, eight years," the former Congress chief said.

Following Gandhi's statements, Amit Shah took the floor, stating everyone has a right to be concerned about the well-being of women in the country.

Also Read Special session of Parliament: PM Modi to speak in Lok Sabha at 11 am today Special session of Parliament to begin today: Here is all you need to know Special session: Emotional moment to leave old Parliament, says PM Modi Don't understand if this is a special session or normal: LoP Chowdhury Women's reservation: What major political leaders have said on the Bill 'Exercise utmost caution': India issues advisory on travel to Canada Fresh spell of rain boosts water level in major dams across Gujarat 1984 riots case: Court acquits Sajjan Kumar, 2 others of rioting, murder Electric buses can give us a future where planet will be livable: US Owaisi opposes women's reservation Bill, says will benefit 'savarna' women

Trinamool Congress' Sougata Roy also submitted an amendment seeking a quota within the quota for OBC women in the Women's Reservation Bill.

This is not a Congress Bill: BJP's Nishikant Dubey

BJP's Nishikant Dubey responded to Sonia Gandhi by crediting Geeta Mukherjee and Sushma Swaraj for advocating women's reservation for a long time.

Dubey stated, "This is not Congress' Bill as Sonia Gandhi is trying to claim. Geeta Mukherjee from West Bengal and BJP's Sushma Swaraj have rallied for women's reservation for a long time."

He added, "What Modi starts he finishes. The same will occur with the women's quota bill."

Bill is shrouded in secrecy: DMK's Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

Kanimozhi Karunanidhi from the DMK responded by stating, "I thought we would pass this bill with unity, but BJP has made it its own thing."

Kanimozhi also went on to highlight that the delimitation clause could undermine the Bill's purpose and urged for equal respect and representation for women. She also went on to question the government on how the Bill was drafted.

Kanimozhi said, "They said that they have to involve all stakeholders, political parties and then build a consensus before bringing the Bill. I would like to know what consensus was built. What discussions were held. This Bill was brought shrouded in secrecy. We did not know what this session was called for..."

Why is delimitation linked with women's quota?: TMC's Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

TMC's Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar also raised questions regarding the delimitation process as it would delay the implementation of the Bill. She claimed this move would result in more representation from states with poor population control and poor representation of women. Dastidar also took the opportunity to point out that West Bengal was the only state with a female chief minister.

She said, "West Bengal is the only state in the country which has a female chief minister. We are actually delighted to witness the realisation of our leader Mamata Banerjee's vision where women's rightful entitlements are being recognised."

A call for caste census: BSP's Sangeeta Azad

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)'s Sangeeta Azad also supported fot the Bill but demanded representation for SC, ST, and OBCs within the women's quota. She also called for a caste census and hoped the presentation of the Bill was not an election gimmick.


It would be suitable if an age limit was introduced for using social media akin to a legal age for drinking alcohol, the Karnataka High Court said on Tuesday. The court added that the school-going children are addicted to it.

A division bench of Justices G Narendar and Vijaykumar A Patil observed while hearing an appeal by X Corp (formerly Twitter) challenging the single judge order of June 30, which had dismissed its plea to the takedown orders issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY).

MeiTY had, under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act between February 2, 2021 and February 28, 2022, issued ten orders directing the social media platform to block 1,474 accounts, 175 Tweets, 256 URLs and one hashtag. Twitter challenged the orders related to 39 of these URLs.

"Ban social media. I will tell you a lot of good will come. Today's school-going children are so addicted to it. I think there should be an age limit such as in Excise rules," Justice G Narendar noted, as reported by news agency PTI.

The court further said that "children maybe 17 or 18. But do they have the maturity to judge what is or is not in the interest of the nation? Not only on social media, but even on the Internet things should be removed, it corrupts the mind. The government should consider bringing in an age limit for the use of social media."

The court had also imposed a cost of Rs 50 lakh on X Corp.

X Corp's counsel argued that MeiTY had not informed the users about blocking their tweets and accounts, and even the company was forbidden from informing them. The HC asked the Centre, "You do not release the order. He is not permitted to reveal the order. How is he going to defend himself?"

The HC suggested that the Centre may have to tweak the rules a bit as it is at their discretion that X Corp is blocking the accounts of users, and the company cannot be left high and dry. However, the HC said, "When it comes to national security, everybody has to be on the same page."

Also Read Karnataka High Court rejects Twitter plea against govt blocking orders 'Unlimited interactivity': With X, Twitter aims to foray into new fields Twitter removes legacy blue ticks for thousands; all you need to know Karnataka HC imposes a fine of Rs 50 lakh on Twitter for non-compliance Zydus Lifesciences receives final USFDA approval for varenicline tablets US 'deeply concerned' by Canadian PM Trudeau's allegations against India Final meeting of G20 Framework Working Group concludes in Chhattisgarh India's renewable energy boom not fast enough for 1.5-degree C goal: Report Parliament special session LIVE: Sonia to be main Congress speaker today Kerala to conduct surveillance study on Nipah virus: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

When the counsel for the company argued that it had informed which order of MeiTY it could comply with and which it could not, the bench said X Corp could not be the judge. The court said the X Corp "cannot be given the right to judge the content. If the content says 'Apple a day keeps the doctor away', you will interpret that as being against the doctor and the interest of the nation?"

The hearing of the case was adjourned to Wednesday, when the HC will decide on the interim relief sought by X Corp. The hearing of the appeal will be heard after that.

(With agency inputs)
On the second day of the 10-day Ganesh festival, several devotees in Mumbai bid farewell to the idols of their favourite deity after worshipping them for one and a half days.

People took out processions of idols with devotion and enthusiasm, with many devotees dancing their way to the sites of immersion.

According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), 195 household Ganapati idols and one sarvajanik (community) Ganapati idols were immersed in the sea and other water bodies, including artificial ponds.

As many as 50 Ganpati idols were immersed in artificial ponds that have been created specifically to reduce water pollution, the BMC said.

No untoward incident was reported anywhere during immersion so far on Wednesday, officials said.

The BMC has earmarked 69 natural water bodies, including stretches off the coast, and set up 191 artificial ponds for immersion this year.

The 10-day Ganeshotsav began in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Tuesday, with the installation of idols of the elephant-headed God in various shapes and sizes at several households and in pandals against the backdrop of decorations based on themes ranging from Chandrayaan-3 to Ayodhya's Ram Mandir.

The festival will end on Anant Chaturdashi on September 28.
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday urged not to treat the human rights issue in isolation and sought "equal attention" to nursing the natural environment, lamenting that Mother Nature has been "deeply wounded" by human indiscretions.

Addressing a gathering at the biennial conference of national human rights institutions of the Asia Pacific at Vigyan Bhawan, she also said the love for nature should be rekindled to conserve and enrich it "before it is too late".

The event is being organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Forum (APF) from September 20-21.

Murmu said she looked at the list of conferences the forum previously held and expressed her happiness that this is the first in-person sitting in the post-Covid phase.

"I am told that the conference is being attended by nearly 100 foreign delegates," she said.

Murmu also underlined the degradation the natural environment is facing.

"Human beings are as good a creator as a destroyer. According to scientific studies, this planet has entered the phase of sixth extinction where man-made destruction, if not stopped, will be the undoing of not only the human race but also the other lives on the earth," Murmu said.

"In this context, I would urge you to not to treat the issue of human rights in isolation and pay equal attention to nursing Mother Nature, which is deeply wounded by the indiscretions of human beings," she added.

In India, the president added, "We believe that every particle of the universe is a manifestation of divinity. Let us rekindle our love for nature to conserve and enrich it before it is too late."



Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions Secretary Amina Bouayach, APF Chairperson Doo-Hwan Song and NHRC Chairperson Justice (Retd) Arun Kumar Mishra shared the dais with Murmu.

The APF is also holding its 28th annual general meeting at Vigyan Bhawan on Wednesday to discuss the issues of common interest to member countries.

Representatives of national human rights institutions from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Phillipines, Jordan and Australia, among other countries, are taking part in the conference.

Also Read Ranveer Singh has been crowned as the new 'Don' After Big B and SRK BCCI media rights auction on August 31: Disney Star, Sony and Jio in fray Chess WC: Praggnanandhaa's mother gets emotional after son's historic feat Russia pushes India for help to avert its global financial isolation Historic move by Cricket South Africa, men and women to get equal match fee CBI court grants bail to four accused in Delhi excise policy case 'Centre keen on recruit-train-deploy model for skilling scheme PMKVY 4.0' India to host conclave of Army chiefs of Indo-Pacific to ensure peace Uninstall BookMyShow trends on X, pro-Khalistani singer's show axed Exercise utmost caution, MEA tells citizens, students travelling to Canada

Murmu said, "Let us ponder for a moment the causes of the pandemic and natural disasters that have been taking place all around us. Let us also ponder over the challenges of climate change that have been threatening the very existence of the planet."



The concept of human rights is ever-evolving, dynamic and "quite close to my heart" in public life. As humankind grows morally and spiritually, the definition of human rights gets further evolved, she asserted.

"What gives me immense satisfaction is the fact that this concept is deeply rooted in Indian civilisation. The world saw the first glimpse of it when, after massive destruction caused by the two successive World Wars, the United Nations General Assembly came up with a formulation 'all men are born free and equal' as the beginning of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," she said.

"It was then India's representative, Hansaben Mehta, a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and freedom fighter, who suggested changing it to 'all human beings are born free and equal'. Her change of one word expanded the notion of rights," the president said.

Gandhi's life and thoughts were also critical in shaping the draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. He influenced the human rights discourse. It was under his influence that the "notion of human rights came to be expanded from basic necessities of life to dignity of life as well", Murmu said.

"As many of you know, on June 7, 1893, Gandhi was robbed of his dignity when he was thrown out of a first-class compartment of a train at Pietermaritzburg in South Africa on account of racial discrimination. He was a changed man then and went on to inspire millions to fight for their rights and dignity," the president recalled.

Similarly, Dr BR Ambedkar was an ardent champion of human rights. He taught the depressed classes to stand for their rights and live with dignity, she said.

"He (Ambedkar) also led from the front in shaping the Constitution of India, which is not only aligned with the modern concept of rights, liberty and justice but also deeply rooted in the Indian ethos that sees the world as one family -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' -- the echo of which resonated during the recently-concluded G20 Summit," she said.
The price of 24-carat gold rose Rs 170 during Wednesday's early trade, with ten grams of the precious metal selling at Rs 60,220, according to the GoodReturns website. Silver price jumped Rs 300 with 1 kg of the precious metal selling at Rs 74,800.

The price of 22-carat gold went up by Rs 150, with the yellow metal selling at Rs 55,200.

The price of ten grams of 24-carat gold in Mumbai is at par with the prices in Kolkata and Hyderabad at Rs 60,220.

The price of ten grams of 24-carat gold in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai is Rs 60,370, Rs 60,220, and Rs 60,550, respectively.

The price of ten grams of 22-carat gold in Mumbai is at par with that of gold in Kolkata and Hyderabad, at Rs 55,200.

The price of ten grams of 22-carat gold in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai is Rs 55,350, Rs 55,200, and Rs 55,500, respectively.

US gold prices fell on Wednesday after hitting a two-week highs in the last session, as traders await the Federal Reserve's policy decision for an updated outlook on the economy and monetary tightening path.

Spot gold eased 0.1 per cent to $1,928.79 per ounce by 0111 GMT, after hitting its highest since Sept 5 on Tuesday. US

gold futures dipped 0.2 per cent to $1,950.

SPDR Gold Trust, the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, said its holdings fell 0.2 per cent on Tuesday.

Swiss gold exports rose by 7.3 per cent in August from July as higher deliveries to India and China offset lower supplies to Turkey, customs data showed.

Spot silver dropped 0.4 per cent to $23.14 per ounce, platinum fell 0.4 per cent to $935.45 and palladium rose 0.1 per cent to $1,260.86.

One kg of silver is currently trading at 74,800 in Delhi and Mumbai.

One kg of silver in Chennai is currently trading at Rs 78,300.

Also Read Gold price rises Rs 330 to Rs 60,490, Silver price unchanged at Rs 77,400 Gold price remains unchanged at Rs 59,450, silver falls Rs 500 to Rs 71,500 Gold price unchanged at Rs 59,060, silver rises Rs 500 to Rs 72,200 Gold price fell Rs 100, silver prices up Rs 100, touches Rs 73,400/kg mark Gold, silver prices remain unchanged; yellow metal trading at Rs 59,070 Gold price rises Rs 150 to Rs 60,050, silver falls Rs 200 to Rs 74,500 Gold up by Rs 10, silver unchanged, yellow metal trading at Rs 59,900/10g Gold price rises Rs 220 to Rs 59,670, silver jumps Rs 500 to Rs 74,000 Gold, silver prices unchanged, yellow metal trading at Rs 59,450 per 10g Gold slumps Rs 380 to Rs 59,450/10g, silver falls Rs 1,000 to Rs 73,500

(With inputs from Reuters)
Australia has described Canada's allegations about India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader as concerning and said Canberra is monitoring these developments closely and has raised the issues with its Indian counterparts.

These remarks were made by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at a press conference in the UN Headquarters on Tuesday.

Wong, who is leading Australia's delegation to the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly, was responding to a question on allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

Look, these are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway, but obviously these are concerning reports, and as I've said, we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners, and we'll continue to do so, Wong said at the press conference on Tuesday.

Nijjar was one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

India has strongly rejected Trudeau's statement made in the Canadian Parliament and said "allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.

In response to a question whether Australia has raised the issue with India, Wong said We have, Australia has raised these issues with our Indian counterparts, as you would expect us to do.

She added that Australia has been "monitoring these developments with partners closely, we will continue to do so, and I will confirm that we have raised our concerns with India. I'm not going to go into any further detail on that.

When asked if she was planning on raising the issue with Japan, a partner with the US, Australia and India in the Quad group, Wong said "I'm sure you would not expect the Foreign Minister of any country to run a commentary on how and what is raised, in detail or what will be raised, but I would say to you, you know, Australia's principal position is that we believe the sovereignty of all countries should be respected, we believe the rule of law should be respected, and our views as a matter of principle reflect those views.

Also Read Pro-Khalistan slogans raised on 39th anniversary of Operation Bluestar Khalistan a dangerous ideology, threat to national security: Report Canadian MP slams Indira Gandhi's death celebration by Khalistan supporters Another Hindu temple vandalised in Canada with Khalistan referendum posters Cong asks EAM to take up with Canada 'Indira assassination float' in parade Nijjar, Trudeau's allegations and India's counter: All you need to know India reached moon, hosted G20 Summit, we are begging for funds: Sharif Saudi praises 'positive results' after Yemen rebels visit for peace talks Canada PM Trudeau's murder claim risks upending US courtship of India G7 members condemn Russia's war of aggression, pledge to stand with Ukraine

Wong was asked if she has concerns about foreign interference from India in Australia, to which she replied: I think Australia is a robust democracy, and I think the Indian diaspora has a range of views, and you know, we have made clear in relation to democratic debate in Australia that the peaceful expression of different views is a key part of Australia's democracy, and I think most Australians would agree with that.

When asked what guarantee of safety is provided to Sikh Indians in Australia, Wong said I'd note that these allegations are still being investigated, so I would recognise that fact, but more broadly I would say this: we take the view as a government that Australian democracy is precious, that as a matter of principle, and as a matter of law Australians of whatever persuasion have a right to peaceful protest, and in all circumstances we reflect that right in our public statements and in our private conversations with other governments.

You would also know we have, as a Parliament, made very clear statements, but legislatively and as a matter of policy about the importance of Australian democracy being unaffected by external concerns.

Canada-based Nijjar was designated a 'terrorist' by India under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020 and his property in the country was attached by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in September 2020.

An Interpol Red Corner Notice was also issued against him in 2016.

The local police of Surrey had also put Nijjar under house arrest temporarily in 2018 on suspicion of his terror involvement but he was released later. Bilateral ties between India and Canada have been tense in recent months. Trade talks have been derailed and Canada just cancelled trade talks.
By Philip J Heijmans and Sudhi Ranjan Sen



Canadian Prime Minister Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau s shocking allegations that India orchestrated the murder of a separatist leader leaves President Joe Biden caught between one of the USs closest allies and an increasingly important partner in countering China.

Indian leader Narendra Modis government on Tuesday denied that it had anything to do with the slaying of a prominent Sikh leader in Canada, calling the allegation absurd. Both nations expelled one of the others diplomats, and thats before Canada has made any evidence public.

The White House reacted cautiously, with National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson saying the administration was deeply concerned and called on India to cooperate with the Canadian investigation. A US official acknowledged the allegations pose a problem for Biden, who just left India with relations seemingly on track.





ALSO READ: Australia terms Trudeau's allegations against India 'concerning' Now the episode threatens to upend the USs effort to court India as a counterweight to China, which was on display at the Group of 20 summit in New Delhi earlier this month. The US and its allies had hailed Modis success in reaching a compromise on a joint communique, accepting softer language on Russias war in Ukraine to align itself more broadly with India in the battle with China for influence among major emerging economies.





Also Read: Trudeau's claim of India's link to Nijjar's killing 'shameless': US expert The Biden administration is in a no-win situation with this latest bombshell, said Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. If it sides with Ottawa, then New Delhi will be up in arms and, once again, question the loyalty of Washington. If it sides with New Delhi, then the US is contradicting a NATO ally.

The US frequently finds itself torn between its efforts to defend human rights around the world and the pragmatic need to partner with government accused of regular abuses to protect its geopolitical interests. That leads to periodic tensions, such as when agents from Saudi Arabia murdered Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Trudeau told lawmakers on Monday there were credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were behind the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, outside a Sikh temple in British Columbia in June. Nijjar, 45 at the time and the temples president, was outspoken in both his advocacy for the creation of an independent Khalistan in the northwest and his criticism of human rights violations in India.

Also Read Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar and why his murder has led to a diplomatic row Piaggio Vehicles launches Justin Bieber X Vespa in India at Rs 6.45 lakh Trudeau's claim of India's link to Nijjar's killing 'shameless': US expert India rejects Canada's allegations after expulsion of top Indian diplomat People protest against Trudeau outside High Commission over Khalistan issue G7 members condemn Russia's war of aggression, pledge to stand with Ukraine LIVE: Siddaramaiah reaches Delhi to attend meeting on Cauvery water dispute Trudeau's claim of India's link to Nijjar's killing 'shameless': US expert In touch with Canadian partners over Trudeau's allegations on India: UK Pakistan recruiting mercenaries to pursue its political agenda: UNGA told

The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness, Trudeau said on Tuesday morning. Canada is going to remain calm, were going to remain grounded in our democratic principles and values, and were going to follow the evidence and make sure that the work is done to hold people to account, he added.

India has denied any involvement and blasted Canada for failing to take action against Sikh separatism. India had declared Nijjar a wanted terrorist and accused him of conspiring to murder a Hindu priest, among other allegations.

Without a resolution, the dispute threatens everything from pending talks to expand the modest $11 billion India-Canada trade relationship to communications between the two countries militaries, something that could create a headache for Biden as he seeks greater cohesion from partner nations.

Modis government sees Trudeau as politically beholden to the Sikh community, and expects relations with Canada to deteriorate, according to an Indian official with knowledge of the situation. At the same time, the person said, India-US security cooperation is on a strong footing and is unlikely to affected by Canadas allegations.

There is this evergreen challenge that the US and some of its allies face with India, concerns about what they regard as democratic backsliding, said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center. But at the same time they want to ensure they dont risk imperiling relations with a country that they view as strategically critical. Honestly, I think Washington will just stay quiet.

The historical issue of Sikh separatism has troubled Canada-India relations for years, and politicians in both countries have tapped into the issue to win votes. Canada has the largest Sikh population outside of Punjab after many left following riots in 1984. They have also become an important political group, including within Trudeaus administration. Modis party, meanwhile, has pushed policies appealing to voters who see India as a Hindu nation.

India has been historically prickly about public criticism from the US and its allies, and the US has said that it tries to voice concerns behind close doors. Speaking in Vietnam after his G-20 visit to India this month, Biden said he had raised rights issues in his recent meeting with Modi, though its unclear if they discussed Nijjars killing.

For its part, Canada pledged in a recently published strategy for the Indo-Pacific region to grow ties with India across a range of areas, while also acknowledging its growing strategic importance. The two sides had also previously expected to agree to a trade pact by end of this year but that was put on hold ahead of the G-20 summit. Canada last week postponed a trade mission to India that had been set for October.

As the India-Canada relationship worsens, the US will face a tough balancing act, according to Vivek Mishra, senior fellow at New Delhi based Observer Research Foundation.

I expect there will certainly be back-channel discussion between the US and India on how to proceed further, he said. With Canada being a NATO ally and India being a strategic partner ally, the US will have to do the tightrope walk.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly session here.

"Another development that will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan, Erdogan said in his address to the General Debate Tuesday.

"As Turkiye, we will continue to support the steps to be taken in this direction, he said.

His comment comes weeks after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi during which both the leaders discussed strengthening trade and infrastructure relations.

Erdogan said it was a matter of pride that India was playing a role at the United Nations Security Council. He said he favoured making five permanent and 15 "temporary" members as permanent members of the UN Security Council.

"Those 20 (5+15) should be permanent members of the UNSC in rotation. But as you know, the world is bigger than five. When we say the world is larger than five, what we mean is that it's not only about the US, UK, France, China and Russia," he said.

In recent years, the Turkish leader has referred to the issue of Kashmir in his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session.

Last year, Erdogan raked up the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session here.

India and Pakistan, after having established their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, they still haven't established peace and solidarity between one another. This is much unfortunate. We hope and pray that a fair and permanent peace and prosperity will be established in Kashmir, Erdogan had said.

In 2020, Erdogan in his pre-recorded video statement to the General Debate had made a reference to Jammu and Kashmir. India had at that time termed it as completely unacceptable, saying Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.
A new report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) finds that the world needs to invest between USD1,179 and USD1,383 per person, per year, to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

The study factors in 50 SDG indicators across 90 countries, covering three quarters of the global population. For the world's 48 developing economies, the shortfall is estimated at USD337 billion annually, if they are to take the required action on climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

When expanded to cover all developing economies, using the median per-capita cost for the 48 in the study, total annual needs rise to between USD6.9 trillion and USD7.6 trillion, the UNCTAD reported.

The report further stated that although finding this kind of investment will likely be extremely difficult for countries with limited resources, the solution lies in allocating funding in cross-cutting areas, such as education, which also advances gender equality, poverty reduction and innovation - all Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets.

"Merely increasing funds won't guarantee success. Governments, companies, investors and institutions need to strategically allocate their resources," said Anu Peltola, who heads UNCTAD Statistics. "They don't have to stretch every dollar to cover every goal."

Debt crisis

Analysis by UNCTAD indicates that the world's wealthiest economies are expected to account for nearly 80 per cent of SDG expenditure between now and 2030. These countries generally face the highest annual per capita costs and the largest financing gaps.

Small island developing States also face high costs, with required spending on gender equality estimated at USD3,724 per person, almost three times the average global requirement.

And while least developed countries face much lower costs per head, the required spending as a percentage of each nation's overall economic output (GDP) is significant, reaching 47 per cent for education alone, the UN intergovernmental organisation reported.

The UNCTAD analysis reveals major shortfalls in national spending trends towards sustainability. The biggest gap is in inclusive digitization, at USD468 billion a year. Closing this gap would require a 9 per cent increase in annual spending.

Also Read UK calls for UN reform with permanent Security Council seat for India CM Adityanath holds meeting to review measures to achieve UN's SDGs G20 development ministers' conclave adopts India-backed action plan on SDGs NITI Aayog, UNDP partner to further India's sustainable development goals Abolish veto rights or give them to new permanent members in UNSC: India Biden-Netanyahu meeting: US President pledges to address 'hard issues' US Federal Reserve policymakers expect 5.1% policy rate at end of 2024 Fed leaves rates unchanged at 5.25-5.50%, sees tighter policy through 2024 UK's new online safety law adds to crackdown on big tech companies Uber Eats to roll out AI assistant to help find deals, more payment options

Six areas of transformation

Conversely, improving social protection and decent job opportunities require less investment for the world's 48 developing economies, at USD294 billion, which would require a six per cent increase in annual spending.

The analysis focuses on six paths for transformation through sustainable development: social protection and decent jobs, transforming education, food systems, climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, energy transition and inclusive digitization.

It covers indicators ranging from reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing protected forest cover to guaranteeing universal access to electricity and the internet, promoting literacy, fighting hunger and reducing mortality.

UNCTAD's report also highlights the need to tackle the global debt crisis. Around 3.3 billion people live in countries that spend more on debt interest payments than on essential public services such as education and health.
The US on Tuesday said it is "deeply concerned" about the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Surrey, and urged New Delhi to "cooperate" with Ottawa in the investigation of the incident.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as "absurd" and "motivated".

We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by PM Trudeau yesterday. We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners, a State Department spokesperson told PTI.

It is critical that Canada's investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice. We urge the Indian government to cooperate in the Canadian investigation and ensure that those responsible are held to account," the spokesperson said in response to a question.

"Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said Monday in a speech to the House of Commons.

After Trudeau's remarks in Parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she has ordered the expulsion of "a senior Indian diplomat".

Reacting sharply to the allegations and Joly's remarks, India on Tuesday rejected Trudeau's claims, calling them "absurd and motivated".

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave India within the next five days.

The decision (to expel a Canadian diplomat) reflects the Government of India's growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities, the MEA said in New Delhi.

Also Read US 'concerned' by Canada's allegations against India on killing of Nijjar Delhi HC seeks NIA stand on bail plea of Kashmiri separatist Shabir Shah France's anti-immigration gets boost from riots over police killing of teen Misleading information has potential to fan separatist push: Central govt Withdraw Sikh Gurdwaras Bill or face stir: SGPC chief Dhami tells govt Russia weaponising food, energy; abducted children in war: Zelenskyy Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to meet in Beijing in October, says Russia UNGA meet 2023: 'Reform or rupture', says UN chief Antonio Guterres Global economy to slow as rate hikes bite, says OECD chief economist Crude oil rally gathers momentum as Brent pops above $96 a barrel
With still no signs of a truce amid the raging armed conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while accusing Moscow of being the aggressor and perpetrating "genocide" in his homeland, proposed a "peace formula" at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday.

Addressing the UNGA session, Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian children in Russia were being taught to "hate" their homeland, adding that all ties that Ukraine nationals have with their family members back home were being snapped.

"We're trying to get (Ukrainian) children back home, but time goes by. What will happen to them? Those children in Russia are told to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are broken. This is clearly a genocide," Zelenskyy said at the UNGA session.

Putting forward a peace plan amid the continuing hostilities with Russia, Zelenksyy said, "For the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked."

Last month, during the peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had proposed a "peace formula" to "restore" the international rules-based order that had been "violated" by the Russian aggression.

According to experts, Zelenskyy's participation in the ongoing General Assembly session will boost worldwide support for Ukraine amid the continuing armed conflict with Russia.

Further, during his address at the UNGA session, Zelenksyy said "unity" alone can make sure that such aggressions do not happen again.

"It takes our unity to make sure that aggression will not [happen] again," the Ukrainian President said.

The visit this year marks the first by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to the General Assembly since Russia launched a "full-scale invasion" of his nation in February 2022.

More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City.

After the UNGA session, Zelenskyy is likely to visit Washington DC, for his second wartime appearance before the US Congress.

The theme for the 78th UNGA session calls on world leaders to evaluate the UN's 2030 agenda, which includes a deadline for its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It urges "accelerating action" towards those aims in order to promote "peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all", according to Al Jazeera.

Also Read Payments, proper planning must for Hyderabad's return: Formula E co-founder Formula One: Verstappen wins Belgian GP to extend huge lead at the top Zelenskyy thanks Denmark for pledging to send F-16s for use against Russia US Secy Blinken meets Ukraine Prez Zelenskyy in Kyiv; announces $1 bn aid Quad foreign ministers likely to meet at UNGA next month in New York US 'deeply concerned' by Canadian PM Trudeau's allegations against India Russia weaponising food, energy; abducted children in war: Zelenskyy Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping to meet in Beijing in October, says Russia UNGA meet 2023: 'Reform or rupture', says UN chief Antonio Guterres Global economy to slow as rate hikes bite, says OECD chief economist

The 78th UN General Debate began on Tuesday, kicking off a period of high-level discussions that will continue till September 26.

However, while the event is billed as a "debate," it is actually a series of 15-minute statements delivered by world leaders on issues of their choosing.

On February 24, 2022, Russia allegedly 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.
Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised and represented SEIL Energy Private Limited (SEIL) in arbitration proceeding initiated against it by NCC Limited (NCC), on disputes arising out of EPC contracts aggregating to INR 2557 crore. In a significant order, the arbitral tribunal allowed claims of INR 700 crore against NCC, while accepting claims of INR 101 crore against SEIL. The orders that analyzed and addressed significant legal issues pertaining to extension of time claim, imposition of liquidated damages in alleged case of concurrent delays by both employer and contractor.



The Disputes Practice of Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas advised on the matter. The matter was led by Kapil Arora, Partner; with support from Manjula Baxla, Principal Associate; Aditi Tambi, Principal Associate; Palak Nagar, Senior Associate; Prashasthi Bhat, Associate.



Arbitration was initiated against SEIL by its contractor NCC, on account of disputes arising out of EPC contracts for construction of a 1320 MW thermal power plant in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. NCC had filed claims for total value of about INR 1557 crore, out of which claim for about INR 1456 crores was rejected by the Arbitration Tribunal, and an award of INR 101 Crores was passed in favour of NCC, with interest and cost. SEIL had filed counter-claims to the tune of INR 1000 crores + USD 9.04 million, out of which counter-claims to the extent of about INR 700 crore was allowed by the arbitration tribunal.



The date of the award was 14th September 2023.
Aroma King, a leading vape brand renowned from Poland, has unveiled its latest disposable product: The Cosmic Max, further expanding its presence in Europe.

Since 2020, Aroma King has rapidly made its mark on the European vaping scene. Its product, the Cosmic Max, has gained traction across the European markets, including Spain, France, Belgium, and Austria. The brand's other flagship product, the Cosmic Box, is poised for upcoming release in Germany, Spain, and Italy.

The groundbreaking Cosmic Max integrates FEELM Max, the world-first ceramic coil disposable technology. It distinguishes itself by delivering over 800 puffs with 2mL of e-liquid, while most of the disposable products in the market only offer up to 600 puffs, thus creating a new industry standard in TPD regions. This technological development presents a superior alternative to many disposables that are backed by cotton coil technology.

With a 30% increase in puff count from 2mL e-liquid compared to its competitors, Cosmic Max sets a new industry benchmark. Another advantage of ceramic coil is it offers a flavour consistency rate exceeding 95%. These features, combined with the device's signature transparent e-liquid tank, not only alleviate e-juice related concerns but also enhance its visual appeal. Reflecting their industry impact, Aroma King proudly received the "Industry Leader" title at the 2023 Vapouround Awards.

Crafted in a sleek cylindrical design, Cosmic Max tantalizes with an array of 15 distinct flavours, offering a rich variety to the European market. Consumer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, frequently highlighting its "smooth", "consistent", and "high-level of flavour reproduction".

Furthermore, the eagerly anticipated Cosmic Box, featuring a unique box design, is set to hit markets including Germany, Spain, Italy, in the coming months.

Aroma King

AROMA KING was founded in 2020 and is most recognised for its disposable vape devices, which have been painstakingly crafted with affection for adults who want to vape smarter. As more adult vapers discover that disposables give a pleasant vape experience, we want to present them with a great-tasting, practical, easy-to-use, and budget-friendly vape that is unequalled among the competition.

About FEELM

As a flagship tech brand belonging to SMOORE, FEELM is the worlds leading closed vape system solution provider. Based on the world's leading Ceramic Coil Heating Technology, FEELM combines authentic Flavor Reproduction Technology with innovative electronics technology, bringing ultimate sensation and premium vaping experience.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920993511/en/
Ferty9 Fertility Centre, leading provider of fertility care services in India, has announced a transformative partnership with CooperSurgical Fertility Solutions, global pioneer in medical equipment manufacturing for elevating pregnancy success rates. This historic collaboration marks India's inaugural Improving Outcome Partnership (IOP), aiming to uphold the highest standards of care for couples seeking fertility solutions.



Ferty9 Fertility Centre operates seven advanced facilities across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, offering a comprehensive range of fertility services, including IVF, ICSI, IUI, and more. The union with CooperSurgical promises to revolutionize Indias fertility treatment landscape, bolstering success rates, mitigating errors, and fostering more live births through cutting-edge technology and global expertise.



Ferty9s dedication to excellence radiates through its world-class Embryology Lab. This state-of-the-art facility, meticulously designed to meet IS07 clean room standards with 60-90 air changes per hour, creates the optimal environment for embryo culture and storage. The lab is staffed by highly qualified in-house embryologists with extensive experience, ensuring precision and care in every procedure. Equipped with pre-implantation genetic testing and rigorous quality control measures, fortified by the latest technology and the RI Witness System; Ferty9 maintains the highest standards of care, security, and ethical practices.



With a proven track record of successful pregnancies, including extended embryo culture to the blastocyst stage and a commitment to Single Embryo Transfer (SET) to reduce multiple pregnancy risks, Ferty9 stands as a beacon of hope for those seeking fertility solutions. Therefore, as part of the program, Javier Herrero, leading IVF Consultant and Clinical Embryologist, who has extensive experience with international projects and large corporations was invited to conduct a review of the facility and continue as mentor to ensure consistent improvements.



Rachel Chin, MSS, Clinical Application Manager APAC, and Steven Fleming, PhD, Director of Embryology at CooperSurgical, conducted a comprehensive quality assessment during their visit to Ferty9's centers.



Dr. Inge Errebo Agerholm, Global Senior Director for Professional Education & Clinical Support, CooperSurgical, said I am very excited to announce the launch of the Improving Outcomes Partnership with Ferty9 Fertility Clinics. Ferty9 Fertility Clinics is a group dedicated to continuous reflection and improvement to offer the best outcomes for their patients. CooperSurgical is committed to accelerating whats possible to change fertility care for generations to come. By drawing on the extensive expertise, analytical eye, knowledge of the latest best practices and scientific advances of our team of experts, we are looking forward to working with Ferty9 Fertility clinics to review current practices, and to identify and optimize areas that can help improve its clinics processes, clinical efficiencies and outcomes.



This partnership reaffirms Ferty9's unwavering commitment to delivering world-class fertility solutions in India, offering hope and fulfilling dreams for countless couples on their journey toward parenthood.



Mr. Vinesh Gadhia, CEO and Executive Director of Ferty9 Fertility Center, stated, The IOP program will open doors for Ferty9's labs to be reviewed by the best minds in the world, setting a new benchmark for excellence. Going forward, it will empower us to enhance our Clinical Pregnancy Rate (CPR), making it truly comparable to the best in the world. This partnership with CooperSurgical reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering world-class fertility solutions and realizing the dreams of countless couples on their path to parenthood.



Ferty9 Fertility Centre's pioneering partnership with CooperSurgical Fertility Solutions represents a significant milestone in India's fertility landscape. By uniting state-of-the-art technology, world-class expertise, and an unwavering dedication to ethical practices, Ferty9 is poised to lead the way in improving pregnancy outcomes and making a positive impact. As Ferty9 and CooperSurgical embark on this transformative journey together, the future of fertility solutions in India shines brighter than ever, offering the promise of new beginnings and the realization of parenting dreams.
Partner with us for Press release distribution and get best in class service, guaranteed postings on tier 1 media and maximum reach
Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in skin care innovation, recently revealed breakthrough research on a treatment that diminishes the visible effects of pollution and aging on human skin. The findings, which Mary Kay shared at the first International Societies for Investigative Dermatology (ISID) Meeting, significantly improved skin firmness and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over the course of the study.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919497711/en/

Mary Kay scientists have spent years researching the latest ingredient innovations to best defend against free radicals and help delay the onset of premature skin aging," said Dr. Lucy Gildea, Chief Innovation Officer, Product & Science at Mary Kay. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.)

Mary Kay scientists have spent years researching the latest ingredient innovations to best defend against free radicals and help delay the onset of premature skin aging from environmental and lifestyle stressors such as car exhaust and air pollution, said Dr. Lucy Gildea, Chief Innovation Officer, Product & Science at Mary Kay.

The research was also published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science.

Scientists at Mary Kay have been investigating the effects of air pollution on skin through multiple academic collaborations since 2016. Previous efforts have analyzed the biochemical responses of human skin cells to various forms of pollution, including diesel exhaust and urban air pollution. Key findings revealed a proprietary blend of antioxidants reduces those responses.

"There is no remaining doubt that air pollution contributes to skin aging, said Dr. Jean Krutmann, a pioneer of environmental medicine, Professor of Dermatology and Director of the IUF  Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine in Dusseldorf, Germany. He has been leading research to determine the effect of air pollution on human skin since publication of the key paper in 2010 to show the effect of airborne particle exposure on skin aging.

The findings presented at the 2023 ISID are just the latest efforts by Mary Kay to reinforce the brands long-standing commitment to advancing research and development in skin health and beauty. Mary Kay holds more than 1,600 patents for products, technologies, and packaging designs in its global portfolio.

About Mary Kay

Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich womens lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919497711/en/
RevBits, a cyber security solution company based on Long Island, New York, completed a review of the 2022 Suffolk County, New York, cyber hack that rendered government systems largely inoperable for months, affecting municipal work and citizen interaction with their county government. The RevBits white paper, Suffolk Hack Part of a Chinese Plot?, was recently profiled in a companion piece in the September edition of The Long Island Press.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919470113/en/

One year ago, on September 8, 2022, an anonymous email appeared on the Suffolk County government computer system announcing a devastating hack: unnamed thieves had sized four terabytes of data  some 300 million pages of detailed government information, including highly confidential personal information regarding 26,000 current and former employees as well as banking and personal information related to more than 400,000 people who have received traffic and parking tickets over the past years.

The hack brought government systems to a halt: crippling the billion-dollar real estate industry, sideswiping tens of millions of dollars in vital payments to mom-and-pop suppliers and disabled key functions of the county's 911 emergency system.

The RevBits white paper reveals that top US law enforcement and intelligence officials are convinced the intrusion was executed by Chinese government hacking teams as part of Beijing's drive toward global supremacy by 2049.

The white paper, initiated by RevBits CEO David Schiffer, who founded and headed Safe Banking Systems prior to running RevBits, is a veteran of the cyber-world, having intersected with many of the biggest computer cases of the past decades from Kremlin money laundering to security lapses at the FAA. "This hack hits close to home for us  we are a Long Island-based company, and I have been a Long Island resident nearly my whole life," said Schiffer. "The scourge of state-sponsored hacking needs to be taken seriously by companies but, even more importantly, by governments, as they are responsible for delivering critical services and programs to citizens. Unfortunately, as our white paper points out, the Suffolk County government came up very short in handling this attack."

About RevBits

Established in 2018, RevBits is a comprehensive cybersecurity company dedicated to providing customers with superior protection and service. RevBits delivers protection against the most sophisticated cyber threats companies face by offering multiple advanced security capabilities that can be administered through a unified security platform. RevBits is headquartered in Mineola, NY, with offices in Princeton, NJ; Boston, MA; London, England; and Antwerp, Belgium. For more information on RevBits, please visit RevBits.

RevBits delivers a full suite of solutions covering the major threat landscapes: RevBits Endpoint Security & EDR, RevBits Email Security, RevBits Privileged Access Management, RevBits Zero Trust Network, and RevBits Deception Technology. For customers running more than one RevBits solution, the administration is managed through RevBits Cyber Intelligence Platform, a unified, single-pane environment that curates, correlates, and alerts to threats while delivering intelligence for a quick administrative response. RevBits Cyber Intelligence Platform integrates with all common SIEMs.

RevBits commissioned veteran journalist James Mulvaney to research and write the report. Mulvaney is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist with vast experience uncovering international crime.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919470113/en/
MBABANE  The Eswatini Bankers Association (EBA) has commended the efforts of the Central Bank of Eswatini to ensure that bank notes are safe and secure.

EBA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zakhele Lukhele said fraud and forgery could undermine a currency as a means of exchange and also its value. On a broad basis it can undermine the economy, he said. Lukhele was reacting to the central banks latest developments of introducing the new E200 note with improved security features. The CEO said the central bank has created confidence in the bank notes as it was known that the larger notes were often targeted by criminals. The new E200 bank note was launched by the CBE Governor, Dr Phil Mnisi, during the recently ended Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF). The governor noted that the bank note had improved security features, which included that when one could try to print a copy of the newly-printed E200 note, it would just turn black.

Banknote

Other changes included the security thread, which is a metallic-looking strip positioned vertically, that changes colour from gold to green if the banknote is being tilted. When viewed from the front, the strip appears broken, but when viewed from the back, it appears continuous. The strip has CBE printed on it, which can be seen when viewed from the back or front.

The bank note also has small letters, numbers and/or images that are barely perceptible with the naked eye, but become visible at low magnication (under a loupe). The note also has signatures of the current CBE government and minister of Finance. However, he clarified that the other E200 notes, which have signatures of former CBE governors and ministers (of Finance) were still circulating.

In addition to his reactions, Lukhele said as EBA they were also appreciative of the efforts to introduce the central bank digital currency (CBDC), although at a pilot stage at this moment.

He said cash was very expensive to manage, hence the drive to a digital currency could reduce the costs of transacting and lead to a safer and faster payments environment. Speaking during the launch of the new E200 bank note, the governor said as a bank, they were transitioning to CBDC and their aim was to give technology a platform.

Confidence

He said they were putting money in a plastic card, which, he said, would have the same value and urged emaSwati to have confidence in it as they had it with currency in notes. He added that some countries were already using digital currency and in the country, it would improve financial inclusion and achieve cross-border payments. He said with the plastic card, one could pay anywhere for anything, just like they do when using cash. According to the central bank, the digital currency is a form of central bank issued money that exists only in digital form.

A CBDC is fully backed by the central bank similar to other forms of central bank money such as cash. Unlike most privately issued cryptocurrencies, a CBDC, being digital fiat currency, could be made a legal tender and should be capable of achieving all four conceptual uses of money;

* As means of exchange.

* As a measure of value.

* As a store value and.

* As a unit of account.

There are two main types of CBDCs, a wholesale CBDC and the retail CBDC:

* A wholesale CBDC is a digital currency issued by the central bank directly to commercial and other financial institutions, which have reserve accounts at the central banks.

* A whole CBDC is used by banks for settlement among themselves and is not accessible to the general public. A retail CBDC is similar to cash in that it is available to the wider public.

This means users can be able to pay for service in a retail CBDC. A retail CBDC is a digital currency that is made available to the general public and is issued by the central bank. It differs from private digital currencies in that it continues to be a liability of the central bank, just like actual fiat currency (banknotes and coins). A CBDC only exists in digital form, and all transactions must be completed via a computer, smartphone, or other digital device. The Central Bank of Eswatini is now conducting research and testing to determine whether to issue a CBDC and how to do so.
I have been pondering on the issues of drug shortages and of working equipment in our public health facilities.

I have been mulling over possible solutions to the problem and I think one of the issues we can zero into are those of health financing. How do we ensure that there are adequate resources within the health sector to ensure that the public health system stays true to its objective of providing healthcare to a broad spectrum of emaSwati? There is need to think innovatively on issues of autonomy in resources and in management of the health system in Eswatini.

Current funding modalities

At present we have a heavily subsidised funding model; the taxpayer foots a huge portion of the bill. This modality works well if the economy is performing and there are no competing alternatives in resource usage. As an economy we need to engender a health financing modality that will not be so heavy on the tax system but also have other alternatives for resource mobilisation. Alternative funding modalities need to be accompanied by alternative management systems so that the sector can thrive. Comparing consultation between private clinics and public hospitals, one notes that, on average, consultation with a private physician will cost a minimum of E350 compared to E10 in a public health facility. The difference is covered by the taxpayer, hence any pressures faced by the taxpayer will inadvertently be transferred to the health sector. There is need to, therefore, develop new financing modalities to ensure that the sector is able to mobilise funding autonomously.

Alternative financing models

National health insurance or social health insurance is one of the modalities that we can explore as a country. Social health insurance or national insurance is a mandatory insurance scheme administered by governments. Effectively, every citizen contributes to the insurance fund and claims are paid to providers by the government. Every member of society contributes to the insurance pool. Unemployment and poverty dimensions have to be taken into consideration in terms of the contributions and the defined benefits that will accrue from the insurance. One wonders if it is possible to have such a scheme in Eswatini, considering that 58 per cent of the population lives below the poverty line and 33 per cent of the population is unemployed. I contend that contributions do not have to be exorbitantly high nor do we need to adopt the national health insurance in its textbook form. We need to adapt it to our needs as a country, we can set-up a health tax fund or a health scheme. The aim of the scheme would be to mobilise alternate funds for the health sector. Every liSwati would contribute to the scheme and all funds mobilised through the scheme would go towards healthcare in the country. Augmenting the current system would also ensure that the tax system is equitable.

The hybrid model

Introducing health insurance in Eswatini would require that we engender a hybrid model. Instead of utilising private healthcare providers in service provision, the public health system can continue offering services. The national health insurance scheme would only make to-up payments to the tax based health system. This would require government to set-up an independent national health services Board or national hospital company of some sorts. This pseudo private company would be in charge of offering health services to the population and the national health insurance would be in charge of the payments. The hospitals would require autonomy in the management and use of the resources. Albeit the fact that this is a longshot but we need to find alternative ways of mobilising resources as a country. We need to find ways of setting up efficiencies within the health sector so we can stretch taxes even further.

Efficiency and effectiveness

I believe one of the steps we can take in running our hospitals efficiently is removing them from the bureaucracy of the public sector. This would be some form of pseudo privatisation, that is hospitals remain funded by government but have autonomy in management, purchasing and an independent budget. Government would still retain overall oversight and overall budget controls. However, it should allow the facilities to act as private entities. We can also consider allowing the hospitals to have control over the user fees instead of repatriating those funds back to the central pool. The facilities can use the funds for small sundry expenses and emergency purchasing of drugs and maintenance of a facility. The bureaucratic management endemic within the health sector can crowd out innovation within the sector, the lag between problem identification and solution may be as lengthy as formulating a policy. Pseudo privatisation would allow hospitals to operate lean and become more efficient in execution.

Revolutionising the sector

The prospects may seem odious and the obtaining economic environment may dictate that it is not possible for the country to formulate alternative financing modalities. However, the very economic climate dictates the need for alternative financing models in Eswatini. We need to learn to look beyond adversity and set on the path less travelled as a nation; national health insurance is sustainable.
China-U.S. co-founded robotic surgery training center inaugurated

Xinhua) 16:54, September 20, 2023

GUANGZHOU, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The International Robotic Surgery Training Center, jointly established by Chinese and U.S. institutions, was inaugurated in Guangzhou, capital city of south China's Guangdong Province, on Tuesday.

The center was jointly established by the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou and UC Berkeley. It will provide training on robotic surgeries to trainees from China, the United States and other Asia-Pacific countries.

The center, covering an area of 1,200 square meters in the Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, is equipped with two sets of the state-of-the-art fourth-generation da Vinci Xi surgical robotic system, other devices needed in surgeries, as well as demonstration and broadcasting systems.

The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University started using da Vinci robotic surgical systems in 2015, and has completed 4,457 robotic surgeries since then.

According to the hospital, compared with traditional endoscopy, the robotic surgical systems have unique advantages, including three-dimensional and high-definition vision for operators, as well as dexterous robotic arms. Moreover, the use of robotic surgery systems enables operators to perform surgeries while seated, making them less prone to fatigue.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Sir,



It is absolutely insane what our school-going children have to go through because of the situation in the country. The parents are stressed and the children are affected even at home. Many families are impoverished and they cannot survive. They have had to deal with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, although there was no real medical reason to keep them apart from their friends. Many teachers took it very easy to teach, with some who were plain lazy.

Incited

As if that was not enough, they were then abused in the frontline by the countrys unrecognised political parties. For a while the main fight was in the schools, even pupils against pupils! It is not their job to be political activists. And they were even incited to burn their schools. Just recently many children were sent home to blackmail parents into paying outstanding school fees. It is the parents who owe school fees, not the children.

Humiliate

These are criminal methods used by gangsters. How does it help to humiliate children in front of others? This happened while many school administrations were alleged to be abusing school funds. Some teachers do not know the difference between a girlfriend and a female pupil. Others are alleged to be beating the children or humiliating them. And now they are being used again by teachers to fight for their unions leader. This is a case for the Industrial Court, not for the classroom. This is tantamount to them being abusive to the pupils yet pupils need to learn. Now, the question is, will this abuse of school children ever end? Can teachers please find a better way to address this issue. This is worth a headline!
The Greater Chennai Corporation's Chennai City Urban Health Mission has released the Latest Chennai Corporation Recruitment 2023. According to the Chennai Corporation Job Vacancies, 133 positions are available. According to the official announcement, the application window for the Chennai Corporation Recruitment 2023/ Chennai Corporation Notification 2023 would be open until September 29th, 2023.

Overview

Organization Name Chennai City Urban Health Mission, Greater Chennai Corporation

No.of Posts 133 Posts

Application Starting Date Started

Application Closing Date 29th September 2023

Mode of Application Offline

Category Government Jobs

Job Location Chennai, Tamilnadu

Official Website chennaicorporation.gov.in

Notification

The Chennai Corporation Recruitment 2023 & Application Form may be found at chennaicorporation.gov.in. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted later for interviews. There will be no TA/DA paid for attending the interview. The workplace would be within the Greater Chennai Corporation boundaries. The contract period is only 11 months. The chosen candidates must sign an agreement with the Chennai City Urban Health Mission. Aspirants who want to get 12th Pass Jobs should check their eligibility, which includes their educational qualification, age restriction, experience, and so on.

How to Apply for Chennai Corporation Jobs 2023?

Go to chennaicorporation.gov.in for further information.

Select Career>>Look for "NUHM Staff Recruitment."

Open the necessary advertising Please read the terms and conditions carefully.

Get the application form here.

Fill out the application form with accurate information.

Once again, double-check the details.

Then you must submit the application form.

Age

Candidates should be below 45 Years

Selection

Shortlisted candidates will be called for an interview
The Rajasthan Department of Elementary Education is a prominent educational body that conducts the Pre Diploma in Elementary Education Entrance Examination (Pre DELEd), commonly known as Rajasthan BSTC. Held on August 28, 2023, the exam witnessed massive participation with over 6 lakh applicants. One of the much-awaited aspects of this exam is the release of the Rajasthan BSTC result, vital for the admission process.

Overview

Title Rajasthan BSTC Result 2023

Year 2023

Category Result

Exam Date 28 August 2023

Result Date 15 September 2023

Website paniyakpredeled.in

Rajasthan BSTC Result

Though the Rajasthan BSTC result is tentatively scheduled for release on September 20, 2023, the official word from the examination authorities remains pending. Once out, candidates can access the result online on the official website, panjiyakpredeled.in, using their registration number and date of birth. Importantly, on successful publication of the results, aspirants must download and retain a hard copy of their scorecard for future reference during the admission process. It's critical to check for accuracy in all information provided on the scorecard and rectify any discrepancies immediately.

How to Check Rajasthan BSTC Result 2023?

Step 1: Open your web browser and visit the official website panjiyakpredeled.in.

Step 2: From the website, find the section related to 'Result' or 'BSTC Result' and click on it. Step 3: You will then be prompted to enter your login credentials, which include your registration number and date of birth.

Step 4: After inputting the required details, press the 'Submit' or 'Check Result' button, and your Rajasthan BSTC Result for 2023 would be displayed.

Step 5: Take time to review all the information on the screen, including your scores, rank, and other relevant details.

Step 6: Lastly, don't forget to download and print a copy of the result, as it could be required for future admission processes.
In what comes as a bit of a shock, Mazda has announced that will cease production of the CX-8 in its home market of Japan by December 2023. ...
MBABANE  Yet another liSwati (48) was nabbed with 48.2kg of dagga worth over E200 000 at the Oshoek Border Gate on Monday.

It is said the suspect was arrested when crossing the border from the South African side by the police who stopped and searched the white Nissan UD truck he was driving, which had locally registration numbers. It was during that period when members of the South African Police Services (SAPS) searched the truck and discovered about eight rolls of dagga wrapped with brown sellotape and hidden underneath the base of the trucks trailer. Efforts to reach the trucks company proved futile at the time of compiling this article.

Charged

According to a media statement issued by the office of the provincial commissioner in Mpumalanga, the man was arrested and charged and the dagga, as well as the truck, were seized for further investigations. Brigadier Selvy Mohlala of the SAPS,confirmed this incident as he said: A man (48) from the Kingdom of Eswatini is due to appear at the Chief Albert Luthuli Magistrates Court today (yesterday) on allegations of dealing in dagga after he was reportedly found in possession of 48.2 kilogrammes of dagga with an estimated street value of about R202 440.

However, after appearing before the court of law, the case was postponed to September 26, 2023 and the suspect will remain in custody until then for a plea bargain. The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, welcomed the arrest of the suspect and reiterated that police continued in their determination to battle cross-border crimes, which included the trafficking of dagga or drugs.Most recently, the SAPS arrested two men who smuggled cannabis out of the country with a street value of approximately E800 000.

Port

The two men aged 35 and 43 were arrested by the SA police at the Nerston port of entry, which borders South Africa and Eswatini. This was after they were found with the dagga stashed inside a grey Toyota sedan. According to Colonel Donald Mdluli, the SA police members from border policing were busy with their routine patrols on Friday at around 4pm along the R65 Nerston-Westoe Road, when they stopped and searched a suspicious Toyota Etios, which was travelling from Nerston heading towards the Westoe direction. Also, a 38-year-old liSwati was arrested at lows Creek, Mpumalanga for the possession of 341.7 kilogrammes of dagga worth E1 million. He was arrested after an Intelligence Driven Operation which gathered information about a grey Toyota single cab bakkie with one occupant. The SAPS are said to have stopped the said vehicle, searched and discovered 19 bags which contained dagga.
Photo: Graeme Wood. Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara spokesperson Gagan Singh, left, and temple president Hardeep Nijjar (pictured in 2019) supported the Sikh separatist movement, an issue that has caused controversy in Prime Minister Justin Trudeauas foreign affairs portfolio.

Sikh community leaders are meeting this week to chart a path forward for better understanding the root of Canadian intelligence efforts to combat foreign interference by the Indian government, following Mondays revelation by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concerning the June 18 murder of temple leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Trudeau told the House of Commons that there is intelligence that Nijjar  an advocate, in Canada, of an independent Khalistan state but also an alleged terrorist, in India  may have been murdered at the behest of agents of the Indian government. No proof was provided to concretely link the allegation and Nijjars murderers remain at large.

Moninder Singh, spokesperson for the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council, said for many Sikhs, Trudeaus apparent acceptance of such a possibility was more surprising than were it to be proven.

There is some feeling of relief and being validated as weve been raising this issue for 40 years. So, there is some validation this is not all for not, said Singh.

However, Singh said he and other local gurdwara (temple) leaders have questions about how Canadian intelligence on threats to the lives of Nijjar and other Sikh activists has been accounted for.

Nijjars lawyer told the Vancouver Sun Nijjar, prior to his shooting death in Surrey, had received briefings from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that his life may be under threat due to his political activism.

Furthermore, a news report Tuesday from The Bureau, said Singh, raises questions as to how dedicated, or not, the Canadian government was in mitigating Indian government operations against pro-Khalistan activists. The Bureau reported efforts to stop those operations were underway in 2017 but halted before Trudeau visited India in 2018, and subsequently never re-engaged.

Is there a tie between how openly these people (agents of India) are allowed to operate and infiltrate further and set up their network here that it was so easy for them to take one of our Sikh leaders in this country out on a regular friggin Sunday, on Fathers Day? said Singh, speaking to Glacier Media.

We are asking that question internally now and in the next couple of days well start knocking on that one, he said.

B.C. Premier David Eby issued a statement Monday calling on the federal government to coordinate information sharing on foreign government threats against Canadians.

I call, yet again, on the federal government to share all relevant information related to any known ongoing foreign interference and transnational organized crime threats with our provincial authorities and our government, so we may act in co-ordination and protect those at risk, stated Eby.

Singhs group produced a report in March 2023 outlining its allegations against the Indian government, which is controlled by Hindu nationalists of the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi. India opposes any split of the Punjab province, as advocated by some Sikhs, who report repression of their religious beliefs in India.

Singh says since many Canadian immigrants from Punjab maintain business and family ties back in India they remain dedicated to the proposed Sikh state of Khalistan. But this has led to the Indian government countering their beliefs in Canada.

The report claims India influences Canadian academia, media and politicians with a ground game of influence and intimidation. And temples, being a prominent gathering spot for the Sikh community in B.C., are highly vulnerable, said Singh.

He said people acting on behalf of India covertly enter temple politics and sway individuals away from Khalistan beliefs.

Eventually, they become part of the community, they enter into the gurdwara spaces to help or take control; theyre really being operated out of India. This was really more prevalent in the '80s and '90s, said Singh.

Now, India also weaponizes visitor visa approvals by monitoring pro-Khalistan activists and not allowing them to return if they step out of line in Canada. Many are effectively silenced based on these tactics, said Singh.

Singh also describes how the Sikh community can be overtaken with conspiratorial thinking; many in the community believe, without evidence, that the Indian government was behind the plot to bomb Air India Flight 182 in 1985.

The community is forced to question everything that happens, said Singh.

Singh said the Sikh community, on the whole, is asking for a public inquiry into foreign interference and one that looks into India, not just China.

Because India is a democracy, Singh acknowledged the Canadian public at large may have a more difficult time conceptualizing Indias alleged tactics, as compared to an authoritarian state such as China or Russia.

People are more reluctant to see India as an actor that can do this, but, I think theyve played the part long enough, he said.

Meanwhile, India has denounced Trudeaus speech, and a diplomatic crisis has ensued. On Tuesday, it expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, accusing the High Commissioner of Canada of foreign interference in Indian affairs, or anti-India activities, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs. This, after Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Joly expelled a top Indian diplomat from Canada.
Photo: The Canadian Press United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres listens as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at the Sustainable Development Goals closing session Tuesday, September 19, 2023 in New York. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrived Tuesday at the UN General Assembly with the planet at a climate crossroads  and Canada facing an ever more fraught relationship with the world's fastest-growing economy.

The day before, Trudeau rocked the House of Commons with "credible allegations" linking agents of India's government to the deadly shooting this past June of a Sikh leader in Surrey, B.C.

At the UN, however  a place where political realities have a way of sabotaging multilateral visions of peace, prosperity and equity  Trudeau was determined to focus on the latter.

"The time has come for all of us to step up and understand: the future is expecting us all to meet this moment," he told a summit taking stock of progress to date on the UN's sustainable development goals.

Those goals, established in 2015 as the UN's road map for a safe, equitable and peaceful world, include lofty ambitions like eliminating poverty and hunger, guaranteeing clean water and ending inequality.

But progress has largely stalled, hampered by political intransigence, sluggish post-pandemic economies and the escalating problem of conflict in both Ukraine and the developing world.

The goals may sound fanciful, but they're anything but, Trudeau said as he gently urged leaders to get serious about achieving them.

"They're not some wish list generated by academics of global nice-to-haves. They are the building blocks of success in each and every one of our countries and each and every one of our communities," he said.

"The truth is, they will get harder and more expensive the longer we drag our heels."

The theme for this year's assembly is "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity"  two commodities that even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres admitted have been hard to come by of late.

"Our world is becoming unhinged," Guterres said during his opening address. "Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are mounting. And we seem incapable of coming together to respond."

Emergencies, on the other hand, are plentiful.

The climate crisis grew ever more real in 2023, with a record-setting wildfire season in Canada, catastrophic flooding in Libya and a record 23 separate billion-dollar weather disasters in the U.S. in just the first eight months.

Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on, the global angst augmented by last week's ominous meeting in Vladivostok between President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

And the uneasy truce of the UN's own Black Sea grain deal has collapsed, all but cutting off the developing world from one of the planet's most vital sources of food, cooking oil and fertilizer.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who shared marquee billing Tuesday with Guterres and U.S. President Joe Biden, delivered a stark warning to leaders about Putin's ultimate ambitions.

"When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there," Zelenskyy told delegates, one of whom happened to be Russia's deputy ambassador to the UN.

"The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into weapons against you  against the international rules-based order."

He said tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been repatriated by Russia since the invasion began and are being taught to "hate Ukraine," an indoctrination he described as "genocide."

Reinforcing the international coalition of support for Ukraine was also one of the U.S. president's main goals Tuesday.

"We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow," Biden said.

"That is why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity  and their freedom."

West Africa has seen no fewer than eight military coups since 2020, most recently in Niger and Gabon, while Haiti remains racked by political chaos and gang violence, all in the midst of an unchecked cholera outbreak.

"It's a serious moment in the life of the world," said Bob Rae, Canada's ambassador to the UN.

"There was sort of a school of thought that said, 'Every day, everything's getting better, it's not getting worse.' Right now, we can't say that."

A report Monday from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration catalogued the highest number of climate-related disasters ever recorded in a single calendar year  one that still has three months to go.

So far, 2023 ranks as the ninth-warmest in the continental U.S. in 129 years, with new temperature records being set just last month in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida and a potentially historic hurricane season now underway.

"The world is increasingly coming to grips with the reality that climate change is not a future event, it's a current event," Rae said.

"It's a today issue, and it's as much about resilience, adaptation and really investing in infrastructure and other ways of protecting people's health and safety for the current crisis, which will be ongoing."

There again, Biden did not mince words.

"Taken together, these snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and begin to climate-proof our world," he said.

"From (day 1) of my administration, the United States has treated this crisis as the existential threat that it is  not only to us, but to all of humanity."

That sense of urgency was palpable on city streets all over the world Friday and through the weekend, with massive protests unfolding throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa and the U.S.

Thousands marched in cities across Canada, part of a co-ordinated show of force in advance of the UN meetings and Climate Week in New York, where the protests culminated Sunday in a massive rally that attracted tens of thousands.

"Climate chaos is breaking new records, but we cannot afford the same old broken record of scapegoating and waiting for others to move first," Guterres said.

"To all those working, marching and championing real climate action, I want you to know that you are on the right side of history and that I am with you."
Diplomatic Tensions: India vs. Canada

Amid the fierce diplomatic sabre-rattling between India and Canada, triggered by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim that Indian agents were behind the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in his homeland, MS Bitta, the chairman of All-India Anti-Terrorist Front, on Tuesday asserted that there will never a separate Khalistan.

India's Transformation: A Stronger Nation

The Sikh leader said in present-day India, which is more assertive and aspirational, such attempts by a handful of people to tarnish the community at the behest of neighbouring Pakistan, will not be tolerated.

Canada's Role: Accusations and Concerns

"We will not tolerate if someone tries to peddle an agenda to break or splinter India. The Canadian government is patronising the Khalistanis for votes. Khalistan could not be formed despite the movement and we will never allow it to become a reality," Bitta told ANI.

Rejecting Khalistan: India's Firm Stand

"I want to tell such people that India is no longer the country it used to be. We will not tolerate any attempts to show our community in a bad light. We won't allow any agenda peddled at Pakistan's behest to succeed," he added.

MS Bitta's Assertion: No Separate Khalistan

Exhorting all members of the Sikh community and gurdwaras both in the country and beyond to come together and rise against the separatist Khalistani propaganda, Bitta said, I would urge members of all gurdwaras across India and beyond to call a meeting whenever a demand for Khalistan is raised and defeat such nefarious ploys to divide our country. They should come out in public and declare once and for all that we do not aspire for a separate Khalistan."
Pakistan's cement industry saw significant export growth in 2MFY23-24

20 September 2023

Pakistan's cement industry saw significant growth in cement exports, both over land to Kabul and further afield by sea during 2MFY23-24 due to the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee and the falling prices of Afghan and local coal.

According to AKD Securities Ltd, cement exports are expected to show growth going forward, driven by the viability of export prices, particularly in light of declining coal prices. IMS Research also believes that exports continue to demonstrate robust growth, primarily driven by southern producers actively exploring export markets to maintain higher utilisation levels. Additionally, the depreciation of the Pakistani currency is expected to make exports more economically viable.

Pakistans cement and clinker exports increased by around 130.2 per cent in the 2MFY23-24 to US$39.641m (981,395t) compared to US$17.217m (329,157t) in the 2MFY22-23, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) said. In terms of volumes, exports increased by 198.2 per cent YoY in the same period. The export revenue, if calculated in Pakistani rupees, saw a significant growth of 201.5 per cent to PKR11.44bn (US$38.6m) during this export period, supported by the depreciation of the local currency against the US dollar.

The data on exports and imports released by PBS revealed that on a MoM basis, cement and clinker exports registered 45.5 per cent growth in terms of value in August 2023 to US$23.49m (569,376t) compared to US$16.14m (412,020t) in July 2023. In terms of dispatch volumes, the YoY increase was 38.9 per cent.

YoY cement exports rose by 102.7 per cent in August 2023 compared to US$11.58m (224,016t) in August 2022.

The countrys total exports in the 2MFY23-24 were US$4.434bn (provisional) against US$4.733bn during the corresponding period of last year, showing a decrease of 6.3 per cent. Total exports in August 2023 were US$2.366bn (provisional) compared to US$2.068bn in July 2023, showing an increase of 14.4 per cent but a decrease of 4.7 per cent compared to US$2.483bn in August 2022.

Published under
Cement demand in Spain falls 1% in 8M23

ICR Newsroom By 20 September 2023

Cement consumption in Spain fell by 1.3 per cent in July and by 7.9 per cent in August 2023 when compared with year-ago volumes, according to the countrys cement association, Oficemen. In July demand declined to 1,208,697t and in August 1,058,267t of cement were sold.



"Although the holiday months are usually moderate in consumption, this year other variables have been added: the post-electoral political uncertainty that affects both public works and private initiative, the negative data on industrial production in June and July and the slowdown in the execution of the funds of the recovery, transformation and resilience plan, have a negative impact on cement consumption, which has now been in decline for three consecutive months, a situation that we observe with some concern from the sector," commented Aniceto Zaragoza, general director of Officemen.



Cement and clinker exports dropped by 17 per cent YoY to 397,595t in August 2023 when compared with 479,052t in August 2022. Imports halved from 107,786t in August 2022 to 53,594t one year later.



Domestic cement producers reduced their output by 5.9 per cent YoY to 1,333,478t in August 2023 from 1,417,546t.



January-August 2023

In the January-August 2023 period, demand in the Spanish market has declined 0.8 per cent to 9.809Mt from 9.889Mt in the year-ago period.



Cement and clinker exports were down 9.2 per cent to 3.486Mt YoY from 3.84Mt in the 8M22 while imports saw a 45.2 per cent reduction to 0.601Mt in the 8M23 from 1.097Mt in the 8M22.



Spains cement producers adjusted their output by -6.5 per cent YoY to 11.589Mt in the 8M23 from 12.389Mt.







Published under
MANZINI - For the second time, former Hosea Constituency MP, Mduduzi Bacede Mabuza, has been reportedly found with contraband at the Matsapha Maximum Prison.

According to sources, the former Member of Parliament (MP) legislator was apprehended last Tuesday night while in his cell with a foreign object. According to sources, Mabuza was supposedly using a cellular phone to communicate with people supposedly from outside the correctional facility. According to sources, the former legislator was using headsets to disguise the use of the cellular phone. Sources claimed that the use of the headsets somehow alerted the correctional facility personnel that something was amiss. They claim that as Mabuza was communicating on the phone, his voice was loud, supposedly because the headsets muffled any other interfering sounds for him.

It was claimed that his voice surpassed the sound of the television set on the day, which drew the attention of an officer who was on duty. It was claimed that thereon, the cell where he resides was searched and a Samsung branded cellular phone was found in his possession. Some sources claim that during the search, things became physical as there was retaliation from Mabuza who was against being searched. It was claimed that the Rapid Response Unit had to be called in to engage in the search. His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Gugulethu Dlamini confirmed that contraband was found in Mabuzas possession. She said an enquiry file had been opened in order to investigate how the cellular phone got into the prison. Dlamini said it was a criminal offence for an inmate to be found in possession of contraband.

The PRO further confirmed that the discovery of the mobile phone being in Mabuzas possession was the second instance since he was incarcerated in the facility. Dlamini said there was an ongoing investigation which sought to establish how in December 10, 2021, Mabuza got to have a cellular phone in his possession.

Confiscation

Following the confiscation of the said cellphones, in what was said to be a random search within the correctional facility, the Commissioner General (COMGEN) Phindile Dlamini, instituted an investigation. Parallel to the investigation, which would determine the charges proffered against the people responsible for the smuggling of the contraband into the correctional facility, the former legislator was placed in solitary confinement. This resulted in him being allowed one visitor, who delivers his food at the correctional facility and an interaction with his legal team for consultation purposes.

In a previous inrterview, the PRO informed this publication that when there were ongoing investigations within the facility, prison authorities had the right to take any measures to ensure that same was not jeorpdasised. This was when Mabuza was placed in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment distinguished by living in a single cell with little or no meaningful contact with other inmates, strict measures to control contraband, and the use of additional security measures and equipment. The practice is used when a prisoner is considered dangerous to himself or to other inmates and is suspected of organising or being engaged in illegal activities outside of prison. The former MP was reportedly found in possession of the gadgets on December 10, 2021, during a periodic random search on his person and cell.
MBABANE - The High Court has ordered the EBC to make arrangements for 16 voters, who were turned back at Sigangeni, during the primary elections, to cast their votes.

The interim order by the court comes after the 16 distressed voters moved an urgent application at the High Court yesterday. The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) was ordered to allow and/or make arrangements for the 16 voters to cast their vote for the primary election at their registered voting station, before the secondary elections on September 29, 2023. The applicants in the matter are Roseta Munro, Xolile Motsa, Simanga Sifundza, Hlobisile Bhembe, Sean Masilela, Nontsikelelo Mfuma, Siphilangezwe Nhleko, Lungisile Dlamini, Nosipho Mabuza, Noncedo Mkhonta, Sanelisiwe Mncina, Lindelwa Magagula, Ntobeko Vilakati, Seluleko Masuku, Nomthandazo Shongwe and Nomcebo Ndlovu. In the application, the applicants had also entreated the court to declare that they had the right to vote in accordance with Section 85 of the Constitution, as well as Section 44 of the Elections Act, 2013, which was allegedly violated by the respondents.

Winner

Respondents in the matter are Witness Dlamini, who was eventually declared a winner during the primary elections. Vusi Dlamini, who is the owner of Futis eatery and who got the second highest votes, is also a respondent in the matter. The consolidated list from EBC reflects that the overall winner for MP candidate was Witness, with 440 votes, while Vusi was the runner-up, with 432 votes. Other respondents in the matter are Phazamisa Mhlanga and David Sihlongonyane, who according to the applicants, were perpetrators of the alleged illegal act complained of herein. In their application, the applicants averred that, this was an unfortunate application. They narrated to the court that having registered to vote at Sigangeni polling station, under Siphocosini Inkhundla and having produced the voters card, they were turned away. The applicants submitted that they were in the process denied their constitutional right and their plight had not been addressed.

One of the applicants, who deposed to an affidavit, Roseta Munro, related to the court that on August 26, 2023, with the other voters who are applicants in this matter, they attended to the Sigangeni polling station, with the sole intention and purpose to cast their votes per the announcement by the EBC. She stated that upon arrival at Sigangeni polling station, they were denied entry by Mhlanga and Sihlongonyane. Munro alleged that this was despite that they had produced therein voting cards to have registered to vote under the Siphocosini Inkhundla and at Sigangeni polling station. They alleged that their names were also appearing on the voters roll. She said they then requested the assistance of the police, as well as Rider Maseko from the EBC, who were present at the polling station, but their efforts were unsuccessful.

Denied

After our efforts failed, we duly left the polling station without casting our votes, having been denied access into the polling station, submitted Munro. She brought it to the attention of the court that, Vusi also tried to talk to Mhlanga and Sihlongonyane in an attempt to convince the duo to allow them to cast their votes but his attempts were also in vain. The deponent (Munro) went on to submit that on August 29, 2023, Vusi duly filed a complaint with EBC with regard to the events of the day. On August 31, 2023, according to Munro, the EBC replied to complaint filed by Vusi, which was not helpful to their course. I also bring to the attention of the court that myself and the other applicants duly filed our affidavits with EBC, which were attached to Vusis reponse to the letter from EBC, alleged the deponent.

She stated that the affidavits were deposed to by the applicants on September 5, 2023, narrating what transpired on the day of the primary elections at Sigangeni polling station. We have also learnt that there are other community members who were denied access into the polling station by the very perpetrators who also denied us our right to vote and the EBC which has to this day not done anything to address the situation, submitted Munro. Munro and the other applicants informed the court that, this was extremely unfortunate, given that there had been a huge drive that they should register and vote as a nation. They contended that the apathy that was shown by the EBC was regrettable and embarrassing. The deponent averred that she had been advised that in terms of Section 85 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Eswatini, every liSwati or person ordinarily resident in Eswatini has a right to vote at any election.

Advised

I am further advised and verily believe that the same right is enshrined under Section 44 of the Elections Act, 2013, which right was violated by Phazamisa Mhlanga and David Sihlongonyane by blocking the applicants herein and not allowing us access into the polling station to cast our votes, she argued. She told the court that the actions of the EBC seemed to suggest that it had been complacent. Munro pointed out that she had been advised that the same right was enshrined in Section 48(i) of the Elections Act, 2013. She alleged that this right was purportedly violated by Mhlanga and Sihlongoinyane. Munro said with the other applicants, they had duly registered to vote at Sigangeni polling station under Siphocosini and they were adamant that their names appeared on the relevant voters register. It is for the above stated reason that we have approached the court as there was no valid reason or explanation for denying us entry into the polling station and this violating our right to vote, contended the aggrieved voters.

It was further their submission that in accordance with Section 51 of the Elections Act, a voter was entitled to vote at a polling station on production of that voters card to the polling officer. I humbly submit that myself and the other applicants duly produced our voting cards upon arrival at the polling station as required by the above quoted provision, but still our right to vote was violated as we were denied entry into the polling station and turned back without exercising our right, argued the applicants. Munro on the other hand was quick to mention to the court that it had not been shared or communicated to any individual, as to which candidate did any of the applicant intended to vote for nor was that information shared to her. She said the court would note the difference of voters for the declared winner and the eventual runner  up. The difference is a total of seven votes. It is for that reason that we believe that our number could have had a great impact in the result regardless of which candidate each one of us would have voted, submitted the applicants.

Participate

They stated that, looking back at the political status of the country in recent times, there had been calls not to participate in the elections. However, myself and the other applicants herein took it upon ourselves to register to vote in the elections, duly attended to same with intentions to exercise our right but were met with denial and violation of our constitutional right, contended the applicants. The applicants submitted that it was unfortunate, therefore, if the very EBC totally ignored their right. They pleaded with the court not to overlook the fact that only a minority of the people had laid the complaint, but to also consider that a proper judicial system should take proper care of the weakest minority of its people. They pleaded with the court to directed EBC to charge Mhlanga and Sihlongonyane, who they said were the alleged perpetrators.

Section 82(1) of the Elections Act provides that: A person who, at an election obstructs a voter either at the polling or on that voters way thereto or therefrom commits and illegal practice ad shall on conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding E20 000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years or both. The EBC, which is represented by Sibonginkhosi Dlamini and Ndabehle Dlamini is opposing the application. The commission will be filing its papers outlining why the interim order should not be made final. All the applicants are represented by senior lawyer Sidumo Mdladla of S.V Mdladla and Associates. The matter was before Judge Justice Mavuso.
KAMKHWELI - Some residents of KaMkhweli under Siphofaneni startled many when they got hold of the voters roll and combed it to remove voters who are allegedly not from the area but voted during the primary elections.

The residents demanded the voters roll and went through the verification exercise to ascertain if all voters were from the chiefdom. What prompted the residents to insist on getting the voters roll were allegations that some people, who were not from the constituency, were brought by buses to vote in the area.

Verifying

During a visit to the KaMkhweli Umphakatsi yesterday, the residents were found going through the voters roll, whereupon they were seen verifying if the voters belonged to the chiefdom. Security was enforced as officers were parked with their vehicles outside the royal kraal, while residents and some traditional leaders went through the roll. This publication gathered that the verification of voters was done after there was a meeting held by the umphakatsi with Simelane, to address her on her campaign strategies. The meeting was said to have been convened at 7am.

Explaining how the voters verification exercise came about, KaMkhweli Indvuna Tikhontele Ngcamphalala shared that a meeting was called by the Chief, Prince Mshengu, after there had been complaints that the election process was not properly concluded, as there were people who voted but were not eligible to do so. He said the complaints were from candidates who lost in the primary elections. As a result of these complaints, the prince ordered that the voters roll should be sought, and the verification exercise should be conducted. As you can see, this is what is happening right now, Ngcamphalala said. He said it was those who were complaining who were conducting this exercise.

The indvuna said there were suspicions that about 140 people who were not from the area, had voted. Meanwhile, some dissatisfied residents were of the view that the elections process was not properly conducted and should be redone. They blamed the Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) for not acting on the matter, when it should have, way before the primary elections. According to the residents, the matter was previously reported but nothing was done. They said it was high time the commission acted accordingly, and the only way was for the elections to start all over again in the constituency. EBC Communication Officer Mbonisi Bhembe was asked to confirm if the commission released the voters roll, and if this was done in accordance with the law. He was also asked on the way forward.

Confirm

I cannot confirm that but I have inquired from authorities to ascertain if EBC officials were sent to work on this matter and the merits of it all. I am awaiting confirmation, he said.

Bhembe said superiors had been informed about this and they were working on it. He said he could not make any observations on the residents going through the voters roll, adding that it was difficult to prevent people from scrutinising the voters roll. However, after their scrutinising, it is the action after, that superiors have to ascertain if its legal or not. And due action will be taken thereafter, he said.
Community members are invited to join Southern Adventist University students, employees, alumni, donors and board of trustees members to break ground for the Ruth McKee School of Business on Friday, Sept. 29 at noon.The building site, located outside Mabel Wood Hall along University Drive in Collegedale, was prayerfully dedicated back in February, and the approximately 42,000-square-foot facility is set to be completed by 2025.The new name for the School of Business honors the co-founder of McKee Foods, best known for Little Debbie snacks, who embodied integrity, wisdom, acumen and beneficencethe same qualities we strive to instill in each of our graduates, said Stephanie Sheehan, PhD, dean.The four-story structure will be the first thing visitors see when arriving on our campus, setting the tone for professional and quality education for all students who are enrolled at Southern, said Ellen Hostetler, vice president for Advancement.With a 10 percent increase in enrollment over the past five years, the current School of Business is the second largest academic area on the universitys campus.In August, the largest class of incoming business students arrived to join the already tight academic quarters within Brock Hall.The new building will be nearly five times as large as the School of Business existing space andwill house a spacious auditorium, an innovation lab and an investment lab with computers foranalyzing real-time financial market data.Our mission is to equip the next generation of top-tier business leaders, Ms. Sheehan added. Fostering an environment for Christian business principles to be experienced and practiced, thisnew space will enhance cross-departmental innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities as well as community and student networking.More than 80 percent of the $20 million campaign goal, which also includes a program endowment,has been raised through donations and commitments from alumni and friends of the university.To learn more, visit southern.edu/gobusiness.
The new popular buzz word (besides transparency) for changing America, Tennessee, and Choo Choo City is Re-imagining.

It has been used in the many news press releases and the ongoing efforts to modernize our community in a productive manner for Chattanooga, Broad Street, and now Chestnut Street to benefit all 185,000 (city) and 375,000 (county) residents and a few green space reduction experts in the construction field.

A quick trip to one of the recognized international dictionary authorities defines the gerund or present participle term as imaginatively rethink.

However the source also contains a negative suggested phrase that reimagining implies that you lack actual imagination.

(From a historical perspective that might sound a little offensive to some of the regional founders descendants but this is 2023 and we must move forward by obtaining more free federal grant funds and T.I.F.s- definition provided upon request.)

* * *

You can reach Jerry Summers at jsummers@summersfirm.com
After a couple of years trying to get a mixed-use development built at 2119 and 2101 Dayton Boulevard, the previous location of the Save-A-Lot grocery store, a special exemptions permit has been approved that will allow the project to move forward. Rise Partners, the developers that own the property, received approval for their plan from the board of commissioners after changes were made to a plan presented in August.

There will be a 200-unit apartment complex and a 7,000-square-foot retail building at the site.

One of the conditions for the approval is that there will be four live-work units, and sidewalks will be integrated into the development for accessibility to and along Dayton Boulevard. Rise Partners is also buying 119 and 121 West Ridgewood Drive that is adjacent to the new development, which now holds a duplex. The property was rezoned from R-1 single family residential to C-1 Commercial that will aid ingress and egress by way of the driveway leading to the developments parking deck.

Another rezoning request was denied for 103 Orlando Dr. The owner asked to change the property from R-1 to R-2 to convert a single-family house into a duplex. The motion to approve the zoning change failed unanimously, with several commissioners saying they were not opposed to duplexes, however Red Banks existing ordinances do not allow a duplex in that zone.

The Red Bank city code was amended relating to landscaping for new commercial and residential developments. The new policy specifies the use of native species and provides a list of acceptable native trees, shrubs and groundcovers that can be used for their ecological benefits to wildlife, pollinators, water quality and absence of invasives. The city also would like to encourage both public and private landowners to eradicate invasive exotic species.

Red Bank will utilize American Rescue Plan Act funds and a TDEC water infrastructure grant to have a comprehensive stormwater assets management plan completed of the entire city. The commissioners authorized entering into a contract for $1,190,000 with Barge Design Solutions for professional engineering services for researching Red Banks stormwater infrastructure. The study will identify, categorize and inventory current stormwater components, and create GIS mapping of it all. ARPA funds will pay 75 percent of the cost with Red Bank being responsible for 25 percent. This will be much different than the way stormwater was treated in the past, said Commissioner Pete Phillips. We knew there was a problem when the road caved in and we would replace it, he said.

To be in compliance with the state of Tennessee, the city has updated the occupational safety and health program plan for employees.

The cell phone tower behind the police station in Red Bank was built in 1998 to hold the Sprint antennae. A new five-year lease has been signed, City Manager Martin Granum told the commissioners. The new lease agreement will include Dish, a new provider for Red Bank. The lease is for five years and can be renewed up to 25 years in five-year increments. The city will be paid a 52 percent increase in lease fees from what it is currently receiving with the new contract and each year the monthly rent will increase based on the consumer price index.

Vice Mayor Stefanie Dalton and Commissioner Jamie Fairbanks Harvey, will be the commission members representing the citys response to the recent Hamilton County School facilities recommendation. The proposal from the county school board to consolidate small neighborhood schools into fewer, larger schools, would remove the only elementary school from Red Bank.

The commissioners voted to approve a resolution to present to the county school board on the citys position on the proposal. That is in opposition to merging four elementary schools and relocating them to one large school in Hixson. That would close down Alpine Crest, considered to be an optimal learning environment. The commission seeks to keep schools in Red Bank at all levels and maintain the current feeder pattern for all Red Bank students so they can move together through Red Bank Middle and High Schools. If that effort fails, the city desires to retain use of the property for Red Bank citizens for public use as a park, indefinitely, and requests for the property to not be sold to a developer.
Christine Brown's life looks much different now than it does in the footage captured for seaosn 18 of 'Sister Wives'. The reality TV star has a new love and is living in a new state in 2023. We have all the details about where she is.

Christine Brown left Kody Brown and secured herself a brand new life. The Sister Wives star announced her divorce in November 2021, months after she moved away from her plural family. Since then, shes amassed even more social media followers, launched a solo cooking series on TLC Go, and found a new love. Weeks away from walking down the aisle, Christine Brown seems happier in 2023 than she ever has been, and where she lives seems to have contributed to her positive vibes.

Christine Brown moved to Murray, Utah, in 2021

Christine Brown didnt find happiness in Flagstaff, Arizona. After the Brown family moved to the state in 2018, things really unraveled for the plural family. It would make sense that Christine would want to leave a state that brought her such heartache behind as quickly as possible. She did just that.

Kody Brown and Christine Brown | TLC/YouTube

Following her separation from Kody Brown, Christine moved from Flagstaff to Murray, Utah. Christine, along with her only minor child, Truely Brown, settled into a rented home in the town of just 50,000. The location made perfect sense for the family. Murray is the same town where Aspyn Thompson, Christines eldest daughter, lives with her husband, Mitch Thompson. Mykelti Padron, Tony Padron, and their three children lived nearby.

Christine Brown and David Woolley are living in Lehi, Utah, in 2023

Murray, Utah, wasnt the final stop for Christine and Truely Brown, though. In 2023, Christine and her now 12-year-old daughter vacated their rental property to move to a home Christine purchased with her new love, David Woolley. Christine and David bought the house in a planned community shortly before they announced their engagement.

According to In Touch, the duo purchased the house in Lehi, Utah, in March 2023. Property records indicate that the couple paid $770,000 for the 4,200-square-foot property. Christine Browns new house was built in 2023 and features four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. The backyard of the property looks out onto a mountain range.

The mother of six has lived in Lehi before

While Christine is making a new life for herself and her new love in Lehi, its not the first time shes called the city of 80,000 home. When Sister Wives premiered in 2010, the Brown family resided in Lehi, Utah. The plural family purchased a house with three separate apartments years earlier.

While the Browns were largely happy in Utah, they fled to Las Vegas due to strict polygamy laws in Utah. Later, when polygamy was decriminalized in Utah, Christine floated the idea of the family returning. By the time Christine made the suggestion, the Browns had already left Las Vegas and were settled in Flagstaff, Arizona. The refusal to move, a lack of physical intimacy, and unequal treatment from Kody Brown eventually led to Christine and Kodys big split.
New District 1 Cherokee Nation Tribal Councilor Sasha Blackfox-Qualls hugs her daughter, Keelea, on stage during a swearing-in ceremony in Tahlequah on Aug. 14.
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
3 Palestinians killed, 30 injured in Israeli raid in West Bank

Jerusalem/Ramallah, Sep 20 (UNI) At least three Palestinians were killed and 30 others injured in an Israeli raid involving a drone attack in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday night, according to media reports and sources of Israel and Palestine.

A spokesperson for the Israeli military confirmed in a statement that the military carried out an operation in the Jenin refugee camp, a militant stronghold located in the northern West Bank, adding that "an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Maoz drone struck the area."

The forces arrested two Palestinians suspected of involvement in attacks against Israelis. No casualties were reported among the Israeli troops, said the spokesperson.
The Liberty Bell, which sits in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, is one of the most famous American symbols of freedom, abolition, and, of course, liberty.

Youve seen it on postcards, stamps, films, and television shows. Some people are lucky enough to visit Philadelphia and see it in person. When looking at the 270-year-old bell, youll notice it has a large crack in it. Have you ever wondered how it got there?

In 1751, Isaac Norris, who was the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, ordered the bell from the Whitechapel Foundry in London so it could go in the bell tower at the Pennsylvania State House.

The Pennsylvania State House was where the Constitution and Declaration of Independence would be created and debated, and today, its known as Independence Hall.

When the Liberty Bell was first rung as a test, it cracked. So, American metalworkers John Pass and John Stow took the original bell, melted it down, and cast a new one. They added copper to make the bell less frail but used too much, which affected the bells toll.

The bell was inscribed with a quote from William Penns 1701 Charter of Privileges, which reads, Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants thereof. Isaac Norris picked out the quote, and it was a powerful quote for abolitionists who stood for the end of slavery.

The bell would ring to announce the time, and it soon became a powerful symbol in some of Americas most important movements, like the womens suffrage and civil rights movements. In the 1800s, it was paraded around the country to inspire Americans and give them the opportunity to see it.

Then, it cracked somewhere along the line, which some people believe was in the 1840s. No one can say for sure how exactly the new bell first cracked, but the crack we see in the bell today was eventually done on purpose.

Likely in 1846, the city decided to repair the cracked bell before George Washingtons 115th birthday on February 23rd.

Sign up for Chip Chicks newsletter and get stories like this delivered to your inbox.
What can be done with generational fractures that feel irreparable?

If theres any question Russell Moore hears regularly, its that one. On todays episode of The Russell Moore Show, he and psychologist Jean Twenge consider what the answer may be in light of Twenges new book, Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silentsand What They Mean for America's Future.

Twenge, a professor at San Diego State University, and Moore discuss the differencesand lack of differencesbetween generations. They consider why our current government leaders are so much older than most of the population, how the naming of children signals generational changes, and the influence of technology on increased individualism. They talk about how people of various ages value self-esteem, how smartphones affect rates of mental health issues, and the implications of societys reconception of marriage.

Tune in for a nuanced conversation of generational trends as they pertain to politics, sexuality, raising children, and institutions.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.

Click here for a trial membership at Christianity Today.

The Russell Moore Show is a production of Christianity Today

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper

Host: Russell Moore

Producer: Ashley Hales

Associate Producers: Abby Perry and Azurae Phelps

Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens

Audio engineering by Resonate Recording

Video producer: Abby Egan

Theme Song: Dusty Delta Day by Lennon Hutton
It was almost a good news story.

After nine months of blockade, humanitarian aid finally reached the Armenian Christians of Nagorno-Karabakh on Monday. But almost immediately, ending three years of tense ceasefire after a 2020 war, Azerbaijan renewed on Tuesday its military assault on the mountainous Caucasus enclave.

And following todays surrender and promised disarmament of local separatist forces, the region will almost certainly revert to the sovereignty of a neighboring nation that Armenians fearand a former chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court warnsis preparing a genocide.

Thousands massed at the airport in the capital of Stepanakert, preparing to leave.

Advocates for Armenia are at a loss. But of the three aforementioned adjectiveshumanitarian, Armenian, or Christianwhich ones were most effective in pressing for humanitarian aid? And now in a new phase of the conflict, which will be the most crucial in mobilizing further support?

CT spoke with six religious freedom experts about best practices in Christian advocacy.

Background:



Only one day prior to the assault, the International Red Cross



Lachin connects westward to Armenia, and before the blockade facilitated 400 tons of daily supplies to what locals call their ancestral territory of Artsakh, home to several ancient churches and monasteries. Aghdam, a ghost town undergoing rebuilding that Azerbaijan recaptured along with portions of Nagorno-Karabakh during the 2020 war, connects eastward.



Last December, government-backed eco-activists set up a blockadelater turned into a checkpointon the Lachin corridor, as Azerbaijan insisted on its internationally-recognized sovereignty to prevent the flow of alleged weapons into the enclave.



Russia brokered the end of the 2020 war, and its peacekeepers were tasked to keep the flow of goods open along Lachin. Their failure angered Armenia, which recently responded by



The regional demography is religiously complex, as Armeniathe worlds first Christian nation in 301 A.D.is allied with Orthodox Russia and Shiite Iran against Western-friendly Shiite Azerbaijan, Sunni Turkey, and Jewish Israel.



In addition to weapons, Azerbaijan kept out food, goods, and medicine. Families were restricted to one loaf of bread per day. Gas supplies were cut off, one-fifth of businesses closed, and last month was the first



The International Court of Justice ruled to compel Azerbaijan to lift the blockade last February, while the European Court of Human Rights sided three months earlier with the local population.



Negotiations between the two nations have failed to produce a peace agreement. However, Azerbaijan has stated that once the enclave is reintegrated, its Armenian minority will enjoy the full rights of citizens in a multiethnic and multireligious state.



Yet Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev has also Only one day prior to the assault, the International Red Cross confirmed that aid entered Nagorno-Karabakh from both neighboring countries. Ethnic Armenian separatists had agreed with Azerbaijani authorities to simultaneously open the Lachin corridor and the road to Aghdam.Lachin connects westward to Armenia, and before the blockade facilitated 400 tons of daily supplies to what locals call their ancestral territory of Artsakh, home to several ancient churches and monasteries. Aghdam, a ghost town undergoing rebuilding that Azerbaijan recaptured along with portions of Nagorno-Karabakh during the 2020 war, connects eastward.Last December, government-backed eco-activists set up a blockadelater turned into a checkpointon the Lachin corridor, as Azerbaijan insisted on its internationally-recognized sovereignty to prevent the flow of alleged weapons into the enclave.Russia brokered the end of the 2020 war, and its peacekeepers were tasked to keep the flow of goods open along Lachin. Their failure angered Armenia, which recently responded by conducting military exercises with the United States.The regional demography is religiously complex, as Armeniathe worlds first Christian nation in 301 A.D.is allied with Orthodox Russia and Shiite Iran against Western-friendly Shiite Azerbaijan, Sunni Turkey, and Jewish Israel.In addition to weapons, Azerbaijan kept out food, goods, and medicine. Families were restricted to one loaf of bread per day. Gas supplies were cut off, one-fifth of businesses closed, and last month was the first reported death from malnutrition.The International Court of Justice ruled to compel Azerbaijan to lift the blockade last February, while the European Court of Human Rights sided three months earlier with the local population.Negotiations between the two nations have failed to produce a peace agreement. However, Azerbaijan has stated that once the enclave is reintegrated, its Armenian minority will enjoy the full rights of citizens in a multiethnic and multireligious state.Yet Azerbaijans president Ilham Aliyev has also stated that any Armenian who does not want to live under Azerbaijani sovereignty should leave. Many advocates interpreted the blockade as a slow-moving attempt at ethnic cleansing, and in this new escalation, Aliyev emphasized the opening of humanitarian corridorsincluding back to Armenia.

What compelled this weeks minor breakthrough?

One week before the initial agreement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aliyev to express concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation. According to the official State Department readout, however, neither the word Christian nor Armenian was spoken by the senior diplomat. Religion and ethnicity were completely ignored.

But one CT source stated that Blinkens outreach to Azerbaijan ticked up following the June visit to Armenia by Sam Brownback, former US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. And at a congressional human rights hearing on Nagorno-Karabakh after his return, in calling for legislative action his language was completely different.

120,000 Christians are being suffocated, Brownback stated, blockaded by Azerbaijan.

His trip was arranged through Philos Project, which works to ensure the citizenship rights of minority Christians and their ability to flourish in the region. President and founder Robert Nicholson said some believing advocates in the West are oddly reluctant to embrace their ancient brothers and sisters.

Christians often make the mistake in thinking that the Christian thing to do is not specifically advocate for Christians, he said. But love for the brethren is the preeminent marker of New Testament faith, so I double down in my support.

Like all sources interviewed, Nicholson resisted characterizing the Nagorno-Karabakh issue as Muslims persecuting Christians. Yet sectarianism is a factor, as both Armenia and Azerbaijan have effectively merged their religious and ethnic identities. And with the latters attempts to erase the formers historic Apostolic faith from the enclave, Nicholson said it would be improper to neglect their status as Christians.

Both humanitarian concerns and religious solidarity were mentioned in Philoss open letter to President Joe Biden in January. But in its bipartisan effort to influence US foreign policy, sometimes the word Christian is strategic to highlight.

The best people on this issue have been Democrats, Nicholson said. Conservative Republicans who identify as Christians seem not to have gotten the memo, and we are trying to bring them in.

So is Joseph Daniel, Middle East and North Africa manager for International Christian Concern (ICC), who handles its Armenia file. ICCs public policy work, however, is a secondary priority to raising awareness in the church, with its persecution.org website aptly titled to get more believers to care. While such an approach helps with fundraising, he said it also puts them in a bit of a Christian bubble.

But for Armenia, the religious label is not sufficient on its own.

Christians should not side with the confession just because, said Daniel. But advocating for the preservation of Christian heritage has value, independent of personal belief.

ICC has turned down several requests by Armenian activists to highlight their cause when the issue was primarily militaryor even humanitarian. But even during the Soviet era when the nation was Communist, Daniel said that advocating on behalf of a suffering people who consider themselves Christian would have been the right thing to do.

Who are we to determine the necessary percentage of individual faith? asked Daniel. But where the light exists, however corrupted, God can still use it for the gospel.

That is the primary motivation for the Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), founded in 1918 in part to care for the survivors of the Armenian genocide in Turkey. Their evangelism concentrates on their ethnic kinbut by no means is their advocacy against Islam.

We have experienced the love, welcome, and embrace of Muslim Arabs after the genocide, said Zaven Khanjian, AMAA executive director. Religious fervor is manipulated only by parties interested to enflame a crisis.

Therefore, when AMAA speaks of Artsakh to the wider world, the focus shifts to human rights and ethnicity.

Christians in America have an obligation to support Armenia against a clear and viable intent of ethnic cleansing, Khanjian said. But what moves everyone is humanism, and the state, with no religious affiliation, has an obligation to uphold the values of freedom and justice around the globe.

So also must Christians, argues Michel Abs, not least in the Middle East.

As secretary general of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), alongside his advocacy for the rights of Syriac Christians he has petitioned on behalf of Zoroastrian Yazidis, heterodox Shiite Alawites, and Palestiniansmost of which are Muslim. What matters, he said, is not their specific faith but their regional citizenship. Thus, when he issued the councils letter on behalf of the blockade in Artsakh, he made no mention of religion.

Everyone in the Middle East knows we are dedicated to the Christian presence in the region, said Abs. And to emphasize our religious identity in the West makes cheap use of our faith, showing us as a pitiful people.

Instead, from the strength of the love of Christ, Christians must defend all. Where our people are wrong, he said, he would counsel them accordingly. The world is becoming a mosaic, and Christian distinctives must bring us together.

The cross is our inspiration, Abs said. We must not crucify others.

According to Wissam al-Saliby, there is a particular distinctive that helps.

Our advocacy puts the humanmade in the image of Godabove every other distinction, said the advocacy officer at the United Nations for the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA). And diplomats have praised our multi-faith efforts, sharing with us that it gains more traction than anything single-faith.

Recent advocacy in India, for example, has involved Muslims and Hindus.

Representing over 140 national alliances, Saliby said the WEA is driven by the concerns of local evangelicals. In some countries the message is distinct, if evangelicals suffer uniquely. In other countries, current or historic interchurch dynamics push leaders away from ecumenical engagement. And in others still, believers find themselves on conflicting sides, so peacemaking is prioritized.

But where possible, such as in Nagorno-Karabakh, collaboration is best. The WEA statement to the UN Human Rights Council in March was issued jointly with the World Council of Churches, and made no specific mention of Christianity.

Our advocacy is for freedom, human rights, and dignity for everyone, Saliby said. It is easier said than done sometimes, so we need to discern in prayer how best to speak up and engage with the authorities.

This same process has led Stefanus Alliance International to not advocate for Nagorno-Karabakh at all. A Norwegian Christian mission and human rights organization, its European orientation prefers the language of freedom of religion or belief, which is not at stake in the blockade.

If you want to play a card, the religious one plays well to get support, said Ed Brown, the American secretary general of Stefanus, of tendencies in US-based Christian advocacy. But it can also exacerbate the situation and contribute to the long-term problem.

Religion is a factor in the enclave, he emphasized, but it is only one of many. Historical grievances in the Caucasus go back decades, and each side has often demonized the other. In the case of Nagorno-Karabakh, the ethnic Armenians are truly suffering and deserve support. But honest human rights work must also acknowledge their prior abuses as an occupying power.

Victims in one situation may end up being violators in another, Brown said, and advocacy must adjust accordingly.

But though the religious label is not the focus of conflict in this current crisis, might it be useful to center in others?

It depends, and I think we need both approaches, Brown said. But at the end of the day, in any given context, it is hard to know what works best.

So why did Blinken get involved?

A mere 21 hours after tweeting his commendation of the humanitarian aid agreement, the US secretary of state called for an immediate cessation of unacceptable hostilities. Four hours later he reported speaking directly to Aliyev.

Azerbaijan pressed forward anyway.

Has all advocacy been for naught? Armenians lament that Western powers continually warn, but failed to link aggression to specific consequences. Now in a new stage of the conflict, they and their allies will redouble their efforts.

Nicholson, the Philos Project president, felt vindicatedin both assessment and support.

Azerbaijan has shown its true face to the world, and we advocates were the ones to help expose it, he said. It just goes to show what a small group of committed people can do, with Gods help.

[ This article is also available in Francais. ]
Tony Evans stood before his Dallas congregation last weekwith keyboards playing softly in the background and his four adult children standing behind himto announce that nearly four years after losing his wife Lois, he was engaged to remarry.

God, in his sovereignty, has brought someone into my life, the 74-year-old told the crowd, which broke out in applause. He introduced Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship to his fiancee Carla Crummie, a widow who had lost her husband around the same time as Loiss passing.

The announcement came with a sense of both somberness and celebration. Pray for us, he asked the church, calling it a sensitive and tender time.

Evans had been married to Lois for 49 years before she died of cancer at the end of 2019, and the famous preacher described how she had been his partner in life and ministry. He told his church, This may evoke some grief in some people, which I can understand, because were reminded about the fingerprintsthe legacy of his late wife.

Christians who have lost their spouses know firsthand the mixed emotions that come with remarriage.

Im more aware than most people of the reality of joy and grief that need to coexist in the life of a godly person, said Jonathan Pitts, who attended the service along with dozens of ministry colleagues to celebrate Evanss birthday. Pitts lost his wife of 15 years, Wynter, in 2018. She was Evanss niece.

I was there to grieve with those who grieve but also rejoice with those who rejoiceto rejoice with Dr. Evans that hes found love again and companionship, knowing that that tension is not a problem to be solved but a tension to be managed, said Pitts, a pastor in Franklin, Tennessee, and the former executive director of Evanss resource ministry, the Urban Alternative. We, more than all people, should know how to walk in that space with integrity and with peace and with hope.

While plenty of churches offer ministries for the bereaved and premarital counseling for new couples, fewer Christian resources are tailored to the unique family dynamics brought about by remarriage after death. Widows and widowers may not anticipate their emotional and spiritual needs as they move into a new relationship, or how their relatives will feel.

One of the biggest mistakes people make is they think, I have to turn off my grief now that Im married to you and not be sad over my previous partner, said Ron Deal, a marriage and family therapist who serves as the director of FamilyLife Blended.

So when the new partner gives permission to that ongoing expression of grief, were both free to deal with our past and our loss and at the same time be making steps forward in our new relationship. The past and the present are not in competition unless you make it a competition.

Families experiences of grief can vary depending on the age, timing, and circumstances around a death, but Deal said people are prone to underestimate how much remarriage will affect their children, even as adults.

While grown kids may encourage their moms or dads to find someone after losing their spouse, it can be a challenge for kids when it actually happens. They see a different side of their parent, may worry about the financial implications of the new marriage, and are inevitably reminded of the parent theyve lost.

Widows and widowers are more likely to have adult children, since the older you are, the more likely you are to have lost a spouse. Well over half of married women over 75 have gone through the death of a husband at some point, according to data from the US Census Bureau. But fewer than five percent of the 1.4 million people whose spouses died were under 45.

Pitts was left a single father to four daughters when his wife died at just 38, weeks after they moved from Texas to outside Nashville. Together, the Pitts family remembered Wynter by lighting a candle to symbolize her presence at holiday meals, telling stories about her, and carrying on her nonprofit ministry For Girls Like You.

Two years ago, Pitts married Peta Sergeant, an actress from Australia. He described fighting for celebration, stewarding both joy and grief while knowing the loss of his first wife would always be part of him and his family.

One of the most isolating places to be is walking into remarriage  my now-wife Peta would say that she became an instrument of grief, but our marriage became an instrument of grief, Pitts said. What happens is that newness of life together, it provokes the grief of everyone else.

I couldnt imagine not being married to Wynter, but all of a sudden now I have a new wife and cant imagine not being with her, he said. Imagine the complication of that for a child or a mother-in-law or a father-in-law, or even your own feelings around it. Its so confusing.

After becoming a widow twice, losing one husband to an aneurysm and the other in an Air Force plane crash, Rachel Faulkner Brown has worked to offer spiritual support and care for fellow widows through Never Alone Widows.

She has seen over a hundred widows involved in the ministry marry again in the past few years. The transition, she says, can be another form of lossafter losing your spouse, you also lose a part of your old life when you enter another relationship.

Remarriage is a death to everything, a transition to new life, said Brown, who lives outside Atlanta. If you dont understand death and resurrection, you wont understand remarriage.

Her ministrys retreats can be a place for women to be open and honest about their loss with others who get it, things like how to balance remembering and honoring your first husband while investing in your new relationship.

Brown said marrying a widower can be an appealing option for women who have lost their spouses young. Thats the quintessential You get me, you understand me, you feel safe option, she said. But there are way more widows than widowers. Widowers dont stay single as long.

Christian resources by Robert DeVries and Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge, a Calvin Theological Seminary professor emeritus and clinical psychologist who married after losing their first spouses in the 1990s, emphasize the importance of working on intentional goals through the grieving process. They include: accepting the reality of a spouses death, processing emotions, storing away memories, discovering an identity outside of the previous marriage, and reinvesting in a new normal.

Good-bye is difficult to say  you will say it hundreds of times to all the various aspects of life you shared with your spouse, they write in their book From We to Me. You will realize it each time you do something new without your previous spouse. And one day you will know its time to say the final good-bye.

Deal estimates that between 30 and 40 percent of weddings today form blended families, whether following death or divorce. These relationships are more complicated than first marriages. They disrupt relationships with children (and for older widows and widowers, their grandchildren), holiday traditions, and financial and estate planning. He sees the potential for the church to better counsel and equip those who remarry for their new reality.

Some widows and widowers dont have those tough conversations until theyve already found a new partner, but some learn along the way through support groups like GriefShare and specialized ministries like Never Alone Widows and Refuge Widowers.

Outside of organized groups, Pitt found himself connected with fellow widowers through mutual friends and fellow pastors. He knows how difficult the journey can be but believes, by Gods grace, its something people can get through and also flourish in.

The grief journey and healing is like a ministry that God has given me that I never would have signed up for that I actually really love. I love being with people that get to experience God in hardships, he said. When you walk through loss, it doesnt just happen to you. Its something that you become and something you live with.
Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh agree to disarm after Azerbaijan offensive

Armenian separatists in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh have agreed to disarm, bringing about a ceasefire following a 24-hour offensive by Azerbaijani forces that human rights activists were concerned could have genocidal implications.

Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Russian peacekeepers on Wednesday after Azerbaijan forces seized several strategic points in the territory that Armenians call the Republic of Artsakh, Reuters reports. The ceasefire went into effect at 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

The region is recognized internationally as part of Muslim-majority Azerbaijan even though it has a majority Armenian population. It's been controlled by ethnic Armenians as the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh, a de facto independent state not recognized by the United Nations.

Under the terms of the agreement, separatist forces must completely disband and disarm. Meanwhile, Armenian troops must pull out of the region, although Armenia insists it doesn't have forces in the territory.

In a statement, the Republic of Artsakh said it agreed to the ceasefire after its forces suffered casualties.

"Unfortunately, the Artsakh side also suffered losses and injuries, and in some areas the enemy managed to penetrate the combat positions of the defense army, capture a number of heights and strategic road junctions," the statement reads.

"In the current situation, the actions of the international community to end the war and resolve the situation are inadequate. Considering all this, the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire."

Reports have conflicted on how many casualties resulted from the offensive. Armenian officials reported at least 32 people killed and 200 injured, including seven civilians. Meanwhile, a separatist official claimed on social media that over 200 were killed, including 10 civilians and five children, and 400 wounded.

Azerbaijan's army claimed to have captured over 90 positions from the Armenian separatists.

Before the ceasefire, a Switzerland-based Christian human rights organization issued a genocide alert for 120,000 Armenian Christians in Nagorno-Karabakh following the full-scale military attack.

On Tuesday, Christian Solidarity International President John Eibner warned of imminent genocide if Azerbaijan's allies and commercial partners do not take immediate action, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, the European Union, Israel and Switzerland.

"Genocide is imminent," Eibner said in a statement to The Christian Post.

The Minister of Health for the Republic of Artsakh, Vardan Tadevosyan, told CSI that the capital city of Stepanakert was under continuous artillery bombardment.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry claimed the military operation was to "neutralize [the] military infrastructure" of the Armenians and "restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan."

Elchin Amirbayov, a senior spokesman for Azerbaijan's president, had earlier predicted that "a genocide may happen" if Nagorno Karabakh's elected leaders do not submit.

CSI observed Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the sole road connecting Nagorno Karabakh to the outside world, during their visit to Armenia last week. The blockade began last winter.

"For nine months, the major powers have done nothing to end this siege, or avert this very predictable outcome," CSI's Joel Veldkamp said.

CSI and nine other human rights groups issued a genocide warning for the Armenian Christians of Nagorno Karabakh on Dec. 19, 2022.

"Despite this early and clear warning, the world failed to respond," Veldkamp believes.

The U.S. State Department's Acting Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, Yuri Kim, had stated that the U.S. would not tolerate any actions against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

"The U.S. will not countenance any action or effort  short-term or long-term  to ethnically cleanse or commit other atrocities against the Armenian population of Nagorno-Karabakh," Kim said in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing last Thursday.

The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict is a long-standing dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Azerbaijan regained control of territories surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh after a six-week war with Armenia in 2020. A Russia-brokered armistice left the region connected to Armenia only by the Lachin Corridor, where Russian peacekeepers were supposed to ensure free movement.

Last December, alleged demonstrators from Azerbaijan blocked the Lachin Corridor, and Baku later established a military checkpoint there, a move criticized by the U.S. State Department and other international actors.

Luis Moreno Ocampo, an Argentine lawyer who served as the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court from 2003 to 2012, told members of U.S. Congress this month that the blockade impedes access to food and other essentials, contending that the intent of the Azerbaijan leadership to starve the Armenians is a genocidal action.

"There are many different forms of genocide. One form requires zero victim," he said. "Genocide, under Article 2-C, requires just to create the conditions to destroy the people. The crime is to create the conditions, and blocking the Lachin Corridor with the life system for the Nagorno-Karabakh people is exacting the conditions."
Gibraltar to participate at UK Youth Parliament

HMGOG has announced the opportunity for a young person to participate at the UK Youth Parliament sitting in the House of Commons on Friday 17th November 2023.

The young person will need to deliver a short address to the Commons from the despatch box on a topic of their choosing.

Young people aged 16 to 18 who are interested in attending must submit an essay based on the most important issue affecting young people in Gibraltar to the Office of the Deputy Chief Minister by no later than Wednesday 27th September 2023. The competition will be judged by young people from the Commonwealth Youth Association.

Essays can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Government will fund the costs for the successful young person and a family member.
Family of 4 found murdered with 3 dogs in home they just bought; police say they were targeted

A family of four found gunned down with their three dogs inside their home, which a family member said they had just bought in Romeoville, Illinois, was a targeted attack, the Romeoville Police Department said.

We were able to determine that this was not a random incident, Deputy Chief Chris Burne of the Romeoville Police Department said in a press statement Monday.

Police and family members identified the victims as 38-year-old Alberto Rolon, 32-year-old Zoraida Bartolomei and their sons, Adriel, 10, and Diego, 7.

A release from the police said officers discovered their bodies after they were asked to do a well-being check at the familys home on the 500 block of Concord Avenue on Sunday at approximately 8:43 p.m. local time.

A member of the family did not show up for work at 6 a.m. on the morning of Sunday, September 17 and did not respond to phone calls throughout the day, resulting in family members becoming concerned, the release said.

Investigators believe that the murders took place between 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday morning.

In his remarks Monday, Burne said the Will County Major Crimes Task Force was brought in to assist local investigators with gathering evidence and reviewing video.

Our detectives and crime scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence, he said. The members of the community have been very helpful in providing us with information and evidence. We continue to seek their assistance in providing anything including Ring doorbell footage they may think is helpful to this investigation.

As the investigation remains ongoing, police said they would not release any additional information about the case but urged anyone with information about the murders to contact the Romeoville Police Department at 815-886-7219.

Romeoville Mayor John D. Novak said, Our entire community is grieving with the family over this tragic incident.

It is always heartbreaking whenever there is a loss of life. But when children are involved, it's much more painful. I've directed our social services staff to make themselves available to our community to help begin the healing process, he said. It is important that we conduct a thorough investigation. And we have committed our full resources to that task. The victims deserve that.

In a message to the Valley View School District on Monday, Superintendent Rachel Kinder confirmed that the two brothers attended R.C. Hill Elementary School and had tragically lost their lives in a senseless act of gun violence.

A GoFundMe campaign created by family member Bryana Bartolomei to help raise funds to bury the victims had exceeded $30,000 on Wednesday in just two days.

Bryana Bartolomei described the family as hardworking people whose murders had shattered the lives of others.

Zoraida Bartolomei, Alberto Rolon, their kids Adriel & Diego (ages 10 & 7) were involved in a horrific crime that took their lives and shattered countless others, she wrote.

These were hardworking people that had just bought their first home. Their kids were the sweetest, most innocent angels who could hug your worries away, she added. In just a few hours their lives, their familys lives completely changed. The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them.
Jack Hibbs says the 'silent' Church to blame for America being a 'post-Christian nation'

WASHINGTON  California Pastor Jack Hibbs told a crowd of Christian conservative activists over the weekend that the "silent" Church is to blame for the United States being a "post-Christian nation."

Hibbs, the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills, spoke at the Family Research Council's Pray Vote Stand Summit at the Omni Shoreham Hotel last Friday. The annual event gathered hundreds of Christian conservative leaders and pastors who heard from many of the leading 2024 Republican presidential candidates.

The pastor said gatherings like the summit are essential because the Church "has been marginalized" and "set aside" in the United States. The 64-year-old stressed that now "more than ever [the Christian] faith needs to take a stand."

"We need to do this Church family like never before," Hibbs said.

"The Church has been viewed as something irrelevant. And listen, let's be honest. Much of that accusation against us is true. Somehow, the Church has gotten out of the lane of being the salt and light that God has called us to be."

Hibbs noted that he is "constantly labeled" as a "Christian nationalist."

"I don't accept labels. I don't accept intimidation. I don't accept bullying," he said. "Did God bring this nation into existence? To deny that is to deny God's work and to deny God's history. The nation of this country of ours is history."

"Do you want to be upset with me? I believe Jesus could come back tonight. I'm waiting for Him to return. But, if He doesn't return, I've got grandkids. And I've got to leave this nation in the right hands," Hibbs continued.

"[You might say]: 'But, pastor, that's political.' Let's talk about that. Should pastors be into politics? Yes, especially if they're going to run for office. I know a lot of pastors that have run for office. Many of them have been elected. God bless them. But, let's remember something," Hibbs added.

"God established His sacred institutions. Israel is one of them. The Church is one of them. Marriage is one of them. The family, right? And listen to this: according to your Bible, God established the government. Did you know that? He didn't invent politics. That's what man invented. When man doesn't want God involved in government, he turns it around, throws God out and makes it political."

Giving an example of someone he believes is an elected leader who is operating without God's guidance and direction, Hibbs mentioned California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who has been in office since 2019.

"California is under attack.  The freeways are falling apart. We've got fentanyl and homelessness everywhere. And the state used to be one of the most iconic places on earth. But, [it has been] under a constant Democrat leadership of godlessness, hyper-driven on abortion," he said.

Throughout the 33 years Hibbs has been in pastoral leadership at his church, he said he has received pushback and criticism about his preaching on the idea of the importance of God playing a role in politically charged topics.

"'You can't talk about marriage because that's a political issue.' Really? I thought that was in my Bible. 'You can't talk about abortion because that's a political issue.' Really? I thought that was in my Bible. 'You can't talk about gender. It's a political issue.' Really? I thought that was in my Bible. Do you kind of get the hint of what I'm talking about here," Hibbs said.

"Everything that you do as a human being and as an American is based in the Scripture. There is no place to set both aside. Jesus said to 'Go into all the world and preach this Gospel, the Good News.' Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. Let's admit it. Our nation is a nation of sin, and we also are sinners," he continued.

"That's how we qualify for salvation, for crying out loud. Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  And this nation used to preach the cross.  Now, you raise Jesus in the public square, and you better have a helmet on. Why? We are a post-Christian nation, and we are starting to reap the detriment of that position. But how did we get here? We got here by being silent."

The pastor added that "all blame must be laid at the foot of the Church."

"When the pulpit waivers, the congregation waivers. When the congregation waivers, then the community waivers," he added. "Then evil fills the void. Then you wonder why in California there is a new majority that we have to deal with that constantly throws us against our faith, our freedom of worship to gather together."

"And then our governor said: 'all marijuana dispensaries are essential. Strip clubs are essential. All bars and liquor stores are essential," he added, referring to state shutdown mandates and designations amid the heightened stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Then, he shuts down other places and curtails Home Depot and other things like this. And he never answers about the church. He didn't mention the Church. The Church is not essential or non-essential.  The Church is transcendent. The Church is a living, breathing organism, born by the Holy Spirit, purchased by Jesus Christ and His blood."

Earlier in his sermon, Hibbs noted that the U.S. is living in "an age of fear" and an "age of worry."

"And yet, we as a nation, we should be, above all nations, able to take on fear because the founding of this nation was not upon some great government idea, was not upon some great political idea. Let's be honest. It was about the Pilgrim fathers crafting that Mayflower Compact of only  basically two paragraphs," he added.

"In those paragraphs of our nation's birth certificate, William Bradford and others wrote what the nation's purpose would be. ... They were announcing that to the shores. They had brought themselves to be ones who propagate the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. That's why they came."

Hibbs said, "History is full of the move of God," and it's vital for Christians to reflect on historical events to be inspired by servants of God who did the work that God blessed them with.

"Go back to 1605. When Pastor Hunt on the Massachusetts shores put up a tent from a broken sail from his ship and he preached the Gospel to the natives. Who wants to talk about that?" Hibbs said.
Mother of trans-identified daughter looks to start a 'healing retreat' for detransitioners

WASHINGTON  The mother of a young woman who identifies as trans and has undergone multiple surgeries to look like a man shared her plans to create healing retreats for detransitioners as she maintains hope that her daughter will one day realize the harm that has been done to her.

Speaking to a packed room at Family Research Councils Pray Vote Stand Summit on Saturday as part of a panel titled, When The Gender Battle Hits Home, Amy Atterberry recounted her daughter's journey from a happy child who was active in Sunday school to a young teenager who was confused about her sexual identity. My daughter was a happy child who won a Prayer Warrior Award at Sunday school and laughed often and said funny things, Atterberry said, describing her daughter, now 24, as full of love, whether it be toward people or animals.

At age 14, she announced that she was a boy, Atterberry recalled. I had no idea that the gender identity indoctrination that had been going on in school had impacted her. I had no idea that she was visiting websites that were further indoctrinating her into what I refer to as the trans cult. I thought she was going through a phase that would pass, as has been traditionally common in teenage girls. That didnt happen.

Atterberry characterized the next few years as extremely difficult, explaining how she tried everything I could to help her realize that she was not a boy and it was impossible to change your sex. Lamenting that there was no help available, she expressed outrage that adults in authority validated her false belief that she was a boy.

At age 16, my daughter ran away from home because I would not allow her to go on the wrong sex hormones, Atterberry said. She was able to find a pediatric endocrinologist who taught her how to inject herself with testosterone. At the age of 17, Atterberrys daughter relocated to Portland, Oregon, where she lived at homeless shelters and sometimes stayed with friends.

She was able to change her name and biological sex marker in court and obtained a government-issued identification card that reflected that she is male. In my opinion, this is a fraudulent document, she declared.

My physically healthy daughter underwent a double mastectomy and hysterectomy at age 17, without my consent and without my knowledge, Atterberry added. I found out about the mastectomy on social media where she posted a photo of herself with bloody bandages covering where her breasts used to be. My sanity left me as I cried endlessly for months.

In 2019, at the age of 19, Atterberrys daughter underwent a phalloplasty, a series of surgeries in which doctors remove tissue from a girl's forearm or thigh to create a fake penis: I did everything in my power to stop [it] but failed to do so. The day before the phalloplasty, at her request, I went to Build-a-Bear Workshop where she picked up a stuffed animal that would comfort her.

After her surgery, I was there for 13 hours, pacing the floor with absolute rage boiling through me, knowing what butchers disguised as doctors were doing to my precious daughter, she added.

Atterberry said her own mother died last month and her dying wish was that God would use her death to bring my daughter back.

While Atterberry hadn't seen her daughter since the 2019 phalloplasty, the two reunited at her mothers funeral service.

Atterberry expressed gratitude that she sat by me and held my hand and stood by me as I spoke about my mother. She discussed how I looked past my daughters beard and facade and what I saw is that she still has light in her beautiful eyes.

My sweet daughter is still there. I believe in my heart and soul that my daughter will one day realize what has been done to her. I believe in miracles. I asked my daughter what she thinks about detransitioners. She said she thinks they need a lot more help than they are getting. I think so too. There are now thousands of young people living with regret over making medical decisions that should have never been available to make. There are very few resources for them.

Atterberry announced her intention to create resources for detransitioners, people who formerly identified as the opposite sex and regret the procedures that were done to them, by establishing a healing retreat for them.

I would like to see many such places built. The need for this is great. I envision a beautiful retreat where those young people can begin the healing process and connect with resources to help them heal. To be clear, I have no money, no business plan and no idea how to go about building the [healing center]. But what I do have is a beautiful vision, faith, hope and most of all love. Is anyone willing to help me help others? she asked.

In addition to sharing her personal story and outlining her dream to establish healing retreats for detransitioners, Atterberry condemned the prevalence of gender transition surgeries in the United States: So-called gender clinics, which I call butcher shops, have proliferated. Unfortunately, the United States leads the world in sacrificing children on the altar of gender ideology of  mutilating and sterilizing children. What has happened to our country?

Atterberrys grief has led her to connect with fellow parents who have seen their children harmed and mutilated by gender transition procedures: I connected with many other parents who were also going through the same thing. I found out that this was happening to thousands of children. I connected with different organizations who were fighting against this. I found out this wasnt just happening in the United States but in many other countries as well.

Amid outrage over the long-term effects of gender transition surgeries on minors, more than 20 states have taken action to ban such procedures on trans-identified youth: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.

Missouris Republican Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who appeared on the panel with Atterberry, launched an investigation into the sex-change procedures and surgeries being carried out on children and teens at St. Louis Childrens Hospital. Washington University in St. Louis, which operates the Transgender Center at the Childrens Hospital, announced last week that it would no longer perform such procedures on minors due to the newly enacted ban on sex-change surgeries in the state.
Radical Fulani herdsmen kill 15 Christians, kidnap 32 others in Nigeria In 4 years, 23 pastors slain in Kaduna state, church leader says

ABUJA, Nigeria  Fulani herdsmen on Friday killed 15 Christians in southern Kaduna state, Nigeria, sources said.

The attack on Dogon Noma village, Kajuru County came amid disclosure that such attacks have led to the death of 23 pastors and the closure of 200 worship buildings in Kaduna state in the past four years.

Besides taking 15 lives, the assailants also kidnapped 32 Christians from Dogon Noma village, area residents said.

Fulani herdsmen surrounded the village in their hundreds, shooting anybody in sight; the attack occurred at about 7 a.m., David Musa told Morning Star News in a text message. Pray for Dogon Noma community.

Moses Ishaya said he lost two relatives in the massacre.

It is with a heavy heart that I notify you about an attack on our community, Dogon Noma village, by Fulani herdsmen on the morning of Friday, Ishaya told Morning Star News in a text message. The attack has resulted in the killing of two of my family members, who include our sister from Karamai village, who got married at Dogon Noma village, and the second victim, the daughter of my relation, Mr. John Zango.

He identified other Christians killed as Bala Laya and Gimbiya Coaster. Among others kidnapped, he named three abducted as Set Alkali, Saviour Christopher and Sico Nicholas.

Ernest Maidawa, a youth leader in the area, urged government officials to urgently take action.

We are saddened with these renewed acts of attacks and gruesome killings of innocent Christians in Dogon Noma community by Fulani herdsmen, Maidawa told Morning Star News in a text message. We are urging law enforcement agencies as a matter of urgency to check the spate of these attacks on innocent Christians in our communities. Governments, both at state and federal levels in Nigeria, must also be seen to be doing more as they have not shown capacity in their core mandate and responsibilities to protect lives and properties.

On Tuesday, Christian leaders in Kaduna state met with police officials in the city of Kaduna and advised them that attacks by armed Muslim Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists have resulted in the killing of 23 pastors, the abduction of 215 Christians still in captivity and the closure of 200 church worship buildings in four years.

The Rev. Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and Christian leaders from 23 Local Government Areas told Kaduna State Commissioner of Police Musa Garba and other senior officers that Christians have faced fierce persecution.

The meeting between Christian leaders and police officials was held at Albraka Baptist Church in the city of Kaduna. The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen the relationship between the police and Christian leaders, and for police to listen to their challenges and together find solutions, Garba said.

Security is the responsibility of all and not only that of the government, Garba told the Christian leaders. While the government takes the lead in the protection of lives and property, individuals are also expected to play their parts, particularly in the area of providing information.

Nigeria led the world in Christians killed for their faith in 2022, with 5,014, according to Open Doors 2023 World Watch List (WWL) report. It also led the world in Christians abducted (4,726), sexually assaulted or harassed, forcibly married or physically or mentally abused, and it had the most homes and businesses attacked for faith-based reasons. As in the previous year, Nigeria had the second most church attacks and internally displaced people.

In the 2023 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria jumped to sixth place, its highest ranking ever, from No. 7 the previous year.

Militants from the Fulani, Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and others conduct raids on Christian communities, killing, maiming, raping and kidnapping for ransom or sexual slavery, the WWL report noted. This year has also seen this violence spill over into the Christian-majority south of the nation.  Nigerias government continues to deny this is religious persecution, so violations of Christians rights are carried out with impunity.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps dies after collapsing at memorial service

Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps died Tuesday after collapsing during a memorial service on the campus of the public research university in Philadelphia, the university announced. She was 72.

"It is with deep heartbreak that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps suddenly passed away this afternoon," the university, founded in 1884 by the Baptist minister Russell Conwell, said in a statement.

"While attending a memorial service at Temple for Charles L. Blockson, curator of the Blockson Collection, President Epps became ill. She was transported to Temple University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead around 3:15 p.m.," the statement continued.

According to The New York Times, Epps collapsed as a choir sang behind a row of chairs where she was seated on stage at the memorial, which was broadcast online. She appeared to slump in her chair, and papers she was holding in her lap fell to the floor, the publication reported. People at the memorial soon noticed she was in distress and gave her help. A cause of death was not disclosed.

"There are no words that can describe the gravity and sadness of this loss. President Epps was a devoted servant and friend who represented the best parts of Temple," said the university's statement endorsed by Mitchell L. Morgan, chair of the board of trustees; Ken Kaiser, senior vice president and chief operating officer; and Gregory N. Mandel, senior vice president and provost.

"She spent nearly 40 years of her life serving this university, and it goes without saying her loss will reverberate through the community for years to come," they added.

The university's website says Epps was a member of the Temple faculty for more than 30 years and served for more than 15 years in leadership roles including as dean of the Beasley School of Law.

She also served as executive vice president and provost. She was Temple's chief academic officer just before she agreed to serve as acting president in April after previous president, Jason Wingard, resigned. Wingard's resignation came amid a turbulent time marked by a seven-week strike by graduate student workers, the shooting death of a Temple police officer and concerns about rising crime in the community surrounding the university.

Prior to taking over the position, Epps was planning to retire.

As news of her passing spread Tuesday, many leaders connected to the university community, such as Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, praised her for her dedication.

"JoAnne Epps was a powerful force and constant ambassador for Temple University for nearly four decades. Losing her is heartbreaking for Philadelphia. Lori and I are holding JoAnne's loved ones in our hearts right now. May her memory be a blessing," he wrote in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday.

"Speaking at Temple's commencement earlier this year, I reiterated my strong belief in the university and its North Philly community. They are tough and resilient, and I know they will come together and lift each other up in this devastating time."

The Temple Association of University Professionals also mourned Epps' passing, calling her "a true Temple icon."

"TAUP is deeply saddened by the loss of Dr. JoAnne Epps, a true Temple icon," the association stated. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Epps family and the entire Temple community."
Episcopal Church will cease to have Sunday worship attendance in 30 years, seminary pres. warns

A seminary president has warned The Episcopal Church's leadership that with the current rate of decline, they will cease to have any Sunday worship attendance in 30 years.

Kristine Stache, interim president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated Wartburg Theological Seminary, gave a presentation Friday before the denomination's Executive Council.

Stache drew from the most recent parochial report data which found that, from 2008 to 2018, the denomination experienced a 24.9 percent decline in average Sunday attendance and a 17.5 percent decline in baptized members.

It depicts a church that appears to be dying, said Stache, as reported by Egan Millard of Episcopal News Service, labeling the statistics very sobering.

At the current rate of decline, according to Stache, the denomination will have no Sunday attendance in 30 years and no baptized members in 47 years.

Despite the somber report on statistics, Stache also said that the decline might be less showing a dying church and more one that is becoming something we have yet to imagine.

This kind of thinking looks nothing like weve ever done before. We dont have the current knowledge or solutions to address this work, she said.

In fact, we cant even define the problem. But thats the point. Living in this space is about a mental shift to a focus on questions instead of answers.

As with most religious groups in the United States, the Episcopal Church has experienced a considerable decline in membership over the past several years.

Last year, the Episcopal Churchs Office of the General Convention reported that in 2018, membership in the denomination had dropped to 1.676 million.

The 2018 total was less than half of the peak membership numbers for the denomination in 1966, when approximately 3.6 million Americans identified as Episcopalian.

One factor in the decline has been the increasingly progressive theological direction of the mainline denomination, especially regarding LGBT issues.

For example, the 2003 consecration of the Rev. Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop in the denominations history prompted many conservative congregations to leave in protest.

Staches presentation before the Executive Council resembles a presentation the Rev. Canon Neil Elliot gave to the leadership of The Anglican Church of Canada last November.

Presented before the ACC Council of General Synod, Elliot concluded that the Canadian denomination would effectively cease to exist by the year 2040.

ACC Archbishop Linda Nicholls said in a statement last year that Elliot's report was a wake-up call for the denomination.

Were called to do and be Gods people in a particular place, for the purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, and the only question is, How do we need to share it, so that it might be heard by those around us? Nicholls said.
Episcopal Church loses nearly 60,000 members, sees drop in worship attendance: report

The Episcopal Church continued to suffer declines in membership and worship attendance in 2021, well below pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, according to recently released statistics.

The Episcopal Church released the official statistics last week, which included summaries of data on average weekly worship attendance, baptized membership and financial figures.

According to the numbers, the denomination had approximately 1.678 million baptized members, which is nearly 60,000 fewer than the 1.736 million reported for 2020.

The Episcopal Churchs 2021 membership is also nearly 400,000 fewer than it was in 2012, when the mainline Protestant denomination had over 2 million baptized members.

Average Sunday attendance was also in decline, with 2021 reporting approximately 312,000 worship attendees on average, contrasted with around 483,000 in 2020.

The 2021 attendance numbers also sharply contrast with 2019, the last year before the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns played a role in the numbers, which reported over 547,000 in average Sunday attendance.

In announcing the statistics on Nov. 22, the Episcopal News Service pointed out that some of the reported numbers for the denomination still leave room for optimism.

The number of active baptized members, though down by more than 3% for the second straight year, is nearly in line with recent historical trends, showing a more gradual decline that is mirrored by other mainline Protestant denominations, stated ENS.

The pandemic, meanwhile, did not halt the ongoing trend of rising pledges. The average Episcopal pledge increased in 2021 to $3,339, and overall plate and pledge income was up more than 3% for the year.

Jeff Walton of the Institute on Religion & Democracy wrote about the numbers in a recent blog post, noting that dioceses posting the largest year-over-year membership declines were found across different regions.

Across the past decade, only the Diocese of Navajo Missions has reported any increase in membership, with some domestic dioceses reporting declines in that time period of up to 75%, wrote Walton.

Attendance similarly declined across all domestic dioceses, but was especially pronounced in Oregon (-56.2%), Newark (48.2%), Maryland (49.4%), Easton (46.7%), Lexington (50.8%), North Carolina (-52.8%) and Iowa (-48.9%).

Over the past several years, the Episcopal Church has seen a gradual decline in its members and average worship attendance, which some have argued is due in part to the denominations overall progressive theological direction.

For example, when the Episcopal Church ordained Gene Robinson as the first openly gay bishop in the denominations history in 2003, scores of congregations left the denomination in protest.

In 2020, the Rev. Dwight Zscheile, an Episcopal priest and professor, warned that, at the current rate of decline, the denomination will effectively cease to exist by the year 2050.

The overall picture is dire, said Zscheile, as reported by Church Leaders. Not one of decline as much as demise within the next generation unless trends change significantly.
Episcopal Church lost 61K members, faced declining attendance before pandemic in 2020

The Episcopal Church lost a little over 61,000 members in 2020 and saw a decline in worship attendance even before the pandemic lockdowns occurred, according to data released by the denomination.

The Episcopal Church's General Convention posted reports this week on the liberal mainline denomination's 2020 statistics and how they compared to previous years.

Baptized Episcopal Church membership declined from approximately 1.798 million in 2019 to approximately 1.736 million in 2020  a loss of about 61,760 people.

The total for 2020 is approximately 350,000 less than the 2.096 million members reported in 2011 and is less than half of the 3.6 million members reported in 1966.

Another report shows that the total of "active baptized members" is even lower. In 2020, there were just over 1.5 million active baptized members of the Episcopal Church, compared to over 1.6 million in 2019.

Unlike past years, the denomination calculated average Sunday attendance by using the numbers reported from Jan. 1 to Mar. 1, 2020, as COVID-19 pandemic-related cancellations of worship began in March.

Even before government lockdowns compelled Episcopal congregations to suspend worship for months on end, the average Sunday attendance in 2020 dropped considerably compared to past years.

Sunday attendance declined from approximately 547,000 in 2019 to 483,000 in 2020, about 210,000 fewer average Sunday attendees than the roughly 698,000 reported in 2011.

Jeff Walton of the theologically conservative think tank Institute on Religion & Democracy, an expert on Anglican and Episcopal church politics, wrote Wednesday that the Episcopal Church "took a major hit in the year 2020."

"These numbers indicate a doubling in the rate of membership decline and a tripling in the rate of attendance decline over the previous year," wrote Walton.

"From 20192020, weddings across the denomination dropped from 6,484 to 3,530, down 46% (an additional 309 weddings were reported conducted online in virtual services). Children's baptisms dropped from 19,716 to 7,286, down 67%. Adult baptisms dropped from 3,866 to 1,649, down 57%."

Multiple factors have often been attributed to the decline in membership and attendance in Episcopal Church, which traces its origins back to the 18th century and is a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

These include an aging demographic and the overall decline in religious affiliation in the United States. Additionally, the increasing theologically liberal direction of the Episcopal Church has prompted considerable numbers of conservatives to leave.

In February 2020, Kristine Stache, interim president of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America-affiliated Wartburg Theological Seminary, told the Episcopal Church's Executive Council that, at the current rate of decline, worship attendance may effectively cease to exist by the year 2050.

"[Data] depicts a church that appears to be dying," said Stache, according to the Episcopal News Service.

Last November, similar thoughts were echoed by Episcopal priest Rev. Dwight Zscheile, an associate professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"The overall picture is dire," Zscheile was quoted as saying, according to ChurchLeaders. "Not one of decline as much as demise within the next generation unless trends change significantly."
Episcopal Church lost over 90K members in 2022, but worship attendance increased: report

The Episcopal Church saw a decline of over 90,000 members in 2022, but also witnessed a considerable increase in Sunday worship attendance, according to a new report.

According to an analysis of parochial data released on Monday, the Episcopal Church had approximately 1.58 million baptized members in 2022, being divided among 6,789 member congregations.

This represents a decline compared to their 2021 official statistics, in which the denomination reported having 1.678 million baptized members and 6,806 member congregations.

However, the denomination did see an increase in average Sunday worship attendance, going from approximately 312,000 in 2021 to nearly 373,000 last year, or a rise of about 60,000.

Regarding worship attendance, the report explained that while it declined dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, it seems to be rebounding.

While not back to the pre-pandemic levels, there are signs of recovering some of the lost Sunday attendance, stated the parochial report. Further, the [Sunday attendance] reported here included only in-person attendance and does not include virtual attendees from congregations that offer a virtual option for services.

Nevertheless, the approximately 373,000 reported for 2022 is still well below the average Sunday attendance figures for 2013, which totaled a little more than 657,000.

In 2019, the mainline Protestant denomination reported approximately 547,000 in average Sunday worship attendance.

Regarding plate and pledge income, the Episcopal Churchs total has remained steady over the years, continuing to average $1.3 billion, while the average pledge has steadily increased, going from $2,553 in 2013 to $3,658 in 2022.

The median number of contributing households without a pledge is 9, explained the report. This means that, of the congregations who answered this question, half reported more than 9 households without a pledge and half reported less.

Over the past several years, the Episcopal Church has been experiencing considerable decline, especially among baptized members and worship attendees. In 2010, the denominations total membership dipped below 2 million and is now nearly a half million less than that.

Some have attributed this decline to the denomination's progressive theological direction. For example, when the denomination ordained its first openly gay bishop in 2003, large numbers of members and congregations broke away in response.

In November 2020, the Rev. Dwight Zscheile, an Episcopal priest and professor, warned that, at their current rate of decline, the Episcopal Church will effectively cease to exist by 2050.

The overall picture is dire, said Zscheile, as reported by Church Leaders in 2020. Not one of decline as much as demise within the next generation unless trends change significantly.
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia loses over $400K in cyberattacks

The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia says more than $400,000 in investment funds were stolen in cyberattacks that first struck the regional body last year.

The Virginia Bishop's Office posted a message on Sept. 8 explaining that the diocese had been the victim of a cyberattack last December that diverted funds from two congregations.

According to the message, the diocese finance office discovered during recent standard annual audit preparation that a third cash transfer worth $85,326.92 sent by the diocese's Trustees of the Funds was diverted by cyber criminals.

"We want to be clear that this third incident was part of the same cyber attack in December 2022 and not a new breach," stated the office.

"The reason the original investigation did not surface this transaction is that, unlike the transfers to two congregations, this transfer was part of a distribution that happens from time to time, rather than a request by the participant."

Once the diocesan organization Trustees of the Funds became aware of the third attack, they contacted authorities and "voted to make the Diocese whole on the diverted funds."

"We take the safe stewardship of diocesan and congregational investments seriously and we are grieved by this criminal breach. We are thankful that this breach did not occur after the increased security measures were put in place," continued the office.

"It is encouraging that these increased measures are working to prevent future attempts by cyber criminals. As always, the Diocese of Virginia is committed to full transparency with all members of the Diocese regarding data security issues."

The diocese also posted a statement from the Trustees of the Funds, which noted that the criminals stole $327,541 via two misdirected transfers in December, making the amount of stolen funds equal to more than $412,000.

The diocese was fully reimbursed for stolen payment, while the Trustees of the Funds sustained an uninsured loss of approximately $388,000 and had to make a one-time reduction in its investment performance by 0.06%.

According to the trustees, the diocese added enhanced security software and the monitoring of computers, geographic limitations for accessing emails, scam testing, processing trustees' withdrawals and deposits via a secure web portal, and using multifactor confirmation for transactions.

"We know that this is a disturbing matter and we want to assure everyone that the staff and board are taking this very seriously," stated the Trustees.

"We have initiated an operations review that may result in some changes in procedures, staffing, etc. We value the trust you have put in us and will do everything possible to keep it."
Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office announces recent arrests made by VPSO. October 25, 2023 Harold Odom Jr., age 40, of Leesville, was arrested and charged with one count of Possession of a Firearm or Carrying of a Concealed Weapon by a Felon and two counts of Possession 
Michigan city with first-ever all-Muslim city council bans LGBT pride flags

A small Michigan city believed to be the first in the U.S. with an all-Muslim city council is making headlines again over its newly-instated ban on rainbow pride flags.

Located just north of Detroit, Hamtramck, with a population of about 28,000 and a long-standing reputation for racial and ethnic diversity, the city once dubbed Little Warsaw for its now-waning Polish heritage, banned public displays of the pride flag on city property this summer, spurring controversy beyond its city limits.

The move led by Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib came after the six-member city council voted in June to ban not only the pride flags but all flags other than the American, state of Michigan, city and POW/MIA flags, according to The Washington Post.

Tension over the ban simmered through the summer and boiled over into the citys Labor Day parade, in which Ghalib and City Councilmembers Mohammed Alsomiri and Khalil Refai reportedly alleged they were intentionally placed in the parade order immediately in front of a local LGBT group.

In August, Michigan state Attorney General Dana Nessel called the pride flag ban a national embarrassment and demanded the city council reconsider its vote.

Nessel, a Democrat and the first openly LGBT-identifed person elected to office in Michigan, slammed Ghalib and other city officials at an appearance at an LGBT event at Hamtramck City Hall in August.

I am not a stranger to you, I am not an agitator, I am your attorney general, and yes, I am also gay, Nessel said. ... Banning the pride flag is meant to send  a message of intolerance, hatred and bigotry.

The city first flew the pride flag in 2021, but with Ghalibs election later that year, Hamtramck became the first known city with an all-Muslim city government, according to CNN, culminating in decades of Muslim immigrants being resettled in the city which is now majority-Muslim. In 2004, the city amended its noise ordinance to allow local mosques to issue the call to prayer over a PA system.

In January, the city voted to amend an ordinance to allow Islamic residents to sacrifice animals in their homes, despite some residents and animal rights activists warning about potential issues with sanitation and animal cruelty.

Councilman Nayeem Choudhury was quoted as saying the issue comes down to religious liberty. "Our rights come first," he told the Detroit Free Press, adding that he was "bornMuslim, and that's my faith, and I will stick with my same faith."

Once predominately Polish Catholic and even sporting a statue of Pope John Paul II, the first Polish Pope, in a downtown park, Hamtramcks Polish Catholic population dwindled from about 90% in 1970 to roughly 11%, according to the Post.

In addition to the call to prayer, business owners located within 500 feet of one of the four mosques in Hamtramck are prohibited from owning a liquor license, despite the citys history of accommodation toward Muslim practices.

While the controversy over pride flags in public displays isnt likely to end anytime soon, Martin Mawyer with the Christian Action Network, a public advocacy group based on biblical principles, urged American Christians to take note of the unity of Muslims in Hamtramck.

Hamtramck, Michigan, a city where the majority identify as Muslim, did what so many Christians are too timid to do. They fought back, Mawyer wrote.

He suggested Christians start thinking about ways to come together on social issues rather than divide over less important ones.

The unity demonstrated by the Hamtramck Muslim community should be a wake-up call for us, he added. If we, as Christians, yearn for an America that upholds and cherishes our time-honored Christian values, we must rally together.

We must be unwavering, stand firm in our convictions, make our voices heard politically, and defend the Word of God with zeal and passion.
Priest dies by suicide after police complaint for decrying violence against Christians in Manipur

A 40-year-old Catholic priest, who faced a police complaint for a social media post decrying violence against Christian tribals in the northeast Indian state of Manipur, was found dead in a cemetery and believed to have died by suicide.

Fr. Anil Francis was discovered hanging from a tree last Thursday, the Diocese of Sagar in the central state of Madhya Pradesh said in a statement. The diocese stated that he had left a suicide note requesting his body be cremated, Crux reported.

The diocese's public relations officer, Father Sabu Puthenpurackal, said that Francis' body was found the day after he arrived at Bishop of Sagar James Athikalam's house for a two-day retreat, according to the Union of Catholic Asia News.

When he was missing, a search was carried out, and the body was found hanging from a tree, said the Sagar diocesan priest, which functions under the Eastern rite Syro-Malabar Church in Madhya Pradesh state.

The priest, ordained in 2013, had recently posted an image on social media highlighting the plight of two women in Manipur who were paraded naked, and one of them gang-raped. His post referred to ongoing violence in Manipur, where over 200 people (most of whom are from a predominantly Christian ethnic group) have been killed and roughly 400 churches destroyed in the last four months.

In July, a video showing two Christian women from the Kuki ethnic group being molested sparked outrage, an incident Francis had reflected in his social media post.

Francis was known for his commitment to his work and values. He was a convert to Catholicism and served as the head of a church-run primary school in the Sagar district, where his Hindu family resides. In Madhya Pradesh, Christians have faced harassment since the adoption of an anti-conversion law in 2021.

Observers suggest that the police complaint against Francis may be related to broader anti-Christian pressures in the state. The diocese acknowledged that Francis was under tension over a police complaint filed against him for his social media post on Manipur violence.

However, the motives for Francis's death by suicide are still unconfirmed.

"We do not know what made him take such an extreme step," Bishop Athikalam was quoted as saying.

Athikalam added that after the post-mortem, a prayer was held for Francis before his body was handed over to relatives for cremation, as per his last wish.

Puthenpurackal claimed that many issues may have contributed to Francis taking his life. The police have not confirmed that the criminal complaint against Francis was the reason behind his death, according to The Indian Express.

"He left behind a suicide note written in English in which he stated that nobody should be blamed for his death and wished that he be cremated," a local police spokesperson was quoted as saying.

"We are trying to uncover this incident. But there were some issues between him and his colleague. We have not found anything to establish that FIR was the reason behind this step."

Earlier this month, 19 independent experts with the U.N. Human Rights Council appealed to India's government over the Manipur violence, noting that Christians had been disproportionately impacted. The experts said the violence was incited by hateful speech against the Christian Kuki-Zo minority, particularly women, due to their ethnicity and religious beliefs.

The conflict involves Manipur's largely Hindu Meitei and largely Christian Kuki-Zo tribes.

The violence erupted in Manipur following a controversial court order for the state to consider extending special economic benefits and quotas, previously reserved for the tribal Kuki-Zo people, to the Meitei population. It would also give the state government-backed Meiteis the right to buy land in the hills where the Kuki-Zo people live.

The government has deployed about 50,000 soldiers, armed police and other security personnel to enforce buffer zones between the two communities. Despite these measures, official estimates suggest that mobs have looted over 4,000 weapons and half a million rounds of ammunition from police.

In July, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging the Indian government to urgently restore peace in Manipur.

"There have been concerns about politically motivated, divisive policies promoting Hindu majoritarianism, and about an increase in activity by militant groups," the resolution stated. There are also "accounts of partisan involvement by security forces in the killings have increased distrust in the authorities."
Beware of false believers

Genuine ministers of the Gospel have been trying to let Christians know that there are many false teachers and prophets out there that are deceiving the people of God. Jesus also warned us beforehand that there will be false prophets and teachers with deceptive schemes which will be difficult for even the elect to discern (Mathew 24:24). What many of us have not considered is that these false prophets and teachers have given birth to many false believers whose assignment is to popularize falsehood among Christians.

These false believers are deployed into cities and towns to talk people outside of their churches to convince other Christians that their pastor is the most powerful in town, and that only their church preaches the truth. They advertise their false masters, popularize them and cause genuine ministers to feel inferior. Some of these ministers who find it difficult to go through the pain, difficulties, mockeries, shames and challenges associated with the cross of Christ are pressured to join the false bandwagon in order to become relevant.

They are trained to promote unbiblical principles among Christians and support what Scripture opposes. These progenies of false prophets and teachers claim that they are born-again but hate the cross of Jesus Christ. They speak in tongues and read the Bible but their gods are their bellies. They claim that they love Jesus but oppose everything about His cross and do not want to partake in His suffering. All that matters to them is how to amass earthly wealth and become influential in this world.

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things (Philippians 3:18-19). The Apostle Paul was emphatic on this and warned true believers to be careful of these fake believers whose activities negates the doctrine of Christ and His cross. Their doctrines are attractive, but their gospel is cross-less. They encourage people to confess Christ and lure them to their churches where believers are forbidden to carry their cross or deny themselves to follow Christ.

Why pastors should beware of these fake believers is that they are capable of turning a genuine minister of the Gospel into a false teacher. I had an experience while I was a senior pastor with Antioch Christian Centre in Nigeria where a sister came to me for prayers with three photographs of her male suitors and requested that I pray so that she may know how to discern which one of the three is her future husband. When I told her that I simply didn't didnt have the answer she was looking for she got upset and shouted at me.

It was one of the most embarrassing moments in my life as a pastor. This kind of scenario can cause genuine ministers who are not strong enough to bow to pressure and start saying what God has not told them to say. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).

Some of these false believers migrate from church to church and many genuine ministers are unsuspectingly embracing them. They claim that they are divine helpers. They try to influence pastors with gifts and donations. They pretend to care for the numerical growth of the Church and advise pastors to abandon hard teachings and preach messages that will attract unbelievers.

Cross carrying and self-denial are non-negotiable in Christianity (Mathew 10:38). Christ and Him crucified is the message upon which Christianity is built. The message of the cross is weak and foolish to the world  but it is faith, wisdom and power of God to them who genuinely believe (1 Corinthians 1:24).
Biden silent on Azerbaijan's attack in Nagorno-Karabakh; 2 children among dead

Our goal is the complete elimination of Armenians. You, Nazis, already eliminated the Jews in the 1930s and 1940s, right? You should be able to understand us  Hajibala Abutalybov, former mayor of Azerbaijan's capital city, Baku, to a German audience in 2005.

Abutalybovs dream came one step closer to reality on the afternoon of September 19, the 271st day of Azerbaijans blockade of Artsakh (also known as Nagorno-Karabakh). At approximately 1 pm local time, Azerbaijan unleashed artillery fire on the starving civilians below. As the bombs dropped, children could be heard screaming from cellars where they were hiding from the assault. Multiple casualties have been reported, including children. This is just the latest chapter in Azerbaijans 9 month blockade of the region. A population that is on the verge of starvation now has to defend itself against a full-fledged invasion.

It is telling that just as the invasion began, Azerbaijan opened the Lachin Corridor to outgoing traffic from Artsakh to Armenia proper. Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyevs goal is clear: To make Artsakhs ancient population choose between dying or leaving and never returning.

An optimist might think that these civilians will be safe once they leave Artsakh. While the loss of an ancient homeland is heartbreaking, at least their lives are spared, right? Sadly, Azerbaijan has made clear that it has designs for Armenia proper as well. Territorial incursions into Armenia's territory are commonplace, and Azerbaijan refers to Armenia as Western Azerbaijan. Aliyevs regime has also crafted an alternative historical narrative that claims Armenians are not actually native to the region, despite the fact that they have been living there for thousands of years.

While the conflict is not explicitly religious, there is an undeniable religious component. The Armenian people formally embraced Christianity in the fourth century. Christianity has proven to be the glue that holds Armenian society together. It is the single greatest marker of Armenian culture. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, is a majority Muslim nation. Its closest ally is Turkey, which is responsible for killing 1.5 million Armenian Christians during the Armenian Genocide.

Most Americans would be surprised to know that in spite of its Western values and Christian faith, Armenia has largely been rejected by the American foreign policy establishment thanks in part to robust Turkish and Azeri lobbying. The Biden administration has been no exception. Azerbaijan has garnered enormous influence on Capitol Hill by marketing itself as a bulwark against Russia and Iran. It has also spent considerable resources on capturing the support of American Christians by hosting delegations in Baku and touting Azerbaijan as a land of religious tolerance. In reality, Azerbaijan is manipulating Americans in order to provide cover for its revisionist ambitions.

While American indifference is concerning, the silence from the White House is especially deafening considering the events have been declared a genocide by the former Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. President Biden, the man who declared human rights to be the north star of his foreign policy, is sitting quietly in the White House as Armenian children scream in their cellars. Despite 9 months of desperate pleas from the people of Armenia and Artsakh, Biden can't seem to find the energy to get out of his chair and make a phone call to Aliyev.

To be clear, the United States can make this conflict end overnight. Azerbaijan receives millions of dollars worth of aid and military support from the U.S. and its allies. If the U.S. and its partners cut off support immediately, the conflict would end overnight. Of course, this requires leadership; something that Biden is seemingly uninterested in. It requires President Biden to publicly and unequivocally condemn an assault on a democratic, Christian population by an authoritarian Muslim regime. It requires President Biden to signal to the rest of the world where the U.S. stands on this issue and to lobby allies to follow suit.

The U.S. is the leader of the free world. If America remains silent, the people of Artsakh will die quietly.
Sarah Scoles in Scientific American:

NASA wants astronaut boots back on the moon a few years from now, and the space agency is investing heavily in its Artemis program to make it happen. Its part of an ambitious and risky plan to establish a more permanent human presence off-world. Companies such as United Launch Alliance and Lockheed Martin are designing infrastructure for lunar habitation. Elon Musk has claimed SpaceX will colonize Mars. But are any of these plans realistic? Just how profoundly difficult would it be to live beyond Earthespecially considering that outer space seems designed to kill us?

Humans evolved for and adapted to conditions on Earth. Move us off our planet, and we start to failphysically and psychologically. The cancer risk from cosmic rays and the problems that human bodies experience in microgravity could be deal-breakers on their own. Moreover, there may not be a viable economic case for sustaining a presence on another world. Historically, there hasnt been much public support for spending big money on it. Endeavors toward interplanetary colonization also bring up thorny ethical issues that most space optimists havent fully grappled with.

At this years Analog Astronaut Conference, none of these problems seemed unsolvable.

More here.
After fleeing the brutal military dictatorship, Julio and his family return full of hope from exile to their home country of Argentina in the 1980s. As part of a Jewish industrial dynasty, it's now up to him to manage the business in Buenos Aires alongside his brother Miguel. But Miguel is kidnapped, and in order to free him, Julio has to negotiate ransom demands with a band of criminals. He soon realises that the newly-formed democratic government still has a long way to go before it can break free from the ties of the former regime. Daniela Goggi's drama about Argentina's difficult transition from dictatorship to democracy is both moving and heartrending. She has created the perfect backdrop for lead actor Rodrigo de la Serna's talent.
With the addition of Now Assist to the Vancouver release of its software platform, ServiceNow is embedding gen AI across the three major workflows it supports. Now Assist for IT Service Management, Customer Service Management, and HR Service Delivery add new text creation and summarization features and an interactive chatbot interface to help workers get to relevant information more quickly.

ServiceNow has developed its own domain-specific large language model, Now LLM, to assist with these enterprise workflows, although enterprises can also hook up the new assistants with other commercially available models, or even their own.

The Vancouver release of Now Platform also includes new automations and security tools.

A return to the command line?

Modern enterprise applications have moved away from legacy green-screens to browser-based interfaces that can be accessed from PCs, tablets, or phones. The text-based chatbot interface used in so many gen AI implementations, including ServiceNows, is in some respects a step back for usability, a return to the command line that so many hunt-and-peck typists were glad to leave behind.

So were taking a dual-track approach, said Amy Lokey, ServiceNows SVP of product experience. There are in-app contextual abilities to access generative AI, and theres the analysis panel on the right, and our users may choose one or the other.

The contextual abilities enable users to click on a button in Now Platforms web interface to perform actions such as summarizing a case to date in Now Assist for HRSD or an agents chat with a customer to update a case record in Now Assist for ITSM.
Transparenta Consiliului Superior al Procurorilor, intre a fi sau a nu fi. Ce constatari se regasesc intr-un raport prezentat de CRJM?
Primeste notificari pe email Nota bene: Adresele email cu extensia .ru nu sunt acceptate.

Contractare si Achizitie Bunuri Anunturi de Angajare Granturi - Finantari Burse de studiu Stagii Profesionale Oportunitati de voluntariat Toate Articolele
Hong Kong: Emergency response meeting held

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Emergency Response Joint Meeting was held in Hong Kong today to review the achievements of the emergency response co-operation between Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

The meeting also advanced the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Emergency Management Co-operation & Greater Bay Emergency Response Operation Co-operation Framework Agreement, taking the trilateral emergency response collaboration to new heights.

Department of Emergency Management of Guangdong Province Director Wang Zaihua, Macao Special Administrative Region Government Secretary for Security Wong Sio-chak and Guangdong Fire & Rescue Brigade Commander Zhang Mingcan attended the meeting, leading representatives of the emergency response units of the nine Mainland GBA cities and Macau.

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung said in the meeting that he hopes a more systematic emergency response operation mechanism would be established to enable the GBA cities to handle incidents together and explore ways to facilitate the flow of emergency response personnel, equipment and supplies during emergencies, enhancing the efficacy of cross-boundary rescue efforts.

Having visited the emergency management units of Guangdong, Macau and GBA cities to introduce the vision of the Greater Bay Area Emergency Response Operational Plan between May and July, Mr Tang expressed hope that Guangdong and Macau's senior officials would come to Hong Kong to witness the signing of the framework agreement in the near future.

Formulated by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the framework agreement will build a government-led and action-based emergency response co-operation mechanism supported by professional emergency response units, deepening the joint efforts by the three places to promote emergency management developments.

After the joint session ended, Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki hosted a welcome dinner. He noted that the three places will strive to leverage their comprehensive advantages to promote the high-quality developments of a safe GBA and implement the spirit of putting people and their lives first to foster the continuous and stable development of society.

This story has been published on: 2023-09-20. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
County in E China's Anhui explores new ways to turn ecological resources into valuable assets

People's Daily Online) 14:50, September 20, 2023

While practicing the concept that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, Jingde, a county in Xuancheng city of east China's Anhui Province, has explored new ways to turn ecological resources into assets in recent years.

With a forest coverage rate of 69.2 percent, Jingde is a state-level model county for ecological progress and a national key ecological function area.

Photo shows Miaoshou Forest Farm in Jingde county, east China's Anhui Province. (Photo courtesy of the forestry bureau of Jingde county)

Liuxi village in the county is situated in a mountainous region. The agricultural and forestry land area located in mountains in the village is 9,358 mu (623.87 hectares), but the area of flat farmland run by the village is small.

More than 20 years ago, residents in the village used to plant fir trees and others for a living.

But things have changed since then. Although it has been nearly a year since Xu Xuefeng, a farmer in Liuxi village, was paid by his village to transfer his land resources management rights, the man is still impressed by how the project has benefited him.

On Aug. 10, 2021, Liuxi village opened a "Liangshan Bank," the first of its kind in Anhui. The name "Liangshan Bank," or "the bank of two mountains," came from the "two mountains" concept, of which "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

Xu Xuefeng, a villager from Liuxi village, Jingde county, east China's Anhui Province, shows a certificate which proves that he is a beneficiary of the ecological resources transfer program. (Peoples Daily Online/Zhang Jun)

Farmers transfer their rights to manage ecological resources such as forests, dry land, farmland, and waters to the village's stock cooperative, which then issues a certificate proving that he or she is a beneficiary of the ecological resources transfer program. During the process, the stock cooperative generates revenue from independent operations or operations through bidding, while farmers obtain rent, dividends and other income. This mechanism effectively turned ecological resources into assets and farmers into shareholders.

The mechanism has put idle ecological resources to use and promoted the high-quality development of the forest economy, ensuring appropriately scaled-up operations of 541,000 mu (36,066 hectares) of forests that were under fragmented management in Jingde, according to an official from the county's forestry bureau. It has also attracted industrial and commercial capital, increased farmers' incomes that come from properties, and strengthened the collective economy.

On May 31 this year, the People's Procuratorate of Xuancheng city started public interest litigation against a man surnamed Song for illegal logging, and the circuit court of the Intermediate People's Court of the city heard the case at a national forest park in Jingde county.

Song cut down 431 trees without a felling license between May and June 2022, which caused a total fee of 3,863.58 yuan ($529) for the loss of the function of local forests and for ecological restoration according to expert evaluation. He was ordered to bear the compensation costs for environmental restoration efforts and expert evaluation fees by purchasing carbon sinks of 80.49 tonnes.

Creatively using the purchase of carbon sinks as a replacement for the restoration of ecological damage not only effectively cracks down on illegal acts that damage the ecological environment, but also solves problems such as the difficulty of environmental restoration and infringers' lack of restoration capabilities, said Liu Chengying, an official with the People's Procuratorate of Jingde county.

Photo shows a bamboo forest in Yunle town, Jingde county, east China's Anhui Province. (People's Daily Online/Li Kuo)

So far, the People's Procuratorate of Jingde county has initiated two public interest litigation cases pertaining to illegal logging, during which the defendants paid 73,632 yuan to purchase carbon sinks of 1,534 tonnes.

Jingde is a pilot county for Anhui's carbon sink trading program, and Miaoshou Forest Farm in the county is one of the first places for carbon sink trading across China.

On Aug. 24, 2021, Miaoshou Forest Farm signed a carbon sink deal with a company to sell the rights to emit 3,036 tonnes of carbon dioxide for 145,700 yuan. It was the first forestry carbon sink deal in Anhui.

To better turn ecological advantages into economic benefits, the People's Procuratorate of Jingde county also cooperated with other procuratorial organs in the Yangtze River Delta region in terms of the purchase of carbon sinks.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
In 1985, Bob Lambert, an officer with Londons Metropolitan Police Service, spent the weekend as off-duty officers often do, at home with his wife and two children in the leafy region where he lived. On Sunday evening, he said he had to work and left the house. His family had no idea that Lambert would drive straight to a maternity ward to witness the birth of his son with Charlotte, an animal-rights activist. Charlotte, for her part, was under the impression that Lambert was an activist himself; to her, he was Bob Robinson. Over the next couple of years, he seemed to Charlotte a devoted father. But then he disappeared without a trace. It would take until the child was twenty-six for him to discover that his father was actually Bob Lambertan undercover officer tasked with infiltrating political groups.

Lambert is one of more than a hundred undercover officers who infiltrated social movements in the UK from 1968 onward, with the goal of generating intelligence about planned protest actions. In numerous cases, officers are reported to have had sexual relationships with activistsLambert himself allegedly did so with at least four womenand in at least four cases they allegedly fathered children. The first challenge for all new recruits involved constructing their fake identity, or legend, the journalists Rob Evans and Paul Lewis wrote in their book Undercover (2013). One way of looking at Lamberts behavior is that he calculated that having a child with an activist would cement his cover story.

Starting in 2011, news of this mass deception broke. It became known as the spy cops scandal, and led, in 2014, to the launch of an ongoing public inquiry into police abuses. The story raised big questions about the legitimacy of policing and the reach of the state in surveilling legitimate activists. And its far from the only scandal in recent years involving the Met. In 2021, Wayne Couzens was sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of a woman named Sarah Everard when he was a serving officer. This year, David Carrick, a former officer, was convicted of violent sexual offenses against a dozen women. The Met currently has over a thousand officers suspended or on restricted duties.

Evans, a reporter at The Guardian, covered the spy-cops story from the start, revealing a litany of shocking abuses; this month, he reported on a new case of deception involving a nineteen-year relationship between a woman and an undercover officer. Last week, I called Evans to talk about his investigations. (Full disclosure: I also write for The Guardian.) Our conversation has been edited for length and clarity.



JB: This all began back in 1968, when Londons Metropolitan Police wanted to get information on countercultural protests and began embedding undercover officers with activists. That escalated in the following decades. Can you sketch the wider sweep of Britains undercover policing scandal?

RE: This goes back to 1968, a very politically turbulent year. Governments and the established order around the world were coming under challenge, and the British state essentially wanted better information about what activists were up to. The British state has always monitored political groups. They use a variety of techniquesinformants, phone-tapping. In 1968, they set up a new form of infiltration, which hadnt really been done before, which was to have a squad of hundreds of police officers who adopted a fake identity and pretended to be activists.

Sign up for CJR 's daily email

They infiltrated mainly left-wing groups, and, over deployments that usually lasted four to five years, they would insert themselves into a group and begin to spy on them. This was a completely secret operation that went on for decades. And I think what you see is that, when state agents operate in complete secrecy, they start to carry out abuses; they think theyll never be caught because theyre not being watched. No one in the public knew about this, and the undercover officers just thought they could do things which, if the public knew about them, they probably wouldnt do.

Youve covered the story from the very start and got to know the people affected, including multiple women who had sexual relationships with undercover officers and even some who had children with agents. Can you talk us through the human costs of this operation?

Because the undercover officers thought that they wouldnt be caught, in effect they started abusing women; they started relationships without telling women their real identity. Thats keybecause it means that the women cant give their consent. They dont know who this person really is. If they knew they were police officers, they would have said no. And their managers essentially turned a blind eyeor they encouraged it because they thought this is a way of getting information.

If youre an undercover officer and you turn up out of the blue, youve got to create the illusion of a credible real life. One way to do that is to have relationships with women in that group. Then people trust you. So thats what you see from the 1970s onwardsregular deception of women by male undercover officers into relationships lasting a long time. You have four officers who are alleged to have had children with activists they met while undercover. Thats just devastating.

How difficult was the story to uncover, from a reporting perspective?

When youre looking at very deep-seated misconduct, its not just the reporters. You see a grouping of people who want to find out what happened. Its not a case of The Guardian coming along and just uncovering this; lots of other people played a very active role. You have the women themselves, who were very active in turning the tables through their own detective work, finding out their boyfriend was actually an undercover officer. Theyre not passive in this. Whats known as the spy cops scandal was initiated when a woman who was deceived into a six-year relationship by an undercover officer established he was undercover and confronted him. Then youve got lawyers, other activists. So the interplay between those groups is important. Its not like the journalist is the heroits more complex than that.

Can you bring us up to date on where the UK public inquiry is now and how far away we are from potential accountability?

The public inquiry is very long-running, almost glacial. It was set up in 2014. It didnt start hearing evidence until 2020. They do it chronologically. We have started on the early part of this covert operation, which is 1968 to 1983. So we havent got very far; we arent looking at the inquiry finishing until at least 2026.

But whats important is that the inquiry is producing a lot of information and documents right from the heart of the secret state that you never see. If youve been the target of an undercover inquiry or monitoring by the state, its really important for you to see the reports that they were producing and to know the scope of it. And the victims of the surveillance do challenge the police and say, What youve written in this report is rubbish. The second thing thats interesting is that we had an interim report from the chair in the summer, which looked at the early years of the inquiry. It was pretty critical of the police and the operation, saying it was essentially unjustified and overzealous.

Despite that, it feels like the story has not attracted the wealth of media coverage or mass public anger one might expect. Do you agree, and if so, why is that?

I dont know how to answer this without being disparaging to other parts of the media, because I know that journalists operate under the conditions they have. The question is time. Paul Lewis and myself were fortunate that we were given time to go away and look at this. Thats what investigations are about. The Guardian thinks this is an important story, and has backed us; theyve given us the time and space to pursue it. Weve been really fortunate.

Lets talk about the Met Police. It seems to me that, while criticizing some officers as bad apples, they dont seem to think theyve done anything fundamentally wrong with the operation. Is that a fair analysis?

Yes, I mean, when you do something wrong, the way to rectify it is to say sorry, give a full explanation, and then people think, Can I accept that? And they may forgive you. Thats not what you see with the Met Police chiefs or virtually all the undercover officers. Its very rare that you have an undercover officer saying, I was part of something thats terrible, and Im going to give you as full an explanation of why we did it and why its wrong. Theres only been one true whistleblower, Peter Francis. He was an undercover officer who, in the nineties, spent four years spying on anti-racist groups. He made contact with us and gave an informative explanation of how the undercover operation worked. Hes a big part of our reporting. You need people who have been on the inside to come and tell you, This is actually how it worked.

Youve mentioned before that the public seems to have two attitudes to undercover policing: they think its generally acceptable for serious criminals but are more uncomfortable about it for protest movements. Has the Met sometimes used the former to justify the latter?

Yeah. Theres two main forms of undercover operations. One, operations to catch serious criminalsyou know, the pedophiles, drug gangs, that type of thingwhich I think by and large people think, Thats what the cops ought to be doing. They have a less forgiving view about the infiltration of protest groups, because they think, We aspire to live in a democracy, so why are you doing that?

And in some cases taking over leadership roles of those organizations, right?

Yes. I mean, then youre altering the course of democracy. Because then youre never sure: Would that group have done something differently if that undercover cop hadnt been at the top or near the top?

To zoom out, where do you think this story fits in amid contemporary global debates about the legitimacy of policing?

For a lot of people its very gloomy that theres a constant stream of scandals involving the [UK] police: involving Sarah Everard, Wayne Couzens, David Carrick. It just goes on and on. The problem for the police is, the more scandals, the more support for the police degrades. In our democracy, the theory is you have a system of policing in which the public consent to what the police do. If the public withdraw their consent, then the police are in a difficult position.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Benjamin Netanyahu wants to overhaul Israels judicial system. Its media, too.

Jem Bartholomew is a freelance reporter. He was previously a Reporting Fellow at the Tow Center for Digital Journalism. Jems writing has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Economist, Time, New York magazine, and others.
General Electric Co. and Safran SA said thousands of jet-engine parts with falsified documents were sold to global aircraft fleets at the hands of a UK supplier, potentially wreaking havoc among airlines now racing to identify the components on their jets.

The allegations came Wednesday at a London court after the companies  who are partners in the CFM International engine consortium  had asked a London judge to force AOG Technics Ltd. to hand over documents relating to every single sale of products. A London judge ordered the little-known spare parts firm thats at the heart of a bogus components scandal to hand over the paperwork.

There is documentary evidence that thousands of jet engine parts were sold by AOG to airlines and to aircraft maintenance and repair organizations, lawyers for the engine makers said in court filings.

AOG was set up in 2015 by Jose Zamora Yrala, who hasnt responded to calls or e-mails since Bloomberg first reported on the fallout last month. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has said that it suspects numerous certifications for parts supplied by the company were forged.

Suppliers and airlines are racing to assess the fallout from the scandal involving parts with unclear origin. So far, several airlines have said theyve identified components on their older single-aisle jets and have switched out the parts, causing further strain on an already tight spare-parts market.

United Airlines Holdings Inc., Southwest Airlines Co. And Virgin Australia Airlines Pty have all found AOG parts in their fleets.

The apparent large-scale falsification of documentation uncovered by the claimants gives rise to the risk that evidence relevant to these proceedings will be destroyed by the defendants, lawyers for CFM said in the filings.

As many as 96 engines impacted by parts supplied by AOG were identified as of Monday, General Electrics lawyer said in the court.

The disclosure features a wealth of requested detail including background information such as the identity of the manufacturer and of any entity that ever performed maintenance or repair service on the relevant parts, AOGs lawyer said in court filings.

The details by the manufacturers sought are onerous and there is no evidence that it is necessary for all parts to be removed from the supply chain, lawyers for AOG Technics responded in documents prepared for the court hearing.

The UKs aviation regulator is already investigating the issues and the request goes far beyond what is necessary for public safety considerations, they said.

CFM International makes the CFM56 engine for many older Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 airliners, by far the most widely flown category in civil aviation.

Regulators have said that some of the bogus parts were for critical gear like engine blades, raising the stakes to find the components because they might pose a serious safety risk.

The London case stems from Bloomberg first reporting on the scandal in August.

We applaud the courts ruling compelling AOG Technics to release documentation that will aid the industry in more rapidly identifying parts sold with fraudulent documentation so they can be promptly addressed, a spokesperson for CFM said.

AOG has 14 days to comply with the order.

With assistance from Ryan Beene.

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.
Google agreed to pay $155 million to settle claims by California and private plaintiffs that the search engine company misled consumers about how it tracks their locations, and used their data without consent.

Both settlements resolve claims that the Alphabet Inc. unit deceived people into believing they maintained control over how Google collected and used their personal data.

The company was accused of being able to profile people and target them with advertising even if they turned off their Location History setting, and deceive people about their ability to block ads they did not want.

Google was telling its users one thingthat it would no longer track their location once they opted outbut doing the opposite and continuing to track its users movements for its own commercial gain, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement. Thats unacceptable.

The California settlement requires Google to pay $93 million, and disclose more about how it tracks peoples whereabouts and uses data it collects.

Money from Googles $62 million settlement with private plaintiffs would, after deducting legal fees, go to court-approved nonprofit groups that track internet privacy concerns.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs said this made sense because it was infeasible to distribute money to the approximately 247.7 million U.S. adults with mobile devices.

Some critics say this type of settlement, known as cy pres, offers little benefit to class members.

Google denied liability, and both settlements require court approval.

Last November, Google agreed to pay $391.5 million to resolve similar allegations by 40 U.S. states.

The Mountain View, California-based company has also reached $124.9 million of settlements with Arizona and Washington.

A spokesperson for Google on Friday referred to a blog post discussing the multistate settlement, and said it related to outdated product policies that we changed years ago.

Lawyers for the private plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Google generated $110.9 billion of advertising revenue in the first half of 2023, accounting for 81% of its total $137.7 billion of revenue.
BROOKLYN, Ohio -- Brooklyn City Schools received an overall grade of 4 stars in the recently released Ohio Department of Education school report card.

Were very happy with the results, Superintendent/CEO Theodore Caleris said.

Weve done a lot over the past four years to focus on literacy and student programming. This is a result of the hard work from our staff, students and families.

Replacing a letter-grade system, the Ohio Department of Educations new star-based rating system includes overall ratings -- 3 stars means a district meets state standards.

Brooklyn scored 3 stars in achievement, 5 stars in progress, 3 stars in gap closing, 4 stars in graduation and 2 stars in early literacy.

We look at this report card data as a limited snapshot of the work we do during the year, Caleris said. Well take this data and analyze it. This data will help drive the professional development initiatives that we have going on this school year.

Were hopeful that once we really dig into the data, were able to identify the challenge areas that we experienced, and again that will help drive our professional development planning throughout the school year.

Compared to last years school report card, Brooklyn City Schools went down from 5 to 4 stars in graduation while remaining at 3 stars in gap closing and achievement, as well as 2 stars in early literacy.

Our four-year graduation rating was a 4, while our five-year rating was a 5, he said. I guess overall we did go down, but were still graduating kids on time.

Early literacy data, though we did increase in the indicator from last year, we have some statistical increases that were not shown in the overall rating. We believe that the work were doing continues to help improve literacy.

Brooklyn City Schools Director of Teaching and Learning Lisa Deliz will go into detail regarding the results, as well as other assessment data, at the Oct. 17 Board of Education meeting.

The superintendent noted that the districts positive report card comes just a couple of years removed from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Were very thrilled and grateful for the report card that we received, he said.

That being said, we know there are still areas of growth. Were looking to determine what those are and continue to improve from year to year.

Read more news from the Parma Sun Post.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne has nominated his choice to take over the county treasurer role.

The nominee is Brad Cromes, a certified government financial manager and current Portage County Treasurer, according to a news release from the county and a social media post from Cromes.

Cromes resume includes partnering with local banks to create a home-improvement loan program and developing a Financial Wellness Fair that connected residents to financial advisors, according to a news release from Cuyahoga County.

Cuyahoga Countys charter requires the treasurer to have at least five years experience managing finances for a government entity; Cromes was Portage Countys treasurer for eight years.

Lisa Rocco is serving as interim treasurer. If Cromes is confirmed, Rocco will return to her previous role as director of operations in Cuyahoga Countys fiscal office.

Though the nomination needs to be confirmed by Cuyahoga County Council, Cromes already announced his Nov. 1 retirement from Portage County on his Facebook page.

County spokeswoman Kelly Woodard said Ronayne reached out to Cromes about the job after an application process in which Cromes first submitted his resume and other candidates were interviewed.

Cromes salary would be $135,000 per year, Woodard said.
KINGMAN, Arizona  A 63-year-old hiker who had a traumatic injury to his shoulder while hiking in the Grand Canyon was rescued by helicopter, hours after he was left behind by his fellow hikers, authorities say.

The Mojave County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue unit says it received a call for help at about 6 p.m. Friday. Five friends were hiking along the canyons North Rim when the man fell and was injured, authorities say.

A helicopter was flown into the canyon using a location provided by an Apple device. The sheriffs office says it was dark when the helicopter arrived and with tall canyon walls on each side, the helicopter had to land about a quarter-mile from the exact location along Kanab Creek.

Rescuers made their way through the creek and boulders to the hiker, who was stabilized and then flown to a hospital in Flagstaff.

The hiker told rescuers that he had been injured at about 2 p.m. The group he was with had been hiking for nearly four days and had another three to four days to go, authorities say.

After using the Apple device to contact rescuers, the four other hikers continued on their trip, leaving the injured hiker alone.

It was fortunate that the helicopter was able to rescue this injured hiker, as it would have taken an extended period of time for ground crews to reach his location, the sheriffs office says in a news release. Search and Rescue encourages everyone to never leave someone behind alone and, whenever possible, to stay with them and ensure they are rescued before continuing on their journey.
ST. CHARLES PARISH, Louisiana  An Oklahoma man reported missing in August while kayaking on the Mississippi River in Louisiana was found alive in Georgia in what police say was an effort to fake his own death to avoid child rape charges.

Melvin Emde, 41, of Talihina, Okla., was arrested by authorities in Tift County, Georgia, according to a news release from the St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Office. The sheriffs office says Emde was on a motorcycle at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday when he tried to flee a traffic stop by the Georgia State Highway Patrol.

The motorcycle eventually crashed and Emde then tried to run from troopers was caught and arrested, authorities say. Emde is accused of giving a false name but was identified through fingerprints.

Emde was reported missing by his son just after midnight on Aug. 7, who told police that his father had fallen out of his kayak and drowned while on the Mississippi River in Hahnville, La.

But investigators discovered Emde was facing charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child by an adult in Brunswick County, North Carolina. He was scheduled to appear court the day after his reported drowning.

We immediately became quite suspicious that this may have been a faked accidental drowning and death in order for Mr. Emde to escape charges in Brunswick County, North Carolina, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said. However, we could not publicly expose our suspicions for fear of tipping him off.

Investigators say Emde was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of his disappearance. Emde also reportedly bought two prepaid cellphones at a Walmart the day before he was reported missing.

Investigators began tracking the phones, but say Emde would only turn one on for short periods of time. Emde stopped using the phones and investigators lost track of him until he was arrested in Georgia, the sheriffs office says.

Now its time for Mr. Emde to face the music for his charges in North Carolina, Champagne said.
Rotunda Rumblings

Back to the table: The Ohio Redistricting Commission will reconvene on Wednesday as a potential deadline looms this week for completing state legislative maps. Jeremy Pelzer reports that Gov. Mike DeWine called the meeting, delayed as Republican legislative leaders fight over who should co-chair the commission, but that its unclear whether House Speaker Jason Stephens and Senate President Matt Huffman have a deal on a map. DeWine said theres almost a map, at least to start with, and said the Republican leaders of each chamber were still negotiating. Secretary of State Frank LaRose, the states top elections official, has said maps need to be done by Friday.
WASHINGTON, D. C. - The U.S. Department of Defense on Wednesday named an Ohio-led multi-state regional initiative called the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC) one of its eight regional semiconductor chip innovation hubs and awarded it $24.3 million.

The MMEC comprises over 65 public, private, and nonprofit entities, with leadership from many key Ohio institutions. Backed by $2 billion in federal CHIPS Science Act funding, Ohios leadership within the MMEC will put the state at the epicenter of a national network aiming to revolutionize the lab-to-fab microelectronics ecosystem while simultaneously solving national security challenges, according to a statement from the office of Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.

The partnerships forged with Ohios business, academic and community leaders have resulted in bringing this prestigious hub to the Midwest, said a statement from Gov. Mike Dewine. The foundation for this statewide collaboration was laid during the advocacy for the CHIPS Act in 2021 and 2022, and more recently, it has gained momentum as we seize the opportunities arising from Intels $20 billion investment in our state.

The CHIPS Act was a key piece to securing the Intel factory just outside of Columbus, a massive facility expected to employ thousands when its complete.

DeWines office said institutions participating in MMEC can anticipate a host of positive impacts: new projects with the Department of Defense, facilitated research and development opportunities in the region, increased job creation at member institutions, the establishment of new companies, and the development of more robust educational pipelines.

Ohios rich history of supporting innovation at key military and defense institutions like the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB and NASA Glenn Research Center, coupled with our world-class educational facilities and a talented workforce, make our state the complete package to contribute to the Midwest regions technology hub under the ME Commons program, said a statement from JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef. This consortium leverages and expands Ohios infrastructure, knowledge, and drive to propel the industry forward.

A statement from U.S. Rep. Mike Turner, a Dayton Republican who chairs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and is a senior House Armed Services Committee member, described the MMEC as an important initiative that will empower the United States to regain dominance in the global microelectronics industry and grow Ohios position as an international innovation and technology hub.

With various defense and aerospace research installations, renowned academic institutions, and diverse manufacturing base, the Buckeye State is the logical choice for this new regional technology hub, Turners statement said.

A statement from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Cleveland Democrat, noted that he led an April letter from Ohio Congress members that urged the Defense Department to pick Ohio as one of the regional technology hubs.

With our rich manufacturing history, Ohio is a natural fit to host a regional technology hub, said Brown. We passed the CHIPS Act to make investments like this possible, and position Ohio to lead in developing and manufacturing the technologies of the future.

Sabrina Eaton writes about the federal government and politics in Washington, D.C., for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
COLUMBUS, OhioRepublicans on the Ohio Redistricting Commission finally introduced a draft state legislative redistricting plan on Wednesday, ending a week-long delay due to infighting among legislative GOP leaders.

The commission voted 4-2, with the commissions two Democrats voting against, to advance the draft map to public hearings. Once those public hearings are finished, the commission would need to take another vote to adopt final maps.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  The Ohio Supreme Court ordered the Ohio Ballot Board, which writes the wording for initiatives on state ballots, to reconvene and fix part of how it describes the abortion rights constitutional amendment on the Nov. 7 ballot.

The Tuesday night judgement is a limited win for the backers of the abortion rights amendment.
CLEVELAND, Ohio  Two Cleveland police officers were injured Wednesday after authorities say they were dragged by a man who drove a stolen vehicle.

The incident took place at 6:45 a.m. in the area of East 79th Street and Chester Avenue near Church Square Plaza. The officers responded to a call that three men were sleeping inside of a car.
Cboe Global Markets Chief Executive Officer Edward Tilly has resigned after failing to disclose personal relationships with colleagues, the exchange operator said on Tuesday.

Board member Fredric Tomczyk has been named CEO, effective immediately, Cboe said.

Tilly, who was Cboe's chief for more than 10 years, resigned following the conclusion of an investigation led by the board and outside independent counsel that was launched in late August, the company said.

"The Board of Directors determined that Tilly did not disclose personal relationships with colleagues, which violated Cboe's policies and stands in stark contrast to the company's values," the statement said.

Tomczyk, who joined Cboe's board in July 2019, has previously served as CEO of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
Anheuser-Busch InBev said it will no longer cut the tails of the iconic Clydesdale horses used in its signature Budweiser commercials and at events, following extended backlash from animal rights groups.

The beverage maker, which has seen sales suffer after criticism of its partnership with transgender activist Dylan Mulvaney, debuted its horse-drawn beer wagon nearly a century ago to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition of beer. The Clydesdale horses instantly became a hit with audiences and Anheuser-Busch has since used them in hundreds of appearances across the country each year for parades, television commercials and Super Bowl events.

However, the practice known as "docking," which can involve cutting through a horse's tailbone, has come under scrutiny. Anheuser-Busch on Wednesday said it has stopped cutting off tails.

"The practice of equine tail docking was discontinued earlier this year," a spokesperson for the company said. "The safety and well-being of our beloved Clydesdales is our top priority."

Tailbone amputation for cosmetic reasons is illegal in 10 states and multiple countries. The American Veterinary Medical Association has also condemned it.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said an investigation it conducted found Budweiser horses had their tails docked for cosmetic reasons, and it decried the practice as "crude mutilation." PETA said it found some representatives for Anheuser-Busch have said they trimmed the hairs on the tails rather than cut them off.

Earlier this month, an international coalition of animal protection organizations, including PETA, sent a letter to Anheuser-Busch urging the beer maker to end the practice. PETA even purchased stock in the company to voice concerns at shareholder meetings, in addition to protests and other actions the group took.

In a statement to CNBC, PETA said it's celebrating the beer maker's decision to stop cutting horse tails by "cracking open some cold ones."

In addition to saying it would stop the practice, the company also announced a new partnership with American Humane, the world's largest certifier of animal welfare practices.
A Bank of America financial manager shows a customer how to use the ATM with Teller Assist station in Cherry Creek.

Bank of America will boost its minimum hourly wage to $23 in October as it heads toward a goal of raising hourly pay to $25 by 2025, the company said in a statement Wednesday.

The pay bump translates to a minimum salary of almost $48,000 a year for full-time employees, according to the second largest U.S. lender.

BofA has increased pay several times in recent years, starting with a move to $15 an hour in 2017.

"Providing a competitive minimum rate of pay is foundational," Sheri Bronstein, the bank's chief human resources officer said in the statement.
A sign marks the location of the University of Phoenix Chicago Campus in Schaumburg, Illinois.

The Biden administration announced Wednesday it would cancel nearly $37 million in student debt for more than 1,200 students who attended the University of Phoenix.

The relief will go to many borrowers who applied for borrower defense discharges between Sept. 21, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The borrower defense program allows borrowers who can prove they've been misled or defrauded by their schools to get their federal student loans voided.

The University of Phoenix's national ad campaigns misled students by making them believe their job prospects would be improved by the school's partnerships with thousands of corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, the Education Department said.

"The University of Phoenix brazenly deceived prospective students with false ads to get them to enroll," said Richard Cordray, the federal student aid chief operating officer.

"Students who trusted the school and wanted to better their lives through education ended up with mounds of debt and useless degrees," he said.

A spokesperson for the University of Phoenix said they "adamantly disagree with the U.S. Department of Education's allegations."

"The University of Phoenix takes student borrower complaints very seriously and has provided significant evidence to the Dept. of Ed refuting inaccurate, baseless, or incomplete claims," the spokesperson said in a statement. "While the University is not against relief for borrowers who have valid claims, we intend to vigorously challenge each frivolous allegation and suspicious claim through every available legal avenue."

More from Personal Finance:

The Federal Reserve leaves rates unchanged. Heres how it impacts your money

A financial vortex may reduce retirement savings, Goldman Sachs finds

TikTok interviewers ask How much do you make? What you can learn from the answers

The Federal Trade Commission also provided evidence from its multiyear investigation into the University of Phoenix that resulted in a $191 million settlement in 2019. The FTC had obtained internal emails, as well as advertisement materials and recorded phone calls with prospective Phoenix students.

"Phoenix management was aware that the corporate relationships the school claimed to have did not exist," the Education Department said. "One senior vice president at Phoenix described one of the advertisements in question as 'smoke & mirrors.'"

Impacted borrowers will be notified in early October of the relief, and should see any remaining loan balances canceled. Payments made on these loans will be refunded.
Lana Payne speaks to delegates after being elected as president of UNIFOR, Canada's largest private sector union, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Aug. 10, 2022.

A Unifor strike would have impacted Ford's Oakville Assembly Plant that produces the Ford Edge and Lincoln Nautilus crossovers as well as two engine plants that produce V8 engines used in key products such as the Ford F-Series pickups and Mustang muscle car.

The Canadian tentative agreement was reached on day five of the United Auto Workers union initiating targeted strikes against Ford and its crosstown rivals General Motors and Chrysler-parent Stellantis .

The Detroit automaker and union announced the agreement  which must still be ratified by members  hours before an extended 11:59 p.m. Tuesday deadline . The sides extended the talks by 24 hours following Ford's last-minute proposal Monday night to Unifor.

DETROIT  Ford Motor avoided having to face labor strikes on both sides of the U.S.-Canada border Tuesday night, as the automaker and Canadian union Unifor announced a tentative deal covering 5,600 autoworkers in the country's Ontario providence.

Ford and Unifor declined to immediately release details of the agreement, which Lana Payne, national president of the union, said "addresses all of the items raised by members in preparation for this round of collective bargaining."

"We believe that this agreement will solidify the foundations on which we will continue to bargain gains for generations of autoworkers in Canada," she said in a statement Tuesday night.

Unifor, which represents 18,000 Canadian workers at the Detroit automakers, took a more traditional approach to its negotiations than its U.S. counterpart did. The Canadian union picked Ford as its "target" company instead of following the UAW's new strategy of bargaining with all three automakers. It also announced a traditional national strike, if needed, instead of targeted ones.

The union is expected to release details of the agreement to members in the coming days, followed by a vote. If ratified, the deal will be used as a pattern for Unifor to bargain with GM and Stellantis.

Ford will now focus on its talks with the UAW. Shawn Fain, president of the union, said Monday that the union will announce additional strikes at U.S. plants if the Detroit automakers don't make "serious progress" in negotiations by noon ET Friday.

Currently on strike are roughly 12,700 UAW workers from GM's midsize truck and full-size van plant in Wentzville, Missouri; Ford's Ranger midsize pickup and Bronco SUV plant in Wayne, Michigan; and Stellantis' Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator plant in Toledo, Ohio.
The long road to recovery in the business travel sector just got shorter. There have been some encouraging signs that business travel is rebounding to pre-Covid spending levels sooner than anticipated, according to the Global Business Travel Association . Business travel was essentially shut down during the Covid-19 pandemic, with many predicting a slow slog to revive sales and a landscape that would be permanently changed. Now the organization is predicting global business travel spending will surpass its 2019 spending level of $1.4 trillion in 2024, compared to its earlier forecast of 2026. Spending is expected to grow to $1.8 trillion in 2027. The GBTA is crediting the resilience of the global economy as a key factor in the rebound. On top of that, corporate decision-makers are more optimistic about business trips than workers, which is a positive sign since they determine policy, a recent Morning Consult survey found. Some 28% of those who make the business travel decisions and 32% of those in charge of company travel budgets said their workplace will increase business travel in the coming year, Morning Consult found. That's compared to 15% of all employed adults who said the same. After prior polls of workers pointed to a long recovery, the firm created a demographic of business travel decision-makers, including those who are responsible for budgets, for its latest survey. They were among the 2,435 employed U.S. adults polled Aug. 12-13, 2023. Lindsey Roeschke, travel and hospitality analyst at Morning Consult, said she was surprised by the results. "I thought we would see a higher level of negativity among the folks who are on the inside, like, 'Yeah, you workers may think that you're going to go somewhere, but I'm looking at the budgets, and it really doesn't seem likely,''' she said. "What we actually found was the exact opposite.  So I think that bodes well for the recovery going forward." Who will benefit Business travelers far outspend leisure travelers on a per-head basis, so a recovery has huge implications for the travel industry, Roeschke said. That's readily apparent for airlines, she noted. "There are going to be people who are coming back to that category, buying premium seats," she said. Those travelers also tend to spend more on things such as amenities, checked baggage, food and drinks, she added. After meeting with senior executives in the airline industry, Deutsche Bank analyst Michael Linenberg said he was encouraged by commentary about corporate travel demand and believes revenue gains of 5% from September 2019 seem "very achievable." "Although volumes are still down an estimated 10% (which would imply 15% better yields), a growing number of companies are requiring their employees to return to the office this fall which we believe will stimulate additional corporate travel," he wrote in a Sept. 8 note. On top of that, there will be a return of corporate earnings growth, with S & P 500 earnings projected to be up 8% in the December quarter, he added. Business travel has historically accounted for about 20% to 25% of volume for the big airlines, but has shifted down one to three percentage points, Linenberg told CNBC. However, there are new segments that the industry hasn't focused on before, such as the ability to travel while working remotely and the blending of business and leisure travel, he said. "Where the airlines may have seen a permanent reduction in the percentage of travel that is pure corporate, it has now been offset by some of these segments that didn't really exist to the extent they exist today," he said. Overall, Linenberg is bullish on American Airlines , Delta Air Lines and United Airlines for their healthy cash-flow generation, strong margins, earnings growth and diversified revenue streams. He sees the recent pullback as an opportunity to buy . American Airlines and Delta both recently cut forecasts for the third quarter after higher costs hit profits. Meanwhile, the hotel industry has seen about 10% of business travel eaten away by online meetings and has been affected by layoffs at big tech and financial firms, said Truist analyst Patrick Scholes. However, the firm's data checks on U.S. hotels show a strong space of corporate group bookings, as well as moderate acceleration of small and midsize business travel growth, he said. This is also the time of year when group travel becomes a larger part of the revenue mix, he added. In this environment, Scholes likes real estate investment trust Ryman Hospitality Properties , which owns several large convention hotels as well as The Grand Ole Opry. The company gets about 80% of its business from groups and conventions, he said. There is also minimal new competition as developers shied away from building group hotels, he added. RHP YTD mountain Ryman Hospitality Properties year to date Another name on his list is Hyatt Hotels , which gets about 30% of its business from group and convention consumers, Scholes said. "For the next six to nine months, group is the number one driver of RevPAR growth, and those two companies  are the best positioned for that," he said, referring to the key hotel metric revenue per available room. Of course, the recovery in business travel can also shift if there are changes in the economic environment. "A lot of this is going to hinge on how the economy continues to play out," Morning Consult's Roeschke said.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed reporting.
Investors should buy Bausch Health Companies as shares can more than double from here, Jefferies said. Analyst Glen Santangelo upgraded shares to buy from hold and hiked his price target, saying a legal victory is in sight for the company that should drive shares higher. Bausch Health is embroiled in a legal battle over Xifaxan, its drug for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, to prevent generics from entering the market. BHC 1D mountain Bausch Health Companies 1-day "As we have written, we believe BHC will ultimately prevail in the Xifaxan litigation and prevent gx entry until 2028. On the 2Q call, mgt noted that it expects updates in the Norwich v FDA case in 4Q23 and an update on the appeals process as early as 1Q24," Santangelo wrote Wednesday. "These updates are critical as we [continue] to believe unresolved Xifaxan litigation is the key barrier to progressing with the BLCO spin," he added. Bausch Health has been hoping to spin off its valuable vision care unit, Bausch + Lomb, for several years. Bausch Health shares are higher this year by more than 22%. However, the analyst hiked his price target to $16 from $9, implying shares can rise 107% from Tuesday's closing price of $7.72. Shares jumped nearly 7% in premarket trading Wednesday. The analyst cited other reasons why Bausch Health shares will get a boost. These reasons include reducing a significant debt load from acquisitions made by prior management, according to the note. According to Santangelo, other catalysts include the sale of a 9% stake in Bausch + Lomb, which would reduce the company's holdings to 80%; further debt reduction; the settlement of a New Jersey lawsuit; and a solvency opinion. With clarity on Xifaxan coming in the near term, Jefferies expects shares to start reflecting the increasing likelihood of the spinoff of the vision care unit, Santangelo wrote.  CNBC's Michael Bloom contributed to this report.
 This is the script of CNBC's news report on Quantitative Trading for China's CCTV on September 6, 2023.

Quantitative trading, an innovative strategy leveraging both cutting-edge computer technology and intricate mathematical models, has come to the forefront of investment decision-making. While traditional investors reminisce about the legendary "Oracle of Omaha," Warren Buffett, who handpicks stocks based on intrinsic company valuations, this new wave of trading shifts the decision-making apparatus to advanced computers.

Picture this: Equip a computer with a wealth of financial knowledge, historical data, and the capacity to identify market trends, and you've got yourself a quantitative trading system. Its prowess lies in its ability to sift through massive datasets, execute trades at lightning speed, and maintain an objective stance, free from the emotional undertones that often cloud human judgment.

Taking a trip down memory lane, the genesis of quantitative trading in the U.S. can be traced back to the 1970s. Investors of that epoch initiated the use of mathematical formulas to determine the valuations of stocks and bonds. Fast-forward to the cusp of the 21st century; burgeoning computer technologies and electronic trading platforms supercharged the quantitative trading arena. Furthermore, the last decade witnessed the seamless integration of artificial intelligence, predominantly machine learning, making algorithms invaluable assets in unveiling complex data relationships that were once veiled.

Recent analytics from the New York-based Tabb Group reveal an intriguing trend: Starting in 2010, hedge funds' inclination towards quantitative strategies began to ascend, capturing a whopping 27% of the market share by 2017. This quant revolution led many financial institutions to scout for top-tier mathematicians and scientists, leaving conventional strategieslike scrutinizing balance sheets or investor relationsin the rearview mirror.

Today, industry titans in the investment domain, including renowned names like Castle, Bridgewater, and Renaissance Technologies, have predominantly embraced quantitative techniques.

A report by Fortune Business Insights pegged the global quantitative trading sector at an impressive $2.03 billion in 2022. Forecasts suggest a surge to $2.19 billion in 2023, culminating at a staggering $3.56 billion by 2030. This trajectory represents a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7.2%.

Yet, one must exercise caution. The merits of quantitative trading, particularly its unrivaled speed, can occasionally double as pitfalls. While algorithm-driven rapid trades empower investors to exploit minute price discrepancies, they also risk hampering market liquidity.

Recall the 2010 "Flash Crash": U.S. stock indices nosedived and soared within mere minutes. This turbulence was attributed to a UK trader, alleged to have employed high-frequency trading to manipulate index futures. Adding to the list is the 2015 flash crash in the forex realm, post the Swiss Franc's disassociation from the Euro. Such episodes have sown seeds of skepticism around high-frequency and algorithmic trades, given the potential market instability due to frequent order activities.

Regulatory bodies across the U.S. and Europe have spent the past decade brainstorming effective oversight mechanisms for high-frequency trading. The U.S. SEC's post-"Flash Crash" response was the implementation of circuit breakerstrade halts upon significant price or index flux. Both the SEC and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission later rolled out a suite of regulatory directives targeting high-frequency trading. Concurrently, Europe's "Markets in Financial Instruments Directive" mandated high-frequency traders to register, among other stipulations.




A lackluster economic backdrop in China shouldn't keep Wall Street from buying opportunities in the world's second-largest economy, some investors say. China stocks have come under pressure this year as Beijing deals with a beleaguered property sector and a slower-than-expected rebound from the Covid-19 pandemic. The iShares MSCI China ETF (MCHI) is down more than 7% this year. By comparison, the S & P 500 is up 16% during the same period. There are other concerns: The country is dealing with high rates of youth unemployment, consumer spending is weak and the economy is on pace to see only lackluster growth. Even so, there are still terrific stock ideas, so long as emerging markets investors know where to look, according to Thornburg Investment Management co-head of investments Ben Kirby. "China will be a slower growing country in [the] future than it has been in the past. I mean, that's in the cards," said Kirby. "But it doesn't mean that you cannot find great investment opportunities there." Consumer growth bets Kirby named Yum China as one quality stock idea. The Duke MBA expects the fast-food company behind KFC and Pizza Hut to benefit from secular trends and double the number of its stores in China over the next decade, and "maybe even more quickly than that." He also expects Yum China could still benefit from a rebound in consumer spending in China. Sure, the post-pandemic recovery is taking longer than traders hoped, but the fund manager argued that it's still happening  meaning consumer plays like Yum China will eventually see sales growth. "When you look at consensus, sell-side estimates, they're basically forecasting same-store sales growth for Yum China of about 2% to 3%, which is what you'd expect in a normal year, 2% to 3%. It's just kind of a baseline," Kirby said. "This is a year where it should be a lot higher than that, and next year should be a lot higher than that because of the pent-up demand of people who were in their homes and are able to go and do stuff now," Kirby added. Another "off the beaten path" opportunity Kirby sees is consumer health-care company Imeik Technology Development . The maker of hyaluronic acid and other biomedical materials will generate sales as middle-class consumers increasingly spend on beauty and wellness treatments. It's a spending category the fund manager doesn't expect will suffer from any weakness in the macro backdrop. "Fifteen years ago, we talked about steel consumption in China and how the Chinese economy needed way more steel consumption. Now, we're talking about consumption of Botox in China," Kirby said. "So the economy has evolved dramatically." "Overall consumption of these kinds of health and beauty products in China is still a fraction of what it is in the U.S. market," Kirby added. "So, this is another example of a company where the Chinese macro economy can grow 4% or 3%, or 5%. It's probably not going to affect the penetration growth story of a company like this." Kirby expects both companies are "fairly insulated" from the macro economy and said both are trading at attractive valuations. Yum China is higher this year by more than 4%. Imeik is only traded locally and is down 23% in 2023. Lazard Investment portfolio manager James Donald also maintains that China remains investable, naming consumer electronics company Lenovo as an attractive pick. As a multinational, Lenovo is more exposed to the global economy, rather only the domestic economy. The U.S.-listed shares are up 23% this year. While concerns still linger around the Chinese equity market, Thornburg's Kirby advised investors to pick out individual stories instead of buying the index. "I'm not super optimistic on the index level," Kirby said. "But within all the listed companies, there's a lot of great opportunity."
The rollout of a new round of Covid vaccines in the U.S. is off to a bumpy start as some patients report delays in health insurance coverage for the shots.

Private insurance plans and government payers such as Medicare are required to cover the new jabs from Pfizer and Moderna , which became available late last week. U.S. regulators have recommended all Americans ages 6 months and up get the new round of vaccines.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, some private health-care providers and CVS confirmed the temporary delays in coverage and emphasized that Americans can access Covid vaccines at no cost through insurance plans. They said the reason for the delays is that some insurers are still working to update their plans to include the new vaccines.

Dozens of posts on social media in recent days show some patients were charged anywhere between $125 and $190 for a shot at pharmacies. Others were told their insurance plans aren't covering the new vaccines yet.

The reports are fueling confusion among insured patients about whether they can still access Covid shots for free  even after public health officials have reassured them that they can  just as cases tick up across the country.

It also comes after a huge shift in how Covid vaccines are covered in the U.S.

The government is moving shots to the commercial market, which means manufacturers will sell their new jabs directly to health-care providers at more than $120 per dose. Previously, the federal government purchased Covid vaccines directly from manufacturers at a discount to distribute to all Americans for free.

A CMS spokesperson said the agency is "aware that some consumers have had difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccines, including experiencing unexpected insurance coverage denials at the point of service."

CMS has been in "close contact with the plans about these transitions for months," and is reaching out again to ensure that their systems are "up-to-date and prepared to meet their obligations to provide coverage of Covid-19 vaccines for participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees," according to the spokesperson.

A spokesperson for CVS told CNBC that some payers "are still updating their systems and may not yet be set up to cover the updated COVID-19 vaccines." They added that the company's pharmacy teams can help patients schedule a vaccine appointment for a later date if their coverage is denied.

Sarah Lindsey, an owner of a Florida-based jewelry store, called on her own insurer to add the new Covid shots to its formulary.

"Any insured member trying to get it at a pharmacy is being told it's not approved and will cost $155. There's no excuse for this," she wrote Monday in a post on X, formerly Twitter, tagging Florida Blue, a local Blue Cross Blue Shield insurer.
The European Union is "very far" from imposing new tariffs on Chinese electric cars, a top official told CNBC, just days after the bloc launched an investigation into subsidies given by Beijing.

"We are very far from imposing import duties for Chinese vehicles, because I mean, these investigations to be fair, must be conducted properly," Maros Sefcovic, a vice president at the European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, told CNBC Tuesday.

The institution surprised many last week by announcing an anti-subsidy probe focusing on the EV market in the world's second-largest economy. The European Commission believes cheaper Chinese electric cars are flooding the European market with prices being kept low due to sizeable state subsidies.

A spokesperson for China's ministry of commerce said in the wake of the announcement: "China expresses high concern and strong dissatisfaction with this," according to translated remarks.

The same spokesperson added: "China will pay close attention to the EU's protectionist tendencies and follow-up actions, and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises."

The commission said an anti-subsidy probe could last up to 13 months from initiation. It also said that provisional measures must be imposed no later than nine months, followed by four months to impose definitive measures, if legally warranted.
Thomas Barwick

Life goals and other financial priorities can get in the way of saving for retirement. Over the long term, those competing priorities  dubbed the "financial vortex"  may reduce U.S. workers' retirement savings by up to 37%, according to new research from Goldman Sachs Asset Management. That's even as more U.S. workers  65%  say they are confident in their ability to meet their retirement savings goals, up from 57% last year, the firm's July survey of 5,261 U.S. individuals found. Yet even for the most diligent savers, life events can get in the way of retirement preparedness. Having to retire earlier than expected at age 62 may reduce total retirement savings by 25%, Goldman Sachs' research found. Meanwhile, student loans may result in a 19% reduction in total retirement savings; caregiving may cause an 18% shortfall; early career cash outs pointed to a 16% decline; salary increases that didn't coincide with proportional retirement savings increases resulted in a 13% reduction; and financial hardships resulted in a 5% decrease.

For savers who experience multiple such events or factors, it's "easy to see" how they may suffer a 37% decline in their retirement savings, Chris Cedar, senior retirement strategist at Goldman Sachs said during a presentation on the research. "The reality for retirement savers is that they're going to have to figure out how to balance some of these real-life impacts more than they've had to do so in the past," Cedar said.

Living better now vs. living better later

With salary increases, the model forecasted for ongoing 3% adjustments as well as seven growth events over the course of a career. That includes 10% for early career increases and 6% for late career ones. The potential for a shortfall even with those increases points to the challenge all workers face of accumulating wealth for retirement while also funding their lifestyles today. "There's a balance between living better now and living better later," said John Merrill, president and founder of Tanglewood Total Wealth Management in Houston, which is No. 58 on the CNBC FA 100 list this year. While events like a divorce, which Merrill calls a "financial wrecker," may crop up unexpectedly even planned life milestones like the birth of a child can increase financial pressure. "The main thing is discipline," Merrill said. "People who are disciplined with their money, disciplined with their life, really are going to go so much further." The best approach is to pay yourself first  including at least 10% of your salary toward retirement and 5% toward an emergency fund  and then spend the rest, he said. Other experts caution that increasing overall spending as salary and wealth goes up, known as lifestyle creep, should be avoided.

Having a higher-cost lifestyle creates two problems, according to Stephen Cohn, a certified financial planner and co-president of Sage Financial Group in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, which is No. 22 on the CNBC FA 100 list. First, it makes it more difficult to save for long-term goals including retirement. Then at retirement, savers may find their nest egg falls short of their needs while they're challenged with making up the income they need to sustain their lifestyle.

Retirement age uncertainty
A woman using an umbrella to protect against the rain reflects in a puddle as in background can be seen skyscrapers of the banking district in Frankfurt am Main. Afp Contributor | Dpa | Getty Images

Deutsche Bank CEO Christian Sewing said Germany will become the sick man of Europe if "structural issues" are not addressed immediately. "We are not the sick man of Europe," Sewing said in his keynote address at the Handelsblatt Banking Summit 2023 on Wednesday, "but it is also true that there are structural weaknesses that hold back our economy and prevent it from developing its great potential." "We will become the sick man of Europe if we do not address these structural issues now," he added.

The Deutsche Bank CEO said the biggest task lies with banks, whose roles are changing in the current macroeconomic climate. "We are more in demand than ever as risk managers and advisors. This is a great responsibility, but also a great opportunity to create new trust," Sewing said. "[We] must not deceive ourselves: we are still lagging behind our international competitors, even if the special economic situation caused by interest rates currently glosses over this somewhat  more for some institutions, less for others," he added.

watch now
In this article GM Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Breaking with the long-standing tradition of the "handshake ceremony" with the auto executives of the Big Three auto makers to open contract talks, United Auto Workers president Shawn Fain instead speaks with and does "members' handshakes" with Stellantis workers at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant on July 12, 2023 in Sterling Heights, Michigan. The UAW opens auto contract negotiations with Stellantis today, Ford on July 14, and General Motors on July 18. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) Bill Pugliano | Getty Images News | Getty Images

DETROIT  As the United Auto Workers union enters day six of targeted strikes against the Detroit automakers, General Motors President Mark Reuss is criticizing union leadership for its rhetoric and "flow of misinformation" during the ongoing contract negotiations. Reuss, in an editorial, focused on the union's public bashing of the company and elements of GM's "record" contract proposal last week that included 20% pay raises and improved time off, bonuses and other benefits over the four-year term of the deal. "As the past has clearly shown, nobody wins in a strike," Reuss said in a Wednesday column in the Detroit Free Press. "We have delivered a record offer. That is a fact. It rightly rewards our team members, while positioning the company for success in the future. Often in these situations, the clouds of rhetoric can obscure reality." The UAW hasn't responded to the op-ed, as of Wednesday morning.

watch now

GM's last offer was made Sept. 14, ahead of the union initiating a "Stand Up Strike" at one assembly plant each for GM, Ford Motor and Stellantis. UAW President Shawn Fain said Monday the strikes will expand at noon Friday unless "serious progress" is made in negotiations. Currently on strike are roughly 12,700 UAW workers from GM's midsize truck and full-size van plant in Wentzville, Missouri; Ford's Ranger midsize pickup and Bronco SUV plant in Wayne, Michigan; and Stellantis' Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator plant in Toledo, Ohio.

What did GM offer?

Reuss said GM's offer, which the union countered, recognizes "the many contributions our represented team members make to our company  past, present and future." Under the deal, Reuss said about 85% of current represented employees would earn a base wage of approximately $82,000 a year. That's compared with the average median household income in nine areas where GM has major assembly plants of $51,821, he said.

watch now

GM's current proposal is estimated to cost between $700 million and $1.2 billion over the life of the deal, Wells Fargo's Colin Langan said in a Sept. 15 investor note. If GM gave in to all the union's demands, it would cost the company between $6 billion and $8 billion under the deal, Langan said Wednesday on CNBC's "Squawk Box." "There's a long way to go. We're talking about fixed-costs, too. That's the real pain point for the automakers," Langan said, calling them "material numbers" for the companies. Key demands from the union have included 40% hourly pay increases; a reduced, 32-hour workweek; a shift back to traditional pensions; the elimination of compensation tiers; and a restoration of cost-of-living adjustments. Other items on the table include enhanced retiree benefits and better vacation and family leave benefits.

Reuss said Wednesday that the union's full demands would be "untenable," or unsustainable, for the company. "If we don't continue to invest, we will lose ground  quickly. Our competitors across the country and around the world, most of whom are non-union, will waste no time seizing the opportunity we would be handing them," he said.

Mark Reuss, executive vice president of global product development at General Motors Co. (GM), speaks next to a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck during the 2018 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Michigan. Andrew Harrer | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Reuss' comments are the latest by automotive executives as the UAW takes a strategically aggressive approach during the talks, showing little leeway in its demands. Late Monday, Ford released a lengthy statement fact-checking comments made by Fain, including auto worker wages, company profits and stock buybacks. It followed Ford CEO Jim Farley last week saying the company would have "gone bankrupt by now" under the union's current proposals. He's also criticized Fain for his approach to bargaining. "We've never seen anything like this; it's frustrating," Farley told CNBC's Phil LeBeau last week ahead of the strikes. "I don't know what Shawn Fain is doing, but he's not negotiating this contract with us, as it expires."
General Motors and Stellantis said they have laid off additional workers because of consequences related to the United Auto Workers strike.

GM said in a statement Wednesday that it has halted production at its assembly plant in Fairfax, Kansas, because of a "shortage of critical stampings" that would have been supplied by its factory in Wentzville, Missouri, where workers went on strike last week. About 2,000 workers are affected.

Earlier Wednesday, Stellantis said it is laying off about 370 employees at three parts factories in Ohio and Indiana immediately due to "storage constraints," also related to the strike. The plants make parts for Jeep vehicles built at the automaker's Toledo Assembly Complex, where workers are also on strike.

UAW-represented workers walked out of the Wentzville and Toledo assembly plants, as well as a Ford Motor factory in Wayne, Michigan, near Detroit, on Sep. 15, after the three automakers failed to reach a deal on a new contract with the union.

GM's Fairfax Assembly plant builds the Chevrolet Malibu sedan and Cadillac XT4 crossover. GM said that because of the strike, the 2,000 workers laid off from Fairfax will not be eligible for the supplemental unemployment benefits that its laid-off employees would normally receive.

"We have said repeatedly that nobody wins in a strike," GM said in a statement. "What happened to our Fairfax team members is a clear and immediate demonstration of that fact. We will continue to bargain in good faith with the union to reach an agreement as quickly as possible."

Nearly 13,000 GM, Ford and Stellantis workers are on strike at the Wentzville, Toledo and Wayne plants. UAW President Shawn Fain said the union would announce more strikes Friday unless there is "serious progress" in negotiations.
A poster of the former Gurdwara President Hardeep Singh Nijjar is displayed on a fence outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on September 19, 2023.

India warned its citizens to "exercise utmost caution" in Canada, deepening the diplomatic rift between both countries after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau went public with claims that New Delhi orchestrated the extra-judicial slaying of a Sikh separatist in Canada.

The Canadian government is investigating "credible allegations" that Indian government agents may be connected to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a naturalized Canadian and prominent advocate for an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan. India has slammed and rejected these claims as "baseless" and "absurd," accusing Canadian leaders of being sympathetic toward anti-India causes.

"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution," India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement Wednesday.

"Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda," the ministry added. "Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents."

Given the close relationship Canada maintains with the U.S., this escalating bilateral crisis could threaten to derail the U.S. courtship of India as a strategic partner in a broader Indo-Pacific alliance aimed at "de-risking" a reliance on China by realigning supply chains and restricting Chinese access to strategic technology.
A woman walks past an electronic quotation board displaying stock prices of each company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange along a street in Tokyo on August 25, 2023. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)

Airline operator ANA Holdings plans to offer around $60 million worth of shares to thousands of employees, the latest Japanese company to use employee share incentives as a tool to retain talent and comply with a request by the regulator to pay more attention to share price performance.

ANA will offer 100 shares worth about $20 each to about 70% of nearly 45,000 employees in November, following in the footsteps of other major Japanese firms such as Omron and Sony Group .

The employee share incentive plans coincide with one of the most severe labor shortages Japan has seen in years, and as the Tokyo Stock Exchange urges listed firms to become "more conscious" of their share prices due to concerns that far too many companies are trading below their book value.

In the last five years, the number of Japanese companies offering equity-based compensation to employees doubled to 966, data from Nomura Securities shows, representing a quarter of the some 3,900 listed firms.

"We are seeing a surge in inquires now," Motomi Hashimoto, principal researcher at Nomura's stock incentive solution department, told Reuters. Stock incentives are seen positively by the market "as higher stock prices directly boost such incentives," she said.
Mark Zuckerberg's five-word motto "move fast and break things" spawned Meta's multibillion-dollar success and inspired an entire generation of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs. It's also terrible advice, according to Harvard Business School-trained leadership expert and author Anne Morriss. In a TED Talk earlier this year, Morriss decried the idea behind Zuckerberg's phrase, suggesting instead that CEOs and leaders everywhere should "move fast and fix things." That's easier said than done: The motto exists because doing things quickly tends to make people skip double-checking their work, and Zuckerberg wanted to prioritize speed over perfection in his company's early days. But it's doable, Morriss said. She offered a five-step guideline you can use to fix problems in your workplace, with each step assigned to a day of the week to keep you on schedule. "What I don't want you to do is to take months or even years, which tends to be our default timeline for solving hard problems," said Morriss. "Most of our problems deserve a more urgent response."

Monday: Identify your problem

To solve a problem, you usually need to diagnose it first. Do that with a question instead of a statement, Morriss said. If your original diagnosis is something like "My Gen Z employees are entitled," you should rephrase it into a question, she said: "What's going on with my Gen Z employees?" Now, you have a better sense of who to ask about your problem to learn more about it  in this case, perhaps the employees themselves  and eventually fix it. "Talk directly to the other people who have a stake in your problem," said Morriss. "Sounds obvious, but you might be surprised to learn how infrequently people actually do it."

Tuesday: Create a good-enough plan

In one way, Zuckerberg is correct, according to Morriss: A perfect plan is "an elusive, fantastical creature that has never actually been spotted in the wild." Your goal should be to create a "good enough" plan to fix your problem, Morriss said. Try building that plan around how it'll impact people's relationships in the workplace, rather than raw numbers like revenue or profit. "What we are assuming, and what I find to be a wrong assumption, is that speed breaks things," Harvard Business School professor Frances Frei told Morriss on the "Fixable" podcast, which Frei and Morriss co-host, in April. "But a lack of trust breaks things. So, if we have not first earned trust and we go fast, we will break things guaranteed. But if we do earn trust first, we can go fast, and we will not break things." In her TED Talk, Morriss said she uses a simple prompt to help her clients come up with good-enough plans: What could you do tomorrow to build more trust than you did today?

Wednesday: Make new friends

Describe the problem and your good-enough solution to a diverse group of colleagues, so you can hear different perspectives and incorporate any valuable feedback into your plan. "If you have been at the company for a decade, talk to someone who started last week," Morriss said. "If you are a white partner, talk to a Black partner. Whatever problem you are trying to solve this week, you are going to be better at solving it with people who don't already think like you do." You don't necessarily need to incorporate every suggestion you get. Rather, focus on the aggregate: What areas of your plan received the most praise? What areas received the most criticism? This process helps you hone your idea and spot problems you wouldn't have otherwise noticed, said Morriss.

Thursday: Tell a story

The best way to get your colleagues to buy into your plan, Morriss said: Approach the process like you're telling a story with a beginning, middle and end. Acknowledge the past, talk about the present and describe your vision for the future. "As humans, we need stories to make sense of change, to find our place in the script of it," said Morriss. "Stories also help us to activate all the other people around us, whose help we're going to need with that change." She cited her experience working with Frei as consultants for Uber, during its leadership transition from co-founder Travis Kalanick to current CEO Dara Khosrowshahi. At Khosrowshahi's first all-hands meeting, he committed to retaining Uber's edge as "a force of nature" and applauded the work done by his predecessor, even while advocating for change, she said. "Uber had serious problems to solve, as anyone reading the news could figure out. But the people in that room had built something extraordinary, and they had something real to lose in an uncertain future," said Morriss. "Instead of setting himself up as some kind of company savior, the new guy honored that complicated truth."

Friday: Go fast
U.S. President Joe Biden lholds a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023.

President Joe Biden met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the United Nations summit Wednesday and agreed to work toward establishing diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

The meeting marked the first time the two leaders have met since Netanyahu returned to power nine months ago. Israel and Saudi Arabia currently do not have official diplomatic relations. The president's aim entering the meeting was to build a new rapport between the two countries' leaders. Doing so, Biden said, would be a "big deal."

Speaking before the meeting, Netanyahu said he thought so as well.

"I think that under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia," Netanyahu said.

"I think such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians," he continued.

A senior White House official told reporters after the meeting that the two leaders had a "very constructive, very candid" conversation but stressed there is a long way to go on normalization discussions.
China's demand for oil could peak by the end of the decade  and with its economic recovery still in limbo, can global oil markets continue to rely on China?

"For 20 years, the oil market is dependent on China, China, China, supporting the markets. The story is coming to an end," said Facts Global Energy's Chairman Fereidun Fesharaki at a recent energy conference.

He predicted that China's demand for oil will peak in the next three to five years.

"In the global [oil] markets, we have to look at countries like India, or other empires to create the resilience on the demand side," Fesharaki added.

Similarly, Wood Mackenzie expects China's oil demand to peak by 2027, after which an extended fall in demand for crude will follow.

"China's oil demand peaks by 2027 and thereafter [will turn] to a long-term decline as the country actively pursues energy transition  and as the general economic growth slows down in the longer term," Shiqing Xia, oil and chemicals consultant at Wood Mackenzie, told CNBC.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he accepted an invitation from his Chinese counterpart to visit China in October during the Belt and Road Summit.

Speaking after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow, Putin said Russia and China are "integrating our ideas of creating a large Eurasian space," noting that China's Belt and Road Initiative is a part of that.

The Initiative is a huge program in which Beijing has been expanding its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin has pivoted the country toward China, selling it more energy, and increasingly carrying out joint military exercises.

China has adopted a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and even denounced Western sanctions against Moscow. It also accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin's military action and declared last year that it had a "no-limits" friendship with Russia.

On Tuesday, senior Russian security official, Nikolai Patrushev, called for closer policy coordination between Moscow and Beijing to counter what he described as Western efforts to contain them as he hosted Wang Yi for security talks.

The Kremlin has continuously expressed support for Beijing as Russia and China have grown closer as their relations with the West deteriorate.

Wang arrived in Russia on Monday on a four-day visit following his talks with U.S. President Joe Biden's national security adviser in Malta over the weekend.

Putin's plan to visit China was initially announced in July.
The rise of new anti-obesity medications could result in less alcohol consumption, impacting Club name Constellation Brands (STZ). The risk already seems to be playing out in food stocks with exposure to snacks and junk food. However, if necessary, the Mexican beer powerhouse behind Corona, Modelo and Pacifico could take action to mitigate any demand pressures. The weight-loss benefits of diabetes drugs such Novo Nordisk 's (NOVO) Ozempic and Club holding Eli Lilly 's (LLY) Mounjaro may turn out to be a headwind to not only alcohol makers  but also soda, snack food and fast-food companies. Novo Nordisk has already gotten U.S. regulatory approval for the active ingredient in Ozempic, semaglutide, to be prescribed to combat obesity. For weight loss, it's marketed under the name Wegovy. The active ingredient in Mounjaro, tirzepatide, is expected to get anti-obesity approval as soon as later this year. STZ YTD mountain STZ year-to-date performance. We don't think Constellation Brands stock will suffer the same fate as shares of leading snack food companies like J.M. Smucker (SJM), Conagra Brands (CAG) and General Mills (GIS), which have all dropped roughly 20% year to date. They have all slid to 52-week lows this month. The decline has come as additional positive trial data has been released on glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) drugs, which mimic a gut hormone that, when released, can reduce appetite. Ozempic/Wegovy and Mounjaro are GLP-1s. Currently, they are only available as injectables. Initially used to treat type-2 diabetes, the market for GLP-1s has expanded to include weight loss. In June, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk released trial data that showed oral GLP-1s were highly effective in reducing patients' body weight  notable because drugmakers believe pills can help expand the market for obesity drugs even if they're slightly less effective than injectable versions. Separate trial data in August from Novo's obesity treatment, Wegovy, found it reduced the risk of heart attacks or strokes by 20%, a finding that analysts say is likely to bolster insurance reimbursement for obesity drugs, which could in turn further adoption. The potential of Mounjaro/tirzepatide for weight loss and other conditions has propelled Lilly stock to record high after record high into mid-September. Jim Cramer has said he expects Mounjaro to be the biggest-selling drug of all time. Correlation does not always equal causation. However, the timing of the release of trial results could have woken up investor fears that obesity drugs pose some kind of risk to certain consumer brands even if the impact is many years away. Key points The increasing popularity of new diabetes/weight loss drugs could curtail consumer appetite for junk food and alcohol. Constellation Brands (STZ), the Club name behind the Mexican beers Corona and Modelo, should be able to weather any such headwind. Product pushes already underway at Constellation to appeal to a more health-conscious consumer are steps in the right. Unlike the snack stocks, Constellation has been holding up, with shares up more than 13% year to date. The stock has benefitted from the Bud Light boycott. But as those market share gains level off, it could be more at risk from the increased usage of obesity treatments. Wall Street thinks that could be a possibility, too. That potential headwind could prompt Constellation to tailor some of its offerings. Morgan Stanley's view Research shows patients on anti-obesity medications (AOMs) "experience significant behavioral changes ... as they reduce their consumption across most food categories ... as well as sugary drinks and alcohol," Morgan Stanley reported in an August examination of how the new weight-loss drugs might impact the food ecosystem. These lifestyle changes resulting from the increased use of AOMs can be seen as an "incremental headwind" in the food and beverage categories as patients reduce calorie intake, the analysts wrote. Morgan Stanley's proprietary AlphaWise Survey of over 300 patients in the U.S. taking AOMs found that alcohol, soft/sugary drinks, and baked products are categories that are most at risk of being cut back on by consumers. The survey also found 61% to 65% of patients said they are consuming less carbonated, sugary drinks and alcohol after they start taking the drugs. The firm calls out Constellation as one of the U.S.-focused beverage companies that "screen highest in our view for exposure to headwinds from increased consumer usage of AOMs." The analysts, however, are not convinced the impact will be a long-term detriment. They said the impact "should be manageable for beverage companies over time," especially since companies have been shifting their portfolio to health-conscious options anyway Constellation has been growing its product pipeline of lower calorie and lower alcoholic drinks like Modelo Oro light beer, Corona Non-Alcoholic and low-calorie wine brands. Morgan Stanley is also bullish on Constellation's "secular drivers," including premiumization, distribution growth and growing demographics, which should be favorable offsets to any AOM risks. Jefferies' view In a separate study, Jefferies surveyed 800 consumers taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs and found changes in beer consumption was "not relevant" for many across different age groups and may not be a significant driver in changing alcohol consumption habits. For patients consuming alcohol while on the drug, the side effects were "not severe," the analysts noted. While a quarter of respondents said they drank less alcohol, almost the same number of respondents drank the same amount  and more than 10% of respondents drank more alcohol, according to Jefferies. A majority of the people in the survey were taking AOMs for less than six months. So, given the short time frame, the Jefferies analysts said it's still unknown to "what extent use of weight loss drugs could drive changing consumer behavior." Based on these factors, the analysts assume there could be a potential 4% hit to alcohol consumption by 2031. Bottom line We're cognizant that GLP-1s could change people's habits and alcohol is potentially high up on the list of what could be consumed less. But for now, it's too difficult to predict exactly how much habits will change and the degree to which such an impact could have on a company like Constellation Brands. We're talking about an impact that may be many years away. It probably won't be until the end of the decade that we see widespread adoption of these drugs. In the more immediate term, Constellation is set to report fiscal 2024 second-quarter results before the opening bell on Oct. 5. Ahead of the print, JPMorgan on Wednesday increased its price target on STZ shares to $307, up from $276, and it views the company as "well positioned" to deliver strong results on strong beer channel trends, increased retail shelf space, and resilient consumer demand. The analysts are forecasting fiscal Q2 earnings-per-share of $3.35, pretty much in line with the Street's consensus estimate. JPMorgan also sees beer sales increasing 10.5%. That would be slightly below the prior quarter's 11% increase in net sales. Still, analysts point to positive sentiment around the stock given the company's strong underlying fundamentals, improved governance, and activist engagement. The firm maintains its overweight (buy) rating on STZ shares. In the event that Constellation is negatively impacted by lower alcohol consumption in the longer run, the Club portfolio is still protected through our diversification into Eli Lilly, which we view as the winner of increased anti-obesity medication adoption. We have yet to see the full benefits of Lilly's obesity and diabetes drug pipeline, which we believe sets the company up for long-term growth. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long STZ, LLY. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.

Modelo Especial beer arranged in the Brooklyn Borough of New York, U.S., on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. Gabby Jones | Bloomberg | Getty Images
In this article EL Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards Egon Schiele, "I Love Antithesis" (1912) Source: Alamy

Billionaire Ronald Lauder agreed to surrender a work of art looted by Nazis in 1938 from a Jewish cabaret performer who was later killed in a concentration camp. Lauder, the heir to the Estee Lauder cosmetics fortune, joined one other collector and three museums in voluntarily surrendering seven drawings by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele to the heirs of Fritz Grunbaum, according to the Manhattan district attorney's office. The antiquities trafficking unit of the district attorney's office earlier this year seized the Schiele drawings, which have a total estimated value of more than $9.5 million. Lauder, who is president of the World Jewish Congress, had possession of Schiele's 1912 color drawing "I Love Antithesis," which is worth an estimated $2.75 million.

Lauder acquired the drawing "through an art dealer decades after it was misappropriated" by the Nazis, his spokesperson said. An avid art collector, Lauder co-founded the Neue Galerie in New York, which displays a range of art from Austria and Germany between 1890 and 1940  including numerous works by Schiele. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, in a statement, said that Grunbaum "was a man of incredible depth and spirit, and his memory lives on through the artworks that are finally being returned to his relatives."

Ronald Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, is seen at Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau on Jan. 26, 2020, one day before the 75th anniversary of its liberation. Wojtek Radwanski | Afp | Getty Images

"I hope this moment can serve as a reminder that despite the horrific death and destruction caused by the Nazis, it is never too late to recover some of what we lost, honor the victims, and reflect on how their families are still impacted to this day," Bragg said. The seven artworks being returned had been held by two New York museums, the Museum of Modern Art and the Morgan Library & Museum, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Art in California, along with Lauder and the estate of art collector Serge Sabarsky. Grunbaum acquired a collection of 81 Schiele works before he was arrested in Austria in 1938 by the Nazis. They forced him to execute a power of attorney in favor of his wife, Elisabeth Grunbaum, and then compelled her to hand over his entire art collection. Grunbaum was murdered at the Dachau concentration camp in Germany in 1941. Elisabeth Grunbaum was killed at a Nazi death camp in Belarus in 1942. Timothy Reif, a relative of Fritz Grunbaum's, praised Bragg, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other officials for having "succeeded in solving crimes perpetrated over 80 years ago." "Their righteous and courageous collaboration in the pursuit of justice  unique among prosecutors and law enforcement in this entire nation, if not the world  shine a bright light for all to follow," Reif said, according to the D.A.'s press release. Reif is a judge on the United States Court of International Trade, which handles civil actions arising out of international trade laws. Reif was appointed to that court by former President Donald Trump.

Timothy Reif, then U.S. Trade Representative general counsel, speaks about a trade enforcement action during a news conference at the U.S. Trade Representative's office in Washington, D.C., Feb. 10, 2014. Luis M. Alvarez | AP
Republican presidential candidate Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks during a meet and greet, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Charlie Neibergall | AP

Several Republican presidential candidates have gone on the attack against unions in response to the United Auto Workers' strike, despite strong support for organized labor among the American public. The two GOP candidates who have taken the hardest line are from South Carolina, a state with a notorious anti-union reputation. The Palmetto State has become a hub for foreign automakers that have taken advantage of the South's lower labor costs. Sen. Tim Scott on Monday said striking workers should be fired, saying he would emulate President Ronald Reagan who terminated more than 11,000 striking air traffic controllers in 1981. "Ronald Reagan gave us a great example when federal employees decided they were going to strike," Scott told voters during an event in Fort Dodge, Iowa. "He said, 'You strike, you're fired.' Simple concept to me. To the extent that we can use that once again, absolutely."

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley delivers her political soapbox speech at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. August 12, 2023. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

Former Gov. Nikki Haley on Tuesday proclaimed she was a "union buster," pointing to her record of recruiting foreign car manufacturers such as Mercedes Benz and Volvo to the Palmetto State. "I didn't want to bring in companies that were unionized simply because I didn't want to have that change the environment in our state," Haley said during an interview with Fox News. Haley said President Joe Biden had "emboldened" the UAW by proclaiming he is the "most pro-union president in American history." She said the striking autoworkers' demands for a 40% pay raise will drive up prices. "We're all going to suffer from this," Haley said. Scott and Haley are taking a hard line against organized labor despite the fact that two-thirds of Americans approve of unions, according to a Gallup poll published in August. The UAW strike also enjoys solid support with 54% of U.S. adults approving the work stoppage, according to a Morning Consult poll. The autoworkers strike could escalate ahead of the Republican primary debate next week at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Rudolph Giuliani speaks to reporters at the White House in Washington, D.C., July 1, 2020. Kevin Lemarque | Reuters

Former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson in a new book says ex-President Donald Trump's then-lawyer Rudy Giuliani groped her on Jan. 6, 2021, The Guardian reported Wednesday. Hutchinson writes that Giuliani  who is 52 years older than her  put his hand "under my blazer, then my skirt" on that day, according to the report. The alleged incident occurred behind a rally stage near the White House shortly before Trump encouraged a crowd of supporters to march to the U.S. Capitol to protest the confirmation of President Joe Biden's victory over him in the Electoral College. A spokesperson for Giuliani, 79, called Hutchinson's claim a "disgusting lie" and suggested she had invented the allegation about the former New York City mayor to boost sales of her book. Hutchinson's memoir "Enough" is set to be published Tuesday. The Guardian obtained an advance copy of the book. CNBC has not obtained a copy. NBC News, citing a person familiar with the book, confirmed the quotes reported by The Guardian. Hutchinson, 27, stepped into the national spotlight last year when she gave explosive testimony to the House Select Committee that investigated events surrounding the pro-Trump riot at the Capitol that followed Trump's Jan. 6 speech.

Cassidy Hutchinson, who was an aide to former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows during the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, testifies during a public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2022. Evelyn Hockstein | Reuters

Her new book traces her turn from Trump supporter and White House staffer to star witness in a congressional probe that recommended criminally charging the former president. It also reportedly details, for the first time, her claim of sexual misconduct against Giuliani, who is a former top federal prosecutor. "I find Rudy in the back of the tent" with the pro-Trump lawyer John Eastman and others, she writes. "The corners of his mouth split into a Cheshire cat smile. Waving a stack of documents, he moves towards me, like a wolf closing in on its prey." "'We have the evidence. It's all here. We're going to pull this off,'" she says Rudy told her as he "wraps one arm around my body, closing the space that was separating us." "I feel his stack of documents press into the small of my back. I lower my eyes and watch his free hand reach for the hem of my blazer," Hutchinson writes. "'By the way,' he says, fingering the fabric, 'I'm loving this leather jacket on you.' His hand slips under my blazer, then my skirt," she writes. "I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh," she says of Giuliani, whose eyes "look jaundiced" as he "tilts his chin up." She said she looked toward Eastman, who "flashes a leering grin" at her. "I fight against the tension in my muscles and recoil from Rudy's grip," Hutchinson writes. She says that afterward, "Filled with rage, I storm through the tent" in search of Mark Meadows, Trump's chief of staff and her boss at that time.
Lin Wood, an attorney and vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, is a witness for the Atlanta district attorney in her prosecution of Trump and his allies over their efforts to reverse his 2020 election loss in Georgia, a new court filing reveals.

The filing by Fulton County D.A. Fani Willis argues that some of the defense lawyers in the case have conflicts of interest.

"Lin Wood, Coreco Ja'Quan Perason, Vikki Townsend Consiglio, Gloria Kay Godwin, James Kenneth Carroll, and Carolyn Hall Fisher are witnesses for the State in the present case," Willis wrote in the filing.

Wood did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the filing.

Wood told CNBC last month that he had previously testified to a Georgia grand jury investigating Trump "pursuant to a 'material witness' subpoena."

He said his testimony lasted approximately 90 minutes and he answered all of the questions. He also said that he could not discuss the substance of his testimony.

Trump and more than a dozen of his allies were indicted in August by a Georgia grand jury in the election interference case.

Wood was not indicted.

He had worked to challenge the results of the 2020 national election and would often push false conspiracies about the election itself.

In 2021, Wood told CNBC that his South Carolina plantations hosted numerous conspiracy theorists looking to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Wood, who had represented the late Richard Jewell after Jewell was falsely implicated in the 1996 bombing at the Olympics in Atlanta, in July retired from practicing law in order to avoid potential disbarment in Georgia.
Ray Epps, in the red Trump hat, center, gestures to a line of law enforcement officers, as people gather on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021.

Ray Epps, who was targeted by right-wing conspiracy theorists after he protested then-President Donald Trump's 2020 election loss, pleaded guilty Wednesday to a misdemeanor charge related to his actions on the day of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Epps faced one count of knowingly engaging in "disorderly and disruptive conduct" with the "intent to impede and disrupt" the government's efforts on Jan. 6, 2021, to confirm President Joe Biden's electoral victory over Trump.

Epps did not enter the U.S. Capitol that day, but he was on restricted grounds outside the building during the riot, prosecutors noted.

He pleaded guilty during a brief hearing over Zoom before U.S. District Chief Judge James Boasberg in federal court in Washington, D.C.

A prosecutor in that hearing stated that "due to the unusual nature of this case," he wanted to make clear that Epps was never a "confidential source" for any government agency, NBC News reported.

The terms of Epps' plea agreement allow the government to access his social media accounts from around the time of the Capitol riot, NBC reported. He is also required to pay $500 in restitution.

Epps, a former member of the right-wing Oath Keepers group, had traveled to Washington, D.C., to protest the 2020 election results. But he has since become the face of a false conspiracy theory that the FBI provoked the riot that erupted at the Capitol.

Epps fell under suspicion by others on the right after he was seen on video taken Jan. 5, 2021, showing him on the streets encouraging others to "go into the Capitol."
Poland summoned the Ukrainian ambassador in the country Wednesday, as it hit back at President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's comments regarding its restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural imports.

"[Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski] conveyed the Polish side's strong protest against the statements made by President V. Zelenskiy at the U.N. General Assembly yesterday, alleging that some EU countries feigned solidarity while indirectly supporting Russia," the foreign ministry said in a statement, as reported by Reuters.

Ukraine's foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said Ukraine had offered a "constructive path to resolve the grain issue."

Ukraine has heavily criticized Poland, Hungary and Slovakia for last week introducing bans on the domestic import of various Ukrainian agricultural products following the expiration of EU-led limitations on imports covering the three countries, as well as Romania and Bulgaria.

Products may transit the countries but not be sold there.

Land export routes have become crucial for Ukraine following the suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, but farmers argue imports will overwhelm supply and cause a depression in prices if not restricted.

The EU had urged countries not to introduce divergent policies on the matter, as Ukraine agreed to introduce measures to prevent a supply glut, but national leaders argued this was insufficient.

Ukraine has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the issue, thought to target Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.

Polish and Ukrainian officials have in turn suggested they may introduce further retaliatory trade curbs as the dispute has escalated.

Romania on Wednesday announced it would work with Ukraine on a plan to control exports.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres remarks on Russian termination of the Black Sea Initiative to deliver grain and fertilizers to the world market during a Security Council stakeout at the United Nations Headquarters.

"Humanity has opened the gates to hell. Horrendous heat is having horrendous effects."

So said Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations, in his opening remarks to the Climate Ambition Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday.

At the summit, Guterres outlined a program he calls the "Acceleration Agenda" to close the gap between what is currently happening to address climate change and what he believes needs to happen  including an end to fossil fuel subsidies around the globe, which topped $7 trillion in 2022, according to analysis from the International Monetary Fund.

Burning fossil fuels release greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, which is a key driver in climate change.

"We must make up time lost to foot-dragging, arm-twisting and the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuels," Guterres said.

Globally, there has been an unprecedented amount of investment in clean energy sources, and that is encouraging, "but we are decades behind," Guterres said, calling on developed nations to reach net zero emissions as close as possible to 2040, and for emerging economies, 2050.

Specifically, Guterres said OECD nations need to have plans to stop burning coal by 2030 and the rest of the world needs to stop burning coal by 2040.

"If nothing changes, we are heading towards a 2.8 degree temperature rise  towards a dangerous and unstable world," Guterres said, speaking of 2.8 degrees Celsius, or more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

He also called for putting a price on carbon and for businesses and financial institutions to meet the climate pledges they have made.

"The future is not fixed," he said. "It is for leaders like you to write. We can still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees. We can still build a world of clear air, green jobs and affordable clean power for all."
Covid-19 home test kits are pictured in a store window during the Covid-19 pandemic in the Manhattan borough of New York City, Jan. 19, 2022.

The Biden administration on Wednesday said it will resume offering free at-home Covid tests to American households Monday as the virus gains a stronger foothold nationwide.

Americans will soon be able to use COVIDtests.gov to request four free tests, the administration said in a release.

The government had offered free test kits through that website since January 2022, but the site stopped taking orders June 1 of this year to conserve supplies of the tests.

The government is relaunching the program in time for the fall and winter when the virus typically spreads at higher levels. Covid hospitalizations have already increased for eight straight weeks  an uptick primarily driven by newer strains of the virus.

But the Biden administration noted that the at-home tests set to be delivered will detect currently circulating Covid variants. The kits are intended for use through the end of 2023 and will come with instructions for how people can verify if a test's expiration date has been extended, the administration added.

Testing is a critical tool for protection as Covid infections climb again. But lab PCR tests  the traditional method of detecting Covid  have become more expensive and less accessible for some Americans since the U.S. government ended the public health emergency in May.

The end of that declaration also changed how public and private insurers cover at-home tests, potentially leaving some people unable to get those tests for free through their plans. But certain local health clinics and community sites still offer at-home tests to the public at no cost.

Also on Wednesday, the Biden administration said it will provide $600 million to strengthen manufacturing capacity at 12 Covid test manufacturers across the country. The administration expects to secure about 200 million tests from those companies.

"These critical investments will strengthen our nation's production levels of domestic at-home COVID-19 rapid tests and help mitigate the spread of the virus," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said in a statement.
Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks at the podium during the meeting between members of the standing committee of the Political Bureau of the 20th CPC Central Committee and Chinese and foreign journalists at The Great Hall of People on Oct. 23, 2022, in Beijing. Lintao Zhang | Getty Images News | Getty Images

Call it the China conundrum. Why is a nation with ambitions to become the dominant economic power in the world doing so many things to blunt that potential? "It's the question of questions," Orville Schell, director of the Center for U.S.-China Relations at The Asia Society in New York told CNBC, "because it is so illogical. When you have a good thing going, why do you screw it up?" Schell and many eminent China experts debate whether the answer lies in Xi Jinping, leader of China since 2012, or in the very nature of the Chinese Communist Party, which has ruled over China since the Communist Revolution in 1949. The economic moves are easy to list but hard to explain if one is trying to achieve ever more economic growth: the disappearance of prominent entrepreneurs, a new espionage law making it hard to do business, the dramatic shift of capital and loans away from the private sector to state-owned enterprises, just to name a few. Those actions and more are leading to predictable results, MIT Sloan School Professor Yasheng Huang told CNBC, "the economy is slowing down, private investment is slowing down. There's a massive flight of capital." The actions also seem to be a turn in the road for a country that, beginning in 1979, pushed through economic reforms which dramatically increased the role of the private sector, led to massive economic growth and lifted almost 800 million people out of poverty.

Xi vs. the CCP

Most, though not all, China watchers point to Xi himself as the instigator of those recent changes. While policy wonks split hairs over whether the U.S. and its allies are "decoupling" or "derisking" from China, Schell says "the real decoupler is Xi Jinping." Chinese officials at the U.S. embassy declined to comment to CNBC when asked about the criticism of Xi. Ryan Hass, director of the China Center at Brookings, cites Xi's "ideological rigidity and lust for control" which "is at odds with the pragmatism that defined China's period of reform and opening." "China's private sector, previously the growth engine of the Chinese economy, is paying the consequences," he told CNBC. It is Xi who has brought China's pragmatic era of governance "to a crashing halt," said Kevin Rudd, the former prime minister of Australia, in the Foreign Affairs news publication in December 2022. Rudd, who penned a 420-page thesis on Xi's worldview for his PhD at Oxford University, says Xi views the world through "Marxism-Leninism," an ideology many thought dead and that China had left behind.

But it's back, says Rudd, and Xi's Marxist vision means greater control over the private sector, an expanding role for state-owned enterprises and industrial policy, and the quest for "common prosperity" through redistribution  all of which is likely to shrink economic growth, he concludes. Rudd is the current Australian ambassador to the United States. Anne Stevenson-Yang, founder of J Capital Research, is one of the few who think the role of Xi is overstated. Instead, she points to the wider Chinese Communist Party, whose members feared that the rising role of the private sector is reducing their power. "Xi is a reaction to the weakening of the Party through the expansion of the economy, and a determination to recapture the power of the Party," says Stevenson-Yang, who testified in front of the U.S. Congress' China Select Committee earlier this month. Stevenson-Yang is also one of the few who isn't puzzled by what's happening in China, after living there for more than 20 years. The CCP "was always going to decouple. Once the party had acquired enough power, enough resources, enough money, it was always going to decouple," she told CNBC. The reforms that began in 1979, she says, "were always meant to be temporary, in order to bring in more resources." "As the private economy and entrepreneurs become more powerful, the party will rein them in," which is the reason she says high-profile business leaders such as Jack Ma have been sidelined. "In the U.S., money flows to power and power flows to money. In China, money is supposed to flow to power, but not the other way around."

Fall of communism in the USSR

Regardless of whether it is Xi or the CCP driving the bus, almost all China watchers believe the fall of communism in the former Soviet Union in 1989 is a key motivating event that dominates their thinking. Xi said as much when he gave a speech in 2013 in which he dwelled on "the risks of the ideological decay that led to the collapse of Soviet communism." Xi doesn't want to be China's Mikhail Gorbachev, the final leader of the Soviet Union, says Schell. To be sure, some of the most important reforms are still in place. Chinese citizens are still allowed to own property, something only codified into law in 2007. They are allowed to start businesses, whereas back in 1949 during the Communist Revolution business owners were at best exiled, and at worst, killed. China still allows and even actively encourages foreign investment.

What Chinese officials are saying

While Chinese officials decline to comment on the criticisms of Xi, they do push back against the suggestion that China's private sector is being stifled by the government. "The Chinese government attaches great importance to the development of SMEs and the private sector. By the end of this May, there are over 50 million private companies in China, about 92 percent of all registered companies in the country," Liu Pengu, spokesperson at Chinese embassy in the U.S., told CNBC. In addition, he said "in recent months, China's National Development and Reform Commission has set up a bureau especially for private sector development."

watch now

Chinese officials in the U.S. are eager to counter the West's extremely pessimistic view of their economy. In a recent meeting with journalists, Chinese embassy officials listed several positive economic data points including a gross domestic product growth rate in the first half of the year they say was 5.5%. Counselor Yang Fan says consumers and the service sectors are playing an increasingly important role in economic output, something economists have long said was necessary. The counselor told reporters, "about 502 million Chinese went to watch movies this summer." They cite external factors for weakness in the Chinese economy, including U.S. tariffs, trade restrictions, sanctions, and the sluggish post-pandemic global economy. And they also worked to counter the prevailing view that China is turning its back on reforms by providing a long wish list of what Western business leaders and economists say China should be doing. "China actively promotes high-standard opening-up, strives to foster a world-class business environment that is market-oriented, law-based and internationalized, further relaxes market access, ensures national treatment for foreign-funded companies, maintains and promotes fair competition, and will open its door even wider to the world," said Counselor Zhang Xinyu.

The skeptics

But skeptics don't believe it. Liza Tobin of the Special Competitive Studies Project, a think tank founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, is a longtime student of Marxist-Leninist thinking in China, and she says companies doing business there should take heed: "Once China develops indigenous technologies, they will push out foreign companies."

watch now
Kenya is considering abolishing visa requirements for all international visitors. President William Ruto recently said that the African nation is considering abolishing any visa requirement in a few months, according to reports.

Addressing the delegates at the recently concluded Africa Climate Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Ruto said that it is unfair to require visas from anybody coming home, according to a Citizen Digital report.

President Ruto , addressing the delegates, emphasised Kenya's historical significance as the place where humanity originated. He stated that Kenya is home to all, referencing the scientific discovery that the earliest human remains on Earth were found within the borders of the African nation. He went on to say that it is unjust to require visas from individuals visiting their ancestral home, according to the Africa Report.

We should eliminate borders and turn them into bridges to promote trade and investment on our continent, President Ruto declared, signalling his commitment to regional cooperation and open borders.

This move follows recent actions by Kenya to waive visa restrictions for nationals of several countries, including Indonesia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Comoros, and most recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) , which joined the East African Community in 2022.

President Ruto's announcement has drawn mixed reaction from different sections. Sylvain Obedi, a disability rights promoter and gender equality advocate, celebrated the decision, highlighting the newfound ease of travel between Kenya and the DRC. He praised it as a remarkable achievement for both nations, demonstrating their commitment to the well-being of their populations.

I can't believe that from now on the visa stress for Congolese (DRC) to enter Kenya  is removed.Every time I paid $50 for a visa when the DRC was already part of the Community of East African States, it's a really good decision. I go to Kenya  almost every three months. pic.twitter.com/yqRFct3VAd  Global Disablity Rights Advocate_#CRPD#SDGs (@sylvain_obedi) September 3, 2023

However, not all voices have been in support of this policy shift. Boniface Mwangi, a Kenyan photojournalist and politician, expressed concern about the lack of public consultation on the matter. He argued that important policy changes should be thoroughly discussed and explained to the public before implementation. Mwangi also raised the issue of potential budget deficits resulting from the loss of visa fee collections.

Governments that care about the people seek to explain a policy move before implementation. Ruto announced VISA-free without reciprocity without involving us. Ruto is changing our foreign policy like a dirty diaper. The budget deficit from visa fee collections will be paid by us https://t.co/3kuYzLhipB  The Peoples Watchman (@bonifacemwangi) September 4, 2023

Retired Chief Justice Willy Mutunga urged Kenyans to demand greater public participation in such decisions. He questioned how the nation could exercise its direct sovereign power without involving its citizens in discussions of this magnitude.

Kenyans should demand public participation in all these decisions. How do we use our direct sovereign power if not in cases like this?  Dr Willy M Mutunga, Chief Justice, Kenya (2011-16) (@WMutunga) September 4, 2023

Many people who support this move on social media believe it could be the first step towards achieving the Pan-African Dream. Pan-Africanism is all about fostering a sense of unity and cooperation among people of African descent, regardless of whether they live in Africa or elsewhere. It's the idea that people of African heritage share common interests and should come together.

After taking power in September 2022, President Ruto had said the his administration intends to eliminate visa restrictions for all African countries, according to the Africa Report.

Nonetheless, opponents of this decision contend that numerous countries generate substantial revenue from visa applications, and Kenya should not exempt itself from this practice. Moreover, they highlighted that the decision should not be solely based on scientific discoveries; instead, the government should carefully deliberate and engage with the general public before making a decision.
Following Canada's allegations about India's involvement in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, New Delhi officials have alleged that nine separatist organisations are harbouring terrorists in Canada. However, despite multiple requests, Ottawa has not taken action against them.

These organisations include the World Sikh Organization (WSO), Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) which allegedly operate at the behest of Pakistan freely on Canadian soil, officials said.

Indian authorities have repeatedly raised the issue of deporting wanted terrorists and gangsters during diplomatic and security talks, but Canadian authorities have remained non-committal and supportive of these terror elements, according to officials.

Multiple dossiers have been provided to Canada, but India's deportation requests have gone unanswered, they said.

Among the individuals involved in terror activities and conspiring with Pakistan's ISI, there are eight individuals involved in terror activities and as many gangsters who have found a safe haven in Canada.

Deportation requests for these individuals, including Gurwant Singh and Gurpreet Singh, who are involved in terror cases, have been pending with Canadian authorities for years. An Interpol Red Corner Notice is also pending against Gurwant Singh.

The officials mention that even requests for the deportation of dreaded gangsters, such as Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla and Satinderjit Singh Brar alias Goldy Brar, who claimed responsibility for the killing of Sidhu Moose Wala, have been submitted with evidence but received no action from the Canadian government.

Other Canada-based wanted terrorists mentioned include Gurwant Singh Bath of the Dashmesh regiment of Khalistan, Bhagat Singh Brar (son of Pakistan-based terrorist Lakhbeer Singh Rhode), Moninder Singh Bual, and Satinder Pal Singh Gill.

These allegations follow the ruckus linked to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's comments on India's involvement in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh, was born in Punjab and was affiliated with the now-banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF). He managed to escape India in 1997 and later visited Pakistan, where he became allegedly involved with the ISI in organising secret training camps for Sikh extremist groups associated with the Khalistan movement.
Azerbaijan initiated anti-terrorist activities in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Tuesday, with the aim of re-establishing constitutional order and removing what it claims to be the Armenian troops. This action raises concerns about the potential for a new conflict in the region.

According to a BBC report Azerbaijan said that its military measures in Nagorno-Karabakh continued for the second day on Tuesday, September 19, after it launched what it described as anti-terror operations in the area.

Azerbaijan's defence ministry on Wednesday morning said that military equipment belonging to the Armenian armed forces had been neutralised, the report added.

Meanwhile, Karabakhs rights ombudsman in a social media post, on Tuesday, claimed that more than 7,000 people from 16 villages in the Nagorno-Karabakh region had been evacuated after Azerbaijan launched a military operation, Al Jazeera reported.

Karabakh separatist groups claimed that the latest military action by Azerbaijan claimed 27 lives, including two civilians and over 200 were injured, according to reports.

Nagorno-Karabakh, home to around 1,20,000 people, is an area in Azerbaijan predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians.

Armenian PM seeks help from France and Russia

On Tuesday, Armenia n Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan contacted world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He informed them about Azerbaijani forces allegedly attempting to enter Armenian territory. Pashinyan's office stated that he called for an adequate reaction of the international community to address what Armenia sees as aggression against its sovereign land by Azerbaijan.

Yerevan, which had engaged in occasional peace talks with Azerbaijan, including discussions about the future of Karabakh, strongly criticized Baku for what it termed full-scale aggression against the people of Karabakh . It also accused Azerbaijan of shelling towns and villages in the region.

The reason behind the recent conflict

Tensions escalated in the region last time in December 2022 when Azerbaijan blocked the road, called the Lachin Corridor, connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.

The Russian peacekeepers were supposed to guarantee that the Lachin Corridor stayed accessible. However, since December, it has mostly been closed because Azerbaijan claimed that Armenians were using it to smuggle weapons and exploit resources illegally  a claim that Armenia has denied. This led to significant food shortages in Nagorno-Karabakh and accusations from Armenia that Azerbaijan was trying to cause genocide by starvation.

During the blockade, there were reports of Azerbaijani troops increasing their presence, though Baku denied this. After months of disagreement and talks, the International Committee of the Red Cross managed to send around 20 tonnes of flour to Nagorno-Karabakh from Armenia this week, along with medical supplies through a different route from Azerbaijan-controlled territory.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan ordered illegal Armenian military formations to hand over arms and dissolve their illegal regime, according to the BBC report.

Meanwhile, ethnic Armenians in the Karabakh region have appealed for a ceasefire and the start of peace talks.

History of dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia

The dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh goes back to the collapse of the Soviet Union. At that time, Nagorno-Karabakh declared its independence, hoping to join Armenia. This declaration led to a war that resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people. A ceasefire in 1994 left Armenia in control of Nagorno-Karabakh and seven nearby districts.

In 2020, a second war broke out, resulting in thousands of casualties and tens of thousands of people being displaced once again. This time, Azerbaijan, with the help of Turkish and Israeli attack drones, managed to recapture much of the territory and the surrounding areas.

Russias role in the conflict

Keeping the transport routes open, especially the Lachin Corridor, was heavily dependent on the presence of Russian peacekeepers. However, Russia has been preoccupied with its invasion of Ukraine, and the Armenian prime minister recently stated that Russia seemed to be withdrawing from the region without much notice.

Moscow has been a key player in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in the past. Currently, with the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia's ability to exert military influence in the region has been limited. This situation has given Azerbaijan an opportunity to see if Russia can still assert its control over smaller neighbouring countries. Notably, Russian troops did not intervene when tensions escalated in January, according to reports.

Russia is working to maintain its influence in the region, which is crucial due to the presence of oil and gas pipelines. This is especially important as Turkey, which supports Azerbaijan, has become more active in the area.

On Wednesday, September 20, Moscow issued a call for both sides in the conflict to halt the violence and hostilities and return to adhering to the ceasefire agreement of 2020. Russia's foreign ministry emphasised the need to stop the bloodshed and prevent harm to civilians in a statement shared on its Telegram messaging platform.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 19)  Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Tuesday said his agency is recommending the filing of cases against China over the massive coral harvesting in reefs of the West Philippine Sea.

In a press briefing, Remulla noted he will talk to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin the soonest possible time.

With or without a territorial dispute, the destruction of the environment is a sin against humanity kaya its a very good case to file on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines for the sake of humanity itself, he stressed.

Remulla said the matter is a very ripe case for adjudication in international tribunals.

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed the "severe damage" to the marine environment and coral reef in the seabed of Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal  areas frequented by Chinese maritime militia.

Senator Risa Hontiveros also urged the government to sum up all the environmental damage in the WPS, stressing this was just the latest [incident] of abuse done by China to the Philippines along the contested waterway.

Remulla said the government will tap the best legal experts and environmental lawyers in the country.

We will pursue these cases against China because ang pangit na, eh, no. Marami na tayong ebidensya [Its ugly already. We have a lot of evidence, he said.

CNN Philippines' digital producer Syrah Vivien Inocencio contributed to this story.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20) The Commission on Audit (COA) and the Office of the Ombudsman should discuss the proposal to halt the publication of COAs annual audit reports (AARs) and to come up with a recommendation to Congress, a lawmaker told a House hearing on Wednesday.

Abang Lingkod Party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano said any recommendation by the COA and the Ombudsman's office could be discussed by the House of Representatives when the period of amendments on the House Bill 8980, or the proposed General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2024, starts.

Siguro I will just leave it, the discussion with regards to this, its better siguro na the COA and the Ombudsman will talk about it and then recommend to this august body so that during the period of amendments, it can be considered, Paduano said.

He also said that lawmakers should carefully study the COA and Ombudsmans recommendation.

The recommendation of the Office of the Ombudsman to remove the publication of annual audit reports must be carefully evaluated so as not to undermine the principles of transparency, accountability and prudent governance, Paduano added.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires asked the Congress to remove a provision in the GAA requiring the publication of the COAs audit observation memorandum (AOM) during the House appropriations hearing on Sept. 11 on the Office of the Ombudsmans proposed P5-billion budget.

Martires subsequently clarified his statement, saying he was against the immediate publication of AARs since audit findings can still be challenged.

Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante, the office of the Ombudsmans budget sponsor in the plenary, reiterated Martires statement.

According to the Ombudsman, the reports should not be published if there are still further questions to it and if it has not yet been fully established.

He reiterated that the reports should only be published when it is completed.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) would need around 271 million for unfunded mandates which include laws on anti-enforced disappearance and the protection of women and children as the body seeks a 2024 budget that "matches its responsibility."

Negros Oriental Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong, the sponsor of the commission's 976.3-million budget proposal, disclosed this figure during the plenary debates at the House of Representatives on Wednesday

"Along the way, Congress has strengthened CHR by expanding its role and mandate through new laws, but unfortunately, expanding the work of CHR has not resulted in the corresponding increase in the budget of CHR," she said. "Instead, a review of pieces of legislation brought about unfunded mandates."

The CHR, an independent national human rights institution under the Constitution, originally proposed around 1.9 billion for 2024, but the Department of Budget and Management only approved 976.3 million.

It is also smaller than the current outlay of 993 million.

Limkaichong said there are no funds to carry out the International Humanitarian Law of 2009, Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, Anti-Torture Act of 2009, Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and Executive Order 163 series of 2022 which gives access to protection services for refugees, stateless persons, and asylum seekers.

She cited unfinanced legislation for the protection of women and children, particularly the Magna Carta of Women, Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004, Special Protection of Children in Situations of Armed Conflict Act, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006, Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, and prohibition of child marriage law.

The lower budget would cut the capability of the commission to implement the Mental Health Act, Philippine HIV and AIDS Policy Act, and Filipino Sign Language Act, the lawmaker said.

Limkaichong said the reduction in funding would affect CHR's financial assistance program, which saw a decrease to 3.8 million from around 13 million this year, as well as transportation costs for on-ground investigations, funds for training, and rent expenses for regional offices, among others.

"In light of its expansive mandate and challenges it confronts, I implore my esteemed colleagues to consider increasing the budget of CHR for 2024 to its original proposed budget of 1.924 billion," Limkaichong said.

In her interpellation, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas also raised the budget cut would affect programs for the protection, promotion, education, and policy advisory of human rights, adding these are the "lifeblood" of the CHR.

Brosas said she supports the augmentation of the CHR's budget.

Limkaichong also said restoring the budget request will allow the Human Rights Violations Victims' Memorial Commission to construct the Freedom Memorial Museum, which is a "key element" of the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.

The commission, an attached agency of the CHR, was given 40.690 million under the 2024 NEP.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was questioned for only having 3,337 permanent employees out of more than 37,000 workers.

"Totoo bang ang permanent position lang ninyo sa dinamidami ng empleyado ay 3,337? Napakakaunti naman," Sen. Imee Marcos asked Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian during the Senate's hearing on the agency's proposed 209.92-billion budget for 2024 on Wednesday.

[Translation: Is it true that the DSWD only has 3,337 permanent positions? It's very few.]

Gatchalian confirmed that only a small part of the agencys workforce is permanent.

"We have 20 [assistant secretaries] but as mentioned, they have all tendered their courtesy resignations, each and every one of them, because we are rightsizing and streamlining," he added.

Gatchalian also said the DSWD is coordinating with the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) regarding the rightsizing.

But Marcos was still dismayed with the management practice of DSWD.

"This is very, very bad management practice. Na wala pa sa 10% ang permanente, yung halos lahat JO (job order) at contractual. Bakit nagkaganito ito? Hinayaan na lang ng DBM? You have to create new positions, clearly," she said.

[Translation: This is very, very bad management practice. Not even 10% of the number of employees are permanent and most of them are JO and contractual. What happened? Did the DBM just allow this to happen? You have to create new positions, clearly.]

The DBM said it will evaluate DSWD's proposal for reorganization next year.

"Nakalinya for next year, subject to the evaluation of DBM, yung proposals nila for reorganization," said DBM Chief Budget and Management Specialist Pol Vincent Perocho.

[Translation: It's already lined up for next year, subject to the evaluation of DBM, their proposals for reorganization.]
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  A senator on Wednesday proposed to include indigenous people in the pilot run of the government's food stamp program.

Senator Francis Tolentino stressed that some tribes in the country can only eat rice once a week and only have root crops as meals.

"Kasi sa experience ko last week, I visited several tribes in the mountains of Davao del Norte. I was given rice, umaga, nag-breakfast kami. Sabi nila, once a week lang sila nagra-rice," he said during the Senate's hearing on the proposed 209.92-billion budget for the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2024.

[Translation: Based on my experience last week, I visited several tribes in the mountains of Davao del Norte. I was given rice for breakfast. They told me that they only eat rice once a week.]

"Maliliit 'yung mga bata, the town is called Kapalong, isang tribo ng mga Manobo. So the rest of the week ang kinakain nila ay root crops," he added.

[Translation: The kids from the Manobo tribe in the town of Kapalong are small. So for the rest of the week, they only eat root crops.]

The pilot run of the food stamp program, which will run until December, targets 3,000 families from geographically isolated regions or provinces, and calamity-stricken areas. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided US $3 million grant for the pilot test.

Under the food stamp program, each family will be given tap cards containing 3,000 worth of food credits.

Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the agency will consider the senator's proposal as the ADB will provide another US $2 million grant.

"The initial grant was $3 million, but ADB is working out another grant for another $2 million and hopefully we will incorporate your input of looking into high concentration of IP communities," he said.

The food stamp program also includes pregnant and lactating women to address stunting among children. Gatchalian said the DSWD is proposing to incentivize barangay health workers (BHW) in the updating of the database of nursing mothers in each localities.

"That's why part of the program that we want to pitch later on to the economic managers when they start funding the program is to come up with a database that is LGU-driven," he said. "We can do incentives for our BHWs to correct, to update it biannually so we capture the picture of our pregnant and lactating women."
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  Lanao del Sur, Malabang mayor Alinader Balindong on Wednesday denied involvement in the indiscriminate firing incident that took place during the filing of certificate of candidacy on August 31.

He appeared before the Commission on Elections law department Wednesday morning to explain his side.

We came here in the office of the Comelec law department to answer the false accusations of my opponents in Malabang. And nagbigay ako ng statement sa law department para i-deny lahat ng accusation sa akin [I gave the statement to deny all the accusations against me], he told reporters.

The local official also denied claims that the two suspects in the incident worked for him. Balindong said he only knows them because they are residents of the town.

I have nothing to do with that. Bakit ako? Kilala ko. Pero bakit ko ipapahuli kung meron akong kaalaman? Siyempre sasabihin niya ako yung nag-utos sa kanya, Balindong added.

[Translation: I am not involved in that. Why are they linking them to me just because I know them? Why will I order their arrests if I'm involved, then they will say I gave the instructions.]

The mayors lawyer Emil Maranon said the two individuals are "very, very distant relatives" of Balindong, who aided in the surrender of the suspects.

He added they discovered that the one who filed the complaint through email was a "non-existing person" that made "very generic" claims.

In a video shared by the Comelec, two men were seen shooting their firearms outside the municipal hall during the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC).

Maranon said the individuals who were prevented from filing their COC failed to follow the schedule set by local election officials. He explained, the Comelec set a schedule to avoid those involved in "rido" or clan wars from meeting.

Its because of rido and because certain personalities did not follow the rules of the Comelec na magfile kayo within your schedule. Because ang schedule na binigay sa Barangay nila is September 2 and then they filed two days ahead. So that is why nagkasalubong po yung pamilya na na-involve sa rido, he said.

[Translation: Certain personalities did not follow Comelec's rule to file on your assigned schedule. Their barangay was slated for September 2 but they filed two days before so the two families involved in clan wars saw each other.]

They also raised concern on which entity has jurisdiction over the complaint, since the Lanao del Sur prosecutors office and provincial election supervisor are conducting their own investigations.

"I think the Commission on Elections, I think to the best of my knowledge has yet to issue an implementing rules kung saan ba dapat magfile [where it should be filed], Maranon said.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they will find out the details and what spurred the violent incident.

When asked about the issue on jurisdiction, the poll body chief said they have the right to raise any issues. But he said the process is different since this is a show cause order.

Iba pa po kapag formal na nating na-file-an ng kaso whether criminal or administrative base po sa Omnibus Election Code, Garcia explained.

[Translation: It will be different once we file a case, whether it's criminal or administrative.]

The poll body chief earlier said he wants to place the Lanao del Sur town under Comelec control due to the election-related violence.

Maranon backed the call of Garcia, citing the occurrence of rido not only in Malabang, but the whole Bangsamoro region.

I think it should be the right move on the part of the Comelec because again habang papalapitnang papalapit ang election mas iinit nang iinit yan [it will only get worse once we near the election day]. More precautions must be put in place, he said.

Comelec is awaiting the law enforcements recommendation before making a decision.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned police officers that the government will not tolerate any acts that could tarnish the reputation of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

During the oath-taking of the newly promoted star rank officers of the PNP, Marcos highlighted his administration's "zero-tolerance policy for corruption and human rights abuses within the PNP."

"Mark my words: There will be no room for leniency for those who engage in acts that tarnish the reputation of our police and jeopardize the safety of our people," he said Tuesday.

In June, the PNP said more than 2,500 cops were suspended or removed from service since the start of the year for violating its laws and policies.

Marcos said members of the police force are expected to always adhere to the highest standards and principles in ensuring the public is protected from danger.

The president also urged them to be "agents of positive change, the change that we want to establish in our country."

A total of 57 officialscomprised of four Police Lieutenant Generals, 10 Police Major Generals, and 43 Police Brigadier Generalswere promoted during the ceremony.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  Authorities are investigating a member of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) for allegedly stealing $300 from a passenger at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1.

In a statement on Sept. 18, the OTS said the identity of the security officer involved has been established and the gathering of evidence is already ongoing.

"Upon receipt of the information about the recent allegations of theft involving a Security Screening Officer (SSO) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, where a cash amounting to three hundred (300) US dollars went missing, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) took actions to validate the information and launch its fact-finding investigation," the agency said.

The OTS is working with the Manila International Airport Authority and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security on the case. Administrative actions will be undertaken if the allegations are proven true, it added.

The OTS emphasized that the incident does not reflect "the code of conduct for civil servants, much more of the core values" that its members uphold.

OTS administrator Ma.O Aplasca encouraged informants to report illegal activities committed by his personnel.

After the first reported theft at the security screening checkpoint under his leadership, Aplasca said several preventive measures were put in place  including the removal of jackets and pockets of security officers' uniforms.

The involved OTS personnel were also immediately sacked and prosecuted, he added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  Albay Rep. Joey Salceda on Tuesday proposed a formula that would reduce the excise tax on oil products by 3 when the average Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) price exceeds $80.

But Salceda explained the excise tax can still increase if the MOPS, a pricing mechanism used to determine the cost of crude oil and refined petroleum products in Asia, hits below $80.

"If you look at the price of oil globally, it has been volatile," the lawmaker said in an interview with CNN Philippines' The Final Word.

"A highly volatile and socially sensitive commodity should not have such an inflexible tax regime," he added in a separate statement.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez earlier said they could recommend the suspension of excise tax on petroleum products to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other economic managers if prices continue to climb.

But Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned of "serious consequences" on the government's target to regain a healthy fiscal position if lawmakers decide to push for the suspension of value-added tax and excise tax on petroleum products.

Citing the excise tax law, Diokno said there is a provision that if the revenue (value added tax) exceeds the target, it can be used to help fisherfolk, farmers, and transport workers.

The country has an estimated 9.8 billion in excess VAT revenues which can be used for fuel subsidies, he added.

Salceda, who chairs the House Ways and Means Committee, expressed optimism that fuel prices would stabilize from $60 to $80 per barrel next year.

He also refuted claims that the possible revival of the oil price stabilization fund would help the country in the long run.

"It doesn't work You don't know where it goes eventually," Salceda said.

The lawmaker also proposed to reduce the bioethanol requirement of 10% to 5% in gasoline, which will reduce its total price by 3.1 per liter.

The Philippines uses the MOPS as the benchmark for local fuel products.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 20)  Two broadcast journalists, who joined the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in its most recent resupply mission for the BRP Sierra Madre, looked back at how Chinese vessels employed aggressive tactics and dangerous maneuvers to block them from reaching Manila's military outpost in Ayungin Shoal.

At one point, the Philippine and Chinese vessels were only three meters apart, the journalists claimed, giving them a clear look at the "stoic faces" of the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) personnel.

CNN Philippines' senior correspondent David Santos, and ABS-CBN defense reporter Bianca Dava were among the six journalists invited by the PCG to cover the mission on Sept. 8.

Both Santos and Dava reflected on witnessing the harassment of PCG by the CCG in an interview with CNN Philippines' Politics As Usual on Wednesday night.

RELATED: PH concludes new resupply mission to Ayungin after continued harassment by China

Santos said only government vessels and personnel had the means to go to Ayungin Shoal as it was not easily accessible.

"When that opportunity came na may tumawag sa amin [that we got a call] to join this resupply mission, we can't just say no to that," Dava said.

'Uncertainty'

Both Santos and Dava recalled the 12-hour sea trip that would bring them close to their destination.

Santos was onboard the BRP Sindangan, while Dava was with BRP Cabra. Each recalled the mood on their respective vessels, saying it was "chill," but wondered what would happen once morning broke.

"There is that uncertainty," Santos shared.. "Sa dami, ilang years na ring gingawa ito, and almost every month may rotation and resupply (RoRe) mission yung authorities. There's always this question of uncertainty kung ano ang mangyayari every time na may RoRe."

[Translation: There is that uncertainty. They have been doing this for many years and almost every month there is a rotation and resupply mission by authorities. There's always this question of uncertainty of what will happen every time there is a RoRe.]

It was at Sabina Shoal where they met with the resupply boats and it was at dawn on their way to Ayungin that they saw Chinese vessels within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.

"Parang nape-predict na ng China Coast Guard na magsasagawa ng RoRe mission ang gobyerno natin," Santos said. "Because this is a recurring mission, so parang nape-predict nila what time, what day -- kaya pumuwesto na sila diyan."

[Translation: It seems like the China Coast Guard can predict when the government will do a RoRe mission. Because this is a recurring mission, so they can predict what time, what day -- so they positioned themselves there.]

This was when Chinese vessels began blocking the resupply mission. Dava recalled that at one point, only three meters separated the Philippines vessels from the Chinese chips.

However, Santos said despite the tense situation, the PCG personnel were calm.

'Lumaban ka, Pilipinas'

While the incident was unfolding, Santos said he was "admittedly annoyed."

"Admittedly, I was annoyed. I was whispering to myself, 'Pilipinas lumaban ka!'" Santos recalled. "You're being overwhelmed by many emotions -- takot, fear, at the same time, anger. Kasi gusto ko rin intindihin bakit nila ginagawa 'to?"

[Translation :Admittedly, I was annoyed. I was whispering to myself, 'Philippines, you must fight.' You're being overwhelmed by many emotions -- fear, anger. because I want to understand why they're doing this.]

He said he knew what the Philippines was fighting for, but he was not so sure what was in it for China.

Dava, meanwhile, said at one point she felt fear.

"Sa akin, at one point, natakot ako when I saw 5305.," the ABS-CBN journalist revealed. "That was the biggest coast guard ship that time ng Chinese Coast Guard. Kasi sabi ko ang laki niya, anong mangyayari sa amin kung bigla kaming binangga nito?"

"And then later mas nangibabaw yung galit, yung inis din." she continued. "Kasi nakita ko how aggressive they were. Hindi nga kami na-water cannon pero ang aggressive nila, hindi sila natatakot na i-cut yung path namin."

[Translation: At one point I felt fear when I saw 5305. That was the biggest coast guard ship at that time of the Chinese Coast Guard. I thought what's going to happen to us if we get hit? And then later there was anger, annoyance. Because I saw how aggressive they were, they were fearless cutting our path.]

Dava said that while the public receives information from authorities about the West Philippine Sea, it becomes more real when a journalist is able to actually show what is happening.

Santos, meanwhile, said that as a journalist, he kept his emotions in check but it cannot be taken away.

"I am a journalist, but I am also a Filipino," he explained. "I get affected by how things are affecting our kababayans, whether they are ordinary civilians or they are in government trying to do their job also."

Santos added that he wanted to present the story from the perspectives of those at the frontlines.
More than 18 years after Javad Marshall-Fields was killed, his mother, state Sen. Rhonda Fields, said she is still waiting for the fight for justice to end.

Marshall-Fields and his fiancee, Vivian Wolfe, were murdered in Aurora in 2005. The two 22-year-olds were fatally shot days before Marshall-Fields was scheduled to testify as a witness to the 2004 slaying of Gregory Vann. Vann's killer, Sir Mario Owens, and Robert Ray were subsequently convicted in Marshall-Fields' and Wolfe's deaths in 2008.

Now, Owens is once again appealing his conviction. The Colorado Supreme Court heard oral arguments for his requested retrial on Tuesday.

"All these years later, I'm still trying to seek justice on behalf of my son and his fiancee. It's painful," Fields, D-Aurora, said. "I just have to deal with it and let the system play out. But it's not fair for me as a victim. He gets to play these games at the expense of re-traumatizing our family."

This is not the first time Owens has fought his conviction. In 2017, an Arapahoe County judge denied Owens' request for a new trial over unfounded claims of an incompetent legal team and biased juror. Fields testified against that appeal. Two years ago, the state's Court of Appeals also rejected Owens' claims from his previous trial, where he was convicted of Vann's killing.

But Owens new appeal is extraordinary in multiple ways. The state's highest court chose to review Owens' trial directly, without any prior decision from the state's appellate courts and 15 years after the jury rendered its verdict. Tuesday's oral arguments also lasted two hours  double the typical length.

This time around, Owens is arguing that Arapahoe County prosecutors removed two Black jurors back-to-back because of their race, and that gratuitous and inflammatory evidence prejudiced the jury against Owens.

The court will likely release its decision late this year or early next year.

"I'm confident that this will be rejected. This is a desperate plea to reverse the decision," Fields said. "He murdered my son and his fiancee because he was trying to get away with murder, and he's still trying to get away with murder through every legal maneuver he can."

Even outside of the appeals, the murders of Marshall-Fields and Wolfe have been repeatedly dragged back into the public sphere over the years.

Owens and Ray were initially sentenced to death for the murders. But in 2020, the Colorado legislature passed a bill to abolish the death penalty  a move Fields fought against. On the same day that Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill into law to apply to future crimes, he also issued an executive order commuting the men's sentences to life in prison, saving them from death row.

Just one year ago, a man convicted as an accessory in Marshall-Fields' and Wolfe's murders, Percy Carter, was released from jail without notification of the victims' families. Fields was later granted a restraining order against Carter.

"It's absolutely fatiguing, it's draining, it's stressful," Fields said. "This is going to be an ongoing battle. It's a lifetime battle. When you're dealing with grief and loss, it never ends. This is just a part of the enduring journey of criminal justice and the loss of a loved one due to gun violence."

Fields entered politics in response to her son's murder. Since she was elected to the state legislature in 2010, she's passed laws intended to combat gun violence and improve community safety. This year, she sponsored legislation to ban ghost guns, notify victims before parolees are discharged and protect the identities of minors who witness or are victims to crimes.

Now, as a potential retrial looms, Fields is preparing to leave state office. She is term limited in 2024 and launched her campaign to be an Arapahoe County commissioner.

But Fields said it doesn't matter what office she holds, the "constant gnawing pain" of her son's death will stay with her and continue to motivate her actions every day, she said.

"It doesn't matter what platform I have, what title I'm given. Who I am and the kinds of things I'll champion will not change. And that won't change because I love my son," Fields said. "That's what got me into this line of public service and that will continue no matter where I am."

Reporter Michael Karlik contributed to this story.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!

Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Gorge Social

Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Are you a current print subscriber to Columbia Gorge News? If so, you qualify for free access to all content on columbiagorgenews.com. Simply verify with your subscriber id to receive free access. Your subscriber id may be found on your bill or mailing label.
Offer a personal message of sympathy...

By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account.
Four years after it started life as a white paper, the UK governments controversial Online Safety Bill has finally passed through Parliament and is set to become law in the coming weeks.

The bill aims to keep websites and different types of internet-based services free of illegal and harmful material while defending freedom of expression. It applies to search engines; internet services that host user-generated content, such as social media platforms; online forums; some online games; and sites that publish or display pornographic content.

If companies do not comply with the bill's rules, UK regulator Ofcom could fine them up to 18 million (US$22 million) or 10% of their global annual revenue, whichever is biggest.

The government has already been working closely with Ofcom to ensure changes will be implemented as quickly as possible when it becomes law, according to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. Ofcom is set to launch its consultation process once the bill has Royal Assent  the formal process by which the King agrees to make the bill into an Act of Parliament  taking a phased approach to bringing the Online Safety Bills into force.

Our common-sense approach will deliver a better future for British people, by making sure that what is illegal offline is illegal online. It puts protecting children first, enabling us to catch keyboard criminals and crack down on the heinous crimes they seek to commit, said Michelle Donelan, secretary of state for Science, Innovation and Technology, in comments published after the bills passing.

Why is the Online Safety Bill so controversial?

While proposals to keep internet users safe from fraudulent and other potentially harmful content and prevent children, in particular, from accessing damaging material, have been widely welcomed, people across the political spectrum have been less than thrilled about a clause inserted by the government in the summer of 2022. This amendment would have forced tech companies providing end-to-end encrypted messaging to scan for child sex abuse material (CSAM) so it can be reported to authorities.

In response, around 70 UK information security and cryptography researchers signed an open letter strongly opposing the bill, raising concerns over its interaction with security and privacy technologies.

Earlier this month, the government tried to sidestep the issue by adding an amendment to the bill that stated companies will not be required to scan encrypted messages until it is "technically feasible and where technology has been accredited as meeting minimum standards of accuracy in detecting only child sexual abuse and exploitation content.

However, experts that campaigned on the issue have said this amounts to the government kicking the can down the road and doesnt address any of the privacy concerns that stem from legally requiring companies to scan encrypted messages.

In an update posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, Merideth Whittaker, President of Signal, wrote: Signal will never undermine our privacy promises & the encryption they rely on. Our position remains firm: we will continue to do whatever we can to ensure people in the UK can use Signal. But if the choice came down to being forced to build a backdoor, or leaving, we we'd leave.

UK gov't pressures Meta on encryption

This week, the government launched a campaign against Metas plan to encrypt messages sent via all the companys social media platforms, urging the rollout to be paused until a safety plan is put in place to detect child abuse activity within the encrypted messages.

Meta has failed to provide assurances that they will keep their platforms safe from sickening abusers, said Suella Braverman, the UK home secretary. They must develop appropriate safeguards to sit alongside their plans for end-to-end encryption. I have been clear time and time again, I am not willing to compromise on child safety.

Last month, Meta published a blog stating it was on track to make end-to-end encryption the default setting for one-to-one friends and family chats on Messenger by the end of 2023.

The overwhelming majority of Brits already rely on apps that use encryption to keep them safe from hackers, fraudsters and criminals. We dont think people want us reading their private messages so have spent the last five years developing robust safety measures to prevent, detect and combat abuse while maintaining online security, a Meta spokesperson said.

The company added that it would be publishing an updated report, setting out a number of safety measures, such as restricting people over 19 from messaging teens who dont follow them and using technology to identify and take action against malicious behaviour.

As we roll out end-to-end encryption, we expect to continue providing more reports to law enforcement than our peers due to our industry leading work on keeping people safe, the spokesperson said.
By Deepanwita Gita Niyogi*

The worlds largest asset managers are far off track to meet the 2050 net zero commitments, a new study released by InfluenceMap, a London-based think tank working on climate change and sustainability, says.

Released on August 1, the Asset Managers and Climate Change 2023 report by FinanceMap, a work stream of InfluenceMap, finds that the worlds largest asset managers have not improved on their climate performance in the past two years.



Engagement with asset managers

In many cases, the asset managers provided additional resources for the researchers to take into account, and in some cases asset managers were advised on where they could be improving in their climate performance.



When it comes to Asia, equity portfolios in Japan remain among the most misaligned with net zero globally



Juliette Ma, senior analyst of Finance Map, said the research shows that some asset managers have turned back on their climate commitments, with this trend particularly evident among US asset managers.

Although there are various factors attributing to this trend, including geo-political events and conditions, it appears that US-based financial institutions are feeling the pressure from the anti-ESG movement. Notably coinciding with the trend was Vanguards departure from the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative as well as the drop in climate resolution support in 2022, Ma added.

Just transition

When asked about the pressure on China and India to phase out fossil fuels, she said the report specifically assesses the performance of the asset management sector but the just transition appears to be a growing engagement topic among stewardship leaders, and so it may be assessed in the future.

The report says European portfolio sector companies are projected to expand renewables as part of just transition over the next five years while North America and Japan favour gas and coal-fired power investments. But the coal mining sector is less prominent than the other sectors assessed in terms of the total value invested due to the trend of divesting from the sector whereas the most invested one was the oil and gas sector.

She pointed out that the conversation with the asset managers involved discussions about FinanceMaps methodologies, suggestions on additional pieces of evidence that could be added to the analysis, and advice on how asset managers could improve on their performance.

The report says that collectively asset managers hold 2.8 times more equity value in fossil fuel production companies than in green investments in the assessed sample.

It also says that European asset managers top the chart when it comes to engagement with investee companies on climate. When it comes to Asia, equity portfolios in Japan remain among the most misaligned with net zero globally.

---

*Freelance journalist
Kyle Kinane is the kind of philosopher who also says, Hold my beer. A veteran stalwart of the stand-up scene and the definitive comics comic, its easy to see how Kinane has endeared himself to crowds with his no-bullshit demeanor and captivating storytelling.

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

With all of this in mind  and in honor of Kinane headlining our Cracked Live! show tomorrow night in New York City  here are some of the funniest jokes hes plucked from his head and put into ours

13 On Politics

12 On Spider Bites I got bit by a spider on Friday. Im not a fan of comic books, so I cant make that kind of joke, so if anyone here is a fan of Spider-Man comics, Id like to know how long Peter Parker had diarrhea before the cool shit started happening.

11 On Dummy Email Accounts

10 On the Holocaust Museum The majority of people who go to the Holocaust Museum are through field trips. Which I find a tad ironic since somebodys like, We got this Holocaust Museum, how are we gonna get people in there? Well, we can transport them in against their will. Whoa, has our marketing guy been inside yet? You cant just look at the pictures; you have to read the captions. Advertisement Advertisement

9 On Christianity

8 On Perspective Advertisement Advertisement

7 On Cops Kinane on the awkwardness of seeing a little bit of yourself in a cop.

6 On Freedom of Speech Discourse Advertisement Advertisement

5 On the Haymarket Riot On Drunk History, Kinane had a couple of drinks and unfurled his retelling of the striking workers of Chicago getting into a violent brawl with the police in 1886. Meanwhile, Kinane had his own battle against sitting upright.

4 On His  Wealth  I have more money than I have ever had in my entire life right now. Before you get excited, its not a lot of money. I can confidently put a down payment on an 09 Camry right now. Cloth seats. I mean, as far as the payments? Who knows? I dont know, that things gonna get repossessed by December, probably. Advertisement Advertisement

3 On Waterfalls Now, Im not a God-fearing man, but if I was going to believe in something, it would be the moment in which youre staring at a waterfall alone and going, Oh man, whoever created this, thats their tapestry cascading over their own creation, and this is amazing. But theres always going to be a voice that says, Hey Kyle, what if waterfalls are just rivers trying to kill themselves?

2 On Almost Dying in a Ramen Shop On Comedy Centrals This Is Not Happening, Kinane recalls a time when he had a poor sexual experience and then found himself nearly dying afterward while getting some Japanese hot noodle soup. You know, that old classic tale. Advertisement Advertisement
The Online Safety Bill has passed its final UK parliamentary debate and is now ready to become law. Despite widespread criticism and scrutiny from security and privacy leaders, as well as significant amendments, this major milestone means the UK government is within touching distance of delivering its controversial new internet safety rules.

Online Safety Bill aims to protect users, tackle fraud

The Online Safety Bill takes a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children and makes sure social media platforms are held responsible for the content they host, along with ensuring adults are better empowered to take control of their online lives, the UK government said. Under the bill, the biggest social media platforms will have to stop users being exposed to dangerous fraudulent adverts by blocking and removing scams, or face Ofcom's huge new fines. If social media platforms do not comply with these rules, Ofcom could fine them up to GBP18 million or 10% of their global annual revenue, whichever is biggest - meaning fines handed down to the biggest platforms could reach billions of pounds.

The regulator will immediately begin work on tackling illegal content and protecting children's safety, with its consultation process launching in the weeks after Royal Assent. It will then take a phased approach to bringing the Online Safety Bill's into force.

The Online Safety Bill is a game-changing piece of legislation. Today, this government is taking an enormous step forward in our mission to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online, said Michelle Donelan, technology secretary.

Security, privacy experts slam UK Online Safety Bill

In July, almost 70 UK information security and cryptography researchers signed an open letter strongly opposing the UK Online Safety Bill, raising concerns over its interaction with security and privacy technologies. The letter criticized the bills proposal to technologically enable the routine monitoring of personal, business, and civil society online communications to prevent the dissemination of child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) content.

The letter also noted that several international communication providers have indicated that they will refuse to comply with Online Safety Bill orders that compromise the security and privacy of their customers, threatening to leave the UK market. This puts those in the UK in a vulnerable situation, having to adopt compromised and weak solutions for online interactions, it added.
Andrew Keck is a prop fabricator who co-founded the custom prop studio the Fabrication Shop. The strikes shut down his day job as a fabricator for Saturday Night Live and he has been spending time making custom furniture. Photo: Graci Mills

Beth Kushnick is a Hollywood set decorator at the height of her powers; she has spent 39 years directing teams as big as 25 to plump cushions on The Good Wife or darken the satanic corridors of Insidious: The Red Door. But last week, she had just one assistant and a more banal challenge: staging a condo in Dumbo. Still, there were similarities. On a film set, the camera is seeing what I put out. But in staging, she said, I am the camera; Im trying to direct a buyers eye: Dont look out that window, look over here. Focus on the linens, focus on that view, focus on this color Ive been repeating.

Kushnick hasnt been on a Hollywood set since the Writers Guild of America went on strike in May. So when her friend from theater school, the broker Charlie Homet, reached out with a gig, she happened to be free. Homet was delighted. Hed just started his own brokerage and wanted to do things differently. In school he had studied acting; now he applies that training in what he calls the performative aspects of real estate. Hed grown sick of staging companies that replaced unique furniture with the same boring sofas as every other listing (a particular toy giraffe he sees in nurseries irks him). There was a generic quality, he said. Upscale, but beige. Kushnick didnt do beige. At the Dumbo condo, she painted an entryway Aegean teal  covering even the ceiling to achieve a distinctive jewel-box quality. She thought of visitors as moviegoers who might gab after the credits: You want the viewer to have something to say.

When the strikes shut down productions, the veteran set decorator Beth Kushnick started staging apartments, including this Dumbo four-bedroom at 57 Front Street. Photo: James Smolka

Along with decorators, other New Yorkers who design, build, furnish, and paint the fictional worlds of Hollywood have been pushed off sets by the strikes and forced to build for the rest of us  seizing opportunities at a moment when contractors are struggling to find skilled laborers, and real-estate agents are fighting for the attention of a smaller pool of buyers. Scenic painters who once added Disney dirt to make walls look old are now working on actual old walls, prop fabricators who built mechanical dolls are now building folding desks, and the warehouses that once supplied set decorators and prop masters with furniture are, in this lull, selling to the masses.

Theres a lot of crossover and a few awkward differences. When the actors went on strike, shutting down the new Timothee Chalamet movie about Bob Dylan, Carter, a prop assistant, who prefers to go by just his first name, had worked one day. He considered applying for work the normal way  online  but realized he didnt have the resume. How do I convince people I have ten years of experience in building, when my resume is just a bunch of movies? he said. So he got a job by word of mouth: A colleague had learned about a severe housing shortage in Montana that made workers there valuable, and knew a master builder who was looking for hired hands. They could camp out while building a home. I was like, I have a car and the month of August free, Carter said. I could do it. He could drive a forklift, use a nail gun, and build almost anything. But there was a difference in working styles between him and the rest of the crew. I am, visually, a bit of a perfectionist. I want it to look good when I build something, he said, and found himself lining up 2x4s for a frame. These guys were like, Everything youre doing is going to be covered behind plywood tomorrow. There was another difference: Working on a film set had been considered a prestigious job, Carter said  something to talk about at a party or highlight on a resume. Even though the work was similar, construction felt different: Theres not really any respect that comes with that job.

Carter, who spent years in prop departments, spent August building a house in Montana. He drove out from Brooklyn and camped at the site. Photo: Carter

And with less respect comes less pay. As a prop fabricator, Andrew Keck doesnt usually need what he builds to actually work; he has burnished his reputation by making things that dont exist  and maybe shouldnt, like an inflatable toilet for SNL, a soul-sucking device for an indie horror, and a vinyl record that the comedian Ilana Glazer could pretend to bite through. But on a recent Monday at the business he runs, The Fabrication Shop, Keck found himself at work on more practical objects: a seven-foot-long custom oak desk and an oak radiator cover  some of the custom furniture orders he has been taking since the strikes. But it isnt adding up in his bank account: He was being undercut on some bids by contractors willing to skip a coat of lacquer or build with particleboard. Like Carter, he has had a hard time lowering his standards. Just for me, it has to be the highest caliber, he said. So he spends too much money on wood and too much time on paint. Ive gotten in trouble, kind of overcommitting myself, he said. Between coats of white primer, he took a phone call from a client who wants help building a pop-up shop. He told them he could probably do it. Im expecting this fall to actually be busy for me, he said. Which is crazy.

On a Monday in September, Keck was using his skills as a prop fabricator to prime a more banal object he made: a radiator cover. Photo: Adriane Quinlan

Matt Hennessy is not busy. On a typical day, before the strikes, his 64,000-square-foot warehouse of props gets about 22 orders for its cribs and trophies, busts and candelabras, globes and fire screens, desks and brass skulls, filing cabinets and velvet ropes, ice buckets and Persian rugs. But lately, hes been getting about four to five orders a day, which mostly come from what was once the thinnest slice of his business: people organizing events or shoots for fashion spreads and advertisements. We thought COVID was going to be the worst year, right? To have this be the worst year since you started a business in 2006  its a little bit surprising, he said. Bridge Props was doing so well that it expanded, with locations in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Now, Hennessy doesnt want to lay off any employees  whom hell need the second the strike ends. So the warehouse is throwing its very first sale, clearing out inventory that isnt as popular  like a muscular bull and a landline phone that looks like it might have outfitted a desk on Succession or Billions; throw pillows and makeup mirrors that give off a kind of dated, 90s idea of glam; and the blown-glass vases that might have once made a set feel like a beach house but now seem vaguely Pier 1. Were not just for the trades anymore, he said. If your mother in Brooklyn wants to buy, she can.

Bridge Props occupies a 64,000-square-foot warehouse in Brooklyn. On September 23, its throwing its first-ever warehouse sale. About an eighth of the furniture and decor will be available for sale and could soon end up in New York apartments. Photo: Matt Hennessy

Kushnick, the set decorator, is terrified by the idea that Bridge Props and her other regular sources are having a hard time. She relies on a photographic memory of their inventory to be able to solve problems on set, and this month, she even got a call from a customer-service rep at the megaretailer Wayfair, asking her where her business went. I said, I went bye-bye with the strikes. For a company like Wayfair to notice Im missing? Its a lot. In her new gig as a stager, shes been renting less, trying to work with what a client already has. Its a different kind of challenge. On film sets, she makes sure to fill the pantries of fake kitchens and the drawers of prop desks  giving the actors more to work with. When shes staging, shes decluttering. I can say to a homeowner, Youve got to go clean up your kitchen, she said. The character always exists, and Im either tamping it up or tamping it down.

Jonathan Kohrman is a scenic painter who had been commuting from Massachusetts to film sets in New York City before the strikes shut down his work. He spent the summer helping restore a friends house, working on his own, and building a sailboat. Photo: Courtesy of Jonathan Kohrman
 Browser Compatibility

Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.

We recommend switching to one of the following browsers:
Politicians: brush up on your slang, sign up to TikTok and get down with the kids, now!

Because if Labour gets its way, in the coming years our electorate will widen to include 1.5 million 16-and-17-year-olds.

A new report from the party's National Policy Forum contains plans to allow 16-year-olds to vote. This would be the most significant change to the franchise since 1969, when the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.

Of course, the proposal is prefaced with the usual rhetoric. It will, according to the report, make 'young people feel empowered' and allow them to 'engage in our democratic processes'.

Cynical baloney. There is, of course, only one reason why Labour wants to lower the voting age. It has nothing to do with 'empowerment' - and everything to do with winning elections. For those 1.5 million new voters are highly likely to vote Left.

If Labour gets its way, in the coming years our electorate will widen to include 1.5 million 16-and-17-year-olds. Pictured: Sir Keir Starmer speaks during Prime Minister's Questions last Wednesday

As the old saying, variously attributed to Churchill, Clemenceau, and Lloyd George, goes: 'Any man who is not a socialist at age 20 has no heart. Any man who is still a socialist at age 40 has no head.' And it's true - our political allegiances do tend to switch over time - although, alarmingly for the Tories, many millennials do not seem to be moving towards the Right as they progress through their thirties.

Among 18 to 24-year-olds, Labour currently enjoys a 43 per cent poll lead over the Conservatives (57 to 14). Among those over 65, the Tories are polling 19 per cent ahead of Labour (42 to 23).

Given the 1.5 million votes up for grabs, Labour could be looking at decades in government if it pulls this off.

And it certainly wouldn't be its first such calculating move. Tony Blair and Gordon Brown were accused of widening Labour's pool of potential voters in three ways: ramping up immigration, swelling the size of the public sector and increasing the numbers on benefits.

Since immigrants, public-sector workers and benefit recipients are all more likely to vote for a party on the Left, Labour ensured these groups were boosted before they went to the polling booth. Now Sir Keir Starmer seems to be borrowing from this playbook.

READ MORE: Labour will give children aged just 16 the vote if they win the next general election, blueprint for manifesto confirms Advertisement

The allure of Left-wing politics to the young is obvious. Idealistic, they believe that great changes can and should be made to society, that politics should be revolutionary, that economics should be retilted to favour certain groups.

This can be charming. Life has not toughened their hide yet. But it also makes them prey to simplistic solutions and unrealistic promises.

At the 2017 election, Jeremy Corbyn's surprisingly strong performance was driven by the highest turnout of young people since 1992.

One of the most eye-catching promises Corbyn made was to make university tuition fees free. Did anyone voting as part of that 'youthquake' consider whether the 9.5 billion price tag was affordable, or whether it was fair to expect young people who go straight into work to pay for others' higher education? I doubt it.

It's easy to capture the youth vote by making costly promises that would ruin the public finances. 'We'll open our borders to anyone who wishes to come here! We'll double all benefits! Triple our aid budget! Give you grants for your first car, your first home!'

Cue a load of teens marching to the polling booth, unbothered by the small print which reveals that they will be paying for these promises for the rest of their lives.

This is not a diatribe against the 'youth of today' - merely a realistic observation that at a young age we tend to view things more simply. Life is a journey from innocence to experience, ignorance to knowledge.

A new report from the party's National Policy Forum contains plans to allow 16-year-olds to vote (file image)

Of course, there are some 16-year-olds who can give you their expert view on what our debt-to-GDP ratio should be. But many are, understandably, more preoccupied with when they can get their nose pierced or how they can convince their parents to let them go to Glastonbury.

At 16 or 17, you have not accrued the life experiences needed to inform your vote. You haven't juggled household finances, or formed much of an opinion on the workings of the health service - let alone used it much - or learned that there's no such thing as a free lunch because, well, most of your lunches have been free.

At 16, I had stronger opinions about Oasis being superior to Blur than on the state pension or defence expenditure. Nevertheless, I stood as the Labour candidate in my school election, driven by a vague conviction that Tories were mean and old-fashioned while those of us wearing the red rosette were glamorous crusaders for justice and fairness.

Giving votes to 16 and 17-year-olds would always have been a bad idea, but in the age of social media it is a disastrous one. Glued to their smartphones, teenagers are now subject to unprecedented peer pressure and groupthink. The pied pipers of TikTok and Instagram corral impressionable young people daily into doing preposterous, dangerous and even criminal things. Is it that hard to imagine them whipping up their followers to vote the way they tell them to?

In 2015 and 2019, the voting age in Scotland and Wales was lowered to 16 for devolved and local elections - and some argue it has already benefited their Left-wing ruling parties. Yet in the vast majority of countries around the world, the minimum voting age is 18, and for good reason.

Sixteen-year-olds are not allowed to fight on the frontline for their country. They cannot marry, learn to drive, serve on a jury, drink alcohol, take out a mortgage or hold a licence for all manner of things. If you commit a crime at 16 or 17, your punishment will be more lenient than if an adult had committed a similar crime. At 16 or 17 - if you are still in full-time education - your parents can still claim Child Benefit.

Some 16-year-olds pay tax, goes the counter argument. True, but paying tax does not give you an automatic right to vote. Even Sir Keir Starmer has drawn the line at giving tax-paying EU citizens voting rights in general elections. Besides, if paying tax is your passport to the polling booth, will those on benefits for life be denied a vote?

A mountain of research shows teenage brains have yet to reach full maturity. Our brains are still maturing throughout our teens and into our twenties - which is a compelling argument to raise the voting age to 21.

By then, the average voter will have more life experience; more experience of work, paying bills, juggling the responsibilities of adult life.

Still, we can expect Labour to fight hard for this policy, which equates to a free pass for term after term in government.

Thank goodness one Labour MP has had the guts to speak out about this arrant opportunism. Graham Stringer, Member for Blackley and Broughton, believes that 'most youngsters at 16 are not mature enough' to vote.

He says: 'I'm afraid that were the Labour leader to put this forward, it would smack of party political self-interest on the basis that young people are more likely to vote Labour or Liberal Democrat than Conservative.'

Indeed. Lowering the voting age to 16 would fundamentally alter the electorate forever, ushering in the possibility of a one-party state. We can only hope that sense, and not cynicism, prevails.
At first glance, Braun's latest marketing campaign looks like any other advert for male grooming gadgets: a shirtless, tattooed model wields his razor in front of a mirror.

That's until you notice the unfamiliar  and to my mind disturbing  twist: the model is a trans man, sporting livid-red surgical scars left by a double mastectomy.

It is not the first time that the British consumer has been confronted with such a provocative image. In July, for Pride month, the UK's largest coffee chain, Costa, adorned one of its vans with a cartoon image featuring mastectomy scars in the name of 'inclusivity and diversity'.

In the same month, boot maker Dr Martens gave away a pair of custom rainbow-coloured boots featuring a topless cartoon individual with the same post-operative scars.

Both companies were accused of glamorising complex surgery and were branded crass and irresponsible  sparking calls for boycotts by customers.

Yet, as they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity.

Campaigners claim Braun's advert (pictured) breaches the Advertising Standards Authority guidance

And no doubt anxious to capitalise on such outcries, Braun has gone one step further, producing an advert that goes far beyond the reach of a local poster and is likely be seen by millions nationwide.

Irresponsible? Certainly. But I would go further and say it is immoral (itals), not to mention breathtakingly cynical.

Immoral because, as Braun undoubtedly knows, its advert will be seen by millions of teenagers already bombarded by trans ideology in schools. For them, an advert showing scars like these only contributes to the ongoing normalisation, even glamorisation, of invasive surgery as the 'answer' to adolescent angst.

That road, as recent research has shown, can end in disaster. By unhappy coincidence, Braun's advert was released in the same week that new analysis found that a third of transgender children on puberty blockers  the starting point for confused youngsters who believe they are 'trapped' in the wrong body  suffered mental health problems after taking this powerful medication.

You only need to listen to Keira Bell, who herself experienced how dangerous this dogma can be. Placed on puberty blockers at 16 by doctors at the now-discredited Tavistock Clinic, Keira then underwent a double mastectomy, only to realise she bitterly regretted what she'd done.

And what makes Braun's advert so cynical? Well, I do not believe that the well-remunerated executives have any real interest in promoting inclusivity.

In thrall to trans campaigners, they appear to have chosen instead to normalise traumatic surgery from which only a tiny portion of the population is likely to benefit.

To its shame, Braun seems unconcerned about the influence this imagery might have on impressionable young minds.

It may yet find its cynicism comes at a price. Guidance issued by the Advertising Standards Authority on its website warns against 'glamorising' or 'trivialising' the decision to have cosmetic surgery, and I would hope that the regulator is paying close attention to this shocking and bizarre campaign.

NANA AKUA: Braun's latest marketing campaign looks like any other - until you notice the unfamiliar  and to my mind disturbing  twist: the model is a trans man, sporting livid-red surgical scars left by a double mastectomy

The real cost, however, may come at the check-out. When U.S. beer giant Budweiser hired the controversial Tik-Tok influencer and transwoman Dylan Mulvaney as the new face of its Bud Light brand earlier this year, its sales fell 15 per cent, and it was knocked off its perch as the holder of the title of the U.S.'s bestselling beer.

Braun may suffer a similar fate  and I would urge consumers outraged by this advert to take their business elsewhere.

If they do, then Braun may finally wake up to the fact that when the customer is your judge and jury, you virtue-signal at your cost.
Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt has had a private chat with King Charles at Dumfries House about her plans for three new vessels, 'spiritual successors' to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Getting the King on board with the project was deemed a necessity. Mordaunt, following protocol, should be able to get the nod for them to be called Elizabeth II and Prince Philip if she wishes.

Sources report that the King would be happy to have access to a royal yacht of some sort.

It's thought that Her Late Majesty would have carried on travelling overseas for longer had Britannia been available.

And a new ship would certainly make long-distance travel for Camilla far easier given the discomfort air travel causes her.

Getting the King on board with the project was deemed a necessity. Mordaunt (pictured), following protocol, should be able to get the nod for them to be called Elizabeth II and Prince Philip if she wishes

Sources report that the King would be happy to have access to a royal yacht of some sort. It's thought that Her Late Majesty would have carried on travelling overseas for longer had Britannia (pictured here prepping for a visit of King Charles in July) been available

Jeremy Corbyn's gallant rush to the defence of Diane Abbott  he describes the Labour investigation of her alleged racist comments as a 'disgrace'  prompts the question: Was Jeremy the anonymous recipient of Diane's 'finest half hour' of romping with a naked man in a Cotswold field?

She has never named the lucky chap, describing him as a 'long-time friend and very close' ally who shared his motorbike on a romantic trip across East Germany.

Abbott and Corbyn enjoyed such a trip in 1979. Shouldn't Jeremy pen a memoir: My Favourite Hay Field?

Former BBC Newsnight presenter Sir John Tusa leaps to the defence of Melvyn Bragg's criticism of his old employer for paying Match of the Day anchor Gary Lineker 1.3million  27 times more than Bragg.

'I await the day when a BBC editor responds to a demand for higher pay by saying: 'This is all the BBC can pay. We will miss you but I wish you the greatest of good fortune in the broadcasting world outside,' spouts Tusa, adding: 'Most of those who leave the BBC in search of higher fees elsewhere come to regret it.'

Strictly star Angela Scanlon's claim that all her youthful Irish dance routines were solo is not strictly correct.

Angela, pictured, insisting that her Hibernian jiggery hasn't given her an unfair advantage on the BBC show, once danced on TV with Riverdance's Michael Flatley.

'One of my favourite pictures is of me with violently curly hair in ringlets and him in a sequinned jacket with an oiled chest and a tricolour one side and the star-spangled banner on the other.' Best kept to yourself, Angela?

Strictly star Angela Scanlon's claim that all her youthful Irish dance routines were solo is not strictly correct

Seeking election as a Tory MP in England's largest constituency Penrith and The Border, Rory Stewart adapted his Afghanistan trek routine by walking the constituency in the snow.

Upon reaching the hamlet of Haresceugh, a farmer told him: 'Walked from Alston on a day like this? Conservative candidate? Monster Raving Loony more like.'

Under the hammer at Christie's are six blue velvet Coronation chairs expected to fetch 2,000 each. After the Queen's 1953 crowning, chairs were sold for 7.50 and stools for 4.35 to help defray the cost of the Westminster Abbey ceremony.

Peeresses who weren't to be allowed to sit in the Lords for another five years were given a special dispensation to buy a chair or stool they'd actually sat on.
Designer brand Coperni has revealed how Bella Hadid's iconic Paris Fashion Week spray-on dress was really made - as well as her hilarious reaction to finding out that it was fabric and not just paint.

Last year, the model, 26, blew millions of people away when she strutted onto the runway at Coperni's show in only a pair of undies - and stood on the catwalk while someone spray-painted a gown onto her body.

The moment was captured on tape and the footage quickly made its way around the internet, taking over almost every social media platform and leaving many in awe.

Now, the clothing company that curated the show-stopping moment has shared a behind-the-scenes look into how came to be - as they shared an eight-minute documentary to YouTube detailing the hours leading up to the show, entitled The Making Of A Dress, last week.

Designer brand Coperni has revealed how Bella Hadid's Paris Fashion Week spray-on dress was really made - as well as her hilarious reaction to finding out that it was fabric and not just paint

Last year, the model, 26, strutted onto the runway at Coperni's show in only a pair of undies - and stood on the catwalk while someone spray-painted a gown onto her body

Now, the clothing company that curated the show-stopping moment has shared a behind-the-scenes look into how came to be

They shared an eight-minute documentary to YouTube detailing the hours leading up to the show, entitled The Making Of A Dress, this week

It turns out, Bella had no idea that the material being sprayed onto her body would actually form a real dress - and she was left completely stunned when she found out.

During the doc, Bella could be seen chatting with designers Arnaud Vaillant and Sebastien Meyer, and Coperni's head of design Charlotte Raymond Silberstein at the rehearsal for the catwalk show.

It turns out, Bella had no idea that the material being sprayed onto her body would actually form a real dress - and she was left completely stunned when she found out

As they detailed what was going to go down, Bella seemed slightly confused.

The 26-year-old asked Charlotte what was going to happen after they finished spraying her, and when Charlotte explained that she was going to cut a slit in the new dress, Bella stopped her.

'Wait, you guys. What do you mean? I thought it's paint,' Bella replied.

'It becomes fabric. When it dries, it becomes a dress. It becomes a real f***ing dress, it's crazy,' one of the designers enthusiastically told her.

As the fashion icon realized that it would actually turn into a garment, she was totally shocked and covered her mouth in amazement.

'Oh my God. OK, slay,' she gushed. 'I thought it was paint. OK, this is insane.'

During the doc, Bella could be seen chatting with designers Arnaud Vaillant and Sebastien Meyer, and Coperni's head of design Charlotte Raymond Silberstein at the rehearsal

When Charlotte told her that she was going to cut the new dress, Bella stopped her and said, 'Wait, you guys. What do you mean? I thought it's paint'

'It becomes fabric. When it dries, it becomes a dress. It becomes a real f***ing dress, it's crazy,' one of the designers enthusiastically told her

Someone from the Coperni team then showed her a clip of how the spray fabric worked, and Bella couldn't contain her excitement.

'Holy s**t, it's a real dress,' she exclaimed. 'Is it papier-mache or something?'

'No, it's like real fabric, it's cotton,' the designer replied.

The dress was created using something known as Fabrican, which is described as a 'unique spray-on fabric technology developed by Dr. Manel Torres.'

'Fabrican's patented spray-on fabric technology starts as a liquid suspension which is sprayed by a spray gun or an aerosol can,' a description on its website reads.

'The fabric is formed by the cross-linking of fibers which adhere to each other and to the surface sprayed to create an instant non-woven fabric.

'Fabrican uses different types of fibers, from natural to synthetic, including keratin fibers such as wool and mohair, cotton, nylon, cellulose, and carbon nanofibers.

'Fabrican is the product of interdisciplinary research, linking the subjects of engineering, material science and design.'

'Oh my God. OK, slay,' she gushed. 'I thought it was paint. OK, this is insane'

Someone from the Coperni team then showed her a clip of how the spray fabric worked, and Bella couldn't contain her excitement. She exclaimed: 'Holy s**t, it's a real dress'

The dress was created using something known as Fabrican, which is described as a 'unique Spray-on fabric technology developed by Dr. Manel Torres'

It was first invented in 2003 by Dr. Torres in an attempt to 'speed up the slow and laborious process of constructing garments for the fashion industry.'

'He imagined a material that would magically fit the body like a second skin yet have the appearance of clothing,' Fabrican's website continued.

'With years of research and experimentation culminating in the realization of a sprayable fabric from an aerosol can, Fabrican was born.'

While speaking to AE World last year, Dr. Torres explained that he had always been determined to change the 'future of fashion.'

The doctor grew up in Barcelona, Spain, but headed to London, England, to pursue his master's in Womenswear Design followed by his PhD in research at The Royal College of Art.

When asked how it works, he revealed that his company 'takes materials and dissolves them into a liquid form through various processes.'

'This liquid is then sprayed from an aerosol can directly onto the skin or another surface. As the formula reacts with air, the fibers bind together to form a solid material,' he explained.

'We have a number of different formulas, each one producing a different type of fabric, suitable for many different uses.'

'The fabric is formed by the cross-linking of fibers which adhere to each other and to the surface sprayed to create an instant non-woven fabric,' reads its website

While speaking to AE World last year, Dr. Torres said he and Bella had a 'great chemistry' and that she was 'very interested' in the science behind the fabric

He gushed: 'She is a great ambassador for this technology and you can see she embraced and enjoyed the process'

As for what the fabric feels like, he explained, 'Honestly, it's magical. When the fabric touches the skin it reacts with the oils in our body to ensure it's not sticky.

'By the time it reaches the skin it is semi-dry and it can be taken on and off much like a regular T-Shirt.

'Depending on the formula the fabric can be very soft, or we have harder fabrics that are much more durable, we have fabrics that feel like rubber, ones that feel like suede  there are limitless options.'

He added that you can 're-dissolve the fabric' if you didn't like the outcome and wanted to do it again.

'From the beginning, this was something that I wanted to focus on, to reduce waste in the fashion industry,' he added.

Dr. Torres said he and Bella had a 'great chemistry' and that she was 'very interested' in the science behind the fabric.

'She embraced the idea and didnt say no to anything. She thought it was really exciting and that created great chemistry between us,' he gushed.

'She is a great ambassador for this technology and you can see she embraced and enjoyed the process.'
A mother has revealed she feels 'torn' over whether or not to let her 13-year-old daughter wear fake eyelashes to school.

The anonymous woman, from the UK, took to parenting forum Mumsnet to ask for advice on if she should allow her teenager to wear extensions - revealing the school allows them to be worn, and 'all her friends do it'.

But fellow parents were left baffled about why the school let teenagers wear the cosmetic enhancement, and berating modern beauty standards.

Rationalising why she allowed her teenage daughter to wear the beauty product to school, the woman described them as, 'not super heavy spidery ones.'

She explained that she did not want to stand in her daughter's way in the pursuit of finding her own style.

A mother has been left torn on whether to allow her 13-year-old daughter to wear false eyelashes to school, admitting it is an 'unnecessary' item for a youngster who will pass most of their time in class learning (stock image)

However, the parent did not want to come down to harshly on the child, concerned she would stand in her daughter's way as she navigates her own style

The mother added that she did not want her daughter to be the odd one out as all he friends wore the beauty accessory and that she didn't want to turn into the domineering parents she grew up with.

She remembered how her parents did not understand why the thick layers of orange-hued makeup were a necessity in her younger years.

However, the woman acknowledged that false eyelashes were not at a requirement for teenagers who spent the majority of their time sitting in classrooms 'learning about geography, history and maths'.

She continued: 'My heart breaks that modern beauty standards make her feel the need to conform and wear this level of adornment.'

Many Mumsnet users were baffled that the school would even allow young students to wear false eyelashes to school, with one writing: 'They're hideous. I'd be unimpressed with school that lets her wear them.'

Another quipped in shock: 'The school allows it?! Do they really though?'

While one added: 'Shocked that school allow it. Totally unnecessary.'

However, not everyone on the parenting site was convinced that the institution were allowing students to don the product, with one commenting: 'Definitely not.

'Our school has banned them because apart from how unnecessary they are they cause a huge problem with distractions.'

Most people were left stunned that the school would even allow the cosmetic product to be used, others branded it as inappropriate for the child to wear in a learning environment

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

One commenter even went as far as to say it was obvious the mother shouldn't allow the teenage to wear the falsies to school, stating it is 'not a nightclub.'

A person said: 'At age 13. Not a chance. I am sure they all look ridiculous.'

However not everyone was vehemently against the idea, with some advising the parent to choose her battles wisely.

One person wrote: 'I would definitely let her wear them if they are allowed and the norm in her friend group.

'Pick your battles, you have the whole of the teen years ahead.'

While, an individual added: 'I wouldnt like it, but if school allow it, its probably not worth the battle.'

Another continued: 'Yes let her wear them. If you say no she'll just put them on at school, I imagine.'
A driver in Toronto has sparked fierce debate after filming a car illegally cutting them off on the highway - in a move that is surely one of the most despised among all drivers.

The video shows the Honda speeding along the outside lane then slipping in front of a long line of vehicles that are crawling towards the exit close to Spadina Avenue - despite there being double lines.

Captioning the video - posted on September 18 - the person wrote simply: 'MC's would never wait in a line of cars all patiently waiting to exit off a freeway.'

MCs are 'main characters' - a trope used to describe someone who thinks the story is all about them.

Users online didn't hesitate to express their frustration over the brazen move, with one saying they make it their 'life's goal to not let them in.'

Neither of the drivers who had been cut off spoke up or honked their horns, and the cars in front of the Honda seemed oblivious to what happened.

Users on Reddit have blasted the driver who made the illegal move

The exit is close to Spadina Avenue (north), which is a popular route taken by people to get to downtown Toronto

Spadina Avenue is a popular street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and runs south from Bloor Street to the Gardiner Expressway.

It's a popular exit because it is close to Rogers Centre - the stadium that is home to the MLB's Toronto Blue Jays.

Poll Would you have let the car in? No Yes Unsure Would you have let the car in? No 404 votes

Yes 92 votes

Unsure 34 votes Now share your opinion





The Reddit video poster said: 'Watched about a dozen main characters all cutting over double solid lines to cut ahead of everyone else waiting to exit.

'Clearly they are vastly more important than everyone else and we should always let them in,' they continued.

Other users went further, describing the other driver as a 'moron' and suggesting that spikes in the road would soon stop offenders.

One said: 'This exit is notorious for main character behavior in Toronto. Why wait? There is no enforcement for these morons.'

Another user responded: 'Yeah this exit is one of the worst in the city for this type of s***. Those double lines should be spike strips.'

People on social media have done everything from blame the highway, to blaming Toronto drivers. Others have compared it to other highways in New York and Texas

The exit off the expressway is notorious for bad drivers - primarily when it's busy during rush hours or weekends

One person ranted: 'People need to learn how driving works. If youre at this point, you f***** up and you waited too long.

'You dont force everyone else on the highway to have to stop for you to get over. Get off on the next exit and turn around,' they went on.

Users also blamed the exit itself, and some compared it to highways in Dallas and New York.

One even said: 'Nowadays, Toronto drivers are worse than Quebec drivers.'
Linda Evangelista has candidly revealed how she was pressured into taking nude photographs at just 16 years old.

The Canadian, now 58, made the shocking disclosure during Apple TV+ documentary The Super Models.

She said she 'freaked out' after being asked to take her clothes off for a modeling contract in Japan.

Elsewhere in the program, Evangelista also claimed that ex-husband Gerald Marie abused her during their five-year marriage.

Canadian supermodel Linda Evangelista , now 58, has revealed how she was pressured into taking nude photos at age 16 in new Apple TV+ documentary The Super Models

She said she 'freaked out' after being asked to take her clothes off for a modeling contract aged just 16 (pictured in 1985, at age 20)

In the upcoming series, Evangelista disclosed: 'It's ironic that my parents let me go to Japan when I was 16 on a modeling contract.

'They wouldn't let me go on the school ski trip but they would let me go to Japan.'

She continued: 'When I got to Japan, the first thing they asked me about was nude photographs and they wanted to take all my measurements, take the clothes off.

'They made a composite and it had my measurements on it and I didn't want to take my clothes off.

'I kind of freaked out. I never should have went there by myself.'

The beauty, who was enrolled at age 12 in a local modeling school, concluded: 'I went home. I sort of gave up.'

Meanwhile, the model claimed that her ex-husband, now 73, had abused her during their five-year marriage.

She was married to Marie between 1987 and 1993 - during which time he was the European chief of Elite Model Management.

Discussing their relationship, Evangelista said: 'I learned that maybe I was in the wrong relationship.

'It's easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship. I understand that concept, because I lived it. If it was just a matter of saying, "I want a divorce, see ya"... it doesn't work that way.

Elsewhere in the program, Evangelista also claimed that ex-husband Gerald Marie abused her during their five-year marriage (pictured in 1991)

'He knew not to touch my face, not to touch the money-maker, you know?'

She continued: 'I married him when I was 22 and I got out when I was 27 and he let me out as long as he got everything. But I was safe and I got my freedom.'

In 2020, Marie was accused of rape and sexual misconduct by seven women, with Evangelista admitting she believed their claims while praising their 'courage and strength'.

She went on to reveal that they had given her the 'courage' to speak out but that their allegations had 'broke my heart.'

Evangelista stated in the documentary: 'Thanks to the power of all these women coming forward, God bless all of them, it gave me the courage now to speak...

'I would love that justice be served. I would love for aholes like that to think twice and be afraid and I would love women to know that they're not alone.'

In a statement to Apple TV+, Marie denied the claims of abuse and said he 'has never committed the slightest act of violence.'

MailOnline has previously contacted Marie's representatives for further comment.

The Apple TV+ docuseries sees the runway queen open up about her illustrious career alongside fellow supermodels - Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington - as the legendary stars reflect on how they came to dominate the fashion industry.

Evangelista (seen left in 1995 and right in 2022) broke down in tears while discussing the rare reaction she suffered after undergoing CoolSculpting, which left her 'disfigured'

The catwalk sensation (sen in a promo shot for her new docuseries) has since undergone two liposuction surgeries in an attempt to fix the problem

However, the four-episode project also covers many of the struggles faced by the ladies - including Evangelista's battle with depression after she suffered from a rare reaction to the procedure known as CoolSculpting, which was designed to decrease her fat cells, but instead, made them become enlarged.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the project's directors Roger Ross Williams and Larissa Bill revealed how the mother-of-one could be seen 'processing her emotions in real time, on camera' as she reflected on her ordeal.

Roger opened up about filming Linda's moving confessional as he stated: 'It was such an emotional interview... She was saying she deserved it and I was like, "No, you don't deserve this." But it was what she felt. She was just so honest about it.'

Separate interviews were conducted with each model which gave them the chance to reflect on their lives and the iconic careers they've enjoyed, and Evangelista's candid confessional became so emotional that the entire crew was left in sobbing.

Roger, who won the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film in 2009, explained: 'Larissa and I were in tears, and so was everyone in the crew. It was like an emotional interview from beginning to end, we were crying all the time. I'm surprised we even got anything.

'She was letting so much out that she had never talked about before. You see her feeling guilty and processing in real time on camera, and that was an incredible interview.'

Evangelista spent six years 'in hiding' after her rare reaction, and previously told Vogue she was 'so depressed' that she 'hated' herself after being left 'permanently deformed' and 'brutally disfigured.'
Sarah Ferguson has called the late Queen 'a second mother' in touching tribute to her own mum Sue on the 25th anniversary of her death.

The Duchess of York, 63, revealed she is 'grateful for the love and understanding' her former mother-in-law showed her throughout the years.

Sarah, who was married to the Queen's 'favourite son' Prince Andrew for 10 years, shared a sweet photo of the late monarch with her mother last night, saying the two women gave her 'so much strength and courage'.

Paying tribute to her beloved mother Susan Barrantes, who passed away in September 1998, she also admitted there isn't a day goes by where she doesn't think about her.

The emotional Instagram post read: 'My beloved mother Susie died 25 years ago today, taken far too young.

Sarah Ferguson calls the late Queen (left) 'a second mother' in touching tribute to her own mum Susan Barrantes (right) on the 25th anniversary of her death (pictured at Windsor horse trials in 1994)

'There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about her, her indomitable spirit and her joy for life.

'Today is also the first anniversary of Her Late Majesty the Queen's funeral.

'As I have often said before, the Queen was like a second mother to me and I will always be grateful for the love and understanding she showed me throughout her life.

'Today I celebrate the legacy of the two women who gave me so much strength and courage.

'I am so thankful for their guidance and the examples they set, which I try always to live up to.'

In one of the photographs, Susan and the Queen beam at each other during the Windsor horse trials in 1994.

Susan died in 1998 following a car crash in Argentina, just one year after the death of Princess Diana.

The Duchess of York's mother earned the nickname 'the bolter' and caused a stir in British social circles when she eloped with Argentinian polo player Hector Barrantes in 1975, a year after her divorce from Fergie's father Sir Ronald Ferguson.

Sir Ronald died in 2003 following a heart attack in Basingstoke, Hampshire.

Sarah, who goes by Fergie, often talks about her closeness to the Queen.

Earlier this month she paid a sweet tribute to the late Queen on the first anniversary of her death.

She called the royal as a 'wonderful friend, mentor and a second mother' in a touching Instagram post.

Paying tribute to her beloved mother Susan Barrantes, (pictured) who passed away in September 1998, she also admitted there isn't a day goes by where she doesnt think about her

Sarah, who was married to the Queen's 'favourite son' Prince Andrew for 10 years, shared a sweet photo of the late monarch with her mother, saying the two women gave her 'so much strength and courage'

Sarah shared a sweet photo of the late monarch in her youth.

'You were a wonderful friend, a mentor, a second mother to me and grandmother to my daughters who share so much of your courage and heart.

'You will always be loved and missed by our family and our nation,' she wrote.

While last year following her death, she praised the Queen as a 'fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness.'

On a personal note, she thanked the Queen for being 'the most incredible mother-in-law and friend', adding: 'I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce.'

Sarah continues to live at the Royal Lodge in Windsor with her estranged husband Prince Andrew.

Sarah Ferguson previously paid a sweet tribute to the late Queen on the first anniversary of her death

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

Following news of the Queen's death, Fergie wrote: 'I am heartbroken by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.

'She leaves behind an extraordinary legacy: the most fantastic example of duty and service and steadfastness, and a constant steadying presence as our head of state for more than 70 years.

'She has given her whole life selflessly to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth.

'To me, she was the most incredible mother-in-law and friend. I will always be grateful to her for the generosity she showed me in remaining close to me even after my divorce. I will miss her more than words can express.'

Sarah previously described her former mother-in-law as a 'wonderful friend, mentor and a second mother' in a touching Instagram post (pictured together in 1990)

Sarah , who goes by Fergie, often talks about her closeness to the Queen (pictured together in the 1990s)

The Duchess of York who divorced the Duke of York in 1996, has sparked a raft of royal scandals over the years, but said the monarch was her 'greatest mentor' and had always believed in her.

Speaking on the Tea with Twiggy podcast as she promoted her Mills & Boon romance novel Her Heart For A Compass, the duchess paid tribute to the Queen for being 'modern, flexible and forgiving.'

Sarah compared their relationship to the one she had with her own mother saying: 'I think to myself that honestly my mother-in-law has been more of a mother to me than my mother.'

She continued: 'My greatest mentor and... person who believes in me is the Queen - and has never faltered.

'I absolutely admire the incredible way Her Majesty is so modern... and how flexible, and how understanding, and how forgiving and how generous.'
A couple quit the 'rat race' to live off-grid and travel full time in their boat - to 'take control' of their lives.

Amy Cross, 28, from Nottingham, and her partner, Wes Arthur, 30, were sick of their 40-hour working weeks in Sheffield.

Set on choosing their own hours and avoiding overtime, they decided to overhaul their lifestyle - ditching their rented 675-a-month three-bedroom home and changing their jobs to have 'less responsibility and stress'.

The couple say they 'weren't passionate' about getting a mortgage so instead spent 48,000 on a 50ft narrowboat - named Gregory's Girl - in June 2021.

The pair now work remotely from their boat and sail around the UK - having travelled through Wales, the Midlands, and down the entire length of the River Thames.

Amy Cross, 28, from Nottingham, and her partner, Wes Arthur, 30, quit the 'rat race' to live off-grid and travel full time in their boat - to 'take control' of their lives

Since moving onto the water, Amy and Wes say they feel 'free' - having sailed the length of the UK alongside their Labrador cross, Rufus, and rabbit, Rupert.

Amy, a content creator, said: 'We were working full time and renting our house.

'We were looking for what was next. We did start looking down the mortgage route, but we weren't passionate about it.

'We weren't excited about the prospect of getting a mortgage and a house.'

Wes, from Lincoln, added: 'We have always been interested in travelling.

'Our favourite holidays have been city breaks - where we can do a lot of travelling - and we were toying with the idea of getting a van and travelling around Europe.'

Amy and Wes stumbled across narrowboats and rented one out for the winter of 2020 to see if it was something they could do full-time.

After spending a few months on a rented boat, the couple took out a personal bank loan for their boat.

The couple admitted were sick of their 40-hour working weeks in Sheffield so they decided to make a change

The couple have a small but modern kitchen inside their narrowboat which appears to have all the home comforts

They say they 'weren't passionate' about getting a mortgage so instead spent 48,000 on a 50ft narrowboat - named Gregory's Girl - in June 2021

The pair now work remotely from their boat and sail around the UK - having travelled through Wales, the Midlands, and down the entire length of the River Thames

They wanted a larger boat with outside space - as they knew they wanted the dog with them and wanted to be comfortable

Amy said: 'She was the third boat we viewed, and we have been on her ever since - we absolutely love her.

'We had certain things we definitely knew we wanted.

'We wanted a cruiser stern - a larger boat with outside space - as we knew we wanted the dog out with us and wanted to be comfortable.

'We also wanted a reverse layout - a lot of narrowboats have you enter through the bedroom, but we didn't want that and wanted to walk through to the kitchen.

'We also wanted one that was pretty good to go as it is.

'A lot of people buy a narrowboat and spend years doing it up, but we're not very savvy when it comes to DIY.'

Amy and Wes say moving onto the boat made them re-evaluate their lives.

Amy quit her full-time job in admin to focus on content creation, and Wes resigned from a role as a lead gaming designer and now works as a designer.

Wes said: 'A lot of it comes down to feeling like we are in control of what we want to do.

Wes said going off-grid has made the couple resilient in a way that they wouldn't be if they stayed in the 'rat race'

'Not having to have a large sum going out other than our bank loan is easier to manage our own way.

'One of the main things for me was that a few months into living on the boat, Amy quit her job.

'I was in a high-ranking job, but after a while, I stepped down and moved to a different company where I could have less responsibility and stress.

'It has allowed me to focus on my mental health and adventure rather than constantly trying to grind money.'

Amy said that her family was really supportive of the move but were upset they would see the couple less due to them having to move the boat around.

She said: 'On the most part, they were all really happy - there were definitely some questions about how things would work.

Amy quit her full-time job in admin to focus on content creation, and Wes resigned from a role as a lead gaming designer and now works as a designer

Amy and Wes move the boat once a week, and their adventures have taken them through Wales, the Midlands, and down the entire length of the River Thames

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

'There was some scepticism, but overall, they were really excited and supportive.

'We are moving about all the time - we're unable to see our family.'

Amy and Wes move the boat once a week, and their adventures have taken them through Wales, the Midlands, and down the entire length of the River Thames.

Wes said: 'We bought the boat near Chester.

'We have done the whole of north Wales, headed east and went near Nottingham, and then since we have come south through Leicester.

'We have done the whole Thames - going under Tower Bridge was a special moment.'

Wes said going off-grid has made the couple resilient in a way that they wouldn't be if they stayed in the 'rat race'.

Wes said: 'I am surprised with how much it has built out characters.

'It has made us very resilient, being forced to tackle random problems head-on and being forced to improvise.

'It really does prove to yourself that you can handle more than you think.

'It is a massive confidence booster too - we have figured out how to make it work, and that is very rewarding.

'It is validating that we have broken away from the rat race, we are doing our own thing and what we like.'
A young mother has revealed how she almost died from sepsis when she developed the deadly condition after scratching herself on a bowling ball.

Nakita Harden, 33, from Norfolk, claims her brush with death began during an innocuous game of bowling with her boyfriend when she said she scratched her thumb on the inside of a bowling ball.

The mother-of-two said she initially brushed off the scratch as a minor cut but became concerned when she noticed a pain in her thumb later that evening.

Nakita showed it to her boyfriend Jordan who said he thought he recognised the beginnings of a tell-tale sign of the condition - a tracking line on her arm.

Nakita, a sales manager said: 'I didn't think anything of it at first. You get scratches all the time.'

Nakita Harden, 33, from Norfolk, has revealed how she almost died from sepsis when she developed the deadly condition after scratching herself on a bowling ball

'I said to my boyfriend Jordan, 'My thumb doesn't feel very good,' and he looked at it before asking to see my arm.

'He saw little red bits on my arm. It wasn't obviously a tracking line at that point. We were just a little bit concerned, but I didn't feel poorly. I was just tired and wanted to go to sleep.

'He said, 'Well, if it gets worse, you're gonna have to go to the hospital because it could be sepsis and I was like, 'What?!'

'Jordan explained that he'd read an article online about the fact that there's a tracking line thing that can happen if it's blood poisoning.'

Unfortunately for Nakita, her condition did worsen, and when she woke up in the early hours of the morning, she was extremely thirsty and so weak that she barely made it downstairs for a drink.

Nakita added: 'I woke up really, really thirsty at some point in the night. I tried to go downstairs, and I could barely get there. But I needed a drink, so I got there, had a drink, and then clawed my way back upstairs.

'I barely made it back. I told Jordan that I didn't feel right, and he took another look at my arm. He said we needed to go to the hospital right away as there was now a line.'

As it was the weekend, the emergency room was full of people, and Nakita expected to wait a long time to be seen, but medics also recognised the tell-tale sign of the deadly condition.

Nakita showed it to her boyfriend Jordan who said he thought he recognised the beginnings of a tell-tale sign of the condition - a tracking line on her arm

While Nakita worried that she would no longer have a knuckle after the operation, mercifully, the part of her hand that was removed with the infection did grow back, and she made a full recovery

She said: 'A&E was full of people who'd injured themselves on nights out, and I thought I might die between now and getting seen, but they called me through quite quickly.

'I went through to the doctor and explained the situation.

'He looked at my arm and said, 'We need to get you on some antibiotics intravenously, and you'll have surgery. We're going to have to take the infection out of your thumb, and hopefully, we won't have to amputate.'

'I really wasn't well at all. The team said, 'We're going to get you into a bay with a bed because we don't want you to move.' They gave me my first dose of antibiotics in the bay.'

She added: 'I was awake while they did it. I tried to watch them. I felt them digging around in the bone and felt a bit queasy. I thought I was going to faint.

The mother-of-two said she initially brushed off the scratch as a minor cut but became concerned when she noticed a pain in her thumb later that evening

In the Hospital she was told she needed surgery to take the infection out of her thumb

Nakita's brush with death began during an innocuous game of bowling when she scratched her thumb on the inside of a ball

Nakita claims her brush with death began during an innocuous game of bowling with her boyfriend when she said she scratched her thumb on the inside of a bowling ball

Nakita said she is hoping that by sharing her story, she will raise awareness of the tell-tale tracking line symptom of sepsis which saved her life

SIX MAJOR SIGNS OF SEPSIS Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection. These chemicals damage the body's own tissues and organs and can lead to shock, organ failure and death. Organ failure and death are more likely if sepsis is not recognized early and treated immediately. Sepsis infects an estimated 55,000 Australians each year, killing between 5,000 and 9,000 making it more than four times deadlier than the road toll. The symptoms can look like gastro or flu and can become deadly, rapidly. The six major signs of something potentially deadly can be identified by the acronym 'SEPSIS': Slurred speech or confusion, lethargy, disorientation

Extreme shivering or muscle pain, fever or low temperature

Pressing a rash doesn't make it fade

Severe breathlessness, rapid breathing

Inability to pass urine for several hours

Skin that's mottled or discoloured Children may also show convulsions or fits, and a rash that doesn't fade when you press it - and more than 40 per cent of cases occur in children under five. Anyone who develops these symptoms should seek medical help urgently  and ask doctors: 'Could this be sepsis?' Sepsis is a leading cause of avoidable death killing about 10,000 Australians each year The early symptoms of sepsis can be easily confused with more mild conditions, making it difficult to diagnose. A high temperature (fever), chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing are also indicators. A patient can rapidly deteriorate if sepsis is missed early on, so quick diagnosis and treatment is vital  yet this rarely happens. In the early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a chest infection, flu or upset stomach. It is most common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, children younger than one, people with chronic conditions or those who have weakened immune systems. Advertisement

'They got as much of the infection out as they could, but they couldn't stitch it up because of where it was on my knuckle. They just had to let it heal outwards.

'I've got two kids. They were what was going through my head. I was like, 'What if I don't see them again? They'd been at their dad's the day I'd gone bowling with my boyfriend.'

While Nakita worried that she would no longer have a knuckle after the operation, mercifully, the part of her hand that was removed with the infection did grow back, and she made a full recovery.

She said: 'I had to go back to the hand clinic for re-dressings and things. I had to keep it super sterile and then it healed.

'I did feel quite poorly for a while.'

The cut that allegedly led to Nakita's ordeal last winter was, according to her, no larger than a paper cut, and she said she is hoping that by sharing her story, she will raise awareness of the tell-tale tracking line symptom of sepsis which saved her life.

Heathline reports that the red line is caused by the infection spreading from the site of infection into a person's bloodstream.

She stressed: 'It is so serious, but it's so easily preventable if you know what to look for.

'If you think you could have sepsis, don't hesitate about going to the hospital.

'Before, I never put anything on small cuts, but if I cut myself now, even if it's just a tiny. nick, I will always put Germolene or something on it just in case.'

According to the NHS, other tell-tale signs of sepsis in adults include confusion, difficulty breathing, a rash that doesn't go away when pressed, and pale or discoloured skin, lips, or tongue.

The bowling alley, where Nikita claims to have sustained her cut, have been contacted for a right of reply but they have chosen not to comment.
Queen Camilla appeared to experience a 'Marilyn moment' as she touched down in France today when a gust of wind took her by surprise.





The royal, 76, climbed down the plane in a dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare with a Charlotte Elizabeth crossbody beige handbag, which was paired with a show-stopping hat from milliner Philip Treacy.





But the headpiece, which was the star of her outfit, almost blew off her head when the strong winds struck, forcing the Queen to hold the hat on. Meanwhile, the skirt of her dress fanned out as the wind took hold.





Professional as ever, Camilla rectified the mishap within seconds as she descended the steps of the aircraft at Paris airport to join her husband, King Charles, on his first state visit to France since he ascended the throne.





It is not the first time Camilla has grappled with the elements to ensure her hat remains perfectly placed on her head - as an outing in Leicester saw her battle with the same issue.





Queen Camilla appeared to experience a 'Marilyn moment' as she touched down in France today when a gust of wind took her by surprise

The royal, 76, climbed down the plane in a dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare with a Charlotte Elizabeth crossbody beige handbag, which was paired with a show-stopping hat from milliner Philip Treacy

During the trip to a market in the East Midlands town in February 2022, the British wintry weather almost got the better of Camilla, who was then Duchess of Cornwall - before she again regained control of her outfit.

Amid icy winds and chilly temperatures, the Queen was pictured holding her black rimmed hat on her head as she braved the elements.

Today, the royal couple were also greeted at the foot of the aircraft stairs received by foreign secretary James Cleverly, the UKs ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Treheux-Duchene.

After being officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, the royal couple were whisked off to the Arc de Triumph where they were greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe in the capital's centre later today.

As part of the ceremony, Charles was invited by the president to symbolically light the monument's eternal flame which burns in memory of those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

Charles and Camilla arrived in Paris this afternoon amid a major security operation - six months after they were forced to postpone their trip because of violent protests in the country.

Taking to social media to welcome the monarch shortly before his arrival, President Macron shared a video montage of achieve footage of the King's previous 34 trips to the country as Prince of Wales.

The poignant videos span over decades, some showing a very young Charles while others show him speaking in French, at one point admitting 'I don't practice the French language enough'.

But the headpiece, which was the star of her outfit, almost blew off her head when the strong winds struck, forcing the Queen to hold the hat on. Meanwhile, the skirt of her dress fanned out as the wind took hold

Professional as ever, Camilla rectified the mishap within seconds as she descended the steps of the aircraft at Paris airport to join her husband, King Charles, on his first state visit to France since he ascended the throne

Today, the royal couple were also greeted at the foot of the aircraft stairs received by foreign secretary James Cleverly, the UKs ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Treheux-Duchene

The President proudly shared the montage, captioning it: 'You visited as a Prince, you return as a King. Your Majesty, welcome.'

Charles, 76, and Camilla, 74, will divide their time between Paris and Bordeaux packing in 21 high-profile engagements in just three days.

It is Charless 35th official visit to France, and Camillas ninth official visit.

The couple last visited France in 2019, attending a service in Bayeux Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh undertook a State Visit to France in 2014.

An officer and 20 guardsmen of the Republic Guard, which is part of the French National Gendarmerie, lined up to greet the King and Queen on a rolled out red carpet.

After being officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, the royal couple were whisked off to the Arc de Triumph where they were greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe in the capital's centre later today

Charles and Camilla arrived in Paris this afternoon amid a major security operation - six months after they were forced to postpone their trip because of violent protests in the country. Pictured with Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron

The couple last visited France in 2019, attending a service in Bayeux Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh undertook a State Visit to France in 2014

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

Sharing footage of the King being welcomed onto his jet in London this morning, Charles and Camilla said in a joint Tweet: 'We are so looking forward to joining you in Paris and Bordeaux, as we embark on our first State Visit as King and Queen to France, a country for which we both have the greatest love and admiration.

'We will celebrate the special bond between our two countries and all that your wonderful country has to offer. A bientot France!'

As part of the Anglo-French charm offensive, President Macron will host a state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles while the King will become the first British royal to address the French senate, speaking in both English and French.
Read More: President Macron rolls out the red carpet to greet King Charles

King Charles donned a Legion of Honour rosette pin, which is France's highest honor, as he arrived in Paris for a three-day state visit.

The King, 76, who was joined by his wife Queen Camilla,74, was greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe.

Charles looked smart in a navy pinstripe suit which he paired with a white shirt and a little red pin on his suit lapel.

According to royal fan account Gert's Royals, the Rosette is for the Legion of Honour which was given to him in 1984.

Several world leaders, who have made substantial contributions to their respective fields, have received the Legion of Honour in the past.

King Charles donned a Legion of Honour rosette pin, which is France 's highest honor, as he arrived in Paris for a three-day state visit

The Rosette is for the Legion of Honour which was given to him in 1984. Several world leaders, who have made substantial contributions to their respective fields, have received the Legion of Honour in the past

President Macron also has this order - however as neither men were in uniform or formally dressed, no Sash or badge was worn. Instead they wore the rosette of the Order.

A few notable recipients include King Charles, Nelson Mandela, Angela Merkel, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, and Queen Elizabeth II.

While in France Charles and Camilla will divide their time between Paris and Bordeaux packing in 21 high-profile engagements in just three days.

The trip marks Charless 35th official visit to France and Camilla's ninth.

The couple last visited France in 2019, attending a service in Bayeux Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. Queen Elizabeth II, and the Duke of Edinburgh undertook a State Visit to France in 2014.

As he boarded the plane in Farnborough, Hampshire this morning, the King said he was looking forward to 'celebrating all that' French President Emmanuel Macron's country 'has to offer'.

Sharing footage of the King being welcomed onto his jet in London this morning, Charles and Camilla said in a joint Tweet: 'We are so looking forward to joining you in Paris and Bordeaux, as we embark on our first State Visit as King and Queen to France, a country for which we both have the greatest love and admiration.

'We will celebrate the special bond between our two countries and all that your wonderful country has to offer. A bientot France!'

Charles looked smart in a navy pinstripe suit which he paired with a white shirt and a little red pin on his suit lapel

The King, 76, who was joined by his wife Queen Camilla,74, was greeted by the President Macron , 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe

King Charles and President Macron stand in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremonial welcome at the Arc de Triomphe

King Charles and the French President beamed during a ceremonial welcome at the Arc de Triomphe

Queen Camilla, who wore a dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare paired with a Charlotte Elizabeth crossbody beige handbag, was forced to clutch onto her pink beret-shaped hat by milliner Philip Treacy due to the blustery conditions at Orly Airport.

At the foot of the aircraft, the royal couple were greeted by French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne as well as foreign secretary James Cleverly, the UKs ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Treheux-Duchene.

As part of the Anglo-French charm offensive, President Macron will host a state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles while the King will become the first British royal to address the French senate, speaking in both English and French.

The King was forced to cancel his state visit to France after widespread rioting began across the country opposing Macron's retirement age reforms.

President Macron also has this order however as neither are in uniform or formally dressed, no Sash or badge is worn, instead they wear the rosette of the Order

While in France Charles and Camilla will divide their time between Paris and Bordeaux packing in 21 high-profile engagements in just three days

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

It was set to be the King and Queen's first state visit following the death of Queen Elizabeth but Germany - the second leg of the journey - became the historic first destination for the couple.

In the days leading up to the planned visit, protesters daubed 'Death to the King' in threatening red paint across buildings, warning the violence would worsen if the monarch arrived.

The British Government was asked by the French leader to postpone the trip at the time after French unions called for the nationwide pension protests to coincide with the King's visit.

As well as chaotic scenes in Paris, Bordeaux's town hall was set alight by protesters just a few days before the monarch's planned arrival.
A Canadian has revealed how he was left impressed after tasting a British roast dinner for the very first time.

Matt Giffen took to the streets of London with his British girlfriend to try the delicacy, and he was left more than impressed.

The couple are believed to have tried the 90 per person carvery style roast dinner at The Ned and loaded their plates with the works, including roast beef, roasted potatoes, and Yorkshire puddings.

After trying each element on his plate, Matt was amazed with the taste. He said: 'I can see why you have this every Sunday now.'

Users from all over the world have taken to the comment section on the video to marvel over the traditional roast dinner, and one branded it 'a work of art'.

Canadian Matt Giffen (right) went to London with his British girlfriend (left) to try his first roast dinner

In the video, Matt told his viewers that he had never tried the delicacy before, but his British girlfriend was about to 'show him the way'.

He joked: 'I haven't eaten in two days in preparation for tonight.'

The couple immediately approached the carvery where they were met with the delicious food.

Matt marvelled over the Yorkshire puddings: 'Oh my god, Yorkshire pudding, I've waited my entire life for this moment.'

The Canadian continued through the carvery where he added both roast beef and roast chicken to his plate.

Matt returned to his table with a plate full of food, which he considered: 'The greatest thing I've ever seen in my life.'

He showed viewers the contents of his plate before explaining that he had never had a roast potato before.

Upon trying his first bite of the dinner, Matt said: 'I feel like I could cry right now.'

Matt was so impressed ater trying the roast dinner that he concluded: 'I'm moving here, I'm moving to London'

He added: 'I feel like I'm in a movie eating this.'

'I understand why you have this every Sunday now.'

After trying the roast dinner Matt concluded: 'I'm moving here, I'm moving to London.'

The clip has since amassed 700 thousand views, with people sharing their thoughts on roast dinners.

One said: 'That is a work of art.'

A second person added: 'This is such a culturally significant moment.'

Another wrote: 'Im Canadian but my mum is English so yeah, Sunday roast and Yorkshire pudding are amazing!!'

A fourth said: 'Just take him to Toby.'

Viewers took to the comment section to share their thoughts on the roast dinner, and one branded it a 'work of art'

It comes after a British-themed pub in Hollywood is proudly boasting its 'traditional' roast dinners on Instagram - but its concoctions are leaving actual Brits scratching their heads.

The Cat & Fiddle, established in 1982, is California's port of call for many a homesick Briton hankering for a Sunday roast.

But the eatery's recent posts on Instagram have left UK viewers puzzled - leaving them to wonder... is this what Americans think a 'traditional British roast dinner' looks like?

The Cat & Fiddle's three options for Sunday roasts include a vegetarian nut wellington, chicken breast and angus ribeye.

The nut wellington appears as a pastry topped by two slices of orange cheese, while the chicken breast is marinaded in herbs and the angus ribeye is presented as a large slab of a steak.

All three meals come with two large roast potatoes, a very well-puffed Yorkshire pudding, a pot of gravy and a vegetable salad.

But the meals are crying out for Britons' much-loved servings of mashed potato, cauliflower cheese, pigs in blankets and seasonal veg brimming to the edge of the plate.
King Charles and President Macron showed an 'unexpected closeness' and seemed close 'beyond regular small talk' as they met in France today, a body language expert has revealed.

Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, touched down in Paris today for the start of a three-day visit to France where they were greeted by Emmanuel and Brigette Macron.

Mr Macron and King Charles quickly embraced one another in a friendly meeting.

'There was an unexpectedly potent air on bonhomie from these two men as they met, despite the fact they might actually have very little in common,' body language expert Judi James told FEMAIL.

'Their greeting rituals involved some close, head-to-head eye contact, chuckling and authentic smiles and Charles in particular spent much longer chatting intimately to Macron, suggesting their greeting conversations went far beyond the stages of the usual royal small-talk,' she added.

King Charles and President Macron showed an 'unexpected closeness' and seemed close 'beyond regular small talk' as they met in France today, a body language expert has revealed

Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, touched down in Paris today for the start of a three-day visit to France where they were greeted by Emmanuel and Brigette Macron

The couple arrived shortly before 2pm on a private chartered flight from Farnborough, travelling on what is dubbed the 'baby Voyager' airbus plane to Paris Orly airport, where they were officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, on behalf of President Macron and the French government.

They were also received by foreign secretary James Cleverly, the UK's ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Treheux-Duchene.

Camilla was a pop of colour in an elegant dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare, and a pink beret-shaped hat by milliner Philip Treacy, which she held on to tightly due to blustery conditions as they walked along a red carpet, brushed to perfection earlier.

The royals were then whisked off in the State Bentley to the Arc de Triumph where they were greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe. President Macron was seen chuckling with the Queen as she repeatedly tried to keep her hat in place.

'Charles almost seemed to be defining Macron as a bit of a confidant and the touch rituals exchanged, especially Macrons rather hearty planting on one hand on the Kings back, showed a lack of any status or protocol inhibitions,' Judi added.

'We can see Charles still talking intently as the pair walk along together and this was not the kind of polite mumbling he will often do on royal visits.

'He appeared pleased and slightly relieved to have Macron to talk to.'

'Macron is always a master of the art of the double-signal with his own body language though'.

The couple arrived shortly before 2pm on a private chartered flight from Farnborough, travelling on what is dubbed the 'baby Voyager' airbus plane to Paris Orly airport, where they were officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, on behalf of President Macron and the French government

The royals were then whisked off in the State Bentley to the Arc de Triumph where they were greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the Arc de Triomphe. President Macron was seen chuckling with the Queen as she repeatedly tried to keep her hat in place

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

Judi added that Macron looked different to when he had met with politicians.

'His poses with Keir Starmer for instance might have appeared cordial, with the two men shaking hands and Keir adding an arm pat to signal close friendship, but Macrons other hand was stuffed firmly in his pocket as he shook, signalling a lack of commitment or even taking the meeting too seriously.

'With Charles we can see him walk first into a room in the palace and Macron holds out an arm in a steering gesture to show him his chair.

'Charles appears slightly confused though and it takes two more gestures, including one from a member of staff, to get the message across and while Charless back is turned to him, Macron seems to look at the press or the people in the room with an eyebrow-flash that looks like a rather knowing, tie-sign glance'.

President Macron and his wife, Mme Macron, greeted their guests warmly, having posted a glowing video tribute to the British monarch - showing Charles in France over the decades - on their social media outlets earlier. It read: 'You visited as a Prince, you return as a King. Your Majesty, welcome.'

Judi added that Macron looked different to when he had met with politicians

The King will now have a meeting with the President before attending the black tie event at the Palace of Versailles, where he and Queen Camilla will be joined by Sir Mick Jagger

As the King and President laid the wreath as a both nations' air forces conducted a magnificent fly past, soaring over the famous Parisian landmark. As part of the ceremony, Charles was invited by the president to symbolically light the monument's eternal flame which burns in memory of those who died in the First and Second World Wars.

The King will now have a meeting with the President before attending the black tie event at the Palace of Versailles, where he and Queen Camilla will be joined by Sir Mick Jagger.

The President gave a small bow to the King and Queen, while Bridgette Macron - more business-like than Camilla in a navy jacket and short blue skirt with heels - gave Camilla a friendly kiss on each cheek.

The President gave a small bow to the King and Queen, while Bridgette Macron - more business-like than Camilla in a navy jacket and short blue skirt with heels - gave Camilla a friendly kiss on each cheek

A military band played the national anthems of Britain and France before His Majesty was escorted by the President to inspect the soldiers, consisting of the Regimental Band of the Garde Republicaine, the French Colour Part and the Tri-Service Guard of Honour. Meanwhile, the Queen chatted enthusiastically with Madame Macron.

After the Guard Inspection, The King and President Macron made their way to the Plateau, the centre piece of the Arc de Triomphe, where they stopped at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Both men bowed in silence in front of the eternal flame under the war memorial, before together laying a wreath in tribute to those who perished in the First and Second World Wars.

Nestled in the floral arrangement of white and red roses, the King placed a handwritten card with: 'Iin everlasting remembrance', written in English and French.

After the lighting, the bugle call 'Aux Morts', the French equivalent of 'The Last Post', meaning 'to the dead', was sounded and followed by a minute's silence.

The British national anthem was followed by the French national anthem, La Marseillaise, as a stunning flypast of the Patrouille de France and the Red Arrows roared above the Champs-Elysees.

The Arc was the location for the Ceremonial Arrival of Queen Elizabeth II for Her Majesty's final State Visit to France in 2014.
Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips has been seen without her wedding ring as she stepped out for a relaxed, carefree meeting with a pal - just two days after filing for divorce from the convicted rapist.

The 43-year-old appeared as though she hadn't a care in the world as she met a friend in Santa Ynez, California, earlier today, despite spending the last few weeks supporting her husband in court as he was sentenced to three decades behind bars.

Former socialite Bijou kept it casual for the outing but looked to be in good spirits as she chatted over coffee for more than an hour.

Bijou filed for divorce on Monday after Masterson, 47, was sentenced to 30 years in jail for rape.

Danny Masterson's wife Bijou Phillips put on a carefree display as she met a friend in Santa Ynez, California, earlier today

She looked to be in good spirits from the moment she stepped out of her car as she chatted enthusiastically on the phone

It is the first time she has been seen without her wedding ring two days after filing for divorce from the convicted rapist

Bijou, who is the daughter of The Mamas & The Papas frontman John Phillips, was all smiles as she was seen without her wedding ring for the first time.

She looked to be in good spirits from the moment she stepped out of her car as she chatted enthusiastically on the phone.

The mom-of-one kept it casual for the occasion in a black tank top, blue jeans and a pair of driving loafers.

She flicked her lengthy locks backwards as she nonchalantly slung her handbag over her shoulder before heading to meet a pal.

And Bijou put on an equally animated display over coffee with her female friend.

The pair sat chatting for over an hour before bidding each other goodbye with a warm hug and a series of cheek kisses.

The former socialite - whose Manhattan antics with the Hilton sisters made tabloid gold - was seen just yesterday with her wedding band still on as she visited a realtor's office near her marital home in Los Olivos.

Both outings come just days after she filed for divorce from Masterson in a California court following his conviction.

Bijou filed for divorce in a California court on Monday after 47-year-old Masterson was sentenced to 30 years in jail for rape

Bijou, who is the daughter of The Mamas & The Papas frontman John Phillips, was seen without her wedding ring for the first time

She kept it casual for the outing but looked to be in good spirits as she chatted over coffee for more than an hour

The pair sat chatting before bidding each other goodbye with a warm hug and a series of cheek kisses

The mom-of-one kept it casual for the occasion in a black tank top, blue jeans and a pair of driving loafers

The former socialite - whose Manhattan antics with the Hilton sisters made tabloid gold - was very animated with her hands

She flicked her lengthy locks backwards as she nonchalantly slung her handbag over her shoulder

Bijou, who shares nine-year-old daughter Fianna with Masterson, is demanding she is given spousal support from the actor and that he pays for her legal fees, according to the filing.

The actress, who was married to Masterson for nearly 12 years, also requested to 'terminate the court's ability to grant support' to the actor, according to documents seen by People.

Under California law, the court retains jurisdiction over the issue of spousal support, meaning that at any time in the future Masterson could ask for spouse support. But Bijou's request to terminate the court's jurisdiction would mean the convicted rapist could never seek support if it is granted.

Bijou, a Scientologist along with Masterson, also requested that she be granted full legal and physical custody of their daughter Fianna given that Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life. But the actress said she will allow their daughter to visit him in jail.

She also asked that the court divide up the couple's assets, indicating that they never signed a prenuptial agreement.

The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas, and they got engaged in 2009 before saying 'I do' at a castle in Ireland in 2011.

It comes after Masterson was put behind bars last week three months after he was found guilty of attacking two women in 2003. Bijou had stayed by his side during the trial.

Bijou, a Scientologist along with Masterson, has requested that she be granted full legal and physical custody of their daughter Fianna given that Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life

The actress, who was married to Masterson for nearly 12 years, put on a carefree display for the outing on Wednesday

The star once again flicked her brunette locks over her shoulder to sweep them away from her face during the discussion

The pals, who bid each other an affectionate goodbye at the end of their meet up, both opted for low-key ensembles

It was clear that the mom-of one was no longer sporting her wedding ring - having filed for divorce earlier this week

Masterson, 47, was sentenced to 30 years in jail for rape - but Bijou looked relatively unfazed during her public outing earlier today

Bijou, who shares nine-year-old daughter Fianna with Masterson, is demanding she is given spousal support from the actor and that he pays for her legal fees, according to the filing

Masterson had two trials. His first, six months earlier, resulted in a mistrial after a different jury were hopelessly deadlocked on all three rape charges.

He was freed on a $3.3million bail throughout both, but that freedom ended with his double conviction on May 31.

The actor has been locked up in the notorious Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles since then.

Bijou, who had faithfully stood by her husband of 12 years throughout his two sexual assault trials, was consoled by brother-in-law Jordan Masterson following the sentencing last week.

Her lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been 'unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family.'

'Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time,' Lauzon said in a statement seen by TMZ.

The 43-year-old star appeared to have ditched her over-the-shoulder bag shortly before hopping into a car

Bijou had faithfully stood by her husband of 12 years throughout his two sexual assault trials - but filed for divorce this week

Bijou was joined for coffee by a female friend who looked lowkey in a blue print sweater and jeans

The 43-year-old appeared to be engrossed in her mobile phone at times after stepping away from the table

Bijou, who was seen earlier today, has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips rather than Masterson

The coffee meet up is not the first time the mom-of-one has been spotted out and about this week

Masterson was put behind bars last week three months after he was found guilty of attacking two women in 2003. Pictured: The duo seen previously arriving together at court for his trial

'Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family.

'Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life.

'Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.'

Bijou has reportedly said their date of separation is 'TBD,' citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce, according to freelance journalist Yashar Ali.

She has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips rather than Masterson.

Bijou will have custody of their daughter as expected given Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life - but Ali said she will allow their daughter to visit him in jail.
In the wake of the ever-expanding flood of accusations of rape and sexual assault directed at Russell Brand, I decided to go back to an interview with him that took place on Womans Hour on November 13, 2007.

What was it about that confrontation that made me come away with the conviction that Id been talking not to a simple, smutty, clever Dick, but to a deeply damaged and rather bright young man? I recall feeling rather sorry for him.

By 2007, his sexual incontinence, addiction to heroin and treatment to cure him were well known.

He had been sacked from MTV for turning up dressed as Osama Bin Laden, but despite his promiscuity, dirty humour and overall bad boy behaviour, he appeared to be valued by Channel 4s Big Brothers Big Mouth and the BBCs Radio 2.

He had not yet disgraced himself, together with Jonathan Ross, for making an appallingly cruel and vulgar call to the actor Andrew Sachs referencing Brands sexual encounter with Sachss granddaughter, Georgina Baillie.

Staunch supporter: Russell Brand with his father, Ron, who he described as a macho figure

Nor had he yet had a shockingly warm, congratulatory interview with Jimmy Savile.

He had written a memoir, My Booky Wook, which was the reason for his invitation to the programme. He had made an effort with his appearance, a compliment to me, I suspect, and the quality of the programme.

He wore an immaculate white shirt, tailored black jacket and trousers with a black scarf around his neck. His hair had been brushed and there was no hint of the madness in his eyes so often shown in photos.

He told me he was peculiarly interested in women

Why, I asked, such a twee title as My Booky Wook? Quick off the mark, to impress on me the quality of his education and familiarity with literature, he compared his work to that of Anthony Burgess in A Clockwork Orange.

Its true that Burgess plays with language in quirky little rhymes, but, really, Russell, theres no literary comparison to be made. He was unruffled by the put-down.

Why a dedication to his mother, Barbara, but a warning to her not to read the book?

He described the volume as an ode to how much he loved his mother and how good a job shed done in raising someone with such lack of care for a haircut.

He acknowledged there were certain passages in the book that were at best cheeky and, at worst, reprehensible.

When Jenni interviewed Brand, she came away with the belief that she had been talking to a man who was deeply damaged and rather bright

I thought shes already had to raise me once. Why should she have to look through the rear-view mirror of her life and all that scandal for her at the time.

The scandal was finding herself in disgrace as a single parent to a small baby, whose father, Ron, had simply walked away.

It was, he thought, not only the disdain shown to a single mother that she suffered, but also irritation at her sons behaviour. She was, he said, raising a twit.

He had, he told me, an inquisitive mind and was peculiarly interested in women.

What was that all about? Helping his mum was a group of friends and aunts he called the Coven, witches, hags. So, I was very aware of femininity, if not feminism, he told me.

In the midst of the Coven was his mother, who was first diagnosed with cancer when he was seven. Later, she had two further diagnoses.

The thought of her dying, he said, left me with a great sense of loss and dread. It made me flee into my imagination because, if someone is the sole focus of your attention and affection, the fear of losing them becomes an obsession.

His father Ron has been his noisiest defender

Women then formed the background to this little boys life. What, meanwhile, of his father? He was the one who left pornography lying around for his young son to find.

I think men store porn without enough due care; I was gleeful to discover that porn. It just seemed exotic, enticing and exciting, he told me.

The most astonishing and frankly disgraceful part of the book is the description of the jaunt to Thailand and the East where Id encounter prostitutes and prostitution. I think prostitution and sleeping with prostitutes, and the moral questions that raises, are obviously something I wouldnt want to be involved with now, but as a teenager it just seemed exhilarating.

As a 16-year-old I didnt think My God, this is exploitation. I thought more along the lines of Phwoar, look at those women!

As the accusations of sexual assault pile up this week, its his father, Ron, who has been his sons noisiest defender.

Brand describes growing up alongside men  Ron and his mums boyfriend, Colin  who were macho.

It was not something the young Brand wanted to emulate, preferring instead to pride himself on flights of femininity.

Brand was invited onto Woman's Hour in November 2007 because he had written a memoir, My Booky Wook

Growing up in Essex with men who could be brutish, I knew that wasnt a style of masculinity I could ever truly belong to. So, I spurned it and created something different. I suppose, if youre not going to be masculine, feminine could be an obvious choice.

It seems to me that men like Russell Brand are finally having to come to terms with the fact that they have fathers who treated women appallingly and got away with it.

These young men began to make their way when lads mags and lad culture was thought to be hilarious, but now everything has changed. Men can no longer get away with it. They should be taught the difference between femininity and feminism.

I dont know whether Brand has committed the crimes of which hes accused, but Ive long been an advocate of listening to women.

Theyre talking now and we and Russell Brand must hear them.
Coco Chanel and the Duke of Westminster. Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. And now, there's a new Anglo-French power duo in town. In Paris, to be precise. Qui ca? Camilla et Brigitte, bien sur.

When King Charles arrived for a state visit to France yesterday, all eyes weren't on the King nor French president Emmanuel Macron  it was their wives in the spotlight.

In a charming homage to her host country at the state banquet, Queen Camilla, 76, didn't opt for a design by one of her favoured London couture houses.

Instead, she wore the fashion house most synonymous with France  Dior

And Camilla's cape dress gets my vote as her most chic look  ever. Mon dieu, what a statement!

When King Charles arrived for a state visit to France yesterday, all eyes weren't on the King nor French president Emmanuel Macron  it was their wives in the spotlight

In a charming homage to her host country at the state banquet, Queen Camilla (pictured), 76, didn't opt for a design by one of her favoured London couture houses

Instead, Queen Camilla (pictured) wore the fashion house most synonymous with France

And Camilla's cape dress gets my vote as her most chic look  ever. Mon dieu, what a statement!

My guess is the pair spoke in advance and coordinated near-identical blue hues as a show of union.

Notably Camilla did wear something British and one-colour when she arrived earlier  a pink coat dress by Fiona Clare; First Lady Brigitte Macron, 70, wore a Louis Vuitton suit.

But at the Palace of Versailles, the pair coordinated, although their dresses were different enough not to amount to a full twinning effect.

Much like Brigitte's sheer sleeve on her long Louis Vuitton dress with bejewelled collar, Camilla's cape allowed a flattering flash of flesh without revealing too much.

And the cape's trailing tails provided the drama befitting a new monarch.

My guess is the pair spoke in advance and coordinated near-identical blue hues. From left to right: Brigitte Macron, Queen Camilla, King Charles III and President Emmanuel Macron attend a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles

Notably Camilla did wear something British and one-colour when she arrived earlier

Camilla (right) wore a pink coat dress by Fiona Clare; Brigitte wore a Louis Vuitton suit

Much like Brigitte's sheer sleeve on her long Louis Vuitton dress with bejewelled collar, Camilla's cape allowed a flattering flash of flesh without revealing too much

And the cape's trailing tails provided the drama befitting a new monarch like Camilla

The lack of embellishment made for an ideal canvas for the Royal Collection's most dazzling jewels  the sapphire necklace, bracelet and earrings given to the late Queen by her father George VI as her wedding present

The lack of embellishment made for an ideal canvas for the Royal Collection's most dazzling jewels  the sapphire necklace, bracelet and earrings given to the late Queen by her father George VI as her wedding present.

Among the celebrity guests, Mick Jagger's partner Melanie Hamrick chose London designer Jenny Packham; actress Charlotte Gainsbourg, Saint Laurent.

The latter's choice was natural  she is the face of its new campaign, after all.

Her dress was another lesson in the art of revealing the perfect amount of skin  chic tights counterbalancing the short hemline.

Even the home of republicanism can't resist putting on a fashion show when the royals are in town. Vive le roi  or last night, la reine.

Among the celebrity guests, Mick Jagger's partner Melanie Hamrick chose London designer Jenny Packham
A London restaurant has been slammed for upping its service charge to 15 per cent, with many angry customers saying its the latest sign 'ridiculous' American tipping culture is taking over the UK.

L'Escargot, in Soho, London charges 15 per cent to customers on top of their regular bill - which many have branded 'crazy high'.

The French restaurant, which serves the likes of 24 mushroom risotto and 56 steak recently charged 7.65 tip on a 51 bill - outraging customers.

One customer posted their receipt to Reddit - with others frustrated that service charges to 10 to 15 per cent are becoming commonplace in the UK.

Unlike in the U.S. where hospitality workers rely on tips to survive, staff in UK restaurants are paid a living wage, and tips are traditionally only added to exceptional service.

L'Escargot, in Soho, London charges 15 per cent to customers on top of their regular bill - which many have branded 'crazy high'

One person took the time to compliment the diner's wine choice whilst also acknowledge L'Escargot's (pictured) high service charge rates

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

Wait staff in London will make a minimum of 11.95-an-hour, whereas tipped employees in the US can make as little as $2.13 (1.72) an hour before tips.

However, discretionary service charges have become commonplace in British restaurants particularly in London and tourist hotspots, with the average in the capital now reaching 12.5 per cent.

This type of charge is not mandatory to pay, however it is placed on a customer's receipt before it is handed to them.

MailOnline has approached L'Escargot for comment.

Reddit users were left stunned by the increase in service charge prices, with one writing: '15 per cent is crazy high,' while another added: 'Noticing a lot of 20 per cent popping up.'

One person took the time to compliment the poster's choice in wine, saying: 'Yup that's way too high, Also excellent wine choice!'

To which the diner responded: 'Wine was good!'

Another shared their experience dining in London, stating: 'Ate out in London three times over the weekend, all had a 15% to added to the bill without asking.

'One restaurant made me pay via QR code, added a service charge then asked if I wanted to add a tip before checking out.... No.'

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Comment

by u/curepure from discussion

in london

Others were left steaming over the thought of paying a service charge, with going as far as to say: 'Stop this b******t culture.'

While an individual continued: 'We need to fight this American born problem before it becomes 'the way'. Time to get the letters written to MP's'

Some were vehemently against paying the 15 per cent charge, commenting: 'I always tip 10 per cent. However, if there is a service charge, I neither pay it, nor offer a tip.'

Another quipped: 'Yeah I'd probably let 10 per cent slide but I'm asking for 15% to be removed.'

Certain users went as far as alleging that service charges were a 'scam', saying that: 'Most places give some service charge to staff and keep the rest. It's just an imaginary charge.

They continued: 'We mock America for their awful wages and tipping culture but service charge is basically the same concept in disguise.'

It comes as many Brits took to the social media platform to ponder whether it was rude to remove the service charge.

Several Brits took to the thread to share their the thoughts on the matter - and the resounding response was no.

On the Reddit forum one person argued: 'No that's why we have a high minimum wage.'

Another chimed in: 'Not rude at all, we should be doing our very best to reject this Americanism. It has to be one of the worst cultural exports thats come out of there.'
One of the world's top hormone experts has been suspended for four months after she was granted illicit access to the confidential medical records of more than 100 patients held by a competitor.

Dr Marion Gluck, 73, known globally for her pioneering treatment of hormonal imbalances, asked another doctor for the sensitive log-in information 'as a favour' so she could get access to a restricted area of the competitor's website.

As a result, staff at the London Specialist Pharmacy (LSP) were twice able to access private details held by arch-rival Roseway Labs before Roseway's chief executive Elizabeth Philp discovered the data breach in 2022.

Gluck and her former colleague, Harley Street doctor Anu Arasu, 41, who shared the log-in details, were subsequently reported to the General Medical Council.

Dr Gluck is renowned for her use of natural bioidentical hormones dedicated to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and has treated an estimated 14,000 patients since setting up her clinic in London ten years ago.

Top hormone expert Dr Marion Gluck has been suspended after she was granted illicit access to the confidential medical records of more than 100 patients

Her former colleague Anu Arasu, 41, shared the log-in details with her as a 'favour'

She founded the first UK clinic to offer bioidentical HRT - which is used to relieve symptoms of the menopause - in 2007, after training to be a doctor more than 30 years ago in Hamburg.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, Gluck was suspended from medical practice for four months while Arasu, from Bermondsey, South London, was suspended for two months after both were found guilty of serious misconduct.

Inquiries revealed that Arasu, who accessed prescription HRT drugs for her patients from both firms, had shared her log-in details to Roseway with LSP as 73-year old Dr Gluck was her 'mentor and friend'.

Arasu claimed she had been 'used' by Dr Gluck and had made an 'automatic assumption that what she was being asked was OK'.

She claimed it felt as if Dr Gluck, whom she 'trusted', was 'asking a simple favour'.

Arasu has since had to write letters of apology to all 104 patients affected by the data leak.

Dr Gluck denied personally accessing the details.

However, she accepted that she 'facilitated' the use the log in address for her staff, claiming it was to study the format of Roseway's website.

Dr Gluck is renowned for her use of natural bioidentical hormones dedicated to hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Her chief pharmacist at LSP is now facing disciplinary action by the General Pharmaceutical Council over the data leak.

Arasu, who is qualified in obstetrics, gynaecology, child health, and sexual and reproductive medicine, began working for Dr Gluck in November 2014 before forming her own practice, London Bioidentical Hormones, in Harley Street in 2016.

Trouble began after LSP's former general manager, Miss Philp, and another senior pharmacist left the firm in 2017 to found their own compounding pharmacy Roseway the following year.

Initially Dr Arasu's patients were only able to have prescriptions dispensed by LSP, but later had the option to use Roseway and a third compounding pharmacy.

However, in November 2020 Arasu shared her confidential log-in details for Roseway's online portal, 'eRoseway' with Dr Gluck, which gave her access to names, dates of birth, addresses, all prescriptions and past orders for Roseway's patients.

In December the following year she provided her eRoseway log-in details again - this time to a person working for Dr Gluck known only as 'Mr D'.

In a statement Arasu said of Gluck: 'She was a senior doctor whom I knew, respected and looked up to and had often turned to for advice, and this presented a powerful cognitive bias that made me lose sight of my own power.

'I did not seek out contrary evidence, stand back and engage in critical thinking or use a systematic decision-making framework. I did not look at the situation from a broader perspective and did not consider all the ramifications on everyone that could potentially be involved.

Arasu, who is qualified in obstetrics, gynaecology, child health, and sexual and reproductive medicine, began working for Dr Gluck in November 2014

Arasu claimed she had been 'used' by Dr Gluck and had made an 'automatic assumption that what she was being asked was OK'

'I think I did feel some discomfort on sending the email but I suppressed my discomfort and I made the assumption that what was being asked of me was OK.

'I overlooked the issue that this would constitute a data breach. I was totally ignorant of the corporate significance of my actions, due to very limited exposure, due to trust in my professional colleagues and due to a lack of diverse perspectives.

'In short I did not think independently and I failed to consider the option of saying "No".'

Gluck accepted she had obtained the eRoseway log-in details from Arasu and forwarded them to colleagues at a meeting on a piece of paper but insisted she had never used them and was preparing a meal when discussions about the Roseway portal was taking place.

She insisted the primary purpose of getting the log-in details was in order to 'test the functionality of the LSP portal in comparison with that of eRoseway'.

Robin Kitching, counsel for the GMC, said Gluck had 'grudgingly offered half-hearted apologies to Roseway', adding: 'Dr Gluck personally used the log-in to eRoseway in order to access confidential information relating to Roseway and in order to access confidential patient information.

'It strains credulity for Dr Gluck to say that she had never looked at Roseway's portal.

'She is a successful businesswoman as well as a successful doctor, and her IT skills, albeit limited, were sufficient to access and to use the relevant information.

'We also do not accept that Dr Arasu had given no thought to the propriety of giving her eRoseway log-in details to LSP.

'She must have been aware at the time she handed over her log-in details to a business competitor of Roseway that she should not have been doing so, even though she may not have considered all of the possible ramifications.'

Ranald Davidson, representing Gluck, said his client denied 'pressurising or deceiving' Arasu into forwarding her log-in details to eRoseway.

He added: 'There was no intention, on her part, to obtain information with a view to scrutinising patient records or to breach patient confidentiality. Dr Gluck was unaware of the significance of her request and the success of her business cannot be taken as evidence of any sinister or premeditated motive on Dr Gluck's part.

'There was no evidence she used the log-in details herself. Her conduct was a one-off incident of naivety.'

Arasu's lawyer Lee Gledhill said of Dr Gluck: 'She was a mentor to Dr Arasu, and this relationship made a softening of the margins understandable.

'Dr Arasu was unaware that anyone would look further at the Roseway portal and she has written to all of the patients whose details had been shared and apologised to each of them. This had been a salutary lesson which she has learned the hard way.'

In its determination, MPTS chairman Peter Scofield said of Gluck: 'Her unauthorised use of a rival company's portal, made in order to gain a commercial advantage in the improvement of her own company's site, together with the unauthorised disclosure - whether intended or not - of confidential patient information has brought the reputation of the medical profession into disrepute.

'The Tribunal bore in mind and accepted Dr Arasu's evidence that Dr Gluck was a former employer of a senior and respected doctor, and that she remained both a personal friend and mentor.

'The provision of the log-in details by Dr Arasu followed a request and the Tribunal recognised a power imbalance between them. It accepted, in those circumstances, that it might have been difficult for Dr Arasu to refuse this request for the Roseway log-in details.'
The number of newborn babies in Mississippi hospitalized with syphilis spiked by more than 1,000 percent over just six years, a study says.

Babies born with congenital syphilis (CS), which is passed from mother to fetus, rose from 10 cases in 2016 to 110 in 2022.

The raw numbers seem low, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state health officials are concerned about the rapid rate at which CS diagnoses are increasing.

The condition raises an infant's risk of bone damage, anemia, jaundice, nerve damage, and meningitis. It can be treated with antibiotics but it kills about 40 percent of babies born with it.

Maternal drug use is driving the increase, as the rate of mothers using drugs while pregnant is the highest it's been since 2017. Mississippi also has insufficient pre-pregnancy screening which could prevent unnecessary illness and death.

Nearly a quarter of babies with congenital syphilis were born to mothers with a substance use problem. Almost 70 percent of those mothers used cannabis, while about 27 percent used cocaine

From 2016 through 2022, CS hospitalization rates in Mississippi increased more than 10- fold

As Mississippis rates of babies born with CS have risen in recent years, so have instances of babies born too early and too small, which are leading causes of infant death in the state

About a quarter of babies with CS in Mississippi were born to mothers with a substance use disorder and most of the mothers were enrolled in Medicaid, the federal health insurance program that caters to poor Americans.

As Mississippis rates of babies born with CS have risen in recent years, so have instances of babies born too early and too small, which are leading causes of infant death in the state.

Of the six deaths associated with CS during the study period, three alone occurred in 2022.

Epidemiologists from Mississippi analyzed hospital discharge data from 2016 to 2022 to better understand the public health crisis that congenital syphilis has become in the state. In that time, congenital syphilis hospitalizations increased 10-fold.

The Mississippi-based researchers said: Although the upward trend was consistent with national-level surveillance data for CS, the upturn in Mississippi was even steeper. This spike is troubling because decades of research have demonstrated the dire health consequences of CS, including prematurity, low birthweight, and death.

Symptoms of congenital syphilis Symptoms of congenital syphilis may include: Deformed bones

Severe anemia

Enlarged liver or spleen

Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Brain and nerve damage, like blindness or deafness

Meningitis

Skin rashes

Death Source: Centers for Disease Control Advertisement

Over that five-year span, 367 babies were hospitalized with CS. The vast majority of them were diagnosed with CS and hospitalized as soon as they were born.

In addition to the sheer numbers of infants hospitalized climbing, the rate at which they were hospitalized for CS has risen too, from two CS hospital admissions for every 10,000 total infant hospital admissions in 2016 to nearly 25 for CS out of 10,000 total in 2022  a 1,140 percent spike.

Nearly a quarter of babies with CS were born to mothers with some kind of substance use problem, mostly involving cannabis, followed by cocaine, amphetamines, and opioids.

The authors said: During the last 3 years of the study period, there was a gradual but steady increase in the proportion of newborns hospitalized with CS and exposed to illicit substances in utero: 17.7% in 2020, 22.7% in 2021, and 23.8% in 2022.

This finding reveals the entanglement between the ongoing drug epidemic and the resurgence of maternal and congenital syphilis and suggests the need for holistic approaches that treat illicit drug use as one way to curtail CS rates.

Babies with CS were twice as likely to be born prematurely  sooner than 37 weeks gestation  and four times as likely to be born dangerously underweight, or below five pounds, eight ounces.

Doctors also found that one in five babies born prematurely and with CS was diagnosed with respiratory distress, typically a result of lungs not having enough time to become fully developed in the womb.

In addition to causing respiratory problems, congenital syphilis can cause a baby to be born with a wide array of other serious problems such as jaundice, the result of a build-up of a substance in the blood called bilirubin which causes a babys skin and the white parts of her their eyes to look yellow.

It can also cause the babys spleen and liver to swell, it can contribute to anemia caused by a deficit of healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of the body, and possibly lead to meningitis which causes swelling of the brain and spinal cord.

Congenital syphilis occurs when a pregnant mother passes syphilis onto their child

On average, newborns with CS weighed 349 g less (mean birthweight 2,788 g) than newborns without CS

Among African American infants, CS hospitalizations increased by 1,029 percent, rising from 7 infants in 2016 to 79 in 2022

The spike in congenital syphilis nationwide mirrors the uptick in men and women contracting the condition nationwide, less than two decades after many thought the disease was all but eliminated.

The reasons for the rise are multifaceted but some of the biggest drivers include: the increase in illicit drug use, a mistrust of the health care system, and the drop in federally-funded sexual health programs, while some public health officials blame dating apps for pushing a culture of casual sex.

The problem is particularly bad in Mississppi, which until March 2023 was one of only a few states that do not mandate syphilis screening for prospective new mothers.

The authors said: By contributing to underscreening, this policy omission led to missed opportunities to detect and treat maternal syphilis before the birth of infants.

Providing comprehensive prenatal care, effective screening, and early treatment for pregnant women in Mississippi constitute not only sound public health policy in general but also smart strategies to improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce infant illness and death, curtail medical costs, and promote greater health equity.

The report was published in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
A Stanford doctor silenced for challenging Biden administration lockdown policies said the government infringed on his first amendment rights.

A federal court ruled earlier this month that the Biden Administration coerced social media sites to censor him and other dissenters who wrote a controversial petition that criticized government efforts to shut down the economy, including schools.

Dr Jay Bhattacharya, an epidemiologist and health policy researcher said the ruling was akin to the second Enlightenment.

He was named in a lawsuit as one of the Covid-19 epidemiologists whose Twitter and Facebook accounts were scrubbed and removed from Google results during the pandemic.

The Louisiana appeals court that heard the case determined that the Biden administration wrongfully pressured social media companies to silence critics, though it was narrowed from an earlier lower court ruling by Trump-appointed judge Terry Doughty, who banned the administration from contacting social media companies.

Dr Jay Bhattacharya called the latest court ruling in his favor 'akin to enlightenment'. The appeal found that the Biden administration illegally pressured social media companies to censor Covid lockdown dissenters

Drs Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford University, Sunetra Gupta of Oxford University and Martin Kulldorff of Harvard University, the main authors of the Great Barrington Declaration

Dr Bhattacharya is also the director of Stanford's Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging.

He added: Its a ruling that says theres a democracy of ideas. The issue is not whether the ideas are wrong or right. The question is who gets to control what ideas are expressed in the public square?

This is hardly the first time that lockdown critics said they have been censored and sidelined.

Former National Institutes of Health director Dr Francis Collins sent an email to Dr Anthony Fauci in October 2020 saying the ideas from fringe epidemiologists who wrote the declaration required a quick and devastating published take down.

While the latest ruling to side with skeptics by a three-judge panel in a New Orleans federal appeals court marked a major win for people like Dr Bhattacharya, it was narrowed from an earlier ruling by Trump-appointed judge Terry Doughty, who banned the administration from contacting social media companies.

Dr Bhattacharya said: The government had a vast censorship enterprise. It was systematically used to threaten and coerce and jawbone and tell all these social media companies, You better listen to us: Censor these people, censor these ideas, or else.

The Great Barrington Declaration called for focused protection, an idea that would mean the bulk of efforts to increase immunity would be centered on the most vulnerable groups  the elderly and the immunocompromised  with few restrictions on the general healthy population.

Without those restrictions, more people would develop Covid that would confer antibodies against infection, producing herd immunity.

As more and more people become infected and later immune for a period of time, the virus has fewer opportunities to spread and infect vulnerable people.

But the idea was slammed by many mainstream scientists, including those like Drs Fauci and Collins who worked in the Biden administration. Many criticized the idea as dangerous and would lead to many preventable deaths.

But Dr Bhattacharya continues to advocate for the theory, which has reportedly received thousands of signatures in support.

He said: We were just acting as scientists, but almost immediately we were censored. Google de-boosted us. Our Facebook page was removed. It was just a crazy time.

'The kinds of things that the federal government was telling social media companies to censor included us  along with millions of other posts from countless other people who were criticizing government COVID policy.

The widespread lockdowns that were implemented in 2020 have been deemed extremely disruptive to the economy, which took a downward spiral, as well as students ability to learn.

Lockdowns also fed into a crisis of poor teen mental health, as they were suddenly thrust into a world of isolation kept far from recreation and time with friends, as well as in-person classes.
Warned there was 'no safe level' of smoke from cigarettes and vapes to inhale

Millions of Americans are unknowingly being exposed to toxic smoke from vapes and cigarettes on a regular basis, a study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Florida testing the blood of 13,000 people found evidence of nicotine exposure in 51 percent of participants.

Of this group, a whopping 67.6 percent had insisted they were not breathing in smoke from vapes or cigarettes.

The findings suggest 56million Americans  or nearly one in five adults  are unwittingly taking in this smoke.

The team warned there was 'no safe level' of this smoke to breathe in, saying it raises the risk of heart and lung problems and cancer. Separate research suggests it could even cause smaller testicles.

Researchers at the University of Florida say millions of Americans are unwittingly breathing in smoke from vapes and cigarettes (stock image)

The negative health effects of cigarette smoking are well-documented, but scientists are beginning to understand the extent of the damage that super popular e-cigarettes, once considered a safer smoking choice, have on the entire body

Vaping has taken off in the US with more than nine million Americans now using the devices, with popularity surging to as many as one in four high schoolers.

Cigarette smoking also remains reasonably common with 28million Americans lighting up regularly, mostly in the Midwest and South. The habit has virtually disappeared in some areas, however, such as Manhattan.

Smoke from cigarettes and vapes may linger in the air for hours after it is released in indoor and poorly ventilated areas, risking others breathing it in.

Dr Ruixuan Wang, a public health expert who led the study, warned: 'There is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, and long-term exposure can increase the risk of many chronic conditions.

'[These include] coronary heart disease, respiratory disease and cancers.'

She added: 'We want people to be aware of their exposure so they can take protective actions.'

For the study, researchers analyzed data from the US National Health Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2013 and 2020.

This survey is carried out annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help assess the health of the nation.

For their study, the researchers looked at a nationally-representative sample of survey data on Americans reporting second-hand smoking  breathing in fumes from smokers and vapers.

They also looked at data from blood tests for cotinine, which is a byproduct of nicotine made by the body after someone breathes in smoke. It can linger in the blood for days.

Researchers found that, overall, 34.6 percent of participants under-reported their exposure to nicotine.

They also found that the levels of cotinine in the blood of people reporting second-hand smoke exposure was higher than among those who were not reporting this.

Dr Jennifer LeLaurin, a biomedical expert and senior author of the study, added: 'It could be the case that for low-level exposure, maybe you dont notice it.

'Youre in a public setting, and maybe youre not even aware someone is using tobacco around you. Maybe its so minor you forgot.

'Theres also the possibility that some of the respondents were aware of some secondhand smoke exposure but chose not to report it due to the stigma.'

It comes after a study in mice suggested that exposure to smoke from vapes makes your testicles smaller and lowers your sperm count.

In research on male rats, experts from Turkey tested what effect exposure to smoke from e-cigarettes and normal cigarettes had on the rodents' sexual health.

They measured how much sperm the animals could make, what their testicles looked like under a microscope and markers of stress in the blood and genitals.

The authors wrote: It should be considered that although [e-cigarette] liquid has been introduced as harmless in smoking cessation studies, it could increase oxidative stress and cause morphological changes in the testicle.

But regular cigarettes - which have long been tied to male infertility - were even worse in terms of lowering sperm count and disrupting sexual function.
It may sound counter-intuitive, but physically demanding jobs may raise the risk of dementia later in life.

For decades, the consensus has been regular physical activity shields the brain from degradation and keeps it clear of dangerous plaque.

However, a study in The Lancet found people who work in jobs that required medium to high physical activity, like salespeople - retail and other - nursing and care assistants, crop farmers and animal producers, have a greater risk of dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early sign of the disorder.

Those who worked a 'demanding' job between the ages of 33 and 65 had a 72 percent higher risk of dementia and MCI in their 70s than people who had office jobs.

Physically demanding jobs are those that include climbing, lifting, balance, walking and stooping

Those who worked a 'demanding' job between the ages of 33 and 65 had a 72 percent higher risk of dementia and MCI in their 70s - the physical demands include climbing, lifting, balance, walking and stooping

While there was no definitive reason given for the increased risk, the study authors concluded the strain of physical labor required by high-demand jobs puts stress on the body and mind.

Greater physical demands, lack of downtime or time to recuperate and the resulting exhaustion can lead to 'wear and tear' on the body and mind, which could collectively worsen cognition.

Additionally, the occupations studied often include long periods of time standing, manual labor, stress, higher risk of burnout and a tough schedule, including rigid working hours and inconvenient working days.

These types of jobs can also put a person more at risk of hearing loss and exposure to pollution, both of which adversely effect cognition.

Additionally, individuals working in strenuous jobs may also differ in genetics and socioeconomic status, further confounding differences in cognition. Scientists propose that people with more physically demanding jobs may have had lower early-life cognitive abilities, which could have influenced their schooling and job opportunities.

A plausible explanation for the increased risk, scientists said, was that more physical demand later in adulthood has previously been linked to a smaller hippocampus and poorer memory performance.

The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning and people working in demanding jobs have been found to perform worse on cognitive tests later in life.

Meanwhile, lower physically demanding jobs often include downtime for breaks, a more accommodating schedule and can include occupations such as engineering or teaching, which can be cognitively stimulating and lead to better cognitive development over time.

While previous studies on occupational physical activity and dementia have been limited and focused on occupation only close to a person's retirement, this study gathers more data by looking at physical activity on the job over many years of a person's adult life.

Approximately seven million people in the US and one million people in the UK have a type of dementia.

Dr Vegard Skirbekk, study author and professor of Population and Family Health at Columbia Public Health, said: 'Our findings extend those from previous studies by incorporating a life-course perspective into research on occupational physical activity and cognitive impairment.

'Whereas previous studies have also mainly focused on a single measurement of occupation, we include occupational trajectories from ages 3365 to give a broader picture of the occupational histories of the participants and how these relate to risk of cognitive impairment in later adulthood.'

Researchers analyzed data from one of the worlds largest population-based studies of dementia, the HUNT4 70+ Study, which collected data from 2017 to 2019 of adults in Norway.

It included 7,005 people aged 33 to 65 years old and assessed the association of the risk of dementia when they were 70 years and older.

Ninety-two people in the study were clinically diagnosed with dementia and 2,407 were diagnosed with MCI.

Researchers say their study indicates the importance of developing strategies for people in physically demanding jobs that can prevent cognitive impairment later in life.

Despite this study's findings, it is in contradiction to another recent study that found the opposite - that the risk of dementia actually increases among adults who spend more than 10 hours per day engaging in sedentary behaviors.

The study, conducted by the Norwegian National Centre of Ageing and Health and Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and the Butler Columbia Aging Center, was published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe.
Researchers asked 120 people from 16 countries to list their fears for the study

It is now written on everything from T-shirts to tea towels - but keep calm and carry on may actually be good advice.

A study has found ignoring nagging worries and fears does actually make them less powerful.

Researchers recruited 120 people in 16 countries, asking each to list fears for the future which had repeatedly caused them distress over the previous six months.

Examples included losing their job, a family member falling ill, or their children going missing.

Then half of the group were shown a single word representing each fear and instructed to push the negative thought out of their mind.

A study has found ignoring nagging worries and fears does actually make them less powerful (stock image)

After doing the 20-minute exercise with 12 of their fears, people felt less anxious about these worries on average.

Questioned about the fears three months later, they were still less anxious about them than they had been before the study - and they had lower symptoms of depression more generally.

Many people think burying negative feelings makes them come back more strongly.

But in fact, immediately after blocking out their fears, people found they remembered fewer of them compared to worries they had not suppressed.

The suppressed fears were also generally less vivid than their other worries.

READ MORE: More Brits exercise because of mental health benefit rather than to get in shape, survey reveals More than half of Brits surveyed - 54 per cent - said they exercised to aid their mental health, with physical activity known to release feel-good hormones called endorphins Advertisement

Professor Michael Anderson, who led the study from the University of Cambridge, said: These results suggest there is something in the very British idea of a stiff upper lip.

This is evidence for the validity of trying to keep calm and carry on.

It seems it could be beneficial to actively suppress our concerns and fears, and that this will make them less vivid, harder to remember and less anxiety-provoking.

The researchers are working on an app to train people how to block their fears, which is hoped to be available in around 18 months.

But in the meantime, Professor Anderson said: People could write a single word representing each of their fears on separate cue cards and stare at each word for about four seconds while blocking the thought.

The important thing is to suppress the thought, but without thinking about anything else.

Our previous research suggests this allows the right prefrontal cortex to block other parts of the brain to make the fear less strong.

Half the volunteers in the study were asked to suppress neutral thoughts about the future, like an upcoming opticians appointment.

This provided a group to compare with those suppressing fears and worries.

Researchers wanted to rule out the idea that ignoring negative thoughts could worsen peoples mental health.

Indeed, it did not appear to, and people who blocked negative thoughts had reduced depressive symptoms three months after the study compared to the start of it.

The study, published in the journal Science Advances, tested peoples memory of their fears after they had used the blocking technique.

This was largely done by checking if they remembered a key detail of their fear - like ringing their childs friends to try and find them if they had gone missing.

People remembered fewer of their fears at this level of detail after blocking them in their mind, compared to fears they had not blocked.

However this was no longer the case three months later.

Professor Anderson said: We are told we need to dredge up and process all of our negative feelings, but in fact blocking them often seems to be more useful.
The Prime Minister has announced he is putting the brakes on the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars and pushing the deadline back to 2035.

Many drivers will be celebrating the fact they will be able to buy a new motor with an internal combustion engine (ICE) under the bonnet for the next 11 years.

But not every car brand will be selling petrol and diesels in 2030.

That's because many have already committed to pulling ICE cars from showrooms and transition to electric vehicles (EVs) by - or before - the end of the decade.

These are just a few examples of brands that have already committed to selling only electric cars from 2030. Could the Government's decision to delay its ban on new petrol and diesel models to 2035 change their intentions?

Rishi Sunak confirmed the postponement as he addressed a raft of changes he is making the the nation's net zero strategy.

'I'm announcing today that we're going to ease the transition to electric vehicles,' he confirmed.

'You'll still be able to buy petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035. Even after that, you will still be able to buy and sell them second hand.'

While the decision waters down targets implemented by Boris Johnson three years ago, the move will bring the UK in line with the EU, which has plotted the end of sales of new petrol and diesel cars from the middle of the next decade.

This will bring some consistency for vehicle manufacturers, who will have a single target to aim for in terms of when to ramp-up the output of EVs.

However, a number of major brands have already implemented plans to stop producing fossil fuel cars - and some of them well before the end of the decade.

We've listed the makers who - currently - don't intend to have any petrol or diesel cars in UK showrooms from 2030.

ALFA ROMEO

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2027

Alfa Romeo is plotting to unveil its first fully electric car next year and says that by 2027 its entire line-up with be battery powered. Currently, the only 'electrified' model it has is the Tonale plug-in hybrid (pictured)

From 2025, Alfa Romeo says it plans to only launch pure-electric models, and by 2027 its entire line-up in Europe is expected to be EVs - some three years earlier than sister brands under the Stellantis group banner.

It only has one 'electrified' car on sale today - the plug-in hybrid Tonale. Its first fully electric Alfa is expected to be unveiled next year and likely called the Brennero.

BENTLEY

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Bentley to be electric in 2030: The iconic British brand will ditch petrol engines for good from 2026 and sell only fully-electric models by the end of the decade, bosses have stated

Bentley was one of the first brands to pin its colours to the battery mast, announcing back in 2020 that it will be a fully-fledged electric car maker by 2030. Its first all-electric model is due in 2025.

It's a huge shift for the iconic British brand, which will end its 111-year history of cars with petrol engines.

Adrian Hallmark, Bentley's chairman and chief executive, said it was time for 'profound change' for the motor maker: 'We are on a mission. We need to change everything. But our cars in the future will look as inspirational and glorious as they do today.'

CITROEN

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

The Ami is Citroen's cheapest EV in Britain today costing from 7,695. The 'quadricycle' only has a range of 46 miles, top speed of 28mph, two seats, limited luggage space. Citroen is likely to match other Stellantis brands by going fully electric by 2030

The French brand will - like other Stellantis group car makers - only launch fully electric models from 2026 onwards.

While Citroen hasn't clarified when it will stop selling EVs, it will likely be by 2030 to match the intentions of its parent group.

It currently offers five electric cars in its global model line-up  the e-C4, e-C4 X, e-Spacetourer, e-Berlingo and the dinky Ami quadricycle.

CUPRA

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Cupra's Born is its first fully-electric model ahead of it becoming an EV-only brand from 2023. By 2030, the spin off of Seat has intentions of selling only electric cars

Cupra - the Spanish sporty spin-off brand of Seat - has one zero-emission vehicle on sale at the moment - the Born hatchback, which is essentially a re-badged Volkswagen ID.3.

However, in 2021, CEO Wayne Griffiths said the company has 'the ambition to become a fully electric brand by 2030'.

DS AUTOMOBILES

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2024

DS says it will be an all-electric car brand by 2024. It currently sells just one EV - the DS3 E-Tense (pictured)

The DS3 E-Tense is the French luxury marque's first - and currently only - electric car. But not for long.

DS Automobile bosses confirmed it will be a fully-electric brand across the globe from 2024 - some three years earlier than other manufacturers under the Stellantis group's ownership will make the transition.

Beatrice Foucher, CEO at DS Automobiles in 2021 said: 'The car industry is experiencing a change whose breadth and speed are unprecedented. As a pioneer, DS Automobiles has anticipated this move, with electrification at the centre of its strategy.

'The next developments in legislation and the EV ecosystem provide opportunities that we want to offer to our customers who already like our electrified range. I took the decision to speed up the development to create a new 100 per cent electric art of travel, desirable in terms of enjoyment and remarkable in terms of quality and performance; a new art of travel, steadfastly high tech and still just as refined.

'It is a daring plan that will take shape from 2024.'

FIAT

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Fiat's iconic 500 has already made the switch to EV power. Its new 600 will be a larger EV before all models sold in Europe will have a battery instead of a combustion engine

Italian car maker Fiat will say 'arrivederci' to petrol and diesel engines by 2030, bosses at the manufacturer confirmed in 2021. The brand will begin to phase out all combustion-engined models from its global line-up from 2025 - and by the end of the decade will no longer sell passenger cars with a petrol or diesel powerplant under the bonnet.

'Between 2025 and 2030, our product line-up will gradually become electric only.

'This will be a radical change for Fiat,' explained Fiat boss Olivier Francois while outlining the brand's sustainability vision.

Fiat's biggest seller is without doubt the 500, which has already gone electric. The city car has been on sale in the UK since the beginning of 2021 and offers a range of up to 199 miles. It has recently announced the arrival of a bigger 600 EV.

FORD

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

'A trailblazer for a new breed of exciting electric vehicles': This is the Ford Explorer electric SUV. It will go on sale from 2024 and offer a range of more than 300 miles from a single charge. Ford will sell only electric cars from 2030 in Europe

Ford, one of the UK's most popular car brand, announced in February 2021 that its entire passenger vehicle line-up in Europe will be electric or plug-in hybrid by mid-2026 - and in 2030 will be all-electric only.

Its first electric-only car is the impressive Mustang Mach-E that will be joined shortly by the new Explorer SUV. And Ford has already began sales of electric versions of its hugely popular Transit vans.

The manufacturer has also confirmed that it will utilise a strategic alliance formed with Volkswagen AG in 2019 in the early phase of its all-electric onslaught. Ford will use its German partner's MEB electric vehicle platform to build more affordable models at its Cologne factory.

GENESIS

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

The first electric Genesis was the GV60 (pictured). The Korean brand says it will only launch EV models from 2025

Genesis - the luxury division of Korean brand Hyundai - is the new kid on the block and has only recently broken into Europe with a range of hybrid and electric cars.

From 2025, it will only be releasing models powered entirely by batteries, and some five years later it will only sell EVs in Europe, it has said.

JAGUAR

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2025

Jaguar will become an 'all-electric luxury brand' in 2025 - meaning it has its work cut out considering it currently sells only one EV

Jaguar was the first premium car maker to put it to Tesla in 2018 with the launch of the I-Pace SUV. Some five years later, it remains its only EV on sale. However, that will all change in the next two years.

In February 2021, bosses outlined Jaguar's intention to be an 'all-electric luxury brand' from 2025. The move will see Jaguar completely axe the petrol engines that made its name within the next three years.

The first next-generation EV will be shown next year and is confirmed as a 100,000 four-door grand tourer with the 'wow factor'.

JLR's chief executive, Adrian Mardell, said earlier this year about Jaguar's switch to being EV-only: 'This is also about the renaissance of Jaguar. It's personal. It's unfinished business. Jaguar is going to be reborn. Our focus is now on delivery and execution.'

JEEP

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

The Avenger is the first all-electric Jeep to go on sale, but more are coming in the next two years. The brand intends for 100% of its sales in Europe to be electric from 2030

This week, we drove the first all-electric Jeep model, the Avenger, on UK roads. And this compact EV will soon be joined by a host of battery-powered siblings, with the company confirming four new electric cars by 2025.

By 2030, bosses say 100 per cent of sales in Europe will be electric. In its home nation, the US, around 50 per cent of sales by the end of the decade will be EVs.

LEXUS

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Lexus already has the RZ and UX300e (pictured) EVs on the market, but by 2030 it will sell only battery cars in Europe, North America and China

Lexus - the premium arm of Toyota - has plenty of experience with hybrids, but not so much with pure electric cars, with only two currently on sale.

However, bosses at the end of 2021 outlined Lexus and Toyota's plans to launch a total of 30 battery EVs by 2030.

Lexus, though, will have a tighter deadline for the end of sale of petrol cars than its sister brand, aiming to sell only 100 per cent battery electric cars in major markets by 2030 - this includes Europe, North America and China.

MERCEDES-BENZ

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030 *but could delay to 2035

Mercedes already has an EV model in every segment it occupies. It has previously said it will sell only electric cars in nations where 'market conditions allow'. The delay to the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK might impact its strategy in Britain

Mercedes-Benz is one brand that has rapidly accelerated its shift to EVs in recent years with a range of - expensive - 'EQ' models. It already has a battery-electric car on sale in every segment and from 2025 onward it will only launch new battery-electric architecture.

Previously, CEO Ola Kallenius has said the brand will have only EVs in showrooms from 2030 where 'market conditions allow'.

That could see the intention to end sales of petrol and diesel cars from the end of the decade pushed back to coincide with Rishi Sunak's U-turn on outlawing sales of new ICE models from 2030.

MINI

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Mini recently unveiled its next-generation Mini Electric and confirmed production will be kept in Britain with a 600m investment in Plant Oxford in Cowley. From 2030, its parent group BMW said it will be an electric-only brand

Mini's parent company, BMW Group, confirmed that Mini will transform into a fully-electric brand by 2030, with deadlines already set in stone for how it will transition.

It will launch its final new model with an internal combustion engine under the bonnet in 2025, hoping this will see half of all sales being electric cars by 2027.

At this year's Munich motor show, the car company unveiled its all-new Mini Electric hatchback and an all-electric version of the Countryman SUV. It has also committed to manufacturing EVs in Britain with a fresh investment in its Oxford car factory.

NISSAN

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Nissan boss, Makoto Uchida, said the Japanese firm would sell only EVs in the UK from 2030 onwards

Nissan's boss said in September that the world 'needs to move on' as he confirmed the Japanese firm would sell on electric cars from 2030 onwards.

Speaking just days after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pushed back the ban on new petrol and diesel engines from 2030 to 2035, Makoto Uchida said: 'There's no going back. The world needs to move on from internal combustion engines. We have a responsibility to be part of the solution.'

Referring to Sunak's decision, Uchida said: 'From this point on, every single new Nissan launched in Europe will be electric. It's the right thing to do.'

PEUGEOT

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Peugeot's e-208 and e-2008 crossover (pictured) are both exceptionally handsome models with plenty of range for their respective segments. The French will sell only electric cars in Europe by 2030 - but says it will still offer ICE models to other continents

As with sister mainstream brands under the Stellantis banner, electrification is at the heart of the Peugeot's strategy. It intended for 70 per cent of worldwide sales to be electric in 2022 and will remove all petrol and diesel models from showrooms by the end of the decade.

Peugeot CEO Linda Jackson in December 2021 confirmed the French maker's ambition to be an EV-only brand by 2030. However, buyers outside of Europe will still be able to buy new petrol and diesel-powered Peugeots during the next decade, it said.

POLESTAR

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? Already has done

Polestar is the electric-only spin-off brand from Volvo. It currently only sells one model, the Polestar 2 EV, but more electric cars will follow

The spin-off electric-only arm of Volvo is a recent new addition to the market. It originally launched the Polestar 1, an exclusive - and ludicrously expensive - hybrid performance car, but models to follow will be more affordable, and more electric.

The Polestar 2 saloon on sale in a quality vehicle - one to definitely consider as an alternative to a Tesla Model 3 - and a Polestar 3 SUV, larger 4 SUV and Polestar 5 saloon should be on sale by 2026.

RENAULT

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Renault says it will have eight electric cars on sale by 2025 - one of them being a funky EV-only reborn Renault 5 supermini. Bosses have said it will sell only electric cars in Europe from 2030

Renault has outlined its intention to be an all-electric car brand in Europe from 2030.

In an interview with Automotive News Europe in January 2022, CEO Luca de Meo is quoted as stating: 'Renault will be 100 per cent electric in 2030 in Europe.'

This will see the acceleration of its previous plan to achieve 90 per cent EV sales in the region by that date. It has already confirmed the arrival of an all-electric reborn Renault 5 and 6.

ROLLS-ROYCE

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

This is the Spectre and it is Rolls-Royce's first foray into electrification. The 100% electric two-door limo cost from 330,000. Bosses at the exclusive marque have confirmed it will have an entirely electric line-up from 2030

Even ultra-luxurious car makers are having to prepare for a switch away from combustion engines, with Rolls-Royce no different.

It has already unveiled its first zero-emission car, the 330,000 Spectre, which we have already test driven.

The entire Rolls-Royce range will be battery powered by 2030, bosses have confirmed. Chief executive Torsten Muller-Otvos, said: 'Over the past decade, I have been repeatedly asked, when will Rolls-Royce go electric? And when will you produce your first electric car? I answered with an unambiguous promise: 'Rolls-Royce will go electric, starting this decade. Today, I'm keeping my word.'

SMART

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? Already has done

Smart currently only sales one new model, and it's electric. This compact SUV is called the #1

Smart has a jumpstart on most rivals with its electrification efforts, having ditched combustion engines entirely in 2019.

While you still might be able to find a handful of electric 'EQ' versions of the Fortwo and Forfour, these have relatively paltry ranges compared to other electric city cars on the market.

A more practical option is the new #1 compact SUV, a 35,950 family-friendly model with a range of up to 260 miles.

TESLA

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? Has only ever sold electric cars

The Model Y is Britain's best-selling electric car and has been ever since arriving two years ago

One brand that won't even sniffle at delay to the 2030 ban on sales of new combustion engine cars is US EV maker Tesla, which has gone from strength to strength in the UK in recent years.

Its Model Y is currently Britain's most bought electric car.

VAUXHALL

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2028

From 2028, Vauxhall will no longer sell you a car or van with a petrol or diesel engine under the bonnet. Its Astra-e (pictured), Corsa-e and Mokka-e are all already on sale

Vauxhall appears to be one brand that has signalled its switch to EVs mostly as a result of direction from ministers.

It says on its website: 'The UK Government has banned the sale of petrol and diesel-powered new vehicles from 2030, and will only allow zero emissions-in-use vehicles from 2035.

'But were not waiting until then. From 2028, Vauxhall will only sell 100 per cent electric cars and vans, seven years ahead of the government deadline. Were leading from the front with electric.'

Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port plant near Liverpool, which for decades produced the Astra family car, this year became the nation's first EV-only manufacturing site.

VOLVO

When will it stop selling petrol and diesel cars? 2030

Volvo says that 50% of its global sales should be fully-electric cars (like the C40 Recharge pictured) by 2025. From 2030, it will remove all petrol, diesel and hybrid vehicles from its virtual showrooms

Volvo has recently scrapped all diesel variants from its showrooms and will do the same with petrol engines before the end of the decade.

The Swedish carmaker, which is owned by Hangzhou-based Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, says that 50 per cent of its global sales should be fully-electric cars by 2025 - and the other half hybrid models.

From 2025, it will release a pure-electric model every year until 2030 when it will banish petrol and hybrid drivetrains entirely and sell only EVs - but not in showrooms, in online stores exclusively.
More than 200,000 customers rushed to sign up to Monzo's new investment service waiting list in two days, the bank claims.

Last week, Monzo announced it was launching Monzo Investments.

Customers were told they could sign up to a waiting list for the service when it was announced, which Monzo said would be rolled out 'over the coming weeks.'

Queueing up: 200,000 would be investors have joined the waiting list for Monzo's investment service

Fast forward a week and the service now has a 200,000 strong waiting list, the Financial Times has reported.

Those who sign up to the waiting list on the app can see how many people have done the same.

The digital bank, with around 8million UK customers, will allow investments from 1 in multi-asset funds from investment manager BlackRock.

BlackRock funds are available on many retail platforms, without the need to sign up for a digital bank.

Jason Hollands, director of Bestinvest points out that: 'The 200,000 people who have joined the waiting list represents 2.5 per cent of Monzo's customer base.

'But no commitment is being made at this stage  and it is very easy to join the list  so it remains to be seen how many eventually go ahead.

'What this does suggest is that banks that have very large and loyal customer bases are sitting on an opportunity, potentially tapping into people who may not be inclined to shop around and want something simple.

'New client acquisition can be costly for businesses targeting clients who may have relatively modest amounts to invest, which is why traditional wealth management businesses are focused on wealth individuals and families and some online platforms are now pouring considerable spend into television advertising.'

Investors with Monzo's Investments can choose between three profiles named 'careful', 'balanced' and 'adventurous', which come with different levels of risk.

There is a fee of 0.59 per cent of the investment value, which includes a 0.14 per cent fund fee and 0.45 per cent platform fee.

For example, a 1,000 investment would have a fee of 5.90 a year. Money can be withdrawn at any time without incurring any charges.
Private equity predators have made a bid worth 143million for a supermarket bakery supplier.

Buyout firm Dbay Advisors offered to buy London-listed Finsbury Food for 110p per share, a 23.6 per cent premium on Tuesdays closing price, saying its public listing is holding it back.

The cake manufacturers board of Finsbury urged shareholders to approve the deal.

It said Dbays backing will allow Finsbury, which supplies the UKs biggest supermarket, pubs, restaurant and hotel chains, to grow through acquisitions.

Shares in Finsbury, which is the second-largest manufacturer of pre-packed cakes in the UK, surged 23.6 per cent.

Oven ready: Buyout firm Dbay Advisors has offered to buy London-listed Finsbury Food for 110p per share, a 23.6% premium on Tuesdays closing price

Dbay, which started building a stake in the company in August 2022, said its public listing is substantially inhibiting its ability to pursue these growth opportunities.

It said the current turbulence in quoted equity markets in the UK was also holding the company back.

The deal, which is expected to complete before the end of the year, is an acceleration of the exodus from the London Stock Exchange, analysts said.

It is the latest London-listed firm to be taken private following a boom in deals this year.

Hargreaves Lansdown head of money and markets Susannah Streeter said it is another example of how London listed firms are perceived to be undervalued and so are being snapped up by private firms who spy untapped potential.
Pearson risked a fresh row with shareholders over executive pay as the education publisher revealed it will hand its new boss a 13million golden hello.

Microsoft executive Omar Abbosh will take the top job at the FTSE 100 company after current boss Andy Bird announced his retirement after just three years as chief executive.

Abbosh will receive 13million worth of cash and shares on top of his 1million annual salary as compensation for leaving Microsoft.

But the move could rile investors. Pearson shareholders twice revolted over Birds pay, once ahead of his appointment in 2020 and again in 2021, resulting in the exit of chairman Sidney Taurel.

Bird, a former Disney executive, was handed an annual package of up to 5.9million and a golden hello worth 7million when he joined the company.

In the money: Incoming Pearson boss Omar Abbosh (pictured) will receive 13m worth of cash and shares on top of his 1m annual salary as compensation for leaving Microsoft

High Pay Centre spokesman Andrew Speke said: Given that Pearson has faced shareholder revolts in the past for their approach to executive remuneration, this new pay package announcement gives the appearance that the board and remuneration committee havent really been paying attention.

As well as the 13million handout, Abbosh will get 249,050 to compensate him for missing out on his Microsoft bonus after his resignation.

He will be eligible for Pearsons bonus scheme from next year with a maximum pay out of 300 per cent of base salary, or 3million.

Pearson has faced criticism in the past for awarding Birds predecessor John Fallon double-digit pay rises and huge bonuses despite the company making a loss.

Shares in Pearson fell 5 per cent in early trading yesterday on the news that media industry veteran Bird will retire.

They later closed 1 per cent down at 875p.

The companys share price has risen more than 60 per cent under Birds leadership following a tumultuous few years as it adapted from selling textbooks through book shops to online courseware.

Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Sophie Lund-Yates said: Bird hasnt been in the top job for too long, but its been long enough to oversee a significant transformation of Pearsons priorities in its bid to secure a more tech-focused future.

That said, investors rarely like to see a respected leader say goodbye. She added that Abboshs tech background means the board is doubling down on plans to propel the education specialist into the next  very digital  chapter.
EXCLUSIVE

A leading Yes campaigner has revealed Anthony Albanese wasn't taken seriously on Indigenous issues when an elected Aboriginal body was abolished decades ago.

Mr Albanese was a Labor frontbencher in 2004 when then Opposition Leader Mark Latham led the push to scrap the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.

Former Northern Territory Labor senator Trish Crossin, a Left faction member who supported keeping ATSIC, told Daily Mail Australia Mr Albanese was regarded as an inner-city MP without a strong knowledge of Indigenous issues at the time.

'There were probably people in the caucus at the time who had a better, working knowledge of ATSIC and what it was doing rather than Albo who was in an inner-Sydney suburb seat and was junior,' she said.

Mr Albanese's gentrified Sydney inner-west electorate of Grayndler covers Balmain on Sydney Harbour where the median house price is $2.7million.

Former Northern Territory Labor senator Trish Crossin, a Left faction member who supported keeping the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, told Daily Mail Australia Mr Albanese two decades ago was regarded as an inner-city MP without a strong knowledge of Indigenous issues (she is pictured in 2013)

A leading Yes campaigner has revealed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (pictured in 2004) wasn't taken seriously on Indigenous issues when an elected Aboriginal body was abolished

Its millionaire residents are far removed from the poverty Indigenous Australians endure in very remote parts of the Northern Territory.

Just 0.8 per cent of Balmain residents are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, which is well below the national average of 3.2 per cent and the Northern Territory level of 26.3 per cent.

Ms Crossin has since moved back to Melbourne and is actively campaigning for the Yes case ahead of the October 14 referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Labor MP declares that a No victory in the Voice referendum will be a big win for 'hateful, racist' Australians A Labor MP fears that if the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament fails it will be a major victory for 'hateful and racist' Australians. Speaking on ABC's Q+A program, Assistant Health Minister Ged Kearney said she had grave concerns as to what a No vote would mean Advertisement

She lost her Labor Senate preselection in 2013 when then prime minister Julia Gillard insisted Aboriginal Olympian Nova Peris top the ticket.

A decade before her 15-year political career ended, she said most of her Labor colleagues had wanted ATSIC scrapped.

'I do recall an overwhelmingly majority of the caucus at the time agreed to have it abolished,' she said.

'I don't recall a solid reason for abolishing it.'

Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney in 2021 slammed Labor's plan to get rid of ATSIC by 2005, which occurred 11 years before she was elected to federal Parliament.

'Worse was to come. There was the dismantling of ATSIC in 2005  and, shame on Mark Latham for backing that,' she told the Tom Uren Memorial Lecture when she was an Opposition frontbencher.

Mr Albanese provided the introduction for Ms Burney on that night in June 2021, as a protege of the late Mr Uren, a leading member of Labor's Left faction who served as a minister under prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke.

On March 30, 2004, Mr Latham announced that should Labor win that year's election, a government led by him would abolish ATSIC - a forerunner to the current Voice proposal.

This followed a scathing review into ATSIC by an Indigenous academic and a former Northern Territory Labor senator married to an Aboriginal woman.

'ATSIC is no longer capable of addressing endemic problems in Indigenous communities,' Mr Latham said in a statement.

'It has lost the confidence of much of its own constituency and the wider community.'

Two weeks later, on April 15, 2004, then Liberal prime minister John Howard announced his Coalition government would introduce legislation to abolish ATSIC by June 30, 2005.

'We believe very strongly that the experiment in separate representation, elected representation, for Indigenous people has been a failure,' he told reporters.

'I do believe that it has become too preoccupied with what might loosely be called symbolic issues and too little concern with delivering real outcomes for indigenous people.'

At the time, Mr Albanese was in the shadow ministry holding the employment services and training portfolios.

As a frontbencher, he was bound to support the party's position, having less freedom than a backbencher to publicly speak out.

But he would have been able to confidentially raise concerns in the shadow ministry or in the Labor caucus.

Ms Crossin said it would have been unusual for a Labor frontbencher to speak up outside their portfolio.

'I can tell you, even now, portfolio ministers or shadow ministers or assistant ministers don't usually speak up in caucus against another cabinet colleague,' she said.

'Not then, not now. It's not something you would do quite frankly.'

Another former Labor MP from Mr Albanese's Left faction, in New South Wales, told Daily Mail Australia that Mr Albanese did not object at the time to ATSIC being abolished in 2004.

'He raised some issues but he didn't raise issues like you're suggesting - I have no recollection of him on the ATSIC stuff,' he said.

'I don't recall him having a view on ATSIC.'

Mr Latham took over the Labor leadership in December 2003 and was instantly popular in the opinion polls, making MPs reluctant to challenge him on policy, even if they didn't want ATSIC scrapped.

'Get real here: once Latham raised an issue that Howard agreed with, it was all over, red rover,' the former MP said.

'I supported ATSIC - that didn't mean that I had to resign.

Then Opposition Leader Mark Latham on March 30, 2004 announced that should Labor win that year's election, a government led by him would abolish the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (he is pictured left with former AFL player Michael Long who walked to Canberra to raise awareness of Aboriginal issues)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is now leading the push to embed an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution (he is pictured right at Parliament House with former AFL player Michael Long)

'I'm also very respectful of the party's processes and when Latham says we're going to do this, Howard says it, how do you protest?

'You can. You get a couple of votes in the caucus but it's unrealistic to think that Latham should have been rolled.

'Latham was wrong. I think ATSIC was a reasonable organisation but they used a number of individuals as an excuse.'

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Amendment Bill had been initially introduced in May 2004 by then Indigenous Affairs Minister Amanda Vanstone.

Ms Burney recalled that media conference in April 2004, delivering that speech in 2021 on behalf of Indigenous West Australian Labor senator Patrick Dodson during an era of Covid border closures.

'I remember it so well - Howard and Amanda Vanstone doing that press conference,' she said, ad-libbing this line.

Two weeks later, on April 15, 2004, then Liberal prime minister John Howard (pictured with former Liberal MP for Parramatta Ross Cameron) announced his Coalition government would introduce legislation to abolish ATSIC by June 30, 2005

The dismantling of ATSIC followed a year-long review, co-authored by former federal Labor minister Bob Collins, Indigenous academic Dr Jackie Huggins and former NSW Liberal attorney-general John Hannaford.

'ATSIC has reached a crisis point in respect of its public credibility and with its Indigenous constituency,' an earlier discussion paper in 2003 said.

READ MORE: How a Constitutional referendum to recognise Aboriginal people failed in 1999 Australians voted on two referendum questions 24 years ago, the last time there was a vote to amend the Constitution. The question asking voters if they wanted a preamble added to the Constitution, acknowledging Indigenous Australians, was even less popular than the rejected proposal about whether Australia should become a republic. Advertisement

Mr Collins was a Labor senator for the Northern Territory when the Hawke government established ATSIC in 1989 to begin the following year.

The late Mr Collins was married to Rosemary Tipiloura, a Tiwi Islander who is the mother to their surviving three children including Robbie Collins, an actor who starred in ABC drama series Total Control with Deborah Mailman and Rachel Griffiths.

Dr Huggins became a Member of the Order of Australia in 2001 for services to the Indigenous community and co-chaired Reconciliation Australia.

She had previously been the deputy director of the University of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

The bill to abolish ATSIC and transfer its assets to other government agencies didn't pass the Parliament until after the October 2004 election and was renamed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005.

It was given royal assent in March 2005, leading to ATSIC being disbanded on June 30, 2005.

A referendum is now being held on October 14 to vote on a proposal for an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and the executive government embedded in the Constitution.

Unlike ATSIC, which was a service delivery body, the Voice would just be an advisory group but one which could only be abolished via a referendum.

More than a quarter of the Northern Territory population is Indigenous but under the Constitution, a referendum only passes with the support of four of the six states and a national majority.

The NT and the Australian Capital Territory get a say on the national vote but not with regard to a majority vote in a majority of states.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Mr Albanese for a comment.
The actor and broadcaster, 66, had been speaking at the CogX Festival

Stephen Fry was rushed to hospital after a horror fall at an AI and tech festival in London.

The actor and broadcaster, 66, had been speaking at the 495-ticket CogX Festival at The O2 when the accident happened.

It is understood Mr Fry had finished his talk and was exiting the stage when he tumbled six feet off the edge to the floor.

He sustained rib and leg injuries before he was taken to hospital for treatment. Agents for Mr Fry did not respond to a request for a comment.

A source told MailOnline: 'It looked like it was too dark and there didn't look like there was a handrail.

'He fell two metres to the floor. He looked to have been hurt as he had to leave in a wheelchair.'

The accident happened on Thursday last week and it is not clear whether Mr Fry - beloved for his roles in Blackadder and hosting QI - is still in hospital.

He is usually a prolific poster on social media but has been silent since the accident.

The actor and broadcaster, 66, had been speaking at the CogX Festival at the O2 when the accident happened

It is understood Mr Fry had finished his talk and was exiting the stage when he tumbled six feet off the edge to the floor

This afternoon Greenwich Council said it had been alerted to the incident and was mulling over opening an investigation.

Separately organisers of the CogX Festival have launched their own enquiry into the fall.

Stephen Fry is rushed to bomb shelter in Kyiv as the city is rocked by explosions during visit Advertisement

A spokesperson for the event said: 'We were deeply concerned to hear of Stephen's accident after giving his inspirational speech on the impact of AI.

'We are thinking of him and wishing him a swift recovery. We have opened our own enquiry and until then we are not able to share any further details.'

A spokesperson for the council added: 'The Council has received an accident report following an event last week at the O2, and is considering whether any further investigations are needed.'

An attendee at the event Ben Boutcher-West said on Twitter after seeing the fall: 'Thank you for the superb talk at CogX.

'I hope you are ok also after a tumble.

'Your talk was one of the best and made me think about my role a lot.'

The event was billed as featuring 500 speakers and ran over three days at the venue.

Mr Fry had delivered his talk this morning to huge applause on the final day of the festival

The actor and comedian, 66, recounted how he was jolted awake at 4.45am on Wednesday morning by hotel staff urging him to get to the basement shelter amid air raid alerts

It was advertised as having an audience of 90,000 and said the festival offered the chance to 'Engage with the best in thought leadership from around the world'.

Mr Fry had delivered his talk this morning to huge applause.

He had been the first star on the final day of the festival, which had also featured former Diary of a CEO host Steven Bartlett.

During his section on AI Mr Fry told the guests: 'We have to choose whether we want to be Prometheus or Zeus.

'The one thing we can agree on is that it's a f***ing weird time to be alive.'

But as he was getting off the stage he somehow lost his footing and fell from it to the floor below.

Recently he had found himself scrambling for cover in a Kyiv air raid shelter during a Russian attack while he was visiting the Ukrainian capital for a conference on mental health.

Stephen Fry and Rowan Atkinson in a Blackadder Goes Forth sketch broadcast on March 12, 1999 as part of the 1999 Red Nose Day Campaign

Stephen Fry attends the BFI London Film Festival Luminous Gala at The Londoner Hotel on September 29, 2022 in London

He had recounted how he was jolted awake at 4.45am by hotel staff urging him to get to the basement shelter amid air raid alerts sounding.

In posts online he told how he was quickly ushered into the shelter alongside other guests, whom he said were remarkably relaxed despite the imminent danger.

It was days after this visit he appeared at the The O2 to deliver his speech.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson would not confirm the identity of the man after the fall.

They told MailOnline: 'We were called today at 11:31am to reports of an incident at the O2 Arena, in Peninsula Square.

'We sent a medic in a fast-response car, an ambulance crew, and an incident response officer to the scene.

'We treated a man for rib and leg injuries before taking him to hospital.'

In 2013 Mr Fry was left with injuries to his nose and forehead after falling out of bed.

The former QI host posted news of his mishap on Twitter and said he was left with 'noble scars on forehead & bridge of nose'.
Shocking footage has shown the moment a man was dragged into the road by an attacking dog, before a car tried to ram at the large animal in a bid to get it off.

The frightening incident, that took place in Sheffield yesterday afternoon, shows the man holding a small black dog high in the air trying to protect it from the large bull mastiff-type dog snapping at his arm.

It is the latest in a spate of terrifying dog attacks that have seen people mauled by animals, resulting in individuals being rushed to hospital, sometimes with life threatening injuries, while some have sadly died.

The attack comes as MailOnline spoke with a traumatised mother who watched with horror as her beloved family pet was torn apart by an American Bully XL puppy that broke free from the 10-year-old girl that was walking it.

The breed of dog has been behind the majority of fatal dog attacks in the UK since 2021, being responsible for ten out of 14 of the fatal attacks.

Just last week a man was mauled to death by two 'out of control' American Bully dogs that attacked him outside a West Midlands primary school.

Armed police were called to Handsworth Road in the east end of Sheffield after a man was attacked by a dog

One officer at the scene could be seen holding a shotgun-type weapon with a close-range sight, with a handgun and a taser in holsters

Cammy, 39, said the out-of-control pup fatally mauled tiny Beau before allegedly taking a chunk out of a Good Samaritan's hand, leaving her 'needing hospital treatment'. Cammy is pictured holding Beau

His death led to an outcry from campaigners calling for the breed to be banned. It led to the Prime Minister to make a statement on Friday announcing the cross-bread will be placed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year.

While many have breathed a sigh of relief, putting the law into practice could prove difficult, some have said, as the breed is a result of a combination of several dogs.

Yesterday's shocking footage, recorded on CCTV, showed the dog walker trying to fend off the dog, not believed to be an American bully, but as he walks around, the animal locks its jaws around the man's forearm.

This caused him to lose balance and fall into the street. Despite this the dog still refuses to let go until a red BMW hatchback comes to the rescue, mounting the pavement and bringing the scary attack to a halt.

The man has since been taken to hospital after being bitten in the chest and arm, while the dog has been seized by the police and a 53-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog out of control.

Do you know anyone involved in this attack? eirian.prosser@dailymail.co.uk

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed officers were called to the scene on Handsworth Road yesterday afternoon around 5.40pm, where the victim received serious, but not life threatening injuries.

The dog was trapped and moved to a safe location, while its believed owner remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

Cammy said she was now terrified to go out the house and claimed the dog was still being walked be its owner. Pictured: Cammy, Jack and Beau

Cammy Maguire's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Beau (pictured) was killed on Wednesday evening as she walked it near the family home in Chessington, south-west London

The family's 'harmless' pet was left with 'its leg hanging off' after a six-month-old Bully XL broke free from the 10-year-old girl walking it, Cammy claimed. Beau is pictured

Officers are encouraging any witnesses or anyone with footage to come forward, quoting the incident 716.

The shocking attack comes less than a week after Cammy Maguire's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Beau was killed on Wednesday evening as she walked it near the family home in Chessington, south-west London.

The 39-year-old said the out-of-control pup fatally mauled tiny Beau before allegedly taking a chunk out of a Good Samaritan's hand, leaving her 'needing hospital treatment'.

Heartbroken Cammy said her two young children, Sienna, 12, and Jack 13, were in 'hysterics' when they heard Beau had died and that her partner Daniel Connery was 'furious'.

Speaking ahead of the Government's announcement that it would ban American Bully XL's from from Britain the secondary school office manager Cammy told MailOnline: 'Something needs to be done. This cant happen to another family. Its just ripped us apart.

'My children are In bits. Ive never experienced anything quite so traumatic in all my life. These dogs need to be banned. Next time it could be a baby that's killed.'

The mother-of-two, who had been walking eight-year-old Beau in the green since he was a puppy, said the Bully XL charged at the little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Neighbours rushed to a screaming Cammy's aid, with one woman getting her hand bitten as she wrenched the Bully off Beau, she said. Jack is pictured with Beau

The bloody attack took place shortly after 5.30pm in Drake Road, Chessington. It came as a debate over whether or not Bully XLs should be outlawed in Britain continues to rage.

Cammy claimed she spotted the young girl walking the 'scary-looking and aggressive' dog on the green off the street.

The mother-of-two, who had been walking eight-year-old Beau in the green since he was a puppy, said the Bully XL charged at the little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

'All of the sudden I heard this girl scream "sorry, sorry I cant stop him",' recounted Cammy.'

'He was dragging her along really fast. He got hold of Beau and grabbed his leg and just would not let go.

'The girl could not do anything. She was only 10. She should never have been walking it.'

Neighbours rushed to a screaming Cammy's aid, with one woman getting her hand bitten as she wrenched the Bully off Beau, she said.

Afterwards, the wounded dog 'collapsed' to the floor in a bloody heap as a tearful Cammy tried in vain to comfort her beloved pet.

'Beaus leg was hanging off. There was a lot of blood. He leg was completely out of joint and it was just bleeding,' said Cammy.

Cammy said she was now terrified to go out the house and claimed the dog was still being walked be its owner. Pictured: Sienna, Daniel, Jack, Cammy and Beau

Cammy said her two young children, Sienna, 12, and Jack 13, were in 'hysterics' when they heard Beau had died and that her partner Daniel Connery was 'furious'. The children are pictured holding Beau

Cammy said: 'My daughter was besotted with Beau, she used to let him sleep in her bed every night. She was crying uncontrollably all last night and woke up in hysterics.' Sienna is pictured holding Beau

'I was just on the floor with him saying "Beau, you can make it". But I just knew he was gone.'

A neighbour took Cammy and Beau to a vet, where the eight-year-old dog was pronounced dead.

The mother-of-two said she called the Met Police on Wednesday night but claimed no action has been taken so far.

She added: 'Im just so traumatised. The whole family is devastated. The house feels so empty now.

'My daughter was besotted with Beau, she used to let him sleep in her bed every night. She was crying uncontrollably all last night and woke up in hysterics.'

Cammy said she was now terrified to go out the house and claimed the dog was still being walked be its owner.

She added she was furious that a young girl had been left alone to walk the animal and now feared the Bully could strike again, if urgent action isn't taken by the authorities.

'This dog needs to be put down. In six months old and its already done that to my dog what will it do next?' she added.

Cammy added she was furious that a young girl had been left alone to walk the animal and now feared the Bully could strike again, if urgent action isn't taken by the authorities. Pictured: Sienna and Beau

'Im scared for the child. How can she live in a house with that dog?'

Speaking of the attack yesterday, Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said: 'We know these incidents will cause concern among those who live near the location, and for those who witnessed the incident this would have been upsetting.

'We want to reassure people the dog has been seized and removed while we carry out our enquiries and determine exactly what happened.

'All incidents of this nature are treated with the utmost diligence, and we will investigate thoroughly to ensure the community is kept safe.

'We would like to thank members of the public and medical staff who came to the aid of the victim, who has been taken to hospital for treatment at this time.'

The Government's move to ban American Bully XL dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which applies in England, Wales and Scotland, followed a surge in fatal attacks.


The dramatic rise in shoplifting is mainly being fuelled by criminal gangs rather than people struggling with the cost of living crisis, the head of security at John Lewis has told MailOnline.

Retail thefts have now risen by 27 per cent overall across ten of the UK's largest cities  and were up by 68 per cent in some, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The trade body added that incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff have nearly doubled from more than 450 per day in 2019/2020 to more than 850 last year  with crimes including racial or sexual abuse, assault and threats with weapons.

In CCTV footage from inside John Lewis, obtained exclusively by MailOnline, one man wearing a black jumper crouches down and opens a black bin bag before stashing two Pure speakers inside.

He looks up to a higher shelf and appears to select the most expensive item he can find  a Pure radio worth 369.

In the first video from John Lewis, a man wearing a black jumper crouches down and opens a black bin bag before stashing two Pure speakers inside

The shoplifter then looks up to a higher shelf and appears to select the most expensive item he can find  a Pure radio worth 369

He then grabs the price sticker for the radio and stashes it in his bin bag along with the other stolen goods and begins walking out.

In a second video, a man walks up to a pile of yellow tops and grabs them.

He walks off with them in his hand, before turning around again and exposing his face to the CCTV camera. Finally, he leans over and stuffs them in his bag.

In both cases the shoplifters were detained by security staff before being arrested by police.

Lucy Brown, director of security for the John Lewis Partnership, spoke about the UK's shoplifting crisis in an exclusive interview with MailOnline.

READ MORE - RICHARD WALKER: Britain's shoplifting epidemic makes it feel like Iceland staff are on the frontline of a war Advertisement

'Some shops are targeted every day, others several times a day. And we're fortunate because we're not the worst hit,' she said.

'We've seen a real increase post-Covid. We don't believe it's linked to the cost of living.

'You have people living chaotic lives with substance abuse who are stealing to fund their habits.

'Another major problem  which is new  are organised criminal gangs. They spend as much time shoplifting as we do on our normal jobs. They will target Tube routes, road networks and steal to order.

'There have been gangs operating across north London going from shop to shop and threatening teams with violence.

'The stuff they target tends to be whatever has the highest retail value on the black market.

'That includes alcohol in Waitrose, and in John Lewis portable tech and high value dental products like toothbrushes.

'It's high value, easy to carry and easy to dispose of. Another thing is high-value fragrances like Tom Ford.'

Ms Brown said the John Lewis Partnership  which runs both John Lewis and Waitrose  has been investing heavily in its store security.

'We've observed that really attentive customer service deters thieves, so we've provided a lot of training to our staff,' she said.

In a second video, a man walks up to a pile of yellow tops and grabs them off the shelf

He turns around again and exposing his face to the CCTV camera. In both cases the shoplifters were detained before being arrested by police

'Impulsive thieves will be put off, while people from organised gangs don't want to be seen and recognised

'We also have a number of technological solutions including really good CCTV and body-worn cameras.

'Those are proven to deescalate unpleasant situations and also record footage and audio that we can pass on to the police.

'We've also invested in physical interventions like tags, alarms and security gates. We are always looking out for what's new and what works.'

READ MORE - Boutique boss tackles thieves AGAIN: Moment brave businesswoman catches shoplifter trying to steal 250 worth of Paco Rabanne Advertisement

The security chief said the company had also brought in specially trained teams who are able to detain shoplifters while they wait for police.

'There's a common misconception that we can't stop people,' he said.

'But we have teams who are specially trained to detain people and are able to do so in stores before waiting for the police to arrive. They've been in place for a long time.

'We report everything to the police so they can build a picture of how and where these people are operating.

'We pride ourselves on putting really good evidence to the police, including audio, video and witness reports.'

Data released by the Co-op in July showed police are failing to attend more than two-thirds of retail crimes.

Ms Brown said John Lewis had faced similar issues.

'In some areas we've got really good relations with the police and response rates. Unfortunately that's not happening all over the country,' she said.

'There has to be a consequence to shoplifting. They should feel ashamed, it's nothing to be proud about or boast on social media.

'People believe this is acceptable and that it's a victimless crime. They also think nothing will happen to them.

'We've had instances where our security teams have been punched.

Lucy Brown is head of security at the John Lewis Partnership, which runs both John Lewis and Waitrose

Richard Walker, executive chairman of Iceland Foods, has also spoken out about the increase in violent attacks on staff across the UK high street

'This is a social problem. We as retailers take our duty really seriously because it has an impact on our staff and the prices we have to charge our customers.

'We would like to see a consistent level of police response and for the organised gangs to be taken off the streets.

'We want people to understand that the people working in our shops are frontline workers and they deserve respect and courtesy.'

John Lewis recently revealed that shoplifting cost its stores 12million last year.

Chairman Dame Sharon White said she met with Sir Mark Rowley, commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, last week to discuss the issue.

The retailer called on the Government to change legislation in England and Wales to make it a criminal offence to abuse shopworkers, in line with current rules in Scotland.

Last month, Waitrose said it was offering free tea and coffee to police officers in an effort to boost their presence around stores.

The company said it mainly saw a rise in the cost of crime due to theft, as well as 'related wastage'.

Dame Sharon said: 'Like other retailers, we have seen more activity linked to organised crime.

'We have raised the issue because the safety of our staff is incredibly important, as a business we also feel this is an important issue from a societal point of view.'

Last week the boss of Iceland, Richard Walker, became the latest retail leader to speak out about the increase in violent attacks on staff working at high street stores.

In an exclusive op-ed for MailOnline, he claimed that three Iceland staff are HIV positive after being attacked by shoplifters with hypodermic needles.

'Every single week I receive an average of 12 reports of ''serious incidents'' where managers and other colleagues have been attacked in our stores, almost always by shoplifters,' Mr Walker wrote.

'Colleagues are being slapped, punched and threatened with a range of weapons including knives, hammers, firearms and hypodermic needles.

'Three of our store colleagues are now HIV positive as a result of needle attacks several years ago. Other assaults have resulted in injuries ranging from a broken jaw to a fractured skull.'

A shoplifter has a tug of war with a Co-op worker in Liverpool

Mr Walker revealed that the chain is losing 20million a year through shoplifting as he called for more powers to tackle criminals.

He said security guards should be given the power to search suspects  which they currently can only do with their consent.

He also complained that data protection laws had stopped his employees from sharing photos of shoplifters with nearby stores or post their faces on notice boards.

'We've had a run in in the past with the Information Commissioner's Office because sharing photos of known shoplifters with other stores on the high street via WhatsApp groups apparently breaches their human rights under GDPR,' he said, referring to General Data Protection Regulation dating back to 2018.

'When I started working in stores I used to print of faces on the board so staff could be aware but even that may not be allowed now. We are investing record amounts on security but we need legislation and government support.'

Currently, security guards have no more powers than the ordinary public. They are unable to search suspects without their consent, and while they can perform a citizen's arrest this leaves them open to being sued.

'The criminals know this, particularly the organised one  they know their rights,' Mr Walker said in an exclusive interview. 'We need more powers for security personnel to search suspects and detain them until police arrive.

Team leader Charlene Corbin was bottled by a shoplifter at the Co-Op where she works

'Unfortunately, police ignore 70 per cent of calls for help with store thefts. It's not necessarily their fault. They need to have the resources to allow them to take this crime epidemic seriously.

'We also need the courts to impose serious sentences. It's almost become seen as a crime without punishment.'

Mr Walker added: 'We call them frontline colleagues because they are the first point of contact with customers but sometimes it feels like they're on the frontline of a war.'

Paul Gerrard, Co-op's campaigns and public affairs director, said the number of cases of violence being used against staff had also increased by 25 per cent.

'We are running at about a thousand incidents of shoplifting a day across our two and a half thousand stores,' he told MailOnline.

'Four or five colleagues will be physically attacked every day. We've seen syringes, knives and we even saw a medieval mace a couple of years ago.'

The chain has invested in undercover security guards who perform citizen's arrests on thieves.

'These are highly trained expert guards  often ex-police and ex forces  who work undercover in stores where there's a particular problem,' Mr Gerrard said.

'They will intervene and make a citizen's arrest and detain the individual.'

Mr Gerrard said the Co-op had invested heavily in store security but needed tougher enforcement to tackle the problem.

'Some forces are really good at coming out and some are really bad  there's no consistency at all,' he said.
For Corrine Lee-Cheu's family, last Wednesday seemed like a perfectly normal afternoon for her.

The 13-year-old visited her grandmother after school, spoke to her aunty on the phone, then had dinner with her family before going to her room.

Then she took her own life.

'We are devastated. Completely lost,' grandma Patricia Stewart told Daily Mail Australia.

'That afternoon, she gave me a kiss and cuddle and offered to mow my lawn.

Corrine Lee-Cheu (pictured) tragically died last Wednesday, September 13

'There was no indication something was wrong.

'Now, we just keep asking ''why?''

The family had no inkling of the torment she was going through, and how much instances of bullying by other kids had affected her.

Born the second eldest of five children, Corrine, who belongs to the Kuku Possum - Kuku-Warra Indigenous people of Far North Queensland, was affectionately known as 'Kinny' to her family.

Like other kids her age, the Year 8 student at Atherton State High School loved spending time with family, cooking, sometimes being a 'girly girl' but sometimes being a 'tomboy' - running around barefoot and driving tractors on the Lee Cheus outback station in Kalpowar, near Bundaberg in Queensland.

The station is owned by Corrine's paternal grandparents, who she adoringly called boy and girl.

Ms Stewart said only two words were needed to describe Corrine: beautiful girl.

'She had a heart of gold,' Ms Stewart said.

'To me, she was nanny's baby. Her and I just had a strong bond. A lot stronger than any other grandmother and granddaughter I know.

'She mowed my lawn, she would wash my dogs.

'We just connected.'

Corrine is pictured with her mother Jodie, father Monty, and four siblings. The family is now mourning the 13-year-old's loss

Change in demeanour

In the three months leading up to her death, the family noticed a subtle change in Corrine's demeanour. The teenager would sometimes get cranky for no reason.

Her mum Jodie and father Monty would ask her how she was going, but each time, the Year 8 student insisted she was fine.

About two months ago, Corrine was bashed by a group of kids near a local supermarket while she was walking through town.

The matter was reported to police, but officers told the family they were unable to progress the matter because of laws relating to offences committed by minors.

The incident was also reported to her school, who told the family they were unable to take action against those responsible because the attack did not happen on campus.

'She didn't talk about a lot of it. She kept it to herself,' Ms Stewart said of the bullying.

'[When asked if she was ok] she would say, 'Shut up mum. Nothing is wrong with me.''

Corrine's grandmother Patricia Stewart said she was both a 'girly girl' and a 'tomboy'. She is pictured during a trip to the family's station

READ MORE: Dolly the Akubra girl's parents reveal how she spent her final day and the last question she asked her mum before her death aged just 14 threw Australia into mourning Dolly Everett's (pictured) shocking death in 2018 sparked an outpouring of grief across Australia and raised major concerns about cyber-bullying in schools Advertisement

Despite Corrine's denials, the family sensed there were problems that she was lnot etting on, and the week before she died, they took her to the doctor to get help.

But Ms Stewart believes they were too late.

Now, the family are determined to raise awareness about suicide prevention to try and stop other families from going through the same heartache.

They believe Corrine was failed by a lack of support services within the area and insufficient policies to address bullying within schools.

The case has tragic echoes of the suicide of 14-year-old Dolly Everett who, like Corrine, was a Queensland country girl who took her own life after being bullied and persecuted by other kids.

Ms Stewart says more counselling and youth programs are needed for adolescents who may be more comfortable confiding in support networks outside of their homes and to crack down on kids that pick on peers.

'The worst part is they [kids] don't talk about it [bullying]. They are ashamed to talk about it,' she said.

'And the Far North is forgotten. Doctors are virtually nonexistent. We had to take her to Cairns for her to be able to see somebody.

'Why haven't they got the resources? Why haven't we got the doctors? It is a vicious cycle.

'When I was a kid, we had places like youth group, where kids would get together and have a chat to somebody. Those are the things kids need.

'And when there is bullying in the schools up here, the offenders get a bit of detention, or they are suspended for a week and are back again. A week is a holiday to them. They need to try something else. That doesn't work.'

Ms Stewart said the family are still working to determine the extent of Corrine's bullying because she kept it all bottled up inside.

However, the family believe whatever was going on in her life must have been severe for her to have turned to suicide and leave all her loved ones 'wrecked'.

Now, Ms Stewart is urging parents to be persistent and push for their kids to speak to someone if things don't seem right.

'If there was something wrong, she would normally talk to me, but she didn't with this,' she said.

'Get your kid to talk to you. No matter how small it is. Push them to talk,' Ms Stewart said.

'If they won't, go and take them to somebody so they will. We weren't lucky enough with Corrine, but maybe [we would have been] if we had gotten her access to services sooner.'

Corrine was affectionately known to her loved ones as 'Kinny'. She would have turned 14 in November

Corrine's aunt Annie Fitzgerald has set up a GoFundMe to help the family financially in the wake of the tragedy as Monty takes time off work.

Ms Fitzgerald is also currently working to organise a fundraiser to aid in the prevention of suicide among adolescent youths, particularly within Far North Queensland.

Corrine will be farewelled in a funeral service at Mountain View Chapel at 10am on Monday September 25, with mourners asked to wear bright colours in the teen's memory.

Ms Stewart said after Corrine has been laid to rest, and the family have had time to grieve, they are determined to set to work in raising suicide prevention awareness.

They also want a local plaque erected in Corrine's name in hope that when other children see it, they will be reminded of her story and be encouraged to reach out before it's too late.

'We will not let her death go in vain.'

Queensland's Department of Education told Daily Mail Australia the Atherton State High School community is deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss and that students and staff are being offered counselling.

'Bullying is taken incredibly seriously, and all Queensland state schools are required to have a Student Code of Conduct that explicitly details how the school will work to prevent and respond to bullying and cyberbullying,' the department said in a statement.

'Any student experiencing mental health concerns is strongly encouraged to reach out to school staff immediately.

'Parents and carers concerned about the safety and wellbeing of their child, are also encouraged to make immediate contact with the school.'

A Queensland Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the force are 'preparing a report for the Coroner and it would be inappropriate to provide any further comment'.

'Separately, an investigation into an alleged assault at Atherton on March 3, 2023 is continuing.'

For confidential support 24/7, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800
Jonathan Ross was seen walking with his wife as a notorious scandal in his career was broadcast again in the wake of allegations concerning Russell Brand.

The chat-show host, 62, looked relaxed as he strolled with wife of 35 years Jane Goldman.

He may not be enjoying the current storm surrounding his former BBC colleague as it has reignited interest in the scandal that effectively ended their careers with the broadcaster.

The so-called 'Sachsgate' affair  which saw Brand and Ross leave a series of lewd answerphone messages to Fawlty Towers star Andrew Sachs in 2008  was featured on Dispatches harrowing investigation into the now under-fire comedian, 48.

Brand has been accused of rape and sexual assault by four women in the Channel 4 documentary's allegations.

He vehemently denies any wrongdoing and there is also no suggestion Ross had any idea of any of the claims nor is in any way linked to them.

Mr Ross, 62, looked relaxed as he strolled with wife of 35 years Jane Goldman on Tuesday

Mr Ross was wearing an all-black outfit of t-shirt and trousers while his wife wore white and tan

Brand and Ross broadcasting before making an apology to actor Andrew Sachs on Brand's BBC Radio 2 show for leaving offensive messages on his answerphone

Jonathan Ross with his wife Jane Goldman

Sachs  famous for playing bungling Spanish waiter Manuel in the 1970s comedy  was the grandfather of Georgina Baillie, a dancer who Brand had slept with, which Sachs was not aware of.

At the time Brand was 33 and Georgina  a performer with a group called Satanic Sluts  was 23 and there was outcry after the messages were broadcast as part of his show.

Ross said, 'He f***** your granddaughter' in the pre-recorded broadcast.

In total Brand and Ross left three messages on his answerphone making repeated and graphic claims about his granddaughter's relationship  at one point Brand even asked if he could have his 'permission' to marry Georgina.

While in another Brand told Sachs: 'But it was consensual and she wasn't menstrual, it was consensual lovely sex.

'It was full of respect I sent her a text, I've asked her to marry me, Andrew Sachs.'

Later on in the show, Ross then said that if people were offended by the prank calls they had made to Sachs they were 'crazy'.

The BBC received more than 40,000 complaints and Sachs said he was horrified at what the pair had done.

Brand and then controller of Radio 2 Lesley Douglas quit as a result while Ross was also suspended from broadcasting for three months, and there was a change in the way BBC output was vetted.

Sachsgate was the 2008 scandal that cost Russell Brand his job at Radio 2 after he and fellow presenter Jonathan Ross left obscene messages on the answerphone of Fawlty Towers legend Andrew Sachs. Brand and Ross are pictured on The Jonathan Ross Show in 2013

At the time Brand was 33 and Georgina Baillie (pictured in 2011)  who was a dancer with a group called Satanic Sluts  was 23 and there was outcry after the messages were broadcast as part of his show

Former BBC Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas pictured with Russell Brand

A BBC spokesman confirmed that several complaints were made to Ms Douglas, but they were never investigated, adding that they 'only went as far as that' and 'nothing was done'.

Both Brand and Ross apologised for their actions later in October 2008 and in the same month the BBC also apologised to Sachs.

In 2009, Ofcom also fined the corporation 150,000 over the phone calls, describing them as 'gratuitously offensive, humiliating and demeaning'.

During an interview for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs in 2013 Brand claimed the scandal had erupted because he had become caught up in an anti-BBC 'agenda'.

But he did reiterate his apology for the upset the incident caused, but suggested it was a 'dishonest scandal' because it was hijacked by those motivated by a bias against the corporation.

In 2014, two years before Sachs died, Brand wrote a letter of apology to him and said he was sorry for the 'distress, sadness and turbulence' caused.

Brand and Ross in 2008 left obscene messages on the answerphone of Fawlty Towers legend Andrew Sachs (pictured in 2013). The esteemed actor  famous for playing bungling Spanish waiter Manuel in the 1970s comedy  was the grandfather of Georgina Baillie a dancer who Brand had slept with

He added: 'I apologise for the damage I have caused to your family relationships and for robbing you of your peace of mind. This behaviour and the consequences you have suffered as a result of my actions are unacceptable.

'This is not the man I want to be and I wholeheartedly apologise to you both.

'I am sorry too that it has taken so long for me to write to you expressing this sentiment to which the two of you are entitled... please do not hesitate to contact me... My sincere apologies for the hurt I have caused you and your family.'

Since the allegations broke, Ms Baillie, now aged 38, told The Daily Mirror her relationship with Brand was consensual but after the fling she turned to drugs and alcohol after being made the 'butt of the joke' in his comedy routine.

Brand would later apologise to Ms Baillie and paid for her rehab after recognising 'his behaviour towards me was appalling', she said.

'After Sachsgate, Russell made millions of pounds doing a stand-up routine about it and that was very hard and painful for me  I was the butt of the joke, I was young and didn't know how to process it and I turned to drink and drugs,' she added.

Brand, in March 2019  11 years after the incident  apologised to Ms Baillie and reportedly offered her 'thousands of pounds' to get her back on track. She is now a successful artist living with her mother in Bedford.

Brand is understood to have decided himself to go see the former 'Satanic Sluts' dancer at her home for a 'face-to-face' meeting and admitted the whole saga was his fault.

Ms Baillie reportedly accepted his apology but said afterwards: 'What took him so long? All he ever had to do was call me.'

Since the accusations against Brand were made public, Ms Baillie has also has come forward to say she was never attacked by the comedian, but hopes 'these alleged survivors get the help that they need'.

Speaking to TalkTV last night, Ms Baillie declared that she does not believe he is rapist but insisted his accusers must not all be written off as liars.

Russell Brand 's former lover Georgina Baillie said: From my own personal experience I do not see Russell as a rapist' - but she says the women should be believed

Sachs did not speak to his granddaughter for eight years. Brand eventually wrote him a letter in 2014 - two years before he died - apologising for the 'stress, sadness and turbulence'

She said: From my own personal experience I do not see Russell as a rapist, however, the evidence is compelling so one has to keep an open mind.

'Im not saying they are lies, it was a long time ago and they [the women] should be believed and get some help'.

Despite the backlash  which was even discussed in Parliament  Ross did not consider walking away from the broadcaster, claiming the issue had been 'blown out of all proportion'.

Recalling the incident last year, Ross said: 'I didn't want the people who were going for me and going for Russell to win. That would have been their victory.

'I didn't want to throw anyone under the bus, but after the recording I actually said, "You know you can't put that out unless we have his [Sachs's] permission? You've got to make sure" That's why the BBC couldn't fire me.'

The radio personality also claimed the BBC has become more risk-averse and dull in the wake of his Sachsgate scandal.

Ross, who hosted a show on Radio 2 for ten years, admitted he now rarely tunes in. Talking to Dermot O'Leary on his Audible podcast in August last year, he said: 'I wish it was a little bit more interesting.

'A lot of the time it feels like they don't take risks any more, which they used to.

'Obviously I'm part of the reason they don't do that any more because of the huge cock-up of me and Russell on his show.

'It's one of the reasons they allowed themselves to be beaten back into a position of, 'Oh, don't take risks, don't take chances.'

Russell Brand leaves the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre in north-west London after performing a comedy set on Saturday

It comes as Brand faces further claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, following a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times and Channel 4 Dispatches.

Channel 4 and the BBC have both launched internal investigations into separate accusations of predatory behaviour towards staff and audience members by Brand during the time of his employment.

The ex-staffers have claimed that Brand got them to 'act like pimps' by getting the numbers of women in the audience and passing notes to them from the presenter.

Brand vehemently denies all allegations and insists all relationships were consensual.


A litany of avoidable failures was to blame for tax-payers being landed with an 835million bill for Edinburgh's trams system, a damning report has found.

Retired judge Lord Hardie singled out SNP ministers for criticism alongside the City of Edinburgh Council and its arms-length trams company in a long-awaited report into the fiasco.

The report accused ministers of a serious error of judgment for withdrawing Transport Scotland officials from the management of the scheme in 2007, which landed the public with extra costs.

Critics branded the trams project a national scandal and claimed SNP ministers had failed to act in the publics best interests.

But Environment and Transport Secretary Mairi McAllan condemned the 13.1million public inquiry  which was set up by the SNP  claiming it had taken too long, cost too much and in some instances the evidence heard does not support the conclusion drawn.

The trams project caused major disruption after years of upheaval

Lord Hardie's report was finally released on Tuesday

The work on the beleaguered and over budget trams scheme seemed to go on forever

Transport Minister Mairi McAllan hit out at the report

The report was finally published yesterday, nearly a decade after the inquiry was established by then First Minister Alex Salmond in June 2014. Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for the Lothian region, said: Lord Hardies report is a scathing critique of the SNP Government and City of Edinburgh Councils roles in a national scandal.

After years of delays and millions of pounds of public money, we at last have some conclusions on the appalling mishandling of Edinburghs tram network.

He said John Swinney, who was finance secretary when Transport Scotlands role in the management of the project was removed, had questions to answer.

Mr Briggs added: Mairi McAllan has immediately gone into defensive mode over the damning criticisms in Lord Hardies report.

But there is very little point in commissioning an inquiry if ministers simply dismiss its conclusions without examining them carefully.

The 8.7-mile route between Edinburgh Airport and York Place in the city centre opened in 2014, five years later than planned, and an extension taking it to Newhaven opened this summer.

The inquiry found the best estimate of the cost of the first phase is 835.7million, up from the previous estimate of 776million, while the cost of the entire route is set to be 1.04billion.

Lord Hardie, who was paid more than 1million for his role as inquiry chairman, said: What is clear from the inquirys work is that there was a litany of avoidable failures on the parts of several parties whose role it was to ensure that public funding was spent effectively and to the benefit of Scotlands taxpayers, and that the Edinburgh Trams project was delivered efficiently.

Poor management and abdication of responsibility on a large scale have had a significant and lasting impact on the lives and livelihoods of Edinburgh residents, and the reputation of the city.

When the SNP came to power in 2007 as a minority government, its manifesto included a pledge to abandon the tram project. However, it lost a Holyrood vote proposing this, and ministers instead ordered officials to scale back involvement.

The report said there was no satisfactory or rational justification for removing Transport Scotland representatives from the projects board, and this resulted in less scrutiny. Defects in the key contract may have been identified if the decision had not been taken.

It added: Had that error of judgment not occurred it is probable that the infraco [infrastructure construction] contract would not have been signed in 2008 and there would not have been the level of wasted public expenditure that ultimately occurred.

In its key conclusions, the report states: The actions of the Scottish ministers during 2009, 2010 and 2011 and in authorising the involvement of officials in Transport Scotland in the management of the project between 2011 and 2014 reinforce my view that the limitations imposed by them on the involvement of officials in 2007 was a serious error and resulted in the failure by the Scottish ministers to protect the public purse, insofar as their contribution of 500million was concerned.

But in a statement issued shortly after the report was published, Ms McAllan said: The Scottish Government places the highest importance on the efficient spending of public money. It is why the public inquiry was set up and given statutory powers to thoroughly investigate matters.

It is also why we committed significant resources to diligently support the inquiry and to engage meaningfully and openly with it.

However, the inquiry took too long, was too costly and in some instances the evidence heard does not support the conclusion drawn.

Ms McAllan said she would need time to consider the findings before providing a more comprehensive response to parliament.

When he launched his report yesterday, Lord Hardie failed to open himself up to scrutiny by refusing to hold a press conference.

In a video statement, he said that City of Edinburgh Council, its arms-length company TIE, and Scottish ministers were principally responsible for the failure to deliver the project on time, within budget and to the extent projected.

He said issues with TIE were the principal cause of failure, but he also criticised council officials, saying they provided misleading reports to councillors suggesting the cost of the line would be within the 545million budget.

On the failings of SNP ministers, he said Mr Swinney appeared to subsequently recognise the mistake of withdrawing Transport Scotland support.

Lord Hardie added: Their role was intended to protect public funds represented by the grant funding but such protection was removed as a result of the actions of Scottish ministers.

Scores of tram workers rush to take down roadworks ahead of the long awaited re-opening of Princes Street in November 2009

The report makes 24 recommendations for Scottish ministers, including that they should be involved in the delivery of any future light rail projects  as they were before the withdrawal of Transport Scotland officials in 2007  and contract negotiations must be delayed until design, approvals and consents are in place.

Cammy Day, Labour leader of City of Edinburgh Council, said: From a first reading of the report it is clear that serious mistakes were made and that this had a significant impact on the city.

The original project caused a great deal of disruption to residents and businesses, as well as damaging the citys reputation, and on behalf of the council, I want to apologise for this.

I wont, however, apologise for building a tram system, or our ambition to develop it further. Creating a better connected, environmentally friendly transport system is essential for a modern, successful city.
Attorney General Merrick Garland is in the hot seat on Capitol Hill today as fired up Republicans finally have their shot to hammer him with questions.

The House Judiciary Committee plans to examine how DOJ has become 'politicized and weaponized' under Garland's leadership - particularly regarding the more lenient treatment the agency has provided to Hunter Biden according to whistleblowers.

Chairman Jim Jordan wants to use the hearing to get to the bottom of the DOJ's 'unequal application of the law' comparing investigations into Hunter Biden versus former President Donald Trump.

'I think at the heart of all this is the disparity treatment, unequal application of the law, the double standard. I think that's the theme,' he told Fox Business host Larry Kudlow Tuesday afternoon.

The GOP has become increasingly enraged about the Department of Justice's alleged 'special treatment' of Hunter Biden during its tax and gun crimes investigation into the president's son.

The House Judiciary Committee plans to examine how DOJ has become 'politicized and weaponized' under Garland's leadership

The GOP has become increasingly enraged about the Department of Justice's alleged 'special treatment' of Hunter Biden during its tax and gun crimes investigation into the president's son

The hearing comes a week after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., opened an impeachment inquiry into President Biden's connections to his family's 'influence peddling scheme' and after Hunter was charged with felony gun crimes by Special Counsel David Weiss.

Jordan said Republicans plan to demand answers from Garland over his appointment of Weiss to special counsel status last month.

Weiss has been in charge of an over five-year-long probe into Hunter. In July, the prosecutor's team put together a plea deal that got the president's son off the hook for serving any jail time.

Republicans quickly slammed it as a 'sweetheart deal' designed to protect Joe.

However, the plea deal spectacularly fell apart in court in July, opening Hunter up to new charges.

Judge Maryellen Noreika questioned the 'diversion agreement' of Hunter's plea deal - a clause that gave him blanket immunity for a wide range of other potential charges, including illegal foreign lobbying - killing the deal.

And after IRS whistleblowers on the case came forward and testified under oath that Hunter got 'special treatment,' Garland was forced to promote Weiss to special counsel status in August.

IRS agents Joe Ziegler and Gary Shapley testified under oath to House Republicans that their investigation into the president's son 'supported felony and misdemeanor tax charges,' which were ultimately not brought against Hunter due to political pressures.

Weiss tried to bring felony charges against him in Washington, D.C., they said, but was blocked by the district's top federal prosecutor Matthew Graves, a Biden appointee.

Shapley also recently shared handwritten notes from a meeting from October 2022 in which he quoted Weiss saying he was 'not the deciding person' on charging Hunter Biden with tax crimes, raising questions about potential improper handling of the case by DOJ.

Jordan takes issue with Weiss' slow handling of the five-year Hunter probe compared to Special Counsel Jack Smith.

In contrast, Smith quickly indicted former President Donald Trump over his supposed mishandling of classified documents and also his alleged attempt to overturn the results 2020 election. Trump has maintained his innocence in both federal cases.

'That is the double standard I think we want to show,' continued the chairman.

Garland is expected to emphasize that his agency ended up bringing three new felony charges against the president's son, so there is no 'double standard.'

He will also tout the agency's integrity and reputation for following the rule of law.

Last week, Hunter was hit with three felony charges after allegedly lying about his crack cocaine addiction when buying a gun in 2018 and faces up to 25 years in prison.

On Tuesday, an attorney for Hunter said that he plans to plead not guilty to the federal gun charges.

When the attorney general last testified in Congress in April, he said he was committed to ensuring his office's investigation into Hunter Biden is conducted without political interference.

Weiss is set to also testify before his committee in October.

'The Justice Department said [Weiss] would come testify publicly,' Jordan said Tuesday adding, 'we'll see if he honors that.'

The chairman said that Garland will likely get a few questions about Weiss' appointment and whether DOJ will allow to him to testify.

'We'll see if he honors the commitment the Justice Department gave. We want to talk to a number of witnesses before that October date,' adding the committee has only talked to two out of 11 total requested witnesses.

'They have basically backed up everything Mr. Shapley and Mr. Ziegler told us as whistleblowers who came forward as IRS agents who worked on the Hunter Biden case,' Jordan continued.

Other topics expected to come up during Wednesday's hearing include the alleged targeting of pro-life Catholics by the FBI, the controversial school board memo and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) reauthorization.

Chairman Jim Jordan wants to use the hearing to get to the bottom of the DOJ's 'unequal application of the law' to investigations into Hunter Biden versus former President Donald Trump

The GOP has accused Biden of corruption and abuse of power over his alleged links to Hunter's foreign business deals while he was vice presiden

House Republicans announced Tuesday that they will hold their first hearing in the impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden next Thursday - and plan to subpoena the president's son Hunter's and brother James's bank records.

The GOP has accused Biden of corruption and abuse of power over his alleged links to Hunter's foreign business deals while he was vice president.

They hope the new records will shed more light on the Biden family finances and help the next stage of the investigation.

The White House insists Republicans have no evidence to back up their claims and have called the investigation a sham.
Patients have been left in tears after being told their NHS appointment has been cancelled due to the strikes  with some having to wait more than a month for it to be rescheduled.

Shaun Howe, a delivery driver from the Isle of Wight whose knee replacement is infected, said he was 'devastated' when his appointment was postponed and warned that lives are at risk due to delays in care.

Lauren Golding, a construction worker from Essex who is suffering from severe tummy pain that is yet to be diagnosed, said she cried when her appointment was cancelled because 'she was so distressed' and has been told she faces a six-week wait for a new date.

Other patients have shared how they have had up to two appointments postponed at the last minute due to mass walkouts by medics, including for cancer surgery, and have been 'left suffering' as a result.

NHS junior doctors and consultants have been accused of 'going against the ethics of medicine' after taking to picket lines today to stage the most disruptive strike in NHS history, with more than 100,000 cancellations expected.

Shaun Howe, a delivery driver from the Isle of Wight whose knee replacement is infected, said he was 'devastated' when his appointment was cancelled and warned that lives are at risk due to delays in care

Lauren Golding from Essex, who is suffering from severe tummy pain that is yet to be diagnosed, said she cried when her appointment was cancelled because 'she was so distressed' and has been told she faces a six-week wait for a new date

Junior doctors are joining forces with consultants in the first of a series of co-ordinated walkouts designed to 'maximise disruption'. Pictured: Striking NHS medics outside University College Hospital in central London on September 20

The consultant strike action is running until 7am on Thursday, while junior doctors are staging their own action from today, which will wrap up at 7am on Saturday.

Top medics warned said the 'awful scenario' will put patients at 'the highest level of risk in living memory', and affect 'many more groups of patients who haven't been disrupted by previous strikes'.

Many patients are experiencing second or third delays to treatment. Cancer patients could be at particular risk, with 'some of the very sickest patients maybe suffering the most'.

The British Medical Association (BMA), which is coordinating the walkouts, argues that the medics have seen their pay be eroded by 35 per cent over the last 15 years. As a result, junior doctors have called for a full 35 per cent pay uplift, while consultants set their pay demand 11 per cent.

For comparison, the Government has offered junior doctors a pay rise between 8.1 and 10.3 per cent, while consultants have been offered six per cent.

READ MORE: Double doctors strike: Who is walking out this week and when? What NHS services will be hit? And why do medics fear patients are at risk? Junior doctors will then stage a joint strike with the senior medics tomorrow  for the first time in the health service's 75 year history  marking an escalation in the dispute. Pictured: Consultants pictured on September 19 outside University Hospital Bristol and Weston Advertisement

Mr Howe, 53, said he believes 'doctors aren't paid enough' but questioned why both junior doctors and consultants have to strike at the same time.

The father-of-two said: 'How many lives are going to be sacrificed for these strikes?

'These people that are not very well in hospitals, and need these things done to them, all of a sudden that could get put back a day, but that could be a life.'

Mr Howe, who now struggles to walk due to his knee infection, said he fears his cancelled appointment will exacerbate his declining mental health.

He said: 'I'm devastated. When you have this injury, you can easily get very depressed, and I've already had that situation.

'I'm not depressed now but I know it's coming, you can feel it.'

Ms Golding, 36, said that while she 'understands' why doctors are striking, 'someone has got to take a bit of responsibility'.

She suffers from 'debilitating' tummy pain that she fears may be a problem with her ovaries and that delays could after her fertility. She has also experienced hair loss.

Ms Golding said: 'If I have an outburst with my tummy, it knocks me off my feet for a week.

'I can't move and there's shooting pain down my legs.

'I normally have to have time off work because I can't drive because the pain is so severe.'

She said her wait for NHS care has been 'dehumanising' and she feels like she has 'become a number' as there is so many people in the queue for treatment.

Ms Golding added : 'I don't know if it's something to do with my ovaries and whether or not I can have children.

'As a 36-year-old that, to me, is very on my heart because I'd love to have children and I'm hoping that it's not going to be anything as serious as that but that can't be helped in the back of your mind.'

When she was told her appointment was cancelled due to the strikes, she sat on her bed and 'cried because I was so distressed because of my hair coming out', Ms Golding said.

She added: 'I still feel really emotional about it. I still feel really frustrated with the whole system.'

Other patients took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to voice their exasperation at their appointments being cancelled because of the strikes.

Laura, based in London, said that her father's operation has been cancelled on two occasions because of the strikes and has to wait four weeks for another slot.

She said: 'Do not support the NHS strikes at all today.

'My father who is in desperate need of an op which has been cancelled twice now was due to have his this Thursday.

Consultants in England have taken to the picket lines on four separate days so far this summer, while junior doctors have staged 19 days of strike action this year. Both will return to the picket lines together on October, 2, 3 and 4. Radiographers are also set to join medics by walking out for 24 hours from 8am on October 3. The strike days also coincide with Rishi Sunak's first Tory party conference as leader and prime minister

Some 885,154 appointments have been postponed since NHS industrial action  which has involved staff including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and paramedics  kicked-off in December. If all community and mental health figures are included, the total rises to more than 940,000  though this will not reflect the overall number of actual cancellations, due to some duplication of data

England's backlog, for procedures like hip and knee replacements, now stands at 7.6million, official figures revealed last week. It means roughly one in seven people across the country are currently stuck in the system awaiting care. More than 380,000 patients have gone a year without being treated, often in agony

'You know what your [pay] will be when going in to a job. So many patients are suffering due to the extreme waitlists now this.'

She added: 'You'd think & hope that patients well-being and care would come above all else, sadly not for some.'

Angela Rawlins, a complementary therapist based in Berkshire, said she had her long-awaited appointment cancelled the day before it was supposed to take place.

Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, confirmed today that nearly 900,000 procedures have been disrupted due to industrial action and the figure 'will certainly rise today and over the next few days'.

He told Sky News: 'Today we are in unprecedented uncharted territory.

Read more: How much are NHS consultants paid? How does it compare to other health service staff? Salary earning explained amid strikes Fresh analysis suggests NHS consultants in England are in the top 2 per cent of earners in the UK and are also among the most financially rewarded in the profession globally Advertisement

'It's quite simply the first time we have seen this sort of joint industrial action where consultants and junior doctors are walking out on the same day.

'Christmas levels of cover are being maintained  so we are ensuring that emergency care will be going ahead as planned  but of course that will be more fragile than usual and tens of thousands of routine appointments and procedures will be disrupted, cancelled and rescheduled.'

Sir Stephen warned that the 'Christmas Day' cover means medics are working on rotas normally seen around the festive period, when there is a drop in demand.

He said: 'Today is not Christmas day. We expect that demand will be very close to normal, so there will be fragility in those emergency services, which is why we're asking once again for the public to use services wisely.

'Over the next three weeks, we're going to see the equivalent of eight Christmas Days. This is not just a one off, this is going to cause major disruption as we go through the next few weeks too.'

Sir Stephen noted that the walkouts are 'frustrating for everybody', especially patients 'who are seeing their appointments disrupted and rescheduled'.

Many routine hospital appointments and treatments, including cancer care, have been postponed as a result of both junior doctor and consultant strikes.

Some hospitals have had to halve their normal levels of activity on strike days.

But patients have been urged to still attend their appointment if they have not been told it is cancelled  as some doctors are still working.

'Christmas Day' cover is in place throughout hospitals on Wednesday, with emergency units staffed and a basic level of cover on wards.

On Thursday and Friday  during the junior doctor strike  there will be a 'full strike' meaning consultants will be used to provide cover in hospitals.

GP services and pharmacies are expected to operate normally during the strikes, though some junior doctors work at GP surgeries, so some practices may be affected from Wednesday.

The NHS has declared 22 critical incidents  when a NHS trust is unable to deliver critical services, meaning patients could be at risk  since health service strikes began in December, the Department of Health revealed today.

This week's industrial action, which began yesterday with consultants and continues until Friday with a three-day junior doctors walkout, may see more than 100,000 operations and appointments cancelled, NHS bosses warned. Pictured: Striking NHS medics outside Whittington Hospital in London on September 20

Pictured: NHS consultants and junior doctors carry placards as they strike outside St. Thomas' hospital in London on September 20

This has seen critical care patients transferred to other hospitals due to staffing shortages, while cancer surgery and treatment were postponed.

Meanwhile, it was revealed today that, due to a shortage of staff triggered by the strikes, the NHS is paying thousands of pounds for doctors to cover shifts.

In one case, University Hospitals Plymouth paid a consultant more than 3,000 to cover a 12-and-a-half-hour night shift, supposed to be covered by a junior doctor, according to a BBC Freedom of Information request.

The sky-high fee is set out in the BMA's rate card, which it tells doctors to demand when covering striking medics' shifts. It recommends charging up to 269 an hour for night shifts.

Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, said: 'This is likely to be the biggest walkout the NHS has ever seen, will cause serious disruption, and put patients at the highest level of risk in living memory.'

He added: 'Consultants and junior doctors walking out together is the awful scenario health leaders have long feared, and now face a tough few days in their efforts to maintain patient safety, ahead of a longer, more difficult clear-up of the fallout.

READ MORE: 134,000-a-year NHS consultants charging hospitals up to 3,000 PER SHIFT for covering striking medics Pictured, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn meets striking consultants and junior doctors today outside Whittington Hospital in London Advertisement

'We suspect that, despite our members preparing thoroughly in advance, we may see more than 100,000 operations and appointments cancelled this time around, taking the total to well over a million.'

Health leaders warned patients to expect five 'Christmas Days' in the next three weeks, meaning most non-emergency care has been cancelled.

Health Secretary Steve Barclay accused the British Medical Association of 'increasing militancy'.

Yesterday, he launched a consultation into proposed minimum service laws, which could order medics off picket lines and into hospitals during strike action to ring fence patient care.

Writing in the Daily Express, Mr Barclay revealed that unions that fail to provide enough medics to cover strike days could be slapped with 1million fines under the new rules, which, if passed, are not expected to come into effect until next year.

He said: 'The BMA or other unions who deliberately breach the service levels would face fines up to a 1million.

'It's worth reiterating doctors in training have received a fair and reasonable pay rise  as recommended by the independent pay review body.'

Professor Karol Sikora, a leading consultant oncologist, said the coordinated strikes were 'storing up big problems for patients in the future'.

He added: 'For doctors to strike is against the ethics of medicine.

'If you miss cancer and someone goes for another two years without a diagnosis, it's as good as leaving someone in the gutter bleeding... people will die.'

The British Medical Association (BMA), which is coordinating the walkouts, argues that the medics have seen their pay be eroded by 35 per cent over the last 15 years. Pictured: Consultants and junior doctors striking outside the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle on September 20

The consultant strike action is running until 7am on Thursday, while junior doctors are staging their own action from today, which will wrap up at 7am on Saturday. Pictured: NHS medics outside University College Hospital in London on September 20

Dr Vishal Sharma, chairman of the BMA's consultants' committee, said staff felt forced into taking strike action, adding that while pay had been eroded, workloads had increased.

But there is no sign of the strikes coming to an end anytime soon. The Health Secretary and the BMA have not met in more than three months.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that they pay offer the Government has granted is fair and final.

But BMA leaders have said they will only call off action if presented with a higher pay uplift and 'cannot cancel strikes to simply enter talks'.

This suggests that there is no end in sight, with the union warning that without an agreement, strikes will continue into winter.

Conciliation service Acas said it stands 'ready to help' end the disputes.

Marina Glasgow, Acas chief conciliator, said: 'We have a team of experts who are well prepared and ready to help with the consultants and junior doctors' disputes.

'Our collective conciliation service is impartial, free and independent. It is also voluntary, which means we can only hold formal conciliation talks when all the parties in dispute agree that the time is right for conciliation.'
A senior Nationalist MSP has warned that his party may lose power if it forces through unpopular council tax hikes.

Kenneth Gibson, convener of the Scottish parliament finance committee, launched a strongly worded attack on the reform proposals.

A joint consultation by the Scottish Government and council umbrella group Cosla, which closes today, proposes council tax increases for one in four Scots households.

Under the plan, anyone living in Band E-H homes would see their council tax bill soar by up to 22.5 per cent. But ministers last night insisted no final decision has been taken, amid a growing backlash.

During a meeting of the finance committee yesterday, Mr Gibson cited concerns about so-called loss aversion and linked it to council tax reform, saying: The people who gain will just shrug their shoulders but the people who actually lose will be less than chuffed.

Band E-H homes could see council tax bills soar by up to 22.5 per cent

Kenneth Gibson issued warning

And in fact on the consultation on council tax which closes tomorrow, Ive not had anyone contact me to say this is great, but Ive had plenty people say they are not too chuffed about it.

When experts told the committee about the impact of the council tax proposals, Mr Gibson said: I think its about the Governments survivability if they were to implement this across the board, given the ferocious onslaught that would come from all sides. That is just a political reality.

Ahead of the closure of the consultation today, opposition politicians demanded ministers do not go ahead with the tax hikes .

Scottish Conservative finance spokesman Liz Smith said: Before this consultation ends, people should register their disapproval of the SNPs reckless plans to hammer Scottish households with yet another tax rise.

The Governments proposals would see at least a quarter of Scottish homes hit by an additional rise, over and above any increase at local level.

During a cost of living crisis, and with Scotland already the highest-taxed part of the UK, the last thing hard-pressed households need are these additional bills, especially when the SNPs years of neglect and under-funding have left public services in tatters.

During a Holyrood debate, Scottish Liberal Democrat economy spokesman Willie Rennie highlighted analysis from Oxfam showing that more than a third of the homes occupied by the richest 10 per cent of people are in bands A-D. He said: The Scottish Government need to scrap these hikes and deliver the reform that was promised 16 years ago.

SNP public finance minister Tom Arthur told MSPs: The consultation that has been undertaken is still live.

I want to assure anyone who has responded, who has taken an interest, and indeed all members in this chamber, that no decisions have been taken. I will very carefully reflect upon the responses.

Experts also dismissed the prospect of a new wealth tax being introduced in time for this years Budget.

Humza Yousaf has said he is considering calls for such a tax, but Joao Sousa of the Fraser of Allander Institute said it was highly unlikely it could be introduced for the new financial year.
The niece of No advocate Warren Mundine has labelled her uncle's stance on the Voice as 'inconsistent' while revealing she is in strong support of the referendum.

Reconciliation of Australia CEO Karen Mundine, 51, said the family has argued over their respective positions about the referendum and claimed her late mother Kaye, who is Mr Mundine's sister, would be on her side.

Mr Mundine, 67, the former Labor president and a Liberal party candidate in the 2019 election, is a leading campaigner for the No vote and has said Aboriginal people need to 'move on' from discussing past traumas.

Ms Mundine told The New Daily's Lucie Morris-Marr that while she respects and cares for her uncle, she finds his statements 'inconsistent' with his beliefs.

While he is firmly in the No camp, he supports treaty negotiations between the government and Indigenous people and says racism is worse now in Australia than when he grew up.

Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine *(pictured) has criticised her uncle Warren, a leading figure for the No campaign, as 'inconsistent'

Mr Mundine (pictured) has said Aboriginal people need to 'move on' from discussing past traumas but also supports treaty discussions

Anthony Mundine has described the Voice as 'straight up trickery' and expressing concerns that 'sovereignty of the land could be ceded' if the referendum were to pass

Ms Mundine said the family argues over their respective positions and even claimed her dead mother, Warren Mundine's sister, Kaye (pictured) would be on her side

Ms Mundine suggested the family could drift apart over their political views saying she 'very much' disagreed with her uncle's views on the Voice.

'Will people be as close? I don't know right now. It's hard to say,' she said.

The highest profile Mundine family member, former champion boxer and NRL superstar Anthony, who is Warren's second cousin, also plans to vote No.

He described the Voice as 'straight up trickery'.

READ MORE: Warren Mundine concedes he has to talk to 'racists' Mr Mundine broke ranks with fellow No campaigners by calling for Australia Day to be moved from January 26 and treaties to be established. Advertisement

Ms Mundine also claimed her mother Kaye, a champion for Indigenous rights who died in 2016 aged 69, would disagree with her brother, with whom she used to 'lock horns ... a lot'.

'She would be hating this whole debate,' she said.

Ms Mundine said her uncle had a direct impact on her childhood and 'helped raise' her and that she loved and respected him.

'He has a point of view and he stands for that, but I very much disagree with that point of view,' she said.

The increasing divisiveness of the campaign has led to abuse directed at Reconciliation Australia, the organisation she has led since 2017.

They have been bombarded with abusive calls and social media messages and even received 'an unsigned threat'.

One of her female colleagues, door knocking for the Yes campaign also had a hot cup of coffee thrown over her.

Mr Mundine previous told Daily Mail Australia the Voice hasn't impacted the relationships in the family.

'In our family there is a wide range of opinions, just like any other family,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

One-time Labor leader Warren Mundine told Daily Mail Australia his family is like any other in Australia - some will vote No, others Yes, and many are still undecided. He is voting no

'When we get together, we talk about family stuff - the footy, our lives. We don't let the Voice interfere with family business.

'We love each other and I am very, very proud of Karen. She has had an incredible career and she is an amazing woman.'

Mr Mundine was the ninth of eleven children and grew up in Auburn, western Sydney with seven brothers and three sisters, including Kaye.

Ms Mundine plans to vote Yes because the Voice advisory body will be 'a better mechanism for better outcomes'.

'The Voice is what First Nations people want so we can have some agency in our lives,' she said.

Warren Mundine has been contacted for comment.
Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com

READ MORE: 10 foods that will make you sick

More than 30 guests have gastro

A bride and groom are considering a lawsuit against the caterers at their wedding after more than 30 guests developed food poisoning.

The newlyweds tied the knot in front of 300 friends and family at The Park venue in Albert Park, Melbourne, on Saturday.

But in the days after their nuptials - a period couples typically reserve for their honeymoon - news trickled in that some guests had fallen ill with gastroenteritis.

By Monday, it emerged that about one in ten guests was sick - and the number has continued to grow.

Now the couple is reportedly considering legal action against the caterers who served them the food, as they prepare for a potential class action lawsuit.

The Victorian Health Department has launched an investigation into the gastro outbreak, which is not believed to be related to a separate cluster of listeria cases in the state.

At least two guests spent Monday night in hospital recovering from symptoms and others have begun anonymously speaking out.

More than 30 people have developed gastroenteritis after attending a wedding at The Park (pictured) in Melbourne's Albert Park on Saturday

The bride and groom reportedly spent Tuesday gathering statements from guests who had become ill, one guest told The Age.

They said that while the couple was considering legal action, they were not prepared to speak publicly about the matter.

Guests were given the choice of chicken or pork for the main course, but it is not known if one dish or the other was linked to more cases or gastro.

As many as 30 guests out of the 300 experienced food poisoning in the days after the reception.

Children at the wedding were reportedly given hamburgers and were also among those who developed food poisoning, according to 3AW.

Those affected reportedly experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating and delirium after attending the wedding.

The Health Department is now working with the local council to get to the bottom of what happened.

A spokesperson for the venue told Daily Mail Australia investigations would cover two events - on Wednesday, September 13, and the wedding on September 16.

'On Friday, September 15, we received a routine health and safety site inspection from the City of Port Philip, finding no issues with health and safety practices,' they said.

The newlyweds are now considering suing caterers while the Victorian Health Department has launched an investigation which The Park is co-operating with

'We have conducted a precautionary deep clean and have received approval from the council to continue trading.

'We will continue to work closely with the City of Port Philip to determine the cause of this outbreak and will keep customers and impacted parties notified of the investigator's findings.'

The Health Department is also looking into an outbreak of listeriosis which caused five Victorians to become ill in August.

The listeriosis outbreak has become a 'multi-state cluster', according to a statement released by Victorian Chief Health Officer Clare Looker.

Queensland Health investigators linked it to M&J Chickens' shredded chicken in three states.

Listeriosis is an uncommon, but potentially serious, infection, the Health Department said in its statement.

'People at increased risk include older people, pregnant women and their babies, people with underlying health conditions such as cancer, liver or kidney disease or diabetes,' Queensland Health said.

'People at increased risk of listeriosis should avoid consuming high-risk foods.'

The department recommends anyone who believes they are suffering from gastroenteritis or listeriosis visit its website for more information.

Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com
Shoppers are set to face a chicken shortage, with workers at a major wholesaler taking industrial action that could affect meat stocked at supermarket shelves.

Over a thousand workers at Ingham's will walk off the job for a day, with staff at the meat producing business demanding a six per cent pay rise every year for three years.

The increase would mean workers would get an extra $1.50 an hour.

The industrial action is set to get underway on Friday, with workers at the company's factories in Bolivar, in Adelaide's north and Osborne Park, in Perth's north-west set to carry out the strikes for 24 hours after strike notices were issued to the company on Monday.

Workers at meat wholesaler Ingham's (pictured) will walk off the job for 24 hours over a pay dispute, with staff demanding a six per cent pay increase

If a deal is not struck, there are fears of a meat shortage across the major supermarkets including Woolworths and Coles.

It's understood workers could continue to stay away if their pay demands are not met.

Several other retailers including popular fast food chains KFC and McDonald's, would also be affected by a potential meat shortage.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Ingham's for comment.

In a statement, United Workers Union national secretary Tim Kennedy told Daily Mail the pay increase is modest, but staff deserve more pay.

'Workers at Inghams are only on around $25-an-hour and they are simply asking for an extra $1.50-an-hour,' Mr Kennedy said.

'But instead of dipping into their deep pockets, Ingham's managers have opted for obfuscation and intimidation.

'It's really quite atrocious behaviour when you consider these are the very workers who have contributed to their huge profits by showing up every day, during pandemics, in the middle of the night, on public holidays, doing a less-than-glamorous job to make sure Australians have protein on their plates.'

A spokeswoman from Woolworths said the strikes would not affect the supply of meat across it's stores.

A Coles spokesperson also confirmed, that supplies of meat and poultry will not be affected due to the industrial action.

'We work with a range of poultry suppliers, and so don't expect there will be any impact on availability for Coles customers,' the spokesperson told Daily Mail.

There are fears over a chicken shortage if the pay demands of workers at Ingham's are not met, with the company's chicken products stocked at major supermarkets including Coles and Woolworths

The company reported a net profit of $1billion in the 2023 financial year, an increase of 72 per cent from last year.

The union says workers have been lobbying for a pay increase since the start of this year, due to the rising cost of living.

They allege the company has not offered a deal that meets the demands of workers.

It comes after some of Ingham's chicken products were among several food items that faced shortages earlier this year.

Ingham's CEO Andrew Reeves told a stockholder meeting in November 2022 that the cost of chicken feed was skyrocketing, while consumer demand was shrinking.

The company's annual results released in August 2022 showed its spending on chicken feed alone rose more than $45million in 2022.

According to its website, 8,200 people are employed by the company.
Australia is facing a terrifying triple threat of a super dry spring drought, sizzling summer heatwave - and huge tracts of the country being a lethal bushfire tinderbox.

The latest data from the Bureau of Meteorology has revealed the nation's shocking dangers after an El Nino was declared on Tuesday.

A freak combination of weather events is set to plunge Australia into crisis this summer, with the entire country forecast to suffer extreme dry heat.

The conditions are set to be perfect for another possible Black Summer, just four years after devastating bushfires ravaged Australia in 2019 and 2020.

A massive swathe of coastline from Cairns to Sydney, potentially affecting around 10 million people and stretching 1000km inland, is on high bushfire alert this spring.

Australia is facing a terrifying triple threat of a super dry spring drought, sizzling summer heatwave - and huge tracts of the country being a lethal bushfire tinderbox

Latest data from the Bureau of Meteorology has revealed the shocking dangers facing the nation after an El Nino was declared on Tuesday

The conditions are set to be perfect for another possible Black Summer, just four years after Australia was ravaged by devastating bushfires in 2019 and 2020

Victoria's rural south-east and far north-west, stretching into South Australia, have also been pinpointed as danger areas by the Australasian Fire Authorities Council.

A massive area in Australia's red centre is also at high risk of out-of-control blazes, stretching across almost the whole of the central Northern Territory.

The Nullarbor Wilderness Protection area on the South Australia-Western Australia border has also been highlighted as being at high risk from wildfires.

The danger zones are set to be fuelled by overgrown parched bush undergrowth and grasslands, which flourished in the wet La Nina conditions of the last couple of years.

But they have now died back and dried out - and a looming super dry spring is set to make the arid tinder even more flammable.

Ex-fire chief Greg Mullins has warned of 'powderkeg' conditions just waiting to spark into life with devastating consequences.

'Excessive rainfall in recent years has caused prolific vegetation growth in Australia, which is now drying and turning into fire fuel as we experience hotter, drier conditions,' said Mr Mullins, former Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW and founder of Emergency Leaders for Climate Action.

'Grass fires can be as deadly and destructive as forest fires. They are very fast-moving.

'People who have been caught up in these types of fires in the past have been unable to outrun them and have sadly died.'

'Summer will almost certainly see a return to bushfire conditions across most of Australia, with major fires in the NSW Blue Mountains and even the suburbs of Sydney.

'All levels of government need to understand the escalating risk of devastating fires and ramp up preparedness.'

A freak combination of weather events is set to plunge Australia into crisis this summer with the entire country forecast to suffer extreme dry heat

A massive swathe of coastline from Cairns to Sydney , potentially affecting around 10 million people and stretching 1000km inland, is on high bushfire alert this spring

The warning comes as the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed they have detected a positive Indian Ocean Dipole event which is set to starve the country of rainfall this spring

The now-confirmed El Nino which will send the mercury soaring, with almost the entire country 80 per cent certain of above average maximum temperatures

The warning comes as the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed on Tuesday that they have detected a positive Indian Ocean Dipole event which is set to starve the country of rainfall this spring.

That will also be compounded by a negative Southern Annular Mode event which will also keep the rainclouds at bay over eastern Victoria and NSW.

The two weather events will combine with the now-confirmed El Nino which will send the mercury soaring, with almost the entire country 80 per cent certain of above average maximum temperatures.

Even minimum temperatures are 80 per cent likely to be higher than average across the whole country as the nation is gripped by the El Nino scorcher.

Just one tiny sliver of tropical north Queensland is set to escape the worst of the predicted heatwave - but temperatures around Cooktown and Cairns are still 60-75 per cent likely to be above average.

The summer furnace is set to stretch into 2024 with no respite in sight except for two pockets around Mt Isa in Queensland and near Ngukurr in the Northern Territory's north-east.

The weather warnings come after the northern hemisphere has seen a series of devastating natural disasters and heatwaves this year.

Wildfires have wreaked havoc in Canada, Hawaii and Greece, coupled with cataclysmic floods in Europe and North Africa.

Now the nation's fire chiefs are warning Australia to brace itself for the coming bushfire season.

The weather warnings come after the northern hemisphere has seen a series of devastating natural disasters and heatwaves this year

The nation's fire chiefs are warning Australia to brace itself for the coming bushfire season

The summer furnace is set to stretch into 2024 with no respite in sight

The climate influences driving increased risk of bushfire this season are widespread,' warned Rob Webb, CEO of AFAC, the National Council for Fire and Emergency Services.

'We dont need reminders given whats happened with the northern hemisphere fires, whether it be Greece or Canada, where weve had 700 Australian firefighters and other specialists.

'Almost the entire country can expect drier and warmer conditions than normal this spring. It doesnt need to be a black summer to be dangerous.

'It is important for Australians be alert to local risks of bushfire over the coming months, regardless of their location.
Democrat Senator John Fetterman has poked fun at conspiracy theorists who falsely claim he has a body double.

The politician, 54, shared a picture of Homer Simpson in response to a post on X about people who spread edited photos of him and say he has been replaced by a stand-in.

'Senator Guy Incognito (D-PA),' he wrote alongside the picture on Tuesday, referring to a plot line in The Simpsons where the character learns he has a mustachioed doppelganger.

Conspiracy theorists have used doctored images and cropped screenshots to spread wild claims that Pennsylvania Senator Fetterman, who has been at the heart of a dress code fight in The Senate, uses a body double.

It is not the first time he had addressed the rumors, which began after he suffered a stroke during his campaign in May 2022, and he recorded a funny video set to the song 'Just The Two Of Us'.

Democrat Senator John Fetterman has poked fun at conspiracy theorists who falsely claim he has a body double

The politician, 54, shared a picture of Homer Simpson in response to a post on X about people who spread edited photos of him and say he has been replaced by a stand-in

Thought it was time to address the rumor: I do not have a body double. pic.twitter.com/dndGUt9OK7  John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) April 18, 2023

Fetterman responded to a post from a BBC reporter who highlighted a 'community of people online who regularly share images of John Fetterman to figure out whether he's real or has been replaced by a body double'.

It featured two edited photos of the Senator sporting different facial hair and 'missing' tattoos.

'It looks like John Fetterman no longer has tattoos on his forearms,' one read while another said: 'They sure are getting sloppy with these doubles.'

The politician reposted the claims alongside the Homer Simpson meme.

The wild online theories resurfaced after Fetterman was hospitalized for clinical depression in March.

He returned to his duties in April after he spent six weeks at Walter Reed Hospital for inpatient care.

Fetterman shared a funny video addressing the claims on April 18. 'I just want you to know that I'm back and I'm feeling great. 100 percent,' he said.

'During my time in the hospital, the fringy fringies really came up with a conspiracy that I have a body double.

'And I just want you to know that's just crazy, that's not true.' The video then cuts to him dressed in a different hoodie and he says: 'Hey John, what event am I supposed to be doing this afternoon.'

Fetterman joked about the body double claims again during an interview with HuffPost on Tuesday.

'I have to talk to my other,' he said. 'It's all true. I'm Senator Guy Incognito.'

Conspiracy theorists have used doctored images and cropped screenshots to spread wild claims that Pennsylvania Senator Fetterman uses a body double

The politician has recently been involved in a dress code fight in The Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is a Democrat, has quietly gotten rid of the dress code for members of the Senate in what's seen as a way of appealing to the often casually dressed Fetterman.

He often causes a buzz on Capitol Hill by showing up in a hooded sweatshirt and shorts, though Republicans like Ted Cruz and have also been seen before in sweats.

'Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit,' Schumer said.

The previous rules required business attire on the Senate floor, meaning a suit and tie for men.

Fetterman shared a funny video addressing the claims on April 18. 'I just want you to know that I'm back and I'm feeling great. 100 percent,' he said

The politician has recently been at the heart of a dress code fight in The Senate

The change helps Fetterman, as well as lawmakers who are just getting in from an airport or the gym, to allow them to vote.

Previously, leaders would have to vote from the edge of the Senate floor with a foot in the Senate cloakroom if they weren't up to the rules of attire.

But Florida Governor Ron DeSantis accused Democrats of 'dumbing down' Congress.

Fetterman hit back at the criticism and said 'I dress like he campaigns,' in reference to DeSantis' presidential campaign.

He believes there are more important issues to focus on than his appearance.

'It's just strange why, you know, with everything and the issues that we should be dealing with right now, we're worried about how I dress,' he said.

'It's bizarre.'
It was only a week ago that judges at the London Press Club Awards recognised the strength of the Mail's outstanding journalism by shortlisting seven of our writers for some of their most prestigious prizes.

Now judges at the Society of Editors Media Freedom Awards have reached the same conclusion.

Leading the way once again was Liz Hull and Caroline Cheetham's widely acclaimed podcast The Trial of Lucy Letby.

Liz Hull (left) and Caroline Cheetham's (right) widely acclaimed podcast The Trial of Lucy Letby has had over 12 million downloads to date

The pioneering series was the first to follow a running jury trial as it progressed and has had over 12 million downloads to date.

It gained two nods  one for Podcast of the Year and another for the Innovation Award.

Also recognised were Katie Hind's agenda-setting exclusives on Phillip Schofield.

Shortlisted for Scoop of the Year by the London Press Club, they are now also in the running to be the Media Freedom Awards Investigation of the Year.

Sabrina Miller's historic expose of the plot to sabotage the Grand National earned her another richly deserved nomination for Young Journalist of the Year, while Ian Birrell's peerless reporting placed him on the shortlist for Journalist of the Year.

The Daily Mail was also picked out as a contender for the prestigious National News Media Organisation of the Year award.

Our reporters were at Manchester Crown Court every day for the trial, bringing daily coverage as Letby was accused of the most heinous crimes

Dawn Alford, Executive Director of the Society of Editors and co-chairman of the judges, said: 'Once again, the judges have been amazed by the exceptional standard of journalism that has been put forward for consideration for this year's awards.

'With more than 450 entries, all are a testament to the outstanding calibre of public interest journalism that continues to be published and broadcast in the UK and beyond.'

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on November 8.
One of Australia's biggest theme parks has unveiled major expansion plans which could rival Disneyland.

Dreamworld could become a new mini-town on the Gold Coast if development plans for the 'all-inclusive landmark tourist destination' submitted to the local council this week get the green light.

Parent company Ardent Leisure Group proposes to expand the attraction's footprint to also feature hotels, high-density residential development, function centres, theatres and restaurants.

The grand plans cater to all ages, with childcare centres and a retirement facility in the pipeline.

The news comes just weeks after it was revealed Australia could soon get its own Disneyland theme park near Avalon Airport southwest of Melbourne.

Taking inspiration from Disneyland resorts around the globe, Ardent seeks to protect the sites existing major tourism intent while also allowing for an expanded set of supporting and complementary land uses.

Dreamworld's parent company has unveiled plans to turn transform the theme park into a 'all-inclusive landmark tourist destination' on the Gold Coast

Ardent Leisure Group wants to expand the site to 85ha which would be split into four precincts

'This application seeks to protect the site's existing major tourism intent, while also allowing for an expanded set of supporting and complementary land uses to occur in certain locations, where they reinforce the major tourism character of the site and do not undermine the adjoining Coomera Town Centre,' the report reads.

'The proposed development seeks to create four land use precincts across the site, each with a different purpose and which will each cater for particular land uses.

'Future development over the subject site will result in an all-inclusive, landmark tourist destination supported by a range of complementary and ancillary land uses.

Dreamworld, the adjacent Whitewater World and surrounding land owned by Ardent will be split into four precincts.

Existing theme park attractions and facilities come under the 'major tourism core' zone.

A 'gateway' precinct fronting Whitewater Way will be developed as a mixed use zone with food and drink outlets, function facilities, a hotel, childcare centres, shops, indoor sport and recreation, threatres, a major sport and recreation facility, markets, offices and short- term accommodation.

The 'Oaky Creek' precinct will be dedicated to nature-based tourism such as guided tours, boardwalks, nature viewing platforms and camping.

The redevelopment would dramatically transform the northern Gold Coast region if the plans approved by the council

Hotels, high density units, function centres, theatres, bars and restaurants are proposed in the grand plans

The Town Centre precinct will be a transition area linking the major tourism core to the adjoining Coomera Town Centre will also be mixed use with bar, educational establishment, health care services, high rise units of up to 16 storeys, offices and retirement facility.

'The proposal will create significant, long-term investment opportunities for the City, strengthen the tourism industry within the northern Gold Coast, and support the vision of a world-class city,' the report adds.

'Each one of Ardent Leisure's future, and current initiatives will further increase their employment levels and support a positive impact to local small businesses and regional economy.'

'The increase in volume of visitors to the area will require additional labour needs to fulfil each project with expectation of a growth of over 20 per cent in employment levels over the coming two-year period alone.'

The grand plans can be viewed publicly on the the Gold Council Council website.

'The application was lodged for the purpose of offering additional optionality for future developments that are strategically complementary to the Dreamworld and WhiteWater World precincts and add value to residents of the northern Gold Coast,' an Ardent Leisure spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia.

Ardent Leisure group's plans take inspiration from Disneyland resorts around the globe. Pictured are Mickey and Minnie Mouse at Disneyland Tokyo

Separate to the development plans, Ardent will inject $50m into the theme park upgrades and new rides over the next 18 months in the hope of boosting visitor patronage by 30 per cent as it continues to recover from the Thunder River Rapids tragedy.

Next month marks seven years since four visitors were tragically killed at Dreamworld after the Thunder River Rapids ride malfunctioned.

Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi from Canberra and Sydney mother-of-two Cindy Low died after being flung into a mechanised conveyor when their raft collided with another and partially flipped. Two children on the raft survived.

Other cities such as Sydney, Adelaide and the Gold Coast have attempted to lure Mickey Mouse and friends previously but were unsuccessful.

Melbourne lord mayor Sally Capp last month backed the idea for a Disneyland Down Under near Melbourne, describing the city as 'Australia's capital city of fun.

She believed a deal with Disney could revitalise Melbourne and help it regain its status as a world class tourism destination.

'I know a Disney theme park in our municipality would be a huge hit with residents - myself included - visitors, students and traders,' Ms Capp said.
A multi-level marketing seller has died after she turned to holistic remedies to try to cure her colon cancer and rejected chemotherapy.

Jessie Lee Ward, who also went as Boss Lee, was diagnosed with stage-four colon cancer back in March after she completed routine bloodwork testing.

Her oncologist immediately recommended intense chemotherapy treatment as her best shot, but Ward thought otherwise.

Though her doctor told her she would be 'dead by Christmas', she pursued natural remedies.

She dabbled in alternative treatments such as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber, 'magnetic' treatments, 'ozone' treatments and 'red- light therapy'.

In an Instagram video, Ward reacted to her doctor's medical advice and said: 'My surgeon and the oncologist are one hundred percent pimps.

'Not of women, of chemo. They love that h*e. I have never in my life seen such a strong and compelling sales pitch. They really should go into sales.'

Her oncologist immediately recommended that intense chemotherapy treatment would be her best shot at beating the cancer, but Ward thought otherwise

In her final TikTok post on September 5, Ward said she was still on her holistic healing journey but had been posting less because she was 'in pain'

She did undergo surgeries as well, but still never touched chemotherapy. In a video, she described how she got her lower and upper intestine removed, along with a 'really yucky' tumor and lymph nodes

Ward used her social media platforms as a way to share her cancer journey on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook

She made it clear that she was very 'anti-chemo' and didn't even let her dog undergo chemotherapy when she had cancer.

The 'serial entrepreneur' and President of Pruvit, a ketone supplement company, documented her non-traditional cancer journey all over social media, posting videos to TikTok and her YouTube channel to update her fan base.

With her fame, there were also many critics of her in the anti-multi-level marketing community.

These disapproving critics made sure to clap back on Ward's unconventional medical treatments, as some called her out online.

Rebecca Watson, a blogger and founder of the Skepchick Network, which is a platform made for the discussion of science and skepticism from a woman's perspective, did not hesitate when it came to Ward.

In a video she posted, titled 'This MLM Influencer May Get Someone Killed', Watson said: 'She genuinely seems to believe that chemotherapy does not work and that her unproven alternative therapies will work and that she will beat this. She is stating this all to her huge audience of devoted followers. So not only is this likely going to kill her, but there's a good chance it's going to kill someone else too.'

According to Ward's business website, she amassed 'over a million loyal followers' between Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Her impact on her followers showed when Ward hosted a 'retreat' at the beginning of the year in Cartagena, Colombia. She later came clean and admitted that she scammed her following into going on an extensive journey in high heat and unhealthy conditions.

She explained how her doctor praised her for such a fast recovery and said that they credited it to how 'in shape' she was

A post on Instagram was shared and asked her followers to join in prayer for Ward and her battle with cancer got worse just days before her death

he shared how she tried to combat the fast-moving disease by drinking nearly 12 juices a day, using a 'biocharger' machine, took high doses of vitamin C three times a week, and did an excessive amount of sit ups

In an Instagram post about this 'retreat', Ward said: 'I opted for a mastermind crash course of breaking down every single one of these people through seeing them where they are to help bring them to where I see them in the future.'

As her cancer progressed, so did Ward's 'natural' remedies. She shared how she tried to combat the fast-moving disease by drinking nearly 12 juices a day, using a 'biocharger' machine, took high doses of vitamin C three times a week, and did an excessive amount of sit ups.

She did undergo surgeries as well, but still never touched chemotherapy. In a video, she described how she got her lower and upper intestine removed, along with a 'really yucky' tumor and lymph nodes.

In that same video, she explained how her doctor praised her for such a fast recovery and said that they credited it to how 'in shape' she was.

In her final TikTok post on September 5, Ward said she was still on her holistic healing journey but had been posting less because she was 'in pain'. At the same time, she shared that she received good news from her most recent pet scan.

Ten days later, a post on her Instagram account asked followers to collectively join in prayer for Ward as her days were getting harder.

Two days after that post, she passed away and another post went out and said: 'Jessie Lee's love was a powerful force that touched each of you deeply. She instilled unwavering belief, undeniable faith, and a strong desire for you to transform your dreams into reality in every heart she reached.'

She was also in a relationship with her partner of a year, and he posted in memory of her on Instagram as well.

'The disease maybe won the battle, but WE won. We won each other. We won our memories, our moments', he said.
Eric Adams has lashed out at Joe Biden for snubbing him during his visit to the city - pointedly saying the president 'knows where I am.'

Biden arrived in New York City on Sunday night for the annual gathering of world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly.

He will remain in the city until Wednesday, but is not expected to meet the mayor - who has been strongly critical of his handling of the migrant crisis.

Adams has frequently demanded Biden do more to stem the flow of arrivals - with more than 113,000 arriving in the city since spring 2022.

He has been tearing into the migrant crisis crippling NYC - which he warned will 'destroy' the city without urgent action.

Eric Adams is seen on Tuesday promoting a new trash system designed to reduce the rat problem. He was asked if he was going to meet Joe Biden - who is in New York for the UN General Assembly - and replied that Biden knew where to find him if he wanted to speak

Joe Biden is seen on Tuesday addressing the General Assembly of the United Nations

Migrants are pictured outside the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan - one of many coopted by the city to shelter the new arrivals

Migrants were seen sleeping outside The Roosevelt Hotel which has reached capacity since being turned into a designated center for asylum seekers

Adams, the mayor of the largest city in the U.S., has admitted that he and Biden, both Democrats, have not spoken since the beginning of the year.

'President Biden's coming to the city,' said Adams on Tuesday, speaking at an event designed to improve New York's trash collection and reduce the rat population.

'I am hoping that he understands this beautiful city that's the economic engine of the entire country is been saddled with a $2 billion that we spent already, $5 billion we're going to spend in this fiscal crisis, $12 billion in the next two budgetary cycles.

'New York doesn't deserve this, the asylum seekers don't deserve this.'

Adams suggested that Biden should take the time to meet him.

'So while he's here, I think that they should really reflect on: New York City has done its part,' he said.

He said Biden's team could easily arrange a meeting.

Biden on Tuesday morning met the president of Brazil, Lula, and Israel's leader, Benjamin Netanyahu.

Adams's schedule included meetings with the mayor of Montreal and Kansas City, Missouri.

He then addressed the Atlantic Council Global Citizens Dinner and the Africa-America Institute's 70th Anniversary Gala.

Adam's team tweeted photos of him meeting the president of Sierra Leone, prime minister of Sweden, and mayor of Seoul.

'Once we know what I'm going to do, we release a public schedule,' said Adams.

'I'm very public. Everybody knows where I am. You guys know where I am all the time. We release if we're going to be with the President or not.'

Adams says that New York City is struggling to cope, and has ordered agencies to slash their budgets by 5 percent, and possibly 15 percent in the future, in order to pay for the response to the new arrivals.

The Roosevelt Hotel (pictured), Paul Hotel and Paramount Hotel are among the hotels designated for housing migrants in Manhattan

A bus carrying the migrants from Texas arrives at the Port Authority bus station of New York on May 3

Asylum seekers, denied a hotel room, line the side walk of the Roosevelt Hotel

The city is currently paying about $385 a night per migrant family that needs housing and feeding, pictured here are migrant children seen playing outside of Roosevelt Hotel

Despite Adams' cries for help from the state and federal government, the city has not received aid to cover the extra costs, so the $4.7billion would come from the city's budget.

That amount is equal to the budgets for the city's sanitation, fire and parks departments combined.

As the school year kicked off, some schools were forced to turn away students as the classrooms overflowed.

City officials have said they expect the number asylum seeker population to reach nearly 33,980 households this fiscal year.

The city is currently paying about $385 a night per migrant family that needs housing and feeding.

According to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, asylum seekers are costing the city roughly $10 million every day.

Adams recently admitted the crisis is threatening to 'destroy' the Big Apple - but he blasted a lack of federal support, a 'broken' nationwide immigration system and Republicans bussing refugees from their own states into the city

The migration situation in the Big Apple has been described as a humanitarian crisis by officials, and it costs more than $9 million per day for housing, food and support

In March, city officials launched a 24-hour center to handle the numbers, and created a new agency to help coordinate efforts.

Mayor Eric Adams has warned the crisis will cost the Big Apple $12 billion over next three years

An exasperated Adams demanded that the federal government step in to help the city avert a budgetary crisis as expenses mount  now projected at $12.2 billion by the end of next year.

'It started with a madman down in Texas deciding he wanted to bus people up to New York City,' he said, referencing Texas governor Gregg Abbot's busing of migrants to the city.

Adams continued: '110,000 migrants we have to feed, clothe, house... we have to educate their children, wash their laundry sheets... give them everything they need.'

Indeed, many of the migrants have been bused in from southern states like Texas and Florida as the conservatives governors of these states look to put some of the migration pressure on progressive governments.

They are not undocumented but do not have work permits, as they must wait months to receive them after applying for asylum.

Experts say this is one of the main issues, as the migrants can't work and become independent enough to find their own housing.

Adams warned that the city's services will be affected by the additional strain on the budget.

He has previously stated the city is planning on cutting services such as library hours, meals for senior citizens, and free, full-day care for three-year-olds.

Speaking to furious residents at a town hall meeting, he admitted he doesn't see a solution to the problem as he slammed the lack of help from Joe Biden.

'Let me tell you something, New Yorkers. Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don't see an ending to this,' he conceded.

'This issue will destroy New York City. Destroy New York City.'
Under-fire Education Secretary Gillian Keegan yesterday claimed some pupils actually 'prefer' Portacabins to ordinary classrooms and have been 'petitioning' her to let them stay there.

Thousands of pupils are being taught in temporary classrooms due to schools having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) - a lightweight material used in buildings in the UK between the 1950s and 1990s. It a cheaper alternative to standard concrete but only has a shelf life of 30 years.

Ms Keegan's remarks come as it was revealed even more schools are plagued with crumbling concrete - with the full list of schools announced.

During a grilling in parliament, Ms Keegan insisted the Portacabins are of a 'very very high quality', bizarrely adding that some students even 'prefer' them.

She said: 'I would just like to say in terms of these Portacabins, I've been to a number of these schools and seen children in the Portacabins.

General view of Park View School in London, which has been affected with sub standard reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete

A taped off section inside Parks Primary School in Leicester which has been affected with sub standard reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete

'In fact in the first school I went to the children were all petitioning me to stay in the Portacabin because they actually preferred it to the classroom - so the Portacabins are very very high quality.'

As Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson shouted across from the opposition bench, Ms Keegan quipped back: 'I would advise the honourable lady to go and see some of the high quality Portacabins that we have, and that is true.'

Ms Phillipson then slammed Ms Keegan, saying children could be sitting under steel girders' for years to come.

The Department for Education (DfE) revealed that the number of schools in England where RAAC concrete has been found has now jumped from 147 to 174.

This means more schools with collapse-prone RAAC could potentially move to remote learning, with some still waiting to be assessed.

Large numbers of students had a disrupted start to their school year earlier this month as many schools schools were ordered to fully or partially shut buildings to make emergency repairs.

Almost 250 temporary classrooms have been ordered by at least 29 schools in response to the crumbling concrete crisis in England. One headteacher has said the disruption could continue until 2025, due to the extent of repairs needed to her school.

Pupils at Stepney All Saints Church of England Secondary School are now learning remotely after their school was added to the list. Another 23 schools are partially closed and are having to move to pandemic-style remote learning.

Under-fire Education Secretary Gillian Keegan yesterday claimed pupils actually 'prefer' Portacabins to ordinary classrooms and have been 'petitioning' her to let them stay there

Temporary classrooms at Crossflatts primary in Bradford which has been affected with sub standard reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete

Work takes places to fix issues related to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) at Hornsey School for Girls in London

Concerns about weaknesses in RAAC have been around for years.

Ms Keegan's comments come just weeks after she was forced to apologise by Downing Street for her foul-mouthed 'hot mic' incident where she accused everyone of 'sitting on their a***s' over the concrete crisis - only for her to blame schools for being too slow to respond.

She said ITV journalist Daniel Hewitt, who conducted the interview, had been 'pressing me quite hard' and claimed he was 'making out it was all my fault'.

In her apology, the Education Secretary refused to say who she believed had 'sat on their a**e'.
A nightmare wedding that saw up to half the guest list fall violently ill has been described by a witness as 'horrible', as the venue's menu options are revealed.

Friends and family were celebrating at The Park Melbourne, in the city's inner-south, on Saturday night when a flower girl was suddenly stuck with gastro-like symptoms.

Initial reports claimed 70 of the 300 attendees were sick by the end of the evening, but one guest said on Wednesday the list of casualties was likely much longer.

'It was more than half the guests,' they wrote on social media. 'At least 100 of us were sick. It was horrible.'

The outbreak was the second at the same venue in three days, after about 70 medical professionals experienced vomiting and diarrhoea after a conference dinner on Wednesday.

The cause of both incidents is still under investigation by the Victorian and Port Philip health departments, but the venue has received permission this week to continue trading.

Wedding attendees were given the choice of chicken or pork for their main meal, however it is not clear whether the food was the cause.

A couple's fairytale wedding turned into a nightmare following an outbreak of gastro at The Park (pictured) in Melbourne's Albert Park

The guest, who opted for chicken, added: 'It wasn't only guests who had the chicken who ended up sick.

'Even kids who had a different meal than the adults ended up sick too.'

The youngest guest who fell ill was reportedly just one-year-old. At least three guests spent Monday night in hospital.

According to the venue's website, there are two wedding packages that offer chicken and pork as main courses.

The first menu option read: 'Roasted chicken breast with crushed potato, leek, tarragon jus, parsley and shallot.'

The second option read: 'Pork belly, spiced pumpkin, roasted onion, spring onion oil, crackling.'

Both options included 'fresh baked bread, cultured butter, great ocean road sea salt' as a starter.

Pictured: A mock-up of a starter and main meals available at the venue. Two wedding packages included chicken and pork

Packages with main meals start at $180 per person, which means the newlyweds would have spent about $55,000 at the venue alone.

The couple is now considering legal action against the caterers and spent Tuesday gathering statements from guests to launch a class action, The Age reported.

READ MORE: What caused current deadly listeria outbreak Advertisement

Earlier that week, about 280 doctors, nurses, researchers, rehabilitation and emergency services staff attended an annual Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) conference, The Herald Sun reported.

On Wednesday, they dined at The Park Melbourne - the same venue as the wedding on Saturday.

The conference was supposed to go for four days, finishing on Friday, but seminars were held online for the last two days after 70 guests became unwell.

A spokesperson for the venue told Daily Mail Australia investigations would cover two events - on Wednesday, September 13, and the wedding on September 16.

'On Friday, September 15, we received a routine health and safety site inspection from the City of Port Philip, finding no issues with health and safety practices,' they said.

'We have conducted a precautionary deep clean and have received approval from the council to continue trading.

'We will continue to work closely with the City of Port Philip to determine the cause of this outbreak and will keep customers and impacted parties notified of the investigator's findings.'
This is the shocking moment a man is dragged into the road as he tries to fight off an attacking dog  before a passing motorist mounts the pavement in a bid to run the animal down.

CCTV footage of yesterday's attack shows the man, in a blue fleece and dark trousers, holding a small black dog aloft as a larger, tan-coloured canine appears to snap at his arm.

As he moves around and attempts to fend off the larger animal, it locks its jaws around his left forearm. He loses his balance and falls into the street in Sheffield.

Despite this, the dog still refuses to let go  only doing so as a red BMW hatchback comes to the rescue, mounting the pavement in what appears to be a bid to bring the incident to a halt.

But as the smaller black pet attempts to flee, the larger animal follows it down the road  before the footage comes to an end.

Do you know anyone involved in this attack? eirian.prosser@dailymail.co.uk

The man can be seen appearing to hold a smaller black dog aloft as the larger, tan-coloured dog chases him around in the street in Sheffield yesterday

The animal appears to lock its jaws around his left forearm before he loses his balance and falls into the road

Armed police were called to Handsworth Road in the east end of Sheffield after a man was attacked by a dog

One officer at the scene could be seen holding a shotgun-type weapon with a close-range sight, with a handgun and a taser in holsters

Dog units and armed response officers from South Yorkshire Police were called to the scene at around 5.40pm yesterday

Armed police and dog units from South Yorkshire Police were called to the scene in Handsworth, in the east end of Sheffield, at around 5.40pm.

The attack took place in close proximity to a local nursery and a doctor's surgery.

Images show officers dressed in dark uniforms, with pistols and tasers in holsters, in the area around where the incident took place.

One officer appeared to be carrying a shotgun-type weapon equipped with a close-range sight.

South Yorkshire Police believe the animal jumped over a wall into the public road, and confirmed that armed response units were sent to 'safeguard the public'.

The man incurred serious injuries to his arm, but they are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing.

Officers were able to corner the dog and seize the animal before removing it from the scene.

Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said: 'We know these incidents will cause concern among those who live near the location, and for those who witnessed the incident this would have been upsetting.

'We want to reassure people the dog has been seized and removed while we carry out our enquiries and determine exactly what happened.

'All incidents of this nature are treated with the utmost diligence, and we will investigate thoroughly to ensure the community is kept safe.

'We would like to thank members of the public and medical staff who came to the aid of the victim, who has been taken to hospital for treatment at this time.'
The trial of a hotel owner who ran over a bride's mother on the eve of a wedding has been halted after prosecutors said there was no longer a prospect of a conviction.

Judith Wadsworth, 66, died when she was hit by Nicholas Bannister, 64, at the wheel of his Range Rover Vogue as she crossed a raised pedestrian walkway at the luxury Coniston Hotel and Spa in the Yorkshire Dales.

Bannister was formally acquitted of causing the death by careless driving at Bradford Crown Court by a jury on the directions of a judge after prosecutors said there was no longer a prospect of a conviction on the evidence available.

The six day trial had been told that Bannister drove on for 20 metres after knocking down grandmother Mrs Wadsworth and only stopped when he heard sounds under his vehicle.

A jury heard how the vehicle had just pulled out from a small road from the reception area and was travelling at 9-12mph at the time of the collision.

He later told officers he only realised what happened after hearing a 'terrible noise' from under his vehicle.

Grandmother Judith Wadsworth, 66, was killed just before her daughter's wedding in the Yorkshire Dales in February 2020

Nicholas Bannister was formally acquitted of causing the death by careless driving at Bradford Crown Court by a jury on the directions of a judge after prosecutors said there was no longer a prospect of a conviction on the evidence available

When Bannister did stop and a hotel employee, who witnessed the collision, rushed to help the hotel boss, still, had 'no clue' what had happened.

Prosecutor Michael Smith told the jury the prosecution was no longer offering any evidence.

Judge Jonathan Gibson said this was 'an entirely appropriate decision in my view' and ordered the jury of four men and seven women to find Bannister not guilty.

Bannister, who is the owner and managing director of the Coniston Hotel, said he did not wish to comment as he left court.

The trial heard how Mrs Wadsworth had checked into the hotel for her daughter Rebecca's wedding, scheduled for the next day, and was walking back to reception after collecting boxes for the event from her car when the incident happened.

Bannister repeatedly told staff and wedding guests 'I didn't see her' after the collision at around 5.21pm on 7 February 2020.

In his police interview, he described how he got into his car outside the hotel with the intention of driving the 300-400m to the spa complex to go for a run.

Mr Smith told a jury that it was twilight at the time and Bannister had his headlights on.

Bannister later told officers he only realised what happened after hearing a 'terrible noise' from under his vehicle

Mrs Wadsworth was collecting boxes from the car park of the Coniston Hotel (pictured, file image)

The prosecutor said 'As he drove to the spa complex of the hotel, he knocked Judith Wadsworth over, unhappily, killing her.

'It's the prosecution's case that in the immediate aftermath of the collision the defendant repeatedly said, 'I didn't see her'.'

The court heard turned right on the one-way turning loop and failed to see Mrs Wadsworth, dressed in a cream-coloured coat, crossing there walkway from his left.

Mr Smith said: 'It's not disputed as the defendant struck her, he still did not realise he hit her, so he drove on for about 20 metres, before a sound under the car caused him to stop.'

The jury was shown CCTV from the hotel lobby, on which Mrs Wadsworth was seen bringing in boxes to the reception as Bannister chats to staff minutes before the fatal collision.

Bannister, of Bell Busk, near Skipton, said in the interview: 'I turned right and the first I was aware was a terrible noise I heard from under my car.

'I assumed something had gone wrong with my car.'

The court heard how members of Mrs Wadsworth's family emerged from the hotel after the collision as hotel staff and then the emergency services tried to help her despite severe injuries.

Lisa Judge, defending Bannister, told Bradford Crown Court (pictured) that this information had not been made available to the defence team and the notebook had not been disclosed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)

The prosecution case ran into difficulties during the evidence of the police officer who oversaw the investigation, Pc Emma Drummond, who told jurors that she had recorded the exact position of Mrs Wadsworth's Mini car in the hotel car park in her notebook.

Lisa Judge, defending Bannister, told the court that this information had not been made available to the defence team and the notebook had not been disclosed by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

Ms Judge said these 'flagrant failures on behalf of the prosecution' meant much of the case presented against her client was no longer admissible, especially relating to a reconstruction done by the police in the hotel grounds two years after the incident.

She told Judge Gibson that the information about the location of the Mini fundamentally changed how the reconstruction could be interpreted by the various experts who gave evidence in the trial, including collision investigators and conspicuity consultants.

After legal argument the prosecutor Mr Smith told the court there was no longer a 'realistic prospect of conviction'.

The defence barrister had already criticised the police's reconstruction as she questioned the experts, police and other witnesses, pointing out that it was impossible to know exactly where the Range Rover was positioned at the time of the collision and where Mrs Wadsworth was as she crossed the road.

Ms Judge also questioned whether a GoPro camera strapped to a headrest gave an accurate representation of what a driver would see as they negotiated the turn.

Addressing the jury on Tuesday, Mr Smith said the CPS had a duty to keep a case under review during a trial.

He said: 'The CPS takes the view that there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction in this case.'

Bannister is a well-known figure in the north of England, especially in the racing community as a horse owner and the chairman of Haydock Park Racecourse.

His son Harry is a jump jockey.

Before taking over the hotel, Bannister worked in investment banking.
Ukrainian special forces may have been responsible for attacks on a Wagner-backed militia in Sudan, a Ukrainian military official has revealed.

Speaking to CNN, the anonymous source said a string of drone attacks against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) earlier this month were carried out by a 'non-Sudanese' military, claiming 'Ukrainian special services were likely responsible'.

The attacks began on September 8, two days after Wagner Group sent gun-laden trucks to an RSF garrison in al-Zurug, southwest Sudan. The RSF has been embroiled in a power struggle with Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since April 15, 2023.

At least six strikes targeted trucks on Shambat Bridge and another eight hit vehicles, buildings and personnel near RSF positions in Omdurman and Ombada. Analysis of drone footage by CNN revealed Ukrainian text seen on the drone controller.

Whistleblowers in Chad told CNN that the Wagner convoy moved through Chad, where Wagner Group does not currently have an established presence, potentially signalling an expansion of Russia and Wagner's influence on the continent.

Ukrainian operations in Africa would also mark a significant development in the ongoing conflict in eastern Europe.

Ukraine has not officially claimed responsibility for the attacks.

A man stands by as a fire rages in a livestock market area in al-Fasher, the capital of Sudan's North Darfur state, on September 1, 2023, in the aftermath of bombardment by the RSF

RSF fighters ride in the back of a technical vehicle in the East Nile district of greater Khartoum, April 23, 2023

PMC Wagner Group has a presence spread out across Russian-influenced African nations

Some critics have been skeptical of the claims made by the Ukrainian source.

A Sudanese military official told CNN they were not aware of Ukrainian operations in Sudan.

Who are the RSF? The Rapid Support Forces are a paramilitary group, which Sudan's intelligence service created from the Janjaweed militia in 2013. The Janjaweed militia had worked closely with the Sudanese military and police forces in the War in Darfur (2003-20). The war was fought between an alliance of rebels and the Sudanese government, backed by the Janjaweed and supported by Libya, Russia, Iran and China, among others. Rebel groups accused the government of oppressing non-Arabs in western Sudan. The war saw a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing against non-Arabs, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians and a major humanitarian crisis as refugees fled the country. While the UN and African Union managed to establish a peacekeeping mission to help negotiate the end of the conflict in 2020, the RSF became a branch of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in 2013. It has since been deployed in a number of roles domestically and in foreign conflicts, including in Libya and Yemen. The RSF is accused of numerous human rights abuses, and reportedly tied to Russia's Wagner Group mercenaries, active in Ukraine Advertisement

Wagner Group has maintained a presence in Sudan since 2017, and has arms spread out across the continent.

In April, founder Yevgeny Prigozhin claimed 'not a single Wagner PMC [private military company] fighter has been present in Sudan' for over two years.

But evidence has mounted of Wagner arming the RSF with missiles to fuel its war against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

Footage from July 2022 also appeared to show mercenaries training Sudanese forces in parachute-landing exercises.

The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime [GI-TOC] assessed in April that Wagner sought both influence and material gain in Sudan.

'The main objective of the Russians in Sudan is not to protect the Khartoum political power, but essentially to benefit immensely from the country's mineral resources.'

Russia has likewise agreed trade deals in the past to mine gold in Sudan.

At least 5,000 people have been killed and over 12,000 wounded in the ongoing war in Sudan, according to Volker Perthes, the U.N. envoy in the country, who announced his resignation last week.

The actual casualty toll, he said, is likely much higher.

More than 2.5 million people have fled their homes, including over 1 million who crossed into Sudan's neighboring countries, according to the U.N.'s migration agency.

More than 1,200 children under the age of five have also died as a result of the conflict, which has raged for the last five months with few ceasefires.

The U.N.'s refugee agency warned on Tuesday that a deadly combination of measles and malnutrition were taking their toll on Sudan's civilian population.

The UNHCR said the deaths, between May 15 and September 14, were documented by its teams in the While Nile province, where thousands of Sudanese have sheltered as fighting has raged for six months between rival generals, in the capital of Khartoum and elsewhere.

'Dozens of children are dying every day - a result of this devastating conflict and a lack of global attention,' said the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi.

The fighting wrecked the country's health care system, with many hospitals and medical facilities out of service.

Yevgeny Prigozhin, the late head of Wagner Group, which has been in Sudan since 2017

Fierce clashes broke out across the capital Khartoum and the sister city of Omdurman in April

Sudan has been governed by a council of generals led by current de facto president Abdel Fattah al-Burhan since a military junta tasked with transitioning the country to democracy was overthrown in a 2021 military coup.

al-Burhan's deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemeti, is commander of the 100,000-strong RSF.

Tensions have since grown as the SAF and RSF have competed for legitimacy amid wider discussions about the future of the country.

In December 2022, civilian groups that had been sidelined by the 2021 coup signed an initial deal with the military to start a new two-year political transition and appoint a new civilian government.

On 5 April 2023, the final signing for the deal was delayed a second time, amid disputes over whether the army would be placed under civilian oversight in a new administration, and how the RSF would be integrated into the armed forces.

Civilian groups also seek justice for alleged war crimes by the military and its allies.

In this volatile environment, the relationship between Burhan and Hemeti became strained, leading ultimately to conflict as RSF personnel were tactically redeployed into roles around Sudan.

Both sides initially accused each other of starting the conflict, and have been loathe to negotiate. Both have called for the other side to surrender.

The region remains geopolitically important and western allies fear the possible establishment of a Russian base on the east coast on the Red Sea, to which some military leaders have been receptive.

Sudan has been trapped in conflict on-and-off since declaring independence in 1955, recognised on 1 January 1956.
An inquest has opened into the death of a climber who was left with life-changing injuries after plunging 500ft while trying to save two men breaking lockdown rules.

Chris Lewis, 62, was left needing a wheelchair and round-the-clock care after he fell while on call-out to Red Screes above Kirkstone Pass where he severely damaged his spine in February 2021.

He died earlier this month after being admitted to hospital with a chest infection and pneumonia.

Assistant coroner Dr Nicholas Shaw said the inquest, which begun yesterday in Cockermouth, Cumbria, was 'clearly required', the BBC reports.

He said that following his 500ft plunge, Mr Lewis had sustained 'a traumatic spinal injury at level C5 and was quadriplegic, requiring 24-hour care'.

Chris Lewis (pictured), 62, was left needing a wheelchair and round-the-clock care after he fell while on call-out to Red Screes above Kirkstone Pass where he severely damaged his spine in February 2021

Mr Lewis (left) died in September last year after being admitted to hospital with a chest infection and pneumonia

The rescued pair - a 47-year-old man from Leicester and another from Liverpool - had phoned for help after one of them began having chest pains

Dr Shaw added: 'It appears that there's been a medical deterioration in his condition and very sadly he died in the hospital.'

Mr Lewis was called out after one of the men who were wild-camping complained about chest pains.

READ MORE: Mountain rescue hero who damaged his spine after plunging 500ft while trying to save two men breaking lockdown rules in the Lake District tragically dies from his injuries Advertisement

Some members of the rescue team had just reached the pair after midnight when Mr Lewis slipped and fell.

The rescued pair - a 47-year-old man from Leicester and another from Liverpool - were later fined 200 each for breaching Covid travel restrictions to go on the camping trip.

Mr Lewis, of the Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team, never recovered from the injuries he sustained trying to help them in freezing weather in the early hours of the morning.

While he was in hospital after the fall, chairman of the Patterdale team Chris Sanderson said: 'His principal concern was for the welfare of the fellow he was out to rescue. That shows a lot about him as a man really.'

The chairman of the Lake District Search and Mountain Rescue Association, Richard Warren, described Mr Lewis as a 'fantastic guy' and said that after he was airlifted to accident and emergency, the first thing he asked was how the rescued campers were.

Team leader Mike Rippon said about Mr Lewis (pictured): 'He was a lovely, genuine person and it is a very sad loss. He was very knowledgeable and was a great person to have around in the team. His expertise and companionship was brilliant for new team members'

The inquest into Mr Lewis's death continues and is expected to finish on February 29, 2024

Team leader Mike Rippon said: 'He was a lovely, genuine person and it is a very sad loss. He was very knowledgeable and was a great person to have around in the team. His expertise and companionship was brilliant for new team members.'

Despite his terrible injuries, Mr Lewis continued to support mountain rescue teams in the Lake District and, in March 2022, he received the Inspiring Eden Award for his bravery and service to the community.

Mr Rippon said Mr Lewis had remained a trustee, still came to meetings, and was 'very keen to be back on board and to make the best of things'.

'Chris was keen to continue putting as much back into this voluntary rescue service as he possibly could' he said.

At Mr Lewis's funeral, members of the Mountain Rescue Team gave him a guard of honour, which included ice axes crossed over his coffin as it entered St Peter's Parish Church in Far Sawrey, Cumbria, and saw several mountain rescuers as well as other emergency services represented.

The inquest into Mr Lewis's death continues and is expected to finish on February 29, 2024.
EXCLUSIVE: The former Dancing on Ice star was bizarrely mentioned as the former chief adviser was giving evidence to the official inquiry today, saying that restricting travel in and out of the UK would have been ideal as soon as the virus was discovered. Mr Cummings pointed to an example where Caprice asked on TV why the entry of people into the UK was not being restricted and was derided as an 'idiot' for doing so. She received a spate of backlash for the comments which she made during appearance on Jeremy Vine on March 16 2020. But Mr Cummings later admitted that a drastic tightening of travel as soon as the virus was discovered would have had a 'much better outcome' in tackling the pandemic, backing up the point put forward by Caprice at the time. A friend of Caprice told MailOnline that she now has 'vindication for the backlash she received at the time' and 'it's now evident that she knew what all of the experts and politicians didn't know'. They added that anyone looking to stereotype the model in future 'should think again' as the incident proves that 'she is not just a pretty face'.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says if he had his time over, he would still be holding the Voice to parliament referendum, despite the debate turning 'nasty and divisive' at times.

When he claimed victory in May last year, the first thing Mr Albanese committed the Labor government to was implementing the Uluru Statement from the Heart 'in full', with a referendum on enshrining an Indigenous Voice to Parliament the first step.

Despite pleading from Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to delay the 'divisive' referendum, or change the question to instead ask Australians to vote on Indigenous recognition without a constitutionally enshrined Voice - and amid declining support for the Yes vote - Mr Albanese has remained steadfast in his commitment.

But, with just over three weeks to go now until Australians vote in the first referendum since 1999, debate has at-times taken an ugly turn.

After a difficult parliamentary sitting fortnight, both sides of parliament have condemned a group of pro-Voice activists who shouted profanities at No campaigners as they walked into a rally event in Adelaide earlier this week, and called for respectful debate ahead of October 14.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says if he had his time over, he would still be holding the Voice to parliament referendum,

Mr Albanese said Australians on both sides of the debate needed to be respectful, but when asked whether he would still make the same commitment to hold the referendum if he had his time again - knowing now how 'nasty and divisive' the debate would become - he was emphatic.

'Yes. Because when are we going to get this done (otherwise). It's been 122 years,' he told 2SM radio on Wednesday morning.

'There's provisions in the Constitution to allow New Zealand to be the seventh state of Australia, but there's no acknowledgment of the first peoples of Australia.

'This should not be controversial.'

He said he was not the only political leader to commit to a referendum, saying it was also the 'Coalition's position before the last election ... before 2016'.

'Go back all the way to 2007, John Howard committed to it, within 18 months of his election that there was going to be a referendum for constitutional recognition ... I've been determined to restore faith in politics by doing what we said we would do and this is an opportunity to move the country forward. And there's nothing to fear from this proposal,' he said.

Mr Albanese also welcomed the news that Cathy Freeman - arguably one of Australia's greatest sporting icons and a proud Aboriginal woman - had thrown her support behind the Yes case.

In a video for Yes23, the gold medallist encouraged Australians to vote Yes, saying 'I can't remember a time when change has felt so urgent, where momentum has been so strong'.

'We have the chance to be part of a moment that brings people together, to work hard for something that we can all believe in,' she said.

Mr Albanese echoed Freeman, reinforcing his plea for Australians to take up the 'generous' invitation extended by First Nations people at Uluru in 2017.

'(She) has joined the overwhelming majority of Indigenous Australians wanting to be recognised in our nation's founding document,' he said.

Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley said while she didn't agree with Freeman's position, she had 'articulated her views very strongly' and suggested she should consider a tilt for parliament.

'I don't agree with her. I don't agree with the argument for Yes, but as I've said many times, it's okay to vote Yes, and it's okay to vote No,' she told Sky News.

'What's not okay is the type of disrespect and abuse that people experienced only a day or so ago in Adelaide ... The type of abuse we've been seeing is just not okay.

'You can have that contest of ideas around the kitchen table, but you absolutely need to respect everyone's views in this.'

In a bid to encourage undecided voters to support the Voice, the Uluru Dialogue is rolling out a new social media campaign, asking young people to 'ring your rello' and discuss the impeding referendum with them.

Uluru Youth Dialogue co-convener Bridget Cama said young people will play a 'really important role' in the upcoming referendum.

'We're asking young Australians right across the country to get on the phone and call their relative, and just talk to them about the Voice - why it's important to them as young people and then asking them whether they would support the Voice and vote yes,' she said.
The distraught mom and brother of rapist Danny Masterson have been spotted visiting him in jail in photographs exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com.

Carol and Jordan Masterson looked exhausted as they arrived at the Twin Towers jailhouse on the same day the convict's wife Bijou Phillips filed for divorce.

Wearing a black leather jacket with matching trousers and shoes, Carol stared stonily at the ground as she approached the Los Angeles prison, while Jordan looked downcast in a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans.

They did not appear to be speaking as they marched solemnly down the sidewalk before being scanned by a security guard.

Their visit came amid the bombshell announcement from Bijou that she has filed to divorce the disgraced actor - despite previously supporting him throughout a grueling trial in which his traumatized victims detailed how he ruined their lives.

The exhausted mom and brother of rapist Danny Masterson have been seen visiting him in jail in photographs exclusively obtained by DailyMail.com

Jordan (right) narrowed his eyes below a furrowed brow as he approached the central Los Angeles facility, which previously kept disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein behind bars until he was transferred to a New York jail earlier this year

Their visit came amid the bombshell announcement from Bijou that she has filed to divorced the disgraced actor - despite previously supporting him throughout a grueling trial in which his traumatized victims detailed how he ruined their lives

Masterson's mom Carol wore large dark sunglasses as she drove a white SUV towards the jailhouse before emerging and walking with Jordan

Masterson, 47, was jailed last week for 30 years after being found guilty of raping two women, both members of the Church of Scientology, in 2003.

Jurors were deadlocked over a third allegation of rape against the actor, brought by his ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler.

Bijou, 43, sobbed when Masterson was handed the decades-long sentence and he blew her a kiss as he was escorted to the cells.

The formerly devoted wife, who even sent a letter to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo begging for leniency ahead of his sentencing, was consoled afterwards by brother-in-law Jordan.

But Jordan appeared in need of emotional support himself as he arrived looking tired and a little disheveled at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility on Tuesday, which may have marked his first time visiting his half-brother in prison.

Wearing a black leather jacket with matching trousers and shoes, Carol stared stonily at the ground as she approached the Los Angeles prison, while Jordan looked downcast in a gray sweatshirt and blue jeans

The mother and son did not appear to be speaking as they marched solemnly down the sidewalk before being scanned by a security guard

Danny Masterson, 47, was jailed last week for 30 years after being found guilty of raping two women, both members of the Church of Scientology , in 2003. (Pictured: Masterson's mom Carol and half-brother Jordan visiting him in jail on Tuesday)

Jordan appeared in need of emotional support himself as he arrived looking tired and a little disheveled at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility with his mom Carol on Tuesday, which may have marked their first time visiting Danny in jail

Carol and Jordan Masterson looked distraught as they arrived at the Twin Towers jailhouse on the same day the convict's wife Bijou Phillips filed for divorce

Jordan Masterson closed his eyes and put his hand to his face in an expression of despair as he waited to be processed by security

The 37-year-old narrowed his eyes below a furrowed brow as he approached the central Los Angeles facility, which previously kept disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein behind bars until he was transferred to a New York jail earlier this year.

He closed his eyes and put his hand to his face with despair as he waited to be processed by security.

The 40 Year Old Virgin actor also ran his fingers through his hair with his head bowed down while in line behind his mom.

Carol, who was dressed funereally in all black attire, looked equally beleaguered.

She wore large dark sunglasses as she drove a white SUV towards the jailhouse before emerging and walking with Jordan.

The pair spread their arms wide as they were checked by security guards for any weapons before being allowed to enter the facility.

The That 70's Show star was convicted on May 31 after two long trials, the first of which ended in mistrial, and many of his close relatives endured hearing the harrowing details of his sexual assaults as they watched on from the public gallery.

Bijou seemed to support her husband throughout the trials, flanking him on each arrival during his $3.3 million bail period.

Danny Masterson 's wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce, less than two weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in jail for rape. (Pictured: the couple arriving together at court for his trial)

Masterson, 47, was put behind bars last week - three months after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two women in 2003, and his wife Bijou, 43, was by his side through the trial

Phillips began sobbing in court as her husband, and the father of her young daughter, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape of two women

She sobbed in court when jurors returned guilty verdicts, and held a handkerchief to her face during his September 7 sentencing hearing, when Judge Olmedo handed him a prison term which will require him to stay behind bars for at least 25.5 years.

In a letter to the judge prior to Masterson's sentencing, Phillips praised him as a husband and father.

'I can say that Danny has literally been a life-saving partner to me,' Phillips wrote in a reference to Masterson's care for her and their daughter after Phillips had a kidney transplant in 2017.

She also noted Masterson's aversion to drugs - a common principle of Scientology - and his apparent dedication to helping young actors escape the downfalls of wealth and fame.

But as she heard the heartbreaking testimonies of his victims in court in a harrowing trial, Phillips seems to have reconsidered her marriage.

The That 70's Show star was convicted on May 31 after two long trials, the first of which ended in mistrial, and many of his close relatives endured hearing the harrowing details of his sexual assaults as they watched on from the public gallery

Carol, who was dressed funereally in all black attire, looked equally beleaguered

Carol and Jordan Masterson appeared to walk in stony silence as they approached the jailhouse where Danny Masterson is being held following his double rape conviction

Carol Masterson was seen pulling up close to the Los Angeles jailhouse in a white SUV

The mom and son were checked by security before what could have been their first time seeing Danny Masterson in jail since he was sentenced earlier this month

Masterson outstretches his arms as security guards check him while his mom strides inside

The women, known to the court as Jane Doe #1, #2 and #3, focused not only on the disturbing details of the sexual assaults, but also about the part the church of Scientology played.

They recalled being intimidated and driven from their community as the church punished them for speaking out against Masterson.

Bijou's lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been 'unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family'.

'Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time,' Lauzon said in a statement seen by TMZ.

'Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family.

'Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life.

'Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.'

Bijou Phillips was seen being comforted by her brother-in-law Jordan Masterson as they met up for lunch in the Santa Ynez Valley on Monday. The mom-of-one, who was with her and Danny's nine-year-old daughter Fianna, arrived at Dos Carlitos restaurant late in the afternoon where they met up with Jordan

In a poignant moment, Bijou embraced her 37-year-old brother-in-law, also an actor best known for his role as Mark in the 2005 film The 40-Year-Old Virgin

Danny Masterson's half brother Jordan visited him in jail with their mom on Tuesday

Danny Masterson's mother Carol Masterson and his brother Jordan Masterson pay him a visit at jail this afternoon amid news Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce from the actor

The pair spread their arms out to be scanned for weapons before entering the facility

When Bijou broke cover for the first time on September 12 following the trial, she was seen being comforted by Jordan as they shared a poignant embrace ahead of a lunch outing in her California hometown of Santa Ynez.

They dined at Dos Carlitos restaurant, along with her and Danny's nine-year-old daughter Fianna

The supportive younger brother offered his sister-in-law a comforting hug and embrace upon arrival before the group sat down and chatted over their meal.

Bijou has reportedly said her date of separation with Danny is 'TBD', citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce, according to freelance journalist Yashar Ali.

She has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips rather than Masterson.

Phillips will have custody of their daughter as expected given Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life - but Ali said she will allow their daughter to visit him in jail.
A kilogram of fentanyl was stashed on top of play mats at a Bronx daycare center which resulted in the death of a one-year-old boy.

Nicholas Feliz Dominici, who had only been at Divino Nino Daycare for a week, died from fentanyl exposure on Friday and three other children fell ill and were hospitalized with one in critical condition.

Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the owner and her alleged accomplice Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, have now been hit with federal charges.

The pair were charged on Tuesday in Manhattan federal court with one count of possession with intent to distribute narcotics resulting in death and conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death.

A brick of fentanyl, weighing one-kilogram, was found on top of children's playmats as well as a 'kilo press', according to a federal criminal complaint.

A kilogram of fentanyl was stashed on top of play mats at a Bronx daycare center which resulted in the death of a one-year-old boy

Grei Mendez De Ventura, 36, the owner and her alleged accomplice Carlisto Acevedo Brito, 41, have now been hit with federal charges.

Pictured: Nicholas Feliz-Dominici, 1, died on Friday after ingesting fentanyl at a Bronx day care

Prosecutors said De Ventura and her husband's cousin Brito 'used the day care center front to cloak their true operation: a fentanyl drug mill.'

The alleged drug duo were reportedly cutting up the drugs near the area where the children nap.

De Ventura reportedly stood on the sidelines as her cohort cut the opioids. Some fentanyl particles kicked into the air and the children are believed to have inhaled the deadly drug, sources said.

Authorities found a kilogram block of fentanyl in the same space the children occupied, the federal complaint stated.

'There, despite the daily presence of children, including infants, the defendants maintained large quantities of fentanyl, including a kilogram of fentanyl stored on top of children's playmats,' an affidavit signed by Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Kyle Harrell said.

While Brito's room, which he rented for $200 a week, had equipment which pointed to a large-scale drug operation, according to police.

A 'kilo press', which is typically used to recompress drugs in powder form was discovered and two other presses were found in the day care center.

They are 'commonly used by narcotics traffickers at 'mills' or other locations where narcotic drugs are broken down, combined with fillers or other narcotics, and portioned for sale,' according to the affidavit.

On Friday, before police arrived at the Morris Avenue apartment, De Ventura had called several people, including her husband, before calling 911 to get help for the children.

Detectives said they had also recovered video of both the husband and other people fleeing the day care with bags of unknown contents in the initial confusion.

De Ventura and Brito stored large quantities of fentanyl 'despite the daily presence of children, including infants,' the criminal complaint said.

Grie Mendez wipes away tears as she appears in New York Federal Court on September 19

Carlisto Acevedo Brito in a sketch from the New York Federal Court on September 19

A 'kilo press', which is typically used to recompress drugs in powder form was discovered and two other presses were found in the day care center

Law enforcement sources believe that the basement under the day care where Brito lived was actually a front for drugs

The pair had initially been arrested on state charges on Sunday night, which included murder, manslaughter and assault, and held without bail.

But they are now in federal custody and face up to life in prison if they are convicted.

Damian Williams, US Attorney for Southern District of New York, said the case 'shocked the conscience of the city' in a press conference on Tuesday.

A third suspect is still being sought. Police have launched a manhunt for De Ventura's husband, who is believed to be the 'ring leader' in the drug operation, officials said.

De Ventura's attorney claimed she was unaware drugs were being stored in her day care by Brito.

She opened the Bronx day care earlier this year, and on September 6 passed a surprise inspection.

Divino Nino Daycare was registered under the city's Department of Children and Family Service since it was considered a home-based business.

The day care was registered to care for up to 8 children, between 6 weeks to 12 years old, records show.

Feliz Dominici's grief-stricken parents Zoila Dominici and Otoniel Feliz said the day care was recommended by Kingsbridge Heights Community Center.

The heartbroken couple, who are parents to four other children, were trying to come to terms with the unexpected and tragic death of their youngest child.

The boy's grief-stricken mother told CBS News in Spanish: 'Look at what happened. If I had known, I wouldn't have taken him.'

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said on Monday that police discovered 'a kilogram of fentanyl in an area that was used to give the children naps.'

He further explained, the fentanyl was 'laying underneath a mat where children had been sleeping earlier.'

US Attorney for the Southern District, Damian Williams spoke at Monday's announcement of the new federal charges

Frank A. Tarentino III (pictured) Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration's New York Division covering the State of New York spoke at a press conference on Monday about fentanyl and the babies that were exposed to the deadly chemical at a Bronx day care

According to Kenny, 'one grain, two grains of fentanyl can take down a grown man so even the residue itself for a small child, would cause the death.'

According to reports, there were no previous complaints made against Divino Nino Daycare.

But, some neighbors had their concerns about what was taking place behind the doors of the apartment. One longtime neighbor said she never saw any children - arriving or leaving- the residence.

'It was a day care for a year with no children. For one year, she had a day care with no children but people go in. But no babies?,' she told The New York Post.

She also revealed De Ventura would not allow her own child to stay in the apartment where other children were being cared for.

'A day care with no children and men coming in and out. Yes, we knew something. We knew something, something was not good happening there.'

'We all said, 'Drogas.' How could you not know?'

She alleged that De Ventura's day care started getting busier two months ago when she started getting some children, including a baby two months ago, and then two more children a few weeks before the tragedy.
A high-flying real estate executive accused of stealing a taxi while drunk will claim in court he was assaulted and pursued by a cab driver through Sydney's CBD.

Brett Henson, 42, fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday charged with a range of driving offences, including stealing a motor vehicle and dangerous driving.

A prominent figure in the real estate market, Mr Henson was arrested late last year after photos of the incident were circulated by NSW Police in pursuit of the alleged culprit.

Police allege Mr Henson stole the silver taxi from Hunter St in Sydney's CBD while intoxicated after threatening the driver shortly before 9pm on November 4, 2022.

A high-flying real estate executive accused of stealing a taxi while drunk will claim in court he was assaulted and pursued by a cab driver through Sydney's CBD

Officers further allege that the Bronte resident drove dangerously before the vehicle later allegedly dumped several kilometres away in Woolhara with 'significant damage'.

Lawyer Paul McGirr told the court Mr Henson was 'under duress', having allegedly been assaulted by 'another party' who was believed to be part of a group of cab drivers.

'He (Mr Henson) was knocked around and injured, which police were made aware of,' Mr McGirr said.

'My client takes the particular cab and drives it, and appears to be followed by another taxi driver.

'He leaves the scene and goes around the conservatorium, and ends up on the Eastern Distributor Freeway.

'Importantly, he believed he was being followed (...) my client was under duress at the time.'

Mr McGirr revealed Mr Henson was allegedly told by one member of the group they were a police officer.

He told the court that interaction could explain why Mr Henson did not call triple-0 after the alleged attack.

In his opening submission, Mr McGirr said ID would 'not be an issue' in the case, while also relegating allegations to his intoxication to be a 'side issue'.

Brett Henson, 42, fronted Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday charged with a range of driving offences, including stealing a motor vehicle and dangerous driving

Officers further allege that the Bronte resident drove dangerously before the vehicle later allegedly dumped several kilometres away in Woolhara with 'significant damage'

The police prosecutor, Mr Philipson, told the court they would not be producing any form of pharmaceutical or toxicology report into Mr Henson's alleged intoxication.

Mr Philipson played video to the court on Wednesday of the moments before the alleged taxi theft, beginning with Mr Henson leaving the Ivy restaurant on George St.

In the video, Mr Henson is seen opening the door to a taxi about 8.40pm on Hunter St before falling to the ground as the passenger-side door is flung open.

The driver of the cab, who will later give evidence, is seen leaving the driver-side and talking with Mr Henson outside the vehicle for a period of time.

Suddenly, Mr Henson is seen fleeing from the cab and running down a neighbouring alleyway with the driver seen pursuing him at a jog.

Further video will be played in court later in the afternoon, with witness evidence from the driver and the alleged pursuer who will appear over AVL from Pakistan.

Mr Henson was reportedly a Senior Capital Transactions Manager for property developing giant Mirvac at the time of the alleged offence, and owns a $3.3 million house in Bronte.

It is understood Mr Henson is no longer in that role.
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations was briefly detained by security on Tuesday for protesting during the Iranian president's speech.

Gilad Erdan held up a photo of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Iranian woman who was killed while in the custody of Tehran's morality police after being arrested for not covering enough of her hair.

Erdan walked silently towards the stage, holding the sign above his head. On it was written: 'Iranian women deserve freedom now!'

Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran, did not appear to notice Erdan, who then left the chamber and was later held by UN security.

Gilad Erdan, Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, is seen on Tuesday protesting while Iran's president speaks

Erdan walked towards the stage holding up his sign

Some of the other delegates turned to look and see what was happening, as Erdan walked to the stage - in defiance of protocol

Ebrahim Raisi, the president of Iran , did not appear to notice Erdan

Erdan later tweeted the UN was guilty of 'moral distortions' for giving a platform to Raisi, who has presided over a brutal crackdown on protest in his own country.

Erdan, ambassador since 2020, accused the UN of having rolled out the red carper 'for murderers and antisemites'.

'When President Raisi of Iran, the 'Butcher of Tehran,' began his speech, I waved a picture of Mahsa Amini, the innocent Iranian woman who was brutally murdered by the regime one year ago for not wearing a hijab 'properly',' tweeted Erdan.

'Meanwhile, outside the UN hundreds of Iranians were protesting, begging for help from the international community. I will never stop fighting for the truth and I will always expose the UN's moral distortions.

'Those who roll out the red carpet for murderers and antisemites must be held accountable for their actions!'

Photos obtained by Fox News showed him being escorted by UN security after leaving the room.

'I left the speech to make it clear that the State of Israel stands by the Iranian people,' said Erdan, according to a statement sent to Reuters by Israel's mission to the United Nations.

Mahsa Amini, 22, died in September 2022 in custody of Iran's morality police, who accused her of allowing her hijab to slip

People gather to mark the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in Lafayette Square, Washington DC, on September 16

Erdan filmed a video earlier on Tuesday in front of a protest against Iran's rulers

Erdan had earlier filmed a video in front of a shrine to victims of the Iranian regime's repression.

Tuesday was the first anniversary of Iran's nationwide uprisings that started last September, following the death of Amini.

He declared that Israel stood in solidarity with those persecuted by the 'ruthless' government in Tehran, and again criticized the UN for allowing Raisi to speak.

'The world must wake up and listen to the voices of innocent Iranians! The Ayatollah regime must be held accountable for their crimes and pay the price!' he wrote on X.

'The people of Israel stand with the people of Iran.'

Raisi, in a provocative speech, told the gathered world leaders that his country will not withdraw from its 'obvious right for peaceful use of nuclear' technology, and urged the United States to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

He reiterated that a nuclear arsenal has 'no room' in Iran's military doctrine.

Raisi also urged the U.S. to return to nuclear deal by showing good will through 'trust-building policy.'

In 2018, U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the deal and imposed more sanctions.

The remarks came a day after Iran and the U.S. freed prisoners of both sides who were in jails for years.

The U.S. also allowed Iran to have access to nearly $6 billion in frozen assets. The Americans arrived home on Tuesday.
A radio host has blasted the Anthony Albanese's government for focusing on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as power bills soar - labelling the referendum as 'the great distraction'.

Combined gas and electricity bills have hit record highs, with thousands of families in Melbourne's outskirts and regional Victoria now paying up to $800 more and forking out as much as $4400 a year to keep the lights on in their homes, according to St Vincent de Paul Society's latest tariff tracker report.

Canberra-based 2CC broadcaster Stephen Cenatiempo weighed into the cost of living and energy crisis on Tuesday and said households across Australia are doing it tough due to the power price hike.

'As a single bloke living by myself, I can make these things work, but how does a family with a couple of kids manage a $4400 annual electricity and gas bill? he said.

'It's only going to get worse as governments make us turn off the gas and switch over to more electricity which is not going to be available because we don't have enough grid in the supply to start with and it's going to be too expensive anyway.'

'It keeps compounding and we've got a government that isn't focusing on any of these things which are affecting everyday Australians.'

Cenatiempo accused the government of being too focused on the upcoming Voice referendum.

'Thankfully it all will be over in about four weeks time hopefully and maybe we can get a government that actually focuses on things that matter to real Australians,' he said.

Electricity prices have surged by 16 per cent in the past year as the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasted five years of 'elevated prices', despite the Prime Minister promising to slash power bills by $275 by 2025 at the last election.

'It makes a mockery of the $275 reduction we were promised in the lead-up to the election,' Cenatiempo told Sky News host Chris Kenny.

'I know that's not supposed to kick in yet but by the time it does kick in, our energy bills will have gone up by $2750 and then we'll get our $275 back, it's extraordinary.'

Anthony Albanese (pictured) has been accused of focusing the Voice referendum instead of issues affecting everyday Aussies

Kenny agreed with his panellist, claiming governments have been too focused on reducing emissions 'for decades,' rather than reducing powerbills.

'And it's not just families. Think about pensioners on fixed incomes and self-funded retirees running down their savings,' Kenny continued.

'These are really, really painful cost pressures and they're brought about by this fascination for getting rid of the cheap coal energy that Victoria had and stopping anymore drilling for gas.

'I'm not saying you don't reduce emissions but you actually have the replacement power in place before you get rid of the cheap and reliable power.'

Cenatiempo also lashed out at the government's decision to on a study to claim that nuclear energy will cost billions more.

Stephen Cenatiempo fired up about soaring energy prices on Tuesday. Pictured is the Bayswater coal-fired power station cooling towers in the NSW Hunter Valley

Energy Minister Chris Bowen claimed on Tuesday that nuclear would be the most expensive form of energy and cost taxpayers $387 billion to transition.

'Why on earth does a government who doesn't believe in nuclear spend our money doing a study to come up with a fictitious price for something that has no intention of doing' Cenatiempo fumed.

'It's just extraordinary in the midst of the crisis we're in at the moment, not only the energy crisis but also the cost of living crisis that goes along with it.'

'And we've got a government out there playing games because we have the single most incompetent minister in the government looking after energy in the middle of an energy crisis.'
A couple and their two sons who were shot dead alongside their three dogs at home in a quiet Illinois neighborhood were targeted, police have revealed.

Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven, were shot in their family bungalow in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago on Sunday.

Authorities ruled out a murder-suicide and are searching for the murderer who is still on the loose.

Their family said they have no idea why anyone would want to kill them, and Zoraida's devastated sister has issued a plea for answers.

But police have determined it was 'not a random incident' and there is no reason for the public to stay indoors following the fatal shooting.

Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven, were shot in their family bungalow in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago on Sunday

Police have determined it was 'not a random incident' and there is no reason for the public to stay indoors following the fatal shooting

Their family said they have no idea why anyone would want to kill them, and Zoraida's devastated sister has issued a plea for answers

'We were able to determine this was not a random incident and there was no cause for a shelter in place order,' Romeoville Police Department Deputy Chief Chris Burne said on Tuesday.

'This incident is the police department's top priority.' Officers were called to the family's property on the 500 block of Concord Avenue for a welfare check.

One of the parents did not show up to work on Sunday and did not answer calls from relatives which caused concern.

Police tragically discovered the dead bodies and believe the shooting occurred between 9pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday.

The Will County Major Crimes Task Force is helping investigators collect evidence and review video, Burne said.

'All officers and professional staff have been working tirelessly on this case. Our detectives and crime scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence.'

Zoraida's sister Bryana Bartolomei shared a photo of the family, originally from Puerto Rico, on Facebook.

She wrote: 'I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband, and WHY?

'They were shot and killed in their home.'

The picture shows Zoraida and Alberto beaming with their two sons, one playfully holding a strand of his mother's hair.

A fundraiser created to cover funeral expenses was created on Monday, describing their children as 'the sweetest most innocent angels'. It has so far raised almost $20,000.

Friends described them as 'hardworking people that had just bought their first home'.

'Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away,' the fundraiser says.

Police tragically discovered the dead bodies following a welfare check and believe the shooting occurred between 9pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday

Zoraida's mother Lydia from Puerto Rico previously told DailyMail.com that they were 'so happy' and had only just bought their $250,000 Romeoville home five months ago

A fundraiser created to cover funeral expenses and to raise awareness for their case was created on Monday, describing their children as 'the sweetest most innocent angels'

'In just a few hours their lives, their family's lives completely changed. The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them.'

Community members have been providing information and evidence to help piece together what happened. Burne is calling for more assistance including Ring doorbell footage.

Children Adriel and Diego attended R.C. Hill Elementary School, a message posted by the district's superintendent Rachel Kinder revealed.

She described their killings as a 'senseless act of gun violence'.

'This violent incident and loss are sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school community.'

The school is providing mental health and counseling to families at the school.

Romeoville Mayor John D. Noak said on Tuesday: 'Our entire community is grieving with the family over this tragic incident.

'I have directed our social services staff to make themselves available to our community to help begin the healing process.'

Zoraida's mother Lydia from Puerto Rico told DailyMail.com they were 'so happy' and had only bought their $250,000 Romeoville home five months ago.

She last spoke with her daughter shortly before her death on the weekend as the family settled down to watch a movie, and she could not understand why they had been targeted.

Crime scene technicians removed several brown and pink bags along with part of a window from the three-bedroom home as the investigation got underway on Sunday.
Hillary Clinton embraced Olena Zelenska on stage at a New York conference last night as she and her husband Bill presented the First Lady of Ukraine with an award for 'extraordinary leadership amid unimaginable circumstances'.

The former Secretary of State was seen hugging Zelenska before she and Bill handed her this year's Clinton Global Citizen Award during a conference focusing on pressing global issues.

Zelenska, who worked with Hillary Clinton for the past year designing the Clinton Global Initiative's new Ukraine Action Network, accepted the award on behalf of all Ukrainians who she said keep the country going each day in the face of attacks from Russia.

'All of them are my compatriots and I am grateful for them,' Zelenska said. 'A leader is the one who comes to help, who stands by those who need help. I'm grateful to the American people and their friends and family for being such leaders.'

Hillary Clinton said Olenska was given the award for her 'extraordinary leadership amid unimaginable, difficult circumstances, and who has been a forceful advocate for peace and a relentless champion of her determined people.'

Hillary Clinton embraced Olena Zelenska on stage at a New York conference last night as she and her husband Bill presented the First Lady of Ukraine with an award for 'extraordinary leadership amid unimaginable circumstances'

Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelenska accepts the Clinton Global Citizen Award from Bill and Hillary Clinton during the Clinton Global Initiative on Tuesday in New York

Zelenska, who worked with Hillary Clinton for the past year designing the Clinton Global Initiative's new Ukraine Action Network, accepted the award on behalf of all Ukrainians who she said keep the country going each day in the face of attacks from Russia

The former first Lady said CGI's new Ukraine Action Network is 'committed to sustaining a deliberate international focus on Ukraine and supporting new commitments to action'.

CGI announced numerous new programs for Ukraine - from actor Orlando Bloom's plan to raise $20 million to provide new laptops to 50,000 students to So-Light Design's pledge to provide 30,000 SoLights, individual solar-powered light sources, to Ukrainians who lack consistent access to electricity.

'We are in this for the long haul for Ukraine, Ukrainians, and for democracy everywhere,' Hillary Clinton said. 'Their fight is our fight. Dont let anybody tell you differently.'

The conference addressed a series of global issues before wrapping up on Tuesday night - from food insecurity, which World Food Programme Executive Director Cindy McCain called 'desperation,' to climate change - with 160 new monetary commitments announced that could total billions of dollars in new funding.

The CGI also announced that it had added gender equity as a pillar of the nonprofit's work to sound the alarm about the increasing challenges women and girls currently face.

'Whatever the issue - it's connected to women and it falls more heavily on women,' Clinton Foundation Vice Chair Chelsea Clinton, who is the only child of Bill and Hillary, said. 'It also requires us to center women in how we think about what our collective response should be.'

First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska (C) accepts the Clinton Global Citizen Award from former US President Bill Clinton (L) and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton (R) during the Clinton Global Initiative in New York on Tuesday

Zelenska, who worked with Hillary Clinton for the past year designing the Clinton Global Initiative's new Ukraine Action Network, accepted the award on behalf of all Ukrainians who she said keep the country going each day in the face of attacks from Russia

Chelsea Clinton, right, hugs her mother Hillary Clinton during the Clinton Global Initiative conference on Monday

She echoed the famous line, 'Human rights are womens rights and womens rights are human rights,' from then First Lady Hillary Clintons speech to the United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995.

However, Chelsea Clinton said that while there has been progress for gender equality since then, 'weve stalled out in some areas and weve regressed in others.'

'I think that its important to acknowledge all of that,' she said. 'We have to secure the progress that weve made and keep pushing forward.'

Meanwhile, Cindy McCain was looking to CGI for leaders like Zelenska to help address the growing problem of food insecurity.

'From the World Food Programme's perspective, the world on fire,' she told former President Bill Clinton. 'This is nothing to play with now... We have hundreds of millions of people who don't know where their next meal is going to come from.'

McCain said recent disasters in Africa could plunge the region into chaos due to a lack of food. 'I am scared for the first time in this job,' she said. 'Im scared about what will happen next.'

Chef Jose Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, agreed with McCain that food insecurity should be seen as a national security issue.

He said that the war in Ukraine is as much a war about feeding the world, since Ukraine normally feeds about 500 million people annually, as it is a war about them keeping their freedom.

Andres said he was proud to be part of the Ukraine Action Network to help out through World Central Kitchen.

'Over the past almost two years, Ive spent a lot of time in Ukraine and with the World Central Kitchen Ukrainian team members,' he said. '

WCK has served over 240 million meals since the invasion of Ukraine began, by mobilizing a network of local cooks, community organizers, and volunteer organizations to provide food, when, where, and how its most needed.

'We have been filling gaps by listening to and following the Ukrainians - Ukrainians feeding Ukrainians - and we constantly adapt to meet the need.'

Chelsea Clinton said the new gender equity pillar and the Ukraine Action Network provide a structure for expanding CGI's work that allows it to be more effective.

'This work has to be coherent and it also has to be bold and ambitious, but with clear underlying targets to kind of hold ourselves accountable,' she said. 'It is so that we are very clear about what were driving toward.'
He was due to marry in 2 weeks time

A young international student killed in a horror crash was two weeks away from marrying the love of his life in his home country.

Ariel Jocson, 25, died in a three-vehicle collision at Amberley, south-west of Brisbane, on Sunday.

Mr Jocson was due to fly home to the Philippines to marry his fiancee at the start of October. He was from Bacolod City, south of Manila.

He was a passenger in a grey Mitsubishi Lancer being driven by a friend when the vehicle turned onto the Cunningham Highway and collided with a truck.

The Lancer then crashed into a silver Toyota Camry before coming to a stop.

Ariel Jocson was due to fly home to the Philippines at the start of October to marry his fiance. Pictured: Mr Jocson with his sister Kristina, who paid tribute to him

Mr Jocson was planning to marry the love of his life in the Philippines in October. Pictured: Mr Jocson with his fiancee

He was a passenger in the back seat of a grey Mitsubishi Lancer driven by a friend when it was struck by a truck then hit a second car

The 33-year-old driver of the Lancer was airlifted to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition.

A third person riding in the car was not hurt.

Mr Jocson, a car enthusiast, was staying with his friend Estela Thurlow in Queensland while he was studying mechanics.

'I got anxiety attack since last night when the police been in home to report the bad news,' Ms Thurlow told the Queensland Times.

She said Mr Jocson and the driver, Richard de Leon, work hard and are 'kind boys'.

Katrina Jocson paid tribute to her brother, whom she referred to as, 'My Aussie boy'.

'To have had a best brother is to have experienced an extraordinary gift,' Ms Jocson wrote on Facebook.

'Our paths may change as life goes along, but our bond will remain strong.

'I will miss you, my Aussie boy.'

The intersection where the crash occurred, where Ipswich Rosewood Road meets the Cunningham Highway, is considered dangerous by many locals.

The intersection where the crash occurred, where Ipswich Rosewood Road meets the Cunningham Highway, is considered dangerous by many locals

Ms Jocson described her brother Ariel (pictured) as 'an extraordinary gift'

One described the area as 'like a death trap.'

'How many fatalities are needed before this intersection gets changed for safety?,' one Facebook user wrote.

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is understood to have been presented with options for short-term upgrades to improve safety and manage congestion.

Daily Mail Australia approached TMR for comment.
Donald Trump told an aide she should deny any knowledge of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, according to a report on Tuesday.

Molly Michael began working for Trump in the White House in 2018 and carried on as his aide after he left.

She resigned last year over his alleged refusal to return documents he took from the White House, and has since testified to the January 6 Committee.

On Tuesday, ABC News reported she had told investigators looking into Trump's handling of classified documents he tried to silence her.

After Trump heard the FBI wanted to interview Michael last year, sources told ABC, Trump allegedly told her: 'You don't know anything about the boxes.'

Molly Michael also testified about note cards before the House January 6 Committee

Michael, left, is seen on May 1, 2020 with Johnny McEntee, the former Director of the Presidential Personnel Office

Piles of boxes of classified documents are pictured in Mar-a-Lago

Documents were stored in the bathrooms - with so many boxes they were even stacked in the bath

Michael grew increasingly concerned about Trump's response to the repeated requests from the National Archives office for the return of the classified documents he had taken, the sources said.

She felt that there were many people around Mar-a-Lago who could 'easily' disprove his public statements that all the documents had been handed back.

Michael even told Trump that many people, among them maintenance workers, had seen the boxes at Mar-a-Lago and knew there were many more than the 15 he claimed.

And she told investigators, according to ABC's sources, that Trump well knew there were classified documents in the boxes, because he was familiar with their contents and had been shown a photo of a storage room with all 90 or so boxes in it.

The indictment against Trump for mishandling classified documents and refusing to hand them back alleges that Trump asked one of his attorneys at the time: 'Wouldn't it be better if we just told them we don't have anything here?'

In June last year, Trump's attorney, Evan Corcoran, supervised a search for classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and handed over 38 to the FBI, signing a statement confirming that the subpoena for the documents had been fully complied with.

But officials did not believe Trump had been straight with them, and launched an unannounced search of the property in August, finding a further 102 papers.

Michael told investigators there were even more.

Donald Trump is seen on June 13 in Miami, after his arraignment on federal charges related to the documents

Michael stopped working for Trump last year, some time after the August raid on Mar-a-Lago

Documents were stored all over Mar-a-Lago, including in the ballroom

Some of the boxes of documents had spilled out onto the floor inside Mar-a-Lago

She said she returned to work after the raid - she had not been in her office at the time - and found her desk in disarray, she noticed that To Do lists Trump had prepared for her were still there, buried under papers.

The To Do lists were scribbled on the back of documents with classified markings, she said.

Michael has not commented on ABC's report.

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for Trump, said ABC's report was from 'illegal leaks' of the investigation, and lacked 'proper context'.

Cheung said that the Justice Department needed to urgently investigate the leaks.

'These illegal leaks are coming from sources which totally lack proper context and relevant information,' he said.

'The Department of Justice should investigate the criminal leaking, instead of perpetrating their baseless witch hunts.'
It comes amid high crime in Chicago, with an 86% rise in motor vehicle thefts

Cops did not hear reports about the attack incident but got a high volume daily

Several men in two cars ambush a car before attacking the driver in Chicago

This is the terrifying moment a Chicago driver was carjacked by a gang of armed men who trapped him between two cars before tying him up at gunpoint.

Surveillance footage, released by a local crime blog, shows several men in two vehicles ambush a parked car before kicking out the driver in the crime-addled city earlier this month.

Chicago Police told DailyMail.com they did not receive any reports about the incident, which happened on the 1700 block of North Western on September 2.

It comes amid a spate of crime across the Dem-run city, which has turned into a hellscape since Lori Lightfoot and her mayor successor Brandon Johnson took over.

The terrifying moment a Chicago driver was carjacked by a gang of armed men who trapped him between two cars before tying him up has been caught on camera

A visual analysis of the video by Dailymail.com confirmed the location in the Wicker Park area of the city.

The clip shows a 2013 Audi A4 parked on the highway at night with its headlights on.

Two more vehicles rapidly approach before coming to a halt at the front and rear end of the vehicle, hemming it in.

The Audi rolls forward in the beginnings of an attempt to escape, but within seconds three men leap from the surrounding vehicles and approach the driver.

One points a gun at his side window while two more drag him out of the car and throw him on the ground.

Surveillance footage shared online shows several men in two vehicles surround a parked car before turfing out the driver in crime-addled Chicago, Illinois , earlier this month

An attacker ties the man's hands behind his back as he lay face-down on the highway, while the accomplices enter his car.

The victim watches on helplessly as the men skirt around him in their vehicles, before all three rapidly drive away.

Scrambling for his life, the victim makes a break for it once his attackers are safely out of view.

The horrifying footage was captured on a night when eight people were robbed over a 30 minute spree in the same neighborhood, according to local reports.

No arrests were made for any of the crimes, per local news, including some which involved armed break-ins.

Ultra-progressive Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson previously supported the Defund the Police movement. He was elected to the post in May 2023

Chicago Police told DailyMail.com it deals with 'a vast volume of crimes on a daily basis'.

The Windy City has suffered an 86 per cent rise in motor vehicle theft rates over the last year - from 42,512 incidents reported in 2022 to 54,983 so far this year.

Overall, this figure has rocketed by 227 per cent since 2019, when 35,711 motor vehicle thefts were reported.

Murder rates have also risen by 19 per cent over the past four years under the disastrous reign of the last Chicago Mayor, Lori Lightfoot, while robberies are up 30 per cent.

Ultra-progressive Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson previously supported the Defund the Police movement and has been widely criticized for a soft-on-crime approach.

Murder rates in Chicago have risen by 19% over the past four years under the disastrous reign of penultimate Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, while robberies are up 30%

He made history when he was elected in May as the first person to unseat a presiding mayor in the Dem-led city since 1983, pledging to make the city a place where 'all residents can live and work free from the threat of violence'.

Johnson's radical approach to policing involves reallocating funds from enforcement to social services like housing and education, while taxing the rich and local businesses.

His outlook on crime was brought into sharp focus in April when he insisted the city should not 'demonize' teens for organizing an inner-city event that turned hopelessly violent and left multiple minors shot.
Gavin Newsom has once again shot down claims he'll run for the White House in 2024 - saying he's 'not worthy' and Joe Biden 'deserves it'.

The California Governor said he 'believes in this guy' - referring to the President - during an interview with NewsNation host Chris Cuomo on Tuesday night.

It comes just a day after Newsom brushed off concerns over Biden's age and said he was delivering a 'masterclass' in governance.

The California governor is suspected of having White House aspirations but made it clear on Monday that he felt that Biden is the right fit for the job, and jokingly shot down rumors of him running against him

During the NewsNation interview, Cuomo asked Newsom what he thought of Vice President Kamala Harris.

'The only plan B, of course, punitively, is the vice president, Kamala Harris, polling is nowhere. You say she's the absolute best person to be vice president,' Cuomo said.

Newsom responded with 'Of course she is'.

The California governor is suspected of having White House aspirations but made it clear on Monday he felt that Biden is the right fit for the job, and jokingly shot down rumors of him running against him.

Newsom went on to add he was not 'interested in plan B because we've got the guy running the show that's on the train and we all need to get on the train with him.'

Back in June Newsom declined to tell Fox News host Sean Hannity just how many people have urged him to run against Biden.

An unnamed Harris advisor also called the governor 'disrespectful' in his plan to debate Republican candidate Ron Desantis.

After Newsom was asked why he doesn't run for president, he said: 'Because I believe in this guy'

'Joe Biden is running with Kamala Harris. That's the Democratic ticket,' the adviser told NBC News.

Newsom, 55, and Harris, 58, both Californians, are old friends. Newsom was mayor of San Francisco and won two elections as lieutenant governor of California before becoming governor.

Prior to becoming a US senator in 2016, Harris was a San Francisco prosecutor who won two local elections for attorney general.

In relation to the President's son Hunter, Newsom has openly admitted that he 'doesn't love' how he's benefited from his family's connections.

An unnamed Harris advisor also called the governor 'disrespectful' in his plan to debate Republican candidate Ron Desantis

CNN anchor Dana Bash also sat down with Newsom and asked him to comment on Donald Trump's equivocating over abortion rights

In relation to the President's son Hunter, Newsom has openly admitted that he 'doesn't love' how he's benefited from his family's connections

Though Newsom has said he has no plan of running for President in the 2024 elections, he's made appearances in other states, embarked on a trip to China, and agreed to debate Ron Desantis.

CNN anchor Dana Bash also sat down with Newsom and asked him to comment on Donald Trump's equivocating over abortion rights.

Trump said on Sunday that he does not support six-week bans, going on to add that he thought some of the state policies were 'terrible'.

'I would sit down with both sides and I'd negotiate something and we'll end up with peace on that issue for the first time in 52 years,' said Trump.

Trump then accused Democrats of supporting abortion 'up to and after birth'.

Newsom replied: 'What does that mean? After birth? It's made up - it's a political thing. People are not seeking abortion after birth.

'It's not up to Donald Trump or me. It's up to women, who need that. The reality is that it's a political canard: it's BS.'
The police have made a major breakthrough in the horrific case of an elderly woman who was murdered in a home invasion almost a quarter century ago.

On the night of November 6, 1999, two men forced their way into the home of Gregor and Irma Palasics in the Canberra suburb of McKellar at around 9.30pm.

They were bound with cable ties and savagely beaten before the men ransacked their home, stealing cash and jewelry, while Mrs Palasics died from her injuries.

On Wednesday, almost 24 years later, a 68-year-old Melbourne man was arrested and will be charged with murder.

In a statement, the Palasics family said: 'After nearly 24 years of pain, questioning and uncertainty, we have never given up hope of finding out who was responsible for this heinous act.'

On the night of November 6, 1999, two men forced their way into the home of Gregor and Irma Palasics (pictured) in the Canberra suburb of McKellar. Mrs Palasics died from her injuries

On the night of the attack, Mr Palasics managed to free himself and call 000, but his wife, 72, suffocated on her own blood and died at the scene.

The accused Rowville man will appear in Dandenong Magistrates Court where police will seek his extradition to Canberra.

READ MORE: Shocking twist as 18-year-old is charged with murder A teenage boy has been charged with murder four days after the body of a dad was found outside a church. Advertisement

The ACT police had for years focussed its investigation around two men travelling from Melbourne to rob the house and they believe a second man remains at large.

The police believe someone in Melbourne's Hungarian community could hold vital information on who was responsible for the murder of Mrs Palasics.

The Palasics were also victims of aggravated burglaries in 1997 and 1998 which are thought to be linked to the third, fatal case.

A $500,000 reward that was initially offered in 2012 is still in place for anyone able to help police secure a successful conviction for the murder of Mrs Palasics.

'As a police officer, it is a great day when officers can make the call to family members that the person responsible for the death of a loved one has been identified and is now in custody,' ACT Detective Superintendent Scott Moller said.

'Homicide investigations are significantly complex. They require determination and extreme dedication  and, thankfully in this case the dedication of ACT Policing Criminal Investigations has led us to today's result.

'The family of Irma Palasics never gave up hope, never ceased asking for community assistance and always worked to keep the case in people's minds.

On Wednesday, a 68-year-old Melbourne man (pictured centre) was arrested and will be charged with murder

The police released an image (pictured) of a man they believe may have information on the 1999 murder in Canberra of Irma Palasics

'To be able to achieve today's outcome will provide some comfort that one of the people responsible for this horrific crime is now in custody.

'We are continuing to work to identify and charge the second offender. We urge this man to come forward as soon as possible,' he said.

The Palasics family released a statement saying their 'grandparents did not deserve what happened to them.

'Not only was Irma murdered but Gregor's life all but ended on that night and ours have never been the same.'
He also alleges Ron DeSantis may have kicked Tucker Carlson's dog at his home

Tucker Carlson thought about running for president to escape his Fox News contract, Ron DeSantis may have kicked the television host's dog and Rupert Murdoch called Sean Hannity 'retarded', a new bombshell book has claimed.

Author Michael Wolff detailed the shocking allegations in his upcoming book The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty, which is due to be published on September 26.

It claims to give readers a peak behind-the-curtains into how the media corporation handled issues such as the Dominion defamation lawsuit, post-election clashes with Donald Trump, Carlson's firing and Murdoch family drama.

But DeSantis' campaign pushed-back on the claims, telling DailyMail.com that Wolff's story about the Florida governor is 'absurd and false.'

Wolff, who is best known for Fire and Fury, his tell-all about the Trump administration, claims both Fox News and the Murdoch empire are in decline in his latest book.

In a statement to DailyMail.com, Fox News said: 'The fact that this author's books are spoofed by Saturday Night Live is all we really need to know.'

Dailymail.com has also approached Carlson, Murdoch, Hannity and Wolff for comment.

Tucker Carlson thought about running for president to escape his Fox News contract, Ron DeSantis may have kicked the television host's dog and Rupert Murdoch called Sean Hannity 'retarded', a new bombshell book has claimed

Provocative author Michael Wolff (pictured) detailed the shocking allegations in his upcoming book titled The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty, which is due to be published on September 26

It claims to give readers a peak behind-the-curtains into how the media corporation handled issues such as the Dominion defamation lawsuit, post-election clashes with Donald Trump , Carlson's firing and Murdoch family drama. Pictured: Rupert Murdoch

In one chapter, seen by The Daily Beast, he writes that before Carlson was fired from his primetime show Tucker Carlson Tonight, he considered running for president to escape his Fox News contract.

Wolff also alleges a bizarre incident where Florida Governor DeSantis and his wife Casey and shared a meal with Carlson and his wife Susan.

The pair were invited to the former Fox News host's Florida home for lunch but the couple are said to have not impressed and failed the 'Susie Carlson test,' according to the book.

Wolff wrote that DeSantis failed to 'to read the room', especially with Carlson's wife who is 'a genteel, stay-at-home woman, here in her own house'.

'For two hours Ron DeSantis sat at her table talking in an outdoor voice indoors, failing to observe any basics of conversation ritual or propriety, reeling off an unselfconscious list of his programs and initiatives and political accomplishments,' he wrote.

DeSantis Communications Director Andrew Romeo said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'The totality of that story is absurd and false. Some will say or write anything to attack Ron DeSantis because they know he presents a threat to their worldview.'

The author claimed an 'impersonal' DeSantis came off as dismissive during the at-home meeting and used physical force against one of the Carlson family's four pet spaniels.

'DeSantis pushed the dog under the table,' Wolff wrote. 'Had he kicked the dog? Susie Carlson's judgment was clear: she did not ever want to be anywhere near anybody like that ever again.'

'Her husband agreed. DeSantis, in Carlson's view, was a 'fascist.' The pot calling the kettle even blacker. Forget Ron DeSantis.'

Wolff claimed Fox had urged its stars to be 'open-minded' about DeSantis who was Murdoch's 'favored candidate' for the 2024 presidential election.

Elsewhere in his book, he said Hannity is viewed as a 'moron' within Murdoch's circles.

Wolff alleged that the media mogul even used an ableist slur to describe his Fox News star.

In one chapter, he writes that before Carlson was fired from his primetime show Tucker Carlson Tonight, he considered running for president to escape his Fox News contract

The author claimed an 'impersonal' Ron DeSantis came off as dismissive and used physical force against one of the Carlson family's four pet spaniels during a lunch in Florida

'When Murdoch was brought reports of Hannity's on- and off-air defense of Fox's postelection coverage, he perhaps seemed to justify his anchor: 'He's retarded, like most Americans',' he wrote.

Wolff claimed Murdoch considered letting Hannity go as a way to give Dominion Voting Systems a 'head' in exchange for a settlement.

His son Lachlan Murdoch is alleged to have proposed citing Hannity's previously secret relationship with Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt and pointing to the firing of ex-CNN CEO Jeff Zucker's as precedent.

Murdoch's ex-wife Jerry Hall is said to have hit out at him over the way he spoke about someone's sexuality, according to the book.

'Rupert, why are you such a homophobe?' she allegedly shouted at him on a St. Barts patio during a meal, according the book.

'You're such a homophobe,' Wolff claims she added before telling her friends 'He's such an old man.'

Wolff alleged that the media mogul Murdoch even used an ableist slur to describe his Fox News star Sean Hannity (pictured)

Wolff's previous book about Trump sold millions of copies despite allegations from some mentioned in the book that he had misquoted or misrepresented them

And the author said Fox Corporation CEO Lachlan did not want his celebrity friends to see him as a Trump supporter or right-wing.

Wolff claimed he showed off Resistance-style anti-Trump toiletries. 'In the run-up to the 2016 election, the bathrooms at the Mandeville house featured toilet paper with Trump's face, reported visitors with relief and satisfaction,' Wolff wrote.

'He told people that his wife and children cried when Trump was elected.'

A Fox News spokesman said: 'The fact that the last book by this author was spoofed in a Saturday Night Live skit is really all we need to know.'

Wolff said: 'Every principal character in the book including [Murdoch] was contacted for comment.' But a source said Fox News or Fox Corp were not approached for fact-checking.

Wolff's previous book about Trump sold millions of copies despite allegations from some mentioned in the book that he had misquoted or misrepresented them.

Hall and Lachlan have been contacted for comment.
The founder of a computer app that uses AI to teach maths to children fears computer programmers are among many workers under threat from artificial intelligence.

Large language models that can simultaneously process information and give human-like responses are threatening to upend the labour market, even outdoing the changes unleashed by the internet during the 1990s.

Mohamad Jebara, the co-founder of online learning platform Mathspace, said even entry-level IT coding jobs could go as AI became more advanced.

'AI programs are able to code, which could remove entry level computer programming jobs,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Jebara, a former financial markets derivatives trader turned tech entrepreneur, said entry-level legal jobs, often done by university law students, could also be replaced by AI.

The founder of a computer app that uses AI to teach maths to children fears computer programmers are under threat from artificial intelligence (pictured is a stock image)

'Document review and legal research can be replaced by AI, as well as contract reviews and preparing legal documents,' he said.

READ MORE: Is AI about to steal Aussie white collar jobs? Experts reveal the complex tasks ChatGPT can master and the six-figure salary professions under threat New-generation artificial intelligence has the potential to replace white-collar workers from highly paid doctors and management consultants to home tutors, experts say. Advertisement

Overseas backpackers on farms could also be replaced as AI enables robots to plant seeds and harvest crops.

'AI can manage farms more efficiently, using drones and robots for tasks like planting and harvesting,' Mr Jebara said.

AI could also replace customer service jobs, including those who take calls.

'Many companies are already improving their online communication with customers through AI powered chat,' Mr Jebara said.

AI could also lead to driverless vehicles, which would negate the need for bus or taxi drivers.

'The development of autonomous vehicles will remove the need for drivers of vehicles like trains, buses, trucks and taxis, even drones and other air transport vehicles,' Mr Jebara said.

Online banking has already led to banks closing branches, from the city centre to regional areas.

But Mr Jebara said AI would accelerate that.

'Online banking and automation are reducing the need for physical bank branches and staff,' he said.

Manufacturing jobs are also regarded as being under threat as AI led to even more automation on the production line.

'Especially those involved in repetitive tasks will likely be replaced by machines,' he said.

Overseas backpackers on farms could also be replaced as AI enables robots to plant seeds and harvest crops (pictured is a citrus orchard in Australia)

Mohamad Jebara, the co-founder of online learning platform Mathspace, said even entry-level IT coding jobs could go as AI becomes more advanced

Mathspace uses OpenAI's GPT-4 to provide interactive online lessons for children.

While it won't replace the classroom teacher, it could replace the tutor if enough kids benefit from a chatbot puppy called Milo who can help them solve equations and know how advanced they are.

'When students have follow-up questions with Milo, their engagement increases,' Mr Jebara said.

'It's no longer a one-sided interaction, and it will continue to improve to be more conversational.

'While AI can't single-handedly resolve the teacher shortage crisis or ever replace teachers, Mathspace serves as a vital tool, bridging the gap created by the dwindling numbers of maths-trained educators, and enhancing their impact in the classroom.'

Mathspace was co-founded by Mr Jebara, Chris Velis and Alvin Savoy in 2010 and is used by 3,432 schools in Australia and another 3,557 schools overseas.
Paramount+ has removed Russell Brand's 2009 comedy show 'Live in New York City' - following in the footsteps of YouTube and the BBC in cutting ties.

Brand, 48, was accused over the weekend by four women of rape and sexual assault, as well as extreme emotional abuse and manipulation.

He denies the allegations, insisting all his relationships were consensual, and claiming he is the victim of a 'mainstream media plot' to derail his YouTube career as a wellness guru. On Tuesday, however, Paramount+ took the show down.

The show has been taken down, and an error message in its place

Russell Brand's 2009 comedy special was available on Paramount+ until Tuesday morning

YouTube, the video streaming service owned by Google , announced it had suspended 'monetisation'  or adverts  on Brand's videos for 'violating our Creator Responsibility policy'

His most recent stand-up special, 'Russell Brand Re:Birth,' remains available on Netflix. Netflix has not commented.

Paramount+'s move came after YouTube suspended lucrative adverts on his channel, he was dumped by his book publisher and agent, and discarded by charities.

The tour dates for his one-man stage show have been axed, he faces a police investigation and a probe by the Charity Commission.

His back-catalogue of comedy shows is being wiped from Channel 4's streaming service and from iPlayer after BBC director general Tim Davie called them 'completely unacceptable', with the BBC declaring its former star's material 'falls below public expectations'.

Davie pledged a full review of Brand's time at the corporation from 2006 to 2008, including the presenter's alleged use of a BBC chauffeur to collect a 16-year-old schoolgirl from lessons for sex.

Brand is seen on Saturday leaving a gig in London - the last time he was seen in public

The BBC, where Brand was a host on Radio 2 and a guest on other channels, said the 'limited content featuring Russell Brand on iPlayer and BBC Sounds' had been removed 'having assessed that it now falls below public expectations'.

Channel 4, where Brand burnished his name in the mainstream media fronting a Big Brother spin-off show in the 2000s, also erased his shows including a Celebrity Bake Off episode from its streaming service 'while we look into this matter'.

Brand's book publisher Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, 'paused all future publishing' with him, while Comic Relief, where he took part in its BBC telethons, said 'it would not be appropriate for us to work with Russell Brand'.

The Charity Commission is examining Brand's role at his addiction foundation the Stay Free Foundation following the revelations.

Brand denies any criminal wrongdoing. More women are now coming forward to accuse Brand of sexual misconduct.

Among the latest accusations, a woman has alleged Brand taunted her about her looks and sang about the Soham killer Ian Huntley during sex.

'Lisa' told The Times of London she was invited to the comedian's house in 2008, when she was in her early twenties, with a female friend of hers for a threesome, and because the two women's real names sounded vaguely similar to 'Holly and Jessica',

Brand started making vile jokes about the ten-year-old girls who were murdered by Huntley in 2002.

Esme, another woman who spoke to The Times, said she told the comedian 'no' when he asked her back to his house about 15 years ago, and was shocked when his driver took them there anyway.

YouTube suspended lucrative adverts on his channel, he was dumped by his book publisher and agent, and discarded by charities. Pictured: On Comic Relief in 2017

Thought to be one of his main revenue streams, he has 6.6million subscribers to his YouTube channel, allowing him to earn an estimated $1.2 million a year from the adverts shown whenever someone watches one of his videos

Thought to be one of his main revenue streams, he has 6.6million subscribers to his YouTube channel, allowing him to earn an estimated $1.2million a year from the adverts shown whenever someone watches one of his videos.

Sara McCorquodale, of social media analysis agency CORQ, estimated 'he is most likely making $2,400 to $4,400 per video', and he has been filming up to five each week. He may still be earning cash from merchandising and sponsorships.

And he is likely to be still earning fees from Rumble, a more Right-wing version of YouTube, where his almost-daily posts have a potential of earning up to $99,000 each.

But since the weekend when he was accused of rape and a string of sexual assaults in a Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches investigation, followed by an allegation from 2003 being investigated by the Metropolitan Police yesterday, his profile has gone into freefall.

The 48-year-old comic and 'wellness' guru strenuously denies all the claims and calls them a wild conspiracy by the 'mainstream media', saying all his relationships during his 'time of promiscuity' were fully consensual.
Shocking footage has captured the moment a driver allegedly swerved his ute into a car on a busy freeway during a terrifying road rage attack.

A woman and her partner were travelling along Majura Parkway, in Canberra, when a white Toyota Hilux ute drove up from behind at 5.45pm last Sunday.

Footage captured the ute flashing its lights and honking its horn as the driver allegedly tailgated the pair.

'I'm really scared,' a woman said. 'Should I call the cops? Where are we? I'm gonna call the cops.'

An angry tradie has earned a rare 'furious driving' charge after allegedly tailgating and clipping a car he became frustrated at in Canberra. Pictured: the moment the tradie's ute clips the other car

The ute is then seen in the footage pulling into the right lane with the driver yelling and gesturing wildly.

The driver allegedly swerved the ute clipping the front right side of the car.

'Ohhh nah bro,' the other driver said.

The woman passenger is heard phoning police as the incident unfolds.

'There's this guy and he's trying to run us off the road,' she said. 'He just keeps swerving.'

A 39-year-old man who was allegedly driving the ute was arrested on Tuesday and charged with furious driving and driving with a suspended licence.

'About 5.40pm on Sunday, the driver of a white Toyota Hilux allegedly began tailgating and intimidating another vehicle along Majura Parkway,' ACT Police said.

Passengers inside the vehicle didn't know what to do when a tradie began to tailgate them and flash his lights. The tradie was later arrested and charged. Pictured: footage taken inside the car

'The driver of the Hilux then allegedly proceeded to cut the other vehicle off, and brake check them, before stopping abruptly in a left turn lane blocking any other vehicle from passing.

'The driver of the other vehicle chose to drive over the kerb to avoid further confrontation.'

He is scheduled to appear in court on October 4.
Volodymyr Zelensky has urged the UN to push back against Vladimir Putin because the he will not stop at Ukraine's borders - and warned he could drop nuclear bombs.

'When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there,' he said at the U.N. General Assembly's annual top-level meeting.

'The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into weapons against you  against the international rules-based order.'

The war in Ukraine has deepened major global supply disruptions caused by the pandemic, driving a huge spike in food and energy prices, jolting the global economy and increasing hardship in many developing countries.

Decades-old energy supply channels to Europe from Russia, a major oil and gas producer, were halted or severely disrupted by the war due to sanctions, trade disputes, pipeline shutoffs and a major push by the West to find alternative sources.

Zelensky pointed to the food and fuel crunches, and he highlighted what Ukraine says were kidnappings of at least tens of thousands of children taken from Ukraine after Moscow 's invasion: 'What will happen to them'

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in March for Russian President Vladimir Putin and another official, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine

President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday morning in New York City. In his speech, he went after Russia's 'illegal war of conquest' in Ukraine and recommitted the U.S. to the cause of assisting Ukraine

The war in Ukraine has deepened major global supply disruptions caused by the pandemic, driving a huge spike in food and energy prices, jolting the global economy and increasing hardship in many developing countries

Both Russia and Ukraine also are major grain exporters, and Russia withdrew this past summer from a deal that allowed shipments of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

Zelensky pointed to the food and fuel crunches, and highlighted what Ukraine says were kidnappings of at least tens of thousands of children taken from Ukraine after Moscow's invasion: 'What will happen to them?'

'Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide,' Zelensky said in remarks that ran 15 minutes  the meeting's often-disregarded time limit.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in March for Russian President Vladimir Putin and another official, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine. Russian officials have denied any forced transfers of children, saying some Ukrainian youngsters are in foster care.

Russia gets its chance to address the General Assembly on Saturday. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky sat in Russia's seat during Zelensky's address.

'Did he speak?' Polyansky said with a wry smile when an Associated Press reporter asked about his reaction to the address. 'I didn't notice he was speaking. I was on my phone.'

Zelensky took to the world stage at a sensitive point in his country's campaign to maintain international support for its fight. Nearly 19 months after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion, Ukrainian forces are three months into a counteroffensive that has not gone as fast or as well as initially hoped.

Ukraine and its allies cast the country's cause as a battle for the rule of international law, for the sovereignty of every country with a powerful and potentially expansionist neighbor, and for the stability of global food and energy supplies.

'We must stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow,' U.S. President Joe Biden told the assembly Tuesday in his own speech. As he pledged support to Ukraine, there was a round of applause, including from Zelensky.

Russia insists its war is justified, claiming that it is defending Russian speakers in Ukraine from a hostile government and protecting Russian interests against NATO encroachment, and more.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky applauds as President Joe Biden blasts Russia for the war in Ukraine during his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday

President Joe Biden addressed the United Nations General Assembly Tuesday in New York

The war has raged longer and losses have been greater than Russia hoped, and the fighting has spurred widespread international condemnation against Moscow.

But the Kremlin also has influential friends that haven't joined the chorus of censure: China and India, for instance, have staked out neutral positions. So have many Middle Eastern and African nations. Many Latin American and Carribean countries prefer to focus world attention on other global issues, including climate change and conflict in Africa.

Moscow is keen to display its global influence and its relationship with China and insists that it cannot be internationally isolated by the U.S. and its European allies.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is concerned that backing from its allies may be ebbing. They have supplied billions of dollars' worth of arms but fear that their stockpiles are shrinking and that defense contractors are struggling to boost production lines.

Hours before Zelensky spoke at the U.N., allied defense leaders convened at a U.S. military base in Germany to discuss next steps. Some nations pledged further money and weapons. But a key sticking point is whether to supply longer-range missiles that Kyiv insists it needs.

The U.S. Congress is weighing Biden's request o provide as much as $24 billion more in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, amid a growing partisan divide over spending on the conflict. Zelensky is scheduled to spend time Thursday on Capitol Hill and to meet with Biden at the White House.

After landing Monday in New York, Zelensky suggested that the U.N. needs to answer for allowing his country's invader a seat at the tables of power.

If there is still 'a place for Russian terrorists' in the United Nations, 'it's a question to all the members of the United Nations,' Zelensky said after visiting wounded Ukrainian service members at Staten Island University Hospital.

Russia is a permanent, veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council, which is entrusted with maintaining international peace and security.

Zelensky took the United Nations to task even before the war. In one memorable example, he lamented at the General Assembly in 2021 that the U.N. was 'a retired superhero' who's long forgotten how great they once were.'

A former comedian and actor who took office in 2019, Zelensky later became a wartime leader, wearing military fatigues, rallying citizens at home and appearing virtually and in person before numerous international bodies.

At the Staten Island hospital, he awarded medals to military members who had lost limbs. With help from a New Jersey-based charity called Kind Deeds, 18 troops have been fitted for prostheses and are undergoing outpatient physical therapy, hospital leaders said.

'We all will be waiting for you back home,' Zelensky told those he met. 'We absolutely need every one of you.
Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com

A second gastro outbreak might be linked to The Park

Dozens of doctors and nurses who were in town for a conference became sick after dining at the same Melbourne venue where wedding guests came down with gastro.

The annual four-day Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) conference was held at the Pullman Albert Park between September 12 and 15.

Some 70 attendees of the 280 guests developed gastro symptoms following a dinner at The Park Melbourne, located across the road, on September 13.

The conference wrapped up two days before a couple got married at at the venue with more than 30 of their 300 guests coming down with the same symptoms.

Despite ANZBA's Facebook page thanking the 'wonderful' Melbourne team, guests were struck with diarrhoea and vomiting and some staff needed medical attention.

The Park venue at Albert Park in Melbourne (pictured) is under fire again after it was revealed that it hosted two events in one week which led to gastroenteritis outbreaks

The annual four-day Australian and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) conference was forced to go virtual for its last day after 70 attendees fell sick on day three

It is not known exactly what caused people to fall sick during the conference, but the event's program guide shows that guests dined at The Park on the second night.

Guests were reportedly served gnocchi or lamb shoulder for entree, chicken or salmon for main course and a chocolate tart or rice pudding for dessert, according to the Herald Sun.

By Thursday, attendees had begun reporting violent symptoms which lined up with gastroenteritis.

Since the attendees of the conference dined at multiple venues, it is not yet known where the spike in infection happened.

Pullman Melbourne Albert Park and The Park venue have said that they are co-operating with the Department of Health to get to the bottom of the outbreaks.

'The health and wellbeing of our guests is our greatest priority,' an Accor spokesperson said.

'We follow industry standards to ensure all appropriate measures are in place.'

Venue manager for The Park Melbourne, Bahaa Harb, told Daily Mail Australia that both outbreaks are being investigated.

'In conjunction with the City of Port Phillip (and) health department we are continuing to investigate an outbreak of illness occurring after events at the Park on Wednesday 13 September and Saturday 16 September,' Mr Harb said.

'On Friday 15 September, we received a routine Health and Safety site inspection from the City of Port Phillip, finding no issues with the Health and Safety practices.

'We will continue to work closely with the City of Port Phillip to determine the cause of this outbreak and will keep our customers and impacted parties notified of the investigation's findings.'

Organisers of the ANZBA conference had thanked the 'wonderful' staff at The Park venue (pictured) who had served them after the conference had wrapped up

Mr Harb confirmed that his venue had undergone a precautionary deep clean and had received approval from the council to remain open.

One day after health inspectors had given The Park the all clear, the next outbreak hit during the newlyweds' nuptials.

The couple tied the knot in front of 300 friends and family on Saturday, but by Sunday news trickled in that some guests had fallen ill.

By Monday, it emerged that about one in ten guests was sick - and the number has continued to grow, with victims including a one-year-old toddler and elderly guests.

Now the couple is reportedly considering legal action against the caterers who served them the food, as they prepare for a potential class action lawsuit.

The bride and groom reportedly spent Tuesday gathering statements from guests who had become ill, one guest told The Age.

They said that while the couple was considering legal action, they were not prepared to speak publicly about the matter.

Guests were given the choice of chicken or pork for the main course, but it is not known if one dish or the other was linked to more cases or gastro.

The Victorian Health Department has launched an investigation into the gastro outbreak, which is not believed to be related to a separate cluster of listeria cases in the state.

Three days after the outbreak on Wednesday, and the less than 24 hours after health inspectors had health inspectors gave them the all clear, a wedding in the same venue saw more than 30 guests also develop symptoms in line with gastro on Saturday

Those affected reportedly experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating and delirium after attending the wedding.

The Health Department is now working with the local council to get to the bottom of what happened.

Daily Mail Australia contacted ANZBA for comment.

Do you know more? Email tips@dailymail.com
Furious MPs have hit back at Sadiq Khan after he described Ulez as the 'best ever two-for-one offer' as it tackles both air pollution and climate change - after a study warned carbon emissions would increase in some London boroughs.

The London mayor's comments were challenged by his Conservative and Liberal Democrat opponents, who claimed the recent expansion of Ulez to outer London is predicted to have a 'negligible' impact on emissions.

This is because many drivers are switching from diesel to petrol cars, which emit more carbon dioxide.

It comes as a City Hall study of the inner and central Ulez claims 'around 293,000 tonnes of CO2 have ben saved - equating to a 4 per cent reduction'.

Mr Khan told the Concordia business summit in New York that his clear-air zone was 'the classic best ever two-for-one offer you will ever receive'.

Sadiq Khan (pictured) told an event in New York that Ulez is the 'best ever two-for-one offer' as it tackles both air pollution and climate change

The London mayor's comments have been challenged by his Conservative and Liberal Democrat opponents. Pictured: Mr Khan in New York

'The same things that cause climate change, cause air pollution,' he said.

'Nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon emissions. If you deal with one, you deal with the other.'

But Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said that Mr Khan's measures are not proving effective.

'The problem with the mayor's plan is that it does nothing for climate change, and is actually very poor on air pollution, but is costing people a fortune,' he told BBC London.

Group leader Neil Garratt said: 'I am alarmed to hear the mayor claim that expanding Ulez will cut carbon emissions.

'It won't and he knows it because his own report spells it out. So why is he claiming otherwise at this conference?'

Ulez is designed to reduce levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) by targeting diesel vehicles which cause pollution.

But a 2022 review, carried out by the consultancy firm Jacobs, found the expansion of Ulez would only result in 'a minor reduction (-1.3 per cent) in the average exposure of the population of Greater London to NO2'.

It would also only see 'negligible reductions (-0.1 per cent) in average exposure to PM2.5,' it said.

Mr Khan and Melissa Bradley speak onstage during the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton, New York

Meanwhile the new expansion of the Ulez zone will have a 'negligible beneficial impact' on carbon emissions, according to an independent forecast.

Carbon emissions are even anticipated to rise slightly in 10 London boroughs due to increased traffic through cars that previously skirted their boundaries.

The report said: 'Negligible changes in road traffic CO2 emissions, which are again primarily associated with changes in emissions from cars, are estimated to occur in central London (a -0.2% reduction), inner London (a 0.3% increase) and outer London (a -0.8% reduction).'

Mr Khan's comments on Ulez come after recent analysis showed him, his deputies and officials have racked up more than 430,000 air miles since he was first elected London Mayor in 2016.

The Labour politician, who has positioned himself as a champion of environmental causes, attracted condemnation as he flew to the US for a climate summit.

He is expected to use the trip to promote his Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), which he claims will reduce deaths caused by air pollution, after expanding the scheme last month.

He flew to New York with five aides to attend the UN General Assembly and take part in the Climate Ambition Summit and is also due to appear alongside Prince William at the Earthshot Prize Innovation Summit.

Mr Khan is flying despite repeatedly saying he wants to clean up the air, and analysis shows his latest trip has sent the number of air miles clocked up by him and his team to 430,000.
Terrifying scenes unfolded near an apartment block in Queensland on Wednesday, after two men were stabbed multiple times.

The incident occurred at a unit complex in Capalaba, almost 22 kilometres south-east of Brisbane.

One man was seen running from the unit block, covered in blood, as he clutched his throat.

The distressed man was wearing nothing but a pair of black trousers with blood all over his left shoulder and streaked down his arm.

An unknown woman captured rushed to the man's aid, as he kept wandering around the area.

A man (pictured left) was seen clutching his throat covered in blood in shocking scenes outside an apartment block in Brisbane's south on Wednesday afternoon

Lisa Holliday who was at an address nearby told The Courier Mail she rushed outside after she heard people screaming.

'I ran over and screamed out for some gloves and started to give him first aid, laid him down because he wasn't laying down and put pressure on the wounds,' she said.

Police and emergency crews arrived on the scene with officers from Queensland police currently investigating the incident.

'Around 1.25pm, police were called to an address on Denison Court following reports of a disturbance,' a spokesperson from Queensland Police said.

'A 33-year-old man sustained chest and neck wounds while a 50-year-old man sustained torso injuries.

'A third man, who is known to the two men, fled the scene in a white Ford Falcon'.

The vehicle was found at nearby Redland Bay a short time later, with officers setting up two crimes scenes.

It is understood both men are known to each other.

Queensland Police have established a crime scene in the area, after emergency crews arrived at the scene following reports two men were stabbed

A spokesman from the Queensland Ambulance Service told Daily Mail that four people were treated for injuries, with two victims suffering serious injuries.

'[Both men] were transported to Princess Alexandra Hospital in a serious condition,' the spokesman said.

The two other victims were taken to Redlands Hospital.

'Two other patients at the scene were transported [to hospital]...they didn't have any obvious injuries,' the spokesman said.

One of the patients was a female teenager.

More to come.
A teenage boy has been charged with a drugs offence after the death of a schoolgirl.

Emergency services were called to a property in Inverkeithing, Fife, in the early hours of Monday after a teenage girl became unwell.

She was taken to Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, but the Inverkeithing High School pupil could not be saved.

Yesterday Police Scotland said a 17-year-old boy had been charged in connection with a drugs offence following the death.

Ian Adair, Inverkeithing High School's head teacher, told parents he was not in a position to share details of what had happened but told them in a letter: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our young person, and I am sure yours will be too over the coming days in particular.'

Ian Adair, Inverkeithing High School's head teacher, told parents: 'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of our young person'

Local councillor Davd Barratt said the death was 'very sad and distressing news' and added: 'The school has confirmed support is being made available through colleagues from educational psychology and support staff'.

A Police Scotland spokesman said the death of the teenage girl was being treated as unexplained.

The spokesman added: 'A 17-year-old male has been arrested and charged in connection with a drugs offence and released pending further inquiries.

'A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.'
Three of the finest foie gras chefs in France will be banned from using the fattened duck delicacy when they cook for King Charles and Queen Camilla at a lavish banquet tonight.

Charles is said to have provided a strict list of culinary demands for the meal at the Palace of Versailles.

Asparagus  which was on the menu in March before the royal trip was postponed because of widespread rioting across France  has also been ruled out, because it is no longer in season.

But there will be plenty of mushrooms, which are a favourite of both Charles and Camille, as they 'remind them of the late Queen, Elizabeth II', according to a French government source.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will enjoy a lavish banquet tonight at the Palace of Versailles in Paris

This picture taken yesterday shows French and British national flags in front of the Hotel des Invalides in central Paris, as part of preparations for the upcoming visit of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla in France

Chef Anne-Sophie Pic, who has helped finalise the menu, holds ten Michelin stars

Michelin-starred kitchen maestros Yannick Alleno, Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Herme have finalised a menu which was sent to London for approval.

All are well known for using foie gras in their cooking, with pastry chef Mr Herme even using it in his chocolate macaroons.

But the source said: 'The King has banned foie gras from his residences in Britain, so there was no possibility of him eating it in France.

'He doesn't want asparagus that is out of season either, because shipping it in is environmentally damaging, but there will be a mushroom gratin, which was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth.

'We understand that Charles was out foraging for mushrooms just before his mother's death in Scotland'.

Foie gras is considered particularly cruel because it is made by force feeding ducks or geese until their livers become swollen.

French chef Pierre Herme has previously used foie gras in his chocolate macaroons - but the delicacy will be off the menu tonight

French chef Yannick Alleno also helped to put together the menu fit for royalty

A cyclist passes in front of the British embassy on the eve of the visit of the King and Queen in Paris yesterday

Instead, the Le Menu at Versailles will be:

Starter: Blue lobster and pot crab with a veil of fresh almonds and peppermint

(Created by Anne-Sophie Pic, the only French chef with three Michelin stars)

Main Course: Bresse chicken with corn and a porcini mushroom gratin

(Cooked by Yannick Alleno)

Cheese: 30-month-old Comte, Stichelton English blue

Desert: Isfahan Persian macaroon

(Pierre Herme's signature pudding inspired by the ancient city in Iran, and containing rose water, raspberries, and lychees)

Wines costing more than 400 a bottle will also be on the menu at Versailles.

Pol Roger cuvee Winston Churchill 2013 Champagne is listed at over 500 a magnum. The Batard Montrachet grand cru 2018 stands at over 430, and the Chateau Mouton Rothschild 2004 at more than 400.

Luxuries being prepared for the King which infuriated anti-government protesters in France back in March also included bottles of wine worth hundreds of pounds each.

All of the food will be eaten in the fabled Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, where the late Queen was received during her first state visit to France in 1957.

Some 150 guests have been invited, including British actresses Charlotte Rampling and Kristin Scott Thomas as well as French star Catherine Deneuve.
EXCLUSIVE

The mother of four children who have been missing since Saturday is currently embroiled in a litany of local court cases, Daily Mail Australia can reveal.

Azaih El-Hajj, 12, Judah El-Hajj, 9, Mikael El-Hajj, 12, and Malaika El-Hajj, 16, vanished about 6.45pm from Earle Street, Doonside, in from Sydney's west. They have not been seen or heard from since.

As the search for the children entered a fifth day on Wednesday, their mother Talah Eldamouni spent the day in Bankstown Local Court after being charged with three counts of driving with a suspended licence.

Eldamouni pleaded guilty to all three offences and was fined $300, court records state.

Eldamouni also has several active apprehended violence orders taken out by police on behalf of family members.

She was recently convicted in her absence for breaching an apprehended violence order.

She is also due to face court on charges of destroying property and entering an enclosed land without a lawful excuse.

Talah Eldamouni (pictured) faced court on Wednesday - which marked five days since her children vanished from Sydney's west

Azaih El-Hajj, 12, Judah El-Hajj, 9, Mikael El-Hajj, 12, and Malaika El-Hajj, 16, vanished about 6.45pm from Earle Street, Doonside, in from Sydney's west

Eldamouni is on bail and the matter will go before Bankstown Local Court for hearing in June next year.

Hours before her court hearing, Eldamouni begged for her missing kids to make contact as soon as possible.

'My babies whereabouts is still unknown!!' she said through Facebook page, Islamic Sound Vision.

'Malaika, ya albi, please call me in any way possible!! Let me know you're ok! I just want to hear your voice!'

'It's ok if you contact me mama, I won't be in trouble and they won't put me in jail, I promise! Please call me mama asap, please.

'I miss you so much my beautiful people.'

She added: 'Ya Allah bring my children back to me safe and sound.

'Protect them and guide them back to me, fill their souls with courage and strength and lead them to my soul.'

It is not suggested that Eldamouni was in any way involved in the disappearance of her children.

NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday morning that the siblings are still missing amid growing fears for their welfare.

'The children remain missing and police are continuing the search,' a spokeswoman said.

'Information has been received since the public appeal and police are following up a number of lines of inquiry. Inquiries are ongoing.'

Eldamouni (pictured) pleaded guilty to driving offences in Bankstown Local Court on Wednesday

On Tuesday, their desperate mother begged for them to get in touch as soon as possible through post on Facebook page, Islamic Sound Vision

NSW Police launched a public appeal on Monday which has attracted more than 2,300 Facebook shares and hundreds of comments praying they will be found safe and well.

Police and family hold hold serious concerns for the welfare of the four children due to their young age.

Azaiah was last seen wearing blue jean shorts, a blue shirt and black shoes.

Judah was wearing blue track pants, red long sleeve shirt and black shoes while Mikael was dressed in blue shorts, black shirt and red Jordan sneakers.

Malaika was last seen wearing black tights, black jumper with picture of female on the back and pink shoes.

Police believe the children could be in the Bankstown or Sutherland area.

Anyone with information has been urged to come forward and contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
He managed to escape the wreckage and swim to shore

Pilot was trying to gather water to douse a bushfire

A helicopter pilot has miraculous escaped his downed chopper after it crashed into a dam while he was collecting water to put out a raging bushfire.

The helicopter was involved in a water-bombing operation to extinguish a fire burning at Tregony, in Queensland's Scenic Rim Region, on Tuesday.

The pilot, aged in his 40's, was trying to gather water at a dam on a private property in nearby Tarome when his chopper hit the surface and crashed at about 3pm.

He fortunately managed to escape the downed aircraft, which sank to the bottom of the dam, and swam to shore.

It's understood the pilot was about two to three metres in the air when the incident occurred.

A helicopter has crashed into a dam in Tarome, a rural locality in Queensland 's Scenic Rim Region, while collecting water to douse a nearby bushfire on Tuesday

Despite the calamitous nature of the crash, the pilot only suffered scratches.

Emergency services and a RACQ Life Flight chopper were called to the scene.

The pilot was assessed by paramedics upon reaching the shore.

He was then airlifted to Toowoomba Hospital by the RACQ LifeFlight Rescue chopper airlifted him to Toowoomba Hospital and remains in a stable condition.

It's not yet known why the helicopter crashed.

The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service confirmed the helicopter was helping put out the bushfire in Tregony, which had been burning for several days.

'It's understood that the helicopter was undertaking water collection at the time of the crash and was hovering close to the water when it hit the surface and rolled,' a QFES statement read.

'The cause of the crash is unknown at this time and QFES will assist the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) with its investigation.'

The downed helicopter was one of three aircraft battling the fire at the time.

The pilot, who only sustained scratches, was able to escape the wreckage and swam to shore. He was airlifted to Toowoomba Hospital and remains in a stable condition

The owner of the dam, Evan Choastensen, saw the chopper crash from his farm house.

Mr Choastensen drove over the crash site in his buggy to help the pilot.

'He had got his seatbelt off then he was trying to kick out the windows and doors, he then landed on the bottom, had one last try with the door on the far side and got out,' Mr Choastensen told The Courier Mail.

'He was wet and smelled like aviation fuel but apart from that he was good.'

Acting Assistant QFES Commissioner Mark Stuart said the pilot was 'extremely lucky'.

'This highlights the dangers that all our firefighters, both on the ground and in the air, face,' he said

'He's very fortunate to be able to get out of the wreckage and swim to shore when the residents of the property were able to render assistance.'
Sadiq Khan has been slammed after fresh figures revealed London was in the midst of a plummeting bus service crisis.

The capital has been hit by sweeping cuts to services, with Greater London recording an overall 6 per cent reduction in kilometres travelled each year by buses  with more than 16million miles' worth of inner city trips scrubbed since 2015.

The mayor's team has blamed 'cuts' from central Government for the decline and the 'requirements of the recent short-term funding deal' between Transport for London and the Department for Transport, which led to some routes being scaled back.

Mr Khan's office added the capital's new 6million 'Superloop' network, set for completion in spring next year, would boost services in outer London.

But critic Sian Berry, a Green London Assembly member who uncovered the data, fumed: 'Outer Londoners heard the mayor promise bus improvements. But when they find out they have actually endured a reduction in bus services, they will be so disappointed in him.'

Data shows bus services in most boroughs across the capital had seen a reduction in kilometres travelled, with inner London areas suffering the worst

The majority of boroughs in the capital have seen a cut to services, with Greater London recording an overall six per cent reduction in kilometres travelled each year by buses

Sadiq Khan has been slammed after data revealed almost every borough in the capital had seen a reduction in 'bus kilometres' travelled over eight years

The data compared the kilometres served per year between 2014/15, while Boris Johnson was still mayor, and 2022/23 under Mr Khan's leadership.

Since 2014-2015, 29.6million kilometres (16.2million miles) of bus services were removed from inner London, supposedly to redirect capacity to outer London boroughs. In reality, several outer London boroughs have suffered cuts, Ms Berry claimed.

READ MORE: Furious motorists destroy more ULEZ cameras across London in protest against Sadiq Khan - as one man scales ladders to block enforcement van Advertisement

The heaviest cuts took place in inner London, which saw a staggering 13.8 per cent decline in 'bus kilometres'. Westminster was the worst affected inner borough, with bus kilometres slashed by 28.4 per cent.

News of the decline in public transport comes after Mr Khan rolled out his much-hated Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to every borough in the capital last month.

The move triggered widespread outrage from Londoners and was condemned by neighbouring councils on the border of the city, who said the vehicle levy would unfairly affect their residents travelling into the capital.

Looking at the bus data, Ms Berry highlighted the impact had on outer districts, given Mr Khan's commitment to improve public transport provision in tandem with the Ulez expansion.

Data showed that outer London saw an overall decline of 0.3 per cent in kilometres travelled  with Ms Berry claiming some areas had suffered significantly more.

Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames both saw the biggest dips, with a 6.1 per cent decline in bus kilometres. Brent followed closely behind, with a 5.8 per cent cut  losing one million bus kilometres in eight years, the city's largest numerical drop.

London Assembly chairman Onkar Sahota (front, far left) and Sadiq Khan (front, centre) sit on a Superloop bus this morning as the network is launched at an event in Northolt, West London

The London Mayor's new 'Superloop' network will be formed of a series of express buses around the outskirts of the capital - including four existing routes and a range of new routes

Other badly hit boroughs include Kingston upon Thames, with a 4.6 per cent cut, and Ealing, with a 3.3 per cent decline.

The biggest increase across Greater London was seen in Barking and Dagenham, which has enjoyed a 17.7 per cent boost in bus kilometres over the period covered.

Biggest bus trip cuts suffered by London's outer boroughs Brent  1,000,000km fewer bus services Hounslow  900,000km fewer bus services Richmond upon Thames  700,000km fewer bus services Ealing  600,000km fewer bus services Hillingdon  500,000km fewer bus services Kingston upon Thames  400,000km fewer bus services Enfield  300,000 km fewer bus services Merton  100,000km fewer bus services Bexley  100,000km fewer bus services Advertisement

Ms Berry said: '[This data] illustrates how headline figures obscure the scale of the cuts in many outer London boroughs.

'London's mayor must invest more into new bus services focused on areas that need it most, so that every Londoner has the support they need to navigate our city.'

Most of the bus reductions appear to have taken place at the end of the eight year period, between 2021/21 as the capital emerged from the pandemic.

Between those two years, every single borough saw a decline, with the exception of Newham which had a relatively small increase of two per cent  equating to about 100,000 more kilometres and Kingston-upon-Thames, which remained at roughly the same level.

Responding to Ms Berry, a spokesman for Mr Khan said: 'The mayor has done everything in his powers to protect bus services across the capital, but Government cuts and the requirements of the recent short-term funding deal meant that some bus routes were cut in recent years.

'Despite this, Sadiq has stepped in and provided an additional 25million every year to save the majority of bus routes that were proposed to be cut in central and inner London, and has committed to adding one million annual bus kilometres to outer London's network.

'Crucially, the Mayor also announced the new Superloop which will transform travel in outer London, adding over four million extra kilometres to the bus network. TfL has added over one million annual bus kilometres to the network this year alone.'

Sadiq Khan tweeted this photo today of a 'Superloop'-branded bus in Northolt, west London

Sadiq Khan speaks to a wheelchair user at the Superloop launch event in Northolt earlier this year

She added: 'Sadiq has also introduced the Hopper fare to make the bus network more affordable for millions of journeys, while investing in greening London's bus fleet to make it one of the greenest in the world.'

A DfT spokesman said: 'Transport in London is devolved to the mayor who, as part of the 1.2billion agreed by TfL last year, committed to providing Londoners with 25 kilometres of new bus lanes by 2025.'

The Government's position is that the funding settlement agreed with TfL is sufficient to maintain services and invest in the future of the network.
An SAS-style military unit focused on killing terrorists will be on duty alongside 8,000 police officers when King Charles and Queen Camilla start a State Visit to Paris today.

France's interior minister said he was unrolling an 'unprecedented security operation' following the cancellation of the royal trip in March because of the threat of violence by rioters.

There has since been a warning from Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)  a group that brought death and destruction to the streets of Paris as recently as 2015  of an imminent attack on French streets.

Gerald Darmanin, France's interior minister, told officials that 'the terrorist threat remains high' and that 'a high level of vigilance' remains essential.

This includes deploying the GIGN  the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group  as the King and Queen visit monuments including the Arc de Triomphe and travel along the Champs-Elysees in a chauffeur-driven car.

Tension will also be extremely high tonight when the couple are guests of honour at a banquet at the Palace of Versailles, home of the pre-Revolutionary kings and queens of France.

An SAS-style military unit focused on killing terrorists will be on duty along with 8000 police officers when King Charles and Queen Camilla (pictured) start a State Visit to Paris today

French President Emmanuel Macron will welcome King Charles III and Queen Camilla today

French Republican guards march at the Chateau de Versailles, in Versailles, west of Paris

The GIGN first made its name internationally in 1994 with the successful storming of a hijacked Air France flight, when four terrorists were killed at Marseille airport.

Its daring raids across the world, including in Africa, have earned it an SAS-style lethal reputation.

Mr Darmanin said elite police units such as the RAID (which stands for Research, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence) would also be on duty.

The RAID was one of the first to react when ISIS suicide bombers attacked Paris in November 2015, killing 130 people on a single night.

This was just after two gunmen linked to AQAP murdered 11 French citizens and wounded 11 others linked to the satirical magazine, Charlie Hebdo.

Other measures available to the forces of law and order for the royal visit include a laser anti-drone system.

France's parliament has also legalized facial recognition technology to spot known criminals, but there is no official confirmation that it will be rolled out for the King and Queen.

'The cancellation of the State Visit in March because of safety concerns was a disaster, but there will be no chances taken this week,' said an interior ministry source.

'Protection will be provided by multiple units, including the GIGN. They will be on hand to deal with any active threat, the moment it is detected.

'There will also be 8,000 police and gendarmes out on the streets of Paris, for this unprecedented security operation.'

This picture taken on September 19, 2023, shows French and British national flags in front of the Hotel des Invalides in central Paris, as part of preparations for the upcoming visit of Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla in France

Books, mugs and a portrait representing King Charles III are displayed in a shop window on the eve of the visit of the King and Queen of England on September 19, 2023 in Paris, France

There will be 10,000 officers on duty tomorrow, when the royals visit Notre Dame Cathedral, and by Friday  when they are due in the south-west city of Bordeaux  there will be 12,000.

The rioting in March began after President Emmanuel Macron raised the retirement age from 62 to 64 without a parliamentary vote.

Since then, there has been further civil unrest caused by the shooting of an ethnic minority teenager by a Paris policeman.

Threats that persuaded Mr Macron to cancel the British state visit earlier this year included the words 'Death to the King' scrawled on walls.

Referring to Mr Macron as a 'republican monarch', Left-Wing firebrand MP and former presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon said he was 'delighted to see the meeting of kings at Versailles broken up by popular censorship'.

But the French and British security services are now convinced that the three-day State Visit can go ahead safely.

It will be the King's 35th official visit to France, and the Queen's ninth.

The couple last visited France in 2019, to attend a service at Bayeux Cathedral to mark the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings.
Volodymyr Zelensky is set to come face to face with Russian officials for the first time since Ukraine was invaded - in what is set to be an explosive showdown after he warned yesterday that Vladimir Putin is 'pushing the world to the final war'.

The encounter will be made all the more tense after Zelensky's powerful speech to the UN yesterday, in which he issued a stark warning to world leaders that a nuclear-armed Moscow must be stopped and that 'evil cannot be trusted'.

Speaking in his trademark military fatigues, he urged the world to take the threat of a nuclear-armed Moscow seriously, warning that Putin will not stop at Ukraine's borders and could drop nuclear bombs.

The battle-hardened leader will today address a special session on the war at the powerful Security Council, where Russia is a permanent member able to veto any decisions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in New York late on Tuesday, amid mounting speculation that the two men will go head to head if the Moscow diplomat is willing to face Zelensky.

Zelensky pointed to the food and fuel crunches, and he highlighted what Ukraine says were kidnappings of at least tens of thousands of children taken from Ukraine after Moscow 's invasion: 'What will happen to them'

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov left a session last year after Russia was condemned over the war in Ukraine

Zelensky shakes hands with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the 78th session of the United Nations

Lavrov, himself a former UN ambassador, last year walked out of the UNSC meeting after Russia was condemned and accused of war crimes by world leaders, labelling Ukraine's President 'a b*****d'.

The foreign minister lashed out at the West, saying at the time: 'Such outrages remain unpunished because the United States and their allies with the connivance of international human rights institutes have been covering up the crimes of the Kyiv regime based on the policy of 'Zelensky might be a b*****d, but he's our b*****d'.'

Putin's minister arrived to the meeting 90 minutes late, missing the briefing by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and then left straight after his speech, remaining absent for most of the session.

Meanwhile, Zelensky has refused to commit to watching Lavrov's remarks at today's meeting. When asked if he will stay in the room, he told reporters: 'I don't know how it will be, really'.

If the two men do meet, it will be the most direct diplomatic encounter between Russia and Ukraine since Moscow invaded in February 2022.

The potential showdown 'could create one of those iconic UN moments,' said Marti Flacks, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Russia's President Putin, who rarely travels to the UN, did not come this year. He has skipped other high-profile diplomatic gatherings as Western nations seek to isolate him and as he faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Zelensky cast the war as in the world's interest, saying that Russia was 'weaponizing' both food and energy

Addressing the General Assembly on Tuesday, Zelensky said that Russia's deportations of Ukrainian children - which triggered the warrant for Putin - constituted 'genocide.'

Zelensky cast the war as in the world's interest, saying that Russia was 'weaponizing' both food and energy, including by halting a UN-backed arrangement that let Ukraine ship grain safely through the Black Sea.

'For the first time in modern history, we have the chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked,' Zelensky said in a speech met with applause led by Western nations but many empty seats elsewhere.

In a chilling warning to the West, he went on: 'While Russia is pushing the world to the final war, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after the Russian aggression no-one in the world will dare to attack any nation.'

He added that Russia simply had 'no right to hold nuclear weapons', adding that 'While nukes remain in place, the mass destruction is gaining its momentum.'

And, in a swipe at the Russian leader over the alleged assassination of his former ally and Wagner boss Yevgeny Prigozhin, he said: 'Evil cannot be trusted... ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin's promises.'

He used the example to issue a warning to leaders who might be more sympathetic to Moscow, claiming he was aware of 'attempts to make some shady deals behind the scenes.'

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in March for Russian President Vladimir Putin and another official, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine

US President Joe Biden in his own speech Tuesday warned that Putin wanted the world to 'grow weary' on supporting Ukraine.

'If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?' Biden asked.

'We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.'

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the world must be involved as the war has had 'unbearable consequences' for all.

But he also issued a veiled warning against Russian-backed calls to end the war on its own terms by effectively letting it keep swathes of Ukrainian territory.

'We should be aware of phony solutions which represent peace in name only,' Scholz said.

Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska listens as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly

'Let us not forget that Russia is responsible for this war. And it is Russia's president who can end it at any time with one single order.'

Two other permanent members, the United States and France, will be represented by their own top diplomats - Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

Albania, a strong supporter of Ukraine, is the current president of the Security Council and has agreed to speaking spots for a massive 60 representatives, according to the agenda.

But some developing nations have been critical of the attention granted to Ukraine, which has received some $43 billion in military aid from the United States alone.

'It is a grave indictment of this international community that we can spend so much on war, but we cannot support action that needs to be taken to meet the most basic needs of billions of people,' South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Donald Trump to share his supposed secret plan that he claims would end Russia's invasion 'within 24 hours.'

The current Republican favourite for the 2024 presidential race has bragged in several recent interviews and political rallies that his idea would resolve Europe's bloodiest conflict in decades within a single day.

But the former president, 77, has refused to provide any details about how he would mediate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

A frustrated Zelensky told CNN on Tuesday: 'He can publicly share his idea now, not waste time, not to lose people, and say, "My formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression".'

The 45-year-old Ukrainian leader added that he didn't believe Trump's involvement in any future negotiation would lead to a positive result for Ukraine: '[Trump] said, how he sees it, how to push Russian from our land. Otherwise, he's not presenting the global idea of peace.

A frustrated Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) said Trump was more than welcome to step in and stop the bloodshed

Donald Trump (pictured) has bragged that he would be able to stop the war within 24 hours

The 19-month conflict is Europe's bloodiest in decades

'So [if] the idea is how to take the part of our territory and to give Putin, that is not the peace formula.'

The former president-turned-accused criminal has for months bragged about having a secret plan to resolve Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

He told Right Side in February: 'It can be negotiated within 24 hours. It has to be done from the office of the president, and you have to get them both in a room, and there are things you can say to each one of them  which I won't reveal now  which will guarantee this war will end immediately. They have to do it.'

A month later, he told Fox News that negotiations would be 'easy.'

'If it's not solved [by the next presidential inauguration], I will have it solved in 24 hours with Zelensky and with Putin, and there's a very easy negotiation to take place, but I don't want to tell you what it is because then I can't use that negotiation,' he told the network.

Zelensky's scathing comments about Trump came after he urged the UN to push back against Vladimir Putin, claiming that he would not stop at Ukraine and warned that the despot could drop nuclear weapons.

'When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there,' he said at the U.N. General Assembly's annual top-level meeting on Tuesday.

'The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into weapons against you  against the international rules-based order.'
Social media users slammed them for driving in high tide

They were driving through the surf at Rainbow Beach, QLD

A 4WD driver has ditched his vehicle after getting bogged

A driver has been forced to ditch his Holden Jackaroo 4WD after becoming stranded in crashing waves at a popular beach.

Drone footage shows two vehicles trying to make their way around a cliff-face by at Rainbow Beach in Queensland on Tuesday.

While the first vehicle manages to make the treacherous crossing, the second 4WD gets bogged.

The vehicle at one point jolts forward a few metres before getting stuck again.

It is then hit by crashing waves, which rocks the vehicle back and forth.

A 4WD has become stuck in the sand while driving through the surf at Rainbow Beach in Queensland during high tide

The driver is eventually forced to abandon his vehicle in the surf.

High tide was forecast around the time the pair were driving on the beach.

Car hire and tourist sites for Rainbow Beach advise those driving 4WD's to check the tide beforehand.

Social media viewers slammed the driver for taking the major risk of driving through the surf during high tide.

'Why would anybody with an ounce of common sense decide to drive the beach on an incoming tide,' said one.

A second wrote: 'How stupid! Then they'll expect to be rescued!'

'What a waste of a vehicle and resources to recover it!' added a third.

'Brains are hard to come by,' joked another.

The vehicle got bogged while following the path of another 4WD driver who made it through the surf

The driver of the Holden Jackaroo 4WD was forced to abandon the vehicle as it was hit by the crashing waves

Footage of the blunder was uploaded to Facebook, where social media users slammed the driver for taking a risk by driving through the surf during high tide

James Stewart, director of Driving Solutions and runs a 4WD driving course, recently told Daily Mail Australia, tow truck drivers have been making a fortune rescuing Aussie blokes 'with all the gear and no idea'.

'Four wheel driving is the most dangerous driving,' he continued. 'The tracks are a living organism and forever changing due to the weather conditions.'

'It's important to get an understanding of what your car can do and what the driver can do.'

Andrew Boyd from Toyota Land Cruiser Club of Australia believes many Aussies are buying 4WD's without being properly informed by dealers on how to safely operate them.

'They [buyers] take them out of the showrooms. The dealers would not tell these people the different buttons to press,' Boyd said.

'They then take them out to the beaches and get into all sorts of trouble.'

David Wilson from Adventure 4WD explained that crashing down or getting bogged while driving on new terrain can be an 'expensive exercise' and driver training can help mitigate the chances of a breakdown occurring.

'Budding travellers can reference plenty of sites that are helpful to offer pointers to vehicle operation and management. Thats good and so too experience sourced from a practical course, the sort of thing we do here at Adventure 4WD,' he said.

The incident comes days after Queensland introduced higher penalties for motorists caught recklessly driving in places like national parks and beaches.

Fines for these driving offences were increased by hundreds of dollars last Friday.

The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) hopes the hike in penalties will result in an improvement in driving behaviour at beaches and parks.
A community youth group's portacabin has been slammed by Reddit users for its 'outrageous' design.

A viral photo showed the bright and colourful cabin in Northern Ireland plastered in graffiti and popular kids cartoons.

But, upon closer inspection, one painting which read 'Hub Mara', looked virtually indistinguishable from the pornography website Pornhub's logo.

The conspicuous design, which stands out against the building's green and blue background, reads: 'Hub Mara Community Youth Group,' in bold white letters.

A viral photo on Reddit shows and colourful cabin in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, plastered in graffiti but upon closer inspection an 'inappropriate' logo can be seen

The word 'Hub' is painted in an orange black box within a bold black rectangle - almost identical to the website's logo.

Above the prominent design, a plastic sign reads 'Castlemara community centre'.

The community centre, based in Carrickfergus, offers free Bible lessons every Sunday for primary school aged children run by the Baptist church.

Its website reads: 'There will be Bible Lessons, Memory Verses, Quizzes and Great Songs. So come along and join the fun.'

Reddit users were appalled by the painting, and took to a Northern Ireland subreddit to complain.

Hundreds of comments described the design as 'sick', 'depressing' and 'inappropriate', while others tried to comprehend why it was painted.

One person suggested that the design was painted by the attendees of the youth group and the reference 'went tight over the heads of whoever was supervising them.'

The logo looks virtually indistinguishable from the pronography website's logo, yet reads 'Hub Mara Community Youth Group'

Another added: 'Yeah I'd like to imagine the older kids were given responsibility for the art and the leaders are religious types who have no f***** clue what it's from.'

One former youth club member added: 'Highly possible.

'I have literally been the young person awarded responsibility for designing and painting the entrance to the youth club I attended when I was a kid.'

However, one user pointed out: 'The kids using it are mostly primary school aged. This isn't a hilarious prank. This is outrageous.'

To which one user replied: 'You'd be surprised at the age they start.'
He was most recently sued by his longtime lawyer for alleged unpaid legal fees

New York's former mayor is facing a barrage of legal problems across the US

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has been left 'penniless' amid mounting legal fees and after he spent $250,000 a month 'on fun', his biographer has claimed.

Andrew Kirtzman, a journalist who has covered Giuliani for decades and published a critically-acclaimed biography of him last year, told CNN that, despite making $100 million in five years, he has squandered it all.

'He's had several divorces. He lived very high, his ex-wife said that they were burning through $250,000 a month on sheer fun.

'He lived very well and now he's penniless and facing prison.

'Giuliani was once worth $100 million. His Giuliani Partners was founded to capitalize on his 9/11 fame. The place made $100 million over five years,' the biographer added.

Giuliani, who played a major role in the response to the September 11 attacks while serving as the 107th mayor of New York, is now facing a litany of civil and criminal legal woes.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (pictured) is facing a barrage of legal problems

Robert Costello (pictured), Giuliani's former protege, is suing him for alleged unpaid legal fees

He was sued Tuesday by his former lawyer and longtime friend Robert Costello over allegations that he owes him $1.36 million in unpaid legal fees from several cases.

Giuliani told The New York Times that he was 'personally hurt' by Costello's actions.

'Its a real shame when lawyers do things like this, and all I will say is that their bill is way in excess to anything approaching legitimate fees,' he added.

The pair first met when Costello was a law student working for Giuliani's Manhattan federal prosecutor's office as the Brooklyn-native earned his reputation in taking down some of the biggest figures in the Big Apple's criminal underworld.

Kirtzman told CNN: 'Costello has represented him through four investigations  three of them criminal  10 civil suits, two disbarment hearings. I don't even know if that includes the sexual harassment by a former employee.

'Giuliani has just this deep attraction to danger and he has no one to blame but himself.'

The former US attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most prestigious posts in the prosecutorial world, is also under indictment in Georgia over his alleged efforts to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election in Donald Trump's favor.

Andrew Kirtzman (pictured) published a critically-acclaimed biography on Rudy Giuliani last year

He's also involved in a civil case in which a jury will decide how much he owes two Georgia election workers for defaming them.

Kirtzman said that Guiliani will have to take a long look at himself in the near future, as much of his recent life has been in service of twice-impeached former president.

'It's all in service of Donald Trump, and I think if one day Giuliani ends up sitting in a jail cell, he's really gonna have to think through whether it was all worth it,' he starkly warned.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has slammed Chris Packham for his 'aggressive approach' on climate change and for backing eco mobs who break the law.

The BBC Springwatch presenter was involved in a heated row with Good Morning Britain presenter Richard Madeley who told Packham his endorsement was akin to IRA and ISIS terrorists justifying violence.

Packham, 62, pointed to the fact 'the world is being flooded and is on fire' with millions of people's lives at risk, and ominously threatened those protesting will 'make a louder noise' if their voices were not heard.

'I have no right or overview and nor do I profess to say I have it [they should break the law], I merely ask the question is this the right time for us to break the law?,' he said.

'Now as you've already pointed out climate protesters are already breaking the law. They've [the government] changed the law so rapidly in this country to impact upon protests you can't even stand in the street with a t-shirt on without being dragged away.

Chris Packham appearing on Good Morning Britain to discuss his Channel 4 documentary, 'Chris Packham: Is It Time To Break The Law?'

Richard Madeley suggested the BBC Springwatch presenter endorsing climate change activists to break the law was akin to ISIS terrorists justifying violence

'Now is that the country you want to live in is that the degrees of freedom we want taken away from us? At the core of our democracy is our human right to protest.'

The BBC Countryfile presenter earlier this month gave his backing to eco activists breaking the law and even suggested a 'radical flank' of the climate change movement could see oil refineries being 'blown up'.

Ms Braverman, appearing later on the ITV show, hit out at Packham and said she totally disagreed with his view that protests could be taken much further.

Madeley said some people have also suggested Packham is endorsing the violence by not condemning it.

Ms Braverman replied: 'That's incredibly irresponsible and reckless. I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved over the last ten years when it comes to the environment.'

She added: 'I totally refute what Chris Packham and organisations like Just Stop Oil stand for. They take a militant, aggressive approach to prosecuting their cause. Totally unacceptable.'

Earlier, an infuriated Madeley sat alongside co-host Susanna Reid and took aim at the 'respectable broadcaster' and feared it could end up with somebody being killed.

Chris Packham, pictured, has appeared at the latest march by Just Stop Oil eco-zealots in London today. He is understood to be filming a documentary about 'non-violent' protests

Just Stop Oil protesters are pictured on Friday holding up traffic in central London during their latest protest in the capital

'What gives you the right to make that call?', Madeley said. 'For example, there will be those who draw the parallel to what you are saying and what one of the political elements of the wing of the IRA or of ISIS would say to justify violence in support of the cause they believed in passionately with all of their heart and soul and were prepared to risk an army bullet for the sake of the cause.

'What gives you the right to say that you have the overview... what gives you the authority to say you can do this, you have my support, break the law?'

Packham told the Radio Times earlier this month: 'The Suffragettes set fire to things, smashed a lot of glass, attacked people on the street.

'And in apartheid, they were blowing up trains, blowing up factories. What the climate movement is grudgingly having to accept is that maybe that radical flank will develop.

'At the moment, no one is blowing up an oil refinery, but a lot of people think that is very likely to happen.'

It comes amid Prime Minister Rishi Sunak reportedly being poised to water down some of the Government's key net zero pledges.

The Prime Minister is expected to use a speech this week to set out a change of approach on climate action.

According to the BBC, this could include pushing back the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by five years to 2035.

There could also be a weakening of the promise to phase out the installation of new gas boilers by 2035.

Mr Packham, pictured here with three goshawk chicks in June this year, was criticised for sniffing one of them

A TV segment featuring the naturalist was reported to the police amid claims his actions could be a classed as a 'disturbance' to the protected birds

It was reported tonight that the Government could instead state it wants only 80 per cent of new gas boilers to be phased out by that year.

Packham said today politicians are still making the wrong decisions over climate change.

READ MORE HERE: Eco protests like Just Stop Oil AREN'T working, says Chris Packham Advertisement

The eco-warrior was blasted by the Countryside Alliance in May for standing alongside Just Stop Oil in its 'daft' slow-march in London and was warned he risked sparking a fresh BBC impartiality row.

He was photographed near the Strand as part of filming for his documentary on nonviolent protests appeared to chat to the activists and was overheard claiming: 'If it isn't a disruptive protest it doesn't get news.'

Speaking to the MailOnline, Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance, suggested Packham's actions could spark an impartiality row at the BBC.

He said: 'Groups like Just Stop Oil and Animal Rising are simply alienating the public with their daft stunts and selfish behaviour.

'Chris Packham should be very careful aligning himself with groups that cause so much misery to hardworking people, not least because of the reputational damage to the RSPCA and the BBC who he is closely associated with.'

Even Packham himself previously said the current protests 'infuriate and bore people', reported The Telegraph.

Packham faced calls to be sacked after urging his followers on social media to support an XR event, amid accusations he had breached BBC impartiality guidelines

Packham pictured on the fourth day of The Big One climate change protest outside parliament, staged by Extinction Rebellion in April 2023

The BBC star has sparked a string of controversies over the years, most recently last month when police launched an investigation after footage emerged of Packham sniffing a goshawk chick on The One Show.

The clip sparked a complaint from one viewer after he leaned in and sniffed one of the animals - which are reputed to have a 'characteristic scent' - saying this could be a classed as a breach of a law which makes it a crime to 'intentionally or recklessly disturb' goshawk chicks, reported The Telegraph.

Packham denied having done anything wrong or illegal, adding that the people concerned should 'worry less about a naturalist having an occasional sniff' and instead focus on illegal poaching of the protected species.

In May when he was at the centre of backlash when the RSPCA appointed him the charity's new chief, with the move being branded 'strange' and 'controversial'.

Packham also triggered controversy after branding government officials behind the badger cull 'brutalist thugs, liars and frauds' in a series of tweets.

BBC bosses launched an investigation into the posts following a complaint by the Countryside Alliance which claimed they went against the corporation's impartiality rules.

It found Packham breached a BBC voluntary code of conduct as the tweets were not politically neutral.

Packham earlier this year faced calls to be sacked after he urged his followers to join XR eco-zealots in a four-day protest outside Parliament . The nature lover asked his Twitter followers to attend the eco rally from April 21-24, in London, sparking furious backlash online.

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

After his tweet, the BBC stressed that 'social media guidance for freelancers is ongoing'. But followers of Packham said the BBC Springwatch co-presenter should be 'sacked' and accused him of 'using your celebrity platform to cause mayhem and disruption'.

Last September he came under the spotlight again when he was allowed to praise anti-hunt saboteurs because of a loophole which frees him from impartiality rules.

He had tweeted his support for those who had disrupted a grouse shooting party attended by former England cricketer Ian Botham.

He also recently praised two Just Stop Oil protesters who were jailed for scaling the Dartford Crossing Bridge in Kent  causing hours of traffic chaos for travellers - for their 'enormous act of bravery' and for 'sacrificing their freedom'.

He also came under fire for urging his 577,000 Twitter followers to donate funds Novara Media, labelling the extreme left-wing news website a 'breath of fresh air'.
Three teenagers are in hospital following a triple stabbing outside a New York high school on Tuesday, leaving one in critical condition.

The stabbings took place outside Brownsville Academy in Brooklyn, shortly before 3pm at the intersection of East 98th and East New York Avenue.

Police, who have not named the victims, said that an 18-year-old was stabbed in the chest and was rushed to Kings County Hospital. He was in a critical condition but is now reported to be stable.

Two 17-year-olds were taken to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center with stab wounds to the ear and the chest. All three were expected to survive, police said.

Jenna Lyle, spokeswoman for the New York City Education Department, said: Violence has absolutely no place in our communities.'

Police, seen outside Brownsville Academy in Brooklyn, shortly after the attack that left three teenagers in hospital

The triple stabbing occurred shortly before 3 p.m. as students were being dismissed for the afternoon

All three victims, who were rushed to hospital, are expected to survive according to police

Lyle said that police and school staff had responded to the incident, which took place off school property, immediately.

She added: We are providing the necessary follow-ups to this school community, including emotional and mental health support for any student who needs it.

The New York Post reported on Tuesday evening that a suspect had been taken into custody.

Data from the 2020-21 school year for Brownsville Academy provided by the New York City Department of Education indicated that the high school had an enrollment of 84 students. It said 56 percent of enrolled students graduated.

The attack took place shortly before another teenager was also stabbed in Brooklyn - just four miles away - in an unconnected incident.

The 16-year-old, who is expected to survive, was stabbed multiple times in Red Hook at approximately 3:30pm and was rushed to Maimonides Medical Center.

Police said that suspect, sporting a grey hoodie and black shoes, ran off.

It was reported on Tuesday evening that a suspect had been taken into custody. The New York City Education Department said that it was providing 'follow-ups' for students at Brownsville

The attack took place at the intersection of East 98th and East New York Avenue in Brooklyn
Anthony Albanese is set to announce his Government will hold an inquiry into the Covid pandemic but not a royal commission which the Prime Minster once promised.

The government's watered down commission of inquiry will lack the powers of a Royal Commission to compel witnesses to appear and testify truthfully.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to hold a royal commission during last year's successful election campaign from opposition that saw him oust Scott Morrison.

Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie has already accused the Albanese government of going back on its word.

The Albanese government has promised an expert inquiry into Australia's handling of the Covid pandemic

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is being accused of breaking an election promise to hold a royal commission into Covid

'It's another broken promise by Anthony Albanese,' Senator Mckenzie told Sharri Markson on Sky News on Tuesday.

'He went to the election promising a royal commission.

'They ran a select committee in the Senate throughout Covid hearing from experts for over a year they heard from experts from right across the country and out of that inquiry they decided they would have a royal commission.

'They are not delivering a royal commission.'

She accused Mr Albanese of trying to shield Labor premiers still in power from that period, such as Victoria's Dan Andrews and Queensland's Annastacia Palaszczuk from full scrutiny of their actions during the pandemic.

'There are some things we led the world in, and some where politics got in the way,' Senator McKenzie said.

While Mr Albanese said he was committed to hold a Covid inquiry in August of last year he has not mentioned it since.

Under Victorian Premier Dan Andrews Victoria experienced one of the world's longest lockdowns

The commission of inquiry will likely be conducted by an economist, an epidemiologist, and a public administration expert.

Mr Morrison, who led Australia through the majority of pandemic which the World Health Organisation declared over in May, has stated he will only cooperate with a Covid inquiry that examines the record of both the states and Commonwealth.

'Any serious retrospective inquiry that seeks to go back over this ground would be obsolete if it did not require equal attention and involvement of all state and territory governments who shared in Australia's response to this one-in-a-100-year event,' he said.

After the virus hit Australia in early 2020 lockdowns and shutting the national and interstate borders kept the continent largely Covid-free compared to other countries.

However, the draconian measures used to control outbreaks, including one of the world's longest lockdowns in Victoria at 262 days and Western Australia effectively sealing itself off from the world for almost two years, attracted backlash.

While Australia's low rate of Covid mortality contrasted with much higher tolls elsewhere this has not been the case since the Omnicron strain defied all attempts at containment in early 2023.

Australia's infection rates and deaths have quickly caught up quickly and even surpassed other countries with the nation having the third worst statistics for those measures per capita in the world by mid-2022, according to the Burnet Institute.
She is demanding she is given spousal support from Masterson in divorce filing

Danny Masterson's wife has demanded spousal support from the convicted rapist, requested full custody of their child and asked the court to divide up their assets, according to divorce documents that indicate the couple had no prenup.

Bijou Phillips, 43, filed for divorce from the That '70s show actor, 47, on Monday in a California court just days after he was jailed for 30 years for raping two women.

Bijou, who shares nine-year-old daughter Fianna with Masterson, is demanding she is given spousal support from the actor and that he pays for her legal fees, according to the filing.

The actress, who was married to Masterson for nearly 12 years, also requested to 'terminate the court's ability to grant support' to the actor, according to documents seen by People.

Under California law, the court retains jurisdiction over the issue of spousal support, meaning that at any time in the future Masterson could ask for spouse support. But Bijou's request to terminate the court's jurisdiction would mean the convicted rapist could never seek support if it is granted.

Bijou, a Scientologist along with Masterson, also requested that she be granted full legal and physical custody of their daughter Fianna given that Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life. But the actress said she will allow their daughter to visit him in jail.

She also asked that the court divide up the couple's assets, indicating that they never signed a prenuptial agreement.

Danny Masterson's (left) wife Bijou Phillips (right) has demanded spousal support from the convicted rapist, requested full custody of their child and asked the court to divide up their assets, according to divorce documents that indicate the couple had no prenup

Danny Masterson 's wife Bijou Phillips has filed for divorce, less than two weeks after he was sentenced to 30 years to life in jail for rape. (Pictured: the couple arriving together at court for his trial)

Father daughter: The couple share one child together, a nine-year-old daughter called Fianna Francis

The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas, and they got engaged in 2009 before saying 'I do' at a castle in Ireland in 2011.

It comes after Masterson was put behind bars last week three months after he was found guilty of attacking two women in 2003. Bijou had stayed by his side during the trial.

Masterson had two trials. His first, six months earlier, resulted in a mistrial after a different jury were hopelessly deadlocked on all three rape charges.

He was freed on a $3.3million bail throughout both, but that freedom ended with his double conviction on May 31.

The actor has been locked up in the notorious Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles since then.

Bijou, who had faithfully stood by her husband of 12 years throughout his two sexual assault trials, was consoled by brother-in-law Jordan Masterson following the sentencing last week.

Her lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been 'unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family'.

'Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband during this unfortunate time,' Lauzon said in a statement seen by TMZ.

'Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family.

'Mr. Masterson was always present for Ms. Phillips during her most difficult times of her life.

'Ms. Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter.'

Phillips began sobbing in court as her husband, and the father of her young daughter, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape of two women

The pair started dating in 2004 after meeting at a poker tournament in Las Vegas , and they got engaged in 2009 before saying 'I do' at a wedding ceremony inside a castle in Ireland in 2011

Bijou has reportedly said their date of separation is 'TBD', citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their divorce, according to freelance journalist Yashar Ali.

She has asked for spousal support and attorney fees and wants her legal name changed back to Phillips rather than Masterson.

Bijou will have custody of their daughter as expected given Masterson will be behind bars potentially for the rest of his life - but Ali said she will allow their daughter to visit him in jail.

Formerly a devoted wife, she accompanied Masterson to his court cases in a show of solidarity for the now-disgraced actor.

Seeming to believe his protestations of innocence, she even sent a letter to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine Olmedo begging for leniency ahead of his sentencing.

In her letter, obtained by DailyMail.com, Bijou claimed Masterson was a 'life-saving' partner who dedicated himself to farming to support his family when the accusations about him started to emerge and he lost his acting career.

Phillips wore a large pair of dark glasses at points during the testimonies to hide her emotions

New future: Bijou is coming to terms with the prospect of raising her child alone

In May, Masterson was convicted on two of three rape charges, but the jury was hung in regards to the third, which involved the rape of a former longtime girlfriend

She also noted Masterson's aversion to drugs - a common principle of Scientology - and his apparent dedication to helping young actors escape the downfalls of wealth and fame.

But as she heard the heartbreaking testimonies of his victims in court in a harrowing trial, Bijou seems to have reconsidered her marriage.

The victims, known to the court as Jane Doe #1, #2 and #3, focused not only on the disturbing details of the sexual assaults but also described how they were intimidated and driven from their community as the church of Scientology punished them for speaking up against the That 70s Show's star.

While Masterton was convicted of raping the first two, the jury was deadlocked over a third charge for the rape of Jane Doe #3, who is his ex-girlfriend Chrissie Carnell-Bixler.

Bijou wore a large pair of dark glasses at points during the testimonies to hide her emotions.

Masterson did not react to his sentencing - but he blew Bijou a kiss as he was escorted to the slammer.

But Bijou sobbed as she sat amid a grim group of Scientology friends and family members in the public gallery. At one point, she held a handkerchief up to her face.

Phillips' lawyer Peter A. Lauzon said the case has been 'unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family'

Masterson blew Bijou a kiss in the court room when he was sentenced to 30 years behind bars

A close friend revealed to DailyMail.com at the time that Bijou felt 'like she is grieving a death' as she awaited her husband's sentencing.

'Currently Bijou is circling the drain and is filled with all the emotion and no emotion at all,' they said.

'She is a shell of who she has been. She is really trying to be strong for her daughter as she is trying to figure out life and what it will be like for her.

'It can only be compared to a divorce or a death for her not being able to be with Danny the way they were.'
Two Ohio cops are being probed after warning the father of an 11 year-old female grooming victim that she could be charged with creating child porn.

The two officers, one male and one female, from Columbus Police turned up at the door of a father at midnight last week, six hours after he called them.

He took to TikTok to say that he'd hope they'd be able to have a chat with his daughter, who was by that time in bed - and warn her of the dangers of online predators.

The father, who chose a generic profile title and did not reveal his name, wrote: 'My daughter was a victim [of] a online predator.

'She's 11 he's a grown man. He manipulated her into sending pictures of herself. This was the police response at midnight we called at 6.'

But the dad was stunned when he was told that the youngster was herself at risk of criminal charges.

The female cop was heard to tell him that his young daughter 'could probably get charged with child porn if she found to have produced the images.

A furious Ohio father claims police showed up at his house and accused his 11 year-old daughter of making child porn after she was allegedly groomed by an adult and tricked into sending explicit photos of herself

He stepped outside to his porch to speak with the two officers, who arrived six hours after he called the local police station

The bewildered dad says in the video: 'Who? She can? She's 11 years old.'

The same cop says: 'She's creating it, right?'

'She's 11 years old,' the incredulous dad repeats.

'Doesn't matter. She's still making porn,' the female officer curtly responds.

'No. She's being manipulated by a grown a adult on the internet,' the father counters, before the female officer cuts him off: 'Is she taking pictures, though?'

The father then refuses to be further drawn into the conversation, telling the two cops: 'You guys have a nice evening, thank you for coming.'

The Columbus Division of Police confirmed on Monday that the two responding officers seen in the viral exchange were from its force.

The department says it is investigating the video shared online 'involving two officers responding to a call for service.'

'The Division of Police regards all allegations of sexual misconduct with the utmost seriousness. Incidents involving minors are handled with the highest degree of concern. Sexual Assault Unit detectives were immediately notified of the incident and have since initiated an investigation.'

The Columbus Department of the Inspector General 'which investigates complaints of misconduct and/or excessive use of force by sworn personnel, has opened an inquiry into this incident,' according to the statement.

According to CriminalDefenseLawyer, Ohio bans sexting by or with minors. Minors who send nude images can face juvenile charges.

Creating or sending nude images is a second-degree felony which carries between two and 12 years behind bars.
Richard Madeley clashed with the President of Guyana live on air this morning over the South American leader's demands for the UK to pay slavery reparations in the wake of UN reports calling on countries to consider compensation.

President Irfaan Ali, whose country received a formal apology last month from the family of 19th century Prime Minister William Gladstone for their historical connection to slavery, said that the UK must realise it 'still benefits from the greatest indignity to the human being'.

Gladstone's father John owned or had control over more than 2,500 slaves on his sugar plantations in Guyana and Jamaica. Early in his career as an MP, William Gladstone spoke out in defence of his father's activities and also in opposition to the abolition of slavery.

Mr Ali's comments come after a report by UN chief Antonio Guterres called on countries to consider financial reparations for the 'harms suffered as a result of colonialism and enslavement'.

Last month, a leading international judge also claimed Britain owed almost 19trillion in reparations for its role in the international slave trade, and even that might be an 'underestimation'.

Madeley was visibly furious with Mr Ali's demands and at one point slammed the table in anger, accusing the President of Guyana of asking not just for money but also 'gestures', suggesting that perhaps he wanted the Royal Family to 'hand over a palace to your country'. Mr Ali said he simply wanted 'justice'.

The President of Guyana has said that the UK should pay slavery reparations in the wake of a new UN report calling on countries to consider compensation for their roles in the transatlantic slave trade

When Madeley asked Mr Ali why today's generation should 'carry the burden' for what their ancestors did, the president - who will be addressing world leaders on the topic at the UN General Assembly in New York later today - told Good Morning Britain: 'Oh, it's not a burden at all.

'You are one of the beneficiaries of that slave trade, so this is not a burden.

'You should be concerned and you should pay because you today still benefit from the greatest indignity to the human being, and that is the slave trade.

'And not only did you benefit during the slave trade, and your country develop, but look at what it cost the developing world.

'During slavery, resources were used to build your country, build up your capacity. You were able to then become competitive, able to invest in mechanisation and developing countries like ours were left behind. So you should be very concerned, because you are prime beneficiaries of exploits of slavery.'

Madeley had questioned the president on why 'someone who maybe had an ancestor seven or eight generations ago should have to pay for what an ancient ancestor did'.

He also asked: 'How far back do we have to go on this? We are speaking exclusively on Western imperialistic slavery to summarise, but almost every civilisation on the planet owes its existence and prosperity almost always to crimes, in the past.

'Why just target one particular era in history? Some would argue that's the argument of political convenience. Its a handy handle to hang your argument on.'

But a defiant Mr Ali - speaking from New York - replied: 'I think you're doing a great injustice to compare slavery with any other historical facts that you are mentioning.

'It is a great injustice to the indignity that slavery brought to people.'

Madeley then appeared to get more wound up as the topic of the Royal Family came up.

'One of the points you've been making today is about our Royal Family,' he said.

'And you feel that it's not just about the finances involved here in terms of reparations for slavery.

Richard Madeley slammed the table in frustration as the topic of Britain's Royal Family comes up on the show

UN chief Antonio Guterres has called on countries to consider financial reparations for the 'harms suffered as a result of colonialism and enslavement'

As he thumped the table in frustration, Madeley continued: 'It's about the gestures.

'And you think that the British Royal Family should make a big gesture, don't you? What do you mean? Hand over a palace to your country?'

Who was William Gladstone? William Ewart Gladstone was born on December 29, 1809, in Liverpool. He served as Prime Minister during four separate periods between 1868 and 1894. At 23, he was elected Tory MP for Newark in December 1832. Early in his career, he spoke in Parliament in defence of his father's involvement in slavery and spoke out against the abolition of slavery. In 1840 Gladstone began his 'rescue and rehabilitation' of London's prostitutes. Even while serving as Prime Minister in later years, he would walk the streets, trying to convince prostitutes to change their ways. He spent a large amount of his own money on this work. When the Tory Party broke apart in 1846, Gladstone followed Peel in becoming a Liberal-Conservative, now believing strongly in free trade. In 1847 he returned to Parliament as MP for Oxford University, having lost his Newark seat. In 1867, Gladstone became leader of the Liberal party following Palmerston's resignation, and became Prime Minister for the first time the following year. He became Prime Minister again in 1880, 1886, and in 1892. In 1894 he resigned having failed to retain the support of his Cabinet. He died on May 19, 1898, from cancer and was buried in Westminster Abbey. Source: UK Government. Advertisement

'Well no, we don't want the British to hand over a palace that we built,' the president replied.

He continued: 'If you go to many of the palaces in Britain, you'll see the lovely hard work from Guyana. You will see the sweat, tears and blood of the slaves who were exploited, and the revenue that was earnt from the exploitation. So we're not asking for a palace; we're asking for justice.'

It was recently reported that Caribbean nations will make formal demands for the Royal Family to make slavery reparations by the end of the year.

Rather than trying to negotiate inter-governmental agreements, several nations want to put their case directly to descendants of those thought to have benefited from slavery, including King Charles.

Mr Ali added that when he came on to the programme, other topics such as net zero and climate injustice were being spoken about - something he believes is at the forefront of discussion.

He continued: 'This is the problem. We live in a very unjust society. We condemn completely the war in Ukraine. But if you look at the mobilisation of resources in the war in Ukraine in two years, you have mobilised more support for Ukraine than you have mobilised for Haiti for 60 years.

'You have mobilised more support for Ukraine than you have mobilised for Palestine in 20 years. You have mobilised more support for Ukraine in just one and a half years than you have mobilised to address hunger in Africa for three years.

'That is the type of unjust way we have been dealing with these crises. We are not going to tolerate the injustice that occurred during slavery to be compared with any other system. Slavery, we all agree, was the greatest injustice ever done to human beings.'

Yesterday's UN report on slavery has been hailed by campaigners as an important step forward in the fight for reparative justice.

The report said: 'Under international human rights law, compensation for any economically assessable damage, as appropriate and proportional to the gravity of the violation and the circumstances of each case, may also constitute a form of reparations.

'In the context of historical wrongs and harms suffered as a result of colonialism and enslavement, the assessment of the economic damage can be extremely difficult owing to the length of time passed and the difficulty of identifying the perpetrators and victims.'

It stressed that the challenge in making a legal claim for reparation 'cannot be the basis for nullifying the existence of underlying legal obligations'.

Reacting to the report, Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on Afrikan Reparations, told The Guardian: 'This is a hugely significant step for the international reparations movement. For decades, grassroots organisations have fought for this level of recognition for their claim.

'Those who were enslaved were not in a position to push for reparations, but their descendants who continue to suffer the impact of African chattel slavery are.'

Last month, Guyana received an apology from the descendants of Scottish 19th-century sugar and coffee plantation owner John Gladstone, the future PM's father.

The former PM's father owned or held mortgages over 2,508 enslaved Africans who worked on his sugar plantations in Guyana and Jamaica.

When slavery in the colonies was abolished in 1833, he received 105,781 in compensation.

He was given 90,729 for the 1,702 in Guyana but just 15,052 for 806 Jamaicans.

Prime Minister William Gladstone, who served as PM over four separate periods between 1868 and 1894. He was funded by his father's links to slavery

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, on August 25

Charles Gladstone's speech was interrupted by protesters holding up placards at the back of the room

A renowned 1823 slave revolt took place on John Gladstone's estate at Success Village on Guyana's 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.

Guyana became independent from the UK in 1966.

Charles Gladstone, a descendant of former plantation owner John Gladstone, travelled 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 apologise to the descendants of the enslaved in Guyana,' he told an audience at the University of Guyana.

'In doing so, we acknowledge slavery's continuing impact on the daily lives of many.'

The speech was interrupted by protesters holding up placards at the back of the room.

The 15 nations of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) bloc have hired a British law firm to investigate their case for compensation from the UK and other countries in Europe.

It was recently reported that Caribbean nations will make formal demands for the Royal Family to make slavery reparations by the end of the year. Above: King Charles said last year that he felt 'personal sorrow at the suffering of so many', but he did not offer an apology

Last month, Judge Patrick Robinson, who sits in the International Criminal Court, claimed that countries behind the centuries of atrocities were 'obliged to pay' and accused politicians such as Rishi Sunak of burying their heads in the sand.

He spoke after an academic report in June alleged that 31 former slaveholding states - which also include the United States and Spain - owed between $100trillion and $131trillion in total.

Speaking to The Guardian, Judge Robinson said: 'I believe that the UK will not be able to resist this movement towards the payment of reparations - it is required by history and it is required by law.'

Speaking earlier this month, Arley Gill, chairman of the Grenada National Reparations Committee, said he hoped King Charles would apologise for slavery.

'We are hoping that King Charles will revisit the issue of reparations and make a more profound statement, beginning with an apology, and that he would make resources from the Royal Family available for reparative justice,' he told the Daily Telegraph.

'He should make some money available. We are not saying that he should starve himself and his family, and we are not asking for trinkets. But we believe we can sit around a table and discuss what can be made available for reparative justice.'

The Reparations Commission for St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) intends to start issuing formal demands for reparations by the end of this year, it was claimed.

The Royal Family is also likely to be squarely in the sights of SVG, which like Grenada was a British colony.

Its reparation commission chairman, Adrian Odle, said that 'every property that the Royal Family is in possession of has the scent of slavery'.

The campaign has been given impetus by the decision of former BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan to donate money and apologise to the people of Grenada for her family's role in the historic slave trade.

'My family, the Trevelyans, owned about 1,000 slaves on five different sugar plantations in Grenada in the 17th and 18th centuries', she said last year.

'When slavery was abolished in 1834, our family received compensation from the British government for the loss of our property, as part of 46,000 UK claims made to the Slave Compensation Commission. We received about 3million in today's money. The enslaved got nothing.'

King Charles last year said he felt 'personal sorrow at the suffering of so many', but he did not go so far as to offer an apology.

Queen Elizabeth II is seen at a reception in Georgetown, in what was then British Guyana, during a royal tour of the Caribbean in February 1966. Guyana achieved its independence in May of that year

However, he has never publicly ruled out reparations.

The Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, has apologised for the Netherlands' involvement in slavery, saying he 'felt the weight of the words in my heart and my soul'.

King Charles is said to be interested in understanding the results of an academic study exploring the relationship between the British monarchy and the slave trade in the 17th and 18th centuries.

In April, Mr Sunak dismissed a demand by Ms Ribeiro-Addy for the UK to pay reparations.

Ms Ribeiro-Addy had called on the Prime Minister to 'offer a full and meaningful apology' and commit to 'reparatory justice' for the country's actions in past centuries.

The Streatham MP noted how Britain took out a huge loan in the 19th century -estimated to be the equivalent of 400billion in modern times - to compensate slave owners when slavery was abolished.

But Mr Sunak batted away Ms Ribeiro-Addy's request during Prime Minister's Questions.

He said his Government would instead be focused on 'making sure we have a society which is inclusive and tolerant of people from all backgrounds'.
A furious row has broken out over a new block of luxury flats in Folkestone following complaints from locals they are being haunted by a 'tinnitus-inducing' banshee-like screaming sound.

Locals in the Kent seaside town said a 'high-pitched' noise from the development which contains 84 new homes - ranging in price from 430,000 to 1.8million each - is keeping them 'awake all night' and driving them 'insane'.

The luxury block that looks over Folkestone's shoreline was completed this year in line with plans, led by Sir Roger De Haan, the multi-millionaire heir to the Saga fortune, to build 1,000 new homes in the Kent seaside resort.

Videos show the new block - which is part of a development that locals previously compared to the house occupied by The Flintstones - emitting a whining noise which appears to be caused by the building's balconies reverberating in the wind.

The luxury flats, which are now by far the most expensive in Folkestone, are advertised as having been 'carefully designed' and 'meticulously considered'. Locals, however, slammed the development's 'fancy architecture', as they complained about the haunting noise.

Locals have complained the block of flats is emitting a high-pitched noise that is keeping Folkestone residents awake at night

Penthouse flats in Shoreline Crescent on Folkestone's shoreline cost up to 1.8million each

The block is part of a major development containing a planned 1,000 homes being led by the heir to the Saga fortune, Sir Roger De Haan

Folkestone residents complained the high-pitched noise is keeping them awake all night

Locals said the 'loud' noise sound like a 'harp crossed with a xylophone' as they suggested the sound would drive them insane'

The new block of flats contains the most expensive apartments in Folkestone with prices starting at 430,000

The luxury block is part of a major development being built by former Saga chief Sir Roger De Haan, who is currently one of the richest people in Britain with an estimated net worth of around 900million.

Apartments in the new building start at prices of 430,000, with penthouses in the block costing up to 1.8million each - making them by far the most expensive properties in the town.

Saga which sells package holidays, insurance products, and financial services to the over-50s, was initially founded by Sir Roger's father, Sidney De Haan, in Folkestone in 1951.

The development project is set to see 1,000 new properties built on Folkestone's seafront, after De Haan bought the seaside town's harbour for 11million in 2004.

The plans have seen the 73-year-old businessman set aside 3million to go towards schools in Folkestone, and an additional 1.2million for a new local GP surgery.

The new block sits on the beach at Folkestone offering uninterrupted views of the sea

Sir Roger De Haan, the heir to the multi-million-pound Saga fortune, bought Folkestone harbour for 11million in 2004 with a view to regenerating the Kent seaside resort

Locals said projected images that show what the 600-home development in Folkestone, Kent, might look like the Flintstones house

The luxury flats in Shoreline Crescent are advertised as offering 'uninterrupted views of the sea'

READ MORE: Experts solve mystery of what causes 'singing' skyscrapers to whistle and hum in high winds Advertisement

Sir Roger ran Saga for two decades after inheriting the over-50s focused business from his father in 1984, during which period he launched a Saga radio station.

The businessman previously told KentLive he is not trying to 'gentrify' Folkestone - despite admitting the new flats 'are going to be fairly pricey'.

The millionaire, however, claimed 'the whole community' will benefit from investment brought into Folkestone by the development and the people who move in.

A sales brochure for flats in Shoreline Crescent boasts the properties offer 'sprawling rooftop terraces' with 'uninterrupted views out to sea.'

The block, which is described in its brochure as 'one of the finest beachside developments in the country,' was designed by award-winning architecture practice AMCE, which has also led projects in destinations including London and Berlin.

The building has found itself at the centre of a furious row following complaints about a noise emitting from its balconies

The multi-million-pound development is set to be built on top of the town's current seaside car park

A single-bed flat is set to cost 430,000 while a two-bed unit will be 1.3million

A brochure for the flats in Folkestone lists them as having 'sprawling rooftop terraces'

Locals slammed the building's 'fancy architecture' as another warned 'winter storms' could make the problem worse

One local said they would be 'insisting' the problem be fixed if they owned one of the flats

Another resident said they'd noticed the 'high-pitched hum' as they speculated it was caused by wind blowing through the balcony railings

Why do some buildings hum in the wind? In a mechanism similar to the same one heard if someone blows over a bottle, certain architectural features are known to 'hum' in the wind. The humming is caused by air moving over those architectural features and causing reverberations that, in turn, make noise. The phenomenon has been noticed emanating out of buildings across the globe, including Manchester's Beetham Tower, which is regularly heard howling on windy days. Advertisement

Locals previously compared plans for the new flats on Folkestone's shoreline to the rock house occupied by The Flintstones family in the 1960s cartoon.

Residents complained to The Guardian earlier this year that the new blocks are 'out of scale and character' with the rest of the town, as they argued the development would block the view of the sea.

The development is advertised as being 'carefully designed' and 'meticulously considered,' as the brochure claims the block was 'built to endure'.

Folkestone residents have, however, slammed the building's 'fancy architecture' following claims the 'high pitched hum' emanating from the block is keeping them awake when it's windy.

Locals said the the 'loud' noise, which appears to be being caused by wind blowing through the building's balcony railings. sounds like a 'harp crossed with a xylophone'.

Residents suggested the building's developer will be forced to fix the issue, as one local said the high-pitched noise would drive them 'insane'.

Another warned 'winter storms' could make the noise even worse, as one local said they would be 'insisting' the problem be fixed if they lived in the property.

Shoreline Crescent and ACME were contacted by MailOnline for comment.
Separatist Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh have agreed to a ceasefire, bringing to end two days of bitter fighting after Azerbaijan launched intense military strikes to take control of the disputed enclave.

Azerbaijani authorities said they had halted their 'anti-terrorist operation' once separatist officials announced they were laying down arms, dampening fears that decades-long tensions in the region could erupt into a full-scale war.

An hour after the truce was announced, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that the intensity of the hostilities in the region had 'decreased drastically'.

The Azerbaijani defence ministry announced the start of the operation hours after four soldiers and two civilians died in landmine explosions in the region which is disputed by Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Azerbaijan insisted that 'only legitimate military targets' were being 'incapacitated,' however ethnic Armenian officials in Nagorno-Karabakh said Stepanakert and other villages had come 'under intense shelling', killing dozens and injuring hundreds.

In this Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020 file photo, an ethnic Armenian soldier stands guard next to Nagorno-Karabakh's flag atop of the hill near Charektar in the separatist region of Nagorno-Karabakh at a new border with Kalbajar district turned over to Azerbaijan

Drone strikes and artillery shells reportedly hit areas around Stepanakert yesterday

Ethnic Armenians in the area have criticised world powers for standing by and failing to act as hostilities boiled over, claiming civilians were under threat.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Geghan Stepanyan said that 32 people, including seven civilians, were killed and more than 200 others were wounded.

Stepanyan earlier said one child was among those killed, and 11 children were among the wounded.

The hostilities also exacerbated an already grim humanitarian situation for residents who have suffered food shortages for months after Azerbaijani blockades.

Separatist forces on the ground said Azerbaijan had broken through their lines and seized a number of heights and strategic road junctions.

The self-styled 'Republic of Artsakh' said that in such circumstances, it had no choice but to cease hostilities from 1 pm local time on Wednesday.

'The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire,' it said.

'With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities from 13.00 on September 20, 2023.'

Russia evacuated more than 2,000 civilians from the most dangerous areas of Nagorno-Karabakh, the TASS news agency reports Moscow's Defence Ministry as saying.

Nagorno-Karabakh shared a picture which it said shows damaged apartment buildings in Stepanakert following the offensive by Azerbaijan

Russia evacuated more than 2,000 civilians from the most dangerous areas of Nagorno-Karabakh, the TASS news agency reports

'All evacuated residents are provided with places for temporary accommodation and hot meals. In addition, doctors  specialists from the special-purpose medical detachment  provided assistance to residents who were injured,' the ministry said.

Azerbaijan began its operation against Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday after some of its troops were killed in what Baku said were attacks from the mountainous region.

Talks between Azerbaijani officials and the breakaway region's ethnic Armenian authorities on its 're-integration' into Azerbaijan have now been scheduled to take place on Thursday in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh.

Nagorno-Karabakh is recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan.

The enclave and sizable surrounding territories were under ethnic Armenian control since the 1994 end of a separatist war, but Azerbaijan regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh during the 2020 fighting.

The Azerbaijani defence ministry announced the start of the operation hours after four soldiers and two civilians died in landmine explosions in the region which is disputed by Azerbaijan and Armenia

That ended with an armistice placing Russian peacekeepers in Nagorno-Karabakh.

However, Azerbaijan alleges that Armenia has smuggled in weapons since then. The claims led to a blockade of the road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia, causing food and medicine shortages.

Thousands of protesters gathered Tuesday in central Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, blocking streets and demanding that authorities defend Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Some clashed with police, who reportedly used stun grenades.

A total of 34 people - 16 policemen and 18 civilians - were injured in the clashes, Armenia's Health Ministry said. About half of them continue to receive medical assistance, the ministry said.
Police were called to the Bombay Quay in Cheshire after the childcare row

Steven Moores, 40, tipped the contents of his meal over Limara Foulkes, 36

A man tipped a vindaloo curry and a pint of lager over the head of his ex-girlfriend - who is carrying his unborn baby - when a meal at an Indian restaurant to discuss childcare turned nasty.

Steven Moores, 40, grabbed his dinner plate and emptied the contents over 36-year-old Limara Foulkes before pouring his drink on her after they started arguing in front of their two shocked dining companions.

Police were called to the Bombay Quay in Northwich, Cheshire after being contacted by a member of the public who witnessed the humiliating drenching of mother-of-one Miss Foulkes. It emerged the pair had been rowing over their daughter's care.

At Warrington magistrates court, Moores admitted assault by beating and was fined 120 with 234 in costs and a victim surcharge.

Miss Foulkes, who is currently pregnant with Moores' unborn child, declined to make a statement. The pair have now split up for good.

Steven Moores, 40, grabbed his dinner plate and emptied the contents over 36-year-old Limara Foulkes while they were out for a meal (pictured together in happier times)

The pair have now split up for good after the public row led to a member of the public contacting the police

The incident occurred on April 14 at around 10.10pm after the warring couple began arguing soon after their food arrived at the table.

Miss Jessica Pridding, prosecuting, said: 'Police were called to attend the Bombay Quay in Northwich following reports from a member of the public who said a female at the place had food and drink thrown over her by a male.

'Police spoke with the victim. She disclosed that her partner at the time had thrown beer and curry over her head following a disagreement. There is no application for a restraining order or compensation.'

Moores, of Anderton with Marbury, Northwich had previous convictions for domestic assault and criminal damage and breaching a restraining order in 2010.

His solicitor Richard Sibeon said: 'This was more of an unedifying and humiliating incident rather than a violent incident. They went for this meal and there was another couple with them.

'They were not back together at the time but they were continuing to be in contact.

'Largely, he was trying to be supportive to her so that she could be a mother to their child - or that was the hope.

'In hindsight it was a very unwise decision for him to go out with friends and his ex-partner. Having had a drink, his frustrations spilled over, and he spilled the meal over her.

Police were called to the Bombay Quay (pictured, stock image) in Northwich, Cheshire after being contacted by a member of the public

At Warrington magistrates court, Moores (pictured) admitted assault by beating and was fined 120 with 234 in costs and a victim surcharge

Miss Foulkes is currently pregnant with Moores' unborn child; the pair also share a daughter

Moores, of Anderton with Marbury, Northwich had previous convictions for domestic assault and criminal damage and breaching a restraining order in 2010

The incident occurred on April 14 at around 10.10pm after the warring couple began arguing soon after their food arrived at the table

'It was utterly unacceptable. Having been arrested he entered a prompt guilty plea in relation to this matter.

Mr Sibeon said Moores had sought professional help to deal with his drinking and added: 'He accepts there are issues. The report refers to the use of alcohol as one of the things there. The report is positive in terms of his efforts to obtain support.

'There was no complaint from his ex-partner to the police that night. Their future is not as partners but purely as parents of their children - one of whom is unborn.

'The defendant has no intention of resuming the relationship. They will continue to be parents of the little girl and the unborn child.'

Magistrates also sentenced Moores to an 18-month community order with a requirement that he participates with 20 days of rehabilitation activity with the probation service.
The sudden death of a Sikh activist in Birmingham just four days after he was diagnosed with cancer has sparked mystery.

Avtar Singh Khanda, who rose to prominence over his support for an independent Sikh state - called Khalistan - in the Punjab region of India, died suddenly earlier this year.

The 35-year-old was diagnosed with leukaemia just four days before he died in Birmingham on June 15, with doctors and police saying he passed from natural causes.

However, his mother Charanjeet Kaur has now claimed her son - who lived in Oldbury in the West Midlands, close to Smethwick Gurdwara - was 'killed by poisoning' after his sudden deterioration and pointed the finger at the Indian government.

She has provided no evidence of the claim - which has reignited conspiracy theories that Narendra Modi's government is targeting pro-separatist activists among the Sikh diaspora in the UK and other countries.

Thousands are said to have turned out for the funeral of Khanda following his death.

Avtar Singh Khanda (pictured) died in June at the age of 35 days after being diagnosed with leukaemia

His family claim he was poisoned by the Indian government. Pictured: Supporters of Mr Khanda at his cremation in Smethwick in August

Mr Khanda was a supporter of the Khalistan separatist movement, which calls for Sikhs to have an independent nation in Punjab. Pictured: Supporters stand over his coffin at his funeral last month

It comes days after Canada claimed that agents linked to the India could have been behind the murder of another Sikh activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot dead outside a temple in British Columbia in June.

This sparked a furious response from Modi's administration, which expelled a senior Canadian diplomat and strongly denied claims from Justin Trudeau there were 'credible allegations' linking the killing to the Indian government.

READ MORE HERE: Furious India expels Canadian diplomat in tit-for-tat move after Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of assassinating Sikh leader outside temple in British Colombia Advertisement

Tensions have risen in recent years amid the rise of Hindu nationalism that propelled Modi to power in the world's most populous country 2014, while there has been increasing activism among the Sikh community for an independent nation.

An insurgency in the Punjab region calling for the creation of Khalistan led to thousands of deaths in the 1980s, and in recent years Sikhs living abroad have protested for this again.

In Britain experts have warned that extremists are inflaming tensions between Sikhs and Hindus using the movement, potentially fuelling violence.

The Shawcross report into the Government's anti-terrorism Prevent strategy remarked that some pro-Khalistan groups were falsely claiming 'that the government is colluding with its counterpart in India to persecute Sikhs'.

It added: 'Such groups' narratives glorify violence carried out by the pro-Khalistan movement in India. While the current threat is low, praise for violence overseas and a simultaneous belief in a state-led campaign of repression domestically is a potentially toxic combination for the future.'

Mr Khanda, who was raised in Moga in Punjab before moving to the West Midlands, was branded a terrorist by Indian media, who claimed he was head of the Khalistan Liberation Force, the Telegraph reports.

However, his friends denied this and said he was an aide to Amritpal Singh, a separatist preacher who was arrested in April by Indian authorities after his supporters stormed a police station in Punjab to demand the release of an advisor, Al Jazeera reports.

Singh has campaigned for an independent Khalistan and has said Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, a militant who was killed in during an uprising in 1984, is his hero, although Indian intelligence sources have claimed he is supported by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency and launched crackdown on him and his supporters earlier this year.

Mr Khanda's death certificate, which the paper claims to have seen a copy of, says he died from acute myeloid leukaemia and a blood clot in his lungs.

It is claimed that his last words in hospital were: 'Humans come and go. Long live Khalistan.'

He had been admitted to hospital on June 11 after coming down with a 'mere bout of physical pain', his mother Charanjeet Kaur said.

She has since lashed out at the explanation of the authorities for his death, insisting her son was 'killed by poisoning' and that her family has no history of cancer.

She said: 'I mean, who develops and succumbs to cancer within just four days? Cancer doesn't manifest within such a short span.

'I am telling you he was poisoned. You should ask the hospital authorities. They would know who the doctors and other people involved in his murder.'

Supporters of the Khalistan movement say that the death of Mr Khanda (pictured) was an assassination

It is claimed that Mr Khanda's death certificate says he died from acute myeloid leukaemia and a blood clot in his lungs

Khalistan movement protesters are pushed back by police during a demonstration outside the Indian High Commission on March 22, this year

Khalistan supporters have called for an independent Sikh nation in the Punjab region of India (pictured)

Mr Khanda's friends say he was an aide to Amritpal Singh, leader of Waris Punjab De (Heirs of Punjab). Pictured: Amritpal Singh (centre) with supporters in the village of Jallupur Khera, near Amritsar, India, in January this year

Thousands of people attended his funeral in August, although his family were not there as the Home Office refused to give them visas to attend from India.

Part of the reason for this refusal were allegations that Mr Khanda was involved in an incident that saw Khalistan supporters demonstrate outside the Indian High Commission in London in March, Sky News reported.

One such incident saw windows broken and two security guards injured, while the Indian flag was also ripped down from outside the building and replaced with yellow banners that signify the Khalistan movement.

Jas Singh, adviser to the Sikh Federation UK, said that Mr Khanda had been made 'enemy number one' by false reports he was the one who had torn the flag down.

He told MailOnline: 'He was tormented, especially since March. He had always been very calm, rarely got angry, always smiling. He was demonised and effectively, eliminated.'

He added that there had been threats of violence and rape made against Mr Khanda and his family back in India after his name was circulated in the media by India's National Investigation Agency.

What is the Khalistan movement? Sikh supporters of the Khalistan movement want to establish their own homeland due to tensions between their people and the Hindu nationalist rulers of India. These hostilities have historic roots dating back to the British colonial policies of the late 1800s and early 1900s which sought to divide believers of the two religions, according to the Hindu American Foundation. Sikhs were recruited to the British army to help subdue the Hindu rulers who rebelled against the British Raj. When India gained independence in 1947, tensions between the Sikh-dominated Punjab region and the central Indian government persisted. In the 1980s there was an armed insurgency in Punjab calling for independence, with thousands of people being killed. The defeat of armed insurgents sparked many Sikhs to flee abroad, and in recent years the strength of the movement has grown among the diaspora, with activity in Canada, Italy, UK and USA. Advertisement

He told the Telegraph: 'They were harassing him, intimidating him and threatening him. This is somebody really fit, 6ft 2in, he's absolutely fine, then a week later he is admitted to hospital seriously ill. Within 72 hours he died. Doctors had said his condition was treatable.'

Mr Khanda's supporters say they believe he could have been poisoned with clotting agents before or after he went to hospital, although they have not provided proof yet.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police said: 'Following speculation surrounding the death of Avtar Singh Khanda, a thorough review was undertaken by West Midlands Police which concluded that there were no suspicious circumstances.'

The conspiracy theory comes days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were 'credible allegations' that India was linked to the death of a separatist leader in British Columbia.

Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was president of the Surrey Gurdwara in BC and Chief Coordinator of the Canadian Chapter of global Khalistan Referendum, was shot outside a Sikh temple on June 18.

The latter is an initiative of secessionist group 'Sikhs For Justice' (SFJ) in which Sikhs across the world are voting on the question 'Should Indian Governed Punjab Be An Independent Country?'

In his final address to the community hours before he died, the 46-year-old urged people to continue supporting the Khalistan Referendum campaign - and spoke about threats to his life allegedly from the Indian government.

Trudeau made a statement about the death of Singh Nijjar, 46, who was a strong supporter of the Khalistan movement, while addressing the Canadian House of Commons on Monday.

'Today I'm rising to inform the house of an extremely serious matter,' he told MPs.

'I just informed the leaders of the opposition directly, I want now to speak with all Canadians.

'Over a number of weeks Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.'

Trudeau said security services were working to ensure the 'continued safety of all Canadians' and vowed that 'all steps will be taken to hold perpetrators of this murder to account'.

'Canada has declared its deep concern to the top intelligence and security officials of the Indian government,' he said.

'Last week at the G20 I brought them personally and directly to Prime Minister Modi in no uncertain terms,' Trudeau added.

Justin Trudeau has claimed India could be involved in the killing of a Canadian Sikh activist. Pictured: Justin Trudeau and Narendra Modi shake hands at the G20 summit in India on September 10

Hardeep Singh Nijjar (pictured) was shot dead outside a Gudwara in Surrey, British Columbia, earlier this year

'Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.'

He urged the Indian government 'in the strongest possible terms' to 'cooperate with Canada and get to the bottom of this matter'.

Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said 'if proven true' the assassination would be a major violation of the 'most basic rule of how countries deal with each other'.

'As a consequence we have expelled a top Indian diplomat,' she said.

Following the announcement by Trudeau, India announced it was expelling a senior Canadian diplomat in response, with its ministry of external affairs saying it 'reflects Government of India's growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities'.

Previously Hindu nationalist Modi had called on Trudeau to crackdown on Sikh pro-separatist demonstrators who are active in Canada.
Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton performed at a private event to help raise $2.2 million for anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr's presidential campaign, it has been revealed.

Clapton, who is also a vocal anti-vaxxer, played the guitar alongside his band at a private estate in Brentwood near Los Angeles on Monday night.

The fundraiser, where tickets cost up to $6,600 for guests who wanted to meet Clapton, raised $2.2 million - $1 million for Kennedy Jr's campaign and $1.2 million for a PAC supporting the Democrat.

Kennedy Jr shared footage of Clapton performing outside in front of his presidential slogan of 'Heal the divide' as hundreds of guests watched from their tables that were set under fairy lights.

It's no surprise that Clapton decided to help Kennedy Jr raise money as the pair are both prominent anti-vax conspiracy theorists.

The guitarist in recent years has written songs condemning the Covid vaccines and even compared the lockdowns to slavery.

Legendary guitarist Eric Clapton performed at a private event to help raise $2.2 million for anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist Robert F. Kennedy Jr's presidential campaign, it has been revealed

It's no surprise that Clapton decided to help Kennedy Jr (pictured on Friday in LA) raise money as the pair are both prominent anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorists

'I am deeply grateful to Eric Clapton for bringing his musical artistry and rebellious spirit to my gathering in Los Angeles,' a gushing Kennedy Jr said following the performance.

'I sometimes think that in our divided society, it is music rather than any kind of intellectual agreement that has the most potential to bring us together again. Eric sings from the depths of the human condition,' Kennedy Jr continued.

'If he sees in me the possibility of bringing unity to our country, it is only possible because artists like him invoke a buried faith in the limitless power of human beings to overcome any obstacle.'

Kennedy is challenging Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination. Biden leads by over 50 points in the polls. But polls also show that voters are concerned that, at age 80, Biden might be getting too old to do the job.

Like Clapton, Kennedy has continued to spout debunked conspiracy theories about the Covid vaccine.

In June, he repeated his claims that the Covid vaccines cause autism during his appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast.

'Everybody will say, "There's no study that shows autism and vaccines are connected." That's just just crazy. That's people who are not looking at science. It's part of the religion.'

The Democrat has made a name for himself by being a prominent anti-vaxxer, but his involvement in the anti-vaccine movement intensified after the pandemic and development of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The guitarist (pictured performing in Hollywood in 2021) in recent years has written songs condemning the Covid vaccines and even compared the lockdowns to slavery

His anti-vaccine charity, Children's Health Defense, prospered at the time, with revenues more than doubling in 2020 to $6.8 million, according to filings made with charity regulators.

His organization has targeted false claims at groups that may be more prone to distrust the vaccine, including mothers and black Americans, experts have said, which could have resulted in deaths during the pandemic.

Kennedy Jr released a book in 2021, The Real Anthony Fauci, in which he accused the U.S.'s top infectious disease doctor of assisting in 'a historic coup d'etat against Western democracy' by promoting unproven COVID-19 treatments such as ivermectin, which is meant to treat parasites, and the anti-malaria drug hydroxychloroquine.

His push against the COVID-19 vaccine has linked him at times with anti-democratic figures and groups.

Kennedy Jr has appeared at events pushing the lie that the 2020 presidential election was stolen and with people who cheered or downplayed the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

Kennedy Jr has at times invoked his family's legacy in his anti-vaccine work, including sometimes using images of President John F Kennedy.

His sister Kerry Kennedy, who runs Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, the international rights group founded by their mother, Ethel, said her brother has at times removed some of the content at her request.

She told the Associated Press in a 2021 interview her brother is 'completely wrong on this issue and very dangerous.'

Kennedy Jr has also continued to insist he should be given Secret Service protection because he claims he could be assassinated.

On Monday, Kennedy Jr urged Biden for protection after an armed gunman was arrested at his campaign event over the weekend - just two miles from where his father was assassinated in 1968. The suspect was seen being arrested by police after claiming to be with Robert F. Kennedy Jr's security team

Kennedy Jr., 69, has repeatedly claimed that the CIA was involved in the assassination of his uncle, President John F. Kennedy (pictured) in Dallas, Texas, in 1963

On Monday, Kennedy Jr urged Biden for protection after an armed gunman was arrested at his campaign event over the weekend - just two miles from where his father was assassinated in 1968.

'The threat level to our candidate, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is increasing every day. He is not the only one in danger  every person who attends a campaign event is at risk,' Kennedy's campaign manager Dennis Kucinich wrote to the president.

Kucinich, in his missive, referenced the armed gunman arrested over the weekend and the history of assassination of political figures. Kennedy's father - Robert Kennedy - was shot in Los Angeles in 1968 and his uncle John F. Kennedy was shot in Dallas in 1963.
A boss has been branded 'selfish' for not allowing her long-term employee time off to recover from surgery - despite the worker only having three days off in four years.

The employee had accrued 320 hours of annual leave and had given three months notice, but said she was met with disapproval from her superior.

The loyal worker had scheduled her surgery for January, and had planned to take two weeks off to recover but was told this would 'inconvenience' her boss.

And, despite only taking time off for her wedding nearly a year ago, her boss suggested she should reschedule the surgery for Christmas.

Sharing her frustration to the Reddit thread 'antiwork', the disgruntled employee said: 'Boss told me to reschedule my surgery so it falls over Christmas.'

A boss has been branded 'selfish' for not allowing her long-term employee time off to recover from surgery - asking them to reschedule it for the Christmas period

The employee wrote: 'I'm at the last step before confirming my surgery date and made the mistake of mentioning to my boss that I'm aiming for January. She made a face and said "you know, when employees get surgery they try to do it over the Christmas break so they don't need time off for recovery".

The employee said she was 'shocked' by the response and reminded her boss that she had over 320 hours of annual leave to be used, saying she should be able to take the time off.

She continued: 'I would be giving her 3 months notice, and recovery should only be at maximum two weeks. Am I insane to be absolutely seething over this?'

The employee added: 'I never take annual leave because we are a small team (20) and I'm her executive assistant.

'It's been almost 4 years and the only time I have taken annual leave was 3 days for a wedding over a year ago. Now apparently I should spend my Christmas in pain recovering from surgery so I don't inconvenience her.'

The Reddit post has since raked in nearly 400 comments, and users are enraged by the 'sociopathic' boss.

The executive assistant had scheduled her surgery for January, and had planned to take two weeks off to recover but was asked to change the date not to 'inconvenience' her

Dozens of comments suggested the worker use her accrued holiday dates and look for another job.

One user wrote: 'Your boss sounds selfish,' while another said: 'Time to start using that banked time to start looking for a new job.'

Another agreed: 'Take ALL your time off, and search for a new job while you are recovering, and the moment your time is up, quit effectively immediately.'

One user who had been in a similar position and delayed their gallbladder surgery by two weeks after their boss asked said: 'It almost killed me.'

They continued: 'NEVER allow work to drive your medical decisions. Please, do not allow your boss to bully you into doing this.'
The VIP guest list for tonight's State Banquet at Versailles includes Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and French multi-billionaire Bernard Arnault  the richest man in the world.

Organisers have invited a range of celebrities to eat and drink with King Charles and Queen Camilla in the lavish Hall of Mirrors  a space designed to reflect the omnipotence of the Sun King, Louis XIV.

Rock royalty Mr Jagger, 80, will be travelling from his own stately home  the Chateau de Fourchette (Fork House) in the Indre-et-Loire department  for the evening.

Business magnate Mr Arnault, 74, owns luxury mansions in Paris and Bordeaux and is the head of the LVMH luxury goods conglomerate, which includes brands like Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior.

Rich lists regularly put him at Number 1, with his fortune estimated by Forbes to be 178billion. In 2012 he was made Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire 'for services to business' by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

King Charles and Queen Camilla greet French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne after landing in France

Rock royalty Mr Jagger, 80, will be travelling from his own stately home in the Indre-et-Loire department for the evening

Bernard Arnault, 74, is the head of the LVMH luxury goods conglomerate, and owns multiple homes around the world

The red carpet has been rolled out for King Charles and Queen Camilla's arrival in Paris

Franco-British actors on the 150-strong guest list include Charlotte Gainsbourg, 52, and Emma Mackey, 27, from the Netflix series, 'Sex Education'.

Actor Hugh Grant, 63, who owns a home in France, will also be there. The 90s heartthrob has previously joked that he is only truly happy when in France.

Sports personalities who are invited to include former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, 73, and ace midfielder Patrick Vieira, 47, along with former Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker, Didier Drogba, 45.

Glamourous guests can expect the best of French cuisine, with Michelin-starred chefs Yannick Alleno, Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Herme overseeing the menu - which had to receive the royal stamp of approval.

The chefs have been banned from serving foie gras, a French specialty which Charles has famously shunned over animal welfare concerns, with the King said to have provided a strict list of culinary demands for the meal.

There will, however, be plenty of mushrooms served to the King and Queen, which are a favourite as they 'remind them of the late Queen, Elizabeth II', a French government source said.

Actor Hugh Grant , 63, who owns a home in France, will also attend the banquet

President Emmanuel Macron is expected to throw a lavish state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles to mark the King and Queen's arrival

The dinner will serve as a welcome to the British monarch as his three-day state visit to France gets underway today.

The King and Queen were greeted with a red carpet welcome when they touched down in Paris this afternoon.

The highly-anticipated trip was postponed amid widespread rioting in April, which gripped the French capital and cities across France.

In their first visit to the country as King and Queen, Charles, 76, and Camilla, 74, will be dividing their time between Paris and Bordeaux.

As well as tonight's star-studded dinner, Charles and Camilla have 21 high-profile engagements to look forward to in just three days.

The most important item on Charles's itinerary is likely to be his address the French senate, the first by a British royal in which he will speak in both English and French.

In their first visit to the country as King and Queen, Charles, 76, and Camilla, 74, will undertake 21 high-profile engagements

As Charles addresses Senators and members of the National Assembly, Camilla will join Mme Macron to launch a new Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France.

The couples will then meet a number of community sports groups and sports stars as France hosts the Rugby World Cup and prepares to host the Olympics next year.

After travelling to Bordeaux, the King and Queen will meet emergency workers and communities affected by the Bordeaux wildfires in 2022, highlighting how to tackle climate change.

While in the region the King will also meet British and French military personnel as well as attend a GREAT campaign where British and French businesses will be showcased.

Finishing off their jam-packed visit, they will take a trip to an organic vineyard before flying back to Scotland where they have spent the summer.
This is the shocking moment a group of masked thieves broke into a mobile phone shop and took 70,000 worth of items during a three-minute raid.

CCTV footage appears to capture six men, many wearing ski masks and latex gloves, robbing Future Phone in Leeds, West Yorkshire on September 5.

The video shows three men behind the till pulling items off shelves and stashing them into bed sheets while two others dash around the warehouse ransacking every shelf at the premises on Wellington Street, which is opposite a Jaguar dealership.

Meanwhile a sixth man can be seen crouching down at the broken door to watch the robbery before coming inside the shop to help.

Owner Varun Sharma, 35, told MailOnline: 'We just feel we cannot make any progress. It is heart-breaking. We were just coming to the busy Christmas.

CCTV footage captured the moment a group of masked thieves broke into a mobile phone shop and took 70,000 worth of items during a three-minute raid

'Now the whole year's profit is gone. We are just working hard for the crooks.

'They broke in around 2am. In just three minutes, they took 70,000 of stock.'

He added: 'By the time the police came, they were gone. They broke the glass and went inside.'

The haul included dozens of mobile phones, parts, and LCDs.

'They came with bed sheets to carry everything away,' said Mr Varun.

Shop owner Varun Sharma, 35, (pictured) said: 'It is heart-breaking. We were just coming to the busy Christmas'

The door of the shop was smashed during the raid which saw 70,000 worth of items stolen

The shop owner continued: 'Police have made no progress to date. The crooks even took customers' phones that were in for repairs.

'It was only last year the same thing happened at our other shop when they got away with 30,000 of gear. We never recovered any of it.'

It comes after a Mail on Sunday investigation found that retailers are spending 30 million a year on security and private 'police forces' to arrest and prosecute shoplifters after 'giving up' on getting help from the authorities.

The move has seen some of the biggest brands in the UK resorting to a private army of uniformed 'officers' to protect staff from increasingly brazen and violent shoplifters.

MailOnline has contacted West Yorkshire Police for comment.

Last week chief executive of Newcastle business improvement district NE1, Stephen Patterson, accused shoplifters of turning his city into a 'supermarket sweep' - as businesses said wardens are forced to do police work and recover stolen goods.

Mr Patterson described how criminals knock as many items off shelves and into baskets as they can before fleeing.
Worshippers have blasted a Cornish vicar for installing a bar and two beer pumps in their 600-year-old church.

Churchgoers slammed the move as a 'desecration' of Grade I-listed St Ia's Church in Cornwall after the bar was set up ahead of the St Ives September Festival.

The church, which was built in the early-1400s, will serve alcohol at the town's two-week music and arts festival, which attracts thousands of visitors to the seaside resort.

The parish church, which is dedicated to St Ia of Cornwall, is set to serve as a venue for the festival, hosting artists including Molly Hocking, Bailey Tomkinson and Cara Dillon.

Concertgoers will be able to buy drinks from the new church bar served from two taps installed by St Ives Brewery - despite outrage from shocked locals who said St Ia's was 'not a pub'.

Reverend Nick Widdows pulling pints at the newly installed bar in St Ia's Church in St Ives, Cornwall, ahead of the seaside town's two-week September Festival

Shocked worshippers slammed the decision to install a bar and two beer pumps in the church

The bar was installed after St Ia's was chosen to be one of the festival's main venues, having previously been a minor one for the two-week event.

Reverend Nick Widdows defended the scheme, insisting the new bar would be a good way of 'welcoming' new people into the church and reassuring parishioners that it was just a temporary measure.

However, the move was slammed by outraged churchgoers who said St Ia's was a 'house of God... not a pub'.

Churchgoer Barry Lewis, a long-standing member of the congregation, said to put a bar in the church 'desecrates the memory of those who died for their faith'.

'As a long-standing member of St Ia Church congregation I must protest in the strongest possible terms regarding the siting of a bar to sell beer close to the high altar and the most sacred parts of our church,' he said.

'For over 600 years, since it was first consecrated, the church has been the outward and visible sign of the spiritual grace granted to us through the martyrdom of St Ia and others in the town.

'Additionally, for the current vicar to be photographed pulling pints wearing vestments usually worn when celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion) is simply intolerable. I know that many of the congregation will agree with my comments.'

E.v. Rose agreed, saying: 'This is a house of God. Not a pub.'

Angela Homer also expressed her shock, but said the new bar could attract more visitors, adding: 'I must confess that I visited this church for the first time last week after visiting St Ives for more than 30 years.

'It is a beautiful church, but it was quite a shock when I saw the bar. I immediately thought, "Well, maybe it will encourage more people to attend". Who knows.'

John Webber said: 'Churches will do anything and everything to get money. Jesus threw out the money makers from the church.'

St Ia's vicar Nick Widdows defended the decision to install a bar in the St Ives church by suggesting it could welcome new visitors

St Ives September Festival runs from September 9 to 23 with live music in St Ia's Church

Reverend Widdows said: 'People always have different opinions, so you're never going to do anything that's new that is universally welcomed and accepted.

'A few of our congregation are not particular fans of the beer pumps, especially, but they are only temporary.

'What I say to them is that this is just part of our way of welcoming all sorts of people into the church.

'Above all, we want people to come in and have a positive experience of their time here.

'Many people don't come into the church building at all, and actually, if people come in and have a great time at a festival event, then who knows, maybe they'll come in for something else as well when we put it on.'

St Ives September Festival runs from September 9 to 23, with live music most evenings at St Ia's Church.
The three men who fatally stabbed the nephew of Northern Territory Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price have pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Benjamin Martin, Ronald Martin and Jeremy Scrutton each faced the Supreme Court in Alice Springs for their involvement in the death of Kumanjayi Presley.

The court heard the three accused men and six others drove to Mr Presley's home in Gillen, south Alice Springs, during the early hours of June 5, 2020.

They believed people in the home were responsible for throwing rocks at Scrutton's house the night before following 'ongoing issues between different family groups'.

More than five families from remote Indigenous communities in Central Australia were involved in the feud.

Three men have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Kumanjayi Presley, the nephew of Senator Jacinta Price (above)

The group reportedly got out of their vehicles and 'yelled out' for the 21 people inside the home, including six children under the age of 10, to come outside and confront them, NT News reports.

Most of the occupants came outside at one point but retreated back into the home and locked the doors after seeing the group were armed.

Their weapons included axes, knives, machetes, nulla nullas - large wooden clubs - and iron bars.

Mr Presley, 36, came outside the home after members of the group began banging on the building and smashing the windows of a car parked outside.

It was then Benjamin Martin, 42, stabbed him in the back of his left leg with a white-handled butcher knife.

He then dragged Mr Presley towards the back of the home where Ronald Martin, 47, and Jeremy Scrutton, 43, stabbed him one time each in the same leg.

By this point neighbours had called for police so the group fled, leaving Mr Presley to be discovered by other occupants 'lying on the ground bleeding and moaning'.

Police later found two knives and items of clothing covered with Mr Presley's blood.

A forensic pathologist found his death was caused by 'sharp force' to his lower left leg.

The Supreme Court in Alice Springs heard the men stabbed Mr Presley following a feud between at least five Indigenous families

'While all of the sharp force injuries contributed to the general blood loss and therefore death, the most serious injury was the one that severed the femoral artery,' a statement of agreed facts reads.

'It cannot be determined which offender inflicted which wound.

'(But) by their individual conduct in stabbing the deceased, each offender acted as a principal in the commission of the offence of manslaughter.'

Ronald Martin and Jeremy Scrutton faced the NT Supreme Court on Monday while Benjamin Martin's case was adjourned until Tuesday due to a shortage of interpreters.

The three men remain in custody and will return to court for sentencing on October 25.
A new Franco-German plan for differing layers of EU membership has included a direct offer for Britain to one day sign back up to the bloc as an 'associate' country.

A 60-page paper  published on the same day that Labour's Sir Keir Starmer held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris  suggests 'even the UK' could return as part of an 'outer tier' of membership.

The report, commissioned by the French and German governments, envisages four levels of European integration with an 'inner circle' of Eurozone nations at its centre.

Britain is touted as a possible future member of the third tier, which would be based on a Norway-style relationship with Brussels.

This would see the UK fall back under the jurisdiction of EU judges, make contributions to the EU budget and rejoin the bloc's single market, which would be likely to also include the return of free movement.

There has been scrutiny of the role played by Labour ex-prime minister Sir Tony Blair in what is being viewed as a secret plot to 'reverse Brexit'.

A new plan for EU expansion, commissioned by the French and German governments, set out a possible four future levels of integration. This includes an 'inner circle' for eurozone members; existing EU countries who don't want deeper ties; 'associate' members such as Norway, Switzerland and - possibly - the UK, who would be under the jurisdiction of EU judges, make contributions to the EU budget and be part of the bloc's single market; and, in a second 'outer tier', those signed up to a looser relationship with Brussels through the European Political Community

The 60-page paper  published on the same day that Labour's Sir Keir Starmer held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris  suggests 'even the UK' could return as part of an 'outer tier' of EU members

The Labour leader spent 45 minutes behind closed doors with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace yesterday

It emerged that ex-PM Sir Tony Blair used his extensive EU contacts book to arrange Sir Keir's meeting with Mr Macron

It emerged last night that Sir Tony used his extensive EU contacts book to arrange Sir Keir's meeting with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace yesterday.

A Whitehall source said the former PM was 'convinced that Brexit is now a vote-winner for Labour' and was pushing his successor to open the door to reversing it.

'Blair is trying to convince Starmer that the more he edges towards saying Brexit is a disaster, the better Labour will do,' the source said.

'He believes that reversing Brexit can be a vote-winner and he is pushing that message very hard.'

Senior Conservative MP David Jones, a former Brexit minister, told MailOnline he was 'pretty confident' Sir Keir would sign up to 'associate' membership of the EU if he became PM after the general election.

'Starmer, it must be remembered, wanted a second referendum,' he added.

'He is a dyed in the wool Europhile and would love associate membership.'

Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'Keir Starmer has always been a starry-eyed Europhile, he's the champion of the second referendum, and now he wants to do it by stealth.'

Despite Sir Keir's promise to get 'a much better deal' with the EU if he enters No10, Labour publicly ruled out signing up to the Franco-German blueprint for 'associate' membership.

Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News: 'That's not what we're interested in, we have always made clear we think the (Brexit) deal has to be better.'

A Labour spokesman said Sir Keir would use a planned review in 2025 to improve the Brexit deal, but added: 'Labour will seek a better deal for Britain. This does not involve any form of membership.'

Despite Sir Keir's promise to get 'a much better deal' with the EU if he enters No10, Labour publicly ruled out signing up to the Franco-German blueprint for 'associate' membership

How would the Franco-German plan work and what would it mean for Britain?

Mr Macron has long been an advocate of a 'multi-speed' EU following Brexit and amid a possible enlargement of the bloc to include nations such as Ukraine and Moldova.

The Franco-German plans published yesterday  dubbed 'Macron's onion' due to the differing levels of membership  were said to have been crafted with Labour in mind.

An EU source said the proposals were 'carefully balanced politically to be a potential place for Britain without the need to ever rejoin the EU or to hold a referendum'.

The 60-page document set out a possible four future levels of EU integration.

These are:

The Inner Circle  This would be the deepest level of political and economic integration for members of the Eurozone and Schengen area, including France and Germany. This would see coordination on taxation, finances and defence and foreign policy with countries giving up their national vetoes in these areas.

The EU  Those existing and future EU members who want to remain outside of the deepest level of integration. But they would remain bound by existing EU political objectives as set out in the Lisbon Treaty.

Associate Members  The first 'outer tier' of EU integration would include those countries that are part of the bloc's single market but not full members. This would include Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The paper added 'even the UK' could sign up to this third tier. These countries would be under the jurisdiction of EU judges, make contributions to the EU budget and be part of the bloc's single market, which would be likely to mean signing up to free movement rules. But 'associate' members would not be bound to 'ever closer union' and further EU integration, nor would they participate in deeper political integration in other policy areas such as justice and home affairs.

The European Political Community  The second 'outer tier' would see countries have a looser relationship on a bilateral basis with Brussels and not access the bloc's single market. It would instead focus on 'geopolitical convergence' and political cooperation on security, energy or environmental policies. Britain has played an active part in the EPC  the brainchild of Mr Macron  since its formation last year.

The Franco-German plans published yesterday have been dubbed 'Macron's onion' due to the differing levels of EU membership

Tory Brexiteers David Jones and Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg warned that Sir Keir would sign up to 'associate' membership of the EU if he became PM after the general election

Anna Luhrmann, Germany's Europe minister, said enlargement of the EU was 'in all our interests' as she presented the report in Brussels with her French counterpart yesterday.

'We must therefore start now to do everything possible to ensure that the EU is ready for this enlargement,' she added.

Ukraine - along with Moldova - became candidates to join the EU last year and are hoping to get the green light to start accession talks before the end of 2023.

Sir Keir spent 45 minutes behind closed doors with Mr Macron at the Elysee Palace yesterday.

Speaking afterwards, the Labour leader described their talks as 'very political'.

'It was my first opportunity to say how much I value the relationship between our two countries,' he added.

'Particularly when it comes to prosperity and security and how, if we are privileged enough to be elected into power, intend to build on that relationship and make it even stronger than it is today.'

A senior French source told the Daily Telegraph that Sir Keir 'came across as being someone very upright with a form of moral authority'.

They added: 'Its interesting that he positioned himself differently and didnt come over like a carpet salesman touting his wares with Macron on cooperation. Its a point in his favour.

'This was an attempt by Starmer to impose himself as a true potential leader who manages the major issues of the day. Thats what Starmer came looking for and (Macron) gave him the impression that he could belong to the club.'

Stella Creasy, chairman of the Labour Movement for Europe, which is pushing for renewed access to the single market, said Brexit 'cannot be made to work'.

The prominent Labour MP acknowledged that becoming a full EU member again would take years, but added: 'None of that means we can't aim high for 2025 if we start now. That is what we are seeing today with Keir in Paris.'

Downing Street said Rishi Sunak was not interested in pursuing associate membership of the EU.

Labour declined to comment on whether Sir Keir had discussed the proposal for a new form of membership with Mr Macron.

Sir Tony also declined to comment last night.
Mayor Belit Onay says that he wants Hanover to be transformed by 2030

On-street parking and traffic lights are to become a thing of the past

Mayor wants to make German city 'almost car-free' in a radical new plan

Hanover has presented a radical plan to create an 'almost car-free' centre, with on-street parking and traffic lights banished from the northern German city.

Green mayor Belit Onay, elected on a 'car-free' ticket in 2019, presented his new vision for the city of 500,000 yesterday. It envisages gradually eliminating some 4,000 on-street parking spaces and ushering incoming cars through dead-end streets into 11 public garages.

'Car-free means for us not one car too many,' explained the Green Party mayor, who said he wanted the project to be completed by 2030. He hopes Hanover will be a 'place to party and stroll about'.

Works are expected to begin in the middle of next year on several key thoroughfares.

Residents of Hanover's centre, of which there are some 4,000, will still be able to park their cars in private parking.

Hanover, which was largely flattened by Allied bombing raids during the Second World War, was rebuilt in the decades that followed as a 'car-friendly' city

The plans will be presented to Hanover city council on Tuesday.

'The impression is often that we want to restrict movement,' Mr Onay said. 'The opposite is the case - there will be more movement, with less traffic in the city centre.'

City councillor Thomas Vielhaber explained the plans were intended to make Hanover more walkable.

While most streets of the historic old town will no longer be accessible to most cars, taxis, delivery vans, and disabled drivers will still be able to access the city centre. Through traffic will be totally eliminated.

Speed limits of either 20km/h (12mph) or 30km/h (19mph) will be put in place on streets that remain accessible to cars.

Hanover is also working on 12 cycle routes and adding thousands of spaces for bicycle parking.

The project, which has been in the works for two and a half years, also envisages making central Hanover 'largely free of traffic lights' so that pedestrians and cyclists spend as little time waiting at red lights as possible.

'The time for experiments is over, now is the time for implementation,' Mr Onay told the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung.

Hanover's Green mayor wants to turn the city centre into an almost totally car-free zone

Hanover, which was almost entirely destroyed by Allied bombing raids during the Second World War, was rebuilt in the decades that followed as a model car-friendly city ringed by motorways.

Mr Onay says that he wants Hanover to be a role model for other German cities that wan to transition to become more pedestrian-friendly.

'For those who rely on a car, it will be easier to get into the city in the future because there will be less competing car traffic,' Mr Onay promised.

It is envisaged that the city centre will become better connected to surrounding areas by expanding routes across the Hanover ring road.

The ambitious plans are expected to cost millions of euros, but there is not yet an exact cost projection. Mr Onay said Hanover had already secured funding from state and federal governments worth upwards of 20million.

He said the city had gained 'acceptance for this approach' with experiments and consultations over the past few years. 'We are not starting from scratch,' he added, describing the changes as a 'huge opportunity' for the city.

Hanover's high streets have been suffering from competition with online retailers, and the city hopes that a redesigned urban plan could help jump-start its economy.

Mr Onay promised that Hanover would be turned into a 'resilient retail hub' through his vision.

The future of the car has become politically sensitive in a number of German cities over recent years. In Berlin, the Greens lost a re-election race to a pro-car candidate from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) after seeking to discourage their use in the German capital.

Mr Onay's plans have already received criticism from Right-wing opponents. Felix Semper, a CDU councillor, said the Greens were 'taking an axe to the future viability of the city.'

Mr Semper claimed that restricting vehicle traffic would damage local businesses and leave more buildings lying empty in central Hanover.
A massive fire erupted after multiple gas cylinders exploded at a service station, prompting warnings for locals to evacuate.

Firefighters rushed to the Metro service station on Hamilton Rd, Fairfield, in Sydney's southwest, at 6.30pm on Wednesday.

More than 50 firefighters and 17 fire trucks were battling the blaze, according to Fire and Rescue NSW.

There were 15 people in surrounding homes who were ordered by emergency services to leave.

A huge fire broke out at a service station in Fairfield in Sydney's southwest on Wednesday night (pictured, firefighters at the scene)

The blaze started when several gas cylinders at the service station exploded. It has since been extinguished by firefighters

Firefighters doused the cylinders which were venting and on fire.

A Fire and Rescue NSW spokesperson confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that the blaze has since been put out.

'Crews are monitoring for residual gas leaks coming out of the cylinders,' they said.

The storage area in the service station where the fire started contained 20 gas cylinders.

There were no injuries and no one is unaccounted for.
Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon has today said the Russell Brand allegations show that 'terrible behaviour' towards women has been 'historically tolerated' in the industry.

Ms Mahon addressed the claims against the maverick comedian as she opened the Royal Television Society's Cambridge Convention.

Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame, an explosive expose by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4's Dispatches revealed. He denies the claims.

At the time, Brand was working for the Channel 4 as well as the BBC and starring in Hollywood films. News of the alleged sex scandal triggered a firestorm of cancellations, with publishers, agents and streaming giants cutting ties, and his latest stand-up show being postponed.

Since the allegations were made public on Saturday, Dispatches claims to have received new complaints about the star, which programme chiefs say they are now investigating.

Ms Mahon said: 'The allegations made against Russell Brand are horrendous and as a CEO of Channel 4 and as a woman in our industry, I found the behaviours described in Dispatches and The Sunday Times and The Times articles disgusting and saddening.

Russell Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame. He denies the allegations (pictured in 2017)

At the time, Brand was working for the Channel 4 as well as the BBC and starring in Hollywood films (pictured last Friday in a video denying 'very serious' allegations against him)

Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon (pictured) has said the Russell Brand allegations show that 'terrible behaviour' towards women has been 'historically tolerated' in the industry

'The allegations of course need to be followed up further and we and the BBC and Banijay are busy investigating.'

She added her channel had invited anyone that knew about such behaviour to come to them directly as well as noting that they had set up a process for people to contact the broadcaster anonymously if they needed to.

'They are not empty words or gestures from all of us, they are what is meant by our duty of care', she continued.

'We will seek to find out who knew, who was told what and what was or wasn't referred up.

'But what is clear to me is that terrible behaviour towards women was historically tolerated in our industry.

'And the clips as well provide a rather very shocking jolt when ones realises what appeared on air not that long ago.'

Ms Mahon said the behaviour was 'less prevalent now' but recognised it was still a problem and something broadcasters must all confront.

'There is still more change that needs to come and Channel 4, along with those others, are at the forefront of that change', she added.

Brand vehemently denies the allegations, which also include claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, and said  in a video posted online on Friday night  that all of his relationships had been 'consensual'.

The comedian released a video last week refuting all the allegations against him. Pictured: Brand leaving the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre after a gig on Saturday night

Alice (pictured) alleges that Russell Brand sexually assaulted her when she was 16 years old. She claims he would send a car to pick her up from her secondary school lessons, which she has since claimed was a 'BBC car'



Alistair Jackson, investigations editor of Dispatches, said: 'We put our contacts at the end of the programme at the end of the film and our team has spent most of the time since reaching out to people who got in contact.'

Mr Jackson told the BBC's Newscast podcast the claims included 'serious allegations' and his team were advising the women to speak to the police, if they so wished.

The new allegations have not yet been investigated or proven with the Dispatches team saying it would rigorously check them.

A Channel 4 source also told the i newspaper: 'It is imperative that we respect the bravery and privacy of anyone who comes forward with more information about inappropriate or offensive behaviour.

'We must also ensure we do not share any information which might potentially prejudice any future investigation or process so it wouldn't be appropriate at this moment in time to provide details about information which has been shared with us.'

The comments from the Channel 4 boss come after it was today revealed that Paramount+ has removed Brand's 2009 comedy show 'Live in New York City'  following in the footsteps of YouTube and the BBC in cutting ties.

Brand, 48, was accused over the weekend by four women of rape and sexual assault, as well as extreme emotional abuse and manipulation.

The show has been taken down, and an error message in its place

Russell Brand's 2009 comedy special was available on Paramount+ until Tuesday morning

He denies the allegations, insisting all his relationships were consensual, and claiming he is the victim of a 'mainstream media plot' to derail his YouTube career as a wellness guru. Yesterday, however, Paramount+ took the show down.

His most recent stand-up special, 'Russell Brand Re:Birth,' remains available on Netflix. Netflix has not commented.

Paramount+'s move came after YouTube suspended lucrative adverts on his channel, he was dumped by his book publisher and agent, and discarded by charities.

The tour dates for his one-man stage show have been axed, he faces a police investigation and a probe by the Charity Commission.

His back-catalogue of comedy shows is being wiped from Channel 4's streaming service and from iPlayer after BBC director-general Tim Davie called them 'completely unacceptable', with the BBC declaring its former star's material 'falls below public expectations'.

Mr Davie pledged a full review of Brand's time at the corporation from 2006 to 2008, including the presenter's alleged use of a BBC chauffeur to collect a 16-year-old schoolgirl from lessons for sex.

Brand is seen on Saturday leaving a gig in London - the last time he was seen in public

The BBC, where Brand was a host on Radio 2 and a guest on other channels, said the 'limited content featuring Russell Brand on iPlayer and BBC Sounds' had been removed 'having assessed that it now falls below public expectations'.

Channel 4, where Brand burnished his name in the mainstream media fronting a Big Brother spin-off show in the 2000s, also erased his shows including a Celebrity Bake Off episode from its streaming service 'while we look into this matter'.

Brand's book publisher Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, 'paused all future publishing' with him, while Comic Relief, where he took part in its BBC telethons, said 'it would not be appropriate for us to work with Russell Brand'.

The Charity Commission is examining Brand's role at his addiction foundation the Stay Free Foundation following the revelations.

Brand denies any criminal wrongdoing. More women are now coming forward to accuse Brand of sexual misconduct.

Among the latest accusations, a woman has alleged Brand taunted her about her looks and sang about the Soham killer Ian Huntley during sex.

'Lisa' told The Times she was invited to the comedian's house in 2008, when she was in her early twenties, with a female friend of hers for a threesome, and because the two women's real names sounded vaguely similar to 'Holly and Jessica',

Brand started making vile jokes about the ten-year-old girls who were murdered by Huntley in 2002.

Esme, another woman who spoke to The Times, said she told the comedian 'no' when he asked her back to his house about 15 years ago, and was shocked when his driver took them there anyway.

YouTube suspended lucrative adverts on his channel, he was dumped by his book publisher and agent, and discarded by charities. Pictured: On Comic Relief in 2017

Thought to be one of his main revenue streams, he has 6.6million subscribers to his YouTube channel, allowing him to earn an estimated 1million a year from the adverts shown whenever someone watches one of his videos

Thought to be one of his main revenue streams, he has 6.6million subscribers to his YouTube channel, allowing him to earn an estimated $1.2million a year from the adverts shown whenever someone watches one of his videos.

Sara McCorquodale, of social media analysis agency CORQ, estimated 'he is most likely making $2,400 to $4,400 per video', and he has been filming up to five each week. He may still be earning cash from merchandising and sponsorships.

And he is likely to be still earning fees from Rumble, a more Right-wing version of YouTube, where his almost-daily posts have a potential of earning up to $99,000 each.

But since the weekend when he was accused of rape and a string of sexual assaults in a Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches investigation, followed by an allegation from 2003 being investigated by the Metropolitan Police yesterday, his profile has gone into freefall.

The 48-year-old comic and 'wellness' guru strenuously denies all the claims and calls them a wild conspiracy by the 'mainstream media', saying all his relationships during his 'time of promiscuity' were fully consensual.
A leading Australian think tank has taken out a full-page ad in the New York Times naming and shaming Australia as a major fossil fuel producer that contributes to catastrophic climate change.

The Australia Institute took out the 'open letter' ad in Tuesday's edition of the prestigious paper and it appeared under the heading: 'Australia Must Accelerate Climate Action, Not Climate Annihilation'.

In the advertisement's main block of text it stated Australia would getting up at Wednesday's United Nations Climate Ambitions Summit in New York and 'telling the world how much action it is taking on climate change'.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will be representing Australia at the summit with the ad scornfully dismissing her government's credibility on climate action.

The full page ad taken out in the New York Times by left-leaning think tank the Australia Institute

'The United Nations Secretary General, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Energy Agency (IEA), and scientists from all over the world have made it clear there is no room for new gas, coal and oil projects in the global carbon budget,' the ad reads.

'In this - the 'decisive decade' for climate -there are over 100 new coal and gas projects in development in Australia according to official data.

'If all these projects proceed, research by the Australia Institute shows they would add a further 1.7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent to the atmosphere every year - roughly the equivalent emissions of the entire Russian Federation, the world's fourth-largest polluter.

'Accelerating the pace and scale of climate action means an end to new fossil fuel approvals and subsidies.

'As the world's third largest exporter of fossil fuels, Australia has a special responsibility to stop fueling the increase in global emissions caused by Australian fossil fuel production, both here and overseas.

Australian Institute Climate & Energy Program Director Polly Hemming showed off the ad targeting the Albanese government over fossil fuel projects

'We call on the Australian Government to follow the advice of the United Nations, the IEA and the IPCC and prevent any further new fossil fuel developments in Australia.'

The bottom two thirds of the page display the signatures of over 220 scientists and other environmental experts and campaigners backing the call.

Signatories include leading US climate scientists Bill McKibben and Michael Mann along with former Australian Greens leader Christine Milne, Australian climate scientist Bill Hare and Nobel Prize winning Australian immunologist Peter Doherty.

In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter) Australian Institute Climate & Energy Program Director Polly Hemming showed off the ad in a newspaper with the Manhattan skyline behind her.

'Even though the IEA, UNFCCC and UN Secretary-General have all declared that new fossil fuel projects are incompatible with keeping global temperatures below 1.5C, the new Australian Government has already approved four new coal mines and there are 110 more gas and coal mines in the pipeline, Ms Hemming said in a press release.

'If Australia succeeds in its fossil fuel expansion plans, the other nations of the world will fail in their efforts to prevent dangerous climate change.'

'Australia is already the world's third largest fossil fuel exporter, behind only Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong will be representing Australia at the UN Climate Ambitions Summit in New York

'But despite the dire warnings from the world's scientists and the clear language from the UN Secretary-General, the Australian Government is not only approving new fossil fuel projects, it is subsidising them and fighting in court to smooth their path.'

She also tweeted that Senator Wong will be presenting to the UN summit while 'back in Australia the environment minister is in court this week fighting for the right to ignore the link between climate change and fossil fuels when approving coal mines'.

Ms Hemming tweeted an article by Australia Institute researcher Rod Campbell that stated Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek would in the Federal Court fighting to overturn a challenge by environmental groups to 19 fossil fuel projects.

'Australia's Environment Minister is in court opposing environment groups and on the side of coal companies, arguing to approve new coal projects despite their climate impacts,' Mr Campbell wrote.

'Concurrently, Australia's Foreign Minister will try to convince the world that Australia takes climate change seriously.

'It would be funny if it were not so serious.'
Sam Brinton, the non-binary energy waste guru who was fired last year after being caught stealing multiple women's suitcases from airport luggage carousels, is now being sued by an East African designer who is among their victims.

Brinton, 32, has been charged in three separate criminal cases in Nevada, Minnesota and Virginia, with stealing women's clothes from airports.

They are yet to speak publicly about the charges but have admitted to them in court, and they are currently free on bond.

Sam Brinton is now being sued by the East African designer Asya Khamsin, whose luggage was stolen from the airport in 2018

Brinton is photographed with their husband on June 2 after being freed from jail

In 2018, Brinton stole a suitcase belonging to Tanzanian designer Asya Khamsin at Ronald Reagan Airport in Virginia.

It wasn't reported until this year, when Khamsin - who lives in Texas - saw photos of Brinton wearing her clothes.

The images were used in reports about Brinton's other thefts - they also stole a suitcase in Las Vegas in July last year, and another in Minneapolis in September.

Khamsin says that the theft of her bag in 2018 harmed her business because many of the items taken were 'bespoke'.

The clothes have now been returned to her, but the years-long gap without them or any information about who took them left her in the lurch, she says.

Brinton's downfall began in November last year when they were caught on camera stealing a suitcase from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Brinton is shown stealing another person's bag from an airport in Las Vegas in a separate theft

Khamsin filed a police report after seeing former Department of Energy official Sam Binton wearing her stolen clothes

Tanzanian-American fashion designer Asyakhamsin (above) says that she filed a police report after seeing former Department of Energy official Sam Binton wearing her stolen clothes

They were filmed taking the suitcase from the luggage carousel, removing its tag which named Khamsin as the rightful owner, and shoving the tag in their purse.

Brinton was arrested in November and charged with felony theft, after telling police they were 'tired' when they took the bag 'by mistake' - then too embarrassed to return it.

It then emerged that Brinton had a habit of snatching other people's luggage.

In December, police in Las Vegas revealed they too were investigating Brinton for taking a bag from the luggage carousel at Harry Reid Airport months earlier in July.

Before their kleptomania became public, they were a celebrated member of Biden's Department of Energy.
Jeremy Hunt has insisted China won't be attending 'every single part' of November's summit on Artificial Intelligence as ministers face a backlash for inviting Beijing.

The Chancellor defended the Government's offer for China to attend the Bletchley Park gathering, saying: 'You can't just ignore the second-biggest economy in the world.'

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defied Tory MPs by inviting representatives from the Asian country to what is titled the 'Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit'.

There had been calls from Conservative backbenchers for China to be banned from the meeting due to the 'threat' the nation poses to the West.

The PM's approach towards Beijing has come under further scrutiny following the recent allegations of a 'Chinese spy' operating in Parliament.

And now - amid the anger at China's invite to the AI summit - the Government has been branded 'naive' in how it views the emerging superpower.

Jeremy Hunt has insisted China won't be attending 'every single part' of November's summit on Artificial Intelligence as ministers face a backlash for inviting Beijing

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defied Tory MPs by inviting representatives from the Asian country to what is titled the 'Artificial Intelligence Safety Summit'.

The PM's approach towards Beijing has come under further scrutiny following the recent allegations of a 'Chinese spy' operating in Parliament

The AI summit is due to take place in November at Bletchley Park, the Buckinghamshire estate which became the home of Allied code-breaking during the Second World War

The AI summit is due to take place in the first week of November at Bletchley Park, the Buckinghamshire estate which became the home of Allied code-breaking during the Second World War.

As he defended China's invite to the meeting, Mr Hunt told a Politico podcast: 'We're not going to invite China to every single part of the summit.'

He added that British officials intend 'to be very open' about practices that 'we don't consider to be acceptable.'

'If you're trying to create structures that make AI something that overall is a net benefit to humanity, then you can't just ignore the second-biggest economy in the world,' the Chancellor continued.

'That doesn't mean that you make any kind of compromises with your values but sometimes dialogue can be beneficial.'

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a leading critic of China in the House of Commons, has led a pushback against Beijing's invite to the summit.

He told MailOnline: 'I am disappointed. China is busy trying to merge biotechnology with AI creating a huge threat to members of the free world.

'Getting them to the meeting would act as an endorsement of their model of control of people through this technological process.'

Former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith, a leading critic of China in the House of Commons, has led a pushback against Beijing's invite to the summit

Luke de Pulford, the executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, an international pressure group, told The Times: 'The naivety of the UK regarding China is quite remarkable.

'Xi Jinping himself said recently that he wants to harness AI as a national security tool.

'While the US grapples with how to protect from the AI threat from China, the UK is opening the door to collaboration. And all in the midst of an espionage row. It makes no sense.'

But Tim Lougton, another Tory MP who has been sanctioned by Beijing for speaking out over human rights abuses, said: 'Like it or not China has to be part of an international protocol on regulating AI.

'That is not to say we have to trust them to comply with it.'

It was recently revealed how two men had been arrested under the Official Secrets Act amid allegations that a parliamentary researcher spied for China.

The parliamentary researcher is claimed to have had links to several senior Tory MPs, including security minister Tom Tugendhat and Alicia Kearns, the chair of the Commons' Foreign Affairs Committee.

But, in a statement released by his lawyers Binberg Peirce, the man has said he is 'completely innocent'.
A resolution from Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz seeking to vacate Kevin McCarthy's House Speakership seat was discovered in a Capitol Hill bathroom on Wednesday.

Journalist Matt Laslo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the short motion was found on a baby changing table in a restroom beneath the House floor. He posted images of the single-sheet of paper folded in half next to a cup of coffee.

The motion was 'declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant,' and included a draft date of September 15, 2023 at 11:22 a.m.  just three days after Speaker McCarthy announced the opening of the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

Rep. Gaetz is part of the pro-Trump MAGA branch of the Republican Party and was part of the group of Freedom Caucus members opposing McCarthy's bid for Speaker when Republicans took the House in the 2022 midterms.

He is one of the most vocal critics of McCarthy.

A resolution on vacating Speaker Kevin McCarthy from his post was found in the bathroom beneath the House floor next to a coffee on a baby changing table

The motion was 'declaring the office of Speaker of the House of Representatives to be vacant,' and included a draft date of September 15, 2023 at 11:22 a.m.

It is unclear how Gaetz's resolution ended up in the bathroom, and who left it there.

McCarthy's office did not respond to a request for comment on discovery of the resolution.

The same day McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry following months of pressure from the far-right arm of the GOP, Gaetz warned the Speaker launching the probe to appease the right wing will not save him from potential ousting.

'I've fallen for this mirage before,' Gaetz said Tuesday of the impeachment inquiry.

'Obviously McCarthy wasn't serious about Mayorkas impeachment,' he said of the time the Speaker went down to the southern border to 'gaslight' about attempts to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

'The first thing that happens is that Kevin McCarthy gets worried that he's going to lose power, like he did in January, and like he has in the recent weeks as I've been mounting pressure on him,' Gaetz noted. 'And then the second thing he does [is] indicate that there is some upcoming impeachment or impeachment inquiry, and the reality is to date that has just been the slow boat to China. It hasn't been authentic or sincere or robust.'

Some claim that there were threats to remove McCarthy if he didn't launched impeachment.

The discovery of Rep. Matt Gaetz's one-page motion follows McCarthy announcing an impeachment inquiry into President Biden. Gaetz is one of the biggest GOP critics of McCarthy

But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a fellow MAGA lawmaker, assured there were no threats against McCarthy.

The first impeachment proceedings are set for next Thursday in the House Oversight Committee, which is chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.).

By launching an inquiry, House investigators are given expanded abilities, including a heightened power to subpoena. The panel has already subpoenaed the bank records of President Biden's son Hunter and brother James.

There is speculation that the inquiry could result in the subpoena of Joe and Hunter Biden's testimony to Republican House investigators.
The pilot of the $100M F-35 that vanished for over a day parachuted into a South Carolina back yard after a malfunction forced him to eject from the aircraft, causing the plane to crash into a wooded area about 60 miles away, it has been revealed.

The pilot, who had departed from Joint Base Charleston on a training mission, 'experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject' on Sunday at an altitude of about 1,000 feet just a mile north of Charleston International Airport, according to the Marine Corps.

'He's unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather,' someone can be heard saying of the pilot on audio from a Charleston County Emergency Medical Services call shared Tuesday by a local meteorologist.

The pilot, who has not been identified by the Marine Corps, did not have serious injuries and has been discharged from the hospital. His plane was flying in tandem with another jet, which returned to base after the mishap rather than following the pilot-less aircraft.

The aircraft was not found until the next day, following a frantic 28-hour search, when a state law enforcement helicopter located debris around 5pm Monday in a field near Indiantown, South Carolina.

More questions than answers remained Tuesday around how an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter wound up leaving a debris field described as 'extensive' by the local sheriffs department.

Aerial footage showed debris in a copse beside the field, where trees had been knocked over. The field had a large area of blackened scorched earth.

It is not known whether locals informed the military of the crash, which did not appear to have happened in a remote region.

Officials closed about one mile of road indefinitely as they continued searching rural Williamsburg County for any wreckage. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

Federal, state and local officials worked Sunday and Monday to locate the jet, and the military appealed to the public for help in finding the aircraft, which is built to evade detection.

In a military aviation incident where there are two or more aircraft, it's standard practice for remaining aircraft to stay on location, said Mark Cancian, a retired Marine Corps Reserves colonel and senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

'If one goes down the other will circle' to make sure the pilot is ok and relay the crash location information, Cancian said.

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was designed in three variants. There is the F-35A Air Force version and the Navy's F-35C, which is equipped for carrier takeoffs and landings. Then theres the Marine Corps F-35B variant, which can hover and take off and land vertically like a helicopter. The aircraft involved in Sundays crash was an F-35B, the Marines said.

Each variant has an ejection seat. The Marine Corps' variant has a specialized seat that can auto eject to better protect pilots in case an incident occurs while the plane is in hover mode. An F-35B crashed last December in Fort Worth while descending in hover mode and the pilot safely ejected.

Scorched earth from the crashed fighter jet is seen on Monday in South Carolina

Military officials appealed in online posts Sunday for any help from the public in locating the aircraft

Jeremy Huggins, a spokesperson at Joint Base Charleston, told NBC News that the jet was flying in autopilot mode when the pilot ejected from the aircraft.

Huggins told The Washington Post on Sunday that the warplane 'has different coatings and different designs that make it more difficult than a normal aircraft to detect.' He added that the jet's transponder was not working for an undetermined reason.

It forced the base to issue a humiliating appeal for assistance in finding the jet - even launching a hotline for tips, which was mercilessly mocked online. 'So that's why we put out the public request for help,' said Huggins.

Huggins would no longer answer questions on Monday, according to Joint Base Charleston, as the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing had taken the lead on communications related to the mishap. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing said there was an 'investigation ongoing' and would not share any more details.

The jet belongs to the most expensive weapon system program in the US Department of Defense, according to a May 2023 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Department of Defense is weighing its options to modernize the engine, according to the report, and the 'overtasked' cooling system requires that the engine operate 'beyond its design parameters.'

'The extra heat is increasing the wear on the engine, reducing its life, and adding $38 billion in maintenance costs,' the report found.

Former Marine Dan Grazier, who works at a Defense watchdog and warned about F-35 safety issues for years, said a software glitch or cyberattack could have caused the missing jet to malfunction.

He told DailyMail.com : 'There are thousands of penetration points, weaknesses in the entire enterprise that a hacker could access the software.'

The Marine Corps announced Monday it was pausing aviation operations for two days after the fighter jets crash.

Three 'Class-A mishaps' have occurred over the past six weeks, according to the announcement. Such incidents occur when damages reach $2.5 million or more, a Department of Defense aircraft is destroyed, or someone dies or is permanently disabled.

Commanders will spend the stand-down reinforcing safe flying policies, practices and procedures with their Marines, according to the Monday release.

The announcement gave no details on the two previous incidents. But in August, three US Marines were killed in the crash of a V-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a training exercise in Australia, and a Marine Corps pilot was killed when his combat jet crashed near a San Diego base during a training flight.
Police have released few details on the case, including how the victim died

A 12-year-old Maryland boy has been arrested and charged with murder after the death of a two-year-old who lived in the same home.

Police have released few details, including the cause of death.

On September 16, detectives from the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center responded to a call at a home on Jack Drive in Salisbury, Maryland.

As they investigated, they learned that an unnamed toddler had died.

Now, a 12-year-old boy - who has also not been named - has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault and reckless endangerment in the case.

Detectives from the Wicomico County Child Advocacy Center responded to a call at a house in Jack Drive in Salisbury, Maryland, and discovered the death of a two-year-old

Detectives have also spoken to the 'caregivers' but no information about them has been released either by the Sheriff's Office or the Advocacy Center

The preteen suspect was transported to the Lower Eastern Shore Childrens Center and is currently being held there.

It is not yet known whether the pair were relatives.

Detectives have also spoken to the 'caregivers' but no information about them has been released either by the Sheriff's Office or the Advocacy Center.

Police did not say if others could face charges in the case.

Captain Wagner of the Sheriff's Office did not release further information about the case when contacted by MailOnline.com, but said that the court is yet to determine if the 12-year-old will be tried in juvenile or adult court

Captain Wagner of the Sheriff's Office did not release further information about the case when contacted by MailOnline.com, but said that the court is yet to determine if the 12-year-old will be tried in juvenile or adult court.

It has not been revealed what brought police and child services to the house to start the investigation.

Maryland State law states if found guilty of murder, a killer would be sentenced to life in prison without parole. However, the law also specifies a convict must be at least 14 years old to be sentenced as an adult.

Salisbury has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes and records a crime rate of 45 per 1,000 residents.
A man who made online searches for the Dunblane school massacre and bought a gun with 100 rounds of ammunition was locked up yesterday.

James Maxwell, 28, used cryptocurrency to buy the Glock pistol and bullets but American law enforcement officers intercepted the package.

Advocate depute Richard Goddard KC told the High Court in Edinburgh that the Glock 17 handgun and magazine were found hidden inside a household electronic device, along with two boxes of ammunition.

The US authorities alerted Police Scotland and a package with the electronic device and boxes for the gun and bullets were put into the mail after the firearm and ammunition were removed.

James Maxwell admitted paying 1,000 for the gun and ammunition

Maxwell, took delivery of the package at his home in Leven, Fife, on January 11 this year. Police armed with a search warrant found Maxwell wearing blue latex gloves with the mail item in his bedroom.

Mr Goddard said: A laptop was found open and in use in the bedroom. It had a pdf file saved on it which was an instruction manual for a Glock pistol.

Maxwell told police that in October last year his mental health worsened and he began feeling suicidal.

He researched how to source a firearm. He admitted that in December he paid 1,000 for the gun and ammunition.

Mr Goddard said: He stated that prior to the delivery of the package he was no longer suicidal but made no effort to cancel the order as he assumed that as he had paid for it, he had to receive it.

The prosecutor said after the laptop was examined searches were found including best suicide method and suicide by gunshot UK.

But Mr Goddard added: However, other searches included primary school in Glasgow, Dunblane school massacre and when do schools break up for Christmas 2022.

The Dunblane school massacre occurred on March 13 in 1996 when 43-year-old gunman Thomas Hamilton invaded a primary school and shot dead 16 children and a teacher before killing himself.

Mr Goddard said the Glock pistol bought by unemployed, benefit recipient Maxwell was in good condition and in full working order.

He added: The ammunition purchased by the accused amounted to 100 rounds of 9mm hollow pointed bulleted cartridges. This type of ammunition is designed to deform on impact, increasing the surface area of the bullet and causing increased injury.

Police also found that Maxwell had saved a sexually explicit video of an underage girl performing sex acts and images of bestiality. He also made internet searches including 13-year-old boy and cute 14-year-olds.

Defence counsel Jonathan Crowe told the court that Maxwell bought the gun for suicidal purposes.

Sixteen children and teacher Gwen Mayor were murdered by gunman Thomas Hamilton when he opened fire on a gym class on March 13, 1996

He said: I can advise, and there is no dispute, there is no other information or evidence pointing to any sinister motives of Mr Maxwell to do anything with this weapon in relation to primary schools.

Judge Lord Ericht said: I have to say at this stage, I also note that 100 bullets were bought which would seem to be an excessive number for suicide purposes. This type of ammunition was designed to deform on impact.

The judge said he also noted that as well as the Dunblane search ,there were others for primary school in Glasgow and the schools Christmas break up.

He deferred sentence on the first offender for the preparation of a background report and remanded him in custody after indicating that a substantial prison sentence was the likely outcome.

Maxwell pled guilty to purchasing and attempting to acquire a prohibited weapon between December 1 last year and January 11 this year. He also admitted committing the offence without holding a firearms certificate.

He also admitted buying and attempting to acquire and possess the ammunition and attempting to import the firearm and bullets without lawful authority.

He further admitted possessing the abusive images of children and possessing extreme pornographic images involving animals.
The 17-month-old was found dead in a clearing after going missing on Monday

A toddler aged 17 months has been killed in an animal attack after wandering away from his Louisiana home.

De Angelo Manning was found dead in a clearing around a half mile from a home on Winkler Road, in Claiborne.

The Sheriff's Office had been notified that Manning and a 4-year-old had been missing and walked away from the property shortly after 10am on Monday.

Shortly after, deputies found the 4-year-old wandering a half mile from the residence.

The child was treated by EMS teams and was found to be uninjured except for minor scratches.

De Angelo Manning was found dead in a clearing around a half mile from a home on Winkler Road, in Claiborne

Shortly after midday, Manning was found dead in an area where timber had recently been harvested

The Sheriff's Office had been notified that Manning and a 4-year-old had been missing and walked away from the property on Monday

Deputies, state troopers, canine officers, volunteer firemen and private citizens continued the search for the toddler.

Shortly after midday, Manning was found dead in an area where timber had recently been harvested.

Sheriff Sam Dowies said the apparent cause of death appeared to have been the result of an animal attack.

The Claiborne Parish coroner directed that De Angelos body be sent for an autopsy.

It remains unclear what animal attacked the toddler, with officers still investigating his death.

The boy's mom, Angelica Marquez, said in a post: 'I found out I was pregnant [with] you on my birthday it was a big surprise for me.

'I was happy, so happy to have you, your brothers loved you so much still do you where my baby.

'You where always smiling you will bring a smile out of people, you where amazing trust me you where my snoopy my best friend.

'I remember the day me and your daddy chose your name while you where in my belly.

His mom Angelica Marquez, pictured here, shared a post to social media about the toddler after his passing

It remains unclear what animal attacked the toddler, with officers still investigating his death

So far, just under $2,000 has been donated to help the family with the burial costs of the toddler

'I remember you help me get through so much on the hard times you do not know how sorry I am that I wasn't there.

'I'm trying to keep calm for your brothers, I hate so much that you didn't meet your brother, that I didn't hold you one last time, kissed you and said I love you because I love you son, I'm so hurt and so mad.

'I just don't know how to get through this baby I'm so sorry.'

Following the youngster's passing, relative Evelyn Ayala has started a fundraiser for her family.

With a target of $10,000, to help with funeral costs, the family have already raised $1,800.

In sharing the fundraiser, Ayala said: 'My family is going through a very difficult time at the moment.

'De Angelo Manning, son of my cousin Angelica Marquez had a fatal accident in which he lost his life.

'We are asking to help to cover his funeral expenses. At the moment she is not receiving calls, and we would appreciate it if you could understand the situation that has happened.'
A Florida Amazon driver is clinging to life after being bitten by an Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake as she was delivering a package.

Monet Robinson, 21, was at the doorstep of a Palm City home where the unseen snake was coiled up near the front door.

The snake jumped out and bit her in the back of her leg, just above the knee, the Martin County Sheriff's Office stated

The driver immediately became ill and called 911 for help.

'It looks like black and yellow and it's making a lot of noise, a big rattle,' Robinson was heard saying in the phone call. Investigators said the 21-year-old had never seen a snake before she was attacked.

When the police rushed to the scene, moments after the bite, Robinson was already on the ground.

Monet Robinson, 21, was dropping off a package Monday evening at a Palm City home where the snake (pictured) was coiled up near the front door

Robinson was seen on the ground with a neighbor in front of a Palm City home after the bite

Dispatchers were able to pinpoint the victim's exact location through cell phone GPS coordinates and sent help.

'Where it the bite?' a deputy was heard asking in bodycam footage as he arrived on the scene. Crews then worked to treat Robinson and get her to hospital.

She is still in a 'very serious condition', the sheriff's office said. They added that the snake was caught and euthanized.

Amy Kight, executive director at Busch Wildlife Sanctuary in Jupiter, told WPBF that Robinson may have saved her own life by staying calm and calling 911.

'I was really quite shocked by it,' she said. Rattlesnakes are common in South Florida, but rattlesnakes' bites are not,' she said.

She explained the snake reacted to what it saw as a threat.

'When the hand came out, and the package came down, the snake just thought it was protecting itself,' Kight said. 'And the poor Amazon driver just stood no chance.'

Robinson immediately called 911 and was taken for treatment after the bite

The sheriff's office said the snake was caught and euthanized

Dispatchers were able to pinpoint the victim's exact location through cell phone GPS coordinates and sent help

Branden Baribeau, an Amazon spokesman, said the company is looking into the incident.

He added Robinson is a part of the delivery service partner program, technically an independent business that hires drivers to deliver on behalf of Amazon.

'Our thoughts are with the driver and we hope for a full recovery after this frightening incident,' Baribeau said. 'Together, with the Delivery Service Partner, we're looking into the circumstances surrounding this incident and continue to make sure that drivers understand they should not complete a delivery if they feel unsafe.'

Nearly one in five drivers making deliveries for Amazon suffered injuries in 2021, according to a study.

Eastern Diamondbacks are the largest rattlesnake species and considered one of the most dangerous snakes in North America.

The species can grow to about 7 feet but are mostly about 4 feet long. Although it's not very aggressive, its massive size and long fangs ensure it produces significant venom, fatal in 10 to 20 percent of cases if not treated.

'It all depends on how much venom is dumped in,' said sheriff's office Capt. Rusy Shaw. 'If it's the full dose, it's going to be a pretty quick reaction.'

Eastern Diamondback rattlesnakes are found throughout Florida in every county. They also like nearshore islands including many of the Florida Keys.
President Joe Biden's administration warned on Wednesday the dire consequences the country would face if the government shuts down and blasted House Republicans for 'playing political games with peoples' lives and catering to the ideological demands of their most extreme, far-right members.'

Members of the military will serve without pay, delays for travelers will increase, infrastructure projects will be halted, food safety inspections will stop, and there will be no funding for programs like Head Start, the White House warned.

Biden's administration didn't hold back when putting the blame squarely on House Republicans, where an internecine civil war has broken out among the conservative and moderate wings.

'If extreme House Republicans fail to ram through their radical agenda, they plan to take their frustration out on the American people by forcing a government shutdown that would undermine our economy and national security,' the administration said in a fact sheet.

President Joe Biden's White House is blaming Republicans for the country facing a possible government shutdown

'It's time for House Republicans to abide by the bipartisan budget agreement that a majority of them voted for, keep the government open, and address other urgent needs for the American people,' the White House said.

The deadline to fund the government is September 30th.

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy is working hard to convince his Republicans to come together and pass a conservative bill to keep the federal government open.

The prospects are not good. Even if Republicans unite and pass a funding bill, the Senate, controlled by Democrats, will reject it.

In a test vote on Tuesday, McCarthy failed to get House Republicans to pass their own defense bill. Five conservatives provided the death blow. They want to see a full government funding plan from the speaker.

McCarthy, who walked off the floor after the failed vote, told reporters: 'Look, the one thing youre going to learn about me: I like a challenge - I dont like this big a challenge - but were just gonna keep doing it until we can make it.'

He has proposed a short-term bill, known as a continuing resolution or CR, to keep the government open while negotiations continue on a longterm funding package.

That package from McCarthy would impose steep spending cuts of more than 8% on many government services, while sparing defense and veterans accounts. It would last for 31 days in hopes of giving House Republicans time to approve the more traditional government funding bills.

The White House blasted the bill as making 'devastating, indiscriminate cuts to food safety, education, law enforcement, housing, public health, Head Start and child care, Meals on Wheels, and more.'

The legislation also doesn't include the $12 billion the Biden administration requested to replenish U.S. federal disaster funds nor the $21 billion requested for aid to Ukraine.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy could lose his speakership in his battle with conservatives

The last government shutdown was 2019; above a sign at the Smithsonian Zoo from that year, saying it was closed due to the shutdown

Complicating matters for McCarthy, he could lose his speakership.

The threat dates back to January when McCarthy was trying to secure enough Republican votes to be speaker. To garner enough support from the conservative wing of the party, McCarthy agreed to their demand to give them the ability to call a quick vote to 'vacate the chair' and remove him from office.

Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and other conservative lawmakers in the House Freedom Caucus have been threatening to use that power.

They were furious with McCarthy's proposed short term spending package. Gaetz said if the speaker put it on the floor would be 'shot, chaser' where he would immediately move to push the speaker out of his job.

'Move the f***ing motion,' McCarthy said in response.

Republicans hold a slim majority in the House. McCarthy can only afford to lose five votes on any piece of legislation.

Another option he has is to cut a deal with Senate Democrats and use their support to help get a federal budget passed in the lower chamber.

That would almost certainly result in conservatives trying to hold a vote to oust him from the speaker's job.

But a government shutdown could be a political disaster for the GOP.

'I think all of you know, I'm not a fan of government shutdowns,' Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said this week. 'I've seen a few of them over the years, they never have produced a policy change and they've always been a loser for Republicans politically.'
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, Richins mom repeated the instructions from the six-page letter found in her cell when she suffered a seizure last week

Richins, 34, was arrested in May and charged with first-degree aggravated murder for allegedly killing her husband with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule

Kouri Richins claims a letter - which instructs her mom to say her husband overdosed on drugs from Mexico - is for a book she plans to write

Accused 'Moscow Mule' murderer Kouri Richins has vehemently denied a letter to her mom was an attempt to witness tamper, but had, in fact, been excerpts from a fictional novel she was writing.

The six-page letter addressed to Richins' mom, Lisa Darden, was found hidden inside an LSAT prep book that was discovered when the 39-year-old had a seizure after being given the wrong medication, DailyMail revealed earlier.

Richins was arrested in May and charged with first-degree aggravated murder for allegedly killing her husband, Eric, with a fentanyl-laced cocktail.

The damning letter appears to instruct Darden to tell Richins' brother, Ronney, to say that he'd been talking to Eric about his trips to Mexico and that her late husband revealed he'd been given 'pain pills and fentanyl... from the workers at the ranch.'

Accused 'Moscow Mule' murderer Kouri Richins has vehemently denied a letter to her mom was an attempt to witness tamper, but had, in fact, been excerpts from a fictional novel

Court documents indicate that when deputies found the letter titled 'Walk the Dog' Richins claimed it had been for a fictional mystery book that she's writing, which details her experience living in a Mexican prison.

'Those papers were not a letter to you guys,' Richins told her mother during a September 16 jail call, Crimeonline reported.

'They were part of my freaking bookI was writing this fictional mystery book.'

Prosecutors claim the letter asked her mother to 'facilitate witness tampering involving her brother, seeking to have her brother support a false factual narrative.'

Richins also told Darden to give her brother the instructions in person because she's afraid her mother's 'house and phone are bugged,' according to court documents.

The filing also said during a September 13 video conference with Darden, Richins held up a different letter for her mother to read and afterwards said the letter was flushed down the toilet or destroyed.

In a motion filed Friday, prosecutors said 'It's imperative that Richins be barred from all contact with her mother and brother because of the letter.'

Speaking exclusively with DailyMail.com for the first time, Darden repeated the same narrative that her daughter had scripted in the letter found in her prison cell.

Lisa Darden told us she believed her late son-in-law Eric had bought fentanyl-laced drugs and simply overdosed, just as Kouri had spelled out in her jailhouse note.

Darden repeated Kouri's line that her husband would buy drugs abroad and slip them into her luggage without her knowledge.

The 64-year-old spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com on Friday, after steadfastly refusing media requests for interviews since her daughter's arrest.

Now it turns out, virtually everything she told us mirrored the instructions laid out in that six-page letter.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Richins' mother Lisa Darden (pictured right at her daughter's 2013 wedding) said she believed her late son-in-law bought fentanyl-laced drugs and overdosed

Richins is accused of poisoning husband Eric (pictured right), 39, by slipping him five times the lethal dose of fentanyl into the drink in March 2022

Richins, 34, was arrested in May and charged with first-degree aggravated murder for allegedly killing her husband by slipping fentanyl into his Moscow Mule  a vodka-based cocktail.

She is also charged with multiple counts of second-degree possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.

Eric died in March last year and following his death Richins wrote a children's book on dealing with grief.

Now wallowing in the Summit County Jail, she fell ill on Thursday after taking prison-administered medication, allegedly for the sixth time since her arrest.

While she was in the hospital, guards searched her cell and found a copy of the bombshell letter instructing her mom to fan conspiracy theories that Eric had a drug problem and overdosed.

In the letter, Richins asks her to get her brother, Ronney, to concoct a story that Eric, a year before his death, secretly told him that he'd get pain pills and fentanyl from a ranch in Mexico.

Richins wrote that she would back him up and say that Eric later told her about this conversation with Ronney.

She wrote that she'd also say that her husband asked if their caretaker  a drug dealer named Carmen Lauber  could hook him up with some more.

In her hour-long interview with DailyMail.com, Darden repeated the overdose narrative.

'I think Eric bought some pills off the street and they were laced, and he didn't know it,' she told DailyMail.com.

She then proceeded to bash her daughter's dead husband, calling him a controlling, sometimes violent, man who cheated on his wife and once punched her in the face.

On Friday, Richins 'had an incident' when given the wrong medication and was taken to the hospital after seizing up at Utah's Summit County Jail

Despite Richins' initial claim that Eric didn't take drugs other than the occasional pot gummy, the mom said he ate gummies daily, and brought marijuana and possibly other drugs home from international trips.

'I know two occasions he bought in another country and put the stuff in Kouri's bag and didn't tell her there were drugs in her bag till they were up in the air,' said Darden, who lives in Heber City, Utah.

She said Eric, whom she described as a hypochondriac, even stopped by a few times to ask her for prescription pain pills, after she had surgery.

'I had several surgeries, so he thought I would have Oxy,' she said, referring to the prescription opioid Oxycodone.

'He'd come by, say 'Lisa, have you got anything for pain? Got anything for pain?'

She added, cryptically: 'He'd ask these workers, got anything for pain?'

'Do I know that he went out on the street?' she added, suggestively. 'I know what people have told me.'

Darden's comments came as she struggled to understand exactly why her daughter had a seizure  an incident the mom described as 'absolutely terrifying.'

A spokesman for Eric's family told DailyMail.com: 'There wasn't truth to any of what Darden had said.'

'But I wish she was a little bit more sensitive to his children when she publicly slanders their father.

'Too bad we can't request a polygraph test,' he added. Richins blamed it on the jail for giving her the wrong medication.

Richins was initially kept in the dark about the cell search. On Friday, Darden was still in communication with her daughter, relieved that she was feeling better, though awaiting blood test results to learn exactly what had happened.

DailyMail.com previously reported that Eric Richins (pictured with Kouri, her brother Ronney, and her mother) had even left a letter to his family instructing them to 'check out' Kouri in the event that something happened to him

Eric's family told investigators shortly after he died they suspected his wife had killed the father-of-three

The Kamas, Utah, home where police say Kouri Richins killed her husband Eric in March 2022 with a fentanyl-laced Moscow Mule cocktail

Contacted after news of the letter broke, Darden on Monday refused to comment.

'Sorry, I'm not giving no comments to no one,' she texted DailyMail.com, and rejected a visit, saying she would be 'gone all day.'

But on Friday she was anxious to try to reverse the public narrative of her daughter as a cold, calculated murderer.

Prosecutors say Richins, a Mormon raising three sons with Eric outside Salt Lake City, purchased fentanyl from her caretaker who moonlighted as a drug dealer.

Darden also claimed Eric would cheat on his wife and identified his mistress as Jennifer White, 40 (pictured) - who denied the affair

Richins allegedly poisoned her husband in March 2022, then waged a legal battle within weeks of his death in a bid to secure an estate valued in excess of $3.6million.

She later published a picture book to help children cope with losing a loved one.

'This case is so bizarre, you couldn't write a story this good,' Darden told DailyMail.com, standing in the doorway of her home in a desolate Utah mountain town. 'I've lived it.'

She said she's convinced of her daughter's innocence, and proceeded to unload on her deceased son-in-law as well as the caretaker/drug dealer who is expected to be a star witness in a future trial.

Darden said Eric, who came from a prominent Mormon family in Kamas, would cheat on his wife and left her with a black eye after she confronted his former mistress.

She identified the mistress as Jennifer White, 40, who like Eric worked in the masonry business.

Darden said her daughter grew suspicious when her husband's phone rang at home. She picked it up, and the woman on the other end instantly hung up.

Kouri - pictured in court in June - is also facing a fresh lawsuit from the sister of her late husband over alleged myriad financial interferences with his finances including stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from his accounts

A family attorney revealed Eric Richins was considering divorce at the time he died, but chose to stay married to wife Kouri for their three young sons

Richins quizzed her husband, who confessed to the affair, according to Darden.

Its claimed Richins then phoned the alleged mistress the next day, shouting at her and demanding she leave her husband alone, the mom said.

'Eric responded angrily, and this wasn't the first time,' Darden said. 'He's push her, he'd punch her.'

Approached by DailyMail.com, White acknowledged the confrontational call, but said she denied the affair and that was the end of it.

'She asked me and I said no, and that was it,' White told DailyMail.com. 'I don't know why they're even saying my name now. I haven't even talked to Eric in over four years. There was nothing. He was my friend through work, that's it.'

Eric was an avid outdoorsman and hunter, but Darden said he'd take it to the extreme, sharing a time he allegedly shot a hapless giraffe in South Africa as his wife screamed for him to stop, then joined the guides in cutting off its legs to display in his trophy room.

'They got into an argument,' Darden said. 'He said we didn't spend this kind of f**king money to come out here and to not take home a giraffe.

'And then, of course, there was the racial thing,' she continued, claiming he treated the local guides like second-class citizens, upsetting his wife who invited support staff to join them for meals and sit with them in their warm truck when the crew had been shivering in the back cab.

'And Eric just psychoed and he said 'no, this is how they do it here,' Darden said.

She claimed Eric was bipolar, and that the couple struggled with their relationship.

Prosecutors said Richins purchased fentanyl from the caretaker, Carmen Lauber. Although she is now fitted with an ankle bracelet, Lauber has not been charged with any crimes connected to Eric's death

Kouri is said to have bought four life insurance policies on her husband totaling $2million in the years prior to his death, according to court records

'They went to marriage counseling to try to solve their problems,' she said. 'They worked it out, to agree to disagree, that's about how it turned out.'

Prosecutors said Richins purchased fentanyl from the caretaker, Carmen Lauber.

Lauber, on probation for several prior felony drug convictions, has not been charged with any crimes connected to the death.

Lauber, who had worked for the Richins family and for the accused 'Moscow Mule murderer's' real estate business, has been cooperating with the prosecution.

She admitted to supplying her 15-30 fentanyl pills on two occasions, a month before Eric's death, charging $900 each time, according to a search warrant affidavit.

But Richins' mother dismissed Lauber's account, calling her a 'habitual liar' who 'will do anything to save her own ass in any possible way.

'If her mouth is moving, she's lying,' Darden continued. 'She worked for my sister for nine years, and she would steal money out of a client's home.

'The cops were called on a couple occasions because big money came out missing. She's a thief, she's a liar. She's that person you don't want to know, to be honest with you.'

Reached by DailyMail.com, Lauber, wearing an ankle monitor as required under probation for a prior conviction, declined to comment, declaring, 'There is a gag order on this case.'

Richins had written a book following her husband's passing and appeared on TV promoting it

Richins is seen promoting her book on a local Utah station in April this year. 'We have three little boys,' she told the interviewer, 'And my kids and I kind of wrote this book on the different emotions and grieving processes that we've experienced in the past year'

Richins' mom said she believes Lauber, to avoid prosecution on potential new felony charges, is framing her daughter to avoid prison.

'I don't think the fentanyl (that killed Eric) had anything to do with Carmen, personally,' Darden said.

Darden has maintained daily contact with her daughter in jail, speaking by phone and video, and visiting twice a week. That could soon change if prosecutors get their way.

Speaking with DailyMail.com, Darden said she continues to see her daughter as a 'wonderful person' who 'gives far more than she ever in life receives.'

'And I'm not saying that because I'm her mother,' she added. 'I see it on a daily basis, all the things she has done.'

She highlighted several saying: 'She's a Boy Scout leader, and during flood season, she has them fill sandbags and give them away to the people whose areas are flooding.'

'And for the firefighters who work 20 hours a day during fire season, she takes them ice, water, cookies. And at Christmas time, she buys all these presents to supply three families, thousands of dollars.'

'I know my daughter,' she continued. 'I could name you 50 people that I think could do it, but not her.'

'She lives and dies for her boys,' she said, stating that Richins still speaks twice a week with her three children, ages 11, 9 and 6.

'Her boys are her world,' Darden said. 'And you think she would jeopardize that for this? Absolutely not. She would have divorced him first.'

She's expecting a full acquittal.

'I think she's going to walk out of there, quickly,' the mom said.

'I'm hoping all 12 jurors agree. But even if they don't, you can't tell me that half of them won't agree. It's not there. She did not do this.'
A Sydney highschool student was rushed to hospital after being hit by a car during a Year 12 muck-up day prank.

The 17-year-old boy was part of a large group of Oakhill College students throwing water balloons on First Farm Drive in Castle Hill, northwest Sydney, on Wednesday afternoon.

However, the celebration was brought to an abrupt stop when an 18-year-old driver on his P-plates hit the boy, 7News reports.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 1.45pm and rushed the 17-year-old to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

It's understood the driver had swerved to dodge a water balloon when he struck the boy.

A 17-year-old boy was struck by a car during a muck-up day prank in Castle Hill, northwest Sydney (pictured, emergency services at the scene)

The boy was rushed to Westmead Hospital in a serious but stable condition (pictured, police at the scene)

One witness at the scene said: 'There were probably about 40 kids on the street and this woman came out and told me this kid got hit by a car.'

Another said: 'There were kids everywhere. There was a bunch of them with their shirts off.'

NSW Police said the driver is assisting with inquiries at Castle Hill Police Station.

Officers from the Hills Police and Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
A foul-mouthed Massachusetts woman was sentenced to probation for screaming racist epithets at the city's first Muslim councilor and shoved the politicians' husband.

Joan Ditomaso, 68, of Melrose, a suburb approximately seven miles from Boston, was at a gas station on December 3, 2022, when she confronted the city councilwoman Maya Jamaleddine. The official was there with her husband, Abdallah, and their two children, filling up their tires with air.

Ditomaso rolled down her window and yelled out, 'What are you looking at, you terrorist Arab? Go back to your own country.'

Jamaleddine's husband rushed to his wife's defense asking Ditomaso why she would do such a thing, then took a video of her license plate. The confrontation then turned physical with Ditomaso shoving Abdallah as the councilor and her two children watched in horror in the backseat of their car.

On Tuesday, in Madlen District Court, Ditomas faced the judge and admitted to the assault on Abdallah Jamaleddine. The admission came three months after she pleaded not guilty, according to The Boston Globe.

She was sentenced to six months probation and was ordered to take a course on anti-Islamophobia.

Pictured: Joan Ditomaso, 68, rolled down her window and yelled out, 'What are you looking at, you terrorist Arab? Go back to your own country'

Jamaleddine Maya, who wears a hijab, has served the city for the past 11 years and is the first Muslim to be elected to public office in Melrose

Jamaleddine, who wears a hijab, has served the city for the past 11 years and is the first Muslim to be elected to public office in Melrose.

The Massachusetts branch of the Council on American Islamic Relations had called for a hate crime probe into the incident.

After an investigation by the Melrose Police Department gathered more facts and it was determined that Ditomaso shoved Abdallah Jamaleddine and charged her with assault and battery, but not a hate crime, the news outlet reported.

Video footage shows Ditomaso holding up her phone and taking video of the heated exchange as Jamaleddine's husband is asking, 'Why did you tell her to go back to her country ... Why?...Why?'

Another woman walking beside Ditomaso says, 'freedom of speech.' The councilor's husband responds, 'Freedom of speech?...Freedom of speech? ... Freedom of what?'

Ditamoso's walks in the other direction while waving her hand in the air until the confrontation escalates and Ditomaso is seen circling back to where Jamaleddine's husband was standing.

Abdullah, who is not seen in the video, repeats, 'Freedom of speech?' as the filming continues. She responds, 'Mother F***er!'

He says, 'Excuse me?' Before Ditamoso appears to shove him.

Surprised by her irate actions, he hits back, 'You pushed me....good...good...good... you hurt me.'

The video then shows her walking away with an unidentified woman, who is heard saying, 'Why don't you go the f**k away.'

As the husband continues to wait for answers and asks again, 'Why did you call her that?'

Ditamoso's walks in the other direction while waving her hand in the air until the confrontation escalates and Ditomaso is seen circling back to where Jamaleddine's husband was standing

Abdullah, who is not seen in the video, repeats, 'Freedom of speech?' as the filming continues. She responds, 'Mother F***er!' before shoving him

According to Ditomaso's social media page, she appears to have three children. She previously worked for investment banking firm BNY Mellon and lived in the Boston area

At the court hearing this week, the politician read a statement on behalf of her husband, since she said it was 'too emotionally difficult' for him,' to attend Tuesday's hearing.

'I was scared she was going to use our license plate number to figure out where we live,' her husband said. 'I was afraid she knew powerful people who could hurt us.'

Abdullah also spoke about the fear his children had witnessing the sinister act.

He said, 'As a father, that hurt terribly, I found my daughter in the safety position she learned at school in case of an active shooter, with her hands covering her head.'

Ditomaso's attorney, Matthew Campbell, claimed his client should be protected by the First Amendment claiming and that the councilor's husband was the one who provoked the attack since he took video of Ditomaso's license plate.

'No matter how reprehensible the words, we have the First Amendment,' Campbell said to the judge. 'This is about politics your honor, nothing more.'

Ditomaso, who appeared emotional in court when she was handed the sentence, responded that she 'understood the facts of the case,' but said she did not agree with what the councilwoman said.

The councilwoman seemed satisfied with the sentence but said she wanted an apology from DiTomaso.

According to Ditomaso's social media page, she appears to have three children. She previously worked for investment banking firm BNY Mellon and has lived in the Boston area much of her life. Her profile also reveals she is currently single.

The incident provoked a reaction by many sharing their outrage on the news outlet site with many wondering why a hate crime charge was not applied. While others stated that an anger management class should be in order.

'It's hard to fix stupid and ignorance.!' one person wrote.

Another chimed in, 'A prong collar would probably be more effective.'
Kevin Costner and estranged wife Christine are due back in court Wednesday  less than 24 hours after they announced they had agreed to an 'amicable' settlement to end their divorce fight.

The couple had been due to thrash it out over whether Baumgartner, 49, would be awarded $855,000 to pay her legal bills  something that has now been taken off the table.

Nevertheless, the scheduled hearing is still due to go ahead  with Judge Thomas Anderle likely to be given details of the settlement prior to signing off on it.

The warring couple made the shock announcement on Tuesday, saying in a statement: 'Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed on resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings.'

Kevin Costner and Christine Baumgartner's bitter divorce was settled with the prenup enforced and a massive monetary penalty if it is challenged

The new settlement is likely to be similar to the one previously offered by Costner in a letter sent on June 30 which would have paid her $75,000-a-month in child support

According to TMZ, the agreement includes a bigger cash settlement for Baumgartner, who was originally to be paid a lump sum of $1.5m and a year's worth of mortgage payments towards a home worth up to $1m per their prenuptial agreement.

The new settlement is likely to be similar to the one previously offered by Costner in a letter sent on June 30 which would have paid her $75,000-a-month in child support.

The mom-of-three rejected that, wanting child support set at $161,000-a-month  only for the amount to be halved following a hearing at the start of September.

Baumgartner had also wanted to challenge the prenuptial agreement with a trial over its validity due to take place in December, although that will no longer happen.

In court papers filed last week, the Yellowstone star's lawyer Laura Wasser said Baumgartner had failed to answer questions over whether she understood what she was signing before the couple's wedding while Judge Anderle had already told the estranged spouses that the agreement could be enforced.

The surprise settlement comes less than two weeks after Baumgartner vowed to fight on after a setback over child support that saw her temporary payments of $129,000-a-month slashed in half to $63,000.

The mom-of-three had been enjoying a temporary monthly payment of $129,000 and had wanted it bumped to $161,000

In an excoriating legal filing lodged in court in Santa Barbara, California, Costner's attorney Laura Wasser hit back at Baumgartner's 'whopping' request

In his decision, Judge Anderle said he approved the lower figure  which had been championed by Costner's team  because he believed the higher amount was 'disguised spousal support'.

On Tuesday, a friend told DailyMail.com that Baumgartner had agreed to settle because Costner has 'all the power'.

The friend explained: 'Christine didn't really have a choice but to settle because Kevin had all the power. Had she continued fighting, she would risk losing everything.

'Christine said it is what it is. That she won't miss going to court and having sleepless nights. She said for the kids it's a win because no child wants to go through this, let alone in public.

'She was the one who wanted to settle things outside of court in the first place. She never wanted any of this circus.

'It's been a living nightmare and now she just wants to move on and start fresh and begin making her new house a home.'

The pair had previously looked set for a long and bitter divorce battle with flashpoints that included who pays for attorney's fees, how much child support Baumgartner should receive and whether she should get alimony.

Just last week, the ex-couple clashed in court papers over attorney fees with Costner's lawyer Wasser pointing out Baumgartner had already been handed $405,000 to pay her bills.

'Disso queen' Wasser also accused Baumgartner of being 'unreasonable' and said her constant legal maneuvers  the majority of which failed  had inflated costs for both parties.

She also accused Baumgartner of failing to make a 'meaningful effort' to resolve disputes before engaging in 'forced litigation'.

Wasser bristled when Baumgartner accused her ex of using 'highly litigious tactics'  noting that the pair had been due to take part in a settlement conference, only for the glamorous blonde to insist on an evidentiary hearing that took place before the scheduled meeting.

She fumed: 'Christine fails to inform the court that her settlement position through the months of June, July and August was so unrealistic and frankly outrageous, Kevin had no hope she would be more settlement-oriented at the VSC [voluntary settlement conference].'

Much of Baumgartner's testimony during the evidentiary hearing earlier this month had hinged on her being able to provide a lavish lifestyle for her three children comparable to that they enjoy while with their father.

In July Baumgartner was court-ordered to vacate the former couple's $145million lavish California mansion

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Baumgartner, 49, moved into the luxury four-bedroom home  after a judge in Santa Barbara, California, slashed her child support payments

Despite renting a $40,000-a-month property in tony Montecito, Baumgartner said her new home is inadequate because sons Cayden, 16, and Hayes, 14, would have to share a bathroom while daughter Grace, 13, would need 'to share hers with the house'.

She also bemoaned the pool house guest accommodation  saying visitors would need to come into the main house to shower  and hit out at the lack of beach access to which her children are accustomed.

In his testimony, Costner said the property was comparable to his own luxury home in nearby Carpinteria and said it even has features he would like in his own house.

The court also heard details of the family's lavish spending  which totaled $240,000-a-month in 2022.

Expenses included $40,000 spent each month on flowers and gifts alone, although Costner's forensic accountant Tracy Katz pointed out the figure is for the entire family, including Baumgartner.

Katz said Baumgartner was responsible for a host of big-ticket items, including $18,000-a-month on medical bills, $18,855 on clothing and $3,377 on beauty treatments. On top of that, Baumgartner was responsible for the lion's share of the $8,886 in cash taken out at ATM machines according to Katz.
A wannabe terrorist who was jailed after being caught trying to flee the UK with a rucksack, hair trimmer, factor 50 sun cream and combat fatigues to fight with ISIS has been freed.

Taxi driver Naseer Taj, then 26, was jailed for eight years and three months in May 2016 after his shocking plan to ditch his pregnant wife and marry a jihadi bride was exposed.

At his trial at the Old Bailey in London, Tajs Walter-Mitty style plans were revealed, which included a rag-tag of items for his kit, such as an eye-patch, manicure set, 200 in cash and a mosquito net.

The bizarre stash was uncovered by counter terrorism police on December 29, 2014, who swooped on Tajs one-bedroom flat in Bedford, while he and his wife Rabia Khalique were at home.

He was due to leave the UK two days later, having booked a Eurostar ticket to Brussels and a flight on to Turkey.

Taxi driver Naseer Taj, then 26, was jailed for eight years and three months in May 2016 after his shocking plan to ditch his pregnant wife and marry a jihadi bride was exposed

Taj tried to convince the jury that a number of trips he had previously made to Turkey - and his planned visit - was to punish his British wife after a series of blazing rows.

But, officers discovered the former FedEx worker had a stash of extremist material on his phone, including al-Qaeda magazines which included an article about parcel bombs, UPS and FedEx.

It was also revealed during the trial that Taj was in daily contact with Mohammed Uddin, who went to Syria in November 2014 but was sent back after being detained by Turkish authorities.

Uddin was jailed for seven years in February 2016 after pleading guilty to a charge of preparing acts of terrorism.

He had complained of the cold water, bland food and doing absolutely jack to Taj while in Syria.

MailOnline revealed earlier in August that Uddin, now aged 37, is on the verge of being paroled having previously been released on licence in December 2019, but recalled in February 2023 for breaking parole rules.

A parole decision on the 10th May 2023, was not to release Uddin, but stated: If not released by the panel, Mr Uddin would otherwise be released at the end of his sentence in August 2023.

MailOnline recently contacted the Parole Board about Uddins close associate Taj, and it has been confirmed that he was released in August 2019 after a positive parole recommendation.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Naseer Taj following an oral hearing.

The taxi driver was arrested at his flat in Bedford just days before he was set to leave the UK

Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

Evidence from witnesses such as probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements may be given at the hearing.

It is standard for the prisoner and witnesses to be questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.

The release of Taj after little more than three years in jail is more shocking as his trial was told disturbing details about how he was in contact with a number of extremists and concocted a tissue of lies to protect himself and others.

Taj also exchanged texts with ISIS fixer Abu Qaqa - aka Raphael Hostey, from Manchester - and asked him if Iraq was the best place for a quick martyrdom.

Meanwhile, he discussed marriage with a woman in Syria called Umm Jibreel to smooth their entry into the city of Raqqa.

On December 13 2014 he told her: I dnt wanna pressurise u into deciding 100% on marrying me...Keep me posted Ill be waiting (sic).

She replied: ...no!!! WALLAHI (by God) theres no pressure...Iv been making istikhara (prayer) about this for a long time (sic).

The defendant sent thousands of tweets, using a profile picture of an al-Qaeda leader with a background image of Jihadi John wielding a knife.

In the days before his arrest, he posted more than 1,000 tweets and retweets, with 27 per cent of them referring to ISIS.

Naseer Taj sent thousands of tweets, using a profile picture of an al-Qaeda leader with a background image of Jihadi John wielding a knife

The defence at his trial claimed Taj had planned to live peacefully in Syria with his new wife, but he had changed his mind about travelling shortly before his arrest.

But the jury was also told that police found Taj had assumed the name Abu Bakr Al-Kashmiri to open a Twitter account, which is no longer available.

The wallpaper on the account, used an image of Mohammed Emwazi - the British Muslim known as Jihadi John who was filmed carrying out beheadings and was killed in a drone strike in November 2016.

MailOnline has been at the forefront of investigations into the number of dangerous terrorists who have been quietly freed over the last few years after winning a parole appeal or completing their sentence.

The sheer scale of the released terrorists has led to a warning by some of the UKs counter terrorism experts.

Chris Phillips, former head of the National Counter Terrorism Security Office, told MailOnline: We have to understand that terrorist crime is different. Its not good enough to say Protecting the public is our number one priority. It clearly isnt.

When a released terrorist goes and kills people, the police and security services will be bled. Whereas the real blame lies with the criminal justice system and sentencing.
Chaos erupted outside a Staten Island shelter for migrants as protesters tried to stop asylum seekers from moving in.

About 10 protesters were arrested on Tuesday outside a former Island Shores Assisted Living Facility in Midland Beach, where a crowd met migrants with chants including, 'Take them back, Take them back.'

Footage from the scene shows protesters banging on the bus windows as they tried to prevent the migrants from disembarking and entering the shelter.

Police said an officer suffered a knee injury when one of the protesters, area resident Vadim Dlyakov, resisted arrest. Dlyakov, who lives a block from the assisted living facility, was charged with assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and obstructing government administration, as reported by The New York Daily News.

The rest of the arrested protesters were taken into custody and let go with disorderly conduct summonses.

The protest comes as Mayor Eric Adams is facing a furious backlash after more than 110,000 migrants have flooded into the city since the spring of 2022. Many of the migrants have been transported north from Republican border states in a bid to prove the Democrats' open arms policies are a disaster.

Chaos erupted outside a Staten Island shelter for migrants as protesters tried to stop asylum seekers from moving in.

About 10 protesters were arrested on Tuesday outside a former Island Shores Assisted Living Facility in Midland Beach

The asylum seekers were eventually able to exit the buses - hours after they arrived at the shelter

Residents protesting bus of migrants pulling up to former senior facility on Staten Island. Police stand in front of bus as demonstrators stand in front of building. More on @NY1 pic.twitter.com/TVMoPNyeS3  Victoria Manna (@Victoriamanna) September 20, 2023

Adams denounced the protesters on Wednesday, calling it an 'ugly' display and saying he will not allow the city to be 'bullied' out of 'carrying out our responsibilities,' as reported by NY1.

'We cannot allow the numerical minority that's showing ugly display of how we deal with the crisis to be used as an example of what New Yorkers are doing,' he said.

'I understand the frustration that New Yorkers are going through and understand the frustration that asylum seekers are experiencing as well,' Adams added,

The asylum seekers were eventually able to exit the buses - hours after they arrived at the shelter.

New York City's migrant crisis is expected to cost the city more than $4billion this fiscal year if the situation continues - and mayor Adams has warned the influx of asylum seekers could destroy the city.

Despite Adams' cries for help from the state and federal government, the city has not received aid to cover the extra costs, so the $4.7billion would come from the city's budget. That amount is equal to the budgets for the city's sanitation, fire and parks departments combined.

There are now nearly 60,000 migrants in the city's care, with about 21,000 new migrant children starting school this year.

The city has said less than 2 percent of the migrants are being housed on Staten Island.

City officials have said they expect the asylum seeker population to reach nearly 33,980 households this fiscal year.

A crowd met migrants with chants like, 'Take them back, Take them back'

New York City's migrant crisis is expected to cost the city $4.7billion this year. Above is a list of some of the landmarks that have been turned into emergency shelters as officials struggle to house nearly 60,000 migrants in the city's care

The Roosevelt Hotel (pictured), Paul Hotel and Paramount Hotel are among those designated for housing migrants in Manhattan

Adams warned that the city's services will be affected by the additional expenses on the budget. He has previously stated the city is planning on cutting services such as library hours, meals for senior citizens, and free, full-day care for three-year-olds.

The city has a legal obligation to give shelter to those who make their way to the metro, and Adams has desperately turned to a variety of city landmarks, makeshift shelters and temporary housing as short-term solutions.

While officials have not revealed how many hotel rooms have been designated for migrants, hotel industry experts believe it's as many as 10,000, as reported by The City.

The Roosevelt Hotel, Paul Hotel and Paramount Hotel are among the hotels designated for housing migrants in Manhattan.

Long lines of migrants, mostly men from Africa, are now often seen outside the storied locations.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recently dispatched a small team to New York City to help determine how the federal government should respond.

The federal government has so far promised the city $140 million to help, although the city has yet to receive any of that money. A city spokesperson later clarified that requests for that money have been made but the delay could be because of routine bureaucratic reasons.

New York officials have been sounding the alarm for months over their inability to right the ship, with Adams cautioning that his office estimates the issue will cost the city in the region of $12 billion in just three years.

He declared a state of emergency in the fall and has repeatedly labelled the deluge a 'humanitarian crisis'. The mayor's failed requests for more federal funding led him to condemn President Biden in April for 'failing' the city.

The crisis is also far from contained to New York, as numerous major metros have also struggled with housing asylum seekers. In Chicago, residents were stunned to find a police precinct had been turned into a shelter in May.
Lynne Leyson, 52, was sentenced to nine years in jail but fled court appearance

A nationwide hunt has been launched for a farmer's wife who operated a hidden double life as the godmother of a family crime gang.

Farmer's wife Lynne Leyson, 52, led a gang caught with 60,000 of cocaine, 15,000 of cannabis and a 9mm handgun, behind the front of being a rural mother on the family farm in south-west Wales.

She fled before being jailed for nine years - and her mugshot has been issued to all UK police forces along with a false name (Annelyn Caldicot) that she may be using.

Her husband Stephen Leyson and his son Samson were jailed for a total of 17 years in July after the farm was raided by police.

But Lynne Leyson vanished before she was due in court to face justice - and was sentenced by her judge in her absence, who said she seemed to be 'deliberately trying to evade justice'.

A nationwide hunt has been launched for farmer's wife Lynne Leyson who operated a hidden double life as the godmother of a family crime gang

The farmer's wife, 52, led the gang caught with 60,000 of cocaine. Pictured: One of the bags of cocaine seized from the Leysons' farm

A judge said the mother was a 'dominant force' who played a 'leading role' in the drugs enterprise, with a number of people under her control.

The court heard officers targeted Pibwr Farm, near Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire, in the early hours of October 27, 2021.

They recovered over 60,000 of cocaine, 15,615 of cannabis, a 9mm semi-automatic handgun and cash - which they claimed was from a 'house sale'.

Police also discovered two dealers in Pembrokeshire, who were working on behalf of the family to sell drugs, including one who was known as 'Mr Pickles'.

Swansea Crown Court heard husband and wife Stephen and Lynne Leyson denied any wrongdoing when they were questioned.

Lynne Leyson was found guilty by a jury of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and possessing criminal property.

A bench warrant was issued after she previously failed to turn up to court for sentencing - and she is has now been jailed for nine years in her absence.

Judge Catherine Richards said: 'Lynne Leyson has chosen not to attend her sentencing hearing. It appears to be a deliberate attempt to evade justice.'

Police recovered a 9mm semi-automatic handgun which was found stashed at the farm

15,615 of cannabis was seized by the police at Pibwr Farm, near Capel Dewi, Carmarthenshire

Lynne's husband Stephen Leyson (left) and his son Samson (right) were jailed for a total of 17 years in July after the farm was raided by police

She added: 'She presented at trial as someone who controlled a number of people working for her in this serious offence.'

Stephen Leyson, 55, was jailed for 11 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine, possession of a firearm, conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.

His son Samson, 24, was handed a six-year sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

After the case, one neighbour said: 'We just couldn't believe it.

'They seemed like a normal farming family, well a bit rough around the edges like a lot of country people. Lynne seemed very normal really - not a cocaine dealer like she was. It is all very odd.'

A Crimestoppers appeal said: 'Arrest enquiries have been conducted at known addresses where Lynne is likely to frequent. These premises are across Carmarthen and parts of Swansea. To date these have been negative enquiries.

Enquiries to date have returned negative results. A request is being made for Lynne Leyson aka Annelyn Caldicot to be placed on Crimestoppers as a wanted person.

She is described as being 5ft 4in, with black hair, brown eyes, right handed, a surgical scar on left leg and having a Welsh accent.

Anyone who sees her is asked to call anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A branch of Tesco has joined Sainsbury's and Aldi by asking shoppers to show their receipts before leaving in an effort to tackle self-checkout thieves.

Customers at the Tesco Extra in Shoreham, West Sussex, were held in the shop before leaving while staff checked receipts.

The retail giant said the move was part of a trial.

One shopper said customers using the self checkouts were sent back to get a receipt if they did not have one.

A second said: 'This is quite right too. Shoplifting is at epidemic proportions and that results in price rises.'

Customers at the Tesco Extra in Shoreham, West Sussex, were held in the shop before leaving while staff checked receipts

The retail giant said shoppers' receipts were checked as part of a trial. Pictured is a file photo of self-checkouts in a Tesco branch

While customers at Tesco stores are typically asked to check receipts if a security alarm is triggered, every customer leaving the self service area in Holmbush was challenged by a staff member over the weekend.

Tesco did not comment on the practice when contacted by MailOnline.

However, sources within the grocery giant have insisted that checking receipts is not routine in shops.

It is understood that the Shoreham store is no longer checking receipts at self-service checkouts.

In 2022, the British Retail Consortium reported that some eight million items were stolen from shops in the UK  double that of five years prior.

Sainsbury's in nearby Hove installed gates which make customers scan their receipts when leaving following a rise in thefts earlier this year.

The area between Brighton and Worthing has long been plagued by antisocial behaviour.

Last summer it was revealed youths using the South Coast train line targeted shops near stations with military precision.

Closer to Shoreham, in Southwick, teenagers ransacked the Co-op store leaving residents and staff members terrified of encountering the 'feral' youngsters.

Similar receipt scanning gates have been seen at Sainsbury's stores in Balham, south London, and Winnersh in Berkshire.

The barriers have also been deployed in other major shops and supermarkets, including Aldi, Morrisons, and Primark.

They first started appearing in British shops at the end of last year, having also been spotted in shops in Europe.

Customers slammed the new security measures as they compared the experience to 'entrapment' and being treated like a 'prisoner'.

The barriers block customers from leaving Sainsbury's stores until they scan their receipts

Shoppers also hit out at the gates for slowing down their shopping trips as they complained about having to find their receipts to exit.

Retail thefts have now risen by 27 per cent overall across ten of the UK's largest cities  and were up by 68 per cent in some, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The trade body added that incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff have nearly doubled from more than 450 per day in 2019/2020 to more than 850 last year  with crimes including racial or sexual abuse, assault and threats with weapons.

In CCTV footage from inside John Lewis, obtained exclusively by MailOnline, one man wearing a black jumper crouches down and opens a black bin bag before stashing two Pure speakers inside.

He looks up to a higher shelf and appears to select the most expensive item he can find  a Pure radio worth 369.

In the first video from John Lewis, a man wearing a black jumper crouches down and opens a black bin bag before stashing two Pure speakers inside

The shoplifter then looks up to a higher shelf and appears to select the most expensive item he can find  a Pure radio worth 369

He then grabs the price sticker for the radio and stashes it in his bin bag along with the other stolen goods and begins walking out.

In a second video, a man walks up to a pile of yellow tops and grabs them.

He walks off with them in his hand, before turning around again and exposing his face to the CCTV camera. Finally, he leans over and stuffs them in his bag.

In both cases the shoplifters were detained by security staff before being arrested by police.

Lucy Brown, director of security for the John Lewis Partnership, spoke about the UK's shoplifting crisis in an exclusive interview with MailOnline.

READ MORE - RICHARD WALKER: Britain's shoplifting epidemic makes it feel like Iceland staff are on the frontline of a war Advertisement

'Some shops are targeted every day, others several times a day. And we're fortunate because we're not the worst hit,' she said.

'We've seen a real increase post-Covid. We don't believe it's linked to the cost of living.

'You have people living chaotic lives with substance abuse who are stealing to fund their habits.

'Another major problem  which is new  are organised criminal gangs. They spend as much time shoplifting as we do on our normal jobs. They will target Tube routes, road networks and steal to order.

'There have been gangs operating across north London going from shop to shop and threatening teams with violence.

'The stuff they target tends to be whatever has the highest retail value on the black market.

'That includes alcohol in Waitrose, and in John Lewis portable tech and high value dental products like toothbrushes.

'It's high value, easy to carry and easy to dispose of. Another thing is high-value fragrances like Tom Ford.'

Ms Brown said the John Lewis Partnership  which runs both John Lewis and Waitrose  has been investing heavily in its store security.

'We've observed that really attentive customer service deters thieves, so we've provided a lot of training to our staff,' she said.
Attorney General Merrick Garland got emotional when telling Congress about how he treats his position with respect as a way of 'repaying this country for the debt my family owes' for accepting them when fleeing the Holocaust.

During his opening remarks before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, Garland insisted that he has not improperly interfered in the probe into President Joe Biden's son Hunter.

His voice broke and tears appeared in his eyes at one point as he was brought before the panel to testify against Republican accusations that his agency exhibits extreme political bias.

Specifically, Republicans are peeved that Garland decided to pick David Weiss as the special counsel investigating Hunter Biden, 53. The hearing comes days after Weiss charged Hunter with three felony charges for lying on a federal form to purchase a firearm.

But Biden's Justice Department head insisted: 'I'm gonna say again and say again if necessary  I did not interfere I left it to Mr. Weiss to bring charges or not.'

Attorney General Merrick Garland got choked up during his opening remarks at a Judiciary hearing Wednesday when talking about his 'debt' to the U.S. for taking in his family fleeing the Holocaust

Republicans are peeved Garland picked Jack Smith as the special counsel investigating Hunter Biden. 'Americans believe, today in our country, there is unequal application of the law. They believe that because there is,' Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in his opening statement

'Americans believe, today in our country, there is unequal application of the law. They believe that because there is,' Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in his opening statement.

A few moments later, Garland pushed-back, saying: 'Our job is not to do what is politically convenient. Our job is not to take orders from the President, from Congress or from anyone else about who or what to criminally investigate.'

'I am not the President's lawyer,' Garland continued. 'I will add  I am not Congress's prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people.'

Wednesday's hearing put on display the heightening of partisan brawling that will continue at the Capitol next Thursday with House Republicans' first impeachment hearing against President Biden and his family's business dealings.

Judiciary Ranking Member Jerry Nadler said in his opening statement: 'Republicans will continue doing what they've done for years: Discrediting anyone who does not serve their political goals  at any cost.'

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) asked Garland if he has had 'any personal contact with anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation.'

Garland said he couldn't 'recollect the answer.'

'I'm sorry,' Rep. Johnson cut-in, 'you don't recollect whether you talked with anybody at FBI headquarters about an investigation into the President's son?'

The Attorney General responded by reiterating he vowed to allow Special Counsel Weiss to carry out his investigation without interference, but said: 'I don't believe that I did.'

Garland repeatedly said during the hearing Wednesday that he did not 'interfere' in the investigation into Hunter Biden

During his opening remarks, Garland got personal, nearly breaking down into tears when telling the story of his family fleeing Europe during the Holocaust and coming to the United States.

'My grandmother was one of five children born in what is now Belarus  made it to the United States as did two of her siblings, the other two did not. Those two were killed in the Holocaust. Without a doubt, but for America, the same thing would have happened to my grandmother,' he said.

'But this country took her in and under that protection, she was able to live without fear of persecution. That protection is what distinguishes this country from so many others. The protection of law, the rule of law, is the foundation of our system of government.'

Garland added: 'Repaying this country for the debt my family owes for our lives, has been the focus of my entire professional career.'

'That is why I served in the Justice Department under five different attorneys general, under both Democratic and Republican administrations. That is why I spent more than 25 years ensuring the rule of law as a judge, and that is why I left a lifetime appointment as a judge and came back to the Justice Department two and a half years ago. And that is why I'm here today.'

This anecdote was a way for Garland to share why it was so important to him to treat all people the same and apply Justice equally.

'Our job is to uphold the rule of law  that means we apply the same laws to everyone,' he insisted.

The Attorney General insisted: 'There is not one set of laws for the powerful and another for the powerless, one for the rich and one for the poor, one for Democrats and another for Republicans.'
A new poll finds Joe Biden and Donald Trump tied in a dead heat for the 2024 presidential race as the White House continues to battle concerns about the president's age and fitness.

Bide and Trump each receive 44% of support from voters in a new Yahoo News/YouGov survey with 7% of Americans saying they are undecided about next year's presidential contest.

Biden had led Trump in the head to head matchups in previous Yahoo/YouGov polls. The tightening race comes as Democrats become more vocal about their concerns about Biden's age. At 80, he is the oldest president in American history. Biden also faces an impeachment inquiry from House Republicans.

Trump hasn't won the Republican nomination but leads by double digits in all polling on that contest. And Biden has repeatedly attacked the former president, calling him and his supporters a threat to democracy.

In the poll, Biden's approval rating remains low at 38%. And just 34% approve of how he is handling the economy, which voters say is one of their top issues.

But the poll showed the deep concerns voters have about Biden's fitness and mental agility compared to Trump's, who, at 77, is only three years younger than Biden. If Biden wins a second term in next year's election, he would be 86 when he leaves office.

When asked about Biden's age, 52% say it is a big problem, and 77% say it's a small or big problem.

And 39% say Trump is fit to serve another term as president while only 27% say that about Biden.

Publicly, Biden jokes about his age. At a fundraiser in New York on Monday night, he cast his age as experience.

'A lot of people seem focused on my age. Believe me, I know better than anyone,' he said. 'When this nation was flat on its back, I knew what to do.

'I am more optimistic about the future of this country than in the 800 years I've served,' he added to laughter.

The president has a clean bill of health from his doctor and the best medical care in the world. Still, he at times has trouble walking and has made verbal stumbles.

For both the Trump and Biden families, there are legal troubles in their futures, particularly for the former president.

Trump faces two federal cases - on charges related to attempts to overturn the 2020 election and on the classified documents he had in his personal possession. He also faces charges in New York tied to a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels and in Georgia, tied to attempts to overturn that state's election results.

The poll found 47% see Trump's criminal charges as a big problem while 64% see it as a small or big problem.

More Democrats are raising concerns about President Joe Biden's age, at 80 he is oldest president in American history

Donald Trump is leading polls for the Republican presidential nomination

As for Biden, he faces an impeachment inquiry from House Republicans, which his allies call election year politics.

House Republicans charge the Biden family benefitted from Hunter Biden's business deals, which, they say, came about because Joe Biden was vice president.

Hunter Biden, the president's only living son, has been hit with three federal charges related to his 2018 purchase of a handgun and isfacing an investigation into his taxes. He has sued the IRS for releasing his tax information, which he claims should have remained confidential.

President Biden has said he has never been involved in his son's business matters.

The poll found that more Americans thought the Trumps were corrupt at 41% compared to 38% for the Bidens.

The survey was conducted by YouGov among 1,636 U.S. adults interviewed online Sept. 14-18 and has a margin of error of 2.7 percent
The operator of Mexico's largest railroad network has partially shut down service following the deaths and injuries of at least half-dozen migrants who were attempting to reach the United States border - legally or illegally - on cargo trains dubbed 'The Beast'.

It comes just days after a cargo train in the city of Zacatecas was seen filled to the brim with cheering and waving migrants as it made its way northbound on the 750-mile journey to the US. On Monday, US authorities apprehended a staggering 8,000 migrants as the nation battles with the ongoing migrant crisis.

On Tuesday, the operator, Ferromex, said that accidents were provoked by the massive amount of people illegally traveling on a fleet of 60 cars  equivalent to 1,800 trucks - over the last couple of days.

'In recent days, nearly half a dozen unfortunate cases of injuries or deaths have been recorded among groups of people who, individually or in families, including girls and boys, boarded freight trains on their route to the north, despite of the serious danger that this implies,' the railroad operator said in a statement.

Ferromex, however, didn't reveal the exact dates and locations of the accidents. DailyMail.com reached out to Mexico's National Institute of Migration for comment.

On Wednesday morning, hundreds of migrants, including children, were still seen perched atop dozens of freight train wagons.

The operator of Mexico 's largest railroad network has partially shut down service following the deaths and injuries of at least half-dozen migrants who were attempting to reach the United States border. On Wednesday morning, hundreds of migrants, including children, were still seen perched atop dozens of freight train wagons

The operator of Mexico 's largest railroad network has partially shut down service days after a cargo train was seen carrying dozens of cheering migrants

Footage shows the FerroMex train departing from the Central Mexican city of Zacatecas, heading north on a 750-mile journey toward the U.S.

Dozens of migrants can be seen perched on top of the cargo train, dubbed 'The Beast' in August

A woman aboard the train bound for Piedras Negras, Coahuila, told Univision that she had spent two days sitting on the roof of freight container and that struggling with the cold at night and the hot sun during the day.

'I want to leave. We have been sleeping her for two days,' she said. 'We also didn't have water. So, we had to go out under the sun to search for water. It's exasperating.'

The cargo trains, including one infamously dubbed as 'The Beast' or 'The Train of Death,' for years has been used by migrants as a method of transportation from the southern state of Chiapas, which borders Guatemala, all the way up to the six states that share the 1,954-mile long border with the United States.

Ferromex said it was halting service for the moment to 'protect the physical integrity of migrants' and that awaiting on government authorities to take measures.

The railroad company, which is owned by Grupo Mexico, estimates that over than 1,500 people were spotted on a railroad yard and cars in Torreon, Coahuila.

It also said that more than 800 individuals were seen on cars and yards in Irapuato, Guanajuato and reported about 1,000 migrants in San Francisco de los Romo, Aguascalientes.

Close to 1,000 individuals were also seen on trains along a route between the cities of Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez in the state of Chihuahua.

The announcement of the partial shutdown caught hundreds of migrants by surprises as they on tracks and a railroad yard in Huehuetoca, a municipality in the State of Mexico, just north Mexico City.

Migrants in Huehuetoca, State of Mexico watch a train go past as they wait along the train tracks hoping to board a freight train heading north on Tuesday

A migrant girl holds a toy rabbit, as she waits with her family in Nuevo Leon on Tuesday to board a train to try to reach the U.S. border

A group of migrants rest on railroad tracks waiting for the arrival of a train that would take them to Mexico's border region with the United States

Pavel Aguilar told The Associated Press that he migrated from Venezuela and was hoping to catch a ride on a freight train to the Tamaulipas municipality of Matamoros, a dangerous border city across from Brownsville, Texas.

'We haven't heard any news,' he said. 'We are going to continue on our journey, and in fact we're waiting for a train.'

Ecuadorian national Ivan Meza, 31, was run over and killed by a freight train near a yard in Torreon, Coahuila on July 31. Meza was sitting on the top of one of the cargo cars when he slipped and fell between two wagons.

In June, a 29-year-old Honduran man identified as Josue died after he stumbled and fell off a train in the state of Tlaxcala, east of Mexico City. The train cut off one of his legs and partially ripped off the other.

In April, Venezuelan man in his 40s was killed after he was run over by a train in the eastern state of Veracruz. He suffered head trauma and had his left arm ripped off in the process. The Attorney General's Office was unable to determine if he had fallen off the train or it accidentally hit him unexpectedly.

In March, a 19-year-old migrant from Ecuador survived a fall while climbing a moving train car and lost his left foot.

However, the previous and recent deaths and injuries suffered by other migrants was not going to deter his dream of reaching the United States.

'I have heard there have been accidents, but not so many as people say,' Aguilar said. 'You have to be careful and get on the train when it's stopped, not when it's moving.'

Dozens of migrants watch a train passes by in Huehuetoca, Mexico, on Tuesday after Ferromex, the country's main railroad operator announced that it was temporarily halting service of 60 cars because of the recent deaths and injuries of at least six migrants

Ferromex, Mexico's largest railroad company, announced Tuesday that it was suspending operations of its cargo trains due to the massive number of migrants that are illegally hitching a ride on its trains moving north towards the U.S. border

Another Venezuelan migrant named Heyder, who withheld his last name because he plans to enter the United States illegally, told Reuters by phone that he made the decision of hopping on the freight train to Ciudad Juarez because he had grown tired of waiting more than three months in northern Mexico to get an appointment on a U.S. government smartphone app to present himself at a port of entry

'We are risking everything aboard the train, our lives, everything,' he said. 'Because in our countries there is no hope.'

Earlier this week, hundreds of United States-bound migrants were seen inside a fleet of cargo trains rumbled down the tracks in the central state of Zacatecas.

Video footage showed the group whistling and cheering while others were hanging out from the sides of the train.

Migrants prepared themselves for the journey with many setting up tents and canvas over portions of the containers in a bid to shield themselves from the sun and rain.

Ana Bertha Gutierrez, the international trade coordinator for the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness, said Ferromex's suspension could cause negative economic impact on industrial states such as Nuevo Leon, Baja California and Chihuahua because of their proximity to the US market.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection data showed border agents have reported 1,973,092 encounters with migrants for unlawful entry at the southern border in fiscal year 2023, which spans from October 2022 to September 2023. Stats for August have not been released.

In comparison, 2,378,944 encounters were reported in the fiscal year 2022, an increase from 1,734,686 the previous fiscal year and just 458,088 in all of fiscal year 2021.

The Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid last week said it expects to receive 150,000 asylum requests this year, eclipsing the record of 129,000 that they came across in 2021.

Through August they already had 100,000 - 25% above the same period in 2021. More than half of the requests were received by the agency at Mexico's shared border with Guatemala.
President Joe Biden took a shot at the press during his meeting Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

As reporters were being escorted out the room, several yelled Israel-related questions at the two leaders.

Biden has been in New York since Sunday night to participate in the United Nations General Assembly and has used the trip to raise money for his reelection campaign.

'Surprised they haven't asked me about the auto strike. They usually ask about things that have nothing to do with what we're talking about,' Biden was heard telling the Israeli leader as journalists were removed from the room.

At the next event - this time a meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva - reporters did ask Biden about the ongoing United Auto Workers strike, and he refused to answer their questions.

'Surprised they haven't asked me about the auto strike. They usually ask about things that have nothing to do with what we're talking about,' President Joe Biden (right) told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) as reporters were being escorted from their meeting

The dig at the press comes as Biden has stayed tight-lipped for six days about son Hunter Biden's gun indictment.

At an event at the White House Friday, Biden ignored a query on whether he would pardon his son.

At the press briefing that day, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the answer was no.

'I've answered this question before and I was very clear. I said no,' she said at the briefing.

She previously answered the question in July, before Delaware's U.S. Attorney David Weiss was elevated to the position of special counsel.

Weiss has been charged with investigating Hunter's foreign business deals, taxes and claims that the first son lied on a form about his crack cocaine addiction to obtain a gun.

The charges leveled at Hunter Thursday were related to the gun.

President Joe Biden (right) was then asked about the ongoing United Auto Workers strike during his meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly Wednesday

Later Friday, Biden headed to Wilmington, Delaware, where his only public appearance was to attend church services Saturday.

He didn't even look in the direction of reporters when one shouted a question, again asking if Biden would pardon his son.

On Sunday, Biden returned to the White House and did answer one question on the impeachment inquiry House Republicans opened up a week ago Tuesday.

The president chuckled and wished them 'lots of luck' as he crossed the South Lawn, ignoring Hunter queries.

Biden hasn't taken questions from the press since arriving in New York Sunday evening.

He celebrated his granddaughter Finnegan's birthday - crashing another birthday party in the process - at the swanky Il Cantinori, alongside daughter Ashley and first lady Jill Biden.

On Monday, Biden headlined two fundraisers for his reelection campaign, including one that featured Broadway's biggest stars.

There, he railed against former President Donald Trump and the 'MAGA Republicans' saying they're 'determined to destroy American democracy' and 'bow down' to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The president delivered remarks Tuesday at the U.N. General Assembly and took part in a series of meetings and a reception at the Met.

After his meeting Wednesday with Lula, he'll headline two more additional fundraisers before heading back to D.C. for a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Thursday.
Houston Independent School District said the students and the driver were taken to the hospital 'out of an abundance of caution'

Houston Fire responded to the accident around 9.35am, two hours after the bus overturned

A school bus flipped onto its side while travelling to a Houston-area high school, sending 10 children and two adults to the hospital and causing heavy emergency traffic.

The bus overturned just before 7.30am. At 9.35am, Houston Fire tweeted that units were responding to a school bus accident at 2905 Berkley St.

Two adults and 10 children were taken to the ER with minor injuries.

Aerial footage showed the vehicle overturned at the cross-section of two roads, bearing a large dent on the right side.

A yellow service vehicle hitched cables to the back tires in an attempt to right the bus.

Houston Fire responded to reports of an overturned school bus the morning of September 20

The bus appeared to have a large dent on its right side, though it is unclear what caused it to flip over

A yellow tow truck was seen stringing cables beneath the bus in an attempt to lift it

All passengers, ten children and two adults, were taken to the hospital as a precaution

Houston Independent School District said it would continue to monitor the situation

Houston Independent School District told KHOU 11 that their top concern is student and staff safety.

'Bus route 2102 was involved in an accident on the way to school this morning. It was transporting ten students to High School Ahead,' the statement read.

'All ten students and the driver were transported to local hospitals for evaluation and observation out of an abundance of caution.'

The district said it had no reports of serious injuries and division leadership was present at the hospitals.

'Our primary concern is for the health and safety of students and staff, and we will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day.'

The accident comes among a spate of school bus accidents.

Just last week, 11 children and two adults were taken to the hospital when their bus slammed into a Honda Accord in Bel Air, Maryland.

The shocking crash followed another in Pennsylvania that left 49 kids and two adults hospitalized after the vehicle smashed into a tow truck.
A retired paper mill worker who heard the missing F-35 jet crashing near his home has imitated the sound it made in a hilarious TV appearance.

Randolph White, 72, described the sound as 'between a screech and a whistle' and then launched into a shrieking sound to help viewers understand.

He was shaving in his bathroom when the $100million fighter jet crashed near his rural home in Williamsburg County on Sunday afternoon.

The pilot was able to eject but the whereabouts of the missing plane were unclear - sparking a frantic 28 hour search. It wasn't until the following night when helicopters were flying above that White learned the screeching sound had come from a missing jet.

'I was in the bathroom, taking a shave, and I heard a screeching. Between a screech and a whistle,' the retired paper mill worker told Fox 59. 'I said, what in the world is this? And I heard a boom! Then my whole house shook.'

Randolph White, 72, described the strange sound he heard from his home in Williamsburg County on Sunday afternoon

The $100million fighter jet crashed in a field 80 miles from its base following a frantic 28-hour search

White did not notify the authorities at the time because he had no idea what the sound was, he added.

'The first thought that came to me I said well, did a meteorite come from outer space or something?

'And I said, well if it was an airplane it needs to be reported because that thing was flying just too low. I didnt give it any other thought. I knew it was low because my house is pretty solid, and it shook,' he told the local outlet.

The following night White notice helicopters fling above the area as they searched for the missing aircraft, but he figured they must have been looking for something else.

'Somebody must have robbed a bank... Killed some people or whatever. So, I walked up there, and they told me it was about the plane,' he said.

More questions than answers remained Tuesday around how an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter wound up leaving a debris field described as 'extensive' by the local sheriffs department.

Aerial footage showed debris in a copse beside the field, where trees had been knocked over. The field had a large area of blackened scorched earth.

It is not known whether locals informed the military of the crash, which did not appear to have happened in a remote region.

Officials closed about one mile of road indefinitely as they continued searching rural Williamsburg County for any wreckage. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

The Marine pilot of the F-35B Lightning II took off on Sunday from Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina - but an unexplained issue forced him to eject.

The plane was flying in tandem with another jet, which returned to base after the mishap rather than following the pilot-less aircraft.

The pilot 'experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject' on Sunday at an altitude of about 1,000 feet just a mile north of Charleston International Airport, according to a situation report given to AP by the Marine Corps official.

Military officials appealed in online posts Sunday for any help from the public in locating the aircraft

'He's unsure of where his plane crashed, said he just lost it in the weather,' someone can be heard saying of the pilot on audio from a Charleston County Emergency Medical Services call shared Tuesday by a local meteorologist.

The pilot, who has not been identified by the Marine Corps, did not have serious injuries and has been discharged from the hospital.

The Pentagon is facing urgent questions over how it lost an $80million aircraft that was finally found crashed in a field just 80 miles from its base following a frantic 28-hour search.

More questions than answers remained Tuesday around how an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter wound up leaving a debris field described as 'extensive' by the local sheriffs department.

Officials closed about one mile of road indefinitely as they continued searching rural Williamsburg County for any wreckage. Residents were being asked to avoid the area while a recovery team worked to secure it.

Federal, state and local officials worked Sunday to locate the jet, and the military appealed to the public for help in finding the aircraft, which is built to evade detection.

Jeremy Huggins, a spokesperson at Joint Base Charleston, told NBC News that the jet was flying in autopilot mode when the pilot ejected from the aircraft.

Huggins told The Washington Post on Sunday that the warplane 'has different coatings and different designs that make it more difficult than a normal aircraft to detect.' He added that the jet's transponder was not working for an undetermined reason.

It forced the base to issue a humiliating appeal for assistance in finding the jet - even launching a hotline for tips, which was mercilessly mocked online. 'So that's why we put out the public request for help,' said Huggins.

Huggins would no longer answer questions on Monday, according to Joint Base Charleston, as the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing had taken the lead on communications related to the mishap. The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing said there was an 'investigation ongoing' and would not share any more details.

The jet belongs to the most expensive weapon system program in the US Department of Defense, according to a May 2023 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The Department of Defense is weighing its options to modernize the engine, according to the report, and the 'overtasked' cooling system requires that the engine operate 'beyond its design parameters.'

Former Marine Dan Grazier, who works at a Defense watchdog and warned about F-35 safety issues for years, said a software glitch or cyberattack could have caused the missing jet to malfunction.

He told DailyMail.com : 'There are thousands of penetration points, weaknesses in the entire enterprise that a hacker could access the software.'

The Marine Corps announced Monday it was pausing aviation operations for two days after the fighter jets crash.
A neighbour who took shocking footage of a dog walker being attacked by a bull mastiff has claimed he had repeatedly complained to police about the animal.

Meeran Hassan's CCTV camera picked up the sickening attack in Handsworth Road in Sheffield, South Yorkshire on Tuesday afternoon.

Shocking footage showed the moment a man was dragged into the road by an attacking dog, before a car tried to ram at the large animal in a bid to get it off.

The frightening incident showed the man holding a small black dog high in the air trying to protect it from the large bull mastiff-type dog snapping at his arm.

The man lost his balance and fell into the street during the struggle before a red BMW car pulls up to try and scare the attacking dog off.

Meeran, 40, who captured the attack on his security camera, said he had just got home from work when he saw the incident unfold.

Businessman Meeran Hassan, 40, whose CCTV footage captured the shocking incident

Armed police were called to Handsworth Road in the east end of Sheffield after a man was attacked by a dog

He said: 'I've complained about the dog loads of times to the police but they've never done anything about it.

'It just non-stop barks because they leave it outside all the time.

READ MORE: Video shows man dragged into the road by dog before car tries to ram animal off him Advertisement

'I think the owner is a taxi driver who only comes at certain times of the day to let it out and feed it. But it is left outside for the majority of the time.

'It started barking a couple of months ago - when the family moved in but I think it's quite an old dog.

'It seems hungry - like nobody feeds it. I've never actually seen the dog until today - it's scary.'

Witnesses say the victim, who was 'covered in blood' and 'looked like he'd been stabbed' made a dash to a nearby GP surgery before going to hospital.

The attacking dog is believed to live next to a house which shares a car park with a nearby nursery.

It is thought the dog jumped over a wall before pouncing on the dog walker.

South Yorkshire Police said a 53-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Meeran Hassann's CCTV camera picked up the sickening attack in Handsworth Road in Sheffield, South Yorkshire on Tuesday afternoon

One officer at the scene could be seen holding a shotgun-type weapon with a close-range sight, with a handgun and a taser in holsters

Armed cops were amongst the responders to the incident, which happened just after 5.40pm on Tuesday.

The victim, whose chest and arm were cut in the mauling, went into a nearby GP surgery in the street where he was bandaged up before going to hospital.

Police say his injuries are 'serious', but are not thought to be life-changing or life-threatening.

The dog was later trapped by police officers who removed from the area.

Meeran added: 'The dog jumped over a wall, he lives next to the house which shares a car park with the nursery.

'The man then tried to get the dog off him - and a man in another car tried hitting the dog.

'He was covered in blood and one of my neighbours tried hitting the dog with my blue bin at one point.

'He then ran into the doctors surgery with his dog, where they bandaged up his stomach.'

A woman who lives nearby said she saw the aftermath of the incident and that the man, who has not been identified, 'looked like he'd been stabbed'.

She said: 'I looked out of my window and saw a man covered in blood, looking like he'd been stabbed.

Cammy, 39, said the out-of-control pup fatally mauled tiny Beau before allegedly taking a chunk out of a Good Samaritan's hand, leaving her 'needing hospital treatment'. Cammy is pictured holding Beau

'It was very scary because you want to protect your children. There's a school nearby, it could have been a child.'

A police spokesman said: 'A 53-year-old man from Sheffield has now been arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog out of control and remains in police custody at this time as enquiries continue.

'We are still looking to speak to anyone who witnessed the incident or who has CCTV or car dash cam footage which may have captured the incident.'

It is the latest in a spate of terrifying dog attacks that have seen people mauled by animals, resulting in individuals being rushed to hospital, sometimes with life threatening injuries, while some have sadly died.

The attack comes as MailOnline spoke with a traumatised mother who watched with horror as her beloved family pet was torn apart by an American Bully XL puppy that broke free from the 10-year-old girl that was walking it.

The breed of dog has been behind the majority of fatal dog attacks in the UK since 2021, being responsible for ten out of 14 of the fatal attacks.

Just last week a man was mauled to death by two 'out of control' American Bully dogs that attacked him outside a West Midlands primary school.

His death led to an outcry from campaigners calling for the breed to be banned. It led to the Prime Minister to make a statement on Friday announcing the cross breed will be placed under the Dangerous Dogs Act by the end of the year.

Cammy said she was now terrified to go out the house and claimed the dog was still being walked by its owner. Pictured: Cammy, Jack and Beau

Cammy Maguire's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Beau (pictured) was killed on Wednesday evening as she walked it near the family home in Chessington, south-west London

The family's 'harmless' pet was left with 'its leg hanging off' after a six-month-old Bully XL broke free from the 10-year-old girl walking it, Cammy claimed. Beau is pictured

While many have breathed a sigh of relief, putting the law into practice could prove difficult, some have said, as the breed is a result of a combination of several dogs.

The shocking attack comes less than a week after Cammy Maguire's Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Beau was killed on Wednesday evening as she walked it near the family home in Chessington, south-west London.

The 39-year-old said the out-of-control pup fatally mauled tiny Beau before allegedly taking a chunk out of a Good Samaritan's hand, leaving her 'needing hospital treatment'.

Heartbroken Cammy said her two young children, Sienna, 12, and Jack 13, were in 'hysterics' when they heard Beau had died and that her partner Daniel Connery was 'furious'.

Speaking ahead of the Government's announcement that it would ban American Bully XL's from from Britain the secondary school office manager Cammy told MailOnline: 'Something needs to be done. This can't happen to another family. It's just ripped us apart.

'My children are In bits. I've never experienced anything quite so traumatic in all my life. These dogs need to be banned. Next time it could be a baby that's killed.'

The mother-of-two, who had been walking eight-year-old Beau in the green since he was a puppy, said the Bully XL charged at the little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Neighbours rushed to a screaming Cammy's aid, with one woman getting her hand bitten as she wrenched the Bully off Beau, she said. Jack is pictured with Beau

The bloody attack took place shortly after 5.30pm in Drake Road, Chessington. It came as a debate over whether or not Bully XLs should be outlawed in Britain continues to rage.

Cammy claimed she spotted the young girl walking the 'scary-looking and aggressive' dog on the green off the street.

The mother-of-two, who had been walking eight-year-old Beau in the green since he was a puppy, said the Bully XL charged at the little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

'All of the sudden I heard this girl scream 'sorry, sorry I can't stop him',' recounted Cammy.

'He was dragging her along really fast. He got hold of Beau and grabbed his leg and just would not let go.

'The girl could not do anything. She was only 10. She should never have been walking it.'

Neighbours rushed to a screaming Cammy's aid, with one woman getting her hand bitten as she wrenched the Bully off Beau, she said.

Afterwards, the wounded dog 'collapsed' to the floor in a bloody heap as a tearful Cammy tried in vain to comfort her beloved pet.

'Beau's leg was hanging off. There was a lot of blood. His leg was completely out of joint and it was just bleeding,' said Cammy.

Cammy said she was now terrified to go out the house and claimed the dog was still being walked be its owner. Pictured: Sienna, Daniel, Jack, Cammy and Beau

Cammy said her two young children, Sienna, 12, and Jack 13, were in 'hysterics' when they heard Beau had died and that her partner Daniel Connery was 'furious'. The children are pictured holding Beau

Cammy said: 'My daughter was besotted with Beau, she used to let him sleep in her bed every night. She was crying uncontrollably all last night and woke up in hysterics.' Sienna is pictured holding Beau

'I was just on the floor with him saying 'Beau, you can make it'. But I just knew he was gone.'

A neighbour took Cammy and Beau to a vet, where the eight-year-old dog was pronounced dead.

The mother-of-two said she called the Met Police on Wednesday night but claimed no action has been taken so far.

She added: 'I'm just so traumatised. The whole family is devastated. The house feels so empty now.

'My daughter was besotted with Beau, she used to let him sleep in her bed every night. She was crying uncontrollably all last night and woke up in hysterics.'

Cammy said she was now terrified to go out the house and claimed the dog was still being walked be its owner.

She added she was furious that a young girl had been left alone to walk the animal and now feared the Bully could strike again, if urgent action isn't taken by the authorities.

'This dog needs to be put down. It's six months old and its already done that to my dog what will it do next?' she added.

Cammy added she was furious that a young girl had been left alone to walk the animal and now feared the Bully could strike again, if urgent action isn't taken by the authorities. Pictured: Sienna and Beau

'I'm scared for the child. How can she live in a house with that dog?'

Speaking of the attack yesterday, Chief Inspector Emma Cheney said: 'We know these incidents will cause concern among those who live near the location, and for those who witnessed the incident this would have been upsetting.

'We want to reassure people the dog has been seized and removed while we carry out our enquiries and determine exactly what happened.

'All incidents of this nature are treated with the utmost diligence, and we will investigate thoroughly to ensure the community is kept safe.

'We would like to thank members of the public and medical staff who came to the aid of the victim, who has been taken to hospital for treatment at this time.'

The Government's move to ban American Bully XL dogs under the Dangerous Dogs Act, which applies in England, Wales and Scotland, followed a surge in fatal attacks.
A French-German plan that suggests Britain could resume 'associate' membership of the EU has prompted fears of a reversal to Brexit.

The offer for the UK to forge closer ties with Brussels was contained in a 60-page paper published yesterday.

The report, commissioned by the French and German governments, envisages four levels of European integration with an 'inner circle' of Eurozone nations at its centre.

Britain is touted as a possible future member of the third tier, which would be based on a Norway-style relationship with Brussels.

Here's what that might mean...

A new report, commissioned by the French and German governments, envisages four levels of European integration with an 'inner circle' of Eurozone nations at its centre

What would 'associate' membership of the EU look like?

The French-German proposals state that 'associate' members would include those countries that currently form the European Economic Area - Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway - as well as Switzerland.

The paper also suggests that 'even the UK' could enter level of membership under the proposals for four tiers of European integration.

These countries would not be bound to the EU's mantra of 'ever closer union' and so would not be expected to pursue further integration with the bloc.

They would also not participate in deeper political integration in areas such as justice or home affairs.

But, these countries would all be members of the EU's single market, which would likely see the return of free movement if Britain were to sign up to 'associate' status.

'Associate' members would also be under the jurisdiction of EU judges at the Luxembourg-based EU Court of Justice.

And they would also make financial contributions to the EU budget, albeit on a lower level to full member states.

Those countries that become 'associate' members would not be represented in the European Parliament or the European Commission, and they would not have voting rights in the European Council.

It would therefore likely be a 'pay, but no say' relationship with Brussels.

Ex-PM Theresa May consistently ruled out a 'Norway-style' relationship with the EU when she was in Downing Street

'Associate' members would also be under the jurisdiction of EU judges at the Luxembourg-based EU Court of Justice

They would also make financial contributions to the EU budget, albeit on a lower level to full member states

Didn't the UK already look at a 'Norway-style' relationship?

Yes. During the Brexit battles at Westminster - prior to the UK's official departure from the EU - there were a number of advocates of a 'Norway-style' relationship with the EU among MPs.

But both Theresa May and Boris Johnson, when he replaced her as prime minister, were vehemently opposed to such a relationship with Brussels.

This is because it would mean the retention of free movement rules - through membership of the single market - which would have continued unlimited immigration from the EU.

When she was in No10, Mrs May had also ruled out making 'vast contributions' to the EU budget, while Tory Brexiteers pressured her not to accept Britain remaing under the continued jurisdiction of EU judges.

Mr Johnson had led the Vote Leave campaign prior to the EU referendum, which promised to 'take back control' of the UK's borders, money and laws, as well as pursue new free trade deals with non-EU countries.

What are the other three levels of EU integration being proposed?

The other three tiers of EU integration being proposed in the French-German plans are an 'inner circle', a tier for current EU member states, and a loose outer tier made up of countries signed up to the European Political Community.

The 'inner circle' would be the deepest level of political and economic integration for members of the Eurozone and Schengen area, including France and Germany.

This would see coordination on taxation, finances and defence and foreign policy with countries giving up their national vetoes in these areas.

In the second tier would be those existing and future EU members who want to remain outside of the deepest level of integration.

But they would remain bound by existing EU political objectives as set out in the Lisbon Treaty.

The fourth tier - known as the European Political Community - would see countries have a looser relationship with Brussels and not access the bloc's single market.

It would instead focus on 'geopolitical convergence' and political cooperation on security, energy or environmental policies.

Britain has played an active part in the EPC - the brainchild of French President Emmanuel Macron - since its formation last year.

The Franco-German plans were published on the same day that Sir Keir Starmer held talks with Emmanuel Macron during a 45-minute meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris

The Labour leader has publicly ruled out signing up to the Franco-German blueprint for 'associate' membership - but Tory Brexiteers are unconvinced

Are Labour keen on 'associate' membership?

Labour have publicly ruled out signing up to the Franco-German blueprint for 'associate' membership.

Shadow business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told Sky News: 'That's not what we're interested in.'

A Labour spokesman said Sir Keir Starmer would use a planned review in 2025 to improve the Brexit deal if he becomes PM.

But they added: 'Labour will seek a better deal for Britain. This does not involve any form of membership.'

Yet, Tory Brexiteers have warned that Sir Keir would 'love' to sign up to 'associate' membership of the EU should he enter No10.

Senior Conservative MP David Jones, a former Brexit minister, told MailOnline: 'Starmer, it must be remembered, wanted a second referendum,' he added.

'He is a dyed in the wool Europhile and would love associate membership.'

Former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said: 'Keir Starmer has always been a starry-eyed Europhile, he's the champion of the second referendum, and now he wants to do it by stealth.'

The Franco-German plans were published on the same day that Sir Keir held talks with Mr Macron during a 45-minute meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

There has been scrutiny of the role played by Labour ex-prime minister Sir Tony Blair, who is said to have used his extensive EU contacts book to arrange Sir Keir's meeting with the French President.

What about Rishi Sunak?

Downing Street has said the PM is not interested in pursuing 'associate' membership of the EU.
Village stalwart Beryl Purdy, 86, was found dead in her Somerset home in March

A man has been charged with the murder of a 'caring and loved' grandmother after a suspected burglary.

David Parish, 36, of no fixed address, is accused of killing 86-year-old village stalwart Beryl Purdy at her home in Somerset.

Churchwarden Beryl  known as Bez  was found 'slumped on the ground in a pool of blood' in the property in Broomfield, near Bridgwater, on March 27.

Parish was initially sectioned under the Mental Health Act  but was released yesterday to face charges. He was due to appear today at Taunton Magistrates' Court charged with the grandmother's murder.

Mrs Purdy's family paid tribute to her in March, describing her Bez as a 'dearly loved wife, mother and granny.'

Beryl Purdy, 86, known as Bez, was a key part of her village, was found dead in her Somerset home in March

Beryl Purdy, a 'highly respected' church warden, was found bludgeoned to death at her country home where police had been called to a burglary in progress. She is pictured outside St Mary's Church in Broomfield in 2020

David Parish, of no fixed address, is accused of murdering Beryl Purdy, 86, in her country home in Somerset. Pictured: Investigators at the scene in March

In a statement, Mrs Purdy's family said: 'As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother and granny.

'Bez was a caring person who would help anyone in need and was very much part of the village, being a church warden for 20 years.

'We will miss her very much and we are all struggling to understand why this happened to such a lovely person.'

Detective Inspector Deb Hatch, of Avon and Somerset Police's major crime investigation team, said: 'This is a positive step in our investigation into the death of Beryl, known as Bez to her friends and family.

'Our thoughts remain with the family during this incredibly difficult time and they continue to be supported by a specially trained family liaison officer.

'We will continue to carry out our investigation and seek to provide the family with the justice they so rightly deserve.

'We hope this news will also be welcomed by the local community which we know Bez was a much-loved member of.'

Villagers said they were rocked by the death of the active pensioner, who was hailed as 'an absolute pillar of the community'.

Beloved 86-year-old Beryl Purdy, a 'highly respected' church warden and grandmother, was found dead in March. Pictured: Officers at the crime scene in Broomfield

Villagers claim previously spoke of their horror at the death of the active pensioner who was at the heart of village life. Pictured: Floral tributes placed at the crime scene

Mrs Purdy, who looked after bookings for the village hall, served for 20 years as churchwarden of St Mary's church. Parishioners staged a collection for her when she stepped down two years ago.

One resident said: 'Bez was a stalwart of the local church where she had been a warden.

'It is terrifying to think something like this could happen in such a beautiful, out-of-the-way spot.

'You couldn't imagine somewhere farther from crime ridden city streets. It is so idyllic and peaceful. Or at least it was. It will take us a long time to get over something like this.'

Locals said Mrs Purdy was also the main carer for her husband who has severe mobility problems. The couple also employ home helps to assist with their daily living.

Speaking after her death, one villager told MailOnline: 'They are a well-loved and highly respected couple who have been the heart and soul of the village for some years.'

Flowers were laid on the police cordon with a message saying: 'Bez, there are no words Our thoughts are with you and your family.'

Residents of a 'usually quiet' village are fearful of fresh attacks after the death of a pensioner who was seriously injured during a house burglary. Pictured: Flowers left near the scene

Flowers were laid on the police cordon with a message saying: 'Bez, there are no wordsOur thoughts are with you and your family'

Avon and Somerset Police said a mandatory conduct referral had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct

Mrs Purdy's death is the second tragedy to strike her family  the couple's daughter, Alison, a constable with Avon and Somerset Police, died in 2012 at the age of 46 following a riding accident.

Broomfield is a picture-postcard location with a handful of period properties clustered around a church and village hall in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Nearby is the historic National Trust property of Fyne Court thought to have been visited by poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Avon and Somerset Police said a mandatory conduct referral had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct concerning action taken following a missing person report earlier on March 27  the day Mrs Purdy's body was found.

An IOPC spokesman told MailOnline: 'We can confirm that we have received a referral from Avon and Somerset Police. We are now assessing the referral to determine what action may be needed by the IOPC.'
A Texas tech boss has quit the multi-million dollar firm he founded after he was accused of groping a young female worker and shoving meat into her face.

Kiwi Camara, 39, abruptly stepped down as CEO from CS Disco - a decade after launching the niche software application for lawyers which is today valued at $427.58 million.

Now it has emerged that Camara, the youngest ever graduate from Harvard Law, was under investigation by the company due to his alleged behavior towards a colleague during a boozy night out with staff.

The Wall Street Journal reports that on the night of September 6 Camara encouraged staff to down shots of tequila before heading with a smaller group to dinner Austin's Peacock Mediterranean Grill, where mains cost up to $215 each.

Whilst there, it is claimed he forced roasted meat into a young female coworker's face and ordered her to 'eat it like an animal'.

Kiwi Camara, 39, allegedly groped his female coworker after he had been on an alcohol-fueled night out with staff from CS Disco

The alleged assault took place on September 6 at the Parrot Mediterranean Grill in Austin, Texas where main courses cost up to $215 and cocktails start from $18

He then allegedly groped her, and despite her clear discomfort, tried to coax her to return home to his $4 million condo which over looks the Colorado River.

The incident reportedly stopped once employees intervened, with the behavior reported to HR the next day.

His resignation means he could forfeit stock options once valued at almost $110 million.

Camara was one of nine CEO's on a salary higher than that of Apple boss Tim Cook.

The Philippines-born businessman graduated Harvard Law at the age of 19, having left high school at 14 and graduated from Hawaii Pacific University with a degree in computer science at 16.

He founded CS Disco in 2013 as a means of helping lawyers sift through documents and identify potential evidence.

The company hired hundreds of employees, referred to as 'Discovians' who were encouraged to attend wild nights out with the CEO.

Camara allegedly tried to persuade the female coworker to return to his luxury $4M condominium in the plush Austonian complex overlooking the Colorado River following the incident

Camara founded CS Disco in 2013 at the age of 29 and is said to have tried to foster a culture which involved heavy drinking and wild nights out

The incident on September 6 sparked an external probe into Camara's behaviour, conducted by law firm Cooley LLP.

The investigation is believed to have come a year after initial complaints were made about Camara's behavior towards other female staff.

Other allegations include that he would screen women's job applications using their photos and deliberately sought out women to work within his department in the Emerging Leader Rotational Program he established at the firm.

One former ELRP associate likened the scheme to being on 'Love island' after the prospect of renting a house in Austin for particpants was floated.

The anonymous staffer claimed Camara would often pressure staff into drinking.

They told the Wall Street Journal, 'Hed say stuff like, "Ill fire you if you dont do things my way."'.

Since his departure, CS Disco board member Scott Hill has taken over as interim CEO.

DailyMail.com has contacted CS Disco for comment.
Men who wore Nazi SS uniforms while attending a popular 1940s festival insisted they were not dressed as Germans and were instead depicting troops who fought against Stalin.

The men were wearing uniforms bearing swastikas and the Nazi 'death's head' symbol at the event in Sheringham, Norfolk at the weekend.

They were also reportedly seen goose-stepping and performing the Nazi salute.

A spokesman for the group insisted that none of them 'portrayed a German' and that they instead were representing men from other European nations who joined Adolf Hitler's SS to fight 'against Stalin and communism during WWII'.

But German historian Robin Schaefer rubbished their apparent attempts to justify their choice of attire.

Speaking to MailOnline, he said: 'Yes some foreign SS members may have joined to fight Bolshevism but that doesn't make them less Nazi or less guilty. It is complete cretinous b***s***.

'I don't even know why they bring that up as a defence, it doesn't make any sense.'

Men who wore Nazi SS uniforms while attending a popular 1940s festival insisted they were not dressed as Germans and were instead depicting troops who fought against Stalin. Above: The men were confronted outside the Lobster pub in Sheringham

The group's spokesman also claimed people were 'shaking our hands' and 'wanting to take photos' and added that 'no one was upset or offended'.

But, speaking today, one of the organisers of the annual Sheringham 1940s Weekend said there were some 'very, very upset people', in the town, which he added has a small Jewish community.

Graham Deans said he asked the men to leave after receiving a number of complaints.

'For their own safety, we escorted them out of town to avoid any confrontation, and they agreed to leave the town immediately,' he told the BBC.

Trouble broke out when crowds of horrified locals confronted the men, who were seen marching 'in unison'.

A statement from Norfolk Police said an officer came across a 'confrontation in the High Street on Saturday during the festival.'

'The officer intervened and quickly resolved the incident,' it added.

'One man reported being assaulted and this is being investigated further. No-one was injured during the incident.'

Witnesses said the group congregated outside The Lobster pub, where they were confronted by locals.

The men were from the 'Eastern Front Living History Group'. A spokesman said yesterday: 'We do battle re-enactments, displays and educational visits across the UK, raising money for charity for wounded soldiers so they can have artificial limbs.

'We represent the western European nations that fought against Stalin and communism during WWII.

'We were wearing Waffen-SS infantry uniforms displaying national shields and insignia of the countries portrayed.

'Not one member of the group portrayed a German.

A spokesman for the group who attended in Nazi-style uniforms admitted members wore Waffen-SS infantry uniforms but claimed they did not portray Germans

'The uniforms were supplied by Germany, as were the weapons, to the foreign volunteers from 1941 - 1945. They're as close to authentic as you can get.

'As a group we've been attending the Sheringham 1940's weekend for four or five years running and never had any problems before.

'We were walking down Sheringham high street and people were stopping us, shaking our hands and wanting to take photos.

'It was a brilliant vibe. There was no one upset or offended at all. It was good-natured fun as it should be.'

However, the unnamed man claimed he was then 'attacked' by a man who was 'foaming at the mouth' and 'screaming about Jewish persecution'.

'I said to him I understood his point of view, but what we portray is a million miles from the point which was upsetting him,' he added.

'As a group we do not tolerate any politics or any form of religious persecution. We simply won't have it. That behaviour disgusts us and tarnishes what we do.

A spokesman for festival organisers claimed the incident had been a 'misunderstanding'

'We were not asked to leave. We were leaving anyway to go back our campsite. We felt it was the right thing to do.'

But historian Mr Schaefer said the claim that there was a difference between the German units of the SS and the foreign legions is false.

'There is absolutely no difference between the foreign legions of the SS and the German SS,' he said.

'I've spoken to a lot of now dead Waffen SS members. I can tell you that after the war, that was one of their main lines of defence.

'They said they only joined up to fight against Communism and said Nazi politics did not interest them.

'Of course that was complete tosh. Like all other Waffen SS troops they committed atrocities. There is absolutely no difference.'

He added: 'More importantly, it does not matter if they are Waffen SS or not. Wearing the uniform of a Wehrmacht soldier would be just bad.

'You can't separate the two things. You can't just put on a Nazi uniform and not be a Nazi.'

His comments came after fellow historian Guy Walters slammed the group.

Mr Walters wrote on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter: 'People who dress like comedy SS clowns from 'Allo 'Allo teach us nothing, absolutely nothing, about the Second World War. They're just flabby Nazi wannabes, who deserve the utmost ridicule.'

Mike Keller, who lost family members in the Holocaust and whose father escaped Nazi Germany in the Kindertransport, was among those appalled by the sight of the uniforms.

He said: 'It was a lovely family atmosphere and very friendly, when suddenly from nowhere there were 10-15 men dressed in authentic SS uniform literally marching in unison.

'It was deeply offensive. These men were not milling about and blending in among people. They were marching and making a demonstration. It was frightening.

'My father was from a Jewish family who lost his parents and brothers and sisters in death camps. He was fortunate to escape with my uncle via Kindertransport, so having to see this with my son was mortally offensive and a disgraceful act.'

A spokesman for festival organisers said German uniforms are permitted, as long as they do not 'promote the Nazis'.

He claimed the incident had been a 'misunderstanding' and that the group was there to 'commemorate the German people'.

Pictured are people with guns as part of the battle reenactments by the Eastern Front Living History Group

But an updated statement issued on the group's website said the spokesman's comments 'are not representative of the Committee's views about offence caused by a group in SS uniforms'.

It added: 'Our volunteer marshals immediately took action with the help of the police and our volunteers escorted the group out of the town.

'We are working collaboratively with Sheringham Town Council, the police and NNR [North Norfolk Railways] to reflect on what happened and prevent any future disruption to this event.'

The Waffen-SS did recruit hundreds of thousands of non-Germans into its ranks, including some British soldiers who had been captured.

The British Free Corps existed from 1943 until 1945. It included former SAS member Douglas Berneville-Claye.

He became a captain in the SS and was the first British officer to serve in the unit.
A rising star of the Los Angeles Police Department has been suspended over claims he stalked a female colleague by planting an Apple AirTag tracking device in her luggage.

Assistant chief Al Labrada is second only to Chief Michel Moore and was widely expected to succeed him as head of the citys police force.

But he has lawyered up and been advised not to talk to police in Ottawa investigating whether he illegally spied on the woman he was allegedly pursuing a relationship with.

Theres no stalking, thats just a complete mischaracterization. Thats untrue, his criminal attorney Andrew Leventhal said.

Hes a really good man, hes hardworking, he loves his kids, he loves his mom.

Lawyers for LAPD Assistant chief Al Labrada insist the allegations against him are based on a misunderstanding

The $29 devices have been described as a 'gift for stalkers' since their release two years ago

Officers in one of the city's anti-gang units are already being investigated by the FBI over alleged unauthorized use of the devices

The former Marine Corps reserve rose swiftly through the ranks after joining the LAPD in 1993 and leads the citys Special Operations Bureau, Detective Bureau and counter-terrorism operations.

Ottawa Police received the complaint against him on September 7 after Lapida's fellow LAPD officer found the coin-sized tracking device in her luggage on a trip to the Canadian city and claimed Lapida was the only person in a position to have planted it.

AirTags were introduced by Apple in 2021 with the promise they could help users track checked luggage or stolen property.

The $29 devices allow iPhone users to pinpoint their location on an app, but have been described as a gift for stalkers.

LAPD officers were already being investigated by the FBI over their alleged unauthorised use and the department confiscated Labradas city-issued phone and launched its own internal investigation when the allegations against him emerged.

But his suspension was only confirmed after a meeting of the citys Board of Police Commissioners on Tuesday.

We will continue to cooperate with the outside agency as they continue their investigation, as well as conduct our internal investigation, Moore told the LA Times.

That means consequences should these allegations prove to be true.

Labrada, 50, has been one of the citys most high-profile police officers, regularly fronting promotional events and boasting his own active social media accounts.

The highest-ranking Latino in the department he has been one of three deputies to Chief Moore since April last year.

He has repeatedly denied the allegations and warned his accusers they could face legal action.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michael Moore has insisted his force will co-operate with the Ottawa Police investigation

Lapida has fronted much of the department's promotional work as its highest ranked Latino officer

To our understanding, what occurred today was a standard procedure and nothing further should be read in to it, other than that the matter is continuing to be investigated, his civil attorney, Jeremy Tissot, said after the meeting.

We wish to jointly clarify that, in our opinion, what has been reported in the media thus far is false, as to the stalking allegations.

The relationship and circumstances have also been mischaracterized.

We expect him to be fully vindicated of these allegations, and he is considering all potential legal remedies by and through my office, against responsible parties in relation to these false and defamatory allegations.
Haiti's most powerful gang leader, Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier, called for the overthrow of his fragile Caribbean nation's prime minister yesterday as he led armed followers on a march through Port-au-Prince.

Mr Cherizier, who leads the 'G9 Family and Allies' coalition of gangs, called on Haitians to take to the streets against prime minister Ariel Henry. He was flanked by armed gang members as he walked through the streets of the capital, where his followers blocked roads and banged drums.

'We are launching the fight to overturn Ariel Henry's government in any way,' Mr Cherizier said, and promised daily demonstrations in parts of Port-au-Prince. 'Our fight will be with weapons,' he added.

Gangs have exploited political chaos in Haiti to seize control over much of the capital ever since president Jovenal Moise was assassinated in July 2021.

Mr Henry has been governing on an interim basis since, and has pledged to hold elections once security has been re-established in Haiti.

Jimmy 'Barbecue' Cherizier, leader of the 'G9' coalition, led a march surrounded by his security against Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in Port-au-Prince yesterday

Gangs have exploited political chaos in Haiti to seize control over much of the capital, ever since president Jovenal Moise was assassinated in July 2021

Mr Cherizier is a former police officer who was the first person sanctioned by the United Nations in 2022

While Port-au-Prince's gangs were previously dependent on high-level backers within the Haitian elite, they have begun to operate with far greater autonomy over recent years.

Gangs have been engaged in repeated shootouts with police and Mr Cherizier's G9 have repeatedly blockaded key economic installations as part of his campaign against the government.

Mr Cherizier is a former police officer who was the first person sanctioned by the United Nations in 2022 under a new sanctions regime aimed at those 'threatening the police, security or stability of Haiti'.

He is accused of crimes against civilians, including a massacre in the Port-au-Prince neighbourhood of La Saline, in 2018.

Kenya is widely expected to lead a UN-sponsored public security force to help Haiti's overstretched and undermanned police pending a UN Security Council vote. It is expected that the 2,000-strong force will deploy next month.

Mr Cherizier is calling for the overthrow of incumbent prime minister Ariel Henry. He told reporters: 'Our fight will be with weapons'

Kenya is widely expected to lead a UN-sponsored security force to help Haiti's overstretched and undermanned police force

Mr Cherizer claimed says that his nickname, 'Barbecue', was acquired when his mother was a fried chicken street seller

Haiti has only 10,000 police officers.

Port-au-Prince requested international help in October 2022. There is concern among some in Haiti that the deployment of an international force would help Mr Henry, who is accused of being an obstacle to establishing some semblance of stability in the country, entrench his grip on power.

Mr Cherizer issued a stark warning to the international community on Tuesday. 'The international community cannot continue to do this in Haiti,' he said. 'If the international community has nothing to do with [Jovenal Moise's] death, they must not support Ariel Henry.'

There are an over 200 gangs operating in Haiti, according to an estimate by the International Crisis Group. The United Nations estimates that at least 1.5m, or half of Port-au-Prince's population has been affected by violence involving gangs.

Mr Cherizer claimed to news agency AP that his nickname, 'Barbecue', was acquired when his mother was a fried chicken street seller.

There are believed to be over 200 gangs operating in Haiti, according to the International Crisis Group

Mr Cherizier issued a warning to the international community, saying: 'they must not support Ariel Henry'

Heavily armed men accompanied Mr Cherizier on his march through Port-au-Prince

This year, Haiti has also been grappling with a renewed cholera outbreak and tensions with the neighbouring Dominican Republic. Several aid agencies have paused operations in Haiti due to the deteriorating security situation and lack of funds for projects there.

The Dominican Republic closed its border with Haiti on Friday, protesting plans to construct a canal on the Massacre River. The Dominican Republic claims that such plans would violate an existing border treaty from the 1920s.

UN officials have warned that the border closure could have 'serious impacts' given that significant proportions of humanitarian aid, food, medicine, and other supplies to Haiti pass through the Dominican Republic.

The diplomatic crisis between Haiti and the Dominican Republic comes as Santo Domingo has been reporting thousands of Haitians back across the border amid tensions over immigration.
President Joe Biden shook hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York Wednesday, as hundreds of demonstators gathered outside protesting Netanyahu's government's proposed judicial overhaul.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of this week's United Nations General Assembly in New York, with Netanyahu motorcading over to the president's hotel, the Intercontinental Barclay.

Gathered just across Lexington Avenue were hundreds of Jewish-American protesters, waving Israeli flags and making a lot of noise as the controversial meeting took place.

In brief remarks at the top of the meeting, with reporters in the room, Biden indicated that he planned to bring up the judicial overhaul, which would strip Israel's Supreme Court of much of its power, leaving Netanyahu's right-wing government largely unchecked.

'Today, we're going to discuss some hard issues, that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership,' Biden said. 'Including the checks and balances in our systems and preserving the path to a negotiated two-state solution and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon.'

President Joe Biden shook hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York Wednesday, as hundreds of demonstators gathered outside protesting Netanyahu's government's proposed judicial overhaul

A sign with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's face that read 'we will not serve a dictator' was held by a demonstrator Wednesday as hundreds of Jewish-Americans protested the right-wing leader's judicial overhaul as he was meeting with President Joe Biden

Hundreds of demonstrators stood across Lexington Avenue from the Intercontinental Barclay Hotel in Manhattan where President Joe Biden was meeting Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Biden called the U.S.'s commitment to Israel 'ironclad' and indicated that a White House meeting could happen before January.

'I hope we will see each other in Washington by the end of the year,' the president told Netanyahu.

'You've heard me say many times that if there was no Israel, we'd have to invent one,' the president said.

'Even where we have some differences, my commitment to Israel, you know, is ironclad. I think without Israel, there's not a Jew in the world who is secure. Israel is essential,' Biden continued.

The president also brought up what's being called a 'mega-deal' with Saudi Arabia, which is being currently negotiated and could lead to a normalization of relations between Saudi and Isreal.

'If you and I 10 years ago were talkinga bout normalization with Saudi Arabia, I think we'd look at each other like, "who's been drinking what?"' the president joked to Netanyahu.

Netanyahu told Biden that 'under your leadership, Mr. President, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia.'

A demonstrator holds up a sign that shows Benjamin Netanyahu as the pharaoh with the message: 'Let our people go'

A police officer asks protesters, gathered outside of President Joe Biden's hotel in New York, to move as they chant slogans and loudly sing across Lexington Avenue from where Biden was meeting with Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Outside, one of Biden's top union allies, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, showed up to address the crowd.

A demonstrator holds up a sign that says 'In Joe We Trust' as President Joe Biden meets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York Wedesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly

A demonstrator holds up a sign that says 'Oy Vey' with an image of a cringing Statue of Liberty at a protest outside President Joe Biden's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Wednesday in New York

'And I think such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians,' Netanyahu added.

The Israeli leader also noted that 'we live in uncertain times, rapidly changing times.'

'So I want to reassert here before you, Mr. President, that one thing is certain, and one thing will never change. And that is Israel's commitment to democracy,' Netanyahu said. 'We will continue to uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish.'

Outside, one of Biden's top union allies, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, showed up to address the crowd.

'To the Americans that are here, we as Americans must support the Israelis who are fighting for their democracy,' Weingarten said. 'As much as we're fighting for freedom and justice in America. We must fight for freedom and justice and democracy for all in Israel.'

'You are my heroes,' the union leader told the crowd, adding that Biden and Netanyahu both needed to hear the protesters' message.

As the meeting was ongoing, one female demonstrator told the crowd that Biden had brought up democratic issues.

'In Joe we trust!' she yelled.
'Furious' locals have said an ear-piercing banshee-like wail from a new block of luxury flats on Folkestone's seafront, built by the multi-millionaire heir to the Saga fortune, is making them want to leave the seaside town.

Angry residents said the high-pitched noise that emanates from the building which contains 84 individual properties - ranging in price from 430,000 to 1.8million each - has already driven people out of the Kent resort.

Locals said 'everyone thought it was just them' when the tinnitus-like noise was first heard in the south coast town, as one resident even said their schizophrenic friend had started to think his medication had stopped working.

Now, a furious row has broken out, with locals complaining the 'awful' noise from the luxury flats is driving them 'insane' and keeping them 'awake at night' - with some residents even saying their dogs have been impacted.

Folkestone residents have complained the new block, which is set be part of a huge development to build 1,000 new homes along the seafront led by Saga millionaire Sir Roger De Haan, dominates the skyline of the seaside town while blaming the noise on the building's balconies.

A high-pitched banshee-like screech is being emitted from a block of flats in Folkestone

The block's balconies have been blamed for the high-pitched noise which residents claim is driving people out of Folkestone

Katrina Harris, 72, said the noise from the balconies could put people off buying the flats

Jesus, 30, said he is 'furious' about the 'awful' noise as he called for something to be done

Locals claim the noise first started happening when the balconies were first installed on the building, before the screech gradually got louder as more terraces were put up.

Jody, 22, and Jesus, 30, who have lived in Folkestone for a year, said they are 'furious' about the noise, as they called for someone to 'to do something about it'. 'I've been furious about it,' Jesus said. 'It's awful. Someone absolutely needs to do something about it. It could upset the wildlife.'

Folkestone residents said the noise has already pushed people into leaving the Kent town, as one local said the sound has caused three people she knows to leave already.

Amanda, who has lived in Folkestone for six years, said that she was even considering leaving the seaside town herself because of the flats.

'I'm looking at moving away from here,' she said. 'There are three further people that have already gone because of the development.'

She explained that at first people were unsure where the noise was coming from and 'everyone thought it was just them'.

'My friend lives down by the Grand Burstin area and he is schizophrenic and he thought his medication wasn't working - and he is not the only one!' she said.

But now she says people are complaining about the sound across Folkestone. 'I've been in town and people are complaining over therem' she said.

Katrina Harris, 72, said: 'We've lived around here since 2007. I came out on the balcony, just to see watch the waves and everything and I suddenly kept on hearing these flashes of noise.

'I thought it was the builders at first. But then I wandered up the road and I kept hearing the sounds and I realised it was the building.'

Ms Harris said the noise could put off potential buyers from purchasing the flats, which sit in the first block to be built as part of Sir Roger De Haan's plans to build 1,000 new homes after he bought Folkestone harbour for 11million in 2004.

Folkestone local Hannah, 25, said she had been deterred from buying her own flat nearby, due to the noise being emitted from the building. 'We were going to actually buy our flat because our owners were selling and the noise was the biggest thing that put us off,' she said.

Locals have complained the block of flats is emitting a high-pitched noise that is keeping Folkestone residents awake at night

Penthouse flats in Shoreline Crescent on Folkestone's shoreline cost up to 1.8million each

The block is part of a major development containing a planned 1,000 homes being led by the heir to the Saga fortune, Sir Roger De Haan

Folkestone residents complained the high-pitched noise is keeping them awake all night

Locals said the 'loud' noise sound like a 'harp crossed with a xylophone' as they suggested the sound would drive them insane'

The new block of flats contains the most expensive apartments in Folkestone with prices starting at 430,000

Locals even said their dogs were being impacted by the noise. Amanda said: 'Its not just my dog. Its all of them. You can see the dogs notice it and them they all start barking. All of them.'

Hannah also said the noise had upset her Italian greyhound, which she claims now has trouble walking along the seafront.

'The biggest inconvenience for us is the fact that we got our Italian Greyhound puppy in February, she said.

'She's grown up with the noise and she finds walking past towards the coastal park difficult. She hates the noise and there's the higher range of hearing.'

Jody complained the building creates a wind tunnel that makes it difficult to walk along the coast as she also complained about the way the building impacts the view.

'The new building creates a wind tunnel. You turn the corner and you cant even walk towards it sometimes. I dont like it. The wind and the sounds and the way it blocks the view,' she said.

The luxury block is part of a major development being built by former Saga chief Sir Roger De Haan, who is currently one of the richest people in Britain with an estimated net worth of around 900million.

The development project, which is being led by the multimillionaire businessman, is set to see 1,000 new properties built on Folkestone's seafront, after De Haan bought the seaside town's harbour for 11million in 2004.

The new block sits on the beach at Folkestone offering uninterrupted views of the sea

Sir Roger De Haan, the heir to the multi-million-pound Saga fortune, bought Folkestone harbour for 11million in 2004 with a view to regenerating the Kent seaside resort

Locals said projected images that show what the 600-home development in Folkestone, Kent, might look like the Flintstones house

The luxury flats in Shoreline Crescent are advertised as offering 'uninterrupted views of the sea'

Videos show the new block - which is part of a development that locals previously compared to the house occupied by The Flintstones - emitting a whining noise which appears to be caused by the building's balconies reverberating in the wind.

READ MORE: Experts solve mystery of what causes 'singing' skyscrapers to whistle and hum in high winds Advertisement

The luxury flats, which are now by far the most expensive in Folkestone, are advertised as having been 'carefully designed' and 'meticulously considered'.

Locals have, however, slammed the development's 'fancy architecture', as they complained about the haunting noise.

Saga which sells package holidays, insurance products, and financial services to the over-50s, was initially founded by Sir Roger's father, Sidney De Haan, in Folkestone in 1951.

The plans have seen the 73-year-old businessman set aside 3million to go towards schools in Folkestone, and an additional 1.2million for a new local GP surgery.

Sir Roger ran Saga for two decades after inheriting the over-50s focused business from his father in 1984, during which period he launched a Saga radio station.

The businessman previously told KentLive he is not trying to 'gentrify' Folkestone - despite admitting the new flats 'are going to be fairly pricey'.

The building has found itself at the centre of a furious row following complaints about a noise emitting from its balconies

The multi-million-pound development is set to be built on top of the town's current seaside car park

A single-bed flat is set to cost 430,000 while a two-bed unit will be 1.3million

A brochure for the flats in Folkestone lists them as having 'sprawling rooftop terraces'

Locals slammed the building's 'fancy architecture' as another warned 'winter storms' could make the problem worse

One local said they would be 'insisting' the problem be fixed if they owned one of the flats

Another resident said they'd noticed the 'high-pitched hum' as they speculated it was caused by wind blowing through the balcony railings

There are several factors that can contribute to the high-pitched humming noice

Why do some buildings hum in the wind? In a mechanism similar to the same one heard if someone blows over a bottle, certain architectural features are known to 'hum' in the wind. The phenomenon has been noticed emanating out of buildings across the globe, including Manchester's Beetham Tower, which is regularly heard howling on windy days. Acoustic specialist Johannes Fannar Einarsson, who works at Treble Technologies, said the humming at the Folkestone apartments is due to the wind 'acting on the building' and creating 'some kind of vibration'. He added: 'The balconies are vibrating to create a note. They're vibrating at a very specific frequency that makes them more annoying. 'It's not dependant on the frequency but the shape of the railings on the balconies creates a specific vibration. In the design phase, it would have been possible to simulate wind and make observations before building. 'They were just very unlucky with the shape of it. Different types of metal or different thicknesses of metal, or a different material like wood, would have created a different scenario.' Advertisement

The millionaire, however, claimed 'the whole community' will benefit from investment brought into Folkestone by the development and the people who move in.

A sales brochure for flats in Shoreline Crescent boasts the properties offer 'sprawling rooftop terraces' with 'uninterrupted views out to sea.'

The block, which is described in its brochure as 'one of the finest beachside developments in the country,' was designed by award-winning architecture practice AMCE, which has also led projects in destinations including London and Berlin.

Locals previously compared plans for the new flats on Folkestone's shoreline to the rock house occupied by The Flintstones family in the 1960s cartoon.

Residents complained to The Guardian earlier this year that the new blocks are 'out of scale and character' with the rest of the town, as they argued the development would block the view of the sea.

The development is advertised as being 'carefully designed' and 'meticulously considered,' as the brochure claims the block was 'built to endure'.

Folkestone residents have, however, slammed the building's 'fancy architecture' following claims the 'high pitched hum' emanating from the block is keeping them awake when it's windy.

Locals said the the 'loud' noise, which appears to be being caused by wind blowing through the building's balcony railings. sounds like a 'harp crossed with a xylophone'.

Residents suggested the building's developer will be forced to fix the issue, as one local said the high-pitched noise would drive them 'insane'.

Another warned 'winter storms' could make the noise even worse, as one local said they would be 'insisting' the problem be fixed if they lived in the property.

Shoreline Crescent and ACME were contacted by MailOnline for comment.
Sacramento's Democratic District Attorney filed a lawsuit against the Democrat-led city over failure to clean up homeless encampments, escalating tensions between city leaders.

Announcing the lawsuit, District Attorney Thien Ho said the city is seeing a 'collapse into chaos' that reflects the 'erosion of everyday life.'

'We have more homeless people in Sacramento than San Francisco. The community is at a breaking point,' said Ho.

In August, Ho threatened to press charges against city officials if they did not make changes in their handling of the city's homeless crisis.

He demanded that California state capital implement a daytime camping ban where homeless people have to put their belongings in storage between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., among other rules.

Sacramento County District Attorney Thien Ho announced a lawsuit against the city for failing to take stronger action on homeless encampments.

Homeless people are seen in Sacramento, California on July 12, 2022. Homelessness is a growing problem in Sacramento. Last year, the city passed San Francisco in homeless population numbers

A homeless encampment is shaded by a tree in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 12, 2022. Citizens said the homeless encampments are taking over the sidewalks, driving them out of their homes

'City Hall allows camping on City Hall property at night, but they don't allow it during the day. I ask the city to extend the same protection they give to themselves to the rest of us,' he said.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg responded saying he understands the district attorney's frustrations but said, 'Some of us are actually working day and night to try and make the problem better. You are going about this all wrong.'

Steinberg said he has made offers to work together with the district attorney's office, but now they are acting in bad faith.

The district attorney said he supports a variety of solutions including enforcing laws and establishing new programs to provide services to people facing addiction or mental health issues.

He also backs the proposed changes in the state's conservatorship system that would make it easier for authorities to mandate treatment for those with alcohol and drug use disorders.

In a statement, the mayor said: 'District Attorney Ho issued a letter to the city this morning that deflects responsibility, takes credit for programs the city initiated, lacks basic understanding of existing shelter management systems and funding structures, and includes a series of demands that would cripple the city financially.'

The lawsuit includes accounts from dozens of city residents living around 14 encampments.

Some homeowners recounted being threatened with firearms at their front door and having their properties broken into and vandalized - which has driven some from their homes.

Ho's announcement included testimony from city residents. Emily Webb said people living an encampment near her home have trespassed on her property, blocked her driveway and threatened her family, but city officials have done little to clear the camp.

'We're losing sleep and exhausted from this stress. We are beyond frustrated and no longer feel comfortable or safe in our home.'

Homeless encampments on sidewalks in crime-ridden San Francisco

Hollywood residents are complaining about a growing encampment near Selma Park, near a local school

In Hollywood, near Selma Park, the sidewalks are building up an array of tents, needles, and trash

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development found that California accounts for half of all homeless people in the country. Homelessness advocacy group Sacramento Steps Forward says that 9,278 homeless people live in Sacramento County.

Roughly three-quarters of the countys homeless population is unsheltered, and the majority of that group are living on Sacramento streets.

Ho was elected to office in June 2022 after running on a campaign to address the homelessness crisis.

In 2022, California's state capital city saw homeless population numbers grow higher than San Francisco.

Crime data from from the California Department of Justice found that in 2022 there were 8,894 violent crimes in Sacramento County.

Homeless encampments are a growing statewide problem. In Hollywood, residents are outraged over a growing encampment near Selma Park.

In San Francisco, the police department is struggling to recruit cops as it tries to combat the homeless crisis and open drug use.
Sadiq Khan today called for 'more powers' to impose controversial ULEZ-style schemes as he boasted about bringing in 'the world's largest clean air zone' in London.

The capital's Labour mayor used a speech at a climate summit in New York to brag about 'pushing through' a dramatic expansion of ULEZ and claimed it was helping to 'secure the fate of our civilisation'.

But it backfired after critics pointed out that flying 7,000 miles to attend the trip had taken the number of air miles clocked up by him, his deputies and top officials to more than 430,000.

The figure, racked up since he was elected in 2016, is enough to fly around the world 17 times and is estimated to have belched as much as 200 tons of carbon into the atmosphere.

Speaking at the UN Climate Summit this afternoon, Mr Khan called on mayors around the world to bring in similar schemes to his ULEZ, which charges motorists of older, more polluting vehicles 12.50 a day to drive within it.

Sadiq Khan speaking at the UN on Wednesday, as he called for more powers to allow cities to bring in ULEZ-style clean air zones

The deeply unpopular Ultra Low Emission Zone expanded to cover all of London last month

Mr Khan was invited to speak at a UN climate summit in New York as a special guest alongside 34 member states and other guests such as the World Bank

But he made no mention of the potential impact on the environment of his own globe-trotting - despite using his UN appearance to accuse prime minister Rishi Sunak of 'letting down' businesses and Brits with today's u-turn on green policies.

He said: 'Only last month, London implemented the world's largest clean air zone. Pushing this through wasn't easy. But the time for action is now.

'Which is why we're also investing in green jobs, transport and energy. Charting a course for London to be net-zero - not by 2050, but by the end of this decade.

'The situation that confronts us today is grave. It's nothing short of self-harm on a planetary scale. We're facing an onslaught of floods, droughts and wildfires. Homes are being destroyed, ecosystems vandalised and children forced to breathe toxic air. And it's the poorest bearing the brunt.'

The UK accounts for around 1.32 per cent of global consumption-based emissions.

Mr Khan reaffirmed his commitment to the Paris Agreement and to keeping global warming limited to 1.5C, adding: 'To all those working to secure the fate of our civilisation, know the cities of the world are with you.

'We'll do everything we can to keep the promise of 1.5C alive. And we'll continue to call on nations to give us more powers and resources to win this fight.

'We'll continue to be the climate doers, not the delayers of our time. And continue to champion the cause of climate justice - from the Global North to the Global South - so that we can deliver a safer, fairer and brighter future for all humankind.'

Mr Khan used his UN speech - as a special non-member state guest alongside the likes of the World Bank and the US state of California - to issue a riposte against Rishi Sunak, who has announced plans to delay the ban on gas boilers and petrol cars.

He said at the start of his speech: 'It is easy to get angry at the delay and dither from some quarters - and I know businesses and millions of people feel let down by news from my own country that our prime minister is now backtracking on the UK's climate commitments.

'But our cities offer grounds for hope. Because we're the ones willing to make the tough calls.'

Mr Khan used a speech at a climate summit in New York to brag about 'pushing through' a dramatic expansion of ULEZ (he is pictured on August 29, 2023)

The London mayor's deeply unpopular road charge has seen protests and violence on the city's streets, with vandals trashing the cameras

Over 500 of the 2,700 static CCTV cameras are now reported either missing or damaged

But he was ridiculed by the Conservatives.

Tory MP Louie French, whose Old Bexley and Sidcup constituency was impacted by last month's ULEZ expansion to the whole of outer London, said: 'Famous for the Statue of Liberty, this week New York has seen champagne socialist politicians like Sadiq Khan fly halfway around the world to lecture the public on why illiberal and regressive anti-car policies like ULEZ are needed.

'Whilst the likes of carers, pensioners and tradesmen struggle with the 12.50 per day - or 4,500 per year - tax to get to work or hospital, the Mayor is living it up in America at whose expense? So much for taking people with you.'

Susan Hall, the Tory candidate in London's mayoral election in May 2024, said: 'While Sadiq Khan is having a jolly in New York, he is hitting the poorest Londoners with his ULEZ tax grab and plotting even more ways to take money from them.

'As Mayor, I would deal with the bread and butter issues that matter and put more money back in people's pockets.' Mr Khan's latest New York jaunt alone accounts for around 41,412 of air miles, when the five aides he has taken with him are accounted for.

It comes after his 'Night Czar' Amy Lame - tasked with helping London's night time economy thrive - jetted off to Sydney in Australia, adding a further 21,146 miles to the total.

Mr Khan's appearance comes after spoke onstage during the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit at Sheraton New York on September 18

She attended the NEON International Night-Time Economy Forum in May to take part in night time economy policy discussions.

And Rajesh Agrawal, Mr Khan's deputy for business, jetted off to New Delhi in March.

He went on the jaunt to the Indian capital to attend a four-day 'trade mission', adding another 8,382 air miles to the total.

Mr Khan also flew more than 14,000 miles to attend another climate change conference hosted by the C40 World Mayors group in Argentina in October 2022.

He faced criticism for another five-day trip to the United States in May last year in which he was seen schmoozing with James Corden on a rooftop terrace bar in Los Angeles after visiting a cannabis factory. He also posed for photos with Hillary Clinton and was hailed a 'rock star' by the mayor of New York, Eric Adams, during the trip.
Commuters will be hit by another round of strikes in October, as the dispute between rail workers and train operating companies over pay, jobs and working conditions continues.

Drivers are now set to walk out on two more dates, disrupting thousands of passengers travel plans on the affected days.

Over the past 15 months, national rail strikes and industrial action have disrupted the travel plans of millions of passengers.

Mick Whelan general secretary of the train drivers' union, ASLEF said: 'While we regret having to take this action- we don't want to lose a day's pay, or disrupt passengers as they try to travel by train - the government, and the employers have forced us into this position.'

In addition, the RMT union has announced another set of tube strikes, which is expected to see 3,500 staff members walk out.

So when are the next train strikes? And will you be affected by the tube strikes? Read on below for a full list of upcoming rail strikes.

Commuters will be hit by another round of strikes in September and October as part of the ongoing disputes between rail workers and train operating companies

When are the train strikes?

The most recent strikes took place on Friday 1 September and Saturday 2 September and ASLEF has announced two additional days of industrial action.

READ MORE: How much do train drivers get paid in the UK? Advertisement

Members working at 16 different rail companies will walk out again on Saturday 30 September and Wednesday 4 October.

These dates coincide with the first and last days of the four-day Conservative Party Conference held in Manchester each year.

Additionally, the union is implementing an overtime ban on Friday 29 September and from Monday 2 to Friday 6 October.

Mr Whelan said: 'Our members have not, now, had a pay rise for four years  since 2019  and that's not right when prices have soared in that time.

'Train drivers, perfectly reasonably, want to be able to buy now what they could buy four years ago.

'We last saw the Secretary of State for Transport in December. We last saw Huw Merriman, the Rail Minister, in January. And we last saw the train companies in April. Since then, nothing.'

ASLEF general secretary Mick Whelan (pictured) said the union will strike on two further dates and said the union has not had a pay rise since 2019

The dates of the strikes coincide with the first and last days of the four-day Conservative Party Conference held in Manchester

Train strikes in October 2023

The following 16 companies will be affected by the upcoming strike action:

Avanti West Coast

Chiltern Railways

c2c

CrossCountry

East Midlands Railway

Greater Anglia

GTR Great Northern Thameslink

Great Western Railway

Island Line

LNER

Northern Trains

Southeastern

Southern, including Gatwick Express

South Western Railway

TransPennine Express

West Midlands Trains

As a result of the industrial action, passengers should be aware that some services may be busier than usual.

The Eurostar is not set to be affected by the train strikes, however, passengers may find it tricky to get to the station in London St Pancras International due to impacted services.

Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance.

A total of 16 companies are set to be affected by the walkouts, and while some services will still be running, passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance

Tube strikes in October 2023

READ MORE: The hottest TfL Tube line revealed... and why the London Underground gets SO humid Advertisement

The RMT union has announced tube strikes on the London Underground on Wednesday 4 and Friday 6 October.

Workers have walked out over multiple days this year, due to disputes over pay and working conditions.

Action will take place in response to station staff being threatened with job losses and fear over staff safety.

The union has said more than 3,500 of it members are involved in the walk outs.

In July, tube workers were planning five days of strikes, but the RMT said that action would be suspended.

The RMT says it has been 'locked in a long running dispute over 6000 station staff cuts and detrimental working conditions since last year.'

General Secretary, Mick Lynch, said: 'Station staff have had enough of having their livelihoods threatened by job losses and attacks on their terms and conditions.

'These job cuts and attacks on conditions are going to lead to more unstaffed stations, temporary closures and rising passenger anger.

'This strike action will lead to the tube being shutdown and we call on Mayor Sadiq Khan to meet us urgently to discuss this matter.'
Violation of the honor code can result in probation, suspension or expulsion

This rule had been secretly deleted from the code three years ago but has now returned

The honor code tells its students to 'live a chaste and virtuous life which includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior'

Same-sex relationships have once again been banned at Brigham Young University, after being allowed just few years ago when the Utah university changed its controversial honor code.

The university, where the student body is nearly all members of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, tells its Mormon students to 'live a chaste and virtuous life which includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior'.

The standards are applied at each of BYUs four locations which are Provo and Salt Lake City in Utah; Rexburg in Idaho and Laie in Hawaii.

The rule had been secretly deleted from the code three years ago but for reasons unknown, it has made a return in the new update.

Even though the rule was removed from paper, the University still implemented its ban on same-sex dating on campus.

BYU students are not allowed to interact in 'same-sex romantic behavior' or risk the chance of being unenrolled

The university, where the student body is nearly all members of the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints, tells its Mormon students to 'live a chaste and virtuous life which includes abstaining from same-sex romantic behavior'

Gracee Purcell, a BYU psychology major told ReligionNews.com: 'Its heartbreaking to see it repeated over and over again that queer students arent welcome. Every time they reinstate and repeat it, it hurts a little more.'

In an FAQ list included with the announcement, the Church Educational System noted that the ban on same-sex behavior does not represent a change in LGBTQ policies.

The announcement declared that 'LGBTQ students are a welcomed and valued part of the campus community and share a common identity with every student as sons and daughters of God.'

However, BYU students are not allowed to interact in 'same-sex romantic behavior' or risk the chance of being unenrolled.

The University President Shane Reese has yet not commented on the change. Reese was inaugurated as the BYU head on Tuesday.

During his inauguration, President C. Shane Reese said: 'Like our colleagues at other religious institutions, we exert our strength only to the extent that we embrace and enhance our religious identity'

During his inauguration, President C. Shane Reese said: 'Each students eternal progression must remain our foremost concern.

'To this end, we strive for every student to have an inspiring learning experience. Bolstered by gospel methodology, we frame these experiences by our conviction that each student is a child of God who can be bound to Christ as a child of the covenant.

'Like our colleagues at other religious institutions, we exert our strength only to the extent that we embrace and enhance our religious identity.'

This comes a year after the U.S. Department of Education opened a civil-rights investigation into how LGBTQ students were being disciplined at the university.

Last September, BYU's Utah campus also removed fliers advertising resourceful pamphlets for LGBTQ students in welcome bags for new students.

The private college's administration removed the pieces of resourceful information so that students could refer to its Office of Belonging.

The brochures had details on regular LGBTQ events being held off campus, as well as local therapeutic resources, scholarship funding and mentorship. They were made by a non-profit called RaYnbow Collection, which is not school-affiliated.

Maddison Tenney, a LGBTQ student at BYU, revealed she was the one behind the creation of the pamphlets after experiencing loneliness at the Mormon-influenced university.

'I remember sitting in my white dorm room with these cement walls and breaking down,' Tenney told the NBC News. 'I didn't know anyone who was like me, who wanted to be faithful and embrace the fullness of themselves.'

The Mormon-influenced university said it removed the pamphlets, which provided information on LGBTQ events to news students, because it wanted faculty to inform themselves with the Office of Belonging

The honor code is aimed to follow the Church Educational System's mission to build disciples of Jesus Christ

The rule falls under BYU's honor code - which finds itself in the headlines over what some perceive to be conservative views.

Rules in the honor code include 'abstaining from alcoholic beverages, tobacco, tea, coffee, vaping, marijuana, and other substance abuse' and 'participating regularly in Church services.'

The honor code is aimed to follow the Church Educational System's mission to build disciples of Jesus Christ. This includes the faculty, administration, staff and students 'voluntarily' committing to conduct their lives in lieu with the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Followers of the honor code, which is approved by a Board of Trustees, are expected to 'maintain the highest standards in their personal conduct regarding honor, integrity, morality, and consideration of others'.

It requires people to be honest, 'live a chaste and virtuous life, including abstaining from sexual relations outside marriage between a man and a woman' and 'encourage others in their commitment to comply with the Honor Code.'

If found at fault for violating the honor code, students can be kept on probation, suspension or dismissed from the university.
A traumatized New Mexico family was held at gunpoint by a police officer for speeding as they tried to get their bloodied and bruised dog to the vet after it was run over by a car.

Tara and William Albrecht and their teenage son, Remi, 16, were racing down Route 550 through Bernalillo from their home in Rio Ranch to get their labradoodle, Stella, to the 24-hour emergency vet after their dog was hit.

The pup was seriously wounded and bleeding from its head as William raced against the clock to save their dying pet. But things went awry when they were stopped by a Bernalillo police officer, identified as Jeramie Nevarez, who held the family at gunpoint along the busy highway during the July 19 incident.

The harrowing ordeal was captured on the officers video lapel that showed him pointing a gun at William before turning the gun towards his wife and son.

During the video he is seen shouting at William to, 'step out of the vehicle!' before he orders him, 'to get on your knees!' as he pleads that his dog is 'gonna die!' and tells him, 'Sir, my dog's bleeding out of its mouth.'

Nevarez responded, 'I don't give a f***!' before responding officers, who arrived at the scene, intervened and he was eventually let go.

Sadly, Stella didn't make it and died shortly after arriving at the vet. Now, the family plans a lawsuit against the police.

William Albrecht is seen out of his vehicle with his hands in the air as the officer is seen pointing his weapon at him on the busy New Mexico highway

Stella, the labradoodle, was hit by a speeding car and died in July. The family was rushing her to the vet when they were stopped

The disturbing ordeal was captured on Bernalillo police officer Jeramie Nevarez's bodycam video

During the ordeal, Tara and her son watched in horror and disbelief as the officer ordered their loved one to step toward oncoming traffic and get on his knees.

'Step back, go to your left!' Officer Nevarez shouted. 'F****** faster! Get on your knees!', the video reveals.

William cooperated and had his hands in the air as the officer continued to shout out commands telling him to 'Face the f*** away from me!'

As William tried to explain to the officer what had happened to their dog, they said, the cop never approached the family's car.

It's unclear why the officers drew his gun at the family or believed they were a dangerous threat.

When DailyMail.com contacted the Bernalillo Police Department to find out if Officer Nevarez, or any of the other officers were reprimanded, they were unavailable for comment.

William told local station KRQE: 'I imagined if he was going to pull me over for speeding, I'd pull over,' he said.

'He'd say something to me and then maybe even help us get there. You know, I've heard of stories like that before, but that didn't happen.'

The mother and son were frantic as William's wife began recording the horrid events on her phone. At one point, she is heard telling her son to roll down the window. Part of the footage shows her husband being instructed to move away from the family's car.

'I'm thinking, this is unbelievable,' she told the news outlet. 'I can't believe  it's like, why didn't someone just come check with us, find out what the reason our speeding was, and help us?'

When other police arrived she was in a state of panic as she worried for the safety of her child and husband.

Footage shows three officers arriving and continuing with a felony stop, as they pointed guns at the family and shouted, 'Hands up!'

The harrowing scene was captured on the cops bodycam and showed the terrified family being held

William revealed he was for his family's well being as he recalled some of the terrifying events from that day. 'I saw my son was sticking his hands out the window, too, like, dude, our dog's going to die,' he said. 'I was scared. I was genuinely scared'

Video footage shows Tara desperately pleading with the officers as she held her dog that was bleeding and bruised, the grave injuries her pup sustained.

'She's going to die! She got hit by a car!' she said.

She filmed the disturbing exchange on her phone as she tried to tell officers for a second time, 'Sir, look she's bleeding! Look at my dog, she's bleeding out of her face and they're holding us on the side of the road.'

William's teenage son, who was shirtless, was ordered out of the vehicle and had his hands in the air, as he told police: 'Our dog's gonna die!'

The boy told the officers how serious his dog's injuries were and how she was bleeding from her head.

He pointed in the direction of the car where his mother was sitting and where his sick dog was, but William said, 'none of them seemed to even care at the moment at all.'

William revealed how concerned he was for his family's well being as he recalled some of the terrifying events from that day.

'I saw my son was sticking his hands out the window, too, like, dude, our dog's going to die,' he said. 'I was scared. I was genuinely scared.'

At one point during the stop, officer Nevarez had cops direct William's son to the patrol car. Exacerbated, he said, 'I can't believe you're doing this, sir,' he said.

Nevarez responded: 'Jesus f****** Christ, man!.'

Another officer who was on the scene eventually convinced Nevarez to let the family go.

'Let 'em get out of here,' the officer told Nevarez before making the call on his radio alerting responding units.

As police removed William's handcuffs, he told Nevarez, 'Dude, you're something else, man.'

Officer Nevarez responded, 'You're something else, sir.'

Before driving off, he told them 'that was unnecessary,' before Navarez replied, 'Good luck with your dog,' as the patrol car door slammed.

The family's dog Stella didn't make it and died shortly after they arrived at the vet.

The grieving dog mom said, 'it's horrible...she was such a great dog.'

Meanwhile, the officer who pulled them over wrote in his report that William was speeding and driving recklessly. William was never given a citation and there is no video of a pursuit.

In the officer's report, he stated, 'I drew my department-issued firearm and pointed it towards the immediate threat. I yelled for the driver to get back inside the vehicle.'

The officer also wrote that William, 'looked mad with his hands clenched in the air.'

William told the news outlet that he has always been supportive of law enforcement, but he said he is still trying to figure out what triggered the felony stop.

He shared the terror he was feeling when he saw the gun to his son's head. 'I really felt like when I got out of the car, this dude might shoot me if I make the wrong move.'

He added, 'I would never put my son in a position like that, ever.'

'I back the blue. I support the blue. Like, I always want to show him that, you know, you submit to these guys. That you're supposed to be able to trust them,' William said.

The family recalled the trauma. 'What did we do to warrant guns being pointed at our head?' Williams said.

'Pointing a loaded gun at a man's head, it's a threat, you know? And I didn't feel like I earned that threat.'

'We're talking about loaded weapons with one in the chamber where if he pulls that trigger on accident, I'm dead. My son's dead. And then what?' he said.

'Then what are they going to say? Oh, we're sorry. There's no sorry for that,' William said.
BBC director-general Tim Davie says he has questioned whether he could have done more over Russell Brand during his time as the corporations radio boss.

Both he and Channel 4s chief executive Alex Mahon also raised concerns that terrible behaviour toward women in the industry that was historically tolerated is not wholly historic and is still a problem.

Speaking at the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention on Wednesday, Mr Davie refused to rule out an external review into what went on with Brand at the BBC.

It comes a day after the director-general announced a BBC probe into Russell Brands time at the corporation after the comedian was accused of rape and sexual assault.

Mr Davie, who for a short time was in charge of BBC radio when Brand was still there, was asked whether he regretted more was not done at the time to find out about Brands behaviour.

Russell Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame. He denies the allegations (pictured in 2017)

BBC director-general Tim Davie says he has asked himself if he could 'have done more' over Russell Brand's time at the BBC (Davie pictured above earlier this year)

At the time of the claims, Brand was working for the Channel 4 as well as the BBC and starring in Hollywood films (pictured last Friday in a video denying the 'very serious' allegations)

Tim Davie, speaking to journalist Kate Buckley at the Royal Television Society's Cambridge Convention on Wednesday, said he was 'asking those questions' about whether he could have 'done more' about Russell Brand while the comedian was at the BBC

The director-general, who has already said he wasnt aware of the serious allegations against Brand before the comedian resigned over the Andrew Sachs scandal, said: I always look back with hindsight when you hear things coming out and you go Could you have done more?... Were all asking those questions.

Mr Davie, in his former radio role, was involved in the BBCs report into Sachsgate, when on air on Radio 2 Brand and Jonathan Ross left lewd message on the Fawlty Towers actors voicemail about his granddaughter.

But the BBC chief defended that probe saying the corporation did a rigorous piece of work on the situation which led to significant departures.

Both he and Ms Mahon, who was also at the event, raised concerns that this type of behaviour may still exist in parts of the broadcasting industry.

Mr Davie said: Id echo Alexs words that I thought were extremely well put which is I think we just cant be complacent.

And this is not an issue that can be just put down as wholly historic, if Im honest...

In her speech to the convention, Channel 4 boss Ms Mahon said the Brand allegations show that terrible behaviour towards women has been historically tolerated in the industry.

She added while this behaviour was less prevalent now it was still a problem.

Ms Mahon added: The allegations made against Russell Brand are horrendous and as a CEO of Channel 4 and as a woman in our industry, I found the behaviours described in Dispatches and The Sunday Times and The Times articles disgusting and saddening.

When Mr Davie announced the BBC review into Brand on Tuesday, he said it will look into any complaints made against the comedian and allegations that a BBC car was used to pick up a 16-year-old schoolgirl and take her to Brands house.

Asked if it could eventually lead to an external review of what went on, he said: I dont rule out anything I just want to get the facts.

He added there had been deep problems with misogyny and abuse of power in the industry and we just have to be utterly vigilant and be unaccepting of it.

Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

The comedian, who used to work on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programmes from 2006 to 2008, has strongly denied the allegations.

Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon (pictured) has said the Russell Brand allegations show that 'terrible behaviour' towards women has been 'historically tolerated' in the industry

The comedian released a video last week refuting all the allegations against him. Pictured: Brand leaving the Troubabour Wembley Park theatre after a gig on Saturday night

Alice (pictured) alleges that Russell Brand sexually assaulted her when she was 16 years old. She claims he would send a car to pick her up from her secondary school lessons, which she has since claimed was a 'BBC car'

Channel 4 and the BBC have taken down shows featuring Brand from their streaming services.

Since the allegations were made public on Saturday, Dispatches claims to have received new complaints about the star, which programme chiefs say they are now investigating.

Ms Mahon added that her channel had invited anyone that knew about such behaviour to come to them directly as well as noting that they had set up a process for people to contact the broadcaster anonymously if they needed to.

'They are not empty words or gestures from all of us, they are what is meant by our duty of care', she continued.

'We will seek to find out who knew, who was told what and what was or wasn't referred up.'

'There is still more change that needs to come and Channel 4, along with those others, are at the forefront of that change', she added.

Brand vehemently denies the allegations, which also include claims of controlling, abusive and predatory behaviour, and said  in a video posted online on Friday night  that all of his relationships had been 'consensual'.

Alistair Jackson, investigations editor of Dispatches, said: 'We put our contacts at the end of the programme at the end of the film and our team has spent most of the time since reaching out to people who got in contact.'

Mr Jackson told the BBC's Newscast podcast the claims included 'serious allegations' and his team were advising the women to speak to the police, if they so wished.

The new allegations have not yet been investigated or proven with the Dispatches team saying it would rigorously check them.

A Channel 4 source also told the i newspaper: 'It is imperative that we respect the bravery and privacy of anyone who comes forward with more information about inappropriate or offensive behaviour.

'We must also ensure we do not share any information which might potentially prejudice any future investigation or process so it wouldn't be appropriate at this moment in time to provide details about information which has been shared with us.'

The comments from the Channel 4 boss come after it was today revealed that Paramount+ has removed Brand's 2009 comedy show 'Live in New York City'  following in the footsteps of YouTube and the BBC in cutting ties.

Brand, 48, was accused over the weekend by four women of rape and sexual assault, as well as extreme emotional abuse and manipulation.

The show has been taken down, and an error message in its place

Russell Brand's 2009 comedy special was available on Paramount+ until Tuesday morning

He denies the allegations, insisting all his relationships were consensual, and claiming he is the victim of a 'mainstream media plot' to derail his YouTube career as a wellness guru. Yesterday, however, Paramount+ took the show down.

His most recent stand-up special, 'Russell Brand Re:Birth,' remains available on Netflix. Netflix has not commented.

Paramount+'s move came after YouTube suspended lucrative adverts on his channel, he was dumped by his book publisher and agent, and discarded by charities.

The tour dates for his one-man stage show have been axed, he faces a police investigation and a probe by the Charity Commission.

His back catalogue of comedy shows is being wiped from Channel 4's streaming service and from iPlayer after BBC director-general Tim Davie called them 'completely unacceptable', with the BBC declaring its former star's material 'falls below public expectations'.

Mr Davie pledged a full review of Brand's time at the corporation from 2006 to 2008, including the presenter's alleged use of a BBC chauffeur to collect a 16-year-old schoolgirl from lessons for sex.

Brand is seen on Saturday leaving a gig in London - the last time he was seen in public

The BBC, where Brand was a host on Radio 2 and a guest on other channels, said the 'limited content featuring Russell Brand on iPlayer and BBC Sounds' had been removed 'having assessed that it now falls below public expectations'.

Channel 4, where Brand burnished his name in the mainstream media fronting a Big Brother spin-off show in the 2000s, also erased his shows including a Celebrity Bake Off episode from its streaming service 'while we look into this matter'.

Brand's book publisher Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, 'paused all future publishing' with him, while Comic Relief, where he took part in its BBC telethons, said 'it would not be appropriate for us to work with Russell Brand'.

The Charity Commission is examining Brand's role at his addiction foundation the Stay Free Foundation following the revelations.

Brand denies any criminal wrongdoing. More women are now coming forward to accuse Brand of sexual misconduct.

Among the latest accusations, a woman has alleged Brand taunted her about her looks and sang about the Soham killer Ian Huntley during sex.

'Lisa' told The Times she was invited to the comedian's house in 2008, when she was in her early twenties, with a female friend of hers for a threesome, and because the two women's real names sounded vaguely similar to 'Holly and Jessica',

Brand started making vile jokes about the ten-year-old girls who were murdered by Huntley in 2002.

Esme, another woman who spoke to The Times, said she told the comedian 'no' when he asked her back to his house about 15 years ago, and was shocked when his driver took them there anyway.

YouTube suspended lucrative adverts on his channel, he was dumped by his book publisher and agent, and discarded by charities. Pictured: On Comic Relief in 2017

Thought to be one of his main revenue streams, he has 6.6million subscribers to his YouTube channel, allowing him to earn an estimated 1million a year from the adverts shown whenever someone watches one of his videos

Thought to be one of his main revenue streams, he has 6.6million subscribers to his YouTube channel, allowing him to earn an estimated $1.2million a year from the adverts shown whenever someone watches one of his videos.

Sara McCorquodale, of social media analysis agency CORQ, estimated 'he is most likely making $2,400 to $4,400 per video', and he has been filming up to five each week. He may still be earning cash from merchandising and sponsorships.

And he is likely to be still earning fees from Rumble, a more Right-wing version of YouTube, where his almost-daily posts have a potential of earning up to $99,000 each.

But since the weekend when he was accused of rape and a string of sexual assaults in a Sunday Times and Channel 4 Dispatches investigation, followed by an allegation from 2003 being investigated by the Metropolitan Police yesterday, his profile has gone into freefall.

The 48-year-old comic and 'wellness' guru strenuously denies all the claims and calls them a wild conspiracy by the 'mainstream media', saying all his relationships during his 'time of promiscuity' were fully consensual.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said at a House hearing Wednesday he did not know whether there were government informants present at the Capitol on January 6  after a former top FBI official testified there were informants there and the feds had to scramble to determine how many.

Garland repeated his answer when getting grilled by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.

Massie asked the AG how many government agents or assets were present on or around January 6, also referencing his own earlier inquiry about people 'agitating in the crowd.'

'I don't know the answer to that question,' Garland replied.

'You don't know how many there were, or there were none,' Massie pressed.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said he didn't know how many government informants were at the Capitol on January 6, following testimony by a former top FBI official about an after the fact 'poll' to determine the number

'I don't know the answer to either of those questions. If there were any, I don't know how many. I don't know whether there are any,' Garland said.

'I think you may have just perjured your self,' said Massie, who is the subject of a documentary about the Kentucky farm where he lives off the grid.

'You want to say that again, that you don't know that there were any?'

'I have no personal knowledge on this matter,' Garland proceeded.

Then, Massie brought up a conspiracy theory about Ray Epps, who sued Fox News for defamation over claims he was a government agent.

Massie then brought up Epps' indictment on a misdemeanor charge, calling it a 'joke' at a time when he said Garland and the DOJ are 'sending grandmas to prison.'

He then went on to complain about some of the sentences handed down for people convicted of taking part in the riot at the Capitol when lawmakers gathered to count the electoral votes.

He also referenced the 22-year sentence of Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was arrested before January 6 for burning a church Black Lives Matter banner, and who wasn't at the Capitol.

Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Donald Trump loyalist who may force a vote to try to take down Speaker Kevin McCarthy, also hammered Garland on January 6  but did so after a clash over China, and didn't end up getting an answer.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) grilled Garland about informants. A former top official in the FBI's Washington Field Office says some informants came to D.C. without telling their handlers on January 6. At least one may have told his handler in advance, he said

Judiciary Committee Jim Jordan and the Republican majority repeatedly went after Garland

Donald Trump loyalist Rep. Matt Gaetz accused the DOJ of giving Hunter Biden special treatment. He tried to pin down Garland with a January 6 question after hitting him on a China issue

'So, did the FBI lose count of the number of paid informants on January 6th?' Gaetz asked him, immediately after accusing Hunter Biden of engaging in 'bribery' with Chinese officials.

'Let me answer your question about China,' Garland responded.

'I only get five minutes,' Gaetz said, pointing to a time limit. 'You've already sort of I think screwed the pooch on China. So on January 6 did you lose count of the number of federal assets, did you lose count and order an audit?' he asked.

That prompted top Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler to respond that Gaetz's time had expired. 'Let him answer the question,' Nadler intoned.

That prompted a Garland response dealing only with the China threat.

The fireworks at the oversight hearing came after the release of an explosive transcript where a former assistant director at the FBI testified that there were paid government informants present on January 6  although some evidently assisted the government on drug or other cases and came to DC without the knowledge of their handlers.

Steven DAntuono, former assistant director-in-charge of the Washington Field Office, told the House Judiciary Committee that confidential sources attended and other informants went on their own accord.

He said the Washington Field Office knew ahead of time that some undercover operatives would be at the Stop the Steal rally before the Capitol storming.

There were so many, the FBI 'lost track' of some of them and had to perform an audit later to determine how many were there.

DAntuono said behind closed doors that at least one informant was in contact with his FBI handler when he entered the Capitol.

The informant, from Kansas City was 'trying to stop some of the action happening and they left or whatnot ... but I'm not sure if that handler knew that he was coming or not,' D'Antuono said.

In that instance, 'I believe the case agent knew he was coming because I think he told them, if I recall,' he said.

Judiciary Committee chairman Rep. Jim Jordan asked DAntuono whether there were 'known or unknown Confidential Human Sources (CHSes) at the riot'.

'Well, I think they were both,' he responded.

Jordan replied: 'So, you now know that there were CHSes that the FBI knew ahead of time were going to be here on January 6 and that there were also some unknown CHSes who, on their own accord, decided to come here on January 6?'

'That is my belief, yeah,' DAntuono responded.

He amplified his comments by explaining how informants might have ended up there. Typically, an FBI field office will notify a jurisdiction when one of their informants is headed there.

'Now, [Washington Field Office] may have had a CHS in the crowd that was a drug CHS, violent crime CHS, that didn't tell us they were going, right. People have a citizen's right to go and protest. We're not going to stop them from doing that. As you well know, we had FBI agents there. We had other government officials. People are there, right. That's -- I firmly believe that's their citizen's right, right,' he said.

'So I think we asked headquarters to do a poll or put out something to people saying was any CHSes involved. And I think that's when we started getting responses back,' he said.

The clash over January 6 comes days after former President Trump on NBC's 'Meet the Press' refused to say whether he ordered law enforcement to protect the Capitol, but said he 'behaved so well.'

Gaetz and other Trump allies have tried to claim left-wing Antifa instigated the riot, where more than 1,000 people have been convicted after swarms of Trump supporters stormed the Capitol. Trump himself also blamed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for security failures in his recent 'Meet the Press' interview.
A farmer who reported a crash which led to the deaths of two people is still angry about the delayed response from police, an inquiry has heard.

John Wilson, 53, from Stirling, gave evidence on Wednesday to the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of Lamara Bell, 25 and John Yuill, 28, in July 2015.

Ms Bell and Mr Yuill were driving back from a camping trip early on July 5 that year when their car crashed on the M9, at the eastbound junction with the M80.

Mr Wilson told Falkirk Sheriff Court he was driving on Pirnhall Road in Stirling at around 10am that day with his father in the passenger seat.

He told the inquiry that his father, who was not named in court, saw the couples blue Renault Clio down an embankment.

Ms Bell and Mr Yuill were driving back from a camping trip early on July 5, 2015

Mr Wilson said he reported the sighting to Police Scotland on 101 at around 11.28am that morning, after discussing it with his family when they got home.

The inquiry heard a recording of his call as well as a transcript of Mr Wilsons conversation with Sergeant Brian Henry.

Mr Wilson gave Sgt Henry the details and said the officer told him he would look on the police system, and get it checked out if the incident had not already been reported.

Earlier this week, the inquiry heard Sgt Henry made inquiries about the incident but failed to log the call.

Mr Wilson was asked by advocate depute Gavin Anderson KC if he had expected the police to do anything.

He replied that he would have expected police to check it out and that he was doing his duty as a member of the public by reporting it.

He said he was driving in the same area the following day Monday, July 6, at around 9.30am and was asked if he paid close attention to that part of the road, which he confirmed he did.

Mr Wilson told the inquiry he noticed there was damage to trees at the location the crash took place, new tree bark and tyre skid marks.

He said he drove past the crash site again on the morning of Tuesday, July 7, and noted there was still no change.

On Wednesday, July 8, Mr Wilson said he was told by his wife in a phone call that she had heard a helicopter landing on the field behind her office, which was close to the crash site.

Mr Wilson then travelled to the site, which he told the inquiry was around a quarter-of-a-mile from his farm.

He said he returned home and made another call to the police on 101 to inform them he had reported the car on Sunday morning.

Mr Anderson asked Mr Wilson why he phoned the police again. Mr Wilson said: Internal anger was starting to boil up in me.

An air ambulance was pulling out a stretcher. I thought: This is not a recovery job, its a rescue job.

There is someone in that vehicle. My blood pressure was rising and the anger was starting to take over.

I had to get out of there.

Police officers search the scene of the crash at Junction 9 of the M9

Later, he was asked by the solicitor representing the family of Ms Bell, Andrew Thomson KC: Do you still have that anger?

Mr Wilson responded: Yes. I felt let down. It angers me that nothing had been done.

The inquiry also heard recordings of two other calls Mr Wilson made to Police Scotland on July 8, in which he spoke to a call operator named Andy.

During the call, Mr Wilson said he speculated on a missing persons appeal he had seen on the news on Monday morning and told the police it could be them, but that he was just guessing.

The call operator assured Mr Wilson while on the phone he would find out about the incident.

In the recording, he told Mr Wilson: I will let the powers that be know about this.

If I can find out quickly, I will call you right back.

Mr Wilson told the inquiry he did not receive a call back about the incident and had to call police himself to find out the outcome of the crash.

He was told by a 101 call handler that information could not be given on the phone for various reasons, but if the incident warranted it a press release would be issued.

Mr Wilson was later visited by police officers who he gave statements to about the incident.
President Joe Biden faces an incredibly difficult choice: save Hunter or his 2024 White House hopes.

It's looking increasingly likely that he can't do both.

Hunter's lawyers announced on Tuesday that the president's only surviving son will plead not guilty to federal gun charges after he was indicted for lying about his drug use to purchase a gun.

And there may be even more shoes ready to drop now that Hunter's shady sweetheart plea with his dad's Justice Department has collapsed.

He may face also charges for tax evasion and illegally lobbying the US government on behalf of foreign interests.

This must feel like a living nightmare in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

As Hunter inches closer to trial and the distinct possibility that he may be convicted and sentenced to serious time behind bars, there are reports that President Biden has voiced fears that he, 'might be dead before his son's case would be resolved.'

And a former aide to Jill Biden even compared the 'weight' of Hunter's legal woes to the 'emotionally taxing' loss of Joe's son Beau over which the President 'probably cries every day.'

But there's something the President can do - he can pardon Hunter.

He can even do it preemptively and put an immediate stop to any criminal proceedings.

Joe Biden doesn't need to wait for the completion of a painful trial to officially forgive Hunter for his alleged crimes.

And he wouldn't be the first president to help a family member caught up in the justice system.

President Joe Biden faces an incredibly difficult choice: save Hunter or his 2024 White House hopes. It's looking increasingly likely that he can't do both.

Hunter's lawyers announced that the president's only surviving son will plead not guilty to federal gun charges after he was indicted for lying about his drug use to purchase a gun.

President Bill Clinton infamously pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton, who was arrested in the mid-1980s for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer. Roger spent a year in prison. The 2001 presidential pardon wiped his record clean.

But in a testament to the tricky politics of presidential pardons, Clinton waited until the day he left office to make the announcement. It's a hard to convince the American people that the president is justified in giving his family special treatment.

So that's your choice Joe.

You can pardon Hunter, exit stage left and kiss your 2024 dreams goodbye. Or, you can leave Hunter swinging in the wind.

As far as Congressional Democrats are concerned, they've made their decision. They're ready to throw Hunter under the bus to save his dad and their own political futures.

'Hunter Biden may have very well done some improper things. He's a disturbed man,' said Congressman Jerry Nadler, the Democratic top member on the Judiciary Committee.

'Our job, or my job, will be to remind the American people of that over and over again  that Hunter Biden is not the administration,' argued Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, who sits on a committee investigating GOP claims of government bias.

President Bill Clinton infamously pardoned his half-brother Roger Clinton (above), who was arrested in the mid-1980s for selling cocaine to an undercover police officer. Roger spent a year in prison. The 2001 presidential pardon wiped his record clean.

Frankly, can you blame them? Hunter legal troubles have become a full-blown scandal for the president.

A new CNN poll showed a solid majority  61 percent of Americans  believe Joe Biden was involved in Hunter's business dealings. Another 55 percent think the President interfered in some way in the investigation into Hunter.

And now with the Republican impeachment inquiry and a potential trial on the horizon only more details will leak out into the public consciousness.

But then again, these Democrats are directly contradicting the President.

Joe Biden recently said: 'My son has done nothing wrong. I trust him. I have faith in him, and [the investigation] impacts my Presidency by making me feel proud of him.'

This is an incredible moment. And it's important for Americans to take a step back and realize how long the mainstream media and the Democrats have been gaslighting them.

For remember how this all started. Fifty-one former intelligence community honchos warned the nation that Hunter's laptop was a Russian disinformation plot. Joe repeated false claim on a presidential debate stage.

Demands that Hunter be held accountable for not paying taxes, for his illegal gun, for all the crack and hookers and even for refusing to acknowledge his own daughter who he fathered with an ex-DC stripper were Republican talking points that unfairly targeted a recovering addict.

Joe Biden recently said: 'My son has done nothing wrong. I trust him. I have faith in him, and [the investigation] impacts my Presidency by making me feel proud of him.'

A new CNN poll showed a solid majority  61 percent of Americans  believe Joe Biden was involved in Hunter's business dealings.

Now, we know the laptop is real. The contents of it, along with other evidence gathered from bank accounts and business records, have convinced the American people that what Hunter did was wrong and  most Americans believe - that Joe knew about it.

So we're a long way away from this being a GOP hit job.

It also wasn't long ago that criticism of Biden's age was written off as a vile smear - ageism.

Now, even 69 percent of Democrats tell pollsters that Biden is too old to serve another four years as president.

With these poll numbers, Joe's party is put in a difficult position.

Democrats are well aware that only Joe Biden has proven he can beat Donald Trump. Letting him walk away means risking Trump's return. That terrifies them.

But the President's position is damn near impossible.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre has repeatedly ruled out the possibility that the President would pardon his son. 'I've answered this question before,' she said last week. 'I was very clear, and I said no.'

It's hard to see how Joe could go back on that now. And a president who pardons his son can't make the argument that he represents normalcy against the chaotic lawlessness of Trump.

The hypocrisy would be too blatant for even the media to ignore.

But if Joe decides not to drop out the price of doing so may be that his only surviving son has to live with the consequences of his actions.

Hunter may have to go to jail.
The grim scene inside what officials have called a 'migrant flophouse' in upstate New York has been revealed after 31 asylum seekers, including children, were ordered to leave.

A judge ordered the home be vacated on Monday after local officials conducted a surprise inspection of the three-bedroom home in Rockland County, about an hour north of NYC, and determined the number of migrants living in the home was 'unacceptable.'

'We executed a search warrant at this location and discovered at least 31 migrants who came to this country through Texas to New York City,' said Clarkstown Supervisor George Hoehmann.

More than 110,000 migrants have flooded into the city since the spring of 2022. Many of the migrants have been transported north from Republican border states in a bid to prove the Democrats' open arms policies are a disaster.

'The conditions in this home with 31 people living in the garage basement and a host of alleged building code violations was completely unacceptable... Our investigation thus far has determined that this is an organized effort that has brought these illegal immigrants and migrants to Clarkstown,' Hoehmann added.

The grim scene inside what officials have called a 'migrant flophouse' in upstate New York has been revealed after 31 asylum seekers, including children, were ordered out

Images show mattresses lined up next to each other all over the home, including on the concrete floor of the garage and basements

The migrants who had been living in the home are from Ecuador and Guatemala and arrived in the US through Texas, according to officials

Images shared by Hoehmann show mattresses lined up next to each other all over the home, including on the concrete floor of the garage and basements. He described the scene as 'mattress upon mattress upon mattress.'

In one image, an American flag can be seen hanging in the dark garage, where shoes and beers are scattered across the floor.

According to court documents, officials found walls and partitions were constructed that would block an emergency response. They also found no operating smoke alarms, no operating carbon monoxide alarms, no sprinklers or fire extinguishers.

The home, at 295 New Hempstead Road, New City, is owned by Shloima Koppel and was purchased in 2022 for $470,000.

Rockland County officials said they are now investigating another property owned by Koppel in Spring Valley.

They added that they have received more than 30 tips on other properties that may also be housing dozens of migrants.

'We knew something was amiss. What we saw was so bad. This was by far the worst flophouse weve seen,' Hoehmann told The New York Post.

Hoehmann said the tenants mentioned they were using the home as a 'way station' before moving on to another possibly nearby residence.

He warned suburban New York residents the migrant crisis 'is coming to a local town near you.'

An American flag can be seen hanging in the dark garage, where shoes and beers can be seen scattered on the floor

The home, at 295 New Hempstead Road, New City, is owned by Shloima Koppel and was purchased in 2022 for $470,000

The migrants were seen moving out after the judge's order

Mayor Eric Adams has also warned that the migrant crisis in New York City will continue to spill out to neighboring counties.

The crisis is expected to cost the city more than $4billion this fiscal year if the situation continues - and mayor Adams has warned the influx of asylum seekers could destroy the city.

Despite Adams' cries for help from the state and federal government, the city has not received aid to cover the extra costs, so the $4.7billion would come from the city's budget. That amount is equal to the budgets for the city's sanitation, fire and parks departments combined.

There are now nearly 60,000 migrants in the city's care, with about 21,000 new migrant children starting school this year.

City officials have said they expect the asylum seeker population to reach nearly 33,980 households this fiscal year.

The mayor has said that the city's services will be affected by the additional expenses on the budget. He has previously stated the city is planning on cutting services such as library hours, meals for senior citizens, and free, full-day care for three-year-olds.

The city has a legal obligation to give shelter to those who make their way to the metro, and Adams has desperately turned to a variety of city landmarks, makeshift shelters and temporary housing as short-term solutions.

New York officials have been sounding the alarm for months over their inability to right the ship, with Adams cautioning that his office estimates the issue will cost the city in the region of $12 billion in just three years.

He declared a state of emergency in the fall and has repeatedly labelled the deluge a 'humanitarian crisis'. The mayor's failed requests for more federal funding led him to condemn President Biden in April for 'failing' the city.

The crisis is also far from contained to New York, as numerous major metros have also struggled with housing asylum seekers. In Chicago, residents were stunned to find a police precinct had been turned into a shelter in May.
He asked his wife Barbara Fried to 'lobby' their son to increase salary, lawyers say

Sam Bankman-Fried's father whined that his $200,000 salary from his son's now-bankrupt crypto platform was a fraction of the $1 million he was expecting, according to court documents.

Details of Joe Bankman's complaint were outlined in a Delaware lawsuit which claims he and his partner Barbara Fried used their influence at FTX to enrich themselves to the tune of millions of dollars.

Joe, 68, is said to have emailed FTX in January 2022 to complain his salary was a fifth of what he was expecting.

The Stanford University law professor moaned he was being paid around $16,500 a month, when he anticipated $80,000.

He took his gripe to his son, before looping in his mother and telling him: 'Gee Sam, I don't know what to say here. This is the first [I] have heard of the 200K a year salary! Putting Barbara on this.'

Joe Bankman is a tax law professor at the University of Stanford and was a formal employee of FTX prior to its collapse.

Weeks later, the couple were gifted $10 million by Alameda Research, FTX's sister hedge fund, also founded by their son, according to the suit, while within three months they were handed the deed to a $16.4 million home in the Bahamas.

Lawyers claim that Joe essentially used fellow Stanford University Law Professor Barbara, 71, to 'lobby' their son to increase their salaries.

Barbara is also accused of helping her son 'avoid if not violate federal campaign finance disclosure rules' around his political donations.

Meanwhile Joe allegedly siphoned $5.5 million in donations to Stanford University in order to 'curry favor' with his employer, whilst 'showering' his family and friends with gifts.

The couple have further been accused of helping cover up complaints from the crypto exchange's former attorney.

Law professor Barbara Friend has been accused of helping her son mismanage FTX funds to siphon off millions of dollars to enrich themselves

$16.4 million: The sprawling property in Old Fort Bay, the luxury gated community where records show Bankman-Fried's parents owned a 'vacation home'

The suit claims the couple 'either knew - or ignored bright red flags revealing - that their son, Bankman-Fried, and other FTX Insiders were orchestrating a vast fraudulent scheme.'

A statement from the couple's attorneys denied all allegations, saying they are 'completely false.'

Sean Hecker, counsel to Joe, and Michael Tremonte, counsel to Barbara said: 'This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their childs trial begins. These claims are completely false.

'Mr. Ray and his massive team of lawyers, who are collectively running up countless millions of dollars in fees while returning relatively little to FTX clients, know better,'

Stanford University, in a statement, said the institution will be returning the funds 'in their entirety.'

Dee Mostofi, a university spokesperson said: 'Stanford received gifts from the FTX Foundation and FTX-related companies largely for pandemic-related prevention and research.

Sam Bankman-Fried, 31, is currently in jail awaiting trial

'We have been in discussions with attorneys for the FTX debtors to recover these gifts and we will be returning the funds in their entirety.'

Bankman-Fried is currently jailed and awaiting trial under federal indictment on money laundering and fraud charges in connection to FTX's disastrous collapse.

He was at the helm of the crypto platform when it filed for bankruptcy protection after a run on deposits brought highlight a whopping $8billion hole in the exchange's accounts.

Soon after, Bankman-Fried was charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan.

The 31-year-old's trial is set to begin on October 3. He has pleaded not guilty.
Cassidy Hutchinson, a former Trump aide, has accused Rudy Giuliani of groping her on January 6 in a shocking new memoir.

The 27-year-old, who was a star witness at the January 6 Committee hearings, alleges 79-year-old Giuliani put his hand 'under my blazer, then my skirt' and was like a 'wolf closing in on his prey'.

The former New York Mayor 'fingered the fabric' and said, 'Im loving this leather jacket on you', she claims in the explosive book.

Hutchinson then describes feeling 'his frozen fingers trail up my thigh'.

Giuliani dismissed the accusation as a 'disgusting lie'.

Ted Goodman, a political advisor to the former Mayor, said: 'It's fair to ask Cassidy Hutchinson why she is just now coming out with these allegations from two and a half years ago, as part of the marketing campaign for her upcoming book release.

'This is a disgusting lie against Mayor Rudy Giuliani - a man whose distinguished career in public service includes taking down the Mafia, cleaning up New York City and comforting the nation following September 11th."

Mark Meadows' ex-chief of staff Cassidy Hutchinson claims Rudy Giuliani groped her on January 6 in her new memoir

The 27-year-old former Trump aide alleges Giuliani put his hand 'under my blazer, then my skirt' and was like a 'wolf closing in on his prey'

Hutchinson says the encounter occurred backstage in a tent during Donald Trump's Stop the Steal Rally before the Capitol Riot.

She was a Trump supporter who worked for White House chief of staff Mark Meadows.

But she turned and became a controversial witness in the January 6 hearings in Congress.

At the hearings she testified that Trump tried to grab the throat of a Secret Service agent in his presidential limo so he could be driven to the Capitol to join his supporters.

On Wednesday. for the first time, she made the claims about Giuliani, the former New York Mayor who became Trump's personal lawyer.

'I feel his frozen fingers trail up my thigh,' she writes in an excerpt from the memoir 'Enough' which was obtained by The Guardian.

Hutchinson was a Trump supporter and White House staffer who then turned and became a controversial witness in the January 6 hearings in Congress

'He tilts his chin up. The whites of his eyes look jaundiced. My eyes dart to [Trump adviser] John Eastman, who flashes a leering grin.

'I fight against the tension in my muscles and recoil from Rudys grip  filled with rage, I storm through the tent, on yet another quest for Mark (Meadows),' she adds.

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Giuliani for comment.

Giuliani is celebrated as 'Americas mayor' for his leadership after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks.

The accusation by Hutchinson emerged two days after Giulianis former lawyer sued him, alleging he has paid only a fraction of the $1.6 million in legal fees he racked up from investigations into his efforts to keep Donald Trump in the White House.

Robert Costello and his law firm, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP, say Giuliani still owes $1.36 million.

According to the lawsuit Giulianis last payment was $10,000 on September 14.

'I cant express how personally hurt I am by what Bob Costello has done,' Giuliani said on Monday.

'Its a real shame when lawyers do things like this, and all I will say is that their bill is way in excess to anything approaching legitimate fees.'

Giuliani, Trump and 17 others were indicted last month in Georgia.

Rudy Giuliani speaks as Trump supporters gather by the White House on Jan 6, 2021

They are accused by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis of plotting to subvert Joe Bidens election win in 2020.

Giuliani has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he acted as a co-conspirator.

Giuliani could also be on the hook for a massive financial penalty after a judge held him liable last month in a defamation lawsuit brought by two Georgia election workers who say he falsely accused them of fraud.

In July, he put his Manhattan apartment up for sale for $6.5 million.

After his indictment, he directed social media followers to the website of his legal defense fund.
The murdered leader of an Ecuadorian gang has been buried with dozens of firearms in his coffin.

Manuel 'El Fatal' Sevillano, 39, and his 21-year-old daughter were executed outside a carwash on September 13 in the central city of Mocache.

Surveillance camera footage showed the victims near Sevillano's vehicle when the assailants arrived in a SUV and unleashed a hail of bullets.

Sevillano was declared dead on the scene and his daughter was rushed to a local medical facility, where doctors attempted to save her life before she died.

Instead of allowing authorities to transport the Los Fatales gang leader's body to the coroner's office, the family removed his body from the crime scene.

Sevillano's family held a wake the following day with a now-viral cellphone video showing guests piling up a cache of guns on top of his body..

A cache of firearms was placed on top of the body of murdered Ecuadorian gang leader Manuel Sevillano during a wake on September 14

The 39-year-old was executed alongside 21-year-old daughter (pictured together) a day earlier at a carwash in the city of Mocache

A Mocache resident, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, told Ecuadorian newspaper El Universo that the gunmen apparently were tracking the gang boss' whereabouts.

'It seems that they had followed his movements, (Manuel) always came to wash the car in the morning,' the person said. 'His enemies took advantage of that.'

No arrests had been made as of Wednesday.

Sevillano had identified himself as the leader of Los Fatales following the arrest of their former boss, Jose 'Fito' Macias, the jailed leader of Los Choneros, a powerful gang that holds a strong influence within Ecuador's penitentiary system and links to Mexican and Colombian cartel.

Under Sevillano's leadership, the gang allied itself with Los Choneros and waged war with rival gangs, such as Los Cornejos, for the control of drug trafficking routes in the Pacific coast province of Manabi and the province of Los Rios just to the east.

Sevillano was arrested in May 2005 in connection with the murder of Mocache Deputy Mayor Bolivar Cordero, 57, and his son Yogar Cordero, 35, but was later released.

Mourners surround the casket of Ecuadorian gang leader Manuel Sevillano, who along with his daughter was killed September 13

At the time of his capture, Sevillano told El Universo that Maria Holguin, the then- mayor, had hired him and three other people to kill Ivan Trivino, a candidate for the mayor's seat, and Cordero.

He revealed that they assassinated Trivino in May 2004 and that they were offered $3,000 for the hit job but only received $200.

He said that one of the suspects, Pedro Baidal, shot Trivino first and that his driver was well aware of the plan because he was paid, too.

Sevillano also said the deputy mayor's assassination was plotted following the killing of Mocache councilman Pascual Bustamante.

'I killed that man, Cordero, because Pascual Bustamante's widow was angry because they killed her husband,' Sevillano said.

'We murdered him with a 12-gauge (shotgun), and we fled. For that crime they paid us a thousand dollars.'
Ten days after a tsunami-scale flash flood ripped through the Libyan coastal city of Derna, rescue groups have been pictured still trawling through debris in search of bodies of those buried under the rubble.

Turkey's State Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) was yesterday joined by an international brigade of rescue groups making a desperate bid to scour the city's beaches in search of life - and to recover the dead.

Hundreds of bodies have washed back onto the shore since the Storm Daniel brought the devastating torrent which swept through the port city in eastern Libya on September 10.

Aid groups now estimate some 10,000 people may be missing as a result of the flood. The World Health Organization stated yesterday that 4,000 deaths had so far been reported in hospitals.

Many traumatised survivors are still waiting to learn the fate of missing relatives. Few of them have any hope of seeing their loved ones alive.

An aerial view shows destroyed buildings and houses in the aftermath of a deadly storm and flooding that hit Libya, in Derna, Libya September 20, 2023

Turkish rescue teams were seen digging through rubble to retrieve bodies on September 19

Turkey's State Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), with teams from Russia, Spain, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria and UAE search for bodies in Derna on September 19

Storm Daniel brought more than 400mm of rain to parts of Libya's north-east coast within a 24-hour period - more than 250 times would usually expect throughout the entire month of September.

The rains caused the collapse of the two dams that spanned the narrow valley that divides the city.

That sent a wall of water several meters high through its heart.

Entire families have vanished in the days since, said Derna resident Mohamad Badr as he was clearing his house of mud and trying to salvage what furniture and household items he could.

'The Bouzid family, the Fachiani family, the Khalidi family, these are entire families,' the 23-year-old man told AFP, his hands and clothes stained with mud.

'There is no one left.'

On the flat roof of his house, he and five other workers have placed sofas, cushions, curtains, clothes, an exercise treadmill and electrical equipment.

'God knows if they still work,' Badr said.

Emotion overtook him when he recounted how he survived the flood night that brought him 'more than one nightmare'.

'I heard a lot of screaming,' he said. 'It was neighbours who screamed until they died.'

'It was dark and there was no one' to help them, he said.

Badr was able to cling onto a floating couch for a few hours, until the waters gradually receded.

'My brother died after bleeding for hours from an arm injury,' said Badr.

His parents, three children and sister-in-law survived, but he has had no news of his uncles and their families.

Thirty-two of his relatives are missing after their building was reduced to rubble that remains inaccessible.

'Maybe their bodies were found and no one was able to identify them,' said Badr.

Turkiye's State Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) conducts search and rescue operations after the flood caused by Storm Daniel in Derna, Libya, on September 19

A global effort of rescue teams has come together to help search for bodies and rescue survivors. Pictured: AFAD members in Derna on September 19, 2023

An aerial view of the AFAD's base of operations as Turkish rescuers continue searches in Derna, Libya, on September 19, 2023

Derna, three days after a powerful storm and heavy rainfall devastated the port city

The floods also inundated one of the country's premier ancient sites, threatening its UNESCO-listed monuments with collapse, a recent visitor and a leading archaeologist said.

The immediate damage to the monuments of Cyrene, which include the second century AD Temple of Zeus, is relatively minor but the water circulating around their foundations threatens future collapses, the head of the French archaeological mission in Libya, Vincent Michel, told AFP.

Settled from the Greek island of Santorini around 600 BC, Cyrene was one of the leading centres of the Classical world for nearly a millennium before being largely abandoned following a major earthquake in 365 AD.

Its name lives on in Cyrenaica, the historical name for eastern Libya.
Police are appealing to find three men after mobile phones were thrown over a high wall into a prison.

Officers believe the trio might have vital information about the incidents at HMP Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, where the convicts have committed offences including violence, arson and drug dealing.

Two black wash bags containing contraband were thrown over the walls by a man who walked up to the jail in two separate occasions on August 10 at 3.10pm.

But on both occasions they were intercepted by prison wardens who found the sacks contained mobile phones among other items.

And on a third occasion a man failed three times to throw another package over the wall before running off.

Officers believe the trio might have vital information about the incidents at the Buckinghamshire prison

Two black wash bags containing contraband were thrown over the walls by a man who walked up to the jail in two separate occasions on August 10

But on both occasions they were intercepted by prison wardens - who found they contained mobile phones among other items

HMP Aylesbury (pictured) was changed to become a Category C prison in October, where convicts are given the opportunity to develop skills that will help them in community life

Police Staff Investigator Mark Weatherstone, of the Prison Crime Investigation Team, said: 'I am appealing to anybody who recognises these men to please get in touch with us as we believe they may have vital information about these incidents.

'If you are any of the men pictured, please come forward as soon as possible.'

HMP Aylesbury was changed to become a Category C prison in October, where convicts are given the opportunity to develop skills that will help them in community life.

It used to hold men aged 18 to 21 accused of violent crimes and serving long sentences, but was switched due to prison population pressures.

Category C are raining and resettlement prisons, and are home to most British convicts.

Their occupants include those with a current or previous sentence of 12 months or more for violence, a threat of violence, arson, sex offences, drug dealing or importation.

It can also include those with a history of absconding, failing to surrender or breaching a bail condition.

Prisoners are categorised based on their risk of escape, potential harm to the public should they escape and the threat they pose to the control and stability of a prison.
Seattle has dealt in recent years with out of control homeless numbers and ever-growing drug use problems in the city streets

Activists protested the 6-3 vote to confirm the ordinance and told the council members that they have 'blood on their hands' for the controversial new statute

The Seattle City Council on Tuesday passed an ordinance to make drug use and possession a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail

Angry progressive activists screeched and wailed at lawmakers during a Seattle City Council meeting in protest at a vote to recriminalize drug abuse in the crime-ridden city.

In video taken at the meeting, proponents of the city's laissez-faire laws shared their anger over the 6-3 vote which they call the 'War on Drugs 2.0.'

'You have blood on your hands,' crowd members can be heard shouting at the council members following the vote in a video posted by journalist Jon Choe.

While the ordinance encourages police to prioritize diversion rather than charges, those in violation could face up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The Emerald City has become one of the cities with the largest homelessness and drug problems in the United States, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A recent survey found that some 50,000 residents left Seattle over the last six months due to safety concerns. Seven percent of adults in the area also said they felt pressured to move due to their worries.

Activists loudly objected to the Seattle City Council passing an ordinance that makes drug possession and use a gross misdemeanor

#BREAKING: Revised drug bill passes in Seattle City Council. Only CM Tammy Morales, Teresa Mosqueda, and Kshama Sawant voted against it. But what happened afterwards was absolute insanity. The self proclaimed abolitionists, FAR-LEFT activists, and Morales disciples started going pic.twitter.com/xBJgoRkBH0  Jonathan Choe Journalist (Seattle) (@choeshow) September 20, 2023

One man can be seen here openly using a hypodermic needle as he lays on the sidewalk

According to the Seattle Times, the bill only recommends an arrest for a person found using or in possession when the person 'presents a threat of harm to others.'

Despite many online calling the ordinance common sense, activists in attendance at the city council meeting were furious over the passing of the bill.

The attendees spent several minutes shouting at the city council members for their decision to pass the bill, even saying they were 'on the side of the alt-right.'

At one point, one of the men in the audience calls out Councilmember Lis Herbold, a Democrat, who voted to pass the ordinance.

'Lisa, you did so much good in eight years and you're going to end it like this,' a man can be heard saying in the video.

Others shout out 'blood on your hands' at the top of their lungs repeatedly as they exit the venue, carrying signs and protesting.

The council members who voted to pass the ordinance stood firm in their votes.

'I hope that we see a measurable increase in the number of people who are getting well, who are taking advantage of services and who are getting off the street,' Councilmember Andrew Lewis said, according to KING 5.

'I hope that we see accountability for people who are declining those services, who continue to disrupt public services on our streets by not taking advantage of them,' Lewis, who voted no to a previous version of the ordinance, said.

Herbold had also previously voted no in June.

The local ordinance now matches the statewide legislation that went into effect earlier this year, allowing prosecutors to go after offenders.

Seattle, unlike other Washington cities, did not immediately adopt the ordinance, making their local drug code less stringent than the rest of the state.

The ordinance, which makes drug possession and use punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, passed by the council in a 6-3 vote

Crime, homelessness and the public consumption of drugs are all issues that have surged in Seattle since the pandemic and are each adversely impacting the crime rate

In July, the Seattle City Council voted against passing legislation that would have allowed the City Attorney's Office to prosecute public drug use cases

Three of the Seattle City Council Members said they believed the ordinance would do more harm than good.

Councilmember Tammy Morales called the bill 'ineffective.'

'It adds potential racial harm and makes false promises at a time when folks are desperate for solutions,' she said. 'This bill is unnecessary, dare I say performative.'

The bill will go into effect 30 days after Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signs it.

In a statement after the vote, he confirmed he would put his stamp of approval on it immediately, calling it a 'needed step forward.'

'As soon as this bill reaches my desk, I will sign it,' Harrell wrote.

Another homeless man is seen here in the Ballard neighborhood of the city which is dealing with high crime rates

As of September 20, there have been 800 opioid overdose deaths, 767 related to fentanyl, and 507 connected to methamphetamine in King County.

By comparison, in 2022 there were 804 opioid overdose deaths, 714 fentanyl deaths, and 533 from methamphetamine, according to public health data.

'Fentanyl is tragically killing thousands in our city and around the country, and we need urgency and innovative solutions to make change,' Harrell said.

Just last month, the Household Pulse Survey revealed that Seattle residents are fleeing the Pacific Northwest hub at an alarming rate due to the city's issues.

Seattle outpaced all other metro areas in the US for the number of adults who say safety concerns are leading them to consider a new hometown.

In total, seven percent of adults in the Seattle metro area felt pressure to move in the last six months because of safety concerns in their neighborhood.

That seven percent - four percent above the national average - equals about 227,000 people and includes King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

Seattle is the number one major US metro from which adults are feeling the pressure to move due to feeling unsafe in their neighborhood

Seattle has faced a host of issues since the pandemic, which led to a pronounced spike in the violent-crime rate that is now driving adults out of the city

The homeless population in Seattle grew by nearly 38 percent from 2020 to 2022, with about 40,000 homeless people reportedly living in King County

From 2020 to 2022, the homeless population in Seattle grew by roughly 38 percent. There are now about 40,000 people reportedly living without homes in King County.

In August, members of an affluent Seattle neighborhood became enraged at a local homeless population for setting up a swimming pool in their encampment.

The expansion of the encampment sparked outrage among homeowners, who found it frustrating that officials hadn't already moved to expunge the encampment from the enclave.
Police have said it is a miracle that no-one was killed when a Colorado pick-up driver tried to repeatedly run down passers-by in a city center park.

Bruce Alvey, 44, has been charged with four counts of first degree attempted murder and police have said more may be added after he seemingly went berserk in Boulders Central Park.

It was just after 6.20am on Tuesday that his car roared into the area and across the grass, sending homeless people, cyclists and early morning walkers running for their lives.

Photos released by police show terrified pedestrians leaping out of the way as the car is driven straight at them, gouging deep tracks in the grass as it turns at speed for repeated attempts.

I dont know how we escaped this mornings events without significant injuries and death to the people in the park, Boulder police chief Maris Herold told a press conference.

Bruce A Alvey, 44, was arrested nearby and charged with four counts of attempted murder in the first degree

Pedestrians and cyclists scrambled out of the way as the pick-up repeatedly drove at them

Boulder Police chief Maris Herold said his targets were lucky to escape with their lives

The thing thats scary about this is if people had been sleeping in their sleeping bags this morning, there would have been mass casualties at this event.

Terrified pedestrians who watched him drive off were horrified when he returned moments later.

Police arrived within a minute of being alerted but the driver had disappeared leaving a trail of destruction across the park.

A drone was sent up and the now battered pick-up was discovered empty in a nearby parking lot at 15th and Arapahoe.

Alvey, meanwhile, had injured himself attempting to break into a neighboring animal hospital before he was found and arrested by police.

We dont know his intentions, said Deputy Chief Sheriff Steve Redfern.

Some of the individuals who were in the park at the time we believe were unhoused but we dont know if that was his specific intent or not, its something were still working on.

Redfern said that Alvey had at least one prior arrest in the city before being charged with felony menacing in 2021.

He said Alvey himself appeared to be homeless and living in the pick-up which is registered to him.

The driver left deep gouges in the turf as he span round the park smashing into signposts and driving over sleeping bags

The park has been closed for safety repairs after the pick-up hit a light pillar, a railing, and a traffic sign

The battered remains of the pick-up truck were found empty by police nearby within minutes

Prosecutors are deciding whether to charge Alvey with burglary of the animal hospital and of driving under the influence of narcotics, specifically methamphetamine.

Redfern appealed for witnesses to come forward and said the number of attempted murder charges may increase.

Amazingly there were not even minor injuries, he added.

There was more than one very close call where people were jumping out of the way, running for their lives essentially.
Dame Joanna Lumley has called on the Prime Minister to 'show true leadership' after delivering a petition to Downing Street asking for a ban on live animal exports.

The Absolutely Fabulous actress, 77, delivered a box with 95,000 signatures to No 10 today urging the Government to reconsider its decision to withdraw the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill.

The Bill, which was expected to ban live animal exports, was scrapped by the Government in May, having already suffered delays since it was introduced in 2021.

Dame Joanna said the Government must 'stand by its commitment' to banning live animal exports.

She said: '(The withdrawal of the Bill) was just a huge shock to all the people who believed it would go through.

'We're here to ask the Government to stand by its commitment to end the trade, end live exports, we have gathered over 95,000 signatures we have handed to the Prime Minister to please show true leadership on animal welfare.'

The Government introduced the Animal Welfare Bill in 2021, but withdrew it this May

Actress Joanna Lumley handing in a petition to 10 Downing Street, London, calling for a ban on the export of live animals. Picture date: Wednesday September 20, 2023

Dame Joanna added: 'Stand by this Bill that you promised, that you said would remain permanent, we can't understand why it's going back, so we are saying please Prime Minister... do the right thing.'

Ministers previously insisted the Government would keep its promises on specific animal welfare issues using other means.

This would include supporting private member's Bills.

But campaigners say tens of thousands of animals have suffered as a result of Government 'dithering' on the issue.

Sonul Badiani-Hamment, Country Director for animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS, told MailOnline today: 'We stand alongside passionate and powerful activist Dame Joanna Lumley on this vital issue and demand the Government uphold its manifesto commitment to end the abject cruelty of live animal exports.

'There is no place in modern society for this unnecessary, cruel and drawn-out suffering, which continues to be a grim reality for thousands of innocent animals every single day.

'With a massive 95,000 signatures, handed to the PM today, the British public clearly agree.

'We at FOUR PAWS UK echo Joanna's firm request to the Prime Minister to show 'true leadership on animal welfare' and stand by the commitments made in this promised Bill.'

Animal welfare organisation Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), which worked with Dame Joanna on the petition, said other countries have 'banned or begun to phase out the trade', however the Government has not made progress.

James West, CIWF's chief public affairs manager, said: 'We are outraged that having introduced legislation which easily passed its initial stages and had broad cross-party support, the UK Government dithered for 18 months then abandoned the Bill.

'We are therefore continuing to keep up the pressure to ensure legislation that results in a live exports ban remains high on the UK political agenda.

'We believe animals should be fattened and slaughtered as close as possible to their place of birth; the exportation of live animals for those purposes is simply unnecessary and must be banned by the Government without further delay.'

Mimi Bekhechi, Vice President PETA UK, Europe and Australia, told MailOnline: 'We're with Dame Joanna: the government must deliver on its manifesto commitment to ban live exports.

'Animals raised for their flesh already suffer tremendously. The very least we can do is spare them the unnecessary trauma of an arduous journey overseas in crowded, filthy, and dangerous conditions only to meet a violent death when they arrive at their destination  assuming they don't perish en route.

'Before Brexit, hundreds of thousands of live animals, including babies and pregnant females, were being exported from the UK every year for slaughter or 'fattening' overseas. They were often in transit for days or weeks without sufficient food, water, or rest, and many died as a result.

'When animals leave the UK, they also leave behind the marginally better legal protections afforded to them, and many endure excruciating deaths in horrendous conditions that would be illegal here.

'Anything short of a ban would be an unforgiveable betrayal of animals  and British values.'

Dame Joanna told PA that the Government must 'stand by its commitment' to banning live animal exports and called on the Prime Minister to show 'true leadership'

Campaigners say tens of thousands of animals have suffered as a result of Government 'dithering' on the issue of live animal exports

Upon the news the Government had initially announced a consultation to ban live animal exports, the RSPCA - which has been campaigning to ban such exports for more than half a century - revealed the true extent of the issue.

In a statement, they claimed 6,000 live animals had been transported abroad to be slaughtered in one year, as a result suffering mental exhaustion, physical injury, hunger, dehydration and stress from the extremes of heat and cold.

David Bowles, the organisation's head of campaigns and public affairs, wrote at the time: 'Our inspectors have personally witnessed all of these problems at ports such as Ramsgate and Dover in Kent and Brightlingsea in Essex, where animals have experienced serious and unnecessary suffering.

'Overstocking, vehicle or ship malfunctions and journeys involving animals too sick or injured to be exported in the first place are just some of the issues animals have faced for far too long.'

The Government has been contacted for comment.
There are an estimated 50 to 75 trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean but the residents of Grand Cayman are doing their part to clean up their island

It perished at only a month old after the shoe covered its gills, smothering it to death

The tiny animal suffocated and starved when it got caught in a sandal

A tiny reef shark slowly suffocated and starved to death at just one month old after it got wedged in a plastic sandal dumped off the coast of Grand Cayman in the Caribbean.

A September 20 Facebook post by the Cayman Islands Department of Environment revealed that the baby animal was discovered by a concerned member of the public.

Amy Stratton found the shark on a beach in South Sound, an area known for its crystal blue waters and luxurious mansions.

A post-mortality examination was carried out by Dr Johanna Kohler, a marine biologist and Shark Project Officer for the Cayman Islands Government, who determined that the animal had died of suffocation.

Photos showed the baby shark stuck in a black slide sandal that crushed the middle of its body. The plastic shoe was roughly a third of the animal's size.

The shark was only a month old when it met its demise. The species normally grows up to eight or nine feet long, but the baby measured just over two feet

An examination of its stomach contents showed that the little creature hadn't eaten in a while, as there was only a worm and some sand

Plastic litter is a pervasive problem on Grand Cayman. Island residents commented that they often saw shoe parts washed up on beaches

The baby had clearly gotten caught in the sandal, which prevented it from swimming and covered its gills.

'This stopped the water flow over the gills and therefore oxygen uptake,' the post read.

Kohler noted the shark was a male, just over two feet long, with a clearly visible belly button.

As Caribbean reef sharks are roughly the same size at birth, Kohler concluded that the shark was likely born in late July or early August, making it around a month old at the time of its demise.

An examination of the contents of its stomach yielded only sand and a tiny worm, showing that the shark had not eaten recently.

At full maturity, Caribbean reef sharks grow to eight or nine feet long and can live more than 14 years.

They are found near coral reefs and have a peculiar habit of sleeping at the bottom of the sea floor and in caves.

The species is listed as 'Near Threatened' on the IUCN Red List, which tracks the extinction risk status of animals, fungi and plants.

'I lived in Cayman in 2020 and every bag of garbage I picked up from Barkers was a majority of shoe parts,' Christine Jamieson wrote in response to news of the shark's death

'We did last year a beach clean up on the South side and I was stunned how many shoes were washed up,' another resident remarked

Luckily, local organizations like Plastic Free Cayman aim to educate the public about plastic pollution in the islands

The volunteer-led group hosts beach cleanup events and 'bootcamps' for young people interested in helping with recovery efforts

Dwindling numbers are caused by a demand for the shark's meat and fins. Commercial fishers in US waters are banned from killing this species.

In comments beneath the post, people voiced concern about the amount of litter on the island with some expressing a feeling of hopelessness.

'I lived in Cayman in 2020 and every bag of garbage I picked up from Barkers was a majority of shoe parts,' wrote one woman, who shared an image of trash she had found.

'We did last year a beach clean up on the South side and I was stunned how many shoes were washed up,' a man wrote. 'Question is, what can we do about that?'

There are an estimated 50 to 75 trillion pieces of plastic and microplastics in the ocean. As plastic does not disintegrate, it either breaks into smaller pieces or forms gigantic garbage patches.

It is also consumed by sea creatures. Last November, more than 330 pounds of garbage were found in the belly of a whale off the coast of Nova Scotia.

The creature was said to have died a 'slow and painful death' after it consumed 115 plastic cups, four plastic bottles, 25 plastic bags, two flip-flops, a nylon sack and more than 1,000 other plastic pieces.

If current trends continue, the material is expected to outweigh all fish in the sea by 2050.

The organization posts photos of the objects recovered during cleanup efforts. This includes bottles and bottle caps, clothing hangers, snack wrappers and tiny pieces of plastic known as microplastics

One person even found a cigarette lighter discarded among the rock pools

'Global plastic pollution is horrific and we are not immune to it on our paradise island,' reads the Plastic Free Cayman website

In November 2022, a whale in Canada was found to have eaten more than 330 pounds of garbage, leading to its death

Scientists in California have created a shoe made of biodegradable material that could feed ocean creatures

Thankfully, concerned members of the community are doing their part and have launched efforts to clean up trash on Grand Cayman.

Plastic Free Cayman is one group that hosts beach cleanup events and aims to educate the public about the dangers of plastic.

Volunteers have recovered objects ranging from sneakers to clothing hangers to cigarette lighters.

'Global plastic pollution is horrific and we are not immune to it on our paradise island,' reads the organization's website. 'Its going to take a global effort and local action to make a difference.

'Making changes starts with us all.'

New technology has arisen to confront the problem, including a biodegradable shoe from scientists at the University of California San Diego. Once broken down, its materials are designed to offer nutrients to sea creatures.
Frustrated Republican Rep. Chip Roy told his GOP colleagues they are going to 'eat a s*** sandwich' and 'probably deserve it' for opposing a stopgap spending bill that would avoid a government shutdown.

The Texas Congressman tore into critics of the plan to cut non-defense spending by eight percent and ramp up border security that he believes would appeal to all sides of the party.

Roy wrote the proposal that would keep the government funded for 30 days, and held Defense and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding at 2023 levels.

But the Republican Study Committee (RSC) added an amendment would make the deal even more conservative.

His fired-up comments came with the party in chaos over plans to avoid a federal government shutdown in 9 days.

Frustrated Republican Rep. Chip Roy told his GOP colleagues they are going to 'eat a s*** sandwich' and 'probably deserve it' for opposing a stopgap spending bill that would avoid a government shutdown

But a defiant Speaker of the house has vowed to battle on, and shame the critics who are against bills that would fund the government beyond the September 30 deadline.

A group of hardline conservatives are holding the proposals hostage in a bid to try and make Kevin McCarthy look weak.

House GOP negotiators on the short-term continuing resolution bill declared it 'dead in the water' on Wednesday as they scheduled an emergency all-conference spending meeting for the afternoon.

'If a Republican opposes a 30-day, eight percent cut to the non-defense, non-veteran federal government with the best border security bill we've ever had attached to it, I honestly don't know what to say to my fellow Republicans other than you're gonna eat a sh** sandwich, and you probably deserve to eat it,' he said on Wednesday.

'I'm an equal opportunity basher of stupid, and I think this is stupid.'

'Right now we're trying to figure out what we're going to do next.

'I put forward what I think is a enormously beneficial path to bring people across the ideological spectrum together within the conference, so we can unite and send a message over the Senate, looking for someone to come up with a different alternative.'

House Republicans could not even advance a widely popular defense spending bill on Tuesday - with opposition from five conservatives thwarting efforts to pass just one of 12 appropriations bills.

So far only one appropriations bill - for military construction and Veterans' Affairs - has passed the House with 10 days left before the end of the fiscal year. The Senate has not passed any.

It's unclear whether they will move ahead as planned with a vote on a short-term continuing resolution (CR) that is likely to have even less support than the defense appropriations bill.

Speaker Kevin McCarthy refused to say whether he would put the bill on the floor Thursday as was originally planned. 'We're not going to quit, we're never going to quit,' he said vaguely.

The CR would punt the September 30 deadline that would trigger a government shutdown to October 30.

House GOP negotiators worked through Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to tweak a deal brokered between the right-wing Freedom Caucus and pragmatic Main Street Caucus to shore up support after over a dozen Republicans, mostly from within the Freedom Caucus (HFC) said they would oppose it.

McCarthy must also contend with the chronic threats to his speakership from GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, Fla.

Gaetz placed blame squarely on McCarthy if the government shuts down for not giving Republicans the top line numbers on the 12 appropriations bills they have long demanded. He vowed cutting a spending deal with Democrats would trigger a motion to vacate.

'We will have a government shutdown and it is absolutely Speaker McCarthy's fault. We cannot blame Joe Biden for not having moved our individual spending bills. We cannot blame House Democrats. We can't even blame Chuck Schumer in the Senate,' Gaetz told reporters.

'If Speaker McCarthy relies on Democrats to pass a continuing resolution, I would call the Capitol moving truck to his office pretty soon because my expectation would be he'd be out of the Speaker's office quite promptly.'

Roy, who helped author the CR bill, predicted the RSC amendment would not change the tide on the deal as he tore into GOP leadership for not hashing out the details of the spending fight sooner.

'Leadership should have been having" the questions we're having right now in July. We should have been doing this. We shouldn't have been broken for August for six weeks,' he said. 'But here we sit.'

All this is for a bill that would not pass the Senate - but would give the upper chamber a starting point to work with on a deal to keep the government open while lawmakers hash out their differences on 12 separate appropriations bills.

Meanwhile in the Senate, Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman dared the House to pass a spending bill by promising he'd put on a suit if they avoid a government shutdown.

'If those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut our government down, and fully support Ukraine, then I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week,' the senator, whose signature Carhartt garb has been the subject of much scrutiny this week, wrote on X.

Fetterman's casual attire came into question after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer did away with the required business attire on the Senate floor, meaning a suit and tie for men.

The freshman senator went on a raucous offense on X after Republicans criticized his clothing. 'I figure if I take up vaping and grabbing the hog during a live musical, they'll make me a folk hero,' Fetterman posted Tuesday, referring to the recent Beetlejuice controversy involving Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo.

A defiant Kevin McCarthy has vowed to battle on, and shame the critics who are against bills that would fund the government beyond the September 30 deadline

Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman dared the House to pass a spending bill by promising he'd put on a suit if they avoid a government shutdown




Military veterans who survived British nuclear tests are suing the government for their missing medical records after 70 years of high rates of cancer, miscarriage and birth defects.

Veterans, who were ordered to observe the nuclear blasts, began to realise the extent of the effects in later life when their children were born with severe deformities including spinal deformities, heart defects and sterility.

The Ministry of Defence has repeatedly denied that the Atomic Weapons Establishment holds any evidence that blood samples were taken at nuclear tests.

But a cache of 150 documents discussing blood tests that were withheld at the MoD agency were revealed by the Mirror last year.

Law firm McCue Jury & Partners are now appealing for people to come forward if they think they have a claim.

'The nuclear veterans have kept us safe for 70 years, but in return they have been gaslighted by the British state,' managing partner Jason McCue told the Mirror.

Veterans, who were ordered to observe the nuclear blasts, began to realise the extent of the effects in later life when their children were born with severe deformities including spinal deformities, heart defects and sterility

The Ministry of Defence has repeatedly denied that the Atomic Weapons Establishment holds any evidence that blood samples were taken at nuclear tests. Pictured: The crew of the HMS Narvik watch the smoke rise after a British atomic test in 1956

He continued: 'They were treated like spent ammunition - discarded and disdained by those who had a legal and moral duty of care.'

John Morris, from Rochdale, was working in a laundry at Christmas Island in 1957 where he witnessed three atom bombs and an H-bomb.

The 86-year-old developed pernicious anemia at just 26, while his son died at just four months.

But he was denied a war pension because of a lack of evidence, despite being blood tested throughout his time on the Australian island.

Talking to the Mirror, Mr Morris added: 'Ive lost a child, Ive had cancer, and Ive had a blood disorder since I was 26 years old. All the MoD has given us in return for securing the nuclear deterrent is a bunch of lies. We just want the bloody truth and we will fight for that to the bitter end.'

Nearly 21,000 has now been raised to help nuclear veterans sue the Government for 'the toxic legacy of trauma and illness they have been left to endure'.

Servicemen were ordered to sail or crawl through the radioactive fallout to test the effects of radiation, as well as fly through mushroom clouds on sampling missions.

Many lived on testing sites for a year or more and when they returned began developing rare blood disorders and cancers, often proving fatal.

Law firm McCue Jury & Partners are now appealing for people to come forward if they think they have a claim. Pictured: Britain's first nuclear test on Christmas Island in May 1957

The crowdfunder has been set up on behalf of the veterans by award-winning freelance journalist Susie Boniface, who has covered the campaign since 2002

Their wives had three times the normal rate of miscarriages and their children suffered 10 times the normal rate of birth defects.

The British government carried out hundreds of explosions of atom bombs, fissile material, trigger devices and thermonuclear weapons in the US, Australia and South Pacific following the Second World War.

The biggest of which was Operation Grapple Y in 1958 which was 112 times more powerful than those that levelled Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan.

The crowdfunder has been set up on behalf of the veterans by award-winning freelance journalist Susie Boniface, who has covered the campaign since 2002.

Describing the battle on CrowdJustice, she said: 'That living nightmare is the daily reality for thousands of nuclear testing veterans and their families - 70 years.

'Now, they have one last chance to sue the Government for the toxic legacy of trauma and illness they have been left to endure.'

She continues: 'More than a decade ago, the Ministry of Defence defeated the last legal attempt to prove radiation caused these men's injuries, by arguing they had brought the action too late.

'Now we know that the Government concealed evidence, we can compel them to produce it.

'With this comes a new chance for justice, and a final opportunity to tell these men they can stand at ease, and in honour.

'Please dig as deep as you can to help these families in their last and biggest battle for the truth. Thank you for hearing them.'
Humza Yousaf was last night urged to use common sense and protect hard-pressed families by rowing back on key green commitments.

The First Minister faces pressure to follow Rishi Sunaks lead in delaying a series of climate pledges amid concerns about the impact on household finances.

Mr Sunak has acted decisively to delay a ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars across the UK from 2030 to 2035.

The Prime Minister also committed to slowing down demands for people to phase out gas boilers south of the Border.

Mr Yousaf and his ministers condemned this as an unforgivable betrayal of current and future generations.

First Minister Humza Yousaf speaking at The Signet Library, Edinburgh, during the first in a series of lectures focusing on the Climate Crisis

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has rowed back on policies aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and expected to water down some of the government's green commitments

But his SNP/Green Government has been told to slow down its plans over new diesel and petrol cars and fossil fuel boilers if it cannot provide the necessary financial support.

Scottish Tory net zero spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: If were to succeed in hitting ambitious net zero targets, the SNP-Green Government should take a common sense approach to delivering them.

At a Downing Street press conference yesterday, Mr Sunak said that his Governments existing plans would have imposed unacceptable costs on hard-pressed British families, costs that no one was really told about and which may not actually be necessary to deliver the emissions reduction that we need.

He added: Im confident we can adopt a more pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach to meeting net zero that eases the burdens on working people.

Mr Sunaks decision to push back a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 applies across the whole of the UK, as vehicle licensing is reserved to Westminster.

The Scottish Government has its own commitment to phase out the need to buy new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 but it cannot prevent people buying or selling them.

Mr Lumsden added: All of us want to achieve net zero.

The UK has some of the most ambitious climate goals in the world and has halved its carbon emissions since 1990.

But it is right that we continue to deliver this transition in a sensible, practical way that does not place the burden of costs on ordinary, working families.

It is now for the SNP/Green Government  who have repeatedly failed to meet their own climate change targets  to be clearer on their own plans.

For example, they have estimated that it will cost 33billion to make Scotlands homes and buildings energy efficient, yet they have not said who will pay for this... instead of being ambitious they are just setting Scotland up to fail.

Bob Bull, chairman of the Alliance of British Drivers, said: Once again, the Scottish Government proves itself to be hopelessly out of touch.

By refusing to even consider the damaging nature of the 2030 ban they are prioritising woke vanity projects over the needs of the Scottish people.

Petrol and diesel cars are becoming increasingly more efficient and are far more affordable for hard-working people across the country.

Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross told BBC Scotland: There is no pushing back from the 2050 target that the UK Government is committed to but it is looking at achieving that in a proportionate way.

We know that in many parts of Scotland a car is not a luxury, its a necessity, and we have got to ensure that every measure is put in place to bring the public with us.

Most regulations regarding housing are devolved to Holyrood, and the Scottish Government has already banned gas boilers in new-build properties.

Ministers have previously announced they intend to extend the ban on fossil fuel boilers to one million existing homes from 2030, and all homes by 2045.

But they have also confirmed that regulations will set out rules for existing properties by 2025, with homeowners given timescales for when they have to act.

Transport and Net Zero Secretary Mairi McAllan accused Mr Sunak of an unforgivable betrayal of current and future generations.

She said: It would be devastating for our environment, constitute complete economic illiteracy, and undoubtedly have serious implications for Scotlands climate ambitions.

It could also elicit further, serious damage to the UKs already diminished international reputation.

Mr Sunak said the UK is already ahead of allies in reducing emissions. But he added: The risk here to those of us who care about reaching net zero, as I do, is simple: if we continue down this path we risk losing the consent of the British people.

The resulting backlash would not just be against specific policies but against the wider mission itself... thats why we have to do things differently.

Mr Yousaf seen here visiting Peterhead Power Station, Aberdeenshire

He said the upfront cost of a heat pump to replace a gas boiler can be 10,000 or more, and warned that forcing families to pay this will result in a collapse of support for environmental policies.

Mr Sunak also confirmed that the UK Government will not ban new oil and gas developments in the North Sea, as this would simply leave us reliant on expensive imported energy from foreign dictators like Putin.

Scottish Greens environment spokesman Mark Ruskell said: In one climate denying speech Rishi Sunak has told the world that his government has given up on net zero, that it has run out of ideas and intends to squeeze every last drop out of the economy and the North Sea.

Gina Hanrahan of WWF Scotland said: Shifting the goal posts on targets and delaying climate action is incoherent with meeting net zero.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: We must now work to assess the implications for Scotland of todays UK Government developments.
A Peruvian migrant who illegally crossed the U.S. southern border with Mexico has been arrested in connection with the heinous murder of a Houston man who was found 'bludgeoned to death' in a Texas backyard.

Roberto Emilio Vasquez-Santamaria, 64, was processed for release with a Notice to Appear in court for immigration removal proceedings after multiple Customs and Border Protection sources told Fox News he 'crossed illegally into Eagle Pass.'

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber said that the victim was a 40-year-old Houston man, but are yet to identify him adding that a 'struggle' took place before he was found dead.

Vasquez-Santamaria is said to have been waiting his court date in 2025 and was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement who released him into the care of a non-governmental organization and enrolled in monitoring via Alternatives to Detention, the outlet reported.

A Peruvian migrant has been arrested in connection with the heinous murder of a Houston man who was found 'bludgeoned to death' in a Texas backyard

Sources speaking to Fox explained that Border Patrol does not determine the release policy of illegal immigrants into the U.S. and that agents are carrying out 'policies set by the Biden administration.'

In May, a surge of illegal immigration activity across the U.S.-Mexico border had been taking place ahead of the end of pandemic-era public health order Title 42 - 10,000 a day at that point.

Numbers sharply dropped after the order ended and remained relatively low until June but have since seen a pivot in July and August.

Sources told Fox there were 230,000 migrant encounters in August, 180,000 in July and 144,000 in June.

Those numbers don't show any signs of slowing with sources claiming 45,000 migrant encounters in the past five days alone as of Wednesday.

Earlier on Wednesday, footage of migrants waving and smiling as they walked through Eagle Pass was posted by Fox National Correspondent Bill Melugin.

'It's a total free for all in Eagle Pass right now. Mass illegal crossing taking place for over an hour and a half,' he said on X (formerly twitter).

'Almost 2 years to the day we saw 15,000+ Haitians under the bridge in Del Rio, we now have thousands of predominantly Venezuelans gathering under Eagle Pass bridge.'

The situation has grown so dire in Eagle Pass that on Wednesday officials issued a State of Emergency because of the migrant crisis.

Officials said more than 4,000 illegal aliens entered the country in a day's span.

The shocking imagery comes after a Mexican rail operator suspended northbound trains because so many migrants were hopping aboard freight cars at personal risk.

The rise in apprehensions come after levels dropped after the administration ended Title 42 after a long court fight and put in new procedures meant to lower incentives and push more migrants into an online application process.

A Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said about 4,000 people had crossed the border by Wednesday morning

According to a source with Texas Department of Public Safety, a large migrant caravan crossed the Rio Grande, with migrants held at the Eagle Pass bridge

Large numbers of migrants were seen standing together at the border

Policy changes have fundamentally altered economic and other incentives, with new video emerging Monday of migrants cheering while hanging off the side of rolling freight trains on the way to the U.S. border.

Astounding footage of the FerroMex train was shot as the locomotive with hundreds in tow could be seen coming out of the Central Mexican city of Zacatecas as it made its way northbound on the 750-mile journey toward the U.S.

On Tuesday the company announced it was suspending runs in northern Mexico due to safety concerns.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the border, hundreds of 'dehydrated' migrants, including children, were found crammed into the back of a truck in Mexico after authorities heard their chilling cries.

Their desperate pleas to be saved from being sardined inside the metal prison were answered after the driver of the trailer stopped at a toll booth between the cities of Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos in the eastern state of Veracruz.

A gamma-ray device detected the presence of the 350 migrants inside the container with a vast majority from Guatemala, six were from Ecuador, three from Honduras and one was from El Salvador.

Those traveling as a family and minors were placed under the guardianship of the state's System for the Integral Development of the Family, Mexico's National Institute of Migration (INM) reported.

Last month, a Guatemalan immigrant who entered the U.S. in January and is accused of raping and murdering his 11-year-old neighbor says he was forced to do it by 'two black men who held him at gunpoint.'

Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez, 18, appeared in court for the first time on Thursday after being accused of raping, strangling and hiding, Maria Gonzalez, 11, in a plastic bag shoved into a laundry basket on Aug 12.

Gonzalez's body was found by her father at their home in Pasadena, Texas, when he returned home from work.

Pasadena Police Department named Garcia-Rodriguez a 'person of interest' and the main suspect in the case - noting a key left behind in the little girl's home as a vital piece of evidence.

Bail was denied for Garcia-Rodriguez in the case and according to prosecutors he came in voluntarily first denying the heinous incident and then admitting he had been involved, according to Fox News.

Migrants wait on the side of the US border after members of the US National Guard disassembled their encampment near Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, 19 September 2023. There were 8,000 apprehensions of migrants at the southern border on Monday

The operator of Mexico 's largest railroad network partially shut down service following the deaths and injuries of at least half-dozen migrants who were attempting to reach the United States border

U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows border agents have reported 1,973,092 encounters with migrants for unlawful entry at the southern border in fiscal year 2023, which spans from October 2022 to September 2023. Official figures for August and September have still not been released.

In comparison, 2,378,944 encounters were reported in the fiscal year 2022, an increase from 1,734,686 the previous fiscal year and just 458,088 in all of fiscal year 2021.

The Mexican Commission for Refugee Aid last week said it expects to receive 150,000 asylum requests this year, eclipsing the record of 129,000 that they came across in 2021.

Through August they already had 100,000 - 25 percent above the same period in 2021. More than half of the requests were received by the agency at Mexico's shared border with Guatemala.
Los Angeles police officer Ryan Clinkunbroomer's alleged killer has pled not guilty by reason of insanity to his murder.

Kevin Salazar, 29, was arrested at his family's Palmdale home early on Monday following an hours-long standoff with police - just a day after deputy Clinkunbroomer, 30, was shot dead while inside his patrol car.

Clinkunbroomer was found shot near the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q in Palmdale over the weekend in what officials have called a targeted ambush. Police say Salazar shot him as he waited at a red light.

Salazar's attorney entered dual pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday. If Salazar is found guilty, there would be a second trial to decide whether he is insane or not. If a jury finds he is insane, he will be sent to a state hospital or facility for treatment.

His family claimed he has a history of mental health issues and was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia before he shot the officer, who had gotten engaged just days before he was gunned down.

Los Angeles police officer Ryan Clinkunbroomer's alleged killer Kevin Salazar, 29, has pled not guilty by reason of insanity to his murder

Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer had gotten engaged just four days before his murder. He was an eight-year veteran of the police force, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather

Salazar's mother, Marle, said the alleged killer was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic five years ago. She added that she even called the Sheriff's Department at least tice when he refused to take his medication and became aggressive.

'My son is mentally ill, and if he did something, he wasn't in his full mental capacity,' she told The Los Angeles Times. 'They're only saying that he was the one that shot the deputy, but nobody is saying he has a record for needing mental help.'

Salazar claimed he heard voices and that people were following him on the streets, according to his mom, who added her son would act hysterical or like he was five years old on such episodes.

He also reportedly attempted suicide twice and was hospitalized over the last year. Marle said she thought he had been doing better and stopped taking his medication about 10 months ago.

Despite his history of mental health issues, Marle confirmed Salazar owned a gun, which he purchased legally.

Police confirmed they received two separate reports of road rage incidents involving Salazar the same day Clinkunbroomer was killed.

Salazar was with his relatives at his family home after the shooting, and his mom said he did not appear nervous or show any signs he had been involved in the shooting.

Salazar's attorney entered dual pleas of not guilty and not guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday

Salazar claimed he heard voices and that people were following him on the streets, according to his mom

The family of alleged cop killer Kevin Salazar leaving a Los Angeles court on Wednesday

Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference announcing Salazar's arrest on Monday that community leaders came forward with information that led them to the suspect and his vehicle.

Salazar refused to come out of the home for hours and only surrendered after police released chemical agents.

Luna has said he believes the shooting was a 'targeted attack,' but the motive, and whether Clinkunbroomer or the department in general was the target, remains unclear.

'Without warning, he was murdered while serving our community,' an emotional Luna said at a Sunday news conference. 'Please, I beg you. Somebody has information. Make things right.'

When asked about claims about Salazar's mental health, Luna said: 'If I had to go to your family and tell them that you were not coming home and were just murdered, does it matter what the person was thinking or their condition?'

Salazar refused to come out of the home for hours and only surrendered after police released chemical agents

Clinkunbroomer was a third-generation deputy whose father and grandfather also served with the force. He is pictured with his fiancee

Salazar posted an image with Charli and Dixie D'Amelio on his Instagram days before the cop's murder

Video shows Clinkunbroomer's patrol car stopping at a red light. A black sedan stops a few feet behind the car before pulling up to the driver's side. After a moment, it peels off down the street as the patrol car rolls forward slightly and comes to a halt.

Clinkunbroomer was found near the intersection by a person Luna identified as a 'good Samaritan' who alerted personnel at the city's sheriff's station.

The deputy was taken to Antelope Valley Medical Center in Lancaster, where he was treated for a gunshot wound and eventually died.

Clinkunbroomer, who transferred to the Palmdale station in July 2018, was a third-generation officer who followed his grandfather and father into the sheriffs department, Luna said.

He had reportedly dropped a trainee off at the station before he was murdered.

California governor Gavin Newsom called the killing 'horrific, unconscionable, and shocking.' He ordered flags at the state capitol flown at half-staff in honor of Clinkunbroomer.

'In this time of mourning, we honor this legacy and send our deepest sympathies to Deputy Clinkunbroomers fiancee, his loved ones, and the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department,' Newsom said in a statement Sunday. 'Deputy Clinkunbroomers devotion to community and country will never be forgotten.'
General Motors announced 2,000 layoffs and closed their Kansas plant on Wednesday, claiming there is 'no work' due to a strike at another plant.

The car manufacturer said the corresponding strike involving 13,000 workers in Detroit, who downed tools last week, had led to the fresh job cuts.

GM also said it would not provide supplemental unemployment benefits 'due to the specific circumstances of this situation.'

Job cuts were also announced by Stellantis, the maker of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, including 68 workers in Ohio, and possible another 300 in Indiana. Ford also laid off 600 employees in Wayne, Detroit on Friday.

It comes as the United Auto Workers Union began a historic labor strike on Friday after its previous contract with Stellantis, Ford and GM expired.

General Motors announced 2,000 layoffs and closed their Kansas plant on Wednesday

United Auto Workers (UAW) picket outside the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio after manufactures failed to reach a deal in contract talks

General Motors workers picket outside the Wentzville, Missouri plant as the UAW union strike against Detroit's big three automakers for the first time in history

When the unions demands for a 40 percent pay raise for its 146,000 members across the US over four years and a four-day work week were not met by the deadline a strike was announced.

The automakers have countered with offers that are roughly half of that increase but an agreement has not been forthcoming.

The UAW has said more workers will begin striking at noon on Friday unless 'serious progress' towards a deal emerges.

The latest move is part of a targeted strike strategy where workers walk off specific sites at short notice to impede automakers ability to anticipate and mitigate the impact.

Business leaders and politicians are concerned that an extended auto workers strike could have a large impact on the economy.

Anderson Economic Group has estimated that a 10-day strike could result in a total economic loss of almost $6 billion.

President Joe Biden threw his support behind the workers and urged car manufacturing giants to go further on their new industrial offers.

Union contracts expired at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, after demands for a 40 percent pay raise and a four-day work week were not met

President Biden addressed the nation Friday siding with striking auto workers. He says the manufactures have made record profits that have not been shared fairly

UAW President Shawn Fain (center) organized the historic strike in a effort to keep the companies guessing what might happen next and encourage deal making

Ford chief Jim Farley said on Wednesday that if the union strikes against his company, it's not Ford's fault because it has made four offers and hasn't gotten a 'genuine counteroffer'

'No one wants a strike. But I respect workers' rights to use their options under the collective bargaining system and I understand the workers' frustrations,' Biden commented last week.

'Over the past decade auto companies have seen record profits, including the last few years because of extraordinary skill and sacrifices the UAW workers,' Biden said.

'Those record profits have not been shared fairly, in my view, with those workers.'

'I believe they should go further to ensure record corporate profits mean record contracts for the UAW,' added Biden. 'It's my hope that the parties can return to negotiation table to forge a win-win agreement.'

General Motors CEO Mary Barra said she is disappointed with where they are at but she is ready to go to the negotiating table and get back to work.

'This is a very, very strong financial offer. Again, along with world class benefits and health care. I think what our employees, is most important to them is job security,' Barra told Good Morning America.

'That's important when we are in the middle of a transformation from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles.'

'That's important when we are in the middle of a transformation from internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles.'

Stellantis said in a statement Friday: 'We are extremely disappointed by the UAW leadership's refusal to engage in a responsible manner to reach a fair agreement in the best interest of our employees, their families and our customers.

'We immediately put the Company in contingency mode and will take all the appropriate structural decisions to protect our North American operations and the Company.'
A campaign group which successfully ended affirmative action is now suing New York's prestigious West Point military academy, claiming it discriminates against white applicants.

Students for Fair Admissions, founded by Edward Blum, is seeking to erase an exemption in the SCOTUS ruling which is allowing US Army schools to keep using race as a factor in admissions.

It cited the example of two white high schoolers it believes were perfect candidates for the prestigious upstate New York school, who Students for Fair Admissions believes are banned under current rules 'from competing for admission on an equal footing'.

This comes after President Joe Biden pushed for the military to be allowed to continue filtering applications by race - despite the racial makeup of the Army already being more diverse than the general population.

The Biden administration's push for so-called positive discrimination to achieve 'equity' comes despite the Army having a greater proportion of black soldiers than the general population - and only slightly fewer Hispanic recruits.

The group which successfully campaigned to end affirmative action in colleges is now suing New York's prestigious West Point military academy, claiming it discriminates against white applicants. (Pictured: the 2023 graduation ceremony at the military academy)

Students for Fair Admissions, founded by Edward Blum (pictured), is seeking to erase an exemption in the SCOTUS ruling which is allowing US Army schools to keep using race as a factor in admissions

This comes after President Joe Biden pushed for the military to be allowed to continue filtering applications by race - despite the racial makeup of the Army already being more diverse than the general population

As of 2022, the US Army comprised 53.6 percent white soldiers, 20.3 percent black, 17.6 percent Hispanic, and 8.6 percent fell into the bracket of 'other' - including Asian, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives.

The latest census data, from 2020, shows the racial makeup of the US population was 58.9 percent white, 13.6 percent black, 19.1 percent Hispanic, and 8.4 percent other races.

The SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action, powered by the court's conservative majority, rejected policies long used by American colleges and universities to increase the number of black, Hispanic and other minority students on American campuses.

However, it didn't address the consideration of race in admissions at West Point in upstate New York, as well as the Naval Academy in Maryland and the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Chief Justice John Roberts, who authored the ruling, wrote in a footnote that the military academies had 'potentially distinct interests'.

The Biden administration argued in the case that 'the effectiveness of our military depends on a diverse officer corps that is ready to lead an increasingly diverse fighting force'.

Blum's Virginia-based group filed the lawsuit in federal court in White Plains, New York on Tuesday.

As of 2022, the US Army comprised 53.6 percent white soldiers, 20.3 percent black, 17.6 percent Hispanic, and 8.6 percent fell into the bracket of 'other' - including Asian, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and Alaskan Natives

The latest census data, from 2022, shows the racial makeup of the US population was 58.9 percent white, 13.6 percent black, 19.1 percent Hispanic, and 8.4 percent other races

Minorities made up 39 percent of the 1,255 cadets admitted into West Point for its 2027 class, according to its website. (Pictured: West Point military academy in upstate New York)

It accused West Point of violating the principle of equal protection enshrined in the Constitution's Fifth Amendment and sought an order barring the academy from considering an applicant's race during admissions.

It said that two of its members - white male high school students who were not identified - were ready and able to apply to West Point but that their race would prevent them 'from competing for admission on an equal footing'.

The lawsuit said West Point engaged in 'racial balancing' when deciding who will be a future cadet and set benchmarks for the percentage of each class that should be filled by 'African Americans,' 'Hispanics,' and 'Asians'.

Minorities made up 39 percent of the 1,255 cadets admitted into West Point for its 2027 class, according to its website.

Blum, who is white, said in a statement on Tuesday that 'no level of deference justifies these polarizing and disliked racial classifications and preferences in admissions to West Point or any of our service academies'.

The SCOTUS ruling on affirmative action, powered by the court's conservative majority, rejected policies long used by American colleges and universities to increase the number of black, Hispanic and other minority students on American campuses

A West Point spokesperson had no immediate comment.

Established in 1802, West Point boasts graduates including former US President Dwight Eisenhower and Edwin 'Buzz' Aldrin, one of the first humans to walk on the moon.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the first Black person to hold that job, also is a West Point graduate.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Blum's group in June despite upholding affirmative action in student admissions as recently as 2016.

Students for Fair Admissions had argued that the policies it challenged discriminated against white and Asian American applicants.
His charges come just two months after he filed a lawsuit against Fox News

The delay in the case led to conspiracy theories that he was an FBI plant

Epps pleaded guilty after being charged on Monday with one misdemeanor

Ray Epps has pleaded guilty to disorderly or disruptive conduct in connection with the January 6 riots.

Epps, 61, was charged by the Department of Justice on September 18 over his involvement at the US Capitol fracas.

He has now pleaded guilty to the one misdemeanor count of disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds during a virtual hearing.

U.S. District Chief Judge James Boasberg in Washington told the court that Epps said on January 6, 'We need to go into the Capitol' and 'I'm probably going to jail for it.'

The former marine previously said in his lawsuit against Fox News that he expected to be charged over the attack.

Epps went to the January 6 riot to back former president Donald Trump in his false claims that the results of the 2020 election were fraudulent

His legal filing in July claimed that he became the subject of various conspiracy theories after comments by the network's former host Tucker Carlson.

Carlson, who was sacked in April, accused Epps of being a 'federal agent who helped stage-manage the insurrection.'

Michael Teter, Ray Epps's lead counsel in his civil case against Fox News, said in a statement to DailyMail.com: 'From the very moment that Ray Epps learned the FBI sought to identify him, Ray cooperated and has taken responsibility for his actions.

'Today's hearing and the plea agreement reached with the Department of Justice is further proof of that.

'It is also powerful evidence of the absurdity of Fox News's and Tucker Carlson's lies that sought to turn Ray into a scapegoat for January 6.

'Had Ray been charged earlier, Fox News would have called him a hero and political prisoner. Instead, Fox News spread falsehoods about Ray that have cost him his livelihood and safety.

'And to this day, Fox News has not retracted the lies or even reported on Ray's prosecution.

'Fox News should take a lesson from Ray and accept responsibility for its conduct. If it won't, we are confident that a civil jury will impose that accountability itself.'

He has now pleaded guilty to the one misdemeanor count of disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds during a virtual hearing

He spoke to 60 Minutes in April about being labeled a FBI infiltrator during the January 6 riot and how it affected him and his wife

Carlson made the comments on his late-night show, Tucker Carlson Tonight, after a video showed Epps urging others to join him in entering the Capitol.

Epps is accused of 'knowingly, and with intent to impede and disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business and official functions, engage in disorderly and disruptive conduct.'

It states that this was in and around 'any posted, cordoned-off, and otherwise restricted area within the United States Capitol and its grounds, where the Vice President was and would be temporarily visiting'.

He is also accused of 'impeding and disrupting' the 'orderly conduct of Government business and official functions, and attempted and conspired to do so.'

Thousands of others who gathered on the restricted grounds have not been charged unless they engaged in aggravating conduct, such as attacking cops or destroying property.

Epps was videotaped telling people to go to the Capitol, and has only just been charged - months after others linked to the case.

The delay in charges gave rise to the theory that he was an FBI plant sent to whip up the riot.

He is also shown attempting to de-escalate tensions between cops and rioters before being shown with his hands on a Trump sign, which was jammed into the police line.

Epps (right) said that he thought he could calm the crowds before the Capitol was stormed

Epps is accused of 'knowingly, and with intent to impede and disrupt the orderly conduct of Government business and official functions, engage in disorderly and disruptive conduct'

Video from the Capitol riot was used to claim that Epps (pictured) was working covertly with the FBI to instigate the attack on January 6, 2021

A lawyer for Epps in the Fox News case did not immediately respond to a request for comment by DailyMail.com on the new charges. It is unclear who is representing him in this matter.

Epps, a former marine, is not charged with entering the Capitol as he is only known to have been on the grounds on January 6.

His complaint was filed in the Superior Court in Delaware, where Fox agreed to a $787.5 million settlement in a separate defamation case with Dominion Voting Systems.

The group claims that the company had helped rig the 2020 election against Trump, which was ultimately settled out of court.

During an interview with the January 6 committee last year, Epps said that he had traveled to DC to support former President Trump.

He claims that the conspiracy theories ruined his life, adding: 'I never intended to break the law. It's not in my DNA. I've never  I'm sure you've looked up my record. I don't break the law.'
The family of a 30-year-old father who was 'savagely attacked' and dragged into an alleyway to die have paid tribute to him.

Father-of-four Patrick Ward died after being seriously assaulted with a number of weapons in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, on February 9, 2019.

Today, a couple he spent the night drinking with were sentenced for his murder.

Niall Cox, 28, was told he must serve 20 years in jail for Mr Wards murder, while his partner Karen Marie McDonald was sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter - five of which are to be served in prison.

Mr Ward's widow Ellen and her parents sat in court, while his children and members of the extended family were present outside with cars saying 'RIP Pat 'Big Bang'' and wearing T-shirts calling for justice to be served.

In a statement, Mrs Ward said her husband's death will haunt her forever.

A vehicle with images of Pat Ward on in the car park of Dungannon Courthouse as a couple have been sentenced over the killing of the father of four

Ellen Ward, widow of Patrick Ward, with their children Tom and Leonie outside Dungannon Courthouse

In a statement, Mrs Ward said her husband's death will haunt her forever (pictured together)

Ellen Ward (left), widow of Patrick Ward, with daughter Leonie (third right) and family members outside Dungannon Courthouse

'Pat was my husband, and my entire world,' she said. 'I lost the love of my life, and the way in which he died will haunt me forever.

'I can't begin to understand how anyone could inflict such brutality, such cruelty, upon another living being.

'Our children were so young when Pat's life was taken, Pat Junior was just a baby. They have been left to grow up without their father.'

Mrs Ward said it breaks her heart that her husband, who was originally from County Sligo in the republic of Ireland, isn't there to see their children grow up. She added that while she is relieved by today's verdict, it 'won't of course bring my husband back'.

Mr Ward's son Tom said his father was 'loving and caring', while his daughter Leonie described him as 'funny'.

Addressing Mrs Ward during the sentencing of Cox and McDonald, Mr Justice Stephen Fowler said he had been moved by her statement to the court.

He said: 'What you have had to cope with would break many people.

'You were left with four children between the ages of 11 and 14 months when Patrick was murdered. I can only imagine how difficult this was and still is for you.'

The court heard that Mr Ward had been beaten, kicked and stabbed and had died of numerous severe injuries.

A vehicle with an image of Mr Ward reads: 'Hi lads this is me Big Bang, I vow to you we are The Cranners'

Mr Ward's son Tom said his father was 'loving and caring', while his daughter Leonie described him as 'funny' (both pictured)

Mrs Ward is pictured outside court along with extended family members as Cox and McDonald were sentenced

Relatives of Patrick Ward wearing t-shirts calling for justice outside Dungannon Court House in County Tyrone

He had suffered a bleed to the brain, multiple stab wounds and three fractured ribs and had head injuries consistent with being hit with a heavy object.

McDonald was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. The judge said he could not be satisfied she had taken part in the assault on the victim, but said she had been in close proximity as the victim was dragged out of the house.

The judge added: 'It is to her shame while she was in her house she did nothing to assist Mr Ward. She could have called the police or the ambulance.

'She showed a callous and a supreme indifference to this dying man's plight.'
Merrick Garland got emotional for a second time during a Judiciary hearing on Wednesday when talking about his family's Jewish ancestry.

The Attorney General got into a heated exchange with Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew when asked whether Garland, who is Jewish, believes traditional Catholics are violent extremists.

Van Drew was pointing to the creation by two Pacific Coast FBI field offices that wrote a memo claiming traditional Catholics are domestic terrorists.

'The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous! So absurd!' Garland shot at Rep. Van Drew during a tense back-and-forth.

AG Garland appeared before the House Judiciary Committee to testify as Republicans alleged the Justice Department has political bias against them.

During his opening remarks, Garland remarked that he feels he 'owes a debt' to the U.S. after taking in his grandmother, who was fleeing the Holocaust. During his opening statement, Garland got choked up and tears came to his eyes when discussing his ancestry.

He got emotional again when speaking with Van Drew about potential biases against Catholics.

Attorney General Merrick Garland got emotional for a second time at the House Judiciary hearing Wednesday during a heated exchange with Rep. Jeff Van Drew about whether he believes 'traditional Catholics are violent extremists'

Garland, who has Jewish ancestry, shot back at Van Drew:'The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous! So absurd!'

'The two tiered system of justice is clear and it's clear to the American public. And the buck stops with the man in charge. That man is you,' Van Drew said during his questioning of the Biden DOJ head.

'The actions of the DOJ are on you,' he continued.

'Attorney General, I need a simple yes or no to the following. Just yes or no because we don't have much time. Do you agree that traditional Catholics are violent extremists, yes or no?'

'Let me answer what you've said in that long list of ' Garland began before being cut off by Van Drew.

He insisted he wanted to 'answer all' of what Van Drew put forward, and not just the last 'yes or no' question.

'Attorney General, I control the time,' the New Jersey Republican asserted. 'I'm gonna ask you to answer the questions I ask.'

'Through the chair I ask you, do you agree that traditional Catholics are violent extremists? Answer the question,' he pushed when Garland against tried to divert.

'I have no idea what traditional means here, let me just ' the Attorney General tried again.

'Catholics!' Van Drew shot back. 'Catholics that go to church.'

'May I answer your question?' Garland said before appearing to tear up again.

'The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous! So absurd!' he said behind a cracking voice.

Garland assured that he and the FBI director were 'appaled' by the anti-Catholic memo.

Republicans called Garland as their anger escalated over his decision to pick David Weiss as the special counsel investigating Hunter Biden, 53.

The hearing comes days after Weiss charged Hunter with three felony charges for lying on a federal form to purchase a firearm.

But the Justice Department head insisted: 'I'm gonna say again and say again if necessary  I did not interfere I left it to Mr Weiss to bring charges or not.'

Attorney General Merrick Garland got choked up during his opening remarks at a Judiciary hearing Wednesday when talking about his 'debt' to the U.S. for taking in his family fleeing the Holocaust

Republicans are peeved Garland picked Jack Smith as the special counsel investigating Hunter Biden. 'Americans believe, today in our country, there is unequal application of the law. They believe that because there is,' Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in his opening statement

'Americans believe, today in our country, there is unequal application of the law. They believe that because there is,' Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) said in his opening statement.

A few moments later, Garland pushed-back, saying: 'Our job is not to do what is politically convenient. Our job is not to take orders from the President, from Congress or from anyone else about who or what to criminally investigate.'

'I am not the President's lawyer,' Garland continued. 'I will add  I am not Congress's prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people.'

Wednesday's hearing put on display the heightening of partisan brawling that will continue at the Capitol next Thursday with House Republicans' first impeachment hearing against President Biden and his family's business dealings.

Judiciary Ranking Member Jerry Nadler said in his opening statement: 'Republicans will continue doing what they've done for years: Discrediting anyone who does not serve their political goals  at any cost.'

Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) asked Garland if he has had 'any personal contact with anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation.'

Garland said he couldn't 'recollect the answer.'

'I'm sorry,' Rep. Johnson cut-in, 'you don't recollect whether you talked with anybody at FBI headquarters about an investigation into the President's son?'

The Attorney General responded by reiterating he vowed to allow Special Counsel Weiss to carry out his investigation without interference, but said: 'I don't believe that I did.'

Garland repeatedly said during the hearing Wednesday that he did not 'interfere' in the investigation into Hunter Biden

During his opening remarks, Garland got personal, nearly breaking down into tears when telling the story of his family fleeing Europe during the Holocaust and coming to the United States.

'My grandmother was one of five children born in what is now Belarus  made it to the United States as did two of her siblings, the other two did not. Those two were killed in the Holocaust. Without a doubt, but for America, the same thing would have happened to my grandmother,' he said.

'But this country took her in and under that protection, she was able to live without fear of persecution. That protection is what distinguishes this country from so many others. The protection of law, the rule of law, is the foundation of our system of government.'

Garland added: 'Repaying this country for the debt my family owes for our lives, has been the focus of my entire professional career.'

'That is why I served in the Justice Department under five different attorneys general, under both Democratic and Republican administrations. That is why I spent more than 25 years ensuring the rule of law as a judge, and that is why I left a lifetime appointment as a judge and came back to the Justice Department two and a half years ago. And that is why I'm here today.'

This anecdote was a way for Garland to share why it was so important to him to treat all people the same and apply Justice equally.

'Our job is to uphold the rule of law  that means we apply the same laws to everyone,' he insisted.

The Attorney General insisted: 'There is not one set of laws for the powerful and another for the powerless, one for the rich and one for the poor, one for Democrats and another for Republicans.'
The family of a teenager who died fighting NHS doctors who wanted to withdraw her life-preserving treatment will continue her 'fight for justice' tomorrow.

The 19-year-old anonymised by the courts as 'ST' cannot be named even in death because of draconian reporting restrictions covering her case in secrecy.

After her death on Tuesday last week, her family took over her lengthy legal battle to lift the order so they can finally put her name to her story.

An application to remove the restrictions which ban identifying ST and her relatives, as well as her doctors and the NHS Trust involved, will be heard in the Royal Courts of Justice.

The 19-year-old woman, anonymised by the courts as 'ST', cannot be identified because of reporting restrictions which have shrouded her heart-breaking case in secrecy (file image)

Her family said in a statement last night: 'We are deeply grieving the loss of our daughter but face no choice but to continue to fight for justice.

'What has happened to ST and us over the past year must be fully exposed so that no one else has to go through what we have.

'We are still in shock over how we and our daughter have been 'dehumanised' by the hospital and the courts.'

The teen, who had a rare degenerative condition, died after having a cardiac arrest days after speaking anonymously in the Mail from her intensive care bed.

She had been hospitalised after contracting Covid last year.

The previously outgoing straight-As pupil had been determined to travel to North America to take part in potentially life-extending clinical trials.

But she was blocked from fundraising for the 1.5million costs because of restrictions requested by her hospital when it took her to court to place her in palliative care in April.

Doctors argued that it was 'kindest option' as the teen was 'actively dying' but ST told the Mail that she wanted to 'die trying to live'.

She had lived a relatively independent life before she was hospitalised last year after contracting Covid-19, which worsened her degenerative condition (file image)

A judge last month ruled she lacked the mental capacity to make her own decisions or instruct her own lawyers.

Andrea Williams, of the Christian Legal Centre which is supporting the family, said the reporting restrictions were 'untenable and cannot stand'.
Former President Donald Trump floated a new plan Wednesday to solve the border crisis: Feed migrants to alligators.

The ex-president shared a meme to his Truth Social website Wednesday afternoon, which showed an image of six alligators with the words 'new border security' and 'will work for food' superimposed over it.

'Problem solved!!' the post also said.

Trump's commentary comes as border crossings returned to the levels from before Title 42 was dropped, with apprehensions hitting 8,000 on Monday.

It also comes after The New York Times reported in October 2019 that the then-president floated fortifying his border wall with a moat and filling it with snakes or alligators at an Oval Office meeting some months before.

Former President Donald Trump shared a meme Wednesday suggesting that migrants should be fed to alligators

Trump, who's running for another White House term, had pitched fortifying his border wall with a moat and filling it with snakes or alligators, The New York Times reported in 2019

During that meeting Trump had also pitched electrifying the border fence or adding spikes to the top of it, The Times said.

He had previously pitched shooting migrants in the legs, though stopped making that suggestion when White House staff told him that was illegal.

This month's rise in border apprehensions came after levels dropped off after President Joe Biden's administration ended Title 42 after a long court fight and put in new procedures meant to lower incentives and push more migrants into an online application process.

After hitting 8,000 in May and overwhelming U.S. border facilities, border arrests dropped to around 3,500 in the intervening months, CNN reported.

Policy changes have fundamentally altered economic and other incentives, with new video emerging Monday of migrants cheering while hanging off the side of rolling freight trains on the way to the U.S. border.

Astounding footage of the FerroMex train was shot as the locomotive with hundreds in tow could be seen coming out of the Central Mexican city of Zacatecas as it made its way northbound on the 750-mile journey toward the U.S.

On Tuesday the company announced it was suspending runs in northern Mexico due to safety concerns.

The company said it was halting 60 cargo trains, with enough material to fill 1,800 tractor trailers.

It was a change significant enough to impact international trade, the company said. Rail is also a cleaner way to move large amounts of freight than gas.

Migrants navigate the Rio Grande river for an entry point into the United States into Eagle Pass, Texas on Friday

A freight train, packed to capacity with migrants, has been captured on video as it travels at full speed toward the Mexican border with the United States

Footage shows the FerroMex train departing from the Central Mexican city of Zacatecas, heading north on a 750-mile journey toward the U.S.

The company cited a handful of 'regrettable cases of injuries or deaths' among those jumping aboard.

It said migrants were jumping on board the cargo trains despite the 'grave danger that represents,' the Associated Press reported.

It cited a 'significant increase' and said stopping the trains would 'protect the physical safety of the migrants' as authorities address the problem.

The number of Americans calling immigration a 'good thing' dropped in a Gallup poll this summer.

That comes in the run-up to a presidential campaign where immigration is set to be a top issue, with Republican candidates hammering the Biden administration on the issue.

There were 184,000 migrant encounters with border agents in July, up from 144,000 in June.

Those figures were actually down compared to the 200,000 crossings at the southern border during the same period in 2021 and 2022.
His bravery in helping thwart an attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne almost 50 years ago saw him awarded the Queens Gallantry Medal.

Now it has emerged that the then Prince Charles wrote a touching letter to royal chauffeur Alexander Callender who was shot during the incident on The Mall on March 20, 1974.

The Scot was driving the 23-year-old Princess Royal and her then-husband Captain Mark Phillips in a Daimler when Ian Ball swerved his Ford Escort in front of them.

He shot police bodyguard James Beaton in the shoulder and put his weapon to Mr Callenders head. As he tried to pull the princess out of the car, the Scot grabbed his arm and he was shot in the chest.

Princess Anne who survived a kidnap attempt in the Mall on March 20, 1974

Royal Chauffeur Alexander Callender who saved Princess Anne from a kidnap attempt

A touching thank you letter from King Charles to the Royal Chauffeur who was shot protecting Princess Anne from a crazed kidnapper 49 years ago

Two others were also shot in the scuffle before former boxer Ronald Russell ran to the scene and punched Ball. The kidnapper, who wanted a 3million ransom, was arrested and subsequently jailed for life.

Mr Callender, an Edinburgh-born war veteran, was treated at Westminster Hospital, where he recovered.

He died 20 years ago and his children are now selling his archive relating to the kidnapping attempt for 30,000. The two-page letter from Charles was written days after the incident while he was on board HMS Jupiter in the Pacific.

He said he was mortified to learn about the ordeal and thanked him for helping to save his sister.

Charles wrote: I was absolutely appalled to hear of what you had to go through last week in The Mall  it sounded like the most ghastly nightmare imaginable and hardly possible somehow  but I do hope you are almost fully recovered and feeling much better.

When I heard of the dreadful attack while I was in California I simply could not believe it. I was mortified to hear that you had been shot as well, but I am so glad that your wounds were not too serious.

Police searching the Mall for bullets near Buckingham Palace in London, after an attempt was made to kidnap Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, a few days earlier

How the Daily Mail reported the kidnapping attempt at the time

Princess Anne visiting her bodyguard, Inspector James Beaton, at Westminster Hospital in London while he recovered from gunshot wounds sustained during the attempt to kidnap the Princess in the Mall

He concluded: The main thing, as far as I am concerned, is that Princess Anne was all right and you are still with us. I shall see you when I come home in April. Thank you for all you do for us over the years.

The archive includes telegrams Mr Callender received from members of the Royal Family and a letter from Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

The chauffeur received his Queens Gallantry Medal at Buckingham Palace on November 26, 1974.This award, together with his military medals, will also go under the hammer at London auctioneer Spink & Son on November 29.
An 'around the clock' manhunt is underway in Indiana after a suspected killer was accidentally released from jail due to an administrative error.

Kevin Mason, 28, was arrested on September 11 after more than two years on the run for allegedly shooting a man at a funeral in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

But just two days later, Mason walked free from the Adult Detention Centre in Indianapolis after a 'critical' clerical error saw him earmarked for release.

Police then waited a further six days before admitting their mistake to the public.

Colonel James Martin, of the Marion Country Sheriff's Department, told NBC News one of the inmate records' clerks was amending bookings for Mason and accidentally removed two of the charges against him, believing them to be duplicates.

Convicted violent felon Kevin Mason, 28, who is wanted for murder was accidentally released from jail in Indiana following a clerical error

Mason was captured after two years on the run but walked free from the Adult Detention Centre in Indianapolis after just two days due to the error

Mason had been charged with homicide, parole violation and firearms possession.

On September 13, Ramsey County Minnesota lifted the last and final charge against Mason without catching the previous day's error, meaning that he could walk free.

He described it as 'a critical error, critical mistake' and said that two records clerks have been dismissed as a result.

The blunder was discovered 'shortly' after Mason's release, but 'should never have happened', Martin added.

Since then a huge manhunt has been unfolding as authorities scramble to locate the fugitive.

Mason was charged with second-degree murder over the killing of Dontevius Ahmad Catchings, 29, outside the Shiloh Temple in June 2021.

Mason, who already has four felony convictions for violent crimes, evaded capture for more than two years and was thought to be hiding out in Florida at one point.

He was finally arrested in Indiana on September 11 on three separate warrants out of Minnesota for homicide, parole violation and firearms possession.

Colonel James Martin said police waited six days before announcing the error to gain a 'tactical advantage' over Mason

Dontevius Ahmad Catchings, the alleged victim of Kevin Mason, was killed in June 2021 at funeral outside Shiloh Temple in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Police claimed they waited six days before publicizing the escape in order to gain a tactical advantage over Mason.

They insist there is no threat to the wider public, but have advised locals not to approach Mason if spotted.

He is described as 5'9" and around 200lbs with distinctive tattoos including the word SUB on his chest and a cross under the eye.

Colonel Martin added: 'I also want to assure the public we will not rest until hes captured.'

The police chief believes that others could be helping to harbor the fugitive and urged the public to come forward with any information.

Colonel Martin said officers have been close to snaring Mason, but believe others may be helping the harbor him.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers or 911 with tips.
The teenager was not injured in the incident, law enforcement officials said

The teen tried to pull himself up on the rope which was 30 feet long, according to a Facebook post from the Placer County Sheriff's Office

A 19-year-old was rescued after dangling from California's highest bridge Monday evening while he was filming a stunt

A 19-year-old had to be rescued after he became stuck in the air, suspended from a California bridge more than 700 feet above the ground in Placer County.

Law enforcement officials shared a post Tuesday detailing the rescue where the teen who was filming a stunt on the Foresthill Bridge in Sacramento had to be saved.

According to a Facebook post, the teen's equipment failed while he was swinging from California's tallest bridge and the fourth tallest in the United States.

'He was in that harness for probably an hour and fifteen before we could get him up and off,' said Nolan Hale with the California Department of Forestry and Fire.

The teen was uninjured but was 'pretty shaken up,' Hale said. Both the 19-year-old and his 17-year-old friend who was recording were given trespassing citations.

A 19-year-old had to be rescued after he became stuck in the air, suspended from a California bridge more than 700 feet above the ground in Placer County

This is the Foresthill Bridge in Sacramento where the teen was dangling from

According to the Placer County Sheriff's Office, the rescue happened Monday evening around 6.30pm when the 17-year-old called to report his friend dangling.

More than two dozen first responders from the local sheriff's office and Cal Fire responded to the scene to assist in the rescue.

During their initial investigation, they discovered that the 19-year-old was swinging from the underside of the bridge for a recorded stunt.

As they were filming, the teen became stuck approximately 30 feet under the catwalk and more than 700 feet from the ground.

A terrifying photo accompanying the post shows the unidentified teenager dangling from a 30 foot rope as a rescuer is seen attempting to pull him up.

Nearly a dozen additional personnel in the photo stand on the catwalk examining the situation and standing by to assist in the save.

Ultimately, the group was able to pull the teen up and he was examined on the scene for injuries but did not have any obvious injuries.

'CALFIREs TRT and and PCSOs SAR did an exceptional job saving this young mans life,' the Placer County Sheriff's Office wrote in their post.

In their address, the law enforcement agency took the chance to remind any other daredevils that they will need to find another bridge in the future.

'REMINDER: It is ILLEGAL to trespass on the Foresthill Bridge,' the post read.

This is the post shared by the Placer County Sheriff's Department early Tuesday morning

The bridge is the fourth highest of its kind in the United States

The Foresthill Bridge was featured in Vin Diesel's 2002 action flick 'XXX.' In the film, the actor drives his car off the bridge and jumps out

According to Hale, the Monday save was the first of its kind in three decades.

'This is the first incident of a live rescue in the last 30 years,' Hale told CBS.

'Someone dangling 700 feet above the American River is a high-risk operation with vertical rope rescue,' the official said.

The Foresthill Bridge, located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains is certainly no stranger to death defying stunts.

The Northern California bridge was featured in the 2002 action flick 'XXX.'

In the movie, Vin Diesel's character drives his car off the bridge while engaged in a chase with police before jumping out of the car and deploying a parachute.
Brazilian authorities are investigating the mysterious death of an actress and heiress who fell from the fifth-floor balcony of her apartment building.

Sabine Boghici, 49, was found in front of the Rio de Janeiro residence on September 14 and rushed to Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, where she died from her injuries.

Authorities have been looking into the death as a possible suicide after investigators searched her home and found a note she had left behind for her wife, Rosa Stanesco, who is currently in prison.

Boghici was the daughter of one of Brazil's biggest art collector, Jean Boghici, who died in 2015. He was born in Romania in 1928 and moved to Brazil with Jewish friends in 1948.

She and Stanesco were arrested in August 2022 for scamming Sabine Boghici's mother, Genevieve Boghici, out of $148.8 million in artwork, jewelry and money.

Sabine Boghici died September 14 after she fell from the balcony of her 5th floor apartment in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian actress and heiress was 49 years old

Sabine Boghici went to jail in August 2022 and was conditionally released in March for scamming her mother Genevieve Boghici (right) out of $148.8 million in artwork, jewelry and money. Her father was Jean Boghici (left), who at the time of his death in 2015 was considered Brazil's biggest art collector

Rio de Janeiro Civil Police investigators said that Sabine plotted against her mother in 2020 and hired a woman who approached her mother and told her that a family member was on the verge of dying.

The woman, who identified herself as a physic, presented her to two other women, a fortune teller and a saint's mother, who went along with the scam and convinced Genevieve Boghici to make payments for a 'job' to preserve her daughter's life.

The plan appeared to work immediately, and Sabine Boghici made believe that she feared for her own well-being and got her mother to pay $1 million during a span of 15 days for the spiritual work.

Police recovered Tarsila do Amaral's painting titled 'Sol Poente,' one of 16 artworks worth $145 million that Brazilian actress and heiress Sabine Boghici was able to steal from her elderly mother

Brazilian actress and heiress Sabine Boghici along with her wife and two other suspects swindled her mother out of paintings worth $145 million, $1 million worth of jewelry, and $2.8 million in payments

Brazilian police remove a painting recovered from Sabine Boghici following her August 2022 arrest

Sabine made sure to keep her elderly mother at home and fired employees and caretakers.

But her mother sensed something was off in February 2022 because of her daughter's strong ties to the fake psychics and paused all payments.

Authorities discovered that Sabine and her accomplices stole 16 Tarsila do Amaral and Emiliano Di Calvacanti paintings worth $145 million, $1 million worth of jewelry, and $2.8 million in payments.

A court granted her conditional release from prison in March.

Under terms of the release, she was not allowed to travel outside of Rio de Janeiro for more than 10 days and had to turn in her passport.

She was also barred from contacting her mother and witnesses, and had to remain 1,600 feet away from her mother.
As roughly 4,000 migrants have crossed the border at Eagle Pass, Texas, in a day, the town issued an emergency declaration as it tries to combat the flood of illegal immigrants coming from Mexico.

Border patrol sources said they join approximately 7,500 other migrants who have handed themselves in over the last week.

According to a source with the Texas Department of Public Safety, a large migrant caravan crossed the Rio Grande, and the thousands are now being held under the bridge in Eagle Pass, with more reportedly on the way, ABC News 7 reported.

Mayor Rolando Salinas of Eagle Pass signed an Emergency Declaration after the new surge of migrants started arriving at the weekend.

Salinas also stated the city of Eagle Pass would not be opening a shelter: 'We don't have the funds or resources to do that.'

Videos posted to social media show hordes of migrants in Eagle Pass, as lax policies by the Biden Administration continue to allow floods of aliens into the US and inundate southern cities.

This is a developing story.

Eagle Pass, Texas, has declared state of emergency as shocking photos and video show it being overwhelmed by migrants 'as 4,000 stream across the border today'

According to a source with Texas Department of Public Safety, a large migrant caravan crossed the Rio Grande, and the thousands are are now being held under the bridge in Eagle Pass, with more reportedly on the way

#BREAKING: Eagle Pass in Texas issues emergency declaration over massive illegal immigrant surge in the city, 'local state of disaster declared.' pic.twitter.com/DqtcK98gzR  Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 20, 2023

Strange that there is almost no legacy media coverage of this.



About 2 million people  from every country on Earth  are entering through the US southern border every year.



The number is rising rapidly, yet no preventive action is taken by the current administration. https://t.co/EF7HTS1ktT  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 20, 2023

'The City of Eagle Pass is committed to the safety and well being of our local citizens,' Salinas said in announcing the declaration.

'The emergency declaration grants us the ability to request financial resources to provide the additional services caused by the influx of the undocumented immigrants.'

The rush of migrants into the town also led the city to shut down Eagle Pass Bridge 1 at 6pm local time. Vehicles were forced to use the second bridge to cross into or return from Mexico.

The closure was because of the significant migrant influx, city leaders said.

Eagle Pass is one of the border towns that has been crushed in recent months by the influx of migrants.

Valeria Wheeler operates a shelter in the area and told WOAI in San Antonio, Texas, they plan to open a new shelter on Thursday. That will take their space from 8,000 square feet to 25,000 square feet.

'The big difference here is that we are offering space for up to 200 people to stay overnight. Mothers and children will be more comfortable,' Wheeler told the outlet.

A migrant from Venezuela at the shelter made the trip with her 18-month-old son. She said she crossed the Darien Gap in Panama before riding on trains to the border.

The woman added if she knew today what she did when she left, she would not have embarked on the dangerous trip.

'The emergency declaration grants us the ability to request financial resources to provide the additional services caused by the influx of the undocumented immigrants' Mayor Rolando Salinas said

A group of migrants from Colombia, Honduras and Guatemala successfully scales a border fence into the United States south of Eagle Pass

The US border has seen a flood of migrants from across the world, not just from Central and South American nations such as Venezuela and Mexico. There have been migrants from China and other places entering via the porous southern border.

The 2022 fiscal year saw record-breaking numbers of encounters with migrants at the Southwest border with 2,378,944 reported crossings from October to September.

In 2023, through July, there have been 1,973,092 - many of them coming as Title 42 expired.

The number of migrant crossings in August is set to exceed 230,000, according to Fox News.

The jump in crossing has grown in recent years with a mere 458,088 crossings reported in 2020 during the worldwide COVID pandemic.

Eagle Pass is one of the border towns that has been crushed in recent months by the influx of migrants. Pictured: Thousands of migrants in Eagle Pass on September 20

Videos posted to social media show hordes of migrants in Eagle Pass, as lax policies by the Biden Administration continue to allow floods of aliens into the US

Most migrant encounters are single adults, at 64.9 percent, but almost 600,000 are individuals in a family unit and there have been 109,298 unaccompanied minors crossing the border.

Texas has been using razor wire to block migrants illegally entering as it battles a challenge from the Biden administration seeking to stop it from building a buoy barrier in the Rio Grande.

The Lone Star State has also been busing migrants to 'sanctuary cities' such as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Los Angeles in order to give border towns some relief.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott argues that Texas cities have carried the weight of illegal immigration and 'sanctuary cities' need to share that burden.

'Texas has bused over 35,000 migrants to self-declared sanctuary cities,' he wrote earlier this month on Twitter.

'Over 11,300 to D.C., over 13,300 to NYC, over 6,700 to Chicago, over 2,600 to Philadelphia, over 1,000 to Denver, over 480 to LA.'

New York has seen more than 100,000 migrants arrive since the crisis began more than 18 months ago - leading Mayor Eric Adams to declare the situation will 'destroy' the city.

Asylum seekers, denied a hotel room, line the side walk of the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City

Adams says that New York City is struggling to cope, and has ordered agencies to slash their budgets by 5 percent, and possibly 15 percent in the future, in order to pay for the response to the new arrivals.

Despite Adams' cries for help from the state and federal government, the city has not received aid to cover the extra costs, so the $4.7billion would come from the city's budget.

That amount is equal to the budgets for the city's sanitation, fire and parks departments combined.

As the school year kicked off, some schools were forced to turn away students as the classrooms overflowed.

City officials have said they expect the number asylum seeker population to reach nearly 33,980 households this fiscal year.

The city is currently paying about $385 a night per migrant family that needs housing and feeding.

According to Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, asylum seekers are costing the city roughly $10 million every day.
A 4billion aircraft carrier has deployed on its latest voyage with only eight fighter jets - raising further fears about the UK's chronic shortages of combat planes.

The 920-ft long HMS Queen Elizabeth has the capacity to accommodate 36 stealth jets and to carry 24 such aircraft on operations.

The wide open spaces in her hangers suggest Britain is lacking frontline aircraft, according to naval experts.

HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of this country's two aircraft carriers, deployed on Operation Firedrake on September 8.

Its patrols of the North Atlantic with NATO partners are supposed to provide a demonstration of UK strike power to the Kremlin.

The 920-ft long HMS Queen Elizabeth has the capacity to accommodate 36 stealth jets and to carry 24 such aircraft on operations. Pictured: Aircraft handler at work as F-35B's carry out flight operations

The wide open spaces in her hangers suggest Britain is lacking frontline aircraft, according to naval experts. Pictured: F-35B's carry out flight operations onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth

HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of this country's two aircraft carriers, deployed on Operation Firedrake on September 8. Pictured: Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth leaves Portsmouth Harbour for sea trials on July 10

Concerns over the strength of this deployment follow the publication earlier this month of a parliamentary report into the weaknesses of the RAF's fighter jet fleet.

READ MORE: The number of RAF combat aircraft is so low they would be wiped out by 'attrition' if Britain went to war with Putin as Russia has more than 20 times more aircraft and our fleet is smaller than European allies Advertisement

MPs on the defence select committee warned the UK's frontline aircraft would be 'wiped out' in a war against Vladimir Putin because of its size.

They said they UK could not withstand the 'levels of attrition' that would occur in any conflict against a peer nation.

Britain has just 169 frontline jets to Russia's 1,500, while France has 231 combat aircraft, Germany 214 and Italy 199.

That figure includes 31 F-35B stealth jets which were bought for the HMS Queen Elizabeth and her sister ship, the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales.

Yet only eight of these fifth generation smart aircraft were aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth as she started Op Firedrake.

The delivery of these US-made planes is behind schedule and, due to funding issues, the UK is expected to purchase fewer F-35Bs than was envisaged.

Previously, Britain was supposed to buy 138 F-35Bs but this has been reduced to 74.

MPs on the defence select committee warned the UK's frontline aircraft would be 'wiped out' in a war against Vladimir Putin because of its size. Pictured: A F-35B lands onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth

Its patrols of the North Atlantic with NATO partners are supposed to provide a demonstration of UK strike power to the Kremlin. Pictured: A F-35B lands onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth

Last night, former Royal Navy officer Commander Tom Sharpe, told the Mail: 'We should be concerned, as we have far fewer F-35Bs than we should have.

Frigate's Arabian Sea drug bust A Royal Navy frigate has smashed a drug running operation in what was the fourth such raid this year. HMS Lancaster seized nearly half a tonne of drugs from a suspect boat in the northern Arabian Sea, after a search revealed more than 200 packages containing 260kg of heroin and 200kg of hashish. Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said such raids show 'the benefit our continuous presence in the Gulf', adding: 'I am proud of how we continue to operate around the world to uphold international laws and keep people safe.' In June the crew seized 10million of drugs, after intercepting 2.5million worth in May. It also intercepted an illegal arms shipment. Advertisement

'More of the F-35Bs should have been delivered by this time too, so that is another factor.

'For these reasons I'm not surprised to learn HMS Queen Elizabeth is deploying with so few combat aircraft. This scenario has been many years in the making.'

The Ministry of Defence insists the 'boutique' sophistication of its aircraft compensates for having fewer of them.

But while high capability planes are beneficial, the UK's fleet lacks numerical depth and reserves, according to experts.

Last night the Royal Navy insisted more F-35Bs could have been sent on Op Firedrake if required. Eight jets apparently represented the number required to achieve the tasks involved.

While eight Merlin and Wildcat helicopters are also aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the carrier is operating significantly under strength.

The scale of the Royal Navy's deployment compares unfavourably with the 40 aircraft aboard the US carrier Gerald R Ford when she visited Norway earlier this year.

On previous deployments of the HMS Queen Elizabeth the Royal Navy has been forced to borrow planes from the US Marine Corps.

HMS Queen Elizabeth will undertake a series of exercises with Western partners before returning to the UK in December.

While eight Merlin and Wildcat helicopters are also aboard the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the carrier is operating significantly under strength. Pictured: HMS Queen Elizabeth on exercise Faraday Field in the Irish sea in February

On previous deployments of the HMS Queen Elizabeth the Royal Navy has been forced to borrow planes from the US Marine Corps. Pictured: A F-35B lands onboard HMS Queen Elizabeth

An MoD spokesperson said: 'The number of aircraft deployed on the carrier is decided by a variety of operational factors including the anticipated threat, aircraft needed for the deployment task and the requirement to continue to train personnel at RAF Marham to expand the F-35B Lightning force.

'This year UK F-35s have been exercising with NATO, US and European partners and have deployed once more on our aircraft carriers. We remain committed to growing the F-35 fleet with more to be delivered this year.

'Our carriers have world-class capabilities and are currently both at sea, with one leading an international carrier strike group to the waters of northern Europe and the other sailing to the US to operate alongside our closest partner with advanced drone technology and 5th generation fighter jets on board.'
Retail workers have been banned from pinning up and sharing images of repeat shoplifters by data protection rules, according to the boss of Iceland.

Richard Walker said privacy rules are hampering efforts to identify and capture the prolific thieves behind a shoplifting epidemic.

Gangs are now targeting stores in what amounts to organised looting, according to retail industry bosses.

And Mr Walker said terrified staff are attacked by thieves armed with needles, knives and screwdrivers.

Staff have been told they are not allowed to share pictures of known shoplifters by posting them on WhatsApp groups or staffroom walls because the Information Commissioners Office said it breached data protection laws.

Iceland boss Richard Walker said the rule banning shops from putting up photos of repeat shoplifters was 'ridiculous'

Shops are being banned from putting up photos of repeat shoplifters amid concerns about data protection, according to the boss of Iceland

Mr Walker said: This is no longer about the petty theft  this is about serious violence against our store colleagues by shoplifters which sadly is becoming more and more of an occurrence.

He suggested store security guards should be given new powers, including the right to use handcuffs and truncheons, as part of a get tough approach. Security staff do not have the powers to stop, search, arrest and detain people.

And he told the BBCs World at One: We are not able to share pictures of known offenders on WhatsApp groups because it might breach their data protection human rights, which is ridiculous. All that needs reforming as well.

The British Retail Consortium has reported that violence and abuse against staff has risen from 450 incidents a day in 2019/20 to more than 850 last year.

Data shows shoplifting has risen in those stores by 41 per cent in the first eight months of this year compared with the same period in 2022.

Retailers have accused the police of failing to take shoplifting and attacks on staff seriously. Mr Walker said it has become an almost unpunishable crime.

The Mail On Sunday launched a campaign urging authorities to act.
More eerie Facebook posts dedicated to her beloved Rottweilers have emerged after a young Perth woman was savagely mauled by one of her pets in a horrific attack.

Nikita Piil, 31, was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with severe injuries to her arms and legs shortly before 5 pm on Saturday after being set upon by her pets.

She was viciously attacked by her two Rottweilers, seven-year-old Bronx and four-year-old Harlem, at her Success home in the city's south.

Police arrived at least 10 minutes after the neighbours first heard Ms Piil's screams, and officers shot Bronx. The dog was later euthanised by a vet.

Harlem was taken to a local pound, where he remains while the investigation into the attack continues.

Ms Piil remains in a serious but stable condition after suffering major blood loss as doctors desperately try to save her arm.

Ms Piil's Facebook posts dedicated to her beloved Rottweilers have resurfaced and have since been targeted by vile online trolls.

Nikita Piil's Facebook page was dedicated to her two Rottweilers. She's pictured with one of her beloved pets

Her Facebook is littered with photos of her Rottweilers, including one of the dogs sitting next to dug-up artificial turf.

'My babies' Ms Piil captioned the photo alongside a black heart in 2020

In June, she captioned a photo of her dogs relaxed on the couch.

'My little kangaroo,' she wrote.

Days later, Mr Piil shared a Facebook video from a breeder of Rottweiler pups ready to be rehomed.

'Want them all. Always breeding the most beautiful babies,' she captioned the video.

Nikita Piil described one of her Rottweilers as 'my little kangaroo' just three months ago

A recent photo posted to Facebook shows one of Nikita Piil's dogs relaxed on the couch

Ms Piil got Bronx as a puppy in September 2016 and couldn't wait to wait to get him home and show him off on Facebook.

'Baby Bronx is finally home! So incredibly in love with this little sleepyhead. Life is complete. #Rottweilerpuppy #mummysboy,' she captioned a photo of the sleeping puppy.

Mr Piil paid tribute to Bronx on his first birthday a year later.

'I couldn't ask for a more incredible, cheeky, loyal, intelligent and protective little mate. You're my whole world,' she captioned a photo of Bronx at the beach

The renowned dog lover also had a sign on her door which read: 'Beware of the Rottweiler'.

It remains unclear what prompted the dogs to attack their owner.

Since the nightmare attack, Ms Piil and the breeder who sold Bronx have faced cruel criticism online.

Seven years after she got Bronx as a puppy, he was shot by police and later euthanised after the dog attacked her

Pictured is Bronx when Nikita got him as a puppy in 2016

Nikita Piil (pictured cuddling a Rottweiler) suffered severe bites and major blood loss after her two Rottweilers attacked her on Saturday

Seven-year-old Bronx was shot by police to stop the attack while four-year-old Harlem is awaiting his fate at a local pound (pictured, the two dogs together)

The breeder who sold Harlem to Ms Piil broken her silence this week to say she knew the dog to be 'placid' and believes the owner's actions must have triggered the attack.

The breeder, who requested to remain anonymous, said Harlem came from a family of show dogs and was known for being 'very placid non-dominant dog' who was also really loving, and good-natured.

'It's not likely that a Rottweiler would attack anybody for no reason,' she told The West this week.

'In this instance, there must have been a dog fight between the two dogs and I feel that maybe the owner has gotten involved to try and separate the dogs and somehow gotten in between it.

'Watching any two dogs having a fight is traumatic for any owner. Especially trying to separate them on your own.'

Ms Piil remains in hospital five days on from the horror attack as doctors try to save her arm

The breeder also hit back at claims Harlem was bred for violence.

'We don't breed dogs for fighting. We don't breed dogs for security. We mainly breed them for show and to place them in family units,' she said.

'The bloodlines of that dog are from show lines, so they are absolutely not known to [attack].'

She added online trolls accusing Ms Piil of neglecting the dogs were wrong, saying both dogs were 'very well-kept and very well-loved'.

Neighbour Bryn Spencer said he and another nearby resident heard Ms Piil's screams several minutes before they tried to breakup the attack.

However, the pair couldn't access her backyard without putting themselves in danger.

'I was hearing 'help, help, please help!',' Mr Spencer told Nine News

'I was contemplating jumping the fence and getting in there to try to rescue her but, obviously, there were two Rottweilers in there.

'I didn't have a knife, I didn't have anything really good to take this dog out.

'I only had a bat. All I could really do was watch this girl get mauled apart while I am smacking the fence.'

Neighbours tried banging Ms Piil's fence and using a hose to distract the attacking dogs (pictured, emergency services outside Ms Piil's home on Saturday)

Ms Piil was a renowned dog lover and had a sign on her door which read: 'Beware of the Rottweiler'

Another neighbour turned a hose on one of the dogs, which succeeded in momentarily distracting it.

'The dog stopped for a bit and it was looking at me deciding what to do next,' Mr Spencer said.

'I kept screaming at it and smacking the fence and then it decided, 'Stuff you' and it got the girl and dragged her behind the back corner.

Police attempted to taser Bronx but were unsuccessful and forced to shoot the dog in a desperate attempt to stop the attack with Ms Piil's life was in danger,

Bronx was later euthanised while Harlem remains in ranger custody.

'The dog will remain at the facility until investigations surrounding the incident are finalised,' City of Cockburn head of Community Safety and Ranger Services Michael Emery said.

Western Australia Premier Roger Cook has called for an inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the horrific attack.
One of Britain's last surviving D-Day veterans has died aged 97.

Leslie Stocking took part in the first wave of the Normandy landings which turned the tide of the Second World War.

As an 18-year-old in the Royal Engineers, Mr Stocking landed on Gold Beach and helped to clear land mines for the Allied assault.

The grandfather, who lived most of his life in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, was thought to be one of only about 20 Normandy veterans still alive.

Ahead of his funeral, his daughter Tracey Stocking, 56, on Tuesday said she will fulfil his last wishes by scattering his ashes on the beach at Ver-Sur-Mer on the spot where he landed on D-Day.

Leslie Stocking, (pictured) one of Britain's last surviving D-Day veterans, has died aged 97

Ahead of his funeral, his daughter Tracey Stocking, 56, on Tuesday said she will fulfil his last wishes by scattering his ashes on the beach at Ver-Sur-Mer on the spot where he landed on D-Day. Mr Stocking is pictured with his daughter Tracey

Mr Stocking, who lived most of his life in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, was thought to be one of only about 20 Normandy veterans still alive. Pictured: File photo of Allied forces landing at Omaha Beach, Normandy, France during the World War two D-Day landings 1944

She said: 'He showed me where it was on a visit there 13 years ago. He remembered exactly where it was.

'He was my absolute hero. I am sure all daughters say that about their dads but he was. He was just an absolute gentleman, he was really kind, he was the best dad in the world and he would do anything for me.'

She added that he had seen the British Normandy Memorial overlooking Gold Beach in Ver-Sur-Mer - built with the help of donations from generous Daily Mail readers - during its construction and had always wanted to see it finished but was unable to do that because of the Covid pandemic.

Nicholas Witchell, a trustee of the British Normandy Memorial, yesterday told the Mail: 'Les Stocking was another of those indomitable figures who did not hesitate to do their bit when Europe's freedoms hung in the balance. We must never forget what we owe him and the remarkable generation of which he was a part.

'Next year will be the 80th anniversary of D-Day. It will be the last major commemoration which Normandy Veterans will be able to attend. The British Normandy Memorial will be proud to host them as we re-double our efforts to ensure that future generations not only remember them but understand what they did for all of us.'

Born in Kanpur, India, where his soldier father was serving with the 21st King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Mr Stocking joined the British Army at 17 in December 1942. The minimum age for conscription was 18, but he was able to volunteer with his father's consent.

He had been scheduled to arrive in Normandy after the first wave, but the delay to the landings caused by foul weather over the English Channel which forced the attack to be postponed for 24 hours meant he became part of the force which landed on June 6, 1944.

In interviews after the war, Mr Stocking, who returned to France several times for D-Day anniversaries, once said: 'Everyone keeps asking us about our experiences and what we went through, but none of us saw it like that.

British Prime Minister Theresa May (right) chats with veteran Leslie Stocking (left) following a service of remembrance at Bayeux cemetery on June 06, 2019 in Bayeux, France

Born in Kanpur, India, where his soldier father was serving with the 21st King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Mr Stocking joined the British Army at 17 in December 1942. The minimum age for conscription was 18, but he was able to volunteer with his father's consent

'We did a job - and a bloody good one at that - and we did our duty by fighting for this country. That's it. We never saw it as heroics. We didn't have time to.'

Recalling the moment when his boat's doors opened and he and his comrades disembarked, he said: 'We came off in about 4ft of water and one thing that struck me was the incessant noise.

'As we were going up the beach to find protection under the sand dunes, one of our lads stood on something. I heard later that he lost his foot.

'I will always remember the lads who didn't make it, lying there at the water's edge and the soldier about our age who was sitting on the bank and didn't know what day it was. He was obviously shell-shocked.'

He added: 'You can't describe the scenes because they're impossible to describe. My abiding memories are of discomfort, pure discomfort. We were either living in holes in the ground or being dreadfully seasick. Yet despite it all we did the job.

'I fought all the way to Germany and lost countless colleagues in the constant onslaught of enemy fire. It was something I can never forget.'

Mr Stocking was photographed chatting with Prince William at the 70th anniversary D-Day events in France in 2014 and with Theresa May at the 75th anniversary in 2019.

His daughter Miss Stocking, an event manager who lives in Manchester, said he told her that on the first night after he landed on D-Day he was putting camouflage on a lorry when he heard a buzzing noise and asked another soldier: 'What are the bees doing buzzing around at this time?' - only to be told: 'Don't be silly, there's a sniper up there in a church steeple shooting at us. If it hadn't been dusk he'd have shot us.'

On VE Day May 8, 1945 Mr Stocking's regiment found themselves in Germany - next to a schnapps brewery. 'I don't need to tell you what happened next. And anyway, I think we were entitled to it,' he recalled.

After the war, Mr Stocking stayed in the Army until 1947, stationed in Italy, then returned to England and became a fuel tanker driver for Shell in civilian life. He was married to his late wife Mary for 59 years and had one daughter, Tracey, and one grandson, Dylan, 23, a DJ.

After the war, Mr Stocking stayed in the Army until 1947, stationed in Italy, then returned to England and became a fuel tanker driver for Shell in civilian life

Mr Stocking received the Legion d'Honneur - the highest decoration in France - in recognition of his wartime service on the 65th anniversary of D-Day in 2009.

His daughter said: 'He was really proud of that. and I think as he got older it became more important in his life.'

He was a former chairman of the Shropshire branch of the Normandy Veterans' Association, and a regular poppy seller for the Royal British Legion's appeal.

Mr Stocking died on August 31, shortly before his 98th birthday, at the care home in Manchester where he lived for the last six months of his life. His funeral is due to take place on Friday at Shrewsbury Crematorium.
James Bulger's mother was said to be 'shellshocked' last night after it emerged that one of her son's killers could be freed by Christmas.

Jon Venables, 40, was aged ten when he and Robert Thompson, now 39, snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993.

The pair tortured and killed the two-year-old before dumping his body by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool.

Both were jailed for life but released with new identities under a life-long licence in June 2001. Thompson has never reoffended but Venables was caught with images of child sex abuse on his computer and twice recalled to prison, in 2010 and 2017.

He was jailed for 40 months but has now served double after being rejected for release at the end of his sentence.

Yesterday it emerged that a two-day hearing will be held on November 14 to determine whether he can be freed again.

James Bulger's mother was said to be 'shellshocked' last night after it emerged that one of her son's killers could be freed by Christmas. Pictured: James Bulger

Jon Venables , 40, was aged ten when he and Robert Thompson , now 39, snatched the toddler from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, in February 1993. The pair tortured and killed the two-year-old before dumping his body by a railway line two-and-a-half miles away in Liverpool. Pictured: Jon Vernables in 1993

Despite requests for the hearing to be held in public, it will take place behind closed doors, with a three-person parole panel taking evidence in private from prison officers, probation officers and psychiatrists.

Victim impact statements from James's mother Denise Fergus, 54, and father Ralph Bulger, 55, who have both implored the Parole Board to reject Venables's bid to be released, will also be read.

Typically, parole decisions are made within 14 days, meaning Venables could be free in time for Christmas.

Yesterday a source told the Mail that Mrs Fergus had not been informed of the parole hearing date before it appeared in the media. 'She's shellshocked,' they said.

Previously she told the Parole Board: 'If you let him free, you could be ruining the lives of another family like ours. When you look at Venables's file just remember what he is capable of. He killed my son James, has reoffended time and time again and I have no doubt he would kill another child if he is released.'

Under current rules, Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has the power to ask the Parole Board to reconsider its decision if it decides to release Venables. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said the minister was giving the case his 'close personal attention'.

Tougher measures currently going through Parliament, as part of the Victims and Prisoners Bill, would give ministers the power to veto release decisions for the most serious or repeat offenders.

The Bill follows widespread concern about parole panels being too soft after scandals over black cab rapist John Worboys and double child killer Colin Pitchfork.

It will also reform the role of the chairman of the Parole Board to ensure they focus on strategic leadership and have no influence over individual parole decisions.

A source told the Mail that James's mother Denise Fergus, 54, had not been informed of the parole hearing date before it appeared in the media. 'She's shellshocked,' they said. Pictured above is James Bulger

Before the decision for the parole hearing to be heard in private was announced, Mr Bulger told The Sun: 'If the Justice Secretary is serious on reform then he must allow me to be present at Venables's parole hearing.

'I want Venables to hear why I believe he should have his parole denied. For too long, victims and families have been ignored while authorities put the so-called rights of dangerous criminals first.'

The Parole Board said its decisions 'are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community'.

A spokesman added: 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.'

Mr Chalk told last night's Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge: 'This is an appalling case. It's one that is seared on the memory of a nation and frankly on all of us.

'There is a process which means I can make presentations based upon the information that comes to me. I have to act properly.

'But I will do everything I properly can to ensure that justice is done in a way that British people would understand.'
Hunter Biden was told he will be treated like any other criminal defendant as a judge ordered him to appear in court in person to face gun charges.

The president's troubled son is expected to plead not guilty when he stands in front of a judge in a Delaware federal court on October 3.

The 53-year-old is facing three federal firearms charges for allegedly lying about his drug addiction on a gun purchase form.

The president's son had asked to appear via video conference for the hearing now set for September 26,

But U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Burke sided with prosecutors who said he should be there in person.

Hunter Biden was told he will be treated like any other criminal defendant as a judge ordered him to appear in court in person to face gun charges

Burke found that the court conducted initial appearance hearings over video only at the height of the coronavirus pandemic or on a very few occasions when a defendant was physically unable to be present or destitute.

Biden should 'not receive special treatment in this matter,' he wrote. 'Absent some unusual circumstance, he should be treated just as would any other defendant in our court.'

Biden is accused of lying on a form about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018.

He kept the gun for 11 days during a period when he acknowledged, according to his memoir, that he was addicted to crack cocaine.

The three-count indictment from a special counsel overseeing the case came weeks after a proposed plea deal failed and puts the case on track toward a possible trial as the 2024 election looms.

The 53-year-old is facing three federal firearms charges for allegedly lying about his drug addiction on a gun purchase form

Hunter Biden has also been under investigation for his business dealings, and the special counsel has indicated that tax charges could be filed at some point in Washington or in California, where he lives.

In response to his mounting legal problems, Hunter has ramped up his counteroffensive.

He this week sued the IRS, claiming whistleblowers illegally released his tax records.

The IRS was investigating if Hunter Biden properly disclosed all of his income and paid taxes on it.

Later Hunter would agree to the plea deal which ultimately fell apart - where he had admitted to two tax misdemeanors.

The tax code generally forbids IRS employees from disclosing information from a person's tax returns.

But there is an exception. The chairs of the congressional tax-writing committees can request any taxpayer information from the IRS and then the committees can vote to make that information public.
A suspect in the killing of a Chicago family-of-four and their three dogs has been shot dead in a burning car after fleeing from police in Oklahoma.

Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven, were shot in their family bungalow in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago on Sunday.

Nathaniel Huey Jr, a 31-year-old from Streamwood, Illinois, was named a 'person of interest' in the murders along with a woman 'with a relationship' to him.

The woman was reported missing and in danger by her family on Tuesday night and a car linked to him was spotted in Catoosa, around 650 miles away from the crime scene, on Wednesday. Officers said they tried to stop the vehicle but it sped away.

The car crashed and caught on fire and two gunshots were heard before police found Huey fatally shot in the driver's seat and the woman critically injured.

A suspect in the killing of a Chicago family-of-four and their three dogs has been shot dead in a burning car after fleeing from police in Oklahoma

Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, her husband Alberto Rolon and their children Adriel, 10, and Diego, seven, were shot in their family bungalow in Romeoville, a suburb of Chicago on Sunday

Nathaniel Huey Jr, a 31-year-old from Streamwood, Illinois , was named a 'person of interest' in the shooting along with a woman 'with a relationship' to him

Romeoville Deputy Chief Chris Burne revealed Huey was found dead in the burning car after he was identified as a suspect.

A vehicle linked to him was identified in Catoosa using a license plate reader and authorities tried to stop him but he sped away.

It led to the car crashing and catching on fire. 'Officers on scene heard two noises believed to be gun shots,' Burne said.

Huey was found dead in the driver's seat and the woman was critically wounded.

The incident led to the lanes of westbound Interstate 44, near Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, to be temporarily shut down at around 11.30am.

Police determined the shooting of the family was 'not a random incident' and there is no reason for the public to stay indoors following the fatal shooting.

Romeoville Police Department Deputy Chief Burne said: 'Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspect and the victims as well as possible motive.'

But he refused to reveal further details on the possible motive.

'Although Huey is identified as a suspect, this is still an active and evolving investigation,' a police statement said. 'This portion of the incident is still unfolding.'

'We were able to determine this was not a random incident and there was no cause for a shelter in place order,' Burne said on Tuesday.

'This incident is the police department's top priority.' Officers were called to the family's property on the 500 block of Concord Avenue for a welfare check.

Their family said they have no idea why anyone would want to kill them, and Zoraida's devastated sister has issued a plea for answers.

One of Zoraida and Alberto did not show up to work on Sunday and did not answer calls from relatives which caused concern.

Police tragically discovered the dead bodies and believe the shooting occurred between 9pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday.

The Will County Major Crimes Task Force is helping investigators collect evidence and review video, Burne said.

A vehicle linked to Huey was identified in Catoosa using a license plate reader and authorities tried to stop him but he sped away

He was found dead in a burning car after he was identified as a suspect with the female passenger critically wounded

Romeoville Police Department Deputy Chief Chris Burne said: 'Evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspect and the victims as well as possible motive'

Police tragically discovered the dead bodies following a welfare check and believe the shooting occurred between 9pm on Saturday and 5am on Sunday

'All officers and professional staff have been working tirelessly on this case. Our detectives and crime scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence.'

Zoraida's sister Bryana Bartolomei shared a photo of the family, originally from Puerto Rico, on Facebook.

She wrote: 'I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband, and WHY?

'They were shot and killed in their home.'

The picture shows Zoraida and Alberto beaming with their two sons, one playfully holding a strand of his mother's hair.

A fundraiser created to cover funeral expenses was created on Monday, describing their children as 'the sweetest most innocent angels'. It has so far raised almost $30,000.

It was determined that the shooting of the family was 'not a random incident' and there is no reason for the public to stay indoors

Zoraida's mother Lydia from Puerto Rico previously told DailyMail.com that they were 'so happy' and had only just bought their $250,000 Romeoville home five months ago

A fundraiser created to cover funeral expenses and to raise awareness for their case was created on Monday, describing their children as 'the sweetest most innocent angels'

Friends described them as 'hardworking people that had just bought their first home'.

'Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away,' the fundraiser says.

'In just a few hours their lives, their family's lives completely changed. The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them.'

Community members have been providing information and evidence to help piece together what happened. Burne is calling for more assistance including Ring doorbell footage.

Children Adriel and Diego attended R.C. Hill Elementary School, a message posted by the district's superintendent Rachel Kinder revealed.

She described their killings as a 'senseless act of gun violence'.

'This violent incident and loss are sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school community.'

The school is providing mental health and counseling to families at the school.

Romeoville Mayor John D. Noak said on Tuesday: 'Our entire community is grieving with the family over this tragic incident.

'I have directed our social services staff to make themselves available to our community to help begin the healing process.'

Zoraida's mother Lydia from Puerto Rico told DailyMail.com they were 'so happy' and had only bought their $250,000 Romeoville home five months ago.

She last spoke with her daughter shortly before her death on the weekend as the family settled down to watch a movie, and she could not understand why they had been targeted.

Crime scene technicians removed several brown and pink bags along with part of a window from the three-bedroom home as the investigation got underway on Sunday.
Former President Donald Trump continues to be the way-out-in-frontrunner according to the latest New Hampshire poll, while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has slipped to fifth place in the Granite State.

A survey conducted by CNN and the University of New Hampshire released Wednesday showed Trump earning the support of 39 percent of likely GOP Granite State voters.

The ex-president has a 26 point lead over 38-year-old entreprenuer Vivek Ramaswamy, who's polling at 13 percent and in second place.

Directly after Ramaswamy comes former U.N. Amb. Nikki Haley - with 12 percent -who's seen a polling bump since her debate performance, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie - with 11 percent - who's focusing most of his campaign's energy on the Granite State.

In fifth place, with 10 percent support, is DeSantis - who was long considered Trump's biggest political threat.

Former President Donald Trump continues to be the way-out-in-frontrunner according to the latest New Hampshire poll

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, once considered Trump's greatest political threat, has slipped into fifth place in the Granite State

After that, South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has the support of 6 percent of likely voters, while former Vice President Mike Pence has the support of 2 percent of Granite staters.

No other 2024 candidate is polling over 1 percent.

DeSantis has dropped 13 points in the CNN survey since July, as moderates have abandoned him, pollsters found.

Twenty-six percent of Republicans who described themselves as moderates backed DeSantis in July, now that number stands at 6 percent.

He only dropped 8 points amongst conservatives.

Ramaswamy's edge is coming from voters who are not registered Republicans.

He's seen a 16 percent bump since July from that group.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has slipped into fifth place in New Hampshire, losing the support of moderates

The millennial candidate is also attracting more younger voters.

He's seen a 28 percent increase since July in voters younger than 35 and an 11 percent increase from voters ages 35 to 49.

Like Haley, Ramaswamy's first debate performance in August was spoken about positively.

Christie is attracting more and more independents and Democrats who plan to vote in the Republican primary.

He received the support of 23 percent of this group in July, with 38 percent of this group now backing him.

Moderates and more educated voters are pushing Haley up the rankings.

She's up 11 points among those who've completed some postgraduate work and 15 points among college graduates.

Additionally she gained 18 points among moderates since July.
Rishi Sunak hit the brakes on the race to net zero yesterday.

He warned that imposing 'unacceptable costs' on families risked wrecking support for saving the planet.

In his biggest gamble as Prime Minister, he vowed to shatter a consensus that has seen successive governments impose green targets with little regard to cost.

In a victory for the Mail, a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 will be pushed back by five years. Plans to prohibit new gas boilers will also be slowed down, with five million homes given a permanent exemption.

And the requirement for landlords to upgrade home insulation by 2025 will also be delayed.

In his biggest gamble as Prime Minister, he vowed to shatter a consensus that has seen successive governments impose green targets with little regard to cost

In a victory for the Mail, a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 will be pushed back by five years. Pictured: Rishi Sunak meets workers during a visit to Land Rover

Mr Sunak also ruled out a string of 'heavy-handed' proposals put forward by government advisers, including a tax on meat, a plan to force people to recycle waste into seven different bins and a scheme for compulsory car sharing.

In a thinly-veiled swipe at his predecessors, the PM said the political class had 'not been honest' with the public about the real costs of net zero, with the result that Britain had 'stumbled into a consensus about the future of our country, that no one seems to be happy with'.

The Prime Minister also said that as chancellor, he was critical of Boris Johnson's government being 'on autopilot to just adopt' green policies.

Mr Sunak said he remained fully committed to the target of reducing the UK's carbon emissions to net zero by 2050.

But he warned that the Government's existing plans 'seem to have defaulted to an approach which will impose unacceptable costs on hard-pressed British families. Costs that no one was ever told about, and which may not actually be necessary to deliver the emissions reduction that we need'.

The policy changes could save the average family up to 15,000, he added.

His comments came as:

Labour vowed to reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol cars if it won power, creating a clear political dividing line;

Grants for installing heat pumps in domestic properties were increased by 50 per cent to 7,500;

A former government adviser warned the plans would go to judicial review as green groups took court action;

Ford UK accused the PM of 'undermining' the car industry, but Jaguar Land Rover and Toyota welcomed the move;

A People Polling survey for GB News found the public oppose the 2030 timetable for banning new petrol cars by a margin of 50 to 34;

Tory whips told the PM the new approach to net zero was opposed only by 'a few outliers' on the Tory benches.

Backing the plan yesterday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: 'We are not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people.' But the dramatic change of direction sparked a furious reaction from green campaigners and opposition from some senior Tories, including Boris Johnson.

Mr Sunak also ruled out a string of 'heavy-handed' proposals put forward by government advisers, including a tax on meat, a plan to force people to recycle waste into seven different bins and a scheme for compulsory car sharing. Pictured: Rishi Sunak visits Land Rover for an announcement on a new electric car battery factory in July

Mr Sunak said he remained fully committed to the target of reducing the UK's carbon emissions to net zero by 2050

Mr Sunak last night acknowledged he was 'getting flak' over the change, but added: 'That is not going to stop me doing what is right.'

He was forced to rush forward his plans after the details were leaked to the media on Tuesday night.

At a hastily arranged press conference in Downing Street last night, following a mid-morning call with his Cabinet, he said it was a mistake to move faster because the UK was already a world leader. He said it had cut emissions by almost 50 per cent, compared with 22 per cent in France, zero in the United States and a 300 per cent rise in China.

'How can it be right for the British people to be told to sacrifice more than others?' the Prime Minister asked.

He warned that forcing people to pay 10,000 or more for a heat pump, or thousands for home insulation, would destroy support for tackling climate change.

He said a 'more pragmatic, proportionate, and realistic approach that eases the burdens on families' was the 'only realistic path to net zero in a democracy', adding: 'The risk here to those of us who care about reaching net zero, as I do, is simple: if we continue down this path we risk losing the consent of the British people.

'And the resulting backlash would not just be against specific policies but against the wider mission itself meaning we might never achieve our goal. That's why we have to do things differently.'

Mr Sunak suggested the changes would not require a change in the law but No 10 later conceded a Commons vote would be needed to change the 2030 car ban, setting up a potential showdown with critics at Westminster.

Backing the plan yesterday, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: 'We are not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people'

Mr Sunak's decision to roll back some of the expensive green initiatives sparked an angry row on the Tory benches.

Sir Alok Sharma, who was the president of the Cop26 climate summit, said the plans would be 'incredibly damaging' for business investment and added: 'I really do not believe that it's going to help any political party electorally which chooses to go down this path.'

Boris Johnson, who championed the cause of net zero in office, said Britain 'cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country'.

The former PM said that businesses 'must have certainty about our net zero commitments'.

But former business secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who is normally a close ally of Mr Johnson, said Mr Sunak was right to slow the rush to net zero and limit the cost to families.

'My concern is my constituents being cold and poor,' he said. 'I want to see the living standards of people in the UK rise and that means recognising that we can't get to net zero tomorrow. And we can't get to it before the technology is ready.'

But Tory strategists believe delaying expensive green policies could be a vote-winner with families already struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Labour said last night it would reinstate the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars after Rishi Sunak announced a five year delay.

Shadow environment secretary Steve Reed suggested it would give certainty to business and lower costs for households.

He told Sky News: 'We would keep that at 2030 because that's what businesses have been investing for, that's what business expects, that's how we can meet net zero - but its also how we can lower the fuel costs for households who have cars and need to drive away.

'Rishi Sunak is stuck in the past here, he wants to keep household bills high and he wants to stop the investment for the new jobs that would pay the good, secure wages of the future.'

Steve Reed said the decision to keep the 2030 aim in place would give businesses certainty

Rishi Sunak delivers a speech during a press conference on the net zero target, at the Downing Street Briefing Room, in central London, on September 20, 2023

Mr Reed criticised Mr Sunak's announcements as 'chaos', and said he was 'selling out the biggest opportunity of the 21st century - and that is for Britain to lead the world in the transition to a new green economy'.

However, he suggested Labour would stick with the Government's plan to slow the phasing-out of gas boilers, saying his party would not 'put people's bills up'.

Mr Reed's comments came after heavy hints from two fellow shadow cabinet ministers that Labour would undo the change.

Ed Miliband, the party's net zero spokesman, accused Mr Sunak of loading 'more costs onto the British people'.

'Delaying the phase out of petrol and diesel cars will add billions in costs to families and damage investor confidence in the UK, as we have seen from the furious business reaction today,' he said.

'This is a Prime Minister who simply doesn't understand and cannot grasp for Britain the opportunities for jobs and our economy of driving forward with action on clean energy.'

And shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh said: 'The threat to investment in our automotive industry is the chaos created by the Tories at a time when the sector is crying out for certainty.

'The Conservatives might be happy to kick the legs out from underneath the car industry, but Labour would back the sector all the way.'

But the Tories last night called for clarity as they urged Sir Keir Starmer to 'come clean on his green plans'.

A Conservative source told the Mail: 'The Prime Minister's been honest about the trade-offs households face, and has set out a fair plan that protects families' budgets and our net zero commitments.

'Instead of playing politics, Sir Keir needs to come clean on his green plans and what they would mean for families and firms.'

Mr Reed suggested Labour would stick with the Government's plan to slow the phasing-out of gas boilers, saying his party would not 'put people's bills up' (Stock Image)

The government pledged to 'scrap policies to force landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties, but instead continue to encourage households to do so where they can' (Stock Image)

Earlier this year, ex-Labour PM Sir Tony Blair warned that the British public should be spared doing a 'huge amount' to tackle climate change.

He told the New Statesman: 'Don't ask us to do a huge amount when frankly whatever we do in Britain is not really going to impact climate change.

'The number one issue today - and this is where Britain could play a part - is how do you finance the energy transition?

'Because, basically, the developed world's emissions are going down, but the developing world's are going up. These countries have got to grow, so how do you finance the transition? Secondly, how do you accelerate the technology?'
British troops were withdrawing from Sierra Leone today, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said.

About 200 troops have been wrapping up their operations over the past couple of weeks following the staging of peaceful elections in the previously war-torn country.

Peace was declared in Sierra Leone in January this year, and the west African country has now held elections and formed a new government.

The British Government has now decided the servicemen can leave with their support ship, the Sir Geraint, whose presence in Freetown Harbour became a symbol of the British forces' work to bring stability to Sierra Leone.

Britain sent troops to the country two years ago as part of a massive United Nations peacekeeping mission which is credited with bringing an end to Sierra Leone's 10-year civil war.

An MoD spokesman said 100 officers will remain in Sierra Leone to train the country's army.

He said: "It's been an on-going process for quite a while.

"They the officers will be carrying on in a new role representing the improved situation over there."
Elon Musk's brain-chip firm will soon begin testing its controversial implants on people after receiving approval to recruit patients for the first human trials.

Neuralink wants to treat conditions such as paralysis and blindness by linking brains to computers with the help of microchips.

However, its implants  which have been tested in monkeys  have sparked ethical concerns and drawn skepticism among neuroscientists and other experts.

Despite this, the company said its chips had received approval from an independent review board, which is a last rubber stamp toward ensuring a trial can go ahead.

Neuralink is now seeking people with paralysis to test its experimental device as part of a six-year study.

Ready to go: Elon Musk 's brain-chip firm will soon begin testing its controversial implants (pictured) on people after receiving approval to recruit patients for the first human trials

How it works: The chips are designed to interpret signals produced in the brain and relay information to devices via Bluetooth, with the aim being to enable a participant to control a computer cursor or a keyboard using just their thoughts

NEURALINK: ELON MUSK'S PLAY FOR COMPUTER-BRAIN INTERFACES Elon Musk's Neuralink is working to link the human brain with a machine interface by creating micron-sized devices. Neuralink was registered in California as a 'medical research' company in July 2016, and Musk has funded the company mostly by himself. It is working on what Musk calls the 'neural lace' technology, implanting tiny brain electrodes that may one day upload and download thoughts. The technology is initially planned to be used to help people suffering from severe degenerative brain disorders such as ALS, but it could have wider uses in years to come. Advertisement

Those with paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may qualify for the study, the firm said, but it did not reveal how many participants would be enrolled in the trial.

It is also unclear if people will be paid to take part.

The study will use a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface (BCI) implant in a region of the brain that controls movement, Neuralink added.

The chips are designed to interpret signals produced in the brain and relay information to devices via Bluetooth, with the aim being to enable a participant to control a computer cursor or a keyboard using just their thoughts.

This has already been achieved by other BCIs, most famously in 2012 when a woman with quadriplegia ate chocolate using a robot arm while fitted with an implant.

Both the safety and functionality of the technology will be evaluated as part of the research, according to Musk's startup.

Safety concerns meant the firm had struggled to gain earlier approvals, particularly with the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA).

Major issues involved the lithium battery of the device, the possibility of the implant's wires migrating within the brain and the challenge of safely extracting the device without damaging brain tissue.

The FDA later granted its approval in May but did not disclose how its initial concerns were resolved.

Billionaire Musk has grand ambitions for Neuralink, which is one of several firms developing a BCI that can collect and analyse brain signals.

He said the company would facilitate speedy surgical insertions of its chip devices to treat conditions such as obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia.

It could also allow for web browsing and telepathy.

Goal: Neuralink wants to treat conditions such as paralysis and blindness by linking brains to computers with the help of microchips

Where it will go: The study will use a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface (BCI) implant in a region of the brain that controls movement, Neuralink added. Pictured is a scan showing the implant in an animal's brain

However, even if the BCI device proves to be safe for human use, it would still potentially take more than a decade for Neuralink to secure clearance to commercialise it, experts have cautioned.

They say the brain implants will require extensive testing to overcome technical and ethical challenges if they are to become widely available.

Musk's company - which was only founded in 2016 - has repeatedly overestimated the speed at which it deliver on its promises.

Initially Neuralink wanted to start inserting chips into humans in 2020, before putting this back to 2022.

Now it seems more likely that it won't happen until 2024.
MailOnline delves into some of the most stunning World Heritage Sites of 2023

UNESCO has expanded its list of protected sites to over 1,100 across the world

Mystifying burial grounds in Korea and Viking-age fortresses in Denmark are among 41 new World Heritage sites unveiled this week.

The United Nations' cultural body - also known as UNESCO - has expanded its list of protected sites to more than 1,100 across the world following deliberations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

World Heritage Sites are globally recognised buildings and areas of 'Outstanding Universal Value', which means they hold special importance for everyone.

As talks are still ongoing, UNESCO may even inscribe one further site today, while also expanding on the reach of existing areas like Madagascar's Andrefana Dry Forests.

Scroll down to see their beauty for yourself, as MailOnline delves into the most stunning World Heritage Sites of 2023.

CULTURAL SITES

Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain, China

Tea plants thrive in the Jingmai Mountain thanks to its exposure to subtropical monsoons

Nestled in the Jingmai Mountain, this cultural landscape is comprised of tea plantations and villages built thousands of years ago.

Tea plants especially thrive in this area thanks to the mountain's exposure to subtropical monsoons that can bring as much as 5ft of rain.

Local indigenous communities also monitor these plants while taking part in age-old ceremonies and nature-focused celebrations.

According to UNESCO, this primarily refers to the Tea Ancestor belief that spirits live amongst the surrounding vegetation.

Gaya Tumuli burial mounds, South Korea

These unusual mounds are the ancient burial sites of the Gaya Confederacy that once ruled over central-south Korea

These unusual mounds are the ancient burial sites of the Gaya Confederacy that ruled over central-south Korea during the 1st to 6th century CE.

It's believed the shape of these sites is also symbolic of the political system, where leaders existed as 'autonomous political equals while sharing cultural commonalities'.

UNESCO added: 'The introduction of new forms of tombs and the intensification of the spatial hierarchy in the tumuli sites reflect the structural changes experienced by Gaya society during its history.'

Deer stone monuments, Mongolia

Mongolia's deer stones were once part of ceremonies and funerals in the Late Bronze Age

These intricately decorated deer stones were once used as part of ceremonies and funerals in the Late Bronze Age (1200 to 600 BCE).

Standing at 13ft-tall, these pillars are engraved with pictures of stags and are located at a number of 'sacrificial altars' in Mongolia.

'Covered with highly stylized or representational engravings of stags, deer stones are the most important surviving structures belonging to the culture of Eurasian Bronze Age nomads that evolved and then slowly disappeared between the 2nd and 1st millennia BCE,' the UNESCO committee said.

Gedeo cultural landscape, Ethiopia

These remarkable monuments are closely linked to the religion of the indigenous Gedeo people who strongly value the natural world

These remarkable monuments sit at the heart of sacred forests along the eastern edge of the Main Ethiopian Rift.

They are closely linked to the religion of the indigenous Gedeo community, which places high importance the natural environment.

The community also use age-old traditions to support local forest management while growing coffee and other plants.

Prehistoric Talayotic Menorca sites, Spain

This structure is known as a 'taylot' and is one of many Bronze Age structures found on the island of Menorca, Spain

While this unusual megalith bears an uncanny resemblance to Stonehenge, it's actually located in Spain.

The structure is known as a 'taylot' and is one of many Bronze Age structures found on the island of Menorca in the western Mediterranean Sea.

Although many of these formations are thought to have been used for defensive purposes, others are not clearly understood.

Though UNESCO acknowledges that its position corresponds to 'astronomical orientations' which may have religious meaning.

Koh Ker, Cambodia

Koh Ker is situated at the heart of the Cambodian jungle and is comprised of numerous temples and sanctuaries

At the core of the Cambodian jungle, this ancient site comprises of numerous sacred temples and sanctuaries from 928 to 944 CE.

It's believed the site was constructed over a 23-year period and was once briefly the capital of the entire Khmer Empire.

An array of sculptures, inscriptions and wall paintings still exist there today, demonstrating that artistic expression was central to the city.

Viking-age fortresses, Denmark

These ring-shaped fortresses in Aggersborg, Fyrkat, Nonnebakken, Trelleborg and Borgring were strategically positioned near important land and sea routes

While these ring-shaped structures may look like UFO-esque crop circles, they are actually Viking-age fortresses.

The Vikings - also known as the Norsemen - were a group of seafaring people from Scandinavia that were known for their brutality and violence across Europe.

It's believed they may have reached as far as North Africa and the Middle East during their voyages which spanned from 793 to 1066 CE.

Their ring-shaped fortresses in Aggersborg, Fyrkat, Nonnebakken, Trelleborg and Borgring, were strategically positioned near important land and sea routes.

The precise purpose of their ring shape remains a mystery to this day.

NATURAL SITES

Anticosti, Canada

Situated on the largest island in Quebec, this coastline is believed to be the best preserved fossil record of Earth's first mass extinction

Situated on the largest island in Quebec, this coastline is believed to be the best preserved fossil record of Earth's first mass extinction.

This is thought to have occurred 447million years ago due to plummeting oxygen levels at a time when most creatures lived in oceans.

However, it should not be confused for the dinosaur's demise which took place around 66million years ago when a giant asteroid smashed into Earth.

'The abundance, diversity, and exquisite preservation of the fossils are exceptional and allow for world-class scientific work,' UNESCO said.

'Thousands of large bedding surfaces allow the observation and study of shell and sometimes soft-bodied animals that lived on the shallow sea floor of an ancient tropical sea.'

Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

The land's unique shape is the result of ancient lava outpourings and glaciation

UNESCO described Ethopia's Bale Mountains as a 'mosaic of extraordinary beauty' thanks to its sweeping valleys, forests and countless waterfalls.

The land's unique shape is the result of lava outpourings and glaciation that took place many years ago.

'The property harbours diverse and unique biodiversity at ecosystem, species and genetic levels, and five major rivers originate within the Park, estimated to supply water and support the livelihoods of millions of people in and beyond Ethiopia,' UNESCO said.

Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines, Italy

This unbelievable site in Italy is comprised of more than 900 caves within just 100km

This unbelievable site in Italy is comprised of more than 900 caves within just 62miles.

It is believed to be the first and best studied 'evaporitic karst' in the world, which refers to the preservation of minerals in sandstone.

The UNESCO committee added: 'It also includes some of the deepest gypsum caves in existence, reaching 265 meters below the surface.'
It may look like something from a galaxy far, far away.

But this dazzling image of a newborn star  featuring what looks like a Star Wars-esque 'lightsaber' shooting out of it  actually has links much closer to home.

That's because it offers a glimpse of what our own sun looked like when it was very young.

Herbig-Haro 211 (HH 211)  which is located around 1,000 light-years from Earth in the Perseus constellation  is not actually visible in the image captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope.

However, astronomers know it is there because of the huge flows of gas and dust streaming out either side of it, showing that the star is growing.

It is currently about eight per cent as massive as the sun but is expected to eventually become the same size over the next few million years.

From a galaxy far, far away: This spectacular image taken by the James Webb Space Telescope captures a newborn star with what looks like a Star Wars-esque 'lightsaber' shooting out of it

HOW DO STARS FORM? Stars form from dense molecular clouds - of dust and gas - in regions of interstellar space known as stellar nurseries. A single molecular cloud, which primarily contains hydrogen atoms, can be thousands of times the mass of the sun. They undergo turbulent motion with the gas and dust moving over time, disturbing the atoms and molecules causing some regions to have more matter than other parts. If enough gas and dust come together in one area then it begins to collapse under the weight of its own gravity. As it begins to collapse it slowly gets hotter and expands outwards, taking in more of the surrounding gas and dust. At this point, when the region is about 900 billion miles across, it becomes a pre-stellar core and the starting process of becoming a star. Then, over the next 50,000 years this will contract 92 billion miles across to become the inner core of a star. The excess material is ejected out towards the poles of the star and a disc of gas and dust is formed around the star, forming a proto-star. This matter is then either incorporated into the star or expelled out into a wider disc that will lead to the formation of planets, moons, comets and asteroids. Advertisement

The so-called bipolar jets blasting out from the baby star, or protostar, have been captured in unprecedented detail by Webb's near-infrared camera, allowing for extensive analysis which suggests HH 211 is just a few thousand years old.

The images also helped to reveal exactly what the jets of gas are made of.

Researchers were surprised to find that they were mostly molecules  two or more atoms connected by a chemical bond  and included carbon monoxide, silicon monoxide and molecular hydrogen.

They had expected them to be comprised of individual atoms or ions, as is the case with similar bipolar jets, but think they have an explanation as to why there was this discrepancy.

The astronomers established that the flow of gas and dust from HH 211 is much slower than seen with other, more evolved protostars.

This led them to conclude that there is not enough energy in HH 211's jets to break the molecules apart into simpler atoms and ions.

Despite this, the experts said it was 'currently a mystery' as to why the jets are slower than other bipolar jets.

'One very exciting discovery from this new image is that when a star comes into being it emits highly supersonic beams of matter that can stretch for several light-years,' said lead author of the research Professor Tom Ray, of the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.

'These beams resemble Star War lightsabers and shine with light from many different atoms and molecules.'

Professor Ray explained that because new stars are often 'enshrouded in gas and dust', it makes them difficult to spot from Earth.

But with Webb's help, he added, astronomers are able to use infrared light to penetrate through this and reveal stellar births or stars like HH 211.

'Stars are not constant  they have a beginning and an end just like the rest of us, the process however takes thousands of millions of years,' Professor Ray said.

Similar: Pictured is a lightsaber in the film Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, released in 2019

Hidden in plain sight: Herbig-Haro 211 (HH 211)  which is located around 1,000 light-years from Earth in the Perseus constellation  is not actually visible in the image captured by Webb

'By developing our understanding about how they are born, through breakthroughs such as this, we are deepening our knowledge on how our sun and the solar system came into being.

'One very exciting discovery from this new image is that when a star comes into being it emits highly supersonic beams of matter that can stretch for several light-years.'

He added: 'The research reveals that the very youngest stars appear to emit beams of almost pure molecules contrary to what astronomers thought before and move very slowly.

'How such beams are produced without the added ingredients of atoms and ions, is currently a mystery.'

The new research has been published in the journal Nature.


From Meta's Threads to Jack Dorsey 's Bluesky, there's a range of alternatives

Elon Musk has once again ruffled feathers by revealing that he plans to charge people to use his social media app X (formerly Twitter).

The billionaire tech tycoon said he will charge all X users a 'small monthly payment' because it is the 'only way to protect against bot accounts'.

X already offers a subscription version of the app that costs from $8/9.60 per month  but under future plans all users would have to pay at least something.

Musk is notorious for not following through on statements, but if he really did charge all users it could backfire by forcing them to seek other social networks.

If you're thinking of leaving X for good, here are the best alternatives, from Meta's Threads to Jack Dorsey's Bluesky and Donald Trump's Truth Social.

If you're thinking of leaving Twitter for good, here's the best alternatives, from Meta's Threads to Jack Dorsey 's Bluesky

Elon Musk (pictured) ruffled some feathers by revealing that he plans to charge people to use his social media app X , also known as Twitter

READ MORE X users threaten to DELETE their accounts One user said: '...the day Twitter becomes a pay only service is the day I move on' Advertisement

THREADS

Threads is a relative newcomer but it's already deemed the closest rival and most likely contender to usurp X.

The new network was released in July by Mark Zuckerberg's company Meta, which also owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Threads  which is closely linked to the Instagram app  lets users share text posts up to 500 characters in length, as well as links, photos and five-minute videos.

While Instagram is primarily used for photos and video clips, Threads is for 'sharing text updates and joining public conversations', according to Meta.

The user interface is actually strongly reminiscent of X  with a homepage that shows a constant feed of fresh posts from other users.

Meanwhile, a person's 'posts' on Threads are listed on their profile page, just below their username, photo and followers.

Threads is free, although users can get a blue tick next to their name by paying 10 per month for subscription service Meta Verified.

It's beginning to look a lot like Twitter! The 'text-based conversation app' Threads has a very familiar text feed, profile design and even blue verification ticks

Threads - which is closely linked to Instagram - lets users share text posts up to 500 characters in length, as well as links, photos and five-minute videos

READ MORE What does Threads have to do to usurp X? Experts weigh in While Instagram is primarily for photos and video clips, Threads is for 'sharing text updates and joining public conversations', according to Meta Advertisement

Threads was initially launched as a mobile app but arrived on desktop near the end of last month.

Sign-ups to Threads initially boomed in the days following its launch, but unfortunately for Zuckerberg, the app is having trouble getting people to actually use it.

The amount of 'daily active users' on Threads plummeted from 49 million on July 7 to just nine million at the start of August, according to Similarweb.

The close integration between Instagram and Threads is 'huge', according to social media consultant Rhea Freeman, and could be explored further by Meta in the near future.

BLUESKY

Hype is steadily growing around Bluesky, the mysterious alternative that's not even available to the general public yet.

Bluesky was founded in October 2021 by a team including Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey and got a limited release on Android and iOS earlier this year.

Again, it looks remarkably similar to Twitter, which is to be expected considering Jack Dorsey is behind the project.

Bluesky's minimalist user interface with just three icons at the bottom (home, search and notifications) is reminiscent of how Twitter used to look.

Here's hoping Elon Musk doesn't buy Bluesky in a decade's time and give it a confusing revamp.

Bluesky's minimalist user interface - with just three icons at the bottom (home, search and notifications) - is reminiscent of how Twitter used to look

Bluesky got a limited release on Android and iOS earlier this year - but it's not available to everyone yet

READ MORE Bluesky sees record signups Hype is steadily growing around Bluesky, the mysterious Twitter alternative that's not even available to the general public yet Advertisement

Bluesky is a rare example of an invite-only social media app, where pre-existing users able to hand out invite codes to anyone interested in joining.

For those who don't know anyone on Bluesky who would send them an invite, they can go to the official site and enter their email to join a waiting list.

Bluesky has amassed a record-breaking wave of signups in the wake of Musk's recent threat to start charging everyone using X.

Total users on Bluesky are now estimated to be around 1.1 million, although this pales in comparison with X's 520 million.

MASTODON

Mastodon  named after the extinct elephant-like mammal  was founded in 2016 by German developer Eugen Rochko.

It is a free, open-source platform that has a user interface and microblogging features similar to X, although how it works is more akin to email.

It's not a single website like X, but a network of thousands of sites, called 'servers' (also known as 'instances')  independent communities centred around different themes or interests.

With some Mastodon servers, you have to request permission to join, while in others you can sign up straightaway. Others aren't currently available to join. Pictured, Mastodon servers

READ MORE How does Mastodon work? Mastodon is a online network of independent 'servers' Advertisement

Other than this, Mastodon operates much like X as it lets you post 'what's on your mind' and read updates from other users.

You can follow any other person on the whole network, regardless of where their account is hosted or if it's on another server.

Mastodon posts each have a 500 character limit and are called 'toots', a play on Twitter's 'tweets'.

Although Mastodon is seven years old, it really came to public attention last autumn after Musk purchased Twitter for $44 billion.

It reached a peak of 2.5 million active monthly users in December, and although this number since slumped, Rochko recently said it's pushed past the 2 million mark once again.

The German, a former Twitter user, has been critical of Musk in the past, saying 'the man is not entirely comprehensible' and calling his leadership style 'erratic'.

However, he was motivated to found a Twitter alternative several years before Musk took it over.

'I was a Twitter user for a long time, and I really like the format,' Rochko told Esquire in 2018.

'I wanted to continue using the same format, but I wanted it to be intimate and for other people to have more control.'

Pictured is the user interface of Mastodon, the free, open-source platform founded in 2016 by German Eugen Rochko

READ MORE Donald Trump FINALLY posts to Twitter for the first time in over 2 years The former president shared the mugshot on X, having not posted on the platform since January 2021 Advertisement

TRUTH SOCIAL

Donald Trump founded Truth Social in 2021 after he was banned from Twitter due to his involvement with the US Capitol riots.

Under Musk's ownership, Trump's Twitter account was reinstated, although the former president has only tweeted once since then (to post his now-famous mugshot).

Clearly, Trump's social media app of choice is still Truth Social.

At the time of writing, he has posted more than 40 times in the past 24 hours, although it's believed he employs others to help him run the account.

On Truth Social, posts are called 'truths' rather than tweets, while verified users have a red tick next to their name, rather than a blue one.

For desktop, the layout feels almost identical, with a menu on the left with 'Home', 'Search', 'Alerts', Profile' and 'Settings'.

Once an account has been created, Truth Social gives a list of accounts to follow, with Donald Trump right at the top.

Also on the list is his wife Melania Trump, his son Eric Trump, American conservative political commentator Dave Rubin, alt-right activist Jack Posobiec and controversial Australian columnist Miranda Devine.

With the same profile photo, handle and bio, Trump's Truth Social account looks remarkably similar to his Twitter account - apart from the red tick instead of a blue tick

For desktop, the layout feels almost identical, with a menu on the left with 'Home', 'Search', 'Alerts', Profile' and 'Settings'

Truth Social says it 'encourages an open, free and honest global conversation without discriminating against political ideology', whether they're a 'staunch conservative' or 'a die-hard liberal'.

However, certain social media fans may find it hard to find their favourite celebrities on Truth Social, considering Trump's unpopularity among much of society's left.

TRIBEL

On the other side of the political spectrum is the left-leaning app Tribel, which describes itself as a 'kinder, smarter social network'.

Tribel lets users customise their feed by topic  whether it's sports, music, politics or fashion  by adding category filters.

On the other side of the political spectrum is the left-leaning app Tribel, which describes itself as a 'kinder, smarter social network'

Tribel claims to have 'innovative' features that 'will lead social media towards a brighter, better future'

On Tribel, users can make a 'personal post' that only my friends can see, or a public post in a given category

This means, unlike Twitter, users don't have to scroll for ages through irrelevant posts to find the content they're interested in seeing.

On Tribel, users can make a 'personal post' that only friends can see, or a public post in a given category  like a cross between Facebook and Twitter.

Counter Social is available for desktop as well as mobile

Other users can be added as a friend (like on Facebook), followed (like on Twitter) or both.

The network  which is for Android and iOS as well as desktop  also claims to be 'bigotry-free' and a place where 'kindness and intelligence flourish'.

COUNTER SOCIAL

Lastly, Counter Social describes itself as a 'next-gen social media' that takes a no-nonsense approach to trolls, abuse, fake-news and 'foreign influence operations'.

Established in 2017, it's optimised for desktop, with multiple columns like a dashboard, a bit like Tweet Deck, but is available for iOS and Android too.

In an attempt to target trolls, anyone from 'hostile nations' including Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Pakistan and Syria are blocked from Counter Social.

In fact, the app description suggests it will suit users who are particularly concerned about their online privacy.

Counter Social describes itself as a 'next-gen social media' that takes a no-nonsense approach to trolls, abuse, fake-news and 'foreign influence operations

It says: 'Counter Social is the first social network platform to take a zero-tolerance stance to hostile nations, bot accounts, trolls and disinformation networks who are weaponizing our own social media platforms and freedoms to engage in influence operations against us.'

Counter Social also doesn't permit adverts, and is instead completely funded by its user community, through donations and via its 'Pro' subscription option.

This will make it an attractive option for X users who are becoming increasingly sick of the recent increase in ads under Musk.
Archaeologists have discovered what may be the earliest example of carpentry, from almost half a million years ago.

It suggests ancient humans were building wooden structures from tree trunks earlier than previously thought possible.

Researchers found two interlocking logs joined using an intentionally cut notch, along with a collection of wooden tools, at Kalambo Falls in Zambia.

The upper log had been shaped, and tool marks were found on both logs.

Experts believe the early carpenters used the logs to create a raised platform or walkway to keep dry in the periodically wet floodplain.

Significant: Archaeologists have discovered what may be the earliest example of carpentry, from almost half a million years ago. Researchers found two interlocking logs joined using an intentionally cut notch, along with a collection of wooden tools, at Kalambo Falls in Zambia

Scientific analysis: The upper log had been shaped, and tool marks were found on both logs

READ MORE: Early humans were woodwork experts who fashioned double-pointed weapons 300,000 years ago Revelation: Analysis of a 300,000-year-old hunting weapon found in Germany shows our ancestors were woodwork experts and created personal tools Advertisement

It is also possible the wood was used to create an early foundation for primitive dwellings.

The wooden structure, dated to about 476,000 years ago, may represent the earliest use of wood in construction, according to a research paper published in the journal Nature.

Wooden artefacts rarely survive from the Early Stone Age, as they require exceptional conditions not to rot away, but these were preserved by high water levels.

Professor Larry Barham, who led the research paper, from the University of Liverpool, said: 'This find has changed how I think about our early ancestors.

'Forget the label "Stone Age" and look at what these people were doing  they made something new, and large, from wood.

'They used their intelligence, imagination, and skills to create something they'd never seen before, something that had never previously existed.

'They transformed their surroundings to make life easier, even if it was only by making a platform to sit on by the river to do their daily chores.

'These folks were more like us than we thought.'

Where they were discovered: The wooden structure, dated to about 476,000 years ago and found at Zambia's Kalambo Falls (pictured), may represent the earliest use of wood in construction

What is means: Professor Larry Barham, who led the research paper, from the University of Liverpool, said: 'This find has changed how I think about our early ancestors'

Tool: A flint used to shape the wooden structure was also discovered along with the two logs

Clever: The age of the finds was determined by experts at Aberystwyth University, using new luminescence dating techniques. These reveal the last time minerals in the sand surrounding the finds were exposed to sunlight

Previously much of the evidence for the human use of wood was limited to making spears and sticks for digging, or as fuel for fires.

The suggestion it was used to build platforms or the foundations of dwellings challenges the prevailing view that Stone Age humans were nomads.

The age of the finds was determined by experts at Aberystwyth University, using new luminescence dating techniques, which reveal the last time minerals in the sand surrounding the finds were exposed to sunlight.

Professor Geoff Duller, from Aberystwyth University, said: 'These new dating methods have far-reaching implications  allowing us to date much further back in time, to piece together sites that give us a glimpse into human evolution.'
Passionate love was perceived as most powerful while love for God was weaker

Experts at Finland's Aalto University have mapped out 27 different types of love

Love can be experienced in countless wonderful and wacky ways - whether it's butterflies in the stomach or tingles in the groin.

Now, scientists at the Aalto University have mapped out 27 different types of the feeling and the exact body parts they affect.

The incredible diagrams were produced as the Finland-based team asked hundreds of participants to describe the 'sensation' of love and what it means to them.

Passionate love was perceived as the most powerful of all, with an impact on the entire upper body, brain and groin area..

Meanwhile, a love for strangers - and controversially, God - were among the weakest forms, with a less explosive effect on the mind and body.

Scientists at Finland's Aalto University have mapped out 27 different types of love

'It was noteworthy, though not very surprising, that the types of love associated with close relationships are similar and are the most strongly experienced,' said philosopher Parttyli Rinne, who coordinated the study.

READ MORE: Opposites really DO attract: Couples with clashing personalities are no less likely to last, study finds Michigan State University looked at whether opposites really do attract in new research (file image) Advertisement

'Love between persons is divided into sexual and non-sexual. The types of love that are particularly close to each other are those that have a sexual or romantic dimension.

'It was also interesting to find a strong correlation between the physical and mental intensity of the emotion and its pleasantness.

'The more strongly a type of love is felt in the body, the more strongly it's felt in the mind and the more pleasant it is.'

To build their map, researchers collected data from hundreds participants that took part in an online survey.

Each person was asked to colour-in a body silhouette to illustrate how they felt about each type of love.

They were also asked to describe any physical or mental sensations that take place when experiencing each type.

Results showed that while most types of love were felt strongly in the mind, their effects notably differed throughout the body.

For instance, a mother's love for her child had a powerful effect on the chest, while a love for wisdom was felt entirely in the mind.

As a result, researchers believe that different types of love fall on a continuum from weaker to stronger forms.

Passionate love was perceived as the most powerful of all, with an impact on the entire upper body, brain and groin area when it shows its head

A mother's love for her child had a powerful effect on the chest, while a love for wisdom was felt entirely in the mind

Mr Rinne continued: 'When we move from more strongly experienced types of love to less strongly experienced types, the sensations in the chest area become weaker

'It may be that, for example, love for strangers or wisdom is associated with a cognitive process. It may also be that there are pleasant sensations in the head area. This is something that should be investigated further.'

It's important to note that most participants in this study were women in higher education.

Scientists therefore acknowledge that results may have differed if their study group was more culturally diverse.

'If the same study were done in a highly religious community, love for God might be the most strongly experienced love of all,' Mr Rinne added.

'Similarly, if the subjects were parents in a relationship, as in our ongoing brain study project, love for children could be the strongest type of love.'
Austrian shoppers will be noticing a new fish in their grocer's freezer, one that's never once been in the water. And consumers in the United States will be getting their chance to try it by 2025.

A food tech start-up has claimed credit for delivering the first ever 3D-printed vegan food to supermarkets, a fungi-based fillet 'inspired by salmon.'

The innovation follows a lab-grown, man-made chicken breast, which the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared safe for human consumption last January.

Dubbed 'THE FILET,' the new vegan salmon promises high protein, rich vitamin content, and  like its aquatic counterpart  omega-3 fatty acids.

But beyond promising to alleviate stress on natural fisheries worldwide, production of 'The Fillet' will also be less energy intensive and more sustainable despite its high-tech manufacturing process, according to the start-up: Vienna-based Revo Foods.

Food tech start-up Revo Foods has claimed credit for delivering the first ever 3D-printed vegan food to a supermarket shelf, a fungi-based fillet dubbed 'THE FILLET - Inspired by Salmon'

According to Revo Foods, the 3D-printing, uses somewhere between 77 to 86 percent less carbon dioxide and 95 percent less freshwater than all the conventional steps needed for wild caught salmon, from ship to shelf. The company also hopes to alleviate global overfishing

Revo said that its 3D-printing, all told, uses somewhere between 77 to 86 percent less carbon dioxide and 95 percent less freshwater than all the conventional steps needed for wild caught salmon, from ship to shore to shelf.

'With the milestone of industrial-scale 3D food printing, we are entering a creative food revolution,' Revo Foods' CEO Robin Simsa said in a statement, 'an era where food is being crafted exactly according to the customer needs.'

A good source of lean protein is, of course, a frequently cited 'customer need' for salmon consumers.

And, here, Revo's vegan salmon boasts a reasonably high 9.5 grams per 100 grams: less than normal salmon, which typically contains about 20 grams per 100 grams, but not insubstantial.

To craft their 3D-printed salmon, Revo Foods partnered with start-up Mycorena, which helped engineer a mycoprotein from fungi capable of being distributed and deposited through a 3D printer.

Revo's vegan salmon boasts a reasonably high 9.5 grams per 100 grams: less than normal salmon, which typically contains about 20 grams per 100 grams, but not insubstantial

To craft their 3D-printed salmon, Revo Foods partnered with start-up Mycorena, which helped engineer a mycoprotein from fungi capable of being distributed and deposited via a 3D printer

In recent years, researchers have managed to 3D-print food products as diverse as laser-cooked cheesecake and lab-grown meat.

The impetus has come down to the theory that printed food alternatives could make food production more environmentally sustainable.

Such concerns have been a recurring topic over the fishing industry for more than a decade, with an 34 percent of global fish stocks depleted by rampant overfishing and mass-trawling techniques that kill nearby species never intended to be eaten.

Climate scientists estimate that global food production accounts for roughly a quarter of carbon emissions, with 31 percent of that subset coming from livestock and fish farms, and 18 percent more coming from its processing and transportation.

Revo Foods believes that the key to success for THE FILLET and its other products will lie in the start-up's skill at 'recreating an authentic taste that appeals to the flexitarian market.'

'We indeed plan to roll-out our products in the US by 2025,' Simsa told the DailyMail.com via email, 'and possibly have some limited offers through our webshop from 2024 already.'

But whether the company can help stem that overfishing tide may just come down to whether pescatarians and 'flexitarians' can learn to enjoy eating a manufactured fungus that's crafted to taste just a little bit fishy.
SHOPPING  Contains affiliated content. Products featured in this Mail Best article are selected by our shopping writers. If you make a purchase using links on this page, DailyMail.com will earn an affiliate commission. Click here for more information.

Theres nothing quite like being caught off guard in a storm. Even if youve got an umbrella, odds are youll be soaked if you arent wearing the right protective gear.

For ordinary downpours and hurricanes alike, users say nothing competes with the SaphiRose rain poncho. Now reduced with some colors starting at just $17.99, this is a rainy season essential youll be glad to have handy.

SaphiRose Rain Poncho Brave everything from an ordinary storm to a more torrential hurricane with ease thanks to this popular poncho that users say keeps them 'bone dry' no matter how bad it gets. Available in 42 colors and patterns, this surprisingly stylish garment is the waterproof companion you need to stay comfortable when it matters most. It comes with a convenient travel pouch in which you can tuck the poncho when it's not in use. Shop

Its not just for braving a storm either. If youre a hiker, photographer, or have any type of outdoor quest on your itinerary, its smart to have the SaphiRose poncho handy.

Beyond that, its a theme park essential  just ask the thousands of travelers whove made their way to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, poncho safely in hand.

Take your pick: The SaphiRose rain poncho will help you brave the rain in style thanks to its selection of 42 colors and patterns.

Make that on wrist, as the poncho comes with a convenient storage pouch that you can simply zip up and sling on when its not in use.

The entire package is so compact that you could easily hook it onto your tote bag, stash it inside, stow it in the trunk or glove compartment, or just keep it handy in your drawer at work. You just never know when you might need it.

The SaphiRose rain poncho is incredibly well designed, as evidenced by the thousands who attest to its durability and resilience even in the face of the heaviest storms.

Its made with waterproof polyester and dries fast. Most importantly, its structured in a way that will keep you bone dry from head to toe.

Activity-approved: Take along the SaphiRose rain poncho in its handy pouch so it's always ready when you need it, whether you're hiking, biking, or just enjoying some quality time outside.

There are snaps at the arms to give it a bit more definition if you prefer, along with a zipper that reaches your neck. From the long length to the wide arms to the roomy, protective hood, every base is covered.

One user couldnt believe her luck: Took a chance on this one - it was the polka dots that got me and it is FABULOUS. Better than I had hoped.

It looks REALLY GREAT on, the material feels good outside AND inside and FLOWS unlike most stiff rain gear, the zipper front (with lining!!) is such a good idea and the hood is totally cool - doesn't sag, doesn't droop, the little arm device is perfect, deep zipper pocket.

Ombre, polka dots, and beyond: What's your flavor? You can choose from many different varieties that prove you can be cute and colorful even on a grey day.

Another put it to the test during a Taylor Swift concert  and was thrilled with the results.

Can withstand a downpour! she confirmed. I wore this poncho to Night 2 of the Eras Tour at Gillette Stadium, where it poured rain for the entire 3.5 hour show as well as the hours before and after the concert. This poncho kept me extremely dry.

Make a statement: Who cares if it's raining when you've got the chic SaphiRose rain poncho ready to keep you dry?

One size fits everyone, and youll find the SaphiRose rain poncho in a broad range of solid colors and patterns to keep you stylish even in the rain.
Prospective pilots can now apply for a place on a new British Airways scheme that will see the 100,000 cost of their training covered entirely by the airline.

The national flag carrier's Speedbird Pilot Academy programme will lift the previously prohibitive cost barrier of training to become an airline pilot for up to 60 successful candidates a year  'helping to level the playing field and make a flying career a realistic option for all', says British Airways.

Successful recruits will also have accommodation and food costs covered during their 16-month training period. Sean Doyle, British Airways' Chairman and CEO, said: 'The Speedbird Pilot Academy will make the ambition of becoming a British Airways pilot a reality for people who'd previously written the option off because of the cost barrier.'

British Airways' Senior First Officer and former cadet Hannah Vaughan, 32, described the scheme as 'groundbreaking', and said it was important for the airline to attract the top applicants and remove barriers that may have put people off previously.

To encourage more applicants to apply, Hannah here 'busts some of the current myths' about becoming a professional airline pilot.

British Airways' Senior First Officer and former cadet Hannah Vaughan (above) has busted several myths about becoming a professional pilot

Prospective pilots can now apply for a place on a new British Airways scheme that will see the 100,000 cost of their training covered entirely by the airline. Above - a BA A380 cockpit

MYTH: You need to be rich to train as a pilot.

TRUTH: 'This is false,' says Hannah. 'The British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy is entirely funded by the airline.'

MYTH: You can only become a pilot if you have a university degree.

TRUTH: 'This is false - the new cadet scheme offers a great career without the need for a degree,' says Hannah.

MYTH: You need to have A-Level qualifications to apply for a role as a pilot.

TRUTH: 'A-Levels are not required,' stresses Hannah. 'You just need six GCSEs to apply to the cadet scheme. Six GCSEs grade A-C or 5-9 including maths, English and a science or equivalent qualification.'

MYTH: You need to be a maths or science genius.

TRUTH: 'A lot of people think this, but it isn't true,' says Hannah. 'As long as you meet the GCSE requirements, you can apply.'

Above are flight simulators at BA's Global Learning Academy near Heathrow

MYTH: You need perfect eyesight  if you're short-sighted you can't apply.

TRUTH: 'No, you can fly for commercial airlines with glasses or contact lenses,' says Hannah.

MYTH: You have to be under 40 to apply.

TRUTH: 'Anyone who will be between the ages of 18 and 55 when they start their training can apply,' says Hannah. 'Everyone has an equal chance of being successful.'

MYTH: If you've got no flying experience you've got no chance of being considered. You need a private pilot licence first to train as a commercial pilot.

TRUTH: 'Having flying experience or a private pilot licence isn't a requirement to apply for the cadet scheme,' says Hannah. 'That said, if you can, you may wish to try a short trial flight, which can be in a glider or light aircraft, to make sure that you enjoy the feeling of flying. There are many scholarships available which may help with this.'

More information can be found, and applications made, on British Airways' careers site - careers.ba.com/future-pilots.
Britons are scrapping their overseas holidays as they feel the pinch of the cost of living crisis.

Nearly 40 per cent of adults in the UK abandoned foreign holiday plans this year to stay at home and save money because of the crisis, according to a new survey.

Just over half (53 per cent) of those polled said they stuck to their jet-setting plans, while almost one in ten (9.1 per cent) said they were still undecided.

Nearly three in five (58 per cent) of those quizzed admitted they were spending more time at home compared with before the crisis.

Almost one third (32 per cent) said they were spending 'a lot more time' at home, while just over a quarter (26 per cent) said it was 'a bit more time'.

Britons are scrapping their overseas holidays as they feel the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis, according to new research

How to sign up to The Mail's WhatsApp Channel Scan this QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the channel If you are reading this on your mobile web browser or in our mobile apps then simply click on this invite link to get Daily Mail Channels. If you are reading this on desktop you can use your phone to scan the QR code and you'll be taken to a page to join the Channel. If you can't see Channels in WhatsApp on your device, try updating WhatsApp via your app store. You will then need to close WhatsApp and then open it again. Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications. (You can always turn them off later). Once you've joined The Mail's channel, make sure you tap the bell icon at the top of the screen to receive notifications Advertisement

The insights come from a survey commissioned by the interior design business InteriorNet, which asked digital pollsters Find Out Now to conduct a UK-wide nationally representative survey of 2,000 adults to study their responses to the cost-of-living crisis, covering topics ranging from spending on home improvements to altered travel plans.

InteriorNet commissioned the poll after noticing a spike in those searching its platform for affordable home-design solutions.

The firm pairs owners or tenants wanting to transform their properties with interior designers 'across all budgets'.

Less than half (43 per cent) of those polled said their lifestyle had managed to stay the same as before the crisis when it comes to going out.

Asked about other life aspects, one third (33 per cent) of young adults aged 18 to 24 in the study said they had shelved plans to move house due to the squeeze on their finances.

And 37 per cent of adults under 34 said they were looking to spend money on sprucing up their home rather than moving house.

Sixty-nine per cent of respondents said they were more conscious of the amount they spend on their home than before the crisis.

Nearly 40 per cent of adults in the UK scrapped foreign holiday plans this year to stay at home and save money because of the cost-of-living crisis, according to a new survey

Among them, 33 per cent said they were 'much more conscious', 23 per cent said they were 'somewhat more conscious' and 13 per cent said they were 'slightly more conscious'.

This was more the case among young people in the study, in which 81 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds said they were more conscious about spending money on their home.

Commenting on the results, founders Stella Pozzi and Sashola Prestcote said: 'This poll gives a real insight into the stress the majority in the UK are feeling as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

One third (33 per cent) of young adults aged 18 to 24 in the study said they had shelved plans to move house due to the squeeze on their finances

'Many have scrapped foreign holiday plans and dreams of moving house. This means millions of people are spending more time at home than ever to save money.

'We have noticed that they are therefore looking for affordable ways to spruce up their environment, calling on the scores of talented designers out there who can help advise how to make simple changes on a budget.

'The survey illustrates the massive effects the crisis is having on normal people who are having to make fundamental changes to the way they live.'

Chris Holbrook, founder of Find Out Now, said the findings suggest that lifestyles in Britain are 'very different to what they were just four years ago'.

He added: 'We can see that many have been spending more time at home since the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis has exacerbated that even further.'
Julia Haart says dating for the first time in her 50s is 'empowering' but vows never to get married again following two divorces.

The star of Netflix series My Unorthodox Life, 52, told MailOnline that after years of being 'obedient' and 'subservient' growing up in an extreme orthodox Jewish community that she relishes in the chance to say 'no' to men on dating apps.

She is officially playing the field following the end of her three-year marriage to tech entrepreneur Silvio Scaglia, 64, who she filed for divorce from in February last year.

And Julia, who previously compared her first marriage to 'prison', insists that she 'never wants to put a contract on love again.'

In an exclusive interview, the mother-of-four emphasised that there is no 'shame' in divorce and 'not everything has to be eternal.'

Julia Haart says dating for the first time in her 50s is 'empowering' but vows never to get married again following two divorces

The My Unorthodox Life star told MailOnline that after years of being 'obedient' living in an orthodox Jewish community that she relishes in the chance to say 'no' to men on dating apps

Julia, who previously compared her first marriage to 'prison', insists that she 'never wants to put a contract on love again'

Julia said: 'I absolutely believe in marriage, and I understand why people get married, especially when you are younger, marriage is great.

'But at my age, I have my children, I support myself, it isn't about me... it is about love and companionship.

'Do I think I'm ever going to get married again? No, I don't... I don't think I ever want to put a contract on love again. But I want someone to every day choose to be with me.'

She added: 'I am dating I love it. I am in my 50s and for the first time in my life, I am dating, like officially dating and going out to meet someone.

'When I left the community, the first nine months were about sexual exploration and then I met a guy, and he became my boyfriend, and I met my husband. This past year at 52 is the first time I've been properly dating.

'I have found dating very empowering. I have never said 'no' to men... whatever guys wanted in my community, that's what they got. I was obedient and subservient so now it's amazing to go, "no, not you", "not today."

Julia lived in an orthodox Jewish community until she was 42 and has spoken on her Netflix series about women being treated as 'second class citizens' in the society she grew up in.

After selling insurance without her first husband Yosef Hendler's knowledge, Julia eventually saved enough money to break free from the life she knew.

Julia lived in an orthodox Jewish community until she was 42 and has spoken on her Netflix series about women being treated as 'second class citizens' in the society she grew up in

Julia is the owner of shape wear brand +Body, which she models alongside her daughters Batsheva and Miriam

Julia is passionate about creating a product for women that makes them feel and look sexy following years of believing that her own body didn't belong to her

Julia says her shape wear is unique because unlike competitor brands, her designs are colourful, desirable and available in a range of sizes

She has since established herself as a key figure in the fashion industry, as the former creative director of luxury lingerie brand La Perla and co-owner of Elite World Group, who represent the largest number of modelling agencies in the world.

Julia's dedication to her craft saw her win an Icon Award at London Fashion Week, where she was recognised for her 'impact' and 'innovation' in the industry.

Now as the owner of shape wear brand +Body, which she models in these new pictures, Julia is passionate about creating a product for women that makes them feel and look sexy following years of believing that her own body didn't belong to her.

She said: 'I have a very personal and emotional feeling about this because my entire life my body hasn't been my own.

'I was just another human that was supposed to have babies and take care of people and be this quiet, obedient and silent wife... that was my job.

'So, a woman not feeling comfortable in her own skin that matters and is so important to me.'

Julia says her shape wear is unique because unlike competitor brands, her designs are colourful, desirable and available in a range of sizes.

She added: 'The problem with shape wear is that it was ugly and beige, white and black.

Julia, whose children Batsheva, Miriam, Shlomo, and Aron star alongside her in My Unorthodox Life, was not able to confirm whether the Netflix show is being tipped for a third series

She said: 'Legally, I am not allowed to say anything, but I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share my story and I can't say anything else' (Julia pictured with daughters Miriam and Batsheva)

'We are the only company where our shape wear is not only sold by dress size but by cup size too.

'You can buy your size in a range A-F, so it really recognises every curve of a woman's body.

'One of the models told me it is like liposuction, a tummy tuck and boob job in a $198 outfit because it pops up your breasts and holds them into place in a bra that fits you and everything else is smoothed out and flattered and you're not embarrassed to take it off.'

Julia explained that she has formulated a new way of dying clothing, which is why her designs for +Body feature vibrant colours such as a seductive red and cyan blue.

She said: 'Shape wear is so ugly because it is a compression garment... the minute you compress something, the fabric stretches, and the pattern is distorted because when you change the colour of clothing the way we do, you can't stretch it... it's meant to be whatever size it is made in.

'To make the shape wear beautiful I had to change the way we put colour into clothing, so we don't dye our clothes we heat fuse them, which is a new process.'

Her biggest competitor is arguably Kim Kardashian, who owns shape wear brand Skims  but Julia insists that she isn't threatened by any other designs on the market.

She said: 'I love a challenge and I love competition... competition is the spice of life. It's not really here in this particular situation, I am not competing with anyone because this is a new product.

'All other shape wear, Skims, Spanks, the compression garment, the shape wear itself all looks the same.

'Mine is such a different product, it is its own... we have created a new market almost.'

Julia, whose four children Batsheva, Miriam, Shlomo, and Aron star alongside her in My Unorthodox Life, was not able to confirm whether the Netflix show is being tipped for a third series.

She said: 'Legally, I am not allowed to say anything, but I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share my story and I can't say anything else.

'Netflix is great and they're such lovely human beings. I know there are issues in the industry... I am ignorant, this is new to me all of it, but I pray and hope that everyone succeeds and has the rights they need.'
Sunrise host Nat Barr was left stunned by a bird expert's bizarre advice for avoiding magpie attacks this Spring.

The breakfast show's resident bird expert Grainne Cleary warned viewers not to run or wave their arms but to simply be 'zen' in the face of the terrifying attacks.

'Don't look suspicious, don't [wait] in the area, don't go waving your hands madly. Walk slowly and purposefully,' the Melbourne-based expert said on Tuesday's show.

Nat fired back that it is natural to start waving your arms around if a bird is attacking you, with magpies often dive-bombing victims.

'If a bird is attacking me, I'm going to be waving my arms around! How can I calmly walk through [the attack]?' Nat said, perplexed.

'That is what everyone is going to do,' Nat insisted.

But Grainne disagreed, advising Barr that 'you need to be one. Zen with the bird.'

'The worst thing you can do is [flap your arms around and yell] get away from me.'

Grainne then demonstrated by putting her hands over her head, saying: 'Sorry Mr magpie. I'll walk on.'

Earlier in the segment, Grainne did remind viewers that magpies are only protecting their nest during their traditional mating season.

Sunrise star Nat Barr, 55, was left in shock at 'zen' advice given by bird expert Grainne Cleary (right) on Tuesday, who was giving advice for when under attack by magpies.

'You need to be one. Zen with the bird,' Grainne said. 'The worst thing you can do is [flap your arms around and yell] get away from me.' Pictured: Kid being attacked on a scooter

'You have to remember that the magpie isn't ''attacking'' you so much as to say ''oi I got babies in the nest, I need to know you're going to respect me,''' she said.

The expert was clearly trying to make sure people know not to injure the bird, which is just trying to protect its nest.

Viewers were less than forgiving in the comments section of Sunrise's Instagram.

Viewers were less-than-impressed with the advice with some asking her to 'demonstrate' with an attacking magpie

'This segment had my daughter and I in stitches. Nat did well to contain herself,' one viewer said.

'I've got to be more zen with the bird,' another added, with a laughing emoji.

'What a hilarious interview, crikey.. what's she on?' yet another wrote.
Carrie Bickmore has called out a producer for his inappropriate remark during a segment about her greying hair.

While the producer's comment didn't make it to air, it was evident from Carrie's response that he'd asked about hair on her body, not her head.

The 42-year-old was discussing ageing when she said she's been grey on her 'head hair' for a long time but recently noticed a grey eyebrow hair.

'You said you have a skunk streak... your words not mine,' her co-host Tommy Little said.

Carrie explained she has had grey hairs for many years and her hairdresser told her it could be from significant stress in her life.

The Aussie personality then admitted she had considered growing her grey hair out.

Radio host Carrie Bickmore called out a producer's 'disgusting' on-air remark as she discussed ageing and having grey hair

'Wouldn't you look like Storm from X-Men or Mrs Sheffield?' Tommy asked.

'I'm not sure that they want Mrs Sheffield hosting The Project. I think that was more the issue of the time,' Carrie said.

'Like, I felt like that was just premature ageing because of stress, the hair on my head, whereas this [grey eyebrow hair] is actually, "Oh, no, you're at the age now where you're getting grey."'

She could then be heard scolding a producer who made a comment off air.

'No Eli, that's disgusting,' she said, adding: 'Also, [I'm] lasered.'

The 42-year-old was discussing ageing and said she's had grey on her 'head hair' for a long time but recently noticed a grey eyebrow hair

Carrie previously revealed she is 'fully grey' during an episode of The Project.

The TV veteran made the admission following a discussion about Canadian TV newsreader Lisa LaFlamme, who was allegedly sacked for 'going grey.'

'I am fully grey under here,' Carrie told co-hosts Waleed Aly and Peter Helliar while pointing at her hair.

Waleed then asked the star why she doesn't just 'got for it', before Carrie admitted she 'quite likes dyeing' her trademark blonde tresses.

'I'm very grey. I went grey very young,' she added.
It's 40 years since the Scottish detective drama first aired and the cast of Taggart reunited to mark the anniversary on Tuesday.

The show's stars gathered in Glasgow as actors Blythe Duff, James MacPherson, Colin McCredie and John Michie joined together, looking barely recognisable all these years later.

The characters were joined by creator and writer Glenn Chandler and ex-Head of STV Drama, Robert Love, while Alex Norton joined by Zoom for a lively panel discussion hosted by STV presenter Laura Boyd.

The show first aired on Scottish television in September 1983 and went on to become a worldwide hit with repeats still showing in 140 countries around the globe.

Set in Glasgow, it made sense for the team to reunite back to the Scottish city where they attended the CCA on Sauchiehall Street to share their memories and stories from their time working on the iconic crime series.

Wow! The cast of Scottish television series Taggart look almost unrecognisable as they reunited to celebrate the show's 40th anniversary on Tuesday (Colin McCredie, James MacPherson, Blythe Duff, John Michie pictured L-R)

Throwback: The cast DS Jackie Reid (Blythe Duff), DI Robbie Ross (John Michie), DCI Matt Burke (Alex Norton) and DC Stuart Fraser (Colin McCredie) pictured back in 2006

Fan favourite: The show first aired on Scottish television in September 1983 and went on to become a worldwide hit with repeats still showing in 140 countries around the globe

A fan favourite the show lasted 27 years and the producers made a total of 27 series and 110 episodes.

Actress Blythe Duff, now 60-years-old, looked unrecognisable as she ditched her brunette locks for a white boy cut style hair do.

Meanwhile Colin McCredie, 51, and John Michie, 66, looked visibly older as the two sported their grey beards.

Taggart became an iconic show full of whodunnits and gripping murders after its pilot episode in September 1983 which starred Mark McManus as the no-nonsense DCI Jim Taggart who led a squad of detectives in Maryhill, Glasgow.

It ran until November 2010 with James MacPherson and then Alex Norton taking over the lead role after McManus died of pneumonia in 1994.

Blythe Duff played DS Jackie Reid, Colin McCredie played DC Fraser, John Michie played DI Robbie Ross, James MacPherson played DCI Michael Jardine and Alex Norton was DCI Matt Burke.

Talking about the legacy of the show David Mortimer, Managing Director of STV Studios, said: 'Taggart offered invaluable experience to so many actors and crew across its 27 series, and it continues to entertain fans right around the world.

'We're so proud of the show and are thrilled to be celebrating its 40th anniversary with so many of the cast, crew, writers and the creator  all of whom have shared wonderful tales and memories of the production.'

Older now: Actress Blythe Duff, now 60-years-old, looked unrecognisable as she ditched her brunette locks for a white boy cut style hair do

Whole team: The characters were joined by creator and writer Glenn Chandler (right) and ex-Head of STV Drama, Robert Love, (left) while Alex Norton joined by Zoom for a lively panel discussion on STV

Glasgow proud: Set in the Scottish city it made sense for the team to reunite there as they attended the CCA on Sauchiehall Street to share their memories and stories from their time working on the iconic crime series

Massive hit: A fan favourite the show lasted 27 years and the producers made a total of 27 series and 110 episodes (pictured in 2005)

Back in the day: Blythe looked completely different to her days playing DS Jackie Reid (pictured in 2007)

Actor John Michie, who has since starred in Coronation Street and Holby City, recently told the Herald: ''One thing people forget is the audience was pretty much in England. There's something about the city of Glasgow that people find fascinating; the stories of gangs and so on, and the myth of Glasgow being this violent city, which we know isn't true.

'I grew up in Edinburgh and as a teenager I found it a lot more violent. I used to come over to go the Barrowlands and what I found was that if you weren't looking to get battered, you'd get it in Edinburgh but you wouldn't in Glasgow even if you were looking for a fight.'

Asked about the possibility of another revival, Blythe added: 'The format will always work  we proved that. But I don't know  I'd have to see. It's so different now - policing is so different it would be hard to keep it with the energy that the old ones had.

'I also think there are an awful lot of good cop shows at the moment and you tamper with it at your peril. Taggart has left a lasting legacy in our memory, and maybe that's what it needs to be.'
One of Australia's leading showbiz insiders has slammed 'stupid' rumours surrounding Hugh Jackman's split from wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

Speaking to 6PR Breakfast with Millsy and Karl, reporter Peter Ford dismissed the wild theories circulating about the couple's split and shared his opinion on one of the sad reasons they've parted ways.

'Twenty-seven years of marriage in a showbusiness marriage, that's a long time, that's like 186 years in real people's terms,' he said.

'It's not the most uncommon scenario for a couple in their fifties and sixties that once the kids are off their hands, they decide the glue that held this together isn't there anymore and we're going to go our separate paths.'

He added: 'Some of the stuff I read over the weekend is just too stupid.

'I keep reading this story where someone said "the cracks were beginning to show" when Deborra-Lee was never at rehearsals for The Music Man. Why would she be? She wasn't in it!'

One of Australia's leading showbiz insiders has slammed 'stupid' rumours surrounding Hugh Jackman's split from wife Deborra-Lee Furness. The couple are pictured in April

Reporter Peter Ford dismissed the wild theories circulating about the couple's split and shared his opinion on the real reason they've parted ways

Ford blasted 'idiots' in the media for spreading rumours about the A-listers, before sharing some unique insights into Jackman's mindset.

The veteran reporter claimed to have worked out at the same gym as Jackman many years ago, and said that he often saw the Wolverine star at The Melbourne Theosophical Society.

'He was always doing courses there on Buddhism and spiritualism and meditation, so he's always been in search for something,' said Ford.

Jackman and wife Furness shocked the world on Friday when they announced their decision to split after 27 years of marriage.

'He was always doing courses there on Buddhism and spiritualism and meditation, so he's always been in search for something,' Ford said of Jackman, hinting that there may be a more mystic reason behind the couple's split

'We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,' the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness,' it continued.

'We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.'

The former couple signed the statement as 'Deb and Hugh Jackman,' adding: 'This is the sole statement either of us will make.'

The Australian couple share two children together; Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18.

Jackman and wife Furness shocked the world on Friday when they announced their decision to split after 27 years of marriage

At 67, the Australian blonde is 13 years older Hugh, 54, and they've previously stated that they have never spent more than two weeks apart since their 1996 wedding.

This April marked the pair's 27th wedding anniversary and the Wolverine star posted a gushing tribute to his wife.

'I love you Deb. Today is our 27th wedding anniversary. 27 years! I love you so much,' the actor gushed to his 79.1M social media followers.

'Together we have created a beautiful family. And life. Your laughter, your spirit, generosity, humor, cheekiness, courage, and loyalty is an incredible gift to me. I love you with all my heart.'

While he is undoubtedly more well known than his wife, Deborra-Lee had already shot 20 movies by the time she and Jackman met while costarring as a prison psychologist and a brain-damaged convict in ABC TV's 10-episode series Correlli in 1995.

In 2000, The Music Man thespian and Furness adopted son Oscar Maximilian, 23, in 2005, they adopted now 18-year-old daughter Ava Eliot.

This April marked the pair's 27th wedding anniversary and the Wolverine star posted a gushing tribute to his wife (including this recent photo of the pair)

'I think honesty and intimacy and making time [are the secret to a long and happy marriage]. You can't just assume that things will just tick along okay. You have to make time,' Hugh told Smooth Radio in February.

Deborra-Lee most recently played Jill Bailey alongside Eric Bana in Robert Connolly's sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2, which was released in Australian and New Zealand theaters on August 24.

Hugh has never been shy about speaking on his marriage, and praised Deborra-Lee when promoting his hit film The Greatest Showman in 2017.

At 67, the Australian blonde is 13 years older Hugh, but they've never spent more than two weeks apart since their 1996 wedding. Pictured in 1997

It was only weeks after they began dating that Hugh asked Deborra-Lee to marry him, and the couple wed in 1996

In an interview, he called Deborra-Lee his 'best friend' and main source of support in both his career, and personal life.

Hugh said of his partner: 'I'm married to the greatest woman alive. Shes amazing. We're best friends, and we share everything. Shes smart.'

Talking about how they never spend longer than two weeks apart, he explained that it was because they wish to 'share everything' together.

He continued: 'We always said wed never spend more than 2 weeks apart. Sometimes life and work does get crazy.

'But we met on my first job when she was already a big star, I was a nobody. So we have shared everything, all the ups and downs, and always will.'
Zooey Deschanel showed off her casual style as she stepped out for an errand run in Brentwood on Tuesday, but opted to not wear her eye-catching diamond engagement ring.

The New Girl alum, 43, who recently whisked herself away to the Big Apple for New York Fashion Week, said 'Yes' after Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott, 45, popped the big question last month in Scotland.

The actress was spotted grabbing a bite to eat at Caffe Luxxe while sporting a short-sleeved, red top as well as a dark navy skirt that fell down past her knees.

She slipped into a pair of black flats to stay comfortable during the outing, and easily slung a pink purse over her shoulder to hold items she needed during her busy day.

Her brunette locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in light waves, allowing her bangs to gently fall onto her forehead.

Casual chic: Zooey Deschanel showed off her casual style as she stepped out for an errand run in Brentwood on Tuesday, but opted to not wear her eye-catching diamond engagement ring from new fiance Jonathan Scott

Special moment! The pair have since taken the next big step in their relationship by becoming engaged when Jonathan popped the big question during a family getaway to Scotland

The mother of two threw on a fashionable watch onto her left wrist, but opted to not add any other flashy pieces of jewelry - including her engagement ring.

She also wore a dark navy, hair tie on her other wrist in case she wanted to toss her long locks into an up do, and was later seen carrying a pastel pink water bottle in the crook of her arm as she strolled through a parking lot.

Zooey first crossed paths with Jonathan Scott back in August 2019 while filming an episode of Carpool Karaoke. Only a few months later, the couple went Instagram official with their budding romance.

In November of that year, the 500 Days Of Summer actress and the TV personality made their red carpet debut while attending the Critic's Choice Documentary Awards together.

Late last year, Deschanel gushed about her relationship with Jonathan while appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show.

At the time, the beauty expressed, 'He's the best. And he has a great family too! It is the dream.' She later recalled meeting the Celebrity IOU star for the first time.

'I couldn't believe he was so nice. People just aren't that nice generally  we've been together for over three years and he's still that nice. He goes over and fixes stuff at my parents' house, he's so nice.'

The pair have since taken the next big step in their relationship by becoming engaged when Jonathan popped the big question during a family getaway to Scotland.

No ring: The mother of two threw on a fashionable watch onto her left wrist, but opted to not add any other flashy pieces of jewelry - including her engagement ring

Relaxing outing: The actress was spotted grabbing a bite to eat at Caffe Luxxe while sporting a short-sleeved, red top as well as a dark navy skirt that fell down past her knees

On August 14, Zooey took to her main Instagram page to flash the stunning ring while announcing the big news to her fans and followers.

'Forever starts now!!!' Deschanel excitedly wrote in the caption, and received congratulatory messages in the comment section from other celebrities and social media users.

Shortly before their engagement, the couple celebrated their fourth anniversary and the Elf actress shared a cute snap of the two as they stood closely together and flashed big smiles towards the camera.

'4 years since I met this freaking dreamboat. I love him more every day. I'm forever grateful,' she sweetly typed out.

The HGTV star also celebrated the milestone on his own Instagram page and shared an adorable selfie of the pair.

He wrote, '500 days of @zooeydeschanelactually it's been a lot more, but who's counting anyway? 4 years really flies by. Happy anniversary baby!!!'

Zooey was previously married to Ben Gibbard from 2009 through 2012. She later tied the knot with Jacob Pechenik in 2015 with their divorce being finalized in 2020.

Anniversary: Shortly before their engagement, the couple celebrated their fourth anniversary and the Elf actress shared a cute snap of the two as they stood closely together

First met: Zooey first crossed paths with the TV personality back in August 2019 while filming an episode of Carpool Karaoke; seen earlier this month in NYC

Deschanel and Pechenik welcomed two children throughout the course of their marriage: Elsie, eight, and also Charlie, six.

Scott has previously opened up about co-parenting Zooey's kids with her ex, Jacob, during an interview with Today earlier this year in January. 'I always knew I would be a great dad - former clown, magician, I can build stuff - and it's been incredible.'

'You see your life transform, your priorities become your kids, and when they have a performance that they're doing at school, or working on some of their homework, or whatever it might be, it's a joy,' he admitted.

Jonathan recalled, 'Our youngest came back from school with a picture that he had drawn, and in the picture, he has Mommy and Daddy and Jonathan and his sister and our puppies,' adding that, 'This is his happy family.'

Raising children: Deschanel and Pechenik welcomed two children throughout the course of their marriage: Elsie, eight, and also Charlie, six

Co-parenting: Scott has previously opened up about co-parenting Zooey's kids with her ex, Jacob, during an interview with Today earlier this year in January

'I think that was when I was like, that's pretty sweet, because the way we think of it is, he has the benefit of a bonus dad. How cool is that? You have more people that love you.'

Zooey has been filtering through a busy schedule, with her next project titled, Trolls Band Together, slated to hit theaters later this year on November 17.

The actress voiced the character of Bridget in the animated movie, and joined a star-studded cast that included celebrities such as Daveed Diggs, Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Amy Schumer, Eric Andre, James Corden and Camila Cabello.

The film is a direct sequel to Trolls World Tour which was released in 2020, and is the third project in the Trolls franchise.
Michael J. Fox made a rare public speaking appearance on Tuesday as part of the Clinton Global Initiative conference being held in New York City.

The 62-year-old actor, who has Parkinson's disease, looked dapper in a navy blue suit with a gray collared shirt and a navy blue tie.

Fox appeared on a panel alongside Carolina Garcia Jayaram, the CEO of the nonprofit The Elevate Prize Foundation, and businessman Joseph Deitch.

The Back To The Future star was one of a number of celebrities slated to appear at the event, which is put on by former President Bill Clinton, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton.

Other notable names appearing at the summit include Matt Damon, Ashley Judd, will.i.am, Orlando Bloom, Liev Schreiber, Patrick Dempsey, Padma Lakshmi and the Academy Award-winning directors of Everything Everywhere All at Once, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The latest: Michael J. Fox, 62, was pictured speaking onstage Tuesday at the Clinton Global Initiative's meeting held in New York City at the New York Hilton Midtown

The conference, which the former president put together in 2005, is aimed at assembling 'a community of doers who are taking action to make a tangible difference in peoples lives around the world,' according to the CGI.

The group is composed of 'organizations across government, business, and civil society; established and emerging leaders; activists and advocates; and community workers and doers on the front lines of our most pressing global challenges.'

Fox in 1991 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and went public with the information in 1998.

In the autumn of 2000, he launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, which 'is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today.'

According to the foundation, it has raised more than $1.75 billion for the cause.

'Parkinson's patients are the experts on what we have,' Fox said in a statement on the foundation's site. 'We have a responsibility as patients to share our experience - what works for us, what we respond to, what we can contribute to research.'

Fox last year was honored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences with an honorary Academy Award, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, for his efforts toward finding a cure.

The Back to the Future star and his wife Tracy Pollan, 63, celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this past July, as he took to Instagram to commemorate the occasion.

The actor, who is the founder of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, was clad in a navy blue suit with a grey collared shirt and a navy blue tie

The Canada-born star appeared on a panel alongside Carolina Garcia Jayaram, the CEO of the nonprofit The Elevate Prize Foundation, and businessman Joseph Deitch

The event is put on by former President Bill Clinton, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton

It is aimed at assembling 'a community of doers who are taking action to make a tangible difference in peoples lives around the world,' according to the CGI

The Back to the Future star appeared in good spirits amid the panel discussion

Fox in 1991 was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and went public with the info in 1998

Fox was pictured onstage with his foundation's CEO Deborah Brooks at the event

Fox, who also played the role of Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, captioned a carousel of shots: 35 years of laugher, living, listening and loving you @tracy.pollan. Thank you for it all. Forever yours, Mike.'

Pollan said on her account: '35 years!!! Happy anniversary my love. Here's to many more glorious adventures together. I could not love you more.'

Fox and Pollan are parents to son Sam Michael, 34, twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 28, and daughter Esme Annabelle, 21.
Ella Morgan's parents were moved to tears during Tuesday's episode of Married at First Sight UK as they saw their daughter in her wedding dress for the first time.

Clinic Consultant Ella, 29, was paired with Events Manager Nathanial Valentino, 36, by the show's experts but it was her mother and father who set eyes on her in her stunning ivory white gown first.

Ella, who lives with her nan, was delighted to be walking down the aisle, admitting she felt like the 'Disney princess' she's always dreamed of being in her wedding dress.

She tearfully said as she stood in her wedding dress: 'I cant believe I'm getting married as Ella, as me, if I could tell my six-year-old self I am going to be that Disney princess I always dreamt of being.'

Her father took out his handkerchief and dabbed away tears as he looked on with pride before gifting her with a gold necklace for her special day.

Simply stunning: Ella Morgan's parents were moved to tears during Tuesday's episode of Married at First Sight UK as they saw their daughter in her wedding dress for the first time

Moving moment: Her father took out his handkerchief and dabbed away tears as he looked on with pride before gifting her with a gold necklace for her special day

Ella admitted she thought she'd lose the support of her parents when she first came out as trans.

During the first episode of the series on Monday Ella explained how her mother sat on her bed and asked her if she wanted to be a girl when she was much younger, before she transitioned.

And Ella, who transitioned 12 years ago, admitted she lived in fear of losing the support and love of her parents when she told them she wanted to transition from male to female.

Fans of the show took to Twitter to express their delight at the positive reaction of Ella's supportive parents.

One person wrote: 'We LOVE to see a family supporting a trans person on mainstream tv. Getting a bit teary over ella n her parents n nan.'

Someone else shared: 'Ella is absolutely STUNNING and she seems like such a lovely, lovely girl! Her family are gorgeous as well, love to see such supportive parents etc!!!! Just so wholesome.'

'Definitely not crying at Ella's parents' reaction to her in her dress. Just so lovely,' wrote another viewer.

Someone else shared: 'I hope everyone gets parents like Ellas. What a lovely family.'

Views: Fans of the show took to Twitter to express their delight at the positive reaction of Ella's supportive parents

While someone else commented: 'Ellas dad is brilliant man. What every parent should be like.'

'Aww why am I crying! Ella looks stunning. Her parents reaction was everything a girl could wish for,' remarked another show fan.

While another viewer posted: 'Shout out Ellas parents.'

Married at First Sight UK viewers were moved to tears later in the episode as Ella came out as transgender after marrying her husband Nathanial.

She spoke of her crippling fear of rejection before walking down the aisle, recalling times men have turned her down or even wanted their relationship with her a secret after she previously told them she was trans.

However, Nathanial delighted fans of the show as he accepted Ella for who she was without a second thought, before coming out to her as pansexual, insisting he falls in love with the person regardless of their gender.

While a preview of Wednesday's episode appeared to show Ella and Nathanial falling out during a bitter argument, the moment of Ella's coming out moved viewers to tears, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing Ella accepted by Nathanial.

One person wrote: 'Good job experts. Looking forward to seeing Nathaniel and Ella grow!!!!'

Emotional: Married at First Sight UK viewers were moved to tears during the second episode of the series as Ella came out as transgender after marrying her husband Nathanial

Sealed with a kiss: Clinic Consultant Ella Morgan, 29, spoke of her crippling fear of rejection before walking down the aisle, recalling times men have turned her down for being trans (Ella pictured kissing Nathanial during their wedding ceremony)

Another shared: 'Nathaniel must be protected at all costs #mafsuk,' while someone else posted: 'Yes Nathanial... MY GUY!!!!'

Someone else tweeted: 'Ive cried twice in 20 minutes Ella and Nathaniel you got me.'

'These 2 have me sobbing. I love them,' commented another viewer, while someone else wrote: 'Nathaniel is a King. Look at Ella's smile.'

One other show fan posted: 'Awwww love this for them awww Nath & Ella routing for you two.'

Referring to Nathanial's response to Ella's coming out, someone else wrote: '"As beautiful as you are, it isnt about how you look. Its about how you are inside and how you make me feel." Wonderful words  but I also bet itd be handy to look like Nathanial.'

Another person tweeted: 'I will be ride or dying for these two for the next 2 months - if anything goes wrong, dont speak to me.'

And one other viewer wrote: 'Ella telling him and Nathaniel accepting is so lovely. High hopes for them.'

Ella, who lives with her nan, was delighted to be walking down the aisle, admitting she felt like the 'Disney princess' she's always dreamed of being in her wedding dress.

Views: The moment of Ella's coming out moved viewers to tears, with many taking to Twitter to express their joy at seeing Ella accepted by Nathanial

She tearfully said as she stood in her wedding dress: 'I cant believe I'm getting married as Ella, as me, if I could tell my six-year-old self I am going to be that Disney princess I always dreamt of being.'

She was matched with Nathanial by the experts, who said he was looking for an 'open-minded' partner and is pansexual himself.

Ella spoke of her heartbreaking previous experiences as she told how men she'd dated wanted to keep her gender identity a secret from their friends and families after finding out she was trans.

She explained: 'Guys have rejected me on the whole trans issue. Once I told them about me they would continue dating me but wanted to keep it a secret and I don't want to be someone's dirty little secret - It's why many trans people don't get married because they don't make it that far.

Emotional: Ella's father was unable to hold back his tears as he saw his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time

Support: Ella said she thought she'd lose her parents when she first came out as trans but praised them for being supportive over the last 12 years since she transitioned

Vows: Ella was nervous as she married Nathanial but he has no problem with the fact she was transgender when she told him

'I just want someone to be proud of me and equally open-minded and accept my past its all I want.'

Nathanial said he simply wants to meet someone who 'radiates love and kindness' and he is attracted to what the person is like on the inside over anything else.

'It's been hard not having anyone else to rely on. It's important to have stability and has wisdom - someone who has gone through stuff to connect with them, my ride and die,' he said.

As they met for the first time, Ella said in a piece to camera: 'He is so fit - he's ticking all my boxes, amazing hair and amazing teeth.'

Blazing row: It seems as if wedded bliss may not last that long, as in a preview for Wednesday's episode, Nathanial was seen ferociously accusing Ella of lying

Nathanial said: 'Seeing Ella for the first time her eyes and that smile I am so relieved.'

However, it seems as if wedded bliss may not last that long, as in a preview for Wednesday's episode, Nathanial was seen ferociously accusing Ella of lying as they had a furious argument on the beach during their honeymoon.

Ella was seen sobbing as she chatted along to camera after their spat.

Married at First Sight UK airs Mon-Thurs, 9pm on E4.
James Haskell has been pictured for the first time since it was confirmed he has split from his wife Chloe Madeley after five years of marriage. The couples marriage came under the spotlight after James, 38, was spotted looking cosy with another woman on a night out outside a London nightspot last month. They have since confirmed they have decided to separate, announcing their split in a statement last week after they were spotted without their rings on several outings.
Kerri-Anne Kennerly was left heartbroken this week when her golden retriever Digger tragically died.

The veteran TV presenter, 69, said her adorable pooch is 'now at peace' after living a long and happy life alongside her and her late husband John.

Sharing the sad news to her Instagram account on Tuesday, the Logie Hall of Famer said digger 'was the most loving dog' she could ever hope for.

Alongside a reel of happy memories of the placid hound, Kerri-Anne penned a bittersweet tribute to her long-time companion.

'Sharing some personal news. Digger is now at peace. He was the most loving dog. He missed John and my mum dearly. These photos tell a lot of his story,' she said.

Kerri-Anne Kennerly, 69, (pictured) was left heartbroken this week when her golden retriever Digger tragically died

The veteran TV presenter said her adorable pooch is 'now at peace' after living a long and happy life alongside her and her late husband John (left)

Sharing the sad news to her Instagram account on Tuesday, the Logie Hall of Famer said digger 'was the most loving dog' she could ever hope for

She continued: 'He loved water except a bath. He absolutely loved playing in the mud. He was so smiley and always fetched me toys.

'He used to sleep in our bed. He was never grumpy and never had a fight in his life. All my love, Digger. Love, Mum.'

The reel of photos documented Digger's long and happy life, revealing he loved to have a roll in the mud and cuddle up to family members most of all.

Kerri-Anne's loss comes just a few weeks after she shared a rarely-seen photo to mark her wedding anniversary to late husband John.

The former Studio 10 host took to Instagram last month with the black-and-white photo of the newlyweds posing alongside fellow TV presenter Michael Parkinson.

'Today would have been John and my 39th Wedding anniversary,' she began.

The reel of photos documented Digger's long and happy life, revealing he loved to have a roll in the mud and cuddle up to family members most of all

Digger is pictured cuddling up to Kerri-Anne's late mother Grace

Kerri-Anne is pictured cuddling up to Digger when he was just a puppy

She went on to celebrate the life of Michael, who passed earlier that week, aged 88.

'It is also a day to celebrate Sir Michael Parkinson. It was a privilege to know him as a friend and someone professionally who was a huge inspiration,' she wrote.

Kerri-Anne tragically lost John in February 2019 after he suffered a fall from a balcony in 2016 that left him partially paralysed.

She spoke about her grief to Daily Mail Australia in September last year, admitting she misses everything about her longtime love.

Kerri-Anne Kennerley, 69, (centre) shared a rarely-seen wedding photo of herself and late husband John (left) posing with fellow TV presenter Michael Parkinson (right)

She went on to celebrate the life of Parkinson (left), who passed earlier this week, aged 88
EXCLUSIVE

A cheeky 10-year-old Australian boy whose impromptu joke about vegans went viral worldwide says he meant no offence.

Having delivered the joke on Australian breakfast TV on Tuesday, young Byron Kirk has now been sought by media worldwide, including a pre-recorded interview for Piers Morgan Uncensored.

He told Daily Mail Australia his chat with the polarising British presenter went well, as they shared the view that anyone who was offended 'needs to learn to laugh'.

'Mum kept telling me he's a really really big person,' Byron said.

'He didn't ask me any hard questions but we were on the same page.'

Byron, who lives in the mining town of Mount Isa in outback Queensland, said he's now considering a career in comedy after receiving so much global attention, but admitted he didn't make the joke up - 'I just heard it somewhere'.

Byron has won over British broadcaster Piers Morgan who dubbed the youngster 'a star'

READ MORE: Grim punchline to a joke that should NEVER have made it to air - and now the whole world is talking Advertisement

Byron's mum Melissa agreed with Piers Morgan that her boy is 'destined for stardom'.

'People we don't know started mentioning it to him and have been coming up asking for a photo,' she said.

The joke first aired on the Today show as Byron was talking about his experience of competing in the 2023 Youth Bull Riders World Finals in Texas.

Having discussed the rodeo, Byron thought he would chime in with a joke.

'A vegan and a vegetarian are jumping off a cliff to see who will hit the bottom first. Who wins?' he asked hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo.

'I don't know,' Stefanovic said. 'Who wins?' asked Abo.

The boy didn't miss a beat as he replied: 'Society!'

The punchline had the hosts in stitches, and after being posted to the Today show's TikTok account it had soon drawn millions of views from across the globe.

Although the 10-year-old does not have a TikTok account, or any social media, to gauge the extent of his fame, he's enjoying the spotlight.

'I want my name to keep spreading and people to keep getting to know me,' he said.

'Meeting a lot of people that know who I am and I don't know them has been cool.'

Immediately after going on TikTok, the clip exploded with Americans remarking that such a moment could never happen on straight-laced US TV.

American commentator Benny Johnson called it 'the single greatest moment in television history'.

The joke first aired on the Today Show, where Byron appeared to share his incredible experience competing in the 2023 Youth Bull Riders World Finals in the US state of Texas

Karl and co-host and Sarah Abo were caught off guard by their young guest

One U.S. viewer commented: 'That kid's got more wit and humor than a lot of comedians today.'

Another added: 'The male host's reaction was so genuine. I have tears in my eyes.'

'I'm not even this kid's dad, and he still made me proud!' a third wrote, while a fourth remarked: 'That kid just won the internet.'

Even some vegans and vegetarians were even forced to admit that, despite being the butt of the joke, the young man's comic timing was exemplary.

'As a vegetarian, I laughed my arse off,' one wrote.
Advertisement

Alessandra Ambrosio, Ashley Graham and Leighton Meester each put on their own version of leggy displays at Calzedonia's A Legs Celebration Event in Milan, Italy on Tuesday night.

The 42-year-old Brazilian bombshell  who was recently modeled a white bikini on the beach  wore a slinky black dress with the designer's sheer black pantyhose.

Ashley, 35, turned heads in a stretchy black mini-dress with an ombre blue effect along the bottom of the sleeves and hemline, and she added see-through hosiery.

Leighton, 37, looked dainty in a plunging halter neck mini dress she also teamed with onyx nylons and pointy black heels.

Calzedonia is an Italian legwear, beachwear, and socks company founded in 1986 by Sandro Veronesi.

Stunners: Alessandra Ambrosio, Ashley Graham, and Leighton Meester each put on their own version of leggy displays at Calzedonia's A Legs Celebration Event in Milan, Italy on Tuesday night

Sizzling: The 42-year-old Brazilian bombshell wore a slinky black dress with the designer's sheer black pantyhose

Detail: The dress boasted a sheer panel at the midriff, baring her enviably taut abdomen as she walked the red carpet

Alessandra flaunted her svelte figure in the low-cut number, which highlighted her perky bosom.

The dress boasted a sheer panel at the midriff, baring her enviably taut abdomen as she walked the red carpet.

The long look featured a thigh-high slit, allowing her to show off one of her long, toned legs during the glamorous night out.

The eye-catching split was accentuated with a red flower-like accoutrement at the top and she matched it to her red patent leather heels.

The mother-of-two carried a small black satin purse and she wore large, sparkling, silver-toned hoop earrings.

She was all smiles as she showed off a gorgeous face of flawlessly-applied makeup, courtesy of MUA Georgi Sandev.

Ambrosio, who rose to fame as a fashion model in the early 2000s, was stunning in soft pink blush and a rosy, moisturizing lip stain.

And responsible for her fun and flirty hairstyle was Giannandrea, who arranged her light brown highlighted locks in soft curls.

Pretty: Ambrosio, who rose to fame as a fashion model in the early 2000s, was stunning in soft pink blush and a rosy, moisturizing lip stain

Va va voom: Graham looked fierce in her bold dress, pairing it with a 60s-esque voluminous hairstyle

Sensual: The Pretty Big Deal podcaster put on a sultry display in the dreamy presentation, which saw her lustrous brunette locks swept into an updo

Graham looked fierce in her bold dress, pairing it with a 60s-esque voluminous hairstyle.

The Pretty Big Deal podcaster put on a sultry display in the dreamy presentation, which saw her lustrous brunette locks swept into an updo.

The locks were styled in a precise center part and slicked into a high ponytail with the thick tresses falling down her back with wispy ends.

She slipped her feet into a pair of open-toe black heels and showed off a delicate, nude pink manicure on her natural nails.

Meanwhile, Leighton captivated as she posed in her little beige dress, which exposed her modest chest.

She added a pop of color to the getup by carrying a small, shiny red handbag with subtle gold hardware.

The former Gossip Girl actress also wore her hair up, styling the locks with face-framing fringe bangs.

She glowed in a face of warm-toned makeup that brought out her natural beauty, finishing with a glossy pinkish lip color.

Gem: Leighton captivated as she posed in her little beige dress, which exposed her modest chest

Attendee: Also at the star-studded event was 31-year-old German model Toni Garrn, who opted for an all black outfit

Also at the star-studded event was 31-year-old German model Toni Garrn, who opted for an all black outfit.

The blonde beauty wore a sexy off-the-shoulder mini dress with sparkles, long sleeves, and a hanging sash set on her hip.

The clinging frock was complemented with a pair of Calzedonia's sheer, polka dot hosiery and she wore pointy-toe black heels.

Her long locks were set in a center part and soft waves that trailed down her back as she strutted along the red carpet.

Joining the other showstoppers at the high-profile affair was actress Suki Waterhouse, who commanded attention in a satin ivory mini dress.

The 31-year-old Daisy Jones & The Six star modeled the ballerina-like look with confidence as she posed for photos.

She dazzled in a diamond-covered, multi-tier, zig-zag, chain link choker, playing up the sparkles in her black pantyhose which had rows off bows with square-shaped, stone-covered buckles.

The fashion-forward presentation was tied together with black high-heel shoes with statement bows.

Gorgeous: Her long locks were set in a center part and soft waves that trailed down her back as she strutted along the red carpet

Fashionista: Joining the other showstoppers at the high-profile affair was actress Suki Waterhouse, who commanded attention in a satin ivory mini dress

Bold look: The 31-year-old Daisy Jones & The Six star modeled the ballerina-like look with confidence as she posed for photos

Arrival: Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis, 45, looked incredible in a black outfit that included a low-cut onesie undergarment that showed off her cleavage

Hair factor: Her brunette-to-honey-blonde ombre locks were slicked back and tucked behind her ears while they flowed down her back

Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis, 45, looked incredible in a black outfit that included a low-cut onesie undergarment that showed off her cleavage.

Layered over it was a sheer robe-like coat that she tied at the waist with a thin, matching belt.

Her brunette-to-honey-blonde ombre locks were slicked back and tucked behind her ears while they flowed down her back.

Like the other ladies of the night, she too wore sheer black hosiery and finished the look with sparkly, pointy-toe heels.
Robert De Niro is reportedly reprising his title role from Martin Scorsese's classic 1976 film Taxi Driver.

The 80-year-old actor will be back behind the wheel as Travis Bickle  or at least spouting some of his iconic lines  when he films a series of ads for Uber, The Sun reported on Tuesday.

According to a source, De Niro will repeat the widely quoted line 'You talkin' to me?' as part of the ads.

DailyMail.com has reached out to a representative for De Niro for comment.

The news follows recent forays into advertising that De Niro has made recently, following multiple costly divorces and splits from the mothers of his seven children.

Old school: Robert De Niro, 80, will reprise his iconic Taxi Driver character in a new series of ads for Uber, The Sun reported on Tuesday; seen in May in Cannes, France

A classic: De Niro is reportedly playing a version of the taxi driverturnedobsessive vigilante Travis Bickle. The 1976 film, directed by Martin Scorsese, is considered one of the greatest of all time

Taxi Driver is considered a key New York City film, but the Uber ads are making a puzzling choice to reportedly film in London.

A source gushed that the ad series was 'a great idea,' adding, 'Taxi Driver is one of the most iconic films of all time.'

'But hell certainly get some stick for it too,' they continued.

The source noted that De Niro was channeling nostalgia for his star-making performances, though Taxi Driver is an unusually dark and violent film to be referencing in an ad.

'A lot of people feel like some of these classic films are his best work, and signing up to commercials is selling out a bit, but obviously hes had a very expensive personal life,' the source said.

De Niro was previously one of the faces of the UK bakery brand Warburtons, which has also gotten celebrity endorsements from George Clooney, Sylvester Stallone, and most recently, Samuel L. Jackson.

Back in 2019, the Oscar winner appeared in a campaign for the appropriately named electric Kia Niro car, and he has also done ads for Santander bank and American Express.

The string of recent ads, which were previously a rarity for the actor, may help to fund his expensive divorce from his second wife Grace Hightower. He filed for divorce from the philanthropist in 2018 after marrying in 1997.

The two were required to sell their $20 million home, and De Niro's alimony arrangement requires him to pay her $1 million per year until one of them dies or she remarries.

Paying his debts: 'A lot of people feel like some of these classic films are his best work, and signing up to commercials is selling out a bit, but obviously hes had a very expensive personal life,' the source said; seen in June in NYC

Alimony checks: De Niro has made several ads in recent years following his expensive 2018 divorce from Grace Hightower and splits from the mothers of his children. He welcomed his seventh child with his partner Tiffany Chen (pictured together in May in Cap D'Antibes, France)

Quotable: The source said De Niro will reprise the iconic 'You talkin' to me?' line that Bickle uses while puffing himself up in front of a mirror and showing off his newly purchased handguns

In 2021, his attorney claimed that the legendary Raging Bull star was forced to take almost any role that came his way in order to pay for divorce costs and his ex's alimony payments, which may also account for the recent spate of commercials.

The source noted that De Niro will be playing 'Travis Bickle,' his character from Taxi Driver, and 'saying some phrases and playing up to it.'

They added that, 'His previous adverts have shown he has no problem poking fun at himself.'

It's possible that he may just use some of the key phrases from the character without necessarily playing the same Travis Bickle, who murders three mob-connected men after becoming obsessed with a 12-year-old girl named Iris who is sex trafficked into prostitution, before attempting to unsuccessfully shoot himself in the head.

Bickle also shoots and kills a man attempting to rob a convenience store earlier in the film.

Although the character appears to escape any criminal prosecution for the bloody killings, he is not treated as a hero and is instead presented as a dangerous and obsessive loner on the edges of society.

The film also details another obsessive relationship with a woman, this time time with a campaign worker (played by Cybill Shepherd) for a fictional presidential candidate.

When she turns down his ham-fisted advances, he goes over the edge and attempts to assassinate the presidential candidate before ultimately settling on 'freeing' the sex trafficked child.

Going dark: Although he's said to play Travis Bickle, he may just adapt the characters famous lines. Bickle killed four people in the film, became obsessed with a sex-trafficked 12-year-old girl and attempted to assassinate a presidential candidate to get back at a lover who turned him down in the film

Difficult subject matter: Cybill Shepherd costarred in Taxi Driver as a campaign worker who turns down Bickle's disturbing advances, before he turns his sights on the underage prostitute Iris (Jodie Foster)

The film was a major critical and commercial success and is considered one of the greatest films of the 1970s, and of all time.

The film, which was written by Paul Schrader, was the second collaboration between De Niro and director Martin Scorsese, who would work together multiple times on films including Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino and Cape Fear.

Their most recent reunions after decades apart were in the critically acclaimed mob drama The Irishman and in the upcoming film Killers Of The Flower Moon, based on the non-fiction book of the same name about a native tribe that was systematically murdered by white members of the community hoping to steal the reservations oil revenue.

Insiders added that Uber hopes to book other celebrities to appear as passengers in the ads, though it's unclear if they would star with De Niro or would have commercials of their own.
Oscar nominee Sharon Stone wore a head-to-toe brown leather Tod's FW/23 ensemble as she arrived to Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy on Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania-born 65-year-old strutted through the terminal while clad in the $4,895 Nappa-leather jacket, matching $5,645 pants, and a $995 pair of 'Loafers in Leather.'

Sharon also hauled a darker-brown custom 'Di' tote bag estimated to cost around $4K from the 103-year-old Italian fashion brand currently headed up by creative director Walter Chiapponi.

Stone appeared to go make-up free for her travels and she wore her signature blonde locks in a tousled chin-length bob.

That same day, the Rita Ora video vixen announced she was 'proud' to auction off an Instagram follow for the charity Sweet Relief Musicians Fund benefitting struggling musicians (via the Pledgeling Foundation).

Second skin: Oscar nominee Sharon Stone wore a head-to-toe brown leather Tod's FW/23 ensemble as she arrived to Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy on Tuesday

Leather mama: The Pennsylvania-born 65-year-old strutted through the terminal while clad in the $4,895 Nappa-leather jacket, matching $5,645 pants, and a $995 pair of 'Loafers in Leather'

Out of the 11 non-refundable bids made as of publication time, the current highest was $1,600.

The Charity Buzz auction ends September 28 for Sharon to follow a generous fan her team approves of for a 'minimum of one year,' but she can unfollow them at any time if their 'behavior or comments inconsistent with her views or brand.'

Stone currently follows 7,387 accounts including Liza Minnelli, Brad Paisley, Damien Hirst, Lena Dunham, Michelle Yeoh, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Dr. Jane Goodall, Yo-Yo Ma, and the podcast Bravo By Betches.

In honor of 9/11, The Flight Attendant actress - who boasts 3.8M Instagram followers - unveiled her latest painting - a 4ft x 4ft acrylic on canvas tribute called 'There is a Breach in the Atmosphere.'

Sharon's first painting exhibition titled 'Shedding: Sharon Stone' ran at the Allouche Gallery in LA's Culver City neighborhood last spring.

On the personal front, Stone is mother to three adopted sons - Roan Joseph Stone (formerly Bronstein), 23; Laird Vonne Stone, 18; and Quinn Kelly Stone, 17.

According to IMDb, Roan will make his acting debut opposite the Basic Instinct alum in Klaus Menzel's long-delayed movie, What About Love, which is scheduled to hit US theaters February 14.

The European-set romantic drama - which was filmed way back in 2012 - also stars Andy Garcia, Kamaliya, Marielle Jaffe, and Miguel Angel Munoz.

'Love' snake design: Sharon - who appeared to go make-up free for her travels - also hauled a darker-brown custom 'Di' tote bag estimated to cost around $4K

That same day, Stone announced she was 'proud' to auction off an Instagram follow for the charity Sweet Relief Musicians Fund benefitting struggling musicians (via the Pledgeling Foundation)

Highest bid is $1,600! The Charity Buzz auction ends September 28 for the Rita Ora video vixen to follow a fan her team approves of for a 'minimum of one year,' but she can unfollow them at any time if their 'behavior or comments inconsistent with her views or brand'

Good company! Sharon currently follows 7,387 accounts including Liza Minnelli (L), Brad Paisley (2-L), Lena Dunham (2-R), Damien Hirst (R), Michelle Yeoh, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Dr. Jane Goodall, Yo-Yo Ma, and the podcast Bravo By Betches

In honor of 9/11, Stone - who boasts 3.8M Instagram followers - unveiled her latest painting - a 4ft x 4ft acrylic on canvas tribute called 'There is a Breach in the Atmosphere'

May 14 family portrait: On the personal front, The Flight Attendant actress is mother to three adopted sons - Roan Joseph Stone (formerly Bronstein), 23; Laird Vonne Stone, 18; and Quinn Kelly Stone, 17
Accusations of 'sabotage' flew on Tuesday night's episode of My Kitchen Rules.

Aaron started the controversy when he called the other teams 'basic.'

However, what really got tongues wagging was when Christian from Melbourne accused Chris and Aaron's team of sabotage.

Christian believed they were intentionally giving harsh criticisms to mess up the other teams and improve their own chances of winning the competition.

The trouble began when Chris and Aaron criticised the first two dishes made by Claudean and Anthony during their Instant Restaurant round.

Chris (R) and Aaron (L) criticised the first two dishes made by Claudean and Anthony that were well-received during their Instant Restaurant round, prompting speculation that the pair were 'sabotaging' the other team

Claudean and Anthony, a couple from Brisbane who almost got eliminated in the previous round, impressed both the table of guests and the judges, Colin Fassnidge and Manu Feildel, with their first two courses.

Colin and Manu gave Claudean and Anthony a score of nine each for their zucchini flower appetizer, while their rabbit main course received a nine from Manu and an eight from Colin.

But Aaron and Chris were not as enthusiastic as the judges or the other teams.

Colin (left) and Manu (right) gave Claudean and Anthony a score of nine each for their zucchini flower appetizer

Aaron and Chris were not as enthusiastic as the judges or the other teams: 'I don't necessarily think it was a threatening start,' said Chris

'I don't necessarily think it was a threatening start,' said Chris. 'We want to be impressed, and if someone doesn't impress us with a dish, well they're going to hear about it.'

Chris went on to slam the rabbit main dish too, saying he was underwhelmed by the ratio of mash and the flavour too.

Aaron echoed these critiques, claiming the rabbit was 'chalky' and lacking in taste.

Christian (pictured right) accused them of having hidden motives for their criticism

Because Chris and Aaron were the only ones at the table who didn't like the main dish, Christian accused them of having hidden motives for their criticism.

'I think Aaron and Chris are very, very critical of what was a very, very good dish. Is this a tactic? Are they trying to throw everyone off?' he said.

When it was time to give overall scores for the meals, all the MKR teams gave Claudean and Anthony scores of six or seven, but Aaron and Chris only gave them a four.

This made Claudean think that the other contestants were 'playing games.'

'I think the guest teams' score of 29 was low,' she said. 'I think that we have been scored harshly.'

It comes after Christian stunned Brigita with a very blunt question on Monday night's episode.

As the contestants gathered round the dinner table Christian boldly said he had to discuss 'the elephant in the room that needs addressing'.

Tensions came to a head during Monday night's heated episode of My Kitchen Rules, after Christian asked fellow contestant Brigita a very blunt question

'Are you pregnant,' Christian asked Brigita.

His personal question left the fellow contestants and judges Manu Feildel and Colin Fassnidge in shock as they all expressed their disbelief he would ask such a thing.

'Are you calling me fat?' a defiant Brigita shot back.

However, Brigita and her sister Patricija then confirmed she was indeed pregnant, bringing the tensions in the room down.

As the contestants gathered round the dinner table Christian, 34, boldly asked Brigita if she was pregnant. Pictured: Sisters Brigita (right) and Patricija (left)

Fellow contestant Marcus (pictured) could not hide his shock at hearing Christian openly ask the personal question

'Yes, I'm a big elephant - a six-month-pregnant elephant,' Brigita said while her sister Patricija added: 'First team of three! Whoo!'

Christian later admitted he took a 'big risk' asking the personal question and it easily could have backfired on him if he was wrong.

It is generally considered a social faux pas to ask a woman if she is pregnant, as it is seen as a personal question which makes assumptions about her appearance.

The new season of Channel Seven's My Kitchen Rules launched earlier this month and judge Colin Fassnidge has promised viewers they are in for quite a ride.

Speaking to Yahoo LIfestyle, the celebrity chef said 'We've had MKR in the past, but now we've got MKR on steroids.'
Bellino acknowledged she and Beador were at the restaurant at the same time, but did not speak to one another

Shannon Beador was complaining about former Real Housewives of Orange County co-star Alexis Bellino before she drunkenly crashed her car into a home and was arrested for DUI alcohol and hit-and-run Saturday.

Beador, 59, was at a Newport Beach, California establishment called A Restaurant Saturday, where Bellino, 46, was also present, an eyewitness told TMZ Tuesday.

The witness told the site that Beador was sitting with her friend and business partner Steve Muller at the eatery, which is near where she subsequently crashed her vehicle while intoxicated.

Beador's demeanor at the bar in the luxe Orange County area was described to the site as 'tipsy, loud and boisterous,' and she had her arms 'flailing in the air.'

A witness told the site that there was 'real animosity in the air' as Beador badmouthed Bellino to the people around her.

The latest: Shannon Beador, 59, was complaining about former Real Housewives of Orange County costar Alexis Bellino, 46, before she drunkenly crashed her car into a home and was arrested for DUI alcohol and hit-and-run Saturday. Pictured on the Bravo series last month

Bellino, 46, was also present at a Newport Beach, California establishment called A Restaurant Saturday where Beador was seen prior to her crash and arrest

Bellino, who appeared on four seasons of the Bravo reality show, confirmed in a statement to TMZ that she and Beador were at the restaurant, but did not talk to one another.

'When my girlfriends and I arrived for a fun night out together, it was soon brought to my attention that Shannon was also at the same restaurant,' Bellino told the outlet. 'Shannon and I did not interact that night, but it greatly saddens me to learn that she may harbor negative feelings or resentment toward me.'

In regards to the fallout of Beador's crash and arrest, Bellino said she wishes 'Shannon nothing but the best, as I know she is facing trying times ahead.'

Bellino added that she 'was not involved in' a defamation lawsuit her ex-husband Jim Bellino filed in 2018 against Beador and RHOC's Tamra Judge over comments they made about his business on the podcast Juicy Scoop with Heather McDonald.

According to TMZ, Beador was arrested Saturday in the luxe Orange County city, as authorities said she hit a house, parked in the middle of a street and pretended she was walking her dog.

Beador's vehicle was seized by authorities, and she was was subsequently released without bond.

Beador's lawyer Michael Fell told DailyMail.com Monday: 'Shannon is extremely apologetic and remorseful.

'We will be awaiting the official information on this case as it becomes available, and Shannon is prepared to accept full responsibility for her actions.'

Beador had been 'arrested at 1:17 a.m. on Sept. 17 after fleeing the scene from a collision that caused property damage,' police said. Pictured in LA in October

Bellino, who appeared on four seasons of the Bravo reality show, confirmed in a statement to TMZ that she and Beador were at the restaurant, but did not talk to one another. Pictured in 2019 in LA

The Newport Beach Police Department told People Monday that Beador had been 'arrested at 1:17 a.m. on Sept. 17 after fleeing the scene from a collision that caused property damage.'

She was 'booked for two misdemeanors - hit-and-run and DUI alcohol;' and 'released on a citation.'

Bravo personality Jeff Lewis, who is a friend of Beador's, said that Beador 'was injured' and is 'going to be recovering' in the aftermath of the incident.

'Shannon and I have been friends for a very long time,' Lewis said on his SiriusXM show. 'I was shocked - she called me yesterday and we talked for awhile - and I was shocked because I've never known Shannon to ever, ever drink and drive.

'I will tell you she's accepting full accountability. She is ashamed, she's embarrassed. I personally, as her friend - cause people are like, "Oh she needs rehab," "Oh she's an alcoholic" - I don't think Shannon is an alcoholic.'

He added: 'I think she's been going thorough a lot of personal struggles right now, and I think she has been leaning on alcohol - but I don't think she's an alcoholic.'

Lewis said that Beador is 'going to be entering counseling this week' following the accident and arrest.

The Real Housewives of Orange County can be seen on Bravo every Wednesday at 8/7c.
Excited movie fans are in a frenzy of speculation over the new 20th Century Studios sci-fi epic The Creator.

Set to open in Australian theatres on September 28, the film centres on a war between artificial intelligence and humans in which a robot child holds the key to the future of mankind's survival.

And a new action-packed trailer for the special effects blockbuster featuring Tenet actor John David Washington has kept Reddit users guessing.

According to fans, The Creator could see a sinister twist on themes explored in sci-fi classics like Terminator 2, in which Arnold Schwarzenegger's robot killer learned 'how to be human'.

In the preview, viewers are introduced to Joshua (Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent who is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator.

Excited movie fans are in a frenzy of speculation over the new 20th Century Studios sci-fi epic The Creator Pictured: John David Washington in a scene from the film

Set to open in theatres Down Under on September 28, the film centres on a war between artificial intelligence and humans in which a robot child - played by Madeleine Yuna Voyles - pictured - holds the key to the future of mankind's survival

The Creator is the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war and mankind itself.

However Joshua discovers the world-ending weapon he's been instructed to destroy is in the form of a young robot child called Alfie (played by Madeleine Yuna Voyles).

And though Alfie appears harmless, many viewers are speculating her apparent innocence is actually hiding a dark side.

'Wouldn't it be great if just for once the robot kid WAS evil?,' a Reddit user posted, adding: ' ''Humans... so easy to fool!''.'

'I kept thinking that a great twist would be that the robots just weaponized our instinctive need to protect children,' wrote one fan.

Added another: 'So the kid is definitely an evil robot then?'

Other users suggested the film played with the idea that the human trait to have empathy for others was a weakness to be exploited.

The new action-packed trailer for the special effects blockbuster featuring has kept Reddit users guessing about the true meaning behind the film

'Yep. People potentially taking advantage of our empathy is a great lesson,' wrote one Reddit follower.

They added: 'There are tons of real life examples of how empathy can be exploited. Professional pan handlers, politicians, every time aunt Sandy calls with a sob story to hit us up for money.'

Also featured in the cast are Eternals star Gemma Chan, Ken Watanbe from Inception and Allison Janey from I, Tonya.

The Creator is directed by Gareth Edwards, who also helmed the Star Wars franchise blockbuster Rogue One and Godzilla.

The Creator is released in cinemas on September 28
While counterparts like Drew Barrymore and Bill Maher backtracked on their plans to return amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Sherri Shepherd's show Sherri returned for its second season Monday on Fox.

The 56-year-old talk show host revealed on her show that she had a breast reduction surgery over the summer, but she also addressed why her show is back, while others are off the air.

Shepherd addressed the strikes right away at the start of her Season 2 premiere episode, revealing that Sherri is not, and has never been, a WGA show.

'This summer you all may have seen your favorite actors and Hollywood stars have been on the picket lines with the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes,' she began.

'There has been so much confusion about who can work and who cant work. Well, for me, I am a SAG-AFTRA actress, and I actually marched with some of my colleagues while I was in Los Angeles recently,' as they showed footage of Shepherd with Viola Davis and Niecy Nash while walking the picket line.

Back to work: While counterparts like Drew Barrymore and Bill Maher backtracked on their plans to return amid the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Sherri Shepherd 's show Sherri returned for its second season Monday on Fox

No WGA: Shepherd addressed the strikes right away at the start of her Season 2 premiere episode, revealing that Sherri is not, and has never been, a WGA show

'A big group of us - the WGA writers and actors - we all came out to march. There was Aisha Hinds, Kellee Stewart, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and some more actors and writers were there,' she added, before explaining why her show is returning.

'Heres the thing, talk shows in general fall under a different union contract code, so were allowed to come back unless youre a WGA show,' she added.

'Now, the Sherri show is not a WGA show and we have never employed WGA writers, so us coming back to work isnt crossing the picket line,' she explained.

'As a comic, my comedic take on the headlines is my voice. I write my jokes. Im the writer, and I'm not in the WGA. I have the producers, who help me shape my words, which is why we dont have WGA writers over here at Sherri,' Shepherd explained.

She added, 'My heart is breaking for all of the people that cant work right now, and I hope that our industry can get this strike resolved soon.'

'I stand in solidarity with my union. One of the things that we are fighting for is better residuals,' Sherri explained.

'And I'm gonna tell you, residuals help us. Residuals came when I was going through a time where I didn't work. Residuals kept the lights on,' she said.

'They helped me pay my bills. My residual payments came into play when my son Jeffrey was born at 25 weeks. Those residual payments along with insurance helped me. So good residual payments are important to actors,' she continued.

March: 'A big group of us - the WGA writers and actors - we all came out to march. There was Aisha Hinds, Kellee Stewart, Gina Prince-Bythewood, and some more actors and writers were there,' she added, before explaining why her show is returning

Talk show: 'Heres the thing, talk shows in general fall under a different union contract code, so were allowed to come back unless youre a WGA show,' she added

Heart is breaking: She added, 'My heart is breaking for all of the people that cant work right now, and I hope that our industry can get this strike resolved soon'

Residuals: 'And I'm gonna tell you, residuals help us. Residuals came when I was going through a time where I didn't work. Residuals kept the lights on,' she said

Shepherd added that one of the main 'sticking points' that both the actors and writers are 'marching against' is the use of articificial intelligence (A.I.) in movies and TV.

She said A.I. could, 'replace working actors from working and it could replace writers and I am here to tell you, as an actress, A.I., you are not gonna replace all of this sass!' as her audience applauded.

'A.I., you cannot replace this humor, you cannot replace my sass, and A.I., you cannot replace these boobs!' she concluded with a laugh.

Shepherd's first acting gig came back in 1995, playing Victoria Carlson in the short-lived sitcome Cleghorn, along with roles in Suddenly Susan, The Jamie Foxx Show and Less Than Perfect.
Russell Brand's upcoming Australian tour has been cancelled before it was even officially announced.

The 48-year-old comedian was set to be part of The Wanderlust Festival in February 2024, but both the festival and Brand have agreed not to proceed with his performances.

This decision was made due to recent sexual assault allegations against the commentator, causing concerns about his participation in the event.

'Due to the circumstances that have recently come to light, Wanderlust and Russell Brand have agreed that Mr Brand will not be appearing at the Wanderlust Festival,' Wanderlust chief executive officer Charlotte Hill wrote in a statement.

Meanwhile Xavier Rudd, Lola Berry, Nick Broadhurst, Mick Fanning, and several others are scheduled to make appearances at a separate Wanderlust True North event happening in Gold Coast on Thursday and in Sydney on Saturday.

The upcoming Australian tour of comedian Russell Brand (pictured) has been cancelled before it has even been officially announced

Over the weekend, Brand was accused anonymously by five women of serious allegations, including rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse.

The comedian has denied the allegations on his popular YouTube channel, saying his relationships were 'always consensual.'

The rest of Brand's ongoing tour in the UK has been delayed, and his sponsors have chosen to distance themselves from him.

The 48-year-old comedian was set to be part of The Wanderlust Festival in February 2024, but both the festival and Brand have agreed not to proceed with his performances amid sexual assault allegations

Both the BBC and Channel 4 have removed content featuring the comedian from their streaming platforms.

The video platform YouTube has taken action against Brand's channels, preventing them from earning revenue through advertisements due to a claimed violation of its 'creator responsibility policy.'

YouTube stated that this suspension of monetisation applies to Russell Brand's account, which boasts 6.6 million subscribers, and is a result of 'serious allegations against the creator.'

Over the weekend, Brand was accused anonymously by five women of serious allegations, including rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse

The Google-owned video service clarified that this decision extends to all channels associated with or run by Russell Brand.

In recent years, Brand has developed a large online following creating videos offering alternative views on media bias, Covid lockdowns, as well as corporate and governmental abuses of power.

Four women have levelled accusations of sexual assault against Brand, spanning from 2006 to 2013, and a fifth individual later came forward with a claim dating back to 2003.

None of Brand's accusers have so far been publicly identified.
Sarah Michelle Gellar was a proud mom as she paid tribute to her and husband Freddie Prinze Jr.'s daughter Charlotte on her birthday.

The 46-year-old former Buffy The Vampire Slayer actress  who recently reunited with costar Seth Green  appeared on Instagram on Tuesday to shoutout her firstborn child as she turned 14.

Taking to the app's Stories feature, she shared a short video that showed her in pajama pants with her kids' faces printed on them.

'If you want to embarrass your daughter on her bday  wear this to her bus stop on her birthday,' she teased.

The star uploaded a silent snippet panning the camera over her outfit, which in addition to the pants included a black crew neck sweatshirt.

Mom mode: Sarah Michelle Gellar was a proud mom as she paid tribute to her and husband Freddie Prinze Jr. 's teenage daughter Charlotte on her birthday

Tribute! Taking to the app's Stories feature, she shared a short video that showed her in pajama pants with her kids' faces printed on them

In addition to Charlotte, Gellar and Prinze Jr.  who tied the knot in 2002  also share son Rocky, 10.

Sarah also honored her daughter in a grid post shared with her 4.4 million followers.

The movie star, who rose to prominence in the late 90s, posted two throwback photos.

In one picture she threw her head back in laughter as a toddler-aged Charlotte sat on her lap and adorably nose-dived into a cupcake.

The second snapshot featured baby Charlotte in star-shaped coral-hued sunglasses and a white eyelet top.

Gellar gushed in the caption, 'They say daughters give you an equal number of wrinkles from smiling and worrying. Charlotte, from the day you were born, I smile bigger, laugh louder and love so much greater.'

The heartfelt note continued, 'And as for the worrying, you are a part of me. One of the best parts of me.

'I love every inch of you (even the teenage part) I must be the luckiest person in the world, because you call me mom. Happy Birthday Charlotte. #happybirthday #14.'

Throwback! Sarah also honored her daughter in a grid post shared with her 4.4 million followers

Too cute: A second snapshot featured baby Charlotte in star-shaped coral-hued sunglasses and a white eyelet top

The mother-of-two also showed her fans how the family-of-four is celebrating the special day.

She shared a photo of the inside of her refrigerator, which featured two boxed cakes sitting on one of the shelves.

'Two birthdays, two cakes, one @sweetladyjanecakeshop and only one @ashleylebo,' she wrote, tagging a friend with a private Instagram profile.

Then, the longtime entertainer shared a photo of one of the cakes, which honored her as a mother.

'There is even a cake for me, after all I did do the hard labor,' she wrote above the snap of the baked good.

The delicious-looking dessert had white frosting and was adorned with a strawberry, raspberries, and blueberries.

She advised her followers, 'And if you have never tried @sweetladyjanecakeshop - the #tripleberry cake will change your life.'

Sweet: The mother-of-two also showed her fans how the family-of-four is celebrating the special day

Gift! Sarah shared a photo of a gifted jewelry box and joked, 'My kids need to have bdays more often'

Sarah is adamant about protecting her children's identities while they're growing up, due to her and her husband's fame.

The two actors got engaged in 2001 after they met on the set of the 1997 horror film I Know What You Did Last Summer. The '90s Hollywood 'it' couple went on to star as Fred and Daphne in both Scooby-Doo live-action films in 2002 and 2004.

Earlier this year Gellar revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that her daughter wants to follow in her footsteps as a performer. 'Does it scare the s*** out of me? Well, we have rules in place,' she said.

'She can't be in front of a camera until she graduates high school,' Sarah told the outlet. She added: 'She says to me, "That's unfair. You were a child actor." Yes, I was. But I was not the child of two famous parents.'
Kris Jenner headed out for a late-night dinner and laughs with longtime friend Anastasia Soare in West Hollywood on Tuesday evening.

The 67-year-old Jenner and 66-year-old Soare were spotted sharing some laughs after leaving Caviar Kaspia in West Hollywood.

The outing comes months after Jenner attended Soare's annual Anastasia Beverly Hills Mother's Day Celebration back in May.

Jenner opted for an all-black look, with black sunglasses and a black coat over a black top.

She accessorized with huge diamond-studded earrings and a thin necklace with a small heart-shaped pendant, and a black Chanel purse dangling from her shoulder.

Late night dinner: Kris Jenner headed out for a late-night dinner and laughs with longtime friend Anastasia Soare in West Hollywood on Tuesday evening

Kris' look: Jenner opted for an all-black look, with black sunglasses and a black coat over a black top

The momager completed her look with blackleather pants and black pointed-toed heeled boots.

Her friend Soare opted for a much more colorful look with an orange blouse with black polka dots and a matching cravat.

She also rocked a lime green coat with black trim and brown buttons, accessorizing with small hoop earrings.

The fashion mogul - whose net worth has been estimated recently between $600 million and $800 million - completed her look with black pants, yellow square-toed heels while holding a black leather handbag.

The outing comes just over one week before Jenner's Hulu series The Kardashians returns for its fourth season on Thursday, September 28.

The new season comes just two months after Season 3 ended, which revealed that Khloe Kardashian took in her ex Tristan Thompson and his disabled younger brother Amari after the sudden death of Tristan's mother Andrea in January.

The latest trailer for the upcoming season teased continued drama between Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian after their spat last season.

The new season will also follow Kourtney through her pregnancy with husband Travis Barker, after revealed to the Blink-182 drummer that she was pregnant while at one of his concerts in June.

Kris' look: The momager completed her look with blackleather pants and black pointed-toed heeled boots

Colorful Anastasia: Her friend Soare opted for a much more colorful look with an orange blouse with black polka dots and a matching cravat

Anastasia's look: She also rocked a lime green coat with black trim and brown buttons, accessorizing with small hoop earrings

All smiles: The fashion mogul - whose net worth has been estimated recently between $600 million and $800 million - completed her look with black pants, yellow square-toed heels while holding a black leather handbag

Ready: The outing comes just over one week before Jenner's Hulu series The Kardashians returns for its fourth season on Thursday, September 28

New season: The latest trailer for the upcoming season teased continued drama between Kim Kardashian and Kourtney Kardashian after their spat last season.

Soare was born in Romania and spoke very little English when she moved to Los Angeles in 1989.

While working as an aesthetician at an L.A. beauty salon, she developed a technique for perfect eyebrows known as the 'Golden Ratio.'

She opened up her own shop in Beverly Hills, with her first clients said to be supermodels Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell.

Soare celebrated the 25th anniversary of her brand - valued at over $3 billion - in February with a star-studded dinner attended by Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Oprah Winfrey and many more.
Hugh Jackman stepped out without his wedding ring in New York City on Tuesday following his shock split from his wife Deborra-Lee Furness.

The actor, 54, announced in a statement that he and the actress, 67, had separated after 27 years of marriage on Friday, saying they're moving forward 'with gratitude, love, and kindness.'

Departing the gym, Hugh was dressed casually in a black polo T-shirt and a pair of shorts.

He shielded his face with a cap and some aviator sunglasses and wore a practical pair of white trainers.

Hugh carried a towel and a water bottle following his workout as he appeared to be getting back into his usual routine.

Out and about: Hugh Jackman, 54, stepped out without his wedding ring in New York City on Tuesday following his shock split from his wife Deborra-Lee Furness, 67

One of Australia's leading showbiz insiders has slammed 'stupid' rumours surrounding Hugh's split from wife Deborra-Lee.

Speaking to 6PR Breakfast with Millsy and Karl, reporter Peter Ford dismissed the wild theories circulating about the couple's split and shared his opinion on one of the sad reasons they've parted ways.

'Twenty-seven years of marriage in a showbusiness marriage, that's a long time, that's like 186 years in real people's terms,' he said.

'It's not the most uncommon scenario for a couple in their fifties and sixties that once the kids are off their hands, they decide the glue that held this together isn't there anymore and we're going to go our separate paths.'

He added: 'Some of the stuff I read over the weekend is just too stupid.

'I keep reading this story where someone said "the cracks were beginning to show" when Deborra-Lee was never at rehearsals for The Music Man. Why would she be? She wasn't in it!'

Ford blasted 'idiots' in the media for spreading rumours about the A-listers, before sharing some unique insights into Jackman's mindset.

The veteran reporter claimed to have worked out at the same gym as Jackman many years ago, and said that he often saw the Wolverine star at The Melbourne Theosophical Society.

Keeping busy: Departing the gym, Hugh was dressed casually in a black polo T-shirt and a pair of shorts

Split: The actor announced that he and the actress, 67, had separated after 27 years of marriage at the weekend (The couple are pictured in April)

Work out: He shielded his face with a cap and some aviator sunglasses and wore a practical pair of white trainers

Over: It was only weeks after they began dating that Hugh asked Deborra-Lee to marry him, and the couple wed in 1996. They share two children, Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18

'He was always doing courses there on Buddhism and spiritualism and meditation, so he's always been in search for something,' said Ford.

In a statement on Friday, Hugh and Deborra said: 'We have been blessed to share almost 3 decades together as husband and wife in a wonderful, loving marriage. Our journey now is shifting and we have decided to separate to pursue our individual growth,' the couple said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

'Our family has been and always will be our highest priority. We undertake this next chapter with gratitude, love, and kindness,' it continued.

'We greatly appreciate your understanding in respecting our privacy as our family navigates this transition in all of our lives.'

The former couple signed the statement as 'Deb and Hugh Jackman,' adding: 'This is the sole statement either of us will make.'

The Australian couple share two children together; Oscar, 23, and Ava, 18.
98 Degrees are preparing to release new music and jokingly stated that NSYNC 'stole the thunder' as the boy band also announced their latest single for the upcoming film, Trolls Band Together.

The popular group - which consists of members Nick Lachey, 49, Drew Lachey, 47, Jeff Timmons, 50, and Justin Jeffre - opened up about the timing of their comeback single on SiriusXM's Andy Cohen Live on Tuesday.

The TV personality questioned the group - which released their first album back in 1997 - 'how annoyed' they felt that NSYNC was also making a big comeback in the music industry.

Nick jumped in to give the answer, 'Stole the thunder,' while Justin quickly added, 'It's a boy band universe.'

NSYNC - which has members Justin Timberlake, 42, Lance Bass, 44, Joshua 'JC' Chasez, 47, Joey Fatone, 46, and Chris Kirkpatrick, 51 - notably reunited at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards earlier last week, much to the delight of fans.

Stealing 'the thunder': 98 Degrees are preparing to release new music and jokingly stated that NSYNC 'stole the thunder' as the boy band also announced their latest single for the upcoming film, Trolls Band Together; seen on Tuesday in NYC

Reunited: NSYNC notably reunited at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards earlier last week, much to the delight of fans; seen earlier this month in New Jersey

On a more serious note, 98 Degrees found it rather exciting that multiple groups were stepping back into the industry to release new music.

Drew told Cohen, 'When one succeeds, we all succeed. Because we're all kind of like us, NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, we're all clumped into the same kind of pile there. So, if one's elevated, it elevates everybody.'

Nick also added, 'But I mean, happy for those guys personally too, because we obviously know them well at this point.'

The One Tree Hill alum continued, 'And excited for the fact that they're hopefully gonna do this  they've held up for a long time, so [have it] be a big moment. Yeah. Fingers crossed.'

98 Degrees is an independently formed group that gained major recognition after dropping their first album in 1997, as well as hit single, Invisible Man - which reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Over the years, the group has sold a whopping total of nearly 15 million records and are currently on a 25th anniversary tour which is slated to conclude next month on October 8 in San Diego.

While talking to Us Weekly earlier this month, the group opened up about preparing to drop new music. Their last single, Ain't The Same, was released last year and featured Brett Kissel.

In regards to creating their new music, Jeff told the outlet, 'We've tried a few things that might not have been our lane. And you see these different things, and the evolution of music.'

Comeback: The TV personality questioned the group 'how annoyed' they felt that NSYNC was also making a big comeback in the music industry

'Boy band universe': Nick jumped in to give the answer, 'Stole the thunder,' while Justin quickly added, 'It's a boy band universe'

Successful career: Over the years, the group has sold a whopping total of nearly 15 million records and are currently on a 25th anniversary tour; seen in 1995

He added, 'The new music has new sounds in it, but I think the inspiration is our old stuff.'

'Yeah, we sing love songs. Ultimately, that's what we do. Thats what we're most comfortable with, and that's what we're best doing,' Drew expressed.

98 Degrees has also taken the steps to re-record past tracks, with Jeff explaining, 'Record companies traditionally do deals where they take percentages of everything.'

'Ours, EX1, is partnering with us and allowing us to own parts of our masters, and were re-recording some of our old hits. It's exciting.'

While discussing the excitement revolving around boy bands once again, Drew stated, 'I think its just going back to a simpler time. The music was fun.'

'The world seemed a bit safer and less divided, and the shows are upbeat and energetic and bring joy to people.'
Love Island star Millie Court has showed off her incredible physique in sizzling holiday snaps.

The reality star has been enjoying her ninth holiday of the year - a romantic trip to Orlando, Florida with her boyfriend Liam Reardon.

And as she returns to autumnal England, Millie has been sharing photos from her holiday album.

One pair of selfies see the star showing off her tan as she poses in a skimpy orange bikini.

Captioning the shots 'tanning timeeee', Millie snapped a selfie of her bronzed figure after a day by the pool.

Florida tan: Love Island star Millie Court has showed off her incredible physique in sizzling holiday snaps from Orlando

Wow! The reality star has been enjoying her ninth holiday of the year - a romantic trip to Orlando, Florida with her boyfriend Liam Reardon

In another carousel of photos, the Love Island star posted her favourite memories of the trip, including visits to Disney World and her business class flight.

The trip marks Millie's ninth holiday of the year, and her first romantic getaway with boyfriend Liam, 24, since the pair confirmed they had rekindled their relationship.

The Love Island stars won the seventh series of the hit ITV2 show in 2021 and embarked on a year-long relationship, before splitting in July 2022.

However, rumours began to swirl this year that they had reconciled with the pair eventually confirming their romance was back on.

Speaking to MailOnline last month, Millie and Liam discussed how they decided to give things a second chance, saying their relationship is now 'better than ever'.

Liam said: 'I think the break we had really helped a lot. I never felt like I never wanted to see her again.'

Millie added that the fact that their split hadn't been bitter meant that the couple always felt the breakup was temporary.

She explained: 'It didn't end sourly, it wasn't that kind of breakup. It was a decision that we needed a break.

Making memories: The trip marks Millie's ninth holiday of the year , and her first romantic getaway with Liam, 24, since the pair confirmed they had rekindled their relationship

Fun times: In another carousel of photos, the Love Island star posted her favourite memories of the trip, including visits to Disney World and her business class flight

Still going strong: The Love Island stars won the seventh series of the hit ITV2 show in 2021 and embarked on a year-long relationship, before splitting in July 2022

Sweet: Speaking to MailOnline last month, Millie and Liam discussed how they decided to give things a second chance , saying their relationship is now 'better than ever'

'I think we both knew it wasn't going to be something that ended forever. I think we knew it was something we wanted to revisit but it was time that we needed.'

She gushed: 'We managed to make it work again and now it's better than ever.'

Millie also pointed out: 'Liam was 21 when he went on the show and had his birthday in there and he's 24 now and I'm coming up to 27! So we're maybe a bit more mature as well.'

Millie chimed in to add: 'We just wanted to work on us and have fun and build our relationship and not have anyone's opinions on it at that time.'

And Liam continued: 'A lot of people feel like they are being lovely which we do appreciate the support, but sometimes it can be too much.

'When you're going through a breakup as well and everyone's going, "Oh you should've stayed together!" As much as we do live our lives on social media, we do want our privacy as well.'
Brooke Warne looked to be in good spirits on Wednesday as she enjoyed a romantic day out at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast with her boyfriend Alex Heath.

The eldest daughter of Shane Warne, 26, flaunted her stunning curves in a bright green swimsuit as she strolled across the glistening sand with her hunky beau.

Brooke looked thrilled to showcase her gym-toned body as she frolicked with Alex.

The budding influencer let her blonde hair hang freely for the outing, and opted to slick it back off her famous visage after she enjoyed a dip.

Elsewhere, Alex showcased his muscular frame and bulging biceps in a pair of blue patterned boardshorts.

Brooke Warne (pictured) looked to be in good spirits on Wednesday as she enjoyed a romantic day out at Broadbeach on the Gold Coast with her boyfriend Alex Heath

The eldest daughter of Shane Warne , 26, flaunted her stunning curves in a bright green swimsuit as she strolled across the glistening sand with her hunky beau. Both pictured

Brooke looked thrilled to showcase her gym-toned body as she frolicked with Alex

At one point, the lovebirds enjoyed a well-deserved rest on a beach towel and posed for some loved-up selfies together.

The blonde beauty also shared a gallery of precious pictures to Instagram of her cuddling Alex on the beach, to commemorate their four-year anniversary.

The couple's fun day out seemed like a perfect getaway, as they soaked up the sun and enjoyed quality time together by the ocean.

The budding influencer let her blonde hair hang freely for the outing, and opted to slick it back off her famous visage after she enjoyed a dip

Elsewhere, Alex showcased his muscular frame and bulging biceps in a pair of blue patterned boardshorts

At one point, the lovebirds enjoyed a well-deserved rest on a beach towel and posed for some loved-up selfies together

The romantic Gold Coast holiday is a well-deserved retreat for Brooke, who has been open about her struggles after her father died in March last year.

The 26-year-old told Stellar Magazine that her family, including her siblings Jackson and Summer and mother Simone Callahan, have pulled together in the wake of the tragedy.

'As a family, we've always stuck together. We've always had each other's backs. We're going okay,' she said.

The couple's fun day out seemed like a perfect getaway, as they soaked up the sun

The romantic Gold Coast holiday is a well-deserved retreat for Brooke, who has been open about her struggles after her father died in March last year

'Obviously, I miss him and think about him every second  that's never going to change,' Brooke continued.

'I think we just learn to accept life, that this is our life now, and do the best by him and make him proud... and be positive and enjoy everything. You don't know what's going to happen.'

Shane died a year and a half ago in March 2022 of a suspected heart attack while on holiday in Thailand.

The 26-year-old told Stellar Magazine that her family, including her siblings Jackson and Summer and mother Simone Callahan, have pulled together in the wake of the tragedy

'As a family, we've always stuck together. We've always had each other's backs. We're going okay,' Brooke said
Milan Fashion Week kicked off on Tuesday with the likes of Tom Ford, Gucci and Moschino set to show their Spring/Summer 2024 collections.

Yet across the pond in Los Angeles, stars were also celebrating the world of fashion as Chanel hosted a dinner to celebrate the launch of Sofia Coppola Archive: 1999-2023 at Chateau Marmont.

Leading the glamorous brigade was Paris Hilton, 42, who wowed in a vibrant pink co-ord that showcased her incredible figure.

The mother-of-one flashed her toned stomach in a crop top with black piping that she paired with a pencil skirt.

The blonde bombshell added to the look with a pair of black heels and donned a micro Chanel handbag.

Pretty in pink: Paris Hilton, 42, wowed in a vibrant pink co-ord that showcased her incredible figure at Chateau Marmont for a Chanel dinner to celebrate the launch of Sofia Coppola Archive: 1999-2023

Looking good: Also dazzling at the event was Dakota Fanning, 29, (left) who dared to go braless in a plunging boucle blazer and Priscilla Presley, 78, who opted for a chic white blouse with a black pussybow neck tie

Svelte: The mother-of-one flashed her toned stomach in a crop top with black piping that she paired with a pencil skirt as she posed with a chic Rashida Jones

Also dazzling at the event was Dakota Fanning, 29, who dared to go braless in a plunging boucle blazer.

She teamed the garment with a pair of leather shorts that showed off her toned pins, while she added to her height with towering platform heels.

Dakota finished off the look with a heart shaped Chanel bag and styled her glossy golden locks in a half up style.

Making a typically glamorous appearance was Priscilla Presley, 78, who opted for a chic white blouse with a black pussybow neck tie.

She paired the item with wide legged satin trousers and added a touch of glitz with a sequinned clutch bag.

Her trademark fiery red locks added a pop of colour to her ensemble and complemented her slick of rosy lip gloss.

Paris was no doubt pleased to enjoy a night out in adult company after welcoming her first child in January.

The Simple Life star welcomed a son named Phoenix Barron Hilton Reum with her husband Carter Reum via surrogate earlier this year.

Stylish: The blonde bombshell added to the look with a pair of black heels and donned a micro Chanel handbag (pictured with Molly Shannon)

Siblings: Dakota teamed the garment with a pair of leather shorts that showed off her toned pins, while she added to her height with towering platform heels as she posed with her sister Elle

Stunning: She finished off the look with a heart shaped Chanel bag and styled her glossy golden locks in a half up style

Paris and Carter, 42, have known each other since they were in their 20s but first connected romantically after they were both invited to a mutual friend's Thanksgiving dinner in 2019.

'I've known him for 15 years,' Paris told People in September 2020, commenting on the spark of romance that happened at Thanksgiving.

'We just had this incredible chemistry. We had our first date and haven't spent a night apart since. It's pretty amazing.'

Carter proposed to Paris in 2021 on her 40th birthday during a vacation to a private island.

The lovebirds tied the knot on on November 11, 2021, in Los Angeles and had their reception at Hilton's late grandfather's former Bel Air home.

She chose 11/11 because, as she told Vogue, '11:11 has always been my favorite time of day.'

'It's my reminder to make a wish and be open to miracles,' she continued. 'This date is special to Carter and Iit represents our love story, which both of us knew was meant to be.

The couple honeymooned at a Hilton property in Bora Bora.

Flawless: Priscilla's trademark fiery red locks added a pop of colour to her ensemble and complemented her slick of rosy lip gloss

Toned: Elle showed off her flat stomach in a black crop top adorned with fringe detailing and encrusted in sequins
Wil Anderson has sold his $4million property in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, after splitting with his partner of over 20 years, Amy Williamson.

The comedian, 49, is believed to have sold the 1910 built two bedroom property sitting on a 392 sqm block for more than $4million, reports Realestate.com.au.

The Gruen host has made a significant profit on the sale, as he purchased it in 2006 for $1.35million.

He is rumoured to be moving back to his home state of Victoria, after relocating to Sydney during the Covid lockdown in 2020.

Anderson made the decision to sell the property after parting ways with his long-term girlfriend Amy, in the wake of her legal troubles.

Wil Anderson has sold his $4million property in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Vaucluse, after splitting with his partner of over 20 years, Amy Williamson. Both pictured

The comedian, 49, is believed to have sold the 1910 built two bedroom property sitting on a 392 sqm block for more than $4million, reports Realestate.com.au

On September 6, Williamson appeared in Mullimbimby Local Court, charged with assaulting a police officer.

She entered a Not Guilty plea and the case is still pending.

Will has accumulated a number of stylish properties throughout his career.

In 2020, it was reported Anderson purchased a $1.9million four-bedroom home on four hectares on land at Goonengerry near Byron Bay.

At the time, Will revealed the unexpected challenges he and Amy faced while moving from Victoria to New South Wales on Triple M Melbourne's Hot Breakfast.

The Gruen host has made a significant profit on the sale, as he purchased it in 2006 for $1.35million

'We were meant to be moving house at the end of the Melbourne Comedy Festival but that got moved forward,' Wil told hosts Eddie McGuire and Luke Darcy.

He added: '[So] we had to do it during isolation.'

Wil revealed the lockdown prevented them from getting any help with the move, which led to him doing monotonous tasks like spending the entire day cleaning the barbecue.
Dr Scott Miller was dragged into a lake by a huge Newfoundland rescue dog live on Wednesday's This Morning in hilarious scenes.

The TV vet, 48, left hosts Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary in stitches after the funny incident as he headed to Wyboston lakes near Bedford to meet the pooches.

He was doing a swimming segment in the waters to demonstrate how the dogs can help people who get into trouble in the water.

Clad in his wetsuit he introduced the section by saying: 'I'm here at Wyboston lakes to have a swim with them! And the best part about it is you get a little bit of a cuddle or a massive bear hug!'

Then the dog he was holding started to make a move into the water and dragged him in too - just as another trainer was also tipped into the water behind him.

Oh no! Dr Scott Miller was dragged into a lake by a huge Newfoundland rescue dog live on Wednesday's This Morning in hilarious scenes

Hilarious: The TV vet, 48, left hosts Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary in stitches after the funny incident as he headed to Wyboston lakes near Bedford to meet the pooches

Laughing away Holly said: 'Oh no Dr Scott someone behind you has just been dragged in!'

Dermot then quipped as he held his head in his hands: 'God it works doesn't it! The dogs are like get in! Quick to rescue someone else!'

Dr Scott then managed to stand back up again and hobbled up to the camera as he joked: 'I might have just got into the water then!'

Holly then tried to check with him if the woman who had been dragged in behind him was alright.

Dr Scott shared a post on Twitter ahead of the scenes: 'For someone who loves dogs and loves water sports, I'm so excited to be headed to Wyboston lakes and home of The Working Newfoundland Club where I'll be rescued from the water live on @thismorning @itv at 10:30.'

It comes after BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood was ambushed by dogs for a third time when playful puppies attacked her mic and chewed her hair as she presented the weather live on air back in July.

The meteorologist, 61, joined live from a Guide Dog puppy centre to present her segment earlier this summer and remained the ultimate professional as the playful pups climbed over her and chewed her hair.

During her live report, Carol said: 'And we're in for a treat because they're absolutely adorable as you can see and they're so playful as well.

Whoops! He was doing a swimming segment in the waters to demonstrate how the dogs can help people who get into trouble in the water

Chaos: The dog he was holding started to make a move into the water and dragged him in too - just as another trainer was also tipped into the water behind him

Fun: Dr Scott then managed to stand back up again and hobbled up to the camera as he joked: 'I might have just got into the water then!'

Awkward: It comes after BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood was ambushed by dogs for a third time when playful puppies attacked her mic and chewed her hair as she presented the weather live on air back in July

'They've [the puppies] been woken up early this morning just for us, with a lovely start to the day for them too... come on you little scamp... whoops get off my mic, you little monkey... anyway!'

But the puppies didn't stop for Carol as they kept on tugging and pulling at her hair and mic as she continued her segment.

BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent later praised Carol for remaining professional after the hilarious puppy attack.

She said: 'Carol, I think you deserve and award for doing a weather forecast while someone was eating your microphone and another one was eating your hair. That was properly professional, well done.'

Earlier tat month, Carol suffered another awkward on-air encounter as she was dragged to the floor by a dog during a live Wimbledon report, leaving her co-stars in hysterics.

Speaking during the segment, Carol began: 'Isn't he the most gorgeous boy? This is Ray, he is going to be five in August and he is one of the search dogs here.'

'I must say, I am just going to stay here for a while with Ray. How well-behaved is he? He has hardly moved apart from to have his tummy rubbed.'

Just after praising the pooch for his good behaviour, Carol was dragged off camera by the spaniel and broke down into fits of giggles.

Speaking through hysterical laughter, Carol managed to squeeze out a 'yes,' before adding: 'I can't believe it's happened again! It's the Chelsea Flower Show all over again!'

And in September 2021, the Scottish weather presenter ended up being taken out by an over excited hound leaving her co-presenter Dan Walker in hysterics back in the studio.

Carol had just given the forecast from Chelsea ahead of the annual Flower Show when the golden Labrador named Flash tugged at the lead and toppled her over.

A flustered Dan then exclaimed: 'We've got a Kirkwood down! We've got a Kirkwood down! Someone save Carol!'

Oops: Carol suffered another awkward on-air encounter as she was dragged to the floor by a dog during a live Wimbledon report, leaving her co-stars in hysterics earlier this summer

Not again! In September 2021, the Scottish weather presenter ended up being taken out by an over excited hound leaving her co-presenter Dan Walker in hysterics back in the studio

'Flash is strong!' laughed Carol as she got back onto her knees and put her earpiece back in.

'Are you alright Carol?' asked Dan, to no response.

'We're just checking that you're okay,' Sally Nugent added. 'Are you alright?'

'Yes!' Carol replied. 'Yes, she's a very strong girl, Flash.'

The blunder came just moments after Carol had declared that Flash was 'very well behaved'.
Bobby Brazier left Holly Willoughby blushing during Wednesday's episode of This Morning with a cheeky X-rated joke.

The EastEnders actor, 20, made the funny admission ahead of this weekend's first live show as he appeared on the programme alongside professional partner Dianne Buswell.

'This weekend, the big first live show, are you allowed to tell us anything?' host Holly questioned.

Bobby admitted: 'I think it's either going to go really good or really badly.'

'He only knows one style at the moment. But I think that style is what he will be best at. Bobby has a natural groove to him and great charisma,' Dianne explained.

Funny: Bobby Brazier, 20, left Holly Willoughby blushing during Wednesday's episode of This Morning with a cheeky X-rated joke

Coming soon: 'This weekend, the big first live show, are you allowed to tell us anything?' host Holly questioned

Holly continued: 'I reckon he would have been drawn to the Latin,' as Dermot added: 'Yeah...the hips.'

Bobby laughed and exclaimed: 'The thrusting!'

'You said that!' Holly replied, as she was left red-faced.

Joking that he got his 'moves' from his dad Jeff, 44, Bobby exclaimed: 'My dad is a good mover! Where do you think I got the caterpillar from.'

Elsewhere, he admitted he 'has never watched' Strictly Come Dancing as partner Dianne revealed he 'doesn't know what any of the dances are.'

Holly said that Bobby had a confession to make as he explained: 'My first experience of Strictly is being on Strictly.'

Laughing, Dianne added: 'Every time I tell him the dance he's like 'I've never heard of it.' It is quite exciting because he is learning from scratch so has no bad habits.'

Despite having never seen the show, the actor added that he 'begged' his boss to let him take part.

Oh dear: Bobby admitted: 'I think it's either going to go really good or really badly'

Moves: Holly continued: 'I reckon he would have been drawn to the Latin,' as Dermot added: 'Yeah...the hips.' Bobby laughed and exclaimed: 'The thrusting!'

'It was a no brainer, it was a yes straight away. I begged my boss to let me do it. I'm grateful that he did let me do it and take the time off,' he added.

It comes after the soap star revealed to the MailOnline that he 'doesn't have any intention to be a home wrecker at all!' as he discussed the show 'curse.'

He recently split from his on-off girlfriend Liberty Love who he had been dating for more than 18 months.

Dianne met her YouTuber boyfriend Joe Sugg on Strictly in 2018 where they finished runners-up and have since remained in a strong and loving relationship.

At the National Television Awards, Bobby exclusively said: 'I know everybody who has a relationship there - theyre in love.

'I dont have any intention to be a home wrecker at all! Im looking for a big sister and a lovely relationship.'

Following Bobby's breakup, a source said: 'She and Bobby had been on and off but now it seems that it's over for good.'

'It means he cannot fall prey to the Strictly Curse  where romance blossoms between contestants and professional dancers already in relationships.'
Cara Delevingne cut a stylish figure in a taupe high neck top as she sat front row for the star-studded Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.

The model and actress, 31, looked incredible as she went braless in the backless number which she teamed with a grey velvet maxi skirt.

She added inches to her frame in a pair of black leather knee high boots and toted her belongings around in a stylish white woven handbag.

Cara styled her short brunette tresses in beach waves and accessorised with a number of small silver earrings.

She was escorted by security out of her hotel and stopped to pose for selfies with fans who waited outside before heading to the show.

Looking good: Cara Delevingne cut a stylish figure in a taupe high neck top as she arrived at the star-studded Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday

Wow: The model and actress, 31, looked incredible as she went braless in the backless number which she teamed with a grey velvet maxi skirt

Earlier on Wednesday, Cara and Gwendoline Christie attempted to keep a low profile as they both arrived in Milan ahead of Fashion Week.

The actress' kept a low-key approach inside the airport as they tired to shield their identity with dark sunglasses.

Cara cut a comfy and casual attire for the plane journey in a black jacket with patterned trousers.

The model sported an autumnal look in a cream wooly hat and strutted through the airport with her hands in the pocket.

Meanwhile Gwendoline, 44, looked effortlessly stylish in a brown oversized parker coat and travelled in style with a black Birkin bag.

She was the epitome of Italian-chic in the trendy coat that she wore with black jeans and a white T-shirt underneath.

Ahead of the fashion week which started on Tuesday and finishes next Monday, Cara and Gwendoline arrived in good timing.

The day before, Cara took to her Instagram and shared two snaps from her hotel bed in London as she enjoyed the city view.

She showcased her natural beauty as she posed for a selfie while topless in bed as she relaxed next to an iPad.

Cara penned: 'Hard to get out of bed with a view like this'.

Strike a pose: Cara pouted for the cameras as she made her chic arrival at the show

Stylish: The model and actress, 31, looked incredible in her FROW-worthy look as she was guided through a crowd of fans

Finding her seat: Cara smiled as she was shown to her front row seat

Turning heads: She added inches to her frame in a pair of black leather knee high boots and toted her belongings around in a stylish white woven handbag

Incredible: Cara styled her short brunette tresses in beach waves and accessorised with a number of small silver earrings

Selfie! She was escorted by security out of her hotel and stopped to pose for selfies with fans who waited outside

Relaxing: On Tuesday, Cara took to her Instagram and shared two snaps from her hotel bed in London as she enjoyed the city view
The Super Models docu-series is available to stream on Apple TV+

Cindy, 57, recalled: ' I was like the chattel or a child, to be seen and not heard'

The young model made her first appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1986

Footage of Oprah Winfrey asking a then 20-year-old Cindy Crawford to show off her body on national television in 1986 has been removed from the host's YouTube page after the supermodel hit out at the interaction in a new documentary.

Cindy, 57, opened up about the interview in the new Apple TV+ docu-series, The Super Models, which sees Cindy and fellow 'supers' Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington reflecting on their iconic fashion careers.

Just hours after Cindy's comments were published by DailyMail.com, the video was quietly switched to private on the Oprah Winfrey Network YouTube page - despite having been available to watch for the past three years.

DailyMail.com has contacted Oprah's spokesperson for comment.

The footage features Cindy's first ever appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show alongside her Elite Modeling Agency rep, John Casablancas.

Oprah is heard introducing the stunning young model before she asks: 'Did she always have this body? Stand up just a moment, now this is what I call a BODY.'

A clip of Oprah Winfrey asking a then 20-year-old Cindy Crawford to show off her body on national television in 1986 has been removed from the OWN YouTube page

In the snippet, featured in The Super Models docu-series, Oprah is heard introducing the young model before she asks: 'Stand up just a moment, now this is what I call a BODY'

Just hours after Cindy's comments were published by DailyMail.com, the video was quietly switched to private on the Oprah Winfrey Network YouTube page

Cindy proceeded to smile nervously as she stood up and allowed the audience - and viewers at home - to stare at her statuesque frame.

Reflecting on how she felt in that moment, Cindy admitted: 'I was like the chattel or a child, to be seen and not heard.

'When you look at it through today's eyes, Oprah's like, "Stand up and show me your body. Show us why you're worthy of being here".'

The mom-of-two continued: 'In the moment I didn't recognize it and watching it back I was like, "Oh my gosh, that was so not okay really". Especially from Oprah!'

Elsewhere in the clip, Oprah directed several questions towards John who spoke on Cindy's behalf.

When Oprah quizzed John about whether the agency had to put the model through a 'training period', he responded: 'With Cindy, it was much more psychologically she was not sure she really wanted to model little by little, her ambition is growing.

'She's getting a sense, and I'm saying it now on this program, if she wants to she can be number one in the business.'

John's prediction certainly came true, but in the docu-series, Cindy highlighted just how hard she was working to make it during the early days of her career.

Reflecting on how she felt in that moment, Cindy admitted: 'I was like the chattel or a child, to be seen and not heard'

Cindy had made her first ever appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show alongside her Elite Modeling Agency rep, John Casablancas

The former House of Style presenter admitted she would often 'pass out' from hunger during grueling shoot days.

'I was 20 years old, I had dropped out of college to model in Chicago and it was great. I was making $1000 a day,' she recalled.

'The main business there was catalog. There was one main photographer, Victor Skrebneski, and he was the big fish in a little pond. Victor was definitely mentor in the fashion industry, when Victor said don't move you didn't move.'

Cindy continued: 'I passed out there more than once. Especially right before lunch, you pass out and you would faint. And then they would prop you back up and you would do it all over again.'

The supermodel's comments about her Oprah appearance closely echo those made by fellow star Brooke Shields who last year spoke out about her own awkward on-air encounter with Barbara Walters.

During an appearance on The Drew Barrymore Show, Brooke, now 58, slammed Walters for the 'probing' questions she asked her when she was just 15 years old.

Cindy landed her debut Vogue cover (pictured) the same year that she appeared on Oprah for the first time

The beloved supermodel, 57, opens up about the interaction in the new Apple TV+ docu-series, The Super Models

Brooke - who had just starred in The Blue Lagoon at the time of her interview with Walters - explained: 'She asked me what my measurements were and asked me to stand up, and I stand up and she's like comparing herself to this little girl, and I thought, "This isn't right. I don't understand what this is".

'But I just, I behaved and smiled and felt like so taken advantage of in so many ways.

'But over the years, you know when you've been in the public eye and have been commented on all the time, everybody has an opinion, and you all get to say it, and now that's where social media I think can be dangerous. Then you learn to say no this is my truth.'

Cindy's candid comments about her Oprah interview offer an intriguing glimpse into the scandals that may emerge from Apple TV+'s new four-part documentary, which charts the rise of the women who earned millions, dated movie stars and cemented their status as supermodels after that iconic music video for George Michael's track, Freedom, in 1990.

It's the first time all four of the surviving icons, Tatjana Patitz died earlier this year of breast cancer, have come together to discuss the phenomenon in depth.

The candid series sees the runway icon open up about her game-changing career alongside fellow super models Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell

While the Apple TV+ series basks in the exceptional beauty of the women it doesn't shy away from the uglier issues they faced, such as addiction, domestic abuse and racial inequality.

Typically reserved Linda Evangelista is seen in tears as she opens up about being left disfigured by a failed cosmetic procedure.

The Canadian beauty also shares claims that ex-husband Gerald Marie abused her during their five-year marriage.

Elsewhere, Naomi Campbell reveals she is perimenopausal after being captured suffering a 'hot flush' during a photoshoot in the docu-series.

The Super Models is now available to stream on Apple TV+.
Benjahmin James, aka Carla From Bankstown, launched a scathing tirade against Jetstar on Wednesday after his flight to Sydney was cancelled.

The Celebrity Apprentice star, 29, posted a gallery of photos to Instagram Stories capturing him impatiently waiting at Brisbane Airport, and added some choice words for the low-cost airline.

'Thank you Jetstar Australia for cancelling my flight 10 minutes before it was boarding and making me wait three hours till the next one,' he began.

'I have a gig on tonight back in Sydney [that] I'll be late for and will lose money for. It's amazing. Thank you for that!

James then warned the airline he would become a complaining 'Karen' if the situation was not quickly rectified.

Benjahmin James, aka Carla From Bankstown, launched a scathing tirade against Jetstar on Wednesday after his flight to Sydney was cancelled. Pictured on The Celebrity Apprentice

'Thank you Jetstar Australia for cancelling my flight 10 minutes before it was boarding and making me wait three hours till the next one,' he began.

'I've been sitting here for the last two hours waiting and if you cancel this flight I will make a video and I will become Karen from Bankstown and lose my mind,' he continued, adding, 'I will lose money for these cancelled flights.'

James went on to reveal he finally boarded a plane five hours later and was not happy with the staff's reaction to the incident - or their demeanor handling his concerns or questions.

'Five hours later on a plane home and @jetstaraustralia staff are so rude! You should be ashamed. Never had any issue with you EVER and now you want to be gronks?!

'Watch out, I'm making the BIGGEST complaint in the history of your existence.

'And your staff being so rude to me when asking what's happening, saying, "Oh, we all want to go home babe". 'Don't call me babe. I'm not your babe, bro. Seriously RUDE.'

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, a Jetstar spokesperson said, 'A flight from Brisbane to Sydney was cancelled yesterday due to an engineering requirement, with our aircraft needing a spare part.'

We apologise for the inconvenience this caused and thank our customers for their patience while our teams worked hard to get everyone on their way as quickly as possible.'

'Safety is always our number one priority.'

James then warned the airline he would become a complaining 'Karen' if the situation was not quickly rectified

James went on to reveal he finally boarded a plane five hours later and was not happy with the staff's reaction to the incident - or their demeanor handling his concerns or questions

'Five hours later on a plane home and @jetstaraustralia staff are so rude! You should be ashamed. Never had any issue with you EVER and now you want to be gronks?!' he wrote

Carla from Bankstown shot to fame in 2021 with her tongue-in-cheek videos where she posed as ex-NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian's no-nonsense assistant.

In July, the celebrity drag queen posted a hilarious video to TikTok, revealing she had scored a new gig working for current NSW Premier Chris Minns.

The cheeky footage shows Carla working behind the desk at Minns' office as she takes a personal call with a friend and tells them, 'it's so boring today'.

She is then caught off guard by Minns, 43, who approaches her desk and asks her: 'What's happening? Are phone calls coming through, no one's picking up.'

'Victorian premier Dan Andrews called and said he's hotter than you, but I told him no, absolutely not,' Carla cheekily responded.
He burst into the spotlight in 1993 as the health and fitness guru on GMTV, leading the nation in their early morning workout sessions.

And 30 years on from his show debut, Mr Motivator delighted viewers as he returned to daytime TV for an interview on Wednesday's This Morning.

The fitness instructor, 70, wowed fans with his youthful looks and abundance of energy as he chatted with Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary before demonstrating an exercise routine.

The lycra-loving legend, real name Derrick Errol Evans MBE, revealed the key to his demeanour was his mindset, explaining: 'I know being positive every day means negativity doesn't affect me.

'If you practise being positive, you will always be positive.'

Here he is: Thirty years on from his GMTV debut, Mr Motivator delighted viewers as he returned to daytime TV for an interview on Wednesday's This Morning

It hasn't always been easy for the star, however, who reflected on the period of time when he was homeless.

The Jamaican-born fitness expert said: 'I was living near Arsenal and I went to a homeless family unit and I'd sit outside, on my suitcase, waiting each day for them to give us somewhere to stay and to eat.

'But all through that I really kept hope alive. All of us are going to go through difficulties but it makes you appreciate when the good times come along.'

On his big break in breakfast television, he said: 'My goal was to transform the way we look at fitness. I didn't want it to all be sit-ups and burpees. I wanted it to be fun.'

Talking of his success, he continued: 'There was like a light-bulb moment when I got into fitness. I felt that this was my journey. I didn't know where I was going, I didn't know what doors it would open up.'

And he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, as he revealed: 'Join me on the mission I'm on - which is to empower young people and older people - to realise, that as you get older, the greatest thing you can give yourself is an independent, healthier, view.'

Mr Motivator then slipped into his beloved lycra to perform a workout, rocking a red fishnet top, multi-colorued shorts, and an eye-catching bandana.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, during the segment, viewers called on the star to become a permanent fixture on the show.

He hasn't aged! The fitness instructor, 70, wowed fans with his youthful looks and abundance of energy as he chatted with Holly Willoughby and Dermot O'Leary (pictured right in 1995)

Loving life: Mr Motivator then slipped into his beloved lycra to perform a workout, rocking a red fishnet top, multi-colorued shorts, and an eye-catching bandana

Viewers shared: 'ITV need to bring back workout segment! I remember the days when Mr. Motivator got Britain moving during the '90s when he was on GMTV #ThisMorning';

'Every time I see Mr Motivator on TV my mood is instantly boosted #ThisMorning'; 'Okay Mr Motivator,Now you have my fullest attention'; 'Mr Motivator has made my morningBRING HIM BACK';

'Love Mr Motivator knackered now.. #ThisMorning'; 'Mr motivator needs to be on every week #thismorning'; '@MrMotivator should bring him back to morning tv # This morning#still looks the same'; 'Loved joining in with #mrmotivator on @thismorning - make him a regular'; 'My guy Mr. Motivator looks great at 70! #ThisMorning.'

While he's now a national treasure, Mr Motivator previously revealed that he faced resistance while trying to launch his TV career, as he was told he wouldn't appeal to viewers as a black man.

The Jamaican-born TV personality told the Radio Times: 'When I walked into my very first job interview and the guy said to me, "Why didnt you tell me you were black?", I replied, "Why didnt you tell me you were white?"

'Later, When television came along, it took me ten years to get a break as an on-screen fitness trainer.

'Every time I went to the studios, the guys would say, "Look, for a white lady with two kids, a black guy on TV would never work." But I kept on persevering.'

Last year, Mr Motivator was appointed an MBE by Prince William during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle for his service to fitness.

When receiving the acclaimed award, The Duke of Cambridge urged him to 'keep what you're doing'  but rejected the offer of taking one of his trademark lycra outfits.
Christine Baumgartner was seen in a comfortable ensemble as she headed to the grocery after it was revealed she is looking to 'start fresh' after settling her 'living nightmare' divorce with Kevin Costner.

The 49-year-old designer was seen heading to the grocery store in Santa Barbara on Monday as she shockingly settled her highly contentious divorce with the 68-year-old Yellowstone star.

Christine sported a grey crewneck sweatshirt with clinging black leggings and a pair of blue On Cloudmonster running shoes.

She accessorized with a black fanny pack thrown over her shoulder and a matching pair of designer aviator shades.

Her hands were completely full as she juggled her cell phone, a large wallet, and purchases from the market.

Moving on: Christine Baumgartner was seen in a comfortable ensemble as she headed to the grocery

Former flame: It was recently revealed she is looking to 'start fresh' after settling her 'living nightmare' divorce with Kevin Costner; the pair are seen together in February 2022

Her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail as she wore minimal make-up on the errand run.

Her outing came amid the surprise news that she had settled the divorce with the A-lister with the prenup enforced and a large monetary penalty should it be challenged.

A friend of Christine told DailyMail.com, 'Christine didn't really have a choice but to settle because Kevin had all the power. Had she continued fighting, she would risk losing everything.

'Christine said it is what it is. That she won't miss going to court and having sleepless nights. She said for the kids it's a win because no child wants to go thru this, let alone in public.

'She was the one who wanted to settle things outside of court in the first place. She never wanted any of this circus. It's been a living nightmare and now she just wants to move on and start fresh and begin making her new house a home.'

The actor and his wife of nearly 20 years have been embroiled in a months-long legal war which has met a surprise end after it was reported that Baumgartner had received more than $400,000 to pay the costs of the contentious courtroom battle.

A joint statement from Costner and Baumgartner provided to DailyMail.com read: 'Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings.'

According to TMZ, if Christine challenges the judgment 'she would have to repay Kevin more than $1 million and pay his attorney's fees for the prenup fight.'

The 49-year-old designer was seen heading to the grocery store in Santa Barbara on Monday as she shockingly settled her highly contentious divorce with the 68-year-old Yellowstone star

Out and about: Christine sported a grey crewneck sweatshirt with clinging black leggings and a pair of blue On Cloudmonster running shoes

Details: She accessorized with a black fanny pack thrown over her shoulder and a matching pair of designer aviator shades

Keeping it simple: Her blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail as she wore minimal make-up on the errand run

Upon hearing this, the mother-of-three 'agreed over the weekend to the terms of a 3-page settlement letter.'

Although the prenup is enforceable, Christine got more than what was prescribed in the agreement.

Kevin seemingly responded to the settlement being signed over the weekend as he shared a throwback photo of himself looking into the distance from 1999 flick Message In A Bottle with the caption: 'Happy Monday, friends. Wishing health and happiness for all of you'

Kevin's legal team - which was headed by 'disso queen' Laura Wasser - had won a series of legal battles leading up to the settlement.

Wasser had recently submitted paperwork to the court saying Kevin's monthly obligation should be $63K-a-month according to the publication.

However, Baumgartner wanted $248K-a-month and after a two-day evidentiary hearing in Santa Barbara earlier this month the Judge Thomas Anderle ultimately sided with Kevin.

Kevin seemingly responded to the settlement being signed over the weekend as he shared a throwback photo of himself looking into the distance from his 1999 classic romantic drama film Message In A Bottle with the caption: 'Happy Monday, friends. Wishing health and happiness for all of you.'

Last week DailyMail.com reported that Baumgartner had already received more than $400,000 to pay the costs of her legal battle with the actor.

The mom-of-three was locked in a court fight with her ex over a fresh award of $855,000 to cover fees for the former couple's upcoming trial over whether the prenuptial agreement they signed 18 years ago can still be enforced.

Baumgartner, 49, had asked for $575,000 to pay her lawyers John Rydell and Susan Wiesner and another $280,000 for her forensic accountant Jill Bombino  which would take the combined total to an eye-watering total of $1.26million.

But documents obtained by DailyMail.com reveal Baumgartner has so far already received $405,000 in legal, attorney, and 'forensic accounting fees'  disbursed in July this year.

In an excoriating legal filing lodged in court in Santa Barbara, California, on Tuesday, Wasser hit back at the 'whopping' request  describing the fees as 'inflated' and saying that it would be 'unconscionable' for the Yellowstone star to be made to pay.

'Disso queen' Wasser also accused Baumgartner of being 'unreasonable' and said her constant legal maneuvers  the majority of which have failed  had inflated costs for both parties.

Costner's attorney Laura Wasser  seen arriving at court with the actor earlier this month  hit back at the request  describing the fees as 'inflated' and 'outrageous'

In an excoriating legal filing lodged in court in Santa Barbara, California, Costner's attorney Laura Wasser hit back at the 'whopping' request

Last week, Baumgartner found herself on the hook for a payment of $14,000 after Judge Thomas Anderle decided to sanction her for failing to give proper answers to questions from Costner's legal team.

The setback came shortly after Judge Anderle halved Baumgartner's monthly child support payments  a decision she later described as a 'joke' according to a pal.

The friend told DailyMail.com: 'Christine is shocked. She said even Kevin looked shocked. Everyone looked shocked.

'To say Christine is disappointed is an understatement. She described the ruling is a complete joke.'

Speaking to DailyMail.com, Brett Ward, a partner at New York legal firm Blank Rome and an expert in family law, said a party requesting fees isn't unusual, although the potential size of the award was.

He also said judges tend to take a dim view of what they see as excessive requests and generally want to prevent drawn out cases like the Costner divorce was becoming.

He said: 'There is certainly a legal basis for [Baumgartner's] request. However, a judge will examine the reasonableness of the fees requested.

'Judges generally do not want to encourage additional litigation by providing one side with a war chest of future legal fees.

The mom-of-three had been enjoying a temporary monthly payment of $129,000 and had wanted it bumped to $161,000

In July Baumgartner was court-ordered to vacate the former couple's $145million lavish California mansion

DailyMail.com previously revealed that Baumgartner, 49, moved into the luxury four-bedroom home after a judge in Santa Barbara, California, slashed her child support payments

'Courts generally balance the less wealthy party's right to carry on the litigation in a fair manner against the concern that a party with a significant fee award will take that money and use it to make every possible argument available, no matter the merit or lack thereof for each claim.'

Ward said the enormous legal bills the pair were racking up were unusual in family court but added that much of the money can be explained by the value of the assets being wrangled over and expected the eventual tab to be much higher.

He said: 'At this pace, and without a settlement in the near future, I would not be surprised if the combined legal fees approach or exceed $5 million.'

Much of Baumgartner's testimony during the evidentiary hearing had hinged on her being able to provide a lavish lifestyle for her three children comparable to the one they enjoy while with their father.

Despite renting a $40,000-a-month property in tony Montecito, Baumgartner said her new home is inadequate because sons Cayden, 16, and Hayes, 14, would have to share a bathroom while daughter Grace, 13, would need 'to share hers with the house.'
Winnie Harlow cut a stylish figure as she attended the Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.

The former America's Next Top Model star, 29, looked incredible for the event as she donned a beige trench coat by the fashion house.

Cinching her waist with a matching belt, the model added height to her frame with a pair of brown leather boots.

Carrying a Fendi handbag, Winnie added to her look with an eye-catching gold necklace and matching earrings.

Accentuating her beauty with a light palette of makeup, the star completed her look with another silver necklace.

Stunning: Winnie Harlow cut a stylish figure as she attended the Fendi show during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday

Trendy: The former America's Next Top Model star, 29, looked incredible for the event as she donned a beige trench coat by the fashion house

In demand: Winnie looked in good spirits as she took a snap of herself surrounded by fans

Earlier in the day, Winnie arrived in the Italian city cutting a more casual figure as she sporte a brown jacket along with white tracksuit bottoms.

The model also wore a black printed T-shirt along with a light grey hoodie and black Converse trainers.

Also wearing a silver necklace, Winnie completed the outfit with a stylish pair of sunglasses.

The snaps come after Winnie was spotted earlier this month partying it up at Michael Rubin's 4th of July bash in the Hamptons.

The American Next Top model star looked incredible in a white mesh jumpsuit at the star-studded white party.

Showcasing her supermodel figure the catwalk queen couldn't go unnoticed in her figure-hugging ensemble, which featured cut-outs up her legs.

Winnie developed vitiligo when she was four years old, a condition that affects over 500,000 Britons.

However NHS patients with the skin condition may be able to access a cream that makes it vanish within months after UK health regulators approved the first effective treatment for the disease.

Laid back: Earlier in the day, Winnie arrived in the Italian city cutting a more casual figure as she sporte a brown jacket along with white tracksuit bottoms

Casual: The model also wore a black printed T-shirt along with a light grey hoodie and black Converse trainers

Vitiligo is caused by a lack of melanin, the substance which gives skin its colour, and is often triggered when the immune system wrongly attacks melanin-producing cells.

The condition had been considered untreatable, but a medicine normally used to treat cancer has been found to reverse the effects.

The drug, ruxolitinib, is applied as a twice-daily cream and has been shown in studies to return skin colour to its natural pigment in six months.
Chelsee Healey showcased her growing bump in a red mesh bikini on Wednesday as she enjoyed a day at the beach in Portugal.

The Hollyoaks star, 35, who is pregnant with her second child, has been enjoying a relaxing babymoon as she prepares to welcome a daughter.

Chelsee looked glowing in the stylish two-piece as she soaked up the sun and walked barefoot in the sand.

The actress, who shares daughter Coco, five, with ex-boyfriend Jack Molloy, swept her long brunette locks behind her face.

She appeared to be in good spirits and relaxed during her sun-soaked getaway.

Gorgeous: Chelsee Healey showcased her growing bump in a red mesh bikini on Wednesday as she enjoyed a day at the beach in Portugal

Stunner: The Hollyoaks star, 35, who is pregnant with her second child , has been enjoying a relaxing babymoon as she prepares to welcome a daughter

The star revealed her pregnancy news last month, but has not disclosed the name of her partner.

It comes after Chelsee decided to gather her loved ones for a lavish gender reveal party at Morleys Hall Barn in Manchester earlier this month.

The actress looked sensational in a white mini dress and was joined by the likes of co-star Jennifer Metcalfe as they gathered outside to watch a plane fly overhead revealing the big news.

With a pink smoke trail leaving the jet it was revealed Chelsee was set to welcome another daughter, with the actress then popping a confetti cannon also packed with pink decorations.

Choosing not to name her partner, Chelsee instead focused her Instagram post on her daughter's reaction to the exciting news.

Alongside a stunning shoot, she wrote: 'Baby Number 2. I am Not Sure me Or the world Is Ready For Another Coco ! But WE are more than Ready...

'For as long as Coco could talk she has asked for a Baby sitster or Brother... Feel beyond blessed to be giving her her wish and being a mummy of 2 and i cant wait to have another baba to Love unconditionally... [sic]

'We cannot wait to meet you Our Baby Love'.

Scenic: Chelsee looked glowing in the stylish two-piece as she soaked up the sun and walked barefoot in the sand

Speaking to Closer Magazine about the news, she said: 'I'm so excited to be pregnant again. I feel like the timing is just right. I adored my bump last time with Coco, I've actually missed it...'

'After this one, I'll be very happy, but I said to my partner "Maybe we can squeeze another one in"'.

Chelsee has previously spoken about the joy of motherhood but revealed in a shocking interview that daughter Coco has been subjected to racist abuse online.

The actress finds it 'heartbreaking' when trolls focus their attention on her little girl Coco but she refuses to get drawn into a war of words with the bullies.

She told the Daily Star: 'My daughter gets sent racist abuse through social media.

'Ive been sent a lot of messages about Coco. When its about an innocent child its not nice. Its heartbreaking. But I try not to reply back. I dont entertain it.'
Jaime King and Kyle Newman have finally settled their divorce after three years of battling over spousal support and custody of their two sons Leo Thames and James Knight.

In court documents, obtained by TMZ, the actress, 44, and filmmaker, 47, signed off on a settlement in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday as well as a 'new marital agreement' that has 'not been made public.'

The latest update comes after the former couple's divorce took a nasty turn after he expressed concern that she may attempt to 'abduct' their two children.

Legal documents obtained by The Blast state that Newman was trying to keep King from taking James, 9, and Leo, 7, to Vietnam for vacation.

Moving forward: Jaime King and Kyle Newman have finally settled their divorce after three years of battling over spousal support and custody of their two sons Leo Thames and James Knight; seen in 2017

The actor said in a court filing, 'I cannot agree for Jaime to take our children to Vietnam on vacation after school starts  Vietnam is a non-Hague Convention Child Abduction Treaty country.'

In layman's terms, the treaty explains that if one parent takes the children to another country, that country's government will assist in their return.

'I am concerned that Jaime will remain there. There is a court order, which we heavily negotiated, that does not allow for either of us to take the children to a non-Hague Treaty country,' Newman expressed in the filing.

He added, 'Jaime has already attempted to intercept our childrens passports without my knowledge or consent, which concerns me that Jaime plans to abduct our minor children.'

The paperwork further noted, 'Vietnam is not a signatory to the Hague Convention. Based on Jaimes conduct historically and over the last 6 months, I have a reasonable fear that she will refuse to return the children to me after their trip.

'Jaime was dishonest with me from the start regarding her intentions to travel with our children to Vietnam, and I do not consent to it.'

Another shocking allegation listed in the new court filing claims that King defied the current custody order in place as she was allegedly 'intoxicated' around James and Leo.

According to Newman, 'Jaime has repeatedly and blatantly violated multiple court orders, including child custody orders (preventing her from being intoxicated while the children are in her custody by repeatedly testing as inebriated with SoberLink, even in the morning while she had custody of the children).'

Officially over: In court documents, obtained by TMZ, the actress, 44, and filmmaker, 47, signed off on a settlement in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday as well as a 'new marital agreement' that has 'not been made public' (pictured in 2019)

Years of fighting: The latest update comes after the former couple's divorce took a nasty turn after he expressed concern that she may attempt to 'abduct' their two children; seen in 2016

Alleged abuse: King previously alleged that she suffered 'years of physical, emotional, verbal, and fiscal abuse' during their marriage (seen in 2015)

SoberLink is an alcohol monitoring system that fuses a breathalyzer with wireless connectivity, and technology like facial recognition.

As for Jaime's side of things, she previously alleged 'suffering years of physical, emotional, verbal, and fiscal abuse,' prompting her to end the marriage.

'I finally decided to stand up for myself and made the decision to terminate our marriage,' she stated.

The Blast reported that the judge sided with Newman and denied King's request for the Vietnam trip.

Last fall, Newman claimed he could not afford to live because the actress hadn't paid him any court-ordered money.

The Hart Of Dixie actress was ordered by a court in April to pay her ex $1,000 a month in spousal support and $429 a month in child support, but the Barely Lethal director filed legal documents claiming she hadn't handed anything over.
Amber Heard is marking her official return to the big screen in a new thriller In The Fire - the trailer of which was released on Wednesday.

It's her first big starring role since her highly-publicized divorce and subsequent defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp.

The 37-year-old stars as a doctor tasked with taking care of a boy with supernatural abilities in the new independent movie.

The actress - who had a very brief appearance in the teaser for Aquaman 2 this week - stars alongside actors Eduardo Noriega, Lorenzo McGovern Zaini and Luca Calvani in the film.

The trailer begins with Heard's character Grace Burnham arriving at a remote settlement and realizing that its villagers have quarantined Martin Marquez, played by Lorenzo McGovern Zaini, in a decaying barn.

When Burnham inquires why Marquez's mother did not buy books for him in his youth, he shockingly replies: 'Because I killed her.'

Back in action: Amber Heard starred in the new trailer for the upcoming thriller feature Into The Fire, which was released on Wednesday

Leading lady: The controversial 37-year-old actress was heavily featured in the promotional clip for the movie, in which she portrayed a doctor tasked with taking care of a boy with supernatural abilities

Not alone: The actress - who recently had a very brief appearance in another high-profile trailer - also stars alongside performers such as Eduardo Noriega, Lorenzo McGovern Zaini and Luca Calvani in the film

After the doctor makes her way into town to uncover more information about the boy's predicament, a resident ominously expresses that 'We had to exorcise Martin to get the devil out.'

The resident later walks through a field of dying corn and states that the townspeople 'blame him for everything bad that happens here.'

When Burnham confronts Father Antonio, played by Luca Calvani, and tells him that Martin is simply suffering from a 'condition,' he replies: 'Our book has a name for this condition.'

Heard's character is then asked if she is able to 'cure' Martin, after which the young boy appears to stop a group of townspeople from attacking him by utilizing his supernatural abilities.

Another resident states that Martin is simply suffering from a 'disease,' after which Burnham is publicly whipped.

The doctor then shares a private moment with Martin, during which she tells him: 'Those people are scared, and they need something to blame for that fear. And it's you, because you're different.'

The trailer concludes after Martin appears to telekinetically bring a burning rafter down on a belligerent resident.

It was previously announced that Heard had signed on to appear in the movie in February of last year.

Ominous: The trailer begins with Heard's character Grace Burnham arriving at a remote settlement and realizing that its villagers have quarantined Martin Marquez, played by Lorenzo McGovern Zaini, in a decaying barn

Not what she expected: When Burnham inquires why Marquez's mother did not buy books for him in his youth, he shockingly replies that it was 'because I killed her'

Supernatural: After the doctor makes her way into town to uncover more information about the boy's predicament, a resident ominously expresses that 'we had to exorcise Martin to get the devil out'

Plague: The resident later walks through a field of dying corn and states that the townspeople 'blame him for everything bad that happens here'

Taking care of business: When Burnham confronts Father Antonio, played by Luca Calvani, and tells him that Martin is simply suffering from a 'condition,' he replies by stating that 'our book has a name for this condition'

Hopeful: Heard's character is then asked if she is able to 'cure' Martin, after which the young boy appears to stop a group of townspeople from attacking him by utilizing his supernatural abilities

Principal photography for the upcoming project subsequently took place both in the Apulia region of Italy and in Guatemala.

In The Fire's world premiere took place this past June during the Taormina Film Fest.

According to Variety, Heard was present during the project's debut, and she was showered with praise and support from her fans at the event.

The feature's producer, Pascal Borno, spoke to the media outlet and revealed that he had to request extra security during the premiere in anticipation of backlash from supporters of the actress' ex-husband, Johnny Depp.

The former couple was previously involved in a long-running set of lawsuits that were ultimately decided in the actor's favor last year.

Borno recalled that Italian authorities took his security-related concerns 'seriously and afterwards I promised them selfies with Amber.'

Calvani also spoke to Variety and stated that the actress received a surprisingly warm welcome from her fans at the screening.

'I was relieved to see how they shouted for her. After all the stuff being yelled online at this beautiful human being,' he said.

Harsh: Another resident states that Martin is simply suffering from a 'disease,' after which Burnham is publicly whipped

Moment of clarity: The doctor then shares a private moment with Martin, during which she tells him that 'those people are scared, and they need something to blame for that fear. And it's you, because you're different'

Suspense: The trailer concludes after Martin appears to telekinetically bring a burning rafter down on a belligerent resident

Signing on: It was previously announced that Heard had signed on to appear in the movie in February of last year

Coming soon: In The Fire is currently scheduled to be released in the United States on October 13

The performer went on to state that the film's crew, which was forced to pause filming in order to accommodate Heard's requirement to attend her second trial in Virginia, was also affected by her legal woes.

'The trial was looming over us. We felt the gravity of this huge media machine building against all of us, and the camaraderie of the shoot felt like a good distraction,' he said.

Heard, who has scaled back her formerly busy career in Hollywood following the trials, also told the media outlet that she felt 'honored to be part of this labor of love and to be the lead in [director] Conor Allyn's vision.'

In The Fire is currently scheduled to be released in the United States on October 13.
Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson look more loved-up than ever as they cosy up for pictures at the Coccinelle event during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.

The Gossip Girl actor, 36 and the Bollywood star, 31, who have been together almost two years, were all smiles as they wrapped their arms around each other.

Amy turned heads during the evening in a daring cutout black denim dress which boasted a collar and long sleeves.

The long maxi skirt donned an eye catching thigh high split revealing a pair of stylish black leather knee high boots.

She toted her belongings around in a chic black handbag and styled her long tresses in a neat up-do.

Date night: Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson look more loved-up than ever as they cosied up for pictures at the Coccinelle event during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday

Amy completed her evening look with a flawless palette of makeup including a perfectly drawn black winged eye liner.

Meanwhile Ed cut a dapper figure in a navy blazer which he wore buttoned up over a white T-shirt.

The actor looked effortlessly stylish as he teamed the ensemble with a pair of blue denim jeans, black boots and a long cross necklace.

Ed and Amy are believed to have met at the at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia in 2021 and the pair started dating in December that year.

A source told The Sun on Sunday at the time: 'Ed and Amy are a really good match. They hit it off straight away.

'Both like to have fun and are career-driven. Theyre enjoying getting to know each other for now.'

The couple went Instagram official just before Valentine's Day in 2022, with Amy penning a sweet note on her social media just in time for the occasion.

She wrote: 'Happy Valentine's Baby - forever grateful for the endless belly laughs and ultimate love!'

Couple: The Gossip Girl actor, 36 and the Bollywood star, 31, who have been together almost two years, were all smiles as they wrapped their arms around each other

Amy was previously in a relationship with hotelier George Panayiotou, with the pair getting engaged in January 2019 and welcoming a son that September.

They broke things off in 2021, before her relationship with Ed began later that year. The model and the hotelier's son, named Andreas, is now four.

Ed was previously dating South African model and influencer Tamara Francesconi for two years, before the couple parted ways in 2021.

Amy has starred in a string of Indian films, predominantly in Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu languages - after auditioning for one in London in a twist of fate.
Emma Watson looked the epitome of Italian-chic on Wednesday as she arrived back at her hotel with her dog during Milan Fashion Week.

The actress, 33, appeared to be in great spirits as she arrived at the Palazzo Parigi hotel dressed in a white blouse and crew-neck jumper around her shoulders.

Emma sported a sophisticated look in a black skirt that detailed gold buckles and wore a pair of white patent heels, which added a little height to her frame.

The Harry Potter star looked fresh-faced and beamed a smile for photographers after a busy day in Milan.

She accessorised her stylish ensemble with a white Prada handbag with gold clasps and walked in front of her leash-less dog.

Gorgeous: Emma Watson, 33, looked the epitome of Italian-chic on Wednesday as she arrived back at her hotel with her dog during Milan Fashion Week

Super chic: The actress appeared to be in great spirits as she arrived at the Palazzo Parigi hotel dressed in a white blouse and crew-neck jumper around her shoulders

The star, who was surrounded by bodyguards as she approached her hotel, had recently been targeted by Drew Barrymore's stalker.

During New York Fashion Week Chad Michael Busto attempted to bust into Emma's dressing room and was later arrested.

Authorities said Chad made his way into a dressing room at the venue, where a show was going on, and yelled at nearby makeup artists and models.

'I want to marry Emma Watson,' he yelled, according to court docs. 'Let me speak to Emma Watson. Let me take a photo with Emma Watson.'

It was not immediately clear if the actress was present or nearby in the incident, according to the outlet.

But the news came in last week that he was released from prison as a hapless prosecutor said the celebrity prowler's offense was not eligible to have bail set.

The move comes less than a month after Chad was freed by a Southhampton judge after he was arrested and charged with fourth-degree after stalking actress Drew.

The stalker turned up at the star's Hamptons home on August 23, two days after confronting her at a live event at the 92nd Street Y.

Glamorous: She sported a sophisticated look in a black skirt that detailed gold buckles and wore a glamorous pair of white patent heels, which added a little height to her frame

Beauty: The Harry Potter star looked fresh-faced and beamed a smile for photographers after a busy day in Milan

Stylish: She accessorised her stylish ensemble with a white Prada handbag with gold clasps and walked in front of her leash-less dog

It comes after Emma left fans bamboozled with her 'gravity-defying' dress last month.

She took to Instagram where she posted snaps of herself posing with her brother Alex, 31, for his new gin brand, Renais.

Emma looked sensational in a stunning strapless baby blue draped minidress boasting asymmetric wiring, from Loewe's spring 2023 collection.

The superstar's followers were immediately confused over the garment's structure, questioning how it stayed in place and asking if it was Harry Potter style wizardry.

One fan asked: 'What in the wingardium leviosa is that dress?' while another added: 'The dress looks like it's floating. I'm trying to understand.'

'The dress said wingardium leviosa,' commented someone else as another follower asked: 'How is that dress on your body? Hanging from your ears?'

Someone asserted: 'This dress is defying physics,' with another admitting: 'This image is bamboozling me,' while someone else noted: 'the dress is giving wingardium leviosa.'

Protected: The star, who was surrounded by bodyguards as she approached her hotel, had recently been targeted by Drew Barrymore's stalker

As well as plugging her new gin, Emma was also revealing what was in her handbag in a new video with Vogue - one of which was The Body Shop Lip & Cheek Stain.

Emma revealed she has been 'using the stain forever.'

She said: 'The thing I probably can't live without are these Body Shop stains and I think they might have actually stopped doing them, so I had to buy a bunch of them on eBay because I'm so obsessed with them.'

The video prompted The Body Shop to confirm that the cult product is not only in stock, but also has been reformulated and repackaged to be better than ever.

This iconic product from The Body Shop is now called the Sheer Touch Lip & Cheek Tint (14). It is now vegan and made with 85% natural origin ingredients, beautifully packaged in an all-new recyclable* bottle, made from recycled glass.
Taylor Swift revealed the names of all five bonus tracks off the upcoming re-recording of her fifth studio album 1989, which comes out on October 27.

On Wednesday, after fans managed to unscramble dozens and dozens of word clues on Google to unlock her Vault track titles, her official management team, Taylor Nation, teased that the 'search was worth the pain.'

In a video, uploaded to Taylor Nation's account, the 12-time Grammy winner could be heard sharing the names of her new songs: Is It Over Now?, Now That We Don't Talk, Say Don't Go and Suburban Legends.

Later in the day, she finally revealed that the fifth bonus song, which is part of her Target-exclusive record, is called Slut!

Exciting: Taylor Swift revealed the names of four bonus tracks off the upcoming re-recording of her fifth studio album 1989, which comes out on October 27

First look: On Wednesday, Swift shared four of the new back covers of her upcoming re-record

After it was revealed the track is spelled with the numbers 'T-S-!-U-L' earlier this week, many began to speculate the track was either named 'SLUT!' or 'LUST!'

Additionally, the Cruel Summer singer released the four back covers, which showed her enjoying a beautiful day outside.

In one image, she held her hands over her mouth as if she was shouting while in another she licked a vanilla ice cream cone while sporting a blue polo shirt.

The third featured Swift balancing on a log and the fourth showed her posing with her arms over her head like a ballerina.

'Here are the back covers and vault track titles for 1989 (my version) I cant wait for this one to be out, seriously. Thank you for playing along, sleuthing, puzzling and making these reveals so much chaotic fun (which is the best kind of fun, after all),' she captioned the slideshow.

Swift is currently the most searched person/term on Google after enlisting Swifties to play a came, which involved googling her name and finding a a blue vault at the bottom of their screen, which contained clues to solve a puzzle.

Last month, the pop star, 33, announced her next re-release album would be 1989.

A the time, Taylor gushed that it is her 'most FAVORITE re-record' that she's 'ever done because the 5 From The Vault tracks are so insane.'

'Here are the back covers and vault track titles for 1989 (my version) I can't wait for this one to be out, seriously. Thank you for playing along, sleuthing, puzzling and making these reveals so much chaotic fun (which is the best kind of fun, after all),' Swift wrote on Instagram

Beautiful: The Shake It Off singer looked blissful on the various covers as she rocked a red lipstick and striped shirt

'I can't believe they were ever left behind,' she admitted.

The 2014 album, which originally featured 13 songs on the standard version and 16 songs on the deluxe edition, includes her hit singles Shake It Off and Blank Space among others.

Taylor's news was met with huge excitement when she made the announcement inside SoFi stadium in Los Angeles at Eras Tour show as she teased:

'So here we are on the last night of the US leg of the Eras tour on the eighth month of the year, on the ninth day,' before telling the crowd she had been 'planning this for a long time.'

Afterward, Taylor gushed on Instagram: 'Surprise!! 1989 Taylor's Version is on its way to you. The 1989 album changed my life in countless ways, and it fills me with such excitement to announce that my version of it will be out October 27th.

The Taylor's Version of 1989 had been rumoured by fans for weeks, with the star dropping Easter Eggs for Swifties during her current world tour.

Ahead of her LA run of gigs, SoFi stadium posted four telling photos with clues pointing to the 1989 album.

Cracking codes: On Wednesday, after fans managed to unscramble dozens and dozens of word clues on Google to unlock her Vault track titles, her official management team, Taylor Nation, teased that the 'search was worth the pain'

New tracks: In a video, uploaded to Taylor Nation's account, the 12-time Grammy winner could be heard sharing the names of her new song: Is It Over Now?, Now That We Don't Talk, Say Don't Go and Suburban Legends

Taylor has been remaking her earlier albums after a dispute with her old label Big Machine Records.

She has so far released Fearless (Taylor's Version), Red (Taylor's Version) and Speak Now (Taylor's Version).

Back in 2019, Taylor took to her Tumblr to reveal 'bully' Scooter Braun acquired the label she was previously at Big Machine Records.

His company Ithaca Holdings LLC bought Big Machine Label Group for a reported $300 million.

Last month, Swift announced her next re-release album would be her hit 2014 record 1989

Re-record: Unveiling the album cover on her Instagram page after the show, Taylor gushed that it is 'my most FAVORITE re-record I've ever done because the 5 From The Vault tracks are so insane. I can't believe they were ever left behind'

Pop star: The 2014 album, which originally featured 13 songs on the standard version and 16 songs on the deluxe edition, includes her hit singles Shake It Off and Blank Space among others

The deal included the master recordings of all six of her albums - all of her previous music and her legacy.

On her Tumblr post, Taylor slammed Scooter as well as Big Machine Label Group CEO Scott Borchetta and revealed she was not offered the opportunity to buy her own masters and that the former bullied her for years.

Meanwhile it has been rumoured that the busy star is also currently shooting a documentary after fans spotted a professional film crew at her LA gigs.

Flashback: Swift seen performing at The 1989 World Tour show (pictured in 2015)

Per TMZ, film crews have been actively trailing the music artist and catching her best angles as she performs to sold out crowds, as well as capturing behind-the-scenes moments.

In August, she announced the release of a concert film of The Eras Tour in theatres in North America.

Taylor has packed her Eras shows with an eye-popping 45 tracks, as well as a selection of surprise songs, with fans eagerly waiting to see which tracks would make an unlikely appearance each night.

Swift previously released the Netflix documentary Miss Americana in 2020.
Toni Garrn and Olivia Palermo dressed to impress as they lead the glamorous stars at the Alberta Ferretti show during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday.

German model Toni looked nothing short of sensational as she tucked a glittering sheer gold blouse into a stylish silver dazzling mini skirt.

The beauty put on a leggy display as she elevated her frame in a pair of towering gold metallic pointed toe heels and toted her belongings around in a matching bag.

She seemed in high spirits as she posed for photos leaving her long blonde tresses in loose waves.

Meanwhile Olivia turned heads in a dramatic black shirt which she left the bottom unbuttoned on.

Stunning: Toni Garrn dressed to impress as she lead the glamorous stars at the Alberta Ferretti show during Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday

Commanding attention: Meanwhile Olivia Palermo turned heads in a dramatic black shirt which she left the bottom unbuttoned on

The socialite teamed the number with a satin matching maxi skirt and a huge pair of black chunky sunglasses.

She styled her short dark tresses neatly slicked back behind her ears as she beamed for photos at the event.

Also in attendance to see the show was Romee Strijd who looked effortlessly cool in a brown suede tie front top.

The Victoria Secret Angel opted for a pair of eye catching grey metallic trousers with the look and added inches to her frame in a pair of brown pointed toe boots.

The model accessorised with two chunky gold bangles and a matching choker as she posed in a pair of stylish sunglasses.

She styled her long blonde tresses in beach waves as she showcased her incredible figure while posing on the red carpet.

Anna Wintour cut a very stylish figure in a navy and white patterned shirt maxi dress which she cinched in at the waist with a white leather belt

The Editor-in-Chief of Vogue toted her belongings around in a white clutch and elevated her frame in a pair of pointed toe boots.

Glamorous: The German model Toni looked nothing short of sensational as she tucked a glittering sheer gold shirt into a stylish silver dazzling mini skirt

Incredible: The socialite teamed the number with a satin matching maxi skirt and a huge pair of black chunky sunglasses

Pals: The duo were all smiles as they sat next to each other at the star studded fashion show

Looking good: Also in attendance to see the show was Romee Strijd who looked effortlessly cool in a brown suede tie front top

Stylish: The Victoria Secret Angel opted for a pair of eye catching grey metallic trousers with the look and added inches to her frame in a pair of brown pointed toe boots

Cool: The model accessorised with two chunky gold bangles and a matching choker as she posed in a pair of stylish sunglasses

Amazing: Anna Wintour cut a very stylish figure in a navy and white patterned shirt maxi dress which she cinched in at the waist with a white leather belt

She hid behind her signature sunglasses and accessorised with a chunky gold necklace.

Ed Westwick and girlfriend Amy Jackson looked more loved-up than ever as they arrived at the show holding hands.

The Gossip Girl actor, 36 and the Bollywood star, 31, who have been together almost two years, dressed to impress for the event.

He looked very dapper in a black suit which he donned with a crisp open collar white shirt while she opted for a grey wool wide legged jumpsuit.

Amy turned up the heat by adding a pair of sheer long black gloves with the one-piece and a pair of black boots.

Italian showgirl Raffaella Fico sent temperatures soaring as she put on a busty display in a dazzling silver bra and a pair of low rise white trousers.

She showcased her amazing figure in the number as she added a coordinated blazer over the top.

Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis cut a stylish figure in a burgundy gown which she teamed with black pointed toe heels and a coordinated clutch.

Francesca Sofia Novello flashed a black mesh bra under a bold grey velvet blazer and flared trousers.

She completed her look with a pair of black boots and an eye catching huge black hat.

Sensational: The Editor-in-Chief of Vogue toted her belongings around in a white clutch and elevated her frame in a pair of pointed toe boots

Couple: Ed Westwick and girlfriend Amy Jackson looked more loved-up than ever as they arrived at the show holding hands

Date night: The Gossip Girl actor, 36 and the Bollywood star, 31, who have been together almost two years, dressed to impress for the event

Smart: He looked very dapper in a black suit which he donned with a crisp open collar white shirt and shiny shoes

Loved-up: The couple packed on the PDA as they posed for photos at the event

Turning heads: Italian showgirl Raffaella Fico sent temperatures soaring as she put on a busty display in a dazzling silver bra and a pair of low rise white trousers

Glamorous: Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis cut a stylish figure in a burgundy gown which she teamed with black pointed toe heels and a coordinated clutch

Wow: Francesca Sofia Novello flashed a black mesh bra under a bold grey velvet blazer and flared trousers
Hugh Grant and his wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein appeared in great spirits as they arrived at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday.

Up to 180 guests drawn from the worlds of sport, business and the arts will join the royal couple for the black tie soiree at the Palace of Versailles.

The actor, 63, cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt as he posed for snaps with his wife on the red carpet.

Anna looked exceptionally glamorous in a black velvet gown with a slit that showed off her strappy heels.

She accessorised with an eye-catching pearl necklace and carried a dazzling clutch bag.

Beaming: Hugh Grant and his wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein appeared in great spirits as they arrived at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday

Handsome: The actor, 63, cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo with a crisp white shirt as he posed for snaps with his wife on the red carpet

The VIP guest list for tonight's State Banquet at Versailles includes Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and French multi-billionaire Bernard Arnault  the richest man in the world.

Organisers have invited a range of celebrities to eat and drink with King Charles and Queen Camilla in the lavish Hall of Mirrors  a space designed to reflect the omnipotence of the Sun King, Louis XIV.

Franco-British actors on the 150-strong guest list include Charlotte Gainsbourg, 52, and Emma Mackey, 27, from the Netflix series, 'Sex Education'.

Glamourous guests can expect the best of French cuisine, with Michelin-starred chefs Yannick Alleno, Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Herme overseeing the menu - which had to receive the royal stamp of approval.

The dinner will serve as a welcome to the British monarch as his three-day state visit to France gets underway today.

The King and Queen were greeted with a red carpet welcome when they touched down in Paris this afternoon.

The highly-anticipated trip was postponed amid widespread rioting in April, which gripped the French capital and cities across France.

Charles was greeted with shouts of 'King' from Paris balconies as he and Queen Camilla received a rapturous welcome for the start of their three-day State Visit to France.

Stunning: Anna looked exceptionally glamorous in a black velvet gown with a slit that showed off her strappy heels

Glam: She accessorised with an eye-catching pearl necklace and carried a dazzling clutch bag

Incredible: Emma Mackey wowed in a figure-hugging black maxi dress, teamed with strappy heels

Event: Up to 180 guests drawn from the worlds of sport, business and the arts will join the royal couple for the black tie soiree at the Palace of Versailles

Looking good: Sir Mick Jagger and his partner Melanie Hamrick were also in attendance

The King beamed and waved at the adoring crowds as he walked through the streets of Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron before they exchanged gifts with one another and held talks at the Elysee Palace ahead of a lavish state dinner later this evening.

Charles and Camilla arrived shortly before 2pm on a private chartered flight from Farnborough, travelling on what is dubbed the 'baby Voyager' airbus plane to Paris Orly airport, where they were officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, on behalf of President Macron and the French government.

They were also received by foreign secretary James Cleverly, the UK's ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Treheux-Duchene.

Camilla was a pop of colour in an elegant dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare, and a pink beret-shaped hat by milliner Philip Treacy, which she held on to tightly due to blustery conditions as they walked along a red carpet, brushed to perfection earlier.

The royals were then whisked off in the State Bentley to the Arc de Triomphe where they were greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the iconic monument.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have landed in France for their three-day state visit. This afternoon they were welcomed by President Macron at an official ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, where the two leaders went on to lay a wreath

President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte and Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris

The President gave a small bow to the King and Queen, while Bridgette Macron - more business-like than Camilla in a navy jacket and short blue skirt with heels - gave Camilla a friendly kiss on each cheek. President Macron was then seen chuckling with the Queen as she repeatedly tried to keep her hat in place.

The King will have a meeting with the President before attending the black tie event at the Palace of Versailles, where he and Queen Camilla will be joined by Sir Mick Jagger.

A military band played the national anthems of Britain and France before His Majesty was escorted by the President to inspect the soldiers, consisting of the Regimental Band of the Garde Republicaine, the French Colour Part and the Tri-Service Guard of Honour. Meanwhile, the Queen chatted enthusiastically with Madame Macron.

After the Guard Inspection, The King and President Macron made their way to the Plateau, the centre piece of the Arc de Triomphe, where they stopped at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Emma Mackey was among the VIP guests attending King Charles III and Queen Camilla's state banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday.

The French-native, 27, was lucky enough to join the legendary Mick Jagger and Hugh Grant in France for the black tie soiree.

The Sex Education star looked exceptionally elegant in a black midi dress as she walked the red carpet holding the bottom of her dress.

Emma stunned in the halter-neck ensemble and wore a towering pair of black high-heels.

She opted for a mini black clutch bag and oozed sophistication with a very minimal palette of make-up and hair-do.

Wow! Emma Mackey was among the VIP guests attending King Charles III and Queen Camilla's state banquet at the Palace of Versailles on Wednesday

Incredible: The French-native, 27, was lucky enough to join the legendary Mick Jagger and Hugh Grant in France for the black tie soiree

The VIP guest list for tonight's State Banquet at Versailles includes Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and French multi-billionaire Bernard Arnault  the richest man in the world.

Organisers have invited a range of celebrities to eat and drink with King Charles and Queen Camilla in the lavish Hall of Mirrors  a space designed to reflect the omnipotence of the Sun King, Louis XIV.

Glamourous guests can expect the best of French cuisine, with Michelin-starred chefs Yannick Alleno, Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Herme overseeing the menu - which had to receive the royal stamp of approval.

The dinner will serve as a welcome to the British monarch as his three-day state visit to France gets underway today.

The King and Queen were greeted with a red carpet welcome when they touched down in Paris this afternoon.

Charles was greeted with shouts of 'King' from Paris balconies as he and Queen Camilla received a rapturous welcome for the start of their three-day State Visit to France.

The King beamed and waved at the adoring crowds as he walked through the streets of Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron before they exchanged gifts with one another and held talks at the Elysee Palace ahead of a lavish state dinner later this evening.

Charles and Camilla arrived shortly before 2pm on a private chartered flight from Farnborough, travelling on what is dubbed the 'baby Voyager' airbus plane to Paris Orly airport, where they were officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, on behalf of President Macron and the French government.

Stunning: The Sex Education star looked exceptionally elegant in a black midi dress as she walked the red carpet holding the bottom of her dress

VIP: She opted for a mini black clutch bag and oozed sophistication with a very minimal palette of make-up and hair-do

They were also received by foreign secretary James Cleverly, the UK's ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Treheux-Duchene.

Camilla was a pop of colour in an elegant dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare, and a pink beret-shaped hat by milliner Philip Treacy, which she held on to tightly due to blustery conditions as they walked along a red carpet, brushed to perfection earlier.

The royals were then whisked off in the State Bentley to the Arc de Triomphe where they were greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the iconic monument.

The President gave a small bow to the King and Queen, while Bridgette Macron - more business-like than Camilla in a navy jacket and short blue skirt with heels - gave Camilla a friendly kiss on each cheek. President Macron was then seen chuckling with the Queen as she repeatedly tried to keep her hat in place.

The King will have a meeting with the President before attending the black tie event at the Palace of Versailles, where he and Queen Camilla will be joined by Sir Mick Jagger.

A military band played the national anthems of Britain and France before His Majesty was escorted by the President to inspect the soldiers, consisting of the Regimental Band of the Garde Republicaine, the French Colour Part and the Tri-Service Guard of Honour. Meanwhile, the Queen chatted enthusiastically with Madame Macron.

After the Guard Inspection, The King and President Macron made their way to the Plateau, the centre piece of the Arc de Triomphe, where they stopped at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Sir Mick Jagger was seen battling strong winds as he arrived at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday.

Up to 180 guests drawn from the worlds of sport, business and the arts will join the royal couple for the black tie soiree at the Palace of Versailles.

Jagger, 80, was pictured posing for snaps on the red carpet alongside girlfriend Melanie Hamrick, 36, at the lavish event.

The Rolling Stone star cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo and a white crisp shirt, teamed with a grey scarf which he held up to his face.

Meanwhile, Melanie looked the epitome of chic in a figure-hugging black gown with a dazzling silver cape.

Couple: Sir Mick Jagger was joined by girlfriend Melanie Hamrick at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, ahead of the State Dinner held in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Wednesday

Bad weather: The Rolling Stone star, 80, was seen battling strong winds as he arrived on the red carpet

She swept her brunette locks back into a neat bun, while sporting a glamorous makeup look.

The VIP guest list for tonight's State Banquet at Versailles includes Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and French multi-billionaire Bernard Arnault  the richest man in the world.

Organisers have invited a range of celebrities to eat and drink with King Charles and Queen Camilla in the lavish Hall of Mirrors  a space designed to reflect the omnipotence of the Sun King, Louis XIV.

Franco-British actors on the 150-strong guest list include Charlotte Gainsbourg, 52, and Emma Mackey, 27, from the Netflix series, 'Sex Education'.

Glamourous guests can expect the best of French cuisine, with Michelin-starred chefs Yannick Alleno, Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Herme overseeing the menu - which had to receive the royal stamp of approval.

The dinner will serve as a welcome to the British monarch as his three-day state visit to France gets underway today.

The King and Queen were greeted with a red carpet welcome when they touched down in Paris this afternoon.

The highly-anticipated trip was postponed amid widespread rioting in April, which gripped the French capital and cities across France.

Charles was greeted with shouts of 'King' from Paris balconies as he and Queen Camilla received a rapturous welcome for the start of their three-day State Visit to France.

Loved-up: Jagger, 79, was pictured posing for snaps on the red carpet alongside girlfriend Melanie Hamrick , 36, at the lavish event

Dapper: The Rolling Stone star cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo and a white crisp shirt, teamed with a grey scarf which he held up to his face

Organisers have invited a range of celebrities to eat and drink with King Charles and Queen Camilla in the lavish Hall of Mirrors  a space designed to reflect the omnipotence of the Sun King, Louis XIV

Gorgeous: Melanie looked the epitome of chic in a figure-hugging black gown with a dazzling silver cape

Lavish: Up to 180 guests drawn from the worlds of sport, business and the arts will join the royal couple for the black tie soiree at the Palace of Versailles

Looking good: Hugh Grant and wife Anna Elisabet Eberstein were also in attendance

The King beamed and waved at the adoring crowds as he walked through the streets of Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron before they exchanged gifts with one another and held talks at the Elysee Palace ahead of a lavish state dinner later this evening.

Charles and Camilla arrived shortly before 2pm on a private chartered flight from Farnborough, travelling on what is dubbed the 'baby Voyager' airbus plane to Paris Orly airport, where they were officially welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne, on behalf of President Macron and the French government.

They were also received by foreign secretary James Cleverly, the UK's ambassador to France Dame Menna Rawlings and the French Ambassador to the UK, Helene Treheux-Duchene.

Camilla was a pop of colour in an elegant dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare, and a pink beret-shaped hat by milliner Philip Treacy, which she held on to tightly due to blustery conditions as they walked along a red carpet, brushed to perfection earlier.

The royals were then whisked off in the State Bentley to the Arc de Triomphe where they were greeted by the President Macron, 45, and his wife Brigitte, 70, for a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at the iconic monument.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have landed in France for their three-day state visit. This afternoon they were welcomed by President Macron at an official ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, where the two leaders went on to lay a wreath

President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte and Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for a bilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris

The President gave a small bow to the King and Queen, while Bridgette Macron - more business-like than Camilla in a navy jacket and short blue skirt with heels - gave Camilla a friendly kiss on each cheek. President Macron was then seen chuckling with the Queen as she repeatedly tried to keep her hat in place.

The King will have a meeting with the President before attending the black tie event at the Palace of Versailles, where he and Queen Camilla will be joined by Sir Mick Jagger.

A military band played the national anthems of Britain and France before His Majesty was escorted by the President to inspect the soldiers, consisting of the Regimental Band of the Garde Republicaine, the French Colour Part and the Tri-Service Guard of Honour. Meanwhile, the Queen chatted enthusiastically with Madame Macron.

After the Guard Inspection, The King and President Macron made their way to the Plateau, the centre piece of the Arc de Triomphe, where they stopped at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Emily Ratajkowski cut a casual figure while stepping out in New York City on Wednesday morning.

The 32-year-old model was first spotted while taking her dog Colombo out for a coffee run.

She eventually dropped off her pooch at home before taking a walk with her friend, Babs Jeanne.

The fashion industry figure - who recently suffered a wardrobe malfunction during the VMAs - wore a light blue Reebok t-shirt underneath a slightly oversized leather jacket.

Ratajkowski also tucked the bottoms of her dark gray jeans into a pair of worn-out New Balance sneakers.

The model accessorized with a pair of chic sunglasses, and her beautiful brunette hair fell onto her shoulders and chest.

Taking it easy: Emily Ratajkowski cut a very casual figure while stepping out in New York City on Wednesday morning

Morning routine: The 32-year-old model was first spotted while taking her dog Colombo out for a coffee run

Good company: She eventually dropped off her pooch at home before taking a walk with her friend, Babs Jeanne

Babs has now become a social media star in her own right, gaining more than 40,000 followers for often sharing an inside look into what it's really like to be a member of Emily's inner circle.

The entrepreneur's walks took place just one day after her podcast, High Low With Emrata, was canceled by Sony Group executives after less than a year of production.

It was announced that Ratajkowski would be working on a podcast in October of last year following the publication of her collection of essays, My Body.

The model spoke to Variety and told the media outlet that she viewed the project as a 'natural progression' in her career.

She added that she was 'very excited about producing the show and doing it in my own way.'

The fashion industry figure also spoke about her plans for the podcast and what she wanted to achieve with her project.

'I don't want the show to at all feel pretentious, but I want to be talking about things that I find interesting and important,' she said.

Ratajkowski produced three episodes a week and hosted various guests on her program throughout its run.

According to the show's official description, the supermodel gave her honest views on numerous topics, including 'politics, philosophy, and feminism to sex, TikTok, and relationships.'

Comfortable clothing: The fashion industry figure wore a light blue Reebok t-shirt underneath a slightly oversized leather jacket

Completing the look: Ratajkowski also tucked the bottoms of her dark gray jeans into a pair of worn-out New Balance sneakers

Gorgeous: The model's beautiful brunette hair fell onto her shoulders and chest as she stepped out

Standing out: The model opted for a much more vibrant clothing ensemble while stepping out on Monday, during which she wore a bright orange crewneck sweater that was paired with bright blue sweat pants

On the outs: The entrepreneur's walks took place just one day after her podcast, High Low With Emrata, was canceled by Sony Group executives after less than a year of production

However, sources close to the show revealed to Bloomberg that High Low With EmRata had officially been canceled on Tuesday.

According to the insiders, the decision was made the same week that much of Sony Group's podcast division was laid off.

The show, which was popular with international listeners, also struggled with advertising-related issues, as many brands primarily wanted to cater to United States-based customers.

The sources also stated that Ratajkowski was looking to shop her program around to other production companies.
Michael Caine and Jerry Hall were seen posing for snaps as they attended The Great Escaper premiere at BFI Southbank in London on Wednesday.

The actor, 90, looked dapper in a navy suit and pale blue shirt as he sat down and posed for a slew of snaps at the event.

He has been reliant on support from a walking stick after undergoing surgery on his back last year.

Meanwhile Jerry, 67, looked effortlessly chic in a black satin top, teamed with stylish trousers and a blazer.

Michael's wife Shakira donned a similar blazer and trousers, teamed with stilettos and a shiny handbag.

New film: Michael Caine was seen posing for snaps as they attended The Great Escaper premiere at BFI Southbank in London on Wednesday

Elegant: Jerry Hall looked effortlessly chic in a black satin top, teamed with stylish trousers and a blazer

The Academy Award-winning actor has been using a walking stick in public since 2018 after a nasty fall on ice left him with a broken ankle.

Earlier this year, he explained: 'I have a spine problem which affects my leg, so I can't walk very well.'

It comes after his wife Shakira confirmed last year that Michael had undergone a major operation at a London hospital.

'He had a back operation quite recently,' she told the Daily Mail at the private view of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, at Bonhams auction house. 'He had spinal stenosis.'

She described her husband as a 'strong man' as she confirmed that he was doing 'great' and was 'recovering' following the operation.

The Guyanese former model added: 'The operation was fantastic. He'll be up and dancing again soon.'

Spinal stenosis is a condition that narrows the spinal canal and can cause back and leg pain. Surgery is usually recommended only when non-surgical treatments have not been effective.

It comes after Michael paid tribute to actress Glenda Jackson after her death at the age of 87, calling her 'one of the greatest movie actresses'.

Ms Jackson died at her home in Blackheath, south-east London, after a 'brief illness', her agent said.

The stars will feature alongside each other in the upcoming movie The Great Escaper, which tells a story - inspired by true events - of a Second World War veteran who escaped his care home in Hove, East Sussex, to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in France.

Sir Michael, 90, will star as Bernard Jordan, who made headlines around the world in 2014, while Ms Jackson will star as his wife Irene.

Ms Jackson, who gave up her acting career in 1992 to serve in Parliament for more than 20 years, was working with Sir Michael on the film which proved to be her last just weeks before her death.

Looking good: Michael's wife Shakira donned a similar blazer and trousers, teamed with stilettos and a shiny handbag

Dashing: The actor, 90, looked dapper in a navy suit and pale blue shirt as he sat down and posed for a slew of snaps at the event

Beaming: He donned a pair of glasses while smiling for the pictures

Support: He has been reliant on support from a walking stick after undergoing surgery on his back last year

Sweet: Oliver Parker was seen supporting his pal Michael at the premiere

Last film together: The pair are pictured above in a promotional shot for The Great Escaper

The pair were pictured engaging with locals as they strolled along the Sussex seafront while making the film.

Speaking for the first time since her passing was announced, Sir Michael, 90, said: 'Glenda was one of our greatest movie actresses. It was a privilege to work with her on The Great Escaper recently, our second film together.

'It was as wonderful an experience this time as it was 50 years ago. I shall miss her.'

It comes after Michael achieved a career first by writing his first thriller at the age of 90.

The actor has written his first novel called Deadly Game about a Metropolitan Police detective who discovers a high-level criminal enterprise.

The book, published by Hodder & Stoughton in November, introduced DCI Harry Taylor who leads a small team of Met officers.

Michael is said to have always wanted to write a novel but only got around to it during the Covid lockdowns.

The actor came up with the idea for the book when he read a news story about two rubbish collectors who discovered uranium at a dump in east London.

According to the synopsis, seen by The Times , DCI Taylor is 'called in when just such a package is found, mysteriously abandoned in Stepney and stolen before the police can reclaim it.

'As security agencies around the world go to red alert, it is former SAS man Harry and his small team from the Met who must race against time to find who has the nuclear material and what they plan to do with it.'

Michael said: 'It's been my ambition for years to write a thriller. It's the genre I most love to read, and I've really got a buzz out of working on Deadly Game and teaming up with Hodder once again to publish it. I hope readers enjoy getting to know Harry Taylor as much as I did.'

Although Deadly Game is Michael's first novel, he's no stranger to writing and has previously published three memoirs.

The film star first revealed he was working on the novel back in 2021, telling The Guardian: 'I only read thrillers. I'm an adventure man, I'm not a literature person, so I'm not trying to replace Shakespeare here.

'But it's based on something I once read about two dustmen, two rubbish collectors in the East End . . . and they find uranium in the rubbish.'

Nick Sayers, the publisher, said: 'When I met Sir Michael last year, I discovered that he is not only a lifelong reader of thrillers, but also an author bursting with ideas for fiction of his own. Deadly Game is a cracking thriller with a real voice and a super twist.'

In October 2021, Michael announced that he would likely retire from acting as he described his movie Best Sellers co-starring Aubrey Plaza as 'my last part, really'.

Plot: The Great Escaper is an upcoming BritishFrench drama film starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson, based on the true-life story of a British World War II veteran who 'broke out' of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France

New: The film is directed by Oliver Parker, and written by William Ivory. It is scheduled for release on 6 October 2023

He noted that he has limited mobility and added: 'There's not exactly scripts pouring in for a leading man that's 88, you know?'

But it seems that the actor is yet to star in other projects, as he is set to take part in Czech action historical drama film Medieval, while it is believed he will reprise his role as Arthur Tressler in Now You See Me 3.

Sir Michael, who began acting in 1953 when he took a job at a repertory company in West Sussex, said: 'I haven't worked for two years and I have a spine problem which affects my legs so I can't walk very well'.

Further he pointed to the memoirs he has been publishing over the past several years - The Elephant In Hollywood in 2010 and Blowing The Bloody Doors Off in 2018.

'And I also wrote a book, a couple of books which were published and were successful so I'm now not an actor - I'm a writer,' he said.

The Great Escaper opens in cinemas on October 6.
Naomi Campbell has opened up about her battle with drug and alcohol addiction in her early modelling days for the candid new documentary, The Super Models.

The fashion icon, 53, claimed she started to abuse substances as a way to deal with the grief of her childhood abandonment issues - as well as the shocking death of her close friend and beloved designer Gianni Versace.

In the Apple TV+ docuseries, the runway legends opens up about her game-changing career path alongside fellow super models Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington.

However, the four-episode project took time to reflect on the tougher moments which took place during the height of their fame - with Naomi admitting that she was slowly 'killing' herself early in her career due to the amount of drugs she took in the early 90s.

Naomi Campbell opened up about what led to her her battle with drug and alcohol addiction in her early modelling days

The fashion icon explained that the shocking death of her close friend and beloved designer Gianni Versace was a huge trigger; pictured together in 1995

'Grief has been a very strange thing in my life because it doesnt always [show],' the mother-of-two explained. 'I go into a shock and freak out when it actually happens, and then later is when I break. But I kept the sadness inside, I just dealt with it.'

The fashion world was rocked when famed designer Giovanni Maria 'Gianni' Versace was shot dead outside his Miami Beach home in 1997.

Naomi had developed a close bond with the Italian fashion icon and was one of many who had been left heartbroken by the loss of his life.

Speaking about the special place he held in her heart, Naomi explained: '[Late designer] Azzedine Alaia was my papa. With him, I learnt about chosen families. The same for Gianni Versace.

'He was very sensitive to feeling me, like, he pushed me. How would push me to step outside and go further when I didnt think I had it within myself to do it. So, when he died, my grief became very bad.'

She continued: 'When I started using, that was one of the things I tried to cover up, was grief. Addiction is such a its just a bulls**t thing, it really is.

'You think, Oh its gonna heal that wound". It doesnt. It can cause such huge fear and anxiety. So I got really angry.'

The British-born model famously collapsed at a 1999 photo shoot after five years of cocaine addiction. The scary moment prompted her to check into rehab that year.

Naomi admitted that she had been 'killing' herself due to the amount of drugs she took in the early 90s

In the confessional, Naomi made it clear that she was aware of how her substance abuse led her down a life-threatening path as she added: 'When you try to cover something up, your feelings You spoke about abandonment. I tried to cover that with something. You cant cover it. I was killing myself. It was very hurtful.'

She also made light references to her previous assault convictions, the first in February 2000, which saw her plead guilty in Toronto to assaulting her personal assistant with a mobile phone in September 1998. Several other employees and associates came forward with claims of abuse by 2006.

'For my mistakes, Ive always owned up to them. I chose to go to rehab, Naomi stated. 'It was one of the best and only things I could have done for myself at that time. It is scary to pick up the mirror and look into the mirror. It is scary, and its taken me many years to work on and deal with.'

The model claimed a large trigger for her substance abuse was her unresolved abandonment issues from growing up without a father figure.

Naomi was born to Jamaican-born dancer Valerie Morris and has never met her father, who abandoned her mother when she was pregnant.

The documentary highlighted Naomi's previous comments about the issue from her 2000 interview with Barbara Walters in which she stated: 'Theres a lot of issues that I have from childhood. Well, for instance, not knowing your father, not seeing your mother. That brings up a lot of  it manifests a lot of feelings.

'One of those feelings absolutely is anger. But I think thats a really normal thing. Ive not always displayed my anger in the appropriate time. Its always been an unappropriate time. But its a manifestation of a deeper issue, anger.'

The model claimed another trigger for her substance abuse was her unresolved abandonment issues from growing up without a father figure

Naomi was born to Jamaican-born dancer Valerie Morris and has never met her father, who abandoned her mother when she was pregnant

She continued: 'And that, for me, I think is based on insecurity, self-esteem and loneliness, and being abandonment. Thats where my core issues were abandonment and rejection.

'That puts me in a real vulnerable space, and everyone thinks, Oh, Naomis a really tough girl and really strong. But thats what I want to appear to people to be like, because if I fear that I dont, theyre gonna just walk all over me if they really knew.'

Reflecting on her journey in the documentary, Naomi admitted: 'It does still come up sometimes. But I just now have the tools how to deal with it now when it comes up.

'I have to think of something outside of myself. Something greater than myself.'

The model also revealed her battle has helped her to guide others as they faced similar struggles as she continued: 'If I have people in my life that I love and I see that they need help, of course Im going to offer my help. Im there, Im very loyal to the people that I love.'

Designer Marc Jacobs then spoke about how Naomi reached out to help during his own time of crisis, while troubled designer John Galiano explained that the supermodel brought joy when I was in a place that was so dark.

He gushed: 'Naomi did arrange for me to go to rehab in Arizona. I mean, shes super in every way. So its good that I tell this story because apart from work, shes human too.'

The Apple TV+ documentary charts the rise of the women who earned millions, dated movie stars and cemented their status of supermodels after that iconic music video for George Michael's track, Freedom, in 1990.

The Apple TV+ docuseries sees the runway icon open up about her game-changing career alongside fellow super models Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington

It's the first time all four of the surviving icons - Tatjana Patitz died earlier this year of breast cancer - have come together to discuss the phenomenon in depth.

While the series basks in the exceptional beauty of the women it doesn't shy away from the uglier issues they faced, such as domestic abuse and racial inequality.

Typically reserved Linda Evangelista is seen in tears and she opens up about being left disfigured by a failed cosmetic procedure.

Meanwhile the Canadian beauty also shares claims that ex-husband Gerald Marie abused her during their five-year marriage.

Cindy Crawford recalls an uncomfortable interview with Oprah Winfrey in 1986 that left her feeling like 'chattel'.

Elsewhere, Naomi reveals she is perimenopausal after being captured suffering a 'hot flush' during a photoshoot in the docu-series.

The Supermodels is available to stream now on Apple TV+.
Uma Thurman and her daughter Maya Hawke were featured in a new trailer for the upcoming comedy-thriller The Kill Room.

In the clip released on Wednesday, the 53-year-old actress portrays an art gallery owner who is forced to deal with heavy repercussions after she becomes involved in a money-laundering scheme that turns an assassin into a renowned artist.

The new movie also marks the first time the Kill Bill star, who recently stunned at the opening night of a Broadway play, will appear alongside her eldest child in a feature film.

The trailer begins with Patrice, played by Thurman, dealing with the pressures of running an art gallery by snorting a crushed-up pill, and her intern Leslie, portrayed by Amy Keum, quips that 'usually the drugs come out at the afterparty.'

Hawke's character Grace then asks Patrice if her gallery's latest show was profitable, and the latter sidesteps the question by stating that her business is 'going through some changes.'

Dynamic duo: Uma Thurman and her daughter Maya Hawke were featured in a new trailer for the upcoming comedy-thriller The Kill Room, which was released on Wednesday

Storyline: In the video, the 53-year-old actress portrays an art gallery owner who is forced to deal with heavy repercussions after she becomes involved in a money-laundering scheme that turns an assassin into a renowned artist

Crime boss Gordon, played by Samuel L. Jackson, then tells hitman Reggie that their crew will be laundering their money through the sale of artwork, commenting that a piece that 'looks like a Smurf wiped his a** with it can still sell for a million bucks.'

After Gordon brings Patrice into the scheme, he enlists Reggie, played by Joe Manganiello, to produce the art to be sold, and when the gallery owner asks for the artist's name, he dubs the assassin as 'The Bagman.'

Although the former hitman's work quickly gains a following in the New York City art world, Thurman's character is then faced with rising pressure to have him produce more work at a faster pace.

When Gordon protests by insisting that Reggie's work is meant to be 'low profile,' Patrice tells the crime boss: 'He's a talented artist, and when you make big sales, you have the power to control the narrative.'

After Manganiello's character states that he prefers anonymity to fame, he kills an individual by choking him out with a plastic bag, and the gallery owner reacts emotionally to becoming involved in a murder case.

Patrice subsequently tells Reggie that she doesn't view him as a 'psycho,' but after another crime boss informs her that she is officially 'part of this family,' she vomits into one of the hitman's works during an opening.

The assassin then becomes involved in several new murders and ominously states that he is constantly faced with the possibility of having someone put in a call to make him 'go away forever.'

The trailer ends when Patrice proudly presents one of Reggie's works at an opening after stating: 'Whatever happens, whatever anybody says, I'm just making art.'

Rough time: The trailer begins with Patrice, played by Thurman, dealing with the pressures of running an art gallery by snorting a crushed-up pill, and her intern Leslie, portrayed by Amy Keum, quips that 'usually the drugs come out at the afterparty'

Opportunity strikes: Crime boss Gordon, played by Samuel L. Jackson, then tells hitman Reggie that their crew will be laundering their money through the sale of artwork, commenting that a piece that 'looks like a Smurf wiped his a** with it can still sell for a million bucks'

New direction: After Gordon brings Patrice into the scheme, he enlists Reggie, played by Joe Manganiello, to produce the art to be sold, and when the gallery owner asks for the artist's name, he dubs the assassin as 'The Bagman'

Unseen consequences: Although the former hitman's work quickly gains a following in the New York City art world, Thurman's character is then faced with rising pressure to have him produce more work at a faster pace

Dangerous: After Manganiello's character states that he prefers anonymity to fame, he kills an individual by choking him out with a plastic bag, and the gallery owner reacts emotionally to becoming involved in a murder case

In too deep: Patrice subsequently tells Reggie that she doesn't view him as a 'psycho,' but after another crime boss informs her that she is officially 'part of this family,' she vomits into one of the hitman's works during an opening

Playing a dangerous game: The assassin then becomes involved in several new murders and ominously states that he is constantly faced with the possibility of having someone put in a call to make him 'go away forever'

Justification: The trailer ends when Patrice proudly presents one of Reggie's works at an opening after stating that 'whatever happens, whatever anybody says, I'm just making art'

It was revealed that Thurman and Jackson had signed on to appear in the movie last April.

Several of the feature's other cast members, including Hawke, Debi Mazar and Dree Hemingway, were added over the following months.

Filming for the feature took place throughout New York and New Jersey, and filming was completed in October of last year.

The Kill Room is currently scheduled to be released in the United States on September 28.
Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has been rumoured to be replacing Jock Zonfrillo on the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia.

And the 48-year-old has now hinted he'll be joining the cooking show by confirming he'll be travelling to Australia for an event - the same month filming is due to begin.

The British restaurateur recently revealed he will be talking all things food and health alongside MasterChef judge Melissa Leong on Saturday, November 11, at the Sydney Opera House.

'Australia, I'm coming for you! Join me at the Sydney Opera House in conversation with the amazing Melissa Leong on Saturday 11th November!' he wrote on Instagram.

'I'll be telling my story from the early Naked Chef days to how I continue to help all of you cook fresh and delicious food from scratch!'

Telling sign Jamie Oliver will replace Jock Zonfrillo on the new season of MasterChef Australia as he announces Aussie visit

Melissa also commented on the post: 'It's going to be a cracker! Looking forward to seeing you soon.'

It comes amid rumours Jamie will be joining MasterChef Australia following Jock's sudden shock death at age 46 in April.

Channel 10 insiders have confirmed to Women's Day that Jamie will be ready to film the new season of the hit cooking show in November.

According to the report, the British foodie has not yet agreed to replace Zonfrillo permanently.

The 48-year-old has hinted he'll be joining the cooking show by confirming he'll be travelling to Australia for an event - the same month filming is due to begin

'Jamie has inked a deal worth around $2million,' the source told Women's Day in the latest issue.

They said the contract with the best-selling cook book author includes a trip home to the U.K. for Christmas as well as an accommodation allowance for his family when they visit in January.

A Channel Ten spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Information about the upcoming season of MasterChef Australia will be shared in the coming months.'

Jamie first appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef during season four in 2012.
Daughter of late TV icon was pictured at RV park and motel with her family earlier this summer

She has had a well-documented rift with her mother in the years since father Aaron Spelling's 2006 passing

Tori Spelling took to Instagram Wednesday to wish her mother Candy Spelling a happy 78th birthday, amid years of tension between the two over the family finances and communication issues.

Spelling, 50, posted a photo carousel of them together through the years, stretching from her childhood to Candy holding her grandkids.

The Beverly Hills, 90210 star captioned the image: 'Happy Birthday Mommy aka @candyspelling  I love you.'

Tori said she was 'grateful' to be Candy's daughter, adding, 'Some of my happiest memories involve laughing so hard with you that we were happy crying uncontrollably and you doing your LOL wheeze @randyspelling you know the one!'

She continued: 'Usually also involving tickle fests and food ( maybe ice cream) fights.'

The latest: Tori Spelling, 50, took to Instagram Wednesday to wish her mother Candy Spelling a happy 78th birthday, amid years of tension between the two over the family finances

Tori - who has been seen staying in inexpensive hotels and RV parks in recent months - said she never takes for granted 'the beautiful life' Candy and her late father Aaron Spelling raised she and her brother Randy in.

She wrapped up her post in saying,' I am such a resilient and strong human and I owe so much of that to you. Strong women run in our family.

'Im passing it on. Loved and still love watching horror films in bed with you. Always. Xo.'

Spelling, 50, is mother to five children with estranged husband Dean McDermott, 56 - Liam, 16, Stella, 15, Hattie, 11, Finn, 11, and Beau, six. McDermott is also father to son, Jack, 24, whom he shares with ex, Mary Jo Eustace, 61.

Tori grew up immersed in Hollywood luxury, as her late father Aaron Spelling produced hit shows such as Dynasty, Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat, as well as Melrose Place, Charmed and Beverly Hills, 90210.

She has had a complicated relationship with Candy over the years: Aaron Spelling passed away in June of 2006, which was less than a year after Tori made headlines in 2005 for her extramarital affair with McDermott while both were married; her to Charlie Shahnaian, and McDermott to Eustace.

She and McDermott eloped in Fiji in May of 2006, just a month before Aaron died.

Aaron left behind a $500 million empire, with Tori's inheritance coming in at $800,000.

Candy beamed with pride as she tended to a toddler Tori in a shot the actress posted

Among the images Tori shared included a mother-daughter shot in which they matched in green velvet dresses while wearing jewelry and posing with a pet poodle

Tori shared a retro of herself and her mother donning while dresses when she was a child

Tori grew up immersed in Hollywood luxury at a time her late dad Aaron Spelling produced hit shows such as Dynasty, Charlie's Angels and The Love Boat

Candy was seen posing with two of her grandkids in a pic Tori shared to the social media site

Tori has had a complicated relationship with Candy over the years

Candy spoke about the deep family rift in a 2009 interview with 94.7 WMAS-FM, making clear she was upset with Tori's actions in the timeframe before Aaron passed away

The mother and daughter have slowly gotten onto better terms, as Tori said in October on Jeff Lewis Live that she and her mother 'text every single day'

In her 2008 book sTORI Telling, Tori said that her family was disappointed in her eloping with McDermott.

Candy spoke about the deep family rift in a 2009 interview with 94.7 WMAS-FM, making clear she was upset with Tori's actions in the timeframe before Aaron passed away.

'My daughter one day decided that she wasn't speaking to my husband, myself and my son, and that's how it's continued for the last, oh gosh, four or five years,' Candy said. 'And it was sad. That's what killed my husband, actually. He just didn't want to live after that.'

Candy released an open letter in 2009 in which she said that she and Tori hadn't spoken in years, and that she had not yet been introduced to her grandchild Stella, who was a year old at the time.

'You haven't responded to my e-mails, phone calls and text messages,' Candy said. 'You say you look at my website, so I'm trying to reach you that way. I want to see you and your family  in private, like the "normal family" you say [you] always wanted.'

Tori at the time said in an interview with People that while she and Candy 'simply never meshed,' they were not in a feud and Tori was fine to let Candy see her grandkids.

'I, in no way, cut her off,' Tori said. 'She is welcome to make the effort if she wants to be present in their lives. She knows how to reach me, she knows where we live. If she would love to see her grandchildren, she should really make an effort to reach out and see them.'

The mother and daughter have slowly gotten onto better terms, as Tori said in October on Jeff Lewis Live that she and her mother 'text every single day.'

On August 20, she posted an image of her hospital wristband on social media

Spelling was pictured at an event in June at Universal Studios Hollywood in LA

Tori appeared to be recovering after she spent multiple days in a hospital with an unknown illness last month, as she entered a medical facility on August 17.

On August 20, she posted an image of her hospital wristband on social media, while praising her children.

'Grateful and so proud of my strong, brave, resilient and kind to the core children who remain positive no matter what comes our way,' she said.

Spelling, who has separated from McDermott, was seen earlier this month staying in an RV park in Ventura County, California with her five kids. Prior to that, the family was seen staying at a Ventura County $100-a-night motel.

Before her hospital stint, Spelling was seen working on a project in Los Angeles.

A source told DailyMail.com earlier this month that Spelling was 'having some money issues,' and looking toward returning to the reality TV genre as a result.

'Tori is caught between a rock and a hard place right now as she is trying to figure out what her next job is going to be,' the source said. 'With the strike in full effect, she is looking into doing some more in the reality competition show world.'

Spelling in May left a rental home she and her children had been staying in amid what she said was a continuing issue with mold that impacted the family's health.
Angelica Ross has claimed Emma Roberts called her to apologize for making an alleged transphobic comment to her on the set of American Horror Story: 1984 in 2019.

Ross, 42, a trans actress who played Donna Chambers in the show alongside 32-year-old Roberts as Brooke Thompson, had accused Julia Roberts' niece of making an offensive comment to her during an appearance on Instagram Live on Tuesday.

Ross, who earlier this week claimed AHS creator Ryan Murphy ghosted her after accepting her pitch for an all-Black female season of the show, said of the alleged incident: 'Im standing in front of Emma, talking to her like this, and shes in front of me, her back against the mirror. She goes, "John, Angelicas being mean.'

Pose star Ross did not specify which John she was referring to - however two episodes of AHS: 1984 were directed by John J. Gray.

Ross continued: 'I know shes not being for real. She's just being whatever. And John is like, "OK, ladies, thats enough. Lets get back to work." And she then looks at me and she goes, "Don't you mean lady?" And she turns around like this and covers her mouth [with her shirt].

Claim: Angelica Ross has claimed Emma Roberts called her to apologize for making an alleged transphobic comment to her on the set of American Horror Story: 1984 in 2019 (pictured as Donna Chambers in the show alongside Roberts as Brooke Thompson)

Alleged abuse: Ross, 42, a trans actress who played Donna Chambers in the show alongside 32-year-old Roberts as Brooke Thompson, had accused Julia Roberts ' niece of making an offensive comment to her during an appearance on Instagram Live on Tuesday

Ross appeared to be implying that Roberts allegedly suggested that she was not a woman.

Ross took to Twitter on Wednesday to claim Roberts had contacted her, saying: 'Thank you @RobertsEmma for calling and apologizing, recognizing your behavior was not that of an ally. I will leave the line open to follow up on your desire to do better and support social justice causes with your platform.'

Elsewhere in her shock Tuesday Instagram video, Ross said after making the alleged remark, Emma had turned away so she 'couldn't see Im looking at her dead a** in the camera, like, "What the f*** did you just say?"... Im like, trying to process [what] the f*** she just said.

'Im standing there, she walked away, my blood is boiling. Because Im like, if I say something, its gonna be me thats the problem. And I know this because there was someone who spoke up about what she was doing and they got repercussions from it. Not herthey did.

Ross, who also starred in 2021's American Horror Story: Double Feature, which Roberts did not appear in, said she stopped speaking to the actress after the alleged incident and accused her of 'playing mind games with everyone on set.'

She said: 'So when I saw that happening, I was just like, "Im done." I didnt speak to that b**** the entire time after that. So we had scenes together and I never spoke to her. She said to me she could feel the energy coming off of me.

'She was like, "Are you OK? You havent been talking." Im like, "Mmmhmm."

'Cause b**** dont play me. Youve been playing mind games with everybody on the set and everybodys been waiting for the moment that you would get me.'

DailyMail.com contacted representatives for Emma Roberts and FX for comment.

Tweet: Ross took to Twitter on Wednesday to claim Roberts had contacted her, saying: 'Thank you @RobertsEmma for calling and apologizing, recognizing your behavior was not that of an ally

Fury: Ross, who also starred in 2021's American Horror Story: Double Feature, which Roberts did not appear in, said she stopped speaking to the actress after the alleged incident and accused her of 'playing mind games with everyone on set#



Ross took to Twitter on Monday to reveal how she pitched an all-Black female season of FX's American Horror Story, only to be ghosted by creator Ryan Murphy.

Ross shared an email Murphy sent her in July 2022.

The email revealed that he was accepting her pitch for an all-Black female season of American Horror story... though Ross reveals he 'ghosted' her after.

She also shared an email she sent Murphy in February 2022 about the potential season, which she said in a TikTok video was, 'left on read.'

Murphy himself has yet to respond publicly to Ross' allegations, though it's worth noting that she and Murphy haven't worked together since 2021.

DailyMail.com reached out to Ryan's reps for comment.

The first tweet about the incident was captioned with a quote from Zakiya Dalila Harris' book The Other Black Girl.

'So, as Nella considered why she distrusted Needles and Pins so much, she also considered what Jesse had said about white people who went out of their way to present diversity." With heightened awareness of cultural sensitivity comes great responsibility. If were not careful, diversity might become an item people start checking off a list and nothing morea shallow, shadowy thing with but one dimension,' the quote read.

The tweet featured an image from Murphy's email - dated July 3, 2020, which read, 'Remember your idea about a HORROR season starring Black women? Well Im doing it. Not sure of the story yet, but we will start a writers room in the fall. Along with you, who are the four women I should get? I think you, Keke Palmer, Gabby [Sidibe]  not sure of the fourth?'

Pitch: Ross took to Twitter on Monday to reveal how she pitched an all-Black female season of FX's American Horror Story, only to be allegedly ghosted by creator Ryan Murphy

Email: The tweet featured an image from Murphy's email - dated July 3, 2020, which read, 'Remember your idea about a HORROR season starring Black women? Well Im doing it. Not sure of the story yet, but we will start a writers room in the fall. Along with you, who are the four women I should get? I think you, Keke Palmer, Gabby [Sidibe]  not sure of the fourth?'

Left on read: She also sent a video from her TikTok that revealed another email she sent in February 2022 that was never answered back and, 'left on read'

The image also featured Ross' response, where she suggested a number of other actresses like Debbi Morgan, Lynn Whitfield, Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett, Adina Porter, Amiyah Scott, Gabrielle Union, Viola Davis, Lupita Nyong'o, Kerry Washington and Halle Berry.

She also sent a video from her TikTok that revealed another email she sent in February 2022 that was never answered back and, 'left on read.'

Ross explained in another tweet, 'After not hearing back. After sending flowers and no response I sent one last email in Feb 2022 (it took about a year to film season 10 due to COVID) while still contractually in first position with the show. Mind you, marvel had called twice now. I havent heard from him since,' adding the #SAGAFTRAstrike hashtag.

The email read, 'Good morning, up cleaning and organizing and thinking about what season 11s focus could be and then just thought maybe just ask you that when that formulates if I could be on the producing side as well. I think I could add a lot to the table in the overall storyline if we are still looking to do a Black lead cast.'

She added, 'One white director was MOPING on set saying he doesnt think hes coming back next season because theres been a change in direction. I just smiled knowing what it was but trust some folks werent thrilled cuz they knew Id press for Black directors, writersAS PER MY EMAIL.'

After The Wrap reported on her tweets, she clarified in another tweet, 'Its not JUST that the idea changed. Things change all the time. Its that I called business affairs for MONTHS trying to get clarity if they were picking up my contract option or if I was ok to tell Marvel that I was available for whatever they were calling me for. I had been auditioning for THREE YEARS for marvel. Its that I was HELD in first position the whole time.'

She also quote-retweeted New York photographer Steven T, who said, 'I also think their is something called professional curtesy even if plannes and stories changed he could been adult enough to reply that in a email Vs just leaving you on read and never responding,' to which she added, 'AT THEE F***ING LEAST.'

Producing: Ross explained in another tweet, ' After not hearing back. After sending flowers and no response I sent one last email in Feb 2022 (it took about a year to film season 10 due to COVID) while still contractually in first position with the show. Mind you, marvel had called twice now. I havent heard from him since,' adding the #SAGAFTRAstrike hashtag

Idea: After The Wrap reported on her tweets, she clarified in another tweet, 'Its not JUST that the idea changed. Things change all the time. Its that I called business affairs for MONTHS trying to get clarity if they were picking up my contract option or if I was ok to tell Marvel that I was available for whatever they were calling me for. I had been auditioning for THREE YEARS for marvel. Its that I was HELD in first position the whole time'

Please ask: Ross added in another tweet, 'Please ask somebody about me. If Im at the point of publicly showing receipts you can believe I dont have any f***s left to give when it comes down to it. And Im not even done pulling out the receipts'

Ross added in another tweet, 'Please ask somebody about me. If Im at the point of publicly showing receipts you can believe I dont have any f***s left to give when it comes down to it. And Im not even done pulling out the receipts.'

She added in one final tweet on the matter, 'Will also tell you about the transphobic remarks my co-star said to my face, and the racism I complained about on set that they said was free speech. We on strike so you know I got time this week.'

Ross also shared a GIF from the 1990 classic Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts is telling a salesman, 'Big mistake... Big... Huge.'

While she didn't elaborate on what the GIF meant, many suspected that Ross was inferring Roberts may have been the co-star to make the 'transphobic remarks' or the racism she complained about, though she never confirmed that the co-star was Roberts.
Samuel L. Jackson is the latest face of UK's biggest bakery brand Warburtons - joining a series of notable A-list Hollywood legends including Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, and George Clooney.

In the new two minute advert the Pulp Fiction star, 74, turns his hand to the top job in the Warburtons business, alongside the bakery's real chairman, Jonathan Warburton.

The clip opens in Warburtons' Bolton-based headquarters, with the actor taking over the office of chairman Jonathan Warburton - much to the surprise of his assistant.

The Django Unchained star slipped in the chairman's iconic blue shirt and orange tie, as he turned to the camera and said: 'Hi, I'm Jonathan Warburton, chairman of the UK's largest family bakery.'

In a typically hilarious ad - which celebrates Warburtons' dedication to making the best quality loaf - Samuel shares a social post in which a bread lover, Steve, questions the similarity of Warburtons' much loved Toastie loaf with its rivals.

Roll of a lifetime! Samuel L. Jackson, 74, is the latest face of UK's biggest bakery brand Warburtons - joining a series of notable A-list Hollywood legends

Special role: In the new two minute ad, the Pulp Fiction star is seen turning his hand to the top job in the Warburtons business, alongside the bakery's real chairman, Jonathan Warburton

Comedy genius: Robert De Niro previously starred in the Warbutons advert

That's when the actor fumes: 'What gives?! What gives tweety pie is me  Jonathan Warburton. I GIVE! And hell hath no fury like a baker scorned, Steve.'

The comical clip is followed by a montage of 'Jonathan' furiously recalling the effort that goes into making the perfect Toastie loaf as he remarked is 'packed full of the bakery's unique blend of wheat and 147 years of baking expertise'.

The Hollywood sensation then peeped out on the doorstep of Steve's parents' house at breakfast time, swapping out their 'Warburtons wannabe' toast for the real deal of the superior Warburtons Toastie.

The advert then showed a glimpse of the lengths Warburtons goes to make the perfect loaf as Samuel is captured testing for softness, butter-ability and bounce-back-ability, of which he assures viewers 'is a thing!'

The Shaft icon is seen popping up at the bakery as the perfect Toastie loaf is pictured in its full glory, before he finally knocks the door down of Jonathan's office to be met with the real chairman who agrees with Samuel as he comments: 'I couldn't have said it better myself'.

About working on his latest ad, the Hollywood legend said: 'It was a pleasure to meet the man at the helm of Britain's biggest family bakery. And what an honour to follow in the footsteps of 'Bolton alumni', George Clooney and Robert DeNiro.

'We had a lot of fun on set so I hope people enjoy the finished product - the ad AND Toastie Loaf!'

Jonathan Warburton, Chairman of Warburtons, said: 'Samuel L. Jackson was a pleasure to work with and is welcome back at our bakeries any day.

Hollywood heavyweight: Sylvester Stallone previously starred in an 18million campaign with the brand. It premiered during the Britain's Got Talent show on Saturday 11th April 2015

Heartthrob: George Clooney was also in a Warburtons advert back in 2021

Remarkable: The clip is followed by a montage of 'Jonathan' furiously recalling the effort that goes into making the perfect Toastie loaf

Hilarious: The Hollywood sensation swaps out the 'Warburtons wannabe' toast for the real deal of the Warburtons Toastie

Crafted: The advert shows a glimpse of the lengths Warburtons goes to make the perfect loaf as Samuel test for softness, butter-ability and bounce-back-ability

Born and bred: The Shaft icon is seen popping up at the bakery as the perfect Toastie loaf is pictured in its full glory

Candid: 'It was a pleasure to meet the man at the helm of Britain's biggest family bakery. And follow in the footsteps of 'Bolton alumni', George Clooney and Robert DeNiro,' the star said

Action! Jonathan Warburton, Chairman of Warburtons, said: 'Samuel L. Jackson was a pleasure to work with and is welcome back at our bakeries any day'

'Not many people can be that commanding and so charming at the same time, and I love his hilarious take on why our Toastie loaf is the real deal.'

'Quality will always be at the core of our fifth-generation family run business, and our new ad highlights this commitment to freshness and quality in all that we bake.

He continued: 'Inviting the big-screen hero of Samuel L. Jackson into the business was a uniquely memorable experience, and we hope to bring some light-hearted humour to viewers at home  while reminding the nation that our Toastie truly offers our customers the best of the best.'

Warburtons was established in 1876 as a grocery shop in Bolton by Thomas and Ellen Warburton.

Today, Warburtons is run by the fifth generation of the Warburton family  Jonathan, Brett and Ross Warburtons, and is the number one brand within the UK Bakery sector with 147 years of baking expertise.

With 11 bakeries and 16 depots around Britain  from Aberdeen to Newton Abbott  Warburtons spans the length and breadth of Great Britain, baking and delivering 2 million products across the country each day with a fleet of almost 1,000 vehicles.
It is crucial to bridge the skills gap by providing training in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning

The rapidly changing nature of jobs and skills requirements across the world is creating a skills gap that hinders employment opportunities. Business leaders need to quickly identify this gap and prepare their workforce for the future by providing clear direction to employees on how to build the skills they need to succeed. In the Asia-Pacific region, approximately 86 million workers need to acquire advanced digital skills through upskilling or reskilling to keep up with the fast pace of technological changes.

The UNDP's Human Development Index ranks India at 132 out of 191 countries. This is a critical concern, as companies face a shortage of skilled workers while millions of educated individuals remain unemployed. To address this problem, India has been working to transform into a skill-based economy over the past decade. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the National Skill Development Corporation have been established to bring skill development to the forefront. The Skill India Mission, which began in July 2015, aims to address the shortage of skilled workers in the country. However, there is still a huge mismatch between the number of candidates trained, certified, and finally placed, with the International Labour Organization predicting a shortage of around 29 million skilled personnel in India by 2030.

Employees across various industries are facing pressure to upskill and reskill, but many find it challenging to take time out for learning due to long work hours. A lack of support systems that prioritize worker well-being can hinder motivation for upskilling and reskilling. Organizations can create new financial incentives through skills-based compensation to encourage employees to self-learn new skills.

A skilled workforce is critical for higher growth, but only 45% of trained individuals in India are employable, with only 4.69% of the workforce having vocational training. This indicates a significant skill gap in the country, which can be attributed to a lack of training infrastructure and limited private-sector participation. The lack of a monitoring body for these training institutes is also a contributing factor.

India's demographic advantage will become a challenge if the young population is not skillfully upskilled, reskilled, and skilled. By 2025, an estimated 70% of India's population will be of working age, and without proper employment opportunities, unemployment will remain a significant challenge. The National Education Policy (2020) needs to make sincere efforts in skill development from the school level. There is a need to create a sound National Vocational Education and Training System that provides every child with an option to go for vocational education and training after 10 years of schooling. Most developed countries have a well-defined national vocational education and training system that facilitates job readiness among youth and encourages skill-empowered entrepreneurship.

Inadequacies in skills are directly linked to the kind of education that is being imparted right from the school level and the ecosystem we put in place to equip every job seeker with market-driven skills. If someone wishes to be a carpenter, plumber or electrician, he or she needs to have undergone at least a globally certified course for which we need to have a skill training centre in every high school where job seekers should be trained in the fields of their interest during non-school hours. Similarly, education providers must support students with knowledge and skills relevant to the world of work to make them productive and able to be employed. All skill courses at school levels must be synchronised with employment for a wholesome integration between skill providers and industries will be of paramount importance.

Today, education is not confined to what is taught in schools and colleges, but the scope of learning has become wider, owing to the evolving market and technological advancement. To secure a career in the competitive and evolving job market, upskilling and remaining industry-relevant are crucial for youths. Acquiring market-driven skills will offer great placement opportunities to the youths and help them build promising careers.

India currently lacks an effective vocational education and training system that is both aspirational and accessible to all young people. To address this issue and achieve the national goal of making India the skills capital of the world, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship should establish a National Skills University (NSU), as proposed in the National Skills Universities Bill 2015. This university would offer industry-relevant curricula and skill-based certificates, diplomas, and degree programs to enhance employability.

In addition to the NSU, state governments can establish Multi-skills Development Centres (MSDC) in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode. These centres can identify skill gaps in major industrial clusters and provide cluster-specific Skill Development Centres to upgrade the skills of existing workers. Advanced Skill Development Centres can also be set up to provide the latest know-how and courses to meet the high-end skill requirements of the industry. The World Bank has approved the $250 million Skill India Mission Operation (SIMO) to improve the marketability of short-term skill development courses of 3-12 months.

To keep pace with the rapidly evolving technological landscape, it is essential to conduct global skill gap mapping and shift recruitment from "degree-based" to "skill-based". According to a report by The World Economic Forum, 150 million new technology jobs will be created globally over the next five years, with 77% of all jobs requiring digital skills by 2030. Currently, only 33% of technology jobs worldwide are being filled by skilled workers, which could hinder technological advancements on a global scale.

Therefore, it is crucial to bridge the skills gap by providing training in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), blockchain, robotics, IoT, 3D printing, drones, and data analytics. A skilled workforce capable of understanding, implementing, and driving innovation is essential to the success of these technologies and the industries that rely on them. By focusing on vocational education and the latest skills training, India can create a workforce equipped to meet future demands.

The writer is a Co-Founder and MD of Orane International, a Training Partner with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), and a Network Member of India International Skill Centres, (an initiative of GoI)
The sacred culture of leading from the front by army officers has survived despite challenges and other institutional concerns

Three recent losses of precious lives i.e., Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Donchak, and DSP Humayun Bhatt, seem to be a timely reminder of the civilisational and constitutional values in some of us, that guarantee our freedom. Distracted, as the nation was in peddling phoney controversies, fake outrage, meaningless rhetoric, or sheer bombast  these men simply gave their all for the nation. They did not unleash hate or anger amongst us internally, instead, they chose to lead from the front by letting their work (and lives) do the talking, not words. To reiterate, they didnt incite or order from the comfort and safety of distance, but put themselves in harms way, fully knowing the possible consequences, as only true leaders do.

The saga of the Indian Armed Forces is not necessarily etched by the better-known Generals, Admirals or Air Marshals, in as much, if not more, by the unmatched steel, fire, and ramrod-straight posture of its junior-middle leadership (from Junior Commissioned Officers to Unit Commanding Officers and their equivalents), who hold the fort, literally. Beyond the hagiographies of victory, the Kargil War is a grim reminder of doing the impossible with the hearts, legs, arms, and sharp minds of the junior-middle leadership, and not so much on account of any strategic brilliance by senior leadership, be it Military or Political. Many international Military historians marvel at the surreal conditions of impossibilities (in terms of topography, weather conditions, battlelines et al) that were neither matched, before or after, in modern battle accounts. Yet, the Indian Armed Forces had triumphed, against all odds and disproven all militaristic ratios and assumptions.

However, there was one vital and unique element that differentiated the Indian Armed Forces from all other global Militaries, which made Kargil possible, despite its counterintuitive draw of unfavourable militaristic ratios and assumptions i.e., cliched as it sounds, leading from the front! Put simply, the Officer-to-Soldier fatality/wounded ratio of the Indian Army is by far the highest as compared to any other professional Military in the world. In the thick of battle, the reality of leadership matters more than anything else, ever does. Kargil, India is believed to have lost 26 Officers out of a total casualty of 527. Considering that there are approximately 18-20 officers per Infantry battalion of about 800 odd soldiers, the value of leading from the front, can never be overstated.

Even in the unforgiving conditions of Galwan Valley, the heroics of Col BS Babu (Commanding Officer, 16 Bihar Regiment) who was killed in action is a testimony. There is never a similar reportage of a leadership-level officer getting killed in action, amongst Militaries of neighbouring China or Pakistan (occasionally in ambush or IED blast, but never in combat). This culture of leading from the front is borne out of an inexplicable admixture of regimentation, normalised-expectation and esprit-de-corps that has withstood the test of time, civilian morass, regression, and polarisations.

Some lazily attribute leading from the front to overambition, misplaced bravado or momentary lapse of better sense  it may be some shades of all of the above, and the likes of Kargil were only possible thanks to that unique josh that is still fires and cranks up performance. Never forget, those who dare, do so knowing that they are in the line of fire (when they neednt be) but still choose to do so.

The irrepressible and probably the boldest Military General of the Indian Army led from the front and never lost a battle in his life i.e., Lt Gen Sagat Singh. Legend of him liberating Goa, inflicting a bloody nose on the Chinese at Nathu La and Cho La (by 1967 itself), or dashing to Dhaka to liberate Bangladesh by repeatedly overflying enemy territory in a helicopter (which took bullets) to control battle, is a fact not fiction. You may never hear of such leadership conduct in Ukraine, the Middle East, or any other conflict zone, anywhere in the world.

Before Colonel Manpreet, Major Dhonchak and DSP Humayun had answered their calling in life, it was a well-beaten path that had been carved by the likes of Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Colonel MR Rai, Colonel Santosh Mahadik etc., all Commanding Officers of the various Rashtriya Rifles battalions, like the 19th Rashtriya Rifles, Commanded by the gallant Colonel Manpreet Singh. As Commanding Officers they could have avoided literal leading from the front, but still did so  while they and their families paid an irreplaceable price for the same, the Indian Army and the nation at large, remain eternally grateful for their ultimate sacrifices.

This sacred culture of leading from the front by officers, especially by the junior-middle leadership has survived so many other institutional concerns that undeniably stare. The Officer-to-Soldier ratio was 1:18 in the 1965 War, 1:20 in the 1971 War and still, 1:17 in Kargil 1999. While die-hard Infantry folks like to flex When it was a victory, the cavalier claimed it outright, the Gunner boasted of his guns, Signalman publicised his worth, but the Infantryman remained silent with victory at his feet. Beyond the lighthearted intra-services banter, the Indian Armed Forces have thankfully retained traditions, regimentation and culture at the junior-middle level of the forces, and perhaps owing only to the same, it still bashes on regardless.

(The writer, a military veteran, is a former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. The views expressed are personal)
Two Indian nationals have been sentenced to 41 months in prison for their role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud by accepting illegally obtained USD 1.2 million in wire transfers from victims across the United States, a US attorney said.

Arushobike Mitra (29) and Garbita Mitra (25) had previously pleaded guilty before US District Judge Esther Salas to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Tuesday.

"These defendants and their conspirators preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, using trickery and threats to coerce them into sending money," Sellinger said.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court as part of an international fraud scheme, criminal India-based call centres utilised automated robocalls to contact victims across the country with the intent of defrauding US residents, particularly the elderly.

After establishing contact with victims through these automated calls, other members of the conspiracy would coerce or trick the victims into sending large sums of cash through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras, a media release said.

These conspirators used a variety of schemes to convince victims to send money, including impersonating government officials from agencies such as the Social Security Administration, or impersonating law enforcement officers from the FBI or DEA, and threatened victims with severe legal or financial consequences if they did not comply, federal prosecutors alleged.

Another method utilised by the callers involved convincing the victim they were speaking with someone from a tech support company and coercing the victim into granting the caller remote access to their personal computers.

The caller would then access the victim's bank accounts and make it appear to the victim that the caller had inadvertently added money to the victim's bank account, when in fact the caller had simply transferred money from another one of the victim's own accounts. The caller would then instruct the victim to "return" the money by way of mail or wire transfer to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras, it said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah Wednesday maintained the onus lies with Pakistan for creating a conducive atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the resumption of dialogue with India.

Omar also asserted the talks cannot be held if attacks like Rajouri, Kokernag, and Srinagar continue.

Interacting with the media here at party headquarters in Jammu Omar said, We have always supported dialogue between India and Pakistan but a conducive atmosphere is needed for the resumption of the talks between them. It is not only the responsibility of India but the onus is on Pakistan to make that atmosphere conducive for dialogue.

Referring to the killing of army and police officers in recent encounters, he said the incidents in Rajouri, Kokernag, and Srinagar cannot help in creating the conducive atmosphere needed for the dialogue.

He said he has not seen any step from the neighboring country so far which would help in creating the conducive atmosphere necessary for the dialogue.

India alone cannot be held responsible for ensuring a favorable atmosphere for talks but it is up to Pakistan who has to take certain measures for peace.

Referring to the recent meeting of the INDIA bloc, convened in New Delhi to discuss the seat-sharing formula, Omar told reporters that the INDIA bloc should have an alliance on seats where the BJP hopes to win.
Amid a huge diplomatic conflagration following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India on Wednesday issued an advisory urging its nationals in Canada and those contemplating to travel there to exercise utmost caution in view of anti-India activities in some parts of that country.

This note of caution came a day after Canada issued an advisory to its nationals to remain vigilant while travelling to India.

In another development External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reportedly briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday here about the chain of events over the last two days.

A day after Trudeaus allegation of Indias involvement in the killing of Nijjar, the Canadian media reported that Ottawas Five Eye allies were not keen on taking sides. Canada is part of a Five Eyes network which is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. They showed little inclination to wade into an escalating row between Ottawa and New Delhi over allegations.

India on Tuesday rejected Trudeaus allegations as absurd and motivated and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawas expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Reacting to developments, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said, Canada is a dear friend, partner and ally and happens to be our northern neighbour. We care deeply for Canada just as we care deeply for India. I think that moments like this dont define our relationship, but they certainly can slow down progress...With an active criminal investigation, I hope that we can make sure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that we can all allow the space for that information and that investigation to occur before anybody leaps to judgment.

The advisory issued by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), it said, In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian Diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda.

Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

Our High Commission/Consulates General will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well being of the Indian community in Canada.

Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in.

Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident, it said.

Meanwhile, the latest row between India and Canada will not impact bilateral military engagement and the Canadian Army will take part in the conclave of the Indo-Pacific army chiefs in Delhi next week, a senior Indian Army official said here on Wednesday.

The Indian Army is hosting the conclave on September 26 and 27 with an aim to evolve a common strategy to ensure peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of growing global concerns over Chinas increasing military muscle-flexing in the region.

It doesnt impact us. The Canadian Army (vice) Chief is coming in here, his delegation is coming here, said Major General Abhinaya Rai, the Additional Director General of Strategic Planning at the Army headquarters.

Like when we look at our relationship with some of our neighbours...Where we may have had a standoff but we continue to engage them at all levels, be it the military level and at the diplomatic level. And I am referring directly to China here, he said. Major General Rai suggested that Indias diplomatic and military engagement with Canada would not be impacted. A Canadian military official also asserted that the diplomatic row will not impact the defence engagement between India and Canada. Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend the event to be held in Delhi on September 26 and 27, officials said. The US Army is co-hosting the conference.

Speaking in the Canadian Parliament on Monday, Trudeau had said his Government had credible allegations linking the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June with the agents of the Government of India. The Indian Government has rejected the claim as absurd and motivated.

Nijjar, 45, was an Indian terrorist and chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), and was assassinated outside a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18. He was one of Indias most wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh. Amid the rising tensions between the two countries, Trudeau on Tuesday assured that his in not looking to provoke India but wants the Indian Government to take Nijjars killing with utmost seriousness.

We are not looking to provoke or escalate. We want to work with the Government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes, Trudeau said. In a strongly-worded statement, the MEA on Tuesday trashed Trudeaus comments asserting that such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The diplomatic row comes shortly after the issue was raised between Trudeau and the Prime Minister Modi on the sidelines of the recently concluded G20 summit in New Delhi.
Influential Sikhs in America are upset with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations against India

Chairman of Sikhs of America Jesse Singh on Wednesday raised questions over the timing of the Canadian PMs allegations. Singh said Trudeau is digging a hole for himself for political gain and it can backfire.

A US expert has termed Canadian Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian Government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force, a shameless and cynical action and urged the United States not be part of it.

Participating in a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute think-tank, Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute, claimed Trudeau is playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement of ego and profit.

What is striking about Trudeaus shameless action and cynical action is that while he is making a statement now, the killing of Karima Baluch that was carried out allegedly with Pakistani assistance is a police matter and has not been taken to the Prime Ministers office, Rubin said.

India has strongly rejected Trudeaus claims as absurd and motivated and dismissed a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern, Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks spokesperson told reporters that work on the trade negotiations will continue as before and that the UK was not looking to conflate these issues. Soon after Trudeaus allegation, a UK Government spokesperson said Britain is in close touch with the Canadian authorities but declined to comment further.
Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday said seven doctors and 19 staffers posted at seven Mohalla Clinics have been removed from service after it was found that they attempted to manipulate the electronic attendance system.

Addressing a press conference, he said there were complaints about doctors coming in late to Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics. These doctors and staff members were found to have tampered with the biometric system by marking their attendance either significantly late or in a fraudulent manner at around 8 AM or nearby, causing inconvenience to the people, he said. The staff (at mohalla clinics) are supposed to be available from 8 am to 2 pm. We got the attendance records checked ... It was found that the electronic attendance system was being manipulated, Bharadwaj told reporters.

The Delhi minister said some of the staff would come late but the system showed that they had arrived by 8 am.

Irregularities were found (in our probe) at seven Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics  five in the Southwest district, one in the Northeast district and another in Shahdara district. In all, 26 staffers, including seven doctors, have been de-empanelled, he said.

Based on the irregularities found in the biometric system during the investigation, action has been taken against these doctors and staff members. Any negligence in healthcare facilities provided to the people of Delhi will not be tolerated, he added.

Mohalla clinics are one of the flagship initiatives of the Arvind Kejriwal government to boost the primary health care system in Delhi. A typical mohalla clinic has a doctor, a midwife-cum-nurse and other ancillary staff, and an array of diagnostic services and essential medicines are provided free of cost to patients who come there. A total 533 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics are functional in Delhi.

Bharadwaj said the irregularities were noticed after discrepancies or oddities were found in images submitted such as change in clothing on the same day or a photo of a photograph being found in scanned images.

Besides the seven doctors, the remaining staff who were removed include six pharmacists, six clinic assistants and seven multi-tasking staff, he told reporters.

The Delhi minister said the Kejriwal government and the health department is very serious on the matter that staff deployed at such clinics discharge their duties responsibly and warned of action if any laxity is found.

Asked how such tampering with the system might have happened, he said technological upgrade is needed to keep pace with people who may try to bypass the system, adding, We keep upgrading our technology.

Asked about the dengue situation in Delhi, Bharadwaj on Wednesday said the number of mosquito-breeding sites in the national capital has plateaued and announced that the authorities have been directed to run a city-wide awareness campaign.

Last week, we held a meeting with officials of the MCDs (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) health department. During that meeting, MCD (officials) shared data with us and it shows that the number of mosquito-breeding sites has reached a plateau. I have directed the health department and the chief secretary to run a wide campaign for dengue awareness as we approach peak season. The campaign has not been run this time, he added. The national capital recorded 348 dengue cases till August 5, according to an MCD report released on August 7. The MCD has not released reports on dengue and other vector-borne diseases for the past several weeks even as a senior civic official last week claimed that it is doing its regular job to contain their spread and the situation is under control.The MCD usually releases weekly reports on cases of vector-borne diseases every Monday.
The National Students Union of India (NSUI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad traded charges against each for spreading hooliganism on the campus in the run up to the polls for the Delhi University Students Union polls. With two days to go for Delhi University elections, students groups at the varsity held full fledged campaigns, with the silence period to begin at 12 pm on September 21 as per the code of conduct.

National President of NSUI Neeraj Kundan said that there are continuous attacks on the President, Vice President, Secretary and Joint Secretary candidates from NSUI and the police is, on the contrary, working to arrest NSUI officials.

Recently, the cars of NSUI President, Vice President, Secretary and candidate for the post of Joint Secretary were vandalised by ABP goons and two workers were fatally attacked. The car of the candidate for the post of Vice President was vandalized in Ramjas College, the candidate for the post of Joint Secretary. The car was broken outside Hansraj College and the candidate for the post of Secretary was attacked in Kirori Mal College, the NSUI alleged.

Yesterday at 5:00 am, NSUI workers were beaten up by ABVP goons in front of Hansraj College in which one worker was seriously injured.

In Miranda Girls House College, an attempt was made by ABVP goons to forcibly enter the college and the gate of the college was broken and after entering the college, girls were molested. In the name of publicity in the college, ABVP goons continuously harassed students and girl students are being abused and molested and an atmosphere of fear is being created in the campus of Delhi University, the NSUI alleged. .

Meanwhile, the ABVP, one of the largest student organizations in the Delhi University, condemned the recent incidents of violence and the involvement of outsiders in the DUSU election campaign by NSUI.

Since yesterday, ABVP has been raising concerns about the infiltration of outsiders associated with the National Students Union of India (NSUI) into our campus. Disturbing evidence, including videos and eyewitness accounts, has come to light, painting a troubling picture of violence and intimidation perpetrated by these outsiders, the ABVP said in a statement.

In one video shared by NSUI, a car clearly marked as belonging to Rajasthan University was vandalized by individuals associated with NSUI. This act of vandalism occurred amidst clashes between different factions within NSUI. Such incidents undermine the sanctity of our campus and the principles of peaceful coexistence that the student community cherishes, it said.

Another video surfaced showing individuals wearing masks to conceal their identities, armed with lathis, creating chaos outside SPM College. These individuals went on to vandalize cars belonging to various student organizations and subjected female members of ABVP, who were peacefully campaigning outside the college, to terror and intimidation. ABVP strongly condemns any form of violence and intimidation on or around our campus, it added.

Meanwhile, the NSUI held campaigns at Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station, Khalsa College, Miranda House College, Ramjas College, Hansraj and Hindu College among others. Voting for the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) will be held on September 22.

Presidential candidate of NSUI, Hitesh Gulia, and the candidate for the post of secretary, Yakshna Sharma, held campaigns and informed the students about their manifesto that includes issues like menstrual leaves, emergency response system for distress calls and increased police patrolling outside colleges.

The ABVP shared their manifestos, engaged with students across college campuses, hostels, and also held door-to-door interactions. ABVP held campaigns at Ramjas College, Shri Ram College of Commerce, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, College of Vocational Studies, and Aurobindo College.
As part of research for the rollout of the mohalla bus service, Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot will be meeting MLAs of constituencies in Southeast and outer Delhi to understand issues of areas that are yet to avail the facility.

The mohalla bus service, announced in the 2023-24 Delhi budget, aims to deploy shorter nine-metre electric buses to boost last mile connectivity in areas with roads that have less width or are crowded. The transport minister will be meeting MLAs of different constituencies to understand the connectivity issues faced by people. He plans to hold these meetings with MLAs as well as the public also being present during that interaction. The appointments for the meetings are yet to be fixed, said an official.

The official said that certain areas like outer Delhi, Sangam Vihar, Deoli, Chhatarpur, Vasant Kunj, Dwarka, Rohini, Najafgarh have been identified that are yet to have proper connectivity to bus stops and metro stations.

The meetings have been necessitated by the fact that the public feedback received from some areas lacked clarity and in order to ensure that the routes are chalked out properly, the minister will be holding these interactions, the official said.

It is known that there are no connectivity issues or road infrastructure issues in posh areas. The areas that are unserved will be catered to under the service. The rollout of the service has been delayed due to the disengagement of 437 consultants and experts following the directions of Delhi LG V K Saxena. Around 50 such people working with the transport department were terminated thereby affecting many policies that were under the works, another official added.

The Kejriwal Government has planned to procure more than 2,000 feeder buses to operate on routes that cannot be accessed by 12-metre buses. A technical committee was constituted by the transport minister in May to decide routes and operational characteristics of the new bus scheme.

According to a third official, the committee has completed the route survey based on the public feedback. Now the survey data is being tallied with the population data of those, road infrastructure and width of roads, he added.
AdvanSix Inc. manufactures and sells polymer resins in the United States and internationally. It offers Nylon 6, a polymer resin, which is a synthetic material used to produce fibers, filaments, engineered plastics, and films. The company also provides caprolactam to manufacture polymer resins; ammonium sulfate fertilizers to distributors, farm cooperatives, and retailers; and acetone that are used in the production of adhesives, paints, coatings, solvents, herbicides, and engineered plastic resins, as well as other intermediate chemicals, including phenol, monoisopropylamine, dipropylamine, monoallylamine, alpha-methylstyrene, cyclohexanone, methyl ethyl ketoxime, acetaldehyde oxime, 2-pentanone oxime, cyclohexanol, sulfuric acid, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. It offers its products under the Aegis, Capran, Sulf-N, Nadone, Naxol, and EZ-Blox brands. The company sells its products directly, as well as through distributors. AdvanSix Inc. was incorporated in 2016 and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey.
Southern Copper Corporation engages in mining, exploring, smelting, and refining copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. The company is involved in the mining, milling, and flotation of copper ore to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes; production of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid; production of refined silver, gold, and other materials; and mining and processing of zinc, copper, molybdenum, silver, gold, and lead. It operates the Toquepala and Cuajone open-pit mines, and a smelter and refinery in Peru; and La Caridad, an open-pit copper mine, as well as a copper ore concentrator, a SX-EW plant, a smelter, refinery, and a rod plant in Mexico. The company also operates Buenavista, an open-pit copper mine, as well as two copper concentrators and two operating SX-EW plants in Mexico. In addition, it operates five underground mines that produce zinc, lead, copper, silver, and gold; a coal mine that produces coal and coke; and a zinc refinery. The company has interests in 493,117 hectares of exploration concessions in Peru and Mexico; 239,077 hectares of exploration concessions in Argentina; 30,568 hectares of exploration concessions in Chile; and 7,299 hectares of exploration concessions in Ecuador. Southern Copper Corporation was incorporated in 1952 and is based in Phoenix, Arizona. Southern Copper Corporation operates as a subsidiary of Americas Mining Corporation.
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.
Essex Property Trust (NYSE:ESS) pays an annual dividend of $9.24 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 4.47%. ESS 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 29 consecutive years, indicating the company has a strong committment to maintain and grow its dividend. The dividend payout ratio is 113.37%. Payout ratios above 75% are not desirable because they may not be sustainable. Based on earnings estimates, ESS will have a dividend payout ratio of 59.61% next year. This indicates that the company will be able to sustain or increase its dividend.

Read our dividend analysis for ESS.
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.
Labour it seems has the coming election in the bag already because the Tories are led by a weak shoo-in Rishi Sunak and a miser Chancellor Jeremy Hunt who have ignored any supposed Brexit benefits. Tony Blair brokered the deal for Labour leader Keir Starmer to meet French leader Emmanuel Macron, so they could discuss reintegration into the EU with a Brexit reversal deal.

The Tories squandered their Brexit opportunities and there is a huge Remainer contingent amongst voters to re-join the EU, and they will vote Labour in the next election, so it will happen.

The Daily Squib has been certain all along that Brexit never happened anyway, simply because the UK is still ruled by EU laws, the ECHR, and the ECJ, as well as the EU Commission.

Naturally, Labour will put rejoining the EU at the forefront of their manifesto because many ignorant voters are low-information people who just think of their holidays in the Continent and have no thought of how the EU Soviet bloc is a collectivist pseudo-Marxist construct that limits freedom and is essentially a centrally governed system that eviscerates former nation states of their sovereignty.

One would think that such movements against Brexit would put some smoke up the arse of Rishi Sunak, but it is a certainty that the Tories will welcome a Labour win at the election and reintegration into the EU because all Brexiteers have been mostly purged from key positions in government and Remainers installed in their place.

The Bank of England is now staunchly led by Remainers, and Jeremy Hunt is a fierce Remainer as is Rishi Sunak. The people supposedly who are meant to be impartial, the Civil Servants, have always been staunchly Remainers and gladly shout their allegiance to the EU from their work-from-home offices.

Brexit had no chance, and it seems the Communists within Britain fought with all their might against it. The House of Lords is predominantly Remain, apart from a few like Lord Lamont. One only has to look at the recent Proms, where the EU communists infiltrated the concert and waved their flags in soviet unison.

Instead of playing up the economy like Liz Truss tried, the Tories have been playing down the economy and playing down Brexit.

Rees-Mogg is pretty much inconsequential and has not done anything for Brexit, and Farage is all too happy hosting his little show on GB News where he has beers with D-list celebrities. The Reform Party is a slight chink of light, but as we mentioned before, the majority of voters do not support Brexit anymore because they do not understand what the EU is and are low-information shallow voters who know little or nothing about political ideology or little things like communism.

In the end, the Remainers played the long game and have now infiltrated pretty much every part of British society, media and government. The Brexiteers that are left, are too little in numbers to do anything, and Britain will lose the little sovereignty it had left very soon.

Thank you for the Brexit that never actually happened. The UK never left the EU so enjoy your fucking pyrrhic victory your Remainer communist slime. What used to be called Britain is all but a distant fucking memory and once full EU integration takes place the once Great Britain will be lost forever. With a nation as demoralised as the UK from within, what hope is there left?
Women now have the power to completely ruin a mans career simply by voicing their opinion on an event that may or may not have happened decades ago. Through trial by media, there are no legal avenues or independent reviews, any man can now have their entire career and reputation completely destroyed simply on hearsay.

Anonymous accusations

These anonymous protected women making allegations against Russell Brand did not actively seek to make their accusations known after twenty or thirty years. It was the media who decided for whatever reason to look into Russell Brand, who sought out these women over a four-year investigation period. It was only after the media contacted the women that they suddenly recalled their stories. Could this sort of targeted weaponised muck raking happen to anyone?

During his time of promiscuity, Russell Brand was sleeping with up to 80 women a month, and with those numbers, there will naturally be some who felt aggrieved afterwards even though they literally threw themselves at him in the first place because of his so-called fame.

TRIAL BY MEDIA

Currently, there has not been a single judiciary hearing in a court of law regarding any of these grievances from women who consensually opened their legs to Brand. When society stoops to such a low level that a mans entire career is cancelled purely on hearsay and media articles without any form of court being involved, one could easily postulate that our freedoms have effectively disappeared. This is dangerous territory where men are now targets to be taken down simply so that newspapers can make more money from advertising and sales. Sure, women must have the right of protection from sexual assault and abuse, however this protection must be through the law and NOT any other way. What is happening now through a trial by media makes a mockery of the justice system, and is an affront to the concept of due process.

Innocent before PROVEN guilty?

If Russell Brand is convicted in a court of law, in a fair trial, then he got what he deserved, but until that time; why are companies like YouTube demonetizing his channel, why has his agent dumped him, why has his publisher dumped him, why has the BBC erased his programs, why have these organisations who enabled and tolerated Brands behaviour in the first place dumped him completely like a hot potato? No actual evidence has been presented of any wrongdoing at any point in time which would be accepted in a court of law.

If these women had genuine grievances, why did they not report them twenty or thirty years ago? They could have easily gone to the police to report their problem. One suspects, it is because they agreed to have sexual relations with Brand initially and that they were in fact complicit in their own promiscuous actions.

Calculated take down

Just because there is an anti-male element now prevalent in Western society, this should not mean that events in the past which were once tolerated and seen as normal behaviour should be somehow dredged up and weaponised against someone who was simply making money on their YouTube channel by pandering to conspiracy theorists. Is that a crime? Well, obviously Russell Brand rubbed some of his targets up the wrong way, possibly some large pharmaceutical conglomerate, or other large entity and this is a very calculated take down.

If a man wants to fuck thousands of women, or conversely if a woman wants to spread her legs for thousands of men, they should be allowed to do so. Why is the Anglo-Saxon West so hung up on sex? In most Latin countries and the Continent, sex is a normal function of life and there are no hang-ups.

Regret isnt rape

Russell Brand allegedly had a relationship with a 16-year-old girl who threw herself at him. In the UK the legal age of consent is 16 therefore, the idiotic Megyn Kelly is obviously ignorant to the laws of the land in the UK. In legal terms, Brand did not do anything wrong there at all. Obviously, morally speaking it was a bit iffy because of the age difference, but legally it was totally kosher.

Through trial by media, a man who now has a family with three children has effectively lost his livelihood. All because of some aggrieved promiscuous women who allegedly voluntarily had sex with Brand, but maybe had second thoughts after the act. Naturally, if you have sex with so many women there will be some who feel used afterwards, who will have a vendetta, who will be vindictive.

Brand, of course is not faultless in all of this, because of his mental problems, his drug addictions and his narcissism mixed in with elements of fame, he has also been out of control, and if he is convicted in a court of law under due process then he should pay the price THEN  NOT NOW when no court or jury has even heard a squeak.

How can someone like Russell Brand even have a fair hearing in a court of law now, since he has been tried and judged already by the media?

No honour amongst socialists

The real hypocrisy lies of course with the leftist media companies who made money off and championed Brand yet at the same time enabled his promiscuity whilst actively shutting down any form of grievance from the women in question. These socialist Marxist media organisations are just as accountable as anyone, and they have now turned on Brand simply to make more money off his cancellation by attempting to raise their profiles as news organisations with these allegations.

Trial by media is a severe sure sign that we as a society have lost our freedom, and it is only going to get a lot worse from now on. The left leaning mainstream media is a corrupted, authoritarian, evil, hypocritical entity, more so than any man or woman who lives a life of promiscuity.
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau. (AFP File photo)

Toronto: A day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader, the Canadian media reported that Ottawa's Five Eye allies were not keen on taking sides though they have said that the claims should be thoroughly probed.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau told the House of Commons on Monday that he waited until he was able to raise the issue with allies and with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi earlier this month before telling the public about the possible link.

India has dismissed Trudeau's allegation as absurd and baseless.

We wanted to make sure that we had a solid grounding in understanding what was going on in analysis and indeed in facts. We wanted to make sure we were taking the time to talk with our allies, to share what we knew, The Canadian Press news agency quoted Trudeau on Tuesday.

Canada is part of a Five Eyes' network which is an intelligence alliance consisting of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Trudeau has also said he does not want to make things worse for relations with India.

"We are not looking to provoke or escalate. We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them, and we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear."

According to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canada's other Five Eyes allies showed little inclination Tuesday to wade into an escalating row between Ottawa and New Delhi over allegations.Most opted to treat the allegation as a matter still to be investigated in spite of the fact that the Trudeau government feels it has enough information to make an accusation in Parliament and expel a diplomat, it noted.

The United States, United Kingdom and Australia have all issued statements calling for the allegations to be thoroughly probed.

Terming the US National Security Council spokesperson Adm Joh Kirby as perhaps the most supportive of Canada, the CBC report quoted him saying on Tuesday: They are certainly serious allegations and we believe in order to determine how credible they are, there needs to be a thorough investigation.

The CBC report also said that Kirby urged India to participate and cooperate in that investigation as it is important to find out exactly what happened.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese refused to comment on the matter at all even as Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong told a press conference in the UN Headquarters on Tuesday that these are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway and that We are monitoring these developments closely with our partners, and we'll continue to do so.

Another of the allies, UK made no official announcement but its Foreign Secretary James Cleverly put out a tweet on platform X without any mention of India, the CBC report said. All countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. We are in regular contact with our Canadian partners about serious allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament. Important that Canada's investigation runs its course and the perpetrators brought to justice, read Cleverly's tweet.

On September 18, Trudeau alleged in the Parliament that Canada's national security apparatus has reason to believe that agents of the Indian government had carried out the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil.

While Trudeau is urging India to take the matter seriously, Liberal Party members also say they hope to maintain normal ties with a country Ottawa has selected as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, The Canadian Press reported.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre said Trudeau must share more information about what led him to make the statement in Parliament. He said the prime minister did not share more details with him than what he had said in the House of Commons.

"We need to see more facts. The prime minister hasn't provided any facts," he told reporters on Tuesday.

New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh has written to the newly appointed head of the public inquiry on foreign interference, asking Justice Marie-Josee Hogue to include India in her probe. The Liberals have suggested her terms are wide enough to include any country as well as the Nijjar case.

"In my experience, as a Sikh-Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians," Singh wrote in the letter.

"Yesterday's announcement by the prime minister confirms that these suspicions are valid," he said.
Pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. (Image: Twitter)

New Delhi: Amid rising political tensions stemming from Canada's accusation of India's involvement in the murder of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, India issued a stern advisory on Wednesday, urging its nationals and students in Canada to exercise extreme caution. The advisory cited "anti-India activities" and "politically-condoned hate crimes" in Canada, pointing to a "deteriorating security environment" and threats against Indian diplomats and the Indian community.

The advisory stated, "Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid traveling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents." It emphasised that Indian students in Canada should remain vigilant and register with Indian authorities for emergency contact.

It added, "Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident."

US ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, called for a thorough investigation into Nijjar's killing before making any judgments, subtly addressing the situation in Canada.

The tensions escalated when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of involvement in Nijjar's killing, leading to diplomatic expulsions. India dismissed these allegations as "absurd" and emphasised its commitment to the rule of law.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen and alleged head of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was killed in Canada in June. India has long been concerned about Canada's sheltering of pro-Khalistan terrorists and illegal activities on its soil.
Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy's visit to Tirumala hills saw the inauguration of a slew of projects together valued at Rs 1,300 crores and the presentation of silk robes to Lord Venkateswara to mark the annual Brahmotsavams. (DC Image)

TIRUPATI: The two-day visit of Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy to Tirumala hills saw the inauguration of a slew of projects together valued at Rs1,300 crore and the presentation of silk robes to Lord Venkateswara to mark the annual Brahmotsavams.

The chief minister had darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Tuesday morning.

One of the projects inaugurated by the CM was the Srinivasa Sethu elevated expressway erected at a cost of Rs 650 crore in Tirupati. Addressing the gathering, the CM emphasized his government's commitment to completing such long-awaited projects.

The YSRC government gave high priority to the project in view of the rapid growth of Tirupati and the increasing number of devotees visiting Tirumala, he noted.

Jagan Reddy also launched the distribution of house sites to the TTD employees. He said the government was duty-bound to provide house sites to all the 6,700 TTD employees. "An investment of Rs 313 crore has been made, providing 3,515 pattas to eligible recipients, with an additional allocation of Rs 280 crore for the remaining employees, that is set to be disbursed within 45 days," he said.

The chief minister also inaugurated the hostel buildings of the Sri Venkateswara Arts College, built at a cost of Rs37.80 crore.

During the visit, the chief minister also paid a visit to the Thataiahagunta Gangamma temple in Tirupati, where he offered special prayers to the goddess.

The chief minister inaugurated two new rest houses in Tirumala. After a brief stay at the Padmavathi rest house, the CM reached the Sri Bedi Anjaneya Swamy temple, where he was adorned with the traditional 'Parivattam' by the priests and had the sacred 'vastrams' placed over his head.

In a procession, the chief minister carried the set of silk robes on his head to the temple and presented them to the chief priest inside the sanctum sanctorum. Later, he offered prayers to the presiding deity and released the TTD diaries and calendars for 2024.

The chief minister's two-day visit to Tirumala culminated with his darshan of Lord Venkateswara on Tuesday morning. He was given the traditional 'Istikaphal' welcome at the Mahadwaram of Tirumala temple by TTD chairman Bhumana Karunakar and executive officer Dharma Reddy.

After darshan, Jagan Reddy received blessings from the priests. He was also presented with Teertha prasadam and a portrait of Lord Venkateswara by the TTD chairman and EO before he left for the Renigunta airport.
Andhra Pradesh government has also decided to appoint a committee to oversee the establishment of government offices in Vizag. (Image: Twitter)

Vijayawada: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday informed the Cabinet that the state administration will start functioning from Visakhapatnam from this coming Dasara festival. The government has also decided to appoint a committee to oversee the establishment of government offices in Vizag.

The AP Cabinet meeting chaired by the CM was held in the Secretariat at Velagapudi. At the meeting, the CM discussed the shifting plan, the impact of Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidus arrest and other issues with the ministers.

The CM advised his ministers to explain facts about the arrest of Naidu. "Tell the people why TD chief Chandrababu was arrested. Explain to them the corruption during the TD rule. We took action against Chandrababu only in relation to situations wherein he made mistakes."

"There is no need for us to pay much attention to the TD's protests over the arrest. The development agenda of the YSRC government should be taken to the people. Ministers and MLAs should be in touch with the public. We should be ready for elections anytime. We do not know when the Centre will make a decision on the future polls. We will give house plots to MLAs in Visakhapatnam. Let's go to the capital Visakhapatnam soon," the CM was quoted as telling his ministers.

Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the ministers to be ready to face elections any time and hinted that AP will go for Jamili (simultaneous) elections depending on the decision of the Union Government.

Notably, the plans for shifting the executive capital to Vizag are facing legal and technical hurdles. But as the elections are nearing and there is hardly a few months time for polls, the CM decided to shift his administration from Tadepalli in Amaravati to Visakhapatnam on the auspicious Vijaya Dasami (Dasara) festival day.

Jagan Mohan Reddy announced the Three Capitals decision for decentralised development of AP state on December 17, 2019, saying Amaravati would be the Legislative Capital, Vizag the Executive Capital and Kurnool the Judiciary Capital. But numerous petitions were filed in the AP High Court and the Supreme Court against the capital shift decision.

The AP High Court gave a verdict stopping the state government from shifting the capital to Visakhapatnam. But now, there is a dire need for the YSRC to bring forth the decentralised development issue in view of the approach of the elections season. Hence, the CM finally decided to move administration to Vizag.

After the Cabinet meeting, industries minister Gudivada Amarnath said the CM's administration will start from Visakhapatnam on Dasara day. "The CM emphasised this matter with the ministers in today's Cabinet meeting," he said.

The CM has also ordered the setting up of a committee with officials to arrange the shifting of government offices to Vizag. "No rule says the CM should not rule from Visakhapatnam," he added.
Parliamentarians raise their hands in support of the Women's Reservation Bill during the special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (PTI Photo)

HYDERABAD: The Lok Sabha has passed a Constitutional Amendment Bill, titled Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, to reserve one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for women. The Bill received overwhelming support, with 454 members voting in favour and only two against.

During the debate on the Bill, Union home minister Amit Shah addressed concerns and emphasised that any shortcomings could be rectified later. He stated that the Census and delimitation exercise would be conducted promptly after elections by the next government, making women's reservation in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies a reality. Shah hinted that this would likely happen after 2029.

He highlighted that this Bill's passage would mark the beginning of a new era and noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women-led development presented at the recent G20 Summit. Shah affirmed the government's commitment to women's security, respect, and equal participation.

Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in response to concerns about the need for Census and Delimitation before implementing the quota, emphasised that this provision was in line with the Constitution. He explained that immediate implementation would go against constitutional provisions and risk legal challenges.

Meghwal criticised the Congress for lacking the policy, intent, and leadership to push for this Bill during its tenure.

Throughout the debate, 27 women Members from various parties spoke in favour of the Women's Reservation Bill, with strong support from both BJP and Opposition legislators. Congress leader Sonia Gandhi emphasised that any delay in implementing the reservation would be an injustice to Indian women.

Other members, including NCP's Supriya Sule, called for immediate implementation, while Union minister Smriti Irani questioned the Opposition's demand for immediate implementation, pointing out the need to follow the constitutional process.

Minister of state for commerce and industry Anupriya Patel expressed confidence that Prime Minister Modi would take steps to protect the interests of women from backward classes, highlighting their unique challenges and marginalisation.

The Constitutional Amendment Bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha, provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, with implementation following the completion of the Delimitation exercise.
BRS sources said that Rao will guide party leaders on reaching out to voters against Congress's six guarantees.(Photo: By arrangement)

HYDERABAD: The ruling Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) will launch a counter-offensive against Congress' six guarantees, made by its top leadership at the Vijayabheri meeting in Tukkuguda, to people of Telangana, sources said.

The BRS, in an aggressive, campaign will not make counter-promises but will, instead, stress that the Congress guarantees were bogus and that they cannot be implemented due to financial constraints.

With it being almost a month since Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao announced candidates for 115 Assembly constituencies, BRS sources said that Rao will guide party leaders on reaching out to voters against Congress's six guarantees.

As per estimates prepared by the BRS think-tank, Congress' six guarantees would incur an expenditure of Rs 2.90 lakh crore per year, which is more than state's annual budget. The Telangana state's budget for the 2023-24 fiscal is pegged at Rs 2.77 lakh crore, with the Congress guarantees exceeding it.

Further, sources said that the BRS is yet to ascertain the burden on the state exchequer to implement Congress promises of providing domestic LPG cylinders for Rs 500 and free travel for women in RTC buses.

With Congress leaders and workers already distributing guarantee cards to people in Assembly constituencies and seeking votes, the ruling BRS will reach out to voters and create awareness that it would be impossible for any government to implement them.

During the 2018 Assembly polls, the BRS promised crop loan waiver of up to Rs 1 lakh for farmers, while the Congress promised up to Rs 2 lakh. But the BRS won elections with a sizeable majority and the party leadership believes that the farmers did not trust Congress's Rs 2 lakh waiver as it would be impossible to implement.

The BRS leadership is hopeful that the same situation will repeat in Assembly polls this year if its party leaders and workers effectively reach out to voters and alert them about the same.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. (Image: Twitter)

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, in the run-up to Assembly polls, announced a scheme to provide free electricity of up to 250 units to dhobi ghats and laundry shops owned by Muslim washer-folk in the state. The scheme has already been in place since 2021 for washermen belonging to Backward Castes (BCs), which has now been extended to the Muslim community.

Accordingly, the department of minorities welfare issued orders dated September 19 to this effect. The orders stated that Hyderabad Lok Sabha member Asaduddin Owaisi made a representation to the government that there were groups of Muslim washerfolk engaged in the profession and needed benefits similar to BCs.

"Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao immediately ordered for extending the same benefit to Muslim dhobis for their dhobi ghats and laundry shops," the orders stated.

The Telangana Washermen Cooperative Societies Federation Ltd and the BC welfare department were directed to take necessary action for the implementation of the scheme for the Muslim community.

The minorities welfare department appealed to all Muslims engaged in the washing profession to apply for the benefit, for their dhobi ghats and laundry shops. It stated that the details of applications, where to apply and certificates required will be informed shortly.
Congress MP Sonia Gandhi speaks in the Lok Sabha during a special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (PTI)

New Delhi: Extending her party's support to the women's reservation bill, Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday demanded that the quota be implemented immediately and provision be made for reservation for OBC women.

Initiating the debate on the bill from the opposition's side, Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha that any delay in bringing the reservation into effect would be "gross injustice" to Indian women.

"Rajiv Gandhi's dream is only half fulfilled. It will be fulfilled with the passage of this bill. The Congress supports this bill. We will be happy with the passage of this bill but we also have a concern. I want to ask a question. For the last 13 years, Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities, and now they are being asked to wait for a few more years -- two years, four years, six years, eight years," the former Congress chief said.

Is such behaviour with Indian women appropriate, she asked.

"It is the demand of the Indian National Congress that the bill be immediately implemented... but, along with that, provision should be made for the reservation of SC, ST, OBC women after conducting a caste census," she said.

The government, Gandhi told the House, should take the required steps for this.

DMK leader M. Kanimozhi said the clause pertaining to 'after delimitation' in the bill should be removed as there could be an inordinate delay in the implementation of the reservation for women.

The 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as proposed in the bill, will come into effect only after census and the delimitation exercise.

"How long should we wait to see this bill implemented? It can be easily implemented in the coming Parliamentary elections. This bill, you should understand, is not a reservation but an act of removing bias and injustice," she said.

Participating in the debate on women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha, NCP leader Supriya Sule termed the legislation a "post dated cheque" and demanded the government spells out the date and timeline for its implementation

Sule questioned the reason for calling a special session of Parliament to approve the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill -- 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' when it cannot be implemented without a census and delimitation.

She stressed that since the date of census and delimitation is not yet decided, the bill could have as well been introduced in the Winter session of Parliament.

"There is drought in the country. Why this special session cannot discuss drought? My question to the government is date of next census... the date of delimitation is indeterminant. So, the (woman) reservation which is dependent on two indeterminant dates, how are we going to get it? There is no date decided for census or for delimitation, what is the date and timeline for this," Sule said.

JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh called the measure a "jumla" of the Narendra Modi government aimed at winning the 2024 parliamentary elections.

"We support the bill. We want to empower all women. But this is nothing but a 'jumla'. This is nothing but a panic reaction (of the ruling dispensation) to the formation of the opposition group INDIA. You are scared of 2024. That is why you have brought this bill," he said.

Samajwadi Party member Dimple Yadav demanded a provision for reservation of women belonging to backward classes, SC/STs and minority community in the bill.

Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar of the Trinamool Congress alleged that the Modi government has made a "sinister" move by linking the implementation of the women's reservation bill with the completion of the next population census and delimitation exercise.

She said TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has always been supporting the bill -- since 1996 when the process was first initiated.

Dastidar said the TMC is a party where over 33 per cent MPs have always been women. "Right now, more than 40 per cent of the TMC MPs are women," she said.

She said everyone should show genuine respect to women.

Addressing a press meet in Lucknow, BSP chief Mayawati urged the government to delink the women's reservation bill from the census and delimitation exercises that would "delay" its implementation for years, and accused the BJP and the Congress of using the bill for political gains.

The Bahujan Samaj Party supremo, who has already said that her party will support the bill even if its demands are not met, urged the government to drop certain clauses to ensure that the draft legislation is implemented "immediately."

She said certain provisions of the bill have been framed in such a manner that the benefit of the reservation would not reach women for the next 15 or 16 years, or "several elections" later.
The CID arrested Naidu only after getting all evidence. It took so much time to collect the evidence. When skill development centres were paid Rs 1 crore in Gujarat, they were paid Rs 250 crore in AP, Supreme Court senior advocates. (Image By Arrangement)

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has concluded its hearings on a petition filed by TD chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu, seeking to quash the FIR registered against him by the AP-CID in the AP skill development scam.

The court court of single judge bench Srinivasa Reddy on Tuesday adjourned the case and reserved its verdict for delivery on Sept. 21.

It held the hearing, with Supreme Court senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Ranjith Kumar and additional advocate general Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy representing the AP government.

They argued that there was no need for the CID to get permission from the Governor to register an FIR on Naidu in the skill development scam as it involved intentional lootof public money for self-gain. This, they argued, was not related to abuse of public money while discharging ones duty.

They argued that the scam took place not only with the knowledge of then chief minister Naidu but also in his presence. "We have all the relevant evidence to prove this," they said.

"The CID arrested Naidu only after getting all evidence. It took so much time to collect the evidence. When skill development centres were paid Rs 1 crore in Gujarat, they were paid Rs 250 crore in AP," they said.

Counsels submitted to the court that Naidu was trying to escape from the case by leveling an allegation that the CIDs was a politically motivated case. Section 17 (A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act was meant to protect the officials working honestly from political prosecution and it was not meant for Naidu who "resorted to loot of public money," they averred.

They argued that though Naidu was supposed to be a trustee of public money and should protect it, he diverted hundreds of crores illegally. "Naidu did it unofficially. Section 17 (A) was not applicable to him. An inquiry in the skill development scam was still going on," they said, and prayed the court not to issue any orders to stall the inquiry.

They informed the court that the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate were also taking up a probe in the scam.

Earlier, Supreme Court senior advocates Siddartha Luthra and Harish Salve, representing Naidu, argued that as the FIR was registered in 2021, there was a need to take the governors permission under section 17 (A) of PC Act to take up the inquiry. This was as per a Supreme Court verdict issued earlier, they argued.

They said the scam took place in 2014. The arrest took place now. "The time of registration of FIR was important. With elections round the corner, the case filed against Naidu is politically motivated. The inquiry in the case was already over and all evidence was collected. Hence, the question of Naidu now tampering with the evidence and influencing witnesses does not arise. So, why the arrest," they asked.

The hearing in the case which began at 12.05pm continued until the evening, with the court hall packed to its capacity.

Naidus counsel Harish Salve argued in virtual mode from London via a video conference. He argued that registration of FIR against Naidu was illegal as permission from the Governor was not taken. This was required under section 17 (A) of PC Act, he said.

He argued that if a citizen is arrested by the investigation agencies and police unilaterally, the courts could intervene. He referred to the Arnab Goswami case.

The case booked against Naidu was based on information given by the GST officials. The skill development centres were set up and they were running successfully. Siemens and other companies supplied both hardware and software to such centres. So, where was the scam, he asked.

Salve submitted that the CID booked the "false" case based on the tax evasion noticed through invoices. "The issue of invoices was the internal issue of the companies. How could the CID interfere in such an issue," he asked.
Justin Trudeau / Twitter

New Delhi: In a tit-for-tat action, India on Wednesday advised its nationals in Canada and those contemplating to travel there to exercise utmost caution in view of anti-India activities in some parts of that country.

The advisory came amid further deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in the advisory.

It said, "Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda."

"Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents," it said.

The MEA said the Indian High Commission and consulates general will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the Indian community in Canada.

"Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant," it said in the advisory.

Hours before India's advisory, Canada issued a similar travel advisory for its citizens who are travelling to India for exercising, "high degree of caution"

"Avoid all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir due to the unpredictable security situation. There is a threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest and kidnapping. This advisory excludes travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh," says Canada in its updated travel advisory for India.
Environmental campaigners held a "wake" for Lough Neagh at the weekend amidst the ongoing crisis at the Lough as it remains polluted by toxic algae.

Activists from campaign groups Love our Lough, Surfers Against Sewage and Friends of the Earth dressed in black and carried a makeshift coffin to the shore of the County Derry lough on Sunday afternoon (September 17).

The event was held to highlight the ecological magnitude of the situation at the lough.

Lough Neagh is the UK and Irelands largest freshwater lake and supplies half of Belfast's drinking water and 40% of Northern Ireland's overall.

Over the past few months, blue-green algae linked to a nutrient overload has been sighted on the surface of the water.

Pollution from farming and NI Water are also said to be major contributing factors along with increased temperatures and sunlight.

The presence of the blue-green algae in the water has contributed to an environmental disaster at the lough.

Campaign group, Love our Lough, said the wake was an "emotional day" as they hope the "enormity of the situation" is now recognised.

They said: "Words cannot express our gratitude for each and everyone of you that attended the wake today and for those that sent their good wishes.

"Today was an emotional day as we all came together to respect, cherish and pay our respects and realise the enormity of the situation our beautiful lough is in.

"As I spoke to so many of you, your anger, upset and frustration was clear to see but together I believe we can get change and help help our lough needs.

"We had so much help from other groups and individuals its impossible to thank everyone but believe we see you.

"A special mention to our own Dr Lou Taylor who founded Love Our Lough-without you this would never have been possible.

"Now to keep the momentum going."

First Minister Designate Michelle ONeill has said an urgent action plan needs to be developed immediately to tackle the serious issue of toxic algae in Lough Neagh which is causing serious public concern.

The Mid Ulster MLA said that Lough Neagh should be brought into public ownership and a long-term plan developed to keep the lough safe.

Michelle ONeill said: Sinn Fein has long advocated for Lough Neagh to be brought into public ownership.



Lough Neagh provides 40% of the norths drinking water and contributes greatly to the fishing industry and the environment.

An urgent action plan needs to be developed immediately to tackle the serious issue of toxic algae in Lough Neagh and the surrounding area and its impact on water quality and the local environment, which is causing serious public concern.

Sinn Fein will continue to meet with the relevant agencies this week to ensure urgent action to tackle the current crisis in Lough Neagh in a coordinated and effective manner.

Lough Neagh is a huge asset for all the communities who live close to its shores and it has so much untapped potential.

It should be brought under public ownership so that a clear management structure can be developed and long-term plans developed to keep the lough safe and sustainable for future generations.

Sinn Fein Councillor Sean Bateson echoed Ms O'Neill and welcomed the passing of a motion on Causeway Coast and Glens Council calling for an action plan on toxic algae.

Councillor Bateson said: I welcome the passing of a motion on Causeway Coast and Glens Council calling for an action plan on toxic algae.

The motion is calling on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to swiftly convene a cross party meeting between affected Council areas involving all the relevant departments and agencies with responsibilities.

And for the NI Environment Agency to present to Causeway Coast and Glens council on its actions to respond to the occurrences of toxic algae.

Toxic algae in both the River Bann and the sea off the north coast at Castlerock, Portstewart, Benone and Portrush is deeply concerning from an environmental perspective.

It has occurred over the summer months which is the busiest time of the year for tourism, which is when many local businesses make the most of their annual income, and therefore has had a detrimental impact on local businesses.

The instances of toxic algae in numerous locations this summer highlights the need for urgent action on water quality.

It is important that this is taken forward as a priority to tackle the current crisis.

Commenting on the environmental disaster at the lough, a DAERA spokesperson said: The situation in Lough Neagh is extremely concerning and the department recognises how serious it is. The increase in blue green algae blooms is a result of excess nutrients from agricultural and wastewater systems, combined with climate change and the associated weather patterns. This has been exacerbated due to the presence of zebra mussels and the impact they have on the ecological balance in the Lough.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is fully committed to protecting our environment and working with partners and stakeholders to find short and long term solutions to the very complex and challenging issues evident in the increase in blue green algae.

A range of urgent actions are underway in DAERA to consider how to deal with this issue in both the short and long term. The reality though is that the deterioration of the water quality in Lough Neagh and other waterways has occurred over many years and it will take time and considerable effort and investment to deliver the improvements that everyone wants to see. Everyone has to play their part to ensure that we do all in our power to protect our natural assets.
The funeral arrangements for Rev Fr John Downey have been announced.

Rev. Fr. John Downey (Moneyneena) was the beloved brother of Pat, Ann, Jacinta, Roma and the late Lawrence.

Fr Downey's remains will be removed to St Eugene's Church, Moneyneena on Wednesday (September 20) morning for Mass at 11.00 am where he will lie in repose until the recitation of The Rosary at 9.00pm.

Requiem Mass and Office for the Dead at12.00noon in St. Eugene's, Moneyneena on Thursday, September 21, followed by interment in the City Cemetery, Derry.

Our Lady of Fatima intercede for him.

May he rest in peace.

Fr Downey's Funeral Mass will be live streamed by Devin Media

Internationally renowned actor, Roma Downey, has paid tribute to her brother, Rev Fr John Downey, who passed away on Monday.

Posting on Facebook, the 'Touched By An Angel' star said: "Friends, My family has suffered a terrible loss . Our beloved brother Fr John has passed away in the night . We are grateful for all your prayers . His passing was peaceful and thats a blessing . May he rest in peace."

Fr Downey's death was announced by The Parish of Ballinascreen.

The notice said: "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death, earlier today in Antrim Hospital, of Fr John Downey, RIP.

Please pray for the happy repose of his soul as we thank the Lord for his many years of devoted service as a priest in our parish.



Our Lady of Fatima intercede for him. May he rest in peace."

Rev. Fr. John Downey (Moneyneena) was the beloved brother of Pat, Ann, Jacinta, Roma and the late Lawrence.
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.
HIGHLIGHTS Google is rolling out message bubbles on Google Chat.

This feature enables users to more easily differentiate incoming versus outgoing messages in the Chat message stream.

There is no action required to enable the message bubbles.

Google has announced that it has started to roll out message bubbles on the communication service Google Chat. This feature enables users to more easily differentiate incoming versus outgoing messages in the Chat message stream.

Earlier this year, we announced a modernised Google Chat based on Googles Material Design 3 that included updates to the font, colours, layouts, panel sizing and more. Building upon this, were introducing message bubbles to enable users to more easily differentiate incoming versus outgoing messages in the Chat message stream, the tech giant said in a Workspace Updates blogpost on September 19, 2023.

Also read: Google's Bard chatbot now available in Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps & more: Heres how it works

Before this, all messages in Chat were aligned the same regardless of the sender and displayed without any visual containers that separate messages into clear groups.

However, with the new update, each incoming message will have an independent message bubble aligned to one side with a solid colour background. On the other hand, each outgoing message will have an independent message bubble aligned to the other side with a different colour background.

Also read: Google Chat will now prevent data leaks with its new features

There is no action required to enable the message bubbles. Youll automatically see these updates in your web and mobile experience over the next several weeks. Moreover, the feature is available to all Google Workspace customers and users with personal Google Accounts.

Earlier this month, Google announced that Google Chat on web can now automatically correct misspelt words, making it easier to send messages without typos. Similar to functionality in Gmail and Google Docs, the corrected words are shown with a grey underline so you know when the auto-correction has happened. The tech giant had also started to roll out smart chips in Google Chat on web. When composing a message in Chat, typing @ now displays a list of suggestions for files to include as smart chips.
HIGHLIGHTS Google is rolling out a more capable model of Bard that integrates with Google apps and services.

Bard can find and show you relevant information from Google tools like Gmail, Docs, Drive, YouTube, and more.

Google also improved the Google it feature to double-check Bards answers.

Google has announced that it is rolling out a more capable version of Bard that integrates with Google apps and services including Gmail, Docs, Drive, Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Flights and hotels. For those who are unaware, Bard is an AI chatbot which Google launched earlier this year.

Were launching Bard Extensions in English, a completely new way to interact and collaborate with Bard. With Extensions, Bard can find and show you relevant information from the Google tools you use every day  like Gmail, Docs, Drive, Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Flights and hotels  even when the information you need is across multiple apps and services, the tech giant announced in a blogpost on September 19, 2023.

Also read: Google Bard gets a desi touch: 2 new features Indians will find useful

For example, if youre planning a trip, you can now ask Bard to grab the dates that work for everyone from Gmail, check real-time flight and hotel information, see Google Maps directions to the airport, and even watch YouTube videos of things to do there all within one conversation.

Or, if youre applying for a new job and using Bard to help with the process. You could ask Bard to find my resume titled June 2023 from my Drive and summarise it to a short paragraph personal statement, and continue collaborating on your new cover letter.

Also read: Google Bard upgraded with amazing AI skills but is it better than ChatGPT?

Its important to note that if you choose to use the Workspace extensions, your content from Gmail, Docs and Drive will not be seen by human reviewers, used by Bard to show you ads or used to train the Bard model.

Google also improved the Google it feature to double-check Bards answers. Now, when you use Bard's "Google it" button for responses in English, you can click on the 'G' icon, and Bard will analyse the response, checking for supporting content from the web.

Also, if someone shares a Bard chat with you through a public link, you can now continue the conversation and ask Bard additional questions about that topic, or use it as a starting point for your own ideas.

Based on your feedback, weve applied state-of-the-art reinforcement learning techniques to train the model to be more intuitive and imaginative. So, whether you want to collaborate on something creative, start in one language and continue in one of 40+ others, or ask for in-depth coding assistance, Bard can now respond with even greater quality and accuracy, Google said.
Save my User ID and Password

Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.

Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
India sees rising demand for data centers

Thanks to rising internet subscribers and data consumption, as well as more enterprises migrating to cloud and government initiatives for Digital India, India rapidly emerges as one of the major data center hubs, witnessing increasing investments in the sector.

In July, India-based Reliance Industries announced an investment of INR10 billion (US$122 million) to partner with Canada-based Brookfield Infrastructure to build data centers across India. The data center business is one of Reliance's greenfield ventures to complement its green energy business and electronics manufacturing, such as fuel cell gigafactories and a partnership with Sanmina for building hyper-scale data centers.

Japan-based NTT is also eyeing India's data center market. Ravi Kumar, senior vice president of Global Delivery at NTT Data, told Businessline that the company is seeing strong demand in all the data center campuses in construction in India. In 2022, NTT announced an investment of US$2 billion in India's data centers and undersea cables. According to NTT's website, the company has data centers in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Delhi NCR.

According to the Times of India, JLL data shows that data center capacity has doubled from 350 MW in 2019 to 722 MW in 2022 and is expected to reach 1.4 GW by 2025. The report quoted Manoj Paul, managing director of Equinix, saying that India's data center market grew thanks to India's data sovereignty rules, but now data generation by banks, OTT players, and content delivery networks within India has created enough demands for global players to set up data centers and grow in the country.

The Economic Times quoted Sudatta Kar, vice president and head of engineering at Capgemini Engineering, saying that the huge demand can be attributed to increasing Reliance on digital services and transformation in India, and IoT-enabled smart appliances, wearable devices, and industrial sectors also generate huge amounts of data.

Source: Colliers, The Economic Times, September 2023
Space lab startups Axiom Space, Vellon Space, Yuri visiting Taiwan for partnerships, connected by TAcc+

To align with global space industry development trends and establish comprehensive solutions for Taiwan's space industry, Taiwan Accelerator Plus (TAcc+), a Taiwanese government-sponsored startup accelerator has formed cooperation with international accelerators and organizations to invite overseas SpaceTech startups to visit Taiwan for a whole month, starting August 15. The advisor of the 2023 International SpaceTech Startup Supporting Program is the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (SMEA), and the program is organized by Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and TAcc+.

With a business tour of Taiwan's IT supply chain, TAcc+ is promoting collaborations between enterprises in Taiwan and the visiting startups, eyeing to fill in Taiwan's SpaceTech supply chain's missing gap, and reconnecting the supply chain with international markets to facilitate the advancement of Taiwan's space industry.

Among the 16 participating companies, US-based Axiom Space, India-based Vellon Space Private Limited, and Germany-based Yuri GmbH are working to advance civilization through leveraging the unique vantage point of research and development in microgravity, as well advancement in biosciences, material science, and semiconductors.

Axiom Space

When asked about Axiom Space's business specialty, the company's In-Space Manufacturing Business Development Manager Pearly Pandya pointed out that Axiom Space was founded to "build for beyond" and develop the world's first commercial space station, Axiom Station, where access to space moves beyond the partners of the ISS to countries, institutions, industries, and individuals with new ideas fueling a human economy beyond Earth.

Axiom Space is led by President and CEO Michael Suffredini, who served as NASA's International Space Station Program Manager from 2005 to 2015 and oversaw the space station's transition from assembly to operation and commercial utilization. Today, he leads the Axiom Space team of experts working toward solving Earth-bound challenges to benefit people everywhere.

Axiom Space provides partners and customers with the unprecedented opportunity to access and leverage the unique vantage point and microgravity environment in space. Axiom Station will feature a dedicated research and manufacturing facility, providing state-of-the-art capabilities for in-space production of advanced materials and biomedical products. Axiom Space's research and manufacturing facility in low-Earth orbit (LEO) will provide opportunities for improved processes and novel products that cannot be created on Earth under the influence of gravity.

Axiom Space operates end-to-end missions to the ISS today while developing its successor, Axiom Station  a permanent commercial destination in LEO that will sustain human growth off the planet and bring untold benefits back home. As the intended successor to the ISS, Axiom Space was awarded the NASA contract to provide at least one habitable commercial module to attach to the ISS.

This arrangement will allow a seamless, cost-effective transition that will continue to facilitate research and innovative development for the private and public sectors. Axiom Space is the only company with the privilege of connecting its modules to the ISS.

The Axiom Mission 2 (Ax-2) was launched in May 2023 at the International Space Station. Axiom Space's crew of four astronauts conducted more than 20 different experiments while aboard the space station. Some of the research conducted on the mission includes initial studies for future in-space biomanufacturing of stem cells (Cedars-Sinai), DNA-inspired nanomaterials (Eascra Biotech), and bioengineered tissue (Wake Forest). These studies will enable a transition to future commercial-scale production on Axiom Station. Axiom Space is also actively working with partners to leverage the microgravity environment and develop higher-quality semiconductors (United Semiconductors) and flawless glass (Flawless Photonics) in space.

Axiom Space is excited to engage with the Taiwanese space community and research institutions to explore manufacturing opportunities in space, for benefit on Earth. The company wants to educate and help drive innovation among Taiwan's growing space industry and the TAcc+ international program offers a great opportunity to meet the people at the forefront of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Business Development Manager of Axiom Space, Pearly Pandya's visit to Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) gave her a more in-depth understanding of Taiwan's ecosystem of the space IT industry and related deployment in semiconductor, electronics, and biomedical industries.

Pandya's discussion with TASA covers many interesting topics such as the possibility of manufacturing niche semiconductor micro-architecture in the microgravity environment and the R&D opportunities targeting special crystal structure development processes for semiconductors. So far, the two sides are still at the stage of becoming familiar with each other and exchanging ideas, but are looking to ascend them to collaborations.

Vellon Space

Vellon Space is a space technology startup, focusing on creating a cost-effective platform for research and advancement in biosciences, material science, and semiconductors, recognizing the value and transformational impact of in-space microgravity.

While operating in space, the company's StarLab creates long-duration microgravity for each module and operational support for their correct functions during the flight.

Vellon Space is currently led by CEO Ajay Kumar, the idea conceiver of the microgravity space lab. He is an aeronautical engineer who worked with an Indian space launcher company in his early days.

The team is expanding selectively bringing in core engineering, domain-specific technical and business expertise with core members including COO Ramesh, the head of business, Rahul, the head of technology, Vidhyuth, and domain expert advisors including Professor Satyan Subbiah IIT Madras and Raghunath Das, a serial entrepreneur for bringing Vellon Space industry connections and business guidance.

The solution offered by Vellon Space is not anything new, but it offers distinct advantages to its customers and users including dedicated payloads, customizable, long-duration microgravity conditions, easy contracting, one point of contact, end-to-end management, and technology edge.

Vellon Space recently announced a partnership with IIT-Madras to explore the potential of space-related technologies with the collaboration involving joint research focusing on creating technologies such as ZBLAN fiber-optical crystal growth, diamond growth in space, and lab-on-a-chip for biological applications.

Additionally, Vellon Space has formed partnerships with the bioprinting research team at the University of London, as well as with Aniosoprint and Luxembourg additive manufacturing company. The company is also working with other research institutes in India to further its mission of advancing space-related technologies.

Vellon Space has forged partnerships with international companies engaged in building cargo return services, biological instrumentation, and research and development institutes.

Seeing Taiwan's leadership in semiconductor research, Vellon Space eagerly extends its hand to join forces with Taiwanese industries and research institutions, looking to forge collaborations that synergize semiconductor excellence and biomanufacturing innovation. Vellon Space expects the cooperation to create benefits for both sides.

Vellon Space will showcase its StarLab technology and application in microgravity research and manufacturing at the Taipei International Aerospace & Defense Industry Exhibition and is happy to collaborate with various sectors in Taiwan to provide access to space in advancing innovation.

When asked about his trip to Taiwan, Vellon Space CEO Ajay Kumar said he was excited to work with Atgenomix, one of the top bioinformatics startups in Taiwan, to conduct biomedical research in space and HelioX Cosmos is a Taiwanese commercial space service provider on space biochemical research and experiments, microgravity material research, satellite launch and integration, memorial spaceflight, deep space business development to promote Vellon Space to its Global customers in research, academia and industry to conduct long-duration microgravity research, particularly those from Biotechnology and Semiconductors sectors. According to Vellon, microgravity in space influences bioprocessing techniques. Research work in space can pave ways for bioengineering and regenerative medicine breakthroughs.

Taiwan has just started building space infrastructure as Vellon also plans to launch its StarLab in the coming years and is looking to work with ITRI on space-related semiconductor manufacturing research.

Yuri

Yuri is a space biotech company with a team of more than 30 space engineers and biologists that enable science research in microgravity for scientists and pharma industries worldwide. With an in-house science team, Yuri is developing a pipeline of space biotech products and collaborating with researchers around the globe.

For the new generation of space stations and capsules, the company's space incubator ScienceTaxi with ScienceShell portfolio can add state-of-the-art life science capabilities. Designed for maximum compatibility, Yuri can easily equip its solutions to any new spacecraft.

Yuri's Clinostat and Random Positioning Machine (RPM) are affordable entry tickets to microgravity research. They simulate microgravity conditions 24/7 within the comfort of the user's lab.

Maria Birlem, Christian Bruderrek, and Mark Kugel established Yuri in 2019. Their collective experience at Airbus involved executing microgravity experiments on the ISS, where they facilitated numerous projects for academic institutions and space agencies, both deploying to and retrieving from the ISS.

By the close of 2021, the executive team welcomed Daniela Bezdan as the Chief Scientific Officer. The company's moniker, Yuri, pays homage to Yuri Gagarin, the pioneering astronaut who became the first human in space.

Yuri offers a 10x reduction in cost and time compared to traditional space agencies. This significant decrease enables quicker, more affordable access to space for diverse scientific endeavors.

The team of Yuri is uniquely composed of both space engineers and space biologists. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a profound understanding of both the technical and biological nuances of space experiments.

Yuri also had a successful experience with the Cellbox-3 mission in collaboration with DLR. For this mission, the company transported bone marrow cells for Charite in Berlin and nerve-muscle cells for Goethe University Frankfurt to the ISS. The primary objective was pioneering cancer research, and the results have been groundbreaking.

Yuri is also in the advanced stages of developing the first biotech products formed in space. The launch of these products is slated for the end of this year, marking another significant milestone for the company.

The visit to Taiwan comes with clear objectives and high hopes for fruitful collaboration. Yuri's primary goal is to expand its presence in Asia. Taiwan, with its technological prowess and strategic location, serves as an ideal hub for Yuri's expansion in the region.

Yuri GmbH's Space Access Lead and Sales Engineer Felix Steiner is set to visit TASA and ITRI to strive for business opportunities and is also looking to get a clear picture of Taiwan's current development of space technology and industry development.

A key facet of Yuri's mission is to join forces with the Taiwanese biotech industry. Leveraging our collective strengths, Yuri is enthusiastic about the prospect of co-developing innovative therapeutics addressing unmet clinical needs.

At the upcoming Taipei International Aerospace & Defense Industry Exhibition on September 14-16, Yuri will showcase some of its most exciting and innovative advancements including the unveiling of a model of Yuri's space incubator, the "ScienceTaxi."

The cutting-edge technology is scheduled for its maiden flight in the first quarter of 2024, with its destination set for the International Space Station (ISS).

At its booth, the German company also expects to interact with more Taiwanese companies and is eying to collaborate with Taiwan's supply chain, academies, and institutions to explore the potential businesses within the space biomedical and pharmaceutical industries.

Yuri Lab as a Service is the company's comprehensive service for microgravity experiments. Yuri's ScienceShells, the small bioreactors designed specifically for space life science experiments, will also be on display.

International SpaceTech startup launchpad recap party

Ajay Kumar from Vellon Space (left) and Felix Steiner from Yuri (right), MOU signing ceremony
Protesters took mock gallows and photographs of high-profile politicians to a demonstration outside Leinster House as the Dail returned following the summer recess.

The gallows, which featured an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of enterprise minister Simon Coveney, education minister Norma Foley and minister for children Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Eoin O Broin from Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also featured.

Around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House, where the main entrance was fenced off by gardai, on Wednesday as part of what has become a traditional day of protest for the return of the Dail session.

Far-right protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws.

Politicians and journalists entering the Leinster House premises were called traitors by the gathered crowd.

Demonstrators held signs featuring slogans such as Irish lives matter and Ballybrack says no.

Earlier this year, several gardai responded to the Ballybrack area as groups of anti-migrant protesters damaged a building they did not want to be repurposed for refugees.

*Closure Notice 20.09.23* With access difficulties due to an ongoing protest, the Main Kildare Street Campus (Yeats Exhibition, Main and Family History Reading Rooms and Ticket Office) will be closed to the public today. Apologies for the inconvenience caused.  National Library of Ireland (@NLIreland) September 20, 2023

Outside Leinster House on Wednesday, the protesters regularly chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

Two men have been arrested under the public order act and charged to appear in court.

The nearby National Library of Ireland shut as a result of the protest.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) the company delivering the fibre-to-the-Home network under the National Broadband Plan, has said that over 800 Louth properties in its Riverstown deployment area can now pre-order a high-speed fibre broadband connection. The area also includes the rural surrounds of Ravensdale and Jenkinstown.

9,000 premises in Louth are included in the States Intervention Area, which will see NBI deliver minimum speeds of 500 megabits per second to homes, businesses, farms, and schools. As the biggest investment in rural Ireland since rural electrification, Louth will receive 33M of Government investment under the National Broadband Plan.

There are 800 Louth premises in the Riverstown deployment area that can join the National Broadband Ireland network. National Broadband Ireland is calling on people living near Carlingford to visit nbi.ie/map/ and enter their Eircode to see if they are ready to connect.

NBI says works have already been completed in other parts of Louth and there are a total of 5,139 premises that are available to pre-order or order high-speed, reliable broadband across the county with 1,664 connections made so far.

Peter Hendrick, Chief Executive Officer, National Broadband Ireland, said: We are delighted to announce that Louth premises in the Carlingford area can now order high-speed broadband services through the National Broadband Ireland network. This will enable users to experience the life-changing benefits that high-speed broadband provides.

Presently, over 5,000 homes, farms and businesses across rural Louth can order high-speed fibre broadband to connect to the National Broadband Network. This includes the 800 premises near Carlingford and almost 1,600 premises surrounding Drogheda.

There are over 2,600 Louth premises ready to connect in rural areas surrounding Dundalk. The area will see an investment of approximately 10M to deliver the new high speed fibre network. We would encourage people living in those areas to visit nbi.ie to see if they can place an order for high-speed connection on the NBI network.

As a wholesale network operator, NBI does not sell fibre broadband directly to end users, rather it enables services from a range of broadband providers or Retail Service Providers (RSPs). As a wholesale provider, NBI will make the new Fibre-to-the-Home network available to all RSPs operating in the Intervention Area.

Some 62 RSPs have already signed up to sell services on the National Broadband Ireland network and 51 are certified as ready to start providing connections as of today. To see the retail broadband providers that are currently licensed to sell on the National Broadband Ireland network, visit NBI.ie/buy.

National Broadband Ireland contractors have been on the ground across the country and over 192,679 premises nationwide can order or pre-order broadband on the NBI network so far.

National Broadband Ireland says its website is regularly updated to show estimated connection dates, and that signing up to the NBI email notifications at https://nbi.ie/eoi/ is the easiest way to get the most up to date status of premises during the rollout and when premises will be ready for order.
Two women from Louth have been nominated for Women Mean Business Awards 2023.

Mary Kelledy from supply chain company Overhaul has been nominated for Business Woman of the year, while Dr. Niamh Shaw, Founder & CEO of Dream Big Limited has been nominated for the Women in Technology award.

From Dundalk, Mary Kelledy, has worked at Irish-founded Overhaul since early 2020.

Overhaul is a software-based, supply-chain visibility, risk, compliance and insurance solution for some of the worlds leading brands with headquarters in the US and an Irish base in Dundalk.

Mary boasts an illustrious career spanning over two decades.

From her beginnings as an engineer to her current instrumental role within Overhauls leadership team, she has been a driving force behind the successful orchestration of multifunctional projects, all aimed at propelling the company to new heights.

Barry Conlon, CEO and Founder of Overhaul, said:

Mary is more than a leader; she exemplifies what every woman in the supply chain industry can aspire to be. She is a testament to the potential for women in this industry, echoing the belief that diversity, unity, and resilience lead to success.

Her leadership transcends traditional boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on Overhauls growth trajectory and solidifying her place in the annals of the industrys distinguished leaders.

Dr. Niamh Shaw is an Irish engineer, scientist, writer and performer, recently voted one of Irelands leading science communicators and STEAM specialists and is CEO of Dream Big Limited.

She is a regular contributor on TV and radio about science topics and her space adventures having appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show, The Late Late Show on RTE One and The Seven OClock Show on TV3.

She has also made projects with European Space Agency, British Council, Arts@CERN, Lottie Dolls, ESERO Ireland, The Ark Childrens Centre & more.

With over 10 years experience in broadcasting, theatre and communications, Dr. Niamh Shaw merges the Arts with Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths.

Dr Shaw provides keynote speeches, communications training, family and theatre content for arts & science festivals and public events. She believes that we are many things at once, and is a proponent of creative multidisciplinary lifelong learning to create happy and progressive civilisations of the future.

Winners from the Women Mean Business Awards 2023 will be announced on 9th October, 2023.
A Cork TD has received a commitment that the council will meet with residents of a northside estate which residents say is plagued by poor housing conditions and rodent infestation.

Earlier this month, residents from the Glentrasna estate in The Glen held a public protest to highlight their plight.

The estate consists of just over 100 houses, most of which are social housing homes, and most of which were completed by 2010.

Residents said that the area is overrun with rats and full of homes prone to leaking roofs, damp, mildew and mould.

Tenants there also claimed that Cork City Council had done little to address problems on the estate, with complaints going unanswered or not given adequate responses.

The rally was attended by a number of public representatives including Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould who had the tenants they were the victims of a failure by the city council to invest in maintenance over the past 10 years.

Just over a week on from his comments, the Sinn Fein TD told a meeting of council tenants of the Glentrasna estate in recent days that he had had a meeting with Niall O Donnabhain, director of services at the city councils housing directorate, and Mr O Donnabhain had agreed to meet with tenants at the estate.

Mr Gould said it had been a very positive meeting and officials had insisted they had not been aware of the extent of the problems on the estate, giving a commitment to meet with a delegation of residents in the coming weeks.

Niall O Donnabhain will come up here with a group of other officials, they will meet with a group representing the residents, and they will put in a team to audit the works that need to be done.

Mr Gould said the undertaking was similar to a commitment given in July to tenants on Noonans Road and St Finbarrs Road after The Echo had highlighted shocking living conditions in 60-year-old social housing flats there.

When one resident asked whether the city council had fulfilled its promises to tenants on Noonans Road and St Finbarrs Road, Sinn Fein councillor Mick Nugent said he understood that a report was due to be presented to the Cork City South-Central local area committee in the next fortnight.

Two Glentrasna residents, who asked not to be named, said that they have since been contacted by the council about complaints they had made, and they claimed this was the first contact they had had in ages.

It is understood that a number of other tenants in Glentrasna have since been contacted by the councils maintenance department about complaints they had made.

Socialist Party councillor Brian McCarthy said that residents are more optimistic.

If you talk to the people here, theyre really enthusiastic and optimistic, and they feel they can win here, Cllr McCarthy said.

Niall O Donnabhain has given a commitment that they will come up and meet the tenants some time in the next few weeks, and we have to maintain the pressure to make sure that happens, and that any promises they make, crucially, are followed through.

Socialist Party TD Mick Barry said it should be remembered that Cork City Council was the landlord to the Glentrasna residents.

Cork City Council has let people down here, but people power is on the pitch now, and I think the council will be under real pressure to deliver here now, he said.

Christa Daley, who was one of those who organised the initial protest by tenants, said tenants had heard a lot of positive promises and she was hopeful the council would follow through on its promises.

If the council did not, she said, Well be louder.

Cork City Council did not respond when asked last week for a comment on Glentrasna tenants claims that their complaints had not been taken seriously.

The council has been contacted for comment on when the expected visit to Glentrasna would occur.
A war of words over a social housing project and the regeneration of Knocknaheeny has erupted between politicians from rival parties.

Work on 24 social housing units which commenced almost four years ago has been at a standstill for almost 12 months.

Fianna Fail councillor Tony Fitzgerald has rejected accusations from Sinn Fein politicians that his party have failed on the regeneration in Knocknaheeny by calling on the Sinn Fein elected representatives to get involved in positive news for the northside rather than continuing to give negative images of the area.

Sinn Fein TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould highlighted that work on 24 social housing units in Phase 2C of the regeneration on Kilmore Road in Knocknaheeny which commenced almost four years ago has come to a standstill.

Its not good enough. The first meeting to discuss the regeneration was in 2000.

"For 23 years, the regeneration in Knocknaheeny has been spoken about and yet it is still not half finished.

"People are sick of broken promises and excuses from Fianna Fail, he said.

Fianna Fails position on the Northwest Quarter Regeneration is no longer tenable, added Deputy Gould. Fianna Fail cannot be out in the media claiming to express frustration at the pace of the regeneration while simultaneously, as a government party, completely fail to seek accountability on the progress of the plan.

The people of Knocknaheeny want regeneration, not half-built houses. They want to progress with the plan, as proposed, quickly, and efficiently. This has gone beyond a joke and people are sick of the northside being neglected, he added.

Deputy Gould contrasted the lack of houses currently being built in Knocknaheeny with Ballymun in Dublin after they embarked on a similar regeneration plan.

In Ballymun from 2002 to 2008, according to Ballymun Regen10, almost 4000 new homes were built. In the last 10 years of the regeneration in Knocknaheeny, less than 200 homes have been delivered. The Minister told me last December that the project is expected to run to 2027. At the current construction rate, the project will be running for decades longer than that.

Accountability

Sinn Fein councillor Kenneth Collins has called for an emergency meeting of the Regeneration Committee.

Serious questions must now be answered," he said. "I am calling for an emergency meeting of the Regeneration Committee as there must be accountability for recent communication with councillors. We want people who will act for the people of Knocknaheeny, who will prioritise the regeneration and who will hold Cork City Council to account.

His party colleague, Cllr Mick Nugent encouraged Cork City Council to explore all avenues in resuming construction on the site and in sticking to the timeline for regeneration.

Fianna Fail councillor Tony Fitzgerald however said the 2C development is not a political issue.

With the 2C development, that is a contractual dispute between Cork City Council and the contractor. It is not a political issue. It is not a government issue. The funding is secure for the development.

"As a local resident I am as frustrated as anybody that this development is not completed.

"Hopefully, the negotiations will be completed very soon.

Cllr Fitzgerald also dismissed the accusations from the Sinn Fein representations and said if they were in government, they would "never deliver" the regeneration programme currently being progressed in the area.

109 million has been secured for the area from 2014 to December 2022. Sinn Fein will never deliver this type of programme, either locally or nationally if they are in government. 99 homes have been completed. 103 are under construction. 120 are at the planning stage. 2m has been secured with social interventions and there are other major plans underway under the Cork Northwest regeneration. It is very poor opposition for public representatives to make these comments when the facts are otherwise."

Committed

Both Cork City Council and the government are committed to completing the whole plan," added Cllr Fitzgerald.

"It would be best for Sinn Fein to be involved in positive news for the northside rather than continuing to give negative images of the area."

Cork City Council were contacted for comment. Earlier this year, a statement from the local authority said: "Works are not currently being progressed on site by the contractor, and Cork City Council continues to work with the appointed contractor with a view to the earliest possible delivery of more quality homes at this location.
A YOUNG nurse who passed away from cancer will continue to help save lives even in death, as plans to build a paediatric ward in her honour get under way.

Sonya Lynch from Togher was just 48 when she succumbed to cancer in recent weeks.

Her children Isaac, 12; Isabel, 15; and Alex, 17, have shown incredible strength during that time.

The siblings have already raised almost 19,000 of their 25,000 target to build a childrens ward in Sri Lanka as a fitting tribute to their mother.

They achieved the feat with the help of their uncle, Sonyas brother Mark Penney. The youngsters will be joining him for a 25km walking challenge taking place around Central London to raise funds for the cause.

All funds donated will go to Assist Resettlement and Renaissance  which assists victims of war  and the International Medical Health Organization, who are teaming up with the family to build the paediatric ward.

Mark is currently working with the charity to identify a suitable hospital to team up with for the project.

The initiative is intended to build on Sonyas humanitarian work which had an extremely positive impact throughout her short life.

She volunteered everywhere from Romanian orphanages to Barrettstown as part of an initiative rolling out summer camps for seriously ill children.

The 48-year-old, who worked in the Mercy University Hospital, also worked tirelessly as an advocate to improve supports and services for metastatic breast cancer patients.

Mark said the family are looking forward to building on Sonyas legacy. He spoke of the Cork womans final years.

She kept evolving and surprising us all in new wonderful ways  not because we didnt think she was capable, but because her natural caring outlook just kept finding new stages and places to go, he said.

She was a wonderful mum and wanted to make sure her children were as happy and set up as they possibly could be if her own journey didnt go as we wanted.

They have a huge hole to fill now, and we thought this would be a lovely thing for them to get involved in.

You often have this restless energy where you dont know what to do after somebodys gone like that.

The idea was to achieve something positive with that energy that had Sonyas essence at the core.

He talked about their decision to build a childrens ward.

Sonya loved children, so a 24/7 hospital wing dedicated to caring for them was the right space for us to give a long-term commitment to, he said.

When Sonya was in the Mercy, she had a wonderful way with children.

"She was really skilled at soothing them because she was calm and endlessly caring.

Sonya had a lovely way with the parents, too. Her motivation was to take some of their pain and stress by doing things for their child.

Everything about her profession was an extension of her as a person. She knew she had a role to play in helping both parents and children.

The Cork native described how his sister was helping others, right up to her final days.

When she could no longer work because of her cancer, she channelled all of her talents and caring nature into patient advocacy, he said. She was looking to see if we could do more as an Irish society in an emotional sense.

Obviously, we deal with the pathologies of the cancer in a good and practised way, but there was a shortfall, in her view, in what might happen to the spouses and children and the family dynamic in terms of emotional support.

She did a lot of work in this area and ended up having a high profile nationally as a result.

Mark said the family will continue visiting the Sonya Lynch Paediatric Ward for years after it is built.

We are really happy to be building something that is testament to Sonya by helping sick children on their journey for decades to come.

Our hope is to go to the opening and visit and volunteer at the facility in the years ahead.

This will be a physical testament to all that Sonya stood for. It will also be something we can engage with going forward.

He lauded Sonyas children Isaac, Isabel, and Alex for their strength and caring natures in the face of adversity.

At a very young age, they are already exuding the values that we celebrate, he said.

The positive impact for the beneficiaries of this project will exist for years to come. It will also help us as a family to remember Sonya in the way we want to remember her.

To donate to the Go Fund Me campaign to build a hospital ward in Sonyas honour visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/sonya-lynch
Works at a popular amenity in Fermoy have been completed, with the Mayor of the County of Cork labelling them as "just one example of our [council's] commitment to preserving and enhancing our countys natural beauty".

Councillor Frank OFlynn visited Barnane Walk and Trail following the significant improvement works which includes pathway improvements, fencing, landscaping and the installation of new steel pedestrian bridges to help ensure safe and convenient crossing.

The trail, which forms part of the idyllic Blackwater Way, has also seen extensive improvement works and repairs to the historic stone wall along the Barnane Walk to ensure its preservation for future generations.

The improvement works between Barnane and Glenabo Woods were completed by Cork County Council in partnership with Avondhu Blackwater Partnership.

The project received funding of 200,000 from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme as part of the Governments Our Rural Future strategy with additional funding provided by Cork County Council.

Speaking on the successful completion of the project, Mr OFlynn said: Barnane Walk and Trail is a fantastic amenity.

"The improvement works which have been carried out here in Fermoy are just one example of our commitment to preserving and enhancing our countys natural beauty.

"Id like to extend my gratitude to the Department of Rural and Community Development and to Avondhu Blackwater for their invaluable support in making this project a reality.

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey, added: The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme has enabled us to upgrade many of our existing natural amenities to ensure they are safe and accessible for both visitors and local communities to enjoy.

"Barnane Walk is one of a series of ongoing projects that the council is progressing and Im delighted to see the enhancements made will be of huge benefit to all.
A CORK county councillor has warned that information provided to the local authority regarding a situation involving faults in a Carrigaline water main may not be entirely accurate.

In a recent motion, Fianna Fail Councillor Seamus McGrath requested information about the number of breaks to a water main on Kilmoney Rd.

He also asked for information on the total cost of carrying out repairs on the water main.

The issue had been raised in recent months due to water outages affecting residents in the area.

A response, given to the councillors by the councils senior engineer Daragh Quill, read as follows: Uisce Eireann records show there have been three breaks on the Kilmoney Rd in the last three years.

Two of these have happened in the last three months.

The cost of repairs is typically 2k per repair.

However, Mr McGrath voiced concerns the situation is being downplayed.

Im not sure it is entirely accurate to be honest, he said.

Certainly, there have been more than three breaks in the last three years in that area without question.

I would say there have been three this year alone. I know this has been given in good faith but I dont think this information is accurate.

Can I ask that we write to Irish Water and ask them to carry out an upgrade of that water main as soon as possible?

I would like to seek clarification on the information in this report because the information I have been getting on the ground is that there has been more than that number of breaks here recently.

Fine Gael Councillor Jack White added: If you were to talk to the water curators and staff I think they would paint a different picture as to a more regular occurrence with breaks.

If there was clarification on that it would be welcome. Residents have had to put up with an awful lot.
CORK-based financial services company Provest has committed to providing two bursaries to help students complete their studies at UCC through the universitys Access UCC PLUS Programme.

The Access UCC PLUS Programme, which was founded in 1998, seeks to target students within second-level schools linked to the university and provides them with motivational, educational, and financial assistance throughout their secondary schooling, to enable them to compete for third-level places.

Students wishing to progress to third level can apply through the HEAR (Higher Education Access Route), which is the third-level alternative admissions scheme for school leavers, resident in the Republic of Ireland, who are underrepresented in Higher Education, due to their socio-economic background.

When these students enter UCC, the Access UCC PLUS Programme provides them with a wide range of critical support to enable them to reach their full potential. To date, over 2,300 students have graduated from UCC through the programme.

Mark OSullivan, Managing Director, Provest Private Clients Limited said: We hope that our support can influence and encourage other companies to also support the programme. Breaking down the barriers to education for those who may not have the same level of support as other students in second-level schools, to compete for entry into higher-level education is hugely important."

Professor John OHalloran, President of UCC, stated: Support from the corporate sector has allowed the programme to continue helping young people who may have all the academic ability, but unfortunately are not in a position to proceed to third-level education. We are grateful to businesses like Provest to make that happen.

This generous support from Provest was facilitated by Alumni and Development UCC and Cork University Foundation, said Kerry Bryson, CEO of Cork University Foundation. Provests gift to UCC is indicative of their commitment to supporting student success.
A drunken man annoying people on the streets of Cork was warned by a judge that just because he had difficulties he could not go around taking this out on other people.

33-year-old Dylan Duggan of St Vincents hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, was given a two-month suspended sentence by Judge Olann Kelleher at Cork District Court.

He pleaded guilty to engaging in threatening and abusive behaviour and being drunk and a source of danger.

Garda Francis ORiordan encountered him on July 7 at Bridge Street, Cork.

She responded to a call to attend MacCurtain Street where an intoxicated man was causing a nuisance and annoyance to customers of the Shelbourne Bar and abusing staff at the bar.

Later on Bridge Street he was verbally abusive to Garda ORiordan. He verbally abused Garda ORiordan telling her to f*** off and said, Ill go wherever I want. Now f*** off. Youll do nothing.

Defence solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said the accused was a 33-year-old alcoholic bereft of a lot of support services.

However, he got a permanent bed at St. Vincents hostel in recent days which the solicitor said was a very positive development for him.

The judge said he would not jail the accused and would give him a chance to take up the bed.
A murder charge was brought today against a 29-year-old man accused of murdering a 68-year-old man at The Glen in Cork last March.

Detective Garda Caitriona Molloy arrested Aaron Wolfe and brought him before Cork District Court.

The young man was charged with the murder of Florence (Florrie) OSullivan six months ago. He made no reply to the charge after caution, the detective said.

The charge states that: On March 11 2023 at 15 Glentrasna Court, The Glen, Cork, in the district court area of Cork City, District Number 19, he did murder one Florence OSullivan, contrary to Common Law.

On the application of Sergeant Pat Lyons, the accused man was remanded in custody for one week by Judge Olann Kelleher. There is no provision for the possibility of bail being granted at district court level on a murder charge.

Judge Kelleher remanded him in custody until September 27, to appear by video link from prison on that date The accused who wore a black Manchester United tracksuit was not required to speak during the brief hearing. After Frank Buttimer solicitor, who represents him on free legal aid, dealt with matters, the defendant gave his solicitor a brief thumbs up gesture before being taken back into custody.

Previous charge

Aaron Wolfe of Glentrasna Court was previously charged with assault causing harm to Mr OSullivan on March 11. Sergeant Pat Lyons said that now that the murder charge had been brought against Aaron Wolfe, the state was applying to have the assault charge withdrawn.

Sgt Lyons said the Director of Public Prosecutions directed that the case would proceed to the Central Criminal Court or by a signed plea at the district court for sentencing at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Buttimer said a signed plea would not arise and that a book of evidence would be required.

Case background

The background to the matter is that Florence OSullivan died at Cork University Hospital on April 6. He had been hospitalised after the alleged incident at Glentrasna Court, The Glen, Cork city, on March 11.

It was previously reported that following a number of calls to the emergency services the injured party was removed from the scene by ambulance and the accused was arrested at the scene of the incident a short time later.

An incident room was set up at Watercourse Road garda station. A large volume of CCTV has been harvested, a number of witness statements taken and forensic evidence obtained. Following the death a post mortem took place and confirmed the violent circumstances.

The late Mr OSullivan, who was originally from Adrigole, lived for many years in a flat in Cork city centre. More recently, he had been living in Carrigaline.
A lorry driver kicked another lorry driver in the right buttock following a row over parking and now he has been convicted and fined 500 for assault.

Judge Olann Kelleher convicted and fined Paul Brooker of Ardmore Estate, Passage West, County Cork, for assault after he pleaded guilty to the offence at Cork District Court.

Sergeant Ciaran Kelleher said, the incident occurred on March 22 at Cosgraves Transport, Little Island.

The complainant attended at Glanmire garda station and alleged that the assault had taken place at 11.20am that morning.

He said he had gotten into a verbal altercation with another unknown truck driver who had taken issue with the way he had parked his truck and when he walked away the unknown driver assaulted him by kicking him in his right buttock, Sgt Kelleher said.

Eugene Murphy, solicitor, said Paul Brooker had no previous conviction for anything like this.

It came as a shock to him that he had behaved in this way. He asked that his apology be conveyed.

He found that the injured party had parked in a particular way and he asked him to move his lorry and he got a gesture which was unsatisfactory.

He has taken counselling for anger management since this, Mr Murphy said.

Judge Kelleher said: He was taking the law into his own hands.

He imposed a 500 fine on the defendant on the assault charge.
A Cork TD has vowed that no one will prevent him from doing his job after a crowd of protesters temporarily blocked access to Leinster House this afternoon.

Donnchadh O Laoghaire, Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central, was one of a number of Oireachtas members who were harassed by the protesters as the Dail returned today after the summer recess.

Donnchadh O Laoghaire, Sinn Fein TD for Cork South Central.

Mr O Laoghaire, was returning to Leinster House from a meeting, when he was prevented from entering the Oireachtas complex by the protesters, before being escorted for his own safety down Kildare Street by four uniformed gardai.

In a brief statement to The Echo, Mr O Laoghaire said that, as an elected representative, he would not be intimidated by anybody.

Im elected and very proud to represent the people of my home city, and I go to Dublin every week to do that, and I wont be deterred by anyone in doing that, Mr Donnchadh O Laoghaire said.

Several arrests were made during the day of protests outside the Dail that also saw demonstrators display a mock gallows, decorated with photographs of high-profile politicians.

The gallows, which featured an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of enterprise minister and Cork TD Simon Coveney, education minister Norma Foley and minister for children Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Eoin O Broin from Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also featured.

This morning around 200 people had gathered outside Leinster House on Kildare Street, where the main entrance was fenced off by gardai, as part of what has become a traditional day of protest for the return of the Dail session.

Far-right protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws.

Politicians and journalists entering the Leinster House premises were called traitors by the gathered crowd.

Demonstrators held signs featuring slogans such as Irish lives matter and Ballybrack says no.

The protesters regularly chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

The nearby National Library of Ireland shut as a result of the protest.

Later today, protesters moved round to the other entrance to the Dail on Merrion Street.

Their numbers had reduced to below 100 at this stage.

They attempted to form human chains at the entrance to prevent people leaving.

At one point several politicians cars were trapped inside the grounds before gardai moved to clear a path for them to exit.
CALL it bad manners or just an acute curiosity, but staying with friends last week, I tried to insist that we watch The Late Late Show to get the measure of new host, Patrick Kielty. My hosts were having none of it.

Theyre about ten years younger than me and one of them disclosed that she hasnt seen the programme since Gay Byrnes final edition of Europes longest-running chat show.

Her husband is averse to RTE as he thinks its just a bunch of friends plugging each others books and other achievements, including programmes theyre starring in.

And so, while my friends listened to music on Spotify and viewed something on Netflix, I tuned into The Late Late Show on my laptop.

Its an age thing. I grew up with The Late Late Show and its my default programme when Im at home on a Friday night. You never know what will happen.

But, as is often the case, the guest list was a bit of a disappointment last week.

Tommy Tiernan and Hector O hEochagain present programmes on RTE so it was all a bit in-house having these lads as the first bunch of guests, along with their podcast colleague, Laurita Blewitt.

Tiernan, I felt, was willing Kielty to succeed, keeping the flow going. All very collegial and decent of the stand-up comedian from Navan. But it didnt make for exciting TV.

There were a few laughs. And Kielty segued into a more serious tone when former president, Mary McAleese, joined the guests. He wondered about McAleeses take on Leo Varadkars comment that he expected to see a united Ireland in his lifetime. She said that a lot of people were killed in the north before the Anglo Irish Agreement was hammered out, and acknowledged Kieltys fathers murder at the hands of the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF). It was an emotional moment.

Kielty seemed generally a little bit vulnerable, notwithstanding his irreverent digs at RTE, mentioning things like barter accounts and Joe Duffy and his nemesis, The Wolfe Tones.

The 2 Johnnies are not exactly scintillatingly witty, although theyll always raise a few cheap laughs and they did that on Kieltys first Late Late Show outing.

They are part of the revolving door that guarantees them air time and TV spots in this country, that is spilling over with chat shows on radio and television.

Has the chat show eaten itself? How often do we have to suffer the Brennan brothers, Daniel ODonnell, and all those other staples of The Late Late Show?

Will Kielty interview those examples of over-exposed personalities, or is there any attempt to rethink Irelands premier chat show?

On the basis of last Fridays show, nothing has really changed, although Kieltys opening monologue, full of gags, was in the mode of American talk show warm-ups  and it worked very well.

Kielty is likeable and doesnt come across as a precious media star. You could imagine going for a pint with him  and opening up to him. He has that kind of presence; hes affable and easy to talk to.

But hed want to demand better guests. However, the programme doesnt attract the kind of A-listers that go on The Graham Norton Show.

Perhaps The Late Late Show could revert to what it was like in Gay Byrnes days, when the topic du jour was thrashed out by a lively panel of controversialists.

It has been said that, thanks to Gaybo, there is very little left in Irish society that is taboo. But what about really looking at issues such as climate change, or should I say climate catastrophe, and the race to save the planet?

To make it more real, why not frame the environmental movement as the effort to save humanity? Because thats what it boils down to.

Researchers on The Late Late Show should identify strident young voices that could appeal to the powers-that-be to quit using fossil fuels. It could make for interesting television.

And thats the only way people will stay with The Late Late Show. We deserve more than the usual ding dong.

Gaybos guests on his first Late Late Show on July 2, 1962, included a TV critic Ken Grey, Count Cyril McCormack, an eccentric jazz musician George Hodnett, and Harry Thuillier, an Irish broadcaster and former Irish Olympian fencer. They were not household names.

The first few weeks of the show were not well received, notes Finola Doyle-ONeill, author of The Gaybo Revolution.

This was largely because the public was expecting a variety show rather than a talk show.

But ultimately, The Late Late Show, under Gaybos stewardship, was a success.

Patrick Kieltys first Late Late Show revealed an empathetic presenter. All he needs are good guests.

But maybe thats too much to hope for?
Norma Foley has suspended plans to have parts of the Leaving Cert assessed by teachers, citing the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education.

The Minister for Education pledged to accelerate Leaving Cert reform plans with an emphasis on project work and practicals which will be assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) instead of teachers.

Ms Foley insisted teacher assessment remains on the table while the SEC researches the potential role and impact of generative artificial intelligence in teacher-based assessment in particular.

As part of an announcement of an update programme for Senior Cycle Redevelopment, Ms Foley said: Over the past two years I have listened to the views of our students, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.

I am particularly conscious of the more recent accelerated evolution and growth in generative AI, and I understand there is a need to explore the opportunities afforded by these developments in an educational context, as well as the challenges they might present. With that in mind, I have asked the SEC that further research would be commissioned on the potential role and impact of generative artificial intelligence in teacher-based assessment in particular. While this work is ongoing, I have decided to progress additional and practical components that will be externally assessed by the SEC. I look forward to working collaboratively with our partners across the education sector to achieve our shared vision of excellence and equity, and enriching our students experience, in line with Senior Cycle Redevelopment.

Ms Foley confirmed that changes will be introduced to nine subjects from 2025, including biology, physics, chemistry and business.

Part of the subjects will be externally assessed, so results will not just hinge on the June exams.

Meanwhile, two new subjects are to be added to the Leaving Cert programme.

Students will be able to study climate action and sustainable development, along with drama, film and theatre studies.

Speaking on Wednesday, Ms Foley said artificial intelligence was not a part of our lived experience when the original reforms were planned.

We live in the world of AI now, she said.

Speaking to RTEs Morning Ireland, she said: I now have the opportunity to look at AI. I believe, in terms of education, we can harness it for the positive; Im also aware that there are challenges with it.

She said work is being done across the world in relation to AI and said the Government will move as expeditiously as we possibly can.

The Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) welcomed the announcement.

General secretary Michael Gillespie said: Our clear and unambiguous position has always been that State certification is key to all developments and must be retained.

TUI members have always been fundamentally opposed to assessing their own students for State certificate purposes and therefore external assessment and State certification  which retain significant public trust  are essential for all written examinations and all additional components of assessment.

Asked if teacher-based assessment has been scrapped due to a lack of buy-in from teachers unions, Ms Foley said she does not accept that.

She said it has always been the case that teachers will have to be suitably confident and suitably trained before they can be involved in assessing Leaving Certificate examinations.

I need the time now to do that. In the first instance, I need the information and then I need the time to do it with them  and we will do that.
Cillian Sherlock, PA

Several arrests have been made during a day of protests outside Leinster House that saw demonstrators block entrances and display a mock gallows.

Photographs of high-profile politicians were attached to the gallows as Dail business returned following the summer recess.

There was a sizeable Garda presence, with metal barricades erected, as politicians, media and Oireachtas staff were barracked arriving and leaving the building.

Some TDs and senators required Garda escorts to leave Leinster House through the shouting crowds of protesters.

Protesters carried signs saying Ballybrack says no in reference to plans to house asylum seekers in a building in the area, which sparked mass protests earlier this year. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

The gallows, which featured an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney, Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Children Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Sinn Fein's Eoin O Broin and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also featured.

On Wednesday morning, around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House on Kildare Street, where the main entrance was fenced off by gardai, as part of what has become a traditional day of protest for the return of the Dail session.

Far-right protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws.

Politicians and journalists entering the premises were called traitors by the gathered crowd.

Members of Gardai form a barrier as a car leaves Leinster House after protesters blocked the gate. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

Demonstrators held signs featuring slogans such as Irish lives matter and Ballybrack says no.

Earlier this year, several gardai attended the Ballybrack area as groups of anti-migrant protesters damaged a building they did not want to be repurposed for refugees.

Outside Leinster House on Wednesday, the protesters regularly chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

The nearby National Library of Ireland shut as a result of the protest.

Later in the day, protesters moved to the other entrance of the Dail on Merrion Street.

Their numbers had reduced to below 100 at that point, but they attempted to form human chains at the entrance to prevent people leaving.

At one point, several politicians cars were trapped inside the grounds before gardai moved to clear a path for them to exit.
AN exhibition of attractive art work by a retired nun can be seen at Bishopstown Library in Wilton until September 28.

Proceeds from the sale of the work by Sr Margaret Kiely will go to Ukrainian refugees in Poland through the SMA (Society of African Missions.)

Sr Margaret worked with the SMA in Cork, co-ordinating its health services. Now, this 86-year-old energetic nun, who describes herself as a multi-tasker and probably a workaholic, is finally getting to express herself artistically after a long life of service. She only retired at 80 and is an advocate for working beyond the usual retirement age if possible. She says its good for the head.

Sr Margarets exhibition is of seascapes and landscapes of Cork and Kerry, including Skellig Michael. Coming from Millstreet, she says these counties have the nicest scenery. Her work includes depictions of puffins and sheep against dramatic backdrops. She only took up art when she retired six years ago.

I was good at art in school but I never got the opportunity to carry it on. When I started doing art classes after I retired, I used acrylics then oils. Going to a class motivated me to keep going.

Sr Margaret Kiely and Jo Kehoe with their art work.

The most recent class I went to was in the Crypt in Dennehys Cross church. Brother Albert is a very good teacher there. I find art relaxing. Its great to be able to sit down and start painting something.

I forget about everything else when Im doing it.

Sr Margaret, who was instrumental in addiction treatment having set up Tabor Lodge, trained as a nurse and then joined the Mercy Sisters at 21.

She worked in the South Infirmary Hospital before training as a nurse tutor at University College Dublin. She taught for 14 years and was then asked by her order to set up a residential treatment centre for people struggling with addiction.

She spent a year in America, training in addiction counselling in Minnesota. Tabor Lodge opened in Ballindeasig, Co Cork, in 1989.

I opened Tabor Lodge with no funding. There was no policy or procedure at the start. I just started off and trusted in God. It was very rewarding work. I enjoyed every minute of it.

I had experience of addicts coming into hospital, drunk and disorderly, breaking furniture and things like that. Once people get sober and get off the drugs and start treatment, theyre lovely. Theyre normal. They realise what alcohol did to them. They do the 12 step AA programme. I use it myself too. Theres lots of situations in life where Im powerless and I just have to let go.

Sr Margaret realised many of the younger people attending Tabor Lodge needed more care than could be provided during a month-long residential stay. In 1999, with the help of the Mercy Sisters again, she opened a womens halfway house called Renewal in Shanakiel. Three years later, Fellowship House for men was set up in Togher.

Now, the Tabor Group has five houses.

Id never have done that if I was on my own and if I wasnt in an order, she has said.

But then somebody puts you forward and says we want you to do that. You kind of trust in God then and say if its meant to be, it will be.

In 2002, Sr Margaret was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Ive done well since. I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Losing my hair was the worst thing. Thank God I got the all-clear five years ago. As soon as I noticed the lump, I went about it. The cancer hadnt travelled. I suppose having a positive attitude is important and to keep doing things, a hobby or a job. Gratitude is important too.

Sr Margaret Kiely.

Sr Margaret feels that she has been given another chance at life. In her nursing days, people with breast cancer often died. Now, the survival rate is high.

Its an amazing change. I was one of those lucky people.

During the pandemic, Sr Margaret was extremely busy, sewing masks. She reckons she made thousands of them. People gave her donations of fabric, reels of thread, stamps and even a sewing machine. The sisters in her community began to help with cutting, ironing and distributing the masks.

Initially, they were given out free. It was then suggested that people donate to a charity. The Irish Motor Neurone Association was the recipient. As well as giving Sr Margaret a purpose, making the masks was not without an environmental benefit as they are washable and reusable.

Since retiring, Sr Margaret has volunteered as a tutor for Age Action, giving lessons to computer novices in Cork. She says that training older people in technology is best done on a one-to-one basis.

If youre dealing with a group of people, each person wants to learn a different thing.

One person might have forgotten their password. Someone else wants to know how to use Rip.ie and then theres the person who wants to learn how to do Face-time.

A group of tutors including Sr Margaret gave a course in computers to patients at Marymount Hospice.

It was lovely to see the patients using iPads and tablets, communicating with people all the time.

Not being au fait with technology can be very isolating for older people, says Sr Margaret. She has no regrets about not having children and enjoys the company of her 50 nieces and nephews and 24 grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Sr Margaret lives in an apartment on the site of an old convent near Cork University Hospital, keeping herself busy, mixing with the other nuns there, and indulging in art.

Its one more accomplishment to add to the list of this talented and resourceful nun.
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.

About half of all packaged goods found in grocery stores contain palm oil, because this product is versatile, grows efficiently for better yields and has low production costs. However, palm oil comes at a high cost to the environment, and its production is a leading cause of deforestation around the world.

As a potential alternative, researchers at Queen Margaret University (QMU) in Edinburgh, UK have developed PALM-ALT, which they found to not only be better for the environment but also a healthier substitute.

PALM-ALT is made from a byproduct of linseed (or flaxseed) production along with natural fiber and rapeseed oil. According to the researchers, it can be made locally at a global scale, including in the UK and within the EU. In response to a question from EcoWatch regarding PALM-ALTs cost-competitiveness with palm oil, a PALM-ALT spokesperson said they are unable to confirm costs until manufacturing partners have been arranged.

PALM-ALT was made to substitute palm oil in baked goods, like cookies and cakes, without impacting characteristics like texture or flavor. It has a consistency similar to mayonnaise. The resulting substitute has 88% less saturated fat and 25% less fat overall compared to palm oil, according to the researchers.

The palm oil substitute is also about 70% better for the environment (based on carbon emissions) compared to palm oil, as the BBC reported.

Oil palm trees grow only in tropical areas, which has led producers to destroy native, tropical forests to build oil palm plantations. This has a number of negative impacts. It removes native plants, displaces wildlife and removes an effective carbon sink, the World Wildlife Fund explained. Tropical forests are typically burned to make way for the oil palm plantations, contributing to air pollution. Palm oil mills also produce liquid waste that pollutes soil, surface water and groundwater.

Palm can only be harvested in rainforest areas of the globe, thousands of miles away from many of the countries that use the product, Catriona Liddle, head of the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation at Queen Margaret University, said in a statement. Current production methods leading to deforestation of tropical rainforests in Malaysia and Indonesia have led to the destruction of animals natural habitat, and high greenhouse gas emissions linked to its global transport. It is therefore essential to develop an alternative product, which works well for the food industry and helps reduce the worlds overreliance on palm.

The researchers have patented PALM-ALT and its production process. As for next steps, in additional to finding manufacturing partners they are looking for food companies and other partners that want to replace palm oil with PALM-ALT in their products.
Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions.

A former Microsoft employee works from home managing her own businesses in Columbus, Ohio. Megan Jelinger for The Washington Post via Getty Images

If youre looking for ways to reduce your carbon emissions you could start by staying home for work. A new study by researchers from Cornell University and Microsoft has found that working remotely can have great benefits for the planet.

According to the study, compared to those who travel to an office for work, people who work remotely all the time could reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 54 percent. Hybrid workers can reduce their carbon footprint by 11 percent when they work remotely two days a week and 29 percent when they spend four days working from home.

The remote work has to be significant in order to realize these kind of benefits, said Longqi Yang, an applied research manager at Microsoft and co-author of the study, as The Washington Post reported. This study provides a very important data point for a dimension that people care a lot about when deciding remote work policy.

The study, Climate mitigation potentials of teleworking are sensitive to changes in lifestyle and workplace rather than ICT usage, was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

As a model for the projected greenhouse gas emissions of U.S. remote, hybrid and office workers, the researchers used data on teleworking and commuting from Microsoft employees. They looked at five types of emissions, including energy use at home and in the office.

Office energy use is the main contributor to the carbon footprint of onsite and hybrid workers, while non-commute-related travel becomes more significant as the number of remote work days increases, the study said. In contrast, the effects of remote and hybrid work on ICT usage have negligible impacts on the overall carbon footprint. This highlights that people should shift their focus from ICT usage to commute decarbonization, facility downsizing, and renewables penetration for office buildings to mitigate GHG emissions of remote and onsite work.

The researchers found that travel not related to work increased for remote workers.

People say: I work from home, Im net zero. Thats not true, said Fengqi You, one of the authors of the study and a Cornell professor whose research is focused on systems engineering and data science, as reported by The Guardian. The net benefit for working remotely is positive but a key question is how positive. When people work remotely, they tend to spend more emissions on social activities.

Professor You pointed out that peoples homes are not always the most energy efficient, and office printers tend to be more energy efficient than printers used at home.

While remote work shows potential in reducing carbon footprint, careful consideration of commuting patterns, building energy consumption, vehicle ownership, and non-commute-related travel is essential to fully realise its environmental benefits, the study said.

Improved fuel economy due to less congestion at rush hour was an additional benefit of more remote work.

To have a comprehensive plan for something like this, youre looking at more than just the workplace, and obviously the other choices that people make in their life will also impact the emissions that they create and that organizations might create as well, said John Trougakos, a professor of organizational behavior and human resources management at University of Toronto-Scarborough, as The Washington Post reported.

The study found that communications and information technology made up only a small portion of overall carbon emissions, so the focus of emissions reductions should be on using renewables for office temperature control and decarbonizing transportation.

Were not trying to predict the future, but I think the future is all up to us, Yang said, as reported by The Washington Post. This study tells people, if we want to be more carbon neutral in the future, what can we do now?
Delhi University (DU) is going to start joint degree, dual degree and joint research programmes soon. This will also benefit international universities, Vice-Chancellor Yogesh Singh said on Tuesday, September 19. The decision stemmed from discussions held with an international university in this regard.



Members of the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, visited DU and discussed climate change and other issues, according to a statement from the university. The delegation interacted with the deans/heads of departments of subjects like Climate Change, Environment and Sustainability, Health and Life Sciences, Basic Sciences, Food and Agriculture, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences and Economic Law and Humanities, as mentioned in a report by PTI.

"India and Denmark have very old and traditional relations. It is a matter of pride for DU to have a relationship with Copenhagen University, the oldest university in the world," the DU VC said, adding that DU would launch joint and dual degree as well as research programmes.

Henrik Wegener Rector, Chancellor of the University of Copenhagen, said, "We have an extensive history of partnership with India. The joint meeting with a reputed institution of India like the University of Delhi is a matter of pleasure for us," as per PTI.




New revolving loan fund to set up more meat and poultry processing centers in North Dakota, US

Rural communities in North Dakota, the United States, are getting help they need as the Rural Development Finance Corporation is launching a revolving loan fund to establish more meat and poultry processing centers.

This came after the company received a US$10 million grant from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The programme works with start-up facilities with low-interest loans for meat production.

North Dakota Rural Electric Cooperative's director said it will help the local economy and create jobs.

"It's important to process what we produce here, and it also supports our local food supply chain," said rural development director Lori Capouch. "As you know we have a sparsely populated state and we have difficulty getting producers to our retail, grocery stores, to our schools, to our restaurants."

- KFYR
What Is a Reserve Price?5 card video poker club vegas slots

Common to auctions, a reserve price or a reservation price is the minimum amount that a seller will accept as the winning bid. Alternatively, it is less commonly known as the highest price a buyer is willing to pay for a good or service. The reserve price prevents a bidder who offers a price lower than what the owner will accept from winning the auction.

The point at which the buyer and seller are no longer willing to negotiate is the walk-away point. The auction's starting price tends to start lower than the reserve price to encourage bidding. A reserve price is not to be confused with an opening bid, which is the suggested starting bid for an auction.

Key Takeaways

A reserve price is a minimum price that a seller would be willing to accept from a buyer.

In an auction, the seller is not typically required to disclose the reserve price to potential buyers.

If the reserve price is not met, the seller is not required to sell the item, even to the highest bidder.

As a result, some buyers dislike reserve prices as they encourage bidding at levels that may not win.

Understanding Reserve Price

Reserve prices are intended to protect the owner of an auctioned item from an unfavorable outcome. On sites like eBay, the reserve price is hidden, and until the reserve is met, the system will show "Reserve Not Met."

When the reserve price is met, the system will display "Reserve Met." Once a bidder submits a bid that has met the reserve price, the bid is binding, obligating the buyer to purchase the auction item or service and obligating the seller to sell the item or service.

Sellers can disclose the reserve price in their descriptions or upon request from potential buyers. Some auction bidders are opposed to reserve prices because they reduce the possibility of winning the auction at a bargain price and because they create uncertainty as to the minimum price that must be paid to win the auction.

Some auction companies and sites (e.g., eBay) allow sellers to set reserve prices for an additional fee as it is considered an optional feature, and some allow for the reserve price to be changed while an auction is active. If changes are allowed, the seller can only reduce the reserve price. When a reserve price is disallowed, such as with an absolute auction, owners are typically prohibited from bidding on their items as doing so would allow them to manipulate the process.

All auctions are not the same. The parties to an auction should thus carefully review the rules and guidelines before entering into a selling agreement or submitting bids.

Sellers are not obligated to sell if the reserve price is not met.

Reserve Price vs. Opening Bid

Oftentimes, the reserve price and the opening price/bid are used interchangeably. However, they are not the same. While the reserve price is the minimum price a seller is willing to accept, the opening bid is the amount suggested to start bidding. Bidders are not obligated to accept the opening bid, and if an item receives no bids, the auctioneer will lower the starting/opening bid price.

If an opening bid is too high, it may cause bidders to become disinterested even if the item price is subsequently lowered. It's like listing a residential property for sale. If the price is too high, many potential buyers become disinterested, and regaining their interest is difficult even when the price is lowered. Therefore, professional auctioneers suggest starting with a lower starting bid to gain interest. Once bidders are interested and begin bidding, they are invested and will likely continue until a higher price is secured.

Example of a Reserve Price

For example, an Ohio auction house has scheduled an auction to liquidate the equipment from a bankrupt manufacturing firm. One item on auction is a stamping press used to shape sheets of steel into automotive body panels. The auction firm sets a reserve price of $250,000 based on the recommendation of the bankruptcy trustee but opens the bidding at $100,000.

After several bidders bring the price to $175,000, a firm that once competed with the bankrupt parts maker bids $200,000 for the press. No one else offers a higher bid, and the auctioneer removes the press from the auction because the reserve price is unmet.
What Is a Compliance Officer?app bet365 apk wizard of oz pokies

A compliance officer is an employee of a company that ensures the firm is in compliance with its outside regulatory and legal requirements as well as internal policies and bylaws. The chief compliance officer is usually the head of a firm's compliance department.

Compliance officers have a duty to their employer to work with management and staff to identify and manage regulatory risk. Their objective is to ensure that an organization has internal controls that adequately measure and manage the risks it faces. Compliance officers provide an in-house service that effectively supports business areas in their duty to comply with relevant laws and regulations and internal procedures. The compliance officer is usually the companys general counsel, but not always.

Key Takeaways

A compliance officer is an individual who ensures that a company complies with its outside regulatory and legal requirements as well as internal policies and bylaws.

Compliance officers have a duty to their employer to work with management and staff to identify and manage regulatory risk.

In the event of a regulatory breach, it is important for the compliance officer to have appropriate disciplinary measures in place to avoid a future recurrence.

How Compliance Officers Work

A compliance officer is an employee of a company who helps that company maintain policies and procedures to remain within an industry's regulatory framework. The duties of a compliance officer may include reviewing and setting standards for outside communications by requiring disclaimers in emails or examining facilities to ensure they are accessible and safe. Compliance officers may also design or update internal policies to mitigate the risk of the company breaking laws and regulations and lead internal audits of procedures.

A compliance officer must have a thorough knowledge of the company and an awareness of where possible regulatory breaches may occur. It is essential that the compliance officer effectively communicate the companys key ethical principles and compliance regulations. Compliance officers organize regular training sessions for employees to communicate key regulatory changes and updates. This is particularly important in a heightened regulatory environment where change is constant. The compliance officer must work with business units and management to ensure appropriate contingency plans are in place that set guidelines on how to respond to a possible compliance breach.

In the event of a regulatory breach, it is important for the compliance officer to have appropriate disciplinary measures in place to avoid a future recurrence. It is the compliance officers duty to ensure continual monitoring and review of compliance procedures to help identify possible areas where improvements could be made.

Compliance officers are expected to provide an objective view of company policies. Influence by other employees, including management and executives, to overlook infractions may result in significant fines or sanctions that may lead to financial loss or even business closure. Larger companies typically have a chief compliance officer (CCO) to direct compliance-related activities.

Compliance officers play an active role in managing a firm's risk and reducing financial crime.

Becoming a Compliance Officer

A compliance officer requires a unique skill set to ensure a companys operations fully comply with regulations and procedures. It is critical that a compliance officer possess high ethical standards and honesty as this individual is responsible for ensuring a company adheres to required regulations.

Compliance officers continually review the work of others, and so it is essential they have polished people skills and work well with colleagues. Compliance officers need to be reliable, showing commitment and unity in relation to a companys regulations and procedures, and it is crucial that they demonstrate this to colleagues, leading by example. Compliance officers must also have strong attention to detail. They need the ability to notice actions that may result in liability.

A position as a compliance officer or manager is not typically deemed as entry-level. Bachelor's degrees are normally a minimum requirement, and some employers may look for advanced degrees, like a law degree or a master's degree in business administration (MBA), especially to qualify for a higher-level position.

Compliance officers in other sectors have the opportunity to complete the Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional Program (CCEP) through the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE). The CCEP requires participation in an intensive prerequisite course along with the successful passing of an exam. Similar designation and certification courses are available through the Ethics and Compliance Officer Association (ECOA).

According to BLS's May 2020 statistics, annual salaries for compliance professions range from $40,160 to $115,220, and hourly wages from $19.31 to $55.39. A lower-income earner in a compliance officer position is more likely to have minimal past work experience or hold a degree not directly related to the industry in which they work.

A worker with a higher income often has substantial tenure in his position or has earned advanced degrees in business, accounting, law or finance. Of course, those who work at a large institution are more likely to have access to fringe benefits that increase the total compensation package, with chief compliance officers possessing those on a par with other C-Suite executives.
China on Thursday indicated its objection to a joint military drill to be held by Japan,shiba inu gold coin playchumba app the Republic of Korea and the United States near the Korean Peninsula.

China holds that the international community, especially Asia-Pacific countries, should take moves conducive to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia, not to the contrary, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said at a regular press briefing.

The Naval forces of the three countries will stage a joint drill next Thursday in waters off ROKs southern island of Jeju, which will involve training in search and rescue operations and maritime interdiction operations.

Xinhua

China indicates objection to Japan-ROK-US military drilladded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is a Private Company?king of macedonia slot free

A private company is a firm held under private ownership. Private companies may issue stock and have shareholders, but their shares do not trade on public exchanges and are not issued through an initial public offering (IPO). As a result, private firms do not need to meet the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) strict filing requirements for public companies. In general, the shares of these businesses are less liquid, and their valuations are more difficult to determine.

Key Takeaways

A private company is a firm that is privately owned.

Private companies may issue stock and have shareholders, but their shares do not trade on public exchanges and are not issued through an IPO.

The high costs of an IPO is one reason companies choose to stay private.

Private Company

How a Private Company Works

1:34

Private companies are sometimes referred to as privately held companies. There are four main types of private companies: sole proprietorships, limited liability corporations (LLCs), S corporations (S-corps) and C corporations (C-corps)all of which have different rules for shareholders, members, and taxation.

All companies in the U.S. start as privately held companies. Private companies range in size and scope, encompassing the millions of individually owned businesses in the U.S. and the dozens of unicorn startups worldwide. Even U.S. firms such as Cargill and Koch Industries, with upwards of $100 billion in annual revenue, fall under the private company umbrella.

Remaining a private company, however, can make raising money more difficult, which is why many large private firms eventually choose to go public through an IPO. While private companies do have access to bank loans and certain types of equity funding, public companies can often sell shares or raise money through bond offerings with more ease.

Types of Private Companies

Sole proprietorships put company ownership in the hands of one person. A sole proprietorship is not its own legal entity; its assets, liabilities and all financial obligations fall completely onto the individual owner. While this gives the individual total control over decisions, it also raises risk and makes it harder to raise money. Partnerships are another type of ownership structure for private companies; they share the unlimited liability aspect of sole proprietorships but include at least two owners.

Limited liability companies (LLCs) often have multiple owners who share ownership and liability. This ownership structure merges some of the benefits of partnerships and corporations, including pass-through income taxation and limited liability without having to incorporate.

S corporations and C corporations are similar to public companies with shareholders. However, these types of companies can remain private and do not need to submit quarterly or annual financial reports. S corporations can have no more than 100 shareholders and are not taxed on their profits while C corporations can have an unlimited number of shareholders but are subject to double taxation.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Private Companies

The high costs of undertaking an IPO is one reason why many smaller companies stay private. Public companies also require more disclosure and must publicly release financial statements and other filings on a regular schedule. These filings include annual reports (10-K), quarterly reports (10-Q), major events (8-K), and proxy statements.

Another reason why companies stay private is to maintain family ownership. Many of the largest private companies today have been owned by the same families for multiple generations, such as the aforementioned Koch Industries, which has remained in the Koch family since its founding in 1940. Staying private means a company does not have to answer to its public shareholders or choose different members for the board of directors. Some family-owned companies have gone public, and many maintain family ownership and control through a dual-class share structure, meaning family-owned shares can have more voting rights.

Going public is a final step for private companies. An IPO costs money and takes time for the company to set up. Fees associated with going public include an SEC registration fee, Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) filing fee, a stock exchange listing fee and money paid to the underwriters of the offering.
The Nairobi County government tabled a proposal that if approved would see the Kenyan capital receive a 30% share of the revenue generated by its legal casinos. The proposal is part of the Finance Bill 2018, which was introduced to Kenyas National Assembly earlier this week.

There are 23 registered casinosin the capital city, according to official data. They are licensed and regulated under the provisions of the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act of 2017 and their activity is overseen by the Betting Control and Licensing Board.

However, it is understood that the Nairobi County does not receive a shareof the revenue generated by the gambling venues within its limits and that tax revenue contributions go to the national government.

The proposal for Nairobi receiving a share of its casinos annual revenues came as part of the local governments attempts to secure revenue sources for the 2018-19 financial year. Nairobi County officials are looking to secure funds for a planned KES32 billionannual budget.

Kenyas casino gaming sector has been on the rise over the past several years. The countrys licensed casino-style gambling venues generated the total amount of KES2.3 billionin revenue last year.

Nairobi Countys revenue sharing proposal comes four years after a similar plan was introduced by local lawmakers but was struck down by the High Court, following a complaint by a casino patron who had argued that the move would result in customers being subjected to double taxation.

Kenyas New Gambling Tax

Kenyas gambling industry has been making the headlines over the past year mainly due to the introduction of a 35% tax on all types of gambling revenue. The taxation regime took effect on January 1 and was part of the Betting, Lotteries, and Gaming Act. The legislative piece was approved by Kenyan MPs and President Uhuru Kenyatta last summer.

The country thus effectively became the most expensive African jurisdiction for licensed operators to provide their services in. Aside from the 35% tax on revenue, bookmakers also pay a 30% corporate taxand are required to contribute 25% of their sales to social causes.

Following great pressure from the betting industry, Kenyan MPs proposed earlier this year to replace the 35% rate with a 15% one, but the move was rejected. The proposal also included burdening customers with a 20% tax on their winnings, but that provision was, too, voted down.

Prior to January 1, betting companies had to pay a 7.5% tax on their revenues, casino operators were taxed at 12%, and lottery-like products and raffle competitions shared 15% of their revenue. Following the introduction of the unified gambling tax, the Pambazuka National Lottery, which had been launched only 18 months prior, had to shutter its operations thus being the first victim of the newly introduced regime.
roobet cup 2022 hltvshows grade level based on the word's complexity. deanthropomorphism [ dee-an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm ]/ din r pmr fz m / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dee-an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm ]/ din r pmr fz m /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nounthe ridding of philosophy or religion of anthropomorphic beliefs and doctrines.

OTHER WORDS FROM deanthropomorphism

Words nearby deanthropomorphism

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question deanthropomorphismFirst recorded in 188590; de- + anthropomorphismdeanthropomorphic, adjectivede-anglicization, Deanna, Dean of Faculty, dean of guild, dean's list, deanthropomorphism, dear, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Dear John, Dear John letterDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Facebook

Facebook Twitter

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Every person yawns. So do many other vertebrate animals, including snakes, dogs, cats, sharks, and chimpanzees. While yawning is contagious, not everyone catches a yawn. Around 60-70% of people yawn if they see another person yawn in real life or in a photo or even read about yawning. Contagious yawning also occurs in animals, but it doesn't necessarily work the same way as in people. Scientists have proposed many theories for why we catch yawns. Here are some of the leading ideas:

Yawning Signals Empathy

Probably the most popular theory of contagious yawning is that yawning serves as a form of nonverbal communication. Catching a yawn shows you're attuned to a person's emotions. Scientific evidence comes from a 2010 study at the University of Connecticut, which concluded yawning does not become contagious until a child is about four years old, when empathy skills develop. In the study, children with autism, who may have impaired empathy development, caught yawns less often than their peers. A 2015 study addressed contagious yawning in adults. In this study, college students were given personality tests and asked to view video clips of faces, which included yawning. The results indicated students with lower empathy were less likely to catch yawns. Other studies have identified a correlation between diminished contagious yawning and schizophrenia, another condition linked to reduced empathy.

Relationship Between Contagious Yawning and Age

However, the link between yawning and empathy is inconclusive. Research at the Duke Center for Human Genome Variation, published in the journal PLOS ONE, sought to define the factors that contribute to contagious yawning. In the study, 328 healthy volunteers were given a survey that included measures of sleepiness, energy levels, and empathy. Survey participants watched a video of people yawning and counted how many times they yawned while watching it. While most people yawned, not everyone did. Of the 328 participants, 222 yawned at least once. Repeating the video test multiple times revealed that whether or not a given person yawns contagiously is a stable trait.

The Duke study found no correlation between empathy, time of day, or intelligence and contagious yawning, yet there was a statistical correlation between age and yawning. Older participants were less likely to yawn. However, because age-related yawning only accounted for 8% of the responses, the investigators intend to look for a genetic basis for contagious yawning.

Contagious Yawning in Animals

Studying contagious yawning in other animals may provide clues to how people catch yawns.

A study conducted at the Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University in Japan examined how chimpanzees respond to yawning. The results, published in The Royal Society Biology Letters, indicated two of six chimps in the study clearly yawned contagiously in response to videos of other chimps yawning. Three infant chimps in the study did not catch yawns, indicating young chimps, like human children, may lack the intellectual development needed to catch yawns. Another interesting finding of the study was that chimps only yawned in response to videos of actual yawns, not to videos of chimps opening their mouths.

A University of London study found dogs could catch yawns from humans. In the study, 21 of 29 dogs yawned when a person yawned in front of them, yet did not respond when the human simply opened his mouth. The results supported a correlation between age and contagious yawning, as only dogs older than seven months were susceptible to catching yawns. Dogs aren't the only pets known to catch yawns from humans. Although less common, cats have been known to yawn after seeing people yawn.

Contagious yawning in animals may serve as a means of communication. Siamese fighting fish yawn when they see their mirror image or another fighting fish, generally just prior to an attack. This could be a threat behavior or it could serve to oxygenate the fish's tissues prior to exertion. Adelie and emperor penguins yawn at each other as part of their courtship ritual.

Contagious yawning is linked to temperature, in both animals and people. Most scientists speculate it is a thermoregulatory behavior, while some researchers believe it is used to communicate a potential threat or stressful situation. A 2010 study of budgerigars found that yawning increased as temperature was raised near body temperature.

People commonly yawn when tired or bored. Similar behavior is seen in animals. One study found the brain temperature in sleep deprived rats was higher than their core temperature. Yawning reduced brain temperature, possibly improving brain function. Contagious yawning could act as a social behavior, communicating a time for a group to rest.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that scientists aren't completely certain why contagious yawning occurs. It has been linked to empathy, age, and temperature, yet the underlying reason why isn't well understood. Not everyone catches yawns. Those who don't may simply be young, old, or genetically predisposed to not-yawning, not necessarily lacking empathy.

References and Recommended Reading
Definition of Colloquialism

Colloquial language is mountaineer park horse racing tipsa language that is informal and conversational. A colloquialism is a word or expression that is commonplace within a specific language, geographic region, or historical era. Colloquialisms are useful in many ways as literary devices. They can provide personality and authenticity to characters and dialogue in a literary work. Colloquialisms can also indicate the setting of a literary work in the context of time and place by establishing a historical era or geographic area.

For example, Mark Twains story The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County is filled with colloquial language from the nineteenth-century American West:

There was a feller here once by the name of Jim Greeley, in the winter of 49  or maybe it was the spring of 50  I dont recollect exactly, some how, though what makes me think it was one or the other is because I remember the big flume wasnt finished when he first come to the camp; but anyway, he was the curiosest man about always betting on anything that turned up you ever see, if he could get anybody to bet on the other side, and if he couldnt hed change sides  any way that suited the other man would suit him  any way just sos he got a bet, he was satisfied.

Mark Twains use of colloquialisms such as feller and sos is effective in that it establishes a casual closeness between the narrator and the reader through informal and conversational narration. This intimacy creates a sense of authenticity to the narrators story and allows the reader a sense of real time participation in the narrative.

Common Examples of Colloquialism in Everyday Speech

Depending on a persons demographic, they may use colloquialisms in conversation that are a reflection of their regional or even generational expression. Here are some common examples of colloquialism in everyday speech:

Im fixin togo to the park.

Ope, I didnt mean to bump into you.

Do you see that owl over yonder?

My Friend is wickedsmart.

Am I excited for the party? You betcha!

If youre thirsty, get yousome water.

Does she live in New York City? No, she lives upstate.

We have an extra freezer down cellar.

Im from Los Angeles, and a SoCalgirl.

Can you get some milk from the ice box?

Examples of Colloquialism for Everyday Items

People often use colloquialisms, understood by others within their demographic, to refer to things in a unique way. However, these colloquialisms may not be understood by people outside their demographic or who are unfamiliar with the particular reference or meaning of the word. Occasionally, this can cause confusion in communication, but overall these colloquial words reflect variety within the language and colorful expression.

Here are some examples of colloquialism for everyday items:

pop (soft drink, Coca-Cola)

buggy (shopping cart)

queue (line of people)

nappies (diapers)

sweeper (vacuum)

hot-dish (casserole)

klick (kilometer)

runners (sneakers, running shoes)

jimmies (sprinkles)

crick (creek)

bubbler (water fountain)

lift (elevator)

clicker (remote control)

rotary (traffic circle or roundabout)

binky (pacifier)

Examples of Colloquialisms for People

Colloquialisms take root in different cultural areas in addition to geographic regions, and this is often demonstrated through colloquial terms of endearment for significant relatives, friends, lovers, and other relationships. Here are some examples of colloquialisms for people:

memaw (grandmother)

papaw (grandfather)

kinfolk (blood relatives)

bestie (best friend)

yall (you all)

fam (family or group of close friends)

boo (significant other)

brah (brother or close friend)

cher (dear or beloved)

kamaaina (longtime resident of Hawaii)

newbie (a newcomer or someone inexperienced)

Difference Between Colloquialism, Jargon, and Slang

Colloquialism, jargon, and slang are all types of informal speech. However, there are differences between them in terms of their purpose and origin of the expression. Colloquialisms are typically used as expressions in a particular geographic region, whereas jargon and slang are usually particular to specific groups.

For example, jargon is a synonym for technical language that is associated with a specific profession or job and the formal communication within that specialty or field of that work. The military, medical community, and other trades are likely to utilize jargon among other members of their profession. However, unlike colloquialisms, jargon doesnt reflect a particular region or time period.

Slang, on the other hand, generally refers to unique expressions created by social groups or subcultures that become widely used and are not confined to a specific region. These expressions can be newly created or derivatives of existing words. Slang words are often used to convey the meaning that is different than their original definition. Salty, for example, has taken on the meaning to describe someone who appears bitter or angry. Slang words are often overused when they first catch on and tend to dwindle in popularity over time, unlike colloquialisms which tend to continue in use within geographic areas.

Types of Colloquialisms

There are three major types of colloquialisms such as;

1. Words: Some words are spoken and understood only in one locality and outside of that locality, they are almost unknown.

2. Phrases: Some phrases, like some words, are known only in one region and not outside of that region.

3. Aphorisms: Similarly, some regions have their own aphorisms, while others have their own.

Colloquialism vs Idiom

Although both are near in meanings and one could be used for the other, idioms or idiomatic expressions are just part of colloquialism. However, not all are part of colloquialism. They are just a pair of words or a group of words or a phrase having different meanings from the original words used in them. They become part of conversation or colloquialism and get their meanings embedded in them. However, colloquialism means the common language used in everyday conversation that may have a single word or even an entire sentence.

Use of Colloquialism in Sentences

1. I am totally knackered man, said Ross. (British English)

2. Jasper is such a flake. You can rely on him for any planning. Hell change last minute. (American English)

3. When you are in the UK, youve always gotta carry your brolly. (British English)

4. I didnt mean to cause such a kerfuffle. I just thought you knew his secret. (Canadian/Scottish English)

5. Its not even an arvo, mate, and you wanna have lunch now? (Australian English)

Examples of Colloquialism in Literature

Writers often look for words or expressions that are intriguing and meaningful to readers. This pays tribute to change and evolving language as well as reflecting diversity in vocabulary and diction. Colloquialism is an effective literary device in creating authentic characters and dialogue as well as establishing elements of a storys setting. Even if a reader is unfamiliar with a colloquial word or phrase, they can appreciate its incorporation in a literary work and potentially understand its meaning through context.

Here are some examples of colloquialism in literary works:

Example 1: The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Man corrupt everything, say Shug. He on your box of grits, in your head, and all over the radio. He try to make you think he everywhere. Soon as you think he everywhere, you think he God. But he aint. Whenever you trying to pray, and man plop himself on the other end of it, tell him to git lost, say Shug. Conjure up the flowers, wind, water, a big rock.

Walkers use of informal, conversational language in her novel helps to establish the geographical setting of the story and provides a sense of realism for the reader. Shugs characters reference to box of grits and her casual phrasing but he aint establish that she is from the region of the American Deep South. This colloquial language, in turn, gives her character authenticity through her diction. This also adds an element of realism for the reader in that her dialogue with Celie is natural and uncontrived.

This passage is also an example of the careful balance achieved by Walker in her use of colloquialism as a literary device in her novel. If writers are not judicious in how they use colloquial language in their literary works, the effect can be overwhelming or tedious for the reader. In addition, overuse of colloquialisms can make a character appear stereotypical or one-dimensional. In the case of this passage, Shugs character remains genuine and believable in her informal expression. Yet the substance of what she says is valuable and meaningful within the context of the novel and for the reader as well.

Example 2: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Grand. Theres a word I really hate. Its a phony. I could puke every time I hear it.

Salinger cleverly utilizes colloquial language as a literary device in this passage to reveal the nature of Holden Caulfields character and his feelings as an outsider among his own social class and peer group. During Holdens period of limbo between getting kicked out of prep school and facing his parents, he invites his friend Sally Hayes on a date. Sally uses the word grand, ostensibly to sound sophisticated and elite. Holdens reaction to Sallys word choice is a reaction to who she is as a person as well as the upper-middle social class to which she belongs.

Holdens colloquial response, that he could puke every time he hears the word grand, is the opposite in word choice to what Sally would likely say. Salinger utilizes this colloquial device in this instance to illustrate that Holdens character is aware of the apparent phoniness and hypocrisy of people like Sally. His coarse phrasing is a rebellious response to Sallys word choice. In addition, it reveals to the reader that Holden does not want to take part in a similar phony representation of himself. Holden is trying to be authentic, to himself and the reader, which ironically results in him feeling like an outsider.

Example 3: A Study of Reading Habits by Philip Larkin

When getting my nose in a book

Cured most things short of school,

It was worth ruining my eyes

To know I could still keep cool,

And deal out the old right hook

To dirty dogs twice my size.

As a literary form, poetry traditionally features formal, expressive, and elevated language. In this stanza of Larkins poem, the poet uses informal language to create meaning and imagery for the reader. Colloquialisms such as keep cool, right hook, and dirty dogs add an element of color to the language of this poem. In addition, this potentially allows the reader to more closely identify with the poet and his experiences.

Larkins poem is an unusual commentary on and inversion of the convention that a bookish person is less likely to be confrontational or physically aggressive. However, when the poet states that he can deal out the old right hook, this colloquialism indicates that the poet is comfortable and even adept at fist fighting. This presents an interesting subject matter for a poem and a unique poetic image that most readers would not expect. In addition, Larkins use of colloquialism as a literary device indicates that poetry can be meaningful and impactful for readers without relying on formal, elevated language.

Synonyms for Colloquialism

The following words are close synonyms with colloquialisms interchangeably: idiom and idiomatic expressions, but almost all others have some distinction in terms of meanings. These words include speech, parlance, localism, pidgin, regionalism, localism, or provincialism.
India Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen embarked on a trip to India on Tuesday,during which her schedule will include the participation of the US-India Economic and Financial Partnership dialogue in New Delhi and a meeting with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Reuters reported.Yellen's visit came at a time when the Indian economy has outperformed others amid continuing global economic turmoil. India's economy is expected to grow 6.8 percent this year, in stark contrast to the 3.2 percent forecast for the world as a whole, according to data from the IMF.Apparently, the rise of Indian manufacturing is starting to pay off and showing a strong momentum. Last week, Apple's contract manufacturer Pegatron began assembling iPhone 14 models in India, marking the second Apple supplier to produce the iPhone 14 in the South Asian country, Bloomberg reported.Given India's economic potential, it is not surprising that the US wants to deepen economic ties with the country, but the problem is that the two countries' goals as it relates to their economic and trade relationship are actually at odds. Moreover, in stepping up engagement with India, the US' biggest target still appears to be China.Take Yellen's India visit as an example. With a reported focus on the similarities of the world's two largest "democracies," Yellen is expected to discuss the topic of strengthening supply chains through "friend-shoring," a term used to describe diversifying supply chains away from China to US allies.The rhetoric may be welcomed by some Indians, but it could also serve as a reminder to India that the importance the US has attached to the country may have more to do with geopolitics than India's economic strength. It is no secret that both the US and India are heavily dependent on China's supply chains, and the US' attempt to rope in allies like India to undercut China's industrial chain is clearly aimed at serving its own global strategy, not out of economic interests of others.India will only harm its own interests if it follows the US' strategy to weaken its industrial and trade chains with China. Fundamentally speaking, despite the seemingly closer security and political ties between the US and India in recent years, Washington still views India more as a geopolitical pawn to contain China and implement its so-called Indo-Pacific strategy. The best proof of this is that the Biden administration has moved away from extending market access or striking new trade deal with India.This is clearly not what India expects to get from "close ties" with the US. India has been asking the US to restore GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) benefits for its exporters, and has been pushing for a bilateral free trade deal with the US. Yet, both the former Trump administration and the Biden administration have appeared uninterested in such a deal.Indeed, the limited progress and unresolved disputes on economic and trade issues between the two countries are evidence enough to show that their trade needs for each other are not on the same track, which is why it is difficult for US-India trade to develop smoothly.Some may argue that the US is one of the few countries with which India has a trade surplus, which has been on the rise in recent years. However, given the fact that the US economy is turning inward, India needs to be careful that its growing surplus could prompt the US to build more protectionist barriers or even trade sanctions against India in the future. To put it more bluntly, India shouldn't buy what the US is selling during Yellen's trip.Under such circumstances, in order to maintain its growth momentum, it is essential for India to improve its domestic environment for foreign investment by improving labor skill levels and upgrading its logistics and transportation systems. That, to a certain extent, could increase its bargaining power when it comes to trade talks with the US. Meanwhile, it is also necessary for India to diversify exports through more active participation in the Asia-Pacific industrial chain.
DraftKings is beefing up for its busiest time of the year as the new NFL season is just over two weeks away, CEO Jason Robins said in a recent interview for Yahoo Finance. The executive pointed out that as the new football season approaches, new user sign-ups and old user reactivations are spiking to create a holiday season for his company.

And while daily fantasy sports might currently be the companys main revenue source, it is gearing up for a time when the case will be a bit different and it will be deriving huge portions of its income from sports betting.

The US sports betting hype is growing by the day, following the mid-May annulment of a federal ban on wagering on professional and amateur sports leaguesby the US Supreme Court. Sports betting was legal in Nevada and Delaware, to an extent, prior to the SCOTUS ruling. New Jersey followed by Mississippi were the first states to legalize the provision of that type of service on their territories after the ban was lifted. More states are expected to follow suit in the coming months.

The DraftKings CEO told Yahoo that there will probably come a time when his company will be more of a betting operator than a fantasy sports one. However, the executive pointed out that it all really depends on how fast the states roll out. According to Mr. Robins, it will be after 10-12 states legalize sports betting when DraftKings fantasy sports and betting lines cross. And it will probably take between two and three years for this to happen, he added.

An Industry-First

DraftKing was the first company to go live with a mobile betting appin New Jersey after the state legalized wagering on professional and amateur sports in mid-June. The DraftKings Sportsbook app was launched on August 6 with the companys Atlantic City partner  Resorts Atlantic City. It was just a few days ago when Las Vegas giant MGM Resorts International entered the New Jersey mobile betting market with a dedicated app to compete for a share in that potentially lucrative market.

DraftKings started working on its sports betting offering last year when SCOTUS initially announced that it would take up the sports betting case. The companys CEO told Yahoo that despite the rapidly enlarging hype, it is still all about fantasy sports as the betting market only serves a small portion of the US population.

Mr. Robins added that the latest sports betting developments have produced a halo effectfor their fantasy product as the number of new fantasy sign-ups has increased significantly as people are responding to the general excitement. In addition, residents of states where wagering on sports is not legal yet are believed to be trying out DraftKings and fantasy sports, as a whole, as a consolation prize while awaiting the arrival of legal sports betting.
What Is Communism?nfl week 3 spreads 2021

Communism is a political and economic ideology that positions itself in opposition to liberal democracy and capitalism, advocating instead for a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally and private property is nonexistent or severely curtailed.

Key Takeaways

Communism is an economic ideology that advocates for a classless society in which all property and wealth are communally-owned, instead of by individuals.

The communist ideology was developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels and is the opposite of a capitalist one, which relies on democracy and production of capital to form a society.

Prominent examples of communism were the Soviet Union and China. While the former collapsed in 1991, the latter has drastically revised its economic system to include elements of capitalism.

Understanding Communism

"Communism" is an umbrella term that encompasses a range of ideologies. The term's modern usage originated with Victor d'Hupay, an 18th-century French aristocrat who advocated living in "communes" in which all property would be shared, and "all may benefit from everybody's work." The idea was hardly new even at that time, however: the Book of Acts describes first-century Christian communities holding property in common according to a system known as koinonia, which inspired later religious groups such as the 17th-century English "Diggers" to reject private ownership.

The Communist Manifesto

Modern communist ideology began to develop during the French Revolution, and its seminal tract, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels' "Communist Manifesto," was published in 1848. That pamphlet rejected the Christian tenor of previous communist philosophies, laying out a materialist andits proponents claimscientific analysis of the history and future trajectory of human society. "The history of all hitherto existing society," Marx and Engels wrote, "is the history of class struggles."

The Communist Manifesto presented the French Revolution as a major historical turning point, when the "bourgeoisie" the merchant class that was in the process of consolidating control over the "means of production" overturned the feudal power structure and ushered in the modern, capitalist era. That revolution replaced the medieval class struggle, which pitted the nobility against the serfs, with the modern one pitting the bourgeois owners of capital against the "proletariat," the working class who sell their labor for wages.

In the Communist Manifesto and later works, Marx, Engels, and their followers advocated (and predicted as historically inevitable) a global proletarian revolution, which would usher in first an era of socialism, then of communism. This final stage of human development would mark the end of class struggle and therefore of history: all people would live in social equilibrium, without class distinctions, family structures, religion, or property. The state, too, would "wither away." The economy would function, as a popular Marxist slogan puts it, "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs."

The Soviet Union

Marx and Engels' theories would not be tested in the real world until after their deaths. In 1917, during World War I, an uprising in Russia toppled the czar and sparked a civil war that eventually saw a group of radical Marxists led by Vladimir Lenin gain power in 1922. The Bolsheviks, as this group was called, founded the Soviet Union on former Imperial Russian territory and attempted to put communist theory into practice.

Prior to the Bolshevik Revolution, Lenin had developed the Marxist theory of vanguardism, which argued that a close-knit group of politically enlightened elites was necessary to usher in the higher stages of economic and political evolution: socialism and finally communism. Lenin died shortly after the civil war ended, but the "dictatorship of the proletariat," led by his successor Joseph Stalin, would pursue brutal ethnic and ideological purges as well as forced agricultural collectivization. Tens of millions died during Stalin's rule, from 1922 to 1952, on top of the tens of millions who died as a result of the war with Nazi Germany.

Rather than withering away, the Soviet state became a powerful one-party institution that prohibited dissent and occupied the "commanding heights" of the economy. Agriculture, the banking system, and industrial production were subject to quotas and price controls laid out in a series of Five Year Plans. This system of central planning enabled rapid industrialization, and from 1950 to 1965 growth in Soviet gross domestic product (GDP) outpaced that of the U.S. In general, however, the Soviet economy grew at a much slower pace than its capitalist, democratic counterparts.

Weak consumer spending was a particular drag on growth. Central planners' emphasis on heavy industry led to chronic underproduction of consumer goods, and long lines at understocked grocery stores were a fixture of Soviet life even during periods of relative prosperity. Thriving underground marketstermed the "second economy" by some academicscatered to demand for cigarettes, shampoo, liquor, sugar, milk, and especially prestige goods such as jeans smuggled in from the West. While these networks were illegal, they were essential to the party's functioning: they alleviated shortages that, left unchecked, threatened to spark another Bolshevik Revolution; they provided party propagandists with a scapegoat for shortages; and they lined the pockets of party officials, who would either take payoffs to look the other way or grow rich running illegal market operations themselves.

The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, following a push to reform the economic and political system and provide greater room for private enterprise and free expression. These reform pushes, known as perestroika and glasnost, respectively, did not halt the economic decline the Soviet Union suffered in the 1980s and likely hastened the Communist state's end by loosening its grip on sources of dissent.

Communist China

In 1949, following more than 20 years of war with the Chinese Nationalist Party and Imperial Japan, Mao Zedong's Communist Party gained control of China to form the world's second major Marxist-Leninist state. Mao allied the country with the Soviet Union, but the Soviets' policies of de-Stalinization and "peaceful coexistence" with the capitalist West led to a diplomatic split with China in 1956.

Mao's rule in China resembled Stalin's in its violence, deprivation, and insistence on ideological purity. During the Great Leap Forward from 1958 to 1962, the Communist Party ordered the rural population to produce enormous quantities of steel in an effort to jumpstart an industrial revolution in China. Families were coerced into building backyard furnaces, where they smelted scrap metal and household items into low-quality pig iron that offered little domestic utility and held no appeal for export markets. Since rural labor was unavailable to harvest crops, and Mao insisted on exporting grain to demonstrate his policies' success, food became scarce. The resulting Great Chinese Famine killed at least 15 million people and perhaps more than 45 million. The Cultural Revolution, an ideological purge that lasted from 1966 until Mao's death in 1976, killed perhaps another 1.6 million people.

After Mao's death, Deng Xiaoping introduced a series of market reforms that have remained in effect under his successors. The U.S. began normalizing relations with China when President Nixon visited in 1972, prior to Mao's death. The Chinese Communist Party remains in power, presiding over a largely capitalist system, though state-owned enterprises continue to form a large part of the economy. Freedom of expression is significantly curtailed; elections are banned (except in the former British colony of Hong Kong, where candidates must be approved by the party and voting rights are tightly controlled); and meaningful opposition to the party is not permitted.

1991

The year marked the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War between that power and the United States.

The Cold War

The U.S. emerged from World War II the world's richest and most militarily powerful nation. As a liberal democracy that had just defeated fascist dictatorships in two theaters, the country  if not all of its people  felt a sense of exceptionalism and historical purpose. So did the Soviet Union, its ally in the fight against Germany and the world's only revolutionary Marxist state. The two powers promptly divided Europe into spheres of political and economic influence: Winston Churchill called this dividing line the "Iron Curtain."

The two superpowers, both of which possessed nuclear weapons after 1949, engaged in a long standoff known as the Cold War. Due to the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destructionthe belief that a war between the two powers would lead to a nuclear holocaustno direct military engagements occurred between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, and the Iron Curtain was largely quiet. Instead, they fought a global proxy war, with each sponsoring friendly regimes in post-colonial nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The U.S. and Soviet Union both sponsored coups to install such regimes in various countries.

The closest the U.S. came to a direct military conflict with the Soviet Union was the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. The U.S. did fight a prolonged hot war in Vietnam, however, in which its military supported South Vietnamese forces fighting the Chinese- and Soviet-supported North Vietnamese army and South Vietnamese communist guerrillas. The U.S. withdrew from the war and Vietnam was united under communist rule in 1975.

The Cold War ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Communism failed due to several reasons, including a lack of profit incentive among citizens, the failure of central planning, and the impact of power being seized by such a small number of people, who then exploited it and gamed the system.

Why Did Communism Fail?

While there has been extensive study of the reasons for communism's failure, researchers have pinpointed a couple of common factors that contributed to its demise.

The first is an absence of incentives among citizens to produce for profit. The profit incentive leads to competition and innovation in society. But an ideal citizen in a communist society was selflessly devoted to societal causes and rarely stopped to think about his or her welfare. "At all times and all questions a party member should give first consideration to the interests of the Party as a whole and put them in the foremost and place personal matters and interests second," wrote Liu Shaoqi, the second chair of the People's Republic of China.

The second reason for communism's failure was the system's inherent inefficiencies, such as centralized planning. This form of planning requires aggregation and synthesis of enormous amounts of data at a granular level. Because all projects were planned centrally, this form of planning was also complex. In several instances, growth data was fudged or error-prone in order to make facts fit into planned statistics and create an illusion of progress.

The concentration of power into the hands of select few also bred inefficiency and, paradoxically enough, provided them with incentives to game the system for their benefit and retain their hold on power. Corruption and laziness became endemic features of this system and surveillance, such as the one that characterized East German and Soviet societies, was common. It also disincentivized industrious and hard-working people. The end result was that the economy suffered.
Facebook

M.S., Journalism and Mass Communications, University of Colorado - Boulder

B.S., Education, University of Colorado

The Whirlpool is a neighboring galaxy to the Milky Way that is teaching astronomers about how galaxies interact with each other and how stars form within them. The Whirlpool also has a fascinating structure, with its spiral arms and central black hole region. Its small companion is the subject of a great deal of study, as well. For amateur observers, the Whirlpool is a joy to observe, showing a classic spiral shape and a curious little companion that appears to be attached to one of the spiral arms.

Science in the Whirlpool

The Whirlpool Galaxy as seen by the Spitzer Space Telescope. This infrared view shows where starbirth regions and clouds of gas and dust exist among the spiral arms of the Whirlpool.NASA/Spitzer Space Telescope

The Whirlpool (also known as Messier 51 (M51) is a two-armed spiral galaxy that lies somewhere between 25 to 37 million light-years away from our own Milky Way. It was first discovered by Charles Messier in 1773 and got the nickname of "The Whirlpool" due to its beautifully wound-up structure that resembles a vortex in water. It has a small, blobby-looking companion galaxy called NGC 5195. Observational evidence suggests that the Whirlpool and its companion collided billions of years ago. As a result, the galaxy is bristling with star formation and long, delicate-looking streamers of dust threading through the arms. It also has a supermassive black hole at its heart, and there are other smaller black holes and neutron stars scattered throughout its spiral arms.

When the Whirlpool and its companion interacted, their delicate gravitational dance sent shock waves through both galaxies. As with other galaxies that collide and mingle with stars, the collision has interesting results. First, the action squeezes clouds of gas and dust into dense knots of material. Inside those regions, the pressure forces the gas molecules and dust closer together. Gravity forces more material into each knot, and eventually, the temperatures and pressures get high enough to ignite the birth of a stellar object. After tens of thousands of years, a star is born. Multiply this across all the spiral arms of the Whirlpool and the result is a galaxy filled with star birth regions and hot, young stars. In visible-light images of the galaxy, the newborn stars show up in blue-ish colored clusters and clumps. Some of those stars are so massive that they will only last for tens of millions of years before blowing up in catastrophic supernova explosions.

The streamers of dust in the galaxy are also likely a result of the gravitational influence of the collision, which distorted the clouds of gas and dust in the original galaxies and tugged them out across the light-years. Other structures in the spiral arms are created when newborn stars blow through their star birth creches and sculpt the clouds into towers and streams of dust.

Because of all the star birth activity and recent collision reshaping the Whirlpool, astronomers have taken a special interest in observing their structure more closely. This is also to understand how the process of collisions helps shape and build galaxies.

In recent years, the Hubble Space Telescope has taken high-resolution images that show the many star birth regions in the spiral arms. The Chandra X-Ray Observatory is focused on the hot, young stars as well as the black hole in the core of the galaxy. The Spitzer Space Telescope and the Herschel Observatory observed the galaxies in infrared light, which reveals intricate details in the star birth regions and the dust clouds threading throughout the arms.

The Whirlpool for Amateur Observers

Find the Whirlpool Galaxy near the bright star in the tip of the Big Dipper's handle.Carolyn Collins Petersen

The Whirlpool and its companion are great targets for amateur observers equipped with telescopes. Many observers consider them a sort of "Holy Grail" as they search for dim and distant objects to see and photograph. The Whirlpool isn't bright enough to spot with the naked eye, but a good telescope will reveal it.

The pair lies in the direction of the constellation Canes Venatici, which is located just south of the Big Dipper in the northern sky. A good star chart is very helpful when looking at this area of the sky. To find them, look for the end star of the Big Dipper's handle, called Alkaid. They appear as a faint fuzzy patch not too far from Alkaid. Those with a 4-inch or larger telescope should be able to spot them, particularly if viewing from a good, safe dark-sky site. Larger telescopes will give a finer view of the galaxy and its companion.
What is best penny slot machines to playUnderlying Profit?

Underlying profit is a calculation made internally by a company to show what it believes is a more accurate reflection of how much money it generates. The number focuses on regular accounting cycleevents and often excludes one-time charges or infrequent occurrences. Underlying profit differs from the required accounting profit that is recorded on financial statements and other mandatory documents that follow preset practices, rules, and regulations.

Key Takeaways

Underlying profit is calculated internally by a company to show what it believes to be an accurate reading of its profit position.

The number focuses on regular accounting cycle events and often excludes one-time charges or infrequent occurrences.

Each company has its own version of underlying profit, taking the accounting profit and then making adjustments as it sees fit.

How Underlying Profit Works

When companies publish their financials, generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) require them to disclose how much profit they generated. This is calculated by subtracting all dollar costs from revenue, the same calculation used to determine how much income tax to pay.

Often, companies will choose to supplement this figure with their own calculation. Underlying profit is designed to offer a more useful indicator of performance on a year-by-year basis.

Stripping out unusual, non-recurring costs, such as natural disaster damage charges, irons out random fluctuations and should, in theory, make it easier for investors to get a better idea of how the companys profit from its everyday, standard business operations varies over several fiscal years.

Important

Companies often use underlying profit figures for business planning purposes.

The goal here is to eliminate any distractions caused by random occurrences. Losses or gains that do not regularly crop up, such as restructuring charges or the buying or selling of land or property, are usually not taken into account because they do not occur often and, as a result, are not deemed to reflect the everyday costs of running the business.

In general, only regular operating expenses considered to be predictable or required will be deducted from gross sales in order to arrive at the underlying profit. They can include the following:

Personnel expenses, including everything from payroll to training, are often considered to be operating expenses because salaries are often negotiated in advance and training costs are known from prior experience.

Facility expenses, including rent or mortgage payments (if applicable), utilities and insurance also qualify because costs have been pre-established by contract or other agreement.

Technology-related expenses, including software maintenance and upgrades.

Asset replacement

Example of a One-Time Event Removed for the Calculation of Underlying Profit

If a company is in full ownership of two buildings, and one is currently in use while one is sitting vacant, it may choose to sell the vacant building. While the sale of this asset must be recorded for standard accounting purposes, it is excluded from the calculation of underlying profit.

The sale of a large asset, such as a building, is not a standard part of the business's operation and is not expected to occur again soon. Though it has resulted in a form of income, it is not likely to be repeated in subsequent accounting cycles for the company.

Advantages of Underlying Profit

Aside from giving investors an indication of how much money a company makes from its standard business operations, underlying profit is also used by management for business planning.

A business plan is a functional road map providing direction as to how the company will operate and is often the founding document drafted by new ventures. From an accounting perspective, the business plan also denotes the expected expenses that must be covered over a particular period of time.

When determining what operating costs can be reasonably covered, a business may prefer to remove any one-time or highly irregular financial transactions that may falsely inflate profit norms. This creates a plan based on more common occurrences that can be anticipated.

Disadvantages of Underlying Profit

Each company has its own version of underlying profit, taking the accounting profit and then making adjustments as it sees fit. Without clear guidelines on how to report underlying profit, these figures cannot be relied on to compare different firms.

Full freedom also means some of these calculations can be called into question. On occasions, firms exclude items that have a negative impact on GAAP earnings over several quarters and then promote their underlying profit figure actively as if it is the only number that merits attention.

It is important for investors to recognize the difference between accounting profit and underlying profit and gain a solid understanding of how the latter was calculated  companies will disclose this information in their financial statements.

Using the underlying profit figure can come in handy, alongside other financials, when assessing whether to invest in a company. That said, approach with caution and be sure to determine exactly why certain expenses were ignored before taking the figure at face value.
paddy power ufc 257 oaklawn hotelshows grade level based on the word's complexity. abiological [ ey-bahy-uh-loj-i-kuhl ]/ e ba ld  kl / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ ey-bahy-uh-loj-i-kuhl ]/ e ba ld  kl /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adjectivenot occurring or produced naturally; synthetic.

Words nearby abiological

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question abiologicalFirst recorded in 187580; a-+ biologicalab initio, Abinoam, ab intra, abiogenesis, abiogenic, abiological, abiosis, abiotic, abiotic factor, abiotrophy, A bird in the hand is worth two in the bushDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
dative bond New Word List Save This minecraft casino tutorialWord! Save ThisWord!

nounchem another name for coordinate bond

Words nearby dative bond

How to use dative bond dative bond[ dativ ] See coordinate bond. The American Heritage Science Dictionary Copyright  2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondating, dating agency, dating bar, dating nail, dative, dative bond, dato, datolite, Datong, datu, DatukCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Facebook

Facebook Twitter

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Have you ever driven home and arrived at your destination without remembering how you got there? No, you weren't abducted by aliens or taken over by your alternate persona. You simply experienced highway hypnosis. Highway hypnosis or white line fever is a trance-like state under which a person drives a motor vehicle in a normal, safe manner yet has no recollection of having done so. Drivers experiencing highway hypnosis may zone out for short distances or hundreds of miles.

The idea of highway hypnosis was first introduced in an 1921 article as "road hypnotism," while the term "highway hypnosis" was introduced in 1963 by G.W. Williams. In the 1920s, researchers observed motorists appeared to fall asleep with their eyes open and continue to steer vehicles normally. In the 1950s, some psychologists suggested otherwise unexplained automobile accidents might be due to highway hypnosis. However, modern studies suggest there is a difference between driving while tired and automatic driving.

Key Takeaways: Highway Hypnosis

Highway hypnosis occurs when a person zones out while driving a motor vehicle, often driving a significant distance with no memory of having done so.

Highway hypnosis is also known as automatic driving. It is not the same as fatigued driving, as a person may engage in automatic driving safely. Safety and reaction times are negatively affected by driving when tired.

Ways to avoid highway hypnosis include driving during daytime, drinking a caffeinated beverage, keeping the interior of the vehicle cool, and engaging in conversation with a passenger.

Highway Hypnosis Versus Fatigued Driving

Highway hypnosis is an example of the phenomenon of automaticity. Automaticity is the ability to perform actions without consciously thinking about them. People perform daily activities automatically all the time, such as walking, riding a bike, or performing a learned and practiced skill, such as knitting. Once a skill is mastered, it's possible to perform it while focusing on other tasks. For example, a person skilled at driving a car can plan a grocery list while driving. Because the stream of consciousness is directed at the other task, partial or complete amnesia of the time spent driving can occur. While driving "on automatic" may seem hazardous, automaticity may actually be superior to conscious driving for professional or skilled drivers. This is called the "centipede effect" after the fable of the "centipede's dilemma" or "Humphrey's law" after psychologist George Humphrey. In the fable, a centipede was walking along as usual until another animal asked it how it moved with so many feet. When the centipede thought about walking, its feet became entangled. Humphrey described the phenomenon another way, "No man skilled at a trade needs to put his constant attention on the routine work. If he does, the job is apt to be spoiled." In the context of driving, thinking too hard about the actions being performed may worsen the skill.

For most drivers, the dull trance state they experience is really falling asleep at the wheel rather than hypnosis. While a person experiencing true highway hypnosis automatically scans the environment for threats and alerts the brain of danger, a tired driver starts to experience tunnel vision and reduced awareness of other drivers and obstacles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatigued driving accounts for over 100,000 collisions per year and about 1550 deaths. Drowsy driving is extremely dangerous, as it increases reaction time and impairs coordination, judgement, and memory. Numerous studies have shown sleep-deprived driving is more dangerous than driving under the influence of a 0.05% blood alcohol level. The distinction between highway hypnosis and fatigue driving is that it's possible to experience automaticity while being wide awake. Driving when tired, on the other hand, can lead to falling asleep at the wheel.

How to Stay Awake at the Wheel

Whether you're freaked out by the idea of driving on autopilot (highway hypnosis) or are tired and trying to stay awake at the wheel, there are steps you can take to improve your focus and wakefulness.

Drive in Daylight: Driving during daylight hours helps prevent fatigue driving because people are naturally more alert under lighted conditions. Also, the scenery is more interesting/less monotonous, so it's easier to remain aware of surroundings.

Drink Coffee: Drinking coffee or another caffeinated beverage helps keep you awake a few different ways. First, the caffeine blocks adenosine receptors in the brain, which fights sleepiness. The stimulant increases metabolism and directs the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream, which feeds your brain. Caffeine also acts as a diuretic, meaning you'll have to stop for a bathroom break more often if you drink a lot while driving. Finally, consuming either a very hot or very cold drink will command your attention. If you prefer not to take more bathroom breaks, caffeine pills are available over the counter to provide the benefits without the additional liquid.

Eat Something: Munching on a snack gives you immediate energy and requires just enough attention to keep you on task.

Have Good Posture: Good posture maximizes blood flow throughout the body, helping to keep you in top form.

Crank the A/C: It's harder to fall asleep or into a trance if you're uncomfortable. One way to achieve this is to make the inside of the vehicle uncomfortably cold. During warm months, you can turn the air conditioner down to some arctic setting. In the winter, cracking a window helps.

Listen to Music You Hate: Music you enjoy may lull you into a relaxed state, while tunes you loathe cause irritation. Think of it as a sort of audio thumbtack, preventing you from getting too comfortable to doze off.

Listen to People Talking: Engaging in a conversation or listening to talk radio requires more concentration than listening to music. For most people, it's a pleasant way to pass the time while remaining clear-headed. For drivers who seek to get into the zone, the sound may be an unwanted distraction.

Stop and Take a Break: If you're driving tired, you're dangerous to yourself and others. Sometimes the best course of action is to get off the road and get some rest!

Prevent Problems: If you know you'll be driving a long distance, at night, or in poor weather, you can prevent a lot of problems by making certain you're well-rested before starting the trip. Catch a nap before trips that start later in the day. Avoid taking medications that make you drowsy, such as antihistamines or sedatives.

References
What Is a Bell Curve?bet 365 live

A bell curve is a common type of distribution for a variable, also known as the normal distribution. The term "bell curve" originates from the fact that the graph used to depict a normal distribution consists of a symmetrical bell-shaped curve.

The highest point on the curve, or the top of the bell, represents the most probable event in a series of data (its mean, mode, andmedian in this case), while all other possible occurrences are symmetrically distributed around the mean, creating a downward-sloping curve on each side of the peak. The width of the bell curve is described by its standard deviation.

Key Takeaways

A bell curve is a graph depicting the normal distribution, which has a shape reminiscent of a bell.

The top of the curve shows the mean, mode, and median of the data collected.

Its standard deviation depicts the bell curve's relative width around the mean.

Bell curves (normal distributions) are used commonly in statistics, including in analyzing economic and financial data.

Bell Curve

Understanding a Bell Curve

0:55

The term "bell curve" is used to describe a graphical depiction of a normal probability distribution, whose underlying standard deviations from the mean create the curved bell shape. A standard deviation is a measurement used to quantify the variability of data dispersion, in a set of given values around the mean. The mean, in turn, refers to the average of all data points in the data set or sequence and will be found at the highest point on the bell curve.

Financial analysts and investors often use a normal probability distribution when analyzing the returns of a security or of overall market sensitivity. In finance, standard deviations that depict the returns of a security are known as volatility.

For example, stocks that display a bell curve usually are blue-chip stocks and ones that have lower volatility and more predictable behavioral patterns. Investors use the normal probability distribution of a stock's past returns to make assumptions regarding expected future returns.

In addition to teachers who use a bell curve when comparing test scores, the bell curve is often also used in the world of statistics where it can be widely applied. Bell curves are also sometimes employed in performance management, placing employees who perform their job in an average fashion in the normal distribution of the graph. The high performers and the lowest performers are represented on either side with the dropping slope. It can be useful to larger companies when doing performance reviews or when making managerial decisions.

Investopedia / Julie Bang

Example of a Bell Curve

A bell curve's width is defined by its standard deviation, which is calculated as the level of variation of data in a sample around the mean. Using the empirical rule, for example, if 100 test scores are collected and used in a normal probability distribution, 68% of those test scores should fall within one standard deviation above or below the mean. Moving two standard deviations away from the mean should include 95% of the 100 test scores collected. Moving three standard deviations away from the mean should represent 99.7% of the scores (see the figure above).

Test scores that are extreme outliers, such as a score of 100 or 0, would be considered long-tail data points that consequently lie squarely outside of the three standard deviation range.

Bell Curve vs. Non-Normal Distributions

The normal probability distribution assumption doesnt always hold true in the financial world, however. It is feasible for stocks and other securities to sometimes display non-normal distributions that fail to resemble a bell curve.

Non-normal distributions have fatter tails than a bell curve (normal probability) distribution. A fatter tail skews negative signals to investors that there is a greater probability of negative returns.

Limitations of a Bell Curve

Grading or assessing performance using a bell curve forces groups of people to be categorized as poor, average, or good. For smaller groups, having to categorize a set number of individuals in each category to fit a bell curve will do a disservice to the individuals. As sometimes, they may all be just average or even good workers or students, but given the need to fit their rating or grades to a bell curve, some individuals are forced into the poor group. In reality, data are not perfectly normal. Sometimes there is skewness, or a lack of symmetry, between what falls above and below the mean. Other times there are fat tails (excess kurtosis), making tail events more probable than the normal distribution would predict.

What Are the Characteristics of a Bell Curve?

A bell curve is a symmetric curve centered around the mean, or average, of all the data points being measured. The width of a bell curve is determined by the standard deviation68% of the data points are within one standard deviation of the mean, 95% of the data are within two standard deviations, and 99.7% of the data points are within three standard deviations of the mean.

How Is the Bell Curve Used in Finance?

Analysts will often use bell curves and other statistical distributions when modeling different potential outcomes that are relevant for investing. Depending on the analysis being performed, these might consist of future stock prices, rates of future earnings growth, potential default rates, or other important phenomena. Before using the bell curve in their analysis, investors should carefully consider whether the outcomes being studied are in fact normally distributed. Failing to do so could seriously undermine the accuracy of the resulting model.

What Are the Limitations of the Bell Curve?

Although the bell curve is a very useful statistical concept, its applications in finance can be limited because financial phenomenasuch as expected stock-market returnsdo not fall neatly within a normal distribution. Therefore, relying too heavily on a bell curve when making predictions about these events can lead to unreliable results. Although most analysts are well aware of this limitation, it is relatively difficult to overcome this shortcoming because it is often unclear which statistical distribution to use as an alternative.
deposit is get nzd currency convertershows grade level based on the word's complexity. dative [ dey-tiv ]/ de tv /Grammar New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dey-tiv ]/ de tv /GrammarSave This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adjective(in certain inflected languages, as Latin, Greek, and German) noting a case having as a distinctive function indication of the indirect object of a verb or the object of certain prepositions.

nounthe dative case.a word or form in that case, as Latin regi in regi haec dicite meaning tell this to the king.

OTHER WORDS FROM dative

Words nearby dative

How to use dative C15: from Latin dativus, from dare to give; translation of Greek dotikos

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question dative140050; late Middle English datif
What is braves pick up justin gaethje oddsa Private Investment Fund?

A private investment fund is an investment company that does not solicit capital from retail investors or the general public. Members of a private investment company typically have deep knowledge of the industry as well as investments elsewhere. To be classified as a private fund, a fund must meet one of the exemptions outlined in the Investment Company Act of 1940. The 3C1 or 3C7 exemptions within the Act are frequently used to establish a fund as a private investment fund. There is an advantage to maintaining private investment fund status, as the regulatory and legal requirements are much lower than what is required for funds that are traded publicly.

Key Takeaways

Private investment funds are those which do not solicit public investment.

Private funds are classified as such according to exemptions found in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Hedge funds and private equity funds are two of the most common types of private investment funds.

Understanding a Private Investment Fund

Private funds are expected to meet certain criteria to keep their status. Generally, the requirements limit both the number and type of investors that can own shares in the fund. In the U.S., under the aforementioned Investment Company Act of 1940, a 3C1 fund can have up to 100 accredited investors, and a 3C7 fund can have a soft limit of around 2,000 qualified investors. Both the definition of qualified and accredited investor come with individual wealth tests. Accredited investors need to have more than $1 million in net worth without counting their primary residence and/or $200,000 in annual income for an individual and $300,000 for a couple. Qualified investors have to hold assets in excess of $5 million.

Why Funds Stay Private

A private investment fund may choose to stay private for a number of reasons. As mentioned, the regulations around private investment funds are much looser than for public funds. Private investment funds enjoy more freedom in how they handle everything from reporting to redemptions. This allows private investment funds to look at illiquid investments that a public fund would shun due to the difficulties of regular valuation and liquidation in the case of rising redemptions. Many hedge funds are private investment funds so they can continue to use aggressive trading strategies that the manager of a public fund would avoid due to the potential for investor lawsuits resulting from unreasonable risk-taking. Most importantly, there is no public reporting of positions for private investment funds, which allows them to avoid tipping their hand to the market and eroding the profitability of a stealthily built position.

In addition to investment flexibility, private investment funds can be vehicles of choice for handling significant family wealth. Extremely wealthy families can create private investment funds to invest the wealth with the family members as shareholders. Often a company serves as the initial structure for this arrangement, and it is repurposed to create a capital investment arm from the profits of the business. In this case, the family doesn't want or need outside capital, so there is no incentive to take the fund public.
What Are Carbon Credits?planet hollywood las vegas room reservations

Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, are permits that allow the owner to emit a certain amount of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. One credit permits the emission of one ton of carbon dioxide or the equivalent in other greenhouse gases.

The carbon credit is half of a so-called cap-and-trade program. Companies that pollute are awarded credits that allow them to continue to pollute up to a certain limit, which is reduced periodically. Meanwhile, the company may sell any unneeded credits to another company that needs them. Private companies are thus doubly incentivized to reduce greenhouse emissions. First, they must spend money on extra credits if their emissions exceed the cap. Second, they can make money by reducing their emissions and selling their excess allowances.

Proponents of the carbon credit system say that it leads to measurable, verifiable emission reductions from certified climate action projects, and that these projects reduce, remove, or avoid greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.



Key Takeaways

Carbon credits were devised as a mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Companies get a set number of credits, which decline over time, and they can sell any excess to another company.

Carbon credits create a monetary incentive for companies to reduce their carbon emissions. Those that cannot easily reduce emissions can still operate, at a higher financial cost.

Carbon credits are based on the cap-and-trade model that was used to reduce sulfur pollution in the 1990s.



Negotiators at the Glasgow COP26 climate change summit in November 2021 agreed to create a global carbon credit offset trading market.



How Do Carbon Credits Work?

The ultimate goal of carbon credits is to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. As noted, a carbon credit represents the right to emit greenhouse gases equivalent to one ton of carbon dioxide. According to the Environmental Defense Fund, that is the equivalent of a 2,400-mile drive in terms of carbon dioxide emissions.

Companies or nations are allotted a certain number of credits and may trade them to help balance total worldwide emissions. Since carbon dioxide is the principal greenhouse gas, the United Nations notes, people speak simply of trading in carbon.

The intention is to reduce the number of credits over time, thus incentivizing companies to find innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. Carbon Credits Today

Cap-and-trade programs remain controversial in the United States. However, 11 states have adopted such market-based approaches to the reduction of greenhouse gases, according to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions. Of these, 10 are Northeast states that banded together to jointly attack the problem through a program known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

Californias Cap-and-Trade Program

The state of California initiated its own cap-and-trade program in 2013. The rules apply to the states large electric power plants, industrial plants, and fuel distributors. The state claims that its program is the fourth largest in the world after those of the European Union, South Korea, and the Chinese province of Guangdong.

The cap-and-trade system is sometimes described as a market system. That is, it creates an exchange value for emissions. Its proponents argue that a cap-and-trade program offers an incentive for companies to invest in cleaner technologies to avoid buying permits that will increase in cost every year.

The U.S. Clean Air Act

The United States has been regulating airborne emissions since the passage of the U.S. Clean Air Act of 1990, which is credited as the worlds first cap-and-trade program (although it called the caps allowances).

The program is credited by the Environmental Defense Fund for substantially reducing emissions of sulfur dioxide from coal-fired power plants, the cause of the notorious acid rain of the 1980s.

The Inflation Reduction Act

The most recent development expected to affect the carbon credit market is the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark bill signed into law on Aug. 16, 2022, that aims to reduce the deficit, fight inflation, and reduce carbon emissions.

The legislation is very focused on cleaning up the environment and includes a provision to reward high-emitting companies that store their greenhouse gases underground or use them to build other products. The rewards come in the form of significantly expanded tax credits, which have increased to $85 from $50 for each metric ton of captured carbon stored underground and to $60 from $35 for each ton of captured carbon that is used in other manufacturing processes or for oil recovery.

It is hoped that these more generous credits will convince investors to make a bigger effort at capturing carbon. Previously, the tax incentive, known as 45Q, was accused of only paying enough to make easy carbon capture projects worth pursuing.

Worldwide Carbon Credit Initiatives

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) developed a carbon credit proposal to reduce worldwide carbon emissions in a 1997 agreement known as the Kyoto Protocol. The agreement set binding emission reduction targets for the countries that signed it. Another agreement, known as the Marrakesh Accords, spelled out the rules for how the system would work.

The Kyoto Protocol divided countries into industrialized and developing economies. Industrialized countries, collectively called Annex 1, operated in their own emissions trading market. If a country emitted less than its target amount of hydrocarbons, it could sell its surplus credits to countries that did not achieve its Kyoto level goals, through an Emissions Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA).

The separate Clean Development Mechanism for developing countries issued carbon credits called a Certified Emission Reduction (CER). A developing nation could receive these credits for supporting sustainable development initiatives. The trading of CERs took place in a separate market.

The first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol ended in 2012. The U.S. had already dropped out in 2001.

The Paris Climate Agreement

The Kyoto Protocol was revised in 2012 in an agreement known as the Doha Amendment, which was ratified as of October 2020, with 147 member nations having deposited their instrument of acceptance.

More than 190 nations signed on to the Paris Agreement of 2015, which also sets emission standards and allows for emissions trading. The U.S. dropped out in 2017 under then-President Donald Trump, but subsequently rejoined the agreement in January 2021 under President Biden.

The Paris Agreement, also known as the Paris Climate Accord, is an agreement among the leaders of more than 180 countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit the global temperature increase to below 2 degrees Celsius (36 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels by the year 2100.

The Glasgow COP26 Climate Change Summit

Negotiators at the summit in November 2021 inked a deal that saw nearly 200 countries implement Article 6 of the 2015 Paris Agreement, allowing nations to work toward their climate targets by buying offset credits that represent emission reductions by other countries. The hope is that the agreement encourages governments to invest in initiatives and technology that protect forests and build renewable energy technology infrastructure to combat climate change.

For instance, Brazils chief negotiator at the summit, Leonardo Cleaver de Athayde, flagged that the forest-rich South American country planned to be a major trader of carbon credits. It should spur investment and the development of projects that could deliver significant emissions reductions, he told Reuters.

Several other provisions in the accord include zero tax on bilateral trades of offsets between countries and canceling 2% of total credits, aimed at reducing overall global emissions. Additionally, 5% of revenues generated from offsets will be placed in an adaptation fund for developing countries to help fight climate change. Negotiators also agreed to carry over offsets registered since 2013, allowing 320 million credits to enter the new market.



Why should levels of carbon and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere be reduced?

Scientists at the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have shown that increased levels of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere are warming the planet. This creates extreme weather changes around the world. Currently, carbon dioxide is the main GHG and is created by burning fossil fuelscoal, oil and gas. By reducing the amount of carbon dioxide we emit, we may avoid doing further damage to our climate.

How much does a carbon credit cost?

Carbon credits have different prices, depending on the location and market where they are traded. In 2019, the average price for carbon credits was $4.33 per ton. This figure spiked to as much as $5.60 per ton in 2020 before settling to an average of $4.73 in the first eight months of the following year.

Where can you buy carbon credits?

Several private companies offer carbon offsets to companies or individuals seeking to reduce their net carbon footprint. These offsets represent investments or contributions to forestry or other projects with a negative carbon footprint. Buyers can also purchase tradable credits on a carbon exchange such as New York-based Xpansive CBL or Singapores AirCarbon Exchange.

How large is the carbon credit market?

Estimates of the size of the carbon credit market vary wildly, due to the different regulations in each market and other geographical distinctions. The voluntary carbon market, consisting largely of companies that buy carbon offsets for corporate social responsibility (CSR) reasons, had an estimated value of $1 billion in 2021, according to some figures. The market for compliance credits, related to regulatory carbon caps, is substantially larger, with estimates ranging as high as $272 billion for 2020.

The Bottom Line

Carbon credits were devised as a mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a market in which companies can trade in emissions permits. Under the system, companies get a set number of carbon credits, which decline over time. They can sell any excess to another company.

Carbon credits create a monetary incentive for companies to reduce their carbon emissions. Those that cannot easily reduce emissions can still operate, but at a higher financial cost. Proponents of the carbon credit system say that it leads to measurable, verifiable emission reductions.
China-Japan Photo: VCG

Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the upcoming APEC meeting,Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. This will be the first official meeting between the two leaders, which is of great significance, according to the foreign ministry.Following discussions between China and Japan, Xi will hold a bilateral meeting with Kishida during the 29th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Bangkok, and the two sides will exchange their views on China-Japan relations and global and regional issues of mutual concern, Mao Ning, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at a routine press conference on Wednesday.China and Japan are neighbors and both important countries in the region, and 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan relations, Mao said. The two sides should adhere to peace and friendship, deepen cooperation and properly manage differences to build china-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era, Mao said.Some Chinese experts said that maintaining high-level dialogue mechanism is crucially important to maintain a good atmosphere for communication while drawing clear redlines on matters concerning China's core interests."The China-Japan relations is now at a critical junction as they face growing challenges but there are also many opportunities to cooperate in stabilizing supply chain and pushing forward the regional economic recovery. If they could properly handle the bilateral relations and manage the differences, the relations will develop in a positive direction," Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday.Otherwise, the divergences could go out of control and become a destructive force amid the impact of China-US rivalry, Da said.Kishida made some "absurd accusation" against China during the latest East Asia Summit in Cambodia ahead of G20 and APEC. He criticized China for "violating Japan's sovereignty," accusing it of continuing to take actions that heighten regional tension in the South China Sea.In addition, Kishida also expressed so-called concerns over the human rights matter in China, touching on questions related to Hong Kong and Xinjiang.While it's necessary to keep a high-level communication between the two countries, it's also important to draw up the redline on China's core interests during this first in-person meeting, which will help the China-Japan relations to develop in a sustainable way, Da noted. "The two countries have many areas to cooperate but need to manage their divergences," he said.
What Is Obsolescence Risk?aceodds william hill dapp gaming

Obsolescence risk is the risk that a process, product, or technology used or produced by a company for profit will become obsolete, and thus no longer competitive in the marketplace. This would reduce the profitability of the company.

Obsolescence risk is most significant for technology-based companies or companies with products or services based on technological advantages.

Understanding Obsolescence Risk

Obsolescence risk is a factor for all companies to some degree and is a necessary side effect of a thriving and innovative economy. This risk comes into play, for example, when a company is deciding how much to invest in new technology. Will this technology remain superior long enough for the investment to pay off? Or will it become obsolete so soon that the company loses money?

Obsolescence risk also means that companies wanting to remain competitive and profitable need to be prepared to make large capital expenditures any time a major product, service, or factor of production becomes obsolete.

Budgeting for obsolescence risk is challenging because it is difficult to predict obsolescence and the exact rate of technological innovation.

Example of Obsolescence Risk

A publishing company is an example of one that faces obsolescence risk. As computers, tablets, and smartphones have become more popular and affordable, more consumers have started reading magazines, newspapers, and books on these devices instead of in their print forms.

For the publishing company to remain competitive, it must minimize its investments in the old paper publications and maximize its investments in new technologies. Even as it makes this shift, it must remain alert to new and unimagined technologies that could supplant the currently popular ways of reading and require still more investment.

The stock market "graveyards" are littered with dead companies whose products or technology were rendered obsolete. Examples are the technology companies Control Data and Digital Equipment from Morgan Stanley's 1982 recommended buy list.

Key Takeaways
Thecasino online uk real money head of Louisianas gambling regulatory body expects the states riverboat casino operators to request adjustments in the employee numbers included in their state licenses. Some of the hiring goals date back to when venues were originally approved three decades ago and were not adjusted for riverboats that have relocated.

Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association, said the job goals also dont reflect the post-pandemic labor market in which customer-facing service workers have become harder to attract and retain. In addition, casinos have moved toward outsourcing housekeeping and restaurant staff, and those employees cant be counted toward the target number in their licenses
The China Clothing Textile Accessories Expo 2022 held in Melbourne from November 15 to 17, 2022 Photo: Courtesy of CCCT

Chinese and Australian companies see a stronger potential for cooperation in textiles, a major sector in bilateral trade, with a good number of deals signed at the China Clothing Textile Accessories Expo 2022 held in Melbourne from Tuesday to Thursday.During the three-day expo, co-hosted by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles (CCCT) and Jiangsu Department of Commerce, 152 enterprises participated. The event drew up to 2,810 professional visitors, mostly Australian clients, during the first two days, CCCT said.Judging from the active participation of visitors who attended the expo and from the feedback from exhibitors, the event is deemed a success, Cao Jiachang, the chairman of the CCCT, told the Global Times.Many deals were clinched during the expo, with more expected to follow. For example, a group based in Shaoxing, East China's Zhejiang Province, a textile industry hub, signed deals worth a total value of about $6.5 million during the first day.Ma Ying, general manager of HBT Garment, a domestic fashion and clothing company, was among the most active participants of the event.As in previous sessions, Ma held many talks with Australian clients about possible deals. Most of the clients have been Ma's partners for years. While they didn't meet for three years due to epidemic, it didn't stop them from agreeing on orders, which Ma said shows the trust of Australian clients in China-made quality products."Chinese textile products have gained popularity among Australians, not only because we are leading the world in the innovation and usage of carbon-neutral and recyclable fabrics, but also because of the complete supply chain and efficient business operations in China, which is more competitive than many other countries," Ma said.Strained bilateral relations will thaw following high-level meetings at the G20 Summit in Indonesia.Frequent high-level interactions between the two countries have brought a significant change from the stalemate that has been in place since 2019, experts said."It marks a 'coming out of the cold' between Beijing and Canberra, as both sides have expressed their willingness to improve relations through dialogue," Chen Hong, president of the Chinese Association of Australian Studies, told the Global Times."China-Australia relations are stable and improving after falling to a low point, which gives strong confidence to the economic and trade circles of the two countries," Cao said.Australia, with its vast land and sparse population, is a net importer and consumer of labor-intensive products. For example, Australia imports more than $10 billion of textile and clothing products every year. China is its largest source, accounting for about 60 percent of the total, much higher than China's 38-percent global market share by value, Cao said.The trend didn't change much despite the pandemic. In 2021, Australia imported $6.82 billion worth of textile and apparel products from China, a year-on-year increase of 13.3 percent.In the first three quarters of this year, Australia's imports from China stood at $6.02 billion, up about 22 percent year-on-year.It is expected that this year's imports will far exceed those of 2021, Cao said.Australia is also a resource-based country, with wool and cotton, the raw materials for textiles and clothing, among its main export commodities, which Cao said shows the high complementarity of the two countries in trade."It is always easier to break than to make. But as long as both sides are genuinely motivated to repair the relationship, significant improvement can be made quickly," Chen said.With 50 years of mutually beneficial partnership, China-Australia relations are mature and resilient enough to recover quickly, the expert noted.
A former baccarat dealer at Resorts World Sentosa, one of Singapores two casinos, was this week sentenced to 20 months in prison for stealing more than S$124,000 (approx. $90,000) in casino chips from his workplace to pay his debt to loan sharks.

Malaysian baccarat dealer Yeoh Zhong Cheng told court that he owed between S$80,000 and S$90,000 to loan sharks in Singapore and his homeland.

The now former Resorts World Sentosa employee began work at the casino in July 2017. Last summer, he was caught by the propertys overhead surveillance removing three chips from the float, a covered tray attached to a baccarat table that stores the playing chips. Each of the stolen chips was worth S$1,000.

Investigations followed to discover that the stealing dealer had taken chips worth more than S$124,000on 28 separate occasions between June and July 2019. After taking them from the float and slipping them into his shirt, he would then hide them in his locker during his breaks.

Yeoh was unable to cash the chips himself as an employee at the casino, but he was found to have recruited accomplices his younger brother, Yeoh Zhong Jie, and friend, Ooi Shi Chao, to do this for him. Yeoh and Ooi met eight times in June 2019 and the latter received chips worth S$30,600, according to court filings.

Yeohs brother was found to have received S$35,100 worth of chips in July 2019.

Stealing Dealer Could Have Been Handed Much Tougher Sentence

Yeoh could have received a much larger sentence, if he had not pleaded guilty to a lesser charge relating to breach of trust. The stealing dealer could have been sentenced to up to 15 years of imprisonment for misappropriation of casino chips and up to 10 years and a S$500,000 fine for each abetting charge.

It is unclear whether his brother and other accomplice are also facing charges. According to court filings, just three of all the chips Yeoh stole from the casino have been recovered.

Yeoh is not the only Resorts World Sentosa casino dealer to have been caught stealing chips from the gambling venue in recent years. In June 2019, a former dealer at the property was sentenced to nine months and six weeks in prison after he was discovered to have stolen S$77,000worth of chips from the casino.

Ding Zhipeng, a Chinese national, also received a S$12,000 fine for his charges. He started work as a dealer at Resorts World Sentosa in July 2017. In November 2018, he was caught by a security officer stealing S$1,000 chips from his table.

He was arrested immediately and surrendered two chips upon his arrest that were hidden in his pants. A police search at his rented room produced 72 S$1,000 chips and S$3,000 in cash. It later on became known that Ding had recruited a friend to cash the chips for him. The stealing dealer was found to have used the money he stole to purchase luxury goods, including a nearly S$6,000 Breitling watch, a pair of Balenciaga shoes, a pair of Chanel earrings, and more.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories
Have you ever wondered why some pairs of words are shortened into a single word, but not other pairs? To make matters even more confusing, sometimes the pairs are used differently than in their shortened form (for example, log in and login).

It can be tempting to shorten pairs of wordseven when to do so would be grammatically incorrect.

Many writers try to shorten the words no oneinto a single word, to form noone. If youre having trouble deciding to use no one or noone, read on.

What is the Difference Between Noone and No one?

How do you spell no one? In this article, Ill compare noone vs. no one, and I will use the correct form in a few examples sentences. Plus, at the end, I will show you a helpful trick to remember which is which.

When to Use No One

What does no one mean? No one is used in two main ways. It can mean not any person, such that it becomes the antonym of everyone or anyone. The sentences below are correct uses of no one.

No one wanted to go with me to the school dance.

The criminal looked over his shoulder to make sure no one had followed him.

No one has ever crossed over the edge of the world and come back to tell the tale.

No one at Netflix needs to hit the panic button quite yet, but the streaming service most definitely is not pleased with their second quarter numbers. Forbes

No one can also be employed with an additional noun, where one ascribes singularity to the noun and no inverts it. This is something of a specialized usage, and could be considered ornate. Here are some examples.

It was said that no one warrior could defeat him in hand to hand combat.

No one medication would sooth the patient, so the doctors prescribed several.

This usage is probably more popular in spoken word than in writing.

When to Use Noone

What does noone mean?No onecannotbe shortened to a single word. It must always appear as two words. Noone is an error, even though many similar constructions exist in English, like any one and anyone, every one and everyone, and some one and someone. No one cannot be combined into nooneby extension of the same rule.

The reason being, among others, the double O is clumsy, as it approximates the double vowel oo, which is a separate phoneme in English. In other words, noone looks like it should be pronounced like noon. Since thats not the case, its better to leave this term separated into two words.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Is noone one word?No, no oneis the only correct form of this phrase. It cannot be shortened into noone, and to do so would be an error.

When you cant decide between noone and no one, remember that noon is a time of day, not an absence of people.

Summary: No one vs. Noone

Is it no one of noone?No oneseems like it should be able to be combined into the word noone, such as is the case for any oneand anyone. However, nooneis not a word.

No one is the only correct version of this phrase.

Noone is a spelling error.

You can remember this distinction by using the phrase noon is a time of day, not an absence of people. If youre still having trouble remembering the difference, you can refer back to this article for a quick refresher.
What Is a Jackpot?agen slot via ovo big thunder slots

A jackpot is a large windfall derived from an act of gambling. In finance, jackpots refer to large investment returns reaped over a short period of time.

Key Takeaways

A jackpot is a sudden financial windfall from an investment or another source.

A jackpot originally refers to a large one-time pay-out in gambling, but can occur in investing through a hot IPO or an especially lucrative trading strategy.

Jackpots are an average investors dream, but they can come with some challenges too.

Understanding a Jackpot

Jackpot entered the English lexicon via a 19th-century variant of five-card-draw poker which required a player to declare a hand with a pair of jacks or better in order to open bidding. Players contributed an ante prior to each deal, so a series of hands during which nobody could lay claim to anything better than a pair of tens would increase the size of the pot. The meaning broadened throughout the gambling industry, generally describing situations in which winnings build over a period of time before paying out, such as slot machines or lottery games.

The use of jackpot as a financial term stems from a more colloquial broadening of its definition to a large and unexpected win. For example, investors who purchase stock in an initial public offering (IPO) hit the jackpot if the company they back experiences a dramatic and swift rise in share price, allowing the investors to cash out with substantial profit.

Jackpots and Their Consequences

Its human nature to daydream about winning the lottery, backing the right horse, or getting in on the ground floor of a hot IPO, and those daydreams naturally revolve around what one could do with all that newfound wealth.

Regardless of its origin, a financial windfall can generate more challenges than investors might anticipate, especially if they do not understand the consequences of receiving a large amount of money at one time. Those fortunate enough to find themselves newly rolling in cash may find the temptation to go out on a buying spree difficult to resist, but their future financial health could depend on resisting it.

First and foremost, jackpots are typically subject to taxes. Tax treatments vary based upon the origin of the windfall, however, and not all jackpots pay out the same way. For example, some lottery payouts offer winners a choice between a lump sum and an annuitized payout that offers periodic payments. Liquidating a lucrative investment position often means capital gains taxes. Financial planners and tax advisors can play key roles in helping to ensure windfalls get invested appropriately and that individuals set enough aside to ensure they have enough to pay when Tax Day rolls around.

After tax planning, financial advisors typically suggest that individuals who have hit the jackpot take it slow with large-ticket impulse spending. Even a large windfall will run out, and the amount of time it takes to burn through that cash may not be nearly as long as one might imagine. Some lottery winners even end up in debt or bankrupt after overextending their borrowing after a big win.

Lastly, recipients of a financial jackpot should consider how the new wealth impacts their investment goals, strategies, and risk tolerance. Personal financial affairs and ones overall portfolio may need to be re-evaluated and realigned to reflect a higher net-worth, long-term investment plan.
Illustration: Chen Xia/GT

When alarming things start to happen regularly,it's easy for them to become normalized in the collective psyche. In the United States we Americans are at risk of having two related disturbing trends become the accepted norm.First, US president keeps making threats against other countries.Second, his ostensible subordinates in Washington continue to contradict him. Even the president contradicts himself after making alarming statements. This is especially so when something has to do with "war".After the US' disgraceful withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, top US generals revealed that they advised Biden early that year to keep several thousand troops in Afghanistan, which, however, contradicted Biden's earlier comments that no one warned him not to withdraw troops from the country.And just last month, Biden was asked in a TV program if US forces would defend the island of Taiwan against China should China send its troops. The president didn't hesitate to declare a change in US policy and said, "Yes."But right away, the White House walked back Biden's comments and said this is not official US policy. Then at the UN General Assembly later last month, Biden said that his country does not seek "conflict" with rival China or a new Cold War.This is far from the first time Biden has shown tendency for dragging major powers into war, only to be immediately contradicted by his team or himself.So which statement reflects Biden's true intentions and the US' clear policy, especially on China? Biden's history of not just tacitly supporting many US wars of aggression but also leading the charge in advocacy of so many of them can certainly lead a reasonable person to take him at his word when he promises more violence.Nevertheless, contradictions remain in statements from the president and his team and even himself. Such contradictions only reveal the chaos within the US' policymaking, and such chaos increases the risk for future war.The same goes with the US' policy on Russia. In March, Biden said in a speech that Russian President Vladimir Putin should not be allowed to remain in office, as the US continued its proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. White House communication staffers then contradicted the president.In quite a similar scenario, a few days ago Biden warned of "Armageddon" if Russia was to use a nuclear weapon in Ukraine. Again, the White House issued a retraction saying that the president's warning was not based on any new intelligence saying the use of nuclear weapons is imminent.If we go to war based on decisions of our elected officials in Congress and the White House, the process is at least more open and clear and we can yet make some type of tenuous claim to democracy.When a president's repeated and consistent declared bellicose policies are deemed unofficial and the designation of "official" war policy is instead granted to contradictions made by unelected staff workers, the least that we can say has happened is "a coup by rhetoric."That the rhetorical usurping should ever take material form is almost too dark to consider. As the Washington Post put it, Biden's "rinse-and-repeat cycle of veering off-script - followed by his team's now well-honed cleanup efforts - has at times complicated US policy goals and even undermined Biden himself."The author is a Chicago-based columnist covering US politics & culture. He is also a university English & critical journalism instructor. [email protected]
Ships sail on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River in Zigui county of Yichang city, central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 16, 2022. (Photo: China News Service/Zheng Jiayu)

China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Thursday unveiled a plan to create a world-class business environment in the Yangtze River Delta, a major economic hub, in order to realize free and orderly flow of materials and other resources by 2025, while move to eliminate administrative barriers in the area.A unified and open market system will be basically established in the delta. It will fully align with the international system of high-standard market rules and reach a higher level of coordinated opening-up, the NDRC said in a statement.It also aims to improve services for trade and investment, lower businesses' regulatory costs, boost market players' vitality and quality, and comprehensively improve the effectiveness of governance.The NDRC said that a first-class, market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment will be set up, further improving the delta area's competitiveness in the world.Roughly the size of Germany, the delta area - which falls within the ambit of East China's Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces, and the city of Shanghai - has been one of China's most economically active, open and innovative regions.The NDRC vowed to promote a higher level of opening-up in the region, with measures to improve services for foreigners' investment, cultivate a highly competitive talent hub and improve trade facilitation.With the largest GDP scale in the region, Jiangsu on Tuesday announced 84 measures to reduce businesses' regulatory costs. By the end of the year, 94 percent of government service procedures will be available online, media reports said.In the first nine months of the year, Jiangsu recorded an actual use of foreign capital of $25.88 billion, up 17.2 percent year-on-year. It accounted for 16.7 percent of the nation's total, ranking first among the provinces and regions.The increasingly integrated and developed Yangtze River Delta area recorded a rosy economic recovery in the third quarter, reporting a 6.8-percent GDP growth rate, higher than the nation's 3.9-percent gain in the same period.In the first three quarters, the economic hub's GDP totaled 20.9 trillion yuan ($2.88 trillion), accounting for nearly one-fourth of the national total, according to domestic news outlet Shanghai Observer.Global Times
What Is the International Finance Corporation (IFC)?oddschecker euro hof slot freebies

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides financing of private-enterprise investment in developing countries around the world, through both loans and direct investments. Affiliated with the World Bank, it also provides advisory services to encourage the development of private enterprise in nations that might be lacking the necessary infrastructure or liquidity for businesses to secure financing.

Key Takeaways

A member of the World Bank Group, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) provides financing for private enterprise investments in developing countries.

The IFC says its focus is eliminating poverty through economic development, but critics claim it is more focused on profits than people.

In fiscal year 2021, the IFC invested $31.5 billion in financing initiatives.

How the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Works

The IFC was established in 1956 as a member of the World Bank Group, focused on investing in economic development. It claims to be the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. The IFC says it also seeks to ensure that private enterprises in developing nations have access to markets and financing.

The IFC's most recent stated goals include the development of sustainable agriculture, expanding small businesses' access to microfinance, supporting infrastructure improvements, as well as promoting climate, health, and education policies. The IFC is governed by its 184 member countries and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

IFC Global Financing

To raise money, the IFC issues bonds in markets around the world. As of 2021, the IFC has issued $10.553 billion worth across 178 bonds in 20 currencies.



In fiscal year 2021, the IFC invested $31.5 billion in long-term and short-term finance, including $10.8 billion mobilized from other investors.

$14 Billion

The total amount of fast-track financing to support private companies and developing countries impacted by the economic downturn caused by the spread of COVID-19. The $14 million results from an $8 million increase announced in March 2020.

Example of an IFC Investment

The IFC provided $145 million in financing to help one of the worlds largest dairy producers, FrieslandCampina, acquire a controlling stake of 51% of Engro Foods, Pakistans leading dairy processor. Although Pakistan is the fourth-largest milk-producing country in the world, demand has consistently outpaced supply due to poor infrastructure and an outdated supply chain. Small subsistence farms account for nearly 80% of the industrys output.

FrieslandCampina has promised to share its experience and best practices with the smaller farmers who supply Engro Foods, along with the majority of the dairy processors in Pakistan. The stated goal is to help these small farmers increase productivity and reduce waste.

The IFC said it expects that 200,000 farmers and 270,000 distributors will benefit from FrieslandCampina's acquisition of Engro Foods. In addition, the investment is projected to create 1,000 new jobs in the dairy supply chain.



Criticism of the IFC

The IFC has faced criticism as its size and influence around the globe have grown. It says one of its primary goals is to reduce poverty through economic development, but critics say it has begun to act more like a private investment bank with a focus on corporate profit, sometimes with disregard for the environmental and social impacts of its projects.
Elon Musk. Photo: website

One day before the US midterm elections,Twitter's new owner, Elon Musk, encouraged independent-minded voters to vote for a Republican Congress. With politically normal, or some would like to say politically correct wordings, Musk seems to have turned the platform into the first of its kind to have taken off the non-partisan mask.On Monday local time, Musk tweeted, "To independent-minded voters: Shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties, therefore I recommend voting for a Republican Congress, given that the Presidency is Democratic."Honestly speaking, such a remark is not dramatic in the US, a society of diversity and so-called freedom of speech. If this was tweeted by an ordinary American, it would hardly cause any strong response. But Musk and his appeal triggered a public opinion tsunami, questioning his motives behind the move. His background makes the difference - being the one in charge of Twitter, and being a public celebrity with influence.The timing gives observers enough reasons to dig. Musk made the call right before the elections, which could have a last-minute influence on median voters.The majority of American voters have an increasingly consolidated political stance. But the stance of median voters keeps swaying. Their choice could be different between one month ago and now. This is why US laws stimulate that political activities near polling places on election days are prohibited.But US laws do not restrict people raising voices on social media. Musk thus uses the Twitter platform to express his personal opinions, with a political stance of course. And this is a move that could partly supplant traditional ways of canvassing.There are some long standing traditional campaign approaches, such as political advertising and holding election rallies. However, with the change in the way of social communications and technological progress, election campaigns are also undergoing transforms. The most prominent change took place in 2008, when former US president Barack Obama secured a victory because he had better utilized social media. It was quite subversive at that time. And it is not a one-time change - since then, in every election, both parties and different candidates have learned from Obama's experience to attach greater importance to the use of social media.Musk, as the chief of a crucial social media platform, making a political appeal right before election day, will kick start another round of revolutionary approaches of canvassing. He may bring a subversive change to social media platforms. Before he bought Twitter and before Monday, US social media platforms were, on the surface, self-proclaimed to be non-partisan. But Twitter may mark a change of wind - social media is stepping on the old path of traditional media, and will speak out their clear political stance. It is to be observed whether Musk and Twitter will bring a decisive change in US political ecology, but they will certainly impact on the game between the Democratic and Republican Party.This last-minute soliciting of votes is also a way to test Twitter's influence on median voters, with commercial calculations. If the call proves to be influential enough, Twitter will become a vital stage for competition among different political forces in the future, which could, by that time, bring considerable advertising fees.Yet given an increasingly divided US political scene, median voters have been sharply shrinking. That being said, instead of saying that Musk is attempting to influence median voters, he may be actually draining the median voter base - by encouraging the voters to go to the republican camp.Musk said "shared power curbs the worst excesses of both parties." There is nothing wrong with this view. The problem is, be it shared power or checks and balances of power, they are no longer important in the US under the big picture of political polarization. The increasingly opposing public policy propositions of the two parties have brought more and more uncertainties to the direction of US development. It has intensified political infighting. Politicians do not focus on "shared power" any more, but on which political force has the upper hand.In the US, the real game is not simply between the White House and Capitol Hill, but between politicians and the public, between long-term interests and short-term ones.Fewer and fewer politicians eye on the needs of the times and long-term interests, but only pay close attention to the interests in elections and in their terms. This is what social media platforms should really call for a change.The article is compiled by Global Times reporter based on an interview with Yang Xiyu, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies. [email protected]
What Is Capital Lease?mpo777 pragmatically meaning

A capital lease is a contract entitling a renter to the temporary use of an asset and has the economic characteristics of asset ownership for accounting purposes.

Key Takeaways

A capital lease is a contract entitling a renter to the temporary use of an asset

A capital lease is considered a purchase of an asset, while an operating lease is handled as a true lease under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

Under a capital lease, the leased asset is treated for accounting purposes as if it were actually owned by the lessee and is recorded on the balance sheet as such.



An operating lease does not grant any ownership-like rights to the leased asset, and is treated differently in accounting terms.

Capital Lease

Understanding Capital Lease

1:19

The capital lease requires a renter to book assets and liabilities associated with the lease if the rental contract meets specific requirements. In essence, a capital lease is considered a purchase of an asset, while an operating lease is handled as a true lease under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). A capital lease may be contrasted with an operating lease.

Even though a capital lease is technically a sort of rental agreement, GAAP accounting standards view it as a purchase of assets if certain criteria are met. Capital leases can have an impact on companies' financial statements, influencing interest expense, depreciation expense, assets, and liabilities.

To qualify as a capital lease, a lease contract must satisfy any of the following four criteria:

the life of the lease must be 75% or greater for the asset's useful life. the lease must contain a bargain purchase option for a price less than the market value of an asset. the lessee must gain ownership at the end of the lease period. the present value of lease payments must be greater than 90% of the asset's market value.

In 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) made an amendment to its accounting rules requiring companies to capitalize all leases with contract terms above one year on their financial statements. The amendment became effective on December 15, 2018, for public companies and December 15, 2019, for private companies.

Accounting treatments for operating and capital leases are different and can have a significant impact on businesses' taxes.

Capital Leases Vs. Operating Leases

An operating lease is different in structure and accounting treatment from a capital lease. An operating lease is a contract that allows for the use of an asset but does not convey any ownership rights of the asset.

Operating leases used to be counted as off-balance sheet financingmeaning that a leased asset and associated liabilities of future rent payments were not included on a company's balance sheet in order to keep the debt to equity ratio low. Historically, operating leases enabled American firms to keep billions of dollars of assets and liabilities from being recorded on their balance sheets.

However, the practice of keeping operating leases off the balance sheet was changed when Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 ASU 842 came into effect. Starting Dec. 15, 2018, for public companies and Dec. 15, 2019, for private companies, right-of-use assets and liabilities resulting from leases are recorded on balance sheets.

To be classified as an operating lease, the lease must meet certain requirements under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) that exempt it from being recorded as a capital lease. Companies must test for the four criteria, also known as the bright line tests, listed above that determine whether rental contracts must be booked as operating or capital leases. If none of these conditions are met, the lease can be classified as an operating lease, otherwise, it is likely to be a capital lease.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) may reclassify an operating lease as a capital lease to reject the lease payments as a deduction, thus increasing the company's taxable income and tax liability.

Accounting for Capital Leases

A capital lease is an example of accrual accounting's inclusion of economic events, which requires a company to calculate the present value of an obligation on its financial statements. For instance, if a company estimated the present value of its obligation under a capital lease to be $100,000, it then records a $100,000 debit entry to the corresponding fixed asset account and a $100,000 credit entry to the capital lease liability account on its balance sheet.

Because a capital lease is a financing arrangement, a company must break down its periodic lease payments into an interest expense based on the company's applicable interest rate and depreciation expense. If a company makes $1,000 in monthly lease payments and its estimated interest is $200, this produces a $1,000 credit entry to the cash account, a $200 debit entry to the interest expense account, and an $800 debit entry to the capital lease liability account.

A company must also depreciate the leased asset that factors in its salvage value and useful life. For example, if the above-mentioned asset has a 10-year useful life and no salvage value based on the straight-line basis depreciation method, the company records an $833 monthly debit entry to the depreciation expense account and a credit entry to the accumulated depreciation account. When the leased asset is disposed of, the fixed asset is credited and the accumulated depreciation account is debited for the remaining balances.
Gambling addiction is paddy power 50 free spinsa serious problem that affects thousands of people in the UK each year. For many, it starts as a harmless hobby or a way to pass the time, but it can quickly spiral out of control, leading to significant financial losses and a mountain of debt.

Gambling debt is a significant issue, and it's not just the amount of money that's owed that's the problem, but the impact that it can have on a person's life. When someone has gambling debt, they often feel ashamed and embarrassed, which can lead to feelings of isolation and depression. It can also put a strain on relationships and lead to job loss, which can make it even harder to get out of debt.

However, there is help available for those who find themselves in this situation. The UK has several resources and organizations dedicated to helping those struggling with gambling addiction and debt.

One of the most prominent organizations is Gamblers Anonymous, which is a support group that provides a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and support each other in their recovery. They have regular meetings across the country, and anyone is welcome to attend.

Another organization that offers support is the National Gambling Helpline. This helpline is available 24/7 and provides free and confidential advice to anyone who needs it. They can offer practical support on managing finances, as well as emotional support to help individuals cope with the stress and anxiety that often come with gambling addiction.

For those looking or help with gambling debt, there are also debt management programs available that can help them get their finances back on track. These programs can help individuals create a budget, negotiate with creditors, and find a way to repay their debts in a manageable way.

In addition to these resources, there are also several initiatives in place to help prevent gambling addiction in the first place. The UK has strict regulations in place for the gambling industry, including age restrictions, advertising rules, and self-exclusion programs, which allow individuals to ban themselves from gambling establishments.

Overall, while gambling addiction and debt can be a challenging and stressful situation, there is gambling debt help available for those who need it. With the support of organizations like Gamblers Anonymous and the National Gambling Helpline, as well as the resources available for debt management, it is possible for individuals to recover and regain control of their lives.

Category: Casino Blog
What Is Reputational Risk?dot crypto chart

Reputational risk is a threat or danger to the good name or standing of a business or entity. Reputational risk can occur in the following ways:

Directly, as the result of the actions of the company

Indirectly, due to the actions of an employee or employees

Tangentially, through other peripheral parties, such as joint venture partners or suppliers

In addition to having good governance practices and transparency, companies need to be socially responsible and environmentally conscious to avoid or minimize reputational risk.

Key Takeaways

Reputational risk is a hidden threat or danger to the good name or standing of a business or entity and can occur through a variety of ways.

The biggest problem with reputational risk is that it can erupt out of nowhere and without warning.

Reputational risk can pose a threat to the survival of the biggest and best-run companies and has the potential to wipe out millions or billions of dollars in market capitalization or potential revenues.

Understanding Reputational Risk

Reputational risk is a hidden danger that can pose a threat to the survival of the biggest and best-run companies. Often the risk results in outcomes not easily measured; however, it can adversely affect a company's profitability and valuation. It can wipe out millions or billions of dollars in market capitalization or potential revenues and can occasionally result in a change at the uppermost levels of management.

Reputational risk can also arise from the actions of errant employees, such as egregious fraud or massive trading losses disclosed by some of the world's biggest financial institutions. In an increasingly globalized environment, reputational risk can arise even in a peripheral region far away from home base.

In some instances, reputational risk can be mitigated through prompt damage control measures, which is essential in this age of instant communication and social media networks. In other instances, this risk can be more insidious and last for years. For example, gas and oil companies have been increasingly targeted by activists because of the perceived damage to the environment caused by their extraction activities.



It can be a time-intensive process to monitor for online activity such as negative reviews that can jeopardize a company's reputation. Online reputation management (ORM) software can help companies track what consumers say about a brand on review sites, social media, and search engines. Many of these solutions allow you to use one dashboard to look at and respond to reviews.

Example of Reputational Risk

Reputational risk exploded into full view in 2016 when the scandal involving the opening of millions of unauthorized accounts by retail bankers (and encouraged or coerced by certain supervisors) was exposed at Wells Fargo.

The CEO, John Stumpf, and others were forced out or fired. Regulators subjected the bank to fines and penalties, and a number of large customers reduced, suspended, or discontinued altogether doing business with the bank. Wells Fargo's reputation was tarnished, and the company has had to rebuild its reputation and its brand.
An agreement opening road transportation between Asia and Europe is betvictor account closedexpected to be signed at the upcoming 12th prime ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, a Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday.

Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping told a press conference that the agreement would create conditions for an Asia-Europe transport corridor between Lianyungang in east China and St. Petersburg in northwest Russia.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will attend the meeting on Nov. 28 and 29 in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, at the invitation of Uzbek Prime Minister Shavkat Mirziyaev, Cheng said.

After years of negotiations, the SCO member states now intend to reach an agreement, Cheng said, adding that members may open their roads to each other in 2017.

The SCO, whose members include Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is an inter-governmental organization founded in the Chinese city of Shanghai on June 15, 2001.

Afghanistan, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan are observer states to the SCO, and Belarus, Turkey and Sri Lanka are dialogue partners of the organization.

Xinhua

SCO members expected to ease Asia-Europe road transportadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Norways supreme legislature, Stortinget, has recently approved a measure that aims to prevent unlicensed online gambling operators from advertising their products to Norwegian customers via the Internet.

The amendment enhances the powers of Norways Media Authority (Medietilsynet) and allows it to order local Internet service providers and media companies to block access to illegal Internet gambling advertisements.

Norsk Tipping and Norsk Rikstotoare the only two companies that are authorized to provide gambling services in Norway and to advertise their offering across Norwegian media.

News about the recently approved legislative amendment come shortly after Norwegian lawmakers gave the nod to a measure aiming to close a long-standing loopholein the countrys Broadcasting Act. That other amendment allowed Medietilsynet to order domestic broadcasters to stop airing ads from international online gambling companies.

Gambling ads promoting unauthorized operators were already banned across Norwegian television. However, offshore operators have been able to exploit a loophole in the Scandinavian nations legislation by advertising their products on TV channels broadcasting into Norway from outside the country.

Discussions that loopholes in Norways advertising law should be closed to prevent online gambling companies from advertising in the country were underway since at least 2017 before their eventual adoption this month.

Reducing the Scope of Gambling Advertising

Commenting on the recently approved measure, Norways Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Abid Q. Raja said that the amendment will reduce the scope of gambling advertising, and may in turn help reduce the number of problem gamblers.

Minister Raja went on to say that the country previously lacked the necessary tools to implement a full-blown advertising ban on international gambling companies, but the recently approved provision empowers Medietilsynet to order Internet service providers to block assess to illegal advertising materials.

While the Norwegian Parliament is looking to further prevent unlicensed gambling companies from advertising and providing their products to Norwegian customers, the Norwegian Industry Association for Online Gaming (Norsk Bransjeforening for Onlinespill, NBO) is yet again calling for the liberalization of the local market. It recently also slammed the governments plans to restrict gambling advertising in the country.

The association maintains that the reorganization of the Norwegian iGaming space in a manner that would enable international companies to operate in a regulated environment would be the type of framework that would best protect local gamblers.

The Norwegian government has long argued that the monopoly model is actually the one that would protect nationals from gambling addiction and other gambling-related problems and that liberalizing the market is not on their agenda.

According to a recent research from the University of Bergen, commissioned by Norways gambling regulator, Lotteri-og Stiftelsestilsynet, around 55,000 people in Norway suffer from gambling problems. The research sees an increase from 34,000 people in 2015 when the last such survey was conducted.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories
death and taxes,zar casinos no deposit bonus for existing players certain as New Word List Save This Word! Save This Word!

Also, sure as death and taxes. Bound to occur, inevitable, as in His business is going to fail, certain as death and taxes. This phrase was invented by Benjamin Franklin in a letter (1789) and has been repeated ever since, the government's recurring need for revenue probably assuring its continued popularity.

Words nearby death and taxes, certain as

How to use in a sentence As an example of good science-and-society policymaking, the history of fluoride may be more of a cautionary tale. Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST

Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST Certain features of its history suggest why this may be the case. Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST

Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists|Michael Daly|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The Muslim Cop Killed by Terrorists|Michael Daly|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST Asia Bibi, as she is known, was arrested and sentenced to death. In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST As this list shows, punishments typically run to a short-ish jail sentence and/or a moderately hefty fine. In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST

In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST This is the place where the Muscovite criminals are banished to, if they are not put to death. The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe

The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe On certain of the stems the fertile cone appears and the spores are ripened about June, after which the process withers. How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin

How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin Elyon is the name of an ancient Phnician god, slain by his son El, no doubt the first-born of death in Job xviii. Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway

Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway Your sacrifice shall be the agony of agonies, the death of deaths, and yet you'll find yourself unable to resist. Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu The possibilities of certain branches of teaching have been altogether revolutionized by the cinematograph. The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondearth, deary, deasil, death, death adder, death and taxes, certain as, death angel, death anxiety, deathbed, death bell, death benefitThe American Heritage Idioms Dictionary Copyright  2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
What is casino poker games lista Risk Reversal?

A risk reversal is a hedging strategy that protects a long or short position by using put and call options. This strategy protects against unfavorable price movements in the underlying position but limits the profits that can be made on that position. If an investor is long a stock, they could create a short risk reversal to hedge their position by buying a put option and selling a call option.

In foreign exchange (FX) trading, risk reversal is the difference in implied volatility between similar call and put options, which conveys market information used to make trading decisions.

Risk Reversal Explained

Risk reversals, also known as protective collars, have a purpose to protect or hedge an underlying position using options. One option is bought and another is written. The bought option requires the trader to pay a premium, while the written option produces premium income for the trader. This income reduces the cost of the trade, or even produces a credit. While the written option reduces the cost of the trade (or produces a credit), it also limits the profit that can be made on the underlying position.

Risk Reversal Mechanics

If an investor is short an underlying asset, the investor hedges the position with a long risk reversal by purchasing a call option and writing a put option on the underlying instrument. If the price of the underlying asset rises, the call option will become more valuable, offsetting the loss on the short position. If the price drops, the trader will profit on their short position in the underlying, but only down to the strike price of the written put.

If an investor is long an underlying instrument, the investor shorts a risk reversal to hedge the position by writing a call and purchasing a put option on the underlying instrument. If the price of the underlying drops, the put option will increase in value, offsetting the loss in the underlying. If the price of the underlying rises, the underlying position will increase in value but only up to the strike price of the written call.

Risk Reversal and Foreign Exchange Options

A risk reversal in forex trading refers to the difference between the implied volatility of out of the money (OTM) calls and OTM puts. The greater the demand for an options contract, the greater its volatility and its price. A positive risk reversal means the volatility of calls is greater than the volatility of similar puts, which implies more market participants are betting on a rise in the currency than on a drop, and vice versa if the risk reversal is negative. Thus, risk reversals can be used to gauge positions in the FX market and convey information to make trading decisions.

Key Takeaways

A risk reversal hedges a long or short position using put and call options.

A risk reversal protects against unfavorable price movement but limits gains.

Holders of a long position short a risk reversal by writing a call option and purchasing a put option.

Holders of a short position go long a risk reversal by purchasing a call option and writing a put option.

FX traders refer to risk reversal as the difference in implied volatility between similar call and put options.

Real World Example of a Risk Reversal

Say Sean is long General Electric Company (GE) at $11 and wants to hedge his position, he could initiate a short risk reversal. Lets assume the stock currently trades near $11. Sean could buy a $10 put option and sell a $12.50 call option.

Since the call option is OTM, the premium received will be less than the premium paid for the put option. Thus, the trade will result in a debit. Under this scenario, Sean is protected against any price moves below $10, because below this, the put option will offset further losses in the underlying. If the stock price rises, Sean only profits on the stock position up to $12.50, at which point the written call will offset any further gains in the General Electrics share price.
The Chinese government has requested Cambodia to extradite a French architect Henri Patrick Devillers, who linked to former Chinese communist leader Bo Xilai and his family, after the French citizen was arrested in Cambodia.

According to the newspaper South China Morning Post  (SCMP), police in Phnom Penh, Cambodian capital, yesterday confirmed the arrest of Devillers, and a spokesman for the Embassy of France in the same city, said the Embassy of France has been informed of the arrest.

The police chief of Phnom Penh, Touch Naruth, said the French citizen was arrested two weeks ago with the cooperation of China and we are considering whether to send him to China or France.

Devillers connection with Bos family is still unknown, but foreign media have reported that the architect helped the charismatic politician Bo Xilai rebuild Dalian when the former communist leader was mayor of the city in 1990s.

Later, in 2000, when Bos wife Gu Kailai, established a company in Britain to select European architects for construction projects in China, Devillers was the partner.

In March 2006, the architect and his father formed a company in Luxembourg, which sparked speculation that the company helped Gu or others to take money from China, according to the SCMP.

Interviewed by a newspaper last month, Devillers denied having violated any law.

The former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the municipality of Chongqing (center), Bo Xilai, was expelled from office and suspended from the Politburo and Central Committee of the CPC in April.

At the same time, his wife, Gu Kailai, was arrested on suspicion of murder of British citizen Neil Heywood last November.

China urges Cambodia to extradite a French architect linked to Bo Xilais familyadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
starbet casinoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. date of record New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nounthe final date a registered stockholder of a corporation has the right to receive a dividend or other benefit.

Words nearby date of record

How to use in a sentence That would truly be a milestone to celebrateuntil you see what that record diversity actually means. The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST Three on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix. I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST The Amazon biography for an author named Papa Faal mentions both Gambia and lists a military record that matches the FBI report. The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country|Jacob Siegel|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The Shadowy U.S. Veteran Who Tried to Overthrow a Country|Jacob Siegel|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST Having a criminal record can reduce the likelihood of getting a callback or job offer by 50 percent. His First Day Out Of Jail After 40 Years: Adjusting To Life Outside|Justin Rohrlich|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST With every record you make, you want to make the best one you can, you know? Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll|James Joiner|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll|James Joiner|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST Bessires was included because he would never win it at any later date, but his doglike devotion made him a priceless subordinate. Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison Let them open their minds to us, let them put upon permanent record the significance of all their intrigues and manuvres. The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells

The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells A native of Haarlem on Zandam, the date of her birth being unknown. Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement

Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement Because the universe is governed by laws, and there is no credible instance on record of those laws being suspended. God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford At the latter date all artists were obliged to vacate the Sorbonne ateliers to make room for some new department of instruction. Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionDatel, dateless, dateline, date mussel, date night, date of record, date palm, date rape, date squares, date stamp, datingDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called on U.S. business circles to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation between China and the United States.

Business circles participate in, promote and benefit from the development of China-U.S. relations and bilateral trade cooperation. We hope the U.S.-China Business Council will continue to give play to its advantage and influence to make the U.S. side know the benefit of the two countries reciprocal cooperation, said Li when meeting a delegation of the council led by Chairman Robert A. McDonald in downtown Beijing.

Li said the economies of China and the United States are highly complementary. The two countries face more opportunities for cooperation than competition and challenges.

According to the vice premier, China-U.S, bilateral trade volume has increased more than 180 times since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 30 years ago. China is one of the fastest-growing export markets of the United States.

The two countries should grasp the opportunity, relax irrational restrictions and expand their converging interests. This will also create more jobs for both sides, he urged.

The vice premier added that ever-deepening trade cooperation is an important foundation for the building of a China-U.S. cooperative partnership featuring mutual respect and reciprocity. The development of China-U.S. trade relations is not only in the interests of the two countries, but will also promote a stable recovery of the world economy.

McDonald, also chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Procter & Gamble, said the council will make more efforts to promote the development of China-U.S. relations, expand bilateral trade and support Chinese companies to invest in the United States.

The U.S.-China Business Council, established in 1973, is a non-governmental and non-profit institution aiming to promote bilateral trade, economic and technological cooperation.

Xinhua

Li Keqiang meets U.S.-China Business Council delegationadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Thegenie jackpots shiba coin coinbase National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas top legislature, approved Saturday the termination of the NPC deputy of Wang Lijun (), former vice mayor of Chongqing Municipality.

According to the NPC Standing Committee, the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Peoples Congress on June 26 accepted resignation of Wang as an NPC deputy.

Wang Lijuns national legislature deputy terminatedadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Liangma River Photo: VCGRiding the flat-bottomed river barges winding their way through the Liangma River,which is lined with willow trees and reflects blue sky, many Beijing residents, who were prevented from traveling due to COVID-19 epidemic prevention measures,had the illusion that they were gently gliding along the Seine River in Paris.For a beautiful and charming riverbank scenery, the fantastic Liangma River, located in Beijing's Chaoyang district, has become the most popular scenic spot, perfect for mid-summer excursions, for many Beijing residents who were restricted from traveling due to local COVID-19 resurgence during the 5-day May Day holiday that just concludedRunning from the city moat in the capital's northeast, the Liangma River flows past embassies and through public spaces and business areas. Its total length is 9.3 kilometers; the upper river is a viewing channel while downstream serves as a drainage channel.With a history of more than 600 years, the Liangma River has earned itself the nickname "Seine of Peking" for its idyllic and European-style settings that line its banks. Among these settings one can find international global cuisine eateries, bagel shops, cafes, public beach chairs, and bistros that reveal the romance behind this side of the capital.Many young people gather here for picnics over the May Day break to make up for not being able to go on an out-of-city holiday, as the capital city tightens COVID-19 prevention measures to combat the latest flare-up including suspension of city-wide dine-in services and limiting the visitors' flows to scenic spots and parks. Lounge chairs, coffee makers, baguettes, fruit bowls, and flowers wrapped in newspapers became their props. Just a stretch of one kilometer along the Liangma River plays host to nearly every aspect of typical lifestyle of the contemporary middle class.Concerns over Beijing's recent outbreak did not dampen residents' enthusiasm, until the local authority sealed off part of the area along the river to prevent large gatherings that pose COVID-19 transmission risks.The "Liangma River International Waterfront Area" was billed by the district government as an international, tourist-friendly leisure hub.Located near Beijing's embassy district, Liangma River has become many expats' favorite scenic spot in the past two years who find the appeal in apetty bourgeoisie-style lifestyle along the bank.The appeal of Liangma River stimulates the vibrancy of catering in eateries found along the river while boosting the night-time economy.The increasingly strict epidemic control measures did not stop Beijing residents from camping along the Liangma River over the May Day holiday. Among them, expats and middle-class locals gathered there for a "pursuit of the exquisite life" along the river.Online posts and pictures show that the bank along the breezy Liangma River was packed with picnic blankets, lounge chairs, and benches under the setting sun. On the table, bottles of wine chilling on ice, highball glasses or fine bone China teacups next to the candles gave off a soft glow reminiscent of the sunset.The river bank, during the holiday, was a hive of activity with people sitting on the riverside, some quietly drinking coffee and reading, while others working with their laptops; but many more choosing to add a typically Western summer pastime element to this beautiful scene - picnicking with friends while competing in social board games, tossing frisbees, walking dogs, and doing tandem workout dance choreography."After the notice to suspend gyms and in-door activities was released, my members immediately discussed the possibility of outdoor classes in our WeChat group. When it came to the location of the workout, most of us coincidentally thought of the Liangma River," Helen Xu, an instructor at a yoga club in Beijing's Chaoyang district, told the Global Times. During the May Day holiday, Xu took two small classes of five members to the riverside in the morning for a workout and to enjoy the al fresco Beijing summer.Currently, posts using the hashtag "Liangma River" have hit an all-new high on Chinese social networking platforms. Some netizens have summarized 8 things that one must do on a walk along the river, such as looking for the mysterious coffee cart, watching thesunset on the suspension bridgewith your romantic partner, and enjoy the night view on a boat ship.Foreigners enjoy the night view of Liangma River in December 2021. Photo: VCG"The Liangma River has always been an artistic area. Some people love playing guitar and singing by the riverside, while young expats love gathering here. It is good to see how this place is so greatly sought-after now," a 26-year-old resident in Beijing surnamed Gou told the Global Times.However, with the popularity of the Liangma River, the beauty of riverside "camping" has gradually gone sour. A bunch of photos showed some visitors gathered for a picnic, who had even called in pedicurists to pamper their feet along the riverside walkway.On May 3, the local authority began restricting these over-crowded picnics due to risks presented by the recent COVID-19 resurgence in the capital and sealed off some popular gathering areas.The public showed understanding of the epidemic preventions measures imposed by the local authorities. "The purpose of suspending dine-in activities was to reduce the potential risk of the virus spreading in such close-contact environments. A mass picnic is simply moving the gathering place from inside the restaurants to the outdoors. There is still a risk of COVID transmission amid the outbreak," Gou said.Videos across social media show that police officers patrolled with the help of loudspeakers along the river on May 4, politely dissuading foreigners from trampling on the lawn in English.

Liangma River Photo: Li Hao/GT

At present, the adjacent water walkway along the Liangma River has been cordoned off. After that, the unbridled hustle and bustle disappeared, but the river bank still teamed with the activity of those who were shuttling through it.Lance Le, the manager of 49 Bar & Coffee shop near the river, told the Global Times that currently his in-door bar business is completely suspended and only sells packaged coffee in the afternoon. But Le said he fully supports the government's COVID-19 prevention initiatives. "Only by strictly implementing and complying with these measures can the day ofreal joint relaxation come faster,"he said.Strolling along the Liangma River on a summer's night, the Global Times reporter found that interactive fountains, children's playgrounds, landscape water curtains, and art installations on the river side attracted people to stop and take photos. At the same time, the footpaths, trees, and bridges along the river have been installed with gorgeous amounts of light.The landscape corridor with its emerald green waters and dazzling night sky adds vitality to the business district.Le told the Global Times that the development and governance along Liangma River in the past two years has attracted an increasing number of tourists. The tourist flow doubles during the weekends, and foreign customers account for nearly half of the tourists. "Many new shops have opened since the end of 2021. The overall quality of life in the metropolitan area along the river is very decent, and the number of high-end hotels along the river is also an attraction," said Le."New York has the Hudson River, London has the Thames, Paris has the Seine, and after the transformation of the Liangma River, China's capital finally has a decent water system," Xu suggested.

Liangma River Photo: Li Hao/GT

Liangma River's Chinese meaning is the river where horses are sunned. It is said that in ancient China some businessmen and guests would normally ride their horses here to rest and use the river water to wash their horses. That gave the River the name of "Liang Ma (Sunning Horse) River." As years passed, people replaced the Chinese character "Liang (Sunning)" with the homophone "Liang (shiny)."For a long time, the Liangma River was an unremarkable tributary on the eastern outskirts of Beijing, once putrid and infested with mosquitoes.In the 1980s, China's first Sino-foreign joint venturefive-star luxury hotel, the Great Wall Hotel, and the first Chinese-built and managed five-star hotel,Kunlun Beijinghotel,were built along the Liangma River. Later, more globally renowned retail businesses and brands joined the foray. In 2019, the local government revamped it into an international waterfront park."What I love the River most for is how its historical culture intersects with contemporary fashion. It's like combining a scented tea with aromatic coffee, which is mixed to develop a unique charm - nostalgic culture resting in an energetic city; a tradition that is integrated into modernity," said Gou.Theembassies areanear Liangma River is one of the three major diplomatic areas in Beijing. The Liangma River connects some of the city's most exclusive communities with the business district, and the foreign language signs everywhere give the entire length of the river an international look. It directly presents the openness, inclusivity, the fashionable nature, and livability of Beijing as a cosmopolis.Cale Holmes, a US expat living in just around 200 meters away from the Liangma River, felt himself as being "very lucky" to still access the fun community once Beijing suspended dine-in services in restaurants and bars, and closed entertainment venues amid the new outbreak."Many friends have gathered to walk, talk, and drink there since the holiday. I've even run into old friends during strolls along the river. I've even met some new friends during the May Day holiday. It's great for so much - hanging out, dating, exercising, even just personal calm. You get a takeaway beer, coffee, or juice and just mingle," Holmes told the Global Times."It's also convenient because there are lots of COVID-19 testing sites nearby. A lot of my neighbors and friends in nearby communities can find a testing spot around thereand then go chill out for hours."
sloto legends casino no deposit bonus codes 2021shows grade level based on the word's complexity. debouch [ dih-boosh, -bouch ]/ dbu, -bat / New Word List Save This Word!See debouch165565; <French deboucher, equivalent to de-dis-1+ -boucher, verbal derivative of bouche mouth <Latin bucca cheek, jaw WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH debouch debauch, debouch Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dih-boosh, -bouch ]/ dbu, -bat /Save This Word!See debouch165565;

Words nearby debouch

Words related to debouch C18: from French deboucher, from de- dis 1 + bouche mouth, from Latin bucca cheek

debonair, debone, de bonis non administratis, Deborah, deboss, debouch, debouche, debouchment, deboules, Debra, DebrecenDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
China's special climate envoy Xie Zhenhua (left) and US climate envoy John Kerry (right) delivers speech during the COP27 summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Photos: AFP

Top climate officials from China and the US started talks after the leaders of both countries endorsed the resumption of communications on climate change, which scientists believe is expected to push the ongoing COP27 summit to be a venue for concrete results and may also point to a possible bilateral consensus at the summit.US climate envoy John Kerry and China's top climate official Xie Zhenhua met for about 45 minutes at the Chinese delegation's offices in the COP27 conference zone, the Associated Press reported.It quoted Kerry as saying "We had a very good meeting." It was "much too early" to talk about any remaining differences, he said. "But we're gonna go to work."The meeting came shortly after the meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Joe Biden on Monday. The two presidents agreed that the two countries will jointly work for the success of COP27.The two countries' communication on climate change was suspended after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's highly provocative visit to the island of Taiwan in August.The two leaders' meeting in Indonesia has assuaged conflicts at COP27, Li Shuo, a senior global policy adviser at Greenpeace China who is attending the summit, told the Global Times. Usually, a consensus on climate between China and the US, the two biggest emitters, can directly push forward multilateral progress during climate summits."Now that China and the US have resumed talks on climate change, it can also help push COP27 to reach a concrete result," said Li.Scientists are also optimistic that it is possible that reopening communication will translate into concrete agreements between Beijing and Washington at COP27, which is scheduled to end on November 18.I believe the two will reach a certain degree of consensus at the meeting, Guan Dabo, a professor from the Department of Earth System Science at Tsinghua University, who is also attending the summit, told the Global Times. The two countries should focus on how to cooperate to jointly lead the globe in achieving carbon neutrality around the mid of century. Further, the two countries should also think about the leadership in global financing system to prevent the risk of climate extremes, which affects both rich and poor countries, certainly the latter will be more vulnerable.Last year, before COP26 convened in Glasgow, China and the US issued a joint announcement in November, vowed to intensify their efforts on tackling global warming.However, the two are at loggerheads about some issues at this year's COP27 summit. The single largest issue facing negotiators in Egypt is whether to create a fund to help poor countries cope with the loss and damage from continuing climate disasters. The agenda item was proposed by Pakistan on behalf of the Group of 77 and China, yet the US appears to be the most visible blocker of such a mechanism.Speaking at a sideline event last week, Xie said that Beijing is prepared to spend money to help poorer countries. "It is not China's responsibility, but we are willing to help," said Xie, while urging rich countries to pay the promised money.Despite hailing the progress in China-US cooperation on the climate as "shining point" at COP27, experts cast doubts on the stability and consistency of US promises on climate change.The impact of US domestic politics on its promise about climate change makes it hard for the US to make more promises on climate change, and may affect the stability of China's cooperation with the US on the issue, Li Haidong, a professor at the Institute of International Relations at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times.Although Republicans' gains in the US midterms are unlikely to knock Biden's existing climate policies off course, experts still worry that the filibuster may undermine Washington's future climate efforts. Former president Donald Trump on Tuesday launched a bid to regain the presidency in 2024, and it was during his administration that the US pulled out of the Paris Agreement in 2017."The US instability on climate issues leaves room for China to play a larger role in leading climate issues globally, especially among developing countries," said Guan.The reason why climate change was among the first areas where China and the US resumed communications is because it is a less political issue between the two, Li Haidong said.Since the two restarted such communications, it is important that Washington stop weaponizing the issue, such as imposing sanctions on Xinjiang region's photovoltaic industry."The influence of domestic policy, plus the US tendency of using climate change as a weapon to crack down on China, makes Washington the obstacle for bilateral cooperation," said Li Haidong.
Who do you turn to now when you have a decision to make, when you have one less person to provide validation or advice?

An ace comedic turn that, in lesser hands, would come off as one-note.

Third parties in turn quibbled with his accounts, and he was irritated, but not overly so.

So far, all the players seemed to be willing to wait their turn.

In other words, Florida clerks were no longer allowed to turn gay couples away. The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Turn away from sin and order thy hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all offence. The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

He shall give his mind to turn up furrows, and his care is to give the kine fodder. The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

Turn not away thy face from thy neighbour, and of taking away a portion and not restoring. The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

Turn we our backs to the cold gloomy north, to the wet windy west, to the dry parching easton to the south! Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
What Is Clearing?bingo uk casino chumba slots login

Clearing is the procedure by which financial trades settle; that is, the correct and timely transfer of funds to the seller and securities to the buyer. Often with clearing, a specialized organization acts as the intermediary and assumes the role of tacit buyer and seller to reconcile orders between transacting parties. Clearing is necessary for the matching of all buy and sell orders in the market. It provides smoother and more efficient markets as parties can make transfers to the clearing corporation rather than to each individual party with whom they transact.

Key Takeaways

Clearing is the correct and timely transfer of funds to the seller and securities to the buyer.

A specialized organization often acts as an intermediary known as a clearinghouse and assumes the role of tacit buyer and seller to reconcile orders between transacting parties.

Clearing is necessary to match all buy and sell orders to ensure smoother and more efficient markets.

When trades don't clear, the resulting out trades can cause real monetary losses.

The clearing process protects the parties involved in a transaction by recording the details and validating the availability of funds.

How Clearing Works

Clearing is the process of reconciling purchases and sales of various options, futures, or securities, and the direct transfer of funds from one financial institution to another. The process validates the availability of the appropriate funds, records the transfer, and in the case of securities, ensures the delivery of the security to the buyer. Non-cleared trades can result in settlement risk, and, if trades do not clear, accounting errors will arise where real money can be lost.

An out trade is a trade that cannot be placed because it was received by an exchange with conflicting information. The associated clearinghouse cannot settle the trade because the data submitted by parties on both sides of the transaction is inconsistent or contradictory.

Stock exchanges, such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the NASDAQ, have clearing firms. They ensure that stock traders have enough money in their account, whether using cash or broker-provided margin, to fund the trades they are taking. The clearing division of these exchanges acts as the middle man, helping facilitate the smooth transfer of funds.

When an investor sells a stock they own, they want to know that the money will be delivered to them. The clearing firms makes sure this happens. Similarly, when someone buys a stock, they need to be able to afford it. The clearing firm makes sure that the appropriate amount of funds is set aside for trade settlement when someone buys stocks.

Clearing Banks

Clearing can have a variety of meanings depending on the instrument with which it is associated. In the case of check clearing, this is the process involved in transferring the funds promised on the check to the recipient's account. Some banks place holds on funds deposited by check since the transfer is not instantaneous and may require time to process.

The Federal Reserve Banks provide check collection services to depository institutions. When a depository institution receives a check drawn on another institution, it may send the check for collection to the institution directly, deliver the check to the institutions through a local clearinghouse exchange, or use the check-collection services of a correspondent institution or a Federal Reserve Bank.

Nearly all the checks the Federal Reserve Banks process for collection are now received as electronic check images, and most checks are collected and settled within one business day.

Clearinghouses

For futures and options, a clearinghouse functions as an intermediary for the transaction, acting as the implicit counterparty to both the buyer and seller of the future or option. This extends to the securities market, where the stock exchange validates the trade of the securities through to settlement.

Clearinghouses charge a fee for their services, known as a clearing fee. When an investor pays a commission to the broker, this clearing fee is often already included in that commission amount. This fee supports the centralizing and reconciling of transactions and facilitates the proper delivery of purchased investments.

When a clearinghouse encounters an out trade, it gives the counterparties a chance to reconcile the discrepancy independently. If the parties can resolve the matter, they resubmit the trade to the clearinghouse for appropriate settlement. But, if they cannot agree on the terms of the trade, then the matter is sent to the appropriate exchange committee for arbitration.

Automated Clearing House

An automated clearing house (ACH) is an electronic system used for the transfer of funds between entities, often referred to as an electronic funds transfer (EFT). The ACH performs the role of intermediary, processing the sending/receiving of validated funds between institutions.

An ACH is often used for the direct deposit of employee salaries and can be used to transfer funds between an individual and a business in exchange for goods and services. Traditionally, the sending and receiving bank account information needs to be provided, including the account and routing numbers, to facilitate the transaction. This process may also be seen as an electronic check, as it provides the same information as a written check.

Example of Clearing

As a hypothetical example, assume that one trader buys an index futures contract. The initial margin required to hold this trade overnight is $6,160. This amount is held as a "good faith" assurance that the trader can afford the trade. This money is held by the clearing firm, within the trader's account, and can't be used for other trades. This helps offset any losses the trader may experience while in a trade.

This process helps reduce the risk to individual traders. For example, if two people agree to trade, and there is no one else to verify and back the trade, it is possible that one party could back out of the agreement or experience financial trouble and be unable to produce the funds to hold up their end of the bargain. The clearing firm takes this risk away from the individual trader. Each trader knows that the clearing firm will be collecting enough funds from all trading parties, so they don't need to worry about credit or default risk of the person on the other side of the transaction.

Clearing Bank FAQs

What Is Clearing in the Banking System?

Clearing in the banking system is the process of settling transactions between banks. Millions of transactions occur every day, so bank clearing tries to minimize the amounts that change hands on a given day. For example, if Bank A owes Bank B $2 million in cleared checks, But Bank B owes Bank A $1 million, Bank A only pays Bank B $1 million.

Which Banks Are Clearing Banks in the United States?

Clearing banks in the United States include the following: Bank of America; Bank of the West; Barclays; The Bank of New York Mellon; BB&T; Capital One; Citi; Citizens; Comeria; Deutsche Bank; AG Consultants, Fifth Third Bank; HSBC; JP Morgan Chase; Key Bank; M&T Bank; MUFG Union Bank; PNC; Regions Bank; Santander; State Street; SunTrust; TD Bank; UBS; U.S. Bank; and Wells Fargo.

What Is an Example of a Clearinghouse?

An example of a clearinghouse is the London Clearing House, which is the biggest derivatives clearing house followed by the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Clearing firms are typically big investment banks, such as JP Morgan, Deutsche Bank, and HSBC.

What Is a Clearing Process?

Clearing is the process of reconciling an options, futures, or securities transaction or the direct transfer of funds from one financial institution to another. The process validates the availability of the appropriate funds, records the transfer, and in the case of securities, ensures the delivery of the security or funds to the buyer.

The Bottom Line

The process of clearing ensures that the entities or parties engaged in a financial transaction are protected, receive their due amount, and the transaction goes smoothly. The clearinghouse acts as a third party or mediator for the transaction while the clearing process recordings the details of the transaction and validates the availability of funds.
21 prive casino 60 no deposit free spinsshows grade level based on the word's complexity. dasyphyllous [ das-uh-fil-uhs ]/ ds fl s / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ das-uh-fil-uhs ]/ ds fl s /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adjective Botany.having very hairy leaves.

Words nearby dasyphyllous

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question dasyphyllousdasy- + -phyllousdastardly, dastur, dasy-, dasymeter, dasypaedal, dasyphyllous, Dasyu, dasyure, DAT, data, data bankDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Deep South

nounthe SE part of the US, esp South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana

Deep South

The southernmost tier of states in the South: South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Before the Civil War, these states were centers of cotton production and slavery. All of them seceded from the United States before the firing on Fort Sumter. They are sometimes distinguished from the states of the Upper South (Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas), which contained proportionately fewer slaves prior to the Civil War and which seceded only after the firing on Fort Sumter.
It was a moment of intense frustration and anger.Theone x bet loginse were the words of the former President of the Los Angeles City Council Nury Martinez, as she tried to explain her litany of racist comments about the Black child of Councilman Mike Bonin and migrants from Oaxaca, Mexico, captured on a secret recording of the L.A. City Commission released on Oct. 9, 2022. Martinez has now resigned from the Commission, but her apology, crafted and couched in the cloak of racial innocence, provided important insights about the contours of Latino anti-Black bias, and how inadequate our national pursuit of racial equality is at the moment.

Frustration and anger do not absolve you from racism, and racial innocence is not a benign mental state. It is a barrier to justice. Moving forward in the pursuit of racial justice will require that we recognize racial innocence for the fiction that it is and unite in educating ourselves about the globality of anti-Blackness.

There are many Nury Martinezs. When it comes to racism, Latino culture encourages a mindset of racial innocence in which real racism is only what White-Anglo-English-speaking U.S. residents perpetrate. Any anti-Black sentiment and action that Latinos partake in is dismissed as a cultural misunderstanding, an extension of pre-existing racism within the United States, or an uncommon momentary lapse. Racism is not what Latinos do.

But they do. In fact, Latino anti-Blackness is not contained to the U.S. 90% of the 10.7 million Africans forcibly brought to the Americas as survivors of the Middle Passage, were taken to Latin America and the Caribbean, in contrast to the 3.5% taken to what we now call the U.S. After the abolition of slavery, state actors and white elites maintained color hierarchies and exclusion with a racialized logic regarding the inferior intellect of Black people and cultural inadequacies of Indigenous communities. This racial logic continues to be perpetrated today to such an extent that it materially constrains Afro-Latino and Indigenous from socioeconomic advancement.

Read More:The Troubling Legacy Behind L.A. Councilwoman Nury Martinezs Racist Remarks

When Latinos enter the U.S., their racial baggage comes along with them and continues to be passed along to younger generations as part of Latino culture. As an Afro Latina raised in the U.S., too often Ive heard a relative say Look behind the ears, fearing a newborn infant has the potential to develop a dark skin tone. But Latino familial vigilance against Blackness does not stop with the inspection of ears. There is a vampiric attention to sun exposure that may deepen the darkness and thus worsen a childs appearance.

Even Latinos who are thought to be blessed with European features are policed by their families when it comes to dating and marriage. The obsession with mejorando y adelantando la raza, or improving and advancing the race, by marrying lighter (ideally whiter) partners means each potential suitor is sorted out for taints of Blackness.

My own journey of collecting the stories of the victims of Latino anti-Blackness across the country revealed that Latino anti-Black bias in the U.S. causes long-lasting injuries. However, the Latino cultural self-image as racially innocent interferes with addressing the instances in which Latinos are agents of racial harm. This is because racial innocence hinders self-recognition of the problem and the motivation to make the changes necessary for racial progress. Instead, paltry rationalizations like an intense moment of frustration and anger are offered.

An apology and resignation from the Nury Martinezs of the world are insufficient implements for dismantling the systemic racial innocence and creating social change. Instead, we need to enhance our racial literacy about the nature and extent of global anti-Blackness.

For too long, Afro-Latino voices have been sidelined within Latino public discourse. Because Afro-Latinos sit at the intersection of Blackness and Latino ethnic identity, they not only experience Latino racial hostility, but also are knowledgeable about its logics in a way not necessarily legible to non-Latinos and non-Black Latinos. This has left Latinos, as a collective, blind to their own anti-Black attitudes in their engagement with the world. Afro-Latinos are an important but overlooked resource in the battle against racism, and there is already existing (and growing) literature authored by Afro-Latinos dedicated to broadening our racial literacy.

More from TIME

Moreover, creating space for Afro-Latinos within Latino leadership circles is another crucial step in combatting racial innocence. Consider how much more nuanced and profound public policy deliberations could be if more Afro-Latinos were present at all levels of government, in addition to nonprofits, corporate entities, and media outlets. Rather than juxtaposing the needs of Latinos as a zero-sum competition with African Americans, the Afro-Latino voice could contribute the perspective of how much our communities need to work together. Attempts at coalition are fortified when internal, racialized hierarchies are made visible and dismantled.

To be clear, ignoring the global aspects of anti-Blackness will not dissolve systemic racism. That may seem like an obvious statement to make but in my experience, not obvious enough.

In fact, a number of the invitations I have received to share my Afro-Latina expertise for Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, suddenly evaporated when I disclosed my topic of Latino anti-Blackness. Diversity Equity & Inclusion representatives from law firms and financial institutions alerted me that they wanted to go in a different direction after they learned what I wanted to impart. In short, they preferred a racially innocent Hispanic Heritage Month presentation.

Opposing racial innocence implicates the entire nation, not only Latinos. A racial reckoning without an honest interrogation of the multi-directional aspects of racism is an anemic pursuit of racial equality that impedes the dream of a true democracy.
microgaming slot demoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. datary [ dey-tuh-ree ]/ de t ri / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dey-tuh-ree ]/ de t ri /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun, plural dataries.Roman Catholic Church.the office of the Curia Romana that investigates candidates for papal benefices.the cardinal who heads this office.

OTHER WORDS FROM datary

Words nearby datary

How to use datary C16: from Medieval Latin datarius official who dated papal letters, from Late Latin data date 1

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question datary152030;
The Cato Institute has announced that Mao Yushi (), one of Chinas most outspoken and influential activists for individual rights and free markets, has been named the 2012 winner of the Cato Institutes Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty.

Established in 2002 and presented every two years, the Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Liberty is the leading international award for significant contributions to advancing individual liberty. The Nobel laureate economist Milton Friedman died in November of 2006.

The Milton Friedman Prize for Advancing Libertys Biennial Dinner and award presentation were held on the evening of May 4 at the Washington Hilton, and included a keynote address by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and special remarks by John Stossel.

Mao Yushis Acceptance Speech at award presentation: Liberty promotes the growth of wealth, freeing people from poverty (Chinese version)

Mao, an 83-year-old economist, is a well-known advocate for an open and transparent political system and is one of the pioneers of the movement in China for civil society and freedom. Before economic reform began in China in 1978, he had been an engineer and during his lifetime has faced severe punishment, exile, and near starvation for remarks critical of a command-based economy and society. During the Cultural Revolution, he and his family were deprived of all of their property, and in 2011 he angered some in China with his article Returning Mao Zedong to Human Form, which boldly calculated the human cost of Maos brutal Communist policies from 1949 to 1976. The article led to calls for his prosecution and execution, with 50,000 left-faction members signing a petition that called for his imprisonment on charges of treason. Immediately following the articles appearance he had to be surrounded by students to protect him from physical attack from zealots, while the government remained silent and neutral.

In 1993 he and five other economists founded the Unirule Institute of Economics (Unirule ), an independent Chinese think tank committed to the growth of a market economy and to reforming Chinese government policies.

In addition, Mao Yushi has been a pioneer in creating private charity and self-help programs in the Peoples Republic of China and has helped countless people become independent members of society through the Fuping Development Institute and other initiatives. He believes that the more income an individual earns the more freedom an individual has, and has devoted himself to Chinas transition from a planned economy to a free market economy.

He is the author of 15 books on how a market economy performs. One of these books, Economics in Everyday Life was a best seller, explaining market economics in accessible terms for the general population. His writing has provided the public with a better understanding of free markets and has helped clarify and ease the Chinese governments shift from a planned economy to a market economy.

In 2004 the liberal-leaning magazine Southern People Weekly named Mao Yushi one of Chinas 50 most distinguished intellectuals, and in 2007 China Newsweek named Mao and Tsinghua Universitys Qin Hui the most influential intellectuals of the decade. His friend Liu Xiaobo, the Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 2010, once wrote of Mao Yushi, his bravery is worthy of our respect.

Mao Yushi was chosen to receive the award through a public, worldwide nomination process. The members of the 2012 International Selection Committee are:

Mustafa AkyolAuthor, Islam without Extremes: A Muslim Case for Liberty, Turkey

Edward H. CranePresident, Cato Institute

David FriedmanProfessor of Law, Santa Clara University

Roberto Salinas LeonPresident, Mexico Business Forum; Associate of Economist Intelligence Unit, Mexico

Mary Anastasia OGradyMember, Editorial Board, Wall Street Journal

Matt RidleyAuthor, The Origins of Virtue and The Rational Optimist; Winner, Hayek Prize, Great Britain

Frederick W. SmithChairman and CEO, FedEx Corporation

Linda WhetstoneChairman, Network for a Free Society, England

George F. WillPulitzer Prize-Winning Syndicated Columnist

Economist Mao Yushi Awarded $250,000 Milton Friedman Liberty Prizeadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is Capital Employed?betvictor bonus

Capital employed, also known as funds employed, is the total amount of capital used for the acquisition of profits by a firm or project. Capital employed can also refer to the value of all the assets used by a company to generate earnings.

By employing capital, companies invest in the long-term future of the company. Capital employed is helpful since it's used with other financial metrics to determine the return on a company's assets as well as how effective management is at employing capital.

Key Takeaways

Capital employed is derived by subtracting current liabilities from total assets; or alternatively by adding noncurrent liabilities to owners' equity.

Capital employed tells you how much has been put to use in an investment.

Return on capital employed (ROCE) is a common financial analysis metric to determine the return on an investment.

Capital Employed

Formula and Calculation of Capital Employed

0:59

 Capital employed = Total assets  Current liabilities \begin{ aligned} \text{ Capital employed} &= \text{ Total assets} - \text{ Current liabilities} \\ &=\text{ Equity} + \text{ Noncurrent liabilities} \end{ aligned} Capital employed=Total assetsCurrent liabilities

Capital employed is calculated by taking total assets from the balance sheet and subtracting current liabilities, which are short-term financial obligations.

Capital employed can be calculated by adding fixed assets to working capital, or by adding equityfound in shareholders' equity section of the balance sheetto non-current liabilities, meaning long-term liabilities.

What Capital Employed Can Tell You

Capital employed can give a snapshot of how a company is investing its money. However, it is a frequently used term that is at the same time very difficult to define because there are so many contexts in which it can be used. All definitions generally refer to the capital investment necessary for a business to function.

Capital investments include stocks and long-term liabilities. It also refers to the value of assets used in the operation of a business. In other words, it is a measure of the value of assets minus current liabilities. Both of these measures can be found on the balance sheet. A current liability is the portion of debt that must be paid back within one year. In this way, capital employed is a more accurate estimate of total assets.

Capital employed is better interpreted by combining it with other information to form an analysis metric such as return on capital employed (ROCE).

Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)

Capital employed is primarily used by analysts to determine the return on capital employed (ROCE). Like return on assets (ROA), investors use ROCE to get an approximation for what their return might be in the future. Return on capital employed (ROCE) is thought of as a profitability ratio. It compares net operating profit to capital employed and tells investors how much each dollar of earnings is generated with each dollar of capital employed.

Some analysts prefer return on capital employed over return on equity and return on assets since it takes long-term financing into consideration, and is a better gauge for the performance or profitability of the company over a longer period of time.

A higher return on capital employed suggests a more efficient company, at least in terms of capital employment. A higher number may also be indicative of a company with a lot of cash on hand since cash is included in total assets. As a result, high levels of cash can sometimes skew this metric.

Return on capital employed is calculated by dividing net operating profit, or earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), by employed capital. Another way to calculate it is by dividing earnings before interest and taxes by the difference between total assets and current liabilities.

Example of How to Use Capital Employed

Let's calculate the historical return on capital employed by three tech companiesAlphabet Inc., Apple Inc., and Microsoft Corporationfor the fiscal year ended 2021.

(in $millions) Alphabet Apple Microsoft EBIT $41,047 $65,339 $69,916 Total Assets (TA) $319,616 $323,888 $333,779 Current Liabilities (CL) $56,834 $105,392 $88,657 TA - CL $262,782 $218,496 $245,122 Return on Capital Employed 0.1562 0.2990 0.2852

Of the three companies, Apple Inc. has the highest return on capital employed of 29.9%. A return on capital employed of 29.9% means that for every dollar invested in capital employed for 12 months ended September 30, 2021, the company made almost 30 cents in profits. Investors are interested in the ratio to see how efficiently a company uses its capital employed as well as its long-term financing strategies.

What Is a Good Return on Capital Employed?

In general, the higher the return on capital employed (ROCE), the better it is for a company. The ROCE calculation shows how much profit a company generates for each dollar of capital employed. The higher the number (which is expressed as a percentage), the more profit the company is generating.

One way to determine if a company has a good return on capital employed is to compare the company's ROCE to that of other companies in the same sector or industry. The highest ROCE indicates the company with the best profitability among those being compared.

Another way to determine if a company has a good ROCE is to compare it to the returns from previous years. If the ratios are trending down over a span of several years, it means the company's profitability levels are declining. Conversely, if ROCE is increasing, this means the company's profitability is increasing as well.

What Is Return on Average Capital Employed?

Return on average capital employed (ROACE) is a ratio that measures a company's profitability versus the investments it has made in itself. To calculate ROACE, divide earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) by the average total assets minus the average current liabilities. ROACE differs from the return on capital employed (ROCE) because it takes into account the averagesof assets and liabilities over a period of time.

How Do You Calculate Capital Employed From a Company's Balance Sheet?

First, find the net value of all fixed assets on the company's balance sheet. You'll see this value listed as property, plant, and equipment (PP&E). To this number, add the value of all capital investments and current assets. From this number, subtract all current liabilities. These include all financial obligations due in a year or less. Examples of current liabilities listed on a company's balance sheet include accounts payable, short-term debt, and dividends payable.
american express cash magnet welcome offershows grade level based on the word's complexity. dealfish [ deel-fish ]/ dilf / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ deel-fish ]/ dilf /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun, plural dealfishes, (especially collectively) dealfish.a ribbonfish, especially Trachipterus arcticus.

Words nearby dealfish

British Dictionary definitions for dealfish

dealfish/ (dilf) /

noun plural -fish or -fishesany deep-sea teleost fish of the genus Trachipterus, esp T. arcticus, related to the ribbonfishes and having a very long tapelike body and a fan-shaped tail fin

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question dealfishFirst recorded in 183545; deal+ fishdeal breaker, dealcoholize, dealer, dealer's choice, dealership, dealfish, deal in, dealing, dealing box, dealings, dealmakerDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
What Is the Hamptons Effect?gala bingo galabingo

The Hamptons Effect refers to a dip in trading that occurs just before the Labor Day weekend that is followed by increased trading volume as traders and investors return from the long weekend. The term references the idea that many of the large-scale traders on Wall Street spend the last days of summer in the Hamptons, a traditional summer destination for the New York City elite.

The increased trading volume of the Hamptons Effect can be positive if it takes the form of a rally as portfolio managers place trades to firm up overall returns toward the end of the year. Alternatively, the effect can be negative if portfolio managers decide to take profits rather than opening or adding to their positions. The Hamptons Effect is a calendar effect based on a combination of statistical analysis and anecdotal evidence.

Key Takeaways

The Hamptons Effect refers to a dip in trading that occurs just before the Labor Day weekend that is followed by increased trading volume as traders and investors return from the long weekend.

The Hamptons is a traditional summer destination for wealthy New York City traders.

The increased trading volume of the Hamptons Effect can be positive if it takes the form of a rally as portfolio managers place trades to firm up overall returns toward the end of the year.

It is a calendar effect based on a combination of statistical analysis and anecdotal evidence.

The Hamptons Effect and other similar anomalies that can be construed from data are interesting findings, but their value as an investment strategy is not significant for the average investor.

The Statistical Case for the Hamptons Effect

The statistical case for the Hamptons Effect is stronger for some sectors compared to others. Using a market-wide measure such as the Standard & Poor's 500, the Hamptons Effect is characterized by slightly higher volatility with a small positive effect depending on the period used. However, it is possible to use sector-level data and create a case showing that a certain stock profile is favored following the long weekend.

For example, the case can be made that defensive stocks, which are consistent performers similar to food and utilities, are favored as the end of the year approaches and, therefore, benefit from the Hamptons Effect.

Trading Opportunities

As with any market effect, finding a pattern and reliably profiting from a pattern are two different things. Analyzing a set of data will almost always reveal interesting trends and patterns as the parameters shift. The Hamptons Effect can certainly be construed from market data when adjustments are made to the period and the type of stock. The question for investors is whether the effect is large enough to create a true performance advantage after fees, taxes, and spreads are considered.

For an individual investor, the answer is often to the negative for market anomalies. The Hamptons Effect and other similar anomalies that can be construed from data are interesting findings, but their value as an investment strategy is not significant for the average investor. Even if a market effect appears consistent, it can quickly dissipate as traders and institutional investors implement strategies to take advantage of the arbitrage opportunity.
What Is a Fixed Exchange Rate?jazz clippers game tonight

A fixed exchange rate is a regime applied by a government or central bank that ties the country's official currency exchange rate to another country's currency or the price of gold. The purpose of a fixed exchange rate system is to keep a currency's value within a narrow band.

Key Takeaways

The purpose of a fixed exchange rate system is to keep a currency's value within a narrow band.

Fixed exchange rates provide greater certainty for exporters and importers and help the government maintain low inflation.

Many industrialized nations began using the floating exchange rate system in the early 1970s.

Fixed Exchange Rate

Understanding a Fixed Exchange Rate

1:28

Fixed rates provide greater certainty for exporters and importers. Fixed rates also help the government maintain low inflation, which, in the long run, keep interest rates down and stimulates trade and investment.

Most major industrialized nations have had floating exchange rate systems, where the going price on the foreign exchange market (forex) sets its currency price. This practice began for these nations in the early 1970s while developing economies continue with fixed-rate systems.

Bretton Woods

From the end of World War II to the early 1970s, the Bretton Woods Agreement meant that the exchange rates of participating nations were pegged to the value of the U.S. dollar, which was fixed to the price of gold.

When the United States' postwar balance of payments surplus turned to a deficit in the 1950s and 1960s, the periodic exchange rate adjustments permitted under the agreement ultimately proved insufficient. In 1973, President Richard Nixon removed the United States from the gold standard, ushering in the era of floating rates.

The Beginnings of the Monetary Union

The European exchange rate mechanism (ERM) was established in 1979 as a precursor to monetary union and the introduction of the euro. Member nations, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy, agreed to maintain their currency rates within plus or minus 2.25% of a central point.

The United Kingdom joined in October 1990 at an excessively strong conversion rate and was forced to withdraw two years later. The original members of the euro converted from their home currencies at their then-current ERM central rate as of Jan. 1, 1999. The euro itself trades freely against other major currencies while the currencies of countries hoping to join trade in a managed float known as ERM II.

Disadvantages of Fixed Exchange Rates

Developing economies often use a fixed-rate system to limit speculation and provide a stable system. A stable system allows importers, exporters, and investors to plan without worrying about currency moves.

However, a fixed-rate system limits a central bank's ability to adjust interest rates as needed for economic growth. A fixed-rate system also prevents market adjustments when a currency becomes over or undervalued. Effective management of a fixed-rate system also requires a large pool of reserves to support the currency when it is under pressure.

An unrealistic official exchange rate can also lead to the development of a parallel, unofficial, or dual, exchange rate. A large gap between official and unofficial rates can divert hard currency away from the central bank, which can lead to forex shortages and periodic large devaluations. These can be more disruptive to an economy than the periodic adjustment of a floating exchange rate regime.

Real-World Example of a Fixed Exchange Rate

Problems of a Fixed Exchange Rate Regime

In 2018, according to BBC News, Iran set a fixed exchange rate of 42,000 rials to the dollar, after losing 8% against the dollar in a single day. The government decided to remove the discrepancy between the rate traders used60,000 rialsand the official rate, which, at the time, was 37,000.
A helping of free PR, all while skillfully avoiding the exorbitant day rate of British fashion model Daisy Lowe.

The odd (though beautiful) pair here is Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins who were a hit on the vaudeville circuit.

The ad begins with a young girl counting the petals she is pulling off a daisy.

Even the valor of tragedy is denied to Daisy, a woman born with a voice that lacks a tragic register.

Instead of sleeping with them, however, Joffrey forces Ros to beat Daisy with a whip and then a giant club. Game of Thrones 8 Most Gruesome Deaths: From The Mountains Exploding Head Kill to Rat Torture|Marlow Stern|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST

You would think the poor teacher would be driven crazy, but he seems as calm as a daisy in a June breeze. Our Little Korean Cousin|H. Lee M. Pike

"Daisypapa's Daisyyour vows are made," whispered Ethel, gaining sole possession of the babe for a minute. The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge

With such an assembly at hand the time was ripe for selling Daisy-Jewel to the highest bidder. Dorothy at Skyrie|Evelyn Raymond

I lay on the grass in the cloisters, and the Daisy Chain hung from the sky, and was drawing me upwards. The Daisy Chain|Charlotte Yonge
davinci diamonds casinoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. darkling [ dahrk-ling ]/ drk l / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dahrk-ling ]/ drk l /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adverbin the dark.

adjectivegrowing dark.being or occurring in the dark; dark; obscure.vaguely threatening or menacing.

Words nearby darkling

How to use darkling C15: from dark + -ling 

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question darklingFirst recorded in 140050, darkling is from the late Middle English word derkeling.See dark, -lingdark horse, dark internet, darkish, dark lantern, darkle, darkling, darkling beetle, darkly, dark matter, dark meat, dark mineralDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Online casino games maker and provider Greentube, a division of NOVOMATIC Interactive, has extended its long-term partnership with Serbia-headquartered gambling operator Mozzartbet to now cover the regulated Romanian iGaming market.

Under the extended collaboration between the supplier and the operator, Mozzartbet has launched Greentubes host of premium online casino games in Romania.

RELATED:Greentube Casino Titles Now Live with Romanias Baumbet

Romanian customers of the gambling operator can now access Greentubes diverse and ever-growing portfolioof titles, including hit NOVOMATIC classics. Iconic online slots such as Sizzling Hot deluxe, Book of Ra deluxe, Lucky Ladys Charm deluxe, Dolphins Pearl deluxe, and Plenty on Twenty, a hit with Romanian players, have been part of the initial rollout of titles under the extended partnership.

In addition, Mozzartbet has been able to add newly launched content tailored for local players.

Latest of a Long-Standing Partnership

Greentube noted that the launch of its content with Mozzartbet in Romania represented the latest major milestone marked by the two companies as part of their long-standing alliance. The major suppliers content library has long been live with the gambling operator in several Southeast European countries, including Serbia and Croatia.

Founded in 2011, Mozzartbet is one of the leaders in the provision of retail betting and online gambling services across Southeast Europe and several other markets.

The company operates more than 1,000 retail betting shops across Serbia, Romania, Croatia, and North Macedoniaand delivers online gaming and betting services across these countries as well as Malta and Kenya.

Thrilled to Extend Partnership

Commenting on their latest announcement, Greentube CFO/CGO Michael Bauer said that they are thrilled to extend their partnership with Mozzart Group and to launch their content with their online brand in yet another thriving market.

Mr. Bauer said that strengthening their relationship with Mozzart will bolster his companys position as a leading content supplier in Romania, where Greentubes games have proved extremely popular with local players since the supplier entered the market in 2016.

Milos Ranic, Director of Online Casino at Mozzartbet commented that following their successful collaboration with Greentube in several key markets, they are excited to have added the providers portfolio of gaming titles in Romania, where we are certain their popular and well-known titles will help us further grow our loyal customer base.

Mozzartbet is the second operator Greentube has recently launched its content with in Romania. Last month, the supplier announced a partnership with major Romanian operator Baumbet. The rollout of Greentube titles with Baumbet will help the operator further strengthen its online operation, which it launched in 2018. Baumbet has been part of the Romanian market for the past 25 years, running a network of betting shops around the country.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories
lotto lore 649shows grade level based on the word's complexity. data processing [ dey-tuh-pros-es-ing, dat-uh, dah-tuh ]/ de t prs s , dt , d t / New Word List Save This Word!See synonyms for: data processing / data processor on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dey-tuh-pros-es-ing, dat-uh, dah-tuh ]/ de t prs s , dt , d t /Save This Word!See synonyms for: data processing / data processor on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nounprocessing of information, especially the handling of information by computers in accordance with strictly defined procedures and operations, as aggregation, sorting, analysis, or validation. Abbreviation: DP

OTHER WORDS FROM data processing

Words nearby data processing

Words related to data processing data processing a sequence of operations performed on data, esp by a computer, in order to extract information, reorder files, etc (as modifier)a data-processing centre noun Cultural definitions for data processing data processing Either the preparation of data for processing by a computer, or the storage and processing of raw data by the computer itself. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright  2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question data processingFirst recorded in 195055data processor, noundatal, data mining, data packet, data pen, data point, data processing, data protection, datary, data science, data scientist, data setDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is the Combined Ratio?singapore pools epl odds

The combined ratio, also called "the combined ratio after policyholder dividends ratio," is a measure of profitability used by an insurance company to gauge how well it is performing in its daily operations. The combined ratio is calculated by taking the sum of incurred losses and expenses and then dividing them by the earned premium.

The Formula for the Combined Ratio Is

 Combined Ratio = Incurred Losses + Expenses Earned Premium \begin{ aligned} &\text{ Combined Ratio} = \frac{ \text{ Incurred Losses} + \text{ Expenses} }{ \text{ Earned Premium} } \\ \end{ aligned} Combined Ratio=Earned PremiumIncurred Losses+Expenses

Combined Ratio

What Does the Combined Ratio Tell You?

1:52

The combined ratio measures the money flowing out of an insurance company in the form of dividends, expenses, and losses. Losses indicate the insurer's discipline in underwriting policies. The expense ratio gauges the efficiency of an insurer and how well it uses its resources to drive top-line growth. The combined ratio is arguably the most important of these three ratios because it provides a comprehensive measure of an insurer's profitability.

The combined ratio is typically expressed as a percentage. A ratio below 100 percent indicates that the company is making an underwriting profit, while a ratio above 100 percent means that it is paying out more money in claims that it is receiving from premiums. Even if the combined ratio is above 100 percent, a company can potentially still be profitable because the ratio does not include investment income.

Many insurance companies believe that the combined ratio is the best way to measure success because it does not include investment income and only includes profit earned through efficient management. This is important to note since a portion of dividends will be invested in equities, bonds, and other securities. The investment income ratio (investment income divided by net premiums earned) takes investment income into account and is used in the calculation of the overall operating ratio.

Key Takeaways

The combined ratio is a measure of profitability used by an insurance company to gauge how well it is performing in its daily operations.

The combined ratio is typically expressed as a percentage.

A ratio below 100 percent indicates that the company is making an underwriting profit, while a ratio above 100 percent means that it is paying out more money in claims that it is receiving from premiums.

Many insurance companies believe that the combined ratio is the best way to measure success because it does not include investment income and only includes profit earned through efficient management.

Examples of the Combined Ratio

As a hypothetical example, if an insurer collects $1,000 in policy premiums and pays out $800 in claims and claim-related expenses, plus another $150 in operating expenses, it would have a combined ratio of (800 + 150) / 1,000 = 95%.

Let's take another example: insurance company ZYX has incurred underwriting expenses of $10 million, incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses of $15 million, net written premiums of $30 million and earned premiums of $25 million. We can calculate ZYX's financial basis combined ratio by adding the incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses with the incurred underwriting expenses. The financial basis combined ratio is 1, or 100% (($10 million + $15 million) / $25 million).

The financial basis gives a snapshot of the current year's statutory financial statements. We can also calculate the combined ratio on a trade basis, where you divide the incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses by earned premiums and add to the incurred underwriting expenses divided by net written premiums. The trade basis combined ratio of insurance company XYZ is 0.93, or 93% = ($15 million / $25 million + $10 million / $30 million).

The Difference Between the Combined Ratio and the Loss Ratio

The loss ratio measures the total incurred losses in relation to the total collected insurance premiums, while the combined ratio measures the incurred losses and expenses in relation to the total collected premiums. The combined ratio is essentially calculated by adding the loss ratio and expense ratio.

The loss ratio is calculated by dividing the total incurred losses by the total collected insurance premiums. The lower the ratio, the more profitable the insurance company and vice versa. If the loss ratio is above 1, or 100%, the insurance company is likely to be unprofitable and may be in poor financial health because it is paying out more in claims than it is receiving in premiums.

Limitations of the Combined Ratio

The components of the combined ratio each tell a story and should be examined both together and separately in order to understand what is driving the insurer to be profitable or unprofitable. Policy dividends are generated from the premiums generated from the insurers underwriting activities.

The loss and loss-adjustment ratio demonstrate how much it costs the insurer to offer one dollar of protection. The expense ratio shows how expensive it is to generate new business since it takes into account commissions, salaries, overhead, benefits, and operating costs. (For related reading, see "How Do I Calculate the Combined Ratio?")
A view of the Amazon logo. Photo: VCG

US e-commerce giant Amazon has made history as the world's first public company to lose $1 trillion in market value amid a tech stock rout in the US, Bloomberg reported on Thursday.Shares of the firm fell 4.27 percent on Wednesday, dragging its market capitalization to about $879 billion from a record market value of $1.88 trillion in July 2021. It came just days after sell-offs in the company took its market cap below $1 trillion for the first time since April 2020.From a micro perspective, the rapid plummet in Amazon's market value is due in large part to its poor business performances. Specifically, Amazon's e-commerce sector delivered sluggish earnings results for three quarters in a row this year. In its third-quarter earnings report, Amazon reported a decline of more than 9 percent to $2.9 billion, with most key financial indictors falling short of market expectations.Moreover, the firm also made disappointing fourth-quarter forecast, projecting that sales revenue during the holiday quarter might slow to as low as 2 percent, far below analysts' estimates. Given such a dim outlook, Amazon's share prices have gone into a downward spiral.However, from a macro perspective, as a US-based e-commerce giant, Amazon's predicament offers certain indication of acute structural problems faced by the US' e-commerce sector as well as the US economy as a whole. After all, what's behind Amazon's sluggish sales performance is shrinking online consumption by US consumers. Because of the global economic downturn and the gloomy macro-economic environment with rising inflation and tightening monetary policy, the purchasing power of US consumers have clearly been affected.Also, it is important to note that one of the most critical factors undercutting Amazon's performance is that consumers who had made purchases online during the COVID-19 pandemic have resumed the pre-pandemic habit of buying at offline stores, a development that actually points to the bottlenecks facing the development of the e-commerce sector in the US.Moreover, beyond the shifting consumer habits and declining consumption, the problems facing Amazon and the US' e-commerce sector is that it doesn't have the sufficient support it needs for development from the real economy and logistics system. This could serve as a reminder of the importance of the real economy and why China still needs to prioritize developing the real economy.For example, it goes without saying as to whether Amazon sells more products made in the US or in China. Without the support of massive "made in China," Amazon would not become the largest e-commerce platform in the US. This is because the Chinese manufacturing sector has large-scale production capacity in the consumer goods sector, therefore what Chinese manufacturers produce will surely be welcome by the market for its good quality and affordable prices. What's behind the rise of Amazon's e-commerce business is the mass inflows of low-cost goods made in China.Fundamentally speaking, the rise of the US e-commerce sector is inseparable from globalization, which is actually a typical example of the US economy sharing the dividends of the Chinese manufacturing development.Nevertheless, the US government doesn't seem to recognize this simple truth. Instead, Washington has tried to defy the economic laws by focusing on bringing manufacturing back to the US. But can some policies or incentives simply help the US build a manufacturing for mass production? And what can US e-commerce platforms like Amazon use to maintain the appeal to consumers if they lose the support of China's manufacturing sector under the US' decoupling push from China's supply chains? The e-commerce industry needs to give it a think.Meanwhile, it is the structural problems of the US economy, which has deviated too far away from the real economy, that has precipitated the decline of its hegemony. Domestically, these structural problems have led to a more serious wealth gap in the US, adding to social class solidification and political division. Internationally, its consequent abuse of the dollar hegemony has exported inflation, dragging many economies into recession.
bus game online arif sport bettingshows grade level based on the word's complexity. dealcoholize [ dee-al-kuh-haw-lahyz, ho-lahyz ]/ dil k hlaz, hlaz / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dee-al-kuh-haw-lahyz, ho-lahyz ]/ dil k hlaz, hlaz /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

verb (used with object), dealcoholized, dealcoholizing.to remove some or all of the alcohol from (a drink).

OTHER WORDS FROM dealcoholize

Words nearby dealcoholize

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question dealcoholizeFirst recorded in 190005; de- + alcoholizedealcoholization, nounDeak, Deakin, deal, dealate, deal breaker, dealcoholize, dealer, dealer's choice, dealership, dealfish, deal inDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is a Hammer Candlestick?blackjack 10 and ace axie worlds

A hammer is a price pattern in candlestick charting that occurs when a security trades significantly lower than its opening, but rallies within the period to close near the opening price. This pattern forms a hammer-shaped candlestick, in which the lower shadow is at least twice the size of the real body. The body of the candlestick represents the difference between the opening and closing prices, while the shadow shows the high and low prices for the period.

Key Takeaways

Hammer candlesticks typically occur after a price decline. They have a small real body and a long lower shadow.

The hammer candlestick occurs when sellers enter the market during a price decline. By the time of market close, buyers absorb selling pressure and push the market price near the opening price.

The close can be above or below the opening price, although the close should be near the open for the real body of the candlestick to remain small.

The lower shadow should be at least two times the height of the real body.

Hammer candlesticks indicate a potential price reversal to the upside. The price must start moving up following the hammer; this is called confirmation.

Bullish Candlestick Patterns Examples

Understanding Hammer Candlesticks

1:34

A hammer occurs after the price of a security has been declining, suggesting that the market is attempting to determine a bottom.

Hammers signal a potential capitulation by sellers to form a bottom, accompanied by a price rise to indicate a potential reversal in price direction. This happens all during a single period, where the price falls after the opening but regroups to close near the opening price.

A hammer should look similar to a T. This indicates the potential for a hammer candle. A hammer candlestick does not indicate a price reversal to the upside until it is confirmed.

Confirmation occurs if the candle following the hammer closes above the closing price of the hammer. Ideally, this confirmation candle shows strong buying. Candlestick traders will typically look to enter long positions or exit short positions during or after the confirmation candle. For those taking new long positions, a stop loss can be placed below the low of the hammers shadow.

Hammers arent usually used in isolation, even with confirmation. Traders typically utilize price or trend analysis, or technical indicators to further confirm candlestick patterns.

Hammers occur on all time frames, including one-minute charts, daily charts, and weekly charts.

Example of How to Use a Hammer Candlestick

Hammer Candlestick Example.Investopedia

The chart shows a price decline followed by a hammer pattern. This pattern had a long lower shadow, several times longer than the real body. The hammer signaled a possible price reversal to the upside.

Confirmation came on the next candle, which gapped higher and then saw the price get bid up to a close well above the closing price of the hammer.

Traders usually step in to buy during the confirmation candle. A stop loss is placed below the low of the hammer, or even potentially just below the hammers real body if the price is moving aggressively higher during the confirmation candle.

The Difference Between a Hammer Candlestick and a Doji

A doji is another type of candlestick with a small real body. A doji signifies indecision because it is has both an upper and a lower shadow. Dojis may signal a price reversal or a trend continuation, depending on the confirmation that follows. This differs from the hammer, which occurs after a price decline, signals a potential upside reversal (if followed by confirmation), and only has a long lower shadow.

Limitations of Using Hammer Candlesticks

There is no assurance that the price will continue to move to the upside following the confirmation candle. A long-shadowed hammer and a strong confirmation candle may push the price quite high within two periods. This may not be an ideal spot to buy, as the stop loss may be a great distance away from the entry point, exposing the trader to risk that doesnt justify the potential reward.

Hammers also dont provide a price target, so figuring what the reward potential for a hammer trade is can be difficult. Exits need to be based on other types of candlestick patterns or analysis.

Psychology of the Hammer

As we have seen, an actionable hammer pattern generally emerges in the context of a downtrend, or when the chart is showing a sequence of lower highs and lower lows. The appearance of the hammer suggests that more bullish investors are taking positions in the stock and that a reversal in the downward price movement may be imminent.

The long lower shadow on the hammer candlestick indicates an effort to continue the prices downward trajectory, but the higher close represented by the real body indicates that the sellers were ultimately unsuccessful in holding the price at its intraday low. The prices ascent from its session low to a higher close suggests that a more bullish outlook won the day, setting the stage for a potential reversal to the upside.

Practical Application

If youve spotted a hammer candlestick on a price chart, you may be eager to make a trade and profit from the potential upcoming price movement. Before you place your order, lets take a look at a few practical considerations that can help you make the most of a trade based on the hammer pattern.



The Hammer Signal

The first step is to ensure that what youre seeing on the candlestick chart does in fact correspond with a hammer pattern. If youre looking for hammer signal that implies a potential upside reversal, it should occur in the context of a downtrend, or declining price action marked by a series of lower highs and lower lows.

Under these circumstances, the signal youre keeping an eye out for is a hammer-shaped candlestick with a lower shadow that is at least twice the size of the real body. The closing price may be slightly above or below the opening price, although the close should be near the open, meaning that the candlesticks real body remains small.

Looking for Confirmation

Confirmation of a hammer signal occurs when subsequent price action corroborates the expectation of a trend reversal. In other words, the candlestick following the hammer signal should confirm the upward price move. Traders who are hoping to profit from a hammer signal often buy during the formation of this upward confirmation candle.

Placing Stops and Taking Profits

As with any trade, it is advisable to use stops to protect your position in case the hammer signal does not play out in the way that you expect. The level at which you set your stop will depend on your confidence in the trade and your risk tolerance. However, it may be useful to set a stop loss below the low of the hammer pattern, providing protection in case the downward pressure reemerges and the upward move that you were anticipating never materializes.

On the other hand, if the price does begin to rise, rewarding your recognition of the hammer signal, you will have to decide on an optimal level to exit the trade and take your profits. On its own, the hammer signal provides little guidance as to where you should set your take-profit order. As you strategize on a potential exit point, you may want to look for other resistance levels such as nearby swing lows.

What is a hammer candlestick?

A hammer candlestick is a technical trading pattern that resembles a T whereby the price trend of a security will fall below its opening price, illustrating a long lower shadow, and then consequently reverse and close near its opening. Hammer candlestick patterns occur after a downtrend. They are often considered signals for a reversal pattern.

Is a hammer candlestick pattern bullish?

The hammer candlestick is a bullish trading pattern that may indicate that a stock has reached its bottom and is positioned for trend reversal. Specifically, it indicates that sellers entered the market, pushing the price down, but were later outnumbered by buyers who drove the asset price up. Importantly, the upside price reversal must be confirmed, which means that the next candle must close above the hammers previous closing price.

What is the difference between a hammer candlestick and a shooting star?

While a hammer candlestick pattern signals a bullish reversal, a shooting star pattern indicates a bearish price trend. Shooting star patterns occur after a stock uptrend, illustrating an upper shadow. Essentially the opposite of a hammer candlestick, the shooting star rises after opening but closes roughly at the same level of the trading period. A shooting star pattern signals the top of a price trend.

The Bottom Line

A hammer candlestick pattern occurs when a security trades significantly lower than its opening but then rallies to close near its opening price. The hammer-shaped candlestick that appears on the chart has a lower shadow at least twice the size of the real body. The pattern suggests that sellers have attempted to push the price lower, but buyers have eventually regained control and returned the price near its opening level. The pattern indicates a potential price reversal to the upside.
Thefree bonus slots no downloads no registration attorney general for the District of Columbia filed a civil complaint against the Washington Commanders on Thursday, accusing the team of failing to refund hundreds of thousands of dollars in season ticket deposits to fans.

It was the second complaint filed against the team by Karl Racine, the attorney general, and came a week after the first civil complaint accused the Commanders, team owner Dan Snyder, the N.F.L. and Commissioner Roger Goodell of misrepresenting their efforts to address decades of sexual harassment and abuse of women who worked for the team.

The Commanders arrogance and blatant disregard for the law is a slap in the face to District residents who have supported the team for decades, Racine said in a statement Thursday.

In the complaint, the attorney general alleged that the team misrepresented the terms of returning customers security deposits, saying that their money would be refunded within 30 days after their season-ticket contracts expired. The team, the attorney general said, failed to disclose that it would hold those security deposits indefinitely unless the season-ticket holders followed an undisclosed, extra-contractual policy requiring them to submit a signed written request for their deposit to be returned.

The omission, the complaint said, tended to mislead consumers and is an unlawful trade practice.

In a statement, the team said it had hired an outside law firm and forensic auditors that found no evidence that the team intentionally withheld security deposits that should have been returned to customers or that the team improperly converted any unclaimed deposits to revenue.

The team said that in 2014, managers were told to send notices to more than 1,400 customers with deposits and returned all security deposits requested.

The N.F.L. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Racine said he was seeking a court order to force the Commanders to stop these practices and pay back ticket holders who live in Washington, his jurisdiction, as well as financial penalties for the team for violating consumer-protection laws.

According to the complaint, the team has been withholding security deposits as far back as 1996. Over the years, some fans have been repaid, but many former season-ticket holders who live in the District are still owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Together, the two civil lawsuits brought in Washington add to the mounting legal inquiries of Snyder, who faces at least five open investigations, including one led by the attorney general for the state of Virginia.

The Commanders are headquartered in Virginia and play their home games in Maryland, but they draw on residents of those two states and Washington as ticket buyers and employees.

Racine in recent years has opened cases against Facebook and Amazon, joined other attorneys general in suing Google over privacy practices and brought a federal lawsuit against the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers over their roles in the Jan. 6 insurrection.

His complaints related to the Commanders could each result in potentially millions of dollars of penalties. In the first complaint, if a jury determined that the league and the team had lied about their investigation into sexual harassment at the organization, they could be fined up to $5,000 for each instance in which they misrepresented their efforts.

Courts have broad discretion to determine what constitutes a violation.

In contrast with Racines earlier suit, damages in the consumer-protection lawsuit filed on Thursday are more easily quantifiable because it seeks to identify money that may have been withheld from Washington consumers and other businesses.

The charges in the complaint on Thursday were originally brought to light in a hearing held by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, which began an investigation of the team in October 2021. Republican leaders announced on Thursday that the inquiry would be shelved early next year after the party gained control of the House of Representatives.

Numerous former team employees spoke to the congressional committee at a round table in February, including Jason Friedman, who for 24 years worked in the teams ticketing office.

He accused the team of keeping two sets of books in order to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars of revenue that was supposed to be shared with all 32 N.F.L. franchises. He also claimed that the team had not properly refunded as much as $5 million in refundable security deposits to season-ticket holders.

In April, the House committee referred the allegations involving potential ticket fraud to the Federal Trade Commission. According to an ESPN report, the U.S. attorneys office in the Eastern District of Virginia is also looking into claims of financial malfeasance made against the team. The team has denied the charges and sent the F.T.C. 102 pages of support documents to disprove the allegations. The F.T.C. has not commented on its investigation.

The allegations made to Congress prompted the N.F.L. to hire Mary Jo White, an attorney and former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to begin a new investigation into the Commanders and Snyder.

The problems facing Snyder and the Commanders, combined with the poor performance of the team on the field and the leagues lowest attendance, have irked the N.F.L.s other owners, who have privately discussed ousting Snyder. Twenty-four of the 32 team owners would have to vote to remove Snyder, a step that has never been taken in the N.F.L.s more than 100-year history.

Two weeks ago, Daniel and Tanya Snyder announced that they had hired bankers to explore all options for selling some or all of the team.

Advertisement

Continue reading the main story
Facebook

Facebook Twitter

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

Sometimes you hear words that sound like element names, like didymium, coronium, or dilithium. Yet, when you search the periodic table, you don't find these elements.

Key Takeaways: Didymium

Didymium was an element on Dmitri Mendeleev's original periodic table.

Today, didymium is not an element, but is instead a mixture of rare earth elements. These elements had not been separated from each other in Mendeleev's time.

Didymium mainly consists of praseodymium and neodymium.

Didymium is used to color glass, make safety glasses that filter yellow light, prepare photographic filters that subtract orange light, and to manufacture catalysts.

When added to glass, the right mixture of neodymium and praseodymium produces a glass that changes colors depending on the viewer's angle.

Didymium Definition

Didymium is a mixture of the rare earth elements praseodymium and neodymium and sometimes other rare earths. The term comes from the Greek word didumus, meaning twin, with the -ium ending. The word sounds like an element name because at one time didymium was considered to be an element. In fact, it appears on Mendeleev's original periodic table.

Didymium History and Properties

Swedish chemistry Carl Mosander (1797-1858) discovered didymium in 1843 from a sample of ceria (cerite) supplied by Jons Jakob Berzelius. Mosander believed didymium was an element, which is understandable because the rare earths were notoriously difficult to separate at that time. The element didymium had atomic number 95, the symbol Di, and an atomic weight based on the belief that the element was divalent. In fact, these rare earth elements are trivalent, so Mendeleev's values were only about 67% of the true atomic weight. Didymium was known to be responsible for a pink color in ceria salts.

Per Teodor Cleve determined didymium must be made of at least two elements in 1874. In 1879, Lecoq de Boisbaudran isolated samarium from a sample containing didymium, leaving Carl Auer von Welsbach to separate the two remaining elements in 1885. Welsbach named these two elements praseodidymium (green didymium) and neodidymium (new didymium). The "di" part of the names was dropped and these elements came to be known as praseodymium and neodymium.

As the mineral was already in use for glassblower's goggles, the name didymium remains. The chemical composition of didymium is not fixed, plus the mixture may contain other rare earths besides just praseodymium and neodymium. In the United States, "didymium" is the material remaining after cerium is removed from the mineral monazite. This composition contains about 46% lanthanum, 34% neodymium, and 11% gadolinium, with a smaller amount of samarium and gadolinium. While the ratio of neodymium and praseodymium varies, didymium usually contains about three times more neodymium than praseodymium. This is why element 60 is the one named neodymium.

Didymium Uses

Although you may have never heard of didymium, you may have encountered it:

Didymium and its rare earth oxides are used to color glass. The glass is important for blacksmithing and glassblowing safety glasses. Unlike dark welder glasses, didymium glass selectively filters out yellow light, around 589 nm, reducing the risk of Glassblower's cataract and other damage while preserving visibility.

Didymium is also used in photographic filters as an optical band-stop filter. It removes the orange portion of the spectrum, which makes it useful for enhancing photos of autumn scenery.

A 1:1 ratio of neodymium and praseodymium may be used to make "Heliolite" glass, a color of glass devised by Leo Moser in the 1920s that changes color from amber to red to green depending on the light. An "Alexandrit" color is also based on rare earth elements, exhibiting color changes similar to the alexandrite gemstone.

Didymium is also used as a spectroscopy calibration material and for use manufacturing petroleum cracking catalysts.

Didymium Fun Fact

There are reports that didymium glass was used to transmit Morse Code messages across battlefields in World War I. The glass made it so the brightness of lamp light would not appear to be noticeably changing to most viewers, but would enable a receiver using filtered binoculars to see the on/off code in the light absorption bands.

References
Taiwan leader Ma Ying-jeou announced his intention to seek re-election as chairman of the ruling Kuomintang at a meeting of the partys Central Standing Committee July 11.

The party cannot afford splits or internal strife, and only through unity and reform can we get past the current difficulties, Ma said.

The announcement came in the wake of a corruption scandal involving former Cabinet Secretary-General Lin Yi-shih.

Ma declared his candidacy to illustrate his resolve amid reports of growing calls within party ranks for him to step down as chairman to focus on running the country.

Earlier at the meeting, standing committee member Chen Ming-yi urged Ma to clarify his intentions so as to eliminate the noise from outside.

Ive stated before that I would seek re-election, but as some people seem to still be unaware of my plans, I wish to once again solemnly announce that I will run for the party chairmanship to continue leading the KMT on the path of reform, Ma said.

The KMT chairmanship election is scheduled for mid-2013 ahead of the partys next congress.

Taiwan Today

Ma announces bid for re-election as KMT chairmanadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?star casino gold coast shows

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities and guarantees that they have equal opportunity to participate in mainstream American life. Passed in 1990, this federal law made it illegal to discriminate against a disabled person in terms of employment opportunities, access to transportation, public accommodations, communications, and government activities.

The ADA prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions from discriminating against those who have disabilities. Under the ADA, employers are also required to make reasonable accommodations for an employee with a disability to perform their job function.

Key Takeaways

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed in 1990 to prevent workplace and hiring discrimination against people with disabilities.

The ADA applies to all private businesses with 15 or more employees.

It also covers government employers, employment agencies, and labor unions.

The ADA also had the effect of increasing accessibility and mobility for disabled people by mandating automatic doorways, ramps, and elevators to accommodate wheelchairs in public places and businesses.

Understanding the Americans with Disabilities Act

To be covered by the ADA, a person must have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Three major sections comprise the primary protections introduced by the ADA.

Title I of the law prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities during job application procedures, hiring, firing, the pursuit of career advancement, compensation, job training, and other aspects of employment. It holds authority over employers who have 15 or more employees.

Title II applies to state and local government entities. This part of the law further extends the protection from discrimination to qualified individuals with disabilities. It requires that these individuals have reasonable access to services, programs, and activities provided by the government.

Title III prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities regarding access to activities at public venues. This includes businesses that are generally open to the public, such as restaurants, schools, day care facilities, movie theaters, recreation facilities, and doctors offices. The law also requires newly constructed, rebuilt, or refurbished places of public accommodation to comply with ADA standards. In addition, Title III applies to commercial facilities that include privately owned, nonresidential facilities such as factories, warehouses, or office buildings.

Different government agencies play a role in enforcing the ADA. For example, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces Title I. The Department of Labor enforces state and local government services under Title II and public accommodations under Title III.

The Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 allowed for a broader legal definition of disability. It made it easier for people seeking protection under the ADA to establish that they have a disability. Before the amendment, people with disabilities including cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and learning disabilities could be excluded from ADA coverage.

How the Americans with Disabilities Act Increased Accessibility

The ADA established standards for accessible design for public accommodations that include creating automatic doorways, ramps, and elevators to accommodate wheelchairs. Water fountains must be made available at heights that individuals with disabilities can reach.

Some examples of accommodations in the workplace include supplying a hearing-impaired applicant with a sign language interpreter during a job interview, modifying a work schedule to meet the needs of a person who needs treatment, or restructuring an existing facility to make it readily accessible to people with disabilities. An employer is not required by the ADA to make reasonable accommodations if doing so presents an undue hardship for the business and requires significant expenses compared with the size of the company.

Title IV of the ADA requires telephone companies to provide telephone relay services, or similar devices, for the hearing- and speech-impaired.

Although there is no regulation requiring ADA compliance by websites and online platforms, accessibility for internet users has become an issue of increasing importance. Best practices are increasingly prescribed to promote website accessibility.
Chinese online content platforms including Tencent Music (1698.HK) and NetEases Cloud Music (9899.HK) have removed live streaming features that analysts say could be used for illegal gambling,eu slots casino rocket play casino at a hefty cost to their quarterly revenues.

Analysts say online content platforms pulled the plug on features such as virtual lucky draws after the government in June started cracking down on live streaming, as part of a wider clampdown on online gambling.

While the platforms say they ban gambling, analysts say the extremely popular lucky draws are often manipulated by live streamers colluding with viewers to share the prize.

These features have increased the popularity of live streaming, a market which was worth around 152 billion yuan ($21 billion) in 2022, research firm Analysys said.
barstool sportsbook iowashows grade level based on the word's complexity. dealing box New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nouna box that holds a deck or decks of cards, allowing them to be dealt only one at a time, often used in casino games such as blackjack or chemin de fer.

Words nearby dealing box

How to use in a sentence People are generally diplomatic, says Steinbrick of regulars dealing with the surge of new faces. How to Survive the New Year Gympocalypse|Tim Teeman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

How to Survive the New Year Gympocalypse|Tim Teeman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST One topic that comes up among the members, she says, is dealing with loss years later. Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST In response to the screen quota cut, South Korea established a cinema tax on the box office. Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST He goes into some detail into what it took to persuade voters to pass marriage equality at the ballot box in four states in 2012. The Real Story Behind the Fight for Marriage Equality|E.J. Graff|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST How to Train Your Dragon 2, the tenth highest grossing movie in 2014 America, made $22 million at the Korean box office. Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Propaganda, Protest, and Poisonous Vipers: The Cinema War in Korea|Rich Goldstein|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST Beside her was a box of bonbons, which she held out at intervals to Madame Ratignolle. The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin Now and then the boy who had bought Squinty, and who was taking him home, would look around at his pet in the slatted box. Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum

Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum The little pig in the box felt himself being lifted out of the wagon. Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum

Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum Mrs. Newbolt was cutting splints for her new sun-bonnet out of a pasteboard box. The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden

The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden With a hammer the boy knocked off some of the slats of the small box in which Squinty had made his journey. Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question dealing boxFirst recorded in 192530dealer's choice, dealership, dealfish, deal in, dealing, dealing box, dealings, dealmaker, deal out, dealt, deal withDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Lujiazui Photo:VCG

Bloomberg on Monday sketched out four scenarios for China's economy in the next decade and came to a basic conclusion that China likely wouldn't overtake the US within the time period previously expected by the outside world. Speculating when China's GDP will surpass that of the US has been one of the most interesting topics for US and Western public opinion in recent years. But most of the time they are talking to themselves: asking a question and then answering it themselves,reversing themselves, arguing within themselves, etc.The exclamation that "China could overtake the US in GDP" first came from the US, which triggered and stimulated widespread anxiety in US society. Now the forecast that "the overtaking time" will be delayed or even that "China's GDP will not overtake that of the US" have also spread from the US. Curiously, this has not eased the nervousness of Washington elites in the face of China's rapid development. They are the ones who say China "can," and they are the ones who say China "cannot" as well. To a certain extent, the topic itself is an embodiment of some Americans' inner struggle.Today, China's development strategy focuses on continuous self-transcendence, and does not aim to surpass the US or any other country. A country's GDP growth rate is ultimately its own internal affair. Many Chinese do not understand why Washington takes China's GDP so seriously. The rise of China's GDP ranking, including whether it will surpass the US to become the No.1, is fundamentally a natural outcome, and the Chinese are not worried about gains or losses.Compared with GDP figures, the pragmatic Chinese people care more about whether their living standards are rising, environment is improving, and their development opportunities are increasing. They work hard day after day for achieving these goals. Under the guarantee of state policies, such common, real and modest aspirations, combined with the hard work and ability of the Chinese people, become the huge engine driving China's economic growth. China's development philosophy is people-centered, and emphasizes high-quality development, which means that quality, not quantity, is the focus. Quantity is, of course, important, but we cannot take "GDP growth as the sole criterion for success." Over the years, China's economic development has become more balanced, coordinated, and sustainable. This is an upgrade in terms of "quality" and a result of Chinese people's concerted efforts and active pursuit.In other words, China's development is never about surpassing or replacing anyone or competing with anyone to become the world leader. It is instead a race with itself. For today's China, how to focus on solving the problem of unbalanced and insufficient development is far more critical than "comparing" with a great power. The 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) outlined a strategic plan to build China into a great modern socialist country in all respects, and the upcoming 20th CPC National Congress will envision the "two-step" strategic plan for building China into a great modern socialist country, and "focus the efforts on addressing inadequacies, strengthening areas of weakness, consolidating fundamentals and giving full play to strengths." From this, we can see that China has a consistent and firm attitude of focusing on its own development.There is no denying that GDP is a crucial economic indicator that can allow us to see where we are in general and make development plans accordingly. But it is more important to translate GDP into a sense of gain, happiness, and security for the people. As for being second or first in the world in terms of data, it cannot replace people's feelings about their livelihoods, nor is it the ultimate goal of development. At the end of the day, Chinese people have always been trying to live their lives as well as possible and earn the respect they deserve in the international community. We do not bully others, and others should not try to do that to us. In the era of globalization, such countries are the best partners for mutually beneficial cooperation.The fear of being overtaken by China in terms of GDP has become a sore point for Washington, or its demon. To slow down China's development, Washington even risks damaging itself, such as pursuing "decoupling" from China. In fact, there is no need to do so, because China is committed to making a big cake that benefits its own people and, at the same time, provides more development opportunities for the world, including the US. As long as the US lets go of its obsessions and overcomes its sore point, it will apparently see the massive potential for win-win cooperation with China.
BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping recently replied to a letter from Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation Jeffrey Greene and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen. In his reply dated Sept. 12, Xi said he hopes that the spirit of Flying Tigers will be carried on from generation to generation among Chinese and American peoples. "I was heartened by the great enthusiasm of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and the veterans of Flying Tigers in letting more Chinese and Americans know about the stories of the Flying Tigers over the years. Inspired by this, more and more young Americans have joined the Flying Tigers Friendship Schools and Youth Leadership Program, and nearly 500 Flying Tigers veterans and several hundred of their family members have visited China. I wish to pay tribute to you for all this," Xi said. "In the past, our two peoples fought the Japanese fascists together, and forged a deep friendship that withstood the test of blood and fire," Xi said. "In the future, the two major countries shoulder even more important responsibility for world peace, stability and development." "We therefore should, and we must, respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation," he said. Noting that "in growing China-U.S. relations, the hope lies in the people, the foundation lies among the people, and the future lies with the youth," Xi said that "a sound and steady development of the relationship in the new era requires the input and support of a new generation of Flying Tigers." Founded in 1998, the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation is an American civil friendship group aimed at promoting the study and commemoration of China-U.S. historical aviation events. Recently, Greene, Moyer and McMullen jointly wrote a letter to Xi, in which they introduced the efforts of the foundation and Flying Tigers veterans in helping promote China-U.S. friendly exchanges, and expressed their willingness to inherit and carry forward the precious spirit of China-U.S. cooperation.
Metaverse Photo:VCG

Thelaunch of a new metaverse research institute was announced in Shenzhen, South China's Guangdong Province, during the 2022 Global Metaverse Conference, which runs from November 10 to 11. The institute will help to accelerate innovation and support local policymakers, the Shanghai Securities News reported on Thursday.The institute will support cooperation platforms for local enterprise and boost industry innovation and application of projects, said the report.The institute aims to closely follow industry trends and make efforts to develop technologies, pursue application scenarios and boost research and development (R&D) results, in order to support the country's digitalization construction and its metaverse industry.According to China's iiMedia Research Institute, cloud computing, blockchain and virtual & augmented reality (AR and VR) are the three supportive technologies of the metaverse industry. iiMedia estimated that the market scale of the three technologies in China will surpass 300 billion yuan ($41.38 billion), 1 trillion yuan and 80 billion yuan in 2023.Aside from Shenzhen, various major cities including Shanghai and Beijing have announced efforts to accelerate the development of the metaverse industry and have issued relevant documents.The Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization issued a development outline in December 2021 for the local electronic information industry for the 14th Five Year Plan period 2021-25, which aims to enhance the R&D of basic technologies for the metaverse and AR and VR equipment.The government of Beijing's Tongzhou district issued a document in August 2022 on the need to develop or import applied metaverse technology covering various fields such as culture, tourism, business and city services.Global Times
What Is a Deed of Reconveyance?paddy power my account login

A deed of reconveyance is a document that transfers the title of a property from a mortgage lender to the borrower once the loan has been paid.

Key Takeaways

A deed of reconveyance is issued when a mortgage has been paid in full.

The deed of reconveyance confirms that the title has been transferred from the lender to the borrower.

If a deed of reconveyance is not recorded in the local county or recorder's office, the homeowner will have difficulty selling the home.



How a Deed of Reconveyance Works

A deed of reconveyance is issued to borrowers once a mortgage loan has been paid in full. The document is created by the lender, is notarized, includes a legal description of the property, and is recorded in the county where the property is located.

Any title search completed on the property will show that the lien has been paid in full. Since the loan is satisfied, the borrower is no longer at risk of foreclosure.

A deed of trust is an agreement between a home buyer and a lender and states that the home buyer will repay the loan and that the mortgage lender will hold the legal title to the property until the loan is fully paid.

When a property has a lien against it, it cannot be sold. However, if an existing mortgage will be satisfied from the proceeds of the home sale, the recording of the deed of reconveyance becomes a part of the closing process of the sale, and its recording is commonly handled by a title insurance company.

When homeowners refinance their homes with a new mortgage, they also receive a deed of reconveyance showing that the previous mortgage has been paid since a new mortgage has been established in a refinancing situation.

Second mortgages or home equity loans give the lending institution a security interest in the home as the property often serves as collateral for that loan. Lenders can assert their rights to foreclose if a borrower defaults on these second loans. The deed of reconveyance related to the first mortgage has no effect on the second loan nor protects the homeowner.

A deed of reconveyance differs from state to state or from lender to lender. In states that use trust deeds rather than mortgages, a third party known as a trustee will hold the mortgage on behalf of the lender. Some states use satisfaction of mortgage documents rather than a deed of reconveyance but these serve the same purpose.

What's Included in a Deed of Reconveyance?

The deed of reconveyance will typically include:

The name and address of the homeowner/mortgage borrower.

The name of the lender/trustee.

A description of the property and parcel number based on the original deed.

Documentation that the borrower has fulfilled their obligation to the lender and that the property that had been secured by the mortgage or trust deed now belongs to the borrower.

Lines for signatures of all parties and a section for a notary to indicate that they witnessed the signing.

Example of Deed of Reconveyance

If an individual purchases a house and takes out a mortgage of $400,000, borrowing from a bank or mortgage lender, the property will serve as collateral under the deed of trust.

Once the loan is fully paid, the lender will certify that the debt has been paid and create the deed of reconveyance, usually within several weeks.

The deed of reconveyance will indicate that the mortgage loan is paid in full, and show that the borrower has the title and full ownership of the property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Difference Between Security Interest and Deed of Reconveyance?

The lender has a security interest in the home while the mortgage is outstanding and can foreclose on the borrower, evict them, and take possession of the home if the borrower defaults on the loan. The deed of reconveyance proves that the lender no longer has a security interest in the home and the homeowner cannot be foreclosed upon by the lending institution, and they can transfer the free and clear title of the property at any time.

What if the Deed of Conveyance Is Not Filed or Filed Improperly?

If no deed of reconveyance is recorded or if it is recorded with errors with the records office, such as the local county courthouse, it creates a title issue. The deed of trust will remain a burden against the property, and the homeowner may experience difficulties when trying to sell the home.

Can a Homeowner Face Foreclosure With a Deed of Conveyance?

Even after a homeowner has received a deed of reconveyance, they risk foreclosure by the local government if they dont make timely property tax payments. This process can be initiated by written notice and without involving the court in states that recognize a nonjudicial foreclosure process. A deed of reconveyance does not protect a homeowner with unpaid property taxes.

What Is the Difference Between Conveyance and Reconveyance?

Conveyance transfers ownership of property from one entity to another. A deed is an instrument of conveyance, describing the parties and the property being transferred. A lender who holds title to the property must issue a deed of reconveyance to transfer the property title to the borrower.

The Bottom Line

A deed of reconveyance is a document that transfers the title of a property to the borrower from the bank or mortgage holder once a mortgage has been satisfied. It clears the lender from the title to the property. The deed of reconveyance is completed and signed by the lender and filed with the local recording office, such as the county courthouse.


ameristar players clubshows grade level based on the word's complexity. daff 1[ daf ]/ df / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ daf ]/ df /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

verb (used without object) Scot. and North England.to make sport; dally; play.

How to use daff C16: from obsolete daff fool, of uncertain origin

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question daffFirst recorded in 15901600; alteration of doffDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Because after eight years of a very strong grip on power that Prime Minister Abe had, now its back to the old work of smoky backroom dealings, trying to pick a successor.

Nevertheless, if youre only going to watch one Danish drama, it should be the political series Borgen, which ran for three seasons from 2010 to 2013 and is sort of like The West Wing with more shady dealings and coincidences.

Neither author has engaged in any material business dealings with WeatherCheck, Arctaris, or Four Points.

It runs a series of clips of Joe Biden responding to questions about his sons business dealings in interviews.

Credit Suisse was criticized by Finma two years ago over its failure to properly oversee a former star wealth manager convicted of fraud, as well as its dealings with soccers governing body FIFA and two South American oil companies. Swiss regulators extend probe into spying at Credit Suisse|kdunn6|September 2, 2020|Fortune

People are generally diplomatic, says Steinbrick of regulars dealing with the surge of new faces. How to Survive the New Year Gympocalypse|Tim Teeman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

One topic that comes up among the members, she says, is dealing with loss years later. Everyone at This Dinner Party Has Lost Someone|Samantha Levine|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST

I think part of being in the public eye is getting recognized, and dealing with positive and negative scrutiny. Tim Howards Wall of Intensity|William OConnor|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

No one else anywhere has had this much experience dealing with couples, explained R. Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau|Ian Frisch|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

According to the young man, both were dealing with the aftermath. Hunt for Iraq Vet After Killing Spree|M.L. Nestel|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

A little practice makes the pupil prompt in dealing with any figures whatever. Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)

His avarice was disgusting beyond words, and with avarice went a tendency to underhand dealing, harshness, and malice. Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison

The Swiss soon found out that in Hephzibah he was dealing with a truthful girl; for the tale, though oft repeated, never varied. The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills

When dealing with the number of millions or thousands only, it is not necessary to express the ciphers. Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
What Is the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act?free slots machines with bonus feature

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 is a law enacted by Congress that bolstered worker protections against pay discrimination. The act allows individuals who face pay discrimination to seek rectification under federal anti-discrimination laws.

The law clarifies that discrimination based on age, religion, national origin, race, sex, and disability will accrue every time the employee receives a paycheck that is deemed discriminatory. It was the first bill that President Barack Obama signed into law and is one of a number of federal laws designed to protect the rights of workers.

Key Takeaways

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act addressed wage discrimination on the basis of age, religion, national origin, race, sex, and disability.

This act supplanted a Supreme Court ruling that wage discrimination cases must be filed within 180 days of the start of the discrimination.

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act effectively resets the clock by saying that wage discrimination cases can be filed within 180 days of the last paycheck in which the discrimination occurs.

Understanding the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act reinstated the protection against pay discrimination that had been removed by the Supreme Court in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.in 2007. It restored previous protections regarding the equal treatment of employees, most notably Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The 2009 statute clarified that any inequitable payment is unlawful, even if it is the result of a pay decision made in the past.

The act is named in honor of Lilly Ledbetter, a former manager at a Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plant in Alabama. After Ledbetter discovered that her male peers were receiving substantially higher pay for similar roles, she filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In 1998, Ledbetter filed an equal-pay lawsuit, alleging pay discrimination on the basis of sex under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The trial jury awarded her back pay and more than $3.3 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

However, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that said claims like Ledbetters had to be filed within 180 days of an employers decision to pay a worker less, even if the worker didnt learn about the unfair pay until much later. As a result, Ledbetter never collected any kind of settlement from Goodyear.

The ruling, and a dissenting opinion by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, in which she wrote "once again, the ball is in Congress' court," ignited activist groups, who saw the court's decision as a setback for women and civil rights. This led to the creation of a bill that bore Ledbetter's name and gives employees the right to file suit 180 days after the last pay violation and not only 180 days after the initial pay disparity. In effect, each paycheck restarts the 180-day countdown to file a claim.

If you believe that you are being paid less than your co-workers because of your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, you can file a complaint with the EEOC. The complaint process is explained on the agencys website.

Special Considerations

One documented area of pay discrimination is the pay gap between men and women. In 2020, womens annual earnings were 82.3% of mens, according to data published by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Although the slogan Equal Pay for Equal Work dates back to the 1860s, Congress didnt take major action to address the gender wage gap until the passage of the Equal Pay Act in 1963.

In addition, many experts believe that the practice of prospective employers asking job candidates about salary history furthers discrimination and the pay gap. In recent years, a growing number of states and municipalities have addressed this issue.

As of February 2022, 21 states (as well as Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico) have adopted measures that prohibit some employers from asking about salary history.

Prohibiting employers from asking about salary history has resulted in higher pay for women and Black job candidates who were hired by 8% and 13%, respectively, according to a study authored by economists at Boston University School of Law and published in June 2020.
slot demo no lagshows grade level based on the word's complexity. deasil [ dee-zuhl ]/ di zl / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dee-zuhl ]/ di zl /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

adverb Chiefly Scot.clockwise or in a direction following the apparent course of the sun: considered as lucky or auspicious.

Words nearby deasil

How to use deasil C18: Scot Gaelic deiseil

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question deasilFirst recorded in 176575; from Scots Gaelic, Irish deiseal, Middle Irish dessel toward the right, clockwise, following the sun (i.e., auspiciously), equivalent to dess right, south + sel turn, time; see origin at dexter; contrasted with withershinsDear John letter, dearly, dear me, dearth, deary, deasil, death, death adder, death and taxes, certain as, death angel, death anxietyDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Definition of Anagnorisis

Anagnorisis nfl over under odds 2019refers to a moment of insight in a storys plot in which a character, usually the protagonist, shifts from ignorance to awareness. The moment of anagnorisis may be a realization about the characters self, their situation, or something about a different character. This may include revelation of a characters true identity, their actual relationship with another character, or their misinterpretation of something important. As a literary device, anagnorisis is often utilized as a turning point in the plot of a story or play that leads to a resolution.

Anagnorisis is a literary device commonly used in tragedy. However, anagnorisis can also be a source of humor for an audience and produce a comedic effect. For example, there is a clever moment of anagnorisis in the animated short film Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers. In the film, Wallace takes in a boarder, a penguin, for extra income. In the meantime, there is news of a wanted criminal, a character disguised as a chicken, named Feathers McGraw who is committing burglaries. Gromit comes across Feathers McGraw, but realizes once the chicken removes his hat that the criminal is actually the penguin boarder. This anagnorisis on the part of Gromit as to the penguins identity is a moment of humor for the audience, who is aware the entire time of the penguins criminal alter ego.

Anagnorisis and Aristotle

Aristotle first discussed anagnorisis, a Greek word meaning recognition, in his work Poetics in which he explores dramatic and literary theory. Aristotle defined anagnorisis as a change that occurs in a literary work from ignorance to knowledge, creating love or hate between the individuals doomed by the poet for bad or good fortune. This change typically takes place at a turning point in the plot and is usually followed by a reversal of fortune for the protagonist.

Anagnorisis was a common and significant element in classical Greek tragedy, as it created a moment in which the protagonist receives insight or enlightenment in terms of their own character, another character, or the dramatic situation in which they find themselves. This moment then allows the plot to achieve its necessary resolution for the audience.

In Aristotles view, anagnorisis is a crucial literary device in terms of its impact in tragic works. Anagnorisis supports complex narratives and characterizations. This, in turn, creates a more significant experience for the audience or reader as a plot resolves.

Common Examples of Anagnorisis in Popular Movies and Series

Anagnorisis is a common device utilized by filmmakers and series creators as a means of surprising the audience and resolving a plot. Similar to plot twists, these moments of reveal are often what make these films and shows memorable and even ground-breaking. Here are some common examples of anagnorisis in popular movies and series (spoiler alerts!):

Luke Skywalkers true father (Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back)

Dorothys ability to get home to Kansas (The Wizard of Oz)

Jon Snows birthright (Game of Thrones)

Malcolm Crowes (child psychologist) state of existence (The Sixth Sense)

Spencers secret twin (Pretty Little Liars)

Professor Snapes protective nature towards Harry Potter (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows  part 2)

Tyler Durdens identity (Fight Club)

Identity of the Dread Pirate Roberts (The Princess Bride)

Alfred Bordens ability to perform his magic tricks (The Prestige)

Lukes daughter (Gilmore Girls)

Elliots alter ego (Mr. Robot)

Famous Examples of Literary Characters that Experience Anagnorisis

Anagnorisis, for a literary narratives protagonist, is a literary device that allows for a moment of illumination. This is generally when the protagonist is made aware of their own or another characters true identity. Anagnorisis also refers to the moment in which the protagonist understands their situation in a more complete or new way. Once anagnorisis takes place for the protagonist in a literary work, the resolution of the story often begins. Here are some famous examples of literary characters that experience anagnorisis:

Oedipus (Oedipus Rexby Sophocles)

Iphigenia (Iphigenia in Taurisby Euripedes)

Macbeth (Macbethby William Shakespeare)

Othello (Othelloby William Shakespeare)

Perdita (The Winters Taleby William Shakespeare)

Pip (Great Expectationsby Charles Dickens)

Jack Worthing (The Importance of Being Earnestby Oscar Wilde)

Jane Eyre (Jane Eyreby Charlotte Bronte)

the governess (The Turn of the Screwby Henry James)

Celie (The Color Purpleby Alice Walker)

Difference Between Anagnorisis and Denouement

In literary works, anagnorisis and denouement may appear to be the same. However, they are distinct in their relationship to plot in a work of literature and their function within a literary narrative. In fact, it is often the moment of anagnorisis that leads to a narratives denouement.

While anagnorisis is typically a turning point in a literary narratives plot that leads to resolution, denouement signifies the actual resolution of the plot after the climax has occurred. Unlike anagnorisis, denouement is not technically a literary device. Instead, it is a literary term that indicates the unfolding and resolution of conflict in a work of literature. Anagnorisis may be the catalyst to how a narrative is resolved, whereas denouement is the end of a storys plot and narrative arc.

Examples of Anagnorisis in Literature

Though the use of anagnorisis as a literary device has expanded beyond the dramatic and tragic works of Aristotles time, it is still an influential and impactful technique for literary writers. Anagnorisis most often appears in modern works of literature as a characters moment of epiphany in which they experience a surprising discovery that reveals something about their character, another character, or their situation. Overall, anagnorisis creates memorable moments of insight and entertainment for readers as well.

Here are some examples of anagnorisis in literature:

Example 1: Libation Bearers(Aeschylus)

The dead are murdering the living!

This line in Aeschyluss play precedes the moment of anagnorisis for Clytemnestra. She realizes that Orestes, her son, is not dead and has entered her house in disguise and killed Aegisthus. Clytemnestra recognizes that Orestes is a threat, as she has feared, and that he has come into her home to kill her as a means of avenging the death of his father Agamemnon at her hands. In her moment of anagnorisis, Clytemnestra realizes that she cannot escape her fate of dying at the hands of her son.

In tragic works, anagnorisis often occurs at the moment a character realizes and recognizes their own tragic flaw. This is significant for the audience and readership in that anagnorisis, as a literary device, is a catalyst for the characters reversal of fortune, or peripeteiawhich in this example would be Clytemnestras demise. Therefore, as Aristotle theorizes, this is also the catalyst for catharsis within the audience or reader. In viewing a characters anagnorisis and resulting peripeteia, the audience/reader is affected emotionally which enhances empathy.

Example 2: King Lear(William Shakespeare)

Lets exchange charity.

I am no less in blood than thou art, Edmund;

If more, the more th hast wrongd me.

My name is Edgar and thy fathers son.

The gods are just, and of our pleasant vices

Make instruments to scourge us.

The dark and vicious place where thee he got

Cost him his eyes.

In this passage of Shakespeares tragedy, the antagonist, Edmund, experiences a moment of anagnorisis when his half-brother Edgar reveals his true identity. This revelation occurs as Edmund is slowly dying due to stab wounds inflicted by Edgar for his brothers acts of treason. This particular moment of anagnorisis is interesting in that Edgar has withheld his true identity to other characters in the play, even though it would have served him well to reveal it. However, Edgars revelation is a turning point in the tragedy that leads to the resolution of the complex narratives intertwined within the plot.

In many literary works such as Shakespeares King Lear, anagnorisis is an important literary device in terms of plot resolution. This moment of illumination often occurs at the climax of a narrative, allowing a character to experience new and crucial insight as to their own nature or identity, their situation, or human nature overall. In turn, this shift from ignorance to knowledge allows a writer the opportunity of characterization for the audience and reader. Therefore, the audience/reader gains an understanding of the truth regarding a character and the complexities of the narrative can be resolved in a satisfying manner.

Example 3: To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)

Fall, and his children trotted to and fro around the corner, the days woes and triumphs on their faces. They stopped at an oak tree, delighted, puzzled, apprehensive. Winter, and his children shivered at the front gate, silhouetted against a blazing house. Winter, and a man walked into the street, dropped his glasses, and shot a dog. Summer, and he watched his childrens heart break. Autumn again, and Boos children needed him. Atticus was right. One time he said you never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. Just standing on the Radley porch was enough.

In Lees novel, this passage reflects a moment of anagnorisis for Scout, the narrator of the story. Scout has a moment of realization about her neighbor Boo Radley and the significant events of that time in her childhood. After Boo has saved her and her brothers lives, she walks him home and has a moment to stand on the Radley porch. This causes Scout to have an epiphany about how everything has appeared from Boos perspective. Her realization sheds light on the way Boo has watched over and protected her and her brother Jem.

Scouts anagnorisis brings about the resolution of all the events in the novel. In addition, it provides clarity and resolution for the reader at the storys conclusion.
Ph.D., Philosophy, Columbia University

M.A., Philosophy, Columbia University

B.A., Philosophy, University of Florence, Italy

How is it possible that human beings can derive pleasure from unpleasant states? This is the question addressed by Hume in his essay On Tragedy, which lies at the heart of a long-standing philosophical discussion on tragedy. Take horror movies, for instance. Some people are terrified while watching them, or they dont sleep for days. So why are they doing it? Why stay in front of the screen for a horror movie?

It is clear that sometimes we enjoy being spectators of tragedies. Although this may be an everyday observation, it is a surprising one. Indeed, the view of a tragedy typically produces disgust or awe in the viewer. But disgust and awe are unpleasant states. So how is it possible that we enjoy unpleasant states?

It is by no chance that Hume devoted a whole essay to the topic. The rise of aesthetics in his time took place side by side with a revival of a fascination for horror. The issue had already kept busy a number of ancient philosophers. Here is, for example, what the Roman poet Lucretius and British philosopher Thomas Hobbes had to say on it.

"What joy it is, when out at sea the stormwinds are lashing the waters, to gaze from the shore at the heavy stress some other man is enduring! Not that anyone's afflictions are in themselves a source of delight; but to realize from what troubles you yourself are free is joy indeed." Lucretius, On the Nature of the Universe, Book II.



From what passion proceedeth it, that men take pleasure to behold from the shore the danger of them that are at sea in a tempest, or in fight, or from a safe castle to behold two armies charge one another in the field? It is certainly in the whole sum joy. else men would never flock to such a spectacle. Nevertheless there is in it both joy and grief. For as there is novelty and remembrance of [ones] own security present, which is delight; so is there also pity, which is grief But the delight is so far predominant, that men usually are content in such a case to be spectators of the misery of their friends." Hobbes, Elements of Law, 9.19.



So, how to solve the paradox?

More Pleasure Than Pain

One first attempt, pretty obvious, consists in claiming that the pleasures involved in any spectacle of tragedy outweigh the pains. "Of course Im suffering while watching a horror movie; but that thrill, that excitement that accompanies the experience is totally worth the travail." After all, one could say, the most delectable pleasures all come with some sacrifice; in this circumstance, the sacrifice is to be horrified.

On the other hand, it seems that some people do not find particular pleasurein watching horror movies. If there is any pleasure at all, its the pleasure of being in pain. How can that be?

Pain as Catharsis

A second possible approach sees in the quest for pain an attempt to find a catharsis, that is a form of liberation, from those negative emotions. It is by inflicting upon ourselves some form of punishment that we find relief from those negative emotions and feelings that we have experienced.

This is, in the end, an ancient interpretation of the power and relevance of tragedy, as that form of entertainment that is quintessential to elevate our spirits by allowing them to surpass our traumas.

Pain is, Sometimes, Fun

Yet another, third, approach to the paradox of horror comes from philosopher Berys Gaut. According to him, to be in awe or in pain, to suffer, can in some circumstances be sources of enjoyment. That is, the way to pleasure is pain. In this perspective, pleasure and pain are not really opposites: they may be two sides of the very same coin. This is because whats bad in a tragedy is not the sensation, but the scene that elicits such sensation. Such a scene is connected to a horrific emotion, and this, in turn, elicits a sensation that we find in the end pleasurable.

Whether Gauts ingenious proposal got it right is questionable, but the paradox of horror certainly remains one of the most entertaining subjects in philosophy.
Dadd / (dd) / New Word List Save This free slots for fun 247Word! / (dd) /Save ThisWord!

nounRichard. 181786, British painter of mythological and fairy scenes. He was committed to an asylum for patricide

Words nearby Dadd

How to use in a sentence For process of steaming, see Dadd's work on the Horse, p. 67. The American Reformed Cattle Doctor|George Dadd

The American Reformed Cattle Doctor|George Dadd The only really spiteful fellow among them was a man named Jem Dadd. Over The Side|W.W. Jacobs

Over The Side|W.W. Jacobs Ram was soon out and away, to hunt up Jemmy Dadd, whom he found at last with his eyes half-closed, yawning prodigiously. Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn

Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn The door dragged up, and Ram was not alone, for his voice could be heard in conversation with Jemmy Dadd. Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn Jemmy Dadd was an old servant of Farmer Shackle, one who always made a point of doing as little as was possible about the farm. Cutlass and Cudgel|George Manville Fenn

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionDad and Dave, dad-blamed, dad-blasted, dad bod, dad-burned, Dadd, Daddah, daddy, daddy-longlegs, daddy-o, daddy trackCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge

B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis

For every college student, an internship is a very valuable method by which to obtain on-the-job experience that will not only benefit your resume and provide contacts to employers but will also help you to determine what to do after graduating. It's worth trying to obtain more than one internship during your academic career --the more experience, the better.

Jobs for Geographers

Now, we all know that the job listings for "geographer" in the classifieds are few and far between. If this were not the case, our parents and relatives would never need to ask, "What are you going to do with a degree in geography, teach?" (However, it is true that the U.S. Census Bureau and a few other government agencies do have positions classified as "geographer!") However, the job prospects for geographers are becoming brighter with each autumnal equinox.

Jobs in GIS and planning are becoming more common and geographers can easily fill these positions with experience gained in the classroom and in an internship. These two areas offer ample opportunities for internships, especially with local government agencies. While some internships are paid, the vast majority are not. A good internship will allow you to be part of the day-to-day activities of your agency - you should be part of not just the work, but also the departmental planning, discussion, and implementation.

How to Get a Geography Internship

While the status quo for obtaining an internship might be to go through your university's internship office, it isn't always necessary. You can go directly to agencies you're interested in working for and inquire about internship programs. A contact through a friendly faculty member is also a good route to take.

By directly volunteering your services to an agency that you're interested in working for is a quick method to begin a fun-filled educational experience outside of the classroom. Just be sure that if you're asking about an internship, that you have the appropriate skills for the job (for example, you should probably have some coursework in GIS prior to an internship in GIS.)

When contacting a prospective agency about an internship, be sure to have a fresh and up-to-date resume and cover letter. You'd be amazed by the number of geography students who don't take advantage of the opportunity to intern. You'll be amazed at how much you learn from the on-the-job experience and you'll be much more employable afterward. Additionally, the odds are pretty favorable that you could end up working for the agency where you had your internship. Try it. You might like it!
What Are Tranches?bet365 racing post bet us politics

Tranches are segments created from a pool of securitiesusually debt instruments such as bonds or mortgagesthat are divvied up by risk, time to maturity, or other characteristics in order to be marketable to different investors. Each portion or tranche of a securitized or structured product is one of several related securities offered at the same time, but with varying risks, rewards and maturities to appeal to a diverse range of investors.

Tranche is a French word meaning sliceor portion. They are commonly found in mortgage-backed securities (MBS) or asset-backed securities (ABS).

key takeaways

Tranches are pieces of a pooled collection of securities, usually debt instruments, that are split up by risk or other characteristics in order to be marketable to different investors.

Tranches carry different maturities, yields, and degrees of riskand privileges in repayment in case of default.

Tranches are common in securitized products like CDOs and CMOs.

Tranches

The Basics of Tranches

1:06

Tranches in structured finance are a fairly recent development, spurred by the increased use of securitization to divide up sometimes-risky financial products with steady cash flows to then sell these divisions to other investors. The word tranchecomes from the French word for slice. The discrete tranches of a larger asset pool are usually defined in transaction documentation and assigned different classes of notes, each with a different bond credit rating.

Senior tranches typically contain assets with higher credit ratings than junior tranches. The senior tranches have first lien on the assetsthey're in line to be repaid first, in case of default. Junior tranches have a second lien or no lien at all.

Examples of financial products that can be divided into tranches include bonds, loans, insurance policies, mortgages and other debts.

Tranches in Mortgage-Backed Securities

A tranche is a common financial structure for securitized debt products, such as a collateralized debt obligation (CDO), which pools together a collection of cash flow-generating assetssuch as mortgages, bonds, and loansor a mortgage-backed security. An MBS is made of multiple mortgage pools that have a wide variety of loans, from safe loans with lower interest rates to risky loans with higher rates. Each specific mortgage pool has its own time to maturity, which factors into the risk and reward benefits. Therefore, tranches are made to divide up the different mortgage profiles into slices that have financial terms suitable for specific investors.

For example, a collateralized mortgage obligation (CMO) offering a partitioned mortgage-backed securities portfolio might have mortgage tranches with one-year, two-year, five-year and 20-year maturities, all with varying yields. If an investor wants to buy a MBS, they can choose the tranche type most applicable to their appetite for return and aversion to risk. A Z tranche is the lowest-ranked tranche of a CMO in terms of seniority. Its owners are not entitled to any coupon payments, receiving no cash flow from underlying mortgages until the more senior tranches are retired, or paid off.

Investors receive monthly cash flow based on the MBS tranche in which they invested. They can either try to sell it and make a quick profit or hold onto it and realize small but long-term gains in the form of interest payments. These monthly payments are bits and pieces of all the interest payments made by homeowners whose mortgage is included in a specific MBS.

Investment Strategy in Choosing Tranches

Investors who desire to have long-term steady cash flow will invest in tranches with a longer time to maturity. Investors who need a more immediate but a more lucrative income stream will invest in tranches with less time to maturity.

All tranches, regardless of interest and maturity, allow investors to customize investment strategies to their specific needs. Conversely, tranches help banks and other financial institutions attract investors across many different profile types.

Tranches add to the complexity of debt investing and sometimes pose a problem to uninformed investors, who run the risk of choosing a tranches unsuitable to their investment goals.

Tranches can also be miscategorized by credit rating agencies. If they are given a higher rating than deserved, it can cause investors to be exposed to riskier assets than they intended to be. Such mislabeling played a part in the mortgage meltdown of 2007 and subsequent financial crisis. Tranches containing junk bonds or sub-prime mortgages (below-investment-grade assets) were labeled AAA or the equivalent, either through incompetence, carelessness or, as some charged, outright corruption on the agencies' part.

Real-World Example of Tranches

After the financial crisis of 2007-09, an explosion of lawsuits occurred against issuers of CMOs, CDOs and other debt securitiesand among investors in the products themselves, all of which was dubbed "tranche warfare" in the press. An April 2008 story in the Financial Times noted that investors in the senior tranches of failed CDOs were taking advantage of their priority status to seize control of assets and cut off payments to other debt-holders. CDO trustees, such as Deutsche Bank and Wells Fargo, filed suits to ensure all tranche investors continued to receive funds.

And in 2009, the manager of Greenwich, Conn.-based hedge fund Carrington Investment Partners filed a lawsuit against the mortgage-servicing company American Home Mortgage Servicing. The hedge fund held junior tranches of mortgage-backed securities that contained loans made on foreclosed properties that American Home was selling for (allegedly) low pricesthus crippling the tranche's yield. Carrington argued in the complaint that its interests as a junior tranche-holder were in line with those of the senior tranche-holders.
What Is a Life Annuity?nba odds saturday best casino apps

The term life annuity refers to a financial product that features a predetermined periodic payout amount until the death of the annuity ownercalled the annuitant. An annuitant typically pays into the annuity periodically when they are still working. Annuitants may also buy the annuity product in one large, lump-sum purchaseusually at retirement. Life annuities are commonly used to provide guaranteed and/or supplemental retirement income that cannot be outlived.

Key Takeaways

A life annuity is a financial product that features a predetermined periodic payout amount until the death of the annuitant.

Annuitants pay premiums or make a lump-sum payment to secure a life annuity.

Life annuities are commonly used to provide or supplement retirement income.

While most life annuities make payments monthly, others pay distributions quarterly, semi-annually, or annually.

How a Life Annuity Works

Life annuities are insurance or investment products that provide the beneficiary with fixed payments at regular intervalseither monthly, quarterly, annually, or semi-annually. Life annuities, also known as lifetime annuities, are generally sold by insurance companies. They essentially act as longevity insurance, as the risk of outliving one's savings is passed on to the annuity issuer or provider.

Life annuities come in two different phases. The first is the accumulation phase or deferral stage. This is the period when the buyer funds their annuity with premiums or with a lump-sum payment. The second stage is the distribution or the annuitization phase. During this period, the issuer or insurance company makes regular payments to the annuitant.

Once funded and enacted, the annuity makes periodic payouts to the annuitant, thus providing a reliable source of income. The issuer normally stops making periodic payments if the annuitant dies or if another triggering event occurs to close the annuity. But these payments may continue to the annuitant's estate or beneficiary if the annuitant had purchased a rider or other option on the annuity.

Since most life annuity payouts stop after the death of an annuitant, you may need to purchase a rider if you want your beneficiary to continue receiving payments.

The majority of annuities generally pay a benefit every month, but some make quarterly, annual, or semi-annual payments. Payment intervals depend on the specific needs of the annuitant or their tax circumstances. Many retirees fund a life annuity to match their recurring housing costsmortgage or rentas well as any other costs, including assisted living, health care, insurance premiums, and medical expenses.

While a life annuity pays a guaranteed income, it is not indexed to inflation, which is the pace of price increases in an economy. As a result, purchasing power may erode over time. A life annuity, once enacted, is not revocable.

Special Considerations

It's important for people to consult a reputable professional before purchasing any annuity product. That's because annuity products tend to be fairly complex in nature with major implications for the annuitant's standard of living. Due to the tax-preferred nature of annuities, very wealthy investors or above-average income earners often use these life insurance products to transfer large sums of money or to mitigate the effects of taxes on their annual income.

While life annuities are often used to provide or supplement retirement income, they are also used as a payment method in structured settlements and for lottery winners. For instance, if someone wins a lawsuit, they may be provided with a series of fixed, regular payments to the beneficiary. Lottery winners may opt to take a lottery annuity rather than a fixed, lump-sum when they win large jackpots. These payouts provide regular payments annually over a certain number of years. For example, a Mega Millions jackpot winner can choose to take 30 paymentsone paid out immediately. The remaining payments are distributed annually for the next 29 years.

Types of Annuities

There are several types of life annuities, each with its own benefits and purpose, and they include:

Immediate Annuity

An immediate annuity only has a distribution phase, as is also the case with a payout annuity, an income annuity, or a single-premium immediate annuity.

Guaranteed Annuity

A guaranteed annuityalso called a year's certain annuity or a period certain annuitypays out for a certain period and continues to make payments to a beneficiary or estate after the annuitant's death.

Fixed Annuity

A fixed annuity pays out a fixed percentage or interest rate on the owner's contributions into the annuity.

Variable Annuity

A variable annuity pays out based on the performance of a basket of investments or an index. Variable annuities offer the potential for higher returns or payouts when markets are performing well. However, they also contain more risk than fixed annuities since the account could decline in value when the markets perform poorly.

Joint Annuity

A joint annuity makes payouts until both spouses die, sometimes at a reduced amount after the death of the first spouse.

Qualified Longevity Annuity Contract (QLAC)

A qualified longevity annuity contract (QLAC) is a type of deferred annuity that is purchased using funds from a qualified retirement plan or an individual retirement account (IRA). A QLAC annuity provides monthly payments until death and is exempt from the required minimum distribution (RMD) rules from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In 2020 and 2021, an individual can spend 25% or $135,000 (whichever is less) of their retirement savings account or IRA to buy a QLAC.
Jimmy Failla sounds off on 'Lion King' interpreter's firing: 'The left has become cultural arsonists'

closeVideo

'Fox Across America' host Jimmy Failla weighs in after a sign-language interpreter for the Broadway show 'Lion King' claimed he was fired for being White.

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A White sign language interpreter claims he was fired from "The Lion King" Broadway musical because producers wanted a person of color translating the dialogue of the mostly Black cast.

If the allegation proves true, there's NO DOUBT Americans would vote for this as "the most ridiculous social justice crusade of the year." Although there is SOME DOUBT those votes would be counted on time in Arizona and Nevada.

53-year-old Keith Wann has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against the non-profit Theater Development Fund, which staffs Broadway plays with American Sign Language interpreters. His filing includes an email from the group's head of staffing stating that although "he was an amazing ASL performer, he is not a black person and therefore should not be representing the Lion King as the majority of characters are black actors and the content takes place in Africa."

Sign language interpreter Keith Wann joins 'FOx and Friends' on Nov. 14, 2022. The Minskoff Theatre advertises "The Lion King" on West 44th street between Broadway and Eighth avenue. (Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

BROADWAYS THE LION KING IS FACING LAWSUIT FOR ALLEGEDLY FIRING SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER FOR BEING WHITE

So, if you're keeping score at home, Broadway, aka the Great Woke Way, does not want a White man signing the words of Black actors in a pretend story called "The Lion King" because that's some sort of cultural appropriation. Yet it's perfectly fine to have Black actors portraying the White men who founded this country in "Hamilton."

Video

It's a double standard big enough to drive an oversized SUV through but be careful because it'll cost you $200 bucks to park it in Times Square.

This brings me to my next point. There are so many things to be offended by at a Broadway play, from the large cost of attending to the small size of the seats, that I don't think anyone had the sign language interpreter's skin color in their top ten. Seriously. I'm still paying interest on a hot pretzel I bought my son at the "SpongeBob" musical, and that play was canceled in 2018. If we're really looking for justice, let's get MasterCard on the phone.

BROADWAY'S WOKE TRIGGER WARNINGS AND MORAL PREENING RIPPED IN WASHINGTON POST OPINION PIECE

Our country is being plagued by a scourge of cultural arsonists on the left who like to set racial fires simply so they can extinguish them and claim valor or virtue for doing so.

Video

It's a self-serving effort to claim moral superiority by pointing out to the world that they're more in tune with the suffering of minority communities than the rest of us.

We saw this two years ago when a San Francisco school district was exploring the possibility of removing Abraham Lincoln's name off a high school because in their eyes he hadn't done enough to demonstrate that Black lives mattered to him.

In the end, it went nowhere because it's hard to racially gaslight the country over the president who ended slavery. But, things got so dicey in the summer of 2020 that my son Lincoln started going by his middle name, O.J.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE OPINION NEWSLETTER

The problem with these woke crusades is every attempt to highlight their connection to minority communities showcases just how out of touch they are with the real struggles.

FILE -- Director/Producer Jon Favreau attends the World Premiere of Disney's "THE LION KING" at the Dolby Theatre on July 09, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Jimmy Failla is the host of "Fox Across America" which airs weekdays from 12-3 on Fox News Radio / Fox Nation / FoxNewsRadio.Com. Follow him on Twitter @jimmyfailla.
Russias presidential candidate Vladimir Putin announced victory in presidential election.

More than 100,000 supporters stood cheering in the howling wind outside the Kremlin while Putin shivered in a black parka on stage and waited for outgoing President Dmitry Medvedev to finish introducing Russia to its next president.

Putins tearsadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge

B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis

A person's perception of the world is known as a mental map. A mental map is an individual's own internal map of their known world.

Geographers like to learn about the mental maps of individuals and how they order the space around them. This can be investigated by asking for directions to a landmark or other location, by asking someone to draw a sketch map of an area or describe that area, or by asking a person to name as many places (i.e. states) as possible in a short period of time.

It's quite interesting what we learn from the mental maps of groups. In many studies, we find that those of lower socioeconomic groups have maps which cover smaller geographic areas than the mental maps of affluent individuals. For instance, residents of lower-income areas of Los Angeles know about upscale areas of the metropolitan area such as Beverly Hills and Santa Monica but really don't know how to get there or where they are exactly located. They do perceive that these neighborhoods are in a certain direction and lie between other known areas. By asking individuals for directions, geographers can determine which landmarks are embedded in the mental maps of a group.

Many studies of college students have been performed around the world to determine their perception of their country or region. In the United States, when students are asked to rank the best places to live or the place they would most like to move to, California and Southern Florida consistently rank very high. Conversely, states such as Mississippi, Alabama, and the Dakotas rank low in the mental maps of students who don't live in those regions.

One's local area is almost always viewed most positively and many students, when asked where they'd like to move, just want to stay in the same area where they grew up. Students in Alabama rank their own state as a great place to live and would avoid the "North." It is quite interesting that there are such divisions in the mental maps between the northeast and southeast portions of the country which are remnants of the Civil War and a division over 140 years ago.

In the United Kingdom, students from around the country are quite fond of the southern coast of England. Far northern Scotland is generally perceived negatively and even though London is near the cherished southern coast, there is an "island" of slightly negative perception around the metropolitan area.

Investigations of mental maps show that the mass media's coverage and stereotypical discussions and coverage of places around the world has a major effect on people's perception of the world. Travel helps to counter the effects of the media and generally increase a persons' perception of an area, especially if it is a popular vacation destination.
What Is a Purchase Money Security Interest (PMSI)?free online slots games to play now

The term purchase money security interest (PMSI) refers to a legal claim that allows a lender to either repossess property financed with its loan or to demand repayment in cash if the borrower defaults. It gives the lender priority over claims made by other creditors. In simpler terms, a PSMI gives initial claims on property to entities that finance purchases made by a consumer or other debtor.

Key Takeaways

A PMSI gives a retailer or supplier priority for collecting on debt when a borrower or buyer defaults.

The goods sold in such cases serve as collateral that can be seized for nonpayment.

For inventory goods, the lending party must notify other parties with potential secured interest claims as well as file a UCC-1.

For non-inventory goods, the lending party must file a UCC-1 before the borrower takes possession of the goods or within the first 20 days after.

Though creditors are often prioritized based on the timing of their secured interest, PMSI creates an exception that allows creditors to "jump the line" even if they were not first.

Understanding Purchase Money Security Interest

Lenders have several options to protect their financial interests if debtors fail to live up to their financial obligations. Financial companies may be able to pursue consumers who stop making payments on their debts by sending them to collections, taking legal action, enforcing liens, or taking out special interests such as purchase money security interests. This interest gives a specific lender a right to property or its full cash value before any other creditoras long as that lender's money was used to finance the purchase.

A PMSI is used by some commercial lenders and credit card issuers as well as by retailers who offer financing options. It effectively gives them collateral to confiscate if a borrower defaults on payment for a large purchase. It also is used in business-to-business (B2B) transactions. The option of obtaining a PMSI encourages companies to increase sales by directly financing new equipment or inventory purchases.

A purchase money security interest is valid in most jurisdictions once the buyer agrees to it in writing and the lender files a financing statement. The procedure is outlined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)the standardized business regulations adopted by most states. These regulations were adopted to make it easier for corporations to conduct business with others across state lines. Article 9 is the section of the code that outlines the treatment of secured transactions including how security interests are created and enforced.

The protection provided by a PMSI is one reason for the growth of point of sale financing, in which a retailer offers buyers direct financing for major purchases. If the purchaser defaults, the retailer may repossess the items purchased and may do so before any other creditors are satisfied.

The procedures permitting enforcement of a PMSI are strict and outlined in the Uniform Commercial Code.

Purchase Money Security Interest Rules

PMSI rules vary based on the type of collateral obtained using loan proceeds. In general, the broadest rule is PMSI is granted to the first creditor who filed a financing statement or perfected its security interest in the collateral. Below are the specific rules for inventory and non-inventory collateral, though there are specific rules for other types of goods as well.

PMSI Rules: Inventory Collateral

Section 9-324(b) outlines the rules to perfect PMSI in inventory. First, the PMSI must be perfected when the borrower takes possession of the inventory. Second, the secured party must provide notification to conflicting security holders before perfection. Third, the secured party must notify other security holders that it expects to acquire a PMSI in the borrower's inventory.

To perfect a PMSI in inventory, the secured party must file a UCC-1 that identifies the goods sold as collateral. This filing provides notice to other interested parties that the secured party is in process of obtaining a PMSI in the borrower's personal property. In addition, the written notice delivered to other security notices must be distributed no more than five years before the borrower receives inventory.

PMSI Rules: Non-Inventory Collateral

The rules for securing a PMSI for non-inventory collateral are often less rigid. The secured party must be able to demonstrate that the credit they extended to the borrower was used to purchase the collateral. The secured party must also file a financing statement covering the collateral within 20 days of the borrower receiving possession of the collateral.

Similar to inventory PMSIs, a secured party must file a UCC-1 to perfect a PMSI for non-inventory collateral. This must be filed before the borrower takes possession of the collateral or within the first 20 days of possession. If the filing takes place after these 20 days, the secured party won't have PMSI priority and will be prioritized after other perfected security interests.

The financing statement for non-inventory collateral can be pre-filed before the borrower takes possession of the goods. In addition, keep copies of every delivery document as a PMSI claim may be vulnerable to disqualification should the date of possession be in question.

Special Considerations

At the core of PMSI, the party attempting to gain the secured interest must demonstrate that the credit they extended was used to acquire the collateral. For this reason, a company may want to intentionally structure an order of payments or series of contracts for goods not yet manufactured.

For example, if a consumer arranged to buy a custom-made sofa on credit from a furniture retailer, the retailer would put through an order with the manufacturer and pay for the sofa before finalizing the financing agreement. In this case, the retailer is the owner selling the sofanot the manufacturer. In legal terms, the retailer has a security interest in the property just sold and can obtain and enforce a PMSI.

For the same reason, if the buyer puts down a security deposit on the sofa, the retailer may insist that the buyer pays for it in full before the security deposit is returned. This establishes the full dollar value that the lender is entitled to demand in case of default. Court rulings regarding PMSI claims have established the lender's right to demand reimbursement of other costs related to the purchase such as freight charges and sales taxes.

How Do I Get a Purchase Money Security Interest?

A PMSI is obtained when a creditor lends money to a borrower and the borrower uses that money to buy goods. In return, the borrower grants the creditor a security interest in those goods should they default on their loan.

Different types of collateral or goods have different rules, but the broadest requirements state the secured party must file a UCC-1 to publicly communicate their intention to gain a secured interest in a good. The secured party may also be required to notify other potential secured parties.



What Is a Purchase Money Security Interest Under the UCC?

A PMSI under the Uniform Commercial Code is an exception to the first-in-time creditor prioritization rule. The UCC states that creditor priority for secured interests if often dictated on who was the first secured creditor (or the timing of when their interest occurred). The PMSI exception allows for creditors who may not be first to still secure an interest in collateral should they meet filing requirements.

Does a Purchase Money Security Interest Trump a Blanket Lien?

Yes, a PMSI can receive priority status over a previously perfected blanket lien. The PMSI must have been perfected within statutory requirements. For example, the PMSI receives priority status only if it is filed before or within the first 20 days of the borrower's possession of the goods.

What Is an Example of PMSI?

A car loan can be an example of a PMSI situation. A financial institution may agree to lend money to a borrower to finance the purchase of a new car. The bank can register its interest in the car as a PMSI because the loan funds are being directly used to buy the property they want a secured interest in.

The Bottom Line

Creditors are often prioritized in terms of timing. The PMSI exception allows credits that may not be first in line to still get a secured interest in collateral. To gain this secured interest, the lender must be sure their loan funds were used to buy the goods, file a UCC-1, and follow other regulatory rules based on the type of collateral.
What Is a Gravestone Doji?axie infinity coinspot

A gravestone doji is a bearish reversal candlestick pattern that is formed when the open, low, and closing prices are all near each other with a long upper shadow. The long upper shadow suggests that the bullish advance in the beginning of the session was overcome by bears by the end of the session, which often comes just before a longer term bearish downtrend.

Key Takeaways

A gravestone doji is a bearish pattern that suggests a reversal followed by a downtrend in the price action.

A gravestone pattern can be used as a sign to take profits on a bullish position or enter a bearish trade.

The opposite of a gravestone doji is a dragonfly doji.

What Does a Gravestone Doji Tell You?

A gravestone doji pattern implies that a bearish reversal is coming. While the open, low, and closing prices don't have to be equal for the pattern to be valid, there should be a relatively small tail, else the pattern could be classified as an inverted hammer, shooting star, or a spinning top. The market narrative is that the bulls attempt to push to new highs over the session, but the bears push the price action to near the open by the session close. So the long upper shadow represents the bulls losing momentum.

While the gravestone doji can be found at the end of a downtrend, it's more common to be found at the end of an uptrend. Although the gravestone doji is popular, it suffers from the same reliability issues as many visual patterns. Generally traders will not act on a gravestone doji unless the next candle provides confirmation of a the reversal.

Trading the Gravestone Doji

Traders will often exit long positions or initiate short positions after identifying a gravestone doji pattern, although it's important to use this candlestick pattern in conjunction with other forms of technical analysis as a confirmation. Often times, traders will also look at the volume associated with the session, as well as the previous sessions' activity, as potential indicators of the reliability of the pattern.

The following chart shows a gravestone doji in Cyanotech Corp.'s stock following a significant high volume uptrend, which could indicate a bearish reversal over the near-term following the breakout.

Image by Sabrina Jiang  Investopedia 2020

In this example, the gravestone doji could predict a further breakdown from the current levels to close the gap near the 50- or 200-day moving averages at $4.16 and $4.08, respectively. Traders would also take a look at other technical indicators to confirm a potential breakdown, such as the relative strength index (RSI) or the moving average convergence divergence (MACD). Day traders may also put a stop-loss just above the upper shadow at around $5.10, although intermediate-term traders may place a higher stop-loss to avoid being stopped out.

The Difference Between a Gravestone Doji and a Dragonfly Doji

The opposite pattern of a gravestone doji is a bullish dragonfly doji. The dragonfly doji looks like a "T" and it is formed when the high, open and close of the session are all near the same. Although these two formations are talked about as separate entities, they are essentially the same phenomenon. When confirmed, one can be called bullish and the other bearish, but sometimes they can appear in the opposite scenario. For example, a gravestone doji can be followed by an uptrend or a bullish dragonfly may appear before a downtrend. Both patterns need volume and the following candle for confirmation. It is perhaps more useful to think of both patterns as visual representations of uncertainty rather than pure bearish or bullish signals.

Limitations of a Gravestone Doji

The gravestone doji can be used to suggest a stop loss placement and eyeball a profit taking plan on a downtrend, but these are less precise methods than other technical indicators provide. Although reliability increases with volume and a confirming candle, the gravestone doji is best accompanied by other technical tools to guide trading.
Top leader Kim Jong Un of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been awarded the title of Marshal of the DPRK, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Wednesday.

A decision was made to award the title of Marshal of the DPRK to Kim Jong Un, supreme commander of the Korean Peoples Army, the KCNA said.

The KCNA added that the decision was jointly issued Tuesday by the Central Committee and the Central Military Commission of the Workers Party of Korea (WPK), the National Defense Commission (NDC) of the DPRK and the Presidium of the Supreme Peoples Assembly of the DPRK.

The KCNA flashed a bulletin about an hour before the news was officially released at 0300 GMT.

Kim Jong Un earlier this year was elected first secretary of the WPK, chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission and first chairman of the NDC. He was promoted to the rank of general in September 2010.

In the DPRK, marshal is the second highest title next only to grand marshal, which had been awarded to the countrys founding father, Kim Il Sung, in 1992 and to the late leader Kim Jong Il posthumously in 2012.

The KCNA announced Tuesday a decision of the WPK Central Military Commission and the NDC to promote Gen. Hyon Yong Chol to vice marshal.

Hyons promotion came a day after Pyongyangs announcement to relieve Vice Marshal Ri Yong Ho of all posts due to his illness. Ri had served as a member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee, vice chairman of the WPK Central Military Commission and chief of general staff of the Korean Peoples Army.

On the other side of the Korean Peninsula, South Korean President Lee Myung-bak called a security meeting Wednesday to discuss changes in the DPRK as it reshuffled military leaders.

Lee ordered officials to keep close tabs on developments in the DPRK and maintain cooperation with other countries concerned, Lees spokesman, Park Jeong-ha, said during a briefing.

Attendees at the 90-minute meeting included the intelligence chief, the foreign minister and the defense minister.

Kim Jong Un, 29, assumed power of the nation after his father Kim Jong Il died of a heart attack last December at the age of 69.

Tensions between the north and the south as well as the United States were eased but later tightened again after the new DPRK leader took power.

Pyongyang and the United States reached an agreement in late February under which the DPRK agreed to suspend its uranium enrichment and nuclear and long-range missile tests, and allow UN inspectors back to the country in return for 240,000 tons of food aid by Washington.

The DPRKs decision to press ahead with the launch of an earth observation satellite on April 13, however, prompted Washington to suspend its planned assistance.

Speculation was rife about a third nuclear test by Pyongyang following the failed satellite launch. However, the DPRK said that it has no plans to conduct a third nuclear test at present.

DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui-chun said in Cambodia last Saturday that his country was ready to rejoin the six-party talks.

The six-party talks, which involve South Korea, the DPRK, China, the United States, Japan and Russia, began in 2003 but stalled in December 2008. The DPRK quit the talks in April 2009 to protest international condemnation of its long-range missile tests.

While meeting with Pak Ui-chun on the sidelines of the ASEAN meetings in Cambodia, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that easing the situation on the Korean Peninsula serves the interests of all parties.

China will strengthen communications and coordination with all parties and work together to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula and create conditions for the resumption of the six-party nuclear talks, Yang said.

Xinhua

KCNA: Kim Jong Un awarded title of Marshal of DPRKadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
The decision of the United States to deploy 2500 marine in Australia to strengthen its alliances with its partners in Asia Pacific is double-edged and strongly irritates the authorities in Beijing. The agreement with Australia is the first of its kind since the end of the Vietnam War in the 70s.

The agreement comes as the Pentagon budget cuts, but Chinese mainly concerned about this decision, worried of being encircled by U.S. warships in the vicinity of Chinese territorial waters. Following the announcement made jointly by Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, the spokesman for the Chinese foreign minister, reacted strongly: It is not very appropriate to intensify and expand military alliances with countries in the region.

Since the end of the second world war, the United States have large military bases in South Korea and Japan but has closed several bases in the 90s in the Philippines, Southeast Asia.

Yesterday Barack Obama said about this deployment is a strategic decision. The United States wants to play a long-term in the region and we do not seek to isolate China. According to Obama, they are allies of the United States in al region, namely Japan and India have asked the U.S. deployment. Remains that a new Cold War with China may be advanced on the horizon, just as Chinese to endow a real navy. China also claims several small islands in the region, particularly in the east and south of the South China Sea that are rich in energy resources.

Strengthening military ties with Australia: Obama angers China againadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is Aggregation?classic slots real money

Aggregation in the futures markets is a process that combines of all futures positions owned or controlled by a single trader or group of traders into one aggregate position. Aggregation in a financial planning sense, however, is a time-saving accounting method that consolidates an individuals financial data from various institutions.

Aggregation is increasingly popular with advisors when servicing clients accounts, as they are able to discuss the accounts with the client in a cleaner, more easily understood way before they break down the account into its respective categories.

Key Takeaways

Financial advisors and banks aggregate their customer's information so that they are able to easily produce a clear picture of that client's finances. Also, it adds an additional level of protection for the client.

Advisors and planners hit a wall when their clients do not give them full access, and they argue that it does not allow them the full-picture view needed to give accurate advice on their client's finances.

Aggregation is beneficial for both parties but the edge goes to the financial advisor, who may or may not see a gap in a client's servicing where they might be able to upsell a product or service.

How Aggregation Works

Financial advisors use account-aggregation technology to gather position and transaction information from investors retail accounts held at other financial institutions. Aggregators provide investors and their advisors with a centralized view of the investors complete financial situation, including daily updates.

Financial planners handle both managed and non-managed accounts. Managed accounts contain assets under the advisors control that are held by the advisors custodian. The planners utilize portfolio management and reporting software to capture a clients data through a direct link from the custodian. It is important for the planner to have all the accounts because aggregating them without the complete collection would paint an inaccurate picture of that client's finances.

Additionally, non-managed accounts contain assets that are not under the advisor's management but are nevertheless important to the clients financial plan. Examples include 401(k) accounts, personal checking or savings accounts, pensions, and credit card accounts.

The advisors concern with managed accounts is lack of accessibility when the client does not provide log-in information. Advisors cannot offer an all-encompassing approach to financial planning and asset management without daily updates on non-managed accounts.

Importance of Account Aggregation

Account aggregation services solve the issue by providing a convenient method for obtaining current position and transaction information about accounts held at most retail banks or brokerages. Because investors privacy is protected, disclosing their personal-access information for each non-managed account is unnecessary.

Financial planners use aggregate account software for analyzing a clients total assets, liabilities, and net worth; income and expenses; and trends in assets, liability, net worth, and transaction values. The advisor also assesses various risks in a clients portfolio before making investment decisions.

Effects of Account Aggregation

Many aggregation services offer direct data connections between brokerage firms and financial institutions, rather than using banks consumer-facing websites. Clients give financial institutions their consent by providing personal information for the aggregate services.
mansion house casino ip casinoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. deer lick New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nouna spot of ground, naturally or artificially salty, where deer come to lick.

Words nearby deer lick

How to use deer lick deer lick nouna naturally or artificially salty area of ground where deer come to lick the salt Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question deer lickFirst recorded in 173545Deerfield Beach, deer fly, deer fly fever, deer grass, deerhound, deer lick, deer mouse, Deer Park, deerskin, deerstalker, deer's-tongueDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is a Life Settlement?betking prediction tips

A life settlement refers to the sale of an existing insurance policy to a third party for a one-time cash payment. Payment is more than the surrender value but less than the actual death benefit. After the sale, the purchaser becomes the policy's beneficiary and assumes payment of its premiums. By doing so, they receive the death benefit when the insured dies.

A life settlement agreement is closely related to a viatical agreement.

Key Takeaways

A life settlement refers to the sale of an existing insurance policy to a third party for a one-time cash payment.

The policy's purchaser becomes its beneficiary and assumes payment of its premiums, and receives the death benefit when the insured dies.

Some of the reasons why people choose life settlements include retirement, unaffordable premiums, and emergencies.

Viaticals are similar to life settlement agreements.

Because life settlements involve a transfer by the policy owner, they do not amount to stranger-owned life insurance (STOLI).

How Life Settlements Work

When an insured party can no longer afford their insurance policy, they can sell it for a certain amount of cash to an investorusually an institutional investor. The cash payment is primarily tax-free for most policy owners. The insured person essentially transfers ownership of the policy to the investor. As we noted above, the insured party receives a cash payment in exchange for the policymore than the surrender value, but less than the policy's prescribed payout at death.

By selling it, the insured person transfers every aspect of the policy to the new owner. This means the investor who takes over the policy inherits and becomes responsible for everything related to the policy including premium payments along with the death benefit. So, once the insured party dies, the new ownerwho becomes the beneficiary after the transferreceives the payout.

Life settlements are legal for the most part in the U.S. Because life settlements involve a transfer by the policy owner, they do not amount to stranger-owned life insurance (STOLI), which is illegal.

Why Choose a Life Settlement

There are many reasons why people choose to sell their life insurance policies and are usually only done when the insured person doesn't have a known life-threatening illness. The majority of people who sell their policies for a life settlement tend to be older peoplethose who need money for retirement but haven't been able to save up enough. That's why life settlements are often called senior settlements. By receiving a cash payout, the insured party can supplement their retirement income with a largely tax-free payout.

Other reasons for choosing a life settlement include:

The inability to afford premiums. Instead of letting the policy lapse and be canceled, an insured person can sell the policy using a life settlement. Failure to pay the premiums may net the insured a smaller cash surrender valueor none at all, depending on the terms. A life settlement on a current policy, though, usually results in a higher cash payment from the investor.

The policy is no longer needed. There may come a time when the reasons for having the policy don't exist anymore. The insured party may no longer need the policy for their dependents.

Cases of emergencies. In cases where an unexpected event arises, such as the death or illness of a family member, the owner may need to sell the policy for cash to cover these expenses.

Cases involving key individual insurance policies held by companies on executives. This is typical for people who no longer work for the company. By taking a life settlement, the company can cash out on a policy that was previously illiquid.

Life settlements generally net the seller more than the policy's surrender value, but less than its death benefit.

Life Settlements vs. Viatical Settlements

Policy sales became popular during the 1980s when people living with AIDS had life insurance they didn't need. This led to another part of the industrythe viatical settlement industry, where people who have terminal illnesses sell their policies for cash. This part of the industry lost its luster after people with AIDS began living longer.

When someone becomes terminally ill and has a very short life span, they may sell their life insurance to someone else. In exchange for a large lump sum of money, the buyer takes on the premium payments, becoming the policy's new owner. After the insured party dies, the new owner receives the death benefit.

Viatical settlements are generally riskier because the investor basically speculates on the death of the insured. Even though the original policy owner may be ill, there's no way of knowing when they will actually die. If the insured person lives longer, the policy becomes cheaper, but the actual return becomes lower after factoring in premium payments over time.

Special Considerations

Life settlements effectively create a secondary market for life insurance policies. This secondary market has been years in the making. There have been a number of judicial rulings that have legitimized the marketone of the most notable being the 1911U.S. Supreme Court case of Grigsby v. Russell.

John Burchard wasn't able to keep up the premium payments on his life insurance policy and sold it to his doctor, A. H. Grigsby. When Burchard died, Grigsby tried to collect the death benefit. The executor of Burchard's estate sued Grigsby to get the money and won. But the case ended up in the Supreme Court.

In his ruling, Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes likened life insurance to regular property. He believed the policy could be transferred by the owner at will and had the same legal standing as other types of property like stocks and bonds. In addition, he said there are rights that come with life insurance as a piece of property:

The owner can change the beneficiary unless the insurer has restrictions in place.

The policy may be used as collateral for a loan.

Owners can borrow against the insurance policy.

Policies can be sold to another person or entity.

Who Does a Life Settlement Broker Represent?

A life settlement broker represents the policy owner and may be bound by a fiduciary duty to them. The broker's job is to find the highest bidder for the policy.

Which Life Insurance Settlement Option Guarantees Payments?

A life settlement can be structured as an annuity that will feature guaranteed payments until the death of the policy's beneficiaries.

What Is a Single Life Settlement Option?

In a single life settlement, any payments agreed upon will cease upon the death of the annuitant or beneficiary. In contrast, a joint life settlement will continue paying out until the annuitant's spouse also passes away (assuming they survive the annuitant).
Facebook

Facebook Twitter

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

It's common for a sighted person to wonder what blind people see or for a blind person to wonder whether the experience is the same for others without sight. There is no single answer to the question, "What do blind people see?" because there are different degrees of blindness. Also, since it's the brain that "sees" information, it matters whether a person ever had sight.

What Blind People Actually See

Blind From Birth: A person who has never had sight doesn't see. Samuel, who was born blind, tells ThoughtCo that saying that a blind person sees black is incorrect because that person often has no other sensation of sight to compare against. "It's just nothingness," he says. For a sighted person, it can be helpful to think of it like this: Close one eye and use the open eye to focus on something. What does the closed eye see? Nothing. Another analogy is to compare a blind person's sight to what you see with your elbow.

Went Totally Blind: People who have lost their sight have different experiences. Some describe seeing complete darkness, like being in a cave. Some people see sparks or experience vivid visual hallucinations that may take the form of recognizable shapes, random shapes, and colors, or flashes of light. The "visions" are a hallmark of Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS). CBS may be lasting or transient in nature. It is not a mental illness and is not associated with brain damage.

In addition to total blindness, there is functional blindness. Definitions of functional blindness vary from one country to the next. In the United States, it refers to visual impairment where vision in the better eye with the best correction with glasses is worse than 20/200. The World Health Organization defines blindness as presenting visual acuity worse than 3/60. What functionally blind people see depends on the severity of blindness and the form of impairment.

Legally Blind: A person may be able to see large objects and people, but they are out of focus. A legally blind person may see colors or see in focus at a certain distance (e.g., be able to count fingers in front of the face). In other cases, color acuity may be lost or all vision is hazy. The experience is highly variable. Joey, who has 20/400 vision, tells ThoughtCo that he "constantly sees neon speckles that are always moving and changing colors."

Light Perception: A person who still has light perception can't form clear images, but can tell when the lights are on or off.

Tunnel Vision: Vision may be relatively normal (or not), but only within a certain radius. A person with tunnel vision can't see objects except within a cone of less than 10 degrees.

Do Blind People See in Their Dreams?

A person who is born blind has dreams but doesn't see images. Dreams could include sounds, tactile information, odors, flavors, and feelings. On the other hand, if a person has sight and then loses it, dreams may include images. People who have impaired vision (legally blind) do see in their dreams. The appearance of objects in dreams depends on the type and history of blindness. Mostly, the vision in dreams is comparable to the range of vision the person has had throughout life. For example, someone who has color blindness won't suddenly see new colors while dreaming. A person whose vision degraded over time might dream with the perfect clarity of earlier days or might dream at present acuity. Sighted people who wear corrective lenses have much the same experience. A dream may be perfectly in focus or not. It's all based on experience gathered over time. Someone who is blind yet perceives flashes of light and color from Charles Bonnet syndrome may incorporate these experiences into dreams.

Curiously, the rapid eye movement that characterizes REM sleep occurs in some blind people, even if they do not see images in dreams. Cases in which rapid eye movement does not occur are more likely when a person has been blind either since birth or else lost sight at a very young age.

Perceiving Light Non-Visually

Although it's not the type of vision that produces images, it's possible some people who are totally blind perceive light non-visually. The evidence started with a 1923 research project conducted by Harvard graduate student Clyde Keeler. Keeler bred mice that had a mutation in which their eyes lacked retinal photoreceptors. Although the mice lacked the rods and cones needed for vision, their pupils reacted to light and they maintained circadian rhythms set by day-night cycles. Eighty years later, scientists discovered special cells called intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in mouse and human eyes. The ipRGCs are found on the nerves that conduct signals from the retina to the brain rather than on the retina itself. The cells detect light while not contributing to vision. Thus, if a person has at least one eye that can receive light (sighted or not), he or she can theoretically sense light and dark.

Additional References

J. Alan Hobson, Edward F. Pace-Scott, & Robert Stickgold (2000), Dreaming and the brain: Toward a cognitive neuroscience of conscious states, Behavioral and Brain Sciences 23.

Schultz, G; Melzack, R (1991). "The Charles Bonnet syndrome: 'phantom visual images'". Perception. 20 (6): 80925.
What Are Uncollected Funds?50 dragons pokies real money

Uncollected funds are the unavailable portion of a bank deposit that comes from checks that have yet to be cleared by the bank. Essentially, uncollected funds are the money that the bank needs to account for before releasing the funds to the customer.

Key Takeaways

Uncollected funds are the unavailable portion of a bank deposit that comes from checks that have yet to be cleared by the bank.

If a check is cashed on an account with uncollected funds and the check would otherwise bounce, then an uncollected funds charge will typically be incurred.

Although there are numerous complaints about uncollected funds, they do protect banks and their customers from certain types of fraud.

Bank customers who face uncollected funds charges often find them to be unfair and excessive.

Uncollected Funds Explained

Uncollected funds are deposits that need to be reconciled; that is, the bank from which a check is drawn must acknowledge that the checking account has the funds to cover the check. Once the check clears, the depositor can have access to the deposited funds. Until then, the bank refers to the funds as uncollected funds, coded as "UCF" or "UF" for short. A check for a large amount that is deposited to an account is subject to a hold on most of the amount. A portion is typically made available immediately to the depositor as long as the customer is in good standing with the bank.

It is crucial to make a distinction between uncollected funds and insufficient funds. Unlike uncollected funds, an account with insufficient funds will not show a deposit pending. Writing a check against an account with insufficient funds will always result in a bounced check and incur a fee. Writing a check on an account with uncollected funds can work if the check is not cashed until after the uncollected funds have cleared.

If a check is cashed on an account with uncollected funds and the check would otherwise bounce, then an uncollected funds charge will typically be incurred. This charge is also called a UCF fee, and it is usually the same as the bank's non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee. As of 2020, NSF and UCF fees of $25 or $30 were fairly common. No charges are incurred for uncollected funds if the rest of the checking account balance can cover all expenses.

Benefits of Uncollected Funds

Although there are numerous complaints about uncollected funds, they do protect banks and their customers from certain types of fraud. Without uncollected funds, it would be possible for someone to write a bad check on one bank account, deposit it in another, and then walk away with the cash. This scheme is so easy and obvious that just about anyone facing bankruptcy might be tempted by it. Even worse, criminals could force innocent people into such schemes and then make them turn over the money.

Uncollected funds are really just a way for a bank to tell customers that they received a check, but the funds are not yet available. For example, a customer might deposit a check by sending it to the bank through the mail in an envelope. When the bank gets the check, it will first show up as uncollected funds. When the customer looks at their online banking account, they will see it as uncollected funds and know that the bank got it. The customer can then check back later to see if the funds have cleared and it is safe to spend the money.

Criticism of Uncollected Funds

Customers who face uncollected funds charges often find them to be unfair and excessive. When people deposit checks, many of them naturally assume that it becomes money in the bank that they can spend. In this view, an uncollected funds charge is a sneaky way to make money. Since uncollected funds are not available right away, then when do they become available? A day? A week? A month? Check clearing times can be hard to figure out. It was more of an issue before online banking made it easier to determine the status of deposited checks.

The best way to avoid uncollected funds charges (UCF fees) is to check the account balance online. Make sure the deposit is part of the available balance rather than uncollected funds before spending it.

There is also a good argument that UCF fees are excessive. The fact that they are usually the same as non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees seems particularly unfair. A person writing a bad check often has no reason to believe it would clear, while someone with uncollected funds might think this money was available. Furthermore, there might be little or nothing in an account with insufficient funds, leaving the bank with a loss and a need to collect. On the other hand, it is easy to take UCF fees out of the uncollected funds when they arrive, which often happens within a few days.

An Example of Uncollected Funds

Jack, a longtime customer of Hometown Community Bank, deposits a $1,000 check on Monday. $100 is available for withdrawal right away. However, the $900 balance is designated as uncollected funds, so Jack must wait until the check clears later in the week to draw upon that amount. If Jack tries to write a check against the balance and it has not yet cleared, Jack will incur an uncollected funds charge.
What Is the CAPE Ratio?bet in crypto price of bat crypto

The CAPE ratio is a valuation measure that uses real earnings per share (EPS) over a 10-year period to smooth out fluctuations in corporate profits that occur over different periods of a business cycle. The CAPE ratio, using the acronym for cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings ratio, was popularized by Yale University professor Robert Shiller. It is also known as the Shiller P/E ratio. The P/E ratio is a valuation metric that measures a stock's price relative to the company's earnings per share. EPS is a company's profit divided by the outstanding equity shares.

The ratio is generally applied to broad equity indices to assess whether the market is undervalued or overvalued. While the CAPE ratio is a popular and widely-followed measure, several leading industry practitioners have called into question its utility as a predictor of future stock market returns.

The Formula for the CAPE Ratio Is:

 C A P E ratio = Share price 1 0  year average , inflation  adjusted earnings CAPE \text{ ratio} = \frac{ \text{ Share price}}{ 10 - \text{ year average}, \text{ inflation} - \text{ adjusted earnings}} CAPE ratio=10year average, inflationadjusted earningsShare price

What Does the CAPE Ratio Tell You?

A companys profitability is determined to a significant extent by various economic cycle influences. During expansions, profits rise substantially as consumers spend more money, but during recessions, consumers buy less, profits plunge, and can turn into losses. While profit swings are much larger for companies in cyclical sectorssuch as commodities and financialsthan they are for firms in defensive sectors such as utilities and pharmaceuticals, few companies can maintain steadfast profitability in the face of a deep recession.

Because volatility in per-share earnings also results in price-earnings (P/E) ratios that bounce around significantly, Benjamin Graham and David Dodd recommended in their seminal 1934 book, Security Analysis, that for examining valuation ratios, one should use an average of earnings over preferably seven or ten years.

Key Takeaways

The CAPE ratio is used to analyze a publicly held company's long-term financial performance while considering the impact of different economic cycles on the company's earnings.

The CAPE ratio is similar to the price-to-earnings ratio and is used to determine whether a stock is over-or under-valued.

The ratio considers the impact of economic influences by comparing a stock price to average earnings, adjusted for inflation, over a 10-year period.

Example of the CAPE Ratio in Use

The cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings (CAPE) ratio initially came into the spotlight in December 1996, after Robert Shiller and John Campbell presented research to the Federal Reserve that suggested stock prices were running up much faster than earnings. In the winter of 1998, Shiller and Campbell published their groundbreaking article "Valuation Ratios and the Long-Run Stock Market Outlook," in which they smoothed earnings for the S&P 500 by taking an average of real earnings over the past 10 years, going back to 1872.

This ratio was at a record 28 in January 1997, with the only other instance (at that time) of a comparably high ratio occurring in 1929. Shiller and Campbell asserted the ratio was predicting that the real value of the market would be 40% lower in ten years than it was at that time. That forecast proved to be remarkably prescient, as the market crash of 2008 contributed to the S&P 500 plunging 60% from October 2007 to March 2009.

The CAPE ratio for the S&P 500 climbed steadily in the second decade of this millennium as the economic recovery in the U.S. gathered momentum, and stock prices reached record levels. As of June 2018, the CAPE ratio stood at 33.78, compared with its long-term average of 16.80. The fact that the ratio had previously only exceeded 30 in 1929 and 2000 triggered a raging debate about whether the elevated value of the ratio portends a major market correction.

Limitations of the CAPE Ratio

Critics of the CAPE ratio contend that it is not very useful since it is inherently backward-looking, rather than forward-looking. Another issue is that the ratio relies on GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) earnings, which have undergone marked changes in recent years.

In June 2016, Jeremy Siegel of the Wharton School published a paper in which he said that forecasts of future equity returns using the CAPE ratio might be overly pessimistic because of changes in the way GAAP earnings are calculated. Siegel said that using consistent earnings data such as operating earnings or NIPA (national income and product account) after-tax corporate profits, rather than GAAP earnings, improves the forecasting ability of the CAPE model and forecasts higher U.S. equity returns.
What Is Net Loss?mobile poker betonline

A net loss is when total expenses (including taxes, fees, interest, and depreciation) exceed the income or revenue produced for a given period of time. A net loss may be contrasted with a net profit, also known as after-tax income or net income.

Key Takeaways

A net loss occurs when the sum total of expenses exceeds the total income or revenue generated by a business, project, transaction, or investment.

Businesses would report a net loss on the income statement, effectively as a negative net profit.

Many factors can contribute to a net loss including low revenues, strong competition, unsuccessful marketing campaigns, and increased cost of goods sold (COGS).

Understanding Net Loss

For a business, net loss is sometimes referred to as a net operating loss (NOL). For tax purposes, net losses may be carried forward into future tax years to offset gains or profits in those years. A net loss appears on the company's bottom line or income statement. Net loss or net profit is calculated using the following formula:

Net Loss (or Net Profit)= Revenues - Expenses

Because revenues and expenses are matched during a set time, a net loss is an example of the matching principle, which is an integral part of the accrual accounting method. Expenses related to income earned during a set time are included in (or "matched to") that period regardless of when the expenses are paid.

When profits fall below the level of expenses and cost of goods sold (COGS) in a given time, a net loss results.

Factors Contributing to a Net Loss

The most common factor that contributes to a net loss is a low revenue stream. Strong competition, unsuccessful marketing programs, weak pricing strategies, not keeping up with market demands, and inefficient marketing staff contribute to decreasing revenues. Decreased revenues result in decreased profits. When profits fall below the level of expenses and cost of goods sold (COGS) in a given time, a net loss results.

COGS also affects net losses. Substantial production or purchase costs of products being sold are subtracted from revenue. The remaining money is used for covering expenses and creating profit. When COGS exceeds funding for expenses, a net loss occurs.

Expenses contribute to net losses as well. Even when targeted revenue is earned, and COGS remains within limits, unexpected expenses and overspending in budgeted areas may exceed gross profits.

Excessive carrying costs are a type of expense that can contribute to net losses. These are the costs a company pays for holding inventory in stock before it is sold to customers.

Businesses that have a net loss do not necessarily go bankrupt immediately because they may opt to use their retained earnings or loans to stay afloat. This strategy, however, is only short-term, as a company without profits will not survive in the long-term.

Net Loss Examples

Say that substantial refunds were expected as companies took advantage of outstanding tax credits previously issued as a way of retaining jobs in the state during the recession. As a result, the state treasurer anticipates a decrease of $99 million in revenue from the states principal business taxes. This prompts state officials to cut the current and upcoming fiscal year revenue projections by a significant amount and, unless they can cut expenditures as well, they will be operating at a net loss.

Another example would be if Company A has $200,000 in sales, $140,000 in COGS, and $80,000 in expenses. Subtracting $140,000 COGS from $200,000 in sales results in $60,000 in gross profit. However, because expenses exceed gross profit, a $20,000 net loss results.

Yet another example would be of a company that sells frozen foods and needs to pay for refrigerated storage facilities, utility costs, taxes, employee expenses, and insurance. If sales are slow, the company will need to hold onto its inventory for a longer time, incurring additional carrying costs which could contribute to a net loss.

Can a company with positive revenues still have a net loss?

Yes, even if a company has a large volume of sales, it can still end up losing money if the cost of goods or other expenses related to those sales (e.g., marketing) are too high. Other factors like taxes, interest expenses, depreciation and amortization, and one-time charges like a lawsuit can also take a company from a profit to a net loss.

What is a net loss carryforward?

The IRS allows certain net losses experienced in one tax period to be used to deduct from net profits earned in subsequent periods. The 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) changed how businesses must account for net operating loss carryforwards. Check with your accountant for all tax matters

Is a net loss the same as a negative profit?

A negative profit technically does not exist, since a profit, by definition, implies a gain in value. However, the term negative profit is used colloquially to describe a net loss.
What Is Collateral?free slots play the best free slots

Collateral in the financial world is a valuable asset that a borrower pledges as security for a loan.

When a homebuyer obtains a mortgage, the home serves as the collateral for the loan. For a car loan, the vehicle is the collateral. A business that obtains financing from a bank may pledge valuable equipment or real estate owned by the business as collateral for the loan.

A loan that is secured by collateral comes with a lower interest rate than an unsecured loan. In the event of a default, the lender can seize the collateral and sell it to recoup the loss.

Key Takeaways

Collateral is an item of value pledged to secure a loan.

Collateral reduces the risk for lenders.

If a borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can seize the collateral and sell it to recoup its losses.

Mortgages and car loans are two types of collateralized loans.

Other personal assets, such as a savings or investment account, can be used to secure a collateralized personal loan.

How Collateral Works

Before a lender issues you a loan, it wants to know that you have the ability to repay it. That's why many of them require some form of security. This security is called collateral which minimizes the risk for lenders. It helps to ensure that the borrower keeps up with their financial obligation. In the event that the borrower does default, the lender can seize the collateral and sell it, applying the money it gets to the unpaid portion of the loan. The lender can choose to pursue legal action against the borrower to recoup any balance remaining.

As mentioned above, collateral can take many forms. It normally relates to the nature of the loan, so a mortgage is collateralized by the home, while the collateral for a car loan is the vehicle in question. Other nonspecific, personal loans can be collateralized by other assets. For instance, a secured credit card may be secured by a cash deposit for the same amount of the credit limit$500 for a $500 credit limit.

Loans secured by collateral are typically available at substantially lower interest rates than unsecured loans. A lender's claim to a borrower's collateral is called a liena legal right or claim against an asset to satisfy a debt. The borrower has a compelling reason to repay the loan on time because if they default, they stand to lose their home or other assets pledged as collateral.

Types of Collateral

The nature of the collateral is often predetermined by the loan type. When you take out a mortgage, your home becomes the collateral. If you take out a car loan, then the car is the collateral for the loan. The types of collateral that lenders commonly accept include carsonly if they are paid off in fullbank savings deposits, and investment accounts. Retirement accounts are not usually accepted as collateral.

You also may use future paychecks as collateral for very short-term loans, and not just from payday lenders. Traditional banks offer such loans, usually for terms no longer than a couple of weeks. These short-term loans are an option in a genuine emergency, but even then, you should read the fine print carefully and compare rates.

Collateralized Personal Loans

Another type of borrowing is the collateralized personal loan, in which the borrower offers an item of value as security for a loan. The value of the collateral must meet or exceed the amount being loaned. If you are considering a collateralized personal loan, your best choice for a lender is probably a financial institution that you already do business with, especially if your collateral is your savings account. If you already have a relationship with the bank, that bank would be more inclined to approve the loan, and you are more apt to get a decent rate for it.

Use a financial institution with which you already have a relationship if you're considering a collateralized personal loan.

Examples of Collateral Loans

Residential Mortgages

A mortgage is a loan in which the house is the collateral. If the homeowner stops paying the mortgage for at least 120 days, the loan servicer can begin legal proceedings which can lead to the lender eventually taking possession of the house through foreclosure. Once the property is transferred to the lender, it can be sold to repay the remaining principal on the loan.

Home Equity Loans

A home may also function as collateral on a second mortgage or home equity line of credit (HELOC). In this case, the amount of the loan will not exceed the available equity. For example, if a home is valued at $200,000, and $125,000 remains on the primary mortgage, a second mortgage or HELOC will be available only for as much as $75,000.

Margin Trading

Collateralized loans are also a factor in margin trading. An investor borrows money from a broker to buy shares, using the balance in the investor's brokerage account as collateral. The loan increases the number of shares the investor can buy, thus multiplying the potential gains if the shares increase in value. But the risks are also multiplied. If the shares decrease in value, the broker demands payment of the difference. In that case, the account serves as collateral if the borrower fails to cover the loss.
02:45

As high real estate costs price many more people out of home ownership,new crypto coins launching on coinbase alternatives to traditional home construction are getting more attention.

Prefabricated homes are one growing sector of the market where China is a global leader  that's now expanding into North America via Mexico.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.
An inside view of the upper cylinder of the steel containment of the Linglong One, the world's first commercial onshore small reactor project, in the Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant in South China's Hainan Province on July 5, 2022. Hoisting of the upper cylinder was completed ahead of schedule on July 6, and is anticipated to generate 1 billion kilowatt-hours of power annually, meeting the needs of 526,000 households. Photo: cnsphoto

China stepped up investment in energy projects in the first eight months this year, with the value exceeding 1.2 trillion yuan ($174.7 billion), an increase of 16.7 percent year-on-year, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Monday.With the acceleration of investment in energy projects -- especially green energy -- the country has steadily advanced low-carbon industrial transition using financial tools in order to ensure energy security amid global uncertainties, experts noted.According to the NEA, the country installed about 94 million kilowatts (kW) of new non-fossil energy generation capacity in the first three quarters, accounting for 82 percent of the total newly added capacity.Installation of renewable energy units reached 90.36 million kW, accounting for 78.8 percent of the newly installed power generation capacity."The rising investment in energy projects this year is aimed at ensuring power supply to meet increasing demand for living and production during the upcoming winter, as the country faced power shortages in some regions last year," Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Global Times on Monday.Wang Dapeng, a senior official from the NEA, said that in the first three quarters of 2022, the power generation of the country's renewable green energy reached 1.94 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh). Wind power generation stood at 544.1 billion kWh, up 15.9 percent year-on-year, while photovoltaic power generation totaled 328.6 billion kWh, an increase of 32.2 percent.China continued to release the production capacity of coal, natural gas and crude oil, and reduce the purchasing cost of natural gas, in order to stabilize the supplies and prices of these resources, Wang added.According to the official, as of the end of September, China's installed renewable energy generation capacity reached 1.14 billion kWh, with 348 million kWh of wind power installed and 358 million kWh of photovoltaic power installed.The new installation of green energy facilities showed the country's determination to achieve its dual carbon targets as well as its commitment to dealing with global climate change, Lin noted.Wang stressed that the first batch of large wind power and photovoltaic bases have started construction while the second batch of projects are under construction, and the energy administration is reviewing the third batch.
best beat making websitesshows grade level based on the word's complexity. abietate [ ab-ee-i-teyt ]/ b i tet / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ ab-ee-i-teyt ]/ b i tet /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun Chemistry.a salt or ester of abietic acid.

Words nearby abietate

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question abietateabiet(ic acid) + -ateabiding, Abidjan, Abie, abient, a bientot, abietate, abietic acid, abigail, Abihu, Abilene, abilityDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
An elderly lady hid her face behind a cattail leaf fan, her hands trembling upon hearing her sons death.

While the Chinese public released a collective sigh of relief upon the death of the alleged serial killer, an online report has directed attentions on the plight of the suspects family after media harassment.

Zhou Kehua, suspected of robbing and fatally shooting nine people during robberies in China, was gunned down by police in the southwestern municipality of Chongqing, on Tuesday morning.

A manhunt began last Friday after local police published Zhous identity, and reporters swarmed into the Ertang Village in Chongqing for the story about the most cold-blooded bank killer in decades.

But controversy has not been far away after an online post said a journalist from a Shaanxi-based newspaper cornered Zhous mother and asked questions such as whether Zhou sent his money home.

A photograph attached to the report showed the mother hide her face behind a cattail leaf fan. The reporter informed her of Zhous death and observed she was dumbfounded for 20 seconds and her hand holding the fan trembled, the report said.

After being posted on Sina Weibo, a popular microblogging site, the report has met a tidal wave of negative responses, with many bloggers criticizing the relentless and inhumane journalism.

A heinous criminal is still a loved son of his mother. Please stop torturing the old woman, Xing Hainiao, a Beijing publisher, said in a post.

Some netizens also suspected reporters were prepared to hit the mother with the news in order to capture her instant reactions.

The disputed report came after Zhou was shot dead by police in the citys Shapingba District on Tuesday morning. Zhou was said to have started the shootout after discovering he was followed by plain-clothes officers.

Chongqing police earlier launched a huge manhunt on Zhou, whose bounty reached 5.4 million yuan (850,394 U.S. dollars), saying he was highly dangerous and targeting people withdrawing money from banks.

Police said Zhou had been suspected of killing nine people in several Chinese cities since 2004, most recently a Chongqing police officer who was trying to stop and question Zhou last Friday.

After Zhous death, the cyberspace was flooded with gory pictures showing him lying in a pool of blood along with stories of how a smart rural kid who liked reading detective stories ended up a serial killer.

Liu Xiaocheng, who teaches journalism at Lanzhou University, said the flurry of reports based on interviews from his family could be justified as they could prompt the society to discuss the cause of the tragedy.

But Liu said the practices like the sensational handling of Zhous mother and photograph showing her hiding her face should be avoided as they violated the basic morals and principles in journalism.

The media should reflect on the appropriateness of their reports  whether they were made excessively sensational and lurid, while neglecting the discussions on the social causes behind Zhous case, Liu said.

Xinhua

Media mercy called for serial killers familyadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is a Poverty Trap?playojo casino bonus

A poverty trap is a mechanism that makes it very difficult for people to escape poverty. A poverty trap is created when an economic system requires a significant amount of capital to escape poverty. When individuals lack this capital, they may also find it difficult to acquire it, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of poverty.

Key Takeaways

A poverty trap refers to an economic system in which it is difficult to escape poverty.

A poverty trap is not merely the absence of economic means. It is created due to a mix of factors, such as access to education and healthcare, working together to keep an individual or family in poverty.

Noted economist Jeffrey Sachs has made the case that public and private investments need to work in concert to eradicate the poverty trap.

Understanding Poverty Traps

Many factors contribute to creating a poverty trap, including limited access to credit and capital markets, extreme environmental degradation (which depletes agricultural production potential), corrupt governance, capital flight, poor education systems, disease ecology, lack of public healthcare, war, and poor infrastructure.

In order to escape the poverty trap, it is argued that individuals in poverty must be given sufficient aid so that they can acquire the critical mass of capital necessary to raise themselves out of poverty. This theory helps to explain why certain aid programs that do not provide a high-enough level of support may be ineffective at raising individuals from poverty. If those in poverty do not acquire the critical mass of capital, they will simply remain dependent on aid indefinitely and regress if aid is ended.

Recent research has increasingly focused on the role of other factors, such as healthcare, in sustaining the poverty trap for a society. Researchers at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that countries with poorer health conditions tend to be mired in a cycle of poverty as compared to others with similar educational attainments.

Researchers at the University of Florida in Gainesville collected economic and disease data from 83 of the world's least and most developed countries. They found that people living in areas with limited human, animal, and crop disease were able to lift themselves out of the poverty trap as compared to people who lived in areas with rampant disease.

The Public and Private Role in Addressing the Poverty Trap



In his book The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time, Jeffrey Sachs recommends that, as a way of combating the poverty trap, aid agencies should function as venture capitalists that fund startup companies.

Sachs proposes that, just like any other startup, developing nations should receive the full amount of aid necessary for them to begin to reverse the poverty trap. He points out that the extremely poor lack six major kinds of capital: human capital, business capital, infrastructure, natural capital, public institutional capital, and knowledge capital.

Sachs added in his book:

"The poor start with a very low level of capital per person, and then find themselves trapped in poverty because the ratio of capital per person actually falls from generation to generation. The amount of capital per person declines when the population is growing faster than capital is being accumulated... The question for growth in per capita income is whether the net capital accumulation is large enough to keep up with population growth."

Sachs postulates that the public sector should concentrate its efforts on investing in:

Human capitalhealth, education, nutrition

Infrastructureroads, power, water and sanitation, environmental conservation

Natural capitalconservation of biodiversity and ecosystems

Public institutional capitala well-run public administration, judicial system, police force

Parts of knowledge capitalscientific research for health, energy, agriculture, climate, ecology

Business capital investments, Sachs says, should be the domain of the private sector, which he claims would more efficiently use the funding to develop the profitable enterprises necessary to sustain growth enough to lift an entire population and culture out of poverty.

Example of a Poverty Trap

One of the most important considerations in studying the poverty trap is the amount of government aid necessary to lift a family out of their present conditions.

Consider the case of a family of four, made up of parents and two children who are below legal working age. The family has an annual income of $24,000, with the parents working in jobs that pay $10 per hour. According to the latest federal poverty guidelines, a family of four is considered to be poor if its income is less than $27,750.

In a simple case, let us assume that the government begins handing out aid amounting to $1,000 per month. This raises the family's annual income to $36,000. While it is capped at $1,000, the government aid decreases in proportion to increases in the family's income. For example, if the family's earnings increase by $500 to $2500 per month, government aid reduces by $500. The parents would have to work an extra 50 hours in order to make up for the shortfall.

The increase in working hours comes at an opportunity and leisure cost to the parents. For example, they might end up spending less time with their children or may have to hire babysitters for the time that they are out of the home. The extra hours also mean that the parents will not have the leisure to upgrade their skill-sets for a better paying job.

The aid amount also does not take into account living conditions for the family. Because they are poor, the family lives in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city and does not have access to proper healthcare facilities. In turn, crime or susceptibility to disease could drive up their average monthly spending, making an increase in the family's income effectively useless.

Real-World Example

In the real world, the case of Rwanda, a country wracked by genocide and civil war until recently, is often held up as an example of a nation that tackled the poverty trap by identifying factors beyond income. The African country focused on healthcare and insurance to increase the average daily calorie intake.

However, certain researchers charge the country's government with reducing the measurement threshold in order to make Rwanda rate better on poverty statistics.

What Causes Poverty Traps?

There are several factors that make it difficult for people to escape poverty. A lack of access to capital is a major contributor to poverty traps as is poor education, infrastructure, and healthcare.

Why Is It So Hard to Get Out of Poverty?

Many of the things that can help pull people out of poverty require the one thing poor people don't have: money. For example, without money, its difficult to get a decent education and acquire new skills to boost job prospects and earnings potential. Spare time to address issues and boost wellbeing is also in short supply, as every hour spent not sleeping is dedicated to earning money and surviving.

How Many People in the U.S. Live in Poverty?

According to the United States Census Bureau, 37.2 million people in the U.S. lived in poverty in 2020, which represents just over 11% of the population.
Maryland picked up where it left off after a strong second half Friday night against Davidson and held Missouri State to 14 first-quarter points with tight perimeter defense that created turnovers and plenty of opportunities in transition.

Similarly positioned, painted animals dating to roughly 30,000 years ago or more appear in scenes in Frances Chauvet Cave, says Davidson, who did not participate in the new study.

Lee chose Davidson because well-regarded coach Bob McKillop has a style of play similar to what he learned at the NBA Global Academy for two years under veteran coach Marty Clarke  spread offense, passing, defensive fundamentals and ball security.

This season, they were 13-9, finished sixth in the Atlantic 10 and lost to Davidson in the A-10 tournament quarterfinals.

Davidson, however, said all is not lost if Senate Republicans get their way with a new confirmation, pointing to conservative justices who joined with liberal justices in LGBTQ rulings. Ginsburgs death leaves LGBTQ rights on Supreme Court vulnerable to religious claims|Chris Johnson|September 23, 2020|Washington Blade

Regular customers throughout the city know to wave at Sandra when she goes rumbling past on her Harley-Davidson. Holy Mole: Tucsons Mexican Food with a Kick|Jane & Michael Stern|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Filmmakers Daniel Junge and Kief Davidson are at a remarkable advantage here. How LEGO Conquered Hollywood 65 Years After Its Debut|Kevin Fallon|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

It is the sign of a deep-seated corruption infecting all life, writes Davidson. The Backstory of Noah Is Full of Giants, Horny Angels, and a Grieving God|Tim Townsend|March 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Adam Davidson takes a look at this little corner of the real estate market  the prison commissary. Best Business Longreads for the Week of August 24, 2013.|William OConnor|August 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

But the truth about Islam is anything but hateful, writes Olga M. Davidson. Mohammad Was Not a Womanizer, and Other Common Misconceptions About Islam Debunked|Olga M. Davidson|September 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST

This Davidson was reluctant to do, since he knew the lad would have to calculate closely to make his food last. Gold-Seeking on the Dalton Trail|Arthur R. Thompson

Any one can think of many names of this kindWilliamson, Davidson, Adamson, etc. Stories That Words Tell Us|Elizabeth O'Neill

Mrs. Davidson tells me her husband is getting thirty pounds a month as captain of the Zealandia in the Canadian emigrant service. The Viking Blood|Frederick William Wallace

My dear Davidson,I am in receipt of two letters from you since my last, the latest one of them from Capri. The Letters of William James, Vol. 1|William James
Clark County officials approved a step that will bring Thejonny jackpot slots Mirage one step closer to becoming the Hard Rock Hotel Las Vegas.

The Clark County Zoning Commission on Tuesday authorized a routine step that prepares The Mirages owners, Hard Rock International, for construction development.

Once complete, the resort is expected to have 600 hotel rooms, 48,000 square feet of gaming area and 96,000 square feet of retail and restaurants at ground level, according to planning documents.

Planning documents show the high-rise, guitar-shaped hotel tower will go atop where The Mirages volcano currently stands.

There will also be amenities to include a pool, spa, fitness center and salon as well as other amenities, developers said.
What Was the Asian Financial Crisis?fairyhouse betting cfb odds week 3

The Asian financial crisis, also called the "Asian Contagion," was a sequence of currency devaluations and other events that began in July 1997 and spread across Asia. The crisis started in Thailand when the government ended the local currency's de facto peg to the U.S. dollar after depleting much of the country's foreign exchange reserves trying to defend it against months of speculative pressure.

Just weeks after Thailand stopped defending its currency, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia were also compelled to let their currencies fall as speculative market pressure built. By October, the crisis spread to South Korea, where a balance-of-payments crisis brought the government to the brink of default.

Other economies also came under pressure, but those with solid economic fundamentals and hefty foreign exchange reserves fared much better. Hong Kong fended off several major but unsuccessful speculative attacks on its currency, which is pegged to the U.S. dollar via a currency board system and backed by massive U.S. dollar reserves.



Key Takeaways

The Asian Financial Crisis started in July 1997 when Thailand stopped defending the baht after months of downward market pressure, causing the currency to fall quickly.

The contagion spread quickly, with currencies across the region fallingsome quite catastrophically.

The crisis was rooted in economic growth policies that encouraged investment but also created high levels of debt (and risk) to finance it.

The International Monetary Fund bailed out many countries but imposed strict spending restrictions in exchange for the help.

Affected countries have since put in place mechanisms to avoid creating the same scenario in the future.

Impact of the Asian Financial Crisis

As the Thai baht fell, other Asian currencies fell, some precipitously. Across Asia, inflows of capital slowed or reversed.

The Thai baht had been trading at about 26 to the U.S. dollar before the crisis but lost half its value by the end of 1997, falling to 53 to the dollar by January 1998. The Korean won fell from about 900 to the dollar to 1,695 by the end of 1997. The Indonesian rupiah, which had been trading at around 2,400 to the dollar in June of 1997, plummeted to 14,900 by June of 1998, less than one-sixth its pre-crisis level.

Some of the more heavily affected countries fell into severe recession. Indonesia's gross domestic product (GDP) growth fell from 4.7% in 1997 to -13.1% in 1998. In the Philippines, it slid from 5.2% to -0.5% over the same period. Malaysia's GDP growth similarly slid from 7.3% in 1997 to -7.4% in 1998, while Korea's contracted from 6.2% to -5.1%.

In Indonesia, the ensuing economic crisis led to the collapse of the three-decade-old dictatorship of President Suharto.

The crisis was alleviated by intervention from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, which poured some $118 billion into Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea to bail out their economies.



As a result of the the crisis, affected countries restructured their economies, generally because the IMF required reform as a condition of help. The specific policy changes were different in each country but generally involved strengthening weak financial systems, lowering debt levels, raising interest rates to stabilize currencies, and cutting government spending.



The crisis also serves as a valuable case study for economists to understand how interwoven markets affect one another, especially as it relates to currency trading and national accounts management.



Causes of the Asian Financial Crisis

The crisis was rooted in several threads of industrial, financial, and monetary government policies and the investment trends they created. Once the crisis began, markets reacted strongly, and one currency after another came under pressure. Some of the macroeconomic problems included current account deficits, high levels of foreign debt, climbing budget deficits, excessive bank lending, poor debt-service ratios, and imbalanced capital inflows and outflows.

Many of these problems were the result of policies to promote export-led economic growth in the years leading up to the crisis. Governments worked closely with manufacturers to support exports, including providing subsidies to favored businesses, more favorable financing, and a currency peg to the U.S. dollar to ensure an exchange rate favorable to exporters.

While this did support exports, it also created risk. Explicit and implicit government guarantees to bail out domestic industries and banks meant investors often did not assess the profitability of an investment but rather looked to its political support. Investment policies also created cozy relationships among local conglomerates, financial institutions, and the regulators who oversaw their industries. Large volumes of foreign money flowed in, often with little attention to potential risks. These factors all contributed to a massive moral hazard in Asian economies, encouraging major investment in marginal and potentially unsound projects.

As the crisis spread, it became clear that the impressive economic growth rates in these countries were concealing serious vulnerabilities. In particular, domestic credit had expanded rapidly for years, often poorly supervised, creating significant leverage along with loans extended to dubious projects. Rapidly rising real estate values (often fueled by easy access to credit) contributed to the problem, along with rising current account deficits and a build-up in external debt. Heavy foreign borrowing, often at short maturities, also exposed corporations and banks to significant exchange rate and funding risksrisks that had been masked by longstanding currency pegs. When the pegs fell apart, companies that owed money in foreign currencies suddenly owed a lot more in local currency terms, forcing many into insolvency.

Many Asian economies had also slid into current account deficits. If a country has a current account surplus, that means it is essentially a net lender to the rest of the world. If the current account balance is negative, the country is net borrower from the rest of the world. Current account deficits had grown on the back of heavy government spending (much of it directed to supporting continued export growth).

Response to the Asian Financial Crisis

The IMF intervened to stem the crisis with loans to stabilize the affected economies. The IMF lent roughly $118 billion in short-term loans to Thailand, Indonesia, and South Korea. The bailouts came with conditions, though: Governments had to raise taxes, cut spending, and eliminate many subsidies. By 1999, many of the affected countries began to show signs of recovery.

Other financial institutions also intervened. In December 1997, the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank, for example, brokered a deal under which U.S. banks owed money by Korean companies on short-term loans voluntarily agreed to roll them over into medium-term loans.

Lessons From the Asian Financial Crisis

Many of the lessons of the Asian financial crisis remain relevant today. First, beware of asset bubbles, as they have a habit of bursting. Another was that governments need to control spending and pursue prudent economic development policies.

How Does Government Spending and Monetary Policy Affect a Currency's Value?

When governments spend, implement policies that keep taxes low, subsidize the price of staple goods, or use other methods that effectively put more money in people's pockets, consumers have more money to spend. As most economies rely at least partly on imports for many goods and services, this increased spending creates demand for foreign currency (usually U.S. dollars), as importers have to sell local currency and buy foreign currency to pay for imports. Demand for foreign currency (and selling of local currency to buy it) increases exponentially when those policies also promote heavy investment in infrastructure, new businesses, and other economic projects. As more local currency is offered for sale on foreign exchange markets, its value goes down, unless there is a corresponding demand to buy it (say, by exporters selling foreign currency they earn from exports).

Why Do Governments Keep Exchange Rates High?

Governments, especially in developing economies, seek to manage exchange rates to balance their ability to pay debts denominated in foreign currencies. Because investors generally prefer instruments denominated in more stable currencies, governments in developing economies often raise funds by issuing bonds denominated in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen, or euros. However, if the value of the domestic currency falls versus the currency in which its debt is denominated, that effectively increases the debt, as more local currency is needed to pay it. So, when the Thai baht lost half its value in 1997, that meant local borrowers needed twice as many baht to pay debts denominated in U.S. dollars. As many developing countries also rely on imports, a higher-valued local currency also makes those imports cheaper in local currency terms.

Why Do Governments Keep Exchange Rates Low?

Conversely, governments may seek to keep their exchange rates low to increase the competitiveness of exports. In the 1980s, following years of complaints from U.S. companies about competition from cheap Japanese imports, the U.S. government convinced Japan to allow its currency to appreciate as part of the Plaza Accord. The currency's value climbed from 250 yen to one U.S. dollar in early 1985 to below 130 by 1990. The U.S. trade deficit with Japan fell from $55 billion in 1986 to $41 billion in 1990.

The Bottom Line

In 1997, decades of economic policy planning that featured close relationships among government policy planners, regulators, the industries they regulated, and financial institutions came to a head when markets began putting downward pressure on Asian currencies. The most vulnerable were those countries with high levels of debt and insufficient financing to pay it.

The IMF stepped in to bail out the most affected economies but imposed strict conditions in exchange for the help. Some measures included requiring governments to cut spending, raise taxes, eliminate subsidies, and restructure their financial systems.

The crisis also serves as a case study in asset bubbles and how quickly panic selling can trigger contagion that central bankers cannot control.
The off-year special election into which Duke threw himself drew little media notice at first.

The NOPD fired Knight in 1973 for stealing lumber from a construction site as an off-duty cop.

A passing off-duty school safety officer named Fred Lucas said that he had been told the man was a drug dealer.

Although the blood-spattered offices will be off-limits, staff have vowed to continue producing the magazine.

Aaron Paul may play a young Han Solo in the first Star Wars spin-off. Juiciest Star Wars: The Force Awakens Rumors (and Some Debunked Ones)|Rich Goldstein|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

A far-off volley rumbled over the plain, and a few birds stirred uneasily among the trees. The Red Year|Louis Tracy

Tom leaped on one side; the buffalo-bull turned short round and made another dash at him. Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne

For a second Marius considered whether he might not attempt to elude Garnache by a wild and sudden dash towards his men. St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

They show to the full the secret of the Marshal's success as a soldier, the blending of ardour with method and dash with caution. Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China held an emergency hearing on recent developments in the Chen Guangcheng case. Mr.Chen called from Beijing during the hearing.

Witnesses discussed details of the escape of blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng from illegal house arrest to safety at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, as well as his legal advocacy work.

Chen escaped from his home, where he had bee detained without charge for 19 months, on April 22 and met the U.S. Ambassador to China and Administration Officials at the U.S. Embassy, where he received medical treatment. Chen stayed at the Embassy for six days while U.S. and Chinese officials negotiated an agreement for Chen to safely stay in the country and resume a normal life with his family.

After officials reached an agreement, Chen left the U.S. Embassy Wednesday and went to a nearby hospital where he is receiving treatment for a leg injury sustained during his escape.

The most recent development is that Chen now says he wants to leave China for the United States. His lawyer stated that Chen and his family feel insecure in the hands of Chinese authorities.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has criticized the U.S. for their involvement in a domestic Chinese affair and demanded an apology.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Wednesday afternoon that there were U.S. officials in the building with Chen at the hospital today and that they would continue to visit him there.

Secondly, you dont accept verbal promises, you get some actions some good faith actions before you close the deal So the first principle, you want to do a deal, first thing, bring his wife and child here.. You dont even talk until she is there with him.

 Michael Horowitz, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

Chen Guangcheng called U.S. Congress during emergency hearingadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is the Loan Life Coverage Ratio (LLCR)?take 5 slots daftar agen dominoqq

The loan life coverage ratio (LLCR) is a financial ratio used to estimate the solvency of a firm, or the ability of a borrowing company to repay an outstanding loan. LLCR is calculated by dividing the net present value (NPV) of the money available for debt repayment by the amount of outstanding debt.

LLCR is similar to the debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), but it is more commonly used in project financing because of its long-term nature. The DSCR captures a single point in time, whereas the LLCR addresses the entire span of the loan.

The Formula for the Loan Life Coverage Ratio (LLCR) Is

  t = s s + n C F t ( 1 + i ) t + D R O t where: C F t = Cash-flows available for debt service at year t t = The time period ( year ) s = The number of years expected to pay the debt back i = The weighted average cost of capital ( WACC ) expressed as an interest rate D R = Cash reserve available to repay the debt ( the debt reserve ) O t = The debt balance outstanding at the time of evaluation \begin{ aligned} &\frac{ \sum_{ t=s}^{ s+n}\frac{ CF_t}{ \left(1 + i\right)^t} + DR}{ O_t}\\ &\textbf{ where:}\\ &CF_t = \text{ Cash-flows available for debt service at year t}\\ &t = \text{ The time period}\left(\text{ year}\right)\\ &s = \text{ The number of years expected to pay the debt back}\\ &i = \text{ The weighted average cost of capital}\left(\text{ WACC}\right)\\ &\text{ expressed as an interest rate}\\ &DR = \text{ Cash reserve available to repay the debt}\\ &\left(\text{ the debt reserve}\right)\\ &O_t = \text{ The debt balance outstanding at the time of}\\ &\text{ evaluation}\\ \end{ aligned} Ott=ss+n(1+i)tCFt+DRwhere:CFt=Cash-flows available for debt service at year tt=The time period(year)s=The number of years expected to pay the debt backi=The weighted average cost of capital(WACC)expressed as an interest rateDR=Cash reserve available to repay the debt(the debt reserve)Ot=The debt balance outstanding at the time ofevaluation

How to Calculate the Loan Life Coverage Ratio

The LLCR can be calculated using the above formula, or by using a shortcut: dividing the NPV of project free cash flows by the present value of the debt outstanding.

In this calculation, the weighted average cost of debt is the discount rate for the NPV calculation and the project "cash flows" are more specifically the cash flows available for debt service (CFADS).

What Does the Loan Life Coverage Ratio Tell You?

LLCR is a solvency ratio. The loan life coverage ratio is a measure of the number of times over the cash flows of a project can repay an outstanding debt over the life of a loan. A ratio of 1.0x means that LLCR is at a break-even level. The higher the ratio, the less potential risk there is for the lender.

Depending on the risk profile of the project, sometimes a debt service reserve account is required by the lender. In such a case, the numerator of LLCR would include the reserve account balance. Project financing agreements invariably contain covenants that stipulate LLCR levels.

Key Takeaways

The loan life coverage ratio (LLCR) is a financial ratio used to estimate the solvency of a firm, or the ability of a borrowing company to repay an outstanding loan.

The loan life coverage ratio is a measure of the number of times over the cash flows of a project can repay an outstanding debt over the life of a loan.

The higher the ratio, the less potential risk there is for the lender.

The Difference Between LLCR and DSCR

In corporate finance, the Debt-Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) is a measure of the cash flow available to pay current debt obligations. The ratio states net operating income as a multiple of debt obligations due within one year, including interest, principal, sinking-fund and lease payments. However, DSCR captures just a single point in time, while LLCR allows for several time periods, which is more suitable for understanding liquidity available for loans of medium to long time horizons.

LLCR is used by analysts to assess the viability of a given amount of debt and consequently to evaluate the risk profile and the related costs. It has a less immediate explanation compared to DSCR, but when LLCR has a value greater than one, this is usually a strong reassurance for investors.

Limitations of LLCR

One limitation of the LLCR is that it does not pick up weak periods because it basically represents a discounted average that can smooth out rough patches. For this reason, if a project has a steady cash flows with a history of loan repayment, a good rule of thumb is that the LLCR should be roughly equal to the average debt service coverage ratio.
What Is a Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC)?jack and the beanstalk slot demo mode

A guaranteed investment contract (GIC) is a contract between an insurance company and an investor, typically a pension fund or an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k). The investor agrees to deposit a sum of money with the insurer for a specified period of time, and the insurer promises to pay the investor an agreed-upon interest rate, as well as to return its principal. Employees who participate in a 401(k) or similar plan often have GICs as one of their investment choices. GICs are sometimes called funding agreements.

Key Takeaways

A guaranteed investment contract (GIC) is an agreement between an investor and an insurance company, typically used in retirement plans.

The insurer guarantees the investor a certain rate of return in exchange for holding the deposit for a specified period.

GICs typically appeal to investors who are either risk-averse or looking for a conservative investment to balance out the more volatile portion of their portfolio.

GICs pay a relatively low rate of interest, putting them at risk of inflation.

How Guaranteed Investment Contracts Work

A GIC works something like a certificate of deposit (CD) from a bank, although GICs are typically purchased by institutions rather than individuals and often come in much higher denominations. Like CDs, GICs are considered a relatively low-risk investment. They also provide a lower rate of return than many other investments.

In retirement plans, GICs typically appeal to risk-averse investors or those who want to balance out their portfolios by putting some of their money into a low-risk account. GICs are often offered to retirement plan participants as part of a stable value fund or similarly named conservative investment option.

Most GICs have either a fixed interest rate or a variable interest rate that adjusts periodically based on a particular index.



What Does "Guaranteed" Mean With a GIC?

The word "guaranteed" in the term guaranteed investment contract can be misleading. While the insurance company guarantees that it will pay the agreed-upon interest rate and return the investor's principal, that guarantee is only as solid as the insurer itself.

When the federal government bailed out the huge insurance company AIG during the 2007-2008 financial crisis, one reason, it said, was to keep AIG from defaulting on its GICs. As officials of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York later testified, "Pension plans that had placed funds in AIG guaranteed investment contracts, or GICs, which function much like deposits in a bank, would have experienced significant losses, losses that would be passed along to retirees or to others whose aspirations to be retirees would surely have been changed."

GIC investors also face interest rate risk. Since GICs pay relatively low rates of interest, it can be easy for inflation to outstrip their performance. As an example, if a GIC pays 4% annual interest over its 10-year term, but inflation averages 6% during that same period, the purchaser will lose money in terms of purchasing power.

What Is a Synthetic Guaranteed Investment Contract (GIC)?

The Office of the Controller of the Currency defines a synthetic guaranteed investment contract as "a diversified portfolio of fixed-income securities that are insulated from interest rate volatility by contracts (wraps) from banks and insurance companies. In this arrangement, the 401(k) plan and its participants own the underlying invested assets (the portfolio of fixed-income securities that supports the stable value fund.)" With a regular GIC, by contrast, the insurance company owns the underlying assets as part of its general account.

What Is a Guaranteed Investment Certificate?

Not to be confused with a guaranteed investment contract, with which it shares the acronym GIC, a guaranteed investment certificate is a financial product in Canada. Guaranteed investment certificates are sold by Canadian banks, credit unions, and trust companies, often to individuals for their retirement accounts. The Canadian GIC is more like a U.S. CD than a U.S. GIC.

Are Guaranteed Investment Contracts Federally Insured?

No, there is no federal insurance for guaranteed investment contracts, unlike certificates of deposit, many of which are covered by either the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the National Credit Union Administration.

Some insurance products are covered by state insurance guaranty associations. However, many of those associations do not extend their coverage to include GICs.

The Bottom Line

Guaranteed investment contracts (GICs) are contracts between an insurance company and an investor, typically a pension fund or an employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k). Employees who participate in a 401(k) or similar plan often have GICs as one of their investment choices, sometimes as part of a stable value fund. Because of their low interest rates, GICs are especially susceptible to the risk of inflation.
roulette 100 winning strategyshows grade level based on the word's complexity. dash light New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun Automotive.a light built into the dashboard of an automobile for the purpose of illuminating the gauges and accessories.

Words nearby dash light

How to use in a sentence You just travel light with carry-on luggage, go to cities that you love, and get to hang out with all your friends. Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On Portlandia, Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swifts Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Coffee Talk with Fred Armisen: On Portlandia, Meeting Obama, and Taylor Swifts Greatness|Marlow Stern|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST And how we want to live our lives in light of those differences. In 2015, Lets Try for More Compassion|Gene Robinson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST

In 2015, Lets Try for More Compassion|Gene Robinson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST Gillingham tells Mary that he wants to make their lives simpler, but it sounds a little like the dying of the light. What Downtons Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST

What Downtons Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST As Randy notes, Maybe there is a value in shining a light on this and asking the questions. Your Husband Is Definitely Gay: TLCs Painful Portrait of Mormonism|Samantha Allen|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Make The Chews Carla Halls Sticky Toffee Pudding|Carla Hall|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Make The Chews Carla Halls Sticky Toffee Pudding|Carla Hall|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST Behold a dumpy, comfortable British paterfamilias in a light flannel suit and a faded sun hat. God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford She did not need a great cook-book; She knew how much and what it took To make things good and sweet and light. Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various

Boys and Girls Bookshelf; a Practical Plan of Character Building, Volume I (of 17)|Various Mr. Jones swung round a large iron key he held in his hand, and light dawned upon him. Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood Distance, the uncertain light, and imagination, magnified it to a high wall; high as the wall of China. The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne

The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne The faint candle-light glimmered on a ponderous gilded cornice, which had also sustained violence. Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondasher, dashi, dashiki, dashing, Dashing White Sergeant, dash light, dash off, dashpot, dash someone's hopes, Dasht-e-Kavir, Dasht-e-LutDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What is small cap altcoins with potentialDepletion?

Depletion is an accrual accounting technique used to allocate the cost of extracting natural resources such as timber, minerals, and oil from the earth.

Like depreciation and amortization, depletion is a non-cash expensethat lowers the cost value of an asset incrementally through scheduled charges to income. Where depletion differs is that it refers to the gradual exhaustion of natural resource reserves, as opposed to the wearing out of depreciable assets or aging life of intangibles.

How Depletion Works

Depletion for accounting and financial reporting purposes is meant to assist in accurately identifying the value of the assets on the balance sheet and recording expenses in the appropriate time period on the income statement.

When the costs associated with natural resource extraction have been capitalized, the expenses are systematically allocated across different time periods based upon the resources extracted. The costs are held on the balance sheet until expense recognition occurs.

Key Takeaways

Depletion is an accrual accounting method used to allocate the cost of extracting natural resources such as timber, minerals, and oil from the earth.

When the costs associated with natural resource extraction have been capitalized, the expenses are systematically allocated across different time periods based upon the resources extracted.

There are two basic forms of depletion allowance: percentage depletion and cost depletion.

Recording Depletion

To calculate what expenses need to be spread out for the use of natural resources, each different phase of production must be taken into consideration. The depletion base is the capitalized costs depleted across multiple accounting periods. There are four main factors that affect the depletion base:

Acquisition : Costs associated with purchasing or leasing the property rights to land that the company believes has natural resources.

: Costs associated with purchasing or leasing the property rights to land that the company believes has natural resources. Exploration: Expenses linked to digging under the land that was leased or bought.

Expenses linked to digging under the land that was leased or bought. Development: Thecosts necessary to prepare the land for natural resource extraction, such as tunneling or developing wells.

Thecosts necessary to prepare the land for natural resource extraction, such as tunneling or developing wells. Restoration:Expenses associated with restoring the land to its original condition after completion.

Percentage Depletion Method

One method of calculating depletion expense is the percentage depletion method. It assigns a fixed percentage to gross revenue  sales minus costs  to allocate expenses. For example, if $10 million of oil is extracted and the fixed percentage is 15%, $1.5 million of capitalized costs to extract the natural resource are depleted.

The percentage depletion method requires a lot of estimates and is, therefore, not a heavily relied upon or accepted method of depletion.

Cost Depletion Method

The second method of calculating depletion is the cost depletion method. Cost depletion is calculated by taking the property's basis, total recoverable reserves and number of units sold into account. The propertys basis is distributed among the total number of recoverable units. As natural resources are extracted, they are counted and taken out from the propertys basis.

For example, the capitalized costs of $1 million yields 500,000 barrels of oil. In the first year, if 100,000 barrels of oil are extracted, the depletion expense for the period is $200,000 (100,000 barrels * ($1,000,000 / 500,000 barrels)

Reporting Requirements

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires the cost method to be used with timber. It requires the method that yields the highest deduction to be used with mineral property, which it defines as oil and gas wells, mines and other natural deposits, including geothermal deposits.

Because the percentage depletion looks at the property's gross income and taxable income limit, as opposed to the amount of the natural resource extracted, it is not an acceptable reporting method for certain natural resources.
What Is Loan Grading?best online slot games for real money

Loan grading is a classification system that involves assigning a quality score to a loan based on a borrower's credit history, quality of the collateral, and the likelihood of repayment of the principal and interest. A score can also be applied to a portfolio of loans. Loan grading is part of a lending institution's loan review or credit risk system and is usually an aspect of the credit underwriting and approval processes.

There are many purposes for a loan review system, such as identifying loans with credit weaknesses so banks can take steps to minimize credit risk, identifying trends affecting the collectability of the loan portfolio, and for financial and regulatory reporting purposes.

Key Takeaways

Loan grading is a classification system that involves assigning a quality score to a loan based on a borrower's credit history, quality of the collateral, and the likelihood of repayment of the principal and interest.

Loan grading is part of a lending institution's loan review or credit risk system and is usually an aspect of the credit underwriting and approval processes.

The score takes into account not only the borrower's credit score but also a combination of several indicators of credit risk from the credit report and loan application, such as the level of guarantor support, repayment history, cash flow, projected yearly expenses, etc.

How Loan Grading Works

Being able to manage their lending capacity effectively is central to the success of a bank. So, banks must come up with a loan grading system that accurately evaluates credit risk, or the probability of loss due to a borrowers failure to make payments. The processes that banks use to grade loans help examiners and management make good lending decisions. There is no one correct system for grading loans, although the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) requires that all lending institutions have a loan review system. Larger institutions may maintain separate departments specifically for loan reviewing.

Depending on the size and complexity, banks develop different approaches. Community banks often use more broad factors to judge the risk of a loan, whereas larger, more complex institutions may rely on more quantitative approaches to measure and monitor credit risk. When assigning a score to a loan, the examiner will review the loan documentation, collateral, and the borrower's financial statements. The score takes into account not only the borrower's credit score but also a combination of several indicators of credit risk from the credit report and loan application. These factors may include the level of guarantor support, repayment history, cash flow, projected yearly expenses, etc.

Smaller institutions typically use an expert judgment system. In this system, a loan officer is entrusted with assigning a grade based on their judgment and knowledge. Other banks may use quantitative scorecards, or other modeled approaches, that allow for adjustments based on qualitative judgments. Since there are no regulatory requirements that mandate how a loan grading system is structured, it is up to banks to develop a system that is suitable for their size and complexity.
What Is Form 4952: Investment Interest Expense Deduction?pink panther playtech

Form 4952: Investment Interest Expense Deduction is a tax form distributed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) used to determine the amount of investment interest expense that can be deducted, as well as any interest expense that can be carried forward to a future tax year.

The IRS has different rules taxpayers must follow depending on where the interest comes from and whether it is investment, personal, business, or mortgage-related. If an investor pays or accrues interest on a loan and then uses the proceeds for several different purposes, the taxpayer may have to allocate the interest to ensure that the right interest rule is used.

Key Takeaways

IRS Form 4952 determines the amount of deductible investment interest expense as well as interest expense that can be carried forward.

The form must be filed by individuals, estates, or trusts seeking a deduction for investment interest expenses.

Certain expenses cannot be deducted such as home mortgage interest and qualified dividends.

Who Can File Form 4952: Investment Interest Expense Deduction?

Form 4952: Investment Interest Expense Deduction must be filed by individuals, estates, or trusts seeking a deduction for investment interest expenses. That means if you borrow money for an investment, you may be able to get a tax break. You can claim the interest on the investment as a deduction. Interest income may result from money borrowed specifically to purchase investments like parcels of land, commercial or residential investment properties, stocks, and non-tax-exempt bonds.

How to File Form 4952: Investment Interest Expense Deduction

There are three parts to Form 4952:

Part I: Total Investment Interest Expense. Here, the taxpayer calculates the total investment interest expense.

Total Investment Interest Expense. Here, the taxpayer calculates the total investment interest expense. Part II: Net Investment Interest. This figure is calculated after adjustments are made following the input of your gross income from property held for investment.

Net Investment Interest. This figure is calculated after adjustments are made following the input of your gross income from property held for investment. Part III:Investment Interest Expense Deduction. Here, you calculate any disallowed expense that can be carried forward to future years, and you figure out the current year's net investment interest expense deduction

The final figure from Part III is transferred to line 9 of Schedule A.

Form 4592.

Form 4952 is available on the IRS webpage.

The IRS limits the investment interest expense deduction to the taxpayer's net income from an investment.

Exceptions That Don't Qualify for Form 4952: Investment Interest Expense Deduction

According to the IRS, the following instances serve as exceptions to filing the form:

If the investment interest expense is less than your investment income from interest and ordinary dividends minus any qualified dividends.

If you don't have any other deductible investment expense.

There is no carryover of disallowed investment interest expense from the previous year.

In addition, the following investments do not qualify:
What Is an Insurance Premium?casino welcome offer au

An insurance premium is the amount of money an individual or business pays for an insurance policy. Insurance premiums are paid for policies that cover healthcare, auto, home, and life insurance. Once earned, the premium is income for the insurance company. It also represents a liability, as the insurer must provide coverage for claims being made against the policy. Failure to pay the premium on the individual or the business may result in the cancellation of the policy.

Key Takeaways

An insurance premium is the amount of money an individual or business must pay for an insurance policy.

Insurance premiums are paid for policies that cover healthcare, auto, home, and life insurance.

Failure to pay the premium on the part of the individual or the business may result in the cancellation of the policy and a loss of coverage.

Some premiums are paid quarterly, monthly, or semi-annually depending on the policy.

Shopping around for insurance may help you find affordable premiums.

How an Insurance Premium Works

When you sign up for an insurance policy, your insurer will charge you a premium. This is the amount you pay for the policy. Policyholders may choose from several options for paying their insurance premiums. Some insurers allow the policyholder to pay the insurance premium in installmentsmonthly or semi-annuallywhile others may require an upfront payment in full before any coverage starts.

The price of the premium depends on a variety of factors, including:

The type of coverage

Your age

The area in which you live

Any claims filed in the past

Moral hazard and adverse selection

There may be additional charges payable to the insurer on top of the premium, including taxes or services fees.

Auto Insurance

For example, in an auto insurance policy, the likelihood of a claim being made against a teenage driver living in an urban area may be higher than a teenage driver in a suburban area. In general, the greater the risk associated, the more expensive the insurance policy (and thus, the insurance premiums).

Life Insurance

In the case of a life insurance policy, the age at which you begin coverage will determine your premium amount, along with other risk factors (such as your current health). The younger you are, the lower your premiums will generally be. Conversely, the older you get, the more you pay in premiums to your insurance company.

How Premiums Are Calculated

Insurance premiums may increase after the policy period ends. The insurer may increase the premium for claims made during the previous period if the risk associated with offering a particular type of insurance increases, or if the cost of providing coverage increases.

Insurance companies generally employ actuaries to determine risk levels and premium prices for a given insurance policy. The emergence of sophisticated algorithms and artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing how insurance is priced and sold. There is an active debate between those who say algorithms will replace human actuaries in the future and those who contend the increasing use of algorithms will require greater participation of human actuaries and send the profession to a "next level."

Insurers use the premiums paid to them by their customers and policyholders to cover liabilities associated with the policies they underwrite. They may also invest in the premium to generate higher returns. This can offset some costs of providing insurance coverage and help an insurer keep its prices competitive.

While insurance companies may invest in assets with varying levels of liquidity and returns, they are required to maintain a certain level of liquidity at all times. State insurance regulators set the number of liquid assets necessary to ensure insurers can pay claims.

Special Considerations

Most consumers find shopping around to be the best way to find the cheapest insurance premiums. You may choose to shop around on your own with individual insurance companies. And if you are looking for quotes, it's fairly easy to do this by yourself online.

For example, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) allows uninsured consumers to shop around for health insurance policies on the marketplace. Upon logging in, the site requires some basic information such as your name, date of birth, address, and income, along with the personal information of anyone else in your household. You can choose from several options available based on your home stateeach with different premiums, deductibles, and copaysthe policy coverage changes based on the amount you pay.

The other option is to try going through an insurance agent or broker. They tend to work with a number of different companies and can try to get you the best quote. Many brokers can connect you to life, auto, home, and health insurance policies. However, it's important to remember that some of these brokers may be motivated by commissions.

What Do Insurers Do With the Premiums?

Insurers use the premiums paid to them by their customers and policyholders to cover liabilities associated with the policies they underwrite. Some insurers invest in the premium to generate higher returns. By doing so, the companies can offset some costs of providing insurance coverage and help an insurer keep its prices competitive within the market.

What Are the Key Factors Affecting Insurance Premiums?

Insurance premiums depend on a variety of factors including the type of coverage being purchased by the policyholder, the age of the policyholder, where the policyholder lives, the claim history of the policyholder, and moral hazard and adverse selection. Insurance premiums may increase after the policy period ends, or if the risk associated with offering a particular type of insurance increases. It may also change if the amount of coverage changes.

What Is an Actuary?

An actuary assesses and manages the risks of financial investments, insurance policies, and other potentially risky ventures. Actuaries assess particular situations financial risks, primarily using probability, economic theory, and computer science. Most actuaries work at insurance companies, where their risk-management capabilities are particularly applicable in determining risk levels and premium prices for a given insurance policy.
Oklahomas Comanche Nation has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of the Interior for allowing the Chickasaw Nation to build a new casinoclose to the states border with Texas, local news outlet NewsOk has reported.

The Comanche Nation claims that larger federally recognized tribes have been treated preferentially by federal authorities by being facilitated in their efforts to construct and operate casinos. Thus, such larger tribes have come to dominate the local gaming market, giving little chance to their smaller counterparts to thrive with profitable gambling businesses.

Under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, casinos cannot be built on land that was placed in trust after October 17, 1988. However, the Chickasaw Nation and other tribes have been able to take advantage of a special provision that has allowed them to construct gambling venues on sites that had once been part of reservation land. That special provision is what the Comanches are contesting in court.

The Comanche Nation filed its lawsuit with the US Western District Court of Oklahoma. The tribe claims that federal authorities have also, among other things, failed to require an obligatory formal studyof the effects the Chickasaw Nations gambling venue will have on the surrounding environment.

It was in May when the Chickasaw Nation commenced construction on a $10-million casinoin the town of Terral, located not far from the Texas border. The location of the gambling venue is intended to attract namely customers from the neighboring state, where Class III gambling options are prohibited by law, with the Kickapoo Tribes Lucky Eagle Casino being the only exception.

The facility is planned to spread over 36,000 square feet of landand will feature more than 600 gaming machines, six table games, as well as dining and retail facilities. According to the tribe, the gambling property will create 150 new jobs to the host community and will generate more than $3 million in annual payments. The casino is projected to open doors in early 2018.

As for the Comanche Nation, it currently operates a gambling venue located 50 miles from Terral, where the Chickasaw Nation is building its property. The Comanches are also planning to construct a new gaming facility in a portion of reservation land around 10 miles from the Chickasaws future casino.

The state of Oklahoma is home to around a quarter of all tribal casinosin the US and trails only behind California in terms of Native American gaming revenue generated per year. The Chickasaw Nation currently operates what it believes is the worlds largest casino.

The WinStar World Casino is located in Thackerville and features 7,400 gaming machines and more than 100 gaming tables for its patrons. The casino spreads over 600,000 square feet.
What Is a Protective Put?fortune 88 slot machine free play

A protective put is a risk-management strategy using options contracts that investors employ to guard against the loss of owning a stock or asset. The hedging strategy involves an investor buying a put option for a fee, called a premium.

Puts by themselves are a bearish strategy where the trader believes the price of the asset will decline in the future. However, a protective put is typically used when an investor is still bullish on a stock but wishes to hedge against potential losses and uncertainty.

Protective puts may be placed on stocks, currencies, commodities, and indexes and give some protection to the downside. A protective put acts as an insurance policy by providing downside protection in the event the price of the asset declines.

Key Takeaways

A protective put is a risk-management strategy using options contracts that investors employ to guard against a loss in a stock or other asset.

For the cost of the premium, protective puts act as an insurance policy by providing downside protection from an asset's price declines.

Protective puts offer unlimited potential for gains since the put buyer also owns shares of the underlying asset.

When a protective put covers the entire long position of the underlying, it is called a married put.

How a Protective Put Works

Protective puts are commonly utilized when an investor is long or purchases shares of stock or other assets that they intend to hold in their portfolio. Typically, an investor who owns stock has the risk of taking a loss on the investment if the stock price declines below the purchase price. By purchasing a put option, any losses on the stock are limited or capped.

The protective put sets a known floor price below which the investor will not continue to lose any added money even as the underlying asset's price continues to fall.

A put option is a contract that gives the owner the ability to sell a specific amount of the underlying security at a set price before or by a specified date. Unlike futures contracts, the options contract does not obligate the holder to sell the asset and only allows them to sell if they should choose to do so. The set price of the contract is known as the strike price, and the specified date is the expiration date or expiry. One option contract equates to 100 shares of the underlying asset.

Also, just like all things in life, put options are not free. The fee on an option contract is known as the premium. This price has a basis on several factors including the current price of the underlying asset, the time until expiration, and the implied volatility (IV)how likely the price is going to changeof the asset.

Strike Prices and Premiums

A protective put option contract can be bought at any time. Some investors will buy these at the same time and when they purchase the stock. Others may wait and buy the contract at a later date. Whenever they buy the option, the relationship between the price of the underlying asset and the strike price can place the contract into one of three categoriesknown as the moneyness. These categories include:

At-the-money (ATM) where strike and market are equal Out-of-the-money (OTM) where the strike is below the market In-the-money (ITM) where the strike is above the market

Investors looking to hedge losses on a holding primarily focus on the ATM and OTM option offerings.

Should the price of the asset and the strike price be the same, the contract is considered at-the-money (ATM). An at-the-money put option provides an investor with 100% protection until the option expires. Many times, a protective put will be at-the-money if it was bought at the same time the underlying asset is purchased.

An investor can also buy an out-of-the-money (OTM) put option. Out-of-the-money happens when the strike price is below the price of the stock or asset. An OTM put option does not provide 100% protection on the downside but instead caps the losses to the difference between the purchased stock price and the strike price. Investors use out-of-the-money options to lower the cost of the premium since they are willing to take a certain amount of a loss. Also, the further below the market value the strike is, the less the premium will become.

For example, an investor could determine they're unwilling to take losses beyond a 5% decline in the stock. An investor could buy a put option with a strike price that is 5% lower than the stock price thus creating a worst-case scenario of a 5% loss if the stock declines. Different strike prices and expiration dates are available for options giving investors the ability to tailor the protectionand the premium fee.

Important

A protective put is also known as a married put when the options contracts are matched one-for-one with shares of stock owned.

Potential Scenarios with Protective Puts

A protective put keeps downside losses limited while preserving unlimited potential gains to the upside. However, the strategy involves being long the underlying stock. If the stock keeps rising, the long stock position benefits and the bought put option is not needed and will expire worthlessly. All that will be lost is the premium paid to buy the put option. In this scenario where the original put expired, the investor will buy another protective put, again protecting their holdings.

Protective puts can cover a portion of an investor's long position or their entire holdings. When the ratio of protective put coverage is equal to the amount of long stock, the strategy is known as a married put.

Married puts are commonly used when investors want to buy a stock and immediately purchase the put to protect the position. However, an investor can buy the protective put option at any time as long as they own the stock.

Image by Julie Bang  Investopedia 2019

The maximum loss of a protective put strategy is limited to the cost of buying the underlying stockalong with any commissionsless the strike price of the put option plus the premium and any commissions paid to buy the option.

The strike price of the put option acts as a barrier where losses in the underlying stock stop. The ideal situation in a protective put is for the stock price to increase significantly, as the investor would benefit from the long stock position. In this case, the put option will expire worthlessly, the investor will have paid the premium, but the stock will have increased in value.

For the cost of the premium, protective puts provide downside protection from an asset's price declines.

Protective puts allow investors to remain long a stock offering the potential for gains.

If an investor buys a put and the stock price rises, the cost of the premium reduces the profits on the trade.

If the stock declines in price and a put has been purchased, the premium adds to the losses on the trade.

Real-World Example of a Protective Put

ProsCons

Let's say an investor purchased 100 shares of General Electric Company (GE) stock for $10 per share. The price of the stock then increased to $20, giving the investor $10 per share in unrealized gainsunrealized because it has not been sold yet.

The investor does not want to sell their GE holdings, because the stock might appreciate further. They also do not want to lose the $10 in unrealized gains. The investor can purchase a put option for the stock to protect a portion of the gains for as long as the option contract is in force.

The investor buys a put option with a strike price of $15 for 75 cents, which creates a worst-case scenario of selling the stock for $15 per share. The put option expires in three months. If the stock falls back to $10 or below, the investor gains on the put option from $15 and below on a dollar-for-dollar basis. In short, anywhere below $15, the investor is hedged until the option expires.

The option premium cost is $75 ($0.75 x 100 shares). As a result, the investor has locked in a minimum profit equal to $425 ($15 strike price - $10 purchase price =$5 - $0.75 premium = $4.25 x 100 shares = $425).

To put it another way, if the stock declined back to the $10 price point, unwinding the position would yield a profit of $4.25 per share, because the investor earned $5 in profitthe $15 strike less $10 initial purchase priceminus the 0.75 cents premium.

If the investor didn't buy the put option, and the stock fell back to $10, there would be no profit. On the other hand, if the investor bought the put and the stock rose to $30 per share, there would be a $20 gain on the trade. The $20 per share gain would pay the investor $2,000 ($30 - $10 initial purchase x 100 shares = $2000). The investor must then deduct the $75 premium paid for the option and would walk away with a net profit of $1925.

Of course, the investor would also need to consider the commission they paid for the initial order and any charges incurred when they sell their shares. For the cost of the premium, the investor has protected some of the profit from the trade until the option's expiry while still being able to participate in further price increases.

Finally, the investor should realize that the $75 premium for the put is essentially the cost of insurance on the position. One could argue that they would have been better off not buying the put at all if it remains above $10. However, as with all insurance, it provides peace of mind and protection in the case of an adverse event.
What Is the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)?payment crypto

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a standardized set of laws and regulations for transacting business. The UCC code was established in 1953 because it was becoming increasingly difficult for companies to transact business across state lines given the various state laws.

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is important since it helps companies in different states to transact with each other by providing a standard legal and contractual framework. The UCC laws have been fully adopted by most states in the U.S. Although there are some slight variations from state to state, the UCC code consists of nine separate articles. The UCC articles govern various types of transactions, including banking and loans.

Key Takeaways

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is a set of business laws that regulate financial contracts and transactions employed across states.

The UCC code consists of nine separate articles, each of which covers separate aspects of banking and loans.

Companies that conduct business transactions outside of their home state must comply with the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC).

The UCC code has been fully adopted by most states and adapted slightly by others.

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) was not established through Congress but rather by private organizations.

How the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Works

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) laws regulate sales of personal property and various other transactions. If youve ever purchased a business or a vehicle in the past, chances are you signed a UCC-1 statement. The title remains in the lenders possession until the loan is paid off.

The policies instituted under the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) are largely focused on the activities of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Part of the intent is to clear up confusion over how each state might separately regulate such operations.

Although the UCC code regulates dealings involving personal property, it does not govern real property such as land or any structures attached to land.

The UCC code imposes standards for processing checks and other types of commercial paper. Often it is applied to the property secured by a bank where the title is held until the borrower pays off the balance of the financing.

Companies that conduct business transactions outside of their home state must comply with the applicable UCC law, including when leasing equipment, selling goods, borrowing money, and establishing contracts.

Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Articles

Below is an outline of what the nine different articles in the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) address:

Article 1:General provisions establish definitions and certain parameters for how the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) is to be applied. It was last updated in 2001.

Article 2/2a:The sale of goods, excluding real estate and service contracts. Article 2a covers leases of personal property.

Article 3:Checks, drafts, and other negotiable instruments, such as notes (the promise to pay money). An item is considered negotiable if it can be transferred to another individual and still be enforceable against the original payer.

Article 4/4a:Bank deposits and collections, which covers rules for check processing and automated inter-bank collections. Article 4a focuses on fund transfers.

Article 5: Letters of credit, those of which are issued by a bank for trade facilitation.

Article 6:Bulk sales, auctions, and liquidations of assets. Most states believe this article to be obsolete and the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) has recommended a repeal, which most states have adopted.

Article 7:Documents of title, including warehouse receipts, bulk sales, and bills of lading (BoL).

Article 8:Investment securities; specifically the holding of securities through intermediaries.

Article 9:Secured transactions of personal property, agricultural liens, promissory notes, consignments, and security interests.

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) undergoes frequent revisions that address specific articles.

History of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC)

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) was not established through Congress. It was created by private organizations that include the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), which is also known as the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL), and the American Law Institute (ALI).

The ULC was established in 1892 with the purpose of creating uniform commercial law. The organization established a variety of laws from its founding up until the 1950s. In the 1950s, along with the ALI, the ULC compiled all the commercial laws into one set of commercial codes for states to follow.

The UCC was presented to the states in 1951, with Pennsylvania being the first to adopt the UCC in 1953 with other states adopting the code over time. Louisiana is now the only state that has not fully ratified the code, though it has adopted part of it.

Special Considerations

Each state has the option of adopting the code as it is written or adopting and modifying provisions of it.

Louisiana did not adopt Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) as written. The state also did not adopt Article 2A, which covers the lease and rental of personal property that is not regarded as real estate.

California has made some modifications, too, implementing its own version of the UCC laws. Real estate contracts are one of the exceptions to California's adoption of the UCC. For the purchase of real estate, such as a warehouse, the laws regulating this purchase are not in California's commercial code but rather the laws and regulations specifically set by the state regarding real estate.

Service contracts in California are also not covered by the UCC. Service contracts include auto repairs, painting jobs, interior decor, and so on. These activities are covered by state insurance laws.

Who Does the Uniform Commercial Code Protect?

The Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) was established to protect all individuals engaged in business. It was created in order to standardize commerce between states, whether that commerce occurs between individuals or businesses.

What Does the Uniform Commercial Code Article 2 and 2A Cover?

Uniform Commercial Code Article 2 covers the sale of goods, excluding real estate and service contracts, while Article 2a covers leases of personal property.

How Does a UCC Lien Work?

A UCC lien, also known as a UCC filing, is a form that a creditor files to provide notice that they have an interest in the property of a debtor, whether that property is personal or business. The overall purpose of a UCC lien is to allow a creditor to claim collateral on financing with a debtor. The creditor will have the right to the property in the lien until the financial obligation has been repaid by the debtor.

What Is the UCC Filing Fee?

The UCC filing fee is $40 for paper filings and $20 for electronic filings in New York.
Britain's Prime Minister Liz Truss looks down during a press conference in the Downing Street Briefing Room in central London on October 14, 2022. Photo:AFP

While Liz Truss is the architect of her own troubles in the UK right now, it is the financial markets that possess the mechanisms which will ultimately bring her down.When they saw that the economic stability, which they crave and on which their profits depend, was threatened by her preposterous policies, they acted to protect themselves. If that meant possibly bringing down an outspoken devotee of free market capitalism, then so be it.Capitalism doesn't care about the sovereignty of any state. It doesn't care about individuals, their intentions or philosophies, or even the well-being of millions of people who are hopelessly dependent on their nation's economy. In the great capitalist scheme of things, capitalism doesn't care about any of that, beyond the simple extent to which these things can serve capitalism.Truss, in office barely six weeks, has caused a period of financial tumult with a controversial mini-budget, which included unfunded tax cuts, undermining confidence in her government and in the UK' currency. Last week, she sacrificed her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng (in office for barely 38 days). She sacked him for implementing the very fiscal measures central to her own economic strategy. She also reversed several key measures that were fundamental to that strategy. Why? Because the markets told her to.The markets' response to the mini-budget caused sterling to nose dive, pension funds to panic, banks to hike mortgage interest rates for millions of householders, and the Bank of England to pour in tens of billions of pounds worth of support. Truss responded by dumping Kwarteng and promising to retain a scheduled rise in corporation tax, which she had previously said she would scrap. To further steady investors' nerves, she also scrapped plans to abolish the UK's 45 percent higher tax rate, and she is proposing an increased tax take from energy companies, which sounds very like backtracking on a pledge she made to not introduce a windfall tax. Why? Because the markets told her to.Truss was forced to dismantle her radical plans. This is because the markets exerted their influence. They have forced significant U-turns and even cost a chancellor his job. Will it stop there, or will they also force a prime minister out of office?Unlike Margaret Thatcher, who famously declared herself a lady "not for turning" and on whom Truss rather embarrassingly styles herself, the current UK prime minister appears to be very much a lady for turning. Truss was prepared to cancel her government's economic plans just to appease the money markets. The financiers are back in control.Some might argue that a readiness to acknowledge one's errors is a measure of strength in anyone, especially a national leader. Some might argue that it shows that the interests of the country are that leader's central focus. But with Truss, this is more than outweighed by her stubborn refusal at the outset to listen to voices of caution before the measures were announced and implemented, even to the point of admitting the potential - even the certainty - for catastrophic damage and claiming it was a necessary collateral for the policy to succeed.Yes, self-awareness and humility in a leader, and the capacity to change course, can be a great strength - but not if that is happening all the time. In Truss' case, it has happened continually in what should have been the honeymoon period of her premiership, in which she could have been given the opportunity to prove herself. Now, she has been backed into a corner and her only course of action is submission.The new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, has already admitted that - contrary to Truss' original promises - there will be spending cuts to public services and tax rises. He has also declined to say whether he will honor Truss' pledges to increase defense spending to 3 percent of GDP and cut the basic rate of income tax for millions of people. He is doing what he thinks the markets want to hear and encourage confidence.Governments can be hostages to fortune, or, more accurately, the blind economic forces of fortune hunters. Thirty years ago, on a day that became known as Black Monday, speculators broke the pound by shorting the currency and making themselves billions. The markets don't care.Karl Marx said that capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction. While he might not have foreseen the intricacies of a 21st century economy, he might have appreciated the irony capitalist interests doing damage to capitalist economies. Capitalism is like a snake devouring its own tail.The author is a journalist and lecturer living in Britain. [email protected]
Russian Pacific Fleets flagship Varyag, a Slava-class guided missile cruiser, arrives at a naval base in Qingdao, east Chinas Shandong Province, April 21, 2012.

A China-Russia joint maritime drill is scheduled to take place from April 22 to 27 on the Yellow Sea. A welcome ceremony was held by Chinas Beihai Fleet at the naval base on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

Sailors line up aboard the Russian Pacific Fleets flagship Varyag, a Slava-class guided missile cruiser, as the vessel arrives at a naval base in Qingdao, east Chinas Shandong Province, April 21, 2012. A China-Russia joint maritime drill is scheduled to take place from April 22 to 27 on the Yellow Sea. A welcome ceremony was held by Chinas Beihai Fleet at the naval base on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

Chinese journalists onshore.

Russian cruiser Varyag is the third ship of the Slava class of guided missile cruisers built for the Soviet Navy now serving the Russian Navy.

Marshal Shaposhnikov, a Udaloy-class destroyer of Russias Pacific Fleet, arrives at a naval base in Qingdao, east Chinas Shandong Province, April 21, 2012. A China-Russia joint maritime drill is scheduled to take place from April 22 to 27 on the Yellow Sea. A welcome ceremony was held by Chinas Beihai Fleet at the naval base on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

Admiral Vinogradov, a Udaloy-class destroyer of Russias Pacific Fleet, arrives at a naval base in Qingdao, east Chinas Shandong Province, April 21, 2012. A China-Russia joint maritime drill is scheduled to take place from April 22 to 27 on the Yellow Sea. A welcome ceremony was held by Chinas Beihai Fleet at the naval base on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

A girl presents a flower bouquet to Captain First Rank Sergei Yuriyevich Zhuga of Russias Pacific Fleet during a welcome ceremony at a naval base in Qingdao, east Chinas Shandong Province, April 21, 2012. A China-Russia joint maritime drill is scheduled to take place from April 22 to 27 on the Yellow Sea. A welcome ceremony was held by Chinas Beihai Fleet at the naval base on Saturday. (Xinhua/Zha Chunming)

Russian Pacific Fleets flagship Varyag arrives in China for joint drilladded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Was China's One-Child Policy?demo slot bonanza judi rolex online

The one-child policy was a rule implemented by the Chinese government mandating that the vast majority of couples in the country could only have one child. This was intended to alleviate the social, economic, and environmental problems associated with the country's rapidly growing population. The rule was introduced in 1979 and phased out in 2015.

Key Takeaways

The one-child policy was a Chinese government policy to control population growth. According to estimates, it prevented about 400 million births in the country.

It was introduced in 1979 and discontinued in 2015, and enforced through a mix of incentives and sanctions.

The one-child policy has had three important consequences for China's demographics: it reduced the fertility rate considerably, it skewed China's gender ratio because people preferred to abort or abandon their female babies, and resulted in a labor shortage due to more seniors who rely on their children to take care of them.

Understanding China's One-Child Policy

The one-child policy was introduced in 1979 in response to explosive population growth. China has a long history of encouraging birth control and family planning. By the 1950s, population growth started to outpace the food supply, and the government started promoting birth control. Following Mao Zedongs Great Leap Forward in 1958, a plan to rapidly modernize Chinas economy, a catastrophic famine ensued, which resulted in the deaths of tens of millions of Chinese.

However, by the late 70s, China's population was quickly approaching the 1 billion mark, and the Chinese government was forced to give serious consideration to curbing the population growth rate. This effort began in 1979 with mixed results but was implemented more seriously and uniformly in 1980, as the government standardized the practice nationwide.

There were, however, certain exceptions, for ethnic minorities, for those whose firstborn was handicapped, and for rural families in which the firstborn was not a boy. The policy was most effective in urban areas, where it was generally well-received by nuclear families, more willing to comply with the policy; the policy was resisted to some extent in agrarian communities in China.

Initially, the one-child policy was meant to be a temporary measure and is estimated to have prevented up to 400 million births since it was instituted. Ultimately, China ended its one-child policy realizing that too many Chinese were heading into retirement, and the nation's population had too few young people entering the labor force to provide for the older population's retirement, healthcare, and continued economic growth.

The government-mandated policy was formally ended with little fanfare on Oct. 29, 2015, after its rules had been slowly relaxed to allow more couples fitting certain criteria to have a second child. Now, all couples are allowed to have two children.

Enforcement

There were various methods of enforcement, both through incentives and sanctions. For those who complied there were financial incentives, as well as preferential employment opportunities. For those who violated the policy, there were sanctions, economic and otherwise. At times, the government employed more draconian measures, including forced abortions and sterilizations.

The one-child policy was officially discontinued in 2015 and the government attempted to replace it with a two-child policy. The efficacy of the policy itself, though, has been challenged, as it is true that populations, generally, naturally taper off as societies get wealthier. In China's case, as the birth rate declined, the death rate declined, too, and life expectancy increased.

One-Child Policy Implications

The one-child policy had serious implications for China's demographic and economic future. In 2017, China's fertility rate was 1.7, among the lowest in the world.

China now has a considerable gender skewthere are roughly 3-4% more males than females in the country. With the implementation of the one-child policy and the preference for male children, China saw a rise in female fetus abortions, increases in the number of baby girls left in orphanages, and even increases in infanticide of baby girls. There were 33 million more men, with 116 boys for every 100 girls, as compared to women in China.

This will have an impact on marriage in the country, and a number of factors surrounding marriage, for years to come. Lower numbers of females also mean that there were fewer women of child-bearing age in China.

The drop in birth rates meant fewer children, which occurred as death rates dropped and longevity rates rose. It is estimated that a third of China's population will be over the age of 60 by 2050. That means more elderly people relying on their children to support them, and fewer children to do so. So, China is facing a labor shortage and will have trouble supporting this aging population through its state services.

And finally, the one-child policy has led to the proliferation of undocumented, non-first-born children. Their status as undocumented makes it impossible to leave China legally, as they cannot register for a passport. They have no access to public education. Oftentimes, their parents were fined or removed from their jobs.

One-Child Policy FAQs

Does China Still Have the One-Child Policy?

No. China reverted to a two-child policy after its one-child policy ended in 2015. While restrictions had been gradually loosened over time.

What Caused Chinas One-Child Policy?

China's one-child policy was implemented to curb overpopulation that strained the country's food supply and natural and economic resources following its industrialization in the 1950s.

What Are the Effects of China's One-Child Policy?

Gender imbalance, an aging population, and a shrinking workforce are all effects of China's 1979 policy. To this day, China has the most skewed sex ratio at birth in the world, due to a cultural preference for male offspring.

Who Ended the One-Child Policy?

The Chinese government, led by the Chinese Communist Party's Xi Jinping, ended the controversial one-child policy in 2015.

What Happened If You Broke the One-Child Policy?

Violators of China's one-child policy were fined, forced to have abortions or sterilizations, and lost their jobs.
Brazil may ban the use of credit and debit cards as well as other means for digital payments for betting on offshore gambling websites, local media has reported.

Brazilian Sen. Ciro Nogueira has recently introduced a bill that aims to close a loophole in Brazils existing gambling regulations that makes it possible for local casino players and bettors to wager money on international websites. The lawmaker has cited studies, according to which Brazilians spend R$3 billion (approximately $950 million) on iGaming activities per year.

At present, online gambling services are prohibited from being provided by Brazil-based companies. However, although most forms of gambling are banned in the country, its current gambling law can be circumvented so that gambling customers can spend money on offshore websites.

Sen. Nogueira has explained that his bill approached the matter in a manner similar to other jurisdictions such as France, Australia, and the United States, and would prevent both players and Brazil as a whole from losing money to international entities. With the country lacking an adequate iGaming regulatory framework, it annually loses millions of untaxed money to unlicensed operators.

Under Sen. Nogueiras bill, Brazils Central Bank will have to craft rules and mechanisms for preventing Brazil-based gambling customers from using their debit and credit cards as well as other means for electronic payments to gamble on offshore websites. The legislative piece also supports the legalization and regulation of online gambling, but only in a responsible manner. It is yet to be seen whether Sen. Nogueiras bill will gain the necessary momentum to be enacted.

Brazil has been working on the establishment of a framework that would give clearer definitions of what is legal in the country and what is not and would modernize its gambling landscape. There have been two separate legislative piecesto have been discussed by the two chambers of the countrys legislature, but both have been stuck for quite some time without making any progress.

It is also important to note that the two bills call for opposite approaches towards gambling. One of them approves the legalization of iGaming and other types of gambling services, while the other presents a more conservative lookon the matter.

According to multiple studies, Brazil has the potential to become one of the worlds largest regulated jurisdictions. The Brazilian Legal Gaming Institute has reported that around R$20 billion ($6.4 billion) is generated from illegal gambling services every year. In terms of wagers placed, the countrys gambling market has been valued at around R$55 billion ($17.6 billion).
Chinese authorities on Friday released 21 Vietnamese fishermen and their two fishing boats, who had been detained for over a month at Chinas Xisha Islands over allegations of illegal fishing.

The fishermen were released after they guaranteed in writing not to infringe on Chinas maritime rights, especially fishing, in its territorial waters, the South China Sea Fishery Bureau under the Ministry of Agriculture announced.

Chinas patrol ship detained the Vietnamese fishermen at Xisha Islands on March 4. The Vietnamese fishing boats were loaded with 25 kilograms of explosives, other tools for dynamite fishing, and hundreds of kilograms of sea catches when they were caught.

A Vietnamese fishing boat is released on April 20, 2012 after being detained by Chinese authorities over allegations of illegal fishing at Chinas Xisha Islands.

China releases 21 Vietnamese fishermen been detained over allegations of illegal fishingadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
edmonton hotel and casinoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. cathedral hull New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nouna motorboat hull having a bottom characterized by two or more, usually three, V-shaped hull profiles meeting below the waterline.

Words nearby cathedral hull

How to use in a sentence And, thanks to a transparent hull, exploring the deep and spotting rare marine life is practically a cinch. The Most Exciting New Hotels, Restaurants, and Submarines of 2014|Charlie Gilbert|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The Most Exciting New Hotels, Restaurants, and Submarines of 2014|Charlie Gilbert|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST In 1997, an earthquake in Assisi caused the collapse of the main cathedral and killed ten people. Florence Preps David for the Big One|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Florence Preps David for the Big One|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST Here it is being performed by the Westminster Cathedral Choir. Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST He led the packed cathedral in applause for Ramos and Liu and asked Bratton to bring a message to the men and women of the NYPD. 'Please Don't Die!': The Frantic Battle to Save Murdered Cops|Michael Daly|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST Jimbo and I walked up its ramp and into the hull, which looked like the gutted inside of a school bus. I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I Shot Bin Laden|Elliot Ackerman|November 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST The cathedral is the only Spanish parochial church; it cares for two thousand four hundred souls. The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various Father Fochel of the Cathedral had attempted to explain it; but he had not done so to her satisfaction. The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin

The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin They have an old Cathedral here (now Presbyterian) of which the citizens seem quite proud, I can't perceive why. Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley Inside the walls of Manila there is only one Spanish parochial church, namely, the cathedral. The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various

The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various In facton account of conditions beyond my choice and controlI spent too much time on the wrong side of the hull shields. Fee of the Frontier|Horace Brown Fyfe

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questioncathectic, cathedra, cathedral, cathedral ceiling, cathedral glass, cathedral hull, cathepsin, Cather, Catherine, Catherine de' Medici, Catherine de MedicisDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is Net Cash?brian christopher slots

Net cash is a figure that is reported on a company's financial statements. It is calculated by subtracting a company's total liabilities from its total cash. The net cash figure is commonly used when evaluating a company's cash flows. Net cash may also refer to the amount of cash remaining after a transaction has been completed and all associated charges and deductions have been subtracted.

Key Takeaways

Net cash, a figure that is reported on a company's financial statements, is calculated by subtracting a company's total liabilities from its total cash.

The net cash figure is commonly used when evaluating a company's cash flows.

Net cash may also refer to the amount of cash remaining after a transaction has been completed and all associated charges and deductions have been subtracted.

Net Cash

Understanding Net Cash

1:39

Similar to the current ratio, net cash is a measure of a company's liquidityor its ability to quickly meet its financial obligations. A company's financial obligations can include standard operating costs, payments on debts, or investment activities.

In order to calculate net cash, you must first add up all cash (not credit) receipts for a period. This amount is often referred to as "gross cash." Once totaled, cash outflows paid out for obligations and liabilities are deducted from gross cash; the difference is net cash.

When net cash is used in relation to stock investing, it sometimes refers to an abbreviated version of the term "net cash per share." Investors can use net cash to help determine whether a company's stock is an attractive investment.

Net Cash vs. Net Cash Flow

Net cash flow refers to either the gain or loss of funds over a period (after all debts have been paid). When a business has a surplus of cash after paying all its operating costs, it is said to have a positive cash flow. If the company is paying more for obligations and liabilities than what it earns through operations, it is said to have a negative cash flow.

A negative cash flow does not mean a company is unable to pay all of its obligations; it just means that the amount of cash received for that period was insufficient to cover its obligations for that same time period. If other savings vehicles are liquidated to meet the obligationor additional debt is accrued that does not involve the receipt of a lump sum deposita company can meet all of its obligations while maintaining a negative cash flow.

Analyzing what activities contribute to positive or negative net cash is essential when using net cash as a barometer for determining the financial health of a company. Positive net cash from events such as increased profits from sales, or reduced obligations, can be indicative of a well-functioning, healthy firm. However, certain activities may result in a positive cash flow that may not reflect positively on a companys financial health, such as money received as a result of incurring a new debt or activities associated with a lump-sum loan deposit.
M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge

B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis

The question of why one should study geography is a valid question. Many around the world do not understand the tangible benefits of studying geography. Many might think that those who study geography have no career options in the field because most people do not know anyone who has the job title of geographer.

Nonetheless, geography is a diverse discipline that can lead to a myriad of career options in areas ranging from business location systems to emergency management.

Study Geography to Understand Our Planet

Studying geography can provide an individual with a holistic understanding of our planet and its systems. Those who study geography are better prepared to understand topics impacting our planet such as climate change, global warming, desertification, El Nino, water resource issues, among others. With their understanding of political geography, those who study geography are well-positioned to comprehend and explain global political issues that occur between countries, cultures, cities and their hinterlands, and between regions within countries. With instant global communications and media coverage of geopolitical hotspots around the world on twenty-four-hour news channels and on the Internet, the world might seem like it has gotten smaller. Yet centuries-old conflict and strife remain despite huge technological developments over the past few decades.

Studying Geographical Regions

While the developed world has developed rather rapidly, the developing world, as disasters frequently remind us, has yet to benefit from many of those advances. Those who study geography learn about differences between world regions. Some geographers devote their studies and careers to learning and understanding a specific region or country of the world. They study the culture, foods, language, religion, landscape and all aspects of the region to become an expert. This type of geographer is desperately needed in our world for the better understanding of our world and its regions. Those who are experts in various hotspot regions of the world are certain to find career opportunities.

Being a Well-Educated Global Citizen

In addition to knowing about our planet and its people, those who choose to study geography will learn to think critically, research, and communicate their thoughts through writing and other means of communication independently. They will thus have skills that are valued in all careers.

Finally, geography is a well-rounded discipline that provides students not only with ample career opportunities but it also provides students with knowledge about our rapidly-changing world and how humans are impacting our planet.

Importance of Geography

Geography has been called "the mother of all sciences," it was one of the first fields of study and academic disciplines developed as humans sought to find out what was on the other side of the mountain or across the sea. Exploration led to the discovery of our planet and its amazing resources. Physical geographers study the landscapes, landforms, and the terrain of our planet while cultural geographers study out cities, our transportation networks, and our ways of life. Geography is a fascinating discipline that combines knowledge of many fields to help scientists and researchers better understand this amazing planet.
The following article reflects the knowledge, experience, and well-reasoned opinions of the authors and is not meant to be construed in any way as legal advice. Online gamblers in all US states should consult their state laws or seek legal counsel to determine if online gambling at unlicensed offshore websites or gambling venues licensed by regulators located anywhere but within their domiciled states is a crime or a right to be exercised freely by responsible adults. The same applies to federal gambling laws or any other ancillary issue related to online gambling.

Regulators from seven US stateshave contacted the United States Department of Justice in an attempt to nudge the DOJ into doing something about offshore competition in the online gambling market.

Not Understanding Federal Law?

As is usually the case when such actions occur, the signatories refer to all offshore gambling sites with a broad brush whether purposefully or not  lumping all other operators of gambling into one basket and broadly referring to them as illegalonline gambling sites.

At least that is the implication as state regulators and spokespeople from the American Gaming Association (AGA) consistently leave out any real differentiation among casino sites licensed offshore, illegal sportsbetting sites, and the very small handful of operators that provide services to players in the USA with no known license at all.

Painting every online gambling operator with the same broad brush appears to the informed consumer or observer as disingenuous at best.

The most recent public relations gambit is co-signed by regulators in some of the most financially successful US gambling states including Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, and New Jersey.

Some of the issues addressed in the letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland are some real and unreal dangers the ill-informed assume are associated with gambling online. These include age verification, money laundering concerns, responsible gambling protocol, game fairness, and the lack of each or any state capturing tax revenues.

The letter also states that offshore operators are not subject to any licensing requirements. The vast majority of those points are incorrect and are most likely based on good-faith misunderstandings of how offshore online gambling operators actually operate.

Well over 90% of offshore casinos and most sportsbooks that serve US players are licensed in the jurisdiction of Curacao (formerly known as the Netherland Antilles). Operators are required to verify the identity, age, ownership of financial instruments used to deposit, a players address, their subscription to local utilities, and quite often a copy of their bank account statements at a minimum.

Three Decades of Compliance

Operators in the offshore jurisdiction of Curacao have followed essentially the same protocol since the mid-1990s.

These documents cover nearly all of the concerns raised by the regulators including money-laundering concerns.

The over-arching government-sanctioned gambling license issuer makes sure that anti-money laundering concerns are taken care of through international authorities in compliance with an anti-money laundering/counter financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) framework that addresses both risk issues.

In a nutshell, whats known as document verification  which is enforced by 99% of all offshore operators as any offshore player knows  addresses all concerns listed except responsible gambling issues and tax collections.

Responsible gambling is only addressed at the most critical level which is gambler self-exclusion. Even there, if an operator refuses to let a gambler self-exclude, they will have their Curacao license revoked. However, there are no auxiliary tools available for players to set deposit or time limits, force breaks at prescribed time intervals, or any of the other things more stringent regulatory regimes such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the British Gambling Commission may require.

That leaves the competition for the gambling dollar and state tax revenues buried in slurs of illegality, and black market accusations.

While this may seem to be counter-intuitive, offshore casinos are actually not illegal at the federal level nor have they ever been in the United States. It is, however, incumbent upon each consumer to check their own state laws to determine if the practice might be legal in their state. If competent legal counsel is indicated, that should be sought.

The Wire Act of 1961

Interstate or Inter-territorial sports betting is illegal in the United Statesand has been since 1961. While the US DOJ under various administrations has sided with casino moguls such as the late Sheldon Adelson in determining offshore casino gambling to be illegal, the worlds biggest lottery company by gross receipt,s, IGT recently sought and received a declaratory judgment (once and for all) that very specifically informs that The Wire Act only applies to sports betting operations. The act of casino gambling has no federal law to prohibit it.

The sticky wicket in this reality is the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006) which neither creates new gambling laws nor modifies any existing laws as clearly stated in the law itself. It does, however, make most online financial transactions (deposits and withdrawals) illegal and de facto money laundering simply because US financial institutions have been given guidance that assumes the Wire Act applies to all interstate or inter-territorial wagers.

However, the very act of providing a gambling serviceor a US citizen partaking in offshore gamblingis not a crime at the federal level by any law this editor has seen in nearly three decades in the industry. so its unclear how Attorney General Merrick Garland could be of assistance to state regulators unless he attacks the practice from the side and deems them all to be illegal thanks to incorrect guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) which was issued during the Bush administration in 2007 under thefalse premisethat the Wire Act actually applied to anything but sportsbetting.

In the letter to AG Garland, the Executive Director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), Henry Williams states: In Michigan, strict laws and rules govern internet gaming and sports betting and provide consumer protections, promote confidence and ensure fair and honest gaming. We are willing to help the US Department of Justice in any way we can as it pursues enforcement of US laws against offshore illegal gaming enterprises that take advantage of our citizens.

State regulators like the MGCB ensure operators offer products that pass technical standards and testing, and we also require operators to comply with reporting requirements.

Offshore operators flaunt state regulations and offer products that do not protect the public, which greatly concerns me and my fellow state regulators, Williams added.

He continued, Regulated operators recognize licensing is a privilege that can be taken away, but illegal operators do not face similar consequences for failure to follow laws and maintain integrity.

Source: Regulators urge DoJ to take action on offshore gambling, iGaming Business, May 5, 2023
02:49

Up to 23 million people across the United States may be suffering from long COVID,online casino instant play Australia living with a variety of symptoms that last for months, long after being infected by the coronavirus.

While some of the symptoms can be defined as fatigue, headaches, or loss of taste and smell, some cases are associated with excruciating pain, neurologic symptoms, and sleep deprivation that can devastate lives.

In the absence of concrete medical advice or support from the government, many victims have turned to each other for help.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.
What Does Income From Operations Mean?best online sportsbook deposit bonus

Income from operations (IFO) is also known as operating income or EBIT. Income from operations is the profit realized from a business' own operations. Income from operations is generated from running the primary business and excludes income from other sources. For example, this would exclude income generated from selling the property of a manufacturing company.

Understanding Income From Operations (IFO)

Income from operations is the same as operating income. By only looking at the profit generated in normal business operations, it makes it easier to understand the potential future profitability of the company. To calculate operating income, start with revenue from operations, then subtract the cost of goods sold and other operating expenses such as the cost of labor. Interest earned or paid should not be included. Taxes paid should not be deducted either. Do not include any gains or losses from investments or the purchase or sale of business assets. Income from operations only involves revenue and expenses involved in the day-to-day run of the business.

Example of Income From Operations

For example, if a car company spends $100,000 building and selling cars then sells them for $110,000, it has $10,000 in income from operations. Because this is income generated only from normal operations, an investor could assume that similar income will be generated every year as long as operations continue.

As another example, if Bob sells apples, he could take the revenue he earned from selling the apples, then subtract the costs incurred for care and picking of the apple trees while the apples were growing, then subtract anything he paid to folks to care for, pick, or sell the apples. The amount left over would be the operating income from Bob's apple business.
March 5, the fifth meeting of the 11th National Peoples Congress opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers the government work report during the opening meeting.

According to the report, the government is projecting a deficit of 800 billion yuan (about 127 billion U.S. dollars), a decrease to around 1.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), which consists of 550 billion yuan in central government deficit and 250 billion yuan of bonds issued on behalf of local governments.

Premier Wen delivers government work reportadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Chinas National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC),popular online gambling games on behalf of the State Council, submitted on Monday a report on the implementation of the countrys 2011 national economic and social development plan and on the 2012 draft plan for national economic and social development to the National Peoples Congress (NPC), Chinas top legislature.

Following are some facts and figures from the report:

ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2011:

 Chinas gross domestic product (GDP) reached 47.1564 trillion yuan, up 9.2 percent from the year before;

 Total national revenue for 2011 was 10.37 trillion yuan, up 24.8percent;

 Retail sales of consumer goods totaled 18.3919 trillion yuan, up 17.1 percent;

 Total fixed-asset investment amounted to 31.1022 trillion yuan, up 23.6 percent;

 A bumper harvest yielded a total grain output of 571.21 million tons, up 4.5 percent from the previous year, the eighth consecutive annual rise;

 Energy consumption per unit of GDP fell by 2.01 percent;

 An additional 12.21 million urban jobs were created, 3.21 million more than targeted amount. Urban registered unemployment rate stood at 4.1 percent at the end of 2011;

 Urban per capita disposable income and rural per capita net income reached 21,810 yuan and 6,977 yuan, respectively, up 8.4 percent and 11.4 percent in real terms after adjusting for inflation.

 The numbers of people who were covered by basic urban old-age, basic urban medical, unemployment, workers compensation and maternity insurance by the end of 2011 were 289 million, 473 million, 143 million, 177 million and 139 million, respectively;

 A total of 326 million people were covered by trials for a new type of old-age insurance for rural residents across the country. The system of subsistence allowances benefited more than 53 million rural residents and 22 million urban residents;

 The countrys exports and imports volume reached 3.6421 trillion U.S. dollars, up 22.5 percent from the year before.

TARGETS FOR 2012

 GDP growth at about 7.5 percent;

 9 million new jobs and urban registered unemployment rate at about 4.6 percent;

 CPI at around 4 percent;

 import and export volume up about 10 percent.

Report on Chinas economic and social developmentadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is Form 2439: Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains?bet 365 downloads betway 4 to score

Form 2439 is an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form that Regulated Investment Companies(RICs)mutuals funds and exchange-traded fundsand Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are required to distribute to shareholders in order to report undistributed long-term capital gains. Mutual funds are required to distribute most capital gains to shareholders, and the shareholders report these gains on Form 1099-DIV. However, if the fund company decides to retain these gains, it must pay taxes on behalf of shareholders and report these transactions on Form 2439.

Key Takeaways

Form 2439 is an IRS form that Regulated Investment Companies (RICs)mutuals funds and exchange-traded fundsand Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are required to distribute to shareholders in order to report undistributed long-term capital gains.

If a fund company decides to retain its capital gains, rather than distribute them to shareholders, it must pay taxes on behalf of shareholders and report these transactions on Form 2439.

The net result of a capital gains allocation is essentially the same for the shareholder as a capital gains distribution.

Understanding Form 2439: Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains

Form 2439 is produced by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for use by RICs and REITs to inform shareholders of long-term capital gains that it has not distributed to its investors. This retention of capital gains is relatively rare. Regulations require fund companies to disburse almost all gains to investors in a transaction known as a capital gains distribution. Funds tend to accumulate capital gains in the months of November and December, but can generally warn investors with an estimate in advance. This is particularly true of actively-managed funds, which conduct more trades within their portfolios. Index funds tend to contain more static portfolios and thus produce fewer and more predictable capital gains.

Investors whose shares are held in tax-free accounts, such as an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), may file a Form 990-T to claim a tax refund on the taxes paid by the fund company. Shareholders subject to federal taxation must also adjust the basis for their shares upward. To do so, they first subtract the taxes reported by the fund company on Form 2439 from the capital gains reported on the same form. They should then add that difference to the prior cost basis.

Form 2439 must be referenced by shareholders, even if they do not take possession of the retained gains, to report the gains and taxes on their own Form 1040, Schedule D, line 11.

Companies that need to file Form 2439 should complete Copies A, B, C, and D for each shareholder for whom the regulated investment company (RIC) or real estate investment trust (REIT) paid tax on undistributed capital gains under section 852(b)(3)(D) or 857(b)(3)(C). Then, they should attach Copy A of all Forms 2439 to Form 1120-RIC or Form 1120-REIT when it is filed at the appropriate IRS service center. Furnish Copies B and C of Form 2439 to the shareholder by the 60th day after the end of the RICs or the REITs tax year. Retain Copy D for the RICs or REITs records.

Form 2439 is available on the IRS website.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Form 2439: Notice to Shareholder of Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains

The net result of a capital gains allocation is essentially no different to the shareholder than a capital gains distribution. In distribution, the investor who receives a capital gains dividend in cash pays taxes on that gain, then reinvests the remainder in new shares, which should create very similar results to the investor who receives a Form 2439 from the fund.

One potential difference between a capital gains allocation and a capital gains distribution is that, because it falls into a higher income bracket, the fund company likely pays a higher tax rate on the gains that it retains, while the individual may be subject to a lower rate. By reporting the dollar amount paid by the fund company on their individual Form 1040, the shareholder may benefit from the discrepancy between the fund companys tax rate and their own.
What Is a Convertible Bond?nfl money lines this week

A convertible bond is a fixed-income corporate debt security that yields interest payments, but can be converted into a predetermined number of common stock or equity shares. The conversion from the bond to stock can be done at certain times during the bond's life and is usually at the discretion of the bondholder.

As a hybrid security, the price of a convertible bond is especially sensitive to changes in interest rates, the price of the underlying stock, and the issuer's credit rating.

Key Takeaways

A convertible bond pays fixed-income interest payments, but can be converted into a predetermined number of common stock shares.

The conversion from the bond to stock happens at specific times during the bond's life and is usually at the discretion of the bondholder.

A convertible bond offers investors a type of hybrid security that has features of a bond, such as interest payments, while also having the option to own the underlying stock.

Convertible Bonds

Understanding Convertible Bonds

1:57

Convertible bonds are a flexible financing option for companies. A convertible bond offers investors a type of hybrid security, which has features of a bond such as interest payments while also providing the opportunity of owning the stock. This bond's conversion ratio determines how many shares of stock you can get from converting one bond. For example, a 5:1 ratio means that one bond would convert to five shares of common stock.

The conversion price is the price per share at which a convertible security, such as corporate bonds or preferred shares, can be converted into common stock. The conversion price is set when the conversion ratio is decided for a convertible security.

The conversion price and ratio can be found in the bond indenture (in the case of convertible bonds) or in the security prospectus (in the case of convertible preferred shares).

Varieties of Convertible Bonds

A vanilla convertible bond provides the investor with the choice to hold the bond until maturity or convert it to stock. If the stock price has decreased since the bond's issue date, the investor can hold the bond until maturity and get paid the face value. If the stock price increases significantly, the investor can convert the bond to stock and either hold or sell the stock at their discretion. Ideally, an investor wants to convert the bond to stock when the gain from the stock sale exceeds the face value of the bond plus the total amount of remaining interest payments.

Mandatory convertible bonds are required to be converted by the investor at a particular conversion ratio and price level. On the other hand, a reversible convertible bond gives the company the right to convert the bond to equity shares or keep the bond as a fixed income investment until maturity. If the bond is converted, it is done so at a preset price and conversion ratio.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Convertible Bonds

Issuing convertible bonds can help companies minimize negative investor sentiment that would surround equity issuance. Each time a company issues additional shares or equity, it adds to the number of shares outstanding and dilutes existing investor ownership. The company might issue convertible bonds to avoid negative sentiment. Bondholders can, then, convert into equity shares should the company perform well.

Issuing convertible bonds can also help provide investors with some security in the event of default. A convertible bond protects investors' principal on the downside, but allows them to participate in the upside should the underlying company succeed.

A startup company, for example, might have a project that requires a significant amount of capital resulting in a loss in the near-term revenues. However, the project should lead the company to profitability in the future. Convertible bond investors can get back some of their principal upon failure of the company while they can also benefit from capital appreciation, by converting the bonds into equity, if the company is successful.

Investors can enjoy the value-added component built into convertible bonds meaning they're essentially a bond with a stock option, particularly a call option. A call option is an agreement that gives the option buyer the rightnot the obligationto buy a stock, bond, or other instruments at a specified price within a specific period. However, convertible bonds tend to offer a lower coupon rate or rate of return in exchange for the value of the option to convert the bond into common stock.

Companies benefit since they can issue debt at lower interest rates than with traditional bond offerings. However, not all companies offer convertible bonds. Also, most convertible bonds are considered to be riskier/more volatile than typical fixed-income instruments.

Investors receive fixed-rate interest payments with the option to convert to stock and benefit from stock price appreciation.

Investors get some default risk security since bondholders are paid before common stockholders.

Companies benefit by raising capital without immediately diluting their shares.

Companies may pay lower interest rates on their debt compared to using traditional bonds.

Due to the option to convert the bond into common stock, they offer a lower coupon rate.

Issuing companies with little or no earningslike startupscreate an additional risk for convertible bond investors.

Share dilution happens if the bonds convert to stock shares, which may depress the share's price and EPS dynamics.

Example of a Convertible Bond

ProsCons

As an example, let's say Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM) issued a convertible bond with a $1,000 face value that pays 4% interest. The bond has a maturity of 10 years and a convertible ratio of 100 shares for every convertible bond.

If the bond is held until maturity, the investor will be paid $1,000 in principal plus $40 in interest for that year. However, the company's shares suddenly spike and are trading at $11 per share. As a result, the 100 shares of stock are worth $1,100 (100 shares x $11 share price), which exceeds the value of the bond. The investor can convert the bond into stock and receive 100 shares, which could be sold in the market for $1,100 in total.

Convertible bond arbitrage is a trading strategy that aims to capitalize on mispricing between a convertible bond and its underlying stock.
What Is an Order Book?link judi slot online red tiger

The term order book refers to an electronic list of buy and sell orders for a specific security or financial instrument organized by price level.

An order book lists the number of shares being bid on or offered at each price point, or market depth. It also identifies the market participants behind the buy and sell orders, though some choose to remain anonymous. These lists help traders and also improve market transparency because they provide valuable trading information.

Key Takeaways

An order book is an electronic list of buy and sell orders for a security or other instrument organized by price level.

Order books are used by almost every exchange for various assets like stocks, bonds, currencies, and even cryptocurrencies.

These lists help improve market transparency as they provide information on price, availability, depth of trade, and who initiates transactions.

There are three parts to an order book: buy orders, sell orders, and order history.

Understanding Order Books

Order books are used by almost every exchange to list the orders for different assets like stocks, bonds, and currencies  even cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. These orders can be both manual or electronic. Although they generally contain the same information, the set up may be slightly different depending on the source. Buy and sell information may appear on the top and bottom, or on the left and right side of the screen.

An order book is dynamic, meaning it's constantly updated in real-time throughout the day. Exchanges such as Nasdaq refer to it as the "continuous book." Orders that specify execution only at market open or market close are maintained separately. These are known as the opening (order) book and closing (order) book respectively.

For instance, the opening and continuous books are consolidated at the Nasdaq market open to create a single opening price. The same happens when the market closes when the closing book and continuous book are consolidated to generate a single closing price.

Reading an Order Book

There are typically three parts to an order book: buy orders, sell orders, and order history.

Buy orders contain buyer information including all the bids, the amount they wish to purchase.

contain buyer information including all the bids, the amount they wish to purchase. Sell orders resemble buy orders, but instead include all the offers (or asking prices) or where people are willing to sell.

resemble buy orders, but instead include all the offers (or asking prices) or where people are willing to sell. Market order histories show all the transactions that have taken place in the past.

The top of the book is where you'll find the highest bid and lowest ask prices. These point to the predominant market and price that need to get an order executed. The book is often accompanied by a candlestick chart, which provides useful information about the current and past state of the market.

The order book helps traders make more informed trading decisions. They can see which brokerages are buying or selling stock and determine whether market action is being driven by retail investors or by institutions. The order book also shows order imbalances that may provide clues to a stocks direction in the very short term.

For instance, a massive imbalance of buy orders versus sell orders may indicate a move higher in the stock due to buying pressure. Traders can also use the order book to help pinpoint a stocks potential support and resistance levels. A cluster of large buy orders at a specific price may indicate a level of support, while an abundance of sell orders at or near one price may suggest an area of resistance.

Special Considerations

Although the order book is meant to provide transparency to market participants, there are some details that aren't included in the list. Among these are dark pools. These are batches of hidden orders maintained by large players who do not want their trading intentions known to others.

Without dark pools, exchanges would see significant price devaluation. When information about a big transaction by a large institution is made public before the trade is executed, it normally leads to a drop in the price of the security. But if information about the transaction is reported after it takes place, the impact on the market may be significantly lowered.

The presence of dark pools reduces the utility of the order book to some extent since there is no way of knowing whether the orders shown on the book are representative of true supply and demand for the stock.

The term order book can also be used to describe a log of orders a company receives from its customer base.

Example of an Order Book

Order books continue to collate an increasing amount of information for traders for a fee. Nasdaqs TotalView claims to provide more market information than any other bookdisplaying more than 20 times the liquidity of its legacy Level 2 market depth product.

While this extra information may not be very significant to the average investor, it may be useful to day traders and experienced market professionals who rely on the order book to make trading decisions.
What Is an Installment Debt?idn slot betta splendens kaufen

An installment debt is a loan that is repaid by the borrower in regular installments. An installment debt is generally repaid in equal monthly payments that include interest and a portion of the principal. This type of loan is an amortized loan that requires a standard amortization schedule to be created by the lender detailing payments throughout the loans duration.

Key Takeaways

An installment debt is a loan that is repaid in regular installments, such as most mortgages and car loans.

Installment loans are good for borrowers as it's a way to finance big-ticket items, while they provide lenders with regular payments.

Installments loans are generally less risky than other alternative loans that do not have installment payments, such as balloon-payment loans or interest-only loans.

An installment debt may be a type of personal loan.

Your amortization schedule determines how much you pay in monthly installment debt payments.

Understanding Installment Debt

An installment debt is a favored method of consumer financing for big-ticket items such as homes, cars, and appliances. Lenders also favor installment debt since it offers a steady cash flow to the issuer throughout the loan with regular payments based on a standard amortization schedule.

The amortization schedule will determine the size of the monthly installment debt payments. The amortization schedule is created based on several variables, including the total principal issued, the interest rate charged, any down payment, and the total number of payments.

For example, few can afford to pay off the price of a home in a single payment. Therefore a loan is issued with a principal amount covering the homes value and is amortized with monthly installment payments over a period. Mortgage loans are typically structured with a 15-year payment schedule or a 30-year payment schedule. As a result, mortgage borrowers can make steady installment debt payments over the life of the loan, which helps to make purchasing a home more affordable.

Conversely, an appliance that costs $1,500 can be paid off in a year by most people. The buyer can further reduce the monthly payments by making a substantial down payment of $500, for instance. In this case, assuming an interest rate of 8%, the equal monthly payments over one year would be approximately $87, which means the total financing cost over the one-year period is about $44.

On the other hand, if the buyer does not have the resources for a down payment and finances the total $1,500 cost of the appliance for one year at 8%, the monthly payments would be $130.50. The total financing cost, in this case, is a little higher at $66.

Installments loans are often lower risk loans than loans without installment payments.

Special Considerations

An installment loan is one of the most traditional loan products offered by lenders. Lenders can build a standard amortization schedule and receive monthly cash flow from both principal and interest payments on the loans. In addition, high-quality loans can be accepted as qualified loans receiving certain protections and offering the opportunity for sale on the secondary market, which increases a banks capital.

Installments loans can generally be much lower risk than other alternative loans that do not have installment payments. These loans can include balloon-payment loans or interest-only loans. These alternative loans are not structured with a traditional amortization schedule and are issued with a much higher risk than standard installment loans.

Types of Installment Debt

Traditional loans from financial institutions for homes and automobiles are a prominent source of lending business for lenders. Most of these loans are based on conservative underwriting with standard amortization schedules that pay down principal and interest with each installment payment.

Alternative installment debt loans are also offered by a variety of higher-risk alternative lenders in the credit market. Payday loans are one example. They charge higher interest rates and base the principal offered on a borrowers employer and per paycheck income. These loans are also paid with installments based on an amortization schedule; however, their underlying components involve much higher risks.

In 2014, the Dodd-Frank Act instituted legislation for qualified mortgages. This provided lending institutions with more significant incentives to structure and issue higher-quality mortgage loans. Standard installment repayment terms are one requirement for qualified mortgages. In addition, as a qualified mortgage loan, it is eligible for certain protections and is also more appealing to underwriters in secondary market loan product structuring.

Installment Debt vs. Personal Loans

An installment loan is a financial vehicle in which a lender agrees to be paid back in installments versus one payment. For example, a mortgage payment is a type of installment loan repaid by the borrower in monthly installments that include principal and interest. Federal loans for education and mortgages are two types of common installment loans. An installment debt is money owed on an installment loan.

An installment loan is a type of personal loan, but there are other kinds of personal loans, including payments repaid in full with interest rather than in installments. A personal loan can come from a bank, a credit union, a boss, or a member of your family.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Installment Debt

Like any loan, there are advantages and disadvantages to taking on installment debt. For example, if you want to buy a house, an installment loan is a great way to borrow a large sum of money and pay it back over time. On the other hand, if you hate the idea of being in long-term debt, borrowing and then paying a personal loan off in full may be more appealing.

An installment debt is paid off on a regular schedule set by the lender. An installment loan allows you to budget your money each month while you are paying off your debt.

In some cases, when you have signed up to pay your loan off using installment payments, you will be charged with a penalty fee if you decide to pay it off early. In addition, installment loans take time to pay off, making them a financial commitment.

Installment loans allow the borrower to pay off their loan over time.

Installment loans provide a way to borrow large sums of money to purchase big ticket items like a home.

Installment debt is usually a set amount each month, making it easier on your budget.

Installment debt is usually very high making it difficult to pay off in one payment.

Installment debt includes interest, which adds up over the years.

Some lenders may charge a penalty fee, if you pay off your loan in full.

The Bottom Line

ProsCons

An installment debt is a type of loan repaid by the borrower in regular, often monthly payments that include the interest owed plus a portion of the principal.

An installment debt is an amortized loan and has a standard amortization schedule created by the lender that shows the borrower how much they will owe over the life of the loan. Mortgages and student loans are often forms of installment debt and allow borrowers to gain access to large sums of money. An installment debt is less risky than borrow large amounts that must be paid off in full with interest in a short amount of time.

Installment Debt FAQs

What Is an IRS Installment Agreement?

An IRS installment agreement is a plan used to pay the IRS via installments any tax you owe them.

How Much Interest Does the IRS Charge on Installment Agreements?

The IRS issues a charge of one-half of a 1 % rate on unpaid taxes up to 10 days. Afterward, the interest rises to 1%, but "if you file your return by its due date and request an installment agreement, the one-half of 1% rate decreases to one-quarter of 1% for any month in which an installment agreement is in effect," according to its website.

What Is an Installment Sale?

An installment sale is a sale of property where you receive at least one payment beyond the tax year of the sale. However, installment sale rules don't apply if you sell your property at a loss.

What Happens if You Don't Pay Your Installment Loan?

Like any loan, if you don't pay back what you owe, you can find yourself in a lot of financial trouble. If you default on your mortgage, for example, you can lose your home. In addition, if you don't pay your installment loan, the fees, interest, and potential penalty charges will increase. By not paying your loans, you risk damaging your credit, as well.

How Can You Get an Installment Loan With Bad Credit?

It is possible to get an installment loan with bad credit but you find yourself saddled with a higher interest rate on the loan if your credit is below 600. If you shop around for a loan, you may find one, even if your credit is considered "bad" by one of the "big three" credit bureaus. However, you may not qualify for a mortgage, which is a type of installment loan, with a score lower than 550.
What Is Lloyd's of London?best live betting sportsbook

Lloyd's of London, often referred to today simply as Lloyd's, is an insurance and reinsurance marketplace. Its members operate as syndicates to provide insurance coverage for businesses, organizations, and individuals. The syndicates specialize in different types of risks and each syndicate decides which risks to insure. The main purpose of Lloyd's is to facilitate transactions between insurance buyers and sellers.

Key Takeaways

Lloyd's of London, or Lloyd's, is an insurance and reinsurance marketplace.

Members, which can be companies or individuals, operate as syndicates, specializing in different types of risks.

There are five key players at Lloyd's: the syndicates, insurance buyers, brokers, managing agents, and coverholders.

Understanding Lloyd's of London

Lloyd's is not an insurance company. Rather, it is a corporate body governed by the Lloyd's Act of 1871 and subsequent acts of the British parliament. It operates as a partially mutualized marketplace consisting of multiple financial backers, grouped into syndicates, which pool and spread risks. These underwriters, or "members," include both companies and private individuals, the latter of which are known as "names." In essence, Lloyd's is a marketplace where buyers of insurance and sellers of insurance can conduct business.

The market also includes brokers, who help match buyers and sellers, and managing agents who run syndicates on a day-to-day basis.

Key Players at Lloyd's of London

There are five main groups in the Lloyd's marketplace. They are the syndicates, the insurance buyers, the brokers, the managing agents, and the coverholders.

Syndicates.The central players at Lloyd's, syndicates can consist of companies or individuals. The syndicates function basically as insurance companies that offer a specific type of insurance. More than one syndicate can participate in an insurance contract, thereby spreading the risk among multiple syndicates.

Insurance buyers.These, obviously, enough, are the individuals or companies that wish to purchase insurance. Many times if a traditional insurance company is unwilling to provide the type or amount of coverage that a buyer wants, perhaps for a particularly risky business, they can find willing insurance sellers among the syndicates at Lloyd's.

Brokers.As with other kinds of brokers, the brokers at Lloyd's act as go-betweens for the insurance buyers and the syndicates, helping match the buyer to the appropriate syndicate. Brokers at Lloyd's must be approved by the Corporation of Lloyd's to be allowed to do business in the marketplace.

Managing agents.The managing agents work for the syndicates and run their daily operations. For example, they are responsible for hiring and overseeing all essential staff, such as underwriters and accountants.

Coverholders.Coverholders are companies that managing agents authorize to enter into insurance contracts to be underwritten by the syndicates. Coverholders allow Lloyd's to operate globally without having to set up shop in many locations.

As of early 2022, Lloyd's had 76 syndicates, 350 brokers, and 4,030 coverholder locations. Collectively, Lloyd's had more than 200 lines of business and wrote 35.5 billion of gross premiums.

Lloyd's of London History

With its roots in marine insurance, Lloyd's was founded by Edward Lloyd at his coffee house on London's Tower Street in 1688. The establishment was popular with sailors, shipowners, and merchants, and Lloyd catered to them with reliable shipping news. Lloyd's coffee house soon became known as a good place to purchase insurance to cover ships and their cargoes against the perils of the seas.

The shop was also frequented by mariners involved in the slave trade. Lloyd's obtained a monopoly on maritime insurance related to the slave trade and maintained it until the early 19th century. The Lloyd's website offers an apology for that role, saying, in part: "We are deeply sorry for the Lloyd's market's participation in the transatlantic slave trade. It is part of our shared history that caused enormous suffering and continues to have a negative impact on Black and Minority Ethnic communities today."

The original Lloyd's Act gave the business a sound legal footing. The Lloyd's Act of 1911 set out the organization's objectives, which includes the promotion of its members' interests and the collection and dissemination of information. Today, Lloyd's has its headquarters on Lime Street, in a landmark building that opened in 1986.

What Is Underwriting?

Underwriting refers to the taking on of risk in return for a fee. Part of the underwriting process is assessing the risk involved and setting the fee accordingly.

What Is Reinsurance?

Reinsurance is a way that insurance companies protect themselves from risk by, for example, transferring a portion of their portfolio to other insurers in exchange for a share of the premiums.

What Is Marine Insurance?

One of the oldest forms of insurance, marine insurance can cover ships, their cargoes, and related risks. The hull of the Titanic, for example, was insured for a total of 1 million, with multiple Lloyd's syndicates taking on portions of the policy.

The Bottom Line

Lloyd's of London, commonly known as Lloyd's, is a major marketplace for insurance and reinsurance. While not an insurer itself, it provides a venue for insurance buyers and its member sellers, known as syndicates, to do business.
kcs coin market cap betnumber siteshows grade level based on the word's complexity. daut [ dawt, daht ]/ dt, dt / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dawt, daht ]/ dt, dt /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

verb (used with object) Scot.to caress.

Words nearby daut

How to use in a sentence King mga tubuha walay liki, ug walay daut, These tubes have no cracks and no defects. A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|John U. Wolff

A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|John U. Wolff Daut ug kambiyu ning awtu, This car has a defective transmission. A Dictionary of Cebuano Visayan|John U. Wolff

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question dautFirst recorded in 14901500; origin uncertainDaunus, dauphin, dauphine, dauphiness, daur, daut, dautie, D.A.V., Davao, Davao Gulf, DaveDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
BUENOS AIRES,binions poker chips agen 383 slot Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Argentina registered 88 percent year-on-year inflation in October, with prices rising 6.3 percent for an accumulated 76.6 percent spike in prices so far this year, the National Statistics and Census Institute (INDEC) said Tuesday.

The goods and services that saw the biggest jump in price, year over year, were "clothing and footwear," with a 121.5 percent increase; "restaurants and hotels," with a 105.2 percent rise; and "food and non-alcoholic beverages," with a 91.6 percent increase, the INDEC said.

"Healthcare" costs rose 78.6 percent, while "transportation" climbed 77.9 percent and "education" 76 percent.

Accumulated annual inflation (since January) saw the price of "clothing and footwear" rise 103.1 percent, followed by "restaurants and hotels" 84.6 percent, and "food and non-alcoholic beverages" 80 percent.

Over the past 12 months, prices of goods in Argentina rose 91.8 percent and those of services 78.4 percent.

Argentina's government has said fighting inflation is one of its main economic policy goals.

According to the Central Bank of Argentina's latest survey of market expectations, inflation could hit three digits toward the end of the current year to reach 100 percent. 
What Is a Growth Fund?blockchain companies in singapore

A growth fund is a diversified portfolio of stocks that has capital appreciation as its primary goal, with little or no dividend payouts. The portfolio mainly consists of companies with above-average growth that reinvest their earnings into expansion, acquisitions, or research and development (R&D). Most growth funds offer higher potential capital appreciation but usually at above-average risk.

Key Takeaways

A growth fund is a mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) that includes companies primed for revenue or earnings growth at a pace that is faster than that of either industry peers or the market overall.

Growth funds are separated by market capitalization into small-, mid-, and large-cap.

Most growth funds are high-risk, high-reward, and are therefore best suited to market participants with a long-term investment horizon and a healthy risk tolerance.

How a Growth Fund Works

The high-risk, high-reward mantra of growth funds can make them ideal for those not retiring anytime soon. Typically, investors need a tolerance for risk and a holding period with a time horizon of five to ten years. Growth fund holdings often have high price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-sales (P/S) multiples. This trade-off from investors is the above-average revenue and earnings gains these companies produce.

Types of Growth Funds

Growth funds, along with value funds and blend funds, are one of the main types of mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs) They are more volatile than funds in the value and blend categories. Growth funds are typically split by market capitalization, with funds representing small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap groupings.

Large-cap growth mutual funds are one of the largest types of mutual funds in terms of market share. Large-blend funds, which offer investors value and growth, are also very popular. Foreign large-cap growth funds are much lower in terms of market share.

Foreign growth funds are becoming more common for investors who want to take advantage of global growth. These funds invest in international stocks posting strong revenue and earnings growth. For international growth funds, technology and consumer sectors are the most common. Large internet names such as Tencent (TCTZF), Baidu (BIDU), and Alibaba (BABA) can be found among the top ten holdings for many international growth funds.

Largest Growth Fund

One of the largest growth funds is the Growth Fund of America (AGTHX) from American Funds. This mutual fund has over $253 billion in assets under management (AUM) as of March 2022 and the stock price is up 10% over the last year, despite the market volatility. The fund's average annual return has been 14.28% over the last ten years, as of Feb. 28, 2022.

The Growth Fund of America has Tesla, as its largest holding, representing 7.1% of assets. Technology stocks represent the largest sector weighting at 34.9%. Consumer Discretionary stocks follow closely behind with 24.3% of assets.

Technology stocks are a major part of growth funds. With high growth and high P/E and P/S ratios, technology stocks fit the criteria perfectly for growth funds.

Performance of Growth Funds

The majority of the best performing large-company stock funds over the last decade have been growth funds. For example, the Morgan Stanley Multi Cap Growth A (CPOAX) is the best performing large-company stock fund over the last ten years, with an annualized return of 23.3%. Currently, its top three holdings include Snowflake, Inc. (SNOW), Cloudflare, Inc. (NET), and The Trade Desk (TTD).
What Is a Contrarian?youtube free slots jack shore odds

Contrarian investing is an investment style in which investors purposefully go against prevailing market trends by selling when others are buying and buying when most investors are selling. Berkshire Hathaway Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Warren Buffett is a famous contrarian investor.

Contrarian investors believe that people who say the market is going up do so only when they are fully invested and have no further purchasing power. At this point, the market is at a peak. So, when people predict a downturn, they have already sold out, and the market can only go up at this point.

Key Takeaways

Contrarian investing is an investment strategy that involves bucking against existing market trends to generate profits.

The idea is that markets are subject to herding behavior augmented by fear and greed, making markets periodically over- and underpriced.

The contrarian sees buying opportunities in stocks that are currently selling for below their intrinsic value.

Being a contrarian can be rewarding, but it is often a risky strategy that may take a long period of time to pay off.

Another drawback associated with being a contrarian investor is the need to spend a good deal of time researching stocks to find undervalued opportunities.



What Is Contrarian Investing?

Understanding Contrarian Strategy

1:32

Contrarian investing is, as the name implies, a strategy that involves going against the grain of investor sentiment at a given time. The principles behind contrarian investing can be applied to individual stocks, an industry as a whole, or even entire markets.

A contrarian investor enters the market when others are feeling negative about it. The contrarian believes the value of the market or stock is below its intrinsic value and thus represents an opportunity. In essence, an abundance of pessimism among other investors has pushed the price of the stock below what it should be, and the contrarian investor will buy that before the broader sentiment returns and the share prices rebound.

According to David Dreman, contrarian investor and author of Contrarian Investment Strategies: The Next Generation, investors overreact to news developments and overprice "hot" stocks and underestimate the earnings of distressed stocks. This overreaction results in limited upward price movement and steep falls for stocks that are "hot" and leaves room for the contrarian investor to choose underpriced stocks.

Special Considerations

Contrarian investors often target distressed stocks and then sell them once the share price has recovered and other investors begin targeting the company as well. Contrarian investing is built around the idea that the herd instinct that can take control of market direction doesn't make for a good investing strategy.

However, this sentiment can lead to missing out on gains if broad bullish sentiment in the markets proves true, leading to market gains even as contrarians have already sold their positions. Similarly, an undervalued stock targeted by contrarians as an investment opportunity may remain undervalued if the market sentiment remains bearish.

Contrarian Investing vs. Value Investing

Contrarian investing is similar to value investing because both value and contrarian investors look for stocks whose share price is lower than the intrinsic value of the company. Value investors generally believe that the market overreacts to good and bad news, so they believe that stock price movements in the short term dont correspond to a company's long-term fundamentals.

Many value investors hold that there is a fine line between value investing and contrarian investing, since both strategies look for undervalued securities to turn a profit based on their reading of the current market sentiment.

Examples of Contrarian Investors

The most prominent example of a contrarian investor is Warren Buffett. "Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful" is one of his most famous quotes and sums up his approach to contrarian investing.

At the height of the 2008 financial crisis, when markets were tumbling amidst a wave of bankruptcy filings, Buffett counseled investors to buy American stocks. As an example, he purchased equities for American companies, including investment bank Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS). Ten years later, his advice proved to be correct. From 2008 to 2018, Goldman's stock had jumped by approximately 239%.

Michael Burry, a California-based neurologist-turned-hedge fund owner, is another example of a contrarian investor. Through his research in 2005, Burry determined that the subprime market was mispriced and overheated. His hedge fund Scion Capital shorted the riskiest parts of the subprime mortgage market and profited from them. His story was written up into a book, The Big Short,by Michael Lewis and has been made into a movie of the same name.

Sir John Templeton was a noted contrarian investor and founded the Templeton Growth Fund in 1954. With dividends reinvested, a $10,000 investment in the fund at inception was worth $2 million by 1992.

Limitations of Contrarian Investing

Investors interested in employing a contrarian investing strategy should be aware of some of the strategy's drawbacks. It can be challenging to find undervalued stocks and contrarians typically spend a great deal of time researching stocks and various industries to find potential investment opportunities. It will not be enough to rely on simply doing the opposite of the prevailing market sentiment. It's important for contrarians to develop their skills in fundamental analysis to accurately measure a security's intrinsic value.

Contrarians may have periods where their portfolios underperform. It may take a significant amount of time before an undervalued stock begins to show gains. In the meantime, the contrarian investor may have to endure paper losses on their investments.



What Is Contrarian Investing?

Contrarian investing refers to an investing strategy that looks for profit opportunities in trades that go against current market sentiment. For example, if the market is bullish, the contrarian investor is bearish and will look for opportunities to sell. Conversely, if the market is bearish, the contrarian is bullish and will look for opportunities to buy.

Who Are Some Famous Contrarian Investors?

Berkshire Hathaway's Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger are two of the most well-known contrarian investors. David Dreman, investment company founder and author of several books on contrarian investing, is another prominent contrarian. Ray Dalio, Sir John Templeton, Michael Burry, and George Soros are all investors who have made a name for themselves as contrarians.

How Have Billionaire Contrarians Used Deep Value to Beat the Market?

Deep value investing is a term often used in conjunction with billionaire contrarians who pick their stock investments based on their analysis that a particular company is trading at many multiples below intrinsic or book value. These billionaires look for companies with share prices that have been unfairly and significantly discounted by the market. They will then acquire large stakes in these companies with the anticipation that over time they will profit from the share price increase.

Note

Investopedia does not provide tax, investment, or financial services and advice. The information is presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal.
NetBet Italy, a flagship iGaming operator based in Italy, is pleased to reveal that it has signed a content distribution agreement with CT Interactive, a Bulgarian online software supplier whose main focus is the development of slot games. The deal includes the official integration of CTs famous slots titles on the NetBet Italy platform.

Additionally, this alliance represents a significant step for both firms, with its ultimate goal being to further develop and become the leaders of the iGaming industry and create an unforgettable gaming experience for players that will satisfy them in the long-run.

Goals of the partnership

With this partnership, CT Interactive hopes to enter the Italian regulated market and introduce its latest content to a brand-new audience. Examples of content that will be hosted on the NeBet Italy platform are: 40 Mega Slot, 20 Star Partyand 40 Treasures. Whats more, these slots will open up a new side to NetBets portfolio, which is full of variety and depth, further leading to Italian players having the opportunity to experience a variety of slot games whenever they want.

On the other hand, the Italian brand will enjoy the new popularitythat comes with combining its portfolio with top-quality content created by CT that is fully customized and tailoredto meet its needs and expectations, which means that in the future we can expect an already-established leader to further strengthenits presence in the Italian regulated market, as well as its leadership position, and expandits portfolio. It will also improve player commitmentby adding new, unseen content to its portfolio, which players can access by opening the NetBet Italy website.

Commenting on the partnership, Claudia Georgevici, NetBet Italys PR manager, said: We are delighted to partner with CT Interactive and bring their outstanding games to our players in Italy. Their expertise and commitment to delivering exceptional gaming experiences align perfectly with our own values. We are confident that our players will be thrilled with the addition of CT Interactives titles and that this partnership will be a tremendous success.

About

CT Interactive is a premier iGaming developer that has been awarded with many industry rewards in recent years and has been producing quality casino products since 2012. With a commitment to excellence, state-of-the-art technology and players contentment as the main goal, the firm continues to represent the future of the iGaming industry.

Officially founded in 2008, NetBet.it is asingle-member BPG SRL site. It is the first online gaming company in Italy and is licensed by the Customs and Monopolies Agency (ADM).

Source: NetBet Italy Announces Exciting Partnership With CT Interactive, European Gaming, August 14, 2023
Improving the situation of migrant workers in some Chinese cities where life has become too expensive, will be a major topic in the discussion of Chinas National Peoples Congress, which meets for ten days starting from Monday.

Mingong migrant workers are so-called second class citizens in China: it is still a big obstacle for them to register their children to school in the city, those kids of migrants have to return to their home province.

To qualify for medical coverage, sick migrants must return to their home region. But the Minister of Health Chen Zhu announced that by 2015, they can seek reimbursement for medical expenses in the cities where they work throughout China, reported Thursday Xinhua News Agency.

The government recently said it would reform the system of permanent residence permit, known as hukou, which creates a deep separation in Chinese society between urban and rural area.

These issues should feature prominently in the government report to be presented Monday by Premier Wen Jiabao at the opening of the annual session of National Peoples Congress (NPC). The text sets the broad guidelines of Chinese politics each year.

Now the biggest challenge for China is to find a balance between rich and poor, urban and rural  and during the meeting of the NPC, the government will pay close attention to this issue, said Shi Yinhong, a political scientist at Renmin University in Beijing.

This year, it will put more emphasis on improving the situation of migrant workers because the government knows its important to allow them come to town, the migrant flow creates growth, said Mr. Shi.

Growth and social stability are the base of governments power and the source of partys legitimacy in China.

Last year, the government managed to control inflation and maintain social instability. Prices of consumer goods had risen in July to its highest level in three years at 6.5% annual rate, before falling to 4.1% in December.

But the export difficulties mainly due to the debt crisis in Europe have led some companies in the southern province of Guangdong, the heart of the worlds workshop, to cut back on wages and benefits for workers, prompting strikes in different places.

While wages in rural areas should continue to grow by 13% annually over the next four years, many SMEs in urban areas are struggling to meet the demands for wage increases and recruiting. And many migrants preferred to stay in their home province after the New Year celebrations.

Last year, the average wage of a migrant worker in China was 1,690 yuan, according to the government.

Companies also have trouble not only in recruiting mingong, but also young graduates, as the cost of living has increased in large cities, Some people who planned to find work in these cities have decided to leave. This became a problem for recruit.

Lack of labor is particularly relevant to medium-sized cities, according to Yao Yuqun, professor of human resources at Renmin University in Beijing.

It is in these cities that could come into effect a reform of the hukou. In the towns of the district or at the lower level, those (migrants) who have stable jobs and housing can apply for permits to permanent residents, explains Mr. Yao.

The National Peoples Congress should endorse the measure, said the professor.

Status of migrant workers on agenda of National Peoples Congressadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
M.A., Geography, California State University - Northridge

B.A., Geography, University of California - Davis

Since its completion in January 2010, the tallest building in the world has been the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

However, the building called Kingdom Tower, being built in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, is expected to be completed in 2019 and would move Burj Khalifa to the second place spot. Kingdom Tower is expected to be the world's first building that is taller than a kilometer (1000 meters or 3281 feet).

The Changing Sky-Scape

Currently proposed as the world's second tallest building is Sky City in Changsha, China to be built by 2015. Additionally, One World Trade Center in New York City is also nearly complete and will be the world's third tallest building when it opens sometime in 2014.

Thus, this list is extremely dynamic and by 2020, the world's current third tallest building, Taipei 101, is expected to be around the 20th tallest building in the world due to numerous tall buildings being proposed or constructed in China, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

The Top 20 Tallest Buildings

1. World's Tallest Building:Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.Completed in January 2010 with 160 stories which reach 2,716 feet (828 meters) high! The Burj Khalifa is also the tallest building in the Middle East.

2. Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with 120 floors and 1972 feet tall (601 meters), this new hotel building opened in 2012.

3. Asia's Tallest Building: Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan. Completed in 2004 with 101 stories and a height of 1667 feet (508 meters).

4. China's Tallest Building: Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, China. Completed in 2008 with 101 stories and a height of 1614 feet (492 meters).

5. International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong, China. The International Commerce Centre was completed in 2010 with 108 stories and a height of 1588 feet (484 meters).

6 and 7 (tie). Formerly the world's tallest buildings and known for their distinctive appearance, the Petronas Tower 1 and Petronas Tower 2 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia have gradually been moved down the list of the world's tallest buildings. The Pertonas Towers were completed in 1998 with 88 stories and are each 1483 feet (452 meters) tall.

8. Completed in 2010 in Nanjing, China, the Zifeng Tower is 1476 feet (450 meters) with a mere 66 floors of hotel and office space.

9. Tallest Building in North America: Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower) in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Completed in 1974 with 110 stories and 1451 feet (442 meters).

10. The KK 100 or Kingkey Finance Tower in Shenzhen, China was completed in 2011 and has 100 floors and is 1449 feet (442 meters).

11. The Guangzhou International Finance Center in Guangzhou, China was completed in 2010 with 103 stories at a height of 1439 feet (439 meters).

12. The Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago, Illinois, United States is the second tallest building in the United States and, like the Willis Tower, is also located in Chicago. This Trump property was completed in 2009 with 98 stories and at a height of 1389 feet (423 meters).

13. Jin Mao Building in Shanghai, China. Completed in 1999 with 88 stories and 1380 feet (421 meters).

14. The Princess Tower in Dubai is the second tallest building in Dubai and in the United Arab Emirates. It was completed in 2012 and stands 1356 feet (413.4 meters) with 101 stories.

15. Al Hamra Firdous Tower is an office building in Kuwait City, Kuwait was completed in 2011 at a height of 1354 feet (413 meters) and 77 floors.

16. Two International Finance Centre in Hong Kong, China. Completed in 2003 with 88 stories and 1352 feet (412 meters).

17. Dubai's third tallest building is 23 Marina, a residential tower of 90 floors at 1289 feet (392.8 meters). It opened in 2012.

18. CITIC Plaza in Guangzhou, China. Completed in 1996 with 80 stories and 1280 feet (390 meters).

19. Shun Hing Square in Shenzhen, China. Completed in 1996 with 69 stories and 1260 feet (384 meters).

20. Empire State Building in New York, New York state, United States. Completed in 1931 with 102 stories and 1250 feet (381 meters).

Source
What Is a Guaranteed Bond?nba playoffs money line

A guaranteed bond is a debt security that offers a secondary guarantee that interest and principal payments will be made by a third party, should the issuer default due to reasons such as insolvency or bankruptcy. A guaranteed bond can be of either the municipal or corporate variety. It can be backed by a bond insurance company, a fund or group entity, a government authority, or the corporate parents of subsidiaries or joint ventures that are issuing bonds.

key takeaways

A guaranteed bond is a debt security which promises that, should the issuer default, its interest and principal payments will be made by a third party.

Corporate or municipal issuers of bonds turn to guarantorswhich can be financial institutions, funds, governments, or corporate subsidiarieswhen their own creditworthiness is weak.

On the upside, guaranteed bonds are very safe for investors, and enable entities to secure financingoften on better termsthan they'd be able to do otherwise.

On the downside, guaranteed bonds tend to pay less interest than their non-guaranteed counterparts; they also are more time-consuming and expensive for the issuer, who has to pay the guarantor a fee and often submit to a financial audit.

How a Guaranteed Bond Works

Corporate and municipal bonds are financial instruments used by companies or government agencies to raise funds. In effect, they are loans: The issuing entity is borrowing money from investors who buy the bonds. This loan lasts for a certain period of timehowever long the bond term isafter which the bondholders are repaid their principal (that is, the amount they . originally invested). During the life of the bond the issuing entity makes periodic interest payments, known as coupons, to bondholders as a return on their investment.

Many investors purchase bonds for their portfolios due to the interest income that is expected every year.

However, bonds have an inherent risk of default, as the issuing corporation or municipality may have insufficient cash flow to fulfill its interest and principal payment obligations. This means that a bondholder loses out on periodic interest payments, andin the worst-case scenario of the issuer defaultingmay never get their principal back, either.

To mitigate any default risk and provide credit enhancement to its bonds, an issuing entity may seek out an additional guarantee for the bond it plans to issue, thereby, creating a guaranteed bond. A guaranteed bond is a bond that has its timely interest and principal payments backed by a third party, such as a bank or insurance company. The guarantee on the bond removes default risk by creating a back-up payer in the event that the issuer is unable to fulfill its obligation. In a situation whereby the issuer cannot make good on its interest payments and/or principal repayments, the guarantor would step in and make the necessary payments in a timely manner.

The issuer pays the guarantor a premium for its protection, usually ranging from 1% to 5% of the total issue.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Guaranteed Bonds

Guaranteed bonds are considered very safe investments, as bond investors enjoy the security of not only the issuer but also of the backing company. In addition, these types of bonds are mutually beneficial to the issuers and the guarantors. Guaranteed bonds enable entities with poor creditworthiness to issue debt when they otherwise might not be able to do so, and for better terms. Issuers can often get a lower interest rate on debt if there is a third-party guarantor, and the third-party guarantor receives a fee for incurring the risk that comes with guaranteeing another entity's debt.

On the downside: Because of their lowered risk, guaranteed bonds generally pay a lower interest rate than an uninsured bond or bond without a guarantee. This lower rate also reflects the premium the issuer has to pay the guarantor. Securing an outside party's backing definitely increases the cost of procuring capital for the issuing entity. It can also lengthen and complicate the whole issuing process, as the guarantor naturally conducts due diligence on the issuer, checking its financials and creditworthiness.
Definition of Sibilance

Sibilance is slot games with free spinsa literary device where strongly stressed consonants are created deliberately by producing air from vocal tracts through the use of lips and tongue. Such consonants produce hissing sounds. However, in poetry, it is used as a stylistic device, and sibilants are used more than twice in quick succession. Most of the times, the s sound is the sibilant.

Difference Between Alliteration and Sibilance

Alliteration is produced by the repetition of first consonant sounds in the words, generally the first one or two letters, such as in A big bully beats a baby boy. However, sibilance is also a specific type of alliteration that uses the soft consonants. In sibilance, hissing sounds are created. These soft consonants are s, with sh, ch, and th, including three others such as z, x, f and soft c. For instance, Sing a Song of Sixpence is the title of a famous nursery rhyme, which can be considered as a good example of sibilance.

Examples of Sibilance in Literature

Example #1: A Cradle Song(By William Blake)

Sweet dreams, form a shade

Oer my lovely infants head.

Sweet dreams of pleasant streams

By happy silentmoony beams

Sweet sleepwith soft down.

Weave thy brows an infant crown.

Sweet sleep Angel mild,

Hover oer my happy child.

Sweet smilesin the night,

Hover over my delight.

Sweet smiles Mothers smiles Sweet moans, dovelike sighs,

Chasenot slumber from thyeyes,

Sweet moans, sweeter smiles.

The poem has a simple aabb rhyme scheme. Blake makes heavy use of sibilance in this poem, especially the s sound, as in the bold words. In a similar way, the use of sh and ch sounds in the words shade and chase gives softer effects.

Example #2: Ode to Autumn (By John Keats)

SEASONof mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Closebosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiringwith him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the mossd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swellthe gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And stillmore, later flowers for the bees,

For Summerhas oer-brimmd their clammy cells.

This is the first stanza of the poem, which is filled with music and sibilance. The words noted in bold are all are sibilance examples. These are voiced with hissing sounds.

Example #3: Macbeth(By William Shakespeare)

As whence the sungins his reflection

Shipwrackingstormsand direful thunders break,

Sofrom that spring whence comfort seemedto come

Discomfort swells. Mark, King of Scotland, mark:

No soonerjustice had, with valor armed

But the Norweyan lord, surveyingvantage,

With furbishedarms and new suppliesof men

Till sevenat night. To make society

The sweeterwelcome, we will keep ourselves

Till suppertimealone. While then, God be with you!

Here we can clearly see the softer consonants of sibilance, such as s sounds in the words noted in bold.

Example #4: Prelude 3(By T. S. Eliot)

THE WINTER evening settlesdown

Withsmellof steaksin passageways.

Six oclock.

The burnt-out ends of smoky days.

And now a gusty showerwraps

The grimy scraps

Of withered leaves about your feet The showers beat

On broken blinds and chimney-pots,

And at the cornerof the street

A lonely cab-horse steams and stamps.

And then the lighting of the lamps.

In this excerpt, the repetition of the s sound (sibilance) is used throughout the poem. It emphasizes the atmosphere of dirty lives. In addition, the continuous use of the s sound gives an example of onomatopoeia, as the scraping sounds of leaves.

Function of Sibilance

An atmosphere can be created through sibilance, which helps in drawing the attention of readers, painting a more colorful picture of the idea or the event. With the help of sibilance, descriptive scenes can be explained more carefully by laying stress on the specific letters. In fact, the sense of repeated sounds, and then the making up of different literary devices through sibilance creates further musical effect for the readers.
What Is the Hedge Ratio?slot online deposit ovo

The hedge ratio compares the value of a position protected through the use of a hedge with the size of the entire position itself. A hedge ratio may also be a comparison of the value of futures contracts purchased or sold to the value of the cash commodity being hedged.

Futures contracts are essentially investment vehicles that let the investor lock in a price for a physical asset at some point in the future.

The hedge ratio is the hedged position divided by the total position.

How the Hedge Ratio Works

Imagine you are holding $10,000 in foreign equity, which exposes you to currency risk. You could enter into a hedge to protect against losses in this position, which can be constructed through a variety of positions to take an offsetting position to the foreign equity investment.

If you hedge $5,000 worth of the equity with a currency position, your hedge ratio is 0.5 ($5,000 / $10,000). This means that 50% of your foreign equity investment is sheltered from currency risk.

Types of Hedge Ratio

The minimum variance hedge ratio is important when cross-hedging, which aims to minimize the variance of the position's value. The minimum variance hedge ratio, or optimal hedge ratio, is an important factor in determining the optimal number of futures contracts to purchase to hedge a position.

It is calculated as the product of the correlation coefficient between the changes in the spot and futures prices and the ratio of the standard deviation of the changes in the spot price to the standard deviation of the futures price. After calculating the optimal hedge ratio, the optimal number of contracts needed to hedge a position is calculated by dividing the product of the optimal hedge ratio and the units of the position being hedged by the size of one futures contract.

Key Takeaways

The hedge ratio compares the amount of a position that is hedged to the entire position.

The minimum variance hedge ratio helps determine the optimal number of options contracts needed to hedge a position.

The minimum variance hedge ratio is important in cross-hedging, which aims to minimize the variance of a position's value.

Example of the Hedge Ratio

Assume that an airline company fears that the price of jet fuel will rise after the crude oil market has been trading at depressed levels. The airline company expects to purchase 15 million gallons of jet fuel over the next year, and wishes to hedge its purchase price. Assume that the correlation between crude oil futures and the spot price of jet fuel is 0.95, which is a high degree of correlation.

Further assume the standard deviation of crude oil futures and spot jet fuel price is 6% and 3%, respectively. Therefore, the minimum variance hedge ratio is 0.475, or (0.95 * (3% / 6%)). The NYMEX Western Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures contract has a contract size of 1,000 barrels or 42,000 gallons. The optimal number of contracts is calculated to be 170 contracts, or (0.475 * 15 million) / 42,000. Therefore, the airline company would purchase 170 NYMEX WTI crude oil futures contracts.
The lascivious sex predator is out; the deep-pocketed caped crusader is most definitely in.

In the end, the clarity that comes from moments of horror can help us recommit to deeper principles.

Deep, situational, and emotional jokes based on what is relevant and has a POINT!

Yet this, in the end, is a book from which one emerges sad, gloomy, disenchanted, at least if we agree to take it seriously.

In the end, I find it never fails to modernize even the most dramatic things. Empire Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

He remembered somethingthe cherished pose of being a man plunged fathoms-deep in business. St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

I presume the twenty-five or thirty miles at this end is unhealthy, even for natives, but it surely need not be so. Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack. Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

He wanted to tell her that if she called her father, it would mean the end of everything for them, but he withheld this. The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
Mar 4, after CPPCC session, CPPCC National Committee Member Ni Ping came across Mao Xinyu in Beijing International Hotel. I watched your program on TV, you interpreted the artistic conception of Mao Zedongs poem in a romantic way, which is so great. said Ni Ping.

Ni Ping and Mao Xinyu at CPPCCadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
Definition of Inciting Incident

Inciting incident in a plot is dreamvegas mobilean event or a point that arrives at the beginning of a play, story book, or a film that disturbs the actions and life of a protagonist, and sets him to pursue the mission vigorously. It originates from a Latin word,incitare, which means to start up, to put something into rapid motion, or to stimulate, or encourage something or some character.

Inciting incident starts the action of a story, and sets the main question readers want to know. For instance, the inciting incident of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet happens when the lovers meet and fall in love at first sight at a ball. You can easily recognize it because it introduces the major conflict between protagonist and antagonist.

Examples of Inciting Incident in Literature

Example #1:The Most Dangerous Game(by Richard Connell)

The inciting incident of Richard Connells The Most Dangerous Game occurs in the evening, when Rainsford and General Zaroff dine and discuss hunting. It starts off as a friendly conversation about their hunting adventure; however, it ends with a confession by General Zaroff that he kills people as a game, and for fun while hunting. Soon after this confession, Zaroff proclaims that he wishes to hunt Rainsford. This revelation takes a catastrophic turn that leaves Rainsford in serious danger.

Example #2: Hamlet(by William Shakespeare)

Let me not think ont! Frailty, thy name is woman 

A little month, or ere those shoes were old

With which she followd my poor fathers body

Like Niobe, all tears  why she, even she 

O God! a beast that wants discourse of reason

Would have mournd longer 

The inciting incident in Hamlet is the death of King Hamlet, which opens the play with the characters affected by this problem. In the very first Act, Hamlet is thrown into despair due to Gertrudes impulsive move to marry Claudius, his uncle. She could not wait a month, an act which drives Hamlet crazy, thus creating a serious problem that needs resolution.

Example #3: Star Wars(by George Lucas)

In Star Wars, the inciting incident occurs when Darth Vader attacks the ship of Princess Leia. Prior to this event, civil war was going on there. It happens when the Empire exhibits its true color by boarding a ship illegally, which is supposed to be on a diplomatic mission. This creates a real problem in the story. The Empire becomes cruel in its every effort to restrict rebellion; nevertheless this inciting incident shows us the beginning of deadly tensions, more of which are to come.

Example #4: The Sixth Sense(by M. Night Shyamalan)

The inciting incident in The Sixth Sense happens with the attack of Vincent on Malcom. Without the gunshot, the story would have no strong plot, and Malcom would have had no compulsion to meet Cole. The turning point in the first act comes with a revelation of Cole that he might face the same vicious tendencies which Vincent did. Taking his steps back and figuring out that Malcom would not help him, increases the problems and tensions caused by the point that Cole is just a disturbed child.

Example #5: Death of a Salesman(by Arthur Miller)

WILLY: Its all right. I came back. LINDA: Why? What happened? (Slight pause.) Did something

happen, Willy? WILLY: No, nothing happened. LINDA: You didnt smash the car, did you? WILLY (with casual irritation):

I said nothing happened. Didnt you hear me? LINDA: Dont you feel well?

This play begins with Willy coming home. The repetition is a good technique to let audience notice how important a question is. The same happens in the following opening dialogue, which begins the inciting incident of this play. It sets up the main question among the readers, which is Whats wrong?

Function of Inciting Incident

Since inciting incident means to stimulate, it catalyzes the protagonist to take action or go into motion. It jolts the protagonist out of his daily routine as it is an event that sparks the fuse of a plot. It is also necessary to happen for a narrative hook to kick in. In addition, it brings the major question, suspense, as well as action in the story. Thus, the main focus is main character and readers. You can find it in plays, movies, novels, and short stories.
Facebook

Facebook Twitter

Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville

B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College

You probably know that plutonium is an element and that plutonium is radioactive, but what else do you know about it? Learn more with these fascinating facts.

Fast Facts: Plutonium

Name: Plutonium

Plutonium Element Symbol: Pu

Pu Atomic Number: 94

94 Atomic Mass: 244 (for the most stable isotope)

244 (for the most stable isotope) Appearance: A silvery-white solid metal at room temperature, which quickly oxidizes to dark gray in air

A silvery-white solid metal at room temperature, which quickly oxidizes to dark gray in air Element Type: Actinide

Actinide Electron Configuration: [Rn] 5f6 7s2

Facts About Plutonium

Here are 21 useful and interesting facts about plutonium:
What Is Mothballing?play free slot machine games now

Mothballing is the deactivation and preservation of equipment or a production facility for possible future use or sale. It can also mean the setting aside of an object or idea for possible reuse or revisiting in the future. Mothballing is common with expensive capital goods, machinery, aircraft, ships, properties, and other assets that are costly to create, have long useful lives, and may be subject to unpredictable market disruptions.

Key Takeaways

Mothballing refers to the deactivation, storing, and preservation of equipment or production facilities for later use or sale.

Common items in business that are mothballed include aircraft, ships, oil rigs, and machinery.

Manufacturers can reduce operating costs and manage market downturns with the flexibility that mothballing provides.

How Mothballing Works

The term "mothballing" is derived from the use of pesticides to prevent damage to clothing or other goods that are stored for a long time and may be subject to damage from moths or moth larvae. Mothballing can offer production flexibility to manufacturers that have high operating costs, as it allows them to quickly re-open a factory to produce goods based on temporary spikes in demand instead of keeping a factory open on a continual basis at a potentially lower margin.

In production plant assets, mothballing requires considerable planning to ensure that production can resume quickly. Mothballing may lead to assets being put back into use, their updating and refurbishment, disassembly for resale and reuse of their parts, or outright scrapping for their salvage value (steel, aluminum, and other valuable metals).

Mothballing is often neglected when companies are under financial duress. During the Great Recession, companies frequently shut down plants simply by removing dangerous materials and other hazards and then locking the doors, leaving expensive and sensitive equipment to deteriorate. In short order, much equipment had become scrap. If work had been done to deactivate and properly mothball equipment much of their value could have been preserved for later use or sale.

Mothballing Tips

Think for the long term; chances are a market dislocation won't last forever.

Set aside money for mothballing.

Appoint a person to be in charge of mothballing and to create a strategy for executing it.

Maintain permits.

Handle hazardous materials early on; cleanup later will be far more expensive.

Enlist experienced workers (operators and mechanics) to assist with mothballing.

Keep good records of what was done and what is maintained and when.

Example of Mothballing

A cyclical business that benefits from proper mothballing is oil exploration and drilling. Well-drilling equipment is expensive and oil prices have proven to be unpredictable, not to mention the boom/bust nature of the oil business. When prices fall, wells in some locations may become unprofitable and the demand for new wells will fall. That equates to lots of idle drilling rigs. Properly mothballed rigs can allow drillers to go back to work once a cycle has turned in their favor. The difference in restarting a properly mothballed rig vs. an inadequately mothballed rig can be three or more times the replacement cost.

One of the most common uses of mothballing involves aircraft (commercial and military). Such mothballing, or long-term storage awaiting possible future use, happens at aircraft boneyards or graveyards. Mothballing is also common with seagoing vessels, which are stored and maintained as "ghost fleets" for possible reconditioning, updating, and recommissioning. The cyclical nature of the shipping business, the unpredictability of energy prices, as well as the tight margins of the airline business, means that mothballing these assets is common.
What Is Undue Influence?best crypto sites Australia

Undue influence occurs when an individual is able to persuade another's decisions due to the relationship between the two parties. Often, one of the parties is in a position of power over the other due to elevated status, higher education, or emotional ties. The more powerful individual uses this advantage to coerce the other individual into making decisions that might not be in their long-term best interest.

Undue influence is an equitable doctrine that involves one person taking advantage of a position of power over another person. This inequity in power between the parties can vitiate one party's consent as they are unable to freely exercise their independent will. In exerting undue influence, the influencing individual is often able to take advantage of the weaker party. In contract law, a party claiming to be the victim of undue influence may be able to void the terms of the agreement.

Key Takeaways

Undue influence most commonly occurs when a more powerful party exerts its influence over a less powerful party in order to achieve its desired outcome.

Depending on the measure of influence and if there were any extraneous factors involved, some agreements can be legally voided.

Undue influence varies widely in size, from the basic favor to multibillion-dollar transactions.

Understanding Undue Influence

Undue influence occurs when an individual is able to use an advantage to coerce another party's decisions. Often, this coercion occurs to the detriment of the weaker party and the gain of the more powerful or influential party. Some relationships, such as one between a patient and a doctor or a parent and a child, are considered to run the risk of undue influence and are legally outlined.

The onus in this type of relationship is on the person with influence to prove that he was not using his position to take advantage of the other party. In other situations, one party, based on previous interactions, can be accused of using the trust of the other party to his advantage.

Example of Undue Influence

For example, Bert is Ernie's therapist. Bert is also involved in a couple of real estate development deals around town. Ernie starts talking to Bert about how he has heard about units for sale in the complex that Bert is invested in developing. Ernie isn't interested and doesn't feel it's appropriate for him to purchase a home at that time, but feels left behind by his friends who are all purchasing units or making other investments in the project.

Bert uses his place of power over Ernie to convince him that it's a good step forward in his life also to make an investment in the project. This is to Ernie's financial detriment, but it increases the value of Bert's investment. Bert has used undue influence.

Undue Influence in Financial Markets

There is a pandemic of undue influence in the financial markets of the world. It can be as simple as leveraging information someone has on someone else in order to induce a sale or purchase, or it can be as complicated as forcing board members to vote a certain way. Having third-party counsel, or a mediator, present when deals or large trades are occurring can help to mitigate instances of undue influence.
Have you ever wondered about the differences between public transportation and public displays of affection?

Chances are good that you havent because those two things are not related to each other. The words buses and busses are almost identical, though, and they each describe one of those actions.

Thus, if you want to describe your morning commute accurately to a coworker or classmate, you will need to know the difference between these words.

What is the Difference Between Buses and Busses?

In this post, I will compare buses vs. busses. I will use each of these words in an example sentence, so you can see them in context.

Plus, I will show you a memory trick that will help you decide whether to use buses or busses in your own writing.

When to Use Buses

What does buses mean? Buses can be a noun or a verb.

As a noun,busesis the plural of the word bus, which is a vehicle for transporting groups of people. In information technology, it can also mean a connection hub, like in the phrase universal serial bus.

For example,

There is a traffic slowdown on 112th because two buses collided at an intersection.

There is always heavy traffic on Interstate 5, even though no buses run on it.

While the senators were getting off their buses, Trump went before the cameras to announce that hes directed the secretary of education to investigate whether there are too many federal regulations of public schools. The New York Times

As a verb,buses is the third person singular present tense form of bus, which means to travel by bus or to transport people by bus. In food service, it can also mean to clear a tableof dishes.

For example,

Every day, the district buses children to school even if they live half an hour away.

Alisha is concerned with the environmental impact of her commute, so she buses to work four days a week.

Hundreds of rebel fighters and civilians, including small children swaddled in thick blankets, were bused out of war-ravaged Aleppo in heavy snow on Wednesday as the evacuation of former rebel strongholds entered its final phase. The Wall Street Journal

When to Use Busses

What does busses mean? Busses is the third person singular present tense conjugation of the verb buss, which means to kiss. It can also be the plural of the noun buss, where it means more than one kiss.

For example,

If Alonso busses Margaret in front of me one more time, Im going to throw a fit! said Emily.

My dad busses my mom every day when she gets home from work, said Fred.

Today, busses is no longer common in these contexts. If a writer needed to describe kisses or kissing, he or she would simply use kiss.

That said, busses should not be used in the context of transportation. Most of your audience wont know the difference, but you will give careful readers the wrong impression.

As TheAP Stylebookentries on these two words state,

bus, buses Transportation vehicles. The verb forms: bus, bused, busing.

buss, bussesKisses. The verb forms: buss, bussed, bussing.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Now, lets go over a trick to remember busses vs. buses.

You should always use buses in the context of transportation. Busses is a misspelling in these situations. And in most cases, kissis a better choice than buss.

Remember, buses does not double the Slike kisses. Since both buss and kiss contain a double S, you will always know that these words are synonyms.

Summary

Is it buses or busses? Both of these spellings refer to nouns and verbsbut different nouns and verbs.

Buses is used in the context of transportation.

Busses is a different words that means kisses.

What is the plural of bus?

If you are referring to transportation vehicles, the plural is buses.

If you are referring to kisses, the plural is busses.
Zeng Zhiquan (),vegas world slots online free member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Guangdong Provincial Committee and head of the provincial United Front Work Department, is under investigation by the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and National Supervisory Commission for suspected serious violation of Party disciplinary rules and law, according to a Wednesday CCDI statement.

Zeng Zhiquan, male, Han nationality, born in January 1963, Wuhua, Guangdong, joined the party in December 1984, and joined the work in July 1986. He graduated from the Business Economics Department of Zhongnan University of Finance and Economics with a major in business economics. He holds a university degree, masters degree in business administration and senior accountant qualification.

Senior provincial official under investigationadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is a Contingent Asset?american online betting sites

A contingent asset is a potential economic benefit that is dependent on some future event(s) largely out of a companys control. A contingent asset is thus also known as a potential asset.

Not knowing for certain whether these gains will materialize, or being able to determine their precise economic value, means these assets cannot be recordedon the balance sheet. However, they can be reported in the accompanying footnotes of financial statements, provided that certain conditions are met.

Key Takeaways

A contingent asset is only valuable if certain events or conditions that are independent of a company's own actions come to pass in the future.

Upon meeting certain conditions, contingent assets are reported in the accompanying notes of financial statements.

A contingent asset can be recorded on a firm's balance sheet only when the realization of cash flows associated with it becomes relatively certain.

Understanding Contingent Assets

A contingent asset becomes a realized asset recordable on the balance sheet when the realization of cash flows associated with it becomes relatively certain. In this case, the asset is recognized in the period when the change in status occurs.

Contingent assets may arise due to the economic value being unknown. Alternatively, they might occur due to uncertainty relating to the outcome of an event in which an asset may be created. A contingent asset appears because of previous events, but the entirety of all asset information will not be collected until future events happen.

There also exists contingent or potential liabilities. Unlike contingent assets, they refer to a potential loss that may be incurred, depending on how a certain future event unfolds.

Examples of Contingent Assets

A company involved in a lawsuit that expects to receive compensation has a contingent asset because the outcome of the case is not yet known and the dollar amount is yet to be determined.

Lets say Company ABC has filed a lawsuit against Company XYZ for infringing a patent. If there is a decent chance that Company ABC will win the case, it has a contingent asset. This potential asset will generally be disclosed in its financial statement, but not recorded as an asset until the lawsuit is settled.

Based on this same example, Company XYZ would need to disclose a potential contingent liability in its notes and then later record it in its accounts, should it lose the lawsuit and be ordered to pay damages.

Contingent assets also crop up when companies expect to receive money through the use of a warranty. Other examples include benefits to be received from an estate or other court settlement. Anticipated mergers and acquisitions are to be disclosed in the financial statements.

Reporting Requirements

Both generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) require companies to disclose contingent assets if there is a decent possibility that these potential gains will eventually be realized. For U.S. GAAP, there generally needs to be a 70% likelihood that the gain occurs. IFRS, on the other hand, is slightly more lenient and generally permits companies to make reference to potential gains if there is at least a 50% likelihood that they will occur.

International Accounting Standard 37 (IAS 37), applicable to IFRS, states the following: Contingent assets are not recognized, but they are disclosed when it is more likely than not that an inflow of benefits will occur. However, when the inflow of benefits is virtually certain an asset is recognized in the statement of financial position because that asset is no longer considered to be contingent.

Contingent asset accounting policies for GAAP, meanwhile, are mainly outlined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 450.

Special Considerations

Companies must reevaluate the potential asset continually. When a contingent asset becomes likely, firms must report it in financial statements by estimating the income to be collected. The estimate is generated using a range of possible outcomes, the associated risks, and experience with similar potential contingent assets.

Contingent assets are ruled under the conservatism principle, which is an accounting practice that states that uncertain events and outcomes should be reported in a manner that results in the lowest potential profit. In other words, companies are discouraged from inflating expectations and are generally advised to utilize the lowest estimated asset valuation.

In addition, no gain may be recorded from a contingent asset until it actually occurs. The conservatism principle supersedes the matching principle of accrual accounting, meaning the asset may not be reported until a period after associated costs were incurred.
The disparity of standardization between American and British English has left many common words with multiple accepted spellings.

In most cases, one form is standard in American English but unacceptable in British English, while the other is standard in British English, but considered an error in American English.

It can be difficult for beginning writers and language learners to remember which spelling is appropriate for which audience, which leads to easily avoidable mistakes, and confused readers.

Analyseand analyzeare two variants of the same verb. One is standard in American English, while users of British English prefer the other. Continue reading to find out which is which, as well as to learn whether you should use analyseor analyze, depending on your expected audience.

What is the Difference Between Analyse and Analyze?

In this article, I will compare analyse vs. analyze. I will use each in a sentence and outline when it is appropriate to use each spelling. Then, I will tell you a helpful trick to use in times of indecision regarding whether to use analyzeor analysefor your writing.

When to Use Analyse

What does analyse mean? Analyseis a verb meaning to examine in detail. It is the British spelling of this verb. Here are some examples.

Phil, I need you to analyse this data set and get me a report by next Monday.

The psychiatrist will analyse the results of your tests.

Troy, analyse the problem and find a solution.

But if you really want to analyse Corbyns achievements, it is important not to fall for the cliche that we have transformed the party but failed at grown-up conventional politics. The Guardian

When to Use Analyze

What does analyze mean? Analyzeis the American spelling of the same word. It is a verb, and can be used in all the same contexts as analyse.

You can see in the following graphs that analyseis much more common in British English, whereas analyze is much more widely used in American English.

This graph charts analysevs. analyzein British English, and, as you can see, analyseis the preferred spelling in British books.

This graph charts analysevs. analyzein America English, and, as you can see, analyzeis the preferred spelling in American books.

These charts arent meant to be scientific or exhaustive. They only count books written in English since 1800, ignoring other print sources like academic journals or engineering reports. Still, they are useful because they are able to illustrate a clear, long-term trend.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Here is a helpful trick to remember analyzevs. analyse.

Analyseand analyzeare two spelling variations of the same verb. Users of British English prefer analyse, while American English users have standardized around analyze.

You should use analysewith primarily British audiences, and analyzewith primarily American audiences. Using the nonstandard variant will be distracting to your readers, and detract from your writing.

You can remember that analyseis the preferred variant in British English since analyseand British are both spelled with an S.

Summary

Is it analyse or analyze?Analyseand analyzeare two alternative spellings of the same verb, which means to examine in detail.

Analyse is the standard spelling in British English.

In American English, analyze is standard.

If youre having trouble remembering which version of this word to use with which audience, notice that analyseand British are both spelled with an S. This shared letter should help put an end to any confusion.

You can also refer back to this article any time you find yourself in need of additional help.
Homophones are words that mean two different things, even though they sound the same when spoken aloud. English has many homophones, like hare and hair, wear and ware, and bear and bare.

These words can even change the meanings of entire phrases when used incorrectly. The difference between too much to bear and too much to bare comes down to a simple spelling error, but the meanings of each phrase are entirely different.

What is the Difference Between Too Much to Bear and Too Much to Bare?

I will discuss the differences between too much to bare vs. too much to bear in this article. I will also use each of these phrases in a few example sentences, so you can see them in context.

Plus, I will demonstrate a memory trick that makes remembering whether to use too much to bare or bear easier.

When to Use Too Much to Bear

What does too much to bear mean? Too much to bear is a phrase that means to the point of excess. In this case, the infinitive to bear means to carry or endure.

A writer might use too much to bear when describing something that he lacks the capacity to handle or when he is overwhelmed.

For example,

Sheila put up with Damians immaturity for as long as she could, but she considered his infidelity too much to bear.

This workload is too much to bear without hiring more mechanics, said the shop owner.

When to Use Too Much to Bare

What does too much to bare mean? Too much to bare is sometimes confused with too much to bear, since bear and bare are homophones.

As verbs, however, bare and bear have different meanings.

Bare means to expose something. A wolf might bare its teeth in a threatening display, for instance, or a man might bare his chest when he goes swimming.

Therefore, too much to bare has an entirely different literal meaning than too much to bear. It would refer to excessive exposure rather than excessive burdens.

Here are some hypothetical examples:

The actress looked at her new evening gown in the mirror and thought, that is too much to bare at the Oscars.

An inch is too much to bare when stripping the insulation from copper wiring; a strong connection usually only requires  inch of exposed wire or less.

Trick to Remember the Difference

If you are using the fixed phrase to refer to an excessive burden, always use too much to bear. Too much to bare is usually a mistake based on the homophones bare and bear.

Too much to bear vs. Too much to bare: Remember that bear means to carry or endure as a verb, so substitute too much to endure in your mind when want to use this phrase as a reminder to use bear instead of bare.

Another commonly confused phrase is bear with me. For a full discussion, see here.

Summary

Is it too much to bear or bare? Too much to bear means something one cannot endure because it is excessive. Too much to bare is a common mistake based on the homophones bare and bear.

In summary, use too much to bear when you are using this idiom.
What Is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)?gold torch coral

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been converted to a liquid form for the ease and safety of natural gas transport. Natural gas is cooled to approximately -260 F, creating a clear, colorless, and non-toxic liquid that can be transported from areas with a large supply of natural gas to areas that demand more natural gas.

In its liquid state, natural gas takes up 1/600th of the space, meaning that natural gas is shrunk 600 times, making it much easier to ship and store when pipeline transport is not feasible. As world energy consumption increases, experts anticipate that the LNG trade will grow in importance.

Key Takeaways

Liquified natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled into a liquid form for ease of transportation.

LNG demand is growing as the world turns towards cleaner sources of energy.

The largest exporters of LNG are Australia and Qatar, with the U.S. expected to overtake them in the next few years.

The largest demand for LNG comes from China.

LNG is being looked at as an alternative source of fuel for automotive vehicles and other uses rather than just a means of transport.

How Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Works

Liquefied natural gas is primarily used to transport natural gas from one source to another. Exporters use this method when shipping to different countries and across bodies of water when pipelines aren't available.

There are two main approaches to liquefying natural gas in large quantities

The cascade process

The Linde Method

The cascade process refers to the cooling of one gas by another gas, resulting in a cascading effect. The Linde Method is regenerative cooling, where it is compressed, cooled, and expanded, until it is eventually cooled into a liquid.

Liquefied natural gas is best known as a transport tool, but it is starting to gain mainstream adoption. The automotive industry is evaluating the usefulness of gas as fuel for internal combustion engines in over-the-road trucking, off-road vehicles, marine vessels, and railways.

Global Demand for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Despite having one of the world's largest reserves of natural gas, the United States imports a small percentage of its natural gas as liquefied natural gas from France and Trinidad. In fact, as of 2019, the United States was the third-largest exporter of LNG and is expected to become the largest exporter by 2025, surpassing Australia and Qatar.

In 2020, the largest importers of U.S. LNG were South Korea, Japan, and China. Future demand growth will come from Asian countries, as they look toward LNG as a replacement for coal as an energy source.

Once the natural gas is liquefied, it is then stored in special tankers and transported to its point of destination. There is no possibility of LNG exploding if there is any sort of leak or spill. LNG and the gases that it consists of do not explode in an open-air environment. Once LNG is delivered, the natural gas is allowed to expand and convert back to its gaseous form by reheating, a process known as regasification. Once regasified, the natural gas is distributed via pipelines to consumers.

LNG Imports.

Other major exporters of LNG include Indonesia, Nigeria, Russia, and Malaysia. Russia has the world's largest supply of natural gas, followed by Iran and Qatar. As of 2020, Japan is the world's largest importer of natural gas primarily through increases in LNG purchases.

LNG Exports.

The Future of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Global demand for LNG experienced rapid growth from near-zero levels in 1970 to a meaningful market share today. 51% of that demand came from China, Japan, and South Korea in 2019. The LNG industry is booming as the world aims to break away from traditional and polluting energy sources such as oil and coal to focus on clean energy.

McKinsey and Company estimates LNG demand to increase 3.4% per year till 2035. Gas will be the fastest-growing fossil fuel with an estimated growth rate of 0.9% from 2020 to 2035, and in 2020, the gas demand decreased by 3.0% while the LNG demand grew by 1.0%.
crypto asset regulation south africashows grade level based on the word's complexity. death duty New Word List Save This Word!See death dutyFirst recorded in 188085 Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.Save This Word!See death dutyFirst recorded in 188085

Words nearby death duty

Words related to death duty death duty nouna tax on property inheritances: in Britain, replaced in 1975 by capital transfer tax and since 1986 by inheritance taxAlso called: estate duty Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

death chair, death chamber, death cleaning, deathday, death-dealing, death duty, deathful, death futures, death grant, death house, death instinctDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Liz Truss's final U-turn. Cartoon: Carlos Latuff





Liz Truss sealed her fate as being the shortest tenured prime minister in British history,and no doubt in terms of historical evaluations, the worst of all time to go along with it. Following the disastrous economic shock and subsequent U-turn of her ill-fated "mini-budget," Truss eroded the already tenuous authority she had and her own party began calling for her to quit. By Thursday, the writing was on the wall and Liz announced her resignation after just 45 days.While expectations of Truss as prime minister were minimal, few could have anticipated that it could have ended so abruptly, so disastrously and hilariously to the point it has delivered a colossal blow to Britain's overseas reputation and credibility on the world stage. Worse still, the farce is not yet over with widespread reports in the British press that Boris Johnson is contemplating re-running as leader. The situation is so absurdly ridiculous that it could not have even been conjured up by the finest of satirists.One might be wondering "how" exactly did the UK get in this situation, where politics has descended into both a disaster and a joke. The answer is simple. Starting with the events of 2016, British Politics has lost all sense of pragmatism, common sense and reason in a self-absorbed trajectory which has seen identity and ideology become the primary driver of politics. The 2016 Brexit referendum dealt a decisive fracture to the British political landscape which destroyed the more liberal and pragmatic politics of the David Cameron government, driving the Conservative party rightwards, and in turn upending its own stability.Since that time, the prevailing ideology of the party has consolidated into a mix of growing nationalism and rabid neoconservatism, whilst going through an ever-revolving door of leaders which will soon usher in Britain's 4th prime minister since 2019. There is no individual more manifesting of this "new consensus" than Liz Truss, who had built her rise to power not on qualifications or competence, but on the sand of nationalistic and ideological talking points, an embodiment of the Brexit brand. She was voted in not by the British public, but a small cohort of Conservative Members which she ticked the ideological boxes of. Her immediate and abrupt fall from grace is only demonstrative of how the British government is now completely void of any reasonable or sensible thinking, producing an epic political disaster.Liz Truss's short-lived tenure, however, has provisionally saved the UK from a great deal of harm. If her catastrophic "mini-budget" was anything to go by, Truss had a lot more damaging policies in store, including for that matter a hunger for confrontation against China. In her final week of office, she was preparing to formally designate Beijing a "threat" to the UK, had the Ministry of Defence leak allegations that British pilots were being paid to train their Chinese counterparts, and exploited a conflict started by Hong Kong rioters in Manchester to smear China. It is incredibly lucky she was never given the opportunity to consolidate her full, Cold-War laden, foreign policy vision.In which case, the Conservative Party should ideally now take a look at its surging unpopularity and realize that this saga has been a hard lesson in the consequences of self-destructive policies led by ideology and nationalist talking points, rather than reason. Once described as "the natural party of government," the Conservative Party should return to sensible, pragmatic, and reasoned realpolitik. But in the world we live in now, there is no guarantee of that. The fact that Boris Johnson can even show his name as a potential candidate again, despite everything, indicates this circus is not over yet, and the same Conservative Membership who selected Truss will be selecting her replacement. Meaning whoever is in the best interests of the UK is not likely to make the grade.Finally, this saga is a sorry story of Britain's decline. It is a saga which describes how in facing national decline, the United Kingdom has been beset with growing political polarization and identity conflict, which has in turn created political instability. The rise of these Brexit cladded politicians represents a Britain that has never come to terms with the decline of its empire, or its place in the modern world. Outside of this farcical show at Westminster, there are very few reasons to be optimistic concerning the outlook for economic growth, or even for that matter the survival of the union itself. There is nobody who stands as a greater embodiment of all these failures than Liz Truss. History is likely to remember her unkindly, as an unfortunate by-product of these accumulative political crises that stem from a deeply disillusioned, divided and dissatisfied country.The author is a political and historical relations analyst. [email protected]
What Is a Bungalow?sun crypto reddit 365 betting site

A bungalow is a one-story house, cottage, or cabin. Bungalows are generally small in terms of square footage, but it is not uncommon to see very large bungalows. Bungalows were originally designed to provide affordable, modern housing for the working class.

Key Takeaways

A bungalow is a style of house or cottage that is typically either a single story or has a second, half, or partial story, that is built into a sloped roof.

Bungalows are typically small in terms of size and square footage and often are distinguished by the presence of dormer windows and verandas.

Bungalows are cost-efficient, easy to maintain, and due to increased square footage versus multi-story homes, relatively easy to modify.

On the downside, Bungalows have smaller and fewer rooms than multi-story houses, and are more vulnerable to break-ins, due to how low they sit on the ground.

Understanding Bungalows

Bungalows are most often one-story houses, although they often also include an additional half story, usually with a sloped roof. There are various types of bungalows, including raised bungalows that have basements partially above ground to let in additional sunlight. There are also some bungalows that branch away from the original definition by adding additional levels such as lofts and half levels. Common features of the bungalow include a dormer window and a veranda.

Bungalow Characteristics

Bungalows are small and easy to maintain and are therefore great homes for the elderly or people with disabilities. They are also cost-efficient; heating and cooling costs tend to be lower, and the property value tends to remain relatively high. Because bungalows occupy more square footage than multi-story homes, they tend to allow more space for modifications and additions. They also afford more privacy than most traditional homes, as they're low to the ground and the windows can easily be blocked by trees, shrubs, and fences.

On the other hand, bungalows tend to occupy a larger area of land than their multi-story counterparts; since they don't extend upwards, they take up more square footage on the first floor. This means that the initial costs are higher since they cost more per square foot, and they also require more material for roofing.

Bungalows also tend to have smaller and fewer rooms extending off a larger living room, as opposed to large bedrooms or an open floor plan. Also, because they're low to the ground, they're more susceptible to break-ins; therefore, it's a good idea to invest in a home security system if you purchase a bungalow.

Currently-popular Bungalow styles include California, Chicago, and the chalet.

History of Bungalows

Bungalows were first built in the South Asian region of Bengal. Bungalows, which derive their name from Hindi, were first identified as such by British sailors of the East India Company in the late 17th century. As time progressed, a bungalow came to refer to a large dwelling, often representing high social status in both Britain and America.

The term bungalow as we now know it  a small dwelling, typically one story  developed in the 20th century, although its definition varies in different areas of the world. For example, in India today, the term generally refers to any single-family dwelling, regardless of how many stories it has.

In Canada and the United Kingdom, a bungalow almost exclusively refers to one-story units. Australia tends toward the California bungalow, a type of bungalow that was popular in the United States from about 1910 to 1940 and expanded abroad as Hollywood became popular and increased the desirability of American-made products.

The California bungalow is one to one-and-a-half stories and features a large porch, sloping roof, and Spanish-inspired details. Other types of now-popular bungalow styles include the Chicago bungalow, which has Chicago roots circa the 1920s and is typically made of brick, and the chalet bungalow, which deviates from the one-story norm by having a second-story loft.
M.A., History, University of Florida

B.A., History, University of Florida

The Great Awakeningof 1720-1745 was a period of intense religious revivalism that spread throughout the American colonies. The movement deemphasized the higher authority of church doctrine and instead put greater importance on the individual and his or her spiritual experience.

The Great Awakening arose at a time when people in Europe and the American colonies were questioning the role of the individual in religion and society. It began at the same time as the Enlightenment which emphasized logic and reason and stressed the power of the individual to understand the universe based on scientific laws. Similarly, individuals grew to rely more on a personal approach to salvation than church dogma and doctrine. There was a feeling among believers that established religion had become complacent. This new movement emphasized an emotional, spiritual, and personal relationship with God.

Historical Context of Puritanism

By the early 18th century, the New England theocracy clung to a medieval concept of religious authority. At first, the challenges of living in a colonial America isolated from its roots in Europe served to support an autocratic leadership; but by the 1720s, the increasingly diverse, commercially successful colonies had a stronger sense of independence. The church had to change.

One possible source of inspiration for great change occurred in October of 1727 when an earthquake rattled the region. Ministers preached that the Great Earthquake was God's latest rebuke to New England, a universal shock that might presage the final conflagration and the day of judgment. The number of religious converts increased for some months afterward.

Revivalism

The Great Awakening movement divided longstanding denominations such as the Congregational and Presbyterian churches and created an opening for new evangelical strength in Baptists and Methodists. That began with a series of revival sermons from preachers who were either not associated with mainstream churches, or who were diverging from those churches.

Most scholars date the beginning of the revival era of the Great Awakening to the Northampton revival which began in the church of Jonathan Edwards in 1733. Edwards gained the post from his grandfather, Solomon Stoddard, who had exercised a great deal of control over the community from 1662 until his death in 1729. By the time Edwards took the pulpit, though, things had slipped; licentiousness prevailed particularly with young people. Within a few years of Edward's leadership, the young people by degrees "left off their frolics" and returned to spirituality.

Edwards who preached for close to ten years in New England emphasized a personal approach to religion. He bucked the Puritan tradition and called for an end to intolerance and unity among all Christians. His most famous sermon was "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God," delivered in 1741. In this sermon, he explained that salvation was a direct result of God and could not be attained by human works as the Puritans preached.

"So that, whatever some have imagined and pretended about promises made to natural mens earnest seeking and knocking, it is plain and manifest, that whatever pains a natural man takes in religion, whatever prayers he makes, till he believes in Christ, God is under no manner of obligation to keep him a moment from eternal destruction."

The Grand Itinerant

A second important figure during the Great Awakening was George Whitefield. Unlike Edwards, Whitefield was a British minister who moved to colonial America. He was known as the "Great Itinerant" because he traveled and preached all around North America and Europe between 1740 and 1770. His revivals led to many conversions, and the Great Awakening spread from North America back to the European continent.

In 1740 Whitefield left Boston to begin a 24-day journey through New England. His initial purpose was to collect money for his Bethesda orphanage, but he lit religious fires, and the ensuing revival engulfed most of New England. By the time he returned to Boston, crowds at his sermons grew, and his farewell sermon was said to have included some 30,000 people.

The message of the revival was to return to religion, but it was a religion that would be available to all sectors, all classes, and all economies.

New Light Versus Old Light

The church of the original colonies was various versions of entrenched Puritanism, underpinned by Calvinism. The orthodox Puritan colonies were societies of status and subordination, with the ranks of men arranged in strict hierarchies. Lower classes were subservient and obedient to a class of spiritual and governing elite, made up of upper-class gentlemen and scholars. The church saw this hierarchy as a status that was fixed at birth, and the doctrinal emphasis was placed on the depravity of (common) man, and the sovereignty of God as represented by his church leadership.

But in the colonies before the American Revolution, there were clearly social changes at work, including a rising commercial and capitalist economy, as well as increased diversity and individualism. This, in turn, created a rise of class antagonism and hostilities. If God bestows his grace on an individual, why did that gift have to be ratified by a church official?

The Significance of the Great Awakening

The Great Awakening had a major impact on Protestantism, as a number of new offshoots grew out of that denomination, but with an emphasis on individual piety and religious inquiry. The movement also prompted a rise in evangelicalism, which united believers under the umbrella of like-minded Christians, regardless of denomination, for whom the path to salvation was the acknowledgment that Jesus Christ died for our sins.

While a great unifier among the people living in the American colonies, this wave of religious revivalism did have its opponents. Traditional clergy asserted that it fomented fanaticism and that the emphasis on extemporaneous preaching would increase the number of uneducated preachers and downright charlatans.

It pushed individual religious experience over established church doctrine, thereby decreasing the importance and weight of the clergy and the church in many instances.

New denominations arose or grew in numbers as a result of the emphasis on individual faith and salvation.

It unified the American colonies as it spread through numerous preachers and revivals. This unification was greater than had ever been achieved previously in the colonies.

Sources
biggest gambling winsshows grade level based on the word's complexity. dauphin [ daw-fin; French doh-fan ]/ d fn; French dof / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ daw-fin; French doh-fan ]/ d fn; French dof /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun, plural dauphins [daw-finz; French doh-fan]. /d fnz; French dof/. the eldest son of a king of France, used as a title from 1349 to 1830.

Words nearby dauphin

How to use dauphin C15: from Old French: originally a family name; adopted as a title by the Counts of Vienne and later by the French crown princes

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question dauphin147585;
BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- On Monday, more than 600 delegates representing about 85 million people living with disabilities gathered in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, as China Disabled Persons' Federation opened its eighth national congress. Among the Party and state leaders attending the event was President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. Over the years, Xi has placed particular care and attention on this group of people, inspiring many individuals with disabilities to chase their dreams. Among them is Huang Daoliang from Minqing County in east China's Fujian Province. At the age of nine, Huang had both of his arms amputated after accidentally touching a high-voltage wire. The accident did not stop him from pursuing his dream of attending college. In 1988 and 1989, Huang failed the national college entrance exam twice, despite achieving decent scores. He thought his failures were possibly due to his physical condition. In 1990, Huang sat the national college entrance exam once again. In that year, Xi took up the position of Party chief of Fuzhou, capital city of Fujian Province, as well as principal of Minjiang Polytechnic College (now known as Minjiang University). Upon learning of Huang's story, Xi made the decision to admit him through exceptional enrollment, making Huang the first "armless student" in the college and in the entire province. "For me, it was indeed a new lease of life," Huang recalled. The 53-year-old man has dedicated his career to the local disabled persons' federation in Minqing since graduation, driven by a deep sense of gratitude. Wang Yani, with a hearing impairment, has drawn strength from her interactions with Xi as she aspired to become a teacher. During an inspection in Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 2014, Xi visited a welfare home for children where Wang lived. Visiting Wang's room, Xi looked through some of her albums and sign language books. Xi smiled as he learned some gestures in sign language from Wang. Upon leaving, Xi encouraged Wang to study hard and pursue excellence in her school years. Wang expressed her gratitude by bending a thumb, which means "Thank you" in Chinese sign language. Xi got the message and continued to encourage her by following her sign language. In 2019, Wang achieved her dream of becoming a cosmetology teacher at the special education school where she had studied. Before that, she attended a beauty school in Hohhot, where, despite being the only student with disabilities, she overcame all difficulties and challenges to graduate as the top student. In Tangshan, north China's Hebei Province, Yang Yufang and his wife Gao Zhihong, both becoming paraplegic after a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit the city in 1976, are enjoying a content life at a residential care center where they have jobs. In 2016, when Xi visited the center for the earthquake victims, he talked with the couple and was glad to learn that they had been able to work as much as their strength would permit, blend into society, and live independently. "If people with a sound physical condition can have a brilliant life, people with disabilities can do likewise," Xi said. Encouraged by Xi, the couple has tried their best to assist those around them. They have supported impoverished students by making crafts for charity sales over the years. There are numerous moments like the aforementioned, and the millions of people with disabilities in China don't have to meet Xi in person to benefit from the country's commitment to ensuring that disabled people have a brilliant life. In recent years, China has taken concrete steps to expand educational and job opportunities for people with disabilities, allowing them to realize their goals and share the benefits of national prosperity. To date, more than 90 laws and over 50 administrative regulations directly involving the protection of disabled people's rights and interests have been formulated and enforced in China, including the country's first specific law on building a barrier-free environment. In June, Xi signed a presidential order to promulgate the law, which took effect on Sept. 1. This marks a significant stride toward enabling people with disabilities in China to more easily participate in and integrate into all aspects of social life on an equal footing.
What Is Continuous Compounding?mobile blackjack shiba inu 1 penny

Continuous compounding is the mathematical limit that compound interest can reach if it's calculated and reinvested into an account's balance over a theoretically infinite number of periods. While this is not possible in practice, the concept of continuously compounded interest is important in finance. It is an extreme case of compounding, as most interest is compounded on a monthly, quarterly, or semiannual basis.

Formula and Calculation of Continuous Compounding

Instead of calculating interest on a finite number of periods, such as yearly or monthly, continuous compounding calculates interest assuming constant compounding over an infinite number of periods. The formula for compound interest over finite periods of time takes into account four variables:

PV = the present value of the investment

i = the stated interest rate

n = the number of compounding periods

t = the time in years

The formula for continuous compounding is derived from the formula for the future value of an interest-bearing investment:

Future Value (FV) = PV x [1 + (i / n)](n x t)

Calculating the limit of this formula as n approaches infinity (per the definition of continuous compounding) results in the formula for continuously compounded interest:

FV = PV x e (i x t), where e is the mathematical constant approximated as 2.7183.

Key Takeaways

Most interest is compounded on a semiannually, quarterly, or monthly basis.

Continuously compounded interest assumes interest is compounded and added back into the balance an infinite number of times.

The formula to compute continuously compounded interest takes into account four variables.

The concept of continuously compounded interest is important in finance even though its not possible in practice.

What Continuous Compounding Can Tell You

In theory, continuously compounded interest means that an account balance is constantly earning interest, as well as refeeding that interest back into the balance so that it, too, earns interest.

Continuous compounding calculates interest under the assumption that interest will be compounding over an infinite number of periods. Although continuous compounding is an essential concept, it's not possible in the real world to have an infinite number of periods for interest to be calculated and paid. As a result, interest is typically compounded based on a fixed term, such as monthly, quarterly, or annually.

Even with very large investment amounts, the difference in the total interest earned through continuous compounding is not very high when compared to traditional compounding periods.

Example of How to Use Continuous Compounding

As an example, assume a $10,000 investment earns 15% interest over the next year. The following examples show the ending value of the investment when the interest is compounded annually, semiannually, quarterly, monthly, daily, and continuously.

Annual Compounding: FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 1)) (1 x 1) = $11,500

FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 1)) = $11,500 Semi-Annual Compounding: FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 2)) (2 x 1) = $11,556.25

FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 2)) = $11,556.25 Quarterly Compounding: FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 4)) (4 x 1) = $11,586.50

FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 4)) = $11,586.50 Monthly Compounding: FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 12)) (12 x 1) = $11,607.55

FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 12)) = $11,607.55 Daily Compounding: FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 365)) (365 x 1) = $11,617.98

FV = $10,000 x (1 + (15% / 365)) = $11,617.98 Continuous Compounding:FV = $10,000 x 2.7183 (15% x 1)= $11,618.34

With daily compounding, the total interest earned is $1,617.98, while with continuous compounding the total interest earned is $1,618.34, a marginal difference.
BANGKOK,casino on carnival mardi gras Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday that Beijing is to consider holding the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next year to give a new boost to development and prosperity in Asia-Pacific and the wider world.

He made the remarks while addressing the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in Thailand. 
What Is Unearned Income?action cards poker site

The term unearned income refers to any income that is not acquired through work. Put simply, unearned income is any money you earn by doing nothing. This is in contrast to earned income, which is any compensation received for performing a service like work. There are many types of unearned or passive income, including interest from savings accounts, bond interest, alimony, and dividends from stocks.

Key Takeaways

Unearned income is not acquired through work or business activities.

Examples of unearned income include inheritance money and interest or dividends earned from investments.

Tax rates on unearned income are different from rates on earned income.

Unearned income, which can serve as a supplement to earned income before retirement, is often the only source of income in postretirement years.

Unearned income is directly contrasted with earned income, which is compensation paid for performing a service.

Understanding Unearned Income

As noted above, unearned income is any money that is earned passively. It differs from earned income, which is any form of compensation gained from employment, work, or business activities.

Unearned income cannot be contributed to individual retirement accounts (IRAs). According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, and self-employment income.

Taxation differs for unearned income and earned income due to qualitative differences. The tax rates also vary among unearned income sources. Most unearned income sources are not subject to payroll taxes, and none of it is subject to employment taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare.

Make sure you understand the origin and taxation of any of your unearned income.

Types of Unearned Income

Interest

Interest and dividend income are the most common types of unearned income. Money received this way is unearned income, and the tax paid on it is considered an unearned income tax. Interest income is normally taxed as ordinary income on sources that earn income, including:

Checking and savings deposit accounts

Loans

Certificates of deposit (CDs)

There are certain exceptions to this rule, including interest earned on municipal bonds, which is exempt from federal income tax.

Dividends

Dividends, which are income from investments, can be taxed at ordinary tax rates or preferred long-term capital gains tax rates. Investments typically yield dividends payable to shareholders on a regular basis. Dividends may be paid to the investment account monthly, quarterly, annually, or semi-annually.

Taxation of dividends is based on whether the dividend is ordinary or qualified:

Ordinary dividends, the more common form of dividends that investors receive from a company, are taxed at ordinary tax rates.

Qualified dividends, on the other hand, are taxed at the more favorable capital gains tax rates. In order to qualify as qualified dividends, they must be issued by a U.S. corporation or qualified foreign corporation, the investor must own them for at least 60 days out of a 121-day holding period, and they cannot be in a category of dividends otherwise excluded from the qualified dividend classification.

Other Sources

You may get unearned income from other sources, such as:

Retirement accounts like 401(k)s, pensions, and annuities

Inheritances

Alimony

Gifts

Lottery winnings

Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits

Social Security benefits

Welfare benefits

Unemployment compensation

Property income

Benefits of Unearned Income

Unearned income can serve as a supplement to earned income before retirement, and it is often the only source of income in postretirement years. During the accumulation phase, taxes are deferred for many sources of unearned income.

Sources of unearned income that allow a deferment of income tax include 401(k) plans and annuity income. As a result, participants avoid IRS penalties and higher tax rates.

Tax advisors often recommend diversifying holdings to even out the effect of taxes on unearned income.

Examples of Unearned Income

Here are a couple of hypothetical examples to show how unearned income actually works.

Example 1

Let's say Jan invests $50,000 in a CD. The interest she derives from her investment is considered unearned income and must be reported to the IRS for taxation at the ordinary income rate. She also wins $10,000 on a game show, but she does not get the full amount of her winnings. Why? Because the IRS deducts taxes from it, treating the amount as unearned income.

Example 2

Now let's suppose that Michael buys an investment property with the intention to rent it out for additional income. He fixes it up and converts it into two apartments: the main unit and the basement as a separate studio. He signs leases with two different tenants who pay their rent to Michael on the first of each month. The tenants' rent payments are considered unearned or passive income because Michael isn't doing any work to earn them.

What Are Some Types of Unearned Income?

Unearned income is income not earned from work. Examples include inheritance money, a financial prize, unemployment benefits, interest on a savings account, and stock dividends.

Do I Have to Pay Tax on Unearned Income?

Usually, yes. Though not subject to employment taxes, such as Social Security and Medicare, and, in most cases, payroll taxes, unearned income is generally treated as taxable incomesave for a few exceptions such as life insurance proceeds.

How Much Tax Will I Pay on Unearned Income?

Unearned income is not taxed uniformly. Some sources of unearned income are taxed as ordinary income, whereas others enjoy more generous tax rates. It's also possible with some types of unearned income to defer tax liabilities to a later date.



What's the Difference Between Unearned Income and Earned Income?

Unearned income is any form of income you earn passively. Examples include interest on investments, dividends, lottery or casino winnings, and rental income from investment properties. Earned income, on the other hand, is any compensation you receive for providing a service. This may be from your employer, a self-employment gig, tips, bonuses, and vacation pay.

What Is the Tax Treatment of Unearned Income for a Child?

According to the IRS, there are two possibilities that affect the reporting of a child's unearned income. Any unearned income above $2,200, such as interest or dividends, may be subject to an unearned income tax. This is known as the kiddie tax. Alternatively, interest and dividend income of less than $11,000 may be included on the parent's return rather than that of the child.

The Bottom Line

Unearned income isn't a term with which most people are familiar. You may know it as passive income or money that you acquire without providing a service. Put simply, you make this money without actually working for it. Sources may include interest income from interest-paying accounts, dividends, and rent from tenants if you have an investment property. Just because it means it is earned passively doesn't mean you don't have to report it on your tax return. In fact, the opposite is true. Be sure to check with the IRS or the issuer of the unearned income, or you can consult a tax professional if you're unsure of what your unearned means to your tax liability.
What Is Groupon?host private online poker tournament

Groupon is a website and mobile app that offers coupons, cashback on purchases and group deals to consumers. Restaurants, retailers, and manufacturers use Groupon deals in an effort to lure customers into their establishments or to purchase their products.

The word "Groupon" is a portmanteau of the words group and coupon. The company partners with providers of goods and services by hosting a discount deal and keeping a percentage of the profit as a marketing fee. That percent varies, but the reported average is 50%.

Unlike a standard coupon, a groupon lets consumers pay the discounted price for goods in advance by purchasing the deal. The average groupon grants a 15% to 30% discount, but it can be as high as 90%. For example, a merchant may offer $50 worth of food for $35 or a $200 spa package for $90.

Key Takeaways

Groupon started in 2008 as an online coupon site that offered daily deals as marketing promotions for local businesses.

In recent years, Groupon has changed the daily deal function, and now it is more of a coupon and cashback site offering deals on a wider range of products and services, including vacations.

At the end of 2019, Groupon was rumored to be investigating the acquisition of Yelp, an online review site, because its core business was stagnating.

Understanding Groupon

The original idea behind Groupon was to tap into the power of collective purchasing by offering a substantial discount to a group of people if they buy a product or service. That's the "group" in Groupon. Ostensibly, merchants would benefit because the discount offered through the coupon would be offset by the scale of new customers.

Until 2016, Groupon deals included a "tipping point," which requires a predetermined number of consumers, such as 200, to make a purchase before the merchant must honor the discount. This model's design helps the business make an initial profit to cover the upfront cost of providing the service. After 2016, Groupon no longer requires a tipping point because most deals reach high sales volumes in a short period of time.

Real-World Examples of Groupons and Grouponing

Consumers typically receive daily deal ads through the Groupon app, location-specific email lists, or social media sites. The company releases at least one local deal every day with a predetermined purchase period, ranging from a few hours to a few days. In most cases, the discount is valid for up to six months, and the groupon amount is redeemable indefinitely.

Consumers use a code or printed voucher for redemption at the time of service. Since the discount is prepaid, the customer owes the merchant only for services exceeding the value of the groupon. The "fine print" section of a groupon states the unique restrictions for each deal, such as excluded days or products. However, merchants may impose unadvertised limitations upon redemption, such as a limited menu or inflated pricing for Groupon customers.

Groupon has added new features in the last few years that expand its offerings beyond the original Groupon business model. Groupon Goods offers discounts on merchandise, Groupon Live is for ticketed events like concerts and sports events, and Groupon Getaways is for vacation packages and travel deals.

Pros and Cons of Groupon for Businesses

Groupon collects a percentage of the daily deal profit in exchange for providing merchants with a broad customer base through the company's extensive email list and social media presence. The merchant can profit from the discount if Groupon customers come back after redeeming the voucher, promote the business to their friends, or spend more than the value of the groupon.

Groupon deals may be unprofitable for businesses with variable operating costs because they often need additional staff and supplies to satisfy a sudden increase in demand. Daily deals may also attract customers outside the merchant's target audience, reducing the rate of repeat visits.
MORE ABOUT DAUNTING

What does dauntingmean?

If a task is daunting,its intimidating or overwhelming in a way that makes you not even want to try to do it.

Dauntingis the progressive or continuous tense (the -ingform) of the verb daunt, meaning to intimidate or discourage. But dauntingis commonly used as an adjective. It is almost always used to describe tasks, projects, or other things that need to be done.

Example:When I first started at this job, I was assigned the daunting task of reorganizing 10 years worth of files.

Where does dauntingcome from?

Dauntingis the adjective form of the verb daunt. Dauntcomes from the Old French danter, an alteration of donter, meaning to conquer. This word came from Latin domitare, to tame. Daunthas been used in English since at least the 1300s, with dauntingcoming later.

When something is daunting, you dread doing itits overwhelming and you dont even know how to begin. Dauntingis usually used to describe overwhelming tasks, like reading a 1,000-page book, or writing a 50-page paper, or having to read a 1,000-page book and then write a 50-page paper on it. Some things are dauntingnot because they would take a long time to do but simply because theyre intimidating, like the dauntingprospect of having to speak in front of a room full of strangers. Sometimes, things are described as dauntingeven when theyre not all that important, like the dauntingtask of cleaning out the garage for the first time in 15 years, or the dauntingcommitment of streaming a 10-season TV show.

Some people try to make projects less dauntingby breaking them down into smaller tasks, making a to-do list, and crossing things off one at a time. The best way to make an assignment seem less dauntingand more doable? Starting it.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to daunting?

daunt (verb)

dauntingly (adverb)

What are some synonyms for daunting?

intimidating

overwhelming

What are some words that share a root or word element with daunting?

indomitable

What are some words that often get used in discussing daunting?

task

prospect

project

assignment

challenge

obstacle

discourage

faze

How is dauntingused in real life?

Dauntingis often used with words like task and prospect. It can refer to intimidating tasks that are serious or not-so-serious, as long as theyre overwhelming in some way.

Try using daunting!

Is dauntingused correctly in the following sentence?

Going to a small gathering might seem like fun, but for someone with social anxiety it can be pretty daunting.
Online slots provider Playn GO has promised an exciting 2020 roadmap and has so far delivered splendidly. But its latest slot release has arrived as one of the most daring titles in its ever-growing portfolio.

Playn GO today debuted Testament, a 53 online slot celebrating American thrash metal band Testamentand its critically acclaimed 2012 album Dark Roots of Earth.

The bands artwork is featured prominently in every aspect of the game to set an apocalyptic tonethat also defines the bands music.

Testamentopens to songs from Dark Roots of Earthand into a dark hall that further enhances the apocalyptic feel of the game. Playn GOs newest slot starts with a 53 grid that expands during the games features. Base mode comes with 243 win ways.

RELATED: Playn GO Releases New Ancient Egypt-Themed Slot Adventure Dawn of Egypt

Playn GO Ventures into the Mysteries of the American South with Wild Blood 2 Vampire Slot

A look at the table gives the same intense vibes as Testaments whole atmosphere. The lowest paying symbols are represented by the J-A card royals. The developer has used the same font that is used on the bands logo, which is certainly a touch that would be appreciated by Testamentfans.

The higher paying symbols include a shield, a creepy looking man on a throne, a werewolf, a vampire, and a horned skull. The skull is the highest paying symbol, awarding 25 times a players bet for five of a kind.

It should also be noted that the skull has the ability to transform into a Wild randomly within a spin during base game. It always transforms into a Wild during special features.

A thrash metal demon acts as the games Wildand can substitute for all other game symbols except the Scatter. As for the Scatter, it is the Dark Roots of Earthalbum cover and is the symbol that triggers all of the Testamentslots special features.

The Games Features

Testamentis packed with three bonus featuresfor enhanced win potential. The first feature  Song Features  is triggered when two Scatters hit the reels during base game. Once the bonus game is unlocked, players get three free spins and they can play out in three ways:

Cold Embrace where any Wild landing on the reels sticks to the grid and remains there throughout the feature;

Dark Roots of Earth where the skull symbol spreads up or down on the reel;

Throne of Thorns  where the grid expands from a 53 set to a 4-5-6-5-4 one to increase payways to 2,400.

When 3 or more Scatters hit the reels, the Rise Up Spinsfeature is triggered and awards players nine free spins. The reels expand to 4-5-6-5-4 during this feature with nine spaces at the top of the grid being blocked off by stone blockers. Every time a Scatter lands, it smashes through a stone blocker to expand the reel even more.

Smashing all nine stone blockers unlocks the Testament Spinsfeature. Players are given three free spins in addition to their remaining ones from the Rise Up Spins feature. All remaining spins combine all of the powers of the Song Features for the ultimate thrill.

Commenting on their latest slot release, Playn GO Chief Product Officer Martin Zettergren said that creating a slot based on a band or artist carries an extra weight to its as you have to create a fun, unique slot for players to enjoy, byt also represent the band and their music to fans accurately.

Source:Were Rocking the Reels Once Again!

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was an influential philosopher,most trusted betting sites economist, politician, and senior official in the East India Company. A controversial figure in 19th-century Britain, he advocated the use of classical economic theory, philosophical thought, and social awareness in political decision-making and legislation. Many of his views, including those on the legal status of women and on slavery, were quite liberal for the day.

Mill combined economics with philosophy. He believed in a moral theory called utilitarianismthat actions that lead to people's happiness are right and that those that lead to suffering are wrong. Among economists, he's best-known for his 1848 work, Principles of Political Economy,which became a leading economic textbook for decades after its publication. Other significant books include On Liberty, A System of Logic, The Subjection of Women, and Utilitarianism.

Key Takeaways

John Stuart Mill (1806-1973) was an influential British philosopher and economist who also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) and worked for the East India Company.

A liberal classical economist, Mill was an advocate of individual rights, progressive social policies, and utilitarianism (which promotes actions that do "the greatest good for the greatest number").

Mill believed that economic theory and philosophy, along with social awareness, should play a role in politics nad shape public policy.

Mill's best-known works include Principles of Political Economy, Utilitarianism, On Liberty, and The Subjection of Women.

Early Life and Education

John Stuart Mill was born in 1806 in London, the eldest son of the British historian, economist, and philosopher James Mill. He grew up in a strict household under a firm father and was required to learn history, Greek, Latin, mathematics, and economic theory at a very young age.

Much of John Stuart Mill's beliefs, thoughts, and influential works can be attributed to his upbringing and the ideology taught to him by James Mill. His father became acquainted with the leading political theorist Jeremy Bentham in 1808, and together they started a political movement that embraced philosophical radicalism and utilitarianism, which advocates "the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people." It was during this time that the young Mill was indoctrinated with the economic theory, political thinking, and social beliefs that would shape his later work.

It was actually this exact upbringing that gave him his foundation and also brought about a mental breakdownand later, a mental breakthrough. Mill attributed prolonged periods of depression, sadness, and even suicidal thoughts to the overbearing nature of his father and the radical system in which he was raised. The mental lapse forced him to re-examine theories he had previously accepted as true. Through this self-reflection, he began to make changes to Bentham's utilitarian ideology to make it more positive, adopting the revised theory as his own system of belief.

Mill spent most of his working life with the East India Company: He joined it at age 16 and was employed there for 38 years. During 186568, he served as a Member of Parliament (MP), representing the City of Westminster.

Notable Accomplishments

Mill's Ideology

John Stuart Mill is considered one of the most influential British thought leaders on political discourse, including epistemology, economics, ethics, metaphysics, social and political philosophy, and other concentrations.

He used his numerous articles, essays, and books to compare the legal status of women at the time to the legal status of slaves, to promote radical empiricism as a function of mathematics, and to pioneer the harm principlethe idea that political power should only be wielded over a member of an organization when that power is used to prevent harm to that member.

While a passionate believer in freedom and individual rights, as an economist Mill was not a consistent advocate of a laissez-faire system: He did favor taxes and government oversight, such as workplace regulations and limits to workers' hours. His later writings suggest a shift away from classic economics' belief in the free marketplace and capitalism towards socialism, or at least a mixed economy.

Elaborating on the theories of early economists David Ricardo and Adam Smith, Mills helped develop such economic concepts as opportunity cost, economies of scale, and comparative advantage in trade.

Published Works

In order of publication, Mill's best-known works include:

A System of Logic(1843), which outlines the methods of science and how they can be applied to social mechanics.

Principles of Political Economy(1848), which combines the disciplines of philosophy and economics and advocates that population limits and slowed economic growth would be beneficial to the environment and increase public goods.

On Liberty(1859), which addresses the nature and limits of the power that can be legitimately exercised by society over the individual, introducing the harm principle and defending free speech.

Utilitarianism(1863), which expounds on Bentham's original philosophy, using it as the foundation of moralsrejecting the idea that it promotes narrow self-interest, and arguing it aims for the betterment of society as a whole.

The Subjection of Women(1869), which makes the case for womens suffrage and gender equality.

Three Essays on Religion(1874), which critiques traditional, religious orthodoxy and advocates a more liberal "religion of humanity" (published posthumously).

Autobiography(1874), which was written the year he died and published posthumously.

The utilitarian creed, "which accepts as the foundation of morals utility, or the greatest happiness principle, holds that actions are right in proportion as they tend to promote happiness, wrong as they tend to produce the reverse of happiness. By happiness is intended pleasure, and the absence of pain; by unhappiness, pain, and the privation of pleasure."

John Stuart Mill, Utilitarianism

Personal Life

The love of Mill's life was Harriet Hardy Taylor. After two decades of a close friendship (when she was wife to another man), they married in 1851. An intelligent, liberal thinker and writer in her own right, Taylor inspired much of Mill's workhe openly acknowledges her influence in The Subjection of Womenand she may well have edited or co-written some of his pieces. Certainly, she helped turn Mills attention to the progressive ideals which she was passionate about: socialism, womens rights, individual liberty, and a utopian view of humanitys improvability.

What Are John Stuart Mill's Most Important Works?

John Stuart Mill's most important works include Principles of Political Economy (1848), On Liberty (1859), Utilitarianism (1861), and The Subjection of Women (1869).

What Is John Stuart Mill's Utilitarianism Philosophy?

Expanding on philosopher Jeremy Bentham's original doctrine, John Stuart's Mill's utilitarianism has three basic tenets:

Pleasure or happiness is the only thing that has true, intrinsic value.

Actions are right insofar as they promote happiness; wrong insofar as they produce unhappiness.

Everyone's happiness counts equally.

Mill espoused these theories in his 1861 essay, Utilitarianism.



What Were John Stuart Mill's Economic Beliefs?

John Stuart Mill espoused his economic theories in Principles of Political Economy(a 19th-century term, equivalent to our contemporary "macroeconomics"); first published in 1848, it went through several editions as he developed and refined his ideas. For Mill, economics is closely tied to social philosophy and politics: Wealth is the natural end product of labor, but the distribution of wealth is determined by the decisions and the will of actual people (albeit an elite class of educated people). As a result, human laws and institutions can and should determine how wealth is distributed.





Mill did believe in the superiority of socialism, in which economic production would be driven by worker-owned cooperatives. But he also believed in free enterprise, competition, and individual initiative. Governments had a responsibility to maintain these things, as well as to prevent monopolies, look after the poor, and provide an education for young people.

The Bottom Line

John Stuart Mill was a politician and philosopher, economist, and corporate executive, who remains of lasting interest as a liberal thinkeran advocate of the individual's rights and pursuit of happinessand an ethical theorist. In essence, Mill believed that economic theory and philosophy were needed, along with social awareness, in politics in order to make better decisions for the good of the people. Several of his books, including Principles of Political Economy, Utilitarianism, and A System of Logic led him to become one of the most importantif somewhat controversialpublic figures in 19th-century British politics and economics.
Ive often told the story,pi cryptocurrency price in recent years, of visiting the Rio for the Penn & Teller show. The casino, nearly empty. The theater, nearly full.

The Rio experience has long been a misdirection act for the comedy-magic duo, making folks appear in a sparsely populated property. But the Rio is undergoing a revival under new ownership group Dreamscape Cos., taking over for Caesars Entertainment.

Around the Rio, the new entertainment/restaurant venue The Duomo, helmed by ex-Caesars Entertainment exec Damian Costas Pompey Entertainment company, is reinvigorating activity with a variety of shows. The Comedy Cellar continues to tap into top comics, under the able ownership New York comedy icon Noam Dworman.
The week-long 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded on October 22, 2022, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Li Hao/GT

China had an epic decade since 2012. Particularly in the last five years, which are truly momentous, extraordinary, the country has successfully dealt with major challenges including turbulent developments in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the COVID-19 epidemic. The 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China () has laid out plans for the strategic missions and major measures in the next five years, getting the efforts to build a modern socialist country in all respects off to a good start.Roland Boer (Boer), a Marxist scholar from Australia, told Global Times reporter () Liu Zixuan that "by combining long-term planning with significant flexibility, the CPC has emerged as one of the - actually, I should say the - most successful political party in the world."Yes, my connections with China go back to 2007, when I first began to visit for shorter periods - lectures, conferences, and so on. By 2013 I was working at Renmin University of China, and in 2019 moved to Dalian University of Technology.Apart from the more obvious achievements, such as achieving a well-off society, the overcoming of absolute poverty and so on, I would like to emphasize following achievements:The first concerns a growing cultural confidence. In the earlier years of the 2010s, there was a significant debate concerning the growing economic strength of China and its global political importance, but there was a lag in the influence of Chinese cultural approaches. With a history of 5000 years, the question was: how can China's own cultural experience contribute to the world, without copying other models? Since that time, I have noticed that Chinese scholars and many others have become engaged internationally in so many ways. They are fearlessly prepared to go wherever there is a need, to explain calmly and rationally what China can contribute to the world.The second feature I have noticed is the extraordinary ability to manage rapid growth in economic, political, and social terms in a stable manner. As a philosopher, I view this process in terms of contradiction analysis. In other parts of the world where they have experienced rapid development, it has been deeply disruptive and full of conflict. But not so in China, where the development has by and large been achieved in a stable and harmonious manner. Where contradictions have threatened to become a problem, careful management has ensured that the problem was resolved.The third one is a very personal experience. It is what I call the greening of China. In the early months of 2019, I hiked the length and breadth of Beijing. Every second day, I would hike 15-20 kilometres, from the plains of the east to the mountains in the west, from one corner of the city to the other. What did I find? To my amazement, I found one green belt after another, one park that had been restored after another.The waters had been cleaned up so that water-life returned; the planting of so many trees and shrubs was amazing. Alongside strict observance of environmental laws, these efforts required long-term implementation. On my hikes, I was experiencing the greening of Beijing. And in my many travels to the regions of China, I have also noticed the greening of China as whole, so much so that China now leads the world in "green growth."Finally, I have been struck by the consolidation and maturing of socialist rule of law and democracy.To begin with, a key feature is the combination of electoral and consultative democracy. In contrast to Western political systems, which focus almost exclusively on elections (after which voters are forgotten by political parties), China has developed a comprehensive system in which both elections and consultation take place. These are institutionalised in the many levels of people's congresses and people's political consultative conferences, but the combination can be seen in so many other ways. A major reason is the long history and experience of the "mass line" that goes back a long, long way in the experience of the CPC.Second, there is a genuine involvement of common people in the development of legislation. Here I think of the more recently established three-level system for developing legislation to be decided at the National People's Congress. This system has national, provincial, and city levels, with a focus on grassroots contact points. At this very local level, we find hearings, panels, feasibility studies, and more, to nurture proposals from the ground up as well gain feedback for legislative drafts. This is a concrete embodiment of whole-process people's democracy, from initial proposal to implementation, as well as overseeing the results.Third, since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, there has been a most significant development of socialist rule of law and the legal system. Of course, this development has a longer history, but I am struck by the major developments since 2012. To be clear, a socialist rule of law arises from a socialist system and supports that system. It is qualitatively different from the Western idea of rule of law. It is this socialist rule of law that supports the many practices of electoral and consultative democracy, and it is the crucial mediation between leadership of CPC and the people as masters of the country.Finally, I would like to make a point that Westerners struggle to understand, but if they really want to know how China's political system works, they have to understand it. This is a philosophical and dialectical point: the leadership of the CPC is enhanced through democratic practice, and socialist democracy is strengthened through CPC leadership.I would like to sum up the problem to that using Western categories in an attempt to understand China. The problem is that this effort is always doomed to fail. Let me give an example: when I was undertaking research for my book, I began working through Western material. I soon found that most of it was useless since it used Western approaches. So, I turned to Chinese language sources, and more than 90 percent of the references in the book are to Chinese scholarly sources.Philosophically, we may speak of a "false universal." By this I mean that in the West, - actually a small number of countries that make up only 14 percent of the world's population - they tend to forget the historical development and concrete conditions of the methods that they have developed. As a result, they assume that Western methods and categories are universal and that they can be applied everywhere in the world. This is false universal, since Western methods cannot be applied in such a manner.How to resolve this problem? I think developing countries in many parts of the world have a better understanding, since they share as a deep level China's experiences of semi-colonialism, humiliation, and deep poverty. In regard to the few Western countries of the world, this will simply take longer. There is a need to continue the process of translating scholarly works, to explain again and again how China's system works, and work together with many other countries to promote a genuinely multi-polar world. I often say to my many friends and colleagues in China that you are not alone; you have many friends in the world, and the key is to work together with these friends to develop a new, just, and more democratic system of international relations.

The week-long 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) concluded on October 22, 2022, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photo: Li Hao/GT

The last five years have indeed been extraordinary. I am 61 years old, with four adult children and five grandchildren. I never thought I would see such events in my lifetime. The world is now changing fast, and changing for the better. I am generally optimistic about the way the world is developing. At the same time, these changes come with heightened contradictions, crises, conflicts, and so on. But this is part of the process.I was in Beijing when 19th CPC National Congress took place. In the last five years, all governments and political parties throughout the world have faced and continued to face huge challenges and problems, and few have done well. In this context, the achievements of the CPC have been even more remarkable: facing the challenge of COVID-19; the stabilisation and further development of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; peace, stability, and harmony in Xinjiang with notable economic and social development; rolling out the world's most comprehensive social security system, well-off society, overcoming absolute poverty, the list could go on. By combining long-term planning with significant flexibility, the CPC has emerged as one of the - actually, I should say the - most successful political party in the world.I would like to put my answer in more philosophical terms. The crucial difference is between antagonistic and non-antagonistic contradictions. The Western political system is based on antagonistic contradictions: class conflict has led to the capitalist form of the state, and political parties are engaged in constant conflict with one another. The election cycle in Western countries is an effort to manage these contradictions, but what we find is that when an opposition party comes to power, they spend much of their time undoing the policies of the previous government. Now that this system is in an obvious state of decline and fragmentation, there is simply no long-term planning. For example, you can see this with the energy and economic crisis in Europe today.By contrast, a socialist system operates with non-antagonistic contradictions. Of course, there are many contradictions on the path of socialist construction, and these need to be managed. But the basis is that the contradictions are not antagonistic, are not struggling with each other for dominance. This reality is very clear in the combination of electoral and consultative democracy in China, with the eight other political parties, minority groups, mass organisations, and so on, working together for a common goal. Thus, it is possible to develop long-term plans based on careful assessment of the situation and what is needed.Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, developing countries have been subjected to a type of neocolonialism by the old Western powers (think of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, among others). This has not benefited them in the least. These developing countries have become even poorer, as fading Western powers have sought to extract valuable raw materials from these countries without providing any economic benefits. By contrast, since the launch of Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, more and more are studying the China model. This study is not for the sake of copying the China model; instead, it is to learn how to develop an approach that is suited to their concrete conditions, to their history, culture, and economic situation.The key here is legitimacy. In terms of the Western political ecology, the huge problems that have become apparent today have a longer history. More than 30 years ago, Western countries thought they had triumphed, that their system was the perfect one that all should adopt - think of the proclamations of the "end of history" at the time. But there was a problem: when they assumed they were triumphant, these Western countries and their political systems and their political parties ceased to reform and renew themselves. They stagnated, fragmented, and are now facing major crises. Trust in governance and public institutions is now at an all-time low. For example, in Australia, only about 50 percent of people trust the government, public institutions, and the news media. The trust is even lower in the US and UK.By contrast, the CPC constantly undergoes rigorous self-renewal. In my new book, Socialism in Power: On the History and Theory of Socialist Governance, the final chapter concerns the thorough renewal of the CPC since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. The renewal has taken place in terms of structures, grass-roots party branch building, the quality of party branch secretaries, and knowledge of Marxist theory. The main points that emerge from this process include:1. Criticism and self-criticism2. Democratic supervision by local people.3. Clean and transparent governance.4. "Taking the people as centre," or a "people-centred" approach.5. And the reality that self-reform and self-renewal is a constant process.What is the result of this process? In international survey, China is one of the top countries in the world for trust in governance and public institutions, as well as confidence in the direction the country is going. The figures are in the high 80 percent and more usually in the 90 percent range. This is a huge testament to the success of self-renewal and the legitimacy of the CPC.
What Is an Unearned Discount?new no deposit bonus codes july

An unearned discount is an interest or a fee that has been collected on a loan by a lending institution but has not yet been counted as income (or earnings). Instead, it is initially recorded as a liability. As the life of the loan progresses, proportionate parts of the fee or interest collected up front are removed from the liability side of the balance sheet and counted as income. If the loan is paid off early, the unearned interest portion must be returned to the borrower.

An unearned discount is more commonly referred to as unearned interest.

Key Takeaways

Unearned discount refers to loan interest that has been collected but is not yet recognized as income.

Instead, an unearned discount is recorded as a liability that is gradually converted into income as the load matures over time.

Unearned discount is more commonly known as unearned interest.

Understanding Unearned Discounts

An unearned discount account recognizes interest deductions before being classified as income earned throughout the term of the outstanding debt. Over time, then, the unearned discount creates an increase in the lender's profit and a subsequent decrease in liability.

Not all interest that is received by a lender is classified as "earned". This is because lenders often pre-schedule regular payments to be made at the beginning of each month. But, the interest paid by the borrower at the beginning of the month applies to the cost of borrowing for the entire month and, therefore, has not been earned by the lender.

For example, say that a homeowner obtains a mortgage that requires them to make a monthly payment on the 1st of each month in the amount of $1,500, with $500 representing the interest portion. However, this $500 in interest is meant to cover the entirety of the month, and it's considered to be unearned on the 1st as it is prepaid. As the month progresses, a pro-rata amount of that interest is credited to the bank's earnings while the liability of the unearned discount is made smaller.

Calculating an Unearned Discount

Unearned discounts may be estimated under the so-called Rule of 78, which is a method used for loans with precomputed finance charges. If the loan is repaid or early or refinanced, the Rule of 78 can determine the unearned discount to the lender. This works as follows:

Unearned discount = F [k (k + 1) / n (n + 1)]

where:

F = total finance charge, which is equal to (n x M  P)

M = regular monthly loan payment

P = original loan amount

n = original number of payments

k = number of remaining payments on the loan after the current payment



Example of Unearned Discount

Snuffy's Bank and Trust have made a loan to Ernie's Brokerage. As part of the up-front costs of the loan, Ernie was required to pay a financing charge of 6% of the total loan amount. The total loan amount is $10,000 and will be repaid over 5 years in monthly installments. The amount of the finance charge paid up front by Ernie was $600.

Initially, Snuffy's Bank and Trust record the $600 unearned discount as a liability on its books. As Ernie pays each of the 60 loan payments (12 per year for 5 years), 1/60th of the $600 will be removed from the liability side of the balance sheet and recognized as income.
tachi palace casino winnersshows grade level based on the word's complexity. deadwood [ ded-wood ]/ ddwd / New Word List Save This Word!See synonyms for: deadwood / deadwoods on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ ded-wood ]/ ddwd /Save This Word!See synonyms for: deadwood / deadwoods on Thesaurus.comThis shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

Rummy. cards in a hand that have not been included in sets and are usually counted as points against the holder. Poker. cards that have been discarded. nounthe dead branches on a tree; dead branches or trees.useless or burdensome persons or things: He cut the deadwood from his staff.(in writing) unnecessary words, phrases, or exposition; expendable verbiage: This could be a thoughtful and incisive essay if you get rid of the deadwood.Nautical. a solid construction, serving only as reinforcement, located between the keel of a vessel and the stem or sternpost.Bowling. pins remaining on the alley after having been knocked down by the ball.Cards.

Words nearby deadwood

Words related to deadwood deadwood/ (ddwd) / noundead trees or branchesinformal a useless person; encumbrancenautical a filler piece between the keel and the stern of a wooden vessel Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question deadwoodFirst recorded in 172030; dead + wooddead water, dead weight, deadweight tonnage, Dead White European Male, dead white male, deadwood, deadwork, dead zone, deaerate, deaf, deaf aidDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Are Grantor Trust Rules?fun game casino online

Grantor trust rules are guidelines within the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) that outline certain tax implications of a grantor trust. Under these rules, the individual who creates a grantor trust is recognized as the owner of the assets and property held within the trust for income and estate tax purposes.

Key Takeaways

A grantor trust is a trust in which the individual who creates the trust is the owner of the assets and property for income and estate tax purposes.

Grantor trust rules are the rules that apply to different types of trusts.

Grantor trusts can be either revocable or irrevocable trusts.

With intentionally defective grantor trusts, the grantor must pay taxes on any income, but the assets are not part of the owner's estate.

Understanding Grantor Trust Rules

Trusts are established for various reasons, and in many cases, they're designed as separate legal entities to protect the grantor's (or originator's) assets and the income generated from those assets so that the beneficiaries may receive them.

For example, trusts are created when performing estate planning to ensure the assets get distributed properly to the named beneficiaries upon the death of the owner. However, a grantor trust is any trust in which the grantor or owner retains the power to control or direct income or assets within the trust.

Grantor trusts were originally used as a tax haven for wealthy people. The tax rates graduated at the same rate as income tax rates. As more and more income was earned in the trust, the income was taxed at the personal income tax rates.

The grantor reaped the benefits of a trust, such as shielding money but was taxed as if it were a personal account and not a separate legal entity. Also, grantors could change the trust and remove the money whenever they chose. Grantor trust rules were established by the IRS to thwart the misuse of trusts.

Today, the income generated from trusts graduates to a higher tax bracket more quickly than the individual marginal income tax rates. For example, any trust income over $13,450 in 2022 or $14,450 in 2023 would be taxed at the highest tax rate of 37%.

Conversely, if the trust was taxed at the individual tax rate, the trust income wouldn't be taxed at the highest rate of 37% until it earned $539,900 for 2022 or $578,125 for 2023. In other words, it doesn't take as much income earned in a trust to be thrust into a higher tax bracket.

As a result, a grantor trust is not the type of tax haven for wealthy people that it once was before the IRS made changes to it. However, grantor trusts are still used today because they have characteristics that might be beneficial to the grantor, depending on their income, tax, and family situation.

Benefits of Grantor Trust Rules

Grantor trusts have several characteristics that allow the owners to use the trusts for their specific tax and income purposes.

Trust Income

The income the trust generates is taxed to the grantor's income tax rate rather than to the trust itself. In this regard, grantor trust rules offer individuals a certain degree of tax protection because tax rates are generally more favorable at the individual level than they are for trusts.

Beneficiaries

Grantors can also change the beneficiaries of the trust, along with the investments and assets within it. They can direct a trustee to make alterations as well. Trustees are individuals or financial companies that hold and manage assets for the benefit of a trust and its beneficiaries.

Revocable

Grantors can also undo the trust freely as long as they are deemed mentally competent at the time the decision is made. This distinction makes a grantor trust a type of revocable living trust. A revocable trust is a trust that can be changed and canceled by the owner, originator, or grantor.

Changing the Trust

However, the grantor is also free to relinquish control of the trust making it an irrevocable trust, which is a trust that cannot be amended or canceled without the permission of the beneficiaries of the trust. In this case, the trust itself will pay taxes on the income it generates, and then it would require its tax identification number (TIN).

Special Considerations

Trusts are established for various purposes, including the purpose of storing the owner's assets in a separate legal entity. As a result, trust owners should be aware of the risks that the trust could be triggered into a grantor trust.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines some exceptions to avoid triggering the grantor trust status. For example, if the trust has only a single beneficiary who is paid the principal and income from the trust. Or, if the trust has multiple beneficiaries who receive the principal and income from the trust by their shareholding in the trust.

How Grantor Trust Rules Apply to Different Trusts

Grantor trust rules also outline certain conditions when an irrevocable trust can receive some of the same treatments as a revocable trust by the IRS. These situations sometimes lead to the creation of what are known as intentionally defective grantor trusts.

In these cases, a grantor is responsible for paying taxes on the income the trust generates, but trust assets are not counted toward the owner's estate. Such assets would apply to a grantor's estate if the individual runs a revocable trust, however, because the individual would effectively still own property held by the trust.

In an irrevocable trust, the property is transferred out of the grantor's estate and into a trust, which would effectively own that property. Individuals often do this to ensure the property is passed down to family members at the time of death. In this case, a gift tax may be levied on the property's value at the time it's transferred into the trust, but no estate tax is due upon the grantor's death.

Grantor trust rules also state that a trust becomes a grantor trust if the creator of the trust has a reversionary interest greater than 5% of trust assets at the time the transfer of assets to the trust is made.

A grantor trust agreement dictates how assets are managed and transferred after the grantor's death. Ultimately, state law determines if a trust is revocable or irrevocable as well as the implications of each.

Examples of Grantor Trust Rules

Some of the grantor trust rules outlined by the IRS are as follows:
paddy power online casinoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. decree nisi [ nahy-sahy ]/ na sa / New Word List Save This Word!See decree nisiFirst recorded in 189095 Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ nahy-sahy ]/ na sa /Save This Word!See decree nisiFirst recorded in 189095

Words nearby decree nisi

Words related to decree nisi decree nisi/ (nasa) / nouna provisional decree, esp in divorce proceedings, which will later be made absolute unless cause is shown why it should notCompare decree absolute Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

decreasing, decreasing term insurance, decree, decree absolute, decree-law, decree nisi, decreet, decrement, decremeter, decreolize, decrepitDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
What Is a Cash Flow Statement?kode promo oppa888

A cash flow statement is a financial statement that provides aggregate data regarding all cash inflows a company receives from its ongoing operations and external investment sources. It also includes all cash outflows that pay for business activities and investments during a given period.

A company's financial statements offer investors and analysts a portrait of all the transactions that go through the business, where every transaction contributes to its success. The cash flow statement is believed to be the most intuitive of all the financial statements because it follows the cash made by the business in three main waysthrough operations, investment, and financing. The sum of these three segments is called net cash flow.

These three different sections of the cash flow statement can help investors determine the value of a company's stock or the company as a whole.

Key Takeaways

A cash flow statement provides data regarding all cash inflows a company receives from its ongoing operations and external investment sources.

The cash flow statement includes cash made by the business through operations, investment, and financingthe sum of which is called net cash flow.

The first section of the cash flow statement is cash flow from operations, which includes transactions from all operational business activities.

Cash flow from investment is the second section of the cash flow statement, and is the result of investment gains and losses.

Cash flow from financing is the final section, which provides an overview of cash used from debt and equity.

Understanding Cash Flow

How Cash Flow Statements Work

2:28

Every company that sells and offers its stock to the public must file financial reports and statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The three main financial statements are the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The cash flow statement is an important document that helps interested parties gain insight into all the transactions that go through a company.

There are two different branches of accountingaccrual and cash. Most public companies use accrual accounting, which means the income statement is not the same as the company's cash position.The cash flow statement, though, is focused on cash accounting.

Profitable companies can fail to adequately manage cash flow, which is why the cash flow statement is a critical tool for companies, analysts, and investors. The cash flow statement is broken down into three different business activities: operations, investing, and financing.

Let's consider a company that sells a product and extends credit for the sale to its customer. Even though It recognizes that sale as revenue, the company may not receive cash until a later date. The company earns a profit on the income statement and pays income taxes on it, but the business may bring in more or less cash than the sales or income figures.

Investors and analysts should use good judgment when evaluating changes to working capital, as some companies may try to boost up their cash flow before reporting periods.

Cash Flows From Operations

The first section of the cash flow statement covers cash flows from operating activities (CFO) and includes transactions from all operational business activities. The cash flows from operations section begins with net income, then reconciles all non-cash items to cash items involving operational activities. So, in other words, it is the company's net income, but in a cash version.

This section reports cash flows and outflows that stem directly from a company's main business activities. These activities may include buying and selling inventory and supplies, along with paying its employees their salaries. Any other forms of in and outflows such as investments, debts, and dividends are not included.

Companies are able to generate sufficient positive cash flow for operational growth. If there is not enough generated, they may need to secure financing for external growth in order to expand.

For example, accounts receivable is a non-cash account. If accounts receivable go up during a period, it means sales are up, but no cash was received at the time of sale. The cash flow statement deducts receivables from net income because it is not cash. The cash flows from the operations section can also include accounts payable, depreciation, amortization, and numerous prepaid items booked as revenue or expenses, but with no associated cash flow.

Cash Flows From Investing

This is the second section of the cash flow statement looks at cash flows from investing (CFI) and is the result of investment gains and losses. This section also includes cash spent on property, plant, and equipment. This section is where analysts look to find changes in capital expenditures (capex).

When capex increases, it generally means there is a reduction in cash flow. But that's not always a bad thing, as it may indicate that a company is making investment into its future operations. Companies with high capex tend to be those that are growing.

While positive cash flows within this section can be considered good, investors would prefer companies that generate cash flow from business operationsnot through investing and financing activities. Companies can generate cash flow within this section by selling equipment or property.

Cash Flows From Financing

Cash flows from financing (CFF) is the last section of the cash flow statement. The section provides an overview of cash used in business financing. It measures cash flow between a company and its owners and its creditors, and its source is normally from debt or equity. These figures are generally reported annually on a company's 10-K report to shareholders .

Analysts use the cash flows from financing section to determine how much money the company has paid out via dividends or share buybacks. It is also useful to help determine how a company raises cash for operational growth.

Cash obtained or paid back from capital fundraising efforts, such as equity or debt, is listed here, as are loans taken out or paid back.

When the cash flow from financing is a positive number, it means there is more money coming into the company than flowing out. When the number is negative, it may mean the company is paying off debt, or is making dividend payments and/or stock buybacks.
DIAMNIADIO,video keno games online free Senegal  Ask those who have watched Aliou Cisse take Senegal to two World Cups in a row and direct his team to a victory in the Africa Cup of Nations in February, and they will tell you that his countrys wealth of soccer talent is only one part of the reason.

There is something more tedious, more long-term, but far more transformative that Cisse, the 46-year-old former Paris St.-Germain midfielder and former Senegal captain, has brought to his squad since he became its coach in 2015.

He has turned Senegal into a real professional team, which it wasnt before, said Saer Seck, an administrator who led Senegals delegation to the last World Cup, in Russia in 2018.

Most African teams dont have the resources of their European or Latin American counterparts. But in recent years, Cisse has brought some structure and consistency to the national team, Seck said. He has made sure, for instance, that all players arrive in Senegal on the same day whenever they are scheduled to play an international game  a small detail that wasnt always the case before he took charge.

When my guys leave Europe to play with us, they need some time to adapt and shift their mind-set, Cisse told The New York Times in an interview earlier this year. Its a little festive, he said of life for those returning home. So weve got to tell them, Hey, yes, life is sweet in Senegal, sea and sun, etc., but youre not on vacation. Its the same intensity here.

And that, he said, is where this team has made a lot of progress.

The team now travels in private jets and with police officers, a novelty. Its players sleep in better beds, stay in better hotels, and head to training and matches in buses and planes that depart on time. None of those things  all common at the European clubs where most of the players spend the bulk of their time  were a given in the national teams recent past, or for much of Africa.

Whether that will be enough for Senegal, the African champion, to break through at the World Cup is another question. Only three African teams have ever reached the quarterfinals at the World Cup, and only one (Ghana in 2010) has advanced that far since a Cisse-led Senegal achieved the feat in 2002. Senegal will face the Netherlands on Monday in its opening game.

After Senegal earned its qualification in March, Cisse sat down with The New York Times to discuss his teams chances, the limited number of World Cup places for African teams and where African soccer is headed.

This conversation has been edited and condensed, and took place before Senegals best player, Sadio Mane, was injured on the eve of the World Cup.

What are your ambitions for this World Cup?

A few editions ago, we went to the World Cup to discover the competition. Then, we were there to learn. Now, were here to compete. African teams are going to Qatar to win. When I look at my midfielders, my defenders, my goalkeeper, I have nothing to envy to, say, France or Spain. Kalidou Koulibaly is as valuable as Marquinhos for Brazil or John Stones for England. Hugo Lloris isnt better than Edouard Mendy. Thats the kind of confidence I want my players to have. I want them to tell themselves that if France can win, why not us?

Image Senegal won the African Cup of Nations in February.Credit...Khaled Desouki/Agence France-Presse  Getty Images

African teams have struggled in recent World Cups. Why is that?

The more you are there, the more chances you have to go all the way to victory. In Africa, we are 54 countries, and we can only have five teams qualify. While Europe has 13.

What matters in the World Cup is experience. To win it, you must participate again and again. But how do you want to have experience if you go to the World Cup every 20 years? It bothers me to hear that African teams havent had their breakthrough when we look at the African qualifiers.

Its worse than martial arts. Its like throwing a bone in the middle of a bunch of dogs: What do you think the dogs that get out of the fight will look like? These are the difficulties on the African continent: the number and the quality of opponents you need to get past to make it to the World Cup.

I could give you the names of 10 teams that would all be able to represent Africa, and that top five is better than the bottom five of European teams. Think Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa. 

The more of us that go, the more we will exist.

Should FIFA reduce the number of places that go to European teams?

I dont know, but we cant keep going with a continent like Africa that represents so much for global soccer and only has five spots.

We exist. We have great players. We have contributed to the development of soccer. We should be able to play our part. Give us the possibility to exist, and well have more chances to go to the semis, the final, and to win.

Youve been the coach for seven years, an exception in Africa that many say is necessary to take a national team to new heights as youve done. Why you?

From 2002 to 2015, not one coach stayed for more than two years in Senegal. How do you want to accomplish anything? Its impossible, and our leaders had to understand it. They did with me.

When I took over the team in 2015, people were asking: Why are you giving himthe team? He has no experience. But I knew the expectations and the reality of this national team.

I was captain of this team. Then I got my coaching diplomas. Then you need to build a team, a group, with motivated, patriotic players, who dont fake it when it comes to bringing joy to their country. With years, you become more confident in what you do, and you learn how to manage the more uncertain moments.

I expect my players to take the country forward because the expectations are high. We have great players who can beat the best teams. But we also have a group. Everyone fights to get the ball back. Whether Sadio Mane is on the attack or defends, he spends it all on the pitch. Thats because we want to accomplish something big.

Image A mural of the Senegal star Sadio Mane in Dakar.Credit...Carmen Abd Ali for The New York Times

What has changed between the Senegalese national team you captained at the 2002 World Cup and the one youre now coaching?

The mind-set. In Senegal, we used to have fan clubs cheering for one player or another: one for El Hadji Diouf, one for Aliou Cisse. Today, people come to watch a team. Our players wear the national jersey. Theyre proud to be Senegalese, proud to be African.

When it comes to our fighting spirit, dedication and love for their country, this team is an example. Im proud to say that people recognize themselves in this team.

Whats tricky, and what people sometimes forget, is that unlike in a club, we dont have much time. People think that national teams can play like Real Madrid, Barca or P.S.G., but we simply dont have the time to train toward that level. Every game is decisive. You need to win to keep hoping, while in a club you can lose one game and get back on track the following week.

With the national team, I expect more commitment from our players because of that. As a player you may wear four, five, six jerseys in your career, but youll always have one national team.

Advertisement

Continue reading the main story
Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang arrived in Moscow on Thursday for an official visit that will include meetings with Russias top leaders.

Li was expected to meet Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Prime Minister and president-elect Vladimir Putin, and Chairman of State Duma Sergei Naryshkin.

Li will also have extensive contact with Russians from various walks of life, give an address at Moscow State University and attend a meeting on bilateral trade and investment.

The vice premier will also visit the central Russian city of Kazan and meet with local leaders of the Volga Federal District.

Russia is the first leg of Lis trip, which will also take him to Hungary, Belgium and the EU headquarters in Brussels.

Xinhua

Li Keqiang arrives in Russia for official visitadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is Consumer Discretionary?spin palace flash amanda nunes bet

Consumer discretionary is a term for classifying goods and services that are considered non-essential by consumers, but desirable if their available income is sufficient to purchase them. Examples of consumer discretionary products can include durable goods, high-end apparel, entertainment, leisure activities, and automobiles.

Companies that supply these types of goods and services are usually either called consumer discretionaries or consumer cyclicals.

Key Takeaways

Consumer discretionary is a sector classification of non-essential consumer goods and services watched by analysts and investors.

Consumers tend to spend more on consumer discretionary products in economic growth phases, which are usually characterized by higher disposable income.

Consumer discretionary can be contrasted with consumer staples, which is a classification for companies considered to produce daily necessities.

Consumer Discretionary

Understanding Consumer Discretionary

1:19

The purchase of consumer discretionary products is often discussed in comparison with its counterpart: consumer staples. Both product classifications are influenced by cycles of the economy. In general, when the economy is strong, consumers earn more and spend more on consumer discretionary products. On the other hand, when an economy is in contractionary phases, consumers usually earn less and focus their spending more on consumer staples, also referred to as consumer defensive.

Economic cycles have a big influence on earnings power and consumer spending in an economy. There are four stages of an economic cycle, defined as expansion, peak, contraction, and trough. A growing economyexpansion to peakis usually characterized by stronger earnings for businesses and consumers paired with more spending. A contracting economycontraction to troughgenerally has the opposite effect.

When an economy is growing, it is usually expected that its consumers would have more disposable income to spend on discretionary items and less concern over saving for tough times. This leads to a greater demand for consumer discretionary products.

Alternatively, in a poor economy, consumers are more likely to forego the purchases of non-essential consumer discretionary products in favor of adding to their savings. These consumers, however, still need to buy basic household items such as toilet paper, paper towels, food, beverages, and gas, all of which are considered consumer staples.

Consumer Discretionary and Economic Indicators

There are several economic indicators that help economists to determine the state of an economy. These indicators are also important for predicting the potential trends for both the consumer discretionary and consumer staples classifications.

GDP

Typically, gross domestic product (GDP) is the number one metric for analyzing an economy. When GDP is growing, it indicates a growing economy willing to spend more. Conversely, when GDP is decreasing, it is an indication of contraction and the need for greater spending prudence.

Consumer Confidence

Consumer confidence can also be relevant. In a weakening economy, consumer confidence typically declines, causing consumers to tighten their belts by postponing vacations and the purchases of non-essential products, such as high-end retail, big-screen televisions, or expensive new cars. The reduced demand for consumer discretionary is usually a precursor to lower sales for the companies that produce these products, which can lead to worsening economic conditions and more contraction.

The shares of consumer discretionary companies tend to lead a general stock market decline at the beginning of a contraction.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) releases a monthly report on personal income and outlays, which is also combined with the Federal Reserves (Fed) closely followed Personal Consumption Expenditures Index for measuring inflation.  In growth phases, personal income and personal spending will typically show increases, leading to more spending on consumer discretionary products. During contractions, meanwhile, personal income and personal spending are usually lower.

Interest Rates

Interest rates can also be an interesting metric to follow during all types of economic cycles. Typically, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) and fixed income markets, in general, will usually see rising interest rates in growth phases and falling interest rates in contractions. Interest rates can be a big factor for companies who tap the credit markets for business funding. Monetary policy usually seeks to lower interest rates in contractionary phases to help business stimulus.

Alternative Indicators

Other monthly indicators closely followed to predict consumer discretionary trends may include the following:

Retail sales

Non-farm payrolls

Unemployment levels

Labor market hours

Labor market earnings

Manufacturing activity

Services activity

Home sales

Building construction activity

Investing Strategies: Discretionaries vs. Staples

When an economy is growing, nearly all sectors will see stock value increases. This is helped by increasing profits and more disposable consumer income. Growth phases usually make investing in equities much more attractive. Often, when signs of economic recovery begin to appear, consumer discretionary stocks will lead a stock market recovery.

In contrast, when an economy is contracting, investors are more likely to turn to consumer staples stocks, as well as other lower-risk investments, such as corporate bonds and Treasuries. These types of investments provide even more safety, while still generating some viable returns.

ETFs

Many investors like to take their bets through sector exchange-traded funds (ETFs) throughout all types of economic cycles. These funds can limit risks through broadened diversification, while still allowing for the concentration of investment positions. In the consumer discretionary and consumer staples categories, State Street Global Advisors offers two of the markets top options.

The Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLY) includes the S&P 500s consumer discretionary stocks. Its top holdings, as of August 2020, were the following:

Amazon (AMZN)

Home Depot (HD)

McDonald's (MCD)

NIKE (NKE)

Lowe's (LOW)

The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLP) includes the S&P 500s consumer staples stocks. Its top holdings, as of August 2020, were the following:

Procter & Gamble (PG)

PepsiCo Inc. (PEP)

Walmart (WMT)

Coca-Cola (KO)

Mondelez (MDLZ)

These ETFs can be good investment options to consider when seeking to navigate through different types of economic cycles.
MORE ABOUT BLUFF

What does bluffmean?

Bluffdescribes someone or something that is blunt or frank in a good-natured way. Someone who talks in a bluffmanner says things directly but not hurtfully.

A bluffis a cliff or hill with a tall face on one side. Bluffsoften border a river or ocean because they get their shape from erosion caused by the natural flow of water.

To bluffis to mislead by showing strength or confidence. People bluffto make themselves seem more powerful, larger, or of more authority than those being bluffed. A bluffis an act of bluffing.

Example: The cabin was built along the bluff, but erosion is making it sink down the hill.

Where does bluffcome from?

The first records of bluffmeaning blunt or cliff come from the 1620s. It is thought to come from the Middle Dutch blaf, meaning broad or flat, which also describes the shape of the cliffside. The first records of bluffmeaning to mislead come from the 1660s. It is thought to come from the Low German bluffen, meaning to frighten. Bluffingis often done to try to intimidate or frighten someone.

One of the most common uses of bluffis in the card game poker and other table games that involve betting. In poker, you place a bet, often in line with the confidence you have that your hand (the cards youre holding) will win the game. If you bet higher than your confidence in your cards, this is a bluff. Bluffingcan convince the other players that they will lose that game and force them to fold (withdraw from the game). Just as a bluffmakes someone seem larger or stronger, a poker bluffmakes a hand of cards seem more valuable.

Did you know  ?

What are some other forms related to bluff?

bluffly (adverb)

bluffness (noun)

bluffable (adjective)

bluffer (noun)

What are some synonyms for bluff?

abrupt

cliff

subterfuge

delude

What are some words that often get used in discussing bluff?

call

poker

ridge

How is bluffused in real life?

Bluffis often used to refer to intentionally misleading statements.

Try using bluff!

Is bluffused correctly in the following sentence?

I know youre telling the truth, and I am calling your bluff.
What Is Inflation Accounting?my konami slots free casino

Inflation accounting is a special technique used to factor in the impact that soaring or plummeting costs of goods in some regions of the world have on the reported figures of international companies. Financial statements are adjusted according to price indexes, rather than relying solely on a cost accounting basis, to paint a clearer picture of a firms financial position in inflationary environments. This method is also sometimes referred to as price level accounting.

Key Takeaways

Inflation accounting is the practice of adjusting financial statements according to price indexes.

Numbers are restated to reflect current values in hyperinflationary business environments.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) defines hyperinflation as prices, interest, and wages linked to a price index rising 100% or more cumulatively over three years.

IFRS and U.S. GAAP have different requirements for inflation accounting.

How Inflation Accounting Works

When a company operates in a country where there is a significant amount of price inflation or deflation, historical information on financial statements is no longer relevant. To counter this issue, in certain cases, companies are permitted to use inflation-adjusted figures, restating numbers to reflect current economic values.

International Accounting Standard (IAS) 29 adopted by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is the guide for entities whose functional currency is the currency of a hyperinflationary economy. IFRS defines hyperinflation as prices, interest, and wages linked to a price index rising 100% or more cumulatively over three years.

Companies that fall under this category may be required to update their statements periodically in order to make them relevant to current economic and financial conditions, supplementing cost-based financial statements with regular price-level adjusted statements.

Inflation Accounting Methods

There are two main methods used in inflation accountingcurrent purchasing power (CPP) and current cost accounting (CCA).

Current Purchasing Power (CPP)

Under the CPP method, monetary items and nonmonetary items are separated. The accounting adjustment for monetary items is subject to the recording of a net gainorloss. Nonmonetary items (those that do not carry a fixed value) are updated into figures with an inflation conversion factor equivalent to the consumer price index (CPI) at the end of the period divided by CPI at the date of transaction.

Current Cost Accounting (CCA)

The CCA approach values assets at their fair market value (FMV) rather than historical cost, the price incurred during the purchase of the fixed asset. Under the CCA method, both monetary and nonmonetary items are restated to current values.

Special Considerations

Requirements for inflation accounting differ between IFRS and U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Both IFRS and GAAP have been treating Argentina as hyperinflationary since 2018 because cumulative inflation there over the prior three years has exceeded 100%. However, the requirements they impose on companies operating in the country vary.

IFRS permitted international businesses with subsidiaries in Argentina to continue using the peso for their accounts, provided they restate them to adjust for inflation. In contrast, U.S. firms with activities in Argentina are being forced to use the dollar as their functional currency, costing them in foreign exchange losses.

Insurance company Assurant Inc. warned in its 2021 annual report that management has classified Argentinas economy as highly inflationary in accordance with GAAP accounting requirements and, as a result, the functional currency of our Argentina subsidiaries was changed from the local currency to U.S. dollars and their non-U.S. dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities were subject to remeasurement resulting in losses.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Inflation Accounting

Inflation accounting comes with many benefits. Chief among them, matching current revenues with current costs provides a much more realistic breakdown of profitability.

On the flip side, providing adjusted figures can confuse investors and give companies the opportunity to flag numbers that shine it in a better light. The process of adjusting accounts to factor in price changes can result in financial statements being constantly restated and altered.

What Are CPP and CCA Short for in Inflation Accounting?

CPP stands for current purchasing power; CCA stands for current cost accounting. These are the two main methods used to adjust financial statement figures in inflation accounting.

How Do You Calculate Inflation?

The percent inflation rate is calculated as the CPI at the end of the period divided by the CPI at the beginning of the period multiplied by 100.

For example, let's assume you wanted to calculate the inflation rate between January 2006 and January 2022. According to the Consumer Price Index table, January 2022 has a CPI of 281.148 and January 2006 has a CPI of 198.300. The formula to calculate the percent inflation rate is therefore 281.148 / 198.300  100 = 141.77%.

What Does IFRS Define as Hyperinflation?

According to IFRS, hyperinflation is when prices, interest, and wages linked to a price index rise 100% or more cumulatively over three years.


Withdrawing your winnings from a casino can be a daunting task. It is rsn racing tips gold megaways demoimportant to understand the different payment options available for casino withdrawals and choose the one that suits you best. This article is designed to take a look at the various options available for Australian players to withdraw their winnings from online casinos. Regardless of whether you are a veteran or a new entry player, this guide is designed to provide you with all the necessary information needed when transacting with online casinos.

Credit and Debit Cards for Fast Casino Withdrawal in Australia

In the age of online gambling, debit and credit cards have become the fastest and most reliable way to make casino withdrawals in Australia. These cards offer instant access to funds and provide a secure option for players. Additionally, their flexibility makes them ideal for those who are looking for fast withdrawals. Casino credit card withdrawals also offer fast processing times, making them a choice for players who want to access their funds quickly. These methods are also commonly used for performing different activities.

Source: Flickr

E-Wallets and Online Wallets - A Secure and Efficient Option for Australian Players

E-wallets have become popular and safe options for Australian customers to make online payments and withdrawals. These digital wallets provide the convenience of storing multiple cards and payment methods in one wallet, making transactions quick and easy. It makes it easier to know this before you start searching for the best online casino in Australia with fast payouts. As no sensitive information is required, besides an email address is required, most Aussies tend to gravitate toward this casino transaction option.

Prepaid Cards and Vouchers - An Easy Way to Make Casino Payments & Withdrawals

Prepaid cards and vouchers have become a popular option for those who prefer not to use either their debit or credit card to top up their player accounts. One popular option among Australian gamblers is prepaid cards, which can be purchased in-store or online and then used to fund your casino account. Another option is prepaid vouchers, such as Paysafecard, which can be purchased online and redeemed for casino credits to play a variety of games. These methods offer an added layer of security for online payments, as they dont require players to provide sensitive information.

Bank Transfers - An Established & Reliable Option For Australian Players

One of the main advantages of using bank transfers for casino withdrawals is that players are more accepted at most online casinos. Additionally, bank transfers are one of the most secure and reliable payment methods. Another benefit of bank transfers is that they typically have a high withdrawal limit, and players can withdraw large amounts of money in one transaction. Particularly useful for gamblers who have won a large sum of money and want to access it quickly. Furthermore, bank transfers are established as an instant option for Australians when talking about making casino withdrawals.

Conclusion

Understanding the most commonly used payment methods for quick casino withdrawals in Australia is essential for players. It makes everything easy for those who want to access their winnings on time. Players should research and compare the options available to them, so they may choose the one that best meets their needs.

Category: Casino Blog
Similar as the London Olympics, China took the Paralympic Games first title and topped the medal table with six gold, six silver and three bronze medals on Thursday, the first matchday of the London Paralympics.

Chinese shooter Zhang Cuiping pocketed the Games first gold in the womens R2-10m air rifle standing with 500.9 points and broke the 10-year-old world record of 499.3 points kept by South Korean Kim Im-Yeon.

Zhang, 25, who became a national team member in 2006 and collected two silver medals at the Beijing Paralympics, fulfilled her gold dream in London 2012. She started her shooting practise about nine years ago, despite suffering spinal cord injuries when she was three years old.

Zhangs coach Wang Ping told Xinhua, Zhang is a veteran, but she trains very hard. She has a great mental strength. In a sense, she was born to be a shooter.

I even didnt want to put down my rifle after the 10th shot in the final. I want to enjoy that moment, said Zhang after the final.

I just showed my normal form. During my regular training, I could make one or two points more.

The first London Olympics gold medal was also taken by a Chinese female shooter named Yi Siling. Zhang watched live broadcast a month ago and appraised Yi as an inspirational idol.

Chinas other five gold medals came from cyclist Li Zhangyu in mens individual C1 1km time trial, cyclist Zeng Sini in womens individual C2 pursuit, swimmer Lu Dong in womens 100m backstroke S6, swimmer Du Jianping in mens 50m breaststroke SB2, and swimmer Zheng Tao in mens 100m backstroke S6.

On the medal table, China was followed by Australia with three gold, three silver and three bronze medals, hosts Britain 2-3-2, Ukraine 2-2-4, Germany 2-2-2, Russia 2-1-1, the United States 1-1- 4 and Brazil 1-1-1.

Other teams taking one gold include Canada, Turkey, South Korea, New Zealand, Azerbaijian, France, Hungary, Nigeria and South Africa.

A total of 11 world records were refreshed Thursday.

Xinhua

China gets Paralympics first gold, topping medal tableadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
double Dutch

nounBritish informal incomprehensible talk; gibberish

double Dutch

Language that cannot be understood, gibberish, as in They might have been speaking double Dutch, for all I understood. This usage dates from the 1870s (an earlier version, however, had it as high Dutch) and is heard less often today than the synonym double talk.
Greentube,real poker online australia the digital gaming and entertainment division of Novomatic, has expanded its presence in the Peruvian market by joining forces with Inkabet, an operator under the umbrella of the Betsson Group.

This collaboration has resulted in a range of Greentubes games being introduced to the online gaming landscape of one of South Americas online markets.

Gamers at Inkabet.pe can now engage with Greentubes titles, including Book of Ra deluxe, Sizzling Hot deluxe and Lucky Ladys Charm deluxe. Additionally, the selection extends to newer titles such as Diamond Link: Mighty Buffalo and Diamond Link: Mighty Emperor.

Greentubes content has already reached Buenos Aires City in Argentina and its offerings have also reached the gaming communities in Chile and Ecuador.
What Is an Inferior Good?stablecoin definition

An inferior good is an economic term that describes a good whose demand drops when people's incomes rise. These goods fall out of favor as incomes and the economy improve as consumers begin buying more costly substitutes instead.

Key Takeaways

An inferior good is one whose demand drops when people's incomes rise.

When incomes are low or the economy contracts, inferior goods become a more affordable substitute for a more expensive good.

Inferior goods are the opposite of normal goods, whose demand increases even when incomes increase.

Inferior Good

Understanding Inferior Goods

1:25

In economics, the demand for inferior goods decreases as income increases or the economy improves. When this happens, consumers will be more willing to spend on more costly substitutes. Some of the reasons behind this shift may include quality or a change to a consumer's socio-economic status.

Inferior goods, which are the opposite of normal goods, are anything a consumer would demand less of if they had a higher level of real income. They may also be associated with those who typically fall into a lower socio-economic class.

Conversely, the demand for inferior goods increases when incomes fall or the economy contracts. When this happens, inferior goods become a more affordable substitute for more expensive goods.

The term "inferior good" refers to affordability, rather than quality, even though some inferior goods may be of lower quality.

Inferior Good Examples

There are many examples of inferior goods. Some of us may be more familiar with some of the everyday inferior goods we come into contact with, including instant noodles, hamburgers, canned goods, and frozen dinners. When people have less money, they tend to buy these kinds of products. But when their incomes rise, they often give these up for more expensive items.

Coffee is another good example. A McDonalds coffee may be an inferior good compared to a Starbucks coffee. When a consumer's income drops, they may substitute their daily Starbucks java for the more affordable McDonalds brew. On the other hand, when a consumer's income rises, they may substitute their McDonald's coffee for the more expensive Starbucks coffee.

Other examples of an inferior good are no-name grocery store products such as cereal or peanut butter. Consumers may use these cheaper generic brand products when their incomes are lower, and make the switch to name-brand products when their incomes increase. Grocery store brand products provide an insightful example of how inferior goods are not necessarily of lower quality. Many of these goods come from the same product line as the more expensive name-brand goods.

We can also turn to transportation as an example of an inferior good. When people's incomes are low, they may opt to ride public transport. But when their incomes rise, they may stop riding the bus and, instead, take taxis or even buy cars.

Inferior Goods and Consumer Behavior

Demand for inferior goods is commonly dictated by consumer behavior. Typically, demand for inferior goods is mainly driven by people with lower incomes or when there's a contraction in the economy. But that isn't always the case. Some customers may not change their behavior and continue to purchase inferior goods.

Consider a consumer who gets a raise from their employer. Despite the rise in income, they may continue to buy McDonald's coffee because they prefer it over Starbucks' brew, or they may find a no-name grocery product better than the more expensive name-brand counterpart. In this case, it's just a matter of personal preference.

Inferior goods aren't always the same in different parts of the world. For example, something as simple as fast food may be considered an inferior good in the U.S., but it may be deemed a normal good for people in developing nations. A normal good is one whose demand increases when people's incomes start to increase, giving it a positive income elasticity of demand.

Inferior goods are associated with a negative income elasticity, while normal goods are related to a positive income elasticity.

Inferior Goods and Giffen Goods

Giffen goods are rare forms of inferior goods that have no ready substitute or alternative, such as bread, rice, and potatoes. The only difference between Giffen goods and traditional inferior goods is that demand for the former increases even when their prices rise, regardless of a consumer's income.

Many Giffen goods are considered staples, especially in areas where people live in a lower socio-economic class. When the prices of Giffen goods increase, consumers have no choice but to spend a larger amount of money on them. So they may spend more money on rice because that's all they can afford to buyeven if the price keeps rising. Products such as meat, on the other hand, become luxuries, as they are far too unaffordable and out of reach.

Inferior Goods vs. Normal Goods and Luxury Goods

An inferior good is the opposite of a normal good. Normal goods experience an increase in demand when incomes increase. Normal goods are also called necessary goods. An example is organic bananas. If a consumer's income is low, they may buy regular bananas. But if their incomes rise and they have a few extra dollars to spend each month, they may choose to buy organic bananas. Other examples include clothing, water, and beer, and alcohol.

Luxury goods are the third category. They are not deemed essentials or necessities to live. These goods are highly desired and can be purchased when a consumer's income rises. In other words, the ability to purchase luxury goods is dependent on a consumer's wealth or assets. Luxury items include cleaning and cooking services, handbags and luggage, certain automobiles, and haute couture.

Do Inferior Goods Have an Inferior Quality?

Not necessarily. "Inferior good" is an economic term that refers to an item that becomes less desirable as the income of consumers increases. In other words, inferior goods are those whose price elasticity is negative, but this doesn't always involve a lower quality. As consumers incomes increase, they tend to decrease their purchases of inferior goods, opting for normal goods or luxury goods instead.

What Are Some Examples of Inferior Goods?

Typical examples of inferior goods include store-brand grocery products, instant noodles, and certain canned or frozen foods. Although some people have a specific preference for these items, most buyers would prefer buying more expensive alternatives if they had the income to do so. Therefore, when incomes rise, demand for these items tends to decrease accordingly.

What is the Difference Between a Giffen Good and an Inferior Good?

The term Giffen goods, named after the Scottish economist Sir Robert Griffin, refers to goods whose demand increases even if prices rise, largely because there are few substitutes or alternatives for them. A classic example of a Giffen Good would be a basic food staple, such as rice. If consumers have no choice but to purchase the staple, they will continue to do so, even if it becomes more expensive. In fact, because these purchases will consume a greater share of their income, demand for Giffen goods will actually increase with higher prices: The limits on disposable income make slightly higher options even more out of reach.
What Is a Construction Loan?primm nevada hotels

A construction loan (also known as a self-build loan") is a short-term loan used to finance the building of a home or another real estate project. The builder or home buyer takes out a construction loan to cover the costs of the project before obtaining long-term funding. Because they are considered relatively risky, construction loans usually have higher interest rates than traditional mortgage loans.

Mortgage Basics

How a Construction Loan Works

1:48

Construction loans are usually taken out by builders or a homebuyer custom-building their own home. They are short-term loans, usually for a period of only one year. After construction of the house is complete, the borrower can either refinance the construction loan into a permanent mortgage or obtain a new loan to pay off the construction loan (sometimes called the end loan). The borrower might only be required to make interest payments on a construction loan while the project is still underway. Some construction loans may require the balance to be paid off entirely by the time the project is complete.

If a construction loan is taken out by a borrower who wants to build a home, the lender might pay the funds directly to the contractor rather than to the borrower. The payments may come in installments as the project completes new stages of development. Construction loans can be taken out to finance rehabilitation and restoration projects as well as to build new homes.

Construction loans can allow a borrower to build the home of their dreams, butdue to the risks involvedthey have higher interest rates and larger down payments than traditional mortgages.

Special Considerations for Construction Loans

Most lenders require a 20% minimum down payment on a construction loan, and some require as much as 25%. Borrowers may face difficulty securing a construction loan, particularly if they have a limited credit history. There may be a shortage of collateral because the home is not yet built posing a challenge in seeking approval from a lender. To gain approval for a construction loan, the borrower will need to give the lender a comprehensive list of construction details (also known as a blue book). The borrower will also have to prove that a qualified builder is involved in the project.

Construction loans are usually offered by local credit unions or regional banks. Local banks tend to be familiar with the housing market in their area and are more comfortable making home construction loans to borrowers in their community.

Construction Loans vs. Owner-Builder Construction Loans

Borrowers who intend to act as their own general contractor or build the home with their own resources are unlikely to qualify for a construction loan. These borrowers will have to take out a variant called an owner-builder construction loan. It can be difficult to qualify for these loans. Therefore, potential borrowers must offer a well-researched construction plan that convincingly lays out their home-building knowledge and abilities. The borrower should also include a contingency fund for unexpected surprises.

Example of a Construction Loan

Jane Doe decides that she can build her new house for a total of $500,000 and secures a one-year construction loan from her local bank for that amount. They agree on a drawdown schedule for the loan.

In the first month, only $50,000 is required to cover costs, so Jane takes only that amountand pays interest only on that amountsaving money. Jane continues to take funds as they are needed, guided by the drawdown schedule. She pays interest only on the total that she has drawn down rather than paying interest on the whole $500,000 for the entire term of the loan. At the end of the year, she refinances with her local bank the total amount of funds she has used into a mortgage for her dream home.
What Are Retained Earnings?top crypto to invest kicker card

Retained earnings are the cumulative net earnings or profits of a company after accounting for dividend payments. As an important concept in accounting, the word retained captures the fact that because those earnings were not paid out to shareholders as dividends, they were instead retained by the company.

For this reason, retained earnings decrease when a company either loses money or pays dividends and increase when new profits are created.



Key Takeaways

Retained earnings (RE) are the amount of net income left over for the business after it has paid out dividends to its shareholders.

The decision to retain the earnings or distribute them among shareholders is usually left to company management.

A growth-focused company may not pay dividends at all or pay very small amounts because it may prefer to use retained earnings to finance expansion activities.

Companies may choose to use their retained earnings for increasing production capacity, hiring more sales representatives, launching a new product, or share buybacks, among others.

Retained earnings are an important variable for assessing a companys financial health because it shows the net income that a company has saved over time, and therefore has the ability to reinvest in the business or distribute to shareholders.

Retained Earnings

What Is the Retained Earnings Formula and Calculation?

RE = BP + Net Income (or Loss)  C  S where: BP = Beginning Period RE C = Cash dividends S = Stock dividends \begin{ aligned} &\text{ RE} = \text{ BP} + \text{ Net Income (or Loss)} - \text{ C} - \text{ S} \\ &\textbf{ where:}\\ &\text{ BP} = \text{ Beginning Period RE} \\ &\text{ C} = \text{ Cash dividends} \\ &\text{ S} = \text{ Stock dividends} \\ \end{ aligned} RE=BP+Net Income (or Loss)CSwhere:BP=Beginning Period REC=Cash dividendsS=Stock dividends

What Can Retained Earnings Tell You?

1:39

Retained earnings refer to the historical profits earned by a company, minus any dividends it paid in the past. To get a better understanding of what retained earnings can tell you, the following options broadly cover all possible uses that a company can make of its surplus money. For instance, the first option leads to the earnings money going out of the books and accounts of the business forever because dividend payments are irreversible.

All of the other options retain the earnings for use within the business, and such investments and funding activities constitute retained earnings.

The income money can be distributed (fully or partially) among the business owners (shareholders) in the form of dividends.

It can be invested to expand existing business operations, like increasing the production capacity of the existing products or hiring more sales representatives.

It can be invested to launch a new product/variant, like a refrigerator maker foraying into producing air conditioners or a chocolate cookie manufacturer launching orange- or pineapple-flavored variants.

The money can be used for any possible merger, acquisition, or partnership that leads to improved business prospects.

It can also be used for share buybacks.

The earnings can be used to repay any outstanding loan (debt) that the business may owe.

Retained earnings are also called earnings surplus and represent reserve money, which is available to company management for reinvesting back into the business. When expressed as a percentage of total earnings, it is also called the retention ratio and is equal to (1 - the dividend payout ratio).

Though the last option of debt repayment also leads to the money going out of the business, it still has an impact on the businesss accounts (for example, on saving future interest payments, which qualifies it for inclusion in retained earnings).

Profits give a lot of room to the business owner(s) or the company management to use the surplus money earned. This profit is often paid out to shareholders, but it can also be reinvested back into the company for growth purposes. The money not paid to shareholders counts as retained earnings.

Management and Retained Earnings

The decision to retain the earnings or to distribute them among shareholders is usually left to the company management. However, it can be challenged by the shareholders through a majority vote because they are the real owners of the company.

Management and shareholders may want the company to retain the earnings for several different reasons. Being better informed about the market and the companys business, the management may have a high-growth project in view, which they may perceive as a candidate for generating substantial returns in the future.

In the long run, such initiatives may lead to better returns for the company shareholders instead of those gained from dividend payouts. Paying off high-interest debt also may be preferred by both management and shareholders, instead of dividend payments.

On the other hand, when a company generates surplus income, a portion of the long-term shareholders may expect some regular income in the form of dividends as a reward for putting their money in the company. Traders who look for short-term gains may also prefer dividend payments that offer instant gains.

Most often, the companys management takes a balanced approach. It involves paying out a nominal amount of dividends and retaining a good portion of the earnings, which offers a win-win.

What Is the Difference Between Retained Earnings and Dividends?

Dividends can be distributed in the form of cash or stock. Both forms of distribution reduce retained earnings. Cash payment of dividends leads to cash outflow and is recorded in the books and accounts as net reductions. As the company loses ownership of its liquid assets in the form of cash dividends, it reduces the companys asset value on the balance sheet, thereby impacting RE.

On the other hand, though stock dividends do not lead to a cash outflow, the stock payment transfers part of the retained earnings to common stock. For instance, if a company pays one share as a dividend for each share held by the investors, the price per share will reduce to half because the number of shares will essentially double. Because the company has not created any real value simply by announcing a stock dividend, the per-share market price is adjusted according to the proportion of the stock dividend.

Though the increase in the number of shares may not impact the companys balance sheet because the market price is automatically adjusted, it decreases the per-share valuation, which is reflected in capital accounts, thereby impacting the RE.

A growth-focused company may not pay dividends at all or pay very small amounts because it may prefer to use the retained earnings to finance activities such as research and development (R&D), marketing, working capital requirements, capital expenditures, and acquisitions to achieve additional growth. Such companies have high retained earnings over the years.

A maturing company may not have many options or high-return projects for which to use the surplus cash, and it may prefer handing out dividends. Such companies tend to have low RE.

What Is the Difference Between Retained Earnings and Revenue?

Both revenue and retained earnings are important in evaluating a companys financial health, but they highlight different aspects of the financial picture. Revenue sits at the top of the income statement and is often referred to as the top-line number when describing a companys financial performance.

Revenue is the money generated by a company during a period but before operating expenses and overhead costs are deducted. In some industries, revenue is called gross sales because the gross figure is calculated before any deductions.

Retained earnings are the portion of a companys cumulative profit that is held or retained and saved for future use. Retained earnings could be used for funding an expansion or paying dividends to shareholders at a later date. Retained earnings are related to net (as opposed to gross) income because its the net income amount saved by a company over time.

What Are the Limitations of Retained Earnings?

For an analyst, the absolute figure of retained earnings during a particular quarter or year may not provide any meaningful insight. Observing it over a period of time (for example, over five years) only indicates the trend of how much money a company is adding to retained earnings.

As an investor, one would like to know much moresuch as the returns that the retained earnings have generated and if they were better than any alternative investments. Additionally, investors may prefer to see larger dividends rather than significant annual increases to retained earnings.

What Is Retained Earnings to Market Value?

One way to assess how successful a company is in using retained money is to look at a key factor called retained earnings to market value. It is calculated over a period of time (usually a couple of years) and assesses the change in stock price against the net earnings retained by the company.

For example, during the period from September 2016 through September 2020, Apple Inc.s (AAPL) stock price rose from around $28 to around $112 per share. During the same period, the total earnings per share (EPS) was $13.61, while the total dividend paid out by the company was $3.38 per share.

As Morningstar indicates, Apple had the following EPS and dividend figures over the given time frame, and summing them up gives the above values for total EPS and total dividend.

The difference between total EPS and total dividend gives the net earnings retained by the company: $13.61 - $3.38 = $10.23. That is, over the period, the company retained a total of $10.23 earnings per share.

Over the same duration, its stock price rose by $84 ($112 - $28) per share. Dividing this price rise per share by net earnings retained per share gives a factor of 8.21 ($84  $10.23), which indicates thatfor each dollar of retained earnings, the company managed to create around $8.21 of market value.

If the company had not retained this money and instead taken an interest-bearing loan, the value generated would have been less due to the outgoing interest payment. RE offers internally generated capital to finance projects, allowing for efficient value creation by profitable companies. However, readers should note that the above calculation is indicative of the value created with respect to the use of retained earnings only, and it does not indicate the overall value created by the company.

Retained Earnings Example

Companies publicly record retained earnings under the shareholders equity section on the balance sheet. For instance, Apples balance sheet from the third fiscal quarter (fiscal Q3) of 2019 shows that the company had retained earnings of $53.724 billion as of the end of the quarter in June 2019:

Similarly, the iPhone maker, whose fiscal year ends in September, had $70.4 billion in retained earnings as of September 2018.

The retained earnings are calculated by adding net income to (or subtracting net losses from) the previous terms retained earnings and then subtracting any net dividend(s) paid to the shareholders.

The figure is calculated at the end of each accounting period (monthly/quarterly/annually). As the formula suggests, retained earnings are dependent on the corresponding figure of the previous term. The resultant number may be either positive or negative, depending upon the net income or loss generated by the company over time. Alternatively, the company paying large dividends that exceed the other figures can also lead to the retained earnings going negative.

Any item that impacts net income (or net loss) will impact the retained earnings. Such items include sales revenue, cost of goods sold (COGS), depreciation, and necessary operating expenses.

Are retained earnings a type of equity?

Retained earnings are a type of equity and are therefore reported in the shareholders equity section of the balance sheet. Although retained earnings are not themselves an asset, they can be used to purchase assets such as inventory, equipment, or other investments. Therefore, a company with a large retained earnings balance may be well-positioned to purchase new assets in the future or offer increased dividend payments to its shareholders.

What does negative retained earnings mean?

Generally speaking, a company with a negative retained earnings balance would signal weakness because it indicates that the company has experienced losses in one or more previous years. However, it is more difficult to interpret a company with high retained earnings.

What does it mean for a company to have high retained earnings?

On one hand, high retained earnings could indicate financial strength since it demonstrates a track record of profitability in previous years. On the other hand, it could be indicative of a company that should consider paying more dividends to its shareholders. This, of course, depends on whether the company has been pursuing profitable growth opportunities.



Where is retained earnings on a balance sheet?

Retained earnings can typically be found on a companys balance sheet in the shareholders equity section. Retained earnings are calculated through taking the beginning-period retained earnings, adding to the net income (or loss), and subtracting dividend payouts.

Are retained earnings the same as profits?

The main difference between retained earnings and profits is that retained earnings subtract dividend payments from a companys profit, whereas profits do not. Where profits may indicate that a company has positive net income, retained earnings may show that a company has a net loss depending on the amount of dividends it paid out to shareholders.
Definition of Enthymeme

An argumentative statement in which the writer or the speaker omits one of the major or minor premises,start nft blockchain ios games does not clearly pronounce it, or keeps this premise implied, is called an enthymeme. However, the omitted premise in an enthymeme remains understandable even if is not clearly expressed. For instance, in the sentence, Where there is smoke, there is fire, the hidden premise is: fire causes smoke.

Enthymeme is a rhetorical device like syllogism, and is known as truncated or rhetoric syllogism. Its purpose is to influence the audience, and allow them to make inferences. Such inferences can be easily recognized, as these statements comes after because.

Enthymeme vs. Syllogism

Enthymeme is like syllogism, and yet different. The difference is that a syllogism is a deductive logic that contains three parts, and in which both premises have valid conclusion such as:

All reptiles are cold-blooded animals. (Major premise) A lizard is a cold-blooded animal. (Minor premise) Therefore, a lizard is a reptile. (Conclusion)

Whereas in enthymeme, writers keep one premise implied, which means both premises do not have valid conclusions. It is an incomplete argument such as:

He could not have committed this heinous crime. (Major premise)

I have known him since he was a child. (Minor premise)

The hidden premise: He is innocent by nature and, therefore, could never be a criminal.

Popular Examples of Enthymeme

Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, youre no Jack Kennedy.  Lloyd Bentsen to Dan Quayle in U.S. Vice-Presidential debate in 1988. (The hidden premise: Jack Kennedy was a great man, but you are not.)

He is a U.S. citizen, so he is entitled to due process. (The hidden premise: All citizens of the U.S. are entitled to due process.)

With a name like Bonanza, it has to be good. (The hidden premise: Bonanza is a prestigious company, therefore it is good.)

Examples of Enthymeme in Literature

Example #1: Julius Caesar (By William Shakespeare)

Plebian:Markd ye his words? He would not take the crown. Therefore tis certain he was not ambitious.

From the above line from Shakespeares Julius Caesar, it is clear that Brutus is an ambitious and honorable man. Thus, a major hidden premise is that all honorable and respectable men are ambitious.

Example #2: New York Times Interview, May 2, 2003 (By George Bush)

The battle of Iraq is one victory in a war on terror that began on September the 11th, 2001, and still goes on  With those attacks, the terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States. And war is what they got.

This is an example of classic enthymematic argumentative speech by U.S. President Bush. He stated that the reason the U.S. declared war against Iraq was because the U.S. was attacked on Sept 11, 2001. However, the missing piece in this argument is  Saddam Hussein was the culprit, and involved in the 9/11 attacks.

Example #3: Beauty: When the Other Dancer Is the Self(By Alice Walker)

[M]y parents decide to buy my brothers guns. These are not real guns. They shoot BBs, copper pellets my brothers say will kill birds. Because I am a girl, I do not get a gun.

In this example, the speaker omits the major premise that her parents have not given her a gun. However, she directly lets the readers know the reason why she does not have the gun.

Example #4: Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student(By Edward P. J. Corbett and Robert J. Connors)

The gun has the defendants fingerprints on the trigger. He is clearly guilty!

In this example, the hidden premise is that fingerprints on an object show who has used it, therefore the defendants fingerprints on the gun proves he is guilty.

Function of Enthymeme

The usage of enthymeme is very common in advertisements, political speeches, and literature. It makes the audience work out their own conclusions, and nudges them to read further to get a clearer picture of the premise or an idea. By forcing the audience to take a final step, it strengthens the argument of the writer. Often enthymemes help to hide the underlying idea upon which a major argument relies. In addition, the purpose of using an enthymeme is to persuade the audience by using implied arguments.
What Is an Adjudication?free coins for jackpot party casino slots

An adjudication is a legal ruling or judgment, usually final, but can also refer to the process of settling a legal case or claim through the court or justice system, such as a decree in the bankruptcy process between the defendant and the creditors.

Normally, an adjudication represents the final judgment or pronouncement in a case that will determine the course of action taken regarding the issue presented. Outside of a legal process, adjudication can also more generally refer to other formal processes of judgment or ruling that render a final decision, such as the process of validating an insurance claim.

Key Takeaways

Adjudication is the process by which a court judge resolves issues between two parties.

Adjudication hearings are similar to the arbitration hearing process.

Generally, adjudication hearings involve money or nonviolent infractions that result in a distribution of rights and obligations for all parties involved.

Click Play to See How the Adjudication Process Works

Understanding Adjudication

1:24

Adjudication describes the legal process that helps expedite and deliver a court's resolution regarding an issue between two parties. The result of the process is a judgment and court opinion that is legally binding. Most adjudication hearings center on disputes that involve money or nonviolent infractions and result in the distribution of rights and obligations for all parties involved.

This legal process differs from other justice-seeking or evidence-based court cases. It is instead used to settle disputes between private parties, political officials and a private party, and public bodies and public officials. In the healthcare industry, for example, adjudication can determine a carrier's liability for monetary claims submitted by an insured person.

Adjudication vs. Arbitration

Adjudication specifically refers to the process and decision issued by a government-appointed (or elected) judge, as opposed to a decision issued by an arbitrator in a private proceeding or arbitration. While both judges and arbitrators are expected and required to follow the law, judges' adjudications also must take into account the interests of the government and general public interest. Arbitration, meanwhile, only needs to consider the interests of the parties involved.

Adjudication Disputes

The types of disputes handled or resolved through adjudication include the following:

Disagreements between private parties, such as single-persons, individual entities, or corporations

Disagreements between private parties and public officials

Disagreements between public officials and/or public bodies

Requirements for full adjudication include requisite notice to all interested parties (all legally-interested parties or those with a legal right affected by the disagreements) and an opportunity for all parties to have their evidence and arguments heard.

The Adjudication Process

Formal rules of evidence and procedure govern the process where the initiating party, or trier, gives a notice establishing the facts in controversy and defines any applicable laws. The notice also sometimes outlines the nature of the dispute between the parties and recounts where and when the dispute occurred, and the desired result based on law. However, there are no specific requirements regarding the notice of adjudication.

An adjudicator is then appointed and a notice is sent to the defending party, who responds by submitting a defense to the claim of adjudication by the plaintiff. The adjudicator gives the plaintiff and defendant a chance to present their arguments at a hearing and makes a final ruling. This is not too dissimilar from an arbitrator in an arbitration hearing settling a business dispute.

What Is an Example of Adjudication?

An adjudication results from any sort of official judgment or decision. For instance, when a judge levies a penalty or sentence against a defendant in court.

Where Does the Word Adjudicate Come From?

Adjudicate comes from the Latin word judicare,meaning "judge."

What Is the Purpose of the Adjudication Process?

Adjudication is a formalized remedy for efficiently resolving disputes, settling legal claims, or deciding a case.
What Is a Trust Fund?nfl week 13 picks straight up

A trust fund is an estate planning tool that is a legal entity that holds property or assets for a person or organization. Trust funds can hold a variety of assets, such as money, real property, stocks, bonds, a business, or a combination of many different types of properties or assets.

Three parties are required in order to establish a trust fund: the grantor, the beneficiary, and the trustee. Trust funds are managed by the trustee who must act for the benefit of the grantor and beneficiary.

Trust funds can take many forms and can be established under different stipulations. They offer certain tax benefits as well as financial protections and support for those involved.



Key Takeaways

A trust fund is designed to hold and manage assets on someone else's behalf, with the help of a neutral third party.

Trust funds include a grantor, beneficiary, and trustee.

The grantor of a trust fund can set terms for the way assets are to be held, gathered, or distributed.

The trustee manages the fund's assets and executes its directives, while the beneficiary receives the assets or other benefits from the fund.

Trust funds can be revocable and irrevocable, and there are several variations that exist for specific purposes.

Trust Fund

How Trust Funds Work

1:40

Estate planning is a process that involves determining how an individual's assets and other financial affairs will be managed and how any property they have is distributed after they die. This includes any bank accounts, investments, personal property, real estate, life insurance, artwork, and debt. While wills are the most common estate planning tools, trust funds are also popular legal entities.

The following three parties are involved in establishing a trust fund:

The grantor, who sets it up and populates it with their assets

The beneficiary(s) or the person (people) for whom the assets are managed

The trustee, who is a neutral third party (an individual, a trust bank, or another professional fiduciary) charged with managing the assets involved

The grantor generally creates an arrangement that, for a variety of reasons, is carried out after they are no longer mentally competent or alive. As the appointed fiduciary, the trustee is responsible for carrying out the interests of the grantor. This usually includes allocating living expenses or even educational expenses, such as private school or college expenses, while they are alive. Or they can pay out a lump sum directly to the beneficiary.

Trust funds provide certain benefits and protections for those who create them and to their beneficiaries. For instance:

Some types can keep assets held away from any creditors in the event they decide to pursue the grantor for unpaid debts.

They avoid the need to go through probate, which is the process of analyzing and distributing assets after someone dies without leaving any instructions behind.

Some trust funds can reduce the amount of estate and inheritance taxes owed after the grantor dies after which the assets are distributed to the beneficiary(s).



An estate tax is levied on the value of an estate after the grantor dies while inheritance taxes are applied to the total amount a beneficiary inherits from an estate.

Special Considerations

Wealth and family arrangements can grow quite complicated when millions (or even billions) of dollars are at stake for multiple generations of a family or other entity. As such, a trust fund can contain a surprisingly complex array of options and specifications to suit the needs of a grantor.

But contrary to what most people believe, trust funds aren't just for the ultra-rich. In fact, they can be useful for just about anyone regardless of their financial situation. Discuss your needs with a financial professional to find out what kind of fund is well-suited for you and your personal needs.

Revocable Trust Funds vs. Irrevocable Trust Funds

Trust funds fall into two different categories: Revocable and irrevocable trust funds. The following are brief descriptions of the two.

Revocable Trust Fund

A revocable trust fund gives a grantor better control over assets during the grantors lifetime. Once assets are placed into it, they can be transferred to any number of designated beneficiaries after the grantor's death. Also called a living trust fund, it can be used to transfer assets to children or grandchildren.

The primary benefit is that the assets avoid probate, which leads to the quick distribution of assets to the listed beneficiaries. Living trust funds are not made public, meaning an estate is distributed with a high level of privacy.

Changes can be made while the grantor is alive and it can also be entirely revoked prior to the grantor's death.

Irrevocable Trust Fund

An irrevocable trust fund is very difficult to change or revoke. Because of this arrangement, there can be considerable tax benefits for the grantor to effectively give away control of the assets to the trust fund. Irrevocable trust funds most often avoid probate.

Types of Trust Funds

Revocable and irrevocable trust arrangements can be further classified into several types of trust funds. These types often have different rules and stipulations depending on the assets involved and, more importantly, the beneficiary. A tax or a trust attorney may be your best resource for understanding the intricacies of each of these vehicles. Keep in mind that this isn't an exhaustive list.

Asset Protection: This fund protects a person's assets from their creditors' future claims.

This fund protects a person's assets from their creditors' future claims. Blind: This fund tries to remove any hint of conflict of interest. As such, the trust fund's grantor and beneficiary have no knowledge of the holdings or how they are managed. It does, however, give control to the trustee.

This fund tries to remove any hint of conflict of interest. As such, the trust fund's grantor and beneficiary have no knowledge of the holdings or how they are managed. It does, however, give control to the trustee. Charitable: A charitable trust fund benefits a particular charity or the general public. This includes a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) that pays a fixed amount each year. A Charitable Remainder Unitrust passes assets to a specified charity once the fund expires, and gives the donor a charitable deduction as well as a fixed percentage of income to the beneficiary during the life of the trust fund.

A charitable trust fund benefits a particular charity or the general public. This includes a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT) that pays a fixed amount each year. A Charitable Remainder Unitrust passes assets to a specified charity once the fund expires, and gives the donor a charitable deduction as well as a fixed percentage of income to the beneficiary during the life of the trust fund. Generation-Skipping: This one contains tax benefits when the beneficiary is one of the grantors grandchildren, or anyone at least 37 years younger than the grantor.

This one contains tax benefits when the beneficiary is one of the grantors grandchildren, or anyone at least 37 years younger than the grantor. Grantor Retained Annuity: Establishing this type of fund allows the grantor to transfer any appreciation of assets to any beneficiaries to minimize estate taxes.

Establishing this type of fund allows the grantor to transfer any appreciation of assets to any beneficiaries to minimize estate taxes. Individual Retirement Account: Trustees control IRA distributions rather than the beneficiaries.

Trustees control IRA distributions rather than the beneficiaries. Land: This allows for the management of property, such as land, a home, or another type of real estate.

This allows for the management of property, such as land, a home, or another type of real estate. Marital This is funded at one spouse's death and is eligible for the unlimited marital deduction.

This is funded at one spouse's death and is eligible for the unlimited marital deduction. Medicaid: Designed to allow individuals to set aside assets as gifts to their beneficiaries, this allows the grantor to qualify for long-term care under Medicaid.

Designed to allow individuals to set aside assets as gifts to their beneficiaries, this allows the grantor to qualify for long-term care under Medicaid. Qualified Personal Residence: An individual can move their personal residence from their estate to this type of fund in order to reduce the amount of gift tax incurred.

An individual can move their personal residence from their estate to this type of fund in order to reduce the amount of gift tax incurred. Qualified Terminable Interest Property: This one benefits a surviving spouse but allows the grantor to make decisions after the surviving spouses passing.

This one benefits a surviving spouse but allows the grantor to make decisions after the surviving spouses passing. Special Needs: People who receive government benefits are the beneficiaries so as not to disqualify the beneficiary from such government benefits.

People who receive government benefits are the beneficiaries so as not to disqualify the beneficiary from such government benefits. Spendthrift: Beneficiaries don't have direct access to the named assets, which means they can't sell, spend, or give away the assets without specific stipulations.

Beneficiaries don't have direct access to the named assets, which means they can't sell, spend, or give away the assets without specific stipulations. Testamentary: This fund leaves assets to a beneficiary with specific instructions following the grantors passing.

What Is a Trust Fund Baby?

A trust fund baby is someone whose parents set up a trust fund in their name. The term is a popular cultural reference that is often used negatively. When people use the expression, there's an implication that beneficiaries are born with silver spoons in their mouths, are overly privileged, and don't have to work to live.

It's true that trust funds can provide beneficiaries with security. But in reality, many so-called trust fund babies don't live luxuriously or in high society.

How Do Trust Funds Work?

Trust funds are legal entities that provide financial, tax, and legal protections for individuals. They require a grantor, who sets it up, one or more beneficiaries, who receive the assets when the grantor dies, and the trustee, who manages it and distributes the assets at a later date.

Trust funds are designed to carry out the wishes of the grantor. This means that the trustee is in charge of managing the assets while they are still alive. After their passing, the trustee can pass on the assets to the beneficiary(s) as per the grantor's instructions, whether that's through a regular income stream or a lump sum payment.

How Do I Start a Trust Fund?

In order to set up a trust fund, you'll need to figure out which one is best suited for you, so make sure you figure out the exact purpose of the fund. Then, decide how you'll fund it. Figure out who you want to appoint as your trustee. This person may be able to help you draft up all the documents and go through the legal process. The final step is to fund the trust fund.

As with any other financial venture, make sure a trust fund is the best choice for you, your beneficiary, and your financial situation.




What Is Consumerism?tutorial slot pragmatic play

Consumerism is the idea that increasing the consumption of goods and services purchased in the market is always a desirable goal, and that a person's well-being and happiness depend fundamentally on obtaining consumer goods and material possessions.

In the economics sense, consumerism is related to the predominantly Keynesian idea that consumer spending is the key driver of the economy and that encouraging consumers to spend is a major policy goal. From this point of view, consumerism is a positive phenomenon that fuels economic growth.

Others view the drive to obtain more material possessions as a problematic, causing individual anxiety and eroding the social fabric.

Key Takeaways

Consumerism is the theory that individuals who consume goods and services in large quantities will be better off.

Some economists believe that consumer spending stimulates production and economic growth.

Economists view consumption as about fulfilling biological needs & wants based on maximizing utility.

Sociologists instead view consumption as additionally about fulfilling socially-inscribed needs and wants via symbolic transactions.

Hyper-consumerism has been widely criticized for its economic, social, environmental, and psychological consequences.

Watch Now: Consumerism Explained

Understanding Consumerism

1:23

In common use, consumerism refers to the tendency of people living in a capitalist economy to engage in a lifestyle of excessive materialism that revolves around reflexive, wasteful, or conspicuous overconsumption. In this sense, consumerism is widely understood to contribute to the destruction of traditional values and ways of life, consumer exploitation by big business, environmental degradation, and negative psychological effects.

Thorstein Veblen, for example, was a 19th-century economist and sociologist best known for coining the term conspicuous consumption in his book The Theory of the Leisure Class(1899). Conspicuous consumption is a means to show one's social status, especially when publicly displayed goods and services are too expensive for other members of the same class. This type of consumption is typically associated with the wealthy but can also apply to any economic class.

Following the Great Depression, consumerism was largely derided. However, with the U.S. economy kickstarted by World War II and the prosperity that followed at the end of the war, the use of the term in the mid-20th century began to have a positive connotation. During this time, consumerism emphasized the benefits that capitalism had to offer in terms of improving standards of living and an economic policy that prioritized the interests of consumers. These largely nostalgic meanings have since fallen out of general use.

As consumers spend, economists presume that consumers benefit from the utility of the consumer goods that they purchase, but businesses also benefit from increased sales, revenue, and profit. For example, if car sales increase, auto manufacturers see a boost in profits. Additionally, the companies that make steel, tires, and upholstery for cars also see increased sales. In other words, spending by the consumer can benefit the economy and the business sector in particular.

Some economists view increasing levels of consumer spending as a critical goal in building and maintaining a strong economy, irrespective of the benefit to the consumer or society as a whole.

Others, however, have grown quite concerned about the negative societal effects of hyper-consumerism.

The Economic Impact of Consumerism

According to Keynesian macroeconomics, boosting consumer spending through fiscal and monetary policy is a primary target for economic policymakers. Consumer spending makes up the lion's share of aggregate demand and gross domestic product (GDP), so boosting consumer spending is seen as the most effective way to steer the economy toward growth.

Consumerism views the consumer as the target of economic policy and a cash cow for the business sector with the sole belief that increasing consumption benefits the economy. Saving can even be seen as harmful to the economy because it comes at the expense of immediate consumption spending.

Consumerism also helps shape some business practices. Planned obsolescence of consumer goods can displace competition among producers to make more durable products. Marketing and advertising can become focused on creating consumer demand for new products rather than informing consumers.

Conspicuous Consumption

Political economist Thorstein Veblen developed the concept of conspicuous consumption in 1899, where he theorized that some consumers purchase, own, and use products not for their direct-use value but as a way of signaling social and economic status.

As standards of living rose after the Industrial Revolution, conspicuous consumption grew. High rates of conspicuous consumption can be a wasteful zero-sum or even negative-sum activity as real resources are used up to produce goods that are not valued for their use but rather the image they portray.

In the form of conspicuous consumption, consumerism can impose enormous real costs on an economy. Consuming real resources in zero- or negative-sum competition for social status can offset the gains from commerce in a modern industrial economy and lead to destructive creation in markets for consumers and other goods.

Sociologists view consumerism as symbolic consumption that may not maximize individual utility. Instead, it can serve as a signal to others and help establish one's identity. When it comes to being a consumer, social actors (e.g., peer pressure, in-groups, advertisers) limit your free choice.





Advantages and Disadvantages of Consumerism

Advantages

Advocates of consumerism point to how consumer spending can drive an economy and lead to increased production of goods and services. As a result of higher consumer spending, a rise in GDP can occur. In the United States, signs of healthy consumer demand can be found in consumer confidence indicators, retail sales, and personal consumption expenditures. Business owners, workers in the industry, and owners of raw resources can profit from sales of consumer goods either directly or through downstream buyers.

Disadvantages

Consumerism is often criticized on cultural grounds. Some see that consumerism can lead to a materialistic society that neglects other values. Traditional modes of production and ways of life can be replaced by a focus on consuming ever more costly goods in larger quantities.

Consumerism is often associated with globalization in promoting the production and consumption of globally traded goods and brands, which can be incompatible with local cultures and patterns of economic activity. Consumerism can also create incentives for consumers to take on unsustainable debt levels that contribute to financial crises and recessions.

Environmental problems are frequently associated with consumerism to the extent that consumer goods industries and the direct effects of consumption produce negative environmental externalities. These can include urban sprawl, pollution, resource depletion, and problems with waste disposal from excess consumer goods and packaging.

Consumerism is also criticized on psychological grounds. It is blamed for increasing status anxiety, where people experience stress associated with social status and a perceived need to "keep up with the Joneses" by increasing their consumption.

Psychological research has shown that people who organize their lives around consumerist goals, such as product acquisition, report poorer moods, greater unhappiness in relationships, and other psychological problems. Psychological experiments have shown that people exposed to consumerist values based on wealth, status, and material possessions display greater anxiety and depression. In other words, science shows that consumerism does not make people happy at all.

Consumerism and the American Dream

The American Dream has always been about the prospect of success, but 100 years ago, the phrase meant the opposite of what it does now.

The original American Dream was not a dream of individual wealth and consumerism; it was a dream of social equality, justice, and democracy for the nation (first used widely in the 1916 elections).

The phrase was repurposed by each generation, until the Cold War, when it became an argument for a consumer capitalist version of democracy. Our ideas about the American Dream froze in the 1950s. Today, it can often mean consumerism.

What Are Some Examples of Consumerism?

Consumerism is defined by the never-ending pursuit to shop and consume. Examples including shopping sprees, especially those that engage a large number of people, such as Black Friday sales on the day after Thanksgiving.

Another example of consumerism involves the introduction of newer models of mobile phone each year. While a mobile device that is a few years old can be perfectly functional and adequate, consumerism drives people to abandon those devices and purchase newer ones on a regular basis.

Conspicuous consumption is yet another example. Here, people buy goods to show off their status or present a certain image. This doesn't always have to have negative connotation, as it can also signal pro-social behavior.

Is Consumerism Bad for Society?

While people need to be consumers in order to live and obtain our needs and wants, excess consumerism is widely thought to be a negative for society. Consumerism leads to negative externalities like pollution and waste. Moreover, consumerism begins to define people by what they own. According to some sociologists, mass culture popularized via the advertising industry creates consumers who play a passive role manipulated by brands, rather than as active and creative beings. There are systematic biases in the system which generate consumerism. If these system-biases were eliminated, many people would adopt a less consumerist lifestyle.

How Does Consumerism Shape Social Class?

Tastes and preferences for consumption goods are stratified by social class, not only in terms of monetary cost, but also appropriateness. Working class individuals tend to consume certain types of food, media, dress, and pastimes that may differ from those in the top 1% or higher strata. Consumption defines both self- and group-identity: People aspire to consume up to keep up with the Jones," but people fear downward mobility.

The Bottom Line

Consumerism is the propensity to consume and keep consuming. It is the drive to buy and own more stuff, and to define one's identity through what they own. Economists view consumerism as a positive for consumer spending and GDP growth. Others like psychologists and sociologists, however, see negative effects of rampant consumerism ranging from creating anxiety in individuals to social ills.
03:08

A small town in New Mexico recently came dangerously close to running out of water.

A potential disaster was averted when temporary infiltration systems were put in place,biggest bc slots lucky charm slots but the town of Las Vegas learned a lesson from the unprecedented crisis and is now committed to diversifying and conserving its water.

New Mexico officials are working on a 50-year water plan as the state copes with a two-decade long drought.

For more, check out our exclusive content on CGTN Now and subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The China Report.
What Is the Retail Price Index (RPI)?get free bitcoins automatically

The Retail Price Index (RPI) is one of the two main measures of consumer inflation produced by the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is not considered an official statistic by the U.K., but it is used for certain types of cost escalation. The RPI was introduced in the U.K. in 1947, and it was made official in 1956.

Key Takeaways

The Retail Price Index (RPI) is a price index calculated and published by the U.K.'s Office of National Statistics.

The RPI is an older measure of inflation and is not considered the official U.K. inflation rate for statistical purposes.

The RPI is still reported for its use as a cost escalator for government transfer payments and wage contract negotiation.

Understanding the Retail Price Index (RPI)

The Retail Price Index (RPI) is an older measurement of inflation that is still published because it is used to calculate cost of living and wage escalation; however, it is not considered an official inflation rate by the government. RPI was first calculated for June 1947, largely replacing the previous Cost of Living Index. It was once the principal official measure of inflation. However, the consumer prices index (CPI) now largely serves that purpose in practice.

The U.K. government still uses RPI for some purposes, such as figuring the amounts payable on index-linked securities, including index-linked gilts and social housing rent increases. British employers also use it as a starting point in wage negotiation. However, since 2003, it has no longer been used to set the inflation target for the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, and since April 2011, it has no longer been used as the basis for the indexation of the pensions of former public sector employees. Since 2016, the U.K. state pension has been indexed by the highest of the increase in average earnings, CPI, or a rate of 2.5%.

In 2013, following a consultation on possibilities for improving the RPI, the U.K. national statistician said the formula used to produce the RPI did not meet international standards and recommended that a new index known as RPIJ be published. Subsequently, ONS decided to no longer classify RPI as a "national statistic." However, ONS will continue to calculate RPI, among several versions of the inflation index, in order to provide a consistent historic inflation time series. The index factors continue to be used to adjust for inflation in capital gains for inclusion in the tax computation for entities, subject to corporation tax in the U.K.

In Jan. 2018, Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, said that RPI should be abandoned.

RPI vs. CPI

Like the better-known CPI, the RPI tracks changes in the cost of a fixed basket of goods over time, and it is produced by combining about 180,000 price quotes for around 700 representative items. However, since the introduction of the CPI in 1996, 12-month inflation in the U.K. has generally been about 0.9 percentage points higher when measured by the RPI, as compared to the CPI.

The difference of 0.9 percentage points between the RPI and CPI in the U.K. arises for a number of reasons. Firstly, the RPI includes a number of items that are excluded in the CPI, and vice versa. Secondly, the two indicators measure price change for different target populations. Finally, the two measures use different formulas, leading to a difference known as the "formula effect."
What Is the Information Coefficient (IC)?Pachislot Symphogear

The information coefficient (IC) is a measure used to evaluate the skill of an investment analyst or an active portfolio manager. The information coefficient shows how closely the analyst's financial forecasts match actual financial results. The IC can range from 1.0 to -1.0, with -1 indicating the analyst's forecasts bear no relation to the actual results, and 1 indicating that the analyst's forecasts perfectly matched actual results.

Key Takeaways

The information coefficient (IC) is a measure used to evaluate the skill an investment analyst or active portfolio manager.

An IC of +1.0 indicates a perfect prediction of actual returns, while an IC of 0.0 indicates no linear relationship. An IC of -1.0 indicates that the analyst always fails at making a correct prediction.

The IC is not to be confused with the Information Ratio (IR). The IR is a measure of an investment manager's skill, comparing a manager's excess returns to the amount of risk taken.

The Formula for the IC Is

 IC = ( 2  Proportion Correct )  1 where: Proportion Correct = Proportion of predictions made correctly by the analyst \begin{ aligned} &\text{ IC} = (2 \times \text{ Proportion Correct}) - 1 \\ &\textbf{ where:} \\ &\text{ Proportion Correct} = \text{ Proportion of predictions made} \\ &\text{ correctly by the analyst} \\ \end{ aligned} IC=(2Proportion Correct)1where:Proportion Correct=Proportion of predictions madecorrectly by the analyst

Explaining the Information Coefficient

The information coefficient describes the correlation between predicted and actual stock returns, sometimes used to measure the contribution of a financial analyst. An IC of +1.0 indicates a perfect linear relationship between predicted and actual returns, while an IC of 0.0 indicates no linear relationship. An IC of -1.0 indicates that the analyst always fails at making a correct prediction.

An information coefficient (IC) score near +1.0 indicates that the analyst has great skill in forecasting. But, in reality, if the definition of "correct" is that the analyst's prediction matched the direction (up or down) of actual results, then the odds of getting the forecast right are 50/50. So even an analyst with no skill whatsoever could be expected to have an IC of around 0, meaning that half of the forecasts were right and half were wrong. A score close to 0 reveals that the analyst's forecasting skills are no better than results that could be achieved by chance, suggesting that ICs approaching -1 are rare.

The IC is not to be confused with the Information Ratio (IR). The IR is a measure of an investment manager's skill, comparing a manager's excess returns to the amount of risk taken.

The IC and the IR are both components of the Fundamental Law of Active Management, which states that a manager's performance (IR) depends on skill level (IC) and its breadth, or how often it is used.

Example of the Information Coefficient

As a hypothetical example, if an investment analyst made two predictions and got two right, the information coefficient would be:

 IC = ( 2  1 . 0 )  1 = + 1 . 0 \begin{ aligned} &\text{ IC} = (2 \times 1.0) - 1 = +1.0 \\ \end{ aligned} IC=(21.0)1=+1.0

If an analyst's predictions were only half of the time right, then:

 IC = ( 2  0 . 5 )  1 = 0 . 0 \begin{ aligned} &\text{ IC} = (2 \times 0.5) - 1 = 0.0 \\ \end{ aligned} IC=(20.5)1=0.0

If, however. none of the predictions were right, then:

 IC = ( 2  0 . 0 )  1 =  1 . 0 \begin{ aligned} &\text{ IC} = (2 \times 0.0) - 1 = -1.0 \\ \end{ aligned} IC=(20.0)1=1.0

Limitations of the Information Coefficient

The IC is only meaningful for an analyst who makes a large number of predictions. This is because if there only a small number of predictions, random chance may explain a great deal of the results. So if there are only two predictions made and both are right the information coefficient is +1.0. If, however, the IC is till at or close to +1.0 after several dozen predictions have been made, then it is far more attributable to skill than to chance.
In the published version the figure of Rosa Dartle (on the left) is omitted, and David's hat is placed upon the table. Dickens and His Illustrators|Frederic G. Kitton

Rose Dartle is nothing beside Andrew Lang, and he has this advantage over herthat he exists and can find things out. Discourses of Keidansky|Bernard G. Richards

While we were talking, he more than once called me Daisy; which brought Miss Dartle out again. The Personal History of David Copperfield |Charles Dickens
Daladier [ da-la-dyey ]/ da ladye / New Word List Save This slot phone prices in nigeriaWord! [ da-la-dyey ]/ da ladye /Save ThisWord!

nounEdouard [ey-dwar], /edwar/, 18841970, premier of France 1933, 1934, 193840.

Words nearby Daladier

British Dictionary definitions for Daladier

Daladier/ (French daladje) /

nounEdouard (edwar). 18841970, French radical socialist statesman; premier of France (1933; 1934; 193840) and signatory of the Munich Pact (1938)

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionDakotan, Dakota Territory, daks, Daktyl, dal, Daladier, Dalai Lama, dalan, dalapon, dalasi, d'AlbertDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Daugavpils [ dou-gahf-peels ]/ da gfpils / New Word List Save This planet 7 casino 0 no deposit bonus codes 2021 freedom quotesWord! [ dou-gahf-peels ]/ da gfpils /Save ThisWord!

nouna city in SE Latvia, on the Dvina.

German Dunaburg. Russian Dvinsk.

Words nearby Daugavpils

British Dictionary definitions for Daugavpils

Daugavpils/ (Latvian daafpils) /

nouna city in SE Latvia on the Western Dvina River: founded in 1274 by Teutonic Knights; ruled by Poland (15591772) and Russia (17721915); retaken by the Russians in 1940. Pop: 112 609 (2002 est)German name (until 1893): Dunaburg Former Russian name (18931920): Dvinsk

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionDaubigny, daud, Daudet, dauerschlaf, Daugava, Daugavpils, daughter, daughter cell, daughter-in-law, daughter language, daughterlyDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
The888 casino bonus spin frigate Yantai, one of the 11th group of Chinese navy escort ships for an escort mission on the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters, arrived Bulgaria on Sunday to make a five-day goodwill visit. It is the first visit of Chinese navy ship in Bulgaria ever.

Rear Admiral Xia Kewei (2nd L), political commissar of the 11th Chinese naval escort taskforce, shake hands with Kiril Yordanov (1st R), mayor of Varna, during their meeting at Bulgarian Black Sea port of Varna on Aug. 6, 2012.

Bulgarian navy officers look at the helicopter on the deck of the frigate Yantai at Bulgarian Black Sea port of Varna on Aug. 6, 2012.

Bulgarian navy officers look at the helicopter on the deck of the frigate Yantai at Bulgarian Black Sea port of Varna on Aug. 6, 2012.

Bulgarian navy officers leave after they visited the frigate Yantai at Bulgarian Black Sea port of Varna on Aug. 6, 2012.

Chinas frigate Yantai arrives in Bulgaria for goodwill visitadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
dartitis / (dtats) / New Word List Save This raider crypto pola slot pragmaticWord! / (dtats) /Save ThisWord!

noun(in darts) nervous twitching or tension that destroys concentration and spoils performance

Words nearby dartitis

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!QuestionD'Arsonval galvanometer, dart, dartboard, darter, Dartford, dartitis, dartle, Dartmoor, Dartmouth, darts, darumaCollins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition  William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986  HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
US President Joe Biden (left) and French President Emmanuel Macron attend the G7 Summit on June 27, 2022 at Elmau Castle, southern Germany.Photo: AFP

Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his dissatisfaction with the US on multiple occasions.Earlier this month, Macron criticized the US for selling energy and gas to Europe at four times the price the US sells to its own industry. "That is not exactly the meaning of friendship," Macron said. He then reminded US President Joe Biden to "speak with prudence" when commenting on the risk of nuclear conflict. During a press conference following the just-concluded EU summit in Brussels, Macron, again, called out US "double standards" over selling gas to Europe at prices three to four times higher than it is sold in the US domestic markets. TFIGlobal, an India-based media outlet, published an article on October 18 entitled, "Forget US-Russia, a cold Cold-War is underway between France and the US."While the West is trying hard to portray its unity amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, France is apparently not safeguarding the US' prestige. This exposes deep contradictions in the transatlantic relationship.On the one hand, the practical interests of Europe and the US are in growing conflict. Due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, global energy prices are rising sharply. Costly energy imports have pushed the eurozone into growing trade deficit. Worse, the US Federal Reserve continues to raise interest rates, bringing huge pressure to the European Central Bank when it comes to policy adjustment. The euro has fallen below parity with the dollar, diving to its lowest level in 20 years and ending a one-to-one exchange rate with the US currency.On the other hand, the strategic goals of the EU and the US are not the same. The US is ganging up with its allies to safeguard its hegemony. This is not the ambition of the EU. The latter wishes to shape its foreign policy based on its own interests, rather than being forced to take sides in major power competition. This is the main driving force for Macron to stress Europe's strategic autonomy time and again.However, as the Ukraine conflict drags on, Europe is propelled to increase its reliance on the US-led NATO, and has to sacrifice its economic interests in exchange for security guarantees. Europe seems to have no alternative but to allow the US to continuously impose the cost of the Ukraine conflict onto itself, and its own strategic autonomy has been greatly jeopardized.In particular, the US is relentlessly provoking the escalation of the Ukraine crisis, which has not only weakened Russia, but also strengthened the US control over Europe. This has put Europe in greater economic difficulties, as well as on the brink of a more dangerous war. Behind Macron's warning to the US, there are not only great worries about the intensification of future crises, but also helplessness that he cannot control the destiny of France, as well as a strong call for Europe to strengthen unity.Of course, France has its own reasons for playing the role as an "anti-US fighter." France has a tradition of great power autonomy. It always has a global perspective, the importance of which cannot be overlooked. Former French president Charles de Gaulle had advocated that France should adhere to an independent foreign policy and should not be completely constrained by the Western camp led by the US. For this reason, France once decided to withdraw from NATO's integrated military command, and it became the first Western major power to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China.Moreover, France has been an advocate for European integration. The rise of Germany's strength as well as the European debt crisis once gave Germany the chance to lead Europe. After former German chancellor Angela Merkel left politics, it gave France the opportunity to try to dominate European internal and foreign policies.In addition, Macron has his own political needs to take care of. Macron has regarded the revival of France as his own responsibility, promoting reforms internally and striving for France's status as a great power externally. In this year's presidential election, he was reelected, but failed to gain an absolute advantage in the parliament. The domestic reform agenda was limited by the obstruction of the opposition. Therefore, Macron needs to make some breakthroughs in European integration and other diplomatic issues in order to strengthen his rule.The contradiction between France and the US, or between Europe and the US, is more of a contradiction in the Western camp and the result of the uneven distribution of power and interests. However, France's disappointment toward the US has a limited impact. It will not change the dominant-subordinate structure between the US and Europe, nor will it deal a fundamental blow to the hegemonic system of the US. It is impossible for France to give up the institutional dividends of the West either. But Macron's dissatisfaction toward the US will more or less bring some variables to transatlantic relations.For example, when the US-EU Trade Technology Council (TTC) meeting is held in December, the two sides will find it more difficult to coordinate with each other. In addition, when Europe and the US have a trade conflict in the field of electric vehicles, Germany will definitely stand on the side of France. It means the deepening differences between France and Germany will be bridged, and Europe will form a tougher stance toward the US.The issues that seem to be problems only between the US and Europe could also add uncertainties to the current increasingly complex relationship among more major powers.The author is a professor at the School of International Relations of Beijing Foreign Studies University. [email protected]
There was deep brown flesh, and bronze flesh, and pallid white flesh, and flesh turned red from the hot sun.

Fumbleroooohski' (39) 'Look at me, ungh, splitting my own seam, oohh going deep.

The lascivious sex predator is out; the deep-pocketed caped crusader is most definitely in.

Deep, situational, and emotional jokes based on what is relevant and has a POINT!

As he drove me back to the logging road, Frank told me about the area in his deep voice. The 7-Year-Old Plane Crash Survivors Brutal Journey Through the Woods|James Higdon|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

He remembered somethingthe cherished pose of being a man plunged fathoms-deep in business. St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

At present, Louis was too self-absorbed by the struggles within him, to look deep into what was passing around him. The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter

It succeeds best in a deep rich loam in a climate ranging from forty to fifty degrees of latitude. Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

And then what could be more deep and poetic than Liszt's transcriptions of Schubert's and Wagner's songs? Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
How do you spell blond? Or is it blonde?

This almost sounds like the start of a joke, doesnt it?

If youre unsure, dont worry; its a perfectly legitimate questionand one that confuses a great many writers.

What is the Difference Between Blond and Blonde?

In todays post, I want to go over blond vs. blonde. I will use them in example sentences to demonstrate their function and meaning, and, at the end, I will give you a trick to remember the difference.

After reading this post, you shouldnt have any trouble answering the question, Is it blond or blonde?

When to Use Blond or Blonde

In the original French and in traditional English usage, blondis masculine and blondeis feminine.

Therefore, blond is male, and blondeis female.

She was blonde as a child.

The tall blond man entered the room.

The wordblondcan function as an adjective and as a noun, and it is one of the only English adjectives to retain separate masculine and feminine grammatical genders.

He is a blond with blue eyes. (Noun)

She is a blonde with blue eyes. (Noun)

The blonde womans hair was long. (Adjective)

The blond mans hair was short. (Adjective)

This distinction is widely observed in British English and to a lesser extent in American English.

American English Exceptions

In American English, the distinction in grammatical genders is applied only to blondas a noun.

For example, The AP Stylebook, an American style guide for journalists and editors, calls for blondto be used as a noun for males and as an adjective for all applications. Blonde is to be used as a noun for females.

For example,

He is a fair-skinned blond. (Male blond)

She is a fair-skinned blonde. (Female blonde)

 but 

He has blond hair.

She has blond hair.

The adjective blond, in American English, takes the masculine form in all applications. Garners Modern American Usage also lists blondas the preferred adjectival form in American English.

Blonde or Blond When Referring to Inanimate Objects?

If blondis used to refer to men with light yellowish hair and blondeis used to refer to women with the same hair color, what should be used when referring to an inanimate object, like a chair or a piece of wood?

When referring to inanimate objects, default to using the masculine blond.

The blond in this chair is beautiful.

The blond table filled the kitchen.

Avoiding Sexism in Language

Should you use blondeas a noun to refer to a woman, be sure you avoid any possible interpretation as being sexist.

For example,

Katy is a blonde with fair skin; she will need to wear sunscreen.

The above sentence is unlikely to register any objection from anyone. If your sentence can be misconstrued, you might want to change your wording or rework your sentence.

Remember the Difference

A good way to keep track of blondevs. blondhas to do with the length of each word.

Blondis used to refer to males. Blond and male are the shorter variations.

and are the shorter variations. Blondeis used to refer to females. Blonde and femaleare the longer variations.

Summary

The question of whether to use blonde or blond has a somewhat tricky answer.

In British English, a distinction is made between the masculine blondand the feminine blondefor nouns and adjectives.

In American English, a distinction is made between the masculine blondand the feminine blonde for nouns, but all adjectives use the masculine blond.
English has many words to refer to individuals and groups of individuals. Personand peopleare two of the most common terms used in this way, but it can be difficult to remember whether peopleor personis right in a given context.

What is the Difference Between Person and People?

In this article, Ill compare person vs. people. I will go over each words definition, and I will correctly use each word in a sentence. Plus, at the end, I will also give you a helpful trick to remember whether to use person or people.

When to Use Person

What does person mean?Personis a singular noun that means one individual.

Sheena is a person. Martin is also a person. Together, Martin and Sheena are two people, but alone, each of them is a person.

See the following examples:

I want to hire a person to do all of my billing for me.

According to a person with knowledge of the situation, the Cubs and Yankees have been engaged in heavy discussions that put the NL Central leaders ahead of the Nationals and Indians in the race to secure Chapmans 105-mph fastball. New York Post

Two or more individuals can be described as persons in some contexts. This usage is rare and usually confined to specific legal phrases like missing persons or persons of interest.

In legal contexts, person can also describe an individuals body or the clothing the individual is wearing.

Variants of the phrase Keep all valuables on your person can be seen on signs in many stadiums and arenas.

In some states, individuals with drugs or drug paraphernalia found on their person are subject to arrest.

When to Use People

What does people mean? Peopleis the plural of person.

If one person in a room is joined by another person entering the room, they become two people in a room. Thus, people means two or more individuals.

See the following examples,

Dont demolish the office building, there are still people in there!

Despite the flaky floss evidence, medical experts urged people to continue the practice. Daily News

The number of individuals still inside the building does not matter. There could be two office workers or two hundred office workers. They are all people, and they are all in imminent danger.

People can also be a collective noun, referring to all the members of an ethnic group, nationality, or other community. If there were Martians, we might use the following sentence when talking about them:

The Martians are a proud and noble people.

People is sometimes used as a verb. This is an uncommon, but accepted, use of the word. It means to populatea location. It is normally conjugated into the past tense as peopled. Here is an example:

Appalachia is peopled with hardy mountain folk.

People has many usage cases, but they all deal with a group of two or more individuals.

Trick to Remember the Difference

If you are still confused on people vs. person, here is a helpful trick to remember the difference.

If you are referring to one individual, that individual is a person. If you are referring to two or more individuals, those individuals are people. You can remember this rule by noticing the ON at the end of person, and the ON at the beginning of one. This should help you remember that a person is one individual.

Of course, there is an exception to this rule, used rarely and in legal contexts. This usage is confined to specific phrases. In common usage, people should be used to refer to more than one person.

Summary

Is it people or person?Both person and people have multiple senses.

However, person always relates to one individual, and people always relates to more than one individual, except in specific legal scenarios.

You can remember which is which by remembering that one and person both have the letters ON in them. You can also reread this article as a refresher.
Now that we are well into the 21st century, voice-messaging services should be familiar to most phone users. These services have gone by various names over the past few decades, as have the systems that run them. Before the widespread adoption of cell phones, most offices and many homes had answering machines.

Now that almost everyone owns a cell phone or knows someone who does, users are more likely to take advantage of a service called voicemail, which operates on largely the same principle but is usually integrated into the phones hardware and software.

The noun voicemail has two forms: the single-word version I have been using, as well as the variant voice mail, which retains separate words. Which should you use?

Continue reading to find out.

What is the Difference Between Voicemail and Voice mail?

In this post, I will compare voice mail vs. voicemail. I will outline the preferred spelling and provide example sentences to illustrate its context in the English sentence.

Plus, I will show you how to use a helpful memory tool that makes choosing voice mail or voicemail a little easier.

When to Use Voicemail

What does voicemail mean? Voicemail is a noun that refers to an audio message recorded when a phone call is not answered.

If someone calls you on the phone, but you are busy and cannot answer, the caller can leave a message on your phones voicemail system for you to listen to later.

For example,

I dont like answering phone calls, so when someone calls me, I let it go to voicemail and only call back if it is important.

Kari called Jack and left a voicemail asking him if he wanted to get bubble tea later in the evening.

Speaking of which, most of the episode is Alicia searching for answers about the brief, mysterious voicemail Will left her on her phone hours before he was shot  she missed his call at 11:32 a.m. The Washington Post

The term voicemail has been in use since roughly 1980, when answering machines and other systems became widely available for individual and commercial subscribers. Voicemail is still an important communication tool in professional settings, alongside email and texting.

When to Use Voice Mail

What does voice mail mean? Voice mail is an alternative spelling of the same noun. Surprisingly, it sees more print use than its one-word counterpart (as of 2008).

This chart graphs voicemailvs. voice mailacross English books since 1800. As you can see, these words exploded onto the scene in the 1980s. As recently as 2013, AP Style was prescribing the two-word voice mail.

They reversed this in 2016, making the word voicemail. This follows other style guides and dictionaries, most of which now compound the word.

I suspect that the above chart is somewhat out-of-date. Ten years is a long time when dealing with technological terms. I suspect that the two variations are much closer in todays usage.

Like many English compound words, this one started out as separate words before evolving into a single word. Still, an early patent used the compound form voicemail, and today, most companies who offer such services also use the single-word version of this term.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Even though voice mail has been in use for many years, the standard term today is voicemail. Unless you have a very good reason not to do so, you should use voicemail.

Since voicemail and horsetail are both two-syllable compound words, and they rhyme, it should be fairly simple to remember that voicemail is best left as a single word.

Summary

Is it voicemail or voice mail? Voicemail is a noun for an audio messaging system. Voice mail is the original spelling but is now an outdated form.

In keeping with the traditional pattern, today the compounded voicemail is the standard form.

To conclude,
What Is an Irrevocable Letter of Credit (ILOC)?lodge poker club live stream

An irrevocable letter of credit (ILOC) is an official correspondence from a bank that guarantees payment for goods or services being purchased by the individual or entity, referred to as the applicant, that requests the letter of credit from an issuing bank.

An irrevocable letter of credit cannot be canceled, nor in any way modified, except with the explicit agreement of all parties involved: the buyer, the seller, and the issuing bank. For example, the issuing bank does not have the authority by itself to change any of the terms of an ILOC once it is issued.

Key Takeaways

An irrevocable letter of credit (ILOC) is a guarantee for payment issued by a bank for goods and services purchased, which cannot be cancelled during some specified time period.

ILOCs are most commonly used to facilitate international trade.

A confirmed ILOC offers additional risk protection for the seller by providing a guarantee of payment from both the buyer's bank and the seller's bank.

Irrevocable Letter of Credit

Understanding Irrevocable Letters of Credit

1:16

A letter of credit is issued by a commercial bank guaranteeing that a buyer's payment to a seller will be received on time and for the correct amount. In the event that the buyer is unable to make a payment on the purchase, the bank will be required to cover the full or remaining amount of the purchase.

Due to the nature of international dealings, including factors such as distance, differing laws in each country, and difficulty in knowing each party personally, the use of letters of credit has become a very important aspect of international trade.

Although an ILOC is irrevocable while it is in force, generally the time period during which a proposed transaction is expected to be completed, an ILOC expires at a specified point in time, which is noted in the letter of credit.

ILOC Specifications

Irrevocable letters of credit are official bank correspondence transferred and authenticated through the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) banking system. This is a global setup for facilitating financial transactions between banks or other financial institutions, and an ILOC is transmitted as MT700message type 700.

An ILOC provides greater security of payment to the beneficiary of the letter, who is commonly the seller in a transaction. ILOCs are frequently sought for large construction projects because they are not subject to claims of preference in the event of a bankruptcy.

ILOCs are most commonly used to facilitate international trade because of the additional credit risk involved when two parties unfamiliar with each other are transacting business across national borders. An ILOC assures the seller of receiving payment because it is a guarantee by the issuing bank, the buyer's bank, that it will make payment in the event the buyer fails to do so. By providing the seller with an assurance of payment, an ILOC also assists the buyer in arranging a transaction that the seller might otherwise be reluctant to make.

How an ILOC Works

An ILOC is a means of facilitating a transaction between a buyer and seller with the assistance of their respective banks. The buyer requests an ILOC from his bank, which is then sent to the seller's bank. In addition to providing credit risk protection, an ILOC typically also specifies important details of the transaction, such as price, payment terms, and time and place for delivery of goods. In the event the buyer fails to make payment as agreed, the buyer's bank makes payment to the seller's bank, which in turn renders payment to the seller, the beneficiary of the ILOC.

ILOCs can also be either confirmed or unconfirmed. A confirmed ILOC offers additional risk protection for the seller by providing a guarantee of payment from both the buyer's bank and the seller's bank. With an unconfirmed ILOC, the seller's bank has no liability for payment and essentially serves only as a go-between to transfer payment to the seller from the buyer's bank.
door

see at death's door; at one's door; back door; beat a path to someone's door; behind closed doors; close the door on; darken one's door; foot in the door; keep the wolf from the door; lay at someone's door; leave the door open; lock the barn door; next door to; open doors; open the door to; see someone out (to the door); show someone out (to the door); show someone the door.
What Is Resistance (Resistance Level)?curragh tips rust skins gambling

Resistance, or a resistance level, is the price at which the price of an asset meets pressure on its way up by the emergence of a growing number of sellers who wish to sell at that price. Resistance levels can be short-lived if new information comes to light that changes the overall markets attitude toward the asset, or they can be long-lasting. In terms of technical analysis, the simple resistance level can be charted by drawing a line along the highest highs for the time period being considered. Resistance can be contrasted with support.

Depending on price action, this line can be flat or slanted. There are, however, more advanced ways to identify resistance incorporating bands, trendlines, and moving averages.

Key Takeaways

A resistance level represents a price point that an asset has had trouble exceeding in the time period being considered.

Resistance can visualized using different technical indicators rather than simply drawing a line connecting highs.

Applying trendlines to a chart can provide a more dynamic view of resistance.

Trading With Support And Resistance

What Do Resistance Levels Tell You?

1:48

Resistance levels and support levels are two of the most important concepts in technical analysis of stock prices. Technical analysis is a method of analyzing stocks that assumes the vast majority of available information about a stock, bond, commodity, or currency is almost instantaneously incorporated in the price by market forces. Therefore, according to this theory, it isnt profitable to make investment decisions based on this information. Instead, technical traders try to divine how stocks will move on a short-term basis by looking at the behavior of markets in similar, past situations.

Technical traders identify both the resistance and support level so that they can time their buying and selling of a stock to capitalize on any breakouts or trend reversals. In addition to identifying entry and exit points, resistance can be used as a risk management tool. Traders can set stop-loss orders to follow the resistance level or use any breach as a trade trigger. The simply resistance level has to be redrawn as new price data comes but most platforms offer visualizations of resistance that can be dynamically calculated. Moreover, many technical indicators become proxies for resistance at different points of price action. For example, a simple moving average can be used as a visualization of resistance when the price action is below the line as in a downtrend.

Example of How to Use Resistance Level

Lets say that you are studying the price history of the price of shares in the Montreal Trucking Company, with the ticker symbol MTC, and want to determine a time when it would be smartest to sell the company short. Over the past twelve months, the stock has traded between $7 and $15 per share. During the second month of the period youre studying MTC, the stock climbs to $15, but by month four it has fallen to $7. By month seven, it climbs again to $15, before falling to $10 in month nine. By month 11 it climbs once again to $15 and over the next 30 days it fall to $13 before climbing again to $15.

Image by Julie Bang  Investopedia 2019

At this point, you have clearly established a resistance level of $15. If you see no reason for the stock to breakout of the band it has been trading in over the past year, this would be a good time to sell the stock short, because the market has clearly shown that once MTC stock reaches $15, an overwhelming amount of supply comes on the market to halt its further rise. One should be careful, however, as sometimes resistance levels are breached and left behind if fundamental drivers of a stock, like a booming economy or new efficiencies in a companys business model, overwhelm technical forces.

The Difference Between Resistance Level and Support Level

Support and resistance are complementary concepts. Resistance establishes the current price ceiling for the stock, commodity, or currency, and support forms the floor. When the price action breaches either support or resistance, it is considered to be a trading opportunity.

Limitations of Using Resistance

Resistance is more of a market concept than a true technical indicator. As mentioned, there are far finer technical analysis tools that incorporate the concept of resistance while being far more dynamic and informative than drawing a resistance line across recent highs. These include trendlines, price by volume (PBV) charts, and the whole swath of moving averages that can be tweaked by time periods to offer a spectrum for resistance levels.
Chinas aircraft carrier Liaoning back from maiden voyage

Chinas aircraft carrier Liaoning back from maiden voyageadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
U.S. Soccer has selected Sportradar as its official betting partner,best online poker sites for us players reddit signing an eight-year deal that grants the Swiss technology company exclusive rights to collect, license and distribute the federations official betting and media data. The agreement, financial terms of which were not disclosed, covers more than 111 matches annually, including those played by the U.S. mens and womens national team matches, as well as those contested as part of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and SheBelieves Cup.

Sportradar will also be able to distribute streams of U.S. Soccer competitions to sportsbook operators outside the U.S. The federations domestic media deals with WBD Sports and Telemundo do not currently allow for streaming by online sportsbooks within the U.S. The deal is a key step for U.S. Soccer as it makes a more focused foray into the sports betting landscape.
The coming of the digital age happened so quickly that English barely had time to react. English users had to invent or adapt new terms for an entire area of knowledge that sprang into being almost from nowhere.

In the ensuing confusion, many terms have not been standardized, and there are many spelling variants for certain terms. Website is one such term.

Is website one word?

It website capitalized?

When languages evolve so quickly, dictionaries, style guides, and other language authorities can lag behind common usage. The words used by the majority of English users might not reflect the prescribed usage in these books.

As we will see, that is where we stand with website.

What is the Difference Between Website and Web Site?

In this article, I will compare website vs. web siteand out which term is the better choice for your writing.

After that, I will show you a helpful memory tool that you can use as a reminder of whether to use web site or website when you are writing about online content.

When to Use Website

Is website one word? The word website is a noun. A website is a page or collection of pages on the Internet.

These days, most companies, governments, and organizations have websites. Even individual people have their own website sometimes, in addition to pages on social media websites like Facebook and Twitter.

Here are some usages of website in a sentence,

The companys new website features sunny pictures of the main building and pictures of workers smiling in hard hats and safety goggles on the shop floor.

For more information, call us at the number on your screen or visit our website.

Facebook is testing a new tool designed to help media companies sell video advertising on their own websites, apps and other digital properties in a more automated fashion, the company said Tuesday. The Wall Street Journal

When to Use Web Site

Is web site two words? The term web site is an alternative form of website. It means the same thing as its single-word counterpart, and, up until recently, it was used almost often as website.

Some writers and style guides capitalize both forms, as well, forming Website and Web site.

Log on to our Web site for more information.

This is clearly a dated spelling.

Having this many options leads to unnecessary confusion. The following chart shows the usage of all four variants in English: web sitevs. websitevs. Web sitevs. Website.

As you can see, the term is fairly new, only gaining prominence around the 1990s, coinciding with the Internet boom. The capitalized two-word form Web site was the first-word to gain widespread use and was the dominant spelling until it began to drop in popularity in the early-2000s.

Given the short history of this term and the incomplete nature of the data, this chart should not be considered scientifically accurate or exhaustive. It doesnt take into account website or blog themselves, as it only looks at books being published.

Given the continued surge of website, it is almost certain that the one-word, un-capitalized websiteis going to quickly and completely outpace Web site.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Although Web site is used with approximate frequency as website (in books at least), it is clearly a dated spelling that is destined to die out with the continued proliferation of the Internet.

Many style manuals, TheChicago Manual of Style,The AP Stylebook, and Garners Modern English Usage, all recommend website, while popular dictionaries are still split on the spelling.

Since the word is so new, it isnt surprising that multiple spellings exist because writers havent yet consolidated around a single, standard spelling. After all, this word was basically nonexistent 25 years ago.

Since website and webpage are each spelled as a single word with no capitalization, you can use the similarity between these terms as a reminder that website is the correct spelling variant here.

Summary

Is it website or web site? Website, website, Web site, and website are all variants of the same noun, which means a page on the Internet.

Until recently, Web sitehas been the preferred spellingby a large margin (in books). This preference seem to be waning, however, and websiteappears to have taken over as the predominant spelling in the last 10 years.

These days, most stylebooks recommend website.
China Telecom will be the exclusive carrier of Microsoft Corps video game console Xbox One,playing blackjack the first of its kind to launch in the Chinese mainland this autumn, the Chinese operator announced on Thursday.

The console will be sold in China Telecoms sales outlets from September, the state-owned telecom firm announced at a press conference.

China lifted a 14-year-old ban to permit foreign-invested companies to make game consoles in the Shanghai pilot Free Trade Zone in September 2013, spearheaded by a game-industry joint venture between Chinese Internet television company BesTV and Microsoft with investment of about 80 million U.S. dollars.

On Thursday, BesTV CEO Tao Mingcheng said the version of Xbox One sold in the mainland will target family users in the mid- to high-end market and will be a popular, mainstream product.

As of April, more than 5 million Xbox One consoles were sold in 13 countries since it was launched in November, according to Microsoft data.

China Telecom gains Xbox One exclusivityadded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is a Triggering Event?best casino slots to win money

A triggering event is a tangible or intangible barrier or occurrence which, once breached or met, causes another event to occur. Triggering events include job loss, retirement, or death, and are typical for many types of contracts. These triggers help to prevent, or ensure, that in the case of a catastrophic change, the terms of an original contract may also change.

Life insurance policies may include a triggering event based on the insured age. Also, many employers require employees to reach a qualifying period of employment as a triggering event for eligibility for specific company benefits. In the investment sphere, stops are a triggering event which the investor may initiate to limit their downside risk.

Key Takeaways

Contracts often maintain contingency clauses that alter the rights and obligations that the parties to the contract are subject to.

Triggering events include job loss, retirement, or death and are typical for many types of contracts.

These triggers help to prevent, or ensure, that in the case of a catastrophic change, the terms of an original contract may also change.

Insurance policies are contracts that have important triggering events in order to initiate a claim.

Understanding a Triggering Event

Triggering events can encompass a wide assortment of areas and contracts. For example, hedge funds sign documents that trigger termination events when their net asset value (NAV) falls below a certain level in a given period of time. These are usually outlined in an ISDA and may result in a fund's positions being closed out by the dealer if the dealer chooses to act upon the trigger.

The age limits in retirement plans can also be trigger events. For most retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, individuals are not allowed to withdraw funds without a penalty until they reach a specific age. Once that age limit is reached, they are free to withdraw funds without incurring a penalty.

A triggering event is any occurrence that alters the current state of a contract.

Triggering Events in Insurance

Insurance companies will include triggers, called coverage triggers, in the policies they underwrite. In the case of property or casualty coverage, it will specify the type of event which must take place for liability protection to apply. Insurers use triggering events to limit their risk exposure. Some typical triggering events include:

Attainment of retirement age, as defined under the plan

Termination of employment

A participant becomes disabled, as described under the plan

The death of the participant

In some universal life insurance policies, in-service withdrawals are allowed from the cash portion of the policy within the contract. These withdrawals allow for tax and penalty-free distributions before an age-based triggering event.

Workers' compensation is another insurance that requires a triggering event to happen before it is effective. As an example, if an individual has an accident while at work, that event would "trigger" disability payouts from insurance.

The most common triggering event in an insurance policy is a cause to initiate a claim. For instance, in life insurance, the death of the insured would be the triggering event that leads to the payout of the death benefit to the insured's beneficiaries.

Triggering Events With Banks

It is common for banks to issue debt at a given interest rate on specific terms. For example, when writing a loan, one of a bank's requirements could be that the borrowing party does not incur any additional debt for the duration of the loan.

If the borrower should incur more debt, the contract's triggering event, or clause, will kick in. The bank may then take necessary actions to protect themselves which may include foreclosure of property secured through the loan or increasing the original rate of interest charged.

Triggering events also occur in relation to defaults on loans. Banks can stipulate certain triggers that will determine a default. If any covenants that were agreed upon beforehand are breached then that would trigger a default. Cross defaults are common trigger events whereby if an individual or business defaults on one loan it means that they have defaulted on all the other loans under the cross-default agreement.

Banks can include a wide range of default triggering events so it is important to carefully understand your contract before signing.
caesars sportsbook njshows grade level based on the word's complexity. datolite [ dat-l-ahyt ]/ dt lat / New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.[ dat-l-ahyt ]/ dt lat /Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

nouna mineral, calcium and boron silicate, CaB(SiO4)(OH), usually occurring in rock cavities in the form of colorless, prismatic crystals.

OTHER WORDS FROM datolite

Words nearby datolite

How to use datolite C19: dato- from Greek dateisthai to divide + -lite

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Question datolite180010;
An underpayment penalty is ho-chunk casino baraboo newsa fine levied by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on taxpayers who dont pay enough of their estimated taxes, dont have enough withheld from their wages, or pay late. To avoid an underpayment penalty, individuals generally must pay at minimum either 100% of last years tax or 90% of this years tax.

Learn how underpayment penalties work and more about how you can avoid them.

What Is an Underpayment Penalty?

A tax penalty is imposed on individual or corporate taxpayers for not paying enough of their total estimated tax and withholding due. Taxpayers should consult IRS Form 2210 to determine if they are required to report an underpayment and pay a penalty.

Key Takeaways

An underpayment penalty is a fine levied by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on taxpayers who dont pay enough tax during the year through withholding and/or their estimated taxes, or who pay late.

To avoid an underpayment penalty, individuals generally must pay the lesser of 100% of last years tax or 90% of this years tax.

If your adjusted gross income (AGI) for last year exceeded $150,000, you must pay the lesser of 110% of last years tax or 90% of this years tax.

Typically, underpayment penalties are 5% of the underpaid amount, and theyre capped at 25%.

Underpaid taxes also accrue interest at a rate that the IRS sets annually.

How Underpayment Penalties Work

The tax law requires that taxpayers make payments as they realize income throughout the year through withholding, estimated taxes, or both. To avoid an underpayment penalty, individuals whose adjusted gross income (AGI) is $150,000 or less must pay the lesser of 90% of the current years tax or 100% of last years tax, by combining estimated and withholding taxes. Individuals whose AGI for the preceding taxable year exceeds $150,000 must pay the lesser of 90% of the tax due for the current year tax or 110% of the tax on the individuals return for the prior taxable year.

The underpayment penalty is owed when a taxpayer underpays the estimated taxes or makes uneven payments during the tax year that do not correspond adequately to the taxpayers current income for a period. Taxpayers with self-employment income should take their liability for Social Security and Medicare taxes into account when calculating the amounts due.

Some taxpayers, such as sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders, must pay taxes in four equal payments during the year. In some cases, taxpayers who receive their income unevenly may be able to pay different amounts quarterly. Taxpayers should use IRS Form 2210 to determine if their payments of withholding and estimated taxes during the year are sufficient to avoid a penalty.

If taxpayers realize that they have underpaid, they must pay the differenceplus a penalty that is calculated based on the outstanding amount owed and how long the amount has been overdue. The penalty is not a static percentage or flat dollar amount. Its based on several things, including the total underpayment amount and the period in which taxes were underpaid. Underpayments are subject to the failure-to-pay penalty, which is 0.5% of the amount owed for each month and the part of a month for which the tax is not paid.

The underpayment failure-to-pay penalty cant be more than 25% of the unpaid amount.

Interest Payments

Along with a penalty, tax underpayments (or overpayments) accrue interest. The IRS determines the interest rate every quarter, generally basing it on the federal short-term rate, plus 3 percentage points, for most individual taxpayers.

For the third quarter (Q3) of 2022, the rates (announced on May 30, 2022) are:

5% for individual underpayments



7% for large corporate underpayments (exceeding $100,000)

Example of Underpayment Penalty

For example, if you owed $5,000 in taxes for the year, but only paid $2,000, you would have underpaid your taxes by $3,000.

Because the amount is more than $1,000 and you did not pay at least 90% of what you owed, you would be subject to an underpayment penalty (unless you met other criteria for avoiding it). The penalty would be the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points. For Q3 2022, that rate would be 5%, or $150.

How to Avoid Underpayment Penalty

The best way to avoid an underpayment penalty is to take steps to ensure that your tax obligations are fully paid on time.

You can also avoid the underpayment penalty if:

Your tax return shows you owe less than $1,000

You paid 90% or more of the tax that you owed for the taxable year or 100% of the tax that you owed for the year prior, whichever amount is less

The underpayment penalty may also be waived by the IRS under several other scenarios, including:

The taxpayer was a U.S. citizen or resident for the preceding tax year and did not owe any taxes for that year

The taxpayer missed a required payment because of a casualty event, disaster, or other unusual circumstance

The underpayment was a result of reasonable cause and not willful neglect

The taxpayer retired after reaching age 62 during the current or preceding tax year

The taxpayer became disabled during the tax year for which estimated payments were owed or during the preceding tax year

Special Considerations

If you do not qualify for the exceptions to the underpayment penalty, you may qualify for a reduced underpayment penalty in some situations. For example, an individual who changes their tax filing status from single to married filing jointly may get a reduced penalty due to the larger standard deduction.

A reduction might also be extended to taxpayers who generate significant portions of their income late in the calendar year. One such example is an investment holding thats sold in December, triggering a substantial capital gains tax.

What are underpayment penalties for 2022?

For the third quarter (Q3) of 2022, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) underpayment penalties for individuals are 5% for individual underpayments and 7% for large corporate underpayments over $100,000. Underpayment penalties are the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points.

What are IRS safe harbor rules?

Safe harbor rules allow you to not pay a penalty or to pay a reduced penalty if you meet certain conditions. An underpayment penalty with the IRS can be avoided if you meet conditions like owing less than $1,000 or paying more than 90% of your tax obligation for the year.

Can you make estimated tax payments all at once?

Some taxpayers, such as sole proprietors, partners, and S corporation shareholders, must pay taxes quarterly if they will owe more than $1,000. Their payments are called estimated tax payments. You cannot pay estimated tax payments all at once. You must pay them each quarter.
This the grand theater at foxwoods resort casinoshows grade level based on the word's complexity. abiotic [ ey-bahy-ot-ik, ab-ee- ]/ e bat k, b i- / See the most commonly confused word associated with abiotica-6+ biotic OTHER WORDS FROM abiotic abiotically, adverb

Words nearby abiotic
WHAT IS Underwithholding

Underwithholding is reel gems slota term that refers to a specific tax situation in which an individual did not withhold an adequate amount of taxes from their wages during the year to cover the amount of taxes they owe.

BREAKING DOWN Underwithholding

Underwithholding is a term used to refer to an instance when an individual withheld an inadequate amount of taxes from wages or other income during the year to cover the amount owed to tax authorities. Withholding itself refers to the portion of an individuals wages that are taken out of his or her paycheck to cover federal, state and local taxes. The IRS calculates the amount of federal taxes withheld from the individuals paycheck based on income, marital status, and choices made by the taxpayer regarding number of dependents claimed and filing status (married couples must decide whether to file jointly or separately). A taxpayer may also elect to have additional money withheld (for example, to cover a side job for which taxes are not being taken out automatically). Similarly, if a taxpayer expects to claim significant deductions on his or her annual taxes, a reduction in withholding can be requested. Taxpayers register these preferences with their employer by completing Form W-4 Employee's Withholding Certificate. 

Paying taxes on ones income directly from each paycheck reduces the amount of taxes owed when an individual submits an annual tax return. If an individual has not paid in enough over the year to cover all of their tax obligations, they will have to pay the remaining balance when they file their income taxes. In addition, a penalty fee may be charged if a taxpayer has significantly underwithheld. To avoid this penalty, it is necessary to have paid at least 90 percent of taxes owed in the current year or 100 percent of those owed the previous year (taxpayers are allowed to use whichever figure is smaller). However, even if an individual does not meet this threshold, it is still possible to avoid a penalty if the amount of unpaid tax is less than $1,000 or if the person had no tax liability the previous year. 

Why Would an Individual Choose to Underwithhold?

Some individuals deliberately choose to have their taxes underwithheld. For example, a taxpaper may take some of the funds that would have been withheld and invest that same amount. If the individual turns a profit, they come out ahead after paying their income taxes. However, it is important to remember that excessive underwithholding can result in a penalty. Also, a person who reduces their withholdings by purposefully claiming more allowances than they are entitled to on their W-4 form could theoretically be charged with supplying false or fraudulent information.

Underwithholdings Opposite: Overwithholding and its Benefits

A taxpayer might also choose to do the opposite of underwithholding and instead overwithhold. An individual can accomplish this by withholding more than they will most likely owe in income tax. If an individual overwithholds, they will then receive a tax refund after they have filed their return.  But, if an individual overpays their taxes they in essence give the Internal Revenue Service an interest-free loan.
China will improve the management of state-owned financial capital to better serve the real economy,slot booster doubledown casino guard against financial risks and deepen financial reform.

The state-owned financial capital is an important guarantee of promoting national modernization and maintaining national financial security, according to the guideline issued jointly by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council.

The aim of improving management of state-owned financial capital is to optimize the strategic layout of the state-owned financial capital, enhance the vitality and control of state-owned financial institutions, and preserve or increase the value of state-owned financial capital, said the guideline.

The guideline gives specific requirements on improving the management of state-owned financial capital, including improving the administrative system, laws and regulations of state-owned financial capital, strengthening the CPC leadership over state-owned financial institutions and enhancing supervision on state-owned financial capital.

China to improve management of state-owned financial capitaladded by chinatimesonline on

View all posts by chinatimesonline 
What Is Anti Money Laundering (AML)?derrick lewis betting

Anti money laundering (AML) refers to the web of laws, regulations, and procedures aimed at uncovering efforts to disguise illicit funds as legitimate income. Money laundering seeks to conceal crimes ranging from small-time tax evasion and drug trafficking to public corruption and the financing of groups designated as terrorist organizations.

AML legislation was a response to the growth of the financial industry, the lifting of international capital controls and the growing ease of conducting complex chains of financial transactions.

A high-level United Nations panel has estimated annual money laundering flows at $1.6 trillion, accounting for 2.7% of global GDP in 2020.

Key Takeaways

Anti Money Laundering (AML) efforts seek to make it harder to hide profits from crime.

Criminals use money laundering to make illicit funds appear to have a legitimate origin.

AML regulations require financial institutions to develop sophisticated customer due diligence plans to assess money laundering risks and detect suspicious transactions.

What's Anti-Money Laundering?

Understanding Anti Money Laundering (AML)

1:08

AML regulations in the U.S. have expanded from the 1970 Bank Secrecy Act's requirement that banks report cash deposits of more than $10,000 to a complex regulatory framework requiring financial institutions to conduct due diligence on customers and to seek out and report suspicious transactions. The European Union and other jurisdictions have adopted similar measures.

Know Your Customer

For banks, compliance starts with verifying the identity of new clients, a process sometimes called Know Your Customer (KYC). In addition to establishing the customer's identity, banks are required to understand the nature of a client's activity and verify deposited funds are from a legitimate source.

The KYC process also requires banks and brokers to screen new customers against lists of crime suspects, individuals and companies under economic sanctions, and "politically exposed persons"foreign public officials, their family members and close associates.

Money laundering can be divided into three steps:

Deposit of illicit funds into the financial system

Transactions designed to conceal the illicit origin of the funds, known as "layering"



Use of laundered funds to acquire real estate, financial instruments or commercial investments



The KYC process aims to stop such schemes at the first deposit window.

Customer Due Diligence

Customer due diligence is integral to the KYC process, for example by ensuring the information a potential customer provides is accurate and legitimate. But it is also a constant process extending to customers old and new, and their transactions.

Customer due diligence requires ongoing assessment of the risk of money laundering posed by each client and the use of that risk-based approach to conduct closer due diligence for those identified as higher non-compliance risks. That includes identifying customers as they are added to sanctions and other AML lists.

According to the U.S. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the four core requirements of customer due diligence in the U.S. are:

Identifying and verifying the customer's identity

Identifying and verifying the identity of beneficial owners with a stake of 25% or more in a company opening an account

Understanding the nature and purpose of customer relationships to develop customer risk profiles

Conducting ongoing monitoring to identify and report suspicious transactions and update customer information

Customer due diligence seeks to detect money laundering strategies including layering and structuring, also known as "smurfing"the breaking up of large money laundering transactions into smaller ones to evade reporting limits and avoid scrutiny.

One rule in place to foil layering is the AML holding period, which requires deposits to remain in an account for a minimum of five trading days before they can be transferred elsewhere.

Financial institutions are required to develop and implement a written AML compliance policy, which much be approved in writing by a member of senior management and overseen by a designated AML compliance officer. These programs must specify "risk-based procedures for conducting ongoing customer due diligence" and conduct "ongoing monitoring to identify and report suspicious transactions."



Some AML requirements apply to individuals as well as financial institutions. Notably, U.S. residents are required to report receipts of more than $10,000 in cash to the Internal Revenue Service on IRS Form 8300. The requirement extends to multiple related payments within 24 hours or multiple related transactions within 12 months totaling more than $10,000.

History of Anti Money Laundering

Efforts to police illicit gains have a history stretching back centuries, while the term "money laundering" is only about 100 years old and in wide use for less than 50.

The first major piece of U.S. AML legislation was the 1970 Bank Secrecy Act, passed in part to thwart organized crime. In addition to requiring banks to report cash deposits of more than $10,000, the legislation also required banks to identify individuals conducting transactions and to maintain records of transactions. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Bank Secrecy Act's constitutionality in 1974, the same year "money laundering" entered wide use amid the Watergate scandal.



Additional legislation passed in the 1980s amid increased efforts to fight drug trafficking, in the 1990s to expand financial monitoring and in the 2000s to cut off funding for terrorist organizations.

Anti-money laundering assumed greater global prominence in 1989, when a group of countries and international organizations formed the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). Its mission is to devise international standards to prevent money laundering and promote their adoption. In October 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, FATF expanded its mandate to include combating terrorist financing.

Another important organization in the fight against money laundering is the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Like the FATF, the IMF has pressed its member countries to comply with international standards to thwart terrorist financing.

The United Nations included AML provisions in its 1998 Vienna Convention addressing drug trafficking, the 2001 Palermo Convention against international organized crime and the 2005 Merida Convention against corruption.



The Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020, passed in early 2021, was the most sweeping overhaul of U.S. AML regulations since the Patriot Act of 2001. The 2021 legislation included the Corporate Transparency Act, which made it harder to use shell companies to evade anti-money laundering and economic sanctions measures.

The legislation also subjected cryptocurrency exchanges as well as arts and antiquities dealers to the same customer due diligence requirements as financial institutions.



What Are Some Ways That Money Is Laundered?

Money launderers often funnel illicit funds through associates' cash-generating businesses, or by inflating invoices in shell company transactions. Layering transactions are money transfers designed to disguise the source of illicit funds. Structuring, or smurfing, refers to the practice of breaking up a large transfer into smaller ones to evade reporting limits and AML scrutiny.



Can Money Laundering Be Stopped?

Given estimated annual flows approaching 3% of global economic output, increasingly aggressive AML enforcement can at best aim to contain money laundering rather than stop it entirely. Money launderers never seem to run short of money or accomplices, though AML measures certainly make their lives harder.



What's the Difference Between AML, CDD and KYC?

Anti-money laundering (AML) is the broad category of the laws, rules and procedures aimed at deterring money laundering, while customer due diligence (CDD) describes the scrutiny financial institutions (and others) are required to perform to thwart, identify and report violations. Know your client (KYC) rules apply customer due diligence to the task of screening and verifying prospective clients.
Definition of Personification

Personification is alien worlds cryptocurrencya figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. Personification is a common form of metaphor in that human characteristics are attributed to nonhuman things. This allows writers to create life and motion within inanimate objects, animals, and even abstract ideas by assigning them recognizable human behaviors and emotions.

Personification is a literary device found often in childrens literature. This is an effective use of figurative language because personification relies on imagination for understanding. Of course, readers know at a logical level that nonhuman things cannot feel, behave, or think like humans. However, personifying nonhuman things can be an interesting, creative, and effective way for a writer to illustrate a concept or make a point.

For example, in his picture book, The Day the Crayons Quit, Drew Daywalt uses personification to allow the crayons to express their frustration at how they are (or are not) being used. This literary device is effective in creating an imaginary world for children in which crayons can communicate like humans.

Common Examples of Personification

Here are some examples of personification that may be found in everyday expression:

My alarm yelled at me this morning.

I like onions, but they dont like me.

The sign on the door insulted my intelligence.

My phone is not cooperating with me today.

That bus is driving too fast.

My computer works very hard.

However, the mail is running unusually slow this week.

I wanted to get money, but the ATM died.

This article says that spinach is good for you.

Unfortunately, when she stepped on the Lego, her foot cried.

The sunflowers hung their heads.

That door jumped in my way.

The school bell called us from outside.

In addition, the storm trampled the town.

I cant get my calendar to work for me.

This advertisement speaks to me.

Fear gripped the patient waiting for a diagnosis.

The cupboard groans when you open it.

Can you see that star winking at you?

Books reach out to kids.

Examples of Personification in Speech or Writing

Here are some examples of personification that may be found in everyday writing or conversation:

My heart danced when he walked in the room.

The hair on my arms stood after the performance.

Why is your plant pouting in the corner?

The wind is whispering outside.

Additionally, that picture says a lot.

Her eyes are not smiling at us.

Also, my brain is not working fast enough today.

Those windows are watching us.

Our coffee maker wishes us good morning.

The sun kissed my cheeks when I went outside.

Famous Personification Examples

Think you havent heard of any famous personification examples? Here are some well-known and recognizable titles and quotes featuring this figure of speech:

Titles

The Brave Little Toaster (novel by Thomas M. Disch and adapted animated film series)

This Tornado Loves You (song by Neko Case)

Happy Feet (animated musical film)

Time Waits for No One (song by The Rolling Stones)

The Little Engine that Could (childrens book by Watty Piper)

Quotes

The sea was angry that day, my friends  like an old man trying to send back soup in a deli. (Seinfeld television series)

Life moves pretty fast. (movie Ferris Buellers Day Off)

The dish ran away with the spoon. (Hey, diddle, diddle by Mother Goose)

The Heart wants what it wants  or else it does not care (Emily Dickinson)

Once there was a tree, and she loved a little boy. (The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein)

Difference Between Personification and Anthropomorphism

Personification is often confused with the literary term anthropomorphism due to fundamental similarities. However, there is a difference between these two literary devices. Anthropomorphism is when human characteristics or qualities are applied to animals or deities, not inanimate objects or abstract ideas. As a literary device, anthropomorphism allows an animal or deity to behave as a human. This is reflected in Greek dramas in which gods would appear and involve themselves in human actions and relationships.

In addition to gods, writers use anthropomorphism to create animals that display human traits or likenesses such as wearing clothes or speaking. There are several examples of this literary device in popular culture and literature. For example, Mickey Mouse is a character that illustrates anthropomorphism in that he wears clothes and talks like a human, though he is technically an animal. Other such examples are Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Bear, and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Therefore, while anthropomorphism is limited to animals and deities, personification can be more widely applied as a literary device by including inanimate objects and abstract ideas. Personification allows writers to attribute human characteristics to nonhuman things without turning those things into human-like characters, as is done with anthropomorphism.

Writing Personification

Overall, as a literary device, personification functions as a means of creating imagery and connections between the animate and inanimate for readers. Therefore, personification allows writers to convey meaning in a creative and poetic way. These figures of speech enhance a readers understanding of concepts and comparisons, interpretations of symbols and themes, and enjoyment of language.

Here are instances in which its effective to use personification in writing:

Demonstrate Creativity

Personification demonstrates a high level of creativity. To be valuable as a figure of speech, the human attributes assigned to a nonhuman thing through personification must make sense in some way. In other words, human characteristics cant just be assigned to any inanimate object as a literary device. There must be some connection between them that resonates with the reader, demanding creativity on the part of the writer to find that connection and develop successful personification.

Exercise Poetic Skill

Many poets rely on personification to create vivid imagery and memorable symbolism. For example, in Edgar Allan Poes poem The Raven, the poet skillfully personifies the raven through allowing it to speak one word, nevermore, in response to the narrators questions. This is a powerful use of personification, as the narrator ends up projecting more complex and intricate human characteristics onto the bird as the poem continues though the raven only speaks the same word.

Create Humor

Personification can be an excellent tool in creating humor for a reader. This is especially true among young readers who tend to appreciate the comedic contrast between a nonhuman thing being portrayed as possessing human characteristics. Personification allows for creating humor related to incongruity and even absurdity.

Enhance Imagination

Overall, personification is a literary device that allows readers to enhance their imagination by believing that something inanimate or nonhuman can behave, think, or feel as a human. In fact, people tend to personify things in their daily lives by assigning human behavior or feelings to pets and even objects. For example, a child may assign emotions to a favorite stuffed animal to match their own feelings. In addition, a cat owner may pretend their pet is speaking to them and answer back. This allows writers and readers to see a reflection of humanity through imagination. Readers may also develop a deeper understanding of human behavior and emotion.

Examples of Personification in Literature

Example #1: The House on Mango Street (Sandra Cisneros)

But the house on Mango Street is not the way they told it at all. Its small and red with tight steps in front and windows so small youd think they were holding their breath.

In the first chapter of Cisneross book, the narrator Esperanza is describing the house into which she and her family are moving. Her parents have promised her that they would find a spacious and welcoming home for their family, similar to what Esperanza has seen on television. However, their economic insecurity has prevented them from getting a home that represents the American dream.

Cisneros uses personification to emphasize the restrictive circumstances of Esperanzas family. To Esperanza, the windows of the house appear to be holding their breath due to their small size, creating an image of suffocation. This personification not only enhances the description of the house on Mango Street for the reader, but it also reflects Esperanzas feelings about the house, her family, and her life. Like the windows, Esperanza is holding her breath as well, with the hope of a better future and the fear of her dreams not becoming reality.

Example #2: Ex-Basketball Player(John Updike)

Off work, he hangs around Maes Luncheonette. Grease-gray and kind of coiled, he plays pinball, Smokes those thin cigars, nurses lemon phosphates. Flick seldom says a word to Mae, just nods Beyond her face toward bright applauding tiers Of Necco Wafers, Nibs, and Juju Beads.

In his poem about a former basketball player named Flick, Updike recreates an arena crowd watching Flick play pinball by personifying the candy boxes in the luncheonette. The snack containers applaud Flick as he spends his free time playing a game that is isolating and requires no athletic skill. However, the personification in Updikes poem is a reflection of how Flicks life has changed since he played and set records for his basketball team in high school.

Flicks fans have been replaced by packages of sugary snacks with little substance rather than real people appreciating his skills and cheering him on. Like the value of his audience, Flicks own value as a person has diminished into obscurity and the mundane now that he is an ex-basketball player.

Example #3: How Cruel Is the Story of Eve (Stevie Smith)

It is only a legend,

You say? But what

Is the meaning of the legend

If not

To give blame to women most

And most punishment?

This is the meaning of a legend that colours

All human thought; it is not found among animals. How cruel is the story of Eve,

What responsibility it has

In history

For misery.

In her poem, Smith personifies the story of Eve as it is relayed in the first book of the Bible, Genesis. Smith attributes several human characteristics to this story, such as cruelty and responsibility. Therefore, this enhances the deeper meaning of the poem which is that Eve is not to blame for her actions, essentially leading to the fall of man and expulsion from Paradise In addition, she is not to blame for the subjugation and inequality that women have faced throughout history and tracing back to Eve.

Eves story or legend in the poem is accused by the poet of coloring all human thought. In other words, Smith is holding the story responsible for the legacy of punishment towards women throughout history by its portrayal of Eve, the first woman, as a temptress and sinner. The use of this literary device is effective in separating Eves character as a woman from the manner in which her story is told.

Related posts:
Definition of Periphrasis

Periphrasis ludo king paytm cash betshoot 1x2originates from the Greek word periphrazein, which means talking around. It is a stylistic device that can be defined as the use of excessive and longer words to convey a meaning which could have been conveyed with a shorter expression, or in a few words. It is an indirect or roundabout way of writing about something. For example, using the phrase I am going to instead of I will is periphrasis. This is also called circumlocution, but there is a slight difference between circumlocution and periphrasis.

Types of Periphrasis

Periphrasis is one type of circumlocution. There are two types of circumlocution, namely periphrasis and ambage. Periphrasis is a roundabout explanation of something, while ambage is an indirect and ambiguous way of expressing things or ideas.

Difference Between Paraphrasis and Periphrasis

Para means beside, whereas peri means around. In paraphrasing, ambiguous statements are restated in order to enhance the meanings, while periphrasis is a measured roundabout way of expressing something.

Examples of Periphrasis in Literature

Example #1: David Copperfield(By Charles Dickens)

Under the impression, said Mr. Micawber, that your peregrinations in this metropolis have not as yet been extensive, and that you might have some difficulty in penetrating the arcana of the Modern Babylon in the direction of the City Roadin short, said Mr. Micawber, in another burst of confidence, that you might lose yourselfI shall be happy to call this evening, and install you in the knowledge of the nearest way '

In this excerpt, Dickens has used periphrasis to give comic effect to the text. It is used in the speech of Wilkins Micawber, who speaks in an indirect way. Also, this technique gives poetic flavor to this prose.

Example #2: Sonnet 74(By William Shakespeare)

When that fell arrest

Without all bail shall carry me away.

In this extract, Shakespeare is explaining death and its consequences. He has used an indirect way of illustrating death as when that fell. Here it means, when death comes, no one would be able to save him.

Example #3: The Rape of the Lock(By Alexander Pope)

Close by those meads, forever crowned with flowers,

Where Thames with pride surveys his rising towers,

There stands a structure of majestic frame,

Which for the neighbring Hampton takes its name.

Here Britains statesmen oft the fall foredoom

Dost sometimes counsel takeand sometimes tea. Not louder shrieks to pitying Heavn are cast,

When husbands or when lap-dogs breathe their last,

Or when rich China vessels, falln from high,

In glittring dust and painted fragments lie!

In this excerpt, Pope is employing periphrasis by criticizing the aristocratic class through the description of Hampton Court Palace. He has used this device to disclose the negative side of aristocracy.

Example #4: The Importance of Being Earnest(By Oscar Wilde)

I was within a hairs-breadth of the last opportunity for pronouncement, and I found with humiliation that probably I would have nothing to say.

In the above passage, periphrasis is employed to describe earnestness. This idea could be understood in different ways. In the text, it is given as the opposite of pettiness, but elsewhere it is explained as the reverse of seriousness.

Example #5: Kubla Khan(By S. T. Coleridge)

So twice five miles of fertile ground

With walls and towers were girdled round:

And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,

Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;

And here were forests ancient as the hills,

Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.

Coleridge has used periphrasis to demonstrate hidden meanings and concepts. He illustrates the natural world as wild, while things are safe and calm inside the palace walls.

Function of Periphrasis

From the above examples of periphrasis, one could surmise that this literary device is used to embellish sentences by creating splendid effects to draw readers attention. These periphrasis examples have also shown that the use of this literary device lends poetic flavor to prose. Periphrasis is a feature of analytical language that tends to shun inflection.
Online casino content developer and supplier 1X2 Network last week expanded its foothold even further as its games library was taken live by online casino brand BGO.

BGO was the latest client of the iGaming provider to go live with its suite of diverse online casino games.

1X2 Network and BGO penned a content supply deal a few months ago but it was only recently when the online casino gained access to the providers titles.

Under the terms of the agreement, BGO players are now able to access releases from 1X2 Networks Iron Dog Studio and 1X2gaming game development arms.

The content recently rolled out with BGO includes hit titles such as Rainbow Wildsand Battle Maidensas well as Pirate Kingdom Megaways, 1X2 Networks first game to deploy Big Time Gamings innovative and highly popular Megaways mechanic.

The integration of 1X2 Network content with BGO took place via Playtechs POP iGaming platform.

Truly Fantastic Content

Commenting on their partnership with 1X2 Network, BGO Product Director Andy Dymock said that they take great pride in their games offering and invest a great deal of time in finding the best developersto add to the mix.

Mr. Dymock went on to say that 1X2 Networks game development studios Iron Dog Studio and 1X2gaming are on a run of developing and launching some truly fantastic gamesand that they are delighted to now be able to provide their players with access to these games.

1X2 Network Chief Commercial Officer Kevin Reid commented that since their partnership with Playtech, their distribution network of tier-one operator partners has ramped upand that they are delighted to now work with BGO.

Mr. Reid added that their games deliver quality across the board from design to gameplay, ramping up the fun factor and keeping players engaged and entertained.

LatAm Expansion

News that 1X2 Network content has gone live with BGO emerge just days after the gambling provider announced that it has been able to significantly bolster its presence in Latin Americawith a deal with iGaming and betting operator BetWarrior.

Under the terms of that recently clinched deal, BetWarrior would be able to offer its LatAm gambling audience the entire 1X2 Network suite of online casino games, including the above-mentioned Pirate Kingdom Megaways.

Of its partnership with BetWarrior, an ambitious and rapidly growing online gambling operation that was launched last summer, 1X2 Network said earlier this month that it was delighted to see its content live with its new partner and that Latin America was a key area of developmentfor the content developer and supplier.

The link-up between BetWarrior and 1X2 Network would also see the operator gain access to the providers suite of virtual sports offering.

Source:BGO becomes the latest to deploy 1X2 Network titles

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date on the days top casino news stories
What Is Liquidation?win 365 casino online

Liquidation in finance and economics is the process of bringing a business to an end and distributing its assets to claimants. It is an event that usually occurs when a company is insolvent, meaning it cannot pay its obligations when they are due. As company operations end, the remaining assets are used to pay creditors and shareholders, based on the priority of their claims. General partners are subject to liquidation.

The term liquidation may also be used to refer to the selling of poor-performing goods at a price lower than the cost to the business or at a price lower than the business desires.

Key Takeaways

The term liquidation in finance and economics is the process of bringing a business to an end and distributing its assets to claimants.

A bankrupt business is no longer in existence once the liquidation process is complete and it has been deregistered.

Liquidation usually occurs during the bankruptcy process under Chapter 7.

Proceeds are distributed to claimants in order of priority. Creditors receive priority over shareholders.

Liquidation can also refer to the process of selling off inventory, usually at steep discounts.



Liquidation

How Liquidation Works

1:31

Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code governs liquidation proceedings. Solvent companies may also file for Chapter 7, but this is uncommon. Not all bankruptcies involve liquidation; Chapter 11, for example, involves rehabilitating the bankrupt company and restructuring its debts. In Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company will continue to exist after any obsolete inventory is liquidated, after underperforming branches close, and after relevant debts are restructured.

Unlike when individuals file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, business debts still exist after Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The debt will remain until the statute of limitations has expired, and as there is no longer a debtor to pay what is owed, the debt must be written off by the creditor.

Distribution of Assets During Liquidation

Assets are distributed based on the priority of various parties claims, with a trustee appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice overseeing the process. The most senior claims belong to secured creditors who have collateral on loans to the business. These lenders will seize the collateral and sell itoften at a significant discount, due to the short time frames involved. If that does not cover the debt, they will recoup the balance from the companys remaining liquid assets, if any.

Next in line are unsecured creditors. These include bondholders, the government (if it is owed taxes), and employees (if they are owed unpaid wages or other obligations).

Finally, shareholders receive any remaining assets, in the unlikely event that there are any. In such cases, investors in preferred stock have priority over holders of common stock. Liquidation can also refer to the process of selling off inventory, usually at steep discounts. It is not necessary to file for bankruptcy to liquidate inventory.

Liquidation of Securities

Liquidation can also refer to the act of exiting a securities position. In the simplest terms, this means selling the position for cash; another approach is to take an equal but opposite position in the same securityfor example, by shorting the same number of shares that make up a long position in a stock.

A broker may forcibly liquidate a traders positions if the traders portfolio has fallen below the margin requirement, or they have demonstrated a reckless approach to risk-taking.

Example of Liquidation

Company ABC has been in business for 10 years and has been generating profits throughout its run. In the last year, however, the business has struggled financially due to a downturn in the economy. It has reached a point where ABC can no longer pay any of its debts or cover any of its expenses, such as payments to its suppliers.

ABC has decided that it will close up shop and liquidate its business. It enters into Chapter 7 bankruptcy and its assets are sold off. These include a warehouse, trucks, and machinery with a total value of $5 million. Currently, ABC owes $3.5 million to its creditors and $1 million to its suppliers. The sale of its assets during the liquidation process will cover its obligations.

What Is the Liquidation of a Company?

The liquidation of a company is when the company's assets are sold and the company ceases operations and is deregistered. The assets are sold to pay back various claimants, such as creditors and shareholders. The liquidation process happens when a company is insolvent; it can no longer meet its financial obligations.

What Does It Mean to Liquidate Money?

To liquidate means to convert assets into cash. For example, a person may sell their home, car, or other asset and receive cash for doing so. This is known as liquidation. Many assets are assessed based on how liquid they are. For example, a home is not very liquid because it takes time to sell a house, which involves getting it ready for sale, assessing the value, putting it up for sale, and finding a buyer. On the other hand, stocks are more liquid as they can be easily sold and cash received from the sale (if they have appreciated).

Is a Company Dissolved After Liquidation?

No, a company is not dissolved after liquidation. Dissolving a company and liquidating it are two separate procedures. Liquidating a company means selling off its assets to claimants whereas dissolving a company is deregistering it.

The Bottom Line

When a company becomes insolvent, meaning that it can no longer meet its financial obligations, it undergoes liquidation. Liquidation is the process of closing a business and distributing its assets to claimants.

The sale of assets is used to pay creditors and shareholders in the order of priority. Liquidation is also used to refer to the act of exiting a securities position, usually by selling the position for cash.
These two words cause quite a bit of headache in the heads of writers because they are so often unsure when to use which one. Is there a difference in their use? Or can they be used interchangeably? Not many writers or communications professionals can give you a straight answer.

In todays post, however, I want to answer these questions about between vs. among to make sure that you never confuse these two words again. I will cover their definitions, their functions in a sentence, and provide you with a number of examples using each. Then, at the end, you can test yourself to see if you fully understand.

Lets get started.

The Traditional Rule

The traditional rule regarding these two words states that betweenintroduces two items while amongintroduces more than two items.

The race is now between Jenny and Jill.

The funds were divided among Steve, Carter, and Smitty.

This rule likely stems from each words respective etymology. The tween in betweencomes from same Indo-European roots that gave us two, twain, and duo. Similarly, mong comes from an Old English word that means crowd or throng.

As such, the rule covers most of the questions surrounding these words, but it doesnt give the complete picture, and the difference between these words isnt always quite so clear-cut.

When to Use Between

The Chicago Manual of Styledescribes betweenas indicating one-to-one relationships. In other words, we use betweenwhen talking about a relationship of a person or thing with regard to other people or things separately and distinctly.

Can we keep this between you and me?

You can use betweenfor more than two objects if this same one-to-one relationship between distinct units is understood from the context. For example,

There is now more interstate trade between Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

A new trade agreement was reached between Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

I cant decide between the pink, blue, or red shirt.

Between can also be used to refer to more than two things when items are considered one pair at a time.

Discussions are under way between the corporate board and the Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas economic planning committees.

In this example, the board is considered one entity, and each state committee is interacting with the board individually. So, although four groups are being discussed, they are really three distinct pairs interacting with each other. If we reorganize the sentence, you can see this more clearly.

Discussions are under way between the corporate board and Texas, between the corporate board and Oklahoma, and between the corporate board and Kansas.

The bottom line is you can use betweenwhen talking about distinct, individual items that have a one-to-one relationshipeven if there are more than two.

When to Use Among

Among is used to refer to undefined or collective relationshipsthings that are not distinct or individual.

Keeping peace among neighboring regions is an imperative.

There was a consensus among union members not to raise dues.

Tech giants are at war among themselves for market share.

There were many good athletes among those still left in the fifth round.

As you can see, amongis used for undefined or unspecified relationships, oftentimes between groups. These are neither discrete nor specified individuals.

Differences in Location

Betweenand amongalso have different meanings when it comes to indicating direction. Consider the following examples,

Your keys fell among the books.

Your keys fell between the books.

These two sentences communicate very different ideas.

The first expresses the idea that your keys fell among a pile of books and somewhere in the midst of them you will find your keys.

The second seems to indicate that your keys fell in between two books and that in the middle of them you will find you keys.

Between and Among as Prepositions

Being that both betweenand amongare prepositions, you must ensure that any pronouns that follow either of them be in the objective case.

Between her and him (Correct)

Between she and he (Wrong)

Between you and me (Correct)

Between you and I (Wrong)

Remember the Difference

As I said above, the traditional rule will get you by in most cases and its easy enough to remember.

Between is for two items. You can remember this because between and two both have tw in them. Also B is the second (2) letter of the alphabet.

Among is for a lot of items and both start with an A.

A slightly more nuanced, and perhaps updated, view is that betweenis for any one-to-one relationship between discrete and separate things. Among is for undefined, collective uses, oftentimes with groups.

Summary

The debate over among vs. between is a little more complicated than the traditional rule leads you to believe.

Betweenis used for one-to-one relationships between discrete things.

Amongis used for undefined or collective relationships between things.
how to leverage trade crypto

auther: Landlords source: fashion browse: bigmiddiosmall release time: 2023-11-01 16:42:11 Comments:

Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday during his how to leverage trade cryptomeeting with U.S. President Joe Biden that though the two leaders have remained communication via video-conferences, phone calls and letters, none of them can really substitute face-to-face exchanges.


What Is a Cash Budget?bandar55 slotomania freepik

A cash budget is an estimation of the cash flows of a business over a specific period of time. This could be for a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual budget. This budget is used to assess whether the entity has sufficient cash to continue operating over the given time frame. The cash budget provides a company insight into its cash needs (and any surplus) and helps to determine an efficient allocation of cash.

Key Takeaways

A cash budget is a company's estimation of cash inflows and outflows over a specific period of time, which can be weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually.

A company will use a cash budget to determine whether it has sufficient cash to continue operating over the given time frame.

A cash budget will also provide a company with insight into its cash needs and any surpluses, which help it determine if the business is using cash effectively.

Cash budgets can be viewed as short-term cash budgets, usually, a time frame of weeks to months, or long-term cash budgets, which are viewed as years.

A company must manage its sales and expenses to reach optimal cash flow.

Cash Budget

How a Cash Budget Works

1:31

Companies use sales and production forecasts to create a cash budget, along with assumptions about necessary spending and accounts receivable collections. A cash budget is necessary to assess whether a company will have enough cash to continue operations. If a company does not have enough liquidity to operate, it must raise more capital by issuing stock or taking on more debt.

A cash roll forward computes the cash inflows and outflows for a month, and it uses the ending balance as the beginning balance for the following month. This process allows the company to forecast cash needs throughout the year, and changes to the roll forward to adjust the cash balances for all future months.

Short-Term Cash Budget vs. Long-Term Cash Budget

Cash budgets are usually viewed in either the short-term or the long-term. Short-term cash budgets focus on the cash requirements needed for the next week or months whereas long-term cash budget focuses on cash needs for the next year to several years.

Short-term cash budgets will look at items such as utility bills, rent, payroll, payments to suppliers, other operating expenses, and investments. Long-term cash budgets focus on quarterly and annual tax payments, capital expenditure projects, and long-term investments. Long-term cash budgets usually require more strategic planning and detailed analysis as they require cash to be tied up for a longer period of time.

It's also prudent to budget cash requirements for any emergencies or unexpected needs for cash that may arise, particularly if the business is new and all aspects of operations are not fully realized.

At the end of each budgetary term, the ending balance of the cash budget is carried forward to the next term's cash budget.

Special Considerations

Managing a cash budget also comes down to carefully managing the growth of the business. For example, all businesses want to sell more and grow, but it is crucial to do so in a sustainable way.

For example, a company may implement a marketing strategy to boost brand awareness and sell more products. The ad campaign is successful and demand for the product takes off. If the company isn't prepared to meet this increase in demand, for example, it may not have enough machinery to produce more goods, enough employees to conduct quality checks, or enough suppliers to order the required raw materials, then it could have many unhappy customers.

The company may want to build out all these aspects to meet demand, but if it doesn't have enough cash or financing to be able to do so, then it cannot. Therefore, it is important to manage sales and expenses to reach an optimal level of cash flow.

Example of a Cash Budget

For example, let's assume ABC Clothing manufactures shoes, and it estimates $300,000 in sales for the months of June, July, and August. At a retail price of $60 per pair, the company estimates sales of 5,000 pairs of shoes each month. ABC forecasts that 80% of the cash from these sales will be collected in the month following the sale and the other 20% will be collected two months after the sale. The beginning cash balance for July is forecast to be $20,000, and the cash budget assumes 80% of the June sales will be collected in July, which equals $240,000 (80% of $300,000). ABC also projects $100,000 in cash inflows from sales made earlier in the year.

On the expense side, ABC must also calculate the production costs required to produce the shoes and meet customer demand. The company expects 1,000 pairs of shoes to be in the beginning inventory, which means a minimum of 4,000 pairs must be produced in July. If the production cost is $50 per pair, ABC spends $200,000 ($50 x 4,000) in the month of July on the cost of goods sold, which is the manufacturing cost. The company also expects to pay $60,000 in costs not directly related to production, such as insurance.

ABC computes the cash inflows by adding the receivables collected during July to the beginning balance, which is $360,000 ($20,000 July beginning balance + $240,000 in June sales collected in July + $100,000 in cash inflows from earlier sales). The company then subtracts the cash needed to pay for production and other expenses. That total is $260,000 ($200,000 in cost of goods sold + $60,000 in other costs). ABCs July ending cash balance is $100,000, or $360,000 in cash inflows minus $260,000 in cash outflows.

What Are the Steps of Creating a Cash Budget?

The first step to creating a cash budget is to establish reliable forecasts of the company's cash inflows and outflows. Some of these flows will be predictable, such as rent and payroll costs. Others, like sales figures, will tend to be more variable. Once these figures have been estimated, it is possible to prepare a cash budget that accounts for all expected inflows and outflows.

What Expenses Should Be Included in a Cash Budget?

A cash budget should take into account expected cash flows, such as revenue, as well as operational outflows due to returns, payroll, rent, utilities, supplies, and other costs of running the business.

How Do You Prepare a Cash Budget?

This will depend on the time frame for which the budget is being prepared. A short-term cash budget of a few weeks will only account for day-to-day expenses related to funding and supplying a company's operations, while a cash budget for a quarter or longer might also account for larger expenses like equipment, capital investment, and corporate taxes. In each case, any remaining cash surplus at the end of one budget period will be carried on to the beginning of the next.
One of Londons most exclusive gambling venues has let its millionaire members racially abuse black croupiers, according to a recently filed claim by an affected employee.

The allegations were leveled against the Crown London Aspinalls private members gambling club. The property is located in the heart of Mayfair and is frequented by wealthy high rollers.

Semhar Tesfagiorgis, who has worked as a dealer at the club for more than a decade, has filed the racial abuse claim with the London employment tribunal.

In her complaint, Ms. Tesfagiorgis said that Crown London Aspinalls managers allowed casino patrons to refer to black gambling chips as n***** chipsand that black croupiers were kept away from certain customersbecause of their skin color.

The recently filed claim also features allegations that club members regularly compared black employees with gorillas and requested white, whiter, or lighter-skinneddealers.

According to tribunal papers seen by The Times, Ms. Tesfagiorgis described an incident on her second day at work at the exclusive Mayfair casino back in 2007 that involved a wealthy Turkish gambler who called a black team member a n*****. The customer was not barred from playing at the gambling hall.

Two years later, a similar incident took place at the casino involving the same gambler and the same employee. The incident was recorded on the propertys CCTV. Ms. Tesfagiorgis alleged that the wealthy player shouted that f
red gambling new online casino ukshows grade level based on the word's complexity. deadweight tonnage New Word List Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity. Thisshows grade level based on the word's complexity.Save This Word!This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.

noun Nautical.the capacity in long tons of cargo, passengers, fuel, stores, etc. (deadweight tons ), of a vessel: the difference between the loaded and light displacement tonnage of the vessel.

Also called deadweight capacity.

Words nearby deadweight tonnage

How to use in a sentence It was a key reason why the half million U.S. soldiers and massive bomb tonnage could not achieve decisive military victory. Going Back to Vietnam Is Sometimes Amusing, Often Fraught, and Always Surreal|Jeff Greenfield|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Going Back to Vietnam Is Sometimes Amusing, Often Fraught, and Always Surreal|Jeff Greenfield|March 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST On the negative side, the sheer tonnage of opinions can overwhelm and cause a degree of amnesia. The Best Columns of the Year|John Avlon|December 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The Best Columns of the Year|John Avlon|December 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST Access to credit can be a great thing, but it can also become a deadweight around your neck. Dirty Debt, Done Dirt Cheap|Nick Gillespie|October 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Dirty Debt, Done Dirt Cheap|Nick Gillespie|October 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST All those presents that no one wants represent huge deadweight loss. How Terrible Is Christmas?|Megan McArdle|December 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST Similarly, consider Joel Waldfogel's AER article "The Deadweight Loss of Christmas" (which he later adapted into Scroogenomics). How Terrible Is Christmas?|Megan McArdle|December 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST

How Terrible Is Christmas?|Megan McArdle|December 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST The tonnage entered in Philippine ports shows a rapid annual increase in five years. The Philippine Islands|John Foreman

The Philippine Islands|John Foreman Old and new measurements, tonnage, time allowances and movable ballast, are all a sealed book to me. The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills

The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills These vessels, indeed, were of no considerable tonnage; but I confess myself at a loss to guess their object. Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808|Lt-Col. Pinkney

Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808|Lt-Col. Pinkney This was owing to there still being a tonnage class, A, B and C, the new rating and the length classes. Yachting Vol. 2|Various.

Yachting Vol. 2|Various. The object of handicaps is to get sport amongst craft of varied tonnage, class, and build, by giving time allowance. Yachting Vol. 2|Various.

QUIZWILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!Questiondead to rights, dead to the world, dead-tree, dead water, dead weight, deadweight tonnage, Dead White European Male, dead white male, deadwood, deadwork, dead zoneDictionary.com UnabridgedBased on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary,  Random House, Inc. 2022
Metas paid verification service is no longer just for individuals. The social network is expanding its subscription service to businesses on Facebook, Instagram and, eventually, WhatsApp, Mark Zuckerberg announced during the companys Conversations event.

Meta Verified first launched for Facebook and Instagram earlier this year, but wasn't available for those with business accounts. Thats now changing, though businesses will be paying extra for the service compared with everyone else. Verification for a single account (on either Facebook or Instagram) will cost $27.99/month for mobile sign-ups or $21.99 if the purchase is made via the web. Business owners signing up on the web can also bundle an Instagram and Facebook verification for $34.99/month. Thats significantly more than the $12- $15/month Meta Verified currently costs for individuals, but Meta is likely calculating that business owners will be more willing to shell out for the extra benefits.

Meta Verified bears some similarities to Elon Musks X Premium. It grants subscribers a checkmark and higher ranking in search results, as well as a fast-track to customer support channels and proactive protection against impersonation. The company also plans to feature "Meta Verified businesses" in its in-app recommendations on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta

When Meta Verified launches for WhatsApp, it will include a few additional benefits, like multi-device support for customer chats and the ability to create a business page that will appear in web-based search results. (Meta hasnt said how much verified status will cost businesses on WhatsApp.)

Of course, unlike X Premium, Meta does require subscribers to verify their identities. For businesses, this means subscribers will need to provide proof of their association with the business, via a phone number or email domain. The company also requires subscribers to opt-in to two-factor authentication and meet a minimum level of activity. Meta says it will begin by making subscriptions available to business owners in select test countries, but declined to name the specific locations. Meta Verified for WhatsApp, on the other hand, will roll out sometime in the future.

In addition to the expansion of Meta Verified, the company also announced a few other updates for businesses that use its messaging tools. In-app payments on WhatsApp, which are currently available in Brazil and Singapore, will be expanding to merchants in India. The app will support credit and debit card payments, as well as other apps like Razorpay.

The company also introduced something called WhatsApp flows so that businesses can create customized features like appointment booking directly from in-app chats. The feature will be available to WhatsApp Business users in the coming weeks.
US President Joe Biden appealed to the world leaders at the UN General Assembly to stand with Ukraine against Russian invaders, hoping Republicans in Congress will also take notice.
Haiti's most powerful gang leader calls for the armed overthrow of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, urging people to take to the streets in the latest escalation of a country undergoing humanitarian crisis.
International Criminal Court says it was hacked

The International Criminal Court disclosed a hacking incident, in a breach at one of the world's most high-profile international institutions.
Tuesday, September 19, 2023

New College becomes epicenter of fight over woke political ideologies

In Florida, New Colleges conservative makeover is proving to be ground zero in the states battle to remove social justice ideology from campuses across the state.

The Biden administrations Education Department Office for Civil Rights have launched two investigations into Floridas New College, according to the departments website.

New College found itself in the crosshairs earlier this year after it eliminated a gender studies program, the Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) office, and officials misgendered people.

Christopher Rufo, a conservative writer, filmmaker, and activist, was appointed as one of six new board trustees this year by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who envisioned New College offering a classical education.

Mr. Rufo said on Substack Sept. 12 that American Civil Liberties Union attorney Jennifer Granick, an alumna of New College, prompted the complaint.

Besides reporting that the college removed its DEI department and gender studies, Ms. Granick alleged that the colleges trustees and administrators violated civil rights law by removing gender neutral signage from bathrooms and misgendered a former DEI director and student, who used ze/zir and they/them as pronouns, Mr. Rufo wrote.

Read the full article here
From: David Blixt -- Shakespeare Expert, Author of Historical Fiction, For Immediate Release: Dateline: Chicago , IL Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Tracing the sources of Shakespeares plays to their roots is fun, though sometimes vexing. Do you work backwards, or try and trace the evolution from ancient texts to his eventual recreation? Chronologically, the most obvious inspiration for Shakespeares Romeo & Juliet is Ovids Metamorphoses, which includes the tragic tale of Pyramus and Thisbe, a story Shakespeare clearly knew wellso well, he parodied his own success with R&J by having Bottom and the Mechanicals (a band name if I ever heard one) utterly butcher the source material. (Aside: Shakespeare was hilariously self-referential in subtle ways. He let us know how he felt about contemporary productions of his works and the actors who played in them, peppering his work with inside jokes. Hamlets advice to the players is too spot-on, his ridicule of Bottoms scenery-chewing too knowing. He had to be making fun of his fellowsand himself.) The next relative of this story is certainly a distant one: the Ephesiaca of Xenophon of Ephesus, written in the fifth century CE. The lovers Anthia and Habrocomes are on their way to Egypt when they are taken by pirates. Sold into slavery, they are separated, undergoing several rather lusty adventures. At one point Anthia is shipwrecked with her new owners and kidnapped by robbers. Shes about to be sacrificed to Ares when shes rescued by a local magistrate called Periaus, who declares his right o marry her. Faithful to her husband, she obtains a potion from a doctor which she thinks is mortal but (as in Cymbeline) is merely a sleeping potion. She awakens in a tomb and, due to the consistency of her luck, is carried off by tomb-robbers to further adventures (it totally gives off that Perils Of Pauline vibe). Leaping ahead nearly a thousand years, we reach the first of the stories recognizable as direct antecedents of R&J: Masuccio Salernitanos thirty-third novel from Il Novellino. Set in Sienna, this stars Mariotto and Gianozza as the lovers and involves secret marriages, deaths of kinsmen, and a young groom fleeing to Alexandria. The bride is then forced to marry against her will, but is given a draught by the Friar that makes her appear dead. Alas, the Friars message detailing the plan is waylaid by pirates (shades of Shakespeare in Love!). The story plays out the same as Shakespeares R&J, except Gianozza flees to a convent where she dies. Pregnant, if I recall correctly. Next comes the first version to name the lovers Romeo and Giulietta, and is probably the most important of Shakespeares sources (though he himself may never have seen it). This was written by Luigi da Porto somewhere around 1524, though published posthumously in 1535. A native of Vicenza, da Porto set the action in nearby Verona, rooting the story very firmly in the reign of Bartolomeo della Scala, 1301-1304. He dedicated his story to the most beautiful and graceful Lady Lucina Savorgnano. This version is completely recognizable, starting with the establishment of the Cappelletti/Montecchi feud. Romeo Montecchio goes to the Cappelletti ball to see one lady, but upon sight of Giulietta Capelletti he falls madly in love. She does the same, and while shes dancing he holds one of her hands (her other had is held by a suitor named Maruccio who, we are told, is noble and handsome. But she doesnt like him because in July and in January, his hands were always freezing). The two begin to meet in secret, sometimes in the church, at others from the windows. Then we get the Balcony Scene, with these lines: GIULIETTA

What brings you hither and alone at this hour? ROMEO

The power of love. GIULIETTA

And know you not that being discovered here would mean instantaneous death? ROMEO

Alas, dear lady, I know only too well, and certain it is I shall surely die unless you take pity on me. But, as I must die in some place, Heaven grant that I may die near you, who are the goddess of my idolatry and with whom life would seem paradise, would you and Heaven only consent to give ear to my love. Enlisting the aid of Friar Lorenzo, Giuliettas confessor, they wed in secret. But theres a brawl in the street between the feuding families, and in the massive fighting Romeo kills Tebaldo Cappelletto. Exiled, Romeo says farewell to his wife in the friars confessional, then flees to Mantua. Lord and Lady Cappelletti, misconstruing their daughters distress, decide to marry her to the cold-handed Maruccio. Hearing her absolute refusal, her father loses his temper and threatened her with his bitterest hatred if she dared oppose his wishes. Desperate, Giulietta sends her servant Pietro to Romeo in Mantua. Romeo sends word back that she must be faithful to him, and instructs her to go to the friar, as the holy man was capable of working miracles. She does, and Lorenzo gives her a potion which you will drink, after which you will, for a space for forty-eight hours, more or less, fall into a profound sleep that no man, however great a physician he may be, cannot choose but pronounce you dead. Hell be there when she wakes and conduct her to her husband in Mantua. It plays out just the same. She takes the potion and is thought dead. But the monk Lorenzo sent to Romeo cant find him. Instead the faithful Pietro brings the news of her death to Romeo, who buys a poison and goes back to Verona, blaming himself: ROMEO

I am the sole cause of thy death, for I kept not my promise to take thee away from thy fathers house, and thou, who would not forsake me, preferred to die. Should I, through fear of death, remain alive? No, this shall never be. He goes to her tomb and drinks the poison. Just then she wakes up, and he bitterly laments, Oh, how cruel is fate! He tells her what he has done, and the weeping Giulietta kisses him, imprinting innumerable kiss on his lips. GIULIETTA

Must you die in my presence and for my sake, my sweet lord? Will the Heavens suffer that after your death I should live even for a brief while? Cannot I give you my life and die alone? ROMEO

If ever my love and fidelity were dear to you, live, if only for my sake. I therefore beg of you that after my life you continue to live, for no other reason than I may know that one I so dearly love is thinking of me, who is now dying before your very eyes. GIULIETTA

Since you die on account of my feigned death, what should I do for your real one? I grieve also that I have not here at hand any means whereby I can die and hate myself that I must still continue to live, but I fervently pray that in a brief time, since I have been the cause of your death, I may bear you company. Friar Lorenzo arrives just in time to see Romeo die in Giuliettas arms. He says, And you, Giulietta, what will you do now? GIULIETTA

Remain here and die. Which bring us to the worst death in literature: Then, holding her breath for a long time, she uttered forth a piercing scream, falling stone dead upon the body of her husband. Because that works? Everyone comes rushing in, the Friar confesses, the bereaved parents embrace, burying the feud, and raise a monument to their lost children. Here finished the unfortunate love affair of Romeo Montecchi and Giulietta Cappelletti. Of course, that wasnt the finish. In 1542 a Frenchman named Adrian Sevin also riffed on the work of Masuccio Salernitano, changing the names to Halquadrich and Burglipha. And a poem by Clizia was published in Venice in 1553. But the direct heir to da Porto is Matteo Bandello, who basically rewrote da Portos version, only adding the name Paris to the story, and changing the name Maruccio to Marcuccioone step closer to Mercutio. Bandellos minor changes notwithstanding, hes significant because he left Italy towards the end of his life, bringing the story of Romeo and Giulietta to France, and thus closer to England. His version was so popular it was picked up in Venice by the blind poet and playwright Luigi Groto, the first to turn it into a play, published in Italian in 1578. In the play a nightingale sings when the lovers are to part. Bandellos version was also picked up by a French poet named Pierre Boistuau, who rewrote the whole thing in his native tongue, making subtle changes  instead of going to the Capulet ball to forget his puppy love, Romeo goes in hopes of seeing her; he obtains the potion from an avaricious apothecary; and Romeo dies before Juliet awakens, thus omitting what is (to me) the best scene in the story, a mistake that Shakespeare will repeat. Boistuau was translated into English by William Painter in his collection of tales entitled Palace Of Pleasure, published in 1567. But before that, in 1562, Boistuaus version was brought into the English tongue, retold and embellished by one Arthur Brooke in The Tragicall History Of Romeus And Juliet. By this point the story is fairly well in place, and though I find Brooke almost unreadable, his version was very popular during Elizabeths reign, being reprinted in 1582 and again in 1587. It was even imitated in Bernard Garters Two English Lovers, which, as the title indicates, transfers the setting to England. It is almost certainly from Brookes poem that Shakespeare took his inspiration. Its possible he also read Painters version, but in Brooke he has everything he needs to fire his imagination and create the play we know. Everything, that is, save great poetry. Shakespeare performs an amazing piece of alchemy, taking a leaden and dull narrative and turning it into gold. Thus we have the progression in the evolution of Romeo & Julietda Porto to Bandello to Brooke to Shakespeare, with various off-shoots along the way. Convoluted? Perhaps. But fascinating, and well worth the roundabout journey.


A new business is opening very soon in Fairfield. Eagles Nest Daycare, a childcare center owned by Mrs. Theresa Burgmaier.

It has been impressive seeing the renovations over the last few weeks and how it has all come together. The Burgmaier family has long roots in the area as farmers growing grass-fed beef. Her husband, Kyle Burgmaier, runs the farm in Power thats been in his family for generations. Burgmaier shared that, his great-grandmother even homesteaded by herself!

After they married in 2011, Theresa came to Power and started learning the farm life and worked as a teacher. The couple has three young children, including two that attend Fairfield Elementary School - Lucy is a second-grader and Ella is a first-grader. My kids come first; my job is centered around them. My girls are so excited to walk over for after-school care, said Burgmaier. Her youngest boy, Max (age 4), will start at the daycare and is beyond eager to play and make friends with other community children.

As a mom, Theresa saw the community need for childcare. As a teacher, Burgmaier explained, I designed a program for Power Schools to have a pre-k option available to families and served as the teacher. I ran that for about five years, then I outgrew the position and wanted more challenges. She is someone that is about taking action for her community and making it better, not just for her kids but everyone around her.

Locals have been curious when walking by the facility, they cant help but peek through the windows. The childcare center is located at 419 Central Ave. The building formerly known as the Tae Kwon Do building and historically known as a grocery store and butcher shop.

The children have lots of space and through the expansive windows they can see the hustle and bustle of our small town. It has early learning options including a morning preschool program three to five days a week. The center opens at 7:15 a.m. and closes at 5:30 p.m. weekdays. The daycare offers a half-day rate for families if that works better for their schedule. Burgmaier says, Its the grand finale of my career, its the biggest classroom Ive ever had, and Im so proud of this space. Its not just a daycare for children to have their basic needs met, its a learning center designed with education in mind by a licensed professional.

The Sun Times asked Burgmaier, Why did you, a former teacher, decide to open a daycare center? Burgmaier related that the idea was starting to form around Teton County and it could be heard, almost daily, in the local communities that somebody needs to open a licensed childcare! But who would be willing to tackle this problem? As time goes on and the need for childcare grows, these small towns have to use family, friends, or neighbors to watch their children.

One of the key elements to bring this daycare project to fruition was when long-time Power community member, Rick Leigland, who works for the Centene Corporation in Great Falls, got wind of the childcare struggle that parents are facing. Leigland has children of his own and although they are grown now, he is seeing how this problem has grown over recent years. His company offered a program inside their office building so that employees with children could have a daycare. In 2020, the company turned into work-from-home remote company where employees can stay home and work, therefore, they sold the building. Leigland was asked by the company to clean out the building for the sale. Rick saw that the daycare items were about to be tossed away and he thought of his friends and family in Power. Leigland shared with others about his frustration with tossing thousands of dollars of daycare items and when the Burgmaiers heard about it, they headed there and picked up three trailers full of useful items as a freewill donation. The furniture and toys are of high quality and should last for a long time, and are a great addition to the center.

Childcare centers have potential to be profitable, even in a small town like Fairfield without having high prices for parents. Thankfully, Burgmaier has had a generous amount of donations from local community members. She told The Sun Times, Ive been surprised at the amount of support available, and plans to stay open forever. She has great ideas to keep the business sustainable and has already started to think outside the box. She plans to serve local beef from their farm to the youngsters at the childcare center, to provide quality meals and save on costs. Burgmaier plans for renting the space out on weekends for birthday parties or other child-related community events. All this led to her to start a mentorship with Tobys House Crisis Nursery of Great Falls.

Burgmaier worked with Deb Huestis, a professional development specialist, Family Connections in Great Falls that provides resources, training, licensing requirements and cultivates connections to other agencies that can help.

Burgmaier met with Jason Nitschke with Zero to Five Montana to learn about running a small business. After spending several meetings with Jason, she was invited to the Montana Child Care Business Connect Summit, coming up September 13-14, at the Fairmont Hot Springs resort.

The experienced and well rounded staff will insure a smooth opening. Eagles Nest Daycare offers access to a Peleton, providing work day meals, and paid time off. Burgmaier shared she is completely staffed with plenty of substitute staff as well to keep within the state licensing requirements. The staff is mostly moms, so anything to keep them happier by offering a Peleton, providing meals, and offering paid time off. She has hired five full-time staff members.

The center has a handful of openings available. Contact the Eagles Nest Daycare if your family has a need for childcare. They plan to open Monday, September 25th.
(The Center Square)  Texas, once again, led the U.S. in job gains in August over the year, according to newly released Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 32 states and was essentially unchanged in 18 states and the District of Columbia, BLS reported on Tuesday. The three most populous states reported the greatest job gains over the year.

Texas reported the most significant increase of over 402,000 new jobs added from August 2022 to August 2023. California had the second-greatest number of over 335,200 jobs added; Florida boasted the third-highest number of over 270,300 jobs added.

The states that reported the largest percentage increase of jobs added were Nevada (3.9%), Texas (3%), and Florida (2.8%).

In response to the news, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said, Texas leads the nation once again, creating more jobs over the last 12 months than any other state. Meeting the needs of Texas employers by providing a pipeline of skilled workers is paramount to ensure expanded economic opportunity in communities across the state. That is why Texas continues to make significant investments in education, innovation, and workforce development.

The BLS announcement comes after Texas in August again broke its own jobs records and surpassed the national employment growth rate for twelve consecutive months. Every month, Texas breaks its previous monthly record for having the greatest number of total jobs, greatest number of Texans employed and largest total labor force size in Texas history.

In response to the August records, Gov. Abbott said, Texas continues to grow jobs at a faster rate than the nation thanks to our welcoming business climate, our hardworking entrepreneurs, and the strength of our young, skilled, diverse, and growing workforce.

In August, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 5 states, decreased in 3 states, and was essentially unchanged in 42 states and the District of Columbia, the BLS reported.

In August, states reporting the largest job gains were North Carolina (+17,500), Massachusetts (+15,400), and Maryland (+12,400). States reporting the largest job gains by percentage increase were Montana (+0.7 percent), Nevada (+0.6 percent), and Maryland (+0.5 percent). States reporting job losses were Missouri (-13,700), Mississippi (-6,400), and Hawaii (-4,800).
By Other News

Tweet on Twitter

Share on Facebook

152nd Jefferson County Fair

Aug. 19, 2023

Sale Total: $496,234.40

Market Steers

Average with champions: $4.31/lb

Average without grand and reserve: $3.92/lb

Grand Champion: Hannah Randolph

Bid: $12.50/lb Weight: 1,461 lbs

Buyer: Vans Iron & Metal

Reserve Champion: Bailey Harris

Bid: $5/lb Weight: 1,268 lbs

Buyer: Team Automotive

Market Dairy Steers

Average: $2.23/lb

Grand Champion: Corissa Griffith

Bid: $2.20/lb Weight: 1,427 lbs

Buyer: Jefferson Landmark

Reserve Champion: Grace Browning

Bid: $2.24/lb Weight: 1,398 lbs

Buyer: Reynards Redline Ranch

Market Hogs

Average with champions: $7.15/lb

Average without grand and reserve: $6.99/lb

Grand Champion: Cameron Best

Bid: $19.50/lb Weight: 263 lbs

Buyer: Encino

Reserve Champion: Blair Allison

Bid: $15/lb Weight: 274 lbs

Buyer: Murrays Restaurant

Dairy Beef Feeders

Average with champions: $2.93/lb

Average without grand and reserve $2.92/lb

Grand Champion: Corissa Griffith

Bid: Did Not Sell

Reserve Champion: Reece Furmanski

Bid: $3/lb Weight: 490 lbs

Buyer: Jefferson Landmark

Market Goats

Average with champions: $901.56

Average without grand and reserve: $744.64

Grand Champion: Jacob Rinkes

Bid: $2,350.00

Buyer: Kam Trucking

Reserve Champion: Wesley Moore

Bid: $1,650.00

Buyer: Petrella Wealth Management

Market Sheep

Average with champions: $12.32/lb

Average without grand and reserve: $10.12/lb

Grand Champion: Alexis Rager

Bid: $35/lb Weight: 140 lbs

Buyer: Jacobs Petroleum

Reserve Champion: Caleb Miller

Bid: $27/lb Weight: 149 lbs

Buyer: Williams Energy

Market Chickens (Pen of 3)

Average with champions: $460.00/pen

Average without grand and reserve: $398.21/pen

Grand Champion: Mekenzie Everhart

Bid: $1,800.00/pen

Buyer: Limitless Pools and Spas

Reserve Champion: Jordan Everhart

Bid: $850.00/pen

Buyer: Encino

Market Ducks (Pen of 2)

Average with champions: $712.50/pen

Average without grand and reserve: $505.00/pen

Grand Champion: Joseph Taylor

Bid: $2,000.00/pen

Buyer: Williams Energy

Reserve Champion: Madison Taylor

Bid: $1,500.00/pen

Buyer: Petrella Wealth Management

Market Turkeys

Average with champions: $726.67

Average without grand and reserve: $592.31

Grand Champion: Jacob Rinkes

Bid: $1,900.00

Buyer: Encino

Reserve Champion: Kassidy George

Bid: $1,300.00

Buyer: Petrella Brothers Village Sleep Center

Market Rabbits (Pen of 3)

Average with champions: $441.25/pen

Average without grand and reserve: $368.57/pen

Grand Champion: Lane Keyoski

Bid: $1,100.00/pen

Buyer: MPLX

Reserve Champion: Alayna Starr

Bid: $800.00/pen

Buyer: Harris F&S

2023 Jefferson County Fair Sale 1 of 19
Get 4 Weeks of Farm and Dairy Home Delivered Sign Up for your FREE Trial
A West Yorkshire poultry farmer has been handed a suspended jail term following neglect and cockfighting offences.

Douglas Price, of Valley Farm, Bradford, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court on 8 September in relation to a number of animal welfare offences.

West Yorkshire Police attended the farm in February last year and found 22 hens and cockerels in makeshift pens, some without food and water, and some suffering from feather loss and injuries consistent with fighting.

Seized mobile phone footage later revealed that Price, 39, was keeping and training the birds to fight.

The vet found that a total of 14 hens and cockerels were in a state of neglect and some had been caused unnecessary suffering.

One dead cockerel was located at the scene, and three birds were subsequently put to sleep on the advice of the vet.

RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby, who helped the police investigate, said: All of the birds at the site appeared to be underweight with feather loss on their chest and the majority of them were bald in this area.

"On closer observation, a number of the cockerels had injuries and all appeared to have had their combs cut.

"There was a limited amount of food and water provided in each pen and some had no provisions at all."

In mitigation, the court heard that Price is illiterate, with no formal education, and is also the sole carer for his children and grandchildren.

He runs a working farm and so his business and his home could be at risk if he lost his liberty, and any disqualification order would impact his ability to run the farm.

For causing unnecessary suffering and failing to meet the needs of hens and cockerels, Price was handed a suspended sentence of three months for each offence to run concurrently.

For the training of birds to fight, he was given a six month suspended sentence bringing his custodial term to nine months. This was suspended for a period of 18 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 20 rehabilitation activity days and 100 hours of unpaid work for the benefit of the community.

The poultry owner was disqualified from keeping hens and cockerels for 12 months.
Farmers are campaigning to save the Herdwick sheep breed within the Lake District amid fears that upland farming there faces 'extinction'.

The farmers, who have launched an online petition, warn that the breed is on the 'brink of being wiped out' amid declines in sheep numbers in the region.

They propose a new Lake District Engagement Body (LDEB) is set up by the government with remit to ensure all plans and policies are agreed, with input from local famers.

Keith Rowand is one of many upland farmers throughout the Lake District struggling to keep the Herdwick sheep breed, which is synonymous with the area, thriving.

He warns that upland farming in the Lake District faces "extinction by those that are responsible for preserving it under the auspices of the World Heritage site".

Defra, English Nature, the National Trust, the Lake District National Planning Board are blamed for urging farmers to "reduce numbers and offer money for re-wilding".

He says this is "at odds" with the core Lake District Special Qualities and Outstanding Universal Value for inscription as a World Heritage site.

The farmers, who launched the petition, say: "These bodies continue with hidden agendas to turn the Lake District into a tourism destination without heed for preserving the agro-pastoralism embedded over centuries that is the core attribute of the Lake District.

"In the words of Tim Farron, MP for South Lakes, 'by intention or by accident the government is going to massively undermine what the Lake District looks like.'"

The farmers are seeking 10,000 signatures to get a response from the government and 100,000 to get the matter debated in parliament.

"The World Heritage status may well be lost and gone forever," they warn, "The two outcomes are causal and irrevocable.

"The Lake District you know is changing and for the worst."
The government must 'double efforts' to unlock 'damaging' post-Brexit loss of trade with the rest of the EU, NFU Scotland has said.

The call comes following the recent resumption of Scottish seed potato trade with Northern Ireland, which had been halted since Brexit.

However, sales of seed potatoes to the EU remain blocked following Brexit, which saw valuable trade in UK seed potatoes to all European markets lost overnight.

Before the UK left the bloc, Scotland sold an estimated 22,000 tonnes of seed potatoes to European customers.

NFU Scotland said the UK government must 're-double its efforts to resolve this impasse'.

The Windsor Framework agreement and the introduction of green channels for goods traded between Scotland and NI saw sales of seed potatoes specifically recognised in the text of the agreement.

That was a significant breakthrough, and 30 September marks the re-opening of the Northern Irish market for Scottish growers.

However, NFU Scotland said the overnight loss of the European market for Scottish seed was "a very damaging post-Brexit consequence".

The union's vice president, Andrew Connon said: With trade in seed potatoes to the rest of Europe still denied, we continue to lobby both UK government and the EU to re-establish this hugely important trade link.

It is widely known that potato stocks in Europe are now under threat due to plant disease pressures and it is time that the EU Commission listened to its member states who are desperately in need of fresh high health Scottish seed potatoes.

The lack of availability to high health seed potatoes to grow healthy crops, compounded by some extreme weather, is having an impact on potato supplies and availability across Europe.

Common sense and commercial reality need to prevail over political gamesmanship.

Gordon MP Richard Thomson has welcomed the 30 September date confirmation for the restart of seed trade, but reacted 'with disbelief' that the UK government hasnt raised the issue of exports to the EU since March.

The SNP MP said: Having a date for the resumption of seed potato exports to Northern Ireland is undoubtedly welcome and provides certainty where previously there was none.

However, the admission from Defra that the issue of lifting the ban on exports to the EU has not been discussed for nearly six months is absolutely astounding.

"I worry that it provides an indication of the importance  or lack of  that the UK government attaches to restoring Scottish seed potatoes  renowned the world over for their high quality  to their rightful export markets."

He said it was 'simply unacceptable' that producers across Scotland have had to endure the disruption of being able to get seed potatoes into another part of the UK.

"We find Defra has effectively been asleep at the wheel for months when it should have been driving the negotiations to get our markets back," Mr Thomson added.
The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act must be expanded to include agricultural equipment such as GPS systems, the NFU has said, amid a recent surge in thefts.

The call for action follows months of collaboration between the industry and government which led to the passing of the act, aimed at deterring the theft of quads and ATVs.

However, the legislation does not cover high-value equipment such as GPS systems, which are frequently targeted by highly organised criminal gangs.

Farm machinery theft cost the UK a staggering 49 million in 2022 alone, according to NFU Mutual.

A surge in the theft of tractor GPS units cost the UK over 500,000 in the first four months of 2023, more than double compared to the same period in 2022.

In one incident, thieves targeted GPS systems worth approximately 150,000 across farms in Norfolk.

Other rural crime challenges include hare coursing and livestock worrying. Industry organisations successfully campaignedfor legislative changes regarding hare coursing which were included in the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill.

The NFU is pushing for the government to follow through its commitment to introduce legislation, originally included in the Kept Animals Bill, to tackle livestock worrying.

NFU vice president David Exwood warned that gangs have 'plagued' the British countryside in recent years, stealing livestock, valuable farm machinery and expensive GPS equipment.

We urge government to pass secondary legislation to widen the scope of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to include other equipment, such as larger machinery or GPS systems, and to fulfil its commitments on livestock worrying.

Farms often double as family homes and small businesses and these crimes have a significant impact on farming families, both financially and emotionally, and have left many rural communities feeling vulnerable and intimidated.

The creation of the National Rural Crime Unit is a positive step that the NFU has long asked for. We look forward to seeing the benefits of intelligence sharing and increased collaboration that it will bring.

Bob Henderson, NFU Mutual lead on rural crime, said the insurer's figures showed that the cost of rural theft had increased by 22% to 49.5m in 2022.

He said: We are proud to provide support and funding for the National Rural Crime Unit, which will strengthen work across the UK ensuring dedicated police resources are targeted where they are needed most.

"We welcome the work by the NFU to bring in changes in legislation to protect farmers and the wider rural community."
Rural campaigners have welcomed an announcement from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) after it shelved plans to licence the release of game birds for 2024/2025 season.

NRW said that given the sheer volume of responses- 42,000- to their recent consultation, it would not be achievable to bring in any changes in line with its current timeline.

It is now unclear whether the licencing plans will come into effect, with the regulatory body stating that it had discussed with Welsh government whether licencing would be required at all in the future.

Rural groups, shoot owners, and representative of the hospitality trade had warned that the plans risked devastating the rural economy, while negatively impacting conservation efforts.

Over 12,500 people signed a direct response to NRW, orchestrated by the Countryside Alliance, while shooting groups organised several public meetings to drum up opposition to the proposed scheme.

The value of shooting in Wales is worth some 75 million to the economy and provides the equivalent of 2,400 full time jobs.

Campaigners say shooting provides Wales with a 365 day a year tourism industry, supporting village pubs, hotels and eateries in the quieter winter months when passing trade is bleak.

Responding to NRWs announcement today (20 September), the Countryside Alliance warned that there was 'never any justification' for its proposals.

It said there was 'no evidence' game shooting had any negative impact on the Welsh countryside, arguing the 'opposite is true'.

The group's chief executive, Tim Bonner, said: We believe that vast bulk of those 42,000 cited responses came from the shooting community, who opposed the proposal to licence release which would have provided a vehicle for politicians to progressively restrict shooting.

The overwhelming impression in rural communities is that this is just another episode of Cardiff against the countryside and the Welsh government has a particular prejudice against shooting.

"Shooting has huge environmental, social and economic benefits for rural communities and our advice to Ministers would be to drop the proposal completely or face a bitter fight with countryside.
Police in Staffordshire are urging for more information following a spate of thefts on farms in recent days, including two tractors and a high-value GPS system.

Staffordshire Police has appealed for information after thieves stole a blue New Holland tractor from the Flashbrook area, near Newport.

Between 13 September and 14 September, 'unknown persons' removed two tractors from a farmyard, drove them through a hedge and then proceeded to abandon one of the tractors while stealing the second.

A few days earlier, between 11-12 September, a separate incident saw thieves target a farm in the Newborough area of Burton-on-Trent.

They stole a tractor and its GPS system, including the internal screen, to the value of 10,000, according to the force.

Staffordshire Police said: "If you have any information that may assist us or help identify those responsible then please contact us on 101, or via our website quoting reference number 200 of the 14 September 2023

"If you have been offered a GPS System, saw or heard anything suspicious in the area of Newborough please contact police on 101 ref SP-20230912-0131."

It comes as the NFU today called for the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to be expanded link text to include agricultural equipment such as GPS systems.

Farm machinery theft cost the UK a staggering 49 million in 2022 alone, according to figures by NFU Mutual.

A surge in the theft of tractor GPS units cost the UK over 500,000 in the first four months of 2023, more than double compared to the same period in 2022.
Bats could hold important clues to beating cancer.

Bats could help cure cancer

A new study shows that rapid evolution in the animals could explain their ability to host and survive infections - as well as avoid cancer.

Experts writing for the Genome Biology and Evolution journal studied the Jamaican fruit bat and the Mesoamerican mustached bat and compared their genetic sequencing with a diverse collection of bats and other mammals.

The team found a number of genetic adaptations - including 46 that were cancer-related.

Dr. Armin Scheben, from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in the US, said: "These investigations are the first step towards translating research on the unique biology of bats into insights relevant to treating diseases, such as cancer, in humans."
King Charles is said to have demanded mushrooms for his meal at the Palace of Versailles as they remind him of his late mum.

King Charles is said to have demanded mushrooms for his meal at the Palace of Versailles as they remind him of his late mum

The monarch, 74, will enjoy a state banquet on Wednesday (20.09.23) night with his wife Queen Camilla, 75, and an insider has said he requested the fungi as they were such a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth, who died aged 96 in September at her Balmoral estate in Scotland.

A French government source told the Daily Mail: They remind them of the late Queen.

Another source added Charles has issued other culinary demands for the meal.

Three of the best foie gras chefs in France will reportedly be banned from using the fattened duck delicacy when they cook at the banquet.

Asparagus, which was on the menu for the feast in March before the royal trip was postponed amid rioting across France over pension reforms, has also been ruled out as it is out of season.

The insider said: The King has banned foie gras from his residences in Britain, so there was no possibility of him eating it in France.

He doesnt want asparagus that is out of season either, because shipping it in is environmentally damaging, but there will be a mushroom gratin, which was a favourite of Queen Elizabeth.

We understand that Charles was out foraging for mushrooms just before his mothers death in Scotland.

Foie gras is considered particularly cruel because it is made by force feeding ducks or geese until their livers become swollen.

Michelin-starred chefs Yannick Alleno, Anne-Sophie Pic and Pierre Herme are said to have finalised a menu together that was sent to London for approval.

All are well known for using foie gras in their cooking, with pastry chef Mr Herme using it in his chocolate macaroons.

The menu at Versailles will reportedly include blue lobster and pot crab with a veil of fresh almonds and peppermint as a starter.

It is said to have been created by Anne-Sophie Pic, the only French chef with three Michelin stars.

For the main course there will apparently be bresse chicken with corn and a porcini mushroom gratin, followed by cheeses including 30-month-old Comte and Stichelton English blue.

Desert will be Isfahan Persian macaroon.

Wines costing more than 400 a bottle will also be on offer, along with Pol Roger Winston Churchill 2013 Champagne.
Liam Payne has been discharged from hospital in Italy after falling ill on a trip to Lake Como.

Liam Payne fell ill on holiday with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy

The 30-year-old former One Direction star was rushed to a medical centre in Milan in for emergency treatment after being struck down with agonising kidney pain during a holiday with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy and doctors are believed to have wanted to keep him under their care for up to a week so they could run tests.

Kate has now given an update revealing Liam is out of hospital and doing well. In a post on TikTok on Tuesday (19.09.23), she told her followers: "He is doing so much better. He is out of the hospital and he is in good hands."

It comes days after Liam's mum Karen Payne admitted she was terribly worried about her son after he was rushed to hospital in Italy. She told MailOnline: "We are all worried sick about it but we just have to get on. Its horrible  him being all the way over there. Its such a horrible situation and we just hope hes in the best place possible.

"'Hes in Milan and it sounds like hell be there for a week. I feel helpless."

A source previously told The Sun newspaper: "Liam is in a bad way but hes in the best place he can be and finally doctors will be able to get to the bottom of what is going on. Naturally he is gutted that his and Kates trip to Lake Como has been ruined but at least she was there to help him when he fell ill ... They want to do every test possible to understand the issue fully but they now suspect that there has been an underlying issue for a while that has been getting worse."

It's not yet known whether Liam has been well enough to fly home to the UK, but Kate was spotted enjoying a night out in London on Tuesday (19.09.23). Liam's health scare came just weeks after he revealed he'd been treated in hospital for a serious kidney infection which prompted him to axe a number of tour dates in South America.
Travis Barker is "constantly checking" on his pregnant wife Kourtney Kardashian after rejoining his tour with Blink-182.

Travis Barker is said to be checking in on pregnant Kourtney Kardashian while he's away on tour

The rocker rushed home from the road earlier this month when Kourtney was admitted to hospital to undergo "urgent fetal surgery" to save their unborn baby - forcing the band to postpone a number of shows - and he later rejoined his bandmates in Europe while his partner recovered at home, but Travis is said to be in regular contact to make sure she's alright.

A source told Etonline.com: "Travis is constantly checking in on her and making sure she's feeling OK ... [He] can't wait to be home with her and is so grateful that she's doing well and that their future baby is healthy."

The insider added: "Kourtney is focusing on taking care of herself and making sure everyone in her family is feeling good across the board. Travis and Kourtney are very united, their kids are getting along, and everyone is excited for the baby to arrive."

The baby is expected to arrive any time between October and December while Travis is due to finish the current leg of Blink-182's tour in Las Vegas on October 22. The tour then takes a break before resuming in Perth, Australia on February 8.

Kourtney - who has three other children with her ex Scott Disick - addressed the health scare in a post on Instagram, thanking Travis for rushing home from his tour with Blink-182 to be by her side. She wrote: "I will be forever grateful to my incredible doctors for saving our babys life. I am eternally grateful to my husband who rushed to my side from tour to be with me in the hospital and take care of me afterwards, my rock. And to my mom, thank you for holding my hand through this.

"As someone who has had three really easy pregnancies in the past, I wasnt prepared for the fear of rushing into urgent foetal surgery. I dont think anyone who hasnt been through a similar situation can begin to understand that feeling of fear. I have a whole new understanding and respect for the mamas who have had to fight for their babies while pregnant.

"Praise be to God. Walking out of the hospital with my baby boy in my tummy and safe was the truest blessing."
Tyson Fury tried to pay Netflix to stop filming his reality show because he found it so "overwhelming".

Tyson Fury was keen to ditch his Netflix reality show just weeks after filming started

The boxer stars in fly-on-the-wall series 'At Home With The Furys' alongside his wife Paris and their children, but the WBC heavyweight champion has admitted he was desperate to ditch the cameras and even offered to hand over cash to the streaming service in a bid to bring the project to an early end.

Speaking to Queensberry Promotions, he explained: "I wanted to get rid of the filming. I couldn't take it any more, it was overwhelming. I tried to pay my way out of it, but I couldn't, so we got through it."

However, Tyson is glad Netflix turned down his offer to stop filming because the series has been such a success.

He added: "I was happy I didn't [stop filming] because it's turned out to be a number one hit and a fantastic show  a fantastic insight in[to] a crazy family and the mind of a mental, crazy person."

In an interview with Capital XTRA Breakfast , Tyson also admitted he consulted his lawyers in a bid to find a way to get out of filming. He said: "Yeah I wanted out. I was like, couple of weeks in I said 'Is there any way?', I'd be on the phone with my lawyers 'Is there any way I can get out of this?'

"I don't know what I've signed up for again. I never said I'd do it again, I've done it again, I've made a mistake."

Tyson previously opened up about his experience filming the show in an episode of YouTube series 'Sundae Conversation with Caleb Pressley', admitting he didn't understand why the cameras didn't follow his every move.

He said: "(It's) proper bulls**t. I said you need to film me taking a s***, you need to film me having a shower, you need to film me in the bath and they said, 'Nope, can't do it.'"
In just a few years, a train will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan, and we cant wait





The beautiful Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan shares a border of 605 kilometres with India. Our country is also Bhutans largest trading partner. India accounts for 90 % of its imports and 98 % of its exports.



Now links between the two countries will be further strengthened when the Indian government funds a railway line into Bhutan.



The 57.5-kilometre-long railway line will connect Kokrajhar in the Northeast Indian state of Assam with Gelephu in Sarpang in the Himalayan kingdom. The project will cost an estimated Rs 10 billion and is expected to be ready in 2026.







The construction of the railway line into Bhutan is part of the Indian governments plan for extensive expansion of the north eastern regions railway infrastructure. It is expected to herald further expansion of the railway network in the eastern and southern regions of both the countries, especially in areas such as Phuentsholing, Samtse, Nganglam, and Samdrup Jongkhar.



Bhutan, rich in history and culture, only opened itself to tourism in 1974, and has since been on the travel bucket lists of many who seek the spirituality and scenic beauty of this destination. However, there have been a series of setbacks since the travel bans and lockdowns brought about by the COVID-19, as well as an unsuccessful increase in the daily sustainability tourist fee. Although the country has since reduced the fee from $ 200 to $ 100, the tourism industry in Bhutan is still struggling to get back to its pre-pandemic levels. The construction of this railway line from India should go a long way in encouraging tourism and better relations between the two countries, and help make Bhutan an extension for international visitors to India as well.



Images: Shutterstock





Also Read: Coming Soon: A Chance To Shack Up On The Beach In The Andamans
Sacred Games

The Family Man

Mirzapur

Delhi Crime

Breathe

Paatal Lok

Scam 1992: The Harshad Mehta Story

Dahaad

Farzi

Asur

Theres nothing better than a crime thriller done well. Gangs, serial killers, and criminal investigations continue to dominate and hold our fascination. The Indian streaming space is populated with some of the best shows in the genre. From the thrilling Mirzapur to the Emmy-winning Delhi Crime, there is no dearth of titles that hit the right spot. With newer shows likeand Kaala coming in, here is a list of essential crime thrillers to add to your watchlist.In Sacred Games, Nawazuddin Siddiquis character says, "Chaand pe hai apun," and thats just how high the show sets the bar for not just crime thriller shows but for Hindi web series. Directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap and featuring some great performances from Saif Ali Khan, Siddiqui, Radhika Apte, Pankaj Tripathi, and others, the show is an engaging crime saga. It revolves around two very different mena struggling cop and a local gangster. What ensues is a gripping cat-and-mouse case, with the city of Mumbai at stake. From quotable dialogues to hilarious viral memes, audiences were hooked.The combination of Raj & DKs genius and Manoj Bajpayees performance is like idli and sambhar; one cannot go wrong. The Family Man, starring Bajpayee, Sharib Hashmi, Samantha, Priyamani, and others, is a crime thriller with plenty of humour to balance out its gritty arcs. The show follows a seemingly regular man with a middle-class lifestyle who works as a covert operative at the National Investigation Agency. He is tasked with some serious missions, but at the same time, he needs to keep up appearances as a married man who has bills to pay. As the pressure mounts, his dual lives are threatened due to his job. Bajpayee and Hashmis onscreen chemistry was the cherry on top of thecake here.Mirzapur had a lot going for it. For starters, the show featured some of Indias finest actors. Pankaj Tripathi, Alia Fazal, Vikrant Massey, Rasika Dugal, Divyendu Sharma, and others brought their A-game to the crime drama set in the heartland of India. The story is about the people who inhabit the crime-ridden city: a local kingpin in the arms and drugs business, his faithful henchman, two brothers who serve the criminal overlord, a frustrated housewife, and more. The show takes a bunch of tropes and blends them into one bloody milkshake. After the success of the first two instalments, a much-awaited third season is on its way.Based on the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, also known as the Nirbhaya case, Delhi Crime chronicles the aftermath of the brutal assault. Directed by Richie Mehta and Tanuj Chopra, the show features brilliant performances by Shefali Shah, Rajesh Tailang, Rasika Dugal, Adil Hussain, and others. The show is a well-researched, nuanced take on the Delhi Polices investigation of the shocking real-life crime. With its pacey action and hard-hitting subject, the show grabbed eyeballs and even earned a history-making Emmy award in the Best Drama Series category. This was the first time an Indian show won an Emmy.The 2018 show Breathe is a somewhat underrated crime thriller in the genre. Starring R. Madhavan and Amit Sadh, the show revolves around a man who resorts to bending the rules to save his son, who has weak lungs and is running out of time. Meanwhile, an alcoholic cop begins to notice unrelated deaths and discovers a pattern. The basic premise of the show is just how far an ordinary person will go to protect their family. Both Madhavan and Sadh give great performances in a show that is at once bizarre and brilliant.arrived amidst the pandemic when audiences were hooked on OTT platforms. But thats not the only reason for its success. The Sudip Sharma-created series features a perfectly cast ensemble, including Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhishek Banerjee, Neeraj Kabi, Ishwak Singh, and more. Between the nail-biting plot, the neo-noir style, and Banerjees scene-stealing Hathora Tyagi, the show is a stunning addition to the genre. While it can get gory, the violence isnt for the sake of sensationalization. It is one of the shows that builds up to a finale thats wholly worth it.Its impossible not to think of the catchy title track at the mention of. The show, helmed by Hansal Mehta, is a lesson in screenplay, acting, and dialogue, among other things. The show is based on convicted stockbroker Harshad Mehta, who pulled off a major stock market scam where he misappropriated 2.8 million shares of around 90 companies. The show essentially put Pratik Gandhi on the map, as the actor became one of the best names in OTT very quickly after its release. Following the success of Scam 1992, Hansal Mehtas Scam 2003: The Telgi Story was released recently.Dahaad, Sonakshi Sinhas OTT debut had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival as a part of the Berlinale Series before hitting Indian streaming. The show, which also features Vijay Varma, follows sub-inspector Anjali Bhaati, who is tasked with investigating the case of a missing woman. As she goes deeper into the investigation in spite of those around her dismissing it as a case of elopement, she unravels a series of disappearances that lead her to a serial killer. While Sonakshi delivers a convincing performance, Vijay plays the cold-hearted serial killer to perfection.Speaking of OTT debuts, Shahid Kapoor made his debut with. The show, helmed by Raj and DK, took on counterfeit cash. Between Kapoors charm, Vijay Sethupathis natural performance, and Bhuvan Aroras breakout role, the show pretty much kept getting its casting right. It revolves around an artist who decides to use his familys printing press to manufacture fake money. The crime-comedy is a binge-worthy ride from start to finish.Asur mixes mind-bending twists and mythology to make for the perfect cocktail of a must-watch show. Starring Arshad Warsi, Barun Sobti, Riddhi Dogra, Dhananjay Rajpoot, and others, the show is about a forensic unit that sets out to nab a serial killer who is convinced that he is the reincarnation of Asura Kali. The show became a huge hit with viewers upon its release. It also got a second season following the success of the first instalment.
Actor and Producer Anil Kapoor has taken legal action to safeguard his Publicity/Personality rights. He has filed a suit in the Delhi High Court, requesting a permanent injunction against the unauthorized use of his name, voice, signature, image, or any attribute exclusively linked to him for commercial or personal gain without his consent. This move reflects Kapoor's commitment to protecting his identity and reputation in an era of rampant digital content sharing.

Sharing his thoughts on the legal suit, Anil Kapoor shares, "I had filed a suit in Delhi high court through my lawyer Mr. Ameet Naik for protection of my personality rights including my name, image, likeness, voice and other attributes of my personality against any misuse including on digital media. The suit has various instances of misuse of my attributes."

"The court has after a detailed hearing granted an order acknowledging my personality rights and restraining all offenders from misusing my personality attributes including my name, image, likeness, voice etc without my permission in any manner including through artificial intelligence, deep fakes, GIFs. etc. my intention is not to interfere with anyone's freedom or expression or to penalise anyone. My personality is my life's work and I've worked hard to build it. With this lawsuit, I'm seeking protection of my personality rights to prevent against it's misuse in any way, particularly in the current scenario with rapid changes in technology and tools like artificial intelligence that are easily misused to the detriment of the owners of such rights."

Anil Kapoor's name, likeness, voice, or any other feature of his identity may not be used by anybody to produce items, ringtones, or other products, according to the ruling issued by Justice Prathiba M. Singh.

In cases where such actions are likely to infringe against Kapoor's rights, the Court additionally prohibited the use of artificial intelligence systems to morph his image as well as the usage of his image in GIFs for monetary benefit or commercial purposes.

On the work front Anil Kapoor's AKFCN produced film "Thank You For Coming" was recently premiered at the Toronto international Film Festival and received a standing ovation. The film is set to release on October 6th, 2023 and fans cannot wait to see this coming age of comedy.
Parineeti Chopra-Raghav Chadha Wedding: The countdown to the much-anticipated wedding of Bollywood star Parineeti Chopra and politician Raghav Chadha has officially begun. The couple are all set to tie the nuptial knot on September 24 in the picturesque city of Udaipur.

While we eagerly anticipate the wedding, Parineeti and Raghav's pre-wedding festivities started with an intimate mehendi ceremony in the National Capital. The first glimpses of the couple's pre-wedding rituals have now been leaked.

PARINEETI CHOPRA-RAGHAV CHADHA'S MEHENDI CEREMONY

Raghav Chadha's residence in New Delhi was a sight to behold as it lit up for the mehendi ceremony, welcoming close relatives and friends of the bride and groom.

The viral picture that is reportedly from their ardaas ceremony, a Sikh prayer seeking divine blessings showcases the couple with their heads bowed and hands folded. However, one striking detail from the leaked photos was the intricate henna on the hands of the Ishaqzaade actress, that was spotted by the eagle-eyed netizens.

The pictures shows the couple twinning for the pre-wedding rituals, in soft pink ethnic outfits. Check out the picture.

Earlier, a video was shared by a paparazzi on social media that showed Raghav Chadha's all decked up for the mehendi ceremony. The guests were also seen arrving for the event. Check it out here.

RAGHAV CHADHA-PARINEETI CHOPRA WEDDING DETAILS

Meanwhile, as per reports, Parineeti and Raghav's main event will be held at the Taj Lake, while most of the celebrations will take place at the Leela Palace in Udaipur.

The couple, both Punjabis, will treat their guests to a Punjabi menu during the pre-wedding festivities. Additionally, guests will savor local Rajasthani delicacies.

It is also reported that Raghav will make a unique entrance on a boat, ditching the traditional horse. The couple has also planned tourist activities for their guests amidst tight security arrangements.
Parineeti-Raghav Wedding: Actor Parineeti Chopra is a well-known face in the film industry. She has been in the headlines ever since she got engaged to AAP leader Raghav Chadha earlier this year in a lovely intimate ceremony.

And now the highly anticipated wedding is nearing, as Parineeti is all set to tie the knot with her love this weekend in a dreamy royal wedding in Udaipur on September 24.

The preparations are in full swing, and the pre-wedding festivities kicked off with ardas and kirtan on Wednesday, September 2. Raghav's Delhi residence has been beautifully decorated with lights for Sufi night.

Piryanka Chopra's mom Madhu & brother Sidharth arrive at Raghav-Parineeti's sufi night

On Wednesday, a sufi night was organised at Raghav Chadha's Delhi house. While Parineeti's first cousin, Priyanaka Chopra Jonas, is yet to touch down in Delhi, the early arrivals from the family were PeeCee's mother, Parineeti's aunt, Madhu Chopra, and her brother, Siddharth.

Madhu Chopra looked ravishing in a white salwar suit with ruffled details and adorned with floral designs, while Sidharth Chopra opted for a stylish black Indo-western ensemble. They both graciously posed for the paps for a brief moment and were all smiles as they made their way inside the venue.

Parineeti-Raghav Wedding: From Sehrabandhi To Pheras, A Complete Timeline Of Pre-Wedding Ceremonies

Designer Pawan Sachdeva, who is the parental uncle of Raghav Chadha and has designed the groom's outfits for all the functions, was also spotted at the venue. He also spoke to the paps and informed them that Parineeti looked beautiful in her Sufi night attire.

Parineeti's father, Pawan Chopra, was also waved at paparazzi before entering the venue.

More about Parineeti-Raghav wedding

Parineeti and Raghav will tie the knot in Udaipur on September 24 amid a close knot function. The two-day lavish ceremony will take place at The Leela Palace, and as per reports, Raghav's Sehrabandi ceremony will commence at 1 pm at the enchanting Taj Lake Palace with the theme of 'Threads of Blessings.'

It will be followed by a Baraat procession to the main venue, where the Jaimala ceremony is slated to happen at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Pheras at 4 p.m.

The vidai is at 6:30 p.m and a spectacular reception gala, titled 'A Night of Amore,' is scheduled to be held on September 30 at 8:30 pm in Chandigarh.

Parineeti-Raghav Wedding: Bride Pari Picks THIS Celebrity Designer For Her BIG Day; Check Deets
Sheena Chohan, a versatile actor known for her work in "The Trail," "The Fame Game" and "The City of Dreams," talks about how she's celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi visiting Lal Bagh this year dressed as her character Avali in the upcoming Sant Tukaram biopic.

Sheena shares, "Visiting Lal Bagh Gali for the first time during Ganpati celebrations in Mumbai, dressed like my character in my upcoming Sant Tukaram film, was a transformative experience. Amidst the vibrant colors and artistry, I learned that Ganesha is not just made here; he's woven into the very fabric of Mumbai's culture."

The actress has also shared a dance video on her social, paying tribute to Lord Ganesha. Talking about the same, she states, "To dress like and embody this important woman in Marathi history, during the Ganpati celebrations, was my way of celebrating this important festival. It was also very special for me performing to this divine song of Ganpati Bappa and pay my tribute to him."

In her upcoming Hindi feature film, Sant Tukaram, directed by Aditya Om- the character, which she plays opposite Subodh Bhave, is a Marathi born historic role who is Sant Tukaram's wife - Avali.

Speaking about the character she mentions, "She is fiercely independent. She has beliefs, is full of integrity and is unwaveringly truthful in her love, in her devotion. Even in the hardest parts of her journey, she carries so much grace and dignity and those were the parts that I connected to, that she went through the worst adversities but held herself with such courage and determination."
Vijay Antony's Tragic Loss And Online Controversy: Devastating news shook the entire Tamil film industry yesterday as the daughter of music composer and actor Vijay Antony tragically took her own life.

Sai Pallavi's Marriage: Unraveling The Truth Behind Viral Wedding Photo And Rumored Husband

This loss profoundly affects Vijay Antony, who himself endured the pain of his father's suicide when he was just 7 years old.

Meanwhile, a few days prior to his daughter's tragic passing, the controversy involving Vijay Antony and the actor's subsequent response gained significant traction online. The actor's most recent social media post was directly related to this matter.

AR Rahman's 'Marakkuma Nenjam' concert in Chennai on the night of September 10, 2023, triggered public outrage when attendees encountered distressing experiences while attempting to attend the event. An outcry on social media led some to label the entire event as 'a scam,' until A R Rahman personally reached out to ticket holders and ensured direct refunds. As an ongoing police investigation targets the event organizers, ACTC Events, a conspiracy theory has emerged suggesting that the incident may have been instigated by individuals associated with the Tamil Nadu BJP, particularly BJP leader Annamalai, along with BJP party members and notable Kollywood musicians such as Dheena, Vijay Antony, and Gangai Amaran.

A YouTube channel named Mars Tamil Nadu claimed that composer Vijay Antony is collaborating with a former associate of AR Rahman. They alleged that this partnership played a significant role in the distribution of counterfeit Marakkuma Nenjam concert tickets, particularly in Karnataka, where a substantial number of fraudulent tickets were reportedly sold.

Vijay Antony's Response To The Allegations

Vijay Antony responded to these allegations by not only refuting any suggested connections but also announcing his intent to take legal action. His statement reads as follows:

"Dear friends,

Greetings to all those who hold me dear,

With a heavy heart, I am addressing certain controversies in this letter.

A YouTuber, through her channel, has spread a false rumour linking me and my brother, A.R. Rahman, in an issue.

This is entirely untrue!

I am taking legal action by filing a defamation case against that YouTube channel.

Furthermore, I have made the decision to donate all the funds obtained from this defamation case to support struggling friends in the music industry.

Yours sincerely,

Vijay Antony"

Miss Shetty Mr Polishetty OTT Release Date And Time, Streaming Platform And Other Exciting Details

A few days after this incident, an even more tragic event occurred in Vijay Antony's life: the loss of his daughter. Now, under his social media post, comments are pouring in, offering condolences and paying tribute to Vijay Antony's daughter.
Blue Shirt Maran Criticize Cool Suresh: Cool Suresh got famous by playing Silambrasan TR's friend in his early films. Cool Suresh, who has acted only in a few films, is currently generating income mainly by promoting films in a controversial way.

Cheap Publicity Turns Into Harrasment

In this case, Blue Shirt Maran has severely criticized the way Cool Suresh behaved at the music launch of the film Sarakku. Cool Suresh, who came back to the lime-light, is invited by many producers to speak at their film events inorder to get cheap publicity.

Cool Suresh is now making it as his fulltime job to talk controversially and get everyone into trouble. Cool Suresh's performance at the audio launch of the film Sarakku in this sequence caused a lot of controversy again.

Blue Sattai Maran Slams Tamil Media For Not BoyCotting Cool Suresh

At the music launch of Mansoor Ali Khan starrer Sarakku, Cool Suresh suddenly put a garland on the female host Aishwarya Ragupathi who anchored the show without even asking her permission. Anchor Aishwarya who got tensed due to this cheap behaviour of Cool Suresh threw the garland on the stage immediately.

As film journalists objected, Mansoor Ali Khan apologized on behalf of Cool Suresh. After this, Cool Suresh released a video apologizing publicly today. In it he said, "Fans expect that the programs I participate to be fun. Thinking like that, I garlanded that girl. That is really a big mistake. I apologize publicly for that. I will not indulge in such mistakes again. Also, the Sarakku crew has nothing to do with this incident."

This video is going viral on social media. However, Blue Shirt Maran strongly opposed this and also criticized Cool Suresh. "Cool Suresh keeps acting silly like this in movie shows. He has a habit of doing everything and apologizing every time and then making the same mistake again." says Blue Sattai Maran. He also questioned the Tamil media for not boycotting Cool Suresh. Many netizens are supporting this Twitter post of Blue Shirt Maran.
Vijay Antony's daughter Meera Antony's unfortunate demise has sent a wave of shock and grief across Kollywood. It was reported that Vijay's 16 year old daughter Meera, who was said to be battling stress, died by suicide on September 19. She was found in her Chennai residence and while she was rushed to the hospital, Meera was declared brought dead.

While several theories are being discussed about the reason behind Meera taking the drastic step, the case, which is being investigated by the cops, took a new turn after a letter was recovered from one of her textbooks. According to media reports, Meera's last letter was found 'stuck' in her textbook.

Vijay Antony's Daughter Funeral: Meera's Last Rites Delayed For THIS Reason; Cremation To Take Place Today

The letter had Meera's last words which is leaving everyone teary-eyed. According to a report published in AsiaNet, in her last letter, the young girl sent love to her friends and teachers and said that she will miss them. Meera wrote, "I will miss my friends teachers. May everyone be safe and happy. Love you all!! Thank you all!!"

According to media reports, Meera studied in a private school and was quite good with studies and extra-curricular activities. In fact, Vijay's wife Fatima had shared a video from one of Meera's school events. In the video, Meera was seen dressed in a white uniform and was wearing a sash. As per the video, Meera was seen taking a pledge as a secretary of a particular department in the school. It was evident that Meera was quite active with the extracurricular activities. Sharing the video, Fatima wrote, "Thank you lord for all these Blessing, we r unworthy, ur love is great. congrats Meera Vijay Antony" followed by heart and hugs emoticons.

Vijay Antony's Daughter Meera's Old Video From School Goes Viral & It Will Leave You Emotional; WATCH

It is also reported that Meera was battling stress for a while and was undergoing a treatment for the same. As of now, stress is touted to be the main reason behind Meera's drastic step.

Reportedly, Meera's last rites will take place today at Kilpakkam cemeteryThe reports further suggested Meera's funeral will take place as per Christian rituals and the last rites will take place on September 20 morning between 8 am and 11 am.
Parthiban About Vijay Antony's Daughter Meera Suicide: Actor and director Parthiban Radhakrishnan came to console Vijay Antony, who is grieving the loss of his daughter. Parthiban said that the number of students in the schools should be reduced.

Depression For A 16-Year-Old Child?

Actor and music composer Vijay Antony's daughter Meera committed suicide by hanging herself at home early morning yesterday. This incident has plunged the entire Tamil film industry into grief.

Vijay Antony's daughter Meera is said to be suffering from depression for the past one year. It is also said that Meera has been treated at Kaveri Hospital. Meera, who is only 16 years old, was studying in class 12th at Church Park School. It was announced that the last rites of Meera will be held at Chennai Kilpauk yesterday evening, but due to lack of space in the cemetery, it has been announced that the last rites of Meera will be held today between 8 am and 11 am.

Thalapathy Vijay's mother Shoba, director Parthiban Radhakrishnan, actor Siddharth actor, actor Prabhu Deva and many others have directly come to Vijay Antony's residence and consoled him. Meera's school teachers are also coming to pay their respects in tears.

Teachers Should Monitor The Students

Parthiban, who came to pay his respects to Meera said "The number of students in the schools should be reduced and the teachers should monitor the students, because the children spend more time in the school than their parents. Meera, who was a brilliant and brave girl in school, did not know what she was going through in her heart.

Vijay Antony is very gentle to me, she might have told him about her problems. Parents should give courage to their children so that nothing like this happens again, no matter what the problem may be, they should teach them that this life is only once to live happily."
The Kollywood industry witnessed one of the most heartbreaking news recently after Tamil music composer-actor Vijay Antony's teenage daughter Meera Antony passed away on September 19. According to media reports, Meera died by suicide and was found dead at their Chennai residence. While she was immediately rushed to a private hospital, Meera was declared brought dead.

As the news of Meera's unfortunate demise spread like wildfire, condolence messages were pouring in from all corners of the world. On the other hand, there were reports about Meera's last rites will be taking place on Tuesday evening. However, as per the recent update, Vijay Antony's daughter's funeral was delayed and will take place on Wednesday morning (September 20).

Vijay Antony's Daughter Suicide: Actor's Wife Fatima's Last Post For Daughter Meera Will Leave You Emotional

According to media reports, as the family requested to bury Meera at Kilpakkam cemetery, the permission for the same was delayed. The reports further suggested Meera's funeral will take place as per Christian rituals and the last rites will take place on September 20 morning between 8 am and 11 am.

Meanwhile, it is speculated, Meera was battling stress and was also seeking professional help for the same. It is reported that stress was a reason behind Meera taking the extreme step. The media reports also suggested as the cops are investigating the matter, they are questioning Meera's teachers and friends to know the exact cause behind her drastic step. Besides, Meera's mobile phone is also being examined.

Vijay Antony's Daughter Suicide: Ratham Actor Breaks Into Tears As He Takes Her Mortal Remains Home; WATCH

On the other hand, Vijay Antony's wife Fatima's heartwarming post for her daughter Meera has been going viral on social media. The post was shared early this year to celebrate Meera's achievement in the school. The post was shared on micro-blogging site Twitter (now X), wherein Meera was dressed in while uniform along with a sash dropping hints of her achievement. The post was captioned as, "The Force behind my strength, the consolations to my tears, the reason for my stress (Naughtiness super loaded) my Thangakatti-chellakutty. Meera Vijay Antony, Congrats Baby" along with heart, hug and fire emoticons.
AbhiYa new show: If we had an award for the cutest jodi in telly land, we would only give it to Jiya Shankar and Abhishek Malhan. The two celebrities have been hogging all the attention ever since they decided to feature in Bigg Boss OTT 2. Although they didn't lift the winner's trophy, the duo earned a significant fan following.

ABHISHEK MALHAN-JIYA SHANKAR JUDAIYAAN CREATE RECORDS

Be it X (earlier Twitter) or Instagram, AbhiYa have been grabbing eyeballs on all the platforms. Before they shot for their music video in Chandigarh, the two stars received a special surprise from their followers. They trended online as they featured on Times Square in New York.

Guess what? It was a surprise from their fans as they trended 'AbhiYa on Times Square'. After their music video Judaiyaan released on YouTube, it garnered over 10 million views on the first day, creating a record. Judaiyaan became the most-viewed music video in the first 24 hours of release.

Abhishek and Jiya's sizzling chemistry created ripples on the internet, generating a massive response from the audience. AbhiYa fans loved every bit of their scorching on-screen romance as their song had all the necessary ingredients. From romance and drama to heartbreak and separation, the song had elements which could strike a chord with the audience.

ABHIYA 'DESERVING WINNER' CONTROVERSY

Last week, a video went viral where Jiya Shankar and Elvish Yadav were seen talking about the 'deserving winner' of Bigg Boss OTT 2. Fans believed that Elvish and Jiya took a dig at Abhishek Malhan in their reunion video.

Jiya Shankar had to release a statement to refute the rumours. "Crazy how some people are still fighting on the internet and spreading hate! I tend to laugh on things easily that's in my nature anyway since "some" of you needed to hear it from me - that was a taunt for me too since I've said it many times publicly that deserved to win. As if this would make any difference go ahead say what you want to! Rest it's not my fight, not my words! But still want to spread hate? Go ahead waste your energy on stupid things. Love you too," her statement read.

ABHISHEK MALHAN IN BIGG BOSS 17?

According to the latest buzz, Endemol India has approached Abhishek Malhan and Jiya Shankar for Bigg Boss 17. The Twitter handle of The Khabri shared a post that read, There are rumours again. #Abhiya in BB17 don't be surprised if they accept the offer because once I said they both are still in the contract of endemol. #JiyaShankar & #FukraInsaan Refused it several times but at the moment Anything can happen. Wait for the premiere day... still we can't say anything (sic)."

Breaking !!

There are rumours again !!#Abhiya in BB17 don't be surprised if they accept the offer because once I said they both are still in the contract of endemol !!#JiyaShankar & #FukraInsaan Refused it several times but at the moment Anything can happen. Wait for the pic.twitter.com/NJtyMQvzSd  The Khabri (@thekhbri_) September 19, 2023

When we contacted a reliable source, he squashed the rumour and said, "Both Abhishek Malhan and Jiya Shankar are busy with their respective projects. It's just a false rumour. They are not doing Bigg Boss 17. The duo is interested in newer projects. They might make a special appearance in BB 17 but they are not doing a full-fledged non-fiction show that keeps them away for three months."

Do you want to see AbhiYa together in Bigg Boss 17? Tell us by sharing your thoughts at @Filmibeat.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 19, 2023 / GBCHealth

Global health is based on the deeply held belief that quality health care should be available to everyone, no matter where they are born. Despite significant progress across the planet in recent decades, there's still much more to be done to attain this goal. Entrepreneurs, innovators & bold thinkers remain a vital part of the solution, creating sustainable and novel innovations to address pressing health challenges; the future united awards were created to amplify their impact.

The awards celebrate both for-profit & non-profit organizations & individuals achieving extraordinary results in the field of global health, whether large or small, and whether working globally or locally.

Based in five different continents, the 2023 winners each bring a fresh approach to solving key problems and improving health for people around the world, and are as follows:

The Provocateur Award - Blackfrog Technologies specializes in the development of patented technologies for precision cold chain and vaccine traceability systems, including Emvolio, a patented rapid cooling technology for safe last-mile transport of vaccines, insulin, breast milk, blood serums, medications & specimens with minimal thermal shock.



specializes in the development of patented technologies for precision cold chain and vaccine traceability systems, including Emvolio, a patented rapid cooling technology for safe last-mile transport of vaccines, insulin, breast milk, blood serums, medications & specimens with minimal thermal shock. The Collaborator Award - Neotree develops technology to empower healthcare professionals in low resource settings, like Malawi and Zimbabwe, to count and care for every newborn through use of an innovative digital platform that combines data collection and visualization, digital education, clinical decision support, and quality improvement.



develops technology to empower healthcare professionals in low resource settings, like Malawi and Zimbabwe, to count and care for every newborn through use of an innovative digital platform that combines data collection and visualization, digital education, clinical decision support, and quality improvement. The Lodestar Award - Maisha Meds improves access to high-quality, affordable health care through private pharmacies and clinics - a first point of care for millions of people across Africa. Their platform combines cutting-edge technology, deliveries of vetted medications, and targeted subsidies that inform patient and provider decisions. Maisha Meds harnesses the power of the private sector to improve patient outcomes, while generating essential data insights for public health decision-makers.



improves access to high-quality, affordable health care through private pharmacies and clinics - a first point of care for millions of people across Africa. Their platform combines cutting-edge technology, deliveries of vetted medications, and targeted subsidies that inform patient and provider decisions. Maisha Meds harnesses the power of the private sector to improve patient outcomes, while generating essential data insights for public health decision-makers. The Futurist Award - OpenBiome is a pioneering nonprofit microbiome health organization based in Massachusetts that addresses systemic inequities in microbiome science to scale its impact on global health. Engaging over 80 research collaborators across nearly 40 countries, OpenBiome catalyzes cutting-edge research, advances life-saving therapies, and expands scientific capacity equitably across the globe.



is a pioneering nonprofit microbiome health organization based in Massachusetts that addresses systemic inequities in microbiome science to scale its impact on global health. Engaging over 80 research collaborators across nearly 40 countries, OpenBiome catalyzes cutting-edge research, advances life-saving therapies, and expands scientific capacity equitably across the globe. The Multiplier Award - EOS International is a nonprofit social enterprise that provides rural communities in Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador with access to safe drinking water through its innovative market-based Circuit Rider Model which ensures communities have the education, skills, and knowledge to operate their water utilities efficiently and effectively. EOS' comprehensive model provides safe drinking water to over 1 million people across 2,000 rural communities.

"This year's future united award winners, finalists and nominees are doing the imaginative, brave and bold work that is necessary to change the face of global health," said Lesley-Anne Long, President & CEO of GBCHealth. "The awards highlight organizations with incredible impact and potential, and by putting them in the global spotlight and welcoming them to the future united community, we help connect them with the partners and collaborators who can help them take the next step and make exponentially more impact."

The winners were announced during GBCHealth's 'Celebrate' event on September 19th in New York City, made possible through the support of the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and Merck.

The future united global awards launched in New York last year with five incredible winners, followed by the 2023 future united Africa awards earlier this year.

*******

The GBCHealth CEO and winning organizations are available for interview. Please find contact details below.

GBCHEALTH

GBCHealth is the preeminent organization focused on business engagement in support of meeting global goals for health. Its vision is health equity and a global business community that contributes its assets, skills, influence and reach to create a healthier world for employees, their families, and communities. GBCHealth works with companies worldwide and with the United Nations, governments, academia, civil society & others. In September 2022, GBCHealth launched future united, a global initiative harnessing the power of the private sector to fight for - and achieve - health equity, tackle the impact of climate change on health, and address antimicrobial resistance and future pandemics.

Contact name: Lesley-Anne Long

Contact title: President & CEO

Contact email: futureunited@gbchealth.org

Blackfrog Technologies

Contact name: Ashwini Upadhyaya

Contact title: Administrative Executive

Contact email: info@blackfrog.in

Contact phone number: (+91)-820-2572478

EOS International

Contact name: Wesley Meier

Contact title: CEO

Contact email: wesley.meier@eosintl.org

Contact phone number: 319-830-2731

Neotree

Contact name: Michelle Heys

Contact title: Prof Michelle Heys

Contact email: m.heys@ucl.ac.uk

Maisha Meds

Contact name: Dr. Michael Nedelman

Contact title: VP, Communications & Advocacy

Contact email: michaelnedelman@maishameds.org

Contact phone number: +1-347-766-8437

OpenBiome

Contact name: Justin Chen

Contact title: Director of External Affairs

Contact email: jchen@openbiome.org

Contact phone number: 609-578-7230

 future united 2023 



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GBCHealth on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GBCHealth

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/gbchealth

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: GBCHealth

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785799/global-innovators-shaping-the-future-united
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 17, LONGi's founder and president Li Zhenguo attended the Innovation for Industrial Sustainability event together with business leaders, academic experts and United Nations officials in New York, held on the sidelines of the 2023 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit.

The event, jointly hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Tsinghua University and UN Water, featured keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as sustainable consumption and production, renewable energy applications in businesses, and green industry practices.

Speaking at the panel "Addressing the Triple Earth Crisis: Industry in Action", Mr. Li Zhenguo said that the key element of climate action is energy transition. Over the past decade, LONGi had transformed the photovoltaic sector with its monocrystalline silicon technology, which significantly reduced global solar power generation costs by more than 90%, turning photovoltaics from an expensive emerging renewable energy to one of the cheapest sources of electricity.

With the continuous efforts of LONGi, the current status and proportion of photovoltaic in the world energy pattern has been comprehensively increased, which has also implemented the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 'Affordable and Clean Energy'. LONGi promises to actively promote the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, continue to carry forward the concept and practice of green manufacturing, establish industry benchmarks, and drive the industry to create a zero-carbon future.

From 2012 to 2022, LONGi has produced 290 GW of photovoltaic products, resulting in a cumulative clean energy output of over 1.15 million GWh. Based on the average emission factor of the global power grid estimated by the IEA, this is equivalent to avoiding 536 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for 1.46% of the total global energy-related carbon emissions in 2022.

As early as the 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2018, LONGi proposed the concept of "Solar for Solar", that is, to produce clean energy with clean energy. In 2020, LONGi successively joined initiatives of RE100, EP100, EV100 and participated in the SBTi, becoming the first Chinese company to join the four global initiatives all together. This year, LONGi's near-term target has been approved by the SBTi, aligning with the 1.5? target in the Paris Agreement.

The event also witnessed the signing of the "Our Responsibility and Commitment to A Green and Sustainable Future We Want" endorsed by Chinese enterprises. Alongside a collection of case studies that demonstrated Chinese enterprises' implementation of SDG goals and recommended industrial good practices, the pledge was formally presented to Li Junhua, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs by Mr. Li Zhenguo on behalf of the signatory companies. The 10-point initiative urges the global business community to consolidate industry development consensus in resource use, renewable energy adoption, technological innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainable international collaboration.

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world's leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2214674/image_1.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2102784/logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/longis-founder-and-president-li-zhenguo-calls-for-promoting-the-implementation-of-the-un-2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development-301932761.html
ISTANBUL, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 13th, in Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, the "Picturesque and Dynamic Zhejiang" (Turkey) Cultural and Tourism Product Presentation and Ningbo Cultural and Tourism Promotion event took place.

During this event, Zhejiang officially unveiled two special tourist routes tailored for the Turkish market: "Ancient Charm and Cultural Heritage Tour" and "Artisan Showcase Tour." These two routes showcase the picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Zhejiang, including many famous cultural and tourism attractions in Ningbo.

As a significant stop on both of these unique tourist routes, Ningbo offers visitors the opportunity to explore its historical and cultural heritage. The "Ancient Charm and Cultural Heritage Tour" takes travelers to sites such as Lao Wai Tan, Tianyi Pavilion, Dongqian Lake, and more providing a glimpse into Ningbo's rich historical and cultural background. Meanwhile, the "Artisan Showcase Tour" allows tourists to experience traditional intangible cultural heritage skills, including gold and silver embroidery, lost-wax casting, and wooden construction, immersing them in the exquisite beauty of Chinese traditional culture.

During the Ningbo cultural and tourism promotional event, Ningbo's cultural and tourism resources were presented under three thematic sections: "Born by the Mountains and Seas," "Exploring Millennium Culture," and "Witnessing Modern Prosperity." These presentations used various multimedia formats, live introductions, and interactive experiences to showcase the diverse cultural and tourism resources Ningbo has to offer.

In the Q&A session, Mustafa Karsili, Vice President of the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association, and Fatih Mehmedi, Director of a local tourism company, enthusiastically discussed the topic of traveling from Turkey to Ningbo. They highlighted Ningbo's unique charm as a major cultural and tourism city in Zhejiang and expressed their desire to personally visit Ningbo to experience its natural beauty and rich historical heritage.

"We hope that through this event, our Turkish friends can appreciate the charm and warmth of Jiangnan and coastal Ningbo, and further promote exchanges and cooperation in the cultural and tourism fields between our two regions," said the relevant official from the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2214710/image_5018834_30837969.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/sailing-the-seas-with-clouds-held-ningbo-cultural-and-tourism-promotion-event-in-turkey-301932769.html
Dubai-based real estate developer to manage its real estate portfolio with a cloud solution

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amer Al Ghurair, a fast-growing privately held real estate development company, has chosen Yardi Voyager to further scale its construction operations and streamline the lead-to-owner sales management lifecycle.

The company has chosen solutions from Yardi's end-to-end property management and accounting suite to drive construction and sales operations, increase productivity and data transparency. With a seamless platform in place, Amer Al Ghurair will be able to efficiently manage vendors through Yardi Procure to Pay and enhance customer service while driving operational efficiency.

"Yardi's innovative software solutions will help our team to be more efficient by automating labour and time intensive tasks," said Abdulrahman Hajeid, Group CFO for Amer Al Ghurair. "With a more streamlined operation, we will increase data transparency to reduce unit void periods and establish a customer-centric, proactive approach in our property management."

"The Yardi platform will provide Amer Al Ghurair Real Estate with an effective solution to help with future growth and productivity," said Neal Gemassmer, vice president of international for Yardi. "We're excited to be working with Amer Al Ghurair Real Estate in their journey to grow and expand in the United Arab Emirates."

See how Yardi can help you increase operational efficiency with a fully connected property management and accounting platform.

About Amer Al Ghurair Real Estate Group

Over the past 25 years, Amer Al Ghurair Real Estate created more than 5,000 new homes and 1.5 million square feet of workspace in over 60 regeneration projects. The company's ongoing goal and mission is to provide the highest level of service to its clients. For more information, visit ameralghurair.com.

About Yardi

Yardi develops and supports industry-leading investment and property management software for all types and sizes of real estate companies. With 9,000 employees, Yardi is working with clients globally to drive significant innovation in the real estate industry. For more information on how Yardi is Energised for Tomorrow, visit yardi.ae.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2213827/Yardi_Amer_Al_Ghurair.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/737275/Yardi_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/amer-al-ghurair-real-estate-group-select-yardi-to-drive-growth-and-operational-efficiency-301930801.html
IMPORTANT NOTICE



In accordance with Articles L. 433-4 II of the French Monetary and Financial Code and 237-1 and seq. of the General Regulation of the AMF, SVF II Strategic Investments AIV LLC (the "Offeror") intends to file a request with the AMF to carry out, within ten (10) trading days from the publication of the notice of result of the Offer, or, as the case may be, in the event of a reopening of the Offer, within three (3) months from the closing of the Reopened Offer (as defined in the offer document and in the response document of the Company), a squeeze-out procedure for Balyo's Ordinary Shares and Preferred Shares for a unitary indemnity equal to the price of the Offer, if the number of Balyo's Ordinary Shares and Preferred Shares not tendered in the Offer by the minority shareholders of Balyo (other than the Treasury Shares, the Ordinary Shares that could be issued pursuant to the exercise of the BSPCE, the Unavailable Shares that would be subject to the liquidity mechanism) does not represent, at the end of the Offer (or, as the case may be, the Reopened Offer), more than 10% of the capital and voting rights of Balyo.



SVF II Strategic Investments AIV LLC also intends to file a request with the AMF to carry out, within ten (10) trading days from the publication of the notice of result of the Offer, or, as the case may be, in the event of a reopening of the Offer, within three (3) months from the closing of the reopened Offer, a squeeze-out procedure for the Company Warrants for a unitary indemnity equal to the price of the Offer, if the number of the Company Warrants shares that could be created through exercise of the Company Warrants not presented to the Offer, once added to the existing shares of Balyo not tendered in the Offer by the minority shareholders of Balyo (other than the Treasury Shares, the Ordinary Shares likely to be issued pursuant to the exercise of the BSPCE, the Unavailable Shares that would be subject to the liquidity mechanism) does not represent more than 10% of the sum of the equity securities of Balyo that exist and that could be created.
550,000 UK businesses use Tide for their finance and admin

Tide went international, launching and growing rapidly in India

Tide, the leading business financial platform, has reached a significant growth milestone. The business now boasts a 10% market share of all UK small businesses with more than 550,000 customers (members).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919799679/en/

1 in 10 UK Small and Mid-Sized Businesses on Tide (Photo: Business Wire)

Tide serves small businesses which don't have their own finance function, such as sole traders, freelancers and limited companies, part of the UK's 5.5 million small businesses community1

The need to save time (and money) is a key pain point for small businesses who often find it a challenge to manage their finance and admin. Tide offers business accounts and related banking services, but also a comprehensive set of highly usable and connected admin solutions from invoicing to accounting.

Highlights:

1 in 10 UK small businesses on Tide

UK small businesses on Tide 550,000 members across sectors and industries in the UK

members across sectors and industries in the UK 1500 employees globally, mostly in the UK, India and Bulgaria

Oliver Prill, CEO of Tide, said: "Reaching 10% market share in the UK is a major milestone and testament to the incredible hard work and ambition of our teams, based largely in the UK, India and Bulgaria. Only a few years ago it would have been hard to imagine that such success was possible.

"Our members are at the heart of Tide's growth. Our focus is to innovate and provide connected products and services for them to save time and money when running their businesses. We head into the rest of 2023 and 2024 with growth and Tide's company values top of mind, which means putting our members first, working as one team and using data to drive our business forward."

Internationalisation: rapid growth in India

The past year also saw Tide realise the first steps in its international ambitions, as it officially launched in India in December 2022, expanding throughout 2023. Tide now has more than 150,000 members in India, with Tide India CEO Gurjodhphal Singh leading that expansion.

Acquisition of Funding Options: power of M&A to add to organic growth

Tide acquired UK leading business credit marketplace Funding Options in November 2022, with regulatory approval from the FCA in February 2023. The acquisition fast-tracked the company's credit offering by providing existing and new members access to over 120 lenders.

Tide remains open to acquisitions.

Product: strong focus on connectivity

As a product-led business, Tide continues to improve its finance and admin offering to help members. The company is rolling out a product roadmap rich in new releases and services.

Recent highlights:

Tide Accounting : accrual-based accounting embedded in a bank account. Tide is the first fintech in the UK to offer such a service.

: accrual-based accounting embedded in a bank account. Tide is the first fintech in the UK to offer such a service. Tide Acquiring: seamlessly integrating Card Readers and Pay-by-Links with the Tide Bank Account and Tide Accounting.

Net Zero:SMEs make up a vital part of the solution to reducing carbon emissions globally

Earlier this year, Tide made three Pledges to Net Zero:

Pledge 1: Making Tide a fully Net Zero business by durable carbon removals, the first fintech in the world to take this step. Tide plans to soon renew Pledge 1.

Making Tide a fully Net Zero business by durable carbon removals, the first fintech in the world to take this step. Tide plans to soon renew Pledge 1. Pledge 2: Tide will reduce 90% of its 2021 emissions per employee by 2030. In doing so, Tide will reduce emissions by 97% on a revenue basis.

Tide will reduce 90% of its 2021 emissions per employee by 2030. In doing so, Tide will reduce emissions by 97% on a revenue basis. Pledge 3: Tide commits to making Net Zero simpler for its members by developing support for them to get to Net Zero.

In other Net Zero developments: Tide in India partnered with Transcorp to launch the country's first recycled rPVC RuPay Card. This is part of Tide's commitment to remove 100% of its emissions with durable carbon removal.

Women in Business: empowering female-led businesses

UK: In June, Tide announced a new commitment to help 200,000 women launch new businesses by 2027. More than 100,000 women are already on the platform in the UK. The commitment forms part of Tide's efforts to promote gender equality and remove barriers to female entrepreneurship.

In June, Tide announced a new commitment to help 200,000 women launch new businesses by 2027. More than 100,000 women are already on the platform in the UK. The commitment forms part of Tide's efforts to promote gender equality and remove barriers to female entrepreneurship. India: Tide is planning to onboard 500,000 women-led businesses in India by 2027.

Senior hires: expanding the leadership to drive scale

Tide has made a number of senior hires this year, as it pursues its strategy of diversifying and internationalising its product and reach. Tide appointed Vinay Ramani as its first Chief Product Officer, Frances Ibe as SVP Experience Foundations and Justin Drees as VP in Business Services. Formerly of Meta, Ramani will drive Tide's vision for its global product strategy and broaden its small business-focused offering in the UK and India.

Tideans: OneTeam to make it happen

Tide is proud to have grown its employee numbers to 1,500 and to see so many thrive at Tide. In India, Tide was recognised as a great place to work by the Great Place to Work Institute, with more than 83% of employees reporting a positive work experience and company culture.

Notes to Editor:

About Tide:

Founded in 2015 and launched in 2017, Tide is the leading business financial platform in the UK. Tide helps SMEs save time (and money) in the running of their businesses by not only offering business accounts and related banking services, but also a comprehensive set of highly usable and connected administrative solutions from invoicing to accounting. Tide has 550,000 SME members in the UK (10% market share) and more than 150,000 SMEs in India. Tide has also been recognised with the Great Place to Work certification.

Tide has been funded by Anthemis, Apax Digital, Augmentum, Creandum, Goodwater, Jigsaw, Latitude, LocalGlobe, Passion Capital, SBI Group, SpeedInvest and Tencent, amongst others. It employs nearly 1,500 Tideans worldwide. Tide's long-term ambition is to be the leading business financial platform globally.

LinkedIn

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook

END

1 UK National Statistics: 5.47 small businesses in the UK, link here

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919799679/en/

Contacts:

For media enquiries, please contact:

tide@secnewgate.co.uk
Volta FinanceLimited (VTA/VTAS)

Dividend Declaration

NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION,

IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES

Guernsey, 20 September 2023

Volta Finance Limited ("the Company") hereby announces a third interim dividend for the financial year commencing 1 August 2022.

The Company announces that it has declared a quarterly interim dividend of 0.13 per share payable on 12 October 2023 amounting to approximately 4.76 million, equating approximately to an annualised 8% of net asset value. The ex-dividend date is 28 September 2023 with a record date of 29 September 2023.

The Company has arranged for its shareholders to be able to elect to receive their dividends in either Euros or Pounds Sterling. Shareholders will, by default, receive their dividends in Euros, unless they have instructed the Company's Registrar, Computershare Investor Serviceswithin the "Investors - Other Documents" section. The deadline for receipt of currency elections is 12:00 (midday) on 02 October 2023.

CONTACTS

For the Investment Manager

AXA Investment Managers Paris

Serge Demay

serge.demay@axa-im.com

+33 (0) 1 44 45 84 47

Company Secretary and Administrator

BNP Paribas S.A., Guernsey Branch

guernsey.bp2s.volta.cosec@bnpparibas.com

+44 (0) 1481 750 853

Corporate Broker

Cenkos Securities plc

Andrew Worne

Daniel Balabanoff

+44 (0) 20 7397 8900

*****

ABOUT VOLTA FINANCE LIMITED

Volta Finance Limited is incorporated in Guernsey under the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) and listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the London Stock Exchange's Main Market for listed securities. Volta's home member state for the purposes of the EU Transparency Directive is the Netherlands. As such, Volta is subject to regulation and supervision by the AFM, being the regulator for financial markets in the Netherlands.

Volta's Investment objectives are to preserve its capital across the credit cycle and to provide a stable stream of income to its Shareholders through dividends that it expects to distribute on a quarterly basis. The Company currently seeks to achieve its investment objectives by pursuing exposure predominantly to CLO's and similar asset classes. A more diversified investment strategy across structured finance assets may be pursued opportunistically. The Company has appointed AXA Investment Managers Paris an investment management company with a division specialised in structured credit, for the investment management of all its assets.

*****

ABOUT AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS

AXA Investment Managers (AXA IM) is a multi-expert asset management company within the AXA Group, a global leader in financial protection and wealth management. AXA IM is one of the largest European-based asset managers with 2,623 professionals and 817 billion in assets under management as of the end of September 2022.

*****

This press release is published by AXA Investment Managers Paris ("AXA IM"), in its capacity as alternative investment fund manager (within the meaning of Directive 2011/61/EU, the "AIFM Directive") of Volta Finance Limited (the "Volta Finance") whose portfolio is managed by AXA IM.

This press release is for information only and does not constitute an invitation or inducement to acquire shares in Volta Finance. Its circulation may be prohibited in certain jurisdictions and no recipient may circulate copies of this document in breach of such limitations or restrictions. This document is not an offer for sale of the securities referred to herein in the United States or to persons who are "U.S. persons" for purposes of Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or otherwise in circumstances where such offer would be restricted by applicable law. Such securities may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration from the Securities Act. Volta Finance does not intend to register any portion of the offer of such securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of such securities in the United States.

*****

This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at (i) persons who are outside the United Kingdom or (ii) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the "Order") or (iii) high net worth companies, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). The securities referred to herein are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents. Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

*****

This press release contains statements that are, or may deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes", "anticipated", "expects", "intends", "is/are expected", "may", "will" or "should". They include the statements regarding the level of the dividend, the current market context and its impact on the long-term return of Volta Finance's investments. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and readers are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Volta Finance's actual results, portfolio composition and performance may differ materially from the impression created by the forward-looking statements. AXA IM does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements.

Any target information is based on certain assumptions as to future events which may not prove to be realised. Due to the uncertainty surrounding these future events, the targets are not intended to be and should not be regarded as profits or earnings or any other type of forecasts. There can be no assurance that any of these targets will be achieved. In addition, no assurance can be given that the investment objective will be achieved.

The figures provided that relate to past months or years and past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance or construed as a reliable indicator as to future performance. Throughout this review, the citation of specific trades or strategies is intended to illustrate some of the investment methodologies and philosophies of Volta Finance, as implemented by AXA IM. The historical success or AXA IM's belief in the future success, of any of these trades or strategies is not indicative of, and has no bearing on, future results.

The valuation of financial assets can vary significantly from the prices that the AXA IM could obtain if it sought to liquidate the positions on behalf of the Volta Finance due to market conditions and general economic environment. Such valuations do not constitute a fairness or similar opinion and should not be regarded as such.

Editor: AXA INVESTMENT MANAGERS PARIS, a company incorporated under the laws of France, having its registered office located at Tour Majunga, 6, Place de la Pyramide - 92800 Puteaux. AXA IMP is authorized by the Autorite des Marches Financiers under registration number GP92008 as an alternative investment fund manager within the meaning of the AIFM Directive.

*****
The joint approach gives fleet customers of CARUSO access to real-time consented data from connected Toyota's enabling transparent fleet management.

MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CARUSO announces its partnership with Toyota to optimize connected car data for innovative fleet management solutions. By harnessing the power of telematics data generated by Toyota vehicles, the partnership aims to effectively tackle the complexity of in-vehicle data. With CARUSO at the helm providing vast standardization, specialized consultancy along with complementary services, their fleet customers can focus on enhancing their business operations by integrating in-vehicle data in their products. Using connected car data as a fleet ushers in a new wave of possibilities such as tracking vehicle mileage, maintaining detailed logbooks, among others. This diminishes the Total Cost of Ownership for fleets and facilitates highly efficient, data-driven decision-making.



Marvin Inden-Lohmar, Manager Data Business & Privacy at Toyota Motor Europe, said about the partnership. "We are delighted to have CARUSO become one of our fleet-management partners and continue providing Toyota customers with high-impact value. By utilizing connected vehicle data, we are helping their partners gain actionable insights that will enable them to achieve a safer and more efficient fleet."

Speaking about the collaboration, Norbert Dohmen, Managing Director of Caruso GmbH said, "Richer data sets from connected vehicles are essential for digitizing commercial fleet operations and reducing total ownership costs for fleet managers. Our collaboration with Toyota will enable us to provide even more multibrand, standardized data and enable solution providers to solve fleet-facing challenges, without the need for external hardware. We are happy to be working with Toyota together."

This partnership between CARUSO and Toyota is poised to augur a new era in the realm of logistics and fleet management, ushering in an unprecedented level of efficiency and sophistication.

Potential customers interested in leveraging the new agreement and services provided by CARUSO, can explore further details on their website, https://www.caruso-dataplace.com/fleet-management/.

About Caruso GmbH

From Connected Cars to Connected Business. CARUSO is a neutral, open, and secure marketplace for mobility data. The platform enables third parties to consume data standardized across multiple vehicle manufacturers. Additionally, their built-in consent management technology ensures data privacy by giving vehicle end-users full control over data sharing. With that, CARUSO empowers its customers to easily build life-improving solutions based on data from connected cars.

More information www.caruso-dataplace.com.

Company Contact

Tina Rauschenbach

Head of Customer Experience

customerexperience@caruso-dataplace.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db36a8ae-5f44-4cfa-b9d5-dff48b339c73
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
The Bell Tower on 34th, a premier event venue in North Houston, is now reaching out to businesses and private clients in nearby Conroe, who are looking for a large event space, introducing a number of event packages.

Houston, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Having established their reputation in the Houston community, the events team at The Bell Tower on 34th is now looking forward to working with clients from the fast-growing city of Conroe. The Bell Tower on 34th has several large-scale ballrooms and banquet halls they believe are ideal for corporate events like fundraisers, galas, networking events, conferences, and trade shows, and they have created new event packages to help Conroe businesses make the most of these spaces.

More information is available at https://thebelltoweron34th.com.

Event Packages Announced by The Bell Tower on 34th for Conroe, TX Businesses

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/179672_6a03248c8467e812_001full.jpg

The events team at The Bell Tower has developed a new list of event inclusions that they believe will meet the needs of Conroe businesses. Firstly, understanding that Conroe businesses may be better connected with local vendors and event planners than those based in Houston, they are now offering interested businesses a full in-house event planning service.

The venue has also created new AV and lighting schemes, furniture packages, and decor and design styles that they believe will suit Conroe businesses-taking the city's relaxed feel, Texan cowboy charm, and green open spaces as inspiration. New food menus that feature the city's iconic fresh bass and make use of artisan goods from its popular Isaac Conroe Farmers Market are also available. As an upscale event venue, valet parking and on-site security come as standard.

As a recent article on Houston.org affirmed, Conroe has fast become one of Texas' principal hubs for manufacturing and distribution companies, with several big names like Pepsi now calling either the Deison Technology Park or Conroe Park North business park home. The Bell Tower on 34th believes that while the city of Conroe promises beautiful business parks, quick and simple relocation services, and high-quality job candidates, it doesn't compare to Houston when it comes to event venues.

According to the company, it has evaluated the city's events venues and found that most cannot offer companies a genuinely large-scale space, and those that can either exclusively focus on weddings and lack versatility or, alternatively, have a clinical convention center feel.

As the events team at The Bell Tower on 34th explained, they believe their historic grounds and elegant large ballrooms distinguish their venue, elevating their spaces above being simple banquet halls or standard corporate event rooms. CEO Roger Igo said, "Our location has a great atmosphere, and your guests will appreciate its open-air feel-not a restaurant, hotel, or building lobby."

At just 45 minutes by car from Conroe, The Bell Tower on 34th believes they are a suitable event venue for any local business or client.

Mr. Igo added: "Whether it's energy, non-profit, tech, or any other market, our staff of in-house technical director, event producers, and culinary team will certainly help ensure a successful event so you look great every single time. Many organizations enjoy our facility, excellent food, and service year after year."

For more details, visit https://thebelltoweron34th.com/corporate-events.

Contact Info:

Name: Roger Igo

Email: roger@bell34.com

Organization: The Bell Tower on 34th

Address: 901 West 34th Street, Houston, TX 77018, United States

Website: https://thebelltoweron34th.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/179672
Western Selection Plc - Change of Auditor

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 20

20 September 2023

WESTERN SELECTION PLC

(the "Company")

Change of Auditors

The Company announces that, following a competitive tender process and a recommendation from its Audit Committee, the Board resolved to appoint Gerald Edelman LLP ("Gerald Edelman") as its statutory auditors, commencing with the financial year ended 30 June 2023, subject to ratification by shareholders at the Company's 2023 Annual General Meeting.

In view of the change of auditors, the Company's final results for the year ended 30 June 2023 are now expected to be released in late October 2023.

BDO LLP ("BDO"), the Company's previous auditors, have formally resigned and in doing so have confirmed that there are no circumstances connected with their resignation which they consider should be brought to the attention of the members or creditors of the Company for the purposes of section 519 of the Companies Act 2006. The Company's Board has also confirmed that there are no disagreements or other matters of a similar nature between the Company and BDO.

David Marshall, the Company's Chairman, commented:

"On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our appreciation to BDO and to thank them for the services and support they have provided to the Company as its auditors. We look forward to working with Gerald Edelman and the completion of their audit work over the coming weeks".

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

For further information please contact:

Western Selection PLC +44 (0) 20 7796 9060

Cairn Financial Advisers LLP +44 (0) 20 7213 0880

(James Caithie / Liam Murray)
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MAX) (OTC Pink: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to report it has discovered another significant mineralized outcrop at its AM District, within its 100% owned Cesar Copper-Silver Project, Northeastern Colombia. The new target, AM-08 is located approximately 7-km southeast of the AM-07 discovery (refer to Figure 2 and Max News Release dated June 22, 2023).

"This new and exciting discovery reinforces Max's thesis that the Cesar Copper-Silver Project may host multiple stand-alone deposits. The Max field team has now identified 22 targets across three separate districts of the 90-km Cesar copper-silver belt: AM, Conejo and URU," commented VP Exploration, Bruce Counts.

"In addition, Max's 4,000-line-km high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over the entire AM District is well underway. Survey results will be used to refine existing targets and identify new targets by mapping the lithologies and the geological structures that control mineralization," he concluded.

Figure 1: Images of Outcrop at Target AM-08 and rock specimen with primary copper minerals Chalcocite and Malachite

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/181229_maxresourcefigure109202023.jpg

Preliminary work on the new AM-08 outcrop has determined the copper-silver mineralization is hosted in a steeply dipping structure within a porphyritic rhyolite, a type of felsic volcanic rock, and that it is exposed across a width of 10m before disappearing under cover. Chalcocite and malachite are the most abundant copper minerals observed in the outcrop with minor amounts of chalcopyrite and covellite also present (refer to Figure 1).

Systematic channel sampling of the mineralized outcrop has now commenced, and crews have begun detailed mapping in the vicinity of the new discovery with the goal of extending the footprint of mineralization. Drone video of the AM-08 discovery can be viewed here .

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/181229_b6fc2cf624f95af6_003full.jpg

Figure 2: Location of the AM-08 Discovery

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/181229_b6fc2cf624f95af6_004full.jpg

Background

The Cesar Copper Silver Project comprises of three districts: AM, Conejo and URU. Collectively the three contiguous districts stretch over 90-km in NNE/SSW direction (refer to Figure 3).

Figure 3: Location of the Cesar Copper Silver Project, NE Colombia

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/181229_maxresourcefigure309202023.jpg

This region provides access to major infrastructure resulting from oil & gas and mining operations, including Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in South America, held by global miner Glencore. Max's twenty mining concessions collectively span over 188-km.

In 2022, Max executed a 2-year co-operation agreement with Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR, NYSE: EXK), which assists to expand its 100% owned landholdings, Endeavour will hold an underlying 0.5% NSR.

AM District

Starting in the far north of the Jurassic basin, classic stacked red bed outcrops with extensive lateral continuity have been rock sampled over many kilometres within the AM District. Highlight values of 34.4% copper and 305 g/t silver have been documented in the sedimentary red bed sequences. The Company confirmed that stratiform mineralization continues at depth with two scout drill holes completed earlier this year (Max News Release dated April 4, 2023). In addition, Colombian field crews continue to discover and sample new mineralized outcrops including at the recently identified AM-7 target (Max News Release dated May 25, 2023 and Max News Release dated June 22, 2023).

Conejo District

Midway south, the Conejo District is the most recent to be recognized and is characterized by structurally controlled mineralization hosted in intermediate and felsic volcanic rocks. Numerous mineralized outcrops have been discovered over 3.7-km at the primary target in the district with surface samples averaging 4.9% copper (2% cut-off). No drilling has been conducted at Conejo, but it has emerged as an area of focus for the Company.

URU District

Mineralization within the URU District is hosted in intermediate volcanic rocks and is structurally controlled, similar to deposits in the Central African Copper Belt. At URU-C, a 9.0m of 7.0% copper and 115 g/t silver surface discovery was confirmed at depth by drill hole URU-12, which intersected 10.6m of 3.4% copper and 48 g/t silver. At the URU-CE target, 750m to the east, 19.0m of 1.3% copper discovered in outcrop was confirmed by drill hole URU-9, which intersected a broad zone of copper oxide returning 33.0m of 0.3% copper from 4.0m, including 16.5m of 0.5% copper (Max News Release date January 24, 2023).

CESAR Target Evaluation

Max has identified and is evaluating 22 targets along the Cesar 90-km-long belt for potential drill testing. The Company is focused on expanding, refining, and prioritizing these targets in preparation for a drill program. Initial efforts have been concentrated on those targets with the greatest size potential with work that includes the following field activities:

Systematic chip and channel sampling of the mineralized outcrops.

Detailed geological and structural mapping of each showing.

Target scale prospecting and soil sampling.

Airborne Magnetic/Radiometric Surveys.

Regional Exploration

Max has demonstrated that the Cesar basin is fertile for copper-silver mineralization over a large area; however, only a fraction of the basin has been explored. As a result, Max has dedicated on of its geological teams to regional exploration with the goal of discovering additional copper-silver prospects over 1,000 sq-km.

Qualified Person

The Company's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release was reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, PGeo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource advisory board, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

About Max Resource Corp.

Max Resource Corp. (TSXV: MAX) is a mineral exploration company advancing the newly discovered district-scale Cesar copper-silver project. The wholly owned Cesar project sits along the Colombian portion of the world's largest producing copper belt (Andean belt), with world class infrastructure and the presence of global majors (Glencore and Chevron).

In addition, Max controls the RT Gold project (100% earn-in) in Peru, encompassing a bulk tonnage primary gold porphyry zone, and 3-km to the NW, a gold bearing massive sulphide zone. Historic drilling in 2001, returned values ranging 3.1 to 118.1 g/t gold over core lengths ranging from 2.2 to 36.0m.

Max is proactive, with the corporate goal of transitioning the Cesar basin towards the mining of copper, the key metal for Colombia's transition to clean energy. The safety of our people and the communities where we operate is most important. We conduct exploration in a manner which supports protection of ecosystems through responsible environmental stewardship.

Source: NI 43:101 Geological Report RT Gold Project for Max Resource Corp. by Luis Rodrigo Peralta, Mar. 8, 2023. NI 43:101 Geological Report Rio Tabaconas Gold Project for Golden Alliance Resources Corp. by George Sivertz, Oct.3, 2011.

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/

For additional information contact:

Tim McNulty E: info@maxresource.com T: (604) 290-8100

Rahim Lakha E. rahim@bluesailcapital.com

Brett Matich T: (604) 484 1230

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.

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 delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. 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. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181229
Thailand tops Audley Travel's Winter Sun Index, which has ranked the best destinations to visit this winter for sun and warm weather.

WITNEY, England, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Audley Travel has created a winter sun index to determine the top locations to visit for sunshine and blue skies this winter. Thailand tops the list, followed by Mexico, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, and Indonesia.

Why did Thailand come out on top?

"Thailand has a really wide range of beaches - you'll find everything from deserted tropical islands to long stretches of white sand to rocky bays," says Southeast Asia specialist Mary Cropper. "It's reliably warm and sunny November to March, but I think what won it the very top spot was the same thing that earned it the nickname 'Land of Smiles'. The culture is so remarkably welcoming.

"Of course, there's also the exceptional food and thrumming energy of Bangkok, seeing elephants in the rainforest, visiting historic temples, and relaxing on cruises along the Chao Praya and Kwai rivers."

What countries made up the rest of the list?

Mexico holds the second spot thanks to its wealth of culture and range of less-visited beaches, like the wide golden-sand beaches and deep turquoise water at Oaxaca. In Sri Lanka, ranked number three, you'll find long stretches of rose-gold beaches and plenty of sights like Sigiriya Rock's fortress.

A visit to number four - Costa Rica - gives you a choice between dark-sand Pacific beaches or white-sand Caribbean ones, with the added attraction of rainforest lodges. Indonesia rounds out the list at number five, offering world-renowned snorkelling and the chance to glimpse rare orangutans in the Sumatran wilderness.

When asked his thoughts about winter travel in 2023, Audley's Head of Product Alex Bentley says, "We've noticed that many clients are looking to travel to sunny destinations for a relaxing winter break at the end of the year. And, while the surge of visitors has meant availability has been a real challenge during the summer season, there are still plenty of rooms left in our favourite hotels during the winter. This should mean you'll find lots of space for a quiet and restful stay."

How was the winter sun travel index created?

The winter sun travel index has been compiled by the travel specialists at Audley. Analysing and scoring 27 different winter sun locations across 14 different winter sun metrics. A score for each location was then created based on the results from the index.View the full winter sun travel index study for a breakdown of all results and ranking methodology.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2214737/Audley_Travel.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/audley-travel-reveals-top-locations-for-a-sunny-holiday-this-winter-301931789.html
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - The Italian Competition Authority AGCM Wednesday said it has opened an investigation on Ryanair Holdings' (RYAAY) Italian unit for an alleged exclusionary abuse of dominant position. The investigation has been initiated against Ryanair DAC, the first air carrier in Italy offering scheduled air transport services of passengers on national flights and flights to and from Italy. According to the Authority, the carrier's conduct would harm travel agencies and consumers by attempting to extend its market power into the provision of other tourist services, such as hotels and car rental. AGCM said the action was taken after receiving several reports since last May. In AGCM preliminary view, Ryanair DAC is leveraging on its dominant position in several markets of air transport sector harming travel agencies, both online and offline, as well as clients that buy from such agencies those other services. 'In particular, on one side Ryanair appears to impede travel agencies from directly acquiring airline tickets through their own websites; on the other side, Ryanair permits the purchase of airline tickets exclusively for traditional travel agencies via the GDS platform, subjecting them to considerably less favorable conditions in terms of pricing, range of available services, and post-sale management of airline tickets,' AGCM said. The Authority noted that Ryanair's conduct seeks to restrict travel agencies from selling airline tickets, which is typically the initial step in planning a holiday and a crucial entry point for selling additional services. As such, it could have adverse consequences on both travel agencies and end-consumers, leading to a deterioration of conditions, both in terms of quantity and quality, and unjustified difficulties in managing reservations. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
TOLREMO therapeutics is pioneering a differentiated approach to preventing non-genetic drug resistance in cancer

Funding will accelerate the company's lead program, TT125-802, into a first-in-human study in patients with solid tumors

Julie M. Cherrington has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors

TOLREMO therapeutics AG (TOLREMO) today announced that it has completed its Series A financing, bringing the total amount raised to USD 39 million (CHF 34.1 million). BioMedPartners AG led the round with participation from a new investor, Pierre Fabre Invest, as well as existing investors. TOLREMO's mission is to stop non-genetic cancer drug resistance as it emerges by dismantling cancer's earliest defenses to targeted therapies, thus surmounting a universal challenge for current and future targeted treatments.

TOLREMO's lead candidate, TT125-802, is an orally available small molecule CBP/p300 bromodomain inhibitor that blocks critical transcriptional resistance pathways responsible for cancer's early escape mechanisms to targeted therapies. The proceeds of the Series A round will support the initiation of a Phase 1 monotherapy dose escalation study evaluating the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and early signs of efficacy, including biological activity of TT125-802, in a range of solid tumor indications. Stepwise, TOLREMO will then advance to evaluating TT125-802 in combination with targeted therapies such as KRAS, EGFR or AR inhibitors in specific advanced solid tumor indications.

"Cancer drug resistance is a major impediment to the long-term survival of patients and is most often addressed in the later stages of treatment when genetic mutations have already rendered the cancer permanently impervious to therapy. At TOLREMO, we have developed TT125-802 to specifically block early, non-genetic resistance pathways to targeted treatments. In combination with therapeutic agents, such as KRAS, EGFR, AR inhibitors, or other targeted therapies, TT125-802 has the potential to prevent therapy evasion and significantly improve treatment durability," said Stefanie Fluckiger-Mangual, PhD, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of TOLREMO. "We value the continued commitment from our current investors and warmly welcome Pierre Fabre Laboratories, the second largest private French pharmaceutical group, into our syndicate of investors through their dedicated investment body. With this strong support, we aim to advance the development of TT125-802 to bring long-term benefits to cancer patients."

In conjunction with the financing, Julie M. Cherrington, PhD, an experienced life science executive with a track record of successfully bringing drugs into the clinic through to commercialization, has been appointed as Chair of the Board of Directors. In addition, Francesco Hofmann, PhD, Head of R&D for Medical Care at Pierre Fabre Laboratories, joined TOLREMO's Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Hofmann has extensive experience in accelerating the delivery of new therapeutics, having facilitated the clinical development of more than twelve novel cancer drugs.

"TOLREMO has a very distinct scientific approach to providing rational combination therapies that preemptively address the problem of drug resistance in cancer treatment. TT125-802 inhibits transcriptional changes, which are central for resistance development to a multitude of targeted cancer therapies. This new investment is very consistent with our renewed strategy to focus our R&D portfolio on targeted therapies," commented Francesco Hofmann, Head of R&D for Medical Care at Pierre Fabre Laboratories and new member of TOLREMO's Scientific Advisory Board.

"I am truly impressed with TOLREMO's achievements in discovering and advancing a highly differentiated new treatment approach originating from the analysis of non-genetic cancer resistance phenotypes," said Julie Cherrington, the new Chair of the TOLREMO Board of Directors. "I look forward to supporting the team at this critical juncture as the company advances its lead program into clinical development."

Julie M. Cherrington is a seasoned biotech industry leader and holds board roles across several firms, including Mirati Therapeutics Inc, Syncona, Sardona Therapeutics, KisoJi Biotechnology, MycRx, and Actym Therapeutics, where she is also the Chair. In addition, she is a Venture Partner at Brandon Capital Partners. Dr. Cherrington has a proven track record as a company leader in her roles as CEO and R&D head at numerous companies. Furthermore, her earlier career contributions at SUGEN and Gilead Sciences were instrumental to the development of multiple FDA-approved drugs. Dr. Cherrington completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco, and received her PhD training in microbiology and immunology from the University of Minnesota and Stanford University. She also holds a B.S. in biology and M.S. in microbiology from the University of California, Davis.

About TOLREMO

TOLREMO therapeutics' mission is to prevent non-genetic cancer drug resistance by dismantling the earliest defense to targeted therapies. Led by phenotypic insights, we discovered a pivotal mechanism that governs critical transcriptional resistance pathways. Our clinical compound TT125-802 is an orally available small molecule inhibitor designed to block these survival techniques to significantly improve the response rates and durability of established treatments. By stopping cancer drug resistance as it emerges, we aim to surmount a universal challenge for current and future targeted therapies for lasting patient benefit.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920278808/en/

Contacts:

TOLREMO therapeutics AG

Dr. Stefanie Fluckiger-Mangual, CEO and co-founder

stefanie.flueckiger@tolremo.com



Trophic Communications

Stephanie May or Dr. Alison Opalko

+49 (0) 151 54041130

tolremo@trophic.eu
City-inspired spirits bottles will be showcased

ISTANBUL, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GCA, which manufactures world standard glass packaging in the food and beverage categories for domestic and foreign markets, will be at the Luxe Pack Monaco 2023 Fair which will take place at Monaco Grimaldi Forum between October 2-4. At the fair which will be attended by industry professionals from all around the world, GCA will bring GCA spirits premium glass bottles together with visitors.

GCA continues 30 years glassware production experience of Gurok Group who will be celebrating its 75th anniversary in the industry, with an innovative approach in the glass packaging industry. GCA Spirits will be at the Luxe Pack Monaco Fair where industry professionals will get together. Displaying its innovative products, GCA will introduce its visitors it's high quality and sustainable glass packaging solutions.

"We will share our vision on the packaging solutions of the future"

GCA General Manager Dr. Abdullah Gayret, who says that they are excited that they will be at a fair where professionals from all around the world will be attending, stated, "The Luxe Pack Monaco Fair is a pioneering platform that unites the latest trends, innovative solutions, and luxury packaging industry leaders. It emphasizes the importance of packaging design and brand value, offering inspiring ideas on enhancing the consumer experience. At this prestigious event, we'll personally observe trends, technologies and strategies. As GCA, we'll connect with valuable participants, share our vision for future glass packaging solutions in the spirits category, showcase innovative products, and gather feedback from industry experts. We are looking forward for attending this prestigious event."

GCA Spirits leads the glass packaging industry

GCA Spirits leads the glass packaging industry by integrating premium glass packaging production with a commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability. As a result it empowers business partners to deliver a more premium experience. Additionally, GCA is dedicated to increasing the number of premium glass bottle projects in the global spirits market. While creating packaging that reflects the spirit and identity of brands through its designs, it also champions environmental awareness. Being granted numerous awards, GCA was honored with Crescenst and Stars For Packaging Gold Award in 2020, Design Turkiye 2021, AsiaStar Packaging Award in 2022 and Worldstar Winner Award in 2021 internationally. Furthermore, GCA was recognized as a finalist in the Pentawards in 2023.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216048/GCA_Abdullah_Gayret.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gca-will-meet-business-partners-at-the-luxe-pack-monaco-2023-fair-301933179.html


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The People's Bank of China kept its benchmark lending rates unchanged on Wednesday after recent economic data suggested that the series of easing measures eventually started to provide positive impetus to the economy.



After a 10 basis-point reduction in August, the one-year loan prime rate, or LPR, was kept unchanged at 3.45 percent.



The five-year LPR, the benchmark for mortgage rates, was retained at 4.20 percent. The rate was last reduced by 10 basis points in June.



The Chinese central bank fixes the LPR monthly based on the submission of 18 designated banks. However, Beijing has influence over the fixing. The LPR replaced the traditional benchmark lending rate in August 2019.



The status quo on the LPR was widely anticipated by markets after the rate on medium-term lending facility, which acts as a guide to loan prime rates, was left unchanged at 2.50 percent last week. The bank added CNY 591 billion liquidity into the market via MLF.



Last week, the central bank had reduced the reserve requirement ratio for the second time this year. The cut in weighted average RRR for banks about 7.4 percent would release around CNY 500 billion into the system.



Capital Economics' economists said the beefed up policy support should underpin a further economic recovery over the coming months.



Economists expect some additional monetary easing, further support to the housing market and measures to keep the fiscal stance supportive over the rest of the year.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Aroma King, a leading vape brand renowned from Poland, has unveiled its latest disposable product: The Cosmic Max, further expanding its presence in Europe.

Since 2020, Aroma King has rapidly made its mark on the European vaping scene. Its product, the Cosmic Max, has gained traction across the European markets, including Spain, France, Belgium, and Austria. The brand's other flagship product, the Cosmic Box, is poised for upcoming release in Germany, Spain, and Italy.

The groundbreaking Cosmic Max integrates FEELM Max, the world-first ceramic coil disposable technology. It distinguishes itself by delivering over 800 puffs with 2mL of e-liquid, while most of the disposable products in the market only offer up to 600 puffs, thus creating a new industry standard in TPD regions. This technological development presents a superior alternative to many disposables that are backed by cotton coil technology.

With a 30% increase in puff count from 2mL e-liquid compared to its competitors, Cosmic Max sets a new industry benchmark. Another advantage of ceramic coil is it offers a flavour consistency rate exceeding 95%. These features, combined with the device's signature transparent e-liquid tank, not only alleviate e-juice related concerns but also enhance its visual appeal. Reflecting their industry impact, Aroma King proudly received the "Industry Leader" title at the 2023 Vapouround Awards.

Crafted in a sleek cylindrical design, Cosmic Max tantalizes with an array of 15 distinct flavours, offering a rich variety to the European market. Consumer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, frequently highlighting its "smooth", "consistent", and "high-level of flavour reproduction".

Furthermore, the eagerly anticipated Cosmic Box, featuring a unique box design, is set to hit markets including Germany, Spain, Italy, in the coming months.

Aroma King

AROMA KING was founded in 2020 and is most recognised for its disposable vape devices, which have been painstakingly crafted with affection for adults who want to vape smarter. As more adult vapers discover that disposables give a pleasant vape experience, we want to present them with a great-tasting, practical, easy-to-use, and budget-friendly vape that is unequalled among the competition.

About FEELM

As a flagship tech brand belonging to SMOORE, FEELM is the world's leading closed vape system solution provider. Based on the world's leading Ceramic Coil Heating Technology, FEELM combines authentic Flavor Reproduction Technology with innovative electronics technology, bringing ultimate sensation and premium vaping experience.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920993511/en/

Contacts:

PR Manager: Ruiqi Wang

Phone/WhatsApp: +44 7502009458

Email: ruiqi.wang@smooretech.com
SEATTLE, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quark Expeditions, the global leader in polar adventures, invites travelers to boldly rethink their bucket list in Arctic 2025 and choose destinations that take them beyond the standard and overly popular travel experiences. Quark Expeditions is offering an early booking bonus of $1,000 to any guest who decides to step away from the Top 10 lists in favor of truly unique polar experiences in the remote Arctic.

"Now that global travel is back in a big way, industry watchers have observed that many travelers are heading to the same destinations-in large numbers-and taking the very same selfies," says Wendy Batchelor, Vice President of Marketing for Quark Expeditions. "For our Arctic 2025 season, we invite travelers to go bold and take the less-traveled route away from the metropolises of Rome and New York and instead explore remote Arctic destinations like Svalbard, Greenland or the Canadian High Arctic. We want to inspire people to rethink their bucket list dreams, get off the beaten track and return home with travel stories no other destination can provide."

Quark Expeditions' Arctic 2025 season includes 12 itineraries-four of which are new:

West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs

Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland

Wild Fjords of South Greenland: Land of the Vikings

Adventures in Northeast Greenland: Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights

Quark Expeditions has curated its Arctic 2025 portfolio so guests can choose from varying trip lengths and off-ship experiences-many supported by Ultramarine's two twin-engine helicopters. "Another element that was extremely important to us when we created this season line-up was to allow travelers to fulfill very unique polar dreams," says Batchelor. "If you want to explore the legendary Northwest Passage, we've got you covered. If you dream of flying in a helicopter and then landing on the Greenland Ice Sheet, we can make that happen."

Quark Expeditions' Arctic season runs May to October.

View all itineraries in our Arctic 2025 season.

About Quark Expeditions: The global leader in polar adventures for more than 30 years. The most passionate and seasoned team in the industry, taking explorers to the ends of the earth. Going where few ever dream, and walking where few ever will. Delivering extraordinary experiences and enriching lives through travel, Quark Expeditions is a Travelopia specialist company.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2212534/QuarkExpeditions_Arctic2025_Season_Launch_Credit_Michelle_Sole.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/465074/Quark_Expeditions_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/quark-expeditions-launches-new-arctic-2025-season-rethink-your-bucket-list-301929711.html
First-ever QS Rankings of Europe's Best Universities Revealed

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts released the inaugural QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024 , evaluating universities based on global recognition, research prowess, teaching resources, internationalisation and employment outcomes (methodology) and listing 688 institutions across 42 members of the Council of Europe, including 106 universities never previously been ranked by QS.

Topping the list is the University of Oxford, followed by ETH Zurich and the University of Cambridge. The UK dominates, boasting 107 institutions, with Turkey and Germany trailing with 73 and 53 respectively.

Ben Sowter, QS Vice-President, said "While the UK remains a standout, especially with Oxbridge's global prominence and influential research ties, excellence permeates the entire European region. The data highlights diverse strengths, from enticing international talent in faculty and student domains to forging potent research alliances and expanding teaching horizons."

QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024 - Top 20 2024 Rank



1 University of Oxford UK 2 ETH Zurich Switzerland 3 University of Cambridge UK 4 Imperial College London UK 5 UCL UK 6 The University of Edinburgh UK 7 Universite PSL France 8 The University of Manchester UK 9 EPFL Switzerland 10 King's College London UK 11 Technical University of Munich Germany 12 LSE UK 13 Delft University of Technology Netherlands 14 University of Glasgow UK 15 University of Leeds UK 16 University of Bristol UK =17 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen Germany =17 University of Amsterdam Netherlands 19 The University of Warwick UK 20 Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg Germany

Regional Spotlights:

Austria: Celebrates the third-highest proportion of international faculty.

Belgium: Stands out for research collaboration, claiming third place regionally.

Czech Republic & Poland: The only Eastern Europe countries showcasing top 100 placements with Charles University and University of Warsaw.

Denmark and Sweden: Clinch first and second positions for Sustainability, respectively.

Finland: Achieves fourth spot in research partnerships.

France: Asserts regional research leadership, with four universities among Europe's elite for international collaboration.

Germany: A research powerhouse with numerous institutions dominating the regional top 10 and top 50 for research output.

Italy: Research standout, ranking third for scholarly contributions per faculty, with 25 institutions in the top 100 for this indicator.

Lithuania: Third regionally in drawing international exchange students.

Netherlands: Distinguished for academic and employer reputation, with nearly half its institutions within the top 100.

Norway and Ireland: Secure third and fourth place respectively for Sustainability.

Portugal: Achieves its top result in Sustainability, ranking 7th regionally.

Slovenia: Leads for Employment Outcomes, reflecting its graduates' standing among employers.

Spain: Leads in student mobility, highlighted by IE University's richly diverse student composition.

Switzerland: Balances research excellence and academic diversity, excelling in research citations and international faculty representation.

Turkey: Room to climb. Despite its robust university count (73), none of its universities are among the top 100.

UK Institutions shine, claiming seven of the top ten spots. Their prowess is especially evident in reputation, backed by insights from 144,000 academics and 98,000 employers.



Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1503776/2854098/QS_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/qs-world-university-rankings-europe-2024-301932499.html
HP Research Finds Expectations of Work Have Changed Drastically in the Last 2-3 Years

News Highlights

Only 27% of knowledge workers say they have a healthy relationship with work; India is most healthy, Japan least healthy

83% of knowledge workers today are willing to earn less to be happier at work

Leaders acknowledge emotional intelligence is key, while employees say they don't see it enough

HP's global research identified six primary drivers of a healthy relationship with work - with recommendations for business leaders and employees to consider

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023, a comprehensive study that explores employees' relationships with work around the world.* The study, which surveyed more than 15,600 respondents across various industries in 12 countries, reveals the world's relationship with work is at a breaking point - and its effects are pervasive.

"There is a huge opportunity to strengthen the world's relationship with work in ways that are both good for people and good for business," said Enrique Lores, President and CEO, HP Inc. "As leaders, we must always reject the false choice between productivity and happiness. The most successful companies are built on cultures that enable employees to excel in their careers while thriving outside of work."

The study analyzed 50+ aspects of people's relationships with work, including the role of work in their lives, their skills, abilities, tools and workspaces, and their expectations of leadership. The study also examined the impact work has on employee well-being, productivity, engagement and culture. Through this, HP developed its Work Relationship Index, which is a measure of the world's relationship with work to be tracked over time. It found that just 27% of knowledge workers currently have a healthy relationship with work; more details on the Index can be found here.

Unhealthy Relationships with Work are Impacting Employees' Mental, Emotional, and Physical Well-being

In this first-of-its-kind study, HP engaged with business leaders, IT decision makers and knowledge workers to gain insights into the factors that drive meaningful, productive and purposeful work experiences. The findings spotlight the negative impacts an unhealthy relationship with work has on an employee's life and an employer's business.

When employees are not happy with their relationship with work, it takes a toll on business:

Morale and Engagement: Knowledge workers report less productivity (34%), more disengagement at work (39%) and greater feelings of disconnection (38%).

Knowledge workers report less productivity (34%), more disengagement at work (39%) and greater feelings of disconnection (38%). Retention: Even when employees feel neutral about their relationship with work, more than 71% consider leaving the company. When they're not happy at all, that number rises to 91%.

Unhealthy relationships with work can impact employees' well-being:

Mental: More than half (55%) of these employees struggle with their self-worth and mental well-being, reporting low self-esteem and feeling like they are a failure.

More than half (55%) of these employees struggle with their self-worth and mental well-being, reporting low self-esteem and feeling like they are a failure. Emotional: These issues naturally affect other aspects of their lives, with 45% noting that their personal relationships with friends and family suffer, and more than half (59%) are too drained to pursue their personal passions.

These issues naturally affect other aspects of their lives, with 45% noting that their personal relationships with friends and family suffer, and more than half (59%) are too drained to pursue their personal passions. Physical: Mental and emotional wellness can make it harder to maintain physical well-being. 62% of employees report trouble with maintaining healthy eating, working out and getting sufficient sleep.



Identifying the Drivers Behind a Healthy Relationship with Work

Employees' expectations of work have changed significantly, particularly over the past two-to-three years, according to nearly 60% of respondents. Fifty-seven percent surveyed noted their expectations of how they are treated at work and in the workplace also have increased.

The research examined more than 50 factors contributing to a healthy relationship with work, identifying six core drivers that represent critical focus areas - and key imperatives - for business leaders, and comprise the Index that will be tracked over time.

1. Fulfillment: Employees yearn for purpose, empowerment, and genuine connection to their work, but just 29% of knowledge workers currently experience these aspects consistently. To adapt to evolving workforce expectations, businesses must prioritize employee fulfillment through increased voice and agency.

2. Leadership: New ways of working demand new leadership styles, according to 68% of business leaders; yet only one in five workers feel leaders have evolved their leadership styles accordingly. Cultivating emotional intelligence and transparent, empathetic leadership is crucial for today's workplace.

3. People-centricity: Only 25% of knowledge workers consistently receive the respect and value they feel they deserve, and even fewer are experiencing the flexibility, autonomy and work-life balance they seek. To address this, leaders must put visible emphasis on putting people first and placing their teams at the center of decision-making.

4. Skills: While 70% of knowledge workers value strong power and technical skills, only 31% feel consistently confident in their proficiency in either. 'Best-practice' businesses have an opportunity to gain a vital skills-development and employee engagement edge by investing in holistic training and support.

5. Tools: Today's workers want a say in the technology and tools their employer provides - and want that technology to be inclusive. However, confidence that companies will implement the right tools to support hybrid work is low, at just 25%. No longer just a utility, the technology portfolio is emerging as an important driver of employee engagement, as well as connection and enablement.

6. Workspace: Knowledge workers want a seamless experience as they move between work locations - and a choice in where they work each day. Effective hybrid workspaces, easy transitions, flexibility and autonomy will be pivotal in demonstrating trust in employees and fostering a positive work experience.

Trust and Emotional Connection are Now Key in Attracting and Retaining Workers

The Work Relationship Index shows that this is a pivotal time to redefine the world's relationships with work. Greater trust and emotional connection in the workplace were strong and recurring themes across the six core drivers.

Almost three in four business leaders acknowledge that emotionally intelligent leadership is the only way a leader can be successful going forward. Significantly, the study found that emotional intelligence - and increased trust and agency - hold considerable weight with employees: 83% say they're willing to earn less money to find an employer that values these factors.

Strong workplace culture: Knowledge workers would take an 11% pay cut to work somewhere with empathetic, emotionally intelligent leadership, and above-average employee engagement and fulfillment.

Knowledge workers would take an pay cut to work somewhere with empathetic, emotionally intelligent leadership, and above-average employee engagement and fulfillment. Flexibility: The same group would give up 13% of their salary to work somewhere that lets them work where or when they want.

For more information on the Work Relationship Index, please visit the WRI Websiteand to access the full report, please visit the HP Newsroom.

*Methodology

HP commissioned an online survey managed by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI) that fielded between June 9 - July 10, 2023, in 12 countries: the U.S., France, India, U.K., Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada and Indonesia. HP surveyed 15,624 respondents in total - 12,012 knowledge workers (~1,000 in each country); 2,408 IT decision makers (~200 in each country); and 1,204 business leaders (~100 in each country).

About HP

HP Inc..



HP Inc. Media Relations



MediaRelations@hp.com (mailto:MediaRelations@hp.com)



hp.com/go/newsroom

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5e92fff-dea3-4d03-86da-fe3ae2387021
EQS-Ad-hoc: European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. announces intention to extend Business Combination Deadline, to offer redemption of Public Shares and to terminate all Public and Sponsor Warrants



20-Sep-2023 / 12:30 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.



NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION OR FORWARDING, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH DISTRIBUTION OR PUBLICATION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. OTHER RESTRICTIONS ARE APPLICABLE. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS PUBLICATION. Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation) European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. announces intention to extend Business Combination Deadline, to offer redemption of Public Shares and to terminate all Public and Sponsor Warrants The Board intends to convene an extraordinary general meeting shortly, to be held on or before November 17, 2023, to have the shareholders resolve on the extension of the Business Combination Deadline by twelve months or such earlier date as announced by the Company. The Company will launch a redemption offer for the Public Shares under the same terms as in the event of a liquidation scenario. The Board will seek approval from the Public Warrant holders to have the Public Warrants expire worthless immediately following the original Business Combination Deadline, as the warrants have proved to impede the chances of successfully completing a business combination. Accordingly, the sponsors of the Company will forfeit their Sponsor Warrants upon expiry of the Public Warrants. Munich, September 20, 2023 The board (the "Board") of European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. ("EHC" or the "Company"), a Dutch operators-led special purpose acquisition company listed on Euronext Amsterdam, announces today that it intends to convene an extraordinary general meeting to request the shareholders to resolve on the extension of the Business Combination Deadline, to offer the redemption of the Public Shares and to terminate the warrants. Extension of Business Combination Deadline and dissolution

EHC has until November 17, 2023 (the "Business Combination Deadline") to complete a business combination. Following the termination of the discussions with Croma-Pharma GmbH and its shareholders on August 7, 2023, EHC is still in the process of investigating the possibility of completing a business combination in the future. The Board believes that the consummation of a business combination before the Business Combination Deadline seems unlikely given the limited amount of time left. However, the Board believes it would be in the interest of both the Company and its stakeholders to extend the Business Combination Deadline to continue the process and search to successfully complete a business combination and to reclaim some outstanding receivables. The Board therefore intends to convene an extraordinary general meeting, to be held on or before November 17, 2023, to have its shareholders resolve on the extension of the Business Combination Deadline by twelve months or such earlier date as announced by EHC on its website (the "Extended Business Combination Deadline"). The general meeting of the Company will also be requested to resolve upon the dissolution of the Company if: (i) no business combination agreement will have been signed on or before the Extended Business Combination Deadline; or (ii) the Extended Business Combination Deadline will not be approved by the general meeting. Redemption of Public Shares

In light of the proposed extension of the Business Combination Deadline, the Company will offer its class A ordinary shareholders to redeem their class A ordinary shares (the "Public Shares") under the same terms as in the event of a liquidation scenario as further detailed in the Company's prospectus dated November 16, 2021. Envisaged termination of all warrants

The Board will seek approval from the holders of the class A warrants (the "Public Warrants") to have the Public Warrants expire worthless immediately following the original Business Combination Deadline, i.e. November 17, 2023, as the warrants have proved to impede the chances of successfully completing a business combination. Accordingly, the sponsors of the Company will forfeit their class B warrants ("Sponsor Warrants") upon expiry of the Public Warrants. Next steps

The Board will prepare the relevant documentation for an extraordinary general meeting to be held before expiry of the Business Combination Deadline and for the redemption of the Public Shares and will publish such documentation when available. ----------- About EHC

EHC is an operators-led special purpose acquisition company. With its exclusive focus on healthcare, EHC is the first of its kind in Europe and benefits from excellent investment opportunities driven by the market's underlying fundamentals and an excellent value creation potential. In addition, the sponsors have created a novel structure which materially innovates the special purpose vehicle concept to allow a very attractive alignment of interests of all stakeholders. Media Enquiries

FGS Global

Kai Peter Rath

+49 171 861 98 06

kai.rath@fgsglobal.com Important Notice

This publication may not be published, distributed or transmitted in the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. This publication does not constitute an offer of securities for sale or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities (the "Securities") of European Healthcare Acquisition & Growth Company B.V. (the "Company") in the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. The Securities of the Company may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act. The Securities referred to herein may not be offered or sold in Australia, Canada or Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any national, resident or citizen of Australia, Canada or Japan subject to certain exceptions. In the United Kingdom, this publication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons who are "qualified investors" within the meaning of Article 2 of the Prospectus Regulation as it forms part of retained EU law in the United Kingdom as defined in the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (as amended) and are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "Order"), or (ii) persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.) (all such persons together being referred to as "Relevant Persons"). This publication is directed only at Relevant Persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not Relevant Persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this publication relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. The Securities 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 EEA. For these purposes, 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 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("MiFID II"); (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 January 2016 on insurance distribution, as amended, where that customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II. Consequently, no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 November 2014 on key information documents for packaged retail and insurance-based investment products (the "PRIIPs Regulation") for offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to Retail Investors in the EEA has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the Securities or otherwise making them available to any Retail Investor in the EEA may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. Solely for the purpose of the product governance requirements contained within MiFID II, (ii) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 of 7 April 2016 supplementing MiFID II and (iii) local implementing measures (together, the "MiFID II Requirements"), and disclaiming any and all liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Public Shares and Public Warrants have been subject to a product approval process. As a result, it has been determined that (i) the Public Shares are (a) compatible with an end target market of Retail Investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II and (ii) the Public Warrants are (a) compatible with an end target market of investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in MiFID II, and (b) eligible for distribution to professional clients and eligible counterparties through all distribution channels permitted by MiFID II. This release may contain forward looking statements, estimates, opinions and projections with respect to anticipated future performance of the Company ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "believes," "estimates," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "may," "will" or "should" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on the current views, expectations and assumptions of the management of the Company and involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Any forward-looking statements included herein only speak as at the date of this release. We undertake no obligation, and do not expect to publicly update, or publicly revise, any of the information, forward-looking statements or the conclusions contained herein or to reflect new events or circumstances or to correct any inaccuracies which may become apparent subsequent to the date hereof, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. We accept no liability whatsoever in respect of the achievement of such forward-looking statements and assumptions.



End of Inside Information



20-Sep-2023 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


HAMBURG, Germany, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global strategic partnership empowers businesses to overcome efficiency, scalability and sustainability challenges across supply chain

Korber and Geek+, a global leader in robotic solutions for logistics, are announcing the third anniversary of their strategic partnership. Geek+ is one of Korber's trusted global robotic partners, making this anniversary an important milestone in Korber's journey to provide businesses worldwide with efficient, scalable and sustainable end-to-end logistics solutions.

With more than 30 implementations in eight regions and thousands of bots successfully deployed, Korber and Geek+ continue to revolutionize warehouse operations through an extensive portfolio of Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solutions. Through this partnership, customers have seen productivity gains in excess of 100%, accuracy improvements of up to 99.99% and a reduction in walking distances of up to 82% across the warehouse.

Customers throughout Europe, America and Asia Pacific are currently advancing their supply chain operations with flexible automation solutions from Korber and Geek+, relying on the combined expertise of a global leader in AMR technology and Korber's broad capabilities in end-to-end consulting, conceptualization, integration and support. By increasing picking accuracy, reducing labor costs, and improving productivity and efficiency, robotics also help create safer and more ergonomic workplaces where warehouse associates can avoid tedious and risky tasks, focus on more value-added activities, and enjoy a more collaborative and satisfying work environment.

One example includes the implementation of a highly innovative logistics software and automation landscape for the biggest 3PL eCommerce warehouse in Eastern Central Europe, run by 3PL logistics start-up Boxy. Andras Tancsics, CEO of Boxy, stated: "Relying on cutting-edge technology provided by Korber, together with partners like Geek+, has helped us to maintain an efficient flow of goods, enhanced shipping performance, and reliability in light of the steady growing pressure of customer demands. We truly believe that these types of automation and software solutions are the future of the industry and our competitive edge on the market. Therefore, we keep a close eye on these technologies together with our partners and always try to be in the forefront of innovation."

Recent customer successes also include one of the largest AMR deployments in Eastern Europe at DB Schenker, one of the leading global logistics service providers. In Australia, Korber and Geek+ have collaborated with leading Australian retailers such as Officeworks. In North America, S&S Activewear, a leading wholesale distributor of apparel and accessories, will rely on a high velocity picking system from Geek+ with Korber's expertise in the design, deployment and support of this transformative system to meet evolving demand and optimize fulfillment.

"The supply chain has undergone tremendous changes in recent years, with an ever-increasing demand for efficiency and productivity while continually requiring more sustainable practices. We need innovative solutions to answer new challenges to be cost-efficient and competitive while also sustainable. Driven by huge developments in AI and machine learning, robots can help by addressing these challenges, at scale," said Lit Fung, VP and Managing Director, International Business at Geek+.

"Particularly in the growing eCommerce segment, robotics continues to be a true gamechanger for the logistics landscape to introduce greener, safer and more ergonomic operations," said John Santagate, Vice President Robotics at Korber Business Area Supply Chain. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with one of the leading global AMR providers, helping companies worldwide optimize their operational success and conquer their supply chain complexities."

Geek+ entered its first global partnership with Korber in 2020, with expansion rapidly accelerating since then - showcased by 30,000 robots deployed that helped save 140,000 tons of carbon emissions and 16 million KwH in energy in 2022. Together with Geek+' growing portfolio of robotic solutions, Korber continues to enhance access to an unparalleled breadth and depth of supply chain solutions, spanning warehouse management, warehouse control, simulation and voice, to help those who move goods do good.

About Geek+

Geek+ is a global leader in robotic solutions for logistics. We develop Autonomous Mobile-Robot (AMR) solutions to realize flexible, reliable, and highly efficient automation for warehouses and supply chain management. Geek+ is trusted by over 700 global industry leaders and has been recognized as the world leader in autonomous mobile robots. Founded in 2015, Geek+ has over 1,500 employees, with offices in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore. For more information, please visit: https://www.geekplus.com/

About the Korber Business Area Supply Chain

Supply chains are growing more complex by the day. Korber uniquely provides a broad range of proven end-to-end solutions tailored to help manage the supply chain as a competitive advantage. Fitting any business size, strategy or industry, our customers conquer the complexity of the supply chain thanks to our portfolio of software, voice, and robotics solutions - plus the expertise to tie it all together. Conquer supply chain complexity, with Korber. Find out more on www.koerber-supplychain-software.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216015/korber_geek_partners.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/korber-celebrates-partnership-milestone-with-geek-301933242.html
OSLO, Norway, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces that its partner Asieris Pharmaceuticals (SSE: 688176) has communicated today that the multinational Cevira Phase III clinical trial has been completed and successfully met its primary endpoint. Cevira (APL-1702) is a photodynamic drug-device combination product in development for the non-surgical treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), licensed to Asieris by Photocure.

The results of the study will be submitted to the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as part of a new drug application (NDA) in the coming months.

This study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled international multicenter Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APL-1702 for the treatment of cervical HSIL. It is led by Academy Member Dr. Jinghe Lang from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and has enrolled 402 participants. The trial met its primary endpoint, together with a robust safety profile. Comprehensive data from this study will be presented at forthcoming academic conferences and published in scientific journals.

Dr. Linda Wu, Chief Development Officer of Asieris Pharmaceuticals, said "This milestone marks a significant leap forward in the management of HSIL, with the potential to transform care in this domain. Moreover, tackling precancerous cervical conditions is pivotal for early prevention of cervical cancer and is an integral part of the three-tier cancer prevention system. Asieris Pharmaceuticals is committed to playing an active role in advancing China's Action Plan to Eliminate Cervical Cancer (2023-2030) and contributing to Healthy China 2030, aligning our efforts with the WHO's global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer."

"It is exciting to see that the Phase III clinical trial for Cevira has met its primary endpoint. There are many patients globally who can benefit from a non-surgical approach to treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Given the high unmet need and the importance of novel therapies to improve HSIL clinical outcomes, Photocure will continue to support Asieris, as our partner advances to the next stages of product development and regulatory approval," said Anders Neijber, Photocure's Chief Medical Officer.

According to the Global Cancer Statistics 2020, there were 604,127 new cases of cervical cancer in women, with 341,831 deaths worldwide, ranking it as the fourth most prevalent malignancy among females.1 In China, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common malignancy among women.

The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection, leading to precancerous cervical lesions. Alarmingly, approximately 20 percent of individuals with HSIL may progress to invasive cervical cancer within a span of 10 years.2 According to Frost & Sullivan, the number of HSIL patients is projected to reach 16.6 million globally and 2.2 million in China by 2030.

Read Asieris' full media release here: https://asieris.com/the-first-non-vaccine-investigational-product-for-cervical-hsil-has-achieved-its-primary-endpoint/

1 Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-49.

2 Expert Committee of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Branch (CSCCP) of Chinese Eugenics Association. Expert consensus on cervical cancer screening and abnormal management in China (II). Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2017, 18(3):286-288. (in Chinese)

Note to editors:

All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA.

This press release may contain product details and information which are not valid, or a product is not accessible, in your country. Please be aware that Photocure does not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin.

About Cevira

Cevira (APL-1702) is a photodynamic drug-device combination product in development. Based on the principles of photodynamic therapy, the Cevira product aims to use a photosensitizer in combination with light activation to produce a therapeutic effect as a non-surgical treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), including all human papilloma virus (HPV) sub-types.

Photocure developed Cevira through Phase I and Phase II trials, and the global rights for development and commercialization were out-licensed to Asieris Meditech Co., Ltd in 2019. In November 2020 Asieris initiated the phase III clinical trial for APL-1702 (Cevira), Clinical trial number: NCT04484415.

About Photocure ASA

Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com

About Asieris

Asieris Pharmaceuticals(688176.SH), founded in March 2010, is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases.

For further information, please contact:

Dan Schneider

President and CEO

Photocure ASA

Email: ds@photocure.com

Erik Dahl

CFO

Photocure ASA

Tel: +4745055000

Email: ed@photocure.com

David Moskowitz

Vice President, Investor Relations

Photocure ASA

Tel: +1 202 280 0888

Email: david.moskowitz@photocure.com

Media and IR enquiries:

Geir Bjrlo

Corporate Communications (Norway)

Tel: +47 91540000

Email: geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/17498/3838389/2306274.pdf Release

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/photocure-partner-asieris-announces-that-the-first-non-vaccine-investigational-product-for-cervical-hsil-has-achieved-its-primary-endpoint-301933243.html
Marula Mining Plc - Update on Resource Drilling Exploration and Mining Program for Blesberg

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 20

Marula Mining PLC

("Marula'' or the "Company")

20 September 2023

Update on Resource Drilling Exploration and Mining Program

for the Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU) an African focused mining and development company, is pleased to provide an update on the approx. ZAR 25 million (approx. US$1.35M) resource drilling exploration and mine planning program for the Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine in South Africa ("Blesberg" or the "Project") that is underway following the appointment and mobilisation to site of experienced South African drilling contractor, PDS Africa Pty Limited ("PDS Drilling") and as announced on 11 August and 15 August 2023.

Highlights:

PDS Drilling has completed 798 metres ("m") of the initial 1,500m Phase 1 resource drilling program as at 18 September 2023

13 diamond drill holes of the planned initial 20-hole program have been completed with a further 2 diamond drill holes due to be completed shortly

The Phase 1 drilling program is part of a two phase 2,900m, 38 diamond hole drilling program

Completion of the initial Phase 1 drilling program is forecast to be achieved in mid-October 2023

Core logging, cutting and sampling of the diamond drill core will commence next week following completion of construction of the on-site core shed in September 2023

Spodumene mineralisation has been observed in the drill cores and the grades will be quantified through assay work which will commence in early October 2023

First assay results from the Phase 1 drilling program are expected in the second half of October and with all assay results scheduled to be received by mid-November

The Phase 1 drilling program is being completed on a 25m x 50m drill spacing and aimed at defining a maiden JORC Code 2012 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate to support an initial hard rock open pit mining plan for Blesberg

Upon completion of the initial Phase 1 drilling program, PDS Drilling will immediately commence the Phase 2 drilling program which will comprise a further 1,400m diamond drilling of 18 holes on a 25m x 25m drill spacing

Airborne geophysical survey company, SkyTEM Africa Pty Limited, has been appointed to complete the airborne geophysics program over the existing Blesberg Prospecting License and over an additional 1,200 km2 license area for a survey size of 539 line kilometres with a line spacing of 100m as announced on 11 August 2023

The airborne geophysics program is scheduled to commence in October 2023 and expected to be completed later in Q4 2023

Negotiations over the acquisition of the additional 1,200 km2 license area are well advanced and are expected to be completed in due course

Berlin headquartered, Pytheas AG, has commenced a multi-spectral satellite imaging analyses over the existing Blesberg Prospecting License and over the additional 1,200 km2 license area

The multi-spectral satellite imaging analyses is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023

In addition to the resource drilling and geophysics and multi-spectral satellite imaging exploration work, open pit mine design study work and initial mining works program are also underway and are scheduled to be completed in December 2023

Jason Brewer, Marula Mining PLC CEO said:

"It is very pleasing to see the progress that has been made on the resource drilling and mining works program at the Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine over the past month.

"PDS Drilling are moving ahead at pace and are now almost 75% through the initial 20-hole diamond drilling program. With the core shed now completed on site, the actual core logging, cutting and sampling of the diamond drill core can now start and with spodumene mineralisation having been observed in some of the drill cores, I am looking forward to the commencement of the assay work and first assay results.

"In addition to this ongoing drilling work, we also have the geophysics and multi-spectral satellite imaging work starting across the Blesberg license area and over an additional 1,200km2 license area that we are looking to acquire and expand our footprint in the region. This airborne geophysics and multispectral satellite imaging work should show target areas as broad or bigger than the current area of mining and processing activities.

"I am very pleased with the progress that is being made across so many aspects of the resource drilling exploration and mine planning program at Blesberg and the work that both our Project Manager, Mr Jacques Perold, and our on-site General Manager Operations Southern Africa, Mr Henk van Zyl are overseeing so well. I look forward to updating shareholders on the results of this work in due course."

The Directors of Marula are responsible for the contents of this announcement. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of UK Market Abuse Regulation.

Review of Announcement by Qualified Person

This announcement has been reviewed by Mr Jacques Perold (PrSciNat, MGSSA, MIQ MSc(Eng), MSc(ESPM), NDSURMA, Datametrics), who is engaged by Marula Mining plc as its professional consulting geologist.

Mr Jacques Perold is a professional geologist with 37 years of experience in the field and extensive knowledge of all aspects of mineral resource management.

Mr Jacques Perold is Member of the Geological Society of South Africa (No. 965505) and a registered scientist of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (Reg No. 400171/05) in terms of section 20(3) of the Natural Scientific Professions Act, 2002 (Act 27 of 2003) in the field of Geological Science (Professional Natural Scientist).

About Marula Mining

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU) is an African focused battery metals investment and exploration company and has interests in several high value mine projects in Africa; Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine in South Africa, Nkombwa Hill Project in Zambia and Kinusi Copper mine, Bagamoyo Graphite Project and Nyorinyori Graphite Project in Tanzania. As we advance operations at these battery metals focused projects, Marula will continue to build and expand its interests in other high-quality projects in Africa.

Marula's strategy is to identify and invest in advanced and high-value mining projects throughout East, Central and Southern Africa that the Directors believe would deliver returns for its shareholders. The Board and management team aims to establish Marula as a socially and environmentally responsible, sustainable, and profitable producer of critical metals and commodities that are of increasingly strategic importance to modern technologies and the global economy.

Marula's shares are traded on the AQUIS Stock Exchange (AQSE), Marula is exploring opportunities to admit its shares to trading on AIM, the market operated by the London Stock Exchange Group plc, Kenya's Nairobi Securities Exchange and South Africa's Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

For enquiries contact:

Marula Mining PLC Jason Brewer, Chief Executive Officer Faith Kinyanjui Mumbi Investor Relations



Email: jason@marulamining.com



Email: info@marulamining.com AQSE Corporate Adviser Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Liam Murray / Ludovico Lazzaretti +44 (0)20 7213 0880 Broker Peterhouse Capital Limited, Charles Goodfellow / Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930 Financial PR and IR BlytheRay Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Caution

Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi?ed by their use of terms and phrases such as 'believe', 'could', "should" 'envisage', 'estimate', 'intend', 'may', 'plan', 'potentially', "expect", 'will' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re?ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.
New field testing shows SC Johnson spatial repellent could repel mosquitoes for multiple rainy seasons.

Racine, Wisconsin--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - New field testing shows SC Johnson Guardian, a spatial repellent made by SC Johnson, is demonstrating a game-changing efficacy of one year. Spatial repellents are easy-to-use products that can be hung in semi-enclosed spaces (including homes, schools, and humanitarian settings) to repel mosquitoes.

"Guardian's efficacy rate of one year is a game-changer because it covers multiple rainy seasons, when people are at higher risk for mosquito-borne disease," said SC Johnson Chairman and CEO, Fisk Johnson. "We think we can make a big difference in eradicating malaria on this planet and we are making progress. We are hopeful that having a long-lasting tool you can hang in your home, and combine with other measures, will help significantly in this fight."





Example of a Guardian spatial repellent in a home in Africa.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9488/180883_b9b0be96f4276993_001full.jpg

As SC Johnson works to obtain a World Health Organization (WHO) policy recommendation, which would make spatial repellents one of the first new recommended malaria prevention tools in 25 years, SC Johnson is giving Guardian to at-risk populations through global public health partners. The company is set to start large-scale spatial repellent manufacturing in Kenya in 2024.





SC Johnson Guardian spatial repellent

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9488/180883_b9b0be96f4276993_002full.jpg

"There are over a billion people that would benefit from mosquito protection in an easy-to-use form," said Richard Allen, Director of The MENTOR Initiative, a partner of SC Johnson that works in high-risk and humanitarian settings to prevent malaria. "People want a tool they can take off the shelf, unpack it, hang it up themselves and know that it will work. Frankly, SC Johnson's is the first tool I've seen in 36 years that has the promise of doing that."

For more than 60 years, SC Johnson, the maker of household consumer brands such as Raid, OFF! and Baygon, has studied insects and the diseases they may carry at the company's Center for Insect Science and Family Health (in Racine, Wisconsin), one of the world's largest privately-funded urban entomology centers.

"We know we can't rest," said Johnson. "We have a whole team dedicated to malaria. The development of this spatial repellent tool has never had a profit motive. This is about bringing our resources, capability, and expertise to fight against an insidious disease."

To read more about SC Johnson's fight against malaria please visit the latest Impact Report.

*SC Johnson conducted field testing at Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) in Tanzania from 2022 to 2023 with a wild population of highly pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes.*

About SC Johnson

Founded in 1886 and headquartered in Racine, Wisconsin USA, SC Johnson believes that a more sustainable, healthier and transparent world that inspires people and creates opportunities isn't just possible - it's our responsibility.

A heritage of innovation and bold, transparent decisions is why our high-quality products and iconic brands - including OFF!, Raid, Glade, Windex, Scrubbing Bubbles, Ziploc, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day, method, Autan, Baygon, Mr Muscle, Duck, Lysoform and more - are in homes, schools and businesses in virtually every country worldwide.

As a global, purpose-led company, we are committed to making the world a better place today and for future generations. That means relentlessly bringing our expertise in science, innovation and partnerships to bear on some of the world's most pressing environmental and health issues like reducing plastic waste and eradicating malaria. Around the world, we use our resources to unlock greater economic and educational opportunities for people and communities where access may be limited, but curiosity and potential are limitless.

See how SC Johnson is a Family Company At Work For a Better World by visiting scjohnson.com or joining us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

CONTACT

SC Johnson Global Corporate Communication

Media@scj.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/180883
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Denarius Metals Corp. (TSXV: DSLV) (OTCQX: DNRSF) ("Denarius Metals" or the "Company") announced today that it has released a short documentary entitled Volver ("Coming Back"), directed by Colombian journalist Yamid Ahmad Serna, which profiles the rich history, culture and community acceptance of the Company's Zancudo Project located in the Titiribi Mining District of Colombia, about 30 km SW of Medellin. Volver can be found on the Company's website at www.denariusmetals.com and its YouTube channel here.

Mining in the Titiribi District dates back over 250 years. The Sociedad del Zancudo mining company was created in 1848 and was regarded as one of Colombia's most important companies of the 19th century. In 1883, the Sociedad de Zancudo company created its own bank, issuing banknotes to pay the bills and expenses of miners, contractors, and suppliers. Mining was the largest employer in the municipality until 1945, when it was no longer profitable and many people left the area to find work in nearby Medellin. The mine at the Zancudo Project, called Independencia, closed in 1945 and saw little activity until 2010 when it was acquired by Gran Colombia Gold. From 2011 through 2022, Gran Colombia Gold and IAMGOLD drilled approximately 40,000 meters at the Zancudo Project. In 2021, the Company acquired 100% ownership of the Zancudo Project from Gran Colombia Gold. The Company is currently advancing construction activities at the Zancudo Project, rejuvenating the Independencia mine to re-start operations in 2024 to generate gold and silver production from the recently announced Inferred Mineral Resource estimate of 4.1 million tonnes at a gold equivalent grade of 8.1 g/t representing 1,060,000 gold equivalent ounces.

Volver is narrated by residents, community leaders and members of the Denarius Metals' local team, exploring the anticipated revitalization and positive impact of mining coming back to Titiribi at Independencia. Through narratives and archival material, Volver provides a commentary on the social and local economic benefits that both the Company and the community expect to realize through mutual initiatives focused on health, education, employment and entrepreneurship as well as developments in local infrastructure to be generated by the Zancudo Project.

Credits for the documentary include: Yamid Ahmad Serna, Director; Juan Pablo Rios, Filmmaker and Screenwriter; Maria Helena Perez, Producer; Nelson Abril, Director of Photography and Camera Operator; Alejandro Escobar, Sound Recording; Juan David Vasquez, Camera Assistant; Alejandro Portocarrero, Drone Operator; Futuro Digital, Translation and Subtitles; and, Marlon Cortes, Editing.





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbyf4iNbZGg

About Denarius Metals

Denarius Metals is a Canadian junior company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and eventual operation of polymetallic mining projects in high-grade districts, with its principal focus on the Lomero Project in Spain. The Company signed a definitive option agreement with Europa Metals Ltd. in November 2022 pursuant to which Europa has granted Denarius Metals two options to acquire up to an 80% ownership interest in the Toral Zn-Pb-Ag Project, Leon Province, Northern Spain. The Company's 100%-owned Zancudo Project in Colombia provides an opportunity to develop near-term production and cash flow through local contract miners and long-term growth through exploration.

Additional information on Denarius can be found on its website at www.denariusmetals.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

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", which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to anticipated business plans or strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Denarius to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated April 21, 2023 which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Denarius disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

For Further Information, Contact:

Michael Davies

Chief Financial Officer

(416) 360-4653

investors@denariusmetals.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181128
Homes and businesses near the Valley Center Energy Storage Facility in California were evacuated this week and a shelter-in-place order was put into effect in the vicinity. Terra-Gen, the project's owner, has issued a statement saying that the facility's design systems contained the incident.From pv magazine USA A fire erupted this week inside a solar battery storage container at the Valley Center Energy Storage Facility in northern San Diego County, California. The fire occurred when a battery storage unit caught fire, according to Terra-Gen, the owner of the energy storage facility. The Valley ...

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.
SALZGITTER (dpa-AFX) - Salzgitter AG (SZGPF.PK, SZGPY.PK), a German steel maker, said on Wednesday that it has selected Andritz AG (ADRZF.PK), an Austrian industrial firm, to supply a green hydrogen plant for its SALCOS program, which aims to achieve virtually CO2-free or green steel production. With this, Andritz will build a 100 MW electrolysis plant at the Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH site on an EPC basis, incorporating pressurized alkaline electrolyzer technology from HydrogenPro. Starting in 2026, the plant will produce around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen per year, which will be used to produce green steel. The company said that it has secured financing for the stage 1 of SALCOS by subsidies from the German Government and the State of Lower Saxony, as well as through Salzgitter AG's own substantial funds. The first stage will be operational as early as 2026 and will comprise a direct reduction plant, an electric arc furnace, and the 100 MW electrolysis plant for green hydrogen production. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
BEIJING, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, the Launch Ceremony for the Portuguese edition of Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights and the Seminar on Enriching the Diversity of Human Civilization to Promote Development of the Global Human Rights Cause was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The event was jointly hosted by the China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Chinese Embassy in Brazil and co-organized by the Foreign Languages Press, the Consulate-General of China in Rio de Janeiro, and the CICG Center for Americas (Beijing Review). Liu Dawei, Vice President of the CICG, Tia Ju, Vice President of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Zhu Qingqiao, Chinese Ambassador to Brazil, and Edson Santos, Alderman of the Rio de Janeiro City Council, attended the launch ceremony and delivered speeches. Li Yafang, President of the CICG Center for Americas, hosted the event. Around 100 representatives from the Brazilian political, academic, cultural, media, and other communities attended the event.

Xi Jinping: On Respecting and Protecting Human Rights, featuring nine themes, includes a series of important discourses by Chinese President Xi Jinping on respecting and protecting human rights. At the ceremony, Liu Dawei, Zhu Qingqiao, Tia Ju and Edson Santos unveiled the new book. Liu Dawei, on behalf of the publisher, presented the new books to Brazilian guests.

At the seminar, experts from China and other countries, including Ding Zhitao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Languages Press, Claudia Jannuzzi, official of the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, Cesar de Queiroz Benjamin, Editor-in-Chief of Contraponto Press, Douglas Guimaraes Leite, researcher at the Center for Global Development of the Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Henrique Nobrega, President of Brazil-China Friendship Association, Li Junru, Vice President of the 4th National Council of China Society for Human Rights Studies (CSHRS), and Mo Jihong, Director of the Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and Director of the Human Rights Research Center of CASS, exchanged views on the diversity of human civilizations, global human rights governance, and the concept and practices of human rights in China. The participants all agreed that the launch of the Portuguese edition of the book will help Portuguese readers fully and systematically understand the current situation and features of the development of contemporary China's human rights cause, and accurately grasp the theoretical connotation of Xi Jinping's discourses on respecting and protecting human rights in a scientific manner. It will help enhance the communication and understanding between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries on the basic values and concepts of human rights, thus contributing to the elimination of misunderstandings, the strengthening of communication and cooperation, and the joint promotion of the building of a global community of shared future. It will give a theoretical impetus to developing diverse human civilizations and promoting global human rights.

Contact: Ms. Liu Yuhong

Tel: 008610-68995846

E-mail: 1542190629@qq.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216077/Liu_Dawei.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216078/Book_Portuguese_edition.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216076/Foreign_Languages_Press_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/portuguese-edition-of-xi-jinping-on-respecting-and-protecting-human-rights-launched-in-rio-de-janeiro-301933301.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Fabled Copper Corp. ("Fabled" or the "Company") (CSE:FABL)(FSE:XZ7) is pleased to announce the results of the first phase sampling program on the OHM Property (the "Property").

The OHM Property consists of 51 contiguous cells comprising of 2,856 hectares located approximately 70 kms south of Val D'Or. The OHM Property can be easily accessed from the main highway, route 117 and forestry roads 43 and 44 with numerous secondary cutting roads. It is estimated that 80% of the Property has been logged thus outcrop visibility is excellent.

A minimum of at least 10 pegmatite outcrops have been documented by the previous operators of the Property. No documented work has been done in the search for lithium within the pegmatite swarms. See Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 - OHM Property

Preamble

The late spring and summer of 2023 was challenging due to forest fires in northern Quebec and as a result work in the forest was prohibited. In late July 2023 the ban was lifted for the OHM Property area and a first phase exploration sampling program was conducted over a period of a week. The main objectives of the program were as follows:

To determine accessibility, road conditions, field conditions. To determine if pegmatites exist on the Property and over what area. If pegmatites were found, to determine if they were boulders, glacial trains or insitu outcrops. If boulders (not in place), what is the shape (rounded means transported a great distance, angular (meaning not traveled very far or heaved up from frost from outcrop below).

If coarse grained meaning slow cooling or outer envelope of an intrusive, if fine grained, fast cooling and closer to the heat source. To determine if the boulders and or outcrops contained lithium and or associated subsets of minerals and are the concentration of minerals associated with a particular type of texture, fine grained verses coarse grained. And finally do the results warrant a more comprehensive field program.

Discussion on the Findings.

During the week of July 17th, 2023 the Property was prospected and 19 samples numbered 28902 - 28920 were collected over an area of approximately 8 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers in width, being 1600 hectares of the 2,856 hectares in total on the property. See Map 1 below, Table 1 below.

The purpose of the sampling to was obtain typical pegmatite samples over as great an area as possible to determine if any one area is more favorable for further exploration. Hundreds of angular and lesser amount of rounded pegmatite boulders were seen. The center location of the property has pegmatite outcropping / sub cropping with the dimensions yet to be determined.

Geologic rock sequences observed were meta - seds traversing the Northwest sector, followed by bands of amphibolite kneiss followed by a 2 kilometer with of pegmatite boulders with outcrop terminated by Lac Rochester to the southeast. All observed trends are approximately N45E, including Lac Rochester.

Map 1 - Sample Locations

The northeast sector contains very course to knobby pegmatite while the southwest sector contains fine grained pegmatite. LTC pegmatites comprise a compositional defined subset of granitic pegmatites. The majority minerals are quartz, potassium feldspar, albite and muscovite all present in the pegmatites viewed except for 5mm garnets present in the knobby and coarse pegmatites. See Photo 1 below.

LTC pegmatites crystallize at remarkably low temperatures (about 350 - 550 C) in a short period of time thus the large crystal sizes of associated minerals.

Photo 1 - Knobby Pegmatite to left, Coarse grained Pegmatite to Right

Outcrop and sub crop in the central section as shown below. See Photo 2 below.

Photo 2 - Outcrop on left, sub crop on right

Early stage reconnaissance in the central part of the property has confirmed promising K / Rb (potassium to rubidium) ratio's in two samples, (28913, 28914) a proven indicator for lithium fertility according to the work of Stelway & al. (2004) for LTC (Lithium - Cesium - Tantalum type pegmatites. As supporting evidence elevated lithium and cesium are contained in the two samples. See Table 1 below.

Sample Number Rock Type Exposure Type Li ppm Cs ppm Rb ppm Be ppm K ppm 28902 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 4.7 0.289 8.55 0.04 0.2 28903 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 8.6 0.774 27.7 0.04 0.46 28904 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 6.9 0.646 23.7 0.04 0.4 28905 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 2 0.093 1.09 0.02 0.04 28906 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 10.8 1.035 31.1 0.04 0.61 28907 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 11.6 2.45 30.5 0.08 0.42 28908 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 2.6 0.241 5.07 0.04 0.14 28909 Fine pegmatite Out crop 29.4 1.175 41.1 0.07 0.37 28910 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 7.3 1.075 18.75 0.05 0.35 28911 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 0.8 0.282 3.9 0.04 0.09 28912 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 0.1 0.19 2.9 0.02 0.11 28913 Knobby pegmatite Out crop 45.8 8.65 150 0.12 3.24 28914 Knobby pegmatite Angular boulder 15.7 2.07 62.1 0.07 1.03 28915 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 3.2 0.623 11.4 0.04 0.24 28916 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 0.9 0.243 3.99 0.02 0.12 28917 Fine pegmatite Rounded boulder 4.2 0.295 12.8 0.04 0.23 28918 Fine pegmatite Rounded boulder 4.6 0.289 12.9 0.05 o.24 28919 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 2.7 0.57 10.35 0.02 0.16 28920 Fine pegmatite Rounded boulder 2.8 0.553 10.3 0.02 0.17

Next Steps

With only 19 samples taken over the entire property and given mineral assays of interest located in the central sector and hundreds of pegmatite boulders on the Property yet to be sampled, plus out cropping and sub cropping pegmatites that have not yet been systematically sampled the Company proposes to undertake a Second Phase Exploration Program that it currently believes will consist of following:

An in-depth review of Quebec Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets SIGEOM data base with particular attention to gradient and residual magnetics; magnetic tilt angle, magnetic analytic and magnetic analytic signal and the shadow relief LIDAR over the property. A Property wide detailed sampling program using diamond blade rock saws to obtain both insitu and channel samples due to the hardness of the pegmatites. Detailed structural and pegmatite composition and size mapping of outcrops in the central area.

About Fabled Copper Corp.

Fabled is a junior mining exploration company. Its current focus is to creating value for stakeholders through the exploration and development of its existing drill ready copper properties located in northern British Columbia. The Company's current property package consists of the Muskwa Project and the Bronson Property and comprises approximately 16,219 hectares in three non-contiguous blocks and located in the Liard Mining Division in northern British Columbia.

The Company is also seeking to broaden and diversify its portfolio. The Company has acquired the VOLT 2 lithium Property, located in Miquelton, Quebec and has options to acquire the OHM Property, located in Val D'Or, Quebec and the VOLT 1 Property located in the Miquelton, Quebec.

Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O.

Fabled Copper Corp.

Phone: (819) 316-0919

peter@fabledcopper.org

For further information please contact:

info@fabledcopper.org

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo. President and C.E.O. of Fabled, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition, development plans and business plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the failure of the shareholders of the Company to approve the Consolidation Proposal, impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; inability to obtain drilling permits; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: Fabled Copper Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785746/fabled-copper-outlines-8-km-by-2-km-pegmatite-boulder-field-with-pegmatite-outcropping-in-central-portion-of-ohm-property-quebec
Over 300 M8 employees, product portfolio and pipeline to enhance Acino's footprint and strategic position in key Latin American markets.

Zurich, Switzerland, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acino, a Swiss pharmaceutical company headquartered in Zurich, today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire M8 Pharmaceuticals (M8), a fast-growing specialty biopharmaceutical company, headquartered in Mexico City and focused on licensing, marketing, and distributing innovative and established medicines in Mexico and Brazil.

Through this acquisition, Acino will enter the two largest pharmaceutical markets in Latin America, significantly expanding its geographic footprint and strengthening its position in the region, providing a more powerful and comprehensive offering for healthcare professionals and patients. The acquisition will complement Acino's existing Latin American division, which is based in Panama and operates across eight countries in Central America, the Caribbean, and Ecuador, delivering high-quality medicines to improve people's health in this key region.

M8, a Montreux Growth Partners portfolio company, has a highly successful record of signing exclusive licensing agreements with large pharmaceutical and biotech companies for the rights to market and commercialize products in Latin America. M8 brings a portfolio of well-known proven brands and innovative products, a best-in-class deal-making platform and an outstanding reputation among its partners. Moreover, it has built a large pipeline across a broad range of key therapeutic areas, including CNS, cardiometabolism, respiratory, gastroenterology, oncology and hematology, and rare diseases.

Andrew Bird, Interim CEO at Acino commented: "This is a transformative deal for Acino, significantly expanding our presence in Latin America and delivering against our overall strategy and stated intention to increase patient's access to high-quality pharmaceuticals and diversify our footprint in key high-growth markets. We see M8 and Acino as highly complementary offerings, and we are confident that we can use this acquisition as a catalyst to further increase value and accelerate growth for Acino in this key region."

Joel Barlan, CEO at M8 commented: "This agreement will provide M8 with considerable additional resources, expertise, and access to a much wider geographic footprint, which will further accelerate our growth. We look forward to leveraging the skills and capabilities of both teams to grow the combined business and continue to bring proven and innovative treatments to patients and caregivers throughout Latin America and other emerging markets."

Dan Turner, Managing Director at Montreux Growth Partners commented: "We could not be more pleased with what M8 has achieved during our ownership. We first invested in the early stages of its development. We were able to bring on board a world-class management team, who have focused the company on patient critical therapeutic areas, with a product portfolio that now includes over 30 leading brands from major pharmaceutical companies around the world. The company has delivered tremendous growth and profitability, while also doing much good for the lives of patients. Acino is the perfect acquirer to continue that history of success".

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust clearance, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. Banco J.P. Morgan S.A. is acting as exclusive financial advisor, Goodwin LLP as exclusive legal advisor, and PWC as exclusive accounting and tax advisor to Acino. Stifel, Cooley LLP and Credit Suisse, a UBS Group Company acted as advisors to M8.

-ENDS-

About Acino

Acino is a Swiss pharmaceutical company headquartered in Zurich with a clear focus on selected markets in the Middle East, Africa, Ukraine, the CIS Region, and Latin America. Acino is part of ADQ, an Abu Dhabi based investment and holding company. We deliver quality pharmaceuticals to promote affordable healthcare in these emerging markets and leverage our high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and network to supply leading companies through contract manufacturing and out-licensing.

About M8 Pharmaceuticals

M8 is a specialty biopharmaceutical company focused on licensing, marketing and distributing innovative and established therapeutics in Latin America: Brazil and Mexico. We aim to become the preferred pharmaceutical partner for the licensing of high-value innovative and proven therapies across our main therapeutic areas CNS, respiratory, cardiometabolic, immunology, gastroenterology, onco-hematology, and rare diseases. Our mission is to provide the people of Latin America with access to the proven and innovative medicines they need to transform their lives.

About Montreux Growth Partners

Founded in 1993, Montreux Growth Partners has a long history of investing growth capital into category-leading companies that are advancing healthcare and financial technology. It focuses on commercial stage companies which have highly differentiated products, technologies, and services. It is an active and collaborative investor, working closely with the management teams at its portfolio companies.

Attachment
Semifinalists for the third annual Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge have been announced and 38 teams of innovators will now vie for a part of $1 million USD across three award levels two Seeding The Future Grand Prizes ($250,000 each), three Growth Grants ($100,000 each), and eight Seed Grants ($25,000 each). Funded by the Seeding The Future Foundation and hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), this year's Challenge received a record number of submissions (over 900) from 78 countries as multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs submitted their innovative approaches to transform the food system towards better nutrition security and planetary health.

"Global agricultural and food systems account for more than 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of impactful food system innovations related to climate change is becoming increasingly critical. The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge focuses on innovations that transform food systems to be more resilient and sustainable while also enabling equitable access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food that is trusted by consumers," said Bernhard van Lengerich, PhD, founder of Seeding The Future Foundation.

The Challenge incentivizes impactful and transformative innovations created by teams from for-profit, non-profit, or academic research entities sharing a common goal: To address the challenges of climate change and nutrition security by transforming the global food system and its impact on planetary and personal health. From regenerative agriculture to artificial intelligence, the Challenge has received a wide range of innovative solutions, as demonstrated by the more than 2,400 submissions in the Challenge's first three years.

Submissions opened on June 1 and closed on August 1. Over the last 45 days, submissions have been carefully evaluated and scored based on their novelty and projected impact on people's lives and the environment by a panel of highly distinguished subject matter experts from different science and technology disciplines.

Here is a complete list of this year's semifinalists:

Seeding The Future Grand Prize Semifinalists

Fork Farms for its efforts to scale its highly innovative vertical hydroponic Flex Farm into a large-scale operation, the Flex Acre, which can grow four times the amount of food to market with maximum potential for positive impact on people and the environment (USA).

Green America for its Soil Climate Alliance's innovative approach operating the Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI), a third-party verification program designed to accelerate the uptake of regenerative agriculture and promote soil regeneration and linking it with the Nutrition Density Alliance focusing on regenerative agricultures ability to produce more nutritious food (USA).

Green Farm Innovations, Inc. for its novel farm to doorstep food delivery model which aims to reduce the distance and middlemen between food producers and consumers through vertical farming in local production hubs with direct distribution to consumers (Canada).

INMED South Africa for its unique and impactful Aquaponics Social Enterprise (ASE) program, which builds upon INMED's expertise in climate-smart aquaponics to generate a means to address food security, climate-change adaptation, inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and other intertwined causes of systemic poverty at large scale (South Africa).

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for its Harvest Plus Program which leverages the nutritional benefits of locally grown biofortified crops used to develop nutrient-dense flours for porridge that can be easily stored, handled, and prepared for many consumers via school feeding (Kenya).

Naandi Foundation for its ReGen program, a synergistic model of ReGenerative agriculture providing SEED (soil enrichers and ecosystem developers) and SALM (sustainable agriculture land management) as respective material agri-inputs and knowledge frameworks. ReGen is an assembly of biology-based tools for the sustainable adoption of regenerative agriculture, distributed free of cost through a decentralized network of 12 regenerative agricultural hubs (India).

Savory Institute for its groundbreaking work to regenerate 100,000 hectares of communally managed Maasai conservancies in Kenya's Mara region. Savory's holistic approach integrates grasslands regeneration into an inclusive value proposition with an ROI model spanning land stewards, local communities, food-and-fashion corporate partners, and impact investors (USA).

SnapDNA for its highly innovative, simple, rapid, lab-quality, molecular and live pathogen food testing technology that can be used in-field to eliminate the need to store product or ship to a lab, thereby significantly lowering cold or ambient storage and food cost, enabling a safer, fresher, and more trustworthy food supply while reducing food waste (USA).

Growth Grants Semifinalists

Association 3535 for its Cool Lion project, an innovative cooling-as-a-service enterprise utilizing solar powered cold storage hub solutions for small-holder farmers in Africa (Cote d'Ivoire).

BettaF!sh, a start-up that harnesses the potential of regenerative cultivated seaweed as a key ingredient in novel, delicious and environmentally sustainable plant-based seafood alternatives (Germany).

Cotex Technologies, Inc., for its development of a novel process to create controlled release fertilizers using biodegradable polymers as an environment-friendly solution with increased efficiency and at lower cost than current alternatives (Canada).

Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology for its development of a highly innovative scalable evaporative cooling blanket made from biodegradable material to reduce post-harvest losses of perishable goods in developing regions (Switzerland).

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) for its innovative development of plant extract based biopesticides and their on-farm applications for sustainable crops, benefitting human and environmental health (Kenya).

Ignitia for its 'from-rain-to-grain' climate intelligence solutions for farmers in tropical regions to address the problem of low accuracy weather forecasts and its consequences. Through advanced, tropical atmospheric physics-based numerical prediction models and machine learning techniques, Ignitia delivers hyper-local forecasts that are twice as accurate as today's global models (Sweden).

Saba Grocers for its Fresh Food Access Initiative, a comprehensive and novel program to distribute low volume produce orders to corner stores at wholesale prices through a Collective Purchasing Agreement which procures produce from BIPOC farmers. Saba's work mitigates supply chain disparities which deprioritize supplying fresh produce to underserved communities (USA).

Kopernik for its innovative PANGAN Initiative: Preserving Ancestral Knowledge and Revitalizing Food Security for a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Future. PANGAN specifically addresses food insecurity in West Timor, a problem that has been exacerbated by the climate crisis and affects underserved and marginalized communities the most (Indonesia).

Midwest Food Bank for its Tender Mercies, a low cost, environmentally conscious, nutrient-dense meal made from an innovative single meal formulation mix enriched with vitamins and minerals, creating enjoyable and fully nutritious, yet cost-effective meals for school feeding programs, disaster relief, refugee camps, HIV/AIDS programs, or family settings (Kenya).

Node Eight Foundation for its First Farms project, an innovative agritech/fintech solution that is transforming agriculture in Africa. By leveraging its digital platform, it invests in first-time certified farmers, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in modern agriculture (Ghana).

Nurture Posterity International for NutriPosh, a unique approach protecting the nutritional quality of seed enriched maize flours used for enhanced nutrition in school feeding programs via regenerative agricultural practices, solar powered dehydration technologies and the use of biodegradable packaging (Uganda).

Save The Environment's "SENVIR" (link not available) for its biodiversity driven agronomic research on the choice of substrate and undergrowth needed to propagate Gnetum africanum which is applied in multiplier greenhouses and integrated into forestlands to promote sustainable growth of this endangered and widely consumed forest plant (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Seed Grant Semifinalists

Alabaster International, "Enset Cultivation, Development and Utilization in Ethiopia and Kenya Determining the Impact of Enset on Food Security" (USA).

Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, "Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Harnessing Novel Microbial Consortia for Eco-Friendly Reduction of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides" (India).

AQUAGENIUS, "Small-scale Fish Farming Enhanced by a Circular Economy and Innovative, Eco-friendly Food Strategy" (Republic of Benin).

Campbell Systems Design, "The Open Smart Kitchen (OSK) Hub: A Camera-based Food Management System to Reduce Food Spoilage and Promote Healthy Eating" (USA).

Crover, Ltd., "Maintaining the Quality of Grains and Oilseeds in Bulk Storage and Transportation" (United Kingdom).

Egerton University, "Developing a Togotia Digital Knowledge Platform for Improved Production, Value-addition and Utilization" (Kenya).

Feeding Albania Foundation, "Sustainable Egg Production for NGOs and the Impoverished in Albania" (Albania).

Global Seed Savers, "Empowering Communities for Sustainable, Equitable, Ecological, and Diverse Food Systems through Seed Sovereignty (ECOSEEDS Project)" (USA).

Journalists for Human Rights, "Sustainable Urban Farming for Food Security and Environmental Conservation" (Macedonia).

Makerere University, "Harnessing the Potential of a Millet-Pomegranate Composite Flour, 'Millipome,' as a Safe, Nutritive and Healthy Living Alternative Food" (Uganda).

Ndalo Heritage Trust, "Sorghum Value-addition: Scaling Up Nutrition, Human and Climate Health for At-risk Populations in Siaya County, Kenya" (Kenya).

Safe Environment Hub, "Black Soldier Fly farming: Changing Trash to Cash" (Kenya).

Stembla Kano. "Rhombus: An App to Empower Food Security and Farmers" (Nigeria).

Tiny Seed Project's "PISCES: Permaculture Institute, Cultivating Resilience: Promoting Cover Crops for Sustainable Agriculture in Northern Togo" (USA).

University of Connecticut, "Green Engineering of Seaweed Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Protection" (USA).

Urban Being (URBNG) Inc., "JRDN-URBN: Building Food Autonomy into the City" (Canada).

UV4Good, "UVC LED-based systems to clean water in the field and other emergency situations across the world: Ukraine case" (Ukraine).

West Virginia University Research Corporation, "Indoor LED Strawberry Growing: Lighting the Way to Zero Waste Beverages" (USA).

Seed Grant winners and Growth Grant and Grand Prize finalists will be announced next month. Follow IFT and Seeding The Future Foundation on LinkedIn for updates on the announcement.

For more information on the Challenge, go to www.ift.org/food-system-challenge.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of approximately 12,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world's greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

About Seeding The Future Foundation

The Seeding The Future Foundation is a private, non-profit organization motivated by its core value that everyone should always have equitable access to safe, nutritious, affordable, appealing, and trusted food. It seeks to inspire innovative solutions that can help transform the global food system to be more sustainable and benefits the health of people and the environment. The Foundation provides seed funding and support to promising ideas and high impact innovations to improve food systems globally, technologies to reduce post-harvest losses in developing regions, as well as foundational work in academia and research. For more information, please visit seedingthefuture.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920277249/en/

Contacts:

Dennis Van Milligen

Senior Manager, Public and Media Relations

Institute of Food Technologists

630-853-3022

dvanmilligen@ift.org
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banxa Holdings Inc. (TSXV: BNXA) (OTCQX: BNXAF) (FSE: AC00) ("Banxa' or the "Company") is pleased to share important updates regarding its board of directors and management team, aimed at positioning the company for future success.

Doron Cohen, a non-executive director, will step down from his position immediately. Doron played a crucial role as the founding director of the TSXv shell that facilitated Banxa's reverse listing onto the TSXv, and the Company acknowledges his contributions.

The Company is excited to announce the appointment of Zafer Qureshi, a large shareholder, as an Executive Director, effective immediately. Zafer will also take on the role as Head of Corporate Affairs within the Banxa Executive team. Zafer's background is detailed below.

Additionally, the Company is delighted to have Patrick Maguire joining in October 2023 as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Patrick is a tenured CFO of public and private companies. Patrick's background is detailed below.



Holger Arians, CEO, remarks, "Management and I are excited with the addition of Zafer and Patrick to our team. We are full steam ahead with the strengthening of our team to embrace the embedded crypto future that we've been diligently building since our mid-year update and look forward to updating shareholders further in the coming days."

Domenic Carosa, Chairman, remarks, "I want to express my gratitude to Doron for his invaluable contributions to our journey thus far. We're also thrilled to welcome Zafer and Patrick, who bring a wealth of experience to our team."

FINANCIAL RESULTS & AGM UPDATE



The Company advises that its preparation of the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 2023 (which includes the April-June quarter) are on track and will be released to the market before the end of October, in line with reporting requirements.

The Annual General Meeting has been approved by the TSXv to be rescheduled until 30th November to allow time to strengthen the composition of the Board of Directors and position the Company for continued future success.

The Company intends to provide further positive business updates to shareholders in the coming days.

Zafer Qureshi's Bio:

Zafer Qureshi has 10+ years as an investor and is the Founder and CEO of the Qureshi Family Office (Alam Group of Companies Inc.). Prior to this role, he made a significant impact in the world of finance during his tenure at Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). At RBC, Zafer specialized in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) investment banking and enterprise strategy, where he played a pivotal role in structuring and executing strategic financial transactions and leading critical corporate initiatives. His appointment as an Executive Director and Head of Corporate Affairs at Banxa brings a wealth of financial acumen and strategic vision to the team.

Patrick Maguire's Bio:

Patrick is an experienced Chief Financial Officer with a global career gained with both public and private businesses leading all aspects of the finance function as well as strategy development, capital raising, M&A and risk management to deliver business growth. Patrick previously held executive positions with technology businesses such as The Yield Technology Solutions, QSR International, Digicel Pacific and Euronet Worldwide Inc. Under Patrick's leadership the finance function will have significant depth to unlock Banxa's next phase of growth.

CONTACTS

Investors:

Zafer Qureshi

investors@banxa.com

Media:

Wachsman

Ethan Lyle

banxa@wachsman.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Per: "Zafer Qureshi"

Zafer Qureshi = Director and Head, Corporate Affairs, +1 416-347-4192

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.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements including "forward-looking information" ("Forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the date of the Meeting. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company will hold the Meeting on the expected date. However, the forward-looking statements in this 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. Such uncertainties and risks may include, among others that the Company will hold the Meeting on the expected date. 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Georgia-Pacific

By Fritz Mason President of Lumber at Georgia-Pacific LLC

A few weeks ago, I spoke on a panel at the Georgia Forestry Association's Annual Conference in Jekyll Island called "Seedlings to Solutions: Mass Timber's Rise in Georgia" with leaders from Jamestown LP and SmartLam North America discussing the role of mass timber in the sustainability of Georgia's lumber industry.

Mass timber, by definition, is a sustainable building material made from layers of wood, glued together into glulam beams and cross-laminated timber panels (CLT). The benefits of mass timber are numerous, and they include environmental sustainability, speed of construction, waste reduction, and economic advantages.

At Georgia-Pacific, we believe the potential for mass timber and Southern Yellow Pine in Georgia are exponential. We view mass timber as "the sexy calling card" of building with wood. And we're seeing mass timber's rise in popularity reverberate around the industry; because of mass timber promoting wood, the use of light frame construction is on the rise in commercial, non-residential building.

One of the most fascinating benefits of mass timber is its ability to sequester carbon. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they grow, and when they are turned into mass timber, that carbon is stored in the building for its lifetime. This makes mass timber buildings a carbon sink, which gives it advantages compared with traditional construction materials.

Another advantage of mass timber is its speed of construction. Because the elements are prefabricated, on-site construction time is greatly reduced. For the 619 Ponce project, which is the largest Southern Yellow Pine mass timber construction in Georgia, we supported Jamestown LP and SmartLam by processing the lumber for the beams and panels at our Albany, Georgia, sawmill - which employs ~ 185 Georgians and contributes ~ $100 million to the Georgia economy.

After processing the logs, we shipped the lumber to Dothan, Alabama where it was fabricated into beams and panels by the team at SmartLam. This prefabbing process, alone, demonstrates the potential economic opportunity for mass timber - as the process included three communities across the southern states, known as the wood basket of the nation. As this construction process grows in popularity - so will its economic impact.

According to Forest Economic Advisors, mass timber construction can potentially expand the consumption of lumber ~ 5% over the next 10 years - which would be huge for Georgia, as we are home to more plantation acres, total timberland acreage and privately-owned timberland acreage than any other state in the nation.

That, along with the ongoing growth of light frame wood construction in non-residential and multi-family segments has the potential to grow the demand for lumber by over four billion board feet, consuming about 16 million tons of logs annually and supporting several million acres of working forest.

Overall, the benefits of mass timber are clear. It is a sustainable, efficient, and beautiful material that is changing the face of architecture and the economics of construction. As more companies and individuals become aware of its advantages, we hope to see a continued increase in the use of mass timber in building projects across the nation.

Over the past couple of years, we've partnered with the Georgia Forestry Foundation on their greater "Seedlings to Solutions" campaign, which is chronicling the story of the growth of mass timber in Georgia, this year. Georgia-Pacific has been a strong supporter of the development of modern mass timber construction through our involvement in the Georgia Forestry Association and Georgia Forestry Foundation, Softwood Lumber Board, WoodWorks and the American Wood Council.

View original content here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Georgia-Pacific on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Georgia-Pacific

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/georgia-pacific

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Georgia-Pacific

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785874/as-mass-timber-grows-in-popularity-the-industry-takes-note
Independent Testing Designed to Emulate the Advanced Techniques of Notorious Threat Group Turla Reveals Superior Detection Capabilities of Bitdefender GravityZone Platform

Bitdefender, a global cybersecurity leader, today announced it achieved 100% detection of all major evaluation steps with the highest possible level of description for each step for the third consecutive year in the MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK Enterprise Evaluations. The evaluations were conducted through independent tests that simulate adversary behavior and techniques assessing the detection and protection capabilities of the 31 participating vendors.

"Enterprises are under tremendous pressure to strengthen their cyber resilience across environments as state-sponsored threat actors increase attacks both in sophistication and frequency," said Dragos Gavrilut, vice president of threat research at Bitdefender. "Our achievement in identifying techniques used by advanced adversaries further validates Bitdefender as an industry leader in threat detection technologies. Independent tests like the MITRE ATT&CK Evaluations are crucial for helping organizations evaluate the effectiveness of cybersecurity technologies against complex multi-stage attacks based on their risk, industry, and specific environment."

The 2023 ATT&CK Evaluations tested cybersecurity vendors for their ability to detect techniques and tactics used by Turla, a sophisticated Russian-based threat group that has infected victims in over 45 countries. The group is known for targeting government agencies, diplomatic missions, military groups, research and media organizations, using novel methods for intrusion, maintaining operational security, and remaining well hidden in environments. Each participant was evaluated based on detection rates and across 19 total steps and 143 sub-steps in the framework's attack kill chain from initial compromise through the final stage of execution.

Testing the 19 major steps included detection for initial compromise, establishing a foothold, lateral movement, persistence, privilege escalation and were performed using Microsoft Azure cloud services.

MITRE Engenuity evaluated Bitdefender GravityZone Platform, a unified risk and security analytics platform that offers advanced Endpoint Protection (EPP), Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR), Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and cloud security for physical, virtual, and multi-cloud environments. The platform delivers deep security context to detections and offers a direct path to Bitdefender Managed Detection and Response (MDR) services.

"Turla is one of the most sophisticated threat actors, and their tradecraft is platform diverse, dynamic in stealth, and layered in persistence," said Amy Robertson, MITRE cyber threat intelligence lead, ATT&CK Evals. "This round provides an emulation that focuses on kernel and service-level operations that often run with the same permissions as detection and protection products. Our goal is to empower end users and purchasers with unbiased insights into the product capabilities that detect these advanced adversary behaviors, while also collaborating with the participating vendors to evolve their products."

To view the full MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK Evaluations Enterprise testing methodology and report results, visit https://attackevals.mitre-engenuity.org/enterprise/turla/.

About MITRE Engenuity

MITRE Engenuity, a subsidiary of MITRE, is a tech foundation for the public good. MITRE's mission-driven teams are dedicated to solving problems for a safer world. Through our public-private partnerships and federally funded R&D centers, we work across government and in partnership with industry to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation.

MITRE Engenuity brings MITRE's deep technical know-how and systems thinking to the private sector to solve complex challenges that government alone cannot solve. MITRE Engenuity catalyzes the collective R&D strength of the broader U.S. federal government, academia, and private sector to tackle national and global challenges, such as protecting critical infrastructure, creating a resilient semiconductor ecosystem, building a genomics center for public good, accelerating use case innovation in 5G, and democratizing threat-informed cyber defense. www.mitre-engenuity.org

About Bitdefender

Bitdefender is a cybersecurity leader delivering best-in-class threat prevention, detection, and response solutions worldwide. Guardian over millions of consumer, enterprise, and government environments, Bitdefender is one of the industry's most trusted experts for eliminating threats, protecting privacy, digital identity and data, and enabling cyber resilience. With deep investments in research and development, Bitdefender Labs discovers hundreds of new threats each minute and validates billions of threat queries daily. The company has pioneered breakthrough innovations in antimalware, IoT security, behavioral analytics, and artificial intelligence and its technology is licensed by more than 180 of the world's most recognized technology brands. Founded in 2001, Bitdefender has customers in 170+ countries with offices around the world. For more information, visit https://www.bitdefender.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920654380/en/

Contacts:

Steve Fiore

Bitdefender

1-954-776-6262

sfiore@bitdefender.com
Co-Founder and President of DeepDive Group Sets Sail on a Digital Odyssey

DUBAI, UAE / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / DeepDive Group [https://www.deepdive.group/], a pioneering technology conglomerate, is thrilled to announce its sponsorship and unwavering support for a revolutionary initiative that underscores the transformative power of technology. Misha Hanin, the Co-Founder and President of DeepDive Group, will commence a global voyage from Dubai, culminating his journey in the same city aboard a digitally enabled and fully self-assisted sailboat. This venture epitomizes the seamless blend of technology and adventure.

Dubai Poseidon's Herald - Tech-Empowered Voyage

The mission, christened "Poseidon's Herald Adventure," stands as a powerful testament to the conviction that technology has the potential to empower and facilitate individuals in every conceivable domain, even amidst the boundless expanses of the oceans. Misha Hanin, fondly referred to as the "Nautical Nomad," has previously navigated a momentous voyage from Constanta, Romania to Dubai, UAE. This expedition will soon be meticulously documented and made accessible on the website [https://adventure.poseidonsherald.com/]. His upcoming journey is poised to be even more audacious, with comprehensive coverage on the Poseidon's Herald Adventure blog, where Hanin chronicles his maritime escapades through vivid photographs, engaging diaries, and invaluable insights.

"Technology is the cornerstone of all our endeavors, and I'm embarking on this global sail, commencing and concluding in Dubai, to validate this belief," articulates Hanin.

The unwavering support from DeepDive Group, bolstered by its strategic partners, accentuates the organization's dedication to transcending technological frontiers. This global expedition is not merely an adventure; it's a profound declaration that technology remains an indomitable force, even in the most remote regions of our planet.

Journalists and the global community are cordially invited to accompany Misha Hanin on his journey through the Poseidon's Herald Adventure website [https://adventure.poseidonsherald.com/]. Regular updates on the impending global sail, coupled with insights from the historic voyage from Constanta to Dubai, will be diligently curated for readers' exploration.

For media inquiries and additional details, kindly reach out to contact@poseidonsherald.com.

Contact Information

Rob Zacharias

COO of DeepDive Group

rob.zacharias@deepdive.tech

SOURCE: DeepDive Technology Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785449/deepdive-group-champions-world-round-trip-to-showcase-technology-as-an-enabler


MOSCOW (dpa-AFX) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has alleged that alongside its ongoing nuclear threat, Russia is also weaponizing essentials like global food and energy markets, which impacts not only Ukraine, but all countries.



Addressing the UN General Assembly, he said that since the start of the war, Ukrainian ports in the Black and Azov seas were blocked by Russia and its ports on the Danube River targeted by drones and missiles.



'It is a clear Russian attempt to weaponize the food shortage on the global market, in exchange for recognition of some, if not all, of the captured territories,' he told world leaders.



The impact of that weaponization could be seen from Africa to South-East Asia, he said.



'Nukes are not the scariest thing now. Mass destruction is gaining momentum. The aggressor is weaponizing many other things . things that are being used not only against our country but also yours as well,' he said, adding: 'There are many conventions against weapons but none against weaponization . of global food supplies and energy.'



President Zelenskyy further said that while Russia undermines the Black Sea Initiative, Ukraine continues to support it to ensure food security globally, having launched a temporary sea corridor from its ports and working to preserve land routes for grain exports.



In July, Russia pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which allowed for significant volumes of exports from three Black Sea ports to different parts of the world.



The Initiative helped unblock vital food commodities shortage and reverse spiking global food prices.



Russia had warned that it will target Ukraine-bound vessels considering them as potentially carrying weapons. It was followed by Russian drone attack against port infrastructure on the Danube River in Odesa, damaging granaries and warehouses.



Russian warships also attacked cargo ships.



Zelenskyy alleged that Russia was conducting mass kidnapping and deportation of Ukrainian children, making it a clear case of genocide.



The Ukrainian leader also said that he will present a Ukrainian peace formula at the Security Council on Wednesday to serve as a framework to end aggression on terms set by the victimized country in an open manner.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
Cian PLC (MOEX: CIAN) ("Cian" or the "Company"), a leading online real estate classifieds platform in Russia, announces that it filed a Form 15F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") today with the intention of terminating the registration of its ordinary shares (the "Ordinary Shares") and American Depositary Shares (the "ADSs"), each representing one Ordinary Share, and its reporting obligations under Sections 13(a) and Section 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Following the filing of the Form 15F with the SEC, all the Company's reporting obligations under the Exchange Act will be suspended unless the Form 15F is subsequently withdrawn or denied.

Deregistration with the SEC and termination of the Company's reporting obligations under the Exchange Act (collectively, the "Deregistration") are expected to become effective 90 days after its filing of Form 15F with the SEC ("Form 15 Effective Date"). Once the Form 15F is filed and before the Form 15F Effective Date, the Company will publish the information required under Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act on its website, https://ir.ciangroup.ru/. Notwithstanding the Deregistration, the Company currently intends to continue disclosing financial information on a regular basis subject to applicable laws and regulations.

The Company decided to proceed with the Deregistration following the affirmative decision by a Committee of the Board of Directors of the New York Stock Exchange to delist the Company's ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange (the "Delisting"), as previously disclosed in the Company's press release published on July 24, 2023. The Delisting became effective on July 31, 2023.

The Company intends to maintain its ADS program and the corresponding deposit agreement following the Delisting and Deregistration, and the trading of the Company's ADSs on the Moscow Exchange is unaffected and continues as usual.

The Delisting and Deregistration do not impact the Company's business operations or financial position, and we remain focused on maintaining business growth. The Company remains committed to acting in the best interests of all of its stakeholders, including investors, customers, merchants, our multiple business partners and employees to the best of its ability.

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is directly subject to any sanctions imposed by authorities of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union or other countries.

About Cian

Cian is a leading online real estate classifieds platform in the large, underpenetrated and growing Russian real estate classifieds market, with a strong presence across Russia and leading positions in the country's key metropolitan areas. The Company ranks among the top ten most popular online real estate classifieds globally in terms of traffic (based on SimilarWeb traffic data for August 2023). Cian's networked real estate platform connects millions of real estate buyers and renters to millions of high-quality real estate listings of all types residential and commercial, primary and secondary, urban and suburban. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company had over 1.9 million listings available through its platform and monthly audience with an average UMV of 19 million. Through its technology-driven platform and deep insights into the Russian real estate market the Company provides an end-to-end experience for its customers and users and helps them address multiple pain points on their journey to a new home or place to work.

Source: Cian PLC

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements that include the words "believe," "expect," "intend," may," "plan," "project," "will," and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation: the negative impact of the ongoing military actions between Russia and Ukraine, any negative effects of sanctions, export controls and similar measures targeting Russia as well as other responses to the military conflict in Ukraine; further potential negative developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other public health crises, other negative developments in our business or unfavorable legislative or regulatory development and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Cian's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 27, 2023 and our other filings with the SEC as such factors may be updated from time to time.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920742058/en/

Contacts:

Investor contacts:

Daria Fadeeva

ir@cian.ru

Media contacts:

Olga Podoliaka

pr@cian.ru


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. Defense Department is working with other government agencies, allies and friends to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait to ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, a high ranking DOD leader told the House Armed Services Committee.



Ely Ratner, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, testified about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and moves the United States is making to deter China from aggressive activities toward Taiwan.



Ratner told the committee that China is waging a campaign of military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan. 'China's leaders have yet to renounce the use of military force, while they increasingly turn to the (Peoples Liberation Army) as an instrument of coercion in support of their revisionist aims, conducting more dangerous activities in and around the Taiwan Strait'.



Ratner's testimony came a day after China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, sent more than 100 warplanes towards the self-governing island nation.



Many of them crossed the median line on the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.



He said that consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, Washington is committed to provide Taiwan with self-defense capabilities, as well as maintaining the U.S. capacity to resist any use of force that jeopardizes the security of the people on Taiwan.



The United States is also providing Taiwan with the systems they need for defense.



'Taiwan is a thriving democracy that plays a vital role in the world economy with high technology exports like semiconductors,' Ratner said. 'The strait itself is an international waterway, where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight are guaranteed under international law and [are] absolutely essential for global commerce and prosperity.'



Ratner explained the devastating effects of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait to the lawmakers.



'A major conflict in the strait would result in thousands of casualties and jeopardize more than $2 trillion dollars in global economic activity, igniting a global economic depression. A conflict would be extremely costly around the world with no one affected more than China itself.'



'Maintaining peace, stability and deterrence across the Taiwan Strait is not just a U.S. interest or an interest of the people of Taiwan, it is clearly a matter of international concern.'



Ratner made it clear that U.S. officials do not believe conflict with China is inevitable.



Over the past year, the United States advanced alliances and partnerships in the region, especially with Japan, Australia and the Philippines. 'That will make our force posture across the Indo-Pacific increasingly distributed, mobile, resilient and lethal,' Ratner said.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / GoDaddy



Phoenix-based creator and CEO of Pilates King L.L.C. Ade McCray is on a mission to make Pilates more accessible for all. A graduate of GoDaddy's signature social impact program, Empower by GoDaddy, Ade shares how he accelerated his small business success through new digital skills, mentorship, resources and networking offered by the partnership between GoDaddy and the Better Business Bureau of the Pacific Southwest.

Ade hit a plateau in his career in 2021 and combined with state-mandated quarantines during the Covid-19 pandemic, he felt it was the perfect time to start a new business. Ade's vision was to make Pilates - a full-body workout that improves muscle tone, flexibility and strength - more accessible. Specifically, he hoped to reach those seeking exercise who were either stuck at home, unable to join a gym, or who couldn't afford expensive instructor-led studio classes. His vision is to engage clients around the world to participate in outdoor Pilates-based exercises. His method uses resistance bands anchored to a vehicle while engaging in standing Pilates-based exercises at a specific location.

"I've always been motivated by and had a curiosity for health and movement," said Ade. I found myself searching for alternative options where you could benefit from exercise without needing expensive gym equipment. I thought Pilates could be a very good avenue for people who may not be able to afford studio classes and cross training equipment."

Ade's journey to Pilates King was unique. He grew up in West Africa before moving to the U.S. in 1986 and joining the Navy for two and a half years. Over time, he became interested in the arts, particularly dance. He even had a dance contract with the German Opera for six years.?Following his time as a dancer, Ade picked up Pilates, where he trained and served as an instructor for the next 15 years before taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

Now, his full-time job is getting Pilates King off the ground. However, since entrepreneurship is new to Ade, getting started hasn't been without its challenges. Advertising, networking, financing, and understanding business operations, in particular, have been some of Ade's largest hurdles. But a steep learning curve hasn't stopped Ade from achieving his goals.

For Ade, success means creating opportunities where people feel comfortable and equal. His short-term goal for Pilates King is to launch a mobile app for his business, and long-term, he hopes to support customers globally and make his business accessible to everyone around the world.?

"I'm inspired to do my best to care for mankind and make positive change that will help future generations," said Ade. "Everything else will fall into place."

Ade shares that the Empower by GoDaddy program helped to fill in gaps of knowledge about business ownership. Empower by GoDaddy provides entrepreneurs in underserved communities with training, tools and peer networks to accelerate their journeys. Ade came into the program open-mindedly and absorbed as much information as he could, using tools like GoDaddy Studio and GoDaddy's AI Prompt Library. The information he learned in Empower by GoDaddy helped him build his business through online advertising, something about which he previously knew little.?

"I had a clear vision for my business but there were just some nuances in running a business that I needed support with," said Ade. "Getting involved with Empower by GoDaddy helped me to make sense of all that goes into business ownership, and my operations are getting much better."

For first-time entrepreneurs like Ade and those interested in starting a business of their own, Ade said, "Be true to yourself and stick with your idea. Consistency and follow-through are very important. You might get discouraged, but practice discipline and you will be successful."?

Ade's story is just one example of how GoDaddy is working to make entrepreneurship more inclusive for all.?To learn more about Empower by GoDaddy, visit: https://www.godaddy.com/godaddy-for-good/empower

Empower by GoDaddy Spotlight Series:?By partnering with diverse local nonprofits and community organizations around the world, Empower by GoDaddy aims to reach those who haven't otherwise had access by offering skills training, resources, and mentoring to help accelerate their business journeys. This article is part of the Empower by GoDaddy spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible.?

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GoDaddy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: GoDaddy

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785898/empower-by-godaddy-transforming-pilates-with-ade-mccrays-inclusive-vision
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Concerned Shareholder Grant Sawiak announces that he now has proxy deposits now totaling 82 million shares or 43% of the issued which is enough to remove the Entrenched Directors.

"We have all heard a lot of talk from the Entrenched Directors about their strong base of shareholder support but we've seen no evidence of that." said Mr. Sawiak who added, "If the Entrenched Directors don't disclose the number of proxies deposited in their favour then the only reasonable conclusion is that they don't have the votes to win and, if you don't have the votes to win, then you have to find a way to disenfranchise the votes of the majority of the shareholders who want to remove you. The most obvious strategy, which I believe is being used by NWST, was to obtain the permission of the BC Registrar of Companies ("Registrar") on September 5 to extend the shareholders' meeting for a 5th time to October 24, 2023 and then not disclose this fact".

Mr. Sawiak added, "I don't expect that this extension will be utilized until after the proxy deposit date of September 22, because I believe the extension would have been sought for the express purposes of: (a) changing the record date to frustrate the will of a majority of shareholders by nullifying their current votes; and (b) allowing the Entrenched Directors to examine the deposited proxies voting in favour of the alternate slate in order to give NWST an opportunity to badger those shareholders to try to change their vote at the later meeting. An example of the problem with such a course of action is that NWST specifically did not make disclosure of the material fact that they had applied for, obtained, and intended to use the extension for the purposes above. A second example is that not only was the existence of the extension not disclosed at the September 13 expedited hearing before the BC Securities Commission (BCSC), but rather NWST instructed counsel to represent to the BCSC that the only extension the Entrenched Directors would need to the September 26 meeting would be a delay to no later than October 3, 2023 and only for the purpose of allowing the BCSC's decision to reach the investing public. If I am wrong about this then NWST will not use the extension and will instead allow shareholders to exercise their fundamental right to vote on the competing board slates at the September 26 meeting."

IF YOU WISH TO VOTE WITH MR. SAWIAK TO CHANGE THE BOARD OF NWST CONTACT HIM IMMEDIATELY BY:

1. CALLING HIM AT 1.416.917.2816 OR

2. EMAILING HIM AT gvsawiak@hotmail.com

ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 21, 2023.

Information in Support of Public Broadcast Solicitation

The Concerned Shareholder is relying on the exemptions contained in Section 9.2(2) and Section 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations to solicit proxies from no more than 15 securityholders and by soliciting proxies by broadcast, speech or publication. The Concerned Shareholder may also choose to file a dissident information circular in due course in compliance with applicable securities laws. A copy of the press release and the Nominating Shareholder Notice which collectively contains all information on the Concerned Shareholder's Nominees as required by National Instrument 51-102 and Form 51-102F5 were filed on SEDAR+ on August 4, 2023 and are available for viewing there.

The information contained herein, and any solicitation made by the Concerned Shareholder in advance of the Meeting, is or will be, as applicable, made by the Concerned Shareholder and not by or on behalf of the management of NWST. All costs incurred for any solicitation will be borne by the Concerned Shareholder and by Mr. John Kimmel, provided that, subject to applicable law, Messrs. Sawiak and Kimmel may seek reimbursement from NWST of their out-of-pocket expenses, including proxy solicitation expenses and legal fees, incurred in connection with a successful reconstitution of the Company's board of directors. Other than in respect of their beneficial ownership, control or direction of securities of the Corporation described above, none of Messrs. Sawiak and Kimmel or any of their associates or affiliates has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors.

A Registered Shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke the Proxy by: (a) completing and signing a Proxy bearing a later date and depositing it at the offices of Odyssey, 350- 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1T2 or and following the online voting instructions given to you no later than 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on the second Business Day preceding the date of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof; (b) depositing an instrument in writing executed by the Registered Shareholder or by the Registered Shareholder's attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the Registered Shareholder is a body corporate, by a duly authorized officer or attorney either with Odyssey, 350-409 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1T2 at any time up to and including the last Business Day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof or with the Chair of the Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof; or (c) in any other manner permitted by Law. Such instrument will not be effective with respect to any matter on which a vote has already been cast pursuant to such Proxy. If a Registered Shareholder who has submitted a Proxy attends the Meeting, any votes cast by such Registered Shareholder on a ballot at the Meeting will be counted and the submitted Proxy will be disregarded.

Only Registered Shareholders have the right to revoke a Proxy. Non-Registered Shareholders that wish to change their voting instructions must, in sufficient time in advance of the Meeting, contact their Intermediary to arrange to change their voting instructions.

The Concerned Shareholder has engaged Shorecrest Group Ltd. to act as proxy solicitor in respect of this matter and will incur expenses of up to $120K plus out of pocket expenses. The Concerned Shareholder may engage the services of one or more other agents and authorize other persons to assist in soliciting proxies on behalf of the Concerned Shareholder. Any proxies solicited by or on behalf of the Concerned Shareholder, including by any other agent retained by the Concerned Shareholder, may be solicited in any other manner permitted under Canadian corporate and securities laws. Any such proxies may be revoked by instrument in writing executed by a shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if the shareholder is a body corporate, by an officer or attorney thereof duly authorized or by any other manner permitted by law.

The head office of NWST is located at Suite 1900, 1055 West Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 2E9. A copy of this press release may be obtained on NWST's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com.

For more information contact:

Grant Sawiak

416.917.2816

SOURCE: Grant Sawiak

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785905/grant-sawiak-says-alternate-slate-of-directors-now-has-enough-proxies-to-defeat-entrenched-directors-invites-entrenched-directors-to-publicly-disclose-their-support-predicts-another-delaying-tactic-by-entrenched-directors
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Today Bonsucro, the leading global sustainability platform for sugarcane, and Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), that establishes a partnership between the two apex organisations, to share knowledge and create joint initiatives to accelerate sustainability practices in the Indian sugar industry. The MoU represents a milestone for a collaboration to create a sustainable roadmap for the Indian sugar industry.

Right now, the climate crisis is deepening and sustainability challenges require systemic change. India is one of the worlds top sugarcane producers and is a priority country for Bonsucro. The country is acutely feeling the impact of climate change - the World Resources Institute puts India as the 13th most water stressed country in the world. India is also vulnerable to extreme heat waves which can damage crops, reduce yields and therefore income. There are also health risks of heat stress for farmers and cane cutters working in high temperatures.

Bonsucro's footprint in India has been steadily growing over the years, there are now 35 members in the country, nine of which mills certified against the Bonsucro Production Standard. Organisations under Bonsucro membership are predominantly mills and farmers but Bonsucro also has productive relationships with local representatives of brands such as PepsiCo, Bacardi and Unilever. ISMA is the body representing private sugar mills in India, working towards the development and growth of the sugar industry. By collaborating, ISMA and Bonsucro can create a more sustainable sugarcane sector in India.

The Memorandum of Understanding includes knowledge sharing, capacity building, sustainability assessments, policy engagement, and advocacy.

Collective action and knowledge sharing are central to Bonsucro's role as a platform for change. The MoU includes an agreement to share best practices and research findings in relation to sustainable sugarcane and bioenergy production. This will include Bonsucro's existing tools as well as producing new resources created for the local context, relating to efficient agricultural practices, water conservation, waste management, and energy optimisation techniques.

To drive sustainability across the sector, access to training and accurate, relevant resources are essential. By collaborating with ISMA, Bonsucro plans to organise joint workshops and seminars to increase the capacity of staff working in sugar mills as well as farmers and broader stakeholders. These initiatives will focus on improving the environmental impact of sugarcane and strengthening the social approaches to sugarcane cultivation and processing as well as bioenergy production.

ISMA and Bonsucro will work together to develop and implement sustainability assessment frameworks for the Indian sugar industry. This will involve conducting regular evaluations to measure the environmental, social, and economic performance of sugar mills, benchmarking against industry standards, and providing recommendations for improvement.

Commenting on MoU, Mr Jhunjhunwala, President of ISMA said, "Today we are starting a partnership for the planet, a partnership for our industry and for the recognition it deserves. Sugar and sustainability go hand in hand, no other crop has more potential to be a force of good for the planet as sugarcane whether it is through bio-power, bio-ethanol or other forms of bioenergy and with this partnership with Bonsucro we hope that these don't just remain words but also translate into certifiable, verifiable reality so that both the farmer and industry can benefit from their contributions to the planet."

The MoU was signed at a lunch event in New Delhi on 20 September, attended by ISMA, Bonsucro members, and other stakeholders. This took place ahead of the Sugar and Bioenergy Conference on 21 and 22 September. Bonsucro's CEO, Danielle Morley, will speak at the event about how sustainable sugarcane can help create a net zero future at the conference.

Speaking about the formalisation of the relationship between Bonsucro and ISMA, Danielle Morley, said, "India is rapidly changing and as the sugarcane sector looks to the future, knowledge-based collaborations like this are essential. By working more closely with ISMA, Bonsucro can support the Indian sugar and bioenergy sector to achieve net zero targets and contribute to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals."

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bonsucro on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Bonsucro

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bonsucro

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Bonsucro

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785913/bonsucro-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-indian-sugar-mills-association-to-accelerate-sustainability
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / As the company continues its focus on strategic growth and sustainability, Southwire has been awarded the supply of a portion of the underground power cables for Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) by NKT, the project's turnkey cable supplier and cable system technology owner. CHPE is a transmission project that will deliver 1,250 megawatts of clean, renewable hydropower from the U.S.-Canadian border to Queens, N.Y., enough power for more than one million New York homes.

"As I have said many times - it is a great time to be in our industry and an even better time to be at Southwire. We are honored and excited to enter a partnership with NKT and support one of the largest renewable projects in the nation," said Rich Stinson, Southwire's president and CEO. "In addition to the substantial economic benefits CHPE will provide, it is incredibly meaningful to be part of a project that is focused on energy transformation, reducing carbon emissions and accelerating sustainability-related efforts in North America."

CHPE will deliver clean, renewable hydroelectricity via a 339-mile fully buried High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system using a combination of submarine and underground cables.

"The Champlain Hudson Power Express is central to the green transition of New York, and we are proud to be the turnkey cable system provider for the project with our market leading HVDC power cable technology. The award to Southwire is an important element for securing sufficient manufacturing capacity for a project of this size and combines our HVDC cable system technology and design with Southwire's manufacturing expertise. Tight collaboration between the teams enables that decades of development and learnings with the technology can be applied swiftly for the benefit of the project," says Mika Makela, Managing Director at NKT North America.

As part of the partnership, Southwire will be manufacturing the cables in its Huntersville Plant in North Carolina.

"CHPE is one of the most high-profile renewable energy projects the electrical industry has seen in the last decade and is expected to be a model for future renewable underground HVDC projects. We are thrilled that NKT has awarded Southwire the contract for the production of a significant part of the underground HVDC cables associated with this exciting endeavor," said Norman Adkins, Southwire's chief operating officer. "The strategic investment into our Huntersville, North Carolina facility - where these products will be manufactured - was executed with this and similar projects in mind, and we look forward to supporting NKT and our customers in the North American market today and in the years to come."

For more information about Southwire's ongoing commitment to its customers and sustainability, visit the company's Newsroom online at www.southwire.com/newsroom.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Southwire on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Southwire

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/southwire

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Southwire

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785906/southwire-enters-partnership-with-nkt-to-supply-underground-cables-for-champlain-hudson-power-express-project
The German federal government and the Free State of Bavaria intend to provide IPCEI funding to drive next-generation optoelectronic semiconductor technologies from ams OSRAM in Regensburg

At an event at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on September 18, 2023, the company presented its project launched within the scope of the IPCEI ME/CT (Microelectronics and Communication Technologies)

Subject to the final notice of grants, the company expects to receive more than EUR 300 million in public funding over the next five years

The subsidies support ams OSRAM's substantial investments in future-oriented, highly innovative chip technologies at its Regensburg location

The public funding enables the creation of several hundred new high-tech jobs in Regensburg while supporting the expansion of local research, development and production

ams OSRAM (SIX: AMS), a global leader in intelligent sensors and emitters, received notice of substantial public funding by the German federal government (i.e. the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) and the Free State of Bavaria. The funding is intended to boost the further development of semiconductor technology. The envisaged IPCEI funding (Important Project of Common European Interest) will support ams OSRAM in making its own investments in the research and development of innovative optoelectronic components at its Regensburg location.

ams OSRAM is striving to strengthen its development and manufacturing location in Regensburg for future investments. At an event at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on September 18, 2023, the company presented its project launched within the scope of the IPCEI ME/CT (Microelectronics and Communication Technologies). With the envisaged public funding, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) emphasizes that this project is of European significance and supports the related investments in cooperation with the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

The application for public subsidies of more than EUR 300 million are subject to the official notice of the grant. The amount will be mainly invested in activities for the research and development of innovative optoelectronic semiconductors and their manufacturing processes, thus creating 400 new high-tech jobs. In addition, ams OSRAM will invest in new clean room and laboratory facilities for research, development and pilot production perfectly equipped for working on various innovative applications (e.g. UV-C LEDs for disinfection and near-infrared emitters for LiDAR for autonomous driving), as well as on fields of application in the context of Industry 4.0. Another special focus will be microLEDs for use in an all-new type of display. Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) generally play a major role in Regensburg, enabling ams OSRAM to break new ground at its production facilities. The construction of the first pilot assembly line for 8" wafer production is currently underway in order to launch the cost-efficient large-scale production of highly innovative microLEDs in the very near future.

"By expanding our development activities in the field of optoelectronic semiconductors, we can create room for innovation and accelerate the time to market for our products," emphasizes Aldo Kamper, CEO of ams OSRAM. "At the same time, our investment is a clear commitment to Regensburg as an industrial hub, Bavaria as a high-tech location, and Europe as a hotbed of innovation. High tech light from Regensburg belongs to the city like St. Peter's Cathedral and the Old Stone Bridge. Here we create new, energy-efficient products and production processes to drive digitalization and thus support the European Green Deal and the autonomy of Europe in the field of semiconductors. In line with our future-oriented "Re-Establish the Base" program, we will continue to build on ams OSRAM's market-leading core competency and shape the future of the semiconductor market from this Bavarian city."

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, stresses: "ams OSRAM stands for high tech made in Regensburg. As the Bavarian state government, we deliberately participate in the financing of this IPCEI project. This is fully in line with our intention to further expand Bavaria as a top international location for the semiconductor industry. Every euro is well invested and will create new jobs in a highly innovative environment."

ams OSRAM and Regensburg: writing another chapter in our success story of innovation

ams OSRAM has already been developing high-quality semiconductors "made in Regensburg" for 50 years. 2,700 highly qualified employees currently work at the location. Also, thanks to IPCEI subsidies granted several years ago, Regensburg is today the most important research and production site for optoelectronic semiconductors in Europe and ams OSRAM ranks number two worldwide in the optoelectronic semiconductor market. In the last few years, ams OSRAM has continuously expanded its research, development and production capacities and launched significant optoelectronic semiconductor innovations on the market. To mention just two of many success stories: Multi-pixel headlights for vehicles as well as the first generation of UV-C LEDs for disinfection were launched on the market. Based on the research projects, ams OSRAM has thus been able to create 500 new jobs in research, development and production by 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920535489/en/

Contacts:

Amy Flecher

Phone: +4366488162121

amy.flecher@ams-osram.com

press@ams-osram.com

ams-osram.com



Hilary McGuinness Fernholz

Phone: +4915127670184

hilary.mcguinnessfernholz@ams-osram.com
The company's refreshed website earns a nomination from the most renowned digital awards in Ireland.

Taoglas, a leading provider of antennas and IoT (Internet of Things) components that help solve complex engineering problems, is proud to announce that its company website, Taoglas.com, has been nominated for a Digital Media Award (DMA) in the category of Best Website.

The awards are Ireland's most well-established and respected of their kind, highlighting excellence across the digital media space in 26 categories spanning Best App and Best Conversion Strategy to Best Use of Mobile and Best Technology Innovation. 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of the DMAs, which recognize creativity and innovation across digital media, including digital content creation, advertising and marketing, mobile media, social networking app development, and web design development.

Taoglas.com's nomination-earning website was designed by the Dublin-based digital design firm Kooba, who shares the nomination with Taoglas. Kooba previously won a DMA in the very same category in 2021 for their work designing a site for Vizor.

"After careful consideration and evaluation by our esteemed panel of judges, we have identified a group of outstanding individuals and establishments who have demonstrated exemplary dedication and excellence in the bar industry," said a spokesperson for the Digital Media Awards. "The competition was fierce, and the quality of submissions received surpassed all expectations."

A diverse group of judges from across the Irish digital media landscape will assess each category's nominees in the coming weeks and ultimately decide the winners.

"As an agency we are incredibly proud of this project which has been a true collaboration right from the initial workshops, through design and development and post launch," said Ed Kelly, Creative Director at Kooba. "The result is a high-performing, high-end website with a robust content strategy effectively showcasing Taoglas' expertise and connectivity solutions, positioning them as clear industry leaders and establishing trust with their audience."

The DMA-nominated Taoglas website has proven to be an invaluable resource for the company's existing customers, as well as those interested in antenna and connectivity solutions for an ever more connected world. Taoglas.com is now reflective of the company's commitment to continuous innovation, proactive customer service, and quality you can trust.

"We are thrilled to see our work with Kooba recognized by the DMAs," added Taoglas Head of Digital Web Development Alan Cronin. "Any company embarking on a website refresh understands how daunting of a task it can be. To have all our hard work pay off with this prestigious nomination makes it all worth it in the end. We want our website to be a place where the world's technology companies can come to easily find the most relevant advanced component choice for their product's success. Our new website achieves that and has been optimized for the customer experience in mind."

To see the DMA-nominated website, please visit www.taoglas.com.

About Taoglas

Taoglas is a leading provider of antennas, advanced IoT components, and custom IoT design services that help customers navigate complex RF and wireless systems and bring connectivity solutions to market on time, the first time. Founded in 2004, the company has grown from its heritage in antennas to providing engineering resources, state-of-the-art test chambers, and pre-certification centers around the world. Its global team works obsessively to deliver an uninterrupted supply chain for rapid local delivery and international seamless support. Taoglas' commitment to continuous innovation, proactive customer service, and trusted quality delivers long-term peace of mind to customers and colleagues, creating time and space to work together to advance global connectivity.

Taoglas, the Taoglas logo, and all other Taoglas trademarks in the United States and/or other jurisdictions are the property of Taoglas Group Holdings Limited.

About the Digital Media Awards

Digital Media Awards are the most prestigious digital awards in Ireland, organized by Ashville Media Group. The annual ceremony is a valuable networking event as well as a celebration. This year's event takes place 29th September at the Clayton Hotel in Dublin. For more information, please visit www.digitalmedia.ie.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920650277/en/

Contacts:

Kevin Farrell

E: mediarelations@taoglas.com
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The U.S. dollar dropped against its major counterparts in the New York session on Wednesday. The greenback dropped to 6-day lows of 0.8941 against the franc and 1.0726 against the euro, from an early high of 0.8983 and a 2-day high of 1.0672, respectively. The greenback weakened to 147.62 against the yen and 1.2409 against the pound, from an early nearly 1-year high of 148.16 and nearly a 4-month high of 1.2332, respectively. The greenback touched 0.6499 against the aussie and 0.5977 against the kiwi, setting nearly 3-week lows. The greenback was down against the loonie, at 1.3407. The greenback is poised to challenge support around 0.88 against the franc, 1.10 against the euro, 139.00 against the yen, 1.26 against the pound, 0.67 against the aussie, 0.62 against the kiwi and 1.32 against the loonie. Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, September 20

For immediate release

20 September 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 99,790 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 875.90 pence per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 17 January 2023.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 19,858,169; the total number of Ordinary Shares that the Company has in issue, less the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury following such purchase, and therefore, the total number of voting rights in the Company is 205,133,134.

The figure of 205,133,134 may be used by shareholders as the denominator for calculations of interests in the Company's voting rights in accordance with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

For and on behalf of

Frostrow Capital LLP

Company Secretary

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Hale

Frostrow Capital LLP

Tel: 020 3 170 8732
DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / MDM Permian, Inc (OTC PINK:MDMP) is pleased to announce its strategic plans to rework three Cotton Valley gas wells situated within one of its East Texas acquisitions. The company has identified significant reserves in these wells, with estimations ranging between 750 million to 1 billion cubic feet of gas per well.

The Cotton Valley wells in this area have shown promising initial production rates, averaging 1.5 million cubic feet (mcf) per day. Following the initial production phase, these numbers typically stabilize at approximately 30% to 40% of the initial rates, after the first year.

MDM Permian Inc is committed to optimizing the performance and potential of these Cotton Valley gas wells, employing advanced reworking techniques to enhance production, streamline operational efficiency, and capitalize on the substantial reserves of natural gas in the East Texas region.

The company remains dedicated to its mission of responsible resource development, ensuring that the reworking process adheres to all regulatory and environmental standards. MDM Permian, Inc is enthusiastic about this endeavor and looks forward to sharing updates on the progress and success of the rework activities as it continues to build value for its shareholders.

About MDM Permian, Inc. (MDMP). MDM Permian, Inc. is an emerging oil and gas exploration and production company committed to delivering sustainable energy solutions. With a focus on responsible resource extraction, operational excellence, and environmental stewardship, MDM Permian, Inc. aims to meet the growing energy demands while minimizing its ecological footprint. The company's diverse portfolio spans across multiple regions, driving economic growth and creating value for its stockholders and stakeholders.

For media inquiries, contact:

Rachel D. Green

V.P. Investor Relations

469-252-3603

rgreen@mdmpermian.com

Safe Harbor Act: This release includes forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involves risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products, the ability to meet customer demand, the ability to manage growth, acquisitions of technology, equipment, or human resources, the effect of economic business conditions and the ability to attract and retain skilled personnel. The Company is not obligated to revise or update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

SOURCE: MDM Permian, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/785956/mdm-permian-inc-announces-rework-plans-for-cotton-valley-gas-wells-in-east-texas
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Crown Minerals Corp. ("Crown" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the launch of its new corporate website, a significant step in enhancing its digital presence and providing shareholders with comprehensive information about the company's operations and projects.

Visit our new website here: https://www.crownminerals.co

Highlights:

Gladiator Gold Project: The website offers detailed insights into the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona over 2,000+ acres. The property block is home to the most significant veins from the historic Crown King Mining District.

The website offers detailed insights into the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona over 2,000+ acres. The property block is home to the most significant veins from the historic Crown King Mining District. History: Crown Minerals Corp. is advancing an Arizona-based past producing gold mine with a storied history of successful operations. Explore the company's journey from historic beginnings to modern day advancements.

Crown Minerals Corp. is advancing an Arizona-based past producing gold mine with a storied history of successful operations. Explore the company's journey from historic beginnings to modern day advancements. Learn About Crown Minerals Corp.: Subscribe on our website to receive news releases, important updates & videos. Explore our blog section for in-depth articles, discussions, and perspectives on the industry and our ongoing projects.

Dave Hodge, President & Chief Executive Officer of Crown Minerals Corp., stated, "The launch of our new website is a pivotal moment in our commitment to transparency and shareholder engagement. Our website serves as a comprehensive resource for our investors, partners, and the broader community. As we continue to advance our projects, our website will play a crucial role in communicating our progress and milestones."

About Crown Minerals Corp.

Crown Minerals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona's historic Crown King Mining District. The Gladiator Gold Project encompasses over 2,000+ acres, showcasing significant veins with historical mining and exploration significance. The company is dedicated to unlocking the potential of the Gladiator Gold Project & aiming to deliver consistent value to its shareholders while contributing to the global gold mining narrative.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

CROWN MINERALS CORP.

"Dave Hodge"

President & Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Crown Minerals Corp.

1450 - 789 West Pender Street,

Vancouver, BC Canada V6C 1H2

Telephone: +1 (604) 681-1568

Email: info@crownminerals.co

SOURCE: Crown Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/784324/crown-minerals-corp-launches-corporate-website
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Acre



By Johnny Goldsmith

?Innovative technology to calculate travel carbon emissions has highlighted rail travel as kinder to the planet with 10 times less CO2 releases, compared to driving a car.

The carbon calculations form part of the Green Travel Pledge, an initiative from the rail industry, which will provide businesses with carbon calculations by the end of the year to empower business leaders to make more informed travel choices.

Calculations were based on travel, per passenger, from London to Edinburgh and studied flight travel too, which emitted 13 times more carbon than a train.

How will the data help the environment?

The rail data, which assesses several factors including journey distance and fuel type is expected to provide an industry benchmark to measure rail carbon and demonstrate its environmental benefits.

The initiative is led by the Rail Delivery Group on behalf of the rail industry, in collaboration with Great British Railways Transition Team, Thrust Carbon, Fabrik and Black Box Partnerships.

Data shows an equivalent journey from London King's Cross Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station produced 12.5kgCO2e of carbon emissions per passenger by train, compared to 136.4kgCO2e by car and 165.1kgCO2e by plane.

Currently, emissions for this type of distance are calculated at nearly half the figure considered to be a standard measure by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).

Travelling wisely to boost ESG credentials

Jacqueline Starr, CEO at the Rail Delivery Group, said: "We want to empower businesses to make greener travel choices. Businesses have been asking for a tool to demonstrate the environmental benefits of shifting business travel journeys from planes and cars to rail. We are now delivering this.

"We are really excited to be rolling out accurate and reliable carbon emission data for rail routes across Britain as part of our Green Travel Pledge later this year so businesses can accurately demonstrate how rail travel is helping them to reach their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals."

Kit Brennan, Founder and Head of Product at Thrust Carbon which assisted with development of the methodology behind the new rail carbon calculations, said: "Businesses always knew that rail was the greenest way to travel; but for the first time we now know just how much greener it is.

"This is the first time we've combined such granular data on occupancy, journey distance, carriage layout and a number of other factors to provide an accurate and reliable figure for greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are excited about expanding the rail carbon calculator to include rail routes across Britain to support businesses to travel more sustainably in future."

Clive Wratten, CEO at the Business Travel Association (BTA), said: "We've heard loud and clear from our members and the business travel community, that consistency in carbon measurement is an imperative.

"This initiative from RDG on behalf of the whole rail industry has the potential to provide clarity and a robust green message to all parts of business travel."

Jonathan Goldsmith, Head of Transport & Infrastructure, Acre - UK, said: "Rail travel should be fully embraced to reduce our carbon footprint whenever possible as businesses conduct more physical meetings, in addition to the virtual ones we relied heavily upon over the past three years.

"Awareness of increased emissions when driving a petrol or diesel-powered car is one thing, but now there is solid evidence to support the fact that rail travel creates 10 times less carbon emissions in comparison - a sure-fire way to ensure we are more mindful of our modes of travel.

"I applaud the innovations that empower businesses to make more sustainable travel decisions, such as the award-winning technology and intelligence from Thrust Carbon, which demonstrates the importance of utilising accurate and impactful data."

About Acre

At Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.

Our 18 years' experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.

Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.

We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.

Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Acre on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Acre

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/acre

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Acre

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786014/new-emission-data-shows-rail-travel-emits-10-times-less-carbon-than-car-travel
Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Following its recent discovery of a spodumene-bearing pegmatite zone at its 206 sq. km Ear Falls Project in Northwest Ontario and a three-day site visit of several of the company's properties by its senior technical team, management of Beyond Lithium Inc. (CSE: BY) (OTCQB: BYDMF) (the "Company" or "Beyond Lithium") will be hosting an investors update call on Thursday September 21, 2023 at 5:00 pm EDT.

In attendance for Beyond Lithium will be Allan Frame, President & CEO, Lawrence Tsang, VP Exploration and Alain Lambert, Co-Founder and Capital Markets Advisor.

Format: Management presentation (20 to 25 minutes) followed by a question period (5 to 10 minutes). Please email your questions before or during the meeting to jason.frame@beyondlithium.ca.

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ejh56LtNTCekSBMhjWHtmw

Main topics:

Presentation of the Ear Falls Project spodumene discovery

Overview of the September 16 to 19 site visit to Northwest Ontario by Beyond's senior technical team and management

Exploration and corporate plans for rest of 2023 and 2024

The investor update will be posted on the Company's website immediately following the meeting.

Picture 1: President and CEO Al Frame with VP Exploration Lawrence Tsang, Senior Field Geologist Paul Baxter and Senior Geologist Graeme Evans, Ear Falls Project September 17, 2023



To view an enhanced version of Picture 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181302_90df8d320446cb13_004full.jpg

Picture 2: Large Spodumene Crystal, Ears Falls Project, September 17, 2023



To view an enhanced version of Picture 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181302_90df8d320446cb13_005full.jpg

Picture 3: Senior Technical Team with Jace Angell (Last Resort Resources) and Jason Leblanc (Bounty Gold Corp.), Northwest Ontario, September 19, 2023



To view an enhanced version of Picture 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181302_90df8d320446cb13_006full.jpg

Figure 1. Ear Falls Project Expanded Claims Map



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181302_90df8d320446cb13_007full.jpg

Figure 2. Overview Exploration Trend at the Ear Falls Project Showing the 3 km trend of Spodumene/Beryl Zone (black arrow) and a 13 km long Metasedimentary-Granite Structural Corridor (red polygon outline) and a Potential Subparallel Structure (blue polygon outline)



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181302_90df8d320446cb13_008full.jpg

Figure 3. Brand New Exploration Target in the Eastern Area of the Expanded Ear Falls Project with >1% A/CNK and Elevated Lake Sediment in Lithium



To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/181302_90df8d320446cb13_009full.jpg

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

All collected rock samples were put in sturdy plastic bags, tagged, and sealed at site. Sample bags were then put in rice bags and kept securely before being sent by road transport or delivered by the crew supervisor to SGS's preparation facility in Red Lake or Sudbury, Ontario, for sample preparation. Pulps are analyzed at the SGS facility in Burnaby, BC. All samples are analyzed with Four-Acid Digestion/Combined ICP-AES/MS package (49 elements). Samples with lithium overlimit (>10,000 ppm Li) are analyzed with another Four-Acid Digestion with higher detection limit of up to 10% Li. Batches of samples with overlimit >10,000 ppm or 1% Li are analyzed with Sodium Peroxide Fusion for validation. The QA/QC protocol included the insertion and monitoring of appropriate reference materials, in this case high concentration and low concentration certified OREAS and CDN lithium standards to validate the accuracy and precision of the assay results.

Qualified Person and Third-Party Data

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lawrence Tsang, P.Geo., VP Exploration of the Company. Lawrence Tsang is a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Beyond Lithium Inc.

Beyond Lithium Inc. is the largest greenfield lithium exploration player in Ontario with 64 high potential greenfield lithium properties totalling over 150,000 hectares. The Company has adopted the project generator business model to maximize funds available for exploration projects, while minimizing shareholder dilution. Beyond Lithium is advancing certain of its projects with its exploration team and will seek to option other properties to joint venture partners. Partnering on various projects will provide a source of non-dilutive working capital, partner-funded exploration, and long-term residual exposure to exploration success.

Beyond Lithium currently has 28,259,658 common shares outstanding.

Please follow @BeyondLithium on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.

For more information, please refer to the Company's website at www.beyondLithium.ca.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, resources and/or reserves on the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking information. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. In stating the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that market fundamentals will result in sustained precious and base metals demand and prices, the receipt of any necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in connection with the future exploration of the Company's properties, the availability of financing on suitable terms, and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws.

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 differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements of forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, the proposed expenditures for exploration work on its properties, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, risks relating to epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated February 23, 2022 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking information in this news release except as otherwise required by law.

For further information, please contact:

Allan Frame

President and CEO

Tel: 403-470-8450

Email: allan.frame@beyondLithium.ca

Jason Frame

Manager of Communications

Tel: 587-225-2599

Email: jason.frame@beyondLithium.ca

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181302
WEST HARTFORD, CT / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Dr. Ming Wu, a distinguished TCM Doctor, Qi Gong, and Tai Chi Master renowned for his 38-year journey in Traditional Chinese Medicine, unveils a monumental achievement in holistic wellness. Dr. Wu introduces the world to the Fengyang TCM self-care system, a historical Chinese medicine practice dating back 1,750 years, aimed at bringing health and wellness to individuals worldwide.

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Ming Wu, a TCM Master hailing from the lineage of TCM Master Deng Tie Tao, the ancient Fengyang TCM system is poised to revolutionize the way individuals perceive and manage their health. Rooted in compassion and steeped in a commitment to TCM practice, Dr. Wu's expertise has elevated him to mastery in Tui Na treatment skills and diagnostic prowess, leading to a Ph.D. in TCM.

With origins spanning back to the depths of Chinese medical history, the Fengyang TCM self-care system offers a holistic approach to wellness, harnessing the power of Qi Gong, Tai Chi, herbal remedies, and Tui Na therapy. Dr. Ming Wu's dedication to ethical TCM practice and his ability to integrate traditional techniques with modern medical insights have solidified his reputation as a beacon of healing innovation.

Dr. Ming Wu's journey in TCM began in the Orthopedic TCM department of Chao Zhou Hospital, China, between 1985 and 1987. This initial foundation paved the way for his establishment of the Wu Healing Center in Puning, Guangdong, China, from 1987 to 1989. Subsequently, his reach extended to the United States, where he is the proud owner of the Taoist Institute of TCM and Wu Healing Center, located in MA and CT.

About Dr. Ming Wu

Dr. Ming Wu's holistic journey blends 38 years of TCM mastery with profound Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Tui Na therapy skills. His mission to share the transformative Fengyang TCM self-care system reflects his commitment to empowering individuals worldwide with the tools to enhance their well-being. Dr. Wu's story encapsulates the fusion of ancient wisdom and modern healing, inspiring people to harness their inner power for a higher quality of life.

Media Contact:

Contact:

Cell: 860-310-5438

Email: wuhealingcenter@gmail.com

www.wuhealing.com/

SOURCE: Wu Healing Center





View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786021/wu-healing-centers-founder-dr-ming-wu-introduces-fengyang-tcm-self-care-system-to-transform-wellness
HORSHAM, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper products, has earned a Climate Pledge Friendly badge from Amazon. This label highlights Sofidel's unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

"We're thrilled to have received the Climate Pledge Friendly label," said Fabio Vitali, Vice President of Marketing, Sofidel America. "This recognition reinforces our dedication to sustainability and our mission to provide our customers with products that are the highest quality while helping to preserve the planet."

The Climate Pledge Friendly initiative is part of Amazon's commitment to conserving the natural environment. This badge is given to products and companies that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions. Under this badge, Sofidel is committed to routine reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of decarbonization tactics. The goal is to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040.

Sofidel's commitment to sustainability is ingrained in its corporate values and reflected throughout its practices to help reduce its ecological footprint. This commitment is demonstrated further through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of its product line.

The badge has been received by all of Sofidel's Papernet and NICKY products available on Amazon here.

To learn more about Sofidel's commitment to sustainability and its range of Climate Pledge Friendly products, visit www.sofidel.com/en/the-group/sofidel-in-the-world/sofidel-america/.

About?The?Sofidel?Group???

The?Sofidel?Group, a privately held company owned by the Stefani and?Lazzareschi?families, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has?subsidiaries in 12 countries - Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA - with more than 6,400 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact and the international WWF Climate Savers program, the?Sofidel?Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is?committed?to promoting sustainable development.? For more information, visit?www.sofidel.com.

###?

Media Contact:

Christina Alvarez

Mulberry Marketing Communications

calvarez@mulberrymc.com

708-908-0898



View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sofidel on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Sofidel

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sofidel

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Sofidel

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786063/sofidel-earns-climate-pledge-friendly-badge-by-amazon
"Roadmap for a Global Energy Transition" to support a Net Zero 2050 vision launched at UNGA 28 in New York

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A High-Level UNGA consultative session on international finance and energy transition diplomacy, which included sitting and former Heads of State and Government, as well as experts from the RAND Corporation and members of the Scotia Group, was convened on 18 September 2023 by international mediation and energy law expert Professor Malik Al Dahlan.

The Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda jointly with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) and the Scotia Group, which Professor Al Dahlan founded in 2021 as part of an informal sherpa process to support COP26, hosted the 78th UN General Assembly side meeting on this important issue.

A Call to Action was issued at the event which advocated for a fundamental shift in the way climate finance is raised and deployed. RAND Corporation and the Scotia Group announced a 'Roadmap for a Global Energy Transition' which introduced new financial and legal tools which will encourage much needed green investments in Small Island Development States (SIDs) in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and MERCOSUR countries.

Four specific proposals were outlined:

Global Energy Transition Fund: Funded in part by 2.5% of hydrocarbon sales in the Islamic World being earmarked as Zakat contributions to allow countries to scale up mitigation efforts and complete the energy transition by 2050 supported by Paraguay and Brazil.

Electronic Platform for Green Securities ('NetZero Exchange'): To allow buyers and sellers to interact and bid against each other regularly to price new Green Coupon Bonds. This will improve efficiency and data availability, whilst democratising the global green debt market.

World Scale Green Hydrogen Demonstrator Plant: Built in Saudi Arabia to demonstrate the profitability of Green Hydrogen production and related green or low emission fuel production. This will also foster the formation of the first Green Hydrogen fuels trading hub in the GCC region.

Accelerate the energy transition process by exploring a decarbonisation central bank digital currency (CBDC): Design a new pricing system for carbon and explore the potential for a new digital currency to help states improve their debt sustainability. In particular, new technologies could allow a more accurate valuation of natural assets that could play a valuable role in sovereign debt management and restructuring.

Professor Malik Al Dahlan, the Founder of the Scotia Group, said:

"We urgently need a Decarbonization Marshall Plan. Just as the Arabian Peninsula contributed its natural resources to support energy security for the Developed World in the 20th Century, in the 21st Century it has an opportunity to spearhead a sustainable energy revolution in the Developing World."

Under Secretary General Jorge Moreira da Silva, the Executive Director of UNOPS, said:

"UNOPS is very proud of being part of this partnership."

Speakers at the UNGA Event included, H.E. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs of St. Martin, HE Ambassador Aubrey Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and Dr Qiang Liu, Director of Energy Economics Division at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Participants at the UNGA Event included delegations from: Antigua and Barbuda, St. Maarten, Vanuatu, Trinidad and Tobago, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States of America, Mexico, the European Union, Afghanistan, African Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Nations Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

The Roadmap for a Global Energy Transition will now be reviewed by UN member states, as well as by AOSIS and UNOPS, and a final version will be published on the RAND Europe website on Monday 2nd October 2023.

Notes to Editors

The full video of the UNGA Event can be found on United Nations TV here. Professor Malik Al Dahlan's speech can be found here. More information about the Scotia Group, its membership and the 'Climate Majlis Dialogue' sessions which have been hosted since 2021 is here.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216400/Scotia_Group_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-scotia-group-and-rand-europe-convene-a-historic-framing-session-on-international-finance-and-energy-diplomacy-for-the-united-nations-general-assembly-301934041.html
The dynamics of the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market are anticipated to change in the coming years owing to the improvement in the diagnosis methodologies, rising awareness of the disease, incremental healthcare spending worldwide, and the expected launch of emerging therapies

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report

As per DelveInsight analysis, the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market is expected to grow positively at a significant CAGR during the study period (2019-2032).

In the Western world, the incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is 1 to 2 per 100,000 . Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most prevalent liver cancer, accounting for 3% of all gastrointestinal cancer cases.

. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most prevalent liver cancer, accounting for 3% of all gastrointestinal cancer cases. Leading intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma companies such as Virogin Biotech Ltd., Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Delcath Systems Inc., TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc., AstraZeneca, Relay Therapeutics, Inc., Kinnate Biopharma, Elucida Oncology, Lisata Therapeutics, Inc., Amgen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, BeiGene, Ltd., and others are developing novel intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma drugs that can be available in the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market in the coming years.

and others are developing novel intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma drugs that can be available in the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market in the coming years. Some key therapies for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment include VG161, SNDX-6352, Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, SD-101, Y-90 With Durvalumab/Gem/Cis, RLY-4008, KIN-3248, ELU001, LSTA1, Bemarituzumab, ZW25 (Zanidatamab), and others.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market share @ Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Overview

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, originates in the bile ducts within the liver. While the exact causes are not always clear, certain risk factors have been identified. Chronic inflammation of the bile ducts, often due to conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis or chronic liver infections, can increase the risk. Additionally, exposure to certain chemicals and toxins may play a role in the development of this cancer. Symptoms of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma can be subtle and nonspecific, which makes early diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience itching, dark urine, or pale-colored stools. Diagnosing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma typically involves a combination of imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound, to visualize the tumor within the liver. A biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, where a small sample of tissue is extracted and examined under a microscope.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology Segmentation

The intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patient pool and forecasted trends for individual seven major countries. It helps to recognize the causes of current and forecasted trends by exploring numerous studies and views of key opinion leaders.

The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma epidemiology scenarios in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, Spain, Italy, France), the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2019 to 2032.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment Market

Treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and individual preferences. Typically, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment options include surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. Surgery, such as a partial hepatectomy, is often the preferred treatment when the cancer is detected early and is localized to a specific area of the liver. Liver transplantation may be an option for some patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Chemotherapy, often in combination with targeted therapies, is used to shrink tumors before surgery or to treat cancer that has spread beyond the liver. Radiation therapy may also be employed to target and destroy cancer cells. Additionally, advancements in immunotherapy and clinical trials offer hope for novel treatment avenues. The intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment necessitates a personalized approach, with healthcare teams comprising oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other specialists collaborating closely to determine the most effective strategy for each patient. Early diagnosis and timely intervention remain pivotal in improving prognosis and overall outcomes for individuals with this challenging form of liver cancer.

To know more about intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment, visit @ Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment Drugs

Key Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Therapies and Companies

VG161: Virogin Biotech Ltd.

SNDX-6352: Syndax Pharmaceuticals

Cisplatin and Gemcitabine: Delcath Systems Inc.

SD-101: TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc.

Y-90 With Durvalumab/Gem/Cis: AstraZeneca

RLY-4008: Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

KIN-3248: Kinnate Biopharma

ELU001: Elucida Oncology

LSTA1: Lisata Therapeutics, Inc.

Bemarituzumab: Amgen

ZW25 (Zanidatamab): Jazz Pharmaceuticals/BeiGene, Ltd.

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma @ Drugs for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Dynamics

The intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market dynamics have been undergoing significant changes in recent years. The growing awareness and improved diagnostic techniques have led to an earlier detection of ICC cases. This, coupled with advancements in treatment modalities such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, and targeted therapies, has expanded the range of therapeutic options available to patients. Additionally, ongoing research into immunotherapies and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is providing new hope for more effective treatments. As a result, the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market is witnessing increased investments in research and development, heightened competition among pharmaceutical companies, and a focus on developing innovative therapies tailored to the specific molecular characteristics of individual patients. These evolving dynamics are poised to transform the landscape of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment, offering improved prospects for patients facing this challenging disease.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma faces several notable barriers within its market dynamics. Firstly, the rarity of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma makes it challenging to conduct large-scale clinical trials and gather comprehensive data, hindering the development of evidence-based treatment approaches. Moreover, the often late-stage diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma presents a significant hurdle, as advanced disease is more difficult to treat effectively.

Additionally, the high cost of cutting-edge therapies, such as targeted treatments and immunotherapies, poses financial barriers to access for many patients and healthcare systems. These treatments may not be affordable or accessible to all, limiting their widespread adoption. Regulatory challenges, including the approval process for novel therapies, can also slow down the introduction of innovative treatments into the market. Furthermore, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma's heterogeneity at the molecular level presents a complex challenge. Tailoring treatments to each patient's specific genetic profile is promising but also demands advanced diagnostic capabilities and a deeper understanding of the disease's biology.

Report Metrics Details Study Period 2019-2032 Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Companies Virogin Biotech Ltd., Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Delcath Systems Inc., TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc., AstraZeneca, Relay Therapeutics, Inc., Kinnate Biopharma, Elucida Oncology, Lisata Therapeutics, Inc., Amgen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, BeiGene, Ltd., and others Key Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Therapies VG161, SNDX-6352, Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, SD-101, Y-90 With Durvalumab/Gem/Cis, RLY-4008, KIN-3248, ELU001, LSTA1, Bemarituzumab, ZW25 (Zanidatamab), and others

Scope of the Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma current marketed and emerging therapies

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma current marketed and emerging therapies Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Drugs

Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma drugs in development @ Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Key Insights 2. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report Introduction 3. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Overview at a Glance 4. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Executive Summary 5. Disease Background and Overview 6. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment and Management 7. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Patient Journey 9. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Marketed Drugs 10. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Emerging Drugs 11. Seven Major Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Analysis 12. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Outlook 13. Potential of Current and Emerging Therapies 14. KOL Views 15. Unmet Needs 16. SWOT Analysis 17. Appendix 18. DelveInsight Capabilities 19. Disclaimer 20. About DelveInsight

Related Reports

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline Insight - 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma companies, including Basilea Pharmaceutica, AstraZeneca, Delcath Systems Inc., Jiangsu HengRui Medicine Co., Ltd., Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Hutchison Medipharma Limited, Medivir, Newish Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Relay Therapeutics, Inc., Exelixis, Forma Therapeutics, Inc., Xencor, Inc., Zymeworks, RedHill Biopharma Limited, Genoscience Pharma, Kinnate Biopharma, Taiho Oncology, Inc., Sirtex Medical, Virogin Biotech Ltd, TriSalus Life Sciences, Tyra Biosciences, Siranomics, Instylla, Inc., among others.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology Forecast - 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma epidemiology in the 7MM, i.e., the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom), and Japan.

Cholangiocarcinoma Market

Cholangiocarcinoma Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key cholangiocarcinoma companies, including AstraZeneca, Decalth Systems, Basilea Pharmaceutica, Taiho Oncology, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, TransThera Sciences, Incyte Corporation, Roche, among others.

Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline

Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline Insight - 2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key cholangiocarcinoma companies, including Merck KGaA, Eisai Inc., Janssen Research & Development, LLC, 3D Medicines, Basilea Pharmaceutica, Hutchison Medipharma Limited, Jiangsu HengRui Medicine, TransThera Sciences, RedHill Biopharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Elevation oncology, Senhwa Biosciences, InnoCare Pharma, Genoscience Pharma, Intensity therapeutics, Elucida Oncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Verismo Therapeutics, Sirnaomics, Toray Industries, Inc, Kinnate Biopharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Wellmarker Bio, Arbele Limited, NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Elicio Therapeutics, Xencor, Inc., Celon Pharma SA, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

Contact Us

Shruti Thakur

info@delveinsight.com

+1(919)321-6187

www.delveinsight.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/intrahepatic-cholangiocarcinoma-market-to-grow-rapidly-during-the-study-period-20192032-examines-delveinsight--key-players---virogin-biotech-syndax-delcath-systems-astrazeneca-amgen-jazz-beigene-301932940.html
COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber addressed world leaders at the UN Climate Ambition Summit as part of the UN General Assembly, issuing a rallying cry to the international community to move from agreements to action on global climate change.

His intervention follows the latest data from the Global Stocktake which confirmed "the world is falling short, and we are running out of time".

Speaking at the UN Secretary General's climate summit he emphasised that "Climate change is our common enemy, and we must unite to fight it".

Dr. Al Jaber set out a comprehensive COP28 Action Agenda focusing on fast tracking a just and orderly energy transition, fixing climate finance, lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

He encouraged the world to "rediscover humanity's greatest strength: our capacity to collaborate, to overcome differences, and to harness the power of collective action."

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber addressed the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York where he reminded the international community that "we are not powerless" to overcome the climate crisis and urged the world to "get after gigatons".

The summit, which is the landmark climate engagement during United Nations General Assembly and was convened by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, was attended by world leaders, the private sector and civil society.

During his speech, the President-Designate called on the world to be "brave" and "bold" and get "back on track" to meet its climate ambitions, reaffirming the founding principles of the UN and to think "beyond borders, beyond politics, and beyond our own lifetimes." He emphasised that "climate change is our common enemy, and we must unite to fight it".

Dr. Al Jaber pointed to recent data from the first Global Stocktake, which confirmed that "the world is falling short, and we are running out of time" but was emphatic in stating that it is not too late to change course. Indeed, he challenged the world to respond to the Global Stocktake with the highest levels of ambition, noting that "We know the size of the problem. The numbers are straightforward: 22 gigatons. That's the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we need to cut in the next seven years to keep 1.5 within reach."

Dr. Al Jaber went on to speak of the need for the international community to "remember that we are not powerless. As we have seen throughout history, when we act with optimism, urgency and solidarity, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges."

He continued to share his belief that "in the face of the climate crisis, we can - and we will - rediscover humanity's greatest strength: our capacity to collaborate, to overcome differences, and to harness the power of collective action."

Dr. Al Jaber's speech at the UN Climate Ambition Summit comes just 71 days before COP28, the global climate summit in the UAE. Dr Al Jaber noted, "We are working tirelessly to advance an ambitious climate agreement between all 198 Parties. However, climate change won't be solved through agreement alone. It can only truly be addressed through Action. That's precisely what we aim to achieve through the COP28 Action Agenda."

Dr. Al Jaber went on to detail the COP28 Presidency's 'Action Agenda' to get the world "back on track" to meet the ambitions set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. He called on those present and listening across the world to make actionable commitments across its key pillars: to fast tracking a just and orderly energy transition, fix climate finance, focus on lives and livelihoods, and underpin everything with full inclusivity.

Fast Tracking Energy Transition

Speaking of the COP28 Presidency's plan to fast track a just, orderly, and well-managed energy transition, Dr. Al Jaber told the audience that the "phase down of fossil fuels is essential. It is in fact inevitable. And it must go hand-in-hand with a rapid phase up of zero carbon alternatives."

Dr. Al Jaber called on Parties to do their part towards a "massive expansion of renewable energy" and triple global capacity to 11TW by 2030. He also emphasised the power of energy efficiency improvements as "the simplest cheapest and fastest way to dial down emissions."

He then called for all to be "brutally honest about what it will take to transition heavy emitting sectors" which cannot run on renewables alone, while noting the need to develop the entire hydrogen value chain.

Dr. Al Jaber also stressed the need to "rapidly and comprehensively decarbonize the energies we use today," before reiterating his previous calls on the oil and gas industry to eliminate methane emissions by 2030 and align with net zero by or before 2050.

Fixing Climate Finance

Addressing the COP28 plan to fix climate finance, Dr. Al Jaber spoke of the need to restore trust between Parties and for contributing countries to deliver the $100 billion pledge this year. He then stressed the need to go "much further" and noted that "if we are to unlock trillions, we need to unleash the full potential of private capital."

Dr. Al Jaber called for reform of "outdated international financial institutions", and for "smart innovation across the financial system and better-functioning carbon markets." In summary, Dr. Al Jaber noted that the objective was to "create an ecosystem where finance is more available, more accessible and more affordable, so that the money flows to where it needs to go - to the people who need it most."

Focusing on People, Lives and Livelihoods

Dr. Al Jaber spoke of the urgent need to put "people, lives and livelihoods" at the centre of climate discussions. He noted that "people everywhere want the same things: clean water, clean air, economic opportunity, safety in the storm." He then called for countries to "embed nature-positive investments in national climate strategies" and for "a smarter approach to how we grow and consumer food." He also noted that COP28 would be the first COP to put global health on the COP agenda.

He acknowledged that "the key to all these measures will be finance." He therefore called on countries to "double adaptation finance by 2025, replenish the Green Climate Fund, and operationalize the fund for Loss and Damage with early pledges."

Full Inclusivity

Discussing the COP28 priority to underpin all climate action with full inclusivity, Dr. Al Jaber called on everyone to "put our differences aside and start partnering for progress." He asked that "everyone who comes to COP28 to come with results in mind" and particularly key stakeholders, such as negotiators, the private sector and world leaders.

He stressed this would be the most inclusive COP yet, with plans to facilitate the participation of all groups, including subnational leaders, youth, businesses, philanthropists, Indigenous Peoples, and others.

Dr. Al Jaber concluded his speech by calling on leaders to "turn pledges into projects and ambition into action".

He continued "Action builds hope and hope builds action. Let us create that positive feedback loop. Let us be brave. Let us be bold. Let us do what is right and let us do what is necessary. Let's activate a truly global response to the Global Stocktake, and let's get back on track."

Notes to Editors COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023. The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake - a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a "leave no one behind" approach to inclusive climate action."

The four pillars of the COP28 Presidency's Action Agenda are fast tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives, and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/cop28-president-designate-to-un-climate-ambition-summit-we-are-not-powerless-to-overcome-the-climate-crisis-and-urges-world-to-get-after-gigatons-301934082.html
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / The Watchlist by The Market Herald has announced the release of new interviews with Nextech3D.ai and INEO Tech discussing their latest news.

The Watchlist by The Market Herald provides investors with a quick snapshot of what they need to know about the company's latest press release through exclusive insights and interviews with company executives.

Nextech3D.ai Establishes Nextech3D Solutions India Private Limited As It Moves to High Scale 3D Model Production Ahead of Record Demand

Nextech3D.AI (CSE:NTAR)(OTCQX:NEXCF)(FSE:EP2), a Generative AI-powered 3D model supplier for Amazon, P&G, Kohls and other major e-commerce retailers is pleased to announce that the Company is moving to high scale production and in preparation it has established Nextech3D Solutions India Private Limited, which is anticipated to increase profitability and reduce labor costs starting in Q4, 2023.

For the full interview with CEO Evan Gappelberg and to learn more about Nextech3D.ai's news, click here.

INEO Announces Updated Contracts with Key Customers

INEO Tech Corp. (TSXV:INEO)(OTCQB:INEOF), the developer and operator of the INEO Media Network, a digital advertising and analytics solution for retailers, is pleased to announce it has entered into updated commercial agreements with its large national retail and regional liquor-store network locations.

For the full interview with CEO Kyle Hall and to learn more about INEO's news, click here.

Interviews for The Watchlist by The Market Herald are released daily. To learn more about the companies featured in The Watchlist or to explore our other interviews visit The Watchlist by The Market Herald.

About The Market Herald

The Market Herald Canada is the leading source of authoritative breaking stock market news for self-directed investors. Our team of Canadian markets reporters, editors and technologists covers the entire listed company universe in Canada. We cover over 3,985 businesses, their people, their investors, and their customers. We write the stories that move the Canadian capital markets.

DISCLAIMER: Report Card Canada Media Ltd. ("Report Card") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market Herald Limited, an Australian company ("Market Herald"). Report Card is not an advisory service, and does not offer, buy, sell, or provide any other rating, analysis or opinion on the securities we discuss. We are retained and compensated by the companies that we provide information on to assist them with making information available to the public. All information available on themarketherald.ca and/or this press release should be considered as commercial advertisement and not an endorsement, offer or recommendation to buy or sell securities. Report Card is not registered with any financial or securities regulatory authority in any province or territory of Canada, will not be performing any registerable activity as defined by the applicable regulatory bodies and do not provide nor claim to provide investment advice or recommendations to any visitor of this site or readers of any content on or originating from themarketherald.ca. Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees may from time to time acquire, hold or sell securities and/or commodities and/or commodity futures contracts in certain underlying companies mentioned in this site and which may also be clients of Market Herald's affiliates. In such instances, Market Herald and/or its affiliates and/or their respective officers, directors or employees will use all reasonable efforts to avoid engaging in activities that would lead to conflicts of interest and Market Herald and/or its affiliates will use all reasonable efforts to comply with conflicts of interest disclosures and regulations to minimize any conflict. All the information on this document and/or the website - themarketherald.ca - is published in good faith and for general information purpose only. Report Card does not make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this information. Any action you take upon the information you find on this document and/or website (themarketherald.ca) is strictly at your own risk. Report Card will not be liable for any losses and/or damages in connection with the use of our website. From our website, you can visit other websites by following hyperlinks to such external sites. While we strive to provide only quality links to useful and ethical websites, we have no control over the content and nature of these sites. These links to other websites do not imply a recommendation for all the content found on these sites. Site owners and content may change without notice and may occur before we have the opportunity to remove a link which may have gone 'bad'. Please be also aware that when you leave our website, other sites may have different privacy policies and terms which are beyond our control. Please be sure to check the Privacy Policies of these sites as well as their "Terms of Service" before engaging in any business or uploading any information.

CONTACT:

The Market Herald

marketing@themarketherald.ca

themarketherald.ca

SOURCE: The Market Herald

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/786023/the-watchlist-by-the-market-herald-releases-new-interviews-with-nextech3dai-and-ineo-tech-discussing-their-latest-news
FE fundinfo, a London, UK-based company providing fund information, technology and services, acquired Paris, France-based asset management software firm Adjuto.

The amount of the deal was not disclosed.

With the acquisition, FE fundinfo will enhance its fee and distribution channel management solutions. The deal is an integral part of FE fundinfos initiative  launched earlier this year  aimed at enhancing the middle and back-office processes for asset managers through digitalisation, standardisation and automation.

Led by CEO Olivier Gnos, Adjuto Software is an independent provider of solutions for Asset Management professionals to manage mutual fund liabilities, for rebate reconciliation and calculations and investor relations. The solution offers a set of advanced functionalities to respond to regulatory and operational issues relating to the marketing of funds. Adjuto is modular and can work as a complement to existing tools or as an integrated solution. The company has a consistent client base across France, Luxembourg and Switzerland.

Led by CEO Liam Healy, FE fundinfo provides investment fund data, technology solutions, research and analysis, network and expert insights enabling fund managers, distributors and financial advisers, to access accurate information anywhere, at any time.

FinSMEs

20/09/2023
Mapbox, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of a location platform empowering navigation for Toyota, General Motors, and BMW, received a $280M investment from Softbank.

Led by CEO Peter Sirota, Mapbox is a provider of technology for location-aware businesses and applications. It equips organizations with AI-enhanced tools and data to empower navigation for people, packages, and vehicles everywhere. The company has long been the go-to location platform for powering mobile apps and logistics, from rendering animated radar maps for The Weather Company to helping Instacart deliver groceries on-time. Now, Mapbox has established itself in the automotive industry, working with world leading brands.

This new funding accelerates the companys efforts to bring AI into the car, with new ADAS features for automated driving and safety that work across a wider range of roads and more geographic locations. The map allows vehicles and devices to share 28 billion global daily map detections.

The company will leverage its real-time map to give automakers the required data and AI to comply with new safety standards such as Europes GSR and NCAP. The AI map also plays a role in automotive electrification by integrating with in-vehicle battery systems to monitor energy consumption, intelligently forecasting range, suggesting charging stations based on real-time availability, and facilitating secure payment processing.

Beyond automotive, delivery companies will gain access to local details that efficiently guide drivers to destinations. App developers gain 3D map content to create virtual environments in travel, fitness, and weather. And companies of all kinds can leverage the live map to analyze how their business performs through the lens of location intelligence.

More than 4 million registered developers and nearly 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies use its applications, data, SDKs, and APIs to create customized and immersive experiences.

FinSMEs

20/09/2023
Priyanka Chopra Jonas always finds time to enjoy lifes precious moments with her daughter, Malti Marie. Although the 41-year-old has shifted to Los Angeles with husband Nick Jonas after their marriage in 2018, the Citadel star is still keen on celebrating each Indian festival with utmost grandness.

In the latest, the former Miss World, shared a heartwarming tale of motherhood and religiosity, as the mother-daughter duo welcomed Lord Ganesha in their own way on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi 2023.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas shares adorable pictures

In a series of pictures shared by Priyanka Chopra Jonas on her Instagram handle, the actress offers sneak-peaks of an intimate celebration at her home with daughter Malti Marie. One such appealing picture shows Malti playing with her toy Ganesha.

The actress captioned the post, A girl and her Ganpati (heart eyes emoji) Always with us.. wherever we go.. #ganpatibappamorya #ganeshchaturthi.

The post has been liked over 7.8 lakh times.

Check out some of the responses.

Nick Jonas commented with a heart in the eyes emoji.

One user commented, Desi Girl Gen 0.2!!

She has grown so much and beautiful just like mama and papa, wrote a user.

God bless her, commented another.

While many Instagram users dropped red hearts on the post.

Based on the pictures, Malti Marie was dressed in a white frock, bangles and even a bindi for the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Maltie, who was born via surrogacy in January 2022, is seen playing with a stuffed toy Ganesha.

The series of pictures follows more glimpses of Malti and the toy. One such photo shows the toy Ganesha placed beside a Ganpati idol at Priyankas home.

The last slide shows doting mother Priyanka Chopra sporting a dark pink kurta and cream pants, holding Malti in a tight embrace as they sit near the Ganpati idol during the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi 2023.

Work Front

Work-wise, Priyanka Chopra will be seen in Heads of State, which stars John Cena and Idris Elba in lead roles. The Amazon Studios-produced film is directed by Ilya Naishuller.

The actress was last seen in the American spy action thriller Citadel with Richard Madden. The Russo Brothers web show premiered on Prime Video on 28 April.

Coming to Bollywood, the Priyanka Chopra will share screen space with Alia Bhatt and Katrina Kaif in Farhan Akhtars Jee Le Zaraa.
Vicky Kaushal is fresh off the success of Zara Hatke Zara Bachke and is now gearing up for his second release of the year The Great Indian Family, which marks his first collaboration with Yash Raj Films. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, the actor talks about blending into the world of heartland with his characters, working with YRF and its legacy, and what he has learned from his journey so far.

He also spoke about how Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was his first theatrical experience and meeting Shah Rukh Khan for the first time on the sets of Asoka.

Edited excerpts from the interview

What makes your family great in The Great Indian Family?

Every Indian household and ever Indian family is great. There are many things in an Indian household that makes it very charming, and there are many things happening in a family on a daily basis that make it very entertaining. On the other side of the conflict, we are a more mature and understanding family, but our essential need for togetherness is a part of ourselves. At any age group, we depend on our family since those are our roots; and thats what makes any Indian family a great family.

There are some actors that blend into the world of heartland pretty effortlessly. You have done that with Masaan, Zara Hatke Zara Bachke, and now The Great Indian Family. What does it take as an actor to do that, to convince the audience that you belong to this world?

It requires a certain sense of relatability. I belong to Punjab, its my native place, my mother and father belong to a very small village in Punjab. Im brought up in Mumbai but till date, I go to my village every year. During work, you get to travel through different parts of India and that can also help sometimes. Anyone with an upbringing of a middle class family is aware of the basic reality, the ups and downs, the challenges, the aspirations. Its also the small-town simplicity that I personally enjoy playing.

The film has so many seasoned actors like Kumud Mishra and Manoj Pahwa. How are they as actors and is your and their process similar?

It was incredible to do scenes with them and jam with them. Our sessions together would just be banter, we would go down the memory lane and talk about their theatre days, when they came into the industry, how it was and how the basic functioning was, there were no monitors or vans. We used to chitchat and someone used to get food from his or her home, and that energy was carried into the scene. The chemistry we formed outside the film brought a lot of warmth and genuineness in the scenes we were doing. It was also a learning experience because these are actors that have done all sorts of genres, their work experiences are equal to my age right now.

Its also a leap for the director Vijay Krishna Acharya. After making some massive films like Tashan, Dhoom 3 and Thugs of Hindostan, its a departure for him too. How was it like working with him?

This is probably his most honest film till date. When I heard the film for the first time, even I was pleasantly surprised. I was fully affected emotionally with what the film was trying to say, the characters were relatable, I saw my family a lot in that. He has directed these big scales films like Tashan, Dhoom, and Thugs for YRF, but then he told me hes from Kanpur, he has had a theatre background in Delhi and then came to Mumbai. This film feels like pages out of his life story.

Yash Raj is known for films like Daag, Darr, Lamhe, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, but at the same time they have also given films like Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Fan, Rocket Singh. What do you have to say about their 50 year legacy?

Its not just about the number of films they have done, they were initially the post card of Hindi cinema, the images from a Yash Raj Film would depict the meaning of Hindi films. From the days of Yash Chopra to now how Aditya Chopra is taking it forward, its incredible to build that sort of legacy. My first experience of watching a film with my family in the theatre was Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, they have been pioneers in giving us family entertainers. And now for me to be cast by YRF in a family entertainer, a good and beautiful circle has been completed for me.

You have always made very diverse choices as an actor, be it Raazi, Masaan, Sanju, Manmarziyaan, URI. What have you learned from your journey so far?

Every character teaches you something, makes you learn something about human nature. The most important thing that happens to me after these processes come to an end is that I feel more confident in my own skin and that I can trust my instincts more. That is something that can only happen with my experience.

Your father Sham Kaushal shared a picture of himself, you, and your brother Sunny Kaushal from the sets of Shah Rukh Khans Asoka. What memories do you have from that day?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sham Kaushal (@shamkaushal09)

Sunny and I were in school and that was the first time I met Shah Rukh Khan. There was Vishnu Vardhan also who was assisting Santosh Sivan at that time. My father was the action director of the film and accidentally, he was also cast in one scene as the actor who was doing that scene ditched at the last minute. We went on the sets to see him perform but also get to see Shah Rukh Khan that day, so really a memorable day.
Tensions between India and Canada have escalated after Justin Trudeaus shocking allegations that New Delhi was involved in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has termed the charge as absurd and now both nations have expelled diplomats. However, this is not the first time the Canadian prime minister has taken an anti-India stand. Justin Trudeau, say experts, seems to be following in his father Pierre Trudeaus footsteps.

We take a look at how the Trudeaus have angered India time and again by shielding Khalistani separatists and intervening in matters that should not concern them.

Also read: Why Justin Trudeau has been soft on Khalistani extremists in Canada

When Pierre Trudeau supported Air India bomber

Talwinder Singh Parmar, the alleged mastermind of the 1985 bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka, which killed 329 people, was based in Burnaby, British Columbia. He also headed the Babbar Khalsa International, a militant group involved in the Khalistani movement.

Parmar carried out terror activities and sought refuge in Canada. In 1981, he was accused of killing two Punjab Police officers and was arrested in 1983 in Germany. He was released in 1984 after which he immediately returned to Canada and plotted the plane bombing, the worst terror attack in the countrys history.

When Pierre Trudeau was the prime minister, the Canadian government refused to extradite Parmar to India. It was Pierre Trudeaus government which refused the 1982 Indian request to extradite Talwinder Parmar to India for murder, on the quaint grounds that India was insufficiently deferential to the Queen. That is not a joke. Canadian diplomats had to tell their Indian counterparts that the extradition protocols between Commonwealth countries would not apply because India only recognised Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth, and not as Head of State. Case closed! wrote well-known Canadian journalist Terry Milewski in one of his books.

When Parmar sneaked into India from Pakistan he was shot dead by the Punjab Police in 1992.

A pro-Khalistan rallying glorifying Pamar was reportedly held in June in Toronto.

Ensuring that their reputation stays at rock-bottom, Canadian Khalistanis again pick as their poster boy the psychopath who bombed Air India, Talwinder Parmar. He murdered 331 innocents for nothing. And  a grotesque twist  hell be honoured at the memorial to his victims. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/7feI5UDCQb  Terry Milewski (@CBCTerry) June 17, 2023

Justin Trudeaus controversial 2018 India visit

Like his father, Justin Trudeau also has been sympathetic towards Khalistani separatists and has ruffled Delhis feathers on more occasions than one.

In February 2018, the Canadian PM triggered a storm during a visit to India. Jaspal Atwal, a former member of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF), a pro-Khalistan outfit that was banned in Canada and designated a terrorist organisation in 2003, was invited to two events organised for Trudeau in Mumbai and Delhi, according to a report in The Indian Express.

Atwal was convicted in an attempt-to-murder case after then Punjab minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu was shot on Vancouver Island in 1986. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail but was released early because of good conduct.

Photographs of Trudeaus wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau (they have now separated) and a Canadian minister with Atwal at the Mumbai event left the Indian government fuming. The Canadian High Commission later said that it had revoked the invitation to the Delhi event.

Trudeau shifted the blame to a Canadian parliamentarian, adding that Atwal should never have received an invitation.

Also read: Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Khalistani terrorist at centre of India-Canada standoff?

Supporting the farmers protest

In December 2020, the Canadian premier backed farmers protesting against the now-withdrawn farm bills introduced by the Narendra Modi government.

Backing the agitation he said, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest. He was the first world leader to comment on the farmers' protests.

The news coming out of India about the protest by farmers. The situation is concerning and were all very worried about family and friends Let me remind you, Canada will always be there to defend the rights of peaceful protest, he said at an online event to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak.

India reacted sharply saying that the comments relating to farmers in India were ill-informed and unwarranted, especially when pertaining to the internal affairs of a democratic country.

New Delhi also summoned the Canadian High Commissioner and conveyed that the remarks constituted an unacceptable interference in Indias internal affairs and that such actions would have a seriously damaging impact on the bilateral relationship.

No condemnation of the Indira Gandhi assassination parade

In June, a tableau celebrating the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi was part of a parade organised by Khalistani supporters, ahead of the 39th anniversary of Operation Blue Star, in Brampton.

When asked about the parade, Trudeau reverted to his oft-used freedom of expression justification. We have an extremely diverse country and freedom of expression is something that we have, but we will always make sure that we are pushing back against violence and extremism in all its forms, the Canadian PM said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar lashed out at Canada for allowing the parade, perceived to be a glorification of violence by Sikh separatists. I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence.

I think it is not good for relationships, not good for Canada, he added.

Silence on the anti-India referendum

Trudeau has been largely silent on the Khaklistan referendums organised in Canada.

On 10 September, the same day, the Canadian leader spoke with PM Modi about the Khalistani issue, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a separatist group, organised a referendum at a gurudwara in Surrey. SFJ founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, designated a terrorist by India, made a public appearance at the vote and delivered an inciteful speech hinting at balkanising India, reports India Today.

After talks with PM Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Trudeau spoke about Khalistani protests in his country and said, Canada would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest.

With inputs from agencies
Will India and Canadas spat threaten New Delhis ties with Washington?

A top US official has called the allegations Canada has levied against India in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader very serious and said Washington supports Ottawas investigation.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited President Joe Biden for Republic Day celebrations on 26 January, 2024.

Lets take a closer look:

What happened?

US National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby in an interview with CNN said the allegations were very serious.

Kirby was quoted as saying, Im going to protect diplomatic conversations and Ill leave it at that. Certainly the President is mindful of these serious allegations, and they are very serious. And we support Canadas efforts to investigate this.

Kirby was responding to a question on Canadas allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

Kirby, calling on New Delhi to cooperate, added, We believe a fully transparent comprehensive investigation is the right approach so that we can all know exactly what happened and of course, we encourage India to cooperate with that.

Nijjar, one of Indias most-wanted terrorists, carried a cash reward of 10 lakh on his head.

He was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Kirby was asked about Trudeau raising the matter with President Joe Biden privately before going public and what information the Canadian leader shared with the US President about the matter.

Im going to be careful about what I say here to preserve the sanctity of this investigation and leave it for Canada to talk about the underpinning information, what more theyre trying to learn. We want to respect that process and its their investigation, he added.

When further asked about possible repercussions, Kirby said, Lets not get ahead of where we are. Theres an active investigation. We think it needs to be fully transparent, comprehensive. We know that Canadians will work to that end.

Again, we urge India to cooperate with that investigation so that the facts can take investigators where they go and then once we have all that facts, and we have conclusions that we can draw from that, then you can start to look at recommendations or behaviours you might want to pursue.

In an interview with CBS News, Kirby said that these allegations are serious and we know that the Canadians are investigating it. We certainly dont want to get ahead of that investigation.

We urge India to cooperate in that investigation as well. This is the kind of an attack here that obviously we all want to know is handled in a transparent, thorough way. And that the Canadian people can get answers to this. So were going stay in touch with our partners, both countries, and again we want to see the investigation be able to proceed unhindered and let the facts take it where it may, Kirby added.

Canada sought public condemnation: Report

The Washington Post on Tuesday reported that Canadian officials sought a public condemnation of the killing of Nijjar weeks before it made its explosive allegations.

However, Canada was met with reluctance from its allies including the US.

The alleged assassination of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on 18 June, led to behind-the-scenes discussions among senior officials from the Five Eyes countries in the weeks leading up to the September Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.

However, no public mention was made before the summit.

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeaus announcement of credible allegations in the parliament caused a significant rupture in bilateral relations with India, resulting in the expulsion of an Indian diplomat in Ottawa.

Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Trudeau said on Monday.

Trudeau on Tuesday told reporters that the case had far-reaching consequences in international law, and urged the Indian government to take the matter seriously and help Canada fully investigate the matter.

A senior Canadian government source on Tuesday told Reuters that Ottawa worked very closely with Washington on intelligence that Indian agents had been potentially involved in Nijjars killing in British Columbia earlier this year.

Weve been working with the U. very closely, including on the public disclosure yesterday, the source said. The evidence in Canadas possession would be shared in due course, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.

What do experts say?

Experts say that Western nations including the US are worried about a possible blow-up between India and Canada.

Many of these Western nations see India as a counter to China in the region and a bulwark against Beijing.

A piece in the BBC, noting how India is a key player on the grand chessboard that is geopolitics, stated that a divide is the last thing Western nations need.

Not only is it a growing power  the most populous country in the world, the fifth-biggest economy. But it is also seen by the West as a potential bulwark against China, the piece noted.

The piece noted that Indias importance was apparent by the fact that the communique issued at the recent G20 in New Delhi did not condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine.

They chose to protect their relationship with India by avoiding a row over the statement, a choice which angered some in Kyiv, the piece noted.

The piece also added that countries choosing sides is a prevalent fear among diplomats in Western nations.

Taking to X on Tuesday, RAND Corporation analyst Derek J. Grossman wrote that the bombshell accusation could be a most significant test of the strength of US-India partnership since the early 2000s.

However, Grossman also added that Washington will look to keep India on-side.

That said, the US will pull out all the stops to keep India close by its side to help counter China, which could mean staying out of this mess, the analyst further said.

The Biden administration is in a no-win situation with this latest bombshell, Grossman told Bloomberg. If it sides with Ottawa, then New Delhi will be up in arms and, once again, question the loyalty of Washington. If it sides with New Delhi, then the US is contradicting a NATO ally.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, pointed out the dilemma facing Western governments, acknowledging Canada as an ally but valuing their relationship with India as a key strategic partner.

There is this evergreen challenge that the US and some of its allies face with India, concerns about what they regard as democratic backsliding, Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center told the outlet.

But at the same time they want to ensure they dont risk imperiling relations with a country that they view as strategically critical. Honestly, I think Washington will just stay quiet.

Vivek Mishra, senior fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, added that the US is in a tough spot.

I expect there will certainly be back-channel discussion between the US and India on how to proceed further, Mishra said. With Canada being a NATO ally and India being a strategic partner ally, the US will have to do the tightrope walk.

Others have called for a time-out.

Vivek Dehejia, an economics professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, calling the allegations explosive said it would be best to take a breath.

These are explosive allegations by Trudeau against India, as yet unproven. The already frayed bilateral relationship will take a nose dive, and the Indo-Canadian diaspora will be driven by this. Best for all of us to take a pause till the facts are known, Dehejia wrote on X.

Credible allegations, claims Trudeau

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeaus announcement of credible allegations in the parliament caused a significant rupture in bilateral relations with India, resulting in the expulsion of an Indian diplomat in Ottawa.

Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Trudeau said on Monday.

However, New Delhi on Tuesday rejected Canadas allegations of Indian agents being involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force and a designated terrorist.

In retaliation to the Trudeau administration expelling an Indian diplomat, New Delhi ordered a Canadian envoy, believed to be spying for the country in India, to leave within five days.

While Trudeau emphasised that Canada was not looking to provoke or escalate the situation, India has rejected its accusation as absurd and motivated, shifting the focus to Khalistani terrorists and extremists sheltered in Canada.

Absurd and motivated

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated.

India had been pressuring countries like Canada, Australia, Britain, and the United States, which have significant Sikh communities, to crack down on the Khalistan movement.

New Delhi, which has urged Ottawa to act against anti-Indian elements, has long been unhappy over Sikh separatist activity in Canada.

Pro-Khalistan protests had taken place in London and San Francisco, causing tension with the Indian government.

According to The Washington Post, the G20 summit in India in September was marked by tension, with Trudeau sidelined and denied formal bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi. The Khalistan issue was discussed on the summits sidelines, further straining relations.

Canadas foreign minister Melanie Joly stated that Trudeau had raised the allegations with President Biden and British prime minister Rishi Sunak, with the topic expected to be discussed at the UN General Assembly, The Washington Post reported.

In response, Washington expressed deep concern and emphasised the importance of Canadas investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Australia also raised the issue with India at senior levels.

The allegations surrounding Nijjars assassination have intensified the long-standing issue of Khalistan supporters in Canada, with potential ramifications for global geopolitics and foreign interference.

While the situation remains complex, it underscores the delicate balance Western nations must maintain between their allies and their strategic partnerships in a rapidly evolving global space, The Washington Post reported.

With inputs from agencies
Tensions are high between India and Canada since prime minister Justin Trudeau hinted at New Delhis role in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. India has dismissed the charges as absurd and motivated.

Amid the diplomatic rift, Indias foreign ministry issued an advisory today (20 September) for its nationals and students in Canada to exercise utmost caution.

In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

This comes a day after Canada updated its travel advisory urging citizens to avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir due to the unpredictable security situation. There is a threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest and kidnapping. This advisory excludes travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh, the North American nation said.

India and Canada have also expelled each others top diplomats. As the row escalates, should Indian students and diaspora in Canada worry? Lets find out.

Indian diaspora in Canada

Canada is home to nearly 1.4 million people of Indian origin, about 3.7 per cent of the countrys total 40 million population.

The population of Sikhs in Canada has more than doubled in 20 years, constituting about 770,000 people of the total Indian diaspora. After Indias Punjab state, Canada has the highest population of Sikhs.

Canada is one of the most popular destinations for Indian immigrants, particularly from Punjab and Haryana. As per Mint, more than 100,000 Indians became permanent residents of Canada last year.

Indian students in Canada

Thousands of Indian students visit Canada every year to pursue higher education. Since 2018, Indians have made up the largest number of overseas students in Canada.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada data, of the more than 800,000 international students in Canada last year, 40 per cent were from India.

In 2022, the number of Indian students in Canada rose 47 per cent to nearly 320,000, as per the Canadian Bureau of International Education.

ALSO READ: Why Justin Trudeau has been soft on Khalistani extremists in Canada

Should the Indian diaspora in Canada worry?

As per a News18 report, Indian intelligence agencies have warned about aggressive and intensified activities against Indians and government officials living in Canada.

The agencies have cautioned that pro-Khalistani entities (PKE) could target Indians, temples and businesses run by Indian entrepreneurs.

There are also concerns about the security of the office of the Indian High Commission in Canada as protests by Khalistani groups against Indian officials are likely to intensify, News18 reported.

A report in Hindustan Times (HT) has claimed that pro-Khalistan groups will stage protests outside Indian diplomatic missions in Canada on 25 September. There are 21 pro-Khalistan separatists in Canada currently, the newspaper noted.

Analysts fear that crumbling ties between India and Canada could affect the economic interests of the Sikh families in Punjab, whose relatives in the North American nation remit millions of dollars back home, reported Reuters.

What about Indian students and nationals?

The nosedive in the relations has made Indian students aspiring to study in Canada anxious about their future.

I cleared my IELTS (International English Language Testing System) just last month, and now Im researching various universities in Canada, as my ultimate dream is to settle there after my studies. However, Im afraid the Canadian embassy may deny me a student visa, Vikramjit Singh Arora, a student from Jalandhar, told Indian Express.

However, educational consultants do not believe the student influx from India to Canada will halt, given their economic contribution to the North American country, reported Mint.

Every year, 40 per cent of international students migrating to Canada are from India. Canada cant ignore such a substantial source of income. Now, we must see how both countries handle travelers entry at their respective borders. Some students may bear the brunt of this development, consultant Gurpreet Singh said, as per Indian Express.

According to Mint, companies that have tie-ups with universities and offices in Canada are also on the edge about a likely increased scrutiny of applications from Punjab and Haryana, making it difficult for immigrant visa applications to be approved.

This will show up in the visa approvals in the long term. The success ratio of student visas for Canada is just 60 per cent and may come down further. Students focusing on just Canada need to keep other options, Ankur Dhawan, president of upGrad Abroad, was quoted as saying by Mint.

Not students but Indians applying for immigrant visas might have to feel the ripple effects of the downturn in relations between New Delhi and Ottawa.

Immigration visas will be a larger concern than student visas. Canadian authorities increased their scrutiny over the last year on applicants documents, and now that will increase, Ankit Mehra, co-founder and chief executive of GyanDhan, a non-banking financial company (NBFC), told Mint.

Canadian PR (Permanent Residency) applicants are also worried after the recent developments. Speaking to Indian Express, a Jalandhar-based couple who had applied for Canadian PR, said: We have been eagerly awaiting our PR status by the end of this year, but now we fear it might get delayed. Even if relations improve, there could still be a few months delay.

With inputs from agencies
A debate on the Womens Reservation Bill is currently underway in the Lok Sabha. Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, who opened the debate for the Opposition, supported the Bill but demanded a sub-quota for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in the proposed 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in the Lower House and all state Legislative Assemblies.

She also pushed for implementing the Bill right away. The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023, was introduced by Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

#WATCH | Womens Reservation Bill | Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi says, This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, Constitutional amendment to decide womens representation in local body election was brought by my life partner pic.twitter.com/stm2Sggnor  ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

The long-pending Bill has been brought to Parliament multiple times, first introduced 27 years ago. However, due to deep divisions among political parties, the Bill failed to pass the final hurdle. There are many countries that have reservations for women in electoral politics to ensure greater participation and tackle gender disparity.

Lets take a closer look at how India fares among democratic nations. Which other countries have quotas for women in politics? Lets take a closer look.

How India fares

India has a poor record among democracies, including the United States, and the United Kingdom, in terms of womens representation in Parliament. According to Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) data, India is ranked 141 among 185 countries in terms of the percentage of women in the Lower House.

Currently, India has 78 women MPs in the 545-member Lok Sabha, about 14 per cent of the total membership of the House. The majority of state Assemblies in India have less than 15 per cent women legislators.

The global average for women in Parliament is 26.7 per cent.

Rwanda has the highest number of women lawmakers globally, who occupy 49 of its 80 Lower House seats or about 61 per cent, as per the IPU data.

At 46.2 per cent female representation in the Lower House, South Africa beats developed nations such as the US, the UK, Australia, Germany and South Korea in the percentage of women legislators.

Countries that have quotas for women

In India, the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution mandate all state governments to reserve one-third of the seats for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and one-third of the offices of the chairperson at all levels of the Panchayati Raj Institutions, and in urban local bodies, respectively.

However, a Bill reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and all state Legislative Assemblies is yet to get passed by both Houses of Parliament.

While India has yet to have a quota for women at the national level, there are countries that provide reservations to women to enhance their participation in national and local politics.

Pakistan

After 2002, Pakistan reserved 60 of the 357 seats, or about 17 per cent, in the National Assembly for women.

However, reservations for women existed in the country even before this. The Constitution of Pakistan of 1956 reserved ten seats for women in the then unicameral Parliament.

Under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1962, six seats were reserved for women in the National Assembly, including three seats each from East and West Pakistan, as per a Business Standard report.

The Constitution of 1973 reserved ten seats for women for ten years from the day of the implementation of the Constitution or holding the third general election, whichever happened later.

In 1985, Pakistan increased the number of reserved seats for women from 10 to 20. This was further raised to 60 in 2002 under the then-Pervez Musharraf-led government, the report added.

However, the reservation policy has been mainly tokenistic in Pakistan. Although the quotas led to a higher number of female candidates being given tickets by political parties, they were mostly limited to reserved seats, meaning male candidates were more likely to be fielded from general seats, according to the Brookings Institution think tanks 2019 report.

As per the IPU data, about 20 per cent or 70 out of the 342 seats in the Lower House are currently occupied by women legislators in Pakistan.

ALSO READ: Womens Reservation Bill: Why 33% quotas for women wont be a reality until 2029

The Philippines

The Philippines proposed Bill in the Congress calls for a 40 per cent gender quota in the decision-making structures of political parties and the number of candidates fielded by them.

According to the Philippine Commission on Women, the countrys Parliament has 28 per cent women representation  higher than the global average.

Out of the 311 seats in the Lower House, 85 are currently represented by women lawmakers, as per the IPU.

At 29 per cent, The Philippines is also among the Southeast Asian countries with the highest rate of womens representation in politics at the local level.

Bangladesh

In Bangladeshs unicameral legislature, 50 out of 350 seats are reserved for women. The Jatiya Sangsad, the supreme legislative body of Bangladesh, currently has about 20 per cent female representation, i.e., 73 seats have women legislators.

As per Business Standard, Bangladesh first introduced reservation for women in Parliament in 1972, reserving 15 seats for 10 years. As the reserved seats were increased to 30 in 1979 for the next 15 years, the total number of parliamentary seats climbed to 330.

Through the 15th amendment to the Constitution in 2011, Bangladesh reserved 50 seats for women, taking the total tally of seats in the National Parliament to 350, the report noted.

Other countries

In the early 1990s, Nepal and Argentina set a minimum quota for women in the candidates list released by political parties.

Interestingly, France, South Korea and Nepal have passed quotas for women as high as 50 per cent of the candidate list, as per the Brookings Institution report.

Countries like Argentina, Mexico and Costa Rica, have legislated party quotas and have over 36 per cent female representation in their national legislatures, the think tanks report noted.

South Africa, Sweden and Germany have achieved higher female representation through voluntary quotas adopted by political parties. Other African nations such as Eritrea, Rwanda and Tanzania also have provisions for quotas for women in politics.

With inputs from agencies
Is Akasa Air in trouble?

The low-budget carrier, started by billionaire trader Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, CEO Vinay Dube and former IndiGo president Aditya Ghosh in 2022, said it expects to cancel over 700 flights in September alone.

Lets take a closer look at what happened:

What happened?

As per Business Standard, a representative for the airline told the Delhi High Court that 43 pilots have abruptly resigned.

The Akasa lawyer told Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora the pilots did so without serving their notice period  six months for first officers and a year for captains.

This has resulted in the airline having to cancel scores of flights daily.

The airline has thus cancelled 24 flights every single day in September.

In August, the low-budget carrier cancelled 700 flights.

On Tuesday, Dube in an email to employees explained that the budget carrier is flying less and will give up market share in the short term to ensure it runs a reliable operation.

When a small set of pilots abandoned their duties and left without serving their mandatory contractual notice period, it forced a disruption of flights between July and September, necessitating last-minute cancellations, Dube said.

Not only is this illegal in law but also an unethical and selfish act that disrupted flights in August forcing last minute cancellations that stranded thousands of customers causing significant inconvenience to the travelling public, an Akasa Air spokesperson said as per Live Mint.

Why is this happening?

As per Business Standard, the pilots have joined rival groups.

The report quoted sources as saying that a top Akasa executive even penned a letter to a rival outlining its concerns over the abrupt exit and calling the behaviour unethical.

As per News18, some exiting pilots claimed that the airline violated their contracts by changing their salary structure.

The company has also taken aim at Air India Express  blaming the airline for luring away its pilots.

What happens next?

Akasa may be in serious trouble.

As per Business Standard, Akasa lawyers told the Delhi High Court the company is in a state of crisis and may even shut its doors.

The airline has asked the Delhi High Court to direct the DGCA to enforce the notice period for exiting pilots.

The company has initiated legal action against the pilots who have quit without serving their mandatory contractual notice period, Dube said.

As per News18, the airline has sought Rs 22 crore in compensation from the pilots who abruptly left their jobs.

The piece labelled the turn of events a massive setback for the firm.

The airlines struggle to secure an adequate workforce looms ominously over its financial stability, threatening the realization of its ambitious expansion plans. Additionally, Akasa must earnestly address the grievances of its remaining pilots, particularly regarding changes in compensation, to restore harmony within its ranks, the piece concluded.

Akasas market share slipped to 4.2 per cent in August from 5.2 per cent a month earlier, according to latest available data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indias aviation regulator.

The airline had in June placed an order for four Boeing 737 Max jets to further its plans to fly internationally by the end of the year.

Dont be alarmed

But Dube remains upbeat.

He said the company is on track to announce a three-digit aircraft order before the end of the year.

Dube in the email also told employees not to be alarmed or distracted by media headlines, especially those that are speculative and claim that the airline will shut down, as per India Today.

Please be assured though, that these are only short-term constraints, he added.

We are never more confident about our future and continue to invest prudently, with longer-term financial success in focus. We are also pleased to note that our disciplined approach has helped us establish a strong financial profile to execute on our ambitious plans.

The airline you have helped create has generated cash from its first day of operations as a result of which the initial investment by our investors (including the investment made by Mr Jhunjhunwala) continues to remain secure in our bank account, he added.

We have built an outstanding airline for our customers and ourselves and have delivered each milestone according to our plan. We are here for the long run and do not let anyone tell you otherwise, Dube concluded.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA) has designated the company as an International Scheduled operator, allowing Akasa to begin international flights, he said.

The MOCA is now working on our request for traffic rights so you will have to wait a short while longer to know which international destination we will fly to first, he added.

Akasa did not immediately respond to Reuters request for a comment.

With inputs from agencies
India and Canada ties have nosedived. On Tuesday, a tit-for-tat move was initiated by New Delhi, expelling a Canadian diplomat after Ottawa did the same a day prior. The action came after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau told leaders in parliament that there was credible information connecting Indian government agents to the assassination of a Sikh leader known as Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

India has denied Canadas allegations, calling them all absurd and motivated. In fact, it once again raised the issue of the growing pro-Khalistan sentiment and questioned why Canadian authorities continue to allow anti-Indian activities to propagate on their soil.

But what is the Khalistan movement? And how has it found space to grow in Canada? We get you the answers.

The Khalistan movement, explained

The word Khalistan means Land of the Khalsa or Pure. The movement, launched around the independence of India, seeks a separate homeland for Sikhs in Punjab. However, as simple as it may sound, the movement is complex.

The Khalistan movement, many state, is a result of widespread dissatisfaction with the economic, social and political conditions for Sikhs in post-independence India. The partition of Punjab between Pakistan and India in 1947 created fear and disaffection in the Sikh community. Then in 1966, the state of Punjab in India was divided again, this time on linguistic lines, as a new Hindi-speaking state of Haryana was carved out of the region. In addition to this, the Green Revolution in the 1960s in India led to resentment among Sikhs due to the inequitable distribution of wealth. Additionally, they were upset when water from the Sutlej River that flowed through Punjab was diverted to the neighbouring states of Haryana and Rajasthan.

All this resentment found a voice in the late 1970s through Sikh preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who claimed the Indian government was discrimination against the Sikhs and undermining Sikh identity. In 1984, India crushed this movement when it stormed the Golden Temple in Amritsar where Bhindranwale had taken residence and killed him.

From India to Canada

But by then the Khalistan movement found its roots in Canada, thanks to the growing Sikh population in the western country.

Immigration of the Sikh population to Canada began in the early 20th Century. It started when Sikh soldiers in the British Army passing through British Columbia were attracted by the fertile land they saw.

By 1970, the Sikhs numbers in Canada rose and they became a visible face among the communities. However, at the time the Khalistan movement found little prominence among the Sikhs residing there.

But the first signs of Khalistan finding its voice in Canada came in the late-70s when it also started becoming louder in India. After Operation Blue Star, there was an influx of Khalistanis into Canada. Moreover, after the assassination of Indira Gandhi, India saw massive anti-Sikh riots during which members of the community were dragged out of their homes, and killed. Those who survived the riots, fled and found solace in Canada.

Interestingly, Canada took them all in. As Shinder Purewal, professor of political science at the Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, is quoted as telling The Hindustan Times, Nobody cared about their background, they all got political asylum.

Whats even more notable is that Canada at the time was already sharing tense ties with India. In May 1974 when India conducted the Pokhran nuclear tests in Rajasthan, it left the Canadian government seeing red. This was because the CANDU-type reactors had been repurposed by the Indians for military use. Then Canadian prime minister, Pierre Trudeau  father of Justin Trudeau  was furious and had caused ties with New Delhi to wither.

Catch up on all our India-Canada row coverage

Diplomats expelled, trade talks on hold: How India-Canada ties have plunged to new lows

Why Justin Trudeau has been soft on Khalistani extremists in Canada

Who is Shubh, the Canada-based singer facing flak in India for support to Khalistan?

Justin Trudeau has maligned India to save his political career; Canada will pay the price for his folly

Khalistan movement flourishes in Canada

Since the movement found space in Canada it has grown and flourished in the country. One of the first examples of Khalistani activity on Canadian soil was the bombing of Air India flight 182, the Kanishka on 23 June 1985, killing all 329 people on board. Khalistani terrorists blew up the plane, citing it as revenge against India for the atrocities during the anti-Sikh riots.

Since then, Khalistani activities have only increased in Canada. In 2002, Toronto-based Punjabi-language weekly Sanjh Savera greeted Indiras death anniversary with a cover illustration of her murder and a headline urging readers to Honour the martyrs who killed the sinner.

Earlier this year too, Canada has seen several anti-India activities. On 4 June, a parade was organised in Brampton, Ontario ahead of the anniversary of Operation Bluestar. The parade saw a float celebrating the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi  a female figure was shown in a blood-stained white saree, with the hands up, as turbaned men pointed guns at her. A poster behind the scene read Revenge for the attack on Darbar Sahib.

The incident had evoked a strong reaction from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who had then said: We are at a loss to understand other than the requirements of vote bank politics why anybody would do this I think there is a larger underlying issue about the space which is given to separatists, to extremists, to people who advocate violence.

Prior to this, the Sikhs for Justice group, banned in India, held a referendum in Canada on the issue of Khalistan, with organisers claiming that more than 100,000 people had turned up in support of Khalistan.

Pro-Khalistani supporters have also vandalised Hindu temples in Canada as well as threatened Indian diplomats. A Mahatma Gandhi statue was also vandalised back in July last year.

Also read: How Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing has led to rise in Khalistan terror in US, Canada

All this as Canada fails to take any concrete steps in checking anti-India activities in the country despite India expressing grave concerns. While he was in New Delhi for the G20 Summit, Justin Trudeau at a press conference had said that his country would always defend freedom of peaceful protest but at the same time asserted that it will always prevent violence and push back against hatred.

Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us, he said. At the same time, we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred. I think on the issue of the community, it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada, Trudeau added.

With inputs from agencies
After claims of non-human beings were made at a UFO hearing in Mexicos congress last week, the doctors in the North American country carried out several laboratory tests on the remains of the alleged aliens. These tests came in the wake of scientists and archaeologists around the world expressing scepticism over the alleged non-human mummified bodies, which they say are fraud.

Now, Mexican doctors have come up with some interesting findings about the remains of these so-called aliens. What are the claims and what have the tests revealed? Lets take a look.

What happened?

On 14 September, Mexican journalist and UFO enthusiast Jose Jaime Maussan presented two boxes with supposed non-human mummified bodies found in Peru before the Mexican Congress. He called them non-human beings that are not part of our terrestrial evolution.

These specimens are not part of the evolution of our world. They were not recovered from a UFO scrap. They were found fossilised in a diatom moss mine. We are not alone in the vast universe, we need to accept this reality Maussan, who testified under oath, said, as per Euronews.

The two mummies reportedly had shriveled bodies, elongated heads, three fingers on each hand, and stick-like legs. Soon their images went viral on social media, making headlines worldwide.

Mexicos Congress just unveiled two dead aliens estimated to be around 1,000 years old. What do you think? pic.twitter.com/Zr7z4FKenS  Kage Spatz (@KageSpatz) September 13, 2023

Its the queen of all evidence. That is, if the DNA is showing us that they are non-human beings and that there is nothing that looks like this in the world, we should take it as such, Maussan said, as per Associated Press (AP). However, he stopped short of referring to them as extraterrestrials.

According to AP, the supposed remains were discovered in 2017 deep underground in the Peruvian coastal desert of Nazca. The area is known for gigantic enigmatic figures scraped into the earth and seen only from a birds-eye-view, the American news agency added.

Experts remain unconvinced

One of the critics has questioned the humanoid appearance of the so-called alien corpses. Professor Brian Cox, a physicist and presenter, said they are way too humanoid to be real, reported Hindustan Times (HT).

Julieta Fierro, researcher at the Institute of Astronomy at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said many details about the alleged non-human figures made no sense.

She said that scientists require more advanced technology than X-rays to find out if the allegedly calcified bodies were non-human, according to AP.

ALSO READ: Has a Harvard professor found the first-ever alien objects on Earth?

What have lab tests revealed?

After the lab tests on Monday (18 September), Jose de Jesus Zalce Benitez, director of the Health Sciences Research Institute of the Secretary of the Mexican Navy, claimed that the alleged bodies come from a single skeleton and were not assembled.

The first study was a computerised tomography, the second study was a simple X-ray, and the third was a fluoroscopy study. In the three studies, we tried to see the structure of the skeleton of these bodies, and we were able to determine that it does indeed belong to a single skeleton that has not been joined to other pieces, Benitez was quoted as saying by Reuters.

He also said laboratory tests conducted at Noor Clinic in Mexico City found no evidence of any assembly or manipulation of the skull.

ALSO READ: Are UFOs posing a threat to US airspace? Heres what a new NASA report says

Benitezs team also reportedly discovered that one of the figures was alive, was intact, was biological and was in gestation. As per New York Post, the doctors claimed there were large lumps inside the alleged aliens abdomen, hinting that they could be eggs.

Based on the DNA tests, which were compared with more than one million species  they are not related to what is known or described up to this moment by science or by human knowledge, Benitez claimed.

However, it does not seem these lab tests will be enough to convince the scientific community of the existence of extraterrestrials, who have often said that such alien mummified remains are usually altered human bodies.

With inputs from agencies
Because democracy entails not only government responsiveness to citizen interests but also equal consideration of the interests of all citizens, democratic participation must also be equal, Sydney Verba writes in his book Fairness, Equality, and Democracy: Three Big Words and Voice and Equality, suggesting that the equality in political decisions is a key element of a functioning democracy.

India is now paving the way for it.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Womens Reservation Bill, and introduced it on the first day of House proceedings in the new Parliament House. The measure proposes to reserve a 33 per cent quota for women in Parliament and state legislatures. However, it will not be implemented until the delimitation procedure is completed in 2029.

Currently, women make up 14.36 per cent of the total number of MPs in Indias lower house, Lok Sabha, with 78 elected women MPs out of 543 total seats.

Here is the history of womens representation in Parliament over the years.

From five to double digit: Womens representation in India

Looking at the history of women representation in Lok Sabha, the percentage remained about five till the 1970s and it was only in 2009 that it could reach a double-digit figure.

Womens representation in Rajya Sabha has been slightly lower than in Lok Sabha, not yet crossing 13 per cent of the total membership of the house since 1951.

Also Read: Womens Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha: A look at its contentious history

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was listed for introduction in the Lower House through a supplementary list of business.

The government said the Womens Reservation Bill is aimed at enabling greater participation of women in policy-making at state and national levels. The statement of purpose of the bill said the role of women is extremely important for achieving the goal of India becoming a developed country by 2047.

The highest proportion of women representatives elected to Lok Sabha so far was in the 2019 elections, but it was nearly 15 per cent of total membership while the highest proportion of women representatives to Rajya Sabha stood at 12.7 per cent in 2014.

In Lok Sabha in 1951, the representation of women stood at five per cent which remained same in 1957. The percentage increased to six per cent in 1962, 1967 and it was recorded at five per cent in 1971, four per cent in 1977, five per cent in 1980, eight per cent in 1984, six per cent in 1989, seven per cent in 1991, seven per cent in 1996, eight per cent in 1998, nine per cent in 1999, eight per cent in 2004, 11 per cent in 2009 and 12 per cent in 2014.

While in Rajya Sabha, women representation stood at 6.9 per cent in 1952, 7.8 per cent in 1954, 8.6 per cent in 1956, 9.5 per cent in 1958, 10.2 per cent in 1960, 7.2 per cent in 1962, 8.9 per cent in 1964, 9.8 per cent in 1966, 9.6 per cent in 1968, 5.8 per cent in 1970, 7.4 per cent in 1972, 7.5 per cent in 1974, 10.1 per cent in 1976, 10.2 per cent in 1978.

Also Read: Why is Womens Reservation Bill back in focus? Why has it been hanging for 27 years?

Womens representation stood at 12 per cent in 1980, 10.1 per cent in 1982, 10.3 per cent in 1984, 11.5 per cent in 1986, 10.6 per cent in 1988, 10.3 per cent in 1990, 7.2 per cent in 1992, 8.3 per cent in 1994, 7.8 per cent in 1996, 7.7 per cent in 1998, nine per cent in 2000, 10.2 per cent in 2002, 11.4 per cent in 2004, 10.2 per cent in 2006, 9.8 per cent in 2008, 11 per cent in 2010, 10.6 per cent in 2012, 12.7 per cent in 2014, 11 per cent in 2016, 11.4 per cent in 2018 and 10.2 per cent in 2020.

In state legislative Assemblies or Vidhan Sabhas, meanwhile, average representation is even lower, mostly below 10 per cent. The number of women candidates and MPs varies greatly across states and parties.

In the present 17th Lok Sabha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have the highest numbers of women MPs, according to an analysis by think-tank Observer Research Foundation (ORF) of December, 2022.

Countries with womens quotas in Parliament

Womens representation in government is low not just in India, but globally. Given the importance of women in society, a quota in government has been approved in 107 nations, including Australia, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Sweden.

Rwanda, Cuba, Mexico, New Zealand, and the UAE have the greatest female participation rates in their lower houses, with 50 per cent or more. However, women account for less than 33 per cent of the population in 134 of 185 countries. In addition, 91 countries have less than 25 per cent female involvement. India has approximately 15 per cent.

As of June 2023, India ranked 148th out of 193 countries in terms of the percentage of elected women representatives in national legislatures.

Whereas the global average for lower chamber or unicameral is 25.8 per cent, India sits at 14.4 per cent, with 78 out of 543 Lok Sabha representatives elected in 2019 being women, the greatest number to date. The Indian parliament is bicameral, with female MPs constituting 11.6 per cent of the upper house, or Rajya Sabha, as per a study quoted by Al Jazeera.

With inputs from PTI
After years and years  27 years to be precise  of waiting and debating, Parliament did it. On Thursday, the Rajya Sabha voted unanimously in favour of the historic Womens Reservation Bill, clearing the legislation to now turn into a law.

The Upper House of Parliament approved of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam  that reserves one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for women  with all 214 members voting in its favour, unlike the Lok Sabha where two of the 456 MPs present in the House had voted against it.

Following the vote, Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said, A milestone in the nations journey towards empowering Nari Shakti! Following extensive discussion with participation of members across political parties, #RajyaSabha unanimously passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

And its been a really long road to get here. The bill was originally introduced in Parliament 27 years ago by the then HD Deve Gowda government, passed by the Rajya Sabha a decade ago (bills that clear the Upper House do not lapse), and introduced by the BJP-led Centre nine years into the Narendra Modi government.

However, the journey isnt fully complete. The implementation of this Bill is still years away and the 33 per cent quotas wont be fulfilled at least until 2029.

But why, you may ask? We have the answer.

All about Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, formally known as The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill 2023, introduced in the Lower House of Parliament clearly states, as nearly as maybe, one-third (including the seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election to the House of People shall be reserved for women.

It proposes the same for Assemblies in the states and Delhi. And similar to the legislation that was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, it mandates that the reservation will be for a period of 15 years from the date of commencement of the Act.

Also read: Womens Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha: A look at its contentious history

The Bill also clearly states that the implementation of the legislation would only take place after the delimitation process.

It reads: Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provision of this Part or Part VIII, the provisions of the Constitution relating to the reservation of seats for women in the House of People, the Legislative Assembly of State, and the Legislative Assembly of the National Capital Territory of Delhi shall come into effect after an exercise of delimitation is undertaken for this purpose after the relevant figures for the first census taken after the commencement of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Amendment) Bill 2023 have been published, and shall cease to have effect on the expiration of a period of 15 years from the date of such commencement.

What this means is that the implementation of womens reservation is now tied to a fresh census and delimitation exercise and effectively postpones the actual implementation of the historic measure to some unspecified date in the future.

Delimitation, census and womens quotas

But what exactly is delimitation? How is it linked to the Census and how are these two activities linked to the Womens Reservation Bill.

Delimitation is the process through which boundaries of parliamentary or Assembly constituencies are drawn. As per the Constitution, the number of seats allocated to each state in the Lower House of Parliament is dependent on its population. Hence, the populous state of Uttar Pradesh sends more representatives to Lok Sabha than any other state.

However, the Constitution calls for the reallocation of seats after every Census. In fact, the last such exercise was carried out after the 1971 Census and according to the Constitution 84th Amendment) Act, 2002 there is a freeze on readjustment of constituencies till the first Census after 2026.

If the Centre wishes to redraw the constituencies sooner, Article 82 will have to be amended  a move that the southern states are against.

Also read: Womens Reservation Bill: A look at womens participation in Parliament over the years

Now, as per what the government has said, the Census will take place in 2024 and the publication of numbers will take one or two years. It will be after this that the delimitation exercise is carried out  meaning the implementation of the Womens Reservation Bill wont happen before 2029.

Speaking on the same, Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday while the legislation was being discussed in the Lower House, Some people are saying on social media that dont support the legislation now because it will not be implemented after the next elections due to the delimitation exercise. Some people are saying there is no OBC reservation or Muslim reservation so dont support the Bill. I would say that if you dont support the Bill, will the reservations come sooner? It will still come after 2029. Give your support, then there will be a guarantee and then whichever government comes will bring in any changes that may be needed. Let the process begin There will be no delay. Soon after the elections, delimitation will be done, the census will be conducted and soon that day will come when a third of the seats are reserved for women in this house.

Nothing but EVM

While many celebrated the passage of the Bill  Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X, A defining moment in our nations democratic journey! Congratulations to 140 crore Indians  there have been voices of dissent over the timeline for implementation of it.

After the Centre introduced the Bill in Lok Sabha, the Opposition dubbed it as nothing but EVM  EVent Management and a gimmick aimed at making some noise.

Congress Jairam Ramesh said, In a season of election jumlas, this one is the biggest of them all. A huge betrayal of the hopes of crores of Indian women and girls. He said the Modi government has not yet conducted the 2021 decadal Census making India the only country in G20 that has failed to carry out the Census. Now it says that the reservation for women will come into effect only following the first decadal Census conducted after the Womens Reservation Bill has become an Act. When will this Census take place? Will the Census and delimitation be done before the 2024 elections?

In a season of election jumlas, this one is the biggest of them all! A huge betrayal of the hopes of crores of Indian women and girls. As we had pointed out earlier, Modi government has not yet conducted the 2021 Decadal Census making India the only country in G20 that has  Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) September 19, 2023

Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday too called the Bill a sham, saying it should be renamed as "women's reservation rescheduling bill".

"It actually means that in true BJP's doublespeak-style, we do not know if and actually when we will have 33 per cent women sitting in the Lok Sabha because the date of the next census is indeterminate, and the date of the delimitation exercise is doubly indeterminate."

"Women's reservation is dependent on two totally indeterminate dates, can there be a greater jumla. Forget 2024, this may not be possible in 2029," she added.

CPI affiliated National Federation of Indian Women also expressed concern over the lack of a fixed time-frame for implementing it.

With inputs from agencies
The fledgling Akasa Air has approached the Delhi High Court seeking a direction to the DGCA to take action against pilots who left the airline without serving the mandatory notice period.

The airline, which operated its first commercial flight between Mumbai and Ahmedabad on August 7, 2022, has hit turbulence following the resignation of several pilots. It told the court it will have to cancel a large number of flights in September due to the resignations.

The airline told Justice Manmeet Pritam Singh Arora the company was in a state of crisis because of these resignations and had to cancel multiple flights every day this month.

The court has asked the parties to file their written synopsis in the matter and listed it for further hearing on September 22.

The court also sought to know from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), represented by advocate Anjana Gosain, as to what action it takes in case flights have to be cancelled due to pilots resignation.

The airline has also sought hefty compensation from the pilots for loss of revenue owing to cancellation of flights.

SNV Aviation Private Limited, which flies under the brand name Akasa Air, has sought a direction to the DGCA to take coercive action against pilots who fail to comply with the mandatory notice period requirements, in terms of the Civil Aviation Requirement

We have sought legal remedy only against a small set of pilots who abandoned their duties and left without serving their mandatory contractual notice period, an Akasa Air spokesperson had earlier said in a statement.

While first officers have to mandatorily serve a notice period of six months, the requirement for captains is one year.

The airline said the act was not only in violation of their contract but also the countrys civil aviation regulation.

Not only is this illegal in law but also an unethical and selfish act that disrupted flights in August forcing last minute cancellations that stranded thousands of customers causing significant inconvenience to the travelling public, it said.
The BJP on Wednesday slammed the Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for taking credit for the Womens Reservation Bill, saying that in her opening remarks on the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi didnt mention the women at the forefront to raise their voice for the Bill  Bengals Geeta Mukherjee and BJPs Sushma Swaraj  and asked her to rise above politics as she was the voice of the Opposition.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said, When Sonia Gandhi was speaking, I thought she will speak rising above politics because she is the voice of opposition. The women who were at the forefront to raise their voice for this Bill, she was Bengals Geeta Mukherjee and BJPs Sushma Swaraj. Had they not been there, we would not be seeing this reservation. But, Sonia Gandhi didnt mention either of them. What kind of politics is this? She wants to take the credit for the Bill, but this is not their Bill.

VIDEO | When Sonia Gandhi was speaking, I thought she will speak rising above politics because she is the voice of opposition. The women who were at the forefront to raise their voice for this Bill, she was Bengals Geeta Mukherjee and BJPs Sushma Swaraj. Had they not been pic.twitter.com/ht1kzRX5Bn  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

He said that introduction of the Bill by PM Modi and the BJP is bothering the Opposition.

Our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and our party (BJP) brought this (Womens Reservation) bill, and this is bothering the opposition, said the BJP MP.

He added, The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has repeatedly said that Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai (this is the time, this is the right time), and this (Womens Reservation) Bill has been brought at the right time.

Extended her partys support for the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi said, I stand here in support of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, Constitutional amendment to decide womens representation in local body election was brought by my life partner Rajiv Gandhi. It was defeated in Rajya Sabha by seven votes. Later, Congress government, under the leadership of PM PV Narasimha Rao, passed it in Rajya Sabha. As a result, we have 15 lakh elected women leaders across the country through local bodies. Rajiv Gandhis dream is only partially complete. It will complete with the passing of this Bill, she added.

She also demanded its immediate implementation along with the provision for the representation of SCs, STs and OBCs. She said any delay in implementing Womens Reservation Bill will be gross injustice to Indian women.

The immediate implementation of the womens reservation bill by removing all obstacles not only necessary but also possible, Gandhi said.

On Tuesday, the NDA government introduced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

The Manmohan Singh-led UPA government introduced the Womens Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2008, which it passed in 2010. However, the Bill never reached the Lok Sabha for consideration. The Bill was also one of the key poll promises the BJP had made in the run-up to both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged members of both houses of Parliament to pass the bill unanimously, asserting that it would further strengthen Indian democracy.

The Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam will further strengthen our democracy. I congratulate mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation for Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam. I assure all mothers, sisters and daughters of the nation that we are committed to making this bill into a law, PM Modi said.

With inputs from agencies
In a daring daylight heist, a group of seven robbers made away with a staggering sum of Rs 5.6 crore, comprising cash, gold bars, and precious jewellery, all plundered from the strong room of an Axis Bank branch.

The incident occurred in Raigarh, a town in Chhattisgarh, located about 250 kilometers from Raipur.

This event marks the most significant bank robbery in Chhattisgarh in over a decade. During their audacious operation, the robbers confronted the bank manager, who valiantly resisted. In their desperation, they resorted to violence, stabbing the manager in the leg.

To ensure their escape, they held the bank staff hostage in a secured room. The plundered wealth was subsequently concealed within three sizeable duffel bags, two of which were strategically loaded onto a motorcycle on which the accused fled.

As of now, the identity of these audacious robbers remains a mystery to the police. Authorities discovered an abandoned motorcycle matching the description of the getaway vehicle approximately 15 kilometers from the bank.

However, they have not officially linked it to the crime at this point. Evidently, the gang had meticulously planned their heist, promptly disabling the CCTV cameras upon entering the bank.

Additionally, there is speculation about whether the robbers had prior knowledge of the substantial cash and valuables held within the branch, which includes a colossal Rs 4 crore in cash, alongside gold bars and jewelry extracted from lockers.

The seven robbers initiated their assault at 9:30 am, shortly after the banks opening, with only staff members present, busily preparing for the day ahead. The banks security guard had not yet arrived, and the bank lacked any customers at that early hour. Surveillance footage from nearby cameras captured the robbers arrival in both a car and a motorcycle.

The banks CCTV footage, captured before the cameras were disabled, shows the masked gang entering calmly, displaying no signs of nervousness. Their raid commenced so calmly that the banks staff initially mistook them for regular customers.

However, the situation took a turn when the robbers brandished knives and headed straight for the bank managers office. At knifepoint, they demanded the keys to the lockers. Despite the managers resistance, they proceeded to loot cash and valuables from the locker room before making their exit. Another video clip captures two of the robbers emerging from the bank, carrying three duffel bags loaded with stolen goods, as they made their escape on a motorcycle.

Despite the usually bustling street, the heist unfolded without anyone outside the bank suspecting a thing, as only a few shops had opened at that early hour. After the robbers departed, the bank staff promptly alerted the police, and the injured bank manager received medical attention at the district hospital. Fortunately, his condition is reported to be stable.

In response to this audacious crime, the police have cordoned off the affected area and border regions. Stringent vehicle searches are underway, and investigators are scrutinizing CCTV footage from cameras located in the Jagatpur locality. They are also exploring potential escape routes and meticulously reviewing available bank surveillance footage in the hope of finding some clues.
India has issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students residing in Canada as well as those contemplating traveling to the country, asking them to exercise utmost caution.

The advisory by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has been issued in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence Canada.

Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. India nationals are therefore, advised to avoid travelling to regions and protentional venues in Canada that have seen such incidents, the advisory stated.

Indian students in Canada asked to remain vigilant

The MEA advisory further stated that given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Register with High Commission of India

Indian nationals and students from India in Canada have been asked to register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa of Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in.

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023

"Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incidents," the advisory said.

"Our High Commission/Consulates General will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well being of the Indians in Canada," the India government said.

The advisory for Indians in Canada and those planning to travel to the country have been issued after PM Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar triggered a diplomatic row.

Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of Nijjar in June was dismissed by India as absurd and motivated.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indias potential link with Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Sing Nijjars assassination in June this year has triggered a deep rift between India and Canada, both countries expelling each others envoys.

Amid escalating tensions between Ottawa and New Delhi, social media posts claiming that the Indian Army has been denying leaves to Sikh soldiers ever since Trudeau made those comments in the Canadian Parliament have been going viral. Press Information Bureau (PIB), however, has debunked the claim.

Some people even said that Sikh security personnel at the Rashtrapati Bhavan have been replaced.

This claim is Fake & shared with intention to create disharmony, a post by PIB on X read.

Claim: Following Sikh leader Hardeep Singhs assassination, Sikh security personnel at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been replaced & Army is denying leave to Sikh soldiers#PIBFactCheck This claim is Fake & shared with intention to create disharmony No such decisions have been taken pic.twitter.com/wF6bLOXrKK  PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 19, 2023

The Indian Army, similarly, has dismissed such claims saying, Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of Indian Army, spreading rumours & hate-mongering.

#FakeNewsAlert#Beware Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of #IndianArmy, spreading rumours & hate-mongering. Safeguard yourselves against such fake news. #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/7q1icOPXdm  ADG PI  INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 19, 2023

Meanwhile, India has issued an advisory for Indian nationals and students residing in Canada as well as those contemplating traveling to the country, asking them to exercise utmost caution.

The advisory by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has been issued in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada.

Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. India nationals are, therefore, advised to avoid travelling to regions and protentional venues in Canada that have seen such incidents, the advisory stated.
India intends to provide incentives worth up to Rs 18,000 crore ($2.2 billion) to promote domestic manufacturing in six new sectors, including chemicals, shipping containers, and vaccine inputs, two government officials told Reuters.

This initiative is a component of Indias Rs 1.97 lakh crore production-linked incentive scheme (PLI), initiated in 2020, which presently encompasses 14 sectors, spanning electronic products to drones.

However, its success has been limited, with only a small portion of the PLI incentives being claimed thus far. Consequently, the government is reallocating the unused funds to newly identified sectors.

Limited payouts under the scheme could lead to large savings which may be redirected to new sectors, the two government officials with knowledge of the plan said.

They did not wish to be named as details of the plan have not been made public. Indias federal trade ministry that oversees the schemes implementation did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

The six new sectors that could join the PLI scheme also include toys, bicycles, leather and footwear, the officials said. These sectors will share the Rs 18,000-crore-rupee allocation that is being carved out from the schemes original outlay, they added.

India sees the PLI scheme as crucial to boosting the broader Indian economy which has been starved of private investment for nearly a decade and is struggling to create adequate jobs, particularly in manufacturing.

Total incentives worth nearly Rs 2,900 crore were paid out in the fiscal year that ended in March. Little has been paid to businesses in sectors including speciality steel products, solar modules, and car components, according to a government report seen by Reuters.

In the fiscal year that started in April, the disbursements could rise to nearly 110 billion rupees and to Rs 40,000 crore by fiscal year 2024/25, one of the two officials said, citing an internal analysis by the government.

The disbursements should be better than this estimate after some tweaks to the scheme, the official said, adding such tweaks would help speed up payouts and some sectors may get an additional year or two under the scheme.

With inputs from Reuters.
A seven-year-old boy in Kanpur Dehat district is facing accusations of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl from their neighborhood.

This incident occurred in a village under the jurisdiction of the Akbarpur police station on a late Sunday night.

The matter came to light when the girls mother filed a complaint on Tuesday, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 5/6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

According to reports, both children involved have been admitted to the district hospital, where a medical examination confirmed the rape. According to the five-year-old girls mother, her daughter had gone outside to play when this distressing incident unfolded.

Inspector Satish Singh of the Akbarpur Kotwali police station stated that they are handling this case with great care. He mentioned that when a child under the age of seven commits an offense, it does not typically fall under the category of a criminal act.

Nevertheless, they will proceed with further actions only after seeking legal advice. The FIR was officially registered on Tuesday in response to the mothers complaint.
On Wednesday night, the Womens Reservation Bill was approved by the Lok Sabha with 454 votes. In the Lower House of Parliament and state legislative assemblies, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam will provide 33% of seats to women. The Opposition leaders angrily emphasised the point that it may take several more years before the planned law is really implemented.

The proposal has been passed with more than a two-thirds majority of the members present in the house, Speaker Om Birla announced after the voting.

Two lawmakers opposed the bill, but 454 others voted in favour of it. Before becoming a law, the bill must now be approved by the upper house of the parliament and at least half of Indias state assemblies.

Since the legislation was first submitted in 1996, six attempts to enact it have failed, often due to fierce opposition from MPs. According to official statistics, there are just 104 women MPs in India right now (out of close to 800).

The quota wont go into force until Indias 2021 census, which was postponed indefinitely because to the COVID-19 pandemic. Furious opposition leaders claim that the bill is an election jumla designed to gets the headlines today. Additionally, lawmakers have criticised the lack of OBC reservations.

Some people on social media are saying that this bill should not be supported as there is no reservation of OBC, Muslims. If you dont support this bill, will reservation happen sooner? If you support this bill, then will at least be guarantee Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha.

No timeframe has been given for the census and delimitation exercise  and in turn for the start of womens reservation.

Census and delimitation exercises will be conducted soon after the elections, and women will have a greater voice in the Parliament, Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
In a shocking incident that unfolded in the RK Puram area of Delhi, a senior surveyor was brutally killed by his colleague over personal enmity, police revealed after exhuming his mortal remains from backside of a ground floor flat within the confines of the Survey of India Defense Officer Complex.

The alleged perpetrator, identified as Anees, who works as a clerk, has been apprehended by the authorities.

Maheshs body was hidden in the back of his apartment building. The accused buried him in a small pit that was only one and a half feet deep, and then he put concrete over it to hide it.

#WATCH | Delhi: A murder case has been solved by the staff of RK Puram PS. A surveyor working in the Survey of India was murdered by one of his colleagues over a monetary issue. The police interrogated the accused where he confessed to the crime and recovered the buried body of pic.twitter.com/RbE3bl5yIo  ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

The accused, Anees, said that Mahesh, who was 42 years old, was bothering his girlfriend, and Mahesh also owed him Rs 9 lakh, which he hadnt paid. So, on August 28th, when Mahesh took a day off work, he went to some markets in Lajpat Nagar and South Ex. This seemed to make the situation worse.

The police found out that Anees bought some plastic and a shovel, which suggests that he planned to do something bad. In the afternoon, Anees tricked Mahesh into coming to his home in RK Puram Sector 2. Around noon, Anees killed Mahesh with a pipe wrench. After that, Anees quickly rode his bike back to his home in Sonipat, leaving his phone behind to avoid suspicion.

On August 29th, Anees secretly buried Maheshs body in a small ditch behind his home and covered it with cement. The police didnt discover the body until September 2nd.

The police started looking into Maheshs disappearance when they realized he was missing. They checked his phone records to see who he knew. During their investigation, they found out about Anees. When they questioned Anees, he admitted to what he did, telling them everything about this terrible crime. A detailed investigation is still underway.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday issued a list of 43 individuals associated with a terror gangster network having links to Canada and urged the public to share details of their properties and assets which can be taken over by the central government.

The NIA in its post issued pictures of Lawrence Bishnoi, Jasdeep Singh, Kala Jatheri alias Sandeep, Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana and Joginder Singh along with their names. It highlighted that many of these gangsters are based in Canada.

The NIA also requested to share details about the properties/assets/businesses owned by them in their own name or in the name of their associates, friends and relatives. It has also asked to share details of their business partners, workers, employees, and collection agents.

Persons shown in the photos below are accused in the NIA Cases RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI or RC-39/2022/NIA/DLI. If you have any information about properties/assets/ business owned by them in their name or in the name of their associates, friends & relatives, please WhatsApp DM @ +91 7290009373, the NIA said in a post on X.

Persons shown in photos below are accused in the NIA Cases RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI or RC-39/2022/NIA/DLI.

If you has any information about properties/assets/ business owned by them in their name or in name of their associates, friends & relatives, please WhatsApp DM @ +91 7290009373. pic.twitter.com/tkgicw4ouo  NIA India (@NIA_India) September 20, 2023

This comes amid growing tensions between India, and Canada after Justin Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canadas Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday defended the newly introduced Womens Reservation Bill and said that 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assembles was the need of the hour and not just about politics for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party at the Centre.

Reiterating that the passage of the womens reservation bill will mark the beginning of a new era in the countrys democratic set-up, Shah said womens security, respect and equal participation have been the focus of the Union government since PM Modi took charge two terms earlier. He also recalled that the prime minister had put forth a vision of women-led progress in the recently concluded G20 Summit held under Indias presidency.

Taking a sharp jab at the Oppositions criticisms regarding the bill which was tabled yesterday in Parliament, the Home Minister said that womens empowerment was not a political tool for his party and or its leader Prime Minister Modi. For some political parties, womens empowerment is a political agenda, but for the BJP it is not, Shah said addressing lawmakers in Parliament during the debate over the new bill.

This is a golden moment in Indias history. Yesterday, we entered the new parliament on Ganesh Chaturthi and the womens quota bill was also presented in the Lok Sabha. I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for honouring women. The women of India will now have a role to play in policymaking, Shah said.

This bill will ensure the participation of women in decision-making, and policy-making in the country. The day Modiji became the Prime Minister of this country, there were 70 crore people of this country who did not have bank accounts in their names. Modiji started Jan Dhan Yojana. 52 crore bank accounts were opened, out of which 70% were opened in the name of mothers, Shah told the members of parliament present in the House.

Parliamentarians are currently elected in 3 categories of General, SC, ST; of which we have reserved one-third seats for women in each of them, the home minister said, adding that the Modi government has 29 OBC ministers, while the party has 85 OBC MPs.

. Shah also reminded the gathering that whoever lives in this country, whose roots are connected to India, cannot make the mistake of considering women as weak.:

As soon as this constitutional amendment is passed by both the Houses with everyones co-operation, one-third seats in the Lok Sabha of the country and the Legislative Assemblies of all the states of the country will be reserved for women, the home minister said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the Parivartan Sankalp Mahasabha in Dadiya, Jaipur on September 25 and arrangements for the meeting will be managed by women workers and office bearers of the BJP, the party said on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Modi will address the Parivartan Sankalp Mahasabha at Dadiya village in Jaipur on September 25, a party spokesperson said.

The responsibility of all the arrangements of the pandal for PM Modis meeting has been given to women, which includes work related to pandal seating arrangement, parking, water service and other arrangements, BJPs state general secretary Bhajanlal Sharma said.

Sharma added that Parivartan Sankalp Mahasabha is being held on September 25, which is also the birth anniversary of Bharatiya Jana Sangh leader Deendayal Upadhyay.

Bharatiya Jana Sangh is the forerunner of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Prime Minister Modi will reach the meeting venue in Dadiya after offering flowers at Upadhyayas statue at Dhankya in Jaipur district.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Wednesday briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the row with Canada over the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Meanwhile, taking a jibe at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his allegations on India for its involvement in the alleged killing of the Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadas opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has said that he should come out clean with all the facts in order to make judgements.

Weeks before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made allegations against India, saying that the country had links with the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, officials in Ottawa had sought support from its allies including the US to publicly condemn the murder, a Washington Post report has revealed.

However, these requests were met with reluctance by the US.

The report says that during the weeks leading up to the G20 Summit in September that was held in India, the Five Eyes countries  UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand  held closed-door discussions over the alleged assassination of Nijjar, who is a Canadian citizen.

The countries, however, chose not to make any public comment on the matter during the summit.

On Monday, Trudeau said that agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of the separatist leader. Nijjar, 45, served as the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and was designated as one of Indias most wanted terrorists.

However, New Delhi on Tuesday rejected Canadas allegations of Indian agents being involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan leader

In a tit-for-tat move to the Trudeau administration expelling an Indian diplomat, New Delhi ordered a Canadian envoy, believed to be spying for the country in India, to leave within five days.

While Trudeau emphasised that Canada was not looking to provoke or escalate the situation, India has rejected its accusation as absurd and motivated, shifting the focus to Khalistani terrorists and extremists sheltered in Canada.

We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
The ongoing tensions between India and Canada will not impact the Indian Army and military relations between the two countries will continue the same, Additional Director General (Strategic Planning) Major General Abhinaya Rai said.

He added that Canadas Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) General Wayne Eyre will be visiting India for the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference to be held at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment from September 26-27.

The conference that is being held to ascertain multilateral security partnerships in the region, takes place regularly to thrash out differences, build trust and better communication among professional armies for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Relations between India and Canada have gone bitter after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that agents of the Indian government were involved in the killing of the separatist leader. Nijjar, 45, served as the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and was designated as one of Indias most wanted terrorists.

However, New Delhi on Tuesday rejected Canadas allegations of Indian agents being involved in the killing of a pro-Khalistan leader.

After coming under severe pressure the Canadian Prime Minister appeared to tone down the rhetoric on Tuesday saying Canada was not looking to provoke India.We are not looking to provoke or escalate, we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes Trudeau said in a news briefing.

With inputs from ANI
Chinese political and military establishments seem to be at loggerheads as Xi Jinpings purge continues to target military leaders and his colleagues in the top echelons of Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

There have been a number of unresolved high-profile disappearances over the last few months that includes Defence Minister Li Shangfu and Foreign Minister Qin Gang. There have been untimely dismissals of Li Yuchao and Xu Zhongbo of the Rocket Forces.

These removals, dismissals and disappearances indicate that there is an intense power struggle within the CCP and Xis leadership is facing a serious threat from within. However, due to the strict censorship and state control on the media within China, the extent of threat has been underplayed by the Chinese media. Except for keen China watchers, who are far and few, the world largely thinks that all is well in China and Xi is an unchallenged leader. Nothing could be far away from the ground realities.

A massive slump in the real estate sector, a strong downturn in the Chinese economy and rampant corruption has led to a strong section of CCP as well as the Chinese people raising serious doubts about Xis leadership capability. Xis response has come out in the form of a purge which is a classical symptom of an implosion in a communist authoritarian system. The state of affairs in China and the crackdown on dissidents within the CCP reminds one of Stalins purges in the Soviet Union.

The Chinese communist regime has followed the same model ever since it usurped the power in 1949. The so-called Chinese Cultural Revolution that started in the 1960s and lasted up to 1976 resulted in the deaths of more than two million people. The fact is that Mao Zedong had launched a nationwide purge in the name of cultural revolution killing all the dissidents within CCP. Anyone who raised questions on Maos policies or capability as a leader was imprisoned or killed. Now Xi is following in Maos footsteps.

Chinese narrative of ascending superpower

One narrative that has dominated international discourse since the beginning of the 21st century has been that China is poised to become the next global power. However, a closer examination of the contemporary issues and challenges confronting China indicate that China is getting increasingly marginalized internationally and along with that it is facing an internal political crisis. The Communist Party of China (CCP) appears to be keen on minimising publicity in the international arena regarding its internal conflicts and growing insecurities. It has been allocating considerable resources to manage its global image on this front.

Xi admits to the growing insecurities

President Xi Jinping has also acknowledged the uncertainties surrounding his leadership position in China. According to an August 2022 report in The New York Times, Over informal, private meals with American leaders, Chinas Xi Jinping let his guard down a little. It was a decade ago, relations were less strained, and Mr. Xi, still cementing his power, hinted he worried about the Chinese Communist Partys grip.

The report added, Speaking privately with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, Mr. Xi suggested that China was a target of color revolutions, a phrase the party adopted from Russia for popular unrest in the name of democracy and blamed on the West. The recent Arab Spring uprisings across the Middle East had reinforced his concerns that China was vulnerable to public anger over corruption and inequality, both of which the country had in abundance.

Xi couldnt have been more forthright that China is beset by malevolent forces and internally prey to centrifugal forces, said Daniel R. Russel, a former senior American diplomat who accompanied Mr. Biden to China in 2011, says this NYT report further adding, He(Xi) would talk all the time about color revolutions. Thats clearly a sort of front-of-mind issue for him, said Ryan Hass, the National Security Council director for China when Mr. Xi later visited the White House.

CCP insiders have also highlighted on several platforms that Xi Jinping is finding it increasingly difficult to handle issues both at the domestic and international front. Xis efforts to broaden the national securitys scope to encompass both military and civilian sectors betray his intent to consolidate power, possibly to surround himself with loyalists. With the Ministry of National Security reframing the concept of national security as Peoples War. Thus, the distinction between internal and external domains in the Chinese establishment is fading away.

High profile disappearances under Xis watch

Amidst significant diplomatic activities, Chinas Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been conspicuously missing since June 25, 2023. His extended absence, which was initially attributed to health reasons, was later erased from official documents. This underscored the authoritative approach of the CCP under Xi Jinpings leadership in exerting control over state matters and circumventing accountability. Speculation arose that the ministers purported dismissal and absence were linked to corruption allegations against him. Yet, some sources indicate that his removal by Xi was due to concerns about his loyalty.

On 6vJune, 2023, Wu Guohua, Deputy Commander of the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force, is reported to have committed suicide. This coincided with Xis inspection of the Eastern Theatre Command. The official statement by PLA stated that this happened due to a cerebral hemorrhage. The ambiguity surrounding the high-ranking officers demise prompts inquiries about the CCPs control over the PLA, especially given that PLA has demonstrated loyalty to the Communist Party of China rather than the Chinese citizenry.

In July 2023, Xi Jinping abruptly restructured the leadership of Chinas Rocket Forces. State media revealed Gen Li Yuchao and his deputy Gen Liu Guangbin was replaced by naval officer Wang Houbin and air force officer Xu Xishen, neither of whom have previous experience in this domain. This suggests Xis aim to unify the nuclear arsenal command across the armed forces. As China expands its nuclear program, Xi emphasizes loyalty within the PLA, especially from those overseeing nuclear capabilities. His selective anti-corruption drive has affected numerous military officers, causing divisions within the ranks in support for Xis military objectives.

Similarly, Defense Minister Li Shang Fu of China was last publicly seen on 29 August, 2023 during a speech at the China-Africa Forum in Beijing. Subsequent to this, his visibility diminished amidst emerging allegations of corruption. Several Defence Ministry officials were arrested right after the disappearance of the defence minister. The list includes:

 Li Shiquan, Chairman of China North Industries Corporation.

 Yuan Ze, chairman of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation.

 Chen Guoying, general manager of China North Industry Group Corporation.

 Tan Ruisong, Chairman of China Aviation Industry Corporation.

This has spurred speculation on internal political strategies, potentially highlighting President Jinpings power consolidation efforts. A similar absence of the foreign minister earlier this year, coupled with past patterns, suggests Jinpings tactic to mitigate potential leadership threats and surround himself with loyal subjects.

Xis recent maneuvers and absence from the G20 Leadership Summit despite the request from President Biden of the US appear as a desperate bid to bolster loyalty within party ranks. Nevertheless, there appears to be a growing sentiment of uncertainty within the party regarding his leadership. At the annual Beidaihe meeting, a summit of veteran leaders of the CCP in Hebei Province, President Xi reportedly faced severe criticism from senior party officials. The leaders expressed loss of confidence in Xis leadership and warned him that his failure to resolve these issues could result in a major crisis for the CCP.

In all, it seems like Xi Jinping has pressed the panic button. The multifarious challenges are adversely impacting President Xis political trajectory. The carefully built narrative that projected China as an ascending superpower under Xis leadership is all set to be the first major casualty of power struggle within the CCP.

The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. He tweets @ArunAnandLive. 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 year 2023 marks 50 years of India and the Republic of Korea (RoK), South Korea, bilateral relations. The two countries have had a civilisational connection. The 16-year-old princess Suriratna, the daughter of King Padmasena, the ruler of the kingdom of Kausala in North India, with Ayodhya as the capital, traveled in 48 BCE to Korea and married Kim Suro, founder and King of Geumgwan Gaya in south-eastern Korea. This relationship is a cherished part of the folklore in that country.

More recently, Indias contributions during the Korean War, shared values of democracy, the deepening of the Special Strategic Partnership, Indias rising global status, and the presidency of the G20 all bring into focus the potential for intensified bilateral engagement. The core areas are security and defence, trade and investment, sustainable development, future mobility, new and emerging technologies.

With the unprecedented economic and military growth of China, the global focus and competition have shifted to the Indo-Pacific. There is a congruence of situations and challenges between the two nations. They face similar security and supply chain challenges. Undoubtedly, there is a need to take stock of the close bilateral relations and to deepen strategic cooperation in areas like futuristic manufacturing, renewables, healthcare, space, digital transformation, etc.

Indias independence saw a bloody partition in 1947. Similarly, the RoK emerged as a nation after the Korean War (1950-53) that split the Korean peninsula across the 38th parallel. While RoK was brought under the security umbrella provided by the United States, India chose to be non-aligned. RoKs immediate security concerns are the nuclear powers communist China and North Korea, the latter being backed by the former. Similarly, Indias security concerns are with nuclear powers Pakistan and China, with both working collusively. China has had a hand in both North Korea and Pakistans nuclear and missile programs. India has had full wars with both its neighbours and continues to have border incidents and skirmishes with them. North Korea is continuously threatening RoK with missile firings. Though located at diametrically opposite ends of China, the security situations for India and RoK are somewhat similar.

India-RoK established formal diplomatic relations in 1973, and engagements ever since have been multi-dimensional. South Korea is currently the fifth-largest source of investment in India. Korean brand names, LG, Samsung, and Hyundai are household names and have manufacturing and service facilities in India. In July 2018, South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated Samsung Electronics smartphone assembly factory in Noida, the largest such factory in the world. There are many Korean companies in infrastructural development. Tata Motors purchased Daewoo Commercial Vehicles and highlighted Indias investments in Korea. Buddhism also binds the two nations.

Chinese military buildup and their actions in South and East China Seas, and more recent aggressive posturing against Taiwan and Japan, have shifted global attention to the Indo-Pacific. Also, North Korea continues to grow its nuclear stockpile and ballistic missile capability. They are conducting, on average, one missile test every other week. Both China and North Korea are ruled by ambitious autocratic leaders.

Like-minded major democracies of the Indo-Pacific region, Japan, Australia, the U.S., and India, formed the QUAD. The members have a shared vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and a rules-based maritime order in the East and South China Seas. The Quad Plus meetings included representatives from RoK, New Zealand, and Vietnam. Later, the United States hosted a meeting of Quad nations, which also included Brazil, Israel, and RoK, ostensibly to discuss a global response to COVID-19. President Biden just hosted leaders of Japan, RoK at Camp David to help them bridge their historic differences and animosity.

As of 2023, Quad countries together have nearly 35 per cent of the global GDP. The numbers are much higher with Quadplus or non-member partners. Though not a military alliance, Quad and its members hold bilateral and multilateral military exercises like Malabar, among others.

China continues to be a dominant economy. It is a leading trade partner of most global economies. However, all its main allies in the region, Pakistan, North Korea, Myanmar, and Cambodia, are in financial or political mess. The war in Ukraine and the sanctions against Russia have pushed the major military power Russia into Chinas fold. The West has thus created a dual containment situation for itself. China has meanwhile increased its engagement in West and Central Asia. They brokered the Saudi-Iran deal. They are engaging with UAE and others. China has a major standing in Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), now expanding BRICS, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and many other multilateral institutions.

The global approach to China is still evolving. The ASEAN countries and most others prefer engagement to confrontation. I feel that the world needs to continue to engage China and selectively and slowly decouple. In May this year, India participated in the inaugural ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME 2023) held in the South China Sea. It took the India-ASEAN Comprehensive Strategic partnership to the next level. The Philippines, US, and Japan also held a trilateral exercise in the SCS. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) had a bilateral air exercise Veer Guardian 2023 in Japan, in January 2023.

The preference for the Philippines to be a partner with Quad is understandable. Meanwhile, Japan announced its new National Security Strategy and the Defence Buildup Programme (DBP) in December 2022. Their defence budget has started going up with a target of reaching 2 percent of GDP by 2027. By signing the four foundational military logistics and security agreements, COMCASA, BECA, LEMOA, and GSOMIA, India and the USA have moved closer.

India has clearly emerged as the leader of the global south and maintains strategic autonomy. It is already the worlds fifth-largest economy with one of the highest growth rates. It has the fourth most powerful military. It is among the top space powers. It has a huge demographic advantage of a youthful highly skilled population. It is a great market and has a high potential as a manufacturing hub. The world is wooing India.

Meanwhile, India finds strong market and trade synergies with Japan, RoK, and ASEAN as much as it does with China. Over 50 per cent of Indias global trade passes through the South China Sea (SCS). India has two oil exploration blocks off the coast of Vietnam. SCS may not seem to be an immediate security concern for India, but India is building a blue-water navy, and IAFs reach has been growing with long-range fighter operations using aerial refueling to defend Indias global and regional interests.

Indias approach towards its eastern neighbours includes Act East, Neighborhood First, and Security and Growth of All in the Region (SAGAR) policies. For India, ASEAN Centrality is fundamental to this approach as well as towards the multilateral frameworks in the region.

Amidst intensifying US-China rivalry in the region, Seoul has to balance between the US as its security partner and China as its largest trading partner. Also, with China, Seoul has to manage the North Korean nuclear dynamics. Seouls recently released Indo-Pacific strategy sees RoK as a pivotal state that actively seeks out an agenda for cooperation and shapes discussions in the regions and the wider world. The strategy outlines nine core lines of effort centered on international norms, priority sectors, and cooperation through partnerships.

India-RoK bilateral defence deals and the recently held Korea-India Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue show the convergence between India and South Korea. They see India as a special strategic partner. Koreas aging population and technology could combine with progressive youthful India and make a manufacturing hub. We also need to explore opportunities to work jointly in third countries.

On bilateral terms, India has widely supported South Korea over the looming North Korean nuclear threat and has expressed apprehension regarding North Koreas missile tests at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Seoul has also pledged to strengthen the foundation for increased economic cooperation by upgrading the ROK-India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The big elephant in the room is Indias rising trade deficit. India has been negotiating with the Korean government for opening up its markets for Indian products. In a competitive world, India has to offer products that RoK can buy. Also, the Korean friends tell us that it is better for India to have a trade deficit with them than with China.

India and South Korea have increased their defence and security cooperation. The K9 Vajra, the 155mm artillery gun, is produced by the Indian company L&T, with Koreas Hanwha Defence. Indian companies have reached out to reliable Korean partners to explore collaborations on utility helicopters, light tanks, diesel submarines, and military-grade lithium batteries.

Korean industry is also considering transferring various advanced naval shipbuilding technologies to support upcoming Indian naval projects, such as Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMV), Fleet Support Ships (FSS), and Landing Platform Docks (LPD). Though there remain issues of the extent of technology transfer and the quantum of investments. These bottlenecks need resolution. Perhaps its best to target low-hanging fruits. Semiconductor collaboration would be mutually beneficial, and so will be electric vehicles.

RoK and Indian aircrew interacted with each other at a multilateral air exercise in the UAE. These need to be built on through greater military exchanges to transform the warm friendship into a strong strategic partnership. The two are vibrant democracies with similar value systems and somewhat linked destinies. Economic and defence cooperation are the two main pillars. We need to bridge the distance.

RoK greatly appreciates the work done during Indias G20 Presidency and its motto, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which translates to One Earth, One Family, One Future. Both nations have a significant interest in the outcome of the ongoing power struggle between the US and China and need to work closely. Progress has to be driven by a substantial alignment of interests, reciprocal positive sentiments, and frequent high-level interactions. We need to find ways to strengthen complementarities and iron out differences to build stronger bilateral, minilateral, and multilateral connections between the two major middle powers. Freedom, peace, and prosperity are the desired goals. Trust and mutual benefit will be the pillars.

The writer is Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. 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.
In April 2001, all leading Indian newspapers carried a photograph on the front page which made the collective heart of a nation sink.

The photo was of Bangladeshi villagers carrying the body of an Indian soldier dangling by his hands and feet from a bamboo pole like a freshly hunted animal. He was one of the 16 Border Security Force soldiers allegedly tortured and killed by Bangladesh Rifles men in a border skirmish.

The entire nation watched helplessly as a young nuclear power failed to act against even tiny Bangladesh and swallowed the humiliation with merely meek condemnation. What Indians despondently believed was embodied in that front-page image: theirs was a soft State.

The label was hung in an even larger font after each terror strike, culminating with the 26/11 Mumbai attack. Indias political and security establishments were caught asleep; the air force did not even have the coordinates of Pakistan terror camps to retaliate. We kept sending dossiers of Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, Pakistan kept crumpling those into paper balls and throwing them into a bin.

From that day to Monday when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused Indian intelligence agencies of being behind the assassination of India-designated Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, this nation has come a long way.

Today, India is seen by the world as a hard State; a rising superpower which unhesitatingly retaliates against the enemy with stunning force.

The new hard State label is a byproduct of National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Dovals defensive offence doctrine, in which you go and attack the place where the offence is coming from. As NSA, he set his doctrine into motion with a terse but eloquent warning to Pakistan: You do one more Mumbai, you lose Balochistan.

And from the beginning of Narendra Modis prime ministership, we have witnessed defensive offence in motion. The 2015 Myanmar cross-border operation against Naga militants, the 2016 post-Uri attack surgical strike across the LoC, and Balakot airstrike of 2019 after the Pulwama terror attack were a dramatic departure from Indias former policy of masochistic restraint.

India even took China by surprise by digging its heels in Doklam and returning its murderous aggression at Galwan and Pangong Tso with bloodier reprisals.

India has adopted the strategy of unpredictable action, letting go of its predictable passivity in external and internal security matters. When one responds with unpredictable force and timing to enemy action, the adversary must think ten times before launching the next attack. Interestingly, not a single casualty in terrorist attacks has happened outside conflict zones since Modi took over in 2014.

But lately, another angle has been added to Indias response to external threats. The smell  rightly or mistakenly  of covert action.

Since 2019 and especially in the last 24 months, over a dozen of Indias avowed enemies have been killed in their safe havens overseas.

It could be sheer coincidence. Pakistan, for instance, is going through a period of political and economic chaos so unsettling that rival gangs, on the loose because of an absent government, could be killing each other.

But the sheer number of eliminations makes people wonder whether India has embarked on a Mossad-like Wrath of God mission which saw Israeli intelligence getting rid of the 1972 Munich terrorists one by one.

Let us see what has happened to Indias most wanted terrorist since 2019 in their overseas safe havens.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed near a gurdwara in Surrey, Canada, by two unknown assailants in June 2023. India had designated him as a wanted terrorist, NIA had a Rs10 lakh reward for info on him, and Interpol had issued a red corner alert. He had entered Canada illegally with a fake passport. Rayaz Ahmed alias Abu Qasim was shot dead in a mosque in PoK in September 2023. Maulana Masood Azhar reportedly escaped a massive blast in 2019 at the madrassa he was hiding in Peshawar. However, the most-wanted terrorist has had no public appearance since then, triggering speculation on whether he is dead. Bashir Ahmed Peer of Hizbul Mujahideen was shot dead at point-blank range in Rawalpindi in February 2023. Al Badr commander Syed Khalid Raza was killed by a single shot in the head in Karachi in February 2023. Khalistani extremist Avtar Singh Khanda, who targeted the Indian mission in the UK, died of unknown causes at a Birmingham hospital in June 2023. Aijaz Ahmad Ahangar, a Kashmiri terrorist functioning as a top commander of ISIS, was reportedly killed in Afghanistans Kunar province in February 2023. Jaish-e-Mohammeds Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim, one of the IC-814 hijackers who had slit passenger Rupin Katyals throat, was shot dead in Karachi in March 2022. Khalistan Commando Forces Paramjit Singh Panjwar was shot dead in Lahore by two gunmen in May 2023. Lal Mohammed, a suspected ISI operative involved in pushing fake currency into India, was chased and shot dead on the outskirts of Kathmandu last year. Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Rinda mysteriously dies in Lahore hospital in November 2022, reportedly of a drug overdose. A day later, Khalistani terrorist and Rindas aide Happy Sanghera was killed in Italy. Within 24 hours, Khalistani terrorist Kulwinderjit Singh Khanpuria was likely brought from Bangkok, arrest was shown in Delhi. In June 2021, a powerful blast rocks the neighbourhood of UN-designated global terrorist Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Toiba. Earlier, his Talha Saeed was injured in a blast in Lahore.

Less than a decade ago, I had asked the then Intelligence Bureau chief if India sends its spy squads on covert kill missions. And if it did, why didnt it wear it on its sleeves like Israel?

Sipping tea on the lawns of his Lutyens bungalow, he had said: Indians are culturally not yet really for such action.

that was true then has been inverted in the last eight or nine years. Raucous Indians greeted Trudeaus tirade as an official stamp on what they suspected: that under Modi and Doval, India has shed its security shyness.

It is impossible to say if India was behind the 15 attacks and kills I have listed in this piece. But a perception of India as a hard, unforgiving State has slowly crystallised globally despite our firm denials.

A person at the topmost tiers of Indias security establishment had once told me that by radicalising and keeping its vast population impoverished, Pakistan has made it cheap and easy for India to hit it at will.

We can hire hitmen from any lane in Lahore, Karachi, or Peshawar for as little as Rs 10,000 to do mischief inside Pakistan. They have to spend crores on indoctrinating, training and exporting terrorists into India, he said.

Any country that harbours terrorists and terror sympathisers in its backyard unwittingly creates a vicious ecosystem like Pakistan which one day turns on its host.

Canada under Justin Trudeau has much to fear and learn from that chilling hiring prophecy.

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.
Within the span of two news cycles in Canada and one in India, filled with explosive allegations and tit-for-tat diplomatic moves, the already frayed bilateral relationship has now gone into a coma. And it is all down to Justin Trudeau. The Canadian prime minister has chosen to burn all bridges with India by triggering a massive diplomatic crisis with wild, unsubstantiated allegations possibly as a distraction ploy to save his plummeting political career.

There are two ways of looking at Trudeaus shocking comments made in the Canadian Parliament on Monday when he blamed the Indian government for slaying Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil, calling it an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty.

Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader, was killed by unidentified assailants on 18 June near Vancouver. India has completely rejected the allegations, and in a terse statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said the allegations of Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated, and added that such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The first explanation is that Trudeau got such an all-round pasting from the Opposition during his train wreck of a trip to India  when he was chastised by prime minister Narendra Modi, cut a lonely, sorry figure, and had to stay back due to a technical snag with his airplane  that he aims to kill two birds with one stone. Retrieve his falling ratings, manage tricky domestic issues by creating the bogey of foreign interference and malign India, an easy target, to further secure the all-important Khalistani votebank.

The second explanation that we must consider is that Canada is in possession of incriminating evidence, based on which Trudeau declared in the Parliament that Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and Nijjars death. Trudeau didnt present any evidence to back his claim, but added that the alleged killing is contrary to the fundamental rules by which free, open, and democratic societies conduct themselves.

Before we examine the possibilities, one thing needs to be made clear. In both scenarios, Trudeau has no moral right to pontificate on rules. Canada has ignored Indias repeated extradition requests to deport Khalistani separatists who have been charged with committing anti-India activities and running terror and narcotic rackets. Nijjar was high on Indias wanted list.

A key cog in the Khalistani wheel, the Interpol had issued a red corner notice against Nijjar in 2016. He is a designated terrorist in India under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and wanted by both the NIA and Punjab Police for his involvement in over 10 cases of targeted killings in Punjab, funding secessionist activities, running terror camps and nexus with Pakistani agents. In short, he was a bad apple being protected by the Trudeau government.

According to Canadian media reports, Nijjar came to Canada in 1997 and claimed refugee status, having used a false passport to enter the country. His refugee claim was rejected, but 11 days after that, he married a woman who sponsored him for immigration. That, too, was rejected though he seems to have been granted citizenship later.

Not just protecting bad apples like Nijjar instead of handing them over to India, under the Trudeau regime Canada has never failed to look the other way when Khalistanis issue kill lists against Indian diplomats, tried to inflict bodily harm and set fire to Indian diplomatic premises, and celebrate the assassination of former Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi through tableaus.

Now, lets come to the crux of the allegation, following which Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat and saw a senior Canadian diplomat getting kicked out of New Delhi, whom the Hindustan Times identified as Olivier Sylvestere, the Canadian intelligence agency station chief in India.

Trudeau claimed that his government is pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and Nijjars death. Note the words carefully. Trudeau offered zero evidence to back his outrageous and incendiary claims on Monday, and that too in the Parliament premises through a dramatic declaration designed to generate controversy, but in a subsequent statement a day later, he appeared to walk back by saying, Canada is not trying to provoke India by suggesting it was linked to the murder of a Sikh separatist leader, but wants New Delhi to address the issue properly.

It may not be a coincidence that faced with Indias complete rejection, Trudeau was cornered by the Opposition to release concrete evidence.

The issue gets even more curious when we note while investigating the murder of Nijjar in June, Canadian police did not consider India to be involved in the act, according to reports published in Indian media in August. So how did things change so dramatically?

It has now emerged that during the G20 meet in New Delhi, Indias national security advisor Ajit Doval had engaged his Australian, UK and Canadian counterparts over the rise of Sikh fundamentalism and violence against Indian assets in their respective countries, and while other nations were responsive, the Canadian NSA was unfazed as the New Democratic party of Khalistan supporter Jagmeet Singh supports the minority Justin Trudeau government.

With his reckless allegations, Trudeau has not only completely eroded mutual trust between the two nations, to save his own skin he has endangered the lives of Hindu Canadians and Indian diplomats stationed in the country. On Tuesday itself, banned separatist group SFJ legal adviser Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatened non-Sikh Indians to leave Canada.

It is staggering to imagine that the Trudeau government expelled a top-ranked diplomat from a friendly country (notwithstanding the chill in ties that are largely a result of Trudeaus political machinations) based on a wishy-washy report of potential links that has not even been concluded. At this stage, even if there is a kernel of truth in the accusation, by making the allegations public in such dramatic fashion, Trudeau has jeopardized the investigation.

But perhaps that was his intention. After all, it is the Justin Trudeau government that prevented the Modi government from reaching out to the Khalistani separatists in an outreach effort in 2015. According to a report in Hindustan Times, that outreach effort took place through Jasdev Singh Rai in late 2015 when Prime Minister Modi met the director of the Sikh Human Rights Group  a key interlocutor between the government of India and Sikh separatist groups.

The report notes that in late 2016, Rai was denied electronic travel authorisation (ETA) by Ottawa and as a result, Rai and BJP leader Ram Madhav, could not go ahead with a planned meeting in Toronto with radical Sikh groups.

While he sits back and enjoys the carnage after lighting the matchstick, Trudeau should consider one possibility. He has perhaps ended up securing another term for Modi in upcoming elections.

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.
Editors note: This series by one of Indias leading military historian of contemporary times showcases chronological vignettes of war and conflict in independent India. Watch out for this column close to all the dates in the year when independent India has had to deal with various national security challenges.

***

The Nizam Acts Difficult

The state of Hyderabad was one of the oldest princely states in the Deccan and had been ruled by the Asaf Jahi dynasty since 1724 after it broke away from the declining Mughal Empire. Centred at Hyderabad, the Nizam ruled over a large state with a majority Hindu population in the west and north-western areas bordering the Maratha Empire and in the south and south-east areas bordering the Madras Presidency. The Muslim population grew around the capital of Hyderabad and provided the much-needed physical security for the Nizam from the oppressed and restive majority population. As the idea and shape of India emerged slowly out of the cocoon of the various British-ruled provinces and princely states in 1948, apart from Jammu and Kashmir, Hyderabad remained a thorn in Indias hinterland.

Where did the Nizam accumulate such wealth? The answer lay in his ability to retain control over the rural population, extract huge taxes, exploit the fertile cotton and sugarcane belts of the region and send the produce to Great Britain and Europe in return for exotic riches and unimaginable wealth. Such control would not have been possible had it not been for the existence of Arab and Pathan militia in the Nawabs army  recruited in the early 19th century  not only to beef-up the Nizams security forces, but also to support the ulema (holy men) in spreading the Islamic faith. As this militia integrated with the local population, they were organised into a 20th century militia called Razakars under a hardline Islamist cleric named Qasim Razvi, the leader of a political party called Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen devoted to the cause of Islamic supremacy in the region. It was this militia that perpetrated communal violence in the state and created a combustible security situation warranting immediate intervention by India.

GOI procrastinates, police action?

The Government of Indis was initially at a loss how to peacefully resolve the issue and offered a Standstill Agreement to the Nizam in September 1947. The agreement offered significant autonomy to the Nizam, emboldening the radical elements within the Nizams government to reject the agreement and push for complete independence. Thus, the political indecisiveness in Delhi reinforced the hands of the Nizam and his band of Razakars, ripening an already fragile and adversarial situation between the Muslims and the Hindus in the state. The situation worsened much through the first half of 1948 with stray but authentic reports of killings on either side coming from British army personnel posted at Hyderabad.

One of the most interesting facets of the use of military force to coerce the Nizam of Hyderabad to accede to the Indian Union is the term Hyderabad Police Action. How and why this term was coined by the Government of India is interesting to reflect on as it has been a matter of much debate since. While some believe that the name police action reveals much about the nature of Indian strategic thought on force application at the time of independence, others believe that it provided early signs of the restraint and maturity that Indias political leadership would display whenever its hands were forced to use force on its own people. Even though Jawaharlal Nehru clearly called it a military action and not war in one of his pronouncements at Madras prior to the actual commencement of operations, he assumed that by downplaying a full-fledged military operation and calling it a mere police action, India would be viewed by the rest of the world as a mature and restrained power. Little did he realise that it would also reveal strategic contradictions about Indias reluctance to accept that force application and demonstration of coercive power and intent were critical ingredients of statecraft.

Military action at last

At 13.45 on 12 September, 1948, the Indian Army commenced a multi-pronged pronged thrust into Hyderabad from four bordering provinces of the Union of India - Central Province, Bombay, Mysore and Madras. Symbolically, on the same day in 1727, the Marathas under Peshwa Balaji Rao defeated the Nizam of Hyderabad in the first battle he fought after declaring his independence from them.

Largely planned under the supervision of Brigadier JN Chaudhuri when he was Chief of General Staff at Army HQ, New Delhi, Operation Polo, as the action was code-named, was finally executed by an all-Indian team of Southern Army Command under Lieutenant General Maharaj Shri Rajendra Sinhji, a freshly promoted Major General JN Chaudhuri (later to be COAS), the GOC of 1 Armoured Division and Major General Ajit Anil Jock Rudra who was GOC of the Madras Area. The air element comprised a Polo Air Task Force under the command of Air Commodore Subroto Mukherjee as AOC Caterpillar Air Task Force. He was later to be the first Indian Chief of the Air Staff in 1954. His mandate for the use of air power in the operation was to provide photo reconnaissance and close air support to advancing Indian army columns particularly the armoured division with two fighter squadrons of Tempest fighter-bombers (3 and 4 Sqns) at Poona.

A cakewalk into Hyderabad

The major Indian Army thrust was from the west where the Sholapur-Hyderabad highway presented the best opportunity for Maj Gen Chaudhuris 1 Armoured Division to steamroll past stubborn state forces and Razakars at Bidar and capture Hyderabad. A subsidiary thrust by additional troops assigned to 1 Armoured Division was to commence from the North-West with the aim of capturing Aurangabad and Jalna, two important towns in the NW areas. A North-Eastern thrust was planned from Adilabad, a southern thrust from Kurnool and a major South-Eastern thrust from Bezwada. Both the southern thrusts were entrusted to infantry and armoured formations from Rudras Madras Area.

The state forces of the Nizam were poorly trained and had no battle experience. Their equipment was old and rusty and did not support the numbers of a 30,000 strong standing army, an Armed Police Force of approximately 35,000 and 8,000 irregulars and a large force of Razakars. The strength of Razakars widely varied since it was a militia and ranged from a modest 30,000 as reported by western commentators to a figure of 70,000 active and armed men and women as indicated in the white paper. Contrary to initial reports, the Nizam had no air force and most of his armoured cars were off-road. Indicating a sense of urgency in response to the wildly exaggerated strength of the Nizams forces and anticipating concurrent and prolonged operations in Hyderabad and Jammu and Kashmir, the Union of India adopted proactive measures by summoning reserve officers from Travancore, Madras, Cochin and Coorg.

After three days of sporadic fighting mainly in the form of skirmishes and tough encounters with the Razakars, Chaudhris 1 Armoured Division supported by RIAF Tempests operating from Pune smashed past defence at Rajasur, Zahirabad, Bidar and Homnabad from the west and Aurangabad in the north-west, while Gen Rudras formations forged ahead in the Suriapet salient of the Bezwada sector. By the early morning of 17 September, 1 Armoured Divison was poised to take Hyderabad and by 5pm on the same day, the Nizam surrendered.

Personal vignettes

Lt Gen MM Zaki, the former Corps Commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps and then an advisor to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir during the troubled 1990s, comes from an illustrious military family from Hyderabad. He was all of 11 years and had just finished his first year at the Rashtriya Indian Military College in Dehradun. His father, Brigadier Zaki was serving in the Nizams Hyderabad Army as the Sector commander North in Gulbarga which is now in the state of Karnataka. Gen Zaki recollects events after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in January 1948 because of which he could not return to school and then when he was visiting his father in Gulbarga when the military action against Hyderabad commenced. Imagine yourself as a 11-year-old in a staff car with your father and a Tempest fighter aircraft dive on you with its machine guns firing. This is exactly what happened as the father and son duo dived for cover.

Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam (Retd) is a fighter pilot from the IAF and an accomplished military historian. He is the author of two defining books on contemporary Indian military history, Indias Wars: A Military History 1947-1971 & Full Spectrum: Indias Wars 1972-2020.

Coming Next: Standing Up to the Dragon: The Skirmishes at Nathu La & Chola

The author is a retired fighter pilot who has flown both the MiG-21 and the Mirage 2000. He is also an air power analyst and military historian. 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.
Justin Trudeau is more Rahul Gandhi-like than he realises. It is not merely dynastic pedigree rather than innate political talent that connects the two; it is also the supreme belief that they are clever strategists whose gameplans and motivations are beyond the ken of most people. But Trudeau taking potshots at Indiathe land of his doppelgangeron the issue of Khalistan of all things, is nothing short of ironic. If not stupid.

Even Trudeau, with a rudimentary knowledge of Indian history, should know that those Sikh elements who are fomenting and fuelling separatist in the border state of Punjab, also celebrate the assassination of the Indian Prime Minister who was Rahul Gandhis grandmother. So his party, the Congress, despite leading the opposition in India, certainly will not lend its voice to support Trudeaus outrage over the killing of a Khalistani kingpin.

By expelling an Indian diplomat for the yet-unsolved killing of a man who entered Canada under false pretences and gained citizenship after fleeing prosecutions for his crimes in India, Trudeau has put his country in the same bracket as Pakistan. His ignorant conflation of the Sikh community with separatist Khalistanis has led him to think he might secure a vote-bank for his ailing party in the 2025 elections by championing Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

But he should have been reminded by his advisors, at least, that all Sikhs are not Khalistanis, and Punjab has little sympathy for that agenda. Punjabs voters even elected the Congress to power, setting aside the scars of Operation Blue Star. Punjabs electorate showed maturity, an understanding of what led to that traumatic event. Pakistans hand Khalistan activities has discredited it in India, but Trudeau remains unaware, it seems.

Pakistan today is a basket case economically and politically. Money is thin on the ground for its own convoluted politics, and hence its broad portfolio of anti-India activities including Kashmiri and Khalistani separatism has needed a new backer for a long time. It would be hard to find financiers from among the navel-gazing, Russia (and Ukraine)-obsessed west these days. So who or what could be behind Trudeaus evident Khalistani sympathies?

There have been regular reports in Canadian media about the infiltration of the Trudeaus Liberal Party by people beholden to financier George Soros, whose malevolence towards Indias current PM and government is no secret. Photos of Soros and Trudeau are predictably hard to find but one of the Canadian prime minister and Alexander Soros, son and current head of the financial empire, grinning arm-in-arm at Davos this April is telling indeed.

Canadas deputy PM, Chrystia Freeland, who in her journalist avatar not only interviewed Soros and wrote admiring analyses, but also claimed for several years to be writing his biography, is worth examining too. A curiously prescient line in her 2012 article in Foreign Policy goes: after years of struggling to be accepted as a public intellectual, the turmoil in the world economy has finally made the rest of us more receptive to his insight.

The journal Foreign Policy itself has disclosed that it partnered with Open Society FoundationsSoross chosen vehicle for interference in other countries in the garb of protecting and fostering democracyon events and research projects in 2022. A search of recent FP articles on India reveals a slew of negative pieces by one Kunal Purohit, including, Modis Tiger Warrior Diplomacy Is Harming Indias Interests on August 28. Coincidence?

Politicians and advisors with Soros connectionsmostly via his many philanthropic ventures particularly in the very verdant sphere of environmental activismare heavily embedded not only in Trudeaus government but also his Liberal Party, even through social links. Hence his sudden truculence towards India in perfect consonance with Soros current agenda should be regarded with extreme suspicion by India, not as a coincidence.

Piquantly, a more assertive India under Narendra Modi has put one of Soross other bugbears, China, on the same side although he still professes a dislike of Xi Jinping. Interestingly, though Canada is more incensed by Chinas interference in domestic elections, the Trudeau governments long awaited inquiry commissions remit has been expanded to include not only China but Russia and other foreign states and non-state actors. Deflection?

Chinas interference in Canadas internal affairs has become a hot potato that Trudeau is finding increasingly hard to explain. Under Trudeaus benign (or inept) gaze, China has even reportedly been operating police stations where Chinese dissidents are brought in and then disappeared. Yet what does Trudeau do? Call out India over the death of a person holding a Canadian passport who plotted to vivisect India through acts of terror.

Chinas support for Khalistan is a badly kept secret, and not restricted to Canada-based separatists. The leaders of the recent Khalistani protests against and attacks on the Indian High Commission in London have links of varying degrees to China, including one even saying his organisation has an office in Beijing. The difference is that the Khalistani elements have not gone as far as to put targets on the backs of Indian diplomats in the UK.

This latest egregious act exposed the extent to which Trudeau is in hock to hidden elements, because no government in its right mind would shy away from cracking down on organisations targeting diplomats of another nation. What is Canada waiting for before cracking down on the Khalistani outfit that is calling for assassination? For them to try to kill an Indian diplomat as Kashmiri militants of the JKLF did in Birmingham in 1984?

That Trudeau unsuccessfully tried to garner support recently from the leaders of US, UK and Australia also shows they are equally unhappy with his latest gambit. Despite Soross and Chinas formidable tentacles in the political setups and governments of many countries, leaders usually understand wider ramifications of not cracking down on those plotting against sovereign nations from their soil, even if the financial inducements are generous.

Entities like Soros and China are always on the lookout for leadersand potential leaderswith a distinct inability to recognise this simple but crucial geo-political fact. And once in a while, they get lucky. India has proved to be a harder nut to crack politically these days for them, though, and hence the attacks on it from more conducive places like Canada are multiplying. And will only increase as the Indian elections draw near.

The 1997 Clinton-era film, Wag the Dog, about political fixers staging a war to deflect attention from a presidential sex scandal changed the meaning of the much older English term tail wagging the dog and found wide application. It now basically refers to efforts by politicians to distract public attention from any uncomfortable issue by drawing attention to another. Trudeau has just added a new chapter, if not a new movie idea.

The author is a freelance writer. 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 recent statement made by China regarding protecting Bangladesh from any sort of external interference in the context of the US making statements on the fairness of elections in Bangladesh holds significance for India. Such acts on the part of China have been repeatedly occurring, whether in the form of the invalid claim of including Arunachal Pradesh and Aksai Chin as part of its own territory. Additionally, China has exerted its economic control through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative in Indias neighbours such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh by establishing projects like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which aim to integrate the economies of these countries through regional connectivity. These projects fit within the Chinese notion of the Silk Road and Economic Belt and the 21st century Maritime Silk Road.

There are several studies that have cautioned about the deep and serious impact of Chinese loans but due to the absence of viable alternatives countries still are attracted to it for their infrastructure developments. In this context, the questions that require analysis pertain to Bangladesh and Chinese economic relations, the Belt and Road Initiative and its link with Bangladesh, the debt trap policy that China has been pursuing whose repercussions were seen in Sri Lanka and finally the impact of all such steps on India and the possible way forward in this regard.

Historically, the relationship between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka took shape in the aftermath of the independence achieved by Bangladesh in 1971 where India had played an integral role. Surprisingly China had opposed the inclusion of Bangladesh as a member of the UN through veto which stands in complete contrast to its recent statement of protecting Bangladesh which is being seen in the context of the ulterior motives of China to capture the Bangladeshi market through the Belt and Road initiative. Especially, since the rollout of the One Belt One Road policy, several countries including Bangladesh have obtained Chinese loans for infrastructure developments that lead to the risk of asset seizure by China for Bangladesh.

The aim of the Belt and Road initiative is to make the Chinese yuan the currency of international transactions with an aim to enable the reduction of economic dependence on the US for the countries that support them for which Bangladesh holds the key. The reason being that Bangladesh is located strategically between South Asia and South East Asia and has a growing economy and abundant labour force. Further, Bangladeshs economic security is strategically important for entire South Asia more specifically for India.

What this means is that the Chinese through their policies engage in debt trap diplomacy of which Bangladesh may be a target and Sri Lanka has already become a victim. Such claims draw their legitimacy through certain findings of institutions like the UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific that point out that large-scale grants to developing countries could potentially harm the macroeconomic stability of these countries due to the underdeveloped nature of the market and insufficient debt management capacity.

Coming back to Indias interests, recently Indian prime minister in a BRICS meeting said that the economic security of one country is an integral part of national security. In the last few years, India has cancelled many Chinese investments due to national security. In the past, India has taken steps to navigate the Chinese threat of the Belt and Road Initiative by establishing the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal initiative and at the international level, the Asia-Africa Growth Corridor and labeled it as a special and strategic global partnership.

At a larger level, the countries that are becoming economically and politically dependent on China must take steps focusing on the need for poverty alleviation through employment, education and healthcare provisions with an emphasis on a human needs perspective that focuses on identity, security, recognition, participation, dignity and justice to reduce their dependence on China.

The authors are assistant professors, OP Jindal Global University. 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.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday asserted that he was in support of womens reservation in Parliament and state assemblies though there must be provisions for adequate representation of SCs, STs, OBCs and EBCs.

He urged the Centre to move fast on implementing the proposals in the womens reservation bill by conducting the census, and consider his long-standing demand for a caste census.

I have been in support of womens reservation. Why should they not be assured representation? My speeches during the days I was a member of parliament bear testimony to my stand that remains unchanged, said Kumar.

We have ensured adequate representation of women wherever it is possible. In panchayats, urban local bodies, government jobs, including the police force, the representation of women in Bihar is highest for any state in the country, he added. Kumar said it must also be ensured that there is a provision for ensuring that women from SCs, STs, OBCs and EBCs get adequate representation.

It is, though, regrettable that even if the bill is passed, actual implementation shall hang fire till census, followed by delimitation, he said.

The Centre introduced the constitutional amendment bill on Tuesday to reserve one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. The government said it will enable greater participation of women in policy-making at the state and national levels and help achieve the goal of making India a developed country by 2047.

Womens reservation will come into effect after the delimitation exercise is undertaken and will continue for 15 years. Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise.

I would request the central government to move fast by conducting the census and consider our long-standing demand for a caste census, Kumar said.

Caste census, in which headcount is limited not just to SCs and STs, has become a rallying point in Bihar where the numerically powerful OBCs have dominated politics since the 1990s.

Resolutions demanding caste census have been passed twice, unanimously on both occasions, by the state legislature and Kumar had also led an all-party delegation a couple of years ago to press the demand before Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Modi government expressed its reluctance to undertake the cumbersome exercise. However, adamant in the view that a caste census had become indispensable since the last time it was held was way back in 1931, the government in the state ordered a survey on similar lines, which is now in its final stages.

The INDIA coalition, which includes JD(U) and Lalu Prasads RJD, both championing the cause of OBCs, has promised a caste census if voted to power in the resolution adopted at the Mumbai conclave held last month.
Not amended, but original copy of the Constitution of India was handed over to parliamentarians on the first day of session in the new Parliament building on 19 September.

The Congress has been creating ruckus, alleging that the lawmakers were handed a copy of the Constitution of India in which the Preamble had socialist and secular words missing.

It was not said that this is the amended copy. This was the original copy when the Constitution was accepted. It did not have the words socialist secular in itDoes the socialist word have any relevance now? This is an unnecessary controversy, BJP MP Sushil Modi said.

Congress claims socialist, secular missing

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, said the Preamble of the new copies of the Constitution that were given to the MPs on 19 September did not have the words socialist, secular.

We know that the words were added after an amendment in 1976 but if someone gives us the Constitution today and it doesnt have those words, it is a matter of concern, he said.

Their intention is suspicious. It has been done cleverly. It is a matter of concern for me. I tried to raise this issue, but I did not get an opportunity to raise this issue, the Congress leader alleged.

#WATCH | Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, The new copies of the Constitution that were given to us today (19th September), the one we held in our hands and entered (the new Parliament building), its Preamble doesnt have the words socialist pic.twitter.com/NhvBLp7Ufi  ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi also claimed that in the preamble it (the words socialist, secular) were not there.:

#WATCH | On the copies of the Constitution given to Parliamentarians, Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi says, In the preamble it (the words socialist secular) were not there. pic.twitter.com/9NLVwZOA8Y  ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

The preamble is an introductory statement of the Constitution that explains its objectives and philosophy.

As per reports, on the opening day of the new parliament building, the MPs were handed over a gift bag that contained a copy of the Constitution of India, books related to the Parliament, a commemorative coin and a stamp.

Words socialist, secular in Preamble of the Constitution of India

The words socialist, secular were originally not a part of the Preamble. They were added by The Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976 during the Emergency imposed by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

The 42nd Amendment is also called mini Constitution because of the number and expanse of the changes introduced.

Before the amendment in 1976, the Preamble of the Constitution of India read:

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:

JUSTICE, social, economic and political;

LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;

EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;

and to promote among them all

FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

However, after the amendment by ex-PM Indira Gandhi, it changed WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi Wednesday announced the support of the Indian National Congress (INC) for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 (Womens Reservation Bill).

Opening the debate on the Womens Reservation Bill from the Oppositions side, Sonia Gandhi said, Rajiv Gandhis dream is only partially complete. It will complete with the passing of this Bill.

She added, This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, the Constitutional amendment to decide womens representation in local body elections was brought by my life partner Rajiv Gandhi. It was defeated in Rajya Sabha by 7 votes. Later, Congress Govt, under the leadership of PM PV Narasimha Rao, passed it in Rajya Sabha. As a result, we have 15 lakh elected women leaders across the country through local bodies.

Enforce bill immediately

While hailing the tabling of the historic bill, Gandhi also mentioned that it must be passed immediately as Indian women have waited long enough.

Congress supports this Bill (on Womens Reservation). We are happy with the passage of this Bill but at the same time, we are concerned too. Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibility for the past 13 years. And now they are being asked to wait for some more years. How many years? The Congress demands that this Bill be enforced immediately, she said.

VIDEO | Congress supports this Bill (on Womens Reservation). We are happy with the passage of this Bill but at the same time, we are concerned too. Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibility for the past 13 years. And now they are being asked to wait for pic.twitter.com/XlAJPfK1xr  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

She added, Along with that, arrangements be made for reservations to women from SC, ST and OBC communities by holding a caste census.

Joining the chorus, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, said, I think it is a wonderful (Womens Reservation) Bill. The only thing I say that OBCs should also be included in that.
Canada worked very closely with the United States on intelligence that Indian agents had been potentially involved in the murder of a Sikh leader in British Columbia earlier this year, a senior Canadian government source said on Tuesday.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that domestic intelligence agencies were actively pursuing credible allegations tying New Delhis agents to the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in June.

Weve been working with the US very closely, including on the public disclosure yesterday, the source said. The evidence in Canadas possession would be shared in due course, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the information.

Trudeau on Tuesday told reporters that the case had far-reaching consequences in international law, and urged the Indian government to take the matter seriously and help Canada fully investigate the matter.

India quickly dismissed Trudeaus assertion as absurd, and said it was expelling a Canadian diplomat, a tit-for-tat move after Canada expelled Indias top intelligence figure on Monday.

The dispute deals a fresh blow to diplomatic ties that have been fraying for years, with New Delhi unhappy over Sikh separatist activity in Canada.

I would expect that normal discussions between the two governments will be difficult while this issue is being resolved, said Roland Paris, Trudeaus former foreign policy adviser and a professor of international affairs at the University of Ottawa.

US authorities, earlier on Tuesday, said they supported Canadas investigation.

We have been in close contact with our Canadian colleagues about this. Were quite concerned about the allegations. We think its important there is a full and open investigation, and we would urge the Indian Government to cooperate with that investigation, a senior State Department official said.

Now some, including Canadas Conservative opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, are urging Trudeau to show the evidence that the government has in hand.

Jesse Singh, founder and chairman of the community group, Sikhs of America, told an event hosted by Washingtons Hudson Institute think tank that Trudeau has failed to provide any proof.

Its just something that he said is a credible allegation, with no proof at all. And I think well have to wait to see if there is any proof there and then I think further decisions can be taken, Singh added.

The spat has already thrown cold water on trade talks, which have been paused, and Canada last week called off a major trade mission scheduled for October.

A second Canadian source familiar with the situation said that both the pause in the trade talks and the delay of the trade mission were due to the concerns surrounding the murder of the Canadian.

New Delhi, which has urged Ottawa to act against anti-Indian elements, has long been unhappy over Sikh separatist activity in Canada.

Nijjar supported creating a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent, so-called state of Khalistan in Indias northern state of Punjab, the birthplace of the Sikh religion, which borders Pakistan. India designated him as a terrorist in 2020.
China has told foreign consulates in Hong Kong to share personal information about their local staff within one month.

This came on Tuesday after several media reports cited documents sent by Chinese govt to the consulates. These consist of a letter in both English and Chinese, dated Monday, originating from Beijings Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (OCMFA).

Additionally, two forms are included, intended for consulates to complete with information about their local employees. The letter sets a deadline of 18th October for consulates to submit the completed forms to the protocol division.

According to the mini-constitution of Hong Kong, Beijing manages foreign affairs concerning the city. In recent years, China has increased its control over the semi-autonomous city and enacted a comprehensive national security law in 2020 after significant pro-democracy demonstrations.

Two diplomatic sources have confirmed receiving these documents, noting that this is the first time they have been asked to provide personal details of their local staff. One source stated, We are currently examining the document and will investigate further.

Hong Kong Free Press also reported on this letter, stating that missions were required to complete the form within 15 days of the commencement of new staff members engagement.

A spokesperson for the EU office for Hong Kong and Macau mentioned they are carefully reviewing the matter and declined to provide further comments.

Both the OCMFA and the Hong Kong governments Protocol Division, responsible for consular affairs and official visits to the city, have been contacted for their response.

The letter instructs all consulates in Hong Kong to supply information about all locally employed staff, including both permanent residents and non-permanent residents.

One form, titled notification of locally engaged staff, mandates consulates to furnish details about staff members names, job positions, home addresses, and identity document numbers.

The other form obliges consulates to inform authorities about any changes in employment status, including terminations.

(With inputs from agencies)
A six-month assessment by Britain on the financial centre was criticised by Chinas foreign ministry in Hong Kong, which claimed that it neglected good sociological circumstances and a more stable corporate environment in favour of supporting anti China instability.

The remarks were made following the publication by Britain of its six-monthly assessment on the Chinese-controlled hub, covering the period from January 1 to June 30, which noted that authorities had expanded the implementation of a national security statute enforced by Beijing beyond genuine national security concerns.

After the city was rocked by sometimes violent anti-government rallies in 2019, Beijing implemented the broad regulation in 2020.

Although the rules have drawn criticism from certain Western governments for restricting social and political liberties in the city, Chinese and Hong Kong officials have defended them as essential to reestablishing security.

The technique of one country, two systems has been universally successful in Hong Kong, which returned to China from Britain in 1997, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

In recent years the number of people in the UK living in poverty has been increasingcrime rates have hit record highs. What confidence does it have to criticise Hong Kongs democracy and human rights situation? the ministry said.

Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail.

The British newspaper said that while media tycoon Jimmy Lais national security trial has been further postponed, authorities are still attempting to use legal means to stifle the protest song Glory to Hong Kong.

The UK will always defend universal human rights, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and we will stand up for those who are targeted, it said.

Britain stated that Lais indictment is highly politicised and that the government was still pushing for consular access.

The UK will not accept attempts to intimidate and suppress people in its country, the statement continued, adding that Hong Kong police had also issued arrest warrants and bounties against people in the UK and overseas.

The research noted that Hong Kongs legal and judicial systems are at a crossroads and that, even if the citys courts are still independent, they must judge on an opaque national security law that places the Chief Executives authority on security matters above that of their own.

(With agency inputs)
Gabon membership has partially been suspended from the Commonwealth following the August 30 military coup ousting President Ali Bongo.

This decision was taken during the 63rd Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) meeting held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Earlier this month, the African Union had suspended the countrys membership a day after military officers, the first regional response to the eighth coup in West and Central Africa since 2020.

WATCH: Gabon Coup: Ousted Presidents Cousin Becomes New Leader | Vantage with Palki Sharma

The takeover ends the Bongo family dynastys almost six decades in power and creates a new conundrum for a region hit with a wave of coups that Nigerian President Bola Tinubu called a contagion of autocracy.

Like other juntas who have snatched power in the region, Gabons military leaders are seeking to consolidate power despite international condemnation.
In a significant move, the previous commander of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Chief Marshal (Retd) RKS Bhadauria, cautioned against attempts by politicians to drive a political wedge between officers and jawans over the one rank, one pension problem.

He was speaking to the members of the Air Force Association, a group of IAF veterans that he leads.

Air Chief Marshal (Retd) RKS Bhadauria urged the mostly Indian Air Force (IAF) veterans in attendance to refrain from engaging in any political activity or participating in agitations over issues related to the armed forces.

I got more concerned in the last one-odd week when a different twist to this is being given in terms of creating a wedge between officers and men. That officers are getting more (in the OROP) which is taking a political colour, ACM Bhadauria (retd) said today.

His remarks come shortly after a video of Congressman Rahul Gandhi that became widely popular in defence circles in which it was stated that while officers make up the majority of the fighting forces, they receive more financial perks from the OROP scheme than jawans.

We must stay away from this. There is nothing like this, there is no merit in these arguments. I am aware of every single anomaly and case that has been taken upI must clearly spell out that in these political times, we must stay away from politics of it. Whatever is correct and justified, which needs to be taken up, must be taken up through the right channels. That is the only way result comes, that is the only way the issue will get addressed, he said.

In his remarks to the veterans, he mentioned several irregularities that have arisen in the schemes, noting one is from the Pay Commission and all its anomalies and the other is some One Rank One Pension (OROP)-related abnormalities that have all been taken up by the Service with the Ministry. It is still in the process even though it is taking longer to be resolved.

Veterans were awarded the OROP system, which means that everyone retiring from the same rank will receive the same pension regardless of when they left the armed forces.

(With agency inputs)
A TikTok user in Indonesia has been sentenced to two years in prison for posting a video in which she recited an Islamic prayer before eating pork. This act, which was widely condemned in the predominantly Muslim country, led to her conviction.

In the video, Lina Mukherjee can be seen cringing as she says a Muslim prayer that means in the name of God before consuming crispy pork skin.

A local resident reported the 33-year-old influencer for the video, which gained millions of views on TikTok. She was found guilty of spreading information intended to incite hatred against religious individuals and specific groups in a court in Palembang.

Mukherjee, who identifies as a Muslim, was also fined heavily, ordered to pay 250 million rupiah (13,000) for her actions. In Indonesia, the largest Muslim-majority country globally, pork is considered haram, or forbidden, under Islamic law.

After the trial, Lina expressed surprise at the verdict, stating, I know I made a mistake, but I did not expect such a severe punishment, during an interview with the local news station MetroTV.

The video had sparked significant backlash from conservative groups in Indonesia. The Indonesian Ulema Council, the countrys top Islamic clerical body, deemed the video blasphemous.

Lina Mukherjee, a popular content creator, boasts two TikTok accounts, with her largest account amassing over 2.2 million followers.

Her case is the latest in a series of high-profile blasphemy convictions in recent years. In the previous year, six individuals were arrested after a bar chain promoted free alcohol for patrons named Mohammed. In 2017, the former Christian governor of Jakarta was imprisoned on charges of insulting Islam, widely seen as politically motivated.

Human rights activists have strongly criticized Indonesias strict blasphemy laws, arguing that they disproportionately target minority groups. Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, has condemned the misuse of the blasphemy article in Indonesian law, asserting that it violates the countrys international obligations concerning freedom of thought, conscience, religion, expression, and opinion.
Following days of border protests during which Israeli police opened fire and killed a protester the day before, Israel blocked crossing points with Gaza on Wednesday, preventing thousands of employees from travelling to their places of employment in Israel and the West Bank.

According to local experts, the action prevents more than 18,000 Palestinians from crossing for employment, costing the struggling economy of the blockaded enclave over $2 million daily.

Days-long protests have been conducted against anything from Jewish trips to the Al Aqsa mosque compound, a place sacred to both Muslims and Jews who refer to it as the Temple Mount, and supported by Hamas, the Islamist organisation that rules Gaza.

According to Gaza health officials, Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian man on Tuesday during the protests, and 11 other people were also hurt.

The Erez gate into Gaza was shut down, according to a representative for Cogat, the Israeli Defence Ministry organisation that coordinates with the Palestinians. The spokesperson added that it would reopen in accordance with situational assessments.

The border restriction will put more pressure on an economy already under stress owing to a blockade enforced by Israel and Egypt. It comes after a brief suspension on exports from Gaza earlier this month after inspectors discovered explosives in a package of commodities.

We are too afraid the crossing wont open anytime soon and I go back to living in poverty and need, said one Gaza father of five, who has been sleeping at the Palestinian side of Erez crossing since Sunday evening.

The 18,000 labour permits issued by Israel bring in substantial sums of money to a region where, according to IMF data, per capita income is barely half that of the West Bank and where, according to the World Bank, unemployment is approaching 50%.

According to Ayman Abu Krayyem, the spokesman for the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Labour, 8,000 workers who had returned to Gaza for Israeli Jewish holidays have been stuck there since the ban was implemented by Israel.

Those are losing 3.2 million shekel ($842,000) a day. These are important money by which they could help their families and improve their economic conditions. This is a collective punishment, said Krayyem.

The military claimed that over the past three weeks, its forces had used riot dispersal techniques against Palestinians who threw bombs towards the border fence separating Israel and the Gaza Strip.

According to a Palestinian official aware with such attempts, Egypt and Qatar, two crucial mediators in earlier rounds of violence, were in communication with the two parties in an effort to prevent escalating into another round of military conflict.

(With agency inputs)
The first face-to-face meeting between American President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since Netanyahu assumed office in December will take place on Wednesday. Iran and a potential normalisation of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia are expected to be on the agenda.

Because of Netanyahus right-wing governments reform of the judiciary, which limits judges influence, and Israels continued settlement building in the occupied West Bank, Biden had postponed sending Netanyahu an invitation.

The two leaders ultimately decided to schedule their discussions on the fringes of the U.N. General Assembly in New York rather than at the White House, which was Netanyahus preferred location.

U.S. officials anticipate that measures to stop Irans nuclear programme and the judiciary reform will come up in their discussions as well as the possibility of what would be a major development  a normalization of Israel-Saudi relations.

Given his extensive experience working with American presidents, Netanyahu had anticipated an earlier trip to the United States, but Biden had refused. In the early months of the Biden White House in 2021, Netanyahu did not receive a meeting, and he was later removed from office. Last December, he took back the throne.

Instead, to commemorate Israels 75th anniversary of founding, Biden welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog, a mostly ceremonial position, to the White House in July.

The US, Israel, and Saudi Arabia have been in talks about a possible agreement in which the US and Riyadh would agree to a defence treaty while normalising diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

In a post on social media platform X, David Makovsky, a seasoned Middle East observer at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, remarked that the meeting will occur 265 days after Netanyahu took office, the longest such gap since 1964.

The Saudi deals enormous potential has left Biden & Netanyahu little choice but to meet despite differences, he said.

The Biden administration believes that if it can overcome significant challenges, the United States may benefit greatly from such a mega-deal.

Many of the elements of a pathway to normalization are now on the table. We dont have a framework, we dont have the terms ready to be signed. There is still work to do, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan had told the media on September 7.

An eventual meeting between Biden and Netanyahu at the White House has not been disregarded by American authorities.

(With agency inputs)
On Wednesday, 24 hours after Azerbaijan launched an offensive to seize control of the enclave that resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and hundreds of injuries, ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, a breakaway area of Azerbaijan, accepted a Russian proposal for a truce.

In Karabakh, separatist Armenian troops claimed that Azerbaijan had crossed their defences and taken control of several heights and important intersections while the rest of the world did nothing.

As a result, the self-described Republic of Artsakh declared that hostilities must end as of Wednesday at 1 p.m. local time.

The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire, it said.

With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities from 13:00 on September 20, 2023.

A cease-fire deal was achieved, according to Azerbaijan. It claimed that Azerbaijan was informed about the Armenian request for a ceasefire in Karabakh by Russian forces. The terms were not immediately spelt out.

After three of its forces were killed in what Baku claimed were strikes from the mountainous territory that Azerbaijan had blockaded for nine months, the country launched its operation against Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday.

Before any discussions regarding the future of the area, which Azerbaijan wants to fully integrate, Baku had insisted that the separatist political authority in Karabakh, which is recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan, likewise dissolve.

International recognition of Nagorno-Karabakhs affiliation with Azerbaijan.

(Wit agency inputs)
Amid escalating tensions between India and Canada, Pro-Khalistan organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has threatened Hindus living in Canada and asked them to leave the country as soon as possible.

SFJs legal counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in a video can be heard saying, Indo-Hindu leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs.

WATCH:

Pannun stated that, You are supporting violence by celebrating the assassination of Shaheed Nijjar. He also called on Canadian Sikhs to vote on 29 October for a so-called referendum in Vancouver.

Pannun also praised pro-Khalistan Sikhs of Canada and said that they have always been loyal and upheld the countrys laws and constitution.

Notably, India has declared Pannun as a terrorist.

The video got viral hours after Canadas PM Justin Trudeau said that Canadian intelligence agencies were actively pursuing credible allegations tying New Delhis agents to the shooting of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh.

India quickly dismissed Trudeaus claim, and said it was expelling a Canadian diplomat, a tit-for-tat move after Canada expelled Indias senior diplomat.

With inputs from agencies
Supporters of the Khalistan movement in Canada, particularly in the Liberal Party and New Democratic Party, have reportedly been receiving regular funding from Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents based in Vancouver, according to the Indian intelligence sources.

Individuals associated with the Khalistan movement, operating under the name of immigration, are taking money from students and utilising these funds for anti-India propaganda, reported News18, citing Indian intel sources.

These students, who are reluctant to return to India, are being enlisted by Khalistani groups to participate in protests against India and the Indian High Commission in Canada.

Although the older Canadian population generally does not support these Khalistani groups, newer factions are collaborating with them for their own interests.

Furthermore, the sources have highlighted that the 2021 farmers protest in New Delhi, against the pivotal farm bill, was fuelled by Khalistani elements with support from the Canadian and Pakistani governments.

Additionally, individuals from Canada were involved in hoisting religious flags during the 2021 Republic Day incident at the Red Fort in India.

The sources also allege that those involved in anti-India propaganda have identified drug addicts in India, especially in Punjab, to engage in anti-national activities.

The Khalistani groups in Canada are no longer under the control of the Trudeau government, according to the News18 report.

Following a recent meeting between Justin Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, a Khalistani group in Canada issued a death to India threat, signaling a diplomatic rift between the two nations.

Describing Indian missions in Canada as terror houses, the Khalistani group is demanding the closure of consulates.

Canadas PM Justin Trudeau had earlier said that Canadian intelligence agencies were actively pursuing credible allegations tying New Delhis agents to the shooting of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

India quickly dismissed Trudeaus claim, and said it was expelling a Canadian diplomat, a tit-for-tat move after Canada expelled Indias senior diplomat.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Wednesday that Russias war in Ukraine is aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat, and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world.

Guterres was first to address the Security Council meeting on Ukraine taking place during the annual gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended in person for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Before the meeting started, Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia argued against Zelenskyy addressing the council, which is chaired by Albania for September, before the 15 members.

I want to assure our Russian colleagues and everyone here that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency, Albanias Prime Minister Edi Rama told Nebenzia. There is a solution for this. If you agree, you stop the war and President Zelenskyy will not take the floor.

The Security Council has met dozens of times on Ukraine over the past 19 months but is unable to take any action as Russia is a veto power.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol plans to underline illicit, dangerous military dealings between North Korea and Russia at the United Nations on Wednesday, his aides said, following the two countries rare summit last week.

Yoon was set to deliver a speech to the annual U.N. General Assembly after arriving in New York on Monday, just as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un returned from a week-long trip to Russia, during which he and President Vladimir Putin vowed to boost military cooperation.

Seoul and Washington have expressed concern that Russia could be trying to fetch ammunition from the North to shore up its thinning stockpile due to its invasion of Ukraine, while Pyongyang secures technological aid over its nuclear and missile programmes.

In his remarks, Yoon would warn against any military trade between Moscow and Pyongyang and promote South Koreas efforts to help Ukraine fight Russias aggression, a presidential official said.

He is expected to call the international communitys attention to the illicit and dangerous nature of military transactions between Russia and North Korea, and urge a united response from the international community, the official told reporters.

Any activities assisting with North Koreas weapons programmes are banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions, and Putin has said his country would never violate anything.

But the official ditched Moscows claim, saying South Korea has been watching military transactions take place for several months prior to the summit between Kim and Putin.

Any new U.N. resolutions are unlikely for now, but discussions are underway with the United States and other countries to impose more sanctions on Russia and North Korea, the official said.

The Security Council is divided as you know, and it is impossible to draw a unified position on Russia there, so for now there could be cohesive action within the solidarity of freedom, centering around allies and friends, the official said.

On Tuesday, South Koreas vice foreign minister, Chang Ho-jin, summoned Russias ambassador to abandon any potential arms deals with the North, warning of clear consequences.
Following the separatist forces agreement to a ceasefire that would result in their surrender to Azerbaijan, thousands of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh gathered at the airport where some Russian soldiers were stationed on Wednesday.

The 120,000 residents of the self-declared Republic of Artsakh were encouraged not to rush to the airport in the capital, which they refer to as Stepanakert, by separatists in charge of the region.

We once again urge the population of Stepanakert not to succumb to panic and not to go to the airport on their own initiative in order to evacuate, the separatists said.

Thousands of people, some with young children, were seen at the airport in pictures from Karabakh.

Leaders of the separatist movement have often charged Azerbaijan with seeking to racialize Karabakh. Such charges are rejected by Baku, which also declares that it would uphold the rights of the local ethnic Armenian civilians.

Christian Armenians assert a lengthy history of domination in the region that dates back several centuries before Christ.

The predominantly Muslim nation of Azerbaijan also ties its historical identity to the region. It charges the Armenians with expelling the local Azerbaijanis in the 1990s. It seeks complete authority over the area, which is acknowledged by the world community as being a part of Azerbaijan.

In accordance with the cease-fire agreement, representatives of the Armenians in Karabakh are scheduled to meet with Azerbaijani officials on Thursday.

According to Russia, its peacekeepers are doing their job.

Moscow reported that 1,049 youngsters were among the 1,261 persons seeking refuge at the peacekeepers base camp.

(With agency inputs)
A US expert has termed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of a Khalistani leader a shameless and cynical action and urged the United States not be part of it.

Participating in a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute think-tank, Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute, claimed Trudeau is playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement of ego and profit.

Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in Surrey in June, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as absurd and motivated.

Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of Indias most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on 18 June.

What is striking about Trudeaus shameless action and cynical action is that while hes making a statement now, the killing of Karima Baluch that was carried out allegedly with Pakistani assistance is a police matter and has not been taken to the Prime Ministers office, Rubin said.

So, the question then becomes why the discrepancy if not populist political posturing?  That might help Justin Trudeau in the long term but thats not what leadership is. We really need our politicians on both sides of the aisle here and in Canada, (there is a) need to be much more responsible because theyre playing with fire, he said.

It seems, Rubin said, that some outside hands are trying to revive the Khalistan movement.

I dont think it will work, he said, adding he would not want the US to give legitimacy to this sort of cynical manoeuvres by outside powers.

It would be a mistake to suddenly see a separatist movement and argue that this is legitimate. And I worry less so with the United States but more so with what we see in Canada right now with Justin Trudeau, that same knee-jerk reaction playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement for ego, a movement for profit and for politics, he said.

After Trudeaus remarks in Parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she has ordered the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat.

Reacting sharply to the allegations and Jolys remarks, India rejected Trudeaus claims, calling them absurd and motivated. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave India within the next five days.

Jassee Singh, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America, said the Khalistani movement does not represent the voice of the majority of Sikhs in the US.

Sikhs in India are not in favour of Khalistan. Today, Sikhs are in the Indian Army defending the nation, whether its against China or Pakistan, he said.

There are one million Sikhs living here (in the US) and only a few of them, a very, very small percentage shows up for protests demanding Khalistan, he said.

Dinsha Mistree, research fellow at the Hoover Institution, said if Canada keeps pushing this narrative, then we can see some big challenges there. He also underlined the importance of intelligence sharing.

For me, it is just very surprising. Again, the San Francisco consulate is not too far away. I dont think any arrests have been made since this consulate was vandalised twice. If you dont stop these smaller things, (then there is a) danger that they might snowball into bigger things, he said.

In July, Indias consulate in San Francisco came under attack from Khalistan supporters, who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fire, in the second such act of violence within months.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated 2 July posted on X, showed the act of arson at the Indian Consulate. The video, with the words violence begets violence emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Nijjar.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly session here.

Another development that will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan, Erdogan said in his address to the General Debate Tuesday.

As Turkiye, we will continue to support the steps to be taken in this direction, he said.

His comment comes weeks after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi during which both the leaders discussed strengthening trade and infrastructure relations.

Erdogan said it was a matter of pride that India was playing a role at the United Nations Security Council. He said he favoured making five permanent and 15 temporary members as permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Those 20 (5+15) should be permanent members of the UNSC in rotation. But as you know, the world is bigger than five. When we say the world is larger than five, what we mean is that its not only about the US, UK, France, China and Russia, he said.

In recent years, the Turkish leader has referred to the issue of Kashmir in his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session.

Last year, Erdogan raked up the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session here.

India and Pakistan, after having established their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, they still havent established peace and solidarity between one another. This is much unfortunate. We hope and pray that a fair and permanent peace and prosperity will be established in Kashmir, Erdogan had said.

In 2020, Erdogan in his pre-recorded video statement to the General Debate had made a reference to Jammu and Kashmir. India had at that time termed it as completely unacceptable, saying Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.
According to a study released by the UN on Wednesday, nearly half of the occurrences of rights breaches against those held by the Taliban authorities were acts of torture and other ill-treatment committed primarily by police and intelligence personnel.

According to the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), 18 persons also passed away in police, intelligence, and prison custody over the course of 19 months ending in July 2023.

Since taking over the nation as foreign forces left in 2021, the Taliban have staffed and run both the police and the intelligence service.

In attempts to extract confessions or other information, detainees were subjected to severe pain and suffering, through physical beatings, electric shocks, asphyxiation, stress positions and forced ingestion of water, as well as blind-folding and threats, UNAMA said in a statement.

Other infractions included not being told the reason for the arrest, being denied access to counsel, and receiving subpar medical attention while being held.

About one out of every ten offences involved women. Nearly a quarter of those who were violated were journalists or members of the civic society.

The Taliban-run ministry of foreign affairs responded to the report by claiming that it was inaccurate, particularly about the number of journalists or civil society advocates impacted by the recorded infractions.

According to the ministry, efforts are being made to strengthen oversight and ensure adherence to the supreme leaders directives that forbid torture and confession-forcing.

The United Nations described the directives as encouraging signs and noted that access to the inmates was permitted but called for more action to redress the situation.

These documented cases highlight the need for urgent, accelerated action by all, said Roza Otunbayeva, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of UNAMA.

There is a pressing need to consider more engagement with the de facto authorities to end these practices.

(With agency inputs)
The United Nations has reported more than 1,600 instances of human rights violations against individuals held by the Taliban authorities. Approximately half of these incidents involved acts of torture and mistreatment, mostly carried out by police and intelligence agents, according to a report released on Wednesday.

The UN Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) disclosed that, from January 2022 to July 2023, 18 people had lost their lives while in detention, either in prisons or under the custody of the police and intelligence services.

Since the departure of foreign forces in 2021, the Taliban have been in control of the police and intelligence agencies.

UNAMA stated in a release, Detainees suffered severe physical abuse, including beatings, electric shocks, choking, stress-inducing positions, waterboarding, as well as being blindfolded and threatened when authorities sought to extract confessions or information.

Other violations included not informing detainees of the reasons for their arrest, denying access to legal counsel, and inadequate medical care while in custody.

Approximately one in ten of the violations affected women, while journalists and members of civil society made up nearly a quarter of those subjected to these violations.

In response, the Taliban-led Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement accompanying the report, contested the accuracy of the reported violations, particularly concerning journalists and civil society advocates. The Ministry asserted that authorities and the judiciary were actively working to enhance oversight and ensure compliance with decrees issued by the supreme leader, which prohibited torture and the coercion of confessions.

The UN acknowledged these decrees and the increased access to prisons as positive developments but called for more substantial efforts to address the situation.

Roza Otunbayeva, the Secretary-Generals Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of UNAMA, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, These documented cases underscore the need for swift and intensified action by all parties involved. It is crucial to explore further engagement with the de facto authorities to put an end to these practices.

(With inputs from agencies)
With still no signs of a truce amid the raging armed conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while accusing Moscow of being the aggressor and perpetrating genocide in his homeland, proposed a peace formula at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Tuesday.

Addressing the UNGA session, Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian children in Russia were being taught to hate their homeland, adding that all ties that Ukraine nationals have with their family members back home were being snapped.

Were trying to get (Ukrainian) children back home, but time goes by. What will happen to them? Those children in Russia are told to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are broken. This is clearly a genocide, Zelenskyy said at the UNGA session.

Putting forward a peace plan amid the continuing hostilities with Russia, Zelenksyy said, For the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked.

Last month, during the peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had proposed a peace formula to restore the international rules-based order that had been violated by the Russian aggression.

According to experts, Zelenskyys participation in the ongoing General Assembly session will boost worldwide support for Ukraine amid the continuing armed conflict with Russia.

Further, during his address at the UNGA session, Zelenksyy said unity alone can make sure that such aggressions do not happen again.

It takes our unity to make sure that aggression will not [happen] again, the Ukrainian President said.

The visit this year marks the first by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to the General Assembly since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his nation in February 2022.

More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City.

After the UNGA session, Zelenskyy is likely to visit Washington DC, for his second wartime appearance before the US Congress.

The theme for the 78th UNGA session calls on world leaders to evaluate the UNs 2030 agenda, which includes a deadline for its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It urges accelerating action towards those aims in order to promote peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all, according to Al Jazeera.

The 78th UN General Debate began on Tuesday, kicking off a period of high-level discussions that will continue till 26 September.

However, while the event is billed as a debate, it is actually a series of 15-minute statements delivered by world leaders on issues of their choosing.

On 24 February, 2022, Russia allegedly 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.
The United States and India have collaborated to expand the availability of electric buses in India. An estimated 10,000 electric buses will be launched on the streets in India under the collaboration, according to media reports.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said that the United States government is working with India to get more electric buses on the streets of Indian cities. We have launched an initiative to have 10,000 electric buses be on Indian streets, he said.

VIDEO | It was very exciting for me to be on an Indian electric bus. We know that electric buses can change the world. They are quieter, cleaner, they help us reduce our carbon and give us a future where our planet will be livable. Its one of the reasons the United States pic.twitter.com/dKNcucSAUT  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

Garcetti says, We know that electric buses can change the world. They are quieter and cleaner. They help us reduce our carbon and give us a future where our planet will be livable. It is one of the reasons, the US Govt is working together with our friends in the Govt of India to get more electric buses on the streets of Indian cities quicker. We have launched an initiative to help 10,000 electric buses be on Indian streets

#WATCH | The United States and India collaborate to expand the availability of Electric Public Transportation in India. 10,000 electric buses will be launched on the streets in India under the collaboration. pic.twitter.com/wAXQvp2j3i  ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

In August this year, the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a bus scheme PM-eBus Sewa for augmenting city bus operation with 10,000 e-buses on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The scheme would have an estimated cost of Rs 57,613 crore, out of which support of Rs.20,000 crore will be provided by the Central government. The scheme will support bus operations for 10 years.

Reaching the unreached

The scheme will cover cities with populations of three lakhs and more as per the census 2011 including all the Capital cities of Union Territories, North Eastern region and hill states. Under this scheme, priority will be given to cities having no organised bus service.

Direct Employment Generation:

The scheme will generate 45,000 to 55,000 direct jobs through the deployment of around 10,000 buses in city bus operations.

The scheme has two segments:

Segment A  Augmenting the City bus services (169 cities)

The approved bus scheme will augment city bus operations with 10,000 e-buses on the Public Private Partnership model.

Associated Infrastructure will provide support for the development or up-gradation of depot infrastructure; and the creation of behind-the-meter power infrastructure (substation, etc.) for e-buses.

Segment B Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (181 cities)

The scheme envisages green initiatives like bus priority, infrastructure, multimodal interchange facilities, NCMC-based automated fare collection systems, charging infrastructure, etc.

Support for Operation:

Under the scheme, states or cities shall be responsible for running the bus services and making payments to the bus operators. The Centre will support these bus operations by providing subsidies to the extent specified in the proposed scheme.

Boost to E-Mobility:

The scheme will promote e-mobility and provide full support for behind-the-meter power infrastructure. Cities will also be supported for the development of charging infrastructure under Green Urban Mobility Initiatives.

The support to bus priority infrastructure shall not only accelerate the proliferation of state-of-the-art, energy-efficient electric buses but also foster innovation in the e-mobility sector as well as the development of a resilient supply chain for electric vehicles.

This scheme shall also bring in economies of scale for the procurement of electric buses through aggregation for e-buses. Adoption of Electric mobility will reduce noise and air pollution and curb carbon emissions.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar is a shameless and cynical action, said a US expert, who urged his country not be a part of it.

Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute, claimed Trudeau is playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement of ego and profit.

Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in Surrey in June, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as absurd and motivated.

Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of Indias most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on 18 June.

STORY | Trudeaus claim of Indias link to Nijjars killing a shameless action, Washington shouldnt be part of it, says US expert READ: https://t.co/6ou3CYuN9i VIDEO: pic.twitter.com/aSAEhBAxpl  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

What is striking about Trudeau's "shameless action and cynical action" is that while he's making a statement now, the killing of Karima Baluch that was carried out allegedly with Pakistani assistance is a police matter and has not been taken to the Prime Minister's office, Rubin said.

"So, the question then becomes why the discrepancy if not populist political posturing?... That might help Justin Trudeau in the long term but that's not what leadership is. We really need our politicians on both sides of the aisle here and in Canada, (there is a) need to be much more responsible because they're playing with fire," he said.

It seems, Rubin said, that some outside hands are trying to revive the Khalistan movement.

"I don't think it will work," he said, adding he would not want the US to give legitimacy to this sort of "cynical manoeuvres by outside powers".

"It would be a mistake to suddenly see a separatist movement and argue that this is legitimate. And I worry less so with the United States but more so with what we see in Canada right now with Justin Trudeau, that same knee-jerk reaction playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement for ego, a movement for profit and for politics," he said.

After Trudeau's remarks in Parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she has ordered the expulsion of "a senior Indian diplomat".

Reacting sharply to the allegations and Joly's remarks, India rejected Trudeau's claims, calling them "absurd and motivated". The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave India within the next five days.

Jassee Singh, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America, said the Khalistani movement does not represent the voice of the majority of Sikhs in the US.

"Sikhs in India are not in favour of Khalistan. Today, Sikhs are in the Indian Army defending the nation, whether it's against China or Pakistan," he said.

"There are one million Sikhs living here (in the US) and only a few of them, a very, very small percentage shows up for protests demanding Khalistan," he said.

Dinsha Mistree, research fellow at the Hoover Institution, said if Canada keeps pushing this narrative, then "we can see some big challenges there". He also underlined the importance of intelligence sharing.

"For me, it is just very surprising. Again, the San Francisco consulate is not too far away. I don't think any arrests have been made since this consulate was vandalised twice. If you don't stop these smaller things, (then there is a) danger that they might snowball into bigger things," he said.

In July, India's consulate in San Francisco came under attack from Khalistan supporters, who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fire, in the second such act of violence within months.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated 2 July posted on X, showed the act of arson at the Indian Consulate. The video, with the words "violence begets violence" emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Nijjar.
Meta unveiled several new features for WhatsApp during its global Conversations event in Mumbai. These features are designed to make your chats with businesses more efficient and reliable.

Faster Chat Experiences with Flows

Meta is introducing a feature called Flows. With Flows, businesses can offer a variety of services directly within the chat. For example, you can quickly select your train seat, order food, or book appointments, all without leaving the chat.

Businesses can create menus and forms tailored to your needs. Flows will be available on WhatsApp Business Platform worldwide in the coming weeks.

Convenient Payments Service

Meta is simplifying the payment process within chats. In India, you can now add items to your cart and make payments using various methods, including UPI apps, debit/credit cards, and more. Meta is collaborating with Razorpay and PayU to make payments hassle-free.

Meta Verified Businesses on WhatsApp

To ensure youre interacting with legitimate businesses, Meta is introducing Meta Verified. Businesses can earn this verification by proving their authenticity to Meta.

Verified businesses will receive a special badge, enhanced account support, and protection against impersonation.

Theyll also gain access to premium features, such as creating a custom WhatsApp page and multi-device support for employees.

The testing phase for Meta Verified will begin soon with small businesses using the WhatsApp Business app.

Meta Verified on Instagram and Facebook expands to businesses

Meta plans to expand Meta Verified to businesses on Instagram and Facebook. They will start testing this in select countries and eventually extend it to WhatsApp.

Businesses can choose to subscribe to a single app or a bundled subscription across Instagram, Facebook, and later WhatsApp.

Subscribers will benefit from a verified badge, proactive impersonation monitoring, support, and increased visibility in search results and feeds.

Safeguards and Verification Process

Meta is committed to protecting businesses and users. They have implemented a thorough verification process for Meta Verified, including eligibility requirements and validation checks. This ensures that verified businesses are genuine and trustworthy.

Pricing and availability

Meta Verified business subscriptions will soon be accessible on Instagram and Facebook in specific test countries.

The monthly subscription prices begin at USD 21.99/month (Rs. 1,820 approx.) for a single Facebook page or Instagram account, or USD 34.99/month (Rs. 2,905 approx.) for both.

Announcing the updates, Meta posted:
ASUS, a prominent Taiwanese laptop/PC brand, is shifting key component suppliers from China to India as it establishes a new manufacturing facility in Chennai through its contract manufacturer Flex.

This move aligns with the Indian governments Make in India initiative and is supported by the revamped PLI scheme for IT hardware. We anticipate that the companys move is likely due to the Indian governments new import policy, which may affect the companys operations in India in the future.

Shifting the Supply Chain to India

ASUS is looking to significantly expand its production in India, riding on the governments revamped Rs 17,000-crore production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for IT hardware.

ASUS expects rapid growth in India, even as markets like China, the US, and major Western economies slow down.

Peter Chang, General Manager for ASUS Asia Pacific System Business Unit, stated to TOI that,

Asus is one of the fastest-growing notebook brands in India, and we will now expand our product line-up and business operations here in line with the growing scale of business as well as market potential.

Currently, around 80% of ASUS production comes from China, with the rest sourced from Taiwan, Brazil, Europe, and Indonesia. Chang suggests that India may emerge as the second-largest or third-largest manufacturing site for the company globally in the coming years.

ASUS Diversifies and Eyes Exports

ASUS has been expanding its product offerings and has achieved an 18% share in the consumer notebook segment. Additionally, it holds around a 5% share in the commercial notebook and consumer desktop markets. We can anticipate the company to diversify its portfolio and drive more sales in the future.

The company is actively seeking local vendors in India for key components like PCBs, memory units, and chassis. While discussing the potential of the Indian market, Chang highlighted its ability to scale similarly to China, which currently sells around 25-30 million computer units annually.

ASUS is focused on serving local demand but has not ruled out the possibility of exports in the future.

There is sufficient demand here, which needs to be met first. Only after that, we can consider exports, Chang noted.

Source
Commentary: Why "China collapse" fearmongering destined to fail again

Xinhua) 08:11, September 20, 2023

A BYD Seagull is displayed at the 20th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition in Shanghai, east China, April 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

Hyping up China's "collapse" won't disrupt China's economic development. In the era of globalization, all countries should work together and learn to coexist for a better future.

BEIJING, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Some Western officials and media outlets have recently signaled doom and gloom for China's economy with biased reports that paint it as on the verge of "collapse."

The intent is to mislead the world, shake confidence in China's economy and undermine China's cooperative relations with other countries.

Here's a sense of some of the many downbeat headlines: "Peak China?" printed The Economist in bold letters on its May 13 cover; "China's economic collapse carries a warning about our own future," read the headline of an article of The Hill; "China's unprecedented economic crisis worries the rest of the world," Le Monde reported.

Throughout China's rise over the past four decades, there has never been a lack of doomsayers uttering dire warnings about the country's economic outlook. Yet their pessimistic forecasts have never accorded with reality.

Take American writer Gordon Chang's infamous "China collapse" theory. In his 2001 book The Coming Collapse of China, he predicted that the Chinese economy would collapse by 2011, which was proven wrong. He changed the timing of his prediction multiple times and was proven wrong every time, becoming a laughingstock.

"All sorts of comments predicting the collapse of China's economy keep resurfacing every now and then. But China's economy has outlived them all. What has collapsed is such rhetoric, not China's economy," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference last week.

Despite a sluggish economic recovery globally, the Chinese economy has shown strong resilience and great potential, remaining a major driving force for global growth.

Guests visit the 23rd China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, Sept. 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

In the first half of the year, China's GDP expanded by 5.5 percent, the fastest among major economies. The International Monetary Fund in July estimated China's 2023 growth rate at 5.2 percent, while global growth is projected to be 3.0 percent, with the United States at 1.8 percent.

Yet some Western observers remain "selectively blind" to serve their ulterior motives.

"Today's doom-mongering about China says more about the Western elite's sense of confusion, inertia and impotence than about anything really happening in China," said British online magazine Spiked in a recent article titled "The fall of China? Don't bet on it."

"A Western elite that has lost its sense of purpose and confidence might take some solace from the imminent collapse of its biggest geopolitical adversary," it added.

Smearing China's economy won't solve their own problems. As evidenced by Fitch Ratings' recent downgrading of the U.S. debt rating from AAA to AA+, the country's economic trajectory is far from stellar.

A "ticking time bomb" is how U.S. President Joe Biden recently described the Chinese economy. "Yet, should the notion of a 'ticking time bomb' indeed resonate as a motive, it finds its ironic resonance more aptly in the realm of U.S. economic affairs," The Jakarta Post said.

Such a "Chicken Little" tactic, which aims to instill fear in the audience and sway public opinion, has become "a staple in the playbook of electioneering" when U.S. politicians try to attract public attention by vilifying China, the newspaper said.

Besides fearmongering, some Western politicians tried to drive a wedge between China and its neighbors by floating the idea that such economic "collapse" may have a spillover effect.

This aerial photo taken on July 11, 2023 shows new energy vehicles for export at a terminal of Taicang Port, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Photo by Ji Haixin/Xinhua)

In the face of decoupling, unilateral sanctions and disruptions of industrial and supply chains, China has navigated economic headwinds with an effective policy mix so far this year and remains committed to high-level opening-up, strengthening cooperation with countries worldwide and sharing the dividends of development.

Hyping up China's "collapse" won't disrupt China's economic development. In the era of globalization, all countries should work together and learn to coexist for a better future.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Unveiling Microsoft's Gaming Expansion: Insights from the Leaked Bethesda Roadmap News oi -Kabir Jain

Recently, a confidential roadmap from the FTC vs Microsoft case was leaked, revealing Bethesda's gaming strategy from 2020 to 2024, highlighting highly anticipated titles such as Dishonored 3, Doom Year Zero, and a sequel to Ghostwire: Tokyo. The symbiotic relationship between Bethesda and Microsoft is what makes these revelations intriguing.

The Bethesda Roadmap Unveiled

This leaked roadmap delineates Bethesda's gaming strategy from 2020 to 2024, spotlighting highly awaited titles such as "Dishonored 3" and a sequel to "Ghostwire: Tokyo," both scheduled for 2024.

In 2021, Microsoft strategically incorporated Bethesda into its Xbox family, marking a significant stride in its gaming sector expansion.

Microsoft's Ambitious Gaming Acquisitions

However, Microsoft's appetite for acquisitions didn't halt there; they publicly announced their intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for a staggering $69 billion, a venture currently under rigorous regulatory scrutiny. This colossal move would bring iconic titles like "Call of Duty," "World of Warcraft," and "Overwatch" under Microsoft's formidable umbrella.

A Bold Desire: Acquiring Nintendo

The saga is even more intriguing due to the revelation from leaked documents that Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, expressed a strong desire to acquire Nintendo. If Microsoft is able to successfully navigate the maze of regulatory obstacles, it could gain significant control over a wide range of popular gaming titles and franchises.

This potential influence could significantly impact the development, distribution, and even the conceptualization of future games, including those on Bethesda's roadmap.

Speculations and Queries

The roadmap also alludes to a Fallout 3 Remaster and an untitled "licensed IP game," prompting both fans and industry analysts to speculate on Microsoft's role in these mysterious projects. In addition to providing sneak peeks at upcoming games, this development sparks critical discussions about Microsoft's growing dominance.

Navigating Regulatory Waters

The gaming community is closely watching Microsoft's next moves as regulators scrutinize its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The potential consolidation of major gaming entities under Microsoft's banner has raised legitimate concerns about competition and its potential impact on the gaming ecosystem.

Via

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
Xiaomi Smartphone With SD8 G3 Chipset Spotted On Geekbench: Is It Flagship Redmi K70 Pro? News oi -Alap Naik Desai

A Xiaomi smartphone has surfaced on the Geekbench database, which is powered by a top-end Qualcomm octa-core chipset, presumed to be the upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC.

Xiaomi is readying the Redmi K70 series, which should include the entry-level Redmi K70e, the middle-level Redmi K7, and the top-end Redmi K70 Pro. Could the mystery flagship Xiaomi Android smartphone, with the Qualcomm chipset, be the Redmi K70 Pro?

Redmi K70 Pro To Be Powered By Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3?

Tipster Digital Chat Station recently revealed that the Redmi K70 series has three smartphones that are internally codenamed Ingress, Vermeer, and Manet. These devices could be branded as the Redmi K70e, Redmi K70, and Redmi K70 Pro.

The Xiaomi device codenamed Manet has now surfaced on the Geekbench benchmarking website. The device was put through the latest Geekbench 6 single-core and multi-core synthetic stress tests.

The mystery Xiaomi smartphone with model number 23117RK66C, believed to be the upcoming Redmi K70 Pro managed to score 1100 points in the single-core tests and scored 5150 points in the multi-core tests. Needless to mention, these are exceptionally high scores and beat the existing smartphones.

The Geekbench listing confirms the Xiaomi smartphone's chipset has eight CPU cores in a 2+5+1 configuration. The single Prime Performance core is clocked at 3.19GHz. The five Performance cores are clocked at 2.96GHz, while the remaining 2 Efficiency cores are clocked at 2.27GHz.

Xiaomi Redmi K70 Pro 23117RK66C spotted on Geekbench.



 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset

CPU

1  3.19GHz

2  2.27GHz

5  2.96GHz

GPU - Adreno 750

 Android 14

- 16GB RAM



Codename - manet#Xiaomi #Redmi #RedmiK70Pro pic.twitter.com/IIggRvlDJu  Abhishek Yadav (@yabhishekhd) September 20, 2023

Although the name of the octa-core Qualcomm chipset hasn't been mentioned, these specifications indicate the mystery Xiaomi smartphone is packing the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

The Geekbench listing also confirms the SD8G3 SoC is paired with 16GB RAM. It is quite likely the Redmi K70 Pro's top-end variant could feature 24GB RAM.

The mystery Xiaomi smartphone is running Android 14. Since this is a Xiaomi phone, it could be MIUI 15, which is based on Android 14.

Currently, the prototypes of the Redmi K70 and K70 Pro series, the Snapdragon 8G2/8G3 of this sub-series all have a metal center frame, and the glass texture is noticeably improved with the glass support. pic.twitter.com/sXLCoEpxU1  Mochamad Farido Fanani (@faridofanani96) September 18, 2023

Redmi K70 Pro Specifications, Features (Leaked and Rumored)

Xiaomi recently released the Redmi K60 Ultra in China. This smartphone is expected to debut as the Xiaomi 13T Pro outside its home country.

Xiaomi has yet to acknowledge the existence of the Redmi K70 series. Hence, most of the specifications and features of the Redmi K70 Pro are based on rumors.

The Xiaomi Redmi K70 Pro is expected to feature a 6.67-inch Flat OLED display with a 2K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. The screen should hide an under-display fingerprint scanner and perhaps even an under-display front-facing camera.

Next up: Redmi K70 Pro



 6.67" 2K C7 144Hz OLED, 2880Hz PWM Display

 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 + LPDDR5X + UFS 4.1

 50mp (OV50H) 1/1.28" OIS Main + 13MP UW + 10MP 3.2x~30x Telephoto

 5120mAh + 120W + 30W

 IP68 Rating

 X Axis linear motor

 WiFi 7

 Bluetooth 5.4

 NFC pic.twitter.com/kNq3w5xTII  TECHNOLOGY INFO  (@TECHINFO45) September 18, 2023

Xiaomi could embed LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. According to the Geekbench listing, at least one variant of the Redmi K70 Pro should feature 16GB RAM.

Xiaomi has been loyal to the 5000mAh battery, which could be inside the upcoming Redmi smartphone, and it should support 120W or higher wired fast charging tech and 30W wireless charging.

Some reports suggest the Redmi K70 Pro could have a triple rear camera headlined by an OIS-enabled 50MP Sony IMX707 primary camera. It could be accompanied by a 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens, as well as a 10MP telephoto lens, presumably with 3x zoom capabilities.

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
Country

United States of America US Virgin Islands United States Minor Outlying Islands Canada Mexico, United Mexican States Bahamas, Commonwealth of the Cuba, Republic of Dominican Republic Haiti, Republic of Jamaica Afghanistan Albania, People's Socialist Republic of Algeria, People's Democratic Republic of American Samoa Andorra, Principality of Angola, Republic of Anguilla Antarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S) Antigua and Barbuda Argentina, Argentine Republic Armenia Aruba Australia, Commonwealth of Austria, Republic of Azerbaijan, Republic of Bahrain, Kingdom of Bangladesh, People's Republic of Barbados Belarus Belgium, Kingdom of Belize Benin, People's Republic of Bermuda Bhutan, Kingdom of Bolivia, Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana, Republic of Bouvet Island (Bouvetoya) Brazil, Federative Republic of British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago) British Virgin Islands Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria, People's Republic of Burkina Faso Burundi, Republic of Cambodia, Kingdom of Cameroon, United Republic of Cape Verde, Republic of Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad, Republic of Chile, Republic of China, People's Republic of Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia, Republic of Comoros, Union of the Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, People's Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica, Republic of Cote D'Ivoire, Ivory Coast, Republic of the Cyprus, Republic of Czech Republic Denmark, Kingdom of Djibouti, Republic of Dominica, Commonwealth of Ecuador, Republic of Egypt, Arab Republic of El Salvador, Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Faeroe Islands Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Fiji, Republic of the Fiji Islands Finland, Republic of France, French Republic French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon, Gabonese Republic Gambia, Republic of the Georgia Germany Ghana, Republic of Gibraltar Greece, Hellenic Republic Greenland Grenada Guadaloupe Guam Guatemala, Republic of Guinea, Revolutionary People's Rep'c of Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Guyana, Republic of Heard and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras, Republic of Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of China Hrvatska (Croatia) Hungary, Hungarian People's Republic Iceland, Republic of India, Republic of Indonesia, Republic of Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq, Republic of Ireland Israel, State of Italy, Italian Republic Japan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kenya, Republic of Kiribati, Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait, State of Kyrgyz Republic Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon, Lebanese Republic Lesotho, Kingdom of Liberia, Republic of Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein, Principality of Lithuania Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Macao, Special Administrative Region of China Macedonia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar, Republic of Malawi, Republic of Malaysia Maldives, Republic of Mali, Republic of Malta, Republic of Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania, Islamic Republic of Mauritius Mayotte Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco, Principality of Mongolia, Mongolian People's Republic Montserrat Morocco, Kingdom of Mozambique, People's Republic of Myanmar Namibia Nauru, Republic of Nepal, Kingdom of Netherlands Antilles Netherlands, Kingdom of the New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua, Republic of Niger, Republic of the Nigeria, Federal Republic of Niue, Republic of Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway, Kingdom of Oman, Sultanate of Pakistan, Islamic Republic of Palau Palestinian Territory, Occupied Panama, Republic of Papua New Guinea Paraguay, Republic of Peru, Republic of Philippines, Republic of the Pitcairn Island Poland, Polish People's Republic Portugal, Portuguese Republic Puerto Rico Qatar, State of Reunion Romania, Socialist Republic of Russian Federation Rwanda, Rwandese Republic Samoa, Independent State of San Marino, Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, Democratic Republic of Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of Senegal, Republic of Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles, Republic of Sierra Leone, Republic of Singapore, Republic of Slovakia (Slovak Republic) Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia, Somali Republic South Africa, Republic of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands Spain, Spanish State Sri Lanka, Democratic Socialist Republic of St. Helena St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Suriname, Republic of Svalbard & Jan Mayen Islands Swaziland, Kingdom of Sweden, Kingdom of Switzerland, Swiss Confederation Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan, Province of China Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand, Kingdom of Timor-Leste, Democratic Republic of Togo, Togolese Republic Tokelau (Tokelau Islands) Tonga, Kingdom of Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Tunisia, Republic of Turkey, Republic of Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda, Republic of Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe
Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States



Toronto, Ontario, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avante Corp. (TSX.V: XX) (OTC: ALXXF) (Avante or the Company) today announced that its board of directors has approved the acquisition (the Acquisition), through its subsidiary Avante International Inc (the Purchaser), of a 55% interest in North Star Support Group S.R.L. (NSSG), a highly reputed risk management and security company operating globally, for an aggregate purchase price of EUR1,300,000. The purchase price will be paid by way of a combination of cash in the amount of EUR1,200,000 and the issuance of 154,301 common shares in the capital of the Company. The transaction is expected to close on September 21, 2023.

This strategic investment underscores Avante's commitment to expanding its service offering and proprietary technology and significantly enhances its international footprint. As Avante continues to grow its corporate security offering to Fortune 500 corporations the Company will look to expand operations in USA, Europe, and the Middle East by leveraging NSSGs existing corporate client base and expertise in international markets.

As part of the transaction, Avante will enter into a shareholders agreement with respect to NSSG and a loan agreement with NSSG. Pursuant to the shareholders agreement, the management of NSSG will maintain day-to-day control of the business and Avante will, among other things, appoint Manny Mounouchos to the board of directors of NSSG for an initial term of 4 years. Pursuant to the loan agreement, Avante will, indirectly through the Purchaser, advance to NSSG a loan in principal amount of up to EUR 1 million for a term of 4 years, bearing interest at a rate equal to the Bank of Canada Prime Rate plus 1%, and repayable in 8 quarterly equal repayments starting on the date that is 24 months after the date of each drawdown under the loan. At closing, EUR 500,000 of the loan is expected to be advanced.

Avante is recognized locally in Canada for its established and diversified business lines and its innovation across various service sectors, including its quickly growing Corporate Security division Avante Black. With this strategic investment, Avante aims to capitalize on NSSG's strong international client portfolio as opportunities to cross sell its service and technology capabilities to NSSGs Fortune 500 clients.

Established in 2017, NSSG has established its reputation globally, with a special focus on the MENA region, for its cutting-edge risk management and security solutions, bespoke advisory and support services, as well as its unwavering dedication to corporate security customer satisfaction. Through this partnership with Avante, NSSG anticipates accelerated growth and the ability to provide its clients with an even broader spectrum of security service verticals, utilizing Avantes innovative technology and world-class Command and Control Centre.

Key highlights of this acquisition include:



1. Synergy in Services: Clients of Avante and NSSG will benefit from a wider array of risk management and security services, ranging from traditional manned security to modern technology-driven solutions to a broad range of corporate security platforms.

2. Global Expansion: Both companies will leverage their respective global networks to offer seamless risk management and security solutions to corporate clients on a larger international scale.

3. Innovation and Expertise: The collaboration will harness synergies from each parties expertise in innovation and technology to remain at the forefront of the security industry.

4. Operational Efficiency: The partnership will enhance operational efficiency, ensuring the continued delivery of exceptional risk management and security services.



Manny Mounouchos, CEO of Avante, expressed enthusiasm about this strategic move, stating, "This acquisition aligns with our corporate strategy of diversification and accelerated growth outside of our core Toronto market. We are excited to join forces with NSSG and believe that this collaboration will unlock new opportunities for both companies. This strategic acquisition will pave the way for several of our technology platforms to be quickly adopted globally by NSSGs existing clients.



Alessandro Martello, CEO of NSSG, added, "We are proud to have Avante as a strategic partner. Our shared values, vision and passion for quality and innovation in risk management will turn this partnership into a real success. For NSSG it is a significant milestone, as we look to expand our global corporate security offering. Avantes core client base will benefit from many of our bespoke services, cutting-edge applications, creativity, and ethical approach to this challenging business. Our international corporate clients will also gain from this partnership, as we will leverage Avantes Control Centre and integrate the surveillance platform in our activity.

Both Avante and NSSG are committed to ensuring a seamless transition, prioritizing the needs and expectations of their clients during this integration phase. Clients and partners can expect uninterrupted support and a continued commitment to the highest level of service quality.

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.



About Avante Corp.

Avante Corp. (TSXV: XX) is a Toronto based provider of high-end security services. We acquire, manage, and build industry leading businesses which provide specialized, mission-critical solutions that address the needs of our customers. Our businesses continuously develop innovative solutions that enable our customers to achieve their objectives. With an experienced team and a proven track record of solid growth, we are taking steps to establish a broad portfolio of security businesses to provide our customers and shareholders with exceptional returns. Please visit our website at www.avantecorp.ca and consider joining our investor email list.

Emmanuel Mounouchos

Founder, CEO & Board Chair, Avante Logixx Inc.

416-923-6984

manny@avantesecurity.com

About NSSG

NSSG is a distinguished risk management provider headquartered in Bucharest Romania, with offices in New York, Cairo, and Kyiv, representations in Saudi Arabia, Italy, Israel and the United Kingdom, and with a worldwide clientele. From strategic advisory to implementation solutions for multinational companies operating in challenging security environments and complex political jurisdictions, NSSG offers a wide range of integrated corporate security solutions, with a strong focus on technological advancements and integration with existing corporate security platforms. NSSG has established itself as a trusted partner to Fortune 500 companies in the risk management industry.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements), including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company and NSSG with respect to future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are often identified by the words may, would, could, should, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect or similar expressions and forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding: whether and when the Acquisition will be consummated; the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition, including the ability to achieve the anticipated synergies, expand globally, and achieve operational efficiency; the anticipated timing for closing of the Acquisition; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but instead reflect the Companys and NSSGs expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company and NSSG believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed thereon, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements of the Company and NSSG. Financial outlooks, as with forward-looking information generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to various risks as set out herein.

Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are the following: the parties' ability to consummate the Acquisition; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, all other conditions to the closing of the Acquisition; the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the Acquisition on relationships, including with regulatory bodies, stock exchanges, service providers, employees and competitors; the diversion of management time on the Acquisition; assumptions concerning the Acquisition and the operations and expansion plans following completion of the Acquisition; credit, liquidity and additional financing risks; stock market volatility; changes in the business activities, focus and plans of the Company and NSSG and the timing associated therewith; changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including challenging global financial conditions; competition risks; potential conflicts of interest; changes in applicable laws and regulations both locally and in foreign jurisdictions; compliance with government regulation; the risks and uncertainties associated with foreign markets; and the other risk factors more fully described under the heading "Risk Factors" in the each of Company's most recent annual information form and management's discussion and analysis, each of which is available on the Companys SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.com.

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 and NSSG have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended and such changes could be material. The Company and NSSG do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update the forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.
NEWARK, Del: , Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global DNA-based skincare market in 2022 was US$ 4.7 billion and is estimated to be US$ 4.9 billion in 2023. Future Market Insights has mentioned in its reports that the focused ultrasound system market will expand at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2023 and 2033, totaling around US$ 8.2 billion by 2033.



DNA skincare products use information gathered from the persons genetic makeup for prescribing its products, which helps to know the adverse effects of routine to counteract.

A boost in demand for health and wellness products is estimated to propel the growth of the DNA-based skin care products market going forward. Living a healthy lifestyle improves a persons appearance and well-being, and the health of the skin is an indicator of a persons overall health.

Request the Sample Report to Understand the Rising Demand for Global DNA-Based Skin Care Market: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-8702

Key Takeaways from the Market Study

Anticipated size of the DNA-based skincare market in 2017 was US$ 4.1 billion.

in 2017 was US$ 4.1 billion. Global DNA-based skincare market grew at a CAGR of 2.5% between 2017 and 2022.

between 2017 and 2022. North America is anticipated to generate the largest DNA-based skincare market share of 37.6% in the upcoming years.

in the upcoming years. Demand for natural and organic products in Europe has been fueled by the increase in consumer awareness about the risks of adopting skincare products having synthetic chemicals holding a market share of 25.5%.

Under product type, creams dominate the market with a share of 56.2%.

Under distribution channel, the offline distribution channel has a major position in the market with a market share of 68.8%.

Desire to slow down the signs of aging among millennials is one of the major drivers of the DNA-based skincare market, Lead Analyst a Future Market Insights analyst.

Scope of the Report

Report Attribute Details Growth Rate CAGR of 5.3% from 2023 to 2033 Base Year for Estimation 2022 Historical Data 2017 to 2022 Forecast Period 2023 to 2033 Quantitative Units Revenue in US$ billion and CAGR from 2023 to 2033 Report Coverage Revenue Forecast

Volume Forecast

Company Ranking,

Competitive Landscape

Growth Factors

Trends

Pricing Analysis Segments Covered Product Type

Distribution Channel

End Use

Region Covered North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

South Asia & Pacific

East Asia

Middle East & Africa Key Countries Profiled United States

Canada

Brazil

Mexico

Germany

United Kingdom

France

Spain

Italy

Russia

Poland

Czech Republic

Romania

China

Japan

South Korea

India

Bangladesh

Australia

New Zealand

GCC countries

South Africa

Israel Key Companies Profiled ALLEL

IMAGENE LABS

Genetic Beauty

DNA Skin Institute

EpigenCare

ANAKE

Caligenix

LifeNome

SKINSHIFT

SkinDNA





Request Our Research Methodology to Stay Informed: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/request-report-methodology/rep-gb-8702

Key Developments in the DNA-Based Skin Care Market

Personalized Skincare: DNA-based skincare has ushered in a new era of personalization. Companies are using genetic information to create customized skincare products tailored to an individual's unique genetic makeup. This trend is gaining popularity as consumers seek more effective and personalized medicine solutions. Advanced DNA Testing: Advances in DNA testing technology have made it easier and more affordable for consumers to access their genetic information. This has fueled the growth of DNA-based skincare, as people can now readily obtain insights into their skin's specific needs. Targeted Treatment: DNA analysis allows skincare companies to identify specific skin issues and recommend targeted treatments. This precision approach is replacing the one-size-fits-all model of skincare, leading to more effective results. Rise in DTC Brands: Direct-to-consumer (DTC) DNA-based skincare brands have emerged, offering consumers the convenience of ordering personalized products online. These brands often provide easy-to-use DNA testing kits, making the process accessible to a broader audience.

Market Competition

The global market is highly fragmented with the presence of various international and domestic companies. Many companies are gradually shifting towards artificial intelligence to provide individualized suggestions and track daily skin changes to react to the shift in lifestyles. Meanwhile, some of the other key players are striving to develop DNA testing kits for customers to enable them to make informed decisions associated with their genetic composition.

Gi Picco's, a manufacturer of cosmetic powders in Europe, was purchased by MS Beautilab. The acquisition of Italy's Gi Picco's Cosmetics by the Swiss-French subcontractor has resulted in the improvement of its product line and has completed its historical by marking a significant milestone in the company's expansion strategy.

Milk Makeup and Obagi Cosmeceuticals LLC were acquired by Waldencast Acquisition Corp.

Purchase Now to Uncover Segment-specific Information and identify Key Trends, Drivers, and Challenges: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/8702

Key Segmentations in the DNA-Based Skin Care Industry

By Product Type:

Serums

Creams

Others



By Distribution Channel:

Offline

Online

By End Use:

Home User

Wellness Clinics

Salons



By Region:

North America

Latin America

Western Europe

Eastern Europe

South Asia & Pacific

East Asia

Middle East & Africa



About the Healthcare Division at Future Market Insights

The healthcare team at Future Market Insights offers expert analysis, time-efficient research, and strategic recommendations to provide authentic insights and accurate results to help clients worldwide. With a repertoire of over 100+ reports and 1 million+ data points, the team has been analyzing the industry lucidly in 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides a brief analysis of key trends including competitive landscape, profit margin, and research development efforts.

Author by:

Sabyasachi Ghosh (Associate Vice President at Future Market Insights, Inc.) holds over 12 years of experience in the Healthcare, Medical Devices, and Pharmaceutical industries. His curious and analytical nature helped him shape his career as a researcher.

Identifying key challenges faced by clients and devising robust, hypothesis-based solutions to empower them with strategic decision-making capabilities come naturally to him. His primary expertise lies in areas such as Market Entry and Expansion Strategy, Feasibility Studies, Competitive Intelligence, and Strategic Transformation.

Holding a degree in Microbiology, Sabyasachi has authored numerous publications and has been cited in journals, including The Journal of mHealth, ITN Online, and Spinal Surgery News.

Explore Trending Reports of Healthcare:

DNA/RNA Extraction Market Demand: The anticipated size of the DNA/RNA extraction market in 2022 was US$ 1.3 billion and is estimated to be US$ 1.40 billion in 2023 and will expand at a CAGR of 7.4% between 2023 and 2033, totaling around US$ 2.85 billion by 2033.

DNA Polymerase Market Size: The DNA polymerase market is likely to register positive growth with the overall valuation forecast to reach US$ 353.9 million in 2023. Thee demand for DNA Polymerases is projected to surge with a projected CAGR of 6.2% to reach US$ 647.5 million.

DNA Synthesis Market Analysis: The DNA synthesis market is projected to be valued at US$ 2,898.3 million in 2023 and is expected to rise to US$ 9,999.6 million by 2033. The sales of DNA synthesis are expected to record a significant CAGR of 13.2% during the forecast period.

DNA Sequencing Services Market Shape: The global DNA sequencing services market is anticipated to be valued at US$ 945.6 million in 2023. The market is forecast to expand at a CAGR of 8.2% from 2023 to 2033, valued at US$ 2,080.2 million by 2033. Growth is attributed to the increase in cancer cases around the world.

About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 5000 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries.

Contact Us:

Nandini Singh Sawlani

Future Market Insights Inc.

Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive,

Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA

T: +1-845-579-5705

For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com

Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com

LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube
Davenport, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Davenport, Iowa -

Northwest Plumbing Heating & AC is offering high-quality yet affordable heating, plumbing, and HVAC maintenance services in the Quad Cities area.

Founded in 1923, the company has earned the trust and admiration of local homeowners who have come to rely on it for all their residential plumbing, heating, and cooling needs. Today it serves homeowners all over the Quad Cities area - Davenport & Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline & Rock Island in Illinois  as well as surrounding areas in Scott, Rock Island, Henry, Clinton, Muscatine, and Cedar counties.

Whether it be a faulty plumbing system, says the spokesperson for Northwest Plumbing Heating & AC, home heating solution that doesnt perform up to par in the cold months, or an AC that doesnt provide relief in the summer months, Northwest has the crew and expertise you need to ensure the problem is solved for good. Our highly trained, certified, and licensed crew members have years of experience to bank on when addressing all your homes heating, cooling, and plumbing challenges. For more information, check out this news article.

Northwests plumbing services include water heater installation & repair, on-demand/tankless water heaters, tank water heaters, drain cleaning, plumbing fixture replacements, waste piping, sump pump and battery backup systems, water service, and water mains, camera inspection, remote monitoring and alarms for flooding, garbage disposals, clogged drains, toilets, sinks, shower, bathtub, sewer, backflow preventers, and more.

The spokesperson explains, From repairing sump pumps to upgrading your homes plumbing, our professional and knowledgeable technicians can help you with all your plumbing needs. They are always willing to answer your questions so that you have all the information you need to make the right repair decision for your property. We also make sure to work within your budget so that you know exactly what services you are receiving and how much you will have to pay without having to deal with unexpected surprises in the final bill. Moreover, our White Glove guarantee assures that we will leave your home as clean as it was before we arrived.

Northwests heating services include furnace repair & maintenance, furnace replacement, annual heating system check, humidifier installation, repair & maintenance, boiler installation, repair & maintenance, geothermal systems, high-efficiency heating & cooling systems, zoning, thermostat installation, repair & maintenance, steam heat, and hot water heat.

The companys heating professionals know how to work with all makes, models, and types of heaters and furnaces, including oil, gas, propane, electric, geothermal, and more. Northwest also provides homeowners with a free estimate for a furnace replacement which can then be financed through its partnership with GreenSky. The company also offers furnace preventative maintenance plans which include an annual furnace check and can be bundled with other plumbing and cooling maintenance programs.

Homeowners and businesses in the Quad Cities area have repeatedly praised Northwest Plumbing, Heating & AC for providing trusted services with outstanding customer service. The companys Google Business Profile even boasts an exemplary rating of 4.8 out of 5.0 from a staggering 700+ reviews. In their testimonials, customers point out Northwests professional crew members, the helpful and responsive staff, and the dependable work quality.

A recent review says, Our Plumber Nick B. Was so helpful and explained everything to us before he started working! Very professional and just a great guy. I will definitely be using Northwest Mechanical Inc. in the future. You dont get this type of service from the big box stores!

Another homeowner writes, Northwest has saved us several times for a variety of problems. I will always call them first - high-quality people and repairs. Kirsten came in and replaced our leaking water heater today, and had some curve balls thrown her way. She was professional, and hardworking, and explained everything I needed to know throughout. Very satisfied with the work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbYHWXxklzw

Readers in the Quad Cities area can contact Northwest Plumbing Heating & AC at (563) 391-1344 to inquire about its services or to schedule an appointment. Interested homeowners are also urged to follow the companys Instagram page for regular updates.

###

For more information about Northwest Plumbing, Heating & AC, contact the company here:



Northwest Plumbing, Heating & AC

Bill Durand

(563) 391-1344

bdurand@northwestmech.com

5885 Tremont Ave

Davenport, IA 52807
Washington, DC, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Center for Studies on New Religions,

Human Rights and Religious Freedom Experts

Decry Government Persecution of Minority Religion in Japan

CESNURs Bitter Winter Magazine Posts Booklet

Explaining Why Japanese Government Has No Legal Basis to Dissolve

The Unification Church/Family Federation

The Human Rights and Rights to Religious Freedom of 600,000 Japanese Citizens are at Risk

TORINO, Italy (September 19, 2023)Bitter Winter, a magazine of the Center for Studies on New Religions (CESNUR), has been following the Japanese governments unusual and intrusive investigation of a minority religion, which started after the July 2022 assassination of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.





Today, Bitter Winter starts publishing a booklet that explains why the Japanese government has no legal basis to file for dissolution of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, also known as the Unification Church. The series will run to September 23.



We regard what is happening in Japan as the worst current religious liberty crisis in a democratic country, said Dr. Massimo Introvigne, an Italian sociologist who serves as editor-in-chief of Bitter Winter, a magazine on religious liberty and human rights published by CESNUR. It is severely tarnishing the international image of Japan, a country I deeply respect.



International lawyer Tatsuki Nakayama, who specializes in legal integrity issues, says in his booklet that Japans government, led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, is not following the 1951 Religious Corporations Act, but appears to be practicing politics.





The governments efforts to torture the members of the Family Federation without killing them, so to speak, is a major religious persecution that violates the freedom of religion under the Constitution, Mr. Nakayama wrote in Dear Prime Minister Fumio Kishida: No Justification for the Government to Request Dissolution of the Family Federation, released in September.



No legal basis for dissolution



Mr. Nakayama said the strict, legal reasons for dissolution of a religious corporation include: proof that it is obviously antisocial and commits criminal acts under the Penal Code. There must be criminal activities organized by the leadership that are malicious and continuous.



The Family Federation has done none of these things, Mr. Nakayama wrote. First, the Family Federation leadership has never engaged in any criminal behaviors. (Individual believers actions cannot be used to dissolve an entire religious organization).



Second, many years ago, some individuals used undue pressure to persuade people to make large donations to the Family Federation for spiritual benefit. However, this was dealt with in 2009 when the Family Federation issued a Declaration of Compliance to fully reform its fundraising activities. Since 2009, there have been only four donation-complaint cases that went to court (three were settled and one went to judgment), and in the last seven years, there has been not a single case brought to court against the Family Federation.





No dissolution for other religious groups that committed crimes



Mr. Nakayamas research shows that at least eight other religious organizationsin which leaders and followers raped, beat, and even murdered believerswere not dissolved by the Japanese government or the court. Except for one group that disbanded due to bankruptcy, these religious corporations still exist.



Compared with eight other religious corporations, the Family Federation is not malicious enough for the government to request an order for its dissolution, Mr. Nakayama wrote.



Founded in 2018, Bitter Winter has emerged as a major source of information about global religious liberty issues, and is one of the most quoted in the U.S. Department of States yearly reports on freedom of religion. We normally contrast how democratic countries protect freedom of religion as opposed to how non-democratic regimes such as China and Russia persecute believers, Dr. Introvigne said. Unfortunately, the witch hunt against the Family Federation is already allowing Chinese and Russian propaganda to claim that repressing religious minorities stigmatized as cults is also practiced in a democratic country such as Japan.





As part of his booklet, Mr. Nakayama explains how he came to be involved in the Family Federation case as a third-party participant. In essence, he was asked to observe because there was so much government, media, and public hate speech against the Family Federation, it could not easily find sufficient legal defense.





Mr. Nakayama said he took the case with some hesitationhe would never defend a clear criminal organization. But he has found, through his interactions with Family Federation leaders and members, that they have been grossly mischaracterized, and it doesnt make sense that it continues to be called an antisocial organization in the media.



Other independent investigators have written that the accusatory focus on the Family Federation in Japan is misdirected. (See CAP-LC links below)



The Family Federation, which has flourished in Japan for 60 years and currently has 600,000 members, was founded by Dr. Rev. Sun Myung Moon and Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon. Both were supportive of Prime Minister Abe and his grandfather, former Japanese Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, due to their shared anticommunist worldviews.





The Family Federation had nothing to do with the shocking assassination of Prime Minister Abe, and its millions of members worldwide mourned him. However, when a police leak to media said purported assassin Tetsuya Yamagami said he shot Mr. Abe because he had a grudge against the Family Federation over his mothers donations, this set off a media assault on the Family Federation. Leftist lawyers and the Japan Communist Party still appear frequently in the media to criticize the Family Federation and call for its dissolution.



As a result, the assassin Yamagami has been turned into the victim and the Family Federation turned into the villain, Dr. Introvigne has written.



On July 3, 2023, Dr. Introvigne and other prominent human rights leaders, Mr. Willy Fautre, Hon. Jan Figel, and Dr. Aaron Rhodes, published Why Japan Should Guarantee Religious Liberty to the Unification Church/Family Federation: A Letter to the Government. They called for an end to what increasingly appears as a witch hunt against a minority religion.

https://bitterwinter.org/japan-should-guarantee-religious-liberty-to-the-unification-church/





Before the July 3 letter was published, it was sent privately to Japans Prime Minister Kishida, the Japanese foreign minister, and the minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.



The letter opens with general comments about protecting Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for minority religions. It then addresses the current persecution of the Family Federation in Japan, the abusive history of deprogramming in Japan, and the Japanese medias and governments ill-advised use of apostates to denigrate the religion.





The letter concludes with a plea not to ignore the vital importance of FoRB to a free democracy and why government liquidation of Family Federation would expose Japan to international condemnation and encourage similar attacks on religion in non-democratic countries.



For more information, please contact: info@bitterwinter.org.



Paris-based Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience (CAP-LC) published its September 2022 complaint and supplemental statement to the United Nations Human Rights Committee about how the human rights and religious freedoms of believers in the Family Federation of Japan were being seriously, systematically, and blatantly violated by the government and media:

https://freedomofconscience.eu/statement-submitted-136th-session-human-rights-committee-10-oct-2022-04-nov-2022-on-japan/

https://freedomofconscience.eu/supplemental-statement-submitted-at-the-136th-session-human-rights-committee-10-oct-2022-4-nov-2022-on-japan/
Pune, India, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The North America HVAC system market size was USD 41.67 billion in 2021. The market size is expected to rise from USD 43.67 billion in 2022 to USD 62.31 billion by 2029 at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. The market is anticipated to rise during the projected period due to increasing demand for green building construction activities and clean indoor air. Fortune Business Insights publishes this information in a report titled, "North America HVAC System Market, 2022-2029".

Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/north-america-hvac-system-market-106243

The heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) system transfers the air between indoor and outdoor spaces. The indoor air is filtered to maintain its purity and keep the environment healthy. This enables keeping the humidity level and ideal state. Increasing demand for smart systems and industrial automation systems is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

July 2021: SAMSUNG introduced an outdoor air conditioning unit DVM S2 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) to provide Wind Free cooling everywhere, making every space comfortable. It comforts commercial buildings, small & medium-sized office buildings, and apartment blocks.

Report Scope & Segmentation



Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 Forecast Period 2023 to 2029 CAGR 5.2% 2029 Value Projection USD 62.31 billion Base Year 2021 North America HVAC System Market Share in 2022 USD 43.67 billion Historical Data for 2018 to 2020 No. of Pages 120 Segments covered By Type, By Application and By Region North America HVAC System Market Growth Drivers Increasing Demand for Energy-Efficient Solutions to Boost Product Demand The fast-growing HVAC industry has generated the automation processes necessary for every product and service.

COVID-19 Impact:

Rising Manufacturing of Automated HVAC System to Stimulate Product Demand

During the initial lockdown stage, the market faced a sudden decline in its sales rate due to restrictions imposed by the government. Further, indoor air quality's increasing importance in avoiding breathing diseases is expected to increase product sales. The government has uplifted several restrictions, which enabled the companies to resume the halted activities such as fixing air-conditioned (AC) units, repairing existing energy recovery ventilators (ERVs), and changing the operation of such equipment. These factors have supported the North America HVAC system market growth during the pandemic.

Browse Complete Report Details: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/north-america-hvac-system-market-106243

List of the Companies Operating in the Market:

Carrier (U.S.)

Lennox International Inc. (U.S.)

SAMSUNG (South Korea)

Nortek Air Solutions, LLC (U.S.)

DAIKIN INDUSTRIES, Ltd. (Japan)

Trane (Ireland)

Emerson Electric Co. (U.S.)

Johnson Controls (Ireland)

LG Electronics (South Korea)

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (Japan)

Drivers & Restraints:

Increasing Demand for Energy-Efficient Solutions to Boost Product Demand

The market is expected to grow significantly due to increasing adoption of advanced technologies and rising demand for green building construction. Also, increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions, industrial automation systems, and smart manufacturing is expected to drive the market during the forecast period. Also, the rising integration of these systems with the latest technologies is anticipated to fuel the market growth. These factors are likely to ensure industrial development and growth in the segmented regions.

However, these systems' high maintenance and servicing costs may hinder the market growth.

Report Coverage:

The report provides insights on current market trends and recent developments introduced by the key players. Also, the report sheds light on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and various strategies adopted by the key players to overcome the loss. Furthermore, drivers and restraints affecting the market growth during the pandemic are highlighted further. The regional market insights on segmented areas are discussed further. A list of key players and their competitive strategies is elaborated further in this report.

Segments:

VRF System Segment to Dominate Market during the Forecast Period

By type, the market is segmented into single split systems, variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems, chillers, and others.

Based on application, the market is segregated into commercial, residential, and industrial.

Finally, by country, the market is bifurcated into the U.S. and Canada.

Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/north-america-hvac-system-market-106243

Regional Insights:

Government Initiatives in Canada to Bolster Regional Market Growth

The market of North America HVAC system is expected to witness strong growth due to the rising trend of green building initiatives, residential, commercial construction, and industrial facilities. Also, the North America HVAC system market share is expected to increase due to technological advancements and integration of these systems with the Internet of Things (IoT). The U.S. and Canada are dominating countries within the region where the U.S. stood at USD 33.71 billion in 2021.

Competitive Landscape:

New Product Launch Allow Key Players to Enhance Product Portfolio

Key market players of North America HVAC system form strategic alliances and partnerships with other companies to expand their production rate and increase business profitability. Furthermore, new product launches allow key players to enhance their product portfolio and attract customers from segmented regions.

Major Table of Contents:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 Short-term Impact Long-term Impact

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players North America Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) System Key Players Market Share Insights and Analysis, 2021

North America Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC) System Market Size Estimates and Forecasts (Quantitative Data), By Segments, 2018-2029 Key Findings By Type (USD) Single Split Systems Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems Chillers Others (Multi-split Systems, and others.) By Application (USD) Commercial Residential Industrial By Country (USD) U.S. By Type Single Split Systems Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems Chillers Others (Multi-split Systems, and others.) Canada By Type Single Split Systems Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems Chillers Others (Multi-split Systems, and other

Company Profiles for Top 10 Players (Based on data availability in public domain and/or on paid databases)

To be Continue

Quick Buy - North America HVAC System Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/queries/north-america-hvac-system-market-106243

Related Industry Research Report:

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
MUNICH, Germany, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CARUSO announces its partnership with Toyota to optimize connected car data for innovative fleet management solutions. By harnessing the power of telematics data generated by Toyota vehicles, the partnership aims to effectively tackle the complexity of in-vehicle data. With CARUSO at the helm providing vast standardization, specialized consultancy along with complementary services, their fleet customers can focus on enhancing their business operations by integrating in-vehicle data in their products. Using connected car data as a fleet ushers in a new wave of possibilities such as tracking vehicle mileage, maintaining detailed logbooks, among others. This diminishes the Total Cost of Ownership for fleets and facilitates highly efficient, data-driven decision-making.



Marvin Inden-Lohmar, Manager Data Business & Privacy at Toyota Motor Europe, said about the partnership. We are delighted to have CARUSO become one of our fleet-management partners and continue providing Toyota customers with high-impact value. By utilizing connected vehicle data, we are helping their partners gain actionable insights that will enable them to achieve a safer and more efficient fleet."

Speaking about the collaboration, Norbert Dohmen, Managing Director of Caruso GmbH said, "Richer data sets from connected vehicles are essential for digitizing commercial fleet operations and reducing total ownership costs for fleet managers. Our collaboration with Toyota will enable us to provide even more multibrand, standardized data and enable solution providers to solve fleet-facing challenges, without the need for external hardware. We are happy to be working with Toyota together."

This partnership between CARUSO and Toyota is poised to augur a new era in the realm of logistics and fleet management, ushering in an unprecedented level of efficiency and sophistication.

Potential customers interested in leveraging the new agreement and services provided by CARUSO, can explore further details on their website, https://www.caruso-dataplace.com/fleet-management/.

About Caruso GmbH

From Connected Cars to Connected Business. CARUSO is a neutral, open, and secure marketplace for mobility data. The platform enables third parties to consume data standardized across multiple vehicle manufacturers. Additionally, their built-in consent management technology ensures data privacy by giving vehicle end-users full control over data sharing. With that, CARUSO empowers its customers to easily build life-improving solutions based on data from connected cars.

More information www.caruso-dataplace.com.

Company Contact

Tina Rauschenbach

Head of Customer Experience

customerexperience@caruso-dataplace.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/db36a8ae-5f44-4cfa-b9d5-dff48b339c73
PARIS, FRANCE, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, the famous French perfume brand HOMFE has launched their KING 55 and QUEEN 55 series. In the realm of luxury perfumes, French brand HOMFE has always been synonymous with sophistication, elegance, and timeless appeal. HOMFE has consistently delighted fragrance connoisseurs with its exceptional creations. Now, in a move that's set to captivate perfume enthusiasts around the world, HOMFE has introduced not one, but two distinct fragrance lines: KING 55 for men and QUEEN 55 for women. (https://youtu.be/kn-X4w-K2gs?feature=shared)









A Royal Heritage

HOMFE, known for its dedication to preserving the art of French perfumery, has chosen a name that exudes regal charm for its latest releases. The KING 55 and QUEEN 55 lines are not just perfumes; they are olfactory experiences that transport wearers to a world of opulence and refinement.





KING 55: A Scent Fit for Royalty (20 ml $150 - 50ml $200 - 100ml $300)

The KING 55 line represents the epitome of masculinity and strength. Crafted with the utmost care and precision, each fragrance in this collection is a testament to the artistry of HOMFE's master perfumers.

1. Imperial Essence: The flagship fragrance of the KING 55 collection, Imperial Essence, is a captivating blend of spices, woodsy notes, and rare oriental ingredients. It opens with the zest of bergamot and black pepper, transitioning to a heart of oud and patchouli, and finally settling into a rich, velvety base of sandalwood and leather. This scent is designed for the modern man who demands nothing but the best.

2. Crowned Elegance: A more refined offering within the KING 55 line, Crowned Elegance is an ode to sophistication and class. With a prominent note of lavender and hints of citrus and vetiver, this fragrance embodies understated luxury.

3. Noble Resonance: For those who seek a fragrance that lingers in memory, Noble Resonance is the perfect choice. It marries the deep warmth of amber with the freshness of green apple and juniper berries, creating an irresistible and unique blend.





QUEEN 55: Elegance in a Bottle (20 ml $160 - 50ml $220 - 100ml $330)

The QUEEN 55 collection mirrors the essence of femininity, grace, and timeless beauty. HOMFE's master perfumers have painstakingly curated each scent to capture the spirit of a queen.

1. Regal Blooms: The flagship fragrance of the QUEEN 55 collection, Regal Blooms, is a bouquet of exquisite floral notes. Rose, jasmine, and peony dance harmoniously with fruity top notes of pear and blackcurrant, all resting on a delicate bed of white musk. This fragrance embodies the elegance and charm of a true queen.

2. Majestic Allure: Majestic Allure is a perfume designed for the confident and charismatic woman. It features a blend of spicy saffron, creamy vanilla, and sweet praline, creating a scent that's as alluring as it is empowering.

3. Royal Serenity: For those who appreciate a more understated elegance, Royal Serenity is a fragrance that combines the freshness of bergamot and mandarin with the timeless allure of iris and amber. It's a scent that evokes a sense of calm and poise.





A Commitment to Quality

HOMFE's KING 55 and QUEEN 55 collections are a testament to the brand's commitment to quality and excellence. Each fragrance is housed in a meticulously designed bottle that reflects the regal nature of the collection. The intricate detailing and craftsmanship of these bottles are in perfect harmony with the fragrances they contain.

HOMFE's launch of KING 55 and QUEEN 55 marks a significant moment in the world of luxury perfumes. With these two distinct collections, the brand continues its tradition of delivering olfactory masterpieces that transcend time and trends. Whether you're seeking a fragrance that embodies strength and masculinity or one that exudes elegance and femininity, HOMFE's KING 55 and QUEEN 55 have something to offer every perfume enthusiast. Prepare to embark on a fragrant journey fit for royalty, and experience the allure of these exceptional scents from a brand that has defined French perfumery for generations.

Media Contact

Brand: HOMFE Group

Email: info@homfe.net

Website: https://homfe.net/

SOURCE: HOMFE Group
Dublin, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Nanoporous Membranes Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global nanoporous membranes market has witnessed substantial growth, with its size reaching US$ 816.6 Million in 2022. Looking ahead, the market is projected to continue its upward trajectory, with an expected valuation of US$ 1,218.7 Million by 2028, demonstrating a noteworthy growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% during the period from 2023 to 2028.

Nanoporous membranes are rapidly gaining prominence as they supplant traditional water treatment technologies. Their appeal lies in attributes such as low energy consumption, remarkable efficiency, cost-effectiveness, operation at room temperature, and straightforward processing.

Furthermore, these membranes boast extensive applications in various domains, including electrocatalysis, nanodevice fabrication, energy, environmental science, and analytical science. Researchers are currently directing their efforts toward the development of specialized nanoporous adsorbent products, particularly tailored for the electronics manufacturing and biomedical sectors. This drive has led to a surge in demand on a global scale.

Notably, nanoporous membranes excel in water purification, effectively filtering an array of pollutants, ranging from salts and microbes to organic molecules and metallic ions. As the demand to treat wastewater containing minute contaminants escalates due to freshwater scarcity, these membranes are playing a pivotal role in addressing this challenge.

Furthermore, governments worldwide are implementing stringent regulations regarding wastewater treatment for industries that consume substantial volumes of water. Coupled with this, the proliferation of water treatment plants and the increase in water salination activities contribute to the growing adoption of nanoporous membranes.

In addition to their water treatment applications, nanoporous membranes are finding their footing in the biomedical field. They are being utilized for drug delivery, single molecular analysis, immunoisolation, biosensing, and the separation and sorting of biomolecules, fostering market growth. Leading industry players are further augmenting the market through substantial investments in research and development (R&D) activities, aimed at introducing innovative product variants to gain a competitive edge.

Other factors fueling the optimistic outlook of the market encompass increased usage in the food processing industry, a growing inclination toward biological water treatment technologies, and continuous technological advancements. These dynamics collectively contribute to the positive trajectory of the nanoporous membranes market.

Key Questions Answered in This Report

What was the size of the global nanoporous membranes market in 2022?

What is the expected growth rate of the global nanoporous membranes market during 2023-2028?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global nanoporous membranes market?

What are the key factors driving the global nanoporous membranes market?

What is the breakup of the global nanoporous membranes market based on the material type?

What is the breakup of the global nanoporous membranes market based on the application?

What are the key regions in the global nanoporous membranes market?

Who are the key players/companies in the global nanoporous membranes market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 143 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $816.6 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $1218.7 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.9% Regions Covered Global

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being

Alfa Laval AB

Applied Membranes Inc.

AXEON Water Technologies

DuPont de Nemours Inc.

Hunan Keensen Technology Co. Ltd.

inopor GmbH (Rauschert GmbH)

InRedox LLC

Koch Separation Solutions (Koch Industries Inc.)

Nitto Denko Corporation

Osmotech Membranes Pvt. Ltd.

SiMPore Inc.

SmartMembranes GmbH.

Key Market Segmentation:



Breakup by Material Type:

Organic

Inorganic

Hybrid

Breakup by Fabrication Method:

Phase Inversion

Interfacial Polymerization

Track-etching

Electrospinning

Breakup by Application:

Water Treatment

Fuel Cells

Biomedical

Food Processing

Others

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/z0vydo

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.

Attachment
Dublin, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Barite Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global barite market has made significant strides, reaching a size of US$ 1.8 Billion in 2022. Looking ahead, industry experts anticipate continued growth, with the market poised to reach US$ 2.3 Billion by 2028, reflecting a commendable growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% during the period from 2023 to 2028.

Barite, a naturally occurring mineral, is characterized by its white or colorless appearance and is composed of barium and sulfate. Within the barite group, one can find anhydrite, celestine, and anglesite. Barite is typically extracted from lead-zinc mines and is found in various forms, including vein, residual, and bedded deposits. While vein and residual deposits are hydrothermal in nature, bedded deposits are of a sedimentary origin.

Barite boasts several advantageous properties, including low solubility, high density, chemical inertness, and cost-effectiveness. It serves a multitude of purposes, such as a weighting agent, filler, and extender in various industries, including oil and gas, chemicals, rubber, plastics, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. Furthermore, it plays a pivotal role in the production of barium carbonate.

One of the key drivers fostering market growth is the substantial expansion of the oil and gas sector, accompanied by the surge in offshore and ultra-deep exploration activities worldwide. Barite's application as a weighting agent in drilling fluids for oil wells is instrumental in countering the pressure generated during drilling operations.

The increasing adoption of barite in the manufacture of plastic products is another catalyst for market expansion. Barite, being non-toxic, water-soluble, and chemically stable, serves as an ideal chemical filler, enhancing the gloss, strength, and weather resistance of plastic items.

Additionally, rising demand for barite in the production of paints, coatings, rubber products, pharmaceuticals, and automobile components contributes significantly to market growth. Factors such as rapid urbanization and the growing use of barite in the medical industry to absorb X-rays and gamma rays are expected to further drive market expansion.

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global barite market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global barite market?

What are the key regional markets?

What is the breakup of the market based on the grade?

What is the breakup of the market based on the application?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global barite market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being

Anglo Pacific Minerals Ltd.

Ashapura Minechem Limited (AMCOL International Corporation)

Baker Hughes Company

International Earth Products LLC

Milwhite Inc.

Newpark Resources Inc.

P&S Barite Mining Co. Ltd.

Schlumberger Limited

Sojitz Corporation

The Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation Limited

The Cary Company

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 141 Forecast Period 2022 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2022 $1.8 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $2.3 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.2% Regions Covered Global

Key Market Segmentation:



Breakup by Grade:

Up to 3.9

Special Grade 4.0

Special Grade 4.1

Special Grade 4.2

Special Grade 4.3 and Above

Breakup by Application:

Oil and Gas

Chemicals

Pharmaceuticals

Others

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia-Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/c930jp

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.

Attachment
PITTSBURGH, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coherent Corp. (NYSE: COHR), a leading provider of test and measurement instruments for optical communications, today announced the introduction of its first instrument from the WaveMaker instrument series operating in the C-band and two new instruments from the WaveShaper instrument series operating in the Super L-band.



Artificial intelligence and machine learning are the latest applications driving solutions that lower the cost of ownership of communications transport networks. Coherent launched the WaveMaker instrument series, a highly integrated instrumentation unit that lowers the cost of testing optical communications products, from components to systems. In addition, rapid advances in optical communications technologies are reaching the theoretical limits of fiber-optic capacity in the L-band, which is driving the expansion of the wavelength range to the so-called Super L-band. Coherent addresses this use case with two new WaveShaper instruments that operate across the Super L-band.

These series of instruments, which are built on liquid-crystal-on-silicon technology, are unique and continue to grow in popularity with customers, said Dr. Sanjai Parthasarathi, Chief Marketing Officer. We continue to build out our portfolio of test instruments for both lab and mass-production environments to keep pace with some of the most advanced use cases in the latest transmission technology developments in optical communications.

The WaveMaker 4000A is a programmable optical spectrum synthesizer that can generate arbitrary spectral shapes in the C-band with widths as narrow as 10 GHz and extinction ratios exceeding 60 dB. It is ideal for generating comb spectra and combining them with modulated signals from external sources to generate a wide range of test cases.





is a programmable optical spectrum synthesizer that can generate arbitrary spectral shapes in the C-band with widths as narrow as 10 GHz and extinction ratios exceeding 60 dB. It is ideal for generating comb spectra and combining them with modulated signals from external sources to generate a wide range of test cases. The WaveShaper 1000B is a programmable optical filter and the WaveShaper 4000B is a programmable optical processor. Both products can generate arbitrary filter shapes in attenuation and phase over the Super L-band from 1572.97 nm to 1627.10 nm.



The new WaveMaker instrument is the first in a series of products that will launch over the next few quarters. The latest Super L-band WaveShaper instruments extend the existing portfolio, which now covers a combined wavelength range of 1468 nm to 1640 nm. The WaveMaker instrument was honored by Lightwave Innovation Reviews 2023 in the category of Lab/Production Test Equipment. The new WaveMaker and WaveShaper instruments will begin shipping by the end of calendar year 2023. Coherent will demonstrate its optical test instruments at ECOC 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland, Oct. 2-4, Stand #406.

About Coherent

Coherent empowers market innovators to define the future through breakthrough technologies, from materials to systems. We deliver innovations that resonate with our customers in diversified applications for the industrial, communications, electronics, and instrumentation markets. Headquartered in Saxonburg, Pennsylvania, Coherent has research and development, manufacturing, sales, service, and distribution facilities worldwide. For more information, please visit us at coherent.com.

Contact

Mark Lourie

Vice President, Corporate Communications

corporate.communications@coherent.com
Dublin, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Cut & Sew Apparel Manufacturing in the US - Industry Market Research Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.







The Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing industry in the United States has been experiencing long-term decline due to various factors. Here's an overview of the industry's current situation and trends:

Industry Overview:

Declining Revenue: The industry has been in a state of decline for the long term, with revenue dropping at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.1% over the past five years.

The industry has been in a state of decline for the long term, with revenue dropping at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.1% over the past five years. Offshoring: Many manufacturers have moved their manufacturing operations to countries with lower wage requirements. This offshoring has contributed to import penetration and harmed domestic producers.

Many manufacturers have moved their manufacturing operations to countries with lower wage requirements. This offshoring has contributed to import penetration and harmed domestic producers. Shift to Quality: To compete with low-cost imports, domestic manufacturers have shifted their product focus from low-cost apparel to premium clothing, emphasizing quality over price.

To compete with low-cost imports, domestic manufacturers have shifted their product focus from low-cost apparel to premium clothing, emphasizing quality over price. High Import Competition: The industry faces intense price competition from imports produced in developing countries with lower labor costs, making it challenging for domestic manufacturers to compete based on price.

The industry faces intense price competition from imports produced in developing countries with lower labor costs, making it challenging for domestic manufacturers to compete based on price. Profit Constraints: Import competition and price pressures from the downstream retail sector have historically constrained profit margins in the industry.

Industry Activities:

Industry manufacturers produce apparel for men, women, and children using purchased fabric.

Activities also include purchasing raw materials, designing and preparing samples, arranging for apparel production from raw materials, and marketing finished apparel.

This industry includes companies that operate their production facilities within the United States.

Outlook and Forecasts:

The industry outlook remains challenging due to continued import competition and price pressures.

Revenue dipped by 1.1% in 2023 alone, reflecting ongoing difficulties.

Competitive Landscape:

The industry has a few key players, and market share concentration may be notable among these companies.

Success factors in the industry include factors like cost structure, barriers to entry, and the ability to compete on quality.

Operating Conditions:

Capital intensity, technology and systems, revenue volatility, and regulatory factors influence the industry's operating conditions.

The industry may benefit from advancements in technology and production systems.

Key Statistics:

Industry data and key ratios provide insights into the industry's financial performance and trends.

This report offers an overview of the Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing industry in the United States, highlighting the challenges it faces, the shift towards quality products, and the impact of import competition.







For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/9qp1qc

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.
New York, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Market.us, the Global Remote Proctoring Solutions Market size in terms of revenue was estimated to be worth USD 517.9 Million in 2022 and is poised to reach USD 2,433.6 Million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 17.2% from 2023 to 2022.

A live proctor can effectively manage exam participants using advanced technology, addressing issues promptly and reducing anxiety. The fusion of AI and live proctoring in remote examination services offers a flawless assessment experience, preserving the human element. Live proctors can investigate suspicious activities and provide effective student oversight, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable test experience.

Get deeper insights into the market size, current market scenario, future growth opportunities, major growth driving factors, the latest trends, and much more. Buy the full report here

Key Takeaway:

By Deployment Mode, the cloud-based segment held a major market share of 72.2% in 2022.

the held a major in 2022. By Type, the advanced automated proctoring segment held a major market share of 46.7% in 2022 because it offers a contemporary approach to overseeing online examinations using sophisticated software capabilities.

the held a major in 2022 because it offers a contemporary approach to overseeing online examinations using sophisticated software capabilities. By End-User, the educational institutions segment dominated the market with the highest share of 67.3% in 2022.

the dominated the market with the In 2022, North America dominated the market with the highest market share of 41.3%.

dominated the market with the Asia-Pacific will grow at the highest CAGR rate from 2023-2032.

Factors Affecting the Growth of the Remote Proctoring Solutions Market

Online Education Adoption : The surge in online education and e-learning platforms has driven a notable demand for remote proctoring solutions. These solutions are crucial for maintaining the credibility of exams in virtual learning environments. With educational institutions embracing online modes, ensuring exam integrity has become a priority. Remote proctoring addresses this need by facilitating secure monitoring of remote assessments, playing a pivotal role in upholding the authenticity of online exams and meeting the demands of contemporary education.

: The surge in online education and e-learning platforms has driven a notable demand for remote proctoring solutions. These solutions are crucial for maintaining the credibility of exams in virtual learning environments. With educational institutions embracing online modes, ensuring exam integrity has become a priority. Remote proctoring addresses this need by facilitating secure monitoring of remote assessments, playing a pivotal role in upholding the authenticity of online exams and meeting the demands of contemporary education. COVID-19 Pandemic : The pandemic accelerated the shift to remote learning, driving a higher demand for reliable remote proctoring solutions. The need for secure remote proctoring surged with traditional in-person exams rendered impractical. Educational institutions sought effective ways to uphold assessment integrity in virtual environments. This emphasized the importance of dependable proctoring solutions in ensuring fairness and credibility in remote evaluations.

: The pandemic accelerated the shift to remote learning, driving a higher demand for reliable remote proctoring solutions. The need for secure remote proctoring surged with traditional in-person exams rendered impractical. Educational institutions sought effective ways to uphold assessment integrity in virtual environments. This emphasized the importance of dependable proctoring solutions in ensuring fairness and credibility in remote evaluations. Convenience and Flexibility: Remote proctoring solutions offer the flexibility of taking exams from anywhere, appealing to educational institutions and individuals seeking versatile assessment methods. This convenience accommodates flexible learning preferences and remote examination needs, driving the adoption of these solutions in education.

The report analyses the market size and growth and provides accurate predictions on the growth of the market. View FREE PDF Sample

Top Trends in Global Remote Proctoring Solutions Market

The rise of online education and virtual certification has increased the demand for remote proctoring solutions worldwide. These platforms ensure credibility in online tests, enabling real-time monitoring, facial verification, and online activity checks. However, challenges like data privacy and examinee comfort arise. Providers focus on improved user interfaces, security measures, and compatibility with existing online platforms. As digital learning dominates the educational landscape, the demand for reliable remote proctoring solutions is expected to rise steadily.

Market Growth

The global market for remote proctoring solutions is witnessing substantial growth due to the surge in online education and remote learning driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. These solutions enable institutions to monitor students remotely, ensuring exam integrity. The convenience and flexibility of remote assessments attract educational organizations and certification bodies, expanding access to evaluations. AI and machine learning technologies enhance proctoring by analyzing students' behaviors. However, challenges like privacy concerns and AI biases require careful consideration. Despite obstacles, the market is poised for sustained expansion, reshaping how exams are conducted and credentials are recognized.

Regional Analysis

North America dominates the global remote proctoring solutions market with a 41.3% revenue share, primarily due to major manufacturing entities in the US. The region's resource abundance and heightened consumption rate contribute to its dominance. Asia-Pacific countries, including South Korea, India, Japan, China, and Australia, also contribute to the market's growth. Government support, digitalization, and technological advancements contribute to the region's growth. Universities worldwide offer numerous opportunities for global remote proctoring solutions players. APAC is expected to be the fastest-growing country in the forecast period.

Get a glance at the market contribution of the segments, Request a FREE Sample@ https://market.us/report/remote-proctoring-solutions-market/request-sample/

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape of the market has also been examined in this report. Some of the major players include:

Examity

Inspera

Prometric

Respondus, Inc.

Honorlock

ProctorFree

Exam Star

Questionmark Corporation

RK Infotech

Televic Education

Other Key Players

Scope of the Report

Report Attributes Details Market Value (2022) US$ 517.9 Million Forecast Revenue 2032 US$ 2,433.6 Million CAGR (2023 to 2032) 17.2% North America Revenue Share 41.3% Base Year 2022 Historic Period 2016 to 2022 Forecast Year 2023 to 2032

Market Drivers

As more schools and businesses offer online courses, it's crucial to ensure remote exams are as credible as in-person ones. Remote proctoring makes certifications accessible worldwide, and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for remote exam solutions.

Market Restraints

Concerns arise regarding personal data collection and potential misuse in remote proctoring solutions. Stable internet connections are essential, and interruptions or technical glitches can disrupt examinations. Proctoring software may misinterpret student behavior as cheating, causing anxiety and potential consequences.

Market Opportunities

Integrating AI and Machine Learning enhances remote assessments by detecting cheating and unusual body movements, noises, and devices. AI-based proctoring software detects suspicious devices during testing and exam time. Direct integration with Learning Management Systems provides a seamless experience for educators and learners, making the examination process smoother.

Request for Customization @ https://market.us/book-appointment/?report_id=105372

Report Segmentation of the Remote Proctoring Solutions Market

Deployment Mode Analysis

The segment is divided into Cloud-Based and On-Premises, with Cloud-Based accounting for 72.2% of revenue. Cloud-based platforms offer scalability and cost-efficiency, with a SaaS model allowing for flexible user demands and consistent budgeting. These platforms enable diverse institutions and businesses to adapt to changing demands.

Type Analysis

The segment is divided into live online proctoring, advanced automated proctoring, and recorded proctoring, with advanced automated proctoring accounting for 46.7% of revenue. This method offers a contemporary approach to online examinations, offering technological innovation, convenience, and operational efficiency.

End-User Analysis

The education industry is adopting technologies like online proctored exams, particularly in schools and universities. AICTE has demanded that universities follow guidelines from the Universities Grants Commission for conducting final year exams online, offline, or in blended mode. The Educational Institutions segment holds the largest share at 67.3%.

Market Segmentation

By Deployment Type

Cloud-Based

On-Premises

By Type

Live Online Proctoring

Advanced Automated Proctoring

Recorded Proctoring

By End-User

Educational Institutions

Enterprises

Government

By Geography

North America The US Canada

Europe Germany France The UK Spain Italy Russia & CIS Rest of Europe

APAC China Japan South Korea India ASEAN Rest of APAC

Latin America Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa GCC South Africa United Arab Emirates Rest of MEA



Recent Developments

In May 2021, Schools anticipate investing in systems incorporating human intervention for analyzing captured video content. The governing bodies believe this change will effectively reduce the potential loopholes for cheating. Moreover, this approach is expected to gain trust and garner more backing from the teaching staff.

Browse More Related Reports

Federated Learning Market was valued at USD 120.8 mn in 2022. It's predicted to increase and become worth USD 311.4 mn by 2032.

E-learning corporate compliance training market is projected to be US$ 3,019.3 Mn in 2018 to reach US$ 8,111.3 Mn by 2028 at a CAGR of 10.4%.

Ed-Tech and Smart Classroom Market was valued USD 88.82 billion in 2021 and estimated CAGR of 17.8%, over forecast year.

EdTech market size is expected to be worth around USD 129 Bn by 2022 from USD 421 Bn in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 12.9% from 2022 to 2032.

About Us

Market.US (Powered by Prudour Pvt Ltd) specializes in in-depth market research and analysis and has been proving its mettle as a consulting and customized market research company, apart from being a much sought-after syndicated market research report-providing firm. Market.US provides customization to suit any specific or unique requirement and tailor-makes reports as per request. We go beyond boundaries to take analytics, analysis, study, and outlook to newer heights and broader horizons.

Follow Us On LinkedIn Facebook Twitter

Our Blog:

More Category-Wise Reports
Pune, India, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global cloud security market size was valued at USD 29.26 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 106.02 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 18.1% during the forecast period. Fortune Business Insights presents this information in their research report titled "Global Cloud Security Market Forecast, 2022-2029."





Request a Sample PDF: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/cloud-security-market-102427





Notable Industry Development:

July 2020 - Fortinet Inc. announced the launch of a new security solution for Multi-Cloud, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN. This solution complements the companys existing Secure SD-WAN Cloud On-Ramp abilities and helps businesses and users establish a secure connection with cloud solutions and cloud applications.





Key Takeaways

Cloud Security Market size in North America was USD 11.82 billion in 2021

Security Tools to Gain Traction as Organizations Migrate Workloads from Data Centers and On-Premise to Cloud

Large Enterprises to Derive Growth from Widespread Adoption of Network Security Solutions During COVID-19 Pandemic

IT and Telecommunications Industry to be a Potential Customer of Robust Security Solutions





Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:

Companies leading the global Cloud Security Market are Trend Micro Incorporated (Tokyo, Japan), Cisco Systems, Inc. (California, U.S.), McAfee, Inc. (California, U.S.), Palo Alto Networks, Inc. (California, U.S.), Check Point Software Technologies (Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel), Microsoft Corporation (Washington, U.S.), IBM Corporation (New York, U.S.), Splunk Inc. (California, U.S.), Alphabet Inc. (California, U.S.), Amazon.com (Washington, U.S.)





Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2022 to 2029 Forecast Period 2023 to 2029 CAGR 18.1% 2029 Value Projection USD 106.02 billion Base Year 2021 Cloud Security Market Size in 2021 USD 29.26 billion Historical Data for 2018 to 2020 No. of Pages 160 Segments covered Security Type, Enterprise Size, End-User, and Region





Browse Complete Report Details: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/cloud-security-market-102427





Drivers and Restraints:

Rising Adoption of Cloud Computing Solutions & Applications to Augment Market Growth

Factors such as the rising implementation of cloud computing towards data monitoring solutions coupled with rising demand for massive storage applications will boost the cloud security market growth during the forecast period. Additionally, the rising adoption of managed container services and solutions coupled with increasing cyber-attacks will increase the footprint of the market. Also, an ongoing trend of crypto-jacking will fuel the growth of the market towards an extended boundary.

However, budget and data privacy measures will limit the growth of the market during the forecast period.





Segmentation

By Security Type

Identity and access management

Data loss prevention (DLP)

Security information and event management (SIEM)

Business continuity and disaster recovery

Others (Risk and Compliance Management, etc.)

By Enterprise Size

Large Enterprises

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

By Industry

IT and Telecommunications

Banking, Finance, Security and Insurance (BFSI)

Healthcare and Life Sciences

Manufacturing

Retail

Government

Energy and Utilities

Others (Energy and Utilities, Government, Others)

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

South America





Regional Insights:

North America to Exert Dominance During Forecast due to Rising Initiatives by Government Bodies

North America is expected to hold the largest cloud security market share during the forecast period due to various initiatives undertaken by government agencies for increasing investments in security solutions to name a few. Additionally, rising collaborative efforts among the prominent players in the market coupled with increasing phishing and cyber-attacks will increase the footprint of the market in the region.

The Asia Pacific will account for a substantial market share in terms of global contribution due to a combinative effort between government agencies and private players in emerging economies such as China, India, Japan, South Korea, and South East Asia. Additionally, rising investments in cloud security will further strengthen the markets growth in the region.





Quick Buy - Cloud Security Market Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/102427





Competitive Landscape:

Enhanced Product Offerings from Prominent Players to Help Exert Dominance During Forecast

The sector of cloud security is dominated by various players such as Microsoft Corporation, Cisco Systems, Inc., IBM Corporation, Palo Alto Networks, Inc., and Broadcom Inc. These players are focused on launching innovative products in order to strengthen their current product offering. For example, in August 2021, McAfee Inc. announced launching MVISION Private access. This will enable an approach for zero-trust access and extend data and threat protection capabilities for private applications that are hosted across hybrid IT environments. Other players are focused on employing strategic tactics such as mergers & acquisitions and collaborations for occupying a larger market share. For example, in July 2020, Quick Heal Technologies announced launching their next cybersecurity solution for various business practices from data breaches. This offering aims to integrate cloud-based email security, data protection and privacy suits from security attacks.





FAQs

How big is the Cloud Security Market?

The Cloud Security Market size was USD 33.13 billion in 2022. It is expected to reach USD 106.02 billion by 2029.

How fast is the Cloud Security Market growing?

The Cloud Security Market will exhibit a CAGR of 18.1% during the forecast period, 2022-2029.





Related Reports:

Security Analytics Market Size, Share, Revenue Forecast and Opportunities

Cyber Security Market Overview, Industry Share and Forecast

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 Pvt. Ltd.

US: +1 424 253 0390

UK: +44 2071 939123

APAC: +91 744 740 1245

Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com

Attachment
Pune, India, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global polymerase chain reaction (PCR) market size is projected to grow from USD 7.80 billion in 2021 to USD 13.75 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 8.4% in the 2021-2028 period. The introduction of innovative devices by the key market players is anticipated to drive the global market during the forecast period

According to our researchers, the growth in the occurrence of infectious diseases, cancer, and genetic diseases and the increase in the utilization for diagnosing such conditions is the crucial factor accountable for enhancing the market growth during the forecast period.





Industry Developments:

July 2021  Path Store declared the unveiling of the COVID-19 RT-PCR test in India at the lowest price in comparison with other companies. This rapid test is aimed towards getting the most out of COVID-19 diagnosis to ensure well-timed treatment.





Request A Research Sample PDF: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/sample/polymerase-chain-reaction-pcr-market-102528





Key Takeaways:

The growth of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) market is being driven by the increasing prevalence of infectious diseases and the technological advancements in PCR technology.

The rising demand for PCR testing in clinical and research applications is another major driver of the market growth.

The key players in the PCR market are Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Roche Diagnostics, Danaher Corporation, QIAGEN N.V., and Agilent Technologies, Inc.

These companies are investing in research and development, new product development, and mergers and acquisitions to maintain their competitive edge in the market.

The PCR market is facing some challenges, such as the high cost of PCR testing, the need for skilled personnel, and the regulatory hurdles.





Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:

Major players in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) market are Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. (California, U.S.), QIAGEN (Hilden, Germany), , F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd (Basel, Switzerland), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (California, U.S.), Abbott (Illinois, U.S.), Eppendorf AG (Hamburg, Germany), Sysmex Inostics (Hyogo, Japan), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (Massachusetts, U.S.), BD (New Jersey, U.S.).





Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR 8.4% 2028 Value Projection USD 13.75 Billion Base Year 2020 Market Size in 2021 USD 7.80 Billion Historical Data for 2017 to 2019 No. of Pages 135





Browse Complete Report Details: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/polymerase-chain-reaction-pcr-market-102528





Drivers and Restraints:

Improvements in PCR Procedures to Hasten Market Growth

Polymerase Chain Reaction is an enzyme-powered procedure intended for augmenting a small area of DNA in-vitro. In spite of this power of magnification, restrictions in its sustaining hardware obstruct from reaching its full prospective. Technological progressions and surging demand for ground-breaking devices have resulted in the introduction of contraction of the devices in the market. These shrunken devices provide abundant medical profits to patients as well as healthcare suppliers which will drive the polymerase chain reaction market growth.

Report Scope & Segmentation

By Type

Standard PCR

Real-time PCR

Digital PCR

By Product

Instruments

Reagents & Consumables

By Indication

Infectious Diseases

Oncology

Genetic Disorders

Others

By End User

Hospitals & Clinics

Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Industries

Diagnostic Centers

Academic & Research Organizations

By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa





Quick Buy - Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market Research Report: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/102528





Segmentation:

On the basis of type, the market is segregated into standard PCR, real-time PCR, and digital PCR. The real-time PCR segment dominated the global market share in 2020. Augmentation in demand owing to the COVID-19 pandemic promoted the growth in sales of the companies.

Based on product, the market is classified into instruments and reagents & consumables.

By indication, the market is separated into infectious diseases, oncology, genetic disorders, and others.

On the basis of end-user, the market is categorized into hospitals & clinics, pharmaceutical & biotechnology industries, diagnostic centers, and academic & research organizations.

In terms of region, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.





Regional Insights:

North America to Dominate Market Share Due to Favorable Compensation Guidelines for PCR Devices.

North America held the largest polymerase chain reaction market share and was valued at USD 2.94 billion in 2020. The market in the region is characterized by bigger occurrence and diagnosis rates for contagious illnesses, combined with tolerable compensation guidelines for PCR devices.

Europe is the second largest region owing to the growing occurrence of several kinds of cancer as well as metabolic ailments necessitating unconventional diagnosis and therapies.

The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to document a relatively greater CAGR during the forecast period.

Report Coverage:

The market report delivers valued understandings attained by a detailed study done by our researchers. An all-encompassing research was conducted to provide the projected size of the market. The data executed to accentuate the shares for manifold segments at the national, domestic, and global stages is attained from in-depth interviews with several stakeholders. Additionally, our researchers have gained admittance to numerous international as well as regional paid databases to deliver precise information to make business investment choices easy for all clients.





Ask For Customization: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/ask-for-customization/polymerase-chain-reaction-pcr-market-102528





Competitive Landscape:

Acquisitions Initiated by Fundamental Companies to Promote Market Growth

The leading companies in the market persistently root for efficient strategies to augment their brand value as well as promote the global market growth of the product with experiencing least conceivable obstacles. One such operative approach is acquiring competitive companies and further guaranteeing an exciting profit for both the involved companies.





FAQs

How Big Is The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market?

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market size was USD 7.80 billion in 2021.

How Fast the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market Growing?

The Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Market will exhibit a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period, 2021-2028





Related Reports:

Surgical Robots Market Share, Size, Trends and Forecast To 2030

Next-generation Sequencing Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth | Global Forecast Report 2030

Medical Carts Market Size, Share| Global Forecast Report 2030

Intraoperative Imaging Market Trends, Growth | Global Forecast Report 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. 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, Pune-411045,

Maharashtra, India.

Phone:

US: +1 424 253 0390

UK: +44 2071 939123

APAC: +91 744 740 1245

Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com

Attachment
Pune, India, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hip Replacement Market size was valued at USD 7.42 billion in 2022 and market is projected to reach USD 10.79 billion by 2030, recording a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period. Hip replacement market is significant segment of medical device industry, driven by growing aging population, and advancements in medical technology. Fortune Business Insights displays this information in a report titled, "Hip Replacement Market, 2023-2030."





Request a Free Sample Copy of the Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/request-sample-pdf/hip-replacement-implants-market-100247





Key Industry Development:

February 2021  MicroPort Orthopedics has broadened its range of hip stems, including the introduction of the Profemur Gladiator HA Collared Stem and Cemented Collared Hip Stem, as part of this expansion.

Key Takeaways:

As per the U.S. FDA, in March 2021, Stryker issued an Urgent Medical Device Recall notice to its customers, announcing a voluntary recall of the Triathlon Total Knee System

The advent of 3D printing technology in the production of orthopedic implants led to a significant increase in the request for personalized implants.

The market is categorized by end-users into hospitals and Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), orthopedic clinics, and other segments.

In September 2020, Conformis revealed that the Cordera Hip System had received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.





Discover the Leading Players Featured in the Report:

Zimmer Biomet (U.S.), Medical Device Business Services, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson Private Limited) (U.S.), Smith & Nephew (U.K.), Stryker (U.S.), Exactech, Inc. (U.S.), GRUPPO BIOIMPIANTI s.r.l. (Italy), Conformis (U.S.), MicroPort Scientific Corporation (China), B. Braun Melsungen AG (Germany)





Report Scope & Segmentation

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 Forecast Period 2023 to 2030 CAGR 4.9% 2030 Value Projection USD 10.79 billion Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2023 USD 7.72 billion Historical Data 2019-2021 No. of Pages 115 Segments covered By Procedure, End-user, and Region





Browse Complete Report Details:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/hip-replacement-implants-market-100247





Segmentation:

The Total Hip Replacement segment is expected to experience significant growth due to a surge in the number of arthroplasty procedures. In terms of procedures, the market is divided into partial, total, and revision & hip resurfacing, with the total segment expected to exhibit substantial growth throughout the forecast period, driven by the increasing number of arthroplasty procedures.

The Hospitals & Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) segment is anticipated to register notable expansion, primarily attributed to the rising number of hip procedures. In terms of end-users, the market is segmented into orthopedic clinics, hospitals & Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs), and others, with the hospitals & ambulatory surgery centers segment projected to grow at a significant rate during the analysis period due to the increasing volume of hospital surgeries.

The market for hip replacement has been studied across various geographical regions, including North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

By Procedure

Total

Partial

Revision & Hip Resurfacing

By End-user

Hospitals & ASCs

Orthopedic Clinics

Others

By Geography

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Driving factor:

The increase in market value is primarily attributed to the presence of favorable reimbursement policies, which play a crucial role in driving the growth of the hip replacement market. Several countries' governments have introduced various schemes to support joint replacement procedures. However, it's worth noting that challenges related to product recalls could potentially impede the industry's expansion significantly.





Quick Buy  https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/100247





Regional insights:

North America is poised to maintain its dominant share in the global hip replacement market, driven by the increasing number of collaborations among industry players and an uptick in hip arthroplasty procedures. It is also anticipated to achieve a noteworthy Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) during the study period.

The European market is projected to experience substantial growth over the study period, mainly due to the growing demand for customized implants in the region.Meanwhile, the market value in the Asia Pacific region is expected to exhibit remarkable growth over the analysis period, primarily fueled by the continuous introduction of new products by manufacturers.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the industry employ a variety of strategies to enhance their market presence. These strategies encompass increased investment in research and development, pursuing acquisitions and merger agreements, among others. Additionally, they are also focusing on participating in trade conferences and forming collaborations to expand their geographical reach.





FAQs

How big is the Hip Replacement Market?

Hip Replacement Market size was USD 7.72 billion in 2023.

How fast is the Hip Replacement Market growing?

The Hip Replacement Market will exhibit a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period, 2023-2030





Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/hip-replacement-implants-market-100247





Related Links:

Orthopedic Joint Replacement Market Share, Size, Demand and Forecast

Knee Replacement Implants Market Size, Share, Growth Industry Report

Orthopedic Implants Market Share, Size, Demand and Forecast

Spinal Devices Market Size, Share, Growth Industry Report





About Us:

Fortune Business Insights delivers accurate data and innovative corporate analysis, helping organizations of all sizes make appropriate decisions. We tailor novel solutions for our clients, assisting them to address various challenges distinct to their businesses. Our aim is to empower them with holistic market intelligence, providing a granular overview of the market they are operating in.

Contact Us:

Fortune Business Insights Pvt. Ltd.

Pune - 411045, Maharashtra, India.

Phone:

US :+1 424 253 0390

UK : +44 2071 939123

APAC : +91 744 740 1245

Email: sales@fortunebusinessinsights.com

Attachment
Dublin, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Ion Exchange Materials: Technologies and Global Markets" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global ion exchange materials market is set to expand significantly, reaching an estimated value of $4.8 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9% from 2023 to 2028.

This comprehensive report provides detailed insights into the ion exchange materials industry, covering ion exchange resins/beads and membranes, applications, and regional markets. It also delves into the regulatory landscape and government programs influencing the market, with a focus on North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World (RoW).

The report emphasizes the use of ion exchange materials in various applications, including energy generation and storage (fuel cell systems, water electrolysis systems, redox flow batteries), water technologies (electrodialysis, ultrapure water generation, water softening, demineralization, wastewater treatment), separation and chemicals production (chlor-alkali processes, ion exchange chromatography, chemical catalysis, metal extraction and purification), power generation and electricity (condensate polishing, nuclear waste remediation), food production (sugar production, beverage production), and pharmaceutical production (drug delivery, isolation and purification of biochemical substances).

Fuel cells are gaining traction as clean energy solutions due to low carbon emissions and high energy efficiency, making them a significant driver for ion exchange materials in energy generation applications. Governments, industries, and consumers are increasingly adopting fuel cells to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, further boosting the market.

Ion exchange materials are also essential in hydrogen storage and delivery systems, enhancing hydrogen adsorption and desorption kinetics in applications like metal hydrides. Ion exchange membranes facilitate safe and efficient hydrogen transport in fueling and distribution systems.

Despite the immense potential, challenges such as regulatory compliance and adherence to water quality standards may hinder market growth. Water treatment applications, including desalination, water softening, and contaminant removal, create significant opportunities, particularly in regions facing water challenges like the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

The Asia-Pacific region, with its growing economies and increasing energy demand, is witnessing substantial developments in the ion exchange materials market. Countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and India are actively promoting hydrogen economies and energy sector growth, contributing to the expansion of ion exchange materials applications.

Companies Mentioned

3M

Astom Corp.

Axplora

Agc Inc.

Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc.

Chemours (The Chemours Co.)

Dupont De Nemours Inc.

Dioxide Materials

Evoqua Water Technologies LLC

Eichrom Technologies

Ecosoft Bwt

Ecolectro Inc.

Fujifilm Holdings Corp.

Ion Exchange (India) Ltd.

Ionomr Innovations Inc.

Jacobi Carbons Ab

Lanxess AG

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.

Membranes International

Purolite

Resintech Inc.

Samyang Corp.

Sunresin New Materials Co. Ltd.

Saltworks Technologies Inc.

Suqing Group

Snowpure LLC

Solvay Sa

Taiyuan Lanlang Technology Industrial Corp.

Thermax Ltd.

Key Highlights:

The global ion exchange materials market is expected to reach $4.8 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 9% from 2023 to 2028.

Energy generation applications, particularly fuel cell systems and hydrogen production, are driving market growth.

Ion exchange materials are crucial for efficient and safe nuclear power operation, removing impurities and radioactive contaminants from cooling water.

Water treatment applications are on the rise, addressing water scarcity, pollution, and quality issues in various regions.

The Asia-Pacific region, including China, Japan, South Korea, and India, is a key growth area for ion exchange materials due to government initiatives and energy sector expansion.

Report Features:

Detailed market analysis with historical revenue data for 2022 and forecasts for 2023-2028.

Comprehensive market share analysis based on form factor, application, and region.

Examination of growth drivers, challenges, technology updates, and macroeconomic factors shaping the ion exchange materials market.

Insights into emerging technologies, ESG trends, and sustainable practices in the industry.

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 280 Forecast Period 2023 - 2028 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2023 $3.1 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2028 $4.8 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 9.0% Regions Covered Global

Key Topics Covered:

Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Summary and Highlights

Chapter 3 Market Overview

Chapter 4 Market Dynamics

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Market Challenges and Restraints

Recent Innovations

Supply Chain

Raw Material Producers

Chemical Production Specialists

Ion Exchange Material Producers

Commodity Supply Chain

Semiconductor Manufacturers

Electronics Equipment Manufacturers

Original Equipment Manufacturers

Ion Exchange Equipment Manufacturers

Distributors

Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contractors

Construction/Installation Contractors

End-users

Waste Management and Disposal

Impact of the Russia-Ukraine War on the Market for Ion Exchange Materials

Chapter 5 Market by Form Factor

Chapter 6 Market by Application

Chapter 7 Market by Region

Chapter 8 Esg Developments

Chapter 9 Emerging Technologies and Developments

Chapter 10 Patent Analysis

Chapter 11 M&A and Venture Funding Outlook

Chapter 12 Competitive Intelligence

Chapter 13 Company Profiles

Chapter 14 Appendix: Acronyms

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u8usp3

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.

Attachment




Our Taiwan partner has existing contracts with Taiwan government. This collaboration makes it easier to sell ZenaDrone 1000 to the Taiwan government.

CHICAGO, IL, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire - Epazz, Inc. (OTC: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of drone technology, artificial intelligence software, cryptocurrency apps, blockchain mobile apps, and cloud-based business software solutions, has announced today that its holdings ZenaDrone, Inc. signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with Thunder Tiger Corp., a Taiwanese defense contractor company at last week's Taipei Aerospace Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) Defense Show. The companies agreed to work together to sell ZenaDrone 1000 to the Taiwan government. Our Taiwan partner has existing contracts with the Taiwan government. This collaboration makes it easier to sell ZenaDrone 1000 to the Taiwan government.

Furthermore, the company established partnerships and supply chain vendors in Taiwan to be NDAA-compliant (National Defense Authorization Act) as part of the requirements for securing U.S. Defense contracts. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prohibits using equipment manufactured by a specified list of Chinese manufacturers.

ZenaDrone will be back in Taiwan early next month to close on our partnerships. "There are major opportunities in Taiwan for using ZenaDrone 1000, and Taiwan will be a major source of NDAA-compliant electrical components," CEO Shaun Passley commented in an interview.

At the seminar, ZenaDrone CEO Shaun Passley met with the Director of the Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, Ms. Sandra Oudkirk, an American senior diplomat under the United States Foreign Service. During the meeting, they discussed the potential for collaboration between ZenaDrone and the Office of the American Institute in Taiwan.

The American Institute in Taiwan is similar to an embassy; it plays a crucial role in conducting commercial, cultural, citizen, and visa services between the United States and Taiwan. As per the guidelines set by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the institute strives to foster strong connections and collaboration between the peoples of both nations.

ZenaDrone's flagship product, the ZD1000, is an AI-driven UAV designed to survey and inspect large-scale supply chain warehouses and facilities. This next-generation drone technology uses sophisticated algorithms for automated piloting and A.I. analytics capabilities to identify potential operational issues before they arise. With its advanced image recognition capabilities, ZD1000 can take accurate aerial photographs of supply chain facilities that can be used in preventive maintenance operations or emergencies such as floods or fires.

"Taiwan has resolved our supply chain issues, allowing us to become NDAA compliant so we can show the U.S. Defense Department the ZenaDrone 1000 capabilities," said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of Epazz and ZenaDrone. "We believe that our advanced drone technology can help to improve the efficiency of supply chain operations and create new opportunities for both sides."

The business matchmaking seminar was part of a more extensive effort to assist Taiwanese aerospace and advanced manufacturing companies in accessing the latest technologies from the United States and expanding cooperation. This is in response to the impact of the trade war and the trade policies of China and the United States, which have accelerated the restructuring of global supply chains.

During the seminar, ZenaDrone's Operations Manager, Sajjad Asif, presented ZenaDrone 1000 and its application and collaboration opportunities as an AI-powered drone, highlighting the advanced features and functions of ZD 1000 suitable for multiple industrial and commercial applications.

ZenaDrone is dedicated to providing the most advanced drone technology to help companies improve their supply chain operations. The company looks forward to exploring the potential for collaboration with the Office of the American Institute in Taiwan.

About ZenaDrone ( https://www.zenadrone.com/ )

ZenaDrone is dedicated to improving intelligent UAV technology that incorporates machine learning software and AI. It was created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector and later evolved into an intelligent multifunctional industrial surveillance, inspection and monitoring solution.

About Epazz Inc. ( https://www.epazz.com/ )

Epazz is a leading cloud-based software company that specializes in providing customized cloud applications to the corporate world, higher-education institutions, and the public sector. Epazz BoxesOS v3.0 is a complete business web-based software package for small- to mid-sized businesses, Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies and higher education institutions. BoxesOS provides many of the web-based applications organizations would otherwise need to purchase separately. Epazzs other products are DeskFlex ( room-scheduling software ) and Provitrac ( an applicant-tracking system ).

Safe Harbor

The Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reads as follows:

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of diction such as may, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate," believe and continue (or the negatives thereof) or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results or those implied by such statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statement does not guarantee future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. Epazz Inc. assumes no obligation and has no intention of updating these forward-looking statements, and it has no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Epazz Inc. Investors are encouraged to review Epazz Inc.s public filings on SEC.gov and otcmarkets.com, including its unaudited and audited financial statements and its OTC markets filings, which contain general business information about the companys operations, results of operations and risks associated with the company and its operations.

Contact

Investor Relations

investors@epazz.net

312-955-8161

https://www.epazz.com/

Attachment
Detroit, Michigan, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc., (the Company) ( OTCPK:AITX ), a global leader in AI-driven security and productivity solutions for enterprise clients along with its wholly owned subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices, Inc. (RAD), today announced the signing of Apex Assured as a new authorized dealer.



Headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, Apex Assured is a woman-owned technology provider specializing in national coverage with a consultative approach. Research conducted by the Hackett Group shows that working with a women's business enterprise (WBE) can increase profitability with as much as 130% return on investment, providing distinct competitive advantages. Additionally, the research concluded that procurement organizations who work with a diverse supplier base also had lower overall operating costs and spent 20% less on their buying operations.

Were seeing a big shift in the security industry, thats why weve signed with RAD, said Brandis Thornton, CEO and Founder of Apex Assured. Clients want lower cost options, which means theyre eager to consider AI and robotics, anything that will help reduce their security problems and not cost them more.

We continue to attract and partner with some of the most influential security providers in the country, big and small, said Mark Folmer, CPP, PSP, FSyI, President of RAD. The opportunities that these nimble dealers like Apex Assured bring are typically in immediate need of our solutions. Plus, the dealers open their sales pipeline with us, looking at other solutions, and inevitably these spill over into our pipeline.

Thornton added, We just spent several days at the GSX show introducing our prospects to RADs incredible ROSA. The RAD team was so helpful in setting things up and customizing it for what we wanted at the show. The response was terrific, I really believe that weve got a winner here.

With the addition of this new authorized dealer, RADs dealer network has expanded to 64, covering the US, Canada, and the European Union.

ROSA is a multiple award-winning , compact, self-contained, portable, security and communication solution that can be deployed in about 15 minutes. Like other RAD solutions, it only requires power as it includes all necessary communications hardware. ROSAs AI-driven security analytics include human, firearm, vehicle detection, license plate recognition, responsive digital signage and audio messaging, and complete integration with RADs software suite notification and autonomous response library. Two-way communication is optimized for cellular, including live video from ROSAs dual high-resolution, full-color, always-on cameras. RAD has published four Case Studies detailing how ROSA has helped eliminate instances of theft, trespassing and loitering at multi-family communities , car rental locations and construction sites across the country.

AITX, through its subsidiary, Robotic Assistance Devices , Inc. (RAD), is redefining the $25 billion (US) security and guarding services industry through its broad lineup of innovative, AI-driven Solutions-as-a-Service business model. RAD solutions are specifically designed to provide cost savings to businesses of between 35%-80% when compared to the industrys existing and costly manned security guarding and monitoring model. RAD delivers these tremendous cost savings via a suite of stationary and mobile robotic solutions that complement, and at times, directly replace the need for human personnel in environments better suited for machines. All RAD technologies, AI-based analytics and software platforms are developed in-house.

RAD has a prospective sales pipeline of over 35 Fortune 500 companies and numerous other client opportunities. RAD expects to continue to attract new business as it converts its existing sales opportunities into deployed clients generating a recurring revenue stream. Each Fortune 500 client has the potential of making numerous reorders over time.

About Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions (AITX)

AITX is an innovator in the delivery of artificial intelligence-based solutions that empower organizations to gain new insight, solve complex challenges and fuel new business ideas. Through its next-generation robotic product offerings, AITXs RAD, RAD-M and RAD-G companies help organizations streamline operations, increase ROI, and strengthen business. AITX technology improves the simplicity and economics of patrolling and guard services and allows experienced personnel to focus on more strategic tasks. Customers augment the capabilities of existing staff and gain higher levels of situational awareness, all at drastically reduced cost. AITX solutions are well suited for use in multiple industries such as enterprises, government, transportation, critical infrastructure, education, and healthcare. To learn more, visit www.aitx.ai , www.radsecurity.com , www.stevereinharz.com , www.radgroup.ai , www.raddog.ai , and www.radlightmyway.com , or follow Steve Reinharz on Twitter @SteveReinharz .

CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Artificial Intelligence Technology Solutions, Inc. (the Company). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. As such, there are no assurances that the Company will meet its expectations with respect to its future sales volume or becoming cash flow positive. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Companys future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

###
Alexandria, Va., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nine in 10 adults across 10 states support updating physician associate/assistant (PA) practice laws to allow healthcare systems to fully utilize their workforce, according to a collection of state surveys conducted by The Harris Poll.

The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) released the reports, which explore patient experiences in California, Florida, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Washington, in follow-up to a national Harris Poll survey AAPA released in May.

The robust research conducted by The Harris Poll affirms that across the country, patients are feeling anxious and uncertain about their well-being and the future of healthcare. They see PAs as an essential but underutilized group of medical providers whose experience and expertise position them to expand access to care, AAPA CEO Lisa M. Gables, CPA, said.

This state-level sentiment mirrors the national finding that 91% of U.S. adults support updating PA laws. The research also found that 9 in 10 adults say PAs improve the quality of healthcare.

The surveyed states collectively form a diverse cross-section of the American healthcare landscape. The surveys capture a wide range of healthcare experiences, from urban to rural settings and diverse patient pools, reflecting the challenges and strengths within different regions of the country. Further, these 10 states represent varied PA regulatory environments, providing a more nuanced understanding of healthcare dynamics and highlighting the importance of PA practice laws in shaping patient care.

Our already overburdened healthcare system is expecting a shortage of more than 3 million healthcare workers by 2026. The overwhelming support for updating PA practice laws underscores that there are at-the-ready solutions lawmakers should embrace, AAPA President and Chair of the Board Folusho E. Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA said.

The surveys also asked respondents about issues related to cost, access, and care coordination.

Key state-level findings include the following:





Workforce concerns: 68% of U.S. adults are concerned healthcare workforce shortages will impact them as a patient. Adults in Virginia and Washington were more likely to voice these concerns (77% in both states).





68% of U.S. adults are concerned healthcare workforce shortages will impact them as a patient. Adults in Virginia and Washington were more likely to voice these concerns (77% in both states). Delayed or skipped care: 44% of U.S. adults have skipped or delayed healthcare services they needed in the past two years. Adults in Oklahoma and South Dakota were more likely to report skipping or delaying care (55% in both states).





44% of U.S. adults have skipped or delayed healthcare services they needed in the past two years. Adults in Oklahoma and South Dakota were more likely to report skipping or delaying care (55% in both states). Resource shortages: 42% of U.S. adults say that their community does not have the resources needed to keep people healthy. Tennesseans and Oklahomans were more likely to report insufficient resources (47% and 46% respectively).





42% of U.S. adults say that their community does not have the resources needed to keep people healthy. Tennesseans and Oklahomans were more likely to report insufficient resources (47% and 46% respectively). Healthcare coordination challenges: 65% of U.S. adults say coordinating and managing healthcare is overwhelming and time consuming. Adults in Texas and Washington were more likely to report these concerns (71% in both states).





Methods

The research was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of The American Academy of Physician Associates among n=2,519 adults age 18+. The survey was conducted from February 23  March 9, 2023. In addition to the national sample, oversamples were collected in six states including California (n=513), Massachusetts (n=503), Oklahoma (n=507), Tennessee (n=505), Virginia (n=509), and Washington (n=518). Surveys were fielded in Florida (n=510), North Carolina (n=509), South Dakota (n=507), and Texas (n=508), from July 26  August 13, 2023. Interviews were conducted in English and Spanish.

Data from the national sample was weighted by race where necessary and by gender, region, education, marital status, household size, employment, household income, language proficiency (for Hispanic respondents only), and propensity to be online to bring respondents in line with their actual proportions in the population, and then combined using a post-weight.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, as subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the national sample data is accurate to within +2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.

###

About the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA)

AAPA is the national membership organization for all physician associates/physician assistants (PAs). PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. Trusted, rigorously educated and trained healthcare professionals, PAs are dedicated to expanding access to care and transforming health and wellness through patient-centered, team-based medical practice. PA has been named one of the best jobs overall and one of the best healthcare jobs for the sixth year in a row by U.S. News & World Report. The PA profession ranked number three this year in Best STEM jobs. Learn more about the profession at aapa.org and engage through Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.




Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global automated guided vehicle (AGV) market is projected to flourish at a CAGR of 12.2% from 2022 to 2031. As per the recent report published by Transparency Market Research, a valuation of US$ 14.8 billion is anticipated for the market in 2031. As of 2023, the market for automated guided vehicle (AGV) is expected to close at US$ 5.9 billion.



The growth of e-commerce and the need for efficient order fulfilment have driven demand for AGVs in warehouses and distribution centers to meet the demands of online shoppers. Increasing demand for automation in the automotive, healthcare, e-commerce, and food and beverage industries, driving the market demand for automated guided vehicles (AGV).

AGV-enabled industrial facility automation may assist in satisfying material handling capacity needs while also lowering production time, minimizing the risk of human mistakes, assuring high production volumes, improving safety, and boosting precision and repeatability.

Request a sample for a glimpse into the market's future - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=9368

Connect with our team of research specialists and unlock the optimal solution for driving your business growth

Market Snapshot:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue USD 4.7 Bn Estimated Value USD 14.8 Bn Growth Rate - CAGR 12.2% Forecast Period 2022-2031 No. of Pages 240 Pages Market Segmentation By Type, Technology, End-use Industry Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, South America Companies Covered Addverb Technologies Limited, Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd., China SME Group Co., Ltd, Konecranes., Daifuku Co., Ltd., Egemin Automation Inc., GreyOrange, Gridbots, JBT, KOLEC (Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd.), KUKA AG, Murata Machinery, Ltd., Oceaneering International, Inc., Shenzhen Mircolomay Technology Co., Ltd., System Logistics S.p.A., Toyota Industries Corporation, Other Key Players

Key Takeaways from the Market Study

As of 2022, the coffee servers market was valued at US$ 5.2 billion

By type, the automated guided cart (AGC) type segment is likely to dominate the industry in the near future. AGCs are highly effective in automating various transportation and assembly line processes

Based on technology, the magnetic guidance segment is anticipated to hold the largest share during 2022-2031. AGCs often prefer magnetic guidance to navigate through predefined paths

Based on end-use industry, the commercial segment is expected to generate high revenue during the forecast period, due to the increased demand in restaurants, hotels, and coffee shops.

Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Market: Key Trends and Opportunistic Frontiers

Advanced technologies such as telematics services and laser, magnetic, infrared, and optical navigation are being introduced in automated guided vehicles.

Advancements in navigation technologies have facilitated the development and use of automated forklifts in warehouse management and material and goods transport at ports and terminals.

For Customization or Any Other Queries, Get in Touch with Our Industry Experts at - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=ASK&rep_id=9368

Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Market  Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the global automated guided vehicle (AGV) market during the forecast period. The expanding manufacturing sector, e-commerce boom, and investment in automation drive the market demand in the region.

North America dominated the global automated guided vehicle (AGV) market owing to the presence of numerous consumer-centric industries coupled with high-quality research and development in the field of robotics and automation. Increasing demand for AGVs within consumer goods, automotive, food and beverage, oil and gas, and healthcare sectors is another factor that is fueling the market growth.

Competitive Landscape

The global automated guided vehicle (AGV) market is fragmented, with the presence of a small number of leading players. The leading players in the market are investing in new product development, mergers, and acquisitions to gain a competitive edge. Transparency Market Research has profiled the following players in its global automated guided vehicle (AGV) market report:

Addverb Technologies Limited

Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd.

China SME Group Co., Ltd

Konecranes.

Daifuku Co., Ltd.

Egemin Automation Inc.

GreyOrange

Gridbots

JBT

KOLEC (Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd.)

KUKA AG

Murata Machinery, Ltd.

Oceaneering International, Inc.

Shenzhen Mircolomay Technology Co., Ltd.

System Logistics S.p.A.

Toyota Industries Corporation

Other Key Players



Key Developments in the Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Market

JBT Corporation , known for its AGVs in the material handling and logistics sector, has been focusing on developing AGVs with advanced automation features, including machine learning algorithms for improved navigation and control.

, known for its AGVs in the material handling and logistics sector, has been focusing on developing AGVs with advanced automation features, including machine learning algorithms for improved navigation and control. Toyota Industries Corporation continues to innovate in the AGV space, emphasizing safety and efficiency. They have developed AGVs with integrated safety systems and advanced automation capabilities.

Corporation continues to innovate in the AGV space, emphasizing safety and efficiency. They have developed AGVs with integrated safety systems and advanced automation capabilities. In July 2023 - KUKA expands its range of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) with the KMR iisy mobile cobot and KMP 1500P mobile platform. The KMR iisy mobile cobot moves quickly and safely through space for flexible use at various workstations in assembly and intralogistics, and as a robot service system. It includes the LBR iisy, with a payload capacity of 11 or 15 kg, and a mobile platform that can carry a supplementary load of up to 200 kg.

expands its range of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) with the KMR iisy mobile cobot and KMP 1500P mobile platform. The KMR iisy mobile cobot moves quickly and safely through space for flexible use at various workstations in assembly and intralogistics, and as a robot service system. It includes the LBR iisy, with a payload capacity of 11 or 15 kg, and a mobile platform that can carry a supplementary load of up to 200 kg. In August 2020, Murata Machinery, Ltd. signed a contract with Alpen Co. Ltd. for the construction of ALPHABOT, a 3D robot warehousing system. The ALPHABOT has been introduced at the Alpen Komaki Distribution Center, one of the main distribution centers, with the aim of complementing its storage capacity and reducing picking, sorting, and packaging operations by 60%.

Partial Table of Content (ToC):

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.1.1. Market Size, Thousand Units, US$ Bn, 2017-2031

1.2. Competitive Dashboard Analysis

2. Market Overview

2.1. TMR Analysis and Recommendations

2.2. Market Coverage/Taxonomy

2.3. Market Dynamics

2.3.1. Drivers

2.3.2. Restraints

2.3.3. Opportunity

2.4. Market Factor Analysis

2.4.1. Porters Five Force Analysis

2.4.2. SWOT Analysis

2.4.3. Value Chain Analysis

2.5. Regulatory Scenario

2.6. Pricing Analysis

2.6.1. Cost Structure Analysis

2.6.2. Profit Margin Analysis

2.7. COVID-19 Impact Analysis  Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Market

3. Key Industry Trends and Developments

4. Who Supplies Whom

4.1. AGVs Makers

4.2. Customers of AGVs

Request Complete TOC of this Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=9368

Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Market  Key Segments

Type

Forklift Vehicle

Assembly Line Vehicle

Automatic Guided Cart (AGC)

Towing Vehicle

Unit Load Carrier

Pallet Truck

Autonomous Mobile Robot

Others

Technology

Laser Guidance

Vision Guidance

Magnetic Guidance

Inductive Guidance

Optical Tape Guidance

Others

End-use Industry

Retail/Wholesale

Food/Pharma

Transport/Logistics

Manufacturing

Automotive

Ports/Terminals

Mining & Construction

Chemical/Energy

Forestry/Wood

Others

Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Middle East & Africa

South America



Read More Related Reports:

Growth Catalysts in the Automotive Airbag Market 2022-2031

Automotive Wire and Cable Materials Market Demand, Exploring Trends, Scope, and Growth-Driving Factors

Crafting the Future Vision of the Automotive Filters Industry: An Analysis of Sales Trends 2022-2031

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. The firm scrutinizes factors shaping the dynamics of demand in various markets. The insights and perspectives on the markets evaluate opportunities in various segments. The opportunities in the segments based on source, application, demographics, sales channel, and end-use are analysed, which will determine growth in the markets over the next decade.

Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision-makers, made possible by experienced teams of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants. The proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques we use always reflect the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in all of its business reports.

Contact:

Nikhil Sawlani

Transparency Market Research Inc.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTER DOWNTOWN,

1000 N. West Street,

Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 USA

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Blog: https://tmrblog.com

Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Wilmington, Delaware, United States, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CAR T-cell therapy market was estimated to have acquired US$ 1.1 billion in 2020. It is anticipated to register a 30.6% CAGR from 2021 to 2031 and by 2031, the market is likely to gain US$ 21.8 billion.

The key element driving the market for CAR T-cell therapy is the efficacy in cancer treatment. The CAR T-cell therapy has demonstrated remarkable efficacy in treating certain types of leukemia and lymphoma, driving its adoption and market growth. Ongoing research and trials are exploring the potential of CAR T-cell therapy in treating solid tumors, opening up new opportunities for market expansion.

The demand for CAR-T therapy is also being driven by minimized relapse rates. CAR T-cell therapy has shown to reduce relapse rates in some patients, making it a potentially curative treatment option and fueling market demand.

CAR T-cell therapy is designed to be patient-specific, aligning with the growing trend of personalized medicine in oncology. Continued investment in R&D by pharmaceutical companies and research institutions is propelling advancements in CAR T-cell technology and applications. Regulatory approvals and support for CAR T-cell therapies are increasing globally, streamlining their commercialization and market growth.

Collaborations between research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare providers are accelerating the development and adoption of CAR T-cell therapies.

CAR T-cell therapy is being explored for various types of cancers beyond hematological malignancies, broadening its potential patient base and market reach. Advances in manufacturing technologies are streamlining the production process of CAR T-cell therapies, addressing scalability challenges and expanding market accessibility.

Stay a step ahead of the competition with our industry expertise  grab your sample copy today - https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=83242

Market Snapshot:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue US$ 1.1 Bn Estimated Value US$ 21.8 Bn Growth Rate - CAGR 30.6% Forecast Period 2021-2031 No. of Pages 180 Pages Market Segmentation By Product Type, Indication, End-user Regions Covered North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa Companies Covered Pfizer, Inc., Novartis AG, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, Inc., Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Merck & Co., Inc., bluebird bio, Inc., Other Prominent Players

Key Findings of the Market Report

CAR T-cell therapy is showing promise in treating pediatric cancers, such as pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), presenting a growing market opportunity in pediatric oncology.

Ongoing advancements in CAR design, including third-generation CARs and armored CARs, are expected to enhance the effectiveness and safety of CAR T-cell therapy, driving its adoption.

Increasing penetration of CAR T-cell therapy in emerging markets, driven by rising healthcare infrastructure and patient awareness, offers significant growth prospects.

Research into combination therapies involving CAR T-cell therapy and other immunotherapies, targeted therapies, or traditional treatments may unlock new synergistic treatment options.

For Customization or Any Other Queries, Get in Touch with Our Industry Experts at: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=ASK&rep_id=83242

Market Trends for CAR T-cell Therapy Market

Developing healthcare infrastructure, especially in emerging economies, facilitates the availability and accessibility of CAR T-cell therapies, driving market growth.

Continuous improvement in clinical outcomes and long-term survival rates associated with CAR T-cell therapy is boosting confidence among both healthcare professionals and patients.

Increasing awareness and education campaigns about the benefits and availability of CAR T-cell therapy are driving patient demand and market growth.

Efforts to reduce the overall cost of CAR T-cell therapy, such as process optimization and reimbursement strategies, are making this treatment more accessible and fueling market growth.

Global Market for CAR T-cell Therapy: Regional Outlook

Various reasons are propelling the growth of the CAR T-cell therapy market in different countries. These are:

North America boasts well-developed healthcare infrastructure and a robust regulatory framework, enabling the rapid adoption and commercialization of CAR T-cell therapies.

The region is a hub for biomedical research and development, fostering innovation in CAR T-cell therapy. Leading academic institutions, research centers, and pharmaceutical companies contribute to advancements in the field.

North America has a relatively high incidence of blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, which are key indications for CAR T-cell therapy. This prevalence drives market growth.

Asia Pacific has a substantial population, and a significant portion of cancer patients can benefit from CAR T-cell therapies, particularly for blood cancers.

Global CAR T-cell Therapy Market: Key Players

A few dominant worldwide firms hold the majority of the market share in the CAR T-cell therapy industry. The market's major companies are concentrating on diversifying their product lines. The big players' primary strategy includes mergers and acquisitions. In order to acquire a competitive edge in the industry, market competitors are concentrating on offering high-quality services.

The following companies are well-known participants in the global CAR T-cell therapy market:

Pfizer, Inc.

Novartis AG

Bristol-Myers Squibb

Amgen Inc.

Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

Merck & Co. Inc.

bluebird bio Inc.

Other Prominent Players

Key developments in the global CAR T-cell therapy market are:

In 2023, Bristol Myers Squibb and bluebird bio announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize CAR T-cell therapies for multiple myeloma.

In the same year, Celgene (acquired by Bristol Myers Squibb in 2020) received FDA approval for Breyanzi, a CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma.

In 2022, Novartis and Amgen announced a collaboration to develop and commercialize CAR T-cell therapies for solid tumors.

In 2022, Kite Pharma (acquired by Gilead Sciences in 2017) received FDA approval for Tecartus, a CAR T-cell therapy for relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Partial Table of Content (ToC):

1. Preface

1.1. Report Scope and Market Segmentation

1.2. Research Highlights

2. Assumptions and Research Methodology

2.1. Assumptions and Acronyms Used

2.2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Overview

4.1. Introduction

4.2. Market Dynamics

4.2.1. Drivers

4.2.2. Restraints

4.2.3. Opportunity

4.3. Global CAR T-cell Therapy Market Forecast

4.4. Global CAR T-cell Therapy Market Outlook

5. Market Outlook

5.1. Key Industry Events

5.2. Diseases Epidemiology

5.3. Product Pipeline Analysis

5.4. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic

Request Complete TOC of this Report: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=T&rep_id=83242

Global CAR T-cell Therapy Market Segmentation

By Product Type

Axicabtagene Ciloleucel

Tisagenlecleucel

Brexucabtagene Autoleucel

Lisocabtagene Maraleucel

Idecabtagene Vicleucel

Others

By Indication

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma

Follicular Lymphoma

Mantle Cell Lymphoma

Multiple Myeloma

Others

By End-user

Hospitals

Cancer Treatment Centers

By Region

North America

Europe

Asia Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa



Transparency Market Research constantly tracks industry trends. Some relevant market reports from the analysts that might be of interest to you:

Demand for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Assay - Market Size, Trends, Analysis, Scope, Growth Drivers

Skincare Serums Market Size [2023-2031] | Industry Share, Growth

Plasma Sterilizers Market Size, Growth Analysis, Future Scenario 2023-2031

About Transparency Market Research

Transparency Market Research, a global market research company registered at Wilmington, Delaware, United States, provides custom research and consulting services. The firm scrutinizes factors shaping the dynamics of demand in various markets. The insights and perspectives on the markets evaluate opportunities in various segments. The opportunities in the segments based on source, application, demographics, sales channel, and end-use are analysed, which will determine growth in the markets over the next decade.

Our exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trends analysis provides forward-looking insights for thousands of decision-makers, made possible by experienced teams of Analysts, Researchers, and Consultants. The proprietary data sources and various tools & techniques we use always reflect the latest trends and information. With a broad research and analysis capability, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques in all of its business reports.

Contact:

Nikhil Sawlani

Transparency Market Research Inc.

CORPORATE HEADQUARTER DOWNTOWN,

1000 N. West Street,

Suite 1200, Wilmington, Delaware 19801 USA

Tel: +1-518-618-1030

USA  Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453

Website: https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com

Blog: https://tmrblog.com

Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.com
Burnaby, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burnaby, B.C. September 20, 2023 - This week, the British Columbia Institute of Technology(BCIT) announced a milestone of $33 million in funding towards a new state-of-the-art Trades and Technology Complex. The Trades and Technology Complex will increase access for students pursuing a trades and technology education and career, which will help the Province of BC meet the demand for an estimated 85,000 new trades jobs expected over the next 10 years. Contributions from over 45 organizations and individuals towards the construction of the Trades and Technology Complex demonstrates the incredible connectivity and collaboration between BCIT and industry.

The $220 million Trades and Technology Complex will provide an adaptive, innovative, and flexible learning environment through leading-edge, energy-efficient, sustainable design. The Complex will have capacity for 700 new full-time student spots annually, alleviating waitlists, and delivering the trades training needed to meet the labour needs of the province. The Complex will serve as a living lab where students from different disciplinessuch as engineering, architecture and construction  interact, collaborate, and undertake projects together.

The Trades and Technology Complex will allow BCIT to offer significantly more in-person training and increase delivery of immersive training for specialized areas, including mass timber construction and net-zero buildings. It will also increase capacity for designing and delivering effective online training through simulation labs and sophisticated technology-enabled classrooms. Through the Complex, BCIT will continue to champion equitable and accessible trades education for all students, prioritizing inclusive learning environments.

Key spaces within the Complex will include the Concert Properties Centre for Trades and Technology, the Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion, and the Marine and Mass Timber Workshop. Features for advancing education through the Trades and Technology Complex will include:

Four covered work yards

Simulation-based learning areas

Cross-disciplinary sim labs for trades and technology collaboration

Power engineering sim labKongsberg system

Welding simulation lab

Industrial network sim labindustry partnership space

Media centre labfor remote/ online/ narrowcasting education delivery

Maker space

Classrooms, student commons, demonstration, observation, auxiliary and atrium spaces

More than 45 BC industry leaders and individuals across a range of sectors, including development, electrical, engineering, mining and forestry, have contributed funds through BCITs INSPIRE Campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in the Institutes history. Donors include organizations such as Concert Properties, Bosa Construction, Wesgroup, Wheaton Precious Metals, Polygon Homes and more. Donor participation in this project has included financial support as well as involvement in the development of programming to directly meet industry needs.

The INSPIRE Campaign aims to raise a total of $125 million in private-sector contributions, which, together with Government of BC funding, supports the long-term redevelopment plan for the BCIT Burnaby Campus valued at over $680 million.

The generosity and support of donors has made this incredible project possible and ensured continued strength in BCITs unique offering, commented BCIT President Dr. Jeff Zabudsky. As the only BC post-secondary with a provincial mandate for strategic workforce development, BCIT connects education, industry, and government in support of building an agile workforce with sustained and meaningful impact to meet the labour market needs of today and tomorrow.

The BCIT curriculum is developed in close consultation with industry, and delivered by faculty with direct, hands-on experience in their fields, said Dean of the BCIT School of Construction and the Environment Dr. Guido Wimmers. The BCIT INSPIRE Campaign will allow us to continue to lead in providing applied learning opportunities. BCIT students learn through practical experience in unique environments that integrate real-world settings, equipment, and technology from the workplace. These include state-of-the-art classrooms, shops, labs, simulators, broadcast studios, green roofs, energy grids, forests, and waterways.

David Podmore is the INSPIRE Campaign Chair and Co-Founder and Chair of Concert Properties, the largest donor involved in the milestone funding. I so appreciate the community that has supported this initiative and stepped up with meaningful donations, Podmore said. BCIT is the largest provider of trades training programs in Western Canada. The collaborative approach BCIT has adopted with industry, and with Concert Properties, is not only pivotal for student success but engages with partners and donors to make a meaningful impact. By providing students with valuable insights and cutting-edge technology, all of our partners are working together to ensure learners are set for success whatever their chosen trade and career path, he added.

For more information about BCITs Trade and Technology Complex, visit https://www.bcit.ca/inspire/priorities/campus-redevelopment/trades-technology-complex/, and for more information about BCITs INSPIRE Campaign, visit https://www.bcit.ca/inspire/.

List of donors involved in the announcement:

Concert Properties

Bosa Construction

Teck

AES Engineering

Allwest Electric Ltd.

Anthem Properties Group Ltd.

Binational Softwood Lumber Council

Binnie

Bosa Development

Bridge Electric Corporation

Canfor

Chard Development Ltd.

CIMS Ltd.

EllisDon Corporation

Finning Canada

FortisBC

Graham Trafford

Hampton Lumber

Ideal Welders Ltd.

Interfor

Keith Panel Systems

Klohn Crippen Berger Ltd.

Lark Group

McElhanney

Mosaic Forest Management

Mott Electric GP

Paper Excellence

PCI Developments

PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.

Peter Kiewit Sons ULC

Peterson

Polygon Homes

RDH Building Science Inc.

Senez Consulting Ltd.

The Jack and Darlene Poole Foundation

Tolko

Toro Aluminum Group of Companies

Townline Homes

Wesgroup Properties

West Fraser

Wheaton Precious Metals

Attachments
CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bocana Resources Corp. (TSXV: BOCA) (Frankfurt: VC1) ("Bocana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced the 2,000 metre diamond drilling campaign, with Leduc Drilling S.R.L. of La Paz, Bolivia, on the Escala area concession in Southwest Bolivia. This is the Company's inaugural drilling program and is expected to take several weeks to complete phase 1 ("Phase I") of this drilling campaign.



The Phase I program will be conducted using NQ size core drilling in nine locations. Upon completion of Phase I, drilling will stop until all assay results have been received prior to planning the second phase of drilling, a proposed 3,000 metre follow up drilling program.

The largest portion drilling program is expected to occur in the Cerro Galapago area of the Escala concession and is projected to have a total of five of the nine proposed drill holes located around it, as identified on the attached Escala area map. The only historic drilling completed on this large near surface porphyry target were vertically drilled in the very central area with a high chargeability/very low resistivity anomaly; this area typically hosts lower grade mineralization and is usually not the primary area to test.

Additionally, the Company intends to drill two shallow dipping, 250 metre length, drill holes in the Cerro Blanco area. As previously reported, the vast majority of prior drilling efforts were completed by drilling vertically dipping drill holes. Recent data suggests a near vertically dipping, structural influence on mineralization; therefore, the Company believes that this area has not been properly evaluated from drill testing.

The remaining planned holes will be drilled along the main mine trend to the east where there are known historical precious/base metal veins. The induced polarization geophysical survey located an area of high chargeability and resistivity anomalies indicating an area of silicification/quartz veining with high sulphide content that has not been drill tested. Bocana plans to complete a fence of two holes, both 250 metres in length, across these geophysical anomalies.

The approximate locations and sequence for each of the planned drill collars are identified on the attached map and schedule:

Proposed Drill Hole

Location Target Area Purpose 1 Cerro Blanco East-Satellite Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 2 Cerro Blanco East-Satellite Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 3 Cerro Galapago South Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 4 Cerro Galapago South Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 5 Cerro Galapago North Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity 6 Cerro Galapago North Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity 7 Cerro Galapago North Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 8 East Mine Trend Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity 9 East Mine Trend Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity



Timothy J. Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Bocana, commented: "Management is excited to kick off our inaugural 2000 metre, diamond drilling program on our Escala Concession in Bolivia. Primarily by drill testing of our 2000 x 2000 metre Cerro Galapago, induced polarization, changeability anomaly, that is related to a large porphyry system. Following that, detailed geological mapping and systematic sampling of the cut core will provide a good insight as to the extent and grade of the porphyry mineralization. We will certainly be keeping our shareholders and the market updated as our exploration programs advance over the coming months."

Qualified Person

Mr. Lorne Warner, P.Geo., is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Warner supervised and approved the scientific and technical information included in this news release and has approved its dissemination.

About Bocana Resources Corp.

Bocana is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in South America. Bocana, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Huiracocha International Service SRL, holds a 100% working interest in the mineral properties known as the Escala area concessions located at the Department of Potosi, Sud Lipez Province, Bolivia as awarded by Comibol.

Contact Information

For more information on Bocana, visit: https://bocanaresources.com.

For more information or interview requests, please contact:

Timothy J. Turner  Chief Executive Officer

info@bocanaresources.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as: "intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", approximately, planning, projected, anticipate and similar references to future periods. Although Bocana believes that, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Bocana can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Bocana, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities including Phase 1; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate purchased properties or mining rights awarded; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Bocana 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Additional risks include those disclosed in the Information Circular, which are incorporate herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law.

This news release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities described in this news release have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) absent registration or an exemption from registration. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a6696677-6804-424b-bba4-db42ba27ede1




Toronto, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A new study, commissioned on behalf of the professional renovation industry by the Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) and conducted by Altus Group Economic Consulting, found that delays and inefficiencies within the City of Torontos Committee of Adjustment (COA) process add $21,000 to $58,000 annually to the cost of renovations and infill building projects. The study further identified that in order to meet the Citys goal of building 285,000 homes by 2031, the system must be overhauled.

Toronto is a rapidly growing city, and the building of infill homes and renewal of existing housing stock add much-needed housing supply for current and future residents, said Justin Sherwood, BILDs Senior Vice President. With the City recently adopting various zoning reforms such as four units per lot as of right, and looking to make additional changes in the near future, the need for a more efficient process that reduces strain on City resources has never been greater.

Altus Group Economic Consulting was retained by BILD to undertake a study of the City of Torontos COA timelines for decisions on minor variances, as part of a broader examination of the factors contributing to housing affordability challenges. The Altus study reinforces the citys own findings, through a study with KPMG, that process improvements and data transparency would support approval timelines and efficiency.

The Altus study looked at the timelines for minor variance applications for the last eight years (2015-2022), using data from the City of Torontos Open Data Catalog. It found that the volumes of applications to Torontos COA and TLAB processes have doubled over the last decade, resulting in lengthy delays. These delays can add 8 per cent to 14 per cent annually in additional construction-related costs, amounting to between $9 per square foot to $19 per square foot annually, or approximately $21,000 to $58,000.

Notably, the study found that the total average decision timelines for typical COA applications, regardless of COA district, were 95 days across the entirety of the 8-year period. This is 65 days longer than the 30-day service standard required by section 45(4) of the Planning Act and 32 days longer than the 63-day target for service standards set by the City.

The report provides six major recommendations for action by the province and the city to successfully improve decision timelines for minor variances. Most notably, it recommends delegating authority for minor variances to staff and fixing the underlying zoning issues that are creating increasing volumes of applications. To see all of the recommendations, download the report.

Renovators in Toronto have long been advocating for improvements to the COA process, said Peter Di Scola, Chair of BILDs Renovator Executive Committee. The current process sees a 93-95% approval rate of applications through the COA process, meaning it would be far more efficient for the City to update zoning bylaws to permit the most common types of COA applications.

With 1,200 member companies, BILD is the voice of the home building, residential and non-residential land development and professional renovation industries in the Greater Toronto Area. The building and renovation industry provides 256,000 jobs in the region and $39.3 billion in investment value. BILD is affiliated with the Ontario and Canadian Home Builders Associations.

-30-

For additional information or to schedule an interview, contact Justin Sherwood at jsherwood@bildgta.ca or 416-371-6005.
OXFORD, United Kingdom, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sophos, a global leader in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, today announced its strong results in the MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK Evaluations. Sophos Intercept X with XDR detected 99% of the adversary behaviors in the evaluation, reporting 141 out of 143 adversary attack steps.



Sophos Intercept X with XDR excelled in the independent ATT&CK Evaluations with its comprehensive EDR and XDR capabilities that deliver actionable context on the what, why and how of attacker behaviors. In addition, Sophos Intercept X with XDR recorded rich analytic data on 98% of the substeps in the ATT&CK Evaluations.

As active adversaries continue to prey upon the unprepared, good cybersecurity outcomes increasingly depend upon competent technologies in the hands of skilled operators. MITREs evaluation is a powerful objective measurement of a technologys ability to produce the fundamental observations and classifications needed to effectively identify and defend against attackers, said Joe Levy, president and chief technology officer at Sophos. Sophos meticulously architects its solutions for security operators, empowering them with superior protection, detection and response capabilities for known and unknown threats before they become full-blown, destructive attacks, and we believe MITREs evaluation results demonstrate the robustness of Sophos real-world security capabilities.

This round of independent ATT&CK Evaluations evaluated the abilities of 30 vendors in detecting and analyzing attack tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) of Turla, a known Russia-based threat group. Turla leverages novel TTPs and custom tooling to evade security defenses, and was chosen as the evaluation adversary based on its innovative stealthy maneuvers; targeted sectors, including government, critical infrastructure, education, and more; and breadth of open-source reporting on its tradecraft.

Turla is one of the most sophisticated threat actors, and their tradecraft is platform diverse, dynamic in stealth, and layered in persistence, said Amy Robertson, MITRE cyber threat intelligence lead, ATT&CK Evals. This round provides an emulation that focused on kernel and service-level operations that often run with the same permissions as detection and protection products. Our goal is to empower end users and purchasers with unbiased insights into the product capabilities that detect these advanced adversary behaviors, while also collaborating with the participating vendors to evolve their products.

Sophos Intercept X with XDR combines active adversary mitigations  including industry-first Adaptive Attack Protection that immediately activates heightened defenses when a hands-on-keyboard attack is detected, stopping the attack and providing defenders valuable additional time to respond; anti-ransomware technology; deep learning artificial intelligence; and exploit prevention to prevent and stop attacks. It is powered by Sophos X-Ops threat intelligence, a cross-operational task force of more than 500 security experts within SophosLabs, Sophos SecOps and SophosAI.

For more information on Sophos evaluation results, watch this video and visit https://attackevals.mitre-engenuity.org/enterprise/turla/.

About MITRE Engenuity

MITRE Engenuity, a subsidiary of MITRE, is a tech foundation for the public good. MITREs mission-driven teams are dedicated to solving problems for a safer world. Through our public-private partnerships and federally funded R&D centers, we work across government and in partnership with industry to tackle challenges to the safety, stability, and well-being of our nation.

MITRE Engenuity brings MITREs deep technical know-how and systems thinking to the private sector to solve complex challenges that government alone cannot solve. MITRE Engenuity catalyzes the collective R&D strength of the broader U.S. federal government, academia, and private sector to tackle national and global challenges, such as protecting critical infrastructure, creating a resilient semiconductor ecosystem, building a genomics center for public good, accelerating use case innovation in 5G, and democratizing threat-informed cyber defense. www.mitre-engenuity.org
Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jon Husted, JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef today announced that the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), a multi-state, regional initiative led by Ohio and dedicated to advancing the research and production of crucial microelectronics for the defense industry, was awarded regional hub designation and $24.3 million for FY 23 through the prestigious Microelectronics Commons (ME Commons) program. This partnership with the Department of Defense (DoD) places Ohio, as a part of the MMEC, among the eight regional "Hubs" nationwide. The MMEC comprises over 65 public, private, and nonprofit entities, with leadership from many key Ohio institutions.

This public-private technology hub will connect the Midwest's world-class academic institutions, prominent corporate leaders, and government partners, unlocking transformative microelectronics capabilities. Backed by $2 billion in federal CHIPS Science Act funding, Ohio's leadership within the MMEC will position Ohio at the epicenter of a national network aiming to revolutionize the "lab-to-fab" microelectronics ecosystem while simultaneously solving national security challenges. Governor DeWine, Lt. Governor Husted, and JobsOhio worked with Ohio's Congressional delegation and the Ohio Grants Alliance to build collaborative advocacy for the MMEC's selection as an ME Commons hub.

"Being chosen as a critical hub in the ME Commons initiative places the Midwest, with leadership from key Ohio institutions, at the heart of American-made semiconductor innovation," said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "The partnerships forged with Ohios business, academic and community leaders have resulted in bringing this prestigious hub to the Midwest. The foundation for this statewide collaboration was laid during the advocacy for the CHIPS Act in 2021 and 2022, and more recently, it has gained momentum as we seize the opportunities arising from Intel's $20 billion investment in our state."

Currently, the United States leads in microelectronics design but accounts for only 12% of global microelectronics production, with the bulk of microelectronics production occurring in Asia. This reality poses a significant risk to the U.S. microelectronics supply chain. It includes the potential loss of critical intellectual property, diminished market influence, and a heightened dependence on foreign economies.

Microelectronics Commons is meticulously designed to tackle the two major obstacles hindering domestic production: the viability and marketability of new microelectronics technologies and access to facilities for innovators. Both industry and academia researchers lack access to the facilities needed to explore, prototype, and demonstrate leap-ahead technological advancements. This gap complicates the translation of academic concepts into prototype production in industry.

To address these challenges, ME Commons will:

Foster enduring partnerships among emerging technology sources, manufacturing facilities, and interagency partners Cultivate a talent pipeline to strengthen local semiconductor economies and contribute to the growth of the domestic semiconductor workforce Bridge the gap between microelectronics research and production Expand domestic microelectronics fabrication capabilities Enhance microelectronics education and training to bolster the microelectronic engineering workforce

"Ohio's rich history of supporting innovation at key military and defense institutions like the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB and NASA Glenn Research Center, coupled with our world-class educational facilities and a talented workforce, make our state the complete package to contribute to the Midwest region's technology hub under the ME Commons program," JobsOhio president and CEO J.P. Nauseef said. "This consortium leverages and expands Ohio's infrastructure, knowledge, and drive to propel the industry forward."

What sets the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium apart from other models is its structure as a new 501(c)6 nonprofit with a role-based membership approach. This approach maps member expertise to project support based on functional needs, ensuring that all stages of the "lab-to-fab" transition are adequately represented.

More than 65 top-tier institutions have joined forces to unite academia, industry, workforce development efforts, and the semiconductor industry. Leveraging Ohio's unparalleled research universities as well as partners like Lockheed Martin, Intel, and the U.S. Air Force, the consortium integrates expertise across the microelectronics value chain.

Academia assumes a pivotal role, contributing to research, selective prototyping, and workforce development. MMEC will engage directly with each participating state's educator network, including community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Military Veteran Networks. Meanwhile, industry partners will collectively contribute to research and development, prototyping, and proof-of-concepts, among other responsibilities.

Institutions participating in MMEC can anticipate a host of positive impacts: new projects with the Department of Defense, facilitated research and development opportunities in the region, increased job creation at member institutions, the establishment of new companies, and the development of more robust educational pipelines.

The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium's holistic approach spans both defense and commercial markets. Using the input of members, industry, core facility providers, academia, and government, the MMEC will provide a central hub for the development of a scalable and resilient microelectronics manufacturing ecosystem.

"This is a big win and serves as another opportunity for Ohio to take the lead in reshoring semiconductor production and securing vital defense and commercial microelectronics research and manufacturing," said Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted. "With a focus on delivering the best solutions to our nation's warfighters and supporting our critical National Security Strategy, we are confident in our ability to both secure and expand America's leadership in the global microelectronics supply chain. It's another step for Ohio to help America advance our economic and national security. "

For more information about Ohio's leadership in defense microelectronics innovation and the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), please visit

their website at https://mmeconsortium.org/.

About JobsOhio

JobsOhio is a private nonprofit economic development corporation designed to drive job creation and new capital investment in Ohio through business attraction, retention, and expansion. The organization also works to seed talent production in its targeted industries and to attract talent to Ohio through Find Your Ohio. JobsOhio works with six regional partners across Ohio: Dayton Development Coalition, Ohio Southeast Economic Development, One Columbus, REDI Cincinnati, Regional Growth Partnership, and Team NEO. Learn more at www.jobsohio.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, X, and Facebook.
Toronto, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- OCAD University is the recipient of a transformational gift of $2.5 million from business leader and philanthropist Kiki Delaney and The Delaney Family. The major gift was announced on Sept. 19 at a celebration held at Onsite Gallery, the Universitys flagship professional art gallery.

We are immensely grateful to The Delaney Family for this generous gift that will empower students in their pursuit of art and design education and support Onsite Gallerys diverse programming, says Ana Serrano, OCAD Us President and Vice-Chancellor. Kiki Delaney and The Delaney Family have had such a significant impact on our institution. With this gift, their commitment to driving positive change through art and design will continue to have a lasting and meaningful impact.

Kiki Delaney is a leading advocate of the arts and a cherished supporter of OCAD U. She was OCAD Us Chancellor from 2011 to 2017 and received an honorary doctorate from the University in 2012.

The new gift will:

fund Onsite Gallerys annual initiatives and special projects over the next 10 years;

create the annual award, The Delaney Family Emerging Curators Prize at Onsite Gallery; and

establish The Delaney Family Bursary Fund to support students demonstrating financial need in the Criticism and Curatorial Practice programs (graduate and undergraduate).

We are proud to support OCAD University as it leads the way in educating the next generation of creative thinkers and in showcasing a broad range of dynamic artists and designers, said Kiki Delaney. It is our hope that this gift will contribute to nurturing creative excellence at both Onsite Gallery and OCAD University. We are delighted to be part of this journey.

The Delaney Family has a longstanding relationship with OCAD U, which has included generously funding many scholarships, The Delaney Chair in Indigenous Visual Culture and The Delaney Indigenous Visual Culture Research Initiatives Fund.

The Familys many contributions have helped OCAD U to advance Indigenous knowledge and culture, support Indigenous students and take major steps forward in its reconciliation journey.

Onsite Gallery Executive Director Appointed

The Delaney Family gift coincides with the announcement that Ryan Rice, Kanienkeha:ka of Kahnawake, has been appointed Onsite Gallerys Executive Director for a five-year term. He will continue in his role as the Gallerys Curator, Indigenous Art.

One of Canadas leading curators of contemporary Indigenous art and criticism, Rice was the recipient of the 2022 Changemaker I-BPOC Award from the Galeries Ontario / Ontario Galleries (GOG) Awards. His institutional and independent curatorial career spans 30 years in community, museums, artist-run centres, public spaces and galleries. He recently co-curated the fourth edition of the Bonavista Biennale in Newfoundland/Labrador.

About OCAD University

OCAD University is a world-famous hub for art, design and digital media education, research, innovation and creativity. The University embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research making OCAD U a local, regional, national, and global leader in art and design. Students benefit from hands-on studio learning and gain employable skills.

About Onsite Gallery

Onsite Gallery, located at 199 Richmond St. W., is the flagship professional art gallery of OCAD U and an experimental curatorial platform for art, design and new media. The gallery presents contemporary, Indigenous, and public art and design to advance knowledge creation and stimulate local and international conversations on the urgent issues of our time. Operating since 2007, Onsite Gallery officially opened at its Richmond Street West location six years ago, with a ribbon cutting, street party and award-winning exhibition raise a flag on September 16, 2017.

-30-

Attachment
CINCINNATI, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cold Jet, a pioneer in innovative and environmentally conscious dry ice solutions, is excited to extend a warm invitation to manufacturers, sustainability advocates, and industry experts to the upcoming Greener Manufacturing Show North America. Set to take place October 11th -12th, 2023, in Atlanta, GA, this event stands as the continent's premier platform for fostering dialogue and showcasing cutting-edge sustainable manufacturing solutions. It focuses on environmental technologies and solutions to help manufacturing organizations create eco-friendly products, move away from non-renewable fossil-based resources, reduce carbon emissions, eliminate production waste, and create processes throughout their entire operations that reduce negative impacts on the environment.



Cold Jet's presence at the Greener Manufacturing Show North America is a testament to the company's commitment to promoting sustainability in manufacturing. Visitors to Cold Jet's booth will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge dry ice technology and witness firsthand how the company is giving carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) a second life through innovative, eco-friendly solutions.

Due to the fact that dry ice is recycled CO 2 , it will not contribute to your greenhouse gas score. In the calculation of a carbon footprint, CO 2 is accounted for at the producer level. It is not counted a second time at the point of use, according to the California Air Resource Board.





*The CO2 used to make dry ice is captured from other industrial processes, scrubbed of impurities, and pressurized to create liquid CO2, which is then converted to dry ice for cooling and cleaning solutions.

The Greener Manufacturing Show North America is a premier platform for businesses and professionals to exchange ideas and explore sustainable practices that can reduce environmental impact and enhance operational efficiency. Cold Jet's booth will highlight its dedication to sustainability by putting recycled CO 2 to work.

At the Cold Jet booth, attendees can expect to:

Discover Sustainable Dry Ice Solutions- Cold Jet will showcase its dry ice technology, which offers sustainable alternatives for cleaning, surface preparation, and cooling in various industries. These solutions reduce waste and minimize the environmental footprint associated with traditional cleaning methods.

Demo the highest-performing dry ice blaster on the market, the PCS  60.

60. Engage with Sustainability Experts: Cold Jet's team of experts will be on hand to provide insights, answer questions, and discuss how their technologies can help businesses transition towards more sustainable manufacturing practices.



"We are excited to participate in the Greener Manufacturing Show North America and share our sustainable solutions with industry leaders and stakeholders," said Steve Wilson, Director Dry Ice Cleaning Applications & ESG at Cold Jet. "Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond words; it's ingrained in our products and processes. We look forward to showcasing how our dry ice technology and CO 2 reclamation efforts are making a positive impact on the environment and the manufacturing industry."

For more information about Cold Jet's participation in the Greener Manufacturing Show North America, please visit their website here.

About Cold Jet

Cold Jet provides environmental cleaning, surface preparation, and parts finishing systems to global manufacturing industries that utilize particles of dry ice as a blasting medium. We also produce systems for the production, metering, and packaging of dry ice for food transportation, cold chain management, and dry ice cleaning. Cold Jet is headquartered in Loveland, Ohio, with international operations in Europe, Asia, Canada, and Mexico. For more information, visit www.coldjet.com or call 1-800-337-9423 or +1-513-831-3211 (International).

For media inquiries, please contact Rachael Barnes, Marketing and Communications Generalist Global Marketing, Cold Jet at rbarnes@coldjet.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/81ee5bab-886d-4900-8a81-5bcabdb01d08




SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- High School Inc. Academies Foundation is proud to announce its newly appointed Executive Director, Felix Lugo. A visionary leader, Felix has a sterling track record of more than 15 years in both public and private middle and high school education. With a dynamic background encompassing such diverse domains as student life, community service, internships, enrollment, marketing, fundraising, and residential programs, Felix brings a wealth of expertise that promises to shape the future of High School Inc. and redefine educational excellence.

Throughout his career, Felix has not only led various administrative departments but has also been a driving force in establishing entire educational institutions from the ground up. His innovative contributions have extended far beyond individual schools, as he has played a crucial role in enhancing staff development and significantly boosting student enrollment in high schools across the United States.

Felix's visionary approach is perhaps best demonstrated in his crowning achievements: the foundation of three international boarding schools across the U.S., in California, New York and Maryland. These prestigious institutions collectively generate an annual revenue exceeding $5 million dollars, showcasing Felix's acumen in both educational leadership and financial management. In addition, he possesses a global outlook and multicultural expertise that have enriched the educational experiences of students from over 50 countries.

Felix's educational journey is underscored by his commitment to personal growth and development. He holds a master's degree in management from Warner University and a bachelor's degree in health services administration from Monroe College. Eager to stay at the forefront of educational innovation, Felix has pursued additional training at esteemed institutions including Rockhurst University, Love & Logic Institute, The Association of Boarding Schools and Cross-Country Education.

As High School Inc.'s new Executive Director, Felix Lugo is set to steer HSI toward new heights of excellence. His transformative leadership, global perspective, and dedication to creating a vibrant and inclusive learning environment make him an invaluable asset to the community. Join us in welcoming Felix as he embarks on a journey of innovation, growth, and unparalleled educational impact.

For more information about High School Inc., visit www.highschoolinc.org .

About High School Inc.

High School Inc. is a partnership between the Santa Ana Unified School District, the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, and the High School Inc. Foundation Board. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, HSI is committed to empowering youth and strengthening communities through education and business partnerships. There are currently six High School Inc. Academies at Valley High School in Santa Ana, CA. The CHANGE academies include Culinary Arts and Hospitality, Healthcare, Automotive, Transportation and Logistics, New Media, Global Business, and Engineering and Computer Science.

HSI Academy teachers at Valley High School work side-by-side and in close collaboration with business partners and mentors to help students uncover their college and career interests and develop plans to help them reach post-graduation goals. HSI Academy students graduate at an accelerated rate and receive a higher percentage of internships. Students also demonstrate more confidence and clarity in college and career goals, and businesses report increased productivity.

If you are inspired by High School Inc. at Valley High School and would like more information regarding our award-winning CHANGE Academies, please contact Felix Lugo, Executive Director, at felix@highschoolinc.org.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c6a83333-54f6-4902-bcf1-4220855f6559

Media Contact

Amy Rodriguez

High School Inc. Academies Foundation

714.716.3588

amy@highschoolinc.org




New York, NY, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dental Marketing Guy, a team of dental SEO experts, has been helping dentists rank high on Google. The agency is the first to offer the only SEO dental course for dental practitioners. The principles taught in this course will take the dental website from no SEO to pro SEO. Ranked as the #1 dental SEO company by Google, this agency has a different approach to offering SEO services for dentists and dental clinics. Most practitioners do not know that there are new patients out there who are already searching for their services. However, they cannot tap into the new audience because their website is not optimized for SEO.



Dental Marketing Guy

The dental marketing experts here start with a comprehensive marketing analysis. Unlike other agencies, they do not start with applying SEO techniques. The reason why most SEO strategies dont work is because of the lack of analysis. Dental Marketing Guy is one such agency that starts their process with a comprehensive marketing analysis in the initial phase. They dont start by convincing the dentist or the practice how or why their website needs SEO. They analyze to see if the website really needs SEO. It is unlike anything anyone would have witnessed from other dental SEO companies.

The search engine experts at dental SEO experts and Dental Marketing Guy are so confident that their SEO analysis comes with a 100% money-back guarantee. Justin Morgan, the owner of Dental Marketing Guy, has published more articles about SEO in dentistry and marketing publications than anybody else. These included DentistryIQ, Dentistry Today, DentalTown, Entrepreneur, DentalProductsReport, CIO, and Content Marketing Institute, to name a few. According to Justin, every dental website is missing out on attracting new patients. These are the patients using Google to search for services and people who value comprehensive care.

Dental marketing experts at this agency believe in results. If they cannot tie SEO to increased production, then it is unnecessary. Another important thing is that search engines change, and so do their algorithms, and along with it the SEO strategies adopted by this agency. By hiring a dental SEO expert like Justin Morgan, who has been featured as a thought leader in many top SEO websites, dentists have come to the right place. Justin also guides other SEO companies on how to rank websites on various search engines. The agency follows a proven dental SEO process, and it changes for every dental practice as it believes that one size doesnt fit all. Every practice is unique, including the services it offers, the patients it cares for, its geographical location, and so on.

To learn more, visit https://dentalmarketingguy.com/dental-seo-expert/.

About Dental Marketing Guy

Dental Marketing Guy is a dental SEO expert offering full-scale dental SEO and dental web design services. The agency was started by Justin Morgan to help dental practitioners learn how to build a more fulfilling practice. It is the first-ever digital marketing agency that has launched an SEO course for dentists.

###

Media Contact

Justin Morgan  Dental Marketing Guy

Phone: 805-996-0304

Website: https://dentalmarketingguy.com/



Justin Morgan  Dental Marketing Guy








Video Archives Now Available: Bruce Carnegie-Brown, Chair of Lloyds of London one-on-one interview with host Ketan Patel, Force For Good feature.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Via ESG News) ESG News releases Lloyds of London, Chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown one-on-one interview with Force for Good Host and Chairman Ketan Patel, live from London, England.

Highlights - Bruce speaks to Force For Good About:

The global risks facing the world, transcending national boundaries.

The challenges to capitalism

Why capitalism is a powerful and much needed force for addressing the issues and how Lloyds plays as a participant.

Resilience as a solution to the SDG gap

How Lloyds of London approaches risk as a truly global player across the world, between the Global North and South

Why Bruce Carnegie-Brown is an optimist.

Watch full video: One-on-One Interview

Event Details

Show: Force For Good

Guests: Bruce Carnegie-Brown , Chairman, Lloyds of London

Host: Ketan Patel

Original Release Dates: April, 18 2023

Location: London, England

Network: ESG News

Producer: Matt Bird

YouTube: Archive

About Bruce Carnegie-Brown

Bruce Carnegie-Brown was appointed Chairman in June 2017. He is currently also Vice-Chairman of Banco Santander, Chairman of the MCC, Chair of the Leadership Council of TheCityUK and Chairman of Cuvva, a digital motor insurance business.

He was a Non-Executive Director of JLT Group plc from 2016 to 2017, prior to which he was Non-Executive Chairman of Aon UK Ltd from 2012 to 2015, Senior Independent Director of Catlin Group Ltd from 2010 to 2014 and Chief Executive for Marsh UK and Europe from 2003 to 2006. He was Chairman of Moneysupermarket Group from 2014 to 2019 and Senior Independent Director of Close Brothers Group plc from 2006 to 2014 and is a Past President of the Chartered Management Institute.

He previously worked at JP Morgan for 18 years in a number of senior roles and was Managing Partner of 3i Group plc's Quoted Private Equity Division from 2007 to 2009.

About Ketan Patel

Chair of the Force for Good Platform and Initiative; CEO and Founder, Greater Pacific Capital; Formerly Goldman Sachs, Head of Strategic Group; Formerly Partner KPMG; Author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005)

Ketan established the Force for Good Initiative, leading its outreach and research and co-authored its inaugural report, Capital as a Force for Good, in December 2020, which examined 63 leading global financial institutions and engaged 30 as active participants, establishing the industrys efforts to impact the world for good.

He was formerly a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and headed the Goldman Sachs Strategic Group. He has worked extensively in the US, Europe, China, Japan and India, providing strategic counsel to the banks leading corporate, investing and government client leaders.

Ketan co-founded and leads the investment firm, Greater Pacific Capital (GPC), which invests in high growth enterprises making an impact locally and internationally, profitably and sustainably.

He also leads GPCs research work, which focuses on peace, prosperity and freedom, including the rise and fall of civilisations, great power, the changing world order and the shape of the world to come, sustainability, mass inclusion and the eradication of slums.

Ketan is a fellow, trustee and board member of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and worked with the UNWAAS Global Leadership Initiative, leading the future of finance initiative. He currently chairs the WAAS Global Referendum initiative.

He is a member of the working group of the UN SDSN Senior Working Group on Joint Implementation of EGD and SDGs and also the Lancet Commission COVID 19 Green Recovery Task Force focused on Sustainable Finance.

Ketan is the author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005).

He grew up in London and India and studied Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is an MBA and ACMA.

For more information about being a guest, sponsorship or attending a live event please contact us

CONTACTS:

Guest Bookings

events@esgnews.com

View Original Article: https://esgnews.com/bruce-carnegie-brown-chairman-of-lloyds-of-london-interview-with-ketan-patel-force-for-good/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e369314-fddd-4dcc-a624-8fb417be7b32
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (Scott+Scott), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, reminds investors of its continuing investigation whether certain directors and officers of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs) (NYSE: GS) breached their fiduciary duties to Goldman Sachs and its shareholders. If you are a Goldman Sachs shareholder, you may contact attorney Joe Pettigrew for additional information toll-free at 844-818-6982, or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.



Scott+Scott is investigating whether members of Goldman Sachss board of directors or senior management failed to manage Goldman Sachs in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to Goldman Sachs, and whether Goldman Sachs and its shareholders have suffered damages as a result.

On May 4, 2023, Goldman Sachs announced that "various governmental bodies" were engaging in investigations and inquiries about Goldman Sachs's role in the unsuccessful capital raise and securities portfolio sale of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). On June 15, 2023, the Wall Street Journal reported that Goldman Sachs was under investigation by the Federal Reserve, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the U.S. Department of Justice.

What You Can Do

If you are a Goldman Sachs shareholder, you may have legal claims against Goldman Sachss directors and officers. If you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Joe Pettigrew toll-free at 844-818-6982, or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.

About Scott+Scott

Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and consumer rights actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Connecticut, California, and Ohio.

Attorney Advertising

CONTACT:

Joe Pettigrew

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP

600 W. Broadway, Suite 3300

San Diego, CA 92101

844-818-6982

jpettigrew@scott-scott.com
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gradle Inc. announced today that it has changed the name of its award-winning software solution for improving developer productivity from Gradle Enterprise to Develocity . Develocity speeds up builds and tests leveraging advanced performance acceleration technologies. In addition, its failure analytics make troubleshooting faster and toolchains more reliable by providing build action and build environment observability, trends, and insights.







We chose the name Develocity because it tells you unambiguously who this product is for and what business value we deliver, said Hans Dockter, Gradle Inc. founder and CEO. Developers experience the productivity benefits directly, while organizations experience accelerated time to software delivery and business impact.

According to the company, the Gradle Enterprise name served the company well since the products inception. However, as the companys multi-build system support strategy gained traction and yielded a major solution advantage, over time the name became more of a liability than an advantage. Specifically, there was a common misconception that Gradle Enterprise was just for the Gradle Build Tool . The well-established precedent for using Enterprise to connote a commercial version of a freemium product, or a product that is based on an open-source core, reinforced the misunderstanding.

Driven by a set of common developer productivity pain points across toolchains, Gradle embarked on a multi-build system support strategy that continues today. As a result, Develocity not only supports the Gradle Build Tool, but since 2019 has supported the Apache Maven build system. Further, recently Gradle announced Develocity support for the Bazel build system, an open-source project hosted by Google. Simultaneously, it released beta-level support for sbt, the open-source build system popular with the Scala language developer community. Support for additional software development ecosystems is on the product roadmap.

We want to ensure that developers can continue to use the best tools for the job, including build systems, said Dockter. This means supporting all major build systems over time and ensuring that development organizations dont have to migrate from their current tool of choice to avail themselves of the developer productivity and experience benefits delivered by Develocity.

Contact

LaunchSquad for Gradle

gradle@launchsquad.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c1a91e70-a3c5-4756-8d98-b4ba65f756d1
HONOLULU, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holu Hou Energy LLC (HHE,) a provider of state-of-the-art solar and storage systems for Multi-Dwelling Unit (MDU) and Single-Family Residential properties, was recognized as the 2023 winner of the Innovative Tech Company of the Year at the 13th annual Pacific Edge Business Achievement Awards Gala in Honolulu, Hawaii. This event has been one of Hawaiis most anticipated and prestigious events for recognizing businesses and leaders in 14 categories.

We are very proud of the work our team has done in bringing not only the technological excellence of our HHE EnergyCluster but also in our ability to bring low-income rental housing communities the ability to take advantage of this technology while delivering more energy for less cost, said Ted Peck, President of HHE. The HHE EnergyClusters innovative technology allows for installing and generating far greater solar energy while using far fewer batteries than traditionally built solar systems. Our first deployment of this technology was in 2021 at the Koas project in Koloa on Kauai, where we provided this technology for 134 low-income housing in 23 total buildings. There are approximately 200,000 MDU tenant units in Hawaii that to date are without the benefits of solar electricity. It is our mission to change this every day when our team here comes to work.



The core problem HHE solves for MDUs is the long-standing barrier of tenant unit load pattern and amount variability. This has effectively blocked solar from being installed on individually metered tenant units as the economic and financing model hasnt existed. Attempts at addressing these properties through Community Solar or Virtual Net Metering have been largely unsuccessful, so penetration of that market has been close to non-existent. The proprietary HHE EnergyCluster takes excess PV generation from any tenant unit that isnt consuming it and using HHEs Active Process Control sends it to other tenant units in the cluster that dont have enough PV to meet their demand. This enables generation utilization and efficiency that is not possible through any other means.



HHE brought the EnergyCluster solution to California in March of this year and has excellent traction with some of the Nations largest MDU property owners. California is by far the largest market for MDU rental properties in the United States and there are about 3,000,000 rental property units in the State without solar, said Brad Hansen CEO of Holu Hou Energy. California MDU property owners, many of which own more than 10,000 rental units, have been looking for a solution and are embracing our EnergyCluster in a way that has been incredibly exciting. They finally see a modular and scalable solution that can cover up to 80% of the tenant unit load without exporting or being curtailed for little to no compensation. Avoided retail utility rates in California are even higher than in Hawaii in some locations, so the economics of moving the value of electricity to the MDU owner is pretty staggering when they see it and that is translating to customer pull.

See How HHE's Breakthrough "EnergyCluster" for Multi-Dwelling Unit Properties Works

Click Here - https://youtu.be/vp3-2HD6Kdo





About Holu Hou Energy, LLC

Holu Hou Energy, LLC, a Delaware Corporation, brings state-of-the-art renewable energy and energy storage systems to the Single-Family Residential, Multi-Dwelling Unit Residential and Commercial building markets. With operations in California, Hawaii, Wisconsin, and Shanghai, HHE engineers proprietary storage system and control platform solutions, including a breakthrough HHE EnergyCluster technology that is key to the development of the Multi-Dwelling Unit Residential housing market. HHE is a vital partner for investors and asset owners who are seeking ESG solutions. For more information, visit www.holuhou.com

Ted Peck

99-1265 Halawa Valley St, Bay 1

Aiea, HI 96701

808-371-7514
HAYWARD, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Predicine, Inc., a pioneer in the field of liquid biopsy, announced a new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), demonstrating the clinical utility of its minimal residual disease (MRD) Liquid Biopsy Assay in support of Genentech's Phase 1 Clinical Trial of Divarasib. This milestone reaffirms Predicine's position as a leader in the field of liquid biopsy diagnostics.



In this global Phase 1 clinical trial of Divarasib, Predicines tumor-naive, blood-informed MRD solution, PredicineBEACON, played a central role in assessing the safety and efficacy of the treatment. The trial results were nothing short of remarkable, with confirmed response rates observed in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (56%), colorectal cancer (CRC) (36%), and other solid tumors (36%) at the highest dose.

What sets this biomarker study apart is the blood-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) profiling at the ultra-deep MRD level using Predicine's proprietary liquid biopsy next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform. PredicineBEACON, a tumor naive, personalized minimal residual disease (MRD) assay, enabled precise monitoring of genomic alterations and emerging resistance mechanisms.

The longitudinal assessment of circulating tumor DNA at the MRD level (100,000X sequencing depth) revealed declines in KRAS G12C variant allele frequency, strongly associated with positive treatment response. Additionally, this analysis identified genomic alterations that may contribute to resistance to Divarasib. Remarkably, a reduction in KRAS G12C variant allele frequency was observed as early as day 15 of cycle 1. Importantly, the study highlights the correlation between the molecular dynamics of KRAS G12C mutation and complete or partial responses to Divarasib across all three tumor types (NSCLC, CRC, and other solid tumors). These findings underscore the clinical utility of liquid biopsy profiling in the assessment of phase I clinical trial of Divarasib.

As a physician, I'm constantly searching for tools that can provide deeper insights into our patients' conditions. Liquid biopsy has been a game-changer in our approach to cancer care. It offers a minimally invasive yet highly informative window into the molecular landscape of tumors. It's transforming how we understand and treat solid tumors. Liquid biopsy holds tremendous promise for patients, said Dr. Jayesh Desai from Peter McCullum Cancer Center, who is the corresponding author of this study.

"We are delighted to witness the significant clinical impact of Predicine's blood-informed MRD liquid biopsy solutions in the context of Genentech's Phase 1 clinical trial of Divarasib, said Dr. Shidong Jia, Founder & CEO of Predicine. This milestone publication with Divarasib is a testament to the power of Predicine's unique liquid biopsy technology to advance precision oncology and clinical trials.

The publication can be found online at: Single-Agent Divarasib (GDC-6036) in Solid Tumors with a KRAS G12C Mutation - PubMed (nih.gov)

About Predicine

Predicine is a global molecular insights company committed to advancing precision medicine in oncology and infectious disease diagnostics. Predicine is developing proprietary technologies for cell-free DNA and cell-free RNA liquid biopsy to enable minimally invasive molecular diagnoses for early cancer detection, treatment selection, therapy response, minimal residual disease monitoring, and disease progression. The Predicine portfolio includes blood, urine, and tissue based NGS assays designed for globally harmonized use in research, clinical investigation, and companion diagnostic (CDx) development. Through its business operations in Silicon Valley, Houston, Chicago, Shanghai, Beijing, Suzhou, and Harbin, Predicine is partnering and collaborating with leading biopharma companies, institutions, and governments to support personalized healthcare on a global scale. Further information is available on the company websites, http://www.predicine.com. Stay in touch on LinkedIn or @Predicine on Twitter.

Contact Information:

Predicine, Inc.

media@predicine.com




NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (Scott+Scott), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, continues investigating whether the directors of New Relic, Inc. (New Relic) (NYSE: NEWR) breached their fiduciary duties to its shareholders in approving a merger with subsidiaries of TPG Capital Management, L.P. (TPG) and Francisco Partners Management, L.P. (Francisco Partners) for inadequate consideration. If you are a New Relic shareholder, you may contact attorney Joe Pettigrew for additional information toll-free at 844-818-6982, or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.



Scott+Scott is investigating whether New Relics board of directors failed to maximize the value of New Relic for the benefit of New Relics shareholders in connection with its announced merger with subsidiaries of investment funds advised by TPG and Francisco Partners, in breach of their fiduciary duties to New Relics shareholders, and whether New Relics shareholders have suffered damages as a result.

On July 31, 2023, New Relic announced it had reached an agreement to be bought out by subsidiaries of investment funds advised by TPG and Francisco Partners, for $87.00 per share. The transaction is valued at approximately $6.5 billion.

What You Can Do

If you are a New Relic shareholder, you may have legal claims against New Relics directors. If you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Joe Pettigrew toll-free at 844-818-6982, or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.

About Scott+Scott

Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and consumer rights actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Connecticut, California, and Ohio.

Attorney Advertising

CONTACT:

Joe Pettigrew

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP

600 W. Broadway, Suite 3300, San Diego, CA 92101

844-818-6982

jpettigrew@scott-scott.com
Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) is pleased to announce today that it has declared monthly distributions on its Class A Units (the Units) of the PIMCO Canada closed end funds (the Funds). The distributions will be paid on October 13, 2023 to the holders of record at the close of business on September 29, 2023.

Details of the distribution amounts are as follow:

Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit Change from Previous Month Percentage Change from Previous Month PIMCO Global Income Opportunities Fund PGI.UN $ 0.05688 - - PIMCO Tactical Income Fund PTI.UN $ 0.05580 - - PIMCO Tactical Income Opportunities Fund PTO.UN $ 0.05709 - - PIMCO Multi-Sector Income Fund PIX.UN $ 0.06538 - -



Unitholders are reminded that each Fund offers a distribution reinvestment plan (DRIP) which will provide unitholders with the ability to automatically reinvest their distributions. Eligible unitholders are encouraged to contact the institution through which they hold their Units to confirm enrollment procedures and timelines. A copy of the DRIP is available at www.pimco.ca.

The Manager, PIMCO Canada, retains Pacific Investment Management Company LLC (PIMCO), to provide investment management services to the Funds.

About PIMCO

PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider.

This is not an offer to sell Units and not a solicitation of an offer to buy Units in any region where the offer or sale is not permitted. Before you invest, you should carefully read the Funds disclosure documents and consider carefully the risks you assume when you invest in the Units. There can be no assurance that a Fund will achieve its investment objectives or be able to structure its investment portfolio as anticipated. Copies of the Funds disclosure documents may be obtained from your financial advisor.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect each Fund, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell Units on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX). If the Units are purchased or sold on the TSX, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying Units and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them. There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning Units. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the Funds in these documents. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Each Fund is a closed end exchange traded investment fund. Closed end funds, unlike open end funds, are not continuously offered. After the initial public offering, shares of closed end funds are sold on the open market through a stock exchange. For additional information, contact your financial advisor.

For a summary of the risks of an investment in each Fund, please see the Principal Risks of the Fund section of the prospectus. Units of closed end funds frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value, which may increase risk of loss. Distributions are not guaranteed and are subject to change and/or elimination.

PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. 2023, PIMCO

The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada Corp. may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose.

PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser.

PIMCO Canada Corp. 199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2, 416-368-3350

Contact:

Agnes Crane

PIMCO  Media Relations

Phone: +212 597.1054
Washington, DC, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The United States Mint (Mint) joined U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) and U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), along with representatives from the Friends of the National World War II Memorial, to unveil the designs for the 2024 Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program during a ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. The designs are emblematic of the National World War II Memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II and will be featured on a $5 gold coin, a $1 silver coin, and a half dollar clad coin. As authorized by Public Law 117-162, the sales price of each coin will include a surcharge payable to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the National World War II Memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs. United States Mint Artistic Infusion Program Designers created all the designs, which were sculpted by United States Mint Medallic Artists.

$5 Gold Coin Obverse

Designer: Heidi Wastweet

Medallic Artist: Eric David Custer

The obverse (heads) design features a section of the Wall of Stars at the World War II Memorial with an Olive Branch. Each star on the wall represents 100 Americans who lost their lives in the war, and the Olive Branch represents the peace that followed thanks to their sacrifice. The inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, 2024, and WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL.

$5 Gold Coin Reverse

Designer: Ben Sowards

Medallic Artist: Joseph Menna

The reverse (tails) design shows a folded American flag, such as one that would be presented at the funeral of a fallen service member. The inscriptions include UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, WWII MEMORIAL, TO UNITE THEGENERATIONS OF TOMORROW, and FIVE DOLLARS.

$1 Silver Coin Obverse

Designer: Beth Zaiken

Medallic Artist: Phebe Hemphill

The design features six figures working together to support the Earth, illustrating the cooperation of each of the military branches (Army Air Forces, Coast Guard, Navy, Army, and Marine Corps), as well as the Merchant Marine during World War II. The inscriptions are 1941-1945, WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL, DEFENDERS OF FREEDOM, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 2024.

$1 Silver Coin Reverse

Designer: Ben Sowards

Medallic Artist: Renata Gordon

The reverse design features a view from beneath a baldacchino, a sculptural canopy inside a Victory Pavilion in the World War II Memorial. The sculpture depicts four eagles holding a laurel wreath, within which is a globe centered on the Pacific Ocean. The inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, VICTORY, IN THE AIR, AT SEA, ON LAND, WWII MEMORIAL, and ONE DOLLAR.

Half Dollar Clad Coin Obverse

Designer: Elana Hagler

Medallic Artist: Craig A. Campbell

The obverse design re-imagines the Victory Medal that was awarded to all who served in the Armed Forces during World War II. The figure of Liberation stands with open arms holding two halves of a broken sword, symbolizing the wars conclusion. The inscriptions are LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, WORLD WAR II, 2024, and WE ANSWERED THE CALL.

Half Dollar Clad Coin Reverse

Designer: Matt Swaim

Medallic Artist: John P. McGraw

The reverse design depicts the World War II Memorial from the point of view of a person walking up a ramp leading to one of the towers. The inscriptions are UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM, and HALF DOLLAR.

All coin images are available at https://www.usmint.gov/news/image-library/commemoratives.

The Greatest Generation commemorative coin designs are emblematic of the National World War II Memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II, said United States Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. We hope this program will honor their unwavering courage and selfless spirit.

The on-sale date for products in the 2024 Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program will be published on the Mints 2024 Product Schedule. When available, the Mint will accept orders at catalog.usmint.gov/.

About the United States Mint

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nations sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/learn/coin-and-medal-programs/commemorative-coins/greatest-generation for additional information about the Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Program.

Visit https://www.usmint.gov/about for information about the United States Mint.

Visit and subscribe to the United States Mints YouTube channel to view videos about the United States Mint.

Visit https://catalog.usmint.gov/email-signup to subscribe to United States Mint education newsletter, electronic product notifications, news releases, public statements, and the monthly educational newsletter, Lessons That Make Cents .

. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

# # #

United States Mint  Connecting America through Coins

Attachment
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (Scott+Scott), an international securities and consumer rights litigation firm, continues investigating whether certain directors and officers of Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon) (NYSE: XOM) breached their fiduciary duties to Exxon and its shareholders. If you are an Exxon shareholder, you may contact attorney Joe Pettigrew for additional information toll-free at 844-818-6982 or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.



Scott+Scott is investigating whether members of the Exxon Board of Directors (the Board) made, or caused Exxon to make, false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts, about Exxons business, operations, prospects, and financial health. Specifically, Scott+Scott is investigating whether the Board failed to disclose material information, including whether: (i) Exxon forced its employees to use unrealistic assumptions regarding the timelines for well drilling in the Permian Basin; (ii) the foregoing assumptions served to artificially inflate the value of Exxons well operations in the Permian Basin; (iii) the foregoing conduct, when revealed, subjected Exxon to a heightened risk of regulatory investigation and oversight; and (iv) as a result, statements about Exxons business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis.

On January 15, 2021, the Wall Street Journal published an article entitled Exxon Draws SEC Probe Over Permian Basin Asset Valuation. The article reported that the Securities and Exchange Commission probe stemmed from a whistleblower complaint that, during a 2019 internal assessment, workers were forced to use unrealistic assumptions about how quickly wells in the Permian Basin could be drilled to reach a higher valuation, and that at least one worker who complained about the assumptions was fired. On this news, Exxons stock price fell $2.42 per share, or 4.81%, to close at $47.89 per share on January 15, 2021.

What You Can Do

If you are an Exxon shareholder, you may have legal claims against Exxons directors and officers. If you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Joe Pettigrew toll-free at 844-818-6982 or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.

About Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP

Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major securities, antitrust, and consumer rights actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide with offices in New York, London, Amsterdam, Connecticut, California, and Ohio.

Attorney Advertising

CONTACT:

Joe Pettigrew

Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP

600 W. Broadway, Suite 3300, San Diego, CA 92101

844-818-6982

jpettigrew@scott-scott.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Aptean , a global provider of mission-critical enterprise software solutions, announced its acquisition of Apparel Business Systems, LLC (ABS), a leading provider of enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to fashion and apparel manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors.



Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, ABS provides software and solutions designed to support multi-channel operations for footwear, apparel, accessories and home goods manufacturers, distributors and wholesalers. ABS platform offers functionality to support all business-critical functions, including production processes, inventory levels, sales, customer service, cost tracking and supply chain management. The scalability and flexibility of its software, which can be deployed either in the cloud as a Subscription as a Service (SaaS) or on-premise, ensures ABS can address the business requirement of organizations of all sizes.

ABS has deep roots in the fashion and apparel industry with over 30 years of experience addressing the unique requirements of organizations operating in the industry, said Roberto Mangual, SVP and GM of the Americas Discrete Business Unit at Aptean. Today, its next generation software, backed by the deep expertise of its team, helps its customers to remain competitive and profitable in a rapidly changing marketplace. Were delighted to welcome ABS to Aptean.

Aptean shares our commitment to support the fashion industry with purpose-built solutions that support more efficient and productive operations, said Kathryn Graham Duggan, CEO at ABS. Together with Aptean, we will be able to offer our customers more industry-specific solutions to help drive their success.

About Apparel Business Systems, LLC

Apparel Business Systems (ABS) is a leader in software solutions dedicated to the sewn products industry with over 30 years of experience addressing the unique needs of companies providing footwear, apparel, accessories, and home goods. With trusted partnerships worldwide, ABS offers a comprehensive, web-based ERP solution designed for multi-channel operations including wholesale, distribution, manufacturing, and B2B/B2C E-Commerce. To learn more visit: www.apparelbusiness.com.

About Aptean

Aptean is one of the worlds leading providers of purpose-built, industry-specific software that helps manufacturers and distributors effectively run and grow their businesses. With both cloud and on-premise deployment options, Apteans products, services and unmatched expertise help businesses of all sizes to be Ready for Whats Next, Now. Aptean is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. To learn more about Aptean and the markets we serve, visit www.aptean.com.

Aptean and Ready for Whats Next, Now are Registered Trademarks of Aptean, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

For Media Inquiries Please Contact

MediaRelations@Aptean.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/86f3840d-f46d-439b-82ef-efac13a7cbb7
Portland, OR, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fora Health Treatment and Recovery, an alcohol and drug addiction recovery center located in Portland, Oregon, joined forces with "Go the Distance," CODA Treatment Recovery (Comprehensive Options for Drug Addicts), and Volunteers of America (VOA) to participate in the annual Walk for Recovery event organized by Oregon Recovers. Patients and staff from these addiction centers came together to raise awareness and funds for addiction recovery on Sunday, September 17, 2023, with walks taking place in Rogue Valley, Klamath Falls, Lane County, Bend, Eastern Oregon, and Portland.

Walk for Recovery, the flagship fundraising event of Oregon Recovers stands as a pivotal initiative in our battle against Oregon's addiction crisis. With a primary fundraising target of $100,000, the event aims to provide critical resources to tackle this pressing issue. Simultaneously, it serves as a platform for individuals and organizations to come together, fostering a sense of community and enabling participants to proudly demonstrate their support for those in recovery. This united front seeks to challenge the stigma surrounding addiction and promote a culture of recovery pride.

Fora Health's involvement in this initiative is grounded in a shared commitment to addressing Oregon's addiction crisis. Michael Hovey, Fora Healths patient care supervisor, expressed the organization's enthusiasm, stating, "At Fora Health, we believe in the power of collective action to bring about positive change. Teaming up with 'Go the Distance,' CODA, and Volunteers of America for the Walk for Recovery is an opportunity for us to make a real impact on the lives of those affected by addiction."

The walk followed a route of approximately two miles, passing by various treatment providers, recovery houses, detox centers, and Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) clinics. In addition to the walk, the event featured speeches from prominent leaders in the community, including Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, Rep. Tawna Sanchez, and other influential figures dedicated to addressing addiction issues in Oregon.

Oregon faces the challenge of having the second-highest addiction rate in the country while ranking 50th in access to treatment. The annual Walk for Recovery offers a vital opportunity for community members to make a tangible difference.

You can still participate in the Walk for Recovery by donating on the event's website. Community members can also contribute by fundraising for the event or making a direct donation to Oregon Recovers.

###

About Fora Health

Fora Health is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to providing compassionate substance use and mental health treatment services. With a focus on eradicating stigma and fostering whole-person care, Fora Health operates multiple locations and serves thousands of individuals and families annually. For more information, visit Forahealth.org.







Attachments
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Via ESG News) ESG News releases Paul Polman Former Unilever CEO one-on-one interview with Force for Good Host and Chairman Ketan Patel, live from London, England.







Highlights - Paul Polman speaks to Force For Good About:

How the SDGs are not set to be met, based on todays trajectory

Why our business and industrial model doesnt work with 8 billion people

How capitalism is much needed, and in a more fit-for-purpose evolved form

Realpolitik, ESG and the American and European approaches to sustainability

The importance of bringing together those with private wealth and those with social impact potential

Why he remains hopeful

Watch full video: One-on-One Interview

Event Details

Show: Force For Good

Guests: Paul Polman , Former CEO Unilever

Host: Ketan Patel

Original Release Dates: April, 18 2023

Location: London, England

Network: ESG News

Producer: Matt Bird

YouTube: Archive

About Paul Polman

Paul is Co-founder and Chair Emeritus of IMAGINE. A leading proponent that business should be a force for good, Paul has been described by the Financial Times as a standout CEO of the past decade. As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), he demonstrated that a long-term, multi-stakeholder model goes hand-in-hand with excellent financial performance. Paul was a member of the UN Secretary Generals High-Level Panel which developed the Sustainable Development Goals and as an active SDG Advocate he continues to work with global organisations and across industry to push the 2030 development agenda. He is Chair of the B Team and Said Business School, Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact and honourary Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, which he led for two years.

Prior to joining Unilever, Mr. Polman was Chief Financial Officer of Nestle S.A. He serves as President of the Kilimanjaro Blind trust and Chairman of Perkins International Advisory Board. He is also a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum, the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Bruce Carnegie-Brown was appointed Chairman in June 2017. He is currently also Vice-Chairman of Banco Santander, Chairman of the MCC, Chair of the Leadership Council of TheCityUK and Chairman of Cuvva, a digital motor insurance business.

He was a Non-Executive Director of JLT Group plc from 2016 to 2017, prior to which he was Non-Executive Chairman of Aon UK Ltd from 2012 to 2015, Senior Independent Director of Catlin Group Ltd from 2010 to 2014 and Chief Executive for Marsh UK and Europe from 2003 to 2006. He was Chairman of Moneysupermarket Group from 2014 to 2019 and Senior Independent Director of Close Brothers Group plc from 2006 to 2014 and is a Past President of the Chartered Management Institute.

He previously worked at JP Morgan for 18 years in a number of senior roles and was Managing Partner of 3i Group plc's Quoted Private Equity Division from 2007 to 2009.

About Ketan Patel

Chair of the Force for Good Platform and Initiative; CEO and Founder, Greater Pacific Capital; Formerly Goldman Sachs, Head of Strategic Group; Formerly Partner KPMG; Author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005).

Ketan established the Force for Good Initiative, leading its outreach and research and co-authored its inaugural report, Capital as a Force for Good, in December 2020, which examined 63 leading global financial institutions and engaged 30 as active participants, establishing the industrys efforts to impact the world for good.

He was formerly a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and headed the Goldman Sachs Strategic Group. He has worked extensively in the US, Europe, China, Japan and India, providing strategic counsel to the banks leading corporate, investing and government client leaders.

Ketan co-founded and leads the investment firm, Greater Pacific Capital (GPC), which invests in high growth enterprises making an impact locally and internationally, profitably and sustainably.

He also leads GPCs research work, which focuses on peace, prosperity and freedom, including the rise and fall of civilisations, great power, the changing world order and the shape of the world to come, sustainability, mass inclusion and the eradication of slums.

Ketan is a fellow, trustee and board member of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and worked with the UNWAAS Global Leadership Initiative, leading the future of finance initiative. He currently chairs the WAAS Global Referendum initiative.

He is a member of the working group of the UN SDSN Senior Working Group on Joint Implementation of EGD and SDGs and also the Lancet Commission COVID 19 Green Recovery Task Force focused on Sustainable Finance.

Ketan is the author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005).

He grew up in London and India and studied Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is an MBA and ACMA.

For more information about being a guest, sponsorship or attending a live event please contact us.

CONTACTS:

Guest Bookings & Sponsorship inquiries:

events@esgnews.com

View Original Article: https://esgnews.com/paul-polman-former-unilever-ceo-interview-with-ketan-patel-force-for-good/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5002b760-c727-4f27-b08c-3ca71f073c75
Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Earlier this month the federal government petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the preliminary injunction issued by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Missouri v. Biden, which bars officials from the White House, CDC, FBI and U.S. Surgeon Generals office from pressuring social media platforms to censor constitutionally protected speech. Today, the New Civil Liberties Alliance, together with the Louisiana and Missouri attorneys-general, filed a response urging the high Court to allow the preliminary injunction to take effect, protecting Americans First Amendment rights while the litigation proceeds.

On September 8, a Fifth Circuit panel upheld the most significant components of U.S. District Judge Terry Doughtys preliminary injunction prohibiting the aforementioned officials from pressuring, coercing, or significantly encouraging social media companies to suppress constitutionally protected speech. This decision vindicated NCLA clients Drs. Jayanta Bhattacharya, Martin Kulldorff and Aaron Kheriaty, and Ms. Jill Hines, who have all been blacklisted, shadow-banned, de-boosted, throttled, and censored on social media as part of the years-long censorship campaign orchestrated by the Surgeon General, CDC, and other Biden Administration officials. The government has failed to present a single convincing argument for staying the injunction any further.

The Biden Administrations censorship regime has successfully suppressed perspectives contradicting government-approved views on hotly disputed topics such as whether natural immunity to Covid-19 exists, safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccines, the viruss origins, and mask mandate efficacy. The vast, coordinated, and well-documented effort has silenced influential voices including doctors and scientists like Drs. Bhattacharya, Kulldorff and Kheriaty, as well as those like Jill Hines who have tried to raise awareness of issues. The Supreme Court is unlikely to reverse the Fifth Circuits injunction against such abridgment of the First Amendment.

The Fifth Circuit recognized that the Plaintiffs did not challenge the social-media platforms content-moderation policies. Rather, Plaintiffs challenged the governments unlawful efforts to influence enforcement of those policies. The government gravely harmed the ability of NCLAs clients to convey their views to the public, and it deprived Americans of their right to hear opinions that differ from the governments. Judge Doughty strikingly described the Administrations conduct as arguably the most massive attack against free speech in United States history and akin to an Orwellian Ministry of Truth. The Supreme Court should allow the Fifth Circuits order enjoining that conduct to proceed without delay. Otherwise, Americans First Amendment rights will be denied.

NCLA released the following statements:

Apparently the Biden Administration hasnt gotten tired of losing. The governments stay application is nothing more than a shameless attempt to convince the nations highest court to allow it to continue to violate Americans First Amendment rights. Were confident the Court will recognize this and uphold the lower courts injunction. We look forward to seeing our clients rights vindicated yet again.

 Jenin Younes, Litigation Counsel, NCLA

The federal government has no right to police the truth or force narratives with which it disagrees from appearing on social media. The fact that the White House, CDC, FBI, and Surgeon Generals office want to keep censoring disfavored viewpoints on social-media platforms is abhorrent. Fortunately, the First Amendment protects the rights of the people and the States to express their views and hear the views of others without federal interference.

 Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here or watch the case video here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

###
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The top minds in emergency medicine research will reveal and discuss new and impactful data at the Research Forum, Oct. 9-11, part of ACEP23, hosted by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

The Research Forum gives academics, researchers, practitioners, and anyone interested in the future of emergency medicine a chance to review and discuss new data that could reshape the specialty, said Claire Pearson, MD, MPH, FACEP, Research Forum 2023 chair, professor of emergency medicine at Wayne State University, and director of clinical research at Ascension St. John in Detroit. The Research Forum is where emergency physicians dive into data and explore opportunities to strengthen emergency medicine, enhance patient care and improve public health.

The Research Forum includes more than 400 original abstracts from 15 countries that will be available on request and published in a special supplement to Annals of Emergency Medicine.

Abstracts featured during the Research Forum plenary sessions this year span topics that include predictive analytics for boarding surges, sepsis and antibiotics, stroke detection, severe bleeding control strategies, snakebite treatment, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, emergency department quality improvement, Ukrainian trauma response analysis, interventions to limit hospitalization, and more.

This years Research Forum featured keynote address is:

Enhancing Clinical Operations: Using Data to Work Smarter and Not Harder (Brooks F. Bock Lecture)

October 11 9:00 - 9:50 am ET

Presented by: Deborah B. Diercks, MD, MSc, FACEP

ACEP will recognize award winners for Best Medical Student Abstract, Best Resident Abstract, Best Early Career Abstract, and Best Overall Abstract as part of the event. Registration for ACEP23 includes access to the Research Forum. Interviews are available with physician faculty, researchers, and ACEP leaders. Media can click here to register for free.
Newark, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to The Brainy Insights, the global arak market size is projected to reach USD 1.64 billion by 2030 from its value of USD 1.26 billion in 2021, at a CAGR of 3.01% during the forecast period.

As per the report published by The Brainy Insights, the global arak market is expected to grow from USD 1.26 billion in 2021 to USD 1.64 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.01% during the forecast period 2022-2030. The market for arak will be driven by consumers' increasing interest in traditional beverages like arak. Given the rising demand for arak in North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific, the commercial production of arak has been increasing in momentum. The creation of arak varieties and the incorporation of arak into cocktails are factors driving up arak consumption globally. The rising demand for restaurants, pubs, and bars due to the shifting demography in developing nations, where the proportion of young people is growing, will provide lucrative opportunities for the arak market. The high per capita income of the people in the developed countries has led to an increase in demand for nightclubs, bars, and pubs which will benefit the arak market. The demand for arak will significantly increase in line with the growing number of restaurants and pubs. Market players can cooperate and work with multiple bars and pubs to expand the number of arak customers and thereby benefit from the rising number of bars, pubs, and restaurants. However, high production costs can restrict market development. Furthermore, the absence of a universal regulatory body to control, monitor, and regulate the arak production, distribution and consumption will challenge the market's growth. Streamlining the production process, supply chains, and regulations can mitigate the restrictions and challenges for the market players.

Request a Sample Copy of the Research Report: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/sample-request/12947

Competitive Strategy



To enhance their market position in the global arak market, the key players are now focusing on adopting the strategies such as product innovations, mergers & acquisitions, recent developments, joint ventures, collaborations, and partnerships.



 August 6, 2022 - Vamos Todos hosted a tour of three wine and arak manufacturing facilities in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The program began with a visit to the Domaine Des Tourelles winery, where attendees could see Chateau Heritage and Chateau Nakad and taste wine and arak. Lunch was also provided for the attendees at the Hotel Massabki in Chtaura. Such initiatives to attract tourists and spread the heritage of arak will bode well for the market.



For more information about this report visit: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/report/arak-market-12947



Market Growth & Trends



Consumer interest and awareness in traditional drinks like arak are expected to increase, which would fuel market expansion for arak. The increased demand for alcoholic beverages due to the rising young population and consumer disposable income would further aid in the market's expansion. The Middle East's long-standing tradition of using arak as a social drink at dinners and other events has helped the arak market expand. The market will gain from the increased commercial production of arak due to its growing appeal outside of the Middle East and Africa. Due to the popularity of arak in cocktails and other alcoholic beverage combinations and a rise in the number of bars, restaurants, and pubs worldwide, the market is expected to grow positively during the forecast period.



Key Findings



 In 2021, the merwah grapes segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 53% and market revenue of 0.66 billion.



The product type segment is divided into anise seeds, merwah grapes, and others. In 2021, the merwah grapes segment dominated the market with the largest market share of 53% and market revenue of 0.66 billion.



 Over the forecast period, the commercial segment will grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.13%.



The application segment is divided into residential and commercial. Over the forecast period, the commercial segment will grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.13%.



 In 2021, the liquor shops segment accounted for the largest share of the market, with 37% and a market revenue of 0.46 billion.



The distribution channel segment is divided into a liquor shops, bars & pubs, travel retail, and others. In 2021, the liquor shop segment accounted for the largest share of the market, with 37% and a market revenue of 0.46 billion.



Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/enquiry/buying-inquiry/12947



Regional Segment Analysis of the Arak Market



 North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico)

 Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)

 Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)

 South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America)

 The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)



The Middle East and Africa emerged as the largest market for the global arak market, with a market share of around 36.34% and 0.45 billion of the market revenue in 2021. The Middle East and Africa is expected to be the largest market during the forecast period. The Arak market in the Middle East and Africa has been expanding rapidly. Arak in the Middle East and Africa is dominated by Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Israel. The largest arak producing middle eastern and African countries are situated in a specific climate zone favorable for growing citrus fruits like grapes. Grapes form the base inputs for arak; hence, the region has a well-established arak producing industry. Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Syria, and Egypt contribute more than 50% of the global arak production. Along with production, the Middle Eastern and African region is a leading arak consumption market where arak is the most consumed beverage. For instance, arak is Lebanon's national drink, and Lebanon produces arak made from merwah grapes found in the Beqaa valley of Lebanon. Similarly, arak is also known as the national alcoholic beverage of Jordan, Palestine, Syria, and Israel. The significant presence of commercial arak producers in the region also contributes to the development of the market.



Key players operating in the global arak market are:



 Abi Raad Group Sarl

 Chateau Ksara

 Domaine des Tourelles

 Eagle Distilleries Co.

 Haddad Distilleries

 Kawar Arak

 Lebanese Arak Corporation

 Lebanese Fine Wines

 LibanonWeine

 Zumot Distilleries



This study forecasts global, regional, and country revenue from 2019 to 2030. The Brainy Insights has segmented the global arak market based on the below-mentioned segments:



Global Arak Market by Product Type:



 Anise Seeds

 Merwah Grapes

 Others



Global Arak Market by Application:



 Residential

 Commercial



Global Arak Market by Distribution Channel:



 Liquor Shop

 Bars & Pubs

 Travel Retail

 Others



Purchase this report (Price 4700 USD for a single-user license) at: https://www.thebrainyinsights.com/buy-now/12947/single



About the report:



The global arak market is analyzed based on value (USD Billion). All the segments have been analyzed on a worldwide, regional, and country basis. The study includes the analysis of more than 30 countries for each part. The report offers an in-depth analysis of driving factors, opportunities, restraints, and challenges for gaining critical insight into the market. The study includes porter's five forces model, attractiveness analysis, raw material analysis, supply, and demand analysis, competitor position grid analysis, distribution, and marketing channels analysis.



About The Brainy Insights:



The Brainy Insights is a market research company, aimed at providing actionable insights through data analytics to companies to improve their business acumen. We have a robust forecasting and estimation model to meet the clients' objectives of high-quality output within a short span of time. We provide both customized (clients' specific) and syndicate reports. Our repository of syndicate reports is diverse across all the categories and sub-categories across domains. Our customized solutions are tailored to meet the clients' requirements whether they are looking to expand or planning to launch a new product in the global market.



Contact Us



Avinash D

Head of Business Development

Phone: +1-315-215-1633

Email: sales@thebrainyinsights.com

Web: www.thebrainyinsights.com
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIIs (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division authenticated the keel today for the America-class amphibious ship Fallujah (LHA 9). The ships sponsor, Donna Berger, former first lady of the Marine Corps and spouse of Gen. David H. Berger, 38th commandant of the Marine Corps, was in attendance to declare the keel truly and fairly laid.



During the authentication ceremony Ingalls Welder Seveta Gray welded the initials of the sponsor onto a ceremonial keel plate that will remain with the ship throughout its life.

Ingalls is honored to mark this important milestone with our shipbuilders and so many of our critical partners here today, Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. Whether representing namesake, customer, community or shipyard, todays keel event demonstrates the unique connection we have to one another through this industry and through our respective devotion to service.





Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-ingalls-shipbuilding-authenticates-keel-fallujah-lha-9.

Ingalls was pleased to host Under Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven who also provided remarks at the ceremony.

The USS Fallujah, like her predecessors the USS America, USS Tripoli and USS Bougainville, will one day join the amphibious fleet, and serve as the centerpiece for amphibious ready groups and Marine Expeditionary Units, Raven said. L-class ships like the future USS Fallujah make our Navy and Marine Corps a potent fighting team, forward-postured around the globe, ready to respond to crisis and disaster.

The future USS Fallujah (LHA 9) is the fourth America-class large-deck amphibious assault ship built at Ingalls Shipbuilding and the second ship in the class to be built with a well deck. Similar to Bougainville, Fallujah will retain the aviation capability of the America-class design while adding the surface assault capability of a well deck and a larger flight deck configured for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey aircraft. These large-deck amphibious assault ships also include top-of-the-line medical facilities with full operating suites and triage capabilities.

The America class is a multi-functional and versatile ship that is capable of operating in a high density, multi-threat environment as an integral member of an expeditionary strike group, an amphibious task force or an amphibious ready group.

Ingalls has delivered 15 large-deck amphibious ships to the U.S. Navy. The shipyard delivered the first in the new America class of amphibious assault ships (LHA 6) in 2014. The second ship in the America class, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), was delivered to the Navy in early 2020 and Bougainville (LHA 8) and Fallujah (LHA 9) are currently under construction.

About HII

HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 43,000 strong. For more information, visit:

HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/

HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII

HII on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII

HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3192d329-ac55-413b-9927-bbe00288c6ef
Imperial, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Imperial, Missouri -

IMPERIAL, MO - SafeAir Duct Care, a recognized leader in air quality solutions, has announced the expansion of their top-tier Air Duct Cleaning and Dryer Vent Cleaning services to multiple regions within Missouri, including Imperial, Barnhart, Arnold, Crystal City, and more.



The company has become synonymous with excellent air quality since its inception. They specialize in a broad spectrum of services, from residential air duct cleaning to commercial dryer vent cleaning services, ensuring every vent and duct is free from pollutants, debris, and mold. With today's announcement, residents in regions like OFallon, Caseyville, and Edwardsville can now access these impeccable services, ensuring a healthier living and working environment.

Daniel Hoss, Service Manager of SafeAir Duct Care, states, "We are proud to extend our Residential Air Duct Cleaning and Commercial Air Duct Cleaning offerings to the communities of Festus, Kimmswick, Herculaneum, and beyond. Our dedicated team, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, remains committed to ensuring pristine air quality and optimal HVAC efficiency."

Residents and businesses in Pevely, Mapaville, Hillsboro, House Springs, Hematite, Eureka, and Desoto can now conveniently search for "Air Duct Cleaning near me" or "Dryer Vent Cleaning near me" and avail of SafeAir Duct Care's expert services.

Mr. Hoss adds, "From Residential Air Duct Cleaning in Imperial MO to Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in Imperial MO, our approach has always been holistic. Whether it's homes or businesses, our objective is to deliver unparalleled air quality while ensuring HVAC efficiency."

Having solidified its presence in Imperial, MO, the company now offers its renowned Residential Air Duct Cleaning and Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in areas like Valley Park, Grover, and Creve Coeur, with plans to reach the residents of Maplewood, Webster Groves, and beyond. "As we broaden our footprint," says Daniel Hoss, representative for SafeAir Duct Care, "our mission remains the same  ensuring optimal HVAC efficiency and air purity for homes and businesses alike."

The decision to expand comes in response to an increasing demand for reliable Air Duct Cleaning services 'near me' as more residents and enterprises recognize the importance of regular maintenance for their HVAC systems. From Clayton to Fenton, and Oakville to Olivette, local homeowners and businesses can now experience the unmatched value that SafeAir Duct Care brings.

Their comprehensive service package includes Air Duct Cleaning and Dryer Vent Cleaning near the areas of Maryland Heights, Glencoe, and Sunset Hills, addressing a critical component often overlooked in residential and commercial settings. This holistic approach to air quality ensures that clients in Sappington, Ladue, University City, and other mentioned locales benefit from a complete suite of services tailored to their unique needs.

SafeAir Duct Care emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance. With their industry-leading Air Duct Cleaning service and Dryer Vent Cleaning service, they address common issues such as lint buildup, allergens, and mold, ensuring a healthier environment.

Concluding the expansion announcement, Hoss reiterates the company's dedication: "Whether you're seeking Residential Air Duct Cleaning in Brentwood or Commercial Air Duct Cleaning in Rock Hill, SafeAir Duct Care remains the trusted choice. We invite the communities of Lemay, Afton, and beyond to connect with us for all their air quality needs."

Those interested in learning more about SafeAir Duct Care's enhanced offerings or seeking a custom quote visit the official website.

About SafeAir Duct Care: Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Imperial, MO, SafeAir Duct Care is an industry pioneer in air duct and dryer vent cleaning. With a focus on both residential and commercial services, they prioritize customer health, HVAC efficiency, and outstanding value.

###

For more information about SafeAir Duct Care, contact the company here:



SafeAir Duct Care

Dawn Jingst

1 314-900-3828

Contact@SafeAir2.com

5933 Old State Rd.

Imperial, MO, 63052

United States
Vancouver, September 19, 2023 - LiVE Energy Minerals Corp. (CSE: LIVE) (OTC Pink: GTREF) ("LIVE" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its board of directors has approved the settlement of an aggregate principal amount of $140,000 in debt for a property option payment through the issuance of common shares of the Company (the "Debt Settlement").

Pursuant to the Debt Settlement agreement dated September 19, 2023, the Company proposes to issue 200,000 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a deemed price of $0.70 per Share to Divitiae Resources Ltd. a private company controlled by Adrian Smith, the CEO and a Director of the Company (the "Vendor").

The Debt Settlement transaction is a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 ("MI 61-101"). The transaction is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the transaction does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of LIVE, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101.

All securities issued will be subject to a statutory hold period which will expire on the date that is four months and one day from the date of issuance.

About LIVE Energy Minerals Corp.

LIVE is a mining exploration company focused on projects that will further secure the US supply of critical metals, which are essential to fueling the new age economy. Live holds a 100% interest in the Skygold project in BC, Canada and a 100% interest in the McDermitt Lithium East Project, Nevada, USA, for which it has entered into an Option to Joint Venture with US Critical Metals Corp. LIVE is focused on creating value for its shareholders by combining quality project with proven exploration strategies and a team driven to achieve exceptional outcomes.

For further information please contact:

Adrian Smith

Chief Executive Officer & Director

LiVE Energy Minerals Corp.

Email: adrian@liveenergyminerals.com

Phone: 604-687-2038

info@liveenergyminerals.com .

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the following risks: those associated with marketing and sale of securities; the need for additional financing; reliance on key personnel; the potential for conflicts of interest among certain officers or directors with certain other projects; and the volatility of common share price and volume. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. For further information on risk, investors are advised to see the Company's MD&A and other disclosure filings with the regulators which are found at sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181196
VANCOUVER, Sept. 19, 2023 - Eco Oro Minerals Corp. (CSE:EOM) (the "Company" or "Eco Oro") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a credit agreement dated September 19, 2023 (the "Credit Agreement") with Graywolfe Capital SEZC (the "Lender") pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to US$6 million from the Lender (the "Facility"). The outstanding principal amount of the Facility will bear interest at a rate of 16.5% per annum and all obligations under the Facility will be secured by a general security interest over certain assets and properties of the Company.



The funds provided from the Facility will be used to fund the Company's working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes, including funding the costs relating to the Company's ongoing arbitration under the auspices of the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in relation to its claims against the Republic of Colombia ("Colombia"). On September 9, 2021, the arbitral tribunal issued a Decision on Jurisdiction, Liability and Directions on Quantum in which it found that Colombia's treatment of Eco Oro's investment in the Angostura gold and silver mining project located in northeastern Colombia breached Article 805 of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Colombia. The tribunal's final award is pending.

Unless prepaid in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Company's outstanding obligations under the Facility must be repaid as soon as reasonably practical, but in any event within five business days, after the Company receives any proceeds ("Claim Proceeds") in respect of the final award. The Claim Proceeds, if any, will be applied to the repayment of the Company's outstanding obligations in priority to the distribution of the Claim Proceeds to other stakeholders in the Company, including the holders of its promissory notes ("Promissory Notes") and contingent value rights certificates ("CVRs"), as more fully described under the heading "Contingent Value Rights and Promissory Notes" in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the six month period ended June 30, 2023 filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and as set forth below.

Under the terms of the Promissory Notes and CVRs, the Claim Proceeds (net of any amounts paid to the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement) shall be distributed or retained in the following order of priority:

first, to the holders of the Promissory Notes and CVRs, an amount equal to the unpaid default interest, fees, expenses or indemnity obligations payable to the holders of the Promissory Notes and CVRs;



second, to the holders of its US$24,672,727 principal amount of Promissory Notes bearing interest at a rate of 0.025% per annum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of interest and indebtedness owed by the Company to the holders of the Promissory Notes (of which approximately US$24.7 million is outstanding as of the date hereof);



third, to the holders of its CVRs and participants in the Company's management incentive program, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) US$460 million and (ii) 95% of the Claim Proceeds;



fourth, US$30 million to the Company;



fifth, to the holders of the CVRs and participants in the Company's management incentive program until the aggregate amount distributed to the holders of CVRs and participants in the Company's management incentive program equals 95% of the Claim Proceeds; and



sixth, to the Company.



Accordingly, the Company will not be entitled to retain any portion of the Claim Proceeds pursuant to step four of the distribution waterfall described above unless the Claim Proceeds (net of any amounts payable to the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement) exceeds amounts payable to the holders of the Promissory Notes and CVRs in the first, second and third steps of the distribution waterfall described above.

Board Approval

The controlling shareholder of the Lender is Courtenay Wolfe, a director of the Company. While the transaction would ordinarily be subject to the "minority approval requirements" set forth in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), the Board of Directors, including its independent members, have determined that the Company is eligible to rely on the exemption from minority approval requirements provided by Subsection 5.7(f) [Loan to Issuer, No Equity or Voting Component] of MI 61-101.

Company Profile

Eco Oro Minerals Corp. is a publicly-traded company and its arbitration against the Republic of Colombia is its core focus.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including without limitation statements with respect to the receipt of Claim Proceeds and, if applicable, the amount of Claim Proceeds. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon the current belief, opinions and expectations of management that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and other contingencies. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE Eco Oro Minerals Corp.

For further information: Paul Robertson, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 604 682 8212, TF: +1 855 682 8212.

CO: Eco Oro Minerals Corp.
CALGARY, Sept. 20, 2023 - Bocana Resources Corp. (TSXV: BOCA) (Frankfurt: VC1) ("Bocana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has commenced the 2,000 metre diamond drilling campaign, with Leduc Drilling S.R.L. of La Paz, Bolivia, on the Escala area concession in Southwest Bolivia. This is the Company's inaugural drilling program and is expected to take several weeks to complete phase 1 ("Phase I") of this drilling campaign.



The Phase I program will be conducted using NQ size core drilling in nine locations. Upon completion of Phase I, drilling will stop until all assay results have been received prior to planning the second phase of drilling, a proposed 3,000 metre follow up drilling program.

The largest portion drilling program is expected to occur in the Cerro Galapago area of the Escala concession and is projected to have a total of five of the nine proposed drill holes located around it, as identified on the attached Escala area map. The only historic drilling completed on this large near surface porphyry target were vertically drilled in the very central area with a high chargeability/very low resistivity anomaly; this area typically hosts lower grade mineralization and is usually not the primary area to test.

Additionally, the Company intends to drill two shallow dipping, 250 metre length, drill holes in the Cerro Blanco area. As previously reported, the vast majority of prior drilling efforts were completed by drilling vertically dipping drill holes. Recent data suggests a near vertically dipping, structural influence on mineralization; therefore, the Company believes that this area has not been properly evaluated from drill testing.

The remaining planned holes will be drilled along the main mine trend to the east where there are known historical precious/base metal veins. The induced polarization geophysical survey located an area of high chargeability and resistivity anomalies indicating an area of silicification/quartz veining with high sulphide content that has not been drill tested. Bocana plans to complete a fence of two holes, both 250 metres in length, across these geophysical anomalies.

The approximate locations and sequence for each of the planned drill collars are identified on the attached map and schedule:

Proposed Drill Hole

Location Target Area Purpose 1 Cerro Blanco East-Satellite Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 2 Cerro Blanco East-Satellite Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 3 Cerro Galapago South Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 4 Cerro Galapago South Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 5 Cerro Galapago North Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity 6 Cerro Galapago North Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity 7 Cerro Galapago North Testing IP chargeability high/moderate resistivity 8 East Mine Trend Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity 9 East Mine Trend Testing IP chargeability high/high resistivity



Timothy J. Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Bocana, commented: "Management is excited to kick off our inaugural 2000 metre, diamond drilling program on our Escala Concession in Bolivia. Primarily by drill testing of our 2000 x 2000 metre Cerro Galapago, induced polarization, changeability anomaly, that is related to a large porphyry system. Following that, detailed geological mapping and systematic sampling of the cut core will provide a good insite as to the extent and grade of the porphyry mineralization. We will certainly be keeping our shareholders and the market updated as our exploration programs advance over the coming months."

Qualified Person

Mr. Lorne Warner, P.Geo., is a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Warner supervised and approved the scientific and technical information included in this news release and has approved its dissemination.

About Bocana Resources Corp.

Bocana is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in South America. Bocana, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Huiracocha International Service SRL, holds a 100% working interest in the mineral properties known as the Escala area concessions located at the Department of Potosi, Sud Lipez Province, Bolivia as awarded by Comibol.

Contact Information

For more information on Bocana, visit: https://bocanaresources.com.

For more information or interview requests, please contact:

Timothy J. Turner - Chief Executive Officer

info@bocanaresources.com

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information can be identified by words such as: "intend", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "approximately", "planning", "projected", "anticipate" and similar references to future periods. Although Bocana believes that, in light of the experience of its officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because Bocana can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Bocana, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities including Phase 1; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate purchased properties or mining rights awarded; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Bocana 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. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Additional risks include those disclosed in the Information Circular, which are incorporate herein by reference and are available through SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, except as required by law.

This news release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities described in this news release have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended) absent registration or an exemption from registration. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which where such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a6696677-6804-424b-bba4-db42ba27ede1
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Awale Resources Ltd. ("Awale" or the "Company") (TSXV: ARIC) is pleased to announce that at the Company's September 6, 2023 shareholder meeting, all resolutions were passed.

As a result of the meeting, the Company's board of directors are: Charles Beaudry; Robin Birchall; Andrew Chubb; Derk Hartman and Stephen Stewart. Disinterested shareholders also re-approved the Company's RSU and Stock Option Plans as well as approved the issuance of an aggregate 1,812,230 shares in settlement of $217,467.86 of debt.

Additionally, the Company wishes to announce that it has engaged the services of Davidson & Company LLP (Canada) to replace its former auditor Ernst & Young Chartered Professional Accountants who have resigned without dispute. The new auditor will be working with the Company to complete the Company's 2023 audit. The appointment of Davidson & Company was also approved by shareholders at the recent meeting.

About Awale Resources

Awale is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on the discovery of large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits. The Company currently undertakes exploration activities in the underexplored parts of Cote d'Ivoire. Awale's exploration success to date has culminated in a fully funded earn-in Joint Venture with Newmont covering one permit and one application (the "Odienne Project JV") within the greater Odienne Copper-Gold Project in the Northwest of Cote d'Ivoire, where three significant gold and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum discoveries have been made. The Sceptre East and Charger discoveries have significant scope for growth with future discovery and resource development drilling. The project has multiple pipeline prospects that have similar geochemical fingerprints to Iron Oxide Copper Gold ("IOCG") and intrusive related mineral systems. The 400km2 of granted tenure and 400km2 under application remains underexplored and offers significant upside potential. The Odienne Project JV forms a solid foundation for the Company to continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district scale discoveries.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD AWALE RESOURCES LIMITED

Andrew Chubb, CEO and Director

Forward?Looking Information

This press release contains forward?looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively "forward?looking statements"). Forward?looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward?looking statements. Forward?looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's presence in Cote d'Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements under the Newmont JV, planned drilling, commencement of operations, . Although the Company believes any forward?looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct.

The Company cautions investors that any forward?looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward? looking statements as a result of various factors, including the potential inability to obtain required regulatory approvals and satisfy other applicable closing conditions; possible adverse impacts due the global outbreak of COVID?19; the Company's inability to generate sufficient cash flow or raise sufficient additional financing requirements; volatility in metals prices; the ability of the Company to retain its key management employees and skilled and experienced personnel; conflicts of interest; litigation or other administrative proceedings brought against the Company; actual or alleged breaches of governance processes or instances of fraud, bribery or corruption; exploration, development and mining risks and the inherently dangerous nature of the mining industry, and the risk of inadequate insurance or inability to obtain insurance to cover these risks and other risks and uncertainties; property and mineral title risks including defective title to mineral claims or property; changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Cote d'Ivoire; equipment shortages and the ability of the Company to acquire necessary access rights and infrastructure for its mineral properties; environmental regulations and the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits, including environmental authorizations and water use licences; extreme competition in the mineral exploration industry; delays in obtaining, or a failure to obtain, permits necessary for current or future operations or failures to comply with the terms of such permits; risks of doing business in Cote d'Ivoire, including but not limited to, labour, economic and political instability and potential changes to and failures to comply with legislation; the Company's common shares may be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange if it cannot maintain compliance with the applicable listing requirements; and other risk factors described other filings with Canadian securities regulators, which may be viewed at www.sedar.com . Any forward?looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward?looking statement, whether because of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

Cautionary Statement

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

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/results-of-annual-meeting-of-shareholders-and-change-of-auditors-301933642.html

SOURCE Awale Resources
September 20 - Vancouver, BC - Baru Gold Corp. (TSXV:BARU) | (OTC: BARUF) ("Baru" and its subsidiary PT. Tambang Mas Sangihe ("TMS") or the "Company") is happy to announce to shareholders that a second mining contractor PT. Putra Rimpulaeng Persada ("Contractor") has signed a legally binding contract to operate and produce gold on Sangihe Island. The owners and employees of PT. Putra Rimpulaeng Persada are residents of Sangihe.

The Contractor will pay the Company IDR 3,750,000,000 (CAD $330,0001) for the right to exclusively operate across 7 ha within the Company's Contract of Work. The area of operations is separate from that announced on August 8, 2023.

The Contractor has already paid the Company IDR 1,000,000,000 (CAD $88,0001) as a non-refundable deposit. The outstanding balance will be made in two equal payments. The first payment is due when the Contractor starts carrying out activities on the land area and the second paid 30 days after the second payment is made.

The Contractor is responsible for all operational, production and site remediation expenses. The Contractor will receive 65% of the total gross receipts from the sale of gold recovered. The Company will receive 35% of the total gross receipts from the sale of gold recovered.

The Contractor will operate a recently producing gold mine within the contracted 7 ha. All equipment is already on site, the land cleared, and construction complete. The Contractor will immediately restart operations following the Stage of Activity upgrade to Production Operation Status announced on September 11, 2023. The signing of this agreement by a local mining company prior to the Stage of Activity upgrade underscores the certainty of issuance.

The Company will supervise all activities and co-process the gold. The Company will be responsible for refining the gold and distributing the funds received from the sale of the gold. The Contractor must abide by the same environmental and reclamation standards required of the Company under Indonesian law, including a mercury prohibition.

The Company retains complete control of the Sangihe Project. The Company's Contract of Work includes 25,000 ha of gold bearing land in areas that are neither in environmentally sensitive zones nor near urban areas. This contract for 7 ha does not prevent the Company from opening or contracting out additional worksites.

Mr. Terry Filbert, Chairman and CEO of Baru Gold, commented, "This is our second local partner and further builds on the broad support we have to operate on Sangihe. Together, we are transforming unchecked, unsafe, and unlicensed mining into a regulated, monitored, and environmentally responsible industry that's directly contributing to the local economy. To date, we have allocated 22 of 65 ha to our local partners. For the Company, this now means we have two independent sources of gold production. For Sangihe residents, we have just helped create an additional form of badly needed local employment with safe working conditions. This partnership is another win for Sangihe, the environment, the Company, and our shareholders."

The Company is currently negotiating with other additional local partners to award the remaining 43 ha of land. The price paid by the Contractor is based on land size and estimated gold content. The Company also plans to develop their own operations on Sangihe.

ABOUT SANGIHE GOLD PROJECT

The Sangihe Gold Project ("Sangihe") is located on the Indonesian island of Sangihe, off the northern coast of Sulawesi. Sangihe has an existing National Instrument 43-101 inferred mineral resource of 114,700 indicated and 105,000 inferred ounces of gold, as reported in the Company's "Independent Technical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimates of the Binebase and Bawone Deposits, Sangihe Project, North Sulawesi, Indonesia" (May 30, 2017). Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Company intends to proceed to production without the benefit of first establishing mineral reserves supported by a feasibility study. The Company cautions readers that the any production decision made by the Company will not be based on a NI 43-101 feasibility study of mineral reserves that demonstrates economic and technical viability and as such, there may be involved increased uncertainty and various technological and economic risks.

The Company's 70-percent interest in the Sangihe-mineral-tenement Contract of Work ("CoW") is held through PT. Tambang Mas Sangihe ("TMS"). The remaining 30-percent interest in TMS is held by three Indonesian corporations. The term of the Sangihe CoW agreement is 30 years upon commencement of the production phase of the project.

The "CoW covers an area of 42,000 ha, of which only 65 ha have been explored. Baru has met all the requirements of the Indonesian government and has been granted its environmental permit.

ABOUT BARU GOLD CORP.

Baru Gold Corp. is a dynamic junior gold developer with NI 43-101 gold resources in Indonesia, one of the top ten gold producing countries in the world. Based in Indonesia and North America, Baru's team boasts extensive experience in starting and operating small-scale gold assets.

Baru Gold Corp.

Per: "Terry Filbert"

Terry Filbert, Director



President & CEO

info@barugold.com



For investor contacts more information, please contact:

Kevin Shum

Investor Relations

kevin@jeminicapital.com

647-725-3888 ext 702

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.

Certain statements in this News Release, which are not historical in nature, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of that phrase under applicable Canadian securities law. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements or information concerning future work programs, results and timing of any work programs, the Company's performance or events as of the date hereof. These statements reflect management's current assumptions and expectations and by their nature are subject to certain underlying assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or events to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Those risks include the interpretation of drill results; the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with our expectations; commodity and currency price fluctuation; failure to obtain adequate financing; regulatory, recovery rates, refinery costs, and other relevant conversion factors, permitting and licensing risks; general market and mining exploration risks and production and economic risks related to design and engineering, manufacturing, technological processes and test procedures and the risk that the project's output will not be salable at a price that will cover the project's operating and maintenance costs. Forward-looking statements should not be construed as investment advice. Readers should perform a detailed, independent investigation and analysis of the Company and are encouraged to seek independent professional advice before making any investment decision. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements to reflect events or changes in circumstances that occur after the date hereof.

1 The conversion rate posted by the Bank of Canada on September 15th is 0.000088 IDR to $1 CAD

Copyright (c) 2023 TheNewswire - All rights reserved.
Kenya Starts Export of Avocados to India, First Shipment Arrives at Mumbai Business oi-PTI

Kenya has kick-started the export of avocado fruit to India this month and the first shipment has already arrived. "The first shipment has arrived at Mumbai. We assure that many many more metric tonnes of avocados will land," Kenya Deputy High Commissioner to India Irene Oloo told PTI on the sidelines of the launch event here.

This is the first "sensitive and short self life" agro-commodity the African country has got permission to export. It took eight years of negotiations to get permission on August 16, 2023, she said. Kenya exports tea and coffee which have a much longer shelf than avocado fruit. It took a long time to get approval as "we needed to meet the strict Indian quality standards when it lands here," she said.

This will help open up access to other various fruits, flowers and vegetables, she added. Oloo hoped that the start of imports of Kenyan avocados would help narrow the trade imbalance between the two countries. In 2022, the value of Kenyan imports from India was USD 1.76 billion, while Kenyan exports to India were valued at USD 67.21 million, she said.

Deputy Secretary of the External Affairs Ministry Swadha Rizvi was also present at the event. Kenya is the world's sixth largest avocado producer with a cultivated area of nearly 26,000 hectares and a production of 4,16,000 tonnes in 2021, double that of 2016. Kenya exports about 23 per cent of the production of avocados to countries like the Netherlands, the US, China, Spain, the UK, the UAE, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt among others.

For investment related articles, business news and mutual fund advise Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 15:57 [IST]
While media focus was on Joe Bidens decree putting a tiny plot of land within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) off limits to oil and gas exploration, reporters ignored the bigger story.

Bidens other proclamation forbids tapping more than 10 million acres within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, a 23-million-acre area on Alaskas North Slope. That is the area which should replenish the crude oil drawdown stemming from Bidens oil withdrawal from strategic wells established in case of war.

The Presidents latest cancelation of oil and gas leases on federal lands nails Washington refiners. His actions are pigheaded actions are unwise and wrong.

Allowing new Alaska exploration would help Washington refineries, workers and state and local economies which are geared to handle Alaskas crude.

Our states refineries are equipped with sophisticated safety and pollution control equipmentthe best in the world. They are unlike many foreign refineries located in hostile countries which will benefit from additional U.S. purchases.

ANWR is not the picturesque landscape you might imagine with towering snow-capped peaks and lush green forests. It is 19 million acres of frozen desert which is larger than the states of Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, Connecticut and Delaware combined.

Although the 1.5 million acres in ARWR, called the coastal plain, were set aside for future leasing in 1980, drilling would occur on less than 2,000 acres. Thats like a small dot on an 8x 10 sheet of paper.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates this sliver of land contains at least 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil and 8.6 trillion of natural gas, and those estimates are probably conservative, the Wall Street Journal editorialized. By comparison, Alaskas second-biggest oil field, Kuparuk, holds about 2.5 billion barrels.

Exploration and construction would take place during the winter, over roads built on sheets of ice. When the ice melts in the spring, the roads disappear. Drilling and production have strong and long-standing environmental safeguards.

The crude, which is 12,000 ft. below ground, would be extracted by a widely-used technique known as horizontal drilling. Production wells would be spaced roughly a dozen feet apart yet would reach out for miles in different directions underground. The oil would then be piped to Prudhoe Bay and sent 800-miles south via the existing TransAlaska Pipeline.

Washingtons five refineries provide nearly 4 percent of our nations processing capacity. Those refineries processed nearly 638,000 barrels of crude oil per day resulting in roughly 11 million gallons of gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel.

Alaska crude comes to our refineries in double-hulled ocean-going tankers. Since the Exxon Valdez incident Prince William Sound in March 1989, state-of-the art redundant marine safeguards are aboard ships. Tanker crews have extensive safety and response training.

If federal leases in wildlife refuges seem unorthodox, they really are not. The National Audubon Society earned more than $25 million (2001 figure) in royalties by allowing oil and natural gas production in Louisianas Rainey Wildlife Refuge and Michigans Baker Sanctuary.

Ironically, the Rainey refuge (26,000 acres) is the winter habitat for snow geese migrating from Alaskas Arctic National Wildlife Refuge while the Baker Sanctuary, a 900-acre wetland, provides hundreds of Sandhill cranes with a critical nesting area.

In fact, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey commissioned in 2001 reported 77 of 567 wildlife refuges in 22 states had oil and gas activities on their lands.

If drilling and exploration are safely done in existing wildlife refuges, why would it be an environmental apocalypse if a tiny portion of ANWR was opened to exploration? It would not!

Opening ANWR for leasing helps our state and our five refineries. Tapping into Alaskas National Petroleum Reserve is a safety net for America.

Don C. Brunell is a business analyst, writer and columnist. He retired as president of the Association of Washington Business, the states oldest and largest business organization, and now lives in Vancouver. He can be contacted at theBrunells@msn.com.
Marko hopes Perez saga now behind him

Having kept quiet on the matter throughout the Singapore GP weekend, Dr Helmut Marko has broken his silence once again on the Sergio Perez affair.

Sergio Perez, Singapore GP 2023

 Red Bull

The Red Bull team advisor, 80, admits that amid the furore about his comments about South American Perez's comparative lack of focus, he was warned by the FIA.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff, however, believe the governing body should have taken harsher action.

I got it by email, the Austrian said when asked about the official FIA condemnation.

I suspect that a lot of things were deliberately controlled but I don't want to say any more on this topic.

Marko was speaking from an Alpha Tauri event in Tokyo, where he admitted to hoping that the incredible excitement about his comments would now die down.

He also told Osterreich newspaper that he is confident Red Bull's mysterious Singapore slump would not be a problem this weekend at Suzuka.

I assume that our package will work there, said Marko.
Mercedes not supporting Massa's crashgate push

Felipe Massa will not have Mercedes' backing as he pushes ahead with potential legal action against the FIA and Formula 1.

Felipe Massa, Canadian GP 2010

 The Cahier Archive

Last weekend, although Ferrari is not backing former team driver Massa's push to be handed the 2008 title and compensation over the 'crashgate' scandal, Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko indicated he supports the Brazilian driver.

If there are new facts, he said, "the matter can be opened up. And then the chances for Massa aren't so bad.

I would like him to be awarded this title. And Mr Hamilton, for whom records aren't that important anyway, would have one less.

When Lewis Hamilton won his first title in 2008 by a single point over Massa, he drove for McLaren. Today, he races for the Wolff-run Mercedes team.

If this is the direction Felipe wants to go in, then it is his decision, Hamilton now says.

I prefer not to dwell on the past, whether it was 15 years ago, 2 years ago or 3 days ago. I'm only interested in the present and I'm focused on helping my team every week.

Then-F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone opposes Massa's push for retrospective justice, and Mercedes boss Wolff is taking a similar position.

I don't think he has a case, to be honest, said the Austrian. "There are so many things that have an influence whether you win or lose that I don't see the case to be honest.

We signed up to sporting regulations and they are very clear as you commit as a licence holder. If everybody were to open up situations (like this) then the sport would be in disarray.

Last weekend in Singapore, however, Wolff indicated that the Massa case could set a precedent in which other title outcomes - like the highly controversial one in 2021 - could be opened up.
Ghanaians urged to patronise local goods

Maclean Kwofi Business News Sep - 20 - 2023 , 10:52

The Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Dr Wilfred Ochan, has called on Ghanaians to take pride in their national heritage and consciously patronise made-in-Ghana products and services.

That, he said, would help to boost the economy of the country and also enhance the operations of indigenous firms to become globally competitive.

Speaking to the media at a fashion show organised by International Needs Ghana in Accra, Mr Ochan underlined the need for Ghanaians to have confidence in locally manufactured products and patronize them because they were of the same quality as those imported from other countries.

He indicated that patronising clothes designed and made by Ghanaians will go a long way to support small and medium enterprises in the fashion industry.

The project

The show was to climax a one-year intensive training in fashion for 18 young women from less privileged backgrounds.

The 18 trainees are beneficiaries of the Fashions Expressions Project which seeks to provide vulnerable young women with employable skills in fashion.

The project is being implemented by International Needs Ghana in partnership with UNFPA and the PRADA Group.

The Fashion Expressions Project which is being piloted in Ghana and Kenya, aims to leverage the socio-economic power of fashion as a vehicle to promote womens empowerment.

Optimism

The Executive Director of International Needs Ghana, Cromwell Awadey, expressed optimism that the beneficiaries would make a good livelihood with their skills.

He said the project seeks to advance and mentor aspiring fashion professionals as well as equip them with the necessary tools.
Harmonia Africa Insurance Brokers acquire license to operate in Ghana

Peter Sarbah Business News Sep - 19 - 2023 , 18:35

Harmonia Africa Insurance Brokers Limited, a licensed insurance brokerage firm with the vision to provide excellent and innovative insurance services has acquired license to operate in the country.

The firm, which is poised to offer quality services, will act independently as a professional body to manage clients insurance portfolios.

At a press briefing on the operations of the company on Tuesday, the Managing Director, Mr. Bernard Agana said the company was in the market to provide the best professional insurance brokerage services.

He added that the company would leverage on its cumulative local and international experience to provide the most comprehensive and competitive solutions to clients.

Mr. Agana therefore, urged stakeholders in the business community to look no further but engage the company for an innovative and professional approach to insurance brokerage services.
Stanchart Regional CEO pays working visit to Ghana  Reinforces commitment to Ghana

Business Desk Report Business News Sep - 18 - 2023 , 14:06

The Regional Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Africa and Middle East for Standard Chartered Group, Sunil Kaushal, has reinforced the banks commitment to continue facilitating business and economic growth in Ghana.

He said Ghana has always been a market with immense growth opportunities, underpinned by expansion of inclusive financial services and evolving technological infrastructure and for decades, the bank has supported the economic growth and businesses in the country to deliver on their ambitions.

In a release issued by the bank on Friday, it said, experts have posited that Ghanas financial journey cannot be written without Standard Chartered as the banks history is interwoven with the progress made in the countrys economic advancement over the years.

These themes came out of the varied engagements and sessions held during a working visit by the Regional CEO for Africa and Middle East for Standard Chartered Group to Ghana last week, it said.

During his two-day stay in Ghana, Mr Kaushal met with clients of the bank and engaged key stakeholders including the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta and the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, it added.
Academic calendar reset is good news

Daily Graphic Editorials Sep - 20 - 2023 , 07:57

One sector that was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic globally is the educational sector.

Indeed, many countries are still struggling because of the trail of devastation left behind by the pandemic. For instance, apart from the complete closure of schools, the pandemic has seriously impacted negatively on the academic calendar.

In their attempt to sustain learning, schools resorted to online learning, which in itself, led to the widening of disparity in learning outcomes between children in the urban and rural areas.

While some countries have since recovered from the impact of the pandemic, others are still struggling to come out of it. For instance, the country continues to write Ghana Only Version of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates (WASSCE-SC), while the academic year is yet to be reverted to the normal May/June and September/October academic year.

This has resulted in the inability of managers of pre-tertiary schools to tell when a term or semester begins or ends.

The situation also led to instances where students were unable to write their end-of-semester examinations because the closing date was suddenly announced and the schools were unable to conduct the examinations.

However, on September 13, 2023, the Ghana Education Service (GES) issued a memo to all regional directors of education on the decision of management to revert the academic calendar of basic schools to the pre-COVID-19 era.

The first term of the 2023-2024 academic year, therefore, will begin on October 3, 2023, according to the reset calendar. This announcement is not only pleasing to the management, teachers and students alone, but also to parents, who had to contend with unplanned expenditures and other inconveniences because there was no stable academic calendar.

The Daily Graphic believes that the reversal will enable parents, guardians and education authorities to plan effectively unlike the post-COVID-19 era where it was difficult to do so in view of the frequent changes. Truth be told, the COVID-19 era seriously affected all actors in the sector.

We, therefore, join the rest of Ghanaians to welcome the decision by the GES to revert the academic calendar to the pre-COVID-19 era to normalise academic activites and help ensure proper planning for effective teaching and learning, and position education as the pivot of the transformational agenda of the President.

While we welcome the reversal, we support calls for an evaluation mechanism to quantify the negative effect of the COVID-19 era and how the reversal might affect the students. This is particularly important, especially for the senior high schools, where the final-year students who would be writing the WASSCE-SC would have a relatively short time to prepare for their final examination with this reversal.

We agree with the organisation that such an evaluation would be helpful so that the GES, and for that matter, the Ministry of Education should take remedial action and where there is the need for adjustment, that is done.

In diagnosing the impact this reversal would have on the final-year students, the Daily Graphic proposes an intensive crash programme for the students so that they are not exceptionally disadvantaged at the end of the day.

Interestingly, this is not the first time that a crash programme will be organised for final-year students in the country. In the year 2020, when schools were shut down as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, final-year students were recalled in less than four months to write both the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and WASSCE.

Admittedly, it is a natural occurrence that for every step that is taken in life, some people will be disadvantaged and so is this reversal, but the kind of steps taken can assuage the impact.

It is in the light of this that the role of parents in this whole enterprise is crucial as it can help the students and their respective school authorities to give their best.

As we welcome the reversal of the academic calendar, the question is, have we learnt any lessons from COVID-19?

We hope that the managers of the education sector will use the COVID-19 era as a learning curve to address future eventualities.

We must be prepared at any time.
The Buthelezi enigma

Elizabeth Ohene Elizabeth Ohene Sep - 20 - 2023 , 08:37

There is a haunting South African dirge that has been on my mind this past week, SENZENI NA.

When I arrived in South Africa early 1993 as correspondent for the BBC Africa Service, much of the coverage of what was happening in the country revolved around the death and funerals of people killed in the violence that had gripped the country.

Black on Black violence, it was being called.

At the wake-keepings, at the funeral marches, you heard SENZENI NA, sung in the most bone-chilling evocative manner and you did not need to know what the words meant to get the pathos of the moment.

SENZENI NA was a Zulu protest and funeral song, the word means what have we done?

And you were expected to understand the implication to be what did we do to deserve this?

All week, this song has been in my head as South Africa was mourning the death of Chief Mangosuthu Gatsha Buthelezi and he was given a state burial, presided over by President Cyril Ramaphosa of the ANC and two previous presidents, also from the ANC, Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma sat among the guests at the stadium in Ulundi in Kwazulu, Natal.

My brain was obviously stuck at the beginning of my Chief Buthelezi story and that is why SENZENI NA was so much on my mind.

Chief Buthelezi

I first went to South Africa on a reporting trip in 1989 and later went to live there in 1993, and the name Chief Buthelezi was already very well known to me by reputation.

He was against the imposition of sanctions on apartheid South Africa.

This was the black South African leader who was a welcome guest in the Ronald Reagan White House and was feted by Margaret Thatcher, while Nelson Mandela languished in jail on Robben Island.

On reflection, I did not give myself any other option of seeing this man other than as an apartheid collaborator.

Whereas I knew many ANC people and had them as friends, until I got to South Africa, I did not know any Inkatha Freedom Party person and I could not get their story from personal sources.

I was once told by a group of young white South Africans that they believed Chief Buthelezi was the person that could save South Africa from the inevitable civil war.

This was the remarkable day I spent in Bloemfontein at the University of Orange Free State, as it was then called, where the student population was at the time, more than 90 per cent Afrikaner.

I interviewed some of the young Afrikaner students who told me Chief Buthelezi was the only black South African they could ever bring themselves to vote for, if it should ever come to that.

This was in 1991 and nobody knew at the time if things would ever get to the point of a free peaceful vote taking place in the country.

But in 1993 South Africa, there was no room really to hang around looking to understand things from personal perspectives.

We were busy dodging bullets and bombs.

The ANC-INKATHA feud was in full flow and deaths and funerals were the daily fare for journalists.

I was told by friendly colleague journalists that it was not a good idea to get on the wrong side of Chief Buthelezi, the Inkatha leader.

Trouble

Now on reflection, the first trouble I got into was about something quite ludicrous, but at the time, it was deadly serious.

You got into trouble as a journalist with the ANC if you covered an Inkatha rally and reported the size of the crowd at the rally as large.

In much the same way, you got into trouble with Inkatha if you reported an ANC crowd as large.

We journalists used to ask the police to give us a figure of the crowds as they were supposed to know how to estimate crowds.

I reported on an Inkatha rally, using figures I got from the police, but it turned out Chief Buthelezi felt I had underestimated the size of his massive crowd.

I got a message he was not happy with me.

Then there was the little matter of asking him to explain a statement that had been put out by Inkatha and telling him I wanted to hear it from the horses own mouth.

As I said last week, when he asked me if he looked like a horse, I panicked because I couldnt see the smile that would accompany the obvious joke he was making.

There was no smile, but as I found out later, his bark was worse than his bite.

Unfortunately, his followers took his word as law.

Argument

I once had an argument with him about the leopard skin he wore and spear that he carried that was supposed to be the Zulu traditional wear.

I suggested to him that all humans, every tribe, every nation on earth had at one time worn animal skins and carried spears and the Zulus could not claim that as their traditional attire.

Judging from his reputation, I shouldnt really have emerged in one piece after such an impertinent remark.

But he didnt even frown.

That was Chief Buthelezi.

Who would have thought that this royal Zulu would have just one wife, that he married in 1952, Princess Irene Audrey Thandekile Mzila, and stayed married to her until she died in 2019, four years before his own demise.

And in the last 30 years, even with his politics, it was hard to see the hardline Zulu nationalist and foe of the ANC.

After refusing to be part of the negotiations that ended apartheid and insisting Inkatha would not participate in the historic elections of April 1994 and threatening mayhem, he simply announced days to the election that he would take part.

Exactly what he had been holding out for and for which so much blood was spilled, and which he got at that 11th hour, I couldnt tell.

Drama

It is impossible to convey now the sheer drama of that announcement by Chief Buthelezi that Inkatha would take part in the elections.

All the journalists from around the world that had arrived to cover the elections knew they were coming to cover a full-scale civil war and we all had bullet-proof vests.

The ballot papers had already been printed and the sample ones had been given out and were being used to teach the black population who had never voted before and with days to the vote, Chief Buthelezi changed the atmosphere completely as he was put on the bottom of the ballot.

The surprise didnt end with his participation in the elections, he became Home Affairs Minister for 10 years in the Nelson Mandela and Thabo Mbeki administrations.

As Home Affairs Minister, it meant that Chief Buthelezi got to be acting president many times in an ANC administration whenever the president and vice president were out of the country.

I kept wondering about all those many, many people who got killed because Inkatha and ANC couldnt share the same space. SENZENI NA.
CSOs hail reset academic calendar

Severious Kale-Dery & Emmanuel Bonney Education Sep - 20 - 2023 , 06:51

Two civil society organisations (CSOs) in education have hailed the return of the basic school academic calendar to the pre-COVID-19 era.

The CSOs, Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) and Challenging Heights, in separate interviews said although the reversal was long overdue, the decision was welcome as it would enable parents, guardians and education authorities to effectively plan well unlike the post-COVID era where it was difficult to do so in view of the frequent changes.

The Ghana Education Service has revised the calendar so that the academic year starts in the last quarter of the year instead of January.

Other countries

The Executive Director of Eduwatch, Kofi Asare, said it was good that finally, the country had been able to join the other English-speaking West African countries to restore the previous academic calendar.

In the whole of West Africa, almost every country has reset its calendar and then we are the last among Anglophone countries.

For me, it is great that we have been able to achieve that, he said.

He said teachers would now have the certainty of planning their lives, saying the transition period between 2020 and now was like a firefighting approach as everything was done in an adhoc manner, with teachers unable to plan their vacation, among other things.

Mr Asare noted that the transitional calendar did not inconvenience teachers only but also parents as they were unable to plan their vacation and annual leave too, stressing that changes by the GES were announced at short notice.

The bigger issue now is how to do the alignment with the second cycle one, he said.

He, however, expressed the hope that the GES would work hard to do the alignment.

Evaluation

The President of Challenging Heights, James Kofi Annan, welcomed the decision to revert.

He, however, called for an evaluation mechanism to quantify the negative effect that the fast tracking might have had on the children.

There must be the need to evaluate and get the results as to what the impact or the consequences might have been on the learning outcomes of the children.

Also, it is important to evaluate what else might have been the cause in the process of the fast tracking to teachers, parents, school authorities and even to the children themselves, Mr Annan said.

He said such an evaluation could help the GES and the Ministry of Education to take remedial actions that the fast tracking had been done.

Mr Annan acknowledged that COVID-19 brought untold hardship and saw the reversal as a relief, saying once we are able to get to where we are now, we ask that teachers look at where the children have lacked and try to make up for the shortfall.

While asking the GES to address the issue of shortage of educational items such as chairs and tables, as well as all the needed books, he also charged parents to pay attention to the educational needs of their children.

GES

The GES has reverted to the pre-COVID-19 academic calendar following the completion of the 2022 academic year last Thursday.

The first term of the 2023-2024 academic year will begin on October 3, 2023, according to the reset calendar.

Management of the Ghana Education Service wishes to inform you that the reopening date for basic schools (kindergarten, primary and junior high schools) across the country for the first term of the 2023/2024 academic year is October 3, 2023, a memo signed and issued by the Deputy Director-General of the GES in charge of quality and access, Dr Kwabena Bempah Tandoh, said.

The memo, addressed to all regional directors of education, stated that this brings back the academic calendar to pre-COVID-19.

COVID-19

On March 16, 2020, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo directed the closure of all schools after the country recorded its initial cases of COVID-19.

The announcement brought all academic activities to a halt, throwing the academic calendar out of gear.

Since then, the beginning of the academic year has been shifted from September/October to January.

This continued until 2022 when the GES developed a transitional timetable in an attempt to revert the academic calendar to the pre-COVID-19 era.
Education Ministry urges students to prioritise science in school selection

Daily Graphic Education Sep - 20 - 2023 , 08:17

The Ministry of Education has urged all prospective first-year senior high school (SHS) students and their parents/guardians to prioritise the selection of science courses as the 2023 school selection and placement process has commenced.

The call aligns with the ministry's strategic plan for 2018-2030, which aims at achieving a balanced 60/40 enrolment ratio for science and humanities at the tertiary level.

Currently the ratio of science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) stands at 40/60.

A statement from the ministry said to facilitate this, the ministry has invested in infrastructure of which over 300 state-of-the-art laboratories have been constructed and refurbished nationwide in the second cycle institutions.

It said the facelift of infrastructure represented a significant enhancement to the quality of science education.

The statement said the ministry further wished to assure prospective students, guardians and the general public that additional vacancies had been created specifically for science courses to accommodate students interested in pursuing a science-based education.
Consortium commits $10 million to lithium drilling

Timothy Ngnenbe Sep - 20 - 2023 , 16:00

A business consortium, made up of a foreign investor and a local partner, has committed to roll out a $10 million lithium drilling programme before the end of the year.

This follows the ramping up of exploratory activities by the mining entity on a 646-square kilometre (KM2) concession on the lithium corridor along Awutu-Bereku and Mankessim in the Central Region.

The consortium, Lithium Resources Ghana Limited (LRGL), is a joint venture of UK-based CAA Mining Limited and local entity Empire Rare Earth and Metal Group Limited.

After signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Minerals Commission in January this year, the joint venture company has invested $2 million in exploratory activities.

They include 8,000 metres of auger drilling, collection of over 6,000 soil samples and over 500 pegmatite rocks: the setting up of laboratories, creation of access routes in the host community and accommodation facilities.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CAA Mining Limited, Douglas D. Chikohora, who made this known to the Daily Graphic, said the rollout of the programme, which formed part of an integrated strategy of exploration, mining and refining lithium in the country, was subject to the acquisition of a prospecting licence from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.

We have done a lot of work after signing the Memorandum of Understanding with the government earlier this year.

Our $2 million investment in exploration and other preparatory activities shows that we are committed to invest in the lithium value chain; so as soon as we get the prospecting licence, we will begin to drill, he said.



Exploration

A visit by the Daily Graphic to one of the LRGL sites in Asaman in the Ekumfi District in the Central Region last Saturday revealed that the exploratory activities were going on in earnest.

Geologists and other workers were seen carrying out their activities to establish the viability of lithium in the area.

At the laboratory, some technical staff were seen analysing and interpreting geological samples from the field, while soil, rock or auger samples were being taken through laboratory processes at the sample preparation section.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) data analyst, Justice Amekudi, explained that because the samples were either dry, wet or super wet, they were taken through a locally made oven at varying temperatures to take out the moisture.

The samples are transferred into the oven according to how wet they are.

When it is super wet, it is put at the bottom, medium wet in the middle and light wet at the top.

It is then fired for 40 to 45 minutes and allowed to cool to detect if it should be crushed in the jaw crusher, he explained.

At the hydraulic press room, some workers were seen creating pellets (capsule-like matter) out of samples that had been processed at the sample selection section.

Adjacent the hydraulic press room was the laboratory where pellets were taken for analysis.

Mr Amekudi said the laboratory activities were focused on establishing whether the low elements, especially lithium that had been identified in the area, were economically viable.

There are picks that point to the presence of lithium in the areas, but we need to get them in concentration, which we are still working on.

We are still getting our drill target and there are positive notes; so hopefully, we can drill by October, he said.

Social responsibility

The Account Clerk and Administrator at LRGL, Dominic Apedo, said although the company had been in the concession area for barely eight months, it had undertaken Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in most of the communities in the area, including Otuam, Asaman and Abaasa.

At Asaman, for instance, he said an access road had been created, while the 50-kilovolt capacity transformer was also being upgraded to 300KV to benefit the community.

He added that processes were underway to help the Enyan-Abaasa Health Centre with infrastructure and medical equipment.

Our operations are mostly done in the field where farms are located, so anytime a crop is affected we compensate them.

Crops such as maize, cassava and pineapple have their fixed prices determined by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, so we calculate and pay accordingly, he explained.
Dont impede work of EC, Judiciary - S.K.B. Asante tells politicians

Samuel Duodu Sep - 20 - 2023 , 12:00

A constitutional expert and Paramount Chief of Asokore Asante, Nana Dr S.K.B. Asante, has called on Ghanaians, especially politicians, to allow the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission (EC) space to perform their duties in the interest of the country.

"Materially, you cannot attack the judiciary or the EC and at the same time expect them to perform their public functions," he said.

Nana Dr Asante, a distinguished scholar, a former Law lecturer and an expert in negotiations and arbitration, made the call in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

"You go to the judiciary when you feel you are aggrieved under the Constitution, so the judiciary must be respected for that purpose.

You rely on the Electoral Commission to organise elections, so you cannot reprobate and approbate.

All together is terrible, and must be stopped," he said.

Encouragement

Nana Dr Asante, who was the Chairman of the Committee of Experts who drafted constitutional proposals leading to the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution, urged politicians in particular to rather encourage the judiciary and the EC to do their work without impediments, saying if there were flaws, everybody would see and discuss them dispassionately.

Give them a chance, accept them in good faith; if there is a real flaw everybody will see it.

But don't say that one is collaborating with this one or conspiring with this one, and so forth and so on, and still go to the same institutions for remedies," he stated.

"But you cannot actually go to it (EC) to assert your rights if you think they can still organise elections and, in fact, it has been organising elections for all parties without anything and they should be encouraged.

"I believe that we should give the EC and the judiciary a chance to do their work," he emphasised.

Context

The revered chief was responding to a question regarding the recent misgivings expressed by a section of the public, including politicians, about the work of the EC and the judiciary.

The interview was to offer him the opportunity to throw more light on his book, Critical and Biographical Essay on Nana Dr S.K.B Asante with the sub-title From an African Village to the Global Village and back, chosen by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) as the Book of the year 2022.

The book is a compendium of small books detailing the distinguished career of Nana Susubiri Krobea Asante (his stool name) as a Law teacher, a public servant, a constitution framer and traditional ruler, which appeared in the GIMPA quarterly, a publication of the institute's Governing Council Volume 3 Issue 7 dated January to March 2023.

Extreme partisanship

Nana Dr Asante said excessive partisanship has been the bane of the countrys development.

"It is certainly one of the problems because it doesn't promote the utilisation of the best talents available," he noted.

"One of the things I want us to do if I had my way is that instead of having this multi-partisan politics  I mean the highly divisive and polarised system we have  I wouldn't mind having consensual arrangement or a national government," Nana Dr Asante said.

He explained that a coalition government would bring all the parties and the best in them to the task of developing; that is, of course, a very, very unpopular thing because we are used to the American and British scenarios which we think are the best.

In fact, if you go to the continent of Europe, a consensual approach or a coalition approach is the order and if you look at the Asians and so forth this has been their preoccupation.

How a political party will win and so forth is to bring the best people to the task.

When Ghana became independent in 1957 the Public Services Commission sent a mission abroad looking for the best qualified Ghanaians to come fill positions, he recalled.

And now, sometimes when people come from the diaspora and offer themselves, people want to look at where they belong, that kind of thing.

So, meritocracy is very, very important.

He emphasised that what was needed for one to serve his country well was commitment and integrity and, said you might have all the expertise but if you don't have the integrity, it is problematic.

"I know so many agreements in international law where lack of integrity led to a disaster," he stated.

Sharing an experience while serving in the international community, Nana Dr Asante said what had made Asian countries such as China, Singapore, Korea to progress as nations was their long-term strategy for economic development and execution of projects.

He said what Ghana was lacking was such commitment, since the moment one government left power the project it initiated for the benefit of the citizenry was abandoned while new ones were started by the new government.

Asian example

"What I admire about the Koreans and Chinese is their long-term strategy for economic development and execution of projects.

You take Korea, for example, according to a World Bank report, in the 60s they concentrated on elementary education, 70s, secondary and 80s, tertiary and they became experts in mathematics and science.

"Let me tell you a story about China. In the 1980s the Chinese Communist Party decided that they would welcome foreign investment from the Western world but they did not know anything about foreign investment or how to negotiate international agreements with them.

So they invited organisations from United Nations (UN), America and so forth and private organisations to come and tell them how to deal with these transnational corporations, how to negotiate with foreign investors, what are the negotiations and what are the implications.



And I can tell you, I led one of the teams and when I was going there, there was a high-ranking Chinese foreign minister who used to be the Ambassador of China to Ghana during Kwame Nkrumah's time.

When Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown, he was the one who handed a note to Nkrumah that this was what had happened.

He then told the Ghana Ambassador to China that a UN delegation was coming to assist us, led by a Ghanaian and when I went, whether I was an African or not, everybody was ready to learn.

They absorb everything and now the Chinese are experts in international transactions, he explained.
Ghanaian policewomen supporting peace, security in Somalia

Emelia Ennin Abbey Sep - 20 - 2023 , 06:19

Ghanaian policewomen deployed to serve in Somalia are making meaningful contributions to the fight against Al-Shabaab and other armed rebels in Somalia.

Out of the 196 Ghanaian Police personnel on the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) working to solidify peace and security gains in Somalia, there are 37 Ghanaian women.

The female police officers play a variety of roles in the male-dominated area where terrorist groups like Al Shabaab have plunged Somalia into more than three decades of instability.

Roles

The Head of the Individual Police Officer in Somalia is a Ghanaian police officer, Superintendent of Police Enyonam Klu; the internal investigations of the Police Component of ATMIS is headed by Superintendent of Police Phyllis Dwamena Tettey and the Head of Public Information of the ATMIS police component is Superintendent of Police Irene Serwa Oppong.

Others are the Traffic Advisor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mabel Teiko-Tettey; the Deputy Investigations Advisor, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rose Haligah; and the Deputy Head of the Gender Unit, Chief Inspector Florence Ayamga.

From metro mass

to armoured car

Also is Corporal Dorothy Asare, who used to drive a Metro Mass Transit bus before she was recruited into the Ghana Police Service, currently an armoured vehicle driver.

Female police officers are as good as their male colleagues in all areas.

I want more women to become aware of the fact that there are different options or pathways in policing which they could consider as a career option. I am a driver and l am here, she said.

Another Armored Vehicle driver, Inspector Prisca Medakpe-Tekpor, who learnt how to drive the armoured vehicle popularly referred to as Mamba in Somalia said "Now when l come home, l can even drive a trailer.

The exposure and the many things l am learning from here will go a long way to enhance my policing profession."

The ATMIS Police Public Information Officer, Superintendent of Police Irene Serwa Oppong, commended the female police officers working with fellow policewomen drawn from various countries in Africa to achieve the mandate of ATMIS.

Women inspiring women

For Deputy Superintendent of Police Phyllis Gyamena-Tettey, whose duty is to ensure that all the police officers with ATMIS follow the Standard Operating Procedures, the diversity of cultures and expertise increases effectiveness and professionalism, which is essential to meet the mandate of ATMIS.

"We work side by side and respect each other as professionals and also learn from each other, she said.

A weapon instructor, Corporal Lucy Dennis Tseganu, and Corporal Anita Afedo, who is a gunner, said they were passionate about their work and were happy to serve as an inspiration to the young Somalian women.

"They admire us a lot and some of them aspire to be like us and that is good news," said Ms Tseganu.
GNPC CEO scoops top African leadership award

Daily Graphic Sep - 19 - 2023 , 16:39

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Opoku-Ahweneeh Danquah, has been adjudged the winner of the coveted Oil and Gas Industry Leadership Award for the year 2023.

He received the award at the just-ended 4th edition of the Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards (APSCA 2023) held in Kenya last Friday.

The award is given to top-performing executives, agencies, ministries, governors, mayors and civil servants who are driving value and transformation on the continent through innovation and sound leadership in the oil and gas sector.

In an added recognition of GNPCs stellar contribution to economic growth, empowering people and the building of communities, the GNPC Foundation also emerged as the winner of the Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award.

The awards ceremony was held on the theme: Towards a digital, Green & Resilient Economy; The role of public sector.

The APSCA 2023 took place on the sidelines of the Africa Climate Week in Nairobi, Kenya; bringing together ministers, business leaders, CEOs, and stakeholders in Africas public sector who discussed and shared insights on sustainable renewable energy, innovation and productivity and the role of technology in the public sector.

The conference also explored digital trends, government policies focusing on the digital economy and best practices that are transforming service delivery and shaping the next generation of public bodies across Africa.



Contribution

Mr. Danquah is leading Ghanas determined efforts to contribute to meeting Africas energy needs amidst the growing global transition towards affordable and cleaner energy sources.

He is not only spearheading the continents commitment to a collaborative approach to tackling Africas energy challenges but also demonstrating social and environmental accountability in its corporate governance and sustainability strategies  a position that resonates with GNPCs vision.



Profile

Mr. Danquah's latest win hands him a second unveiling of this kind after he was named CEO of the Year in the Upstream Petroleum Sector at the 7th Ghana CEOs Summit earlier this year.

This underscores his exceptional leadership, professionalism, achievements and excellent business practices in his stewardship of Ghanas national oil company, which now has its sight firmly set on expanding the countrys hydrocarbon reserves with the Volta Ian Basin Project offering a key prospect.

Through the leadership of Mr. Danquah, the corporation has sustained the designing and implementation of tailored intervention programmers aimed at ameliorating the environmental, social and economic impact of its activities within its production enclave and beyond.

This attests further to its commitment to good corporate governance and sustainability.
GPCC supports Patang Hospital, shelter home

Emmanuel Ebo Hawkson Sep - 20 - 2023 , 07:31

The Global Peace Christian Centre (GPCC) has donated food items and other essentials to the Pantang Hospital and the Forever True Friends Foundation, a shelter home for destitute children.

The donation which formed part of the GPCCs 10th anniversary included bags of rice, gari, cooking oil, toiletries, bottled water, tomato paste and detergents.

The Pantang Hospital in addition received blood pressure machines and weighing scales.

An anonymous member of the GPCC also donated GHc10,000 to the Forever True Friends Foundations to help cater for the children under its care.

The Founder and General Overseer of the GPCC, Apostle Henry Ampomah Boateng, said the church donated on a regular basis to health centres, orphanages and other institutions as part of its quest to share and spread love as a church.

We are grateful to God for bringing us this far as a church so we decided not to celebrate this milestone alone, but to share with those who truly need help in society.

Through this donation, we are also spreading the gospel and encouraging people to be steadfast and have faith in God, he said.

Support

Apostle Ampomah-Boateng urged corporate bodies and religious organisations, especially churches, to extend a helping hand to institutions and individuals in desperate need of support.

He said many people and institutions such as hospitals, orphanages, schools and others which provided social services, must be supported for the betterment of society.

With regard to churches, he said while it was critical that they preached to the people about salvation and living a chaste life, it was equally important for them to provide relief to the poor and vulnerable.

We must all become humanitarian ambassadors and help our brothers and sisters who require support.

We cannot just say that we are preaching the gospel when people are hungry and need help to survive, Apostle Ampomah-Boateng added.

The Founder of Forever True Friends Foundation, Jane Gerbs, thanked the GPCC for coming to the aid of the shelter home.

She urged other institutions to support the foundation to be able to care for more destitute children and provide hope for the future leaders of the country.
Lands Commission to roll out $85m project

Timothy Ngnenbe Sep - 20 - 2023 , 07:52

The Lands Commission will, beginning next year, partner a private company to roll out an $85-million project aimed at transforming land administration in the country.

The local investor, PBD Ltd, will provide the capital and technical expertise for the five-year project.

As part of the project, the investor will help to develop digital maps of the country, build the human resource capacity of the Lands Commission through training and retraining, retool the commission and help to consolidate the digitisation of land records.

The acting Executive Secretary of the Lands Commission, Benjamin Arthur, who made this known yesterday, explained that the plan was to ensure that the investor put in the needed resources to implement the intervention so that the Lands Commission would repay the investment over a longer period of time from internally generated funds.

"We have reached an advanced stage with the processes for the investor to come on board," he said.

Mr Arthur said this when a Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of Land and Forestry, Benito Owusu-Bio, paid a working visit to the client service and access unit of the Lands Commission.

The deputy minister's visit was a follow-up to a directive by the secor minister to the Lands Commission to put in place immediate measures to stamp out the root causes of corruption at the state entity.

A study conducted by the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in 2021 ranked the Lands Commission as the most corrupt institution in Ghana.

The data showed the top bribe-taking institutions in Ghana, with Lands Commission officers collecting the biggest bribes among public officials in Ghana.

The study showed that officials at the commission took cash bribes with an average bribe size of GH1,669.

As an immediate response to the minister's directive, all front desk officers at the client service unit have been replaced with technical staff.

Comprehensive reforms

Mr Arthur explained that the partnership with the investor was a comprehensive move that would help to build a robust system to weed out activities that promoted corruption.

Mr Arthur said digitally mapping the country was crucial because it would take away the situation where various agencies developed their maps to their own specifications.

He explained that through the digital mapping process, the Lands Commission would establish a national spatial data infrastructure that would allow all agencies to tap into that data for their purposes.

"This will help to reduce cost, improve data quality and ensure standardisation," he said.

Be diligent

Mr Owusu-Bio stressed that the commission needed to ramp up the reforms in the areas of human resource, structural and processes to shake off the corruption tag.

"What is important is that we want to make sure that the Lands Commission clear itself of the bad image it has in the public," he said.

He described the public-private partnership initiative as revolutionary and positive and said it would resource the commission to deliver on its mandate.

The deputy minister also underscored the need for the Lands Commission to make sure that all illegal actors in the provision of services were removed.
Outdated legislative frameworks affecting arms control in ECOWAS region - Chief Director

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Sep - 19 - 2023 , 17:52

The Chief Director of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs. Adelaide Anno-Kumi, is of the view that most West African states are unable to control small arms and light weapons proliferation due to outdated legislative frameworks.

She explained that while a considerable number of states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are struggling to adopt new legislations due to insufficient resources and necessary expertise, a few states which have been able to develop domestic legislation, are struggling to overcome the internal administrative procedures in enactment of such legislations.

Mrs. Anno-Kumi, who was speaking at the opening of the 2023 ECOWAS-United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) regional seminar on gender perspectives on arms control and disarmament in Accra on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, called on member states to adopt legislation to harmonise obligations under various treaties and conventions.

Purpose of the seminar

The ECOWAS Commission in collaboration with the UNIDIR organised the 3-day 2023 Regional Disarmament Seminar to convene subject matter experts to deliberate on developments in the field of disarmament and arms control with a focus on gender.

ECOWAS aims to reduce the number of weapons in circulation, establish effective regulatory frameworks, and eliminate certain categories of weapon systems in the region.

The seminar was also seeks to enhance member states' awareness of their obligations to disarmament instruments.

Additionally, the seminar will serve as a platform for Member States to exchange ideas and share best practices, ultimately bridging gaps in understanding and promoting a culture of disarmament, gender mainstreaming, non-proliferation, and arms control throughout the ECOWAS region.

Potential threats

Mrs. Anno-Kumi explained that Illicit circulation of conventional arms remains, in many African regions, a serious and immediate threat to the security of the populations, to institutional stability and rule of law, and to national, regional and international peace and development.

For her, whether illicit weapons are used for armed criminality, banditry, poaching or military conflicts or not, they have a damaging impact on all aspects of peoples life, and by extension, societies.

She noted that illicit circulation of arms contribute to rapid and violent shifts of political regimes, instability, humanitarian crisis and terrorism, with a dreadful impact across the continent.

She noted that the recent warfare in a few countries further illustrate how conventional arms and their illicit circulation contribute to rapid and violent shifts of political regimes, instability, humanitarian crisis and terrorism, with a dreadful impact across the continent.

Mrs. Anno-Kumi therefore urged member states to take appropriate measures for the enhancement of stockpile management capacities and physical security of conventional arms and ammunition to minimise the risk of diversion, explaining that This can be achieved through the refurbishing of existing storage facilities or the building of new ones in compliance with international security standards.

She also urged member states to adopt a full and comprehensive state-owned weapons marking programmes, including a weapons and ammunition registration systems, saying States should further take advantage of the weapons marking systems to establish a comprehensive inventories and database systems.

Additionally, she charged ECOWAS countriers to reinforce national capacity for the monitoring and controlling of border areas, as well as air, road, railway and water transport systems in a more effective manner.

She also called for remote surveillance systems, provision of adequate training for border control agencies with emphasis on inter-agency cooperation, sensitisation and awareness programmes among communities living in the border areas on the subject.

Gender responsive policies

The Director of UNIDIR, Mr Robin Geiss, said the gender and disarmament programme seeks to contribute to strategic goals of achieving gender equality in disarmament forums and effectively applying gender perspective in disarmament processes.

He explained that the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in conflicts could be linked to conflict-related sexual violence.

For him, weapons and ammunitions are used by perpetrators to commit rape, to threaten or coerce individuals into sexual acts against their will, and to injure and kill survivors and victims of sexual violence.

Similarly, Mr. Geiss observed, weapon proliferation is one of the factors that fuel armed conflict, which in turn, propagates the conditions that lead to conflict-related sexual violence.

He expressed the optimism that a gender-responsive implementation of the arms control and disarmament toolbox can contribute to changing gender norms and attitudes by promoting womens participation in decision-making about security issues, including arms control and disarmament, which has traditionally been a male-dominated field.

For him, there was more to be done to improve womens participation in arms control in the ECOWAS region and the world as a whole.

He also expressed the readiness and commitment of UNIDIR to continue to work with the ECOWAS to help improve small arms disarmament in the region.

Womens participation

For his part, the Head of Small Arms Division of ECOWAS, Mr. Joseph Ahoba, said one of the key objectives of the seminar was to strengthen the gender component of policies and programmes aimed at curbing illicit trade in small arms and light weapons in the ECOWAS region.

We must identify practical steps to ensure that our efforts are inclusive and considerate of the specific vulnerabilities faced by women and youth in the context of armed conflict, he said.

In addition, he observed, the concept of inclusive leadership within our security structures is of paramount importance.

Mr. Ahoba also urged the participants to examine opportunities and challenges in promoting womens participation in arms control and disarmament efforts within the ECOWAS region.

We must explore ways to break down barriers and create spaces where women can actively contribute to shaping our security, he stated.

The Executive Secretary of the National Commission of Small Arms and Lights Weapons, Mr. Samuel Williams Yeboah, said addressing disarmament, conventional arms, and the gendered impacts of conflicts was a complex challenge that demanded a comprehensive and inclusive approach.

He therefore called on member states of ECOWAS to mainstream gender perspectives into our disarmament and arms control policies and programmes.
Police officer installed Asafoatse of Atua Manya

Ezekiel E. Sottie Sep - 19 - 2023 , 18:58

The Manya Division of the Manya Krobo Traditional Area has installed Commissioner of Police (COP) Francis Ebenezer Doku as Asafoatse for Atua Manya Agbasi, a subdivision of the Manya Division of the traditional area.

Manya is one of the six divisions that make up the Manya Krobo Traditional Area.

The other divisions are Suisi, Dorm, Djebiam, Akwenor and Pierngua.

Each of the six divisions has its Asafoatseme (sub-divisional leaders) who owe allegiance to the divisional chiefs of the traditional area.

The installation of COP Doku as Asafoatse with the stool name Asafoatse Odjeblema Angmortey I, has elevated him from his former status as Sipim, Djase to Asafoatse.

He will directly serve under the Manya Divisional Chief, Okpatakpla Sasraku IV.

Asafoatse Odjeblema Angmortey I was sworn in at a ceremony led by the Mane Setse of Atua Manya.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr George Akuffo Dampare, and his men were present in their numbers to grace the occasion, which made it colourful.

Also present was a delegation from the Tourism Society of Ghana led by the Executive Director, Joseph Amartey. COP Doku is a member of the Tourism Board.

Keynote address

Asafoatse Angmortey, in his keynote message, called on all the chiefs in the six divisions of the traditional area to unite for the development of the area as their forefathers lived and left a legacy for them.

He also stressed on the need for the Clergy, in their messages at their various places of worship and at social gatherings, to drum home the issue of unity, which would bring peace to the entire traditional area.

Asafoatse Angmortey also entreated his people to make education of their children a priority.

He explained that but for education, he wouldnt have risen to his current position in the police service and that was why some few years ago when he was installed as Djase, he instituted a scholarship scheme which benefitted many needy students at the universities and other tertiary institutions.

I shall continue with it and I need your support in the interest of our own children, he said.

A representative of Asafoatseme in the traditional area, Dr Nene Sipim Narh Terkpertey II, who spoke on behalf of the Asafoatseme (all Asafoatses) pledged to collaborate with him to succeed in his traditional ruling in his area of jurisdiction.

Solidarity message

In his solidarity message on behalf of the Ghana Police Service, Dr Dampare stressed the need for Asafoatse Angmortey to employ teamwork as they had been doing at the police service.

He advised his colleague to ensure that he loved his detractors in the performance of his traditional duties.

The higher you go in every sphere of human life, the more you will have detractors but you should let God who instituted chieftaincy give you the grace as I got since I became the IGP, the IGP told the police officer.

A member of the Atua Manya Agbasi community, Rev. Stephen Nyarko, stressed the need for Rev. Stephen Nyarko to put his hope in the Almighty God who instituted chieftaincy and he shall be successful.
Prioritise basic needs in national budget - Petrosol CEO entreats govt

Kwame Larweh & Justice Agbenorsi Sep - 20 - 2023 , 10:20

The government has been entreated to efficiently address the basic needs of the people, such as food, shelter and jobs, to make things easier for them in the current economic crisis.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of oil marketing company, Petrosol, Michael Bozumbil, who made the call yesterday, said if the government provided efficient social safety nets, individuals and companies could be spared the challenge of throwing substantial resources at helping such people in economic crisis.

He challenged the government to create a parallel microeconomic framework that would serve to gauge the human development index of the citizens.

In order to make such a framework effective, Mr Bozumbil charged political appointees and policymakers to move away from their comfort zone and engage persons in the micro sector such as small and medium enterprise (SME) owners in the market to learn at first-hand their challenges and proffer tangible solutions.

If we talk about the Ghana CARES strategy, which is being undertaken by the government, then government must have a microeconomic policy document that is targeted at the poor and vulnerable, a budget to deal with microeconomic issues before the macro issues, Mr Bozumbil said.

Making his presentation as one of the three main speakers at the third quarter Graphic Business/Stanbic Bank Breakfast Meeting in Accra yesterday, Mr Bozumbil said the micro economy directly dealt with human beings, their wages, poverty index and living standards, and implored the government to start the revival of the economy with that branch.

In a basic family setting, the focus is on food for the children in moments of crisis, he said.

Households income and spending are an integral part of the economy.

When government engages those at, for instance, Abossey Okai Spare Parts, those in Makola, to know how they spend, appreciate their living standards, understand how their sales and prices move, then they can advise them on how to cut down on non-essentials and prioritise what can take them out of the current economic turbulence, he further said in an interview on the sidelines of the meeting.

The meeting, which was on the theme: Thriving During Economic Turbulence examined the various perspectives local businesses and citizens can apply to their businesses to overcome the current economic challenges in their various endeavours.

Review Free SHS

Mr Bozumbil called on the government to review the Free SHS under its current free-for-all nature and target specific individuals who need it.

Government must look at the Free SHS Policy, review it to cut away unnecessary expenditure and target those who really need it, he stated.

He asserted that while the policy was a laudable one, the state could not sustain it in its current form.

He therefore called on those who can afford to absorb some of the burden.

Private sector

The CEO affirmed that the private sector still remained the engine of growth for the country and government must support it to shoulder some of its current burdens in these challenging economic times.

The private sector must also liaise with the government and pay the required taxes to ensure government carries out its task and honour to the citizens, Mr Bozumbil stated.

Individual

On what individuals can do in turbulent times, a Business Advisory Expert, Professor John Gatsi, said individuals needed to review their personal budget and lifestyle such as driving personal cars to work only twice in a week, among others.

Its better than fighting that your income is not enough. You need to identify the market you go to buy your things because all the markets are not for all of us.

Dont maintain the lifestyle you had before COVID-19 else you will have severe problems, Prof. Gatsi said.

Projects

For her part, an Economist, Agyapomaa Gyeke-Dako, stressed the need for the government to resource the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) well to implement long-term strategies that would ensure that politicians did not abandon projects.

That, she said, would bring about collective sustainable development.
Prioritise ideals of Dr Nkrumah to inform development

Jemima Okang Addae, Yaa Kuffour Senyah & Linda Sah Sep - 20 - 2023 , 07:47

A section of the public has called for the prioritisation of the ideals and economic idealogy of Dr Kwame Nkrumah to inform the countrys development.

While majority of the people who the Daily Graphic interacted with extolled the works of the countrys first President and leader of Pan Africanism, others called for the continued immortalisation of the freedom fighter and the continuation of policies he started more than 60 years ago.

A Language Coordinator at the Ghana Education Service (GES), Tema Metro, Selina Bernice Owusu, said it was appropriate to observe and commemorate the day critically because if that was not done, there would come a day when a generation would not know who Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was.

Ms Owusu suggested that all students should be made to wear African attires on the day to sensitise them and the public to the relevance of the day and what Nkrumah stood for.

No knowledge

She said some people did not know who Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah was, adding that while others had knowledge about him as the first President of the country, they also had little or no information of his contributions to the country as well as his principles.

She said they considered the day as one of the numerous holidays observed in the country.

Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day

Tomorrow marks Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day, a day set aside for citizens to come together to commemorate the birthday of the nations first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who was born on September 21, 1909 at Nkroful in the Ellembelle District in the Western Region.

The day, observed as a statutory public holiday, is also used to pay tribute to the founder father as an avenue to promote Pan-Africanism, highlight development models and educate the future generation.

The holiday was formerly marked as Founders Day to honour Nkrumah as the first person to have led the country to independence in West Africa.

However, as a result of the New Public Holidays Act, 2018 passed by Parliament to amend the Public Holidays Act, 2001 in the President Akufo-Addo led government, it is now observed as the first President's birthday.

If alive, Nkrumah would have turned 114 years tomorrow.



Legacy

Sharing her views, a student, Christiana, said the day allowed people to remember and honour his immense contributions to the nation's liberation while fostering a sense of national pride and unity.

The country can leverage Nkrumah's legacy by emphasising the importance of strong leadership, visionary thinking, and dedication to national development.

This can inspire current and future leaders to emulate his transformative approach, she said.

A part-time worker who gave her name only as Felicia also explained that the day served as a reminder of Kwame Nkrumahs commitment to uniting the continent and encouraging Africans to continue pursuing collaboration and collective progress.

She noted that by actively supporting regional integration and facilitating cultural exchanges, it could lead to an increased collaboration, trade and shared prosperity across the continent.

Another student, Jennifer Dei, also said Nkrumah influenced various development models during his presidency.

Thus, the Memorial Day provides an opportunity to reflect on these models and their relevance in shaping the nations current and future development strategies.

Ms Dei stated that the country could leverage Nkrumah's development models by prioritising investments in key sectors such as manufacturing, education and infrastructure.

She said, by adopting a strategic approach inspired by Nkrumah's ideas, the country could fast-track its socio-economic development and improve the quality of life for its citizens.



Relevance

A student of the University of Ghana, Emmanuella Addison, said Nkrumah played significant roles which had not been effectively sustained by the countrys leaders.

Ms Addison reiterated that acknowledgement must be given to the impact created in the country and plans must be made to contribute to his success.

That, she said, would be consistent progress in our national policies for the growth of the country.

She, however, said lectures must be given to students on that day to celebrate Nkrumah and discuss the way forward in contributing to nation building.

Ms Addison said any loopholes in the current leadership must also be identified and addressed in the light of Nkrumahs legacy.
Russian Embassy disavows alleged connection to Wagner Mercenary Group in Ghana

GraphicOnline Sep - 20 - 2023 , 16:08

The Russian Embassy in Ghana has unequivocally refuted any affiliation with the purported leadership of the alleged pro-Russia Wagner mercenary group, following their recent arrest by Police in Takoradi, Western Region.

The Western Regional Police Command has initiated legal proceedings against three individuals detained in Diabene, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, suspected of having links to Russia's Wagner mercenary outfit.

This development transpired subsequent to a public gathering organized by the detainees, where attendees were observed displaying flags representing Wagner and Russia.

The detained individuals have been identified as Evans (25), Michael Asiedu (23), and Ernest Asiedu (26).

Acting in tandem with an alleged benefactor from Australia, the trio orchestrated the assembly of approximately 20 young people with the intent of forming a paramilitary group in Diabene community park. Nevertheless, a tip-off led to their apprehension by law enforcement.

In an official statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, the Russian Embassy categorically dismissed any involvement in the dissemination of Russian flags, apparel, or signs during the protest. The statement also clarified that there is no correspondence with potential sponsors of the group.

"The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana, as well as other government entities, have no ties to the aforementioned unauthorized gathering," asserted the embassy. "Furthermore, upon receiving information in August regarding a planned public action, the Embassy promptly alerted the Ghana Police about the potential organization of the rally featuring national symbols of the Russian Federation."

"It is important to note that the Embassy played no role in the distribution of Russian flags, shirts, placards, etc. to the protestors, nor did it establish any connections with potential sponsors of this unrest, including those from overseas."

The Russian Embassy expressed confidence in the competence of Ghanaian security agencies to identify those responsible for the incident, underscoring that due legal process will be followed.

"The Embassy is confident that Ghanaian law enforcement bodies will take the necessary steps to identify all those involved in this incident, and the court will make appropriate decisions to hold them accountable," affirmed the embassy.

The Russian Embassy also emphasized its adherence to the tenets of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and other international obligations, emphasizing its commitment to cultivating mutually respectful relations with Ghanaian partners in the interest of both nations' populations.
USAID nutrition project ends in Upper West

Emmanuel Modey Sep - 20 - 2023 , 07:52

The USAID Advancing Nutrition project has assisted stakeholders, including civil society organisations, academia and Municipal/District Assemblies (MDAs) in waging a relentless war on malnutrition, which has been a scourge, especially in the northern part of the country.

Through a three-year project, which has ended, USAID Advancing Nutrition brought stakeholders from both the formal and informal sectors to celebrate the achievement in improving multi-sectoral nutrition planning, coordination and services in the Upper West Region.

Overview

After the project, it was realised that inroads had been made in the fight against the scourge of malnutrition, through taboos, cultural beliefs and practices, which continued to make it prevalent among women and children under five years old.

The project, which involved all the 11 MDAs in the region, came out with the view that malnutrition of children under five years had transcended health proportions and had become a development issue.

Delivering a speech to close the event last Tuesday, the Nutrition and Social Protection Team Lead, Maureen Malave, said the project was their assistance to Ghana in its quest to bring malnutrition under control.

The close-out event was on the theme: Deepening the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Agenda: The USAID Advancing Nutrition Story.

Achievements

Ms Malaye said the project, which took place in 55 districts across the northern part, was to increase knowledge and interest in the preparation and consumption of foods that could improve household nutrition.

She announced some of the successes chalked up under the project, including nutrition security for 250,000 children under five, over 120,000 pregnant women and the training of 5,700 health workers throughout the country.

Support

In a speech read on his behalf, the Upper West Regional Minister, Dr Hafiz Bin Salih, expressed his gratitude for the intervention that had chalked up a significant milestone in the area.

Dr Bin Salih said the project that was to address the malnutrition challenge in the area had led to the formation of multi-sectoral nutrition planning and coordination groups.

He said through this, malnutrition had been introduced into the district medium development plans for the provision of funds to tackle it and stressed that efforts should be made to ensure that successes gained by the project were sustained.

The Regional Director of Health Services (GHS), Dr Damien Punguyire, noted that through the project, various capacities of their workers had been improved, and valuable logistics had been provided to them.

Through this, Dr Punguyire noted, there had been an improvement in their service delivery in malnutrition counselling, resulting in the reduction of anaemia in pregnant women.

The Paramount Chief of Lawra Traditional Area, Naa Pwowele Karbo III, urged the beneficiaries of the project to use the knowledge acquired under the project to ensure that the fight against malnutrition was eliminated in society.

He urged other participants to take advantage of the hospitality of the people to visit the many tourist attractions that were available in the region.
We are making strides to release GM cowpea varieties - Scientists assure

Mohammed Fugu Sep - 20 - 2023 , 07:59

Scientists at the Savannah Agriculture Research Institute of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR-SARI) say they are making significant strides to release the first locally developed genetically modified (GM) varieties of cowpea (beans) by next year.

After a year of research, the GM cowpea seeds received the National Biosafety Authoritys (NBAs) approval last year for environmental release.

Currently, the various varieties of the crop are undergoing release trials on fields to enable their presentation for approval from the National Variety Release and Registration Committee (NVRRC) to pave way for commercial cultivation.

A Senior Research Scientist at the Science and Technology Policy Research Institute (STEPRI) of CSIR, Dr Richard Ampadu-Ameyaw, who disclosed this, said barring unforeseen circumstances the crop would be released to farmers for cultivation by next year.

He said the research institute was keenly following the laid down regulations to ensure the quality and safety of the crop being developed for consumption.

Workshop

Dr Ampadu-Ameyaw said this in an interview with the Daily Graphic on the sidelines of a workshop on biotechnology organised for farmers and various stakeholders at Nyankpala in the Northern Region.

Organised by the Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB) Ghana in collaboration with CSIR and Africa Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), the event seeks to create awareness of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms and Ghanas journey in the development of local GM cowpea.

Breakthrough

When approved and commercialised, the GM cowpea is expected to help increase the production of the crop, strengthen the countrys food security and help to reduce the prices of the crop, a major staple in the country.

The crop, which is known as BT cowpea, has an in-built resistance to pest attacks and climate change.

It is being developed using traits from the fungus known as Bacillus therigiensis (Bt) in the cowpea crop.

Dr Ampadu-Ameyaw, who is also the Coordinator for OFAB Ghana, said the cowpea sector would receive a major boost when the crop was finally commercialised as it exhibited very high levels of resistance to the legume pod borer which was responsible for up to 80 per cent of yield losses on farmers cowpea fields.

It has a lot of socio-economic benefits because with the crop, pesticides spraying will be reduced, which is good for both human health and the soil structure, he noted.

Remedy

For his part, a Research Scientist at the Biotechnology and Nuclear Agriculture Research Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Dr Daniel Osei Ofosu, said the GM cowpea was the surest remedy to the insect infestation and low yield being recorded by farmers using the conventional variety.

In this 70-day cycle of the growing of cowpea, it faces a lot of challenges and one of such is insect infestation.

Every day farmers have to spray, which is a lot of work and also affects their health he said.

The Deputy Director of the Savannah Agriculture Research Institute (SARI), Dr Issah Sugri, said agricultural biotechnology had been identified as one potent weapon to tackle the challenges facing farmers in the country, and added that biotechnology crops could make farming more profitable by increasing crops quality.

He, therefore, admonished all stakeholders, particularly farmers, to embrace the novel crop when it was finally commercialised so as to help boost cowpea production in the country.
Bawumia exceptional candidate to break the 8  Asenso-Boakye

Daily Graphic Politics Sep - 20 - 2023 , 06:06

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Bantama, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has said that Vice-President, Mahamudu Bawumia, is the extraordinary candidate that can lead the NPP to victory in the 2024 general election.

My view on the NPP presidential primary is widely known to the party members, and its that Vice-President, Mahamadu Bawumia, is the extraordinary candidate that the NPP needs to break the eight, he stated.

Mr Asenso-Boakye, who is also the Minister of Works and Housing, was responding to some remarks supposedly attributed to him to the effect that a certain minister from Bantama has told delegates to vote for Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia to be elected presidential candidate of the party so as to become more attractive to Ghanaians after four years of John Mahama's imminent Presidency.

Mr Asenso-Boakye, in a statement, described the said attribution as false with the sole intention to cause disaffection for him and to tarnish his reputation within the party.

Attribution

The false attribution, he said, is clearly a mischievous lie deliberately made with the sole intention to cause disaffection for me, sully my good standing within the party and neutralise whatever leverage I have on the delegates.

Mr Asenso-Boakye said even though the said statement did not explicitly mention his name, he was currently the only minister of state from Bantama, so he reasonably assumed he was the one being referred to.

This blatant lie is not only ludicrous but also politically puerile.

The NPP government is deeply committed to working hard to improve the wellbeing of Ghanaians and by so doing, earn their continued goodwill.

I urge all to disregard it and focus instead on building unity that will serve as the bedrock for winning the 2024 election, the MP for Bantama said.
The politics and economics of cocoa producer price

Dr John Osae-Kwapong Politics Sep - 20 - 2023 , 05:49

I am the son of a cocoa farmer.

In 1970, my late father acquired a piece of land in the Ahafo Region and started cocoa farming with my mother.

After he passed in 1977, my now eighty-five-year-old mother continued with the project.

I grew up hearing stories of what life is like for cocoa farmers.

Years later, I examined the cocoa sector as part of my political economy PhD dissertation work. I, therefore, have a deep interest in what happens to cocoa farmers.

Politics of

producer price

The announcement of the new cocoa producer price has generated a heated debate between our two main political parties.

While the government touts the historic increase in the producer price, the main opposition accuses the government of shortchanging farmers.

The welfare of Ghanas cocoa farmers is important.

No one disputes that.

Governments, over the years, have tried to offer a decent producer price and other types of support to the cocoa farmer.

But we cannot overlook the politics that come with ensuring the welfare of our cocoa farmers.

We have a political duopoly (NDC-NPP) that regularly competes with each other to win the hearts and minds of Ghanaians, including our cocoa farmers, during elections.

That is why we regularly witness these political fights over which party has done a better job of looking out for the welfare of cocoa farmers.

Economics

of producer price

There are economic realities that politics must contend with.

First, I agree that we must pay the farmer a fair price.

If you have ever read Chocolate Nations: Living and Dying for Cocoa in West Africa by Orla Ryan, you will appreciate the plight of cocoa farmers.

In addition, if you have ever visited cocoa-growing areas, you will see why we must do more for our cocoa farmers.

The real challenge is how you determine what a fair price is.

Ghana has a producer price formula and a producer price review committee that determines and recommends a fair price to the government.

When estimating the revenue component of the pricing formula, there is little control over certain inputs  the FOB price on the international market, the crop estimate and the exchange rate.

These uncertainties mean that the committee must rely on a combination of historical data and best estimates to arrive at what that fair price should be.

Second, and related to the above, is the exchange rate implication for the computed expected revenue.

When the currency depreciates, the expected revenue in the local currency is higher.

Alternatively, when the currency appreciates, the expected revenue in the local currency is less.

For example, the Cedi equivalent when the exchange rate is GH11 is not the same when it is GH8.

It is, therefore, easier to point to increasing revenue accruing from cocoa sales when there is currency depreciation than when there is currency appreciation and use that as a basis to demand more from cocoa farmers.

Third is the choice of how Ghana sells its cocoa. In laymans terms, we sell tomorrows cocoa at todays price (forward sales).

This means that although tomorrows price could be higher, for whatever policy and budget imperatives we hedge our best bets and use this approach, we cannot judge the fairness of the producer price by comparing an approach that sells tomorrows cocoa at todays price to an approach that sells tomorrows cocoa at tomorrows price (spot sales).

When the world market price of cocoa is good, it is much easier to wish you sold your cocoa using the spot sales approach.

Fourth, the strategy of your buyers can undermine genuine efforts to pay a fair price.

Think about the brilliant initiative where Ghana and Cote dIvoire jointly announced a Living Income Differential of four hundred dollars ($400) per metric tonne to ensure better producer prices for the farmers.

Documented research shows that there has been difficulty in implementing this because of the major buyers devising strategies to buy cocoa from other producers to avoid paying the living income differential.

When all is

said and done

I appreciate the concerns of how well a government treats cocoa farmers.

There is nothing new about this fight though.

I do not recall an opposition party ever applauding a ruling government whenever cocoa producer prices are announced.

Anytime a sitting government announces the cocoa producer price, the opposition response is The government could have done better.

I once applauded a sitting government for increasing the cocoa producer price.

By the next morning, someone had contacted a friend asking if I was a sympathiser of that ruling government.

I am only the son of a cocoa farmer interested in the political economy of the cocoa sector.

The writer is a Democracy and Development Fellow at the Ghana Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-Ghana).
Xiaomi could be facing troubles selling its devices in Finland, a report by Suomimobiili revealed. The three major carriers, Telia, DNA, and Elisa, are suspending sales of the Chinese company in response to the brand's presence in Russia after the beginning of the war in Ukraine last year.

On the other hand, retailers Gigantti and Verkkokauppa stated that since the EU does not ban Xiaomi, they will continue to sell products until further notice.

Xiaomi was declared as an international sponsor of war by the National Agency of Corruption Prevention in Ukraine earlier this year because of its active presence in Russia. Dissatisfaction with Xiaomi's operations in Finland's neighbor to the east led Telia to give up cooperation with the phone maker and not sell new devices; it will only sell ones in stock.

DNA stores don't have Xiaomi phones on display anymore, and the carrier confirmed its stance against the brand. DNA CEO Sami Aavikko told Suomimobiili that the company is not satisfied with Xiaomi's handling of the situation in Russia, and plans are not to replenish stocks once the current devices sell out.

Elisa took a milder approach and will narrow down its range of Xiaomi devices, said Olli-Pekka Nokkonen, Director of Consumer Device Business at the carrier.

Xiaomi opened an R&D center in Finland back in 2019

Retailer Veikon Kone was the first to withhold sales of Xiaomi phones in the summer but later reversed its decision after the competition declined to follow suit. However, it is not planning to add new models to its stores. Xiaomi representatives decided to remain silent on the matter.

The Nordic country has been having anti-Russian sentiments for over a century and was even on the receiving end of an invasion in 1939, similar to the one in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. According to a poll from last year, three-quarters (76%) of the Finnish population have a negative view of Russia, and over 90% believe Russia is a threat to world peace.

Source (in Finnish)
An estimated 59% of Germanys 5G Radio Access Networks (RANs) use Huawei components and a new report suggests that Germanys Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community is looking to impose a limit on Chinese 5G equipment used by local carriers like Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone. Based on the report, the interior ministry will present its case to the German federal parliament next week.

As per the discussed legislation draft, German telecoms would have to limit the use of Chinese 5G RAN equipment in the core part of their networks by October 1, 2026. The exact details of the limit are yet to be specified but the report suggests it will either be a limit to 25% or a total ban on Chinese 5G equipment.

A German official, who declined to be named, said regions like Berlin which houses the federal government of Germany should not have any Chinese tech used in its mobile networks. The German Interior Ministry wants to curb the countrys over-reliance on Chinese 5G technology but it will likely see opposition from the Ministry for Digital Affairs.

Source
Li Auto, a Chinese electric car manufacturer, recently hired some talent from the smartphone industry, which sparked speculation that the company is looking to enter the smartphone market as well. Similar to Nio, which is about to announce its first smartphone on September 21. And it shapes up to be a flagship handset too.

However, Li Auto's CEO Li Xiang clarified that the company has no plans to launch a smartphone. It's too busy working on cars. The fact that the firm hired some high-profile talent from the smartphone industry isn't anything new for Li Auto. In fact, the CEO and founder said that about 15% of the team hired in the last eight years comes from the smartphone industry.

The most recent hire of Violet Song, a former product manager at iQOO, is the reason for the latest rumors. She worked at Huawei before joining vivo in 2019 as a product manager for its sub-brand iQOO. So we can see why everyone is talking about her joining Li Auto.

Via
Xiaomi's brand Redmi is launching the Note 13 Pro series tomorrow, and it has already showcased the hero color option of the Note 13 Pro+ - a leather variant with four different colors on the back. Today, the company revealed the other two paint jobs  one is called Porcelain White (not made from actual porcelain) and Midnight Black.







Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

The new smartphone will have a 200 MP camera with OIS and a large aperture. Redmi proudly announced on Weibo the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ will produce better-than-ever night-time photos. It will also come with IP68 protection against water and dust ingress, thanks to a new architecture, allowing for a new frame that is easy to be insulated, protecting the insides from the elements.



Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ features

Getting back to the colors, the Porcelain White will have a ceramic texture glass body, as per the official Weibo profile, while the Midnight Black is called by Redmi a classic choice. The top part is transparent glass, while the bottom is frosted but the whole panel is a one-piece glass.

The launch is taking place tomorrow, September 21. The event will be held in China, meaning we have to wait a bit more for an international launch. We will also see the announcement of the TWS wearables Redmi Buds 5 with 46 dB noise reduction.

Source (in Chinese) | Via
Samsung started publicly beta testing the next release of its Android skin, One UI 6, which is based on Android 14, last month. Unsurprisingly, the rollout started with the Galaxy S23 family, the latest flagship line from the Korean device maker.

After that you may have expected the Galaxy S22 models to be next in line, but no - they've only been added to the beta program today. And so far, only in Korea, but undoubtedly more regions will follow soon.

It's an odd decision on Samsung's part to hold off on releasing the One UI 6 beta for last year's flagships for so long - especially seeing as how mid-rangers like the Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34 have both been added to the program earlier.

It will be interesting to see if this release timing will be repeated for the final, stable builds once those start going out. In the meantime, good news if you have a Galaxy S22, S22+, or S22 Ultra - you will soon be able to partake in the One UI 6 beta program, if you can't already.

Source (in Korean)
A search for a lone suspect in a Tuesday morning robbery at the Camacho Landmark Center in Tamuning also led to the arrest of the two suspects in a Sunday purse snatching on Kayen Chando in Dededo, according to the Guam Police Department.

All three were in the same vehicle after a traffic stop, police said.

One of the two Good Samaritans who were key in arresting the suspects, according to police, showed tremendous bravery and selflessness by aiding the Tamuning robbery suspect during a struggle with the suspect.

The second Good Samaritan diligently monitored the Tamuning suspects escape route, providing vital descriptions of both the suspect and the vehicle used. Multiple witnesses also talked to the police at the scene.

The three suspects were all in the same car that police spotted traveling in the Hagatna area after the Tamuning robbery, which was reported to police at around 8 a.m. Tuesday.

GPD also said the stolen items from the elderly victim of the Sunday Dededo purse snatching were recovered from the suspects vehicle.

The robbery suspects arrested were:

Jerome J. Pouk, male, 26, of Dededo. Arrested for two counts of robbery, guilt established by complicity, criminal facilitation, illegal possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm without a firearms ID.

Joshua Aldan Naputi, male, 28, of Yona. Arrested for two counts of robbery, conspiracy, guilt established by complicity and criminal facilitation.

Jason Paul Fegurgur, male, 37, of Mangilao. Arrested for robbery, conspiracy, criminal facilitation, terrorizing and, in another case, family violence and use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony.

Police said the victims involved in these incidents received the necessary medical attention for their injuries. They are now in stable condition and their injuries were not fatal, police said.

This successful outcome was made possible with the help of our community. Through their invaluable assistance, the suspects were located and apprehended, booked and confined at the Department of Corrections, GPD said.

The case has been forwarded to the Attorney Generals Office for their information.
Cathy Gogue has been appointed State Chair of the Guam-Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Committee, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, according to a statement from the ESGR.

She will assume her three-year position beginning Oct. 1.

Gogue is the seventh Chair to serve since 1997 and the first woman Chair to lead the organization in our Guam and CNMI region, the statement said.

She is the administrative director of the Guam Public Defender Service Corporation, and a current board member of Guams Professional Engineers, Architects and Land Surveyors. She has been part of the ESGR Committee since 2012, serving as a public affairs director and employer outreach director.

ESGR Executive Director U.S. Navy Capt. Jonathan R. Townsend confirmed Gogues appointment as state chair of the Guam-CNMI Committee ESGR.

Gogue will take the helm from Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Renie Llaneta, who served as state chair since 2021.

As chair, Gogue will oversee ESGR activities and its mission to foster a culture where employers support and value the military service of the Reserve Component employees.

Gogue will lead the committee to serve as the principal means of communication between the Department of Defense, employers, Reserve Component Service members and the local community.

She will also be responsible for promoting cooperation and understanding between employers and their Service member employees by advocating relevant initiatives, recognizing outstanding employer support of the National Guard and Reserve, and increasing awareness of applicable laws that protect the rights and entitlements of Service member employees.

A Department of Defense office, ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employees military commitment.

ESGR is supported by a network of nearly 3,000 volunteers in 54 committees located across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam-CNMI, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Guam received $2.7 billion in COVID-19 pandemic funds as of May this year but faced challenges administering the relief programs, according to a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress.

Unclear or delayed guidance and lack of administrative capacity were a common theme among territories.

The amount that Guam got is 42% of its pre-pandemic fiscal 2019 gross domestic product, based on the Sept. 19 report titled U.S. territory experiences could inform future federal relief.

GAO said the territories shared the challenges they faced in administering certain pandemic relief programs such as not having sufficient administrative capacity, determining allowable uses for funding, spending funds within allotted time frames, and managing reporting requirements.

While jurisdictions across the U.S. experienced supply chain challenges during the pandemic, territory officials told us their isolated geography contributed to additional delays. According to some territory officials, these delays made it difficult for territory agencies to receive items they ordered with federal funds and affected territories ability to liquidate funds in a timely way, the report said.

On Guam, for example, vendors continue to request extensions or cancel deliveries due to global supply challenges, as well as the extended delivery time and resources required to reach Guam, GAO said.

Because of these challenges, GAO identified four themes that it said could inform future federal relief to the territories, including funding flexibilities and leveraging existing programs.

They also include technical assistance and making the funds immediately available.

Guams share, an average of about $900 million a year since 2020, is about the same amount of the annual government of Guam General Fund or budget.

The money that Guam got is 8% of the total $32 billion in federal pandemic funds given to five territories, including the CNMI and Puerto Rico.

Its part of the more than $4 trillion that the federal government provided to respond to and recover from the pandemic.

GAO said the territories reported that COVID-19 funding helped them meet key priorities including public health response to the pandemic and infrastructure development.

The 74-page report said in Guam, the Bureau of Budget and Management Research and the Guam State Clearinghouse collaborated to track and manage COVID-19 funding.

Here are the territories share of the $32 billion pandemic funds:
One-hour rotating power outages are possible from Wednesday night to Sept. 30, the Guam Power Authority said in a statement.

"To maintain grid stability when customer energy demand exceeds total energy capacity, GPA will, as a last resort, implement rotating outages lasting up to one hour. Power will be reconnected to all affected customers at the top of each hour," the agency said.

Repairs to baseload unit Cabras 2 continue. The repairs to the 48-year-old unit have been challenging because once a boiler tube leak is detected and repaired, a pressure hydro is conducted to determine if all the tubes are intact, GPA said.

In the process of doing so, sometimes more leaks are found. GPA personnel will continue to work with its contractor, TEMES, to get the repairs completed and the unit back online. All other base load units are running.

Piti CT unit #7 is running on limited production and would need about five days of work to increase capacity, but the CT unit cannot be taken offline until Cabras 2 has return to service, GPA said.

GPA said it has been able to get assistance from large customers participating in the Interruptible Load Program and the U.S. Navy.

"These large customers along with the U.S. Navy voluntarily go off the grid and operate on their standby generators during the periods of time when capacity is less than demand, most especially during our peak hours when demand is highest," GPA said.

The agency said it has about 15 to 20 MW of energy from these large customers and U.S. Navy assisting around 6 p.m. during peak, which helps minimize outages.

In the last couple of days, less feeders were load shed than anticipated between the hours of 6:30 pm and 8 p.m. because of the assistance from these interruptible load customers and the U.S. Navy.

"Again, our Cabras baseload units are about 48 years old. Emergency repairs are sometimes needed and the units have to be taken offline in a moments notice to avoid further damage to the machines," GPA said.
Months after opening its first location, Worksite Labs, a premier diagnostic laboratory company, opened its second patient service center on Guam at the Guam Medical Plaza in Tamuning, the company said in a statement.

The new center is located at the plazas main entrance immediately to the right, making it convenient for customers in the central part of the island to have access to more testing services.

Gary Frazier, founder and CEO of Worksite Labs, said the company is thrilled to announce the opening of its second patient service center at the Guam Medical Plaza in Tamuning, situated in the heart of the island.

This expansion allows us to connect even more closely with our valued customers in Guam, offering enhanced healthcare diagnostics and cutting-edge technology. By extending our presence and services, we aim to bring added convenience and choice to the residents of the central region, Frazier said. At Worksite Labs, we take great pride in delivering our services with warmth and a friendly approach at our patient service centers.

The companys unique and innovative decentralized laboratory model and advanced diagnostic testing capabilities deliver fast, reliable results by placing full-service labs where theyre needed most and throughout the community.

Worksite Labs launched its operations on Guam on June 12, with the opening of its patient service center at the Dededo Pay-Less Supermarket.

Worksite Labs is in-network with all local insurance plans on Guam, including Calvos SelectCare, TakeCare, NetCare, StayWell, Medicare, Medicaid, MIP or the Medically Indigent Program, and soon, TRICARE.

Customers can make an appointment online at guam.worksitelabs.com or are welcome to walk into the Patient Service Centers at Guam Medical Plaza or Dededo Pay-Less. A doctors requisition form is required for testing.

Worksite Labs also supported Typhoon Mawar recovery by providing medical testing services in the community at pop-up sites at mayors offices throughout the month of June and in partnership with the Todu Guam Foundation.

The company has plans to open its next center at the Yigo Pay-Less Supermarket in a few months and eventually more locations islandwide to better serve the islands residents. Its main lab is located at Guam Regional Medical City.

Worksite Labs operates in 23 major cities, seven states, and Guam.




Haiti - History : 265th anniversary of the birth of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines





Wednesday September 20, 2023, as part of the 265th birth anniversary of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines (September 20, 1758 - September 20, 2021), Founding Father of the Haitian Nation, the Ex-Consul General of Haiti in Chicago Lesly Conde (August 2004 - May 2018), like every year, sent us his message of reflections which we invite you to read and share



"Dear fellow citizens and friends everywhere,



I appreciate the privilege of being with you, again this year, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines, the very illustrious founding father of our Nation. Son of slaves, this great man came into the world in complete obscurity. We therefore know very little about his childhood, and nothing at all about the identity of his father. Even when one is called to change the course of human history, being born into slavery still means being the property of a master or mistress who is free to dispose of their property as they see fit. There is no document relating to the birth of this man with a destiny that was both glorious and tragic. On the other hand, we know the date of his assassination well, even if there is more than one version of the circumstances in which he was executed. In any case, it is always better to talk about the life and prowess of the founding father of our Nation. With great pride, let's celebrate the birth of one of the most extraordinary beings who have ever seen the light of day.



It is an anniversary that all Haitians must mark with the greatest pride because this father of the Haitian nation is the very definition of the kind of man that the whole world should welcome as a model of heroism.



It must be said that nature always arranges things well when we are predestined. Jean-Jacques Dessalines really did not know his mother because she died when he was still young. Before dying, however, she had the presence of mind to entrust her son to a lady, also a slave, whom we know under the name of Aunt Toya. It was a wise decision because Aunt Toya, a former amazon of the famous army of Dahomey, took charge of all aspects of the training of young Jean-Francois. It made him a man of strong character, a formidable soldier and a skillful tactician.



Having been born in the dehumanizing conditions of slavery, and overcoming pitfalls of all kinds to become the supreme leader of an army of rebellious slaves who routed the impeccably equipped slave forces of France, Jean-Jacques Dessalines demonstrated a courage, resilience and sagacity that put him in a league far above that of those much-revered European conquistadors. The father of the Haitian Nation is a true liberator whose courage and vision inspired other liberators. It is to be hoped that one day freedom will triumph and that the whole world will celebrate with us the birth of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, father of the Haitian Nation.



Our country, the Homeland of Jean-Jacques Dessalines, is currently experiencing its darkest moments. It is as if this independence acquired by our ancestors at the cost of such admirable sacrifices was never anything other than a curse. To our great misfortune, generation after generation, we have deviated from the recommendations of our ancestors concerning the slave world in which our Haiti was born. Its a world that hasnt changed much. We must therefore, like our ancestors, unite beyond our differences in the name of our precious freedom which is, more than ever, threatened."



Reflection messages from Lesly Conde 2023 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40420-haiti-history-message-of-tribute-from-lesly-conde-to-jean-jacques-dessalines.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40251-haiti-history-message-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-232nd-anniversary-of-the-bois-caiman-congress.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39882-haiti-social-message-from-lesly-conde-for-the-feast-of-our-lady-of-perpetual-help.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39859-haiti-social-message-from-lesly-conde-for-haitian-father-s-day-2023.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39639-haiti-social-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-mother-s-day-2023.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39562-haiti-220th-flag-day-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39348-haiti-national-day-of-the-haitian-diaspora-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39261-haiti-easter-2023-message-of-reflection-by-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39222-haiti-holy-week-2023message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-39124-icihaiti-social-international-day-against-racism-message-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-39116-icihaiti-international-francophonie-day-message-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-39016-haiti-social-message-of-reflection-by-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38747-haiti-black-history-month-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38592-haiti-earthquake-2010-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38507-haiti-history-message-of-reflection-from-lesly-conde.html



All Lesly Conde's reflection messages in 2022 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38451-haiti-christmas-end-of-year-message-from-lesly-conde.html



All Messages from Lesly Conde in 2021 :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35584-haiti-social-wishes-from-lesly-conde-on-the-occasion-of-the-new-year.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Politic : Reframing Haitian-Dominican relations, words of Me Jean Henry Ceant





The former Prime Minister of Haiti, Me Jean Henry Ceant, faced with the new socio-political crisis between the two Nations of the island, caused by the resumption of the construction of an irrigation canal with water intake on the River Massacre (a private initiative), which in retaliation caused the closure of all Dominican borders with Haiti, is convinced of the need to constitute an island force for joint production and joint recovery.



>Words by Me Jean Henry Ceant :



"Today, the populations living on the island in its two eastern and western components are facing a new socio-political crisis triggered around the construction of a canal to take on the Massacre River. Approached with pragmatism, discernment and good faith, wise management of this crisis, far from leading to a massacre, can lead leaders to strengthen a shared vision that takes into account the interests of their respective countries. In our quest to find an adequate solution to the various recurring problems which divide the two republics, we call for a great consultation of the Haitian and Dominican Civil Societies which, in their joint, resolved and determined actions, will help us to transform our communication difficulties in opportunities for frank and sincere dialogue to develop fair and equitable approaches. It is time to constitute an island force of common production, joint recovery and galvanization of the humanist sense of each citizen.



To do this, we reiterate our call to key sectors of civil societies in both countries, particularly universities, to assume their historic responsibilities to create a space for discussions conducive to finding adequate responses:



1) To the problem of the Massacre River and the ideal and adapted solution;

2) To the best way to combine efforts to succeed in Haitian-Dominican Entrepreneurship;

3) To the border control for the protection of the two countries and the guarantee of their effective security;

4) Tot the structuring of legal traffic on the territory of the entire island;

5) To the reconstruction of historical sections for a better understanding of mentalities and spontaneous reactions;

6) To the regulations, appeals and penalties in migration matters;

7) To raise awareness of the harms of climate change, protecting

the environment and ecological transition;

8) To the preservation of the common water table and better management of surface water.



The Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic are condemned to find the appropriate ingredients for living together while respecting the laws, agreements and specificities of the two countries. We are in reality a space for obligatory sharing but above all a community of interests and united achievements.



Furthermore, in order to maintain a continuous dialogue, we must immediately relaunch the Haitian-Dominican joint commission, ensure that all components of this structure are operational, while taking the opportunity to resolve all disputes with a view to sustainable harmonization relations between the two brotherly countries.



Wars lead to the cemetery but living together leads to happiness."



HL/ HaitiLibre


















By William Schwartz | Published on 2023/09/19

The second part of this series dealt with how "Mr. Sunshine" has an overly positive interpretation of a questionable period of American history. American Exceptionalism is the basic explanation for this. The basic premise of American Exceptionalism is that the United States has a unique position of moral superiority due to its history as a rebellious colony founded on principles of democratic freedom.

Advertisement

American Exceptionalism is an ideological, rather than a materialist explanation for American culture. South Korea as a country has been geopolitically aligned with the United States for its whole existence, so it's not surprising to see such ideals expressed in a South Korean television show. What is unusual about "Mr. Sunshine" is that the drama shows these ideals as being commonly understood several decades before most Koreans had any idea what the United States even was.

This wasn't just due to Korea being a backwater. Major European powers didn't take the United States seriously either. The General Sherman Incident discussed in the first part of this series was muddled in part because Koreans didn't realize it was an American ship at all, but a French one. In day-to-day life most East Asians in the nineteenth century wouldn't be able to tell white people of different nationalities apart, simply because there weren't many meaningful differences in how they acted.

The distorted importance of the United States can also be seen in a scene where Japanese Sergeant Tsuda (played by Lee Jung-hyun-I) is excited when he mugs a little girl and discovers that she's carrying American dollars. Where he would even spend American dollars is quite unclear. American dollars weren't a fiat currency at this time. Few banks in Korea or even Japan would honor them. The reason why you can buy things all over the world with American dollars is because they're backed by the American government, not a precious metal.

Coin-based silver currency would have actually been quite practical for Americans traveling overseas at this time since it had value independent of the mint that created them. Ironically, "Mr. Sunshine" itself implies as much in another scene where our heroic Korean-American lead Lee Byung-hun and his friendly fellow officer Kyle Moore (played by David Lee McInnis) trade in a celadon vase, rather than their own dollars, for local currency. The depiction of the United States military in "Mr. Sunshine" is fraught with its own problems beyond this- the subject of the next article in this series.

Written by William Schwartz

___________

"Mr. Sunshine" is directed by Jang Yeong-woo, Jung Ji-hyun, Lee Eung-bok, written by Kim Eun-sook, and features Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-ri, Yoo Yeon-seok, Kim Min-jung, Byun Yo-han, Jo Woo-jin. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2018/07/07~2018/09/30, Fri, Sat 21:00 on Netflix, tvN.
Published on 2023/09/20 | Source

Korean movies opening today 2023/09/20 in Korea: "Havana", "Mind Universe", "Kyungmi's World", "Bungaeman: The Beginning" and Korean-American movie "Coming Home Again"

Advertisement

"Havana" (2022)

Directed by Hong Yong-ho

With Yoo Da-in, Kang Min-hyuk, Gong Sang-ah, Joo Bo-young, Jung Sae-byeol, Lee So-yoon,...

Synopsis

Jeong-min, a rookie lawyer, becomes Yoon-ah's public attorney, as she is accused of murdering her husband. Against a nasty prosecutor, a mysterious judge, and all the suspicions surrounding the defendant, Jeong-min seeks to unravel the truth behind the conspiracies of the case.

"Mind Universe" (2022)

Directed by Kim Jin-moo

With Lee Ki-hyuk, Yoon So-hee, Lee Joo-sil, Kim Ye-rang, Kim Geun-bae, Kim Hyung-suk,...

Synopsis

This film comprises two shorts, "Our Universe" and "Today Of Tomorrow", both with AI as their subject. In "Today Of Tomorrow", elderly Hee-jin logs into uploaded Seon-woo's mind every day, but Seon-woo doesn't remember her in the cyberworld. This means Hee-jin has to repeat saying hello to him every time she logs in. Getting sick of this, she then notices a change. "Our Universe" unfolds an imaginary story about Kim Hyung-suk, a real-life composer. The lead character, So-ri, is Kim's daughter. While she is exploring space, she receives news of her estranged father's death and is also told a virtual online funeral will organize a video chat with her late father. However, So-ri hesitates to speak to him. Both films explore memory, relationship and love, by expanding the narratives through trivial elements within a calm atmosphere. It is a Sci-fi film that focuses on plain impressions of human feelings rather than the subject matter, AI. (Rhana JANG)

"Kyungmi's World" (2023)

Directed by Koo Ji-hyeon

With Lee Young-ran, Kim Mi-soo, Baek Song-ha, Yu Jae-hee, Kim Ka-eun, Lee Jae-eun-III,...

Synopsis

Soo-yeon reluctantly visits her grandmother's hospital in Tongyeong after receiving a call that her grandmother's house, the only family member, must be demolished. Soo-yeon and her grandmother Yeong-soon, who met after seven years, surround their long-disappeared mother Kyeong-mi and bite each other with contempt. Soo-yeon, who says that her grandmother tortured her mother like hell, and she finally locked her in her room, and the grandmother who gave birth to a monster-like Soo-yeon, said that her daughter was crazy and framed herself all over her neighborhood. Soo-yeon, ignoring the pain of loss, encounters her forgotten past while searching for her grandmother's novel and her mother's torn diary.

"Did I ruin you or did you ruin me? Which story do you like?"

"Bungaeman: The Beginning" (2020)

Directed by Han Sang-ho, Park Sung-bae

Voiced by Um Sang-hyun, Shin Yong-woo, Jeong Yeong-woong, Jeon Tae-yeol, Jung Hye-won-III,...

Synopsis

Zio, who lives with her older brother 'Seo Yoon-oh', has little fun or interest in the world.

During the vacation, he works part-time in the waste disposal dept. of Green Corporation, where his older brother works at.

After Choi Doo-sik, chairman of Green Corporation, resigned and his sons "NJ" and "TJ" took over the company, this giant company has started to operate under the name Black Corporation.

One day, after work, while waiting for his brother at the waste disposal dept. he got struck by blue lightning falling from the sky. He came to his senses long after. At that time transformer car Mario, who was hit by lightning at the same time, woke up and follows him. While running away from Mario, he found out that he got a super power but he think it doesn't matter.

Meanwhile, 'Seo Yoon-oh' takes charge of the company's secret project and notices the Black Coporation's terrifying plot.

A few days later, however, he was killed in a mysterious car accident.

The sudden death of the only family member makes 'Seo Zio' in great sorrow. A few days after the funeral, suspicious man invaded his home and he knows that the incident is related to do with Black Coporation.

With the help of Mario and Lee Won-hae, the manager of the waste disposal dept. he decides to reveal the truth.

"Coming Home Again" (2023)

Directed by Wayne Wang

With Justin Chon, Jackie Chung, John Lie, Christina July Kim,...

Synopsis

Based on a personal essay by Chang-rae Lee published in The New Yorker, Coming Home Again is an intimate family drama about a mother, a son, and the burden of family expectations. Chang-rae, a first-generation Korean American, has returned to his family home in San Francisco to care for his ailing mother. He wants only to fulfill his role as the supportive son, but must also come to terms with his conflicted emotions towards his mother.

The film takes place over the course of one full day. During this day, he attempts to prepare a traditional Korean dinner for New Year's Eve. The one she always cooked for the family. The care and precision that goes into preparing this meal gives him time to reflect on the intense relationship between them. Memories about it become a doorway into a woman who was so much more than the mother he thought he knew.

24th Busan International Film Festival
Published on 2023/09/19 | Source

Actor Lee Kwang-ki paid tribute to the late actor Noh Young-gook.

Advertisement

Lee Kwang-ki posted a photo of Noh Young-gook on his Instagram on September 18th.

Lee Kwang-ki said, "Rest in peace, brother. I had a great time filming "The King of Tears, Lee Bang Won" and I remember how happy you were about being on the weekend drama together", he said, expressing his longing.

Meanwhile, Noh Young-gook died of a heart attack on the 18th.

KBS 2TV weekend drama "Live Your Own Life" in which Noh Young-gook was starring in, said, "The mortuary was set up at the funeral hall of Hanyang University Hospital. In accordance with the will of the bereaved family, who is in great sorrow due to the sudden sad news, the funeral will be held quietly with family relatives and fellow seniors and juniors attending".
Published on 2023/09/19 | Source

Lee Yoo-mi, Kim Jung-eun, Kim Hae-sook, Ong Seong-wu and Byeon Woo-seok will have a thrilling big match.

Advertisement

JTBC's new Saturday and Sunday drama "Strong Girl Nam-soon" which will air for the first time on October 7th, unveiled a poster of five characters who bring up their lethal skills to protect their own world on the 19th.

"Strong Girl Nam-soon" is a 'great power' comic crime confrontation in which three generations of mothers and daughters who are born with amazing powers dig into the reality of new drug crimes centered in Gangnam.

Lee Yoo-mi plays Do Bong-soon's sixth cousin, Gang Nam-soon and the owner of incredible strength who flies in from Mongolia to find her parents. Kim Jung-eun plays Hwang Geum-joo, a cash tycoon mother in Gangnam who burns with a sense of justice. Kim Hae-sook plays the role of the living legend of Majang-dong and Gangnam-soon's maternal grandmother, Gil Jeong-gan. On top of that, Ong Seong-wu is Kang Hee-sik, the youngest police officer in the Gangnam Han River District, and Byeon Woo-seok plays Ryoo Si-oh, the CEO of the distribution and sales company Dugo and a villain with unimaginable ambitions. Curiosity is amplified by the exciting battle between the new drug crimes that engulf the world, the mother-daughter hero and the passionate detective to root it out, and the villain in the opposite lane.

Meanwhile, the character poster released makes us more curious about the big matches of those who will be formidable from the beginning. First of all, Gang Nam-soon (Lee Yoo-mi), who proves her tremendous 'power' with easy fist-bumping, catches the eye. Kang Nam-soon, is a 'robust girl' who looks thin on the outside but has the power to break anything in one shot.

The next person who attracts attention is Hwang Geum-joo (Kim Jung-eun), who is showing off her speed with her hair flying. Everyone is looking forward to the birth of Batgirl, who will run with 'no brakes' to save the world. Gil Jeong-gan (Kim Hae-sook), who can even break bones, also overwhelms the viewers. Curiosity is also drawn to the legend's strength which has a tight grasp on Majang-dong.

Unlike the energetic mothers and daughters, Kang Hee-sik (Ong Seong-wu), a passionate detective who attracts attention with a soft atmosphere, is also interesting. How will his 'effort' to eradicate crime only with tenacity and enthusiasm shine? On the other hand, Ryoo Si-oh (Byeon Woo-seok) is emitting a force like the owner of a huge 'power' that will compete closely with all of them.

JTBC's new Saturday and Sunday drama "Strong Girl Nam-soo" will premiere at 10:30 PM on October 7th.
Published on 2023/09/20

"Squid Game" needs little introduction. In fact, it was the gateway for many of the uninitiated into the world of Korean drama, and cinema in general. To say the show was successful is something of an understatement. It quickly became Netflix's most-watched series, topping the charts in no fewer than 94 countries, and reaching an incredible 1.65 billion hours of streaming views.

Advertisement

As we say, readers will know all about "Squid Game" and its impact, but many may not know about how the phenomenal success of the series sparked a lawsuit between Netflix and Korean internet provider ISP SK Broadband. The latter wanted Netflix to pay for the huge surcharge in streaming traffic in South Korea due to the popularity of the show.

SK and Netflix have reached a resolution

SK Broadband launched a lawsuit against Netflix to recoup what they saw as losses due to the "Squid Game" traffic. SK calculated that the popularity of "Squid Game" had cost it somewhere in the region of 27.2 billion Korean won, which is about $23 million USD. After a court case that ran for almost three years, the pair have agreed on a settlement, and, indeed, they will enter into a partnership offering bundled broadband and Netflix services.

Despite the rights and wrongs of the court case, it is clearly a testament to the phenomenal popularity of "Squid Game". The idea of an internet provider suing a platform like Netflix for a surge in traffic is unprecedented. So many things can add to the streaming traffic. It could be popular movies like Parasite, games like Fortnite, slot titles like Thai Paradise, and traffic on Instagram or Kakoa Talk, but to single out one single piece of media as the reason is incredible.

A shared cultural experience

While it tells us a lot about the popularity of "Squid Game", and the growing popularity of Korean movies and television in general, it also says much about our attitude to binge-watching culture. It's not the number of hours people watched "Squid Game", at least not entirely: It was the fact that everyone was watching at the same time. There have been other shows on Netflix that have rivaled "Squid Game" in terms of popularity. But the show was "event television", and we all watched it together.

That last fact is an interesting one. We are often told that streaming platforms have ended the idea of event television  the kind of show that we all talk about at work by the proverbial watercooler. While it's not quite the same as everyone tuning into the same channel at the same time on a Sunday night, there is still a sense of a shared cultural experience when it comes to shows like "Squid Game".

___________

"Squid Game" is directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, written by Hwang Dong-hyuk, and features Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Oh Young-soo, Kim Joo-ryoung, Wi Ha-jun. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2021/09/17, Fri on Netflix.
According to the updated Glass Ceiling Index by the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (EVA), the proportion of women in leadership positions in Finland stood at 36.3 percent in 2022. While this figure is higher than the OECD average, it reveals stagnation in gender diversity within leadership roles in the country. In recent years, the percentage of women in leadership positions has even decreased.

In comparison to other OECD countries, Finland fares relatively well in terms of female representation in leadership positions, but challenges remain. European Union directives require that by the summer of 2026, women should hold 40 percent of board seats in the largest publicly traded companies, where they are currently at 36.1 percent in Finland.

"The path to the boardroom often goes through a company's executive team and the position of CEO. Quotas serve as a weak band-aid for Finland's gender equality issues. One significant factor is education. In Finland, the education sector is notably gendered. The most striking gap is in the fields of natural sciences, technical sciences, and engineering, where there's a 40 percentage point difference between men and women who have received education in these fields. Such a stark disparity in educational choices exists only in Austria among OECD countries," notes Emilia Kullas, Director of EVA.

The differentiation in subject choices by girls and boys begins as early as middle school and persists throughout their educational journeys.

"The best way to promote gender equality is to support the market economy and encourage entrepreneurship, particularly in female-dominated social and healthcare sectors. Even more crucial is to focus on the educational choices of children and young people, igniting girls' interest in mathematics and technology," emphasizes Kullas.

EVA's Glass Ceiling Index monitors the development of women's status in leadership positions, labor force participation, and education across different countries. Additionally, the index includes updates on average household childcare expenditures and state-sponsored maternity leave benefits in various nations.

HT
Durreen Shahnaz has had a long career as an enabler of investments in womens livelihoods. Her book, The Defiant Optimist presents her philosophy and its role in sustainable development and womens empowerment even as it chronicles her work at Morgan Stanley and in the backstreets of rural Bangladesh. PREMIUM Author Durreen Shahnaz (Courtesy the subject)

What does it mean to be an immigrant and a woman of colour in finance today?

Being an immigrant and a woman of colour comes with burdens and responsibilities that one must shoulder. This applies not just to being in the financial sector but also generally in life. It means understanding that some people may view you as representative of your country, race, or gender; it means having to carry oneself with grace when faced with discrimination; it means being assertive about your beliefs and qualifications; it means working doubly if not triply hard to prove yourself.

With all the injustice and bias in the world, it is easy to be angry at the system; but I urge you to harness that anger into action. Let it become your purpose and your North Star, so that whatever you pursue, it is with resilience and vision of a better future.

How have things changed for women since the beginning of your career?

The world is a very different place now from when I started my career in investment banking in New York 34 years ago. While there is more awareness around gender and minority representation, we are still far from seeing a world where gender equality, diversity and inclusion is the norm. Few organizations make a serious effort to go beyond tokenism, often recruiting (and playing it up in their marketing) to give appearances of racial or gender equality, rather than as a concerted firm-wide effort to actively reshape the profiles of key decision makers to reflect real diversity and inclusion. It is also not just about hiring and embracing women and minorities, it is about the majority accepting them as equals and an essential part of the institutional, sectoral and societal growth.

Women and minorities are still underrepresented in decision-making processes at all levels in almost all the countries of the world. And with women accounting for over 50% of the worlds population, their voices and transformative potential as solution-providers for global issues such as climate change still remain largely untapped. In fact, while we have taken small steps toward gender equality, the majority of DEI leadership and conversation is being dominated by white women. This ironically casts a shadow on the priorities and agendas today, which may have excluded women of colour.

For true gender equality, we need to have two things. First, we need to recognize that gender inequality is an issue that does not just affect women; it is a global issue that has negative repercussions on everyone  men, women, and gender minorities. Second, we need to recognize that women as a group are not homogenous; they come from different cultural backgrounds, carry different societal baggage, and are in vastly different economical and financial situations. Think about it  would the needs, perspectives and priorities of a woman from the Global North be similar to that of the Global South? Of course not. Only when we recognize ALL women and minorities as solution-makers and empower them to contribute, can we start paving the way for an equitable world.

Your earliest memories are of war. What impact did it leave on you as a child?

War showed me what female courage and heroism looked like. During the Bangladesh Liberation War in the 1970s, I witnessed first-hand as a little girl how my mother rose to the occasion. Despite huge risks, she selflessly hid family members and friends in our home to help them escape death or rape. Even when Pakistani soldiers with guns showed up at our house  where more than 20 people were hidden at one point  my mother did not waver and chatted with them as if they were regular guests to be entertained. Watching my mother use all her creativity to protect our friends and relatives, I realized that while women suffer the consequences of war, they dont always see themselves as victims. They become the solutions that lead toward peace and the rebuilding of our society.

Tell us about your experience of building a social stock exchange.

It is hard to compress so many experiences but in brief, my experience of building a social stock exchange is a journey in defiant optimism. We bootstrapped the company at the start, encountered countless challenges, and faced scepticism from investors. But defiant optimism means sticking to your belief that your work is important. It means banging on door after door until one opens. It means looking hard for solutions and not taking no for an answer, because I was representing not myself, but the thousands of small business owners, women entrepreneurs, and families who are excluded from the market and financial system that only worked for the 1%. It meant searching for the right partners, people who, like me, deeply believe that profit does not need to come at the expense of social and environmental well-being.

14 years later, my company Impact Investment Exchange not only built social stock exchanges (first with the Mauritius government and then of our own  Impact Partners), but also launched the award-winning Womens Livelihood Bond (WLB) series, which has mobilised more than US$128 million (WLB 6 at $100 million is being launched now) and impacted over 1.3 million women across Asia and Africa. We have proven that finance for the 99% is not simply a matter of altruism; it is financially sustainable and globally transformative. It is worth noting that with over $300 million out in the market (between Impact Partners and WLB), we have never had a loss. If you create deep positive impact in the community, your organization will be loved and respected by the community.

In terms of India, IIX has invested $72+ million in the country, impacting the lives of over 26 million people. We are very proud that we could create such positive change in India and connect all these millions of women to the worlds financial markets as solid participants.
India, 20th September 2023: Bano Doctor, a pioneering medical admission consultancy, is celebrating its successful journey in the sector since its establishment in 2015. Led by its visionary CEO and founder, Saurabh Kumar, the company has played a crucial role in facilitating over 1000 successful medical course admissions for aspirants across various disciplines.

Bano Doctor specializes in providing comprehensive admission services for a wide array of medical courses, including MD MS, MBBS, BAMS, BDS, BNYS, BUMS, BVSC, BHMS, DM MCH, CPS FCPS, and Nursing admissions. With a commitment to excellence, Bano Doctor has earned a reputation as one of the leading medical admission consultancies in the country, offering professional and reliable assistance to its valued clients.

Saurabh Kumar, the CEO, and founder of Bano Doctor, embarked on an inspiring journey ten years ago when he envisioned a consultancy that would simplify the complex medical admission process for aspiring students. With a passion for education and a drive to make a positive impact on the lives of future medical professionals, Saurabh Kumar established Bano Doctor in 2015.

Bano Doctor takes pride in its commitment to ensuring that the medical admission experience for its clients is stress-free and successful.

Bano Doctor stands out in the industry for its commitment to providing personalized services tailored to meet each client's specific needs. The team of highly qualified and experienced professionals at Bano Doctor understands the intricacies of the medical admission process, ensuring that aspiring students receive the best possible advice and support throughout their journey.

The consultancy's extensive network of contacts in the medical field further empowers students with invaluable insights and guidance, ensuring that they make informed decisions about their educational pursuits. Bano Doctor's dedication to offering top-notch customer service and its status as a trusted partner of leading medical institutions have cemented its position as an industry leader.

Bano Doctor takes pride in its commitment to ensuring that the medical admission experience for its clients is stress-free and successful. Leveraging the latest technology and college mapping techniques, the consultancy guarantees the best possible outcomes and offers a range of packages to suit individual needs.

Aspiring medical students can learn more about Bano Doctor's services and success stories by visiting their official website at https://banodoctor.com/. The website also provides links to Bano Doctor's social media profiles, where they regularly update their followers with valuable insights and information.

Bano Doctor, under the leadership of CEO Saurabh Kumar, has excelled as a trusted medical admission consultancy since its establishment in 2015. With an unparalleled commitment to excellence, personalized services, and a vast network of contacts, the consultancy continues to pave the way for aspiring medical professionals, guiding them toward a successful and fulfilling future.

For more information, visit - https://banodoctor.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!
New Delhi (India), September 19: Ketu is considered a cruel planet in astrology. It is said that this planet has no existence of its own, so it starts giving effect according to the planet it sits with. According to astrologer Chirag Daruwalla, if Ketu is in the Mahadasha in the Kundli of the person, then it causes a lot of trouble for that person. On the other hand, if Ketu is in the right position, it gives benefits to the natives. Due to the cruel nature of Ketu, this planet is considered to be a factor of reason, intelligence, knowledge, detachment, imagination, insight, penetrativeness, disturbance, and other mental qualities. To avoid the inauspicious condition of Ketu, do these measures.

Remedies for Ketu in 1st House

Ketu, situated in the first house of the Kundali, makes a person hard working. Along with this, your interest in studies is less, or there may be some interruption in education. If Ketu is debilitated in the first house in the Kundali, then to avoid its effect, feed jaggery to monkeys, apply saffron tilak on the forehead, and donate a blanket to the temple to overcome the problems of children.

Remedies for Ketu in 2nd House

If Ketu is beneficial in this house, then the native gets the ancestral property. Such people travel a lot and get benefits also. If Ketu is inauspicious in the second house, then the person has to travel to dry places. In such a situation, the person wanders to different places. As a solution, you should take care of your character. You should visit temples and do charity.

Remedies for Ketu in 3rd House

The presence of Ketu in the third house of the Kundali can be quite challenging. If Ketu is beneficial in this house, then the child of the native will be good and well-mannered, and the happiness of the family will be achieved. If Ketu in the 3rd house is inauspicious, then the person spends money in litigation. He gets separated from his wife several times. Such natives should wear gold as a remedy, and flowing water should pour rice and jaggery.

Remedies for Ketu in 4th House

If Ketu is benefic in the 4th house, then the person who believes in God and is lucky to have a father and guru. Such a person gets a son. Due to Ketu being inauspicious in the fourth house, the person remains unhappy, and his mother also suffers many times. As a solution, you should wear silver for peace of mind. It is advisable to throw yellow-colored objects in running water.

Remedies for Ketu in 5th House

The fifth house is considered to be of the Sun, and if Ketu is also in this house, then you get very auspicious results. The financial condition of such people is very auspicious. If Ketu is inauspicious, then the person may suffer from asthma. In such a situation, Ketu gives inauspicious results for five years. There may be problems related to children. As a remedy, donate milk and sugar.

Remedies for Ketu in 6th House

Ketu being in the 6th house is not good. Here, Ketu is considered weak. However, it is the pucca house of Ketu. The results of Ketu here depend on the nature of Jupiter. It gives good results for the child. The native is a good advisor. As a remedy, you should wear a gold ring on the finger of your left hand.

Remedies for Ketu in 7th House

If Ketu is in the seventh house, then such people earn a lot of money from 24 years to 40 years. You have an increase in wealth. Such people are afraid of the enemy. If Ketu is inauspicious, the person remains ill and suffers from enemies. As a solution, avoid making false promises and abusing.

Remedies for Ketu in 8th House

If Ketu place in the 8th house is inauspicious, then the native's wife remains ill. A son is not born, if it does, it dies. The person suffers from diabetes or urinary disease. If there is a loss from the planet Ketu, then the person should not take any kind of resolution. Also, wearing saffron tilak also gives relief in such a situation.

Remedies for Ketu in 9th House

Ketu is exalted in the ninth house. With Rahu in this house, the person is considered obedient and lucky. Such people can achieve success only through effort. If Ketu is inauspicious here, then the person has to face urinary disorders, back pain, and foot problems. Keep a small piece of gold in the house. It is suggested to donate black and white colored blankets to the temple.

Remedies for Ketu in 10th House

Ketu in the tenth house depends on the nature of Saturn. If Ketu is beneficial, then the person is lucky and worries about himself. If Ketu is inauspicious in the 10th house, then the person suffers from urinary disorders and ear problems. The person has pain in the bones. Three sons of the native die. As a remedy, keep a pot full of honey in the house.

Remedies for Ketu in 11th House

Ketu in the 11th house is considered very good. If Ketu is beneficial here, then it gives a lot of wealth; the wealth earned by the native will be more than his ancestral wealth, but still, he will have a habit of worrying about his future. If it is inauspicious, the native's grandmother or mother gets upset. The accompanying person does not get any benefit from the son or the house. The person should wear a Gomed or emerald gemstone. Apart from this, having a black dog is also considered auspicious.

Remedies for Ketu in 12th House

Ketu is exalted in the twelfth house. The person will be rich here. You will get a big position. The native gets all kinds of luxuries. If Ketu is inauspicious, then the person has to remain childless many times. Worship Lord Ganesha. Having a dog is recommended.

In Vedic astrology, Ketu is also considered a cruel planet like Rahu; it is considered to be a factor of reasoning, imagination, mental qualities, etc. The native gets both the auspicious and inauspicious effects of Ketu. If you are also facing problems due to Ketu being inauspicious, you can know the remedy with an astrology phone consultation. To know the remedies to get rid of Ketu dasha, you can talk with astrologer Chirag Daruwalla. You can call/WhatsApp: +91 8141566266 or email: info@chiragdaruwalla.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!
Realty firm Signature Global is open for subscription from Wednesday and the offer closes on September 22. The IPO has fixed a price band of  366-385 per share for its maiden public issue(iStock)

The company based out of Delhi-NCR plans to raise 730 crore through the IPO. In July last year, Signature Global had filed the Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with capital markets regulator Sebi to launch its IPO.

According to the Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) filed earlier this week, the total size of the IPO is up to 730 crore, comprising fresh issue of shares of up to 603 crore and Offer For Sale (OFS) of up to 127 crore.

Price band

The IPO has fixed a price band of 366-385 per share for its maiden public issue. The company has raised 318.5 crore from anchor investors, including Nomura. In a regulatory filing, the company informed that under Anchor Investors (AIs) portion in the public issue, 82,72,700 equity shares have been subscribed at 385 per equity share.

"Our net debt stood at around 1,100 crore at the end of the last fiscal year. We propose to utilise 432 crore for debt reduction," Signature Global Chairman Pradeep Aggarwal was quoted by PTI as saying.

The balance fund will be used for inorganic growth through land acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

Grey market premium

Grey market premium is the price at which the shares are being traded in the grey market. According to topsharebrokers.com, the shares of Signature Global had a GMP of 34 at 9:58 pm.

What experts say

Signature Globals continuous negative financial performance has made the issue price exorbitantly high and the negative P/E has made the prospects gloomy. The company has regional presence only and majorly in affordable housing. Investors may skip this IPO and wait for the better valuations to consider, Dr. Ravi Singh, market expert, told Hindustan Times.





Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Hindustan Times. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

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 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
Wires and cables manufacturer RR Kabel Limited's initial public offering (IPO) will be listed on Wednesday. IPO stands for Initial Public Offering and it is when the promoters of the company in question for the first time want to raise additional funds by offering shares of the company.

Trading Members of the Exchange are hereby informed that effective from Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the equity shares of R R KABEL LIMITED shall be listed and admitted to dealings on the Exchange in the list of 'B ' Group of Securities, the Bombay Stock Exchange said on its website.

The IPO has a fresh issue of up to 180 crore and an offer for sale of up to 1,72,36,808 equity shares. The price band of the share has been set between 983-1,035 per share. At the upper end of the price band, the issue will fetch up to 1,964 crore.

The company runs five manufacturing units - one each cable and wire units in Waghodia in Gujarat and in Silvassa in the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and a commercial lightings plant in Bengaluru and one each fast moving electrical goods (FMEG) units in Roorkee in Uttarakhand and Gagret in Himachal Pradesh. As much as 88 per cent of its revenue comes from cables and wires.

The company proposes to utilise 136 crore of the net proceeds from the fresh issue to pare down debt.

RR Kabel, a part of the RR Global Group, had a net profit of 214 crore on a revenue of 4,386 crore in FY22.

Axis Capital, Citigroup Global Markets India, HSBC Securities and Capital Markets (India) and JM Financial are the managers to the offer.

Grey Market Premium

According to a Mint, report, the GMP of RR Kabel IPO is 103. It means that the listing price would be around 1,138, that is 10 per cent higher than the price band.



(With PTI inputs)

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 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
Vikram Sood, the former head of India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), has termed Canadian PM Justin Trudeaus allegations regarding the Indian governments involvement in the shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada as a claim without evidence. Vikram Sood, the former head of India's Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), was speaking to reporters in Bengaluru.(ANI)

Trudeau claimed that his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

He's made a claim without evidence, and having made the claim, he's taken an action, i.e. to expel the Indian diplomat. Now, he wants us to cooperate with him. What is he saying? The whole thing sounds very absurd and illogical to me. said Sood, former chief of India's foreign intelligence agency.

Nijjar, who was wanted in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia, earlier this year on June 18.

READ | Concerning reports coming from Canada: British Sikh MP on Trudeau's charge

On row between India and Canada, Sood said, "Things like this happen between two countries. There is a dispute or an argument on certain issues... Two sovereign nations must talk about things. But this man (Justin Trudeau) has just gone around and decided that he has to do it like this. His visit to India in G20, he wasn't very happy with that, nor was he with his 2018 visit... If you have relations, you maintain them. Go by the laid down principles if you are a friendly country. We are not enemies but he makes it look as if we are..."

Hailing from Bharsinghpur village in Punjab's Jalandhar, Nijjar was based in Surrey and had been declared "absconder" by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

"Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said on Monday (US Local Time).

Meanwhile, signalling a further souring of bilateral ties, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly on Monday said an Indian diplomat in the country had been expelled.

Meanwhile, former Indian diplomat KP Fabian on Tuesday said the tensions in India-Canada relations will ultimately affect the Indian-origin people in Canada and de-escalation is of utmost importance.

READ | Come clean with: Canada's opposition leader jabs Trudeau on India allegations

There are many people of Indian origin in Canada and also students. So, I think citizens will suffer. So, it is important to de-escalate the issue. There will also be problems in the visa issuance process, the formal diplomat said.

Fabian said normal diplomatic relations between India, and Canada have come to a stop and the situation can further escalate.

He said, You have to understand that normal diplomatic relations have come to a stop. The talks on trade and investment suspended.

It's going to get worse first before it gets better. So, we are looking at further escalation, he added.

The former Indian diplomat said a senior Canadian diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next four to five days. Now this was to be expected. This is what normally happens. But to go back, even Canada had a better choice.

He, however, added: I am afraid both countries do not stand to gain. Neither country is going to gain in perception.

India has rejected the allegations by Canadian PM Trudeau regarding the governments involvement in the fatal shooting of Nijjar. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the allegations absurd and motivated.

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 High Court of Karnataka has asked the Union Government if it would reconsider the blocking orders issued to X Corp (formerly Twitter) to block Tweets, accounts and URLs issued to the micro-blogging site. Karnataka HC asks Centre if it will reconsider takedown orders issued to X Corp

Also Read - Property prices likely to go up in Bengaluru after revised guidance value

A division bench which is hearing an appeal by the company has directed the government to make its stand clear before September 27, when it will hear the arguments in the appeal.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) had issued 10 government orders between February 2, 2021 and February 28, 2022 directing the then Twitter to block 1,474 accounts, 175 Tweets, 256 URLs and one hashtag.

Twitter challenged the orders related to 39 of these in a petition. However, a single judge bench dismissed its petition and also imposed a cost of 50 lakh on the company.

The company's appeal came up before the division bench of Justice G Narendar and Vijaykumar A Patil again on Wednesday. The court allowed two applications by the company to amend the grounds in its petition and also to produce additional documents.

The counsel for X Corp, senior advocate Sajan Poovayya argued that the blocking orders issued by MeiTY do not state the reasons as mandated by law.

He also pointed out that the orders can be sent to the Secretary of MeiTY for a review, which had not been done. To which the court opined that such an in-house decision (by Secretary) would not attract "unwarranted publicity."

Considering this proposal, the court further directed that it will "remand it back to the Secretary and let him look into it and say whether it is justified or not."

The court said that the government should speak to the Secretary, and the Additional Solicitor General to get an opinion as "prima facie it (X Corp) appears they have a case."

The division bench also observed that there was no provision for imposing a fine of 50 lakh on the company. The company has however deposited 25 lakh in the court on the direction of the division bench.

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!
With the arrest of three persons, the Ludhiana city police in a joint operation with their Delhi counterpart on Wednesday cracked a robbery case within two days of the incident. The police have also recovered 2.76 lakh in cash, gold jewellery worth 1 crore, and other valuables from their possession. 3 Nepal nationals held for robbery at former minister Garchas house in Ludhiana. (ht file)

According to the police, former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) minister Jagdish Singh Garcha, 85, his wife, sister and a domestic help were found unconscious at their house in Maharaja Ranjit Singh Nagar on Pakhowal road in Ludhiana on Monday morning. The police suspected that the male domestic help, Karan Bahadur, who was missing, sedated the family and made off with cash, ornaments and valuables.

The accused have been identified as Karan Bahadur (20), Sarjan Shahi (21), and Kishan Bahadur (31), all residents of Nepal. However, a fourth suspect, identified as David from Nepal, remains at large.

The police faced initial difficulties in identifying the help as he was hired around three months ago without proper police verification. An FIR was registered under Sections 328, 457, and 381 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) on Tuesday.

To track down the accused, the city police coordinated efforts with the Delhi Police, as the accused had managed to flee to Delhi. The joint operation led to the arrest of the three accused.

Police commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu said the accused would be brought to Ludhiana for further investigation and efforts were on to apprehend the fourth accused. The condition of all the family members is reported to be stable.

The police commissioner emphasised the importance of police verification of domestic help as one of the arrested accused, Karan Bahadur, was already facing an FIR under Section 380 of the IPC at Mandi Gobindgarh police station.

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 yet another burglary at a locked house, 5 lakh in cash were stolen from a residence in Sector 33-A on Tuesday. Thieves had also broken into the locked house of a retired IAS officer in Sector 11-C on August 18, but left empty handed after finding no valuables. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Complainant Simranpreet Singh Gill, 45, told the police that he was away from home on Monday and returned on Tuesday.

On returning home, he found the bedroom locked from inside. On approaching the room from the verandah, he found the exit door open. Inside the room, the almirah was open, and 5 lakh in cash and cheque book kept in the locker were gone.

Sector 34 police have booked the unidentified thieves under Section 380 (theft in dwelling house) of the Indian Penal Code. Police are scanning CCTV footage from nearby houses for clues.

On September 16, gold and diamond jewellery, besides 75,000 in cash, were stolen from a locked house in Sector 8-B while the family was away at Hoshiarpur.

Earlier, on August 29, thieves made off with gold jewellery and 20,000 in cash from a locked house in Sector 41-B while the home owner was at work.

Similar home break-ins were also reported from Sectors 20 and 51 between August 21 and 24. Thieves had also broken into the locked house of a retired IAS officer in Sector 11-C on August 18, but left empty handed after finding no valuables.

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 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested a chartered accountant (CA) for accepting a bribe of 50,000 from a local resident in lieu of giving a favourable stock audit report to the latters firm, which deals in art work. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday arrested a chartered accountant (CA) for accepting a bribe of  50,000 from a local resident in lieu of giving a favourable stock audit report to the latters firm, which deals in art work. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The accused, identified as Vikas Aggarwal of Chandigarh, was nabbed from Mohali.

It was alleged that the accused, who is an empanelled CA of Canara Bank, had informed the complainant that he was deputed by the zonal office of the bank for stock audit.

The complainant, according to the sources, had availed a loan of over a crore from the bank. The accused allegedly demanded a bribe of 1.50 lakh in lieu of giving a favourable stock audit report to the complainants firm, the CBI said in a press communique.

The accused had agreed to accept 50,000 in cash and asked the complainant to deposit the remaining 1 lakh in his account

The CBI laid a trap and caught him red-handed in the act. He was produced before the Court of Special Judge, CBI, Chandigarh, on Tuesday and sent to 14-day judicial custody.

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 case of alleged negligence at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Sector 32, a seven-year-old HIV positive girl was reportedly operated for an ear infection before the final report of the mandatory serology test came in. Medical student life which are books and sthetoscope (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The hospital has now launched an inquiry into the matter.

As per information, the seven-year-old was admitted to the ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) ward due to an ear infection and a painful swelling behind the ear. Despite receiving antibiotics and other treatments during the ward stay, the patients condition did not show improvement, leading to the need for a surgery on September 5, 2023.

It is standard procedure to conduct a triple H screening using a commercially available kit before performing surgery on any patient. According to the World Health Organisation, every patient is to be treated as potentially HIV positive and universal precautions are to be followed.

In this case, however, the surgery was carried out before the serology report came in, the complainants alleged.

The operation theater (OT) staff claimed that though initially, a test was conducted, which revealed a faintly positive result, and a serology sample was dispatched to the laboratory for further examination, the surgeon proceeded with the surgery without sharing the information with others, before the results came in.

It was only after the surgery was completed that the serology report confirmed a positive result, alleged the complainants.

The complainants also stated that the OT staff got alert as no precautions had been taken during the surgery. In response, the OT staff disinfected the entire OT area and the surgical instruments. However, it was noted in the complaint that the surgical linen used had already been inadvertently combined with the laundry from another operation theater.

Director-Principal, GMCH-32, Dr Jasbinder Kaur said, We have received the complaint and an inquiry has been marked to the medical superintendent for probe.

Talking to HT, Professor & Head, ENT department, Dr Roshan Kumar Verma (on deputation), who was part of this surgery said, Kit test for HIV was performed twice  firstly, on the day of the admission, and secondly, on September 3. Both the tests reported negative and are on record.

Additionally, he mentioned that as part of their routine procedure, their resident had sent a serology sample for an HIV test. Typically, they proceed with surgery upon receiving negative results from this kit test, which has an 85% sensitivity rate, according to Dr Verma.

He added that, in this instance, the surgery was conducted, and it happened to be the final case of the day. Upon their return, we received the serology report indicating a positive result. We promptly informed the OT staff to initiate sanitisation and disinfection procedures.

The patient was in stable condition but was referred to the Advanced Pediatric Centre at PGI due to suspected tuberculosis infection, where she is undergoing treatment. Subsequently, the patients father also tested positive for HIV at a later point.

Dr Verma expressed that it is unexpected for a seven-year-old child to have an HIV infection. Given his current deputation status, he believes that certain individuals from the hospital may be highlighting the matter solely to resolve personal grudges.

He further stated, The individuals most exposed to the surgery are the doctor and OT staff. Why would we jeopardise our lives?

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 Robert Abraham Robert Abraham is a staff correspondent with the Hindustan Times in Chandigarh. He keeps readers updated on the latest developments in the world of health. ...view detail
The customs department seized around 1.4 kg gold, worth around 83 lakh, at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport here. The recovery was made early Monday morning from two persons who had arrived at the airport on a flight from Dubai. The airport authorities are looking into the matter. The names of both the persons have not been disclosed yet as the authorities are probing whether the duo had to handover the consignment to someone else in the region or they were planning of selling it in the market. Sources said the accused were concealing the gold in their belongings.

The customs department seized around 1.4 kg gold, worth around  83 lakh, at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport here. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Chandigarh : Indian diplomat Pavan Kumar Rai, a 1997-batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre, who was expelled by the Canadian government amid escalating rift between the two nations over the killing of a Sikh separatist leader earlier this year, carries an impeccable track record during his service in Punjab Police. India has rejected the allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday, regarding the Indian governments involvement in the fatal shooting of Khalistan Tiger Force chief and a designated terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada. (Representational photo)

Promoted to the rank of additional director general of police (ADGP) in January this year by the Punjab government, Rai had gone to the Central deputation in July 2010.

During his field assignments in Punjab, Rai was effective and displayed a high calibre of professionalism, said a Punjab Police official, who has been Rais senior in the state.

During his first posting as the SSP of Tarn Taran -- the district worst hit by drugs and smuggling -- in 2008, Rai shot to limelight while probing a drug case, wherein the accused took the name of a local Akali politician and Rai planned to arrest him. However, when the matter reached then SAD-BJP government, Rai was transferred to Jalandhar.

In his next posting as the Jalandhar SSP in October 2008, Rai earned praise of the media and general public when he arrested Mohit Sharma, son of then all-powerful SSP of vigilance bureau, Shiv Kumar Sharma, who had masterminded robbery of diamonds worth 1.75 crore. The Jalandhar police had nabbed SSPs son and his Punjab Police security guard for his alleged involvement in the loot of the diamonds from a Mumbai-based merchant.

In 2004, as the SP (CID) in Amritsar, Rai had probed a high- profile case of suicide of five members of a family in which then district police chief (SSP) Kultar Singh, was sentenced to eight-year jail.

The incident took place on October 30, 2004, night Chowk Karori in Amritsar wherein a man, his wife, mother and two children committed suicide by consuming poison. Before taking the extreme step, the family wrote the reason for taking the extreme step on the walls of the rooms of their house and had even posted suicide notes to their friends. The police had registered a case of abetment to suicide against four relatives of the victim and arrested them. There were references, also to Kultar Singh, who was then the Amritsar SSP.

Rai was under immense pressure from his seniors not to probe the role of then SSP in the case. However, record of the case reveals that Rai showed exemplary integrity and reported to the DIG in black and white that the role of his SSP and another senior officer was cropping up in the case and a senior officer to SSP should conduct probe in the case. Ultimately, an SIT was formed. Kultar, who retired as the DIG, was convicted under Sections 306, 388, 506, 465 and 120-B of the IPC in 2021. A DSP was also convicted in the case for five years of jail.

An engineering graduate, Rai originally belongs to Uttar Pradesh. The Punjab Police gradation list showed his posting as joint secretary, cabinet secretariat, Government of India. Rai had also served in Dubai earlier.

Rai is regarded as exemplary police officer among his batchmates and seniors in Punjab Police.

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
Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as a sunrise region for investments and establishing new businesses, and 15 products have been GI tagged in the UT that will increase their value addition and reach across the globe. Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor addressed the Himalayan chapter of the India Cold Chain Conclave. (HT File)

Advisor to lieutenant governor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar said this on Wednesday while addressing the Himalayan chapter of the India Cold Chain Conclave at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).

Jammu and Kashmir is on an accelerated trajectory of peace, growth, stability and development, said the adviser.

The one-day conclave was organised by the UT department of agriculture and farmers welfare and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) in collaboration with the National Centre for Cold Chain Development (NCCD) as the knowledge partner and think tank.

Besides top officers, representatives of the J&K Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKIPCCA), cold storage associations, agriculture experts and scientists, fruit growers, entrepreneurs and agripreneurs were in attendance.

The adviser highlighted that this conclave will create an enabling platform for local entrepreneurs in Jammu and Kashmir to delve into, invest in and thrive within the cold chain industry.

This platform is a unique opportunity for J&Ks entrepreneurs to engage with and access the latest cold chain technologies and infrastructure, all within their regional vicinity, he added.

He said ease of doing business in the UT had remarkably improved, with manifold increase in accountability and transparency by way of innovative digital means, adding that the holistic agriculture development programme will change the ecosystem of agriculture and allied sectors over the next five years.

Chief secretary Arun Kumar Mehta said this was an important platform for doubling farmers income, as the entrepreneurs and fruit growers of J&K will have opportunities to explore the immense potential of the cold chain industry and foster valuable connections within this sector.

With the introduction of high-density agriculture scheme, apple production will at least be doubled in the next three to four years, he said, adding that under One District One Product (ODOP), several districts of J&K had started exporting their products across the globe, adding to the economic prosperity of these places.

Mehta further said J&K was witnessing significant transformation for the past few years and was emerging among the top achievers in country in ease of doing business.

SKUAST-K vice-chancellor Nazir Ahmad Ganai said this interface meeting between government, academia, industry and stakeholders will boost the cold chain industry here.

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 day after eight persons drowned in a bus mishap in Muktsar, divers of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) continued the search operation in the Sirhind feeder canal on Wednesday. Members of farmer unions staged a protest at a toll plaza near Warring village on Muktsar-Kotkapura road on wednesday. (HT photo)

The incident took place around 1.30 pm near Jhabbewali village on the Muktsar-Kotkapura road on Tuesday when the driver lost control of the bus while crossing a bridge and the vehicle skidded into the canal.

It was raining at the time of the accident and there was heavy waterlogging and slush on the bridge. Members of farmer unions and others staged a protest and forced a private contractor to stop charging road user fee at the toll booth near Warring village on Muktsar-Kotkapura road.

The protesters charged the authorities and toll collection contractor for neglecting the use of a narrow bridge, from where an ill-fated bus of a private operator fell into the canal. They demanded widening of the bridge.

NHAI to examine safety of bridge: DC

Deputy commissioner Ruhee Dugg said the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has been directed to examine the safety of the bridge and the matter of its widening is being taken up with the authorities.

She said there has been no fresh input of any person still missing after the accident but the authorities are still scanning the canal.

The NDRF has searched in about 15-km area since the mishap but there has been no trace of more bodies. The helpline, that is active since Tuesday evening, has not got any more alert, she said.

Muktsar civil surgeon Reeta Bala said all 11 passengers admitted to the civil hospital were discharged in less than 24 hours.

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 : Stepping up its crackdown on Khalistani terrorists, the NIA on Wednesday announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of five Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) operatives, including Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa. They are accused commissioning terror acts, besides raising funds for the banned terror outfit through smuggling of narcotics into Punjab and in cases related to targeted killings.

The federal agency announced a cash reward of 10 lakh each for Rinda and Landa and 5 lakh each for Parminder Singh Kaira alias Pattu, Satnam Singh alias Satbir Singh alias Satta and Yadvinder Singh alias Yadda. A spokesperson of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said these five terrorists are wanted in a case registered early this year related to the BKIs terrorist activities aimed at disturbing Indias peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in the state of Punjab.

The wanted terrorists are accused of commission of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI, a banned terror outfit, through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals.

They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in the state of Punjab, the spokesperson said.

The official said investigations have shown that the five terrorists have been engaged in recruiting new members of the BKI by promising them monetary benefits.

They have also established a network of operatives in various countries to further their terror activities in different parts of India, the official said.

Rinda, originally a resident of Maharashtra, is a Pakistan-based listed individual terrorist and member of the BKI, while Landa, Khaira, Satnam and Yadvinder are residents of Punjab.

Any specific information leading to the arrest of the five wanted terrorists can be shared with the NIA headquarters in New Delhi or the NIA Branch Office in Chandigarh, the spokesperson said, sharing the telephone and WhatsApp numbers.

Meanwhile, the NIA released two lists of 54 individuals with their photographs who are wanted in the investigation of two cases, registered last year, to dismantle terror-gangster networks in the country.

The lists, one naming 11 persons and the other 43 persons, were shared by the NIA on its official account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The list included several wanted gangsters, including Goldy Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh Gill.

If you have any information about properties/assets/business owned by them in their name or in name of their associates, friends and relatives, please WhatsApp, the agency said, sharing the mobile number.

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
Looking to find a long-term solution to the states stray dog and monkey menace, the government has constituted an expert committee to look into the issue. The committee has been entrusted with finding effective solutions to the issue of stray dogs and monkey menace in Himachal. (HT File)

The same comes in the backdrop of the situation worsening to a point where even the Himachal Pradesh high court had to step in to address the issue  all amid a deafening silence from forest officials.

On an average, 60 to 70 cases of monkey bites are reported monthly at the two hospitals in Shimla  Indira Gandhi Medical College and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital. However, there is no data available on monkey and dog bites cases reported at private clinics and hospitals.

The committee composed of experts from the Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, has been entrusted with finding effective solutions to the longstanding issue.

The state government has officially informed the HC of the initiative, with the court emphasising the urgency of the situation. A division bench presided over by chief justice MS Ramachandra Rao and justice Ajay Mohan Goel, has scheduled a hearing on the matter for November 6, 2023.

The court has, in the meantime, urged the municipal corporation to take immediate and effective measures to alleviate the concerns of Shimlas residents. The court has also directed the civic body and the forest department to implement the recommendations put forth by the newly-formed expert committee.

The government assured the court that it would collaborate with the university to control the monkey problem and address the issue of unruly dogs.

The development comes in response to recent incidents, including the tragic death of a student in a monkey attack in Shimla. Another incident involving a girl falling from the third floor of her house after a monkey attacked her in the Dhanda area of the city had also emerged.

This is not the first occasion that monkey and dog immense have taken centre stage in Shimla, with the Centre also declaring nilgai, monkeys and wild boars as vermin in three states, including Himachal Pradesh.

In 2016, challenges were mounted against these notifications, however, the HC in July that year deferred the case to the Supreme Court  which later declined to stay the notifications, effectively closing the matter.

The previous permission to cull monkeys expired on February 4, 2020, and the state government did not seek a renewal from the Union ministry of environment and forests.

As Shimla faces the resurgence of these issues, the newly formed expert committee holds the hope of finding lasting solutions to ensure the safety and well-being of the citys residents. The courts hearing on November 6, 2023, is expected to shed further light on the path forward in dealing with this ongoing challenge.

Within Shimla, the monkey menace is more prevalent in localities like Fingask, Chotta Shimla, Jakhu, Sanjauli, Lower Bazar, Brockhurst, Khalini, Annandale, Kaithu, Summer Hill, Boileauganj, Camp Potters Hill, Observatory Hill, Mall Road and Richmond.

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 the death of Maharaja Satbir Singh, the last ruler of erstwhile princely state Jind, on August 18 this year, the Sangrur administration has initiated steps to take back the possession and ownership of 302 acres, 3 kanals and 3 marlas of a prime land located on the outskirts of the city. Maharaja Satbir Singh (File)

The land was granted to the royal family along with privy purses during the integration of princely states with government of India after the Independence. Privy purse was the amount of money given to families of erstwhile princely states.

The administration has issued directions to the revenue department to start the process to take back the land, which was previously controlled in the name of the provincial government and was mutated in favour of Maharaja Rajbir Singh and later in the name of Maharaja Satbir Singh in 1994.

According to an order of the Patiala divisional commissioner dated February 2, 1987, Maharaja Satbir Singh is in possession of the land by way of grant only and is not the complete owner of the land. He can only enjoy the fruits of the land until his death, following which the entire land will vest with the Punjab government.

Officials said of the 302 acres of the land, around 100 acres are in the possession of a private person.

Dearth of govt land delays projects in Sangrur

A number of projects in the district have been hanging in fire for dearth of land. The construction of a government medical college, a dream project of chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in Sangrur failed to take off due to shortage of government land in the district.

The government had laid the foundation stone of the college at a donated land in Badrukhan village near Mastuana Sahib. However, soon after the stone laying ceremony, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and Sant Attar Singh Gursagar Mastuana Trust claimed their ownership over the land. Meanwhile, the government failed to find any alternate land for the college.

Land was transferred to Bir Aishwan area from Mauran village

On August 14, 1954, the family had requested that the allotted land in Mauran village be exchanged with 500 pucca bighas in Bir Aishwan areas, which the then deputy secretary of the revenue department of the government of Pepsu accepted.

Robin Lehal, who was closely associated with the Maharaja, said, The government land in Mauran village was in a deserted area and the royal family once also became a victim of a law and order situation while visiting the land. Therefore, they requested the government for transferring land.

Advocate BK Goyal, who was the counsel of Maharaja Satbir Singh during a legal dispute which erupted over this piece of land, said, The government had given the land to the royal family and now it is up to the government to decide the fate of the land.

Sangrur deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal said, We came to know about the demise of the Maharaja. Revenue records of the land are being collected and action will be taken as per the rules. Necessary directions have been issued to the field officials.

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
With the Chandigarh municipal corporation (MC) failing to act on UT administrations August 28 letter to allocate space for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in its parking lots within 10 days, the civic body has been given a fresh deadline of September 22. The MC-UT stand-off on the matter has been going on since July, when UTs Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) had first requested MC to allow installation of EV charging stations and battery swapping stations at 44 parking lots in Chandigarh. (HT File)

Through a reminder letter sent on September 19, the UT local body department wrote, The civic body is again requested to expedite and send the complete requisite compliance report in the matter within a period of three days positively to process the case further.

The MC-UT stand-off on the matter has been going on since July, when UTs Chandigarh Renewable Energy and Science and Technology Promotion Society (CREST) had first requested MC to allow installation of EV charging stations and battery swapping stations at 44 parking lots in the city.

But in the July 25 House meeting, the councillors had rejected the agenda, stating that instead of 50% revenue, CREST should have offered 100% revenue to MC as it is their space and revenue loss will be faced if the space allotted for parking will be used for setting charging stations.

Also, UT had not sought recommendations from the House before drafting the EV policy, the councillors and mayor Anup Gupta had said.

Subsequently, through an official letter on August 28, the UT local body department had said, Allot space in the paid parking lots to install the EV charging stations, as per the UTs EV policy. Also, you are directed to send the compliance report within 10 days, as per the directions given by the administration under Section 405 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, as extended to the Union territory of Chandigarh.

The notice had clearly mentioned that it has been sent with the approval of UT administrator Banwarilal Purohit. However, MC has remained silent ever since.

The mayor and MC commissioner Anindita Mitra were not available for a comment on Wednesday.

Notably, the city has 89 parking lots that are divided into two zones. Zone 1 comprises parking lots in the southern and eastern sectors, including Sectors 20, 26 and 34. Meanwhile, Zone 2 includes northern areas, such as Sectors 7, 8, 9, 17, 22 and Sukhna Lake.

CREST is the nodal agency for implementing UTs EV policy, aimed at making Chandigarh a Model EV City by achieving zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) among all Indian cities by the end of the five-year policy period.

Notified in September 2022, the policy aims to mitigate the environmental impact caused by conventional vehicles and establish Chandigarh as a leading EV city.

Currently, Chandigarh has only eight charging stations with 48 charging points that were set up in 2018 under Centres Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme.

Under the UT policy, EV owners charging their vehicles at home pay domestic power rates, while those charging at public stations are charged 8 per unit for slow or medium charging, 10 per unit for fast charging and 11 per unit for battery swapping.

Incentives in place to promote EVs

To promote EVs, the administration has waived registration fee and road tax for five years, while owners of vehicles running on conventional fuels have to pay both.

Also an incentive ranging from 3,000 to 2 lakh is being offered for up to 42,000 vehicles of different categories, including 25,000 e-cycles, 10,000 e-bikes and 3,000 e-cars, purchased between September 20, 2022, and September 19, 2027.

The incentive is available for EVs bought anywhere across the country, but only permanent residents of Chandigarh are eligible for it.

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 Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), chaired by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Wednesday recommended posting of eight Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers, a decision that is expected to fill a major gap in the administrative machinery since several departments of the Delhi government were running without a head or a senior official for long, people aware of the matter said. The Delhi government and the Centre have been embroiled in a tussle over the control of bureaucrats in the Capital. (PTI)

It was only the third meeting of the authority which was constituted in June under the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023.

According to officials, the eight officers who were cleared for posting in the government include Lakshya Singhal (2019), Yash Chaudhary (2017), Pankaj Kumar (2012), Vinod P Kavle (2008), Ajay K Bisht (2011), Rishita Gupta (2019), and Anil Kumar Singh (2011)

The officials said that the departments assigned to these officers belonging to the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Union Territory (AGMUT) cadre will be known only after the final notification by the office of the lieutenant governor.

The authority also recommended disciplinary action against eight officials of the Delhi government in different cases, including Delhi Assembly secretary Raj Kumar in a case related to alleged irregularities in giving compensation for acquisition of land for the construction of Rani Jhansi flyover in north Delhi, the officials quoted above said.

They added that the matter pertaining to action against three officials related to the renovation of the chief ministers official residence was also on the agenda list of the meeting. However, it was not discussed since it is currently sub-judice, people aware of the matter said.

Before Wednesday, the NCCSA meeting was adjourned on five previous occasions amid a tussle between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and the BJP-led Centre over who controls services in the national Capital.

After the Centre amended the GNCTD Act, transfer and posting of all state government officials in Delhi under placed under NCCSAs domain in June. In the last two meetings held on June 20 and June 29, the authority had considered various disciplinary issues.

NCCSA also recommends disciplinary action against the Delhi government officials facing charges pertaining any irregularity.

The recommendations of the authority are confidential and the details of the departments assigned to them cannot be shared unless the final notification is issued. The eight officers have been recommended for posting against vacant posts in different departments and agencies such as information technology department, women and child development, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, finance department, etc., said a senior official asking not to be named.

Officials said that the authority considered posting of a total of 12 IAS officers, but recommended eight because four officers are yet to be relieved by the state government or UT administration they are currently serving. The four officers include G Sudhakar (2012), Binay Bhushan (2009) and Kishore Kashirsagar Lakshman (2016).

When asked about the decisions taken at the meeting, the chief ministers office did not offer a comment.

Leader of the opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, meanwhile, said the NCCSA meeting took place after five postponements. The delay in the convening of the meeting resulted into unnecessary wait that the officers had to face before they could get a posting in Delhi government. Many departments were being run by link officers who were burdened with additional work even as some officers were waiting for posting.

Led by the Delhi chief minister, the three member NCCSA has two senior bureaucrats  chief secretary (Naresh Kumar) as a member, and principal secretary home (Ashwini Kumar) as the member-secretary.

The NCCSA makes recommendations with majority decision. However, in case of a difference of opinion, the decision by the LG will be final.

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 controlled implosion may be the only way to safely pull down the crumbling Signature View towers in Mukherjee Nagar, officials of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) said on Wednesday, underlining that the final plan will be rubber-stamped only after consultations with experts. The Signature View Apartment at Mukherjee Nagar. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

Experts, meanwhile, said site inspections and detailed surveys will determine the demolition technique used.

To be sure, the method ultimately used to bring down the 12 towers will depend on a combination of three factors: safety, time and cost.

READ | Signature View Apartment: Stories of fear, damage and loss

So far, the best possible choice seems to be what was followed to bring down the twin towers in Noida last year, said officials of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). We have had internal discussions and implosion seems to be the only way to bring down the apartment efficiently and within our time constraints, said a senior official with DDA, which built Signature View Apartment in 2010.

The Supertech towers were pulled down last August using a controlled implosion, a method which has been used across the world to demolish tall structures. The process is, however, cost-intensive and contingent on structures in the vicinity being safe during the demolition process.

According to an agreement with residents, DDA needs to evacuate, demolish and rebuild the towers within three years of the signing of the evacuation agreement. In the interim, DDA will have to pay rent to all homeowners who choose to return once the rebuilding process is complete.

READ | Signature View residents in Delhi agree with DDAs deal

The initial challenge is evacuating the premises as soon as possible. We have had multiple discussions with the residents and revisions regarding the terms of evacuation, and will send out the final agreement this weekend, said the official, who asked not to be named.

The towers will be vacated within two months, said the official.

Evacuations will be the first step towards what is likely to be a long-drawn process of closure for residents of the decrepit residential towers in Mukherjee Nagar, who have, for years, drawn authorities attention to their unsafe homes.

Most of the 336 flats in the society have suffered structural damage over the years  with collapsed ceilings, cracked walls and tottering balconies common features across the 12 towers.

Here's a look at a timeline of demolitions in the past and the ways of demolishing a structure.

In November 2022, experts from IIT Delhi performed structural checks on the towers and concluded that the apartments were unfit for habitation. Following this, Delhi lieutenant governor (LG) VK Saxena in January this year ordered DDA to vacate and dismantle the towers.

HT on June 15 reported that DDA will offer two options to residents  buy back and reconstruction. The terms of both options have been agreed upon by RWA, but a final agreement was to be signed by DDA as well as residents before the residents would start vacating the premises.

Once the evacuation process begins, residents of Signature View will have the choice of selling their flats to DDA , or returning to their flats after they are rebuilt. Owners of middle-income group (MIG) flats will be paid 38,000 as rent, and those of high-income group (HIG) homes will get 50,000. If the construction takes more time, the proposal will be reviewed and rent payments extended.

The three-year timeline makes it incumbent on officials to choose the demolition method that will allow reconstruction as early as possible, said officials. Other techniques, including pulling the towers down using machines, will take more time, they added.

DDA officials said they are in consultation with experts. A tender to recruit a demolition agency is expected to be floated next month.

We are hoping that the evacuation will be completed in two months time. Simultaneously, we will try to ensure that the initial surveys and preparation for the demolition is done. Once the agency is finalised, it will conduct structural audits, surveys and other processes to prepare the building for demolition, said a second DDA official.

Residents said they are waiting for the agreement for evacuation to start moving out and will prefer any demolition method that speeds up the reconstruction process.

Some families have already shifted and others are waiting for the final agreement, so that rent payments can begin. We have been told that DDA is considering implosion for the demolition. Anything that can be done soon is fine for us but neighbouring areas may have concerns and the impact of noise, dust and vibrations should be discussed with all stakeholders, said Amrendra Jha, president of the Signature View Apartments resident welfare body.

Experts said the best demolition technique will be finalised only after proper site inspections and surveys.

Implosion is one technique, but may not be the only way to demolish the buildings. If the towers are already dilapidated, the preparation of the building by fixing explosives may also be risky for the workers. The best method can only be determined after proper site visit and inspections, said Uttkarsh Mehta, partner, Edifice Engineering, the company that demolished the Noida Twin Towers.

Experts also said that while implosion takes less time, the various permissions needed from authorities adds to the timeline of the entire process, causing delays.

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!
Seven years after she passed the eligibility test and four months after the Calcutta high court ordered that she be appointed by the West Bengal government as a schoolteacher, Anamika Roy, a resident of Siliguri and a victim of the recruitment scam in the state, finally got her appointment letter on Wednesday afternoon. The woman could get the job because the services of two others who scored less than her in the 2016 eligibility test were terminated by the Calcutta high court. (Representative Image)

Roy could get the job because the services of two women who scored less than her in the 2016 eligibility test were terminated by the Calcutta high court.

This is the happiest day of my life. I hope others who were deprived like me get justice too. They must take legal recourse, Roy said after collecting her appointment letter from the office of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE).

She will be teaching political science at the Ambari Harihar High School which, as ordered by the court, is located within 15 km of her residence.

Informed by the West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) that her score in the eligibility test was not high enough, Roy had given up on her ambition to become a teacher. The scenario changed drastically last year.

In May, 2022, Calcutta high court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the appointment of non-teaching staff (Group C and D) and teaching staff by the WBSSC and the WBBSE between 2014 and 2021.

The appointees allegedly paid bribes in the range of 5 lakh to 15 lakh to get jobs after failing the selection tests, preliminary investigations revealed, promoting the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to start a parallel probe into the money trail.

The case took a new turn in June 2022 when Babita Sarkar, another woman from Siliguri, moved the court alleging that in 2018 former minister of state for education Paresh Chandra Adhikaris daughter, Ankita Adhikari, was appointed as a political science teacher at Indira Girls High School in the adjacent Cooch Behar district although the latter scored less than her in the 2016 eligibility test.

Adhikari, a Forward Bloc leader from Cooch Behar, joined the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in 2016, the year his daughter appeared for the test.

Sarkar alleged before the court that she scored more than Ankita Adhikari but her name was placed on the waiting list for political science teachers.

The state government informed the court during a hearing that Sarkars allegation was correct.

In June, 2022, justice Gangopadhyay ordered the termination of Ankita Adhikaris service and directed her to return the salary she drew over 41 months. The former minister and his daughter were booked by CBI under several sections of the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act.

The court also ordered Sarkars recruitment and directed the government to give her a compensation of 15 lakh for not being appointed on time. The money, the court said, was to come from the salary Adhikari was asked to return.

On May 16 this year, justice Gangopadhyay revised his year-old order and terminated Sarkars services when the WBSSC told the court that Anamika Roy, who had also approached the court claiming her score was even higher, was in fact right.

The court directed WBSSC to appoint Anamika Roy in Sarkars place and asked the latter to return the sum of 15 lakh she received as compensation, Roys lawyer, Sudipta Dasgupta, said.

On Monday, Dasgupta approached the court saying his client did not receive the appointment letter although four months had passed.

The letter could not be given because the Siliguri police took time in preparing the police verification report which is mandatory for all government jobs. The hard copy of the report reached our office on Friday evening. We issued a notification on Roys appointment on Monday, a WBBSE official said on condition of anonymity.

The bribe-for-job scam has triggered a political slugfest in Bengal.

ED arrested education minister Partha Chatterjee and his close aide Arpita Mukherjee on July 23 last year. In its first charge sheet filed on September 19, 2022, ED said it traced cash, jewellery and immovable property worth 103.10 crore linked to the duo.

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee removed Chatterjee from the government and also suspended him from the TMC, days after his arrest.

TMC legislator and former president of the state primary education board, Manik Bhattacharya, was arrested by ED on October 11 last year.

Several former officials of the education department have been named in charge sheets by ED.

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 Tanmay Chatterjee Tanmay Chatterjee has spent more than three decades covering regional and national politics, internal security, intelligence, defence and corruption. He also plans and edits special features on subjects ranging from elections to festivals. ...view detail
For Tausif, Haseeb, Zeeshan and Gufran  all students of a government primary school  it was a big moment when governor Anandiben Patel lauded their valiant effort in saving an infant from drowning near Kudiya Ghat in River Gomti recently. She praised their act and blessed them with a bright future. UP governor Anandiben Patel interacting with govt primary school Lajpat Nagar, Lucknow, on Wednesday. (HT Photo)

The governor inspected a government primary school, Lajpat Nagar in Chowk where she visited all the classes and interacted with the students, on Wednesday. She made them solve mathematical problems and listened to poetry recitation. She checked drawing copies of the students and encouraged them to take equal interest in drawing. While interacting with the students, the governor got to know about their interests.

She asked children to do self-study, continuous practise of the lesson and timely revision. The governor inquired about attendance of the children from the class teacher, inquired about the status of enrollment etc and gave them necessary guidelines. She said that a teacher must be aware of which students are weak and must help them to overcome their weakness. She said, It is the responsibility of the teacher to create interest in education among students.

The governor distributed fruits and books on biographies of great men, Panchatantra and inspirational educational stories to the students and asked the children to learn from these books and move ahead in life. She inspected the mid-day meal and tasted it. During this time, she also inquired about cleanliness in the school.

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
PRAYAGRAJ The Allahabad high court granted conditional bail to four men sentenced to life imprisonment in connection with a terrorist attack at the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya 18 years ago. It directed to present their appeals challenging the life term awarded to them for hearing on December 4, 2023. Allahabad high court. (File Photo)

The order was given by a division bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Syed Aftab Husain Rizvi while accepting the bail applications of Shakeel Ahmed, Mohammad Naseem, Asif Iqbal alias Farooq and Irfan.

In July 2005, the heavily guarded Ram Janmabhoomi site was attacked by five terrorists who were shot dead by security personnel. A civilian was also killed. The four men now released on bail were accused of being involved in the conspiracy behind the terror attack. The accused had filed a plea for suspension of their sentence and grant of bail before the high court.

A jeep bearing registration number UP42T 0618 stopped near the Jain Temple in Ayodhya, whereafter a blast occurred in the jeep itself. Five heavily armed terrorists then attacked the premises popularly known as Ram Janmabhoomi Sthal and the security forces retaliated. The firing continued for almost two hours and all five attackers were silenced. One civilian identified as Ramesh Kumar Pandey also lost his life in the blast.

While imposing certain conditions, the court said that all the petitioners will have to report to their police station every week. Besides, they will surrender their passport and will not leave the country. Further, they will pay the fine within six weeks.

The applicants appeal against conviction was pending before the court and they had filed the present bail application in the appeal, requesting the court to release them on bail during the pendency of their appeal.

While directing that the applicants be released on bail, the court said:

We have perused the records and we find that this is a case of terrorist attack at a significant religious place, wherein five terrorists have been shot dead. The incident is grave and serious and has to be treated as an attack on civilized society...all four accused appellants have been implicated in the offence as conspirators. The aspect of conspiracy is asserted by the prosecution relying upon the recovery of a mobile handset from one of the terrorists who had been silenced on the spot.

The prosecution case is that the mobile handset recovered from the spot was used in various SIM card numbers and through a process of call detail records, all the four accused persons have been connected to the recovered mobile handset and thereby implicated in the matter, the court said.

A period of more than one year has expired since the order of the Supreme Court and therefore, we are of the view that the prayer made by the accused persons for consideration of their first bail applications is liable to be considered since hearing of the appeal may take some more time as the comprehensive paper book is not ready and its preparation may require some more time, added the court.

We are also mindful of the fact that a long period of incarceration during the pendency of appeal has been viewed with concern by the Supreme Court in a series of orders/judgments. Liberty of the individuals would have to be respected while balancing the competing interests of the State to maintain order in the society, it said.

In our view, without further commenting upon the merits of the

case, it would be appropriate to enlarge all the accused appellants, the court added in its order dated September 19.

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!
HT Correspondent U.P. making remarkable progress in SDGs: CM

letters@hindustantimes.com

Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday said the Uttar Pradesh government was committed to achieving social, economic and environmental targets set under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

He said efforts were on to achieve the SDGs that were mainly based on principles of 5Ps--People, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership and Planet. At a review meeting on SDGs, Adityanath expressed satisfaction over the progress made by the state.

The CM said the state had made remarkable progress in alleviating poverty, one of the important SDGs, with a record 3.43 crore people being lifted out of multidimensional poverty. He said the state government had extended maximum benefits to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana. He said the state government was committed to providing tap water supply to every household by the year 2024. He said social security was being provided to workers in micro, small, and medium enterprises, and the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, in implementation since 2018 to boost exports, was giving positive results.

He said the data of actual progress in SDGs made by the state should be shared with ministries of the Union government and the Niti Aayog.

He added 100 per cent enrolment of children in schools within the 15-year age group must be ensured in the state, and that enrolment in higher education institutes must be increased. He observed that various programmes were being run in the state for women empowerment and more efforts should be made to increase the participation of women from all sections and fields.

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
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday described an educational exercise of finding out whether KG students knew about their private parts as an attack by the leftist ecosystem. He said leftists are not just opponents of Hindus or Bharat, but the entire world. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat (ANI)

He was speaking at the launch of Marathi book Jagala Pokharnari Davi Walvi (World-Weakening Leftist Termites) in Pune.

I visited a school in Gujarat where a seer showed me an instruction in a kindergarten school. It said the class teachers have been asked to find out whether KG-2 pupils knew the names of their private parts. The attack (of leftist ecosystem) has come this far and it is not possible without the help of the people.

The RSS chief said such attacks are being made on all the auspicious things in our culture. The first order after the new government was formed in the US (after Donald Trump) was related to school, where teachers were asked not to talk to pupils about their gender. Pupils should be able to decide on their own. If a boy says that he is now a girl, then the boy should be allowed to use the toilet meant for girls, Bhagwat said.

Why wouldnt their culture stink, he wondered.

During his speech, Bhagwat also said that leftist people have arrogance and excessive pride in their evil tendency. They do not have peoples support and may have some money power but their ecosystem is growing. We (RSS) are lagging behind there.

The leftist people have started Cultural Marxism to destroy auspicious things in the world and the onus of freeing the world from this crisis is going to be on Bharat, Bhagwat said. The leftist people in Western countries took a stand against auspicious things and started destruction. Society is suffering from their stand in the name of deliberation. Human behaviour is inclining towards beastly tendencies and this crisis is now hovering over India as well, he said.

It has reached our families and Indian society needs to be alert, the RSS chief said.

The RSS chief said the leftists wanted to pollute American culture and they succeeded in it. They are not just opponents of Hindus or Bharat, but the entire world. They think they are powerful, they are gods. They call themselves scientists, but they are not, he said.

He said there is a need to shred the confusion they (leftists) have created about our own world. This book is a textbook for such work, Bhagwat said, adding that the translation of the book should be done in Hindi and English.

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 indefinite hunger strike by two members of a Dhangar outfit, demanding the communitys inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) category, entered 15th day on Wednesday. Their recognition as ST would double the percentage of reservation from the current 3.5% Dhangars are getting under the Nomadic Tribe (C) category. Dhangar activist stops drinking water as hunger strike over quota enters 15th day

Taking cognisance of the issue, chief minister Eknath Shinde has called a meeting with the representatives of the community on Thursday afternoon at Sahyadri guest house in Malabar Hill.

On Wednesday, one of the members, Suresh Bandgar, declared to stop drinking water while the other activist, Annasaheb Rupnavar, had already been admitted to Ahmednagar civil hospital after his health deteriorated on Saturday.

Bandgar said BJP minister Girish Mahajan had sought two days time to take a call on their demand, but he had done nothing in the last four days.

On the 11th day (September 16) of the hunger strike, Mahajan met us and assured us to hold a meeting in the next two days to take a decision, but he must have forgotten about it after that. Now, I have decided to stop drinking water, Bandgar told reporters in Ahmednagars Chaundi, the site of protest. If the government has decided to ignore Dhangars, then what can we do?

On Wednesday, the community staged agitations in Baramati, Parbhani and Khandala among other places across the state. A roadblock on the Pune-Satara highway inconvenienced commuters and police had to intervene to disperse the protesters.

Despite attempts, Mahajan could not be reached for his comments.

Bandgar and Rupnavar are members of Yashwant Sena that has been raising the demand for years.

Rupnavar, who is in hospital, has refused to take meals and is surviving on IV (intravenous) fluid, Bharat Sonnar, Yashwant Sena chief, said. His health is bound to worsen if he doesnt eat anything.

Meanwhile, the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community continued their protest seeking a written assurance from the state government that their reservation benefits would not be shared with Marathas. It was the 12th day of their relay hunger strike at Samvidhan Chowk in Nagpur. We will continue our agitation if the government does not fulfill our demand, Baban Taywade, OBC Mahasangh chief, 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
Mumbai: The wife of a senior Japanese consulate officer in the city was targeted by a scooter-borne thief on Tuesday evening who snatched her handbag containing 11,000 cash, identity cards, and documents. HT Image

The incident occurred when the fifty-two-year-old wife, a resident of Malabar Hills, along with her husband, were walking towards Horniman Circle in south Mumbai to experience the Indian culture and watch Ganpati processions.

Acting on the victims complaint, the Mumbai police sprang into action and traced the accused within five hours, based on clues gleaned from the CCTV cameras, and arrested him.

The accused, Mohammad Arbaaz Abdul Sattar Siddiqui, 26, works as a driver and is a resident of Samuel Street, Pydhonie.

Both of them had visited Taj Wellington Mews at Apollo Bunder and later walked towards the Horniman Circle to see Ganpati processions around 7.45 pm when a scooter-borne thief came and pulled her handbag. The handbag contained 11, 000 cash, identity cards, and documents, said a police officer.

When the Mumbai Police came to know about it, they immediately helped her lodge a case for 392 of the IPC for robbery, and teams of local police from Zone 1 started tracing the accused through the CCTV footage, said the police officer.

In no time, Siddiqui was picked up from the Pydhonie area. He has previous cases of thefts registered with the MRA Marg police station. We arrested the accused in just five hours from the registration of the offence and recovered the valuables, said the police officer.

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 man who celebrated his 38th birthday on Monday was killed after being crushed under the rear tyre of an 18-wheeler truck on Wadala-Chembur Link Road. The police are tracing the vehicle number of the trailer and are searching for the driver.

According to the police, Kamlesh Singhal, 38, a resident of Korba Mithaghar, Wadala, went for dinner with his family on Monday night. After dinner, he met with his friends, Mahendra Panmand and Mahesh Sonawane, and they partied and had a few drinks. Singhal and Panmand then decided to drop a friend. After dropping their friend, they went towards Carnival Cinemas IMAX. When they were near Shantinagar area, they tried overtaking an 18-wheeled trailer from the left, but the trailer hit their vehicle. Kamlesh, who was sitting pillion, fell from the scooter and came under the rear tyre of the trailer, said the police officer.

Kamlesh suffered injuries on his thighs, back, and arms and was rushed to Sion Hospital, where he was declared dead the next day, said a police officer. Kamleshs friend Panmand sustained minor injuries.

The police are tracing the vehicle number of the trailer and are searching for the driver.

The driver has been booked under section 279 (rash driving or riding on a public way) and 304 A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code and under various sections of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

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
Bhiwandi Thane, India - September,20, 2023: Man held from bihar state for rape and murder of six year old girl in bhiwandi ,in Thane, in Mumbai, India, on, Wednesday, September, 20, 2023. ( Praful Gangurde / HT Photo )

The Bhiwandi City police on Tuesday arrested a 32-year-old man from Bihar in connection with the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Bhiwandi. Three teams of police were formed headed by DCP Navnath Dhavle to trace the accused.

The incident took place at a chawl in Fenegaon in Kamatghar on September 13 when a six-year-old girl was found missing and her parents had lodged a missing complaint with the police station on September 14. Because she is a minor, the police lodge a case of kidnapping against an unknown person.

The police swung into action, and formed three-teams to search for the girl across the locality. While the search was on, a local resident alerted the police about foul smell emanating from a locked room. The police team broke the lock outside the room and found the girl murdered and dumped into a bucket and covered with a lid. After completing the panchnama, the body of the girl was sent to JJ hospital for post-mortem. The primary post-mortem report indicated a sexual assault and a case was lodged under section 376, and 302, Indian Penal Code, and relevant sections 4, 8, and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offense (POCSO) Act.

DCP Navnath Dhavle, Bhiwandi, said, Based on technical intelligence and spot evidence, we came to know about the accused who lived in the room on a rented basis for the last one and half months. He worked as a laborer in the city and locked the room for last two days. We formed one team and dispatched it to Bihar to investigate and nab the accused. With the help of local informers of Bihar, our team made a door-to-door survey and later reached to accused home and nabbed him.

During the interrogation, the accused-Salamat Ansari revealed that he called a girl on the pretext of giving chocolates, and took her to his room with ulterior intentions, and committed sexual assault. Thereafter, he strangulated her and dumped her in a plastic bucket, and fled after the act, added Dhavle.

According to police sources, the investigations revealed that Ansari was married and had two children. He came here for a job and stayed in a chawl behind the victims room.

The police said that the accused was produced in the court, which remanded him in police custody.

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 man was allegedly attacked with a knife by a 20-year-old man in broad daylight in a busy marketplace in Greater Noidas Dadri area on Tuesday afternoon, police said. A shirtless man can be seeen holding the knife captured in the CCTV camera (Video screengrab)

The incident was captured in a street CCTV camera, a video of which surfaced on social media on Wednesday. The footage shows a shirtless man on the street running into the victim with a knife in his right hand, and as he falls to the ground, the former attacks the latter.

The footage further shows a group of people pulling the attacker from the victim.

The alleged attacker has been identified as Guddu, a resident of Taju. Police said the victim, identified as Shadab Khan, a resident of Chand Masjid locality in Dadri, suffered injuries on his right arm in the attack.

According to the victim, Guddu, who was in an intoxicated state, made abusive remarks towards the passersby, and he (Khan) asked him not to do so, which led to an argument between the two.

Khan said that after a heated exchange, Guddu threatened to kill him and left, however, he returned after 10 minutes, along with another man, and started attacking him with a knife.

Guddu aimed to attack my neck, but I defended and suffered a deep cut on my forearm. Guddu tried to make another attempt, but people on the streets gathered to save me, after which Guddu and his accomplice fled the spot. I collapsed on the street and was taken to a nearby hospital, where police reached and took a complaint from me, said Khan.

According to Dadri police station in-charge Sujeet Upadhyay, they received information about the attack from the private hospital where Khan was admitted.

Police said that Khan suffered 18 stitches on his forearm and he has lost movement on one of his fingers.

On the basis of the victims complaint, an FIR (first information report) has been registered under sections of assault, causing hurt by dangerous weapon, intentional insult, criminal intimidation of the Indian Penal Code, against Guddu and one unidentified suspect. Police teams have been deployed to nab the suspects who are absconding at the moment, Upadhyay said.

The incident comes one day before the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show is set to be inaugurated in Greater Noidas Expo Mart. Ahead of the trade show, section 144 of CrPC is imposed in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district.

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 Ashni Dhaor Ashni Dhaor is a correspondent with Hindustan Times. She covers crime, education, health, politics, civic issues and environment in Ghaziabad city. She graduated from Delhi University in 2015 and has since been working with Hindustan Times since. ...view detail
LUCKNOW City-based Vidyant Hindu PG College offers 670 seats in BA but a staggering 500 of them are lying vacant. Likewise, Karamat Girls College boasts 1,075 BA seats but 575 of them remain unoccupied. Similarly, Shashi Bhushan Degree College has 500 BA seats, yet there are no takers for 420 of them. This list goes on and on. Several factors contribute to this predicament faced by aided degree colleges in the state capital. (HT Photo)

Among the 19 aided degree colleges affiliated with Lucknow University, several are struggling to attract students, facing substantial challenges in filling seats for regular undergraduate courses, not to mention the self-financed courses that require students to shell out more bucks.

Several factors contribute to this predicament faced by aided degree colleges in the state capital. The state governments decision to allow LU to grant affiliations to degree colleges in four neighbouring districts -- Hardoi, Sitapur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Rae Bareli -- has dissuaded students from these districts from coming to Lucknow for their studies. They now seek admission in degree colleges affiliated with LU in their home districts, leaving many aided colleges in the state capital with vacant seats, said Dharam Kaur, the principal of Vidyant Hindu Degree College.

Rachana Srivastav, the principal of AP Sen Girls College, pointed out that over the last decade, most boys colleges have become co-educational institutions, such as Jai Narain PG College, BSNV PG College, Lucknow Christian College, Shia College, Vidyant College, and others. She stressed the importance of allowing all-girls degree colleges to also become co-educational, saying, We are still limited to providing higher education exclusively to female students, while boys colleges are increasingly attracting more female students.

Huma Khawaja, the principal of Karamat Girls PG College, added, The proliferation of self-financing institutions has also played a role. When students have colleges nearby, why would they travel all the way to study in aided degree colleges?

Another principal of an aided college noted that private colleges adopt a more flexible and liberal attitude towards students and impose fewer restrictions on attendance, which attracts more students. Many principals also pointed out that the introduction of the four-year undergraduate program under the new National Education Policy 2020 has encouraged students to veer away from traditional courses like BA.

Students are increasingly inclined towards professional or job-oriented vocational courses, where they anticipate securing a job soon after completing their undergraduate vocational programmes, said Anjum Islam, the principal of Shashi Bhushan Degree College.

Currently, there are 556 aided and private degree colleges affiliated with LU in five districts, including 182 degree colleges in the state capital alone. A decade ago, this number was limited to about 100 colleges, with aided colleges being the most sought-after institutions for students.

Mathematics students often prefer BTech programs over BSc degrees due to the abundant availability of engineering colleges with easily attainable admission. Another motivating factor is the improved job prospects associated with pursuing a BTech degree compared to a BSc, where job opportunities may be more limited, said Dr Pradeep Sharma, Director of the Data Resource Cell at Shia College.

LU V-C Prof Alok Kumar Rai said, This year, LU received 40% more students who have shown interest in taking admission to the university and its affiliated degree colleges. A total of 1.7 lakh students registered, compared to 1.45 lakh students last year. However, we cannot provide specific details about admissions to individual colleges.

Durgesh Srivastava, the Lucknow University spokesperson, noted that those degree colleges that chose to be part of LUs centralised admission system have been more successful in attracting students.

Vacant Classrooms:

AP Sen Girls College: 200 vacant seats in BA out of a total of 475.

Karamat College: 575 vacant seats in BA out of a total of 1075.

Vidyant Hindu Degree College: 500 vacant seats in BA out of a total of 670.

Shia PG College: 82 vacant seats in BSc Maths out of a total of 288.

BSNV: 150 vacant seats in BA out of a total of 700; 150 vacant seats in BCom out of a total of 240; 150 vacant seats in BSc Biology out of a total of 350; 220 vacant seats in BSc Physics out of a total of 350.

Khun Khun Ji Girls PG College: 180 vacant seats in BA out of a total of 385; 56 vacant seats in BCom (SF) out of a total of 60.

Shashi Bhushan: 420 vacant seats in BA out of a total of 500; 52 vacant seats in BCom (SF) out of a total of 60.

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 Rajeev Mullick Rajeev Mullick is a Special Correspondent, he writes on education, telecom and heads city bureau at Lucknow. Love travelling ...view detail
Students from Mizorams Thingsulthliah Higher Secondary on Wednesday walked 45 kilometres from their village to the state capital Aizawl, in demand for their school to be upgraded from the lump-sum grant-in-aid category to adhoc-grant-in-aid status. Mizorams Thingsulthliah Higher Secondary School on Wednesday walked 45 km from their village to the state capital Aizawl (HT Photo)

The students union leaders on September 20 decided to take up the long march to personally deliver a letter of appeal to chief minister Zoramthanga and state education minister Lalchhandama Ralte for the upgradation of their schools status.

The students, who marched on foot for over 10 hours in one day to deliver the letter, received massive support from their village, where shops, offices and educational institutions were shut down from 9am to 1pm.

Around 3pm on Wednesday, the students reached the outskirts of the capital Aizawl, where they were received by the president and members of the Mizo Students Union.

Seven members from the schools student union body, along with the Mizo Students Union, will meet CM Zoramthanga at 10am on Thursday and will submit the letter of appeal for the upgradation of their schools status, said people familiar with the development.

Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Thingsulthliah Higher Secondary School principal R. Lalfakawma, said they have been demanding the status upgrade from the government since they promised it in 2018.

The school was established by the Thingsulthliah Village Council in 2004. During the 2018 general election campaign, the government promised to upgrade our institution from the lump-sum grant-in-aid category to ad-hoc-grant-in-aid status, but the promise has not been delivered till today.

For this, the joint action committee for the schools upgradation has been working tirelessly, he added.

We understand that the Covid pandemic hampered many developmental works, but with the upcoming general election, we fear that our 19-year-old school will fail to see the commitment that was promised to us, said Lalfakawma.

Thingsulthliah Higher Secondary School currently has 156 students with 13 staff. The school currently has the highest record of enrollment among single educational institutions in villages of Mizoram.

It is worth mentioning that ad hoc-grant-in-aid status has advantages where the teachers get basic pay with half an amount of allowance. Whereas in the lump-sum grant-in-aid, the institution receives just a yearly grant of three lakhs.

The students have to pay a monthly fee, which is a huge burden for the parents as the majority of them are daily wagers. Ad hoc-grant-in-aid status will be of great benefit for the whole village, said Principal Lalfakawma.

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
PRAYAGRAJ The district of Prayagraj has achieved a remarkable feat by outperforming all other districts in Uttar Pradesh in ensuring benefits under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana (MKSY) for the fiscal year 2022-23, as announced by district officials. MKSY logo (For representation only)

MKSY, initiated by chief minister Yogi Adityanath in 2019, aims to provide security and education opportunities to daughters of economically disadvantaged families, thereby shaping a brighter future for them.

District Probation Officer (DPO) of Prayagraj, Sarvjeet Singh, confirmed the outstanding achievement, stating, Prayagraj has secured the first position in the recently released ranking of all 75 districts in Uttar Pradesh in implementing this scheme. This is the first time that Prayagraj has claimed the top spot in the MKSY implementation.

In the fiscal year 2022-23 alone, a total of 59,635 girls benefited from this scheme in Prayagraj, making it the district with the highest number of beneficiaries covered. Similarly, in the fiscal years 2019-20 and 2021-22, 54,809 girls received benefits from the scheme in Prayagraj. For the upcoming financial year 2023-24, 6,538 girls from Prayagraj have already been selected under the scheme.

The annual ranking for the fiscal year 2022-23, issued by the state government, revealed that Unnao secured the second position, Varanasi claimed third place, while Hardoi and Fatehpur secured the fourth and fifth positions, respectively, among the 75 districts.

Unnao district selected 6,354 girls, Varanasi chose 6,125, Hardoi extended benefits to 56,023 girls, and Fatehpur reached out to 5,447 girls during this financial year.

Under the MKSY, girls from families with an annual income of up to 3 lakh receive 15,000 in six installments. The initiative aims to counteract the historical biases against women and girls resulting from social, religious, educational, and family circumstances, according to officials.

Societal issues such as female foeticide, an imbalanced sex ratio, child marriage, and negative attitudes towards girls within families have historically hindered women and girls from exercising their fundamental rights, including protection, health, and education.

In an effort to eliminate these disparities and prejudices, both government and non-government organizations have worked tirelessly in the past and present.

In addition to existing initiatives, Uttar Pradesh introduced this conditional cash transfer scheme to provide social security to female children while facilitating their development. This initiative ensures that girls have the opportunity to pursue higher education and employment.

Six Stages for MKSY Implementation:

Stage 1: A one-time payment of 2000 for girls born on or after 01/04/2019.

Stage 2: A one-time payment of 1000 for girls who have received full immunization and were not born before 01/04/2018.

Stage 3: A one-time payment of 2000 for girls enrolled in Standard 1 during the current academic year.

Stage 4: A one-time payment of 2000 for girls enrolled in Standard 6 during the current academic year.

Stage 5: A one-time payment of 3000 for girls enrolled in Standard 9 during the current academic year.

Stage 6: A one-time payment of 5000 for girls who have passed Standard 10/12 and have enrolled in a bachelors degree or at least a 2-year certified diploma course in the current academic year.

PHOTO: ()

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
Samples from 36 live bats collected from Kozhikode in Kerala have tested negative for the Nipah virus, chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said. Health workers shift a man with symptoms of Nipah virus to an isolation ward at a government hospital in Kozhikode in Kerala on Saturday. (AFP)

When the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) conducted virus sequencing this time, the results were similar to what was found in 2018 and 2019. Samples from 36 bats were sent for testing but the presence of the virus has not been confirmed. More samples of bats are being collected, Vijayan said at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

State health minister Veena George said last week that body fluid samples from 36 live bats were collected through coordinated efforts of central and state animal husbandry department officials. These samples were sent for testing at the Indian Institute of Virology lab in Pune.

The samples were mainly collected from areas close to the home of the 47-year-old who tested positive for the virus, and subsequently died, in Maruthonkara panchayat of Kozhikode district.

The deceased owned a farmland where areca nut and banana trees are grown. Colonies of bats were often seen there, locals said. The 47-year-old who died on Aug 30 is considered by health officials to be the index case in the recent outbreak who could have spread the disease to others.

Also Read: ICMR considers developing vaccine against Nipah

Kerala has reported six Nipah cases so far among which two died and four others are under treatment. The state has not reported any new infection in the past four days with dozens of samples of high-risk symptomatic persons testing negative. These results indicate that the threat of the virus has abated.

A second wave cannot be ruled out but it was unlikely, Vijayan said.

The virus found in Kerala has been identified as the Indian Genotype or I-Genotype and is similar to the strain found in Bangladesh. There are two known strains of the Nipah Virus  one is Malaysian and the other from Bangladesh, a separate HT report said.

The ICMR is considering developing a vaccine against the Nipah virus as part of a larger plan to develop a bouquet of essential vaccines.

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 Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Odisha Police has claimed that Odia newspaper Sambad, owned and edited by media baron Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, had run a meticulously organised loan scam in which at least 50 crore loan was taken from various banks using forged salary certificates of its employees. The raid at Sambad office came within a week after the Biju Janata Dal removed Soumya Ranja Patnaik from the post of vice-president following a factional feud in the party.

The EOW raided the office of Sambad on Monday. The development came within a week after the Biju Janata Dal removed Patnaik from the post of vice-president following a factional feud in the party.

The EOW investigation into the Odia daily started after Ashim Mohapatra, a former employee of the daily lodged a complaint last week under Indian Penal Code 506, 467, 468, 471, 420, and 120 B.

A senior EOW official said that the head of the human resources (HR) and the chief operating officer (COO) of Sambad were interrogated.

Almost all loan processes followed the same pattern. 5 lakh loan was sanctioned to the employees under easy money loan scheme of the bank on grounds like house/house repair. Forged salary certificate were submitted by Sambad. There was a huge difference between actual salary and the salary certificate produced by Sambad. It appears that loan forms have been prepared/filled by someone else and employee put his signature though they did not receive a single penny,the officer said.

Once loan was sanctioned, the amount used to be withdrawn in cash. The EMI to be paid was almost equal to the net salary of employees. Some employees have been forced to take loan 2-3 times too. The EMIs were paid by Sambad in 60 instalments. In many cases, EMIs were paid by Sambad even though employees resigned. Getting loan sanctioned in this style has been a continuing phenomenon for years for the organisation. The pattern seems not to be just one instance or coincidence but a well thought of conspiracy and organised bank fraud. The actual figure would be much higher, the officer added.

More than 350 Sambad employees have taken loan from Odisha Gramya Bank, IRC Village branch in Bhubaneswar alone over the last few years, EOW officials said. Loan taken from other banks like SBI and others are yet to be scrutinised, they added.

Rebutting the allegations, Sambad in a statement said there is no truth in the allegations levelled against it. The timing of the complaint raises serious questions regarding the intent of the complainant. Sambad Group believes that the entire episode is a clear case of political vendetta and an attack on the freedom of press. The Sambad Group is committed to extend its cooperation to the agency in future as it has nothing to hide in connection with the case, added the statement.

Since last few month, Patnaik has been attacking VK Pandian, chief minister Naveen Patnaiks private secretary, comparing his tour expenses to all the districts with the Chandrayaan 3 mission. Last month in a front-page editorial of Sambad, Patnaik said while 600 crore was spent on ISROs Chandrayaan 3, similar expenses may have been incurred for Pandians visit to all the 30 districts in the state over last 6 months.

He also drew comparison between Pandians behaviour with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhis secretary Yashpal Kapoor stating that in June 1975, the Allahabad high court had declared Indira Gandhis election invalid as Kapoor had helped in election work and given political speech. He also targeted chief minister Patnaik saying that the latter thought all his ministers as incapable of getting his work done and that is why he was giving the assignments to his private secretary.

Mocking his removal from the post of vice-president last week, Patnaik said his removal order with Naveen Patnaiks signature could be forged.

After the EOW case, opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that dictatorship prevailed in the state. The freedom of the press was jeopardised during the time of emergency. A similar kind of situation is now prevailing in the state. A secretary is giving assurances to people to fulfill their demands by visiting various parts of the state like a king. There is no provision like this in democracy. When someone criticised the government through his editorials, cases are being foisted on him, said senior BJP leader Prithviraj Harichandan.

However, the BJD claimed that everything is being done as per the provision in law. Nothing has been done to choke the voice of media. Raids are not conducted by keeping a grudge against anybody. The EOW raid was conducted as per the provision in law, said revenue minister Pramila Mallik.

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 President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the first U.P. International Trade Show (UPITS) at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida on Thursday. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath will be present at the expo, which will provide a glimpse of U.Ps prosperity to a global audience. The International Trade Show will have business hours from 11 am to 3 pm (HT Photo)

Over 2,000 exhibitors are expected to showcase their products to entrepreneurs and exporters from all over the world, including sectors such as ODOP, healthcare, food processing, pharma, dairy, electronics, and e-commerce.

Various state departments will display the states potential and development roadmap through their stalls and will also conduct informative sessions on various business activities. The International Trade Show will have business hours from 11 am to 3 pm, while the public will be allowed free entry from 3 pm until 8 pm.

The UPITS is envisioned as a regular fair that will uniquely promote small, medium, and large enterprises from U.P, according to a media release. At UPITS, there will be 44 exhibitor categories, including ODOP, Agriculture and Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Dairy Department, Association-Forum, Automobile-EV-Auto Components, Beverage Industry, e-Commerce, FMCG, Food Processing, Furniture, Handloom, Handicrafts and Textiles, Healthcare, Printing and Packaging, and Renewable Energy, among others.

Over 2,000 exhibitors, including important departments of the U.P. government, multi sectors, multi brands, and manufacturers, are participating. UPITS will make full use of its 13 spacious halls at Expo Mart, each dedicated to specific sectors and industries.

On the second day, sessions of Invest U.P, UPSIDA, GNIDA, YEIDA, and Noida Authority will be organised from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. There will be a session of the Federation of Indian Exporters Organisation from 2 pm to 3 pm, while another session of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA) will be held from 3 pm to 4 pm.

On Saturday, the third day, there will be a session of Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) from 11.30 am to 12.30 pm, where various universities, including Sharda, Gautam Buddha, and Shiv Nadar University, will participate. There will also be a session on Logistics, Supply chain, and Time Management (Mumbai Dibbawala).

On Sunday, there will be a session of U.P. Electronics Corporation Limited, and from 6.30 to 7.30 pm, a fashion show will be organised by NIFT, Rae Bareli, and the Khadi Department. Awards and a valedictory session will be organised on the last day, September 25.

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 run-up to the parliamentary polls, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) in Bihar is holding an interactive programme Ambedhkar Pe Charcha, at the village level to reach out to rural poor and marginalised sections of the society, according to party insiders. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and his deputy Tejashwi Yadav (File Photo)

According to party leaders, the gathering is being undertaken to make people aware of threat to the Constitution of India under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led government at the Centre.

The programme was launched on April 14 as part of its drive to reach out to the people to highlight the partys ideological fight against the BJP and alleged attempts to dilute the tenets of the Constitution, party leaders aware of the matter said.

Party leaders said that the sustainability of the programme has come as a surprise as it reached the village level with the support from rural youths who are volunteering and holding sessions on their own.

State spokesperson of RJD, Chiitranjan Gagan said, Ambedkar pe Charcha is aimed at highlighting the contribution of Dr B R Ambedkar in empowering weaker sections and the importance of the Indian Constitution in safeguarding the rights and liberties of common citizens, especially those from marginalised sections.

The programme, initially held at the state and sub-divisional level, has percolated down to the village level following a huge public response with people from marginalised and rural poor, including scheduled castes volunteering to hold sessions, said Gagan.

RJD earlier this year, ahead of the launch of the programme, had conducted a three-day workshop for its party leaders on the strategy to be adopted for spreading the partys message ahead of the 2024 parliamentary polls next year.

The programme launched on the birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar, was first held at the state level in Patna. It was later held at the block headquarters level in all 500-plus blocks and subsequently, reached the Panchayat level.

So far, the gatherings have been held in over 8,000 Panchayats till July 7.

In the last two months, the programme has percolated to the village level with party supporters and locals of villages acting as volunteers, leaders claimed. We have already held over 45,000 meetings at state, sub-divisional, blocks, Panchayats and villages. We target covering all revenue villages in the state and it will be done in by the next, said another RJD leader.

Party leaders claimed the programme having a catchy tagline has come in handy as an interactive event because of two factors the party has been able to send across its point that the Constitution has been under attack and weakened by the BJP government and secondly, how the legacy of Dr Ambedkar could be wiped out if the Constitution is changed.

By October end, we will have the target of covering all 50,000 villages, said Shyam Rajak, a senior party leader.

Of course, the programme is giving us an opportunity to consolidate and reach out to Dalits and EBCs, who account for a huge number of votes in the state with having their presence in all 40 parliamentary seats. We also mobilised our cadres and taking the programme to the village level is strengthening our base, Rajak said.

Women and youths from weaker sections, including from the Dalit community, have shown spontaneous response to the programme as our logic that a weak Constitution is detrimental to the interests of women from marginalised sections, education of poorer section has struck a chord, he added.

Party leaders aware of the development said that the RJD has added some more elements to the programme by emphasizing that the BJPs comeback would not be good for democracy and social justice as there was a lurking threat to the Constitution of India.

Reacting to this, BJP state vice president Bhim Singh said, The RJD is making all false claims. First of all, changing the Constitution is not possible. There are already set parliamentary procedures for bringing any amendment and there is a Supreme Court ruling that basic tenets of the Constitution cannot be changed. The RJD is doing such things only to misguide people and spread false narrative against BJP, said Singh.

He further said that the RJD does not have the organisational wherewithal to hold events at such big levels.

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 Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in a joint operation with Pimpri-Chinchwad police arrested three Bangladeshi nationals working as construction labourers in the MIDC Bhosari for illegal stay, said officials on Wednesday. The individuals were taken into custody on charges of illegally entering India and residing in Pimpri-Chinchwad without possessing valid immigration documents. ATS in a joint operation with Pimpri-Chinchwad police arrested three Bangladeshi nationals for illegal stay. (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

Accused have been identified as Sukhantha Bahchi (21), Nayan Bagchi (22) and Samrat Bala (22) all are from Madaripur in Bangladesh. The operation, conducted on Monday, came as a result of meticulous surveillance and intelligence gathering by the ATS. The authorities had been tracking the movements of these individuals, who had reportedly entered India clandestinely.

According to officials, the arrested Bangladeshi nationals had crossed the border into India without the required visas and permits. Their subsequent residence and employment in Pimpri-Chinchwad were in violation of immigration laws.

An official requesting anonymity said, The accused entered India by paying 15,000 at West Bengal border. They also prepared a fake Aadhar card and came to Pimpri-Chinchwad insearch of employment.

The detained individuals are currently in custody and will undergo legal proceedings in accordance with Indian immigration laws.

A case has been registered at MIDC Bhosari police station under Passport Act, The Foreigners Act and other relevant sections.

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
PUNE: Beginning Wednesday, the onion traders of Nashik district have called for an indefinite strike. The Nashik District Onion Traders Association has warned that the market committees will remain closed and that traders will not participate in the auction process until such time the government discusses export duty and their demands. With this, there is once again the possibility of an onion shortage in the state. Most of the onion turnover in Maharashtra is from the Nashik district. (HT PHOTO)

Starting Wednesday, onion traders have decided not to participate in the auction in 17 market committees across Nashik district including Lasalgaon over various demands. Due to the ban on the auction, the farmers will be in a lot of trouble and there is a possibility that crores of rupees worth of turnover will grind to a halt. A few days ago, a meeting was held in the presence of the Nashik collector in the collectors office regarding the onion traders demands. But as no solution was found despite the meeting, the traders have called for a complete ban on the auction now. Until the government discusses the export duty and our demands, market committees will remain closed, traders will not participate in the auction process, said Balasaheb Darade, chairman of the Traders Association at Lasalgaon APMC.

Meanwhile, the state government has not yet fulfilled its promise from the previous agitation, the traders claimed. Against this backdrop, the meeting held with the collector three days ago did not lead to a solution. Therefore, a meeting with the government has been promised in the coming period. For the last three months, the business community is in a miserable condition, and we have written letters to the chief minister and finance minister asking them to discuss otherwise we have issued a warning that we will be firm on our demands, Darade said.

With the market committees closed since Wednesday morning, farmers are not selling onion due to which, they are likely to face huge losses.

At present, the summer onion is coming to the market and in the Lasalgaon market committee, onions are being sold from twelve to thirteen hundred vehicles every day. A few days ago, the onion auction was said to be going smoothly, but now the onion traders have called for a shutdown. Therefore, according to this, all 15 market committees and sub-market committees of Nashik district have been strictly closed and farmers are unnecessarily affected due to this protest, said Harat Dighole, president of the Maharashtra State Onion Growers Association.

Most of the onion turnover in Maharashtra is from the Nashik district. Lasalgaon is known as the biggest onion market. Now, if these market committees remain closed for a long time, there is a possibility that the market prices will fall again due to the increase in inflow and the farmers will be hit the hardest.

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!
Five years ago, on a rainy night, I met Ms Saroj Gupte in her apartment in Shaniwar Peth. She was the great-great-granddaughter-in-law of Ramchandra Sakharam Gupte, the author of the first Marathi cookbook, Soopashastra. She was 94 then. While talking about her ancestors, she casually mentioned how she wished she knew exactly how the eating habits of the Gupte family changed when they shifted from Vasai to Poona in the eighteenth century. Gupte had come to the city in 1941 after her marriage. PREMIUM Kolambiche bhujane and kolambicha patwada, prawns wrapped in colocasia leaves, were cooked by some families to offer to the Goddess Gauri. (WIKI MEDIA/REPRESENTATIVE PHOTO)

A few months later, she showed me one of her prized possessions  a yellowed notebook containing recipes she had painstakingly collected- a testimony to the friendships she had forged over the years. I mentioned one of the recipes, that of Rushichi bhaaji in this column last year.

Mutton curry cooked in coconut milk was another recipe in Guptes notebook. She had borrowed it from one of her friends, Mrs Desai. The Desais came to Poona in the early 1940s from a small coastal village near Bombay. The family tried desperately to find accommodation in the Peth area of the city for almost a year before moving to their own two-room house in the Navi Peth on the outskirts of the city. The Desais ate fish and meat.

Gupte told me how the Desai household would have two Gauri idols for the Gauri Poojan, where one was offered vegetarian naivedya (offering to God), while the other was offered mutton curry and several varieties of fish. The mutton curry was cooked with coconut milk and a special CKP masala. Surmai and Pomfret fish would be sourced from trusted fishermen from Bombay during the festival. The women of the household grumbled about how difficult it was to procure medium-sized prawns in the city.

The women from the Desai family would also cook aluchya gaathichi amti, a spicy dish where colocasia leaves were stuffed with Bengal gram, coconut, and peanuts, rolled and tied into knots. These knots were cooked in gravy with prawns, coconut milk, tamarind, and jaggery. The dish cooked in the Pachkalshi way had found its way to the Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu (CKP) Desai kitchen.

Guptes notebook also had a recipe for kolambiche bhujane, a rustic, spicy prawn curry to be eaten with steamed rice. The recipe was given to her by one Mrs Champutai Vaidya, a Pathare Prabhu, whom she had met during a womens meet in the city. Vaidyas husband worked with the then-University of Pune.

While Bombay was where the Pathare Prabhu community thrived and prospered, a few families lived in Poona in the nineteenth century. The Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency, published in 1885, mentions how Gauri Poojan was celebrated in a Pathare Prabhu household in Poona.

On Bhadrapad bright-eighth or ninth, the third or fourth day after Ganeshs birthday, women hold a feast in honour of his mother Parvati or Gauri. In the morning, ten or twelve balsam or terda plants are bought for an anna or so and hung on the eaves. About two in the afternoon, over the whole of the house, women draw rangoli lines six inches apart and between them trace with sandal powder footsteps two in a line and four or five inches apart. An elderly married woman takes one or two of the balsam plants, wash their roots and fold them in a silk waistcloth. This represents the goddess Gauri lying in a girls arms, carrying a metal plate with a lighted lamp, a few rice grains, a vermillion box, and some round pieces of plantains, and taking with her a boy with a bell, starting through the house, the boy ringing the bell as they go.

In each room the woman seats the girl who carries the goddess on a raised stool, waves a lighted lamp round the faces of the girl and of the goddess, and, giving the girl and the boy a bit of plantain, calls Lakshmi, Lakshmi, have you come? The girl says, I have come. The woman asks, What have you brought? The girl says, Horses, elephants, armies, and heaps of treasure enough to fill your house and the city. Thus, they go from one room to another, filling the house with treasure and bringing good luck. When they have been through the whole house, the goddess is seated on a high stool in the womens hall leaning against a wall, on which has been painted Prabhus house and all it holds.

At lamplight, the goddess is offered plantains, cake, and milk, and at night she is richly dressed, decked with jewels, and with lamps lighted before her is offered milk and sugar. The next day is a time of great rejoicing, when many dishes of sweetmeats, fish, and mutton are cooked, offered to the goddess and eaten.

Vaidya would cook kolambiche bhujane and kolambicha patwada, prawns wrapped in colocasia leaves, to offer to the goddess Gauri. Gauri and Ganpati sat beside each other, but their naivedya differed.

Ganpati was offered only vegetarian fare like modak (sweet dumplings); Gauri was served meat and fish dishes too. She is the daughter visiting her parents house, and she must be treated with the choicest dishes.

The dishes offered to the goddess varied in different families. Some offered vegetables, some fish, some goats flesh, and some a cock and liquor. In some households offering meat and fish naivedya to goddess Gauri, the idols of Ganpati and Gauri would be kept in separate rooms. Some simply put a curtain between the two idols while they were offered naivedya. Some Pathare Prabhu and CKP families turned vegetarian during the festival.

The Chitpawan Kokanastha and the Deshastha Brahmin communities were predominantly vegetarian. Chitpawan Kokanastha Brahmin households performed Gauri Poojan by worshipping pebbles which represented the goddess. Two or five pebbles were placed beside the Ganpati idol on rice and were worshipped over three days.

On the second day of the Gauri Poojan, ghavan-ghatle was offered to the goddess. The ghavan is a pancake made from rice flour, while the ghatla is a concoction of coconut milk, jaggery, poppy seeds, cardamom, and nutmeg. Ghavan-ghatle would sometimes be accompanied by coconut chutney and masale bhaat (spiced rice).

Food in India serves both as a commodity and as an expression of cultural and caste constructs. Caste defines what to eat and what not to eat. The food hierarchy where vegetarians are placed at the top of the pyramid is a function of the caste structure. The neologism non-vegetarian reinforces the normative status of vegetarianism by rendering meat nameless.

While discussing the recipes and her friends, Gupte casually mentioned that many CKP families turned vegetarian during festivals after relocating to cities like Poona and Vadodara from the coastal region. The reason was not always the unavailability of fish and meat. It is noteworthy that the Pathare Prabhu and the CKP are considered one of the so-called elite castes in India.

Offering food to Gods is a way to express reverence and devotion to divine beings. The food offered to Gods is often the food we eat. The Desais and the Vaidyas were happy feeding their Goddess, the daughter of the house, what they ate and considered worthy of her divine status. They enjoyed the food and hoped the goddess would too, and that is what mattered the most.
Indian test takers preparing to take the English language test IELTS can now retake any one of the four skills  listening, reading, writing and speaking  if they did not achieve their desired score in the first time. IELTS launches one skill retake in India (HT File)

This facility is currently being accepted by Australia only and plans are underway to soon launch it for other countries, IDP Education said in a press statement.

IELTS One Skill Retake is currently accepted by the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency and an increasing number of universities and institutions each month, IDP Education said.

This feature is currently available for test takers who have opted for the computer delivered IELTS test, it added.

Warwick Freeland, Managing Director  IELTS, IDP Education, said, IELTS One Skill Retake improves fairness by providing an opportunity to retake a single skill if the test taker feels their original performance was not representative of their language proficiency level.

Piyush Kumar, Regional Director - South Asia and Mauritius, IDP Education, said, We listened to our test takers who told us that instead of having to retake the whole test, they wanted the ability to retake one skill of the IELTS test if they didnt get the score they were aspiring to on test day.

IELTS One Skill Retake, which is available for both Academic and General IELTS, gives test takers in India a new option and increased flexibility as they get their plans on track. It is currently available across all 47 IELTS Computer centres in the country. he added.

Those who take this one skill retake will recieve a second test report form with new scores that can use for migration and study. They will also have the option to choose whether they want to use the old or new test report for the skill they retook, IDP informed.

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

Exam and College Guide Top Engineering Colleges in India Click here

Click here Top Medical Colleges in India Click here

Click here Popular BBA colleges in India Click here

Click here Explore Scholarships Click here

Click here Top LLB Colleges in India Click here
Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena Deputy Leader Priyanka Chaturvedi took a jibe at the promotional visit of the cast of Thank You For Coming at the new Parliament building on Wednesday. She questioned if promoting movies at the Parliament is acceptable. (Also Read: Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill visit the new Parliament; praise Women's Reservation Bill) The cast of the film 'Thank You for Coming', actress Shehnaaz Gill visits the new Parliament building in New Delhi on Wednesday.(Shrikant Singh)

What Priyanka said

Priyanka took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening and reposted a picture of the Thank You For Coming cast posing at the new Parliament building and wrote, Now we have movie promotions happening in the parliament too. All that is left to do is for I&B ministry to tweet and promote their upcoming movie Thank you for Coming (emoji). Very krantikari (rebellious)."

The picture shows actors Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill, Dolly Singh, and Shibani Bedi dressed in colourful saris and posing with Anurag.

Thank You For Coming cast's Parliament visit

The picture is from earlier in the day when the cast visited the new Parliament building during the ongoing session. They even shared their views about the Women's Reservation Bill. Shehnaaz told news agency ANI, It is a great step. I am a woman. If we are given rights and equal treatment, even parents too will support girls. I come from a small village. The girls are married off so that they get settled. But after this, if girls and boys are treated as equals, a lot of things in the country will change.

Besides the cast of Thank You For Coming, actors Kangana Ranaut and Esha Gupta also visited the new Parliament building earlier in the day and were seen greeting Anurag Thakur.

About Thank You For Coming

The sex comedy recently had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, which was attended by the primary cast, also including Kusha Kapila, director Karan Boolani, and co-producers Anil Kapoor and Ekta Kapoor. The film received largely positive reviews from the international publications, which hailed Bhumi's central performance and the film's feminist gaze.

Thank You For Coming is slated to release in Indian cinemas on October 6.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Ritesh Batra's The Lunchbox, which released on this day 10 years ago, is a sensory delight. One of the best food films to come out of the country, it makes you bite into the stuffed karelas and smell the coconut shreds peppered over the bhindi. But one sense that quietly makes its presence felt is sight, or the lack of it. Nimrat Kaur and Irrfan Khan played lovers who have never met in The Lunchbox

(Also Read: Nimrat Kaur interview on starring in Apple TV's Foundation Season 2: I owe my international journey to The Lunchbox)

Not just food porn

Of course, the neat aesthetic of Nimrat Kaur's Ila kneading the dough and packing home-cooked Maharashtrian food into the lunchbox, and Irrfan Khan's Saajan Fernandes, a non-vegetarian, relishing every bite of the vegetarian food cooked by a stranger, make for a complete arc of great food porn.

But the heart of The Lunchbox beats in what's not seen. When Ila feels the dearth of weight in the lunchbox she sends for her husband, it reflects the lightness she feels within. Her husband eating a stomach-full of her food is a gesture as validating as him returning a sexual advance.

Even Deshpande aunty, in the flat above, who recommends recipes to Ila, is never seen in the film. The fact that she's Ila's go-to person, instead of her daughter or husband, establishes right at the start that Ila doesn't need a visual to confide in someone. The proximity here is more emotional, than visual.

Cellphones on silent

Interestingly, no character in The Lunchbox is ever seen speaking on the phone, except Ila's husband. We don't know, unless we look very closely, whether the story is set in a pre-cellphone era or not.

An epistolary romance demands the elimination of phones, or at least the dismissal of it. But Ritesh Batra makes it seem right from the start that Ila and Saajan don't seem like characters who would talk on the phone, even if they had the choice. They're not fossils, but merely dreamers with an old-school idea of love.

Even in Ritesh's next film, Netflix India's Our Souls At Night, Robert Redford gifts Jane Fonda a cellphone only at the end of the film, when they have no alternate route to continue their romance.

c

The seen and the unseen

Ila and Saajan are also characters who don't place too much currency on what's around them, on what they can see. Ila has a daughter, but she's more obsessed being the wife. And when she doesn't feel seen as one, she can't help but look for validation from the unseen.

On the other hand, Saajan takes everything he sees for granted. From the co-passengers in the local train to the zealous trainee in his office, Aslam (Nawazuddin Siddiqui), Saajan prefers to read everyone on seen. He's an acute observer, but starts to express or acknowledge what he sees only once he begins to share his observations with Ila. As he says at one point, You forget things unless you have someone to tell them to.

When Saajan does start to see those around him, they don't reciprocate similarly. While smoking in the balcony at night, he can't help but peep into the neighbourhood family, only for the little girl he dismissed earlier to draw the curtains. But as his romance with Ila progresses, and his gaze turns warm instead of needy, that girl waves at him upon being seen.

Peek-a-boo, I see you

When Ila feels seen, and Saajan enjoys seeing, she proposes they take their romance to the next level and see each other in flesh. But Saajan ends up merely observing Ila from a distance, as her desperate eyes seek his arrival at a restaurant. He fears she'll see him as an old man, and he can't help but unsee the youth in her. He's so used to being not seen that he fears going to the other side.

It's the one who has seen, and not been seen, who suggests to part ways. As if seeing someone for what they are is a deal-breaker. After tasting the blood of being seen, Ila can't bear with the feeling of not being seen again. She decides to flee to Bhutan with her daughter, abandoning her unfaithful husband. Again, she's never seen the country, but knows she'll feel seen in a land that prioritises happiness.

At the end, we don't know if Ila and Saajan got together, although there's a good chance they would've met. The film ends with Saajan travelling with the dabbawalas in the local train as they head to pick up the lunchbox from Ila's home. There's a sense of an ending here, as the dabbawalas are the unseen force who reunite these lovers in the first place.

Yes, the camera follows the dabbawals keenly at the start, as they go about their impeccable transport system which has famously never faltered. But as Saajan and Ila's romance brews, the dabba takes precedence over the dabbawalas. They're relegated to the background, just like the office peon distributing the dabbas or the sweeper who mops the floor, facelessly. When Saajan travels with them to give love another chance, they feel seen, heard, validated. After years of invisible but immaculate work, it's just one lapse that leads to their visibility.
Following a highly publicized courtroom battle, Kevin Costner and his distant wife, Christine, have surprisingly reached a divorce settlement, leaving many to speculate about the factors that have led to this situation. Expert insights on Kevin Costner and Christine's surprising divorce settlement(Twitter . X)

On Tuesday, Kevin's representative told PEOPLE in a joint statement, "Kevin and Christine Costner have come to an amicable and mutually agreed-upon resolution of all issues pertaining to their divorce proceedings." This development is unexpected, given the intense legal dispute that unfolded following Christine's divorce filing in May.

PEOPLE magazine interviewed David Glass, a family law attorney and former psychologist based in California, who shared his insights on the potential reasons behind this sudden agreement. Money and the undesirable spotlight on their public disputes appear to have played significant roles.

ALSO READ: Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner divorce: Reason for split revealed; find out details of their alleged ironclad prenup

David further explained, "People go to court, and then if one party does not do well, which Mrs. Costner didn't do well, she got a third of the child support she wanted. She didn't get her award for fees. She was told that the prenuptial agreement was going to be upheld. Then she starts considering, Do I really want to litigate the rest of this?"

As for Kevin, David believes it came down to a financial decision, stating, "Just a money situation. How much is it going to cost for him to go all the way through the trial? How much time, how much pressure on him, and distraction from his career and his kids, versus what could he pay to be done with it?"

Pressure from the media intensified in late August during a two-day court case in Santa Barbara, where child support arrangements were determined. Kevin had to divulge his earnings from projects like 'Yellowstone', while Christine made headlines as her attorney argued that luxury had become a part of their children's lives.

David mentioned how all of this could have been avoided, saying, "Most celebrity or high-profile clients go to their attorneys, and their attorneys explain, 'Listen, we should settle this because you don't want any of this in the news. You can either settle it or you can go to a private judge to keep it out of the news cycle."

On September 1, a judge set the monthly child support payments Kevin would make to Christine at $63,209, matching his proposed amount after her lawyers had initially requested $175,057, an increase from the tentative $129,755 the actor had been ordered to pay. The former couple has three children: their daughter Grace and their two sons, Cayden and Hayes.

ALSO READ: 'If you dont hear it from these lips, dont believe it,' Joe Jonas opens up about divorce from Sophie Turner at LA

The Costners were scheduled for another court appearance in December to assess the validity of their premarital agreement. David noted, "Once you get through that first hearing where you come out of court and you feel like a wrung-out rag and it's cost you a ton of money, most people start reconsidering, 'Do I really want to go all the way to trial?'"

TMZ initially reported the settlement, indicating Christine would receive more than what the couple's prenuptial agreement had stated. According to previous court documents referencing the prenup, the former model was entitled to approximately $1.5 million.

PEOPLE magazine confirmed on Tuesday that the 68-year-old Oscar winner and his 49-year-old wife had reached a settlement, four and a half months after she filed for divorce, listing their separation date as April 11. A source close to Kevin told PEOPLE, "Kevin is relieved that this matter has been settled and will continue to focus solely on jointly raising their three children."
It has been over six years since actor Sarah Jane Dias was seen in a feature film. However, the actor seems to be making the most of the boom the streaming industry is witnessing, as she starred in two recently released wed series  Made in Heaven 2 and The Freelancer. Sarah Jane Dias was last seen in Made In Heaven 2

OTT has opened so many new avenues for me. The rate at which content gets produced and consumed on the web, is amazing. And Im sure this industry is here to stay, says Dias, who has also featured in OTT projects such as Inside Edge, Time Out, Parchhayee, Tandav and Never Kiss Your Best Friend.

Besides the amount of content that gets churned out for various platforms, the actor feels its the variety of roles it offers that allows an artiste to prove their acting chops without the risk of being typecast. In her case, for instance, points the actor, she got to portray two extremely different role in her recent outings. While in MIH 2, she plays a Christian bride marrying a guy 10 years younger to her, In The Freelancer, I got to try and do action, which has always been a dream. I have done comedy, horror, romance, and this time, I go to do proper action onscreen.

Meanwhile, apart from her acting commitments, the 40-year-old is also a flag-bearer of mental wellness, and has her own mental health podcast, too.

It was my journey with mental health that motivated me to start this podcast called The Sarah Jane Show, shares the actor, adding, I was clinically diagnosed with anxiety and depression about three years ago. It was a very hard journey for me to go through. And I felt the need to share this with the rest of the world because there are so many people suffering in silence.

With a purpose of spreading awareness, and ensuring that nobody should suffer alone, Dias has taken it upon her as a mission to help people dealing with mental health issues. When one is going through a rough time, they feel they are alone; I felt that was, too. It was very difficult for me to talk about it, and then meet and understand people. I felt a compulsion to share when I started to feel better. The people (my friend, doctor, physical trainer, etc) on my podcast were actually a part of my journey of healing, she tells us.

Acknowledging the pressures that come with being a public figure especially part of the glamour world, the actor believes in prioritising her own well-being over other things. I practice a lot of what I preach. I meditate and do physical exercise every day, besides eating and sleeping well. I am in therapy and Ive been very open in talking about it. I am just like every other human being, she says.

Mention social media in particular, and the actor goes on to say, I have made peace with the fact that this industry is unpredictable. Its not really in my control. I cant control whether my reel will be a viral reel, or anything for that matter. I keep taking social media breaks. I dont post every day and I dont really care. I dont feel that pressure because to me its more important to enjoy the moment.

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 Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to examine the correctness of a 25-year old decision by a five-judge bench which held that members of Parliament accepting bribes and voting or asking questions in the House will enjoy immunity available to legislators under the Constitution. Supreme Court of India (HT File)

The court reasoned that the object of having such immunity can never be to set apart legislators as persons wielding higher privileges in claiming immunity from the application of criminal law that common citizens do not possess. Instead, the immunity is to institutionalise their right to free speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution in an atmosphere of freedom without fear of consequences that may follow.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud agreed to have a relook at the 1998 Constitution bench decision in PV Narasimha Rao v State after the decision was relied upon by a former member of the Jharkhand assembly, Sita Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), who allegedly accepted a bribe from an independent candidate for voting in the Rajya Sabha elections of 2012.

READ | Cash-for-votes scam: Amar Singh used aide to bribe MPs, say cops

She sought immunity from being prosecuted for the offence citing Article 194(2) of Constitution which grants immunity to MLAs for any speech made or vote cast in the House. The provision states, No member of the legislature of a state shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in the legislature or any committee thereof. The corresponding provision giving immunity to members of Parliament is contained in Article 105(2).

In March 2019, a three-judge bench referred the appeal to a five-judge bench as it involved the interpretation of the 1998 decision.

Dealing with the appeal, the CJI-headed bench said, Prima facie at this stage, we are of the considered view that the correctness of the majority view taken in PV Narasimha Rao case should be considered by a larger bench of seven judges.

The top court noted an anomaly that while the 1998 decision protected those MPs who vote after receiving bribe, it did not extend the protection to such members who received a bribe but abstained from voting. Notably, the 1998 decision did not extend immunity to then member of Parliament Ajit Singh who allegedly took a bribe but abstained from voting in the House. Further, the order passed on Wednesday said that the majority decision in the 1998 case did not discuss the minority view of two judges who said that the offence of bribery is complete when a legislator is proved to have accepted money and later conduct in the House is irrelevant.

READ | Cash-for-votes scam: Amar Singh summoned

The bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra said that the purpose of Articles 105(2) and 194(2), dealing with rights and privileges of legislators, is not to render immunity from launch of criminal proceedings for violation of criminal law that arises independent of the exercise of rights and duties as MPs or MLAs.

The purpose of Article 105(2) and 194(2) is to ensure that members of Parliament and assemblies are able to discharge duties in an atmosphere of freedom without fear of the consequences that may follow, it said. The object clearly is not to set apart the members of the legislature as persons who wield higher privileges in terms of immunity from the application of the general criminal law of the land which citizens of the land do not possess.

Attorney General R Venkatramani did not support the reference and said that the question of correctness of the 1998 decision does not arise in the facts of the present case. According to him, Sita Soren is not be entitled to any immunity under Article 194 as only the voting for Rajya Sabha election took place in the precincts of the House and cannot be considered as part of proceedings of the House. He said that her appeal fails on this ground alone.

In his note submitted to the Court, AG said, The process of election to the Council of States is not a matter of business or function or work of the House. It is regulated by rules and procedures to be supervised by the competent authority. He qualified it further by saying, Casting a vote for the purpose of election of members to the Council of States is not to be equated with the words vote in the legislature. Conduct unconnected with the legislative function or business of the house cannot aspire to be covered by the immunity clauses of the Constitution.

For Soren, senior advocate Raju Ramachandran along with advocate Vivek Singh relied on the 1998 decision and claimed immunity would apply to her as she did not vote for the person alleged to have paid her bribe.

Refusing to accept the submission of AG and Ramachandran, the bench said, Apart from the significance of issues raised to be explained later, we are not inclined to accept the plea that the reference of the PV Narasimha Rao judgment does not arise in this case.

Interestingly, the top court has on two occasions in the past refused to reopen the 1998 decision decided by a 3:2 majority. A review petition filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) challenging the majority view of the judgment was dismissed in 2001 on ground of delay. A year later, in July 2002, a writ petition filed by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) questioning the decision was not entertained as only a curative petition would lie after dismissal of review petition.

The Court said, If it is an issue that deeply affects the morality of our legislators, we should take a call to straighten the law. If it furthers public morality on part of our legislators, we should not leave it to a time in future.

The Court indicated that it would be setting up the seven-judge bench within two weeks and said, God knows when this opportunity (to reconsider the 1998 judgment) will again arise for reconsideration.

The order passed by the Court also cited the minority view of the 1998 decision which held the contrary view that immunity cannot extend to acts of bribery. The 1998 decision came in the context of bribes being paid to members of Parliament for defeating a no confidence motion in Parliament.

The reference was supported by Court-appointed amicus curiae and senior advocate PS Patwalia who showed how the immunity available under Articles 102 and 194 cannot act as a shield from criminal prosecution as bribery stands proved outside the House when the member has accepted cash or consideration to vote in a particular manner.

This also ends the dichotomy between a person who accepts bribe and votes and enjoys immunity as distinct from a person who may abstain from voting on second thoughts after receiving bribe and face prosecution, said senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appearing for an intervenor Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay who supported reference to a larger bench. These arguments weighed with the Court in passing the final order.Moreover, the Court noted that the order referring Sorens appeal to a five-judge bench had observed that the matter raised issues of substantial public importance and thus required consideration. Soren had earlier failed to get relief from the Jharkhand high court which declined to grant her immunity under Article 194 in February 2013 which led to the appeal filed before the top court that same year.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
NEW DELHI: The ministry of civil aviation has approved Mumbai-based budget carrier Akasa Airs request to fly to international destinations, two officials close to the development said. An aircraft operated by Akasa Air prepares to land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai (Bloomberg File)

The proposal was examined in consultation with DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) and it has been decided with the approval of competent authority, to allow Akasa Air to mount international operations subject to their continued compliance, the civil aviation ministry said in a letter to the airline. HT has reviewed the communication.

It added that Akasa Air, the countrys newest airline, was eligible to apply for international scheduled air transport services.

The civil aviation ministry is currently in the process of allocating traffic rights after which the airline will approach the DGCA for further procedures and permissions, one of the two officials said.

In a statement, Akasa Air described the governments approval as a recognition of the strength of the airlines operations.

This new designation will allow us to fly internationally, enabling us to take one step closer to our dream of launching international operations before the end of this year. We are now working with all relevant authorities on our request for traffic rights and will soon be able to announce the international destination we will fly to. We are targeting destinations within the range of a 737 MAX from India in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East, the airline said.

We are also on track to announce a 3-digit aircraft order by the end of this year to serve the growing travel demand. We have always prioritised reliability and customer satisfaction through detailed planning and an experienced team, allowing us to become one of the fastest-growing airline in civil aviation history.

The airline recently added its 20th aircraft in its first year of operations - it was launched in August last year - thus becoming eligible to apply for international scheduled air transport services.

Previously, airlines seeking approval to fly abroad were required to have five years of experience on domestic routes apart from a fleet of 20 aircraft. However, the revised civil aviation policy eliminated the requirement of five years experience.

Vinay Dube, founder and chief executive officer of Akasa Air, told HT in July that the airline would fly its first international flight before the end of 2023.

Going from zero to 20 aircraft within 12 months is not just an Akasa record but a record that encapsulates the potential of the country, Dube said at the time. He indicated the initial flights would be within a 5-6 hour radius. So, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka will be explored. Which is generally the radius of where our aircraft can fly is where were targeting. This is a discussion both on traffic rights with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and secondly with the appropriate airport for slots. The discussions are ongoing..

To be sure, the airline has been facing challenges over the past few months on account of resignations by about 40 pilots, forcing the airline to cancel many flights. The development led to a drop in its market share from 5.2% in July to 4.2% in August, a Reuters report said quoting data maintained by Indias aviation regulator DGCA. The company has sued the pilots in the Bombay high court on the grounds that they did not discharge their contractual obligation to serve their 6-month notice period.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Karnataka cooperation minister N Rajanna clarified on Wednesday that the demand for three deputy chief ministers (Dy CMs) from diverse communities is driven by the Congress partys strategic considerations for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, dismissing instigation by chief minister Siddaramaiah. Karnataka cooperation minister N Rajanna clarified on Wednesday that his proposal for three deputy chief ministers was not instigated by chief minister Siddaramaiah. (ANI)

A section of the Congress is said to be of the opinion that Rajannas statement seeking three Dy CMs was part of a plan by Siddaramaiahs camp to keep deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, amid talks that the latter might seek the CM post after two and a half years of the Congress governments tenure. It is alleged that Rajannas statement was part of a plan to counter Shivakumars influence in the government and the party.

Addressing reporters, the cooperation minister said, Contrary to some media reports suggesting that I made these statements at the behest of chief minister Siddaramaiah, I want to clarify that I have neither discussed this proposal with him nor has he instructed me to do so.

Rajanna, who initially raised the issue on September 16, reiterated his stance that appointing Dy CMs from the Veerashaiva-Lingayat, SC/ST, and minority communities aligns with the partys interests. He emphasised that this suggestion should not be viewed as an attempt to diminish the role of deputy CM Shivakumar.

The forthcoming Lok Sabha elections are of paramount importance for Karnataka and our party. Winning more seats is crucial, and I have put forth the proposal for three additional Dy CMs in the interest of the party, he said. This proposal is not intended to either praise or criticise anyone nor is it based on external influence. It is about ensuring broad community representation.

Minister Rajanna clarified that he did not specify the individuals who should be appointed as DCMs and reiterated that he is not seeking the position for himself.

If Dy CMs are made one each from Veerashaiva-Lingayat, minority and SC/ST community, we will get more support than what we have now. This is what I have suggested. I have not said who should be made Dy CM. I have also clarified that Im not an aspirant at all, he said.

Following the government formation, there were talks that Shivakumars appointment as the sole Dy CM was part of a commitment made by the Congress leadership to secure his cooperation in relinquishing his claim to the chief ministers post during the formation of the Congress government in Karnataka.

In response to questions about this commitmentm Minister Rajanna said that he was not aware of any such decision and would not have proposed the additional Dy CMs if he had been informed about this.

(With PTI inputs)
Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin stoked the Sanatan controversy afresh on Wednesday as he said President Droupadi Murmu was not invited to the new Parliament building but some 'Hindi actors' were because Murmu is from a tribal community and a widow. "This is what we call Sanatan Dharma," Udhayanidhi said, as reported by PTI, after his parallel between Sanatan Dharma and dengue, malaria triggered a major political controversy inviting flak from PM Modi himself. The opposition INDIA bloc distanced itself from the Sanatan controversy and Tamil Nadu chief minister Stalin cautioned DMK members to steer clear of the row. Udhayanidhi Stalin again made a comment on Sanatan Dharma.

Earlier too, Udhayanidhi cited Droupadi Murmu's example and said she was not invited to the inauguration of the new Parliament building because she is a tribal. His Sanatan like dengue, malaria comment was against caste-based society and not against Hindu religion, he asserted. Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai at that time cornered the DMK asking why then the party did not support Droupadi Murmu's candidature for the President post.

Rahul Gandhi too raised the issue of Droupadi Murmu's absence in the new Parliament building as he spoke on women's reservation bill. "This is quite a nice building, nice peacock, nice peacock feathers on the ground. Nice peacock feathers in the chair. It's a nice, tasteful building. But frankly, I would have liked to see the President of India in this process. The President of India is a woman, she represents the tribal community, and it would have been befitting to have her visible in this transfer from one House to another," Rahul Gandhi said.

On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the functioning of Parliament shifted from the old building to the new. Several actors on Tuesday visited the new Parliament building.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A day after the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police arrested seer Abhinava Halashree in the cash-for-ticket scam from Cuttack in Odisha, a court in Bengaluru remanded him to 10-day police custody. Central Crime Branch (police arrested seer Abhinava Halashree in the cash-for-ticket scam from Cuttack in Odisha. (HT Archives)

The seer was produced before the Additional City Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court, which adjourned the petition moved by the seer seeking bail to September 29.

The seer, accused number three in the FIR, is the eighth suspect to be arrested in the case. Police arrested main aacused Chaitra Kundapur and six others on September 12 on charges of cheating businessman Govind Babu Pujari (44) of 5 crore by falsely promising him a BJP ticket to contest the assembly elections from Byndoor in Udupi district.

According to the FIR, the businessman had paid 1.5 crore to the seer and 3.5 crore to Kundapur and her associates.

The CCB officials on Tuesday arrested the seer who was on the run after the arrest of seven of his associates. A special team tracking him down intercepted him on a train near Cuttack.

The seer had allegedly bought four new SIM cards and four basic mobile phones before fleeing from Mysuru, a CCB official in the know of the developments said, adding that the search was spread over Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and many cities in Karnataka.

He was constantly changing his hideouts. He had travelled to Hyderabad, Srisailam, Puri Jagannath and Bhubaneshwar. He had also abandoned his saffron robes and was wearing a pullover and T-shirt, a CCB official said.

On September 14, Kundapur had claimed that names of several bigwigs would be out once the seer is arrested. Once the swamiji is arrested, the truth will come out. Several bigwigs names will be out, Kundapur had said when she was being taken inside the CCB office.

The seer is also said to have introduced complainant Pujari to former chief minister BS Yediyurappa before the elections in May, as a show of his connections. Pictures of the seer along with Yediyurappa and Pujari have been widely circulated on social media.

Meanwhile, Kundapur, who is the accused number 1 in the case, was brought to the CCB office in Chamarajapet on Wednesday and was interrogated separately in the case.

The CCB police have seized cash, gold and fixed deposits worth 3 crore in connection with the case so far.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
US President Joe Biden has been invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the chief guest at next years Republic Day celebrations on January 26, US ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday against the backdrop of burgeoning ties between the two sides. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden at Mahatma Gandhi's memorial Rajghat on the final day of the G20 Summit, in New Delhi (PTI)

While there has been speculation in diplomatic circles about India hosting a Quad Summit around the time of the Republic Day celebrations, Garcetti didnt confirm whether a meeting of the grouping of India, Australia, Japan and the US would be held in January.

Speaking to reporters on the margins of an event at a think tank, Garcetti said Modi extended the invitation to Biden during their bilateral meeting on September 8 on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. If Biden accepts the invitation, he will be the second US president to be chief guest at the event after Barack Obama, who was invited in 2015.

READ | Modi, Biden consolidate India and US friendship to further global good

Biden made his first visit to India after becoming president to attend the G20 Summit this month. The US invited Modi for a state visit in June and his recent meeting with Biden was an opportunity for the two sides to assess the progress on new initiatives in areas ranging from defence and security to new and emerging technologies.

The invitation to a foreign leader to be chief guest at the Republic Day is a signal honour reserved for Indias closest allies and partners. There were no chief guests at the celebrations in 2021 and 2022 because of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, and Egyptian Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the chief guest this year.

The invitee is chosen through a combination of foreign policy, economic and strategic priorities and the invitation to Biden reflects the rapid growth of the India-US strategic partnership, which ranges from close cooperation in defence and security to work on projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that was launched during the G20 Summit.

READ | China, Ukraine, defence on PM-Biden bilateral agenda

At their second bilateral meeting in three months, Modi and Biden hailed the progress in implementing groundbreaking achievements during the Indian premiers state visit to the US and told their governments to continue transforming the strategic partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding.

The two sides recently launched negotiations for a commercial agreement to manufacture the GE F-414 jet engines in India, and India has issued a letter of request to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones from the US.

Asked how the US could assist India in the face of Chinas aggressive actions, Garcetti replied: Were here for Indian friends in all the many ways they ask for help...America isnt telling India what it needs, were listening at times when theres requests, were helping. We know that this is an existential threat.

He added, We know that every single day, India lives...with the thought that borders wont be respected and sovereignty would be ignored. The US assistance for India includes intelligence, building defence deterrent capability, co-production, cutting edge technologies, and inter-operability between the armed forces of the two sides, he said.

While there has been speculation about the Quad leaders being jointly invited for Republic Day, people familiar with the matter noted that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is unlikely to travel on January 26 as his country observes its national day on that date. Japans Prime Minister Fumio Kishida too is unlikely to travel abroad as a Parliament session is scheduled to begin on January 23.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra said the women's reservation bill in Parliament is nothing but a jumla as it may not become a reality even in 2029 as its fruition depends on two indeterminate factors, census and delimitation. This is a sham and not a historic bill as what it is being touted, Mahua Moitra said."The question of women's reservation requires action, not the placebo of legislatively mandated procrastination," Moitra said. Mahua Moitra said Trinamool supports the women reservation bill because Mamata Banerjee is the mother of the bill.

It is both my pride and shame that I stand here in India's Parliament speaking on women's reservation bill. It is my pride that I belong to the All India Trinamool Congress, a party that sends 37% women among its members to Parliament. It is my chagrin that I belong to a Lok Sabha, a house of people, that on aggregate has only 15% of its members as women  far below the global average of 26.5% and also below the Asian regional average of 21%, Mahua Moitra said.

PM grandly proclaimed (yesterday) that he was ordained to perform many important tasks for the country including this one and then with much fanfare the government introduced this bill claiming credit as usual for a groundbreaking move. But wait, what does this bill really say? The reservation shall come into effect only after delimitation is undertaken and delimitation will be undertaken only after the relevant figures of the next census are published. In true BJP's Goebbelsian doublespeak style, it means we don't know if and actually when we will actually have 33% women sitting in Lok Sabha. Because number one, the date of the next census is entirely undetermined. So the delimitation is doubly indeterminate. Can there be a greater jumla? Forget 2024, it may not be possible in 2029, Mahua Moitra said.

BJP's liaison members are calling us and asking for whole-hearted support with no ifs and buts. To them, we say very clearly that we not only support the reservation bill but in truth it's Mamata Banerjee, India's only female chief minister today, who is the mother of this bill. She has given birth to the original idea where she unconditionally sent 37% of women MPs to this Parliament. What you have brought today is not a women's reservation bill but women's reservation rescheduling bill and should be renamed as such. Its agenda is delay, its agenda is not reservation. The endless dithering over when will be the next census, on when there will be delimitation will only ensure that the reservation will be indefinitely delayed yet again, Moitra said.

'Did you count cows when you protected them?'

Asking whether women are any less than cows in the country, Mahua Moitra said when the government wanted to protect cows, a move that she said she supported, it did not count cows but just built cow sheds. "Are we women less than cows that we need to wait while you count and draw lines? We don't need any more vandanas. Thank you very much. What we need is direct action. Honourable Prime Minister, this is your time to show us all that Modi hai toh mumkin hai," Mahua Moitra said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
New York: Canada has failed to persuade its fellow G7 countries to refer to Ottawas allegations about the possible role of agents of the government of India in the killing of Sikh terrorist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, on its soil, in a statement, people familiar with the development said. Among the G7 members, India has extremely close and cordial bilateral relations with the US, Japan and France, while its ties with Germany, Italy and United Kingdom have improved in recent years. (AFP)

Follow LIVE updates of India-Canada news here

The G7 foreign ministers met in New York on the sidelines of the high-level UN General Assembly week late on Monday night local time. In a statement issued by Japans foreign minister, Kamikawa Yoko  Tokyo currently chairs the grouping  on Tuesday, the grouping reaffirmed its strong and critical position on Russias war in Ukraine, laid out its policy on competition and cooperation with China, and outlined actions to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. But it did not carry any critical reference to India.

READ | Deeply concerned, say US and Australia on Justin Trudeaus charge against India

India has been working quietly with its other partners in the G7 and beyond to communicate its viewpoint on Canadas allegations. Among the G7 members, India has extremely close and cordial bilateral relations with the US, Japan and France, while its ties with Germany, Italy and United Kingdom have improved in recent years.

Given Canadas status as an ally and a close neighbour, the US, which leads the G7 bloc, has taken what is seen as a measured and calibrated position on the issue. US national security council spokesperson John Kirby said that Washington DC supports Canadas efforts to investigate what he termed as these serious allegations. He also added that President Joe Biden is mindful of these allegations, and called for a fully transparent comprehensive investigation, and encouraged India to cooperate with it.

Responding to a story in Washington Post which appeared to suggest that the administration had been soft in taking up Canadas allegations, another NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson tweeted, Reports that we rebuffed Canada in any way on this are flatly false. We are coordinating and consulting with Canada closely on this issue. This is a serious matter and we support Canadas ongoing law enforcement efforts. We are also engaging the Indian government.

READ | Canada-based group in Delhi to keep track of commitments made at G20 Summit

At the same time, it is understood that US is keen not to see any escalation of tensions between its closely treaty ally (Canada), and its strategic partner (India), a relationship that administration officials have described as the most consequential relationship for the US in this century.

In a week where the world has congregated in New York, Canadas allegations have threatened to cast a shadow during the high-level week in UN. But India, confident that Canada has been irresponsible in making such grave allegations in public and secure in the denial issued by the ministry of external affairs, have said that the issue has not come up in their diplomatic engagements.

With foreign secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra cancelling his visit to New York  he was supposed to fill in for external affairs minister S Jaishankar till the minister arrived on September 22 after attending the special session of Parliament  Sanjay Verma, secretary (west), and Ruchira Kamboj, Indias permanent representative to the UN, are leading Indias bilateral engagements on the sidelines of the UNGA.

Jaishankar will arrive in time for the Quad foreign ministers meet on Friday; he then has a packed bilateral calendar where he is expected to meet leaders from developed countries as well as the global south; and he will deliver Indias national statement in the UNGA on September 26. After addressing the Council of Foreign Relations in New York, Jaishankar will head to Washington DC where he will meet top officials from both the NSC and the State Department, besides interacting with businesses on critical technologies and the think tank community. In his engagements in both New York and DC, India will have an opportunity to respond to what it has termed as Canadas absurd allegations.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prashant Jha Prashant Jha is the Washington DC-based US correspondent of Hindustan Times. He is also the editor of HT Premium. Jha has earlier served as editor-views and national political editor/bureau chief of the paper. He is the author of How the BJP Wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine and Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal. ...view detail
New Delhi: Before Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed by unknown assailants outside a gurdwara in British Columbia in June, Punjab police had approached Canadian authorities (in 2022) seeking his extradition to India. Hardeep Singh Nijjar (File photo)

But Nijjar wasnt the only one against whom action or information has been sought under the 1987 extradition treaty and the 1998 mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) or through other formal routes such as Interpol.

According to data accessed by HT, while the extradition request for Nijjar was nullified after his death, similar extradition requests against Babbar Khalsa International leader Lakhbir Singh Landa and gangster-turned-Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh Dala are already in the pipeline after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a charge sheet against them in July.

READ | Who is Pavan Kumar Rai, Indian diplomat expelled by Canada over Hardeep Nijjar killing?

Acting on Indian agencies requests, Interpol has also issued red notices against Landa, Dala, Satwinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, Malkit Singh Fauji, Gurpinder Singh alias Baba Dalla, Gurjit Singh Cheema, and Gurpreet Singh, among others. Besides, Interpols more informal blue notices have also been taken out against half a dozen Khalistani gangsters based in Canada.

However, a senior officer said, Canada, which is a member of Interpol and talks about the rule of law, has disregarded Interpol red notices. As a rule, once a red notice is issued, a member country is bound to take the suspect(s) into custody.

READ | Five Eyes intelligence alliance backs Canada probe in Nijjar killing: What is it

Overall, there are 21 key gangsters based in Canada who are wanted by Indian agencies and their list and detailed evidence against them has been shared with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) on more than one occasion in the past year.

Besides, a second officer said, Canadian police in the cities of Vancouver, Surrey and Ottawa have also often issued wanted notices against certain second generation Khalistani operatives there but the men in question roam freely.

We have a proper coordination mechanism and regular information exchange with the Canadian police. But credible action is not taken by them despite the Canadian law clearly stating that its soil cannot be used for any criminal activity anywhere in the world. Canadian authorities are in fact yet to act against several suspects involved in the June 1985 Kanishka bombing (Air India Flight 182) in which 329 people were killed, said the officer cited above.

Earlier this year, Indian counterterrorism officials had informed the government during the director general-inspector general (DG/IG) conference of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) that Khalistanis based in Canada were using modus operandi such as letters to politicians there, creating signature campaigns, forcing debates in legislatures and calling for punitive measures against India.

A key organisation behind these activities is Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), run by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, which has already been banned by the ministry of home affairs (MHA).

An analysis by Punjab police, seen by HT, suggests that 220 persons/families received financial assistance from SFJ. The financial investigations have revealed that 178 individuals received 7.19 lakh from Canada-based SFJ activists, the analysis stated.

Subsequently, Punjab police alone identified 142 websites and more than 100 social media accounts being operated by SFJ.READ
Union home minister Amit Shah on Wednesday speaking on the women's reservation bill said both census and delimitation, the two deciding factors for women's reservation, will be done soon after the election. As Amit Shah started his speech, Rahul Gandhi left the Lok Sabha. "Daro mat," Amit Shah said mocking Rahul Gandhi's oft-repeated quote. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla said anyone can leave the"Yesterday was a red-letter day in India's history. On the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi and the first session in the new Parliament building, we got the women's reservation bill. I want to congratulate PM Modi on this move to empower the women," Amit Shah said. Amit Shah speaking in the Lok Sabha on women's reservation bill

Amit Shah's top 5 quotes:

Women's quota bill brought to Parliament four times earlier but not passed, appeal to Parliament to pass it unanimously now

For some parties, the issue of women's empowerment can be a political agenda or a slogan to win elections. However, for my party and my leader Narendra Modi, women empowerment is not a political issue.

Congress ruled for over five decades in this country, but there were 11 crore families who were deprived of toilets. They gave Gareebi Hatao slogan but couldn't make any arrangements for the poor. When a house doesnt have a toilet, then the most affected ones are the daughters, sisters and mothers

Problem is their roots are not in India, I don't want to say where they are

All those who are talking about OBC, have themselves never appointed a Prime Minister from the OBC community. It is the BJP, who did it. I plead MPs from all the parties that if they think that there is something missing in this (Women's Reservation Bill), then we can rectify it tomorrow, but this bill is a matter of women's respect so I request you all to support it," says Union Home minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha during debate on Women's Reservation Bill

"This is the 5th attempt to bring the women's reservation bill. So what happened the last 4 times? Why Modiji has to bring the bill? What was the reason?" Amit Shah said.

"There are many questions as to why so late, why OBC is not included etc. I will answer all these questions. The Delimitation Commission is a quasi-judicial body that plays a crucial role in our elections. Now if 1/3 of seats have to be reserved, who will decide these seats? If Wayanad gets reserved for women, what will you say? If Hyderabad gets reserved, what will Owaisi sahib say? It's best that this happens only after following proper procedure," Amit Shah said.

"Some people are saying don't support it as there is no OBC reservation. I will say something else. If you don't support it, will the reservation be ensured early? No," Amit Shah said.

One of my colleagues (Rahul Gandhi) was saying that the number of those who run the country is three who belong to the OBC category. Now who will make him (Rahul Gandhi) understand that it is the government who runs the country, not the secretaries, Amit Shah said.

Our Constitution says that the policy of the country will be decided only by the Cabinet and the Parliament. You (referring to Rahul Gandhi who was not present during Shahs speech) are not here to listen, but I want to tell you that there are 29 per cent of MPs in our party who belong to the OBC community. If you want to do a comparison, just come to us. And in our union cabinet, there are 29 ministers, who belong to the community. Out of 1358 MLAs, there are 365 MLAs in our party who belong to the OBC category. This is higher in the number who keep talking about the welfare of the OBC category. You speak about the OBC, but it was the BJP who gave this country a PM from the OBC community, Amit Shah said.

The women's reservation bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with 454 MPs voting in favour and two against.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Poulomi Ghosh Poulomi Ghosh is a journalist with Hindustan Times, New Delhi. ...view detail
Chennai: In a further setback to the arrested Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, a sessions court in Chennai on Wednesday rejected his bail plea, following his arrest in a money laundering case earlier this year. V Senthil Balaji (HT Archives)

The court noted that there were no reasonable grounds to believe that he is not guilty, that he would not commit any offence if he is out of prison and that his sickness cannot be treated in jail for providing him with bail.

Principal sessions court judge S Alli while hearing the plea considered three factors to reject the bail  flight risk, influencing the witnesses and tampering of evidence.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested Balaji on June 14 under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case dating back to 2014, when he was the transport minister under the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government.

The minister was hospitalised since his arrest and underwent a heart surgery at a private hospital, before being shifted to the Central Puzhal Prison. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has backed him and Chief minister M K Stalin has retained Balaji in the cabinet where he continues as a minister without a portfolio.

Senior counsels Kapil Sibal and N R Elango appearing for Balaji had sought bail for Balaji on the grounds of his medical condition and that he would not tamper the evidence.

The court said that the minister has not established that the sickness suffered by him is so grave and life-threatening that it cannot be treated at the prison hospital. A medical officer submitted to the court that he is receiving regular medication in prison and he does not require immediate medical attention and post-operative care. These facts do not satisfy provisions of Section 45(1) of PMLA to receive bail, the court noted as one of the reasons to denying him bail.

The court also dismissed the petitioners argument, that the Income Tax returns submitted by him is proof of his legitimate incomes and the charges against him are speculative, stating that a mini trial cannot happen during the bail stage.

The additional Solicitor General, ARL Sundaresan representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) contended on the possibility of Balaji influencing witnesses and tampering evidence, given he is a sitting minister and an influential politician.

In the DMK cabinet, Balaji was minister for electricity, prohibition and excise duty. Considering the gravity of offence, overwhelming materials against the petitioner and with him not satisfying two conditions for bail under section 45 of the Act,  this court does not find reasonable grounds for believing that the petitioner is not guilty of the offence or that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail and taking overall view of the matter, the court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner on merits and also on medical grounds, justice Alli said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The Supreme Court will begin hearing from October 17 a set of petitions challenging the constitutionality of a provision of the 1955 Citizenship Act that allows migrants from East Pakistan, who entered India between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, and have been living in Assam, to register themselves as citizens of India. The bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, added that the final document shall bifurcate compilations and submissions based on those who oppose Section 6A and those supporting it (HT)

Hearing the matter on Wednesday, a five-judge constitution bench asked the petitioners as well as the Attorney General R Venkatramani and solicitor general Tushar Mehta, who appeared for the Centre and the Assam government, to get the matter ready by compiling digital record of all documents and laws to be relied upon by October 3 and file all submissions of arguments to be advanced by each lawyer in the case by October 10  a week ahead of the date of hearing.

The title of the proceedings shall be In Re: Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955. The nodal counsels appointed in the matter shall bring the compilations filed so far in conformity with a standard operating procedure issued by the Supreme Court on August 22, 2023 (Guidelines for filing written submissions and compilations before Constitution Benches), said the bench, headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud.

The bench, also comprising justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, added that the final document shall bifurcate compilations and submissions based on those who oppose Section 6A and those supporting it.

Section 6A is a special provision inserted into the 1955 Citizenship Act on December 7, 1985, based on the Assam Accord -- a tripartite agreement among the Rajiv Gandhi-led central government, the Assam government and the All Assam Students Union to preserve and protect the Assamese culture, heritage, linguistic and social identity. The Accord came at the end of a six-year-long agitation by the All Assam Students Union to identify and deport illegal immigrants, mostly from neighbouring Bangladesh, from the State.

The special provision allows people who entered Assam between January 1, 1966, and March 25, 1971, and who are residing in the state, upon being detected as foreigners, to register themselves as Indian citizens. Upon registration, such people will have the same rights and obligations as a citizen of India, but will not be entitled to be included in any electoral roll for 10 years.

The law has since been challenged by several individuals and organisations, with the first among them approaching the top court in 2009. The petitions raised several issues to question this provision claiming it to be violative of right to equality (Article 14), right to life (Article 21) and minority rights (Article 29) under the Constitution of India as it singles out Assam from other border states for having a separate cut-off date for regularising illegal migrants who entered Assam as opposed to other states. Even Muslim bodies such as Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind have questioned the provision for being anti-minority.

On January 10 this year, the top court noted that the set of petitions, besides raising challenge to Section 6A, also raised issues pertaining to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam and setting up of foreign tribunals. These issues were segregated by the Court to be taken up at a later date.

It was also agreed between the parties to consider what relief could be given to such persons who enjoyed citizenship benefits under Section 6A, particularly whether the children born to persons who migrated into India from specified territories (including East Pakistan) are entitled to grant of citizenship.

By the same order, the Court had appointed advocates Fuzail Ayyubi and Diksha Rai as nodal counsels for the rival sides to make a common compilation having documents relied on by both sides. The bench said that such a compilation assists them while writing the judgment.

Out of the 18 petitions forming the bunch of matters under consideration, the Assam government indicated that only four petitions relate to Section 6A challenge while the bulk of petitions challenge NRC and foreign tribunals in Assam.

In the past, the Court had indicated that while examining the insertion of Section 6A, a preliminary question to be decided will be whether a political agreement by way of Assam Accord could be judicially reviewed as Courts may decline to enter the political thicket and annul matters of such magnitude that seeks to provide a political resolution to a long-standing dispute.

The Centre had opposed the petitions filed in the Court after a long delay of 27 years since the enactment in 1985.

Section 6A created a special provision for Assam by which persons of Indian origin who entered from Bangladesh (East Pakistan) between January 1, 1966 and March 25, 1971 and who are residing in the state, upon being detected as foreigners, will be allowed to register themselves in the NRC. Upon registration, such a person will have the same rights and obligations as a citizen of India but will not be entitled to vote for the Parliament or Assembly for a period of 10 years, the provision said.
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin announced his support for the womens reservation bill on Wednesday but raised concern about the impending delimitation of parliamentary seats, calling it a Damocles Sword and urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi allay the fear among southern states that the exercise will slash their representation in Parliament. Stalin said that delimitation was a Damocles sword hanging over the head of Tamil Nadu and South India. (Ishant)

The debate around delimitation -- which includes the redrawing of constituency boundaries and the reapportioning of seats -- has been reignited by the womens reservation bill, which passed the Lok Saha on Wednesday and said that it will come into effect after delimitation is completed.

READ | 2 strange things, says Rahul Gandhi on census, delimitation condition in bill

In 2002, the 84th amendment to the Constitution froze the number of parliamentary seats till the end of 2025. Southern states have long feared that any rejig in the number of seats will benefit the more populous states in northern India and hurt south Indias relative weight in Parliament.

It is unjust that southern states, which have diligently followed the Union governments policies to control population growth, may face punitive measures during the constituency delimitation, Stalin said in a statement.

He said that delimitation was a Damocles sword hanging over the head of Tamil Nadu and South India.

We will have to defeat the political conspiracy of increasing the number of MPs based on population and reducing the political representation of South India. The attempt to render injustice to a politically aware Tamil Nadu should be nipped in the bud.I urge the PM to provide assurance that southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, will not experience a reduction in representation during the impending delimitation process based on population, Stalin said.

READ | Daro mat: Amit Shah says as Rahul Gandhi leaves Lok Sabha in the middle of speech | 5 quotes

Political representation has long been a contentious issue in Indias federal structure. Since the logic of delimitation of parliamentary constituencies is primarily weight of population by state, provinces such as Kerala and Tamil Nadu with slow population growth have argued that they should not be punished for curbing population growth more effectively than states with ballooning populations, such as those in the Gangetic plains. The northern states however have rebuffed this argument saying that they are short-changed and not represented according to their population weight.

But such a delimitation might be explosive. Writing in HT in 2019, political scientists Milan Vaishnav and Jamie Hinston calculated that in 2026, Uttar Pradeshs Lok Sabha delegation could balloon from 80 to 143, while Keralas would remain unchanged at 20, and Tamil Nadus would grow from 39 to 49.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) backed the Womens Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, but Stalin asked why the Union government connected the proposed law with a delimitation process for which no dates have been announced thus far. Regrettably, the current bills effectiveness is contingent on the completion of the delayed census and subsequent delimitation process in 2026, thereby postponing its realisation until 2029. People are clever enough to see through BJPs empty rhetoric, Stalin said.

He said it was strange that the national party did not pass this bill earlier. He accused the BJP of not engaging stakeholders and pushing for the bill ahead of next years Lok Sabha elections. ...Defeat is haunting the BJP. They are trying to show this 33% reservation bill as their achievement, he said.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, DMK leader Kanimozhi said: This Bill was brought shrouded in secrecy... There is no clarity on when they would implement it.

BJPs Tamil Nadu state president K Annamalai, however, hit out at Stalin alleging that only two of the 34 ministers in his cabinet are women. Out of the 173 candidates fielded in the 2021 assembly elections, only 12 women were fielded by the DMK, a drop from 18 in 2016, which he said shows the clear lack of will for increased representation of women.

There are parties in the INDI Alliance today which vehemently opposed the increased representation of women in the parliament in the past. This regressive approach is your alliances legacy, Annamalai said.

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the primary opposition in Tamil Nadu, also supported the bill. AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) said his party increased womens reservation in local bodies from 33% to 50% when they were in power. AIADMK pioneered in providing reservation for women I welcome the new Bill which is for the whole of India, EPS posted on X.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar triggered a diplomatic row, India advised its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and hate crimes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at Rajghat in New Delhi during the G20 Summit earlier this month. (AP File Photo)

Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of Nijjar in June was dismissed by India as absurd and motivated. The allegation impacted bilateral ties that are already at an all-time low.

In an advisory aimed at Indian nationals and students in Canada and citizens planning to travel to the country, the external affairs ministry said there were also threats against members of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda.

The advisory reflected the worsening bilateral relationship, which deteriorated over the Canadian sides perceived indifference to Indias calls for action against pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil.

In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution, the advisory said.

Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, it added.

The advisory cautioned Indian nationals to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

There are 230,000 Indian students and 700,000 non-resident Indians in Canada, according to the website of the Indian high commission in Ottawa.

Also Read:Nijjar killing: Sikhs for Justice asks Hindus of Indian origin to leave Canada

The advisory said the Indian high commission and consulates will continue to be in contact with Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community.

Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant, it said.

Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the high commission in Ottawa or the consulates in Toronto and Vancouver through their websites or the MADAD portal (madad.gov.in), the advisory said. Registration would enable the missions to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident.

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
New Delhi PREMIUM There was no official word on these interactions from the Indian side (AFP)

India has been involved in back-channel contacts with key western partners, including members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, to lay out its concerns about the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in several countries, people familiar with the matter said.

This outreach has coincided with Canadas efforts to get the backing of its partners in the Five Eyes alliance  Australia, the UK, the US and New Zealand  on the slaying of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, the people said on condition of anonymity.

Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau triggered a diplomatic row with his allegation of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar in the town of Surrey. India swiftly dismissed the accusation as absurd and motivated and urged Canada to take prompt and effective action against anti-India elements. The two sides also carried out tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

While it has now emerged that Trudeau raised the issue of Nijjars killing at his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the margins of the G20 Summit  only to have the allegations completely rejected  it is understood the matter also figured in several other interactions between senior Indian officials and their counterparts from some Five Eyes countries.

The people said National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, external affairs minister S Jaishankar and other officials have been part of this outreach that has focused on the threat posed by pro-Khalistan elements, who have organised violent protests, threatened Indian diplomatic facilities and incited violence against Indian officials in Australia, the US and Canada.

There was no official word on these interactions from the Indian side. However, leaders from some Five Eyes states have spoken about their governments monitoring developments related to Trudeaus accusations and about raising the issue with India.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong told a news conference in New York on Wednesday that her country has raised these issues with our Indian counterparts. Asked about Trudeaus allegations, she said: These are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway... we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners, and well continue to do so.

UK foreign secretary James Cleverly also posted on X that Britain is in regular contact with our Canadian partners about serious allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament. He added, Important that Canadas investigation runs its course and the perpetrators brought to justice.

US ambassador Eric Garcetti made similar remarks when he was asked about the matter at an interaction organised by Ananta Aspen Centre on Wednesday. Obviously, any allegations like this should be troubling to anyone. But with an active criminal investigation, I hope that we can make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice. And that we all allow the space for that information and that investigation to occur before anybody leaps to judgement, he said.

Describing Canada as a friend, partner, ally, trading partner and neighbour of the US, Garcetii added, We care deeply for Canada just as we care deeply for India and Indians. I think that moments like this dont define our relationship, but they certainly can slow down progress.
Bhopal/Jabalpur: The Madhya Pradesh high court on Wednesday ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe all 670 nursing colleges registered in 2020-21 in the state amid allegations of large-scale irregularities in the functioning of the higher educational institutions. Madhya Pradesh high court orders CBI to probe into irregularities in all 670 nursing colleges registered in 2020-21 in the state. (PTI)

A bench comprising chief justice Ravi Vijaykumar Malimath and justice Vishal Mishra passed the order while hearing a petition filed by the state Law Student Association, alleging widespread fraud in nursing colleges across Madhya Pradesh. The order was yet to be uploaded.

The bench directed CBI to probe infrastructure, faculty, students enrolment, and affiliated hospitals of all nursing colleges of Madhya Pradesh and submit its report within three months, government advocate Suyash Thakur said.

READ | CBI to investigate nursing college irregularities: Madhya Pradesh High Court

The petition, filed in January last year, has alleged that in the academic session 2020-21, the state government gave recognition to 55 nursing colleges that were found to be ghost colleges without any infrastructure and faculties.

Later, more colleges were found running only on paper and yet providing degrees to students without imparting any theoretical and practical education, the petition added.

In the course of the hearing, the high court was informed that one teacher was found working in multiple colleges simultaneously.

READ | MPs ghost nursing colleges: Degrees, but no students or training

The government has removed the administrator and appointed a registrar. Apart from this, only cosmetic action has been taken in the matter, the bench had earlier said.

Meanwhile, CBI also moved an application seeking additional staff for probe. The court directed the state government to provide additional staff to the federal probe agency.

Earlier, the high court had ordered a CBI probe into irregularities in the colleges based in Gwalior and Indore only.

In the three-part series in August 2022, HT had highlighted how ghost nursing colleges were being run in Madhya Pradesh for providing degrees to students. The colleges were being run only on papers without staff, students, teachers and 100-bed hospitals  a mandatory requisite to get recognition.
Lucknow: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged irregularities in staff appointments to the secretariats of Uttar Pradesh legislative assembly and council in 2022-23. Allegations of irregularities have been made in connection with large-scale appointments in Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad secretariats. (PTI)

The court pronounced its order on Monday while hearing a bunch of petitions, including a special appeal and writ, filed by private individuals alleging multiple irregularities in the recruitment process.

While ordering a CBI probe into the allegations, a bench of justices AR Masoodi and Om Prakash Shukla directed the federal agency to submit its preliminary report within six weeks.

Taking cognizance of the serious nature of allegations, the high court also directed its registry to file a suo motu (on its own) public interest litigation (PIL) in the matter. It subsequently placed the documents submitted by the petitioners under seal pending investigation, advocate Anu Pratap Singh, who appeared for one of the petitioners, said.

Allegations of irregularities have been made in connection with large-scale appointments in Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad secretariats, Singh said. The high court has taken serious note of the issue and also ordered to register a suo motu PIL.

It has been alleged that the staff selection process for secretariats of Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad was carried by external agencies and not by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission, in violation of set norms. One of the petitions also alleged that people close to the external agencies received preferential treatment in the selection process, Singh said.

A total of 87 appointments were made to the assembly secretariat last year after an advertisement was issued for the same on December 7, 2020. However, of the 87 appointments, 56 candidates were selected for the post of assistant review officer (ARO) even though only 53 vacancies were advertised, the advocate added.

Similarly, 75 appointments were made in Vidhan Parishad secretariat for which an advertisement was issued on September 17, 2020. Written and typing tests for the staff selection were conducted by two Lucknow-based agencies, Singh said.

The high court has appointed advocate LP Mishra as amicus curiae to assist the court in the case. The division bench listed the matter for hearing in the first week of November.

Earlier, a writ filed before a single bench of the court, alleging gross anomalies in appointments in the state legislature, was rejected on April 12 this year. A special appeal was made before the two-judge bench against the April order.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Wednesday called union minister Amit Shah hypocritical over his speech on the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha. Alleging that the Centre is trying to lure women of the country with the bill, the Shiv Sena MP said that women will realise and the government will pay a price. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi(ANI)

His (HM Amit Shah) statement is hypocritical because a commitment made to the women of the country nine and a half years ago in the 2014 manifesto and coming and merging as a single largest party with all parties asking you to introduce the bill, has taken nine and a half years, Chaturvedi told news agency ANI.

She added, His statement is hypocritical because of this one clause that this is subject to delimitation and census... 2021 census is already delayed. We are in 2023 and no census is likely to happen. We are assuming that in 2029, the delimitation will happen... it may move forward because, in 2031, a new census will be expected.

Earlier, Amit Shah addressed the Lok Sabha on the women's reservation bill which was passed by the lower house of the Parliament. The legislation - known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam - seeks to provide a 33 percent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

While the opposition has supported the bill, it has been questioning the government over the timing of the implementation of the legislation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier said that the bill would be implemented after conducting the Census and delimitation exercise.

To this, Amit Shah in Lok Sabha said, We will conduct the census and delimitation exercise soon after the elections. After this, there will be one-third of women in this House.

Amit Shah's dig at Opposition

Taking a dig at the opposition, Amit Shah said, "For some parties, women empowerment can be a political agenda and a political tool to win elections, but for BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi it is not a political issue.

Notably, the bill has been in talks since the then UPA government and was also tabled in the Rajya Sabha in 2010.

Women's quota bill was brought to Parliament four times earlier but not passed, why is that? Shah questioned.
A day after Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar triggered a diplomatic row, India advised its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes. People familiar with the matter said the reference to politically-condoned hate crimes in the advisory pointed to the reluctance of the Canadian government to crack down on the activities of groups and individuals espousing the cause of Khalistan or an independent Sikh homeland. (AFP)

Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian government agents and the murder of Nijjar in June has already been dismissed by India as absurd and motivated. The allegation severely impacted bilateral ties that are already at an all-time low and both countries resorted to tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

In an advisory aimed at Indian nationals and students in Canada as well as citizens planning to travel to the country, the external affairs ministry said there were threats against members of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda.

The advisory reflected the fraught state of the bilateral relationship, which has deteriorated in recent years over Canadas perceived indifference to Indias calls for action against pro-Khalistan elements operating from Canadian soil.

In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution, the advisory said.

Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, it added. The advisory cautioned Indian nationals to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

People familiar with the matter said the reference to politically-condoned hate crimes in the advisory pointed to the reluctance of the Canadian government to crack down on the activities of groups and individuals espousing the cause of Khalistan or an independent Sikh homeland.

These actions appear to be politically condoned by the people in power in Canada, one of the people cited above said on condition of anonymity.

The Indian side has warily watched the escalation in the activities of pro-Khalistan elements, which have included the targeting of Indian diplomats and diplomatic facilities, rallies with secessionist banners and posters and the holding of a so-called referendum on Khalistan in several cities.

The advisory further said the Indian high commission in Ottawa and consulates in Toronto and Vancouver will continue to be in contact with Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community.

Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant, it said.

There are 230,000 Indian students and 700,000 non-resident Indians in Canada, according to the website of the Indian high commission in Ottawa.

Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the high commission or the consulates through their websites or the MADAD portal (madad.gov.in), the advisory said. Registration would enable the missions to connect with Indian citizens in the event of any emergency or untoward incident.

Meanwhile, Trudeau said Canada wants to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure that there is proper cooperation

Some of Canadas allies in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance  which includes Australia, the UK, the US and New Zealand  have expressed concern about Trudeaus allegations and said the perpetrators should be brought to justice.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said on Wednesday the issue had been raised with Indian counterparts, while US ambassador Eric Garcetti called for space for the Canadian investigation to proceed before anybody leaps to judgement. However, Garcetti also said Washington would act against any elements behind activities that target Indian diplomats or diplomatic facilities in the US.

Garcetti acknowledged that countries have different interpretations of freedom of speech but said the US takes the protection of diplomatic personnel incredibly seriously. Referring to an act of arson by pro-Khalistan activists at the Indian consulate in San Francisco, he said, Were working on this, on the protection of Indian diplomats and taking seriously investigations of incidents like what we saw in San Francisco.

He added that threats are threats, and when anybody threatens, that isnt just free speech.

Garcetti further said it was too early to talk about a US role in the diplomatic row between India and Canada. The US has a growing relationship with India while its ties with Canada are long-standing. I think it is critical for us to return to two or three principles  one, sovereignty and non-interference, two, allowing criminal justice investigations to take their course, and third [for] there to be accountability for that. I think its too early to know exactly how it plays out, he said.

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
New Delhi: The Indian government has responded with alacrity to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegation that the country was involved in the killing of Canadian citizen and Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 19 in Surrey, Vancouver, seeking evidence from Ottawa, offering to cooperate in the investigation, and briefing its key allies about both the emptiness of Trudeaus charge and Canadas tolerance and encouragement of terrorists and separatists working against India and Indian interests. PM Modi and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau.(HT File)

According to several senior officials, the response, across several dimensions, follows a meeting of top foreign ministry and national security officials in the new Parliament building on Wednesday morning. At one level, this response has taken the form of demanding that Canada come true on the allegation against Indian intelligence agencies. At another, it has taken the form of a message, using diplomatic channels, to Ottawa that India is ready to join the investigation in Canada, contingent on the evidence. And at a third, it has taken the form of an outreach by the countrys national security planners to Indias key allies in the West including the US and to Australia that Indian intelligence agencies had nothing to do with the killing and that the charges are baseless and motivated by local political calculus.

READ | Nijjar murder: Canada Opp asks Trudeau for India link proof

The minority Trudeau government is supported by the New Democratic Party of Khalistan supporter Jagmeet Singh. Finally, New Delhi is also putting in place plans and mechanisms to ensure the Indian diaspora in Canada is not polarised between Sikhs and Hindus, and that Indians and people of Indian origin in Canada remain safe.

India has already denied the charges made by Trudeau.

The officials, none of whom wished to be identified, said that external affairs minister S Jaishankar will further clarify Indias position during his visit to New York on September 23 to attend the United Nations General Assembly and then possibly pay a bilateral visit to Washington DC after his address to the UNGA on September 26.

READ | Exercise utmost caution: India issues advisory for its nationals in Canada

With Trudeau failing to rally both the Five Eyes grouping and the G7  it is a part of both  to censure India over its alleged role in Nijjars killing, the Narendra Modi government is confident that its response is adequate. New Delhi has also pointed to Ottawas encouragement of separatists demanding Khalistan, a fringe radical group even among the Sikh diaspora.

Even as early as February 21, 2018, the officials said, then Punjab chief minister and now BJP leader Amarinder Singh gave a list and dossier of 10 terror fugitives being sheltered in Canada to Trudeau during the latters visit to Amritsar. The 10 names were: Gurjeet Singh Cheema, Gurpreet Singh , Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Gurjinder Singh Pannu, Malkeet Singh aka Fauji, Parvikar Singh Dulai aka Pary Dulai, Bhagat Singh Brar aka Baggu Brar, Sulinder Singh, Hardeep Sahota, and Tehal Singh.

The dossier contained the addresses of all the terror suspects in Canada along with a long list of their crimes. Despite the Punjab CM demanding action against the terrorists, Trudeau chose to do nothing.

The officials said one of Indias primary concerns is the safety of Indians and the Indian diaspora in Canada, especially with another separatist, Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, the leader of the proscribed Sikhs For Justice, issuing a threat to Canadian Hindus, asking them to leave the country. In a video posted on Wednesday, Pannu, based in the US, claimed that Canadian Hindus are working against Canadas interests. The ministry of external affairs issued a detailed advisory, with especially strong language, to Indian students and Indian nationals in Canada asking them to exercise utmost caution in light of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence. The officials said that the original draft used even stronger language but New Delhi decided to tone it down.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
India-Canada news updates: India's relations with Canada have reached an all-time low after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, a claim which was rejected by New Delhi terming it absurd and motivated. Following Trudeau's allegations, Canadian foreign minister had expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country, which further compelled New Delhi to boot out a Canadian top official with a condition to leave India in five days. FILE - Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (L) walks past Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (R)(AP)

The recent development raises question on the trade deal between two nations which has already been stalled for indefinite period over the issue pertaining to pro-Khalistan movement and Canada's alleged involvement in India's internal matters.

Canada's allies and part of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance US, UK, Australia and New Zealand have backed Trudeau's charge and called the accusations serious.
The divide between Canada and India grew further on Wednesday after India asked Indian nationals living in Canada to exercise caution, ramping up the ongoing confrontation between the two countries over Canada's accusations that the Indian government may have been involved in the killing of Khalistan extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau at Rajghat in New Delhi during the G20 Summit earlier this month. (AP File Photo)

The Indian travel advisory follows tit-for-tat diplomatic expulsions by both countries.

While the allegations were levelled on Monday, Canada and India have confirmed that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the issue of involvement of the Indian government in Nijjar's death personally with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to India during the G20 Summit.

Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected, said a statement by India's foreign ministry.

The turn of events have put the spotlight on Trudeaus testy demeanour during the recently concluded G20 summit in India.

Here is a recap of at Trudeau's conduct at the Summit that has generated fresh media attention:

PM Modi and Trudeau during G20

PM Modi tried to grasp Trudeau's hand for a handshake in a wreath-laying ceremony at Mahatma Gandhis cremation site during the G20 Summit but Trudeau pulled away, reported Toronto-based publisher City News Everywhere. Several leaders including Dutch PM Mark Rutte, UK PM Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron shook hands with Modi.

Trudeau was the only leader to cut short a longer handshake, according to the report. Asked about the exchange, Trudeau said people could read into it what they wish, it said.

Trudeau skips events including G20 dinner

Trudeau skipped the President of Indias reception dinner, which was held for G20 guests and leaders. Even the Prime Minister's office refused to provide a reason for Trudeau missing the dinner.

Trudeau also skipped attending the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance during the G20 Summit. Launched by PM Modi, US President Joe Biden, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio, Argentina's Alberto Fernandez, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni; the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is an initiative which aims to accelerate the worldwide adoption of biofuels by promoting technological advancements, increasing the use of sustainable biofuels, and establishing robust standards and certification processes through the active involvement of a wide range of stakeholders.

Trudeau's aircraft issues surfaced yet no government talks sought

Trudeau's aircraft suffered a technical snag after the G20 summit which led to him, along with the Canadian delegation, to stay for two more days in India.

Yet, Trudeau chose to stay in his room at the Lalit Hotel in New Delhi after his Airbus plane developed a snag. He did not have any engagement with the Indian government on Monday.

The ministry of external affairs confirmed that they had received no request for any other official engagements and the office of the minister of state who was assigned to receive Trudeau, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, also confirmed that his duty was simply to receive the Canadian PM at the airport on his arrival. There was also no indication of any engagements at the local high commission either.

Modi-Trudeau talks during G20

During his meet with Trudeau after the summit, PM Modi conveyed to the former about India's concerns regarding the continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada as they are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats and threatening the Indian community in that country.

The Ministry of External Affairs said Modi expressed great concerns to Trudeau regarding continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship.

PM Modi tweeted, Met PM @JustinTrudeau on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. We discussed the full range of India-Canada ties across different sectors.

Trudeau said, in a press conference in India, after the meeting that Canada would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to the country. He added, At the same time, we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred. I think on the issue of the community, it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada.

When asked about the exchange during the bilateral meet with Modi, Trudeau said, Ill let you read into it what you like.

Trudeau's India criticism & Canada's paused trade talks

Even ahead of the G20 Summit, Trudeau on several occasions criticised India for anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada, in reference to Khalistan.

Before arriving for the G20 Summit, Trudeau paused all talks on a proposed trade treaty with India "to take stock of where we are", a Canadian official told reporters. As reported by Reuters, an official said, Trade negotiations are long, complex processes.

India, however, paused all negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with Canada after the latter laid allegations, which is not a strategically important country for nations commodities requirements as bilateral merchandise trade between the two countries was a mere $8 billion in FY23, with exports and imports almost evenly balanced, two officials told Hindustan Times.

In July this year, Trudeau's National Security Advisor Jody Thomas accused India of being one of the countries behind the foreign interference in Canada.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday slammed the Canadian PM Justin Trudeau over his allegations on India's involvement in killing of a Sikh leader saying that Trudeau has jeopardised the state of a good diplomatic relationship by alleging the accusations publicly. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.(PTI / File photo)

Tharoor said that now both sides are involved in tit for tat situation. The Canada PM should have discussed the matter with a friendly government like India in private instead of choosing a public route.

We are seeing a tit for tat on both sides. First, on the expulsion of a diplomat and then on this advisory. I think it is unfortunate that Canada chose such a public route. If at all they have any issue, these matters should be discussed privately with a friendly govt like India and the matter should be discussed behind closed doors. Going public, making a statement in the Parliament was very unfortunate by the Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau) and having gone that far they (Canada) have really jeopardised the state of a very good relationship.

A day after Canadian government issued an advisory for its citizens living in India to observe a high degree of caution, the Ministry of External Affairs of India (MEA) today issued an advisory for the nationals and students living in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and hate crimes. The advisory cautioned Indian nationals to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

India's relations with Canada have reached an all-time low after Trudeau alleged India's involvement in killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim which was rejected by New Delhi terming it absurd and motivated. Following Trudeau's allegations, Canadian foreign minister had expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country, which further compelled New Delhi to boot out a Canadian top official with a condition to leave India in five days.

(With inputs from agencies)
Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan on Wednesday hailed the women's reservation bill that has been tabled in Lok Sabha. The Makkal Needhi Maiam chief said the legislation corrects the a longstanding injustice perpetrated against the largest minority. Kamal Haasan said nations that ensure gender equality will always prosper.

A landmark day in the history of our Republic, as the seat of our democracy moved into its new home. Im delighted that the first Bill tabled in this new Parliament corrects a longstanding injustice perpetrated against the largest minority in our nation, the women of India. I wholeheartedly applaud the Women Reservation Bill tabled yesterday. Nations that ensure gender equality will always prosper, Haasan posted on social media platform X.



Parliament special session LIVE updates



However, Haasan urged the parties to address the concern related to the bill mentioning that the reservation will come into effect after the next census and delimitation exercise.



This delayed implementation timeline risks making this momentous decision into mere lip service towards the subject and must be done away with, he posted, also demanding that the reservation be extended to Rajya Sabha and legislative councils.

I look forward to the day when women will have proportional representation in legislative bodies without the aid of any affirmative action, Haasan added.



Several opposition parties including Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam have criticised the bill as it mentions the reservation will be effective after the census and delimitation.



ALSO READ: Parties that opposed womens bill 13 yrs ago back it now but with caveats



There is a need to look carefully at the bill that the Modi government has brought today. In the current draft of the bill, it is written that it will be implemented only after decadal census and delimitation. This means, Modi government has probably closed the doors of women's reservation till 2029. BJP should clarify on this, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on Tuesday.



Delhi minister and AAP leader Atishi said,"Why can't Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi provide reservations to women in the 2024 elections without waiting for the census and delimitation. If he truly cares about women, why doesn't he implement the bill on the existing 543 seats in the Lok Sabha?"



Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said,""It seems they (Centre) are not going to implement it (draft women's reservation law) for the time being. For the last 10 years, we have been demanding such a law. They are saying that they will only do a census and delimitation exercise for now. There is no clarity on when they would implement it".

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Keralas minister for temple affairs and SC/ST welfare K Radhakrishnan on Wednesday stuck to his allegations that he faced caste discrimination at a temple in Kannur district in January, while dismissing the counter-clarifications issued by the temples priest and a body of chief priests in the state. K Radhakrishnan (Wikimedia Commons)

No case has been filed by the police in connection with the incident.

Radhakrishnan, a senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader, belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, had alleged on September 17 that two priests of a temple, after lighting a lamp during a function, declined to hand him the flame (used to light up a bigger lamp) and instead put it down on the ground. They thought that I would pick up the flame from the ground and light the lamp. Should I light the lamp? I said get lost. You dont consider the money given by me as untouchable, but you consider me as untouchable, the minister had said, while addressing a programme of a community organisation in Kottayam.

Though the minister didnt specify the details of when the alleged caste discrimination took place, the local media reported along with video evidence that the incident took place on January 27 this year at the Nambiatrakovval Siva temple, managed by the state-run Malabar Devaswom Board, in Payyanur in Kannur district.

Reacting to the development, the temple priest Subrahmanyan Namboothiri told reporters that he had only maintained sanctity while performing the rituals and did not engage in discrimination against anyone.

He said, There shouldnt have been a situation that led to the minister being distressed. But we havent intentionally done anything. There is no question of caste discrimination here. As part of pujas at the temple, thats how we do. I lit the lamp first and then gave it to the next priest who put it down on the ground. He had to perform puja later. Inside the temple, the priest must have sanctity and cannot touch anyone even if its a family member or a friend.

However, the priests claim was rejected by the minister Radhakrishnan.

The minister on Wednesday said, I have visited temples many times but what I saw there, I have not seen anywhere else. Visuals showed that the priest came outside the temple and lit the lamp in the presence of many people. He may have touched many people before going back inside. Is that right? Shouldnt the entire temple be purified then? The priest can take money from anyone, theres no untouchability there. Theres only untouchability for humans, which I cannot agree with.

The minister also said earlier that he didnt intend to pursue legal action over the incident and that he had raised it merely to sensitise the public about the ills of the caste system.

Meanwhile, the Akhila Kerala Tanthri Samajam, a body of temple priests, said in a statement that the minister had misunderstood customs of a priest maintaining sanctity for temple rituals as caste discrimination.

Priests at a temple do not welcome the faithful on the basis of caste. A priest who comes to the temple does not touch anyone until all the godly rituals are completed. It does not matter if that person is a Brahmin or not. The controversy at the temple is also the same. In the absence of the tantri [chief priest], the temple priest had to come to the compound to light the lamp in the middle of rituals. After lighting the lamp, he returned to the temple as well. His act is not a part of any untouchability, the outfit said on Wednesday.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday hailed the newly introduced Womens Reservation Bill and said that it would be the most transformative revolution in our times for gender justice. President of India Droupadi Murmu (Twitter Photo)

We have ensured a minimum of 33% reservation for women in local bodies elections. What is more, in a pleasant coincidence, a proposal to provide similar reservations for women in the state assemblies and national Parliament is taking shape now. It will be the most transformative revolution, in our times for gender justice, said Murmu.

The government on Tuesday introduced a bill in the Parliament which proposes to reserve a third of seats or 33% in the Lower House and state assemblies for women.

On Wednesday, Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill 2023, to be taken up for consideration.

The Womens Reservation Bill was the first bill to be introduced in the new Parliament building on Tuesday and the debate started in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Most of the opposition parties, including Congress, extended support to the bill but questioned the delay in implementation.

Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanded that the womens reservation bill must be implemented immediately, while pitching for OBC quota within reserved seats as she declared her partys support for the bill.

Murmu was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the biennial conference of the national human rights institutions (NHRIs) of Asia Pacific held at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

Discussing Indias achievements in promoting human rights, Murmu highlighted the countrys commitment to universal adult franchise from the Republics inception.

Our Constitution adopted universal adult franchise right, since the inception of the Republic, and enabled us to usher in numerous silent revolutions, in the field of gender justice, and protection of life and dignity.

Praising the government and the various schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, Over the years, the government has launched several ambitious schemes to ensure basic facilities like housing, toilets, education, and health facilities and thus protect the dignity of the poor. I come from a background where I know how privation, poverty, and illiteracy make life miserable, with economic and social disparities which are no less violative of human rights as any other form of discrimination.

Murmu inaugurated the annual general meeting and Biennial Conference of the Asia Pacific Forum on Human Rights in New Delhi celebrating the landmark 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). during which she urged all not to treat the issue of human rights in isolation and pay equal attention to nursing Mother Nature which is deeply wounded by the indiscretions of human beings.

The theme of the seminar revolved around, Harmonising climate change, human rights, and business and Advancing human rights in business and industry.

The NHRC is a statutory body, constituted on 12 October 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance. It is responsible for the protection and promotion of human rights as defined by the act as rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution.

NHRC submits an annual report to the president every year which is then presented in both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.

Last year, the theme of the seminar was, Human Rights in Indian Culture and Philosophy in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for Art.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday announced cash rewards for information on five Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terrorists including its Canada based leader Lakhbir Singh Landa and Pakistan based Harwinder Singh Rinda. Lakhbir Singh Landa. (File Photo)

While the federal agency announced a reward of 10 lakh each for information on Landa and Rinda, who are key leaders in the Khalistan machinery, 5 lakh each was declared on Parminder Singh Kaira alias Pattu, Satnam Singh alias Satbir Singh and Yadvinder Singh alias Yadda, according to a statement issued by the NIA.

All five, against whom rewards have been announced, are associated with BKI.

Subsequently, the agency has released pictures of 43 members of Khalistani-gangsters nexus who are behind various activities including murders, smuggling of drugs and weapons in Punjab, and also taking part in anti-India acts in the UK, such as attack at Indian high commission in London on March 19 this year. Many of them are said to be linked with Canada based pro-Khalistan elements (PKEs) including Landa, deceased Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Sikhs for Justice leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun among others.

Those included in the list of 43 suspects including Lawrence Bishnoi, Satwinderjeet Singh alias Goldy Brar, gangsters Kala Jatheri, Naveen Dabas, Sunil Balyan, Amit Dagar among others. To be sure, Bishnoi is already behind bars while Sunil Baltan was killed by rival gang members inside Tihar prison in May this year. The agency has sought information from the public about their properties.

On BKI terrorists, NIA said in a statement: These five terrorists are wanted in a case registered early this year related to the BKIs terrorist activities aimed at disturbing Indias peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in the state of Punjab. The wanted terrorists are accused of commission of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI, a banned terror outfit, through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals. They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in the state of Punjab.

The suspects were also involved in recruiting new members of the BKI by promising them monetary benefits.

Any specific information leading to the arrest of the five wanted terrorists can be shared with the NIA headquarters in New Delhi or the NIA Branch Office in Chandigarh, the spokesperson said, sharing the telephone and WhatsApp numbers.

It may be mentioned here that the NIAs announcement came a day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June- a claim dismissed by India as absurd and motivated.

The external affairs ministry, in an advisory issued on Wednesday, advised its citizens in Canada to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and hate crimes.
Parliament Special Session Highlights: On Day 2, the discussion on the Women's Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam) continued, with Opposition parties, including Congress and Trinamool Congress, extending their support to the Bill. However, trading of barbs between the Centre and the Opposition persisted as the BJP-led Centre was criticised for bringing the Bill after 13 years since it was first passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010. The Womens Reservation Bill was tabled by Union law minister Arjun Meghwal in the Lok Sabha at the new Parliament building on Tuesday. (ANI)

Sonia Gandhi, the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, led her party's debate on the Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Earlier on Tuesday, Congress had dubbed the introduction of the Bill as an election jumla and a huge betrayal of the hopes of women.

During the first day's agenda of the five-day special session in Parliament, the Union government introduced the Bill, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying, This historic day of 19th September 2023 is going to be immortal in the history of India. Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal tabled the Bill in the inaugural sitting of the Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. He emphasised that the government is taking a step towards women's empowerment by proposing a new Bill to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.

Meghwal further explained that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in the Lok Sabha will increase to 181.

Meanwhile, the old Parliament building will now be known as Samvidhan Sadan, as announced by PM Modi during his address in the Central Hall on Tuesday. He made this suggestion to the presiding officers of the two Houses, and later in the day, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla issued an official notification confirming the renaming of the old Parliament building.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday announced her support to the women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha during the debate on the legislation which proposes 33 per cent quota for women in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.



On behalf of Indian National Congress, I stand in support of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023, the Congress parliamentary party chief said.



Crediting her late husband Rajiv Gandhi, Gandhi said the former prime minister had brought in a constitutional amendment to decide women's representation in local body election.



Parliament special session LIVE coverage



It was defeated in Rajya Sabha by 7 votes. Later, Congress Govt, under the leadership of PM PV Narasimha Rao, passed it in Rajya Sabha. As a result, we have 15 lakh elected women leaders across the country through local bodies. Rajiv Gandhi's dream is only partially complete. It will complete with the passing of this Bill, she told the Lok Sabha. Congress MP Sonia Gandhi speaks in the Lok Sabha during a special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi, Wednesday,(PTI)

The Indian woman has patience like the ocean. She has worked for everyone's betterment like a river, Gandhi said, demanding immediate implementation of the bill.

Congress party supports this Bill. We are happy regarding the passing of the Bill but we are also concerned. I would like to ask a question. Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities for the last 13 years. Now they are being asked to wait for a few more years. How many years? Is this behaviour with Indian women appropriate?, she said.



INC demands that the Bill be implemented with immediate effect but Caste census should also be done and arrangement for reservation of SC, ST and OBC women should be made, Gandhi added.



Any delay in implementing women's reservation bill will be gross injustice to Indian women, Sonia Gandhi said.



The Lok Sabha is debating the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 that was tabled on Tuesday at the new Parliament building.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
US President Joe Biden has been invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations in January 2024, US ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Joe Biden (PTI Photo)

While there has been considerable speculation in diplomatic circles about India hosting a Quad Summit around the time of the Republic Day celebrations, Garcetti didnt confirm whether a meeting of the grouping of India, Australia, Japan and the US would be held in January.

Speaking to reporters on the margins of an event at a think tank, Garcetti said PM Modi extended the invitation to Presidebt Biden to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 during their bilateral meeting on the margins of the G20 Summit on September 8.

If Biden accepts the invitation, he will be the second US president to be the chief guest at the event after Barack Obama, who was invited in 2015. Biden made his first visit to India after becoming the president to attend the G20 Summit earlier this month.

The invitation to a foreign leader to be the chief guest at the Republic Day is a signal honour reserved for Indias closest allies and partners. There were no chief guests at the celebrations in 2021 and 2022 because of disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The invitee is chosen through a combination of foreign policy and economic priorities, and the invitation to Biden reflects the rapid growth of the India-US strategic partnership, which ranges from close cooperation in the defence and security sphere to work on projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that was launched during the G20 Summit.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Trinamool Congress (TMC) lawmaker Mahua Moitra on Wednesday hit out at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)s doublespeak while questioning the absence of a clear timeline for the implementation of the landmark legislation for reserving a third of seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women. Trinamool Congress lawmaker Mahua Moitra. (PTI)

The quota bill, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday. The Opposition has criticised the lack of a timeline for its implementation. The bill says the reservation will come into effect after the redrawing of constituency boundaries, which can only happen after 2026 following a census that was due in 2021 but has been delayed.

Moitra, who is known for her fiery parliamentary speeches and interventions, supported the bill in Lok Sabha but emphasised that the governments agenda was to only delay its implementation since the census and delimitation exercise was indeterminate. ...the bill says the reservation shall come into effect only after delimitation has been undertaken...delimitation will only be undertaken after the relevant figures for the next census have been published.

She questioned what does this mean. In true BJPs doublespeak style, it means that we do not know actually if and actually when we will have 33% of women sitting in the Lok Sabha because the date of the next census is entirely indeterminate...the date of the next delimitation exercise is therefore double indeterminate. Womens reservation is dependent on two totally indeterminate days, said Moitra, a first-time Parliament member, who hit the headlines with her first speech in the Lok Sabha in 2019 by delivering a stinging critique of the government.

Moitra asked if there could be a greater Jumla [empty promise] with the introduction of the bill six months before the national polls. She said the bill should be renamed the womens reservation rescheduling bill. She questioned the timing of the introduction of the bill. Its agenda is delay; it a sham.

She said it is both her pride and shame that she stands in the Indian Parliament speaking on the reservation bill. It is my pride that I belong to the TMC that has sent 37% of women among its Parliament members...it is my chagrin that I belong to a Lok Sabha that on aggregate only has 15% of the women members... far below the global average of 26.5% and also below the Asian regional average of 21%.

She praised TMC leader Mamata Banerjee for pushing for more women representation while crediting the West Bengal chief minister for the higher proportion of women among their partys lawmakers. What has this government brought?

Moitra said it seemed Prime Minister Narendra Modi was ordained to perform many important tasks for the country including this one [reservation bill] with much fanfare. As this government pats itself on the back...let us also hang our heads in disgrace that India ranks 140th among 196 countries in...womens [parliamentary] representation. Among women parliamentarians, Muslims and Dalits have been consistently underrepresented.

She said from 1952 to 2004, only eight Muslim women were elected to Lok Sabha. In todays Lok Sabha, there are only two Muslim members; both from West Bengal and TMC. The numbers for male and female turnout in the last general elections was nearly the same...66.7% and 66.8%...but womens candidature remained at an abysmal 9% up from only 7% in 2004.
NEW DELHI: The Canadian Army will take part in the upcoming Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) to be held in Delhi and the diplomatic row with that country will not impact its participation in the multilateral conference, a senior Indian Army officer said on Wednesday. Major General Abhinaya Rai, additional director general, Strategic Planning. said the diplomatic row with Canada will not impact its participation in the conference (HT Photo)

The conference will bring together top military leaders from 30 countries to enhance collaboration and understanding in the Indo-Pacific with the goal of promoting peace, security and prosperity across the region.

The Canadian Army will be represented by its deputy commander Major General Peter Scott at the two-day event that begins on September 26. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will attend the opening ceremony. Around 20 armies will be represented by their chiefs, and non-commissioned officers will also take part.

The diplomatic row with Canada will not impact the participation of its army in the conference, and the country is an important partner in the IPACC journey, said Major General Abhinaya Rai, additional director general, Strategic Planning.

It doesnt impact us. The Canadian (deputy) chief is coming here. His delegation is coming here. Even when we look at the relationships with some of our neighbours...where we may have had a standoff but we continue to engage them at all levels, be it the military level and at the diplomatic level. And I am referring directly to China here, Rai said at a curtain-raiser to the conference that was attended by a battery of defence attaches from the participating countries, including Colonel Todd Braithwaite from Canada.

Our diplomatic efforts as also our military efforts with even Canada continue to be there. As part of IPACC, they will form an important partner in this journey.

India on Tuesday dismissed as absurd and motivated Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, as the two countries carried out tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

Trudeau later told reporters Ottawa was not looking to provoke or escalate.

I hope the diplomatic row does not affect the defence relationship, Col Braithwaite said. Adding a touch of humour to the diplomatic firestorm, he said, I am still here. But the day is still young.

To be sure, Trudeaus accusation is expected to further damage bilateral relations, which are already at an all-time low over the activities of pro-Khalistan elements in Canada, including holding a so-called referendum on a separate homeland for Sikhs, targeting Indian diplomatic premises, and incitement of violence against top Indian officials.

The Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF) will also be held alongside IPACC.

The events will provide a unique opportunity to build common perspectives towards a shared vision and help build partnerships and strengthen friendships across the Indo-Pacific, said Army Vice Chief Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar.

It is indeed fortuitous and a matter of great pride that the triad of IPACC, IPAMS and SELF is being hosted by the Indian Army in the same year as Indias G-20 and SCO Presidency; a befitting tribute to the commencement of Amrit Kaal, as India marches towards its aspiration of becoming a developed nation and Vishwaguru by 2047, Kumar said.

The Indian Army will also showcase an array of indigenous weapons and systems at IPACC to tap export opportunities, Rai said.

Self-reliance in the defence manufacturing sector will be in focus as around 30 Indian vendors will display their products at the conference, ranging from drones to the advanced towed artillery gun system, he said.

India has set a defence export target of 35,000 crore by 2024-25.

Military exports have risen sharply, and imports have recorded a drop on the back of policy initiatives and reforms during the past nine years. Exports grew 23 times between 2013-14 and 2022-23 (from 686 crore to 16,000 crore), while the spending on sourcing weapons and systems from foreign countries dropped from 46% of the total expenditure in 2018-19 to 36.7% in December 2022.

.
Actor Prakash Raj has taken legal action against a YouTube channel, alleging threats to his life and the safety of his family members following his comments on Sanatana Dharma. Based on the complaint, the Ashoknagar police have filed an FIR against the YouTube channel, Vikram TV. Actor Prakash Raj has taken legal action against a YouTube channel, alleging threats to his life and the safety of his family members following his comments on Sanatana Dharma. (HT Archives)

In his police complaint, the actor accused Vikram TV of posting a video on YouTube containing provocative speeches that posed a direct threat to his life. In the complaint, Raj quoted the video, which reportedly included statements like, Stalin and Prakash Raj must be finished?

Prakash Raj in his complaint said the video depicted him and his family members in a bad light, effectively inciting people against them. He said the video was a clear attempt to issue a life-threatening warning to him and his family, demanding appropriate action against the YouTube channel owner and any other individuals involved.

The alleged threats come in the wake of Prakash Rajs recent comments on Sanatana Dharma. Prakash Rajs remarks on Sanatana Dharma, delivered during an address to writers and artists in Kalaburagi where he argued that individuals who aggressively advocate for Sanatana Dharma and Hindutva are not true Hindus but rather contractors of Hindutva.

People speaking aggressively on Sanatana Dharma and Hindutva are not Hindus. They are contractors of Hindutva. Such statements are made for political ill-intentions. People must understand the motive behind such statements, I hope they will, Prakash Raj had said while addressing writers and artists in Kalaburagi.

An FIR has been registered against Vikram TV under sections 506 (criminal intimidation), 504 (intentionally insulting and provoking individuals), and 505(2) (sale of printed or engraved materials containing defamatory content) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), an official of Ashok Nagar police station said wishing not to be named.

These comments followed Tamil Nadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalins comparison of Sanatana Dharma with diseases like malaria and dengue, which further heightened the debate surrounding the topic.

Legal opinion will be sought to determine if the actors case should be handed over to the CCB, the Ashok Nagar police station official said.

The threat to the actor comes days after over 15 writers and intellectuals from the state have written to home minister G Parameshwara, stating that they have been receiving threatening letters for the past year and have sought time to meet him. They also said that they received letters saying that they would meet the fate of the late activists MM Kalburgi and Gauri Lankesh.

According to the complaint from the writers over the past year, several liberal writers in Karnataka have been persistently receiving death threats signed by an entity identifying as Sahishnu Hindu. While one individual was apprehended in connection with these threats, the threatening letters have persisted.

On September 2, an order was issued by Karnataka State Police Chief Alok Mohan directing the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to form a special team to probe the matter, with an Assistant Commissioner of Police rank officer as the Investigating Officer (IO) and directed Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) to supervise the investigation.

A total of seven FIRs were registered over death threat letters to writers K Veerabhadrappa, BL Venu, Banjagere Jayaprakash, BT Lalitha Nayak, and Vasundhara Bhupati, which have been transferred to the CCB.
The reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures must continue, the Union government told a Constitution bench of the Supreme Court on Wednesday, defending the validity of a 2019 constitutional amendment that extended quotas for the two communities by another 10 years. The court said that it would start hearing the matter from November 24, asking all the parties to submit their written submissions and compilation of cases within four weeks (HT Photo)

We will place materials on record to strengthen the case that reservation can go on, solicitor general Tushar Mehta submitted before a five-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud.

The Centres emphatic statement in favour of continuing with reservation for SCs and STs came a day after the Narendra Modi governments decision to table a new constitutional amendment bill in the Lok Sabha to reserve as nearly as may be, one-third of seats for women in Parliament and state legislatures across the country. The proposed amendment also provided that one-third of the total number of seats reserved for SCs and STs shall be reserved for women of those categories in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies.

On Wednesday, the bench, which also included justices AS Bopanna, MM Sundresh, JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, set about to hear a challenge to the validity of the 104th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2019 that extended reservations for SCs and STs by 10 years.

Initially, the reservation was provided in Parliament and state assemblies under Article 334 for a period of 20 years. Since 1980, the quota has been extended through five amendment acts, with the latest extension of 10 years granted in 2019, which is presently under challenge before the Constitution bench. Article 334 also provided for the reservation for the Anglo-Indian community. The quota for the Anglo-Indian community was not extended and was done away with by a constitutional amendment in January 2020.

The five-judge bench on Wednesday framed two issues for an authoritative pronouncement in the matter. The first issue will deal with whether the 104th Amendment Act, 2019 was unconstitutional while the second will relate to the exercise of the legislative power by Parliament to extend reservation of seats for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Whether the exercise of the constituent power of amendment to extend the period prescribed for reservation under Article 334 is constitutionally valid, stated the second issue to be determined by the Constitution bench.

In its order, the bench also clarified that the adjudication of the two issues being framed will not impinge on the legitimacy of amendments prior to 2014 that extended the reservation for SCs and STs. It added that the reference shall be known as In Re: Article 334 of the Constitution.

The court said that it would start hearing the matter from November 24, asking all the parties to submit their written submissions and compilation of cases within four weeks. It appointed advocates Puneet Jain and Chitvan Singhal as nodal counsel to prepare a common compilation and collaborate with all the lawyers in the matter to facilitate the proceedings.

Attorney general R Venkataramani and S-G Mehta appeared on behalf of the Centre and sought some time to place on record the Centres written submissions in support of the reservation for SCs and STs.

Senior counsel CA Sundaram and Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared on behalf of some of the petitioners, opposing any further extension of the reservation and the exercise of power to do so.

The first petition in the matter was filed in the year 2000, questioning the validity of the 79th amendment in 1999, which amended Article 334 of the Constitution to extend the reservation in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures to SCs and STs and the Anglo-Indian community. In 2003, the matter was referred to a Constitution bench and it has remained pending ever since. Meanwhile, on January 21, 2002, Parliament passed the Constitution (104th Amendment) Act, and once again extended reservations for the SC and ST communities by another 10 years since it was set to expire on January 26, 2020.

Some of the key questions raised in the clutch of petitions claim that the impugned amendments deprive Indian citizens of their democratic rights, which include the right to freely cast votes in elections and to choose who to vote for and to stand for elections. Further, the petitions argue that the concept of such reservation violates the right to equality under Article 14, which entails equal opportunity for all citizens, including the right to equal representation in government. Repeated extensions of limited reservations appear to undercut equal representation for all, they added.

The petitions further contend that the amendment was against the basic features of the Constitution, which included democracy. A basic feature is an essential characteristic of the Constitution that cannot be amended or changed.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene in the ongoing dispute with Tamil Nadu over the Cauvery river water. Chief minister Siddaramaiah said Karnataka would not release Cauvery water and that they would challenge the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority in the Supreme Court to get a stay (PTI)

The Prime Minister has the authority to summon the two states and hear their arguments. Given this context, we have appealed for the Prime Ministers intervention, he said, while addressing a meeting of the Karnatakas Members of Parliament regarding the dispute in New Delhi.

The meeting took place after the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) instructed Karnataka on Monday to continue releasing 5,000 cusecs (cubic feet per second) of water to Tamil Nadu for another 15 days.

We have written to the Union Jalshakthi minister twice, providing a comprehensive explanation of the situation. We have also sought appointments with the Union Jalshakthi minister and the Prime Minister for a meeting with our delegation, Siddaramaiah said.

The chief minister said Karnataka would not release Cauvery water and that they would challenge the order of the CWMA in the Supreme Court to get a stay.

There is no possibility of releasing water. We have no surplus water. Lets set aside party politics and stand united in protecting our state, language, water, land, and culture, the chief minister told union ministers and MPs from the state. The situation has become critical, and there is no distress formula in place.

He explained that the state requires 106 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water, with 33 TMC for drinking, 70 TMC for crop protection, and 3 TMC for industrial purposes. We are left with only 53 TMC of water. We cannot spare water for Tamil Nadu. Our rainfall ceases after August, whereas Tamil Nadu continues to receive rain after that. Their groundwater table is also higher, which worsens our situation.

Siddaramaiah highlighted that Karnataka had released 39.8 TMC of water out of the mandated 108.4 TMC, as per the Supreme Courts order.

When faced with such a situation, it is essential for us to efficiently protect the welfare of our people. Therefore, we need the Mekedatu scheme to utilise, store, and generate electricity from the water on our land. Mekedatu is the solution for such future situations, he said.

Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who holds the water resources portfolio, said they only have one-third of the required water. We dont even have water for drinking. We have discussed (this) with all parliament members, who assured us that they are going to support our fight. We are pressing it before the Supreme Court to give us justice. I hope justice will be given to us, Shivakumar said.

Union ministers Prahlad Joshi, Shobha Karandlaje, Bhagwant Khooba, Narayanaswamy, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, and Supreme Court lawyers representing Karnataka attended the meeting.

Speaking after the meeting, Shivakumar, said, We have discussed the issues with our MPs, and they have all pledged their support in our fight. We are facing a dire situation, which we will present to the Supreme Court. We hope that justice will be served.

In Bengaluru, former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa criticised the state government for neglecting the drought situation. During my tenure as chief minister, despite the drought, I extensively travelled across the state for development activities. We increased house damage compensation from 50 thousand to 5 lakh rupees. No minister in the Siddaramaiah government ever addressed the drought issue, he said.

The Congress government has already lost the publics trust in Karnataka. In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the BJP will strive to win all seats, he added.

On Tuesday, state revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda announced that a memorandum seeking relief from the central government would be submitted within a week. There is an opportunity to receive total compensation of about 5,000 crore to 6,000 crore, according to National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rules.

Meanwhile, JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy argued that the government should focus on preparing a case before the Supreme Court instead of holding discussions. Has the Supreme Court asked us to release water? The Cauvery Water Management Authority and Cauvery Water Regulatory Committee are not ultimate authorities, Kumaraswamy said.

What was the reason for the chief minister leaving for Delhi? Instead of presenting our case in the Supreme Court, if you hold meetings in Delhi, what will the state get? The government should consult leaders who have experience in handling such situations (water dispute), he said.
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday said the new copies of the Constitution provided to Parliament members on the opening day of proceedings in the new Parliament building on Tuesday do not have the words socialist, secular in its Preamble. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury holding a copy of the Constitution. (PTI)

The new copies of the Constitution that were given to us...the one we held in our hands and entered [the new Parliament building], its Preamble does not have the words socialist, secular, he told news agency ANI.

In 2015, a government advertisement for Republic Day published in newspapers omitted the words socialist, secular in the image of the Constitutions Preamble and triggered an uproar.

The words socialist and secular were added in 1976 by the 42nd constitutional amendment to the Preamble, which reads: We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic

In January 2015, then Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said there was no harm in debating whether the Preamble should have the words secular and socialist.

Two lawyers and a social worker planning to launch a political party filed a petition in 2020 in the Supreme Court seeking the deletion of the words secular and socialist from the Preamble.

Compulsorily following principles of socialism and secularism is among the conditions for registering a political party with the Election Commission of India. This was added to Section 29-A (5) of the Representation of People Act, 1951 by an amendment in 1989.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Both Houses convened in the new Parliament for the first time on Tuesday and members from the Centre and Opposition soon engaged in trading barbs over the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or Women's Reservation Bill, which was introduced in the Lok Sabha by Union law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal. **EDS: VIDEO GRAB VIA SANSAD TV** New Delhi: Parliamentarians in the Lok Sabha during a special session of the Parliament, in New Delhi, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI09_19_2023_000183B)(PTI)

The Bill guarantees a third, or 33%, of seats for women representatives in the lower House of the Parliament and state assemblies. The reservation will be exercise for 15 years, starting from the commencement of the Act. The Parliament can extend it further.

It is reported that after becoming an Act, the proposed reservations will be implemented once the delimitation process based on the next decadal census is completed.

Sonia Gandhi to lead the debate

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi will be the lead speaker of the party for the debate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

What does the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, 2023, seek to introduce?

The Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, 2023 seeks to introduce three new articles and one new clause.

The new 239AA clause states that one-third of seats reserved for scheduled caste (SC) shall be reserved for women, one-third of total number of seats will be filled by direct elections shall be reserved for women and seats shall be reserved for women in the Delhi legislative assembly.

Under the new Article - 330A, reservation for women in Lok Sabha - 1/3rd of seats reserved for SCs and STs shall be reserved for women, 1/3rd of total seats to be filled by direct elections to the Lok Sabha shall be reserved for women.

As per the new article 332A, the reserved seats for women in every state Legislative Assembly, 1/3rd of seats reserved for SCs and STs shall be reserved for women, 1/3rd of total seats to be filled by direct elections to the LA shall be reserved for women.

334A, a new article says that reservation shall come into effect after the delimitation is undertaken after the relevant figures for the first census have been published. The rotation of seats for women shall take effect after each subsequent exercise of delimitation.

Opposition-Centre traded barbs over the new Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for more inclusion of women in policy-making and said that September 19 is going to be immortal owing to the introduction of the women's reservation bill.

However, the Opposition including Congress said the Bill was a jumla by the BJP government and added that it is a huge betrayal of Indian women. To this, the BJP responded that Congress was never serious about providing reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

"Sadly, the opposition is unable to digest this. And, what is more shameful is that except tokenism, the Congress has never been serious about women's reservation," Union minister Amit Shah said.

Kharge's weaker women remark sparked protest

Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge evoked strong protest after he said most political parties do not give tickets to women from weaker sections. He further launched attack at PM Modi alleging that the federal structure has weakened under his government.

All political parties have this habit that they give tickets to weaker women. I know how parties select women of scheduled caste, backward classesTickets are given to such women of weaker sections that they should not open their mouth... It is so in all parties of the country and that is why women are lagging behind. You do not allow them to speak and don't allow their rights, Kharge said during his speech.

Union finance minster Nirmala Sitharaman gave a sharp reaction to Kharge's statement and said the Oppostion cannot insult people like that.

Who is Droupadi Murmu? Opposition leader cannot insult people like this, cannot draw a differentiation between women... We are asking for reservation for all women, the Union minister said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin reiterated his support for the Womens Reservation Bill, which was introduced in Parliament on Wednesday, but raised concerns about delimitation of Lok Sabha seats, calling it a Damocles sword hanging over Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin (File photo)

Stalin urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allay fears among southern states that the exercise will reduce their representation in Parliament.

The debate around delimitation, or the determination of boundaries for assembly and parliamentary constituencies, has been reignited because the womens quota bill would be implemented after the delimitation process is completed.

In 2001, the 84th amendment to the Constitution had extended the freeze on delimitation till 2026.

It is unjust that Southern states, which diligently followed the Union governments policies to control population growth, may face punitive measures during the constituency delimitation, Stalin said in a statement on Wednesday.

Also Read: Womens quota bill cleared by Cabinet

Stalin said delimitation is a Damocles sword hanging over the head of Tamil Nadu and South India.

We will have to defeat the political conspiracy of increasing the number of MPs based on population and reducing the political representation of South India. The attempt to render injustice to a politically aware Tamil Nadu should be nipped in the bud.I urge the Prime Minister to provide assurance that Southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, will not experience a reduction in representation during the impending delimitation process based on population, Stalin said.

While the DMK has backed the bill in principle, Stalin questioned the decision of the government to connect the proposed law with the delimitation process for which no dates have been announced.

Regrettably, the current bills effectiveness is contingent on the completion of the delayed census and subsequent delimitation process in 2026, thereby postponing its realisation until 2029. People are clever enough to see through BJPs empty rhetoric, Stalin said.

Referring to other legislations such as the Citizenship Amendment Act, 10% quota for economically weaker sections, and the revocation of special status for Jammu and Kashmir passed in the last nine years under the BJP-led Union government, Stalin said it was strange that the national party did not pass the womans quota bill earlier.

He accused the BJP of not engaging stakeholders and pushing for the Bill ahead of next years Lok Sabha elections. Defeat is haunting the BJP. They are trying to show this 33% reservation bill as their achievement, he said.

AIADMK, the primary opposition party in Tamil Nadu, whose relationship with the BJP has been strained recently, also supported the bill.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) on Wednesday said that his party had increased womens reservation in local bodies from 33% to 50% when they were in power. AIADMK pioneered in providing reservation for women I welcome the new Bill which is for the whole of India, EPS posted on X (formerly Twitter) tagging only the Prime Ministers office and not the BJP.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin launched the Kalaignar Women Entitlement Scheme on September 15, a monthly assistance of 1,000 to women heads of families in the state.



The scheme known as "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam," (Kalaignar Scheme for Right of Women) was launched from Kancheepuram, the hometown of DMK founder CN Annadurai. Tamil Nadu chief minister M.K. Stalin with a beneficiary during the launch of the 'Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam' (Kalaignar Women's Rights Assistance Scheme), offering  1,000 monthly assistance to women, in Kancheepuram district on September 15.(HT_PRINT)

Late DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi is popularly known as Kalaignar, which means an artist of eminence.

The Tamil Nadu government said 7,000 crore has been allocated for the scheme this year.

Nobody took into account the work of women at their homes. This scheme aims at acknowledging their work. The other goal is that the 12,000 per annum aid would help women live with self-respect by eliminating poverty and improving their living standard. These two are the objectives of the scheme under the Dravidian model regime, Stalin said at the event.



"We have devised this programme on the basis of lessons we learnt from Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar." Entire India was closely watching the schemes the DMK has implemented and other states were very eager to follow", PTI quoted the chief minister as saying.

Stalin listed a slew of initiatives led by Karunanidhi and it includes equal right in properties (by amending the Hindu Succession Act in 1989) for women. Also, he cited a string of programmes of his government aimed at women development which includes fare-free travel for in state-run town buses. The crowning initiative is the 1,000 basic income scheme.

"This is not an assistance, but your right. I repeat, this is not assistance but your right," he stressed.

The beneficiaries of the 1,000 scheme, which has 1,06,50,000 beneficiaries, if the 39 lakh beneficiaries of enhanced pension in other state schemes are also taken into account, about 1.45 crore families are benefitted in total.

Months ago, the state government had announced that the scheme would be launched on September 15, on the birth anniversary of Annadurai.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The womens reservation bill, which returned to Parliament after 13 years, was passed by the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress backing the landmark legislation. It looks set to clear the Rajya Sabha as well. But even after the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed in the ongoing special session of Parliament, it will take time till India implements quotas for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, perhaps beyond the 2029 deadline that some reports have suggested -- unless this government and the one elected in 2024 push for more constitutional amendments, and expedite not just the next census, but also the process of delimitation. The bill provides for one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and the legislative assembly of Delhi. (HT Photo)

The 128th Constitution Amendment Bill states that political reservation for women will only come into effect after the relevant census figures are published and the delimitation  an exercise comprising the revision of seat numbers in Parliament and the redrawing of constituency boundaries  is done on the basis of that.

How census and delimitation are connected to the quota

Its important to understand two articles of the Constitution for this. One is Article 332, on reservation. Changes will need to be made to this, and the constituencies reserved for women identified. As home minister Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, it makes sense to have the delimitation commission do this -- because that is its job.

The second is Article 82 of the Constitution, which asks for reallocation of seats to ensure fair representation after every decennial census. After the first few rounds of the census following independence, the Union government constituted the delimitation commission to reapportion and reallocate parliamentary seats. The 42nd amendment, passed during the Emergency in 1976, froze the delimitation of constituencies until after the 2001 Census.

In 2001  even as the process of the national census had begun  the then Atal Bihari Vajpayee government introduced the 84th amendment to the Constitution, extending this freeze on the number of constituencies till 2026.

There have been consistent demands, both for and against undertaking the exercise of fresh delimitation. Keeping in view the progress of family planning programmes in different parts of the country, the government, as part of the national population policy strategy, recently decided to extend the current freeze on undertaking fresh delimitation up to the year 2026 as a motivational measure to enable the state government to pursue the agenda for population stabilisation, read the statement of objects and reasons to the final act in 2001.

This clearly hinted at the concerns that some states with larger populations were going to gain disproportionately at the expense of other provinces that had successfully controlled birth rates. Thus, though the redrawing of seats went ahead (and were notified ahead of the 2009 general elections), the number of seats were frozen.

In effect, the amendment replaced the year 2000 with the year 2026 in Articles 81, 82, 170 and 332. The crucial Article 82 now said that, ...until the relevant figures for the first census taken after the year 2026 have been published, it shall not be necessary to readjust the allocation of seats in the House of the People to the States as readjusted on the basis of the 1971 census

Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker Nishikant Dubey and law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal pointed to this and said that under Article 82, seat arrangements were frozen till 2026, and therefore, argued that meeting the Oppositions demand of implementing womens quota in the 2024 general elections was not possible.

As an aside, both DMK lawmaker in the Lok Sabha K Kanimozhi and Tamil Nadu chief minister and DMK chief MK Stalin have expressed concern about the impact of delimitation on states such as Tamil Nadu in terms of their relative strength in the house.

Because of the amendment, delimitation can only take place on the basis of the first census held after 2026. This can either be the 2031 census  if the decennial exercise runs on schedule  or the much-delayed 2021 census if it is notified in 2026 or 2027.

The final report of the census usually takes two years to be published (the final report of the 2011 census was published in 2013). So even if the census begins in 2026, it will only be fully published by 2028. If the decennial schedule is followed, it wont be ready before 2033.

After this, the delimitation process has to begin.

Indias last delimitation commission  which only redrew constituency boundaries  was constituted in 2002, began its work in 2004 and finished its report in 2007. It was tabled in Parliament in 2008  a six-year process.

The next commission will have a more onerous and fractious task because it will have to reapportion constituencies. With the first census after 2026 (as stated in the amendment) being ready only between 2028 and 2033, theres a very high likelihood of the reservation for women spilling over to 2034, perhaps even 2039.

To be sure, it is always within the realm of the possible for the government to kick-start the much-delayed census, and also amend Article 82 again (for instance, it could replace the first census after 2026 with the 2021 census in an amendment), but the practicalities, as well as comments made by the law minister in Wednesdays debate suggest that this is unlikely. Still, what this government chooses to do on that , or what the government that comes to power in 2024 chooses to do, are in the realm of the hypothetical -- and as home minister Shah indicated during his speech in the Lok Sabha, any move to reserve seats for women isnt going to be accelerated by such discussions. Passing the womens reservation bill would be a start, he said. That it is.
The Lok Sabha scripted history on Wednesday as it passed a bill reserving a third of seats for women in national and state legislatures with an overwhelming majority, marking the first time such a legislation has cleared the Lower House since one was first introduced nearly three decades ago. Members of Parliament while voting on clauses of the women's reservation bill on demand of an Opposition MP in Lok Sabha during the Special Session of Parliament in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI)

With 454 members in support and only two against, the womens reservation bill easily crossed the benchmark of two-thirds support required for constitutional amendments. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or the 128th Constitution (Amendment) Bill is all set to be approved by the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

I thank MPs across party lines who voted in support of this bill. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which will further boost women empowerment and will enable even greater participation of women in our political process, Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X (formerly Twitter).

During the nine-hour debate, the Opposition, led by Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi, demanded quota for women from backward groups and alleged that the timeline for the implementation of the bill was too long, but almost all of them ended up backing the legislation. Only All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) members Asaduddin Owaisi and Imtiaz Jaleel voted against the bill.

Union home minister Amit Shah dismissed the Oppositions allegation that the government was delaying the bills implementation, pointing to constitutional hurdles. Right after the 2024 elections, the process of delimitation will begin and very soon one-third seats of this house will be filled by women, he said.

Reserving seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies is a decades-long demand to bolster the number of female lawmakers, but previous attempts have stumbled due to deep political divisions. This is the first time in Indias legislative history that the womens quota legislation garnered the approval of the Lower House.

The first attempt to pass the fractious bill came in 1996. Atal Bihari Vajpayee made at least five attempts in 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2003 but didnt succeed. Manmohan Singhs government introduced a constitutional amendment bill in 2008 which cleared the Rajya Sabha in 2010 amid raucous scenes. But facing fierce resistance from heartland parties such as the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Samajwadi Party and Janata Dal (United), the bill never made it to the lower House. All three backed the bill on Wednesday.

The bill, which will apply to the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and the Delhi legislative assembly, inserted quotas for women within the existing quantum of seats set aside for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. It will come into effect after delimitation  an exercise comprising revision of seat numbers and redrawing of constituency boundaries  which can only happen after 2026 (according to a 2001 Constitution amendment), and after the relevant census figures are published. The decennial census was scheduled to be conducted in 2021 but was delayed by the government due to the pandemic. There is no clarity on when the exercise is likely to be held.

In the 545 seats of the Lok Sabha, six seats are vacant. Eighty-three members were absent during the voting on Wednesday. A constitution amendment bill requires at least two-thirds majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, and at least 50% of the states to approve it. The voting took place with physical slips as information on division numbers in the new House is awaited from some parties, said officials aware of the matter.

The third day of the ongoing special session began with Sonia Gandhi announcing her partys support but questioning the delay in its implementation. We will be happy with the passage of this bill, but we also have a concern. I want to ask a question. For the last 13 years, Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities, and now they are being asked to wait for a few more years  two years, four years, six years, eight years, she said.

She also led the Oppositions demand for a caste census and other backward classes (OBC) reservation. The Congress wants this bill to be implemented immediately. But, along with this, women belonging to scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes should get reservation. Besides, the caste census should also be conducted. Any further delay to implement this bill will be injustice to women, she added.

Home minister Shah announced that the decennial census will be conducted after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and defended the provision in the bill that pegs its implementation to delimitation, which is conducted by a non-partisan commission. How can we decide the 33% reserved seats without it? If we decide to reserve Wayanad for women, then youd say we are doing politics. Similarly, if we reserve Hyderabad, they will say we are doing politics. Therefore, it is good that a quasi-judicial body does it through open hearings and transparency, he said.

He also hit out at Opposition leaders who dubbed the introduction of the bill as a political tool for winning elections. For some parties, women empowerment can be a political agenda but for the BJP and Narendra Modi it is not a political issue, Shah said, listing a number of achievements of the National Democratic Alliance government in empowering women.

Four times, women have been let down by Parliament, Shah said. I request that this time, the bill be passed unanimously. He added that any issues with the legislation could be corrected later.

Union law minister Arjun Meghwal, who piloted the bill, argued that any attempt to implement womens reservation immediately will violate the Constitution, and get stuck in courts. You will then move PILs against it in the Supreme Court. We will not allow the bill to get stuck in technical issues, he said.

After a number of Opposition leaders claimed credit for the bill, Meghwal also alleged that some lawmakers were trying to give the move a political colour. Hitting out at the Congress, he said the Modi government has the policy, intent and leadership to push for the bill, which the opposition party lacked when it was in power.

During the debate, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made a pitch for a caste census and reservation for OBCs in the bill, alleging that only three of the 90 secretaries of the government of India were OBCs. He demanded the bill be enacted immediately and said there was no need to wait for a census and delimitation.

There are also two strange things: that you require census and delimitation. In my view, the bill can be implemented today, he said, alleging the provisions are a part of the design to push the ball by seven to nine years.

Minutes later, Shah hit back, saying his party gave the country its first OBC Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and that 29% of the BJPs MPs were OBCs. The cabinet has 29 ministers who are OBCs, he added, challenging Gandhi to do a comparison.

We would be grateful if the opposition does not become a roadblock in the way of empowerment of women, Union minister Smriti Irani said.

India trails a clutch of democratic countries when it comes to the share of women in politics, and while the number of female lawmakers in Parliament has risen significantly since the first elections in 1951-52  at 78, the 2019 polls saw the highest number of women parliamentarians getting elected  a lot more needs to be done. Data shows that state assemblies are even farther behind.

Previous attempts to institute grassroots reservations in panchayati raj institutions have yielded mixed results  while some women found themselves empowered, others found their power usurped by male relatives who installed their wives, sisters and mothers as political proxies. Hence, while quotas might be a welcome sign to signal political intent, womens empowerment should encompass structural improvements in education, health and economic indices.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Wednesday hit out at Union minister Smriti Irani over her jibe at the Gandhi family, saying she had been assigned a portfolio to abuse the Congress and Gandhi family.



On Tuesday, the Narendra Modi government tabled the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. Irani questioned Congress veteran Sonia Gandhi's absence from the House.



Gandhi Family is only interested in empowering the women in their family. They are not interested in empowering the women in poor or Dalit women. It is unfortunate that Sonia Gandhi was absent today, she told news agency ANI.



Her son also left when the discussion on the bill was underway. it is even more unfortunate that when the Speaker asked who supported the bill, BJP and NDA supported it but the Congress party did not, the minister added.



Parliament special session LIVE coverage



Responding to Irani's barb, Venugopal told news agency ANI,"BJP and Prime Minister have given a portfolio for her to abuse Congress party and Gandhis. She is doing that duty to appease her master".



Today, Sonia Gandhi will be the lead speaker for the Congress during the debate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha. Congress general secretary KC Venugopal and Union minister Smriti Irani

Election jumla', says Cong chief Kharge

The grand old party has termed the bill an election jumla. It has slammed the Centre over the bill which states that the reservation will be effective only after a Census and delimitation exercise is conducted post-enactment of the bill.



ALSO READ: Kharge vs Sitharaman in Rajya Sabha over womens reservation bill remarks

"In 2010, the Congress-UPA government got the women's reservation bill passed in the Rajya Sabha. Just as SC-ST class has got a constitutional opportunity in politics, similarly everyone including women of OBC class should get equal opportunity through this bill," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X on Tuesday.

"There is a need to look carefully at the bill that the Modi government has brought today. In the current draft of the bill, it is written that it will be implemented only after decadal census and delimitation. This means, Modi government has probably closed the doors of women's reservation till 2029. BJP should clarify on this," he added.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The International Day of Peace or World Peace Day by the United Nations to promote peace while ceasing violence and conflicts worldwide where each year, the United Nations selects a theme for this day that focuses on specific aspects of peace-building and conflict resolution. The International Day of Peace is often associated with a dove and the olive branch symbols where the dove represents peace and freedom, while the olive branch has been a traditional symbol of peace dating back to ancient times. International Day of Peace 2023: Date, history, significance, celebration of World Peace Day (Photo by Twitter/Bharatidevi_M)

Date:

The International Day of Peace is observed globally on September 21.

History:

The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 36/67 on September 30, 1981, that called for a global ceasefire and the cessation of all hostilities on that day and thereby declared the third Tuesday of September each year as the International Day of Peace. The first International Day of Peace was celebrated on September 21, 1982 and marked a significant step towards promoting peace and raising awareness about the importance of peacekeeping efforts around the world but it was later in 2001 that the official date was declared as September 21.

Until then, it was observed on the inaugural session of the annual General Assembly, the third Tuesday of September.

Significance:

The International Day of Peace aims to remind of the UN's commitment to peace and conflict resolution and encourages individuals, communities and nations to work towards a more peaceful and just world. It continues to be an important day for promoting dialogue, understanding and cooperation among people and nations as the United Nations believes that true peace encompasses not just the absence of violence but the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish.

It also seeks to build a world where everyone is treated equally regardless of their race and the day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.

Celebration:

In 1986, the United Nations Peace Bell was inaugurated at the UN Headquarters in New York City and ever since then, a special ceremony is held every year on the International Day of Peace where the Peace Bell is rung to signal the call for global peace. The bell was cast from coins and medals donated by the representatives of the Member States, the Pope and people, including children from over 60 different nations who seconded his idea.

The bell tower was modeled after the Hanamido (a small temple decorated with flowers) that symbolises the place where Buddha was born. The Peace bell is rung twice a year: on the first day of spring, at the Vernal Equinox and on September 21 to celebrate the International Day for Peace.

On the International Day for Peace, the United Nations Secretary-General rings the bell to pray for World Peace, in the presence of Representatives of Permanent Missions and officials of the UN Secretariat. Across the world, the International Day of Peace is observed with various events and activities ranging from peace marches and educational programs to art exhibitions and intercultural dialogues that provide an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to come together and promote peace and non-violence.

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 recent years, cases of young people succumbing to heart attack have increased. People losing their life while in gym due to heart attack is also one of the recent trends that is being noticed. A young man recently lost his life after having a heart attack in gym. The shocking video has put spotlight on heart health and its relation to workout. While exercise in general is considered good for the heart, sudden, and intense workout can be detrimental. Doing a workout without warm-up or using the treadmill even when one is having symptoms like chest pain, dizziness, breathlessness etc can put one at risk of heart attack. Then there are underlying heart conditions that could be at play when a person suddenly suffers a heart attack at treadmill. (Also read: 8 signs that your body is warning you against hitting the treadmill) Heart attacks while exercising on treadmills have raised concerns among medical experts. (Freepik)

"Heart attacks while exercising on treadmills have raised concerns among medical experts. According to doctors, several factors contribute to this phenomenon. Firstly, individuals who are not accustomed to regular exercise may push themselves too hard, leading to an increased risk of cardiac events. Secondly, sudden strenuous activity can cause a surge in blood pressure and heart rate, potentially triggering a heart attack in those with underlying cardiovascular issues. Additionally, dehydration and electrolyte imbalances during intense workouts may exacerbate these risks. It's crucial for individuals, especially those with pre-existing heart conditions, to undergo a thorough medical evaluation before embarking on a treadmill exercise regimen. Furthermore, doctors emphasize the importance of gradual progression, proper hydration, and regular monitoring of vital signs during treadmill workouts to minimize the risk of heart attacks," says Dr. Dixit Garg, Consultant Cardiology, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram.

Heart attacks that occur while someone is on a treadmill can happen for a variety of reasons, and doctors typically consider several factors that may contribute to this unfortunate event:

Dr. Vishal Rastogi, Director, Interventional Cardiology, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute, Okhla Road, New Delhi lists the following reasons for sudden heart attacks on treadmill.

Underlying heart conditions

One of the primary reasons is the presence of underlying heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease (CAD), which narrows the blood vessels supplying the heart muscle. When you exercise on a treadmill, your heart has to work harder, and if there's reduced blood flow due to blockages in these vessels, it can trigger a heart attack.

2. Overexertion

Pushing yourself too hard during exercise, especially if you're not accustomed to regular physical activity, can put extra stress on your heart. This can lead to an acute heart attack, especially if your heart is not used to the increased demand for oxygen and nutrients.

3. Failure to warm up

Not properly warming up before intense exercise can strain the heart. Sudden, vigorous activity can cause a rapid increase in heart rate and blood pressure, which may be too much for some individuals to handle, particularly if they have existing heart issues.

4. Stress and anxiety

Emotional stress and anxiety can also play a role. Exercising while highly stressed can cause a surge in stress hormones like adrenaline, which can put extra strain on the heart.

5. Age and genetics

Age and genetics can also contribute. Some people may be genetically predisposed to heart problems, and age can increase the risk of heart disease, making older individuals more susceptible.

Dr Ashish Mishra, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road adds more factors to the list:

6. Dehydration

Inadequate hydration can lead to thicker blood, making it harder for the heart to pump, potentially triggering a cardiac event.

7. Improper technique

Incorrect treadmill usage, such as improper posture or excessive speed, can strain the heart and lead to injuries.

8. Ignoring symptoms

Ignoring warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness while using a treadmill can be dangerous. These symptoms should not be taken lightly.

9. Age and gender

Older individuals and men tend to be at a higher risk of treadmill-related heart attacks. It's important for these groups to exercise caution and consult with a healthcare provider before starting an intense exercise routine.

10. Lack of supervision

Exercising alone on a treadmill without anyone nearby who can provide assistance in case of an emergency can be risky.

"To reduce the risk of heart attacks on treadmills, individuals should consult with a healthcare professional before beginning a new exercise regimen. They should also start slowly, gradually increase intensity, stay well-hydrated, and be attentive to any warning signs from their body. Having an emergency stop button and practicing safe treadmill usage can further minimize the risk associated with this exercise equipment. Overall, awareness, preparation, and responsible exercise habits are crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health during treadmill workouts," says Dr Mishra.

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
New research sheds light on the fundamental scientific premise that mitochondrial DNA  the particular genetic code stored in the organelle that serves as the powerplant for every cell in the body  is exclusively passed down by the mother. Mature sperm lack intact mitochondrial DNA: Study(Unsplash)

The study, a collaboration among Oregon Health & Science University and other institutions, published in the journal Nature Genetics.

Scientists have long recognized the fact that mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, comes exclusively from egg cells in humans, meaning only the mother contributes the genetic code carried by thousands of mitochondria necessary for energy production in every cell in the body.

ALSO READ: Infants with mitochondrial problems had a lower immune response to infections

Previously, it was believed that paternal mtDNA was eliminated soon after a sperm fuses with an oocyte, or developing egg, during fertilization, possibly through an immune-like search-and-destroy response.

However, the study found that while mature sperm do carry a small number of mitochondria, they lack intact mtDNA.

We found that each sperm cell does bring 100 or so mitochondria as organelles when it fertilizes an egg, but there is no mtDNA in them, said co-author Shoukhrat Mitalipov, Ph.D., director of the Center for Embryonic Cell and Gene Therapy at OHSU.

Researchers found that sperm cells are not only devoid of intact mtDNA, but they also lacked a protein essential for mtDNA maintenance, known as mitochondrial transcription factor A, or TFAM.

Scientists arent sure why sperm are not allowed to contribute mtDNA, but Mitalipov theorizes that it may relate to the fact that a sperm uses a lot of mitochondrial energy in its biological impetus to fertilize an egg. It would thus accumulate mutations in mtDNA. The developing eggs known as oocytes, by contrast, draw energy primarily from surrounding cells, not from their own mitochondria, so maintain relatively pristine mtDNA.

Eggs pass on really good mtDNA at least partly because they dont use mitochondria as a source of energy, Mitalipov said.

The 100 or so organelles in sperm are swamped by hundreds of thousands of mitochondria embedded in each egg cell  each carrying the 37 genes in mitochondrial DNA. The contribution of only maternal mtDNA is believed to confer an evolutionary advantage by limiting the risk of accumulations of mtDNA mutations that cause disease in offspring.

Mitochondria control respiration and energy production within every cell of the body, so mutations in mtDNA can cause a range of potentially fatal disorders affecting organs with high-energy demands, such as the heart, muscle and brain.

To help mothers prevent passing on known mtDNA disorders to their children, Mitalipov pioneered a method called mitochondrial replacement therapy to replace mutant mtDNA through in vitro fertilization using healthy mtDNA from donor eggs.

Congress has prevented the Food and Drug Administration from overseeing clinical trials using the procedure in the U.S., so clinical trials are instead being conducted overseas, including clinical trials in the United Kingdom to prevent disease and in Greece to treat infertility.

Researchers write that the new discovery has important implications for human fertility and germ cell therapy.

Understanding the role of TFAM during sperm maturation and its function during fertilization may hold keys to our ability to treat certain infertility disorders, and increase the efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies, said corresponding author Dmitry Temiakov, Ph.D., a molecular biologist with Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.

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!
Japan welcomed more than 2 million visitors for a third straight month in August, recovering to more than 80% of pre-pandemic levels for the first time, official data showed on Wednesday. Tokyo Skytree, the world's tallest broadcasting tower, is seen between office buildings in Tokyo, Japan. Japan tourism recovers to more than 80% of pre-pandemic levels for first time (REUTERS/Issei Kato)

The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure was 2.16 million last month, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed.

Visitor arrivals improved to 85.6% of the levels seen in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic led to travel curbs around the world.

The August numbers were down from a post-pandemic high of 2.32 million in July, but the recovery is continuing, aided by increases in international flights and a weak yen, which makes trips to Japan more affordable than they have been in decades.

The number of travellers from the United States, Europe, Australia and the Middle East is already above pre-pandemic levels, JNTO data showed. That helps compensate for visitor numbers from China that are still far below 2019 levels.

There were 364,100 visitors from China in August, a 16% increase over the previous month, benefiting from Beijing's lifting of restrictions on group travel to Japan.

Chinese travellers made up about 30% of all visitors and 40% of all tourist spending in Japan in 2019. The lifting of the ban on group travel "will be a big tailwind for inbound visitor spending," said Masato Koike, economist at Sompo Institute Plus.

Tourism to Japan nearly stopped for more than two years during the pandemic, but arrivals have risen steadily

since the government resumed visa-free travel for many countries in October 2022 and scrapped remaining Covid controls in May 2023.

Just over 15 million visitors have arrived in Japan in the first eight months of 2023, JNTO data showed, still far from the record pace of about 32 million in 2019.

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 police arrested an Irish tourist after he was caught on camera damaging the newly restored lion statue at the Brussels Stock Exchange. The estimated cost of the damage he caused is a whopping $19,000 (or over 15 lakh.) The tourist is expected to pay the damages he caused to the statue, reported Nieuwsblad. This photograph shows the stock exchange building in the city centre of Brussels. (AFP)

The incident occurred when the tourist, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, decided to take a picture of himself while perched on the back of the statue. This statue consisted of a lion and a man holding a torch. However, as he attempted to climb down, the torch broke off, reported New York Post.

The incident transpired just one day after the grand reopening of the newly-renovated building. Nel Vandevennet, the project manager, said that the building and statues were heritage-listed, reported VRT NWS.

We would like to carry out the repairs quickly, but it will surely take a few weeks or even months. The whole building has only just been restored to its former glory, including the two lions, which were in a bad way, VRT NWS quoted Nel Vandevennet.

The newly renovated stock exchange building had celebrated its grand reopening on a Saturday, only to face this unfortunate incident on the subsequent Sunday night.

This is, however, not the first time that a tourist damaged an iconic site. Earlier, a tourist scratched a wall of the Colosseum in Rome and etched the names of himself and his girlfriend. After the authorities nabbed him, he shared an apology letter and said that only after the incident he realised that the monument was so old. Read more on the incident and the apology letter he shared here.



Also Read| Hungry student eats expensive banana artwork on display in Seoul. Watch

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 Prince and Princess of Wales are in search of a CEO to manage Kensington Palace. A job posting for this role was shared on the official website of Odgers Berndtson, a recruitment agency. According to the job description, the applicant will answer directly to the senior members of the Royal household. Kate Middleton Prince William are looking for a CEO to TRHs The Prince and Princess of Wales. (AP)

"This is a unique opportunity to join the dedicated team at Kensington Palace who support the outstanding work of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince and Princess of Wales. The CEO is the most senior and accountable leader for the Household, reporting directly to TRHs, The Prince and Princess of Wales. They will be responsible for the development and implementation of TRHs long-term strategy and continuing to strengthen a professional and collaborative Household culture," reads the description of the job posting. (Also Read: Viral Video: Kate Middleton comforts Ons Jabeur after Wimbledon loss)

"Candidates will bring a track record of strategic and cultural leadership in complex, fast-paced settings, and the ability to demonstrate core values of discretion, humility, integrity, and diplomacy, at the heart of this distinctive working environment, the requirement post further states.

The agency further shared a document detailing about the role and the responsibilities one has to undertake as the CEO. It states that the CEO should be able to operate as a "servant leader. and also should be "emotionally intelligent, with a low ego.

The working hours for this job are "37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday), and such other hours that are necessary for the proper fulfillment of duties, or to meet unexpected or urgent demands."

The job is "primarily based at Kensington Palace, with regular travel to Windsor Castle and some overnight travel within the UK and internationally, as and when required."

What are your thoughts on this job posting? Will you be interested in applying for such a position?

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!
Squirrels from Montana in the USA found themselves stuck in a series of unfortunate events as they became the prime suspect of causing not one, or two, but three separate massive power outages. Due to this, thousands of residents were left to face the scorching heat. Squirrels caused a power outage in USA that left nearly 15,000 in heat. (Unsplash )

NorthWestern Energy, a natural gas and energy company, identified squirrels as the culprit for the power outage. They shared that utility workers discovered a squirrel in one of the companys substations that had caused equipment to malfunction, reported NBC Montana.

After the squirrels accidentally damaged the substation, it caused nearly 15,000 NorthWestern Energy customers to experience a 45-minute power outage. (Also Read: Tunisia hit by rare nationwide electricity blackout, reason unknown)

Customers in Missoula also experienced brief service outages on Saturday and Sunday morning and once more on Sunday evening, reported Montana Public Radio.

This isn't the first time that people were left without power due to an animal. Back in August, residents of an area in New Jersey faced power outage after a bird dropped a fish on the transformer. Yes, you read that right.

According to Jersey Central Electricity and Light, one of the personnel working to restore electricity found a transformer that had exploded after a fish had fallen on it.

"The power outage was a major inconvenience for so many of our residents. Please let us not forget the victim of this senseless death. Gilligan (the fish) was a hard-working family man. He was a father to thousands of children. The suspect (a bird) was last seen flying South. If you see him, do not try to apprehend him. Although he isnt believed to be armed, he may still be very dangerous. If you have any information in this case please contact Det. John Silver who handles all of our fish cases," wrote Sayreville Police Department on Facebook.

You can read more about this incident here.

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!
Two Indian nationals have been sentenced to 41 months in prison for their role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud by accepting illegally obtained USD 1.2 million in wire transfers from victims across the United States, a US attorney said. The accused accepted illegally obtained USD 1.2 million in wire transfers from victims across the United States. (Representational)

Arushobike Mitra (29) and Garbita Mitra (25) had previously pleaded guilty before US District Judge Esther Salas to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Tuesday.

"These defendants and their conspirators preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, using trickery and threats to coerce them into sending money," Sellinger said.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court as part of an international fraud scheme, criminal India-based call centres utilised automated robocalls to contact victims across the country with the intent of defrauding US residents, particularly the elderly.

After establishing contact with victims through these automated calls, other members of the conspiracy would coerce or trick the victims into sending large sums of cash through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras, a media release said.

These conspirators used a variety of schemes to convince victims to send money, including impersonating government officials from agencies such as the Social Security Administration, or impersonating law enforcement officers from the FBI or DEA, and threatened victims with severe legal or financial consequences if they did not comply, federal prosecutors alleged.

Another method utilised by the callers involved convincing the victim they were speaking with someone from a tech support company and coercing the victim into granting the caller remote access to their personal computers.

The caller would then access the victim's bank accounts and make it appear to the victim that the caller had inadvertently added money to the victim's bank account, when in fact the caller had simply transferred money from another one of the victim's own accounts. The caller would then instruct the victim to "return" the money by way of mail or wire transfer to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras, it said.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that everyone 6 months and older get a new COVID-19 shot this fall and winter season. FILE -COVID-19 and flu vaccines files are seen at the L.A. Care and Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plans' Community Resource Center .(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)(AP)

The new shots from Pfizer and Moderna have been modified to match a newer version of the omicron variant that is more similar to the current versions of the virus.

The CDCs recommendation came after its advisory committee voted for a broad vaccine campaign this fall, instead of limiting it to older adults and people with certain health conditions.

Unlike last year, COVID-19 vaccines are not fully funded by the federal government anymore. But, they should still be free for everyone through private and public insurance, as well as programs for uninsured people.

ALSO READ| Lauren Boebert excluded from conservative Texas youth summit following Beetlejuice groping controversy

One can use the online vaccine-finder tool to find a vaccine of your choice and a pharmacy location that offers shots for people without insurance through the Bridge Access program.

COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have increased in late summer, but they are still much lower than they were at the peak of the pandemic. However, COVID-19 infections may rise again in the fall and winter months when people spend more time indoors. This will also be the first season that some adults can get an RSV vaccine, and there is a new treatment for infants.

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced a plan earlier this year to make COVID-19 vaccines more like annual flu shots, which are updated every year to match the circulating virus.

What are the new COVID vaccinations available?

Pfizer and Moderna have changed their vaccine formulas to target a new version of omicron, XBB.1.5. They are both monovalent vaccines, which means they only target one version of the virus, unlike the bivalent vaccines that were available last fall and targeted both the original COVID-19 virus and another, older version of omicron.

The FDA has fully approved these vaccines for adults and older kids, and has given them emergency use authorization for children from 6 months to 11 years old.

There may be another vaccine option this fall and winter season: a shot from Novavax is currently being reviewed by the FDA.

Who is currently eligible for vaccination, and when is the recommended time to receive it?

The FDAs rules on the new formulas say that adults and kids 5 years and older can get a single updated shot, as long as at least two months have passed since their last vaccine dose. For younger children from 6 months to 4 years old, the number and timing of doses will depend on any previous COVID-19 vaccine they got.

ALSO READ| Mexican doctors conduct tests on alien corpses only to discover...

The CDCs committee (called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) debated whether to recommend the updated shot for everyone or only for people who have a much higher risk of severe disease and death, such as older adults and people with certain health conditions.

People who have a weakened immune system may have different or extra recommendations from their doctor, but the CDC has not given any specific guidance yet.

Is there any price tag for the COVID vaccine?

You can get a COVID-19 shot for free this fall and winter, even if you dont have insurance. Heres how:

Go to Vaccines.gov and click the blue button that says Find COVID-19 vaccines.

Enter your ZIP code and choose which vaccine you want (adult; Pfizer vs. Moderna, etc.) and click Search.

Check the box that says Participating in Bridge Access Program to find pharmacies that offer free shots for uninsured people. Pick a location and make an appointment.
Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, defending the Department of Justice's (DOJ) independence amid allegations of political bias and interference in high-profile investigations. While Garland passionately asserted the DOJ's commitment to upholding the rule of law, he faced sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers. Attorney General Merrick Garland is sworn in as he appears before a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.(AP)

Garland, known for his composed demeanour, delivered an emotional statement recounting his family's history of fleeing religious persecution during the Holocaust, highlighting his personal commitment to public service and the rule of law. "Our job is to uphold the rule of law," Garland stated firmly. "Our job is not to do what is politically convenient."

However, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio immediately criticized the DOJ for its handling of investigations involving Hunter Biden and former President Donald Trump. Jordan accused the DOJ of offering a "ridiculous" plea deal to Hunter Biden and prosecuting Trump for alleged mishandling of classified documents. "There is one investigation protecting President Biden. There is another one attacking President Trump," Jordan asserted. "The Justice Departments got both sides of the equation covered."

In response, Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the committee, accused Republicans of engaging in political stunts and promoting conspiracy theories. Nadler contended that Republicans aimed to impeach President Biden without justification while protecting Trump from allegations related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

The hearing came amidst ongoing politically charged investigations, including Hunter Biden's legal troubles and multiple cases involving Donald Trump. Garland, in his testimony, emphasized that the DOJ's role is to serve the American people, not the President or Congress. He stated, "Our job is not to take orders from the President, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate."

Republicans focused their questions on allegations of DOJ interference in Hunter Biden's case, raising concerns about the independence of the investigation. Garland, in response, emphasized his commitment to non-interference, stating that he purposely kept his distance to avoid any appearance of meddling.

Also Read | Hunter Biden to plead not guilty to firearms charges

Democrats, meanwhile, attempted to shift the focus of the hearing to other criminal justice issues, including domestic terrorism, hate crimes, and gun violence. Rep. Nadler criticized Republicans for promoting "long-discredited conspiracy theories" and accused them of attempting to divide the country.

The hearing shed light on the challenges the DOJ faces in maintaining its independence and impartiality in the midst of politically sensitive investigations. As Garland concluded his testimony, he reaffirmed the DOJ's commitment to its mission. "We will not be intimidated," Garland stated firmly. "We will do our jobs free from outside interference. And we will not back down from defending our democracy."
Ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a Russian proposal for a ceasefire on Wednesday, 24 hours after Azerbaijan began an offensive to take control of the enclave that killed dozens and injured hundreds. Smoke rising from artillery strikes on a hilltop outside Stepanakert, the capital of the Armenian-populated separatist region within Azerbaijani borders. (AFP)

The separatist Armenian forces in Karabakh said Azerbaijan had broken through their lines and seized a number of heights and strategic road junctions while the world had stood by, doing nothing.

The self-styled "Republic of Artsakh" said that in such circumstances, it had no choice but to cease hostilities from 1 p.m. local time on Wednesday.

"The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire," it said.

"With the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Nagorno-Karabakh, an agreement was reached on the complete cessation of hostilities from 13:00 on September 20, 2023."

Azerbaijan began its operation against Nagorno-Karabakh on Tuesday after some of its troops were killed in what Baku said were attacks from the mountainous region, which Azerbaijan had blockaded for nine months.

Nagorno-Karabakh is recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan said Wednesday it had regained control over breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh for the first time in decades, after separatist Armenian fighters agreed to lay down their arms in the face of a military operation. Law enforcement officers stand guard as protesters throw objects into the government building during a rally to support ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijani armed forces' offensive operation executed in the region.(REUTERS)

The stunning collapse of separatist resistance represents a major victory for Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in his quest to bring the Armenian-majority Nagorno-Karabakh back under Baku's control.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over the mountainous region since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The years of conflict have been marked by abuses on both sides, and there are concerns of a fresh refugee crisis as Karabakh's Armenian population fears being forced out.

Kamikaze Drones, Gunfire: Azerbaijan Attacks Armenian Positions In Nagorno-Karabakh | Watch

A day after Azerbaijan launched its military operation in the region, Baku and the ethnic Armenian authorities in Karabakh announced a ceasefire deal had been brokered by Russian peacekeepers to stop the fighting.

"Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty as a result of successful anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh," Aliyev said in a televised address.

Aliyev claimed that most of the Armenian forces in the region had been destroyed and said the withdrawal of separatist troops had already begun.

The attack left "at least 200 killed and more than 400 wounded," Nagorno-Karabakh separatist official Gegham Stepanyan said.

- Ceasefire holding -

Under the truce deal, the separatists said they had agreed to fully dismantle their army and that Armenia would pull out any forces it had in the region.

Azerbaijan's defence ministry said that "all weapons and heavy armaments are to be surrendered" under the supervision of Russia's 2,000-strong peacekeeping force on the ground.

READ | Azerbaijan, Armenia reach cease-fire deal for breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh

Both sides said talks on reintegrating the breakaway territory into the rest of Azerbaijan would be held on Thursday in the city of Yevlakh.

President Vladimir Putin said Russian peacekeepers would mediate the talks.

Moscow has said several of members of its force in Karabakh were killed when the car they were travelling in came under fire.

But peacekeepers said on Wednesday evening that the ceasefire was holding and there were no violations recorded.

- Latest violence -

Baku's operation marked the latest violence over the rugged territory.

After the Soviet Union fell apart, Armenian separatists seized the region -- internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan -- in the early 1990s.

The war left 30,000 people dead and forced hundreds of thousands from their homes.

READ | Amid war with Ukraine, Russia urges Armenia, Azerbaijan to resolve conflict

In a six-week war in 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured swathes of territory in and around the region.

President Aliyev on Wednesday praised the "political competence" of his country's historic rival.

"The developments that took place yesterday and today will have a positive impact on the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia," he said.

Azerbaijani presidential foreign policy advisor Hikmet Hajiyev promised safe passage for the separatists who surrendered and said Baku sought the "peaceful reintegration" of Karabakh Armenians.

A separatist official said over 10,000 people have been evacuated from Armenian communities in Nagorno-Karabakh and "forced to find a shelter" elsewhere in the territory.

Russia's President Putin said he hoped for a "peaceful" resolution, adding that Moscow has been in contact with all sides in the conflict.

Putin held talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Wednesday evening, but the Kremlin insisted the crisis was "Azerbaijan's internal affair".

- 'War is over' -

Jubilant residents in Azerbaijan's capital expressed hope the deal heralded a definitive victory and the end of the decades-long conflict.

"I was very happy with this news. Finally, the war is over," 67-year-old pensioner Rana Ahmedova told AFP.

In Armenia, there was fury at a second defeat in Karabakh in three years.

READ | United States, France race at UN to stop Azerbaijan offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh

Clashes broke out in Armenia's capital Yerevan, where thousands of protesters waving the separatist region's flag blocked a main road and riot police guarded official buildings.

Demonstrators threw bottles and stones at police as they slammed the government's handling of the crisis, while officers used stun grenades and made arrests.

The loss in Karabakh ratchets up domestic pressure on Pashinyan, who has faced stinging criticism at home for making concessions to Azerbaijan since the 2020 defeat.

"We are losing our homeland, we are losing our people," said Sargis Hayats, a 20-year-old musician.

Pashinyan "must leave, time has shown that he cannot rule. No one gave him a mandate for Karabakh to capitulate," he said.

The Armenian leader has insisted that his government had not been involved in drafting the latest ceasefire deal.

Again denying his country's army was in the enclave, he said he expected Russia's peacekeepers to ensure Karabakh's ethnic-Armenian residents could stay "in their homes, on their land".

- International pressure -

Azerbaijan's assault came as Moscow, the traditional power broker in the region, is bogged down and distracted by its war on Ukraine, which has left it isolated in the West.

READ | Erdogan expresses support for Azerbaijan's military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh

But its peacekeepers there appeared to have played a key role in helping to negotiate the ceasefire and will now oversee its implementation.

Turkey, a historic ally of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan that views mostly Christian Armenia as one of its main regional rivals, had called the operation "justified".

The EU and United States have been mediating talks between Baku and Yerevan in recent months aimed at securing a lasting peace deal between the two foes.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
US President Joe Biden and Israels PM Benjamin Netanyahu have welcomed the recent announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor (IMEC) on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi. U.S. President Joe Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 20, 2023. (REUTERS)

A White House readout of the meeting between the two leaders in New York on Wednesday noted that they had spoken about progress towards establishing a more integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Middle East region, including through efforts to deepen and expand normalisation with countries in the region.

READ | Joe Biden speaks with Netanyahu amid Israeli-Palestinian clashes

In this backdrop, the White House statement said, the two leaders welcomed the historic announcement made at the G20 to develop the India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel. Biden and Netanyahu also discussed how the project can benefit the entire Middle East region with investment and new forms of collaboration across two continents.

Israel isnt an official part of the IMEC initiative but has welcomed the announcement separately, and observers have linked it to the quiet and public efforts underway to establish normal diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. In its briefings on the corridor, US officials have said the initiative is a part of the American strategy to lower the temperature in the region and advance connectivity.

READ | Middle-East Corridor is new Indian spice route to rival the Chinese silk road

Separately, on Thursday, I2U2  the grouping that includes India, Israel, US and UAE  is expected to make a major announcement. The details of what is to be unveiled havent been disclosed yet.

In his own speech to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden had hailed the corridor, saying that the groundbreaking effort announced at the G20 in India  to connect India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel  will spur opportunities and investment across two continents.

This is part of our effort to build a more sustainable, integrated Middle East. It demonstrates how Israels greater normalisation and economic connection with its neighbors is delivering positive and practical impacts even as we continue to work tirelessly to support a just and lasting peace between the Israelis and Palestinians  two states for two people.

The Biden-Netanyahu meeting came at a difficult time in the bilateral US-Israel relationship, with Washington expressing concern over what is widely seen as the Israeli governments attempts to control the judiciary and its belligerence in West Bank.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Taking a jibe at Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his allegations on India for its involvement in the alleged killing of the Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canada's opposition leader Pierre Poilievre has said that he should come out clean with all the facts in order to make judgements. Canada's Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre speaks.(Reuters)

In a media address on Tuesday, Poilievre said, "I think the prime minister needs to come clean with all the facts. We need to know all the evidence possible so that Canadians can make judgments on that.

Poilievre's remarks came in response to a media query that asked what more should be done as an Indian diplomat was expelled by Canada.

"The prime minister hasn't provided any facts. He provided a statement. And I will just emphasize that he didn't tell me any more in private than he told Canadians in public. So we want to see more information," Poilievre said.

He stated that the allegations could be found untrue or uncredible if more information is not provided.

"We need to have the evidence that drew that allowed the prime minister to come to the conclusions he made yesterday," he said.

"I would have to have more evidence to make a judgment on that. I do find it interesting that he knew about vast foreign interference by Beijing for many years, at the same time as Beijing had kept two Canadian citizens hostage. And he said nothing. And he did nothing. Just very interesting that that was the approach he took in that case," he added.

A day ago, Trudeau accused the Indian government of the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He claimed that his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

Najjar, who was wanted in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Hailing from Bharsinghpur village in Punjab's Jalandhar, Nijjar was based in Surrey and had been declared "absconder" by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

India has, however, rejected the allegations by Canadian PM Trudeau regarding the governments involvement in the fatal shooting of Nijjar. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) termed the allegations absurd and motivated.

We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister, said the MEA in an official statement.
Early Wednesday morning, Donald Trump Jr.'s social media account on X, formerly known as Twitter, was hacked, resulting in a series of offensive tweets and a false announcement of his father's death. The incident sent shockwaves through social media, sparking widespread reactions. FILE PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks as he campaigns at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa, U.S. August 12, 2023. (REUTERS)

The hack began with a tweet at 8:25 a.m. from Don Jr.'s account that falsely claimed, "I'm sad to announce, my father Donald Trump has passed away. I will be running for president in 2024." This shocking message was quickly followed by a barrage of obviously hacked posts.

Donald Trump Jr.'s social media account on X was hacked, resulting in offensive tweets and a false announcement of his father's death.(X)

One of the inflammatory tweets stated, "North Korea is about to get smoked," while another pretended to show Don Jr. discussing "interesting messages with Jeffrey Epstein," despite Epstein's death in 2019.

The false news of Donald Trump's death prompted immediate disbelief and confusion among users, with many speculating that Don Jr.'s account had been compromised. Twitter users began trending the term "Hacked" to discuss the situation.

However, to confirm that he was alive and well, former President Donald Trump himself sent an unrelated message on his own social media platform, Truth Social, at 8:46 a.m., more than 30 minutes after the fake death announcement.

The National Pulse's Raheem Kasam first reported the hack, which was later confirmed by Donald Trump Jr.'s team. The false news of the former president's death was debunked as entirely untrue.

In addition to the false death announcement, the hacked tweets included derogatory comments towards X owner Elon Musk and offensive language directed at President Joe Biden. The use of racist language in one tweet could potentially violate X's terms of service and result in actions against the hacked account.
The world is headed for 2.8 degrees Celsius warming if world leaders do not act now, said United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres on Wednesday at the UN Climate Ambition Summit as major emitters such as the US, China, and India, among others skipped the Summit being held in New York. United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres on Wednesday at the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York (Reuters Photo)

Our focus here is on climate solutions and our task is urgent. Humanity has opened the gates to hell. Horrendous heat is having horrendous effects. Distraught farmers watching crops carried away by floods, sweltering temperatures spawning disease, and thousands fleeing in fear as historic fires rage. Climate action is dwarfed by the scale of the challenge. If nothing changes we are heading towards a 2.8 degree temperature rise  towards a dangerous and unstable world, Guterres said on Wednesday.

A list of 41 speakers put out by the UN for the morning session did not figure representatives from China, the US, the UK or Japan.

Guterres had called for countries to show up with commitments to stop oil and gas expansion and plan a phase-out of existing production in line with the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit.

Notable leaders from some of the worlds largest polluting nations skilled the summit and this may be because the UNSG set the bar too high for those who would get slots for speaking, independent experts said.

HT had reported on September 16 that Guterres had sent letters to member states, calling for expressions of interest in presenting how the nations will update their efforts to deal with the climate crisis.

To accelerate action by governments, businesses, finance, local authorities and civil society, and hear from first movers and doers, the UNSG is convening a Climate Ambition Summit at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Guterres called on first movers and doers to present the updated pre-2030 nationally determined contributions (NDC), as agreed to in the Glasgow climate summit in 2021 Updated net-zero targets; energy transition plans with commitments to no new coal, oil and gas; fossil fuel phase-out plans; more ambitious renewable energy targets; and pledges to the green climate fund.

A chairs summary on the updated goals will be released at the end of the meeting.

Guterres at the Summit said that the world can still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees. We can still build a world of clear air, green jobs, and affordable clean power for all. The path forward is clear, he said.

But if we are to meet the 1.5-degree limit and protect ourselves from climate extremes we need global leaders to take action. Action to reduce emissions. The move from fossil fuels to renewables is happening  but we are decades behind, he added.

We must make up time lost to foot-dragging, arm-twisting and the naked greed of entrenched interests raking in billions from fossil fuelsmy acceleration agenda calls on governments to hit fast forward so that developed countries reach net zero as close as possible to 2040, and emerging economies as close as possible to 2050, Guterres said, adding that the world needs credible plans to exit coal by 2030 for Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and 2040 for the rest of the world.

He said that this could be done by ending fossil fuel subsidies  which the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates reached an incredible $7 trillion in 2022, and by setting ambitious renewable energy goals in line with the 1.5-degree limit.

Harjeet Singh, Global Engagement Director, Fossil Fuel Treaty initiative, said: At a time when calls to abandon fossil fuels reverberate from every cornerbe it political podiums at the United Nations or activist gatheringsits a tragic paradox that wealthy nations such as Canada, the USA, and the UK persist in expanding the very industries driving the climate crisis. No excuses or numbers game can justify these planet-wrecking actions. They may ignore the voice of the people now, but they will pay a steep political price later, and history will not absolve them of their ecological recklessness.

India formally updated its nationally determined contribution (NDC) last year to fight climate change, confirming to the United Nations apex body that it will reduce the emissions intensity of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 45% from 2005 levels by the year 2030, and to have installed capacity for non-fossil fuel-based power sources equivalent to the countrys 50% requirement by 2030.

India has also submitted its long-term climate action strategy at the UN Climate Conference (COP27) joining a select list of countries that have articulated how they will achieve their net zero emissions goal in the long-term.

The 2023 UN Climate Change Conference is set to convene from 30 November to 12 December 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Indias Long-Term Low-Carbon Development Strategy mainly articulates Indias vision and action plan for achieving its NDC goals and the target of net zero emissions by 2070 and key elements of Indias transition to a low-carbon development pathway.

Speakers at the Summit include the European Union, Germany, France, Canada, Brazil, Columbia, South Africa, Marshall Islands, and Kenya, among others. COP 28 President, Sultan Al Jaber also attended the Summit.

Non-government institutions who are attending the Summit included the World Bank, IMF, the State of California, and the company Allianz.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Canada's charge about India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar was backed by the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. The alliance which includes- US, UK, Australia, New Zealand other than Canada- called the accusations serious. The US said it was deeply concerned over Justin Trudeaus claim about Indias role. Canada's prime minister Justin Trudeau(Reuters)

"We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau earlier today," White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement, adding, We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canadas investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.

The UK also termed the allegations as serious as British foreign secretary James Cleverly said that his government backs a Canadian investigation to determine whether India was involved in the killing of the Sikh leader.

James Cleverly, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, told news agency AFP, I think it's incredibly important that we allow the Canadian authorities to conduct their investigation. Obviously, we have a very strong relationship with Canada, a very strong relationship with India.

Australias foreign ministry said that it had conveyed its concerns on the developments to India at "senior levels.

Australia is deeply concerned by these allegations and notes ongoing investigations into this matter. Australia believes all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. We are closely engaged with partners on developments. We have conveyed our concerns at senior levels to India," the spokesperson said in a statement.

The Washington Post, quoting a Western source, reported that the Five Eyes alliance refused to publicly condemn the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in a joint statement but "privately raised the issue before the G20 summit. Justin Trudeau also raised the issue with French president Emmanuel Macron, the report claimed.

On the alliance, Australian PM Anthony Albanese said, I dont talk about Five Eyes intelligence at a press conference...we dont speculate on what intelligence is."

Justin Trudeau had urged India "in the strongest possible terms to cooperate with Canada after the country expelled a senior Indian diplomat, Pavan Kumar Rai, for his alleged involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mallika Soni When not reading, this ex-literature student can be found searching for an answer to the question, "What is the purpose of journalism in society?" ...view detail
United States is set to witness the 2024 Presidential elections and campaigns for the same are heating up. Currently, the sitting US President Joe Biden is a member of the Democratic Party. With an eye on the elections, the opposition Republican Party has got candidates like former US President Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Tim Scott, Mike Pence and Chris Christie who are leaving no stone unturned to turn the tide in their favour. United States is set to witness the 2024 Presidential elections and campaigns for the same are heating up.(File Photos)

A recent poll by Fox news has analysed how the Republican candidates are giving current frontrunner Trump a fight in the GOP primary race.

As per the September 2023 poll, Trump is currently the leading candidate among all Republicans in the fray. He enjoys 60% support which is a rise from the 53% in the August poll.

The second position is occupied by DeSantis whose popularity has fallen in comparison to the poll numbers in August. DeSantis has 13% support against the 16% figure in August.

Ramaswamy is at the third place with 11% support. It's a improvement as the gap between him and DeSantis has narrowed.

As per the Fox news poll, the numbers for other candidates are: Haley(5%), Mike Pence (3%), Tim Scott(3%) and Christie(2%).

Notably, in the first GOP debate, Ramaswamy had highlighted some key issues while taking on his fellow Republican candidates and the Democratic Party. As per a poll by Wall Street Journal(in August), thirty-five percent of people opined that Ramaswamy gave the best debate performance.

On the other side, the gap between Republican frontrunner Trump and Democrat frontrunner Biden in terms of support has narrowed. According to the latest Yahoo News/YouGov survey, "Biden and Trump would now tie at 44% apiece among registered voters if the 2024 elections were held today." This is a fall in support for Biden who was leading over Trump by 47% to 41% in last months Yahoo News/YouGov poll.

As per the latest Yahoo News/YouGov survey, if the 2024 elections were held today, 7% registered voters remain undecided, while 4% say they would not vote.

Meanwhile, the second Republican debate is set to take place on Wednesday, September 27 which will be hosted by FOX Business and Univision at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to federal firearms charges filed after the collapse of a plea deal in a long-running federal investigation, his lawyers said Tuesday in court documents. Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden(REUTERS)

Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018, during a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. He is accused of keeping the gun for 11 days.

READ | Hunter Biden indicted: Will US president's son be jailed?

The three-count indictment from a special counsel overseeing the case came weeks after the proposed plea deal and puts the case on track toward a possible high-stakes trial as the 2024 election looms.

He is asking to enter the plea remotely via video conference, saying that would avoid the costs of Secret Service protection as he travels from his home in California to Delaware, as well as logistical challenges in Wilmington. Prosecutors are expected to oppose that request.

Hunter Biden has also been under investigation for his business dealings, and the special counsel has indicated that tax charges could be filed at some point in Washington or in California, where he lives.
In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden made a strong pitch for reformed multilateralism, calling for the inclusion of both more permanent and non-permanent members in the Security Council (SC) and reaffirming the American commitment to the reform of multilateral development banks (MDBs). President Joe Biden meets with Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Zhaparov, Tajikistan's President Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan's President Serdar Berdymukhamedov, and Uzbekistan's President Shavkat Mirziyoyev at the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York, Tuesday (AP)

The reference to reformed multilateralism is music to the ears of Indian policymakers. Bidens remarks are seen not just as a reflection of the convergences between Delhi and DC on a growing shared agenda that goes beyond the bilateral box of traditional issues, but also a sign that the American side today recognises the need to adopt a different approach to the world order than the earlier unilateralist approach.

In his remarks on the UN, Biden recalled that in 2022, from the same platform, he had called for reform of the UNSC. He said, on Tuesday, that the US recognises that to meet the new challenges, decades-old institutions and approaches must be updated to keep pace with the world. We have to bring in more leadership and capability that exists everywhere, especially from regions that have not always been fully included. We have to grapple with the challenges that are more connected and more complex. And we have to make sure we are delivering for people everywhere, not just somewhere. Simply put, 21st century results are badly needed to move us along. That starts with the United Nations  starts right here in this room.

Biden claimed that since his publicly announced commitment to UNSC reform last year, the US had undertaken serious consultations with many member-states and that it will continue to push reform efforts forward, look for points of common ground, and make progress in the year ahead.

The UNSC reform agenda has been held hostage to process, where the inter-governmental negotiations (IGN), the primary forum for deliberation on discussion on reform, has failed to produce a text on the basis of which discussions can move forward. China, which is opposed to Indias inclusion in the Council in practice but has framed its position by basing it on the need for consensus, and a group of naysayer countries, which dont want to see their regional rivals get the top spot, are seen as blocking the progress.

Biden also said that the US is taking more steps to make global institutions more responsive, effective and inclusive. In this backdrop, he specifically mentioned steps to reform and scale-up the World Bank, expand its financing, and equip it to address address interconnected challenges like climate change and fragility. Under the Indian presidency, G20 took a lead in presenting a roadmap under an expert group to reform MDBs, the findings of which were reflected in the New Delhi declaration.

Biden said that he had asked the US Congress for an additional $25 billion to expand World Bank financing. And at the G20, we rallied the major economies of the world to mobilise even more funding. Collectively, we can deliver a transformational boost to World Bank lending. And because the multilateral development banks are among the best tools we have for modern-  mobilising transparent, high-quality investment in developing countries, reforming these institutions can be a game-changer.

Biden also spoke of US efforts to bolster the voice of developing countries in the International Monetary Fund and reform the World Trade Organisation, adding, And this month, we strengthened the G20 as a vital forum, welcoming the African Union as a permanent member.

For a country that is seen as both the prime architect and beneficiary of the current international order, the evolution in the US position on multilateral institutions and its alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modis call at G20 for a reform in global institutions to reflect contemporary realities is striking.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Prashant Jha Prashant Jha is the Washington DC-based US correspondent of Hindustan Times. He is also the editor of HT Premium. Jha has earlier served as editor-views and national political editor/bureau chief of the paper. He is the author of How the BJP Wins: Inside India's Greatest Election Machine and Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal. ...view detail
Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida said that he was willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as Tokyo seeks a diplomatic path amid tensions over Pyongyang's nuclear weapons programs. Reiterating the public offer at United Nations General Assembly days after his government announced his willingness for a summit, the PM said that Japan was willing to resolve all issues with North Korea. Japan's prime minister Fumio Kishida addresses the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York City.(Reuters)

"From the perspective of opening up a new era together, I would like to convey my determination to meet with President Kim Jong Un face to face at any time without any conditions," Fumio Kishida said. He said he would like to hold high-level talks under my direct supervision to realize a summit meeting at an early time.

Earlier Japan's chief Cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno had said, "We would like to hold high-level discussions under direct control of the prime minister to achieve a summit meeting as soon as possible. The PM has been expressing his determination to directly face" Kim at any time and without preconditions.

Japan's former prime minister Junichiro Koizumi paid a visit to Pyongyang while he was in office in 2002. He then met Kim Jong Un's father Kim Jong Il. The trip led to the return of five Japanese nationals and a follow-up trip by Koizumi but diplomacy broke down later.

US president Joe Biden's administration has also offered talks but North Korea has shown little interest. Although, former US president Donald Trump met Kim Jong Un and even voiced admiration for him.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Europe is reeling under the effects of migrant crisis and a tiny island named Lampedusa has emerged as the living symbol of how big the problem is. An Italian Coast Guard vessel carrying migrants rescued at sea passes between tourist boats, on the Sicilian island of Lampedusa, Italy, September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Yara Nardi(REUTERS)

In last six days, more than 10000-12000 people, most of them African migrants have landed on the island in search of a better life and better opportunities. It's interesting as the island has a native population of just slightly more than 6000 people.

According to a report by The Guardian, more than 127,000 migrants have reached Italian soil so far in 2023. It is more than double the number over the same period last year.

The persistent arrival of the migrants is causing grave problems including issue of livelihood for the local people on the island.

Unfortunately, these frequent arrivals affect us a lot  our livelihoods, healthcare, everything  we just dont have the services to cope, said Alfonso Gagliano who lives on the island.

While the influx is creating problems for local people, it's worth noting that the migrants are also taking perilous journey to reach the island.

In 2013, a boat carrying the migrants to the island, had caught fire and sank. In the tragic incident, dead bodies of 368 people were recovered.

ALSO READ| How Republican candidates fare against Donald Trump in the race to 2024 Presidential elections, poll says

Where is Lampedusa located?

Lampedusa is a small island in Southern Italy near the Mediterranean Sea. It is a part of the Sicily region in the European nation. Malta and Tunisia are the nearest African countries from the island.

What experts say about the ongoing migration crisis

Several experts see conspiracy in the ongoing migrant crisis in Europe. They raise questions about how less privileged African migrants are able to access advanced boats and plan sophistically to reach the European mainland by crossing the sea.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Mexican doctors have claimed that two mummified specimens that some UFO researchers say are aliens are not made of different bones, but belong to a single skeleton each. One of the two non-human alien corpses displayed at Mexico Congress(X(formerly Twitter)/@iohmbra)

The doctors performed various laboratory tests on the remains, which have been disputed by academics, scientists, and archaeologists who say they are part of a hoax.

Among the critics is Professor Brian Cox, a physicist and presenter, who said they are way too humanoid to be real.

The remains were shown in glass cases at an official event at Mexicos Congress last week, where UFO enthusiasts were excited to see them.

The politicians who attended the event were told that the specimens were found in Cusco, Peru, and that they were about 1,000 years old.

ALSO READ| Unsubstantiated stunt: Former US Navy pilot Ryan Graves distances himself from alien corpse unveiling in Mexico

The event was led by Jaime Maussan, a journalist and UFO researcher, who swore under oath that almost a third of their DNA is unknown and that the specimens do not fit in our terrestrial evolution, according to Mexican media.

These specimens are not part of our evolutionary history on Earth, he said in his presentation to Mexican government officials and representatives from the US.

"They are not beings recovered from a UFO crash.

Instead, they were found in diatom (algae) mines and subsequently became fossilized, he cited.

Professor Cox has requested that a sample be forwarded to the biotechnology firm 23andMe for an independent confirmation that the specimens are of terrestrial origin.

He said last week, Its very unlikely that an intelligent species that evolved on another planet would look like us.

This is not the first time that Mr. Maussan has claimed to have found an extra-terrestrial being.

In 2015, he said that a mummified body found near Nazca in Peru was an alien, but it turned out to be a human child.

Scholars, archaeologists, and scientists have collectively stated that the mummified remains, which UFO researchers assert are extraterrestrial, are typically altered human bodies.

They have also said that some of the smaller ones, like those shown in Mexico last week, are bodies made of animal and human bones.

The examinations conducted by Mexican medical professionals on Monday indicate that these remains originated from a singular skeleton rather than being composed of various distinct bones.

ALSO READ| Why is no one talking about this? How X users reacted to display of two non-human alien corpses at Mexico Congress

Mr Maussan said last week that the specimens had been studied before at the Autonomous National University of Mexico.

He stated, "Scientists utilized radiocarbon dating to obtain DNA evidence, and X-rays revealed that one of them contained 'eggs' inside."

Mexican politicians said last week that the information had left them with thoughts and concerns and that they wanted to continue talking about this.
Morocco plans to spend at least 120 billion dirhams ($11.7 billion) in a post-earthquake reconstruction plan over the next five years, the royal palace said on Wednesday. Over a week since a 6.8-magnitude quake devastated parts of central Morocco, many worry that the dire living conditions and poor hygiene spell new threats for the survivors. (AFP)

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck on Sept 8, killing more than 2,900 people, mostly in the hard-to-reach villages of the High Atlas mountains.

The plan would target 4.2 million people in the worst-hit provinces of Al Haouz, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Azizlal, the royal palace said, following a meeting of King Mohammed VI with government and army officials.

The plan covers rehousing and the upgrade of infrastructure in a way that is conducive to social and economic development in the quake-hit areas, it said in the statement.

The quake-stricken areas are among Morocco's poorest, with many remote villages lacking proper roads and public services.

The royal palace said the plan would be funded by the govenrment's budget, international aid and by a fund set up in response to the quake.

The fund has so far received some $700 million in donations.

Last week, the palace said that 50,000 houses were known to have been damaged and that authorities would provide shelter and 30,000 dirhams ($3,000) to affected households. It also pledged to offer reconstruction aid of 140,000 dirhams for collapsed homes and 80,000 for damaged ones.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Nearly 100 migrants were safely evacuated Wednesday from a yacht reported to be in difficulty off the southwestern coast of Greece, authorities said. Migrants on a sinking yacht.

The coast guard said in a statement that the yacht carrying 93 people was located about 40 nautical miles (46 miles, 74 kilometers) west of the small town of Pylos. There were no reports of missing passengers.

Six of the people on board were picked up by another yacht in the area and taken to Pylos, where one woman was transferred to a hospital in the southern city of Kalamata.

Another 87 people were picked up by two passing tanker ships and transported to Kalamata escorted by coast guard patrol vessels, the statement said.

READ | Greece boat tragedy: Nearly 500 still missing; survivors share their ordeal of horrifying journey

The area is near where a deadly migrant shipwreck in June left hundreds of people dead and missing and led to allegations that Greek authorities failed to respond appropriately to rescue the passengers.

The overcrowded trawler had set sail from Libya with an estimated 500-700 people on board. Only 104 survived and 82 bodies were recovered. The rest sank with the trawler in what is one of the deepest parts of the Mediterranean.

Last week, 40 survivors filed a lawsuit in Greece against all parties responsible, saying Greek authorities failed to rescue the passengers before the vessel capsized.

READ | Boat with 400 migrants adrift between Greece and Malta: Report

Many of the survivors dispute the official account that repeated offers of assistance by the coast guard were rejected, and claim a botched effort was made to tow the vessel to safety shortly before it capsized and sank.

Greece lies on a route used by smugglers to ferry people fleeing conflict and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia into the European Union.

Many use small dinghies to head from Turkey to Greek islands near the Turkish coast, while others use larger sailing boats, yachts or fishing vessels to make the longer crossing from either Turkey or north Africa to Italy, bypassing Greece.

The Greek coast guard said that a total of 115 migrants were rescued from three small boats off the eastern Aegean Sea island of Lesbos on Wednesday, and another 24 people off the island of Samos.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India in 2019, has threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and promoting violence by celebrating Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing. Vandals allegedly associated with the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada have been blamed for at least a dozen cases of desecration of temples with graffiti or anti-India posters. (AP)

Indo-Hindu leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs, said SFJs legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun in a video, which has gone viral. Pannun has been designated as a terrorist in India.

The video surfaced as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday claimed there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar in June and triggered tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats. Hours after India on Tuesday dismissed his claim as absurd and motivated, Trudeau insisted Canada was not looking to provoke or escalate.

Vijay Jain, a spokesperson for Canadian Hindus for Harmony, expressed concern over Pannuns threat. We are now seeing full-scale Hinduphobia out across the board.

Vandals allegedly associated with the so-called Khalistan referendum in Canada have been blamed for at least a dozen cases of desecration of temples with graffiti or anti-India posters. A petition has been pending before the Canadian House of Commons to recognise Hinduphobia in the glossary of terms in the Human Rights Code to describe anti-Hindu prejudice and discrimination. The petition has so far gathered nearly 9000 signatures.

Jain said Trudeaus remarks about Indias alleged involvement in Nijjars killing may stoke the sentiment. We are worried that this may translate into the loss of Canadian Hindu lives as in 1985.

Jains reference was to the Khalistani bombing of Air India Montreal-LondonDelhiBombay flight in June 1985, which left 307 passengers and 22 crew members on board dead. It was the worst terrorist attack in Canadian history. Canada annually on June 23 observes the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism in memory of those killed in the bombing.

In a post on social media platform X, commentator Rupa Subramanya questioned inaction over Pannuns threat. If a white supremacist had threatened saying all people of colour must leave Canada, imagine the uproar. Yet when a Khalistani threatens Hindus in Canada at an event in Canada, everyone bats their eyelid and looks the other way.

SFJ has said it feels emboldened by the Trudeau governments recent actions of disengaging with India.

In an opinion piece in the Canadian national daily The Globe and Mail, Andrew Coyne called for the need to keep the peace domestically in the aftermath of Nijjars killing. There will be many Sikh Canadians who will be left shaken by Mr Nijjars killing; some will be enraged, and some of them may be tempted to engage in reprisals of some kind. Coyne warned the risk of ethnic and sectarian bloodshed in Canada is real.

Canadian minister Anita Anand, who is a Hindu, appealed for calm. In a post on X, Anand said South Asians and families who come from India, regardless of religion, will share the sentiment that it was difficult to hear Trudeaus statement on Monday. This is a time to let the legal process continue as it must. Let us all remain calm, unified, and empathetic.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail
The leader of Canadas official opposition Conservative Party has called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to provide proof to substantiate his allegations that Indian agents were potentially linked to the killing of pro-Khalistan figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Khalistan flags are seen outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib in Surrey, British Columbia (AP)

India on Monday rejected Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar in June. The allegation has triggered a diplomatic row between the two countries with each expelling a diplomat in a tit-for-tat expulsion move.

Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre had risen in support of the government when Trudeau made his statement but a day later, on Tuesday, he asked for more information to back those incendiary claims.

The Prime Minister needs to come clean with all the facts. We need to know all the evidence possible so that Canadians can make judgments on that, he told the media in Ottawa.

Asked what the consequences could be if the allegations were either untrue or not credible, he responded with a single word: Real.

Poilievre stressed that Trudeaus briefing to opposition leaders on Monday only included his remarks in the House of Commons. We need to see more facts. The Prime Minister has not provided any facts. He provided a statement. I will emphasise he didnt tell me any more in private than he told Canadians in public so we want to see more information, he said.

He compared the Trudeau governments lack of action for years over allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian federal elections to the alacrity with which it had approached Nijjars killing on June 18.

Also Read: Trudeau triggers diplomatic firestorm with India remark

I find it interesting that he knew about the vast foreign interference by Beijing for many years; at the same time Beijing kept two Canadian citizens hostage and he said nothing and he did nothing, he pointed out.

Chinese interference was only addressed by the government after a series of exposes appeared earlier this year in the news outlets the Globe & Mail and Global News.

In an editorial on the allegation, the daily National Post said, If it turns out that Trudeau dropped this metaphorical bomb without having all his ducks in order, it will be a huge scandal, with massive domestic and geopolitical ramifications. Its imperative that Canadians get to see his full hand.

It also compared Trudeaus current allegations with the description of intelligence about Chinese interference as unreliable.

Speaking before the House of Commons on Monday, Trudeau said, Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Trudeau said he communicated Ottawas deep concern over the killing of Nijjar to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in no uncertain terms when they meet for a pull aside on the margins of the G20 leaders summit in New Delhi earlier this month.

Nijjar was gunned down in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara that he headed in the town of Surrey in the province of British Columbia. Nijjar was the principal figure of the secessionist outfit Sikhs for Justice or SFJ in the province. SFJ had accused India of being behind his assassination and in fact, has bene conducting a poster campaign in this connection.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Anirudh Bhattacharyya Anirudh Bhattacharya is a Toronto-based commentator on North American issues, and an author. He has also worked as a journalist in New Delhi and New York spanning print, television and digital media. He tweets as @anirudhb. ...view detail
China's foreign ministry in Hong Kong slammed a six month report on the financial hub by Britain, saying it ignored "good" societal conditions, a more stable business environment and instead supported "anti China" chaos. A China's flag flutters near people lining up to get tested at a makeshift nucleic acid testing site. (File image)(REUTERS)

The comments came after Britain published its six monthly report on the Chinese controlled hub, from Jan 1 to June 30, which stated that authorities have extended the application of a Beijing imposed national security law "beyond genuine national security concerns".

Beijing imposed the sweeping law in 2020 after sometimes violent anti-government protests rocked the city in 2019.

While some Western governments have criticised the laws as curbing social and political freedoms in the city, both Chinese and Hong Kong officials have said they were vital to restore stability.

Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997 from Britain, has had "universal success" in implementing the practise of 'one country, two systems', China's foreign ministry said.

"In recent years the number of people in the UK living in poverty has been increasing...crime rates have hit record highs. What confidence does it have to criticise Hong Kong's democracy and human rights situation?" the ministry said.

"Plans to disrupt Hong Kong are doomed to fail."

The British report said that authorities continue to try to use legal routes to suppress the protest anthem 'Glory to Hong Kong' while media tycoon Jimmy Lai's national security trial has been further delayed.

"The UK will always defend universal human rights, including freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly and we will stand up for those who are targeted," it said.

Lai's prosecution is "highly politicised", Britain said, adding that the government continued to press for consular access.

Hong Kong police have also issued arrest warrants and bounties against individuals in the UK and elsewhere, it said adding that Britain would not tolerate attempts to intimidate and silence people in its country.

Hong Kong's legal and judicial systems are at a critical juncture, the report said, adding that while the city's courts remain independent they are having to adjudicate on an opaque national security law that places the authority of the Chief Executive on security matters above that of their own.
King Charles will arrive in France on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, during which he and President Emmanuel Macron will hope to build on personal bonds to help turn the page on years of rocky relations between the two neighbouring countries. Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla(Reuters)

The king and his wife, Queen Camilla, will start their visit with a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, with the aerobatics display teams of both nations' air forces, conducting a flypast.

Amid the highlights of the trip will be a state dinner on Wednesday at the Versailles palace, where blue lobster and a selection of French and English cheeses will be on the menu.

On Thursday, Charles, Camilla, Macron and his wife Brigitte will visit the Notre-Dame cathedral to view restoration works following a massive blaze in 2019 that destroyed its roof.

Charles and Camilla will then head to the southwestern city of Bordeaux on Friday, where excursions will include a visit to an organic vineyard.

The king, a fluent French speaker like his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, is keen to walk in her footsteps and is likely to refer to Elizabeth's deep affection for France, officials said, with the trip also being a chance to rebuild ties that have been frayed by Britain's chaotic exit from the EU in 2020.

"There are links of friendship and trust, the two (Charles and Macron) have spoken many times, and especially over the past year," an Elysee official said.

Charles had hoped for a state visit to France to have been his first as king, but a March trip was postponed due to tense protests in France over pension reforms, much to Macron's embarrassment.

On their second attempt at meeting in France, the 74-year-old king and the 45-year-old president will set out to build on a relationship already bolstered by their communications over Notre-Dame. Charles had written to Macron when the cathedral burnt down, and the pair also share interests in climate and heritage, royal aides said.

"I realize only too well what a truly special significance the cathedral holds at the heart of your nation; but also for us all outside France it represents one of the greatest architectural achievements of Western Civilization," Charles wrote in his letter.

The warm words, visits and symbolic gestures come after several tense years over the negotiation of Britain's exit in 2020 from the European Union, and after that, rows over issues ranging from immigration to the sale of submarines.

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss once said the jury was out on whether France was a friend or foe, before settling on calling it a friend last year. Her successor, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, visited France in March to kick off what he called an "entente renewed".

Still, Parisians remained sceptical about the visit.

"He's just the son, they are old already, we don't have a long history," said 88-year old Mireille Mauve.

Fifteen year-old Alexia Aubert said: I think since Elizabeth died, the royal family isn't as important as it was, King Charles isn't as important and symbolic as Elizabeth, so it doesn't really matter if he comes or not.d
Britains Prince William announced finalists for third annual Earthshot Prize saying that innovation, creativity and technology are important in the fight against climate change. The five awards of 1 million pounds ($1.2 million) are given to companies and groups that come up with new ways to save the planet. Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales in New York.(AP)

Weve got to hang onto optimism and hope because it is the biggest driver of change, the biggest driver of innovation, Prince William said after mentioning that he'd slipped away for a morning jog in New Yorks Central Park.

I believe there is hope; there are people out there doing incredible things that will have massive impacts on our futures," he added, highlighting 15 different finalists from around the world, including efforts to reduce London air pollution from vehicle tires, reduce livestock methane emissions by new types of seaweed feedstock and use DNA technology to make more textile dyes.

While Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates said, Theres a lot of climate exaggeration. The climate is not the end of the planet. So the planet is going to be fine.

The world will not be able to meet its agreed-upon goal to limit future warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial temperatures, but it wont hit the 3-degree Celsius mark either, he said, adding that the world went on a gigantic innovation process related to climate change.

US treasury secretary Janet Yellen talked about more down-to-Earth financial issues saying that the climate crisis has propelled a massive economic shift.

She said the goal is to affirm the importance of credible net-zero commitments and to encourage financial institutions that make them to take consistent approaches to implementation."

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
The United Nations has recorded over 1,600 incidents of rights violations against people detained by the Taliban authorities, nearly half of them acts of torture and ill-treatment mostly by police and intelligence agents, a report released on Wednesday showed. Taliban fighters

The U.N. Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) said 18 people had also died in prisons and in the custody of police and intelligence in the 19 months ending July 2023.

The Taliban have staffed and controlled the police and the intelligence agency since they took over the country as foreign forces withdrew in 2021.

"In attempts to extract confessions or other information, detainees were subjected to severe pain and suffering, through physical beatings, electric shocks, asphyxiation, stress positions and forced ingestion of water, as well as blind-folding and threats," UNAMA said in a statement.

Other violations included not being informed of the reason for arrest, not being able to access a lawyer and inadequate medical care in custody.

Around one in ten of the violations were against women. Journalists and civil society members accounted for nearly a quarter of the victims of the violations.

In a response published with the report, the Taliban-led ministry of foreign affairs said the number of reported violations was not accurate, especially the number of journalists or civil society advocates affected.

The ministry said the authorities and the judiciary were working to increase oversight and ensure compliance with decrees by the supreme leader that prohibited torture or forcing confessions.

The U.N. said the decrees, and allowing access to the prisons, were "encouraging signs", but called for more action to redress the situation.

"These documented cases highlight the need for urgent, accelerated action by all," said Roza Otunbayeva, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of UNAMA. There is a pressing need to consider more engagement with the de facto authorities to end these practices.
British Labour party MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi said that many "anxious, angry and fearful Sikhs" contacted him following the sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions after Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The reports coming out of Canada were concerning, the Sikh MP said on his official handle on X (formerly Twitter). British MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi

Concerning reports coming from #Canada. Many #Sikhs from #Slough and beyond have contacted me; anxious, angry or fearful. Given Canadian PM Trudeau stated theyve been working with close allies, were in touch with UK Gov to ensure justice is delivered, he posted on the social media platform.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that Indian agents were behind the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia. Addressing the Canadian parliament, the PM claimed that his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing.

"Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," he said.

India, however, rejected the allegations, calling them "absurd" and "motivated".

We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement, adding, Allegations of the Indian governments involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
A graphic version of Anne Franks diary, which includes some sexual content, has sparked controversy in several public schools in the US. A teacher in Texas was fired for reading a passage from the book to her eighth-grade students, while other districts have banned or reviewed the book. A man holds a copy of the graphic novel version of The Diary of Anne Frank, by Israeli writer-director Ari Folman and illustrator David Polonsky, in Paris on September 18, 2017.(Gent Shkullaku/AFP)

What is Anne Frank's illustrated diary?

The book, titled Anne Franks Diary: The Graphic Adaptation, was published in 2018 with the authorization of the Anne Frank Fonds, the foundation that owns the rights to Franks diary.

The book is based on the original handwritten diary of Frank, a Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II and died in a concentration camp. The book restores some parts of the diary that were omitted from the most popular editions, such as Franks exploration of her sexuality and body.

ALSO READ| Couple, two young children, and three dogs discovered fatally shot in suburban Chicago residence

Why was Texas teacher fired

The teacher who was fired worked at Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District, near Houston. She had assigned the book to her students and read some portions aloud in class, including a passage where Frank describes male and female genitalia in detail. The passage comes right after Frank writes about hearing gunshots as Allied forces parachuted from a crashing plane.

The district said that the book was not approved for classroom use and that there was an active investigation. The teacher was sent home last week and replaced by a substitute. The district also apologized to the parents and students for the inappropriate content.

Some parents were outraged by the book and the teachers actions. One parent of twin boys in the class told a local news channel that the teacher made a girl read aloud another passage where Frank reveals her feelings for another girl. The parent called it not OK and said that it was bad enough that the teacher had assigned the book as homework.

The graphic adaptation of Franks diary has also faced criticism and censorship in other school districts. In 2020, it was temporarily removed from another Texas district after a parent complained about its sexual content. In Florida, it was permanently banned from one district and put under review in another. A Jewish Republican lawmaker in Florida described the book as Anne Frank pornography.

Is Anne Franks Diary: The Graphic Adaptation not appropriate for kids?

The Anne Frank Fonds has defended the book and said that it was appropriate for young readers.

We consider the book of a 12-year-old girl to be appropriate reading for her peers, board member Yves Kugelmann told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

ALSO READ| List of top 10 countries for best quality of life

The book is part of a larger trend of conservative backlash against books that deal with sexuality, gender identity, and race in schools. Teachers have been punished and books have been challenged or banned for featuring authors such as Ta-Nahisi Coates, who writes about racial issues.

Jewish books such as Anne Franks Diary, Maus and The Fixer have also been targeted by some activists who find them objectionable.
Electricity supplies were cut across Tunisia for two hours on Wednesday but the reason for the rare nationwide outage was unclear, residents and the state electricity company STEG said on Wednesday. Tunisia Electricity Blackout: The Interior Minister Kamal Feki was headed to the power plant in Rades city.

The Interior Minister Kamal Feki was headed to the power plant in Rades city to investigate the reasons behind the blackout, his ministry said.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Amid the India-Canada soaring diplomatic tensions over killing of a Sikh leader, Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday said that Canberra doesnt talk about its security briefings being held as part of the Five Eyes Group. Australian PM Anthony Albanese (ANI/ X)

Follow LIVE Updates

On being asked if the Australian government has received a security briefing about the alleged assassination, Albanese said, We don't talk about security briefings from Five Eyes (intelligence alliance), as part of the Five Eyes group."

The Five Eyes Alliance which includes US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada- called the accusations serious.

Read here: Five Eyes intelligence alliance backs Canada probe in Nijjar killing: What is it

Albanese further said that he had discussions with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau but would doesn't wish to disclose and keep them confidential. "...Well, I do have discussions with Prime Minister Trudeau but one of the things that I do, unlike my predecessor, I don't send out text messages, I keep those discussions confidential. Justin Trudeau is a friend of mine, he's a fine Prime Minister of Canada. I was pleased to engage with him at the G20 (Summit). He has expressed his concerns about this on behalf of the Canadian government and the Australian foreign minister Penny Wong has also expressed concerns, the Australian PM said.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong had earlier called the Canadian allegations of about India's alleged role in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar concerning. She also said that the investigation is underway into the matter, and Australia will continue to monitor the developments.

Meanwhile, the Indian External Affairs Ministry (MEA) today issued an advisory to its nationals and students living in Canada to to exercise utmost caution due to growing anti-India activities and hate crimes. The advisory cautioned Indian nationals to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

There are 2,30,000 Indian students and 7,00,000 non-resident Indians in Canada, according to the website of the Indian high commission in Ottawa.

India's relations with Canada have reached an all-time low after Trudeau alleged India's involvement in killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a claim which was rejected by New Delhi terming it absurd and motivated. Following Trudeau's allegations, Canadian foreign minister had expelled a senior Indian diplomat from the country, which further compelled New Delhi to boot out a Canadian top official with a condition to leave India in five days.

Read here: Exercise utmost caution: India issues advisory for its nationals in Canada

After coming under severe pressure the Canadian Prime Minister then appeared to tone down the rhetoric on Tuesday saying Canada was not looking to provoke India.

"We are not looking to provoke or escalate, we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes," Trudeau said in a news briefing.

(With inputs from ANI)
California filed a new lawsuit against big oil and gas companies. This was confirmed by state officials on Saturday, Sept. 16. The legal action claims that gas and oil firms deceived the public regarding the risks posed by fossil fuels.

California Files Lawsuit Against Big Oil, Gas Companies

According to NBC News' latest report, California's latest lawsuit accuses oil and gas companies of deceiving the public regarding the effects of fossil fuels.

The civil lawsuit filed in the state Superior Court in San Francisco states that fossil fuels are responsible for wildfires, as well as climate change-related storms.

Californian officials said that these natural disasters already caused billions of dollars in damages. Governor Gavin Newsom said that the companies included in the lawsuit should be held accountable.

These firms include Chevron, Shell, Exxon Mobil, BP, and ConocoPhillips.

"For more than 50 years, Big Oil has been lying to us - covering up the fact that they've long known how dangerous the fossil fuels they produce are for our planet," said Newsom.

He added that the taxes paid by Californian residents should not be used for the damages caused by fossil fuels. These include record-breaking drought parching, deadly heat waves, air pollution, and wildfires.

Read Also: California Labor Groups, Fast Food Companies Agree To Raise Minimum Salary to $20

Why California's Lawsuit is a Big Deal

CBS News reported that California's lawsuit against oil and gas companies is a big deal because it makes the U.S. state the first one to take these firms to court.

"It is time they pay to abate the harm they have caused. We will meet the moment and fight tirelessly on behalf of all Californians, in particular those who live in environmental justice communities," said Bonta.

Kassie Siegel, the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity's director, also explained the importance of civil legal action.

Siegel said that the lawsuit will help California to address climate change. The environmental expert added that the legal action seeks to stop big oil and gas companies from fooling the public when it comes to the effects of their activities.

Right now, California's lawsuit is seeking to force oil and gas companies to pay for the recovery efforts from wildfires and storms. You can click this link to learn more about this lawsuit.

Related Article: California: TVUSD School Board Accepts New Curriculum; School Materials Mention Gay Rights Now Allowed

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Paul Ratje / AFP) (PAUL RATJE/AFP via Getty Images)

Mexican drug cartels are believed to be taking advantage of migrants and sending them to turm themselves over to Border Patrol officials to distract from their smuggling operations.

Mexican drug cartels are believed to be taking advantage of migrants and sending them to the southern United States border to distract officials from their smuggling operations.

The asylum seekers are allegedly being sent deliberately to hand themselves over to Border Patrol officers in various US border towns in the thousands. Law enforcement officials alleged this was an effort to allow the cartels to carry on their drug and human smuggling operations undisturbed in less populated areas.

Mexican Drug Cartels Using Migrants

There was a migrant group of roughly 2,200 people who turned themselves over to officers in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Monday. Video footage showed migrants lined up in blocks, waiting to be processed by Border Patrol.

Roughly 500 miles away, in the westernmost tip of the state, El Paso has also seen a surge in the number of migrants in the last week. Sources said that on Thursday alone, some 1,700 migrants were encountered in 24 hours, as per the New York Post.

Since then, multiple groups of migrants in the hundreds have lined up along the border wall to surrender themselves to officers and claim asylum in the United States. The situation is allegedly fueled by cartel lies, including the Biden administration's CBP One app to schedule immigration appointments.

One source said that the drug cartels were circulating false information that anyone waiting for a CBP One appointment could turn themselves in and seek asylum in the US. On Monday, up to 500 mostly Venezuelan asylum seekers lined up at El Paso, waiting to cross into the US.

Many single adults and families crossed the border illegally but hope to stay in the US while their asylum cases are heard. However, this is a process that usually takes several years to complete.

Read Also: DeSantis Says Drone Strikes Against Mexican Cartels Possible If He Wins US Presidency

Overwhelming the Southern Border

Additionally, the American government allegedly knew about weapon trafficking for several years, based on US intelligence documents and interviews with half a dozen current and former officials. However, sources said that there was little done to stop the trafficking networks inside the United States, according to CBS News.

These networks are supposedly responsible for moving up to a million firearms across the border yearly, including belt-fed miniguns and grenade launchers. Dozens of cartel gunrunning networks, which operate like terrorist cells, pay Americans to buy weapons from gun stores and online dealers nationwide.

Then, the firearms are shipped across the southwest border through brokers and couriers. The US government has also spent the last five decades waging an unsuccessful war on drug traffickers who are now believed to be fueling a deadly fentanyl epidemic.

The situation comes as Mexico is considered the top source of migrants trying to cross the US border illegally. There have been nearly half a million US Border Patrol encounters along the southern border this fiscal year alone, said Dallas News.

Related Article: US Troops to Stay at Southern Border Until Sept. 30

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 19: Women from Scottish Feminist Network outside the Court of Session on September 19, 2023 in Edinburgh, Scotland. At the beginning of 2023, the UK government employed Section 35 powers to obstruct Scotland's Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, intended to allow transgender individuals to alter their legal gender without needing a medical diagnosis. The legal challenge will unfold during a three-day hearing, overseen by Judge Lady Haldane, who, in 2022, rendered a significant ruling that the definition of sex extended beyond 'biological or birth sex.'

In a significant legal showdown, the Scottish Government is poised to challenge the UK Government's decision to block contentious gender reform legislation.

Scheduled to be heard at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, this legal battle centers on the UK Government's use of Section 35 of the Scotland Act, which effectively prevented the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill from receiving royal assent, according to Independent.

Scotland Challenges UK's Block on Gender Reform Legislation

The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for gender rights and the relationship between the Scottish and UK governments. The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill was designed to streamline the process for transgender individuals to self-identify and obtain a gender recognition certificate.

This legislation aimed to make it easier for trans individuals to navigate legal processes associated with gender identity. However, Scottish Secretary Alister Jack utilized previously unused powers of the Scotland Act to halt the bill's progress.

First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf announced the legal challenge in April, framing it as a defense of the Scottish Parliament's autonomy against what he deemed a Westminster veto.

At the time, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak asserted that UK ministers had taken their decision after careful consideration, expressing concerns about the potential impact of the Scottish bill on the reserved Equalities Act, as per The Guardian.

The Scottish Government's legal challenge is based on a 22-page petition published in April. This document outlines four key grounds upon which the UK Government's order is being contested:

Material Error of Law: The petition argues that Alister Jack committed a "material error of law" in his decision to block the bill.

Relevance of Concerns: The Scottish Government contends that the concerns raised by the UK Secretary were "irrelevant" to the making of the order.

Inadequate Reasons: It is asserted that the reasons provided by Mr. Jack for blocking the legislation were "inadequate," rendering the order itself "illegal."

Irrationality: Scottish Government attorneys characterize the Scottish Secretary's decision as "irrational."

Read Also: UK's Health System Warns Doctor Strike Could Cause Major Patient Care Disruption

Advocate General Rebuts Claims of Irrationality in Gender Reform Blockage

In response to these challenges, Lord Stewart, Advocate General for Scotland, published legal arguments last month. These arguments refute the assertion that Alister Jack acted irrationally in blocking the Scottish bill.

Lord Stewart maintains that the Scottish bill modifies the law as it applies to the reserved matters. This legal battle holds significant implications for the rights and recognition of transgender individuals in Scotland.

The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill, had it passed, would have marked a notable step forward in simplifying the process for trans individuals to self-identify and access necessary documentation. The outcome of this case will determine whether these reforms will see the light of day.

Moreover, this legal challenge also underscores the ongoing tension between the Scottish and UK governments regarding devolved powers and legislative authority.

It raises questions about the extent to which the UK Government can intervene in matters reserved to the Scottish Parliament and the potential limits of its authority, Sky News reported.

Related Article: US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan Meets With Top Chinese Foreign Policy Official Wang Yi To Negotiate Diplomatic Issues

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Officials from the US state of Arizona and the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) discuss increasing its advanced chip packaging capacity by opening a facility in the US.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D) is in Taiwan Tuesday (September 19) as part of a broader US delegation visiting the island nation to discuss with officials and firms focused on Taiwan's key role in the semiconductor supply chain, Bloomberg reported.

In addition, US Undersecretary of Commerce Laurie Locascio said Washington is talking with TSMC about research and development for the first time in an effort to bring more of the world's biggest contract chipmaker's technology to the US.

Chip Packaging a Bottleneck to Settle, Says TSMC Chair

Packaging has become a bottleneck in the fabrication of the most in-demand silicon of today, especially for Nvidia's artificial intelligence (AI) accelerators, which TSMC makes.

In response, TSMC chairman Mark Liu told Semicon earlier this month that the company has committed to expand its packaging capacity in Taiwan, but expected that supplies to tighten for another 18 months. Cadence Design Systems CEO Anirudh Devgan also told the same event that packaging would be the key battleground for nations seeking to establish tech leadership, something Taiwan is attempting to maintain in its conflict against China.

Read Also: Same Hackers That Broke Into MGM Also Targeting Other Companies, Including Caesars: Report

TSMC Proposes to Increase, and Develop Chip Packaging Facility in AZ

To date, TSMC's commitment to Arizona now spans two fabs and $40 billion in investment. Adding advanced packaging to its current commitments would increase the firm's chipmaking capability outside Taiwan.

Last December, TSMC had already said it would offer more advanced 4-nanometer (nm) chips from its Arizona plant at the request of Apple, which is one of its biggest customers.

Hobbs added that her state and TSMC are "working through some bugs," but was "very impressed" by the speed of developments in their discussions that the project to develop TSMC's Arizona plant was reported to be continuing as scheduled. TSMC executives added in its latest earnings call that the operation of the first Arizona plant would be delayed to 2025 due to a lack of skilled labor, among other things.

Hobbs also said that over 30 supply chain companies have come to Arizona in the past year, adding that the state has a "highly skilled workforce" that has been continuing to grow.

She further added that Taiwan should bring more workers stateside to work side by side with Arizonans.

In response, TSMC said in a statement it was "honored" to host Hobbs at its headquarters where executives held "productive discussions" with her.

"We believe the dialogues that we held during this visit will help us to work together even more closely in the future," the company added.

Related Article: TSMC Announces Plans to Build 2nm Chips in Kaohsiung Plant, Establish Factory in Germany

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Futures Exchange (FTX) has sued the parents of its founder, Sam Bankman-Fried, for allegations of using the company to enrich themselves at the expense of the company's customers.

According to its CEO John Ray III, Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried, among other insiders, have been benefiting from their son running FTX like a "family business."

Bankman-Fried initially pleaded not guilty to charges of defrauding FTX customers by using their funds to prop up his own risky investments. Despite this, he has been detained ahead of a trial scheduled to begin on October 3.

Other former FTX executives have also pleaded guilty to criminal charges, Reuters reported.

Read Also: [Timeline] The Rise and Fall of FTX Chief Sam Bankman-Fried

The Family that Scams Together?

FTX's lawsuit alleged that Bankman and Fried accepted a $10-million cash gift and a $16.4 million luxury property in the Bahamas from the firm, even as it was about to collapse. The company further alleged that the parents also pushed FTX to make tens of millions of dollars in charitable contributions, including to their alma mater, Stanford University.

Bankman, a tax specialist at Stanford Law School, often positioned himself as the "adult in the room" in a firm run by his son and other executives who were relatively young and with little to no management experience. However, the lawsuit added, Bankman "stayed silent" when he saw the warning signs of fraud and did little to prevent FTX's leadership from misappropriating customer funds.

Meanwhile, Fried was the strongest influence on FTX's political contributions, which caused her son and his fellow executives to directly contribute millions of dollars to a political action committee that she co-founded.

SBF's Legal Team Denies FTX's Embezzlement Claims

On the other hand, Bankman and Fried's attorneys, Sean Hecker and Michael Tremonte said in a joint statement that FTX's claims were "completely false" and the lawsuit a waste of funds that could be returned to the company's customers.

"This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their child's trial begins," the legal counsels said.

To date, FTX has recovered more than $7 billion in assets to repay customers and has been pursuing additional recoveries through lawsuits against FTX insiders and other defendants who received money from FTX before it went bankrupt.

Related Article: Robinhood Buys Back Former FTX CEO Sam Bankman-Fried's Stake for $606 Million From US Government

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York Tuesday (September 19), warning them of Russia's "weaponization" of everyday commodities, such as food and energy - two things the country has been heavily hit with since the beginning of the Russian invasion - saying that the Kremlin can replicate what they have done to his country to the rest of the world.

"The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into a weapon against you, against the international rules-based order," Zelensky addressed delegates and other guests in English.

His remarks against Russia were among the most scathing in a series of addresses by world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, who earlier said that if the world would allow Russia to "brutalize" Ukraine, the independence of any other nation in the world would be in jeopardy.

"If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?" Biden asked global delegates.

Biden was the only leader of the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council - which some call the Big Five - to attend the General Assembly.

Read Also: Zelensky, Biden Expected to Speak at UN General Assembly, Multiple Reports Say

Zelensky Urges World Leaders to Unite Against Russian Aggression, 'Weaponization'

During his speech, Zelensky called on world leaders to "act united to defeat the aggressor," which he identified as Russia.

Aside from weaponizing food and energy, he also called out the Kremlin for threatening nuclear war not only to Ukraine but to the world, which was met with thunderous applause.

"While Russia is pushing the world to the final war, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after Russian aggression no one in the world will dare to attack any nation," he added. "Weaponization must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home and the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united."

He also addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin's "weaponization" of Ukrainian children Kyiv claims to have been abducted in order to be russified.

"The International Criminal Court issued international arrest warrants to Putin for this crime," he continued, as quoted by the New York Post. "We are trying to get children back home but time goes by... what will happen to them?"

Related Article: UN General Assembly: Joe Biden Encourages World Leaders to Support Ukraine-Here's What POTUS Said

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The U.K. government is now urging Meta's encrypted messages plan to be halted.

To show that they are serious with their request, the Home Office launched a new campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 20.

UK Urges Meta's Encrypted Messages Plan To Be Halted

According to The Guardian's latest report, the encrypted messaging tech of Meta will only benefit online child abusers.

The Home Office's new campaign explained that if the giant tech firm continues releasing this privacy technology, it will allow child abusers to "hide in the dark."

Government officials explained that Mark Zuckerberg should temporarily halt his encryption plans for Meta's apps until the company develops safety plans to detect child abuse activities on the encrypted messages.

33-year-old Rhiannon-Faye McDonald, an online child abuse victim, shared her concerns regarding Meta's upcoming encryption technology.

She said that Meta's CEO should be responsible enough to reconsider the launch of the new encrypted messages feature on its platforms.

U.K. Home Office Secretary Suella Braverman also criticized Meta.

"Meta has failed to provide assurances that they will keep their platforms safe from sickening abusers. Meta has failed to provide assurances that they will keep their platforms safe from sickening abusers," she said via Benzinga.

Meta plans to release its encryption messages tech on Facebook Messenger and Instagram.

Read Also: Microsoft AI Researchers Accidentally Leak 38 Terabytes of Internal Sensitive Data Through Azure Storage

Negative Effects of Meta's Encryption Messages

Aside from allowing child abusers to effectively target their victims, Meta's encrypted messages can also make it hard for law enforcement to arrest child abusers.

The National Crime Agency explained that encrypting Instagram and Messenger messages can drastically reduce abuse referrals sent to the NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children).

Meanwhile, multiple child safety campaigners also shared their concerns, saying that Meta could enable abusers to evade detection. If this happens, pedophiles can easily groom children, who are now mostly using many social media platforms.

However, Meta is still defending its encrypted messages plan. The tech company's spokesperson explained that this technology helps them prevent criminals, hackers, and fraudsters from victimizing U.K. residents.

"We don't think people want us reading their private messages so we have spent the last five years developing robust safety measures to prevent, detect, and combat abuse while maintaining online security," said the official.

The spokesman further stated that once they roll out the end-to-end encryption on Meta platforms, they will ensure that they provide more reports to law enforcement since people's safety is their top priority.

Related Article: Online Safety Bill: Campaigner, Father of Suicide Victim Urges UK Regulator to Act Fast After Bill Passes

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

Rep. Ken Buck, a member of the Freedom Caucus, criticized the GOP's impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden and dismissed election fraud claims.

Rep. Ken Buck has criticized the GOP's impeachment inquiry against United States President Joe Biden and has maintained his opposition to claims of election fraud.

The GOP lawmaker is the White House's go-to Republican critic of the impeachment inquiry into the president. Buck has recently been known to be looking into leaving Congress and finding a new job, expressing interest in becoming an on-air commentator for CNN.

Ken Buck on Biden Impeachment Inquiry

The Colorado official, who is a five-term fiscal hawk, surprised fellow conservatives as he repeatedly criticized the probe that was launched last week into the president's alleged corruption. These included a Sept. 15 Washington Post op-ed that other GOP lawmakers said that glaring inaccuracies.

Last month, Buck privately said that he was interested in applying for a job at CNN, a source said, after he weighed other potential options in the last year. These include joining a DC-based law firm or seeking Biden's nomination to the Federal Trade Commission, as per the New York Post.

The 64-year-old lawmaker later confirmed that he was exploring his options and said that it would be "great" to become a part of CNN. Buck added that he was interested in talking to the people at the media outlet and other news organizations that he said were on the center-left stance.

The lawmaker said that it would be great if he had the opportunity to do that kind of work full-time or to be a contributor to those organizations. The congressman also said during a phone interview that he was interested in a position at right-leaning Fox News or Newsmax.

The congressman represents a vast rural district that spans the entirety of the eastern border of the Rocky Mountain State. On Tuesday, he said that it was unclear if he would be leaving office "this Congress, next Congress, or whatever."

Buck is one of only two Freedom Caucus members who voted to fully certify Biden's victory during the 2020 elections and later urged Republican lawmakers to "trust the system." His remarks epitomized his unique political persona in the House GOP as being opinionated and at times contrarian, according to Politico.

Read Also: Texas Acquits Ken Paxton on Corruption, Abuse of Office Charges

Criticizing Donald Trump

The Congressman has been willing to isolate himself from the right flank at the risk of receiving backlash from his own lawmaker colleagues. He also criticized former United States President Donald Trump at times, which is considered to be a rare quality among members of the Freedom Caucus.

Buck also said that amid the impeachment inquiry into Biden, the House is heading into a government shutdown and has not made any progress on cutting the country's out-of-control spending.

He noted that the Republican Party's charge against the president is that he personally benefited from his son, Hunter Biden's, business exploits worldwide. While the latter's shady business deals indeed undermined the country's image and anti-corruption goals, there was nothing that connected the president to those deals.

The Congressman noted that his colleagues believe the connection comes through the 2016 firing of Ukrainian prosecutor Viktor Shokin, which Biden, who was the vice president at the time, helped facilitate, said the Washington Post.

Related Article: House GOP Hardliners Block Defense Spending Bill, Worsening Republican Dispute

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images)

TOPSHOT - An Australian army M1A1 Abrams main battle tank fires a round at a target during Excercise Chong Ju, a live fire demonstration showcasing the army's joint combined arms capabilities at the Puckapunyal Military Base some 100 kilometres north of Melbourne on May 9, 2019.

The impending arrival of US-made M1 Abrams tanks in Ukraine has raised expectations and questions about their impact on Ukraine's ongoing counteroffensive against Russian-backed forces.

While these tanks are considered a valuable addition to Ukraine's military arsenal, experts remain divided on their potential advantages in the challenging months ahead, as per to Washington Examiner.

Assessing the Impact of M1 Abrams Tanks on the Ongoing Counteroffensive

The announcement by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin regarding the deployment of Abrams tanks to Ukraine has been met with optimism. These tanks are expected to provide Ukraine with a formidable armored capability, complementing the already-present Leopard 2 tanks.

The US pledged a total of 31 Abrams tanks with the aim of bolstering Ukraine's forces sooner rather than later. However, experts caution that the impact of these tanks will depend on various factors, including weather conditions and military strategy.

One critical factor that will influence the effectiveness of the Abrams tanks is the Ukrainian climate. As Ukraine heads into the fall and winter months, it will confront the muddy season, known as Rasputin, which can make military operations challenging.

The Abrams tanks have primarily operated in dry conditions, raising questions about their performance in muddy and snowy terrain with numerous streams and rivers. Defense writer and military expert Michael Peck highlights the need to assess how the Abrams tanks will perform under such conditions.

Whether these tanks can maintain their combat capabilities during intensive mechanized operations in adverse weather and challenging terrain remains to be seen. Despite the challenges posed by the changing weather, Ukraine's determination to continue its counteroffensive remains unwavering.

The successful summer campaign in the Zaporizhzhia region marked a significant breakthrough for Ukraine after months of facing well-fortified Russian defenses. With the new Abrams tanks, Ukraine hopes to push southward, targeting key cities like Tokmak, Melitopol, and the Sea of Azov.

However, experts like Marina Miron raise concerns about deploying the Abrams tanks in the muddy season. She argues that using them in Zaporizhzhia during this period could lead to these heavy tanks getting stuck in the mud, as well as their support vehicles.

This logistical challenge further complicates Ukraine's military operations. Ukraine's military is now faced with the logistical nightmare of managing three different types of unfamiliar Western main battle tanks: the Abrams, Challenger 2, and Leopard 2.

This diversity in tank types strains Ukraine's logistics, making them vulnerable to potential disruption by Russian forces. Moreover, the Abrams tanks' maintenance presents its own challenges. Ukraine needs to secure spare parts for different versions of the tanks and ensure that its engineers are trained to maintain these sophisticated machines.

Additionally, the Abrams' high fuel consumption means that the tanks can only move as fast as their fuel supply allows, further complicating military operations, Newsweek via MSN reported.

Read Also: Zelensky, Biden Expected to Speak at UN General Assembly, Multiple Reports Say

Ammunition Shortages and Tactical Considerations

Another concern is the availability of ammunition. Not all the tanks use the same type of ammunition, and there is already a shortage. With sufficient ammunition, the usefulness of these tanks, including the Abrams, could be protected.

Furthermore, experts are still determining how the Abrams tanks will fare against the extensive Russian defenses, including mines, anti-tank weapons, and anti-tank ditches.

Russian forces have demonstrated their capacity to inflict losses on Ukraine's Western-supplied armor, such as Leopard tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles. The impending arrival of US-made Abrams tanks in Ukraine holds promise as a valuable addition to the country's military capabilities.

However, their effectiveness in the coming months will be influenced by various factors, including weather conditions, logistical challenges, and the evolving tactics of Russian-backed forces. As Ukraine continues its counteroffensive, it must carefully consider leveraging the Abrams tanks while addressing their challenges.

The country's determination and adaptability will play a crucial role in determining the true impact of these formidable machines on the front lines. Meanwhile, a Russian drone attack overnight in the Poltava region of the country's center destroyed an oil refinery.

According to Governor Dmytro Lunin, plant activities have been temporarily paused and no fatalities have been reported. The regional governor of Dnipropetrovsk, Serhiy Lysak, claimed that Russia targeted Nikopol and three other localities, causing five homes to be damaged.

The Ukrainian military, 17 of the 24 drones Russia launched in its nocturnal attacks were shot down by Ukraine's air defenses, according to VOA News.

Related Article: Zelensky Warns World Leaders of Russia 'Weaponizing' Essentials to Dominate the World

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A subsidiary of Huawei Technologies is exporting new Chinese-made chips for security cameras, which is a new indication that the Chinese tech giant is finding ways to get over export restrictions that have been in place for four years.

The company's HiSilicon chip design section began shipping products to producers of surveillance cameras this year, according to Reuters. At least some of the consumers, according to one of the persons informed on the unit, were Chinese.

Going Beyond American Regulations

In recent weeks, Huawei has also announced new smartphones that make use of cutting-edge, allegedly domestically produced CPUs.

The changes show that Washington's export restrictions, which have since 2019 prevented the Chinese tech giant from buying parts and technology from American companies without permission, are being circumvented.

The company's apparent ability to get beyond American regulations on chip design software is a significant contributing element.

Despite being two to three generations behind cutting-edge technology, Huawei stated in March that it had made advancements in design tools for chips produced at and above 14 nanometres.

HiSilicon primarily provides semiconductors for Huawei hardware, although it has also served external clients like Dahua Technology and Hikvision. It was the leading semiconductor provider to the security camera industry prior to the implementation of U.S. export regulations; brokerage Southwest Securities estimated its market share in 2018 at 60 percent.

HiSilicon's global market share decreased to just 3.9 percent by 2021, based on information from consultancy company Frost & Sullivan.

HiSilicon has supplied some low-end surveillance chips since 2019, according to one of the persons briefed on the unit's work, but its focus is on the high-end market and taking back market share from companies like Taiwan's Novatek Microelectronics Corp.

Late in August, Huawei released the Mate 60 Pro, a new smartphone with a cutting-edge CPU that consumers said was capable of 5G speeds.

Chinese state media and the general public applauded the occasion as Huawei's smartphone company making a return after being crushed by U.S. sanctions.

The Mate 60 Pro was studied by research company TechInsights, which discovered that it was powered by a new Kirin 9000S, a cutting-edge chip that was most likely produced in China by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., the leading chip foundry in China.

Regarding the phone's 5G capabilities or how it created the cutting-edge processor, Huawei has not made any comments.

The Kirin series was historically created by HiSilicon, and before the United States sanctioned Huawei, TSMC in Taiwan collaborated with them to produce it.

Read also: China Denies iPhone Ban in Government Offices, Says It Hasn't Passed Any Laws

US Demands Tighter Export Controls

U.S. lawmakers demanded "more effective export controls" and increased pressure on Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. after the debut of the device.

The United States lacks proof that Huawei is capable of mass producing cellphones with cutting-edge components. Gina Raimondo, the secretary of commerce, stated on Tuesday.

HiSilicon's access to electronic design automation (EDA) software from Cadence Design Systems Inc Synopsys Inc, and Siemens AG's Mentor Graphics has been severely restricted by U.S. sanctions. The chip-design industry, which creates designs for chips prior to their mass production, is dominated by the offerings of three businesses.

Related article: Chinese Tech Firm Huawei Could Spy on Nuclear Assets via Cell Phone Infrastructure

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
After conducting raids at two US army sites in South Korea, local police have made two arrests and questioned more than a dozen American troops on the suspicion that they were involved in importing and distributing synthetic cannabis.

The search operations, which took place in May, were revealed by the Pyeongtaek police department in a press release that was issued on Wednesday, September 20, CNN reported.

Illegal Cannabis Use

Authorities confirmed they conducted a search and seizure operation at Camp Humphreys, the biggest American military base outside the United States and is located south of Seoul. They also searched the Camp Casey, located north of the city. These raids occurred after obtaining information from the US Army Criminal Investigation Division.

In the footage of the raids that the police have released, officers can be seen entering residential apartments and placing handcuffs on a number of people, both men and women.

A South Korean and a Filipino national were taken into custody on suspicion of being involved in the trafficking of drugs. According to CNN, after they were apprehended, the suspects were handed over to the office of the prosecutor in order to be indicted.

Police said another 20 persons, including 17 US troops, were taken in for interrogation but were not imprisoned and were transferred to the prosecution for further investigation, as reported by the New York Times.

Cannabis usage for recreational purposes is punishable by severe fines and jail time in South Korea, a country in which the use of illicit narcotics is frowned upon at both the social and cultural levels. In this nation, the maximum penalty for cannabis use or possession is five years in jail or a fine of up to 50 million Korean won, which is about $37,600.

See Also: Dubai: Over $1 Billion Worth of Highly Addictive Pills Seized in Drug Bust

Drug Searches, Investigations

Based on the police press release, a 24-year-old American soldier was accused of smuggling 350 milliliters [11.8 oz] of liquid synthetic cannabis between May and August of this year. Reportedly, the US military distributes and sells this to fellow American troops stationed in Camps Humphries and Casey after receiving it by military mail from the US mainland.

The press release added that the suspect was a service member who sold the drugs to a Filipino dealer, who then sold them to a South Korean dealer and other US soldiers.

During the search, law enforcement agents were able to collect 80 milliliters of synthetic cannabis, 27 electronic cigarette devices, and approximately $13,000 in cash that was reportedly obtained via the sale of drugs.

The police have published videos that reveal the confiscated objects, which include rolls of $50 and $100 banknotes, numerous mobile phones, and a variety of colored cylindrical tubes that resemble vape pens.

The investigation into the US troops is being conducted in conjunction with the US Army Criminal Investigation Division. Additionally, the inquiry into the suspected drug sender in the US and the route of smuggling is ongoing.

See Also: British-Australian Man Held in Philippines on What He Says Are 'Fabricated' Drug Charges

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo: by Heath Holden/Getty Images) MIENA, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Local resident and artist Dave Hurst has evacuated his home at the Great Lake, bringing his hobbies and work to the community center, he is working on a wax carving of a Thylacine head on January 23, 2019, in Miena, Australia. Firefighters continue to battle a number of blazes across Tasmania with hot, windy weather forecast for the rest of the week. The Tasmanian Fire Service confirmed one property had been destroyed near the town of Miena on Tuesday night.

For the first time, RNA molecules from an extinct organism have been extracted and deciphered by geneticists.

Scientists can now better understand how an animal's genes function thanks to genetic material taken from a 130-year-old Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, specimen in the Swedish Museum of Natural History's collection.

In a study that was published on Tuesday in the scholarly journal Genome Research, the researchers presented their findings, as reported by CNN.

The thylacine was a marsupial predator that was about the size of a coyote. Except for Tasmania, an island state in Australia, where the population was hunted to extinction by European settlers, it virtually disappeared around 2,000 years ago. At the Beaumaris Zoo in Hobart, Tasmania, Benjamin, the last thylacine in captivity, perished from exposure in 1936.

Can It Bring Back the Animal?

While de-extinction was not the aim of Marmol Sanchez's team's research, he did claim that a greater knowledge of the genetics of the Tasmanian tiger could aid newly begun initiatives to bring the animal back in some form.

The paper, according to Andrew Pask, who is in charge of an effort to bring back the thylacine, was "groundbreaking."

Ancient DNA has completely changed how scientists think about the past and can persist for more than a million years in the appropriate circumstances.

Since RNA is a temporary replica of a piece of DNA and degrades more quickly than DNA, it was previously believed that it would not last for very long.

The most recent study is the first to recover RNA from an extinct animal, but RNA from a 14,300-year-old wolf's skin that was frozen in permafrost was sequenced in 2019.

Read also: DNA, Origins of Life: Hot Start to Life Described as 'Cosmic Barbeque' by Astronomers

A Proof-of-Concept

This discovery, according to Marmol Sanchez, is a proof-of-concept, and his team is now hoping to recover RNA from species that went extinct a long time ago, like the woolly mammoth.

The study team was able to discover thylacine-specific genes by sequencing the RNA of the epidermis and skeletal muscle tissues from the material. Similar to how information stored in DNA is referred to as a genome, this information is a component of the animal's transcriptome.

Each cell in the body has DNA, which is frequently referred to as the life's guidebook. In the transcription process, which is also responsible for other cellular processes, RNA makes proteins by making a copy of a certain DNA stretch.

According to Marmol Sanchez, an understanding of RNA enables researchers to construct a more thorough picture of an animal's biology.

He compares it to a city where every restaurant has access to the DNA, a massive recipe book. However, RNA is what enables each restaurant to create unique recipes using that recipe book.

Related article: Is the Secret to Everlasting Youth A Dormant Gene Called Lin28a?

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Harold Wells from Arizona filed a rare lawsuit after her 57-year-old daughter, Rebecca Rans, was killed in the Lahaina fire in Maui, Hawaii. He believes the landowners should pay damages because they permitted exotic species of tall grasses to grow wild on properties, creating a concentrated fuel load near the historic town.

Invasive grasses, according to scientists, were more responsible for the flames' rapid spread than either higher temperatures or storm conditions.

Holding Property Owners Accountable

Residences, businesses, and escape routes were all engulfed in flames when wind-driven fires started by fallen power lines reached the defendants' premises, according to the complaint. The August 8 fire claimed the lives of over 90 individuals.

Reuters reported experts saying that if the plaintiffs win, it might set a precedent for holding property owners accountable at a time when the danger of catastrophic fires is increasing due to climate change and the increased number of people living in close proximity to wilderness regions.

In state court in Wailuku, Wells filed a lawsuit against the governments of Hawaii and Maui County, as well as Kamehameha Schools, previously known as the Bishop Estate, the biggest private property holder in Hawaii.

Maui County Attorney David Minkin told Reuters that minimal of the county's property was affected by the fire. Kamehameha Schools' representative remained silent. The State of Hawaii's official spokesperson, the Attorney General's Office, also declined to comment.

Wells is suing for funeral expenses and emotional distress but has not indicated a monetary amount for either. On Tuesday, September 19, his lawyers filed a similar lawsuit on behalf of the children of Rans' partner. Rans and his partner were both killed in the fire.

See Also: Dems Blame Climate Change Over Hawaii Wildfire; Experts Say Otherwise

'Strict Liability'

High-risk activities, such as dynamite storage, are common grounds for applying the strict liability doctrine. In the event of an explosion, the operator of the storage facility may be held liable under the law.

In this case, if the landowners may be deemed "strictly liable," Wells would not have to prove negligence or arson if his lawyers could show the grassy conditions near Lahaina fulfilled that legal threshold.

In 2018, a fire that damaged over 20 residences in Lahaina was partially attributed to the presence of non-native plants like Guinea grass, which provided the flammable material. One local told a Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter that they saw "tornadoes of fire."

Abandoned sugar cane fields surrounding the town were overrun by tall, flammable grasses measuring seven feet (2.1 meters) in height, according to research conducted by a group dedicated to preventing forest fires. Wells' attorney, Jim Bickerton, said the dried grass may satisfy the inherently harmful criteria during dryness and strong winds because "the extreme level of risk posed is essentially becoming analogous to a dynamite situation."

See Also: Maui County Suing Local Electric Company After Recent Wildfires; Here's Why

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh have surrendered and agreed to a ceasefire Wednesday (September 20), 24 hours after authorities in Azerbaijan launched an offensive to restore full control of its territory.

The agreement, confirmed by both Stepanakert and Baku and effective 13:00 local time (09:00 UTC) Wednesday, stipulated the disbanding and disarmament of Armenian separatists and the continuation of talks regarding the future of the region, which Armenians call "Artsakh," beginning the next day (Thursday, September 21).

However, the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh said they have been forced to agree to Azerbaijan's terms, which were carried through by Russian peacekeepers after Azeri troops seized a number of strategic locations without any international intervention.

"The authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal from the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire," the ethnic Armenian government of the flashpoint region said in a statement as quoted by Reuters.

Nevertheless, fighting in the region, especially in the Karabakh capital of Stepanakert, has died down.

The fighting re-ignited in the region Tuesday (September 19) after officials in Baku said they were forced to resort to military action after an alleged series of provocations which culminated in the alleged murder of some Azeri soldiers by what they claimed were ethnic Armenian separatists from the area.

What Does the Ceasefire Mean to Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh?

The outcome would appear to pave the way for Baku to integrate around 120,000 ethnic Armenians into its society, which some Armenians say was their worst fear.

Meanwhile, Armenia denied it had military forces in Karabakh despite Azerbaijani assertions, and did not intervene militarily as a result. Officials in Yerevan have accused their Baku counterparts of trying to ethnically cleanse Karabakh of Armenians, something Azeris denied in return.

With the ceasefire taking effect, there are speculations on how many ethnic Armenians would stay in Nagorno-Karabakh and how many would leave for Armenia, where they would probably be embraced as fellow countrymen by fellow Armenians.

Despite Azerbaijan's tactical victory, it faced sharp criticism from the US and other European countries due to the military operation resulting in the deaths of dozens and the injury of hundreds of Armenians. Western officials, in particular, said the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should have been solved through diplomatic discussions and should not have resulted in bloodshed, which worsened the already dire humanitarian situation on the ground.

Read Also: Azerbaijan Allows Supplies, Aid Into Armenia's Nagorno-Karabakh Region After 9-Month Blockade

Old Wounds Run Deep

Armenia and Azerbaijan, and their peoples, have been perpetually in enmity with each other ever since the dawn of organized religion in the Caucasus.

Armenians have been traditionally Christian and happened to be the first nation to ever establish Christianity, particularly the Armenian Apostolic Church, as its state religion - which happened in 301 AD. On the other hand, Azeris are predominantly Muslim, much like their other Turkic cousins.

Due to ethnic roots and religious similarities, Azerbaijan is a close ally of Turkey to this day and was partially responsible for the Armenian Genocide during the First World War, which spilled over into a war with independent Armenia from 1918 to 1921.

Aside from religion, being under the Russian sphere of influence also contributed to the conflict between the two nations, as they both became part of the Russian Empire and later, the Soviet Union. Upon the Soviet collapse beginning in the 1980s, both countries re-established their own republics and fought a bloody six-year war from 1988 to 1994 for Nagorno-Karabakh, which had a repeat back in 2020. In both wars, several places in Nagorno-Karabakh changed hands multiple times.

Since then, tensions have escalated. It was especially felt after Azeri troops blockaded the Lachin Corridor, the only way in and out of the Armenian enclave after the territorial changes of the 2020 war.

Moreover, Armenia felt Russia abandoned them due mostly to Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, which the Azeris took as an opportunity to take control of the Armenian enclave once and for all. This resulted in Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan seeking US assistance when it came to honing Armenia's defense capabilities.

Related Article: US, Armenian Troops to Hold Exercise Next Week as Tensions in Nagorno-Karabakh Escalate

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo: by JEON HEON-KYUN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) A North Korean defector received acupuncture treatment at the medical office of the Hanawon (Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees) in Anseong in Gyeonggi province on July 10, 2023.

According to authorities, a guy from New York City who is accused of providing acupuncture treatments without a license allegedly pierced a woman's lungs during her treatment, keeping her in the hospital for nearly a week.

On May 10, 2022, the 63-year-old woman went to C&W Medical in the Queens neighborhood of New York City because she was feeling stomach and back pain, according to District Attorney Melinda Katz.

Between May 18 and October 28 of last year, she received more than a dozen sessions from acupuncturist Yong De Lin, as reported by CBS News.

During her final meeting with Lin, she started to feel sick and collapsed, according to Katz. Before sending the patient home, Lin, 66, allegedly gave her extra acupuncture and cupping therapy.

Shortness of breath caused the patient to pass out and collapse, according to authorities. The woman was taken to a hospital for emergency surgery after a bystander dialed 911. The woman's lungs had both collapsed as a result of the acupuncture sessions, the hospital found. The woman spent six days in the hospital.

An Unlicensed Acupuncturist

Lin was charged with assault in the first and second degrees, first-degree reckless endangerment, and unlicensed professional practice on Monday.

He has not sought the state license necessary to provide acupuncture treatments, according to the prosecution. If found guilty, Lin may spend up to 25 years in jail.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health claims that there have been relatively few reports of acupuncture-related problems, despite the agency not providing any data.

Candidates must pass a test given by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in Washington in order to practice acupuncture in New York.

According to the theories of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is a medicinal procedure in which tiny needles are placed into the skin at certain points to restore balance to the body.

Read also: Facial Paralysis: Justin Bieber, Angelina Jolie and 3 Other Celebrities Who Suffered the Disorder

A Huge Risk

In his nearly 40 years of practice, Dr. Yemeng Chen, head of the New York College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Mineola, New York, claimed to have never heard of a punctured lung, as reported by The New York Times.

According to Dr. Chen, who spent ten years on the state's education department's acupuncture board, it is a risk that students are specifically warned to avoid.

A lung could be punctured by using the incorrect method at a spot in the upper back between the spine and shoulder blade, he warned.

The most frequent significant acupuncture complication, according to a 2013 report in the Journal of Thoracic Disease, is pneumothorax, which is defined as the presence of air between the chest wall and lungs that may cause the lungs to collapse. The illness is, however, "quite rarely reported," per the study.

According to Dr. Chen, anyone looking to get acupuncture can quickly check a practitioner's licensure on the Office of the Professions website of their state's education department.

Related article: Acupuncture Is Safe And Effective Option To Pain-Relieving Drugs In Emergency Cases, Study Confirms

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
?? La presidenta de la Republica del Peru, Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, interviene en el Debate General de Alto Nivel de las Naciones Unidas. #AsambleaGeneraldelaONU ????????



?? https://t.co/juyHPwaXAn pic.twitter.com/DuymSUE1ZO
Las Vegas authorities announced on Tuesday, September 19, that two teenagers had been arrested and charged with murder after they allegedly filmed themselves intentionally driving into a bicyclist who was riding along the shoulder of the road. The victim was Andreas Rene Probst, a former police chief in Bell, California, who died at the age of 64.

Police said they have linked the youngsters to three separate hit-and-runs that occurred early on August 14.

'Appalling, Cowardly Act'

A video filmed by the front passenger shows the car approaching Probst from behind as he rides close to the curb on an empty street. Those inside the car start laughing as they deliberately maneuver near Probst and then smash the bicycle, sending Probst flying onto their car's hood and through the windshield.

The last shot taken from the driving vehicle shows Probst lying on the ground near the curb.

According to AP News, Deputy Police Chief Nick Farese described the video recording made inside the stolen car as "appalling" and a "cowardly act."

Steve Wolfson, the district attorney for Clark County, has taken an interest in the case and has pledged to prosecute both minors as adults. There will be no identification until then, he added. "Justice will be served in this case," Wolfson reassured.

Taylor Probst, during a press conference on Tuesday, praised her father, also known as Andy. He was a retired police officer for his 35 years of service. "We are devastated by the senseless murder of Andy," she stated. "Andy's life was robbed by two individuals who did not believe that the lives of others matter."

Also Read: Illegal Immigrant in Texas Arrested, Faces Murder Charge

The Teens Are Arrested

The 17-year-old driver was taken into custody on the day of the accident for driving offenses associated with the tragic hit-and-run. Police said they failed to find out about the video until a school resource officer turned it over to them weeks later, at which point the driver was charged with murder, and a manhunt was launched to locate the passenger shown in the footage.

On Tuesday, police apprehended the second teenager.

Police said that the offenses involving vehicles started shortly before daybreak when the teens hit a 72-year-old biker and then fled before ramming into a Toyota Corolla. According to the authorities, the driver was unharmed in the incident. The bicyclist's injuries, if any, were not specified.

Shortly after hitting the Toyota, the teens allegedly drove into Probst, who was riding his bike in a marked bike lane.

The deputy police chief, Farese, alleged that the suspects laughed as they fled, "leaving him for dead on the side of a road."

Also Read: Shooting Deaths of Family of 4 in Illinois Home Sparks Fear in Peaceful Community

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
CIR's new report claims Russia repeatedly targeted Ukrainian hospitals. Based on the study, some medical facilities were even attacked three times. Meanwhile, others are targeted more than once.

Russia Repeatedly Targeted Ukrainian Hospitals, Claims CIR

According to The Guardian's latest report, the Center for Information Resilience claims that the Russian military deliberately and repeatedly attacked medical infrastructures in Kherson city.

Its new report revealed that these inhumane attacks destroyed and caused serious damage to children's hospitals, a regional clinic, as well as some maternity wards.

CIR explained that Russian President Vladimir Putin's troops were able to breach into Kherson in 2022. However, Ukrainian soldiers evicted them from the southern city, thanks to their effective counteroffensive.

But, in December 2022, the Russian military decided to bombard Kherson city from dug-in positions, which were located near the left, eastern bank of the Dnipro River.

These bombardments attacked medical infrastructures and other civilian facilities, such as schools, railway stations, and private residential houses.

"According to official reports, on New Year's Eve, Kherson and the surrounding area were shelled at least 40 times, with rockets hitting civilian buildings and critical infrastructure," said CIR via its official study.

CIR provided the exact Ukrainian hospitals in Kherson that were targeted by the Russian military, as well as how many times they were bombarded:

Kherson City Clinical Hospital complex (attacked 3x)

Cardiology Center (attacked 3x)

Children's rehabilitation center (attacked 2x)

Regional children's hospital (attacked 2x)

Maternity Hospital No. 1 (attacked 2)

Neurosurgery (attacked once)

Kherson City Clinical Hospital (attacked once)

Read Also: Ukraine Sues Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia Over 'Unilateral' Grain Import Ban

Proving Russia is Responsible For Hospital Attacks

CIR's researchers said that they relied on witness accounts, social media photos, as well as satellite imagery, and official Ukrainian channels.

The non-profit organization said that all these are strong evidence that the Russian military is responsible for shelling Ukranian medical facilities.

CIR said that one image even showed one round that left a large hole in the south-facing wall of the city's regional cardiology center.

Based on the information it acquired, the agency compared Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine to the Russian military tactics in Syria.

"Russia's activities in Kherson are strikingly reminiscent of Russian tactics in Syria, where apparently punitive strikes were delivered day after day for years in rebel-held areas of Idlib and Aleppo," said CIR.

Related Article: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to Make 2nd US Trip; Is His Visit Linked to Biden's Proposed $24 Billion Aid to Ukraine?

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Neuralink brain implant firm, founded by Elon Musk, has announced that it has been given the green light to begin enrolling patients in its first human research study. As part of a six-year trial, the business needs individuals with paralysis to test its experimental equipment.

As one of several businesses working on a brain-computer interface (BCI) to read and interpret neural activity, Neuralink is at the forefront of this research.

However, neuroscientists and other specialists have expressed skepticism and ethical issues in response to the company's billionaire executive's bombastic advertising of the firm. This includes pledges to construct an all-encompassing brain-computer to enable humans to keep up with artificial intelligence (AI).

The PRIME Study

Neuralink revealed that it is actively recruiting participants for its PRIME Study after receiving permission from an external institutional review board and a participating hospital, as reported by CNBC.

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) turned down Neuralink's request for expedited human trials last year, the agency granted the company an IDE (investigational device exemption) in May to go on with clinical testing. The agency has yet to disclose how its first concerns were addressed.

According to The Guardian, Neuralink claims it is searching for people who are quadriplegic as a result of a vertical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). As a means of allowing participants to operate a computer mouse or keyboard with their thoughts alone, a BCI will be surgically inserted in a part of the brain responsible for movement using a proprietary robot.

In a news release, the research will assess the reliability and effectiveness of the technology. Neuralink is closer to its goal now that it has approval to begin enrolling human patients in a research trial.

See Also: Neuralink Gets FDA Nod for Human Brain Implant Study, Elon Musk's Vision Nearing Reality

'Needless Suffering and Deaths'

The announcement comes many months after the business gained trial authorization from the appropriate authorities.

Its earlier testing on animals is being analyzed due to claims that the trials resulted in needless suffering. Former employees told Reuters that the tests were unorganized and that, in one case, the device was placed in the incorrect spot in pigs, resulting in the animals' deaths.

The claims prompted many investigations, including one by the Department of Agriculture into animal cruelty and one by the Department of Transportation into the mishandling of biohazardous chemicals over state boundaries.

Questions concerning the trial's schedule, location, and number of participants were unanswered for some time by the firm. Even if the company's technology is shown to be safe for human usage, it may be decades before it is made available to patients outside of the study.

See Also: FDA Rejects Neffy, Claims First Needle-Free Alternative to EpiPens Need Further Research

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
With geopolitical tensions in the Asia-Pacific increasing, specifically between Washington and Beijing, several US companies are looking to find alternative manufacturing facilities outside of China by looking at other nations, such as India. Some of the factors that influenced firms include the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in China, as well as the latest semiconductor ban.

Why India?

The South Asian nation has officially surpassed China this year as the most populous nation on earth with an expanding young workforce, and growing sectors in information technology, telecommunication, manufacturing, and services. According to MarketWatch, these factors were enticing, especially for some of the biggest US companies, with CEIC global data showing the country's electronics exports surged from $7 billion in 2019 to $22 billion in 2023.

"Let's be clear, companies are not looking to decouple from China," SLC Management managing director and investment and asset allocation specialist Dec Mullarkey said. "They are looking for alternatives."

Reuters also reported that other Western firms are also shifting their investments away from China to other developing markets.

Biden, Modi Agree in Tech, Defense Partnership

Not only was India's tech industry booming, but it was also because of an agreement between US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which they announced in early 2022. The initiative stipulated that the two nations would cooperate and collaborate in promoting technology and defense partnerships, as well as their businesses and academic institutions.

Mullarkey reckoned that India shared the US's democratic values and wanted to become the driver of Asian growth particularly in technology.

Read Also: Amazon Announces AI-Generated Books Crackdown

Big Firms See India as an Alternative to China

With a robust young manufacturing workforce that costs about 80% less than in China, companies such as Apple, Walmart, and Cisco were laying the groundwork for an ambitious Indian expansion.

"India is an incredibly exciting market. It is a major focus for us," Apple CEO Tim Cook said in the company's Q2 2023 earnings call last May. "The dynamism in the market, the vibrancy is unbelievable."

Apple's main toolkit supplier, Foxconn Technology Group, is planning to build two iPhone factories worth about $500 million that could create around 100,000 jobs. The commitment was on top of an already existing $700 million factory in South India.

To date, the firm has already increased its iPhone manufacturing coming out of India to 7% this year, with the plan to increase the production there to 25% by 2025.

Roadblocks to India's Manufacturing Superpower Dream

Despite these promising endeavors, India currently lags in the manufacturing sector compared to its regional neighbors. The country's manufacturing industry is only 15% of its GDP, lower than Vietnam's 25% and Bangladesh's 21%.

Mullarkey also stated it would not be easy to create an "iPhone city," similar to what Apple has in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou because the precision manufacturing that China is great at would be hard to replicate.

"There are many obstacles," he added, referring to India's previous botched opportunities to cement its status as a global manufacturing powerhouse. "But I think there is so much going on right now, and because the U.S. wants a deep relationship with India, they'll work to avoid disappointment."

Related Article: What To Know About Biden Admin's New American Climate Corps Program

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Many Americans don't know the importance of ASL. Because of this, they tend to disregard useful ASL skills that can help them in their careers.

On the other hand, other U.S. residents are aware of ASL's importance and want to learn it. But, learning the American Sign Language is not a walk in the park.

If you are among those who want to learn ASL this 2023, here are the top tips that can help you acquire this skill in no time.

How to Learn ASL This 2023

Fox News reported that sign language is just like other languages; it is not universal. This means that not all countries use the American Sign Language.

Experts said that ASL is the sign language widely used in North America by deaf people and other individuals who have hearing issues.

Aside from hands, ASL can also be expressed through facial movements. If you are currently studying ASL or plan to study this sign language, here are some effective tips you can follow to learn it quickly:

Learn the ASL Alphabet First

For newbies, try working on your ASL alphabet. But, you need to remember that after learning the basic ASL letters, you also need to learn more complex ASL signs.

Try Using ASL Apps

Right now, there are many ASL apps available on Android and iPhone. You can try these apps to learn tricks that can help you acquire ASL skills faster.

Watch ASL YouTube Videos

Before taking ASL classes, try watching ASL tutorials on YouTube.

Take ASL Classes

If you are not an ASL expert yet, but already know the basics, you can now take American Sign Language classes.

All these tips can help you learn ASL quickly. But, you need to remember that these tricks will not be effective if you are not consistent.

Read Also: [SURVEY] Americans More Interested in Space Defense Than Mars Missions; Are Asteroids Really That Scary?

How ASL Can Help You With Your Career

The University of Minnesota said that American Sign Language is one of the fastest-growing languages in the U.S. It is also the indigenous language of the American deaf community.

Because of its importance, more and more ASL-related jobs are becoming in demand. Here are some of the top careers you can get once you are an ASL expert:

Sign Language Interpreter

Teachers/School Assistant

Speech-Language Pathologist

Healthcare Interpreter

Law Enforcement/Government-Related Career

Hospital Worker

Tour Guides

Related Article: [STUDY] Is Money Safer at Home Than in Banks? Many Americans Think SoHere's Why

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An eighth-grade teacher from Texas was dismissed from a classroom last week for reportedly allowing students to read the graphic novel adaptation of Jewish German diarist Anne Frank's "The Diary of a Young Girl," which included sexual content and images of nude statues.

Hamshire-Fannett Independent School District spokesperson Mike Canizales told CBS and Fox Beaumont affiliate KFDM, who first reported about the incident, that the graphic novel version of Frank's diary "was not approved" to be read in class.

"The teacher was sent home [Wednesday, September 20]," he said, adding that there was an active investigation into the matter underway.

Aside from the information provided to local media, Canizales did not provide any further information about the matter and the identity of the teacher despite reporters' requests for information. Instead, he provided an email that went out to parents Friday last week (September 15) about "concerns" over the reading curriculum and a substitute teacher.

"The District is currently in the process of posting the position to secure a high-quality, full-time teacher as quickly as possible," the email stated. During this period of transition, our administrators and curriculum team will provide heightened support and monitoring in the reading class to ensure continuity in instruction.

Read Also: Illegal Immigrant in Texas Arrested, Faces Murder Charge

Anne Frank's Sexual Secrets

Frank's unabridged diary, first published in 1947, includes anecdotes of her experiences as a budding teenager exploring her femininity prior to the Holocaust and Nazi Germany's concentration camps, where she and her sister eventually died. The unabridged version of her diary included sections omitted from earlier publications, in which Frank suggested to a friend they show each other their breasts and a section where she walked past nude statues.

"Anne Frank's Diary: The Graphic Adaptation" was released in 2017, exactly 70 years after the first unabridged publication, as an illustrated version of Frank's diary.

Last week's incident was not the first time the graphic novel version of Frank's diary caused controversy.

The book was removed from a Florida school library in April after a leader of Moms for Liberty in Indian River County raised objections to the content. A spokeswoman for the School District of Indian River County said the book had only been checked out twice before it was removed.

The graphic novel was also listed in the books removed by the Keller Independent School District in the Fort Worth area last year, as per NBC Dallas-Fort Worth.

Related Article: Mystery of Anne Frank's Betrayal Has New Possible Answer as Cold Case Investigation Reveals Suspect After 77 Years

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
La alta calidad de las fibras peruanas se luce en importante feria en Estados Unidos! Por primera vez, la feria Magic, dedicada a la industria de la vestimenta, se celebra en Nueva York y nuestro pais esta presente con la mejor oferta peruana de confecciones de algodon y alpaca. pic.twitter.com/hcaCSppgzL
14:42 | New York (U.S.), Sep. 20.

In remarks to reporters from New York, U.S., the Head of State explained that Prime Minister Alberto Otarola has been meeting with mayors of San Juan de Lurigancho and San Martin de Porres.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on September 19 in New York met with Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia and OSCE Chairman-in-Office Bujar Osmani within the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

The meeting focused on the grave security and humanitarian problems resulting from the ongoing Azerbaijani large-scale aggression against the people of Nagorno-Karabakh, the foreign ministry said in a readout.

Minister Mirzoyan stated that Azerbaijan, guided by a sense of impunity, is perceiving the absence of restraining measures by international organizations as arbitrariness and is seeking to achieve ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh through the explicit use of force. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan emphasized the importance of urgently initiating the relevant mechanisms of the OSCE, the foreign ministry said.
avid hotels - part of IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies with more than 6,000 destinations across 19 brands - today announced the opening of its first New York property in Brooklyn. Operating under the ownership of SUNSHINE BROOKLYN LLC, avid hotel Brooklyn - Dyker Heights is one of many new-to-market avid hotels opening this year.

The 76-room hotel will deliver the brand hallmarks - basics done exceptionally well at a fair price - that guests have come to love. With each stay, guests can expect right-size rooms designed with sound sleep in mind - complete with black-out roller shades and sound-reducing features - and a free 'Good all round' breakfast, which features grab-and-go items as well as freshly ground coffee 24/7.

Located just 25 minutes outside of New York City, the hotel offers a perfect stay environment for those seeking a place to rest while on their way to, or from, big city travels. avid hotels Brooklyn - Dyker Heights additionally offers convenient accommodations for guests traveling to Brooklyn or visiting the Coney Island Lighthouse and other notable area attractions.

Today, the brand has more than 60 hotels open across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and another 146 in the pipeline - emphasizing its growing popularity in the midscale category. Recent and upcoming openings include avid hotel Tuscaloosa - University Area, avid hotel Tulsa Hills, and avid hotel Fort Worth Downtown.

For more information about avid hotels, or to book an upcoming stay at avid hotels Brooklyn - Dyker Heights, visit avidhotels.com or download the new IHG One Rewards mobile app.

Hotel website
Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Hollister as General Manager. With an exceptional background in hospitality and operations leadership, Hollister brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving sustainable growth, enhancing guest experiences, and achieving outstanding sales results. In his role as General Manager, Hollister will manage and oversee daily hotel operations, maintain standards for guest satisfaction, and provide leadership and direction to the staff at Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter.

Hollister joins Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter from Graduate Hotels, where he served as Regional Vice President providing regional operational support to seven West Coast hotels including in Eugene, Seattle, Dallas, Tucson, Tempe, Berkeley, and Palo Alto. Previously, he held a regional leadership position with Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants in Southern California for 17 years.

A seasoned manager, Hollister held tenure with Kimpton as General Manager at Hotel Palomar in Phoenix as well as FireSky Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, in which both properties were voted as a "Best Place to Work" for several consecutive years. He also held numerous General Manager positions within Wyndham Hotels & Resorts. Hollister has earned countless awards and accolades throughout the years, from General Manager of the Year with Wyndham to the coveted Bill Kimpton Award and Valley of the Sun General Manager of the Year.
Yssingeaux, France - The Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie (ENSP), a world-renowned benchmark in the arts of pastry and ice-cream, located in Yssingeaux in the Haute-Loire department of France, announces the opening of its new extension, on which work began in June 2022.

The Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie now benefits from an additional 2,300 m2, including new laboratories and student accommodation in addition to that in the historic Chateau that houses the prestigious school. These new premises enable the ENSP to offer its students a unique 7,000m2 learning space.

Founded in 1984 and acquired in 2007 by Mr. Alain Ducasse and Mr. Yves Thuries, over the past 40 years, the ENSP has established itself as the benchmark school of excellence in the world of the sweet arts for training in pastry-making, chocolate-making, confectionery, ice-cream-making and baking.

With its 17 pastry chef trainers and 25 academic professors, the school trains over 1,500 students from more than 60 different nationalities throughout the year.

The broad portfolio of programs caters for all training needs in the field: from post-baccalaureate courses such as the three-year Diplome Superieur des Arts Patissiers, to retraining programs such as the eight-month CAP Patissier, the two-month French pastry Arts Essentials program and the one-year French pastry Arts Diploma.

In addition to these programs, 68 professional training courses lasting between two and three days are held on site, taught by Meilleurs Ouvriers de France (best craftsmen), World Champions and well-known experts. The great names in French and international patisserie have been trained here and return to perfect their techniques. It was this growing demand for pastry training that prompted the expansion project.

With three new classrooms and four new laboratories, as well as the creation of 36 apartments for students, this extension to the ENSP will enable Ecole Ducasse to welcome a greater number of French and international students, and to meet the increasing demand for training in the pastry, bakery, chocolate, confectionery and ice-cream trades.

Elise Masurel, Managing Director Ecole Ducasse, is delighted with this major new development within the Ecole Ducasse network: We are very proud of the outcome of this project, which enables us to instil the excellence of our schools even more firmly in France, in parallel to our international development.

Luc Debove, Director and Executive Chef of the ENSP, World Ice Cream Champion and Meilleur Ouvrier de France Glacier, winner of the Ordre National du Merite Agricole, and leader of the current project, comments: This extension is the culmination of a great collective project supported by Laurent Wauquiez, President of the Region, Isabelle Valentin, MP for Haute-Loire and Pierre Liogier, our mayor of Yssingeaux. It's not just the ENSP that is becoming the world's largest school dedicated to the sweet arts, but Yssingeaux and the whole region that are becoming a strategic hub for patisserie worldwide.

About Ecole Ducasse

Ecole Ducasse is a network of schools founded in 1999 by multi-starred chef Alain Ducasse, dedicated to the transmission of outstanding French expertise and excellence in culinary and pastry arts.

Ecole Ducasse runs three schools in France  Paris Studio, Paris Campus and Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie as well as international schools with  Manila Campus in the Philippines, Gurugram Campus in India and Nai Lert Bangkok Studio in Thailand. All are united by a desire to share a passion for gastronomy with seasoned professionals as well as food enthusiasts, career changers and students. This broad portfolio of programs aims to meet all training needs: from short programs for experts or food enthusiasts to intensive two-, four-or six-month programs, to three-year undergraduate programs and bachelors degree in culinary and pastry arts.

Ecole Ducasse is part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education.

For more information: https://www.ecoleducasse.com/en

Anouck Weiss

Chief Communication Officer Sommet Education

Sommet Education

View source
PHOENIX  Renowned hospitality group Classic Hotels & Resorts is rebranding to Marc & Rose Hospitality. It currently operates fourteen iconic hotels and restaurants throughout the American West including the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, High Country Motor Lodge, Hotel Carmel, Laguna Beach House, La Playa Hotel, The Inn at Laguna Beach and The Scott Resort & Spa.

Over the next 12 months, Marc & Rose will reintroduce two of its longest-held and most-beloved properties with multi-million dollar renovations undertaken in collaboration with world class designers: La Playa Hotel in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, with award-winning Post Company, and The Inn at Laguna Beach with cutting edge, Venice Beach based design firm Electric Bowery. These renewals will be freshly emblematic of Marc & Roses ethos of high touch and genuine hospitality within intentionally crafted, sophisticated, and meaningful spaces. Furthermore, the group is expanding its High Country Motor Lodge brand across the West Coast, with a celestially-inspired motor lodge in Flagstaff, AZ as its flagship HCML experience.

The Marc & Rose brand is a new reflection of what we have always been: a devoted hospitality practice pioneered and inspired by the companys founders, Peggy Rosalie Jacobsen and Samuel Marcus Grossman. They were unconventional and inspiring leaders who paved the way for us to continue creating unforgettable experiences for adventurers, explorers, and tranquility seekers. We are always excited to bring our guests into Marc & Roses world, to show them our unique version of hospitality, and to introduce them to the American Wests most breathtaking landscapes the ones that made us who we are. Our reimagined heritage properties and new concepts alike are unforgettable experiences for anyone who visits, and especially for those who return again and again. Marc & Rose properties are immersive, sensual, and meaningfully rooted in place. John Grossman, CEO of both Marc & Rose Hospitality and of Grossman Company Properties

Marc & Rose Story

Classic Hotels & Resorts was founded by Samuel Marcus Grossman and Peggy Rosalie Jacobsen, whose unexpected love story began on a beach in 1959. After winning the 1956 Miss California title, Peggy moved to New York to model, which naturally landed her in front of a camera, in a bikini, and on a beach in Hawaii. When the photographer sent her off to comb the beach for a more suitable male model than the one her agency had sent along, she found Samuel, who was more than able and happy to tandem surf with her on cue. An epic romance was born. They married shortly after and spent a year traveling around the world, returning without a dollar to their names but energized and passionate about travel and hospitality. Some years later they got to work on their first independent hotel project  the Arizona Biltmore  which to this day is one of Arizonas most iconic and beloved hotels.

John now carries forward this legacy of genuine hospitality. He undertook the current rebrand in celebration of Sam and Peggys inspirational story together with his own life partner, Virginia. Since taking the helm, John has led the acquisition, renovation, and repositioning of The Scott Resort & Spa, La Playa Hotel, Hotel Carmel, Laguna Beach House, High Country Motor Lodge, El Chorro Lodge and Brophys Tavern. Under Johns innovative stewardship the firm builds places for friends old and new to gather and immerse themselves in the natural beauty and camaraderie of the American West.

Ethos & Sustainability

Marc & Rose properties encourage a special dialogue with nature. Whether by the ocean, in the high desert, along rivers, or below mountaintops, the collection of hotels and restaurants embodies the sounds, smells and colors of inviting landscapes. Marc & Rose keeps a strong focus on personal connections with guests, creating warm and inviting atmospheres. As owner-operators, the firm employs a philosophy founded in the belief that hospitality is an art, where a combination of wit, empathy, aesthetics, and sincerity transforms ordinary visits into extraordinary memories.

Marc & Rose has a deep commitment to sustainability, both on the corporate and property levels. The firm was 1% for the Planets first hospitality management partner, and has donated a percentage of its gross revenue from all its properties to nonprofits participating in the initiative since 2019. The firm is ardent in connecting dollars and doers to accelerate smart environmental giving in the hospitality space and beyond.

For more information on Marc & Rose visit marcandrosehospitality.com.

About Marc & Rose Hospitality

From desert oases guarded by ancient Saguaros, to vistas of snow capped mountains bathed in starlight, to rugged coastal cliffs overlooking sea-smoothed sands, the Marc & Rose Collection offers familiar luxuries, world-class design, a sense of discovery, and a heartfelt welcome amidst some of the nation's most dramatic landscapes and quaint communities. Inspired by its unconventional founders, the hotel collection is a tribute to travel and exploration in all its forms. For more information visit marcandrosehospitality.com.
The technology sector is defined by constant motion: the relentless exchange, disruption, and evolution of big, innovative ideas brought to the table by bold, innovative minds. The most influential players in the space are those with a seemingly insatiable appetite for change and optimization, and it is precisely that hunger that has occupied Jens Munch throughout his career. Within the hospitality industry, Munch is known as the Founder and CEO of Pace Revenue  a platform created in 2016 to revolutionize how hospitality approaches revenue management (acquired by FLYR). Today, Munch is the CEO of FLYR for Hospitality  a platform that, under Munchs tenured guidance, promises to unlock the power of AI for truly optimized revenue management, decision intelligence, and data-backed hospitality insights.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with Munch and discuss the impressive journey of his career in tech, the need for commercially relevant data in hospitality, and the paradigm shift machine learning offers the industry, and so much more.

Munch first stepped onto the tech scene in 2007 when he joined the ranks of Google. The first few years of my career were spent at Google disrupting traditional advertising with digital advertising, he shares. At that time, we were moving budgets from a top-down model to a cost-per-acquisition (CPA) or cost-per-click (CPC) model, and by 2012-2013, I began working on Google Wallet, in addition to a couple of retail initiatives. Google Shopping, in particular, opened my eyes to the world of point-of-sale (POS) payments and the amount of innovation unfolding in that space. Much of this innovation, he noted, could be attributed to Jack Dorseys company, Square, the financial services company aimed at small and medium-sized businesses in the US. His interest piqued, Munch turned his attention to the European market, where he came across iZettle (now known as Zettle by PayPal), effectively the European and South American version of Square. I joined their UK team as the Managing Director and, after little over a year, I became iZettles Chief Strategy Officer, he explains. During that time, I had a front-row seat to the disruption in the payment and POS space. I was also increasingly interested in artificial intelligence and machine learning.

By 2016, iZettle was headed for an IPO, and Munch was already considering the next tech wave. I really love building companies in disrupting industries, and I was ready for the next project, Munch notes. The more I thought about it, the more two things became clear  one, I loved the B2B space, and, two, I loved software-as-a-service (SaaS) and demonstrable revenue impact. As a B2B SaaS provider, youre either saving people money, giving people money, or generating money. In other words, its either a cost-saving, revenue, or profit augmenter, and I was interested in the latter. At the same time, Munch noted, the proliferation of machine learning and AI technology was setting up a paradigm shift bound to impact all industries. With this in mind, I wanted to find an industry that was large enough  and laggard enough to require a platform that combined all of those elements, and then I wanted to spend the next ten years building it. One of the people Munch discussed this idea with was Jason Pinto, who co-founded Pace Revenue with Munch in 2016, along with a third co-founder, John-Paul Clarke.

Notably, though, Munch, Pinto, and Clarke were entering a space with several incumbents, so what made them so confident in their ability to disrupt the market? The way Munch sees it, every company has multiple foundings  in other words, its first iteration rarely reflects what the company later becomes. When we founded this company, we thought we were building a real-time pricing engine effectively, which would work for all perishable goods, he explains. We were industry agnostic at the time, and it took six to twelve months for us to zoom in on hospitality, specifically. Realistically, we didnt initially think we were competing with anyone  we didnt know the space well enough yet. This was a blessing in disguise, in a sense, or perhaps blissful naivety. Because when youre already on the journey, if you have enough competitive spirit and keep pressing forward, you will succeed.

However, it didnt take long for the Pace Revenue team to realize that you cannot build anything related to pricing or commercial decision-making in isolation. You have to understand all of the elements of the commercial landscape to make it work because they're all interconnected, he explains. For example, it's easy to have a point solution for the sale of single tickets but as soon as companies run into wholesale deals, group deals, discounts, vouchers, and different channels, things get complicated. We realized that to win this battle, we have to move from a simple point solution that handles pricing decisions, to a full commercial platform. This was, essentially, the second founding of the company.

Realizing they had significantly more work cut out for them, Munch, Pinto, and Clarke set out to raise more capital. At the same time, they brainstormed ways to aggregate all of the commercially relevant data for hospitality under one roof and, in turn, empower all stakeholders within the organization. They also realized the importance of cross-team visibility and collaboration. After all, if the sales or marketing team employs a strategy contrary to the strategy of the revenue team, the organization ends up fighting against itself. We realized that we needed to capture all the decision-making across an organization and, at the same time, we needed to leverage machine learning to optimize the decision-making process, he shares. We were very measured and thoughtful about where we started and where we inserted machine learning.

Interestingly, even as Munch details his entrepreneurial journey into AI-powered revenue management, he rarely mentions revenue management.

When I asked him about this, Munch flashed me a thoughtful smile. Thats a good question. The initial conversations around this company pertained to revenue management, so we were not ignorant of what the discipline was. Clarke had spent 30 years dealing with revenue management and optimization for airlines  he had impressive credentials in operations research in that space, Munch explains. The classic revenue management segment forecast yield paradigm is a linear process. But in reality, once you've priced or repriced, you will have to re-forecast, and your segments arent static. They will change based on your forecasting. So, we're looking at a circular motion continuously segmenting, forecasting, and pricing. According to Munch and his team, a large part of what we think of as revenue management (and what is taught as revenue management) are the simplifications required to make sense of the true complexity of demand optimization  particularly when it has traditionally relied on one person and an excel spreadsheet.

When asked what he considers the foremost challenges hoteliers face when trying to figure out how to manage the complexity of the revenue management side of business, Munch noted that data is often neglected. When I talk to the CEO of a hospitality operation, I like to ask them, Do you know who owns data in your group or your business? Who is the custodian? Internally, apart from the spreadsheet, who owns the data strategy? They need to know who is consuming what and which team is producing data and, more importantly, how to bring it all together behind a single pane of glass for everybody to see and leverage, he notes. What's the right occupancy number for December? Who owns that? Is it the finance team? Is it the revenue team? The answer is that nobody owns data in 99% or more of the hotel industry. There's no data strategy and no function for data. And guess what? The revenue team is the team that really could  and should own data. They understand numbers, have a lot of the data on a deep level, and understand the systems. This is one big challenge.

According to Munch, the biggest challenge is to start with what will generate impact. Revenue management teams often worry about the wrong things  what do the GMs want to see? What do the owners want to see? How do I please all these different stakeholders? Instead, a truly empowered revenue function should use the data to identify what initiatives will generate the biggest revenue uplift over the next six months, Munch explains. Rely on the data to defend your decisions.

Hospitality, Munch notes, is a fantastic industry with a seemingly endless supply of great, passionate people who genuinely love the experiences theyre in the business of curating. Thats one of the things that I've noticed repeatedly  just how passionate and involved hospitality professionals are in their industry. It's not just a career; it's a tribe and something that people live and breathe. So if I were to pinpoint whats holding the industry back, its most certainly not the people, but rather, the dynamics of the industry, Munch elaborates. Its this fragmentation between hotel chains, owners and operators. Unfortunately, this has meant that sometimes the right people have been unable to push for the right things. Hopefully, with visionaries like Munch leading the way, these legacy structural challenges of the industry will soon become a thing of the past.

Following its inception in 2016, the Pace Revenue platform found industry-wide success as an all-in-one RMS that sat between a hotels PMS and the distribution landscape to help hotels realize their full commercial potential. In 2022, FLYR  the purpose-built technology company leveraging deep learning to help airline and cargo commercial teams  acquired Pace Revenue to expand its target customer base to include hotel teams. With Munchs leadership and an international team of industry and domain experts passionate about improving the travel and transportation industry, FLYR for Hospitality offers hotels best-in-class commercial intelligence, revenue optimization, proof of value, and customer-built design.

About Puzzle Partner

Puzzle Partner is a marketing agency focused exclusively on the complex B2B initiatives of hospitality and travel technology innovators. By combining industry expertise, strategic thinking, and passion for delivering exceptional results, the agency helps clients achieve their business objectives and stay ahead in competitive markets. With its deep understanding of the hospitality and travel sectors, Puzzle Partner has established itself as a trusted advisor to leading global brands. The agency's insights and holistic methodologies have helped clients navigate the evolving marketing landscape, maximize brand exposure, and drive revenue growth.

To learn more, visit puzzlepartner.co.

Ivana Johnston

Puzzle Partner

Puzzle Partner Ltd.
ForwardKeys Releases Latest Chinese Outbound Travel Trends for Golden Week

ForwardKeys, a travel data and analytics firm, has recently released the latest Chinese outbound travel trends regarding Golden Week, ahead of the webinar with Dragon Trail International on September 26. As of September 6, bookings for upcoming Golden Week travel are 58% lower than the same period in 2019.

However, encouragingly, the current outlook for travel on this years peak travel time, which is September 29th, has already reached 84% of the pre-pandemic level. Hong Kong, the UAE, and Macao have already surpassed the travel levels seen in 2019.

According to Nancy Dai, the China Market Analyst at ForwardKeys, the outlook is not that dire, as Chinese travellers tend to book more last minute.

Another key trend and observation ForwardKeys can share is that 37% of travellers plan to stay in their destinations for 6-8 nights, representing a 3-percentage-point increase compared to 2019.

The air ticketing data also show that there has been an increase in bookings made by solo travellers and couples, something for tour operators, hoteliers, and retailers to keep in mind this Golden Week. For young travellers, personalized options that meet their needs are becoming even more popular, adds Dai.

Dragon Trail Internationals much anticipated Chinese Traveller Sentiment Report

This edition of Dragon Trails Chinese Traveler Sentiment Report also offers in-depth, qualitative information for long-haul destinations around the world, to help better understand consumer awareness and motivations.

Well be sharing destination deep-dives on Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, North America, and Latin America. Interestingly, when we asked travellers what they hoped to see and do in the six world regions, natural scenery and iconic cultural landmarks stood out everywhere. Waterfalls, jungles, grasslands, mountains, canyons, oceans, and deserts top Chinese travellers bucket lists around the world, says Janice Meng from Dragon Trail International.

In terms of travel plans for 2023, South Korea tops the wish list of intended travel destinations for 2023, chosen by 10.4% of respondents. This is a particularly positive sign for Koreas inbound Chinese tourism recovery, now that group travel has been allowed for the first time since 2017. Europe remains by far the most coveted region for long-haul tourism (chosen by 34.4% of travellers who intend to make an outbound trip still in 2023), with Iceland, emerging as a dark horse destination thanks to trending travel content about Icelandic volcanos on Chinese social media platforms earlier this year.

In the upcoming webinar, more information will be disclosed such as the top destinations for Chinese travellers these holidays; the busiest airports in China, and the outlook for outbound China in Q4. Register for the webinar here.
avid hotel Brooklyn - Dyker Heights

avid hotels today announced the opening of its first New York property in Brooklyn. Operating under the ownership of SUNSHINE BROOKLYN LLC, avid hotel Brooklyn  Dyker Heights is one of many new-to-market avid hotels opening this year.

The 76-room hotel will deliver the brand hallmarks with rooms designed with sound sleep in mind  complete with black-out roller shades and sound-reducing features  and a free 'Good all round' breakfast, which features grab-and-go items as well as freshly ground coffee 24/7.

Karen Gilbride, VP of avid hotels, Atwell Suites & Garner commented: "This year marks the fifth anniversary since we opened the first-ever avid hotels property in Oklahoma City  Quail Springs. The opening of avid hotel Brooklyn  Dyker Heights demonstrates our brand's focus on growing our presence in the Americas region. We created this brand to meet the needs of our guests looking for the basics done exceptionally well at a fair price and in convenient locations, so it made sense for us to open a property in one of the most visited states and cities of the world."

Located just 25 minutes outside of New York City, the hotel offers a perfect stay environment for those seeking a place to rest while on their way to, or from, big city travels. avid hotels Brooklyn  Dyker Heights additionally offers convenient accommodations for guests traveling to Brooklyn or visiting the Coney Island Lighthouse and other notable area attractions.

Mr. Naji Kotob, General Manager, avid hotel Brooklyn - Dyker Heights General Manager commented: "We are thrilled to welcome avid hotels not only to New York, but to one of the city's fastest-growing boroughs. This hotel will meet the everyday travel needs of both business and leisure travelers  whether visiting the area or passing through."

Today, the brand has more than 60 hotels open across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and another 146 in the pipeline  emphasizing its growing popularity in the midscale category. Recent and upcoming openings include avid hotel Tuscaloosa  University Area, avid hotel Tulsa Hills, and avid hotel Fort Worth Downtown.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. OSCE Chairman-in-Office, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Macedonia Bujar Osmani, held separate meetings yesterday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Jeyhun Bayramov, on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

Chairman Osmani raised his deep concerns over yesterday's military operations in the region and the danger these pose to the affected civilian population. While calling for immediate de-escalation, he again voiced his concerns over the severe consequences for the conflict-affected population, especially on vulnerable groups. He emphasized that humanitarian considerations must prevail and that humanitarian needs of the local people must be met, the OSCE said in a press release. He underscored that the use of force to resolve disputes was completely and always unacceptable and that sustained, constructive dialogue in good faith was the only path toward sustainable peace. The Chairman reiterated his readiness for personal and active engagement and emphasized that the OSCE stood ready to assist Armenia and Azerbaijan on their path to peace. He noted that the OSCE retained the relevant experience, expertise, and tools to facilitate dialogue, build trust and implement relevant agreements that support normalizing relations between the parties.
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.
1 Injured in Monday's Taconic Trail Accident

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  One person was transported from the scene by ambulance Monday after a single-car accident on the Taconic Trail near the New York State line, police said.

Timothy Redden of Bennington, Vt., was traveling west on Route 2 when he reported having a coughing fit, according to a police report by Officer Tania Hernandez.

"Then he heard himself hit something and, next he knew, he was on his side," Hernandez reported.

The accident occurred at 11:35 Monday morning.

According to the accident report, Redden's 2016 Toyota pickup went into the pulloff area on the westbound lane, hit a guard rail and then crossed the highway, ending up flipped on its side in a ditch on the eastbound side.

Redden was cited for failure to stay in marked lanes, according to the report.

First responders at the scene reported that Redden exited the vehicle under his own power.

He was transported from the scene by Northern Berkshire EMS, according to the police report.

The Williamstown Fire Department also reported to the accident.
Peter Marchetti enter the Polish Falcons Club after coming in first in the mayoral preliminary on Tuesday night. Marchetti gets a hug from Mayor Linda Tyer. Turnout for the election was low but candidates had supporters at the polls. PreviousNext

Marchetti, Krol Move on to November Election in Pittsfield



John Krol, with his wife, Cara, is hoping to demonstrate the differences between he and his opponent over the coming weeks. PITTSFIELD, Mass.  Tuesday's preliminary election has narrowed the mayoral field to Peter Marchetti and John Krol.

And in Ward 2, Brittany Bandani and Alexander Blumin will face off and Ward 7 incumbent Anthony Maffuccio will be challenged by Rhonda Serre.

It took less than 15 minutes after the polls closed for Pittsfield Community Television to air the unofficial results.

Marchetti, the current council president, polled 2,248 votes to Krol's 1,807. Left out was Karen Kalinowsky, who earned about 15 percent of the vote at 738.

Krol and Marchetti will face off in the November general election to determine who will occupy the corner office for the next four years. The winner will replace Linda Tyer, who declined to run for a third four-year term.

"I think our tagline of 'leadership you can trust experience, you can count on, and dedication that's already been proven,' is resonating with voters," Marchetti said. "And I think that my record resonates with voters. I'm not someone who has been here and left and come back. I am someone who has been here working hard for Pittsfield for the last 30 years and will continue to do so." Marchetti was welcomed to his preliminary election party by a room of cheering family, friends, and city and state officials. This included Mayor Linda Tyer, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, and several fellow councilors. "I think I know something really serious and that is Pittsfield does want change and they want us," he said to the crowd followed by roaring applause. The candidate was thrilled to be the top vote-getter in the three-way race with 47 percent support. "I wish I could say that it's like any other time that I was top vote getter in the at large race but this is clearly a different race," he said. "And I wish voter turnout was a little higher than it was but I love the fact that we were able to claim 13 out of 14 precincts and lead the way into November." This is his second bid for mayor after unsuccessfully running in 2011. Krol wasn't troubled by his second place showing.

"I feel fantastic, it was a great day, the energy was high," said Krol at his party at Hotel on North. "We wish the turnout was higher but at the end of the day, the number of people who voted for change today was greater than the number of people who were in favor of status quo." He's looking forward to showing the "massive differences" between himself and Marchetti as the campaign enters its final weeks. The main things he's hearing from voters is taxes are through the roof and nothing's being done about them. "We continue to hear from downtown business owners that we need to do something about aggressive panhandling, we have to address the fact that we have empty storefronts," he said. "We've been calling for a downtown foot patrol since the very beginning." Describing the next weeks of campaigning as "fun" with a push for a greater turnout, he anticipated that parents and young professionals will vote in droves for his stance on community, schools, culture and a thriving downtown. "This is a community that is about family and this candidacy is about family and and we are going to convey that and we're gonna win in November," he said.

Ward 2 will also see a newcomer in either Bandani or Blumin. Bandani is an attorney and fairly new arrival to the city; Blumin owns rental properties in the city and has been a regular at City Council meetings.

Bandani took the most votes at 166, followed close behind by Blumin at 150. Out of the race is Soncere Williams at 122. Williams' campaigning had been affected by tragedies in her family this summer.

Serre took the most votes in Ward 7 with 325 followed by Maffuccio with 194. Business owner Jonathan Morey was out of the running after tallying 58 votes.

Maffuccio is running for a third consecutive two-year term; he served on the council for several terms in the aughts. Serre, who ran unsuccessfully in 2017, retired as director of corporate communications for Greylock Federal Credit Union and has served on a number of civic committees.

"It feels very rewarding. I feel really good," said Serre, who was at Marchetti's party at the Polish Falcon Club. "I now realize the work pays off. And I'm looking forward to doing more work." It was the work, she said, she felt resonated with the voters. "I feel like everybody that I talked to was ready for somebody to prove themselves that they really wanted this job and that they wanted to represent them," said Serre, who added there was a lot more door knocking ahead for her.

Fewer than 5,000 votes were cast in the preliminary, down from just over 6,000 in the 2019 five-way mayoral preliminary. Total unofficial votes cast was 4,862 for about a 16 percent turnout.
Housatonic Water Works DPU Hearing on Rate Hike Request

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  The town urges Housatonic Water Works (HWW) customers to attend the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU) hearing on HWW's 120 percent rate increase request, on Sept. 26, 7 p.m.

The DPU hearing will be held at Monument Mountain Regional High School.

Due to persistent water quality issues within the HWW system, the town has requested intervener status for the rate case, in order to represent the interests of the town. The HWW is not a town-owned water system; it is a privately owned and operated utility.

The HWW's rate increase would mean that the average HWW customer's bill would rise from $746 to $1,641. HWW states that the increase is needed for a $4.5 million system improvement project, to improve water quality and fire protection.

The DPU urges HWW customers and others to submit their comments in writing, via email, to dpu.efiling@mass.gov kevin.crane@mass.gov , and to HWW attorney William Martin, Esq., WEM@martinlawofficespc.com . Comments will be accepted through Sept. 27, 5 p.m.
Applications Available for the Governor's Youth Advisory Council

BOSTON  Governor Maura T. Healey signed Executive Order #617 establishing the Governor's Youth Advisory Council to advise the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and the entire administration on issues impacting Massachusetts, such as civic engagement, education, the environment, housing, and youth violence.

Applications to join the Youth Advisory Council will be available through Oct. 14 for Massachusetts residents aged 16-21.

"I've been so inspired by the young people I've met who have been making their voices heard and demanding more from their leaders on the most pressing issues facing Massachusetts. They deserve a seat at the table," said Governor Healey. "Young people are uniquely positioned to advise us on policies related to climate, education, mental health, gun violence and more  because they've grown up confronting these issues and it's their futures that will be most impacted by the decisions we make today. I encourage young people across Massachusetts to apply for the council and help us meet the moment to make Massachusetts more affordable, competitive and equitable for all."

The Council will include at least one from each county. They will be appointed to two-year terms and will meet with Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll quarterly.

"The innovation and creativity of our Massachusetts youth are unmatched," said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. "They're all eager to be involved in civic engagement and have a hand at creating policies that will impact them and their peers. I am excited to work with and support this council to amplify the perspectives of our students and to conquer what matters most."
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has commented on the security of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh in context of the new Russian-mediated ceasefire deal in Nagorno-Karabakh on ending the Azeri attack.

Logically I assume that if the Russian peacekeepers have proposed a ceasefire, this in itself means that they have completely and without any reservations assumed the obligation to ensure the security of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, through which the full conditions must be ensured for preserving the right of the Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh to live in their homes, on their land. And it is my understanding that they are entirely assuming responsibility with this statement, Pashinyan said.

At the same time, the Armenian Prime Minister said that he had the same opinion about the 9 November 2020 ceasefire deal, by which Russia was supposed to ensure security of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

But we hope that by making this step, the Russian peacekeeping contingent will completely fulfill its obligations, about which we had some reservations previously, Pashinyan said.
YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 20, ARMENPRESS. The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the German parliament, the Bundestag, Michael Roth has called on the EU to act quickly to prevent ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and an attack on Armenias territory.

The EU strategy of equidistance between Armenia and Azerbaijan has failed. We must now act quickly and decisively to prevent ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and an attack on Armenias territory. This is the only language that autocrats like Aliyev understand: The EU needs to get a political and economic sanctions regime in place as soon as possible to bring Baku back to the negotiating table. I welcome the ceasefire, but it should not be used to displace civilian population in Nagorno-Karabakh. We should significantly strengthen the EU civilian mission EUMA to further monitor the entire - border and line of contact to stabilize the situation and identify possible Azerbaijan attacks on Armenian territory. We must support the young but fragile democracy in Armenia and bring it closer to the EU. Ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh may contribute to the downfall of Armenian democracy. Visa liberalization would be a first important step towards rapprochement, Roth said on X.

In an interview with the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Roth said that a clear message must be sent to Baku that the aggression won't be tolerated. Naturally this includes revision of economic relations, if a country with whom we conduct trade is resorting to military force, he said.
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 }}

Violent tornadoes ripping through a community in eastern China killed least 10 people and left behind a trail of destruction.

The Jiangsu province on Tuesday was struck by two tornadoes within hours of each other, in the latest incident of destructive and deadly weather conditions that prompted Chinese authorities to call for vigilance against strong winds in coastal areas near the Yellow Sea.

The first tornado hit parts of the Suqian city on Tuesday afternoon and destroyed over 137 houses, state broadcaster CCTV said. More than 400 people were relocated as the twister left five dead and at least four injured.

A second tornado killed five more people as it hit the city of Yancheng, 120 miles southeast of Suqian.

The fierce tornadoes were brief but overturned cars, downed power lines and sent debris flying in the air.

"I was at the door and witnessed the wind, solar energy devices, and trees flying in the air," wrote one user on the Chinese social media Weibo.

"For those two minutes, I was dumbfounded."

Weather warnings also went out on Wednesday for the southwestern region of Chongqing, several areas in southwestern Guizhou, southern Hunan, eastern Anhui and central Hubei.

Aftermath of a tornado in Suqian, Jiangsu Province (via REUTERS)

The state broadcaster said that power and road services were restored in Suqian.

Weather officials on Wednesday stepped up warnings about heavy rain and strong winds for the southwestern region of Chongqing, several areas in southwestern Guizhou, southern Hunan, eastern Anhui and central Hubei.

Mainland China and its administrative regions witnessed record-breaking downpours and weeks of historic heat this year, which experts believe were exacerbated by the climate crisis.

Torrential rain lashed China's southeast, causing massive evacuations, landslides and deaths in the wake of unrelenting storms brought by the remnants of Typhoon Haikui.

Tornadoes are rare in China but have caused deaths in Jiangsu in recent years. One person in the province was killed in a tornado last year and four died in 2021.

Eight people were killed in the city of Wuhan the same 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 }}

Canada tried getting the support of the Five Eyes nations for a joint condemnation of India over its alleged role in the killing of a Sikh leader just days before Justin Trudeau went public with the accusations, it has been reported.

The Canadian prime minister triggered a major diplomatic row on Monday as he declared that there were credible allegations of agents of the Indian government being involved in the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar three months ago.

Weeks before world leaders of the most powerful economies were set to meet for the G20 Summit held in New Delhi, Canada approached its closest allies of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing nations to jointly raise the issue at the summit, Western officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Washington Post.

But Ottawas requests were turned down as Western leaders did not want to spoil Indias moment at the G20, seen as an important coming-out party for Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, they said.

The Canadian foreign ministrys spokesperson, however, has denied courting the Five Eyes for their support against India, saying in the statement to WaPo that the claims that Canada asked allies to publicly condemn the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and were subsequently rebuffed, are false.

Nijjar was shot dead on 18 June in the parking lot of a gurdwara in British Columbias Surrey. Exactly three months later in the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Trudeau alleged agents of the Indian government were involved in the murder.

The claim was dismissed by India as absurd and motivated and its foreign ministry said it had growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

Shortly after Mr Trudeaus announcement, Canada booted an unnamed Indian diplomat identified as the senior intelligence officer at the embassy, while India expelled one of Canadas most senior diplomats in a furious tit-for-tat move.

Trudeau walks past Narendra Modi and Indonesias president Joko Widodo as they take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site) during the G20 Summit (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press via AP)

The Five Eyes alliance is an intelligence-sharing grouping consisting of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

It is described as one of the worlds most successful intelligence alliances after it evolved during the Cold War era to gather intelligence on the Soviet Union and share classified intelligence.

Canada prime minister Justin Trudeau delivers a statement in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa (AP)

In May 2020, the alliance reached a consensus to broaden its mission beyond mere security and intelligence, embracing a more public commitment to upholding human rights and promoting democracy.

Even as Canadas foreign ministry denied approaching the Five Eyes, it confirmed Mr Trudeau did raise the issue with US president Joe Biden and British prime minister Rishi Sunak this week following Mondays extraordinary statement in parliament.

Foreign minister Melanie Joly said she will also discuss the assassination claims with her fellow G7 counterparts this week on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Mourners carry the casket of Sikh community leader and temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar during Antim Darshan (AP)

Canada is working very closely with the US on the intelligence linking Indian agents to Nijjars murder and the evidence will be shared in due course, a Canadian government official was quoted as saying to Reuters.

Weve been working with the US very closely, including on the public disclosure yesterday, the source said.

Jonah Kaplan, a London-based Asia analyst at geopolitical and security intelligence firm Dragonfly, told The Independent that the priority of Western countries would be to defuse the issue rather than punish India.

Several Western governments, such as the UK and the US, have sought to expand economic ties with India, and are unlikely to jeopardise this, he said.

Western countries see India as an important ally in growing strategic competition with China and hence, their priority will probably be to defuse the current bilateral dispute, rather than punish India, such as with sanctions.

Mr Trudeau was presumably quite aware of the impact such a move would have on Canadas relations with India, yet decided that the issue was important enough to justify the cost, said Jonah Blank, a professor at the National University of Singapore.

Though they did not join Canada in a public statement calling out India over Nijjars killing, the other members of the Five Eyes have since expressed concerns separately over the serious allegations.

The White House said the US was deeply concerned about the allegations. Washington believes it is critical that Canadas investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice.

The British government, which has also faced calls from India to investigate so-called anti-India activities including the separatist Khalistan movement, said London will wait until the Canadian investigation concludes.

India raised the issue with the UK earlier this year after Sikh protesters pulled down the Indian flag at Indias high commission in London and smashed the buildings windows to protest the arrest of a popular Sikh preacher.

A man takes down Indian flag during from Indian High Commission in London (Screengrab)

James Cleverly told the BBC that the UK would listen very, very carefully to the serious concerns that have been raised by Canada.

But they will not suspend trade talks or take action as both Canada and India are close friends of the UK, theyre Commonwealth partners.

A spokesperson for Australias foreign ministry said Canberra was deeply concerned by the allegations and they have raised their concerns at senior levels in India.

Look, these are concerning reports and I note that investigations are still underway, Australian foreign minister Penny Wong told reporters.

As Ive said, we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners and well continue to do so. Australia has raised these issues with our Indian counterparts.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese said he would not comment on the activities of the Five Eyes alliance in public.

I dont talk about Five Eyes intelligence at a press conference... we dont speculate on what intelligence is, he said.
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 }}

India has issued a travel warning to its nationals visiting Canada a day after several media outlets falsely reported that the latter had updated its own travel advisory in the wake of simmering diplomatic tensions.

Tensions between India and Canada hit a new high after prime minister Justin Trudeau went public with his announcement that Ottawa was probing credible allegations about the potential role of Indian government agents in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June.

New Delhi dubbed the allegations to be absurd and motivated and on Wednesday, the Indian foreign ministry warned its nationals living in Canada and those visiting to exercise caution due to growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes.

Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, it said.

Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents.

Shortly after Mr Trudeaus Monday announcement, Canada booted an unnamed Indian diplomat identified as the senior intelligence officer, while India expelled one of Canadas most senior diplomats in a furious tit-for-tat move.

The diplomatic row which has escalated following Mr Trudeaus surprise announcement is being closely followed by the public, with Indian media outlets presenting rolling coverage of updates.

On Tuesday, a number of Indian newspapers and broadcasters, including some of the major ones, falsely reported that Canada had updated its travel advisory asking citizens to exercise a high degree of caution while travelling to India.

However, according to the Canadian governments advisory, the update on Monday was only in the health section.

But as the update came on the day Mr Trudeau made his explosive allegations in parliament, pointers that had remained unchanged for more than a year were widely flagged to be new along with misleading headlines by Indian news media organisations.

Broadcaster Times Now issued a clarification, saying their report on Canadas travel advisory was an inadvertent error on part of the journalist.

*CLARIFICATION*- There was an update on the travel advisory to India from Canadas side. It had added to the section on health. Warning about zika, measles and covid. However the headline said exercise extreme caution while travelling to India, Times Now said on X.

Many channels and websites including us were misled by this headline and had gone on to report this. Some even before us. It was an inadvertent error on part of the journalist covering the development, it said.

Indias own travel advisory, however, comes after members of the Sikh community associated with the Khalistan movement, that demands a separate homeland for Sikhs carved out of India, called on Indian Hindus to leave Canada.

Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India in 2019 that Nijjar has been linked with, launched a campaign Indo Hindus Leave Canada and released videos threatening Hindus of Indian origin for supporting New Delhi.

Secessionist Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) leader releases video after Canadian prime minister announced alleged involvement of Indian agents in killing of Sikh separatist leader (Screengrab/@Tushar_KN)

It warned Indians against promoting violence by celebrating Nijjars killing.

Indo-Hindu leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs, said SFJs legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun, who is wanted in India and designated as a terrorist, in a video.

Vijay Jain, a spokesperson for Canadian Hindus for Harmony, said the row has threatened the life of Hindus in Canada.

We are now seeing full-scale Hinduphobia out across the board, he said.

We are worried that this may translate into the loss of Canadian Hindu lives as in 1985, he said in reference to the bombing of Air India flight from Canada to England that killed 329 people aboard.

The Indian foreign ministry urged its nationals to register with the Indian High Commission in Ottawa and remain on alert.

Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant, it said.
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 }}

India has come a step closer to reserving a third of the seats in the lower houses of its parliament and state assemblies for women  a long-standing demand that has been pending for more than a decade.

Even though Indian women have made powerful strides in all sectors that range from science to agriculture, the countrys parliament has not had a fair representation of the gender since its independence in 1947. Women at present account for just about one in 10 national and regional lawmakers.

And the move to reserve 33 per cent of the seats for women will not come into effect until 2027, when India will hold its next population census. Another hurdle that could hobble the landmark move comes in the form of India redrawing all of its political constituencies.

The Womens Reservation Bill 2023, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Hindi, was tabled in parliament by prime minister Narendra Modis government on Tuesday and is currently in the throes of hectic discussions between the ruling party and opposition lawmakers.

Even though the bill enjoys wide support and has been deemed progressive by all parties, Mr Modis government has come under criticism because, while it did not clear the bill in scores of parliament sessions since he came to power in 2014, it has been accused of doing so now, with less than a year to go for national elections.

Once the bill gets cleared by the parliaments upper and lower houses and is assented to by the president, it will become a law  only to be put on hold until Indias next census.

The bill has been pending clearance for over 15 years and was first introduced by the coalition government of Mr Modis predecessor Manmohan Singh in 2008. It never reached the parliaments lower house for consideration and was used as a major poll plank by Mr Modi.

However, his government did not clear the bill in dozens of parliament sessions once he became prime minister in 2014.

Sonia Gandhi, the Indian opposition leader from Congress, vowed unequivocal support to the bill and asked Mr Modis government to roll it out as soon as possible.

This Handout photograph released by the Press Information Bureau shows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi talking to Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge, right, with senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury standing beside (AP)

Ms Gandhi, a prominent opposition political leader, became the first lawmaker on Wednesday to initiate the debate.

For how many years women will have to wait for a larger role in the parliament? she asked.

Women in India have made enormous sacrifices for the growth of India, she said.

Staff assist customers at a jewelry store at New Market in Kolkata on 19 September (EPA)

The opposition also accused Mr Modis ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of hurriedly tabling and intending to implement the bill ahead of critical national elections next year where he is facing a united opposition.

The opposition Congress party, in a post on X, referred to the current discussions on the bill, as jumla, a Hindi word that has acquired the political meaning of being a u-turn or empty statement made to gain political clout.

Ms Gandhi and other women lawmakers from regional parties also demanded a quota for women from backward castes within the overall 33 per cent quota for women to ensure equal gender representation from all strata of life.

Another opposition leader, Supriya Sule, questioned the Modi governments push for the welfare of women when their own ministers are making misogynistic comments against elected women Parliamentarians like her.

She claimed a minister from Mr Modis cabinet had told her to go home and cook food, someone else will run the nation, we will run the country.

The implementation of the bill  deemed progressive and critical for India by all parties  has been complicated by the Modi administration that said it will come into effect after a census that has not been undertaken since 2011, and after boundaries of all political constituencies will be redrawn.

The last pending census was supposed to have begun in 2021, but was delayed by pandemic, with the Modi government blaming technical and logistical hurdles.

Political commentators in the country also criticised the annulment of the exercise and said it has hurt micro-level economic policies.

The lack of data also hides valuable information classified by gender, religion and age, experts have argued.
Guest Commentary

By Deborah Jaremko

A group of Hollywood filmmakers including Mark Ruffalo, Joaquin Phoenix and Rachel McAdams is calling on the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) to drop RBC as its main sponsor.

They say RBC is not a worthy source of financing  for Canadian film because of its ongoing support for Canadian oil and gas. They claim RBC is fueling climate change and disrespecting Indigenous rights.

They are wrong.

RBC is helping fund climate solutions while enabling Indigenous self-determination and prosperity. And Indigenous communities do not want Hollywood to speak for them.

Here are the facts.

Fact: RBC primarily funds Canadian oil and gas, and the world needs more Canadian oil and gas  not the worlds growing population needs access to reliable, affordable, responsibly produced energy. And a lot more of it.

According to the United Nations, the global population reached eight billion last November, just over a decade after hitting the landmark seven billion in 2011. Driven by India and China, the worlds population is projected to reach 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050.

All those people need energy. Many dont even have it today, with about 775 million without access to electricity last year, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Even with accelerating investment in low-carbon energy resources, the world consumption of oil, gas and coal is as high or higher than it has ever been, with both oil and coal demand reaching new records this year, the IEA reports.

The agency projects the world total energy consumption  which increased by 15 percent over the last decade  will increase by a further 24 percent by 2050.

On the worlds current trajectory, the IEA says oil, gas and coal will account for 62 percent of world energy supply in 2050, compared to 78 percent in 2021.

As IEA executive director Fatih Birol said last year, We will still need oil and gas for years to come  I prefer that oil is produced by countries like Canada who want to reduce the emissions of oil and gas.

Canada has been a cornerstone of global energy markets and a reliable partner for years, he said.

Fact: Coastal GasLink will help reduce emissions

The Hollywood activists take issue with RBC funding of the Coastal GasLink pipeline. This is nonsense because the project can help reduce emissions in Asia. It also has the support of and is benefiting Indigenous communities.

One of the fastest and most effective ways to reduce emissions is to switch from coal-fired power to power generated from natural gas, traded globally as LNG.

Consider that between 2005 and 2019, emissions from the U.S. power sector dropped by 32 percent because of coal-to-gas switching, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The LNG Canada project  supplied with Canadian natural gas via Coastal GasLink  will have among the worlds lowest emissions intensity, at 0.15 percent CO2 per tonne compared to the global average of 0.35 percent CO2 per tonne, according to Oxford Energy Institute.

Natural gas from LNG Canada alone could reduce emissions in Asia by up to 90 million tonnes annually, or the equivalent of shutting down up to 60 Asian coal plants, the project says. Thats also a reduction of more than the entire emissions of the province of British Columbia, which were 64 million tonnes in 2022.

Expanding Canadian LNG exports to Asia could reduce emissions by 188 million tonnes per year, or the annual equivalent of taking all internal combustion engine vehicles off Canadian roads, according to a 2022 study by Wood Mackenzie.

It is a disservice to take the choice of Canadian LNG away from those who need it, Billy Morin, former chief of the Enoch Cree Nation, said earlier this year.

Fact: Coastal GasLink benefits Indigenous communities

The Coastal GasLink pipeline facilitates shared prosperity between Indigenous communities and Canadas energy industry.

Not only will it connect to the LNG Canada terminal on the traditional lands of the Haisla Nation  where the project has been transformational for the community, according to Chief Councillor Crystal Smith  but it will also provide natural gas for the proposed Cedar LNG project, in which the Haisla Nation is 50 percent owner.

edar is not only important from a Haisla perspective, [but from] a global perspective, Smith says.

Our territory is not in a bubble and protected from what is happening in Asia and India with coal burning.

Sixteen First Nations will become 10 percent owners of the Coastal GasLink pipeline itself once it is completed.

And so far, LNG Canada and Coastal GasLink together have spent more than $5.7 billion with Indigenous-owned and local businesses.

When there is foreign interference, especially from high-profile celebrities like Ruffalo, it sets us back. He does not think beyond the pipeline. He does not think beyond the cause of the day, Indigenous policy analyst Melissa Mbarki wrote following a previous attack on Coastal GasLink by the actor.

Over the long term, such actions serve to drive away investment and keep Indigenous communities in poverty. We are dealing with so many social issues, including high rates of suicide, incarceration and homelessness. Speaking on our behalf is not the answer if you fail to acknowledge the entire story.

Fact: Indigenous communities speak with their own voices

Ruffalo is a prominent activist against the Coastal GasLink pipeline, often spreading misinformation about the projects relationship with Indigenous communities. But they are fighting back.

ollywood celebrities from outside of Canada are actively campaigning against the Coastal GasLink project, claiming Indigenous People do not support it. However, 20 elected First Nations governments along the route do support it, the Indigenous Resource Network said in a statement last year.

Hollywood celebrities are standing in the way of us being able to make our own decisions. Their main goal is to push their agenda and use us as talking points; ultimately, communities are left to pick up the pieces.

Although their intentions may be to help Indigenous people in Canada, this can be best done by allowing our people to use their own voices. We are able to decide for ourselves what is best for ourselves and our communities.

Fact: The film industry has its own emissions to deal with

Rather than campaign against Canadian energy projects that can help reduce emissions and foster prosperity for Indigenous communities, Hollywood filmmakers could be better served to address the emissions in their own backyard.

A 2020 study by the British Film Institute analyzing the emissions associated with producing movies in the U.S. and U.K. found that films with a budget of $70 million or over generate an average of 2,840 tonnes of CO2 pollution.

Air travel alone to support a movie production of this scale generates equivalent emissions of flying one way from London to New York 150 times, BFI said.

Deborah Jaremko is director of content for the Canadian Energy Centre.
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 phones of the Japanese embassy in Beijing have been ringing off the hook since last month as the date approached for Japan to release the treated Fukushima water into the Pacific ocean.

And on 25 August when Japan started the discharge in a key step towards decommissioning Fukushima, the embassy in Chinas capital said a staggering 40,000 people called in to register their protest.

Embassy officials dubbed these as nuisance calls  more than 400,000 in all  and said they have started to impede their day-to-day work. Often these callers either strongly criticised Japan or chose to remain silent, sources told the Japan Times.

But the harassment did not end there. Sources told the paper there were some threatening calls made to the embassy as well.

The local media, citing government sources, said on an average the embassy still continued to receive at least 10,000 of these nuisance calls per day. Soon after the Fukushima release, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida called upon China to put a stop to the continuous stream of phone calls and condemned several other violent incidents targeting Japanese schools and the embassy in Beijing.

Japan also raised concerns about these calls  purportedly from Chinese phone numbers  targeting local institutions and businesses.

The Fukushima plant suffered triple meltdowns after being hit by a tsunami in 2011 in the worlds worst nuclear plant disaster since Chernobyl 25 years earlier.

China even summoned the Japanese ambassador over the discharge of water and placed a ban on Japanese seafood which Tokyo said was totally unacceptable. Mr Kishida announced an emergency fund of $141m for exporters hit by Chinas restriction.

China said the move 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 already strained China-Japan relations deteriorated since the day of the release.

It is not just China that has objected to the Fukushima water release. Several environmental groups and residents in both Japan and South Korea voiced their opposition to the release of the treated water.

However, the decision reportedly resulted in increasing surveillance of Japanese nationals living in China.

Local media, citing sources close to the government, reported that Beijing conducted investigations into the backgrounds of people engaged in negotiations regarding the discharge. China implemented a revised counterespionage law in July expanding the definition of espionage under and encompassing a wider range of activities .

According to Statista, as of October last year, approximately 102,100 Japanese residents lived in China  the lowest number since the past decade. In the observed time frame, the number of Japanese residents decreased steadily each year, starting at more than 135 thousand Japanese expats in 2013, it said.

Beijing maintained a staunch opposition to Japans ocean discharge, characterising it as nuclear-contaminated and insisting on its immediate cessation. Mr Kishida even ate a piece of fish caught in the area where radioactive wastewater was released to show that the water was safe.

But it barely mitigated the crisis.

The anger at Japan and the Japanese nationals in China is also driven by an anti-Japan campaign in Chinese state media. In fact, Chinese customers have been calling for the boycott of Japanese products from skincare to everyday household goods.

Earlier this week, driving the anger and resentment, Chinas embassy in Japan alleged that China has not been invited to participate in the analysis and comparative testing of nuclear-contaminated water.

If the Japanese side really has confidence in the treatment of nuclear-contaminated water, it should respond to it in a serious and responsible manner, the embassy said.

Logically, an organisation that aims to combat misinformation, claimed that since January this year, the Chinese government and state media have been involved in a coordinated disinformation campaign centred on the release of nuclear waste water. As part of this campaign, mainstream news outlets in China consistently raised doubts about the scientific basis behind the discharge of nuclear wastewater.

It is quite evident that this is politically motivated, Hamsini Hariharan, a China expert at Logically, was quoted as saying by the BBC.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) approved the plan in July, saying that it met international standards and that the impact it would have on people and the environment was negligible.

Media reports in August said that Beijing faced accusations of hypocrisy and exploiting the incident to fuel anti-Japanese sentiment. Scientists noted that Chinas own nuclear power plants release wastewater containing higher levels of tritium compared to the discharge from Fukushima, The Guardian reported. They emphasised that all these levels fall within safety limits that are not deemed harmful to human health.

A 2016 Pew Research Centre study said that in the case of China and Japan, publics tend to hold largely negative stereotypes of one another. It said that the Chinese and the Japanese see each other as violent. Roughly eight-in-ten Japanese describe the Chinese as arrogant, while seven-in-ten Chinese see the Japanese in that light.

The Japan-bashing has a historical context as well, given Japans troubled history in China during the 20th century, marked by wartime atrocities.

Several reports said that this history is a part of the curriculum for Chinese students, who are taught about Japans past wrongdoings and are often led to believe that Japan has not sufficiently apologised for its past actions. Now the release of Fukushima wastewater is another reason for the Xi Jinping regime to whip up the anti-Japan sentiment all over again.

For numerous decades, the leaders of China balanced their legitimacy on both economic achievements and nationalism as pillars to support the rule of the Chinese Communist Party, the Washington Post quoted Suisheng Zhao, a scholar at the University of Denver as saying.

However, with China facing increasing economic challenges, there is a growing need for president Xi Jinping to emphasise and rely more heavily on nationalist expressions that are anti-foreign in nature, he said.

The last time the anti-Japan sentiment was whipped up like this was in 2012 when Shintaro Ishihara, who was then the governor of Tokyo, made a move to nationalise the disputed East China Sea islands. These islands are known as the Senkaku Islands in Japan and as the Diaoyu Islands in China. This event led to widespread protests and tensions between Japan and China over territorial claims.

Several protests were allowed by the Beijing officials outside the Japanese embassy, according to reports. It was only when demonstrators started vandalising vehicles manufactured in Japan  like Honda and Nissan cars  that Beijing called for rational displays of patriotism.

Prior to this, Japan-China relations faced a significant strain in 2010 due to an incident involving a collision between a Chinese fishing boat and a Japanese coastguard vessel near the disputed islands in the East China Sea. The detention of the Chinese fishing boat captain as a result of this incident exacerbated tensions between the two countries and led to a diplomatic standoff.
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 court in Indonesia has jailed a woman for two years after she posted a TikTok video in which she said a Muslim prayer before eating pork.

Lina Lutfiawati, also known as Lina Mukherjee, was found guilty of "spreading information that was intended to incite hatred" against religious individuals and groups under the country's stringent blasphemy laws.

The 33-year-old, who identifies as being Muslim according to court documents, was sentenced on Tuesday in the city of Palembang, on Sumatra island.

Ms Lutfiawati posted a video in March where she said Bismillah (in the name of God) before eating crispy pork skin, according to court documents.

The video garnered millions of views and was criticised by the Indonesia Ulema Council (MUI), the country's top Muslim clerical body, as blasphemous.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world and consumption of pork is strictly prohibited under Islam.

The lifestyle influencer with over two million followers on TikTok has also been ordered to pay 250 million rupiah ($16,249.59).

After the trial, Lutfiawati told reporters that she was surprised with the verdict. "I know that I am wrong but I did not expect this punishment," she told local station MetroTV.

Indonesia's blasphemy laws have been widely criticised by rights groups for its alleged weaponisation to target minorities.

Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said the blasphemy article in Indonesian law has been abused to target minority groups and dissenters.

"It contravenes Indonesia's international obligations in relation to respect and protection for freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression," he said.

The blasphemy law has been used to sentence former Christian governor Basuki "Ahok" Purnama to two years in prison in 2017.

Indonesian police last year arrested six employees of a bar for violating blasphemy laws amid a row over the outlet offering free drinks to people named Mohammad and Maria.
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 }}

Jeremy Hunt will meet with technology and creative firms on the west coast of the United States as part of efforts to make Britain the next Silicon Valley.

The Chancellor will hold talks with tech giants including Microsoft, Amazon and Alphabet in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle as he seeks to boost investment in the UK.

His trip, starting on Wednesday, will also feature a speech to British senior tech leaders, entrepreneurs and investors to highlight the UKs success in the region, according to the Treasury.

We have all the right ingredients to become the next Silicon Valley, and Im going to be shouting about our strengths up and down the west coast of the United States Jeremy Hunt

He will also hold a roundtable with representatives from the biggest video game companies.

Ahead of his trip, Mr Hunt said: The UK is ideally placed to attract fast-growing companies; we have all the right ingredients to become the next Silicon Valley, and Im going to be shouting about our strengths up and down the west coast of the United States.

The UK tech industry makes a huge contribution to the economy  becoming the third in the world to achieve a one trillion dollar valuation last year  and we have created the most unicorn companies in Europe, more than France and Germany combined.

Im looking to build on these fantastic successes and increase investment that will bring more exciting jobs to our shores and grow the economy.

The Chancellor, who is preparing to deliver his autumn statement on November 22, has put the technology sector, as well as creative industries, life sciences, advanced manufacturing and the green sector, at the heart of his plan to grow the struggling economy.

Artificial intelligence is one of the topics at the top of the British agenda at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week.

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, who is heading the team as Rishi Sunak skips the gathering, will use his address on Friday to call for countries to co-operate on the new technology, with meetings also due to be held with top tech companies during the American visit.

It comes as the UK prepares to host an AI summit in November, with the Prime Minister keen to establish a key role for Britain in harnessing and regulating the technology.
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 new Apple TV+ documentary, which follows the careers of modelling stars Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington and Cindy Crawford, has brought several shocking and formerly unknown revelations to light.

The Super Models is a four-part series spotlighting the four models early careers and how they were treated working as young women, and the most sought-after models in the fashion industry in the late Eighties and Nineties.

Campbell, Evangelista, Turlington and Crawford, now in their fifties and with children of their own, offer a snapshot into their early careers, like Turlingtons pre-modelling work experience that involved babysitting and cleaning toilets, or Campbells experience of having her bag stolen in New York and running out of money.

Each episode has a theme  The Look, The Fame, The Power and The Legacy  with each model addressing the camera in intimate interviews, featuring archival footage from their heyday.

While each of the models discussed the glory days or golden years of their careers in the Nineties, Evangelista admitted in the documentary that those years werent always perfect.

As all four of the models recount their own experiences of misogyny and mistreatment working in the fashion industry, here are 10 of the main revelations from Apple TV+s The Super Models:

Evangelista said she regrets ever saying that she doesnt get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day

In 1990, Evangelista uttered one of the most iconic lines in modelling history in a Vogue interview, confessing that she wont get out of bed for less than $10,000 a day.

Despite later apologising, Evangelista said she regretted ever saying it.

I shouldnt have said that  that quote makes me crazy, she says in the series.

If a man said it? Its acceptable to be proud of what you command.

Cindy Crawford calls out Oprah Winfrey for treating her like chattel in old interview

Cindy Crawford and Oprah Winfrey (Getty Images)

In a clip shown in the documentary, Winfrey is heard introducing the then aspiring model to The Oprah Winfrey Show , before asking: Did she always have this body? This is unbelievable. Stand up just a moment, now this is what I call a BODY.

Crawford, who was accompanied by John Casablancas, a representative from Elite Modelling Agency, then sheepishly stood up before the studio audience to show her figure.

Reflecting on the moment in the new documentary, Crawford said: "I was like the chattel or a child, be seen and not heard.

When you look at it through todays eyes, Oprahs like, Stand up and show me your body. Show us why youre worthy of being here.

Crawford added: In the moment I didnt recognise it and watching it back I was like, Oh my gosh, that was so not okay really. Especially from Oprah.

The Independent has contacted Winfreys representatives for comment.

Naomi Campbell says she was called a racial slur for the first time when she was five years old

Naomi Campbell (Getty Images for Victoria's Secr)

Speaking about her childhood as a performer, Campbell revealed that she was called the N-word when she was five years old, but the supermodel said that she didnt let it affect the way she viewed herself.

I wasnt going to accept being bullied at school for the colour of my skin, she said. My mother was paying my school fees just like everybody else. I had every right to be there, so take your bullying somewhere else, is how I felt.

Cindy Crawford says her father initially thought modelling was another form of prostitution

Elsewhere in the documentary, Crawford shared how her father, John Crawford, didnt initially understand that modelling was a career.

My dad really didnt understand that modelling was a real career. He thought modelling was like another name for prostitution, she said. So [my parents] came with me to my very first modelling appointment.

She added: I never even thought about modelling, she said. I didnt even know it was a real job. I didnt know how I would get from DeKalb, Illinois, to a magazine.

Linda Evangelista told bookers that if they didnt book Naomi then they wouldnt get her either

Linda Evangelista (Apple TV+)

In a segment on the racism that Naomi Campbell faced while working in New York City, the model told the cameras: I would put my hands out many times on New York City streets, and the taxis would fly by,

Then Christy [Turlington] would put out the hand and they would stop. The guy would be like: I dont want to go to Brooklyn, and Im like: Im not going to Brooklyn. I was just like, why is he saying that? It didnt strike me until, you know, Christy would have to stand out in front of me, get me a taxi to get it to work.

Campbell then shared how her friendship with Turlington grew over time, noting that they lived together throughout the early days of her career. Evangelista also expressed how she tried to advocate for Campbell when the British model was discriminated against because of her race.

Naomi wasnt always booked to do the shows, Evangelista said. I didnt understand. Naomi, I thought, was more beautiful, had a much more rocking body than I did and a better strut. [I was] like: Why arent they booking her? I said to them: If you dont book her, you dont get me.

Linda Evangelista claims she was abused by ex-husband Gerald Marie

Evangelista was married to Gerard Marie between 1987 and 1993, who was the European chief of Elite Model Management at the time.

I learned that maybe I was in the wrong relationship, she said looking back on the marriage.

Its easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship. I understand that concept, because I lived it. If it was just a matter of saying, I want a divorce, see ya... it doesnt work that way.

He knew not to touch my face, not to touch the money-maker, you know?

She continued: I married him when I was 22 and I got out when I was 27 and he let me out as long as he got everything. But I was safe and I got my freedom.

In 2020, Marie was accused of rape and sexual misconduct by seven women, with Evangelista praising their courage and strength.

Evangelista credited the seven women for giving her the courage to come forward.

She said in the documentary: Thanks to the power of all these women coming forward, God bless all of them, it gave me the courage now to speak...

In a statement to Apple TV+, Marie denied the claims of abuse and said he has never committed the slightest act of violence.

Maries legal representatives told The Independent: Gerald Marie firmly objects to the defamatory and false allegations made against him. He refuses to participate in this dishonest media controversy.

Marie was never charged and the investigation into possible rape and sexual assault was closed.

Naomi Campbell recalls a time an art director told her she had perfect breasts and touched them without her consent

Reflecting on a photoshoot she attended as a young model, Campbell recalled how she dealt with a situation when she was sexually assaulted.

Once an art director felt the need to tell me my breasts were perfect. But he felt the need to have to touch them, she recalled.

Campbell said that she turned to her mentor, the late fashion designer Azzedine Alaia, when the incident occurred. Campbell added that Alaia, to whom she refers as Papa throughout the series, continuously protected her during her earlier career.

I called Papa immediately, recalled Campbell. I called him right away and Papa called [the art director] up straight away.

[The art director] never came near me again. It served that I opened my mouth and spoke my truth because I believe that protected me, as well as everyone that I was surrounded by.

Turlington posed topless aged 17

Christy Turlington (Apple TV+)

While models recall the realities of working with adult men as teenagers, Turlington remembers being asked to pose topless by a photographer when she was aged 17.

Can you put your arms down a little bit lower? A little bit lower, she says she was told.

I do remember being like, Oh my gosh, I shouldnt be doing this.

She was shocked to discover the image appeared on the cover of PHOTO magazine.

I dont think there was any age that you were supposed to be in order to have a nude picture. I dont think there was anyone monitoring or regulating any of that.

Naomi Campbell said she was paid less than white models

I wanted to be paid the same as the white models, Campbell said, recalling her fight to appear on the cover of Vogue.

I was working for Mr [Yves] Saint Laurent [at the time] so I told them, she said. I didnt know what type of power he had. I didnt know he would say something.

The next thing I know, I was in New York.... I had no idea until it came out that it was the first time a Black person had been on a French Vogue cover [in 1988]. I didnt think of it as breaking a barrier. I just looked at it as: This cant stop here, this cant be the only token.

The Super Models is now streaming on Apple TV+.

The national domestic abuse helpline can offer support on 0808 2000 247, or you can visit the Womens Aid website. For those in the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines can be found via www.befrienders.org
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 }}

Khloe Kardashian has spoken candidly about her skin cancer journey after getting a melanoma spot removed from her cheek.

For those who do not know I had a skin cancer scare on my face, she wrote on her Instagram story on Tuesday 19 September, referencing the 2022 event. Not that we needed the arrow to show the huge indentation on the side of my face but because we had to remove a tumour from my cheek, I was Ieft with an indention, she added as she showed off a close-up version of the indent.

I am definitely not complaining because I would rather have an indention than melanoma any day, she continued. I am so incredibly grateful to all the doctors who helped and continue to help me with my skin cancer journey.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can spread to other areas of the body, according to the NHS. The main cause of melanoma is ultraviolet light, which comes from the sun and which is used in sunbeds.

Kardashian also went on to thank her surgeon, Dr Garth Fischer, for removing her tumour in October 2022.

Not only did he remove the tumour and made sure that I am completely cancer free but he did such a f***ing stellar job on making my scar as small and beautiful as possible, she wrote on her Instagram Stories.

The Good American co-owner went on to share before and after images of her cheek while also revealing that she would be getting the indentation filled with cosmetic injections. Next to the before image, Kardashian wrote, This is my indentation before my Armenian tribe helped fill my cheek with the okay from Dr Fischer. I waited over nine months to get this filled by the way. Patience is everything and of course we have to make sure medically everything is all safe.

She also showed her followers what her cheek looked like after one round of injections.

I look insane in these pics but Im just happy that my face is slowly coming back together ha! I dont even know how else to word this, the reality star wrote.

Kardashian then used her platform to encourage people to get checked for skin cancer every year. I never imagined that this tiny spec would turn into skin cancer and I cant fathom what could have possibly happened had I not gone to the doctor to get it looked at, she wrote.

Praise the Lord for covering me and thank you to everyone who was a part of my journey. Its an ongoing one!

When Kardashian first noticed the mark on her face, she originally thought it was a zit, she explained during an episode of her familys Hulu series, The Kardashians.

Khloe has a little bit of a history with melanoma and cancerous lesions, so this on her face is very concerning to me, Khloes mother Kris Jenner, 67, says to her sister Kylie Jenner, 25, during the episode.

Kylie responded at the time that her older sister had this little bump and she was trying to remove it, and shes like: it just wont go away, so to find out its melanoma is obviously really scary and I just hope that everythings gonna be okay.

Kardashian decided to have a biopsy on the bump on her face, despite thinking it was a zit.

I have done one biopsy on this bump that I just assumed was a zit, turns out its not a zit, she said during the episode. Its melanoma and for my age, its incredibly rare.
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 }}

After the discovery that men think about the Roman Empire on an almost daily basis, women are taking over TikTok to figure out what their equivalent of the viral obsession is.

Many women were shocked to hear that the men in their lives think about the Roman Empire either daily or multiple times per week, prompting one TikToker to ask what is the female version of the Roman Empire?

Los Angeles-based professional charcuterie artist Emmy Rener took to TikTok to ask her viewers that exact question as she said: What is something random that we all think about on a very regular basis that is female specific?

Since being posted on 14 September, the video has been viewed over 600,000 times, with women either leaving comments or stitching the TikTok and sharing their own videos to answer Reners question.

One answer that appeared in multiple comments and stitches was that women often think about the possibility of being victims of violence. Danyelle Leyden, a TikToker who regularly shares content about her life and family, said being kidnapped was top of her mind in a response video. Definitely being kidnapped, or just in general somebodys gonna get me, Leyden said.

In an interview withInsider, the TikToker said she thinks responding to the question with a more dark response highlights the societal differences between men and women. It speaks volumes for society that women are so cautious and have to feel on guard most of their lives, Leyden told the outlet. I think unfortunately most women have had past experiences that led them to be this cautious.

For me it also puts into further perspective that as women we feel like prey subconsciously, she added.

Genuinely think about being kidnapped every day, one person commented on Reners TikTok. Another viewer agreed, writing, Being abducted while out for a walk and how we will escape.

Other answers that came up often in the comments section of Reners TikTok were: the Salem witch trials, Princess Diana, and Greek mythology.

"I firmly believe that there are four," user @gertiethehippo said in a TikTok response to Reners question. The six wives of Henry VIII, the Titanic, obviously, not the movie but the Titanic, the Romanovs, and, of course, Greek mythology.

The question has also circulated on Twitter, formerly known as X, where one individual suggested the female version of the Roman Empire is Tom Hollands performance on Lip Sync Battle, while others suggested it was Taylor Swift.

For some people, the answer to Reners question was pretty simple. Carly Maris, a postdoctoral fellow at San Diego State University whose research interests include Rome, Persia, and Egypt, responded to the trend on TikTok , saying that for her personally, the female version of the Roman Empire is the Roman Empire.

Ladies, when they would do a good job at something they would get little leaf hats, they wore special dresses, their favourite colour was purple, she added.

The Roman Empire trend originally started on Instagram when Gaius Flavius, a Roman reenactor based in Sweden, shared an Instagram video to his 100,000 followers with an on-screen caption that read, Ladies, many of you do not realise how often men think about the Roman Empire.

His caption continued: Ask your husband/boyfriend/father/brother  you will be surprised by their answers.

Flaviuss post has been viewed more than 1.7 million times since being posted on 19 August. More than 1,000 people commented on the post, with many proving Flaviuss theory right.
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 }}

Watch as King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive to attend a state banquet in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, during their state visit to France.

Charles and Emmanuel Macron, the French president, are expected to make toasts.

Other guests expected at the banquet on Wednesday 20 September include actors Hugh Grant, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger and many other celebrities and officials.

Ahead of the meal, the King gave Mr Macron a book containing photographs of the pair together as they held talks on the opening day of the visit.

Charles and Camilla are visiting Paris and Bordeaux, six months after the trip had to be rescheduled because of widespread rioting across France.

As well as the photograph album, the King gave Mr Macron a complete edition of Voltaires writings when he visited the Elysee Palace, the presidents official residence, on Wednesday afternoon.

In return, Mr Macron gave the King a golden coin featuring Charless portrait, as well as a prize-winning French novel.
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 }}

King Charles vowed that the UK will always be one of Frances closest allies and best friends in a historic Senate address to round off the second day of his three-day state visit.

The King flitted between fluent French and English as he became the first British monarch to address Frances Senate. He hailed the partnership between the two nations as remaining utterly vital as together we confront the challenges of this world, citing Russias invasion of Ukraine and the climate crisis.

Charles branded global warming our most existential challenge, a day after prime minister Rishi Sunak faced fierce criticism for scaling back key green efforts designed to help the UK reach net zero by 2050. In the speech, which received a lengthy standing ovation from French lawmakers, the monarch called for a new entente cordiale to tackle the global climate emergency.

Charles and Macron bid farewell to each other (AP)

French president Emmanuel Macron later paid tribute to the Kings long-standing conviction and preaching on tackling climate change, as the pair visited a sustainability reception for business leaders and ministers at the Natural History Museum in Paris.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla and the French first lady, Brigitte Macron, launched a new Franco-British literary prize at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France. They later bonded over a hilarious game of table tennis at a community centre in Saint-Denis, northern Paris, where they joined Charles and Mr Macron.

Camilla was revealed to have a competitive streak as she challenged Ms Macron to a match, but the French first lady appeared to get the better of the Queen as they played for a few minutes in a well-spirited game.

Camilla, Charles, and the Macrons at the Elysee Palace on Thursday (Getty Images)

The King watched and laughed, before meeting sports stars such as former Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba and French rugby prop Demba Bamba.

Charles had even wished the English and French teams good luck in the Rugby World Cup in his historic Senate address earlier, saying in French: May the best win.

Camilla and the French first lady bonded over a game of table tennis at a community centre in Saint-Denis, northern Paris (PA)

He and Camilla went from Saint-Denis to a Paris flower market named after his late mother, Elizabeth II. As rain poured in the afternoon, the pair met two stallholders who met the Kings mother during her last state visit to France in 2014.

Charles had earlier told the Senate the late Queen was the golden thread binding the nations together. He said: In the rich and complex tapestry of the relationship between France and the United Kingdom, my mothers golden thread will forever shine brightly. Let it inspire us all to continue to weave the connections between our two countries  with determination, hope and with love.

Charles and Camilla receive a gift during a visit to the central Paris Flower Market on day two of the state visit to France (PA)

He also thanked the people of France for the great kindness you showed to us, and our people, at a time of such grief after her death.

Charles made a few stops to greet the crowds waiting for him along the streets of the sites he visited throughout the day, including at the Paris flower market.

Residents wait to see Charles Camilla on Thursday in Saint-Denis outside Paris (AP)

Meanwhile, in Saint-Denis, which will serve as a major venue in next years Olympics, the King chatted with young athletes, while Camilla exchanged a few balls with Prithika Pavade, a 19-year-old French table tennis player.

Residents said the royal visit was a welcome boost for the town with deep pockets of poverty, a reputation for crime and a feeling among many of being left by the wayside.

Charles, Camilla and the Macrons meet firefighters during a visit to the Notre-Dame Cathedral, which is undergoing a huge renovation after it was engulfed by a huge and devastating fire in 2019 (Reuters)

A lot of people are poor and it has a reputation as a cut-throat place, said Yasmina Bedar, who was born in Saint-Denis and has lived there for 50 years. For a king in real flesh and blood to come to Saint-Denis of course can only help our image.

The King also met there with the Paris Saint-Germain soccer club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who gave him the club's No 3 jersey and explained the club's involvement in supporting young people and communities in difficulty.

Paris Saint Germain's president Nasser Al-Khelaifi offers Charles a PSG jersey on Thursday in Saint-Denis (AP)

Charles, Camilla and the Macrons later paid much attention to a presentation about ongoing renovation work at Notre Dame, one day after the king said he had been utterly appalled by the scenes of such devastation following the catastrophic fire in April 2019. The King and Queen also met firefighters who tackled the blaze and were applauded and photographed by dozens of workers on the higher floors.

The royal couple's trip started on Wednesday with a ceremony at Arc de Triomphe in Paris and a lavish state dinner at the Palace of Versailles. It will end on Friday with a stop in Bordeaux, the southwestern city that is home to a large British community.
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 }}

Marc Tyler Nobleman was supposed to talk to kids about the secret co-creator of Batman, with the aim of inspiring young students in suburban Atlanta's Forsyth County to research and write.

Then the school district told him he had to cut a key point from his presentation  that the artist he helped rescue from obscurity had a gay son. Rather than acquiesce, he canceled the last of his talks.

Were long past the point where we should be policing people talking about who they love, Nobleman said in a telephone interview. And thats what Im hoping will happen in this community.

State laws restricting talk of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools have proliferated in recent years, but the clash with Nobleman shows schools may be limiting such discussions even in states like Georgia that havent officially banned them. Some proponents of broader laws giving parents more control over schools argue they extend to discussion of sex and gender even if the statutes dont explicitly cover them.

Eleven states ban discussion of LGBTQ+ people in at least some public schools in what are often called Dont say gay laws, according to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ+ rights think tank. Five additional states require parental consent for discussion, according to the project.

Legislation restricting LGBTQ+ rights gained steam this year, but suppression is not new. A school district in New Jersey, which requires curriculums to be LGBTQ-inclusive, tried to bar a valedictorian from discussing his queer identity during a graduation speech in 2021. That year, a federal judge ordered an Indiana district to give the same privileges to a gay-straight alliance as to other extracurricular groups. Two years later, Indiana passed a law banning discussion of LGBTQ+ people in grades K-3.

Schools nationwide have been challenged on books with LGBTQ+ themes or characters, and many have removed them, including Forsyth County, which has been a battleground in the politics of schooling.

LGBTQ+ advocates say Nobleman bumped up against a moral panic fomented by conservatives seeking to roll back acceptance.

The idea that these folks are saying that they just dont want to talk about it at all is very disingenuous, said Cathryn Oakley, a lawyer for the Human Rights Campaign, a leading advocacy group. What they mean is they dont want views other than theirs to be expressed. And they believe that that means everyone should have to hear what they believe.

Discussion of straight people with traditional gender identities is everywhere, she said, and if all discussion of sexuality is going to be banned, Oakley said, then you certainly better not be teaching Romeo and Juliet."

Nobleman, a self-described superhero geek" who lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., is best known as the author of Bill the Boy Wonder: The Secret Co-creator of Batman." It lays out the story of Bill Finger, the long-uncredited author who helped create Batman and other comic book characters.

Finger died in obscurity in 1974, with artist Bob Kane credited as Batmans only creator. Fingers only child was a son, Fred Finger, who was gay and died in 1992 at age 43 of AIDS complications. Bill Finger was presumed to have no living heirs, meaning there was no one to press DC Comics to acknowledge Finger's work.

But Nobleman discovered Fred Finger had a daughter, Athena Finger. That, he said, is a showcase moment of the presentation he estimates he has given 1,000 times at schools.

Its the biggest twist of the story, and its usually when I get the most gasps," Nobleman said. It's just a totally record-scratch moment.

Noblemans research helped push DC Comics into reaching a deal with Athena Finger in 2015 to acknowledge her grandfather and Kane as co-creators. That led to the documentary Batman & Bill, featuring Nobleman.

In Forsyth County, the author gave his first presentations at Sharon Elementary on Aug. 21. After Nobleman mentioned in his first talk that Fred Finger was gay, the principal handed him a note during his second talk that said, Please only share the appropriate parts of the story for our elementary students.

Forsyth County schools spokesperson Jennifer Caracciolo said that just mentioning Fred Finger was gay isn't the problem. But she said it led to questions from students, meaning Nobleman and students might discuss sexuality without parents being warned.

In the past three years, conservatives in the 54,000-student district have tried to tamp down diversity policies and sexually explicit books they view as immoral.

The district was sued by a conservative group called the Mama Bears after banning a member of that group from reading explicit book excerpts at meetings. A federal judge ruled the policy unconstitutional.

The district was also warned by the U.S. Department of Education after pulling some books from libraries, with federal officials saying the discourse may have created a hostile environment that violated federal laws against race and sex discrimination.

Noblemans discussion of sexual orientation has nothing to do with the state English language arts learning standards his presentation was supposed to bolster, Caracciolo said.

We have a responsibility to parents and to guardians that they will know what students are learning in school, Caracciolo said.

Nobleman said he was blindsided and agreed to drop the reference to Fred Finger's sexual orientation in remaining presentations that day, as well as in three at another school the next day. But by the morning of the third day, Finger started fielding questions from reporters after the principal at Sharon Elementary sent an electronic message to parents apologizing for the mention of Fred Finger's homosexuality.

This is not subject matter that we were aware that he was including nor content that we have approved for our students," Principal Brian Nelson wrote. 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.

And so, on the third day he was presenting, after a discussion with district officials, Nobleman refused to give the last two of his scheduled presentations if required to omit Finger's sexual orientation.

Many parents have applauded Forsyth County's actions, Caracciolo said. Cindy Martin, chair of the Mama Bears, said Nobleman should be ashamed of himself."

She argues that a 2022 Georgia law bans discussion of sexuality without parental consent for any minor because it gives parents the right to direct the upbringing and the moral or religious training of their children.

No one has the right to talk to a child about sexuality unless its the parent, or the parent has given permission," Martin said. "Mr. Nobleman did not have permission. So he went against Georgia law.

Matt Maguire, a Sharon Elementary parent who had a daughter who attended one of Nobleman's presentations, said he was disappointed by the message and felt the school district was being bullied by Martin and others into reactionary censorship.

The mere mention of the word gay didn't merit claims made online by critics that Nobleman was  grooming or sexualizing children," he said, and it ignored that some Sharon Elementary students have gay parents.

It didn't sit right with me. It made me feel like certain parts of our community were being kept as a dirty secret, Maguire said. I couldn't imagine coming from a family with gay members and reading that apology just for saying the word gay.
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 }}

Several Catholic priests held a ceremony blessing same-sex couples outside Cologne Cathedral on Wednesday night in a protest against the citys conservative archbishop, Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki.

Their protest was triggered by Cologne church officials' criticism of a priest from Mettmann, a town near Duesseldorf, who in March had held a blessing ceremony for lovers  including same-sex couples.

Officials from the Cologne archdiocese, which Mettmann belongs to, had reprimanded the priest afterward and stressed that the Vatican doesn't allow blessings of same-sex couples, German news agency dpa reported.

The blessing of same-sex couples on Wednesday was the latest sign of rebellion of progressive believers in Germany's most populous diocese with about 1.8 million members.

Several hundred people showed up for the outdoor blessing service for same-sex and also heterosexual couples. Waving rainbow flags, they sang the Beatles hit All You Need Is Love, dpa reported. A total of about 30 couples were blessed.

The German governments LGBTQ+ commissioner called the service an important symbol for the demand to recognize and accept same-sex couples in the Roman Catholic Church.

It is mainly thanks to the churchs grassroots that the church is opening up more and more, Sven Lehmann said, according to dpa. Archbishop Woelki and the Vatican, on the other hand, are light years behind social reality.

Catholic believers in the Cologne archdiocese have long protested their deeply divisive archbishop and have been leaving in droves over allegations that he may have covered up clergy sexual abuse reports.

The crisis of confidence began in 2020, when Woelki, citing legal concerns, kept under wraps a report he commissioned on how local church officials reacted when priests were accused of sexual abuse. That infuriated many Cologne Catholics. A second report, published in March 2021, found 75 cases in which high-ranking officials neglected their duties.

The report absolved Woelki of any neglect of his legal duty with respect to abuse victims. He subsequently said he made mistakes in past cases involving sexual abuse allegations, but insisted he had no intention of resigning.

Two papal envoys were dispatched to Cologne a few months later to investigate possible mistakes by senior officials in handling cases. Their report led Pope Francis to give Woelki a  spiritual timeout  of several months for making major communication errors.

In March 2022, after his return from the timeout, the cardinal submitted an offer to resign, but so far Francis hasn't acted on it.

Germany's many progressive Catholics have also been at odds with the Vatican for a long time.

Several years ago, Germanys Catholic Church launched a reform process with the countrys influential lay group to respond to the clergy sexual abuse scandals, after a report in 2018 found at least 3,677 people were abused by clergy between 1946 and 2014. The report found that the crimes were systematically covered up by church leaders and that there were structural problems in the way power was exercised that favored sexual abuse of minors or made preventing it more difficult.

The Vatican, however, has tried to put the brakes on the German church's controversial reform process, fearing proposals concerning gay people, women and sexual morals will split the church.

On Wednesday night, just across from the hundreds of believers celebrating the blessings of same-sex couples, there were also about a dozen Catholics who demonstrated against the outdoor service, dpa reported. They held up a banner that said Let's stay Catholic.
Commentary

By Mackenzie Moir and Bacchus Barua

The majority of Canadians believe the health-care system has deteriorated over the past 10 to 15 years, and are not convinced that money is enough to solve the crisis, according to a new poll recently released by the Angus Reid Institute. Indeed, 66 percent of respondents believe there are bigger challenges that money cant fix.

Clearly, Canadians know that money is not the problem. And its time governments focus on bold reforms to address the structural issues that plague our system.

In 2020 (the latest year of comparable data), Canada was the number one spender on health care (as a share of the economy) among 30 high-income universal care countries.

And yet, despite that high spending, Canada had some of the lowest availability of basic medical resources including physicians (ranked 28th out of 30 countries) and care beds (23rd out of 28). And we rank dead last (10th of 10) on timely access to specialists and surgical care.

Last year, the median wait for a patient from the time they met a family physician to the actual treatment was 27.4 weeks6.5 weeks longer than the wait Canadians endured in 2019 and 195 percent longer than the 9.3 weeks experienced in 1993. In other words, wait times in Canada have been worsening for decades.

The results from the Angus Reid survey reinforce the wait times data. For instance, the majority of respondents (60 percent) indicated that getting an appointment with a specialist was either difficult or impossible, while 47 percent reported the same for accessing surgery. Overall, only 16 percent of Canadians reported having comfortable access to care.

So, if money alone is not enough to tackle this crisis, whats to be done?

One potential solution is to embrace the private sector as a partner or alternative for the delivery of universal care. Doing so could help expand the supply of medical services and potentially reduce the burden on the government-run system.

The survey also suggests a great deal of misunderstanding about the potential role (and impact) the private sector could play in Canada, which is likely impeding reforms. Consider that private-sector involvement in the universal healthcare system is the norm in countries such as Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France and Sweden. And critically, all these countries have shorter wait times than Canada and spend less than Canada on health care (as a share of their economies).

Encouragingly, a majority of Canadians (56 percent) are open to allowing for the private delivery of surgical care so long as the government pays for the care, not out-of-pocket payments by individual Canadians.

This approach has already proven successful in Saskatchewan where in 2010 the provincial government introduced the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative (SSI), a wait time strategy. One of the major initiatives of the SSI, which ran until 2014, was the delivery of publicly-funded surgeries through private surgical centres. Wait times decreased from 26.5 weeks in 2010 (the longest outside of Atlantic Canada that year) to 14.2 in 2014, second-lowest only to Ontario. And per-procedure costs in the private clinics were 26 percent lower than in their government-sector counterparts.

Canadians agree; that the health-care system has deteriorated and suffers from challenges that outstrip the ability of additional money to solve. Instead of spending more, politicians should examine a broader range of reform options and learn from the example of more successful universal healthcare countries.

Mackenzie Moir is a Policy Analyst at the Fraser Institute. Bacchus Barua Bacchus Barua is the Director of the Fraser Institutes Centre for Health Policy Studies.
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 Pirola is sweeping the United States and is currently being closely monitored by the World Health Organisation.

Pirola is a combination of the Greek letters Pi and Rho, has more than 30 mutations to its spike protein compared to XBB.1.5, a variant of Omicron that had been the dominant strain in the US, according to a Thursday bulletin in Yale Medicine.

Such a high number of mutations is notable, said Yale Medicine infectious diseases specialist Scott Roberts, MD.

Dr Roberts said that this was similar to the number of mutations that differed between Delta, one of the early strains of the coronavirus, and Omicron.

When Omicron hit in the winter of 2021, there was a huge rise in COVID-19 cases because it was so different from the Delta variant, and it evaded immunity from both natural infection and vaccination, Dr Roberts added.

The other concern is that this strain has been picked up in at least six countries, and the cases are unrelated. This suggests some degree of transmission in the [international] community that were not detecting.

What is BA.2.86?

Maria Van Kerkhove, an epidemiologist and lead for the Covid response at the WHO, said very limited information was available on the newly discovered strain. But a large number of mutations within it needed closer monitoring, she wrote on Twitter.

Surveillance, sequencing and Covid-19 reporting [are] critical to track known and detect new variants, she added.

The variant, also referred to as BA.X, was found through genetic sequencing  a process where scientists determine the building blocks of a molecules DNA.

Scientists are on alert due to the overly high number of mutations of the variant, with more than 30 in the spike protein  the part of the virus that vaccines aim to neutralise.

How many cases are there in the US?

Pirola has been found in 10 states, according to data from GISAID , a global database.

So far, it has been found in Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Washington.

The CDC noted in a statement released 23 August that the current hospitalisations in the country are not likely driven by BA.2.86, but added, this assessment may change as additional data become available.

Globally, the variant has been detected in Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom and the US, as The Independent previously reported.

Covid hospitalisations and deaths have steadily risen for the last several weeks, as the US sees the effect of a summer surge.

From 3 September to 9 September, hospitalisations from the virus rose 7.7 per cent compared to the previous week, the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show.

During that same time, deaths rose 4.5 per cent.

As the summer surge has gained traction, experts have started speaking more about preventative measures. In a recent interview with CNN, Dr Anthony Fauci said he hopes Americans wear masks to protect their loved ones if case counts continue to rise.

What can you do to protect yourself?

The CDC has advised people to protect themselves from the virus as it is not yet clear how well this variant spreads, however as a precautionary measure people have been asked to do the following:

 Get your Covid-19 vaccines.

 Get tested for Covid.

 Seek treatment if you have Covid-19 and are at high risk of getting very sick

 If you choose to wear a mask, wear a high-quality one that fits well over your nose and mouth Improve ventilation.

Wash your hands.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of the new variant include a runny nose, headache, fatigue, sneezing and a sore throat.

What are the experts saying?

Kristian G Andersen, an immunologist and infectious diseases expert, said the lineage had all the hallmarks of something that could take off, but added: Our immunity landscape is now complex, so its too early to say it will.

Dr S. Wesley Long, medical director of diagnostic microbiology at Houston Methodist, a flagship Texan hospital, said it remained to be seen whether BA.2.86 would be able to out-compete other strains of the virus or have any advantage in escaping immune responses from prior infection or vaccination.

Researchers are currently studying how much  if any  protection against BA.2.86 might be offered from immunity from previous Covid infections, per The New York Times. However, the research on this topic is still in its infancy, so its difficult to say for sure how past infections may influence Pirola cases.
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 }}

Stormont civil servants have been ordered by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris to launch public consultations on revenue-raising measures for the region.

Mr Heaton-Harris said the consultations would be on similar measures to those that already exist in other parts of the UK  such as introducing domestic water and waste water charges, drug prescription charges, and increasing university tuition fees.

The minister, who will also review the level of the domestic and non-domestic regional rate, said generating revenue to balance the Stormont budget is a critical necessity.

In the absence of an executive, public consultations will be run by Northern Ireland departments on measures for supporting budget sustainability and raising additional revenue Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris

Sinn Fein has said the Secretary of State is acting against the wishes of the people of Northern Ireland, while the DUP said he must recognise there needs to be a recalibration of how the region is funded by the Treasury.

Northern Ireland is currently without devolved powersharing institutions due to the DUPs protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements, and Mr Heaton-Harris introduced a budget in their absence.

Senior civil servants are currently running public services in the region.

They have estimated that Stormont departments need hundreds of millions of pounds in extra funding to maintain public services at their current level this year, while hundreds of millions more are needed to settle a series of public sector pay disputes in the region.

There is currently no charge for medical prescriptions in the region and Northern Ireland students who study at local universities pay 4,630 a year in tuition fees, compared with a maximum of 9,250 to study in England.

Mr Heaton-Harris has long argued that additional revenue-raising measures are required to balance the books.

He said: In order to improve the sustainability of public finances, generating revenue is not merely an option but a critical necessity.

Of course, it is my clear wish that these matters were being dealt with by a fully functioning executive and Assembly. And we are working tirelessly to bring that about.

Conducting these consultations will enable Northern Ireland departments to identify ways to improve the sustainability of public services and public finances, paving the way for long-awaited improvement and transformation of these services Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris

In the absence of an executive, public consultations will be run by Northern Ireland departments on measures for supporting budget sustainability and raising additional revenue.

Conducting these consultations will enable Northern Ireland departments to identify ways to improve the sustainability of public services and public finances, paving the way for long-awaited improvement and transformation of these services that we all rely on and want to protect.

I am keen that the public and all interested parties have an opportunity to consider the range of options being examined and to feed in their views.

The Northern Ireland Secretary said the purpose of the consultations is to gather views so a restored executive can make funding decisions in the future.

He said the UK Government has already provided more than 7 billion in additional funding support to Northern Ireland, on top of the Barnett-based block grant since 2014.

He added: It is my expectation that a returning executive will consider responses to these consultations and use this to make the necessary decisions to put Northern Irelands public finances on a sustainable footing.

It is important that we do not lose momentum on this work.

Sinn Fein MLA Conor Murphy said the Northern Ireland Secretary was acting against the wishes of the people in Northern Ireland.

He said: This comes from a party and a Secretary of State which hasnt a single vote here, which cant even elect a councillor in the north, whose policies have been roundly rejected by the electorate.

So, as with Brexit and as with the legacy Bill, they are acting directly against the democratic expressed wishes of the people here.

We will oppose the Secretary of State taxing Northern Ireland more just to plug the gaps created by Treasury underfunding. Unless there is a recalibration of how Northern Ireland is funded ... it will lead to our budgetary pressures getting worse DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson

When we were in the executive we were able to offset and undo the worst elements of Tory policy by putting our own resources to try and protect people from that.

The DUPs continued blockade of the executive has really left us exposed to complete Tory policy.

DUP deputy leader Gavin Robinson said the Secretary of State needed to recognise that Northern Ireand was underfunded.

He said: We will oppose the Secretary of State taxing Northern Ireland more just to plug the gaps created by Treasury underfunding.

Unless there is a recalibration of how Northern Ireland is funded, with or without an executive, it will lead to our budgetary pressures getting worse.

Public services in Northern Ireland will stall and get to a point where it is irretrievable.
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 disabled man whose father was a nuclear test veteran has said the disclosure of medical records could provide answers he needs for his son.

Steve Purse, 49, was born with short stature about a decade after his father, Flight Lieutenant David Purse, served with the RAF in Maralinga, Australia, where British nuclear tests were carried out.

The father of one, who lives in Prestatyn in Denbighshire, North Wales, told the PA news agency that medical records which he believes are held by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) could provide information which would help his two-year-old son Sascha.

He said: When I was born it was obvious there was an issue, there was a problem.

I was taken away from my mum for a few days and the doctors told my dad, basically, that I was disabled.

He broke the news to mum, but he said to her I think its all my fault, I think its linked to my service at Maralinga.

Obviously disability can be a chance thing, an act of God, but when you start putting the things together and youre adding one thing to another you think this is not an act of God, its an act of government.

Flt Lt Purse, who died in 2015, was in charge of the airfield at Maralinga from 1962 to 1963 and told his family he had seen ground zero where nuclear weapons were detonated and that a single-strand wire fence separated the area of the desert classed as contaminated.

The condition which Mr Purse was born with is a genetic mutation which is probably unique in the world, he said.

He believes medical records, which could show what his father was exposed to, are needed to start research into conditions which affected veterans and may impact on generations to come.

But despite making a number of applications to different bodies for information from the monitoring programme of servicemen at Maralinga, who had blood and urine samples taken regularly, Mr Purse has not been able to access any information.

Its as if the MoD are withholding these records because theyre a bit frightened of what might come out, he said.

The actor, originally from Wirral, Merseyside, said son Sascha was born without disabilities but he worried he may be affected by health problems later on in life.

He said: You do wonder whether you have played genetic Russian roulette with his life.

Every headache, every cough, every sneeze from him Im wondering is this the start of something, is it going to get worse?

As time goes by Im going to constantly be thinking whats his future got and if something awful does happen Im responsible for that.

Mr Purse said he hoped launching legal action against the MoD could provide answers.

He added: If they have withheld information that, a, could have saved lives but, certainly, would have lessened the trauma and would have lessened all the anguish all these families have gone through, then they need to be held accountable for that because they have done that knowingly and willingly.
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 }}

Hours before a string of explosive allegations were made about Russell Brands alleged behaviour towards women, the comedian had already set the conspiracy theory wheel turning by releasing his own video, in which he absolutely refutes claims of sexual wrongdoing.

With an audience of 6.5 million subscribers, many attracted to his YouTube channel due to its alignment with the anti-vaccine movement and Covid denialism, Brand has spent years repeatedly lashing out at the mainstream media.

It was no surprise therefore that his two-minute long denial accused the Sunday Times and Channel 4 of a co-ordinated attack against him, as he questioned: Is there another agenda at play?

Russell Brand is accused of sexually assaulting a number of women (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)

The clip was posted late on Friday evening, nearly a day before the Dispatches programme was broadcast or the Times published its story, so at the time it was not clear what allegations he was denying.

If you have information in relation to the allegations against Russell Brand which you would like to share with The Independents reporting team, please email newsdesk@independent.co.uk

When the allegations were made public on Saturday, it was claimed that the former presenter had sexually abused four women between 2006 and 2013, and that his behaviour was an open secret within the TV industry. Accusations include Brand raping a woman against a wall at his Los Angeles home, pinning another woman to his bed and conducting an abusive three-month relationship with a 16-year-old girl.

Within seconds of posting his denial video on Friday, titled So, This Is Happening and filmed from his garage in Henley-on-Thames, Brands social media feeds were flooded with messages of Team Russell and stay strong, we are with you.

As well as his millions of fans, other prominent controversial figures were quick to throw support his way, including Andrew Tate, Tucker Carlson, Laurence Fox and Elon Musk.

Shortly after Brands video was posted online, the influencer Tate, himself facing rape and human trafficking charges in Romania, tweeted Welcome to the club and held an emergency meeting to discuss whats happening to Russell Brand.

Brand described the accusations as a coordinated attack by the mainstream media (Russell Brand/PA) (PA Media)

Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson suggested on X that Brands views on topics such as drug companies were linked to the allegations, while right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones said the comedian is being targeted because hes come out against globalists and Big Pharma.

In a video recorded at an airport, Mr Jones said hed been friends with Brand for six years and said: Ive never seen women throw themselves at anyone like with him.

Last year, Mr Jones was ordered to pay nearly $1.5bn in damages to the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting after suggesting it was a hoax.

Other figures to throw support behind Brand include former Mayor of London candidate Mr Fox, who tweeted: Any trial by media is a lie. Especially a media which wantonly, consistently and deliberately covered up the most heinous of crimes their own chums committed over many decades.

Andrew Tate tweeted Welcome to the club to Russell Brand (Andrew Tate -Twitter)

If these allegations are based in fact, then they should be taken to the police, thoroughly investigated and charges brought. Not put out on some end of days, lying establishment mouthpiece to try and drag some viewers back, like a Christine Blasey Ford tribute act.

From drug addict to Big Brother, MTV and radio presenter to childrens author, Brand has repositioned himself in recent years as a YouTuber and podcaster whose aim is to stay free and say the unsayable.

With topics ranging from the Ukraine war to Covid vaccines, he has cultivated a strong following of like-minded awakened beings, with clickbait captions such as Hang on, Biden 9/11 speech Was A Lie? and The FBI Have Been Harvesting Your DNA?! attracting millions of views.

Laurence Fox described the media as a lying establishment mouthpiece (Laurence Fox Twitter)

Despite initially advocating for a non-violent social revolution, Brands politics have become increasingly radical and conspiracy-based in recent years, with frequent attacks on Ukraine president Volodomyr Zelensky and vaccine policies.

He received criticism in September 2021 for advising people attending his tour how to bypass Covid-19 measures and in September 2022, one of his videos was removed from YouTube for medical misinformation.

In his video statement addressing the allegations, Brand questioned if an agenda was at play and claimed that he had always been transparent about his promiscuity

Drawing on popular conspiracy theories, he said: Particularly when weve seen coordinated media attacks before, like with Joe Rogan, when he dared to take a medicine that the mainstream media didnt approve of, and we saw a spate of headlines from media outlets across the world using the same language. 

He continued: Im aware of news media making phone calls, sending letters to people I know for ages and ages. Its being clear to me, or at least it feels to me like theres a serious and concerted agenda to control these kind of spaces and these kind of voices. And I mean, my voice along with your voice.

On Monday, the Met Police announced it had received a report from a woman alleging a sexual assault in Soho in 2003, and have urged other women to come forward.

Both the BBC and Channel 4 have announced urgent internal investigations while Downing Street called the allegations concerning amid reports that an inquiry could be launched to investigate the culture within the TV industry.
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 dog walker was pulled into a busy road when he was attacked by an aggressive bullmastiff in the street.

The victim suffered serious bite injuries before a passing driver drove onto the pavement to break up the incident in Sheffield on Tuesday.

Footage from the scene showed the bullmastiff going after the mans dog, forcing him to hold his pet above his head to avoid its reach.

The man is pulled into the busy dual carriageway during the scary encounter (@onlinesheffield/Twitter)

As the mastiff continues to jump at the man he falls from the pavement and into the busy dual carriageway.

Have you been affected by this incident contact barney.davis.ind@independent.co.uk

A Red BMW driver then drives onto the pavement, causing the dog to briefly let go of the victim. The distracted animal stops the attack and follows the owners canine away from the scene.

Police have thanked the driver after they managed to trap the dangerously out of control dog and remove it to a safe location. The force said the victim suffered serious bite injuries to his arm and chest but is expected to recover.

The dogwalker tries to save his pet pulling him out of the bullmastiffs jaws (@onlinesheffield)

A 53-year-old man from Sheffield has been arrested on suspicion of having a dangerous dog out of control and remains in police custody as enquiries continue.

A South Yorkshire police spokesman said: We are aware of footage circulating on social media reporting to be of an incident of a dog dangerously out of control on Handsworth Road in Sheffield.

Officers attended the scene, including firearms officers to safeguard the public, and it is believed the dog jumped over a wall to access the road.

Officers trapped the dog in a contained area and were eventually able to seize it and safely remove it from the location.

Chief Inspector Emma Cheney added: We know these incidents will cause concern among those who live near the location, and for those who witnessed the incident this would have been upsetting.

We want to reassure people the dog has been seized and removed while we carry out our enquiries and determine exactly what happened. All incidents of this nature are treated with the utmost diligence, and we will investigate thoroughly to ensure the community is kept safe.

We would like to thank members of the public and medical staff who came to the aid of the victim, who has been taken to hospital for treatment at this time.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has CCTV or car dash cam footage which may have captured the incident can pass information to police via their online live chat, their online portal or by calling 101. Please quote incident number 716 of 19 September 2023 when you get in touch.
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 }}

James Bulgers killer Jon Venables could be released from prison by Christmas after he was granted a rare parole board hearing.

James was tortured and killed by Venables and Robert Thompson  who were then both aged 10  after they snatched him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside, on 12 February 1993.

The toddlers mutilated body was found abandoned on a railway line, in the murder that shocked the nation 30 years ago.

Jon Venables was jailed for the killing of James Bulger in 1993

Thompson and Venables were jailed for life but released on licence with new identities in 2001. Venables, now 40, was sent back to prison in 2010 and 2017 for possessing indecent images of children.

But now the child killer has been informed that his case will be heard on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 November in private, despite demands he face open justice.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Jon Venables and is scheduled to take place in November 2023.

Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

James was just two years-old when he was killed (PA Archive)

Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing, the statement continued.

The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.

James Bulger is led away from his family on this CCTV shot

Michael Fergus, James brother, previously spoke of his desire to keep Venables behind bars.

Speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of the killing, he told the Sunday Express: My brothers killers will never be forgiven. They took away my older brother who I never got to meet. I would have loved to have looked up to him, asked him questions, talked to him about exams, cars, going to bars, normal stuff.

But because of those two I never got the chance. They robbed me of my childhood, in a nutshell.

He added that justice for James meant keeping Venables behind bars to provide peace of mind for the family, particularly their mother.
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 }}

Calls have been made for laws around the age of sexual consent to be overhauled amid the allegations against Russell Brand.

Brand, a comedian turned conspiracy theorist, is accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl when he was in his thirties.

While he has vehemently denied all allegations and insists his relationships were consensual, the claims have ignited a debate around not only the age of consent but also age gaps.

Brands alleged victim, known by the pseudonym Alice, told the Sunday Times she was in an emotionally abusive three-month relationship with him that began in 2006. The actor is accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, in the wake of a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

Alice told BBC Radio 4s Womans Hour on Monday it is time to start to think about changing laws around the age of sexual consent.

Theres a reasonable argument individuals between the ages of 16 and 18 can have relations with people within that same age bracket, she added.

But she warned there should be measures taken to stop older adults from exploiting those who are aged 16 and 17.

Harriet Wistrich, director of the Centre for Womens Justice, told The Independent the law on the age of sexual consent needs looking at.

The human rights lawyer, who has worked on many high-profile cases involving violence against women, added: I dont think you could make sex between 16 and 17-year-olds illegal but we should look at whether there should be a presumption of non-consent when someone is a lot older and someone is still a teenager.

Ms Wistrich argued society must recognise the pressure that can be exerted on teenagers by older men as she warned: We know older men will exploit young, vulnerable women. Someone under 18 cant vote or drive a car - are they really in a position to make free decisions in relation to someone who is a lot older than them?

Charlotte Proudman, a human rights barrister who specialises in violence against women and girls, said: The law doesnt allow children to marry in England and Wales until they are adults and reach 18.

But theres a grey area for consent to sex for children age 16 - some of whom are at risk of grooming from much older powerful men. Ive seen instances of predatory men waiting for girls to turn 16 and then pressuring them into sex. This isnt an equal relationship, the power is already skewed.

When those girls become older and look back on what happened to them, many feel used and abused - rightly so. Just because its legal it doesnt mean its not exploitative.
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 officers are not turning up to deal with violent attacks on shop staff because the criminal has already fled, a coalition of businesses and workers has said as it calls for a commitment to tackling unprecedented levels of theft.

The group has written to police and crime commissioners in England and Wales calling on forces to make it easier to pass on evidence and boost efforts to find repeat and violent offenders.

Its letter comes amid reports of record levels of shoplifting and even organised looting.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman said: The unprecedented levels of shop theft being faced by retailers cannot be allowed to continue.

We have set out a three-pronged approach for police forces across the UK to adopt and make it clear that they are committed to tackling the problem.

Theft and abuse are a blight on communities, with addicts and criminal gangs repeatedly targeting hardworking retailers and their colleagues.

These are not victimless crimes, and they must be investigated to bring the most prolific offenders to justice.

The coalition is made up of business groups the ACS, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the British Independent Retail Association, the Federation of Small Businesses, the Federation of Independent Retailers and shopworkers union Usdaw.

Its letter says: Rather than seeing this as high volume, low-value crime, we can recognise the opportunity it gives us to identify prolific offenders who blight communities by committing these and other crimes.

You should expect retailers to provide good quality evidence on offenders, and they should expect this to be analysed, investigated and followed up with meaningful interventions for those individuals.

We can break the cycle of reoffending if we take this opportunity to commit to this approach.

It calls for police action in three areas:

To make it easier for retailers to report crime and submit evidence. Currently, systems are unclear and time-consuming, the group said.

To identify prolific offenders behind most of the thefts and anti-social behaviour  it singles out Nottinghamshire and Sussex police forces for praise for their systems that focus on collecting data on the worst criminals.

To prioritise gathering evidence related to violent attacks.

The letter says: We often see scenarios where violence against shopworkers is not responded to by the police because incidents do not meet forces threat, harm and risk criteria as offenders have left the premises after committing an offence.

In the vast majority, if not all, of retail businesses there will be CCTV footage available to support police lines of inquiry into violent incidents.

Therefore, we would like to see the proactive collection of evidence prioritised by police forces.

The BRC has estimated that theft is costing retailers nearly 1 billion per year, while the ACS says 90% of workers have experienced verbal abuse in that period.

Both Home Secretary Suella Braverman and policing minister Chris Philp have already called on police to be tougher on shoplifting.

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and the National Police Chiefs Council have been approached for comment.
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 major report into the infected blood scandal has been delayed until next year.

Thousands of patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

An independent inquiry was due to publish its final report this autumn but the document will now be published in March 2024, the Inquiry team said.

Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry said: When we completed the last hearings, the question I was most asked was when we would publish. I said it would be late autumn.

I have been obliged to recognise that the sheer volume and scale of the material that needs to be explained, the weight of criticisms made of individuals and organisations, and the way we are legally required to deal with them, mean that this is simply not realistic.

I wanted, and I know that inquiry participants wanted, it to be earlier, but I must now say that we expect to publish in March. It would be misleading not to tell you that now, when we are clear that we cannot make this autumn, however hard we try.

In 2017, then-prime minister Theresa May ordered the public inquiry into what she called an appalling tragedy which should simply never have happened.

An estimated 2,900 people died between 1970 and 2019 after being infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the UK.

Thousands of adults and approximately 380 children received infected blood products or transfusions during treatment by the NHS, the inquiry has heard.

Victims are dying at a rate of one in every four days so another six months-plus will be too late for many and given this week's announcement of a compensation scheme for wrongfully convicted postmasters, ahead of the final report into that scandal, it seems doubly unfair that infected blood victims are still being made to wait Lawyer Des Collins

Most of those involved had the blood-clotting disorder haemophilia and were given injections of the US product Factor VIII.

Commenting on the delay, Des Collins, senior partner of Collins Solicitors, the firm which represents some 1,500 individuals and their families impacted by the infected blood scandal, said: This is another devastating blow for our clients, although the delay is understandable for the reasons Sir Brian has outlined.

We, of course, respect Sir Brians wishes to follow due process and produce a thorough and considered report, however, todays news does beg the glaring question of whether the Government will continue to stick to its line of compensation after delivery of the final report.

Victims are dying at a rate of one in every four days so another six months-plus will be too late for many and given this weeks announcement of a compensation scheme for wrongfully convicted postmasters, ahead of the final report into that scandal, it seems doubly unfair that infected blood victims are still being made to wait.

We call upon the Government to implement a proper compensation scheme for infected blood victims as soon as possible, as recommended by Sir Brian in April this year.

If the Government fails to do so, we fully expect to be instructed by our clients to restore the group action against the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and ask that the question of compensation be referred back to the court.
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 }}

Residents have been forced to flee a London tower block where fire has engulfed a 15th-floor flat.

Flames could be seen spreading through the block prompting more than 65 people to call 999 for help.

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters rushed to tackle the blaze in Hindmarsh Close in Shadwell, east London.

London Fire Brigade said most of the 15th-floor flat in a 24-storey block of flats was alight, and a 64-metre turntable ladder was called to help fight the flames from height.

The smoke and flames could be seen from miles away.

Much of the flat involved was damaged by fire and half of a neighbouring flat was also damaged.

The brigade said around 40 people left the building before crews arrived and around 20 people were led to safety by firefighters.

There were no immediate reports of any injuries, but people in the area were advised to keep windows and doors closed.

Roads in the area were closed after people raised the alarm at 12.16 on Wednesday. By 1.30pm, the fire was under control, the brigade said.

Crews from Shadwell, Whitechapel, Shoreditch, Dockhead, Millwall and surrounding fire stations were at the scene.

A number of roads were closed while fire crews tackled the blaze (Google Maps)

The cause of the fire was being investigated, the brigade said.

Station Commander Steve Irvine, who was at the scene, said: A respite centre has been set up locally for those who have been affected by the fire and we are working with local partners.

Road closures remain in place in the area and wed ask that people continue to avoid the area at this time.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: We were called today at 12.46pm to reports of a fire on Hindmarsh Close, E1.

We have sent a number of resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an incident response officer and members of our hazardous area response team.

Our first medics arrived in less than five minutes. The incident is ongoing and we are working with our emergency services partners.
By Catherine Sas KC

Special to The Post

On September 8, 2023, Canadas newest Minister of Immigration, Mark Miller, announced the re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents program (PGP) signifying the fourth consecutive year that the pool of sponsors would be selected from those who registered their Interest to Sponsor (ITS) in 2020. Practically this means that no new sponsors could even register to have their parents or grandparents immigrate to Canada for four years. What does this mean for permanent residents or citizens who are seeking to bring their parents or grandparents to live with them in Canada?

Interestingly, the Ministers announcement focused on the statistics for sponsorship of parents and grandparents from 2014 to 2019 and noted the steady increase in applications over the years. With the greatest of respect, these figures pre-date the 2020 registration period and, do not reflect the reality of Canadas increased immigration levels which have gone from approximately 250,000 permanent residents in 2016 to 465,000 permanent residents in 2023. This is almost a doubling of the total permanent residents arriving in Canada within less than a 10-year period. Logically it can be expected that with higher levels of permanent residents coming to Canada, there will be a corresponding increase in demand for those new permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents to join them in Canada. Unfortunately, the target levels for the PGP program are not in sync with the increased levels of general immigration to Canada.

The reality is that for aspiring sponsors, it will become more difficult if not impossible to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada as permanent residents. The changes to Canadas temporary immigration program for bringing PGP applicants reflect this reality. In 2011 Canada introduced the Super Visa allowing for a 10-year multiple entry visa for parents and grandparents that also allowed for them to stay in Canada for up to two years at a time rather than only the standard 6 months or less for visitors. On July 4, 2022, this period of time was extended allowing for parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time with a further in-Canada extension of 2 years providing for up to 7 consecutive years to remain with family in Canada. Clearly, these modifications are meant to address the gap between the PGP program and Canadians desire to have their elderly relatives with them in Canada.

Many Canadian citizens and permanent residents want their parents and/or grandparents to join them in Canada to ensure their well-being in their later years as well as to have them spend time with their children and pass on family traditions and experiences. However, the rate of employment for the PGP applicant is low while the draw upon Canadian social services - most notably medical coverage - is relatively high. This is the practical reality facing decision-makers and immigration ministers. Hence the introduction of the extended visitor visa option where Super Visa applicants must provide proof of extended private health care coverage.

Family reunification is a fundamental cornerstone of Canadas immigration program. Yet generally increased immigration levels do not match a corresponding increase in PGP immigration processing. For those seeking to be reunited in Canada with their elderly relatives, the reality is that they will need to turn to the temporary immigration Super Visa stream. The PGP program is going to continue to remain limited with options for permanent residence continuing to diminish over time. Prospective new immigrants to Canada need to be aware of this reality.

Catherine Sas, K.C. has over 30 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email catherine@sasanding.com.
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 }}

A post office auditor gave inaccurate information to the High Court that led to the bankruptcy of a subpostmaster, the Post Office Horizon Inquiry has heard.

Helen Rose, who worked as an auditor between 1999 and 2004, issued a signed witness statement in 2006 before civil proceedings involving subpostmaster Lee Castleton, which indicated he was sloppy and slapdash.

On Tuesday, the inquiry heard an audit conducted in March 2004 by Ms Rose had actually recorded the opposite.

Mr Castleton, from Bridlington, East Yorkshire, whose branch was found to have a 25,000 shortfall, was made bankrupt after he lost his legal battle with the Post Office.

Counsel to the inquiry Jason Beer KC took the witness through the audit, in which she had answered yes to the question: Is the safe kept locked when not in use with the key removed?

But in paragraph nine of her first witness statement for the court, Ms Rose had said: The inspection revealed that the safe was left open, the safe keys were left in the safe door and it was not secured, that cash and stock were not secured during lunchtime if the subpostmaster was not on the premises.

Under questioning from both Mr Beer and chairman to the inquiry Sir Wyn Williams, the witness said: I dont have an explanation as to why that wasnt taken out.

Sir Wyn continued: I am slightly concerned because your evidence to me is, in effect, that (the information) in this statement and the previous version in the second statement should, in effect, never have been in those witness statements because theyre wrong?

Given that you were the person who signed them, I would like you to try to remember why it is they are there.

Mrs Rose replied: I have no recollection of it, Im sorry.

Continuing his own questioning, Mr Beer asked: Why is inaccurate evidence being given to the High Court?

Mrs Rose said: I cant recall. I dont know.

Mr Beer continued: Youre telling the court in this paragraph here, arent you, this man, Mr Castleton, was sloppy and slapdash. There are things that we saw when we audited him that could well explain the missing money.

Thats what this paragraph is for, isnt it?

Mrs Rose responded: Thats what it kind of indicates, yes, but, as I say, I dont know why that wasnt picked up at the time of the hearing.

Mr Beer also directed the witness to paragraph 10 of her statement to the court, in which she said: I do remember that Mr Castleton left the branch at lunchtime and returned in the afternoon smelling strongly of alcohol.

He continued: Theres no reference in the contemporaneous note of nearly two years previously to that issue and thats found its way into the witness statement. How has that come about?

Mrs Rose replied: I dont know.

It must have been a comment I felt necessary to mention but I cant remember it.

Mr Beer told the inquiry another part of Mrs Roses audit commented on how Mr Castleton seemed very pleased to see the auditors and that he had been in contact regularly with the Horizon helpline and retail line manager Cath Oglesby.

Mr Beer questioned Mrs Rose: Do you think these two pieces of information might assist Mr Castleton  he was very pleased or he was pleased to see the auditors and he told you Ive been in contact with the retail line manager, Cath Oglesby, and the Horizon helpline regularly since these problems began'?

Mrs Rose replied: I dont know. I cant answer for what I did back in 2004 but I can only presume that the audit report would have been part of the evidence and so it wasnt duplicated.

He asked the witness: So why is it that these two bits of information that might help Mr Castleton have been excluded from the witness statement but paragraph 9 has been left in and paragraph 10 has been added?

Mrs Rose answered: I honestly dont know why other things have not been included at the time.

On Monday, the government announced that wrongfully convicted subpostmasters will be offered 600,000 to settle their claims.

The Horizon scandal, which has been described as the most widespread miscarriage of justice in UK history, saw more than 700 Post Office branch managers handed criminal convictions after faulty Fujitsu accounting software made it appear as though money was missing.

The government said 86 convictions have been overturned and 21m has been paid in compensation.
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 }}

A doctor has said working in the NHS feels like going down with the Titanic, as thousands of medics went on strike across England.

British Medical Association (BMA) members are walking out at NHS hospitals across England on Wednesday in an ongoing dispute over pay.

Hamish Bain, a 30-year-old junior doctor speaking outside University College Hospital in London, said: I feel like the violinists on the Titanic, the ship is going down. Its already happening, people are leaving, patients are suffering as a consequence. My mum is waiting for an NHS appointment, and I had to say well thats the NHS for you.

Hamish Bain said patients were suffering due to conditions in the NHS (The Independent )

The strikes will continue until Friday, with further action planned for 2-4 October.

Doctors on the picket line said they are paid the same as a barista despite saving lives, as they joined the walkout with consultants.

Dr Arjan Singh, member of the BMA doctors committee, told The Independent: Junior doctors starting off at 15 an hour. Thats 15 an hour to start life saving treatment for our loved ones. Fifteen pounds an hour, for a doctor with student debts of over 100,000.

Fifteen pounds an hour for someone thats going to sacrifice the next 15 years of their life moving up and down the country at the whim of the NHS - sacrificing friendships and relationships along the way.

The government has already spent 1 billion covering these strikes, so it would have been actually cheaper to just restore our pay.

The walkouts are continuing until Friday (Getty Images)

Hospitals have put in place Christmas Day-style rotas during the walkouts, which the BMA says is to ensure the lowest safe level of staffing that is found at any point in the year. Emergency care will continue but elective and non-emergency work will be cancelled.

More than 100,000 operations and appointments will need to be rescheduled due to the strikes. It comes as the latest figures show a record 7.68 million people are waiting for treatment in the NHS.

Dr Tom Dolphin, a consultant doctor and member of the BMA consultant committee said: We are very sorry for the disruption that the strikes are causing. None of us want to be on strike, wed much rather be doing what we are trained to do - looking after patients.

We are seeing doctors leaving the NHS in large numbers, going overseas to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and even Ireland where they can almost double their salaries.

The UK needs to value its doctors better. We need to be able to retain and recruit people in the NHS to be able to provide the services and to be able to start getting through the backlog of patients.

Dr Tom Dolphin apologised for the disuption caused by the strike action (The Independent )

TFL buses, taxis and drivers beeped their horns in support of junior doctors and consultants striking in front of UCLH.

Geoff Shailor, 59, a cancer patient who had just been discharged from the hospital, also joined the doctors outside the hospital.

Ive come here to support the doctors strikes, of course I support them, he said. I lost both my mum and my sister to Covid, two weeks apart. Doctors tried to save them, but they couldnt. Its not their fault.

Weve had three prime ministers and none of them have done anything. These doctors should get paid more than our MPs. Why pay these people more? Because its their calling. They save peoples lives.

Thousands of junior doctors and consultants are taking part (Getty Images)

Health Secretary Steve Barclay has said doctors who started their hospital training this year are receiving a 10.3% pay increase, with the average junior doctor getting 8.8% and consultants 6%.

In the face of ongoing and escalating strike action, we will continue to take steps to protect patient safety and ensure the health service has the staff it needs to operate safely and effectively, he added.

In response to the pay increase, Dr Singh said: We dont get paid in percentages, we get paid in pounds. This 8.8% increase that theyve given us is equivalent to an extra 1.50 an hour. Two chocolate bars is what theyre given us.

The government need to come to us with a credible offer that we can put to our members. If not, then unfortunately, with great regret the strikes are going to continue.
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 }}

Teenage girls in the UK have said they do not feel safe walking on the streets alone and more than a quarter have experienced some form of harassment, a damning new poll has shown.

Highlighting the scale of the problem for young Britons, some 44 per cent of girls said they do not feel safe when walking alone, while 27 per cent said they experienced sexual harassment including being exposed to pornography, according to the study by BBC Radio 5 Live.

The poll surveyed 2,000 teenagers  an equal number of boys and girls aged 13-18  who were asked questions on a range of topics, including anxiety, social media, vaping, pornography, and sexting.

Among those who experienced abuse, a third (37 per cent) said they experienced verbal abuse such as name-calling and being yelled at, while 19 per cent said they experienced sexual harassment, like leering or wolf whistles, the survey said.

Over 33 per cent of adolescents aged 13 to 18 have reported encountering pornography online, and an overwhelming 73 per cent of teenagers believe that social media and technology companies should intensify their efforts to prevent accidental access to such content on the internet.

A fifth of the 980 teenage girls in the poll said they received unsolicited nude images or videos from a peer while 16 per cent of both male and female said they were requested by their peers to share nude pictures or videos.

Nearly one-third of those surveyed had viewed videos featuring contentious influencer Andrew Tate, and a significant number expressed positive sentiments about these videos.

Around 24 per cent of the adolescent boys who were surveyed said they also felt unsafe in the streets.

On the controversial issue of vaping on which the government is considering a ban, 32 per cent said they have tried it at least once.

In a recent study by Material Focus, it was discovered that the UK disposes of five million single-use vapes weekly, marking a fourfold rise from 2022.

However, 66 per cent of teenagers said they felt positive about their future and they currently placed the highest value on their families.
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 farmer still feels angry about the delayed response from police after he reported a crash which led to the deaths of two people, an inquiry has heard.

John Wilson, 53, from Stirling, gave evidence on Wednesday to the fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of Lamara Bell, 25 and John Yuill, 28, in July 2015.

Miss Bell and Mr Yuill were driving back from a camping trip early on July 5 that year when their car crashed on the M9, at the eastbound junction with the M80.

Mr Wilson told Falkirk Sheriff Court he was driving on Pirnhall Road in Stirling at around 10am that day with his father in the passenger seat.

He told the inquiry that his father, who was not named in court, saw the couples blue Renault Clio down an embankment.

Mr Wilson said he reported the sighting to Police Scotland on 101 at around 11.28am that morning, after discussing it with his family when they got home.

The inquiry heard a recording of his call as well as a transcript of Mr Wilsons conversation with Sergeant Brian Henry, who answered his 101 call.

Mr Wilson gave Sgt Henry the details and said the officer told him he would look on the police system, and get it checked out if the incident had not already been reported.

Earlier this week, the inquiry heard Sgt Henry made inquiries about the incident but failed to log the call.

Mr Wilson was asked by advocate depute Gavin Anderson KC if he had expected the police to do anything.

He replied that he would have expected police to check it out and that he was doing his duty as a member of the public by reporting it.

Mr Wilson said he was driving in the same area the following day, Monday July 6, at around 9.30am.

Mr Anderson asked him if he paid close attention to that part of the road and Mr Wilson confirmed he did.

He told the inquiry he noticed there was damage to trees at the location the crash took place, new tree bark and tyre skid marks.

He did not do anything further at this time.

He said he drove past the crash site again on the morning of Tuesday July 7 and noted there was still no change.

On Wednesday July 8, Mr Wilson said he was told by his wife in a phone call that she had heard a helicopter landing on the field behind her office, which was close to the crash site.

I felt let down. It angers me that nothing had been done John Wilson

Mr Wilson then travelled to the site, which he told the inquiry was around a quarter-of-a-mile from his farm.

He said he returned home and made another call to the police on 101 to inform them he had reported the car on Sunday morning.

Mr Anderson asked Mr Wilson why he phoned the police again.

Mr Wilson said: Internal anger was starting to boil up in me.

An air ambulance was pulling out a stretcher. I thought: This is not a recovery job, its a rescue job.

There is someone in that vehicle.

My blood pressure was rising and the anger was starting to take over.

I had to get out of there.

Later, he was asked by the solicitor representing the family of Miss Bell, Andrew Thomson KC: Do you still have that anger?

Mr Wilson responded: Yes.

I felt let down. It angers me that nothing had been done.

The inquiry also heard recordings of two other calls Mr Wilson made to Police Scotland on July 8, in which he spoke to a call operator named Andy.

During the call, Mr Wilson said he speculated on a missing persons appeal he had seen on the news on Monday morning and told the police it could be them, but that he was just guessing.

The call operator assured Mr Wilson while on the phone he would find out about the incident.

In the recording, he told Mr Wilson: I will let the powers that be know about this.

If I can find out quickly, I will call you right back.

Mr Wilson told the inquiry he did not receive a call back about the incident and had to call police himself to find out the outcome of the crash.

He was told by a 101 call handler that information could not be given on the phone for various reasons, but if the incident warranted it a press release would be issued.

Mr Wilson was later visited by police officers who he gave statements to about the incident.

Later on Wednesday, the inquiry heard from Superintendent Mandy Paterson, who was the chief inspector of the Falkirk division of Police Scotland at the time.

The inquiry heard helicopter searches of the area identified by police covered an area of around 700 square miles but stopped at the Keir Roundabout in Dunblane, around a 10-minute drive on the M9 from the crash site.

Mr Anderson asked Ms Paterson if with the benefit of hindsight she would have done anything differently.

She said: I am always going to say yes on a human level and that we would have found the missing people quicker.

But on balance, this was a really difficult, complex and huge geographical area.

It is difficult to say what I would have done differently.

The inquiry, before Sheriff James Williamson, continues.
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 news that Ken Livingstone, a figurehead in the Labour Party for 40 years, is living with Alzheimers Disease follows a highly successful but divisive career in politics.

Here is a timeline of the key moments of his life and career:

 17 June 1945: Ken Livingstone born in south London.

 1969: Mr Livingstone joins the Labour Party.

 1971: He is elected to Lambeth Borough Council.

 1973: He gains a seat on the Greater London Council (GLC).

 1981: Labour take control of the GLC and Mr Livingstone is elected leader.

 1986: After several high-profile clashes with Margaret Thatchers Tory government, the GLC is abolished.

 1987: Mr Livingstone is elected MP for Brent East.

 2000: He stands against official Labour candidate Frank Dobson to become Mayor of London.

 2004: He wins the post again after being allowed back into the Labour fold.

 2006: A High Court judge finds Mr Livingstone had made unnecessarily offensive and indefensible remarks likening a Jewish reporter to a Nazi concentration camp guard. But he is cleared of bringing the office of mayor into disrepute.

 2008: Mr Livingstone loses City Hall to Tory Boris Johnson.

 2012: He is again beaten to the mayors job by Mr Johnson.

 2016: He is suspended from the Labour Party for claiming Hitler supported Zionism in the 1930s before he went mad and ended up killing six million Jews.

 2017: The former mayor avoids expulsion from the Labour Party at a disciplinary hearing, but is suspended for another year.

 March 2018: His suspension is extended again as new disciplinary probe launched.

 May 2018: Mr Livingstone resigns from Labour.

 January 2022: He applies to join the Green Party but his application is rejected.

 20 September 2023: Mr Livingstones family confirm that he is living with Alzheimers Disease.
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 }}

Delaying the ban on petrol and diesel new cars will undermine what manufacturer Ford needs from the Government, the company has warned.

It is being widely reported that the date for when conventionally fuelled new cars can no longer be sold in the UK will be pushed back from 2030 to 2035.

Lisa Brankin, who chairs Ford UK, said: Our business needs three things from the UK Government: ambition, commitment and consistency.

A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.

We need the policy focus trained on bolstering the EV (electric vehicle) market in the short term and supporting consumers while headwinds are strong: infrastructure remains immature, tariffs loom and cost-of-living is high.

Another car maker, Stellantis, said clarity is required from governments on important legislation.

A spokesman for Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) said: JLR is investing 15 billion over the next five years to electrify our luxury brands, which is key to JLR reaching net zero carbon emissions across our supply chain, products and operations by 2039.

Our plans are on track and we welcome certainty around legislation for the end of sale of petrol and diesel powered cars.

A spokesman for BMW, which owns the Mini brand, said: Mini has already announced that it will become a purely electric brand from 2030 globally and this will not change.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said high demand for electric cars within the UK is needed if more are to be built in the country.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: You want to build close to where you sell, so you need a strong market here in the UK to help secure future investment.

The concern now is, does this cause consumers to delay their purchase?

Mr Hawes, who is a key figure representing car makers in the UK, said he had heard nothing from ministers in the previous 24 hours.

SMMT figures show the private share of the market for battery electric new cars has already fallen from more than a third (36.2%) in the first half of 2022 to less than a quarter (24.2%) during the same period this year.

Demand has grown for fleet registrations, partly due to the lower company car tax for electric cars.

Mr Hawes said he was assured on Monday that the zero emission vehicles mandate  a requirement for manufacturers to increase the proportion of new cars and vans they sell that are zero emission  will still be introduced.

It is due to be implemented from the beginning of next year.

Mr Hawes said: Were trying to understand what is going to happen next between this sort of statement (on the 2030 ban) and that policy, and the message it sends consumers, which must be incredibly confusing.

Former Aston Martin boss Dr Andy Palmer said there was a great deal of disappointment in the UKs auto industry.

He told BBC Radio 4s World At One: The industry is already determined that were going to have electric cars.

And countries like the US are protecting their industry, whereas countries like China are projecting their industry. And the real risk here is that by not having an aggressive strategy, were just opening the door to basically Chinese sales.

This U-turn will cause a huge headache for manufacturers, who are crying out for clarity and consistency, and it is hardly going to encourage the vast majority of drivers who are yet to buy an electric car to make the switch Ian Plummer, Auto Trader

He also said the move would absolutely affect the investment decisions of battery manufacturers such as InoBat, where he serves as chairman.

Ian Plummer, commercial director at online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, said: Pushing back the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel sales by five years is a hugely retrograde step which puts politics ahead of net zero goals.

This U-turn will cause a huge headache for manufacturers, who are crying out for clarity and consistency, and it is hardly going to encourage the vast majority of drivers who are yet to buy an electric car to make the switch.

Rather than grasp the challenge and use the tax system to ease concerns over affordability, the Prime Minister has taken the easy option with one eye on polling day.

Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: With the car industry confident about its ability to make the switch away from pure petrol and diesel engines by 2030 whilst still meeting the appetite of the UK market for new cars, it is hard to see why anyone in No 10 thinks now is a good moment to row back.

But Tory MP for Lincoln Karl McCartney described Rishi Sunaks reported plans as the common-sense decision.

He said the costs to normal drivers will be too high if the 2030 ban is maintained.

He added: The only people who will complain about this delay are the central London eco-zealots who do not live in the real world and are rich enough not to be affected.
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 series of legal challenges to the UK Governments new legacy legislation are set to be mentioned at the Royal Courts of Justice in Belfast later.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent on Monday despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government.

The most controversial aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

It will also halt future civil cases and inquests.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has said the act provides a real opportunity to deliver greater information, accountability and acknowledgement to victims and families.

But multiple judicial review challenges to the act have been mounted on behalf of people who were bereaved in Northern Irelands troubled past.

Several people who had inquests, independent investigations or civil claims pending have backed the challenges.

Legal firms Madden & Finucane, KRW Law, O Muirigh Solicitors, Phoenix Law and victims campaigner Raymond McCord are among those who have already announced legal action over the legislation.

On Tuesday, Mr McCord said he had a constructive and positive meeting with advisers to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

The Irish government has been made aware of my challenge to the Legacy Act as well as other victims challenges, he said.

No indication has been given around what action the Irish government will take.

My legal team and I will concentrate on my case in court in Belfast.

Solicitor Padraig O Muirigh said his office lodged judicial review proceedings on behalf of four clients challenging the lawfulness of the act.

Our office represents hundreds of individuals and families who will be adversely impacted by this draconian legislation, he said.

It is our view that the act is unlawful and is a clear breach of the European Convention of Human Rights, of which the British Government is a signatory, and international human rights standards.

We will also be lodging applications to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg on behalf of individuals and families in the coming weeks.
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 }}

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is preparing to water down some of Britain's climate commitments, saying the country must fight climate change without penalizing workers and consumers.

Sunak issued a late-night statement Tuesday in response to a BBC report saying the prime minister is considering extending deadlines for bans on new gasoline and diesel cars  currently due in 2030 - and on new natural-gas home heating. (Moving this up.)

Sunak said that in a speech this week he will set out a proportionate approach to the environment. He did not set a date for the speech, which could come as early as Wednesday.

For too many years politicians in governments of all stripes have not been honest about costs and trade offs," Sunak said in a statement. "Instead they have taken the easy way out, saying we can have it all.

Sunak did not confirm details of his announcements. He said he would keep a promise to reduce the U.K.s emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050, but "in a better, more proportionate way.

The news drew dismay from environmental groups, opposition parties and some members of Sunaks governing Conservative Party. It broke as senior politicians from the U.K. and around the world gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where climate is high on the agenda.

Britain's Conservatives have been openly reassessing their climate change promises after a special election result in July that was widely seen as a thumbs-down from voters to a tax on polluting cars.

The party, which trails behind the Labour opposition nationwide, unexpectedly won the contest for the suburban London Uxbridge district by focusing on a divisive levy on older, vehicles imposed by Londons Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan. Some Tories believe axing green policies is a vote-winner that can help the party avoid defeat in a national election due by the end of next year.

Were not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said Wednesday.

But Conservative lawmaker Alok Sharma, who chaired the COP26 international climate conference in Glasgow in 2021, warned that watering down climate goals would be incredibly damaging for business confidence, for inward investment.

And frankly, I really do not believe that its going to help any political party electorally which chooses to go down this path, he told the BBC.
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 }}

Boris Johnson has lashed out at Rishi Sunaks plans to water down government net zero pledges  including some introduced by the former prime minister himself.

Mr Johnson said Britain cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country as he warned the PM of rowing back on green policies.

And former Tory environment minister Zac Goldsmith called for a general election now, after warning the PM was dismantling Britains credibility on tackling climate change.

The dramatic interventions came as Mr Sunak is expected to use a speech this afternoon to announce a major shift in the partys approach to green policy, saying he wants to achieve net zero in a more proportionate way.

It comes after the BBC revealed changes could be made to as many as seven core commitments, including weakening the plan to phase out gas boilers from 2035 and delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars  currently due to come into force in 2030 because of Mr Johnson  by five years.

As Mr Sunak called an emergency cabinet meeting ahead of a 4.30pm press conference to set out his plans:

Business chiefs lashed out at the PM, accusing him of compromising climate commitments for short-term political gain

One of the chancellors own economic advisors warned Mr Sunaks plans would be bad for the UK

Tory MPs attacked the plans, urging Mr Sunak to be exceptionally careful of seeking to extract political advantage on green issues

Tory former environment minister Lord Deben attacked the PMs stupid watering down of climate pledges, warning the move will be extremely damaging and may face a legal challenge

Another former Tory environment minister Lord Goldsmith called for a general election now, warning the PM was dismantling Britains credibility on climate change

Environmental campaigner and former US vice-president Al Gore said it is unfortunate and Mr Sunak is doing the wrong thing

Mr Johnson said: "Business must have certainty about our net zero commitments.

"This country leads on tackling climate change and in creating new green technology. The green industrial revolution is already generating huge numbers of high quality jobs and helping to drive growth and level up our country.

"Business and industry - such as motor manufacturing - are rightly making vast investments in these new technologies.

"It is those investments that will produce a low carbon future - at lower costs for British families.

"It is crucial that we give those businesses confidence that government is still committed to net zero and can see the way ahead.

"We cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country."

But Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, who served in Mr Johnsons Cabinet, branded the former prime minister a net zero zealot as he backed Mr Sunaks moves to water down green plans.

He told BBC Radio 4s World At One programme: Ive never been as much of a net zero zealot as Boris is. I mean, he genuinely believes in a more high wire approach in this area.

I like to have a safety net under any high wire and I think what the Governments doing now is using the safety net. And I think its absolutely right. I could not be more supportive of what the Prime Minister is doing under these circumstances.

He added that we need intelligent net zero, meaning getting to it in a way that people can afford and that doesnt harm our industry.

Lord Goldsmith, who quit in June with a swipe at Mr Sunaks apathy toward climate change, claimed to have received hundreds of messages from Conservative friends in government, parliament and around the world telling him the PMs plans vindicate his decision.

I didnt want vindication. I hoped it would add pressure on govt to prove me and others wrong. We need an election. Now, he said.

Earlier Lord Goldsmith said net zero is one of the few areas where the UK is really looked up to.

But he added: Today Mr Sunak is dismantling that credibility, not by accident but by choice.

Lord Goldsmith questioned the PMs mandate to tinker with the governments net zero policies, saying he took over a party whose last election manifesto could not have been clearer about our commitment to tackle climate change.

His short stint as PM will be remembered as the moment the UK turned its back on the world and on future generations. A moment of shame, he added.

Environmental activist and former US vice president Al Gore said: I think it is unfortunate that he would do that, I think the people of the UK largely agree that it is the wrong decision.

That is for the people of the UK to address, and I certainly disagree with him.

He is doing the wrong thing.
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 }}

Plans to offer Britain and other European countries associate membership of the EU have got Independent readers talking.

We asked you what you thought of a blueprint, tabled by France and Germany, creating four new tiers within the bloc, with the most aligned states forming an inner circle.

In what will be seen as an olive branch, a new outer tier of associate membership would be open to the UK, laying the ground for a closer economic relationship.

Unsurprisingly, the move that could rebuild the UKs ties with the EU following Brexit has been deeply controversial and has sparked debate among our registered community.

Independent readers were largely positive in their reaction to the news. However, while Sarge said in the absence of a full rejoin associate membership of the EU would be a very good move, not everyone was immediately sold on strengthening ties right away.

Heres what our readers had to say:

We need the EU and the EU needs us

Closer ties with our nearest allies and improved trade with them is only going to be a good thing.

Imogen

Lets have a referendum

We fell out without thinking, we should get back in, the majority of the country wants it. The democratic will of the people is to rejoin, dont believe it? Lets have a referendum

Snaughter

Massive mistake

Certainly Brexit was a massive mistake, making a complex question a simplistic yes no was doomed to give a poorly considered answer. The EU is far from perfect but like democracy it is the least worse option. It is inevitable that the UK will go back at some point, cap in hand. Probably not in my lifetime but the current associate membership idea would be a huge step in the right direction.

HOSS

No experiment is a failure

The benefit of Brexit is that it has been proved that there are no benefits. If Remain had won the referendum, wed still be hearing how wonderful life would be outside the dreadful EU. Cant happen now. We imposed economic sanctions on ourselves. We must overcome the final obstacle: people who are unable to admit they got it wrong.

Longmemory23

The evidence is all around us

Of course we should take every opportunity to negotiate a closer and more amicable relationship with the EU. It appears that two thirds of the population now recognise that leaving was a terrible mistake, including a substantial proportion of those who voted to leave. The evidence is all around us: shortages of myriad items, including medicines; staff shortages in hospitals and hospitality; difficulties in travelling and so on.

Our departure also damaged the EU (although nothing like as much as it has damaged us) and so we have a lot of ground to make up in convincing the EU of our sincerity. On the other hand, the mess leaving has caused in this country has served as a warning to other European countries that leaving is not a good idea.

Erasmophile

My preferred option is straight EEA membership

Before the next general election, one of either Lib Dem or Labour will go public with an official stance on taking the UK back into the single market. And the party which does that will decide on what the next government looks like, because by the time of the next election the electorate will be drawn to plausible ways to mitigate Brexit. My preferred option is straight EEA membership. And dont quote anybody saying that Norway wouldnt allow it, they absolutely would. I say like Stephen Fry, everybody agrees with me, but some public figures dont want to admit it in the media.

ItReallyIsNot

We should rejoin, but cautiously and sensibly

Just as too many ignored the facts on the ground when deciding to leave, we mustnt do the same in reverse. The Eurozone we left is a bit different to the one we want to rejoin. German manufacturing productivity is declining, France is losing its colonial income and theres the energy crisis, the rise of the far right and other internal divisions. Plus, not enough has been done to change the nations mindset toward European type policy, so the rabid right and their media barons will whine and carp until we end up back with the Tories in a future election. Ignorant hotheadedness got us into this mess, lets get out of it using considered factual rationale not electioneering one-upmanship.

BrotherChe

The devil will be in the detail

As always the devil will be in the detail. What do we have to put in, what do we get back, what do we have to give up and how much will it cost? Certainly closer liason with Europe makes sense, but not at the expense of surrendering our automony to Brussels. In particular not at the expense of opening our boarders to all and sundry.

Carolann

It is important to get the population better informed

I voted remain but it is important to get the population better informed about what the EU is and how it works and how decisions are agreed. Most UK populists have treated the EU as a bogeyman . It is more important to get an understanding about what we and they stand for rather than just conceding defeat in the Tory Brexit project.

Brruno

Colossal swindle

The concept of the EU is outdated and traditionally the left dismissed it as a protectionist racket. The future of the EU is by no means certain as the one size fits all as approach suits few countries. We are better off out of this colossal swindle.

Samuel Smith

The EU is far too big and unwieldly

It has a major democratic deficit at its heart, which will grow as it enlarges. Democracy for the people should not be sacrificed on the altar of commerce run by a bunch of protectionists. We are extremely different peoples and quite frankly most of the countries only give lip service true liberal democracy and democratic values. It quickly breaks down when they are under stress - and those stresses will grow as countries feel that their national interests are not being represented, given the dilution in sovereignty. EU countries should be grouped like a venn diagram allowing countries that belong in one group to have closer commercial ties with the groups in the areas where they overlap. In hope rather than expectation each country would be in the group that freedom of speech and expression and rule of law are paramount. On this one, I even fear for the UK.

Legion

Reform and change would be the best indication

I voted to remain. But, having left we heard the EU promise all sorts of reforms to allay other countries concerns about the centralisation of power within the commission. Whilst I would have said that it would have been easier the reform the EU from inside the organisation, now we are outside I would not advocate re-joining or developing closer ties until the EU lives up to its promises seriously looks at its move to a Brussels centric government.

Niel

The conversation isnt over - theres still time to have your say. If you want to share your opinion then add it in the comments of this story.

All you have to do is sign up, submit your question and register your details - then you can then take part in the discussion. You can also sign up by clicking log in on the top right-hand corner of the screen.
Commentary

By Susan Martinuk

For the past decade, activist groups have been spreading the news about the so-called right to die and, according to the latest statistics, their efforts have been a success.

The province of Quebec is now the world leader, with more assisted deaths per capita (5.1 percent of all deaths) than any other jurisdiction. Across Canada, that number is 3.3 percent of all deaths  higher than Belgium (2.3 percent) and gaining on the Netherlands (4.8 percent).

Our lead on the world stage of death is a rather dubious distinction, but it becomes even more concerning against the backdrop of Canadas low-performing healthcare system.

Case in point: A suicidal woman seeking help at a Vancouver hospital came head-to-head with bare-bones healthcare and a fatalistic clinician.

Kathrin Mentler was depressed and didnt feel safe at home. So, she went to Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), which offers mental health and crisis intervention services. She later told the media that her goal that day was to keep myself safe. She wanted help to live and was prepared to stay the night. Instead, she was told there were no beds and the system is broken.

When Mentler stated that she had previously attempted to overdose on medication, the clinician (not a psychiatrist) asked if she had considered medical assistance in dying (MAID) as it would be a more comfortable process. Rather than help Mentler overcome her suicidal thoughts, the clinician explained, in detail, the various steps in the MAID process.

She then told Mentler a story about a patient with mental health problems who had drowned. The twist to that tale? The clinician felt relieved that the patient was now free from his/her struggles.

By then, the message was clear  peace of mind is easily achievable  through death.

Mentler left VGH shortly after and woke up the next morning wanting to scream and cry. Instead, her friends encouraged her to go public with her story and she lodged an official complaint.

Proving that bureaucracy can always make a bad situation worse, the health authority that operates VGH first defended the doom and gloom conversation as part of a suicide risk assessment tool; when that didnt play well, it shared its deepest apologies for any distress caused.

This story is of concern on several levels.

First, offering/providing MAID solely based on mental illness is not legal. It was scheduled to become legal in March, but the federal government delayed the legislation for one year to allow for the development of more guidelines. Whether or not sufficient safeguards can ever be achieved for mental illness is questionable, at best. But a 2022 Postmedia-Leger poll found that 45 percent of Canadians agreed with providing MAID to adults with mental illness.

Access to MAID will almost certainly soon include those who may not have an accurate assessment of themselves, their situation, or the world around them. This leaves them particularly vulnerable and increasingly susceptible to the distorted view that an easy death offers more dignity than a difficult life.

Fortunately, in the present situation, Mentler was able to see the discussion for what it was  inappropriate and unhelpful.

Second, this situation offers a look at the intersection of MAID and a healthcare system on life support. Mentler was told no beds were available  even though she wanted one to keep her safe through the night. They apparently offered to call a psychiatrist, but it isnt clear that she ever saw one.

Canadas healthcare system is characterized by an insufficient number of doctors or nurses, a severe shortage of beds, an even worse shortage of psychiatric beds, and long waitlists for care. Since 2018-19, more than 53,000 Canadians have died on a waitlist. Waits for psychiatric services range from 3.3 to 12 weeks  but thats not good enough when a life is on the line.

These facts have been documented over and over again. How often do we have to describe the appalling state of healthcare before politicians accept the mantle of leadership and take action?

It is hoped that the above circumstances are an anomaly  the result of one incompetent or frustrated individual operating outside the typical standard of care. But the apparent intersection of MAID and a broken system deserves further consideration. After all, there are many people who want to live but desperately need medical care to survive. As the Canadian healthcare system continues to crumble, these individuals will most likely fall between the widening cracks.

Susan Martinuk is a Senior Fellow at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy.
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 }}

France and Germany are pushing plans to offer Britain and other European countries associate membership of the EU in a move that could rebuild the UKs ties with the bloc.

The two countries have tabled a blueprint that would create four new tiers, with the most aligned states forming an inner circle.

In what will be seen as an olive branch, a new outer tier of associate membership would be open to the UK, laying the ground for a closer economic relationship.

Senior Tories welcomed the proposal with the former deputy prime minister Michael Heseltine telling The Independent that Britain must urgently explore the idea as the overarching majority of people in Britain see Brexit as a mistake.

The dam is breaking and there is increasingly a move towards integrating with Europe, he said.

But the move prompted a furious reaction from Brexiteers who accused EU countries of desperation in their bid to enlarge the bloc.

News of the plans came after Sir Keir Starmer held talks in Paris with French president Emmanuel Macron, the final leg of an international tour designed to portray the Labour leader as a prime minister in waiting.

But as both main parties walk a tightrope over Brexit in the run-up to next years general election, Labour and No 10 ruled out any form of associate membership of the EU.

As he tries to appeal to both pro-remain businesses and Leave voters, Sir Keir at the weekend pledged to secure a much better Brexit deal if he wins the next election, but rejected rejoining the customs union or the single market.

In March the chairperson of the government watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility warned the economic impact of Brexit was the same magnitude as the Covid pandemic and the energy price crisis.

Richard Hughes said Britains gross domestic product, a key measure of a countrys wealth, would be 4 per cent higher if the UK had stayed in the EU.

Under the associate membership plans the UK would be expected to contribute to the EUs annual budget and be governed by the European Court of Justice in exchange for participation in the single market.

Associate members, who would form the blocs first outer tier, could include members of the single market who are not in the EU, such as Switzerland, or even the UK, a paper put forward by France and Germany stated.

They would not be bound to ever closer union and further integration, it said.

But they would have to commit to the common principles and values of the EU.

Although they would pay into the EUs budget, costs would be lower than those paid by full members.

Sir Keir said his meeting with Mr Macron began with an exchange of gifts and covered topics including the relationship between our two countries and future prosperity and security.

Sir Keir stressed plans to build on the relationship between France and Britain if Labour wins power.

A European diplomatic source told The Times the plan was designed with Labour in mind, despite Sir Keir having ruled out rejoining the EUs single market.

It is carefully balanced politically to be a potential place for Britain without the need to ever rejoin the EU or to hold a referendum, the source said.

A party spokesperson said: Labour will seek a better deal for Britain. This does not involve any form of membership.

And the prime ministers official spokesperson, asked whether Rishi Sunak would countenance Britain becoming an associate member of the EU, said: No.

Associate membership would not include a customs union, allowing Britain to keep an independent trade policy.

Lord Heseltine told The Independent Britain must urgently explore France and Germanys plan.

He said: The remorseless pressure of public opinion is changing the dynamic of politics.

The dam is breaking and there is increasingly a move towards integrating with Europe. This is an opportunity offered by France and Germany which should be seized upon.

The overarching majority of people in Britain see Brexit as a mistake, even those who still believe in it agree it has never been possible to implement it.

The Tories have at least recognised change is needed, firstly with Northern Ireland and the Windsor Agreement and then with Horizon, allowing cooperation on science and technology.

He also suggested that political stances could shift after the next election. While the red wall may be insurmountable on this side of the general election, the pressure of events will push people of both main parties to dare to change and to make permanent links with Europe, he said.

This new plan between France and Germany must be explored urgently.

In response to the plan, the Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood, who has previously called for Britain to rejoin the EUs single market, said the UK needs a pragmatic re-engagement with Europe.

As our Brexit deal comes up for formal re-negotiation, we need to explore more avenues for economic advantage, he added.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, when asked about the potential to join a new outer tier of the EU, said: I like the outer tier that we are currently in.

Former Brexit minister Lord Frost told The Independent Britain should certainly not consider associate membership.

Sir John Redwood, the Tory former trade minister, said that leaving the single market was a crucial part of the Brexit case and rejoining would do huge damage to British industry. He said a great win of Brexit was no longer having to contribute to the blocs budget.

Tory MP Craig Mackinlay said the idea smacks of desperation at a time when many member states are wondering what this democracy devouring beast is for. He said: The country rejected this once and would do so again.

Gina Miller, the anti-Brexit campaigner, told The Independent the UK should see this move as an opportunity to start the process to rejoin the EU.

This onion option, forming part of an outer layer of the EU, is an olive branch from our European neighbours, but we must negotiate cautiously to make sure that we regain at least some of the influence we lost under Brexiteer extremism, she said.

And Best for Britain, which campaigns for closer ties with the EU, said the proposals were encouraging, although associate membership remains some way off.

Under the plans a second tier for outer members would not include any integration with EU law but would see an upgrade of the European Political Community (EPC), of which Britain is a part. It would include free trade agreements in certain areas such as energy or defence, and would focus on cooperation on important issues such as climate and security.

The paper has been written by an official Franco-German working group on EU institutional reform, made up of experts, academics and lawyers, set up by both the French and German governments earlier this year. The proposals are due to be presented at a monthly meeting of ministers of EU member states.
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 }}

More than three years after the UK officially left the European Union, plans for a four-tier Europe have emerged.

In a move which could lay the ground for a closer British relationship with Brussels, France and Germany have tabled plans for a new inner circle of membership for countries willing to overhaul the bloc.

The new paper set out the European Political Community as the outer ring; then associate membership, which could include even the UK; then plain vanilla EU membership; and finally, an inner core, in which countries would give up the veto and accept majority voting for everything.

News of the proposals emerged as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer held talks in Paris with French president Emmanuel Macron, on the final leg of an international tour designed to portray him as a prime minister in waiting.

But the two parties are walking a precarious tightrope over Brexit in the run-up to the general election, expected next year, with both No 10 and Labour ruling out any form of associate membership of the EU.

Naurally the paper has generated a lot of excitement from those who voted Remain in the 2016 referendum.

However the move has also prompted a furious reaction from Brexiteers who accused EU countries of desperation in their bid to enlarge the bloc.

There are also a number of questions around the logistics of this lite-membership. Would countries be bound to further integration with the EU? What would the benefits of an associate membership include? How much would countries have to pay into the EU budget?

Thats not to mention the questions the paper raises for the future of the UKs relationship with the EU. Would associate membership lead to an eventual reversal of Brexit? And how will the news of the EUs apparent flexibility feed into the way Labour and the Conservatives approach their general election campaigns?

If you have a question about the plans for associate membership of the EU, how it might be adopted or its potential impact, submit it now, or when I join you live at 2pm on Thursday 21 September for the Ask Me Anything event.

Register to submit your question in the comments box under this article. If youre not already a member, click sign up in the comments section to leave your question. For a full guide on how to comment click here.

Dont worry if you cant see your question  they may be hidden until I join the conversation to answer them. Then join us live on this page at 2pm as I tackle as many questions as I can.
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 }}

Liz Truss has been claiming from the 115,000-a-year public fund awarded to former prime ministers to run their offices, despite only serving for 49 days.

Cabinet Office accounts released on Tuesday show that the Conservative MP claimed 23,310 in her first five months out of office.

It was understood she has continued to claim in the current financial year that started in April, but the sum will not be disclosed until next years report. Ms Trusss office declined to comment.

After she announced her resignation, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was among those arguing that Ms Truss should turn it down because of the brief time spent in No 10.

The Liberal Democrats Cabinet Office spokeswoman Christine Jardine urged Rishi Sunak to do the right thing and stop Liz Truss from claiming taxpayers cash from the ex-PM fund.

Its an outrage that while families struggle to pay their bills and put food on the table, Liz Truss profits from her own failure, she said. If Liz Truss wants to cut tax she should lead by example and stop taking hardworking British taxpayers for a ride by claiming handouts.

The Public Duty Cost Allowance affords former prime ministers up to 115,000 a year to cover office and secretarial costs arising from public duties.

Applicable costs including those for running an office, handling correspondence as an ex-PM and for support with visits. Sir Tony Blair and Sir John Major were the only former leaders to claim the maximum amount in 2022/23, though Gordon Brown was close on 114,627.

Ms Trusss chaotic tenure in No 10 ended on October 25 after losing the support of Tory MPs. On Monday she defended her economic crisis-inducing mini-budget a year on from her chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unveiling the 45 billion package of unfunded tax cuts.

She hit out at economists and institutional bureaucracy for her downfall as she hinted at further plans to intervene in Tory politics at the party conference next month.

It comes as the Nation Audit Office (NAO) said the Cabinet Office failed to follow proper processes by allowing to foot the bill for Boris Johnsons legal defence costs over Partygate.

The governments arguments for spending 265,000 were found to be not wholly persuasive. The NAO also found that the examples highlighted by the government as precedent were substantively different from Mr Johnsons case.

It comes as a major review found that the UK constitution is in urgent need of reform after a tumultuous period in politics exposed weaknesses that have damaged both public trust and the countrys international reputation.

A joint report by the Institute for Government and Cambridge Universitys Bennett Institute for Public Policy said further injury had been caused by a series of scandals involving ministers and MPs.

Recent events were said to have tested the effectiveness of these arrangements, with Brexit leading to division over the appropriate balance of power between governing institutions. This was reflected in the UK Supreme Court ruling to set limits on executive power after Boris Johnson attempted to prorogue parliament in September 2019.
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 }}

Rishi Sunak has refused to guarantee that HS2 will ever connect to Manchester, after The Independent revealed he was planning to scrap the northern leg of the landmark high-speed rail project.

The prime minister was grilled on the issue after this publication reported that he and chancellor Jeremy Hunt have been talking about a proposal to make major cutbacks, with secret discussions codenamed Project Redwood.

A cost estimate seen by The Independent shows that the government has already spent 2.3bn on the second stage of the high-speed railway from Birmingham to Manchester, but shelving the northern phase would save up to 34bn.

Mr Sunak used a press conference on Wednesday to announce he was weakening net zero environmental commitments  saying it was the start of a series of long-term decisions to change the countrys direction.

Asked after his speech at No 10 whether HS2 would form part of those changes and whether he could commit to the line linking Euston and central Manchester, he said: Im not going to speculate on lots of the other things that people will be talking about.

Andrew Adonis, the Labour architect of HS2, told The Independent: Today is a big step backwards in terms of meeting our climate commitments. It clearly isnt a key priority for Rishi Sunak.

Condemning the utter stupidity of the idea of cutting the northern leg, Lord Adonis said: High-speed rail would hugely increase rail capacity, cut carbon emissions and reduce domestic aviation between Scotland and London.

The Project Redwood proposals to axe the second phase of HS2 could now be dropped following furious reaction from northern mayors, business leaders and Tory MPs.

A source close to the discussions said the pair had got cold feet after the angry reaction, along with warnings that it would cost the party votes at the general election.

HS2 work at Curzon Street station, Birmingham (Getty Images)

The planned railway is intended to link London, the Midlands and the north of England but has been plagued by delays and ballooning costs. Ministers have already moved to pause parts of the project and even axed sections in the north.

The eastern leg to Leeds was binned in 2021 and it was confirmed in March that construction between Birmingham and Crewe would be delayed by two years and that services may not enter central London until the 2040s.

Transport secretary Mark Harper announced that work at Euston would be paused for two years as costs had ballooned to 4.8bn compared with an initial budget of 2.6bn.

The pause means Old Oak Common will be the railways only London station when services to and from Birmingham Curzon Street begin between 2029 and 2033. Passengers travelling will need to take Elizabeth line services to continue their journey into the heart of the capital.

Labour has accused the Tories of a great rail betrayal following speculation that the Manchester leg could be axed.

Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour will build HS2 if Mr Sunak does abandon the north west route, but it is unclear if Labour would restore the eastern led to Leeds.

Recommended Starmer refuses to commit to finishing HS2 as Labour flip flops over stance

Labour sources have made clear they do not want to go further than the government by promising to complete the project in full because they would then need to find additional funding.

Weve always supported it and I think the government needs to end the chaos now, make a statement and make clear that it will hold good on the promises it has made, he told broadcasters during a visit to French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
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 }}

Rishi Sunak appears set to water down key green commitments as ministers warned that net zero policies must not mean bankrupting citizens.

With an eye on a general election expected next year, the Prime Minister risks triggering a bitter Tory row with the move, which has dismayed the environmental wing of his party but delighted those who fear the price of going green will cost votes.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman, a key figure on the Conservative right, backed the Prime Minister for making difficult decisions on net zero and putting household costs first.

Were not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people, she told Times Radio.

Mr Sunak is expected to set out his plans in a speech later this week, promising a proportionate approach.

Measures being considered include weakening the plan to phase out gas boilers from 2035 and delaying the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars  currently due in 2030  by five years, the BBC reported.

Mr Sunak stressed that the Government remains committed to the target of net zero emissions by 2050, but will achieve it in a better, more proportionate way.

He said politicians of all stripes have not been honest about costs and trade-offs and accused previous Tory governments of taking the easy way out, saying we can have it all.

Mr Sunak, who is attempting to draw a dividing line with Labour before the next general election, sought to position himself as the bringer of real change who will put the long-term interests of our country before the short-term political needs of the moment.

The prospect of a major shift in the Conservatives approach was swiftly condemned by the green wing of the party.

Former Cop26 president Sir Alok Sharma warned that watering down the commitments could cost the Tories votes.

He told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think itd be incredibly damaging for business confidence, for inward investment, if the political consensus that we have forged in our country on the environment and climate action is fractured.

And, frankly, I really do not believe that its going to help any political party electorally which chooses to go down this path.

Sir Alok said delays on policies such as banning new petrol and diesel cars could mean tougher curbs in other areas.

Conservative former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke said it is in the Tories environmental, economic, moral and (yes) political interests to lead on net zero rather than disown it.

Some Tory MPs are considering writing letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister if he goes ahead with the changes, the PA news agency understands.

Chris Skidmore, a Conservative former energy minister who led a government-commissioned review on net zero, told PA: Rishi Sunak still has time to think again and not make the greatest mistake of his premiership, condemning the UK to missing out on what can be the opportunity of the decade to deliver growth, jobs and future prosperity.

Tory peer Zac Goldsmith, who quit as environment minister in June with a scathing attack on Mr Sunaks apathy on the green agenda, said: His short stint as PM will be remembered as the moment the UK turned its back on the world and on future generations. A moment of shame.

But Craig Mackinlay, leader of the Tory Net Zero Scrutiny Group which has been sceptical of the Governments policies, said the expected announcements by Mr Sunak are sensible and pragmatic.

I hope to mark this down as a sensible win for consumers, he said, claiming his groups research and representations may have influenced the move.

Tory Karl McCartney, a member of the Commons Transport Select Committee, said he had pushed the Government to delay the ban on new petrol and diesel cars, bringing it in line with the European Union, which has moved the date to 2035.

I am pleased the Government has seen the light, he said.

The costs to normal drivers will be too high, the electric charging infrastructure will not be in place, and the technology is too reliant on China.

The only people who will complain about this delay are the central London eco-zealots who do not live in the real world and are rich enough not to be affected.

The partys success in the summers Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, won largely through a campaign against the expansion of the ultra low emission zone (Ulez), has led to some Tory MPs to call for Mr Sunak to water down or abandon net zero pledges.

The Prime Minister could reportedly also axe plans for new energy-efficiency targets for private rented homes.

Liberal Democrat climate and energy spokeswoman Wera Hobhouse said the Prime Minister has cowered to the delayers and deniers like the disgraced Liz Truss and adopted wholesale their policies.

Shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband said: This is a complete farce from a Tory Government that literally does not know what they are doing day to day.

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas said: This decision would be economically illiterate, historically inaccurate and environmentally bone-headed.

Friends of the Earths head of policy, Mike Childs, said: Rolling back on key climate commitments as the world is being battered by extreme flooding and wildfires would be morally indefensible.

The potential policy shift also alarmed the car industry, which has invested on the basis of a 2030 shift away from petrol and diesel.

Ford UK chairwoman Lisa Brankin said: Our business needs three things from the UK Government: ambition, commitment and consistency.

A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.
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 doctor who violently raped a woman and then threatened to release a video of the attack said he was not interested in the outcome of a medical tribunal  and wants to quit the UK due to stressful personal events.

Vibhor Garg, who was branded selfish as he was jailed for 11 years, has been immediately banned from working in medicine by a Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service panel, which said his behaviour undermined patients and the publics trust in the profession.

But the 37-year-old, who qualified from the University of Baroda in India, said in a letter to the panel: I am not interested in (the) outcome of the case as I will be deported out (of) the country at the end of my sentence.

I no longer wish to stay and practice medicine in the UK, even if given the opportunity, due to stressful personal events  I do not wish to attend hearing.

This was not a random, spur-of-the-moment incident Judge Dixon

Garg, formerly of King Street in Wigan, forced himself on his victim during the night in Sheffield while staying at the same address as her, South Yorkshire Police said.

Pinning her down, he threatened her with scissors, gagged her with tape across her mouth and tried to tie her hands behind her back, the force added.

He was arrested the next day but bailed pending further inquiries after denying the attack, the medical tribunal was told.

Garg then began repeatedly contacting his victim, who cannot legally be named, saying he would release a recording of the rape and kill himself if she did not withdraw her allegation, the panel heard.

The training fellow in orthopaedics was found and arrested in Bournemouth last September, charged and remanded, police said.

He was sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court in February after pleading guilty to rape, oral rape and perverting the course of justice, the force added.

This was an extremely violent incident and distressing, and the bravery (Garg's victim) has shown throughout has been commendable Pc Natasha Dawson

The medical tribunal cited the sentencing remarks of the judge, who told Garg: This was not a random, spur-of-the-moment incident.

This was not you just looking at her and deciding, Im having my way.

This was far, far more than that.

You grabbed hold of her. You then tried to bind her. You tried to stop her from being able to scream by taping her mouth. You tried to blindfold her, and then you raped her.

The judge added: Its difficult to see, from any point of view, how when a woman is crying and pleading for her mum, as (the victim) has graphically described in her statement to the court, how anyone can get pleasure under those circumstances but, you did, because you continued.

The judge, who said the selfish nature of all of (Gargs) activities is utterly deplorable, said the woman did not know if the attack was really videoed but the fear of that is terrifying to her.

Speaking after the sentencing, investigating officer Pc Natasha Dawson praised Gargs victim.

She said: This was an extremely violent incident and distressing, and the bravery she has shown throughout has been commendable.

A spokesperson for the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where Garg was employed, said he was absent from work when the trust was made aware of the allegations and never returned.

They said: The trust immediately reported Dr Garg to the GMC (General Medical Council) and he was subsequently dismissed in line with the trusts disciplinary policy.
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 }}

Suella Braverman has insisted her department still has unwavering focus on improving the situation for victims of the Windrush scandal, as a dedicated team dealing with the fallout was wound up and a working group met for the final time.

The Home Secretary said she wants to see all those affected by the scandal  which saw many lose homes, jobs and face the threat of deportation  compensated, and expressed her pride in what had been achieved to date.

She made the comments as the Windrush Working Group met for the final time, having been set up in June 2020 to bring community leaders together with senior representatives from Government departments. Its three-year term finishes at the end of September.

The Windrush scandal is far from abated. There's no evidence of significant progress having been made, and to make such a claim, the Home Office should be asked to explain and give examples Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie

It has also been confirmed that the Home Offices transformation programme for change in the wake of the scandal will no longer be managed through a dedicated team but rather embedded into the fabric of our everyday operations and activities.

This is due to the significant progress we have made, according to the Home Offices annual report and accounts which were published on Tuesday.

The development, first reported by the Guardian newspaper in June, was attacked by a campaign group.

Dr Wanda Wyporska, chief executive of Black Equity Organisation, said: This is just the latest blow in a long line of incompetence, failure and rank injustice by the Home Office.

Its clear that they just want to sweep their mistreatment of the Windrush generation under the carpet and hope we all forget about them.

We stand together to continue to fight for justice and to hold the Home Office accountable.

Lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie, who has worked with several people affected by the scandal, said the teams disbandment was very distressing for not just the countless numbers of victims of the scandal yet to see any form of justice, but for others who rely on the services of the Home Office.

She added: The Windrush scandal is far from abated. Theres no evidence of significant progress having been made, and to make such a claim, the Home Office should be asked to explain and give examples.

The Home Office said that 67.59 million had been paid out by the end of July under the compensation scheme, and a further 11.71 million has been offered, was awaiting acceptance, or was pending review.

Of the working groups final meeting, Ms Braverman said: The Windrush Working Group have made a huge contribution to ensure we learn the lessons of the Windrush scandal. Over the past three years their insight, collaboration and challenge have been vital in shaping the Home Offices response.

I have deeply valued their advice and it has been an honour to work constructively alongside them. Id like to thank them for their dedication to the Windrush community and determination to see progress.

I am proud of what has been achieved so far, but our commitment does not end here. We will continue with unwavering focus to see further improvements and that all those affected receive compensation.

The 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush to the UK was marked in June, with events across Britain.

The ship arrived in England on June 22 1948 at Tilbury Docks in Essex, bringing people from the Caribbean who answered Britains call to help fill post-war labour shortages.

But the scandal, which erupted in 2018, saw many British citizens, mostly from the Caribbean, denied access to healthcare and benefits and threatened with deportation despite having the right to live in the UK.
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 }}

Sixteen legal challenges have been lodged so far against the UK Governments controversial new laws to deal with the legacy of the Northern Ireland Troubles, a court has heard.

The families of a number of victims gathered at Belfasts Royal Courts of Justice on Wednesday as a brief review of the cases took place in the High Court.

Representatives for the victims said the hearing was the first step in their battle to oppose the new legislation.

The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act received royal assent on Monday despite widespread opposition from political parties, victims organisations in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government.

The most controversial aspects of the laws include a limited form of immunity from prosecution for Troubles-related offences to those who co-operate with the new Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery.

It will also halt future civil cases and inquests.

Legal firms Madden & Finucane, KRW Law, O Muirigh Solicitors, Phoenix Law and victims campaigner Raymond McCord are among those who have already announced legal action over the legislation.

Some of the actions challenge the ending of Troubles inquest proceedings and civil cases.

The court was told there have been 16 judicial review applications so far, involving victims cases ranging from 1971 through to the mid-1990s.

Mr Justice Colton said: It is quite clear there is a degree of overlap in those applications so as a first step I would like all the applicants solicitors to address or identify what case or cases they say should proceed.

There is absolutely no benefit to anybody in multiple cases arguing exactly the same point.

Having done that, I would encourage all of you to liaise with each other to see whether or not it would be possible to identify core cases to proceed.

That may not be possible and I may have to direct. I dont want to do that because no doubt all the applicants in this case have a genuine interest.

I can assure everybody that all legal arguments will be considered by the court.

What I want to do is to do so as expeditiously as possible.

For us, this Bill is not only unlawful but it is also immoral and it is now time for the courts to step in where Government has failed Gavin Booth, Phoenix Law

Mr Justice Colton said he will hold a further review hearing on September 28.

Speaking outside court, Martina Dillon, who been waiting for an inquest into the death of her husband Seamus, who was shot and killed in 1997, claimed the Government has proven it does not care about victims.

She said: We are here for the long-run, we will fight on, no matter how long it takes. We will not give up.

We are hopeful the courts will stand by us. All we are asking for is justice.

Grainne Teggart, from Amnesty International, called on the Irish Government to launch an inter-state case against the UK Government over the Legacy Act.

She said: Today is step one in the fight back against this Act.

We are encouraged that the court seems to be taking a pragmatic approach on how to deal with these cases.

We will return next week for the next step in this process.

We call on the Irish Government to swiftly decide to take an inter-state case and lodge those proceedings.

Gavin Booth from Phoenix Law, which represents some of the victims, said the families had attended court to show their commitment to opposing the legislation.

He added: For us, this Bill is not only unlawful but it is also immoral and it is now time for the courts to step in where Government has failed.

Mr Booth said he hopes the High Court will rule on the matter before Christmas.

Campaigner Raymond McCord, whose son was murdered by loyalists in 1997, said the human rights of victims are being breached.

He said: We are here to challenge the British Governments Legacy Bill through the courts.

Three-hundred or so people (in Parliament) decided that victims human rights are going to be breached.

We were left with no option, we have to take it to the courts.

We never dreamt that we would have to fight the state as well as the system to get justice for my son.
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 }}

Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is due to join Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky in criticising Russia at the UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting in New York.

Mr Dowden is expected to rebuke Russia for destroying large quantities of grain and say the hungry and malnourished people of the developing world are also victims of its war of choice.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not travelled to the US for the General Assembly but his foreign minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to be present at the UNSC meeting.

The meeting will be the first time Mr Zelensky has attended the Security Council in person since Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022, and could see him confront senior Russian officials face to face at an international organisation for the first time since then.

Mr Zelensky has previously spoken to the UNSC virtually.

Russia knows the power of collective action because it tries so hard to weaken and divide the international community Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden

He has already taken to the podium at the UN General Assembly in New York to accuse Russia of weaponising everything from food and energy to abducted children.

And while touring a hospital in the city, Mr Zelensky asked if Russian terrorists should be able to attend the UN gathering.

Mr Dowden is expected to tell the UNSC: Russian attacks have destroyed over 280,000 tonnes of grain, enough to feed over 1.25 million people for a year  the hungry and malnourished people of the developing world are Russias victims too.

He is also expected to say: When it fuels its war with arms from sanctioned states like Iran and DPR, violating UN Security Council resolutions and undermining our shared determination to counter proliferation.

When it conducts sham elections  most recently this month  in Ukraines sovereign territory after 143 member states condemned Russias attempt to annex further parts of sovereign Ukrainian territory, nearly one year ago.

The truth is that Russia knows the power of collective action because it tries so hard to weaken and divide the international community.

Mr Dowden is also due to announce a 3 million UK contribution to the UN World Food Programme.

Mr Dowden is also expected to praise the Ukrainian counteroffensive, saying: They have shown on the battlefield that they are capable of restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity that must be the foundations of this peace.

And he will highlight the need for effective multilateralism to secure peace, restore grain flows and help Ukraine in its recovery.

The UN Security Council has five permanent members  the UK, US, China, Russia and France, with 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.
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 }}

A Black student from a high school in Texas was suspended twice due to his hair, with the school stating that his loc hairstyle violated the districts dress code.

Darryl George, 17, attends a school in the Barbers Hill Independent School District and has been subject to punishments over his hairstyle choice.

Mr George wears his hair in locs, which are also referred to as dreadlocks and can be worn in braided, coiled, twisted or palm-rolled styles. Locs are popular and important to many ethnicities, for cultural, religious and stylistic reasons.

According to the districts dress and grooming code, male students hair can not extend below the eyebrows or earlobes, according to CNN.

Darresha George, the teens mother, said that he had been served several disciplinary notices and was put on in-school suspension where he allegedly had to sit on a stool in a cubby for eight hours. He was ultimately suspended on 8 September, The Independent previously reported.

The teens first suspension came within the same week that Texas passed the CROWN Act on 1 September, which banned race-based hair discrimination in workplaces and schools.

Mr George refused to cut his hair, per the schools request, and upon his arrival back at school, he was further suspended.

"Every day my son comes home with tears in his eyes. Hes frustrated; hes outraged, aggravated, and its breaking him down mentally, physically and emotionally," Ms George told ABC News. "I have to see him taking ibuprofen because his back hurts."

Ms George also said the teens grades are being affected during his absence.

The family of Mr George have enlisted the help of attorney Allie Brooker, who told CNN that the school is asking for a meeting with the family to discuss the punishments given to the student over his dress code violation.

What I expect for them to try to do is to put him out of school, Ms Booker told CNN. But they wont do it with our consent.

The family are considering filing a lawsuit against the school (Michael Wyke/AP)

The school had previously threatened to put Mr George in a Disciplinary Alternative Education Programme if he did not cut his hair, according to Ms Booker.

The familys attorney said she will be in contact with Child Protection Services due to the conditions he endured during in-school suspension and also plans to file a lawsuit against the school for racial discrimination and the violation of the CROWN Act, reports Insider.

The Barbers Hill Independent School District told ABC News that their dress code does not conflict with the CROWN Act.

"The Barbers Hill ISD Dress and Grooming Code permits protective hairstyles, but any hairstyle must be in conformity with the requirement that male students hair will not extend, at any time, below the eyebrows or below the ear lobes," the school district said to ABC News in a statement. "Further, male students hair must not extend below the top of a t-shirt collar or be gathered or worn in a style that would allow the hair to extend below the top of a t-shirt collar, below the eyebrows, or below the ear lobes when let down."

The Independent contacted Barbers Hill school district and the Georges attorney last week for comment before the second suspension was reported.
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 }}

A California resource regulator ruled on Tuesday that the company selling Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water must cease and desist from much of its operations drawing spring water from a spring in the San Bernardino National Forest, in a major victory for local groups and environmentalists who had been challenging the firms access to water running through the public lands.

I understand a huge amount of money and business is at stake, said State Water Resources Control Board member Laurel Firestone on Tuesday of the ruling. It also is important for us that no matter how much money is involved, that we are going to ensure that the laws of our state are upheld and that they apply to everybody.

Im thrilled that Californias State Water Resources Control Board adopted the cease-and-desist order against BlueTriton Brands unauthorised diversions in Strawberry Canyon for Arrowhead bottled water, Lisa Belenky, senior counsel at the Center for Biological Diversity, told Courthouse News. By adopting this order, the state took a critical first step toward protecting this creek and Strawberry Canyons springs, as well as the fish, wildlife and riparian vegetation that depend on these waters.

The order found that the company doesnt have permission to use the water, despite BlueTriton claiming it has rights to the water dating back over 100 years.

The cease-and-desist decision applies to most of the companys tunnels and boreholes drawing from the spring, impacting about 80 per cent of the water it draws from the Strawberry Creek watershed. BlueTriton must comply with the order by 1 November.

The company drew an estimated 46.5m gallons from the source in 2021.

Spring water flows from a BlueTriton pipe in the San Bernardino National Forest on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in San Bernardino, Calif (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The company said in a statement after the decision that the water boards ruling creates water rights uncertainty and that BlueTriton will vigorously defend our water rights through the available legal process.

Arrowheads claims to the water came under scrutiny in 2015, when an investigation by the California newspaper Desert Sun found that BlueTritons predecessor Nestle had been drawing water under a US Forest Service permit with a listed expiration date of 1988. The company eventually got a new five-year permit in 2018.

In 2021, however, the state water board concluded that BlueTriton lacked rights to its sources in the mountains, prompting a further set of hearings culminating in Tuesdays decision.

In 1906, a California man named Seth Marshall began selling water branded Arrowhead Springs at a hotel near the companys eventual claims.

BlueTriton argued its rights to the site date back to before 1914, when California began regulating how people use water, granting it seniority in the states complex system of water rights. The company further claims that the state regulator didnt have authority to declare a cease-and-desist over their claim because it doesnt involve surface water.

The state, meanwhile, argues the Arrowhead claim only dates back to 1929, meaning the company doesnt have seniority.

Local residents say the companys operations in the watershed have had a negative impact.

Strawberry Creek can no longer support fish, Amanda Frye of Redlands told The Associated Press. Essentially they inserted a straw into each spring and diverted it down the mountain to their trucks to take it away.
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 South Carolina court official at the centre of Alex Murdaughs bid for a new murder trial has revealed that her own daughter was excited at the prospect of becoming a juror in the high-profile case.

Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill is the first person viewers hear from in the second series of Netflixs Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, released on Wednesday.

Describing herself as a native of Walterboro who does love my county and love my job, Ms Hill spoke of the magnitude of the so-called trial of the century being held in the close, tight-knit Lowcountry.

Preparing for the trial of Alex Murdaugh was huge, she said.

Its been a long time since a trial of this magnitude had happened to a small town in South Carolina. We knew that we had to get together as a county and be prepared for anything that might come up.

In a bizarre twist indicating how interconnected the local community is, she revealed that her own daughter was almost seated as a juror in the case.

So my daughter almost became a juror, she said, adding: She was so excited.

Ms Hill went on to describe her first encounter with Murdaugh on the opening day of the trial  an encounter that appeared cordial and as though the now-convicted killer expected the saga to soon be over.

The first day of trial, Alex was coming in and said good morning Ms Becky, how are you? she said.

It was more of a lightheartedness. It was a were going to get through this in about a week or two, were all gonna go home. All of this is going to go away.

Ms Hill  who is a regular feature throughout the new three-part series on the Murdaugh saga  describes her job as an elected official who maintains the things that go on in the courthouse.

It was her who read out the verdict in the courtroom after the jury reached its unanimous decision finding Murdaugh guilty of all charges.

Rebecca Hill swears in witness at Alex Murdaughs trial (AP)

Ms Hill said that she knew she was very intently being looked at by the defence team, Murdaugh family and probably the world as she read it out to the court.

We thought that after the verdict that it would be a lightheartedness, it would be an easiness more so in Hampton but it opened up a whole other Pandoras Box of questions, she said in a perhaps foreboding comment in the Netflix show.

Now, the court clerks actions during the trial have been used as a basis for Murdaugh to fight his conviction.

In a bombshell motion filed in court earlier this month, Murdaughs attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin accused Ms Hill of breaking her oath by allegedly tampering with the jury in the case, pressuring them into returning a guilty verdict against him.

They claim that she advised the panel not to be fooled by Murdaughs testimony on the stand or misled by the defences evidence, pushed them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and misrepresented critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favorable to the defense.

One of the most damning accusations centres around the dismissal of juror number 785 just hours before jury deliberations began.

According to Murdaughs attorneys, Ms Hill invented a story about a Facebook post to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty.

Judge Clifton Newman removed the female juror from the panel for allegedly discussing the case with at least three other people outside of the court. The woman then prompted some light-hearted  and widely-reported  relief when she asked to pick up her dozen eggs from the jury room before she left.

According to the motion, Ms Hill had gone to Judge Newman on 27 February  the day after Murdaugh testified  claiming that she had seen a post in local Facebook group Walterboro Word of Mouth from juror 785s former husband Tim Stone.

The post purportedly claimed that the juror was drinking with her ex-husband and, when she became drunk, she expressed her views on whether Murdaugh was innocent or guilty.

Murdaugh in court on 14 September (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

A follow-up post from an account called Timothy Stone apologised for the post saying that he was driven by Satan.

In a new motion this week, Murdaughs attorneys claim that the Mr Stone behind the Facebook posts was actually a random Georgia man who was ranting about his wifes aunt  and has no connection to the case.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilsons office responded to the allegations on Friday, saying that investigators probing the accusations had already found significant factual disputes with the claims.

Maggie and Paul were found shot dead on the familys 1,700-acre Moselle estate back on 7 June 2021. Alex Murdaugh had called 911 claiming to have found their bodies.

During his high-profile murder trial, jurors heard how Paul was shot twice with a 12-gauge shotgun while he stood in the feed room of the dog kennels on the affluent familys 1,700-acre Moselle estate. The second shot to his head blew his brain almost entirely out of his skull.

After killing Paul, prosecutors said Murdaugh then grabbed a .300 Blackout semiautomatic rifle and opened fire on Maggie as she tried to flee from her husband.

During the dramatic six-week trial, Murdaugh confessed to lying about his alibi on the night of the murders but continued to claim his innocence of the killings.

The jury didnt agree and the disgraced legal scion was convicted in March of the brutal murders.

Beyond the murder charges, Murdaugh, 55, is also facing a slew of financial fraud charges for stealing millions of dollars from his law firm clients and his dead housekeepers family.

He reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors on Monday  admitting that he stole millions of dollars from law firm clients for his own personal benefit.

In the agreement, signed and filed in South Carolina US District Court on Monday, the double murderer confirmed he will plead guilty to 22 federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud.

While Murdaugh admitted to stealing millions from clients during bombshell courtroom testimony at his murder trial, this marks the first time that he has ever pleaded guilty to committing a crime.

He will appear in federal court on Thursday to formally enter his plea.
 Close Murdaugh Murders on Netflix trailer

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 }}

Convicted killer Alex Murdaugh has reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors on a string of financial fraud charges  admitting that he stole millions of dollars from law firm clients.

Following Mondays agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to 22 federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering.

His appearance in court on Thursday morning marked the first time he has ever admitted to a crime.

This comes as the new series of Netflixs Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal was released on Wednesday, revealing Curtis Eddie Smith  Murdaughs alleged co-conspirator in the bizarre hitman plot  making a bombshell claim.

When he asked Murdaugh why he wanted him to fatally shoot him, Mr Smith claims he told him: Because theyre going to be able to prove that Im responsible for Maggie and Paul.

The show also hears from Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill  who is now at the centre of jury tampering accusations brought by Murdaughs attorneys in their bid for a new murder trial.

Murdaugh claims that Ms Hill advised the panel not to be fooled by Murdaughs testimony on the stand or misled by the defences evidence, pushed them to reach a quick guilty verdict, and misrepresented critical and material information to the trial judge in her campaign to remove a juror she believed to be favorable to the defense.

A random Georgia mans now-deleted Facebook rant about his wifes aunt is at the centre of the bid.

On Thursday, attorneys for the convicted killer filed a new motion in which they accused the South Carolina Attorney Generals office of acting in bad faith in the states response to Murdaughs bid for a new trial.

The State unfortunately has chosen to respond in bad faith to these serious allegations, write attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin.

[The state] wants Mr Murdaugh to spend weeks jumping through preposterous procedural hoops invented only for him.
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 fatal shooting of a family of four and their dogs at a home in a Chicago suburb was not a murder-suicide but also not a random incident, according to police.

Two adults, two children and their three dogs were found dead from gunshot wounds at the home in Romeoville, Illinois, on Sunday night; police now believe the murders could have been targeted.

Investigators do not believe that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide, Deputy Chief Chris Burne of the Romeoville Police Department told reporters.

No arrests have been made in the case, but officials say that there is no reason for people to shelter inside in the wake of the shocking incident.

We were able to determine this was not a random incident and there was no cause for a shelter in place order, DC Burne said on Tuesday. This incident is the police departments top priority.

The victims were Alberto Rolon, 38, and Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two boys, aged seven and nine, according to the Will County Coroners Office.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by Ms Bartolomeis sister, Bryana Bartolomei to raise money for funeral expenses for the whole family.

These were hardworking people that had just bought their first home. Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away, the fundraising page stated.

Her sister took to Facebook to share an image of the family, captioning it, I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband and WHY?

Alberto Rolon, 38, and Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two sons aged 7, and 9, along with their three dogs, were all shot and killed in their home in Illinois (GoFundMe)

The family of four had just bought their first home together in Romeoville, a Chicago suburb (Bryana Bartolomei/Facebook)

Police believe that the shooting took plea between 9pm and 5am on Sunday. Officers went to the home to perform a wellness check when one of the victims did not show up for work on Sunday and did not answer phone calls.

All officers and professional staff have been working tirelessly on this case. Our detectives and crime scene investigators have spent the last 36 hours collecting a tremendous amount of physical evidence, added DC Burne.

I want to know whats going on, man. Its very, very quiet. Its incredibly quiet, neighbour Dan Lugo, told WBBM. This stuff doesnt happen here. Its very unnerving. Im pretty sure the whole neighbourhood is shook up.

Romeoville police have said the murders are their top priority (AP)

Our entire community is grieving with the family over this tragic incident, Romeoville Mayor John Noak said.

I have directed our social services staff to make themselves available to our community to help begin the healing process.

The Romeoville Police Department is still investigating the incident, says the coroners office.
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 sheriffs deputy in Texas who left his infant child in a hot car for three hours has been fired and arrested.

Antonio Almaraz, 31, left his two-month-old baby alone in his car on Monday, as temperatures in San Antonio reached around 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

According to the Bexar County Sheriffs Office, Mr Almaraz had taken his child to a routine pediatrics appointment at 9am. He returned home an hour later and left his child in the car parked outside.

At about 1pm, the baby was found unresponsive in the car. She was rushed to Methodist Hospital and their condition remains critical.

The hospital reported the incident to authorities, but according to the sheriffs office, Mr Almazaz initially gave a different narrative when he was questioned about what happened.

Mr Almaraz had been charged with injury to a child, endangering a child and abandoning a child, with a bail set at $80,000.

The deputy had only started his job in February and has now since been fired due to the treatment of his child.

He will not be allowed to appeal his dismissal nor be eligible for rehire, no matter what the outcome of his case is, the sheriffs office said.

The child had been left unconscious after being trapped in a hot car on a summer day (Facebook)

Given the amount of awareness in the community regarding leaving children unattended in vehicles, there is absolutely no valid excuse for this to have occurred, Sheriff Javier Salazar said in a statement. My family and I are praying for the best possible outcome for this precious baby.

The inside of a vehicle can increase over 20 degrees within ten minutes, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states.

It was only in late July that another infant was stuck in a hot car in San Antonio, Texas. The baby was accidentally locked inside the car and the parents took to smashing in the windows before it was too late.
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 manhunt has been launched to find a suspected murderer who was accidentally released from an Indianaprison.

Kevin Mason, 28, was mistakenly freed from Marion Countys Adult Detention Center (ADC) on 13 September  just two days after he was arrested  due to a records-keeping error, authorities admitted.

Police then waited six days before informing the public of Mr Masons release.

Colonel James Martin with the Marion County Sheriffs Office revealed details of the bungled incident on Tuesday, hours before the search entered its seventh day.

I want to reassure the public that a round-the-clock manhunt has been underway ever since, he said, adding that authorities didnt inform the public because they wanted to use the time as a tactical advantage against Mr Mason to prevent the risk of him running underground.

The sheriffs office believes Mr Mason remains in Marion County and is receiving help from someone locally.

Mr Mason was wanted on a murder warrant in connection to a fatal 2021 shooting in Minneapolis, as well as on charges of parole violation and firearms possession.

He is accused of shooting and killing Dontevius A Catchings, 29, in the Shiloh Temple parking lot after the funeral of a mutual friend, according to local news reports at the time.

Since his release from prison last week, multiple officials have been fired with Mr Martin saying that the Ramsey County clerk and two Marion County clerks failed to notice an error relating to Mr Masons booking information.

This should not have happened, he said.

An investigation is now under way to determine if any policy or procedural violations occurred.

Anyone who sees Mr Mason is asked to call 911 (Marion County Sheriffs Ofiice)

Mr Mason is described as five feet nine inches tall, and weighing about 205 pounds. He has a cross tattoo under his right eye, SUB tattooed on his chest and also has a neck tattoo.

Residents are encouraged to provide any details or tips that might aid police in identifying and locating Mr Mason.

People with information are urged to call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS and anyone who sees Mr Mason is asked to call 911.

Mr Mason is not the first murder suspect to have been mistakenly released from the Indianapolis jail since it began operating in January 2022.

In May 2022, Noah Edwards, who is facing charges of murder and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, was mistakenly released from the prison after another person in the jail with a similar name was supposed to be released that same day.

Police arrested Mr Edwards 11 hours later on the southwest side of Indianapolis.
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 former beauty pageant queen has made new allegations in a federal lawsuit claiming she was sex trafficked and raped on the orders of an infamous pornography producer.

Kirsty Althaus was the runner-up in the Miss Teen Colorado USA Pageant in 2013, but was forced to give up the title when she was found to be in online pornography videos, with her name in the title.

A copy of the lawsuit, filed on 8 September, was obtained by The Daily Beast, which said she made allegations against a series of inter-related companies, such as Aylo (formerly known as MindGeek, the parent company of sites like PornHub), and Ethical Capital Partners, a private equity firm that acquired Aylo back in March.

She is suing Aylo and Ethical Capital Partners for aiding and abetting sex trafficking, profiting from sex trafficking and advertising a victim of sex trafficking.

Ms Althaus is setting her claims against Michael Pratt, the owner of Girls Do Porn, a shut-down company, who was arrested back in December 2022 for allegedly coercing hundreds of women into making sex tapes and then distributing them without their consent, the Daily Beast reports.

Girls Do Porn was set up in 2006 by Mr Pratt, from New Zealand, which specialised in producing pornography of only younger women between 18 and 22.

Ms Althaus, from Colorado, wanted to have a professional modelling career. She posed for companies such as Kohls and Champion, as well as competing and being runner-up in the Miss Teen Colorado pageant in 2012, reports Daily Beast.

A year later, she left school at 18, wanting to focus on her modelling career. She saw an advertisement on Craigslist offering a paid modelling opportunity, with expenses paid such as flying her out to San Diego.

"Rather than the mere headshots and clothing photoshoot (sic) that she had agreed to fly to San Diego to do, Pratt began demanding that Plaintiff film nude and sexually explicit videos. When Plaintiff refused, Pratt, now 41, and his conspirators immediately pressured her and plied her with booze and pills to soften her reluctance," the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit stated she endured protracted filming, where Ms Althaus had to endure approximately nine hours of non-consensual sex, to the point she started to bleed.

In one shoot, Mr Pratt was so infuriated with Ms Althaus and her pleas to stop that he broke a hotel lamp and got out his gun, according to the lawsuit.

Texts from the lawsuit Michael Pratt allegedly sent Kirsty Althaus threatening her into shooting another video ( U.S. District Court, Central District of California/Fox News)

Ms Althaus describes in the lawsuit as being harassed over text by Mr Pratt, after she returned to college, to make more videos and threatened to make her original video public if she refused, as screenshots obtained by Fox News show.

You better be here by noon shoot 2tomorrow or your graveyard, one text included in the lawsuit read.

The lawsuit stated that in January 2014 a text from an anonymous number came up on Ms Althaus phone while she was sitting in class, it said: Told you b****. Ms Atlhuas then saw that all her videos became live on Twitter, PornHub and other pornography websites, Daily Beast reports.

In the lawsuit, she said that she started to suffer severe distress and anxiety; she found it hard to keep strong relationships, people would recognise her on the street and students at her college would harass her. She goes on to say that she would lose jobs once her employers discovered she had appeared in a pornography video.

She claimed she tried to report how she was sex trafficked and raped to MindGeek, where the video was being distributed, but said she was ignored due to their focus on making millions of dollars off the content, the lawsuit reads.

Although she changed her name, and the video is now ten years old, she is still harassed due to what happened in her past, Ms Althaus said in the lawsuit.

Unidentified men continue to approach Plaintiffs home at all hours of the day and night, her lawsuit reads, As recently as May-June 2023, Plaintiff was assaulted at her home by a self-described PornHub subscriber who confronted her about the recent removal of the subject videos from Defendants websites.

Pratt was charged in a 19-count indictment with sex trafficking, production of child pornography, sex trafficking of a minor, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments in connection with the operation of GirlsDoPorn (FBI)

Mr Pratt was included on the FBIs Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2022 for three months until he was captured in Spain.

Pratt was charged in a 19-count indictment with sex trafficking, production of child pornography, sex trafficking of a minor, and conspiracy to launder monetary instruments in connection with the operation of the GirlsDoPorn adult website, according to the FBI.

He was on the run for years, fleeing in 2019 after 22 women filed a lawsuit in 2017 claiming he and his co-conspirators for conning the women into making pornography videos and then lying about distributing the footage. He said the videos would only be sold to private collectors solely on DVDs and small video stores not located in the US, but the videos ended up on famous pornography websites, sometimes putting their names in the title.

Ms Althaus lawsuit also names GirlsDoPorn co-conspirators, Michael Isaac Wolfe and Andre Garcia.

Garcia is currently serving a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of sex trafficking in November 2020, according to the United States Attorneys Office.

Wolfe was sentenced in October 2022 for admitting to coercing prospective models into filming videos for Girls Do Porn, then lying to them saying the videos would not be distributed in the United States, says the Attorneys Office.

A screenshot from the lawsuit showing Kirsty Althaus name and pageant title that appeared on video headings (U.S. District Court, Central District of California/Fox News)

According to the Daily Beast, Ms Althaus is now another woman coming forward to relay the alleged abhorrent crimes committed against her. She claims she was deceived into filming nonconsensual sex scenes by Mr Pratt, saying she was raped, drugged, physically abused and blackmailed by both Pratt and his associates.

The lawsuit that was brought forward by the 22 women in 2017 included similar harrowing stories, such as being assaulted. This previous lawsuit resulted in Girls Do Porn being ordered to pay $12.8m in damages as well as ownership rights to the videos they featured in. Between October and November 2019, six people were charged on counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, with a further two people charged in December with obstruction of sex trafficking enforcement.

MindGeek, now Aylo, was also under fire in 2021 when 40 women sued the company for knowingly profiting from Girls Do Porn content. The judge ordered a discovery into its corporate structure, finances, operations, and ownership to determine which entities and persons should remain in the case, says law firm Brown Rudnick LLP.

In a statement to The Independent, Aylo declined to comment on the lawsuit but said they looked forward to the facts being fully and fairly aired in court.

The safety of our community is our number one priority, so we are proud to have instituted Trust and Safety policies that surpass those of any other major user-generated platform on the internet, Aylo said in a statement. Our compliance program has helped us set the standard for the tech industry, and we are committed to remaining at the forefront of this important area.

The Independent has contacted both Aylo and Ethical Capital Partners for comment. We have also asked if they have filed a position statement or defences, as it is not clear at this time.
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 }}

Over the last few weeks, the sprawling crime saga surrounding Alex Murdaugh has once again been catapulted into the spotlight.

Six months after he was convicted of killing his wife Maggie and son Paul on 7 June 2021, Murdaugh filed a motion demanding a new trial based on a damning accusation against Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill.

His attorneys claim that Ms Hill tampered with the jury, pressuring them to find him guilty and breaking her oath as an elected official.

New details continue to emerge about this  including a random Georgia mans unlikely links to the case  and legal experts have warned that if the allegations are in fact true, a new trial is almost certain.

At the same time, Murdaughs other criminal charges are progressing through the courts.

He appeared in court on 14 September for a hearing on a slew of state financial charges  marking his first court appearance since his murder trial sentencing.

On Thursday, he is slated to appear in court to plead guilty to 22 federal financial criminal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud and money laundering  after signing a plea deal with prosecutors on Monday.

Now, Netflix has dropped its second series of Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal  bringing new details and claims about the Murdaugh saga to light.

Here are some of the key revelations from the new series:

Cousin Eddie claims Murdaugh all but confessed to murders

Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith has claimed that Murdaugh made a bombshell confession about his wife and sons murders before orchestrating the now-infamous botched hitman plot.

On 4 September 2021, Mr Smith  Murdaughs former law firm client, distant cousin and alleged drug dealer  allegedly shot the double murderer in the head along the side of a road in Hampton County in an assisted suicide scheme.

Mr Smith claimed in the show that Murdaugh begged him to shoot him but he refused.

Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith (Netflix)

Curtis Cousin Eddie Smith (Netflix)

When he asked Murdaugh why he wanted him to kill him, Mr Smith revealed that Murdaugh had given a chilling response.

Because theyre going to be able to prove that Im responsible for Maggie and Paul, Murdaugh allegedly said.

Cousin Eddie also asked Murdaugh what did happen that fateful night.

Murdaugh is said to have given the damning response: Things just got all f***ed up.

Randolph Murdaugh published obituary as warning to wife

Murdaughs now-late father Randolph Murdaugh once wrote and published a fake obituary for his wife when she was still alive as a warning because she wanted to divorce him, it has been claimed.

In 1976, an obituary for Libby Murdaugh  Murdaughs mother  appeared in the local paper The Hampton Guardian.

The obituary has long been a source of mystery as to who published it and why.

In the Netflix show, Paul Murdaughs former girlfriend Morgan Doughty claimed that Maggie once told her that the obituary came about because Libby told Randolph she wanted to divorce him.

Murdaugh Murders season 2 trailer

Randolph then took the step to write Libbys obituary himself and have it published in the paper.

I think it was a gesture to scare her into staying, said Ms Doughty, who also took Maggie confiding in her as a warning.

I think that was her way of letting me now what I was signing up for. I think it was kind of like a warning.

Paul Murdaugh hosted booze-fuelled boat party weeks before murder

Paul Murdaugh was pulled over by police for hosting a booze-fuelled boat party just days before he was brutally murdered by his father  and at a time when he was awaiting trial over a 2019 deadly boat wreck.

Housekeeper Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson revealed that the 22-year-old had a fresh brush with the law in the run-up to the 7 June 2021 murders.

The incident took place around a week before Memorial Day weekend, when Ms Turrubiate-Simpson said Maggie told her that Paul got in trouble again.

Paul Murdaugh was drunk driving the family boat one fateful night in 2019 (Courtesy of Netflix)

He was on the boat with friends and they were drinking, she said. But they called Alex and he said he was going to take care of it.

Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill also confirmed that the DNR had stopped the 22-year-old with a boat full of people and confiscated a cooler full of booze.

At the time, Paul was awaiting trial over a February 2019 drunken boat wreck that killed friend Mallory Beach, 19.

Court clerk reveals daughter was almost on jury

The South Carolina court official at the centre of Murdaughs bid for a new murder trial has revealed that her own daughter was almost seated as a juror in the case.

So my daughter almost became a juror, said Colleton County Clerk of Court Rebecca Hill. She added: She was so excited.

Ms Hill went on to describe her first encounter with Murdaugh on the opening day of the trial  an encounter that appeared cordial and as though the now-convicted killer expected the saga to soon be over.

The first day of trial, Alex was coming in and said good morning Ms Becky, how are you? she said.

Rebecca Hill at Alex Murdaughs trial (AP)

It was more of a lightheartedness. It was a were going to get through this in about a week or two, were all gonna go home. All of this is going to go away.

Ms Hill  who is a regular feature throughout the new three-part series  is an elected official of the court whose role was to maintain the courtroom proceedings and even read out Murdaughs verdict.

Now, she has been accused of jury tampering by Murdaughs attorneys as the convicted killer fights for a new trial.

Bubba the dogs new life

Among the familiar faces from the Murdaugh saga returning in the Netflix series is Bubba the dog.

Bubbas name cropped up multiple times during the murder trial as he was likely something of a witness to the killings of Maggie and Paul.

That night, Paul, Maggie and Alex were down by the dog kennels.

Paul was filming a brown labrador named Cash on his cellphone for his friend Rogan Gibson. In the video, Maggie and her husband are heard shouting off-camera about Bubba catching a chicken in his mouth.

Bubba the dog (Netflix)

Bubba the dog and Blanca visit Maggies grave (Netflix)

Just minutes later, Maggie and Paul were shot dead at the kennels.

It was this video  and Bubbas antics  which led to Murdaughs voice being caught on camera at the kennels at the time of the murders.

In the Netflix show, Bubba is seen with Ms Turrubiate-Simpson  after the dog began a new life with her in the wake of Maggies death.

Ms Turrubiate-Simpson, who was a close friend of Maggies, and Bubba are also seen visiting Maggies grave.

Maggie loved Bubba, she said. He was her prized possession, he was not a kennel dog.
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 single .40 calibre bullet discovered near the bodies of Libby German and Abby Williams turned out to be the smoking gun that initially led police to charge 50-year-old CVS worker Richard Allen with their murders in October.

The criminal affidavit, which was partly-redacted and released in November, revealed for the first time that the local man was finally tied to the murders through ballistics on a bullet found at the bloody crime scene.

Now, in a dramatic twist, the accused killer has claimed not only that he is innocent  but that the victims actually died at the hands of a pagan white nationalist cult.

In sensational court documents, filed on 18 September, attorneys claim that the teenage best friends were killed as part of a ritualistic sacrifice by a group of Odinists.

This came after Mr Allen confessed multiple times to the 2017 killings while behind bars  including in a jailhouse phone call with his wife.

The suspect  who was on police radar back in 2017 but slipped through the net for more than five years due to a clerical error  also confessed in jailhouse calls to his mother, the documents state. In total, court documents state that he confessed at least five times.

These developments mark just the latest twists in a tragic case which began one spring morning back in 2017.

It was 13 February when best friends Libby and Abby set off on a hike along the Monon High Bridge Trail in their hometown of Delphi.

Richard Allen is escorted away from court after a hearing on 22 November (Associated Press)

During the walk, Libby posted a photo of her best friend walking along the Monon High Bridge. It was the last known photo of Abby before she was killed.

Later that day, the teenagers were reported missing when they failed to return to a spot where a family member was picking them up.

The next day  Valentines Day 2017  their bodies were discovered in a wooded area around half a mile off the trail.

Here, The Independent explains key details revealed in the criminal affidavit outlining the case against Mr Allen.

The bullet

An unspent .40 calibre bullet was found between the bodies of 13-year-old Abby Williams and Libby German, 14, according to a probably cause affidavit released in the case of the State of Indiana v Richard M Allen.

Law enforcement have never revealed the girls cause of death, saying only that they lost a lot of blood after being attacked with an unspecified weapon and were not killed in the same location where their bodies were discovered.

On 13 October, investigators executed a search warrant at the home on North Whiteman Drive that Mr Allen shared with his wife Kathy.

The affidavit states they found knives and firearms, including a Sig Sauer Model P226 pistol.

A Sig Sauer Model P226, similar to one belonging to Delphi Murders suspect Richard Allen (Sig Sauer)

The Indiana State Police Laboratory analysed the gun and determined the unspent round found two feet from one of the victims bodies had been cycled through Mr Allens gun, according to the affidavit.

Mr Allen confirmed he had owned the gun since 2001, and his wife Kathy is alleged to have told investigators that her husband was the only person with access to the weapon.

Mr Allen offered no explanation how the bullet  which had not been fired  ended up in between the bodies of the two teenage victims, the document states.

The affidavit also revealed that one of the victims is heard saying gun in chilling footage on Libbys cellphone before she died.

Investigators had previously revealed that whoever attacked Libby and Abby had told them to go down the hill in the footage.

The Bridge Guy

A mystery figure seen in the footage captured by Libby became known as the Bridge Guy after a Snapchat video taken on Libbys phone during their hike was released by authorities last year.

In the clip, a man wearing jeans, a blue jacket and a hoodie can be seen approaching the girls. A male voice can be heard saying the words guys and down the hill.

Police believe the recording was made just before the murders took place, and praised the girls awareness and foresight for recording the clip.

Richard Allen pictured in mugshot after arrest for Delphi murders (Indiana State Police)

Investigators described the suspect as a white male aged between 16 and 40 years old, between 5 6 and 5 10 in height and weighing between 180 and 200 pounds.

The affidavit contains an eyewitness account from three girls under 17 who say they encountered a man on the Monon High Bridge who seemed to be hiding his face and glared at them when they said hello.

One of the three juveniles put the mans height at no taller than 5 10. They gave varying accounts of what he was wearing, but all said he had jeans and a jacket on.

A female witness, whose name has also been redacted, told investigators she also saw a man matching the description of the Bridge Guy captured on Libbys video on the Monon High Bridge. She also recounted seeing Libby and Abby walking towards the bridge at about 1.49pm.

This grainy image was taken on Libbys phone on the trail the day the girls went missing. Investigators believe the man is the killer (Indiana State Police)

A separate witness told police they had seen a man wearing a blue jacket and blue jeans who was muddy and bloody. CCTV footage from the nearby Hoosier Harvestore placed that witness driving away from the area at about 3.57pm.

Both witnesses told investigators they didnt come across any other males on the trails that day.

In a police interview early on in the investigation, Mr Allen said he was on the trail from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.

He said he had walked from the Freedom Bridge to the High Bridge, and said he had noticed three juveniles but didnt interact with them as he was distracted by a stock ticker on his phone.

A vehicle resembling a 2016 Ford Focus owned by Mr Allen was seen on CCTV footage from the Hoosier Harvestore.

Libby German (left) and Abby Williams (right) pictured together (Facebook)

One witness said it was parked behind an old child protective services building in an odd location and it was parked as if the driver had been trying to conceal its plates.

During a separate interview on 13 October this year, Mr Allen told police he gone to the bridge to watch the fish.

He said he was wearing blue jeans with a blue or black Carhartt jacket and may have also worn a head covering. He admitted seeing the three juvenile girls but said he didnt encounter anyone else.

According to the affidavit, a detective who had worked on the case since 2017 believed that the combination of the video shot on Libbys phone, the eyewitness accounts, and CCTV footage showed that Mr Allen was the Bridge Guy.

Further, that the victims were forced down the hill by Richard Allen and (led) to the location where they were murdered.

Allens interviews with Indiana police

The affidavit raises questions as it revealed that Mr Allen spoke with investigators at least twice, including in 2017 - confirming that he was on the police radar at the time of the murders.

In the 2017 interview, Mr Allen had confessed to being on the Monon High Bridge Trail on the afternoon of 13 February  placing him on the scene at the same day and time that the victims went on their fateful walk.

At the time, he denied any involvement in the murders and insisted he had never seen the two girls that day.

In another interview on 13 October 2022, Mr Allen had no explanation as to how the spent bullet ended up in between the bodies of the two teenage victims, the affidavit states.

The accused killer said he had not been on the property where the unspent round was found, that he did not know the property owner, and that he had no explanation as to why a round cycled through his firearm would be at that location, it says. The property owner  Ron Logan  was also previously tied to the case. He died in 2020.
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

The attorney for the owner of the unlicensed cannabis dispensaries in the Auburn area that were shut down by authorities this summer shared his legal strategy with The Citizen recently.

New York City cannabis attorney Joseph A. Bondy, representing I'm Stuck owner David Tulley, was denied a motion to dismiss the New York State Office of Cannabis Management's injunction against his client's regional dispensary chain at a hearing on Sept. 6. But the attorney said he's hopeful that Tulley, who is facing millions of dollars in penalties from the state, will be able to apply for cannabis business licenses on equal footing with other applicants once the case against him is concluded. That  not reopening Tulley's I'm Stuck dispensaries  is Bondy's goal for his client, he said.

"I would hope that Mr. Tulley can return to the status quo," he said. "And be in the same position as anyone else for the purpose of applying for licenses, should he wish to do so."

The chain, which included I'm Stuck at 9 E. Genesee St. in Auburn, I'm Stuck Presents the Weed Warehouse at 2020 Crane Book Drive in Aurelius and six other unlicensed dispensaries in Wayne, Monroe and Oswego counties, was raided by the state June 30 and shut down a month later. It was the state office's first use of stronger enforcement powers to shut down "gray market" businesses.

The state now seeks monetary penalties from Tulley, his companies and the owners of the buildings where his businesses were located, which are Capflow Capital LLC at 9 E. Genesee St. and Donald R. Di Santo at 2020 Crane Brook Drive. The Office of Cannabis Management and Office of the Attorney General have not provided The Citizen the total amount of penalties sought by the state.

According to the injunction, however, Tulley faces a penalty of $10,000 for each day his businesses sold cannabis without a dispensary license and $20,000 for each day they sold cannabis after receiving an order to cease from the state, among other penalties. The building owners, meanwhile, face a penalty of $10,000 for each day they permitted Tulley's businesses to sell cannabis on their properties.

Tulley is also accused of selling cannabis to minors at I'm Stuck, which he opened in Auburn in January and in Aurelius last year. He began leasing a billboard above the Auburn location last month.

Since his motion was denied, Bondy has requested the state produce body wire evidence from the law enforcement officers who raided the dispensaries in June. He said he hopes that evidence will show the raids violated the Fourth Amendment, making their findings  including 47 pounds of cannabis flower, 244 pounds of edibles and 89 pounds of concentrate that officers seized  unusable in court.

"We hope the Appellate Division determines the searches at issue are unconstitutional," Bondy said. "These are constitutional points."

Meanwhile, Bondy also hopes for a court hearing on the question of whether Tulley's business model at I'm Stuck is permitted by the state's Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which made the substance legal to use and possess in New York beginning in March 2021. The self-described "consulting firm" gave products to customers as "gifts" while charging them for advice about cannabis.

Asked about Tulley's claim to The Citizen in August that Bondy is negotiating with the state to secure his client a cannabis processor license, the attorney declined comment.
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 quiet community just outside of Chicago was turned upside down when a couple, their two young sons and three dogs were found shot dead inside their home.

Police were called in for a welfare check at the home in Romeoville, Illinois, on Sunday morning.

Officers arrived to find the bodies of Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, their two boys, aged 7 and 10, and their dogs.

Investigators determined that the victims died by homicide.

The alleged killer and motive for the horror attack remained a mystery until Wednesday when police revealed that a car linked to a person of interest had bee spotted by a licence plate reader in Catoosa, Oklahoma.

Police attempted to pull the car over, but  after a brief chase  the vehicle crashed and burst into flames.

The suspect Nathaniel Huey Jr was then found inside dead from a gunshot wound. A woman in the passenger seat was also shot and taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Later identified as Ermalinda Palomo, the woman passed away from her injuries.

Here is everything we know about the Rolon-Bartolomei family case:

Not a murder suicide

Romeoville police were dispatched on Sunday (17 September) to check on the Rolon-Bartolomei family after relatives shared concern that one of the parents didnt turn up for work that day.

In a press conference on Monday, police said family members called several times throughout the day to check on the adult, but there was no response.

Just before 9pm Sunday, officers carried out a welfare check at the familys home on the residential 500 block of Concord Avenue.

The family of four were found dead of gunshot wounds  along with their three dogs.

Authorities believe the murders took place between 9pm Saturday and 5am Sunday.

We do not believe the offender is among the victims. It is not a murder-suicide, Deputy Chief Burne said at the time.

Suspects in fiery crash

Two suspects were sought by police for the murders of the family of four, authorities said on Wednesday.

Nathaniel Huey Jr, 31, of Streamwood, Illinois, and Ermalinda Palomo, 50, were identified as persons of interest early in the slayings.

When officers managed to locate and tried to stop the vehicle linked to Huey in Oklahoma, it sped away, crashed and caught on fire. Officers on the scene reportedly heard two noises believed to be gunshots, Chief Burne said.

Officers found the man fatally shot and deceased in the drivers seat. The woman, who was in the passenger seat, was taken to hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.

Police are yet to confirm the identity of the woman who is described as a person of interest in the case.

John Paul Ivec, an attorney representing her family, identified the woamn as Ermalinda Palomo to ABC News.

Neighbours have said Palomo and Huey lived in Streamwood together for about the past six years.

Palomos daughter Christina Espinoza, 25, has spoken out to say that Huey was a very dangerous man.

Nathaniel Huey in mug shot (Romeoville police department)

Following Wednesdays update, Deputy Chief Burne did not say what the relationship was between Huey and the family, but said evidence has shown us a nexus between our suspect and the victims, as well as a possible motive.

Palomos daughter has since spoken up and said Huey was a very dangerous man and a huge manipulator.

As reported by NBC News, Cristiana Espinoza, 25, said when she first met Huey he wasnt too bad of a guy, but a few months ago something switched.

She added: He was shutting all of us out, including my mom, and now this.

He started becoming suspicious... keeping to himself, staying in the garage. He started not being himself, pushing us all away, even my mom.

Attorney John Paul Ivec toldABC 7, that although Palomo was identified as a person of interest she's a victim just like the Romeoville family's a victim.

Their kids were the sweetest most innocent angels

The loss of the Rolon-Bartolomei family has shocked many friends and family members  with Bartolomeis sister Bryana stepping forward and sharing her heartache with the community.

I want to know what happened to my nephews, my sister, her husband and WHY? Bartolomeis sister Bryana wrote in a heartbreaking Facebook post.

In the description of a GoFundMe, Bryana wrote: This fundraiser has been created with the aim of helping the Rolon-Bartolomei family with funeral expenses, as well as to create awareness of this ongoing case. Zoraida Bartolomei, Alberto Rolon, their kids Adriel & Diego (ages 10 & 7) were involved in a horrific crime that took their lives and shattered countless others.

Bryana said her sister and brother-in-law had just brought their first home together and described the children as the sweetest most innocent angels who could hug your worries away.

The world is going to be a much dimmer place without them, she added.

She also pleaded for anyone with information on the killings to contact police.

(Bryana Bartolomei/Facebook )

The post was met with comments from the community sharing their condolences.

We know her and your parents from church, we are so saddened by this horrible news. Prayers for you all, one user said.

Another wrote: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Neighbours were also grappling with the death of the family.

Lynn Phillips, who lives one door down from the home, told The Chicago Sun Times on Monday: Ive been crying on and off all day.

Although she said she didnt know the family well, Ms Phillips said they still had a good relationship.

It was a mom and dad and a couple of kids. The parents would be outside working the yard, and wed wave hi and bye, that kind of thing, Ms Phillips said.

Nothing unusual. We all keep to ourselves.
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 graduate student accused of fatally shooting an associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may be mentally unfit to stand trial, according to his defence attorney and a doctor's evaluation.

Tailei Qi, 34, has been charged with first-degree murder and having a gun on educational property after shooting and killing Zikie Yan, who worked as an associate professor in the college's department of applied physics, according to USA Today.

The shooting occurred on 28 August and shut the college down for about three hours.

Mr Qi spoke to the court on Tuesday, and complained that he was forced to undergo the mental evaluation requested by his attorneys, according to WRAL. He also said he was dissatisfied by his attorneys, arguing that their claims about his mental health were a means to "bypass" his complaints.

The judge presiding over the case has ordered Mr Qi to undergo a second mental evaluation to determine whether or not he can stand trial.

Mr Qi was working in the department of applied physical sciences, according to UNC's website, and Mr Yan, the professor who was killed, was listed as his adviser. The men had previously co-authored research papers together.

Police have not publicly revealed a motive in the shooting at this time.

The weapon used in the shooting still has not been located, according to ABC11, citing the Orange County District Attorney's Office.

If Mr Qi is found fit to stand trial, he faces a minimum of life in prison without parole and up to two additional years for the weapons charge. The maximum sentence he faces under North Carolina law is the death penalty, but the district attorney's office has said they do not intend to seek the death penalty.

Tailei Qi, the graduate student suspected in the fatal shooting of a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill faculty member, makes his first appearance at the Orange County Courthouse (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Mr Qi was apprehended shortly after 2.30pm, approximately an hour-and-a-half after the shooting.

He allegedly walked into a classroom in the college's chemistry wing and shot Mr Yan. Mr Qi then allegedly left abruptly. Initial descriptions of the suspect led to police detaining and quickly releasing another Asian student who reportedly bore some resemblance to Mr Qi, according to NBC News.

The shooting sent the campus into a lockdown, and video of the day captured students climbing out of windows to escape what they feared would turn into a mass shooting event.

Campus activities and classes were cancelled for a week in the wake of the shooting just a week into the Fall semester.

This loss is devastating and the shooting damages the trust and safety that we so often take for granted in our campus community. We will work to rebuild that sense of trust and safety within our community, UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said in a statement following the shooting.

Mr Qi's next court date is tentatively scheduled for 14 November.
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 }}

Israels ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan was seen being swiftly escorted by a UN security officer on Tuesday after the official held up a protest sign during a speech from Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.

Despite reports Mr Erdan had been detained, the United Nations told The Independent the Israeli official had merely spoken with security.

There was indeed an incident when the permanent representative of Israel walked down the aisle and unfurled a photo during the speech by the president of Iran in the general assembly, a spokesperson for the body said. UN security spoke to him. At no time was the ambassador detained in any way, shape or form. As far as we are concerned, the incident is closed.

The Independent has contacted the Israeli embassy and Irans special interests section in Washington for comment.

During the address from President Raisi, Ambassador Erdan held up a placard with the image of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman who died last year after being arrested by the countrys morality police, with a caption reading, Iranian women deserve freedom now!

Later, on social media, he continued to rail against the Iranian leader.

When President Raisi of Iran, the Butcher of Tehran, began his speech, I waved a picture of Mahsa Amini, the innocent Iranian woman who was brutally murdered by the regime one year ago for not wearing a hijab properly. he wrote on X. Meanwhile, outside the UN hundreds of Iranians were protesting, begging for help from the international community. I will never stop fighting for the truth and I will always expose the UNs moral distortions. Those who roll out the red carpet for murderers and antisemites must be held accountable for their actions!

The dramatic gesture came just after the one-year anniversary of Aminis death.

The 22-year-old died in police custody on 16 September, three days after being jailed for allegedly failing to wear her mandatory headscarf properly.

Israels ambassador to the United Nations Gilad Erdan holds up a protest sign during a 19 September, 2023, speech at the General Assembly by Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi (Gilad Erdan)

Iranian officials claimed she suffered a heart attack in her cell, while family members said she didnt have a history of heart issues and witnesses to her detention saw her being viciously beaten.

The death caused widespread popular protests in Iran, a rarity, centred around womens rights in the country, and simmering discontent continues to this day, including among Iranian school girls, who have continued to flout hijab rules.
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 killing of a Sikh separatist leader has torpedoed relations between India and Canada, leading to the firing of diplomats and derailment of trade talks.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar was president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey in British Columbia, and killed on 18 June on the gurudwaras premises.

In India Nijjar was listed as a wanted terrorist, and the subject of a Rs 1m (9,710) bounty for information leading to his arrest. A supporter of Sikh separatist causes, Nijjar was accused of leading a proscribed militant organisation called the Khalistan Tiger Force.

Three months after his death, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau claimed the Indian government could be behind the killing of Nijjar, kicking up a diplomatic row that is likely to worsen already faltering bilateral ties.

"Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," Mr Trudeau said.

India rejected Canada's "absurd and motivated" allegations while accusing the Trudeau government of allowing the Khalistan movement to thrive. The Sikh secessionist movement calls for a separate homeland for the Sikh religious community to be carved out of India's Punjab state.

New Delhi fired a senior Canadian diplomat on Tuesday in a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa announced the expulsion of an Indian diplomat, who was the head of the countrys intelligence agency.

Nijjar, 45, a father-of-two, was shot dead in his truck by two unidentified masked gunmen outside the Nanak Sikh Gurudwara, which prompted protests across the country.

Investigators at the time described the killing as "targeted" and said there was no threat to the Sikh community, which accounts for roughly 2 per cent of Canada's population.

Nijjar is the second member of the Sikh community to be killed in Canada after Ripudaman Singh Malik  one of two men acquitted in the 1985 Air India bombing  was fatally shot in Surrey last year. All 329 people on board an Air India flight from Canada to India died as the plane blew up in the Irish coast in one of the deadliest terror attacks believed to have been orchestrated by Sikh separatists.

Nijjar immigrated to Canada as a refugee nearly two decades ago and was known to be a plumber by profession and also a prayer leader at the Nanak Sikh Gurudwara.

Mourners carry the casket of Sikh community leader and temple president Hardeep Singh Nijjar during Antim Darshan (AP)

He reportedly told his associates days prior to his death that he received "cryptic warnings" from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service about a possible assassination plot against him.

In a speech just hours before the shooting, Nijjar told attendees that advocating for Sikh rights in the Indian state of Punjab was treacherous work. The coming time is very dangerous, he said in Punjabi, according to a Globe and Mail report.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada called Nijjar an outspoken supporter of Khalistan who often led peaceful protests against the violation of human rights actively taking place in India and in support of Khalistan.

The Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara Sahib is seen in Surrey, British Columbia, (AP)

Nijjar had publicly spoken of the threat to his life for months and said that he was targeted by Indian intelligence agencies, the statement said.

In India Nijjar was wanted by the National Investigative Agency (NIA) for his separatist activities, who announced a cash reward for information leading to his arrest in connection with an attack on a Hindu priest.

Authorities in India declared Nijjar an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act in July 2020.

Nijjar monitored the recruitment and funding of young Sikh men for alleged terror activities, Indian officials claimed to the Hindustan Times.

Balraj Singh Nijjar, the eldest son of the slain leader, broke his silence on Monday saying that the family always suspected the involvement of the Indian government in his fathers killing.

It was just a matter of time for when the truth would come out, he told reporters from the same gurudwara where his father was fatally shot, CBC News reported. When we heard the news today, it was a sense of relief that its finally coming to the public eye.

While India has pressed Canada to condemn the rise of separatist sentiment among the diaspora community, Mr Trudeau maintains that the country will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us.

Concerns regarding the movement were raised by prime minister Narendra Modi during the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi last week. Mr Trudeau on Monday told the Canadian parliament that Nijjars killing was brought up during their discussions.

There has been a spate of "targeted killings" of prominent Sikh separatist leaders across countries with a sizable Indian population.

Avtar Singh Khanda, who was the alleged head of the Khalistan Liberation Force, died in Birmingham, UK, in June under "mysterious circumstances".

Paramjit Singh Panjwar, a designated terrorist by India, was shot dead in May in Lahore, Pakistan, by unidentified assailants.
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 }}

A 96-year-old federal appeals court judge has been suspended for a year for refusing to cooperate with an investigation into whether she remained mentally fit to hear cases.

Judge Pauline Newman was stood down from hearing cases by the Washington DC-based Federal Circuit panel on Wednesday, in what has become an unusually public and contentious dispute.

In a 70-page decision, the panel was at pains to praise Judge Newman as a heroine and most beloved colleague over her 39 years of service on the bench.

It also cited evidence that her confusion, agitation, paranoia and dysfunctional behaviour had created workplace abuse concerns and lowered her productivity even with a reduced workload.

Judge Newmans attorneys presented evidence from a forensic psychiatrist who found she had no substantial emotional, medical, or psychiatric disability.

She also filed a lawsuit to have the competency hearing moved to a different court or delayed, which brought the normally secretive hearings into the spotlight.

The panel said it would review the decision again in one year, or if Judge Newman made herself available for a court-ordered medical examination.

We are acutely aware that this is not a fitting capstone to Judge Newmans exemplary and storied career, the judges wrote in their decision.

We all would prefer a different outcome for our friend and colleague. However, we have a solemn obligation not to simply look the other way  when it appears that a judge of this Court is no longer capable of performing the duties of her judicial office.

Judge Newman was appointed to the DC Federal Appeals Circuit in 1984 by Ronald Reagan, and is the oldest serving federal judge. The appeals court hears cases involving patents and trademarks.

Mitch McConnell appeared to freeze for a second time last month as he is asked about running for re-election (WLWT5)

Her suspension comes as several federal lawmakers have faced calls to step down after several recent health scares.

California Senator Dianne Feinstein, 90, missed three months of work due to shingles earlier this year. She was hospitalised again in August after suffering a fall.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, 81, suffered two freezing episodes during press conferences in recent months.

When 76-year-old Mitt Romney announced last week he would not be seeking re-election to the Senate, he pointedly said it was time for a new generation of leaders.

Mr Romney criticised President Joe Biden, 80, and 77-year-old Donald Trump for failing to lead their parties to confront criticalnissues such as rising national debt and the climate crisis.

Federal judges hold their office during good behaviour, which means they are not bound by term limits except under limited circumstances.

Recently, there have been growing calls from lawmakers to impose 18-year term limits on appointments to the federal judiciary.
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 search continues for a young mother and her three children in a small Virginia town, despite remarks made by her husband that she is not missing.

Thirty-year-old Lauren Cook, her sons Benjamin, 7, and Elijah, 2, and 5-year-old daughter Hannah were reported missing last week after the mother-of-three failed to appear for a scheduled court hearing in Franklin County.

Family members last spoke with Ms Cook on 5 September, and she was later confirmed to have travelled to Illinois.

Initial reports that Ms Cooks husband Jordan Cook was worried were followed by a statement in which he categorically denied his family was missing and claimed he had no reason to be concerned about [their] safety or well-being.

However, the Cooks kids have been entered into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the Franklin County Sheriffs Office said that a missing persons investigation will remain open until deputies can establish contact with Ms Cook.

Heres everything we know about the case:

The disappearance

The Cooks live with their children in the southwest Virginia town of Ferrum.

The missing mother did not appear for a scheduled court appearance on 5 September in Franklin County Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court. Details about her pending case are not available as juvenile records are sealed to the public.

The investigation was officially launched on 13 September, when Ms Cook failed to show up at the rescheduled court hearing. Sheriffs Sgt Megan Huston told ABC13 that Ms Cook was not believed to have run away with her children.

Usually you see where a non-custodial parent will run off with the kids, which is not this situation, Sgt Huston said last week. There is concern as to where she is at and where the kids are at after it has been over a week now since anybody has had communication with her.

Benjamin, 7, and Elijah, 2, and 5-year-old Hannah are missing along with their mother, police say (Franklin County Sheriffs Office)

Sgt Huston also said that Mr Cook was extremely concerned for his family and had no idea where his children and wife were.

Hes upset, as any parent would be of Where are my children at?, Sgt Huston initially said. We dont have any signs that she is in danger, but were just trying to locate them and make sure theyre safe.

Ms Cooks phone last pinged on 7 September in Lexington, a town about 90 miles from her home. There has been no activity in her bank account since she vanished.

Missing mother was in Illinois, police say

Authorities said that Ms Cook has had no contact with her family since 5 or 6 September. According to investigators, it was confirmed on 14 September that the mother-of-three and the children were in Litchfield, Illinois.

Law enforcement did not clarify how it was determined that they travelled out of state or whether they are believed to still be there. However, it was mentioned in a press release that the family has ties in other states.

To clear Lauren and her children from being missing persons, a law enforcement agency must make in-person contact with them in order to confirm that they are okay and not under duress, the statement read. Until then, they will remain in local and national databases as missing.

Husband says Lauren Cook and children are safe

Ms Cooks husband released a statement to WSET-TV saying that there was no reason to be concerned, adding that his wife had communicated with him.

Contrary to what has been reported, my wife and children are not missing, Mr Cook said. I have no reason to be concerned about their safety or well-being. I have heard from my wife, and Im sure she and my children are doing well. We ask that our familys privacy be respected at this time.

However, Sgt Huston told USA Today that her agency was not aware of that communication and continued to search for Ms Cook and her children.

Lauren Cook and the three children are still entered as missing. Law enforcement (wherever it may be) has to lay eyes on her and the children in order for them to be removed as missing from the system, she said in a statement.

It is thought that the mother and her three children could be travelling in a blue 2013 Chrysler van with Virginia tags.

Anyone with information regarding Ms Cooks whereabouts is asked to contact the Franklin County Sheriffs Office at 540-483-3000.
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 }}

A crew of Maui firefighters took a lunch break on 8 August, thinking they had successfully tamped down a blaze threatening the town of Lahaina, only for the fire to later grow and race toward the historic town.

The moment was a key early interlude in a blaze that killed an estimated 97 people, one of the worst fire disasters in US history.

Aina Kohler, one of the firefighters battling the initial conflagration outside of Lahaina, told The Wall Street Journal she and a team of fellow first responders had been battling the fire for seven hours, flooding grasslands with 23,000 gallons of water and building a containment line that appeared to have done its job.

It didnt spread for the few hours we were there, she said. It didnt rekindle.

There was so much chaos going on that day that to expect a fire department to sit on what appeared to be a completely controlled situation is kind of ridiculous, said added. Were here to take care of the whole community.

The crew left at 2.18pm to eat, drink water, and refresh their equipment, only for the fire to grow once again around 3pm.

Fire crews arrived within five minutes of the newly reported blaze, which spread quickly, burning nearby houses and headed downhill towards Lahaina. Ms Kohlers own house was among those that were damaged.

Maui fire crews thought they had contained a blaze that later moved downhill and decimated the history town of Lahaina (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Outside observers said the firefighters were acting according to normal protocol and shouldnt be blamed.

Its not unreasonable that they would disengage from that fire that they thought was fully contained and controlled, Timothy Ingalsbee of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, told the paper. When youve got running flames elsewhere on the island and youve got a crew thats been working hard and needs to get a bit of rest before facing more obvious fire risks, its understandable.

Breaking down what exactly caused the deadly fire is at the centre of litigation filed last month against Hawaiian Electric Company, a utility that Maui County blames for starting the blaze.

The power provider has said high winds downed power lines and appeared to cause a fire on 8 August, but that lines in West Maui had been de-energised for hours before a second, separate fire started near Lahaina.
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 }}

A San Francisco McDonalds is being sued by a customer in her 80s who was allegedly refused help after suffering severe burns from a scalding coffee that spilt in her lap.

Three decades after McDonalds was sued over a spilt hot coffee in a landmark case, Mable Childress filed a lawsuit for physical pain and emotional distress suffered in the 13 June incident.

Ms Childress, 85, alleged in the lawsuit filed in the San Francisco Superior Court that drive-thru staff at the fast food chain handed her a coffee cup with a loose lid.

When she tried to take a sip, the lid came off and she was allegedly drenched over her legs, groin and stomach with the hot beverage.

She tried to report the incident and speak to the manager, but alleges that staff at the Fillmore St McDonalds refused to help her.

After an hour trying to get assistance, Ms Childress took herself to an emergency room where she was treated for first and second-degree burns, her attorney Dylan Hackett told The Independent.

Mr Hackett said his client was doing better now, but is still receiving treatment for her injuries three months on.

Ms Childress is seeking unspecified damages against the fast-food giant for physical pain and emotional distress.

McDonalds did not immediately respond to a request for comment by The Independent.

Franchise owner-operator Peter Ou told The Independent in an email that the restaurant had strict safety protocols to ensure lids on hot beverages are secure.

We take every customer complaint seriously  and when Ms Childress reported her experience to us later that day, our employees and management team spoke to her within a few minutes and offered assistance. Were reviewing this new legal claim in detail, Mr Ou said.

In 1992, Stella Liebeck sued McDonalds after sustaining third-degree burns when a hot coffee spilt in her lap at a restaurant in New Mexico.

A jury awarded her nearly $3m in punitive and compensatory damages after she required skin grafts from the coffee.

The case led to nationwide calls to reform tort laws to make it harder for plaintiffs to sue.

Mr Hackett told The Independent the lawsuit hadnt figured into Ms Childress lawsuit, as the circumstances in both cases were different.

In July, a Florida jury awarded $800,000 to the family of Olivia Caraballo after she received second-degree burns from a Chicken McNugget that fell on her leg in 2019.
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 two extra-terrestrial corpses which were tested after they were displayed at Mexicos Congress last week belonged to a single skeleton with no evidence of any "assembly or manipulation of the skulls", Mexican doctors have claimed.

Scientists on Monday conducted a number of tests on the two non-human specimens that were previously displayed to Mexican politicians at the Congress.

Journalist Jaime Maussan under oath told the House that the small corpses were retrieved from diatom mines in Cusco, Peru, with almost a third of their DNA remaining unknown. Politicians were told the corpses were estimated to be 1,000 years old.

Maussan made similar claims in Peru which were later debunked, including five mummies found in Peru in 2017 which were later shown to be human children.

Last week's alleged alien display was questioned by scientists, academics, and archeologists, who argued the corpses were "way too humanoid" to be genuine.

Jose Zalce Benitez, the director of the Health Sciences Research Institute, said the studies concluded that the alleged aliens belonged to a single skeleton and were not assembled with human objects.

He said his team found that one was alive, was intact, was biological and was in gestation in reference to the alleged large lumps found inside one of the corpses's abdomen, which could be eggs, New York Post reported.

The director had previously claimed that "these bodies have no relation to human beings".

Alleged alien corpses presented to Mexican Congress (Reuters)

The alleged corpses have a humanoid shape with a small body, elongated head and three fingers on each hand. Maussan claimed the bodies with two arms and two legs had strong, light bones and no teeth, along with implants of cadmium and osmium.

Professor Brian Cox was among the critics who pointed out that it was "very unlikely that an intelligent species that evolved on another planet would look like us".

Secondly  send a sample off to 23andme (genetic testing firm)  let alone the University down the road  and theyll tell you within 10 minutes," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The National Autonomous University of Mexico in a statement said its researchers had never examined the actual specimens, but had merely carried out carbon testing on skin samples provided by a client back in 2017.

Their carbon-dating was only intended to determine the age of the sample brought by each user and in no case do we make conclusions about the origin of said samples, the university 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 }}

Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said Canada was "not looking to provoke" after he alleged India could be behind the killing of a Sikh separatist leader on Canadian soil.

Mr Trudeau told Canadian parliament that there were "credible allegations" of the Indian government's involvement in the slaying of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was fatally shot dead on 18 June in the parking lot of a gurdwara in Surry, British Columbia.

Nijjar, 45, was president of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara and a wanted terrorist in India with a bounty of Rs1m (9,710) for information leading to his arrest. He was accused of leading a proscribed militant organisation called the Khalistan Tiger Force which calls for a separate homeland for the Sikh religious community to be carved out of Indias Punjab state.

The claim was dismissed by India as "absurd and motivated", with the foreign ministry lashing out over "growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities".

Livid India on Monday expelled one of Canadas most senior diplomats in a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa fired an Indian diplomat working for Indias intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing.

With the worsening diplomatic row, the Canadian prime minister appeared to try to subdue the situation with a fresh statement.

"We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them and we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes," he said.

"India and the government of India need to take this matter with the utmost seriousness.

The burgeoning issue of Khalistan was raised by both Mr Trudeau and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi in September.

A mural features the image of late Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was slain on the grounds of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple in June 2023 in Surrey (REUTERS)

Mr Trudeau said he had personally and directly raised Nijjar's killing with Mr Modi. India's foreign ministry said Mr Modi expressed "strong concerns" over Canada's handling of anti-India activities of extremist elements".

The Canadian prime minister reportedly raised Nijjars killing with the members of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance that also includes the UK and the US  home to a sizable Sikh population.

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong said Canberra was "concerned" by the shocking allegations made by Canada against the Indian government.

Indian policemen secure the premises around the Canadian embassy in New Delhi (EPA)

"I note that investigations are still underway," Ms Wong was quoted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as saying. "But obviously, these are concerning reports, and as I've said, we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners."

The White House expressed "concerns" over allegations, adding that it was "critical that Canadas investigation proceeds and the perpetrators be brought to justice".

"These are serious allegations. It is right that the Canadian authorities should be looking into them," said Max Blain, a spokesperson for British prime minister Rishi Sunak.

Avtar Singh Khanda, who played a prominent role in protests for an independent Sikh homeland, died in June in the city of Birmingham under "mysterious circumstances".

Paramjit Singh Panjwar, a designated terrorist by India, was shot dead in May in Lahore, Pakistan, by unidentified assailants.
A Syracuse man has been charged with arson for allegedly setting an acquaintance's car on fire in Auburn earlier this year.

Nathan L. Howard, 34, of 39 Ponderosa Drive, Apt. 2, was charged Monday with third-degree arson, a class C felony, Auburn Police Department Capt. Kyle Platt told The Citizen.

Platt said the call for the vehicle fire, on State Street, came on the night of March 31. The Auburn Fire Department extinguished the flames, but the vehicle was "not drivable" due to the fire damage.

Howard, who knew the owner of the vehicle, emerged as a suspect during the police investigation. Platt said police received an indictment warrant for Howard from Cayuga County Court on Sept. 13. The warrant was executed at Howard's residence Monday by Auburn police and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Cayuga County District Attorney Brittany Grome Antonacci told The Citizen Howard was arraigned in county court Monday and was released on his own recognizance.

Howard is due back in court at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28.
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 }}

Two models have been found dead in downtown Los Angeles, yet police say the two incidents are not likely to be related.

Nichole Coats, 32, was found dead in her apartment by her father on 10 September on Eighth Street and Grand Avenue.

Another model, Maleesa Mooney, 31, was found dead during a welfare check inside her apartment two days later in the 200 Block of South Figueroa Street. Ms Mooneys death is being investigated as a homicide due to the circumstances surrounding her death.

Despite the Los Angeles Police Department saying there is no evidence linking the two deaths, it has not suppressed the familys suspicions that the two may be linked.

I just feel in my heart that there is some foul play somewhere, somebodys not saying something, Ms Coats aunt May Stevens told CBS.

That scared us all [learning about the Ms Mooneys death] because now we feel that its related because she wasnt far from where Nichole lived and they were in the same age bracket and she was a model, Ms Coats other aunt Linda St Clair also added.

I believe it was murder, I really do," Ms Stevens also told KTLA. "One of her legs was up in the air in a kicking position. Thats not somebody who just laid in their bed and died.

Guy Edward Coats Jr, the father of Ms Coats, found her after friends told him him they could not get ahold of the model, so he went to her apartment with a spare key.

The family of Nichole Coats have held memorial services to remember her, despite not knowing her cause of death (KTLA)

She was covered up and I went over and I said Nicole? and I touched her arm and she was just like stone, he said.

Officer Drake Madison of the LAPD has remained firm in their statements that they have yet to determine the cause of death for Ms Coats.

"We had no knowledge of any kind of homicide or other crime. On that, we couldnt locate anything. Anything may be the case," he said.

Lt Ricardo Lopez of the coroners office stated that there is an "active investigation". He said, The cause of death is deferred so we dont have any cause of death to give you at this time. Thats subject to change, but at this time, no.

While the investigations are ongoing, the two families are mourning the loss of the models, who had aspirations to take their careers to the next level.

I miss her so much, and she was my only one and Im not gonna ever be able to tell her that I love her or touch her again, Ms Coats mother, Sharon Coats, said to NBC. I want to know what happened. Thats it I just want to know what happened to her.

The Coats family have set up a GoFundMe page to raise funeral funds for the passing of the young model. On the page, it reads that Nikkis vibrant personality was one that touched and affected everyone she crossed paths with. She is known as an amazing daughter, friend and soul.

Journdin Pauline, a Guyanese pop star and the sister of Ms Mooney took to her Instagram page, amassing over 1 million followers, to pay a series of tributes to her sister.

My heart is crushed I cant believe you wont be here with us anymore you were so loving and so kind to everyone, said Ms Pauline in one post.

The LAPD said in a press release that the cause of Ms Mooneys death also remains unknown as they are waiting for postmortem results, yet the death is currently being treated as a homicide.
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's Day 2 of the U.N. General Assembly high-level meeting that brings world leaders together at U.N. headquarters in New York. Here are the highlights of what happened Tuesday at the U.N. and what to keep an eye on Wednesday. Follow our live updates to keep up with developments all week.

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON TUESDAY

 Motorcades and barricades choked midtown Manhattan as the world's top dignitaries convened for the first day of the U.N. General Assembly's annual meeting, which kicked off with a stern speech from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

 The first day saw speeches from high-profile leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.

 While speeches have likely been in the works for a while, the addresses Tuesday still referenced very recent events  from last week's floods in Libya to renewed hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh.

 Speech count: 37, including opening speeches from the secretary-general and General Assembly president

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON DAY 2

 Key speeches: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni,Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova, Mongolian President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa, Marshall Islands President David Kabua

 The U.N. Security Council will also meet. On the agenda: maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine. That country's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is expected to attend.

 Also happening: the U.N. Climate Ambition Summit, where only leaders from nations that bring ideas for new and meaningful action will be allowed to speak.

 On the sidelines, U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will finally meet for the first time since Israel's leader took office again. They're meeting in New York, and a large anti-Netanyahu demonstration is expected at the same time.

 Many speeches have directly invoked several world crises, but no single issue has quite dominated the discourse yet. Will that change Wednesday?

QUOTABLE

I want them to live in the times in which the human being knew how to cease killing itself on the planet and managed, understanding its own cultural diversity, to fulfill the expansion of the virus of life through the stars of the universe.

 Colombian President Gustavo Petro, speaking of his grandchildren in an address full of literary flourishes.

NUMBER OF THE DAY

3: The number of women who spoke from the rostrum on Tuesday.

___

For more coverage of this year's U.N. General Assembly, visit https://apnews.com/hub/united-nations-general-assembly
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 }}

Azerbaijan and Armenian forces have reached a ceasefire agreement to end two days of fighting in the separatist Nagorno-Karabakh region, which has been a flashpoint for decades.

The ceasefire, proposed by Russian peacekeepers, means separatist forces in the region will have to disband and withdraw all heavy weaponry.

It comes after Azerbaijan demanded the total surrender of ethnic Armenians in the region.

Azerbaijans defence ministry said it would not stop artillery and drone bombardment of the region until Armenian armed forces lay down their weapons and surrender, despite calls from the US and Russia for calm.

The country began what it called an anti-terrorist operation on Tuesday, claiming four of its soldiers and two civilians died in landmine explosions in the region.

Now, at least 32 people are reported dead and more than 200 wounded after Armenian officials said the regions capital Stepanakert and other villages came under intense shelling.

On Wednesday, Russia and America condemned the bloodshed and called for an immediate end to hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenians in the contested region.

View more

The region has long been disputed. Armenian ethnic separatists began publicly demanding independence from Azerbaijan in 1988, as the Soviet Union headed towards collapse. At the time the region was known as the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.

After a separatist war in 1994, the territory remained under ethnic Armenian control. But Azerbaijan regained parts of Nagorno-Karabakh after a six-week conflict in 2020.

That war ended with an armistice which placed a Russian peacekeeper contingent in Nagorno-Karabakh. But Azerbaijan alleges that Armenia has smuggled in weapons since then.

Armenias foreign ministry denied that its weapons or troops were in Nagorno-Karabakh and called reports of sabotage and land mines in the region a lie. Armenian prime minister Nikol Pashinyan alleged that Azerbaijans main goal is to draw the two countries into conflict with each other.

The conflict has long drawn in powerful regional players, including Russia and Turkey. While Turkey threw its weight behind Azerbaijan, Russia has taken on a mediating role and brokered the armistice that ended the 2020 fighting.

A grab taken from Azerbaijani hand-out footage, claiming to be evidence of forces destroying Armenian positions (Azerbaijani Defence Ministry/AFP)

On Wednesday, Ruben Vardanyan, former head of the breakaway regions government, claimed close to 100 had been killed, and hundreds more injured. Neither claim has been verified.

Azerbaijan said it was only targeting military sites, but significant damage was visible on the streets of Stepanakert, with shop windows blown out and vehicles punctured, apparently by shrapnel.

Children eat sitting in a shelter during shelling in Stepanakert in the breakaway territory of Nagorno-Karabakh (AP)

The regions military said Azerbaijan was using aircraft, artillery and missile systems, and drones in the fighting. Pictures showed Stepanakert residents hiding in basements and bomb shelters, as the fighting cut off electricity.

Food shortages persist in the area, with the limited humanitarian aid delivered still not distributed due to the shelling.

Nagorno-Karabakh human rights ombudsman Geghan Stepanyan said on Wednesday that 32 people, including seven civilians, had been killed and more than 200 others were wounded.

The Azerbaijani Prosecutor Generals Office said Armenian forces had fired at Shusha, a city in Nagorno-Karabakh under Azerbaijans control, killing one civilian; the claim could not be independently verified.

Russias defence ministry said its peacekeeping contingent had evacuated more than 2,000 civilians, but did not give details on where they were taken.
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 Moscow court has shot down an appeal by Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich challenging a decision to extend his pre-trial detention.

Gershkovich, 31, was arrested almost six months ago in Russia on spying charges. Russian officials accused him of collecting state secrets about the military. He  along with the Wall Street Journal and the US government  denies these allegations.

The decision to extend his pre-trial detention had been made in August.

Last week, US ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield and Gershkovichs family called for his immediate release from Moscows Lefortovo prison.

The Moscow city court on Tuesday upheld its initial ruling. A judge in Lefortovo Court in Moscow extended the journalists pre-trial detention until 30 November. The hearing was held behind closed doors.

The WSJ journalist will remain in jail until then, reported Russias Tass news agency.

The Moscow City Court considered the lawyers complaint in a closed court session and decided to remove the material regarding E Gershkovich from appeal consideration, and send the material to the Lefortovo District Court of Moscow to eliminate the circumstances impeding the consideration of the criminal case in the appellate court, the court said in a statement.

It remains unclear why the court refused to consider Gershkovichs appeal. The case is expected to be returned to a lower court.

The 31-year-old American citizen had been granted accreditation by Russias foreign ministry to work there as a journalist. He was arrested by agents of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor agency to the KGB, during a reporting assignment in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg on 29 March this year.

This is the first instance of a Western journalist being arrested on espionage charges in Russia since the end of the Cold War.

If Gershkovich gets convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison. According to Russian law, people found guilty of espionage can potentially receive a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

US envoy to Russia Lynne Tracy, who was present in the courtroom on Tuesday, told the media: The US position remains unwavering. The charges against Evan are baseless. The Russian government locked Evan up for simply doing his job. Journalism is not a crime.

Evan is fully aware of the gravity of his situation, yet he remains remarkably strong, she said.

To mark Gershkovichs 100 days in jail since July this year, the White House press secretary said: The world knows that the charges against Evan are baseless  he was arrested in Russia during the course of simply doing his job as a journalist, and he is being held by Russia for leverage because he is an American.

After visiting the journalist in prison, Ms Thomas-Greenfield said: No family should have to watch their loved one being used as a political pawn. And thats exactly what President [Vladimir] Putin is doing. Russias actions are beyond cruel, and they are a violation of international law.

US president Joe Biden said in July that he was serious on a prisoner exchange.

And Im serious about doing all we can to free Americans being illegally held in Russia, or anywhere else for that matter, and that process is underway, he said.

President [Joe] Biden spoke to us and gave us a promise to do whatever it takes to bring Gershkovich home, his parents, Ella Milman and Mikhail Gershkovich, said in a July interview with ABC News.

He told us he understands our pain, said Ms Milman, the mother of the WSJ journalist.

In a letter earlier this month to the UNs working group on arbitrary detention, lawyers for the WSJs publisher accused Mr Putin of using Gershkovich as a pawn and of holding him hostage.

The lawyers argue that Mr Putin wants to use Gershkovich to gain leverage over  and extract a ransom from  the United States, just as he has done with other American citizens whom he has wrongfully detained.

The letter said Gershkovichs ongoing detention is a flagrant violation of many of his fundamental human rights.

In June this year, nearly three dozen US senators wrote a letter to Gershkovich expressing their profound anger and concern over his detention in the Russian prison.

The letter said a free press is crucial to the foundation and support of human rights everywhere and that every day he spends in a Russian prison is a day too long.

We applaud you for your efforts to report the truth about Russias reprehensible invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has resulted in untellable atrocities, tragedies, and loss of life, the letter read.

It said the senators understand the enormous burden you may feel as the Russian government uses you as a political tool.
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 }}

Ukraine has rejected a number of defective German tanks after discovering they were not working properly.

Ten Leopard 1 tanks, the predecessor to the superior Leopard 2, were returned after the Ukrainian army noticed they had serious technical issues on delivery to Rzeszow, Poland, in July.

Germany admitted the vehicles were not working properly and would need further repairs before being used in Kyivs counteroffensive, after sending engineers to inspect them, according to German newspaper Der Spiegel.

It is not clear if the fault is a result of wear and tear or their manufacture.

First developed in the 1960s, the Leopard 1 received its last update in the 1990s and was decommissioned by the German army a decade ago.

Military experts warned earlier this year that establishing effective logistics lines and technical training would be paramount for keeping Kyivs offensive going.

Ukraine rejected a delivery of defective German Leopard 1 tanks (EPA)

This week, experts warned Ukraine has just four weeks to hold a knife at Crimeas throat and force Vladimir Putin into peace talks before Russias army recoups over winter.

Professor Mark Galeotti, academic and author of more than 20 books on Russia, said Volodymyr Zelenskys troops need to move another 10 miles southwards to be in range of striking key Russian supply routes in Crimea.

Theyve got about another month of campaign season. But if things slow down, the Russians will use the winter to regroup themselves and the whole thing will start up again in spring, the professor, who teaches Slavonic and East European Studies at University College London, told The Independent.

Recommended

Dr Marina Miron, a postdoctoral researcher at Kings College London war studies department, explained Ukraine had a heavy logistical footprint with German Leopard and British Challenger 2 tanks, but they would be harder to use in wetter, muddier conditions, to assist a full breakthrough.

Theyre just not designed for those types of terrains, she said. They would risk losing more equipment, getting bogged down in winter conditions than waiting it out until getting F-16 fighter jets.
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 }}

Ukraine could take time to kick out over 200,000 of Vladimir Putins troops from its soil even if its military counteroffensive achieves all its goals, a soon-to-retire US military general has claimed in a new interview.

The comments come as Ukraine has stepped up its counteroffensive against Russia in the last few days by retaking a couple of key villages near battle-worn Bakhmut and launched joint intelligence ops in Crimea, the territory Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.

Theres well over 200,000 Russian troops in Russian-occupied Ukraine, General Mark A Milley, who is set to retire as the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in an exit interview to CNN.

This offensive, although significant has operational and tactical objectives that are limited in the sense that they do not  even if they are fully achieved  they do not completely kick out all the Russians, which is the broader strategic objective that president Zelensky has, he said.

Ejecting Russian soldiers from the entirety of Ukraine is going to take a long time and will be a very significant effort over a considerable amount of time, Mr Milley said.

The general said he doesnt want to put a time on it because a lot of things can happen in a war.

You could see a general collapse, you can see escalation, you could see a lot of different things happen in the future, but I can tell you that it will take a considerable length of time to militarily eject all 200,000 plus Russian troops out of Russian-occupied Ukraine. Thats a very high bar, thats gonna take a long time to do it, he said.

Earlier this month, Mr Milley said Ukraine only has around 45 days left before poor weather conditions hinder its continuing counteroffensive.

It will become very difficult to manoeuvre once it starts raining, according to the head of the US military.

That offensive kicked off about 90 days ago, he said, referring to recent criticism about the counteroffensive.

It has gone slower than the planners anticipated. But that is a difference between what (Prussian general and military theorist Carl von) Clausewitz called war on paper and real war, he said.

So these are real people in real vehicles that are fighting through real minefields, and theres real death and destruction, and theres real friction.

And theres still a reasonable amount of time  probably about 30 to 45 days worth of fighting weather left. So the Ukrainians arent done, he said.

This battle is not done. They havent finished the fighting part of what theyre trying to accomplish. So, well see Its too early to say how this is going to end. They at least have achieved partial success in what they set out to do, and thats important. And then the rains will come in. Itll become very muddy, he said.

Itll be very difficult to manoeuvre at that point, and then youll get the deep winter, and then, at that point, well see where things go.

But right now it is way too early to say that this offensive has failed or not failed.

In the same interview, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, the UKs Chief of the Defence Staff, said Ukraine is winning because Russia failed to bring the country under its control.

The Ukrainian counteroffensive is now in its fourth month and its forces have now had a series of territorial successes against Russian forces, including closing in on the countrys eastern areas from multiple directions.

Russia had invaded Ukraine in February last year.

Ukraines pushback, backed by its Western allies who have poured help through modern machinery and funds, has so far been marked by small victories and is awaiting more major breakthroughs.
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 suspected kamikaze drone attack targeted resort city Sochi where Vladimir Putin spends his summer holidays and led to a massive fuel tank going up in flames, said officials.

This is the first suspected drone strike made on the Russian presidents resort city during the course of his full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Mr Putin has also hosted the 2014 Olympic games in the city.

Drone and missile attacks deep inside Russia and on Russia-controlled territories have shot up in recent months. News of the latest attack comes amid Russia claiming it downed several drones near Sevastopol in Crimea, that Mr Putin had illegally annexed in 2014, as well as drone strikes over the Belgorod and Oryol oblasts.

The fire in Sochi was extinguished shortly after it began early Wednesday and no casualties were recorded, mayor Alexei Kopaigorodskyi said on his Telegram channel, adding that the cause is being investigated.

More than 60 firefighters were deployed to bring the blaze under control in the Adler district of the Black Sea resort town, the official said. Locals reported the fire erupted after an explosion around 5am in the morning.

The fire radius was reported to be around 96 metres. Russian Telegram channel SHOT said the blaze was seen on a tank with 1,200 tons of fuel.

Security and surveillance footage of the diesel fuel tanker on fire on several local telegram channels showed a massive explosion at 5.16am. After the explosion, the fuel facility was covered in a huge cloud of billowing smoke and in what was suspected to be tons of fuel burning for hours.

The visuals also captured some officials trying to bring the fire under control while another staff present at the site was picking up fragments of a drone from the site.

One official was seen holding what appeared to be the wing of a damaged drone as he was walking out.

Telegram channel Baza, related to Russias security services that has a following of over a million, said the cause behind the fire in Sochi was a drone attack.

It claimed a kamikaze drone crashed into a tank with diesel fuel, as per preliminary reports.

Judging by the video, the characteristic sound of a UAV was heard before the explosion, the Telegram channel said in a post. Another video of the attack from a residential area captured a thundering blast around the same time.

Other videos of the oil depot taken in the morning of the tourism hotspot showed heavy flames engulfing the facility.

The explosion took place near the Sochi airport, but authorities there continued operating as normal, the press service of the airport told Russian news agencies.
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 }}

Russias air defence units have shot down two Ukrainian drones flying over Belgorod and Oryol oblasts as Kyiv increases the pace of its counteroffensive against Moscows invasion.

The drone attacks come as Ukraine overtook two key villages recently and has stepped up counter attacks on Russia. Drone and missile attacks deep inside Russia and on Russia-controlled territory have shot up drastically in recent months, with the Russian defence ministry blaming the Kyiv regime for what it calls terrorist attacks.

While Ukraine has seldom responded to accusations of attacks, it has expressed satisfaction at the destruction of Russian military infrastructure and critical military sites.

The drones were shot down at 10.30pm and 11.45pm local time on Tuesday night, the Russian defence ministry said in two separate posts on its Telegram channel on Wednesday. No immediate damage or casualties in the overnight attacks has been reported by the officials of both regions.

It said an attempt by the Kyiv regime to carry out a terrorist attack by an aircraft-type UAV on objects on the territory of the Russian Federation was stopped.

Kyiv has maintained that destroying Russian military infrastructure far away from the wars frontlines targets Moscows war efforts while aiding Kyivs own efforts to reclaim land Russia has occupied.

Belgorod, roughly 40km away from the Ukrainian border, has witnessed a wave of attacks in the last two months, with the most seen this month.

In return, Russia has continued its campaign of air strikes and shelling across Ukraine.

The regional governor of Belgorod, Vyacheslav Gladkov, confirmed attacks every day on the territory, stating either unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) dropping ammunition payloads in the region or being shot down by Russias active air defences heavily concentrated in the bordering city.

A day earlier, Russia claimed its air defences shot down two unspecified aerial targets over Belgorod. The governor said initial reports indicated some damage to power lines but no casualties.

Last month, three people were killed in a drone attack in Belgorod after another drone had targeted central Moscow.
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 }}

Ukraine has just four weeks to hold a knife at Crimeas throat and force Vladimir Putin into peace talks before Russias army recoups over winter, experts have warned.

Professor Mark Galeotti, academic and author of more than 20 books on Russia, said Volodymyr Zelenskys troops need to move another 10 miles southwards to be in range of striking key Russian supply routes in Crimea.

He claimed this is the only serious chance Ukraine has to force Mr Putin into negotiations before the Russian army has the opportunity to regroup over winter.

Theyve got about another month of campaign season. But if things slow down, the Russians will use the winter to regroup themselves and the whole thing will start up again in spring, the professor, who teaches Slavonic and East European Studies at University College London, told The Independent.

Ukrainian tank crews attend a military exercise in North Ukraine (Reuters)

If Ukraine can move another 10 miles southwards, Russian road and rail links used to resupply Crimea will be in range of their artillery.

The only serious chance Ukraine has of forcing Putin to the negotiating table is by holding a knife at Crimeas throat. But I think that is going to be next years campaign.

A house destroyed during fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces in Andriivka, Donetsk (AP)

It comes after Mr Zelensky admitted that Ukraines counteroffensive was progressing slowly, but insisted that more territory was being reclaimed every day.

The situation is tough, he told CBSs 60 Minutes. We stopped the Russians in the east and started a counteroffensive. Yes, it is not that fast but we are going forward every day and de-occupying our land.

Ukrainian generals claimed they had recaptured the eastern villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka near Bakhmut over the weekend.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian forces also breached Russias first line of defence near Zaporizhzhia in the south of the country, taking the village of Robotyne.

This Zaporizhzhia area is a key battlefield, as breaking through would allow Ukrainian forces to strike out towards the Sea of Azov, Professor Galeotti said. This would allow Ukrainian forces to disrupt and destroy supply lines linking Rostov-on-Don, in Russia, and the Crimean Peninsula, which was annexed in 2014.

View more

View more

But Dr Marina Miron, a postdoctoral researcher at Kings College London war studies department, it was very unlikely there would be a major breakthrough for Ukraine this year as its window of opportunity was now closing ahead of winter.

The rain is already starting, she said. The weather will get a lot worse.

Ukraine launched its counter-offensive in June to push Mr Putins forces out of land captured by Russia after the invasion began in February 2022, striking along the 600-mile frontline in areas including the Bakhmut, Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia regions.

But as the offensive slows, it is now touch and go as to whether Ukraine can make a real, pivotal difference in the war by the end of this year, Dr Miron said.

The main effort will be to sustain troops throughout the winter. Ukraine will not be in a position to carry on the offensive, Dr Miron added.

Soldiers hold flags as they speak in front of destroyed buildings in Klishchiivka (Col. Gen. Syrskyi via Reuters)

She explained Ukraine had a heavy logistical footprint with German Leopard and British Challenger 2 tanks, but they would be harder to use in wetter, muddier conditions, to assist a full breakthrough.

Theyre just not designed for those types of terrains, she said. They would risk losing more equipment, getting bogged down in winter conditions than waiting it out until getting F-16 fighter jets.

In August, Denmark promised the delivery of 19 F-16 jets to Ukraine. Six will be delivered by the end of this year, followed by eight in 2024 and five in 2025, according to Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen.

Recommended

However, Ukraine admitted it could take up to six months to train its military to use the jets and they would not be in operation this winter.

With fears growing around wavering Western support as the war draws on, Dr Miron said: Neither side has an infinite supply of money or manpower. But Russia does have time. And thats what they are betting on.
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 warships patrol the surface of the Black Sea, launching missiles at Ukrainian cities and towns as part of a near-daily assault. While also enforcing a de facto blockade, leaving ships in little doubt of the consequences if they try to break it.

Such is the importance of this shipping route for both sides. For a long time, Russian ships moved with relative impunity. And a grain deal that enabled Ukraine to export from its ports on the Black Sea allowed for an uneasy status quo to hold. But, after Moscow withdrew from that deal in the summer and stepped up attacks on Ukraines ports, and Kyiv began a counteroffensive to retake land occupied by Russia in southern and eastern Ukraine  the Black Sea has become one of the most active fronts in the war.

For weeks, Kyiv has been sending a new class of sea drone  essentially unmanned speed boats packed with explosives that can travel many miles  seeking to create havoc and disrupt as much of Moscows war machine as it can to help the forces on land. The boats can reach speeds of up to 50mph and can carry a payload of explosives of up to 300kg, according to reports. It is the type of innovative warfare that Kyiv has repeatedly used to push back against a far larger military force.

These sea drones have been backed up by missile strikes, including using long-range Storm Shadow missiles from the UK. The most recent scalp? What is believed to be the largest Ukrainian attack on the headquarters of Russias Black Sea fleet since the start of Vladimir Putins invasion.

Kyiv said that the attack on the base in the city of Sevastopol in Russian-occupied Crimea struck a submarine  which analysts suggested was likely a Kilo-class attack submarine that can launch cruise missiles of its own  and a landing vessel. It is thought that this is the first documented successful attack against a Russian submarine during Moscows 18-month war.

Before that, Ukrainian special forces regained control of a number of oil and gas drilling platforms that Russia has used to help control the Black Sea in a unique operation, the countrys military intelligence (GUR) said. The UKs Ministry of Defence has previously said the platforms could be used to launch helicopters, position long-range missile systems and as a base for forward deployment.

Russia has been deprived of the ability to fully control the waters of the Black Sea, and this makes Ukraine many steps closer to regaining Crimea, the GUR said.

The Ukrainian attack on the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastapol (Mykhailo Podalyak)

Meanwhile, two commercial ships have docked at a Ukrainian port in recent days, as Kyiv steps up efforts to unilaterally break Russias blockade, using a corridor hugging the Black Sea coast of its southern neighbours and Nato members Romania and Bulgaria.

Keir Giles, a senior consulting fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at the Chatham House think tank, said the focus on the Black Sea by Ukrainian forces was a relative change and they arent abandoning things they are doing on the front line in the east.

He said: There are more noticeable things happening now that operations against Crimea are picking up pace. But thats after a long period of preparation.

Detonation of ammunition caused by a fire at a military training field in Crimea (Kommersant Photo/AFP via Getty)

We saw earlier the attacks by missiles and special forces landing to reduce Russias air defence capability in Crimea and now as a result of that they [Ukrainian forces] can carry out those other operations that rely on those air defences being ineffective.

And thats why were seeing this uptick in the pace. Its also part of the process of eroding Russias sustainability of its hold on Crimea... making it so it will eventually be untenable.

As well as the strategic importance of the Black Sea, there is a symbolic element that can prove a powerful tool. Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014 is something that Kyiv has been seeking to avenge for a long time. Hence the talk from Ukrainian officials about the retaking of Crimea being a long-term goal (as well as the rest of the territory Russia has occupied during its current invasion).

A seaborne drone approaches a Russian tanker on the Black Sea (AP)

For Russia  and Putin in particular  there is also deep symbolism in Crimea and the Black Sea. It is a means by which they can throttle Ukraine, throttle its economy. As soon as they seized Crimea in 2014 it immediately compromised Ukraines ability to be able to trade and access the Black Sea from all of its eastern ports, Giles says.

So from Crimea, Russia can project power over enormous distances, it is a kind of outpost of Russian military power, he added.

Smoke rises from the shipyard hit by Ukraine in Sevastopol (Reuters)

Giles adds: Ukraine doesnt need control of the Black Sea to survive, it needs access to the Black Sea to survive. It needs the resumption of peaceful shipping without constantly being under threat from Russia.

That unfortunately is not a problem that will go away with the active phase of fighting in Ukraine. Thats one of the reasons why the idea of bringing the actual fighting to an end in a negotiated settlement with Russia is so fraught, because it means Russia can hold the Ukrainian economy hostage, by keeping that stranglehold on its ports, particularly if it remains in control of Crimea.

Kyiv has repeatedly said that any peace settlement would need to include the return of all Ukrainian territory.

We can expect Ukrainian attacks on the Black Sea and the Russian fleet in the area to continue. It is a way of keeping the pressure on Moscow while ground troops battle for every bloody inch on the frontlines in southern and eastern Ukraine. Any big hits, such as the recent one on the kilo-class submarine provide a propaganda boost as well as harming Russian capacity.

Neither Kyiv nor Moscow will want to cede anything in the Black Sea, so this will become an increasingly important part of the war.
U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams supports the House Republicans' impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden, but it's not a high priority for the Syracuse-area GOP congressman.

Williams, R-Sennett, told reporters during a virtual press conference last week that he backs the inquiry announced by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The investigation will focus on Biden's family and their business dealings.

McCarthy has faced pressure from conservative Republicans who want to impeach Biden. Some GOP members weren't satisfied with the inquiry, believing that there should be a vote scheduled to impeach the president.

Williams isn't among the Republicans who have demanded an impeachment vote. But he does think "it is critical for the American people to know whether Joe Biden is a crook or not."

"That's the nature of the inquiry," he said. "They have not been cooperative and we have not been able to get the documentation and the reports that whistleblowers have pointed to, that eyewitnesses have pointed to ... The American people just need answers to these questions."

Another central New York Republican, U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney, supports the impeachment inquiry. She has referred to the president and his relatives as "the Biden Crime Family" and claims there is "extensive evidence" that Biden is "beyond compromised."

That evidence, according to Tenney, includes "multi-million dollar payments" from individuals in China, Romania and Ukraine to the president's family and "likely the president himself."

While there is some evidence linking Biden family members to certain business transactions, Republicans have yet to show whether Biden was involved in any of these dealings.

As House Republicans move forward with the impeachment investigation and "much of nation is distracted by the inquiry," Williams said, he is focused on other issues. Those include energy costs and infrastructure.

During the August recess, he met with engineers involved in the Interstate 81 project. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, he is in a position to ensure that project's success.

"I'm a very focused individual and I'm here to do the work of the people of New York's 22nd district," Williams said.
 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 }}

Ukrainian troops have made confirmed advances near Bakhmut, Donetsk, and Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia, according to the Institute for the Study of War.

Geolocated footage posted on 30 October shows that Ukrainian forces have advanced northeast of Kurdyumivka (10km southwest of Bakhmut), it said.

Ukrainian forces have also marginally advanced west of Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia, according to geolocated footage seen by the think tank.

It comes as Kyiv said it had successfully hit a strategic object of the air defence system in western Crimea. Russian sources said the attack was carried out using combined long-range weapons like ATACMS, storm shadow missiles and sea drones.

The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed its air defence systems destroyed eight Storm Shadow cruise missiles over the peninsula.

If confirmed, this would be the first time Ukraine has used the top-tier missile system provided by the US to hit targets on the Crimean coast.

Meanwhile, Russia has bulked up its forces around the devastated city of Bakhmut in the east and has switched its troops from a defensive posture to taking active actions, a Ukrainian military commander said.
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 UN is incapable of preventing aggressors like Vladimir Putin from invading other countries, Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky has claimed, as he made an impassioned call for reform of the General Assembly and Security Council to end Russias war on his country.

The president came face to face with a Russian diplomat as he addressed the UN Security Council in New York for the first time since Moscows invasion of his country.

Mr Zelensky urged reform of the world body, saying: Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defence of the sovereign border of nations.

Volodymyr Zelensky argued that the UNs efforts to stop the war were useless when vetoed by Russia (Getty)

He added: We should not wait for the aggression to be over. We need to act now. Our aspiration for peace should drive the reform.

And accusing Moscow of criminal and unprovoked aggression, he called on the General Assembly to remove Russias veto power on the Security Council.

The 15-member council has met dozens of times since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, but it has been unable to take any action because Moscow holds a veto.

All eyes had been on a potential encounter between the Ukrainian president and the Russian foreign minister, but Mr Zelensky left the room before Sergei Lavrov spoke, avoiding any clash.

Russian ambassador Vasily Nebenzia had objected to the Ukrainian leaders addressing of the gathering, but his protest was stifled by Albanian prime minister Edi Rama, president of the meeting.

The UN Security Council convening at its headquarters in New York (EPA)

Mr Zelensky posted on social media afterwards: 574 days of pain, losses, and struggle have already passed since the start of the full-scale aggression launched by the state, which, for some reason, is still present here among the permanent UNSC members.

In a long thread, he wrote: All in the world see what makes the UN incapable. This seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupied illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the USSR, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash Russias ongoing aggression and genocide ...

Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a dead end 

It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor.

His proposals include expanding membership of the Security Council to include Germany and the African Union, among others.

He said the epicentre of efforts to protect territorial integrity, sovereignty, and human rights, as well as preventing aggression and genocide should be with the UNs General Assembly and Security Council.

Ukrainian servicemen at a front line near the town of Bakhmut (Reuters)

Ukrainian soldiers were doing what the UN should be doing: holding Russia back, he told the Security Council.

Ukraine exercises its right to self-defence, Mr Zelensky said. Helping Ukraine with weapons in this exercise, by imposing sanctions and exerting comprehensive pressure on the aggressor, as well as voting for relevant resolutions, would mean helping to defend the UN Charter.

The 193-member General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted several times to condemn the invasion and demand Moscow withdraw its troops.

They say Russia has violated the 1945 UN Charter.

Mr Lavrov accused Western states of using the charter on a case-by-case basis exclusively based on their parochial geopolitical needs, which had shaken global stability and fomented hotbeds of tension, he said.

On Thursday, the Ukrainian leader is due in Washington to meet US president Joe Biden, members of Congress and military officials to urge continued support for its war effort.

While a majority in Congress still support supplying military aid to Ukraine, sceptical voices among Republicans are growing louder as the wars cost rises.

Mr Biden plans to announce a new military aid package during Mr Zelenskys visit.
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 }}

Russia is weaponising food, energy and abducted children in its war against Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky told leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

While there are agreements to restrict arms and trade, there are no real restrictions on weaponisation, he said.

Mr Zelensky was addressing the gathering at a sensitive point in his countrys campaign to maintain international support for its fight.

Nearly 19 months after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion, Ukrainian forces are three months into a counteroffensive that has not gone as fast or as well as initially hoped.

We must stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, Joe Biden earlier told the assembly.

Recommended

The world must remain united in defending Ukraine, he said, warning that no nation can be secure if we allow Ukraine to be carved up.

During his address, Mr Biden described the partnerships that the US government was fostering around the globe  from Africa to the Indo-Pacific  as creating economic and other advancements, even as he stressed that those relationships were not about containing any country  a clear reference to Beijing.

When it comes to China, let me be clear and consistent, Mr Biden said. We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict.

In his 30-minute address, Mr Biden repeatedly emphasised the value of institutions such as the United Nations and international coalitions that have helped the world confront significant challenges such as poverty and disease, as well as echoing his defence of democracy, a common theme of his presidency.

We will not retreat from the values that make us strong, Mr Biden said. We will defend democracy  our best tool to meet the challenges that we face around the world. And were working to show how democracy can deliver in ways that matter to peoples lives.

Zelensky visited a hospital where he awarded medals to Ukrainian military members who had lost limbs (AP)

There were some notable absences as Mr Biden made his case before the assembly, including Rishi Sunak, French president Emmanuel Macron, Chinese president Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.

Mr Bidens message of unwavering support for Ukraine will play out as the US Congress is increasingly divided over providing additional funding for Kyiv. Mr Biden has sought a package of 10.5bn in additional military aid for Ukraine and 6.8bn for humanitarian support. But conservative Republican lawmakers have been pushing for broad federal spending cuts and some of those allied to Donald Trump are specifically looking to stop money to Ukraine.

Mr Biden is scheduled to host talks on Thursday at the White House with Mr Zelensky.

During his visit to New York, Mr Zelensky spent time at a Staten Island hospital where he awarded medals to Ukrainian military members who had lost limbs. With help from a New Jersey-based charity called Kind Deeds, 18 personnel have been fitted with prosthetic limbs and are undergoing outpatient physical therapy at the hospital.

We all will be waiting for you back home, Mr Zelensky told them. We absolutely need every one of you.

Associated Press 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 }}

Women in Iran face up to 10 years in jail for not wearing a hijab after the countrys parliament passed a draconian law described by the United Nations as gender apartheid.

The Iranian parliament on Wednesday approved the Support for the Culture of Hijab and Chastity legislation, which imposes heavier penalties on women who refuse to wear the mandatory Islamic headscarf in public.

Business owners who serve women not wearing a hijab and activists who organise protests against it will also be punished under the new law.

A panel of UN experts expressed grave concern over the new law when it was under review in the Iranian parliament earlier in September. It said: The draft law could be described as a form of gender apartheid, as authorities appear to be governing through systemic discrimination with the intention of suppressing women and girls into total submission.

Iranians protest 22-year-old Mahsa Amini's death after she was detained by the morality police in Tehran (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Under Iran's previous Islamic Penal Code, women seen in public without a headscarf, could be sentenced to between 10 days and two months in prison, or receive a fine. The experts said that the move towards tougher sanctions would impose compulsory veiling on girls from the age of seven.

The law change comes days after the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who had been detained by morality police for violating the countrys dress code. Her death in custody ignited months of protests prompting many to call for the overthrow of Irans theocracy.

The demonstrations sparked by Amini's death on 16 September 2022 died down following a heavy crackdown on dissent in which more than 500 protesters were killed and over 22,000 detained.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who had been detained by the morality police for violating the countrys dress code (EPA)

But many women continued to flaunt the rules on wearing hijab, prompting a new campaign to enforce them over the summer. Iran's clerical rulers view the hijab law as a key pillar of the Islamic Republic and blamed the protests on Western nations, without providing evidence.

The protesters said they were motivated by anger over the dress code as well as what they see as the corruption and poor governance of the country's ruling clerics.

The bill, which was approved by 152 lawmakers in Irans 290-seat parliament, must be approved by the Guardian Council, a clerical body that serves as a constitutional watchdog. If passed, it would take effect for a preliminary period of three years.
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 }}

Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank and unrest in the Gaza Strip have killed six Palestinians, the latest spike in a wave of violence that has roiled the region for more than a year.

The Palestinian health ministry said an Israeli raid into the Jenin refugee camp in the northern West Bank killed four people and wounded some 30 others, while a raid in a separate refugee camp killed another Palestinian.

A sixth Palestinian was killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip, officials said.

The deadly violence between Israel and the Palestinians over the last year and a half has surged to levels unseen in the West Bank in some two decades. Israel has stepped up its raids on Palestinian areas and Palestinian attacks against Israelis have also been mounting.

A funeral was held in the Jenin refugee camp for the four that were killed (Reuters)

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military about the raid in the Aqabat Jabr refugee camp near the Palestinian city of Jericho, which has emerged as one of the focal points of Israels raids.

Palestinian officials said Israeli forces killed 19-year-old Dhargham al-Akhras in the raid.

The bloodshed in the Jenin camp hours earlier was the latest in that stronghold of Palestinian militants where the Israeli military often carries out deadly raids. In July, Israel launched its most intense operation in the West Bank in nearly two decades, leaving widespread destruction in the camp.

The army said that forces carried out a rare strike on Tuesday with a suicide drone during the operation and exchanged fire with gunmen in Jenin. While leaving the camp, the army said, an explosive detonated underneath an army truck as gunmen opened fire, damaging the vehicle. No soldiers were injured.

Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli military raid in the Jenin refugee camp (AP)

Videos posted on social media showed medics unloading the wounded at a hospital, while in other videos, explosions and gunfire could be heard echoing in the camp. As Israeli soldiers withdrew, a crowd of young men chanted: Oh, you who ask, who are we? We are the Jenin Brigade.

After the Israeli military withdrew from the Jenin camp, dozens of gunmen and residents poured into the streets to protest against the Palestinian Authority and its failure to protect them, according to footage shared by residents.

Israel says the raids are meant to dismantle militant networks and thwart future attacks.

Some 190 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the start of the year. Israel says most of those killed have been militants, but youths protesting the incursions and others not involved in the confrontations have also been killed.

At least 31 people have been killed in Palestinian attacks against Israelis since the beginning of 2023.

In the Gaza violence, health officials said the Israeli military killed a 25-year-old Palestinian along the volatile frontier with Israel as youths mounted violent protests at a separation fence.

Unrest over the past week has escalated tensions and prompted Israel to bar entry to thousands of Palestinian labourers from the impoverished enclave.

Over the last week, dozens of Palestinians  burning tires and hurling explosive devices at Israeli soldiers  have streamed toward the fence separating Israel from Gaza, which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade since 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent the ruling Hamas militant group from arming itself.

Hamas says youths have organized the protests in response to Israeli provocations.

Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state.
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech 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

IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Regulators have revealed when they expect to approve a launch license to SpaceX for the next major flight test of its Starship rocket.

The head of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) commercial space division said a mishap investigation from the last test in April had been concluded and a license would likely be granted somewhere in mid to late October, assuming SpaceX make the necessary changes.

Starship is the biggest rocket ever built, measuring 394 feet (120 metres) and capable of producing 5,000 metric tons of thrust, however it is yet to make it to orbit.

An attempt on 20 April, 2023, saw it blow up just over three minutes into a 90 minute flight. The debris that came down in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as from the destroyed launchpad in Texas, became the subject of an FAA investigation.

The federal agency said SpaceX would need to take 63 corrective actions before another launch license is approved.

SpaceXs next-generation Starship spacecraft explodes after its launch (Reuters)

Kevin Coleman, the FAAs associate administrator for commercial space transportation, told SpaceNews this week that 27 of the 63 corrective actions are related to public safety.

So one thing that well need to see before the next operation is evidence that shows that the company has closed out the corrective actions that are specifically tied to public safety, he said.

Were on a pretty good schedule. It probably set us somewhere in mid to late October for conclusion of the safety review.

A separate environmental review from the US Fish and Wildlife Service is also required in order to comply with the Endangered Species Act, though Mr Coleman said he hoped it would be wrapped up by the time the safety review is complete.

Earlier this month, SpaceX boss Elon Musk said Starship is ready to launch after it was pictured on the launchpad of the firms Starbase facility in Boca Chica, Texas.

The tech billionaire plans to build hundreds of the rockets in order to establish a permanent human colony on Mars before 2050.

SpaceX has already secured a multi-billion dollar contract with Nasa to develop the craft for use in the US space agencys Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the surface of the Moon this decade.
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech 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

IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Googles Bard, its powerful AI chatbot, can now get into peoples emails and other Google services.

The tool has been linked with Google platforms such as Gmail, Maps and YouTube so that it can provide richer and more useful responses to queries, the company said.

Users can ask the chatbot to automate the work of scheduling meetings through Gmail, for instance.

Google launched Bard earlier this year, seemingly as a response to the huge success of other generative artificial intelligence platforms, such as ChatGPT. It offers many of the same features as that competitor, allowing users to chat in natural language and receive words and information in reply.

The company has now announced a major update to the program, called Bard Extensions, which will allow users to link other Google services to collaborate with Bard to provide a response to a prompt - for example, when asking Bard to help plan a holiday, users can ask Bard to get the dates that work for family members from Gmail, use Google Maps to get directions to the airport and find YouTube videos to watch about the best things to do at the destination.

It said the update made Bard the most capable version of the program so far and would help more people use the app to collaborate.

The tech giant said the update would have a strong focus on user privacy, with users required to actively give permission to Bard to access their Googleservices, and any content lifted would not be reviewable by a human unless the user specifically asked Bard to flag it for review.

In a further expansion of the chatbot, Google said it would now also enable users to double-check the responses they receive from Bard using a new Google it button, which will check the response against linked Google search results and highlight passages it is confident about the validity of, as well as those where it found differing results.

Some experts have raised concerns about the possible spread of misinformation within generative AI platforms, warning some information is being presented to users in an authoritative way when it may be based on inaccurate or outdated information used to train such chatbots.

A report by the UKs Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) published on Monday which looked into the potential impact of the AI market noted that without proper guiding principles, people and businesses could be harmed through exposure to significant levels of misinformation and AI-enabled fraud.

In a blog post on the updates to Bard, Googles director for product management of Bard, Yury Pinsky, said: One of the biggest benefits of Bard, an experiment to collaborate with generative AI, is that it can tailor its responses to exactly what you need.

For instance, you could ask Bard to start a trip planning doc for you and your friends, draft up your online marketplace listing, or help explain a science topic to your kids. And now Bard is getting even better at customising its responses so you can easily bring your ideas to life.

Today were launching Bard Extensions in English, a completely new way to interact and collaborate with Bard. With Extensions, Bard can find and show you relevant information from the Google tools you use every day - like Gmail, Docs, Drive, Maps, YouTube, and Google Flights and hotels - even when the information you need is across multiple apps and services.

Elsewhere in the update, Google also confirmed that when a link to a Bard conversation is shared online, others will be able to click on that link and continue the same conversation themselves.

Additional reporting by agencies
Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech 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

IndyTech email {{ #verifyErrors }} {{ message }} {{ /verifyErrors }} {{ ^verifyErrors }} Something went wrong. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }}

Elon Musks brain chip startup Neuralink has begun recruiting for its first human trials, having previously tested the technology on pigs and monkeys.

Neuralinks brain-computer interface received approval in May from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test its technology on humans, which the company hopes can help people with brain disorders and spinal injuries.

Were excited to announce that recruitment is open for our first-in-human clinical trial, Neuralink posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

If you have quadriplegia due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), you may qualify.

The study will assess the safety of both the wireless chip and the surgical robot used to implant it in the brain. If successful, subjects will be able to control a computer cursor or keyboard using only their thoughts.

The ultimate goal for Neuralink, according to Mr Musk, is to not just treat medical patients but augment the ability of humans in order to allow them to compete with advanced artificial intelligence.

Implanted chips could provide enhanced abilities like greater reasoning and improved vision, while enabling people to perform previously impossible tasks like streaming music directly to their brain.

Elon Musk claims Neuralinks brain chip technology will give users enhanced abilities' (Neuralink)

Neuralink has faced criticism from animal rights groups for the treatment of its research subjects at the University of Californias Davis Primate Centre.

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) accused Mr Musks startup of subjecting monkeys to extreme suffering and providing inadequate animal care.

Both Neuralink and Mr Musk have denied the allegations, with the tech billionaire claiming last week that research experiments were only carried out on primates that were already close to death.

No monkey has died as a result of a Neuralink implant, he wrote on X. First our early implants, to minimise risk to healthy monkeys, we chose terminal monkeys (close to death already).
King Charles III made a speech in French as he attended a lavish banquet at the Palace of Versailles during his state visit.

Charles and Queen Camilla were guests of honour at a black-tie dinner hosted by Emmanuel Macron in the Hall of Mirrors on Wednesday 20 September.

As he spoke to guests at the palace, who were a mixture of French and British cultural icons, the monarch made reference to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my Mother, the late Queen, whose funeral took place one year ago yesterday, Charles said.

Mr President, among the many profoundly moving gestures here, the flying of the Union flag at the Elysee was particularly poignant. Your words, at that time, meant a great deal to us too.
This is the second 2023 I Love NY Fall Foliage Report for New York state. Reports are obtained from volunteer field observers and reflect expected color conditions for the coming weekend. Reports are issued every Wednesday afternoon.

New York states gradual transition from the greens of summer to the multi-colored kaleidoscope of fall continues this weekend, with a few locations in the Adirondacks approaching midpoint of leaf transition, and areas from Long Island to western New York beginning to see their first significant color changes. This is according to the field reports from volunteer observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourisms I Love NY program.

Foliage change in other areas of the state will be 5% or less.

In the Adirondacks, foliage spotters from Tupper Lake and Mount Arab Lake in Franklin County predict up to midpoint of change for the coming weekend, with 45%-50% color transition. Shades of pineapple, dandelion, turnip, apricot, tangerine, cranberry, avocado and sporadic scarlet will transform the landscape. The repeat of last years sweltering summer coupled with no frost and plenty of rain have created a slow, muted transition this year, with spotters awaiting an explosion of magnificent hues. In Saranac Lake, spotters expect about 25% change, with a muted mix of green and yellow leaves, along with isolated pops of red, especially along the waterfront. In the northern portion of the county near Malone, spotters predict about 10% change with some muted red and orange leaves.

Herkimer County foliage spotters in Old Forge predict foliage may reach midpoint of change with up to 40% transition dominated by dark reds and burgundy, along with some yellow, gold and emerging orange. There is still a significant number of green leaves.

In Essex County, spotters reporting from Wilmington, Jay, Upper Jay and Au Sable Forks predict up to 35% change this weekend with average shades of deep purple along with muted red and orange, plus some shades of green shifting to yellow and gold. Observers at Whiteface Mountain Ski Area are predicting 15% change with a mix of bright green, red, purple, yellow, and orange leaves. Spotters in Lake Placid expect 15% change, with touches of yellow in lower elevations and some reds and yellows in higher elevations. Reports from Newcomb predict just under 15% foliage change, with muted to average shades of red and orange, along with darker shades of red and purple. Leaf spotters in Ticonderoga predict just over 5% change, with bright red and orange markings on the tips of some leaves.

Hamilton County spotters reporting from Lake Pleasant predict 20% leaf change this weekend with increasing shades of red and orange leaves of average brilliance. Reports from Long Lake predict 10% transition with some muted yellow leaves and individual maple trees showing red.

In Lewis County, spotters in Lowville expect nearly 15% foliage change, with hints of yellow and some muted orange. Warren County spotters in Lake George anticipate 10% change with hints of yellow and orange leaves.

In the Catskills, Greene County spotters reporting from the upper elevations around Windham predict up to 20% leaf change this weekend, with some red leaves beginning to appear over the mostly green landscape. Color change in the surrounding lower elevations will be significantly less. In Delaware County, observers in Walton predict up to 20% change, with some yellow and red leaves of average brilliance. Spotters in Bovina are also predicting nearly 20% change with some spots of brilliant reds and oranges. Reports from Delhi expect almost 10% change with light yellow leaves beginning to appear on hillsides.

Sullivan County foliage spotters in Liberty expect a little over 5% foliage change this weekend with some muted fall colors starting to appear in the areas of higher elevation. Reports from Forestburgh predict a little more than 5% leaf change with some muted fall color just beginning to appear. In Ulster County, foliage spotters at Belleayre Mountain Ski Area in Highmount report that hints of fall color are beginning to show, while reports from Kingston predict 5%-10% change.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, observers checking in from Alexandria Bay in Jefferson County predict more than 20% foliage change this weekend with yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. In St. Lawrence County, spotters in Madrid predict 10% change with muted splashes of seasonal color throughout. Spotters in Oswego County predict more than 5% change, with occasional bright pops of red and orange in trees in the northern portion of the county.

In the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, Cattaraugus County spotters at Allegany State Park in Salamanca project up to 20% leaf change. With colder temperatures last weekend, the park has been seeing some colors change this week. The leaf brilliance is still muted, and most of the hillsides are green, but individual trees with coloring have become more apparent.

In Chautauqua County, spotters at Chautauqua Institution are predicting up to 15% foliage change. The Chautauqua County-Lake Erie area of western New York is still in the early stages of change with mostly green leaves as well as shades of red, yellow and orange across Chautauqua Lake, the greater Jamestown area, along Lake Erie and I-86 in Sherman and Findley Lake. In Cattaraugus County, spotters in Little Valley predict 10% change this weekend, with some yellow leaves of average brilliance popping up.

In central New York, southern Herkimer County foliage spotters in Herkimer predict up to 20% foliage change with some muted yellow and orange leaves. In Broome County, spotters in Binghamton are projecting up to 10% change this weekend with some slight seasonal color emerging. Oneida County reports from Utica expect a little over 5% transition, with yellow leaves of average brilliance just beginning to appear.

In the Capital-Saratoga region, Fulton County foliage spotters at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center in Northville are predicting 10% change by the weekend, with muted dark-red and yellow leaves just beginning to appear. In Albany County, reports from Thacher State Park in Voorheesville predict over 10% change with average to bright shades of orange and yellow. The higher elevations of the central and eastern portions of Rensselaer County should expect 10% transition, with increasing patches of autumn dark red and light-yellow leaves of average brilliance.

In the Finger Lakes, Livingston County observers in Geneseo expect up to 10% transition this weekend, with hints of red and yellow leaves. Foliage reports coming in from Rochester and the surrounding Monroe County area predict 5%-10% change, with smaller trees beginning to show some yellow and red leaves of average brilliance. Larger trees like maples, oaks and locusts remain green. Shrubs like burning bush are turning red at the tips, and there is plenty of golden rod, but no asters. Travelers will find more red and orange leaves on the western side of the county, towards the Brockport area.

In Ontario County, foliage spotters in Victor expect less than 10% change, with most leaves still green. In Tompkins County, foliage spotters in Ithaca predict less than 10% change with hints of yellow and orange beginning to pop. Tioga County spotters reporting from Owego anticipate more than 5% foliage change, with mostly green and brown leaves. Most reports coming in from the Syracuse area in Onondaga County predict less than 5% transition, with pockets of foliage near 10% change and mostly yellow leaves.

In the greater Niagara region, Genesee County spotters in Batavia are predicting 15% change with some yellow leaves of average brilliance. In the central portion of Erie County, reports from East Aurora predict under 10% change, with muted shades of yellow and brown.

In the Hudson Valley, Orange County foliage spotters in Goshen predict up to 10% foliage change this weekend with yellow and red leaves beginning to appear.

On Long Island, spotters in Suffolk County at the Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island predict a little more than 5% change, with touches of red and purple leaves just beginning to appear over the mostly green backdrop.

Volunteer as a Leaf Peeper

The I Love NY team of volunteer Leaf Peepers, located throughout the states 11 vacation regions, are tasked with keeping track of the color change in their area as leaves progress each week. The information is then used for fall foliage reports, which are posted online each week, featuring a detailed map of color change throughout New York state, vantage points for viewing spectacular foliage and suggested autumn getaways.

About the report

The weekly foliage report, a detailed map charting fall color progress, vantage points for viewing spectacular foliage, suggested autumn getaways and weekly event listings is available by visiting the I Love NY website at iloveny.com/foliage. Reports are also available by dialing, toll-free, 1-800-CALL-NYS (1-800-225-5697) from anywhere in the U.S., its territories and Canada.
Suella Braverman dismissed the "expert" opinion of Lord Zac Goldsmith as she defended Rishi Sunak's plans to roll back some of Britains key climate pledges.

The Conservative peer and former climate and environment minister told BBC Newsnight that it would be a "moment of shame" for the prime minister to weaken green commitments.

"[Lord Goldsmith] is an expert in this field but I disagree," the home secretary told LBC.

"I think we need to take into account the current economic climate, we need to take into account the cost of living challenges, we need to make sure this is sustainable and affordable," Ms Braverman added.
Richard Madeley appeared to compare climate protesters who break the law to members of the IRA or ISIS as he clashed with Chris Packham during a bizarre rant on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, 20 September.

The broadcaster spoke to the naturalist who features in a Channel 4 documentary exploring whether it is ethically acceptable to break the law to protest against government policies on climate change.

But who gives you the right to make that call? Therell be those who will draw the parallel between what youre saying and what the political wing of the IRA or of ISIS would say, Madeley said.
An Israeli ambassador to the United Nations held up a photograph of Mahsa Amini during a speech by Iranian president Ebraham Raisi on Tuesday, 19 September.

The 21-year-old died in 2022 after being arrested by Irans morality police.

Gilad Erdan described Mr Raisi as the Butcher of Tehran as he explained his actions in a post on X/Twitter.

I will never stop fighting for the truth and I will always expose the UNs moral distortions, he said.

Reports indicated that Mr Erdan had been detained, but the UN told The Independent Mr Erdan had just spoken with security.
Al Gore described Rishi Sunaks decision to roll back the UKs net zero policy as shocking and really disappointing.

The former US vice president added that British friends - including Conservative Party members - have told him they feel utter disgust about the controversial decision.

On a personal basis I find it shocking and really disappointing, Gore said.

I think he has done the wrong thing.

Mr Sunak announced his decision to push back a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the UK from 2030 to 2035 at a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday 20 September.
Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon has said the Russell Brand allegations show that terrible behaviour towards women has been historically tolerated in the television industry.

Ms Mahon addressed the claims against the former Channel 4 presenter as she opened the Royal Television Societys Cambridge Convention on Wednesday 20 September.

The allegations made against Russell Brand are horrendous and as a CEO of Channel 4 and as a woman in our industry, I found the behaviours described in Dispatches and The Sunday Times and The Times articles disgusting and saddening, she said.

Brand has strongly denied the rape and sexual assault allegations which span between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame while working for the broadcaster, BBC and starring in Hollywood films.
Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, berated the deceitful oil industry to cheers from the UN General Assembly.

Speaking on Wednesday 20 September, Mr Newsom claimed the industry has been denying and delaying science and fundamental information for decades.

Its not complicated, its the burning of oils, the burning of gas, the burning of coal, we need to call that out, he said.

For decades and decades, the oil industry has been playing each and every one of us in this room for fools.

Mr Newsom was cheered as called the climate crisis a fossil fuel crisis.
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 }}

Republicans can bash Guy Incognito all they want  they still have to beat him in 2028.

John Fetterman returned to Capitol Hill this month, along with the rest of Congress, and now finds himself at the centre of Washingtons weirdest new conversation: Not Fetterman.

For days right-wing communities on Twitter and other social media sites have been accusing the freshman Democrat from Pennsylvania of having been replaced by a secret cabal of shadowy elites, claiming that photos of the senator sporting a new mustache and possibly looking a bit thinner are proof that a body double has taken his place.

The senator responded in his typical cheeky fashion, telling a group of reporters this week: It's all true. I'm Senator Guy Incognito.

He then pulled up the corresponding image of Homer Simpson, whose alias he had stolen, on his phone.

The accusation is both bizarre and indicative of something more dangerous for the GOP, and perhaps the whole country. Theres a growing portion of the right of the US political spectrum which has lost faith in electoral politics, believing that every election outcome is predetermined and every politician is nothing more than a robot that can be discarded if they malfunction.

Theres an obvious threat posed by that belief. Beyond the alternatives to peaceful democratic norms that a movement like that could encourage, it also creates a self-fulfilling prophecy for the Republican Party. What kind of message do these conspiracies send to GOP primary voters as we head into a presidential election year?

For many voters it could be a simple one: stay home. Why bother standing in line to vote for an hour, two hours or more if the candidate you chose loses because of election fraud? Or what if they win, and are merely replaced by a clone less than a year into their term? These are not questions based in reality, but their implications and consequences very much are.

Many questioned in the months leading up to January 6 what effect Donald Trumps persistent claims of a stolen election would have on the country. The answer was clear when thousands of his supporters stormed the US Capitol and hunted lawmakers in the seat of Americas democracy. But there was also another, quieter verdict delivered that same day across the country in Georgia, where two Democrats won US Senate seats after the last of the votes were counted in the early morning hours.

Did Donald Trump discourage Republican voters from turning out with his constant assertions that Americas elections were broken? Did the idea of a predetermined outcome cost the GOP a Senate majority?

As the GOP heads into an election year with another shot at taking the White House, Republicans are going to be confronted with these questions again. And perhaps unfortunately for them, the man with the final say in the matter may be the one who chose this road to begin with.
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 }}

Huge downpours overnight have left parts of the UK flooded and hit hundreds of homes and business with power cuts.

Rail passengers faced some cancelled and altered services on Thursday morning in the wake of heavy rain overnight.

There are cancelled services across rail networks for Thursday morning, with National Rail warning of major disruption affecting all lines between London Kings Cross and Stevenage.

Disruption has also been reported through Tulse Hill, Cheltenham Spa and between Lewes and Wivelsfield and West Ealing and Greenford.

Several flood alerts and two yellow weather warnings were issued by the Met Office for Wednesday until Thursday morning as the forecaster predicts rain to begin to clear off by midday.

Torrential downpours overnight have left several roads flooded in Wales and over 500 homes and businesses from Carmarthenshire and Monmouthshire in the south to the Llyn peninsula in the north are facing power cuts.

Outages were also reported in Somerset and Cornwall.

Photos and videos on social media show roads submerged in floodwater as Traffic Wales reported there were restrictions on some bridges and rail delays in the Swansea area because of a fallen tree.

One social media post showed flash floods in Mond Valley Golf Club in Clydach near Swansea while a van was stuck on the road submerged in water.

The Met Office said sunny spells and showers can be expected ahead of the weekend as weather warnings for rain and wind lapse on Thursday.

While Thursday is expected to be mostly fine, some showers can break out during the day, with the possibility of a few getting heavy and thundery. Rain is expected to be more frequent in the north, merging into longer spells at times as the weather stays windy.

Meanwhile in England, showers are easing, with clear spells developing as the day progresses, the forecast showed. In the far west and southeast, however, some showers can persist for much of the night while the northwest remains windy.

The rains on Wednesday and overnight were brought by the remnants of Hurricanes Lee and Nigel, which came across the Atlantic from the US east coast.

Andrew Hitchings, flood duty manager at the Environment Agency, warned of surface water flooding across parts of the Midlands and the North and widely across much of England on Wednesday.

Surface water flooding is also probable and river flooding possible across parts of the East and South East of England from Wednesday afternoon overnight into early tomorrow morning, he said.

Environment Agency teams were out on the ground undertaking preparatory operational activity to minimise the impacts of flooding where possible, he said.

We urge people not to drive though flood water  it is often deeper than it looks and just 30cm of flowing water is enough to float your car.

Looking ahead to Friday and the weekend, the Met Office said the weather would ease, with sunnier spells expected and no weather warnings forecast.

A band of rain will clear by the start of Thursday and that will be followed by sunny spells and showers with low pressure never too far away from the UK. Some cooler weather, along with some chilly nights, are likely as we move towards the weekend, Met Offices meteorologist Aidan McGivern said.
One AWS data centre is already operational at the campus while construction work continues on two others

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has secured planning permission for contentious plans to construct three new data centres in north Dublin.

This follows Fingal County Council giving the go-ahead to AWS firm Universal Developers for the new data centre buildings with a combined power load of 73MW. The data centre campus will be on a 65-acre site at Cruiserath Road, Dublin 15.

In addition to the three granted planning permission, one AWS data centre is already operational at the campus while construction work continues on two others.

The council has granted planning permission despite opposition from environmental campaigners Friends of the Earth, Not Here Not Anywhere, Gluaiseacht and others.

On behalf of Gluaiseacht, Eoin O Leidhin called on the council to reject the project claiming that this project will lead to increased emissions in Ireland.

Head of Policy at Friends of the Earth (FOTE), Jerry MacEvilly told the council that it should refuse planning permission as FOTE remains concerned that the proposed development represents a serious risk of carbon lock-in.

However, in granting a seven-year planning permission, the council concluded that the construction of the three data centres would be consistent with European and Government policy concerning the development of digital infrastructure.

The planning authority has included a condition that prior to the operation of the data centres, that AWS have in place a Corporate Purchase Power Agreement (CPPA) which demonstrates that the energy consumed by the data centres is matched by new AWS renewable energy generation here.

The council said the new renewable energy projects shall be located in Ireland and the amount of electricity generated by the renewable energy projects shall be equal to or greater than the electricity requirements of the data centres in operation at any given time.

In its 69-page planners report recommending that planning permission be granted, the council concluded that the proposals by the AWS firm demonstrate a clear pathway to decarbonise and provide a net zero data services, in terms of the targets set for the proposed development.

Planning consultant for the AWS firm, John Spain, told the council that the proposed development does not entail a new request for power because it has an existing connection agreement and will be supplied power by an existing transmission system.

A spokesman for AWS said: The proposed development represents a significant investment that will create additional direct, indirect and induced economic and employment benefits, in addition to those that have already been generated by AWS.

As such, it is fully consistent with the Governments preference, as set out in the Government Statement on the Role of Data Centres, for data centres to be associated with strong economic activity and employment.
The Gutter Bookshop has shops in Dalkey and Temple Bar in Dublin

Dubray Books has taken over the management of The Gutter Bookshops two Dublin stores.

The Gutter Bookshop first opened in Dublins Temple Bar in 2009.

Founded by Bob Johnston, who worked as a promotions book buyer at the time, a second store opened in Dalkey four years later.

The Gutter Bookshop was named after the famous Oscar Wilde quote we are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. It currently employs six staff.

The stores support a number of events, festivals and book clubs and also sells directly to customers online.

Both bookshops will continue to trade as The Gutter Bookshop, the retailer confirmed .

Mr Johnston said he was certain Dubray would continue to run the stores with a customer-focused style.

On a statement shared on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, he said he felt it was time to move on after 13 years at the helm.

When you start a small business, you just hope that you can make it survive.

You hope that you can keep it going whatever the world throws at you and you hope someday that you will actually make a profit and be able to pay yourself a decent wage, he wrote.

You also hope that, when the time is right, you can find someone who will continue to make it work and continue with all that effort that you put into building your business. For me, that time is now.

The Gutter Bookshop has shops in Dalkey and Temple Bar in Dublin

Mr Johnston, who published a childrens book last year, said that following the takeover by Dubray, he will return to a novel he started writing in 2008.

Dubray general manager Maria Dickenson said the business had always held The Gutter Bookshop in high regard.

As book trade colleagues we have always had great respect for and a fond relationship with the Gutter team, she said.

Dubray and the Gutter share a love of books as well as a genuine commitment to building relationships with customers, authors and the trade, and we are immensely proud to have the opportunity to support this fantastic business.

The current online and festivals manager at The Gutter Bookshop, Marta Starosta, will move into the role of manager, working with existing staff and the Dubray management team.
Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) has announced that it will be hosting a public forum to discuss its planned hospital campus on Wednesday evening.

The announcement comes in advance of a referendum  Proposition 480  on the zoning for the project's Phase One plans, which the Flagstaff City Council approved in June. Voters will be asked whether to approve that zoning in a Nov. 7 special election.

The election will be a mail-in election with ballots mailed and early voting beginning Oct. 11. Residents can register to vote through Oct. 10, and the last day to request a replacement ballot by mail is Oct. 27. Replacement ballots can be requested in person through 7 p.m. on Nov. 7.

NAH is encouraging community members to visit the open house-style forum on Sept. 27 to ask their questions about Flagstaff Medical Centers planned new campus. It will be at the Murdoch Center (203 E. Brannen Ave.) between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

More about NAHs plans for the FMC campus can also be found online at nahealth.com/expansion.
Elon Musk said X is looking to charge users a small monthly payment to tackle bots on the social network.

X, previously known as Twitter, underwent a number of changes soon after Mr Musk, the multibillionaire owner of X Corp, bought it.

The platform is now moving to having a small, monthly payment for use of the X system to combat vast armies of bots, Mr Musk said during a livestreamed conversation with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.

However, the Tesla and SpaceX boss did not reveal how much the new plan would cost X users or what additional features subscribers would get.

During the interaction with Mr Netanyahu, the Tesla titan said X currently has 550 million monthly users who generate 100-200 million posts per day, adding that the new change to include a small amount of money would be necessary to deal with the problem posed by bots.

It is unclear whether the multibillionaires figure of 550 million monthly users includes bots and also doesnt allow comparison with the metric the company has used to estimate its user base, called the average monetizable daily active users or mDAUs.

But the Tesla chief said a subscription fee would make it more difficult for bots to create accounts as each bot would need a new credit card to register on the platform.

Its the only way I can think of to combat vast armies of bots, Mr Musk said.

Because a bot costs a fraction of a penny  call it a tenth of a penny  but even if it has to pay a few dollars or something, the effective cost of bots is very high, he explained.

The platform has historically struggled to curb the activity of bots, with the companys former security chief Peiter Zatko telling the US Congress last year that Twitter does not even know how many automated accounts are on the site.

Mr Musk even cited bots as a reason to back out of buying the social platform before he went on to complete the deal.

He has also previously discussed putting all of Twitter behind a paywall.

Now the Tesla boss says the rebranded X plans to introduce a new lower tier pricing than the $8 monthly fee it currently charges subscribers of its premium Blue service.

The conversation between Mr Musk and the Israeli prime minister also touched on topics like AI regulation as well as hate speech and antisemitism on X.

Mr Musk claimed during the discussion that hes against antisemitism and anything that promotes hate and conflict.

Im sort of against attacking any group, you know. Doesnt matter who it is, the Tesla chief said.

Online safety experts have warned about the social media platform under free speech absolutist Mr Musk offering amnesty to accounts previously suspended for hate speech and instigating violence.

Under the Tesla titan, the platform restored the account of former US president Donald Trump who was banned following the 2021 Capitol riots, as well as the profiles of Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and neo-Nazi website founder Andrew Anglin.
Musk says he wants to filter out bots from using the site

Elon Musk, the boss of X, formerly known as Twitter, says he wants to charge users a nominal fee. Photo: Getty Images

X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, has stopped working.

The site broke hours after Elon Musk said that he is planning to force everyone to pay for access to the site.

Some parts of X continued to load, for some people. However, users had problems with much of the site, including loading tweets and their timelines.

Tracking website Down Detector showed a huge influx of reports of problems on yesterday afternoon across the world.

That site depends on reports from X, and so may experience problems itself.

Mr Musk told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the subscription fee was necessary to avoid vast armies of bots that he claimed have taken over the service.

Were actually going to come up with a lower-tier pricing... we just want it to be a small amount of money, he said.

This is a longer discussion, but, in my view, this is actually the only defence against vast armies of bots.

Ever since completing his takeover of the platform formerly known as Twitter last year, the Tesla and SpaceX boss has spoken extensively about wanting to boost Xs income through new revenue streams, including subscription models.

When launching Twitter Blue  now known as X Premium  a number of features which had previously been free to all users were placed behind the subscription paywall in an effort to spark more sign-ups for the paid version of the site.

The need for new, different forms of income has become vital for Mr Musk after X advertising revenue plummeted in the wake of his takeover amid concern over his support for absolute free speech and more relaxed content moderation as a result.

A number of advertisers went on to reduce or completely stop their advertising on the site.

Mr Musk has previously said several campaign groups have falsely accused him and X of being antisemitic, costing the site millions in lost revenue because of advertising boycotts as a result.

In his conversation with Mr Netanyahu, the Israeli leader said he knows Mr Musk is committed to stopping antisemitism after the billionaire reiterated he is against hate speech.

Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Mr Musks SpaceX has sued the US government saying that the governments administrative case accusing the rocket and satellite company of refusing to hire refugees and asylum-seekers violates the US constitution.

SpaceX, in a lawsuit filed in Texas federal court on Friday, says the US Department of Justice (DoJ) administrative judges who hear cases involving employment bias against immigrants are not properly appointed, and that keeping the case out of court deprives the company of its constitutional right to a jury trial.

The DoJ did not immediately respond to a request for comment yesterday.

The department, in a complaint issued last month, said that from 2018 to 2022, SpaceX routinely refused to hire people who were not US citizens or Green Card holders.

SpaceX wrongly claimed that federal export control laws barred it from employing foreign citizens, the DoJ said.
Disney plans huge investment in theme parks and cruise ships

Firm is doubling what it spent in previous 10 years with $60bn outlay

Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World (Alamy/PA)

Michelle Chapman Wed 20 Sep 2023 at 03:30







Walt Disney is planning to invest approximately $60bn (56bn) into its theme parks and cruise lines over the next decade, as the company looks to continue growing one of its more successful business segments.
The ICMSA said falling milk prices have cost Irish dairy farmers 2 billion over the past year. As a result dairy farmers have stopped investing in sheds, milking equipment and machinery, which the ICMSA said could spell disaster for the rural economy.

Prices at yesterday's Global Dairy Trade auction lifted off three-and-a-half-year lows with the index up 4.6%.

The key whole milk powder index (WMP) also rose by the same amount, up 4.6% on the previous event.

The WMP gain builds on a 5.2% rise at the preceding GDT event in early September but wasn't quite as strong as the gains signalled in the dairy futures market earlier this week.

Commenting on the auction, Dairy Market Analyst at ASB Bank in New Zealand Chris Tennent-Brown said while it was pleasing to see prices recover further, the bank remains cautious on the outlook.

"Prices are lifting off three-and-a-half-year lows. We still believe a sustained recovery in Chinese demand is a necessary precursor to a substantial recovery in prices.

"On that front, it was pleasing to see a significant lift in the quantity of WMP purchased by China at this event.

"China's share of WMP purchases at this event spiked, with the proportion on offer purchased not seen since April.

"Beyond the all-important WMP, other products also enjoyed gains at this auction. Skim milk powder prices were up 5.4%, again with increased Chinese demand evident. Anhydrous milk fat prices were also up 5.4%, and butter prices were up 3.8% at this event. Cheddar prices missed out on the gains though, slipping 1.7%," he said.

Brown said ASB retains its current forecasts for milk prices but is pleased to see some upside risk develop in the auction.

"We look forward to October's auctions to see if the improved demand from China is sustained," he said.

It comes after all major Irish milk processors announced cuts to their milk price for August supplies in recent days.
The date is earlier than last year, but about a month later than the traditional pre-Covid timeline. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Plans for teachers to assess students for 40pc of marks in Leaving Cert exams are being shelved because of the risk of cheating posed by artificial intelligence platforms such as ChatGPT.

Education Minister Norma Foley is today announcing that she is accelerating aspects of senior cycle change, including the earlier roll-out of nine new or revised subjects.

But in a big upset to her original plan, Ms Foley is holding off on her controversial proposal that teachers grade their own students for assessments completed in school ahead of the June exams.

The minister said she wanted the State Examinations Commission (SEC) to explore the potential role and impact of generative artificial intelligence in teacher-based assessment in particular.

The updated Leaving Cert reform schedule being outlined today means that students starting fifth year in 2025 will engage with the new subjects and subject specifications, two years earlier than originally envisaged.

The first assessments in these subjects will be in 2027, and they will all include one or more additional component, such as a project, as well as a traditional June exam.

Multiple forms of assessment over an extended period are designed to remove pressure on students to perform only an all or nothing written exam on a day in June.

But pending more research on generative AI (GenAI), the SEC will appoint examiners to assess these additional components, in line with existing practice for orals, practical and projects.

The nine subjects in the first phase of change are Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Business, Latin, Greek, Arabic and the new subjects, Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.

Under the reform package announced in March 2022, it was intended that teachers would grade students for the additional component(s) for up to 40pc of marks for each Leaving Cert subject , with the remaining 60pc for the June exams.

Teacher unions had vehemently opposed that and Ms Foley would have been facing a major battle on the issue.

But the threat to academic integrity posed by GenAI has persuaded the minister to postpone that element of the package, pending the SEC-commissioned research.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 20th

Ms Foley said she was particularly conscious of the recent accelerated evolution and growth in generative AI.

I understand there is a need to explore the opportunities afforded by these developments in an educational context, as well as the challenges they might present, she said.

Ms Foley said the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) would work to develop externally assessed components in each subject that are not a traditional written exam.

The SEC already appoints examiners to do this for a large number of subjects in the Leaving Cert, but the minister wanted class teachers to take on responsibility.

In a GenAI world, the use of SEC-appointed examiners does not eliminate the threat to exam integrity posed by platforms such as ChatGPT, but it would make it easier to manage the risk.

There are more than 40 Leaving Cert subjects, and a second tranche of revised subjects will roll out in 2026 with further tranches annually after that.

Ms Foley also said she was amending implementation timelines to better serve a greater number of our students.

The launch of GenAI platforms, such as Chat GPT, less than a year ago has rocked the education world because of how they can rapidly generate convincing and novel text, images, computer code and other outputs in response to prompts.

For instance, an unsupervised student could ask ChatGPT to write an essay, which would be well structured and plausible, although it could also contain inaccuracies.

While GenAI can be a legitimate educational tool, if it is used inappropriately it poses a threat to student learning and academic integrity.

The academic standards watchdog for higher and further education Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) recently issued guidelines on Gen AI for educators and students in third-level.

Colleges have been advised to review all forms of assessment, replacing or modifying any which may be completed satisfactorily by someone using AI without an appropriate level of understanding of the subject, or which are vulnerable to breaches of integrity or security.

The guidelines suggest avoidance of unsupervised online testing and do-at-home essays or assignments focused largely on subject knowledge content where marks are to be counted for grading .

However, they do not recommend a rush back to supervised written exams, but rather multiple forms of assessment, including greater use of oral exams is to check on integrity and/or on student understanding.

Speaking on Morning Ireland this morning, the Education Minister denied that the announcement was a u-turn on teacher-based assessment, as a result of not achieving buy-in from teacher's unions.

"No, I don't accept that. I think what I have done is I had a choice. We live as I said in the world of AI now and I had a choice that was very clear; to sit on my hands and do nothing in terms of senior cycle reform and wait until this body of work was completed by the State Examinations Commission...

"I could have stalled everything and waited. That wouldn't have been in the best interest of students. So what I have said is I will accelerate what I can accelerate for the benefit of students."

The ministers announcement was welcomed by teacher unions.

Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) general secretary Michael Gillespie said their clear and unambiguous position has always been that State certification was key to all developments and must be retained.

TUI members have always been fundamentally opposed to assessing their own students for State certificate purposes and therefore external assessment and State certification  which retain significant public trust  are essential for all written examinations and all additional components of assessment, he said.

He said second components of assessment that assessed skills and competencies that cannot be assessed in a written exam were a way forward and they wanted to see the development of meaningful, well-resourced components.

Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) president Geraldine OBrien described Ms Foleys announcement as both sensible and inevitable.

She said the ASTI had expressed its serious concerns to the minister that her original announcement contained significant change proposals that were not part of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) Senior Cycle Review Advisory Report, specifically teacher-based assessment.

The ASTI also emphasised to the minister the need to protect the integrity of the Leaving Cert and to ensure assessment of students for State certification purposes is based on fairness for all students and trust in exams system

Todays announcement by the Minister validates these concerns, she said.

Minister Foley was asked about the introduction of two new Leaving Cert subjects while a teacher staffing crisis is ongoing in Irish schools.

"We're very confident in for example all the other subjects that have come on board, whether it was PE as a leaving certificate subject or computer science, we will already have staff who will be significantly trained, but not completely trained, in this new subject. There will be upskilling provided by the Department and all of that is in train at present," the Minister said.

But Labour education spokesperson Aodhan O Riordain is highly critical of the move.

He told RTEs Claire Byrne that he did not accept the AI excuse.

Mr ORiordain said it was outrageous that the minister has reversed plans for teacher-based assessments for Leaving Cert students.

He felt what had happened was that the minister feels that from what she is hearing in the Department or from certain interested groups in education that she cant move forward.

Earlier ASTI general secretary Kieran Christie said it would be "overstating the power" of the union to say that it blocked moves towards teacher-based assessment.

Speaking on RTEs Morning Ireland, Mr Christie said third-level and institutions worldwide were "scrambling to try and figure out how" to deal with AI in education.

He said it would have been irresponsible of this minister to proceed on the basis that she was proposing, given the advent of ChatGPT."

National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals (NPAD) director Paul Crone welcomed the acceleration of the change timetable, It means wall schools will introduce the first tranche of new or revised subject specifications in 2025, rather than being rolled out initially to selected schools on a pilot basis.

He accepted concerns about AI and welcomed the further research on the issue, In order to overcome the power of AI, we need to look at how the components are assessed, he said.

Mr Crone said what was important was to work towards a minimum 40pc of marks being awarded for additional assessment components and ensuring there was varied enough assessments to adequately assess key skills.
An image from Google Earth shows the damaged caused by rabbits in Derrynane. Photo: Google Earth.

ANIMAL rights activists have hit out at a planned cull of rabbits at one of Ireland's most historic sites, Derrynane National Park in Kerry.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) confirmed a planned rabbit cull after warning that an explosion in the local population has led to habitat and wildlife damage around the national park.

OPW officials released aerial photographs to highlight the scale of the damage being done by the soaring local rabbit population - and warned that damage was being caused to vulnerable dune grasslands with large areas of bare sand now visible and a growing threat of soil erosion.

Officials also warned that overgrazing by rabbits was causing damage to vulnerable species including Whorl Snails, Choughs and the Natterjack Toad, the latter of which is the focus of a special breeding and reintroduction programme with Fota Wildlife Park.

Given that Derrynane falls within the Kenmare River Special Area of Conservation and the Iveragh Peninsula Special Protection Area, the decision was taken to reduce the local rabbit population.

OPW officials indicated that the control measures will be implemented over the winter period and will involve the use of humane traps.

However, animal welfare activists have expressed dismay at the plan.

John Carmody said it was upsetting to hear that after deer and seals had been deliberately targeted, rabbits were once again the focus of a State control campaign.

"I have been working on these campaigns for years and, you know, we have had targets on deer, we have had targets on seals and now we are hearing about the rabbit population in Derrynane," he told NewsTalk.

"I am scratching my head since, asking myself: 'What has gone on in the last couple of months with (the rabbits) down there, that went on in the last number of years?"

"As the saying goes, you breed like rabbits and there is no way a cull is going to stop those animals breeding down there  it is totally unscientific."

Mr Carmody has argued for a more scientific and humane approach to be adopted to the issue.

However, locals have strongly backed the OPW stance and said the local rabbit population had to be controlled before serious damage was caused to coastal areas and vulnerable species.

Councillor Norma Moriarty said the local ecosystem had to be protected.

"There is very visible erosion," she said.

"This is being done with a view to the future - to protect the biodiversity and a very, very sensitive ecosystem in Derrynane."

Locals pointed out that the sheer size of rabbits in the area underlined the overgrazing that was taking place and how natural control measures such as predators that feed on rabbits simply were not working.

Predator numbers have declined in the area and, as a direct result, rabbit numbers have soared.

Derrynane National Park was developed around the former home of Daniel O'Connell who spearheaded Catholic emancipation in the 19th Century.

It comprises 120 hectares around Derrynane House and includes rich coastal flora and fauna.

Derrynane House was opened to the public in 1967 and the park was launched as a public attraction in 1975.
A teenager who died in a road traffic accident in Clontibret, Co Monaghan, in the early hours of Wednesday morning has been named locally as Jake Brennan.

The 17-year-old, was killed in a single-vehicle crash on at Carrickaderry at approximately 1.30am this morning.

The loss of a 17-year-old lad is complete and utter devastation for the family, mayor of Monaghan County Council, David Maxwell, said.

As Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council I want to give my utmost sympathies for the tragedy that has befallen the Clontibret community in the early hours of this morning.

We want to wish the family and the extended family all our sympathies on this very, very sad and tragic time for them.

Thomas Greenan, chairperson of Clontibret ONeills GAA club where Brennan was a former player, said: He was a talented young lad, a lovely young lad and his family have been generationally involved in the club. Its a tragedy.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - September 20th

Monaghan Collegiate School, where Jake was a former student, posted on social media this afternoon following the incident.

It is with great sadness that we learned today of the tragic death of our former student Jake Brennan. We understand that this will impact our students and especially Jake's close friends and relations. We will support our students in every way possible at this very sad time, the school said.

The whole school community extends its deepest sympathy to the Brennan and Graham family circle and we remember them in our prayers at this devastating time.

A spokesperson for the school described Jake as a warm, vibrant and witty young man.

Jake was a popular student and will be fondly remembered by staff and his large circle of friends at Monaghan Collegiate school, they said.

He was a warm, vibrant and witty young man and a trusted and loyal friend.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys said heartache and sadness have touched yet another Monaghan family.

Today, we woke up to the tragic news of the loss of a much-loved, young boy in Clontibret, the TD for Cavan/Monaghan said.

For a young life, with such a bright future, to be cut short in this way is truly devastating.

I am so saddened and offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and community.

There are no words that can truly capture how they are feeling at this time.

On Twitter, Sinn Fein TD for Cavan Monaghan Matt Carthy said: "Another dark morning in Co Monaghan as a family faces their worst nightmare following the tragic loss of a 17-year-old boy in a car crash at Clontibret. Deepest sympathies to his family and friends."

The scene of the collision on the old N2 road in Carrickaderry is currently preserved pending a technical examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators. Local diversions are in place.

In a statement, Gardai said: The male driver of the car (aged 17 years) was pronounced deceased at the scene.

His body has been removed from the scene to the mortuary at Monaghan General Hospital where a post-mortem will take place in due course.

Gardai in Monaghan are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact them.

Any road users who were travelling in the Clontibret area this morning between 1am and 1.45am, and who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), is asked to make this available to gardai.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Monaghan Garda Station on 047 77200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
Tug-of-love boy (12) to be returned to Irish dad he described as evil incarnate

Court is told child was influenced by mothers family with mobile phones, summer camps and gyms

Stock image

Shane Phelan Wed 20 Sep 2023 at 03:30

An Irish boy is to be brought back from the US to his father in Ireland this week following a heartrending nine-month tug-of-love battle with his American mother, a court has ruled.
Irelands boasts the highest average score per institution in Europe, a strength reflected under the employment outcomes heading, in which it achieves its best scores in any individual indicator

Trinity College Dublin is the highest ranked in Ireland.

Three Irish universities are listed in the top 100 in Europe, in new rankings published today.

Trinity College Dublin leads the way for Ireland with a placing of 31st in the inaugural QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024.

Irelands oldest university is followed by University College Dublin at 71st, and the University of Galway, at 98th.

The QS table lists 690 institutions across 42 countries, with ratings based on global recognition, research prowess, teaching resources, internationalisation and employment outcomes.

Also listed for Ireland are University College Cork (109); Dublin City University and University of Limerick (both 152); Technological University Dublin (286); Maynooth University (311).

The rankings show that Irish universities are held in high regard by both international employers and academics, which was particularly pronounced in the employer reputation measure.

Trinity is Ireland's most-respected university among academics, with a placing of 30th.

Ireland boasts the highest average score per institution in Europe, a strength reflected under the employment outcomes heading, in which it achieves its best scores in any individual indicator.

According to QS, in Ireland Trinity College Dublin offers the strongest career prospects, and is placed at 13th in this table, closely followed by University College Dublin, at 15th.

However, Ireland struggles in indicators related research, including output, quality and collaboration.

No Irish university is among Europes top 100 QS measure of research impact, while only Trinity is in the top 100 for cross-border collaboration and research production.

Ireland enjoys one of the most international academic bodies in Europe with six of its universities are among the top 100 for International Faculty Ratio, giving it Europes second-highest concentration of top 100 universities.

On This Day In History - September 20th

Only Switzerland has a higher ratio of top 100 institutions in this indicator. Trinity holds takes Irelands highest rank placing, at 25th.

Under the sustainability indicator, University College Cork and the University of Galway are placed 21st and 36th respectively and 63pc of Irish universities Ireland are in the top 100. This is second-highest ratio in Europe, behind only Sweden.

According to QS, Ireland also enjoys high-quality inbound student exchange programmes. Both the University of Galway and the University of Limerick are tied in 46th for inbound exchange students. Dublin City University is also among the top 100.

Irelands outbound exchange programmes are slightly less positive, with the University College Cork and the University of Galway placed at 58th and 76th.

The University of Oxford is top of the QS European regional table, ETH Zurich placed second and the University of Cambridge third.

The UK is the most represented country in the ranking, with 107 featured universities, followed by Turkey with 73 and Germany with 53.
Concerns raised over environmental and health impacts of e-cigarettes

The Government is coming under increasing pressure to entirely ban the sale of disposable vapes after it moved earlier this year to ban them for children.

Fianna Fail TD Paul McAuliffe has written to his party councillors around the country asking about the true cost of disposing of single use e-cigarettes and if the issue has been raised at council meetings.

Junior minister Ossian Smyth, who has a responsibility for the circular economy, has previously said he is in favour of banning disposable vapes due to their negative impact on the environment.

However, no legislation has yet been introduced and Mr Smyth announced last year public consultation would be held first.

The consultation closed in August and the minister has indicated disposables could be banned under the Circular Economy Act, which allows a ban on single-use products as well as the EUs single-use plastic directive.

The UK moved in the summer to ban disposable vapes and France has also announced plans to do so.

Vapes can also be bought with a prescription in Australia, while Germany has banned flavoured e-cigarettes and New Zealand has also banned most vapes and restricted how they are marketed to kids.

Over the summer, councillors have been ringing me and asking me if theres legislation coming down the tracks. Within the consistency, were getting calls and complaints about vapes getting dumped all over the place, said Mr McAuliffe. These things arent just like a can that can be recycled. They have a battery inside which can only be disposed of under the WEEE battery scheme.

So its like weve gone from cigarette butts but weve coated them in plastic and put some precious metals in them, an aluminium battery and weve made the problem of smoking litter worse because these are single-use.

Mr McAuliffe said he received many complaints in his constituency about vapes over the summer and said the Government should move to ban them.

Theyre all over the streets, theyre in planters, people are just throwing them into the general waste and so they go out into landfill, he said.

I think theres a strong environmental argument for them to be banned.

I think Government should bring forward legislation to ban the single-use, disposable element of vapes.

Electric Picnic banned disposable vapes from its festival grounds and Mr Smyth praised this effort.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly passed laws before the summer which stopped the sale of e-cigarettes, disposable or otherwise, to under-18s. He said young people are more likely to get addicted to nicotine and raised concerns about the flavours of vapes, which he believes are designed to attract children  such as watermelon, bubblegum or raspberry. However, the new curbs do not include disposable vapes. The marketing and sale of vapes around schools and playgrounds has also been restricted.

Environmental group Voice Ireland wrote to Mr Smyth last month, saying single-use e-cigarettes are almost advertised as candy. The group has a petition with almost 3,000 signatures to prohibit the sale of the product.
Stephen Donnelly has confirmed he first learned of the spinal implants scandal in August  but has not yet spoken to the Taoiseach about it.

It came as a review of the 19 cases of children involved was published in full this evening and found patients had to return up to 33 times to theatre after serious post-surgery complications.

The Minister for Health also defended his presence in New York despite loud opposition calls for him to return home immediately to show urgency in the crisis.

Instead the minister relied on reports and reviews he has commissioned into what happened, which has been widened to other hospitals.

But he said he had no specific reason to believe that there were other operations outside Temple Street that used unauthorised implants, also known as springs.

In that case concerns were raised by other clinical staff, and were listened to, he said.

Pressed by a media pack in New York, Mr Donnelly said he would meet the families concerned at an early opportunity.

Asked what he had to say to the family of the child who died as a result of an object improperly inserted into her body, Mr Donnelly said he was heartbroken.

As the father of three children, myself, I get this. It is unspeakable. It is absolutely heartbreaking and devastating. And it should never have happened, Mr Donnelly said.

There is a full review now, in terms of clinical review, in terms of in terms of that to establish what exactly did happen but as a father myself, my heart is broken for them. It is absolutely devastating.

Asked if he should not be flying home immediately as the opposition is demanding, Mr Donnelly said: My focus is on the children on the families. And that's why the chief executive and I have agreed to broaden the review.

It's why we've insisted that the reports are published in full that is our entire focus right now. Of course, there will be time for Dail questions as there should be at the Oireachtas health committee. I'm sure we'll look at this in detail (in the Department of Health) as well.

Mr Donnelly was unable to answer where the implants came from or how a consultant was able to bypass centralised procurement. He confirmed the springs were not the usual ones used of CE standard.

I'm working on this on an hour by hour basis. I'm in regular contact with HSE with the chief executive, the Chief Clinical Officer and I've been speaking several times this morning as well. I can assure you that this has my full attention, he said.

But he admitted that he had not alerted the Taoiseach, a doctor and former minister for health himself. I haven't done. The Tanaiste and I have discussed it today. But the issue at hand is the children and their families. And what needs to happen is now happening.

Asked if he and his party leader discussed the possibility of his flying home, he said: The Tanasite and I are very clear. This is a serious situation. The reports need to be published in full. There must be full communication with the families.

I haven't been satisfied on an ongoing basis with the level of communication with the families. I've met with the advocacy groups and with the CHI on several occasions over the last few years.

Ultimately what matters here is that the families and the patients have full information, that there is full transparency, and that we get on with reducing the waiting lists.

Asked if it was not a case of scandal after scandal in the HSE, report after report, and he was not taking personal responsibility, Mr Donnelly said: Obviously I wouldn't accept that.

This is something that has been dealt with very seriously. It has been taken very seriously. There have already been several reviews. There is a new review, which will be starting very shortly under the Chief Clinical Officer. That review has now been widened to include all children's spinal services right across the CHI group.

The department was notified of the use of the non-CE springs in the last few weeks, he said. In August, there was notification to that effect.

There has been engagement with CHI to make sure that there are additional protocols put in place, such that only authorised medical equipment is used.

There are already numerous protocols in place before any operation and exactly those issues are what we are looking for answers for -- and that's what that's what the review is going to look.

What we've done now is CHI is putting in place additional protocols to make sure that only the appropriate medical equipment is used.

He said concerns were raised (by other staff) and they were listened to. So this surgery was stopped. The surgeon involved stopped doing that and is currently not doing any surgery.

So issues were raised and they were acted on by CHI immediately.
Dublin Simon Community is helping workers, families and students during the housing crisis to find homes

The number of people supported by the Dublin Simon Community fell by 17pc last year, the homeless charity said in its latest annual report.

Releasing the charitys annual impact report for 2022 today, Dublin Simon said people receiving support are spending longer in homeless services due to the shortage of affordable and suitable housing.

The charity has supported more than 5,400 people in 2022. However, if it wasnt for the ongoing housing crisis, this number could have been much bigger, it said.

There are more than 1,000 people living in Forever Homes provided by Dublin Simon Community.

Too many people who are ready and waiting to exit homelessness are being stranded in homeless services because there are simply no properties available to allow them to live their lives independently and with dignity, Dublin Simon Community CEO Catherine Kenny said.

However, there was an 18pc increase in the number of people living in long-term accommodation provided by the charity last year.

Dublin Simon helps people struggling with homelessness and last year, they were able to help more than 900 people receive medical and residential treatment, detox, and recovery services.

A further 3,400 hours of one-to-one counselling and crisis suicide intervention were provided through their counselling service.

Theres people dying with their addiction. And they do want help, but theres nowhere to put them, a service user said.

One of the Dublin Simon Community service users (53) has been living in supportive accommodation for the last six months while recovering from an alcohol addiction.

I have an addiction with alcohol. I was able to go into the Simon detox about six months ago. I'm in their support house now, and Ive been going through recovery programme, the user said.

In the support house, staff help clients to adjust to a more independent way of living. However, due to the housing crisis, theres no move on, a user said.

There is a backlog of people waiting to get into the detox services.

The people are sitting on the streets or are in hostels, a user said.

They cannot move on because theres no properties out there for them.

The government is not doing enough quick enough. The crisis is getting out of control. And its coming into the winter now. Its going to be cold, and there's still a lot of people living on the streets.

Rory OMoore, Senior Property Development Manager, and Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon. Picture: Andres Poveda

Dublin Simon has 784 accommodation units, of which 280 are independent housing, 179 are long-term accommodation, and 325 are emergency accommodation and health and addiction treatment beds.

Ms Kenny said Dublin Simon has been successfully working with people to improve their mental and physical health so they can exit homelessness as quickly as possible.

However, they wont be successful without that housing supply available to them, she said.

Ms Kenny highlighted the challenges of operating in a year of transition from the pandemic to the cost-of-living crisis.

As the pool of available rental properties continued to shrink throughout 2022, many of our clients joined the long queues to view potential rental properties alongside hundreds of others with whom they could not financially compete, she said.

Ms Kenny described the lives of their clients as being on hold".

Many of these people have overcome extraordinary challenges to get to that point, including trauma, addiction, broken homes and financial challenges, she said.

A happy ending remains out of reach.

In the upcoming budget, Ms Kenny wishes for an adequate housing budget to provide a holistic housing market.

Dublin Simon has submitted numerous considerations to support the delivery of homelessness services.

We're looking for a focus on mental health, we would like to see mental health budget being reflective and making sure that people are supported and overcome the trauma of homelessness experiences, Ms Kenny said.

We would like to see operational measures in terms of the tax rebate for organisations. We would like to see full funded services in homeless sector to make sure that we can continue to provide the quality standard of services we do.
Aaron Wolfe of Glentrasna Court, Cork, charged in relation to the death of the late Florence O'Sullivan.

A young man has been charged with the murder of a Cork pensioner.

Aaron Wolfe (29) was charged with the murder of Florence 'Florrie' O'Sullivan (68) before Cork District Court as a previous charge of assault causing harm was withdrawn by the State.

Wolfe of Glentrasna Court, The Glen, Cork is charged with the murder, contrary to Common Law, of Mr O'Sullivan at Glentrasna Court on March 11 last.

The 68-year-old died at Cork University Hospital (CUH) on April 6, almost a month after he had initially been treated in hospital for critical injuries on March 11.

Judge Olann Kelleher was given evidence of arrest, caution and charge by Detective Garda Caitriona Molloy.

She told the court that when the charge was formally put to the defendant, he made no reply.

Wolfe is charged with the murder of Mr O'Sullivan at Glentrasna Court on March 11.

Because the charge involved is murder, bail cannot be dealt with by the district court and must be sought before the High Court.

Judge Kelleher heard evidence of the defendant's means and granted free legal aid.

He confirmed Frank Buttimer as defence solicitor and indicated the legal aid certificate could be extended to cover a senior counsel given the serious nature of the charge involved.

Judge Kelleher noted evidence from Sergeant Pat Lyons that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has instructed the matter be dealt with by trial or on a signed plea of guilty before the Central Criminal Court.

Sgt Lyons indicated that a book of evidence would be required in the matter applied for sufficient time for gardai to now prepare the book.

Judge Kelleher remanded Wolfe in custody to appear before Cork District Court on September 27 next.

Florence 'Florrie' O'Sullivan

That appearance will be by video-link.

Wolfe, who appeared before the court wearing a tracksuit and trainers, did not address the court during the brief hearing.

Mr O'Sullivan was originally from Adrigole in west Cork but had resided at a flat in Cork city for several years before relocating to Carrigaline in Co Cork.

The 68-year-old was found lying unresponsive on the street at Glentrasna Court shortly after 8pm on March 11.

He had sustained serious injuries.

Despite being rushed to CUH for emergency treatment, the pensioner passed away in hospital almost four weeks later.

Following his death, a full post mortem examination was conducted at CUH by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster.

For operational reasons, gardai did not disclose the findings of the post mortem examination.

However, the case was immediately upgraded to a murder probe by gardai.

Mr O'Sullivan was buried at Kilcaskin Cemetery on April 10 after Requiem Mass at St Fachtna's Church in Adrigole.

He is survived by his two brothers and sister, a brother and sister-in-law as well as extended family and friends.
Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said the erection of a gallows with politicians pictures outside Leinster House today is reprehensible.

Protesters took mock gallows and photographs of high-profile politicians to a demonstration outside Leinster House as the Dail returned following the summer recess.

In total 13 people were arrested and charged in relations to incidents in the vicinity of Government Buildings today.

A video circulating on social media showed Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae escorted by two gardai from Leinster House and down Kildare Street.

Protestors shouted abuse and insults at him as he walked down the street, accompanied by gardai.

It is understood an intern from his office had her phone were stolen by protestors as she was making her way from Leinster House with Mr Healy Rae.

The intern, aged 20, had her first day in Leinster House today and is originally from the US.

She was very shook up afterwards, it is understood.

Mr Healy Rae said: I come to Dublin to represent the good people of this country.

Nothing will ever deter me from doing my job.

Ive no issue with protesting, never have, never will but you can see the videos circulating and judge for yourselves if that behaviour and use of language is acceptable.

Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been called to take action and step up against brazen actions of the protestors.

Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward wrote to Mr Harris, saying the credibility of Gardai will be substantially eroded if nothing is done.

Public representatives should never be jostled, harassed or intimidated the way they were today, and the credibility of An Garda Siochana will be substantially eroded if action is not taken against these groups, he wrote.

Senator Ward said Kildare Street was unusable because of people who sought to disrupt, threaten and frighten the representatives of the people of Ireland.

This cannot be allowed to happen again, he said.

The Senator said he wanted to hear from the Commissioner on what steps will be taken to protect our democratic institutions.

There is a responsibility on you to ensure that thugs like those outside Leinster House today are not emboldened to repeat or escalate this behaviour.

The gallows, which featured an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of enterprise minister Simon Coveney, education minister Norma Foley and minister for children Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Eoin O Broin from Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also featured.

A protester outside Leinster House today

Around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House, where the main entrance was fenced off by gardai, as part of what has become a traditional day of protest for the return of the Dail session.

Protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws.

Several TDs had to receive a garda escort as they attempted to leave Leinster House in their cars via the Merrion Street exit.

Politicians and staff working in the Houses of the Oireachtas were unable to exit via the rear of the parliamentary complex for several hours with many waiting on the back lawn or in their cars for the protests to clear.

Protesters outside Leinster House as the Dail resumes after the summer break. Photo: Gareth Chaney/Collins

Whilst the demonstration had begun on Kildare Street earlier in the day, the protesters moved to the rear of the complex in the late afternoon causing further disruption.

A mock gallows with portraits of various senior politicians both in government and opposition remained positioned at the front gates of Leinster House in front of a crush barrier that had been erected by An Garda Siochana on Tuesday evening in advance of the demonstration.

Gardai said 13 arrests were made throughout the day.

On a number of occasions Gardai were required to intervene during public order incidents which occurred on Molesworth Street, Kildare Street and Merrion Street, said a garda spokesman.

Regular uniform Gardai, were supported by Plain Clothes Units and the Public Order Unit in soft cap mode.

Members of the public protest outside Leinster House today as Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break . Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

Meanwhile, Micheal Martin said the protest was a very personalised attack and a targeting of politicians.

Thats unacceptable and reprehensible. We live in a parliamentary democracy, notwithstanding the flaws in any democracy, he said.

Many people have commented to me here at the UN, at various events that I have been at, about how Ireland is politically effective now when harnessing civil society in our debates on a whole range of issues.

Emphasising public consultation and engagement by politicians, he said it had been seen from marriage equality; to Repeal of the Eighth Amendment, to the consultative forum on security, and the Commission on Taxation.

People are actually interested in the processes we use to try and get greater input from civic society.

So there was, and is, no need for that kind of behaviour, he said.
Dollceanna Carter from Trim, Co Meath, who had spina bifida and scoliosis died in September last year.

The grieving parents of a 10-year-old girl with spina bifida who passed away after undergoing a series of surgeries in Temple Street Hospital have said they want to find out why she died.

Dollceanna Carter from Trim, Co Meath, who had spina bifida and scoliosis died in September last year.

She is one of 19 children with spina bifida who suffered significantly higher than normal complications after surgery in Temple Street after being operated on by the one surgeon.

Several had to have more surgeries and it emerged unauthorised devices were implanted in three children.

The young girl had her first procedure involving the surgeon in the hospital in May 2021, RTE News reported.

However, she had multiple other operations and procedures after that before she passed away on September 29 last year.

Temple Street Hospital stopped doing complex spinal surgeries the following November. The concerns led to an internal and external review with another outside examination now under way.

A serious incident review is separately being carried out into her death.

The girls parents Michael and Bridget Carter said they want to find out why she died.

Although confined to a wheelchair she was never sick and they described her bubbly personality and cheeky smile.

She was bubbly, a TikTok diva, loved her phone, her make-up and loved dressing up, said her father.

She made her first Holy Communion in May 2021 before she was admitted to Temple Street for her first surgery.

Her familys solicitor Ciaran Tansey said her family and the parents of other children are going through hell at the moment.

The Childrens Health Ireland review looked at a certain span of dates with disturbing outcomes. However, he said he represents other families who are outside of the timescale examined and the only conclusion reached is that the date span is too narrow and needs to be widened.

Speaking on RTEs News at One, he said surgeries can be carried out over a period of years. Thirteen of sixteen patients needed more surgeries and this is an extreme figure.

Some 75pc had infection and the incidence of needing metal work to be removed was found in nine cases which is a level unheard of in surgery and represents a major problem.

He said it is not just a blanket apology and the problems go away.

The problem now is who will provide the remedial surgery and there needs to be a solution in place immediately, he added.

There may be a need for international specialists. Ireland does not have enough specialist surgeons, he said.

"I am not confident that has been sorted comprehensively, he said.

Childrens Health Ireland at Temple Street. Photo: Rollingnews.ie

Families want to know why it persisted for so long and how long it was going on before the complex surgery was stopped and also how the unauthorised devices were delivered to the hospitals.

He said the oversight process appeared to disappear in Temple St Hospital.

All of the children had spinal issues and they all ended up in Temple Street Childrens Hospital requiring specialist paediatric orthopaedic surgery, he said.

Now, they were provided that surgery. There is a review that Childrens Health Ireland has carried out of a certain span of surgery dates and that review has revealed horrifying figures and I can say that Dollceannas case was one of those which was reviewed as part of that Childrens Health Ireland Review.

Of course, there will be failures in surgery, but to have 81pc of the surgeries fail is an extreme figure and has lead to all of these issues, certainly.

The final figure is the incidents of requiring metalwork to be removed, that was found in nine of the 16 cases  56pc. Those figures are unheard of in (the) surgery sphere and theyre indicative of there having been a major problem.

He said his firm is representing a number of families affected by the issue, adding: Each family is affected in their own individual way. Their children have started this process with individual needs and today they have specific independent needs different to others.

Thats why the need is so great. It isnt just a blanket apology that can be offered, and the matter goes way. These children require special remedial surgery in many instances and the question now is posed: who is going to apply and provide that remedial surgery?

They have to meet, review, assess, go through all the records, the history, come up with a solution and put that solution into place. That needs to happen across the board and it needs to start immediately. That requires investment, I suggest that requires the involvement of international specialists.

Ireland simply doesnt have the personnel to remedy the ills which have been done here. We need support from those beyond this island and I want to know who is going to put that in place because Im not confident that process has been started comprehensively the way it now needs to be.

He said the families he represents have a number of questions.

They want to know how this persisted within Temple Street Hospital for so long. This issue emerged well before the remedy was applied where the surgeries were stopped, he said.

And why did it take so long for that call to be made? There were months worth of surgeries carried out when there were question marks over the processes within Temple Street.

They also want to know how the devices  these unauthorised implantation devices  which ended up in their childrens backs, how they were delivered to the hospitals? Where did they come from? Who paid for them? Who delivered them to the operating theatres?

He said medical devices are a heavily regulated area and said it beggars belief how an unregulated implantation device could have been used in a life-changing operation for a patient.

He added that families want to urgently know the remedial steps that will be taken.

Any client who has instructed this firm in relation to these matters have been wracked with pain, upset, guilt, worry and all of the emotions that go along with that. They dont know where to start and where to finish and this is crisis territory, tragically, he said.
Poor design of primary school yards contribute to bullying, exclusion and racism, a new study found.

More thought must be put in schoolyard design and the provision of diverse spaces for play to address issues of exclusion, bullying and racism, according to research led by University College Cork (UCC).

Teachers interviewed for the study on their practices, and experiences of childrens play in Irish schoolyards reported challenges in supporting their pupils, including fears of litigation.

Other challenges and tensions cited included limited guidance on policy and practice, contradictory expectations and the need negotiate diverse interests, prioritising safety and an absence of conflict.

Study co-author Michelle Bergin, an occupational therapist and PhD Student at UCC, linked social and spatial restrictions to exclusionary practices in play.

In one example, she said racism was identified as a significant barrier to Irish Traveller childrens play.

The study cited previous research showing one in five children being bullied in schoolyards with evidence of teachers benign and complicit responses to discrimination and racism toward children who identify as Irish Traveller, migrant and LGBTQI+.

Every day, more than a half a million children share schoolyards in more than 3,000 primary schools across the country.

But the yards were described to researchers as hard surfaced, restrictive, empty spaces with few, often broken objects and limited access to natural areas.

One teacher spoke of the minefield of navigating the playground where children tend to push boundaries by running too fast , shouting loud climbing and moving outside allocated spaces .

It leads to unpredictable everyday accidents and behaviours that regularly reach into classrooms, where teachers must deal with issues.

Although teachers value play for fun, freedom and choice, good schoolyard break becomes one with an absence of conflict, the study found.

Teachers practices aimed at preventing conflict differed depending on the schools and included rules on picking teams and competitive games, establishing boundaries on movement, restricting access to objects, and giving access to digital play indoors on wet days.

Teachers described this as not always the right thing to do however as necessary given their experiences of the consequences of the choices children make, it states

On the issue of inclusion, teachers described their experiences of children who can move their bodies with ease, speak the primary language, and enjoy the same sense of fun as the majority, naturally negotiating play with others.

The preferred play preferences of children with perceived natural abilities, mostly ball games and physical play tend to dominate.

Exclusion was anticipated by teachers for children who they perceived lacked the natural skills to navigate play with others.

Children who do not speak the majority language and autistic children are of most concern in terms of not playing with others in the schoolyard and are marked out by their perceived lack of natural abilities, the study found.

Researchers say that their findings are not consistent with ideals of inclusivity and government commitments.

They say involvement of children and teachers in planning schoolyards, and identifying possibilities for change, is essential in order to improve play choice and inclusion.

Ms Bergin said the study highlighted that play in schoolyards was fundamental to childrens social lives, identities, friendships and experience of fun and offered possibilities to create connections of care and solidarity.

She called on the government to harness the Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028 to review how to integrate school breaktimes in inclusive, intercultural, and sustainable school policies.

She said schools also needed time, funding and guidance to enact these policies.

The findings of the study, Irish Schoolyards: Teachers Experiences of Their Practices and Childrens Play-Its Not as Straight Forward as We Think, are being presented at a conference in UCC this week.

The P4Play project has received funding from the European Unions Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skodowska-Curie grant agreement number 861257.
Children who use wheelchairs or who are very weak on their feet may be offered the opportunity to walk again thanks to a far-reaching form of technology known as an exoskeleton.
Wheelchair-using girl (8) with brittle bone disease was left distressed by situation

A disability discrimination case over a young girl being forced to wear a nappy to school because it did not provide adequate toilet facilities has been settled.

Violet Heasley (8) attended Dunmurry Primary School for nursery and primary in Belfast until March 2020 when classes were forced online because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Violet lives with brittle bone disease, and was the only wheelchair user at the school.

As there was no suitable toilet for her, she had no choice but to wear a nappy.

The Co Down family brought a case on Violets behalf to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal with the support of the Equality Commission.

The case has now been settled without admission of liability.

The childs mother, Shelbie Heasley, said: The situation became so distressing for Violet that in the end we took her out of the school altogether; she did not return after the initial school closures due to Covid.

We were told that the toilet was approved and necessary works would be carried out, but these werent completed while Violet attended as a pupil at the school.

It was just awful. Where was her dignity? It took months to find another school that could accommodate her needs.

Violets new school has the appropriate facilities and she is able to fully participate in everyday life at school and is thriving.

Securing her new school place wasnt an easy process either  it was a result of our persistence, hard work and a lot of stress.

Geraldine McGahey, chief commissioner at the Equality Commission, said it was very aware of the challenges faced by many parents of children with disabilities or with special educational needs to secure an appropriate place at a school.

She added: Whilst recognising the pressures faced by both individual schools and the Education Authority, it is important that all children are in a school environment which meets their needs and where they will be happy and flourish.

I am delighted to hear that Violet has settled into her new school and is enjoying school life.

The commission believes every child must have equality of access to a quality educational experience and must be given the opportunity to reach his or her full potential.

This remains the case even when times are difficult and budgets tight.

In settling the case, Dunmurry Primary School said it regretted any upset to Violet and her parents regarding the toilet facilities and affirmed its commitment to equality of opportunity for all disabled pupils.

The school has committed to liaising with the parents of disabled children from enrolment to ensure it is fully aware of any needs of the child and those needs are met, and to keep parents informed of the progress of any planned adjustments in respect of their child.

It added that an accessible toilet had now been installed at the school.
Reading from books could be better for young kids than reading from screens if you want the knowledge to sink in
The Molly Malone statue on Suffolk Street has been covered up with paint three times. Photo: Collins Photos

The son of the sculptor who crafted Dublins iconic Molly Malone statue has said the family dont mind if people touching it, but have asked for the painting over of her chest by vandals to stop.

Jeanne Rynharts bronze sculpture of Molly Malone, the fictional fishmonger, was erected on Grafton Street in 1988 and was later moved to its current spot on Suffolk Street to accommodate the Luas.

The iconic cast, which is one of Irelands most photographed statues, has had its bosom  which has become shiny from tourists touching it  covered in paint three times in the last two months.

Barry Rynhart, the son of sculptor Jeanne who died in 2020 told Joe Duffys Liveline on RTE Radio 1: Anybody defacing a sculpture I think is wrong. It is there for everybody to enjoy, its a beautiful piece of art and its iconic.

The Molly Malone statue in Dublin.

The legend among tourists and tour guides is that caressing the bosom of the statue would bring good luck for seven years, seven days, seven nights, seven hours and seven minutes.

Last weekend, protesters daubed Molly Malones chest with green paint, along with the words: Please dont, TY.

This was the third instance in the space of two months, after anonymous protesters previously wrote 7 years bad luck on the statue in August, in opposition to tourists touching it.

Mr Rynhart told the show that his mother Jeanne based the body composition of the statue on several different people. Ms Cronin, who worked with the family as a mole maker, is the face.

The clavicles are based on his sister Audreys, the hands are based on Barrys own when he was 18, while the heels were based on one other male colleague of the Rynharts.

To get to the best part, they were modelled on my mothers own, Mr Rynhart said, speaking of the city centre statues breasts.

mm

He explained that the statues dress was based off a prostitute in the 1800s. Presenter Joe Duffy asked if Mr Rynharts mother ever thought the statue would be caressed in the way it is now, when she was crafting it.

It didnt cross her mind, it was a more innocent time in 87 and 88, Mr Rynhart said, adding that his mother wanted to keep the dress as authentic as possible.

He said that his mother spent nine months researching Mollys potential attire in the National Museum and stressed that the Rynhart family are happy with the statue in its current state.

So long as she is cleaned up. We dont mind anybody touching it, it is there for public art. Its like all interactive stuff, let people get on with it but dont be spraying it, he said.

Its a national monument. Its our national treasure. Let people enjoy it for what it is.
Theres a cheesy joke about a French yokel who goes on a trip to London and when he returns to his village hes asked how he liked the English capital. Very nice, says he  but why do they name so many of their streets after defeats? Waterloo, Trafalgar
War does not determine who is right  only who is left, wrote British philosopher Bertrand Russell.

But so egregious has been the behaviour of Vladimir Putin in Ukraine that the invasion  now deep into its second year  seems to be compounded daily.

In an opening speech to the UN General Assembly, secretary-general Antonio Guterres, said Moscow has unleashed a nexus of horror.

US president Joe Biden appealed to world leaders to continue to stand with Kyiv.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence, he said. Russia alone is standing in the way of a resolution, he argued, saying Moscows price for peace was Ukraines capitulation, Ukraines territory and Ukraines children.

Also concerning is the growing restlessness within the Republican party which is growing increasingly sceptical about servicing the financial pipeline Kyiv depends on from the US to defend itself.

Bipartisan support in Washington can no longer be taken as a given despite the desperate need for support.

But as Mr Biden said: Russia alone bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately.

The people of Ukraine cannot be left at the mercy of Moscow without the means of defending themselves.

Military experts say there is a window of mere weeks to compel Putin into possible peace talks before Russias army digs in over winter.

They warn that if President Volodomyr Zelenskys forces fail to get within range of striking key Russian supply routes in Crimea, Russian soldiers will gather their forces and the war will drag on inexorably.

Nonetheless, House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, the leading Republican in the Capitol, has questioned whether the US should keep sending billions of dollars in weaponry to Kyiv.

But the great paradox of war, in the words of George Washington, is that: There is nothing so likely to produce peace as to be well prepared to meet the enemy.

Speaking in New York, President Zelensky had said; For us, its very important that all our words, all our messages, will be heard by our partners. And if in the United Nations there is still a place for Russian terrorists, the question is not to me. I think its a question to all the members of the United Nations.

And it is a valid question. For the longer the conflict drags on the easier it is to forget that fundamental to the UN Charter is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.

That Russia has violated both so flagrantly, at such a terrible human cost, is an insult to such principles.

But that it should remain a member of the Security Council, which is charged with maintaining peace and global security, makes such an insult mortal.
The ironic thing over the so-called moral outrage directed at The Wolfe Tones is that it has not done them the slightest bit of harm and the record crowds which flocked to see them at Electric Picnic is testament to that.

Your reporter Ellen Coyne rightly praised the band for their popularity, which has endured for almost 60 years (Why republicanism is not the reason under-35s might vote for Sinn Fein  Weekend Magazine, September 9).

I do agree with objections to the up the Ra chorus in Celtic Symphony. However, many of their songs predate the Troubles and some of them I even remember from primary school.

Like all musical genres you can take them or leave them, but to get ones frillies seriously knotted over a few nationalistic ballads which largely refer to our own War of Independence is childish.

There is a certain spleen in the antagonism shown by some not based on any critical appreciation of ballads and traditional music.

Ms Coyne is possibly right when asserting there is a correlation between the rise in Sinn Feins popularity and hostility to the Wolfe Tones.

I am not a Sinn Fein voter, but in our woke-charged culture an unthinking minority likes to place those who have rubbed them the wrong way in the most objectionable pigeon hole possible.

I dont think the Wolfe Tones are going to be cancelled any day soon.

Thomas Cantwell, Rathmines, Dublin 6

The future of The Late Late Show is in good hands with Patrick Kielty

So, The Late Late Show, with a little bit of rebranding thrown in for good measure, lives again.

Thank you RTE for giving the first show a good Ulster flavour with a good solid stand-in to take the show forward to bigger and better things.

No better man than Patrick Kielty to move matters on from Ryan Tubridys exit. I was one of the almost one million viewers who tuned in last Friday night, and I truly enjoyed it.

The opening few minutes were priceless with the host mischievously sticking it to Joe Duffy, Tubridy and RTE.

No doubt having cleared the first hurdle, Kielty will settle into his new role with ease.

To be honest, I had given up watching the Late Late, many moons ago, because I couldnt listen to the condescending pretentiousness of previous presenters. I wish Patrick Kielty the utmost success.

And yes, I will pay my licence fee as long as there is culpability and acceptance of mistakes by RTE.

After all, there are many excellent employees working within the state body who deserve to keep jobs.

James Woods, Co Dun na nGall

We cant just single out the Taoiseach on the subject of a united Ireland

Many interested parties agreed last week that Taoiseach Leo Varadkars response to a question about a united Ireland, where he said he believed hed see such a thing in his lifetime, was unhelpful.

Could the fact that a former President of Ireland states the same on The Late Late Show, albeit in a more personal context, be any more helpful, in the current political circumstance?

Peter Declan OHalloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan

Drew Harris deserves our support, especially with what he has at his disposal

I am only a widget in the unanimous civil and public support for Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.

This honourable man has made incredible advances for our protectors, in spite of very limited resources.

Michael Doyle, Carlingford, Co Louth

Nitrous oxide emissions are included in statistics on greenhouse gases

Tony Lowess letter (Severe under-reporting of our grassland emissions needs to be addressed, Letters, September 16) makes an erroneous conclusion regarding the accuracy of Irelands greenhouse gas figures, which are compiled by the EPA and reported to the EU and UN in compliance with their legal requirements.

Mr Lowes incorrectly states that Irelands national greenhouse gas emissions do not account for nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from fertiliser application to grassland.

Nitrous oxide emissions from fertiliser application are in fact fully accounted for and included in the greenhouse gas emissions compiled for the agriculture sector.

They are not attributed to the Land use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, as Mr Lowes suggests. N2O emissions from fertiliser application are compiled by the EPA following Tier 2 methods.

This approach relies on national fertiliser statistics, provided by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, and country specific emission factors developed by Teagasc research. The EPA highlights that the global warming potential for N2O over a 100-year period is 265 and not over 300, as suggested.

The LULUCF sector covers emissions related to land management. 

Dr Eimear Cotter, EPA director, Johnstown Castle Estate, Co Wexford

Job swap scheme would reduce traffic congestion and help environment

Yesterday, while driving to work in heavy traffic on the M18 from Clare to Limerick, I noticed equally heavy traffic going in the opposite direction. It occurred to me that if all the Clare people working in Limerick could magically swap jobs with all the Limerick people working in Clare, much of that traffic would disappear.

Why not, therefore, a government-sponsored job swap scheme where employees could register and be matched with someone with a similar job closer to home (and vice versa)?

There may be reluctance from employers to facilitate this without legislative encouragement, but overall, it would surely be a win for commuters, a win in terms of congestion and, most importantly, a big win for the environment.

John ODonnell, Quin, Co Clare

Soc Dems and Labour merger prospect conjures echoes of the past

John Downing teased the idea of a potential political merger (Why merging Social Democrats and Labour could see them finally pack a political punch  Irish Independent, September 18).

If this should come to pass, then we might see another SDLP appear on the horizon.

Leo Gormley, Dundalk, Co Louth
Figures show there are currently 68 vacant local authority houses in the north Cork area.

A NORTH Cork-based county councillor has said more needs to be done to turn around vacant local authority houses in order to address the growing housing waiting list.

Addressing the councils northern area committee the authoritys senior housing executive officer, Seamus de Faoite, gave a breakdown of the number of vacant houses currently awaiting works to bring them up to standard for renting to new tenants.

He said there are currently 2,768 council houses in the region, 68 of which are currently lying idle, representing just under 2.5% of total stock.

Cllr Deirdre OBrien (FF) said that while this percentage may at first glance seem low, it still represented a large number of houses and it was imperative that they be turned around faster.

Cllr John Paul OShea (FG) pointed out the council has a number of fully serviced housing sites still lying idle across the region, insisting that immediate action be taken to bring them into use.

Meanwhile, Mr de Faoite said the council is in the process of buying 73 private homes to prevent landlords eviting tenants, many of whom are families and has set a target of completing 622 homes by the end of this year in a bid to house those on its waiting list.

Mr de Faoite pointed out that while the purchases from private landlords was above the 60-unit target agreed with Government to prevent evictions, the authority was confident the additional 13 purchases would be sanctioned given the ongoing housing crisis.

While council officials have said it may take some time to finalise the legal transfer of all the properties, the process was moving in the right direction.

Mr de Faoite said the council was expecting to receive just under 60 million to reach the target of providing the 622 council homes during 2023, an increase of 71 new units on the figure for last year.

Some of the new homes will be council builds, others will be direct purchase and leasing from developers and private landlords and some will be made available on projects through partnerships with a number of different voluntary housing associations.

Mr De Faoite said the council had also commenced work on a number of affordable homes schemes at locations across the county, including in north Cork, which will be made available to buyers at a cost significantly lower than the current market value.

The schemes have been specifically designed to cater for people unable to secure mortgage approval but earn too much to qualify for social housing.

He said the authority was also looking to extend the scheme to include sites in Fermoy, Youghal and Bantry.
Cllr Frank OFlynn said the section of the N72 road at Kilcanway, Killvaullen was in a diabolical condition and was an accident waiting to happen.

A SENIOR Cork County Council official has said the authority has sought funding from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to undertake works on what has been described as an exceptionally dangerous stretch road in north Cork.

The condition of the road at Kilcanway, Killavullen on the Mallow-Fermoy road was raised by the Mayor of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn (FF) in a motion placed before the councils northern area committee, in which he called on TII to realign and resurface the stretch of road as a matter of urgency in the interest of safety of all road users.

There is an unprotected 20-25ft drop on the left side of the road. Theres always water running across the road that freezes in the winter created a dangerous hazard, said Cllr OFlynn.

The councils director of roads and transport, Padraig Barratt pointed out that the authority had last year submitted a request to TII for funding to upgrade the road between Carrig and Ballygriffin, incorporating the Kilcanway section. However, TII said funding was not available for the scheme at the time.

We have re-submitted a request to TII for funding in 2024 to progress this scheme and await confirmation regarding same, wrote Mr Barratt.

Cllr OFlynn was unimpressed describing the lack of funding for the scheme as an absolute disgrace.

This is the main section of the N72 from Rosslare to Killarney. The Kilcanway stretch is in a diabolical condition , its an accident waiting to happen, said Cllr OFlynn.

He pointed out that the situation was made worse by the fact that realignment works had been taken on stretches of the N72 on either side of Kilcanway.

We must write to TII and the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Finance to get this sorted . Theres always water on road there and its then icy during the winter. Its deadly dangerous, he added.

His motion received the backing of fellow councillors, including Cllr Pat Hayes (FF).

It is of the utmost importance that the condition of this lethally dangerous stretch of road is addressed immediately, said Cllr Hayes.

Cllr Gearoid Murphy agreed, pointing out he had raised the state of the road at previous meetings, while Cllr Liam Madden (FG) said it as time TII got on board with this issue.
Tadhg and Marian Kelleher from Carriganima chatting to Margaret McEntee at the North Cork Dementia Alliance Information Evening at the Culturlann, Newmarket

Sheena Cadoo, North Cork Dementia Alliance Lead, chatting to Charlie Drake from Derinagree, who was one of the Speakers at the North Cork Dementia Alliance Information Evening at the Culturlann, Newmarket

Brendan Scahill, HSE Community Works Department, was on hand to give advice at the North Cork Dementia Alliance Information Evening at the Culturlann, Newmarket

Peter Cox, Support Manager for Family Carers Ireland was at the North Cork Dementia Alliance Information Evening at the Culturlann, Newmarket

Sheena Cadoo, North Cork Dementia Alliance Lead pictured with Dr. Emma Jennings, Consultant Geriatrician Mallow General Hospital who was one of the Speakers at the North Cork Dementia Alliance Information Evening at the Culturlann, Newmarket. All photos by Sheila Fitzgerald.

The North Cork Dementia Alliance Group showcased the wonderful work they do in supporting people with Dementia during their public information event at the Culturlann in Newmarket last week.

The evening was organised by Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Community Work Department, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the North Cork Dementia Alliance.

The event, which was funded by the HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Winter Initiative fund, provided information, support and advocacy to those living with a diagnosis of dementia by connecting them to local services within their community and promoting the principles of Slaintecare.

Information on supports and services were provided and there were information stands from organisations including Singing for the Brain, Family Carers Ireland, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and the North Cork Dementia Alliance.

Speakers were Charlie Drake who is living with a diagnosis of dementia; Jenny Hanna family carer; Dr Emma Jennings, Consultant Geriatrician; Mallow General Hospital, Amy Murphy, dementia advisor, Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Sheena Cadoo, Occupational Therapist, North Cork Dementia Alliance.

See all the photos from the event in the gallery above.
Gardai posted a picture of an array of implements that were discovered hidden in a park in Ballymun

Gardai have warned that it is a criminal offence to be found in possession of a knife in a public place following the discovery of a cache of weapons in North Dublin.

Gardai posted a picture of an array of implements that were discovered hidden in a park in Ballymun.

The photo shows what appears to be a kitchen knife, a steel bicycle saddle post, a screwdriver and a Stanley blade that were found stashed in weeds in the park.

Gardai in Ballymun were on patrol at lunchtime yesterday when they discovered these weapons hidden in park overgrowth, the force said on X.

They've been seized and our investigations are ongoing.

It's a criminal offence to be found in possession of a knife in a public place.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that gardai had recovered more than 13,000 knives in the last previous seven years.

Seizures had risen by a 78 per cent over the period, the figures provided to Fine Gael TD Alan Farrell showed.

With 2,146 knives confiscated by the force in 2022 alone, this equated to nearly six every day.

That year, some 905 knives were seized in the Dublin region, up from 812 in 2021. A total of 128 knives were seized in Cork city in 2022, while there were 164 seizures in Louth as well as 105 in Galway.

Mr Farrell said 13,138 knives have been seized by gardai in the years between 2016-2022.

This is a staggering number and we must continue to support gardai in their efforts to tackle these offences, he said in April.

There has been a steady increase in the amount of knives being seized annually by gardai. In 2016, 1,203 knives were seized and this number rose to 2,146 last year, a staggering 78 per cent increase over the seven-year period.

Clearly, any stabbing has the potential to cause irreparable harm and has had tragic consequences for families and individuals up and down the country.

Any person found to be in possession of a knife can be jailed for a maximum of five years, one of the most severe penalties in Europe.

There is no set minimum age at which a person can own a knife. However, it is an offence to have a knife in a public place without a good reason, such as for work.

Any person found to be in possession of a knife can be jailed for a maximum of five years.
The Gutter Bookshop founder, Bob Johnston, has handed over the running of his two Dublin stores to Dubray Books

The owner of The Gutter Bookshop in Dalkey and Temple Bar is handing over his stores to Dubray Books so he can find time to write.

Dubray took over the independent bookstores on Monday, as founder Bob Johnston has decided to embark on new adventures after 13 years running the business.

Both shops will continue to trade as The Gutter Bookshop and therell still be a wide range of events, festivals and book clubs.

Its time for me to turn the page and begin a new chapter. In 2022 I was lucky enough to have my first childrens book published, Our Big Day, a picture-book about marriage equality, Mr Johnston said in a social media post.

This new project gave me energy and enthusiasm and the support from the book trade and readers was wonderful to see.

I really wanted to find time to write more, but the Gutter Bookshop was still taking at least six days a week of work. After 13 years, it was definitely time to move on.

In 2019, I started to consider what to do next. I had been offered the chance to purchase our Temple Bar shop unit, but I knew this would mean extending my time in The Gutter.

Then in March 2020, the first lockdown due to Covid-19 began and, like many other small business owners, my focus was purely on keeping my business going and using online resources to get as many books out to as many desperate readers as we possibly could.

Already exhausted, I was working seven days a week both at home and behind locked doors in the bookshop to keep everything going. It was an incredibly stressful and worrying time for us all.

By the time we managed to re-open our shops fully in May 2021, I was completely burnt out and in need of time away. But when you run your own company, extended time off is rarely a feasible option.

Bob Johnston outside The Gutter Bookshop in Temple Bar. Pic: Caroline Quinn

I have been lucky enough to have a great team of booksellers around me whose hard work and commitment allowed The Gutter to continue to trade over these difficult years, but the financial risk and overall responsibility always lay with me, he added.

Over the years, The Gutter Bookshop has hosted launches, open-mic poetry nights to a meet your perfect book match night for Valentines Day.

Their two Dublin stores became the official festival booksellers for the Dublin Writers Festival (now International Literature Festival Dublin), while they also hosted Mountains to Sea Festival, Dublin Book Festival, the Childrens Books Ireland Conference and in later years the Dublin Festival of History and the Murder One Crime Writing Festival.

Earlier this year Dubray Books and I started to discuss the possibility of them taking over the running of both of our independent bookshops, Mr Johnston said.

They would retain our wonderful booksellers and continue to provide books and literary events to our fantastic customers and supporters in both Temple Bar and Dalkey.

They would also retain our name and brand, so The Gutter could continue to exist.

It would also give me some time out of work to complete that novel I had started writing way back in 2008, as well as some time to rest and recover from the stress of the past few years.

As expert Irish booksellers with many years of experience, I know that Dubray will continue to run our bookshops in a customer-focused style  which is all I could ever hope for.

On a personal note, I really want to thank everyone  loyal customers, authors, publishers, festivals, friends, family, our amazing staff, and everyone else  who have made The Gutter Bookshop such a huge success over the past 14 years, he added.
Rio Sabinas, the Mexican restaurant in Shiloh Crossing, will close on Sunday.

The restaurant, at 840 Shiloh Crossing Blvd., opened on March 12, 2012, and specialized in what their Instagram account called a "creative (sometimes crazy) twist on Mexican Fare."

At the time that it opened, the Billings Rio Sabinas was the second location, with the other in Belgrade. But a 2015 closure shuttered that restaurant, leaving the Billings eatery as the last of its kind.

"We are grateful to have served this wonderful community for 11 years," the restaurant said in a statement released by the Finally Restaurant Group, their parent company. "We want to thank the people of Billings for making us a part of their lives, and are grateful to the team members who created the environment which made this a wonderful place to dine."

Employees were informed about the closure last week.

Rio Sabinas was the only Mexican eatery housed under the Finally Restaurant Group, a Bozeman-based company who also own TJ Ribs (one location in Baton Rouge, Louisiana) and the ever popular Rib and Chop House chain, which is found all over Montana and the rest of the mountain west.

Gift cards can be redeemed at any Rib and Chop House, including the Billings location at 1849 Majestic Ln.

Anyone near Shiloh Crossing with a hankering for fast-casual Mexican food won't have to go far. There's a Chipotle, Taco John's and Taco Bell all within a couple blocks, with Cafe Rio, QDOBA and La Palmita Taquieria just up King Avenue West.
Matt Murphy fractured his C5 vertebrae diving into the water off the coast of Cancun

Matthew Murphy (centre) with all the dancers involved in the Strictly event at their first rehearsals last week

A group of Dubliners are holding a Strictly Come Dancing event in Skerries in the hope their friend can dance again after a serious diving accident.

Matthew Murphy was told hed never move again after suffering a serious spinal-cord injury in Mexico when he was on a boat tour off the coast of Cancun in July 2021.

He dived into the water and hit a shallow sandbank which left him with limited function in his arms, and no control of his triceps, hands or lower body.

Matt (28) is described as a free spirit who loves adventure and new experiences. Since the incident, his friends have set up a fundraiser to get him the medical care he needs.

Slowly but surely, the funds have helped him regain some independence and his friends want to continue raising money so he can keep improving.

Amy Biddulph has been involved with the fundraiser since it began back in December 2021, and now, theyre hosting their biggest event to date.

When Matt had his accident, he was just flat on his back in a bed. But now, hes able to feed himself, drink by himself. His body mobility, his core strength has improved immensely, she said.

Matt Murphy fractured his C5 vertebrae diving into the water off the coast of Cancun

The support for the past two years has been incredible. Through fundraising, hes been for treatment in Belgium and in Salt Lake City, Utah.

These places have much better facilities and more opportunities for him thats not available here.

He has gained so much more independence and strength from going to these places. The difference in him now since the accident, its incredible. Its working, there is hope.

There are new developments all the time, new clinical trials, the fundraising is to make sure he gets those opportunities. Theres so much cutting-edge technology.

Its just going to get better and we want Matt to be able to have the money for these opportunities.

Its difficult to know what the next steps will be. Theres options all over the world, were constantly researching the next steps and plans, she added.

Matts improvements would not have been possible without all the donations hes received in the past two years.

His friends are determined to continue fundraising with the hope of getting Matt back on his feet and dancing again.

Strictly is the biggest fundraiser were doing. Weve 34 dancers, people who know Matt, people who dont, Amy said.

Theyre giving so much time, theyll be rehearsing for three hours every week for six weeks. Theres a capacity of 700 people, wed love to sell out and get as many sponsors as we can.

Our friend group is wide enough and everyone is rallying together and doing their best for Matt. Theres so many different personalities and were all thinking of different ways of fundraising.

Were always calling each other and brainstorming, thats how we came up with Strictly. Matt is such an amazing person, he has touched so many lives, so theres so many people wanting to help him.

Matt at the Neuroworx facility in Salt Lake City, Utah

We did a pint for Matt, where youd take a picture, buy yourself a pint and donate the price of a pint to Matt and tag five people. It generated so much money, it was something so simple.

We did a raffle as one of the first fundraising events. We were given so many prizes that we had to split the event into two nights.

Weve done swap shops too; were trying to reach out to everyone, she added.

The Strictly Come Dancing event has its official launch at Skerries Harps GAA club at 8pm tomorrow night.

The event itself takes place at the City North Hotel on October 20. You can find out more about the fundraiser for Matt here.
Pictured standing l-r: Jackie Bowler, Huw Jones, Sean Sugrue and Joan O Donoghue and front l-r: Shelia Jones and James McCarthy pictured promoting The Legend of Sadhbh which will take place in Cahersiveen this coming Friday night in Cahersiveen as part of Culture Night 2023. Photo by Christy Riordan.

Excitement is well and truly building for the upcoming 2023 edition of Culture Night, the annual event which takes place in locations around the county each and every September.

Whether youre in Listowel, Tralee, Killarney, Cahersiveen or Killorglin or further afield in Dingle or Ballinskelligs, theres going to be plenty for both locals and visitors alike to choose from...as long as the weather decides to play its part of course.

So, what exactly are some of the attractions that people can look forward to this coming Friday night, September 22? Well, lets dive in...

Starting in Killarney, there will be plenty to keep people entertained.

Punters will have the choice of attending an evening of song and poetry that will run from 7pm to 9pm at the Government Offices on New Road - where lovers of the spoken word will enjoy a short performance from a Kerry-based Ukrainian choir as well as recitals by poets Eileen Sheehan and John W. Sexton; attendees are also welcome to read from their own work on the night as well.

Or maybe, locals would rather head on over to the Killarney Writers Group Open Mic night taking place at Killarney Library from 6pm to 8pm? Here members of the talented Killarney Writers Group will read from their work and ask members of the audience to do the same.

Or if both of those dont whet your whistle, then maybe it will be sitting down and listening to the great Sean Keane deliver tune after tune as part of his Songs & Stories From Grannys Suitcase event at Muckross Schoolhouse from 7:30pm to 9:30pm that gets you going.

These are just some of the many events taking place in Killarney on Friday night and everyone is encouraged to head to the the Culture Night website for a full list of whats on in the town.

Moving on to Tralee, there is equally a fantastic number of events taking place to satisfy everyones interests.

Some of the highlights taking place in the county this Friday night capital include the Into Light event running from 8pm to 10pm at the Island of Geese.

Here, punters are invited to enjoy what is described as a captivating performance that brings together the diverse arts programmes offered at MTU.

Into Light explores the depths of the human experience, offering moments of hope, introspection, and inspiration. Students and staff of the MTU will share their talents in a performance where tradition and innovation merge, where melodies and words intertwine, and where creativity is celebrated in song writing and media production.

Elsewhere in Tralee, Culture Night enthusiasts are invited to join Catherine Young Dance for an explosion of multi-cultural dance and music event at Mercy Mounthawk from 7:30pm to 9:30pm.

The evening will kick off with a performance and then the floor will then open up for everyone to join in and dance. Locals and visitors will be invited to learn Ukrainian folk dance, African dance as well as traditional Irish ceili dances.

Again, for a full list of whats taking place in Tralee on the Friday night, be sure to check out the Culture Night website.

Up in Listowel in the heart of North Kerry meanwhile, there is equally plenty of activities on the night to pick from.

One such event is An Evening In The Square which will run from 8pm to 10:30pm. The event is being billed as a celebration of the rich culture in North Kerry.

Everyone is invited to join in with the event at St Johns Theatre and Arts Centre for a wonderful celebration of music, song, dance and storytelling.

Elsewhere in Listowel, Kerry Writers Museum will host a Researching Local History Workshop from 6pm to 7:30pm.

At the event, historian and author Tom Donovan - who has has published multiple books about local history - will be sharing his expertise in researching and writing about local history.

He will also give tips how to go about research, how to structure a book and how to get it published.

See the Culture Night website for a full list of events taking place in Listowel as well as everywhere else in the county, including Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Dingle, Ballinskelligs and more.
Listowels creativity for window dressing is legendary where the shops in the town display their love of the races.

The Maid Of Erin displays a picture of the famous Listowel Racecourse and jockey silks.

Dorans Chemist in the town with rosettes and fences depicting the thrill of Listowel Races.

John McGuires Chemist showcasing the colour and panache of the races. All photos by John Kelliher.

The late John B. Keane once said of Listowel Races that its a state of mind and its hard to disagree. There is no doubt the tradition and excitement of the races comes to the fore every September with the usual swell of humanity adding to the unique occasion.

The annual gathering by the Feale makes for one of Irelands best race meetings, something that is not lost on the locals of Listowel.

The people know and appreciate the significance of the races as much from the vantage point of history and culture as the economic benefits it brings to the locality.

In Listowel and North Kerry, the races are part of the DNA, and it shows. One of the most remarkable representations of pride in Listowel Races has always come from its business community.

Whether its Christmas or Listowel Writers Week, the towns businesses transform their shop windows into an expression of appreciation for a way of life.

The Listowel Races is worth a seismic shot of revenue to the town, said to be in the region of 13 million to the wider Tralee and North Kerry region.

Heres a snapshot of some of the towns shop windows and the distinct racing theme.
Dee Kennelly and Marie Stack were all smiles as they hoped for a winner at this week's Listowel Races. Photo by John Kelliher.

Andrew and Mark Loughnane pictured enjoying themselves at Listowel Racecourse this week as the 2023 races kicked off. Photo by John Kelliher.

David Fitzmaurice and Orla Diffily were all smiles as they enjoyed a day out at the Listowel Races. Photo by John Kelliher.

The weather over the past few days might not have been exactly what punters and organisers would have hoped for but nothing could have dampened the spirits of racing enthusiasts who descended in their droves on Listowel this week for the start of Munsters greatest racing festival.

The Listowel Races are, simply put, the highlight of the social calendar for many every year and its safe to say that locals and visitors alike were certainly not left disappointed with the 2023 outing so far with both the racing and the facilities in Listowel proving to be of the highest quality, as backed up by Chairman of the Listowel Race Committee, David Fitzmaurice who spoke to The Kerryman on Tuesday.

"They [the punters] are all delighted with the new facilities we have at the racecourse, such as the tarmacadam, the new stables and the drains. We've spent about 1 million over the past two years so we're delighted to see it looking so well. Any few bob that we get, we're ploughing it back into the festival and the place has never looked better." he said.

"The track is holding up...and we're really looking forward to our big days which are the Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We're looking good on TV and TG4 are giving us good publicity, he continued.

The weeks racing highlight - The Guinness Kerry National Steeplechase 200,000 (Grade A)  takes places Wednesday (today) and always attracts a huge crowd. Listowel Race Course is partnered with Royal Ascot and their Chairman, Sir Francis Brooke, and some of their Directors, will be visiting the course on Wednesday (today) as guests to reciprocate the hospitality shown to the Listowel Directors over the past few years.

Tuesdays action was particularly noteworthy for Oisin Murphys win aboard Dragon of Malta, a 10/3 favourite.

Away from the track, there was a lot for people to enjoy as well with Sunday being the family day sponsored by Garveys SuperValu and highlights included the free Wooly Farm with chicks, guinea pigs, hens, ducks, rabbits, lambs, piglets and pygmy goats and Winnie the Donkey and a mini Disco, face painting, free balloons and Coco Melon & Mickey Mouse.

On the fashion side of things, which like all things racing events is right to the fore, Raymond and Gillian Gilbourne, from Milltown, County Cork, were the overall winners of the Lyrath Estate Best Dressed Couple Competition judged by Kristin McKenzie Vass and they were justly rewarded for their efforts with a luxury escape to Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny including an Estate view guestroom with breakfast on both mornings and dinner in the Grill Restaurant on an evening of their choice.

Mondays fashion event was the Forever in Blue Jeans competition and the overall winner in the male category was Paul Scanlon and the overall winner in the female category was Shauna Russell. Each received a cheque for 200.

All eyes in the fashion stakes will no doubt now turn to Friday and the much anticipated Ladies Day. This is the 9th year of McElligotts sponsorship of this prestigious fashion event and they are delighted to once again welcome on board Kia as official event co-sponsors.

This years Ladies Day will be judged by international fashion designer, Don ONeill and model and businesswoman, Elvira Fernandez Zebo and in addition to the winners prize of a trip for two to New York, there are also generous cash prizes of 1,000 for the Most Creative Headpiece and 500 for the Most Contemporary Outfit.
Second nature...Tara Buckley, Killarney National Park Nature Education centre, together with Chris Barron will lead the family nature fun day at Muckross School House, Saturday October 21 and Sunday October 22 from 10am to 12:30pm. The event will include mammal trapping, bug hunting, microscopes, nature themed games and lots of fun. Photo by Valerie O'Sullivan.

With just a month to go until the second annual Autumn Gathering in Killarney National Park (KNP) excitement is beginning to build for what should be quite the exciting and jam-packed few days on October 21 and 22.

The programme of events for the Samhain weekend will be presented by the Conservation Rangers of KNP - National Parks and Wildlife Service, (NPWS).

Autumn in KNP, which having been established in 1932 was the very first National Park in Ireland, is considered the most amazing time to observe the Irish Red Deer activity during the annual rutting season.

The audible bellows and tribal behaviour is fascinating. The rich colours of autumn, the clear crisp air of the mornings and shadows of evening light make the park so spectacular. To celebrate this wonder and designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a number of events will be taking place during the weekend.

The first day of the Samhain event, the Saturday, will feature the annual Paudie OLeary Lecture, held as always in memory of the late, great Head Conservation Ranger at KNP who sadly passed away unexpectedly in August 2012.

This year to honour Paudies memory, biologist Aine Ni Shuilleabhain will deliver the Paudie OLeary Lecture. Aine worked with Paudie for many years, and always treasures the wonderful memories of their time in Killarney National Park.

She is the longest serving volunteer in Killarney National Park, with over 41 years volunteering as a research biologist - dedicated to the recording of valuable scientific data on waterfowl and water quality in Killarney National Park.

The lecture takes place at Killarney House Auditorium on Saturday October 21 2023 at 3pm. Booking for the Annual Paudie OLeary Lecture can be done by emailing infokillarneyhouse@npws.gov.ie

Other events taking place over the Samhain weekend include autumn photographic workshops on both the Saturday and Sunday with renowned international landscape Photographer, Micheal OSullivan.

Micheal will deliver two half day photography workshop and National Park Shoot. This tour is a unique opportunity for those who would like to explore, learn and capture beautiful images of ancient woodlands, historic castles and breathtaking landscapes of mountains and lakes.

Another highlight of the weekend will be the Morning Deer watch event with well known Conservation Ranger - Padraig Brac OSullivan which will take both Saturday and Sunday mornings.

The meeting place for both will be at the Knockreer front gate at 7:30am.

Also firm favourite events are the Family Nature FunDay which will take place at Muckross School House on both the Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 12pm.

Meanwhile the Nocturnal Nature Ramble meeting point will be at the Knockreer front gate 6:30 pm on the Saturday, October 21.

For a full list of all the events taking place, head to the Killarney National Park Facebook page.
A further 283 students have started at St Angelas College, Sligo now part of the ATU campus

Aoife Hayes, Grange, Co Sligo and Katryna OGara, Sligo Town both studying, Early Childhood Care and Education with Amy Murray, Sligo Town, studying Business at ATU. The university had a 5% increase in applicants this year.

Canadian students, Genevieve Savard, Michelle Dang, Taylor Jameer and Mitchell Ovellel were among the 4,630 students who attended first year induction across Atlantic Technological University Sligo.

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has welcomed over 4,630 new full-time first year students across its eight campuses in Sligo, Donegal, Galway and Mayo.

CAO applications to ATU increased by 5% this year, bringing the total number of students at ATU to around 24,000.

Of the 4,632 new students attending induction at ATU last week, 1,137 are studying at ATUs Donegal campuses, 2,075 at Galway and Mayo campuses, 1,272 in Sligo and 283 at St Angelas campus. Among them are students from across the world including Canada, South Africa, India, France, Spain and Ukraine.

The induction programme, designed to ensure a successful transition into university life, has been planned to provide students with the essential tools, resources, and support needed to excel academically and thrive personally during their time at ATU.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, welcoming the new cohort of students, says "We are thrilled to welcome over 4,600 new students to the ATU community across our diverse campuses. These talented individuals represent the future of our region and beyond, and we are committed to providing them with an outstanding education and an enriching student experience. As they embark on this exciting journey, we encourage them to make the most of their time at ATU, explore new horizons, and embrace opportunities for personal and academic growth."

The university has seen an increase in demand for places on programmes across Science, Technology and Engineering with Health Sciences, Computing and Built Environment programmes also seeing increased demand. There has also been a steady demand for places on core business and humanities programmes offering general degrees with strong progression routes from Level 6 (post LC) through to Level 8 (honours degree).

Dr Billy Bennett, VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar, says the increased numbers of students is an encouraging sign for ATU. This year four out of five applicants to ATU were offered their first preference course. ATU's commitment to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment, along with its dedication to academic excellence, sets the stage for students to thrive and achieve their full potential. The university offers a wide range of programmes across various disciplines, cutting-edge facilities, and a rich cultural and social calendar that ensures students have a well-rounded university experience."

For more information about Atlantic Technological University and its programmes, please visit www.atu.ie
Millie Bobby Brown and Vera Farmiga in Godzilla: King of the Monsters (Wednesday, 5STAR, 9p.m.)

Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) 5STAR, 9p.m.

Animal behaviour specialist Dr Mark Russell (Kyle Chandler) and his paleobotanist wife Emma (Vera Farmiga) lost their son Andrew in the devastation of Godzillas rampage through San Francisco.

The couple are now estranged and Emma has custody of their spunky daughter Madison (Millie Bobby Brown), who supports her mothers work for secret monster-hunting consortium Monarch in the Yunnan rainforest in China.

Former British Army colonel turned eco-terrorist Colonel Jonah Alan (Charles Dance) storms the outpost. He takes Emma and Madison hostage, forcing the mother to rouse a giant beast christened Mothra with her sonar wave Orca device.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters is a spectacular sequel, which wreaks destruction on a grand scale even if it only builds one or two truly compelling human relationships.

THURSDAY

Tulip Fever (2017) BBC4, 11.55p.m.

Orphan Sophia (Alicia Vikander) is raised by the nuns of St Ursula in mid-17th century Amsterdam at a time when the most precious and widely traded commodity is tulip bulbs.

She reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal from wealthy merchant Cornelis Sandvoort (Christoph Waltz), who will pay safe passage for Sophias relatives to live in New Amsterdam in exchange for a male heir. Cornelis commissions local artist Jan van Loos (Dane DeHaan) to paint a portrait of his blissful union and the painter falls deliriously under the spell of virginal Sophie.

Tulip Fever fails to burst into full bloom and features an oddly restrained performance from Vikander. By contrast, Waltz exposes the vulnerability and sadness of his lucky old dog, enriching a potentially two-dimensional villain.

FRIDAY

Magic Mike (2012) BBC1, 10.40p.m.

Steven Soderberghs thoughtful drama has more to offer than just abs and dance moves. Adam (Alex Pettyfer) lives in Tampa Bay with his sister Brooke (Cody Horn). He lands a temporary construction job alongside nice guy Mike (Channing Tatum) but on his very first day, Adam is sacked.

As he roams the town, Adam crosses paths again with Mike who introduces him to the local male nude revue bar, where delirious women thrust dollar bills at gym-toned Adonises.

It transpires that Mike is the clubs star turn and earns big bucks under the watchful eye of manager Dallas (an impressively sleazy Matthew McConaughey). A mishap affords Adam a chance to perform on stage and under his new moniker of The Kid, he becomes a firm favourite of the female clientele. But he finds that adulation comes at a price

SATURDAY

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2015) Channel 4, 9.35p.m.

Tearaway Gary Unwin (Taron Egerton), who is known to friends as Eggsy, lets off steam by joyriding with friends and ends up in a police cell. Dapper secret agent Harry Hart (Colin Firth) secures Eggsys release because he believes the young man has untapped potential as a crime-fighter.

Hart enrols his protege in a gruelling training programme for an elite secret service, where Eggsy shines brighter than the supposed creme de la creme. So, when technological wizard Valentine (Samuel L Jackson) threatens mankind, Eggsy puts his training to the test.

Directed at full pelt by Matthew Vaughn, Kingsman: The Secret Service is an outrageous and hugely entertaining James Bond-esque caper.

SUNDAY

Loving (2016) BBC1, 11.50p.m.

Loving is a handsomely crafted drama telling the true story of two mild-mannered, yet courageous souls from 1950s Virginia, who followed their hearts in strict defiance of The Racial Integrity Act, which criminalized interracial marriages in the state.

Construction worker Richard Loving (Joel Edgerton) falls giddily in love with family friend Mildred Jeter (Ruth Negga). When she falls pregnant, the couple decide to marry. Forbidden from consummating their relationship in Virginia, Richard and Mildred drive to Washington DC and return home with a marriage licence, only to be arrested.

However, their case eventually attracts the interest of American Civil Liberties Union lawyer Bernie Cohen (Nick Kroll). Oscar-nominee Negga is radiant as the emotional rock in the eye of a legal storm.

MONDAY

A United Kingdom (2016) BBC2, 11.15p.m.

Seretse Khama (David Oyelowo), heir apparent to the nation of Bechuanaland (now Botswana), is studying law in 1947 London before returning home to lead his people. At a dance, Seretse falls in love with typist Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike), whose bigoted father George (Nicholas Lyndhurst) would never condone the flourishing romance.

Paternal rage pales next to the indignation of Alistair Canning (Jack Davenport), the British governments representative in southern Africa. Unperturbed, they wed and Ruth accompanies Seretse to Bechuanaland, where she faces hostility from his relatives.

Meanwhile, the British  represented by snivelling district commissioner Rufus Lancaster (Tom Felton)  and the South African government use underhand tactics to separate the lovebirds.

TUESDAY

Ghostbusters (2016) Film4, 6.20p.m.

Director Paul Feig applies a gender reversal to an effervescent remake of the 1984 supernatural comedy about a quartet of parapsychologists. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) hopes to secure tenure at Columbia University, but her academic future is thrown into disarray when childhood friend Abby Yates (McCarthy) peddles copies of their long-forgotten book on ghosts.

The two women are reunited in the lab where Erin conducts experiments with her madcap protegee, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon). With the help of ballsy subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones)  and despite the general uselessness of their receptionist Kevin (a scene-stealing Chris Hemsworth)  they set out to battle spooks in New York City.

It cant match the original, but its more fun than the backlash would suggest.
Some of the concerts are free. Some are in the morning and some late at night. Some are short and others quite long. There is classical music, some well known and some rarely heard. Theres even completely newly commissioned music inspired by the Dunbrody Famine Ship, no less. There is jazz piano of the highest standard at the festival which runs until Sunday in St Marys Church of Ireland in New Ross

When it comes to the classical aspect of the piano repertoire, this year there is a lot of Rachmaninov, on the 150th anniversary of his birth. At the festival there will be several very different concerts celebrating this genius.

Lucy Parham is bringing the actor Tim McInnerny to perform Elegie, a musical journey through Rachmaninovs life and compositions. Readers may know Tim from his appearances in Blackadder and Game of Thrones, among numerous other TV and film roles.

One of Britains finest pianists, Lucy Parham applies her sensitivity and imagination not only to concertos and recitals, but also to portraits in words and music of such composers as Schumann, Chopin, Liszt, Debussy and now Rachmaninov. Her unique recording of both Roberts and Claras piano concertos (with the BBC Concert Orchestra and Barry Wordsworth on Sanctuary Classics) was named Critics Choice of the Year by BBC Music Magazine. She is frequently heard as a guest or presenter on BBC Radio 3 and 4.

Cellist Alexander Chaushian is renowned for his Rachmaninov interpretations. He will join with Yevgeny Sudbin to perform Rachmaninovs Sonata for cello and piano. Pianist Yevgeny Sudbin has been hailed by The Telegraph as potentially one of the greatest pianists of the 21st century. All of Yevgenys recordings have met with critical acclaim and are regularly featured as CD of the Month by BBC Music Magazine or Editors Choice by Gramophone.

In the opening main concert on Friday evening there will be two Rachmaninov works. Cellist Alexander Chaushian will play the Vocalise with Finghin Collins, the Festival Artistic Director. Yumeka Nakagawa, the young winner of the Clara Haskil piano competition, will be joined by Alexander and the violinist Mirijam Contzen to play the Trio Elegiaque, a piece that is said to be influenced by his admiration of Tchaikovsky.

The last item played at the festival will also be Rachmaninov, his Preludes, Op. 23, No. 4 and the familiar No 5.

Kit Downes, who is a BBC Jazz award winning, Mercury Music Award nominated solo recording artist for ECM Records will perform on Thursday evening.

Earlier that day Belfast man, Scott Flanagan will give a lunchtime gig in the church. He will be joined by familiar faces, Dave Redmond on bass and Kevin Brady on drums. Scott will also be playing solo in the Dunbrody at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., for two free sessions.

Ellen Jansson is no stranger to New Ross and is one of Irelands foremost pianists. Ellen will be speaking and playing to second level music students and also giving a free public recital on Friday at noon.

Canadian Meagan Milatz is coming over to play the Canadian composition about the Dunbrody. She will also play a solo recital on Saturday at noon as well as taking part in each evening concert. Mirijam Contzen on the violin will join Alexander Chaushian for the usual chamber music element of the festival.

One of features of the festival is this mixture of the familiar and the lesser known. During the festival Yumeka will play Chopins 24 Preludes Op.28, and Finghin will perform the beautiful Schubert piano Trio in E flat, as well as Chopins Nocturnes Op 9, nos 1 and 2. There will be Schumann, both Robert and Clara, Liszt, Berg and Scriabin, Mozart and Martin and other composers  something to satisfy everyone.

Thursday is all about jazz. Kitt Downes will give the evening concert. Scott Flanigans trio will perform at lunchtime and he will give two free solo recitals during the day at the Dunbrody Visitor Centre.

The festival has always encouraged a youth element, in several ways. There is one whole evening concert given by 20 young piano students from the south east on Wednesday at 7.30 p.m., there are sessions in the library with primary school children, and the Friday talk and recital to second level students in the church, as well as a public master-class with one of the guest pianists, Lucy Parham, and two advanced students on the Saturday afternoon in the Parish Centre. See the festival website, newrosspianofestival.com, for more information.
An All Kinds Of Amazing meeting will take place at Arklow Library on Wednesday, September 27 from 10am to 12noon, featuring Niamh Finucane from Young Carers.

This is a talk for adults and will show you the supports available to help your young person recognise the value of their role as a carer for a loved one, sibling or friend.

Sunbeam recruitment

Sunbeam House Services are holding four recruitment days in Arklow for social care workers, care assistants, instructor supervisors and staff nurses.

The clinics will be hosted by their Ballyraine Campus on Vale Road from 10am to 1pm on October 12, November 9 and 30 and December 14. Interviews will take place on the day, so remember to bring your CV.

Gospel choir sings into action

Arklow Revival Gospel Choir is back from summer break. They are a multi-denominational choire, wo meet every Thursday between 8-10pm at Arus Lorcain.

Their first session was on Thursday, September 11 and they say they have big plans ahead for new and returning members. They are always open to new members of any gender aged 18 or older.

Baby sing-along sessions

Arklow Library will be starting a baby sing-along session every Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., starting on September 21.

The sessions are suitable for children aged 0 - 2 years old.

This is a lovely experience, especially for your little ones, so come along and join in.

Halloween disco tickets on sale

Arklow Rock Parnells Halloween disco is back by popular demand and will take place on Friday, October 27 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

There will be music and a fully stocked tuck shop. Fancy dress is optional, and there will be a prize for best outfit on the evening.

The disco is for up to 13 year olds, and tickets are 10 and are available from eventbrite.ie.

Get your costumes ready for a fun night of music in a well supervised venue.
Greystones Tidy Towns will host a free Freshwater Watch Train the Leader event at Three Trouts Stream in Greystones on Sunday, September 24.

Greystones Tidy Towns are hosting a free Freshwater Watch Train the Leader event at Three Trouts Stream in Greystones on Sunday, September 24, from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.

Greystones Tidy Towns (GTT) is the local Earth Watch Europes FreshWater Watch group leader.

They help Wicklow communities monitor local freshwater quality levels through this internationally accepted data collection platform.

GTT will provide training and access to test kits for the most common pollutants and allow citizen scientists to enter their data into the Water Watch app.

This data is publicly displayed and used by professional scientists and policymakers to support the conservation of our freshwater bodies, such as rivers, streams, and lakes. You can view the monitoring data collected on the Freshwater Watch website.

With support from the Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and the Community Water Fund, GTT is inviting you and your Wicklow-based group to join their team of citizen scientists with a goal to survey Wicklows many streams, rivers, and ponds.

Monitoring and protecting the health of our rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands is a practical, educational activity for community groups and schools.

At the Train the Leader event, attendees will work with Adam Calihman, Greystones Tidy Towns Vice-Chair and Biodiversity Subcommittee Chair and Justin Ivory, Community Water Officer for the Local Authority Waters Programme, to pass on citizen science skills.

These will include testing nutrient levels, using some simple testing kits which measure the presence of nitrates and phosphates.

Nitrates can be found in some fertilisers, manures or slurry run-off from agriculture, green waste dumping in or near waterways, while phosphates can come from agricultural, industrial, and domestic sources often, like nitrates, from fertilisers, manures, raw sewage, and detergent runoff.

Another skill to learn will be testing turbidity (i.e., how clear or cloudy the water is) using a special optical test called a Secchi Tube, visual observations, and kick sampling, using the Citizen Science Stream Index (CSSI) to check Macro-invertebrates (small aquatic animals such as insect larva, snails, worms, beetles etc) as indicators of water quality.

Where rivers are unpolluted these are in abundance.

Each attendee will also receive access to a Freshwater Watch starter kit to record results from their own local streams and access to the EarthWatch Europe FreshWater platform to record and view ongoing data for the county and access to purchase refill test kits as required.

Furthermore, by attending this training you will also be able to loan out one of two kick sampling kits for short-term periods.

All County Wicklow TidyTowns, biodiversity or sustainability groups, youth groups, schools, and other community groups are welcome to register, provided they can commit to having an active role in this programme for at least a year.

The training will be held in semi-wild areas. Parking may not be immediately at the training site, and some walking may be required.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a fully-charged phone with the WaterWatch App loaded, boots/wellies, a sun and rain kit and drinking water.

Please register at Eventbrite. Contact info@greystonestidytowns.ie with additional questions.
Billings police have arrested a man suspected of lighting a vehicle on fire near a local high school over the weekend.

Calder Kristofor Stradtman, 33, was booked into Yellowstone County Detention Facility on Monday on suspicion of multiple felonies. Stradtman was on probation at the time of his arrest. On Wednesday, county prosecutors charged Stradtman with criminal mischief.

On Sept. 17, according to a statement from the Billings Police Department, emergency crews responded to several vehicles set on fire within the span of only a few hours. At around 7:30 p.m., two vans were torched in the parking lot of Billings Senior High on Grand Avenue.

About three hours later, a Honda SUV was set on fire downtown near Montana Avenue and North 31st Street. Nobody was injured in any of the fires, according to statements from the Billings Fire Department.

The two vans in the Senior High parking lot belonged to the school district and were used by the schools special needs students, Senior High Principal Shelli Strouf said. The vans took the students to their vocational courses, and on shopping trips meant to prepare them for their future. As of Tuesday, she said, Billings Public Schools special education department had rented two replacement vans.

They worked very quickly, Strouf said. The kids only missed out on a day, but we were able to get them back on their regular schedule.

Strouf said there is no current estimate on when the vans will be replaced. The two vans combined were valued at about $20,000, according to BFD.

A day after the fires, BPD published a photo of a Ford pickup truck believed to have been driven by the suspect in the Senior High fire. Police asked the public for assistance in finding the truck. On Monday morning, police found that same truck near Dehler Park, court documents said, and a chase ensued. Officers later found the truck abandoned in the parking lot of the Billings Gazette on Broadway Avenue.

In the back of the truck, several wooden pallets and a gas can were visible. Officers allegedly found an ID card in the cab after a subsequent search of the truck.

Stradtman, alleged to be the driver of the truck, was arrested Tuesday following a traffic stop. He had previously been sentenced in Yellowstone County for nine felonies, most of which were drug possession and theft charges, and was taken to City Hall for questioning.

During an interview with police Stradtman initially denied any involvement in the fires at Senior High, court documents said. After police confronted him with evidence, including photo evidence of the pickup truck at the scene and the fact that Stradtman's arm and beard hair were singed, Stradtman allegedly admitted to accidentally starting the blaze.

He told police he only wanted to get gasoline from the vans, court documents said. He was allegedly using a power drill to make a hole in one of the van's gas tanks when a spark from the drill bit ignited the fire. In a subsequent search of Senior High's parking lot, according to court documents, investigators found a melted power drill.

Police and fire investigators have not determined whether the Senior High and Downtown Billings fires were related, BPD Lt. Matt Lennick told the Gazette in an email Wednesday.

I dont have many words for whats happening right now with our schools and in our community, Strouf said. I just think that we can do better.

BPD, which has detectives designated as fire investigators, launched an average of about 17 arson investigations every year from 2018 through 2022. Arson cases in the city spiked in 2021, according to department data, with 35 cases.
Greystones artist Lisa McCleary, who returned to Ireland after a decade of living and working overseas in Sydney and New York, launched her first solo art exhibition in her hometown of Greystones, on Friday, September 8, where it ran until Sunday, September 17.

Ill Be in Touch was, in her own words, an exploration into the last four years of my material practice, delving into elements of painting, drawing, tapestry, and limited-edition art prints.

Lisa made her Irish debut this summer at the Royal Hibernian Academy, after living in New York for the last six years.

Lisa grew up in Greystones and was educated at Holy Child Killiney, where she first grew to love art. She continued her creative education at the Sallynoggin College of Further Education. In 2011, her mother made the move to Sydney and she followed shortly after and was accepted into the University of New South Wales Art & Design, Sydney, and spent the next four years working towards her Bachelor of Fine Art Honors Degree. She then moved to New York to put the icing on what was becoming a very fine cake indeed, a Master of Fine Arts Program at Parsons.

As a young Irish artist living in New York, she told the Irish Echo: I never could have imagined as a young child painting at my art desk in my home in Greystones, that I would one day have my own solo exhibition in New York City; it is a very exciting dream that has become a reality. I think New York is a special place for the creatively inclined.

Her work, currently, investigates the malleability of identity and the nature of the human spirit.
A crowd gathers to watch international master Sam Collins playing Lukian Hushpit at the Bray Rapidplay Chess Tournament at Greystones Bridge Centre.

Christ Church COI

Services of Worship for this Sunday The Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity: 11am: Harvest Thanksgiving.

Parish Life Centre [PLC] Bookings: The Parish Life Centre is available for day and evening bookings. Please contact Tracey in the Parish Office at 01-286 2968.

Parish Office: The Parish Office can be contacted at 01- 286 2968 or info@christchurchbray.ie between 9am to 1pm Monday to Friday.

Connect Online: Our most active communication tools currently are our Website www.christchurchbray.ie which contains information on our live streamed worship services, weekly Blogs, events and news, and our facebook page @christchurchbray.

Irish Trefoil GuildGuiding for Life: Calling all former leaders of the Irish Girl Guides in Bray and the surrounding area. There is now a Trefoil Guild in Bray. Contact Anne at braytrefoilguild@gmail.com.

Bray Methodist Church

Worship this Sunday: 10amSunday Worship with Cr=C3=A8che and Sunday School.

Bray Presbyterian Church

Worship this Sunday: 11.30am Sunday Worship with Sunday School.

Christian Assembly Church

Worship this Sunday: 10.45am Morning Worship; 6.30pm Evening Service of Bible teaching, singing and fellowship.

Wednesdays: 8pm Prayer Meeting & Bible study.

Cornerstone Church at The Well

Worship this Sunday: 11am.

Bray Gospel Hall

Bray Gospel Hall, 27 Florence RoadSunday Morning 10.45am to 12 Noon: Breaking of Bread (Lords Supper)A Time of Worship, Praise and Remembrance.

Holy Redeemer Parish

Contact Holy Redeemer Parish: Call (01) 2868413. Website: www.holyredeemerbray.ie; Email office@holyredeemerbray.ie.

Parish Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 9.30am to 11am. If you need to contact us email: office@holyredeemer.ie.

Mass Times: 10amMonday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday No Mass on Tuesday. Sunday Masses: 6pm Vigil Mass on Saturday and on Sunday at 10.30am and 12Noon. To book a Mass, please call into the Sacristy before or after our Masses.

Mass Cards: Mass Cards may be purchased from the Parish Office during its opening hours.

Baptism: Registration for Baptism can be made online via the parish website www.holyredeemerbray.ie. Please choose a Second or a Fourth Saturday of the month in 2023.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays the Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome.

St. Peters Parish

To Book a Mass: To book a Mass, please contact Sharon in the Parish Office on 01- 282 9467 or email: stpeterslittlebray1@gmail.com.

Parish Office: Parish Office opening hours areMonday: 9.30am to 12.30pm; Tuesday: 9am to 12.30pm; Wednesday: Closed; Thursday: 9am to 12.30pm; Friday: 9am to 12.30pm. The parish office can be contacted by calling 01-282 4967 or by email: stpeterslittlebray1@gmail.com.

St. Peters Church Mass Times: Sunday: 9.30am (Irish), 11.30am. Holy Days of Obligation: 11.30am. No Weekday Mass. First Friday of the Month Mass: 10am.

Mass Update: Sunday Mass is broadcast on the parish web-site at 9.30am (Irish) and 11.30am (English)Google Chrome required.

Car Park Hours: These are 9am to 12.30pm, Monday to Friday, for parish business and at the weekends during church ceremonies. The Cemetery is accessible via Laneway for Pedestrians.

St. Peters Cemetery: There is a strict policy of No Dumping Allowed in any area of the cemetery. Visitors to the cemetery are requested to take home all forms with them of their rubbish in order to keep the cemetery tidy. Your co-operation is appreciated.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays the Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome.

St. Fergals Parish

Mass Times: Mass times are 9.30am Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. No morning Mass on Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturday: 7.30pm Vigil Mass; Sundays: 8am and 10.30am.

Baptism: Baptisms take place on the first and third Saturday of each Month at 12Noon. Bookings can be made through the Parish Office Only. The Preparation meeting takes place on the Monday before the 1st Saturday of the month. Please call into the Parish Office three weeks in advance of the Baptism to complete the Baptism Form and to confirm the date.

Confessions: Are heard on Saturdays after the 7pm Vigil Mass.

Marriage: All couples must give notice to the priest or Parish Secretary at least three months prior to the date of marriage.

Facebook page for the Bray & Enniskerry Pastoral Area: Check out Bray and Enniskerry Pastoral Area for all the news and information of our Pastoral Area.

Syro Malabar Catholic Church

Mass is celebrated every Sunday at 2.30pm in St. Fergals Church, Ballywaltrim.

Our Lady Queen of Peace

Parish Website: www.queenofpeace.ie.

Mass: Weekday Masses are celebrated at 10.30am on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Weekend Masses are at 6.30pm on Saturdays and 10.30am and 12 Noon on Sundays.

Mass Bookings: Anyone who wishes to book a Mass can do so by contacting the Parish Secretary via email at: secretary@queenofpeace.ie, or call 2745497.

Parish Centre: To book a meeting room in the Parish Centre please call 01-2760045 or email: villafas1@hotmail.com.

St. Annes Church, Shankill: On Saturdays a Vigil Mass is celebrated at 5pm in St. Annes Church. All are welcome.

Facebook Page: Please visit and like our Facebook page: Bray and Enniskerry Pastoral Area.

QOP youth club

Mike and Stephen provided transport for twenty-four members of the Queen of Peace Adventure Youth Club to Hook Head in County Wexford.

When they arrived at Slade Harbour Maire and Albert treated them to hot sausages and donuts. The rest of the time was spent wearing wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets and jumping into the clear water gully at the famous Solomons Hole. A long walk took place to the oldest lighthouse in Europe, and fossil hunting was enjoyed.

The leaders included Paul, Cormac, Stephen, Mike, Vivian, and Albert.

Diving club

The North wind blew coldly at Saint Johns point in Donegal where Bray divers spent three days diving. Depths ranged down to twenty one metres. Training was carried out for one star and two star certification, lifts for the rescue course, and dives were logged for leading diver.

Divers were Cormac, Shane, Gavin, John, Albert, Karen, Angela, Dave McKeown, Dave Kerr, Angel, and Jeff Behan who organised gourmet dinners for all.

Bray Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday with late opening on Tuesday and Thursday to 8.30pm. The library can be contacted at 01-2862600 or email: braylib@wicklowcoco.ie. Online services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available via the library website.

The library is again involved in Imbolc, the Community Seed Arc programme, where one can get seeds for a variety of plants and after they flower, donate seeds from them for the programme. As always, you can have seeds sent to your local Wicklow Library branch by emailing your branchand requesting up to 4 packets.

Knit and Crochet for Purple House Cancer Support takes place at 11am every Monday in the library no need to book.

Doodle Time for 9-12 year olds takes place every Thursday from 3pm to 4pm.

Fairy Harp: Ceol Si an hour long concert of harp music inspired by fairies with harpist Aisling Ennis will take place in Bray Library on Thursday October 5th at 11am. Contact the library for tickets.

A Literary Fiction Book Club will commence in the library on the last Thursday of October at 7pm. Further information available from the library.

Ballywaltrim Library

Opening hours are 10am to 5 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and 10am to 8pm on Wednesday. The library can be contacted at 01-2723205 or by email at: Asballywatrimlibrary@wicklowcoco.ie. Online services including e-books, audio-books, digital magazines and newspapers and e-learning are available via the library website. Borrowers can renew their books on-line at any time.

Fairy Harp: Ceol Si an hour long concert of harp music inspired by fairies with harpist Aisling Ennis will take place in Ballywaltrim Library on Wednesday October 18th at 11am. Contact the library for tickets.

Bray Cualann Historical Society

Members and supporters of the Bray Cualann Historical Society, the local history society for Bray and North Wicklow, are asked to note that meeting of the Society will resume tomorrow night (Thursday) at 8pm in the Royal Hotel, Main Street, Bray, when Theresa Hicks will present The Kennedys of Newtownmountkennedy based on her book of the same title. All are welcome admission is 8 for visitors/non-members.

Other events taking place include: today (Wednesday) Michael McShane will present The Killiney Estate of Robert Warren during his tenure, 1834-1869 at 8pm to the Dun Laoghaire Borough Historical Society in the Royal Marine Hotel, Marine Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5 for non-members/visitors; tomorrow (Thursday) between 2pm and 4pm there are guided tours of Holy Trinity Church Killiney, Killiney Hill Road, Killiney, Co. Dublin; next Monday the Dublin Festival of History 2023 commences and runs until Sunday October 15th programme details can be downloaded from www.dublinfestivalofhistory.ie; Max Cannon will present Thomas Early, Manufacturer of ecclesiastical furniture and Stained-Glass Windows at 8pm to the Clondalkin Historical Society in Aras Chronain Irish Cultural Centre, Watery Lane, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin. All welcomeadmission is 5 for non-members; next Wednesday Liam OMeara will present When Paddy worked on the Railways: the coming of the railway to Inchicore at 6pm to the Old Dublin Society in The Conference Room, Dublin City Library & Archive, 144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2. All are welcomeadmission is free; Dr. Mary Muldowney will present The Dublin Cattle Market at 6.30pm in Phibsboro Library, Blacquiere Bridge, North Circular Road, Phibsboro, Dublin, D07 VX54. Admission is free but booking is required book in branch, call 01-2228333 or email: phibsborolibrary@dublincity.ie; Cora McDonagh will present Balbriggan Stockings, Old Masters and the Bells of Howth: North County Dublin contributions to the nineteenth century Art & Industry Exhibitions at 8pm to the Balbriggan and District Historical Society in the Bracken Court Hotel, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. All are welcomeadmission is 5 for non-members.
Councillors have expressed their concerns following the public viewing of plans for the N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme (BPIS), which covers the section of the N11/M11 route from Loughlinstown roundabout in Shankill to the north, to Junction 9 (Glenview) in the south.

It comes as Wicklow County Council, in partnership with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority (NTA) are progressing the scheme for the provision of bus priority measures (in both directions) on the N11/M11 national road.

Councillor Melanie Corrigan, who attended the viewing in the Glenview Hotel on Tuesday, September 12, said she was concerned to see there are plans to close the Herbert Road exit from Bray onto the N11, and has been contacted by several residents on the Herbert Road since.

It is being proposed that traffic will exit onto the N11/M11 at the roundabout at Hills garage, with works at the roundabout, including signal controlled crossing, proposed to try and facilitate the flow.

Cllr Corrigan is also concerned about the potential closure of the R117 road from Enniskerry to the N11/M11, where two alternative routes are being proposed to access the N11, either at the Fassaroe roundabout or the Kilcroney roundabout.

Cllr Corrigan is appealing to people to send in submissions on the proposed scheme.

Councillor Derek Mitchell has echoed Cllr Corrigans concerns over what he describes as a complex central section from Fassaroe to Kilmacanogue on both sides of the road.

A detailed look at it shows it is much more extensive than initially appears. It involves closing the Enniskerry and Kilcroney turnoffs from the N11 to all traffic. I think this will divert a lot of traffic back into Bray and increase queues on the N11 at Bray south. Also, the rural roads to the south of Enniskerry will get busier, he said.

The original scheme had a parallel road, on each side, for buses and local traffic to take the traffic from the closed junctions, but this scheme omits that. The original scheme was postponed/cancelled by Minister Eamon Ryan, who does not want a road capacity increase in spite of the huge population growth south of Bray. I think we should go back to the original scheme.

Added to these transport problems, the recent All Island Strategic Rail Review has ignored the rail improvements planned for Greystones DART and south of there, he added.

Submissions will be accepted via the online feedback form available on the project website www.n11m11bpis.ie or by email to n11m11@arup.com or by post addressed to N11/M11 Bus Priority Interim Scheme, Transportation Department, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Whitegates, Wicklow town, A67 FW96.

Submissions must be received on or before Friday, October 13.
LOCAL Enterprise Office will celebrate National Womens Enterprise Day in October by hosting an event featuring guest speakers Elaine Geraghty, MD of Ardmore Studios and Anna Daly, broadcaster and founder of clothing company Little Bliss.

The gathering takes place in Powerscourt House, Enniskerry, on Thursday, October 19 where attendees will enjoy a buffet lunch on arrival. Lisa Cunningham, renowned business mentor, will MC the event.

Elaine Geraghty is currently Managing Director of Ardmore Film and TV Studios in Bray and Troy Studios in Limerick, and the former Chief Executive of Screen Producers Ireland. She has more than 30 years experience in the audiovisual and media sector. She has held a variety of senior management positions in the Communicorp Group, the Sunday Tribune and 98FM. As Chief Executive of Newstalk, Elaine developed the local Dublin radio station to become Irelands first independent national talk radio broadcaster.

Anna Daly is an award-winning TV presenter, currently working with RTE on shows such as Hospital Live and Future Island. Anna launched her ethical clothing brand Little Bliss in 2021 and it continues to gain loyal fans for its colourful aesthetic and sustainable ethos. Anna lives in the seaside town of Greystones with her husband and three young boys, but regularly finds herself working between Dublin and London.

Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Cathaoirleach, Wicklow County Council said: There are some amazing female entrepreneurs in County Wicklow and Im looking forward to meeting them at the NWED event in Powerscourt House, to listen to the inspiring stories of the guest speakers. Its important to celebrate and encourage female entrepreneurs through sharing our knowledge and experience.

Vibeke Delahunt, Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office Wicklow explained: The theme for this years National Womens Enterprise Day on October 19 is Empowering Business Together and we want to highlight all the supports that can empower women in Wicklow who want to start or grow their businesses into the future.

Emer OGorman, Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council said: I would like to call on all female founders and entrepreneurs to come and join us on Thursday 19th October in the fabulous Ballroom in Powerscourt House to network, inspire and celebrate the stories of these formidable speakers. Theres nothing like supporting and learning from each other in business, especially for women who are often juggling many other responsibilities.
SENATOR Pat Casey has called for Government to open its first-time buyer schemes to those with lower incomes and allow those availing of the Help To Buy scheme to purchase vacant and derelict homes.

Senator Caseys requests come as Housing Minister Darragh OBrien has said he is open to the First Home scheme, the Governments shared equity initiative for first-time buyers, being extended to second-hand homes in next months Budget.

Mr OBrien came under pressure from Fianna Fail backbenchers for both the First Home and Help to Buy schemes to be extended to second-hand homes in the Budget on October 10 at the partys think-in this week.

Mr OBrien told Fianna Fail TDs and senators that more than 2,544 approvals have been issued for the First Home scheme, where first-time buyers can see the State taking up to 30 per cent equity in a new home.

Senator Casey said that along with broadening the range of homes available, the average salaries for people availing of the First Home and the Help to Buy schemes should be brought down by lowering the loan-to-value ratios.

This would mean more families and households on lower incomes will be able to avail of the schemes.

As a minimum, the 70 per cent [loan to value] should be scrapped or at least, the value of the First Home scheme should be taken into that calculation and not excluded, to make it more accessible for people, he said.

Senator Casey also backed the Help to Buy scheme being expanded to vacant and derelict homes, along with the First Home scheme.

There are concerns that there are no supports currently available for first-time buyers who wish to purchase second-hand homes, despite up to 100,000 being available in grants for new builds.

Over 14,000 homes were completed in the first half of the year, a 6 per cent increase on last year.

A total of 40,000 in Ireland people have used Help to Buy, with nearly 800m paid out. The First Home Scheme aims to support 8,000 first time buyers by 2026 and bridges the gap between house prices and affordability.

Around 80 per cent of approvals are in Dublin, Cork, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, with over 2,500 approvals in its first year.
BBC director general Tim Davie said a rigorous piece of work was conducted when Russell Brand left BBC Radio 2 but questions if more could have been done when allegations later surfaced (PA)

BBC director general Tim Davie said a rigorous piece of work was conducted when Russell Brand left BBC Radio 2 but wonders if more could have been done.

Mr Davie was the corporations director of audio when Brand left his Radio 2 show in 2008 after he and guest Jonathan Ross left a lewd voicemail for Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs  who died in 2016  about his granddaughter.

Brand has been accused of rape, assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, when he was at the height of his fame and working for the broadcaster as well as Channel 4 and starring in Hollywood films, following a joint investigation by The Times, Sunday Times and Channel 4s Dispatches.

Russell Brand has denied allegations of rape, assault and emotional abuse (PA)

Speaking during a session at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Cambridge Conference on Wednesday and reflecting on how the corporation handled the issue in 2008, Mr Davie said it did a rigorous piece of work which led to significant departures.

Asked if he does not regret that more was not done at the time, he said: I always look back with hindsight, when you hear things coming out, and you go, Could you have done more?

Were always going to have questions.

The BBC boss said he is proud of the culture at the corporation, adding: Were having, I think, profound conversations and we have been for years now in terms of saying, Are we getting it right in terms of ensuring that (there are) no abuses of power, that people behave flawlessly in terms of respecting each other, kindness?

The broadcaster has launched an investigation into comedian and actor Brands time at the BBC and has removed content featuring him from its platforms.

Brand, who worked on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music programmes from 2006 to 2008, has strongly denied the allegations.

Mr Davie said the claims are very serious and feels broadcasters cannot be complacent about how they approach such allegations.

This is not an issue that can be just put down as wholly historic, if Im honest, he said.

I think theres an important, healthy dialogue to have around these deep imbalances of power.

The BBC boss said there have been deep problems with misogyny (and) abuse of power and the way to tackle it is to be utterly vigilant, be unaccepting of it and create a culture in which theres a trust that bringing information forward is treated very seriously.

The BBC said the review into Brands time at the corporation will be led by its director of editorial complaints Peter Johnston, who is the former director of BBC Northern Ireland.

Mr Davie said during the RTS session he has not ruled out an external review, adding: I think its the right approach and proportion at this point to get a serious internal review led by Peter Johnson, who is an excellent and senior leader with great experience in this area.
Ukrainian special services launch strikes on Wagner-backed militia in Sudan

Strikes outside Ukraine and Russia would be a dramatic expansion of Kyivs campaign against Moscow and its international allies

Fire rages in a livestock market area in North Darfur after a bomging by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Photo: AFP

Joe Barnes Daily Telegraph Wed 20 Sep 2023 at 14:37







Ukrainian special services were behind a series of strikes against a Wagner-backed militia in Sudan, according to a new report.
Protesters gather near the government building, after Azerbaijan launched a military operation in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, in Yerevan, Armenia, September 19, 2023. Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via REUTERS

Azerbaijan has launched what it has called an anti-terrorist operation targeting Armenian military positions in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, as heavy artillery firing was reported around its capital.
The Indo Daily: The RTE star, a Meath housing estate and the families in need of a Home Rescue
US President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, will plead not guilty to federal gun charges, his attorney said in a court filing on Tuesday.

Hunter Biden, 53, is at the centre of a political maelstrom, as House Republicans mount an impeachment inquiry against his father focused on alleged ties between his business practices and his father's policies during his father's tenure as vice president from 2009 to 2017.
An Indonesian court sentenced a woman to two years in prison this week for violating the country's blasphemy law after she posted a video on social media site TikTok in which she said a Muslim prayer before eating pork.
Russians are weaponising food, energy and children, Volodymyr Zelensky tells United Nations

Ukrainian leader addresses UN after Biden rallies support for fight

Russia is weaponising food, energy and children in war on Ukraine, says Zelensky

Jennifer Peltz Wed 20 Sep 2023 at 03:30







Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday that Russia is weaponising everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine  and he warned world leaders that the same could happen to them.
Salem: The Sona Centre for Social Responsibility Initiatives (Sona CSRI), Sona College of Technologys CSR arm, has initiated a programme to help 11 differently abled women from Maramangalathupatti village on the outskirts of Salem town to pick up skills in stitching to become self-reliant.

As part of this initiative, Sona CSRI sought to help differently abled women overcome the difficulties of operating a sewing machine. A team led by Sona College Principal Dr SRR Senthil Kumar worked with the Fashion Technology department to devise a solution to help them use a sewing machine that let them overcome their disability and improve their livelihood options.

As a result of the teams effort, each sewing machine is now equipped with patented sensor technology that enables stitching just with hands unlike the ones used in garment manufacturing for stitching by women with functional upper and lower limbs.

As a next step SONA-CSRI head, P Ragupathy identified differently-abled women from the backward community to be trained to work on these specially designed sewing machines.

The initiative is being undertaken with a grant from the Tamil Nadu governments World Bank-assisted Vazhndhu Kattuvom project that aims at rural transformation. Vazhndhu Kattuvom for the uninitiated means self-reliance of the common people.

As part of this initiative the women, aged between 20 to 35, are being trained in stitching as well as getting physiotherapy assistance, training in life skills and introduction to entrepreneurship. Vazhndhu Kattuvom

The Sona CSRI team coordinated the efforts of Maramangalathupatty village administration, researchers from the Fashion Technology department of Sona College, and Sona Institution Innovation Council to get Phase-1 of the project going.

The team at Sona CSRI is in talks with the local textile and garment manufacturers to give work contracts to the beneficiaries, in addition to facilitating customized transport to the Skilling Centre run by Sona CSRI. Those with special needs could use these sewing machines at home.

From creating a Women Technology Park to engaging with Women Self Help Groups during Covid, we at the Sona group have always focused on women in almost all our community projects. I am proud that Sona Colleges CSRI effort is helping 11 women in Maramangalathupatti earn respect as self-reliant women and inspire others to emulate their example, says Chocko Valliappa, vice chairman, Sona group.

Partnering Vazhndhu Kattuvom project of the Tamil Nadu governments mega rural transformation initiative spurs the Sona CSRI to help participants overcome their disabilities. This experience will allow us to use the home-grown technology of the Fashion Technology department to benefit a larger group of women, says Dr SRR Senthilkumar, Principal, Sona College of Technology.

Dr D Raja, Fashion Technology departments head at Sona College says, The Fashion Technology team feels privileged that its patented technology is put to use for women in the community to become self-reliant.

As the Phase-2 of the project kicked off this week a few Salem based textile businesses from Salem have joined hands with the project to offer training specific to their respective businesses, promising internships, and work orders to the beneficiaries under the scheme.

Since its founding in 2009, Sona CSRI community projects around Salem have centred around Health, Skill development, Education, Livelihood promotion, with a special focus on women and differently-abled.

The Sona CSRI centre received FICCI National award 2020 for Excellence in Institutional Social Responsibility Award.

Salem, one of the best cotton-growing areas in the world for long-staple cotton varieties used in producing fine fabrics and textiles, is contributing to Tamil Nadus robust textile industry with over 2000 spinning mills, 5,63,000 power looms, 1,55,000 handlooms and 15,000 garment units.
Image Courtesy: Pixabay

Kolkata: Manipal Hospitals Wednesday announced the acquisition of an 84 percent stake in AMRI Hospitals Ltd, a subsidiary of the Emami Group, for an undisclosed amount, media reported.

Emami Group, based in Kolkata, will maintain a 15 percent stake in AMRI Hospitals and remain an investor in the venture.

This strategic move is poised to bolster Manipal Hospitals' presence in the eastern region of India.

With this acquisition, the combined entity will include 33 hospitals spanning 17 cities.

Leveraging the clinical proficiency and infrastructure of AMRI Hospitals, coupled with the synergies of its expansive network, Manipal Hospitals is well-positioned to meet the escalating demand for top-notch tertiary and quaternary healthcare services in eastern India, it said

"This acquisition is in sync with our objective to further strengthen our presence and serve the patients in eastern India  an underserved area when it comes to healthcare," Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG) Chairman Ranjan Pai said. Emami Group Directors Aditya Agarwal and Manish Goenka said the group has divested its majority stake in AMRI Hospitals, but will continue as an investor with 15 per cent stake.

"The government of West Bengal will also have (around) 1 per cent stake in AMRI Hospitals," they said. AMRI is among the major healthcare providers network in eastern India with operations in Dhakuria, Mukundapur and Salt Lake (in Kolkata) and another in Bhubaneswar, with over 1,200 beds and more than 800 doctors, and 5,000-plus healthcare professionals.

After the acquisition, the combined entity will have 33 hospitals across 17 cities with 9,500 beds, and over 5,000 doctors and 20,000 employees, the statement said.

Manipal Health Enterprise was advised by Allegro Capital Advisors for the transaction.
Bengaluru: NVIDIA has announced its third significant collaboration in India this month, joining forces with leading IT firm Infosys to drive productivity improvements through generative AI applications and solutions for enterprises, reported Moneycontrol.

Infosys is establishing an NVIDIA Center of Excellence with plans to train and certify 50,000 employees in NVIDIA's AI technologies, it said.

As part of this partnership, Infosys will integrate NVIDIA's AI Enterprise ecosystem, including models, tools, runtimes, and GPU systems, into its AI-centric offering Topaz.

This integration will enable Infosys to develop user-friendly solutions for businesses looking to seamlessly incorporate generative AI into their operations. Infosys leverages the complete NVIDIA generative AI platform, encompassing both hardware and enterprise-level software, across its business functions to assist clients in building generative AI applications.

The collaboration will also cover digitalization applications, emphasizing the creation of solutions for enterprise scenarios involving 3D workflows, design collaboration, digital twinning, world simulation, and more.

The two companies are jointly working on AI-driven solutions in areas such as 5G, cybersecurity, and energy transition.

Jensen Huang, NVIDIAs CEO said that generative AI will drive the next wave of enterprise productivity gains.

The NVIDIA AI Enterprise ecosystem is ramping quickly to provide the platform for generative AI. Together, NVIDIA and Infosys will create an expert workforce to help businesses use this platform to build custom applications and solutions, he said.

Nandan Nilekani, Chairman and co-founder of Infosys, emphasized in a statement that the company is undergoing a transformation into an AI-centric organization to enhance its delivery of AI-powered services.

Our clients are also looking at complex AI use cases that can drive significant business value across their entire value chainInfosys Topaz offerings and solutions are complementary to NVIDIAs core stack. By combining our strengths and training 50,000 of our workforce on NVIDIA AI technology, we are creating end-to-end industry-leading AI solutions that will help enterprises on their journey to become AI-first, he added.

In September, when NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang was in India, the company announced collaborations with two of the largest Indian conglomerates, Reliance Industries and Tata Group.

In partnership with Reliance, NVIDIA said it would develop Indias own foundation large language model (LLM) trained on diverse languages, which are made for India.

The company along with NVIDIA will develop an advanced AI cloud infrastructure that is secure, sustainable, and are deeply relevant to India's unique opportunities.

The Tata Group is engaging with NVIDIA on three fronts. The chipmaker will build and process generative AI applications and upskill over six lakh employees of TCS, Indias biggest IT Services company, in AI.

The company will help Tata Motors deploy AI across design, styling, engineering, simulation testing and autonomous vehicle capabilities. Further, it will help Tata Communications build AI infrastructure.
Photo Courtesy: Khalsavox.com

Canada's attempt to seek public condemnation of the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar from its allies, including the US, was met with reluctance, media reports said, an episode which took place weeks before PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's connection in the issue.

The same highlights the diplomatic challenges faced by the Biden administration and its allies as they try to navigate relations with India, a crucial player in the region, ANI reported quoting The Washington Post.

The alleged assassination of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on June 18, led to behind-the-scenes discussions among senior officials from the Five Eyes countries in the weeks leading up to the September Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.

However, no public mention was made before the summit, which was seen as an important event for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to The Washington Post as quoted by ANI.

Meanwhile, Indian officials said nine separatist organisations, which support terror groups, have their bases in Canada and despite multiple deportation requests Ottawa has taken no action against those involved in heinous crimes.

Pro-Khalistani outfits such as the World Sikh Organization (WSO), Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), working at the behest of Pakistan, have been allegedly operating freely from the Canadian soil, they told PTI news agency.

The Canadian PM had earlier alleged the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, which took place in June.

It had raised eyebrows and the US had said it was "deeply concerned" about the allegations.

During a speech to the House of Commons, Justin Trudeau Monday said the Canadian security agencies have been "actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar".

India, meanwhile, has rejected Trudeau's claims stating that: "Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."

"Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected," the Indian foreign ministry has said.

The matter escalated so much so that over the last two days, Canada and India expelled each other's senior diplomats. On Monday, the unnamed Canadian diplomat was asked to leave India within five days.

The escalation comes shortly after the issue was discussed between Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the recently held G20 in India.

During the G20 talks, PM Modi had reportedly conveyed that extremist elements in Canada are "promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats threatening the Indian community and their places of worship".

Trudeau had then assured him that Canada would always "defend freedom of expression... conscience and peaceful protest." But it will also prevent violence and push back against hatred, he had told reporters.
Photo courtesy: PIB

New Delhi/IBNS: India has rejected the allegations made by Canada over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in an escalation of the bilateral tension between the two nations.

"Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected," read the statement issued by the MEA.

"We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern," read the statement.

"That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern.The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new.We reject any attempts to connect the Government of India to such developments," the statement said.

What did Canada PM Trudeau allege?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that there are credible allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in the British Columbia area in June.

Soon after Trudeau levelled the allegations against the Indian government in the country's Parliament, Canadas foreign minister Melanie Joly announced the expulsion of a top Indian diplomat as a consequence.

India's befitting reply

In a befitting reply to Ottawa, India has sacked a Canadian diplomat and asked him to leave the country within the next five days.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs reads, "The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.

"The decision reflects the Government of Indias growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities."

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canada-based pro-Khalistan leader, was shot dead in Surrey city, British Columbia province in June.

He had been a leading figure in the Khalistan separatist movement and was closely associated with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

Nijjar was also serving as the president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.

Nijjar, a member of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was a wanted terrorist for his involvement in various acts of violence and subversive activities.

(Reporting by Suman Das)
Photo courtesy: Screenshot grab from Congress Facebook

New Delhi/IBNS: Congress Lok Sabha leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has alleged the words "socialist" and "secular" have been dropped from the Preamble in copies of Indian Constitution handed over to the parliamentarians on the day of shifting to the new Parliament building.

Speaking to ANI, Adhir said, "The words "secular" and "socialist" are missing from the Preamble in the copies of Indian Constitution handed over to us while entering the new Parliament building."

"We are aware that the two words were introduced through Amendment to the Constitution in 1976 but it's a matter of concern if someone hands over a copy of the Constitution today without these two words," added the Congress MP.

"It has been done very cleverly. If we raise the issue, they would cite the first Constitution since Independence but their intention is very suspicious," he said.

Adhir, a Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal's Baharampur constituency, said he wanted to raise the issue in Parliament but couldn't get an opportunity.

#WATCH | Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury says, "The new copies of the Constitution that were given to us today (19th September), the one we held in our hands and entered (the new Parliament building), its Preamble doesn't have the words 'socialist pic.twitter.com/NhvBLp7Ufi  ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

On Ganesh Chaturthi, India's parliamentarians shift to new block

Almost 800 parliamentarians from two houses- Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha- formally shifted to the new Parliament Building on the occasion of Hindu festival Ganesh Chaturthi on Tuesday.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress Leader of Opposition Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, on Tuesday spared some time to deliver their addresses in the old block, a historic site which witnessed the transfer of power from the British to India, proceedings for the last eight decades.

The shifting took place on the second day of the ongoing special session called by the government.

In his first address to the new parliament building, Modi said, "It is historic... This day will be remembered forever."
The North Dakota Supreme Court on Tuesday heard attorney arguments over whether to uphold or overturn a murder conspiracy conviction in the case of Nikki Entzel, who is serving life in prison for the slaying of her husband in what authorities said was a love triangle plot.

Entzel was convicted in South Central District Court last October on three conspiracy charges  murder, arson, and evidence tampering  in the shooting death of her husband, Chad, in Bismarck around New Years 2020. She was sentenced to life in prison with eligibility for parole after 36 years. Attorney Samuel Gereszek, of Grand Forks, filed an appeal of Entzels conviction, citing an insufficiency of the evidence.

Its more than an insufficiency of the evidence. Its also kind of a deliberate withholding, Gereszek told justices on Tuesday.

He pointed to a decision by Burleigh County States Attorney Julie Lawyer not to put Entzels co-defendant and lover, Earl Howard, on the stand during her trial. Howard might have offered evidence that Entzel knew nothing about a plan to kill Chad Entzel, and only aided Howard after he shot Chad Entzel by helping attempt to conceal the crime by starting a fire, Gereszek said.

Howard, who had dual citizenship in the U.S. and Canada and had been living in Belwood, Ontario, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to the three conspiracy charges and also to an arson count. He was sentenced in February 2022 to 50 years in prison with 25 years suspended on the most serious charge, murder conspiracy.

Justice Douglas Barr was the district court judge who heard the criminal case against Entzel. He was disqualified from hearing the appeal and was replaced by North Central District Judge Stacy Louser, of Minot. Louser asked Gereszek if co-conspirators are required to testify.

No, Gereszek replied.

So why would Mr. Howard have to testify in this case? Louser continued.

Gereszek said without Howards testimony, all the prosecution was able to prove was Entzel aided Howard in attempting to conceal evidence of the killing after the fact.

Mr. Howard was necessary to show that she (Entzel) had knowledge before the fact, Gereszek said. What was presented was arguably insurance fraud on Ms. Entzels part.

Gereszek made that statement in reference to a renters insurance policy that was taken out shortly before the crime took place. He said there was no life insurance policy for Chad Entzel naming Nikki Entzel as a beneficiary.

Justice Lisa Fair McEvers asked why Entzels defense attorney during the trial didnt call Howard to testify.

Its not the defenses job to prove a case, but if you want to argue about why somebody didnt testify, theres no reason the defense could not call that person as a witness to testify, McEvers said.

Justices pressed Gereszek, asking if other acts by Entzel prior to Chads death could be used as inferences of Nikki Entzels involvement in a conspiracy. Specifically, they pointed to evidence introduced at trial that she disabled the homes security system, allowing she and Howard to enter while Chad was inside. Other evidence introduced at trial showed she and Howard left their cellphones at a motel so their locations couldnt later be tracked by law enforcement.

Lawyer in her responding argument told justices the prosecutions decision not to call Howard during the trial was made partly because a person cant be forced to testify. She also said the totality of evidence including Entzels actions prior to the shooting coupled with statements she made to investigators afterward are sufficient to uphold the conviction.

Theres plenty of evidence to show that she conspired, Lawyer said.

A shotgun formerly kept in the bedroom where Chad Entzel was sleeping had been moved to a spot where Howard could access it without being detected, according to the prosecutor.

The ammunition for that gun was found in the entryway closet, Lawyer said. She (Nikki Entzel) was the one who showed him (Howard) where that ammunition was located.

Howard initially was charged with murder, but prosecutors dropped the charge saying an evaluation of the gun didnt conclude who pulled the trigger.

Lawyer also said Entzel told investigators a heater used to start the fire after the shooting was purposely brought into the house from a garage. Lawyers position at trial and before the justices on Tuesday remained consistent  that Nikki Entzel played an active role in facilitating the murder of her husband at the hands of Earl Howard and that Entzel also played an active role in attempts to conceal the crime.

Chief Justice Jon Jensen said the court will take the matter under advisement and rule later.
The Indian government issues an advisory for nationals in Canada and asked them to exercise utmost caution in the country. Photo Courtesy: PIB

In yet another tit-for-tat, New Delhi has issued a travel advisory for Indians who are currently in Canada, a measure taken a day after Ottawa issued a similar message for its nationals.

The developments are taking place after Canada alleged India's role in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year.

Cautioning nationals, the Ministry of External Affairs said in an advisory: "In view of the growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution."

"Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant," the advisory said.

Amid a diplomatic standoff between New Delhi and Ottawa over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian government earlier issued a travel advisory to its citizens and asked them to 'exercise a high degree of caution' while travelling in India.

In its advisory, Canada directed its citizens: "Exercise a high degree of caution in India due to the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country."

The Canadian government specifically asked citizens to avoid non-essential travel to north-east India, including Assam and Manipur.

The government asked its nationals to avoid travelling to Jammu and Kashmir and the border regions of India and Pakistan.

With regard to Jammu and Kashmir, the advisory said: "Avoid all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir due to the unpredictable security situation. There is a threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest and kidnapping."

However, it excluded travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh.

India-Canada-Khalistan Row

Meanwhile, India has rejected the allegations made by Canada over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in an escalation of the bilateral tension between the two nations.

"Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister and were completely rejected," read the statement issued by the MEA.

"We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern," read the statement.

"That Canadian political figures have openly expressed sympathy for such elements remains a matter of deep concern.The space given in Canada to a range of illegal activities including murders, human trafficking and organised crime is not new.We reject any attempts to connect the Government of India to such developments," the statement said.

What did Canadian PM Trudeau allege?

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has alleged that there are credible allegations of a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey in the British Columbia state of Canada in June.

Soon after Trudeau levelled the allegations against the Indian government in the country's Parliament, Canadas foreign minister Melanie Joly announced the expulsion of a top Indian diplomat as a consequence.

India's befitting reply

In a measure against Canada's actions, India has sacked a Canadian diplomat and asked him to leave the country within the next five days.

A statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs reads, "The High Commissioner of Canada to India was summoned today and informed about the decision of the Government of India to expel a senior Canadian diplomat based in India. The concerned diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days.

"The decision reflects the Government of Indias growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities."

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canada-based pro-Khalistan leader, was shot dead in Surrey city, British Columbia province in June.

He had been a leading figure in the Khalistan separatist movement and was closely associated with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ).

Nijjar was also serving as the president of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.

Nijjar, a member of the Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was a wanted terrorist for his involvement in various acts of violence and subversive activities.
Image Credit: Facebook/HS Kumaraswamy

Bengaluru/IBNS/UNI: JDS leader HD Kumaraswamy will visit New Delhi on Thursday to discuss the possible pre-poll alliance between his party and BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in the state.

"I am visiting Delhi tomorrow, and meeting BJP's central leadership. There is a need for a strong opposition in view of the Congress party coming to power in big numbers. Discussions will revolve around these subjects," he told reporters in Kannada here.

Kumaraswamy, however, dismissed reports on seat-sharing between the two parties, and whether he will be contesting the Lok Sabha election from the state.

Responding to a query, the former CM said his party will not compromise on its secular stand as the issue of alliance is altogether a different subject.

"Why should we be questioned for forging an alliance with BJP when the Congress had allied with those parties that were with the saffron party at least once," he said.

Out of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, BJP had registered a resounding victory by winning 25 of them, while BJP-backed Independent, Congress, and JDS won a seat each.

However, the Congress registered a huge victory by winning 135 seats compared to BJP winning 66 and JDS 19, in the 224-member state assembly.

Post-assembly results, reports suggested a possible alliance between BJP and JDS to fight Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka. However, JDS patriarch HD Deve Gowda did not give any indications in this regard.

The issue again came for discussion after former CM BS Yediyurappa spoke about it in public.


Image Credit: Facebook/Nitish Kumar

Patna/IBNS: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Wednesday expressed serious doubt over the intention of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in implementing the Women's Reservation Bill even after its clearance in the Parliament.

Kumar told media persons here that he had been advocating for the reservation of women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies for long.

The Bihar Chief Minister said the Women's Reservation Bill by the Union government indicated that only after census and delimitation, women would get reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

"It reflected the fact that the very intention of the BJP government at the Centre was doubtful on the issue," he said.

Kumar said that women's reservation would have been a reality, had the BJP government at the Centre conducted a general census on time.

The Bihar CM said that census was delayed and caste census demand was rejected by the Centre which created a situation for delay in giving reservation to women even after approval of the Parliament.

Kumar said that Bihar was the first state to give 50 percent reservation to women in Panchayati Raj institutions and local bodies after his government was voted to power in 2005.

In Bihar government services, women had been given 35 percent reservation while 50 percent was reserved for appointments of primary school teachers, he said adding that 35 percent reservation was given to women in recruitments in state police.

The lower house of the Parliament passed the bill through a voice vote in its new building during the five-day special session called on the occasion of 75 years of Indian Independence.

The bill received the support of 454 MPs while only two members voted against it.

The Women's Reservation Bill will be presented in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, which is the penultimate day of the special session.

This was the first time the bill, designed to provide 33 percent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies, was introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha.

The implementation of the quota, though, can take place only after a census and delimitation, which pushes it back by at least six years.

The Delimitation Commission is the only body that can take a call on which seats to reserve, he said, indicating that census data is the bedrock on which such decisions are taken.



[With UNI inputs]
As political tides shift and global alliances fluctuate, leaders often face pressures to retain their power and relevance. Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau seems to be no exception to this phenomenon.

The recent episode involving unfounded allegations against India hints at a deeper issue that could be plaguing the leaders office: is Trudeaus political stronghold in Canada waning to the point where divisive tactics are seen as the only way out?

Over the past week, Al Jazeera carried two stories  Canadas Trudeau rebuffs idea of stepping down in face of slumping support and Walk away, Justin Trudeau. Canadas love affair with you is over, which signals Trudeaus political capital and public support are fast-waning. Trudeau also could not gather international support from its allies to back up his claims  the Biden administration declined to issue a joint statement against India.

The allegations that India might have played a role in the assassination of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar are startling, but may be politically motivated. For many, this move appears as a desperate attempt to play to a specific community within Canada. By lending credence to extremist views without concrete evidence, is Trudeau trying to woo a particular vote bank to secure his position?

Canadas open support for extremist groups, like the Khalistan movement, is concerning. Instead of being based on evidence and careful evaluation, such endorsements appear more like political maneuvers designed to court a section of the Canadian population. This isnt the neutral, fair, and principled Canada the world has known and respected; its vote bank politics at its most blatant.

Its important to understand the background here. Historically, Trudeaus leadership has received widespread acclaim for its progressive stance on various domestic and international issues. However, in recent years, there have been signs of dissent within Canada. Economic concerns, allegations of ethics violations, and other issues have put his leadership under scrutiny. Perhaps, in a bid to mitigate these challenges, Trudeau is trying to solidify a support base within specific communities?

But at what cost? When a leader resorts to divisive tactics, it doesnt just hurt the nations image globally, but it can lead to rifts within the very fabric of the society. The Indian-Canadian community, an integral part of Canadas multicultural mosaic, is now fraught with anxiety and apprehension due to these baseless allegations. Instead of uniting the diverse Canadian populace, such strategies risk tearing them apart.

Furthermore, by straining ties with India, a democratic powerhouse and a significant global partner, Canada jeopardizes its international standing. Aligning with extremist narratives may offer short-term gains, but in the long run, it will isolate Canada on the global stage.

In politics, desperate times often lead to desperate measures. But for a nation that prides itself on its unity in diversity, these divisive tactics can prove detrimental. As Trudeaus power seemingly sinks, one can only hope that he reevaluates this approach. For the sake of Canadas global reputation and the harmony of its diverse society, its crucial that evidence and mutual respect guide its relationships, both domestically and internationally.

(Photo and Text credit: Khalsavox.com)
Wikipedia Commons

This expansion of IndiGo's codeshare network in partnership with Turkish Airlines now links to five destinations across the United States of America.

This new connection will enhance the accessibility to San Francisco for travelers, providing customers with a wide range of destinations to explore in the United States, in line with IndiGo's vision of strengthening international connectivity.

With the launch of the San Francisco route, IndiGo's codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines will expand to connect travelers to a total of 39 destinations.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said, We are extremely pleased to announce the latest connection to San Francisco via Istanbul as part of our codeshare partnership with Turkish Airlines. Our first entry into the Bay Area famed for its natural beauty, cable cars, Victorian houses and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is also a gateway to the thriving IT industry at Silicon Valley. This connection to California enhances travel options for passengers, marking our fifth destination in the US after New York, Washington, Boston & Chicago. As we expand our global network and connect people with favored destinations, we remain committed to delivering on our promise of providing affordable, on-time, courteous, and hassle-free travel experiences across our extensive network.
Photo Courtesy: UN Photo/Cia Pak

Speaking at the annual debate of the UN General Assembly in New York, Brazils President Lula da Silva lamented growing global inequalities and discussed his countrys role spearheading climate change diplomacy within the Global South.

Global inequalities

The world is becoming increasingly unequal, according to Mr. Silva. Immersed in a world of intersecting crises, including COVID-19, security, racism, intolerance, and stable access to food and clean water, more must be done to ensure that inequalities do not continue to grow.

The ten richest billionaires have more wealth than the poorest 40 per cent of humanity, said Mr. Silva.

The destiny of every child born on this planet seems to be decided while theyre still in their mothers womb. The part of the world where their parents live, and the social class their family belongs to, will determine whether or not that child will have opportunities throughout life, he added.

Unequal access to safe and secure food and water, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities all exacerbate inequalities and have amplified by growing geopolitical tensions, according to Mr. Silva.

Climate chaos on our doorsteps

Brazil has quickly become a leader among the Global South for coordinating climate diplomacy. Mr. Silva emphasized the need for urgent, comprehensive international cooperation to avoid a worsening climate crisis.

It knocks on our door, destroys our homes, our cities, our countries, kills, and imposes suffering and losses on our brothers, said Mr. Silva. It is the vulnerable populations in the Global South who are most affected by the loss and damage caused by climate change.

Brazil hosted the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) summit in August, where eight South American nations met to discuss rainforest protections and the climate crisis.

Additionally, Brazil has decreased deforestation of the Amazon by 48 per cent and has become a leader in the transition to renewable energy, with 87 per cent of Brazils electric power coming from renewable sources.

In Brazil, we have already proven once, and will prove again, that a socially fair and environmentally sustainable model is possible. We are at the forefront of energy transition, and our matrix is already one of the cleanest in the world.

Mr. Silva plans to meet with US President Joe Biden at the UNGA on Wednesday to address the climate crisis.

Geopolitical tensions

As tensions grow between China and the United States, and as war continues to rage in Ukraine, Mr. Silva said his Government has avoided explicit support for Beijing, Moscow, or Washington. Brazil has refused militarily backing Ukraine, but is joined by a number of nations condemning Russias attack and calling for peace talks.

Armed conflicts are an offense to human rationality. We know the horrors and suffering produced by all wars. Promoting a culture of peace is a duty for all of us, he said.

Brazil has also been critical of the UN Security Councils ability to effectively prevent conflict from spreading across the globe.

The Security Council has been progressively losing its credibility. This frailty is the specific result of actions from its permanent members who wage unauthorized wars or regime change. Its paralysis is the most eloquent proof of the urgent need to reform it, which will bring it greater representation and efficacy.
Photo Courtesy: UNHCR/Samuel Otieno

In war-torn Sudan, more than 1,200 children under five have died in camps in the space of four months from a combination of measles and malnutrition, UN humanitarians said on Tuesday.

According to the UN refugee agency (UNCHR) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the children were refugees living in nine camps in Sudans White Nile state.

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi insisted that the world had the means and the money to prevent every one of those deaths.

He called for an end to the fighting and for more financial support for the emergency response in the country. The UNs 2023 Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan launched in May remains only 30 per cent funded.

Disease outbreaks

UNHCR said that over 3,100 suspected measles cases and more than 500 suspected cholera cases were reported from 15 May to 15 September in Sudan, along with outbreaks of dengue and malaria. The UN agency pointed to a context of increased epidemic risk and challenges for epidemic control.

UNHCRs Chief of Public Health, Dr. Allen Maina, told reporters in Geneva that the situation has brought health care in the country to its knees.

4 out of 5 hospitals shuttered

According to WHO, some 11 million people in Sudan require health assistance. The UN agencys health operations team lead for the country, Dr Ilham Nour, said that 3.4 million children under five were acutely malnourished and millions of people required care for chronic diseases, including 8,500 patients in need of renal dialysis.

Latest reports indicate that up to 80 per cent of hospitals in conflict-affected states are not functional, Dr Nour said. Since the start of the war, WHO has verified 56 attacks targeting health facilities, health assets, transport, health workers and patients, in violation of international humanitarian law.

Newborn deaths

The lack of access to treatment and relentless attacks on health and nutrition services have also prompted an alert from the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) that many thousands of newborns will die in Sudan by the end of the year.

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder highlighted the care needs for the 333,000 children who will be born in Sudan between October and December and their mothers. He said that Sudans youngest citizens may be entering a period of unprecedented mortality and warned that there were more and more reports of children being recruited into armed groups.

Mr. Elder also described the education crisis as 12 million Sudanese children waited for schools to reopen.

Dedicated staffers

He paid tribute to the courage and resilience of Sudans frontline public service workers and said that nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers have not received a salary in months, while inflation in the country ran rampant.

And yet they turn up to work, he said, adding that their character and dedication cannot restock supplies or repair blown up hospitals.
In a shocking revelation, a former member of the West Midlands Police has exposed a disturbing culture of racial discrimination against Sikhs within the force.

Rebecca Kalam, who served for a decade in the firearms unit before departing in July this year, has detailed instances of officers using racial slurs against Sikhs and displaying a concerning lack of understanding between Sikh and Muslim communities.

Additionally, protection officers assigned to Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai were found to have derogatorily referred to her as tikka masala.

Kalams brave disclosure has reignited concerns about racial discrimination within the West Midlands Police, with allegations mirroring longstanding grievances from the Sikh community. These concerns have largely fallen on deaf ears within the force, despite changes in senior leadership and meetings with elected officials.

Jas Singh, advisor to the Sikh Federation, commented on the allegations, stating, These shocking allegations of racism made by whistleblower Ms. Kalam against the West Midlands Police come as no surprise. The Sikh community across the West Midlands has been making such complaints and claims for decades, but all have fallen on deaf ears of the force.

Singh emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation into the conduct and racist attitudes within the force. Calls have been made to West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster to initiate a thorough review.

Rebecca Kalam also highlighted the prevalence of toxic masculinity and misogyny within the force, where objectification of women was common, and offensive language was used freely. She expressed her determination to speak out against these issues, despite the personal cost to her career.

The West Midlands Police has acknowledged 75 of Kalams complaints, and a Professional Standards Department inquiry resulted in low-level sanctions or advice for 16 officers and staff within the firearms unit.

Deputy Chief Constable Scott Green of the West Midlands Police responded to the allegations, stating, Officers and staff in the Firearms Unit work tirelessly, often in the most risky situations, to protect the public and perform their duties with the utmost professionalism, and they are disgusted at any conduct which falls below these standards of professional behaviour.

Green also emphasized the forces commitment to understanding and respecting diverse groups and communities, conducting regular meetings with community and religious leaders.

She stressed that there is no place for misogynistic, discriminatory, or disrespectful behaviour in policing, and the force is working diligently to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and inclusivity.

(Photo and Text credit: Khalsavox.com)
In a stunning expose that peels back the layers of clandestine terror networks, India Todays special report reveals a dramatic shift in the once-secure sanctuaries for enemies of India.

The world of terror in Pakistan is undergoing a seismic transformation, marked by a series of high-profile casualties and an internal power struggle that threatens to upend the status quo.

A Bloody End in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)

The investigation begins with the chilling image of Rayaz Ahmed, also known as Abu Qasim, lying lifeless in a mosque in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

His life was brutally cut short on September 8, a day when he thought he was safe within the walls of a place of worship.

Abu Qasim, a notorious Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, had long evaded justice, crossing into Pakistan in 1999 and orchestrating numerous terror attacks in India.

His demise in PoKs Rawalkot at the hands of unidentified assailants sends a clear message that even the most wanted figures are not immune to the shifting tides of fate.

Reckoning with Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul

Maulana Masood Azhar, the mastermind behind several terror attacks in India and the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad, once found refuge in a madrasa in Peshawar after Indian airstrikes targeted Jaish-e-Mohammad camps in Balakot in February 2019.

However, just months later, an explosion rocked the very foundation of his shelter, forcing him into hiding. Azhars mysterious disappearance raises questions about the fate of other notorious figures like him.

Similarly, Bashir Ahmad Peer, a commander of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen responsible for recruiting and infiltrating armed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, met a tragic end earlier this year.

Peer, alongside his superior Syed Salahuddin, operated with impunity under the protection of the Pakistani state. However, his point-blank shooting exposed the vulnerability of these once-untouchable figures.

A Pattern Emerging?

A closer examination of recent headlines suggests a recurring pattern. Figures like Syed Khalid Raza of Al-Badr, Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim of Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Paramjit Singh Panjwar, also known as Malik Sardar Singh of Khalistan Commando Force, all met violent ends in separate attacks in Pakistan. Even beyond Pakistans borders, the shadow of retribution looms large. Lal Mohammad, a suspected ISI operative involved in counterfeit Indian currency, met a similar fate on the outskirts of Kathmandu in Nepal.

In recent years, several individuals from Indias most-wanted list have become targets of direct attacks. Notable instances include a powerful blast near Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated global terrorist, and the injury of his son Talha Saeed in Lahore. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, was also killed in Surrey, Canada.

Pakistans Blame Game

Pakistans interior ministry has attempted to deflect blame, implicating Indias Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and even pointing fingers at Babloo Srivastava, a former gangster serving a life term in Bareilly Jail. However, experts in New Delhi have categorically rejected these claims, highlighting that RAW does not engage in assassinations.

What emerges from these incidents is the possibility that controlled chaos has spiraled out of control for Pakistani agencies. Non-state actors created and nurtured by various arms of the Pakistani establishment to target India are now embroiled in their own struggle for survival, power, and relevance.

Pakistans intelligence bureau recently acknowledged the involvement of Muhammad Ali, a former commando from its own paramilitary federal law enforcement corps, in some of these attacks within Pakistan. This revelation exposes the fragile foundation of Pakistans house of terror, carefully constructed over the years.

Former RAW officer NK Sood emphasized, RAW is an intelligence agency that works for the security of the country and does not get involved in killing people or terrorists. It is the policy of Pakistans ISI to send terrorists to different countries. They eliminate their own people and these individuals who have been killed, either in Pakistan, PoK, or Canada, had become a liability for Pakistan.

The unraveling of these safe havens sends a powerful message: those who once sought refuge within their walls are discovering that nowhere is truly safe when justice comes knocking.

(Photo and Text Courtesy: Khalsavox.com)
Photo Courtesy: Rahima Mahmut X page

Members of Chinas persecuted communities and rights groups recently peacefully demonstrated outside the InterContinental Hotel in Mayfair in London where the Chinese Embassy was hosting its 74th anniversary celebration of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).

Ahead of the October 1 PRC National Day, this secretive official function of the Chinese Embassy stated as quoted by ANI,"A gala dinner to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the founding of the Peoples Republic of China, attended by Ambassador Zheng Zeguang and other embassy officials."

Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities, Hong Kong Aid, Hong Kong Liberty, Stop Uyghur Genocide, Tibetan Community UK and Uyghur Community UK, were some of the rights groups which attended the protest.

During the demonstration, the protesters were heard chanting No celebrations  Chinas Dictators, No Celebrations  Genocides demand Justice, Free Tibet Free East Turkestan Free Hong Kong.

Chinese officials were seen taking photos of the peaceful protesters, ANI reported.

The coalition of rights groups are now getting ready for their next annual protest, on October 1, when their members and supporters will join in from Londons Trafalgar Square to the Chinese Embassy, the Indian news agency reported.

Following the protest, Rahima Mahmut, executive director of Stop Uyghur Genocide, wrote on X: "This evening officials from the Chinese Embassy marked their National Celebration Day at the Inter Continental Hotel. Together with our friends from Hong Kong &Tibet, we protested outside the hotel to emphasize that there can be no true celebration amid genocide and dictatorship."

Tenzin Kunga, chairman of Tibetan Community, UK, wrote on the same platform: "We made sure that our voices calling for #FreeTibet #FreeHongkong #FreeUyghurs echoed through the hotel doors to those attending the Chinese event. Our groups united in #resistance."
The loss of a Bismarck milk production facility has local producers pondering their futures, and the outlook isnt rosy. Owners of Prairie Farms Dairy Inc. will use the facility just for distribution.

The Edwardsville, Illinois-based company said the production employees lost their jobs. It also means the closest milk production facilities are in Pollock, South Dakota, and Perham, Minnesota.

Its 247 miles from Bismarck to Perham. From Bismarck to Pollock its 67 miles going southeast or 104 miles using the U.S Highway 83 route. Either way, to Perham or Pollock, adds miles for transporting the milk, which means additional costs for the producers.

The dairy business was already challenging for producers without additional costs. Jennifer and Andrew Holle, who operate Northern Lights Dairy near St. Anthony, recently added 300 cows to their herd of 600 after assurances that Prairie Farms Dairy was viable. Jennifer Holle said they were disappointed by the Prairie Farms Dairy decision.

That seems like an understatement.

The dairy business requires long hours seven days a week. The Holles son, Dawson, was the youngest person elected to the North Dakota Legislature. He was 19 when he won a seat in the 2023 House. Being aware of the challenges faced by dairy farmers, he introduced a number of bills to help them.

One bill passed into law allows dairy producers to sell raw milk at their farms. Another bill provided a definition of milk. These bills may be helpful, but they wont make up for the increased transportation costs.

The North Dakota Milk Producers Association, which the Holles belong to, has promised to pursue a solution. The association says it is confident of a reasonable outcome. That would be appreciated by all the dairy producers.

The Tribune Editorial Board isnt sure what a reasonable outcome would be. Hopefully, the association can deliver on its promise.

The Holles took a risk when they expanded their herd based on assurances that proved unreliable. They deserve our support. It isn't getting any easier for the Holles and other North Dakota producers.

A group of producers planned to meet with representatives of Land OLakes to discuss possible solutions. Land OLakes used to own the Bismarck facility before it was sold to Dean Foods and later purchased by Prairie Farms.

If the meeting results in some positive ideas, the state should provide as much support as possible.

Its a tough business, but dairy producers believe in it. We should believe in them.
Photo Courtesy: UN Photo/Cia Pak

The territorial integrity and human rights that form the foundation of the UN must be collectively defended, United States President Joseph Biden said on Tuesday.

Yet, for the second year in a row, the annual debate at the UN General Assembly is darkened by the shadow of war, an illegal conquest brought without provocation by Russia against Ukraine, he said, expressing strong support for Kyiv.

Russia alone bears the responsibility for this warand has the power to end it immediately, he emphasized, asking whether the independence of any nation is secure if we allow Ukraine to be carved up.

We have to stand up to this aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, he said, stressing that the US, together with its allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom.

Its not only an investment in Ukraines future but in every country.

Bending arc of history

At the outset, he recalled a recent trip to Viet Nam, saying it would be unthinkable for a US President to stand in Hanoi announcing a mutual commitment, following a painful legacy of war.

Our history need not dictate our future, he said. With a concerted leadership, adversaries can become partners, overwhelming challenges can be resolved, and deep wounds can heal. When we choose to stand together, we hold in our hands the power to bend the arc of history.

Our future is bound to yours

The US seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable future for all people because we know our future is bound to yours, he said. No nation can meet the challenges of the day alone.

To meet new challenges, old institutions must be updated, bringing in leadership from regions that have not always been included to address such issues as Security Council reform and investment in developing countries.

Twenty-first century results are badly needed to move us along, he said. That starts with the United Nations, right in this room.

The UN must continue to preserve peace and prevent conflict and must also govern the benefits and challenges of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), he said.

Regional relations

Highlighting ongoing developments across regions, he pointed efforts to support a just and lasting peace, with two States for Israelis and Palestinians. Turning to US relations with China, he said Washington seeks to responsibly manage bilateral competition so it does not tip into conflict, he said, adding that we are for de-risking, not decoupling with Beijing.

Climate crisis

The climate crisis needs critical attention, he said, pointing to tragic flooding in Libya alongside historic drought and deluge at a time when the world is still dependent on fossil fuel.

For its part, the US has treated this threat as an existential crisis since that start of his Administration, including new laws and initiatives.

This year, the worlds on track to meet the climate finance pledge made under the Paris Agreement: $100 billion to raise collectively, he said, but we need more investment on public and private sector, especially in places that have contributed so little to global emissions.

Global goals

To accelerate global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we all need to do more, he said, pledging Washingtons commitment.

On security issues, he said the US destroyed the last of its chemical weapon stockpile in 2023. Meanwhile, Russia is shredding long-standing arms control agreements, he added.

Condemning the DPRKs continued violations of Security Council resolutions, he encouraged diplomacy to resolve outstanding issues. In terms of Tehrans destabilizing activities that threaten regional and international security, he said Iran must never acquire a nuclear weapon.

Power is 'in our hands

The Universal Declaration for Human Rights was adopted 75 years ago, but attention is still needed to tackle discrimination.

However, the power is in our hands to forge a safer, more sustainable world for all through partnerships and collective hope, he said.

At this inflection point in history, were going to be judged by whether or not we live up to the promises we made to ourselves, to each other, he said.

Will we find within ourselves the courage to do what must be done, to defend the tenets of the UN? he asked. Theres only one answer to that question. We must, and we will. Lets do this work together. Lets bend the arc of history for the good of the world. Its in our power to do it.
On September 14, 2023, at approximately 5:00 PM The Akwesasne Mohawk Police received information of a Human Smuggling event involving a Columbian National who was attempting to get into Canada from the United States illegally. Police were provided...
Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola, husband of Alaskan Rep. died in a plane crash, seen here with Sen Nancy Pelosi and Mary Peltola at Mary's swearing in. Social media photo.

ALASKA  Eugene "Buzzy" Peltola, spouse of Rep. Mary Peltola (D), tragically passed away on Wednesday morning following a crash of the single-engine plane he was piloting shortly after departure in a rugged region of southwestern Alaska, as conf...
NEVADA  The name McDermitt Caldera might not ring a bell for many. This extinct volcano last showed signs of life around 16 million years ago. However, for those in pursuit of lithium, it's akin to striking gold in this century.

In 2020, a reve...
The Union Government on Tuesday introduced the Women Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, making it the first bill to be discussed in the new Parliament.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, which aims to provide a 33 per cent reservation to women in both Parliament and state legislative assemblies.

BCCL

Most states already have a 50 per cent reservation for women in local bodies.

What is Women's Reservation Bill?

Arjun Ram Meghwal said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181.

The bill, once passed by the Lok Sabha, the upper house, Rajya Sabha, will take up the bill on September 21.

Once both houses pass the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, it will be sent to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, for her assent, after which it will become the law.

REUTERS

This will end a legal process that has lingered for nearly three decades.

Back in 1996, the then United Front government led by HD Deve Gowda introduced the Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament, and it has been pending since.

When will it be implemented?

But even if the two houses pass the bill during the ongoing special session of the Parliament, it will take at least a few more years before women can enjoy the benefits of it.

Clause 334A of the bill says that the reservation will come into effect after the first census that is conducted after the constitution amendment is passed and then the delimitation exercise which would follow that.

BCCL

This means that the Lok Sabha will see 33 per cent of women reservation not in 2024, but at best in 2029.

Why reservation will be delayed

Opposition parties, including the Congress and AAP supporting the Women's Reservation Bill, hit the government for linking it to the upcoming census and delimitation.

It should be noted that the census originally scheduled for 2021 was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the massive exercise is unlikely before the upcoming general elections.

How opposition has reacted

"Once this bill is passed in Parliament, delimitation will be conducted based on the first census conducted after the amendment. Women will be granted reservations in the Houses (of Parliament) and state legislative assemblies based on that delimitation," AAP leader Atishi said.

BCCL

Based on a simple calculation, a census takes one year, and delimitation will take another one to two years, Atishi claimed.

"This implies that the government will not be able to implement this highly publicised women's reservation bill before 2028 at any cost. It will not happen in 2024, for sure. When we examine the provisions of this bill, it becomes clear that it is an attempt to deceive the women of the country and befool them ahead of the 2024 elections," she added.

The Congress on Tuesday termed " the women's reservation bill brought by the government as "election jumla" and "a huge betrayal of women's hopes.

Modi government has not yet conducted the 2021 Decadal Census, making India the only country in G20 that has failed to carry out the Census. Now, it says that the reservation for women will come into effect only following the first decadal Census conducted AFTER the Women's Reservation Bill has become an Act. When will this Census take place?" Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said.

"Basically, the Bill gets the headlines today with a very vague promise of its implementation date. This is nothing but EVM - Event Management," he said.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
For women in Iran the hijab is the most visible sign of their second-class status & of the brutality of the regime that will even kill them for venturing out in public without wearing it
is expanding its shipbuilding program as it has signed an agreement with the Japanese shipyard Oshima Shipbuilding for the construction of three bulk carriers of 64,000 dwt each.

Latsco Marine: Agreement to build three bulk carriers in Japan -  
The national grid, on Tuesday, suffered another system collapse.

The development comes five days after a previous grid collapse, which was restored in less than 24 hours.

Before then, the nation had enjoyed over 421 days of consistent grid stability, since 20 July, 2022.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC), in a notice to customers, said the system collapsed at 11:31 am.

The firm said the development caused a total loss of supply across its network.

We are currently engaging with our partners at the National Control Centre as we await further updates on restoration, the DisCo said.

Emeka Ezeh, Head of Corporate Communications, Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, confirmed that the company lost supply from the grid saying, In fact, since about 11.31 am, we lost supply. There has not been supply in our network. Thats our situation, but no concrete confirmation yet that it is due to a system collapse.

On Tuesday afternoon, Kunle Kola Olubiyo, President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, suggested that the country has recorded another grid collapse.

Another grid collapse. Frequency reduced to 47, No Spinning reserve amid load rejection? Whats going on ??? he said in a post on a WhatsApp group.

READ ALSO: Lagos Boy With Missing Intestine Dies

Ndidi Mbah, spokesperson of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), reacting, said that the national grid restoration nationwide has reached advanced stage.

According to her, power supply has been restored to the West, North Central, South South, South East, and a large portion of the Northern parts of the country.

On the latest grid collapse, Mbah said that in the course of restoration, the process initially suffered a setback.

She said this does not amount to another collapse,

In the course of any grid restoration process, challenges may be encountered. This happened while the grid restoration was in progress, but it was promptly addressed.

It would be recalled that the last total system collapse recorded was on July 20, 2022.

Prior to this, the system had been stable in spite of the challenges posed by zero spinning reserve and lack of System Control and lack of adequate Data Acquisition (SCADA) essential to a strong and stable grid, among others, Mbah said.

The TCN said it has been able to maintain 400 days of grid stability because it developed and deployed in-house stop gap measures and tools that it has continued to use to manage the nations grid, ensuring its stability.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that he was seeking to re-establish constitutional order to address political and economic problems in neighboring Niger Republic following a July coup and welcomed any support for the process.

Recall that military had seized power in the West African nation some months ago and is yet to bow to pressure from within and outside the continent.

While regional leaders including Tinubu have been working for a return to democracy, the former Lagos State governor wants more partners in doing so.

He told the UN General Assembly in New York that: Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region.

I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.

READ MORE: Nigerians Are Not Lazy, So We Shouldnt Be Poor  Tinubu Vows To Turn The Tide

However, President Tinubu, reaffirmed that democracy is the best way to guarantee a better society.

Tinubu said: we must affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people. Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice.

The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups. It is a demand for solutions to perennial problems.
Adebola Akin-Bright, the young boy whose intestines got missing after a surgery has died due to complications.

A source close to the family of the deceased told BBC that Akin-Bright died on Tuesday evening.

He was reportedly pronounced dead few hours after the Lagos State House of Assembly directed the Ministry of Health to release funds for his treatment abroad.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, however, called for the immediate arrest of the doctor of the private hospital, Obitoks Medical Centre, in the Alimoso Local Government Area of the state, who performed the initial surgery that led to the missing small intestine of the boy while investigations continued.

READ ALSO: Woman Laments 12-Year-Old Sons Missing Intestine In Lagos Hospital

Recall that a five-man ad-hoc committee was established to investigate the circumstances that led to the disappearance of the boys intestine.

Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams, while giving the preliminary report of the panel, said that the full report would soon be presented, adding that some shocking discoveries were made in the course of the investigations.

We made some shocking discoveries in the course of our investigation. The incident is very unusual, but we want the boy to survive and we know Mr. Speaker is very interested in his survival too. We went to LASUTH on the directives of the Speaker, Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa, to find out the health status of Adebola Akin-Bright. The hospital told us that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had taken care of the bill for his treatment at LASUTH.

Adams, however, said they were told by the hospital that Akin-Bright needed to be transferred urgently to either the United States of America or United Kingdom for an intestine transplant and that communications were ongoing with hospitals in the two countries, he had stated.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) affirming Bola Ahmed Tinubus emergence as President.

Recall that his counterpart, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, filed his appeal to challenge the PEPCs verdict delivered on 6 September.

In his notice of appeal dated 19 September, Obis lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu, predicated his clients appeal to the Supreme Court on 51 grounds.

Uzoukwu, in one of the grounds, told the Supreme Court that the five-member panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Haruna Tsammani erred in law and thereby reached a wrong conclusion when it dismissed Obis suit.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria also faulted the presidential election courts evaluation of Obis evidence.

He said the court erroneously ruled that Obis case failed to establish the polling stations where electoral malpractices took place during the February presidential election.

The lawyer also said the lower courts conclusions caused grave miscarriage of justice when it held that the LP candidate did not identify the specific number of votes he polled at polling units where he accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Tinubu of suppression of votes.

The appellants lawyer further urged the Supreme Court to determine if the presidential election court did not err in law when it based its reasons on the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022 to expunge Obis witnesses statements on oath from the courts records.

READ ALSO: Atiku Files Appeal At Supreme Court, Seeks Nullification Of Tribunal Judgment

The appellant also faulted the presidential election courts decision rejecting his contention that INEC circumvented its own regulations and guidelines when it refused to electronically transmit results of the election from polling stations to the results viewing portal.

The petitioners adduced credible and substantial evidence, both oral and documentary, that proved substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 by the Respondents in the conduct of the election, the notice of appeal read in part.

Arguing further, the appellant alleged that Tinubu was not qualified to vie for the election on account of improper nomination of his Vice-Presidential choice.

Uzoukwu, said the court below overlooked that the respondents failed to disprove the evidence of substantial non-compliance adduced by the petitioners.

The appellant, in the filing, told the Supreme Court that the lower court ignored evidence that proved how Tinubu was indicted and fined $4,600, in the US for alleged cocaine trafficking in the 1990s.

Obi, who came third in the race, urged the court to either declare him president or order a fresh rerun election.

The presidential candidate and his party are expected to later file their joint appellants brief which will contain their full legal arguments.

INEC, Tinubu, and the All Progressives Congress will, in response, file their respective respondents briefs, before the Supreme Court will fix a date for hearing.
The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Kanos State has sacked the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf and declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 election.

Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) was announced as winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The tribunal, however, on Wednesday upturned the declaration of INEC and declared Nasir Gawuna winner.

The three-man panel ordered withdrawal of certificate of return which INEC presented to Governor Yusuf and directed a certificate of return to be issued to Gawuna.

READ MORE: Kano Govt, Kwankwaso, Others Hold Prayer Ahead Tribunal Verdict

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the court deducted 165,663 votes from Gov Yusuf total as invalid votes, stating that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid.

The ruling comes about six months after the APC candidate conceded defeat to Yusuf in the wake of INECs presentation of the certificate of return to the NNPP candidate.

In a two-minute audio statement on March 29, Gawuna stated that as a good Muslim, he was compelled to accept the outcome of the election, whether in his favour or not.

He added that although his campaign team had requested a review of the election results by INEC, upon review, the commission had found Yusuf to be the winner of the election.
The United States District Court in the Northern District of Illinois has issued a ruling for the Chicago State University (CSU) to release the academic records of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This ruling was passed by Judge Jeffrey Gilbert stating that CSU should release all relevant and non-privileged documents to Abubakar Atiku, the plaintiff, within 48 hours.

According to the ruling seen by Peoples Gazette, the Federal Court in Chicago ruled on Tuesday night that CSU saying the former vice-president has been able to sufficiently satisfy the purpose for seeking the records.

Judge Jeffrey Gilbert also ordered a deposition of designated CSU officials within two days after the records have been released, noting further that the process can be conducted during the weekend if necessary.

For all of the reasons discussed above, Atiku Abubakars application pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  1782 for an order directing discovery from Chicago State University for use in a foreign proceeding [ECF No. 1] is granted, Mr Gilbert ruled.

Respondent CSU shall produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to requests for production Nos. 1 through 4 (as narrowed by the court) in applicant subpoena within two days of the entry of this memorandum opinion and order.

The deposition of respondents corporate designee shall proceed within two days of the production of documents. The parties can modify the dates set by the court by mutual agreement. Given the tight time frame under which the parties are operating, the deposition can, if necessary, occur on a non-weekday, the court added.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Wouldnt Have Become President If He Stayed Abroad  Remi Tinubu

The order comes hours after Mr Abubakar filed his appeal to the Supreme Court, following the September 6 judgement of the presidential election petitions tribunal that upheld Mr Tinubus victory.

Mr Abubakar had on August 2 filed an application for the court to order CSU to produce documents relating to Mr Tinubu, as well as leave to get the schools administrators to authenticate any documents submitted under oath.

Mr Abubakar said the documents would be used as part of his ongoing challenge against Mr Tinubus election earlier this year. The candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party said Mr Tinubu should not have been allowed to run for president because he had submitted a forged document under oath in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.

Section 137 (1)(j) of the Nigerian Constitution (amended in 2010) specifically stated that no one would be legitimately elected president of Nigeria if the person has presented a forged certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

On June 17, 2022, Mr Tinubu submitted a certificate to INEC that was purportedly issued in 1979 and signed by Elnora Daniel. But Ms Daniel only arrived at CSU in 1998 from Hampton University, 19 years after Mr Tinubu was said to have graduated. She left the school in 2008 following a financial mismanagement scandal, or 14 years before June 2022 when CSU issued yet a fresh certificate in Mr Tinubus name under subpoena from a Nigerian lawyer who had inquired about Mr Tinubus education there.

The irregularities prompted Mr Abubakar to file the suit to compel CSU to produce records relating to Mr Tinubu and make its top officials available for deposition to certify the produced records, according to the Nigerian opposition leaders lawyers.

During a hearing on the matter on September 12, the CSUs lawyer Michael Hayes, said the school could not authenticate Mr Tinubus certificate if asked under oath, although he said Mr Tinubu attended the school and graduated in 1979.

Mr Tinubus lawyers, led by Christopher Carmichael, argued that the court should not grant Mr Abubakars application because it was a frivolous expedition aimed at soiling the Nigerian presidents image.

Mr Tinubus lawyers also argued that Nigerian Supreme Court would not accept fresh evidence that was not produced during the tribunal proceeding.

But Mr Abubakars team, led by Angela Liu, had argued that the Supreme Court would accommodate the fresh facts under unique circumstances, especially as they were not available to the Court of Appeal, which is the court of first instance in a presidential election dispute.

But Judge Gilbert said courts across the U.S. have traditionally taken a broad and liberal view in granting applications under Section 1782, a statute that allows the release of documents and evidence domiciled in the U.S. to be obtained and used in a foreign proceeding.
Traditional rulers under the aegis of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs have reacted to former President Olusegun Obasanjos disrespect to Oyo monarchs at a recent event.

Obasanjo had last Friday, in Iseyin, Oyo State, ordered traditional rulers at the event to stand and greet the State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The action generated outrage, with many political elites and the Southwest region condemning it.

There were stipulations in some quarters that the former President was angered because some of the traditional rulers at the event supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against his decision and support for the Labour Partys (LP) 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Deputy Chairman of the Council, Francis Olushola Alao, declared they have no regrets about supporting Tinubu in the last election.

The traditional ruler noted that the Friday incident was an internal affair, and they understood the pain caused by the incident and appreciated the well-placed reaction.

READ ALSO: Stable Naira, Credible Fiscal Strategy, Secure Financial Systemll Attract Foreign Investment  US Advises Nigeria

Alao however insisted that the matter would be reviewed appropriately at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The statement reads: The outburst of former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo against traditional rulers in attendance at the inauguration of the Iseyin Campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) on Friday, September 15, has generated anger and varied responses from true sons and daughters of Oduduwa in all sections of society.

All the royal fathers involved understand the pain caused by the incident and appreciate the well-placed reactions. I wish to state that the incident is an internal affair that will be properly reviewed at the next meeting of the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

Let it, however, be well noted that traditional rulers in Oyo State have no regrets in supporting Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde in the last election and will be willing to support them even in the future.

This is the clear position of monarchs in Oyo State. Any other information from anywhere that is contrary to this should be disregarded.
Isaac Omodewu, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to compensate members of the Party in the State that secured his victory during the 2023 polls.

The State APC Chairman disclosed this on Tuesday while receiving the National Chairman of the Party, Abdullahi Ganduje, who was on an official visit to the state secretariat of the party in the Oke-Ado area of Ibadan.

According to him, despite the challenges faced, APC members worked to ensure that all the candidates of the Party were given adequate support, hence, they need to be compensated for their hard work

His words: We worked for the party, we won three senatorial seats and nine House of Representatives seats. We are yet to be compensated because we worked for our father. We are now appealing to you to compensate us.

During the primary, our members voted. A former gubernatorial candidate of the Labour Party is here with us now. There was never a time that Seyi Makinde worked for APC. We are preparing for the local government election; we have conducted our primary election, and there is no problem. We want to assure you that Oyo State belongs to APC.

READ ALSO: Gov Obaseki Bars His Deputy, Shaibu From Govt House (Video)

Meanwhile, as events that heralded the last general election are still fresh in our memory, we must inform you that Oyo APC remains an unsung hero because we got little support but we delivered beyond expectations.

In spite of the fact we had no sitting governor in Oyo, electioneering was quite challenging as we had to face a lot of hostilities from the PDP government in the state, as sponsored thugs attacked our members on many occasions. The same PDP hoodlums did not spare all our campaign facilities, including billboards, vehicles, and buildings, among others, which they attacked and destroyed at will.

He appealed directly to Ganduje, saying, All these attacks were documented and reported but unfortunately, the same people behind the attacks are now the one laying claim to our hard-earned victory at the February 25 poll. We have our records and we are using this medium to make a passionate appeal to your Office to launch a probe into the whole matter with a view to establishing the truth. As it stands today, we are not getting fair treatment but we remain hopeful that things would change for the better.

In his remarks, Ganduje, urged members of the Party to promote unity among them in order to form the next government in the state.

I thank you all. We are here for some official engagements. We cannot visit Ibadan without visiting our state headquarters. We thank you for voting for our President, Senators, House of Representatives members, and House of Assembly members. But we want you to be united so that the government of Oyo State will be in your hands, he said.
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Tuesday disclosed why it backed out of the warning strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) two weeks ago.

According to the President of TUC, Festus Osifo, the union did not agree to participate in the first instance.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero in an interview on Channels TV said TUC could not back out of an industrial action that it did not call.

He said: The NLC will not take under our watch if we give a strike notice and then a union that didnt give a strike notice says they are backing out of a strike that they didnt call for.

The President of TUC while speaking on Channels TV on Tuesday rejected the notion that it had shared any intention to go ahead with the strike.

He said: No, we never backed out from the strike we did not call.

Osifo explained further that before announcing a strike, the protocol is for one union to reach out to the other for a conversation, leading to stratification between both.

READ MORE: FG, NLC Meeting To Prevent Indefinite Strike Ends In Deadlock

The TUC President added: In that plan, there are a lot of things that are looked at. You define your clear-cut strategy; you define the timing. You define how youre going to isolate the downtrodden Nigerians. All these things are defined before both parties will now come and announce a strike action.

But in this case, I can authoritatively tell you that TUC was never contacted in any way. It was the same way Nigerians saw it in the media that there was a warning strike on so-and-so day. So, when we saw it, we were amazed.

According to Osifo, enquiries on members group chats necessitated action from the unions leadership, including its National Administrative Council (NAC), Central Working Committee (CWC), and National Executive Council (NEC).

He added: Some of our officers were detailed to follow up but there was no clear-cut response. In our organ meetings, we X-rayed the issues from the beginning to the end. We looked at the issues of the time and strategy; we looked at everything holistically.

After looking at it, TUC felt that there was no time for TUC to go on strike. You will renege when there is a plan. So, if both parties agree to do something and one party now says, No, I am no longer doing it, that is when you backtrack.
New applications at Oracle will be generated by AI, Oracle Chief Technology Officer and co-founder Larry Ellison said at his companys technology conference on Tuesday.

Speaking at Oracle CloudWorld in Las Vegas, Ellison expressed high hopes for generative AI  artificial intelligence capable of creating new content  calling it a revolution and a breakthrough. Generative AI. Is it the most-important technology ever? Probably, Ellison told the packed crowd attending his presentation.

For developers, generative AI fundamentally changes how apps will be built and run at Oracle. For example, were not going to be writing new applications anymore in Java. Not new ones. While Java development will continue to be used, it will not be used for building new appscode generation will do that. If were starting a brand new project, were generating that code.

Oracle is using Oracle APEX, its enterprise low-code and no-code application platform, to generate most new Oracle applications. The APEX application development methodology is faster, involves smaller teams, and offers more security, with no security bugs generated, and more reliability, generating stateless applications with automatic failover, Ellison said.

AI is going to make our lives better, Ellison stressed, citing examples such as an upcoming treatment for all variants of Covid. Ellison anticipates a worldwide race to build what comes next, to build better AI and deliver a better future. Oracle has been using AI for many years but generative AI is different, he said. Generative AI is a revolution. It is a breakthrough. Its transformational.
Artist Joseph Stellas career started with drawings of cities and the immigrants within them. An Italian immigrant who moved to New York City in 1896, Stella first studied pharmacology, then dropped out to enroll at the Art Students League where he studied under artist William Merritt Chase.

His style was pretty much in line with what Chase had been doing in his career  very rapid brushstrokes, really expressive portraits, said Audrey Lewis, associate curator at the Brandywine Museum of Art, which is hosting the Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature exhibit through Sept. 24.

But then, Lewis said, he evolved his style and went to Pittsburgh in 1908.

Accompanying sociologist and photographer Lewis Hinesand journalist Paul Kellogg, Stella worked as an illustrator as the team undertook a socioeconomic study of Pittsburgh for the Charities and the Commons magazine. Their work would eventually be published as The Pittsburgh Survey (1910-14). Back then, the region produced about a fifth of the countrys coal.

I was greatly impressed by Pittsburgh. It was a real revelation. Often shrouded by fog and smoke, her black mysterious mass  was like the stunning realization of some of the most stirring infernal regions sung by Dante, Stella wrote recalling his first trip to the region.

Pittsburghs living conditions, its poverty, and the plight of its miners, all made it into Stellas art. Most notable among his Pittsburgh drawings was Pittsburgh Factory Scene (1908-1918), now owned by the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Advertisement

The black sky eternally black and throbbing with black smoke luridly sincopated [sic] here and there by bloody spots, Stella wrote of the citys sky. In Pittsburgh, he painted the workers in the steel mills, and was painting the city a little bit. These are his first paintings of urban environments and of technological environments really. Thats where the line comes from, Lewis said, referring to his later, popular paintings of daily life in New York City, specifically of the Brooklyn Bridge.

The Pittsburgh drawings were in charcoal and, as Lewis said, very smoky, representing the smoke of the city. The interest in city life undergoing modernization, and the desire to represent technological advances was a recurring theme in Stellas work and, Lewis believes, is something that started in his Pittsburgh years and carried over to his work in New York City.

The steel mills in Pittsburgh, and the skyscrapers in New York, and Coney Island ... represented a conglomeration of things here  the bright environment, the festivities, the excitement, the turbulence, all of that appealed to him. And it certainly worked well with his embrace of Italian futurism, said Lewis.

Trapped in the heavy air of American cities, Stella longed for the mountains of southern Italy. He returned to Europe in 1909, only to return to Pennsylvania in 1913.

In 1918, he drew Bethlehem, after visiting a coal-processing plant in Bethlehem, Pa. Billowy smoke coming out of factory exhausts spread against an inky blue sky. This was also the year he drew Gas Tank, Pittsburgh (American Landscape).

The next year, he drew both Brooklyn Bridge (described as the most moving testimonial to the power and majesty of Americas modern industrial landscape, by Yale Art gallery) and the vibrant and colorful Tree of My Life ( described as a eureka moment  not just for the artist but for all of American modernism by Tylee Abbott, vice president and head of American art at Christies). He also drew Lily and Bird, also on exhibit.

This turn toward nature is the driving inspiration behind the Brandywine exhibit. It was a distinct phase of his career but, as Lewis insisted, wasnt entirely from nowhere. Even in Pittsburgh, Stella was painting scenes from nature.

The steel mills of Pittsburgh became to Stella a truly American subject, a symbol of gritty modernity that was absent then from the art of Europe, even though the style was similarly modern. The Brandywine exhibit spans from 1918 through 1946, the year Stella died, and explores the powerful spiritual connection he felt with the natural world through his many paintings of flora and fauna. His nature paintings are vibrant and flowy but, as Lewis explained, are all reminiscent of the soft, billowy harshness of his Pittsburgh paintings.

He never said, Im leaving this behind, Im going this way, Lewis said. It was all like an epiphany to him. Though his frequent travels would suggest he never felt at home in the U.S., Pittsburgh continued to be a place thatd keep drawing him back.

Though much of his well-known creations are New York paintings, Stella returned to Pittsburgh in 1924 and painted the city again. This time, they were more reflective of his modernist sensibility, Lewis said, But still, they had that industrial sense to them.

Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature runs through Sept. 24 at the Brandywine Museum of Art, 1 Hoffmans Mill Rd, Chadds Ford, Pa. https://www.brandywine.org/museum/exhibitions/joseph-stella-visionary-nature
Ellen Trainer, president of Local 77, American Federation of Musicians, and members of the Philadelphia Orchestra speak to the news media before boarding buses for a two-day performance tour at the University of North Carolina on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. Read more

The Philadelphia Orchestras musicians boarded buses bound for a scheduled North Carolina performance tour under protest on Tuesday, despite what their Local 77 leaders called stalled contract talks on Monday, according to a union statement.

The orchestras planned performances at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on Wednesday and Thursday are the musicians first since their contract expired on September 10. They had already taken a strike authorization vote last month.

In their statement, the orchestra members of the Philadelphia Musicians Union said they had given Philadelphia Orchestra - Kimmel Center Inc. management their assurance they would not strike this weeks tour out of respect for the orchestras hosts in North Carolina.

However, before they got on the buses for the tour that will kick off Carolina Performing Arts new season, the union accused their bosses with not bargaining in good faith on the demand for increased pay for full time and substitute musicians, better retirement benefits, and other workplace issues.

Advertisement

They also took a jab at POKC CEO Matias Tarnopolsky, claiming his pay went up by 111% from 2019 to 2022, at the same time they said the musicians took $4.6 million in pay cuts to help the ensemble.

This contract is about prioritizing the essential musical talent that makes Philadelphias orchestra the best in the world, said Local 77 president Ellen Trainer on Tuesday. The CEOs 111% pay bump proves that the money is there to pay Philadelphias world-class musicians fairly. Now its a question of priorities.

POKC spokesperson Ashley Berke said orchestra managements offer of a 13.5% pay increase plus a $10,000 signing bonus, along with other benefits was a strong offer in one of the most affordable big cities in the nation, and they are disappointed the musicians rejected it.

We deeply value the musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra and remain eager to bring this process to a positive resolution that improves the livelihoods of the musicians of the Philadelphia Orchestra within the economic realities of our organization, Berke said Tuesday night.

She also said Tarnopolsky took a 30% pay cut during the pandemic years that the musicians took their pay cuts.

In 2021, when he become president and CEO of the newly formed POKC, she said the scope of his job increased, and the partnership streamlined the size of the executive team while compensating Matias appropriately and accordingly in his new role.
From much national coverage of yesterday's election in Pennsylvania's 21st district, centered on a hip neighborhood in one of America's most progressive cities, you'd never have guessed that Democrat Lindsay Powell was going to yeet a Republican challenger into space with more than two thirds of the vote, even though that's definitely what was going to happen because it's what always happens there.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's story, at least, gets to the point.

Lindsay Powell, a Pittsburgh nonprofit leader, handily won the special election Tuesday to fill a vacant Allegheny County seat in the state House and restore Democrats' one-seat majority in the chamber. Ms. Powell's victory was expected in the heavily Democratic district, and when the Associated Press called the race at about 8:15 p.m., she had received 82% of the vote. Her opponent, Republican nominee Erin Connolly Autenreith, had about 17%. That margin was likely to narrow: The vote tallies released shortly after polls closed at 8 p.m. were entirely made up of mail and absentee ballots, which tend to skew heavily Democratic.



Other media, though, live in a world of perfectly-poised horse races, where such numbers are carefully avoided.

"The vote will determine a swing state's power balance," posted The New York Times in a story so devoid of insight or local context and that it could have been written by an AI running on a Difference Engine made of potatoes. The only concession to inevitability were phrases tucked as close to the end as possible describing the Democrat as "a solid favorite" and quoting unnamed Republican officials as acknowledging the district "difficult to win."

82% at 8:15 p.m. is not "a solid favorite". 82% at 8:15 p.m. is a video on the Hydraulic Press YouTube channel with an egg in the thumbnail.

Powell "captures" the seat, writes Patch of a seat that's been held by Democrats since the Gilgamesh administration, was recently redistricted to be even bluer, and which osmosed effortlessly from the previous Dem to the new one.

The Pennsylvania Capital writes that Democrats "appear" to have won a race where one candidate won more than twice as many votes as their challenger, commanded an 11-to-1 fundraising advantage, and declared victory within minutes of the polls closing  "if results hold."

"Republicans keep losing in Pennsylvania," posted Newsweek, casting Lawrenceville as representative of "a key swing state at the upcoming 2024 presidential election."

The thing is that they don't do this sort of reporting for deep-red rural districts with similarly lop-sided outcomes, even when bigger things are on the line. A mountain staying red is normal, but the "heavily white 21st House District" being blue?

Congrats to Powell, who is, as you may have already guessed, the first Black woman to hold it.




Susquehanna International Group cofounder Jeff Yass has donated to a super PAC pushing against TikTok bans. Yass' company holds a 15% stake in TikTok's parent. Read more

Philly-area billionaire Jeff Yass doesnt want to ban TikTok  and hes spent more than $60 million in support of Club for Growth, a conservative super PAC pushing against the bans.

Yass, a cofounder of Bala Cynwyd-based Susquehanna International Group, is one of the largest donors to Club for Growth, according to the Wall Street Journal, contributing $61 million since 2010. That accounts for 24% of the PACs political-spending arm, WSJ reported, citing federal records.

Susquehanna was an early investor in TikToks parent company, ByteDance, and now holds about a 15% stake in the company. About 7% of that is Yass personal stake, worth roughly $21 billion, according to WSJ.

Club for Growth began to take an interest against TikTok bans in 2022, the groups president, David McIntosh, told WSJ, prompted by a ban on federal employees use of the video-sharing app on government-owned devices.

Advertisement

Yass consulted with Club for Growth to gauge where members of Congress would fall on the issue of TikTok, which both Yass and McIntosh have viewed as a free-speech issue.

Ive supported libertarian and free market principles my entire adult life, Yass told WSJ. TikTok is about free speech and innovation, the epitome of libertarian and free market ideals. The idea of banning TikTok is an anathema to everything I believe.

McIntosh said Yass and the group naturally aligned on how they choose candidates to support. He told WSJ that Yass would never direct the Club for Growth to take an action or a position on things.

Why would the government ban TikTok?

Conservative support for a TikTok ban first grew during former President Donald Trumps time in office, when the administration proposed several bans on social media apps with ties to China over fears that they would be used to spy for the Chinese government.

Trump signed two executive orders targeting TikTok and WeChat, a popular app that is also often described as an everything app that allows users to send and receive mobile payments, download and play video games, and perform many of the tasks individual apps such as Uber and Seamless enable users to do.

Both executive orders were thrown out by a federal court. Trump turned his attention to attempt to force a sale of the U.S. arm of TikTok to an American company.

TikTok first approached Microsoft, according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who called the attempted forced acquisition the strangest thing Ive ever sort of worked on.

Software giant Oracle and Walmart were set to enter into an agreement with TikTok that reportedly earned Trumps blessing, but was eventually shelved indefinitely, according to WSJ.

Since then, politicians on both side of the aisle, including President Joe Biden, have criticized TikToks data privacy rules, which led to a ban of the app on government devices.

Experts have said it would be nearly impossible to ban the app, which as of March had more than 150 million U.S. users.

I dont really care what Congress writes, or what the administration writes. Theyre not going to ban TikTok, James Lewis, director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank, told Politico earlier this year. They can ban financial transactions, or they can try to force divestiture. But they dont have the ability to ban TikTok itself.

What is Club for Growth?

Club for Growths website describes the group as a national network of over 500,000 pro-growth, limited government Americans who share in the belief that prosperity and opportunity come from economic freedom. Some of the groups stated top policy goals range from broad initiatives, such as reducing the size and scope of the federal government, to more specific focus areas, such as school choice.

The debate over school choice came to a head in Pennsylvania earlier this year when Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro indicated support for a voucher program that drew immediate backlash from teachers unions and public school advocates. He later passed the state budget without a voucher program.

Yass and his wife, Janine, have been vocal supporters of school choice. Leading up to the 2022 primary, Yass donated at least $18 million to both Democratic and Republican candidates, Spotlight PA reported, largely to PACs that support school choice policies.

Club for Growth says it is focused on conservative economic policy and does not take positions on social issues or on the immigration/borders debate.
Marvin Smith was sentenced to one year of probation during a hearing last week at the Juanita Kidd Stout Center for Criminal Justice in Philadelphia. Read more

A Darby Township commissioner was sentenced to a year of probation after entering a no-contest plea to sexually assaulting a teenage boy in Philadelphia.

Marvin Smith, 52, entered the plea to corruption of a minor on Sept. 13 as part of a negotiation with prosecutors, who, in exchange, declined to pursue the more serious criminal charges he faced, including rape and involuntary deviant sexual intercourse. (By pleading no contest, Smith did not admit guilt, but did not dispute the facts of the case, as presented by prosecutors.)

In addition to his probation, Smith was ordered by Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Charles Ehrlich to stay away from the victim and have no unsupervised contact with minors, court records show.

 READ MORE: Darby Township Commissioner Marvin Smith arrested in Philadelphia on rape charges

Advertisement

Smiths attorney, Clinton Johnson, said the plea deal came after prosecutors recognized inconsistencies with evidence in the case. The victim, Johnson said, was not where he said the assault occurred at the time he said it occurred.

My clients position at the beginning, during this whole process and even now, is that he didnt commit any crimes, Johnson said. And thats why he didnt enter into a guilty plea.

Jane Roh, a spokesperson for Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, did not return a request for comment about the case.

The 14-year-old victim told police in 2019 that he had been sexually assaulted by Smith in August 2017, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed for Smiths arrest.

Smith approached the teen in West Philadelphia and offered him a ride home, saying he was a family friend, the affidavit said. He then drove the victim to a nearby park, exposed himself, then sexually assaulted the teen. Smith dropped the victim off at an unknown location and drove away, according to investigators.

At the time of his arrest, Smith was already the subject of controversy in the township after posting an inflammatory meme on his personal Facebook page the year before. Smith shared what appeared to be a staged photo depicting two Black men pointing guns at a white police officers head, framed by the caption: Does it Have to come to This to make them Stop Murdering and Terrorizing Us?

The picture drew immediate and sharp rebuke from the Delaware County Council and District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. It also brought heavy criticism from local police unions, including the Fraternal Order of Police, who said Smith was unfit to serve the community.

As a result of that fallout, Smith was stripped of his police-oversight duties on the council. However, township officials said they lacked the authority to remove him from the board.

In an interview Tuesday, Darby Township Solicitor Michael Pierce said that now that Smith has pleaded and been sentenced, he has sought guidance from Stollsteimers office about initiating a legal effort to strip Smith of his position.

The way the law is written, an elected official can be removed if he or she is convicted of an infamous crime, Pierce said. We believe this falls into the category of him being unfit to serve in office.

Smith lost the primary election in May, and therefore is not on the ballot for reelection in November.
Rafiq Thompson was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in Chester County and is facing the death penalty. Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 Read more

A Montgomery County judge on Tuesday sentenced Rafiq Thompson, the man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend Tamara Cornelius and their unborn child, to two consecutive life sentences and at least 18.5 additional years in prison, after he avoided a death sentence last week when a jury could not reach a decision.

Thompson, 40, was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences and an additional 18.5 to 37 years in prison Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office said.

He was found guilty on Sept. 13 of two counts of first-degree murder and related crimes in the deaths of Cornelius, 31, and their unborn child. Thompson shot Cornelius four times at close range at an Exxon station in King of Prussia in April 2022, killing her while she was four months pregnant.

The jury took less than two hours to reach a verdict on Thompsons guilt for the murders. But Friday afternoon, after nearly six hours of deliberation, the jury could not reach an unanimous decision on a potential death sentence and Montgomery County Judge William Carpenter dismissed them, handing down a sentence Tuesday.

Advertisement

Niels Eriksen, one of Thompsons attorneys, argued against the death penalty, saying that Thompson was not somebody thats the worst of the worst, and should not be executed.

That defense was refuted by Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, who argued that Thompsons cloak of innocence had been stripped away by the guilty verdict.

Cornelius younger sister, TaNaya Dunlap, said that while she initially thought it would be fair if Thompson were sentenced to death for the killing of her sister and her unborn child, she ultimately came around to believing that life in prison thinking about the murders served as the harsher punishment.

I think were just grateful that at the end of the day, we are getting justice for our sister, she said following last weeks trial.

What is the status of the death penalty in Pa.?

If a death sentence was handed down, it would have been unlikely Thompson would be put to death.

Gov. Josh Shapiro has called on the state legislature to abolish the death penalty and has said he will refuse to sign any death warrants.

The last execution in Pennsylvania was in 1999, when Gary Heidnik was put to death by lethal injection. Heidnick raped and tortured six women he kept chained in the basement of his Philadelphia home, then killed and dismembered two of them.

Ninety-nine people are on death row in Pennsylvania, according to a Pennsylvania Department of Corrections list. Three were convicted in Montgomery County, a spokesperson for the District Attorneys Office said.
File: The Deptford school district has suspended recent changes to its unpaid meals policy and will no longer serve peanut butter and jelly or cheese sandwiches to students with delinquent accounts. Read more

The Deptford School District has suspended its controversial, unpaid meals policy that would have served peanut butter or cheese sandwiches to students with delinquent accounts.

In a letter Tuesday to parents, Superintendent Kevin A. Kanauss wrote: Following feedback and discussion with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, this policy will be suspended effective immediately. All students will be offered school breakfast and lunch, regardless of the balance of their meal account.

The district was directed to discontinue its current policy immediately, according to Jeff Wolfe, a Department of Agriculture spokesman. It must also amend its unpaid meal charge policy and submit it to the state for review prior to adoption by the board of education, he said.

In a statement, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said his administration will not stand for policies that ostracize and harm New Jersey students, especially those who may already come from a family struggling to put food on the table.

Reaction to the suspended policy was swift on the Deptford Town Talk Facebook page. The school board voted 8-0 to rescind the policy Tuesday night.

Mary Sam Reeves-Harding wrote: Thank goodness! That was a disgrace! Embarrassing! No child should be hungry!!!

Advertisement

Another commenter, Alan Menna, questioned the districts familiarity with state policies. Theyre really just out here trying to do whatever they want. Whos idea was that? Maybe the district should be giving themselves homework reading up on some regulations and laws,Menna wrote.

A battle over lunch money

The district said it enacted the policy for the new school year after some parents accrued thousands of dollars in debt. Already this year, 783 student accounts are $68,000 in arrears from past years dues. Full price for lunch is $3.25 for elementary students, $3.50 for middle school and $3.75 for high school.

Deptford enrolls about 4,100 students. About one-fourth were classified as economically disadvantaged in the latest New Jersey School Performance Report.

Under the now-suspended policy, the district planned to notify parents when student accounts reached $50 in arrears. Until the debt was paid, meals would be restricted based on grade level, with students in sixth through twelfth not getting breakfast or lunch.

The changes to District policy No. 8550  Outstanding Food Services Charges  were announced to parents Sept. 13 and stated that younger students whose accounts were $50 in arrears would be limited to a basic lunch, and all students could have been barred from attending field trips, prom and dances, getting their report cards and participating in graduation.

 READ MORE: Deptford schools crack down on unpaid lunch accounts after students reach $68,000 in arrears

Critics, including U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, (D., Pa.), who tweeted about the policy, called it evil and said it unfairly punished students. Peter Chen, a senior analyst with the New Jersey Policy Perspective, a nonpartisan think tank, said the policy violated the states Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2020.

This is punishing students for the fact that their parents have not paid. Thats exactly what the whole law was signed to avoid, Chen said Tuesday. What is this, if not public shaming. Its abhorrent.

Deptford families urged to apply for free lunch

Jeff Wolfe, the Department of Agriculture spokesman said that Deptfords amended meal change policy must comply with Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights Act and the Working Families Act. The district will not longer provide alternative meals due to money owed for previous meals, he said. The revised plan will not be implemented in cafeterias until the board of education reviews and approves it.

Kanauss said the district plans to reevaluate its unpaid meals policy and process for collecting past day balances, which will be handled separately from meal service. He urged parents to submit applications for free or reduced lunch.

 READ MORE: Free breakfast returns for Pa. school students this year, Gov. Wolf announces

About a half-dozen states have adopted universal free lunch programs. A bill that would phase that program in over several years and provide free lunch to New Jerseys 1.1 million public school students is pending in the state legislature.

Pennsylvania enacted a universal free breakfast in 2022. Some districts, like Philadelphia and Camden, already provide universal free breakfast and lunch to students because of the high rates of poverty among students. Students in Philadelphia schools have received free breakfast and lunch since 2014.
L. Harrison Jay, husband of the late JoAnne A. Epps, acting president of Temple University, is consoled during the vigil for his wife on Temple's campus Wednesday. At right is his godson Justin Wallace. Epps died suddenly on Tuesday during a university event. Read more

It was a beautiful sun-splashed September day, students walking and chatting by the Bell Tower, classes in session in buildings all around, another semester well underway on Temple Universitys North Philadelphia campus.

JoAnne A. Epps would have loved it.

But Temples acting president died suddenly on Tuesday, and all the campus community could do was gather to remember and honor her and promise to carry on her legacy, one that recently included restoring calm, smooth operations and unity to the university after a tumultuous year.

 READ MORE: Temples acting president, JoAnne A. Epps, has died after falling ill on stage at university event

Advertisement

Even in her passing she brought all of us together in love, Richard M. Englert, chancellor and former Temple president, told a crowd of about 1,000 students, faculty, staff and community members who gathered at the Bell Tower for a noon vigil.

Information for services on Epps was not available Wednesday, nor was the cause of her death. Epps fell ill on stage at a Tuesday afternoon ceremony in memory of historian and author Charles L. Blockson, who was the curator emeritus of the Blockson Afro-American Collection. She was pronounced dead shortly after at Temple University Hospital.

The board of trustees held an emergency meeting Wednesday to discuss next steps, but has not yet named a new acting president.

 READ MORE: JoAnne Epps, named Temples acting president, says she can calm waters

Mitchell Morgan, chair of the board of trustees, said the university will take care of Epps husband, L. Harrison Jay, who worked in community affairs at Temple for decades, but had years ago suffered a stroke. Epps took care of him, and now Temple will, Morgan said.

The board also has decided to posthumously remove the acting from Epps title, giving her a place in the universitys history as one of its presidents, with her photo to be hung in the board room with all other prior presidents, he said.

She resembled and lived a life that was Temple-made and embodied our mission in every way, Morgan said. We are honored to have her portrait on the wall in our board room amongst all prior presidents.

A leader remembered for her power to inspire

A teacher, lawyer, administrator and leader, Epps served Temple for nearly 40 years, starting as a law school professor, then dean, then provost, before being named acting president last April after the resignation of Jason Wingard.

Those who talked at the vigil described Epps humility and brilliance, her knack for inspiring those around her to a higher level, her religious faith  God is good, she often said  her keen financial stewardship, her caring and compassion, and her outspoken advocacy for equity and justice.

Her compassion for the most vulnerable persons in our society was legendary, Englert said.

She was a gifted writer who loved words and had little tolerance for grammatical errors, said Marylouise Esten, a longtime Temple coworker who was like a sister to Epps. She liked people right away unless they gave her reason not to, Esten said. She knew her strengths and her limitations.

She readily admitted when she didnt know something and challenged herself to learn more, said Esten, vice president and chief of staff.

During her time as acting president, Epps wanted nothing more than to bring the entire campus community together and remind everyone of their shared commitment, Esten said.

Like this university, JoAnne has changed lives, she said. Thats what she asked us to do. That is her legacy. We are her legacy.

Freshman Paul Juhasz, 18, a journalism major from Allentown, sat on a bench, listening. He said he felt an obligation to attend the vigil.

Im part of this university as a student and I kind of owed it to her, he said. She kept things running smoothly during her tenure.

He said he was moved by the speeches and just the impact Dr. Epps had on people around her.

Sarah Powell, 46, who has both her undergraduate and MBA degrees from Temple and who worked at the university for 17 years, most recently as director of emergency management, said she was glad she could attend the service. Epps vowed to come in and calm the waters, and she did, Powell said.

She legit did do that, Powell said.

David Brown, assistant dean for community and communications at Temples College of Media and Communication, said the university would heal.

Not only will we get through this, said Brown, who opened the ceremony, we will get through this together, as a family, as a community.

Others echoed that sentiment.

Weve obviously gone through a lot of bad things, especially in the past two years, but I think theres just this triumphant feeling, said Anthony Essick, 23, a 2022 Temple graduate and current law school student from Delaware. Were going to come back strong, because I think thats what shed like.
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, shown in this 2021 file photo walking through the hallways of a school in Upper Darby, announced six local schools had been named National Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence. Read more

Six area schools have been named 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education, officials announced Tuesday.

The schools  one in Philadelphia, one in South Jersey, and four in the Philadelphia suburbs  were honored for either general excellence or progress closing gaps in education. Across the U.S., 353 schools were singled out for their stellar performance.

The prize-winning local schools are J. Fithian Tatem Elementary, in Haddonfield, of the Haddonfield School District; Central Bucks High School East, Doylestown, of the Central Bucks School District; St. Mary Interparochial, Philadelphia; St. Philip Neri, Lafayette Hill; and Saints Philip and James, Exton, of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; and Gwynedd-Mercy Academy Elementary, an independent school in Ambler.

Tatem was one of just nine Blue Ribbon Schools in New Jersey; the Pennsylvania schools were among a group of 13 state award winners.

Advertisement

No Philadelphia School District schools were named Blue Ribbon winners for the first time in years.

The awards are meaningful: Schools across the U.S. have been seeing COVID-19 gaps in both academics and social and emotional skills. The schools and districts hit hardest were generally the ones that had already struggled with a lack of resources and high concentrations of students with the greatest needs.

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona hailed the winning schools as national exemplars.

The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, said Cardona, who said officials take tremendous pride in the achievements of these schools and their commitment to empowering educators, serving students, and engaging families.
An uproar has ensued at the University of Pennsylvania over a writers conference scheduled there for this weekend that critics say includes speakers with a history of antisemitic remarks.

The Palestine Writes Literature Festival, billed as the largest Palestinian literature gathering in North America, is scheduled to begin late Friday afternoon and run through the weekend, ending just before the start of Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar.

Some Jewish groups locally and nationally have protested, according to the Daily Pennsylvanian, the student newspaper, which has been covering the controversy extensively, saying it threatens the safety of Jewish students on campus and calling on Penn to distance itself from the event and exclude certain speakers.

 READ MORE: Is it antisemitism or political discourse? Professor plans to sue Cabrini University after he was fired for tweets about Israel

Advertisement

We join Penn Jewish students in calling on the university and the departments involved with the event to acknowledge the pain this is causing Jewish students and to reassert the institutional values that are now at risk, said a statement from the American Jewish Committee.

But Palestine Legal, a national organization that provides legal advice and litigation support to people who speak for Palestinian rights, defended the conference and criticized the basis for the outcry in a letter to the university.

Claims from Israel lobby groups that an event featuring Palestinians, celebrating Palestinian culture, and/or supporting Palestinian rights will create a hostile environment for Jewish students on campus have no basis in law or fact, they wrote. Rather, they are based on the bigoted notion that the open existence of Palestinians or expressions of their identity on campus is unsafe for Jews.

Other Jewish groups spoke in support of the festival Monday, calling it an important opportunity to celebrate Palestinian voices and rights.

The controversial speakers

Among those scheduled to speak are Roger Waters, co-founder of Pink Floyd, whom the U.S. State Department said has a long track record of using antisemitic tropes and that a concert he gave in Germany in May contained imagery that is deeply offensive to Jewish people and minimized the Holocaust, according to the Associated Press. He is scheduled to appear by Zoom on a panel Friday night of non-Palestinians who have been supportive of Palestinian liberation.

Also scheduled to speak is former Temple University professor Marc Lamont Hill, who faced a backlash in 2018 after he talked of a free Palestine from the river to the sea  a sentiment that some have used as a rallying cry for the destruction of Israel. He later apologized and said he rejects antisemitism.

Penn has not weighed in on requests to exclude certain speakers, but Penn leaders in a statement last week acknowledged concerns. The university is not a sponsor of the event, which was held for the first time in 2020 online because of COVID-19 and will be making its first in-person debut this weekend.

While the Festival will feature more than 100 speakers, many have raised deep concerns about several speakers who have a documented and troubling history of engaging in antisemitism by speaking and acting in ways that denigrate Jewish people. We unequivocally  and emphatically  condemn antisemitism as antithetical to our institutional values, wrote Penn president Liz Magill, Provost John L. Jackson, Jr., and Steven J. Fluharty, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.

But they also acknowledged the universitys commitment to free speech.

As a university, we also fiercely support the free exchange of ideas as central to our educational mission, they wrote. This includes the expression of views that are controversial and even those that are incompatible with our institutional values.

Fears about safety, cultural identity and human rights

Palestinian and Arab student groups on campus and event organizers have defended the conference, calling it an unprecedented cultural festival..., celebrating Palestinian literature and arts, and been critical of the universitys statement. The event will include nearly 120 speakers from around the world to celebrate Palestinian culture, identity and community, they said.

On a campus where Palestinian and Arab students must invest a significant amount of time and energy to create opportunities for their communities to be celebrated, an event like Palestine Writes is a long-awaited affirmation of their belonging and worth, wrote the groups, Penn Against the Occupation, Almaydan  the Forum of Penn Arab Graduate Students, and Penn Arab Students Society.

They questioned the Penn leaders statement as unprecedented and said the university has not spoken out against hateful and concerning views... espoused by campus visitors and even faculty in the past.

The statement is a stinging reminder that when the university fails to provide accurate representation and impartial advocacy, it is up to us, the students, to take charge of our own narrative, ensuring no student feels unheard, invisible, or grossly misrepresented, they wrote.

The concerns by Jewish groups come amid a national surge in antisemitic incidents on college campuses. In 2022, according to the Anti-Defamation League, incidents increased 41% from the previous year, according to USA Today.

Penn Hillel is planning a massive Shabbat Together event Friday night when the conference officially begins to celebrate Jewish pride, unity, and togetherness with prominent politicians and alumni expected to attend, said Rabbi Gabe Greenberg, Penn Hillels executive director.

Penn Hillel has been working constantly to protect, advocate for, and fight on behalf of our Jewish students on campus, the group said in a statement.

Penn Hillel has asked that the university remove all logos and support from the conference and exclude speakers with antisemitic history. It also has called on the university to pay for security for Jewish students on campus because of concerns about the event, create a staff position to support Jewish students on campus, and include antisemitism trainings on campus.

Penn public safety plans to monitor both events to ensure the safety of all parties.

A diversity of viewpoints

Susan Abulhawa, award-winning novelist and organizer of the festival, was not surprised by the backlash to the event.

Zionists launch into this hysteria anytime we appear with evidence of our indigeneity and their colonialism. This is what troubles them, she said. A settler-colonial movement needs to destroy the indigenous people in order to exist and in order to thrive. And the only way that that can be successful is if they completely obliterate the humanity of the indigenous people.

She said event organizers reduced their Sunday programming to just the morning in order to accommodate Yom Kippur, which concludes 10 days of repentance that begin with Rosh Hashanah.

The Chavurah, a Jewish student group created two years ago for students who hold progressive and anti-Zionist viewpoints, spoke in support of the festival Monday, calling it an important opportunity to celebrate and engage with a diversity of Palestinian voices.

We condemn Penn Hillels attempts to dismiss the entire festival and play up racist tropes about Palestinian advocates because of the inclusion of anti-Zionist speakers, the group posted to their Instagram.

They continued that Penn Hillels conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism silences Palestinian voices and censures conversation about Palestinian liberation, and hurts Jewish communities because it distorts any conversation about the incidents of real antisemitism that occur around us.

Rabbi Linda Holtzman, a Philadelphia-based organizer of Tikkun Olam Chavurah and member of Jewish Voice for Peace, echoed the Chavurah groups points and emphasized acknowledging the diversity of opinion that lies in Jewish communities.

Doing otherwise, she said, undermines who the Jewish community is as people who believe in finding truth by exploring as broadly as possible.

Holtzman added that its sad to see such automatic backlash to the rich and beautiful array of Palestinian art and literature, and that shes glad the festival is happening  and believes Penn, as an educational institution, has an obligation to hold space for a wide range of viewpoints on campus.
Perkiomen Valley Superintendent Barbara Russell holds up the district's policy prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity during a school board meeting Sept. 5. Seated next to her is board president Jason Saylor. The board is debating how to move forward after debate around which bathrooms transgender students can use. Read more

The Perkiomen Valley School District is considering making some of its high school restrooms open to any gender, while restricting others to students of the same sex, to resolve tensions that have erupted over the use of restrooms by transgender students.

The possible change was billed by one school board member Tuesday as a compromise following debate over restroom access, touched off by a fathers social media post that his daughter was upset after using a restroom at the high school while a male may have been there.

Although it wasnt clear who had been in the restroom, some parents were outraged to learn that the district has been allowing transgender students to use restrooms aligned with their gender identity. The school board fast-tracked a policy that would have limited all multi-user restrooms to students of the same sex, but narrowly voted it down after pleas from students and families in the LGBTQ community and accusations of discrimination.

That didnt settle the issue, though: 300 students walked out of Perkiomen Valley High School on Friday, according to administrators, in apparent protest of the boards action. Photos shared on social media show students held signs that read Respect Girls rights, Keep boys out of womens restrooms and vice-versa, and Stay in your bathroom.

Advertisement

A social media post circulated before the walkout cited an incident in Virginia, where a boy wearing a skirt sexually assaulted a girl inside a girls restroom. (The case drew intense attention amid debate over restroom policies for transgender students; evidence has not found that the perpetrator was transgender.)

Is my comfort not as important as the comfort of the other students fighting to gain entry into my bathroom and locker rooms? Brandon Emery, a student involved in the walkout, said during a school board policy committee meeting Tuesday. He said the district should also consider the different religious backgrounds of students.

Administrators  who say about 1% of Perkiomen Valley High Schools 1,700 students are transgender  said there hadnt been any reported issues regarding restroom use until the recent social media uproar.

We need to think about the safety, upholding the rights and respecting all students, said Superintendent Barbara Russell, who told policy committee members that the school board had voted in 2018 to update its nondiscrimination policy to include gender identification as a protected class. She also made note of the federal court ruling that year upholding the nearby Boyertown Area School Districts policy allowing transgender students to use restrooms corresponding to their gender identity.

Board member Rowan Keenan said the district needed to focus on protecting female students.

Women are the protected class and they do not feel safe, he said. That is who needs to be protected.

Don Fountain, a school board member who had originally voted to advance the policy restricting bathroom use based on sex, but then voted against it last week, said he wanted to ensure that every student feels heard and safe. Calling on the community to find consensus, he proposed making some of the high schools restrooms nonbinary  used by whoever chooses to use them  and others restricted based on sex.

Fountain said his approach would address both of the groups. ... Both have gotten something, not all.

The committee agreed to direct administrators to examine the proposal and return with recommendations at an October meeting. Russell said she would seek input from students, parents and staff.

Some expressed opposition to the proposal  including Keenan, who said he was not on board with putting minor boys and girls into the same facilities together.

He accused administrators of lying to board members previously about its policy on restroom usage by transgender students.

This is what theyre doing to our kids. And theyre talking about it, like theyre going to, what, moderate how they sexualize your kids? Come on, he said.

Some public comment at the end of the meeting got heated, including from a man who accused the board of hating transgender children.

You hate them because you dont understand them, or you dont like them, or your pastor tells you to do this, he said, raising his voice: Youre liars and cowards.
Poster for Robert Mugge's "Amateur Night at City Hall: The Story of Frank L. Rizzo" that screens at Lightbox Film Center on Sept. 22. Read more

In 1978, fledgling documentary filmmaker Robert Mugge made a film called Amateur Night at City Hall: The Story of Frank L. Rizzo about the citys controversial mayor at the time. On the day of its release, Mugge donned a keystone cop uniform and carried a sandwich board with Rizzos picture on it around City Hall, just steps away from where a statue of the mayor would later stand.

Rizzo gave the police free reign, Mugge told The Inquirer in an interview this week. There was a sense, especially among minorities that they better watch out, because anything could happen. A sense of fear pervaded the city, but not for everyone white working class ethnic people really felt they had a champion in him, and they did.

Frank Rizzo left office in 1980, and died in 1991. But the ex-mayor remains, to this day, a figure of great controversy.

Advertisement

In June 2020, shortly after George Floyds murder, the statue of Rizzo that had stood in front of City Hall since 1998 was removed, as was the mural of Rizzo in South Phillys Italian Market.

The 75-minute Amateur Night at City Hall was filmed in 1977, by a 20-something Mugge, with no help from Rizzo. In the film, Rizzo holds court in front of crowds, including at the Mummers Parade. Philadelphians participated, expressing different opinions, mostly either very positive or very negative, about their then-mayor. They expressed fears about crime. There was then, as there is now, a debate about development on the Eastern end of Market Street.

While the documentary traces Rizzos rise from police commissioner to mayor, Amateur Night at City Hall is more about painting a portrait of what the city was like during Rizzos reign and the way he was loved by some and loathed by others.

For me, the key theme of the film was politics as show business, Mugge said of Rizzos style.

The film had its world premiere in February 1978, at the now-defunct Walnut Mall Cinema near Penns campus. Nearly a year later, in January 1979, the film was due for a national broadcast on PBS, in a shortened 60-minute form under the title Rizzo: A Documentary Melodrama.

Thats the version, Mugge said, that caused all the controversy When it suddenly showed up on PBS, Rizzo went kinda nuts.

Mugge had set up the PBS broadcast through a public television station in Maryland where he had preexisting relationships, not WHYY, and obtained lots of news footage from the national TV networks, rather than the local broadcast affiliates.

Once he learned of the planned broadcast, Mugge said, Rizzo threatened to retaliate against the PBS-affiliated WHYY by reneging on a deal to give the station the Living History Center as its headquarters.

According to Mugge, WHYYs then-president and general manager Jim Karayn was ready to cave and cancel the local broadcast, but the filmmaker went public with the dispute, including in an interview with WMMR. The broadcast went ahead, with a disclaimer added in Philadelphia and New Jersey (Mugge doesnt remember the precise wording, except it amounted to dont blame us if you dont like this film.) The station got its headquarters.

The filmmaker is not sure if Rizzo ever actually saw the film.

It was just more an issue that we had the nerve to make this thing, and continued on it despite his lack of cooperation, Mugge says today. It was never intended to be a hit job. It was intended to be a reflection of what was going on in Philadelphia at the time.

On Friday, Sept. 22, Amateur Night at City Hall will get a rare local big-screen showing in Philadelphia, at the Lightbox Film Center, with Mugge in attendance for a Q&A. The film got a DVD restoration in 2016, and while PBS stations have shown it occasionally, public screenings have taken place much less often.

Mugge, who lived in Philadelphia for decades but is now based in Indiana, is also promoting his recently published memoir, Notes from the Road: A Filmmakers Journey through American Music, at the Lightbox event.

Amateur Night at City Hall: The Story of Frank L. Rizzo, Sept. 22, 7 p.m., Lightbox Film Center, 401 S. Broad St., Phila., https://lightboxfilmcenter.org/programs/amateur-night-at-city-hall-the-story-of-frank-l-rizzo.
Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, introduced legislation to enroll all children in Medicaid. Read more

Every child born in America would be automatically enrolled in Medicaid, the publicly funded health program for low-income families, under a bill introduced in the U.S. Senate.

Children are currently eligible for Medicaid if their familys income is within 133% of the federal poverty rate, or about $39,900 a year for a family of four in 2023. Families that earn too much to qualify for Medicaid can get low-cost coverage for their children through the Childrens Health Insurance Plan (CHIP).

Even with those options, many families struggle to afford health insurance and about 4% of children are uninsured, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The new legislation, introduced by Pennsylvania Democrat Sen. Bob Casey last month, aims to improve access and affordability. All children would be enrolled in Medicaid at birth, regardless of their familys income. They would remain covered until their 19th birthday without the need to reenroll annually, as is typically required to maintain Medicaid coverage.

Advertisement

Parents could opt out of Medicaid in favor of private insurance or CHIP.

Too many of our kids are struggling to stay healthy because their families cant afford the care they need, Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania who is currently running for reelection, said in a statement.

 READ MORE: We want to hear your thoughts about this and other health-related articles. Please fill out our Eds and Meds survey.

Millions of people losing Medicaid post-pandemic

In a divided Congress, with a looming government funding fight, the chances of such a large expansion of Medicaid seems unlikely. Caseys office hopes the proposal will draw attention to the need for more stable health coverage for children.

Millions of people  including many children  have lost Medicaid coverage in recent months as states begin reviewing everyone who enrolled since 2020. A total of 15 million people are expected to lose Medicaid or CHIP, either because their income is too high and theyre no longer eligible or for procedural reasons, such as failing to complete needed paperwork.

States were required to suspend Medicaid reenrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed annual reenrollment in the spring.

 READ MORE: Thousands have lost Medicaid as post-pandemic renewals begin in Pa., N.J.

Nearly 185,000 Pennsylvania residents have lost Medicaid coverage as of Sep. 18, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. About half of those lost care because of a procedural reason and not because they were determined to be ineligible. Its unclear how many of those people may still be eligible for coverage.

Children accounted for 25% of those who lost coverage in Pennsylvania.

Proposal faces critics, applauds

Medicaid is run by states and jointly paid for by states and the federal government. Caseys proposal calls for the federal government to pay states back for 100% of the cost of the coverage of children. But his officedid not have a cost estimate at this time.

Some see flaws in the proposal.

Caseys bill doesnt ensure high-quality care or access, said Elizabeth Stelle, director of policy analysis at the Commonwealth Foundation, a Harrisburg-based conservative think tank. For example, studies showed that people with Medicaid have a harder time accessing specialists than those with private insurance.

An insurance card doesnt guarantee you access, Stelle said.

Stelle said she is also concerned about the cost of the expansion to cover all children. She questioned whether taxpayers should pay for the health care of children from high-income families.

Its what going to be needed if there is going to be transformative change in the health-care space for kids, said Becky Ludwick, vice president of public policy at the Pa. Partnership for Children, a Harrisburg-based child advocacy nonprofit.

The proposals requirement that children maintain coverage without renewal until age 19 will significantly reduce the number of children who are uninsured or who experience gaps in coverage because their family didnt renew, she said.

Some states, such as Oregon, have received permission from the federal government to enroll children for the first six years of their lives. But no state comes close to covering kids through their 19th birthday, as Casey is proposing.

Theres a lot of benefits that come with having this continuous coverage Ludwick said. We would not see children unnecessarily falling out of coverage when they dont need to.
Temple University Health System, which is anchored by Temple University Hospital in North Philadelphia, reported its first annual loss since 2014. Read more

Temple University Health System reported a $64 million annual operating loss for the fiscal year that ended June 30. It was the North Philadelphia health systems first annual operating loss since 2014.

The annual financial results, reported Tuesday to municipal bond investors, are the first in three years that do not include substantial COVID-19 aid from the federal government. During those three years, Temple included a total of $204.4 million in federal aid in its results, accounting for much of the health systems operating profit.

 READ MORE: What do you think about our Eds and Meds content? Please share your thoughts in this brief survey

The nonprofit health system reported annual revenue of $2.65 billion, a 3.8% increase from $2.55 billion in fiscal 2022, when Temple had an operating profit of $70 million. That included $40 million in federal relief money.

Advertisement

Reasons for the wide swing to an operating loss include higher expenses for outside agency staff and overtime, as well as a 6% decrease in the number of inpatients at Temples hospitals, excluding Chestnut Hill Hospital. Temple said the decline was due to insurers reclassifying patients from acute care to what is called observation status, which is reimbursed at a lower rate.

Observation status is often used for patients who stay in the hospital for less than 48 hours. Having more patients put into the observation category cost Temple $24 million in revenue during the year, the organizations chief financial officer told municipal bond analysts during a conference call Wednesday.

The average acute-care admission is reimbursing the hospital roughly $12,000 more than what we see as an observation admission. Its a very significant change in reimbursement, Gerald Oetzel said.

As part of a joint venture with Redeemer Health and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Temple acquired Chestnut Hill from Tower Health in January for $28 million.

Temples CEO Mike Young said on the analyst call that Temple bought Chestnut Hill because it is running out of space for patients and clinical programs at Temple University Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center. As part of the acquisition, Temple gained 42 primary-care doctors, who brought with them new patients for Temples hospitals. Temples main hospital also gets more transfers from Chestnut Hill for advanced care, he said.

Chestnut Hill had an operating loss of $12.4 million from January through June, about twice as much as expected. Young said Temple has negotiated better-paying insurance contracts for Chestnut Hill. One big commercial plan that used to pay significantly less than Medicaid is now paying rates that will bring many millions of additional dollars to Chestnut Hill, Young said.

We know what the issues are at Chestnut Hill, and we address them literally daily, he said.
A 39-year-old Camden County man has been sentenced to six years in New Jersey state prison for his role in an overseas scheme that stole nearly $1.5 million through scams involving fake romance, inheritance, and investments, state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said Wednesday.

Christopher Akeme, of Sicklerville, pleaded guilty in May to one count of financial facilitation of criminal activity and was sentenced Friday by Superior Court Judge Gwendolyn Blue, who also ordered Akeme to pay $1,421,689 in restitution to his victims.

Akeme admitted to his role in the scheme to defraud three vulnerable people out of large sums of money from 2017 to 2020 and to launder those funds to hide their illegal source, Platkin said. Akeme directed the transfer of the money to bank accounts he controlled in the United States before sending the funds to bank accounts in Nigeria.

The three victims included a California resident who drained $926,414 from her retirement savings and investment accounts to financially support a long-distance romance with a person who did not exist, believing she was helping that fictitious individual with medical expenses and an overseas development project, Platkin said.

Advertisement

A second California resident was targeted with an inheritance scam, sending $116,630 intended to release unclaimed funds in a bank account in Barcelona, Spain, that someone supposedly inherited, Platkin said.

The third victim was a resident in Germany who was targeted by a real-estate investment scam that also involved a romance scam initiated on social media, Platkin said. That victim lost $491,645 by sending money to supposedly invest in a condominium in New Jersey.

Unfortunately, the scams used in this case to steal money and funnel funds to others in Nigeria are common scams that harm victims worldwide, Pablo Quinones, legal chief of the Office of Securities Fraud and Financial Crimes Prosecutions in the Attorney Generals Office, said in a statement.

This case demonstrates our resolve to disrupt sophisticated transactional fraud and money laundering networks and seek justice for the vulnerable victims harmed by such scams, Quinones said.
Valentina Yermachkova, 20, (right) rescued her sisters, Sofiia, 15, (left) and Anastasia, 9, from Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Their mother and brother were killed by Russian shelling in Mariupol. Read more

When President Joe Biden urged world leaders on Tuesday not to diminish support for Ukraine, he used a phrase whose importance you may have missed. Speaking at the U.N. General Assembly, Biden charged (correctly) that Russias price for peace is Ukraines capitulation, Ukraines territory, and Ukraines children.

Ive added italics to those last two words because of Moscows policy of illegally transferring tens of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia proper, or Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine, and trying to transform them into good little Ukraine-hating Russians.

In his own speech to the United Nations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also denounced Russias seizure of his countrys children as purely a genocide. That Russian war crime goes to the heart of why Ukraine believes it must win this war.

 READ MORE: Russia has turned food, energy, and even children into weapons against Ukraine, Zelenskyy says at U.N.

Advertisement

According to official data from the Ukrainian government, at least 19,546 children have been transferred illegally to Russian control since the war began. However, those numbers only include cases reported by a parent or guardian. The real figures are probably much higher, and there is no record of whether those children have been adopted or sent to Russian orphanages. Only 386 have been returned.

In a war where bombing civilians is central to Russian military strategy, no war crime seems too heinous to Moscow  from bombing schools, markets, and hospitals to torture, rape, and murder in Russian-occupied cities.

Yet there is something especially evil about kidnapping children, which relates directly to Vladimir Putins belief that there is no such thing as a Ukrainian nationality and that the state has no right to exist.

According to this thinking, deporting Ukrainian children makes sense: All Ukrainian youngsters should ultimately be reeducated to love the Russian motherland and despise the Ukrainian Nazis.

Forced deportation and adoption of Ukrainian children is one of the elements of a war of genocide, Ukrainian Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin told me when I visited Kyiv in July. This is a matter of intentional policy.

 READ MORE: In pursuit of impeachment, GOP revives lies about Joe Biden and Ukraine corruption | Trudy Rubin

That is why the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Putin and his commissioner for childrens rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, alleging their responsibility for the war crime of unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine.

Russia has weaponized food (blocking Ukrainian grain exports) and energy (making threats to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which it occupies), as Zelensky pointed out. It has also weaponized ecology, blowing up the Nova Kakhovka dam, which flooded cities, farmlands, and animal life. As if this was insufficient, Putin has even weaponized Ukrainian kids.

The Russians use different ways to take the children out of Ukraine, Kostin related, not only taking them from orphanages but from families.

In some cases, parents in occupied Ukraine were encouraged to send their children for rest and recuperation to camps in Crimea that sought to reeducate them. Many kids were bused there directly from school without parental permission. Many never returned.

During the Russian destruction and occupation of Mariupol and other cities, many thousands of children from orphanages, boarding schools, shelters, and hospitals were taken to Russian-controlled areas, even though they might have had family members elsewhere in Ukraine. Children werent allowed to call friends or relatives, who had no way to find them. Phones were taken away. Young children were put up for adoption.

Often, children were in shelters because their families had been killed by Russian bombing, as in Mariupol, where Russia flattened the city and refused to permit a humanitarian corridor to let civilians exit.

Moscow has made propaganda out of kidnapped children, filming youngsters being given toys and candy and being happily adopted. Children are a sacred cause. We took them out of the conflict zone, saving their lives and health, said the utterly cynical Putin in June. Naturally, he never mentions that most of the children were displaced or orphaned by Russian bombs.

A recent documentary called Uprooted, produced by the Kyiv Independent newspaper and available on YouTube, interviews some of the few children who were rescued by incredibly brave relatives or guardians.

I interviewed one of those relatives featured in the film, Valentina Yermachkova, who was a 19-year-old student in Dnipro when the war started. Her mother and brother were killed by a Russian shell as they sought food after the Russians invaded Mariupol. Her two younger sisters were moved to a hospital in occupied Donetsk, but not allowed to contact relatives. Fourteen-year-old Sofiia had hidden her brothers phone and eventually managed to sneak a call to her older sister.

 READ MORE: Why Ukraines fight is Americas fight | Trudy Rubin

Yermachkova, on her own, took buses through Poland, Lithuania, across Russia, and back into occupied Donetsk, and demanded the return of her siblings. I was afraid, but I knew I had no choice, she told me when I met her and her sisters in Dnipro. Now I realize I might have gotten stuck there, too. She now studies law in the hopes she can work on efforts to rescue other Ukrainian kids.

Rescuing children is one main reason why Prosecutor General Kostin will arrive in Washington, D.C., this week to discuss the issue with top U.S. officials; it will also be raised at side meetings during the U.N. General Assembly. Bringing our children back is a priority, Kostin told me, for us as a state and for the civilized world.

Countries in the global south that suffered in the past from violations of basic human rights need to understand that this evil will return if they put their short-term interests higher than their values, Kostin insisted. He was referring to countries such as South Africa, which maintains close ties with Russia and isnt supporting Ukraine.

Whether Ukraine can retrieve its stolen children is a huge question mark, and U.S. officials should offer any help requested. But public focus on the issue is rightly aimed at those leaders worldwide, and in this country, who still seek to shake Putins hand.
The musician Roger Waters, who has compared Israel to the Third Reich, is a participant in a conference at Penn that critics have said is antisemitic and should be canceled. Read more

Why should we allow hate speech on our campus?

Thats the most common question I get from my students. And the latest controversy at Penn  where I teach  provides a clear answer: Hate speech is in the eye of the beholder. Once you decide to prohibit it, almost any speech can be banned.

Witness the kerfuffle over the Palestine Writes conference at Penn this weekend, which will draw dozens of authors and speakers from around the world. Citing allegedly antisemitic statements by participants, critics have called on Penn to cancel the conference or disinvite some of the speakers.

The best-known participant is Pink Floyd guitarist Roger Waters, who has compared Israel to the German Third Reich. He recently wore a Nazi-style uniform during a concert in Berlin, where the name of Anne Frank  a Jewish victim of the Holocaust  was juxtaposed on a big screen next to the name of a Palestinian American journalist who was shot by Israeli soldiers on the West Bank.

Advertisement

The conference will also feature Rutgers professor Noura Erakat  who has suggested that Zionism is a bedfellow of Nazism  and Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah, who recently called Israel a demonic, sick project and added that she cant wait for the day we commemorate its end.

Conference organizers vehemently deny that any of the participants are antisemitic.

Conference organizers vehemently deny that any of the participants are antisemitic. Theyre anti-Zionist, the organizers say, which is different.

Is it? That should be up to us  you, me, and everyone else  to decide. And we cant do that if the conference is canceled, or if the speakers are censored. We, as a university, should be a space where difficult conversations are had, Huda Fakhreddine, a Penn professor of Arabic literature, told the student newspaper. Come have a dialogue about things you are afraid of because that is how we learn.

I agree with her. But I also worry that were applying this principle unevenly, to protect our own speech even as we censor others.

And that brings us to Amy Wax, the Penn law professor who is embroiled in disciplinary proceedings over her long history of allegedly racist and xenophobic remarks. She is back in the news again, for inviting white nationalist Jared Taylor to her class for a second time.

Taylor has claimed that Black people have a higher tendency toward psychopathic personality, and that when Blacks are left to their own devices, Western civilization  any kind of civilization  disappears. He visited Waxs class in 2021, which was one of the reasons cited by law school dean Ted Ruger in his plea to impose a major sanction on her.

Taylors explicit racism, hate speech, and white supremacy contravenes the Universitys express policies and mission, and his white supremacist ideology has been associated closely with those perpetuating violence towards minorities, Ruger wrote.

Thats the same argument critics of next weeks conference are making, of course. Antisemitic incidents have surged at our colleges and universities in recent years. Now Penn is bringing antisemitic speakers to campus, the critics say, and smack in the middle of the Jewish High Holidays. What could be more hateful  or dangerous  than that?

Let me be clear: I am not equating the participants at the Palestine Writes conference with Taylor. But other people do equate them. And you cant expect protection for your own speech if youre not willing to grant the same to everyone else.

Where were the organizers of next weeks conference when Wax came under attack? Sitting on their hands, I would guess, or  more likely  calling for her head.

We can see the same inconsistency in Wax defenders like Paul Levy, who quit the law schools Board of Overseers in 2018 to protest the campaign against her. In his resignation letter, Levy wrote that universities need to protect open, robust, and critical debate.

I agree with that, too. But I havent heard Levy or any other Wax supporter step up to protect the Palestine Writes conference, which is the heart of the problem. In American higher education, we talk a good game about free speech. But most of us just want our own side to win.

Jonathan Zimmerman teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author (with cartoonist Signe Wilkinson) of Free Speech and Why You Should Give a Damn.
Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker said Tuesday that she is looking for someone with knowledge of Philadelphia to lead the Police Department if she becomes mayor in January.

That is extremely important, Parker said in an interview on WURD with host Solomon Jones. We are at such a moment of crisis in our city that we need someone who knows our city and knows it well.

Parkers comments in the interview offered the most detailed insight yet into her thinking about one of the most important choices she will have to make if she defeats Republican David Oh in the general election and succeeds outgoing Mayor Jim Kenney.

 READ MORE: Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is stepping down. Heres what happens next.

Advertisement

Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, hired in early 2020 as Kenney began his second term, is stepping down Friday to take a job with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford will take over on an interim basis until the next mayor appoints a permanent replacement.

During the primary, Parker declined to say whether she would retain Outlaw if she became mayor. But now that Outlaw is exiting on her own accord, Parker told Jones  a contributing columnist at The Inquirer  what shes looking for in the next top cop.

In addition to being familiar with Philadelphia, Parker said, the new commissioner would be someone who displayed strong leadership skills, cultural competency, and a lack of fear to make tough decisions even if they were unpopular.

Whether to hire a Philadelphia policing veteran or an outsider who could shake up the department is a central question when mayors evaluate potential commissioners.

Outlaw came in as an outsider after serving as police chief in Portland, Ore. Her predecessor, Richard Ross, came up through the ranks in Phillys department.

All of the candidates who have been rumored to be in the running to become Parkers commissioner have ties to the city. The potential contenders include three current deputy commissioners in the department  Stanford, Joel Dales, and Frank Vanore  as well as Kevin Bethel, chief of school safety at the School District of Philadelphia.

Parkers list is also said to include police officials working elsewhere who have past professional ties to Philadelphia. They include Joel Fitzgerald Sr., a former Philly cop who is chief of police for Denvers transit system and whose son was fatally shot this year while working as a Temple University police officer; Ron Davis, director of the U.S. Marshals Service who, in a prior federal role, helped the Philadelphia department revise its use of-force-policies; and Branville Bard, the vice president for public safety at Johns Hopkins University who started his career in Philly and once served as police chief for the PHA.

Parker has said she will not make any personnel decisions until after the Nov. 7 election. Both Kenney and his predecessor, Michael A. Nutter, announced their selections for police commissioners shortly after their general election victories.

The goal is to ensure that we make Philadelphia public health and safety our No. 1 priority, Parker said. I want them to be experienced, I want them to have knowledge of our city, and I want them to be able to put together a holistic plan to address public safety overall in our city that coincides with what my vision is.

Staff writers Chris Palmer and Anna Orso contributed to this article.
Democrats have dominated Philadelphia politics for decades, but Republicans could always count on having at least some influence in City Hall.

Thats no longer certain. The progressive Working Families Party has shaken up the status quo and is vying this year to win two City Council seats reserved for non-Democrats.

That reality, coupled with the Working Families Partys close ties to Democrats, has some Republicans questioning if its presence on Council is what the framers of Philadelphias government intended.

The purpose of the non-Democrat seats is to maintain diversity on City Council, said Drew Murray, a Republican running for one of the at-large seats. They are not an independent party.

Advertisement

Republicans  and even a few Democrats  are pushing the issue of ideological diversity ahead of the Nov. 7 general election, when the GOP will battle the Working Families Party for the pair of seats on Council that represent the city at large. It demonstrates how seriously the GOP is taking the threat from progressives, who are explicitly trying to oust them from city government.

 READ MORE: Whats the Working Families Party, and hows it different from regular Democrats?

While Working Families Party leaders admit they dont operate like either of the majority parties, they say theyre distinct from Democrats, evidenced by the fact that the head of the Democratic Party in Philadelphia has all but told its members not to support them.

And Working Families Party member Kendra Brooks, who in 2019 became the first third-party candidate to win a seat on Council in 70 years, has been more progressive on policy than most of her Democratic colleagues, backing proposals like rent control and a wealth tax.

This year, she and her running mate Nicolas ORourke are hopeful they can take both seats as part of progressives project of moving City Hall leftward.

And they say Republicans dont automatically deserve two of Councils 17 seats.

Its no surprise that the party of Donald Trump wants governing power without having to win over Philadelphia voters, ORourke said. Republicans know that if they have to compete with progressives fighting for higher wages, strong public schools, and safe communities, voters will pick the progressives every time.

The Working Families Party history in Philadelphia

The Working Families Party was founded in the late 1990s as a coalition of labor unions and activists in New York, in part because the state allows for fusion voting  meaning that multiple parties can nominate the same candidate.

The party has since expanded its reach nationally and has a presence in 18 states. In some cases, it takes advantage of state and local laws and runs its own candidates. In others, it backs progressive Democrats in primaries.

Organizers have done both in Philadelphia. The party came onto the scene in 2014 and mobilized door-knockers to help get a resolution on the ballot demanding an end to state control of Philly schools. In 2017, they launched an unsuccessful effort to bring fusion voting to Pennsylvania and were part of the coalition that lifted progressive District Attorney Larry Krasner to office.

By 2019, the party had gained real traction. Brooks and ORourke ran for Council, and raised more money than any other third-party candidates in city history. Brooks won, in a shock to the political establishment.

In this years primary election, the Working Families Party endorsed a slate of Democrats, including Helen Gym, a leader in the citys progressive movement who ran for mayor and finished third. The party gave more than $200,000 to Gyms campaign and a super PAC backing her bid.

How the Working Families Party operates

Working Families Party leaders have charted a new path for how a party can operate in Philadelphia. The state does not recognize it as a political party in the same way as Republicans and Democrats. It doesnt hold primary elections, and its not governed by committee members elected at the polls by registered voters.

The party is also unlike other third parties, like the Green Party. Working Families Party candidates typically dont run in general elections if its likely theyll end up helping the GOP.

And Working Families Party organizers do not prioritize registering voters  there are currently 14 registered members in Philadelphia  and instead focus on enlisting volunteers, of which there have been more than 5,000 in the city since 2019.

The ties to elected Democrats are clear. Gov. Josh Shapiro, a moderate Democrat, endorsed Brooks, and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is backing both Brooks and ORourke. Several other elected Democrats in the city have endorsed Working Families Party candidates, and the party has endorsed dozens of Pennsylvania Democrats.

The Democratic Party itself is a different story.

Bob Brady, chair of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, has warned elected committee people that they could be expelled for supporting candidates outside the Democratic Party this fall.

Voters can pick up to five candidates for the seven at-large seats on Council, and no party may nominate more than five people. The five Democrats are all-but-certain to win seats. In order to top the GOP, the Working Families Party likely needs to convince many Democrats to select fewer of their partys nominees and replace them with their candidates.

A political argument, not a legal one

The Working Families Party strategy has fueled criticism.

Councilmember Brian ONeill, who has served on Council since 1980 and is now the lone Republican, said the party is contrary to everything the framers of the Home Rule Charter  a document akin to a constitution  intended.

It was not to have somebody who could come up with a minority party, he said, and bring in outside influence, finances, and otherwise to win an election and there really be no difference of opinion except for how progressive a Democrat you are.

Josh Novotney, a Philadelphia-based Republican strategist, described the Working Families Party as a fringe part of the majority party playing some changes with their name on the ballot.

And Larry Ceisler, a public-affairs executive and a Democrat, said the Working Families Party maintaining close ties to Democrats but also running as a third party is no different than if the conservative Tea Party ran candidates.

Its really just about the intent of the charter, he said.

The Home Rule Charter was drafted by a bipartisan commission in the late 1940s when Republicans controlled city government. Joseph C. Vignola, a former Democratic city controller and councilman who has long studied Philadelphia politics, said the minority-party representation was likely modeled off of the citys then-judicial board, which required representation from more than one party.

They wanted political diversity, Vignola said. It was 72 years ago. They werent thinking about third parties.

The charter itself doesnt say what the framers intended. It only mentions that minority party representation is assured on Council, and it doesnt define a political party.

In fact, under the charter and the states election code, any group of people could declare themselves a political party or political body and nominate candidates to be on the general election ballot. They just need to obtain the requisite amount of petition signatures and file paperwork showing they have a committee to fill vacancies. (The WFPs committee in Philadelphia is made up of five registered Democrats.)

 READ MORE: Working Families Party candidate removed from the ballot in race for Philadelphia city commissioner

Matthew Wolfe, a Republican ward leader and an attorney who works with the city GOP, described the Working Families Party as a faction of the Democratic Party.

But Wolfe said theres nothing in state law indicating they cant run independent of the Democratic Party.

If I saw something there, he said, Id be all over it.

A check on Democrats

Some who believe Republicans should have a Council presence argue its good governance. While Democrats hold a nearly 7-1 voter registration advantage, there remain about 115,000 registered Republicans in Philadelphia.

Ceisler said theres value in having elected officials who can coordinate with Republican leaders in Harrisburg. And Novotney said while two Republicans on the 17-member legislative body werent blocking Democratic agendas or passing conservative wishlists, they were a dissenting vote.

You have someone who can stand up and say Were not for this and why, he said, and thats good for everyone to hear.

But the Working Families Party says that in a city with a growing progressive movement, it is the check on establishment Democrats.

Through her first term, Brooks aligned closely with progressive-leaning Democrats, but at times went farther to the left. In 2020, she voted against a city budget, saying it allocated too much to the police department. She introduced a bill to institute a wealth tax, and she has been Councils most vocal supporter of rent control.

Last week, Brooks was the only member to vote against legislation that prohibits supervised injection sites in most of the city.

I dont see us as a spin-off of the Democratic Party, Brooks said. We live in a Democratic city, and the relationships that I built is how I can get things done.

Staff writer Sean Collins Walsh contributed to this article.
Fringe Development's proposed 60-unit apartment building in Kensington, with the rendering as seen from Sixth Street. Read more

A 60-unit apartment building is planned for 2108-12 N. Sixth St. in Kensington, almost equidistant between the Broad Street and the Market-Frankford train lines.

The six-story project is the latest offering from Fringe Development, a small real estate and property management company based in Philadelphia.

Its not a building thats going to have big luxury apartments, and it costs a million dollars to move in, said Allan Nadav, owner of Fringe Development. Its giving people a place to live as adults, that you can afford when youre 30 years old and you dont want to have a roommate anymore.

The building will largely consist of studio apartments, but after hearing pushback from community groups in the area, Nadav added nine two-bedroom apartments.

Advertisement

The building will include 25 parking spaces on the first floor, along with a 1,278-square-foot gym and a 990-square-foot lobby. Parking for 56 bicycles will be in the buildings basement.

Nadav said that adding more parking to the building, especially underground, would make construction too expensive for him to be able to charge rents that are affordable to the tenants he is trying to reach.

[Underground Parking] would make it impossible to keep it as an efficient, cheaper product that people can afford, Nadav said.

Fringe Development will require approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustment to move forward because the property is zoned for neighborhood commercial retail (although some residential uses are allowed).

Another community meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 27 at 1950 N. Ninth St., organized by the Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha (APM).

The communitys vote at that meeting will not be determinative of how the zoning board rules, but the ZBA has been known to value neighborhood groups opinions. Most developers would rather have community support than not. (APM declined to comment on the project until the second meeting is held.)

Were hoping that we can show the neighborhood at this meeting that this is not what your typical developer builds, Nadav said.

After the community meeting, a hearing before the zoning board is set for Oct. 4. The project will also be considered by the Civic Design Review committee, which can provide advice but has no power, on Oct. 3.

Fringe Development was drawn to the area because of its abundant vacant land. From previous experience, Nadav says he did not want to continue developing in a neighborhood like Point Breeze, where the existing density made it difficult to amass enough land without directly encroaching upon current residents.

In this corner of North Philadelphia, he says the company was able to amass lots over the years to prepare for this project with a minimum of disruption.

In the old Kensington neighborhood, theres so many warehouses and so much vacant land that I figure ... were not displacing anybody, theres nothing to lose, Nadav said.

EDITORS NOTE: A previous version of this story stated the wrong number of units proposed by Fringe Development because the companys plans contained an outdated unit count. They now plan for 60 units, a change made to accommodate the two-bedroom apartments.
An aerial view of the new Landmark Properties project slated for Broad Street near Temple University. Read more

A new 28-story apartment building from Landmark Properties, a national student housing developer, is planned for 1518-28 N. Broad St. across the thoroughfare from the Sullivan Progress Plaza Shopping Center.

The project would have 142 multifamily units and 147 so-called group-living units, explicitly aimed at roommate accommodations, for a total of 868 beds. The developer plans on providing 78 underground parking spaces, along with 21,079 square feet of retail space and what they are dubbing a public plaza around the entrance.

At a neighborhood meeting last Wednesday, most community members welcomed the new project, intrigued by the idea that a residential tower could pull demand for student housing out of rowhouse-dominated areas.

The community was pleased by almost 100% of the presentation, and one of the biggest reasons is that this building draws students out of the communities, said William T. Harris of the United Neighbors Alliance Civic Association. It gives the opportunity for less issues with the partying, the obnoxious behaviors. Theyre bringing students back to campus with this large building.

Advertisement

Thats exactly what Temple University, which owns a ground lease on the land, intended when it put the parcel up for a request for proposal. The school wanted to find a developer to help concentrate more of the student population along Broad Street.

Athens, Ga.-based Landmark Properties won the bid. The company entered the Philadelphia market in recent years with a 19-story, 280-unit tower called the Standard at Philadelphia on 119 S. 31st St. Last year the company announced another project, The Mark at Philadelphia, which would be a 34-story tower at 3615-3635 Chestnut St. That project will contain 263 multifamily units and 127 group-living units.

Landmark did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the new project.

Its a multifamily project with the student renter in mind, but we will lease to anyone, Aaron Stange, director of development for Landmark, said in a 2022 interview with The Inquirer about the companys second University City project. In our major urban markets, we see a mix of general nonstudent populations, students, sometimes grad students.

At the time, Stange described the group-living accommodations offered in Landmarks buildings as a way to ensure that more undergraduates could afford to live in this kind of newly built high-end accommodation.

Landmarks first two projects targeted University City in West Philadelphia, but the project at 1518-28 N. Broad St. will be their first foray into North Philadelphia. It will include amenities such as a dog-washing station, a gym, study rooms, and a roof deck with a pool. One hundred spaces for bike parking will be included as well.

The loading area and trash room for the building would be located in the rear of the building on North Carlisle Street. Harris said that community members were impressed by Landmarks comprehensive plans for the time of year when students move in and out. The volume of trash generated by undergraduates has created conflict with residents, as piles of litter and derelict couches or mattresses plague the neighborhood.

They mentioned that they hire additional folks during that time, said Harris. And every unit is furnished so that also makes moving in and moving out seamless.

The building will include an 11-story base that spans much of the lot and the 28-story tower that only covers two-thirds of the base. The pool and other outdoor amenities will be on the last third of the base that does not support the tower.

These two design elements work together to provide a contextual design language to both the mid- and high rises of Temple University and the surrounding neighborhood area, Landmarks presentation package notes.

Landmark is not alone in its ambitions to continue the multifamily building boom around Temple. Earlier in 2023, Bart Blatstein announced plans for a 15-story, 245-unit apartment building at 1600 N.Broad St., just behind the Pearl movie theater.
Sowa Goat Sanctuary is a nonprofit organization located in Harvard, Massachusetts that rescues and rehabilitates farm animals that have been subjected to neglect and abuse. Owners Olivia and Jim DiNardo take wonderful care of the goats, and lucky for us, they document their work and share it on social media.

They state on their website that their mission "is to provide lifelong holistic care to abused, neglected, orphaned, and special needs farmed animals." They further explain their approach to caring for the goats they take in:

The sanctuary is a place of healing where animals can quietly process their grief, trauma, and abuse free of any expectations or timelines. We surround them with love, meet all of their needs, and allow them to process their trauma in their own way, in their own time. Watching them find their way back to peace and joy and health is the honor of a lifetime and is what keeps us going through all of the challenges and profound heartbreak we experience in service to these animals. They are forever our north star 

Some of the adorable goats in their care include Hermes, Indy, and Tess, who have each suffered different physical and emotional traumas, and who are all deeply loved, well cared for, and thriving at Sowa.

To learn more about and to donate to the cause or sponsor a specific goat, check out their website.
Its [the deal] an absolute testament to what weve done, he said. The fact that Marsh hasnt made an acquisition in this country for as long as I can remember - and Ive been in the industry for quite a period of time - the fact that they want to come after this challenger ethos and they want to bring what we have to their offering is just testament to the fact that we have challenged hard and we have been successful.
We are excited to welcome Daniel Peacock [Peacocks director] and the team at Peacock Insurance, said Melbourne based Rob Currenti, Insurance Houses general manager. I look forward to supporting the local community as Daniel and his team have for the last 22 years and continuing their legacy.
Kelly is an excellent addition to our team and her deep knowledge of specialty insurance coupled with expertise crossing strategy, business intelligence, data and analytics, and financial operations makes her uniquely suited for this role, Tizzio said. Her appointment and the launch of How We Work speak to the focus we have placed on strengthening our underlying business operations, enhancing productivity and efficiency, and investing in capabilities that will enable us to realize our ambition of elevating AXIS as a specialty leader.
During her tenure at RT, she initiated and executed a mentorship platform for new hires, garnering regular recognition for its effectiveness in rapidly developing associates and aiding their progression into producer roles. According to LinkedIn, Bundy also had prior roles at Lockton Companies and Scratch Music Group.
In an exclusive interview with Insurance Business following the results discussion, Horton said that while there was more work to do on the US business, its a much more straightforward business than its ever been.
So, if you have a large real estate or TIV (total insurable value) exposure, youre now having to decide whether to engage with an MGA to get enough coverage for your property. Is it going to force you to buy a casualty product that may not be of the quality that a company of your size and scale would purchase?
Days after Tim Ballard, the QAnon hero who inspired the lead character in Sound of Freedom, was accused of sexually harassing women, comes the news that Paul Hutchinson, executive producer of the film, has been accused of groping an underage trafficking victim's breasts during a sting operation in Mexico,

According to Vice, Paul Hutchinson, who runs the Child Liberation Foundation, was recorded as he "touched the naked breasts of an apparently underage trafficking victim during a 2016 undercover operation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico."

From Vice:

A description of one of the videos, written by an investigator, shows Hutchinson expressing concerns over whether he could be prosecuted by Mexican authorities over the incident. He was speaking to Matt Osborne, an OUR operative, who dismissed his worries while making clear he didn't think the video should be shown to the U.S. government. Osborne is currently the president and chief operating officer of OUR, as he has been since Ballard resigned from the organization earlier this year following an internal investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.  Provided with a detailed description of what was in the investigative files, he did not deny that the videos showed him doing what the investigator's description said they did, or dispute that he had felt the trafficking victim's naked breasts. He did dispute that she was a minor, asserting that he had a sworn affidavit from Mexican federal police saying that she was over 18. He did not respond to multiple requests, sent over a period of weeks, to provide a copy of this document.

If that's not enough, one of Sound of Freedom's funders was arrested for child kidnapping
Throughout his tenure at MedRisk, Sridharan worked in collaboration with the leadership team to establish advancements in client management, analytics, and provider relations. These efforts have led to the implementation of operational enhancements aimed at elevating client service, the introduction of new technology to facilitate scalable patient engagement, as well as the streamlining of processes to enhance provider satisfaction.
Three artworks believed stolen during the Holocaust from a Jewish art collector and entertainer have been seized from museums in three different states by New York law enforcement authorities.

The artworks by Austrian Expressionist Egon Schiele were all previously owned by Fritz Grunbaum, a cabaret performer and songwriter who died at the Dachau concentration camp in 1941.

The art was seized last Wednesday from the Art Institute of Chicago, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Allen Memorial Art Museum at Oberlin College in Ohio.

Warrants issued by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office say there`s reasonable cause to believe the three artworks are stolen property.

The three works and several others from the collection, which Grunbaum began assembling in the 1920s, are already the subject of civil litigation on behalf of his heirs. They believe the entertainer was forced to cede ownership of his artworks under duress.

The son of a Jewish art dealer in what was then Moravia, Grunbaum studied law but began performing in cabarets in Vienna in 1906.

Grunbaum was arrested and sent to Dachau in 1938. He gave his final performance for fellow inmates on New Year`s Eve 1940 while gravely ill, then died on Jan. 14, 1941.

The three pieces seized by Bragg`s office are: Russian War Prisoner, a watercolor and pencil on paper piece valued at $1.25 million, which was seized from the Art Institute; Portrait of a Man, a pencil on paper drawing valued at $1 million and seized from the Carnegie Museum of Art; and Girl With Black Hair,  a watercolor and pencil on paper work valued at $1.5 million and taken from Oberlin.

The Art Institute said in a statement Thursday, We are confident in our legal acquisition and lawful possession of this work. The piece is the subject of civil litigation in federal court, where this dispute is being properly litigated and where we are also defending our legal ownership.

The Carnegie Museum said it was committed to acting in accordance with ethical, legal, and professional requirements and norms and would cooperate with the authorities.

A request for comment was sent to the Oberlin museum.

Before the warrants were issued Wednesday, the Grunbaum heirs had filed civil claims against the three museums and several other defendants seeking the return of artworks that they say were looted from Grunbaum.

They won a victory in 2018 when a New York judge ruled that two works by Schiele had to be turned over to Grunbaum`s heirs under the Holocaust Expropriated Recovery Act, passed by Congress in 2016.

In that case, the attorney for London art dealer of Richard Nagy said Nagy was the rightful owner of the works because Grunbaums sister-in-law, Mathilde Lukacs, had sold them after his death.

But Judge Charles Ramos ruled that there was no evidence that Grunbaum had voluntarily transferred the artworks to Lukacs. A signature at gunpoint cannot lead to a valid conveyance, he wrote.

Raymond Dowd, the attorney for the heirs in their civil proceedings, referred questions about the seizure of the three works on Wednesday to the district attorney`s office.

The actions taken by the Bragg`s office follow the seizures of what investigators said were looted antiquities from museums in Cleveland and Worcester, Massachusetts.

Manhattan prosecutors believe they have jurisdiction in all of the cases because the artworks were bought and sold by Manhattan art dealers at some point.

Douglas Cohen, a spokesperson for the district attorney, said he could not comment on the artworks seized except to say that they are part of an ongoing investigation.

Photo: This combo of images provided by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, shows three artworks by Austrian expressionist Egon Schiele. From left, watercolor and pencil on paper artwork, dated 1916 and titled Russian War Prisoner (Art Institute of Chicago); a pencil-on-paper drawing, dated 1917, titled Portrait of a Man (Carnegie Museum of Art), and a watercolor and pencil artwork, dated 1911 and titled Girl With Black Hair (Allen Memorial Art Museum). (Manhattan District Attorneys Office via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Fraud Law Enforcement
(Bloomberg)  Airlines are scrambling to find replacements for hundreds of single-aisle jetliners that will be sidelined by a recently discovered engine issue, providing a boon to companies that lease out aircraft and crews.

About 3,000 Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines powering the Airbus SE A320neo  the industrys top-selling jet  must be removed and brought in to repair shops over the next three years to check for potentially flawed components made from contaminated metal powder, Pratt parent RTX Corp. said on Monday.

The issue will ground hundreds of aircraft for months, depriving carriers of capacity amidst a post-pandemic rebound in air travel. Companies that lease out aircraft and crew on a temporary basis stand to benefit, according to the founder of Avia Solutions Group, which provides aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance on a short-term basis, also referred to as wet-leasing.

Avia, whose customers include Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Turkish Airlines and British Airways, is in talks with airlines about providing temporary capacity while their GTF engines are inspected in workshops, Avia founder Gediminas Ziemelis said in an interview.

This reminds me of the situation when the Max was grounded, said Ziemelis, referring to the prolonged grounding of the Boeing Co. 737 Max model following two fatal crashes. To fill the void, airlines were forced to seek alternative capacity.

Lufthansa expects to wet-lease 40 to 50 aircraft next summer as part of its plan to backfill capacity when its GTF-powered A320s go in for shop visits, the German airlines chief executive officer, Carsten Spohr, said at an event in the US on Tuesday.

Avia has a fleet of 196 planes across the world that are available for ACMI operations, Ziemelis said. About 60% of its capacity will likely be earmarked for long-term contracts while it will keep 40% for last-minute spot operations, he said.

Mondays announcement by RTX dramatically expanded the scope of required engine checks due to a flaw it disclosed in late July. The Pratt GTF is one of two power plants offered for the A320neo, with about a 40% share behind competitor CFM International.

Photo: About 3,000 Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines powering the Airbus SE A320neo  the industrys top-selling jet  must be removed and brought in to repair. (Photographer: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg)

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Aviation
A drywall contractor has been sentenced to six months in jail for defrauding the New York State workers compensation insurance fund out of almost $3 million in premiums over an eight-year period.

The Manhattan District Attorney announced the sentence this week for Juan Escobar, 46, who had pleaded guilty to insurance fraud by significantly underreporting his payroll and falsifying worker injury information. Escobar also was ordered to pay $400,000 to the states assigned-risk insurance fund, known as NYSIF.

Escobars companies, including Infinity Drywall Corp., JMC Drywall Corp. and JJM Builders, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy and were placed on three years of conditional discharge.

Juan Escobar went to great lengths to defraud New York State in order to increase his own bottom line, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a news release. Hardworking New Yorkers should not be used as pawns by their employers in the pursuit of profit.

From 2013 to October 2021, Escobar and his companies reported much fewer employees to NYSIF than he actually had, and concealed his true payroll and worker injuries through elaborate means. The contractor would issue cashiers checks to shell companies in the name of family members.

The checks were made to appear as legitimate payments to subcontractors, but the cash was then funneled to his off-the-books payroll, which was typically as much $50,000 a week, Bragg said. Like other unscrupulous contractors around the country have been convicted of doing, Escobar paid employees cash, handed out in envelopes.

In addition, the contractor directed injured workers to falsely claim workplace injuries occurred elsewhere, told them to avoid detection from site safety inspectors, or gave workers cash in exchange for failing to file workers compensation claims, the prosecutor said.

Escobar also failed to report worker injuries to NYSIF. When a workers compensation claim did get filed, he would misrepresent the workers employment status.

Bragg said the investigation began when investigators from his office uncovered extensive and suspicious financial transactions directed by Escobar and his companies. Investigators found that Escobar and companies had cashed more than $26 million in checks across Manhattan and Queens, an amount that was much more than what he claimed in payroll to the insurance fund.

NYSIF officials assisted in the investigation.

Escobars sentencing came four months after the DA announced the indictment of eight construction company officials and the indictment of an accountant for similar and other types of fraud.

Insurance fraud, including workers compensation fraud, costs honest companies and employees tens of millions of dollars every year, Gaurav Vasisht, executive director and CEO of the New York State Insurance Fund said at the time.

Topics New York Workers' Compensation Contractors
Like most lobstermen, the Maine House Republican leader scrambled to complete his work ahead of the remnants of Hurricane Lee. Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham was rushing home from sea when a giant wave rose up, seemingly from nowhere, and towered over his boat.

Moments later, he and fellow fishermen Alex Polk found themselves plunged into the cold North Atlantic as they witnessed a horrifying sight: The sturdy 40-foot (12-meter) vessel built for offshore fishing had flipped over, its propeller still turning and its diesel engine belching black smoke.

This boat was turned upside down in a nanosecond like a bathtub toy, Faulkingham recounted.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Coast Guard had warned mariners at noon Friday that they needed to immediately begin making plans to avoid the onrushing storm  just about when Faulkingham was turning to home at Winter Harbor, a few miles (kilometers) east of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.

Suffering a black eye, facial fracture and stitched lip, Faulkingham counted Polk and himself lucky to be alive Monday. Polk broke an arm and the wrist on his other arm, and suffered a big gash on his face, Faulkingham said.

Their ordeal unfolded Friday afternoon as the water in the Gulf of Maine was already starting to churn. But it still wasn`t rough enough to prevent lobstermen from finishing their work.

Despite choppy waves of 5 to 8 feet (1.5 to 2 meters) offshore, Faulkingham said, seats were relatively calm. The two were watching waves crashing ashore on an island and just about to head toward harbor when the wave loomed large.

Faulkingham estimated the swell was possibly 40 feet (12 meters) high. With only about a second to react, he hit the throttle.

It was surreal to see a wall of water coming at you like that. Its just not natural to see water coming at you laterally. It was above us. I dont know how high it was in total. But it was above us, he said.

The next thing he knew, he was swimming away from the boat. Inside the overturned vessel, Polk gulped some air and pushed off with his good arm, emerging on the other side, Faulkingham said.

The boat`s engine was somehow still running, black smoke belching and propeller spinning.

Faulkingham climbed onto a flat part of the stern of the overturned boat and grabbed Polk with his good arm to help him to safety, as well. That`s when Faulkingham realized the force of the wave had pulled his shorts and sweatpants to his ankles. He used the sweatpants to stem the bleeding from Polk`s head.

They took off their oilskins and boots and awaited help. Faulkingham`s phone was gone. Faulkingham tied his oilskins, the waterproof gear worn by fishermen at sea, into a way that they could be used for emergency flotation. They pinned their hopes on being spotted or the Coast Guard being alerted by their emergency locator beacon, which is activated by exposure to water.

Several planes flew over and several other lobster boats passed in the distance, but no one saw them. In the meantime, the Coast Guard, responding to the beacon, alerted Faulkingham`s wife at 12:20 p.m. and the search was on.

Even though Polk was severely injured, Faulkingham said, he was safe and felt God was watching as flotsam and jetsam from his boat was pushed ashore. But his boat stayed put, and didn`t immediately sink. In fact, the sun beating down on the black hull warmed up, providing the men some comfort from the cold ocean water.

I knew it was a bad situation but I had no fear. I can`t explain the science of adrenaline or any of that other stuff. All I know was it was the presence of God,  he told The Associated Press.

Their rescuer was a familiar fisherman. A cousin, Mikie Faulkingham, was the first to find them at 1:11 p.m. He hauled them onto his lobster boat and rush to shore, where an ambulance took them to the hospital.

Their boat sank.

Their ordeal had begun just as the Coast Guard was telling mariners to rush final preparations for Lee, still a Category 1 hurricane more than 400 miles (640 kilometers) to the south. The National Weather Service sent out an advisory with a call to action, alerting mariners in bold letters that they must be executing avoidance plans now.

Some, like Faulkingham, were just finishing their haul of lobster. Others were pulling traps out of the water, or taking them to safer waters farther offshore.

The Coast Guard cant stop mariners from going out in severe weather, but did its best to arm them with information to take the storm seriously, Petty Officer Diolanda Caballero said.

We put out these advisories to make sure people are safe and trying their best. We said multiple times the ocean is unforgiving. We cant really stop people from going out  its ultimately at their own risk, Caballero said.

Faulkingham, 44, is on recess from Maine`s part-time Legislature until it begins its next session early next year. He was elected to the Legislature in 2018 and has worked in lobster fishing his entire life.

He said Monday he felt like he`d been run over by a truck. Still, the close call won`t stop him from heading back to sea.

Fishing is who I am. Its what I do. Its my livelihood. Its how I feed my family. Its what I love, he said.

Photo: Maines House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, R-Winter Harbor at the Statehouse in February. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Leadership Maine Politics
Israeli cybersecurity firm Cato Networks said on Tuesday it had raised $238 million in a private funding round that valued the company at $3 billion.

The round, one of Israels largest this year and Catos biggest, was led by LightSpeed Venture Partners, with the participation of Adams Street Partners, Softbank Vision Fund 2, Sixty Degree Capital and Singtel Innov8.

Cato said it would use the new funds to broaden its audience and expand its engineering and product team.

Since its founding in 2015, Cato has raised $773 million. A prior round of $200 million in 2021 valued it at $2.5 billion. CEO Shlomo Kramer co-founded Cato as well as Check Point Software Technologies, currently valued at $16 billion.

The large financing round comes after funding at Israeli startups slid some 70% over the first half of the year to $3.6 billion, hurt by a global slowdown and investor concerns over Israels planned overhaul of its judicial system that would trim powers of the Supreme Court.

Cato said that in 2022 it had annual recurring revenue of above $100 million, with revenue up 60% last year. It noted it had more than 1,800 enterprise customers, including Carlsberg and the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E.

(Reporting by Steven Scheer; editing by Mark Potter)

Topics Cyber Funding
A Credit Suisse unit has been ordered to pay billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili reduced damages of $742.7 million by a Singapore court as it confirmed that the banks trust had failed to safeguard its clients assets.

The amount was revised down from the $926 million assessed by the court in May. At the time, the court said the final award would be reduced to avoid double recovery after a Bermuda court last year awarded Ivanishvili more than $600 million in damages in that case.

The ruling, the first since the troubled bank was taken over by rival UBS Group AG in June, is the latest development in the Singapore chapter of the long-running saga thats spanned three continents.

Credit Suisse to Appeal Bermuda Court Ruling Against Georgias Ex-Prime Minister

The case revolves around the case of private banker Patrice Lescaudron who was convicted in 2018 for for running a fraudulent scheme in which he took money from Ivanishvilis accounts to try and mask growing losses in other, Russian clients portfolios.

Credit Suisse said in May that the judgement was wrong and poses very significant legal issues. On Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the bank said, The Singapore Courts judgment is not final and, as already communicated in May 2023, Credit Suisse Trust Limited will pursue an appeal.

A hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 2 at which CS Trust will attempt to stay the judgement against it. Ivanishvili, his wife and three children who are plaintiffs in the case have agreed to not enforce the award until after that date, according to the ruling.

After several months of disagreement over the amount of damages payable, the court has awarded damages in line with what the plaintiffs expert has said all along, a spokesman for Ivanishvili said in a statement. With yet another judgment against it, it is disappointing Credit Suisse Group steadfastly refuses to accept responsibility for the crimes perpetrated by its employee or adequately compensates the victims.

Photograph: A Credit Suisse logo on the roof of the Credit Suisse Group AG headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Photo credit: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.
Alphabets Google on Tuesday made a last-ditch effort at Europes top court to overturn a 2.42 billion euro ($2.6 billion) EU antitrust fine imposed for market abuse related to its shopping service, saying that regulators failed to show that its practices were anti-competitive.

Google turned to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) after the General Court in 2021 threw out its challenge to the fine levied by EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager in 2017.

It was the first of three penalties for anti-competitive practices that have cost Google 8.25 billion euros in total in the last decade.

Googles Search Dominance Challenged in Biggest Antitrust Trial in Decades

Google lawyer Thomas Graf said the European Commission had failed to show that the companys different treatment of rivals was abusive and that different treatment alone was not anti-competitive.

Companies do not compete by treating competitors equally with themselves. They compete by treating them differently. The whole point of competition is for a company to differentiate itself from rivals. Not to align with rivals so that all are the same, he told the panel of 15 judges.

Qualifying every different treatment, and in particular different treatment of first party and third party businesses, as abusive would undermine competition. It would impair the ability and incentives of companies to compete and innovate, Graf said.

Commission lawyer Fernando Castillo de la Torre dismissed Googles arguments, saying the company had used its algorithms to unfairly favor its price comparison shopping service, in breach of EU antitrust laws.

Google was entitled to apply algorithms that lower the visibility of certain results which were less relevant for a user query, he said.

What Google was not entitled to do was to use its dominance in general search in order to extend its position over comparison shopping by promoting results of its own services, and embellishing them with attractive features and apply algorithms that are prone to pushing down the results of rivals and showing those results without attractive features, he said.

CJEU advocate general Juliane Kokott said she would issue her non-binding opinion on Jan. 11. The CJEU will rule in the coming months following her recommendation.

This case and two others involving the Android mobile operating system and AdSense advertising service, however pale in comparison with the ongoing EU antitrust case into Googles lucrative digital advertising business where regulators in June threaten to break up the company.

The case is C-48/22 P Google and Alphabet v Commission (Google Shopping)

($1 = 0.9353 euros)

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; editing by David Evans)

Topics Europe Google
Virgin Australia Airlines Pty found a second suspected unapproved plane part from obscure UK supplier AOG Technics Ltd., as the industry continues to hunt down bogus components that have spread across the global fleet.

The Australian airline discovered a seal with false certification documents on an inner high-pressure turbine nozzle on a Boeing Co. 737 jet, according to a person familiar with the matter. The aircraft is under maintenance in Brisbane, where the part is being removed, said the person, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.

According to Flight Radar data, the plane in question diverted to Brisbane during a flight from Sydney to Gold Coast early on Sept. 16 and hasnt flown since.

United Airlines Is Latest to Discover Bogus Parts in Plane Engines

Bloomberg News reported last week that Virgin Australia had initially found one potentially unapproved part supplied by AOG Technics. According to the person familiar with the investigation, that component  also supplied with fake paperwork  was a low-pressure turbine blade on a different Boeing 737. That aircraft is already back in service.

The discoveries show how the bogus parts have infiltrated planes from the US to Australia. Southwest Airlines Co. has removed two suspect parts traced to closely held AOG Technics from one of its Boeing 737s, and engine makers General Electric Co. and Safran SA have sued AOG after finding that parts with falsified certificates had found their way into engines.

At Virgin Australia, safety is our highest priority, and we apply a highly stringent approach to maintenance to ensure our safety standard is upheld, the airline said last week after the first suspected unapproved part was discovered.

The widening scandal has shaken an industry where safety is the guiding principle, with exacting standards for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance that demands each component be verified.

Parts supplied by AOG went into engines that power many older-generation Airbus SE A320 and Boeing 737 planes, by far the most widely flown category of commercial aircraft. CFM International, the worlds largest jet-engine manufacturer, filed a lawsuit in the UK against AOG Technics. The suit seeks an injunction to force AOG to provide more information to aid the aviation industrys search for suspect components.

Photograph: Virgin Australia aircraft at Sydney Airport. Photo credit: Brendon Thorne/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Australia
United Airlines Holdings Inc. discovered dubious parts in two aircraft engines, adding to the list of carriers worldwide that have found bogus components from supplier AOG Technics Ltd.

The parts were discovered in a single engine on each of two aircraft, including one that was already undergoing routine maintenance, a spokesperson for United said Monday. The Chicago-based airline is replacing the engines before the planes are returned to flying, he said.

United discovered the parts based on new information from its suppliers, and will continue to investigate as more details become available, the company said. The parts were seals on compressor stator vanes that help direct airflow inside the engine. United didnt immediately say which type of aircraft the engines had powered.

Turbulence as P&W Engine Flaw Forces Airlines to Lease More Craft and Crews

Fake Spare Parts Were Supplied to Fix Top-Selling Jet Engine

The companys disclosure makes it the latest major carrier to confirm that suspect components from AOG were installed in their fleet, including Southwest Airlines Co. and Virgin Australia Airlines Pty. Aviation regulators have said AOG supplied an unknown number of jet engine spare parts backed by falsified airworthiness documentation, kicking off a worldwide effort by the industry to hunt down more components.

CFM International Inc., the joint venture of General Electric Co. and Safran SA that makes the engines for many older-generation Airbus SE A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, previously said parts with fraudulent documentation had been used in 68 of its power plants.

With assistance from Ryan Beene.

Photograph: United Airlines aircraft at Denver International Airport in Denver, Colo., on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023. Photo credit: Bing Guan/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2023 Bloomberg.

Topics Aviation
Press Release

September 20, 2023 Pia opposes inclusion of tobacco in the list of agricultural products essential to food security

Highlights of the statements of Senator Pia S. Cayetano

Interpellation on the proposed Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act With the permission of the sponsor, may I ask some questions and clarifications? Thank you. So the short title of this bill is, the 'Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.' May I know what laws we have in place that currently govern anything similar to agricultural economic sabotage, or maybe smuggling of agricultural prpducts? If that's a better way of phrasing that question. What laws would govern that? In terms of identifying or listing the agricultural products that would be imported and would be subject of a penalty, where would that current list be found? Is it in the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act? * But my question was, what is the current governing law? It's the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, that is the current law. I am not yet there, I am just asking about the list of products. If I were to look for the list of products that would be subject of a penalty if these were imported without the proper permits, it would be here in the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, correct? I am looking at that list, and it mentions: sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrots, fish, and cruciferous vegetables... Am I correct that there are currently nine agricultural products that are subject of this Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016? At the end, it says rice, so ten, including rice. And there is no other law that penalizes the smuggling of these agricultural products. In other words, wala na akong hahanapin na iba pa, dito ko makikita ang listahang yan. It is ten, correct? In your existing bill, what other products were added to this list? Kasi you said you have 14 so ano yung apat? * I'd like to illustrate, this is not necessarily for her honor, but for anyone listening to us. If we remember Sesame Street, they would show pictures and say which one here doesn't belong? I will put 14 pictures...sugar, corn, pork, poultry, garlic, onion, carrot, fish, cruciferous vegetables, rice, then tobacco, beef, dairy, fruits. Which one doesn't belong? May idea ho ba ang resource persons natin, your honor? Kasi sila naman siguro ang nag-propose nito. Which one doesn't belong? * Kasi po, if I look at the definition of economic sabotage in agriculture, it states in your Section 3, Letter E, "Economic sabotage in agriculture refers to any act or activity that disrupts the economy by creating artificial shortage, promoting excessive importation, manipulating prices and supply, evading payment or underpayment of tariff and custom duties, threatening local production and food security, gaining excessive or exorbitant profits by exploiting situations, creating scarcity, and entering into agreements that defeat fair competition to the prejudice of the public." Basically, this is the crux of this bill, defining what is economic sabotage in agriculture. Tama po ba? Okay, and I will now relate that to the declaration of policy, which states that, "It is also the policy of the State to prevent smuggling of agricultural and fisheries products as this negatively affects agricultural production, supply of agricultural products, stability of prices and threatens the food security of its people." Paano ho naka-threaten ng food security ng mga Pilipino ang tobacco? Kinakain ho ba ng mga Pilipino ang tobacco? * Well, that part of the response, I understand because this representation was the Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means when we, a couple of times over more than a decade, well Chairman in the last 3 years, but involved in the taxation of tobacco and related products. Naintindihan ko po na we tax tobacco products, number one, to make it less accessible to the youth, because nakakasama naman ito sa kanila, number two, added revenues for the government. Naiintindihan ko po ang portion na yun. Yung portion na hindi ko maintindihan, kung bakit siya kailangan isama sa economic sabotage? Ganun ba siya ka-importante para sa atin, such that isasama natin sila sa mga produktong nakaka-affect sa ating food security? Ganun siya ka-importante? * Thank you, your honor for your patience. I am just reviewing this now so I am gathering all the information to make this interpellation short but relevant. I take the position that I think it's common sense to the average person, even for a child, that a tobacco product would not be part of that list of agricultural products that are truly essential to food security. * But your honor, later on, I will give an enumeration of other products that are also harmful but are not now part of this economic sabotage. In other words, you are singling out these tobacco products and including it in what is otherwise a very important list of products essential to food security. I beg to disagree that tobacco products should be included in this list. * What we'd like to point out as the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on SDGs, Innovation, and Futures Thinking, it is also important that we have a whole-of-government approach. When we choose to rely on a harmful product as the source of livelihood of our people, our people are exposed to the ill effects of... may I just finish my statement? Our people are exposed to these harmful products. It does not, with all due respect, justify, promoting this livelihood if in fact there are other products that can be promoted that are less harmful or if possible, not harmful to our Filipino kababayans, the Filipino farmers in particular. In fact, that is the reason why we have a law giving the share of the revenues from the tobacco products to certain regions precisely so that they would promote the promotion of alternative products. RA 9211 refers to the program that shall promote cooperative programs to assist tobacco farmers in developing alternative farming systems, plant alternative crops, and other livelihood projects. So I only mentioned this, your honor, because the sponsor mentions that we need to include tobacco products because this is a source of livelihood. I am mentioning the counter-argument that under the existing law that we passed 20 years ago, we are supposed to veer away from these harmful products. We should in fact be promoting the production of rice, of vegetables, of fruits, yung mga nasa listahan po ng ating sponsor, hindi po ang tobacco product. That is just my intervention on that point, your honor. * To be clear, your honor, and I should have said this at the start of this interpellation, I support this bill of her honor, it is a very good bill, I support and agree with the statement of her honor na galit na galit siya dito sa mga smuggler na ito. Full support po ako dyan. Ang kaisa-isa kong issue ay ang pagsama sa tobacco diyan, kasi katulad po ng inyong paliwanag ngayon lang, na dapat sugpuin ang pag-smuggle ng tobacco, agree din ako doon, kasi ako nga po ang Chairman nung isinulong natin ang Sin Tax Law na kasama ang bagong sin product na vapes. And I agree wholeheartedly, pero may batas na po tayong sumusugpo at nagbibigay ng penalty sa smuggling ng tobacco. Ang tanong ho is wow, ha? Ang tobacco, in-elevate na sa kahalagahan ng ating mga pagkain that is essential to food security. Wow. kasi yan ang gusto ng ating tobacco industry. And I'll tell you why this matters, your honor. During the interpellation of the Minority Floor Leader, napag-usapan niyo po ang role ng mga prosecurtors. Tama ho ba ang intindi ko para hindi ko na uulitin na there will be a special team of prosecutors right? That is correct? * I am confirming, di ba? Para hindi ko na uulitin. So the answer is yes. So there is a special team of prosecutors. In the news the other day, nakalagay doon na: the Philippines is number 2 in terms of child abuse cases, online child abuse. And I think everyone is aware, well our Deputy Minority Leader is here on the floor with us, she is also very much active in strengthening our ability to prosecute those involved in trafficking, to do whatever we can, because these are our children that are being victimized here, our women, the most vulnerable. So marami ho tayong mga crimes na kailangan full attention ng ating prosecutor. And agree po ako that our prosecutors will also be involved in addressing economic sabotage dito sa mga walang hiyang mga importer ng mga overpriced or smuggled, or kung anumang violation nila, sa mga commodities. Again, banggitin natin yung bigas, gulay, kung anumang importante. Pero kapag sinama si tobacco, ako naman, agree naman ako, niloloko din tayo ng mga yan. There was a time, your honor, 6-7 years ago, during the time of President Duterte, na nawala na ang Mighty Cigarette kasi number one din yan sa ganun. So full support po ako dyan. Full support ako. Pero when you elevate it to the importance of an essential food commodity, medyo I think that's pushing it, because it is not fair to the Filipino people who are suffering na yung tobacco ilagay sa same level ng essential commodities katulad ng kinakain nila araw-araw. Yun lang naman ang posisyon ko, your honor. I'll just park it there because we may disagree in principle, but I cannot support that ang limited resources natin, including the prosecutors, will be giving the same amount of attention for the smugglers of essential goods like rice, same attention ang ibibigay nun sa smuggler ng tobacco. Yun lang po ang comment ko dyan. * Your honor, sa Section 12 naman, there is a list, this refers to the creation/establishment of an Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Council. So it mentions the members, mga department natin, including Agri, DTI... and then in Letter I, it mentions one representative each of the following agricultural centers whose members shall be nationwide. May isa sa sugar, then rice and corn, livestock and poultry, vegetables and fruits, fisheries and other aquatic products, and tobacco. May I know who for example would be the representative from the sugar industry or the rice industry, and corn? Who would make up this? Is this the farmers' cooperatives? Sino ho ba ang magme-member dyan? * So sa tobacco, ganun din? It's the tobacco farmers? And then, I will relate this to the question of the Minority Floor Leader when he pointed out in the early part of the bill, where you have an enumeration now of what are agricultural and fisheries products? That's Section 3.A. it refers to cruciferous vegetables. And then itong Section 12 ata if I am not mistaken... vegetables and fruits... Pero I don't think that answered his question na ano ba talaga ang vegetables na sakop nito? Cruciferous lang or all kinds of vegetables? * No, but in terms of defining the subject of the crime, we need to be very specific. If you include the word cruciferous to describe vegetables here, then we cannot include non-cruciferous vegetables. Is that clear? So in other words, tomato, hindi naman cruciferous yun, di ba? * And you are sure? Kasi this law is not meant to be amended every year. Kasi hindi natin pwede itong balikan. Bakit hindi niyo na lang isama? Kasi ako, I am really shocked, si tobacco excited kayo isama pero ibang gulay, hindi niyo isasama? Hindi ko talaga maintindihan. * How about potato? Hindi kasi kung garlic, onion, and carrots lang, huwag niyo na isama si cruciferous, dahil paulit-ulit tayo sa garlic, onion, and carrots. If that's all you want to include. * So, dito sa list niyo of representatives, then it should be a representative from the specific cruciferous vegetables that are affected? Hindi ka pwede mag-representative ng kamatis dahil hindi yan kasama, tama ba? * Ganito na lang, yun nga po ang point ko. Ganito na lang. Can we just spread in the records that when we say that there will be one representative from each of the following sectors, the representative for vegetable and fruits will definitely have to fall within the farmers' cooperatives that are selling, growing those particular... the cruciferous vegetables that are being referred to earlier, because otherwise, why would you have a representative that doesn't fall under them? * And then, you stated there, vegetables and fruits, for something so important, pinagsama pa yun. So mag-aaway pa si vegetable and fruit representative kung sino sa kanila ang pwedeng makasama diyan, eh isa lang, buti pa si tobacco, solong solo niya ang space niya. Totoo naman po kaya kayo natatawa eh. Di ba, mag-aaway pa sila? Wala pa silang voice. * Si rice tsaka si corn, naghahati din. Pero si tobacco is all alone with one voice equivalent to everybody else. Di ba? I mean, your honor, yun lang talaga... Tanggalin na nga kasi it doesn't belong nga eh. * And, I agree 100 percent with her honor. I am against smuggling of any kind, including tobacco. But it is already covered by existing laws. Talagang bilib na bilib lang ako sa lobby ng tobacco na kasama siya dito dahil nasama siya. Alam ko yun kasi sinabi pa sa akin talaga ng tobacco industry na, ito ang plano nila eh. * Alam niyo po, ang pinaninindigan kong kalusugan ng mga kababayan natin, regardless naman po kung anong region, pinaglalaban ko lang po ang kalusugan ng mga kababayan natin, from whatever region, north or south. So that's why it's my sworn duty to bring this up during our deliberations... * On Page 9, Line 17, the paragraph reads, "Provided further that any person found guilty under this Act shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual, absolute disqualification to engage in any business involving importation, transportation, storage, and warehousing and domestic trade of agricultural and fisheries products." To be honest, your honor, I like this kasi ang gumagawa ng karumal-dumal na smuggling na yan, talagang gusto ko na silang mawala sa mundong ito. However, and I hope the Minority Floor Leader is following, I don't know if that's unconstitutional. If you can prevent somebody from engaging in a trade. Page 9 Line 17, if you are found guilty, the penalty is "perpetual, absolute disqualification to engage in any business involving importation, transportation, storage, and warehousing and domestic trade of agricultural and fisheries products." I've never heard of this kind of penalty. I love it, to be honest, I am conflicted kasi nga ayoko na talaga makita ang mga mukha nila, mga pangalan nila, mga anak-anakan nila to do these things. But I am not aware if we can do these things. You can prevent them... from doing business with government and getting a permit. Pero to engage in business, I am not sure, it's a very interesting question, which I challenge all the lawyers in the halls of Congress now to research, kasi hindi ko pa narinig na na-prevent mo yung tao to engage in business. * So my question remains. Baka unconstitutional po yun. Again, it's just a question. I put it out there. I will also study it. Pero I hope we can all study it kasi sabi ko nga, kung ako gusto ko rin gawin yun. Pero we need to be constitutional. And I think this is my last point, your honor. In the same section, the next paragraph states, "Provided, furthermore, that the agricultural and fisheries products subject of the prohibited acts and the properties used in the commission of the crime of agricultural economic sabotage such as, but not limited to, vehicles, vessels, aircrafts, storage area, warehouses, boxes, cases, trunks, and other containers of whatever character, used as receptacles of agricultural and fisheries products shall be confiscated in favor of the government." Eh paano ho kung nag-rent lang ng warehouse at wala naman alam si warehouse na nagva-violate ho ng crime yun? Paano din ho kung nag-rent lang ng vehicle? How can you categorically say that it will be confiscated? * And that is a very fair warning, but if we put it in a law, that's a deprivation of property, which is enshrined in the Constitution. We cannot deprive anyone of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. * May I request the lawyers to review this? Kasi medyo maraming provisions na possibly unconstitutional. Hindi ko na ho uulitin yung mga pinoint out ni Minority Floor Leader. I love this law, as I said, I just don't like tobacco being elevated to the level of basic necessities. But otherwise, I am very supportive, gusto kong itapon sa Pacific Ocean, kawawa ang mga isda na makasama itong mga smuggler na ito. I support kaya ayaw ko lang maging unconstitutional, your honor. * And your honor, just to point out, when I mentioned that baka unconstitutional yung provision that provides for absolute disqualification to engage in any business, the words used were "perpetual, absolute disqualification to engage in any business involving importation, transportation, storage, and warehousing and domestic trade of agricultural and fisheries products." Her honor responded that this is already found in the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. But to be clear, what is provided in the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act is this provision, "any person, natural or juridical, found guilty under this Act shall also suffer the penalty of perpetual, absolute disqualification to engage in any business involving importation." Unang una, napaka-limited ng sa Act na yun, importation. Number two, you need government clearances to import. That's why ang sinabi ko is, you can prevent them from dealing with government or engaging in something that involves a government permit. And that's why the importation I feel should be okay. The provision as it stands in the law. * But when you define the crime and widen its scope, the penalty should not be violative of the Constitution and the Constitution still states that we cannot deprive anyone of property without due process of law. So may I request the agencies that are pushing for this bill to review this carefully from a constitutional standpoint? Kung pwede bang mag-deprive tayo ng tao na may negosyo. I support. I will be the first to support. Kasi ayoko na talaga sila magnegosyo ng ganito. Ayoko talaga. Pero ayoko din naman masayang ang energy natin na pagkatapos natin hulihin yang mga yan, matapon lang ang kaso, sasabihin unconstitutional. * And maybe we can also ask DOJ to study, kasi nga the prosecutors are under DOJ. So, kasama po sila doon. And I recall now, may isa pa pala akong tanong dito, this is under the provision on the powers of the council. Under the powers of the council, this is Section 13... "The Council shall have the following powers: to freeze the funds, properties, bank deposits, placement trust accounts, assets and records belonging to a person suspected of the crime punishable under this Act." I am not aware... Do we criminalize... Paano kung sabihin ko na I am suspecting na meron ka sa bulsa mo, Mr Minority Floor Leader na binili mo sa tabi-tabi na walang permit na sibuyas? * On the same provision, Section 13, Letter M, it also gives the council the power to "hold in custody and dispose of confiscated, seized, and/or surrendered agricultural and fisheries products subject of the crime of economic sabotage." That's a very vague word, yung subject of the crime. Na-convict na ba? Na-file-an ba ng kasi? But the choice of words, baka naman the team can work with... let's improve it, your honor. I know this is a priority bill, pero personally, ako hindi ko kaya itong i-review lahat ng pati mga small words like this because this violates basic rights even though gusto ko nga itapon ang mga yan doon saan mang 7th level of hell. Pero we still have to be constitutional in our approach. So ipa-review niyo naman po sa mga lawyers nang maayos. * But when you hold it in custody, you are also depriving somebody of their rights. So I need to understand that carefully. * Yes, I have no question with that. I am simply saying that you write it out properly so that the process there would be clear because at a glance... Hindi po ma'am, sana naman ang team na nandyan, will also write it properly kasi kami naman ay nagmamalasakit lang na huwag mabato itong bill natin with so many unconstitutional provisions. We know her honor is very passionate about it. I share the passion, except for the tobacco part, pero let naman the team do the work naman. * It still says the word "subject of the crime." I don't know what that means. Sorry for my ignorance. I don't know what it means, subject of the crime. Na-file-an na ba ng kaso yan? I don't know what it means. * Anyway, your honor, I am very happy to collaborate with her honor's team, but I don't have the manpower to make these amendments, I think the ones who drafted it... Opo. So yun lang naman po, again, I repeat, I am in full support, except for the elevation of the status of tobacco to a basic necessity, which is not. Thank you very much, your honor, for your time. And thank you, Mr President.
Paulette Harris looked approvingly Tuesday evening at the freshly painted and stenciled walls inside The Richardson Hotel, before launching into a memory of the Richardson Olmsted Campus and its former persona as the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane.

"We went to Buffalo State College, and we would run through there at night scaring each other because it had that creepiness to it," said Harris, former artistic director of the African American Cultural Center's Paul Robeson Theatre. "It's so great to see it revived."

Harris was among hundreds who attended the grand opening of the 88-room hotel, leased and renovated by developer Douglas Jemal after the Hotel Henry Urban Resort Conference Center, which opened with great fanfare in April 2017, closed four years later during the pandemic.

Jemal has given new life to the hotel, which occupies four floors and culminates in a ballroom at the top. He added historical flourishes, changed some settings and introduced signage that makes the cavernous structure easier to navigate.

Public reaction was effusive for the hotel, whose twin Medina sandstone towers loom between the Elmwood Village and the West Side at 400 Forest Ave., on the southern edge of the SUNY Buffalo State University campus.

"The architecture is very striking from the outside, and what they've done with the inside is beautiful," said Christine Eaton of Amherst.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," added her friend Jen Hardy, also of Amherst.

Accolades for the 80-year-old Jemal, who attended the grand opening and has taken on several large-scale development projects in Buffalo in recent years, went hand-in-hand.

"Douglas Jemal has taken buildings such as this and literally showed the beauty and the essence of the space," Harris said. "He did a great homage to Buffalo by exhibiting and highlighting a lot of the history of Buffalo."

Focus on history

The hotel intentionally opened March 3 with little attention. The Calvert Cafe and the Vaux Bar opened in April and the Cucina restaurant followed in July. The grand opening was delayed until furniture for the restaurant arrived.

The hotel desk is now on the first floor, which sits atop the ground floor at the entrance, instead of the third-floor location in Hotel Henry. Cucina, an upscale restaurant serving northern Italian food, occupies two dining rooms on the same floor, in contrast to restaurant hallway seating at Hotel Henry.

Directional signs abound.

"It took me probably two weeks of walking every inch of the building to even know where I was," said Karen Oleszak, the Richardson's general manager. "I'm constantly trying to look at it as a guest with the perspective of how I felt when I first stepped into the building."

The hotel occupies three of the 13 buildings designed by H.H. Richardson that opened in 1880, with the sprawling landscape designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.

A curio found in the basement now sits by the hotel desk, with shelves of early photographs of the Richardson complex. Two large century-old medicine cabinets, also found in storage, are used in Bar Vaux to hold alcohol, some of which might have been found in some medicines of old.

Some 300 large historical photographs of historic buildings and grain elevators line the walls, including many taken by local lphotographer Jeffrey T. Barnes. They serve as a corollary to the lower-level Lipsey Architecture Center gallery, celebrating the Buffalo works of Richardson, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright and other stellar architects.

Meeting rooms and the ballroom are named for Richardson buildings, and the suites after Olmsted parks. One wing of rooms, once used as the female quarters, is named "Hobson," Richardson's middle name; the men's quarters are named for Olmsted.

Soft colors and stencils uncovered in the lobby during construction are replicated throughout the property.

Business is brisk

The quiet roll-out of the hotel, which charges $169 to $799 to stay overnight, is off to a fast start. The hotel is full most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, Oleszak said.

"It's wonderful, especially being an unbranded, independent hotel," she said, noting it's all been by word-of-mouth.

Guests include leisure travelers, wedding parties, corporate rentals and visitors to the recently reopened and expanded Buffalo AKG Art Museum nearby.

"There has been a lot of Buffalo AKG business," Oleszak said. "They like the convenience because they don't have to worry about parking and can walk there."

The Richardson Hotel, she said, offers something that can't be found in most hotels: authenticity.

"There are a lot of younger people now that want that unique experience, and don't want that cookie-cutter hotel," Oleszak said. "You go into a chain hotel and you don't know what city you're in because they all look the same. A lot of times I see a guest come in, drop their luggage in their room and then they start exploring through the property. You don't see that in a typical hotel."

Stacey Lorgensi of Allentown said the grand opening was eye-opening.

"I knew they had the bar and the restaurant here, but I didn't know about the ballroom or the conference rooms or the other spaces," Lorgensi said. "I think it would be a great wedding venue."

"It's impressive," said Erik Eustice of Clarence, adding that he liked the mixture of historic details and modern updates. "I would stay here."

So would Buffalo resident Sarah Miller, who found the historic photographs "an amazing touch."

"I would do a staycation here," she said.

Controversial porte-cochere

One change in particular has been controversial.

Jemal, believing the hotel entrance was undefined, began constructing a porte-cochere before waiting to get local, state and federal preservation approvals required for the National Historic Landmark.

His go-it-alone approach drew a rebuke from the Buffalo Preservation Board last year. Douglas Development is due to go back before the board in coming weeks, but Jemal's path to approval may have gotten easier when the National Park Service approved the porte-cochere last week, with stipulations for completing work halted in early 2022 over the dispute.

The structure will be wrapped in a cladding and the overhead deck, which stands 30 feet above the driveway, will be allowed to be used for social and dining events.

Jemal also drew criticism for building a replica stairway from the third to the fourth floor without waiting for preservation approvals. That addition was later approved by the National Park Service.

"You went up to the third floor and all of a sudden you just stopped," Jemal said. "You had to make a U-turn, put binoculars on and try to find the elevator."

Hotel Henry was the first business to open at the Richardson Olmsted Campus after the Pataki administration provided $76.5 million in 2004 to revive the colossal-sized property. That included furnishings, fixtures and equipment for the hotel, many of which are in use in the Richardson. Another $16 million came from state and federal tax credits.

Figuring out what to do with the former hotel space was a challenge, Jemal said.

"I approached it as a consumer, walking in fresh and experiencing it as someone would as a hotel," Jemal said. "Getting to know it is no more difficult than going out with somebody. You have to get to understand the whole complex and that took, with Covid, two years, but I think we are in the right direction."

Jemal has also signed a long-term lease to develop nine of the 10 other buildings and turn them into more than 200 residential units.

The nonprofit Richardson Center Corp., established in 2007 as the property's owner, had issued a request for proposals to developers from around the country and only Jemal was willing to take on the whole site.

Environmental remediation is expected to be completed by the end of the year, Jemal said, with construction to soon follow.
U.S. authorities are seeking evidence from Credit Suisse to assess whether the bank misled investors about its financial health as it teetered towards a state-backed rescue by UBS six months ago.

Credit Suisse has received requests for documents and information from agencies including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the U.S. Justice Department and Swiss regulator FINMA, UBS said in a financial filing on Aug. 31. In the note, part of UBSs 124-page second-quarter report, UBS also said that three U.S. class-action lawsuits had been filed against Credit Suisse, as well as current and former directors, alleging misleading statements about customers withdrawing cash in late 2022. Credit Suisse, which is now part of UBS, is cooperating with the authorities, UBS added in the filing.

UBS swept in to salvage its rival in March in a government orchestrated rescue after tens of billions of dollars left Credit Suisse amid a crisis of confidence in a market already rattled by a collapse of some regional U.S. lenders.

Swiss Investor Group Lawsuit to Seek Compensation Over UBS-Credit Suisse Deal

The biggest banking deal since the global financial crisis created a lender with a balance sheet of $1.7 trillion. The inquiries now highlight a potential risk of fines and penalties for UBS.

Credit Suisse and a SEC spokesperson declined to comment while UBS and the Justice Department did not respond to requests for comment.

FINMA supervises the bank very closely and requests necessary information and documents as part of its oversight, a spokesperson said, declining to comment on this particular case.

Reuters could not determine which period of disclosures the SEC, DOJ and FINMA are looking at and which Credit Suisse employees, if any, may be targeted.

At the end of February, Reuters reported that FINMA was reviewing whether remarks made by Credit Suisse chairman at the time, Axel Lehmann, about outflows having stabilized in early December were potentially misleading. Credit Suisse and Lehmann did not comment on the matter at the time.

On March 10, the regulator said it did not see sufficient grounds for proceedings against the bank in this case.

Lehmann did not immediately respond to request for comment on Tuesday.

Credit Suisse was hit by 110.5 billion Swiss francs ($124 billion) of outflows in the last three months of 2022 which pushed the bank close to the brink. Those outflows continued in the first half of 2023.

In the early hours of March 16, Credit Suisse said it intended to borrow from the SNB through a facility called Emergency Liquidity Assistance (ELA) to pre-emptively bolster its cash buffers.

But after Credit Suisses reassurances that the 50 billion-franc injection would facilitate its turnaround and told staff and clients it remained a viable business, the bank needed more cash and was running out of collateral to pledge at the central bank.

A FINMA filing on Credit Suisses additional Tier-1 bonds dated March 19  the day the rescue merger was announced  said that as of mid-March Credit Suisse was close to falling below minimum levels of cash held at the Swiss central bank, putting at risk its ability to make payments properly.

($1 = 0.8964 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by Stefania Spezzati; additional reporting by Oliver Hirt in Zurich and Chris Prentice in New York; editing by John ODonnell, Elisa Martinuzzi and Tomasz Janowski)

Photograph: A logo of Swiss bank Credit Suisse is seen in Zurich, Switzerland, on Aug. 1, 2014. (Steffen Schmidt/Keystone via AP, File)

Related:

Topics USA
The Texas A&M University System issued staff guidance earlier this month on how to comply with the states ban on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, providing a first glimpse into how Texas universities are navigating the thorny implementation of the new law.

The guidance, compiled in a list of FAQs, is meant to provide clarity on the law but also shows that university employees trying not to run afoul of the ban may have a hard needle to thread.

Guidance for university website and social media administrators states that DEI information should not be on university websites, including but not limited to the acronym, DEI, or the phrase diversity, equity, and inclusion.' Universities might organize events that support diversity in a general way but must not promote preferential treatment of any particular group and are open to everyone.

It will be the responsibility of every employee to comply with the laws requirements, the guidance said. The systems ethics and compliance office will oversee the implementation of the law and receive guidance from its general counsel as situations or questions arise.

In a list of approved revisions by the Board of Regents, the A&M System said it will no longer require faculty job applicants to submit a diversity statement  essays where candidates show their commitment to supporting students from diverse backgrounds and fostering inclusive learning environments  or allow schools to consider race, sex, color or ethnicity as hiring factors. Requiring training or promoting policies related to DEI will also no longer be permitted.

Senate Bill 17, which goes into effect at the beginning of next year, was a high legislative priority this year for Texas Republicans who accused DEI offices and programs of indoctrinating students with left-wing ideology and forcing schools to prioritize hiring based on how much job candidates supported diversity rather than merit. Critics of the law say it is a step backward for higher education in Texas, saying DEI initiatives boost student enrollment numbers among underrepresented populations and help universities hire employees from more diverse backgrounds.

In a message sent to faculty, staff and students earlier this month, Texas A&M University Interim President Mark Welsh III said the school will change its hiring practices and training, dissolve its office for diversity and seek other revisions to university policies.

Other state universities have taken similar steps.

The University of Texas System halted all DEI policies in February and required all universities under the system to develop policies to discipline employees or contractors who break the law. The University of Houston System Chancellor Renu Khator announced in June a list of guidelines the institution will follow in response to the law.

Jeff Shields, former president of the Texas Association of College Teachers, said higher education leaders around the state may be interpreting the law differently from one another, with some providing more strict guidelines than others. The law, only seven pages long, leaves some rules up for interpretation, he said.

My concern now is that I want to make  sure that everybody understands what the law actually says [and] what it doesnt say, Shields said. There can be a temptation, by some, to try to overreach and say that this should also be applied to instruction.

To continue to receive state funding, Texas universities must comply with the bans requirements. This includes annual reporting to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to prove compliance with SB 17 before schools can spend state funds.

To ensure compliance with the law, the Texas A&M University System said disciplinary action may be taken against employees or contractors who violate the law. Individuals can report violations to the systems Ethic Points reporting system.

Student organizations  including those involved in DEI initiatives  are exempt from the law and universities may still provide funds, support and facilities to them.

It is important to remember that nothing in SB 17 alters our existing obligations under federal and state law, including the anti-discrimination requirements of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, the systems guidance says. We must continue to ensure that our programs and activities are open and available to all persons on a non-discriminatory basis.

Concerns about attracting legislators ire over the DEI ban came to a head at A&M earlier this year when the university botched the hiring of Kathleen O. McElroy, a Black journalism professor, to revive the schools journalism program.

McElroy previously said that her appointment was caught up in DEI hysteria as Texas university leaders try to figure out what type of work involving race is allowed under the new law. In text messages the system released as part of an internal review, members of the Board of Regents also raised concerns with her previous job history at The New York Times and pushed back against what they perceive as a liberal agenda in higher education. The debacle ultimately led to the resignation of former A&M President M. Katherine Banks, and Jose Luis Bermudez, the former interim dean of the schools College of Arts and Sciences. Shannon Van Zandt, an executive associate dean in the School of Architecture, also resigned over concerns about political interference in the universitys hiring process.

Disclosure: Texas A&M University, New York Times, Texas A&M University System, University of Texas System and University of Houston have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2023/09/18/texas-am-dei-guidance/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Topics Texas Education Universities
The death of a worker who suffocated in a Georgia grain silo could have been prevented had the employer not violated safety regulations, federal officials say.

That finding results from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation into the April death of a 59-year-old worker in Colquitt, Georgia, about 210 miles southwest of Atlanta.

The worker suffocated while attempting to unclog a grain bin at a silo operated by Cedar Head LLC. As the worker stood atop the grain, the pile shifted and quickly engulfed them, a monthslong OSHA investigation found. One other employee saw a rope tied to the worker disappearing into the grain but could not rescue their engulfed colleague.

A Cedar Head spokesperson could not be reached through a number listed online for the company.

The OSHA probe uncovered nine workplace violations, the agency said. Cedar Head faces more than $41,000 in fines.

Our investigation found Cedar Head failed to follow required federal safety standards that might have saved this workers life, said OSHA Acting Area Director Heather Sanders in a news release. Our outreach and enforcement efforts continually stress the importance of making sure employees are trained and that proper procedures are followed when working inside grain bins to prevent tragedies like this one.

The safety violations listed by regulators include not training workers on how to enter a grain bin safely and not providing rescue equipment for employees entering a bin.

The Georgia accident occurred just shy of one year after a South African teenage farm worker suffocated after falling into a grain storage bin at a Mississippi soybean farm. That worker would still be alive had his employer, Bare Bones Farms, followed federal workplace safety standards, inspectors with OSHA said.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Workers' Compensation Georgia
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A Utah-based private prison company has returned $5.1 million to the Mississippi Department of Corrections after an investigation found it failed to provide enough workers at one of the prisons it was operating, state Auditor Shad White said Monday.

Management & Training Corporation sent the money to the department last week, he said.

Every penny must be accounted for, White said in a news release.

MTC had operated the Marshall County Correctional Facility in Holly Springs since August 2012 until the state took control of it in September 2021, according to the Department of Corrections.

The auditor`s office started investigating MTC, based in Centerville, Utah, in 2021 when allegations arose that the company was not providing the correct amount of prison staff required under a contract with the state. The auditor`s office ultimately found MTC failed to provide enough workers to ensure the safety of inmates and prison employees, but the company was still paid by the state as if it had.

In November 2022, White issued a $1.9 million demand to MTC, saying the company had nearly 12,000 unfilled mandatory shifts between 2017 and 2020 at the prison in Marshall County. White said MTC failed to tell the state`s Department of Corrections that prison staffing had fallen below minimum levels required by the contract.

MTC communications director Dave Martinson said in November that the company paid vacancy penalties under the terms of the Marshall County Correctional Facility contract, which was amended by the state in December 2017. Martinson said the penalties were deducted from the companys monthly invoices to the department.

The Associated Press emailed questions to MTC on Monday about why the company returned more money than the state auditor demanded. The company`s current communications director, Emily Lawhead, said in a statement that MTC has worked closely with the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the past decade and has had an open and transparent partnership.

Lawhead said the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated staffing challenges in prisons and the department gave MTC permission to use staffing money to increase wages, pay incentive bonuses and for other alternatives to deal with the situation.

Because the contract states that funds for unfilled positions should be returned to the state, and despite previous understandings, MTC voluntarily returned the $5.1 million, Lawhead said. We will continue to work hard to provide the highest level of services to the State of Mississippi.

White said he would continue the investigation into the other two Mississippi prisons operated by MTC  East Mississippi Correctional Center near Meridian and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility near Woodville.

White said the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office, which makes decisions on suing or prosecuting cases, has the auditors findings from the November investigation.

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Mississippi
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is proposing a 4.9% increase in the average hourly rate employers and workers will pay for workers compensation insurance next year.

If adopted, the increase would have employers and workers jointly paying an average of an additional $65 a year for each full-time employee within a business.

With help from our reserves, were finding a balance between charging enough to cover costs and keeping rates steady and predictable, as Washington employers deal with economic uncertainty and lingering impacts of the pandemic, L&I Director Joel Sacks said in a statement.

In part, the rate increase is needed because Washington has had higher-than-normal increases in the states average wage in recent years.

The proposed increase is below what L&I expects to pay for 2024 claims, so the agency says it will augment the premiums with funds from the workers comp contingency reserve.

A typical worker will continue to pay about a quarter of the premium. The proposed increase means employees would pay about $11 more on average in 2024, according to L&I.

This will be the fourth year L&I has tapped the contingency reserve to avoid larger increases in premiums. If the agency did not tap into the reserve, it would need to raise average rates nearly 10% to collect enough premiums to cover new claims in 2024, according to L&I.

Public hearings are scheduled for Oct. 26, 27, and 31 to take input on the rate proposal before a final decision is made. The Oct. 26 hearing will be held at 10 a.m. virtually and in person at L&I headquarters in Tumwater. The Oct. 27 hearing will be held at 9 a.m. in person only in Spokane. The Oct. 31 hearing will be held at 10 a.m. in person only in Yakima.

Final rates are expected to be adopted on Nov. 30 and go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Topics Trends Workers' Compensation Pricing Trends Washington
Source: Andrew Partheniou

September 20, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) This Canadian firm sold assets, launched an equity raise and filed a clinical trial application for its lead psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy program, noted a Stifel report.

Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (AWKN:NEO; AWKNF:OTCQB) has tightened its focus and advanced its AWKN-P001 program, Andrew Partheniou, Stifel vice president, reported in a September 8 company update note.

"Awakn has made significant progress to endure the currently challenging capital markets, including the divestment of its clinic assets, significantly reducing its cash burn while retaining its asset-light, high-margin and recurring revenue licensing business," Partheniou wrote.

The biotech is developing and delivering psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies, using ketamine, MDMA and novel, second-generation MDMA candidates, to better treat addiction.

525% Return Potential

Accordingly, Stifel maintained its CA$1.75 target price on Awakn, noted Partheniou. In its current estimates, Stifel includes the clinic divestment but treats the licensing business as an optionality.

In comparison to the target price, the life sciences company's current price is about CA$0.28 per share. The gap between this and the target prices implies a remarkable potential gain for investors of 525%.

Awakn remains a Speculative Buy.

Improving the Finances

Among its recent achievements, Awakn closed the sale of its clinic assets on August 1, 2023, the aims of which were to improve cash burn and be able to concentrate solely on drug development, Partheniou explained.

The biotech still owns the revenue licensing business through the KARE protocol, an early-stage opportunity estimated to generate US$200450 million (US$200450M) in revenue over the long term.

Awakn also commenced an equity unit offering, which has since been upsized to US$2M and which it is currently working to close.

Phase 3 Trial Imminent

The biotech company has moved forward with its AWKN-P001 clinical program, its "greatest and most immediate value creation opportunity," highlighted Partheniou. AWKN-P001 is an investigative treatment combining ketamine and the company's proprietary psychotherapy for severe alcohol use disorder.

Most recently, Awakn filed a clinical trial application for Phase 3 of AWKN-P001, "with ethical and regulatory approval, providing a pathway to start dosing patients likely in Q1/24," the analyst noted.

This Phase 3 would be a two-arm, placebo-controlled study involving 280 patients. It would be done in the United Kingdom (U.K.) in partnership with three entities: the University of Exeter, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Given the partners on board, the trial is expected to cost Awakn only 800,000, one-third of the total.

Partheniou indicated Stifel is optimistic about the trial's results.

"We expect a favorable [trial] outcome that promotes commercial success and provides both Awakn shareholders and its government partners interesting return on investment," the analyst commented.

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
Source: Streetwise Reports

September 20, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Volatus Aerospace Corp. has finalized a contract for oil and gas surveillance in the United States, which contains significantly more pipelines than Canada. Read on to see why analysts like this company's stock.

Volatus Aerospace Corp. (VOL:TSX; VLTTF:OTCQB) has released a press release regarding its contract to begin operations in oil and gas pipeline surveillance in the U.S., an industry which it has long been involved with in Canada.

Glen Lynch, the CEO of Volatus, commented, "Our experience and expertise put us in a strong position to capture a market opportunity that is expected to grow to US$1.1 billion by 2033."

Volatus reports that it believes it has the upper hand in this market due to its unique Aerial Information Reporting System and its incorporation of other cutting-edge technology, such as artificial intelligence (AI).

According to Volatus, this marks a major achievement for the company, especially since the U.S. has many more oil and gas pipelines than Canada. The company reports that its drones will be used to detect defects in the pipeline infrastructure, such as leaks and imminent threats.

The company has reported that to further its efforts in pipeline surveillance, Volatus has entered into a contract with Flyscan Systems Inc. to install new technology on its drones. According to the latest press release,

Flyscan provides a "state of the art hyperspectral sensor pod, and software enable automated airborne gas leak [detector]," allowing Volatus' drones to detect evidence of pipeline breaches with greater accuracy than a human observer.

Ben Ruszkowski, the chief operating officer of Synergy Aviation, a subsidiary of Volatus, commented, "With this partnership, Volatus will be advancing toward the next generation of autonomous pipeline surveillance, making the unseen seen. The challenges we face today, such as safety and environmental concerns, can be solved with the introduction of automated remote sensing, machine learning/AI-enhanced capabilities, which we are uniquely qualified to offer with our partner Flyscan."

A Growing Market

According to Grand View Research, drones are a growing market, valued at US$19.89 billion last year. Grand View Research identified drone's increasing capability and practicality, as well as technological advances, as drivers of growth in the drone market.

Fortune Business Insights also expects the drone market to increase significantly by 2030, where it predicts the market will reach US$54.81 billion.

Fortune Business Insights notes that the market was also driven forward by the pandemic when contactless technology became a large priority for many businesses.

A 283% Return for Investors

Rob Goff of Echelon Capital Markets, who provides analysis of Volatus, reported in August that he expects Volatus to improve in Q2 of 2023 by considerable margins. Goff named a target price of CA$0.90 for Volatus, which represents a 283% return for investors, and rated the company as a "Speculative Buy."

Goff commented on the expected gains, saying, "We note the company's prior reference to a robust sales pipeline where we are optimistic that it will secure significant wins."

Volatus has reported several significant catalysts for the company, including finalizing the acquisition of U.S. utility company Skyscape, its advance into wildfire control in Alberta, Canada, and various approvals in the country related to wildfire suppression efforts and the SEAR program's break into the U.S. market.

Ownership and Share Structure

Reuters provided a breakdown of Volatus' share structure, where management and insiders own 63.1% of the company. According to Reuters, Ian Alexander McDougall owns 31.75% with 39.02 million shares, CEO Glen Lynch owns 31.29% with 38.46 million shares, and Vice President Luc Masse owns 0.06% with 0.08 million shares.

According to Reuters, the institution Palos Management Inc. owns 0.49% with 0.60 million shares.

The company reports no strategic investors.

Volatus reports that it has CA$6.8 million in the bank as of September 30, 2022, with a monthly burn rate of CA$500k.

According to the company, there are two sets of warrants valued at CA$0.65 and CA$0.75 set to expire on December 22, 2023, and a third set valued at CA$0.50 set to expire on October 5, 2024.

Reuters reports that there are 122.91 million shares outstanding, with 45.35 million free-float traded shares.

According to Reuters, the company has a market cap of CA$18.59 million and trades in the 52-week period between CA$0.20 and CA$0.44.

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
September 20, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) Global deal activity experienced a significant setback, plunging by 24.1% year-on-year (YoY) from 47,692 to 36,176 deals during the initial eight months of 2023. This decline is attributed to the escalating geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties. These factors cast a shadow over regions and key markets globally, impacting investor sentiment, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

An analysis of GlobalData's Financial Deals Database reveals that all the deal types under coverage (mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity (PE) and venture financing) witnessed YoY decline in volume during January-August 2023.

The number M&A deals declined by 17.6% while the volume of PE and venture financing deals declined by 25.9% and 32.2%, respectively.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: "Deal-making sentiments have taken a dent amid the economic uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and recession fears. And the trend is alike across all the regions and several key markets."

North America continued to dominate the deals landscape even though the region witnessed 27.7% YoY decline in deals volume during January-August 2023. In terms of total deals volume, North America is followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South and Central America regions.

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa and South and Central America regions too witnessed YoY decline in deals volume by 19.9%, 21.5%, 26.7% and 29.8%, respectively, during the period.

The US, China, the UK, Canada, India, Japan, Germany, Australia, France, South Korea, Brazil and Israel reported YoY decline in deal activity by 29.2%, 16.1%, 15.8%, 13.6%, 30.2%, 16.4%, 21.3%, 21%, 15.2%, 33%, 31% and 33.5%, respectively.

Bose concludes: "In this climate of economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the world of deal-making faces unprecedented challenges. Adaptability and strategic resilience will be paramount for investors seeking to thrive in these turbulent times."

For more information

To gain access to our latest press releases: GlobalData Media Centre

Analysts available for comment. Please contact the GlobalData Press Office:

EMEA & Americas: +44 (0)207 832 4399

Asia-Pacific: +91 40 6616 6809

Email: pr@globaldata.com

Notes to Editors

Quotes are provided by Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData

The information is based on GlobalData's Financial Deals Database

This press release was written using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis conducted by GlobalData's team of industry experts.

About GlobalData

4,000 of the world's largest companies, including over 70% of FTSE 100 and 60% of Fortune 100 companies, make more timely and better business decisions thanks to GlobalData's unique data, expert analysis and innovative solutions, all in one platform. GlobalData's mission is to help our clients decode the future to be more successful and innovative across a range of industries, including the healthcare, consumer, retail, financial, technology and professional services sectors.

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
Source: Streetwise Reports

September 20, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) IberAmerican Lithium Corp. has begun trading under the symbol "IBER" on the Neo Exchange (operating as Cboe Canada). Find out why this hard-rock lithium company's stock is a good buy.

IberAmerican Lithium Corp. (IBER:NEO) began trading under the symbol "IBER" on the Neo Exchange (operating as Cboe Canada) last Wednesday morning.

Just this month, the company, formerly 1317198 BC Ltd., announced it had completed its reverse takeover transaction with IberAmerican Lithium Inc., a privately held lithium exploration and development company.

"We are very excited to be listing on Cboe Canada, an innovative exchange that aligns seamlessly with our mission to drive clean energy," said IberAmerican Director and Chief Executive Officer Campbell Becher. "The public listing of IberAmerican not only demonstrates our commitment to advancing sustainable solutions but also reflects the growing importance of electrification in furthering the global energy transition."

Lithium is a major component of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, where it's used as a cathode and an electrolyte. The silvery metal with highly reactive and flammable properties is also used to strengthen alloys, as a high-temperature lubricant, and as a drug to treat bipolar disorder.

IberAmerican Lithium is a hard-rock lithium company, meaning the element is mined from lithium-containing rock, such as spodumene. It is focused on its highly prospective 70%-owned Alberta II and Carlota properties in the Galicia region of northwestern Spain.

"Hard rock spodumene mines have taken the mantle as the largest source of lithium raw materials thanks to the speed with which they've been able to ramp up in response to fast-moving prices and market enthusiasm," Stockhead wrote.

According to Geology for Investors, hard-rock lithium deposits are in minerals hosted in pegmatite intrusions. Pegmatites are "coarse-grained intrusive rocks that are formed during the final stages of the crystallization of a magma."

Grades of above 1% to 1.5% lithium oxide (Li2O) are considered the benchmark, the site wrote.

The company's results in the Iberian lithium corridor have included strikes of 6.52 meters of 1.06% Li2O, 8.5 meters of 1.09% Li2O, and 10.84 meters of 1.24% Li2O.

The Catalyst: Deficits to Widen and Upcoming Drill Results

The global lithium market is expected to grow globally from US$37.8 billion in 2022 to US$89.9 billion in 2030, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights.

"The growing adoption of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), high-drain portable electronics, and energy storage systems has had a huge impact on the growth of the overall market," the report said.

Brine makes up nearly two-thirds of lithium resources but only about 40% of production, Goldman Sachs said. Production from the Lithium Triangle (Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina) using brine evaporation has lagged over spodumene sources.

Analysts from Eight Capital also predicted that lithium market deficits will widen this decade, and the shortfalls will be driven by demand in North America.

The United States' EV penetration of 6% lags China's 26% and Europe's 20%, analysts Anoop Prihar and Alex Riazanov of Eight Capital wrote in a recent research note. But President Joe Biden's administration has committed to a target of 50% of new vehicle sales being EVs by 2030.

"We estimate North American lithium nameplate production capacity will be 262,900 LCE (million tonnes lithium carbonate) in 2026 based on projects that currently have completed a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS)," Prihar and Riazanov wrote. "Although this is a significant increase from the current North American production capacity of 6,000 tonnes LCE, it's still more than 128,000 tonnes short of what we anticipate will be required by the battery plants. As such, we anticipate the fundamentals underlying lithium demand to remain robust."

Friendly, Accessible Jurisdiction

The company said Spain's Iberian Pegmatite Belt is a newly recognized spodumene district with more than ten spodumene-bearing pegmatitic outcrops spanning more than 25 kilometers north-northwest to south-southeast across the northwest of the country.

IberAmerican said Gallicia is the fourth-largest mineral jurisdiction in Spain, easily accessible by highway, close to a deep-sea port city, and near three commercial airports.

Spain also has launched multiple initiatives facilitating sustainable energy growth, focusing on giga-factories manufacturing electrification and decarbonization technologies. With four in the pipeline, the country is on track to become one of the largest lithium battery producers in Europe.

Upcoming catalysts this year for the company include drilling at six veins that have only been sampled at the surface, infill drilling, detailed mapping, and a further 15,000-meter drill program of approximately 43 drill holes with two rigs.

The company said it also must relog historical core intercepts from the projects that were misidentified as quartz but were really spodumene.

IberAmerican Lithium Corp. said it will also announced assays of the previous cores this fall and the initial results of its extensive drill program early in the new year. [OWNERSHIP_CHART-10906]

Last month, before the reverse takeover closed, IberAmerican Lithium Inc. completed a best-efforts private placement of 36,450,488 subscription receipts at CA$0.25 each for a gross process of about CA$9.1 million.

Ownership and Share Structure

About 36% of the company is held by insiders, including CEO Becher, Director and Chairman Eugene McBurney, and Director Miguel del Campa.

About 25% of the company is in institutions, including Delbrook Resource Opportunities Master Fund LP (Grandy Cayman Islands), Jayvee & Co., CI Resource Opportunities Class, and Delbrook Resources Opportunities Fund (Vancouver).

The rest is retail.

The company is currently trading at time of writing, at CA$25 million, with about 110 million shares outstanding.

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
WASHINGTON, D.C. - September 20, 2023 (Investorideas.com Newswire) The American Business Water Coalition (ABWC) - a growing national organization comprised of water-reliant businesses - today announced the release of the "U.S. Water Infrastructure Funding and Business Risks Survey," examining voter opinions across a wide spectrum of water issues, including water quality, federal infrastructure funding, and perceived risk to U.S. businesses and local communities from potential water-related crises. A lead finding of the ABWC Survey showed that a large majority of voters - 79 percent of Americans - are more likely to vote for political candidates who support increasing funding for clean and reliable drinking water.

The U.S. Water Infrastructure Funding and Business Risks Survey document, along with detailed findings and an executive summary are available at: www.businesswatercoalition.com.

ABWC said the new survey is being published at a critical time when many state officials, business and community leaders, and experts from the water sector are expressing concern, regarding proposed deep cuts to the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRFs) and the adverse impact of Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS).

ABWC CEO Mae Stevens, said: "It was important to conduct the U.S. Water Infrastructure Funding and Business Risks Survey and check in with U.S. voters after proposed spending legislation in Congress included historic, unprecedented cuts to federal funding for our nation's water and wastewater systems. Americans understand the connection between cuts to water infrastructure funding and the health of their local economy. Our survey shows that voters want more, not less, water funding."

When asked about the risk to local businesses, the ABWC survey shows nearly all U.S. voters in agreement that drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure are integrally linked to the business community and overall economic prosperity. More than 98 percent of respondents think it's important, very important, or extremely important for businesses to have access to clean water for routine services, operations, and hygiene. This indicates uniform growing concern among voters that funding challenges for water utilities put businesses in America at risk, since economic growth depends on safe and reliable water.

ABWC CEO Mae Stevens, said: "Our survey shows a high level of sophistication among U.S. voters about water infrastructure. The average person understands the connection between the quality of water coming out of their tap and the growing risk associated with aging water infrastructure. High profile cases, like Flint, MI, and Jackson, MS, have shown Americans how this could happen in their own backyard, explaining why two out of three voters want increased federal funding to correct this problem."

In response to a multiple-choice question about where future funding for water infrastructure should come from, the largest number of ABWC Survey respondents believed the federal government should cover the costs. Nearly 45 percent of voters selected federal funding as their preferred method to help close the water infrastructure gap, instead of alternative methods of funding for water such as higher water bills and higher taxes.

About the Survey

The U.S. Water Infrastructure Funding and Business Risks Survey was conducted independently by the American Business Water Coalition through SurveyMonkey from Tuesday, August 29 through Friday, September 1, 2023. This poll is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 585 adults, age 18 or older. The study was conducted in English. Respondent data were collected for gender, political engagement, voting habits, partisan affiliation, Census region, and individual and household income.

About American Business Water Coalition

The American Business Water Coalition is a group of water-reliant businesses-from manufacturing to energy to tech and beyond. The coalition provides a platform for businesses across the country to urge Congress and the Administration to increase investment in water infrastructure, and foster relationships between businesses and their local utilities. Learn more about the coalition here: https://www.businesswatercoalition.com/

CONTACT: For additional information or interviews with ABWC leadership regarding the U.S. Water Infrastructure Funding and Business Risks Survey, reach Patrick Mitchell at pmitchell@bannerpublicaffairs.com or Madeline Kauffman at mkauffman@bannerpublicaffairs.com.

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
BY ANDREW Z. GALARNEAU

Sept. 20, 2023

Elmwood's Bean Bastard to make way for Public Espresso

Buffalo-born coffee and cafe company Public Espresso is moving to satisfy its founders Elmwood Village dreams by taking over the Bean Bastard space at 448 Elmwood Ave. in November.

Weve wanted something on Elmwood since our Horsefeathers days, but never found the right thing, said Public Espresso owner James Rayburg.

Partners Rayburg and Sam Scarcello started roasting and selling coffee in November 2013, at the winter market in the Horsefeathers building on Connecticut Street.

Public Espresso opened a counter in the Hotel @ Lafayette in 2015, expanding into its current corner space at 391 Washington St. in 2017. It also opened a South Buffalo location in 2019.

The Elmwood spot will offer Public Espresso standards and best hits like bowls, breakfast and bagel sandwiches, plus baked treats. Some minor players may not be on the menu at first, Rayburg said.

Pre-opening work includes removing booths for a more Public Espresso customer flow, with tables. Early November should be time enough, so stay tuned for an opening date, Rayburg said.

Longtime Public Espresso workers will step up into management roles at the new Elmwood location. Bean Bastard workers were invited to remain, including owner Nick Mirusso, who has already roasted his first batch of beans, Rayburg said.

Before signing the lease, Rayburg was strolling down the block to get the big picture and take in neighborhood details. In a single block, three regulars from the Lafayette shop said hello.

So our crowd certainly lives in that neighborhood, said Rayburg. We know that.

See the menu at publicespresso.com.

EVENTS

Massachusetts Avenue Project, Sept. 23: Raising the Roots for Food Equity a farm-to-fork tasting event featuring local restaurants to raise funds for Massachusetts Avenue Project programs, invites your attendance from noon to 4 p.m. at 387 Massachusetts Ave.

Expect food from Big Big Table, Boom! Pie, Butter Block, Community Beer Works, Extra Extra Pizza, KT Caribbean Cuisine, Mint & Plant Soul Vegan, Smita's Cookery and SZN.

Tickets are $75. Get more details and buy your tickets at mass-ave.org/raising-the-roots.

Lao-Thai Food Festival, Sept. 24: Take a drive to almost-Rochester for a chance to dig into Lao and Thai cuisine on the grounds of a dazzlingly decorated Buddhist temple. Grilled lemongrass chicken, green papaya salad, grilled Lao sausage, red coconut curry and more are on offer.

The event is a twice-a-year fundraiser, meaning that if you miss this one, you have to think about it all winter, waiting for the spring edition. The event is from noon to 4 p.m. at 135 Martin Road, West Henrietta. All proceeds benefit Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham.

MORE RESTAURANT INTEL

Mister Sizzle's close-up: West Side burger magnet Mister Sizzles, 346 Connecticut Ave., is currently scheduled to be featured on A&Es Best in Chow at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 24.

Comedian Matt Richards visits towns and shares enthusiasm for places that fit his criteria.

At Mister Sizzles, that means the Melted Hen ($15.75), a buttermilk-brined chicken breast thats breaded to order, fried and pressed between two toasted cheese sandwiches.

More Buffalo restaurants visited by the "Best in Chow" team included Fat Bobs Smokehouse, Allentown Pizza, The Cereal Spot, Vice and The Place.

If a few decor details seem off, the Buffalo footage was shot a year ago. The lag means that Mister Sizzles pops up on screens as owners Casey and Chris Casas are working on their second location.

Mister Sizzles big brother is coming to 6409 Transit Road, Clarence, by February 2024, if all goes well. At 4,000 square feet, the former bank building will seat about 100, including an exterior bar, Casey Casas said. Read more

ASK THE CRITIC

Q: Im looking for a place that I can take a friend to for a good bagel with cream cheese and lox. Were looking to go old school and not an updated alternative or interpretation.

- Bill, via Facebook

A: How about old shul?

After writing about Risa's kosher-style deli-centered restaurant, I got a reminder from Jeff and Mireille Schapiro that Amherst includes a fully kosher restaurant, in Talbert Hall at the University at Buffalo North Campus. It's open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. The menu includes bagel and lox ($8.59), with vegan cream cheese.

Other choices that might hit the spot include:

Public Espresso: house-cured lox, pickled onion, greens, lemon-dill cream cheese, tomato on Bagel Jar bagel ($16).

BreadHive: The Britney with smoked salmon, onion, cucumber, lettuce, lemon-scallion-dill cream cheese ($10).

Dopest Dough: The Billy with cured smoked salmon, cucumber, dill, red onion, capers, choice of cream cheese ($12).

Send restaurant tips, heartfelt recipes and questions to agalarneau@buffnews.com or One News Plaza, P.O. Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240.
For 25 years now, the Cork Chamber Cork Company of the Year awards have been recognising and celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of the business community in the largest county in Ireland. The prestigious awards are made by Cork Chamber in association with Vodafone Ireland and the Irish Examiner.

At the helm of Cork Chamber, is CEO and proud Corkonian, Conor Healy. In his 17 years in the role, he has been pivotal in the Chambers driving and championing the growth and success of businesses, regionally, nationally, globally and virtually.

The past 25 years has seen dozens of businesses singled out for recognition in the Cork Company of the Year awards.

Every award was hard won and well deserved. Of the quarter of a century time span, Conor Healy says: This is quite a long time from a business perspective, and of course we have seen lots of change in Cork over that period, with much of it around the emergence of newer sectors.

We continue to have a strong and thriving agri-food sector and a strong tourism sector and more. But over the 25 years, there has also been growth in areas such as the life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Also, in the technology space in general, and in cyber security now moving into AI.

This growth represents the trends and evolutions we have seen in business over this period. As well as that, and complementing it, is a strong multinational environment. We have a really strong and thriving, local, indigenous business community.

We have a start-up environment which is supportive in Cork and probably wasnt  to the same extent  25 years ago. So, in Cork, there has been a very strong evolution in terms of the types of business and the sectors. Also, the maturity of business and the overall maturity of the business community in Cork over that period of time.

Outlining then, the core impacts on the Cork business environment, Healy says: The growth and development of the airport in Cork has been important in terms of connectivity; one that is really key and one that has been a real positive over the years.

The broad improvements in our infrastructure and in connectivity  be that by motorway or railway - has aided Cork in being better connected with other parts of the country.

Conor Healy, Chief Executive of Cork Chamber. Pic Darragh Kane

Strong connections with Dublin are also vital, according to Healy: We have a very strong and a really great capital city in Dublin. It is very important that Cork is as connected as possible there, he says.

As to the sectors and milestones that have impacted positively on Corks business environment, Healy says: The growth and evolution of companies like Apple, have been massively significant in terms of the positioning of Cork. Also, companies in life sciences, companies  such as Pfizer  that have led the way in terms of the evolution of the pharmaceutical sector.

Remarking that Irelands participation in the EEC  now the EU  has brought about a changed environment for business in the country in general and in Cork in particular, he adds: More recently, Brexit has changed the dynamic in terms of the relationship between the UK and Ireland from a business perspective.

All of these factors have in some way or another had an impact across the different generations.

With approximately 1,200 member businesses, employing over 100,000 people across the Cork region, Cork Chamber plays a pivotal role. Of the membership, Healy says: Theyre in every sector and in every scale of business  from the largest of multinationals, to the smallest of indigenous local businesses. He talks then of the Chambers role in supporting business growth and development.

At one level, we are very focussed on our representation  our lobbying agenda across the core issues that impact on the future of the economy and on society in general in the Cork region, he says. In terms of supporting our members, thats a really important medium to long-term role of Cork Chamber.

Outlining then, some of the many ways in which the Chamber helps and supports businesses to grow, Healy says: On a day-to-day basis, we deliver much in terms of member services. We deliver networking opportunities through our extensive events calendar, trainingand offer members the opportunity to promote their businesses. We also provide trading services and more. This helps businesses to be more visible and to be more attractive to potential employees. This is a major focus right now.

Supporting our membership is a responsibility we take very seriously, he adds.

This year, Stryker won the Cork International Company of the Year i and overall award. Its story in Cork began with 20 people in 1998. Today they employ more than 4,000 people across six sites.

The other three winners of this year: Amarenco, M&P OSullivan and LegitFit, which took home awards in the Large, SME and Emerging categories, respectively.

Looking to the future, Healy says the number one priority is around Corks ability to differentiate itself in terms of sustainability and being a really attractive place in which to work and live.

This focus serves both the business community and wider society very well, he says. Its all about Cork as a place. Also, the factors that help people decide that Cork is the place where they want to build their lives and careers.

There are so many factors that impact on that. In the Chamber, we see our role over the next number of years, as being drivers, influencers and leaders in terms of that journey.

Its around sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. Its about Cork taking a lead - from a national and a global perspective  in those areas. Thats a major focus of ours. The number one focus in our strategic plan is sustainability in all its facets.
This year marks 25 years of Cork Chamber of Commerce's popular Cork Company of the Year awards, celebrating the very best of the city's business leaders.

Produced in partnership with Cork Chamber, this commemorative publication features profiles, interviews and insights into the companies chosen as the overall winner in each year to date.

Several companies have won the overall award more than once. Some of the winning companies have since expanded in global markets, others have been acquired by even bigger global enterprises. One or two have changed their trading name, while others have seen their focus redirected into new areas of business. CLICK BELOW for our e-magazine: Read updates and insights of all of the overall winners of Cork Company of the Year over the past 25 years. 25 Years of Cork Company of the Year In this publication, we have captured their stories to date, setting their story in the broader picture of Cork's evolving business community. Business leaders: Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Simon Coveney; An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar; Ronan Murray, president of Cork Chamber; and Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber at the Cork Chamber offices for a recent meeting attended by industry representatives, some of the regions largest employers as well as senior politicians. Photo: Darragh Kane Meanwhile, Cork Chamber of Commerce is inviting businesses to apply for next year's Cork Company of the Year awards. See below. 2024 Cork Company of the Year awards
Qantas Airways withheld some of ex-CEO Alan Joyces A$21.4m (12.9m) final payout after the airline illegally sacked 1,700 staff and was accused of selling fake tickets on thousands of cancelled flights.

Bowing to public outrage, chairman of the Australian airline Richard Goyder retained A$2.2m of Irishman Mr Joyces short-term bonuses, while a further A$8.3m is subject to clawback, the airline said in a statement accompanying its annual report.
The decision to slash Irelands nitrates derogation following years of rapid dairy expansion will force farmers to endure the most complex transition in a lifetime, Tirlan chief executive Jim Bergin has warned.

Farmers have just over three months to meet the new stocking rate requirements by reducing their herd size or buying or renting more land  no easy task with thousands of other Irish farmers all in the same position.

It following news the European Commission will not review the decision to reduce Irelands nitrates derogation to 220kg/ha by January 1.

Dairy cooperative Tirlans 2,400 dairy farmers produce more than three billion litres of milk a year, accounting for about a third of Irelands milk production.

Speaking at this years Agricultural Science Association conference, Mr Bergin said it was the culmination of a fear we have had for a long time.

We do have to remember, this is the most complex transition farmers possibly ever have been faced with and Ive been through three before this one  from being a young chap and seeing the focus on automation and quality back in the 70s, then for 34 years we focused on efficiency and consolidation on farm level, and then we have seen the massive expansion over the last number of years, from 2015 to 2021, Mr Bergin said.

But I am convinced that what this  and they only have done half the story  is the most complex transition they have ever faced. And we have to tackle it in a different way.

'Incredible stress'

Mr Bergin said the issue was creating an incredible level of stress at farm level.

It is causing farmers to do things that in some cases are uneconomic  like for example, renting land on long-term leases for 500/ac not knowing what the market is going to give. It is the culmination of a fear we have had for a period of time, he said.

Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association president Pat McCormack told the Irish Examiner that despite public perception, the issue is not just limited to affecting the biggest herds. Picture: Denis Minihane

Indeed, you didnt have to go far at the Ploughing to hear of stories of farmers paying upwards of 600/ac in the panic to secure land. Others feared long established conacre could be lost as landowners begin to look over the fence to greener pastures.

Irish Creamery and Milk Suppliers Association president Pat McCormack told the Irish Examiner that despite public perception, the issue is not just limited to affecting the biggest herds.

He said many small herds from Kerry and Cork will be among the worst affected because the reduction of herd size on a smaller farmer will have a greater proportional affect on the farms bottom line.

The first guy that rang us the other day about this, was a guy in Kerry with just 48 cows, and he had found himself back 40-42 cows. Its hard to continue to be viable at that size, Mr McCormack said.

We have those cases right across the country, including farmers in Bantry with 76, 62 cows. They will be facing a significant reduction in volume.

'Worst-case scenarios'

"In the worst-case scenarios, they are facing a 14-15% reduction in 2023, and they are going to follow that on with a similar reduction in 2024.

Mr Bergin confirmed a high percentage of Tirlan suppliers would be directly affected.

The consequence now is that farmers will continue to acquire land or rent land and demand for land is already at a very high level, so we are worried about that, he said.

About 60% of our farmers in total have beef cattle or other drystock on their farms. An obvious step now is to remove those from the farm. So where are those going to go, and what effect is that going to have?

My worry is that the science of what is possible on the rivers hasnt been done. So everyone talks about reduction and farmers are affected by that of course, because it affects their income. But no one actually has set a baseline to show what levels farmers implementing these policies and management and water quality management practices can achieve.

We have to establish scientifically how much we can produce in this country on the basis of having best-in-class nutrient management and water quality management.
Food writer Diana Henry will never cease to be amazed by pumpkins, because they just werent something she encountered growing up in Northern Ireland.

She first fell in love with the idea of pumpkins in primary school, when her teacher read out books from the Little House On The Prairie series, set in the American Midwest in the late 1800s.

When revisiting the books as an adult, she discovered they were full of food  including pumpkins.

Theyre about making stuff that youll be able to have in winter, about putting stuff up, as they say there. So preserving, drying, all that kind of thing, says Henry, 59.

(Chris Terry/PA)

In Northern Ireland when I was growing up, we didnt have pumpkins  I never saw a pumpkin or cooked with a pumpkin until I moved to England.

When it came to Halloween and things like that, we used turnips. So, pumpkins have never stopped enchanting me, because the girls in the Little House sit on the pumpkins that were kept upstairs in the attic area, they would be there right through winter.

It just seemed like quite a magic ingredient, the pumpkin.

Diana Henrys pumpkin tarts with spinach and Gorgonzola Gorgonzola cheese gives these tarts a kick. Servings 6 Preparation Time  15 mins Cooking Time  45 mins Total Time  60 mins Course  Baking Ingredients For the pastry:

225g plain flour, plus more to dust

175g butter, chilled and chopped

Sea salt flakes

For the filling:

450g pumpkin or squash

Olive oil

450g spinach, coarse stalks removed

2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk

275ml double cream

50g Parmesan cheese, finely grated

Freshly grated nutmeg

200g Gorgonzola cheese

Freshly ground black pepper Method For the pastry, put the flour, butter and a good pinch of salt into a food processor and pulse-blend the mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs. Add just enough very cold water to make the pastry come together. Wrap it in foil or clingfilm and refrigerate for about half an hour. Preheat the oven to 180C fan (375F), Gas 5. Cut the pumpkin or squash from top to bottom into broad slices, remove the inner stringy bits and seeds, then peel. Brush lightly with olive oil and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until just tender. Turn off the oven. Put the spinach into a large saucepan, cover and wilt in the water left clinging to it (about four minutes over a medium heat). Drain well and leave to cool. Make the custard by mixing together the eggs, egg yolk, cream and Parmesan. Season well. Roll out the rested pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line six individual tart tins. Chill for another 30 minutes (or just stick them in the freezer for about 15 minutes). Preheat the oven again to 180C fan, Gas 5. Prick the bottom of the tarts with a fork, line them with baking parchment and put baking beans or ordinary dried beans on top. Blind bake for 10 minutes. Remove the paper and beans and cook the pastry cases for another five minutes. Cut the pumpkin into small slices, about 10 centimetres long and one centimetre thick. Squeeze every last bit of water from the spinach and chop it up. Season both of these and add some freshly grated nutmeg to the spinach. Spread the spinach over the bottom of the tart cases, then add the slices of pumpkin and dot with nuggets of Gorgonzola. Pour the custard mix over the tarts and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the pastry is golden and the custard feels only just set when you put your forefinger in the centre of a tart. Leave for 10 minutes to let the custard finish cooking and set a little once you have taken it out of the oven. Roast Figs, Sugar Snow by Diana Henry is published by Aster. Photography by Jason Lowe. Available now.

Henry  who has a weekly column with The Telegraph, and has been writing cookbooks since the early 2000s  says her upbringing makes her more grateful for all the different types of food you can get now.

My mum was a great cook, but there were just things you couldnt get in Northern Ireland. And Ive never stopped appreciating that. I think it was quite good in a way, to grow up in a place where what you could get was limited.

Its not like now, where you can get anything by just using your laptop and the mouse. The other thing is, we didnt travel really, because in those days you had to go via Belfast, and then you had to fly to London to be able to go anywhere else.

Thats why Henry  who is now based in London  used books to travel the world instead, particularly snowy, cold countries.

As soon as you could get to Scandinavia on a cheap flight, I was there I started exploring the whole area.

Her obsession with colder climes has seeped into her cooking, including the recipes in Roast Figs, Sugar Snow  a reissue of her 2005 cookbook  complete with new recipes and a foreword from British food writer Nigel Slater.

Dishes include a Swedish apple, almond and cardamom cake, Danish roast pork and a rich risotto from northern Italy.

Diana Henrys pecan and pear upside-down cake recipe Ground ginger gives this cake a warming feel. Servings 10 Preparation Time  20 mins Cooking Time  40 mins Total Time  60 mins Course  Baking Ingredients For the fruit and nuts:

75g unsalted butter

115g caster sugar

350g firm pears (about 2)

140g cranberries

75g pecans

For the cake:

120g unsalted butter, softened

200g caster sugar

2 large eggs, separated

Drop of vanilla extract

210g self-raising flour

1tsp baking powder

1tsp ground ginger (optional)

175ml full-fat milk Method Preheat the oven to 180C fan (375F), Gas 5. Melt the butter and sugar for the fruit and nuts in a heavy-based ovenproof saute pan, 25cms in diameter, over a low heat. Peel and core the pears and cut them into slices, about 1cm thick, then place them on top of the butter and sugar. Cook these over a gentle heat until just tender, then whack the heat up and cook them until lightly caramelised. Scatter the cranberries and pecans on top and gently mix all the fruit around. Turn the heat off, but dont let the pan get cold. For the cake, cream the butter and sugar and add the egg yolks and vanilla. Mix in half the flour along with all the baking powder and ginger, if using. Add the milk and then the other half of the flour. Mix until smooth. Whisk the egg whites until they form medium peaks. Add one tablespoon of the beaten whites to the batter to loosen it, then, working quickly, fold in the rest with a large spoon. Spread the batter over the fruit and nuts in the pan and bake in the preheated oven for 3540 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the sponge comes out clean. Leave the cake to cool for 10 minutes before turning it out, but no longer, or the caramelised fruit will stick to the pan. If this does happen, carefully lever the pears off the pan and lay them on to the cake with their dark, caramelised sides facing upwards.

Roast Figs, Sugar Snow by Diana Henry is published by Aster. Photography by Jason Lowe. Available now.

Everybody uses the word comforting about food these days, I see it all the time, Henry says, but for her, colder weather dishes have to have the same elements  no matter where around the world they come from.

I think they have to give you the sense of wellbeing, cosiness Just imagine if we lived in California, wed have hot weather stuff all year round. How awful!

You really want a drop in temperature and you want that thing of being in the kitchen with the windows steamed up, having come back from a long walk, which means youre allowed to eat something slightly calorific.

Autumn has now begun, and its undoubtedly Henrys favourite season.

With the arrival of autumn, I think cooks retreat to the kitchen  and theyre really glad to be there, she says.

Diana Henry's beef pie with wild mushrooms and red wine Wild mushrooms bring this autumnal dish to life. Servings 6 Preparation Time  40 mins Cooking Time  1 hours 50 mins Total Time  2 hours 30 mins Course  Main Ingredients 1kg braising beef, cut into large chunks

30g dried wild mushrooms

Groundnut oil

350g baby onions, or small round shallots, peeled but left whole

50g butter

1 celery stick, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

30g plain flour

300ml red wine

Leaves from 3 thyme sprigs

3 bay leaves

300g fresh mushrooms, sliced

3tbsp finely chopped flat leaf parsley leaves

320g puff pastry for 1 big pie, 600g for 6 small pies

1 egg, lightly beaten

Sea salt flakes and

freshly ground black pepper Method Dry the meat well with kitchen paper (if its wet it wont brown properly). Put the dried mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and pour enough boiling water over to just cover. Leave to soak for 30 minutes. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a heavy-based casserole and brown the beef in batches: it is very important to cook it in batches otherwise the meat will not colour well. Remove each batch as its done. Add the baby onions or shallots to the pan and lightly brown them, adding a little more oil if you need it. Reduce the heat, add 20 grams of the butter and all the celery and garlic, and sweat for 10 minutes. Return the meat, with any juices, to the casserole. Season well and, over a low heat, add the flour. Stir everything round until it is well coated. Cut up the mushrooms and add to the pot with their soaking liquid (strain the liquid through muslin, as it can be gritty). Add the red wine, thyme and bay leaves and bring to the boil. Immediately reduce the heat, cover and cook over a very gentle heat for one-and-a-half hours, stirring every so often. Take the lid off for the last 15-20 minutes to reduce the liquid. You need thick juices for a pie, so, if theyre too thin, remove the meat and mushrooms and boil to reduce the sauce. Melt half a tablespoon of oil and the remaining butter in a saute pan and cook the fresh mushrooms briskly over a high heat so that they get well coloured. Season and let the mushrooms cook until they exude their liquid and it evaporates. Stir the parsley and the cooked fresh mushrooms into the meat and check the seasoning. Leave to cool completely. Put the meat in one large or six small pie dishes and roll out the pastry to fit the dish(es). Cut a strip or strips large enough to go around the edge or edges. Brush the edge(s) with water and press the strip on. Dampen this with water and cover the pie or pies with their lids, pressing the pastry down. Trim off the excess, knock up the edges and crimp them, if you like, or just press with a fork. Use the remaining pastry to decorate, making little holes in the top for steam to escape. Brush with the beaten egg and chill for half an hour. Preheat the oven to 190C fan, Gas 6. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes for one large pie, or 2530 minutes for smaller pies. Serve immediately.

Roast Figs, Sugar Snow by Diana Henry is published by Aster. Photography by Jason Lowe. Available now.

The ingredients change Im just thrilled pumpkins will be there, it seems right to eat lentils again  and pears, apples. I think some of my favourite ingredients really are autumn ingredients. its my favourite time of the year to cook.

This autumn, Henry already has her mind set on pumpkins.

Ive just found a recipe for Hungarian pumpkin soup, she says. Ive not done this before  Ive got lots of pumpkin soup recipes, but this has got a little bit of vinegar as well, so it cuts that sweetness. That sounds good.

Home food is what Im really interested in  the things that come from a country I love that connection you get between other home cooks in other countries.

(Aster/PA)

Roast Figs, Sugar Snow by Diana Henry is published by Aster. Photography by Jason Lowe. Available now.
Even by the breakneck standards of the late 1970s, Pete Holidai and Phil Chevron accomplished one of the most effective reinventions in popular music.

One moment, it seemed, they were the guitarists in the Radiators From Space, Dublin punks with gobby three-minute pop songs and a dynamic lead singer in the shape of Steve Rapid.

The next, having shortened their name to The Radiators, the two had moved front of stage and recorded what is arguably Irelands finest concept album, Ghostown.

The makeover coincided with Rapids departure to focus on a career in graphic design that has seen him work with U2 and Depeche Mode, amongst many others.

Rapid had fronted the band on their debut album, TV Tube Heart, which, in typical punk fashion, was recorded in three days on a shoestring budget.

Six months later, we were recording with Tony Visconti in London, says Holidai. It was a seismic shift.

Visconti had worked extensively with Marc Bolan and David Bowie, and had just completed work on the latters Low and Heroes albums. Understandably, he was in huge demand, and The Radiators might never have secured his services had they not toured with Thin Lizzy at the end of 1977, shortly after hed produced their album Bad Reputation.

We were introduced to Tony at the party after the second gig we did with Thin Lizzy at the Hammersmith Odeon, says Holidai. We were going back to Ireland for Christmas, and Tony said, if were going to work together, I need you to write a couple of hits and send them over to me.

"So I wrote Million Dollar Hero and Phil wrote Walking Home Alone Again, and we recorded a demo of them both in the shed at my parents house in Robertstown, Co Kildare.

We went on to record both those songs with Tony around February 1978. We were very happy with the work and the relationship, and after that we started writing in earnest. I think it helped that we were in London at that point, rather than in Dublin, because it gave us a different perspective.

The Radiators from Space, original line-up 1975-77: Pete Holidai, Jimmy Crashe, Mark Megaray, Steve Rapid, Philip Chevron.

"When James Joyce wrote Ulysses, it helped that he was in exile. Ive never made the comparison with Ghostown, but others have. We felt we were in exile too.

Recording began at Good Earth Studios on Shaftesbury Avenue in London in the summer of 1978.

When Holidai remixed the album for a re-issue 40 years later, he got to listen back to individual tracks on recordings such as Ballad of Kitty Ricketts, and he was reminded of just how inventive Visconti had been in the studio.

I remembered how Tony had asked that I play banjo on the chorus, he says. Now, I didnt have a banjo and had never played one. But Tony took my Stratocaster and taped up the two lower strings.

"Then he put a snare drum between the speaker and the microphone, and gave it a bit of EQ, and he constructed the banjo sounds out of that.

As the album evolved, all the band had a hand in writing songs. Drummer Jimmy Crashe contributed to the final version of Walking Home Alone Again, and he and bassist Mark Megaray contributed to the albums closer, Dead the Beast, Dead the Poison. Holidai and Chevron were the main writers, however.

Ghostown was not the first Irish concept album, Horslips having by then released both The Tain and The Book of Invasions.

But this was something else entirely, a highly literate folk/rock/cabaret concoction that elevated the romance and squalor of their native city to the level of high art. Comparisons to Joyce were actually warranted: think Dubliners, with guitars.

When Visconti had finished mixing the album, a playback was arranged at Good Earth for a number of Irish and UK music journalists.

We played them all the tracks, says Holidai, and when it was finished, there was complete silence. They seemed to be astonished.

Had the album been released as scheduled, the broader reaction might also have been one of astonishment. So what happened?

Thats a hard one, says Holidai. All I can vaguely say is that Chiswick may not have had the funds to cover the budget for the recording. So there were a couple of individuals who came on board, saying theyd cover the cost, and it was because of them that the record went ahead.

"But these individuals were also present at the playback. And literally, within two days, they reneged on the agreement, which left us with an album that couldnt be paid for.

It would be another year before Chiswick licensed Sniff and the Tears single Drivers Seat. They had a top ten hit in America with that, and they finally had the funds to get Ghostown out there.

Among the albums first wave of fans was Dr Michael Murphy, who now lectures on entrepreneurship and arts management at the Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dun Laoghaire, and is the author of the recently published book, Sounds Irish, Acts Global: Explaining the Success of Irelands Music Industry.

I bought a copy the week it came out, he says. I was a teenager, and still at school. But these fellows werent much older than me, and they were making stuff that felt like a very sophisticated statement, telling someone like me that Irelands cultural past wasnt the minefield we thought it was. Its no exaggeration to say that Ghostown blew my mind.

Sadly, The Radiators moment had passed. The media took little interest, sales were poor, and the band split up a short time later.

They mostly continued in music: Chevron became a Pogue, contributing Thousands Are Sailing to their classic album, If I Should Fall From Grace With God; Holidai joined Light A Big Fire; and Megaray performed with the Eric Bell Band and Auto Da Fe.

Despite the lack of commercial success, Ghostown became a word-of-mouth cult classic. In 1987, the Radiators reformed for an Aids benefit concert in Dublin, and Chevron debuted a new song, Under Clerys Clock.

As well as The Radiators, Tony Visconti produced classic albums for the likes of Bowie and Thin Lizzy. Picture: Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP

It was what Murphy calls the first openly gay Irish pop song. That was era-defining. It was incredibly brave to perform a song like that in the 80s.

The track was released as a single, and added to a reissue of Ghostown in 1989, along with another new Chevron number called Plura Belle.

In 2003, Holidai and Chevron reunited with Rapid as the Radiators (Plan 9), with former Pogue Cait ORiordan playing bass for a spell.

They released their third studio album, Trouble Pilgrim, in 2006, by which time they had reverted to their original name, the Radiators from Space.

A collection of covers, Sound City Beat, was the bands final release before Chevron succumbed to cancer of the throat, passing away in 2013. Megaray died in 2016.

Holidai oversaw the bells-and-whistles double-album re-issue of Ghostown in 2019, the original album being augmented with demo takes and live recordings.

Chiswick sent me over the multi-tracks on four reels of tape, and I was able to fabricate some work-in-progress mixes, he says.

Listening to those tracks again, I was transported back to Good Earth Studios in 1978. I think its a testament to the record itself, the fact that Ghostown was considered worthy of a 40th-anniversary reissue.

Murphy contributed the sleeve notes, outlining the albums importance in the history of Irish music.

 Ghostown is the most ambitious album ever made by an Irish artist, he says now. I still listen to it obsessively, and I still dont understand it completely. But its a cultural capsule, and utterly timeless.
Retirement has generally been a joyful thing filled with days playing golf, long walks on the beach, or hanging out with the grandkids.

However, in recent years the rising cost of living and pension shortfalls have led many people to seek work post-retirement.

Even if this is not the case many people when they come to retirement don't feel ready to hang up the work boots.

Post-covid too the world of work has changed allowing people to work remotely as a consultant for their previous company or take a part-time job working from home.

However, the road to work post-retirement can be complex and you need to make sure you have your facts in place before jumping in.

Glenn Gaughran, head of business development at the ITC said that they are hearing of some retirees heading back to work because their pension cant cover the rising cost of living.

There may be other financial considerations which prompt you to consider returning to work after retirement. You may not for example have cleared debt accumulated over your working life on time and you might have overestimated the extent to which your pension would cover such repayments.

"Similarly, you may have taken out a mortgage up until the age of 70 and need more than your pension to cover the repayments.

'The rising cost of living and pension shortfalls have led many people to seek work post-retirement.'

Many people get a shock when they retire as it is only really then that they truly realise how much money they need to make ends meet in retirement and that their pension falls short in this regard."

Barry Whelan, CEO of Excel Recruitment said when considering work post-retirement firstly try not to make the mistake of thinking that you are too old to return to the workplace. He added that companies will often value the life experience and skills which older people can bring to a job and firm.

If returning to work as an employee, know that under employment equality legislation, you cannot be discriminated against because of your age, though there are some exceptions. For example, if a job requires a high level of physical fitness, it might be reasonable for an employer to set a maximum age limit for that job.

Employers can set a compulsory retirement age for employees but only if they can show that they are objectively and legitimately justified in doing so.

Be sure to understand the requirements of any job you are considering in your retirement and to only consider jobs you are in a position to fulfill. Be open to upskilling if this will improve your chances of returning to the workplace."

Tax is a major element to consider and Marian Ryan, consumer tax manager with Taxback.com said that when you are over 65 and return to work, you are entitled to the same tax credits, rates, and bands as the under 65s including the employee and personal tax credit at 1,775.

However, once you turn 65, you are also entitled to the age tax credit of 245 for a single person or 490 for a jointly assessed couple. If you are married or in a civil partnership, as soon as you or your spouse turns 65, you as a couple are eligible for the full 490 age credit.

When you become unretired, your whole income including the income from private pensions, State pensions, and employment income will be subject to tax.

Employers can set a compulsory retirement age for employees but only if they can show that they are objectively and legitimately justified in doing so.

Pensions are taxable as income under PAYE and USC but not for PRSI. State pensions are included in your Tax Credit Certificate meaning that your tax credits are adjusted to reflect the tax deducted.

The remaining taxes due will be against your private pension and employment income.

Also, there is an exemption from income tax for people aged 65 or over which allows them to receive or earn income of up to 18,000 a year tax-free if single, or 36,000 if a couple.

This exemption applies to income from employment as well as from State and private pensions on income tax only.

Mr Whelan said that there are staff shortages across retail, hospitality and healthcare at the moment and many employers in these sectors are offering flexible working conditions in a bid to attract staff.

Also if youre interested in returning to work on a self-employed basis, but starting your own company feels like too big of a commitment, you could consider offering your expertise in a freelance consulting role, drawing from the skills and expertise that you built up over your career.

Returning to work after retirement can bring many advantages including extra income to navigate the cost-of-living crisis, social contact, particularly if youre missing the social aspect of work. There may also be mental health benefits such as improved wellbeing and a better sense of purpose," said Mr Whelan.

Mark Reilly, Pension Proposition Lead at Royal London Ireland said to look at everything if you return to work so that pension funding limits are not exceeded, pension tax-free lump sums remain as tax-free and you understand what your ultimate tax position will be.
Some 15 people have contacted gardai following an appeal for victims of sexual assaults in the Defence Forces to come forward.

Some allege they are victims, while others have passed on information about alleged offences.

The contacts are in addition to the 26 Defence Forces abuse cases gardai were already either reviewing or investigating in April when they launched a major Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB) investigation into complaints.

That was launched after the Independent Review Group (IRG) looked into allegations of abuse in the Defence Forces that followed the 2021 Women of Honour programme on RTE.

One of the consequences of the IRG report, which was published in March, was a direction by Defence Minister Micheal Martin that all allegations of sexual assault by serving members occurring in the State are to be referred directly to gardai.

A Garda spokesperson said: An Garda Siochana has received 15 contacts either directly to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau or at local Garda stations across the country.

"Contacts are from a variety of individuals, including victims.

"Each allegation is individual, and each victim is supported with compassion and empathy.

The latest figures come as the Defence Forces said it is investigating its highest number of alleged sex crime offences in any one decade for more than 20 years.

The organisation has confirmed there have been  to date in the 2020s  21 Military Police investigations since the start of the decade, 20 of which were initiated after June 2021.

The statistics are an increase on the 20 investigations run in the entire 2000s and the 17 in the 2010s.

Retired company sergeant Alan Nolan, spokesperson of the Canary Movement that represents victims of all forms of abuse and mistreatment in the Defence Forces, said: Ultimately statistics are representative of a wider problem and dont tell the full story.

Just because the Defence Forces launched a campaign about bullying and harassment in April 2022 called IT STOPS NOW doesnt mean the abuses have suddenly stopped or gone away. Far from it.

Read More Tanaiste wanted complaints of sexual nature referred to gardai, not military police

What is going away, however, is our Defence Forces personnel  male and female  who can no longer put up with the constant assaults, bullying, harassment, intimidation, persecution, and penalisation."

Diane Byrne, from the Women of Honour group, said: We are not surprised numbers are up both with gardai and the Defence Forces.

The fact that gardai are as actively involved as they appear to be is a good thing because it might focus a few minds in the Defence Forces that need focussing.

A Defence Forces spokesperson said: The Defence Forces are taking a number of steps to help strengthen members' confidence in the complaints procedures.

[These include] a full review of these procedures, immediate referral of all complaints of a sexual nature to An Garda Siochana and the continued option for any member to make a complaint independent of the chain of command, directly to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces.

- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
The Taoiseach has defended his last-minute decision to break away from UN week in New York to fly to Miami for less than 20 hours.

Leo Varadkar flies to the Florida city later today, where he will officially open the Irish consulate, which has been operational since last year.

The Taoiseachs flight to Florida and return to New York will cost approximately 16,439 metric tonnes of carbon.

Asked about this, Mr Varadkar said: "I think it's important that I as Taoiseach, should open up the new office, it's our consulate to Miami, Florida. The State of Florida is one of the most important states now in the union, a huge economic powerhouse, and also it's our new office to the Caribbean."

Me Varadkar added: "I was keen to do it, I have a number of other engagements as well.

The fact that the head of government is there, it makes a big difference in terms of the meetings that you get access to, that we can secure for our staff there.

"Obviously, the alternative way to have done it is to make a dedicated trip from Ireland which would have cost more and more co2 emissions," said Mr Varadkar.

When asked about the environmental impact of the trip, Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan said: "I don't think we should turn this into a kind of a moral quiz, in terms of who's the most virtuous.

Before arriving at the UN in New York, Mr Ryan met with his US counterpart in Washington but travelled by train.

Asked if the Taoiseach was undermining his climate argument by going down to cut a ribbon in Miami, Mr Ryan said: What the Taoiseach is doing is important, not just in terms of representation to that part of the world. But critically, we're setting up our mission to the Caribbean and small island developing states."

Mr Varadkar flies out of New York this evening, but will be back in the city tomorrow afternoon before delivering Ireland's national statement to the UN General Assembly on Friday.

With a focus on climate, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is also taking part in UN annual summit as is Tanaiste Micheal Martin. Health Minisnter Stephen Donnelly is travelling to New York as political leaders from the around the world are due to discuss future pandemic preparedness.
One-stop-shop expo for job seekers in tech industry to take place Sept. 27

The tech ecosystem in Western New York can sometimes be challenging to navigate.

TechBuffalo is trying to make that a little easier by hosting an event that puts many of the tech resources from the area in one place.

Pathways to Tech will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Northland Workforce Training Center, 683 Northland Ave.

It will serve as a one-stop-shop resource expo to help increase access for community members to learn more about services and professional opportunities available in the tech industry.

It is for both college students and established professionals looking to make a career move into tech, according to Sarah Tanbakuchi, president and CEO of TechBuffalo.

Landing a job and succeeding in tech is about so much more than hitting apply on a website, Tanbakuchi said. This event is really much more about learning, connecting and preparing to explore tech and what it can mean to you.

What makes this event different from a more traditional job fair is the accessibility for community members to many of the local tech organizations and all in one place, Tanbakuchi said.

More than 35 organizations will have a presence at the event. They include workforce developers and trainers, academic support, recruiting firms, professional development groups, entrepreneurial and small business support, and wraparound services.

Those who attend will have access to free headshots, LinkedIn and resume reviews and interview prep, discussion of local tech opportunities with recruiters and networking with local tech professionals.

We really wanted to create a space for community members interested in learning about tech opportunities, Tanbakuchi said. It was important for us to figure out a way to make accessible all of these different on-ramps into the tech ecosystem in Western New York.

Organizers are tapping into their network of community partners and organizations to spread the word about this event using social media, flyers and ads, Tanbakuchi said.

Attendees are also encouraged to bring their children with them to the event so that child care is not a barrier to being present. There will be an interactive robot station to help engage younger children.

Knowledge of and access to resources, wraparound services, academia, workforce development programs and volunteer opportunities increases the desirability of our region and the retention of talented individuals graduating from higher ed institutions or searching for new career opportunities, said Greg Pokriki of Be in Buffalo, an event partner.

TechBuffalo is also ramping up toward the 43North finals Oct. 12 at Sheas Performing Arts Center by planning a rally to engage community members to support the event. Entrepreneurs from around the world will compete for $5 million and the opportunity to build their business in Buffalo.

Launch NY provides funding



The startup ecosystem received a lift in seed capital funding.

Through its Investor Network, Launch NY has raised $220,000 that will go toward a funding round for 2021 43North winner ShearShare and 2021 43North finalist and Launch NY portfolio company Ognomy, as well as EMPEQ, a Launch NY portfolio company.

The 43North companies were featured during the first two quarters of 2023 on Launch NYs Investor Network as part of a collaboration between the two entities announced earlier this year.

Since its first investments in 2020, Launch NYs Investor Network has provided more than $1.69 million in funding and commitments to 16 upstate New York startup companies in 19 transactions.

Ognomy offers care services and treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, including telemedicine, coordination of home sleep tests and the facilitation of sleep therapy devices like positive airway pressure machines and dental appliances.

ShearShare, a Black-owned Buffalo company, is a mobile marketplace that allows licensed beauty and barbering professionals to access business-building resources on demand, starting with space to work. It was recently featured on NBCs "Today" show, with co-founders Tye and Courtney Caldwell sharing their founding story and vision.

In the same period, Launch NYs Investor Network members also funded EMPEQ, which offers a cloud-based, AI-enabled platform that automates building energy surveys, digitizes HVAC equipment inventories and arranges financing options  all through a smartphone app.

FoodNerd is Grow-NY finalist

Buffalo startup FoodNerd was named as one of 20 finalists in the Grow-NY business competition. Finalists will present a live pitch in competing for up to $3 million in prize money at the Grow-NY summit Nov. 14 and 15 in Binghamton.

FoodNerd creates plant-based food through a sprouting process that maintains and increases the nutritional content found naturally in food.

This is the fifth year of the food and agriculture business competition focused on enhancing the emerging food, beverage and agriculture innovation cluster in upstate New York. The competition is funded through the Upstate Revitalization Initiative.

THE LATEST

The region's unemployment rate jumped after August's steep job losses.

Grand Island is considering an even stiffer limit on the size of new buildings.

The 43North finalists have been announced.

A new affordable and senior citizen housing project is underway in Buffalo.

A zombie hotel in Amherst has come back to life.

Catching up with labor activist and author Bill Fletcher Jr.

Check out the changes in food and drink service at Highmark Stadium.

A Buffalo manufacturer plans to nearly double its workforce.

Town of Niagara officials balk at a low-income apartment project.

A new retail and residential project is in the works for Niagara Street.

A Buffalo affordable housing project is getting a more contemporary look.

Moog Inc.'s new CEO isn't a U.S. citizen  and that's causing problems.

New Era Cap Co. reportedly is considering going public.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next:

1. Students fueled the region's job growth when they returned for the summer. When they went back to class, it blew a big hole in the Buffalo Niagara job market.

2. UB grad students seek solutions that make a social impact.

3. Choosing Buffalo: Odoo decides WNY is right place for substantial North American growth.

5. A new Buffalo venture thinks it can help plants grow better indoors by using artificial intelligence.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Buffalo Next Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up to get the latest in your inbox five days a week.
Plans to introduce teacher-based assessment as part of a shake-up of Leaving Cert exams have been shelved due to concerns over the impact of AI.

Education Minister Norma Foley this morning confirmed a series of changes to the planned reform of senior cycle exams.

This includes the removal of teacher-based assessments, which had been a cause for concern among teaching unions. As recently as February, the minister had backed the introduction of the assessments, which would have accounted for up to 40% of marks in some subjects.

In confirming the changes to the plan revision of the senior cycle, the minister noted the "accelerated evolution and growth in generative AI" which may present opportunities and challenges in the classroom in the coming years.

With that in mind I have asked the SEC (State Examinations Commission) that further research would be commissioned on the potential role and impact of generative artificial intelligence in teacher-based assessment in particular," she said.

While this work is ongoing, I have decided to progress additional and practical components that will be externally assessed by the SEC."

Education Minister Norma Foley this morning confirmed a series of changes to the planned reform of senior cycle exams. Picture: Damien Eagers

Speaking on RTE radio's Morning Ireland this morning, the minister said she had a choice to make: she could sit on her hands and do nothing, but that would not have been in the best interests of students.

"We will work with staff, we will work with teachers, but they have to be suitably confident. They have to be suitably trained, particularly in the area of AI. I need the time now to do that," she said.

In the first instance, I need the information and then I need the time to do it with them. And we will do that. But it would have been a disservice to the students to pause everything. So we're moving ahead. We're accelerating. We're not just moving ahead.

Work was being carried out across Europe and through the OECD in terms of the use of AI in education, she said.

I will accelerate what I can for the benefit of students.

At the end of the day, I have only one purpose, and that's to serve students and to ensure that what they study is contemporary and also to ensure that it's future-proofed for them and also to ensure that their variety of skill sets can be assessed as opposed to just depending on a recent exam.

Ms Foley said there was now an opportunity to look at AI in depth, in terms of education.

We need to do that body of work for education. So I have tasked the State Examinations Commission to do that body of work and that will inform how we can move forward with this single component around teacher-based assessment going forward.

The minister denied that the plan for teacher-based assessment for senior cycle had been dropped because of opposition from teachers unions.

'Serious concerns'

The ASTI this morning welcomed the news that teacher-based assessments had been suspended, describing the move as sensible and inevitable.

Geraldine O'Brien, ASTI President, said, The ASTI had expressed its serious concerns to the Minister that her announcement in March 2022 contained significant change proposals which were not part of the NCCA Senior Cycle Review Advisory Report to the Minister. Specifically, teacher-based assessment was not contained in the NCCAs recommendations to the Minister.

The ASTI also emphasised to the minister the need to protect the integrity of the Leaving Cert and to ensure assessment of students for State certification purposes is based on fairness for all students and trust in exams system.

Todays announcement by the minister validates these concerns.

In this regard, it is clear that meaningful and continuing collaboration with the second-level teacher unions, that recognises and acknowledges the voice of classroom practitioners, is vital to ensure that future Senior Cycle change is educationally sound.

New and revised subjects

Some aspects of the exam cycle reform have been accelerated, including the earlier rollout of new and revised subjects. Revised courses in biology, physics, chemistry, and business will be in place from 2025, two years earlier than planned. At the same time, new courses in drama, film and theatre studies, and climate action and sustainable development will be rolled out too.

These subjects will include aspects that are assessed outside a traditional written exam, but they will be externally assessed by the SEC, not by teachers.

A second tranche of new courses will be in place from 2026, the minister confirmed.

In 2022, the Minister set out an ambitious programme for the redevelopment of Senior Cycle, guided by the vision of a Senior Cycle that delivers equity and excellence for all.

The programme is informed by, and builds upon, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessments (NCCA) advisory report on the review of Senior Cycle, as well as the experience of Leaving Certificate students, a growing demand for change and international experience and perspectives.
Ireland is heading towards 30% of the country's energy supply going to data centres, according to the Chief executive of Friends of the Earth Ireland.

It comes just as Amazon has been granted planning permission to build three data centres in Dublin, bringing the total number of data centres from the tech giant to six.

The plans were lodged for the site at its data campus centre near Mulhuddart last December. The three buildings will carry a combined power load of 73 megawatts.

Oisin Coughlan said the decision of Fingal local authority to approve Amazon's planning permission explained that the level of energy use was comparable to the 84 megawatts generated by the Mount Lucas wind farm.

He pointed out that plans to bring Tarbet Power Station in Kerry back online this winter would generate 150 megawatts.

So half of Tarbert will be dedicated to keeping these data centres going rather than keeping our lights going," he told RTE radio's Morning Ireland on Wednesday.

Mr Coughlan said that opponents were not saying there should not be any data centres at all, there was just concern that Ireland was already heading towards ten times the European average, even before the Fingal approval.

Of course were going to have data centres, we just don't need to have every data centre that's going in Europe. The other country that has anything like ours is Singapore  14 percent. We're heading to 30 percent. It's already more than all the urban homes in Ireland, twice as many as all the rural homes in Ireland. That's the power the data centres are using now and we're heading to double that in the next ten years.

Friends of the Earth submitted an observation to the planning application for the three data centres that this would "lock us into our dependency" on fossil fuels.

It's a triple threat. It's a threat to our energy security, the security of our power system, a threat to our pollution limits. And to be honest, it's a threat to the credibility of this government on climate," Mr Coughlan said.

The Government had announced a moratorium on data centres around Dublin because of the risk to the power grid, he said.

And here we are. This is driving a coach and horses through that if this is allowed to go ahead. And the reason it might be able to go ahead is because they already have a grid connection at the site for an existing data centre," Mr Coughlan added.

If the three new data centres go ahead it will drive up demand for gas and fossil fuels.

Because even if they say they're going to use renewables, it means that there's less renewables for the rest of us. So the rest of us have to use gas or coal from Moneypoint to keep the lights on," Mr Coughlan said.
The Tanaiste has strongly defended Stephen Donnelly for travelling to New York amid a national scandal concerning spinal surgeries.

The Health Minister's decision to travel to the UN to attend events on pandemic preparedness has been criticised by members of the Opposition in the Dail on Wednesday.

It comes as the HSE ordered an external review of orthopaedic surgery at Temple Street Hospital following several serious spinal surgical incidents.

One child has died among a group of 19 who faced several issues. A consultant surgeon at the centre of the controversy has been suspended. Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is currently attending the UN in New York.

Social Democrats TD and health spokesperson Roisin Shortall described the controversy as a national scandal. She said many extremely medically challenged children have been utterly failed by the State in terms of not receiving life-altering care after surgeries have been suspended in their entirety.

I'm calling on the Minister of Health to return from New York and to come into the Dail tomorrow to make a full and comprehensive statement on this scandal and to take questions, she said.

Ms Shortall also called for the two previous reports to be published immediately and for the HSE to make a statement as a huge number of families have been left in awful circumstances.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik echoed Ms Shortalls call saying it is essential that Mr Donnelly return to address the Dail. It's simply not good enough for the health minister to be abroad on a day like today, she said.

Ms Bacik said impacted parents are experiencing distress and heartbreak, calling for them to be closely informed going forward.

She said despite then-health minister Simon Harris five years ago saying he would ensure no child would wait longer than four months for scoliosis surgery, we're seeing really terrible waiting lists.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the key issue of the controversy is the use of unauthorised implants. He welcomed the fact that the external review is being broadened to examine issues of governance, however he said the review should have input from a spinal surgery expert.

We need to get a reassurance that there is going to be a spine surgeon involved in the external review, who is going to be capable of going through the patient records and identifying were patients treated appropriately, he said.

Mr Murphy said it is absolutely essential that the voices of the patients and their families are at the centre of the review.

He said there are very serious questions for CHI in terms of how the previous internal and external reviews were conducted. He claimed these reviews missed key points including the use of unauthorised implants.

Echoing the calls of other opposition TDs, Mr Murphy said the health minister must engage with the controversy. I think he needs to come before the Dail as soon as possible to explain how this happened and to explain his knowledge, he said.

However, speaking in NewYork, Micheal Martin has dubbed the criticism "unfair" and said TDs should not be "playing politics" on such an important issue.

"To be fair to members of the Opposition, I would acknowledge that its a matter of interest or concern to them. But it's not good, I think, juxtaposing his presence at a summit here with the implied suggestion that means the Minister isn't attending to the issue. I think it's unfair," he said.

I don't think we should play politics with this issue because it's a very serious issue.

He said Mr Donnelly has acted in ordering an external review, which is he said is "very important because it's particularly concerning to the parents of the children involved here".

"We have to ensure that the full truth emerges with that comprehensive review, and that we do justice by the parents and by the children. That's the most overriding consideration. And I think the minister has acted on that and his presence at the summit today doesn't detract from that action. That would be my perspective."

In a statement, Mr Donnelly said his first priority is to ensure that patient safety concerns are comprehensively addressed. Mr Donnelly said the service remains far short of where we would all like it to be, despite the very genuine efforts of successive ministers and others over the years.

He said the review, which will be led by orthopedic consultant Selvadurai Nayagam, will very deliberately allow for a wider look at governance and other operational matters across the CHI service. I will be meeting with Mr Nayagam shortly to discuss some of the concerns relayed to me by parents and patient advocates, he said.

Mr Martin is in New York at the UN with Mr Donnelly, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan.

He said: "There are three very important health summits here on pandemic preparedness and let's be clear, we went through a once-in-a-century pandemic in the last three years.

"I think an Irish Minister should be at those. We've always taken leadership positions in terms of public health initiatives; I would have been invited myself as a former Minister for Health in respect of the tobacco-free society approach and it led to a treaty on tobacco quite a number of years ago with Ireland played a leading role in drafting that treaty.

"So we cant resile from our international commitments because they do have impact ultimately on public health more generally."
A boxer hoping to turn professional following a bout in Germany next month denied a charge of assault in Cork in what a judge described as absolute road rage at its worst".

Ismaikel Perez, 38, of Lough Road, Cork, was found guilty of assaulting another motorist by punching him in the side of the head, causing the injured partys ear to bleed.

Judge Joanne Carroll said she would give the accused the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act if he attended at least five sessions of counselling for anger management and made a charitable contribution of 250.

The incident occurred at Wandesford Quay when Perez drove out in front of Mohammed Omari who beeped at him.

Inspector Ray Dunne said both parties got out of their cars and during the disputed incident, Perez punched Mr Omari in the side of the head, causing his ear to bleed.

The defendant admitted the punch and said he was sorry for doing it and should not have done so but he claimed he had acted in self-defence.

Judge Carroll did not agree with the defendant.

Mr Perez failed to yield at Sharmon Crawford Street/ Wandesford Quay. Mr Omari sounded his horn. Mr Perez stopped, got out of his car when he had no need to do so and punched Mr Omari a blow around his ear. It was a wrongful and disproportionate act, the judge said.

Defence solicitor, Eddie Burke, said the accused is living in Ireland with his wife and children and about to apply for citizenship after 14 years living here.

He is an amateur boxer hoping to turn professional, Mr Burke said, adding that the accused had no similar convictions and was anxious to avoid one for assault.

Judge Carroll adjourned the case until February 26, 2024, to allow the accused time to undertake anger management counselling and to pay 250 to the Cork Life Centre. If all of that is done, the judge said he would get the benefit of a dismissal under the Probation of Offenders Act.
An inquest has heard how a couple was forced to bury their stillborn son in two separate funerals more than 11 months apart.

This was because a State perinatal pathologist, Dr John Gillan, who carried out an autopsy into the December 28, 2021, death of Odhran Murphy had held onto a number of the babys organs.

His parents Hilary and Patrick, who expressly said in the hours after their son died that his organs must not be retained, broke down in Carlow Coroners Court as they explained how they repeatedly asked for their babys organs back.

To grieve the loss of your first born is a road no one should have to take, Ms Murphy, from Mountmellick, Co Laois, said in her deposition to the court.

But for him not to be buried in his whole self... was horrific and will have an everlasting impact on us.

She said the sight of her husband walking in the back door of their home with a second white coffin would always haunt the couple.

She said they had to fight a relentless mental battle to get his organs back and she sobbed from the witness stand as she said the couple still did not know why their babys organs  including his brain  had been retained.

The lack of respect for us and Odhran is despicable, she said.

To have go through a second funeral is truly inhumane. It is a trauma we should never have had to endure.

Odhran was stillborn at the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, on December 28, 2021.

In a deposition disputed  in parts  by the hospital, Ms Murphy said she was not checked on for a long period of time before complications set in.

She also said when she told a nurse at 5.45pm she had started bleeding, she was told not to worry.

She reassured me it meant labour was progressing.

She said it was another stage of labour.

She later explained, when the hospital said the nurse involved denied the conversation took place, Ms Murphy told the court she had requested through a Freedom of Information request for the video from a CCTV camera overlooking the corridor where the conversation happened so at least to prove they had met when she said she had met the nurse to say she was bleeding.

But, the court heard, she was told the video was no longer available.

After the meeting with the nurse, she said: The door to my room was closed over by the midwife each time she left.

Apart from [a brief heartbeat check], there was no contact with the midwife on duty/any other staff throughout the day.

I want to add that I now know that the observation chart in my records suggests that my vitals were checked by [a nurse] at 6.10pm.

This never occurred during this crucial time.

I was dismissed in the corridor at 5.45pm with a concern regarding blood.

No member of staff entered my room to check my vitals at 6.10pm.

This time would have been crucial as if I was checked then and if Odhran was checked, there could have been an opportunity to save him.

Odhran body was removed and taken to Dublin the following day.

Ms Murphy said before her baby's body left, "we were told if we consented to Odhrans organs being retained that further tests and analysis could be carried out if needs be and it could help other families in the future.

We consented to tissues and slides being taken but not for whole organs to be retained.

Dr Gillan later explained he was not concerned with what [the Murphys] were requesting because he was following standard procedure regarding organ retention.

He denied having any recollection of repeated requests from the family for their sons organs to be returned.

Paddy and Hilary Murphy, parents of Odhran Murphy, had expressly said in the hours after their son died that his organs must not be retained. Picture: Neil Michael.

He also said he had been working, in 2021, under duress and that the autopsy service is stretched in this country.

The inquest is being heard in front of Laois and Carlow County Coroner Eugene OConnor.

The couple is represented by Rachael Flavin, of Co Wicklow-based legal firm Liston Flavin, and senior counsel Sara Antoniotti is acting on Ms Flavins instructions.

Junior counsel Will Reidy is acting for the hospital on instructions from Conor Morgan of Hayes Solicitors.

The inquest is due to resume on Wednesday afternoon.
A lorry driver kicked another lorry driver in the right buttock following a row over parking and now he has been convicted and fined 500 for assault.

Judge Olann Kelleher convicted and fined Paul Brooker, of Ardmore Estate, Passage West, Co Cork, for assault after he pleaded guilty to the offence at Cork District Court.

Sergeant Ciaran Kelleher said, the incident occurred on March 22 at Cosgraves Transport, Little Island.

The complainant attended at Glanmire Garda Station and alleged the assault had taken place at 11.20am that morning.

He said he had gotten into a verbal altercation with another unknown truck driver who had taken issue with the way he had parked his truck and when he walked away the unknown driver assaulted him by kicking him in his right buttock. Sgt Kelleher said.

Eugene Murphy, solicitor, said Paul Booker had no previous conviction for anything like this.

It came as a shock to him that he had behaved in this way. He asked that his apology be conveyed.

He found that the injured party had parked in a particular way and he asked him to move his lorry and he got a gesture which was unsatisfactory.

He has taken counselling for anger management since this, Mr Murphy said.

Judge Kelleher said: He was taking the law into his own hands. He imposed a 500 fine on the defendant on the assault charge.
Three Irish universities have been ranked in the top 100 universities in Europe as new rankings for 2024 were released.

Global higher education analysis company Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) published the results, which saw Trinity College Dublin (TCD) rank 31st, University College Dublin (UCD) in 71st place and University of Galway (UG) in 98th place. University College Cork (UCC) was just outside the top 100, being ranked 109th in Europe out of 690 institutions across 42 locations.

The rankings examine the universities against 12 indictors relating to the areas of Research & Discovery, Employability & Outcomes, Learning Experience, Global Engagement & Sustainability.

It saw Irish universities "enjoy exceptional" employment outcomes, with two universities among Europe's top 20 for this indicator. TCD boasts the strongest career prospects, placing 13th while UCD also performs excellently, ranking 15th.

It also acknowledged that there was a high international faculty cohort and "outstanding levels" of sustainablility. UCC was ranked 21st in Europe for advancement of sustainability and 57th and 58th respectively for international faculty and outbound exchange opportunities for students.

Ireland boasts 63% of its universities in the top 100 for Sustainability, the second-highest ratio in Europe among countries with five or more ranked universities, behind only Sweden.

TCD was ranked 30th in Europe for being one of the most-respected universities among academics. It also ranked 13th for strongest career prospects and 25th for most international faculty bodies in Europe.

However, Ireland struggles in indicators related to research, including "output, quality and collaboration".

"No Irish university is among Europes top 100 QS measure of research impact, Citations per Paper while only Trinity College Dublin places in the top 100 for cross-border collaboration and research production, placing 83rd for International Research Network and 73rd for Papers per Faculty," said a statement.

Out of the 690 institutions, University of Oxford (UK) was ranked first with the ETH Zurich - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (Switzerland) in second and University of Cambridge (UK) in third place.

The UK is the most represented country in the rankings, with 107 featured universities, followed by Turkey with 73 and Germany with 53.

The overall rankings for Irish colleges is as follows:

31 Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin 71 University College Dublin 98 University of Galway 109 University College Cork 152 Dublin City University 152 University of Limerick 286 Technological University Dublin 311 Maynooth University

UCC President John O'Halloran said he was "very pleased that the ongoing excellent work of our students, staff and alumni, continues to come through in the various ranking assessments.

"It is particularly heartening that our work in the field of sustainability continues to be acknowledged independently as sector-leading.

The overall top 10 for the 2024 rankings is:
Crisis response teams are to be sent to rural communities grappling with suicides and other tragedies under an initiative launched on Wednesday.

The teams will be part of Make the Moove, a mental health programme launched after a spike in suicides in North Tipperary, Elaine Houlihan, president of Macra Na Feirme, told a meeting at the 92nd National Ploughing Championships.

Today we are launching a crisis response team [as part of that programme] which will be free to rural communities, Ms Houlihan said.

When tragedy struck her own community with the death of a 16-year-old, she reached out for counselling support for locals through the school, the gardai and the Church.

But securing psychological support was difficult until the Limerick senior hurling team sent out its team psychologist to help, attending the house where the tragedy occurred, for two days, she said.

This help should be easily available to all rural communities at their darkest hour and the new crisis response team aims to plug that gap by providing free psychological support when people need it most, Ms Houlihan said.

There is a massive need for such supports, she said.

The scheme is not funded by government and she hopes that communities that benefit from the scheme will fundraise to help provide that same help to others.

We hope it will be a success, she said.

A dedicated helpline for rural people is also planned but it is about two years away from roll-out  she said.

Rural isolation has always existed, but its only really been spoken about since covid, Ms Houlihan, president of Irelands young farmer and rural youth organisation and a physiotherapist from a beef farming family in Co Limerick, said.

Irelands rural youth are more open than their predecessors and when they struggle with mental health, they can talk about it, she said.

Education

Meanwhile, at the Ploughing, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris, said that all roads to higher education no longer lead to Dublin.

We have worked as a party and as a government to bring universities into the region.

We are moving beyond this idea that all roads must lead to Dublin in terms of accessing university education.

We have now created five technological universities, meaning you can get a university education in Sligo, in Tralee, in Athlone, in Carlow, in Waterford as examples."

Three more veterinary colleges are also being planned for the country, he said.

I think it is utterly unacceptable that we live in a country where so many young people have to go abroad every year to study veterinary medicine. At the same time as we know, farmers tell me on a regular basis they have difficulty accessing vets, particularly vets for large animals."

Three potential colleges have been identified for new veterinary schools - Limerick, Kildalton [Teagasc college] College in Kilkenny and a dual-campus model between Mountbellew [agricultural college in Galway] and Donegal.

"I will be now working intensively with the Department of Agriculture and my own department, and from a financial point of view, to try and make decisions on this later this year," he said.

"It is my instinct that we need more than one to proceed. I personally think we should see at least two proceed."
TDs and staff were held up in cars for over an hour before being allowed to leave Leinster House on Wednesday as protesters barricaded the back entrance.

A convoy of 16 cars containing several TDs wishing to leave, including Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, was formed but was left waiting for more than an hour until it was safe to do so.

Those standing in the car park were asked to go indoors in case protesters breached the gates.

Shortly before 5.45pm, several gardai lined up in front of the convoy before going onto the street to get in front of the gate which was being blocked by protestors.

Gardai put traffic restrictions in place on Merrion Street in order to facilitate the exit of TDs at the entrance on Merrion Square.

With the assistance of the Public Order Unit, protestors were moved aside as the cars left Leinster House.

Several protestors were seen running alongside the cars as they exited while others chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

The protestors followed the cars a short distance with the gallows as they drove off.

Earlier, politicians, journalists and staff were advised not to leave Leinster House following the protests on the first day of the Dail session.

Protesters took mock gallows and photographs of high-profile politicians to a demonstration outside Leinster House on Wednesday.

The gallows, which feature an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, Education Minister Norma Foley and Children's Minister Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Eoin O Broin from Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also feature.

It is understood the back entrance of Leinster House, by Merrion Square, was closed off due to a gathering of protestors at the gates of the parliament.

Uniformed gardai were forced to move to the rear of the building to police a second gathering of protestors.

Gardai maintaining the barricades during the protest at Leinster House. Picture: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

People are currently permitted to leave outside the Kildare Street entrance of Leinster House, where barriers have been in place since Tuesday.

Alongside politicians, Oireachtas committee witnesses are being asked to remain within Leinster House.

It is believed bottles of urine were thrown at gardai by protestors, with Oireachtas staff members having witnessed the incident.

Multiple TD expressed their concern, saying the protests could become violent. One TD described the situation as dangerous.

13 arrests

In a statement on Wednesday evening, gardai said officers at Pearse Street put in place a policing operation at Leinster House "to facilitate the resumption of the 33rd Dail at Government Buildings".

"On a number of occasions, gardai were required to intervene during public order incidents which occurred on Molesworth Street, Kildare Street and Merrion Street," a spokesperson said.

In total, 13 arrests were made in connection with these incidents.

"A senior investigating officer has been appointed, overseeing an investigation team based at Pearse Street, to coordinate and investigate all of the circumstances regarding these incidents and any other matters which may be identified as necessary for investigation which occurred around Government Buildings," the spokesperson added.

'It happens every year'

For workers, some of whom had to climb over barricades due to a faulty barricade gate, it was inconvenient but for local businesses, it was a lack of sales.

One cafe owner who was taking orders across the barricade said she couldnt speak about it in detail or she would rant.

Its impacting my business big time and if I started on a rant I wouldnt stop, she said. "Half my turnover is affected. It [protests] happens every year for the last 10 years."

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has strongly condemned protests outside Leinster House warning of "mad, crazy conspiracy" that is based on disinformation and fake news.

Speaking in New York, Mr Ryan said: "I think those sorts of protests are a direct attack on the Irish Constitution, on the Republic, and on the idea that we're all equal. We're all actually sovereign in our country. How dare they, is what I'd say."

He added: "We have to careful in a world where there's a lot of mad crazy conspiracy and polarising, divisive hate speech and disinformation and fake news.

"I think that fosters that type of approach, that sees people as the enemy not with the people. We live in a democratic constitutional Republic. I'm proud of our Constitution and to be able to serve in one of the offices set out in it."
Following a series of vicious attacks by Bully XL dogs in Britain, including a man mauled to death last week while defending his elderly mother, British prime minister Rishi Sunak said Bully XL dogs will be banned in Britain by the end of the year.

Unlike the UK, no dogs are banned in Ireland. Late last year, in Wexford, a Bully XL dog savaged nine-year-old Alejandro Mizsan requiring him to be airlifted to Crumlin Hospital, where he underwent two facial reconstruction surgeries for what were described as life-changing injuries. At the time of the attack Alejandro was outside playing, which is the right of every child to do so safely.

Bully XL dogs originated in America and are now being bred in Ireland, changing hands for significant sums of money. Although we have no banned dogs some are restricted, including the Bully XL, which is categorised as a bandog meaning a crossbreed of any of the restricted dogs.

Restriction means certain conditions are attached to ownership including who owns the dogs, where they must be housed, and how they are controlled in public.

The regulations dictate that restricted dogs must always be on a lead in public, (no longer than two metres), be muzzled, micro-chipped, and wear a collar with the owners contact details.

An owner must be at least 16, too young to control such a dog. And the current restrictions dont go far enough. People who own restricted breeds should have to get a special licence to own them, a condition of which ought to be passing a test to prove responsible dog ownership. Dog wardens and gardai should have to consent to the permission. Switzerland has such a regime.

So, we should strengthen our laws, but as always it will come down to the enforcement of those laws. Earlier this year Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue said that dog owners who breach laws concerning control of their pets should be treated like social pariahs.

This seems unhelpful. More dog wardens might be a more practical solution. We have almost 200,000 licensed dogs in this country (excluding unlicensed dogs) with only 50 full-time and 21 part-time wardens employed by local authorities to ensure laws are enforced.

Although the Control of Dogs Act 1986 states every local authority must employ at least one dog warden, its up to each local authority to decide if they need more.

In reality, research shows that banning or restricting specific breeds of dogs wont necessarily reduce dog bites. In studies carried out in countries with breed-specific legislation, there was no reduction in the number of dog bite incidents.

In the Netherlands, where they have a database of breeds and dog owners, the most commonly owned types of dogs were the most likely to have bitten, meaning the majority of dog bites come from unrestricted breeds.

According to an article last month from the Veterinary School of Science at the University of Liverpool, there is little consistent scientific evidence that some breeds are inherently more aggressive than others.

And yet activists seeking to ban the Bully XL in Britain claim 40% of all dog attacks arose with these dogs with an unignorable number ending in fatalities. When a restricted dog like a Bully XL attacks the consequences are potentially far more serious than say when a Maltese goes rogue.

Yet, its too easy to simply target the owners of restricted dogs. Many of us need to readjust how we move through the world as dog owners. The writer Milan Kundera said that dogs are our link to paradise, he should have added, when they are controlled in public.

Theres a breed of dog owner that reminds me of those delusional parents who assume the entire restaurant is delighted by their offsprings antics because they love their dogs, they assume everyone else does.

Not everyone thinks their life is empty if theyre not covered in dog hair. Some of us want to enjoy public spaces or go about our business without the risk of being attacked or even just jumped up on.

Its been my too frequent experience, that the poorly socialised owners of poorly socialised dogs (often large) tend to blithely shout out as the dog knocks you to the ground something along the lines of Dont worry, they are really friendly. Theyre harmless.

If you fail to look pleased about this, youre the maladjusted, unfeeling one. People who are nervous of dogs have the right not to have their space invaded, and often are people who have been bitten.

In August, statistics released by the Department of Rural and Community Development (DRCD) showed that there were 791 incidences of aggressive behaviour recorded in 2022, while the number of people physically injured, which includes damage to clothing, was 308.

If you think this is low, odds on its the tip of the iceberg because many bites go unreported.

In June, HSE data showed 460 hospitalisations following dog bites in 2022, with 144 cases involving children, an increase on the previous years figures.

Farmers have repeatedly highlighted the perils of dogs roaming the countryside, citing the need for greater awareness that pets are potentially dangerous animals.

The DRCD statistics also revealed a 24% increase in reports of dogs worrying livestock, with 268 incidents reported to local authorities. As reported in this newspaper, farmers have been pushing for stronger regulations.

Earlier this year the Minister for Agriculture brought an interim report to the cabinet with plans to double the fines under the Control of Dogs Act and establish a central database for dog microchips.

This database (a good idea) should correlate licences to microchipping (all dogs over 12 weeks are supposed to be microchipped.) It could also deal with dog bites which could be input by dog wardens, gardai, vets, doctors, and hospitals with notes being taken of the breeds.

One possible barrier to dog control here is that policy responsibilities lie with separate departments. The Department of Rural and Community Development is responsible for dog control and dog breeding legislation.

However, the Department of Agriculture is responsible for the pet sales register, pet passports, the movement and trade of dogs internationally, and the microchipping of dogs.

Earlier this year, a dog control working group was set up between the two departments to coordinate policy, because there are almost certainly gaps in the system, but would it not make more sense to have one authority for dogs?

But its not all canine doom and gloom. University College Cork just became the first Irish university to introduce therapy dogs on campus to support students who may be feeling stressed, and lonely.

When first reading about this practice being introduced at the Ivy League Stanford University, I sniffed, thinking that students ought to buck up. I was wrong. Its a lovely idea. Evidence shows that spending time with therapy dogs lowers stress levels and helps forge social connections.

So, yes, dogs can be life-enhancing in a myriad of ways. They just need responsible owners with a modicum of cop-on and consideration for others.
The largest landfill in New York State for years has been trucking up to 150,000 gallons of leachate per day to Buffalo for treatment at the city's Bird Island wastewater plant, where toxic levels of chemicals such as ammonia and nitrogen are removed before the water gets piped into the Niagara River.

PFAS drinking water notification plan for New York leaves out 2 key chemicals Advocates say PFOA and PFOS, two important PFAS chemicals, are missing from state health officials' new plan to notify New Yorkers about 'forever chemicals' in their drinking water.

Left unfiltered, though, is a group of chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, thats used in many industrial and household products. PFAS can build up in the environment and the human body and has been linked to certain cancers and other health issues. The same properties that make PFAS desirable in coatings for pots and pans and stain blockers on clothes also make the chemicals resistant to traditional water and wastewater treatment methods.

A Hamilton, Ont., company is looking to change that. It has developed a process, StreamGo's president said, that not only removes PFAS, but also deconstructs the chemicals so theyre no longer harmful to the environment and humans.

StreamGo has turned to the Buffalo Sewer Authority to help prove it has developed a system that can be applied to wastewater heavily contaminated with PFAS.

A test project that involves pre-treating up to 50,000 gallons of leachate per day with StreamGos process at the Bird Island facility has reduced PFAS levels from 30,000 parts per trillion to non-detectable levels, said Richard Nie, president and chief executive officer of StreamGo.

The project, launched about a month ago, has two or three weeks remaining in which the company will deconstruct into base elements the concentrated PFAS filtered from the leachate.

To be sure, that won't solve all of the region's PFAS issues. The leachate represents a tiny fraction of the 150 to 200 million gallons of sewage and stormwater that flow daily into the Bird Island Wastewater Plant.

There are other ways to remove PFAS from water, such as carbon activation, but the carbon used in that process ends up saturated with PFAS and must be disposed of.

Nie described StreamGos deconstruction method as a proprietary advanced oxidation process in which the extremely difficult-to-break bond between carbon and fluorine within the PFAS compound is destroyed, allowing for whats left to reform to whats around them  and thats water, carbon dioxide and fluoride.

With this system, its a closed loop and it continues to operate until it has reached complete deconstruction, said Nie. At the end of the day, you have elements that are free to be discharged to the environment.

StreamGos test unit, a 40-foot-long shipping container outfitted with special equipment, can pre-treat up to 50,000 gallons of leachate per day. Its been parked for several weeks at the Bird Island treatment facility, where trucks from Seneca Meadows landfill in Waterloo, Seneca County deposit leachate into holding tanks.

The leachate is pumped into the test unit, where it is treated for PFAS through foam fractionation, which involves injecting tiny air bubbles into the bottom of the liquid. As the bubbles rise through the water, the PFAS attach to the surface and form a foam at the top thats captured and vacuumed off.

The foam of concentrated PFAS ends up collapsing back into liquid form and gets set aside. The process is repeated until all PFAS is removed, and the leachate is then returned to a tank for regular wastewater treatment. The set-aside PFAS concentrate gets deconstructed when theres enough of it collected.

We can handle that dirty toxic water and remove what we need to remove to make it safe for the Buffalo Sewer to do the rest of the work, which their plant is very well suited for, said Nie.

Drinking water from nearly half of US faucets contains potentially harmful chemicals, study finds Drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets likely contains forever chemicals that may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a new government study.

Buffalo Sewer Authority is not paying StreamGo for the pilot project with the test unit, but Nie said the company is in discussions with sewer authority officials to build and operate a permanent unit to pre-treat leachate for PFAS. The company also plans to invite representatives from the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the federal Environmental Protection Agency to examine the test unit and the testing results.

Environmentalists' criticisms

Environmental advocates have been critical of Buffalo Sewer Authority for accepting PFAS-laden landfill leachate, from Seneca Meadows and other landfills that pay the agency significant fees for the service. Those PFAS chemicals ultimately end up in the Niagara River and Lake Erie, sources of fresh drinking water for hundreds of thousands of people, as well as home to multiple varieties of fish.

Buffalo Sewer Authority General Manager Oluwole McFoy released a statement Tuesday saying that the agency takes its impact on the environment seriously.

Through a partnership with StreamGo we will be able to protect our community and preserve the health of our natural waterways, said McFoy, who was attending a conference in Washington D.C. for administrators of wastewater treatment facilities.

McFoy also said the authority continues to advocate for corporate manufacturers of so-called forever chemicals to be held directly and solely accountable for creating and profiting off these compounds.

McFoy did not reply to an emailed question about why the Buffalo Sewer Authority takes landfill leachate and how much it gets paid to do so.

WIVB-TV estimated in May that the Buffalo Sewer Authority received $5.6 million over three years to treat landfill leachate, and McFoy told the television station at the time that installing a PFAS removal system for the entire plant would cost more than $100 million.

PFAS forever chemicals found in hundreds of New York water systems at unsafe levels An untold number of New Yorkers are subjected  sometimes unknowingly  to unsafe PFAS chemicals in their water. The state doesn't require treatment until contamination reaches a certain level.

They had a unique issue, said Nie. If they had to upgrade that entire facility for PFAS removal because of what they receive in offsite landfill leachate, the economics are just not there.

Nie said it makes sense economically for municipal wastewater treatment plants to handle landfill leachate due to their ability to dilute high concentrations of pollutants.

New PFAS regulations

PFAS chemicals date back to the 1950s, and water contamination has escalated into a major environmental concern over the past few years.

The EPA earlier this year proposed strict new drinking water quality standards nationwide restricting maximum contaminant levels to four parts per trillion for six common PFAS chemicals. The new rules, to be put in place by the end of this year, would prevent thousands of deaths and reduce tens of thousands of serious PFAS-attributable illnesses, according to the EPA.

Jill Jedlika, executive director of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper, said she remained concerned about the sewer authoritys business and policy decision to import a dangerous contaminant.

But she also said the StreamGo technology seemed to have potential.

To be applied in a public wastewater system, the project will face state regulatory scrutiny, she said.

Any progress is good progress at this point, because PFAS is so egregious and so present in our environment right now, she added.

In 2022, surface water sampling of 23 sites in Erie and Niagara counties by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper found various PFAS at nearly every site ranging from one part per trillion to 10.3 parts per trillion.

And the U.S. Geological Survey released a study in August saying that its testing found at least 45% of the nations tap water had one or more types of PFAS. The study tested tap water from 447 public water systems and 269 private wells between 2016 and 2021.

Technological advances to destroy PFAS on a limited scale shouldnt be an excuse for the continued production of PFAS chemicals, said Jedlika.

Its just a drop in the bucket of the enormity of the treatment issues that we have to deal with. And it starts with preventing the pollution in the first place, she said.
Teacher unions, backed by the loudest voices in the teaching profession, have finally got their way today. As per Minister Norma Foleys U-turn announcement, teachers will not assess their own students as part of Leaving Certificate reforms.

Instead, some form of project work will be assessed by the State Examinations Commission (SEC) in only a very limited number of subjects, starting from September 2025, two years earlier than scheduled.

Norma Foley is calling it an accelerated reform. I would call it an absolute cop-out.

Of course, I am grateful for the existence of teacher unions when it comes to protecting the rights of teachers. But that gratitude stops the moment I believe they are curtailing the fundamental rights of students. This is one such moment.

Make no mistake, this decision to back away from teacher assessment is all about the souring relationship between teacher unions and the Department of Education. It is also, sadly, about young people, about denying them access to a modern, meaningful and fair system of education.

The Background International reports have been very clear about the unnecessary pressure of our all or nothing State exams in June.

A report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) describes our Leaving Cert as a period of intense stress and pressure, limiting space for the development of broader skills that are critical for young peoples lifelong learning. Our students, it reads, experience lower levels of overall life satisfaction than their peers in many other OECD countries, largely due to their fear of failure.

The report outlines that the sole focus on written exams in certain subjects means we lack the diversity of assessment in other countries, through teacher-assessed work or continual assessment.

In 2020, The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child asked Ireland to outline State efforts to reform the Leaving Certificate "with a view to reducing the stress caused to children". Under Norma Foleys original reform package announced in March 2022, teachers would help relieve this stress by grading their own students for tasks, accounting for 40% of their overall mark, with the remaining 60% making up the June exams.

Todays announcement means that my students will still sit exams worth 100%. Their ability in English, a core subject they cant avoid, will still be assessed, and assessed solely, through timed essay writing. Its a disgrace.

Having worked in the English system, I know how well teacher assessment can work. Teachers become absolute experts in the marking of their subjects. Clear objective marking is developed across the teaching profession (something we currently lack) and teachers regularly meet to compare notes and ensure consistency. It is wonderfully empowering. It requires time, support and training for teachers. That is all.

For students, its a game changer. The atmosphere changes. The pace slows. There is an opportunity for students with more oral or practical aptitudes to shine.

I am an English teacher who still has to stand behind a curriculum that forces students to learn quotations from 36 poems by heart. I have to stand behind a curriculum that requires students to write strictly timed essays for hours on end.

Read More Shelving of interim Leaving Cert change casts doubt on more contentious reforms

I watch young people who can articulate themselves in ways that floor me in my classroom, but who will fail to represent themselves fairly on the page in a timed, stressful, exam setting. The creative side of my subject requires drafting, time for reflection and genuine development. This simply cant happen in an exam setting.

This announcement is more of the same, more of the minister acquiescing to unions. The Junior Cycle, which is wonderfully designed, was similarly botched by the teacher unions intransigence.

Norma Foley is doing her best to put a positive spin on her defeat. She is trying to make the announcement seem like an amendment rather than an utter capitulation to the unions.

Her choice of subjects, those that will first experience this reform, is striking. They include Latin, Greek, Arabic and the new subjects, Drama, Film and Theatre Studies, and Climate Action and Sustainable Development.

These are some of the least popular and indeed least available subjects in the country. To put it into context, in 2021, 14 students took the Ancient Greek exam. In 2019, 192 students took Arabic, either at higher or ordinary level. On average, 60,000 students sit the Leaving Cert every year.

Norma Foley has chosen these subjects for a reason, knowing the SEC is under enough pressure already. Still, the list looks good. The one positive is that business and the science subjects are included.

As for the new subjects, little is known in relation to potential take-up but it will no doubt be lower than many established courses out there. My school simply couldnt manage the drama course as we have no school building, no stage and no hall. Many other schools are in the same boat.

Norma Foley has also tried to dress up her absolute U-turn by blaming artificial intelligence technology (AI). I struggle to understand her point. For one thing, students could complete their ongoing project work in the classroom, without technology, in the presence of their teachers.

Read More AI fears prompt minister to suspend plans for teacher-based assessments in Leaving Cert

It is the pace and frenzy that students, and teachers like me, wish to avoid. And one wonders how AI wont similarly affect the integrity of the assessments being marked by the SEC.

Foley insists teacher assessment remains a future possibility while the SEC researches the potential role and impact of generative artificial intelligence in teacher-based assessment in particular.

Its her final attempt to cushion the blow but it will mean little to the students facing more years of unnecessary stress in a system that is both falling behind the times, and more generally, most terribly, falling short.
THERES a lot bubbling beneath the property surface in Kenmare town with rumours that the Brennan brothers have entered an exclusive period with a buyer they are happy with vis-a-vis the Park Hotel. Both the Park and the Lansdowne, which they also own, are on the market with a combined 20.5m price guide via agents CBRE.

Lansdowne Hotel, Kenmare Picture: Andy Gibson

Both have attracted inquiries from the US, other international operators, Irish and local parties, with unconfirmed reports that an Irish businessman with contacts in the music industry is doing the front running.

While all eyes are on these high-end offerings, another far more modest premises, is also on the market at No 16 Henry Street. It has a charming history with more to unfold, as its expected to sell for up to 500,000 at public auction next month.

No 16 Henry Street has been through multiple uses over the years and they are detailed by a contributor to the Kenmare Chronicle, who recalls that it was once the Kenmare Store, a branch of Furlongs Mills, later called the Cork Milling Company.

The contributor outlines how an Amy Leslie, from north of Killarney, came to live there after she married the store manager, Charlie Sullivan, in 1951. She assisted in the shop and became known as Amy The Store or Mrs Sullivan The Store, according to the article.

Bulk flour, meal, bran, and strong-smelling linseed were repackaged or bagged into more manageable portions at the store for sale for use in the home as well as animal or poultry feed.

The article also outlines Amys memory of doing great business on fair days, when horses and donkey carts would line the streets.

Her memory of the town is that it was small and rundown, with little more to it than The Store and a few small shops and pubs.

She does however recall two hotels that are still there today, the Lansdowne and the Park Hotel.

Her own outlet at No 16 closed as The Store in 1967 following Charlies death and Amy took in lodgers (upstairs is residential) to generate income. It remained a lodging house until 1988, when Amy opened Dunboy Cafe on the ground floor. Two years later, she opened Dunboy Boutique, which she ran with her daughter Linda until 1991, when it was let for use as a restaurant. In 2000, it became Morgans Hairdressers and most recently its housed Begley & Bowie art and fashion brand.

The versatility of the building is demonstrated by the variety of businesses that have plied their trade there over its 130-year history, helped by its location in a prime part of Kenmare Town.

John Daly of Sherry FitzGerald Daly, who will bring it to auction on Wednesday October 25, says its within 150m of Kenmare Town Square, with more than 33 of frontage onto Henry St.

The entire site area is c245 sq m (2,637 sq ft) and the building, spread over three floors, has an internal area of c224 sq m (2,416 sq ft).

The floors include retail area, storage and WC on the ground floor; living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom on the first floor, and three bedrooms and a sitting room on the top floor.

To the rear is an open yard, with direct access onto New Road.

Mr Daly says the space offers an opportunity to further expand the building area.

The facade  pretty as a picture, with on-trend Barbie-pink doors against a powder blue backdrop  is not a protected structure.

Mr Daly adds that theres a good deal of interest in this well-positioned property which offers both commercial and residential opportunities.

It may appeal to business owners who wish to live over the shop. It should also attract investors given its commercial and residential rental potential.Or perhaps the Brennan brothers might like to downsize?

No 16 is being sold with vacant possession and by public auction whichtakes place at 2.30pm on Wednesday October 25, at the Brook Lane Hotel, Kenmare.

Details:

John Daly, Sherry FitzGerald Daly tel: 064 6641213, email: info@seandaly.com
Russian President Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation from his Chinese counterpart to visit China in October during the Belt and Road Summit.

Speaking after a meeting with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Moscow, Mr Putin said Russia and China are integrating our ideas of creating a large Eurasian space, noting that Chinas Belt and Road initiative is a part of that.

The initiative is a huge programme in which Beijing has been expanding its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Mr Putin has pivoted the country towards China, selling it more energy, and increasingly carrying out joint military exercises.

Vladimir Putin with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi (Kristina Kormilitsyna, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

China has adopted a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and even denounced western sanctions against Moscow.

It also accused Nato and the United States of provoking Mr Putins military action and declared last year that it had a no-limits friendship with Russia.

On Tuesday, senior Russian security official, Nikolai Patrushev, called for a closer policy co-ordination between Moscow and Beijing to counter what he described as western efforts to contain them as he hosted the Chinese foreign minister for security talks.

The Kremlin has continuously expressed support for Beijing as Russia and China have grown closer as their relations with the West deteriorate.

Mr Wang arrived in Russia on Monday on a four-day visit following his talks with US President Joe Bidens national security adviser in Malta over the weekend.
Rishi Sunak insisted he was acting to avoid a public backlash by watering down efforts to tackle the climate crisis as he faced fierce criticism from green-minded Tories, environmentalists and industry figures.

In a speech from Downing Street on Wednesday, the British prime minister announced a major U-turn by putting back a ban on new fossil fuel cars by five years as he claimed his raft of changes was not about the politics.

He weakened plans to strip out polluting gas and oil boilers and scrapped policies forcing landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of homes.

Mr Sunak insisted the UK was already ahead of allies in reducing emissions and could not impose unacceptable costs on British families.

The risk here to those of us who care about reaching net zero, as I do, is simple: if we continue down this path we risk losing the consent of the British people, he said.

And the resulting backlash would not just be against specific policies but against the wider mission itself, meaning we might never achieve our goal.

Mr Sunak insisted he was standing by the legally binding goal of hitting net zero by 2050 despite making changes including:

Delaying the ban on new cars and vans running solely on petrol and diesel from 2030 to 2035

Weakening the plan to phase out gas boilers from 2035 so households that will struggle the most to switch to heat pumps will not have to make the switch

Putting back the ban on boilers relying on heating oil in off-grid homes from 2026 to 2035

Scrapping policies to force landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of their properties, instead seeking to encourage them to make the switch.

Mr Sunak detailed the plans to the public after putting them to Cabinet ministers in a hastily arranged call in response to a leak of his net-zero plans to the BBC.

Mr Sunak delivering the speech this evening. Picture: Justin Tallis/PA Wire

Speaking from his press briefing room in front of a podium brandishing the Tory conference slogan of long-term decisions for a brighter future, he claimed previous administrations  both Tory and Labour  had sought to get to net zero simply by wishing it.

It cannot be right for Westminster to impose such significant costs on working people, especially those who are already struggling to make ends meet and to interfere so much in peoples way of life without a properly informed national debate, he said.

Mr Sunak insisted he was taking a more pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach that eases the burdens on families and said he believes the move will command broad support in time.

He was forging ahead with weakening the approach despite staunch criticism from climate campaigners, the car industry and former UK prime minister Boris Johnson.

The plans were welcomed by other Conservatives who, believing it may be popular with voters, have been calling for green policies to be delayed to avoid exacerbating the cost of living.

Mr Johnson, who introduced green policies including the car ban while in office, warned that business must have certainty about our net zero commitments.

He urged Mr Sunak that we cannot afford to falter now or in any way lose our ambition for this country.

The policy change also alarmed the car industry, which has invested on the basis of a 2030 shift away from petrol and diesel.

Ford UK chairwoman Lisa Brankin said: Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency.

A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.

Chris Norbury, the chief executive of the E.ON energy firm, said the move would be a misstep on many levels as he hit out at the false argument that green policies can only come at a cost, arguing they deliver affordable energy while boosting jobs.

He said companies wanting to invest in the UK need long-term certainty while communities now risk being condemned to many more years of living in cold and draughty homes that are expensive to heat.

Alok Sharma, who was the president of the Cop26 climate summit, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: I think itd be incredibly damaging for business confidence, for inward investment, if the political consensus that we have forged in our country on the environment and climate action is fractured.

And, frankly, I really do not believe that its going to help any political party electorally which chooses to go down this path.

Prominent Tory environmentalist Zac Goldsmith went as far as to demand a general election over the economically and ecologically illiterate decision.

Boris Johnson. File Picture

But Jacob Rees-Mogg, who served in Mr Johnsons cabinet, called the former prime minister a net zero zealot and backed Mr Sunak.

The Conservatives narrow success in the summers Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election, won largely through a campaign against the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) in London, bolstered Tory calls to shun unpopular green policies.

Craig Mackinlay, leader of the Tory Net Zero Scrutiny Group which has been sceptical of the British governments policies, said the expected announcements by Mr Sunak are sensible and pragmatic.

Labours shadow net zero secretary Ed Miliband said: This is a complete farce from a Tory government that literally does not know what they are doing day to day.

Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle reacted furiously to the announcement not being made to MPs, expressing his views in the strongest terms in a letter to Mr Sunak.

He hit out at the major policy shift being made a day after the Commons closed for the conference recess.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a Bill setting the states presidential primary for April 2, potentially putting former president Donald Trump on the ballot as he stands trial in Manhattan for a hush-money criminal case.

The new primary date could add a new layer to an increasingly chaotic calendar for Mr Trump next year, as the Republican frontrunner attempts to navigate court cases in multiple states while he seeks a return to the White House.

His New York trial is set to begin on March 25, and though the date could change, it may set up an extraordinary scenario in which the former president might find himself in court as Republican voters in the state are picking their next presidential candidate.

Mr Trump became the first former US president in history to face criminal charges when he was indicted this year on charges in New York state stemming from hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign to bury allegations of extramarital sexual encounters. He has pleaded not guilty.

Former president Donald Trump speaks to supporters in Maquoketa, Iowa (Charlie Neibergall/AP/PA)

Since then, Mr Trump has been indicted in a handful of other cases, including a federal classified documents case in Florida, a federal elections interference case in Washington and an election subversion case in Georgia.

He also faces two civil trials in New York, one alleging he fraudulently misstated the value of assets and another regarding the alleged defamation of a writer who accused Mr Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s.

Gov Hochul, a Democrat, signed the Bill setting the new April 2 primary date after the Democrat-controlled legislature approved it this summer.

Primary elections are set for March 19 in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Kansas and Arizona. Pennsylvanias state Senate on Wednesday approved a Bill to move their states primary to March 19 as well, though the proposal still requires passage in the state House of Representatives.

Mr Trump is so far leading a pack of Republican presidential hopefuls seeking the Republican nomination.

Donald Trump addresses a rally in Maquoketa, Iowa (Charlie Neibergall/AP/PA)

He began an autumn push on Wednesday to lock in thousands of Republican caucus-goers in early-voting Iowa, where the former president faces sky-high expectations in his campaign for a White House comeback.

Having campaigned far less often in Iowa than his 2024 rivals, Mr Trump was making his first of five Iowa visits planned through to the end of October, aimed at converting what polls in Iowa show as a commanding lead among committed supporters and volunteers.

In less than four months from now, were going to win the Iowa caucuses in a historic landslide, Mr Trump predicted as he addressed a crowd of more than 1,000 people in the town of Maquoketa.

In 2016 Mr Trump finished a close second to Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Supporters from across north-east Iowa lined up outside the expo building at the Jackson County fairgrounds hours before Mr Trumps arrival. His campaign aimed to collect signed cards from the crowd pledging to back him in the January 15 caucuses.

Mr Trump addressed his 2016 loss at the start of his speech, blaming his previous campaign team.

They didnt do the caucus thing too well and I learned a lot, Mr Trump acknowledged, adding: I dont like second, though.

Mr Trump has visited Iowa seven times this year, headlining policy and political events.

Were not taking anything for granted. Were going to fight for every vote. Youre going to see that in every event, said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung.
South Koreas president sounded a warning to fellow world leaders on Wednesday about possible co-operation between North Korea and Russia.

Speaking before the UN General Assembly in New York, Yoon Suk Yeol said any action by a permanent UN Security Council member to circumvent international norms would be dangerous and paradoxical.

He remarked on North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns visit last week to Russia, which is one of the five permanent members of the council, the UNs most powerful body.

Such a deal between Russia and the DPRK will be a direct provocation threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also the Republic of Korea

Mr Kim met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Russias far east. The two said they may co-operate on defence issues but gave no specifics, which left South Korea and its allies  including the US  uneasy.

It is paradoxical that a permanent member of the UN Security Council, entrusted as the ultimate guardian of world peace, would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive arms and ammunition from a regime that blatantly violates Security Council resolutions, Mr Yoon told fellow leaders on the second day of the UN General Assemblys annual gathering of leaders.

He had been expected to raise the issue.

Mr Yoon said that if North Korea acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its weapons of mass destruction in exchange for giving conventional weapons to Russia, that would also be unacceptable to the South.

Such a deal between Russia and the DPRK will be a direct provocation threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also the Republic of Korea, he said, using the acronym for North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

The Republic of Korea, together with its allies and partners, will not stand idly by.

South Koreas President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (Richard Drew/AP/PA)

South Korea has expressed support for Ukraine, in its fight against the 2022 Russian invasion of its territory. At the G20 summit in India earlier this month, Mr Yoon said Seoul would contribute 300 million dollars (242 million) to Ukraine next year and  eventually  a support package worth more than two billion dollars (1.6 billion).

The nuclear and missile programmes of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea pose not only a direct and existential threat to the peace of the Republic of Korea, but (are) also a serious challenge to peace in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe, Mr Yoon said in his speech.

Foreign experts speculate that Russia and North Korea were pushing to reach arms transfer deals in violation of Security Council resolutions. Both countries are in major disputes with the West, and both are under international sanctions.

While Russian-North Korean co-operation is feared to fuel Russias war efforts in Ukraine, it has also encouraged unease in South Korea, where many think a Russian transfer of sophisticated weapons technologies would help North Korea acquire a functioning spy satellite, a nuclear-powered submarine and more powerful missiles.

On Tuesday, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin summoned the Russian ambassador to Seoul, Andrey Kulik, and urged Moscow to immediately stop its military co-operation with North Korea, which he said would have a very negative impact on its relations with the South.

North Korea has been increasing its nuclear arsenal for years, ratcheting up tensions in the region as it threatens to use nuclear weapons in conflicts. It regularly conducts missile tests, particularly in the past year.

In response, Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden in April agreed to expand joint military exercises, increase the temporary deployments of U.S. strategic assets and launch a bilateral nuclear consultative group.
Another member of the juntas Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods is being interrogated after the committees chairman Lt-General Moe Myint Tun and its joint secretary Brig-Gen Yan Naung Soe were detained for interrogation for alleged massive corruption.

The committee was formed to regulate US dollar expenditures, and facilitate the trade and flow of goods, including the import and distribution of fuel and cooking oil.

Deputy commerce minister Nyunt Aung, who serves as a secretary of the committee, has become the third committee member questioned for corruption. He was detained this week. Other officials at the commerce ministry are also being interrogated, a former ministry official told The Irrawaddy.

Moon Sun Energy Co executive director Mu Mu Shein is also being interrogated, according to a number of fuel importers and distributors who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Moon Sun Energy Co is a partner of Myat Metta Mon Co owned by Win Myint, general secretary of Myanmar Petroleum Trade Association.

Those who are not on the list of giving bribes [to junta generals] are interrogated in Yangon. Those who are on the list were taken to Naypyitaw by air, a fuel importer told The Irrawaddy.

Fuel and cooking-oil dealers have been barred from leaving the country, he added.

When asked by The Irrawaddy about the detention of deputy commerce minister Nyunt Aung, officials from the ministry and the Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods declined to answer.

Last week, Thein Win Zaw, owner of Shwe Byain Phyu Group of Companieswho has close ties to junta boss Min Aung Hlaings familywas also detained for interrogation.

The detention of Thein Win Zaw followed the arrest of junta trade chief Brig-Gen Yan Naung Soe on September 7.

Business leaders and members of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry were taken to Naypyitaw for interrogation on the same day, sources said. The federation is Myanmars most powerful business lobby group.

Among the business owners detained for interrogation were importers and distributors of fuel and edible oil, exporters of rice, beans and pulses, and corn, and senior officials from private banks, sources said.

Many of the detainees reportedly bribed Lt-General Moe Myint Tun who chairs the junta-controlled Myanmar Investment Commission and the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee, which oversees any US dollar expenditures in the country and issues licenses for exporters and importers.

Yan Naung Soe is widely known as Moe Myint Tuns right-hand man.

The arrests came after the regime held a press conference to announce that soaring food prices were due to market manipulation by unscrupulous businesspeople.

Exporters, importers and some banks are selling commodities that they bought at the official exchange rate of 2,100 kyats per US dollar for prices calculated at the market rate, said junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun. The exchange rate in the market is about 3,600 kyats per dollar.

Sanctions imposed on the military junta and banks it controls have intensified the currency crisis in Myanmar where the official exchange rate between the Kyat and the US dollar diverges widely from the market rate.
The junta on Tuesday launched an internal investigation into one of its powerful members, Lt-General Moe Myint Tun, for corruption, according to sources close to the probe.

The investigation came days after the 55-year-old general was placed under house arrest and interrogated after the arrest of one of his key subordinates and interrogations of hundreds of businesspeople who had dealings with him.

Ranked number six in the Myanmar military, Moe Myint Tun was treated by the regime chief Min Aung Hlaing as his protege. He is the youngest member of the regimes governing State Administration Council.

He oversaw Myanmars economic affairs, chairing the junta-controlled Myanmar Investment Commission and the Foreign Exchange Supervisory Committee. The latter was formed by the regime in response to a US dollar shortage and controls the Central Bank of Myanmar. All are widely considered fertile grounds for corruption.

As part of a campaign to rein in soaring commodity prices and foreign exchange rates, the junta arrested Brig-Gen Yan Naung Soe, who led the juntas Central Committee on Ensuring Smooth Flow of Trade and Goods, earlier this month. Since then, the regime has interrogated hundreds of importers, exporters, bankers and officials at military-owned businesses, including Myawaddy Bank and conglomerate Myanmar Economic Corporation.

The interrogations allegedly revealed that Moe Myint Tun had squirreled away millions of US dollars in bribes from businesspeople over the past two years. Some businesspeople told The Irrawaddy they had to pay him at least US$20,000 or the equivalent in gold and giftsLouis XIII cognac, with a list price of more than US$4,000 for a 750ml bottle, was highly preferredjust to meet him.

Meanwhile, Brig-Gen Yan Naung Soe was released because the junta wants to use him in the legal case against Moe Myint Tun, under whose supervision he worked on trade and related issues.
BATAM, IndonesiaMilitaries from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) began their first-ever joint exercises on Tuesday in Indonesia, with a Myanmar representative present despite the blocs ban on its junta leaders.

ASEAN countries have participated in multinational defense drills before, but these are the first featuring just the bloc, which is battling perceptions of irrelevance on major regional issues such as the turmoil in Myanmar and disputes in the South China Sea.

These are non-combat exercises, however, with member forces training in areas such as humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, rescue operations and joint maritime patrols, according to the host Indonesia.

By uniting together, we can maintain stability in the region for the favor of the people, Indonesian military chief Margono Yudo told reporters on Batam island.

He said forces from every nation in the bloc including Myanmar are taking part in the five-day ASEAN Solidarity Exercise, but did not detail the extent of Myanmars participation.

The crisis-hit nation was represented at the exercises opening ceremony on Batam island by a defense attache.

An Indonesian military official later told AFP on condition of anonymity that Myanmar would only attend the drills as an observer.

Myanmar has been ravaged by deadly violence since 2021, when the military deposed Daw Aung San Suu Kyis government and launched a bloody crackdown on dissent.

The leaders of its junta have since been banned from ASEAN meetings, and the blocs efforts to defuse the crisis have been fruitless so far.

Indonesia has also denied that the drills are aimed at countering Chinas growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost in its entirety.

China has angered Indonesia and other Southeast Asian nations in recent years by entering parts of the waterway they claim.

It has developed artificial islands in the region and outfitted some with military facilities and runways.

In response to the drills, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday said that Beijings position on the South China Sea remained consistent.

Initially, organizers had planned to hold the ASEAN Solidary Exercise in the North Natuna Sea, which Indonesia says is inside its exclusive economic zone.

But China also sends patrols there occasionally to assert its historic claim on the area.

After talks between ASEAN military chiefs in June, the exercise was moved to the South Natuna Sea, avoiding the disputed waters.

Cambodia, Chinas leading regional ally, had refused to confirm participation at the initial location but is now attending.
As sickness and starvation increasingly stalk the people of Myanmar during the intensifying post-coup economic crisis, China and Russia are continuing to increase their ties with the pariah regimeand humanitarian assistance is not at the top of their lists.

Since early September, at least 11 junta ministers and Union-level officials have visited China and Russia, signing agreements and memoranda of understanding.

The governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar and Union Election Commission officials have both visited Russia and China.

Agreements on cooperation in banking, tourism and elections were signed with Russia, and agreements on export of fishery and livestock products, and pest control were signed with China.

Faced with diplomatic isolation and economic sanctions, the regime is increasingly reliant on China and Russia to acquire weapons, foreign investment and trade, and diplomatic support on the international stage.

The regime is approving investments from China and Russia without oversightparliament no longer exists, while civil society and independent media have been crushed.

China has 597 investment projects in Myanmar totaling US$21.863 billion in value, junta investment and foreign economic relations minister Kan Zaw told the Greater Mekong Sub-region Economic Corridor Governors Forum held in Chinas Kunming in August.

Chinese investment accounts for 23.5 percent of total foreign investment in Myanmar, the majority of which is in the electricity sector, the minister added. The regime is increasingly reliant on China for electricity production as blackouts have become longer and more frequent since the coup.

After its initial reluctance to engage with the junta after its 2021 coup, China quickly rekindled its ties with the generals.

Beijing is building a railway linking Rakhine States Kyaukphyu with the key border town of Muse in Shan State via Myanmars second-largest city, Mandalay. The railroad is part of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor, which is itself a part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the juntas foreign ministry, China is funding 92 projects worth $27.4 million in Myanmar through the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund.

In early March, the regime and China signed an agreement to implement three wind-power projects in western Myanmars Rakhine State. The juntas electricity minister has also invited the government of Yunnan province and Chinese businesspeople to invest in the countrys electricity sector.

In April, Wang Ning, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) central committee and secretary of the CPC Yunnan provincial committee, met junta boss Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw, signing agreements on rice, agricultural produce and fertilizer trade, as well as power-purchase agreements.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Myanmar military and Russia has gone far beyond the ties between arms supplier and buyer. The two have been cooperating in a wide range of sectors, from economy and trade to diplomacy and nuclear technology.

Russian delegations and representatives of hundreds of Russian companies have visited Myanmar. The regime and Russia have signed agreements on cooperation in trade, tourism, and media as well as a villa project, wind power project, as well as the export of rice, coffee and fishery products from Myanmar.

With support from Moscow, Myanmar opened its first nuclear information center in Yangon in February this year. The two countries also launched direct flights this month.

China and Russia have not only provided the regime with the support it needs on the international stage, but have also sold weapons to the regime that have been used to slaughter dissidents and other civilians.

The regime has imported at least $1 billion worth of weapons and related materials from Russia, China and other countries since the coup, according to a report published in May by Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar.

The report listed $406 million in sales from Russian entities and $267 million from China, including some state-owned companies.

During his recent visit to Moscow, junta foreign minister Than Swe said the relations between Myanmar and Russia had peaked. The juntas deputy science and technology minister, Aung Zeya, also urged China to help the regime use advanced nuclear technology during the second China-ASEAN Forum on Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology last week.
A Springville woman on Thursday admitted to setting a fire in an occupied apartment building that displaced several residents in January, according to the Erie County District Attorneys Office.

Springville woman accused of arson had pending burglary charge The Springville woman who was arrested Tuesday for allegedly setting fire to an apartment building was in court two months earlier on charges of stealing from a Springville business.

Prosecutors said Sara J. Lilley, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree arson in the Jan. 23 incident at the building where she resided on North Buffalo Street in the village. The fire damaged multiple apartment units. No injuries were reported.

Lilley, who remains jailed without bail, faces up to 25 years in prison when she is sentenced on Nov. 1.

- Harold McNeil
More than 130 Malaysian lawmakers have urged Myanmars junta to allow detained leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urgent medical care, according to the Malaysian media.

A total of 135 out of 222 MPs issued a statement calling for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and for her to be provided with medical treatment.

We are concerned about her fragile and worrying state of health and seek for the junta to grant her medical care and allow outside doctors to assess her with no delay, the statement said.

The 78-year-old Nobel Laureate, who has been put under detention since the February 2021 coup, was reportedly suffering from serious toothache and was unable to eat, along with vomiting and dizziness.

VOA Burmese reported that her request to see her dentist was denied by the prison authorities but she received some medication.

The Tuesday statement called on ASEAN to stand in solidarity with the people of Myanmar and call for the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained by regime leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced to 33 years in prison for several offensives during closed regime trials. She denied all the charges. The regime cut six years from her sentence as part of a general amnesty in early August.

Her ousted National League for Democracy said on September 14 that the junta was detaining its leader in secret places without giving her any of the rights of a political prisoner.

If her health is impaired and her life endangered, the junta is solely responsible, said the NLD.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyis son Kim Aris (in Burmese Htein Linn) recently told the media that he worried about his mothers health after learning that she has not been provided with proper healthcare.

Kin told Reuters: She is not as robust as she once was. If she is unable to eat, then things are not looking very hopeful.
After pointing a finger at what it calls unscrupulous businessmen for the worsening economic crisis, Myanmars military regime is now blaming illiterate segments of the population for instability in the country.

Addressing a coordination meeting for a literacy campaign for rural and ethnic people on Tuesday, deputy junta chief Soe Win said the fact that some 4 million people in Myanmar are illiterate is to blame for the terrorist acts happening today in the country, referring to the popular revolt against the regime.

Some 4.1 million people aged 15 and above were recorded as illiterate in a 2019 intercensal survey, and todays terrorists acts are a consequence of this, said Soe Win, who also stressed that ethnic people should have knowledge of Burmese, which is the official language of Myanmar.

Those who will implement and participate in democracy and federalism must be literate, said Soe Win, who was part of the 22nd intake of the Defense Services Academy (DSA).

The literacy campaign was launched after junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, who was part of the academys 19th intake, told a junta meeting on Aug. 30 that people in rural and remote areas of the country must be taught how to read and write.

By putting a focus on rural illiteracy, the regime is attempting to tarnish the image of the armed revolution against it. It is well known, however, that many of the people involved in the popular revolution, on the front lines or in other ways, are doctors, nurses, engineers, lecturers and university students.

Min Aung Hlaings literacy campaign is inspired by the 3-Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic) drive conducted under the dictatorship of one of his predecessors, Ne Win.

The regime chief has hailed the 3-Rs push as a success, though he has failed to mention that Ne Wins Burma Socialist Programme Party-led regime granted no budget for the campaign. Instead, its success was a result of the publics enthusiasm and commitment, and the work of university and college students who served as volunteer teachers.

The revived campaign shows how out of touch with reality Min Aung Hlaing is, promoting a literacy drive in the very ethnic minority and rural areas where his junta is bombing and torching schools and forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee.

Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that 130 townships in the country are outside his regimes control, with martial law being imposed in nearly 50 towns in Yangon, Mandalay, Sagaing and Magwe regions as well as Chin and Kayah states. In other words, the DSA graduates are incapable of crushing those they dismiss as illiterates.
At least 17 Myanmar junta troops were killed in the last four days as Peoples Defense Force groups (PDFs) and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) continued to attack regime targets across the country.

Incidents were reported in Mandalay, Sagaing, Magwe and Tanintharyi regions and Shan and Mon states.

The Irrawaddy has collected the following reports of significant attacks from the PDFs and EAOs.

Some military casualties could not be independently verified.

Heavy clashes in northern Shan, Mandalay

The Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said seven clashes broke out between it and regime forces in Kutkai and Muse townships, northern Shan State and Mogoke Township in neighboring Mandalay Region in a single day on Tuesday.

Many regime troops were killed and nine weapons and some ammunition were seized from the junta forces. A total of 52 clashes have broken out between the TNLA and regime forces since July 23.

Regime forces killed in ambush in Mon

Five regime forces were killed in Kyaikhto Township, Mon State on Tuesday when the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU), and other resistance groups attacked military sentries near the Yangon-Mawlamyine highway, said Seven Ravens Column, which joined the raid.

There were no resistance casualties, the group said.

Military unit attacked in Sagaing



Joint resistance forces engage in a clash with a military unit of 200 troops in Myaung Township on Sunday. / MSPDF

Myaung Special Peoples Defense Force (MSPDF) claimed to have killed four junta troops as it and other resistance groups jointly ambushed a military unit of around 200 troops raiding villages in Myaung Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday.

They also triggered land mines to ambush regime forces retreating from the first ambush site. On the next day, the military unit burned a Buddhist religious building along with rations including 250 rice bags during their raid on Anauk Village in the township.

Junta troops attacked at KTV in Sagaing

At least eight regime troops including an officer were killed in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region on Sunday when a PDF group attacked regime forces having fun at a KTV karaoke establishment in Kawlin town, according to media reports citing resistance forces.

The shootout ended after an hour when junta reinforcements from a nearby military position arrived at the clash site. A resistance fighter was injured in the thigh by a junta explosive, the PDF group told the media.

Military convoy bombed in Magwe

Many regime forces are believed to have been killed or injured in Pakokku Township, Magwe Region on Monday when three resistance groups triggered mines placed in trees to ambush a military convoy on a road outside Pakokku town, said Alindan Guerilla Force, which coordinated the attack.

Photos released by the resistance group show the blood-soaked ambush site.

On Sunday, the resistance groups used 120-mm and 90-mm improvised mortar rounds to bombard the pro-regime village of Twin Ma, which is the base of a pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia group, and regime soldiers in Myaing Township.

Details of the damage and military casualties were unknown.

Regime forces shelled in Magwe

Joint resistance forces fire improvised rocket bombs targeting regime forces in Myaing town on Sunday. / Phoenix Ranger PDF

Phoenix Ranger Defense Force (PRDF) said it and two other resistance groups used 20 improvised rocket bombs to target regime forces stationed at a hospital and school in Myaing town, Magwe Region on Sunday.

At least one soldier suffered serious injuries, the group said, citing military informants.

On Saturday, the groups used six rocket bombs to attack regime forces who raided villages while they were gathering at a location in the town, said the PRDF.

Military vehicle attacked in Tanintharyi

The resistance group Guerilla Dawei said it and other resistance groups ambushed five regime forces including a captain traveling in a vehicle in Launglon Township, Tanintharyi Region on Tuesday.

After being ambushed, the junta forces managed to flee in the vehicle. Military casualties were unknown.
Thousands of Shan State and Mandalay Region civilians have fled their homes this week amid fighting between Myanmars junta and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

The TNLA, the armed wing of the Palaung State Liberation Front, reported seven clashes on Tuesday with junta troops in Muse and Kutkai townships in northern Shan State and Mogoke Township in neighboring Mandalay Region.

Two morning clashes broke out near Ahtet Nyaung Kone and Out Nyaung Kone villages in Mogoke when Infantry Battalions 102, 104 and 88 attempted to raid TNLA Brigade 2 territory.

The TNLA said it attacked five regime camps in the afternoon and around 400 villagers fled their homes in the fighting.

Clashes were reported in Muse Township on the Chinese border on Tuesday morning when TNLA Battalion 1 and a special commando unit raided a regime base near Sai Khaung village. Around 340 residents from 131 households reportedly fled the fighting.

On Tuesday, fighting was reported in neighboring Kutkai Township when a large regime force attempted to seize TNLA Brigade 1 territory near Kho Mone village, according to the group.

The TNLA claimed the junta suffered heavy losses on Tuesday without giving its own casualty figures.

Nine regime weapons were seized along with ammunition, the TNLA reported.

Heavy junta shelling injured civilians and damaged homes, the group said.

On Monday, around 1,200 residents from several Muse villages were displaced by fighting along the Muse-Namhkam highway when regime forces attempted to raid TNLA mountain bases, according to residents.

Regime forces opened fire in Mam Kan village, injuring a 40-year-old woman, while two junta shells hit a monastery compound.

Junta soldiers indiscriminately used rifles and shells in our village while people were fleeing. A woman was shot in the thigh by the soldiers, a Man Kan villager told The Irrawaddy.

Food and tents are urgently needed for displaced people, a civilian sheltering at Ton Khun village told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday.

At least 52 clashes between the TNLA and regime forces have been reported in upper Mandalay Region and northern Shan State since July 23, according to the armed group.
Faced with widespread armed resistance, Western sanctions and boycotts from some regional governments, the regime in Myanmar has aggressively stepped up and strengthened its diplomatic engagement with its few allies including China and Russia.

In danger of being outplayed, the exiled National Unity Government and opposition forces, including the ethnic leaders, are now in catch-up mode and have a lot of homework to do in this area.

China has opened its arms to the regime, which is eagerly forging ever closer and warmer relations with Myanmars giant neighbor. Beijings geostrategic and economic interests in Myanmar are far greater than those of India and Thailand, two other key countries that continue to engage with the junta.

The regime depends on aid, investment and military supplies from China, but reengagement also brings with it many challenges as Myanmars population overwhelmingly oppose efforts by other nations to lend legitimacy to the brutal junta.

The juntas Foreign Ministry reported in February that China is funding 92 projects worth US$27.4 million in Myanmar through the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund.

In August, at the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Economic Corridor Governors Forum in Kunming, China, the juntas Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Minister Dr. Kan Zaw told the gathered delegates that China has 597 investment projects in Myanmar worth a combined $21.863 billion.

In recent months, the regime has sent dozens of delegations to southern China to attend key economic conferences. Three key ministersKan Zaw, Information Minister Maung Maung Ohn and Commerce Minister Aung Naing Oo have all made trips to China.

China also continues to provide a large amount of aid to the powerful Ministry of Home Affairs in Naypyitaw, which has used the funds to build a digital forensic lab and acquire speed boats.

Last week Myanmars ambassador to China asked Beijing to share advanced nuclear technology to be used in Myanmars agriculture, health and energy sectors.

Self-interest

Myanmar has descended into a state of near civil war since the coup, but Beijing continues to engage the war criminals in Naypyitaw while defending them before the UN Security Council.

On the ground, Beijing is building a railway linking Kyaukphyu in Rakhine State with the key border town of Muse in Shan State via Myanmars second-largest city, Mandalay. The railroad is part of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridoritself part of Chinas vast, international Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)and Beijing is also expanding investment in oil and gas pipelines in Myanmar, as well as tin, copper and rare earth mining, electricity production and border trade.

Engagement with Chinas southern region became more active after Wang Ning, a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC)s Central Committee and secretary of the CPCs Yunnan provincial committee, met Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyitaw in April, signing agreements on rice, agricultural produce and fertilizer trade, and power purchases. In this case, the Yunnan administration took the lead, with no direct engagement between Naypyitaw and Beijing.

Under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) forum, China has aggressively forged closer ties with the regime, creating uneasiness among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) governments, as the regional grouping continues to ban the juntas top leaders and foreign minister from its annual conferences and summits.

At the same time, the regime has used the China-ASEAN forum, which is held in China, as a venue to engage members of ASEAN, affording it a degree of legitimacy.

Next month, China will celebrate the 10th anniversary of President Xi Jinpings BRI, marking the occasion by hosting the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing. There has been speculation that Min Aung Hlaing will be invited to attend the forum. Should he do so, China and the juntas cooperation will only be strengthened. It would also signal that China has finally jettisoned its cautious approach in favor of open and full engagement with the brutal regime in Naypyitaw.

Increasingly concerned with instability on the border, Beijing has stepped up collaboration not only with the regime but also with ethnic armed organizations operating on the frontier, stepping up cooperation on security and other border issues such as transnational crime, including online fraud and gambling syndicates, and collaboration between the two countries police forces has been enhanced.

Chinese shadow over election plans

Aside from economic engagement, senior members of the junta-appointed Union Election Commission (UEC) visited China recently. Junta media said the Myanmar delegation would observe the CPCs efforts at state-building and party-building in China, a one-party state where elections are nonexistent.

UEC chief Thein Soe also made a separate visit to Russia.

In the first week of September, junta boss Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told his cabinet that he plans to hold an election after a national census in October next year, indicating that the poll will not take place until at least 2025.

Interestingly, in July, Thein Soe observed elections in Cambodia, held soon after the main opposition party was banned. The poll was criticized by the worlds democracies as neither free nor fair. Critics said it was nothing more than legal cover used by Hun Senthen one of the worlds longest-serving leadersto hand power to his son, Hun Manet, who became Cambodias prime minister last month.

In any case, last week, in his first foreign trip as head of government, Hun Manet visited China and met Xi, signaling that the transition would do nothing to disrupt Cambodias status as one of Beijings staunchest allies in Southeast Asia, in return for which it receives huge sums in Chinese investment.

Chinese leaders were impressed by Hun Sens deft management of the election in Cambodia and have presumably conveyed a message to the junta leaders in Naypyitaw to organize their long-promised vote in Myanmar. Western countries insist no election held under the junta could be free or fair. Does China want to see the left hand turn over power to the right hand in Myanmar? Would it be wishful thinking to believe that China will use its influence under its stepped-up engagement with the junta to push for an election that would lead to a transition to some form of civilian government?

Friends in Russia, Belarus

Beijing is not alone in strengthening its friendship with the regime in Naypyitaw. This month, junta Foreign Minister Than Swe visited Russia and met with his counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Than Swe told a press conference that relations between the two pariah nations were at a new peak and that he understood the current situation in Russia.

Expanding ties with another Eastern European friend, the regime opened a consulate in Belarus capital Minsk this month. Russia and Belarus are major arms suppliers to the regime. Russia has always been supportive of the regime at the UN and Belarus has also refused to join other members of the world body in condemning the military coup.

The junta has also renewed its old friendship with North Korea, recently appointing a new ambassador to the isolated country. Tin Maung Swe, the regimes ambassador to China, will concurrently serve as envoy to North Korea. In the past, the US had expressed concern over Pyongyangs continuing efforts to provide weapons to the junta.

However things unfold, as mentioned earlier these efforts to foster ties will bring challenges. In Myanmar, anti-Chinese sentiment is running high as Beijing has repeatedly supported the regime on the global stage while also selling it weapons worth millions of dollars to use in its brutal crackdown on opponents of military rule. Chinese projects have been targeted in Myanmar since the coup.

Politically and in terms of human rights, democratic and opposition forces in Myanmar draw inspiration from the West, something that elicits mistrust from China. There is very limited communication between Beijing and Myanmars democratic forces, though China continues to engage ethnic armed groups on the border, pressuring them to enter dialogue with the regime. However, it is very unlikely that ethnic forces are going to strike any formal ceasefire or agreement with the Myanmar military for the time being.

Beijing, Russia and Belarus stepped up engagement with the regime in Myanmar will not win the hearts and minds of the majority of Myanmar people. For that reason, their engagement will necessarily remain limited, uninspiring and one-sided, based as it is on narrowly focused strategic self-interest.
Friday, Jan 6th, 2023 (12:01 am) - Score 4,032

The UK Gov has confirmed that two new laws came into force on 26th Dec 2022, which make it both mandatory for property developers to ensure that new build homes are constructed with support for faster broadband, and to make it easier to expand that into big residential buildings (MDU) when rogue landlords fail to respond.

At present almost 73% of UK premises are already within reach of gigabit-capable broadband speeds (here), but there have long been some weak spots that the new laws seek to tackle. The first represents the governments recent update to the old Building Regulations 2010 (aka  the Building etc. (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2022), which weve already summarised extensively before (here).

NOTE: The updated building regs only apply to England, but Wales, Scotland and N.Ireland are separately being encouraged to follow suit.

The government says this will ensure that new homes constructed in England will be fitted with infrastructure and connections capable of delivering gigabit broadband. But as weve said before, the actual policy is technically somewhat less prescriptive and only mandates at least a superfast broadband connection (30Mbps+), before adding, failing that, at least a Universal Service Obligation-standard connection (10Mbps+).

However, even where a gigabit-capable connection is not available within the 2,000 cost cap for this policy, gigabit-ready infrastructure, such as ducts, chambers and termination points, still need to be installed. This will ensure that homes are fit for the digital age, but may not be connected straight away, said the government (DCMS).

Nevertheless, it should be said that the gap that this legislation seeks to correct has largely already been tackled by the market. Data referenced in the governments related technical consultation suggested that approximately 12% (just 25,300 homes) still did not have access to a full fibre (FTTP) connection upon construction in a typical year. But more recent data, from a different source, suggested that 99.03% of houses constructed during the first half of 2022 were connected to a gigabit-capable network (here).

Julia Lopez, Digital Infrastructure Minister, said: Nothing should stop people from seizing the benefits of better broadband, whether it is an unresponsive landlord or a property developers failure to act. Thanks to our new laws, millions of renters will no longer be prevented from getting a broadband upgrade due to the silence of their landlord, and those moving into newly built homes can be confident theyll have access to the fastest speeds available from the day they move in.

The second big law being referenced above is the Telecommunications Infrastructure (Leasehold Property) Act (TILPA), which weve also summarised extensively before (here). The law was actually passed some time ago in 2021, but its only new being formally introduced after the usual round of consultations, and applies to both England and Wales (Scotland will get a similar process during summer 2023).

TILPA aims to make it quicker and cheaper for gigabit-capable ISPs / network operators to access big blocks of flats or apartments (MDUs or multi-dwelling units) when rogue landlords fail to respond, and tenants demand faster connections. The new rules essentially tackle this by introducing a significantly cheaper and faster route for dispute resolution via a new court process, but this only applies after a landlord has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for access.

NOTE: The UK is home to approximately 480,000 blocks of flats or apartments (MDUs). Back in 2019 the government estimated that as many as 3,000 extra MDUs a year could be connected to gigabit broadband as a result of the new law.

According to the announcement, broadband network operators have said around 40% of their requests for access to install connections receive no response, which means that impacted tenants may lose out on the benefits of faster speeds. But now its hoped that providers will be able to seek rights to access a property or shared land if the person required to grant access is unresponsive. From the point where a company makes the first request to the landlord, it will take 35 days for this new rule to kick in, said DCMS.

However, landlords, assuming they respond, will still be able to challenge the making of such an order and so it remains to be seen how much of a difference this will actually make. On top of that, the Government will need to ensure that the new court process has enough capacity to handle any additional workload that may come its way. Failure to do that would risk creating further delays. All of this has involved a few updates to the Electronic Communications Code (ECC).

At this point its worth highlighting that further changes are also on the way as part of the new Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act (PSTI), which involves more changes to the ECC that will aim to make it easier for full fibre broadband and mobile operators to upgrade, share and deploy new infrastructure (see detailed summary).
Wednesday, Sep 20th, 2023 (9:10 am) - Score 960

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on new proposals that closely mirror those recently introduced across England (here and here), which would effectively mandate that property developers ensure their new build homes are constructed with support for gigabit-capable broadband connections.

At present every building and building unit in Scotland must already be designed and constructed in such a way that a high-speed ready (30Mbps+) in-building physical infrastructure, up to a network termination point, is provided. In the case of a building which contains more than one building unit, a common access point for high-speed electronic communications networks must be provided.

NOTE: Some 70% of premises in Scotland are currently (H1 2023) already within reach of a gigabit-capable connection ( Some 70% of premises in Scotland are currently (H1 2023) already within reach of a gigabit-capable connection ( here ) and over 98% of new build homes across the UK are already being built with support for full fibre ( FTTP ) infrastructure ( here ).

In simple terms, the new consultation goes further than that and outlines proposals to amend the existing Building Regulations to ensure that all new build homes are equipped with gigabit-capable (1Gbps+) infrastructure from the outset, with a connection available subject to a cost cap (2,000). Failing that, the developer would need to install the next fastest broadband connection possible, also within the same cost cap.

However, in cases where a connection cannot be provided within the cost cap (e.g. in some remote rural areas or individual private house builds it might not be economically viable), there will be a requirement to install the passive infrastructure (e.g. cable ducts) required to facilitate a connection at a later date.

Suffice to say that the proposals for Scotland are almost an exact mirror of Englands prior update to the Building Regulations, which didnt automatically apply to Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland because the related regulations are a devolved matter. As a result, it also suffers from some of the same caveats, which means there will be edge cases of technical and economic infeasibility, where only slower connections may be provided.

Richard Lochhead, Scotlands Innovation Minister, said: The Scottish Government is committed to providing an efficient and resilient digital infrastructure in Scotland, as set out in our National Strategy for Economic Transformation. The importance of an effective digital connection has been highlighted during recent years. It enhances the way we work, communicate with friends and family and access vital public services. A key theme of our digital strategy is ensuring that no one is left behind and that is why we are consulting on these proposals, as we look to transition to a fair, green and growing economy.

The consultation itself will remain open for responses until 12th December 2023. Subject to the outcome of this consultation, Ministers are currently proposing to introduce new requirements via amendment of Building Regulations and supporting guidance in early 2024, before bringing the changes into force later in 2024.
Wednesday, Sep 20th, 2023 (12:04 pm) - Score 3,792

A meeting in the House of Commons (Parliament) was held yesterday that saw MPs from various different parties debate the proposed merger of Three UK and Vodafone (here), which highlighted how the dominant concerns for MPs centre around issues of national security, job losses and the risk of higher prices for consumers.

The merger, which would see Vodafone hold a 51% slice of the business and CK Hutchison (Three UK) retain 49%, has thus far been promoted by the operators as something that would be great for customers, great for the country and great for competition, while also resulting in a major 11bn investment to upgrade the UKs 5G mobile infrastructure and network coverage.

NOTE: The combined business aspires to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their The combined business aspires to reach more than 99% of the UK population with their 5G Standalone (SA) network by 2034 and push fixed wireless access (mobile home broadband) to 82% of households by 2030, among other things.

However, regulators and politicians previously tended to discourage mergers that reduced the number of primary mobile operators to three, largely due to concerns over the impact on competition and consumer prices. But that changed in 2020 after a ruling by the European Court of Justice (here) found that having only 3 operators still made for a competitive market.

On top of that, investing to build national 5G and future 6G networks becomes a lot easier  delivering key benefits in areas of network performance and coverage. But such a large merger may still need to make concessions in order to fend off against regulatory concerns.

Meanwhile, nearly all the MPs taking part in yesterdays debate clearly had some big concerns, typically around the core issues of national security, job losses and pricing. But only a few remarks were made toward the positive improvements in network coverage that may result.

Navendu Mishra (Labour) said: In July, it was announced that Vodafone and Three UK had agreed to combine their businesses, in an effort, they claim, to create one of Europes leading 5G networks. Although I welcome the aspiration, such a deal will have terrible consequences, with higher prices for consumers, job losses alongside inflated corporate profits, and a threat to the UKs national security. When Vodafone and Three merged with TPG in Australia in 2020, they claimed that it would accelerate the benefits of substantial network investments made by both companies, when in reality investment levels across the sector are down by 45%.  Evidence suggests that there is extensive collaboration between the CK Group, the Li family that controls it and the Chinese state. It is well documented that the Li family has strongly backed pro-Beijing hardliner John Lee as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, and supported a draconian new security law that would suppress dissent. On top of this, top CK Group executives sit on Chinese Government committees and have access to the inner circle of the Chinese elite. Does the Minister feel comfortable with a hostile foreign actor potentially having access to millions of UK citizens data?

Sir Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative) said: On the security issueas the hon. Gentleman knows, I have been sanctioned by the Chinese Government, like othersI am concerned that there should be full and due diligence on such a merger, particularly given the Cheung Kong Group and the Li family being so knowingly involved with Chinese Government committees, their contacts in the Chinese Government and having to pass data over under the national security law.

Jim Shannon (DUP) said: One big selling point is that under the proposal, the merged company is expected to deliver 5G coverage to nearly 99% of the UK population, which is huge and important. Constituents contact me regularly about rural network coveragebroadband signals or on the phone network. My constituency of Strangford is rural. I live in the country, so I am fully aware of the issues that some families still have with 5G connection. It can go from working in certain areas of the house to not working at allpeople tell me about it every week in my constituency. That leads to consumers paying extortionate amounts for wi-fi and not getting the service that they deserve.  The comment has been made that the merger will make mobile bills less affordable. That cannot be ignored. We have already had a couple of years in which price increases have been quite significant, and have hit us all. If the merger closes the market to a number of companies, prices may go up. For all our constituents, whether the merger will impact them or not, the issues, including price hikes, security and convenience, must be spoken about.

Carol Monaghan (SNP) said: Under the Chinese Governments state security laws, it would be possible for the personal data of all users of the new merged company to end up in the hands of the Chinese Government. That is bad enough, but Vodafone holds UK Government contracts for the NHS 111 helpline, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence.  Security is one thing, but there are other concerns, as a number of Members have pointed out. What would the merger, and any further monopoly of the telecoms market, mean for consumer costs, consumer choice and job security in the UK? The merger would result in nearly half of all UK consumers falling into the companys market share. As the EU has previously warned when blocking similar mergers, that could harm consumers and give free range for price hikes.

Sir Chris Bryant (Labour) said: As others have said, it will always be a matter of concern when two operators merge, taking the number from four to three, and especially so when that creates an operator with 27 million customers; it would be the largest in the field. That intrinsically implies that there will be less competition in the market, and that consumers might face higher charges.

The Governments Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure, Sir John Whittingdale, replied that he was somewhat limited in his ability to respond to many of the biggest concerns in detail. This is partly because competition policy must be determined by an independent regulator, meaning the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The CMA may then also trigger a fairly new process under the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA), which would look at the aforementioned security concerns. Matters of national security are typically confidential discussions.

Sir John Whittingdale said: [This] gives me an opportunity to say something about the importance of mobile connectivity and 5G technology, which has enormous potential to transform public services and make our workplaces more effective, connecting healthcare workers, vehicles, traffic flows and so forth. We reckon that widespread adoption of 5G could bring 159 billion in productivity benefits across sectors by 2035. The Prime Minister has set out the UKs ambition to be the leading science and technology superpower by 2030. If we are to achieve that aim, connectivity will play a critical role. To reach that point, we will rely heavily on investment by the mobile companies, and we are in regular dialogue with them.  In general, the Government welcome investments into the UK that will support growth and jobs, meet our legal and regulatory requirements, and not compromise our national security, but as everybody who has participated in the debate has stressed, the security of critical national infrastructure is of prime importance.  The hon. Member for Stockport and others expressed concern about the potential impact on jobs. That is essentially a commercial matter for the company. Yes, Vodafone has announced the loss of 11,000 jobs globally over the next three years, and obviously that is a matter of regret. Those are difficult decisions, but they are commercial decisions for the company. There is no reason to believe that the merger will add to that number. Again, that will be taken into account in the examination of the case for the merger. The hon. Gentleman referred to analysis by Unite the union on what happened when a similar merger took place in Australia. However, every market is different. We cannot extrapolate from what happened in Australia, where there were different timings, a different state of the market and different network providers, to reach conclusions about the impact here. On price rises, we recognise that this is a difficult time for many people, who face significant challenges with the cost of living. I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the mobile operators, including Three and Vodafone; they have done a lot to try to support consumers through these difficult times, not just during the rise in the cost of living, but throughout the pandemic, in particular by bringing forward social tariffs for those on low incomes, donating millions of gigabits of data to the National Databank and providing devices through the National Device Bank.

The full debate can be read here, although as the government correctly points out, the decisions about all this will ultimately be up to the regulators.
Montana's TikTok Ban is not without its supporters in the US.

A group of state attorneys general recently showed their support for Montana's statewide TikTok ban, which prohibits the use and installation of the app by anyone within the state's borders.

Montana's TikTok ban became law in mid-May, much to TikTok's dismay, along with the content creators on the platform, who had filed a lawsuit against it.

Support For Montana

Montana's statewide TikTok ban is getting applause from other US states. According to an article from Reuters, a group of 18 state attorneys general stated that they support Montana's effort to ban the installation and use of TikTok within its state.

These attorneys general also urged the US judge handling the lawsuits from TikTok and the content creators on the platform to reject them as the company "intentionally engages in deceptive business practices." According to these attorneys general, TikTok's business practices involve inducing individuals into unwittingly sharing sensitive personal information with the Chinese Communist Party, and TikTok's platform harms children in Montana.

For those unaware, TikTok and the content creators' lawsuit argues that the ban infringes on people's freedom of speech and expression. Although the ban seems to single out the social media platform, the State of Montana also banned other apps, such as Telegram, WeChat, and Temu, from being used and installed within it.

Read More: Apple Staff Allegedly Ordered To Stay Quiet on iPhone 12 Radiation Issue

While there is no evidence that TikTok is directly harming children, the content it hosts on its platform does, according to Bloomberg Law. You may recall that TikTok is the origin point of many social media challenges that resulted in the injury (severe or otherwise) or even death of their participants, which are normally children or adolescents.

Nevertheless, this show of support for Montana's statewide TikTok ban proves that the calls from US lawmakers for a nationwide ban on the app are growing over concerns about possible Chinese government influence. The legislation that gives the Biden administration more power to ban or crack down on TikTok has seemingly stalled.

The ByteDance-owned company has yet to respond to Reuters' request for a comment addressing the state attorneys general's show of support for Montana's statewide ban.

Montana's TikTok Ban

Montana is the first and only US state to have banned TikTok statewide as of press time. The ban, which will take effect on Jan. 2024, will fine digital companies $10,000 per day for making TikTok available for download in their online stores (e.g. Google Play Store/ Apple App Store).

While people living within the state couldn't get the app from the usual channels (Google Play Store/Apple App Store), they could still use a VPN to use or download the app - something that won't be consequential for them. To clarify - the law doesn't impose penalties on individual TikTok users.

Should the ban take effect as planned, would lose the approximately 380,000 users it has in Montana - a third of the state's 1.1 million people.

Related Article: NYC Joins The Ban of TikTok on Government-Issued Devices
Buffalo city lawmakers appear to agree that the City Comptrollers Office should conduct an audit to determine how an employee on administrative leave for 7 years managed to be paid nearly $600,000 during that time without triggering a hearing or an investigation.

Fillmore Council Member Mitch Nowakowski introduced a resolution at Tuesdays Common Council meeting that would direct the Comptrollers Office to conduct an audit of all city employees on paid administrative leave. However, a representative from the Corporation Counsel told Council President Darius G. Pridgen that, under the City Charter, the Council cannot compel the comptroller to do any audits, though the lawmakers do have a separate authority to conduct their own audit.

After the meeting, Nowakowski indicated that he was still waiting to hear back from the comptroller, who, he said, has not responded to an informal request so far.

Buffalo mayor requests naming MLK Park casino for Joyce Wilson Nixon Nixon was the longtime executive director of National Inner Cities Youth Opportunities, which for many years was based at the casino.

It seems unlikely that they wouldnt because the comptroller is audit and control, and if theyre not doing audits when they ... are staffed with auditors to do this, it would be beyond embarrassing and a dereliction of duty, Nowakowski said. Im not accusing anybody of anything. Im humbly requesting, with the support of my colleagues, that the comptroller conduct an audit.

The request comes in response to a Sept. 14 story posted online by Investigative Post about Jill Repman, nee Parisi, a Buffalo Fire Department clerk, who has been paid more than half a million dollars by the city since 2016, when she was accused of tampering with the Fire Departments payroll in order to pad her own paychecks and was placed on administrative leave.

According to Investigative Post, Repman, who was first hired by the city in 1994, remained on paid administrative leave for 7 years, while simultaneously receiving paychecks from a private sector job for six of those years.

Repman was recently ordered to return to her Fire Department job, though Nowakowski said he was unsure of when or by whom.

I was just told by the administration that she was called back, and I dont know by what department, Nowakowski said.

Somebody, Im sure, has the answers, but the Common Council doesnt, he added. Im the chairman of (the) Civil Service (committee) and I have a duty to decipher whats right and whats wrong, and Im not just going to sit here and be a do-nothing Civil Service chair.

Nowakowskis Council colleagues lauded his initiative and agreed that an audit by the Comptrollers Office is in order.

This is one case where its a no-brainer, said Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera. There should be an audit. Where did we fail? That doesnt normally happen, and the only way to find out is to have an audit.

University Council Member Rasheed N.C. Wyatt said the Council has a fiduciary responsibility to get to the bottom of the matter.

We have finite resources in this city. No one should get away with something like this, Wyatt said.

Pridgen said it must be determined first whether the Council has the authority to compel the comptroller to conduct an audit. Nowakowski said that, whether or not the Council has that authority, according to the City Charter, the comptroller is charged with the responsibility to conduct an audit under the circumstances.
Retail giant H&M is now among the retail stores that charge customers for returning their online purchases. The move aims to reduce the carbon emissions and decrease the negative environmental impact of mass returns.

Read Also: Netflix, SK Broadband Partnership Ends Three-Year Legal Dispute

Retailers Add Charge for Online Returns

Aside from H&M, fashion retailers Zara and Uniqlo have already started to charge shoppers for their online returns. H&M initially tested the new policy last year in the United States, now the company extended the implementation to the United Kingdom.

UK shoppers will now be charged by $2.47 (1.99) fee for each returned parcel. The charge is considerably small compared to the US costumers who are paying $5.99 for return fee. However, H&M advised that the fee will not be charge if the item is found to be "faulty or incorrect."

"It all depends on how it's received by the customer. So that's why we do a test to see if that is something to fast track," H&M's CEO Helena Helmersson explained as reported by CNN last year.

H&M Cuts Back on Carbon Emission

By putting an extra charge, H&M hopes that this would gradually decrease the amount of carbon emissions that mass returns produce. The Guardian reported that carbon emissions increased to 24 million metric tons from 2019 to 2022, with almost half of it were produced by returning clothes that were purchased online.

Moreover, the handling of returns has proven to be costly for the companies as delivery and labor increases. Additionally, energy and petrol prices are also increasing.

Meanwhile, retail experts agreed with move from the retailers citing that this might be the key to discourage bulk buying online products. Moreover, this could potentially change the landscape for returning online purchase as other retailers are expected to follow the suit.

Related Article: Forever 21 Data Breach Leaves Over 500,000 People Affected
Thanks to bright minds heading us to a modern era, we've had innovations that can save lives and enhance the quality of living. Advancements in the medical field keep coming, and now we might soon see premature newborns complete their nine-month term outside their biological mother's womb.

Artificial Womb for Premies

As you've learned in science class, babies need to stay in the womb for nine months before they can be born, but that's not always the case. Some babies come out early due to complications. This can be dangerous for the baby as their body is not yet ready for the outside world.

The US Food and Drug Administration is already holding a meeting of independent advisors to weigh in on the matter. Their decision will determine whether clinical trials using the "Biobag" would be viable to improve the survival and health of preterm newborns.

Headed by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the device is also called Extra-uterine Environment for Newborn or EXTEND for short. The team has already tested the procedure out with a premature lamb, as reported by Interesting Engineering.

To create a suitable environment for the subject, the researchers created amniotic fluid through a lab and infused it in the Biobag. This makes the artificial womb similar to that of an organic womb where the fetus is surrounded by liquid.

Of course, the amniotic fluid was not enough to sustain life. The scientists also supplied the fetus with oxygen through the fetal bloodstream. It was supplied through a device that was linked to the umbilical cord.

The artificial womb is made for the gestation and growth of extremely preterm newborns, specifically those that were born at under 28 gestation. They are more at risk of morbidity and even death and a NICU may not be enough.

It was a successful procedure since the lamb managed to grow within the artificial womb for up to four weeks, which in a human baby, is equivalent to 23-24 weeks. When the trials are approved, the researchers can determine whether the technology works on humans as well.

Read Also: Surgeons Use Virtual Reality Surgery to Separate 3-Year-Old Conjoined Twins

The Importance of Growing Full-Term

There are already measures for such circumstances. Babies that are born early are kept in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) which keeps the premature baby warm until they reach the appropriate level of development.

For those who are missing a few weeks, they have a higher chance of survival. Extremely premature babies, however, do not get the same rate. The rate of premature births has been growing over the years.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one out of ten babies were premature back in 2021, which was a 4% increase from the previous year. This can lead to a lot of complications for the newborn, some of which are endured for the rest of their life.

Babies who survive may have breathing problems, feeding difficulties, developmental delay, visual impairment, hearing impairment, cerebral palsy, and more. These are often caused by the underdevelopment of their organs as they were born too early.

Related: Telehealth Might Be A Thing In The Future With Samsung's IntelliTek Health Partnership
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

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.
Business leaders are fond of saying that what gets measured gets done.

If thats true, it should follow that what gets measured more frequently gets done more quickly.

That is something Erie County Legislature Chairwoman April Baskin will seek to make sure the good intentions and improved processes for ensuring diversity on the Buffalo Bills stadium project translate into actual contracts and jobs for minorities, females and veterans.

Making sure all segments of the community reap the benefits of the $850 million public investment in the $1.54 billion stadium has always been a concern. But it has taken on added urgency since June, when an Empire State Development review of initial stadium contracts found that the project was not meeting its goals of 15% each for minority- and women-owned business enterprises and 6% for service-disabled and veteran-owned businesses.

County officials said that shortfall resulted in some difficult conversations with the Bills and the Gilbane/Turner construction management team overseeing the effort, but that everyone is committed to making sure the project has a lasting community impact.

James Blackwell, county Equal Employment Opportunity director, said that since those early meetings and with prompting from the county in cooperation with the state, the projects website has dramatically improved. Changes include making clear that small companies dont have to submit the pre-clearance vetting information required of larger firms, a rigorous process that might have dissuaded some MWBEs or SDVOBs from participating.

The website now also includes prime contractor names and contact info to make it easier for potential subcontractors to make connections, as well as a frequently asked questions section in a bid to make the process more transparent and easier for MWBEs and SDVOBs to navigate.

Figuring out how to be included in the project has been such a challenge that Baskin had the EEO Office survey MWBEs to get a sense of what they had experienced. Blackwell said the survey results were pretty positive, though a comments section will be beneficial in further improving the process. Baskin said the survey will be discussed at the Oct. 5 meeting of the Legislatures MWBE Committee.

Broadened outreach efforts include running ads about project opportunities in additional minority-owned media, such as Panorama Hispano News and Black-owned WUFO Radio. They have also held community meetings in the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Library on Buffalos East Side, in Lackawanna and in North Tonawanda. A fourth is slated for Thursday in the Ken-Ton Elmwood Commons, 3200 Elmwood Ave., with check-in at 4:30 p.m. and the session starting at 5 p.m. Originally, such sessions were only held near the stadium site in Orchard Park.

We want to meet them where theyre at, Blackwell said of holding meetings in the four communities, something Baskin had pushed for.

The project also has employed the payroll processing firm eMars to track the hours of minority and women workers to make sure the project meets its workforce goals.

And the county has emphasized the importance of meeting the goals, with the result that bid language has been revised to reflect that contractors are obligated to meet or exceed the diversity targets, not just participate in the effort. Blackwell said it has been emphasized that this will be heavily considered when awarding contracts for the project.

Calling the Bills and Gilbane/Turner good partners, Blackwell said theres a recognition that the massive project has the opportunity to change a lot of peoples lives. He said the priority of Baskin, the Legislature and County Executive Mark Poloncarz is to make sure that the lives changed are representative of the county as a whole. And despite the early shortfalls in meeting the diversity goals, hes comfortable in saying this is going to be a very good story in the end.

For its part, Gilbane/Turner said it appreciates the input from community stakeholders and is excited by the interest shown at the community outreach sessions. It invites those interested in participating on the project to visit the website at buffalobillsnewstadium.com.

As the work proceeds, we will continue our formal outreach program to meet minority, women, and service disabled-veteran owned firms in their own community and ensure they have access to opportunities to work on this exciting project, the management team said by email.

We have seen progress in developing more inclusive processes, said Baskin, who has been leading the effort to both establish meaningful goals and to make sure they are met.

For instance, she said, after a meeting of community stakeholders, Gilbane/Turner agreed to solicit local firms to do community outreach and compliance work, and she said local companies have reported being interviewed by the management team after responding to those requests for proposals. The fact that an out-of-town firm was hired to do outreach has been a sore point with both Baskin and local companies  and one that could have, and should have, been avoided in the first place. This move could help rectify that mistake.

Baskin also went to the community outreach sessions and said they were well-attended, adding that subcontractors feel they have more clarity on how to navigate the website and get included on the project.

But, she pointed out, the real proof wont come until new numbers are released showing whether the goals are actually being met. The bottom line, she said, is not just more inclusive processes, but more inclusive outcomes, and that has yet to be seen.

One thing that might help is more frequent reporting on whether the goals are being met. Thats something Baskin said she plans to seek at the Oct. 5 session.

Asked Tuesday about more frequent  and more public  reports, ESD officials said only that the agency reviews MWBE performance on an ongoing basis as contracts are submitted to ensure MWBE goals remain a top priority on the stadium project.

Reviewing is one thing; using those reviews as leverage is another.

Establishing a regular timetable for such reports and promptly making them public  not just sharing them internally with Gilbane/Turner  would undoubtedly help ensure that project participants meet Baskins objective of not only saying the right thing but doing the right thing when it comes to meeting the goals.

After all, sunlight is not only a great disinfectant, its also a great motivator.
In March, former President Donald J. Trump called current President Joe Biden "a stone-cold criminal, caught dead to right, and nothing happens to him." At a town hall in June, Trump said "You can't have law and order in a country where you have such corruption." In July, Trump stated "So they impeach me for a 'perfect' phone call, and they don't impeach Biden for being the most corrupt president in the history of the United States." Talk about projecting your own behavior onto someone else. Has this man no shame? The last time I looked, President Biden had never been indicted. Trump, along with many of his so-called associates have been. At some point in the future, I truly believe that the country will finally say "Enough is enough." All Trump does is sow more division, anger and hatred between Americans who are fast becoming tired of his endless partisan politics, gamesmanship and lies. 218 Pounds? Virtually every single utterance from Trump is one of self-aggrandizement. Kudos to Republican Sen. Mitch Romney for recognizing it's time for new leadership. The country doesn't need senior citizens "fighting it out" for more power or for their egos. Go home. And while you are at it, take Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi and Dianne Feinstein with you. Thank you for your service, but it's time.
This hardly seems what the Founding Fathers had in mind. In fact, it exemplifies what they feared.

When they debated the Constitutions impeachment clause, there was some disagreement over defining the instances in which this most serious sanction would be appropriate.

After agreeing on treason and bribery, they wanted to find a way to define official malfeasance. George Mason suggested maladministration, a term already used in six states. But James Madison objected, saying, so vague a term will be equivalent to a tenure during pleasure of the Senate.

Ultimately, they added the phrase other high crimes and misdemeanors, leaving future generations to define what that meant.

Subsequent presidential impeachments show how broadly it has been interpreted, ranging from lying about questionable personal acts (Bill Clinton) to misuse of governmental authority for political gain (Andrew Johnson, Richard Nixon and Donald Trump).

Now, under pressure from his rabidly right-wing faction, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has decided to apply the constitutional standard to President Biden, even though months of Republican investigations have uncovered nothing remotely resembling high crimes and misdemeanors, nor treason or bribery.

They suggest this may enable them to widen the net of Biden family financial documents subject to subpoena, hopeful of uncovering tangible evidence the president benefited from his sons ventures or, perhaps, enabling them to accuse him of obstructing their investigation if he refuses, a standard aspect of all recent impeachments.

But they set no goal or time frame for the investigation, and, unlike some prior presidential impeachments, most dont appear interested in forcing Bidens removal from office, lest that elevate Vice President Harris to the presidency.

Rather, their goal seems nakedly political  to weaken Bidens public standing and offset the impact of the four pending criminal cases against Trump.

Unfortunately, they seem to be succeeding, even before starting formal impeachment proceedings.

You look at the polling and right now Donald Trump is seven points ahead of Joe Biden and trending upward. Joe Bidens trending downward, contended House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, touting the impact of his panels probes in an interview with Ashley Strohmier of Fox News.

While Comer somewhat exaggerated, a recent CNN poll showed six of 10 sampled thought Biden had been involved in his son Hunters questionable overseas business dealings, and two-thirds of those thought he had acted illegally.

And a Fox News poll showed nearly half of those sampled agreed the word corrupt describes Biden, only a few points less than Trump.

These efforts follow the script McCarthy touted eight years ago for the GOPs effort to weaken another Democratic presidential candidate.

Everybody thought Hillary Clinton was unbeatable, right, the California Republican told Fox News Sean Hannity in an October 2015 interview. But we put together a Benghazi special committee, a select committee. What are her numbers today? Her numbers are dropping.

Trump, who sometimes commits the Washington gaffe of inadvertently blurting out the truth, speculated  with reason  that his impeachments prompted the one against Biden.

They did it to me, Trump told former Fox and NBC host Megyn Kelly during a SiriusXM radio interview this month. And had they not done it to me, I think, and nobody officially said this, but I think had they not done it to me  perhaps you wouldnt have it being done to them.

The two situations are very different. But there are some connections.

Trumps initial impeachment stemmed from his phone call threatening Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that he might withhold congressionally approved arms aid unless the Ukrainians revived an investigation of Hunter Bidens activities with an energy company there.

As vice president, Biden played a major role in ousting the countrys chief prosecutor, on corruption grounds. Trump and other GOP critics contend without proof that his real motive was to benefit his sons activities there.

Until the phone call surfaced, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had resisted liberal Democrats seeking to start impeachment proceedings. But when seven prominent moderates joined them, she acted. On the December 2019 vote to impeach Trump, all but two Democrats voted for it, and all Republicans voted against.

In the Senate trial, Utah Sen. Mitt Romney was the only Republican to join the Democrats in voting to convict Trump; the 48-52 vote was well short of the necessary two-thirds.

Trumps second impeachment stemmed from his role in inciting the violent Jan. 6, 2021, takeover of the Capitol as Congress was meeting to certify Bidens election. This time, 10 House Republicans joined the Democrats.

In that Senate trial, held after Trump left office, seven GOP senators joined all 50 Democrats to form a 57-43 majority, 10 votes short of two-thirds.

Both impeachments stemmed from specific acts by Trump. Some Republicans have been calling for Bidens impeachment since they captured the House last November. But despite months of investigation, they have not yet uncovered anything specific to warrant it, though they hope further investigation will.

Trumps comments basically confirmed the tit-for-tat partisan motivation of McCarthy and his House Republicans.

One of the Founding Fathers principal fears was the prospect of such partisanship  Alexander Hamilton called political parties the most fatal disease of democratic government.

And in Federalist No. 65, he presciently expressed concern that, in cases of impeachment, the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstration of innocence or guilt.
Press Release

September 20, 2023 Bong Go provides more support to TESDA graduates in Victorias City, Negros Occidental Senator Christopher "Bong" Go congratulated Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) trainees who graduated in Victorias City, Negros Occidental on Friday, September 15. During the program held at the Victorias City Training Center, in partnership with E-Tech Global Training Academy, Go's team provided shirts, grocery packs, and snacks to 75 graduates. In his video message, the senator seized the opportunity to applaud the graduates for their dedication and resilience in successfully accomplishing their training programs. "Binabati ko po ang lahat ng mga graduates ng Technical Education and Skills Development Authority ngayong araw na ito. Malaking tagumpay po ito para sa inyong lahat dulot ng inyong mga pagsisikap upang makumpleto ang inyong pag-aaral," said Go. "Habang ipinagdiriwang natin ang inyong graduation, lubos din akong nagpapasalamat sa TESDA dahil matagumpay ito na nakapagbibigay ng mga kakayahan at kasanayan sa ating mga kababayan upang mabigyan sila ng job at livelihood opportunities, at magkaroon ng mas magandang kinabukasan," he continued. The senator also underscored the significance of vocational education in empowering individuals and fostering the progress of communities. He recognized the role played by TESDA in delivering accessible and high-quality training programs that equip Filipinos with the necessary skills to attain improved job prospects and actively participate in the country's economic development. "We need more skilled workers in various industries, and I encourage you graduates to use your newly acquired skills to help our country's economy grow. You are now equipped to contribute to our society and make a positive impact in your respective communities," Go encouraged. "Your hard work and commitment to honing your skills have not gone unnoticed. Today, you stand as a testament to the power of determination and the transformative impact of vocational education. I commend each and every one of you for your achievements," he added. Also in attendance were Victorias City Vice Mayor Abelardo "JunB" Bantug, TESDA Provincial Director Connie Dodd, Negros Occidental Public Employment Service Office (PESO) Manager Sharon Juance, Victorias City PESO Manager Armen Tabligan, and E-Tech Global Regional Manager Sher Ann Kho. Meanwhile, Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, encouraged the public to seek the assistance of the Malasakit Center located at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) located in Bacolod City. Go, principal author and sponsor of the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019, has championed the cause of providing convenient access to medical assistance programs for particularly poor and indigent patients. Currently, there are 159 Malasakit Centers established throughout the nation, which have already assisted more than seven million Filipinos, as reported by DOH. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has backed numerous initiatives aimed at fostering economic growth and raising the standards of public service delivery within the province. These include the construction of a revetment, multi-purpose public facilities, and several road maintenance initiatives in Bacolod City; and the construction of a multi-purpose building and concreting of a local road in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto. Other initiatives that Go pushed for include the construction of multi-purpose buildings in Calatrava and Himamaylan City; road maintenance in Bago City; and construction of a new infectious diseases wing at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City. Last August 25, Go's team provided assistance to struggling small business owners in Cauayan.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A series of delays, including state inaction and the absence of the trial magistrate and key witnesses, have further prolonged the attempted murder trial of Marry Mubaiwa, the former wife of Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.The trial, which was postponed for the third time in September, faced interruptions due to the magistrate's unavailability. On September 7, John Mangwiro, a former deputy health minister and a critical witness in the case, also failed to appear.During previous trial sessions, Mangwiro stated that Chiwenga was transported to China for medical treatment after the alleged attempt on his life. He emphasized that they were concerned about Marry Mubaiwa's interference and the safety of Chiwenga.Mangwiro is scheduled to testify on October 23 when the trial resumes. He will undergo cross-examination by Beatrice Mtetwa, Mubaiwa's lawyer, who denies the charges against her.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe has earned a spot at this year's Miss Universe competition, which will take place in El Salvador, Central America, in two months.Brooke Bruk Jackson, a 21-year-old beautician, was crowned the winner at a glamorous ceremony held at the Harare Hippodrome auditorium. Jackson emerged victorious after competing with 11 other finalists and secured her ticket to represent Zimbabwe at the Miss Universe pageant in November.Jackson's win comes with a host of prizes, including a US$10,000 cash prize, a trip to Victoria Falls, a one-year contract with clothing company Hilz Couture, a spa treatment, two years of accommodation, beauty products, and air tickets to and from Central America. Additionally, she will become a brand ambassador for several sponsoring companies.The first princess title was awarded to Nokutenda Marumbwa, while the second princess crown went to Amanda Ziyambi Mpofu. Jackson expressed her pride in being Zimbabwean and her excitement at representing her country on the international stage.Miss Universe Zimbabwe was praised for promoting opportunities for young women to excel in various areas and for aligning with the vision of empowering the girl child and promoting Zimbabwe's potential for development.The event featured high-profile judges, including reality star Luis Munana, businesswomen Zodwa Mkandla, Pokelo Nare, and Joana Sharpe, as well as former Miss Universe Zimbabwe Langa Sibanda, among others. The ceremony was entertained by musicians such as Prudence Katomeni-Mbofana, Nutty O, Diamond Musica, and Enzo Ishall.Note: The original text contained numerous factual inaccuracies and inconsistencies. The rewrite attempts to convey the core information more accurately.
Weather Alert

...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures, as low as the low 20s in the mountains and near 29 in the piedmont. * WHERE...Portions of north central and northwest North Carolina and central, south central, southwest and west central Virginia. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 10 AM EDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will sensitive plants, and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Temperatures are expected to be even colder Wednesday night. A hard freeze is expected areawide Wednesday night and early Thursday with temperatures well below freezing. This will put an end to growing season. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. Plants that you wish to preserve through the winter months should be brought indoors. 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. &&
Reddit 56 Email 168 Shares

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The World Weather Attribution site, run by professional European climate scientists, estimated that An event as extreme as the one observed over Libya has become up to 50 times more likely and up to 50% more intense compared to a 1.2C cooler climate.

They mean that in the eighteenth century, when the average surface temperature of the earth was 2.16 Fahrenheit less than it is today, four days in a row of torrential rain in arid Libya would have been 50 times less likely, and if it had happened it would have been only half as intense. Half as intense might have meant that the ageing, un-repaired dams near Derna would not have collapsed, washing away 20,000 people into the Mediterranean.

There is a reason that the average surface temperature of the earth is 2.16 F. (1.2 C.) higher than in the Holocene from roughly 10,000 years Before Present to about 150 years Before Present. It is called the Industrial Revolution.

Historians such as Eric Hobsbawm wrote about the twin revolutions of the early nineteenth century the French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution, that created the modern world. The French Revolution announced a set of political ideals around equality of rights that spun out across the world, helping inspire revolutions in Haiti, Ireland and Europe (1848). Hobsbawm, a progressive, did not dwell on its other legacy, of the Great Terror and political repression. Likewise, historians of his generation did not know yet (it wasnt their fault) that the Industrial Revolution had an even darker dark side. It unleashed the biggest emissions of carbon dioxide in the shortest amount of time in world history.

The al-Bilad and Abu Mansour dams, as the authors note, were built under Col. Moammar Gaddafis dictatorship in the early 1970s, as part of his turn to big infrastructure projects of high modernism. Not only hadnt they been properly maintained, their original specifications were intended to meet the climate of the Holocene, when a four-day deluge of water could be expected to occur only once in 300 to 600 years. That is, you cant blame the engineers for not planning for something that unlikely.

But heres the kicker. Virtually everything ever built was built for the specifications of the Holocene, the period of human history during which civilization grew up. It is all becoming outmoded and even dangerous. Those above-ground electrical wires on poles, e.g., are implicated in some of Californias wildfires. The hurtling of 20,000 surprised Libyans into the sea is not a fluke, it is a harbinger of our future if we go on burning coal, petroleum and fossil gas at the scale we are now doing.

The authors write, This disaster also points to the challenge of needing to design and maintain infrastructure for not just the climate of the present or the past, but also the future. In Libya, this means taking into account the long-term decline in average rainfall, and at the same time, the increase in extreme rainfall like this heavy rainfall event; a challenging prospect, especially for a country plagued by crises.

In the earths 4.5 billion-years-old history, there have been many times when a sudden increase in carbon dioxide has led to an increase in the surface temperature of the earth, as is detailed by Professor Michael E. Mann in his new book,

Our Fragile Moment. In these previous episodes, however, volcanic activity over millions of years gradually spewed more and more CO2 into the atmosphere, so that they very gradually heated up the earth. The fiendishly clever human race has figured out how to do over the space of 200 years what previous climate-altering phenomena took millions of years to do.

We can also halt the worst of the disaster by switching quickly to green energy. In fact, this is our Darwinian moment, which will reveal whether we are intelligent and fit enough to survive ourselves.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Fabled Copper Corp. ("Fabled" or the "Company") (CSE:FABL) (FSE:XZ7) is pleased to announce the results of the first phase sampling program on the OHM Property (the "Property").

The OHM Property consists of 51 contiguous cells comprising of 2,856 hectares located approximately 70 kms south of Val D'Or. The OHM Property can be easily accessed from the main highway, route 117 and forestry roads 43 and 44 with numerous secondary cutting roads. It is estimated that 80% of the Property has been logged thus outcrop visibility is excellent.

A minimum of at least 10 pegmatite outcrops have been documented by the previous operators of the Property. No documented work has been done in the search for lithium within the pegmatite swarms. See Figure 1 below.

Figure 1 - OHM Property

Preamble

The late spring and summer of 2023 was challenging due to forest fires in northern Quebec and as a result work in the forest was prohibited. In late July 2023 the ban was lifted for the OHM Property area and a first phase exploration sampling program was conducted over a period of a week. The main objectives of the program were as follows:

To determine accessibility, road conditions, field conditions. To determine if pegmatites exist on the Property and over what area. If pegmatites were found, to determine if they were boulders, glacial trains or insitu outcrops. If boulders (not in place), what is the shape (rounded means transported a great distance, angular (meaning not traveled very far or heaved up from frost from outcrop below).

If coarse grained meaning slow cooling or outer envelope of an intrusive, if fine grained, fast cooling and closer to the heat source. To determine if the boulders and or outcrops contained lithium and or associated subsets of minerals and are the concentration of minerals associated with a particular type of texture, fine grained verses coarse grained. And finally do the results warrant a more comprehensive field program.

Discussion on the Findings.

During the week of July 17th, 2023 the Property was prospected and 19 samples numbered 28902 - 28920 were collected over an area of approximately 8 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers in width, being 1600 hectares of the 2,856 hectares in total on the property. See Map 1 below, Table 1 below.

The purpose of the sampling to was obtain typical pegmatite samples over as great an area as possible to determine if any one area is more favorable for further exploration. Hundreds of angular and lesser amount of rounded pegmatite boulders were seen. The center location of the property has pegmatite outcropping / sub cropping with the dimensions yet to be determined.

Geologic rock sequences observed were meta - seds traversing the Northwest sector, followed by bands of amphibolite kneiss followed by a 2 kilometer with of pegmatite boulders with outcrop terminated by Lac Rochester to the southeast. All observed trends are approximately N45E, including Lac Rochester.

Map 1 - Sample Locations

The northeast sector contains very course to knobby pegmatite while the southwest sector contains fine grained pegmatite. LTC pegmatites comprise a compositional defined subset of granitic pegmatites. The majority minerals are quartz, potassium feldspar, albite and muscovite all present in the pegmatites viewed except for 5mm garnets present in the knobby and coarse pegmatites. See Photo 1 below.

LTC pegmatites crystallize at remarkably low temperatures (about 350 - 550 C) in a short period of time thus the large crystal sizes of associated minerals.

Photo 1 - Knobby Pegmatite to left, Coarse grained Pegmatite to Right

Outcrop and sub crop in the central section as shown below. See Photo 2 below.

Photo 2 - Outcrop on left, sub crop on right

Early stage reconnaissance in the central part of the property has confirmed promising K / Rb (potassium to rubidium) ratio's in two samples, (28913, 28914) a proven indicator for lithium fertility according to the work of Stelway & al. (2004) for LTC (Lithium - Cesium - Tantalum type pegmatites. As supporting evidence elevated lithium and cesium are contained in the two samples. See Table 1 below.

Sample Number Rock Type Exposure Type Li ppm Cs ppm Rb ppm Be ppm K ppm 28902 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 4.7 0.289 8.55 0.04 0.2 28903 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 8.6 0.774 27.7 0.04 0.46 28904 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 6.9 0.646 23.7 0.04 0.4 28905 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 2 0.093 1.09 0.02 0.04 28906 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 10.8 1.035 31.1 0.04 0.61 28907 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 11.6 2.45 30.5 0.08 0.42 28908 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 2.6 0.241 5.07 0.04 0.14 28909 Fine pegmatite Out crop 29.4 1.175 41.1 0.07 0.37 28910 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 7.3 1.075 18.75 0.05 0.35 28911 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 0.8 0.282 3.9 0.04 0.09 28912 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 0.1 0.19 2.9 0.02 0.11 28913 Knobby pegmatite Out crop 45.8 8.65 150 0.12 3.24 28914 Knobby pegmatite Angular boulder 15.7 2.07 62.1 0.07 1.03 28915 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 3.2 0.623 11.4 0.04 0.24 28916 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 0.9 0.243 3.99 0.02 0.12 28917 Fine pegmatite Rounded boulder 4.2 0.295 12.8 0.04 0.23 28918 Fine pegmatite Rounded boulder 4.6 0.289 12.9 0.05 o.24 28919 Coarse pegmatite Angular boulder 2.7 0.57 10.35 0.02 0.16 28920 Fine pegmatite Rounded boulder 2.8 0.553 10.3 0.02 0.17

Next Steps

With only 19 samples taken over the entire property and given mineral assays of interest located in the central sector and hundreds of pegmatite boulders on the Property yet to be sampled, plus out cropping and sub cropping pegmatites that have not yet been systematically sampled the Company proposes to undertake a Second Phase Exploration Program that it currently believes will consist of following:

An in-depth review of Quebec Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets SIGEOM data base with particular attention to gradient and residual magnetics; magnetic tilt angle, magnetic analytic and magnetic analytic signal and the shadow relief LIDAR over the property. A Property wide detailed sampling program using diamond blade rock saws to obtain both insitu and channel samples due to the hardness of the pegmatites. Detailed structural and pegmatite composition and size mapping of outcrops in the central area.

About Fabled Copper Corp.

Fabled is a junior mining exploration company. Its current focus is to creating value for stakeholders through the exploration and development of its existing drill ready copper properties located in northern British Columbia. The Company's current property package consists of the Muskwa Project and the Bronson Property and comprises approximately 16,219 hectares in three non-contiguous blocks and located in the Liard Mining Division in northern British Columbia.

The Company is also seeking to broaden and diversify its portfolio. The Company has acquired the VOLT 2 lithium Property, located in Miquelton, Quebec and has options to acquire the OHM Property, located in Val D'Or, Quebec and the VOLT 1 Property located in the Miquelton, Quebec.

Mr. Peter J. Hawley, President and C.E.O.

Fabled Copper Corp.

Phone: (819) 316-0919

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For further information please contact:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Peter J. Hawley, P.Geo. President and C.E.O. of Fabled, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions, including, that the Company's financial condition, development plans and business plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that the Company obtains any required regulatory approvals.

Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the failure of the shareholders of the Company to approve the Consolidation Proposal, impacts from the coronavirus or other epidemics, general economic conditions in Canada, the United States and globally; industry conditions, including fluctuations in commodity prices; governmental regulation of the mining industry, including environmental regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; competition for and/or inability to retain drilling rigs and other services; inability to obtain drilling permits; the availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; volatility in market prices for commodities; liabilities inherent in mining operations; changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the mining industry; as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, other than as required by applicable law.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Caprock Mining Corp. (CSE: CAPR) ("Caprock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce high-grade lithium assay results from samples obtained during a recently concluded prospecting and sampling program on the eastern-most claim block (the "Main Claim Block") at its Ackley Lithium-Tin-Molybdenum-REEs property ("Ackley", or the "Property") located in south-eastern Newfoundland, for which the Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest. Assay highlights from the sampling program are provided in Figure 1 below.



Figure 1: Assay Highlights from Samples at Ackley

Caprock's CEO Mr. Vishal Gupta states: "Today's assay results confirm our assessment that Ackley has the potential to host significant lithium mineralization. While these samples were obtained from in-situ zinnwaldite boulders and sub-crop during a first-pass prospecting program in a very small portion of the Main Block called the 'Deer Pond' area, we are already starting to see the delineation of a mineralized trend within the greisened rock at Deer Pond. On the basis of these high-grade assays, Caprock's technical team plans to continue its aggressive exploration of the Main Block in the coming weeks."

Field observations indicate that the sampled zinnwaldite boulders and sub-crop occur in close proximity to the large greisen zone at Deer Pond, however the mineralization appears to be more spatially related to the fine-grained Devonian-aged Ackley granite. This provides Caprock's technical team a prospective area spanning several square kilometres within the Main Block where additional lithium-bearing mineralization could be uncovered. The Company awaits additional confirmation of the zinnwaldite mineralization through detailed petrographic analysis of field samples. Highlighted sample locations are illustrated in Figure 2 below.

Figure 2: Location of Highlighted Samples and Outline of Greisen Zone in the Deer Pond area

Procedures Utilized for Assay Analysis

The samples were submitted to the AGAT Laboratories Ltd. (AGAT) laboratory in St John's, Newfoundland and internally couriered to the AGAT Mining Geochemistry Laboratory in Mississauga, Ontario for sample preparation and assay testing using Sodium Peroxide Fusion (lithium) with inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) finish for multi-element analysis. AGAT is independent of Caprock and is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standards.

About the Ackley Property

Ackley comprises three claim blocks that collectively span an area of 4,550 hectares located less than two hours' drive from St. John's. The claim blocks overlie portions of the contact zone of a large Devonian-aged granite complex with Proterozoic metasediments and volcanics, parts of which are "greisened", or hydrothermally altered, that is similar in age and lithology to the Mount Pleasant deposit in New Brunswick and the East Kemptville deposit in Nova Scotia. Limited historical exploration work across the Main Claim Block by companies including Esso Minerals, American Zinc, Inco and others, discovered occurrences and anomalies of lithium, tin, molybdenum, tungsten and REEs.

Recent magnetometer survey work over part of the Main Claim Block indicates that the altered contact zone may be extensive, covering several square kilometres. Recent limited prospect sampling and historical Esso trenches across the Main claim block returned assays of up to 0.91% lithium oxide, 5.0% molybdenum, 0.67% tin and 1-5% fluorine on surface. Newfoundland government survey maps of this region report some of the highest lake sediment values for REEs on the entire island.

Figure 3: Location of the Three Ackley Claim Blocks Outlined in Red

About Caprock Mining Corp.

Caprock Mining Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on exploring battery metals in Newfoundland and precious metals in Ontario.

The Company has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Ackley Lithium-Tin-Molybdenum-REEs property located on the Burin Peninsula in south-eastern Newfoundland. Additionally, the Company's 100% interest in several gold exploration properties gives it a substantial landholding in the historical Beardmore-Geraldton Gold Belt ("BGB") of Ontario - a belt that has produced over four million ounces of gold historically, and contains the world-class Greenstone gold project (formerly known as the Hardrock gold project) which is being brought to production by a joint venture partnership between Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX) and Orion Mine Finance.

With an experienced management team that has a strong exploration pedigree, Caprock is poised to generate incremental shareholder value by advancing its portfolio of highly prospective exploration projects.

The scientific and technical information disclosed in this release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Vishal Gupta, the Company's President & CEO. Mr. Gupta is a P.Geo. registered with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (PGO), and a. "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

For More Information

Please contact:

Vishal Gupta

President & CEO

Tel.: (647) 466-0506

E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the Company's exploration plans and the timing thereof, the possibility of additional lithium-bearing mineralization being uncovered, the ability to obtain additional confirmation of zinnwaldite mineralization, and the ability to generate incremental shareholder value by advancing the Company's portfolio of projects. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, are forward-looking statements. Although Caprock believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since Caprock can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in Caprock's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Caprock's expectations include risks associated with the business of Caprock; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by Caprock; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Company's mineral properties; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of exploration results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and First Nation groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Caprock's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. Caprock does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Silver Mountain Resources Inc. ("Silver Mountain" or "the Company") (TSXV: AGMR) (OTCQB: AGMRF) is pleased to announce that it has received approval from Perus Ministry of Energy and Mines for its Environmental Impact Declaration (or "DIA") for the Dorita block, one of three groups of mining concessions which make up its 100% owned Castrovirreyna Project, central Peru. This authorization allows the Company to drill 60 diamond holes in 21 drill platforms over 15 months, to build access roads, and to build any other component needed for its approved activities.

Alvaro Espinoza, CEO of Silver Mountain, remarked, "Obtaining the DIA for Dorita is a significant milestone for Silver Mountain and its strategy of advancing the highest priority exploration targets in parallel to the current underground drill program aimed at growing the mineral resource at the nearby Reliquias mine. Once all additional required permits are obtained, we intend to rapidly advance Dorita to grow the mineral inventory in our over 60,000 hectare land package."

The DIA authorization is the initial part of the exploration permitting process in Peru. With this authorization in hand, the Company will request authorization to initiate activities, the final permit needed to begin drilling.

Description of the Dorita Block

The Dorita block is the northernmost group of mining claims and concessions making up the Companys 100% owned Castrovirreyna project, covering over 31,000 hectares. Company geologists have identified three priority targets at Dorita: the Dorita, Dorita North, and Huancarpusa targets. Figure 1 shows the location of the exploration targets within the Dorita block.

At Dorita, a 2.5 km x 1.5 km advanced argillic alteration zone coincides with a prominent magnetic low. The alteration at Dorita is typical of high sulphidation epithermal deposits, with extensive zones of alunite, pyrophyllite and dickite alteration with localized vuggy silica zones around dacitic porphyry stocks. Several mineralized veins and silicified ribs have been identified to date.

At Dorita North and Huancarpusca, silicified and locally brecciated ribs with Au-Ag-Pb-Zn mineralization are hosted in andesitic lava flows and dacitic domes. Significant argillic alteration, occurring as illite-semctite and kaolinite, can be seen over the 1.8km long corridor hosting these silicified ribs. The main mineralized structures have a NE-SE orientation and outcrop over strike lengths of hundreds of meters with gold grades of up to 7.2 g/t Au (see Figure 2) - see https://agmr.ca/high-sulphidation-target-at-pucasora-done-dorita-project/ for a description of the mineralization found at Dorita.

Of the 21 approved platforms, 8 are located in the Huancarpusa target, 6 in Dorita and 7 in Dorita North. Drill platform locations can be modified within the approved working area at any time. Figure 3 shows the location of supported platforms approved at Dorita.

Drilling in the Dorita block is part of the Companys two-pronged strategy to advance the Castrovirreyna project, through rapidly growing the Reliquias mine and fast-tracking the various exploration targets identified to date. Underground drilling in the Reliquias mine continues with three rigs, and our teams are moving forward with the mine rehabilitation needed for a future production start-up. Company geologists continue exploring the 60,000 hectare land package in one of South America's most prolific mining belts.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Silver Mountain Resources Inc.

Alvaro Espinoza, Chief Executive Officer

Qualified Person

Antonio Cruz Bermudez, , P. Geo. Registered Member MAIG is an independent consultant of the Company and the Qualified Person (within the meaning of NI 43-101) responsible for the MRE, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About Silver Mountain

Silver Mountain Resources Inc. is a silver explorer and mine developer planning to restart production at the Reliquias underground mine and currently exploring its 100% owned Castrovirreyna Project, consisting of over 60,000 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims and concessions located in the Huancavelica Region, central Peru. For additional information regarding the Castrovirreyna Project, please refer to the Company's technical report, titled NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate for the Reliquias Mine, Huancavelica- Peru, dated March 27, 2023, effective date March 18, 2023, available at https://sedar.com.

For further information about our drill program, including cross sections of the main veins with drill hole locations, please refer to our corporate presentation, available on our website at www.agmr.ca.

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.

Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures

Silver Mountain follows systematic and rigorous sampling and analytical protocols which meet industry standards. These protocols are summarized below.

Rock channel samples were collected with an electric percussion hammer and do not exceed 1.0 m in length. Channels are broken at obvious geologic boundaries to correctly separate rock types and mineralization styles. The sample bags were sealed with a plastic zip tie and identified with a unique sample number, pending shipment to a certified laboratory sample preparation facility.

Samples are sent by batch to the ALS laboratory in Lima for assay. Silver Mountain independently inserts certified control standards, fine and coarse blanks, and duplicates into the sample stream to monitor data quality. These standards are inserted "blindly" to the laboratory in the sample sequence prior to departure from the core storage facilities. At the laboratory, samples are dried, crushed, and pulverized and then analyzed using a fire assay-AA finish analysis for gold and a full multi-acid digestion with ICP-AES analysis for other elements. Samples with results that exceed maximum detection values for the main elements of interest (Ag, Zn, Pb, Cu) are re-analyzed using precise ore-grade ICP analytical techniques, while high gold values are re-analyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish.

Forward Looking Statements

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 Silver Mountain's current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as "will likely result", "are expected to", "expects", "will continue", "is anticipated", "anticipates", "believes", "estimated", "intends", "plans", "forecast", "projection", "strategy", "objective" and "outlook") are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. 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 Silver Mountain'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. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth under "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated August 14, 2023, and other disclosure documents available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Silver Mountain undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Silver Mountain to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Onyx Gold Corp. (TSXV: ONYX) (OTCQX: ONXGF) ("Onyx") or ("the Company"), a newly created Canadian mineral exploration company, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Onyx Gold Corp. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market.

Onyx Gold Corp. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol "ONXGF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com.

"We are very pleased to begin trading on the OTCQX," said Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO, "This is a great platform to introduce Onyx Gold to a broad pool of US investors. We believe that Onyx provides investors exposure to discovery opportunities in an exciting emerging mining district in Yukon Territory, Canada and to Timmins Ontario, one of Canada's most prolific gold districts."

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

Berns & Berns, Counsellors at Law acted as the Company's OTCQX sponsor.

About Onyx Gold

Onyx Gold is an exploration company focused on well-established Canadian mining jurisdictions, with assets in Timmins, Ontario, and Yukon Territory. The Company's extensive portfolio of quality gold projects in the greater Timmins gold camp includes the Munro-Croesus Gold property, renowned for its high-grade mineralization, plus two additional earlier-stage large exploration properties, Golden Mile and Timmins South.

Onyx Gold also controls four properties in the Selwyn Basin area of Yukon Territory, which is currently gaining significance due to Snowline's recent discoveries in the area.

Onyx Gold's experienced board and senior management team are committed to creating shareholder value through the discovery process, careful allocation of capital, and environmentally/socially responsible mineral exploration.

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. operates regulated markets for trading 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Our data-driven disclosure standards form the foundation of our three public markets: OTCQX Best Market, OTCQB Venture Market and Pink Open Market.

Our OTC Link Alternative Trading Systems (ATSs) provide critical market infrastructure that broker-dealers rely on to facilitate trading. Our innovative model offers companies more efficient access to the U.S. financial markets.

On Behalf of Onyx Gold Corp.

"Brock Colterjohn"

President & CEO

For further information, please visit the Onyx Gold Corp. website at www.onyxgold.com or contact:

Brock Colterjohn, President & CEO

or

Nicole Hoeller, VP of Corporate Communications

Phone: 1-604-629-1165 or North American toll-free 1-855-629-1165

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Website: www.onyxgold.com

Twitter : @OnyxGoldCorp

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.

Forward-looking information

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward-looking statements").

Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections, and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", "budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's planned exploration programs and drill programs and potential significance of results are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. 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 are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital, and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials, and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events, or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20, 2023 /CNW/ - North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSXV: NAR) ("North Arrow") is pleased to report new lithium assays from the company's 100% owned MacKay Lake Property, Northwest Territories, and that additional exploration work is underway.

Six of eight rock sawn channel samples from the MK1 spodumene pegmatite, discovered in June 2023, have returned Li 2 O assay results of 1.16%, 1.34%, 1.87%, 1.90%, 1.93% and 2.30%. These samples were collected over 1m intervals in July 2023 and compliment the assays of prospecting grab samples that returned from 2.45% to 3.74% Li 2 O as reported in North Arrow news release dated August 14, 2023.

Based on limited field mapping, MK1 is interpreted as a series of irregular sub-parallel pegmatite dykes ranging from 0.5 m to >10 m in width (see image below). Spodumene mineralization comprises up to 20% of the pegmatite exposures with crystals ranging from 2-4 cm in length. The pegmatites are intercalated with metasedimentary rocks over an estimated combined width of 150 m and an interpreted strike extent of over 400 m. Bedrock exposures are of relatively low relief with significant potential to extend the pegmatite along strike beneath overburden.

Ken Armstrong, President and CEO of North Arrow, commented "The MK1 pegmatite lies within the same prospective metasedimentary rocks as the SD spodumene pegmatites located on North Arrow's LDG property approximately 20 km to the north and reported in North Arrow news release date September 18, 2023. Today's channel sample results confirm the potential of MK1 to host a significant new lithium discovery, a concept we look forward to testing as part of a spring 2024 drill program. Beyond MK1, the MacKay property covers an additional 14 km length of this prospective metasedimentary corridor which is geologically very similar to the host rocks of the spodumene pegmatites being evaluated in the Yellowknife Pegmatite Province. We believe the opportunity for additional discoveries of spodumene pegmatites is significant and a field program is presently underway on both the MacKay and LDG properties, consisting of additional mapping, prospecting, sampling and ground geophysical surveys, ahead of drilling to be conducted in spring 2024."

The MacKay property is located adjacent to the Lac de Gras winter road, and continued evaluation will benefit from use of the road as well as North Arrow's existing land use permit and exploration camp on the LDG property.

Sample Collection, Laboratory Procedures and QA/QC

Samples were collected in the field from rock sawn channels, cut using a portable rock saw. Sampled material was collected at 1m intervals, chipped from between parallel incisions cut nominally 3-4 cm apart and 3-4 cm deep. Samples were collected into plastic polymer bags, sealed and transported to ALS Global, where sample preparation and analytical work was conducted. Samples were prepared using ALS method CRU-31 (crushing to 70% passing through a 2 mm screen), SPL-21 (split sample - riffle split), and PUL-31 (pulverize up to 250 g to 85% passing through a 75-micron screen). A 0.2 g subsample of the pulverized material was analyzed for 52 elements using a sodium peroxide fusion by ICP-MS (ALS method ME-MS89L). Samples returning >500ppm Li were also assayed using a 0.2 g subsample dissolved in a sodium peroxide solution and analyzed for lithium according to ALS method Li-ICP81. Lithium results are reported by the lab as % Li and have been multiplied by 2.153 to convert to % Li 2 O. Results passed QA/QC screening at ALS.

About North Arrow Minerals

North Arrow is a Canadian based exploration company focused on the identification and evaluation of lithium and other exploration opportunities in Canada. North Arrow's management, board of directors and advisors have significant successful experience in the global exploration and mining industry. North Arrow is evaluating spodumene pegmatites at its 100% owned LDG, MacKay, and DeStaffany Lithium Projects (NWT) and is also exploring for lithium in Nunavut at the Bathurst Inlet pegmatite field and continues work to identify additional lithium exploration opportunities in northern Canada. North Arrow also owns interests in the Naujaat (NU), Pikoo (SK), and Loki (NWT) Diamond Projects and maintains a 100% interest in the Hope Bay Oro Gold Project, located approximately 3 km north of Agnico Eagle's Doris Gold Mine, Nunavut. North Arrow's exploration programs are conducted under the direction of Kenneth Armstrong, P.Geo. (NT/NU, ON), President and CEO of North Arrow and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Mr. Armstrong has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this press release.

North Arrow Minerals Inc.

/s/ "Kenneth A. Armstrong"

Kenneth Armstrong

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to North Arrow's plans, the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration activities. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to general economic and market conditions; closing of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in mineral resources or grade; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations. Although North Arrow has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. 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. North Arrow undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
OTTAWA  Canada and Romania signed a $3-billion export development deal Tuesday that will see two new nuclear reactors built in the eastern European country, in a move that both governments' energy ministers say will make it harder for Russia to use its energy exports as a weapon.

"This is first and foremost about energy security," said Romanian Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja at a press conference in Ottawa Tuesday.

"Indeed not just for Romania but the whole region."

Burduja said Romania already has an agreement with neighbouring Moldova to share some of the power from the two new Candu reactors, which are expected to go online by 2032.

The country is in talks with Ukraine, Hungary and Austria as well.

The two new reactors will join two existing Candu reactors that have been delivering electricity from a nuclear power centre in the southeastern Romanian town of Cernavoda since 1996 and 2007, respectively.

Burduja said those supply about one-fifth of Romania's electricity, and the two new ones will be of a similar size.

Romania is not reliant on Russia for any of its energy, said Burduja. But if it can help its neighbours become less reliant, too, he said that will help "diminish" the ability of Russian President Vladimir Putin to use its energy exports for geopolitical gain.

"Putin has not hesitated to use energy as a weapon," Burduja said.

Canadian Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the financing offer is up to $3 billion for Romania's national nuclear operator to buy supplies or services from Canadian companies.

The funds will partly come from Export Development Canada and partly from the Canada Account, which supports export financing deemed to be in Canada's national interest.

Wilkinson linked the deal to a promise Canada made in 2022, following Putin's decision to invade Ukraine: to work with allies in Europe and help them replace Russian sources of energy.

Story continues

Much of the focus following that promise was on natural gas, which many European countries rely heavily on Russia to obtain.

While Wilkinson asked Canadian suppliers to increase exports of natural gas last year, he has also long noted that Canada has limited capacity to ship gas to Europe  there are no East Coast gas export facilities in Canada, so supplies have to mainly go through the United States.

Canada and Germany also have an agreement to ship Canadian hydrogen, but that industry is still in its infancy in Canada.

Nuclear power, however, has been a Canadian success story, Wilkinson said, with the Candu reactors developed decades ago. He said nuclear power conversations are also being had with other countries, such as Poland.

Ambassadors from Ukraine, Poland, and Finland were among those who attended the signing ceremony for the Canada-Romania nuclear deal Tuesday.

Burduja said that in the 1970s, as many European nations were turning to Russian nuclear technology, Romania made an unexpected choice to go with Canada's version.

That decision, he said, is proving very fortuitous today.

"We're grateful that in the '70s Romania took this decision, because otherwise we would probably now have Russian-based nuclear power plants which would be tremendously complicated in the current context," he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2023.

Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press
Florida surfer bitten on face by shark reveals what it feels like

A surfer from South Carolina has described what it felt like when he was bitten in the face by a shark in Florida.

Mark Summersett had fallen off his board after riding a wave in seven feet of water before the predator when the predator latched onto his face, leaving him needing 20 stitches.

It was pressure, it was like a crunch. It felt like a bear trap crunching on my face, the 38-year-old told WESH 2 News.

Mr Summersett is reportedly the seventh victim of a shark bite in 2023 off New Smyrna beach in Volusia County.
After the success of his action-fantasy series "Island," Kim Nam Gil is back with another thrilling project "Song of the Bandits" coming this September, which is already predicted to be Netflix's next global hit.

'Song of the Bandits' Stars Kim Nam Gil, Seohyun, More Make First Public Appearance

With its spectacular action scenes and an ensemble of actors, the upcoming drama "Song of the Bandits" is already making a buzz ahead of its release.

A production presentation for the Netflix drama was held at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung Gu, Seoul on the morning of September 19.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Kim Nam Gil & Kim Young Kwang To Possibly Lead Netflix 30 Billion Won Series 'Trigger'

Present at the event are the directors, Kim Nam Gil, SNSD's Seohyun, Yoo Jae Myung, Lee Hyun Wook, Lee Ho Jeong, Kim Do Yoon, Lee Jae Gyun, Cha Yeop, Cha Cheong Hwa, and Hwang Jun Hyuk.

'Song of the Bandits' to Showcase Combination of Western Genre & Asian Hero

"Song of the Bandits" is an action series about people who come together to protect their precious people and their home in Gando, a lawless land where Chinese and Japanese people from Joseon gathered in 1920.

In particular, what adds to the enjoyment of viewing is the exquisite combination of the Western genre with the temporal and spatial background of Gando in the 1920s. Director Hwang Jun Hyuk said that it is a new genre of period drama that can deliver a new catharsis to viewers by combining the Western genre and an Asian hero.

Aside from its rich narrative, the drama is also composed of brilliant actors and actresses who will showcase new, yet noteworthy performances as they bring their respective characters to life.

Kim Nam Gil's 'Song of the Bandits' Predicted to Be Netflix's Next Hit Series

With its grand location, spellbinding action and fight scenes, and multi-talented actors, "Song of the Bandits" is already predicted to be Netflix's next hit K-Drama. The series is expected to attract a group of international viewers.

As it will be released on the giant online streaming platform, Netflix, the cast and its creative heads are both pressured yet excited to showcase another masterpiece to the global audience.

Furthermore, "Song of the Bandits" will exclusively be available on Netflix beginning September 22. The said series will have a total of nine episodes.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Island' Cast Update 2023: Kim Nam Gil, Cha Eun Woo, More Booked With New K-Dramas

What can you say about Kim Nam Gil's upcoming Netflix series "Song of the Bandits"? 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.
Lee Dong Hwi dishesd on his "Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman" co-star Esom and her unusual habit on the set of the movie.

As the movie gears for its official premiere, the duo appeared as a guest on YouTube channel "TEO" for "Salon Drip 2," where they talked about their experience filming the movie.

Showing off his friendship with co-star Esom, Lee Dong Hwi exposed the actress on her way to entertain herself on set.

Lee Dong Hwi Shares What Esom is Like on the Set

According to a news outlet, Lee Dong Hwi revealed that Esom likes to take photos of her co-stars; unfortunately, she does it quietly and secretly takes pictures of others and shows them to the actor.

In her defense, the actress explained that she is not taking photos of others but only Lee Dong Hwi.

"It's exactly the way Dong Hwi is sleeping," she pointed out, which made host Jang Do Yeon curious and ask what sparked her interest.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Lee Dong Hwi Says He Wants to Work With Lee Je Hoon in the Future- Here's Why

"Because he sleeps too much," Esom said, causing laughter, to which the actor declared his love for sleep.

"I love sleeping when I have free time," he said, adding that Lee Dong Hwi usually pretends to sleep to listen to who is swearing at him.

"Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman" is Lee Dong Hwi and Esom's first project together on the big screen as they take on the roles of In Bae and Koo Kyung.

'Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman' Cast, Release Date

The upcoming mystery-crime horror film depicts the story of a fake exorcist named Dr. Cheon, played by Kang Dong Won. He runs a YouTube channel that focuses on exorcism activities. However, for him, he doesn't believe it exists, and this is all in the mind.

Dr. Cheon performs his fake acts for people to watch. In one of his cases, Yoo Kyung reached out to him to help her save her possessed younger sister, Yoo Min, played by Park So Yi. Little did he know that this would turn his world upside down.

Besides Kang Dong Won, veteran actor Heo Joon Ho from "Bloodhounds" joins as the lead star.

Adding to the list of cast members is BLACKPINK's Jisoo, who is set to make a cameo in the movie. During the press conference, "Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman" director revealed Jisoo's role and said that she would play the role of a fairy.

According to the director, it was her performance in "Snowdrop" that made him want to cast Jisoo for the film, as the actress perfectly suits the image of the character.

Interestingly, viewers get to watch the official screening of the movie on September 27.

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
The CEO of Canada's second-largest airline says the global push to decarbonize the aviation sector by 2050 will lead to a major increase in ticket prices unless governments step in to offer support. A WestJet Encore Bombardier Q400 twin-engined turboprop aircraft is prepared for a flight in Kamloops, Saturday, June 3, 2023.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Stock image Credit - Getty Images

When Stephanie Camacho-Van Dyke, the Director of Advocacy and Education at the LGBTQ Center of Orange County in California, arrived at her local school board meeting on Sept. 7, she was number 79 on the list of attendees.

Guests had been rolling in for the 7 p.m. event since noon that day to comment on a rule that would require school staff to inform parents if their child asked to be identified by a different name or pronouns. School district board members listened to parents and teachers, among others, testify for seven hours before deciding to pass the resolution, making Orange Unified School Board the sixth school board in California to pass a rule of this sort.

Such policies are becoming increasingly common across the country. At least five statesincluding Alabama, North Carolina, and Indiana have a state law that forces the outing of trangender youth, according to independent, nonprofit think tank Movement Advancement Project. Another six states have laws that better protect parents access to all records of their child, including sessions with their counselor or psychologist, but do not explicitly require parental notification of a childs transgender status.

And just thirty minutes away from Orange County, the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education is currently facing a temporary restraining order to stop the enforcement of their own gender identity disclosure policy, which requires staff to notify parents if their child asks to be identified or treated as a gender different than the one listed on their official records.

More From TIME

Many in favor of the policy are part of the parental rights movement, who argue that they should have full knowledge of their childrens behaviors and practices at school. But as debates over kids privacy and school curriculum emerge, LGBTQ+ advocates warn that the measure could be detrimental to transgender students.

Parents of course understandably want to know what's going on with their child, says Cameron Van Fossen, executive director of Gender Spectrum, an organization dedicated to the well-being of gender-expansive children. But the most important point here is that school districts should be looking to adopt policies that prioritize the safety and well being of all students, including transgender students, while respecting their rights and autonomy.

Story continues

Whats at risk

Experts warn that policies outing transgender children could pose dangerous effects on the well-being of youth. Less than 40% of queer youth say that their homes are LGBTQ-affirming, according to a Trevor Project survey, meaning their family members or guardians would not be accepting of either their sexuality or gender identity. Van Fossen notes that an unsupportive home can cause children to face harassment, or even homelessness. Queer youth experience homelessness at a rate 120% higher than their straight or cisgender peers.

Camacho Van-Dyke, who works with LGBTQ+ youth in Orange County to provide mental health support and education, says the students she is in contact with have expressed disbelief and anger at the school boards rule.

When a school does this, do they have an idea like who they're potentially outing a student to? Camacho Van-Dyke said. There is probably a reason why that youth has not come out to their parent at that time. It should be up to that young person to decide when they want to and when they're ready to do so.

The policy would disrupt the lives of a community that is already vulnerable. More than 80% of transgender individuals have considered suicide, and another 40% have attempted suicide.

During the school district meeting, however, one board member, Mari Burke, advocated for the passing of the rule, saying children do not have the right to privacy from their parents. Others said they fear that schools are indoctrinating children with confusing ideas about gender identity, and encouraging youth to trust their teachers more than their parents. Leave our kids alone, was the resounding term seen across t-shirts and heard among testimonies in favor of the policy.

Psychologists have raised concerns about the declining mental health of transgender adults, and particularly, children, as numerous bills limiting transgender folks' right to use the bathroom of their choosing, access gender-affirming care, and updating gender markers on their birth certificates or other drivers licenses have been passed over the past two years.

Residents such as Melanie Pollak, a long-time Orange County resident with two children that have gone through the public school system, is against the policy and feels that the rule is a distraction from what the school board should really be focused on. The policy makes her feel like her childrens education is being politicized. It does feel like the board majority just doesn't care about our kids' education. They have an agenda and they want to pursue that instead of focusing on making our schools the best they can.

Ongoing legal battles

As Orange County residents debate their stance over the policy, the legality of this type of measure is still under question. California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued Chino Valley Unified School District for a similar policy in late August, which Bonta argued violated the states equal protection clause, constitutional right to privacy, and anti-discrimination protection in the education code.

The forced outing policy wrongfully endangers the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of non-conforming students who lack an accepting environment in the classroom and at home. Our message to Chino Valley Unified and all school districts in California is loud and clear: We will never stop fighting for the civil rights of LGBTQ+ students, Bonta said in an August press release. The policy is now on pause, unable to be enforced because of a temporary restraining order against the district. Since then, Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District Board in the suburban areas of Roseville and Antelope in Northern California has also passed a similar rule.

During the Sept. 7 meeting, a member of the Orange Unified School District Board of Education revealed that Bonta had sent an email warning to the Orange Unified School District , saying that he would take legal action if necessary, but has not yet acted. At the meeting, the school board also disclosed that they made last-minute changes to the parental notification policy if their child asked to be identified by a different name or pronoun.

The revised rule would require staff members to refer students to a school counselor or psychologist first. Afterward, the counselor or psychologist would inform the school principal, who then has five days to contact a parent or guardian unless the student is 12 years of age or older and does not want their parent/guardian to know. There is also an exception if the school psychologist, counselor, and/or principal believes the students safety could be at risk. However, school staff would have to justify in writing why they did not inform the child's parent.

Chino Valley is not the only district that is undergoing legal challenges across the U.S. The Hanover Township Board of Education in New Jersey was sued by the states Attorney General Matthew Platkin in May for their own parental notification policy that would require staff to inform parents about their childs sexual orientation or gender identity. That same month, Superior Court Judge Stuart Minkowitz ruled that the school board had to work with the attorney generals office to change their parental notification policy so as to not discriminate against LGBTQ+ students. Three other New Jersey districtsMiddletown Township, Marlboro Township and Manalapan-Englishtownwere also sued over the summer for similar policies. The Superior Court issued a preliminary injunction for all three districts, temporarily pausing the policies from going into effect while the cases are still pending.

Parents, on the other hand, have also previously sued school districts for not fully informing them of their childs change in name or gender identity. In Littlejohn v. School Board of Leon County in Florida, the Littlejohns sued the school district in 2020 after officials met with their 13-year-old child because they were confused about their gender identity. Counselors came up with a support plan for the child, and asked the child for their preferred pronouns and bathroom of choice. The childs parents said the school was interfering with the upbringing of their child, familial privacy, and due process rights when they sought to help.

Chief Judge Mark E. Walker dismissed the lawsuit in January, saying that the school acted within their scope of discretionary authority, but the case has been appealed to the 11th Circuit. A trial date has not been announced.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Ontario is extending funding that helps rural and northern hospitals avoid temporary ER closures, after previously saying it would end after the summer.Ambulances are parked at a hospital in Toronto on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The sexual-assault case against Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard is expected to be back in a Toronto courtroom today after jury selection in his trial was delayed last week. Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard is shown in this courtroom sketch in Toronto on Thursday Jan. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's office says cabinet member Kaleed Rasheed has resigned from his role and from the Progressive Conservative caucus  a departure that comes in the wake of an integrity commissioner probe into the government's Greenbelt land swap. Rasheed responds to a question at Queen's Park in Toronto on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Donald Trump, not for the first time, sparked criticism on Monday after he posted on his Truth Social platform knocking "liberal Jews who voted against America & Israel."

Elsewhere, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back on criticism out of Capitol Hill -- and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott weighed in on a new deal to help five American detainees leave Iran.

Those and other updates from the campaign trail, below.

MORE: How Trump has pushed House Republicans to go after Biden: 'They did it to me'

Blowback for Trump

Trump's message about Jewish people came on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. It's not immediately clear what caused him to post what he did -- but the denunciations were swift. (His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.)

The American Jewish Committee wrote on X in response that it was "deeply offensive and divisive. As we approach one year until the next election, we urge political candidates from the top to the bottom of the ballot to avoid incendiary rhetoric."

PHOTO: Former President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump addresses the Pray Vote Stand Summit, organized by the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C.. Sept. 15, 2023. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters, FILE)

"Next time you attack American Jews, think twice before about doing it on one of our holiest days. Your antisemitism is loud & clear," Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., added on the platform, formerly known as Twitter.

This is not the first controversial remark Trump has made about Jewish voters. In 2019, he criticized Jewish people who vote for Democrats, claiming it "shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty" -- apparently to Israel.

DeSantis returns to his House roots

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is fighting to be the main alternative to Trump in the GOP primary. But the former president isn't the only one he's fighting.

DeSantis has come under direct or indirect fire from other pillars of the GOP as his campaign falters in the polls and as Trump solidifies his yawning early primary lead. The governor is defending himself, but surveys of the Republican base suggest he has significant ground to make up in the final months before voting begins.

Story continues

DeSantis, who served in the House before being elected governor, took on Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., on Monday.

McCarthy, a Trump ally, had targeted DeSantis in a Sunday interview on Fox News, knocking DeSantis' chances of earning the GOP's presidential nomination.

MORE: GOP contenders collide in Washington, DeSantis shrugs at the polls and more trail takeaways

"Look, I served with Ron DeSantis -- he's not at the same level as President Trump by any shape or form. He would not have gotten elected without President Trump's endorsement," McCarthy said.

DeSantis returned fire Monday, highlighting McCarthy's ties to Trump.

"Donald Trump was instrumental in him earning that speaker's gavel, and they worked hand in glove really throughout his whole presidency. They were on the same team on every major spending bill that came down the pike and they ended up together adding $7.8 trillion to our national debt," DeSantis said at a press conference.

PHOTO: Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at the Iowa Faith & Freedom Coalition's fall banquet, Sept. 16, 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa. (Bryon Houlgrave/AP)

Less money, more problems?

DeSantis was also hit with a financial setback on Monday when GOP megadonor and former Citadel CEO Ken Griffin said he would not donate to anyone in the party's presidential primary.

Griffin, who has a net worth of roughly $35 billion, gave millions to DeSantis' 2022 gubernatorial bid and said as recently as November said that the country "would be well-served by him as president."

But Griffin told CNBC in an interview that he's unsure if DeSantis will be able to gin up sufficient support to win nomination. (DeSantis' campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Griffin.)

"I'm still on the sidelines as to who to support in this election cycle," Griffin said. "Look, if I had my dream, we'd have a great Republican candidate in the primary who was younger, of a different generation, with a different tone for America. And we'd have a younger person on the Democratic side in the primary, who would have his message for our country."

"I don't know his strategy," Griffin added of DeSantis. "It's not clear to me what voter base he is intending to appeal to."

GOP candidates target Iran deal for detainees

Elsewhere, some GOP presidential candidates were taking aim at the White House's recent deal with Iran to free five Americans from detention in exchange for Washington unfreezing $6 billion in oil revenue.

"Its no real surprise that weakness arouses evil. Iran thumbed its nose at America by kicking UN nuclear inspectors out of the country, just a few days later," former Vice President Mike Pence said in a foreign policy speech on Monday.

"That is always a bad decision. It raises the price on American heads," South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott added during a campaign stop in Iowa. "Six billion dollars of released funds will only make it far more expensive for every single American who's traveling abroad. It's a bad decision although we do thank God that those folks are coming home."

The White House has defended the agreement as not "ransom" or a "blank check."

ABC News' Gabriella Abdul-Hakim, Libby Cathey, Hannah Demissie, Lalee Ibssa, Soo Rin Kim and Will McDuffie contributed to this report.

Trump's 'liberal Jews' comment is denounced, DeSantis calls out McCarthy and more campaign takeaways originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Winnie Harlow is showing off a new hairstyle, one that's far from her classic curly locks. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret)

Winnie Harlow is embracing her newly-chopped 'do.

On Tuesday, the Canadian model took to Instagram to share a series of "digitals" shot at the start of Milan Fashion Week, which runs from Sept. 19 to 25.

In the snaps, Harlow rocked an edgy short hairstyle outside along with a black cropped T-shirt and a silver chain necklace. In one shot, she paired the look with navy blue striped pants tucked into black high-top Converse sneakers. In the other pics, she opted for light blue jeans with a brown Louis Vuitton belt.

"Short hair digitals," she captioned her post. "Chameleon kid."

Fellow models and fans poured their love for Harlow's new look in the comments section of her post.

"Beautiful!" shared former Miss Universe Jamaica Davina Bennett.

"Living for this, short hair queen," added the Icy City Co. Instagram account.

"Love it. It suits you well," someone penned, along with three black heart emojis.

"Everything about her is gorgeous!" someone else shared.

"That short hair hitting different," a fan chimed in.

While Harlow's latest photos were taken at the start of Milan Fashion Week, but the vitiligo spokesperson first showed off her daring new look at London Fashion Week, which ran from Sept. 15 to 19.

Harlow looked ethereal at the Vogue World: London 2023 event on Sept. 14 in London, England. (Photo by Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The Mississauga, Ont.-born star walked the red carpet for the first time with her short hair at Vogue World: London 2023 on Sept. 14, hot off the heels of New York Fashion Week.

More models and fans showed love for Harlow's look in another Instagram post from the event she made this past weekend, showing off an elegant black velvet gown and dramatic white cape she wore.

"The short hair on you is everything, OMG," someone commented.

"Gorgeous, beautiful! All the words!" wrote the Cay Skin Instagram account.

"Absolutely stunning," American model Jasmine Sanders added.

Story continues

"You and Coi [Leray] really making me want to do the big chop," someone penned.

Harlow rocked a chic Fendi look at the fashion house's Spring/Summer 2024 fashion show on Sept. 20 in Milan. (Photo by Daniele Venturelli/Getty Images for Fendi)

Since then, Harlow has been blending her chic new look with top-notch fashion at various events throughout Europe.

On top of rocking a brown Fendi-print trench coat with a matching bag and knee-length boots in Milan and celebrating the Zara x Steven Meisel Spring 2024 Collection in London in a plum suit, Harlow closed out one show with a vibrant grunge look.

Harlow closed Matty Bovan's show at London Fashion Week on Sept. 16. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Matty Bovan)

She wore a flashy, ruffle-y pink look with ballerina-strap heels on the runway at Matty Bovan's show on Sept. 16 during London Fashion Week, to which many fans took a liking to.

"Wowww, I love this look! The perfect muse," someone raved on an Instagram post Harlow shared, including photos and videos from the event.

"Wow, the eye makeup," someone else penned, along with a heart eyes emoji.

"You look gorgeous," one fan added, along with pink heart emojis.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Irish Rail, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority, are currently engaging in public consultation as they seek to improve their existing services.

The plan is to implement timetable alterations from December 10, 2023.

As part of this process, the company has published details of proposed timetable schedules, and invites the public to submit feedback in advance of the finalisation of the new timetables.

Here are some of the proposals for the Dublin-Waterford route that serves Kilkenny:

1) New 12:20 hrs Heuston/Carlow (Mon-Fri) and new 15:15 hrs Carlow/Heuston (Mon-Fri) services, both also serving Newbridge, Kildare and Athy.

2) 16:15hrs Heuston/Waterford (Fri Only) is advanced to 16:10 and now arrives in Waterford at 17:50hrs.

3) 09:05hrs Waterford/Heuston (Sundays) and 15:10hrs Waterford/Heuston (Sundays) will no longer serve Newbridge. Customers can change at Kildare into the new Portlaoise Commuter services which will call at Kildare 7 minutes after both Waterford services and will serve Newbridge instead.

There are also some other small timing changes across the week.

Notably, there is no proposal in these draft timetables for an earlier train arrival time from Kilkenny into Waterford City.

This is something that many local people have been calling for, particularly during weekdays and with the return of the college term.

You can see all of the proposed timetables, and provide feedback on them HERE.

Feedback is welcomed for all routes as part of this consultation, whether changes are proposed or not.

The consultation survey is open until Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
Sinn Fein spokesperson on Children, Kathleen Funchion, has criticised the Government following the release of figures which reveal 9,529 children are waiting over 12 months for an initial contact with their local Childrens Disability Network Team (CDNT).

In Carlow-Kilkenny, that figure stands at 1,496 children.

The local TD was speaking following Child Poverty Week, an initiative to highlight and refocus policy makers attention on child poverty and deprivation.

"We are condemning children with complex needs to a lifetime of disadvantage, educational inequality, and adversity with the outrageous lack of access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and physiotherapists across all CDNTs," she said.

"The demand for access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and physiotherapists is high, but the response from government is nearly non-existent."

"Anecdotally, I am hearing of an exodus in skilled professionals from the HSE towards private practice, this is evident in the woefully understaffed CDNTs across the 9 CHOs. Inclusion Ireland have put WTE vacancies at 707, and whilst there has been an expansion of approved posts, the people arent there to fill them."

"This must change, its just not acceptable any longer for these posts to remain vacant while parents and guardians scramble to find an assessment of need or therapeutic supports for their children," Deputy Funchion concluded.
Greg Bennett of The Chatham Squire displays the license plate Bill Richardson had when governor of New Mexico. TIM WOOD PHOTO

Former Governors License Plate Added To Squire Wall

CHATHAM  While friends and family paid tribute to Bill Richardson at a funeral mass in Santa Fe last Thursday, more than a dozen of the late New Mexico governors friends and former college classmates gathered at the Chatham Squire for a tribute of their own.

Several of Mr. Richardsons Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers from Tufts University, their spouses and other friends hoisted a glass while gathered around the bar where their friend lunched most days when he was in residence at his Chatham summer home.

A license plate that had been on Mr. Richardsons car when he was New Mexicos governor was added to The Squires wall, which is covered with license plates from around the country and around the world. The dark red plate, which reads GOV 2, was provided by Mr. Richardsons wife Barbara.

Im not sure what the 2 is for, said former Tufts classmate William L. Hamilton III, a retired US Navy captain from Ashburn, Va. Maybe because he had two terms.

Mr. Richardson passed away Sept. 1 at his Chatham home. Dignitaries gathered at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe Thursday for Mr. Richardsons funeral included former President Bill Clinton, in whose administration Mr. Richardson served as energy secretary and United Nations ambassador.

His energy was infectious. His skills were prodigious, said Clinton, as reported by the Associated Press. His life was a gift, and Im so glad that, each in our different ways, we received it. Now I ask you to go out of here and try to improve on his example. He would like it if you were trying.

Mr. Richardson always sat on the east side of The Squire bar and enjoyed a glass of Sancerre wine and oysters, said longtime bartender Greg Bennett. Usually sitting one seat away was Clark Holland, an Orleans resident who got to know Mr. Richardson about a half a dozen years ago. Holland said he approached Mr. Richardson one day at The Squire and introduced himself, and the two discussed New Mexico and other subjects they had in common. The next day, Holland received a call from the former governor.

He said, lunch? Holland recalled. And weve been meeting ever since.

After a toast to Mr. Richardson  timed to coincide with the funeral  Bennett affixed the license plate to the wall right behind Mr. Richardsons usual barstool, directly underneath an Indiana license plate that read DEMCRAT.
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 spike in oil prices does not bode well for gold miners, according to Exploration Insights Joe Mazumdar.

Mazumdar spoke to Kitco in mid-September at the Precious Metals Summit 2023 in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Mazumdar is editor and analyst of Exploration Insights. Brent Cook, who is founder of Exploration Insights, also joined the interview.

Mazumdar noted that oil prices are up due to policy actions by Russia and China. Production cuts by OPEC+ through year-end pushed oil higher. On Tuesday, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices pushed to a nearly one-year high, testing resistance above $93.50 per barrel. Oil prices have rallied more than 37% from their mid-July lows.

Due to the high energy prices, gold miners margins are going to be squeezed.

"[It's] making it harder for them to show decent cash flow for probably the second half of this year," said Mazumdar. "Oil is a big part of any mining venture."

The junior gold miners have generally fallen out of favor, noted Cook. Even good news can turn into bad news for a junior miner.

"News releases are having minimal positive effects, if at all," said Cook. "It's negative more often than not because people in the sector...they're just looking for an out. It's such an illiquid market right now," said Cook, noting that investors can sell against the good news to exit their position.

Kitco Minings coverage of the Precious Metals Summit 2023 was sponsored by Newcore Gold.
Sept 20 (Reuters) - Auto workers at Ford Motor's (F.N) Canadian facilities will start voting on a tentative three-year deal on Saturday, a spokesperson for the Unifor union said on Wednesday.

Ford reached a last-minute deal to avoid a walkout at its Canadian operations late on Tuesday, as the United Auto Workers union prepared for a potential expansion of its U.S. strikes against the Detroit Three automakers.

Unifor, which represents about 5,700 Ford employees in Canada, had sought improved wages and pensions, as well as support in the transition to electric vehicles and additional investment commitments by Ford.

Unifor's talks with the Detroit Three automakers in Canada are separate from the UAW's coordinated U.S. action that led to about 12,700 workers going on strike last week against one assembly plant at each of the Detroit Three automakers.
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) - Coinbase, the largest crypto exchange in the U.S., has put out a fresh call to action to crypto holders, asking that they contact their government representatives and push for an overhaul of the financial system and a clear regulatory framework for digital assets.

Nearly nine in ten (87%) Americans believe the financial system needs changing and half (51%) of Americans believe that Americas financial system does not work fairly for everyone, Coinbase wrote in their blog. Most perceive the system as benefiting anyone but people like themselves, and only 14% are optimistic about the future of the financial system.

Coinbase noted that 63% of crypto owners agree that the system as it is currently designed unfairly favors powerful interests, and 72% of those aged 18-34 believe crypto gives people direct control over their money, and that digital assets are the future of finance.

Many Americans already use crypto for more than just speculative purposes, Coinbase said. More than 40% of digital asset owners in bellwether states like Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania use them to remit money across borders to help family members pay for food, housing, and health care as they offer lower transaction fees than what banks and wire services typically charge.

Coinbase pushed back against the status quo [of] an enforcement only approach to keep in place a financial system that the vast majority of the people want changed, and called for the general public to make their voices heard to help drive progress forward.

The reality is that right now in America, 1 in 5 adults own crypto  its a group 52 million Americans strong, Coinbase said. Not only is this a large absolute number, it's a group of Americans that will drive future cultural, political, and economic trends. Crypto owners are working and middle class, younger, and more diverse than the population as a whole.

The blog noted that 55% of voters in New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, and Pennsylvania who were polled in the fall of 2022 stated that they would be less likely to vote for candidates who oppose crypto and web3.

Coinbase said that in order to update the financial system and move beyond the status quo, the crypto industry needs clear, sensible legislation, and the current enforcement only approach only serves to put jobs, innovation, and global leadership at risk.

They noted the rising number of so-called crypto hubs  which are locations where countries have moved to adopt responsible crypto-forward regulatory frameworks in an effort to attract new and innovative companies, jobs, and revenue.

In March, Electric Capitals developer report found that the U.S. is at risk of losing out on one million developer jobs and three million related non-technical jobs over the next seven years as web3 development increasingly moves overseas, Coinbase said.

They also highlighted that China is embracing and advancing the use of technology, including digital assets, to project power, and warned that the U.S. global economic leadership and national security are at risk if the U.S. cedes its role in building technology that will be central to the worlds financial infrastructure.

As a starting point toward establishing clear, sensible legislation for digital assets, Coinbase pointed to the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act ("FIT21"), which offers a strong regulatory framework providing clear definitions, consumer protections, and a path for regulation that does not stifle innovation.

They noted that the bill has passed with bipartisan support in both the House Financial Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives, and will come to a full vote on the House floor this Fall.

Its time for Congress to hear from the 52 million Americans who own crypto, Coinbase said. Were asking more than 52 million crypto owners and advocates to use their voices to stand with crypto through a 14-month-long campaign.

The campaign will include a push to mobilize crypto owners into single-issue crypto advocates; A comprehensive paid media campaign across all platforms along with digital and outdoor advertisements in Washington, D.C.; and a focused effort in the states of Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Coinbase said the main goal of the campaign is to encourage crypto owners and supporters to take the time to call their members of Congress and ask them to pass clear, sensible legislation.

To help facilitate the process, Coinbase has established a call maker that uses innovative technology that will seamlessly connect people to their Members of Congress directly from media and provides a tailored script to help guide their conversation.

They plan to host paid media and in-real-life events that show the size and shape of crypto owners, and will host a Stand with Crypto Day on September 27 where innovators, entrepreneurs, and developers from around the country will fly into DC to be public advocates with Members of Congress and government officials.

They will explain how crypto is creating jobs and economic activity in their home states  and just how important it is for the US not to pursue an enforcement-only approach that is driving jobs, innovation, and leadership out of the U.S., Coinbase said.

Stand with Crypto has a goal of mobilizing one million people into single-issue advocates, but will push to get as many of Americas 52 million crypto owners on board as possible, as that would be a game changer in standing up to the status quo and advocating for policies that update our financial systems so it is more fair, more distributed, and more inclusive, Coinbase said.
FRANKFURT, Sept 20 (Reuters) - European lawmakers backed on Wednesday Claudia Buch's appointment as the European Central Bank's top supervisor after a tough hearing, with some raising objections about the legality of her nomination and her qualifications.

The vote clears the way for Buch, who has been the vice-president of Germany's central bank for 10 years, to take over from Andrea Enria as the next chair of the ECB's Single Supervisory Board, which oversees the euro zone's 109 biggest banks.

But the result of the secret ballot by the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs was close, with 29 votes in favour of Buch's appointment, 23 against, and 2 abstentions.

Buch was chosen by the European Central Bank last week over Spain's Margarita Delgado, who was the European Parliament's preferred candidate because of her superior experience as a supervisor.

Most European lawmakers who spoke at the Committee's hearing criticised the ECB for disregarding their informal opinion.

Jonas Fernandez, a Socialist from Spain, said Buch's nomination may have even broken a rule barring the ECB from picking a candidate from within its own Governing Council, where Buch is an alternate member to Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel.

The ECB has responded in a legal opinion seen by Reuters, arguing Buch, as an alternate, was not a Governing Council member so that rule did not apply to her.

At the hearing, Buch said she would immediately resign from her role as an alternate if appointed as chief supervisor.

ECB President Christine Lagarde said last week that the 26-member Governing Council followed the rules in Buch's selection.

LIMITED EXPERIENCE?

Marco Zanni, of the right-wing Identity and Democracy Group, asked Buch how she planned to address what he called her limited experience as bank supervisor compared with the other candidate.

Buch, 57, recalled her decade as the Bundesbank's board member in charge of financial stability, when she worked closely with bank supervisors and navigated "many difficult situations".

"I am fully confident in my ability and strengths for this position," the former economics professor added.

Responding to another question, Buch said creating a common EU insurance on deposits was crucial, breaking with Germany's long-held scepticism about an initiative that would see financial resources pooled to protect depositors across the bloc.

She added, however, that "national specificities" that work well should be kept, a likely reference to Germany's own system involving a public and private safety net for depositors.

She also pledged to simplify the annual checks that lenders undergo by cutting routine tasks.

The EU Parliament's will take a final vote on Buch's appointment in a plenary session later this year but Wednesday's backing by the committee suggests further steps in the process will be a formality.
FRANKFURT, Sept 20 (Reuters) - A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Mukran on Ruegen Island in the German Baltic Sea should be operational from the first quarter of 2024, Gascade, the pipeline firm building its onshore connection, said.

Operator Deutsche ReGas last month reported that suppliers have booked 4 billion cubic metres (bcm) of capacity for 10 years per annum at Mukran, where the company wants to pull together two floating storage and reception units (FSRUs) for deliveries to the mainland.

Germany's quest to increase LNG import capacity has intensified as it seeks to end reliance on Russian pipeline gas after Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Pending the provision of fixed terminals, it is using FSRUs to help replace piped Russian gas supplies.

Three FSRUs are working at the Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbuettel and Lubmin ports after Germany arranged their charter and onshore connections. Wilhelmshaven, Mukran and Stade are due to add more ships for the 2023/24 winter.

Industry and the government are also building up terminal capacity in anticipation of increased use of hydrogen, which when produced using renewable energy can help the transition to a lower carbon economy.

MUKRAN

Deutsche ReGas has sub-chartered a second FSRU from Transgas Power, with regasification capacity of 7.5 billion cubic metres (bcm), to complement the Neptune currently active at Lubmin.

LNG from Mukran is meant to flow to onshore grids via a new pipeline built by Gascade from next winter.

The project has triggered local opposition. But two legal challenges by environmental groups DUH and Nabu were thrown out by the federal administrative court last and this week respectively.

WILHELMSHAVEN

Utility Uniper (UN01.DE) launched Germany's first FSRU operations last December at the deep-water port on the North Sea.

It plans to add a land-based an ammonia reception terminal and cracker in the second half of this decade. Ammonia is at times used as a carrier for hydrogen, whose low density otherwise makes transportation over long distances complicated.

Tree Energy Solutions (TES) will operate a second FSRU from later in 2023 for five years, and plans to eventually convert the operations to clean gases.

LUBMIN

The FSRU Neptune, chartered by Deutsche ReGas, began receiving LNG at Lubmin early this year. The gas is first delivered to another storage vessel, the Seapeak Hispania, and shuttled to Lubmin in a set-up taking account of shallow water.

ReGas holds long-term supply deals with France's TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) and trading group MET.

The government wants the Neptune to move to Mukran, allowing the Seapeak Hispania to depart, and joining a second FSRU there, the Transgas Power.

BRUNSBUETTEL

The EU Commission approved a 40 million euro ($42.81 million) support measure for the land-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Brunsbuettel on the North Sea, citing its contribution to the security and diversification of supply.

The Brunsbuettel FSRU, operated by RWE's trading arm, became operational in mid-April.

It is the forerunner of a land-based LNG facility, now in receipt of a parcel of approved state support, that could start operations at the end of 2026, when an adjacent ammonia terminal could also start up.

State bank KfW (KFW.UL), Gasunie and RWE are stakeholders and Shell (SHEL.L) has committed itself to sizeable purchases.

The total costs of the land-based terminal are 1.3 billion euros.

STADE

The inland port on the river Elbe in January started work on a landing pier for an FSRU, to be ready in the winter of 2023/24. Designated vessel Transgas Force is moored at Bremerhaven port to be fixed up for the purpose.

Project firm Hanseatic Energy Hub (HEH) also plans a land-based terminal where it has allocated regasification capacity that could be operational in 2027, including volumes for state-controlled Sefe and utility EnBW (EBKG.DE).

It has begun sounding out the market to determine whether the longer-term plans should be based largely on ammonia to be reconverted into clean hydrogen. It has identified a construction consortium.

HEH is backed by gas network company Fluxys (FLUX.BR), investment firm Partners Group (PGHN.S), logistics group Buss and chemicals company Dow (DOW.N).

EnBW, which is also a buyer at Wilhelmshaven and Brunsbuettel, said it would double annual purchases to 6 bcm.

($1 = 0.9344 euros)
To kick off the new school year, Cheshire Public Schools administrators provided an overview of summer activities and some autumn updates for the Board of Education at its Sept. 8 meeting. Enrollment numbers, while below projections overall, still pose difficulties at some schools in the district, officials said.

Dr. Jeffrey Solan, Superintendent of Schools, provided projections from the New England School Development Council (NESDEC) which uses demographic data to make spring forecasts.

Darcey school, for one, came in below projections, but Solan noted that the schools pre-K program is quite busy.

Chapman and Doolittle elementary schools were also just under projections, and what Solan called relatively close on a percentage basis.

Yet turning to Highland, Solan emphasized that district officials had to work really hard to accommodate the growth. We would really like to get through this without adding portables. Thats starting to look a little more difficult.

Solan noted that the district has been forced to move students in newly-built homes on the north end who would otherwise have gone to Highland to Chapman.

Norton Elementary was also above projected levels, while Dodd Middle School slightly below. Cheshire High School was also over projections, by just one student, although the senior class was below projections and the freshman class well above.

In all, there were 4,213 students enrolled in the district, under a projected 4,225. In 10 years, Solan added, more than 5,000 students are expected under current models.

I think if you drove around the district, saw the housing, saw the people moving in, it wouldnt be hard to argue that, noted Solan.

The Districts Chief Operating Officer, Vincent Masciana, showed photographs from the interior of Highland in a slide show. We are pretty much just about out of space, he remarked.

A library resource, for example, has been subdivided, with two-thirds now being used for special education purposes, and the remainder for library purposes. A storage room now holds three cubicles for use by learning support tutors. A hallway in the school is now partitioned by a curtain to allow room for those tutors as well. The space that they were in had to be used for classroom space, Masciana explained.

We are (doing) and have done everything we possibly can at Highland, he added, the enrollment did go up a little higher than projected.

Masciana stated We are being conservative as usual, with regard to the use of the districts $84.9 million budget. Planning, he added, was already ongoing for the next fiscal year.

He said there had been 65 new hires in the district, about half of which were certified teachers, leaving no openings to be filled. Among the other key positions hired for were paraeducators, lunchroom and playground aides, bus drivers and food service staff.

Health care costs are a primary driver of the districts budget each year, but Masciana announced that health insurer Cigna will again be funding initiatives meant to mitigate those expenses as well as help employees to live healthy lives. These include the Road to Wellness Challenge, Thrive in Five, which is a program directed at the districts new employees, as well as an ambassador program.

There will be somebody in every single school building and in some cases multiple (people), to help promote health and wellness, explained Masciana.

While some districts in Connecticut have struggled with providing student transportation to start the year, Masciana painted a positive picture.

All of our buses are rolling, we are sufficiently staffed by DATTCO with their drivers, so were in good shape, he stated.

Keeping up with technology trends, the district continues to provide Chromebooks, a lightweight portable computer for students, to 7th grade students for use through their high school years. Additionally, panel displays in classrooms were upgraded, Masciana said.

Cheshire public schools will continue to provide state-funded free breakfasts for students this year. A grant-funded greenhouse will be used by culinary arts students and the food services department as well, per Masciana.

As for building projects, Masciana informed the BoE that there were no show-stoppers, but highlighted several ongoing issues with district properties.

Other highlights of summer work included bathroom upgrades at Doolittle Elementary and new lights for the Highland Elementary parking lot.

Window replacements at Cheshire High School is an ongoing project which has seen many of the old single-pane windows upgraded to double-pane low-E windows. As Masciana explained, the windows are much nicer aesthetically, but also much better for the rooms because the glass thats installed will keep the heat in longer during the winter and keep the room cooler during the summer months.

At the CHS driveway that leads to the main field, we did a bunch of masonry repairs that nobody would ever see, but (that are) always important to the maintenance of our building.

A slide-show image of a badly-corroded pipe in the Humiston buildings steam heating system served to illustrate Mascianas point that issues will arise in a building that is over 100 years old.

Thankfully, he added, it was able to be resolved.
Press Release

September 20, 2023 Bong Go expresses support for DMW budget while pushing to institutionalize the OFW Hospital and OFW Wards Senator Christopher "Bong" Go expressed his unequivocal support for the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and its proposed budget during a budget hearing on Monday, September 18. Also included in the hearing is the proposed budget for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). "I want to put on the record my full support for the proposed budget of the Department of Migrant Workers and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration," Go declared. He further stated, "Ako po ay lubos pusong sumusuporta sa mga nakahanda pang plano at programa ng departamentong ito para sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino na nag tratrabaho sa labas ng ating bansa." Go highlighted the important role played by Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and referred to them as modern-day heroes. "Maituturing natin ang OFWs na modern day heroes. Kasama ang iba pang Filipinos abroad, mahigit 10 milyon po yan," he said. He also acknowledged the support of his fellow senators, stating, "Masaya po ako noong nakaraang kongreso talaga isinulong natin na magkaroon talaga ng sariling ahensya po para sa ating OFWs, sa tulong ng ating mga kasamahan, sa pangunguna ng ating majority leader Senator Joel Villanueva. Of course, Senator (Ronald) Bato dela Rosa at, ngayon, full support po sa atin si Senator JV Ejercito." Meanwhile, Go raised significant concerns about the underutilization of the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) Fund, a financial resource designated for the immediate care and assistance of OFWs in need. "I note that P1.2 billion budget for the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan or AKSYON Fund has not been fully utilized as of August 31. Only 20% has been utilized." In addition to the issue of fund utilization, Go also drew attention to the human resources aspect of the department. "I also echo the concern last hearing that 60% of the positions in the department are still unfilled. Sana po magawan ito ng paraan ng DMW para ma-maximize natin ang pagbibigay ng serbisyo sa ating mga OFWs," urged Go. Go also took the opportunity to discuss the state and condition of the OFW Hospital, a facility aimed at providing comprehensive healthcare services to OFWs who return to the Philippines. "Natalakay rin ang estado at kalagayan ng OFW Hospital, at gusto ko ring maipahayag ang aking sentimento patungkol sa usaping ito. Ang OFW Hospital ay naglalayong mapangalagaan ang kalusugang medikal, pisikal, at mental ng ating mga OFWs na bumalik dito sa ating bansa," he said. Further elaborating on the OFW Hospital, Go expressed concern about the budget allocated for its operations. He noted, "I want to also mention, Mr. Chair, the decrease in the proposed budget for the operation of the OFW Hospital. Only P13 million is allocated for its operations in the 2024 budget." Additionally, Go advocated for the passage of a legislation that would prioritize funding for the OFW Hospital by institutionalizing it. "Kaya naman isinusulong ko rin na maisabatas na ang OFW Hospital bill para maging prayoridad na ang patuloy na pagpondo sa ospital na ito na para sa ating mga OFWs," he said. Go has filed Senate Bill No. 2297, seeking to institutionalize the OFW Hospital and ensure its continuous operation. The bill aims to improve healthcare services for OFWs and their families by strengthening the existing facility and allocating necessary funds for its maintenance and operation. He also urged the DMW to address any shortcomings promptly. The OFW Hospital, a donation from the provincial government of Pampanga, commenced its operations in May 2022. It consists of six floors and can accommodate 100 beds, primarily intended for the use of OFWs and their eligible dependents. In addition to his efforts to strengthen the existing OFW Hospital, Go expressed his support for the proposal to establish OFW wings in regional hospitals. Go also filed SBN 2414, establishing OFW wards in Department of Health (DOH) hospitals. "Hindi naman lahat ng OFWs makakapunta sa Clark, kaya naman isinusulong ang Senate Bill 2414 para magkaroon ng OFW wards sa mga DOH hospital," said Go. He also mentioned the push for a dedicated cancer fund for OFWs, stating, "We are also pushing for a cancer fund dedicated for our OFWs in honor also of Secretary Ople." "Nakikiramay po ako sa mga opisyal at kawani ng Department of Migrant Workers sa pagpanaw ng maituturing nating haligi ng ahensyang ito, the very first secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers, Secretary Susan 'Toots' Ople," Go said as he honored the memory of the late Susan "Toots" Ople, the inaugural secretary of the DMW, who passed away in August due to complications related to breast cancer. He said Ople's "passing was indeed a great loss, but her contribution and legacy will never be forgotten." He then urged everyone to honor Ople's legacy by continuing her work. "Today, as we discuss the proposed budget of the DMW, let us honor her by continuing the great things that she has accomplished not only for the Filipino migrant workers but also for our country," he added. Go concluded by emphasizing the department's mission and the importance of the budget it needs in fulfilling it. "As one of the legislators who pushed for the establishment of this department, I must reiterate the core and essence of the founding of the Department of Migrant Workers - It shall continue to serve as a pillar of support, working thoroughly to ensure fair treatment, safe working conditions, and access to essential services for the migrant workers," noted Go. Finally, he pointed out that the mission of the agency is far from complete, adding, "Mr. Chair, the budget of the DMW is crucial in addressing the challenges of our migrant workers and the pursuit in furthering our commitment to social justice and equality."
With Scotus and several other area Catholic schools' operations and curriculum becoming uniform under the Columbus Catholic Schools (CCS) umbrella, there could be some confusion about what exactly is different and the same, according to Jeff Ohnoutka, executive director.

"We want to make sure that we are giving people the opportunity to know how the CCS got its start, what we're building toward and working toward in our strategic planning," Ohnoutka said.

Over the last fiscal year, St. Bonaventure's, St. Isidore's, St. Anthony's Elementary Schools and Scotus Central Catholic High School are all partnered under the CCS umbrella to maximize efficiency and support each other.

To better inform the community, the development office came up with the idea for "coffee talks." One was held Sept. 19, and a second is scheduled Oct. 4 to start off the tradition. The point, Ohnoutka said, is to create an opportunity for interested parties to come to a central location instead of having to learn about CCS when he visits a specific parish or school.

"I think it's a great idea. There are times I visit a parish to talk about things, times I get in front of families. We wanted an opportunity for people who maybe don't even have kids in the school, older generations whose kids have gone through, an opportunity to come in and learn what CCS is working on," Ohnoutka said.

Erin Schmidt, director of development and family engagement for CCS, said most importantly, it's a way for the schools to get information out efficiently for those who are invested in them one way or another, whether that's parents, alumni, grandparents, donors or anyone in between. It's the best way to get information in a face-to-face format.

"We wanted to create opportunities for our families and our invested supporters to gain info about things we're doing. We want to be transparent in our plan going forward, creating opportunities at different times through the day as well as doing them one per month," Schmidt said.

At the first meeting, Ohnoutka went over some of the broader details around what being part of the Columbus Catholic Schools means and what's going to change and stay the same. With slightly different framework, he said, they have some leaps to make in some areas, like attempting to standardize calendars, working off of similar curriculum systems and at the same time ensuring tuition is still within reach for families.

"With our advancement committee currently in a campaign called SEF, the School Excellence Fund, we're looking to raise $1.5 million for some programming within the schools and trying to keep tuition affordable, discussing what our priorities are," Ohnoutka said.

With that, Ohnoutka said, there's a lot of consolidation that will have to happen, as four different schools with slightly different ways of doing things now have to work all together under one system, but still keeping traditions at each school.

"We're also discussing how CCS is trying to make fundraising plans, systemize that process because with four schools, a lot of fundraising crossover can happen and we want to have a more organized approach to that fundraising," Ohnoutka said. "We're also looking at the future as a way to stabilize the funding for our schools to build an endowment for the CCS system."

Schmidt said, from her side of things, consolidating schedules and calendars will be a big part of the process and one they want to communicate very clearly on, as it will streamline things and allow for more meaningful events on the collective itinerary.

"Coming together as a group will help us to become more efficient. Bringing calendars together is going to be a huge pivotal thing going forward, making sure we're on the same page, to provide quality versus quantity on engagement opportunities," Schmidt said.

Ohnoutka said the remaining Oct. 4 session, from 9-10 a.m. at Scotus Central Catholic High School, will be the last meeting of this type before they move on to more specific topics on a regular basis, a "state of the school address" of sorts.

"I think we want to give one more opportunity to have the same message on this then continue to do these type of things to act as a way to update people on the progress we're making on our strategic plan. It's a way for us to assess where we're at with things and report to stakeholders," Ohnoutka said.
Americas military academies have a longstanding history of training our nations top military leaders, Flood said in a press release. For candidates who are nominated and admitted, this program will allow them to serve the United States while attending a tuition-free education at a distinguished academy. I take the privilege of nominating people to the military academies very seriously and look forward to announcing nominees in the coming months.
Millions of dollars in pandemic-era funding for Nebraska child care providers will expire at the end of September, which could further pinch working parents who have been key to economic growth in 2022 and 2023.

Affordable, available and quality child care is directly linked to workforce participation, according to a Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry policy brief from 2022. Child care is essential for working parents to enter, reenter and stay in the workforce as our economy recovers.

Several Nebraska companies are using creative solutions to address their employees child care challenges as a way to attract and retain workers in the state.

The opening of an on-site child care center at Hudl in Lincoln and providing access to vetted on-demand backup caregivers for staff at QLI via Swishboom in Omaha are two examples of how companies are increasing support for working parents with the hope that other employers will follow.

A looming crisis

Nebraska has already lost almost 10% of the states child care programs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a report from the Buffett Early Childhood Institute.

Much-needed federal rescue funds helped providers meet payroll, offer additional slots to children and families, and keep their doors open. The loss of these funds could cause more child care programs to close, disrupting families and the economy, the report says.

A majority of the estimated $312.1 million in federal funds allocated to support the child care industry in Nebraska will expire as of Sept. 30.

Its not just an Omaha problem  there is a child care crisis happening right now in the United States, said Kellee Mikuls, founder and CEO of Swishboom, a mobile app that connects families in Omaha with on-demand childcare services via its network of vetted local sitters.

Mikuls said the COVID-19 pandemic exposed cracks in an already unsustainable child care system. Low wages and thin profit margins mean few high-quality options for families. Its just not an industry people are flocking to, she said.

To support their staffs, Nebraska employers such as QLI and Hudl are taking note and exploring ways to make high-quality child care more accessible.

Connecting with trusted caregivers

QLI, a nonprofit that provides rehabilitation services for people with brain or spinal cord injuries, partnered with Swishboom to provide free access to the platform for any of its approximately 425 employees for one year.

We knew the child care issue is everywhere, said QLI Director of Operations Kiley Armitage. It can be expensive, hard to find a trusted carer or when a caregiving family member gets sick.

Armitage said the leadership team considered offering child care stipends or an afterschool program, but ultimately decided to contract with Swishboom instead because it more directly addressed the challenge they were trying to solve for their team: Finding a trusted caregiver even if its last-minute.

Providing on-site child care

Primrose School at Hudl opened in July as an on-site child care provider for Hudls headquarters in Lincoln. The Lincoln office houses about 600 of the companys 1,500 global employees.

An annual engagement survey revealed a desire for more benefits for existing and soon-to-be parents at Hudl, said Mark Ketcham, VP of operations at Hudl.

The company was started in 2006 by recent college graduates, and their peers made up a majority of their original workforce, Ketcham said. Over time the team has evolved, and so have the needs of team members, he said.

Located on the ground floor of Hudls headquarters in Lincoln's West Haymarket, Primrose School at Hudl features 7,000 square feet of indoor learning and purposeful play space, an outdoor area and multiple age-specific classrooms to serve infants through pre-K.

Its hard enough being a first-time parent, but as a working parent, Hudl makes it easier on me and my family. I appreciate that I can take advantage of this benefit and better balance growing in my profession without sacrificing being a great mom, said Hudl employee and Primrose parent Marilyn John.

Ketcham said Hudl wants to make it more appealing for team members to come into the office to collaborate in person as the post-COVID work landscape continues to evolve. They hope that providing on-site child care at a subsidized rate for employees makes that decision easier, he said.

Attracting and retaining workers

Both Hudl and QLI hope that providing child care solutions as part of their benefits package will help attract and retain talent.

Hudl is partnering with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to conduct a multi-year study of the impact Primrose School at Hudl has on employee engagement, satisfaction and retention, Ketcham said.

We want to be able to tell our story and show others what this can provide, he said. We have already seen tremendous support from those using (the center), including nursing mothers.

Armitage at QLI said the new Swishboom benefit is highlighted in new employee onboarding, and current employees are starting to download the app. Its just nice to have the peace of mind that theres a backup plan.

Mikuls said shes having conversations with multiple local companies that are exploring ways to ensure that their team members, especially women, dont have to leave the workforce due to child care challenges.

Ketcham agreed that employers and employees will benefit from setting working parents up for success. He added that while an on-site child care center might not be feasible for most businesses, perhaps some could provide a discounted rate at a preferred provider.

Its a big problem to solve, but we can't just be intimidated by it and be paralyzed, Armitage said. We have to do something.

Silicon Prairie News shares event highlights, founder profiles and feature stories digging into all things related to Nebraska startups and small businesses.

Photos: 55th annual AppleJack Festival draws visitors to Nebraska City
Im just a kid and not larger than life because this happened to me, Ralph Yarl said in an interview Tuesday.
A proposed federal minimum staffing rule for nursing homes would worsen seniors access to care in Nebraska and result in more closures, according to the president of groups representing the states facilities.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services this month proposed a new rule that would, for the first time, require nursing homes to ensure that residents receive a minimum number of nursing care hours each day. Facilities also must have a registered nurse on staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week and expand resident assessment requirements.

The proposal is billed as a step toward meeting a Biden Administration pledge to ensure that Americas 1.2 million nursing home residents get the safe, high-quality care that they deserve, according to a statement by CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure.

But Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Nebraska Nursing Facility Association, said Nebraskas nursing homes already perform better than their counterparts in other states, based on CMSs quality rating system. The state already requires that facilities staff to meet the needs of residents, a system that is measured, reported and inspected.

They want to provide the best quality of care, said Carpenter, who also serves as president and CEO of the Nebraska Assisted Living Association. We believe Nebraska already has a standard for that.

In addition, Nebraska already has a known shortage of nurses, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. The standards, as proposed, would increase the need exponentially, she said.

I can guarantee closures across the state, Carpenter said.

Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association, said limited access to nursing homes also creates bottlenecks in other health care settings. Particularly in rural Nebraska, hospital patients are waiting weeks to be discharged to nursing homes for rehabilitation or long-term care because there arent enough available beds, straining hospitals.

Nebraska already has been struggling with nursing home closures. In the past three years, 10 Nebraska nursing homes and 13 assisted-living communities have closed due to lack of staff, underfunding and pandemic-related costs, according to the industry group.

Some closures have prompted residents to hire their own caregivers for loved ones or to consider forming cooperatives for displaced home care workers.

The federal proposal, however, isnt likely to be the last word on the rule. CMS will take comments on the proposal until Nov. 6. Patient advocacy groups already have argued that the proposal calls for lower staffing levels than some facilities currently provide. In a brief, the Center for Medicare Advocacy called the proposal a major step backward.

Specifically, the proposed rule would require that each resident receive 2.45 hours of care from a nurse aide per day as well as 0.55 hours of care from a registered nurse.

In addition, it would mandate that nursing homes have a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Thats up from the current registered nurse staffing requirement of eight hours a day, seven days a week.

Carpenter said 53% of Nebraskas nursing facilities would not meet the proposed nurse aide requirement and 38% would fail to hit the requirement for care from registered nurses. Only 67 of the states nursing facilities would meet both hours-of-care requirements.

Nine of Nebraskas counties report that they have no registered nurses or advanced practice registered nurses living within their boundaries.

There is just a lot of concern that this proposed rule was not properly thought out or vetted, she said of facility operators. Theyre very concerned.

The hours-of-care requirements would be phased in over three years for urban facilities and five years for rural ones.

CMS also has proposed a temporary hardship exemption from the hourly care requirements for facilities in locations where few providers are available, based on federally defined ratios. Those facilities also must demonstrate good-faith efforts to hire and retain staff and document a financial commitment to staffing by reporting annual spending on care staff.

To address workforce shortages, the federal government plans to inject $75 million into programs to boost the nursing home workforce, such as scholarships and tuition reimbursement.

But Carpenter said the rule as proposed amounts to an unfunded mandate.

Like the hospital industry, nursing home groups have called for the reporting of customer satisfaction scores as a quality initiative and for significant increases in Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Best counties to raise a family in Nebraska Best counties to raise a family in Nebraska #30. Adams County, Nebraska #29. Stanton County, Nebraska #28. Burt County, Nebraska #27. Dakota County, Nebraska #26. Polk County, Nebraska #25. Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska #24. Dodge County, Nebraska #23. Wayne County, Nebraska #22. Holt County, Nebraska #21. Saline County, Nebraska #20. York County, Nebraska #19. Dixon County, Nebraska #18. Fillmore County, Nebraska #17. Pierce County, Nebraska #16. Cuming County, Nebraska #15. Hamilton County, Nebraska #14. Otoe County, Nebraska #13. Kearney County, Nebraska #12. Cass County, Nebraska #11. Buffalo County, Nebraska #10. Hall County, Nebraska #9. Saunders County, Nebraska #8. Cherry County, Nebraska #7. Nemaha County, Nebraska #6. Washington County, Nebraska #5. Dawes County, Nebraska #4. Seward County, Nebraska #3. Lancaster County, Nebraska #2. Sarpy County, Nebraska #1. Douglas County, Nebraska
Atlas Private Wealth Management trimmed its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report) by 3.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,028 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 95 shares during the quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Managements holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $758,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Cibc World Market Inc. raised its stake in Illinois Tool Works by 3.7% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 9,666 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,024,000 after acquiring an additional 348 shares in the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 4.2% in the first quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 9,070 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,899,000 after buying an additional 368 shares during the period. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 54.7% in the first quarter. Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC now owns 2,859 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $599,000 after buying an additional 1,011 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 9.9% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 2,407 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $504,000 after buying an additional 217 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd increased its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 70.7% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 746 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $156,000 after buying an additional 309 shares during the period. 79.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Illinois Tool Works alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several analysts recently commented on the company. Barclays reduced their target price on Illinois Tool Works from $213.00 to $198.00 in a report on Thursday, September 7th. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $230.00 to $232.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. Credit Suisse Group increased their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $281.00 to $292.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. StockNews.com lowered Illinois Tool Works from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, August 25th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus increased their price target on Illinois Tool Works from $236.00 to $250.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Illinois Tool Works currently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $237.18.

Illinois Tool Works Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ITW traded up $2.06 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $239.58. 140,977 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,068,238. The company has a market cap of $72.45 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.62, a PEG ratio of 4.23 and a beta of 1.15. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $245.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $238.82. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.25. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 12-month low of $180.27 and a 12-month high of $264.19.

Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The industrial products company reported $2.41 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.39 by $0.02. Illinois Tool Works had a return on equity of 94.14% and a net margin of 19.30%. The business had revenue of $4.07 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.37 earnings per share. Illinois Tool Workss revenue for the quarter was up 1.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts forecast that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 9.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be issued a dividend of $1.40 per share. This represents a $5.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.34%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 28th. This is an increase from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.31. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 51.83%.

Illinois Tool Works Profile

(Free Report)

Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment worldwide. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. The Automotive OEM segment offers plastic and metal components, fasteners, and assemblies for automobiles, light trucks, and other industrial uses.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Chronos Wealth Management LLC trimmed its stake in BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP  Free Report) by 6.2% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,524 shares of the mining companys stock after selling 500 shares during the period. BHP Group comprises 0.3% of Chronos Wealth Management LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th biggest holding. Chronos Wealth Management LLCs holdings in BHP Group were worth $449,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BHP. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership increased its stake in BHP Group by 119.7% during the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 10,338,797 shares of the mining companys stock worth $798,672,000 after buying an additional 5,632,545 shares during the period. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in BHP Group by 485.5% during the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 3,582,182 shares of the mining companys stock worth $38,186,000 after buying an additional 2,970,367 shares during the period. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of BHP Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $174,257,000. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund purchased a new stake in shares of BHP Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,982,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in shares of BHP Group by 33.2% in the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 3,768,982 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $238,991,000 after purchasing an additional 938,755 shares during the last quarter.

Get BHP Group alerts:

BHP Group Stock Up 0.7 %

BHP Group stock traded up $0.41 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $58.25. 482,306 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,823,980. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $58.76 and its 200-day simple moving average is $59.36. BHP Group Limited has a 1 year low of $46.92 and a 1 year high of $71.52. The company has a current ratio of 1.23, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

BHP Group Cuts Dividend

Analyst Ratings Changes

The firm also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 8th will be issued a $1.60 dividend. This represents a yield of 5.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 7th.

A number of equities research analysts have commented on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of BHP Group from $47.00 to $50.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of BHP Group in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. BNP Paribas raised shares of BHP Group from an underperform rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Berenberg Bank downgraded shares of BHP Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, July 7th. Finally, Liberum Capital upgraded BHP Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Thursday, July 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $1,950.00.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BHP Group

BHP Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

BHP Group Limited operates as a resources company in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the rest of Asia, North America, South America, and internationally. The company operates through Copper, Iron Ore, and Coal segments. It engages in the mining of copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium, gold, iron ore, and metallurgical and energy coal.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BHP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BHP Group Limited (NYSE:BHP  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for BHP Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BHP Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Everhart Financial Group Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 7.0% during the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 3,367 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 219 shares during the period. Everhart Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,579,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. raised its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.8% during the 1st quarter. Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria S.A. now owns 82,966 shares of the companys stock valued at $28,449,000 after purchasing an additional 3,768 shares in the last quarter. Thrive Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 103.7% during the second quarter. Thrive Wealth Management LLC now owns 1,522 shares of the companys stock valued at $714,000 after buying an additional 775 shares in the last quarter. L2 Asset Management LLC lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 4.5% in the first quarter. L2 Asset Management LLC now owns 2,014 shares of the companys stock worth $692,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Patten & Patten Inc. TN boosted its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 44.2% during the 1st quarter. Patten & Patten Inc. TN now owns 17,177 shares of the companys stock worth $5,899,000 after acquiring an additional 5,266 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Missouri Trust & Investment Co raised its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Missouri Trust & Investment Co now owns 774 shares of the companys stock valued at $266,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. 81.38% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts:

Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

LLY traded down $2.99 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $571.97. 534,711 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,018,545. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.13 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.63. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $517.63 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $442.89. The firm has a market capitalization of $542.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 79.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.35 and a beta of 0.32. Eli Lilly and Company has a one year low of $296.32 and a one year high of $601.84.

Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The company reported $2.11 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.98 by $0.13. The business had revenue of $8.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $7.58 billion. Eli Lilly and Company had a return on equity of 65.00% and a net margin of 22.01%. Eli Lilly and Companys revenue was up 28.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.25 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Eli Lilly and Company will post 9.84 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th were paid a $1.13 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 14th. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.79%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 62.87%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 107,022 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $459.28, for a total value of $49,153,064.16. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 101,248,810 shares in the company, valued at $46,501,553,456.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $546.51, for a total transaction of $327,906.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,939,130.78. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 107,022 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $459.28, for a total value of $49,153,064.16. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 101,248,810 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $46,501,553,456.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 976,153 shares of company stock worth $21,080,192,113 in the last quarter. 0.13% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

LLY has been the topic of several analyst reports. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $617.00 to $640.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Tuesday, September 5th. Citigroup lifted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $360.00 to $525.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, July 26th. Truist Financial boosted their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $525.00 to $600.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Barclays raised their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $500.00 to $590.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on Eli Lilly and Company from $447.00 to $498.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 24th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and twenty have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $532.78.

Get Our Latest Research Report on Eli Lilly and Company

About Eli Lilly and Company

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

Featured Articles

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LLY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Suzano (NYSE:SUZ  Get Free Report) is one of 17 publicly-traded companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Suzano to related companies based on the strength of its valuation, risk, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, profitability and dividends.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of current ratings for Suzano and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Get Suzano alerts:

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Suzano 0 0 1 0 3.00 Suzano Competitors 112 706 471 47 2.34

As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 26.19%. Given Suzanos peers higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Suzano has less favorable growth aspects than its peers.

Earnings and Valuation

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Suzano $9.65 billion $4.53 billion 3.16 Suzano Competitors $5.57 billion $686.61 million 28.92

This table compares Suzano and its peers revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Suzano has higher revenue and earnings than its peers. Suzano is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Dividends

Suzano pays an annual dividend of $0.32 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.0%. Suzano pays out 9.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Paper mills companies pay a dividend yield of 3.7% and pay out 57.0% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. Suzano has raised its dividend for 1 consecutive years.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

2.6% of Suzano shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.7% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by institutional investors. 5.5% of shares of all Paper mills companies are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares Suzano and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Suzano 47.44% 64.65% 17.21% Suzano Competitors 7.59% 18.89% 6.66%

Risk and Volatility

Suzano has a beta of 1.16, suggesting that its share price is 16% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Suzanos peers have a beta of 1.32, suggesting that their average share price is 32% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Summary

Suzano beats its peers on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

Suzano Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Suzano S.A. produces and sells eucalyptus pulp and paper products in Brazil and internationally. It operates through Pulp and Paper segments. The company offers coated and uncoated printing and writing papers, paperboards, tissue papers, and market and fluff pulps; and lignin. It also engages in the research, development, and production of biofuel; operation of port terminals; power generation and distribution business; commercialization of equipment and parts; industrialization, commercialization, and exporting of pulp and standing wood; road freight transport; biotechnology research and development; and commercialization of paper and computer materials. In addition, the company is involved in the business office, production packaging, and financial fundraising activities; research, development, production, commercialization, and distribution of wood-based textile fibers, yarns, and filaments produced from cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose; and research and development of wood raw materials for the textile industry. Suzano S.A. was formerly known as Suzano Papel e Celulose S.A. and changed its name to Suzano S.A. in April 2019. The company was founded in 1924 and is headquartered in Salvador, Brazil.

Receive News & Ratings for Suzano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Suzano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Inc. (NYSE:PAI  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Wednesday, September 20th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 22nd will be paid a dividend of 0.0475 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, December 1st. This represents a $0.57 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.00%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 21st. This is a boost from Western Asset Investment Grade Income Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.05.

Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund has decreased its dividend by an average of 6.7% per year over the last three years.

Get Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund alerts:

Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE PAI traded up $0.02 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $11.41. The stock had a trading volume of 7,916 shares, compared to its average volume of 14,618. Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund has a 12 month low of $10.74 and a 12 month high of $13.05. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $11.59 and a two-hundred day moving average of $11.70.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund

Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Company Profile

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund by 73.1% in the first quarter. Advisor Group Holdings Inc. now owns 2,724 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 1,150 shares during the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund in the second quarter worth approximately $85,000. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in shares of Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund by 69.1% in the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 14,479 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $168,000 after purchasing an additional 5,919 shares during the last quarter. Stifel Financial Corp grew its position in Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund by 57.0% during the first quarter. Stifel Financial Corp now owns 17,961 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $214,000 after acquiring an additional 6,520 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Thrivent Financial for Lutherans purchased a new position in shares of Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund during the third quarter worth approximately $232,000. 18.99% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

(Get Free Report)

Western Asset Income Fund is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Western Asset Management Company. It is co-managed by Western Asset Management Company Limited. The fund invests in the fixed income markets of the United States. It primarily invests in investment grade debt, including government securities, bank debt, commercial paper, and cash or cash equivalents.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Western Asset Investment Grade Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
President Yoon Suk Yeol met with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday (local time) and expressed his wish to continue working with the global body to deter North Korea's provocations and improve its human rights conditions, his office said.

The two met on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York to discuss cooperation between South Korea and the U.N., Korean Peninsula issues and the war in Ukraine, the presidential office said in a press release.

Yoon stressed the importance of global solidarity centered on the U.N. in the current "polycrisis" era and stated South Korea's commitment to fulfilling a "responsible role" befitting its international status.

He especially expressed South Korea's commitment to actively promoting peace in the international community as a nonpermanent member of the U.N. Security Council from 2024-2025, while sharing plans to help restore peace in Ukraine.

"President Yoon said he looks forward to continued cooperation with the U.N. to prevent North Korea's provocations and practically improve North Korea's human rights situation," the presidential office said.

Guterres thanked the South Korean government for its activities and contributions at the U.N. so far, saying he looks forward to even closer communication during its term as a Security Council member to help resolve critical international issues.

He also reaffirmed the U.N.'s commitment to working together for North Korea's denuclearization and an improvement of its human rights conditions.

This was the third meeting between Yoon and Guterres. (Yonhap)
gettyimagesbank



Tehran seeks interest on frozen funds



By Nam Hyun-woo



The governments of Korea and Iran announced that around $6 billion in Iranian funds frozen in Korea have been transferred to Qatar, but this has not fully normalized ties between Seoul and Tehran, as the latter seeks additional compensation in the form of interest incurred during the period of withholding.



"The illegal move of the U.S. to abuse the international banking system and put pressure on other countries to limit Iran's access to its assets does not in any way mean that the governments where these assets are kept have no responsibility in this regard," Iran's foreign ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday (local time).



"And those governments must be held to account for their unjustified move to comply with the illegal demands of the U.S. government, the financial losses inflicted on Iran as a result of the long-term freezing of Iranian assets."



The government referred to in the statement appears to be that of South Korea. The funds had been frozen at the Bank of Korea, the Industrial Bank of Korea and Woori Bank since 2019 to comply with U.S.-led sanctions on Iran. Seoul released the funds following a prisoner swap deal between Washington and Tehran last month. The funds were deposited to the accounts of the six Iranian banks in two Qatari banks, Iran's central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin confirmed, according to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, Monday.



According to the news agency, Farzin pointed to Iran's losses from the devaluation of the South Korean won and said that Iran is pursuing its complaint against Korea in this regard and will continue until the desired result is achieved. The news agency assumes the compensatory amount to be approximately $700 million.



This appears to include what Tehran claims is "unfair interest income" that the Korean banks have earned on the frozen funds.



According to Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency, Farzin noted last month that the frozen funds "received no interest." However, an unnamed Iranian government official told Yonhap News Agency that "these financial institutions have earned unfair interest income with illegal sanctions by the U.S."





Freed U.S. nationals greet family members at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Sept. 19, after being released in a prisoner swap deal between the U.S. and Iran. The two countries swapped five prisoners and Tehran gained access to $6 billion in funds previously frozen in Korean banks. AFP-Yonhap
In this photo released by the Khabarovsky Krai region's government, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, looks at a military jet cockpit while visiting a Russian aircraft plant, which builds fighter jets, in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, about 6,200 kilometers east of Moscow, Russia, Friday. AP-Yonhap



Putin-Kim 'bromance' stands to counter China's influence



By Kang Hyun-kyung



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is being portrayed in South Korea's media as a "mil-deok," or a person deeply absorbed in all things that are related to the military, due to his keen interest in state-of-the-art weapons, as made evident during his recent visit to Russia.



Russian President Vladimir Putin took advantage of Kim's rare enthusiasm regarding nuclear-capable weapons to warn off countries like South Korea, which are siding with Ukraine in the prolonged war against Russia, according to an expert on Russia-North Korea relations.



"I think Russia's target audience is South Korea," Andrei Lankov, a professor at Kookmin University in Seoul, told The Korea Times on Monday.





Andrei Lankov / Korea Times file

Lankov claimed that Russian officials' guided tour for Kim to an aircraft plant, which is building fighter jets and warships in Russia's far east, was a politically motivated event carried out to urge other countries to stay out of the war against Ukraine, rather than an expression of its willingness to sell weapons to North Korea.



"It's sort of coercion, and Russia's message is clear," he said. "With those images and footage, taken and released by Russia's Ministry of Defense, Russia is trying to ring an alarm that South Korea will pay the price if it were to assist Ukraine with weapons. If South Korea helps Ukraine, Russia would help North Korea advance its missile and nuclear capabilities by transferring Russian technology."



Born in Russia, Lankov is one of the leading experts in Russia-North Korea relations, developing his keen insight into the two countries and their foreign policies, thanks to his lived experiences in those countries. After graduating from Leningrad State University, he studied at North Korea's Kim Il Sung University between 1984 and 1985 before he came to South Korea to teach at a university.



Kim's recent trip to Russia was filled with visits to military sites and his first-hand glimpse at Russia's strategic assets.



On Saturday, three days after a summit with Putin, Kim inspected Russia's nuclear-capable bombers, hypersonic missiles and warships. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu gave the North Korean leader a guided tour of the weapons.



Shoigu showed Kim the strategic bombers  the Tu-160, TU-95 and TU-22 M3 , which are capable of carrying nuclear weapons. Shoigu also showed Kim the MiG-31 supersonic interceptor aircraft that is equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles at Knevichi airfield, about 50 kilometers from the Pacific port city of Vladivostok.



The Kinzhal, or dagger, is an air-launched ballistic missile that is capable of carrying nuclear or conventional warheads with a 1,500- to 2,000-kilometer range while carrying a payload of 480 kilograms. It can travel up to 10 times the speed of sound.



In a photo released by a Russian media outlet, Kim, surrounded by Russian officials, was seen touching the front part of a MiG-31 fighter jet equipped with the Kimzhal missile.









He checked the aircraft thoroughly, displaying his keen interest in it.



Kim kept asking questions to Russian officials and sharing his knowledge about the weapons he was debriefed on at the Vostochny Cosmodrome before the summit on Wednesday. Putin praised Kim for his expertise, calling him an expert.





In this handout photograph distributed by the Russian Defense Ministry, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, second from left, and Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, right, visit Knevichi Aerodrome near Vladivostok on Saturday. AFP-Yonhap



The Putin-Kim summit was held weeks after North Korea's second spy military satellite launch failed to reach orbit.



Few details were made public about the hours-long summit held at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East.



United States and South Korean officials said Kim and Putin were likely to have agreed to an arms deal under which North Korea is supposed to provide artillery shells to Russia.



Moscow, however, denied this, claiming that no arms deals were signed between Putin and Kim.



It remains unknown whether the two leaders agreed on the transfer of Russian missile and nuclear technology to the North.



Lankov remained skeptical about the possibility of Russia providing technical assistance to the North.



"I doubt it because North Korea cannot afford to buy such high-priced space technology from Russia. There is not much North Korea can offer to Russia in return for technology transfer," he said.



He said it is likely that Kim and Putin would have discussed the possibility of increasing the number of North Korean laborers sent to Russia.



"Russia is grappling with shortages of labor force and demand for North Korean workers is high," he said.



According to Lankov, Kim and Putin have used the summit as a balancing act against China as North Korea can "diversify its trade partners," through a possible arms deal with Russia, if it were ever to be signed.



"The fact that Kim's first foreign destination after COVID lockdown was Russia means a lot. His choice of Russia over China as the destination for his first post-COVID summit is seen as a light level of provocation against China, because China would not feel good about it," he said.



Although North Korea heavily depends on China for trade, Lankov said that Kim is trying to prove that he is unaffected by China when making key decisions, such as which foreign leader he would meet first.



He said Russia also tries to use its relations with North Korea as a balancing factor against China.




South Korea began observing military dealings between North Korea and Russia "several months" before the two countries' leaders met in Russia's Far East last week to discuss a suspected arms deal, a South Korean presidential official said Tuesday (U.S. time).

The rare summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin took place at the Vostochny space center last Wednesday amid concern the North could agree to supply ammunition for Russia's war in Ukraine in exchange for food aid and a transfer of weapons technology.

"Russia has said it is impossible that it carried out any illicit activity, but ... the Republic of Korea government has been constantly observing military dealings starting far before, several months before, the recent meeting between the North Korean and Russian leaders," the senior presidential official told reporters in New York, where President Yoon Suk Yeol is on a five-day visit to attend the U.N. General Assembly.

Yoon will use his keynote address to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday to call attention to the illicit and dangerous nature of military dealings between Russia and North Korea, and urge a united response from the international community, according to his office.

"A united response could mean the united position of independent nations or the collective action of many nations, but for now, we need to sort through the lists of sanctions and strictly consider the actions we can effectively take, so we're discussing this issue with our ally and partners," the presidential official said. (Yonhap)
70% of South Korean Reported Foreign Assets Are Crypto- Heres More

Source: Adobe / coffeemill

South Koreas crypto adoption grows as authorities disclosed that 70% of the nations reported overseas assets are cryptocurrencies.

On Sept 20, The countrys National Tax Service (NTS) in an official release stated that 5,419 business and individuals reported their financial accounts with the largest chunk held in digital assets.

Per the data, the total reported figure of 186.4 trillion won approximately $140 million. This figure represented assets in local and foreign stocks, crypto assets, and cash savings.

From this figure, digital assets marked 70% totaling $130.8 trillion approximately $98 million. It was shown that 1,432 institutions and persons own digital assets out of the total number.

The report also shows that savings were a significant 22.3 trillion won, about $17 million from 2,952 individuals and businesses while companies with stocks were 1,590 firms reporting 22.3 trillion won about $17.6 million.

The country announced a mandatory reporting requirement for firms with 500 million won in accounts abroad.

The tax body revealed that plans are in motion to look into entities that failed to file reports including enforcement of fines.

In order to respond to the risk of potential tax base erosion through virtual assets, tax authorities around the world, including the National Tax Service, are preparing to exchange information in accordance with the Information Exchange Reporting Regulations.

As multiple countries plan crypto legislation , South Korea will roll its taxes on crypto profits in 2025.

South Koreas growing crypto numbers

Crypto enthusiasts hailed the staggering 70% numbers posted by South Korean businesses noting that it is a sign of future economic realities.

A recent report during the Korean Blockchain Week points to the fact that Asia countries like Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong are currently seeking more investment around web3, each competing to become the main hub.

Although Hong Kong is taking giant steps with issuing licenses and granting subsidies to crypto-based firms, the local demand for crypto services by its citizens continues to drive development in the industry.

 South Korea has taken a major step towards bringing #crypto into the mainstream as the countrys main financial regulator introduces new guidelines on security tokens.



Read more https://t.co/EQ8aHgREiC  Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) February 6, 2023

Top of the list for crypto institutions is gaining access to licensed custodians and managing counterparty with many firms pledging to work with local financial institutions.

Aside from the general use of virtual assets for payment which a growing number of young Koreans now embrace, the country has also pushed up its blockchain gaming numbers in 2023 and its decentralized application (dApp) usage after a drop in 2022 following to crash of the Terra network.

Meanwhile, regulators in the country are looking to tighten all loose ends, particularly in OTC crypto transactions to curb the use of digital assets for illicit activities.


By Andrew Hammond



The distance between Northern Ireland and "Asian Tiger" Hong Kong is over 6,000 miles. Yet the U.K. government hopes that the former could become a modern-day version of the latter, post-Brexit.



In a keynote address during last week's Northern Ireland international investment conference in Belfast which followed U.S. President Joe Biden's trip in April, British politician Michael Gove asserted that Northern Ireland can become for the United Kingdom and Europe what Hong Kong was in East Asia. It is an interesting vision that stems, in large part, from the unique position of Northern Ireland, post-Brexit.



Gove said, "Northern Ireland is on the cusp of one of the most exciting periods in its history. Nowhere else in Europe has unfettered access to the U.K.'s own internal market and the EU's single market as well, nowhere else has that potential for growth."



What he alludes to here is that, previously, all nations of the United Kingdom  England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland  enjoyed access to the European single market via EU membership, but Northern Ireland is the only one to do so, post-Brexit, while retaining its opening to the U.K. market too. This, now, unique trading position is enshrined under the Windsor Framework, between the EU and the U.K., offering Northern Ireland a potentially significant competitive advantage vis a vis other European nations.



This economic position may prove enticing to a significant number of international businesses, not just in Europe. Around 200 investors from around the world including the United States, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific attended this week's summit which aims to turbocharge inward investment into Northern Ireland.



This includes the Biden administration's Northern Ireland envoy, Joe Kennedy III (a grand nephew of former U.S. President John Kennedy, and grandson of Bobby Kennedy). Kennedy also plans to lead a U.S. trade delegation to Northern Ireland next month.



Whether or not Northern Ireland can become a European version of Hong Kong, it is a vision that may be attractive to many. Hong Kong, of course, was originally a sparsely populated area of farming and fishing villages, yet ultimately rose to become one of the world's most significant financial centers and commercial ports with a population today of over 7 million.



This economic transformation was fueled by Hong Kong's status as an entrepot in East Asia, like Singapore in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong is too small to have an abundance of natural resources, so acting as such, its existence as a trading center became a valuable economic strategy.



Northern Ireland's backstory is different, of course. It was created over a century ago when Ireland was partitioned, enabling a devolved government for the six northeastern counties. The economy of Northern Ireland was the most industrialized in Ireland at the time of partition but began to decline.



However, its economy has grown significantly since the late 1990s, leading to more prosperity for the almost 2 million population. This has been driven, in part, by a "peace dividend" since the Good Friday Agreement a quarter of a century ago with a significant increase in tourism, investment and business.



Today, Northern Ireland is one of the most cost-competitive places to do business in Europe. Moreover, another big part of its success story rests on its high-quality education system. In 2020, Northern Ireland received almost 20 billion in inward investment, with an increasing number of companies from around the world recognizing its growth potential, talent and expertise.



One of the biggest keys to Northern Ireland's future economic success will be politics. The new Windsor Framework, which has been signed off by U.K. legislators, is proving less popular amongst the Northern Irish unionist community (those favoring continuing strong political bonds with the rest of the United Kingdom).



This has seen Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration collapse. It fell apart last year when one of the biggest political parties, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), pulled out as part of a protest against the Windsor Framework's post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland.



At the heart of the revised pact are several key issues, including physical controls and checks on trade to Northern Ireland from Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). The pro-Brexit DUP still asserts it will keep blocking any government revival, in part because the Windsor deal will still require EU checks on some goods being shipped from England, Scotland and/or Wales for sale in the United Kingdom. The fear of the Unionist Party is that, over time, this will erode Northern Ireland's U.K. political ties.



For Northern Ireland to realize its significant economic potential, it will benefit from the clarity of a long-term, stable political approach, as was so successful after the Good Friday Agreement a quarter of a century ago. If that re-emerges, the economic future could be bright in the years to come.





Andrew Hammond is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics.


Steven Eulig, head of Business Development for Digital Solutions at Merck Electronics, speaks during the Alumni Network of Korea-Germany (ADeKo) academic conference at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry building in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of Merck Korea



By Baek Byung-yeul



Merck noted that the semiconductor industry should embrace AI and machine learning for digital transformation, according to the German science and technology company's Korean unit Wednesday.



Speaking at the Alumni Network of Korea-Germany (ADeKo) academic conference in Seoul, Tuesday, Steven Eulig, head of Business Development for Digital Solutions at Merck Electronics, explained the roles of AI and machine learning in semiconductor manufacturing. He said that sustainable digital transformation is required to respond to the rapidly changing semiconductor landscape.



"Digitalization and data sharing are critical to building systems to maintain semiconductor quality and improve supply chain resilience in the global marketplace," Eulig said during the conference, which was held to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Germany.



Merck Korea Marketing Director WooKyu Kim, added, "AI and machine learning are currently experiencing unprecedented acceleration and creating tremendous value not only for Merck's businesses but across all industries."



Kim had invited Eulig to speak at the conference. "We expect Mr. Eulig's presentation will suggest new areas for collaboration in the Korean semiconductor industry," he said.



Eulig suggested that collaboration through smart data will enable semiconductor suppliers and their customers to transform massive amounts of information from chip-manufacturing plants and material suppliers into valuable insights.



Merck sees this as a cutting-edge solution to the ever-increasing demand for semiconductors and ultimately a means of improving product quality.



At the conference, Merck also introduced efforts to achieve sustainable growth, a task on which the entire chip industry is working.



Merck explained that it is developing various sustainable solutions for microchip manufacturing. A recently published report, titled "Investing in a Sustainable Semiconductor Future," outlines corporate initiatives of developing material solutions with low global warming potential (GWP), by reducing waste, investing in renewable energy and improving energy efficiency at its production sites, according to the company.


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.
BLACKPINK, the world-renowned K-pop sensation, left fans emotionally charged as they concluded their epic "BORN PINK" world tour with a heart-wrenching two-day concert in Seoul, Korea.

While all four members of the group showcased their unparalleled talent and infectious energy, it was Jennie's tearful moment that has left the BLINKs community abuzz with speculation and concern.

Jennie's Tearful Moment Steals the Spotlight at BLACKPINK's Epic Concert Conclusion

The "BORN PINK" world tour, which spanned several months and included numerous countries, has been a monumental success, drawing in millions of fans from across the globe.

READ ALSO: New 'Evidence' Points to BIGBANG G-Dragon & BLACKPINK Jennie's Romance - Here's What 'JenDragon' Shippers Revealed

BLACKPINK, consisting of Jennie, Lisa, Rose, and Jisoo, has consistently delivered awe-inspiring performances throughout the tour, solidifying their status as a global music phenomenon.

However, it was Jennie's heartfelt display of emotion during the Seoul concert's finale that has captured the collective hearts of fans, leaving them pondering what the future may hold for the beloved group.

As she choked back tears on stage, Jennie's vulnerability tugged at the heartstrings of BLINKs worldwide, who have been with the group since its inception.

BLACKPINK Jennie's Tearful Moment Sparks Fears Among BLINKs About the Group's Future

As the final notes of the "BORN PINK" world tour echoed through the Seoul arena, fans couldn't help but notice Jennie's emotional display.

READ ALSO: BTS V & BLACKPINK Jennie's Relationship 'Verified' By THIS New Photo

Social media erupted with an outpouring of support and speculation, with devoted fans interpreting her tears as a significant sign.

Read on their comments below:

It's a sign

Shes holding back her tears. You can really see how Jennie loves her job and her girls and ofc blinks. wanna hug her so bad

it feels like the end..

Please, no

We love you, Jennie

Im scared too

I wanna hug poor Jennie

Huhu Don't cry my Love

It hurts seeing her like this

Its giving no contract renewal

While the future may hold uncertainties for BLACKPINK, one thing remains crystal clear: the bond between the group and their devoted fans is unbreakable.

As fans eagerly await further updates from BLACKPINK and their management, the love and support for Jennie and her fellow members will continue to shine brightly, no matter what the future may bring.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Jennie 'Almost Naked' Outfits in HBO's 'The Idol' Ignite BLINKs' Thirsty Mood



Follow and subscribe to KpopStarz for more news.



KpopStarz own this article.

Madison Cullen wrote this.
Brazil Debates Bill To Protect Debtors Digital Assets

Pexels

Brazilian lawmakers make moves to include cryptocurrencies in the list of debtors-protected assets on behalf of creditors following their recognition as tradable property.

In recent months, Brazil has embarked on a major change to reduce the seizures of debtors assets which is meant to settle their creditors.

Originally, Bill number 4.420/2021 being debated by the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee of the parliament does not include digital assets but a separate move is looking to include the asset class into the protection list.

The country wants to amend the Code of Civil Procedure specifically the mode of debt enforcement and the rights of both parties. The proposed amendment will protect the financial savings of debtors to a figure equal to 40 minimum wages from seizures on behalf of creditors.

On September 15, Deputy Felipe Francischini disclosed an agreement to include digital assets as part of the protected asset class after a suggestion from Deputy Fernando Marangoni.

Nowadays, peoples investment behavior has changed, with the traditional savings account losing ground to other forms of financial investment.

This latest development comes as a result of the directive given to the countys Central Bank by the President to regulate digital assets and its issuing firms.

 The President of #Brazil Jair Bolsonaro signed a bill making #bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptoassets a legal and regulated payment option in the country  and this move, an expert says, "sets the stage for greater bitcoin adoption."



Read more https://t.co/leZWzMVyvZ  Cryptonews.com (@cryptonews) December 23, 2022

The law ushered in a digital asset framework in the country as it became an emerging market for web3 in South America.

The laws referred to crypto as digital representations of value that can be traded or transferred via electronic means and used for making payments or investments.

Brazils pro-crypto stance yields fruits

In recent years, Brazil has maintained a positive attitude toward the industry leading to an influx of blockchain-based firms and a growing number of asset adoptions in the country.

According to the Federal Revenue Service, Brazil records about 3.2 million crypto users and has over 89,000 businesses that utilize crypto assets . The country also ranks high in crypto awareness statistics worldwide.

Brazil plays host to Mercado Bitcoin, one of the biggest virtual asset exchanges in South America, and has given out licenses to Crypto.com, Coinbase, etc.

Coinbase recently listed Brazil among foreign jurisdictions it considers as an attractive investment destination because of its friendly and certain regulations.

Despite the positive developments, policy watchers have flagged the recent moves to raise the taxes on crypto held overseas as a bad light for the countrys growth.

Many view this as the effect of supporting cryptocurrencies as taxes on virtual assets have been added to the Finance laws of Nigeria and other countries.
Philippines SEC Collaborates With International Organizations to Strengthen Crypto Enforcement Efforts

Pixabay

The Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) seeks to establish a joint regulatory framework around digital assets and to crack down on bad actors who engage in illicit crypto transactions.

The body has partnered with the United States SEC and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to host an International Organization of Securities Commission (IOSCO) Workshop and an Investigation Enforcement Training Workshop.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Philippines collaborating with international organizations to further its mandate of protecting the public from securities fraud and other forms of investment scams.



Read more at https://t.co/TzdieiKRSp#SECupdates pic.twitter.com/3ANDH9yrwC  SEC Philippines (@SEC_Philippines) September 18, 2023

According to the participants, the training is billed to sharpen the skills of the organization in furtherance of its mandate to protect the public from all firms of financial fraud including those that leverage digital assets.

In a press release, the Philippines SEC cited market manipulations, off-market fraud, insider trading, and crypto scams adding that it facilitated the IOSCO Multilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MMOU) on Aug 18.

Cross-border partnerships

SEC head Emilio B. Aquino lauded the US SEC, the ADB, and other participating organizations in the Philippines stating that the skills learned will guide them as they protect the public from traditional and evolving financial fraud schemes.

Scammers are becoming more advanced and sophisticated in their techniques as new technologies arise. As such, the SEC must constantly improve its investigation and enforcement capabilities to ensure that we are always one step ahead in preventing scams, he added.

US SEC officials including Paul Gumagay the Associate Director of Operations at the Office of International Affairs (OIA), Tom Swiers, the Branch Chief, and Glenn Gordon, the Associate Director at the Miami Regional Office brought their experience to the fore in instituting court cases and investigations of alleged wrongdoers.

The stakeholders led by Aquino also paid a courtesy visit to the Philippine legislature meeting with House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Ramualdez to support efforts in drafting legislation to give law enforcement more power to protect investors.

Furthermore, as a result of the evolving nature of digital assets, stakeholders stressed that information sharing to always be one step ahead of bad actors.

Philippines and global crypto regulations

As multiple jurisdictions beef up rules around digital assets. The Philippines is not left behind although some observers say the governments stance may not be in support of the industry .

In the past, local authorities including the SEC and the Central Bank have urged citizens not to participate in foreign crypto trading activities citing investor protection concerns.

The SEC also delayed the rollout of its regulatory framework on the industry adding that We havent closed the door. We just have to make sure people dont get burned.

Despite unclear regulations, citizens continue to adopt digital assets deploying the underlying technology to solve multiple traditional problems leading to the country evolving to a top web3 spot.
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], September 20 (ANI): The Biju Janata Dal announced senior party leader Pramila Mallik's name as Odisha Assembly Speaker candidate on Wednesday.

The election for the post of the Odisha assembly speaker will be held on September 22.

Also Read | Triple Talaq in Mumbai: Man Thrashes Wife, 'Burns' Her With Cigarette Before Pronouncing Verbal Divorce in Airoli, Accused Booked.

Pramila Mallik is currently serving as State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister and will file her nomination on Thursday.

Pramila Mallik is six-time MLA from the Binjharpur Assembly Constituency, first elected in the year 1990 on the Janata Dal ticket.

Also Read | Women's Reservation Bill: Lok Sabha Passes Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill by 454 Votes to 2.

In the year 2000, she was elected from the Biju Janata Dal. She has also held different portfolios as Cabinet Minister in Naveen Patnaik's Cabinet and Chief whip of the party in the state assembly.

The post has been laying vacant after former speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha was appointed Finance Minister during the last reshuffle of the cabinet by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

After the cabinet led by CM Patnaik was reshuffled earlier this year, former Odisha Speaker Bikram Keshari Arukha was among three new ministers who were sworn into the Odisha cabinet.

Governor Ganeshi Lal administered the oath to the new ministers - Arukha and two senior BJD MLAs Sarada Prashad Nayak and Sudam Marandi in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Patnaik.

The rejig of the Council of Ministers came ahead of next year's Assembly and General Elections.

This was Patnaik's second Cabinet reshuffle in his fifth term as the chief minister of Odisha.

The Cabinet reshuffle was necessitated after Odisha Speaker Arukha and two cabinet ministers had resigned from their respective posts earlier this month citing personal reasons.

Apart from that there was one post lying vacant after the assassination of Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das was assassinated in January. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], September 20 (ANI): BJP MP Pragya Thakur on Tuesday lauded the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for tabling the landmark women's reservation Bill during the ongoing Special Session of Parliament.

Terming the move to introduce the Bill, which is aimed at ensuring a fair representation of women in Parliament as well as other legislative bodies, as the start of a golden chapter in Indian polity, the BJP MP told ANI, "I would like to congratulate all women leaders, regardless of their political leanings, on the tabling of the women's reservation Bill. This Bill, introduced by our government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, will contribute to the greater good of the country."

Also Read | Dengue in Delhi: MCD Finds Mosquito Larvae at 2.40 Lakh Places; Issues Notices to 1.29 Lakh Houses.

On the shifting of MPs to the new Parliament building, the firebrand BJP leader said many new histories would be written in the new complex housing the country's lawmakers.

"The move to the new Parliament building has brought renewed enthusiasm and energy. It marks the start of a golden chapter in India's history. On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, our government demonstrated the desired political intent to table the Women's Reservation Bill. Many, who have advocated women's reservation, have neither respected their dignity nor stood up to fight for their rights. It was our government, under PM Modi, which peddled the idea of 'Nari Shakti' and gave women their rightful place in the society. This new Parliament building will be witness to many new histories in the coming days," she added.

Also Read | Karnataka Government Set To Hike Guidance Value of Immovable Property by 30% From October 1.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Modi for introducing 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', saying that he has shown that women's empowerment is not just a slogan but a statement of intent by the central government.

"Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has shown that Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devata could be realised in a democracy, in keeping with the eternal Indian culture. The 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' introduced in the Lok Sabha today will give our women more power and help in the restoration of their rights in the truest sense," Shah posted on his official handle on X.

"Modi-ji has shown that women's empowerment is not just a slogan but a commitment and a statement of intent of our government. On behalf of crores of countrymen, I heartily congratulate Modi-ji for this historic decision," he added.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The Bill was named "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam".

Introducing the bill in the Lower House, the Union minister said, "This Bill relates to women's empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People."

Meghwal said once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in the Lok Sabha will increase to 181.

Discussion for passage of the Bill in the House will be taken up on Wednesday.

The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Carlisle Area School Board members could vote this Thursday on policy updates that would formalize the role of school safety and security personnel.

The changes would bring the district into compliance with recommended language by the Pennsylvania School Board Association that addresses new state requirements under Act 55.

Signed into law in July 2022, Act 55 makes certain activities concerning threat assessment teams annual requirements, according to a summary posted on the Pennsylvania Department of Education website.

The new requirements affect a policy adopted on March 19, 2020, that established the school safety and security coordinator position, a role occupied by school police officer Kerry Vincent.

Vincent works directly with Michael Black, director of Secondary Operations, Assistant Superintendent Michael Gogoj told school board members earlier this month.

Under Act 55, the coordinator is required to present to the board an annual report that must include threat assessment team information, reports of safety and security drills, information on resources provided to students and staff and updates on memos of understanding the district has with local police departments.

The briefing must also include Office for Safe School reports from prior years along with any data collected for the current year. There must also be Safe2Say Something aggregate data, including a breakdown on life safety and non-life safety reports received.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youths and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from people who may be a threat to themselves or others and to say something before it is too late.

Board President Paula Bussard supports provisions under state law that allow the coordinator to present the annual report behind closed doors during an executive session.

Its designed to make sure that the details are not out there for someone to violate, Bussard said. If youre talking in public about facilities and staff training, youre always very guarded.

The board this Thursday could vote on a district organizational chart that would establish a direct line of reporting and accountability from Vincent to Superintendent Colleen Friend.

Thats a requirement, Friend said. In the event I would need to direct him to do anything in the district, that direction needs to come from me.

This includes the response by school police to an incident.

Duties of the coordinator include supervision of all school police officers, the periodic review of policies and procedures and the coordination of training and resources for students and staff involving different issues and scenarios.

These include training drills for fire, natural disaster, active shooter, hostage situations and bomb threats along with programs that promote awareness of behavioral health, suicide prevention, bullying, substance use/abuse and the identification of warning signs of potential threats from students and staff.

Carlisle is considering potential changes in building configurations for grades K-8. This may include the construction of a new school building.

One role of the coordinator is to lead law enforcement and first responders on periodic tours of buildings, especially schools that are new or have been reconfigured.

The proposed updates also codify the duties of Carlisle school police officers. Those duties including keeping order in school buildings, on school grounds and in school buses and other vehicles owned or leased by the district.

If authorized by the court, school police officers can issue summary citations or detain people until local law enforcement officers arrive.

In the past, the district asked the Cumberland County court system to grant school police officers the authority to carry a firearm so long as the officers maintain all license and training requirements.

Required district training of officers include the use of positive behavior supports, de-escalation techniques and appropriate response to behavior for students with disabilities.

Im hopeful that everybody would agree that the safety and security of our students is the most important thing we do, said board member Rick Coplen, who chairs the governance committee that reviews proposed policy changes. We must get this right. All these procedures will help strengthen that.
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) Citing the "drought-like situation" in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the state government will appeal in the Supreme Court for an injunction against the CWMA order that stipulates the release of about 5,000 cusecs of water per day to Tamil Nadu till September 28.

Siddarmaiah also sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in this regard.

Also Read | Twitter Case on Blocking Orders: Karnataka High Court Asks Centre If It Will Reconsider Takedown Orders Issued to X Corp.

The order by the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) came on September 18.

Siddarmaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar are likely to meet the Union Jal Shakti Minister to discuss this matter.

Also Read | Chennai Horror: Man Murders Wife For Hiding First Marriage, Surrenders After Failing to Dump Body.

Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi urged the Congress government in Karnataka not to "politicise" the matter as the state has agreed to release 2,500 cusecs out of 5,000 cusecs of water to TN.

The issue was discussed in a meeting with all Members of Parliament and Union Ministers from Karnataka in the national capital here. Barring Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, all MPs from the state attended the meeting.

"The state is in distress as we have not received enough rainfall. There is a drought-like situation in the state. Out of 230 taluks, 195 taluks have been declared as drought-hit. In a meeting to be held soon, another 20-odd taluks will be declared drought-hit," Siddaramaiah told reporters after the meeting.

August month saw a rainfall shortage for the first time in 123 years. In times of distress, there is no formula to decide how much water to be released for Tamil Nadu, he said.

"Unfortunately, there is no distress formula to address this suffering. ....We cannot release water. We will appeal to the Supreme Court for an injunction against the CWMA order...," he said.

The chief minister also shared that the Supreme Court, in the modified order, had asked Karnataka to release 177.25 TMC of Cauvery water in a normal year. However, it did not specify the quantum of water to be released during any distress year.

"Till now, we were to release 108 TMC of water had it been a normal year. So far, only 39.6 TMC water has been given because there is no water and no rain," he added. Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said there is very little inflow of water in the state.

CWMA has not come out with a formula on the quantum of water to be released in times of distress situation, he said.

"We are facing a distress situation as we have only 1/3rd of the water. For the first time in the last 120 years, such a situation has risen. CWMA has asked us to release 5,000 cusecs of water, but we have no water even for drinking. We discussed this with all MPs. They have assured us they will support in our fight," Shivakumar said.

Joshi has assured he will fix a meeting on behalf of Karnataka with the Union Jalshaki Minister to present the case, he said and added he has also sought time from the PM to discuss the matter.

Meanwhile, Joshi said the Congress government in Karnataka should talk to the DMK government in Tamil Nadu on the issue as the two parties are allies.

"They should have told to CWMA that it will not be possible to release water. ....It is your mistake," he said and added MPs and ministers will help whenever possible, but they "should not politicise".

He said DMK is an ally of the Congress party and asked how many times the state government spoke to the DMK-ruled Tamil Nadu government and its chief minister on this issue.

"The negotiation between two states should happen," he suggested.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday the government has created an enabling atmosphere for the success of space programmes, rejecting Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's assertion that these achievements should not be used as "an instrument of muscular nationalism".

Lauding scientists for the Chandrayaan-3 mission, Rajya Sabha adopted a unanimous resolution with the thumping of desks.

Also Read | Delhi Factory Blast Video: Two Dead, Four Injured After Explosion at Plastic Factory in Bawana Area.

Reading out from the resolution, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar said, "This House recognises and appreciates the scientists, including the women scientists, for achieving this arduous feat with the successful soft-landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the unconquered south pole of the Moon. This accomplishment, along with the other space missions, will usher in long-lasting economic and social upliftment."

Participating in the discussion on 'India's Glorious Space Journey Marked By Successful Soft Landing of Chandrayaan-3", minister Jitendra Singh accused previous Congress governments of "regimenting" the space department and debarring the common man and industry from it.

Also Read | Triple Talaq in Mumbai: Man Thrashes Wife, 'Burns' Her With Cigarette Before Pronouncing Verbal Divorce in Airoli, Accused Booked.

There are 150 space sector startups today against only four prior to 2014 which was "embarrassing", he said.

He also said the space budget in the last nine years has increased by 142 per cent.

Earlier, Congress MP Ramesh accused the government of attempting to "airbrush" milestones achieved in the space sector since 1960s, and said space programmes should be looked at as an instrument of development and "not an instrument of muscular nationalism".

Hitting back at Ramesh, Singh said the common man was earlier debarred from even peeping inside the premises of space institutions.

Lauding the Chandrayaan-3 mission, Ramesh said there is a need to recall people who have contributed so far to it rather than falling to this new impression that this entire accomplishment is the result of only one individual.

The success is based on the competencies, capabilities and capacities that have been created over 60 years, he said.

"We need to give our scientific and technological institutions full freedom. We need to give our scientific and technological institutions full independence and professionalism and we need to free our scientific and technological institutions of any political patronage and political interference and intervention," Ramesh said.

"Even though the prime minister and the Leader of the House may choose to airbrush them away from history, they are a fact of life. They cannot be erased from history. They are very much part of our space journey," he said.

Responding to him, the minister said the common man was earlier debarred from even peeping inside the premises of space institutions.

"Why they were kept away. You had kept the space department behind a veil of secrecy. You had regimented it. You had disallowed it to be synergised with all the stakeholders. You had disallowed the industry to indulge in this and that is why the progress halted," he told the House.

"Before 2014, there were four startups in space and it is embarrassing to say," he said.

"What is important is that when we started our programme in the early and mid-1960s, on one hand you had (Vikram) Sarabhai devoid of transport and on the other hand you had Soviet Union and United States preparing to land a human on the surface of Moon. That was the gap and the difference distance between the two. Still this group of young scientists had that courage," Singh said.

He also mentioned Veeramuthuwel, the project director of Chandrayaan-3, who was sitting in the gallery, with the House lauding him with the thumping of desks.

Asserting that the House is sitting to celebrate science and scientists, the minister said our scientists never lacked capability and courage but there was lack of an enabling atmosphere at the time and cited the picture of Vikram Sarabhai carrying the launcher vehicle of space programme on a bicycle in the early days.

"Who was the prime minister and which government was there at that time?" he asked. "There was lack of an enabling atmosphere. And that shortcoming has now been removed now."

Asking what has led to this quantum leap in space sector and whether one possessed a magic wand now, Singh said something might have happened that we started tasting success.

Singh claimed the country has earned 174 million USD from the launch of foreign satellites, out of this USD 157 million has been earned only in the last nine years.

Intervening in the debate, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on lunar south pole is going to have a very big impact on India's industrial and technological ecosystem.

She said the country's space journey has been "spectacular" since starting in 1975 with the launch of the Aryabhatta Satellite with the help of the erstwhile Soviet Union.

It is going to have a positive impact on satellite system, telecommunications and many other related fields, she added.

Responding to Jairam Ramesh's remark that the Indian space programme should not be looked as "an instrument of muscular nationalism", she said the prime minister stood with the scientists not only during the success of Chandrayaan-3 but during the failure of Chandrayaan-2.

"This was a bit of perversion which I think somebody from Jairam Ramesh's experience, I would not expect," she said.

Opposition members criticised the government over low spending on scientific research while calling for increasing the salaries of scientists.

They also called for the need to use science to solve the problems of the common people and improve their lives.

Tiruchi Siva (DMK) said Chandrayaan-3 had a smooth landing on the Moon but there is turbulenmce in the new Parliament building. He said he is "proud to be the citizen of India and not Bharat".

K Ravindra Kumar of the TDP) congratulated ISRO scientists.

Others among those who participated in the debate were Sandeep Kumar Pathak (AAP), Prakash Javadekar (BJP), Shantanu Sen, Jawahar Sircar (both TMC), Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut, Anil Jain (BJP), YSRCP's V Vijayasai Reddy, M Mohamed Abdulla of DMK, Ashok Kumar Mittal of AAP, V Sivadasan CPI(M), Abdul Wahab (IUML), Kapil Sibal (Independent), AD Singh (RJD), KR Suresh Reddy (BRS). PTI NKD PRS MSS KRH MJH RKL ANZ SKC

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chennai, September 20: Amid a simmering controversy over his remarks against Sanatana Dharma, DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has once again justified his call stating that eliminating Sanatana will also lead to destroying untouchability. "We say that Santana Dharma should be abolished only to abolish untouchability. I believe that if Sanatana is destroyed, untouchability will also be destroyed," the junior Stalin said on Tuesday in response to the Tamil Nadu Governor's remarks on social discrimination in the state.

Governor Ravi had during a cultural event conducted by Tamil Seva Sangam in Thanjavur last week spoke in detail about social discrimination based on a person's caste that is still prevalent in various parts of Tamil Nadu. Udhayanidhi, who is also Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's son, while, addressing a 'Santana Abolition Conference' recently said, "Uprooting Sanatan Dharma is upholding humanity and human equality. Sanatan Dharma Remark: Supreme Court Refuses To Urgently List Plea Seeking Legal Action Against Udhayanidhi Stalin Over His Controversial Statements

He also compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like dengue, malaria, or the Coronavirus and said, "Few things cannot be opposed; those should be abhorred only. We cannot oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria, or corona; we have to eradicate them. That's how we eradicate Sanatana. Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated." His remarks created a political slugfest in the country with leaders of political rivals NDA and INDIA alliance taking potshots at each other. Udhayanidhi Stalin Joins Issue With Home Minister Amit Shah, Says Hindi Spoken Prominently in Only 4 or 5 States

DMK Leader Udhayanidhi Stalin Justifies His Call

Amid this political slugfest, the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and Aam Aadmi Party, which are part of the Opposition INDIA bloc, distanced themselves from the DMK leader.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) The Indian Air Force proudly says it is "gender agnostic" and in the officer's cadre, every branch, every stream, every substream has got women officers now, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari said on Wednesday.

He said this in his address during an event held at Subroto Park here.

Also Read | Delhi Factory Blast Video: Two Dead, Four Injured After Explosion at Plastic Factory in Bawana Area.

"The India Air Force proudly... we say we are gender agnostic. In the officer's cadre, every branch, every stream, every substream has got women officers now. We have had the first woman CO (commanding officer) of our combat squadron," he said.

"We have had a large number of women officers who have completed their staff course, their higher command course, their HDMC course, and so on.

Also Read | Triple Talaq in Mumbai: Man Thrashes Wife, 'Burns' Her With Cigarette Before Pronouncing Verbal Divorce in Airoli, Accused Booked.

"So, we have little over 1,600 women in the air force today, 161 of them are from the flying branch, including 17 in the fighters," the IAF chief said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) Notable leaders from some of the world's largest polluting nations are conspicuously absent from the United Nations Climate Ambition Summit called by Secretary General Antonio Guterres in New York on Wednesday to reinvigorate efforts to combat the climate crisis.

Guterres had called for countries to show up with commitments to stop oil and gas expansion and plan a phase out of existing production in line with the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi Seeks Urgent Implementation of Women's Reservation Bill, Holding of Caste Census.

A list of 41 speakers put out by the UN for the morning session did not figure representatives from China, the US, the UK or Japan.

Prominent nations addressing the summit include Austria, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Pakistan, and South Africa.

Also Read | Delhi: Seven Doctors Among 26 Mohalla Clinic Staffers Removed From Service for Manipulation in Attendance System, Says Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.

When the UN chief announced the global event last December, he had said he expected "a no-nonsense summit", with no exceptions and no compromises.

"There will be no room for back-sliders, green washers, blame-shifters, or repackaging of announcements from previous years," he had said.

According to the UN, the summit is unique as it features only the "first movers and doers" - those leaders who have responded to the Secretary-General's call for accelerated action to tackle the climate crisis.

Guterres had earlier said that he will give mic to only those who will come with credible, ambitious actions, plans and policies to show.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India], September 20 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan virtually inaugurated the new building of Rewa campus of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication from Kushabhau Thakre Auditorium (Minto Hall) in Bhopal on Wednesday.

During the inauguration, CM Chouhan said, Media is the pillar of democracy and I will leave no stone unturned to take it forward. Recently many decisions were taken for the welfare of journalist friends, soon the bhoomi pujan of the State Media Centre will be performed in Bhopal.

Also Read | Canada Deputy Army Chief Peter Scott Scheduled to Visit India Next Week to Attend Military Conclave.

Makhanlal Chaturvedi University has established its name not only in the state but also at the national and international level due to its efficient operation. The students from here are working in reputed newspapers and channels. The new building and campus of Rewa University, which is being started on the initiative of Public Relations and Public Health Engineering Minister Rajendra Shukla, is a gift to the Vindhya region, he added.

The chief minister said, The dedication of the beautiful, grand and convenient building of the university is a matter of happiness for all of us. The need for a modern equipped media training centre in the Vindhya region was being felt for a long time. Keeping in view the demand of youths and students, Rewa campus was started in the year 2016. Along with the state, students from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and north-eastern states are also studying. In view of the increased interest and inclination towards media studies among the students, the campus was expanded. Media centre, studio, community radio station, computer lab with ultramodern facilities have been established in this campus.

Also Read | Rahul Gandhi Seeks Urgent Implementation of Women's Reservation Bill, Holding of Caste Census.

The state government has left no stone unturned in laying the network of roads, construction of canals and expansion of the irrigation system in Vindhya region. Be it solar power plants or other investment efforts, the government is committed to the development of the sector. Today the vision of Makhanlal Chaturvedi National Journalism University Rewa campus has taken shape. The patriotism-filled writings of Dada Makhanlal Chaturvedi will continue to inspire us, the CM said. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Sagar, September 20: Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the tabling of the women's reservation Bill in the Parliament and said that PM Modi has done historic work for the upliftment of Maatri Shakti.

Speaking to ANI, Dhami said, Yesterday was a historic day. In the leadership of our PM Narendra Modi, the session started in the new Parliament building. It is historic that the Women's Reservation Bill was also presented for the 33 % reservation of Maatri Shakti. I am grateful to the PM that he has done historic work in the upliftment of 'Maatri Shakti'.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam." Introducing the bill in the Lower House, the minister said, This Bill is about women's empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A provides for reservation of seats for SC/ST in the House of People. Parliament Special Session 2023: PM Narendra Modi-Led Central Government To Seek Passage of Womens Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha Today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the government is bringing a new Bill to reserve one-third of all seats for women in the Lok Sabha and the state legislative assemblies and that God has given him the opportunity to take forward the task of women empowerment. Members of Parliament on Tuesday proceeded to the new Parliament building after bidding farewell to the old building. Womens Reservation Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha in 2010 and it was not taken up in Lok Sabha and lapsed in the lower House of Parliament. Women's Reservation Bill Is an Auspicious Beginning That Comes With Terms and Conditions, Says Shiv Sena UBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi (Watch Video).

The Lok Sabha will debate the bill through the day today with former Congress President Sonia Gandhi expected to speak on behalf of the Congress in the house. After the bill is passed in the Lok Sabha it will be debated in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday greeted citizens on the festival of Nuakhai and wished for the prosperity of the country and its people.

Nuakhai is an agrarian festival where the first crop of the field is offered to the goddess in the western districts of Odisha and people seek the blessings of elders in each household.

Also Read | Parliament Special Session 2023: PM Narendra Modi-Led Central Government To Seek Passage of Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha Today.

The festival is observed mostly in Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Deogarh and Sundergarh.

"My hearty greetings to all the countrymen, especially the people of Odisha, on the auspicious festival of Nuakhai related to agriculture! On this holy festival, people celebrate the harvest of paddy. This festival gives us the message of brotherhood and mutual harmony. On this auspicious occasion, I pray to God for the prosperity of the country and its people," Murmu, who hails from Odisha, said in a post in Hindi on 'X'.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Professor Killed, Three Family Members Injured in Attack by Robbers in Shahjahanpur, Accused Shot Dead in Encounter.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Chandigarh, Sep 20 (PTI) Former BJP MLA from Abohar constituency Arun Narang on Wednesday joined the Aam Aadmi Party here.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann inducted Narang into the party, according to an AAP statement.

Also Read | Delhi: Seven Doctors Among 26 Mohalla Clinic Staffers Removed From Service for Manipulation in Attendance System, Says Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj.

Narang was elected from the Abohar Assembly seat after defeating Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar during the state 2017 elections.

He had opposed Jakhar's appointment as the Punjab BJP chief in July.

Also Read | NIA Announces Cash Rewards of Rs 10 Lakh for Information on Khalistani Terrorists Harvinder Singh Rinda And Lakhbir Singh Landa Linked to Babbar Khalsa International.

After welcoming Narang into the party, Mann said the AAP family is growing in Punjab.

Narang's joining the AAP will strengthen the party in Abohar and its surrounding areas, he added.

The AAP said Narang was impressed by the pro-people policies of the AAP government, said the statement.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Last Friday, the same day that Charlottesville police were dealing with a damaging daylight eruption of gunfire on Preston Avenue, they made an arrest in a months-earlier shooting on the same street.

Court records show that 18-year-old Zayon Jamir Payne, named as a suspect in the May 16 shooting that shut down Preston Avenue and delayed the afternoon release of city public school students, was arrested at 5:33 p.m. on Sept. 13.

Payne has been charged with attempted malicious wounding, shooting from a vehicle and the use a firearm in a felony. Additionally, he has been charged with another felony, forceful robbery, for a more recent incident that touched off an official University of Virginia off-grounds alert. The alert noted that Charlottesville police responded to the 800 block of Cabell Avenue for a report of a robbery at 12:52 a.m. on Sept. 1.

The victim reported being assaulted and the suspects leaving the area in an unknown direction of travel, read part of that alert. No weapons were seen, and minor injuries have been reported.

As for the springtime incident on Preston, police received a call that 10 shots had been fired from a black Nissan on the afternoon of May 16, a police spokesman told The Daily Progress at the time.

One man was arrested two weeks later. That would be 21-year-old Kyhiem Brancardius Kier, who turned himself in and was charged with possessing a firearm as a felon. According to a police report, Kier fired multiple shots while driving a gray 2013 Acura near the intersection of Preston and Madison avenues.

Kyhiem advised me that he shot from inside the Acura at an individual who was shooting at him from inside a black Nissan Altima, according to the report by L.G. Houchens, a city detective. Kyhiem informed me that he shot in self-defense as a result of him fearing for his life.

The trouble started, Kier allegedly told police, when he was driving a friend to work along Cabell Avenue and passed Stewart Circle, a nine-building cul-de-sac consisting primarily of rented duplexes. At one of them, Kier alleged, words were exchanged and a group of people suddenly jumped into the Altima to pursue Kier.

Quickly wheeling into an apartment complex to evade the pursuing vehicle, Kier alleged, he saw to his horror a man hanging out the passenger side of the Altima and firing shots at him.

About eight minutes later, near his home on Prospect Avenue, Kier crashed the bullet-riddled Acura, and he and a passenger fled, according to the report.

Kier later relinquished to police the Glock .40 caliber handgun that he used in the shooting, according to the police report. In a recent article at snipercountry.com, a reviewer called the weapon, which fires a bullet slightly wider than 10mm, a hand cannon.

At the time of his arrest, Kier was working as a dishwasher at the Ridley restaurant on West Main Street while facing a Waynesboro charge of providing false information to an officer. He has since been convicted on Aug. 1 on that charge.

Kiers legal issues include an incident from early February 2022 on Interstate 64. Near the Ivy exit, a state trooper on routine patrol claimed that Kier, exceeding 90 mph, swerved into the breakdown lane to avoid arrest. Found with a 4-year-old child riding unrestrained and with a plastic bag containing blocks of a white substance that he described as baking soda, Kier was hit with an array of charges including child endangerment, drug possession and felony eluding. When it came time for a plea a year ago, most of the charges were dropped or reduced. He was convicted in July 2022 in Albemarle County General District Court of misdemeanor charges of ignoring a police officer, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license. He was given an active jail sentence of 90 days.

Kier has some experience with longer sentences. In 2019, at the age of 17, he was convicted and sentenced to 26 years in the adult system for malicious wounding, breaking and entering and robbery conspiracy. However, two years later, Albemarle Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins waived the remainder of his sentence upon his 21st birthday, which took place in March.

A report compiled in advance of that decision showed that Kier had faced 16 prior charges in the juvenile system including two assault and battery charges, a charge of making electronic threats, a hit-and-run with injury, grand larceny, failing to stop for police and parole violations. Most of the charges were dismissed with a promise of 50 hours of community service and completion of an anger-management class after an admission that there were sufficient facts for a conviction.

Despite past allegations of an unwillingness to cooperate with the justice system, including several failure-to-appear charges and having once absconded from his home while under electronic monitoring, Kier seems to have started cooperating with police after getting fired upon in the springtime incident on Preston. After his arrest in that shootout, he allegedly showed investigators some Snapchat messages that pointed to Payne as the first shooter.

nikka that was me who did you like that, read one such message. god was on ya side.

The messages, according to a police report, came from Payne, whose gang name is Five.

leave my bitch and ha family out of this, Payne allegedly wrote. keep it inna streets.

Then living with her mother on Stewart Circle, Paynes girlfriend reportedly would later show her devotion to Payne in the incident that, ironically, led to Paynes capture.

Earlier this month, the girlfriend lured a man to the intersection of Stewart Circle and Cabell Ave on an offer to smoke weed, court documents allege. Wary, the man allegedly mentioned that people have been trying to rob him.

no I am not going to do that, Paynes girlfriend allegedly replied by text, but you need to keep a gun on you just in case.

Police say the man was ambushed by two men whod been hiding and then punched from behind and robbed him of his gun.

During the attack the suspects yelled at him to give it up, which he believed was in reference to a gun he had in his possession, according to a written narrative by Houchens, the investigating detective.

The man later identified Payne as one of his attackers.

Payne, who is being held without bail at the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, has a hearing slated for Oct. 5 in Charlottesville General District Court. Kier has a hearing at the same time and place.

Neither man has yet been afforded the opportunity to offer a plea to the charges.

As for the more recent Preston shootout on Sept. 13, Police Chief Michael Kochis said then, Two groups were shooting at each other. Police have not announced any suspects or arrests in that case which damaged a passing car.
Raipur, Sep 20 (PTI) Two women Naxalites were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada district on Wednesday, the police said.

The gunfight took place around 7 am in the forest of Aranpur police station limits when a team of District Reserve Guard (DRG), a unit of state police, was out on an anti-Naxalite operation, a senior police official told PTI.

Also Read | Survey of India Employee Killed by Colleague Over Monetary Issue in Delhi, Held.

The security personnel launched the operation after receiving specific inputs about the presence of Naxalites belonging to the Darbha Division of the banned outfit near Nagaram-Poro Hirma jungles along the Dantewada-Sukma interdistrict border, he said.

When the patrolling team was cordoning off the area, an exchange of fires broke out between the two sides, he said.

Also Read | Ganesh Chaturthi 2023: Vijay Tarun Ganesh Mandal in Kalyan Asked by Police to Desist From Using 'Provocative Decoration Material.

After guns fell silent, the bodies of two women Naxalites along with one Insas rifle and one 12 bore rifle were recovered from the spot, the official said.

The search operation was underway in the area, he added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tallinn (Estonia), Sep 20 (AP) The announcement of a cease-fire in Nagorno-Karabakh, just a day after Azerbaijan launched heavy artillery fire against Armenian forces, toned down fears of a third full-scale war over the region in the southern Caucasus Mountains.

But it still leaves significant unresolved questions about the conflict.

Also Read | UK Dog Attack Video: Man Pulled on Road By Out-Of-Control Dog in Sheffield, Terrifying CCTV Footage Surfaces.

Under the agreement mediated by Russian peacekeeping forces, Nagorno-Karabakh's separatist authorities made sizable concessions: disbanding the region's defense forces and withdrawing Armenia's military contingent. But the question of Nagorno-Karabakh's final status remains open and is to be at the centre of talks between the sides beginning Thursday.

Emotions and ethnic pride are intense on both the Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian sides, with neither showing an inclination for compromise in the previous three decades of conflict that killed tens of thousands of soldiers and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians.

Also Read | Adriana Thyssen, Brazilian Fitness Influencer, Dies of 'Mystery Illness' At 49 After Losing 45 Kg in A Year.

WHAT IS THE REGION?

Nagorno-Karabakh, with a population of about 120,000, is a mountainous, ethnic Armenian region inside the borders of Azerbaijan that has been a flashpoint since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The region and sizable surrounding territories came under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by the Armenian military at the end of a separatist war in 1994. But Azerbaijan regained the territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself after six weeks of fighting in 2020. The area is recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan.

The latter conflict ended with an agreement to deploy about 2,000 Russian peacekeepers there, but tensions have soared since December when Azerbaijan began blocking the Lachin Corridor  the road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia proper.

On Tuesday, after claiming that four soldiers and two civilians were killed by Armenian-planted mines, Azerbaijan launched heavy artillery fire that it characterised as an anti-terrorist operation.

It said the attacks would continue until Armenian forces laid down arms and the Nagorno-Karabakh government disbanded.

On Wednesday, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said a cease-fire was reached with Russian mediation that included the military demands, but said reintegration of the region was still to be discussed.

WHAT IS AT ISSUE IN THE TALKS?

Nagorno-Karabakh has strong cultural resonance for both overwhelmingly Christian Armenians and Muslim Azeris, holding a wealth of monasteries, mosques and other religious sites.

Armenians in Azerbaijan have been victims of pogroms, while Azeris claim discrimination and violence at the hands of Armenians.

In light of that history, the ethnic Armenian regional authorities are unlikely to agree to step down without firm and enforceable security guarantees from Azerbaijan.

They could seek a form of limited autonomy within the country, although that could be similar to the status Nagorno-Karabakh held under the Soviet Union, before erupting into violence with the USSR's collapse in 1991.

Even as Nagorno-Karabakh suffered severe food shortages because of the blocked road from Armenia, local authorities resisted proposals to begin shipments from Azerbaijan, seeing it as a strategy by the government in Baku to absorb the region.

WHAT ALLIES DO BOTH COUNTRIES HAVE?

Turkiye was the first country to recognize Azerbaijan's independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Throughout the decades of conflict, it has been Azerbaijan's steadfast ally.

Turkey and Azerbaijan share cultural, linguistic and ethnic ties, encompassed in the slogan One Nation, Two States used by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his UN speech on Tuesday.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev frequently visits Turkiye and is said to have a close friendship with Erdogan. Armed aerial drones supplied by Ankara played an important role in Baku's 2020 victory.

They enjoy robust economic ties, with Turkiye being the main conduit for Azerbaijan's oil and gas exports, and Turkish construction firms heavily involved in Azerbaijani projects. Their deep military ties have grown since the 2020 war.

Trade between Azerbaijan and Russia has been increasing, and Moscow is a major supplier of arms to the country.

Armenia is a longtime ally of Russia, sharing Christian roots, and it hosts a Russian military base. Both countries are members of the Collective Treaty Security Organisation, a Moscow-led bloc of six former Soviet countries.

But their relations have deteriorated notably in the past year. Armenia sharply criticized Russian peacekeepers for failing to intervene in the blocking of the Lachin Corridor, and it angered Moscow by refusing to allow CTSO exercises on its territory and instead holding joint exercises this month with US troops.

Russia also bristled at Armenia providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine since the 2022 invasion by Moscow.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES?

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's agreement to the Russia-brokered deal to end the 2020 fighting was widely unpopular at home, with opponents accusing him of being a traitor and large protests demanding his resignation.

The new hostilities and Nagorno-Karabakh's quick capitulation to some of Azerbaijan's demands will likely prompt a new wave of popular dismay in Armenia.

Pashinyan is aware of the potential power of such protests, having become prime minister himself on the heels of large demonstrations in 2018.

Azerbaijan could use the end of fighting to solidify its hold on territory returned to its control from the 2020 war. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Washington, Sep 20 (PTI) The account of Donald Trump Jr. on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, was briefly hacked early on Wednesday, sending a series of offensive tweets, including one falsely announcing the death of his father, former president Donald Trump.

I'm sad to announce, my father Donald Trump has passed away. I will be running for president in 2024, read the first message from Donald Trump Jr's account at 8:25 a.m.

Also Read | UK Dog Attack Video: Man Pulled on Road By Out-Of-Control Dog in Sheffield, Terrifying CCTV Footage Surfaces.

Proving he was still alive, the 77-year-old former president sent an unrelated message on his own X rival, Truth Social at 8:46 a.m. -- more than 20 minutes after the fake death announcement, the New York Post reported.

A series of obviously hacked messages quickly followed on Donald Jr's account, including an inflammatory one saying that North Korea is about to get smoked, and another pretending to show Donald Jr saying he had some interesting messages with Jeffrey Epstein, more than four years after the paedophile died in his Manhattan lockup.

Also Read | Adriana Thyssen, Brazilian Fitness Influencer, Dies of 'Mystery Illness' At 49 After Losing 45 Kg in A Year.

Other tweets on his account read Fk Joe Biden, calling him a stupid ass n-word, and another claiming crypto personality Richard Heart, who was accused of stealing USD 12 million from investors, is innocent.

The tweets have now been deleted and the account restored.

The Trump Organisation did not immediately respond to a request for comment early on Wednesday, the report said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
United Nations, Sep 20 (AP) El Salvador President Nayib Bukele trumpeted the success of his gang crackdown during his speech at the UN General Assembly, crediting his administration's will against international criticism over human rights violations.

Bukele said on Tuesday that if El Salvador had listened to external critics  including some at the United Nations  the tiny Central American country would again be the murder capital of the world.

Also Read | Canada Updates Travel Advisory to India, Urges Citizens To Avoid Visiting Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Assam Amid Standoff Over Hardeep Singh Nijjars Killing.

"Today, I come to tell you that that debate is over," Bukele said. "The decisions we took were correct. We are no longer the world's death capital and we achieved it in record time. Today, we are a model of security and no one can doubt it. There are the results. They are irrefutable."

More than 72,000 people have been arrested under a state of emergency Bukele requested in March 2022 after a surge in gang violence. The special powers that Congress granted Bukele suspended some fundamental rights such as access to a lawyer and being told the reason for one's arrest.

Also Read | Pakistan Asks Its Banks, Regulators To Refrain From Using Indian Origin IT, AI Products and Services.

Critics say that there is no due process, and thousands of innocent people have been swept up in the security blitz. More than 7,000 have been released for lack of evidence of gang ties.

In March, the UN human rights office expressed concern over the year-long crackdown, noting widespread human rights violations, thousands of unsubstantiated arrests and dozens of in-custody deaths.

But at home, Bukele's security policies are very popular. They will likely be the centrepiece of his campaign for re-election next year, something prohibited by El Salvador's constitution but allowed by court justices selected by his supporters in the Legislative Assembly.

As Bukele noted Tuesday, Salvadorans can walk without fear in their neighbourhoods and allow their children to play outside without the oppressive fear of gang recruitment and violence.

In 2015, El Salvador was considered one of the world's most violent as it recorded 6,656 homicides, or about 106 per 1,00,000 people. So far this year, the National Civil Police have registered 146 homicides through September 18, more than 72 per cent below the same period last year.

El Salvador's newfound security has drawn more international visitors and is beginning to attract Salvadorans who moved away long ago to escape the violence, he said.

Bukele mentioned the Central American and Caribbean Games that El Salvador hosted in June and the upcoming Miss Universe competition that will come to El Salvador in November, as well as international surfing competitions that Bukele has promoted.

"We know that much still needs to be done to achieve it," he said, "but we are on the path to reaching our goal of reversing the massive exodus of Salvadorans, a result of all of the mistaken policies of the past and the civil war, and arriving at our dream of having inverse migration, that more Salvadorans return than those who leave". (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Tokyo, Sep 20 (AP) Japan's exports fell 0.8 per cent last month from a year earlier, with steep declines in shipments to China and the rest of Asia, its largest regional market.

Imports sank nearly 18 per cent, the Japanese Finance Ministry said in preliminary data released Wednesday. That left a trade deficit of 930.5 billion yen (USD 6.3 billion) in August, for the second straight month of red ink, it said.

Also Read | India Reached Moon, Successfully Hosted G20 Summit, We Are Begging Other Countries for Funds, Laments Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif (Watch Video).

Exports to Asian markets fell 8.8 per cent, while imports dropped about 13 per cent. A large share of that was an 11 per cent drop in the value of shipments to China, whose economy has slowed in recent months as a hoped-for rebound from disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic fizzled.

We think the weak recovery in China will continue to have a negative impact on exports for a while, but semiconductors seem like they are bottoming out from the down cycle, Robert Carnell, regional head of research Asia-Pacific at ING, said in a report.

Also Read | United States in Active Talks With India to Look at Producing Military Systems in Areas Related to ISR and Conventional Warfare, Says Pentagon Official.

He said the strong contribution to economic growth in the April-July quarter was expected to weaken in this quarter.

Japan's exports to the US climbed 5.1 per cent, helped by robust demand for vehicles. Exports to the European Union jumped 12.7 per cent from a year earlier.

By product category, total auto exports jumped 40.9 per cent year-on-year and semiconductor exports gained 8.1 per cent. Exports in chemicals declined 11.7 per cent and machinery exports slipped 9.6 per cent.

China announced on August 24 that it was suspending all seafood imports from Japan after treated radioactive water began to be released into the Pacific Ocean from the wrecked Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in northern Japan.

That may have some impact on imports from Japan in September and beyond, but Japan's overall exports of food to China accounted for only a 1 per cent share of the total, even if they did fall 41 per cent from a year earlier.

China's weaker than expected recovery has been weighing on Japanese exports, although hopes are growing the downturn may be bottoming out, at least for some industries. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, September 20: US President Joe Biden has been invited to India's January 26-Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital, the Ambassador of US to India, Eric Garcetti revealed on Wednesday. Garcetti said the invitation was extended to Biden by PM Modi on the sidelines of the bilateral that took place between the two leaders at the recently concluded G20 Summit.

During this, India and the US also settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute. Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modi's state visit to the US. PM Narendra Modi Extended Invitation to Joe Biden for 2024 Republic Day Function, Says US Ambassador Eric Garcetti.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modis historic, June 2023, visit to Washington, the India-US joint statement read.

The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding. India Warns Its Citizens in Canada to 'Exercise Utmost Caution' Amid Row Over Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing.

After the meeting, both the leaders lauded the India-US relations and said that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good. The G20 Summit took place in New Delhi from September 9-10 under India's Presidency. Notably, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade. In 2015, Barack Obama became the first US President to attend India's Republic Day parade as the chief guest.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi [India], September 20 (ANI): Amid the India-Canada diplomatic standoff, US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti has said that perpetrators should be brought to justice and that there should be a space for investigation before a judgement is made.

Speaking at Ananta Centre in New Delhi in a conversation with senior journalist Indrani Bagchi, Garcetti said, "Those who are responsible must be held accountable. We hope that traditional friends and partners will cooperate in getting to the bottom of it."

Also Read | Adriana Thyssen, Brazilian Fitness Influencer, Dies of 'Mystery Illness' At 49 After Losing 45 Kg in A Year.

He said, "We care deeply for Canada just as we care deeply for India. And I think that moments like this don't define our relationship. But they certainly can slow down progress. And they're gut checks for everybody to say how do we interact with each other? What do we stand for? How do we enforce ideas like sovereignty and international law?And what are our responsibilities to one another?And I'm sure somebody's going to ask that question."

"So let me just kind of say more of a statement that obviously any allegations like this should be troubling to anyone. But with an active criminal investigation, I hope that we can make sure that perpetrators are brought to justice and that we can all allow the space for that information and that investigation to occur before anybody leaps to judgment. And to me, that's the most important role. I think to each one of us sovereignty is a very important principle," he added.

Also Read | Bengaluru: 11-Month-Old Pakistani Baby Girl With Rare and Life-Threatening Osteopetrosis Finds Cure at Narayana Health Hospital.

Responding to a question on whether Canada has shared any evidence to the US, the US envoy stated, "As I said... I think that people need to have the space and the place for, if there is evidence, I will say that of course we are in close communication with Canada. Canada is a dear friend, ally, partner and neighbour."

"Not just in moments like this, but all the time. we speak regularly, we share information..but that doesn't mean i have everything that everybody is speaking about," he said.

Relations between India, and Canada have grown tense after Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged that the Indian government was behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India and was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Earlier on Tuesday, US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said that serious allegations were levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar adding that the US wanted the matter to be handled in a transparent way.

In an interview with CBS News, an American television news channel, Kirby urged India to cooperate in the investigation.

Meanwhile, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country have been advised to exercise caution amid the recent strain in relations between the two countries.

Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

The MEA said in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, September 20: Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj on Wednesday said seven doctors and 19 staffers posted at seven mohalla clinics have been removed from service after it was found that they attempted to manipulate the electronic attendance system.

Addressing a press conference, he said there were complaints about doctors coming in late to Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics. Mohalla clinics are one of the flagship initiatives of the Arvind Kejriwal government to boost the primary health care system in Delhi. A typical mohalla clinic has a doctor, a midwife-cum-nurse and other ancillary staff, and an array of diagnostic services and essential medicines are provided free of cost to patients who come there. Outcome Budget: Delhi Govt Sets Targets Departments, Agencies for 2023-24.

"The staff (at mohalla clinics) are supposed to be available from 8 am to 2 pm. We got the attendance records checked ... It was found that the electronic attendance system was being manipulated," Bharadwaj told reporters. The Delhi minister said some of the staff would come late but the system "showed" that they had arrived by 8 am.

"Irregularities were found (in our probe) at seven Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics -- five in the Southwest district, one in the Northeast district and another in Shahdara district. In all, 26 staffers, including seven doctors, have been de-empanelled," he said.

A total 533 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics are functional in Delhi. Bharadwaj said the irregularities were noticed after discrepancies or oddities were found in images submitted such as change in clothing on the same day or a photo of a photograph being found in scanned images. CM Arvind Kejriwal Dedicates 5 New Mohalla Clinics to City.

Besides the seven doctors, the remaining staff who were removed include six pharmacists, six clinic assistants and seven multi-tasking staff, he told reporters. The Delhi minister said the Kejriwal government and the health department is "very serious" on the matter that staff deployed at such clinics discharge their duties responsibly and warned of action if any laxity is found.

Asked how such tampering with the system might have happened, he said technological upgrade is needed to keep pace with people who may try to byapss the system, adding, "We keep upgrading our technology."
Bengaluru, September 20: The High Court of Karnataka has asked the Union Government if it would reconsider the blocking orders issued to X Corp (formerly Twitter) to block Tweets, accounts and URLs issued to the micro-blogging site. A division bench which is hearing an appeal by the company has directed the government to make its stand clear before September 27, when it will hear the arguments in the appeal.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) had issued 10 government orders between February 2, 2021 and February 28, 2022 directing the then Twitter to block 1,474 accounts, 175 Tweets, 256 URLs and one hashtag. Twitter challenged the orders related to 39 of these in a petition. However, a single judge bench dismissed its petition and also imposed a cost of Rs 50 lakh on the company. X Down: Users Report Trouble Loading Posts as Elon Musk-Owned Twitter Hit by Major Worldwide Outage.

The company's appeal came up before the division bench of Justice G Narendar and Vijaykumar A Patil again on Wednesday. The court allowed two applications by the company to amend the grounds in its petition and also to produce additional documents.

The counsel for X Corp, senior advocate Sajan Poovayya argued that the blocking orders issued by MeiTY do not state the reasons as mandated by law.

He also pointed out that the orders can be sent to the Secretary of MeiTY for a review, which had not been done. To which the court opined that such an in-house decision (by Secretary) would not attract "unwarranted publicity."

Considering this proposal, the court further directed that it will "remand it back to the Secretary and let him look into it and say whether it is justified or not." The court said that the government should speak to the Secretary, and the Additional Solicitor General to get an opinion as "prima facie it (X Corp) appears they have a case."

The division bench also observed that there was no provision for imposing a fine of Rs 50 lakh on the company. The company has however deposited Rs 25 lakh in the court on the direction of the division bench.
Kanpur Dehat, September 20: In a shocking incident, a seven-year-old boy has been accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl from his neighbourhood in Kanpur Dehat district. The incident, which had taken place in a village under the limits of Akbarpur police station of the district late on Sunday night, came to light after police lodged FIR under sections 376 of IPC and section 5/6 of the POCSO Act on the complaint of the girls mother on Tuesday. 'Touched Me Inappropriately': InMobi Intern Alleges Sex Harassment by Manager, Inaction From HR and Management; Bengaluru Police Respond

Both children have been sent to the district hospital and medical report has confirmed rape. The five-year-old girls mother said her daughter had gone out to play when the incident took place. Akbarpur Kotwali police station inspector Satish Singh said police were treating this case with caution. Government Should Consider Bringing In Age Limit for Use of Social Media, Karnataka High Court Asks Centre

If a child below seven years of age commits a crime, it does not fall in the category of crime. Nevertheless, further action will be taken in this case only after taking legal opinion. The FIR was registered on Tuesday, he said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2023 10:05 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
For an electric grid that plugs into lots of wind turbines and solar panels, coping when the wind dies and the sun sets requires long-lasting batteries.

With the heavy demand for lithium-based batteries, Dominion Energy wants to test two different types of batteries  one of which is based on rust.

Dominion wants to test a battery that can power its system for up to 100 hours with a pilot project at its Darbytown power station in Henrico County.

The utility's $70.6 million pilot project reflects its concerns that the key ingredient of 16 megawatts of batteries it now deploys  the metal lithium  will be in heavy demand for electric vehicles, as well as lessons learned during last years Christmas winter storm, said Brandon Martin, Dominions manager of business development for energy storage.

Winter Storm Elliots bitter cold meant other electric utilities had to launch rolling blackouts, as some generating stations went off line.

One of the two new-style batteries Dominion will test at the Darbytown Storage Pilot Project, iron-air units, can store electricity for several days; Dominions current batteries now can do so for four hours or less.

It can address a different need, Martin said. Today, on a beautiful sunny day, we can charge up a four-hour lithium ion battery, and it will discharge electricity in the evening, when people are coming home and turning things on and the sun isnt shining ..." he said.

But the iron-air batteries Dominion is acquiring from Pennsylvania-based technology developer Form Energy can deliver 5 megawatts of electricity for up to four days. A megawatt can power 250 homes.

So think about a situation like Winter Storm Elliot and what being able to supply electricity then could mean, Martin said.

Trust in rust

At their heart, Forms batteries are about rust. The chemical reaction that melds oxygen from the air to iron also releases energy, which the battery taps to feed an electric current out to the grid. Charging them with electricity from the grid removes the rust, allowing the energy releasing reaction to start again.

Last month, New York State granted $12 million to Form Energy to develop and construct a 10-megawatt demonstration iron-air batteries bank.

With longer-duration batteries in the mix, this project could be a transformational step forward, helping us safely discharge stored energy when it is needed most by our customers, said Ed Baine, President of Dominion Energy Virginia.

The pilot means Dominion employees responsible for maintaining the tightly limited voltages needed on its grid will have a chance to learn the distinctive charging and electricity-feeding characteristics of this kind of battery, Martin said.

Form Energy chief executive officer and co-founder Mateo Jaramillo said the iron air batteries provide Dominions Virginia customers with access to wind and solar energy when and where it is needed over periods of multiple days.

Zinc hybrid

Dominion is also testing pilot zinc hybrid batteries, which are charged and then discharge energy as zinc ions move from anode to cathode.

Since it takes a lot of energy to move zinc atoms around, these batteries need less material in their anodes and cathodes. New Jersey-based Eos Energy Enterprises is supplying batteries than can deliver four megawatts over four hours.

This technology has the potential to evolve into longer-duration batteries, but more immediately, it could give Dominion options as demand grows for the lithium metal in its current and planned battery fleet, Martin said.

That demand is fueled by the rapid expected growth of electric vehicles  lithium ion batteries are much lighter than other kinds of batteries and are efficient ways of powering vehicle motors, Martin said.

Dominion understands that meeting our future energy needs requires multiple storage technologies, said Joe Mastrangelo, Eos chief executive officer.

Dominion has pilot lithium-ion battery banks in Hanover, New Kent and Powhatan counties, which can deliver a total of 16 megawatts of electricity for up to four hours. It is developing a 20-megawatt battery bank in Chesterfield County and has plans for more batteries in Sussex County, as well as a large 50-megawatt battery facility at its major new solar project at Washington Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia.

If the State Corporation Commission and Henrico County approve the projects, Dominion said construction would begin by late 2024 with the batteries coming online in 2026.

PHOTOS: Dominion's battery storage system in New Kent County 20220424_MET_RENEWABLES_AWE04
New Delhi, September 20: The historic Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam or the women's reservation bill was passed by Lok Sabha on Wednesday after the culmination of a day-long discussion, by a overwhelming 454 votes, with two members voting against it. The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed after voting.

Several members namely Asaduddin Owaisi, Hibi Eden, N.K. Premachandran, Sougata Ray, A.M. Ariff and E.T Mohammed Bashir had moved amendments but did not pursue them. Womens Reservation Bill Passed in Lok Sabha: Legislation Granting 33% Seats to Women in Lower House and State Assemblies Cleared in LS.

Womens Reservation Bill Passed in Lok Sabha

VIDEO | Lok Sabha passes Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women's Reservation Bill). 454 MPs voted in favour of the bill, 2 voted against it.#WomenReservationBill2023 pic.twitter.com/CFo5tILQwK  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

Earlier, several members beginning with Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Smriti Irani, Mahua Moitra and many others participated in the discussion on the bill.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2023 08:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Indian-American former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley leads President Joe Biden in hypothetical 2024 head-to-head matchups, according to a new poll. US president trails behind GOP candidates: Poll
New York, September 20: Tech giant Google has partnered with the US Department of Defense to build a microscope powered by Artificial Intelligence to help doctors spot cancer. Called an Augmented Reality Microscope, or ARM, has shown promise and could prove to be a useful tool for pathologists without easy access to a second opinion, CNBC reported.

The device has a large eyepiece and a tray for examining traditional glass slides, and is also connected to a boxy computer tower that houses the AI models. The AI detects cancer from the glass slide under the microscope. It also outlines -- a bright green line -- with which doctors can see where exactly the cancer is located. 'Make In India' iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus To Go on Sale on September 22, Check Specifications and Saving Offers.

To indicate how bad the cancer is, the AI generates a black and white heat map on the monitor that shows the boundary of the cancer in a pixelated form. The ARM is meant to serve as a second line of defence for pathologists, and it would not replace the doctors themselves, Dr. Niels Olson, the chief medical officer of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) at the Department of Defense, was quoted as saying.

He added that the obvious initial use case for the microscope would be in smaller, remote labs, and it could also serve as a resource for pathology residents in training. According to Aashima Gupta, global director of healthcare strategy and solutions at Google Cloud, the company has launched four algorithms for the ARM which can identify breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer and mitosis. Apple iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max Available in India with Exciting Cash Discounts; Check Details.

The AI models are trained on data from the DIU, and Gupta said neither Google employees nor Google infrastructure have access to it, the report said. The DIU is hoping to make the ARM available to all government users through the General Services Administration website sometime this fall. The tool is called an Augmented Reality Microscope, and it will usually cost health systems between $90,000 to $100,000, the report said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2023 06:30 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi, September 20: The Trudeau government had alienated India by shutting down the efforts Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was making to reconcile with Khalistanis, who for years had been fomenting violence in India from their Canadian safe haven, columnist Terry Glavin wrote in National Post. Little was accomplished by the Canada-India 'cooperation framework' on intelligence and security signed during Trudeaus disastrous costume-pageantry tour of India in 2018," he said.

In the foreground is the June 18 gangland-style killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside the a gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, where Nijjar served as president. But in the background is what became largely a covert operation, a back channel reconciliation effort between Modis BJP and veteran Canadian Khalistanis, who were growing weary of agitating for a separate Sikh state in India that Indias Sikhs want nothing to do with, Glavin said. India Warns Its Citizens in Canada to 'Exercise Utmost Caution' Amid Row Over Hardeep Singh Nijjar Killing.

That initiative was facilitated mostly by the British Sikh activist Jasdev Singh Rai, who had met with the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service during several visits to Canada, but the Trudeau government bowed to a Khalistani-influenced group of gurdwara leaders and obstructed the peace dialogue process", Rai said at the time. Rai found himself barred from Canada, Glavin said.

As for what Trudeau referred to only as a potential link to agents of the Indian government, this raises another gangland-style assassination in Surrey from a year before Nijjar was gunned down -- the murder of Ripudaman Singh Malik on July 14, 2022 -- and points directly to the BJP-Khalistani peace talks that Trudeau obstructed, the article said. India Rejects Allegations by Canada After PM Justin Trudeau Claims Indian Hand in Killing of Khalistani Leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Malik had been one of Talwinder Singh Parmars chief lieutenants in the Air India plot. Acquitted on charges related to his role in the bombing, the import-export multimillionaire had gone on to join several former leading Khalistanis in Canada who took up Modis offer of amnesty. They had their names removed from terror blacklists and regained their ability to acquire Indian visas, Glavin said.

Nijjar and Malik had ended up on irreconcilably opposing sides in British Columbia's gurdwara politics. Malik had gone so far as to publicly praise Modi for his outreach efforts, with Nijjars camp accusing Malik of being an Indian government agent -- the kiss of death. At the time of Maliks assassination, intelligence officials in Delhi were convinced that his assassins came from Nijjars camp, Glavin added.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2023 10:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
On 19 September Colombias government and the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), the largest grouping of dissident units of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc) guerrilla group, announced that a bilateral ceasefire will come into force on 8 October.

Analysis:

The announcement revives a ceasefire that was declared at the start of the year but which collapsed after an EMC unit murdered four teenagers in Putumayo department in May. This time, the ceasefire will run for an initial period of ten months instead of six and will come into force on the same day that peace talks begin between the dissident alliance and the government. This may improve the chances of the two sides successfully reaching a peace agreement, but daunting challenges remain; the EMCs units operate with a high degree of autonomy, and some regional commanders may be reluctant to abandon their control over profitable drug trafficking routes and coca production areas.

The 10-month ceasefire was announced following three days of exploratory talks between government and EMC delegations in Suarez municipality, in the southwestern department of Cauca. It will come into force on 8 October, the same day that a first round of peace talks will begin in Tibu municipality, in the northeastern department of Norte de Santander, and will initially run until 8 August 2024.

A joint statement expressed the government and the EMCs firm conviction to move towards the development of a peace agreement that ends the armed conflict and leads to an integral, stable and long-lasting peace, with social and environmental justice.

From now until 8 October, both parties will prepare for the talks and develop protocols for the ceasefire. Offensive operations will then be halted on 8 October, when a plan for the peace talks will be presented. A ceasefire monitoring mission (MVMV) will then be established.

The EMCs spokesman in the talks, Andrey Avendano , said that as a gesture of goodwill it would release three soldiers that it is currently holding hostage. Avendano also said that the EMC will not disrupt the 28 October regional and municipal elections, although he said that it would be alert to possible acts of corruption.

, said that as a gesture of goodwill it would release three soldiers that it is currently holding hostage. Avendano also said that the EMC will not disrupt the 28 October regional and municipal elections, although he said that it would be alert to possible acts of corruption. Colombias peace commissioner Danilo Rueda said that the ceasefire with the EMC represents a substantial step towards the construction of a great, unprecedented and ambitious proposal for total peace. He acknowledged scepticism regarding the governments peace plan, emphasising the need for verification mechanisms to ensure that agreements signed on paper have a real impact on the ground.

said that the ceasefire with the EMC represents a substantial step towards the construction of a great, unprecedented and ambitious proposal for total peace. He acknowledged scepticism regarding the governments peace plan, emphasising the need for verification mechanisms to ensure that agreements signed on paper have a real impact on the ground. Avendano said that all of the [EMCs] commanders have given their seal of approval to this process since the beginning of exploratory talks. He said that if agreements between the two sides are implemented properly, no one will need to return to the armed struggle.

Clashes between the EMC and the security forces have continued in recent days. The EMC was blamed by the police for an explosive attack on a police car in Mesetas municipality in the central department of Meta on 17 September. No one was injured in the attack. This followed an ambush which killed four soldiers in Cumbitara municipality, Narino department, on 16 September, which the authorities also blamed on the EMC.

Looking Ahead: Unlike the ongoing peace talks with the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN) guerrilla group, which rotate between Venezuela, Cuba and Mexico, negotiations with the EMC will all take place within Colombias borders. The leader of the governments negotiating delegation, Camilo Gonzalez Posso, said that this is aimed at allowing communities affected by the EMC to participate in the talks.
In his address at the United Nations General Assembly, President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of collaborating with global competitors to harness the potential of artificial intelligence for positive purposes while safeguarding citizens from its associated risks.

He acknowledged the dual nature of emerging technologies, highlighting the need to ensure they serve as tools for opportunity rather than weapons of oppression, according to CNBC.

President Biden stated that the United States and international leaders are actively working to strengthen regulations and policies governing AI technologies.

The goal is to ensure their safety before they are released to the public, focusing on governing artificial technology rather than being governed by it.

READ NEXT: Hunter Biden Case

Government to Help Regulate Artificial Intelligence

President Joe Biden's remarks come amid efforts by US policymakers to gain a deeper understanding of AI and determine appropriate safeguards that protect American interests without stifling innovation.

This effort occurs in the context of intense global competition, particularly with China, which is also striving to be a leader in AI technology, Globe Echo noted.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently hosted a meeting with prominent tech CEOs, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, along with labor and civil rights leaders.

The discussion centered on AI and the role of government in regulating it. Schumer emphasized the consensus in the room that the government should play a role in AI regulation.

However, the specifics of AI regulation remain a topic of debate among lawmakers. There are differing opinions on which entity should regulate AI and the extent to which regulation should be applied.

Schumer cautioned against moving too hastily, citing the European Union's rapid creation of the AI Act as an example.

Schumer acknowledged that while regulation should not take years, it also should not be rushed, suggesting a general timeline of months for developing AI regulation.

In the interim, several agencies have asserted their ability to address AI abuses using existing legal authority.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released a voluntary risk management framework for AI.

Additionally, the Joe Biden administration secured voluntary commitments from leading AI companies to test their tools for security before public release.

Leading US Artificial Intelligence Companies Agree to Safeguard Technology's Development

The White House announced in July that seven leading AI companies in the United States had voluntarily committed to safeguards for the development of AI technology, the New York Times reported.

The companies (Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Inflection, Meta, Microsoft, and OpenAI) pledged to adhere to new standards for safety, security, and trust in artificial intelligence.

President Joe Biden emphasized the importance of being vigilant about the threats posed by emerging technologies to democracy and values.

He highlighted the serious responsibility of regulating AI while acknowledging its enormous potential benefits.

READ MORE: Joe Biden Net Worth

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: President Biden Delivers Remarks on Artificial Intelligence - From The White House
Rudy Giuliani, who is currently facing mounting legal problems, is now getting sued by his own lawyer, Robert Costello, and his firm, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP. The lawsuit against the former New York City mayor and Donald Trump attorney alleges that he did not pay legal fees to his lawyer, who has been representing him for a long time.

Costello and the firm represented Giuliani in various investigations, including the New York case, the Georgia case, and Special Counsel Jack Smith's two investigations. However, the lawsuit stated that Costello has not been paid yet, and Giuliani owes them nearly $1.4 million.

Costello has been Giuliani's confidant and supporter for decades. However, in a statement to CBS News, the former New York City mayor slammed the man representing him in all those big cases.

"I can't express how personally hurt I am by what Bob Costello has done," the former Trump lawyer said in the statement. "It's a real shame when lawyers do things like this, and all I will say is that their bill is way in excess to anything approaching legitimate fees."

However, Costello answered this statement, telling CBS News, "How can he take a personal affront when he owes my firm $1.4 million? For almost four years he received bills and never complained (and never paid)."

"He only said they were excessive when we told him we would sue. It's too late for that frivolous claim as he will find out in court," said Costello. "I'm sorry he took the low road here because he is feeling desperate."

According to the lawsuit, Giuliani has only paid $214,000 in his $1,574,196.10 tab accrued since signing Costello to a retainer agreement back in 2019. His last payment was made back on September 14 at $10,000.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Assistant Admits Former President Wrote a To-Do List for Her on Classified Documents

Rudy Giuliani Begged Donald Trump To Pay His Legal Bills

Rudy Giuliani might have some idea of what Costello was going through, as he himself was not paid by a high-profile client. That client is Donald Trump, and Giuliani tried begging Trump to pay his legal fees, even flying all the way to Mar-a-Lago.

According to CNN, Giuliani and Costello traveled to Florida in late April to meet with the former president and discuss Giuliani's seven-figure legal fees. They reportedly told Trump that paying Giuliani's bills was ultimately in his best interest.

Trump, who is known for not paying his attorneys, did not seem very interested. It was Costello who made the pitch, but Trump only verbally agreed to pay but did not commit any amount or timeline. Trump did have his Save America PAC to pay $340,000 to a data vendor that was hosting Giuliani's records, but not his legal fees.

Rudy Giuliani's Lawsuit Loss in Georgia Complicates His Financial Woes

Rudy Giuliani is not just facing daunting legal bills from Costello, but he must also pay Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shea Moss, some money after he was found liable for defaming the two Georgia election workers.

US District Court Judge Beryl Howell previously issued a "default judgment" against Giuliani, finding that he "has refused to comply with his discovery obligations and thwarted plaintiffs Ruby Freeman and Wandrea ['Shaye'] Moss's procedural rights to obtain any meaningful discovery in this case."

A trial is yet to decide how much the financially-strapped former mayor will be paying the two Georgia election workers.

READ MORE: Donald Trump Co-Defendant Jenna Ellis Turns On Ex-POTUS, Calls Him a 'Malignant Narcissist'

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Rudy Giuliani sued for $1.3 million in unpaid legal fees - CBS New York
Mexico-based railway company Ferromex is suspending its operations temporarily, and this is all because of migrants trying to illegally jump and climb onto their trains.

The train company, which runs its operations in northern Mexico, cited the reason for the work suspension was that "so many migrants are climbing aboard freight cars and getting hurt in the process." Around 60 trains carrying cargo that would fill 1,800 tractor-trailers have now temporarily halted operations. The work stoppage could affect international trade, according to experts.

According to the Associated Press, the company is owned by the conglomerate Grupo Mexico, which lamented the fact that migrants were hopping into moving train cars "despite the grave danger that represents."

"There has been a significant increase in the number of migrants in recent days," said the company in a statement.

It hopes stopping train operations would "protect the physical safety of the migrants." The company also noted that they are currently waiting for Mexican authorities to act and solve the problem.

Several migrants did not know that the train operations had halted and were still waiting for the trains to come. Around hundreds of them were found waiting at a railway yard in Huehuetoca, on the northern outskirts of Mexico City, only to be informed that the train going to Matamoros was not heading out.

Migrant Deaths Reported Aboard Mexico Trains

Migrants often hop aboard these trains to hitch a ride to the various border cities in the north. They often travel in groups, often as families trying to get to the border, and the dangers of riding on top of a train do not seem to scare them, even though many are also bringing young children.

READ MORE: Mexico: 11 Police Officers Found Guilty of Killing 17 Migrants Near US-Mexico Border

These train rides have proven to be deadly to these migrants, though, as there have already been reports of deaths happening on these trains, according to France 24.

Ferromex noted, "In recent days, nearly half a dozen unfortunate cases of injuries or deaths were recorded among groups of people who, individually or in families, including children, boarded freight trains heading north, despite the serious danger involved."

These often-unwelcomed passengers also add to the train's overloading and add to the dangers as they travel hundreds of miles on top or in between these Mexico trains.

The Infamous Mexico Train Known as "The Beast" Has Been Transporting Migrants for Years

The most notable train that the migrants try to ride on their way to the US-Mexico border is called "La Bestia," or "The Beast." However, as NPR pointed out, many also call it the Death Train.

Half a million migrants are estimated to ride "The Beast" each year, and they often sit back-to-back along the spine of the train cars as they try and balance themselves, careful not to get knocked off. The migrants endure harsh conditions on top of these trains for quite some time, too, as the trip lasts between a week and several months. Many of these migrants have even made this same trip more than once.

One migrant admitted that staying on top of the train was tiring as they had to battle the scorching Mexico sun and the lack of food and water. The journey on top of "The Beast" has reportedly resulted in several deaths already, thus earning it its other moniker.

READ MORE: Mexico: Ex-Drug Czar Took Bribes From El Chapo, Sinaloa Cartel

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Riding 'the beast': Migrants board Mexico freight train to reach US - France 24 English
Police in a community near Chicago, Illinois, are investigating a tragic incident involving the shooting deaths of a family of four, including two children, in their home on Sunday night.

Authorities have stated that this was not a random event, CNN reports.

The victims, a couple and their two children, along with their three dogs, were discovered with gunshot wounds in their residence in Romeoville, Illinois, located about 30 miles southwest of Chicago.

Deputy Chief Chris Burne of the Romeoville Police Department announced during a press conference on Monday that they are treating this case as a murder investigation and do not believe it to be a murder-suicide.

As of Tuesday, they have confirmed that there is no need for the public to remain indoors.

Burne stated, "We were able to determine this was not a random incident, and there was no cause for a shelter-in-place order. This incident is the police department's top priority."

READ NEXT: Illinois: 8 Injured in 2 Separate Shootings

Illinois Family Found Dead

The victims have been identified as 38-year-old Alberto Rolon and 32-year-old Zoraida Bartolomei, the adults.

The two children's names have not been released, but they were approximately 7 and 9 years old, according to neighbors.

It has been confirmed that no federal law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI, ATF, or DEA, have been called in to assist with the investigation, indicating that there are no apparent links to drug cartel involvement, according to ABC7 Chicago.

Burne stated in a recorded video message on Tuesday that their detectives and crime-scene investigators have been working diligently and have gathered substantial physical evidence.

Still No Suspect for Illinois Family's Shooting Death

As of now, there are no known suspects, and more than 48 hours after the discovery of the bodies, the investigation is ongoing, per FOX 32.

The family's home remains under police surveillance, and many questions persist about the motive and the identity of the perpetrator.

Community members have expressed shock and sadness over the tragedy.

A neighbor, Samantha Allen, visited the scene to light a candle and voiced the hope that those responsible are swiftly brought to justice. "They're sick, and they don't have a heart," she said.

Carol Love, another neighbor, remembered her last conversation with Bartolomei on Friday, where they discussed one of the children's plans to donate their hair for a children's cancer awareness campaign.

Love described the family as friendly and considerate neighbors who were mindful of their dogs not causing disturbances.

The two children attended Robert C. Hill Elementary School nearby, and school officials have informed families of the tragic news.

Crisis counselors are available at the school, and social services are being offered at the Romeoville Police Department for community members struggling to cope with this horrific event.

Meanwhile, Illinois police are urging neighbors to review their Ring doorbell footage for any information that may assist in the investigation.

READ MORE: 2 Models Found Dead

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: 2 adults, 2 children dead in Romeoville home - From CBS Chicago
Press Release

September 20, 2023 Hontiveros renews call for China to pay billions in environmental damages in the WPS Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday renewed her call for China to pay environmental damages in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), after the Philippine Coast Guard recently confirmed that the destruction of coral reefs in Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal was most likely caused by Chinese maritime militia vessels. The senator then filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 804, condemning the massive coral harvesting and urging the appropriate Senate Committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter. "We should seek payment for damages caused by China in the WPS. Aabot ng bilyon-bilyon ang makukuha natin kung mao-obligang magbayad ang Tsina. Ninanakawan na nga nila ng hanapbuhay ang ating mga mangingisda, winawasak pa nila ang ating likas-yaman. Kung mabayaran ng Tsina ang lahat ng utang niya sa Pilipinas, siguradong makakatulong ito sa kinakaharap nating krisis sa ekonomiya," Hontiveros said. In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the senator filed PSR No. 369, calling on the Executive to exert legal and diplomatic efforts so that China would foot the bill for our COVID-19 response. This call came after Dr. Deo Onda, a scientist from the University of the Philippines' Marine Science Institute, estimated that the Philippines was losing around P33.1 billion annually from the damaged reef ecosystems in Panatag Shoal and Spratlys Islands due to China's reclamation activities in the area. Onda further explained that the amount was determined using a baseline value of $353,429 or P18 million per hectare per year for coral reefs based on a study conducted by Elsevier, a Dutch company specializing in scientific, technical, and medical information and analytics. "This will not be the first time for us to seek reparations. Japan paid our country for her destruction of Manila during World War II, and in more recent history, the United States of America also paid the Philippines P87 million, after the USS Guardian damaged Tubbataha Reef in the Sulu Sea. May karapatan tayong maningil," Hontiveros explained. The resolution also states that the government cannot tolerate the continuing harms to the environment, economy, and security brought about by China's incursions, and must explore available recources to hold China accountable, including a claim for damages to be filed with the Permanent of Court Arbitration. "Our 2016 Arbitral Award clearly invalidated China's sweeping and expansive claims in the WPS. This is a case we won because of our dogged commitment to abide by international law and uphold the truth. It is only right that we pursue all options to make China pay," Hontiveros concluded. ****** Note: Please see attached PSR No. 804
Last week, Samaritan Health Services announced it had terminated its contract with UnitedHealthcare insurance, a change that could affect about 18,000 patients  most of them in the mid-Willamette Valley, according to UnitedHealthcare.

When Corvallis resident Kathryn Collins received a letter from Samaritan Health Services last week with the news, it came as a shock, she said.

Starting January 9, 2024, Samaritan Health Services hospitals will be considered out of network under your health plan and on November 1, 2024, Samaritan physician and provider services will become out of network, the letter, dated Sept. 13, states.

Collins and her husband have been UnitedHealthcare insurance users since 1989 and only switched after they went on Medicare, she said. But then they returned to United because it worked better for their needs, she said.

Its a challenging process to switch yet again because this time, she'll have to compare various plans, Collins said. And she wont be the only patient having to do so.

Its very impactful to this community, Collins said.

According to United Healthcare, approximately 18,000 people would be affected by the change. The five hospitals in the system are in the mid-Willamette Valley and the Central Oregon coast.

With hospitals in Corvallis, Albany, Lebanon, Newport and Lincoln City, Samaritan Health Services serves 290,000 residents in Linn, Benton, Lincoln and portions of Polk and Marion counties, according to its website.

For many people in Central Oregon, Samaritan is the only place to access medical care.

It isnt completely clear why the contract was terminated. In the letter patients received, Samaritan said that during a periodic review, officials determined that United Healthcares processing of requests and claims made it difficult for Samaritan to provide timely access and appropriate care to patients.

This along with other factors is not in alignment with our mission of building healthier communities together, the letter stated.

Collins finds that reasoning was vague, she said, adding she personally didnt have any issues receiving timely care.

When asked for more details about which efficiency standards and specific mission goals were not met, a spokesperson for Samaritan Health Services reiterated Mid-Valley Media could attribute a quote that that processing of requests and claims made them a uniquely difficult insurance company to work with, to Samaritan Health Services President and CEO Doug Boysen.

Additionally there have been challenges discharging hospital inpatients who are insured by United Healthcare to skilled nursing facilities, according to the Samaritan spokesperson, who despite the job title, asked not to be identified. The issues have been ongoing but intensified in the last two years.

Samaritan casted a wide net and notified more than 15,000 patients who list United Healthcare as their insurer and had made a visit to a Samaritan provider since January. That makes up 7.3% of Samaritans patient population, according to a Samaritan spokesperson.

The majority of these patients are on a Medicare advantage plan, indicating that many are seniors.

Announcing the termination before the insurance open enrollment period for 2024 was done intentionally, according to an emailed statement attributed to Boysen.

This decision was not made lightly. To minimize confusion and dispel any misinformation being told to our patients, we want to reiterate that we have terminated our contract and are not in negotiations with United Healthcare, Boysen is quoted as saying.

That's not the way United Healthcare sees it. According to the insurer, it is still trying to negotiate.

United Healthcare is open to good faith negotiations and we urge Samaritan to work with us to reach an agreement that will ensure the members we serve have continued access to Samaritans hospitals and providers," said Catherine Farrell, regional communications director at United Healthcare.

If patients decide to stay with United Healthcare, they will be required to pay out-of-network rates, according to the Samaritan Health Services Frequently Answered Question page. The one exception is seeking emergency care, because patients are protected under the federal No Surprises Act.

Patients can find the other insurance plans Samaritan contracts with by going to samhealth.org/insuranceBilling.

Ever since news broke last week, Albany Mayor Alex Johnson IIs phone has been ringing off the hook. But not because of his role as a city leader; hes also an insurance broker and has a business, TrueLife Financial Solutions.

Just in the past three days, he has logged 49 appointments about this issue. Some were his clients, and some weren't, he said. Many of the meetings had more than one person in the room or on the line, because so many people are concerned about their insurance coverage, he said.

Johnson said he wasnt notified by the providers, so he found out when his clients did.

Ive been scrambling, Johnson said, My clients are in a state of panic.

His clients' biggest fears are losing coverage, being able to keep their doctors and impacts to costs, he said. Some patients are worried about upcoming surgeries or planned appointments they have and how  and if  those will be covered.

The wording in the letter confused some patients, as many patients read it to say they would be considered out of network in the next few months rather than in 2024, Johnson said.

Theres a lot of nervousness and fear of the unknown, he said.

For 66-year-old Lori Neely of Albany, the news didnt feel as much of a surprise. It felt like being snowballed.

Neely has had United Healthcare Insurance for the past two years. The first year she didnt have any issues, but the second year, she started having difficulty accessing care, she said.

First, it was the chiropractors office that was having trouble getting payments. Then she got a letter from her dentist office telling her that they terminated a contract with her insurance. And now Samaritan Health Services.

Lately, shes been frustrated.

Along with difficulty accessing care, Neely said communicating with the insurance company itself has been difficult, and getting representatives on the phone isnt easy, she said.

She was glad that the latest termination happened with enough time to get enrolled elsewhere, she said. Medicare enrollment runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 this year.

We have to switch, Neely said. Theres really not much choice in the matter, the way she sees it. The mid-Willamette Valley may not be Coastal Oregon, but there also arent a lot of options to receive care in the region, she said.

A new plan, however, means a lot of unknowns, Neely said, mentioning deductibles, co-pay and costs. It would be difficult to make the change on her own.

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.

It'll be even more difficult for the folks who arent tech savvy, as the health care industry transition to being paperless, she added.

It shouldnt be this hard to navigate, Neely said.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele was at the UN on Tuesday for the UN General Assembly. In his speech, the young Central American leader defended his violent crackdowns on the various gangs plaguing his country.

Bukele has faced mounting international criticism from other countries, as well as various human rights groups regarding those controversial crackdowns. However, during his UN speech, Bukele said that if El Salvador listened to those critics, he stated that his country would once again become the "murder capital of the world."

"Today, I come to tell you that that debate is over," said the El Salvador leader. "The decisions we took were correct. We are no longer the world death capital and we achieved it in record time. Today we are a model of security and no one can doubt it. There are the results. They are irrefutable."

According to the Associated Press, however, critics have pointed out that because of the State of Emergency declared by Bukele, there is no due process for suspected gang members, with thousands of innocent people being caught up and arrested just on the suspicion that they belong to gangs like MS-13 and Barrio-18.

The UN itself has expressed concerns over Bukele's gang crackdowns, with the UN Human Rights Office noting the "widespread human rights violations, thousands of unsubstantiated arrests, and dozens of in-custody deaths" that happened all over El Salvador.

Despite the criticisms abroad, Nayib Bukele remains one of the most popular leaders in El Salvador. As he runs for re-election, he is expected to use the gang crackdowns as the centerpiece of his policy and woo Salvadorans to vote for him again.

Majority of El Salvador Residents Support Nayib Bukele Despite Lockdowns

Nayib Bukele has called himself the "World's Coolest Dictator" and he is said to be acting like one as his government has punished several points of dissent in the country, forcing judges over 60 to retire and replacing them with judges loyal to him.

READ MORE: El Salvador: Ex-President Mauricio Funes Sentenced To Another 6 Years in Prison Over Tax Evasion

Residents of one of El Salvador's most gang-infested districts are praising Bukele, with residents telling the Financial Times that things have changed for the better since the crackdown.

Lourdes was once run by these notorious gangs, extorting businesses and getting innocent civilians caught up in their street skirmishes. These days, however, citizens noted that things are much more peaceful there.

Despite this, the crackdowns have resulted in El Salvador sliding down the Freedom in the World index from "free" to "partly free." This is attributed to the "widespread corruption undermining democracy and the rule of law and a lack of physical security remaining a problem."

El Salvador Had Mass Trials for Arrested Gang Members

Back in July, with thousands of suspected gang members arrested without warrants, El Salvador cleared the way for mass trials to be made for the arrested individuals. This was part of Bukele's plan to step up his year-long crackdown against the gangs.

According to The Guardian, up to 900 people can be tried at the same time if they come from the same region and the same criminal group. Due to the violent relationship between the various gangs, the criminal groups would be tried separately.

The country has now imprisoned around 2% of its entire adult population due to these crackdowns, with the country even opening up a mega-prison that is considered the largest in the Americas. It could hold up to 70,000 inmates.

READ MORE: El Salvador: Military and Police Surround Town to Root Out MS-13 Gang Members

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: El Salvador: Protesters unite against President Nayib Bukele seeking re-election | World News | WION
If the word Christmas adjoined to any noun or adjective gets your bells jingling, youre in luck. The Hallmark Channel announced its lineup of holiday movies for its annual Countdown to Christmas, which begins, naturally, well before Halloween.

Included in the lineup are titles like Under the Christmas Sky, Mystic Christmas, Our Christmas Mural and Everything Christmas. The full lineup can be found on the Hallmark Channels website, hallmarkchannel.com.

Included in the lineup this year are nine Miracles of Christmas movies to air on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. Of the nine, one in particular jumped out: Miracle in Bethlehem, PA, airing at 8 p.m. on Dec. 21. You might be thinking, hey, Bethlehem is right here in the Lehigh Valley. Youd be correct. The Christmas City garnering its own Hallmark movie isnt entirely surprising. The channel is a big fan of Bethlehem, stationing one of its five Christmas Cams on Main Street last year.

Heres the synopsis, according to Hallmarks website: Successful and fiercely independent, Mary Ann Brubeck (Laura Vandervoort) adopts a baby girl to raise on her own just before Christmas. Due to weather, she and the baby get stuck in Bethlehem, Pa., for the holidays. When there is no room at the inn, her only option is to stay with the innkeepers brother Joe (Benjamin Ayres), a quintessential bachelor who lives in a house he treats like a barn. As Mary Ann learns the value of community by spending time with Joes family and participating in the local churchs Christmas events, Joe starts getting his act together with new motivation...and the two begin to see each other in a new light.

Hmmm...Mary, Joe, an inn booked solid, a barn and a baby. This sounds pretty familiar. The movie is noted as a new DaySpring movie  DaySpring is a subsidiary company of Hallmark and a faith-based outfit thats collaborated with the channel on previous movies with a general sense of Christianity to them, so the biblical parallels here make sense.

So, will you flip on the tube on Dec. 21 and see Hotel Bethlehem, SteelStacks and other Bethlehem landmarks in the background? Unlikely. According to production information on the film industry casting website Casting Workbook, the movie is kicking off production on Sept. 26 and scheduled to run through Oct. 17, but you wont see any cameras around town. Miracle in Bethlehem, PA is being shot in the Winnipeg, Manitoba, area, roughly 1,600 miles from the Christmas City.

Alas, neither Christkindlmarkt nor Bethlehems huge Christmas tree will get the spotlight they both deserve, as the film takes place in the Lehigh Valley only nominally. But perhaps itll prompt Hallmark fans from around the country to take a trip to find out what the real Christmas City is all about.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
A popular Allentown cafe is set to reopen after a partial ceiling collapse earlier this month caused it to temporarily close.

Crews were called shortly after 12:30 p.m. on Sept. 12 to Werts Cafe, 515 N. 18th St. A portion of the drop-down ceiling caved in, causing a male employee to be taken to Lehigh Valley-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township for treatment of a minor injury, city fire Capt. John Christopher had said.

The longstanding family-owned restaurant now is projected to reopen its doors Sept. 27, according to an announcement on the business Facebook page. The family also stated they waited until after the birth in the family to resume operations.
Catasauqua Borough Council approved an agreement Monday to get the development of the historic, borough-owned Iron Works property back on track.

The memorandum of understanding between the Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority and borough council received unanimous approval from borough lawmakers on Monday night.

As part of the agreement, the Iron Works property will pass into the redevelopment authoritys hands while both groups work together to select a developer whose plans conform with the boroughs vision for its future, officials said.

State law requires the borough to sell its real estate to the lowest bidder. The memorandum of understanding, however, will allow the borough to choose which developer buys the property.

The developer who gets the property will pick up where the borough left off in 2021. Borough Manager Glenn Eckhart said the borough was forced to drop its decade-long negotiations to sell the property to Northampton County-based developer Dunn & Twiggar when costs to remediate the site prior to a final sale agreement grew too large.

The borough spent millions in the past decade preparing to sell the property to the developer, officials said.

A representative for Dunn & Twiggar said the company was forced to walk away from the negotiations in 2022, but could not comment on any details.

Were looking at paying no more than $175,000 if we go forward with this agreement, Eckhart told the board.

The agreement outlines that the developer who buys the property will be responsible for completing site remediation and matching any grants the borough receives on the developers behalf.

Thats what was stopping us from spending another $1 million or $2 million, Eckhart said. In this case, the developer would be the matcher.

Officials said at the meeting that a request for proposals could be submitted as early as November 1. Proposals could undergo review in early 2024, in that case, Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority Contract Manager Christopher Gulotta said.

Ten developers have already submitted said theyre interested in buying the site, Eckhart said.

The property is currently valued at $320,000, according to an appraisal prepared in August. Its worth roughly half the price that the borough paid for it in 2013.

I think theres a distinct possibility that if everything goes according to timeline, we may be looking at an agreement of sale with a developer by April 1 or July, at the latest, Gulotta said

The redevelopment authority has agreed to pay the borough $50,000 to purchase the property and will earn 5% or no less than $50,000 of whatever the final sale cost on the property is, Eckhart said. The borough will receive the difference.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Glenn Epps can be reached at gepps@lehighvalleylive.com or glenn_epps_on Twitter.
Almost two thirds of secondary school students in Ireland (64%) do not believe the public celebrate the nations achievements in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) enough. Thats according to a study of 500 secondary school students1 in Ireland, conducted by BT Ireland to examine their attitudes towards STEM.

BT Ireland is announcing the findings of the research today with just days left for Kildare students to enter the 2024 BTYSTE before the deadline on Monday, October 2, 2023 at 5pm.

People from Ireland have changed the world with their inventions be that the submarine, the binaural stethoscope, or the hypodermic needle. The BTYSTE provides a platform for students to become Irelands next generation of inventors, researchers and game-changers developing ideas that will contribute positively to society.

There are over 200 prizes to be won and a prize fund of 50,000 for BTYSTE 2024, which includes the overall award worth 7,500. Taking place from January 10 to 13, 2024, the winners of the BT Young Scientist & Technologist of the Year Award 2024 will go on to represent Ireland at the prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS). Ireland has a strong record of taking home the prize for first place at the EUCYS, with 17 wins over the past 34 years.

The prizes are awarded across the five categories of Technology, Social and Behavioural Science, Biological and Ecological Science, Chemical, Physical, and Mathematical Science, as well as in a brand-new category being introduced for the 60th BTYSTE, Health and Wellbeing. The BTYSTEs Health and Wellbeing category aims to promote research and innovation in areas related to human health, medical advancements, nutrition, exercise, and overall wellbeing.

Applications are open to students aged 12-19 years, and all they need to do to enter and follow in the footsteps of the many people in Ireland who have produced remarkable innovations in STEM, is fill out an online application form and submit a one-page proposal outlining their idea  its that simple! Qualified entries will be announced at the end of October and will be showcased at BTYSTE 2024 in January.

Speaking ahead of the BTYSTE 2024 deadline, Mari Cahalane, head of the BTYSTE at BT Ireland said, Secondary school students who have participated in the BTYSTE have generated very innovative ideas and after their experience at the exhibition, they have gone on to have successful careers in a range of different fields. The exhibition is a great way for anyone who is interested in learning or gaining more exposure to STEM to do so, and were encouraging students to not miss out on being a part of history as we celebrate 60 years of the BTYSTE in 2024.

For more information on the BTYSTE 2024, please visit www.btyoungscientist.com.
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) has welcomed over 4,630 new full-time first year students across its eight campuses in Donegal, Galway, Mayo, and Sligo.

CAO applications to ATU increased by 5% this year, bringing the total number of students at ATU to around 24,000.



Pictured: Sultan Muhammed, Dundalk, Co. Louth and Conor Shanahann from Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim

Of the 4,632 new students attending induction at ATU last week, 1,137 are studying at ATUs Donegal campuses, 2,075 at Galway and Mayo campuses, 1,272 in Sligo and 283 at St Angelas campus.

Among them are students from across the world including Canada, South Africa, India, France, Spain and Ukraine.

The induction programme, designed to ensure a successful transition into university life, has been planned to provide students with the essential tools, resources, and support needed to excel academically and thrive personally during their time at ATU.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, welcoming the new cohort of students, says "We are thrilled to welcome over 4,600 new students to the ATU community across our diverse campuses. These talented individuals represent the future of our region and beyond, and we are committed to providing them with an outstanding education and an enriching student experience.



Rebecca Byrne and Shanice Bell from Kinlough Co Leitrim

As they embark on this exciting journey, we encourage them to make the most of their time at ATU, explore new horizons, and embrace opportunities for personal and academic growth."

The university has seen an increase in demand for places on programmes across Science, Technology and Engineering with Health Sciences, Computing and Built Environment programmes also seeing increased demand.

There has also been a steady demand for places on core business and humanities programmes offering general degrees with strong progression routes from Level 6 (post LC) through to Level 8 (honours degree).



Julia Bocianowska from Carrick on Shannon, the new ATU Sligo Students Union, VP for Academic Life gives a talk to new students at induction last week.



Dr Billy Bennett, VP for Academic Affairs and Registrar, says the increased numbers of students is an encouraging sign for ATU. This year four out of five applicants to ATU were offered their first preference course. ATU's commitment to providing a nurturing and inclusive environment, along with its dedication to academic excellence, sets the stage for students to thrive and achieve their full potential.

The university offers a wide range of programmes across various disciplines, cutting-edge facilities, and a rich cultural and social calendar that ensures students have a well-rounded university experience."

For more information about Atlantic Technological University and its programmes, please visit www.atu.ie.
FeatureHalf of northeastern Brazil's ecosystem has been amputated to make way for pesticide-laden fields of soya, corn, sorghum and cotton. Its destruction and the hazardous drying out of its soil seem unstoppable.

In Nordeste, some people call them "Hiroshimas." The enormous plumes of smoke, rising high into the sky over the fields, sometimes look like atomic mushroom clouds. In Brazil, the expression is no exaggeration when it comes to describing the severity of the destruction caused by the fires currently raging across the Cerrado savanna.

Fires burning in an area of indigenous Cerrado vegetation on private land, Urucui, state of Piaui (Brazil), August 14, 2023. MARIA MAGDALENA ARRELLAGA FOR LE MONDE

On the outskirts of Urucui, a city in the western part of the state of Piaui, fire was everywhere. The roadsides were red with embers and black with ash. Flames danced, leaping over the asphalt, often posing a threat to passing trucks. In mid-August, when Le Monde did this reporting, Urucui briefly held the title of the city with the highest number of fires in the whole of Brazil. The unenviable award was hard to bear given the extent of Cerrado's devastation. The Brazilian Institute for Space Research recorded over 23,000 fire outbreaks this year in the savanna, with at least 5,000 square kilometers reduced to ashes, a 20% increase compared to the same period in 2022. It's the largest destroyed area in a decade in the country.

Urucui did not seem destined for such a fate. Seen from the air, this town with its indigenous name ("big bee" in Tupi), almost 1,000 kilometers from the coast, is just a dot lost on the map of the Sertao, a poverty-stricken polygon in the Nordeste. Its 25,000 inhabitants are spread between the peaceful Parnaiba River, nicknamed the "old monk," which flows into the Atlantic, and the vast plateaus perched at an altitude of 400 meters  the chapadoes  where the heat is stifling.

Huge fields where mainly soya and corn are grown. Urucui, state of Piaui (Brazil), August 15, 2023. MARIA MAGDALENA ARRELLAGA FOR LE MONDE

The city is also at the heart of the Cerrado, a savanna that once covered 2 million square kilometers (half the size of the European Union). Only the Amazon surpasses it both in terms of size and richness. This land with its reddish soil and warm climate, dotted with shrubs, bushes and streams, is the habitat of the tapir, the jaguar, the giant anteater and 320,000 other animal species. Home to 5% of the world's biodiversity, it also serves as a crucial drainage basin and an enormous carbon sink. Yet, this hasn't prevented its industrial destruction: In just a few decades, half of its surface area has already been cleared.

Not a single bush survived

All this devastation is to make way for the fields owned by fazendeiros  major landowners and agribusiness traders. On Urucui's chapadoes, plowed fields stretch as far as the eye can see. Not a single bush has survived, in what was once a rich forest of thickets and shrubs. This landscape of desert-like, plowed fields is now typical of "Matopiba," the region made up of the northeastern states of Maranhao, Tocantins, Piaui and Bahia: It's Brazil's new agricultural frontier.

You have 85% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
You can never be quite sure, but it looks as though Britains King Charles III will finally make his delayed state visit to France. It is six months later than planned. Last Marchs trip, which would have been the kings first foreign visit since coming to the throne a year ago, had to be postponed because of the riots in the streets of Paris and other cities. Then les evenements might have seemed a bit too reminiscent of 1789 for a crowned head, even though they were not aimed at him, but at Monsieur le President.

Now, hopefully in quieter times, the visit will go ahead. France will not be first for Charless state visit as originally planned but third, after Germany in March and Romania (where, surprisingly to most Brits, the king has private properties) in June. Nevertheless there will be the full red carpet treatment: a state banquet hosted by President Macron, a wreath-laying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, a speech at the Assemblee Nationale  that will be a first for a British monarch  and a visit to an organic vineyard in Bordeaux.

Officially the visit is to mark the two countries shared histories, cultures and values, to look forward and demonstrate our shared partnerships over issues such as climate change and the war in Ukraine. There is no doubt that metaphorical bridges need to be built across the Channel since our last two, disastrous, prime ministers, Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, wilfully chose to exacerbate ancient antagonisms by deriding our closest neighbors. It is an ancient Anglo-French sport but a severely counter-productive one.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes King Charles III and Queen Camilla's visit to France: A busy itinerary to demonstrate French-British friendship

Floating above all this

The B-word for Brexit is unlikely to be mentioned, not least because of the protocols and conventions of a politically neutral monarchy. Relations between the two governments appear to have mellowed in recent months. Since the king does not make his own decisions about official visits but acts on Government advice, it is a clear sign that the administration in London is belatedly trying to improve relations with France. Rishi Sunak is a more emollient leader than his predecessors, though he still insists he supports the decision to leave the European Union (EU) even though figures show how disastrous and divisive Brexit has been economically, socially and politically. Opinion polls now show a majority wishing wed never left.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Was Brexit's impact on the UK's economy ultimately negligible?

This summers chief political wrangle in Britain has been the cross-Channel boat crossings by would-be migrants and the hard-line and ambitious Home Secretary Suella Bravermans flailing and unsuccessful attempts to stop them. The promise of stopping the boats has also been made a key pledge by Sunak. This pays scant attention to French cooperation, or the fact that France has experienced the arrival of many more immigrants than Britain and that its Channel coast is much longer and harder to police than ours. Or that leaving the EU has made cooperation harder, as has hard-right rhetoric by government-supporting Tory politicians. It has been funny watching Brexiteers demanding more cooperation from France!

You have 50% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
Eric Zemmour, president of the Reconquete! party, and the party's head candidate for the 2024 European elections, Marion Marechal, in Greoux-les-Bains, southern France, September 10, 2023. CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU/AFP

Francis is not their pope anymore, and they are not afraid to say so out loud. Just a few days before the pope's visit to Marseille on September 22 and 23  and as a new influx of migrants disembarked on the Italian island of Lampedusa has rekindled European debates on the migratory crisis  a section of the French far right, which has certainly never been fond of the Argentinian pope, is adopting a stance that deviates from the conventional Catholic stance on pontiffs.

Leaders of Eric Zemmour's Reconquete! party are not upset about the French president's planned attendance at the pontifical mass. In their eyes, this is not a matter for controversy, nor is it according to the right-wing Les Republicains (LR). Fifty-seven LR senators introduced a bill on Monday to "enshrine France's Judeo-Christian roots" in Article 1 of the Constitution. This initiative, which came just a few days before the pope's visit, was prompted by LR senator Stephane Le Rudulier, whose constituency includes Marseille, and who is a spokesperson for Bruno Retailleau, head of the LR senators. The latter spoke on Tuesday morning on radio France Inter of a "flood of migrants" in Lampedusa.

'No business in politics'

The presence of Pope Francis and his planned speech on migrants is what is bothering the most radical fringe of the far right. Zemmour and his allies Marion Marechal and Stephane Ravier have even invoked the Bible or Christian authors in their criticisms. "I disagree with Pope Francis," declared Marechal, the granddaughter of Jean-Marie Le Pen who will lead Reconquete in the European elections, on BFM-TV on September 14. She questioned the pontiff's emphasis on charity. "I think [he] has no business in politics, and he's too involved in it," said Marechal, who professes her Catholic faith. "The pope is only infallible on dogma, and in this case, he's looking through the lens of a South American who doesn't know the type of immigration we're experiencing and obviously doesn't fully understand what we're facing."

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Marseille's fervor and stress as it prepares for Pope's visit

"From Christianity, I learned a very beautiful idea of Saint Augustine's  you can't do good to the point of evil," echoed Zemmour on BFM-TV on Sunday, in a statement which, according to several exegetes, invented a quotation from the Roman philosopher and theologian. Jean-Marie Salamito, a specialist in the history of Christianity in the ancient world, said that he had been unable to find "either in French or in Latin" the idea  or anything similar  "incorrectly attributed" to Saint Augustine. "The idea that one can do good and end up with evil seems neither Augustinian nor Christian to me," this associate member of the Institute of Augustinian Studies told the newspaper La Croix.

You have 50% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
Whether you love them or fear them, insects make up approximately 80% of animals found on earth, and make up the majority of pollinators. This weekend, Niwot celebrated one of the most well-known and well-loved species of pollinators  bees. The over 900 species of bees found in Colorado play an integral part to the farming culture Niwot was built upon.

From 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept.16, 2nd Avenue and Cottonwood Square were taken over by various small businesses, artisans, and beekeepers in celebration of pollinators, particularly bees and the products they produce. At the forefront of the festival planning were Victoria Keen, Dawn Server, and Deborah Fowler, who started planning for this year's festival in March.

The Honey Bee Harvest Festival is an annual event that started in 2021 after a lot of brainstorming during the Covid pandemic. Conversations were largely headed by Tom Theobald, who owned Niwot Honey Farm for 40 years. "Tom was a fierce advocate for pollinators and recognized early on that pesticides, neonicotinoids in particular, were a major cause of the decline of pollinators," said Keen. "The festival seemed like a great vehicle for increasing awareness about pollinators through a fun community event."

The event has grown exponentially since its beginning, featuring over 50 vendors this year, with vendors sending applications for a booth space as close as a week before the event. Products for sale included wax products like candles and wax melts, honey made by the bees of Niwot, and bee-themed artwork and jewelry. One artist even uses real bees in her art. "I find all the bees at a local bee farm and then I give them life after death," explained Kari Bean of The Busy Bean LLC.

With how much the festival has grown, a lot of effort is required to make it run efficiently. The event is held together by 30 volunteers and the Niwot Community Association (NCA) road crew. It is generously funded by the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID) and the Niwot Business Association (NBA), as well as local sponsors Meadow Lake Honey and Deb Fowler's real estate office. As Keen emphasized, "Niwot is blessed with a rare community spirit - we couldn't do this without their help."

At the center of the festival was the Tom Theobald Speaker Series at the Left Hand Grange, featuring an array of topics that Theobald had advocated for before his passing in 2021. This included presentations on preserving and protecting pollinators, creating biodiverse habitats, and a hands-on showcase of beekeeping tools and equipment. Representatives of agriculture, biology, and ecology gave 20-30 minute presentations to a crowd of rapt listeners and answered questions from the audience afterwards.

Several tents were set up along the road and in Cottonwood Square for a line-up of musicians, including special guest and Grammy Award nominee "Dr. Banjo" Pete Wernick and his wife Joan Wernick. Performing in Cottonwood Square to open the event was the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band directed by Debbie Benson, with selections featuring environmental-themed music focusing on birds as pollinators ("Free Bird," "Chicken Dance," "Shake a Tail Feather"), plants (saffron in "Mellow Yellow"), animals at risk ("The Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Tusk," "Joy to the World") and the importance of addressing issues in a timely manner ("In the Midnight Hour," "25 or 6 to 4," "Already Gone").

A new event not present last year was the Open Studios Pollinator Art Show which consisted of thirty artists, and featured a live demonstration of encaustic art which is made with melted beeswax. Other art features included plein-air artists painting from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and painting classes for kids on the patio at Adam Robinson's SevenWealth offices.

Two demonstration hives were set up with clear sides so that viewers could peek inside to watch the busy bees at work. Educators were stationed at these hives to share fun bee trivia and information.

In terms of food, special menus were available at Cimmini's Restaurant and at Farow. A Honey Bee Breakfast was served at Niwot Market, and a Honey Bee Brunch at La Musette Food Truck. Green chilis were roasted in front of Niwot Market, and for visitors aged 21 and older, there was mead tasting from five different Colorado meaderies.

Lisha Nouhan The Boulder County Beekeepers' Association tent was a great place to watch bees in action and to learn some fun trivia.

The festival wasn't only for adults, however. There were a whole host of fun activities for kids. In the morning, they could pick up free bee antennae and join the Queen Bee on a flight around town. Later on was beeswax candle rolling at Niwot Emporium, storytime at the Wandering Jellyfish Bookstore, a spelling bee at Inkberry Books, and a puppet show at Blue Sky Craft Studio. During the duration of the festival, kids and families could hitch a ride from 2nd Avenue to Cottonwood Square on the Queen Bee's charming horse-drawn wagon for free.

The festival encompasses a sense of community that is required to pull off such an event. Keen likens the small town of Niwot to a busy hive of bees. "As far as inspiration goes," she said, "I can also say that bees demonstrate the epitome of cooperation in that all work together for the benefit of the hive."
A FRESH HURDLE to plans for a new road between two northside communities has emerged.

Council is proposing to link Woodview with Moyross through a road and walkway.

But the plans have brought opposition, sparking doubts as to whether they will be passed in their current format.

Unlike regular planning applications, it is the role of metropolitan district councillors to decide whether to reject or accept these plans.

City North councillors have been in talks with local authority bosses, with Cllr Olivia O'Sullivan formally requesting the route of the link be reconsidered:

The council have got this one wrong, she said.

It remains to be seen if the proposals will come before councillors in their current format, or if there will be a rethink. But if they were to come for a vote as its currently planned, there would be a further hurdle before builders go on site.

Thats because whats planned at the moment relies on the Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (ETB) giving up part of its own land at Thomond Community College.

It would be up to the State education authority's members in Limerick and Clare to decide whether the land is transferred to council, and a spokesperson for the group said Education Minister Norma Foley will also need to sign off on it.

The ETB is chaired by Limerick councillor Kieran O'Hanlon, a critic of the road.
DISCOUNT retail giant, Pepco is bringing its discount deals to the heart of Limerick and its opening day has been announced.

The newest Pepco store, to be located on Childer's Road, is scheduled to open its doors to eager shoppers on Saturday, September 23, at 9am.

Pepco already have three stores in Limerick, known as Dealz, located on Bedford Row, William Street and the Crescent Shopping Centre.

Seven existing Irish stores, previously under the Dealz banner, have undergone comprehensive makeovers and have been rebranded as Pepco stores. These include; Santry (Omni Shopping Centre), Finglas Main Centre, The Park at Carrickmines, The Courtyard at Newbridge, Galway Shopping Centre, The Square Tallaght, and Abbeycourt in Tralee.

Olivia McLoughlin, Trading Country Operations Manager for both Pepco and Dealz in Ireland, expressed her excitement about the forthcoming Limerick store launch. She stated: "We're delighted at the initial reaction to our Pepco stores in Ireland, and we're extremely excited to be opening our newest Pepco store in Limerick.

"We've been working hard to ensure we bring the items that we know our customers already love along with much more. We know purse strings are tight for many families throughout Ireland, and that's why we also know the value we offer will matter."
A major safety issue has been identified in a faulty IKEA mirror sold to over 13,000 Irish people.

According to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), certain IKEA LETTAN mirrors present a risk of injury due to incorrect material used in the manufacturing of some wall fittings.

The fittings that attach the product to the wall could break, leading to possible head injuries, cuts or lacerations of anyone present when the mirror falls.

The affected mirror has date stamps before and including 2105 (the date stamp is located at the back of the mirror).

The safety alert was originally issued on January 19, 2023 and was then extended on September 13, 2023 to include supplier number 21944, and date stamps before and including 2325.

The affected product was available for purchase from February 2021, leading to 13,158 affected products in the Republic of Ireland.

Customers should stop using the product immediately and contact IKEA to order the replacement wall fittings free of charge.

Proof of purchase is not required.

To order the replacement wall fittings free of charge, to obtain the mirror fitting replacement instructions, for affected article numbers or for further information regarding this recall, please visit the IKEA web site here or call IKEA Customer Services on 01 541 3302.
Early life

Hedwig Dohm was born in Berlin, Germany in 1831 on September 20 into a large family of eighteen siblings. From a young age, she had a passion for reading and thoroughly enjoyed her time in school. Her formal education was cut short by her parents when she was just fifteen as she was required to assist with household chores. However, her determination to continue learning led her to convince her parents to allow her to attend Lehrerinnenseminar, a women's teachers' college.

Dohm married the editor-in-chief of the satirical weekly newspaper, Kladderadatsch in 1853. Her husband was highly supportive of her literary ambitions, and they engaged in lengthy discussions on politics and art. Over the years, she gave birth to five children, four of whom were daughters. During these early years of motherhood, she dedicated herself to educating her children, striving to provide opportunities she had been denied. Her home also became a popular gathering place for Berlin's artists and intellectuals.

Writings

Dohm decided to pursue a career as a writer in the early 1870s when her children reached adulthood. Her first work, "Was die Pastoren von den Frauen denken" (What the Clergy Thinks About Women), was a response to conservative writings that argued against higher education for women.

She gained fame for her essays, including "Die Antifeministen" (The Antifeminists), which dissected those opposing women's rights. During this period, Dohm was one of the few German feminists advocating for women's right to vote. She further continued to write books like "Sibilla Dalmar," "Schicksale einer Seele," and "Christa Rolan," often telling stories of contemporary women struggling against patriarchal societies.

Also read: Google Doodle marks 22nd anniversary of Bulnes cable car inauguration in Picos de Europa National Park

Feminist activist

She founded the Deutsche Frauenverein Reform in 1888 and played a significant role in drafting its initial chapters. This program advocated for women to have access to all university subjects. Dohm's work is celebrated for its clever social commentary. This Google Doodle of Hedwig Dohm spans the region of Germany.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Huawei Technologies unit has begun shipping new Chinese-made chips for surveillance cameras according to sources. It is a fresh sign the Chinese tech giant is finding ways around 4 years to overcome US export controls, reported Reuters.

Huawei also released new smartphones in recent weeks that use advanced chips, that analysts clain are domestically made. This indicates that the Chinese tech giant is overcoming Washington's export controls. These controls barred it from obtaining components and technology from US firms without approval since 2019.

According to sources the shipments to surveillance camera manufacturers from the company's HiSilicon chip design unit began this year with some of the customers being Chinese.A source familiar with the surveillance camera industry's supply chain said, "these surveillance chips are relatively easy to manufacture compared to smartphone processors." He added that HiSilicon's return would shake up the market.

US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on September 19 that US has no evidence that Huawei can produce smartphones with advanced chips in large volumes.

It appears that Huawei has been working to circumvent US restrictions on chip design software, having announced advancements in chip design tools ,in March this year ,for chips produced at and above 14 nanometers, which are a few generations behind cutting-edge technology but represent a step forward for the company.

While HiSilicon primarily provides chips for Huawei's equipment, it has previously served external customers like Dahua Technology and Hikvision. Prior to the US export controls, it dominated the surveillance camera chip supply sector, with a global market share estimated at 60% in 2018, according to Southwest Securities. However, this share dwindled to just 3.9% by 2021, according to Frost & Sullivan data.

Huawei rolled out the Mate 60 Pro, a new smartphone that uses an advanced chip in August. Research firm TechInsights found that Mate 60 Prowas was powered by Kirin 9000S. It is an advanced chip that was most likely made in China by Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) which is China's top chip foundry.

TechInsights analyst Dan Hutcheson said, "We don't know if they got them illicitly, or more probably the Chinese developed their own EDA tools," over analysis of Mate 60 Pro and other components. Kirin series was designed by HiSilicon and before US sanctions Huawei, collaborated with Taiwan's TSMC to manufacture it.

HiSilicon's access to electronic design automation (EDA) software from Cadence Design Systems Inc and Synopsys Inc and Siemens AG's Mentor Graphics have been strangled by US sanctions . The three companies produce blueprints for chips before they are mass manufactured. Their products dominate the chip-design sector.

(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!
Growing tensions between Canada and India over the alleged murder of a Khalistani terrorist might put a damper on a burgeoning economic relationship that goes far beyond mere commodities. Investments between the two nations had seen a significant rise, reaching C$36.2 billion ( 2.24 lakh crore) in 2022, marking a 37% increase in just four years, as per data from Statistics Canada.

Bloomberg quoted Vivek Dehejia, an Economics Professor at Ottawa's Carleton University, as saying, The financial connections are very strong in both directions." He opined that the recent diplomatic fallout could have a chilling effect" on investment flows.

India holds significant sway in Canadas education sector, being the largest source of international students in Canadian universities and colleges. Meanwhile, three large Canadian pension fundsCanada Pension Plan Investment Board, along with funds for Quebec workers and Ontario teachershave established offices in Indian cities like Mumbai and New Delhi. Collectively, these funds manage more than C$1.2 trillion ( 74 lakh crore).

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the largest pension manager in Canada, disclosed an investment of $21 billion (1.74 lakh crore) in India about a year ago. Major holdings include a 2.7% stake in Mumbai-based Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. and stakes in approximately 70 other Indian publicly-traded firms. The Caisse de Depot et Placement du Quebec and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan also have significant investments in India, amounting to C$8 billion ( 49,500 crore) and over C$3 billion ( 18,500 crore) respectively.

Talks for a potential trade deal between India and Canada, however, have been put on hold. Last year, Canada exported goods and services worth C$11.6 billion ( 71,700 crore) to India, which includes commodities like lentils, metallurgical coal and newsprint. India's primary exports to Canada have been smartphones and railway cars.

Canada's accusation

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sent ripples across diplomatic circles on September 18, accusing India of orchestrating the June murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver.

India retorted by calling the allegations "absurd", leading to the expulsion of diplomats from both nations. This episode laid bare a widening chasm in relations between the two countries, which had otherwise been flourishing on economic fronts.

(With Bloomberg 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 Canada, the Sikh community is hoping Ottawa's shock accusations against India over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar will be just the first dramatic step taken against alleged Indian interference", according to a report published by AFP.

Members of Canada's Sikh community -- the largest outside of India -- said they were relieved that the accusation had been made.

Harkirt Singh Dhadda, a lawyer and prominent member of the Sikh community in the Toronto area said, "We are happy to see India being held accountable," said Harkirt Singh Dhadda. The expulsion of a diplomat was a "signal," it was not the only thing that is expected."

"We want a full investigation that brings to justice the people involved in this assassination, including those who pulled the trigger and the ones who plotted this assassination," he said as quoted by AFP.

Hardeep Nijjar's son, Balraj Singh Nijjar described a "sense of relief" that the accusations were finally out in the open. Hopefully, you can take this a step further and get specific individuals."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expelled a top Indian diplomat as he accused the Indian government agents of killing Khalistan supporter Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year.

However, India has rejected allegations by Canada. We have seen and rejected the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister," the Ministry of External Affairs said.

"Allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated...We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to the rule of law," the statement said.

In a tit-for-tat move, India also instructed a senior Canadian diplomat to leave the nation in five days. It was customary for India to reciprocate the expulsion of a Canadian diplomat with a reciprocal move.

India called upon Canadian Ambassador Cameron MacKay to convey its decision to expel the "senior Canadian diplomat". This action was taken in direct response to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official in connection with the demise of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

(With AFP 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!
India-Canada News: The all-India Anti-Terrorist Front on Tuesday asserted that there will never be a separate Khalistan. This came after the diplomats' expulsion between India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Speaking to ANI, MS Bittar, Chairman of the All-India Anti-Terrorist Front said in present-day India, which is more assertive and aspirational, such attempts by a handful of people to tarnish the community at the behest of neighboring Pakistan, will not be tolerated.

"We will not tolerate if someone tries to peddle an agenda to break or splinter India. The Canadian government is patronizing the Khalistanis for votes. Khalistan could not be formed despite the movement and we will never allow it to become a reality," Bitta told ANI.

"I want to tell such people that India is no longer the country it used to be. We will not tolerate any attempts to show our community in a bad light. We won't allow any agenda peddled at Pakistan's behest to succeed," he added.

He also urged members of all gurdwara across India and beyond to call a meeting whenever demand for Khalistan is raised and defeat such nefarious ploys to divide the country.

"They should come out in public and declare once and for all that we do not aspire for a separate Khalistan," Bitta said.

In addition, the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) also expressed concern over the developments in the aftermath of the Canadian PM's claim linking India to the killing of the separatist leader.

The committee, in an official statement, said, Today, the Sikhs are settled across the globe. Their human rights as well as religious concerns are of paramount importance for us."

"The Sikh community has been through many painful times, including the June 1984 military attack on Sachkhand Sri Harmandir Sahib and Akal Takht Sahib, the 1984 Sikh genocide, and the extra-judicial killings of Sikh youths. Members of our community across the globe can never forget the pain inflicted by these horrific episodes," the statement read.

(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!
India on Wednesday told its citizens to avoid travelling to parts of Canada, following a diplomatic row sparked by the allegation that New Delhi was involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist near Vancouver.

"Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda," a foreign ministry statement said, advising citizens to "avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents".

"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents": Ministry of External Affairs.

Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident, as per the MEA

This comes amid growing tensions between India, Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

The MEA said in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution.

*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!
India-Canada News: The expulsion of senior diplomats by India and Canada over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar worsened bilateral ties between the two nations. The Canadian government even issued a travel advisory, asking its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution.

In its travel advisory for India, the Canadian government said, Avoid all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir due to the unpredictable security situation."

There is a threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest, and kidnapping. This advisory excludes traveling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh. Avoid gatherings and demonstrations," the government said as quoted by ANI.

The advisory was updated after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Ottawa wants New Delhi to address the issue properly. He added, however, that his country wasn't trying to provoke India by any means.

We are not looking to provoke or escalate. We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them. The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that," Trudeau told media persons.

"As for Canada, I said yesterday...we are going to remain calm, we are going to remain grounded in our democratic principles and values.... and we are going to follow the evidence and make sure the work is done," he added.

Hours after ANI posted the travel advisory for Indians traveling to Canada, fact-checker Mohammed Zubair called it misleading and shared the screenshots along with the links to travel guidelines for Indians.

This is   by@ANI The same is also being reported by several News Channels and diplomatic & foreign correspondents," Zubair wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter)
A pro-Khalistani organization threatened Indian-origin Hindus to leave Canada for supporting India in the Nijjar killing row . The Sikhs for Justice has been banned in India since 2019. The video of SFJs legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun asking Indians to leave Canada went viral on the internet.

In the video, Pannun who has been designated as a terrorist in India, was heard saying, Indo-Hindu leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs", Hindustan Times reported.

The Khalistan Tiger Force chief  wanted in India for several terror attacks  had been gunned down by two unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18.

This came after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's bombshell statement on Tuesday accusing the Indian government agency of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year.

However, India dismissed the Canadian government's accusations as absurd and later asked a Canadian diplomat to exit the country within the next five days.

Following Pannun's threat video, the Canadian Hindus for Harmony expressed concern over full-scale Hinduphobia" across the board, HT reported.

We are worried that this may translate into the loss of Canadian Hindu lives as in 1985," said Vijay Jain, a spokesperson of Canadian Hindus for Harmony as quoted by HT.

Jain referred to June 1985 Khalistani bombing of an Air India flight traveling from Montreal to London to Delhi to Bombay, which claimed the lives of 307 passengers and 22 crew members. In Canadian history, it was the worst terrorist attack.

Responding to the threat video, Canadian Minister Anita Anand appealed for calm.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the minister wrote, South Asians and families who come from India, regardless of religion, will share the sentiment that it was difficult to hear the Prime Ministers statement yesterday. This is a time to let the legal process continue as it must. Let us all remain calm, unified, and empathetic."

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
As the Women's Reservation Bill was tabled at the Parliament, BJP's Nishikant Dubey told the Lok Sabha that the bill has been brought by PM Modi at the right time

"The Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) has repeatedly said that 'Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai' (this is the time, this is the right time), and this (Women's Reservation) Bill has been brought at the right time," said BJP MP while debating the bill in Lok Sabha "Our Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and our party (BJP) brought this (Women's Reservation) bill, and this is bothering the opposition," he adds

The Lok Sabha started with the discussion on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill which was tabled by the Centre for discussion at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was the first to speak on the bill at the lower house and asserted her support.

The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023 seeks to reserve 33 percent of seats in Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies for women.

The Bill was approved by the Union Cabinet on Monday.

On Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The bill has been named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

In 2008, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government tabled the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, and it was passed in 2010. However, the Bill was never taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha.

Introducing the bill in the house yesterday, Meghwal said "This bill is in relation to women empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People.

Meghwal also said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181.The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023 seeks to reserve 33 percent of seats in Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies for women.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Many more Indian students are heading for studying abroad this fall than ever, leading study abroad consultants have told Economic Times . As per the report, this comes as a result of various factors including rising aspirations for a foreign education and career, an increase in applicants from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Moreover, this also comes as foreign institutions increasing their focus on India by offering more financial aid and scholarships.

As per the report, this record surge in Indian students for studying abroad also comes amid a drop from Chinese student applications.

Study abroad platform Leverage Edu CEO Akshay Chaturvedi told ET, "The competition for talent from India has increased multifold after the pandemic, so scholarships and bursaries have increased as well."

Some consultants have also stated that the students going for the fall session has doubled than last year while some have added many enrolments have come from Tier  cities.

Collegify CEO Adarsh Khandelwal has told ET that The number of students going for the fall session has doubled since last year."

Speaking on US intake of Indian students for this fall, Piyush Kumar, regional director -South Asia and Mauritius, IDP Education told ET: This year has been incredible; the number has increased, and probably more than pre-pandemic year. About 25-30 percent of US enrolments have come from Tier 2/3 cities."

Another consultant Sumeet Jain who is the co-founder of study abroad consultancy Yocket told the daily that With China numbers reducing, a lot of universities have started focusing on India. We have a great rise in numbers in Indian students."

Meanwhile, the UK PM Rishi Sunak-led government has decided to implement a hike on student visa and visitor or tourist visa effective from 4 October. The British Government has announced that a UK Tourist Visa for under six months will cost 1,543 ( 15) more and UK Student Visas will be 13,070 (127) more expensive for travelers from around the world, including Indians.

Earlier last month, it was reported that the Canada student visa programme is set to get a massive facelift. It was reported that the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) was planning to implement a new Trusted Institution framework to its student visa programme by 2024. This framework is a key component of a larger strategy aimed at modernising the International Student Program (ISP) operated by the IRCC.

Last month, France too said its goal to welcome 30,000 students from India by 2030 is aimed at fostering academic excellence, boosting cultural links and enhancing long-lasting friendship between the two nations. It had announced major new initiatives to roll out the "red carpet" for Indian students and alumni during PM Modi's visit to Paris. In the light of the initiative, the embassy and the French Institute announced the upcoming 'Choose France Tour 2023'. Organised by the French government and Campus France, the education fair will be held in four major Indian cities, Chennai (8th Oct), Calcutta (11th Oct), Delhi (13th Oct), and Mumbai (15th Oct). "It will provide an excellent opportunity to Indian students and their parents to interact with the representatives of more than 40 French higher education institutions present at the fair, and explore a wide range of study options," the embassy said.

(With inputs from PTI)

"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 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tuesday started its week-long sessionfrom September 19 to September 26in its iconic hall against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in Ukraine, climate change, public health and geopolitical instability that are impeding efforts to address pressing global issues. The theme of the 78th session of the UNGA is Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all."

Beside President Joe Biden of the United States, none of the leaders of the five permanent members of the Security Councilnamely the US, Russia, China, France and Britainare attending the UNGA session. France and Britain will be represented by a delegation of ministers.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, US President Joe Biden, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are the key speakers during the session.

While addressing the world leaders at the UN General Assembly session, US President Biden pledged support to Ukraine, warning that no nation can be secure if we allow Ukraine to be carved up," reported AP. "Russia alone bears responsibility for this war," Reuters reported Biden as saying. "Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately," Biden added.

The US president also highlighted groundbreaking" achievements -- including an economic corridor linking India, the Middle East and Europe; and admission of the African Union in the G20 grouping.

In groundbreaking effort, we announced at the G20 to connect India to Europe through the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel," AP reported Biden as saying.

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) was jointly announced by the leaders of the US, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi.

Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, called for reform in the UN Security Council in line with the world of today" and based on equity. The Secretary-General said the 15-nation body reflects the political and economic realities of 1945 and risks becoming part of the problem instead of solving it.

"Divides are widening within countries. Democracy is under threat. Authoritarianism is on the march. Inequalities are growing. And hate speech is on the rise," PTI reported Guterres as saying. Recalling his message to the G20 leaders in India, Guterres underscored that it is time for a "global compromise."

On Climate change, the UN chief said to limit the global temperature rise, countries must phase out coal, oil and gas in a fair and equitable way  and massively boost renewable.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Hunter Biden will plead not guilty to federal firearms charges filed after the collapse of a plea deal in a long-running federal investigation, his lawyers said Tuesday in court documents.

Biden is accused of lying about his drug use when he bought a firearm in October 2018, during a period when he has acknowledged struggling with addiction to crack cocaine. He is accused of keeping the gun for 11 days.

The three-count indictment from a special counsel overseeing the case came weeks after the proposed plea deal and puts the case on track toward a possible high-stakes trial as the 2024 election looms.

He is asking to enter the plea remotely via video conference, saying that would avoid the costs of Secret Service protection as he travels from his home in California to Delaware, as well as logistical challenges in Wilmington. Prosecutors are expected to oppose that request.

Hunter Biden has also been under investigation for his business dealings, and the special counsel has indicated that tax charges could be filed at some point in Washington or in California, where he lives.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
The military action by Azerbaijan forces in Nagorno-Karabakh was halted on Wednesday after Armenian separatist forces surrendered and agreed to a ceasefire.

According to the terms of ceasefire, the area would return to Baku's control. Separatist forces will disband and disarm.

Talks on the future of the Nagorno-Karabakh region and the ethnic Armenians who live there will start on Thursday.

The ceasefire agreement was mediated by Russian peacekeeping forces.

On Wednesday, Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh authorities said a ceasefire was reached with Russian mediation that included the military demands, but said reintegration" of the region was still to be discussed.

Nagorno-Karabakh, located in South Caucasus region, is internationally recognised as Azerbaijani territory, but separatist Armenians claim that the area is their ancestral homeland. The mountainous region has a population of about 120,000, and has been a flashpoint since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

After the fight erupted between the Azerbaijan military and the Armenian separatists, ethnic Armenians had fled the area and made their way to the airport in Stepanakert, the capital of Karabakh.

On Tuesday, Azerbaijan had sent its troops backed by artillery into Karabakh in an attempt to push back Armenian separatists. Its military operation had faced sharp criticism from the United States and some European countries.

A report by Reuters quoted Ruben Vardanyan, a former top official in Karabakh's ethnic Armenian administration, as saying: They are basically saying to us that we need to leave, not stay here, or accept that this is a part of Azerbaijan - this is basically a typical ethnical cleansing operation."

Around 100 people had been killed and hundreds more injured in the fighting, Vardanyan told Reuters.

Earlier, Azerbaijan had said that it could no longer tolerate a situation it regarded as a threat to its security and territorial sovereignty.

Turkey was the first nation to recognize Azerbaijans independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union.

(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!
Azerbaijan's operation in Nagorno-Karabakh will end if Armenian separatists lay down their arms, President Ilham Aliyev said in a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, according to a presidency statement Wednesday.

Aliyev told Blinken "that anti-terrorist measures will be stopped if (Karabakh forces) lay down their arms", the statement said.

Azerbaijan's defence ministry said its forces had taken control of more than 60 military positions during "localised anti-terrorist measures" in the mountainous breakaway region on Tuesday, which separatists said had been rocked by artillery, aircraft and drones.

Aliyev told Blinken that "representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of our country were invited to a dialogue several times by the administration of the President of Azerbaijan to discuss reintegration issues, but they refused."

"However, they were invited to a dialogue again when local anti-terrorist measures continued," he said, according to a readout of the call.

The fighting so far has killed at least 27 people, including two civilians, the separatists said. Russia said its 2,000-strong peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh was evacuating civilians and providing medical assistance.

Aliyev said the civilian population and infrastructure were not being targeted in the operation, and that only "legitimate military targets" had been destroyed.

Blinken said in a statement on Tuesday that the United States was "deeply concerned" by Azerbaijan's military operation and called on it to "cease these actions immediately".

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
New Zealand Earthquake: An earthquake of 6.0 magnitude, the largest in the country this year, struck near Geraldine in the centre of New Zealands South Island on Thursday, government seismic monitor Geonet said on Wednesday as reported by Reuters . As per initial reports, no injuries or significant damage has been indicated.

The earthquake hit at 9.14 am (2114 GMT) Wednesday at a focal depth of 11 km (7 miles). The quake was measured at 5.6 magnitude by the US Geological Survey and at a downwardly revised 6.0 by New Zealand's GeoNet monitoring service, as reported by AFP. New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency said the quake didn't pose any tsunami risk.

GeoNet said more than 14,000 people had reported feeling the shake, some as far north as Auckland in the North Island.

Rebecca Chapman, who was working at Cafe Verde in Geraldine, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) from the epicentre told AFP that Nothing broke, but the lights were shaking. It was a bit scary. One of the customers was distressed as they had experienced the Christchurch earthquake."

Another citizen, Sarah Hussey, a farmer close to the epicentre told Reuters that the quake had been stronger than others she remembered.

"There's no damage here, but I thought it was thunder for a start. The house lifted up for a bit," she told TVNZ's 1News as quoted by Reuters.

New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic plates collide, and experiences frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The country which is home to 5 million people, is sometimes jokingly called the Shaky Isles due to the number of quakes it experiences. Meanwhile, the quake struck not far from where a 6.3 magnitude quake hit in 2011, killing 185 people and causing major damage in the South Island city of Christchurch.

(With inputs from Reuters, AFP, AP)

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Canada and India's relation have hit rock bottom after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's bombshell statement on Tuesday accusing the Indian government agency of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June this year. Trudeau's remarks have found traction with the Five Eyes Intelligence alliance, although they reportedly rejected Canada's request to jointly denounce the murder of Nijjar.

Also read: Nijjar killing row: 'Come with clean facts', Canadian Oppn leader Poilievre's big advice to PM Trudeau

What is the Five Eyes alliance?

It is an alliance comprising Canada, the US, the UK Australia, and New Zealand. These partner countries share a broad range of intelligence with one another in a unified multilateral arrangement.

Also read: Billions at stake: India-Canada economic ties have been flourishing; then, Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of murder

What did the Five Eyes say about Trudeau's remark against India?

A senior State Department official in the US said that they have been in close contact with their Canadian counterparts about allegations the Indian government was involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada and have urged India to cooperate with the investigation.

Whereas a US expert has termed the Canadian Prime Minister's claim of a "potential link" between Indian government agents and the killing of a Khalistani leader a "shameless and cynical action" and urged the United States not to be part of it

The UK government said on Tuesday that the "serious allegations" over the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada will not impact its ongoing trade negotiations with India.

Also read: India-Canada News: 'We don't aspire for a separate Khalistan', says Sikh leader amid Nijjar killing row

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on Hardeep Singh Nijjar's killing in Canada stated, "These are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway. We are monitoring these developments with our partners and will continue to do so".

Trudeau on Monday urged India "in the strongest possible terms" to cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter.

Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after Trudeau alleged the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in Surrey in June.

Also read: Hardeep Singh Nijjar killing: Diplomat expulsion was a signal, Canadian Sikhs urge Ottawa to get tough with India

Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Canada is home to nearly 1.4 million people of Indian ethnic or cultural origin, about 3.7% of the country's total population, according to the 2021 census.

More than 770,000 people reported their religion as Sikhism, about 2% of Canada's population, and in 2019, the government designated April as Sikh Heritage Month.

Also read: India-Canada diplomatic strain raises visa worries

With more than $13.7 billion in trade, India was Canada's 10th largest two-way merchandise trade partner in 2022 However Trudeau had frosty encounters with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Group of 20 meeting in New Delhi. Trade talks have been paused and a planned trade mission to India has been cancelled.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
That India hosted one of the most successful G20 summits of all under its presidency, that too amid a difficult global geo-political and economic scenario, is commendable. Conducting a G20 summit is like an orchestra, where different ministries, departments and government bodies of the host country work seamlessly under the leadership of the concert-masterin our case, Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the G20 success, India has shown its skills of coordination, planning and execution to the world. And with the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, Indias G20 presidency has focused on the philosophy of living in harmony and working together on concrete actions to address global challenges and accelerate the effective implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Predictable and equitable trade relations are essential to implement the 2030 agenda and free trade agreements (FTAs) play a key role by helping develop strong trade relationships. FTAs provide businesses with a predictably stable long-term environment amid global uncertainties.

The G20 members account for more than 80% of world gross domestic product (GDP), 75% of global trade and 60% of the worlds population. Hence, their role in setting the path of global trade cannot be overestimated. The inclusion of the African Union in the G20 under the current presidency strengthens the voice of the Global South and enhances the status of this forum. The plurilateral body is now a more balanced multilateral body.

Lets focus on trade and the role of FTAs. Several issues, ranging from the removal of tariffs and non-tariff barriers to collaboration over regulations and standards, resilient global value chains and the integration of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in these chains are now being discussed as part of FTAs among G20 members. This helps us build a wider consensus on matters related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other forums.

To build strong trade partnerships, India has taken the right decision to launch a series of FTAs and bilateral trade discussions with key trade partners. Today, global leaders and business communities look at India as an important trade partner and market. This, together with targeted domestic reforms to facilitate trade and foreign investment, has aroused business and trade interest in the country from across the world. Indias Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA) with Mauritius, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the UAE, and Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with Australia were quickly sealed within two years. Trade negotiations with the UK are at an advanced stage; both sides have tried to address many sensitive issues through dialogue and cooperation, with an objective to almost double bilateral trade and investment flows. The relaunch of trade negotiations with the EU and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), bilateral trade talks with GCC-member Oman, ongoing negotiations for upgrading the ECTA with Australia to a comprehensive agreement, and bilateral talks with Peru and Nigeria are some other examples of Indias global trade-talk engagements across multiple geographies. India has successfully resolved its WTO disputes with the US and is reviewing its existing trade agreement with the Association of South East Asian Nations.

India has also shown its willingness to discuss emerging issues in its FTAs. The digital trade chapter in the India-UAE CEPA is one such example.

In the past few years, there have been more than 100 interactions on trade and investment between the ministry of commerce and a range of important interlocutors such as industry representatives, academics, legal experts and businesses communities in India as well as its FTA partner countries. Officials of different ministries have worked closely with each other to negotiate and fine-tune FTA negotiations. More than 5,000 businesses in FTA partner countries participated in business forums and B2B meetings. Piyush Goyal, the Union minister of commerce and industry, virtually led or held in person over 50 such meetings.

I got a first-hand experience of the intense work that goes behind FTA talks, having worked closely with officials of Vanijya Bhawan on issues like how to enhance foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and drive FDI towards Indias sustainable development goals; develop innovative strategies for diversifying markets and boosting service exports under FTAs; and forge a consensus with partners on sectors like express delivery services and alcoholic beverages. These sustained engagements over the past few years have generated an unprecedented global buzz about India and may have also helped India garner support during its G20 presidency.

While India will hand over the G20 presidency to Brazil in November, it will continue to play a key role in the group by working closely with Brazil and the US. Behind the scenes, FTAs will continue to be a medium for continued government-to-government engagements and business-to-business collaborations.

Commitments under FTAs will help enhance our exports and provide investors in India and FTA partner countries a stable and predictable regime for doing business.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday commenced the debate on the Women's Reservation Bill from the opposition side.

Initiating the debate from the opposition's side in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said, "I stand here in support of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam".

She said, "Any delay in implementing the women's reservation bill will be a gross injustice to Indian women".

Remembering her late husband and former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia said if the Women's Reservation Bill gets passed then the dream of "Rajiv" will come true.

"It is a very touching moment of my life. The first time, the Constitutional Amendment determining women's participation in local bodies was brought by my life partner Rajiv Gandhi," Sonia said.

Sonia Gandhi favoured the Women's Reservation Bill but with a catch. The Congress chairperson said that they are demanding that women's quota bill should be implemented immediately with sub-quota for SCs, STs, OBCs.

We are happy with the passage of this Bill but at the same time, we are concerned too. Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibility for the past 13 years. And now they are being asked to wait for some more years. How many years? The Congress demands that this Bill be enforced immediately, and along with that, arrangements be made for reservations to women from SC, ST and OBC communities by holding a caste census," Sonia Gandhi said.
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will reportedly be the lead speaker from her party for the debate on the Women's Reservation Bill for the discussion on Wednesday.

Yesterday, the Congress party chairperson, while arriving at the old Parliament building said, "It's ours. Apna hain."

Also read: On Women's Reservation Bill, Sonia Gandhi says,'it's ours, apna hai'

Congress has accused the Centre of taking credit for the women's reservation Bill which they said was introduced by their government. Notably, in 2008, the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government tabled the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, and it was passed in 2010. However, the Bill was never taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha.

Read Parliament Session LIVE updates here

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the union Cabine approved the Women Reservation Bill.

Now on Wednesday, during the five-day special session of Parliament, the crucila bill will be taken up for discussion when the House will meet at 11 am.

The Women's Reservation Bill seeks to provide a 33% quota for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. According to the Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, after the passing of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to introduce three new articles and one new clause in the Constitution.

Also read: Cabinet clears historic womens reservation bill

Under a new clause in 239AA, seats shall be reserved for women in the Delhi Legislative Assembly, 1/3rd of the seats reserved for SCs shall be reserved for women, 1/3rd of the total number of seats to be filled by direct elections shall be reserved for women through law determined by parliament.

Under the new Article - 330A, reservation for women in Lok Sabha - 1/3rd of seats reserved for SCs and STs shall be reserved for women, 1/3rd of total seats to be filled by direct elections to the Lok Sabha shall be reserved for women.

As per the new article 332A, the reserved seats for women in every state Legislative Assembly, 1/3rd of seats reserved for SCs and STs shall be reserved for women, 1/3rd of total seats to be filled by direct elections to the LA shall be reserved for women.

334A, a new article says that reservation shall come into effect after the delimitation is undertaken after the relevant figures for the first census have been published. The rotation of seats for women shall take effect after each subsequent exercise of delimitation.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
How can cotton wool help in the fight against AIDS? The answer is surprising, and illuminates how complicated it will be to beat the deadliest sexually transmitted sickness of all time. The struggle involves not only dazzling science but also old-fashioned insights into human behaviour, rational and irrational.

Many people who do not have HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, know they are at risk. They can take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), a kind of drug that reduces their chance of contracting it by 99% or so. This comes as a daily pill, and is popular among gay men in rich countries.

However, there is a much larger group of people at high risk, for whom a daily pill is far from ideal: heterosexual women in poor places where HIV is still very common. If their boyfriends discover they are taking the pill, they may conclude that their girlfriend does not trust them, or that she is planning to cheat on them. And a depressing number of boyfriends who suspect such things react violently.

View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist)

A high-tech solution is on the horizon: cabotegravir, from ViiV Healthcare, a single injection that lasts for two months and is much more discreet than a daily pill. Alas, it is new, costly and not yet widely available, especially in Africa, where the virus is most widespread. So Patrick Mdletshe of the KwaZulu Natal Provincial Council on AIDS in South Africa offers a low-tech fix: stuff cotton wool in the bottle so the daily pills dont rattle and your boyfriend wont notice that you are taking them.

UNAIDS, a UN body, hopes to end AIDS as a major public-health threat by 2030, building on the staggering success of the past two decades. AIDS, which weakens the immune system, has killed about 40m peoplemore than covid-19. However, the pace at which people are dying of it has fallen dramatically. In the early 2000s it was 2m a year, largely in poor countries, where hardly anyone could afford $10,000 a year for life-prolonging pills. In some African countries between a fifth and quarter of the adult population was infected with HIV; nearly all were expected to die of it. Life expectancy in Zimbabwe and Eswatini fell by two decades.

AIDS slaughtered adults in their productive primeslowly. Breadwinners sickened, stopped earning and needed care. Their spouses looked after them until they, too, fell ill. Daughters dropped out of school to care for ailing parents. Families were plunged into penury.

Then the price of antiretroviral pills plummeted, as drug firms offered steep discounts for poor countries and donors chipped in billions to pay for them. Today a years supply can cost a mere $45. Between 2001 and 2019 life expectancy in sub-Saharan Africa rose by 17%and much more in the worst-affected countries (see chart). Globally, some 21m deaths have been averted, by one estimate. Today, three-quarters of those infectedroughly 30m peopleare receiving treatment.

View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist)

Unfortunately, triumph has bred complacency, argues Peter Sands, the head of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a donor-financed body. Theres a diminishing sense of urgency," he says. Or worse. The biggest donor by far is America. Its global AIDS programme, PEPFAR, which was set up by President George W. Bush, expires on September 30th and some Republicans are trying to block its reauthorisation. A recent report from a conservative think-tank called AIDS primarily a lifestyle disease" and griped that PEPFAR was being used to promote a radical social agenda overseas". (It does not bar aid recipients from talking about abortion.) Mr Bush is horrified. To abandon our commitment now would forfeit two decades of unimaginable progress and raise further questions about the worth of Americas word," he fumed in the Washington Post on September 13th.

An estimated 39m people are HIV positivemore than half of them in Africa. All will need lifelong treatment, unless a cure is found. Meanwhile, the virus is still spreading. Some 1.3m people were freshly infected last year. In Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the numbers of new infections in 2022 were 49% and 61% higher than in 2010, albeit from low bases.

There are two main approaches to tackling the virus. One is to invent new medicines: ideally a cure or an effective vaccine. The other is to reach more people with existing technology. Both approachesin the lab and on the groundare being pursued in tandem by governments, private companies, donors and NGOs.

A cure seems a long way off. A vaccine may be closer, but HIV is an elusive target. It is highly mutable, and hides its DNA inside some of the immune cells that are supposed to destroy it. Nina Russell of the Gates Foundation, who has worked on HIV vaccines for many, many, many, many" years, is nonetheless hopeful.

Past failures have taught scientists that they need to design vaccines that can teach the body to make antibodies to tackle a wide range of viral strains. They might have to create three, four or five different vaccines and jab people with all of them, in the correct order. Firms such as Moderna and BioNTech are using mRNA technology to speed up the process. However, even optimists do not expect success this decade. So hitting the 2030 target will depend largely on two things. First, finding and treating more infected people. Second, identifying those who are at risk of infection, and helping them avoid it.

View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist)

UNAIDS urges countries to aim for 95-95-95": where 95% of those who have the virus know they have it, 95% of those who know they have it are receiving treatment, and crucially that 95% of those in treatment are virally suppressed". If the drugs suppress the virus to a level where it is undetectableand keep it thereit cannot be passed on sexually.

If the world were to reach 95-95-95, the disease would be brought under control, UNAIDS reckons, though tens of millions would still be living with it. In 2022 the figures were 86-76-71, a hefty improvement on 71-48-40 in 2015. But the last mile" will be hard. You have to be much more creative," says Dr Quarraisha Abdool Karim of CAPRISA, a research centre in Durban.

One enormous, tricky group is men. They are less likely to get tested than women, not least because they do not get pregnant. Prenatal clinics are a wonderfully convenient place to test women who have recently had unprotected sex. If they test positive, many countries now offer them free drugs, which protect mother, child and future romantic partners.

There is no male equivalent of a prenatal clinic. Also, some men have a macho reluctance to seek medical help. They get very sick before they get tested", says Sibongile Tshabalala, the chair of the Treatment Action Campaign, an NGO in South Africa.

As men, were embarrassed to go to a clinic. Were taught we need to be strong, so we cannot be seen to be sick," says Ronnie Sibisi, a 60-year-old from Vosloorus, a township near Johannesburg. He was a player" with many girlfriends, he says. He knew how the virus was transmitted, but seldom used condoms. I didnt think about it," he shrugs. He did not get tested until he collapsed and woke up in hospital.

It is, perhaps, most crucial to reach young women and girls. In sub-Saharan Africa HIV is three times more common among females aged 15-24 than among their male peers. This is because older men often seek younger partners. There is peer pressure on young women to have trendy clothes and hairstyles, says Ms Tshabalala. These cost money, which impels some girls to sleep with older men. And only 36% of young women in eastern and southern Africa report having used a condom the last time they had sex with a casual partner. In West Africa it is only 25%.

If their sugar daddies" infect them, the girls may pass the virus to a partner of their own age. This is the most common way that HIV passes from one age cohort to the next. Breaking that link would allow the younger cohort, who are largely virus-free before they become sexually active, to stay that way. If you can reduce [new infections among] young girls, you break the back of the pandemic in Africa," says Dr Salim Abdool Karim, an epidemiologist (who is married to Quarraisha Abdool Karim).

A tangle of social problems makes everything harder. Poverty is one. If you are poor, getting tested can be a challenge even if the test is free. A day off work and a bus fare to the clinic can scupper your budget.

Male violence is another obstacle. A study in six African countries found that women who had been physically abused in the previous year were 3.2 times more likely to have been infected with HIV recently. Women who live in fear may find it harder to say no to unprotected sex. And the first wave of AIDS, by killing so many parents, made families in some countries even poorer and more unstable than they already were. In South Africa, for example, thanks to a long tradition of migrant labour under apartheid and the recent ravages of AIDS, only a third of children live with both biological parents.

Social dysfunction helps the virus spread. Thulina Moukangwe was raped by four different relatives, starting when she was 11. She does not know which one infected her. She did not get tested until she was 17, because I was young and ignorant", she says. She received little support from her chaotic family, and did not seek treatment for another five years.

Fear of death can make bad boyfriends behave even worse. After Makhosazana Molotsane tested positive her partner was furious. For years he refused to get tested himself, drunkenly sang in the street that she was bringing disease into his home, and burned the condoms Ms Molotsane wanted to use. He seized her antiretroviral drugs and tossed them away. She hid her pills in a nappy bag. He beat her up; eventually she left him.

Both womens fortunes eventually improved. Ms Molotsane, who is 40, found a more supportive partner, who reminds her to take her drugs. Her viral load is low enough that her doctor tells her it is safe for them to have a baby. Ms Moukangwe, who is now 29, has become a peer educator": a volunteer who helps people make informed decisions about their health.

This is one area where NGOs are especially useful. Health services are overstretched, and people often resist instructions from officials. A more effective way to persuade scared, reluctant people to take the right medicine is for them to talk to people from similar backgrounds. Ms Moukangwe, who had heard that antiretroviral drugs made you crazy", started taking them after she saw that a friendly volunteer, who had been taking them for years, was sane and healthy. You cant just tell people to go to a clinic," says Ms Moukangwe. I talk about myself, as a way of encouraging others."

Testing, testing

Private companies pitch in, too. Mining firms in southern Africa saw AIDS as a huge threat two decades ago. Their workers were often migrants, who lived far from their families in hostels surrounded by prostitutes. Companies such as Anglo American started offering staff free testing and antiretroviral drugs even as South Africas president at the time, Thabo Mbeki, publicly questioned their efficacy. It was a delicate task, recalls Brian Brink, who used to run Anglos AIDS programme. Unions had to be convinced that tests would not be used to identify sick staff and fire them.

Stigma lingers even in countries where nearly everyone knows someone with hiv. People worry that if they get tested near home, or pick up antiretrovirals from a pharmacy, a neighbour will spot them, says Mr Mdletshe. This makes it less likely that they will get tested in the first place, or stick to a lifelong drug regimen.

Sometimes stigma is compounded by law. Some 168 governments criminalise aspects of sex work. This deters sex workers from seeking help. Nokwanda Gambushe, an activist in Durban, complains that cops search sex workers handbags and, if they find condoms, arrest them. This hardly encourages safe sex.

In addition, 145 countries criminalise drug use and 67 criminalise gay sex. The sharp increase in infections in Eastern Europe and the Middle East is largely due to a lack of prevention services for marginalised populations, reckons UNAIDS. Uganda introduced the death penalty this year for aggravated homosexuality", which might make gay Ugandans think twice before walking into a clinic to get tested.

Policy can make a huge difference. President Mbekis AIDS denialism cost an estimated 300,000 South African lives. However, when he was sacked by his party in 2008, experts persuaded a caretaker government to adopt a first-rate AIDS policy. Drugs were swiftly rolled out, and between 2009 and 2012 the proportion of children under five in South Africa who were orphans plunged from 12% to 7.3%.

The best foundation for fighting AIDS is a well-functioning public health system with short queues and sensitive staff, says Mr Mdletshe. Many countries fall short. Waiting times are often long, pharmacies run out of pills, staff are sometimes judgmental. When Ms Moukangwe tested positive, a nurse shouted at her for her lax morals. Even in rich countries, governments that fail to prioritise the disease tend to deal with it badly. The proportion of infected people taking antiretroviral drugs is actually lower in Eastern Europe and central Asia than in sub-Saharan Africa.

Governments do not work in a vacuum. The places that have come closest to hitting the 95-95-95 targets are typically African countries where donors are pouring in resources and expertise, such as Botswana, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. The second tier are often rich countries with generous public services (Denmark, Saudi Arabia) or places that developed a serious anti-AIDS strategy early on in the pandemic, such as Cambodia and Thailand.

One of the biggest obstacles to curbing the spread of HIV is that the symptoms take a long time to appear. Recently infected people have high viral loads, and are more likely to infect others. The problem is that those who have been infected dont yet know it," laments Dr Salim Abdool Karim. The gap between being infected and being tested is usually years."

So he suggests something radical: offering PrEP to girls in schools. Instead of waiting for those who think they are at risk to come to a clinic, health workers should go to schools and offer PrEP to all the girls above a certain age, along with testing, contraception and other healthcare services. This could meet stiff resistance from traditionalists who think it would encourage promiscuity. Also, [it] is only feasible if you have a PrEP that lasts six months," says Dr Salim Abdool Karim. You cant keep going to the schools more thanonce every six months. Its not practical."

Longer-lasting drugs are in the pipeline, and could change the trajectory" of the disease, says Deborah Waterhouse, the boss of Viiv. The first not-for-profit delivery of Viivs two-month injection, to PEPFAR, will be in October. It has regulatory approval in four southern African countries, and has been licensed to cheap generic manufacturers. Gilead, an American firm, has a drug called lenacapavir, which is already used as a treatment, and which breaks down so slowly that it might work as a prophylaxis for six months. It is in clinical trials among girls in South Africa and Uganda.

Rolling out new drugs would cost a lot. Roughly $21bn was spent on fighting HIV in poor and middle-income countries in 2022, with slightly less than half coming from donors; UNAIDS thinks $29bn will be needed in 2025. To those who would penny-pinch, Mr Sands retorts that it is rational to hit this thing hard and fast". Fighting AIDS slowly would be much more expensiveIf you dont reduce the number of new infections, every new infection is translating into a lifetime of antiretroviral treatments...and complications."

A lifetime of treating someone with HIV in a poor country costs around $5,000, by one estimate; in rich countries, it is $380,000. By comparison, the cost of averting an infection in Zambia or South Africa is $2,000-$3,000, according to a different study published in the Lancet in 2021. And so long as the virus is circulating somewhere, nowhere is safe.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
As NASA approaches the final stages of its seven-year-long OSIRIS-REx mission, the world waits eagerly for the sample of asteroid Bennu to return to Earth. NASA's efforts are a crucial stride towards comprehending and perhaps averting a potentially catastrophic eventa collision of Bennu with Earth. This looming threat led to the deployment of the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft to Bennu in 2016.

First identified in 1999, Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid, has been in NASA's sights for quite some time. It's a behemoth about a third of a mile wide, comparable in size to New York's Empire State Building. If it collides with Earth, experts say the impact could unleash energy equivalent to 22 atomic bombs.

After a significant milestone in October 2020, when OSIRIS-REx successfully collected a sample weighing roughly 250 grams, the largest ever extracted from space, as per Earth.com.

This Sunday, the spacecraft will release a mini-fridge-sized capsule, carrying the sample, into Earth's atmosphere. It will speed towards Earth at an astonishing 28,000 mph, withstand temperatures twice that of lava, and eventually parachute into Utah's Great Salt Lake Desert.

The importance of this mission is not just about averting disaster. The sample from Bennu will also provide scientists with a glimpse into the processes that led to the formation of our solar system around 4.5 billion years ago.

Nicola Fox, an associate administrator of NASAs Science Mission Directorate, stated that the material might potentially shed light on the early solar system's creation and even how life on Earth could have originated, Earth.com reported.

The asteroid was named Bennu in 2013 by a nine-year-old North Carolina resident, following his victory in a naming competition. He derived the name from an ancient Egyptian deity.

Now, why should you not worry?

NASA has calculated the odds of Bennu crashing into Earth to be 1 in 2700, with the most critical time frame being September 24, 2182.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sounak Mukhopadhyay Sounak Mukhopadhyay, who also goes by the name Sounak Mukherjee, has been producing digital news since 2012. He's worked for the International Business Times, The Inquisitr, and Moneycontrol in the past. He's also contributed to Free Press Journal and TheRichest with feature articles. He covers news for a wide range of subjects including business, finance, economy, politics and sports. Before working with digital news publications, he worked as a freelance content writer. Read more from this author
Aditya L1 Mission: The Aditya-L1 spacecraft, India's first solar mission, lifted off successfully on 2 September, carrying seven different payloads designed for a detailed study of the Sun. As per the latest update from ISRO, Aditya-L1 performed the Trans-Lagrangean Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) manoeuvre successfully and the spacecraft was now in a trajectory that will take it to the Sun-Earth L1 point. Moreover, the space agency also informed that Aditya L1 has also commenced collecting scientific data.

Amidst this, NASA recently revealed that it's Parker Solar Probe faced one of the most powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and also added that it gracefully through managed to survive it. Also Read: Aditya-L1 to study solar storms that destroyed Space X satellites. What is Elon Musk's Solar mission connection? So what is coronal mass ejections (CMEs)? NASA in it's blogpost states that CMEs are immense eruptions from the Suns outer atmosphere, or corona which help drive space weather, which can endanger satellites, disrupt communications and navigation technologies, and even knock out power grids on Earth. In a blog post, NASA said, On September 5, 2022, NASAs Parker Solar Probe soared gracefully through one of the most powerful coronal mass ejections (CMEs) ever recorded  not only an impressive feat of engineering, but a huge boon for the scientific community." In a post on X, it also shared a video and wrote, Parker Solar Probe has flown through a stream of particles that erupted from the Sun. No other spacecraft has done this and its letting us see how the Suns energy interacts with nearby dust particles that were left over from comets and asteroids!"

Can ISRO's Aditya-L1 mission face any such danger?

The spacecraft will cover the distance in four months time and will be placed in a halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1) of the Sun-Earth system. The point is about 1.5 million km from the Earth. A satellite placed in the halo orbit around the L1 point has the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any occultation/eclipses, which is about 1 percent of the Earth-Sun distance.

As per India.com report, the spacecraft may face such solar storms as during its expected time of reaching, the solar activity is projected to be at its highest. However, it added that it is unlikely that the mission would fail as NASA's Parker Solar Probe which was launched in 2018 is the closest human-made craft to the sun which is 6.9 million kms away from the surface of the sun. Earlier, a report by Forbes stated NASA's Parker Solar Probe faced two days of CME with 5.7 million miles which is 9.2 million kilometers from the solar surface. However, India's maiden solar mission Aditya L1 is about 1.5 million km away from the Earth.

When Aditya L1 will land?

According to the information, Aditya L1 is expected to reach its L1 point in the orbit around Sun in 126 days after its launch, ie four months. However, there is no clear date or time announced by ISRO till now.

How Aditya L1 will work?

Spacecraft's seven payloads will be placed in different locations around the Sun. A satellite will be placed the halo orbit around the Lagrange point 1 (L1). That satellite placed in the halo orbit will have the major advantage as it will be able to view the Sun without any occultation/eclipses.

Other payloads carried by the spacecraft will be used to observe the photosphere, chromosphere and the outermost layers of the Sun (the corona) using electromagnetic and particle and magnetic field detectors. Four payloads will directly view the Sun, and the remaining three will carry out in-situ studies of particles and fields at the Lagrange point L1.

Objectives of Aditya L1 mission

The major objectives of ISRO's first solar mission include: studying solar upper atmospheric (chromosphere and corona) dynamics; studying chromospheric and coronal heating, physics of the partially ionised plasma, initiation of the coronal mass ejections, and flares; observing the in-situ particle and plasma environment providing data for the study of particle dynamics from the Sun; and physics of solar corona and its heating mechanism.

Moreover, the mission also aims to study diagnostics of the coronal and coronal loops plasma: temperature, velocity and density; development, dynamics and origin of CMEs; identify the sequence of processes that occur at multiple layers (chromosphere, base and extended corona) which eventually leads to solar eruptive events; magnetic field topology and magnetic field measurements in the solar corona; and drivers for space weather (origin, composition and dynamics of solar wind).

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
As the seasons change and the temperature begins to drop, one essential appliance takes centre stage in our homes: the geyser or water heater. In a country like India, where the winters can be chilly and mornings often demand a warm shower, having a reliable and efficient geyser is more of a necessity than a luxury. With a wide range of options available in the market, selecting the best geyser under 20,000 that suits your needs can be a daunting task. That's where our guide comes to the rescue.

In September 2023, we've scoured the market to bring you the 9 best geysers 20,000, combining performance, durability, energy efficiency, and value for money. Whether you're looking to replace your old geyser or purchasing one for a new home, this comprehensive list covers a variety of models to cater to different preferences and requirements.

Our selection includes geysers from trusted brands known for their quality and innovation in the water heating industry. From tankless and instant geysers to storage geysers with varying capacities, we've considered a diverse range of options to ensure there's something for everyone.

In this article, we'll delve into the key features, specifications, pros, and cons of each geyser, helping you make an informed decision and stay comfortably warm during the upcoming winter months. So, let's explore the best geysers under 20,000 for September 2023 and ensure you have a refreshing and warm start to your day, no matter how cold it gets outside.

1. Crompton Arno Neo 15-L

Crompton is a trusted brand known for delivering quality and efficient home appliances, and the Crompton Arno Neo 15-L storage water heater lives up to that reputation. With a capacity of 15 litres, this water heater ensures you have an ample supply of hot water for your daily needs. Making it one of the best geysers under 20,000 is its 5-star rating, indicating excellent energy efficiency, which not only saves you money but also reduces your carbon footprint. The 2000W heating element warms up water quickly, ensuring you don't have to wait long for a hot shower.

Safety is a top priority with this water heater, offering three levels of protection: a capillary thermostat, automatic thermal cut-out, and a multi-functional valve. These safety features provide peace of mind, knowing that your water heater is well-protected. The Arno Neo is designed to withstand the effects of hard water, thanks to its specially designed magnesium anode that prevents corrosion. The ISI marked nickel-coated element further enhances its durability by resisting scale formation.

Pros Cons Energy-efficient with a 5-star rating Suitable only for smaller households due to its 15-liter capacity Fast heating with a 2000W heating element Three levels of safety for worry-free operation

2. Bajaj New Shakti Neo 15L

Bajaj, a reliable and renowned name in the market, presents the New Shakti Neo 15L vertical storage water heater, an excellent addition to your home. With a capacity of 15 litres and 2000 watts of power, this geyser ensures you have a steady supply of hot water for your daily needs. What makes it one of the best geysers under 20,000 is its durability, thanks to the Glassline Inner Tank, Titanium Armour Technology, and Magnesium Anode, all working together to prevent corrosion and rusting. This results in a longer tank life, making it a smart investment.

Temperature control is a breeze with the adjustable thermostat knob, allowing you to set the water temperature as desired. The Swirl Flow Technology ensures 20% more hot water, while the PUF insulation keeps the water hot for extended periods. Safety is paramount, with features like child safety protection and a multifunctional safety valve, guarding against dry heating, overheating, and excess pressure. The product also includes paid installation by the brand, ensuring a hassle-free setup.

Pros Cons Trusted brand with a long history of reliability None Durable design with advanced technologies Energy-efficient and suitable for high-rise buildings

3. Activa Amazon 10 L

The Activa Amazon 10 L instant geyser is an affordable and reliable solution for your hot water needs. With a powerful 3000-watt copper heating element, it ensures rapid water heating, providing you with hot water whenever you need it. Safety is a priority with this geyser, featuring four-way protection, including an automatic thermostat, thermal cutout, pressure release valve, and fusible plug. These features not only enhance safety but also extend the geyser's lifespan making it one of the best geysers under 20,000.

The jointless 304L stainless steel tank reduces the risk of leakage, ensuring a longer-lasting appliance. The LED indicator lets you know when your hot water is ready to use.

Specifications:

Capacity: 10 litres

Heating Element: 3000 watts

Tank Material: 304L Stainless Steel

Safety Features: Automatic thermostat, thermal cutout, pressure release valve, fusible plug

LED Indicator: Yes

Body Material: Seven Tank Processed Sheet Metal with ABS Top and Bottom

Warranty: 5 years (Tank), Manufacturer's Warranty for other parts

Pros Cons Affordable pricing for budget-conscious buyers Customer-installed product, requiring self-installation and potential service center visits for repairs Fast and efficient heating with a powerful copper element Four-way safety protection for peace of mind

4. Candes Geyser 15 Litre

The Candes Perfecto 15-Litre geyser is a highly energy-efficient choice for hot water needs. With a 5-star rating and a 2KW heating element, it ensures quick and efficient heating. Its stainless steel construction offers durability and corrosion resistance. However, detailed features and warranty information are not available, making it challenging to provide an extensive review.

Specifications:

Capacity: 15 litres

Heating Element: 2KW

Material: Stainless Steel

Star Rating: 5 stars

Wattage: 2000 W

Warranty: 1 year

Pros Cons Exceptional energy efficiency with a 5-star rating Warranty specifics are not provided Stainless steel build for long-lasting durability

5. AO Smith HSE-SHS-015 Storage 15 Litre

The AO Smith HSE-SHS-015 15-Litre vertical water heater (Geyser) is a testament to durability and energy efficiency. Its 5-star BEE rating ensures maximum energy savings, making it environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The ABS plastic outer body not only provides superior glossiness but also enhances surface finish. Making it one of the best geysers under 20,000 is the Blue Diamond Glass-Lined Tank, which offers 2X corrosion resistance, ensuring the tank's long-lasting performance. With a 5-year warranty on the inner tank, 2 years on the glass-coated heating element, and 2 years comprehensive coverage, this geyser guarantees peace of mind and reliable hot water supply.

Specifications:

Capacity: 15 litres

Heating Element: 2000 Watts

Material: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

Warranty: 5 years (inner tank), 2 years (glass-coated heating element), 2 years (comprehensive)

Pros Cons Exceptional durability with a Blue Diamond Glass-Lined Tank Slightly heavier compared to some competitors Comprehensive 5-year warranty on the inner tank Higher initial cost, but energy savings offset this BEE 5-star rating for superior energy efficiency

6. Racold Buono Pro 15 L

The Racold Buono Pro 15-Litre vertical water heater (Geyser) is a powerhouse of durability and efficiency. Featuring Titanium Plus Technology with a specially designed titanium steel tank and titanium enamel coating, it resists pressure and water impurities, ensuring long-lasting performance. The Smart Guard anode protects the heating element from corrosion, further enhancing its lifespan. The rust-proof outer body contributes to the product's longevity, making it ideal for high-rise buildings and high-pressure pump applications. The three levels of safety, including an adjustable thermostat, cutout, and multifunction safety valve, conform to international standards, ensuring your safety. This 5-star BEE-rated geyser comes with a 2-year warranty on the product, 2 years on the heating element, and an impressive 3-year warranty on the tank.

Specifications:

Capacity: 15 litres

Heating Element: 2000 Watts

Mount Type: Vertical

Warranty: 2 years (product), 2 years (heating element), 3 years (tank)

BEE Star Rating: 5

Pros Cons Superior durability with Titanium Plus Technology Slightly higher initial cost Three levels of safety for peace of mind Installation may require professional assistance High-pressure resistance, suitable for high-rise buildings

7. V-Guard Divino 5 Star Rated 15 Litre

The V-Guard Divino 15-Litre storage water heater is one of the best geysers under 20,000 offering impressive energy efficiency and advanced safety features. With a stellar BEE 5-star rating, it ensures optimal heat retention, thanks to its robust insulation. It also boasts a sturdy vitreous enamel coating that safeguards the inner tank while maintaining consistent performance, even in challenging hard water conditions. Notably, it excels in leakage prevention, resulting from its unique tank design. The appliance includes dual overheat protection, a versatile safety valve, and robust resistance against corrosion and scaling, ensuring the delivery of hygienic and odour-free hot water. Designed to cater to high-rise buildings, it comes with warranty coverage, demonstrating the manufacturer's confidence in its durability.

Specifications:

Capacity: 15 litres

Heating Element: Incoloy 800

Pressure Resistance: Up to 8 bars

Warranty: 2 years (product), 3 years (heating element), 5 years (inner tank)

Temperature Control Range: 25-75C

Pros Cons Outstanding energy efficiency with a prestigious 5-star rating Installation charges may be applicable Cutting-edge safety mechanisms, including a versatile safety valve Initial purchase cost is relatively higher Robust build with reliable corrosion protection

8. Hindware Atlantic Elicio Ipro 15 L

The Hindware Atlantic Elicio Ipro 15-L water heater is not just a geyser; it's a modern marvel. With cutting-edge IoT technology, this geyser is Wi-Fi enabled, allowing you to control it from anywhere using the Hindware Smart Appliances app or voice commands through Alexa and Ok Google. Say goodbye to those chilly mornings with the power to plan your hot shower at your command. Its glass-lined tank ensures rust-free, durable performance, delivering fresh hot water consistently. With a 5-star energy rating, it's highly energy-efficient, reducing your electricity bills. Plus, the sleek LED indicators add a touch of modernity to your bathroom.

Specifications:

Capacity: 15 litres

Energy Efficiency: 5-star rating

IoT-enabled with voice control

Glass-lined tank for corrosion protection

LED indicators for power and heating status

Pros Cons Innovative IoT technology for remote control Initial installation may require tech-savvy setup Stylish LED indicators and modern aesthetics Premium features come at a higher price point Energy-efficient with a 5-star rating

9. Polycab Superia 10 Ltr

The Polycab Superia 10-Litre storage water heater combines efficiency and affordability. Its glass-lined tank ensures durability and corrosion resistance, while the plastic body adds a modern touch. The 1000W heating element provides quick hot water, and the capillary thermostat allows precise temperature control. With a 2-year product warranty and 5-year inner tank warranty, this water heater offers peace of mind. While it may lack some advanced features, its simplicity, compact size, and budget-friendly price make it an excellent choice for small households or those on a tight budget.

Specifications:

Capacity: 10 litres

Material: Plastic

Heating Element: 1000W

Warranty: 2 years on product, 5 years on inner tank

Pros Cons Affordable and budget-friendly Basic features without advanced functionalities Durable glass-lined tank Limited capacity Precise temperature control

Best 3 features of geysers under  20,000 for you

Product Name Feature 1 Feature 2 Feature 3 Crompton Arno Neo 15-L Fast heating 3-level safety Anti-corrosion magnesium anode Bajaj New Shakti Neo 15L Glasslined tank Titanium armour technology 4-way safety protection Activa Amazon 10 L Powerful instant heating element Jointless 304L SS tank LED indicator for readiness Candes Geyser 15 Litre 5-star energy rating High-grade mild steel tank Single weld line for reduced leaks AO Smith HSE-SHS-015 Storage 15 Litre Blue Diamond glass-lined tank 5-year tank warranty Double protection system Racold Buono Pro 15 L Titanium enamel coating Smart guard anode Rust-proof outer body V-Guard Divino 5 Star Rated 15 Litre 66% reduction in leakage Multi-layer corrosion protection Temperature control knob Hindware Atlantic Elicio Ipro 15 L Wi-Fi-enabled smart features Rust-proof glass-lined tank 5-star energy rating Polycab Superia 10 Ltr Glass-lined tank 1000W heating element Capillary thermostat

Best value for money

The Bajaj New Shakti Neo 15L stands out as the best value for money geyser under 20,000. It offers a combination of advanced features like a glasslined tank, titanium armour technology, and a 4-way safety protection system, ensuring both durability and safety. With a 5-year warranty on the tank and 2-year warranty on the heating element, it provides long-term peace of mind. The energy-efficient design and affordable price make it a smart investment for those seeking a reliable and cost-effective water heating solution.

Best overall product

The Hindware Atlantic Elicio Ipro 15 L is our top pick for the best overall geyser under 20,000. It not only offers an impressive 5-star energy rating for energy efficiency but also features Wi-Fi-enabled smart capabilities, allowing you to control it remotely via a mobile app or voice commands. The rust-proof glass-lined tank enhances durability, and the 5-year warranty adds to its reliability. With advanced technology, modern aesthetics, and superior performance, the Hindware Atlantic Elicio Ipro is a well-rounded choice for those looking for convenience, efficiency, and longevity in a water heater.

How to find the best geyser under  20,000?

Finding the best geyser under 20,000 requires careful consideration of key factors. First, determine your hot water needs and choose an appropriate capacity. Look for energy-efficient models with higher BEE star ratings to save on electricity bills. Consider features like glass-lined tanks, anti-corrosion protection, and safety mechanisms.

Check the warranty offered on both the tank and heating element to ensure long-term reliability. Look for additional features like temperature control, LED indicators, and smart capabilities if they align with your preferences.

Reading user reviews and expert recommendations can provide insights into real-world performance. Finally, compare prices from reputable brands and retailers to get the best deal. Our top pick, the Hindware Atlantic Elicio Ipro 15 L, offers a blend of energy efficiency, smart features, and durability, making it an excellent choice within this budget range.

FAQs

Question : What size of geyser do I need for a family of four?

Ans : A 15-liter geyser is generally suitable for a family of four for regular bathing needs.

Question : Is a higher BEE star rating important for energy savings?

Ans : Yes, a higher BEE star rating indicates better energy efficiency and can significantly reduce your electricity consumption.

Question : Do I need a professional for geyser installation?

Ans : It's recommended to have a professional install your geyser to ensure safety and proper functioning.

Question : What is the lifespan of a typical geyser?

Ans : A well-maintained geyser can last around 8-12 years, depending on usage and maintenance.

Question : Can I use hard water in my geyser?

Ans : It's better to use a water softener or choose a geyser with anti-scaling features to protect it from hard water deposits.

Disclaimer: At Mint, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Mint has an affiliate partnership, so we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority.

"Exciting news! Mint is now on WhatsApp Channels  Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest financial insights!" Click here!
Since at least 5,000 years ago, people have enthusiastically eaten garlic. Its pungent, slightly spicy flavor infuses curries, pastas, stir-fries and even the occasional dessert. But these delicious dishes can come with an aftershock: the sometimes off-putting aroma of garlic breath that lingers for hours afterward. So why do people love the taste of garlic, but hate the resulting garlic breath?

Chopping garlic releases a heady mix of chemical compounds called sulfides, said Sheryl Barringer, professor and department chair of food science and technology at The Ohio State University. These volatile molecules are what give garlic its "distinctive, pungent garlickiness," she said. When we cook garlic, the sulfide molecules rise into the air and fill the room with their pleasing aroma. Then "we put it into our mouths, the volatiles go up into our nose, [and] the smell is really what makes us like it," Barringer told Live Science.

Garlic's initial appeal may have something to do with its potential health benefits, said Wilfredo Colon, professor and department head of chemistry at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. There's some evidence that the compounds in garlic can help lower blood pressure and offer antimicrobial effects. Those benefits may cause us to subconsciously crave garlic, Colon told Live Science. At least until it turns on us, that is.

Related: Why does slicing onions make you cry?

Most meal-induced bad breath comes from leftover food particles decaying in the crevices of the oral cavity. But true garlic breath doesn't get its start until the food hits your stomach, Barringer said. There, gastric juices break down the garlic further, releasing sulfides and other vitamins and minerals. Most of these molecules proceed to your intestines for additional processing, but one  a tiny molecule called allyl methyl sulfide (AMS)  is small enough to slip through your stomach lining and into your bloodstream.

AMS is just one of many components of garlic's characteristic aroma. But it's the only one small enough to worm its way into your blood so quickly, Barringer said. As it circulates past your lungs, AMS just as effortlessly passes through the membranes that let oxygen and carbon dioxide into and out of your body. When you exhale, along with CO2, you release a puff of garlicky AMS.

The effect can persist for up to 24 hours, Barringer said. But there are a few foods that can come to your rescue, she and her colleagues have found. In a 2016 paper in the Journal of Food Science, Barringer and graduate student Rita Mirondo reported that eating apples, lettuce or peppermint significantly reduces the concentration of garlic byproducts a person breathes out. These foods work because they contain phenolic compounds, which bind with the sulfides and make them too big to go airborne.

Eating whole milk plain yogurt is another remedy against garlic breath, according to a 2023 study co-authored by Barringer in the journal Molecules. The yogurt's fat and protein can effectively trapped garlic's volatile compounds, the study found.

Of course, there is another option: Simply learn to embrace the unique phenomenon. There's nothing about the aroma of garlic breath that makes it inherently unpleasant, Barringer said  we're just not used to smelling food coming out of people's mouths rather than going in.

"It's not that it's a bad odor, it's just that it's out of context," she said. Try considering it a tiny time capsule of the delicious meal you once enjoyed.

Editor's note: Originally published on May 25, 2019 and updated on Sept. 20, 2023 to include the new study about yogurt helping garlic breath.
Boeing has slightly raised its 20-year demand outlook for China, forecasting that the country will need 8,560 new airplanes over the next two decades. Boeings new forecast exceeds its previous estimate of 8,480 new airplanes.

The forecast is on the rise due to several factors, including Chinas robust economic growth, the uptick in urbanization, and the steady increase in incomes. China presently occupies the worlds second-largest aviation market position and experts anticipate it will rise to the top spot globally in the coming years.

Boeings forecast is in line with other estimates of Chinas future demand for airplanes. Airbus, the company main rival, has forecast that China will need 8,700 new airplanes over the next 20 years.

However, there are some challenges that could impact Boeings sales in China. One challenge is the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China. The trade dispute has led to tariffs on Boeing airplanes, which could make them more expensive for Chinese airlines to buy.

Despite these challenges, Boeing remains optimistic about the future of its business in China. The company is investing heavily in China, and it is working to strengthen its relationships with Chinese airlines.

Analysis

Boeings revised demand outlook for China is a positive sign for the company, but it is important to note that there are some challenges that could impact the comapnys sales in the country. The ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China is a major concern, as it has led to tariffs on Boeing airplanes. This could make airplanes from the company more expensive for Chinese airlines to buy, which could reduce demand.

Another challenge is the rise of Chinas domestic aircraft industry. China is developing its own commercial aircraft, and these aircraft could compete with Boeing airplanes in the Chinese market. However, it is important to note that Boeing has a strong track record of success in China, and the company is investing heavily in the country.

Overall, Boeing is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for airplanes in China. However, investors should be aware of the challenges that could impact the companys sales in the country, such as the ongoing trade dispute and the rise of Chinas domestic aircraft industry.

Implications for Investors

Boeings revised demand outlook for China is positive news for investors in the company. The strong demand for airplanes in China is likely to boost Boeings sales and profits in the coming years. However, investors should be aware of the challenges that could impact Boeings sales in the country, such as the ongoing trade dispute and the rise of Chinas domestic aircraft industry.

Investors who are considering investing in the company should carefully weigh the risks and rewards before making a decision. Boeing is a well-established company with a strong track record of success. However, the company is facing some challenges in the Chinese market, which is its largest market. Investors should carefully consider these challenges before investing in Boeing.
Hyping up Chinas collapse wont disrupt Chinas economic development. In the era of globalization, all countries should work together and learn to coexist for a better future.

Some Western officials and media outlets have recently signaled doom and gloom for Chinas economy with biased reports that paint it as on the verge of collapse.

The intent is to mislead the world, shake confidence in Chinas economy and undermine Chinas cooperative relations with other countries.

Heres a sense of some of the many downbeat headlines: Peak China? printed The Economist in bold letters on its May 13 cover; Chinas economic collapse carries a warning about our own future, read the headline of an article of The Hill; Chinas unprecedented economic crisis worries the rest of the world, Le Monde reported.

Throughout Chinas rise over the past four decades, there has never been a lack of doomsayers uttering dire warnings about the countrys economic outlook. Yet their pessimistic forecasts have never accorded with reality.

Take American writer Gordon Changs infamous China collapse theory. In his 2001 book The Coming Collapse of China, he predicted that the Chinese economy would collapse by 2011, which was proven wrong. He changed the timing of his prediction multiple times and was proven wrong every time, becoming a laughingstock.

All sorts of comments predicting the collapse of Chinas economy keep resurfacing every now and then. But Chinas economy has outlived them all. What has collapsed is such rhetoric, not Chinas economy, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference last week.

Despite a sluggish economic recovery globally, the Chinese economy has shown strong resilience and great potential, remaining a major driving force for global growth.

In the first half of the year, Chinas GDP expanded by 5.5 percent, the fastest among major economies. The International Monetary Fund in July estimated Chinas 2023 growth rate at 5.2 percent, while global growth is projected to be 3.0 percent, with the United States at 1.8 percent.

Yet some Western observers remain selectively blind to serve their ulterior motives.

Todays doom-mongering about China says more about the Western elites sense of confusion, inertia and impotence than about anything really happening in China, said British online magazine Spiked in a recent article titled The fall of China? Dont bet on it.

A Western elite that has lost its sense of purpose and confidence might take some solace from the imminent collapse of its biggest geopolitical adversary, it added.

Smearing Chinas economy wont solve their own problems. As evidenced by Fitch Ratings recent downgrading of the U.S. debt rating from AAA to AA+, the countrys economic trajectory is far from stellar.

A ticking time bomb is how U.S. President Joe Biden recently described the Chinese economy. Yet, should the notion of a ticking time bomb indeed resonate as a motive, it finds its ironic resonance more aptly in the realm of U.S. economic affairs, The Jakarta Post said.

Such a Chicken Little tactic, which aims to instill fear in the audience and sway public opinion, has become a staple in the playbook of electioneering when U.S. politicians try to attract public attention by vilifying China, the newspaper said.

Besides fearmongering, some Western politicians tried to drive a wedge between China and its neighbors by floating the idea that such economic collapse may have a spillover effect.

In the face of decoupling, unilateral sanctions and disruptions of industrial and supply chains, China has navigated economic headwinds with an effective policy mix so far this year and remains committed to high-level opening-up, strengthening cooperation with countries worldwide and sharing the dividends of development.

Hyping up Chinas collapse wont disrupt Chinas economic development. In the era of globalization, all countries should work together and learn to coexist for a better future.

Shayne Heffernan
HSBC has hired eight former Credit Suisse bankers to its global equities unit, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday. The move comes as Credit Suisse is cutting back on its equities business.

The new hires include Simon Farquharson, Andrew Rush, Steve Jobber, Simon Ansell, Alex Martin, Joseph Barreto, Matt Flanagan, and Tiffany Chiu. They will join HSBCs high touch and portfolio trading desks in London, New York, Hong Kong, and Mumbai.

HSBCs global equities business head, Daniel Pinto, said in the statement that the new hires would bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, and help us to continue to grow and develop our equities business.

Credit Suisse has been cutting back on its equities business in recent months as part of a broader restructuring effort. The bank has announced plans to cut 2,000 jobs from its equities business, and has also sold off some of its equities assets.

HSBCs hiring of the eight Credit Suisse bankers is a sign that the bank is looking to expand its equities business. HSBC is one of the largest banks in the world, but its equities business is relatively small. The new hires could help HSBC to compete more effectively with Wall Street rivals such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase.

Analysis

The hiring of eight former Credit Suisse bankers by HSBC is a significant development in the global equities market. It is a sign that HSBC is looking to expand its equities business, and that it is willing to invest in top talent to achieve this goal.

The move also comes at a time when Credit Suisse is cutting back on its equities business. This could indicate that HSBC believes that there is an opportunity to gain market share from Credit Suisse.

The new hires are all experienced professionals with a strong track record in the equities business. They are likely to make a significant contribution to HSBCs equities business.

Impact

The hiring of the eight former Credit Suisse bankers by HSBC is likely to have a positive impact on the banks equities business. The new hires are experienced professionals with a strong track record, and they are likely to help HSBC to compete more effectively with Wall Street rivals.

The move could also have a positive impact on the global equities market as a whole. Increased competition among banks could lead to lower prices and better services for clients.
Spectators look skyward during a partial eclipse of the sun on August 21, 2017 at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, New York.
Murphy was invited to address the communitys concerns, three weeks after officers shot and killed a teen, they thought had pulled a gun on them.
If you do not have a current print subscription to the Lodi News-Sentinel, but want to view unlimited articles for the month, please choose this option.
A defendant who failed to keep a court appointment was the subject of a bench warrant as a result of a conviction for a string of motoring offences.

Joe Mears (31) of 1 Richmond Street, Longford faced eight charges relating to driving without documentation.

The charges against the defence were that on March 14, 2023 at Townspark Longford he drove without documentation and on November 21, 2022 at Oakvale, Templemichael Glebe, Longford he drove without insurance, a drivers licence and tax and failed to produce those documents.

In the witness box Garda Denice Dockery outlined details of the March offences. Garda Dockery told how she stopped a silver Audi and spoke to the driver, Joe Mears. Mr Mears claimed he had an English drivers licence and undertook to produce it to Longford Garda station.

The licence was not produced. Garda Dockery explained that if there was no valid drivers licence then the insurance was automatically invalidated, and that in any event no insurance was not produced. The officer said she spoke to the defendant the week before the court sitting and Mr Mears continued to maintain he had an English licence.

Garda Dockery outlined how a request to Interpol for details of a UK driver's licence for Joe Mears received no results.

The defendant has two previous convictions, one for violent disorder and one for the unauthorised possession of cannabis. Judge Bernadette Owens said she would move to convict and fine the defendant.

Solicitor Diarmaid Quinn explained that his client's wife was pregnant and she had to go to Mullingar Hospital that morning. He said Mr Mears had taken her for the medical treatment when she was taken ill.

Judge Owens issued a bench warrant for the defendant before she dealt with the issue of sentence.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 20 2023

"I ask the US Postal Service to rectify this situation now and reopen the Sound Beach Post Office as soon as possible," said Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine.

Recently, Brookhaven Supervisor Ed Romaine, Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico and Councilwoman Jane Bonner held a press conference in Sound Beach calling for the United States Postal Service (USPS) to reopen the shuttered Sound Beach Post Office or find a new location within the zip code for a new facility. The post office was closed by USPS earlier this summer, but no action has been taken by the Postal Service to reopen this vital community asset. Also, in attendance at the press conference were members of the Sound Beach Civic Association and Sound Beach residents who have been inconvenienced by the closing. Pictured (left to right) are Supervisor Ed Romaine (at the podium); Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico; Councilwoman Jane Bonner; Sound Beach Civic Association president Bea Ruberto and (left of Supervisor Romaine) is Chad Lennon, representing U.S. Congressman Nick LaLota (NY1).

Supervisor Romaine said, Residents have always relied on the services that the local post office provides to the local community. Closing the Sound Beach Post Office and asking people, to travel out of the way to buy stamps, mail a package or pick one up is an inconvenience to many of our elderly residents who live in Sound Beach. I ask the US Postal Service to rectify this situation now and reopen the Sound Beach Post Office as soon as possible.

Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico said, The Sound Beach Post Office has been closed for far too long. It needs to either reopen safely or the US Government should cancel the lease with the landlord and find more suitable quarters. The people of Sound Beach deserve this most basic of services from our federal government.

Councilwoman Jane Bonner said, Closing this post office has been and will continue to be an inconvenience for the residents of Sound Beach. This situation must be resolved as soon as possible with repairs and renovations or a new Post Office in a nearby location. I thank U.S. Representative LaLota for pressing the US Postal Service to bring a resolution to this situation and keep the post office in Sound Beach.

I have contacted Postmaster General DeJoy to get information and demand answers ASAP for Sound Beach residents regarding the months-long closure of their post office, and I have called for a swift and safe reopening of the facility so that Sound Beach is delivered the post office and postal services they deserve, said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Congressman Nick LaLota (NY-1) said, The Sound Beach community deserves basic nearby postal services. My team and I have been in contact with USPS management who alleges a resolution is pending. Until I see action that satisfies the Sound Beach community, I will continue to hold USPS accountable to these families.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: September 20 2023

Over Two Kilograms of Cocaine, One Kilogram of Fentanyl, Illegal Firearms, Assault Rifle and High-Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Were Allegedly Recovered During the Investigations.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced three indictments charging 30 defendants following long-term joint investigations into narcotics trafficking throughout Suffolk County. The investigations were conducted jointly by the Suffolk County District Attorneys East End Drug Task Force, the Suffolk County Police Departments Telephone Records and Surveillance Section and Gun Crime Reduction Unit, the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Southampton Town Police Department, the Southold Town Police Department and the Riverhead Town Police Department.

The investigations involved the execution of over 100 search warrants into cellular telephones, residences, vehicles, and other digital sources of data. The execution of these warrants, coupled with thousands of hours of electronic and video surveillance, uncovered three separate operations, two of which were led by alleged Blood gang members DUSHANE TELFER, a 30-year-old North Amityville man, and PARIS PARKS, a 31-year-old Greenport man, as well as a third operation led by 33-year-old GABRIEL FERNANDEZ, of West Babylon, who is an alleged member of the Trinitarios street gang.

The alleged drug dealing operations all centered around the distribution of fentanyl, cocaine, and cocaine mixed with fentanyl, and spanned from the eastern Suffolk County towns of Southold, Riverhead and Southampton, throughout western Suffolk County all the way into New York City.

Along with our law enforcement partners, we undertook a comprehensive investigation into who was dealing deadly drugs in Suffolk County. We discovered three alleged drug distribution networks and set about to dismantle them. These indictments should send a message to those flooding the streets of Suffolk County with dangerous drugs that we will use every investigative tool in our toolbox to stop the flow of these drugs onto our streets said District Attorney Tierney. Overdoses in Suffolk County, just like the rest of the United States, are at crisis levels. This is an emergency, and we are treating it as such. However, law enforcement cant do this alone; we need our state lawmakers to help. Tragically, any help will come too late for Michelle Tomitz and her family.

Dangerous drugs are causing far too many deaths across our region. Saving lives is our primary goal. This long-term investigation was comprehensive, targeting significant narcotics activity. Collaborative work is critical to long term progress in reducing overdose deaths, said Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan. I am pleased that our Investigators Unit was able to assist Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney, the East End Drug Task Force, and local and federal law enforcement partners in identifying and dismantling organizations engaged in distributing lethal drugs.

The opioid crisis is an epidemic that destroys families while narcotics traffickers line their pockets, said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney K. Harrison. Let these indictments send a message that we are watching. These investigations will impact the narcotics trade from the East End to New York City and is a testament of the successes our law enforcement partnerships have made. I commend all those involved, especially the departments Gun Crime Reduction Unit, Telephone Records and Surveillance Section and members on the East End Drug Task Force.

HSI New York and our partners work tirelessly to stop the flow of deadly drugs that is often synonymous with some of the countrys most violent gangs. As alleged in the indictment, the defendants in this case, members and associates of the notorious MS-13 street gang, operated an illicit narcotics distribution network that has been plaguing communities in Suffolk County, said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo. By working together, we can ensure that criminal organizations such as MS-13 can no longer terrorize our communities and profit from their illegal activities here on Long Island.

The DEA remains determined and hyper-focused on taking out the drug networks who are responsible for the countless lives lost to this crisis, said DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Taratino. These three investigations make it evidently clear that illegal drugs and guns are responsible for the violence and poisonings causing death and destruction in our communities. It will take all of us working together and combining our resources to make the difference that will ensure the health and safety of our neighborhoods.

This arrest is the direct result of hard work and determination by Federal, State and Local law enforcement that came together to combat dangerous drugs and gang activity that negatively impact our community, said State Police Major Stephen J. Udice, Troop Commander, Troop L. We pledge to continue to work tirelessly to make sure individuals who engage in this illegal activity are held accountable and will continue to prevent dangerous drugs from entering our neighborhoods across Long Island.

The indictment is the result of local, state and federal partners working together to identify, disrupt and dismantle the criminal enterprises destroying communities and lives with drugs and illegal guns, said John DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of ATF NY. We are thankful for the extensive and continuous collaboration amongst law enforcement to protect the public. The men and women of ATF NY Long Island Field Office, DEA NY and Suffolk County PD remain steadfast in our role. No one should be forced to live in a community with perpetual violence and criminal activity.

The Indictments

The long-term investigations culminated in three indictments charging a total of 30 defendants with 132 charges including long-term conspiracies to distribute narcotics, the sale and possession of narcotics, money laundering, and the possession of multiple illegal firearms.

People v. Dushane Telfer et. al.

According to the investigation, from February 17, 2023 through June 11, 2023, TELFER, PERKINS, OMAR REYNOSO and co-defendants allegedly conducted a large-scale fentanyl and cocaine trafficking operation spanning from the east end of Suffolk County to Queens, New York. Over the course of this investigation, over 763 grams of fentanyl and 585 grams of cocaine were allegedly recovered from the illicit sales and possession of fentanyl and cocaine by these defendants. This includes sales to individuals and agent buys, as well as narcotics allegedly recovered during search warrants executed at the residences of TELFER, PERKINS and REYNOSO.

Through the execution of the search warrants, members of law enforcement allegedly recovered A-1 felony weight fentanyl and cocaine from the North Amityville residence of TELFER, PERKINS and co-defendant DEVANTE PEARSON. In addition to the narcotics, four loaded illegal firearms, including an assault weapon and a large capacity feeding device, were allegedly recovered from that residence.

On February 17, 2023, TELFER and PERKINS allegedly sold a quantity of drugs to Michelle Tomitz which caused her death. Ms. Tomitz was discovered unresponsive the next morning after the alleged sale. The autopsy report revealed the presence of fentanyl, cocaine and xylazine in Ms. Tomitzs system at the time of her death. Ms. Tomitz is survived by her parents and a six-year-old daughter.

Xylazine, also known as Tranq is a drug that is a powerful tranquilizer used by veterinarians to relax or sedate large animals.

Xylazine has recently been found in the Long Island and New York City drug supply, and is used together with fentanyl to prolong the effects of fentanyl. According to the DEA, xylazine and fentanyl drug mixtures place users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning. Xylazine is only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a veterinary medicine to sedate and relieve pain in large animals such as horses. In humans, xylazine is known to depress breathing and heart rate, lower blood pressure, and cause unconsciousness, necrosis, and even death. Because xylazine is not an opioid, naloxone (Narcan) does not reverse its effects. Still, experts always recommend administering naloxone if someone might be suffering a drug overdose. People who inject drug mixtures containing xylazine also can develop severe wounds, including necrosis -- the rotting of human tissue -- that may lead to amputation. See https://www.dea.gov/alert/dea-reports-widespread-threat-fentanyl-mixed-xylazine.

Although a number of states have added xylazine to their lists of controlled substances, xylazine is not yet considered a controlled substance in New York State.

People v. Gabriel Fernandez et. al.

The investigation also uncovered a large-scale cocaine trafficking operation allegedly conducted by FERNANDEZ, LUSBIN ANTONIO HERNANDEZ-GARCIA, a 34-year-old Riverhead resident, and other co-defendants from March 2022 through July 2023. The operation spanned both the western and eastern portions of Suffolk County. FERNANDEZ allegedly supplied HERNANDEZ-GARCIA with cocaine, which HERNANDEZ-GARCIA and co-conspirators sold primarily in the Riverhead area.

Over the course of a six-month period, HERNANDEZ-GARCIA allegedly sold narcotics to an undercover police officer on eight occasions. Two of the eight transactions involved A-2 felony weight cocaine. The narcotics recovered from these transactions, as well as search warrants executed at FERNANDEZs West Babylon residence, allegedly yielded over 600 grams of cocaine, including A-1 felony weight cocaine recovered from his residence.

FERNANDEZ is also charged with two counts of money laundering. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that FERNANDEZ allegedly accepted payments for illicit narcotics from customers through money transfer apps (i.e., Zelle) and used said money, under the guise that funds were legitimate, to pay for his living expenses.

People v. Paris Parks et. al.

Finally, the investigation uncovered that between February 14, 2023 through July 27, 2023, PARKS and his co-conspirators allegedly conspired to sell large-scale amounts of cocaine and fentanyl throughout Suffolk County. Over the course of those six months, PARKS and co-defendants DEMETRIUS GLOVER, MATTHEW SHEA, DARIEN DAVES, and THEODORE ELLIBY allegedly sold both A-1 and A-2 felony weight cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl to undercover police officers. The amount of narcotics dealt during these sales were priced at a range of $3,500-$10,000 per transaction, and PARKS allegedly discussed having access to more narcotics.

PARKS is charged by this indictment with selling A-1 felony weight narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine, on nine different occasions. ELLIBY is charged in three of those sales, all of which were A-1 felony weight narcotics. DAVES is also charged with two A-1 felony sales, and GLOVER and SHEA are charged with one A-1 felony sale each. TIMOTHY BUSSO and TAYLOR WEST are additionally charged for their roles in allegedly conspiring and facilitating these sales.

In addition to the charges resulting from the sales, ELLIBY and MARIA CALDERON were both charged with possession of cocaine and fentanyl allegedly found in their residence during a search by law enforcement on July 27, 2023.

All of the 30 defendants have been arrested and 6 have been arraigned before the Honorable Steven Pilewski, ten more are scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023. The remaining defendants are pending arraignment. Of the 30 defendants, ten are charged with bail eligible offenses, including three who are charged with weapons offenses. Of those ten bail eligible defendants, seven are in custody, and one has posted bond. The remaining 20 defendants are not bail eligible.

Indicted Defendants

People v. Dushane Telfer et. al.  Ind-72413-23

Dushane Telfer, 30, of North Amityville, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 24 years incarceration. Telfer is bail eligible and is presently incarcerated on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 insurance company bond or $3,000,000 partially secured bond. Telfer is represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq.

Oshane Perkins, 29 of North Amityville, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 24 years incarceration. Perkins is bail eligible and is presently incarcerated on $750,000 cash, $1,500,000 million insurance company bond, $3,000,000 partially secured bond. Perkins is represented by Michael Alber, Esq.

Devante Pearson, 26, of North Amityville, faces top counts of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, and up to 15 years incarceration. Pearson is bail eligible and at liberty after posting bond. Pearson is represented by Michael Elbert, Esq.

Omar Reynoso, 36 of Woodside, Queens, faces a top count of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, and up to 12 years incarceration. Reynoso is not bail eligible and is presently placed on supervised release. Reynoso is represented by Jonathan Manley, Esq.

Shamar Weir, 27, of Shirley, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree for possessing fentanyl, and up to 9 years incarceration. Weir is not bail eligible and is presently placed on supervised release. Weir is represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq.

Keyth Jeffers, 35, of Bohemia, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 9 to 25 years incarceration. Jeffers is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Jeffers is represented by Michaelangelo Matera, Esq.

Travis Austin, 29 of Islip, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Third Degree for possessing fentanyl, and up to 12 years incarceration. Austin is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Austin is represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq.

James Johnsen, 35, of Holbrook, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Johnson is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Johnsen is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.

Stephen Warren, 60, of Shirley, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 9 to 25 years incarceration. Warren is currently in custody on remand status after being arrested on an unrelated case while at liberty on this matter. Warren is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.

Joseph Yengel, 57, of Holbrook, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Yengel is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Yangel is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.

People v. Gabriel Fernandez et. al. - Ind-72412-23

Gabriel Fernandez, 33, of West Babylon, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 20 years incarceration. Fernandez is presently incarcerated with bail set at $750,000 cash, $1,500,000 insurance company bond, or $3,000,000 partially secured bond. Fernandez is represented by Michael Brown, Esq.

Lusbin Antonio Hernandez-Garcia, AKA Jairo, 34, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, and up to 10 years incarceration. Hernandez-Garcia is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Hernandez-Garcia is represented by Colin Astarita, Esq.

Edwin Mazariegos-Manchame, AKA Gordo, 21, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, and up to 10 years incarceration. Mazariegos-Manchame is not bail eligible is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Nora Manchame-Orellana, 40, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Manchame-Orellana is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Dilan Monroy-Suret, 43, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Monroy-Suret is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Edgar Ochoa-Avila, 35, of Orient, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years of incarceration. Ochoa-Avila is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Luis Torres-Dalmasi, 61, of Riverhead, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Torrres-Dalmasi is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Juan Puluc-Chamale, 39 of Southampton, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Puluc-Chamale is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Elder Jeronimo-Ordonez, 32, of Southampton, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Jeronimo-Ordonez is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Marvin Chavez, 42, of Huntington Station, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Chavez is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Chavez is represented by the Legal Aid Society of Suffolk County.

Alfri Marine, 36, of West Babylon, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Marine is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Brian Weslek, 42, of Shelter Island, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, and up to 4 years incarceration. Weslek is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Weslek is represented by Austin Manghan, Esq.

People v. Paris Parks et. al.  Ind-72081-23

Paris Parks, 31, of Greenport, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 20 years incarceration. Parks is bail eligible and is currently incarcerated on $1,000,000 cash, $2,500,000 insurance company bond or $10,000,000 partially secured bond. Parks is represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq.

Theodore Elliby, 26, of Yaphank, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 20 years incarceration. Elliby is bail eligible and is currently incarcerated on $500,000 cash, $1,000,000 insurance company bond or $2,500,000 partially secured bond. Elliby is represented by Keith OHalloran Esq.

Demetrius Glover, 27, of Shirley, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 20 years incarceration. Glover is bail eligible but is currently placed on supervised release. Glover is represented by Anthony Scheller, Esq.

Darien Daves, 29, of Coram, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 20 years incarceration. Daves is bail eligible and is currently incarcerated on $175,000 cash, $350,000 insurance company bond or $1,500,000 partially secured bond. Daves is represented by Christopher Brocato, Esq.

Matthew Shea, 49, of Miller Place, faces a top count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 20 years incarceration. Shea is bail eligible but is currently placed on supervised release. Shea is represented by Michael Brown, Esq.

Timothy Busso, 26, of Southold, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. Busso is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Busso is represented by Lane Bubka, Esq.

Taylor West, 31, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree, and up to 8 1/3 to 25 years incarceration. West is not bail eligible and is scheduled to be arraigned on September 13, 2023.

Maria Calderon, 28, of Yaphank, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, and up to 10 years incarceration. Calderon is not bail eligible and is not in custody. Calderon is represented by Christopher Cassar, Esq.

The Suffolk County District Attorneys East End Drug Task Force is comprised of members of the District Attorney Investigators, East Hampton Town Police Department, New York State Police, Riverhead Police Department, Southold Police Department, Southampton Town Police Department, Suffolk County Police Department, and Suffolk County Sheriffs Office.

These cases are being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Melissa Turk, Mary Skiber and Elizabeth Moran of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau.
Chief executives from Jio and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) agreed generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) will be a key technology for service providers to tap into for growth ambitions, betting it will not be another technology false dawn, and operators that do not back it will be left behind.

Speaking at TM Forums Digital Transformation World in Copenhagen in a panel, IOH chief executive Vikram Sinha (pictured second) admitted he saw gen AI as another metaverse with too many questions to be answered to make it a tangible asset. But in the past six months, IOH has seen its ability to have a positive impact on revenue growth and correcting cost structure, important upgrades, particularly in a low ARPU market such as Indonesia, he noted.

Sinha warned gen AI can only be a successful tool if it's implemented into every aspect of this business, stating that it is not just the job of chief information or technology officers to push it.

Jio CEO Kiran Thomas (pictured third) compared gen AIs immediate viability to when the internet and multi-touch smartphones were first introduced.

There's a danger that we may just go deep into the hype of the technology, warned Thomas.

Fundamentally anything that is intelligent work, from creative on the marketing side to customer service and even coding. Anything which has a human intelligence element to it, we believe that there's a potential to avoid rework, avoid bad work, and promote good work.

I think there is certainly the whole co-pilot theme here. For us to then take that theme and see whether we can reimagine every process with a human judgement intelligence element to it. That's the journey we are on. But if you're not participating and leaning forward into it, I think there'll be others who will use that to disrupt, warned Thomas.

Colt Technology Services CEO Keri Glider claimed the company saw its sales pipeline increase 400% and increased net promoter score by 10 points, since Colt developed a gen AI programme for its marketing and analytics arms.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: September 20 2023

"This accomplishment will be with you for the rest of your life, and I hope you will serve as an inspiration to the younger scouts, said Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

Pictured at Troop 75s Eagle Scout Court of Honor are Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick (left), Eagle Scout Joshua Ayres and Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta.

Recently, Suffolk County Legislator Rob Trotta and Assemblyman Michael Fitzpatrick attended the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Joshua Ayres at the Kings Park High School, where Joshua is a senior.

Through his scouting activities, leadership skills, acquiring merit badges, and completing his community service project, Joshua received the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle Scout project, he created and supervised the building of an outdoor fitness gym with four stations on the field of the Kings Park High School. Joshua donated the remaining $900 that he raised for the project to the track team.

At the Eagle Scout Court of Honor, Legislator Trotta presented Joshua with a proclamation and Assemblyman Fitzpatrick provided him with a certificate and a letter of commendation for his attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout.
Commack Man Arrested for Spraying Pepper Spray in Business, Hospitalizing Two

Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: September 20 2023

Carl Goode, 57, was charged with Unlawfully Possessing or Selling Noxious Material and Criminal Nuisance 2nd Degree.

Suffolk County Police today arrested a Bay Shore man for releasing pepper spray inside a Commack business on the evening of Tuesday, September 19.

Carl Goode walked into Marshalls, located at 6A Henry St., and released pepper spray into the air at approximately 6:40 p.m. Goode was arrested near the location at 6:55 p.m.

Nine people were evaluated at the scene, with one being transported to Huntington Hospital.

Another person called 911 from their home and was transported to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore. Both victims were treated and released.

Goode, 57, of 7A Hemlock Drive, was charged with Unlawfully Possessing or Selling Noxious Material and Criminal Nuisance 2nd Degree. Goode also had an active warrant. He is being held overnight at the Sixth Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on September 20.
(Alliance News) - Rishi Sunak has refused to guarantee that HS2 will ever connect Manchester and central London, saying he would not "speculate" on the future of the route.

The prime minister reportedly has been in talks with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt over concerns about the soaring costs of the major rail project.

It has been suggested, according to a leaked photograph published by The Independent, that the UK government is considering scrapping the Birmingham to Manchester leg in a bid to save GBP35 billion, despite GBP2.3 billion having already been ploughed into stage two of the high-speed line.

Sunak used a speech on Wednesday to announce he was weakening environmental commitments, saying it was the start of a "series of long-term decisions" designed to change the country's direction.

Asked after his speech at No 10 whether HS2 would form part of those changes and whether he could commit to the line linking Euston and central Manchester, he said: "I'm not going to speculate on lots of the other things that people will be talking about."

The Conservative Party leader's response comes after one of his junior transport ministers, facing an urgent question in the Commons this week, refused to guarantee HS2 would reach Manchester.

Responding in parliament for the government, Richard Holden said only that ministers would "continue to update the house regularly on HS2" and that the government remained "focused on its delivery".

The planned railway is intended to link London, the Midlands and the North of England but has been plagued by delays and ballooning costs.

Ministers have already moved to pause parts of the project and even axed sections in the north.

The eastern leg to Leeds was binned in 2021 and it was confirmed in March that construction between Birmingham and Crewe would be delayed by two years and that services may not enter central London until the 2040s.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper announced that work at Euston would be paused for two years as costs had ballooned to GBP4.8 billion compared with an initial budget of GBP2.6 billion.

The pause means Old Oak Common will be the railway's only London station when services to and from Birmingham Curzon Street begin between 2029 and 2033.

Passengers travelling to and from central London will need to take Elizabeth line services to continue their journey into the heart of the capital.

Labour has accused the Tories of a "great rail betrayal" following speculation that the Manchester leg could be axed.

But party leader Keir Starmer on Tuesday declined to commit to building HS2 in full if Sunak does abandon the North West route.

During Monday's urgent question on the future of HS2 to Manchester, a number of senior Conservatives repeated calls for the entire project to be scrapped.

But Andy Street, Tory Mayor of the West Midlands, said investment was being made in the region "on the promise" of the Birmingham to Manchester link being realised.

The former John Lewis chief executive told Sky News' Politics Hub programme that HS2 was designed to "drive the economies" of the Midlands and the north of England.

"I'm a huge believer that this railway line is an investment probably for the next 100 years," he said. We've already seen lots of investment across the West Midlands on the promise of this coming.

"Now of course we will still get our London Birmingham link, but we equally need the link between Birmingham and the northern cities as well."

By Patrick Daly, PA Political Correspondent

source: PA

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
'Most qualified' job seekers and under 30-year-olds hardest hit, job agency Adem said

Luxembourg's unemployment rate ticked up last month and has been slowly rising since last summer, the country's job agency Adem said just two weeks before voters go to the polls.

The Grand Duchy's rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 5.3% in August after hitting 4.7% a year ago and staying below 5% until it crossed that threshold in April this year, Adem said in a news release.

The "most qualified" workers and job seekers under the age of 30 saw the steepest rises in unemployment, Adem said.

Just over 16,000 job seekers were registered with the country's job agency last month, roughly matching the July figures but a 13.4% surge compared to August 2022.

The sectors that saw the steepest rises in unemployment were secretary works, restaurant services, and accounting and management.

Employers advertised almost 22% fewer new jobs in August year-on-year, with total vacancies standing at around 9,000 at the end of August, a 32% drop compared to a year before. Adem saw vacancies drop in the communication sector as well as the country's all-important finance and insurance industries.

Some 90 Ukrainian refugees registered with Adem, the news release said.

Luxembourg citizens go to the polls on 8 October to pick a new parliament and government.
Indonesias Ministry of Communication and Informatics, known locally as KemKominfo, has confirmed that talks are underway regarding a merger of operators XL Axiata and Smartfren.

The operators are respectively backed by Malaysias Axiata Group and Indonesian conglomerate Sinar Mas, and these parent firms have been examining a potential merger since October 2021. Anonymous reports from this period indicated that the groups were consulting advisors on possible arrangements including network sharing agreements.

When pressed by Bloomberg at this time, Smartfren president Merza Fachys said: Smartfren is open to consolidate or collaborate with other industry players aiming for operational efficiency. However, all parties must get the same benefits. XL Axiata president Dian Siswarini reiterated that the operator was always open to consolidate with any party.

While merger talks have evidently resumed, analysts have noted that Smartfren has a significant amount of debt which could complicate any tie-up between the two operators.
LIVONIA, MICH.  Madonna University confirmed its decision to continue its test-optional admissions policy for the 2024-25 school year. This means that prospective students will not be required to submit ACT or SAT scores for admission, although they are welcome to do so if they have taken the exams. This move by Madonna University is a testament to its commitment to providing equal opportunities for all students and recognizing the challenges they faced during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The university initially adopted the test-optional policy due to the limited access students had to standardized testing during the pandemic. Recognizing that many students faced academic disruptions and were unable to receive proper test preparation, Madonna University believes it is unfair to base admissions solely on test scores during these extraordinary times. Instead, the university takes a holistic approach to the admissions process, considering various factors that contribute to a students potential for success.

Madonna University prides itself on its caring community, personalized education, values-based experience, and service-oriented career preparation. This holistic approach to admissions ensures that students are not denied the opportunity to receive a Madonna education solely based on a single bad test score. The university firmly believes that every student has unique qualities that contribute to their academic journey and future success and has found no evidence to support the notion that students with good test scores perform better throughout their college careers. In fact, relying on test scores alone can be unfair, as it fails to consider a students potential, motivation, and character.

Trish Everett, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Madonna, shared her perspective, stating, I dont believe in holding things against people that are beyond their control. A GPA and test score do not give the whole picture of a student. What truly matters is finding the right fit between the student and the university.

Starting with the fall 2024 admissions cycle, Madonna University will require all direct from high school applicants to submit an essay as part of their application process. This additional requirement aims to provide a deeper understanding of a students aspirations, character, and potential to contribute to the Madonna community.

But dont worry, future Crusaders! The Madonna community is here to help students shine. Madonna's Essay Express workshop warmly welcomes all high school students aiming to make their application shine. Join forces with the Office of Admissions and Writing Center for an enriching experience that equips students with the tools and knowledge to craft an essay that reflects their unique voice, experiences, and aspirations. Essay Express workshops are being offered on October 4th (6:00  8:00 pm) and October 14th (1:00  3:00 pm). Pre-registration is required. Students should be sure to bring along an open mind and any current essay ideas or drafts they may have as this is a chance to make their college application unforgettable.

Furthermore, the university remains dedicated to accessibility and equity in education. Madonna University was established by the Felician Sisters with the mission of educating individuals to become servant leaders in their communities. By expanding its reach, Madonna University has created opportunities for those who would otherwise not have access to higher education. The institution has always welcomed non-traditional and post-traditional learners, affirming its commitment to inclusivity and diversity.

Madonna University remains committed to its mission of providing quality education and career opportunities to individuals who aspire to make a positive impact through service. In its commitment to the accessibility of education, the university has eliminated application fees and is actively encouraging prospective students to explore the enriching Madonna experience. The Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant, in partnership with other federal grants and academic awards, can help those who feel cost may be a barrier to attending Madonna.

For more information about Madonna Universitys history, values, and achievements, interested students are encouraged to check out the universitys website. Madonna University stands proudly as a welcoming institution, embodying the Felician Sisters vision of educating individuals to serve their communities. As the world continues to evolve, Madonna University remains steadfast in its dedication to providing an inclusive and equitable educational experience for all students.
Suarez, Colombia  The Colombian government and a dissident faction of the FARC guerrilla group that disarmed in 2017, said Tuesday they will observe a ceasefire and hold peace talks from October 8.

After months of meetings to lay the groundwork for the talks, the government and the rebel group that calls itself the Central General Staff (EMC) announced they would hold official negotiations in Tibu, near the Venezuelan border.

The announcement, made in a press statement, did not say how long the ceasefire was meant to last, but local media said the parties had agreed on 10 months.

At the initiative of Colombias first-ever leftist president, Gustavo Petro, the government wants to give the dissidents a second chance to lay down arms after rejecting a 2016 peace agreement with the FARC, of which they were then a part.

Petro took office last August with a vow to bring total peace to a country battered by decades of civil conflict between the state and various left-wing guerrilla groups, right-wing paramilitaries and drug traffickers.

The 2016 agreement saw about 7,000 members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) give up arms and attempt to reintegrate into civilian life, though a faction under guerrilla leader Ivan Mordisco decided to keep fighting.

The EMC steadily increased its presence in territories formerly occupied by the FARC and largely abandoned by government forces.

It is said by the government to be involved in cocaine trafficking, illegal mining and attacks on Colombian troops.

According to official data, the EMC had about 3,500 armed members by the end of last year.

At midnight on December 31, Petro announced a bilateral truce with Colombias five main armed groups, but suspended the deal with the EMC in May after its fighters killed four Indigenous young men resisting recruitment.

This was followed by a military operation targeting the EMC in the Cauca department and others in the Amazon, where Mordisco and other leaders are thought to spend most of their time.

The EMC and the government started their latest round of talks in Colombias southwestern Cauca region on Sunday, with delegates from the European Union, United Nations and the Organization of American States, among others.

Since last November, Petros government has also held negotiations with the National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group.
Somalias National Communications Authority (NCA) has opened a consultation process for its National 5G Strategy.

Focusing on the deployment of 5G infrastructure across the country, the strategy is intended to nurture economic growth and innovation, establish regulatory frameworks, champion research leadership, and introduce notable societal advancements.

As reported by CommsUpdate, the strategy sets out a roadmap for the allocation of 5G spectrum and the associated deployment of infrastructure so as to ensure equitable and affordable access to advanced internet and communication services across Somalia.

Ahmed Dirie, Minister for Communications and Technology, said: The 5G draft strategy reflects the Ministry of Communication and Technologys ICT Policy and Strategy 2019-24, dedicated to advancing communication and technology in Somalia. The launch of this consultation invites all stakeholders to share their insights and recommendations for this strategy.

The strategy proposed harmonised spectrum integration in several bands, including the 700MHz, 1427MHz-1518MHz, 3300MHz-4200MHz, 26GHz and 28GHz ranges. Feedback from the public as well as industry stakeholders will be accepted until 2nd November 2023.
WASHINGTON, DCA Chinese blockade on the island democracy of Taiwan would be a monster risk for Beijing and likely to fail, while a military invasion would be extremely difficult, senior Pentagon officials told Congress Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, vowing to seize it one day, and officials in Washingtona key ally of Taipeihave cited 2027 as a possible timeline for an invasion.

The growing worries come as China has ramped up military pressures on Taiwan, holding large-scale war games simulating a blockade on the island, while conducting near-daily warplane incursions and sending Chinese vessels around its waters.

Ely Ratner, the Pentagons assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, said a blockade would be a monster risk for the PRC (Peoples Republic of China), referring to China by its official name.

It would likely not succeed, and it would be a huge risk of escalation for the PRC, where it would likely have to consider whether or not it was willing to ultimately start attacking commercial maritime vessels, Ratner told the House Armed Services Committee.

A blockade would devastating to the international community and would likely induce the broad-based wide deep response from the international community that Beijing would likely be trying to avoid, he said.

He was echoed by Army Major General Joseph McGee, a vice director of the Joint Staff.

It is an option but it is probably not a highly likely military option It is much easier to talk about a blockade than actually do a blockade, McGee said.

He also pointed to islands mountainous terrain and the Taiwan Strait waterway separating it from mainland China, saying there is absolutely nothing easy about a PLA (Peoples Liberation Army) invasion of Taiwan.

They would have to mass tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of troops on the eastern coast and that would be a clear signal, McGee said, adding that combined amphibious and airborne air assault operations would be an extremely complicated joint operation.

That would leave them in that (Taiwan Strait) gap, 90 to 100 milesthat would lead them susceptible to all the fire that could be brought to an invading force that was already telegraphing their intentions.

Chinas latest massive show of force came Monday when Beijing sent more than 100 warplanes in 24 hours around the island, prompting Taipei to decry the destructive unilateral actions. AFP

Also during Tuesdays hearing, Mira Resnick, a deputy assistant secretary at the State Department, warned a US government shutdown could affect foreign weapons sales and licenses to its allies, including Taiwan.

This is something we would like to avoid, Resnick said.

Her comments come as the United States is less than two weeks from a potential government shutdown, as lawmakers struggle to agree on a short-term spending bill  an impasse that could also have repercussions on military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.
Suho of the Korean boy group EXO will be coming to the Philippines to participate in the upcoming star-studded 2023 Asia Artist Award happening in the country for the first time.

EXO Suho will attend the 2023 Asia Artist Awards in the Philippines, it said.

The highly-anticipated event will be held on December 14 at the Philippine Arean in Bulacan.

The news was confirmed by PULP Live Chief Operating Officer Happee Sy-Go in a post shared on her X account (formerly Twitter).

Good morning indeed, she wrote, citing the Star News article link.

Suho, the leader of EXO, started his career in 2012 as the tenth member of the group and currently, he has been actively working as an actor. He is playing the role of Kim Seon-woo in the ongoing JTBC series, Hip-Hop.

The Korean idol will be joining fellow actors Kim Seon-ho, Ahn Hyo-seop, Kim Se-jeong, Moon Ga-young, Lee Dong-hwi, Lee Jun-hyuk, Cha Joo-young, Lee Eun-sam, Lee Jun-ho, Jeong Seong-il, Kim Young-dae, Lee Jun-young, Moon Sang-min, Yoo Seon-ho, Ahn Dong-gu, and Jae-chan.

On the other hand, the prestigious event will be attended by Korean groups NewJeans, LE SSERAFIM, BOYNEXTDOOR, NMIXX, ZEROBASEONE, Stray Kids, THE BOYZ, ITZY ( ITZY), Eunbi Kwon, &TEAM, Jaejoong Kim, DinDin, Youngji Lee, Dreamcatcher, KARD, Ash Island, YAOCHEN, STAYC, Kep1er, TEMPEST, Lapillus, SEVENTEENs BSS, ONEUS, Kingdom, ATBO, and LUN8.

P-pop kings SB19 and all-Filipino global group HORI7ON will also grace the event.

Presented by PULP Live World, Star News, and TONZ Entertainment, the ticket sales for the 2023 Asia Artist Award will begin on November 12
Taylor Swift fans were sent on an online Easter egg hunt Tuesday in hopes to reveal her new 1989 (Taylors Version) vault track titles. But fans were quick to run into a Glitch.

During the acoustic set of the last SoFi stadium show of her Eras Tour, the 12 time Grammy Award artist announced the upcoming re-release of her pop album 1989, which originally debuted in 2014. The rerecorded version now includes Taylors Version.

Prior to the announcement, the artist traded in some of her iconic tour outfits for different ones all in different shades of blue  a color the Swiftie fandom has dubbed the album color.

The pop star recently partnered with Google to give fans an interactive way to figure out the vault tracks to her upcoming re-released album 1989 (Taylors Version). Vault tracks are songs that previously never made the original album debut, as theyve been kept in the vault until now.

Google announced Tuesday that its search function will populate a series of 89 puzzles that fans can solve to eventually reveal the names of the new songs.

Youll be helping Swifties around the world get out of the woods (or unlock the vault) as everyone collectively solves 33 million puzzles, Google said. And thats how it works, thats how you get the vault track titles!

The puzzle starts by googling 1989 Taylors Version. Fans should then notice a little blue vault appear on the Google search screen. The vault then reveals a scrambled version of Swifts upcoming album name and would reveal more puzzles as participants entered answers into the search bar.

During her previous re recorded album releases, Swift would also give vault clues to fans to guess the names of the unreleased vault tracks.

But some Swifties think theres been a Glitch as they search the answers to no avail.

Welp I managed to solve a whopping 5 vault puzzles before it stopped letting me submit answers and then stopped showing up entirely, an X user wrote.

However, fans of Swift know that almost anything she does is hardly coincidental.

When fans click her song Glitch from her most recent album release Midnights on Spotify, the video clip of that song has been replaced with a scene from her Wildest Dreams re-recording announcement. Wildest Dreams is a song on the 1989 album.

In the video clip, a very noticeable glitch flashes across the scream, having fans question if theyre all purposely connected. Its a very deep rabbit hole to fall down, but Swifties are notorious for their theories.

Two TikTok users delve into what the intentional glitch could mean for Swift going forward with more releases. You can watch that here.

The new album will be available to fans on Oct. 27, exactly nine years after her first release of 1989.

Even though Swift has wrapped up the Eras Tour in the U.S. for the year, she will still be on tour, heading to Argentina and Brazil.

StubHub Nov. 9 - Estadio River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 10 - Estadio River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 11 - Estadio River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 17 - Estadio Niltan Santos in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 18 - Estadio Niltan Santos in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 19 - Estadio Niltan Santos in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 24 - Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 25 - Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Buy tickets at VividSeats

StubHub Nov. 26 - Allianz Parque in Sao Paulo, Brazil - Buy tickets at VividSeats

Swift will be back in the states in October of 2024
A 57-year-old boat yard owner from Cape Cod, facing charges in several matters, is being held on dangerousness after he was accused of sexual assault, according to Cape & Islands District Attorney Robert J. Galibois.

Peter Eastman, of Barnstable, was arraigned in Barnstable District Court on Monday, Sept. 11, on charges of rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery on person 14 or over.

During that arraignment, Eastmans bail on other pending matters was revoked, and he was held without bail instead. Those pending matters include multiple charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, violation of a restraining order and multiple counts of unlawful possession of a large capacity feeding device, Galibois said.

Eastman was back in court on Tuesday, Sept. 19, where the court revoked his bail on his previous pending case, and held him on dangerousness instead, according to the district attorney. He is due back in court on Sept. 25 for status review.

The Cape & Islands District Attorneys Office did not release any more details regarding Eastmans pending charges.

Eastmans is listed on the websites for Howard Boats and Alerion Sailing Yachts. His Facebook profile suggests that he is the owner of both companies.
Chinese hospital ship returns home following humanitarian mission

Xinhua) 08:17, September 20, 2023

Soldiers stand at attention during a welcoming ceremony as the Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrives at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 19, 2023. The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at a port in Zhoushan on Tuesday morning after completing friendly visits and humanitarian medical services to Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and East Timor. (Photo by Han Lin/Xinhua)

HANGZHOU, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Tuesday morning after completing friendly visits and humanitarian medical services to Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and East Timor.

Since its departure on July 3, the ship had traversed a distance exceeding 12,000 nautical miles over 79 days.

Throughout its mission, the ship has welcomed visiting heads of state, military and political dignitaries, along with representatives from international organizations, foreign delegations, overseas Chinese communities, and local military, police, and civilians.

The ship hosted five deck receptions, organized 23 academic exchanges and 10 cultural events, and participated in its first-ever joint exercise with the Tongan Navy.

The vessel provided medical care to 41,358 individuals from various countries, conducted physical examinations for 491 people, and performed 192 surgeries for residents.

It also dispatched 47 medical teams to offer medical services in local communities, schools, and hospitals. Additionally, its medical personnel also helped deliver three babies on the ship.

The "Peace Ark," the first standard ocean-going maritime hospital independently designed and built by China, has undertaken humanitarian medical missions abroad since being commissioned in 2008.

The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrives at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 19, 2023. The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at a port in Zhoushan on Tuesday morning after completing friendly visits and humanitarian medical services to Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and East Timor. (Photo by Gui Jiangbo/Xinhua)

Soldiers stand at attention during a welcoming ceremony as the Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrives at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 19, 2023. The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at a port in Zhoushan on Tuesday morning after completing friendly visits and humanitarian medical services to Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and East Timor.(Photo by Han Lin/Xinhua)

The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrives at a port in Zhoushan, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 19, 2023. The Chinese naval hospital ship "Peace Ark" arrived at a port in Zhoushan on Tuesday morning after completing friendly visits and humanitarian medical services to Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and East Timor. (Photo by Gui Jiangbo/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Press Release

September 20, 2023 Questions of Senator Risa Hontiveros at the DSWD budget hearing On supplementary feeding program Senator Risa Hontiveros (SRH): Madame Chair, I'm glad to know that the department's supplementary feeding program for children in child development centers and supervised neighborhood play uses healthy and locally-produced food. In relation to this, gusto ko sana malaman kung yung mga raw ingredients na ginagamit sa mga meals tulad ng isda, manok at iba pang meat products, siyempre bigas, gulay at iba pang produce ay sourced directly sa ating mga local farmers. Batay nga po ito sa mandato na pino-provide ng Sagip Saka Act kung saan explicitly sinasabi na bilang suporta sa ating mga farmer at fisherfolk enterprise development, ang mga government agencies ay diretsong bibili ng agricultural and fishery products mula sa accredited farmers and fisherfolk cooperatives. At kaugnay niyan, gusto kong hilingin Madame Chair, isumite sa ating komite yung listahan ng suppliers para sa feeding program, partikular mga suppliers ng magsasaka at mangingisda, Madame Chair. Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, two points. First of all, one of the reasons why our small farming coops refused to join a lot of our regional bids was that regime na sometimes some of our regional offices refuse to acknowledge their tax exemptions. So one thing, admittedly, when we walked in was to reiterate that they are tax exempt. So we will furnish the committee our action on that. It's a memo that came out of our office when I was new in the department to advice our regional offices, look, these coops are tax exempt. That will give them a competitive advantage in joining regional bids. Second, we've also been encouraging... Now let's talk about the supplemental feeding program, Madame Chair. There are two ways of doing it: One is regionally procured, the other one is downloading to the LGU. We have always been advocating downloading to LGU. Why? Because they know their clients very well. And two, there is so much incentive for our LGUs to buy from their local farmers. Now, I'll give you the statistics and we'll also give this to the committee. When we started, ang regionally procured natin, actually last year, of the 1,509 implementers of the supplemental feeding program, ang regionally procured, meaning DSWD region is procuring it -- 744 and then 765 ang local government procured. But it doesn't mean na pagka regionally procured, we don't buy from our farmers as well. Case in point, in Regions 9 and 11, our regional office procured the rice locally. In Region 12, it's everything: Eggs, chicken, fish, dried fish, so on and so forth, and we will give you the necessary details. Region 9, again buys their other produce there. But again, ang nagiging problema po, Madame Chair, pagka regionally procured is you can imagine this: A regional office will buy for so many LGUs the goods. And then we will now be sending the goods to the different LGUs. The spoilage, the wastage, the logistical issues will be a nightmare. So we've been encouraging slowly the LGUs to take on the challenge. One, they know their constituents well. Two, there's incentive for them to take care of their farmers and their fisherfolk because botante nila yun. And three, the logistics is lessened pag sila na yung bumili. So the good news this year is our regional procurement is down to 660 and our LGU transfers is up to 872. The ultimate goal here is mapababa pa tong regionally procured so that we just transfer the money to our LGUs, they buy from their local farmers, they buy from their fishers, and yung wastage, kasi Madame Chair, it's very hard for us to be doing the regional procurement and transferring all the goods to the LGUs. So those are the two points that we wanted to raise to further strengthen procurement to our small farmers, fishermen through their representative agri coops. On implementation of Sagip Saka Act SRH: Salamat, good secretary, Madame Chair. Magandang nalaman namin at malaman ng publiko na mukhang may best practice yung Region 12 procuring everything from their local agricultural producers. At sumusunod sa kanila yung Regions 9 and 11. Sana ma-communicate din ito sa ibang mga regions, regional offices ng mga department para pwede nilang sundin din itong best practices. And yes, I'll also await with anticipation yung kopya ng memo from central office reiterating na tax exempt nga po yung status ng mga agricultural cooperatives. Also, speaking of exemptions Madame Chair, for the purposes of the Sagip Saka Act, exempted din yung procurement ng agricultural at saka fishery products ng government agencies kung as part of their regular mandates, exempt din sa bidding process provided yung said agencies ay maga-undergo ng negotiated procurement sa ilalim ng applicable guidelines ng Government Procurement Policy Board. So baka po sa pag-reiterate ng content ng memo tungkol sa tax exempt status ng mga agricultural coops, pwede ring ipaalala yung offices under the DSWD at yung partner LGUs ng department tungkol doon sa GPPB applicable guidelines. Basta mag-negotiated procurement sa ilalim ng guidelines na iyon, exempt doon sa bidding process. Para mas mapalawak pa at mapalaki yung paggamit noong Sagip Saka Law for the supplementary feeding program of the department, Madame Chair. Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, the undersecretary for our general services is here. He will take note and blast off a memo again to remind our regional offices that not only are they tax exempt, itong mga agri coop, but they can also go into negotiated procurement. But again, Madame Chair, let me emphasize that regionally procured kasi is hard in the sense na we buy the goods then we ship the goods to LGUs on a regular basis for their feeding program. Eggs get damaged, produce gets spoiled. So malaki rin yung spoilage. So we're really reiterating na we're empowering our LGUs to hopefully procure on their own. Madame Chair, I would also want to point out, since we're talking about feeding, our desire from the department, again to put it on record, that the budget for the feeding program is only at P15 per head. But with the kind help of the chairman, we were able to put it up to P21. What we really want to do to end naman wasting and severely wasting in the ranks of our daycare students, we really have to hopefully as for an augmentation to raise it up to P27. I don't think P15 or P21 is enough. So again, for the record, we would like to reiterate our desire or request to augment the school feeding program budget. Senator Imee Marcos: Yes, that's well taken. And if I may add to Senator Hontiveros' observation, in fact what is being utilized is the community procurement proviso in the GPPB which is actually more liberal than Sagip Saka. And this allows almost any type of community procurement, provided it's adequately documents for the GPPB and the DBM's purposes. Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, further to the question of Senator Hontiveros. The department is also the main leader of the main steering agency for the EPAHP. It's the anti-hunger program of the government. One of the main thrusts of EPAHP is to create what we call the community-based- strengthening our community-based organizations, lalong-lalo na sa agri sector. And then we link them up with government contracts, not just in DSWD, but in the other EPAHP agencies that are part, which is everybody naman. These CBOs, they call them community-based organizations, are agri coops, farmer's coops, fisher coops. For the record, there are 421 of them that we have already linked to marketplaces in the government setup. For 2022 or 2023, close to P369 million worth of government contracts have been linked up to these CBOs or these agri-based CBOs. The EPAHP, bagamat hindi lang siya sa school-feeding program is still a mandate of the department and we'll take a more aggressive stance in linking our CBOs with our different government agencies so they can secure various government contracts for their produce. On Socorro cult victims SRH: Thank you, Madame Chair and good secretary. I think that's a good beginning na may magnitude na siya ng P369 million. Of course, that's less than 10% yet of the P4 billion budget for the supplementary feeding program. So magandang kasabay ng pag-challenge sa LGUs o pag-encourage, eh pag-encourage din ng department sa mga community organizations to also step up. And well-taken yung point ng chair. I guess, sa patuloy din naming pakikipagugnayan sa mga LGU partners din ng department, we'll really encourage them to maximize participation both in the implementation of the Sagip Saka Act and the community procurement process. So salamat, Madame Chair. So balikan ko po yung unang tanong ko sana. Since nabanggit ko nga po, Secretary, and I wish to reiterate: I thank the department doon sa maagang action ng Municipal Social Welfare Development officer ng Socorro, Surigao del Norte. And then kahapon lang salamat na nakipag-ugnayan ang isang taga-DSWD sa legis ko para moving forward, paano talaga, well, mailigtas yung mga batang tumakas doon sa kulto doon sa Mount Kapihan. Nasusubaybayan po ba, Madame Chair, ng department yung mga tao sa Socorro? Kasi lumabas po doon sa mga testimony, kinukuha daw ang halos o higit sa kalhati ng ayuda nila noong binanggit po yung 4Ps, binanggit po yung disaster ayuda, binanggit pati yung AICS. So kung totoo yun, practically gobyerno ang nagpopondo sa kulto. So nasusubaybayan po ba ito and may initial thoughts ba ang department paano ito pipigilin at iko-correct moving forward? Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, as a matter of practice, what is for the beneficiary is for the beneficiary. It's against the creed of the department when may tumabas, no matter kung sino man yan. No government official, no private individual can take what is given directly to the beneficiary. We have taken stock of the privilege speech of the good senator, Madame Chair, and we took inventory immediately of how many 4Ps households we have there. But obviously, these are initial numbers kasi it could not be in just one sitio but in more sitios. In Sitio Kapihan, for example, we have 74 households na 4Ps beneficiaries. In that barangay itself, Barangay Siring, we have 503 households. What we will do immediately and the undersecretary for 4Ps is beside me, she's a registered social worker and one of our senior social workers. We've already spoken about getting our city links and our municipal links to pry into the well-being of these 4Ps beneficiaries in that area. Likewise, the undersecretary of operations is beside me, Undersecretary Pinky. Whenever we get allegations of AICS misuse, we take it seriously. And even here in the central office, in any of our field office. She has already directed the regional director to look into the AICS track distribution in that area. We will look into the beneficiaries of AICS in that region, particularly zeroing in on those barangays, sitios that are in the peripheral of the site. And then we can do backtracking and our standard investigation tracks also. Again, we will immediately copy furnish the office of the committee as well as the office of the good senator on the findings of the 4Ps as well as the AICS clusters. On delisting of 4Ps beneficiaries SRH: Maraming salamat para doon, good secretary, Madame Chair. It's really good to know na both in terms of the welfare of the children victim-survivors at yung sabi niyo nga welfare of the beneficiaries of government social protection programs, sinimulan na ng department alamin yun. And I fully expect will take corrective action kung mayroon talagang mapatunayang misuse of these programs and of these funds. Salamat po. So onto the 4Ps, Madame Chair, in the House budget deliberation, the good secretary mentioned that the cleansing of the list has resulted in the low utilization rate of the 4Ps funding. At the same time, COA flagged duplicate names of 4Ps beneficiaries in 2020 and 2021. It also said that six out of 10 qualified beneficiaries are not in the DSWD database. So yung unang tanong ko po, Madame Chair, the delisting of 4Ps beneficiaries has been met with much disapproval from the sector. However, the department has imposed a moratorium on the delisting process, which is a welcome development especially for many who have not recovered from the pandemic. So maari po bang malaman ilan ang na-delist bago dinesisyunan ng departamento na i-put on hold yung delisting at saka din po yung criteria na ginamit sa pag-assess ng status ng beneficiaries. Ibig sabihin, anong mga parameters ang ginamit para i-consider silang ineligible para sa assistance, Madame Chair. Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, to answer that, I may sound long-winded about this.. But it's a long story that took me seven months to fully understand. And I will try to cram it in a good five minutes. We have to look at the full context of the story. Saan ba nagsimula ang problema? Bakit nagkaproblema? Ano ang solusyon na ginawa? Una po sa lahat, 2019 nung ginawa yung Listahanan all the way to 2020. This is the COVID years. So ang naging unang problema po diyan, yung non-poor na roughly 700,000, at that time 700,000 were rated as non-poor already. Baka noong mga panahon na yun po, hindi na sila poor. But right after the lockdown, they came back and said nagging poor ho kami kasi nag-iba yung status ng buhay namin. So we have a pool of 700,000, roughly. We already furnished the committee with more detailed numbers, but let me round off the numbers for easy reference. And then there's another pool of 700,000 na hindi na-assess at all because the enumerators could not go out anymore dahil nag-lockdown na eh. So we're looking at close to around 1.4 million potential delistings. Now, succeedingly, the department wanted to reassess all of them but there were no budgetary allocations for the enumerators to go out. So when Secretary Tulfo, pagdating ng 2023 this year, he had the good sense to immediately instruct a special reassessment. Last year up to this year, siya ho nagsimula ng reassessment because nag-worry siya na ang laki noong mga porsyento na natatanggal. So he had that good instinct to do it immediately. And when I walked in, kaka-roll in lang, nagsa-start pa lang yung reassessment. So immediately also, when we were looking at the data in big chunks, close to 70% were being delisted. So ibig sabihin seven out of 10. We figured there must be something wrong. So we consulted poverty experts like Dennis Mapa- The reason why we consulted him was he was around when they were creating the proxy means test. They were the consultant of the department during those years. So alam nila, they could troubleshoot it for us. Kasi parang we were using the same tool, but we were getting so many delisting. So ang sagot nga namin, baka nag-iba na yung mukha ng kahirapan, di na naka-capture ng proxy means test. So we immediately put a stop ulit. We told them, okay let's put a moratorium. Nobody gets delisted first. So that answers the first part of the question. Now, how do we move forward? The steering committee agreed that we use one tool that was developed years ago, it's called the SWDI -- the Social Welfare and Development Indicator. We will furnish the committee as well the copy of the SWDI. It's a proxy means test with a heart. Yan ang favorite line ko. Si proxy means test kasi is pure table computations and a lot of statisticians are saying nga that it's blind. Tama naman. In creating these types of target tools, dapat blind siya. But it may no longer have been calibrated to look at the following: Poverty after COVID, poverty driven by climate change. What do I say? I'll give an example po. In the proxy means test, pag konkreto na yung bahay mo, tanggal ka na kaagad. But in some cases, in Valenzuela, in low-lying areas, adaptive nila yung mag-konkreto ng bahay. Pero hindi ibig sabihin nag-konkreto sila ay mayaman na sila. So the SWDI takes into account these- Uso siya kasi it's the social workers that are using it. So this will now be are new basis. The reason being bakit ang bagal namin hong mag-disburse ng 4Ps na grants, is because we put a stop muna, we take stock of the delisting and then we will reincorporate them back into the list with a retroactive, we're studying that, effect. But Madame Chair, the SWDI process was started last month and we're almost done. By the end of September, we would get our final results. But off the bat, right now- Madame Chair, here nabaligtad ho. The initial results were almost 99% done, 70-30 in favor of poverty, meaning mas marami nang nare-retain. Unlike noong una, mas maraming naalis on that same ratio. Because nga, suddenly the tool that we're using will take into account different levels of poverty that happened after COVID. SRH: Thank you very much, good secretary, Madame Chair. Nasagot niyo na yung susunod ko sanang tanong na paki-elaborate na higit pa sa klase ng reassessment na ina-undergo ng department that led to declaring the moratorium. So that's pre-SWDI, noong napansin ninyo na something must be wrong with the original proxy means test. So 700,000 na non-poor, pero 700,000 na not assessed. Siyempre, kung not assessed, di natin alam kung in-assess nga silang poor o qualified participants sa 4Ps. And I look forward sa final results niyo by the end of the month lalo na dahil yung trend ng current results ninyo ngayon ay parang 70% in favor pa of retention or continuous participation in the program. And isa sa pinaka-interesting yung binanggit ng good secretary na the department is even studying relisting, if I heard it correctly, some who may have been delisted under the previous test. Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, good senator, yes. Because we're looking at the angle of force majeure. It's in the implementing rules, we're still studying it. Kasi hindi ho nila kasalanan na may nangyari ho kaya hindi sila naka-capture correctly. Although we're still studying it carefully to make sure that we don't violate any regulatory trappings. But again, in social protection, we don't blame the beneficiary. There is a kink in the tool that the department used that also got misaligned because of COVID. Nag-iba ang mukha ng kahirapan pagtapos ho ng COVID, nag-iiba ang mukha ng kahirapan dahil sa climate change. So these are things the department is already looking at for the next couple of year with CBMS coming into the picture and mawawala na yung Listahanan. These are things that we are studying carefully with PSA as well as with other poverty experts like Secretary Balisacan on how we can come up with another targeting tool for entry and exit of the program. SRH: Thank you, secretary, Madame Chair. And I appreciate na yung department, ayaw niya mag-duplicate ng mga tools or instruments at gustong mag- in a way synchronize with other tools and instruments na ginagamit ng gobyerno as a whole. I understand that if delisting continues, just as a regular course of the program, those who will be delisted will be replaced by those in the waiting list. So ilan po ang nakapila sa waiting list na ito at sa listahang ito, ilan po ba ang mga bagong enrollees? Dati akala ko, isang source lang ng mga bagong enrollees yung mga bagong magka-qualify as poor or new poor. Pero apparently, dahil magshi-shift sa isang mas tingin ng department maayos na instrument, sabi niyo nga a tool or a test with a heart, baka may mga reinstate dahil nga hindi naman nila kasalanan yung orce majeure na COVID at climate change event. So but overall, whether from new beneficiaries or previous beneficiaries who were delisted but should not have been delisted, or who are reassessed differently now, ilan po ang nakapila sa waiting list at sa mga ito, ilan po yung mga bagong enrollees? Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, unfortunately we don't have that figure right now because it's still being finalized. But allow us to submit it to the committee when we do finalize the figure. But just to give you a hierarchical approach to it, we haven't entertained any of the waitlisted because nga we're waiting to finish the reassessment and the pool of 1.4 [million.] So once we're done with that, we will know ano pa yung kulang namin and pupunuin namin. Because the GAA provision explicitly provides 4.4 [million] as well as in the Philippine Development Plan. There's always that notion of 4.4 [million,] that is the magic number. So kung ano ang kakulangan noon, doon na lang ho namin kukunin sa waitlisted that we will furnish the committee. SRH: Thank you, Madame Chair. And that would be instructive for us in the Senate or in the whole of Congress for moving forward the following years of the implementation of the 4Ps program. So thank you for that, Madame Chair. My next question is on the status of the payouts to the beneficiaries in relation to the suspended delisting process. So dahil nagkaroon ng slow down sa distribution ng financial assistance, which was also noted upon by the good secretary doon sa House budget deliberation, since there was that slowdown, did the department halt payouts noong unang nagsimula yung delisting process, Madame Chair? Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, for the ones that were not in that pool of 1.4 [million,] the payouts continued. That's the numbers that are being moving right now in the report that we submitted. We obligated close to 30%- 31.41% at this point has been obligated. But the remainder, we expect, as we showed in the catchup plan, mahahabol ho natin yun because again, we are currently reviewing with our legal team on the retroactive effect for the 1.4 [million.] But if our notions are correct, by the time that we finish our catchup plan, 98% of the total budget- 94% of the total budget for 4Ps would have been obligated come end of the year towards early part of next year. SRH: That's good to hear, Madame Chair. Dahil yung mga ganitong social protection programs proven not only in the Philippines kung saan yung mga anak ng mga 4Ps families ay nagtatapos sa senior high, marami sa kanya valedictorian, salutatorian. Galing. Yung mga ganoon, then they become scholars sa state colleges and universities and then they top the boards sa kanilang chosen professions. It's always good to hear na mataas yung target obligation rate by the time even adjustments like this delisting suspension and then reassessment are completed. So again, the secretary has anticipated some of my follow-up questions. I know that the payouts continued at least for 31% at first, but eventually- Sec. Gatchalian: The 31% is the finance performance. So meaning, 31% of the allocation for 4Ps which is close to P100 billion has been utilized already for those accounts na wala naman hong problema. But we'll keep on running it. But in the catchup plan that we submitted by towards the latter part of this year onto next year, because remember, the last pay period is in January, portions of it at leats, mahahabol namin all the way to 94%. SRH: So again, Madame Chair, that's good. And I was asking because my office received information that many had not received their financial assistance since last year. So baka kasama doon sa 69% na kulang pa sa current obligation rate. On the other hand, there are also those who have received but not on a regular basis. So hopefully, lahat dito masasalo na doon sa 94% obligation rate by January na tina-target. And nabanggit na rin ni secretary, tatanong ko sana kung yung mga mananatili sa program pagkatapos ng cleansing o reassessment process kung matatanggap nila yung benefits retroactively. And binanggit nga po ni secretary that there is that prospect. Sec. Gatchalian: Personally, Madame Chair, I'm championing it. Because I believe in that school of thought in the department that force majeure itong nangyari and hindi nila kasalanan. But we're just going through the legal due diligence of it to make sure we don't violate any COA circulars or any provisions of the law either in the IRR oro explicitly in the law. SRH: So kanina, napag-usapan natin yung mga anak ng 4Ps na nagtatapos with distinction, so let's talk about graduation. From the time the 4Ps started, 1.11 million households have already graduated from the program for various reasons. So sa bilang na ito, gusto kong malaman ilan sa kanila nag-graduate sa 4Ps dahil nag-improve ang buhay nila at ilan naman ang nag-graduate dahil lamang na-exhaust na nila yung maximum number of years na ina-allow ng programa. Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, again, we will collate that data. Kasi the data that we have is only a snapshot of the current years. But what we will do is collate everything. The 4PS undersecretary is beside me right now. We will gladly furnish the committee the disaggregated data -- those that finished because of attrition and those that finished because of improvement in their life standards. SRH: Maraming salamat para doon, Madame Chair. And pwede ko bang malaman if there's some sort of post-program monitoring mechanism na nagta-track noong development ng lahat nitong mga 4Ps families na nagtapos sa programa? Maybe even a kind of handover with other departments or NEDA ba as a whole or DBCC? Kasi maganda eh, dahil nag-improve yung buhay nila, nagtapos sa isang social protection program, and then talagang nagsa-succeed sa patuloy na pag-aaral sa trabaho, sa partisipasyon sa ekonomiya. Sec. Gatchalian: Madame Chair, I've attended all these graduations of 4Ps both as city mayor and as secretary. Some of those unique graduations na kalahati malungkot, kalahati masaya. Yung malungkot, kasi gusto pa raw nila mag-stay sa program. Yung masaya, mayroon na silang mga anak na nakapagtapos. But I cannot overemphasize always, and you might think I'm biased to LGUs because I come from the ranks of the LGUs. The turnover of the files are given to the LGUs. They know their constituents well and they'll be able to track it in a granular, micro level. The 4Ps program kasi is saddled with so much expectations. Rightfully so, it's P100 billion, it's half of our budget of the department. But we also have to take note that it's meant to end poverty not just now, but intergenerational poverty. A lot of the columnists who have written about it were saying nga there are tell-tale signs of its success. Children are staying, cohort survival rate is high, children are staying in primary school longer. But you need more time to observe kung gumanda yung buhay nila. And there's always a gap that I want to point out that Congressman Paul Daza has been pointing out with us in his committee and one of his advocacies. The gap between basic learning, high school and moving all the way to college. Now, one of the point of argument there is what happens after high school. The free higher education law has the TES component that should prioritize the grants for the ones that finish high school. Kasi kapag natapos ka na ng high school, wala ka nang school-age na anak na nasa high school, you'll get out of the program eh. And I would believe the vision of the framers, and some of them are in this room right now, are actually ang sasalo dapat yung TES na para continued learning sila sa kolehiyo all the way na makapag-trabaho sila whether it's vocational or college. But in the hearing in the House, we keep on giving lists to CHED na saluhin nila yung mga batang grumaduate, but unfortunately we're only getting a small chunk of the allocation. Meaning, we tell them, ito na yung mga batang grumaduate, saluhin nila. Kasi for us to evaluate kung nag-iba ba yung buhay nitong mga pamilyang ito is if naputol ba yung intergenerational poverty. SRH: Well, I'm only glad, Madame Chair, we're hearing the budget of DSWD, not DOF. Because I would keep faith with the secretary and hoping in the sustaining and the productivity and yung pagiging mabunga ng 4Ps program. It's very interesting that the turnover of the files is indeed to the LGUs. So I think this is the question din that we who are monitoring the success and difficulties of the 4Ps program ay pwede din naming itanong at subaybayan with the DILG, the LGUs themselves, even the leaks. Development that's bottom-up. Thank you for the secretary for pointing out that the CHED is another dialogue partner sa pagiging mabunga ng 4Ps program. Importante yung TES at hindi pa rin namin naresolba yung misteryo tungkol sa UNIFAST. But CHED we need to engage as a commission, as an institution. For the record na lang, before I suspend my interpellation on this topic. Yung House Bill 8497 which seeks to add on an adult education component to the existing 4Ps law by way of three tracks. Pino-provide niya yung non-formal education sa pamamagitan ng alternative learning system, microenterprise skills training mula naman sa DTI at DSWD din, at saka yung mga programa nga na ino-offer ng TESDA. (End of first round of questions) (Start of second round of questions) SRH: Ano yung sense ng department tungkol sa House Bill 8497 tungkol sa pagdagdag ng adult education component sa 4Ps by way of three tracks: Yung ALS, yung microenterprise skills training at saka yung TESDA? Usec. Cabrera: Currently, we do not have adult education in its regular form. However, we have the family development sessions where we conduct lectures on microfinancing, parenting and other social issues that increase the group or that are needed. So we can provide also, we can submit the report where the DSWD's contents for family development sessions. I'm sure that much of the concerns are already covered in the family development sessions. SRH: Salamat, Madam Chair Usec. Vilma siguro kahit in writing na rin lamang yung tinatantong ko ring anong tingin ng department sa House Bill 8497 kahit i nwriting na rin po through the chair. Usec. Cabrera: Yes we will submit our position on this. SRH: I just have one or two questions more on four other topics, so maybe 11 to 15 minutes or 10-15 minutes. Thank you, Chair. On the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Law, two years after RA 11861 or the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act was passed and the year after the IRRs were signed maaari po bang makakuha ng ilang feedback mula sa cdepatment tungkol sa status noong implementasyon ng batas halimabwa nakapagcoordinate na p o ba ang DSWD sa DILG at sa assistance din po ng DOTC sa pagestbalish at pagmentana ng centralized database ng solo parents? Sec. Gatchalian: If you just allow me to pull down my notes quickly... Madam Chair for the update, all the member agencies have already drafted their guidelines which is for approval in the indivodual agencies and we will start consolidation all of those in a discussion on October 4, thereafter for the unified database it's already, data is already being harmonized by DILG and DSWD given it's coming from multiple government sources. One thing's for sure though is on September 25 we are, so that's in a couple of days, we are going to meet them, DILG and actively engage them in making sure that we come up with a harmonized national database as prescribed by law. SRH: Thank you very much, Good Secretary. I also asked this question because DBM has already issued local budget memorandum number 87 last June 9 reminding the local chief executives and other relevant local personnel of their budgetary mandate since the law provides citizen municipalities shall allocate a montly cash subsidy of 1,000 earning minimum wage and below. Salamat, Secretary yun lang po on the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Law. Sa National Authority on Child Care, kay Usec Janella, I had a couple of questions, pero nasagot na ying isa, dahilan kung saan nagkaproblema at hindi napunan pa yung mga plantilla positions so isa na lang na follow up question, paano nito naapektuhan an gtrabaho ng agency? Usec. Janella Estrada (NACC): Actually ginagawa po namin ang lahat, we exhaust all efforts para maachieve namin ang GAA targets namin and as of now po, narireach naman po namin although talagang overworked na rin po yung aming mga social workers dahil kaunti lang po sila at hindi po namin, yun nga po, since naghahire pa lang po kami ngayon, hindi rin po namin alam kung saan sila ilalagay, Madam Chair. SRH: Pero sa... ang update nyo sa amin sa Komite ay you are exerting all efforts, the Authority's exerting all efforts to reach the GAA targets. Is it, are you, is the authority reaching the GAA targets for 2023? Usec. Estrada: Yes po. For domestic adoption, 97 order of adoption were issued fro mJanuary to August 2023, and for inter-country adoption, 79 children entrusted to foreign adoptive parents fro. January to August 2023. SRH: Thank you very much, Usec Janella. Kung mayroon mang follow up, I can follow it up in writing through the Chair. Moving on to just a couple of questions on social pension for senior citizens, so while I certainly advocate still for the universal social pension for our senior citizens, I'm happy to note as our Chair also told us when we were also working on what she sponsored successfully already about the centenarians law, that the just yesterday that the budgetary requirements for the social pension for indigent senior citizens has been achieved for fiscal year 2024. So the amount of almost P50B covers for over 4 million indigent senior citizens. Maaari po bang malaman kung bukod doon sa 4.1. million indigent beneficiaries kung mayroon pa pong ibang indigent seniors na hindi pa nasama sa listahan, at kung mayroon, ilan sila at ano ang plano ng department para sa kanila? Sec. Gatchalian: Madam Chair, like the good senator mentioned, we are also pushing, our position for unievrsal of the get-go I mentioned that to the chairman. The current wiatlist is close to half a million Filipinos. These are the ones who approached us, and I'm sure that local goverbnment units know of even more this is not relfective of what's on the ground. SRH: And ano pong plano ng department ng halos half a million na iyopn? Sec. Gatchalian: We use our different modalities like assistance to individual crisis situation, but it will be in a crisis situation. Unfortunately, there are no other mechanism in the department for a continued sustained social pension unless Congress will do so. SRH: Tungkol pa rin po dito sa ating senior citizens, as I am delighted with the increase in senior citizen social pension it also comes with a hope that oit's distribution that it will encounter the most minimal of challenges, I know by virtue of RA 11350 that created the national commission of senior citizens, senior citizen related functions and prorgams of the department shall be transferred to the NCSC Maaari nyo bang ilahad sa Komite kung ano na ang status ng yransition ng mga programs at functions mula sa depatment papuntang NCSC by 2026, ang lapit na, kung November at by 2026, just two years after november then NSCS shall be in charge of running the social pension program. Paano po tinutulungan ng department ang NCSC na maghanda sa napakalaking trabahong ito? Sec. Gatchalian: For the record, for 2022, 2023, even if the social pension is with us we will be able to do 100% pnbligation on that. Right now ,as we speak, it's at 74.52 they're paid semestrally, so the balance will be paid come end of the year but we are talking about NCSC we had numerous meetings with them. In fact, I personally sought out the chairman when I was appointed and we gave them the engagement roadmap and these are the milestones that we want them to ahcieve before we pass the ball to them madali lang kasing ilipat nang ilipat pero kung hindi sila handang sumalo at sumabog yung programa, kawawa ang ating matatanda. Unfortunately at this point in time, despite numerous meetings, the engagement plan has not been fully complied with. We gave them our list of conditions for instance, basic conditions, case in point, they are structured in eight clustered regions, while we do 16, doon pa lang po mahihirapan na. They don't have physical offices, they don't have staff, they don't have a whole lot. Us passing the responsibilities to them. Even in structured in regions so how can they adminsiter the region operations if oversee regional oeprations if they structure that way. And from my understanding, they just took in their executive director recently from my understanding. So a lot is to be desired for the receiving party but we, the DSWD, doesn't feel that they are ready to do so. SRH: On the NCIP, I see Chair Jennifer Sibug-Las is here, Ma'am and a mining issue in Gutalac, Zamboanga Del Norte, it's been brought to my attention by the government of Gutalac and the Diocese of Dipolog, an ongoing dispute involving a mining explation project in that municipality since 2021 the land involved covers 28 barangays all of which are located within the ancestral domain claim of indigenous people. The mining company involved Florgenmar Mining and Development Corporation has been issued a exploratory permit in April 2022 without going through the necessary prior and informed consent process as mandated by the IPRA. The mining company continues to use this permit to conduct considerable earth novement and mountain quarrying activities, land development and building constructuon in the area. While I understand that the NCIP office in Dipolig City questioned the Region 9 Office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of DENR of that issuances without the certification of precondition from the Commission maaari po bang malaman bakit nagpatuloy pa rin ang Commission sa pagagwa ng belated FPIC process at nag-issue pa ng certififcation precondition samatalang nilabag na po yung batas, yung IPRA mula sa simula. At bago nagdesisyon po yung Commission en banc na mag-issue na yung cretification precondition, ano pang ibang FPIC processes inundergo ang kasong ito? Commissioner Jennifer Sibug-Las (NCIP): Thank you, Madam Chair, if I may. Bago ko po sagutin yung katanungan ni Senator Hontiveros, nais ko munang gamitin ang pagkakataong ito na pasalamat ang ating mahal na pangulo sa pagtalaga po sa akin bilang tagapamahala po ng Pambansang Komisyon ng Katutubong Pilipino o NCIP almost 10 days ago. So, doon po sa katanungan nyo, Senator Hontiveros, kung mararapatin po ay nais ko rin pong i-request ang aking kasama na commissionado po ng area kung saan po kayo ay may concern. Ako po, ang akin pong kinakatawan ay Region 12 or ang Central Mindanao which is Region 12 so si Commissioner Pinky Grace Pabelic who is the concerend ethnographic commissioner of Regions 9 is maybe privy regarding your concern, Madam Chair. SRH: Yesm si commissioner please. Commissioner Pinky Grace Pabelic: Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Magandang hapon po sa ating lahat, what the NCIP issued was a certification precondition for the exploration, there was no application for the utilization yet with the NCIP Madam Chair. Exploration lang po na stage yung naissuehan natin ng CP po, SRH: Salamat commissioner, but still hindi po ba nilabag yung batasa mula sa simula eh so kahit yung CP para sa exploration, bakit inissue pa rin? Comm. Pabelic: During the deliberation of the CP applciation for the exploration permit Madam Chair there was no complaints that we received regarding the activities of Florgenmar in the area, Madam Chair so we approved po the exploration, CP application. SRH: At ano pang ibang FPIC process unundergo itong kasong ito? Comm. Pabelic: We have not yet received their application for CP for the utilization already Madam chair. Doon pa lang sa exploration. SRH: So, bukod doon sa belated na FPIC process bago naissue yung CP for exploration, wala na pong ibang dagdag na FPIC process ang isinasagawa bago pa man makatanggap ng application para sa CP utilization? Comm. Pabelic: I understand FPIC for the CP application doon na sa utilization is ongoing po sa provincial office natin madam chair it has not yet reached the central office for deliberation po. SRH: Hindi pa po umabot sa central office ng commission pero umabot na po sa regional office nyo? Comm. Pabelic: I understand sa provincial office pa po Madam chair. Yung FPIC po. SRH: Sa provincial po umabot na? Alright, salamat po. Just for the record, in support actually of the mandate of the NCIP, for the record may mga official comminications na po sa pagitan ng LGU Kutalac at ygn NCIP tungkol sa isyung ito. I refer to communications dated 22 October 2022 mula sa NCIP acting regional director papunta sa NCIP provincial officer regarding a suspension of Gutalac-Baliquian-Siocon ancestral domain activities until a stakeholders meeting is conducted in November 2022. Gayundin, Novemebr 16 2022 comunication po mula kay Mayor Eddie Justin Quimbo sa NCIP region 9 at copy furnished then NCIP Chair Capuyan na nag-a-identify ng discrepancies sa exploration permit tulad ng absence at that time ng certification precondition and then 14th April 2023 communication mula kay dating Chair Capuyan kay Mayor Quimbo informing the mayor that on 23 February 2023, the commission en banc approved the certification precondition for mining exloration only as current Chair Sibug-Las said and authorized the chair to sign the MOA on behalf of the NCIP. So just for the record, Madam Chair, mayroon pong mga communications mula sa LGU Gutalac at gayundin sa NCIP acting regional director at kay NCIP Chair Capuyan. So lastly, Madam Chair maaari po bang humingi sa NCIP provide po yung aming Komite ng full report po sa lahat ng proseso na inundertake ng Commission kaugnay po ng kasong ito. Maaari po ba, Commissioner Sibug-Las? Comm. Sibug-Las: We submit to the request and the instruction of the Honorable Hontiveros. We will submit the report as soon as possible time. Rest assured po Madam Chair we will take this seriously and act accordingly. Thank you very much po. SRH: Maraming salamat din Commissioner Sibug-Las. I'm afraid I have the impression that this particular process, this particular case has not started well at alam naman nating na ang angunahin o solong constituency ng NCIP ay yung ating mga katutubong Filipino kasama yung mga Lumad sa Mindanao. Hayaan po natin ang MGB na magchampion sa mga mining companies kasi may kanya-kanya namang constituency at stakeholders ang bawat ahensya ng gobyerno and each constituency deserves equal 100% representation on the part of their champions within governemnt. Napakalakas po ng IPRA there have been times too many times in the past na hindi ito ganap na ginamit talaga alang-alang sa mga katutubo kahit pa ng komisyon but in the Senate, in Congress we continue to keep faith in NCIP kaya po't nilalapit namin ang ganitong kaso you have the full constiutional and legal mandate to fight beside the indigenous peoples for their rights under the IPRA so salamat po Chair at Commissioner.
25 years Without Water: Calle Melilla in the Havana District of El Rincon 'When we complain, what they send us are inspectors. We call them muzzles, because all they want is for us to keep quiet,' complains a resident.

El Rincon is a picturesque neighborhood located some ten miles from the center of Havana, very close to Santiago de las Vegas, in the municipality of Boyeros. According to the Ecured site: "Part of its flat and low lands in the west and south are occupied by the Ariguanabo lagoon, where the Govea River flows, the most important in the territory. It also features springs and groundwater of great value for human consumption. This town also benefits from a climate featuring periodic rainfall."

El Rincon is also popular for an annual pilgrimage by hundreds of people, who turn out between December 10 and 21 to pay tribute to St Lazarus. Water services are installed in the vicinity of the church for foreign and Cuban pilgrims.

However, the residents on the block located on the Calle Melilla between Primera and Tercera have been waiting for more than 25 years to be connected to the water supply in that part of the area.

According to some inhabitants, "one of the resident's connections was enlarged, so that it is now on his land." The fights over water access have even resulted in fierce quarrels.

"As you can imagine, it has been this way for so long that there's even been a fatality."

"Every time we have gone to complain to Public Attention, in Boyeros, Deisy repeats the same thing: they're going to take care of it, but time continues to go by. In my case, my wife is sick, my grandchildren are young, and I have to receive the flowback when it arrives. Of course, it does so with much less pressure."

"This is like being in Africa. In the Declaration of Human Rights it says that every person has the right to receive 50 litres of water per day."

"We have gone to Aguas de La Habana (water company), and it does not appear anywhere in the system that El Rincon is in the plans, though Acueducto tells us that it is. If it is, someone is lying to us."

"At first they sent us a pipe every three days, then every seven, and now it's every ten. But it's not reliable: sometimes it's 20, 25 or even 40 days. There's no fixed period. It's a desperate situation, and the worst thing is how much they spend on those pipes when the problem could be solved with a hundred meters of hose. It's insolent, and a mockery of the people."

The lack of communication between the different companies in charge of guaranteeing the supply of water to the residents in the place is glaring, as is the bureaucratic buck passing suffered by those who have gone to the Public Attention offices.

According to Prensa Latina, on its X (formerly Twitter) account, last July First Deputy Minister Ines Chapman said that "actions are being taken to reduce the number of people who lack water resources on a regular basis, and, thus, to also address the discontent over this sensitive problem for the inhabitants of Cuba's capital city."

Citing this tweet, on the Prensa Latina site they say that the number of "malcontents" comes to some 200,000 Havana residents, and that the main municipalities affected are Playa, Marianao and La Lisa.

According to statements by the Aguas de La Habana Company to refer to this pressing problem, Prensa Latina also reports that "the pumping infrastructure recently suffered damage from electric overloads, which caused 158 breakdowns in June alone."

Meanwhile, hotels for tourists continue to be built in the capital, which will be outfitted with optimal water service to supply, in some cases, more than one swimming pool, and numerous guest rooms and bathrooms.

Near the end of this report, one of the residents of El Rincon added: "Around here, when we complain, what they send us are inspectors. We call them 'muzzles,' because all they want is for us to keep quiet."

For reasons of confidentiality, sources have been omitted, but suffices to visit the Calle Melilla to verify the suffering there and the veracity of the facts and testimonies provided here.
A former police detective who worked for more than 20 years in law enforcement pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal wire fraud charges in federal court in Boston, seven months after he was accused of deceiving his landlords in an effort to live rent-free in various apartments.

Robert A. Kennedy, 54, a member of the Stoneham Police Department from 2001 until his resignation in February, repeatedly falsified his rental applications in order to hide a trail of delinquent payments, evictions and unpaid debts, according to an FBI affidavit filed in federal court.

An FBI official who investigated Kennedys history of scamming landlords described him as a serial debt fraudster.

On Wednesday, Kennedy appeared before Judge Denise J. Casper in U.S. District Court in Boston and formally pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud under an agreement he and his attorney Brad Bailey reached with federal prosecutors.

Kennedy was released on certain conditions following the hearing and will return to court on Jan. 4, 2024, to be sentenced.

Kennedy has accepted full responsibility for the conduct on which he stands charged, Bailey said outside the courtroom after the hearing.

Bailey also stressed that Kennedys criminal infractions did not in any way relate to his duties as a police officer.

Federal officials said Kennedy defrauded his last three landlords.

Among other tactics, Kennedy concealed his history of evictions and outstanding debts by filling out a tenant screening form using the Social Security number and birth date of a relative who shared his first and last name.

At his most recent apartment, he provided the landlord with bad checks for rent and the security deposit and then withheld further payments, federal prosecutors said. Kennedy then used the slow process of evicting tenants to his advantage in order to stay in the apartments for free.

That was despite Kennedy earning from $141,000 to $187,000 in recent years as a detective sergeant in the Stoneham Police Department, according to an FBI affidavit.

NBC Boston first broke the story of Kennedys scam in February, a month before he was arrested by federal law enforcement officials.

Under the plea agreement, the Justice Department will not prosecute Kennedy for a third wire charge nor for identity theft for using family members personal information on rental applications.

The agreement requires Kennedy to pay more than $14,000 in restitution. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elysa Wan and Dustin Chao.

Kennedy will also lose his credentials to work in law enforcement under a relatively new process for decertifying police.

The states new police oversight board, the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission, is required by law to revoke the certification of any officer convicted of a felony. To date, only one officer has been decertified by the commission, which was created by a 2020 policing reform law to give the state more supervision of police departments and their officers.

A decertified officer is banned from any future work for a police department or sheriffs office in Massachusetts. The officers name is also submitted to a national registry of decertified police that could prevent them from finding a law enforcement job in other states.
(*This story was updated at 8:17 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, with additional reporting.)

Voters in more than a dozen communities across the commonwealth cast their ballots in preliminary elections on Tuesday for races ranging from mayor to city council.

In some cases, the races were a test of the power of the incumbency  and the political clout of Gov. Maura Healey and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, who had endorsed some of the hopefuls.

Heres a look at who won  and who lost  in some of those key contests.

In Amesbury, incumbent Mayor Kassandra Gove, who had the administrations backing, will face former City Councilmember Richard Marggraf in November, according to the Daily News of Newburyport.

All told, four candidates were running for the top spot in the Essex County community. Mayoral hopefuls John Proctor and Ted Semesnyei did not make the cut.

In Brockton, in another test of the incumbency, current Mayor Robert F. Sullivan will face local business owner Fred Fontaine in the November general election, according to The Enterprise newspaper. A total of five candidates were competing for the top spot in the Plymouth County municipality.

Im excited by the results. Tomorrow I go back to work, Sullivan said on Tuesday night, the newspaper reported. The renaissance is real.

Sullivan beat Fontaine, by a nearly three-to-one margin, taking 2,997 votes to Fontaines 1,114, according to unofficial results, the newspaper reported.

Brockton deserves better, Fontaine said, according to the newspaper. Were going to have a better city.

In Fall River, Sam Sutter, the citys former mayor and district attorney, will square off against incumbent Mayor Paul Coogan in Novembers general election, according to the Herald News of Fall River. Unofficial tallies showed Coogan nabbing 4,285 votes to Sutters 2,156, the newspaper reported.

Coogan has since picked up the endorsement from Healey, Politico Massachusetts reported on Wednesday.

City voters also winnowed a field of 19 City Council candidates to 18, the newspaper reported.

In Gloucester, local voters picked incumbent, first-term Mayor Greg Verga, who also had the Democratic administrations endorsement. Hell face former city Health Director Mary Ellen Rose in the Nov. 7 general election, according to the Gloucester Times.

Verga took 1,928 votes to Roses 1,434, giving him a 46%-34% victory, the newspaper reported.

And in Pittsfield, City Council President Peter Marchetti and hopeful John Krol will square off in November for an empty seat in the mayors office. Incumbent Mayor Linda Tyer announced in February that she would not run for a third term.

Marchetti took nearly 2,300 votes, sweeping every city ward on his way to the win, according to the Berkshire Eagle newspaper.

Krol took 37% of the vote to advance in Tuesdays contest. Karen Kalinowsky, a former police officer and at-large city councilor, was eliminated, the newspaper reported.
A strike by autoworkers dragged into its second week on Wednesday, with the United Auto Workers union threatening to expand its work stoppage unless it sees some major progress by Friday, the Associated Press reported.

In a video statement late Monday, UAW President Shawn Fain said workers at more factories will join those who are now in the fifth day of a strike at three plants, according to the AP.

Were not going to keep waiting around forever while they drag this out ... and were not messing around, Fain said as she announced the 12 p.m. Eastern time Friday deadline for escalating the strike unless there is serious progress in the talks, the Associated Press reported.

Union leaders are pressing hard for the Big 3 automakers to meet four key demands. Among them, are wage increases of about 40% and cost of living guarantees, NPR reported on Wednesday.

The strike is so far limited to about 13,000 workers at a Ford assembly plant in Wayne, Mich., a GM factory in Wentzville, Mo., and a Stellantis plant in Toledo, Ohio, published reports indicated.

Joseph Sarkis, a management professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, spoke to MassLive about the strikes impact on the supply chain, and what that could end up meaning for consumers.

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and content.

MassLive: So how will this strike initially impact the supply chain?

Sarkis: There are number of ways. [The supply chain] was fragile before COVID ... And the recovery has not been complete ... There is going to be a disruption, and the union has thought through this very carefully. And the situation has made labor very strong. So why not take advantage of it right now while they have the strength?

Q: What might this mean for consumers?

Sarkis: People may not see things until a little later. Right now, the supply chain has inventory. The reason why they have inventory is because of the COVID experience. They needed to build up a resiliency because of [the pandemic]. One way to way to build resiliency is to have multiple sources of suppliers and more inventory.

Q: So how long will it take before consumers feel this?

Sarkis: Because of the inventory in the system, it may take a while. Right now, there is 45 to 60 days in the pipleline ... Its not only the automotive industry being impacted, but the related industries. There might be a slowdown in shipping from the plants assembling the cars to the dealers. Right now, its only three plants. The numbers wont be large. But if this issue expands, that will essentially shut down a lot of shipping. Id say within a week. So if this goes over three or four weeks, there will definitely be an impact.

Q: Where might else we see an impact?

Sarkis: The ones that will be greatly impacted are the smaller companies deep in the supply chain, where a large percentage of their goods go to the auto industry.

Q: What do those industries look like?

Sarkis: They could make components for radiators or filter products. It could be the smaller parts of air conditioning units or engines, like a piston manufacturer. Youre talking three or four tiers deep down into the supply chain.

This is a unique situation where the union has decided to go after all three companies, and have the broadest impact possible in terms of unique supply chains. If they only went after GM, there would be a lot less disruption. But because these are unique supply chains  radiators for GM are not the same as radiators for Ford  there could be very broad disruptions.
A short distance north of Boston, Everett is in spitting distance of multiple MBTA lines.

The Orange Line runs past a short distance from the Everett-Malden line, along with the Haverhill commuter rail line. The Silver Line goes as far as Chelsea, stopping at the station in that city just a few short blocks from Everett. The Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line actually travels through Everett, but doesnt stop there.

Can you get in and out of Everett on a local bus? You can, but do you have access to the number of jobs, educational opportunities, all those things that someone with access to rapid transit has? Jay Monty, transportation planner for the city of Everett, told MassLive. Equity means access to opportunity, not just having a bus in your community.

This lack of transportation is creating other problems. Everett and nearby Revere have seen a boom in residential construction in recent years as the state tackles its housing crisis. But in these same cities, a lack of accessible, reliable public transit is making it harder to support the residents they have, let alone the new ones coming down the pipeline.

Across the nation, you can see the ability to create more housing when you have access to transit, state Sen. Brendan Crighton, D-Essex, who chairs the Joint Committee on Transportation. We have some of the highest costs of homeownership and rent in the nation. We hadnt been building housing, and I think by trying to expand our transportation system and our public transit system, we would make it a little bit easier to build more units.

Improving transportation to solve housing problems

Wynn Resorts, as part of its planning stages for its Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, agreed to pay more than $7 million to add extra Orange Line trains at certain times of day, becoming the first company to subsidize the T, the Boston Globe reported at the time.

The Nevada-based company also agreed to fund the construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting Somervilles Assembly Square, home of an Orange Line station, to Everett; construction on the project is expected to begin next year.

Read more: MBTA outlines slew of September service disruptions

The city has also been working with the MBTA on its service area-wide bus network redesign. That will create new bus lanes as well as new routes connecting Everett with Cambridge and with Logan Airport, a major employer of Everett residents, as well as traveling through the area south of Route 16 where a lot of development is concentrated.

However, while the city has seen a huge amount of residential development, that development is concentrated in certain areas. This leads to high traffic congestion and air pollution within those neighborhoods.

Matt Lattanzi, director of planning and community development for the city, said improved transit could unlock new areas of the city both for residential and commercial development.

Without transit, we can attract people to to live here because it is close to Boston. But its very difficult to attract the type of businesses that we want our residents to be able to work at without adequate transit, he said. Without the focus of How do we get them into Boston, its really, How do we keep them in Everett? How do we get people in Everett to work in Everett and folks outside of Everett to come to Everett to work?

Commuters cant always get to the station

Like Everett, Revere is seeing a concentration of residential development in certain areas that local officials say could be spread out if the citys transit options were improved.

Matt Cogliandri, a longtime Revere resident, said that in the early morning, his commute to the other side of the city takes 10 minutes. But on his way home, it takes triple that or more, even when he isnt driving during rush hour. He avoids the main roads and takes side streets, which see more commuter traffic.

As it gets into the prime rush hour, everythings paralyzed, he said. I do my errands on odd hours and on weekends.

Cogliandri said that while many people blame new development for the traffic, he believes the problem lies more with the layout of the highways running through the city, something he says the state has tried and failed to address.

Currently, the areas with the highest residential density are along the citys coastline, and are also home to Beachmont, Revere Beach and Wonderland stations.

Tom Skwierawski, Reveres chief of planning and community development, said that in a survey of residents the city completed as part of its master planning process in 2020, around 80% said they were very or extremely concerned about traffic.

While some of that traffic is coming from residents, much of it is also created by droves of commuters going through Revere on their way to and from Boston and the rest of the North Shore.

Skwierawski said that even though Revere has a wide bus network and subway stations, residents still feel like they need to rely on their cars to get around the city.

We have access to three Blue Line stations. And those three stations are among the more underutilized in the entire MBTA system, Skwierawski said. Were in this really tricky pattern where we dont like traffic and traffic congestion, but we are sort of chained to our vehicles by design and lack of options.

Even though the city has three subway stops, Skwierawski said a major barrier to people using them is the physical obstacle created by multiple highways running through the city.

This has led to what he called an untapped resource in the western parts of the city, where they could add more transit-oriented development, but arent currently able to do so.

There are situations where somebody might live a mile away from the T stop as the crow flies, but you cant look them in the eye and tell them that they can safely get across two state-owned highways that have over 40,000 vehicles per day driving through them, he said. People have no safe way of getting across these highways.

A shaky MBTA

The MBTA has been in the spotlight across Massachusetts as it tackles improvements both safety and service on its subway, bus and commuter rail lines. The struggling agency has had to shut down entire subway lines, with more shutdowns scheduled for September.

However, during the closure of the Sumner Tunnel this summer, to try to cut down on additional traffic, the state made rides free on the Blue Line, reduced the fare on the Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line. And it reinstated the ferry from Lynn to Boston to provide additional modes of transportation.

During this time, the Blue Line saw a modest increase in ridership, with about 1.4 weekday rides in July compared with 1.3 million in the two previous months according to MBTA data (data for August is not yet available).

Crighton, who has long advocated for both the electrification of the commuter rail and the extension of the MBTA Blue Line to Lynn, said the Sumner Tunnel closing showed that when public transit is affordable and has enough frequency, it works for the residents that need it.

It has shown folks that while the MBTA certainly has serious issues and we need to make sure that safety in the existing system is taken care of, when we make it a system that is actually usable for the public, people will use it. People will ride it, he said.

At the same time, the parking garages at Blue Line stops in Revere were not heavily used, which Skwierawski said means few people are using the subway line.

Even though parking at the Wonderland garage is just $2 per day, the MBTA Twitter account, which shared daily parking garage availability, consistently showed usage of the garage at less than 40% each day, as people who had cars took them all the way into the city.

Skwierawski said this presents an opportunity: instead of maintaining valuable land as parking that is going unused, that space could be used for housing.

How much parking is too much?

A study by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council found in 2019 that in the communities around Boston, only about 30% of parking spaces at multifamily housing developments were used at peak times.

This suggested that, contrary to popular belief, developers are building more parking than they need to. The study found that the more parking supplied, the more people would use it, but that proximity to public transportation correlated with lower parking usage.

Transit-proximate developments that provide easy parking are less transit-oriented than they might seem: theyre attracting car-owning households less inclined to use the available transit and more likely to use their cars, affecting local traffic with every trip, the researchers wrote.

Back in Everett, city planners are already putting this idea into practice.

In 2021, the city adopted a transit demand management (TDM) zoning ordinance, giving developers the option to construct less parking than is usually required in exchange for other programs like shuttle services, public transit or rideshare incentive programs, bicycle parking or other amenities aimed at taking drivers off the roads.

For these developments, the city will only give as many resident parking permits as there are street parking spaces in front of the building to avoid taking up spaces from existing residents.

Monty, the Everett transportation planner, said that the new policy was giving the city and developers the ability to use ground-floor space typically taken up by parking for other uses and reduces the size of new buildings.

Parking requirements are absolutely one of the biggest obstacles to building housing, said Monty, the Everett transportation planner. Its where you would otherwise have retail, other amenities, green space ... They have some minimal parking in there, but they have that ground floor retail activity and it fits in well with the historic fabric.

Beyond the North Shore

In 2021, the state adopted the MBTA Communities law, which requires communities with an MBTA station, or which border a community with a station, to have at least one zoning area where multifamily housing is allowed by right.

The goal of the law was to promote transit-oriented development. But for many of the 177 municipalities that fall under the law, the conditions of their transportation options makes creating that transit-oriented development easier said than done.

Its a chicken and egg thing, said Callie Clark, director of policy at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership. If you feel like you dont already have access to transportation, how can you build zoning around this notion of already having transportation?

An MHP report released last month which detailed eight major obstacles to creating housing in Massachusetts and possible policy solutions put [creating] a transit backbone for future housing and job growth at recommendation number four.

In the report, MHP wrote that the MBTAs hub and spokes system was designed to bring people into and out of Boston, but this ends up leaving behind many residents.

For places not included in the MBTA Communities Act, and even those that are but have inadequate transit options, this means resources are limited when they are trying to build housing and bring new residents in.

To help those communities, MHP suggested in its report that the state plan for electrification and more frequent service on the commuter rail, and work with MBTA communities to plan for the new growth that will come with it.

Control (over) whats happening development-wise lies at the locality, but the transportation infrastructure and anything around that is at the state level, Clark explained. Theres this real disconnect.

Monty said public transportation should be a tool to move Massachusetts forward, not a burden holding it back.

You go back to the 1910s and 20s, and theres photos of Queens and Brooklyn and the elevated train tracks going through literal cornfields. Then today, youve got the most densely packed cities in the country, he said.

Since transit became a public service or public entity, youve seen that sort of flip and transit be a more reactive tool, he continued. So I do think that for not only Everett but the region that we need to look at transit as a proactive tool ... to enable housing to be built and bring access to housing, to jobs and to other opportunities.
A Freetown man, whom police searched for and found in a shed, will be arraigned on Wednesday at Fall River District Court in connection with the death of a woman, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinns office has announced.

Matthew Lucas, 54, will be charged with murder in connection with the death of Heidi Chace, 44, Quinns office said.

Freetown police were called to 92 Chace Road in East Freetown at around 4:24 a.m. on Wednesday, where they found Chaces body, Quinns office said.

Police found that Lucas also lived at the address and believed him to be the suspect, the district attorneys office said. A quick search led police to Lucas location  a shed on Burns Lane at around 8:40 a.m., roughly a mile away.

Read more: Cape Cod boat yard owner accused of sexual assault held on dangerousness

Lucas is expected to be arraigned at Fall River District Court.
A man from Rhode Island has been sentenced to prison after his role in trafficking drugs nationwide, by hiding them in childrens items, according to a press release from the acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levys office.

Nathan Boddie, 38, from Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani for seven years in prison and three years of supervised release, the press release said, after Boddie pleaded guilty on May 19 to one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances.

Boddie was indicted by a federal grand jury, along with alleged co-conspirators Denise Guyette and Gerardo Garza in February 2022, the attorney said.

Around April 2022, an investigation began into a drug trafficking organization called DTO, which was led by Guyette. Boddie reportedly conspired with Garza and Guyette, and others to traffic drugs such as methamphetamine, fentanyl pills and cocaine in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and elsewhere, the release said.

Allegedly, the DTO would routinely ship drugs from Arizona to Massachusetts via mail by hiding the drugs within packages containing childrens items such as toy trucks, Halloween decorations and Disney items, said the attorney.

Read more: Roommates thought she hit her head in a fall but DA says Boston man attacked her

Between May and October of 2022, investigators seized seven packages which contained a total of over 900 grams of Methamphetamine, thousands of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, and suspected Dimethyltryptamine which is a strong psychedelic.

One of the packages, the attorney said, was meant for Boddie and contained more than 200 grams of pure methamphetamine.

Boddie was arrested in Rhode Island on Feb. 6 during a traffic stop, the release said. Inside of his vehicle was a 9mm ghost gun loaded with five rounds of ammunition, an empty 9mm magazine and a 10-round capable magazine loaded with one round of ammunition, authorities said.

When officials searched Boddie, they discovered he tried to swallow a plastic bag containing 20 grams of methamphetamine, said the release.

When searching Boddies home in Rhode Island, officials found two ghost guns, a 3-D printer used to print ghost gun components, approximately 120 grams of methamphetamine and 10 drivers licenses, each bearing Boddies photo with names and addresses of other individuals, the attorney said.

Over the course of the investigation, a total of more than 16 pounds of methamphetamine and more than 700 grams of counterfeit prescription pills containing fentanyl was seized, said the release.

On Aug. 10, Garza, one of the other defendants, pleaded guilty to a superseding indictment charging him and Guyette with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl.

Guyette has pleaded not guilty and is pending trial.
Compared to COVID-19 cases at the beginning of the summer, the number of employees contracting COVID-19 at UMass Memorial Medical Center in recent weeks has increased fivefold, according to Dr. Richard Ellison, an infectious disease specialist there.

The Worcester hospital has more than 10,000 employees. Ellison said the increase in cases among staff is most likely representative of whats being seen generally in Central Massachusetts. In the week to 10 days before the start of the school year, Ellison said they saw the number of new cases among staff jump from five cases per day to 10 to 12 cases per day.
Its been more than four decades since Maryanne Frangules last touched a drop of alcohol or used a substance. But that decision to change her own life has led to a career changing the lives of others who live with addiction  and who fight every day to escape its grasp.

Frangules, of the Boston-based MOAR, or the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, was in the State House on Tuesday as the commonwealth recognized National Recovery Month, where she said she wanted to share the faces of those who are visible and the voices that are vocal.

Frangules and other advocates, along with current and former local officials from as far apart as Fall River and North Adams, were on hand as Gov. Maura Healey signed a proclamation honoring the 33-year-old nationwide push aimed at [promoting] and [supporting] new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices.

To a person, we remain committed to this [fighting addiction], Healey said during a news conference in her ceremonial office in the State House.

We know that that there continues to be heartache, both on the individual and collective level, Healey said, referring to the toll that addiction and substance-use disorder takes on both the people living with it and their loved ones.

Preliminary state data released in June showed that there were 2,310 confirmed, opioid-related deaths statewide in 2022, with that tally expected to climb to 2,357 fatalities. Preliminary data for June through March 2023 showed that there an additional 522 confirmed and estimated opioid-related deaths, according to the state Department of Public Health.

We want to make sure that families know they are not alone, Magda Colon, the Western Massachusetts regional manager of the recovery organization Learn to Cope, said. Were here to hold families close.

In 2021, while she was still serving as state attorney general, Healey announced that Massachusetts was set to receive more than $500 million from the the $26 billion nationwide settlement with the opioid industry.

As governor, Healey said Tuesday that shes maintained that commitment to help state residents who are living with the impact of substance use disorder. That need has been compounded by the twin challenges of increased mental health needs and housing insecurity, she noted.

We know that what has touched your families has touched so many families, Healey said.

If the problem is to be solved, it will be solved by grassoots efforts, Massachusetts Health and Human Services Secretary Kate Walsh said.

We want to make sure that were focusing on grassroots groups, not just the ones that can write big checks, Walsh said. We need smaller, community-based groups to continue the great work that youre doing.
The Healey administration is working on an economic development bill to file in the new year and hit the ground running in 2024, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao said Wednesday, forecasting a focus in the legislation on technology related to climate change.

An omnibus bond bill from the governor focused on economic growth would loom as a likely major priority for House and Senate Democrats over the first seven months of 2024 leading up to the end of formal sessions on July 31.

The last economic development package signed into law in 2022 injected $3.7 billion into Massachusetts economy -- though it took nearly 100 days longer than anticipated to come together and abandoned tax cuts and reforms that legislators touted and which they still have yet to deliver on.

Were already starting to work with legislators and with A&F, Administration and Finance, to draft out the bill, Hao said during an appearance at the Boston Globes Globe Summit 2023 with reporter Jon Chesto. We want to hit the ground running in 2024 and come back in the new year and file that bill, and hope we get it passed before the end of the legislative cycle in July.

Hao said the bond bill goes hand-in-hand with the administrations economic development plan, which the state is required to develop every four years. The council developing the plan has had regional meetings across the state with about 1,300 members of the public, the secretary said, and has to submit its plan to the Legislature and the governor by the end of the calendar year.

This is our chance to really come up with a strategy for our state, and so we are deep and working on that now, Hao said.

She announced that developing the climate technology industry will be an important part of both the plan and the administrations bond bill.

We want to lead on fighting climate change, and at the same time, we want to become the leader in economic growth around climate tech, Hao said. I think a lot about what happened in life sciences. These two industries are similar in a lot of ways. They leverage our ecosystem and we have all the ingredients here across all of our labs and all of our different talents that we have.

The secretary continued, In life sciences, we had all the ingredients and then the state government under former Gov. Patrick said, Lets accelerate that. Let us convene and let us apply resources. We committed a billion dollars over 10 years, and let us message and let us adapt regulations and let us make sure that we are helping to accelerate the formation of this cluster here.

In June, Gov. Maura Healey committed to continuing the high-dollar investment into the life sciences sector that started under Patrick, vowing that Massachusetts will remain a national and global leader in the biomanufacturing and medtech manufacturing spaces.

Hao said the administration can use some of those same levers through investing resources and changing regulations to allow the climate technology industry to grow in the state, and create a cluster of climate tech.

I think we have a template already, she said.

Read More: Climate change trial in Montana favors young activists in major victory

But as the administration looks to future economic development strategies, the Legislature is still in the midst of negotiating unfinished business from the last economic growth package.

Tax cuts that were originally proposed under former Gov. Charlie Baker were swept up into an omnibus economic development bill last summer, meant to help residents struggling with the rising cost of living.

The final version of the bill signed by Baker last fall abandoned the targeted tax reform measures in light of unexpected mandatory rebates the state owed to taxpayers. The House and Senate this year again approved tax cut packages, but differences among Democrats have left the plans hung up since June.

Hao said Wednesday that those tax cuts -- specifically, the business-friendly cuts that Healey proposed and appear to be at the center of negotiators disagreements -- are important to keep the state competitive and its economy growing.

The secretary said the state has fallen in competitiveness since the implementation of a new surtax on the states highest earners. Voters last November agreed to the fair share constitutional amendment adding a 4 percent surtax on annual income over a million dollars, an initiative that Healey supported.

The problem with Fair Share is that from a kind of optics and perceptions side, we do have some challenges, Hao said. There are some folks out there, I dont love them, but theyre out there saying, Oh, Massachusetts is going back to Taxachusetts. And if you look at the rankings of our state, we used to be ranked 34th in state competitiveness ... Whats hard is with Fair Share passing, were now I think moving to 47th.

She added that a recent CNBC poll ranking states in terms of the cost of doing business put Massachusetts at 49th.

With the states competitive and affordability ranking dropping, Hao said it is important to implement tax cuts that encourage businesses to both move to the state and to stay here.

This includes Healeys proposal to reduce the short-term capital gains tax rate from 12 percent to 5 percent -- which the House backs but the Senate doesnt -- and raising the threshold at which the estate tax kicks in.

Hao referenced a statistic that estimated that an average 1,100 residents left Massachusetts per week in 2022, and added that I worry those numbers are the same or worse in 2023.

Were just trying to be competitive, and to prove to founders and to all kinds of families too that this is a state that is really trying to do the right things, she said. We are going to invest Fair Share in all kinds of things that help families and businesses, and by the way, were going to make some adjustments to make sure that we stay competitive and we are a great place to start a family and start a business. So thats really the reason why we want to get something passed this fall.
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, MassLive asked readers to identify people who are emerging Hispanic leaders throughout the state, working to make a difference in their own area of interest, be it politics, education, business or the arts.

These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.

State Rep. Andy X. Vargas. (Courtesy photo)

Andy X. Vargas

Age: 30

Community: Haverhill

His story: First elected in a special election in 2017, Vargas represents an Essex County-based district that includes all of Haverhill. He was re-elected in 2022, according to Ballotpedia. He also ran for election to an Essex County-based state Senate seat, but did not appear on the Democratic primary ballot in September 2022, according to Ballotpedia.

Every day I feel lucky to get up and work to solve problems. Whether they be a constituent concern that may seem small, but is big for them  or a systemic problem like a statewide policy change that is needed, my work is centered around problem solving, Vargas told MassLive.

For the voters back home, that means being able to rely on me and my team to help them navigate state government or access the resources necessary so that they have a fair shot and equal opportunity, he continued. It also means being able to translate the daily challenges of the people I represent into clear policy objectives and outcomes that make life better for people.

Vargas pointed specifically to the creation, in 2018, of a new statewide gun violence prevention grant program that seeks to prevent violence through a public health lens, he said.

Read more: Amy Lavallee considers herself the mom of her whole town

The story of a young man shot in my district fueled our advocacy to deliver this win, he noted, ticking off other legislative wins, including a bill on zoning changes near MBTA stops as a way to spur new housing construction.

Vargas, who is of Dominican descent, told MassLive that his civic engagement began early, with loud discussions at family parties that focused on politics, religion, and other issues of the day.

What I loved the most about it was that once the food was ready for everyone to eat, the ardent debates were a thing of the past and everyone enjoyed a meal together, he said, adding that both of his parents also come from a community service background.

Read more: Love of learning motivates Constanza Bartholomae to help develop teachers

Vargas graduated from Haverhill High School and Boston University, completing internships in the Massachusetts State House, the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, and the Obama White House. He returned to Haverhill after graduation, and mounted a successful campaign for City Council, becoming the citys first Latino elected official.

In his words: The more you keep your thoughts focused on your why, the more clarity and motivation youll have throughout your career. Also, dont be afraid to take risks. No transformational change or momentous achievement was accomplished without some level of risk. Politics is often about who youre willing to take the hits for. Be willing and prepared to take hits for vulnerable people.

Each day, we will introduce more leaders, and were always open to hear about more inspiring people. If youd like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
For all of MassLives Big E coverage, click here.

The Big E is a boundless bonanza of ridiculous foods you absolutely should not eat on a daily basis. A cheeseburger on a glazed doughnut? A deep-fried Snickers bar? A slushie that basically has a bag of Halloween candy poured into it?

There are many paths to take toward caloric calamity at the West Springfield fairgrounds. The freeway of fried foods is a popular one. The sweet streets of sugar and decadent desserts is another one. But for many, its straight through to the carnivorous causeway.

Its about the meat.

Read more: Harry Potter inspired wand shop at The Big E celebrates LGBTQ community

Lets be clear. I like vegetables and think you should eat them. But The Big E represents a chance for folks to cut loose and eat something ridiculous. You can eat a turkey leg on Saturday and then go back to work on Monday to eat a Greek salad. Im not here to judge you. In fact, Im here to guide you to the most ridiculous, exotic meat-centric items you can find at The Big E, from the Turducken Sandwich to the BBQ Sundae.

Here are my picks for the top carnivorous curiosities at the fair. If you need help finding them, make sure to check out our Big E Eaters Guide.

The Bacon Bomb from Bacon Bomb on East Road at The Big E. (Nick O'Malley, MassLive)

The Bacon Bomb | From Bacon Bomb | On East Road

New to The Big E this year is The Bacon Bomb, which features thick-cut bacon wrapped around a compressed pork patty of Italian sausage. Thats then topped with crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and BBQ sauce.

This sandwich features a truly disorienting amount of pork. Its all salty, chewy and crumbly in that unique way bacon is. It comes away in layers due to the bizarre way its constructed.

Taste-wise, the Bacon Bomb is huge on salty, peppery flavors from the bacon and sausage. This is offset by the zing of BBQ sauce and the presence of the cheese.

Its not as savory as a normal burger. It doesnt have the same meaty foundation. Instead, its just all cured pork, all the time. To be fair, thats exactly whats advertised. Just make sure thats what you want.

The Turducken Sandwich from the New England Craft Beer Pub on the Avenue of States. (MassLive Photo)

Turducken Sandwich | New England Craft Beer Pub | On the Avenue of States

This sandwich has been a mainstay of my Big E recommendations for the better part of a decade -- and for good reason.

First and foremost, its delicious. Second, it gives you the chance to say you ate Turducken.

The word Turducken alone carries a mythical sort of aura to it. The triple-poultry party is legendary in the annals of bizarre foods you can find.

Fortunately, New England Craft Beer Pub serves it in a brilliant format. The Turducken Sandwich is more like a traditional Thanksgiving sandwich thats been formatted to be more like a melt or grilled cheese. It features a patty of chicken, turkey, duck confit and sausage cornbread. Thats then topped with cranberry aioli and American cheese before getting grilled. The combination of the buttery, crispy exterior along with the savory, slightly tart interior is brilliant.

BBQ Brisket Sundae - Porky's/The Pork Palace at The Big E

BBQ Sundae | From Porkys | On Commonwealth Ave.

The BBQ Sundae represents everything thats fun about fair foods. The silly name catches your interest. The parfait-like visual of layered BBQ ingredients catches your attention. Then eating it captures your heart.

The BBQ Sundae is an absolute blast to eat, giving you all the fun of a BBQ plate in a fun format that lets you dig in and let all the flavors blend together. This remains my No. 1 overall food to get at the fair.

The German Giant, Wurst Haus at The Big E

German Giant 10-inch Bratwurst | From Wurst Haus | On Commonwealth Ave.

Not all fair foods need to be complicated. Sometimes, you just need a big ol bratwurst with some awesome toppings. Here, weve got a delicious brat loaded with top-tier mustard and sauerkraut.

Gabriel Delvalle turns over turkey drumsticks at Turkey Legs on the second day of The Big E 2019 on Saturday in West Springfield. (Steven E. Nanton photo)

Giant Turkey Leg | From Turkey Legs | On the Avenue of States

Theres something special about walking around with a big haunch of meat. You cant get away with eating haunch-centric foods in most places. Fortunately, The Big E is here to accept you and all your meat-on-the-bone desires.

The Giant Turkey Leg is a classic because of its carnal simplicity. Just be careful. These things can get hot, and the dripping grease shows no mercy to the hand holding the turkey leg.

The Bacon-Wrapped Dilly Dilly Dog from The Meatball Factory. A look at the new foods at The Big E 2021 (Nick O'Malley, MassLive)

Dilly Dilly Dog | From Giant Corn Dog | On West Road

A corn dog? Great. A corndog with bacon? Even better. A corndog with bacon where the hot dog is stuffed inside of a giant pickle? This is America on a stick.

The Flatliner Burger, West Springfield Lions Club at The Big E

Flatliner Burger | From West Springfield Lions Club | On West Road

This is the biggest, sloppiest burger I know of at the fair. Its a double cheeseburger loaded with bacon, cheese, chili, cheese sauce and fries.

Its overwhelming and will almost certainly make a huge mess that gets your clothes dirty. Its OK, though. Youre among friends here. Its a badge of honor.

The New England Style Chopped Cheese | From Harpoon Beer Hall | On New England Ave. (Nick O'Malley, MassLive)

New England Style Chopped Cheese | From Harpoon Beer Hall | On New England Ave.

In terms of overwhelming portions of protein, this took the cake for me this year. Here, we have a sub roll filled with deep-fried lobster, tartar sauce and lettuce. Thats then absolutely smothered in a deluge of cheesy ground beef. Its an inventive spin on the trendy chopped cheese. The combination of flavors is a little bit questionable. But you cant argue with the sheer volume.

At Bear's Smokehouse, next to the Big E's Connecticut Building, putting brisket or pulled pork on a customer's plate is a process that begins many hours before. (Will Katcher/MassLive).

Bear Attack | From Bears Smokehouse | Outside the Connecticut Building

If you want good BBQ at The Big E, go to the Connecticut Building. On the left side, youll see the stall for Bears Smokehouse, which makes some of the best BBQ in New England. Get the Bear Attack. Its mac & cheese topped with your choice of BBQ meats. Or get a brisket sandwich. Or the moink balls. Actually, get whatever you want. Everything is good here.

The Polish "Bomb" from the New England Craft Beer Puc at the Avenue of States. Here's a look at The Big E's new foods for 2023. (Nick O'Malley, MassLive)

Polish Bomb | All-American Craft Beer Pub | On Springfield Road

This is another new addition for 2023, and a solid one at that. Here, we have a sandwich based around a gigantic slice of jalapeno cheddar kielbasa, which acts as the patty on the pretzel bun. Thats then topped with pickled onion, dill slaw and horseradish sauce. It also comes with some tasty thick-cut potato chips.

In terms of spicy-savory options, it doesnt get much better than this.

Disco Fries from White Hut in The Food Court. Here's a look at The Big E's new foods for 2023. (Nick O'Malley, MassLive)

Disco Fries | White Hut | In the Food Court

The disco fries take everything great about White Hut and put it into poutine. Here, we have hot dogs, bacon, and grilled onions on top of White Huts French fries. Thats them topped with gravy and cheese curds.

Exotic Burgers | From Yankee Boy | On West Road & Springfield Road

Youll likely spot the big signs for one of Yankee Boys two locations at The Big E advertising things like Camel Burgers, Kangaroo Burgers, Alligator Burgers and Rattlesnake/Pheasant Sausage.

You can certainly give these a try if youre interested in trying out something exotic. Its a chance for you to add that to your meat resume.

Just a warning: None of these really stand out flavor-wise. In the case of the burgers, its really hard to tell the different between beef and these exotic patties.

Honorable mentions
For all of MassLives Big E coverage, click here.

Harry Potter fans might feel as if theyre venturing through Ollivanders Wand Shop as customers pour over the hundreds of wand options, suddenly getting the feeling that a particular wand has chosen them.

Maybe its a 14 inch wand made of black walnut wood. Or a 14 inch birch wand with pearlescent round pommel and squared handle with soot sprites jumping around on it.

But fairgoers arent in Diagon Alley. Theyre at Orchard Works Magic Wands located at the Craft Common section of The Big E in West Springfield.

We really want you to have a fun experience. We all do this for the magic of it, said co-owner Janet Bareiss.

Bareiss started making wands 13 years ago when her stepdaughter wanted a Harry Potter themed birthday. So, Bareiss made her wands to try to fit the theme.

And we got a lot of really good feedback. Everybody was like, Oh, these are cool. You should sell them, she said. We looked around online and we were like, Yeah, we can do this.

The wands, made with each artists own twist, were first sold on eBay. Bareiss and her husband moved to Etsy and eventually got their own store located in Stafford Springs, Connecticut. They now have 10 incredibly talented wandmakers.

Fairgoers arent in Diagon Alley. Theyre at Orchard Works Magic Wands located at the Craft Common section of The Big E in West Springfield.

The shop also makes emotional support dragons, which are 3D-printed dragons. The dragons were meant to hold wands but people quickly got attached.

You can put them on your hand and they look so friendly. You can put them on your shoulder, said said wandmaker and artist Emma Halloran. And people really do develop an actual emotion.

An employee suggested to Bareiss that the business attempt to go to The Big E. Bareiss wasnt convinced theyd make the cut but told the employee to apply.

They were accepted.

Its just been a whirlwind to get to this point, she said, adding they have about 1,000 wands on standby if they sellout before The Big E is over on Oct. 1. Plus, their store is still open.

Although many customers make the connection to Harry Potter, the wands are unique and arent affiliated with Universal Studios, Warner Bros., or JK Rowling  and thats a good thing, Bareiss said.

Some fans have denounced the Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling, after transphobic comments. Quidditch, the sport involving riding broomsticks in Harry Potter, became Quadball for the many Muggles (non-magic folk) who play it.

A majority of Bareiss staff are queer and they came up with the idea to do Pride themed wands. Artists known as wandmakers have control over what they make and bring into the magical world, adding glitter, color and different shapes, sizes and curves.

Fairgoers arent in Diagon Alley. Theyre at Orchard Works Magic Wands located at the Craft Common section of The Big E in West Springfield.

Working as a wandmaker not only means we get to have a lot of really freeform fun in a world that maybe doesnt embrace magic as much outside of the store. But we also get to feel like our talents and our value as artists really matter and are uplifted and cherished, said Halloran.

Orchard Works customers have been thrilled with the separation, Bareiss said.

Theyre thrilled to be able to still hold on to the Harry Potter universe without giving any money to JK Rowling at all, Bareiss said. Because shes turned her back on them. And then double down and triple down on it. And were different.
No, its not necessarily the premise of a Netflix movie, per se. But humanity could be faced with an asteroid hitting Earth in the near future  depending on what you consider near.

In a recent edition of Icarus, the International Journal of Solar System Studies, NASA scientists monitoring the findings of its OSIRIS-REx spacecraft suggest that Bennu, an asteroid bigger than the Empire State Building and makes a close approach to Earth every six years, according to NASA, has a chance of hitting Earth in the future.

Found in 1999, the agency considers the asteroids impact on Earth to be potentially hazardous. Bennu likely broke off from a much larger asteroid about 700 million to 2 billion years ago, a reminder of the solar systems early years with much of its current composition already intact during the last 10 million years.

OSIRIS-REx descended onto the asteroid on Oct. 20, 2020, to collect samples and information about Bennu, NASA said. Images of the asteroid taken by the spacecraft beamed back to NASA. Samples were stored within the spacecrafts sample return capsule. The spacecraft ejected from Bennu on May 10, 2021, due to drop samples to Earth on Sept. 24, 2023, before continuing its mission to explore other asteroids.

Findings made by OSIRIS-RExs team in Icarus suggested that Bennu has a 0.037%, or a 1 in 2,700, chance of hitting Earth on Sept. 24, 2182. Before that day, the asteroid is expected to fly close enough to Earth in 2135 to be pulled toward the planet, increasing the odds that it could hit Earth 50 years later.

At roughly 500 meters in length, the asteroids impact on Earth would release 1,200 megatons of energy, 24 times larger than the most powerful nuclear weapons, according to IFLScience.com. Despite the risk potential, Bennu dwarfs the size of the asteroid that caused the Chixilub crater in Mexico  the asteroid that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, according to Science.com.

Is Bennus fate going to be to collide with Earth? Perhaps not. NASA believes the asteroid could burn up in the sun or is most likely to hit Venus.
WESTFIELD  At the School Committee meeting on Sept. 18, Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski and School Business Administrator Shannon Barry asked members to approve the creation of a new Arts Gift Account, for monetary gift donations to the district earmarked for the arts.

Czaporowski said he was contacted by the trustees of the estate of Gerald Patrick, a Westfield alumnus who had a successful career as a professional artist and designer. The trustees said Patrick left a $100,000 donation to the arts programs in the schools in his will.
WESTFIELD  The three candidates vying to replace Police Chief Lawrence Valliere, who is retiring in January, were announced during a meeting of the Police Commission last week.

After Valliere announced he was leaving, the commission established three criteria for candidates: they must be a current member of the police force, be serving as a lieutenant or captain, and have at least 15 years of overall experience on the force and at least seven years in a supervisory position.

The three finalists announced Sept. 15 are Lt. Eric Hall, Capt. Jerome Pitoniak, and acting Capt. Steve Dickinson.
WESTFIELD  As Massachusetts wrestles with the influx of refugees and asylum seekers to the state, doubling the number of families its sheltering since January, Westfields public schools are preparing to welcome whomever may come.

Last month, Gov. Maura Healey declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts due to rapidly rising numbers of migrant families arriving. There are currently more than 6,200 families with children or pregnant women in emergency shelters statewide, many of whom are migrants, and more sheltering accommodations are being sought for them.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2022-23, released in February 2023, sets a great tone for the World Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day to be celebrated on 27 June 2023.

The report insightfully notes that the pandemic catapulted the world towards a so-called New Normal that constitutes a world of opportunities for entrepreneurs in turn, as the essence of entrepreneurship is to rise to the occasion to repair damaged economies and societies.

This is a world where opportunities are clearly, and sorely, needed  not just for businesses to be born but employment to be created. Indeed, it is believed that in 2030, 600 million jobs will be needed due to the increase in the workforce. It clearly stands to reason then that MSMEs are now a high priority for governments around the world  more than ever before  as most formal jobs are created by such businesses. While figures from the US show that they create seven out of ten jobs there, closer to home, in Africa, they provide as many as 80% of all jobs across the continent.

The foreword to the GEM report goes on to give immense hope to all aspiring and established entrepreneurs, noting that its results show that policymakers in some countries are striving harder to make it easier for entrepreneurs to put down their commercial roots and create successful businesses. Moreover, entrepreneurs themselves are clearly dusting themselves off from the hardship effects of the global pandemic and continuing to do what they do best: grasp opportunities.

The importance of digital transformation for SMEs

Against this optimistic backdrop, an interesting trend that the GEM report reinforces is how the pandemic has created an opportunity to examine digitalisation as a tool for recovery, to gain a competitive advantage and to enhance performance-related outcomes such as the pursuit of new opportunities  in particular, opportunities emerging with the pandemic. At the same time, the report soberingly notes that Digitalisation is global but highly unequal, with a digital divide evident among societies.

However, the report gives a clear, clarion call to digitalisation, noting that technology is commonly perceived to be a beneficial means for creating competitive advantages. In particular, COVID-19 ensured that the pre-pandemic gentle drift towards online transactions became a torrent for both consumers and producers. Evidencing that this move to digitalisation is not a mere flash in the pan but a wave that shows little sign of abating, the survey conducted under the report found that, in 26 of the 49 economies, over half of those starting or running a new business expected to use more digital technologies to sell their products.

Significantly for Africa, SMEs make up 60% of the employment in the continent and contribute as much as 40% of the continents GDP. However, even after COVID, less than half of all African SMEs are using any form of digital banking. This appears counterintuitive, as over 70% of global SMEs use such services. Harnessing digital technology could then be key to unlocking access to finance for such small businesses that are a vital driver of economic and social change in the region.

Access to finance forms essence of SME survival

Indeed, as at May 2022 report by the International Labour Organisation makes only too clear, the unavailability of finance to SMEs in Africa has been identified as the most severe obstacle for SMEs business to thrive. Because of the lack of access to financial resources, many SMEs in Africa do not contribute adequately to economic prosperity and job creation to their full potential, the report highlights.

SME surveys have indicated that they are daunted by the high cost of credit, limited supply of credit lines, complicated application procedures, high collateral requirements, and pervasive corruption. This lack of access to finance in turn has a ripple effect hampering the SMEs growth but also constraining its capacity to perform to potential and create jobs in the broader economy.

This is seconded by World Bank statistics which echo that access to finance is the second most cited obstacle facing SMEs striving to grow their businesses in emerging markets and developing countries. The report notes that SMEs find it harder to obtain bank loans than large firms  instead, they are forced to rely on the friends and family network or tap into internal funds to start and run their business in the initial phases.

The World Banks International Finance Corporation estimates that 65 million firms, or 40% of formal MSMEs in developing countries, including those in Africa, have an unmet financing need of US$5.2 trillion every year. This figure is shockingly equivalent to 1.4 times the current level of the global MSME lending! This sobering gap varies considerably region to region with Latin America and the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa blocs demonstrating the highest proportion of the finance gap compared to potential demand, averaging around 87% and 88% respectively. What is even more worrying is that around 50% of formal SMEs dont have access to formal credit  with the financing gap widening further when the entire universe of MSMEs, including micro and informal enterprises, is factored into the equation. Within MSMEs, women-owned start-ups face an even bleaker prospect for funding than those run by their male counterparts.

Women entrepreneurship is central to African SMEs

Globally, women own and lead up to a third of all businesses operating formally  meanwhile, millions more run small, informal enterprises in developing economies. In Africa, this is truer than most other regions, with the World Bank noting that 58% of all MSMEs are women-owned.

Indeed, Africa has the highest proportion of women entrepreneurs in the world, with The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) research revealing that more than a quarter of all businesses were either started, or are run, by women. Contrast this with Europe where the rate of entrepreneurial activity among women is just 5.7%, according to European Investment Bank (EIB) figures. It is worrying then that these high levels of entrepreneurial activity do not translate into funding for women entrepreneurs in Africa.

Indeed, the EIB survey notes that womens businesses are particularly constrained by the dearth of finance. The same report indicates that this only serves to underscore the importance of establishing a favourable environment to encourage lending institutions to finance businesses owned by women. And, it is a good sign for the future that African banks are increasingly aware of the need to address gender inequality and of the opportunities presented by gender finance, with 60% banks responding to the EIB survey having some form of gender strategy in place. The survey notes that structural barriers must also be addressed and rues that, in some countries, collateral can only be pledged or, de facto, owned by men, which can make it almost impossible for female entrepreneurs to access finance.

Meanwhile, a Reuters report echoes the EIBs findings by highlighting that women founders receive less than 7% of all such funding on the continent, according to data released by Asoko Insights. And this dismal state of funding persists against a survey by startup-focused publisher Disrupt Africa emphasising that women make up around 20% of founders! The report goes on to note that this clearly constitutes a problem, especially as women entrepreneurs are less likely to give up their businesses than male counterparts, as a University of Liverpool Management School research highlights. This makes for an even more pressing problem in Africa, where investing in entrepreneurs is crucial to fostering growth and development, the report rues.

Green financing with focus on SME sustainability

Significantly, when the pandemic first abated, in 2021, the United Nations hosted three events to celebrate the pivotal role that MSMEs play in strengthening the global economy, with the first held under the theme Empowering the Green Recovery to discuss what MSMEs could do to survive crises and challenges.

Against this backdrop, an EIB survey released in November 2021 hearteningly found that close to 70% of banks in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) see green finance as an attractive lending opportunity, nearly 55% actively look at climate change when making strategic plans, while more than 40% of African banks employ staff to focus on renewable energy.

However, the same report also cautioned that only around 10% of SSA banks have tailored their products to serve green finance. This not only translates into a lost opportunity for banks but also a big blow to climate change finance overall, as SMEs can serve as huge champions for greening local economies.

Partnerships and collaborations key to green finance, sustainable SMEs

The EIB report also made clear that partnerships and collaborations with local players are crucial for any sustainable investments to be successful. Underscoring the need to work more closely with African financial institutions that are interested in green finance, it harked to initiatives such as a 2021 collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand a shared pipeline of investment projects, including those tackling climate change and supporting environmental sustainability.

Interestingly, the EIB report argues that African banks are well aware that climate change will hurt their lending portfolios  with risks ranging more frequent droughts that can hurt viable agricultural projects, and the loss of land to rising sea levels impacting property projects.

At Bank One, we believe that access to finance for MSMEs is a crucial ingredient for their very survival, while acknowledging that vulnerable livelihoods such as those of women and youth are contingent on such businesses. By the same token, we also believe that it is vital to partner with green initiatives and support climate change causes such as those espoused by the EIB and the AfDB to ensure sustainable businesses, and by extension, sustainable economies.

Shining the light on MSMEs

As the United Nations General Assembly drives the significant cause of MSME Day to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development and the global economy, with the added goal of strengthening such SMEs so that they are viable in times of crisis, we strive to support the UN in this noble endeavour.

At Bank One, we are humbled by the recent approval by the AfDB Group of a US$40 million Trade Finance Package in our favour to help us increase our capacity to support the trade finance needs of key sectors, including MSMEs and local corporates in Mauritius and across the continent.

The AfDB estimates Africas annual trade finance gap to be around US$81 billion and also reasons that SMEs and local firms face greater challenges in accessing trade finance compared to multinationals and large local corporates. This transaction guarantee and risk participation agreement approved by the AfDB form an integral part of the strategic tools employed by them to help reduce the continents trade finance gap, and we at Bank One are proud to partner with them in this crucial initiative. Following this key milestone, Bank One was pleased to be recognised as the Best SME Bank in Mauritius in May 2023, in an accolade granted for the second year running by Global Finance Magazine.

Going forward, we intend to live up to this honour by reinforcing our strong commitment to digital transformation and customer-centricity for our SME clients. We hope to help our customers reach greater heights of success and sustainability as we laud their efforts on this World MSME Day and beyond.
BALLINA Municipal District Council have passed a motion to erect a permanent installation in honour of President Joe Bidens historic visit to Ballina.

Thousands of people thronged the streets of Ballina in April to hear a speech from President Biden, whose great-great-great grandfather Edward Blewitt hailed from the area.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly proposed the idea of placing an installation on the Cathedral Road in front of St Muredachss Cathedral, the location where the US President delivered his remarks.

A large mural of President Biden was painted on Ballinas Market Square in 2020 in the months prior to his election as US President.

Speaking at todays (Wednesday) meeting of Ballina Municipal District, Cllr Munnelly said a similar memorial had been erected across Ireland in places where other American Presidents had visited.

He cited New Ross in Wexford, where a lectern was built in honour of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in the years following his visit to his ancestral home.

People have been coming to Ballina because of the [presidential] visit, said Cllr Munnelly.

The motion received unanimous support from the other elected members of Ballina Municipal District Council.
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market size will grow at a CAGR of 6.52% between 2022 and 2027. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are essential components within the pharmaceutical industry as they are the biologically active materials responsible for the therapeutic outcomes of medications. They shape the core of drug formulations, imparting the intended pharmacological movement. APIs must meet rigorous quality and protection requirements, making their dependable manufacturing critical for the improvement of powerful and safe medicines. APIs function the foundation upon which pharmaceutical businesses build a huge range of treatments for diverse health conditions, addressing international healthcare needs. So, the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market is expected to be worth US$ 261.30 Billion by 2027.

The Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market is experiencing sturdy boom, pushed with the aid of elements which include increasing global demand for pharmaceuticals, a growing occurrence of chronic sicknesses, and advancements in drug improvement. As pharmaceutical businesses are seeking for modern treatment plans and cost-effective solutions, the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients market plays a pivotal role in meeting these needs. The developing trend of outsourcing API manufacturing to specialised manufacturers further fuels Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients market enlargement making it a dynamic and thriving area within the pharmaceutical industry.

Request a free sample copy of the report: https://www.renub.com/request-sample-page.php?gturl=active-pharmaceutical-ingredients-market-p.php

Large molecules are experiencing robust growth in the Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market due to their increasing relevance in modern therapeutics.

Biologics, including monoclonal antibodies, peptides, and recombinant proteins, fall into the category of large molecules and have gained prominence for treating complex diseases like cancer, autoimmune disorders, and rare genetic conditions. Their specificity and efficacy, coupled with advancements in biotechnology, have expanded their applications in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market size.

Generic APIs are gaining dominance in the as per the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market report.

These generic APIs offer cost-effective alternatives to branded medications, making healthcare affordable for patients and healthcare systems. Also, generic APIs often undergo quicker regulatory approvals, permitting producers to bring them to market quickly. The expiration of patents for many brand-name capsules has also created possibilities for generic API manufacturers to seize a sizeable Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market size.

According to Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market research biotech synthetic APIs are experiencing significant growth.

Biotech plays an important role in the development of biologics, monoclonal antibodies, and gene therapies, which might be increasingly utilized in treating numerous sicknesses, consisting of cancer and genetic disorders. Advances in biotechnology have made the synthesis of these APIs extra efficient and price-effective, making them a favoured choice for pharmaceutical companies seeking progressive and customized remedy options, thus propelling their growth in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market.

Captive manufacturer types are emerging as leaders in the Global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market.

Captive manufacturers are frequently affiliated with pharmaceutical agencies, granting them direct access to sources, research, and improvement capabilities. This integration streamlines the API production process, ensuring a regular supply chain for in-house drug manufacturing. As per the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market research captive manufacturers additionally gain from reduced prices and more control over quality, regulatory compliance, and intellectual assets.

Oncology has emerged as the fastest-growing segment in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market.

Rising cancer incidence globally has driven the demand for advanced and targeted therapies, many of which rely on specialized APIs. Furthermore, ongoing research and development efforts in oncology have led to the discovery of new molecules and treatment approaches. As a result, pharmaceutical companies are heavily investing in oncology-related APIs, making it a dynamic and rapidly expanding segment within the global Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients market.

Asia-Pacific is experiencing substantial growth in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market.

The Asia-Pacific region boasts a vast pool of skilled labour and cost-effective manufacturing facilities, making it an attractive hub for API production. Besides, rising healthcare expenditures, increasing demand for affordable medications, and a growing aging population have all propelled API consumption in the region. Moreover, streamlined regulatory processes and the presence of numerous pharmaceutical companies contribute to Asia-Pacifics remarkable growth, as per the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients market report.

Competitive Landscape.

Sanofi SA, F. Hoffmann-LA Roche Ltd, Pfizer, Abbott, Bayer AG, Merck & Co. Inc, Boehringer Ingelheim Gmbh, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Novartis AG, Eli Lilly Company, and Teva Pharmaceutical are a few notable Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient market participants.

Market Summary.

Molecule- The Report covers the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market, by molecule in 2 viewpoints (small molecule, and large molecule).

Type- By type, the report covers the market of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, from 2 viewpoints (Innovative, and Generic).

Synthetic- Based on synthetic, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market breakup into 2 viewpoints (Biotech, and Synthetic).

Manufacturer Type- By manufacturer type, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market, break up into 2 viewpoints (Captive, and Merchant).

Application- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market breakup by application into 6 viewpoints (cardiology, oncology, CNS, and neurology, orthopedic, endocrinology, and others).

Region- Renub Research report covers the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market by region in 5 viewpoints (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle-East and Africa).

Key Players- All the major players in the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients Market have been covered from 4 Viewpoints (Overview, Strategy, Merger/Acquisition, and Financial Insight) Sanofi SA, F. Hoffman-La Roche Ltd., Pfizer, Inc., Abbott Laboratories, Bayer, Merck &Co., Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, GlaxoSmithKline Plc., Novartis, Eli Lilly Company, and Teva Pharmaceuticals.

Browse Related Report:

Diabetes Drug Market: https://tinyurl.com/yeyjk9mh

Schizophrenia Drugs Market: https://tinyurl.com/3xdeumpw

Osteoporosis Drugs Market: https://tinyurl.com/5e95eyzw

Narcolepsy Drugs Market: https://tinyurl.com/25f255k3

Oncology Precision Medicine Market: https://tinyurl.com/2d2tp8ee

About the Company:

Renub Research is a Market Research and Consulting Company. We have more than 15 years of experience especially in international Business-to-Business Researches, Surveys and Consulting. We provide a wide range of business research solutions that helps companies in making better business decisions. We partner with clients in all sectors and regions to identify their highest-value opportunities, address their most critical challenges, and transform their businesses. Our wide clientele comprises major players in Healthcare, Travel and Tourism, Food Beverages, Power Energy, Information Technology, Telecom Internet, Chemical, Logistics Automotive, Consumer Goods Retail, Building, and Construction, Agriculture. Our core team is comprised of experienced people holding graduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. degrees in Finance, Marketing, Human Resource, Bio-Technology, Medicine, Information Technology, Environmental Science, and many more.

Contact Us:

Renub Research

Phone No: +1-478-202-3244 | +91-120-421-9822 (IND)

Email: info@renub.com

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/renub-research

Web: www.renub.com
Global Naloxone Market Forecast 2023-2030

Global Naloxone Market is valued at USD 1119.6 Million in 2022.

Global Naloxone Market valuation to reach USD 2617.6 Million by 2030.

Naloxone sales to account for a significant CAGR of 11.2% during 2023  2030.

The Naloxone Market plays a pivotal role in addressing the opioid overdose crisis by providing a life-saving antidote to opioid overdoses. Naloxone, also known as Narcan, is a medication that can rapidly reverse the effects of opioids and restore normal breathing.

The Naloxone Market revolves around the production, distribution, and availability of naloxone products. This critical medication is used by healthcare professionals, first responders, and individuals to counteract the life-threatening effects of opioid overdoses. The market is driven by the escalating opioid epidemic, increased awareness of naloxones importance, and government initiatives to expand its accessibility. Factors such as the surge in opioid-related deaths and the need for harm reduction strategies are propelling the growth of this market.

Get Access to A Free Sample Report with List of TOC, Charts, Figures @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/naloxone-market-0530/request-sample

***Note  The Naloxone Industry Sample Report Includes:

Scope For 2030

A brief introduction to the Naloxone latest research report.

Leading players in the Market

Research framework (structure of the report)

Short term market dynamics

Marketing Channel

Market Segmentation

List of Figures, Charts.

List of Tables [TOC]

Research methodology adopted by Vantage Market Research

Top Companies in Global Naloxone Market

Pfizer

Mylan

kaleo

West Ward Pharmaceuticals

Amneal Pharmaceuticals

Sandoz

ADAPT Pharma

Amphastar Pharmaceuticals

AND MORE.

Dont miss out on this exclusive opportunity, enjoy a 50% discount using code SEP50 @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/buy-now/naloxone-market-0530/0

Naloxone Market Dynamics

Opioid Epidemic: The widespread use and abuse of opioids, including prescription painkillers and illicit drugs like heroin and fentanyl, have led to a surge in opioid-related overdoses.

Legislation and Policy: Governments and healthcare agencies are taking measures to make naloxone more accessible, including over-the-counter availability and distribution to at-risk populations.

Awareness Campaigns: Public awareness campaigns and training programs are educating individuals and first responders on the proper use of naloxone.

Pharmaceutical Innovation: The development of user-friendly naloxone formulations, such as nasal sprays and auto-injectors, is enhancing ease of use in emergency situations.

Telehealth and Telemedicine: Telehealth platforms are facilitating remote consultations for opioid addiction treatment and naloxone prescriptions.

Key Highlights:

In-depth analysis of the global market for Naloxone.

Updates on every quarter are free

Number of market tables and statistics, charts.

Power BI Report (Dashboard)

Assurance of lowest price and best quality report.

Fastest Delivery

Available subscription-based model

User-Friendly Format

Guaranteed post-purchase research assistance with 50% off if you use SEP50

Immediate Access to Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy

Top Trends in Naloxone Market

Community Distribution Programs: Naloxone is being distributed in communities, including schools, homeless shelters, and public spaces, to ensure rapid access in emergencies.

Naloxone is being distributed in communities, including schools, homeless shelters, and public spaces, to ensure rapid access in emergencies. Telemedicine Prescriptions: Telehealth services are prescribing naloxone to patients at risk of overdose, expanding access and reducing barriers to obtaining the medication.

Telehealth services are prescribing naloxone to patients at risk of overdose, expanding access and reducing barriers to obtaining the medication. Innovative Formulations: New naloxone delivery systems, such as nasal sprays and intramuscular injections, are gaining popularity for their ease of use.

New naloxone delivery systems, such as nasal sprays and intramuscular injections, are gaining popularity for their ease of use. Combination Products: Naloxone is being combined with opioid medications to create abuse-deterrent formulations, reducing the risk of misuse.

Naloxone is being combined with opioid medications to create abuse-deterrent formulations, reducing the risk of misuse. Global Expansion: Naloxone availability and usage are expanding beyond North America, addressing opioid-related concerns in other regions.

Global Naloxone Market Segmentation

By Route of Administration

Injectables

Nasal

Oral

By Strength

0.02mg/ml

1mg/ml

0.4mg/ml

Others

By Distribution Channel

Hospital Pharmacies

Retail Pharmacies

Online Pharmacies

Others

Read Full Research Report Here @ https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/industry-report/naloxone-market-0530

Top Report Findings:

The Naloxone Market is expected to witness significant growth, with a CAGR of 11.2% over the next five years.

Community-based naloxone distribution programs have been highly effective in reducing opioid-related fatalities.

North America accounts for the largest share of the market, given the severity of the opioid epidemic in the region.

The adoption of telemedicine and online naloxone prescriptions is increasing, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Market Restraints

Stigma and Misconceptions: Stigma surrounding opioid addiction and naloxone can hinder its adoption, preventing individuals from seeking help.

Access Disparities: Access to naloxone may vary based on geographic location, socioeconomic status, and healthcare infrastructure.

Cost and Insurance Coverage: The cost of naloxone products and insurance coverage can pose barriers to obtaining the medication.

Opportunities

Education and Awareness: Increased education and public awareness campaigns can combat stigma and encourage naloxone use.

Policy and Legislation: Continued efforts to make naloxone more accessible and affordable can save lives.

Research and Development: Ongoing research can lead to the development of more user-friendly and cost-effective naloxone formulations.

Global Expansion: Expanding naloxone availability beyond North America can address opioid-related concerns in other regions.

Key Questions Answered in the Naloxone Market Report:

How has the opioid epidemic impacted the demand for naloxone in the market?

What are the key drivers behind the growing accessibility and awareness of naloxone?

How are innovative naloxone formulations, such as nasal sprays and auto-injectors, shaping the market?

What are the emerging trends in the Naloxone Market, including community distribution programs and telemedicine prescriptions?

What are the key findings and projections for the global Naloxone Market?

How can stigma and misconceptions surrounding naloxone be addressed to increase its adoption?

What strategies can improve access to naloxone and reduce disparities in availability?

How can research and development efforts further enhance naloxone formulations and accessibility?

Regional Analysis

North America is the epicenter of the Naloxone Market due to the severity of the opioid epidemic in the region. The United States, in particular, has witnessed a substantial increase in opioid-related overdoses, driving the demand for naloxone. State and federal initiatives have expanded access to naloxone, and community-based distribution programs have proven highly effective in saving lives. The regions commitment to addressing the opioid crisis underscores the importance of naloxone in combating the epidemic.

Browse More Research Reports:

Contact Us

Eric Kunz

6218 Georgia Avenue NW Ste 1  564

Washington DC 20011-5125

United States Tel: +1 202 380 9727

Email: sales@vantagemarketresearch.com

Website: https://www.vantagemarketresearch.com/
United States Generic Drug Market share is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of nearly 6.39% during 2022 and 2028. In recent years, the US generic drug market has grown extraordinarily, fundamentally transforming the pharmaceutical industry. Generic drugs have become pivotal in the US healthcare landscape, offering cost-effective alternatives to their brand-name counterparts, addressing the growing concern of rising prescription drug costs. Besides, the expiration of patents for numerous brand-name drugs has spurred the introduction of generic versions, intensifying competition, and leading to reduced prices and wider availability, ultimately propelling the remarkable growth of the United States generic drug market size.

The aging population in the United States has fuelled the demand for generic drugs as seniors frequently rely on continuous medication for chronic illnesses, underscoring the necessity for cost-effective treatment solutions. Concurrently, government initiatives such as Medicaid and Medicare actively promote generic drug use to curb healthcare costs. So, the United States Generic Drug Market is projected to be worth US$ 147.57 Billion by 2028.

The FDAs streamlined approval process for generics has further facilitated their US generic drug market entry, making these drugs more readily available and affordable, contributing significantly to the impressive growth of the US generic drugs market size. For instance, in 2023, the FDA approved notable generic drugs in the US market, including Tiotropium Bromide Inhalation Powder (18 mcg/capsule, ANDA 211287) for treating COPD, and Safinamide Tablets (50 mg and 100 mg, ANDA 215902) for Parkinsons disease. These approvals advance the goal of enhancing prescription drug affordability and accessibility in the US generic drug market share.

Branded generics are thriving in the United States generic drug market.

Consumers consider branded generic medications because they bring the reputation of famous pharmaceutical groups, making sure both quality and efficacy. Furthermore, branded generics provide cost savings in comparison to their brand-name counterparts, attractive to price-aware patients and healthcare providers. Regulatory companies additionally impose stringent quality standards on these products, making sure their safety and effectiveness. These factors together drive the growth of branded generics, making them a preferred choice in the US generic drug market share, offering a stability between affordability and reliability.

Request a free sample copy of the report: https://www.renub.com/request-sample-page.php?gturl=united-states-generic-drugs-market-p.php

The demand for generic drugs to treat heart disease is growing in the US generic drug market size due to the widespread prevalence of cardiovascular conditions.

Generic heart medicinal drugs provide exceptional treatment options at appreciably lower rates as compared to brand-name counterparts, making them accessible to a larger patient population. Moreover, as patents for several branded cardiac pills have expired, generics have emerged as readily available, promoting competition, and further lowering costs. This affordability, coupled with their demonstrated efficacy, drives the growing call for widespread heart disorder medicines in the US.

Oral generics are extensively utilized and poised for growth in the United States generic drug market due to their convenience.

Patients and healthcare providers prefer oral medicines owing to ease of administration and adherence. Moreover, as several brand-name drugs go off-patent, a plethora of well-known oral options enter the market, increasing competition and lowering costs. The accessibility, affordability, and effectiveness of those oral generics make them a famous choice, contributing to their continuous growth in the United States generic drug market share.

The retail pharmacy market has been steadily growing in the US generic drug market size.

Convenience plays a vast role as patients choose accessible locations for medicinal drug purchases. Moreover, the growing wide variety of uninsured or underinsured individuals in the US has caused a greater reliance on generic drugs due to their affordability. Furthermore, retail pharmacies offer an extensive range of generic medicines, and their promotional tasks regularly emphasize cost-saving advantages, propelling the steady rise of this market section.

The adult age group has witnessed substantial growth in the United States generic drug market share.

As people age, they are much more likely to require ongoing medication for chronic health situations, making cost-effective generics an appealing option. Moreover, coverage plans and Medicare often encourage or require the usage of generic drugs to lessen healthcare costs. The older population and the superiority of chronic diseases amongst adults in addition raise the demand for generic medicinal drugs, driving their extensive growth in this demographic section of the US generic drug market.

The increase in commercial payments in the US generic drug market size is primarily driven by the cost-effectiveness of generic medications.

Many industrial insurance plans and employers encourage using generics to lessen healthcare costs for both themselves and their personnel. As a result, more individuals are choosing generic drugs over brand-name counterparts to decrease their out-of-pocket charges. This trend aligns with the broader healthcare fee containment techniques, propelling the boom of commercial payments in the US generic drug market size.

California is at the forefront of the United States generic drug market.

It boasts a robust pharmaceutical industry, with numerous companies engaged in generic drug manufacturing and distribution. The states large and diverse population creates a substantial demand for generic medications. Furthermore, California has a proactive regulatory environment and promotes healthcare policies that prioritize affordability, making it an ideal location for generic drug companies. These factors collectively position California as a leader in the US generic drug market share, influencing both supply and demand within the industry.

Competitive Landscape.

Abbott Laboratories Inc., Viatris, Sandoz, Dr. Reddys, Aurobindo Pharma, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Abbott Laboratories Inc. are significant United Staes generic drug market participants.

Market Summary.

Type- United States Generic Drug Market share breakup by type in 2 viewpoints (Branded Generics, Unbranded Generics).

Therapeutic Area- The Report covers US Generic Drug Market share by therapeutic area breakup in 10 viewpoints (Heart Disease, Mental Health, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Cancers, Allergies & Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Alzheimers Disease, HIV/AIDS, Crohns colitis).

Drug delivery- United States Generic Drug Market size breakup by drug delivery in 4 viewpoints (Oral, Injectable, Dermal/Topical, Inhalers)

Distribution Channel- The Report covers US Generic Drug Market share by distribution channel in 4 viewpoints (Specialty Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy).

Age group- United States Generic Drug Market size breakup by age group in 4 viewpoints (Children (0-19 years), Young Adults (20-39 years), Adults (40-64 years), Seniors (65+ years)).

Payment Type- The Report covers US Generic Drug Market share by payment type breakup in 4 viewpoints (Cash, Commercial, Medicare D, Medicaid).

States- Renub Research report on US Generic Drugs Market covers by states in 11 viewpoints (California, Texas, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Others).

Key Players- All the major players of United States Generic Drug Market have been covered from 4 Viewpoints (Overview, Strategy, Merger/Acquisition, and Financial Insight) Abbott Laboratories Inc., Viatris, Sandoz, Dr. Reddys, Aurobindo Pharma, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Lupin Pharmaceuticals Inc., and Abbott Laboratories Inc.

Browse Related Reports:

Alzheimers Drugs Market: https://www.renub.com/alzheimer-s-pipeline-drugs-review-alzheimer-s-disease-drug-market-and-forecast-global-analysis-131-p.php

Diabetes Drug Market: https://www.renub.com/diabetes-drug-market-p.php

Schizophrenia Drugs Market: https://www.renub.com/schizophrenia-drugs-market-p.php

Osteoporosis Drugs Market: https://www.renub.com/global-osteoporosis-market-patients-companies-and-forecast-483-p.php

Narcolepsy Drugs Market: https://www.renub.com/narcolepsy-drugs-market-p.php

About the Company:

Renub Research is a Market Research and Information Analysis company with more than 14 years of experience in Research, Survey, and Consulting. Our research helps companies to take business decisions: on strategy, organization, operations, technology, mergers & acquisitions, etc. Till now we have published more than 7000 syndicated reports and worked on more than 500 custom research projects. Currently, we are supplying data to EMIS, Bloomberg, Thomson Reuters, etc. We support many blue-chip companies by providing them with findings and perspectives across a wide range of markets.

Contact Us:

Renub Research

Phone No: +1-478-202-3244 | +91-120-421-9822 (IND)

Email: info@renub.com

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/renub-research

Web: www.renub.com
by Laurie Sullivan , Staff Writer @lauriesullivan, September 19, 2023

Google on Tuesday rolled out new capabilities for its conversational chatbot, Bard, built on artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing and machine learning.

Yes, it requires data -- and human input -- but the change integrates Bard with Google apps and services to provide more helpful responses. It also improved the Google it feature to double-check Bards answers.

Google calls it Bard Extensions and describes the feature as a new way to interact and collaborate with its apps. It's done with the help of AI, and an integration into Gmail, Docs, Drive, Google Maps, YouTube, and Google Flights and hotels. It launched today in English.

For example, if someone plans a trip to Yellowstone, Wyoming, they can now ask Bard to find the dates that work for everyone whose going. It's done through a connection with Gmail, ability to look up real-time flight and hotel information, see Google Maps directions to the airport. It also lets users connect with YouTube videos of things to do there -- all within one conversation.

advertisement advertisement

In other words, Google's integration through Bard can now read a user's emails, plan trips and find directions based on the information.

Bards "Google it" button, which also launched today, will double-check its answers. Clicking on the the G icon prompts Bard to read the response and evaluate whether there is content across the web to substantiate it.

It takes data to do this -- lots of it -- not only from one user, but every user who plans to go on the trip.

Data and secrets have emerged as central characters in Google's antitrust trial vs. the U.S. Justice Department. The trial is a thriller of sorts that includes action and suspense.

The government believes that data is the foundation of Googles success. Each search query adds data, text- and voice-based, on mobile, desktop and tablets, and now the search engine can learn and expand through artificial intelligence (AI)- and machine learning (ML)-related queries.

The more data, the more users -- and the more advertisers -- are willing to pay to attract those queries. Each bit and byte of data, the government argues, is a roadblock for rivals.

But companies like Microsoft have access to this data in their own ways. For Microsoft, this is through Microsoft Advertising and Bing, along with software and services, and the Windows operating system.

Cliqz, the privacy search engine and browser founded by Jean-Paul Schmetz, CEO of Ghostery, was directly impacted by Googles anti-competitive practices.

One of the central questions of this case is whether Google paid other browsers to be the exclusive search provider with the intention of destroying the potential competition, according to Schmetz.

Google has a big hurdle to overcome in this hearing because, when looking at the facts of the case, its fairly straightforward their payments to other browsers were driven by the desire to be the default search provider and prevent other companies from doing the same, he said. All other players in this market for the last 15 years know that Google was paying for exclusivity in order to be the dominant player.

Its important for search engine choice to be driven by competition so users can have real agency over their browsing experience, Schmetz said, but after 15 years of Google monopolizing the market, there arent a lot of alternatives left, he said. In the U.S., only Brave Search, Bing and its derivatives like DuckDuckGo are current competitors.

The governments case against Google is very strong, but it will still be a difficult case to win because it does not have a lot of precedents, Schmetz said. The Microsoft trial in 1998 was somewhat similar, with the company paying hardware manufacturers to be the default operation system, but Google has learned a lot from Microsofts mistakes.

If the court finds that companies are allowed under the current antitrust legal framework to pay to be the exclusive search provider, that would set a significant precedent and be very successful for Google, Schmetz said.

In early September, SEO.ai reported that Google processes approximately 99,000 search queries every second. This translates to 8.5 billion searches per day and approximately 2 trillion global searches per year. About 15% of Google searches are unique, which is equivalent to 1.275 billion unique queries every day.

The average person conducts between three and four searches each day as an estimate, but most in the advertising industry conduct many more searches. I have lost count of the number of searches I do daily. These numbers are just an estimate, because Google does not reveal the exact amount.

Partnerships also have been a question in the trial. The U.S. Justice Department on Monday, during the second week of Googles antitrust trial, questioned a Verizon executive about the company's decision to pre-install Google's Chrome browser with Google search on its mobile phones.

Brian Higgins, a 28-year Verizon veteran, was on the team from 2017 to 2023 that struck deals with Google to pick software to preload onto the carrier's phones. Higgins testified in Washington that he believes the search engine pre-installed software all the time. And that he believes Verizon did not seek other bids before creating the partnership with Google.

Another issue at the heart of the matter is how Google prices online advertising. John Schmidtlein, the lead trial counsel for Google, said that all discussions around ad prices should take place in a closed session without the presence of public and reporters, but the U.S. Justice Department objected to removing the public from the court during related discussions.

David Dahlquist, speaking for the government, pointed to a redacted document and had a discussion about Google's pricing for search advertising. He showed Judge Amit Mehta, who will decide the case, the type of information that should not be redacted because it satisfies public interest.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, September 19, 2023

Industry self-regulation has not only failed to protect people's privacy, but has also enabled companies that develop artificial intelligence to hoard consumer data.

That's according to Federal Trade Commissioner consumer protection head Samuel Levine.

Weve allowed companies to harvest consumer data without any real limitations, and now some of these some companies are creating opaque AI systems that capitalize on -- and accelerate -- their earlier hoarding, Levine said at the annual conference of the National Advertising Division of the BBB National Programs, according to a written version of his prepared remarks.

It seems, in other words, like one self-regulatory failure is begetting another, he said.

He added that generative artificial intelligence is already leading market participants to accelerate their data collection, with firm after firm changing their privacy policies to make it easier for them to collect even more data from us and use it in new ways.

Firms are racing in lockstep to supercharge their data collection, he said.

Levine traced current data practices to a 22-year-old policy decision to support industry self-regulation on privacy -- a decision he called a mistake. The industry's self-regulatory program broadly involves notifying consumers about data collection, and allowing people to opt out of some uses of their information.

I think we need to accept that self-regulation around digital privacy is not working. And I think we need to learn from these mistakes as we confront the next wave of emerging technology, he said.

In a sharply divided country, the fact that so many Americans are unhappy with how the digital economy is working is a damning indictment of our experiment in self-regulation, Levine added, referencing a 2019 Pew Research Center report that 81% of Americans feel they have little to no control over data collection.

Lawmakers in a growing number of states appear to agree. As of today, 12 states have passed comprehensive privacy laws that aim to enable consumers to wield more control over their data.

Levine's comments come as the agency is still considering whether to curb what it calls commercial surveillance by issuing sweeping privacy rules. More than one year ago, the FTC took the first step toward regulations by seeking comments on a broad swath of topics, including online ad targeting.

Ad industry groups weighed in against new rules, while consumer advocates argued that new regulations are needed.

Advertising is the lifeblood of the American economy, the Association of National Advertisers said in comments filed with the agency last year. The FTC should not presuppose that any kind of data-informed advertising is harmful without the administrative record necessary to support such a bold assertion.

Advocacy group Public Knowledge took the opposite approach, arguing that commercial surveillance practices -- including online tracking -- are deceptive and unfair.

Most consumers have no idea the breadth and depth of their intimate data collected through seemingly innocuous activities such as web browsing, Public Knowledge wrote. These practices are unfair to the average consumer, because it is nearly impossible for consumers not to be surveilled while they surf the internet.

The FTC hasn't yet said whether it will move forward with potential national privacy regulations.
by Colin Kirkland , September 20, 2023

In the coming months, merchants on Metas encrypted instant messaging service WhatsApp will begin to see a wider range of tools they can use to offer services to their customers, such as booking appointments, customizing a product, filling out and submitting forms, signing up for events and promotions, and more.

This means that customers using these services can perform several actions without having to leave Whatsapp, the company wrote in a support page for the upcoming feature, called Flows.

The company told TechCrunch that it has been testing Flows with businesses such as Brazilian bank Banco Pan, retailer MagaLu, Lenovo, Indian travel service Redbus, India-based bank SBI, and the car reselling platform, Spinny.

advertisement advertisement

Shopping & e-commerce is one of the biggest verticals we want to focus on, said Nikila Srinivasan, VP of business messaging at Meta. The goal is to enable business messaging in a way that businesses and people can do a lot more right in the chat thread. We are trying to build rich experiences within the chat, and thats where Flows comes in.

To deliver in-app services for their customers, merchants will have a variety of building blocks, including a text box, a calendar, a seat picker and more, reported TechCrunch.

As it rolls out, Flows will likely focus on attracting e-commerce businesses, though the company wants to expand the feature to accommodate a broader range of businesses as well.

Flows will be included under the current payment model for the WhatsApp Business app, which the company said earlier this year had passed 200 million monthly active users.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, September 20, 2023

Congress is in the best position to create new privacy rules, Republican Federal Trade Commission nominees Andrew Ferguson and Melissa Holyoak told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday.

It is probably best for Congress to speak here, to have comprehensive privacy legislation in this space, Holyoak, Utah Solicitor General, said in response to a question from Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) about the FTC's role in protecting consumers' data.

Ferguson, Solicitor General of Virginia, agreed.

I think that the FTC as an agency has some experience in this, and if Congress were looking for an agency to lodge this authority, I think the FTC is a good candidate. But I think the most important thing here is for Congress to take the lead, he said.

The statements came at a Senate Commerce Committee hearing to consider whether to confirm Holyoak and Ferguson and re-confirm commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, first appointed in 2018.

advertisement advertisement

Slaughter told lawmakers she also wants Congress to pass privacy legislation, but added the FTC already is empowered to regulate unfair or deceptive practices deemed prevalent.

Even though I think Congress should move forward, I have supported the FTC really making sure we're doing everything we can with the tools that we have right now, she said.

It's why I supported our ongoing open rulemakng proceeding on commercial surveillance and data security, she added, referring to an initiative that could result in new privacy regulations.

Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) questioned all three about that regulatory proceeding.

Ferguson and Holyoak both told Blackburn they would support pausing the privacy initiative until Congress weighs in.

All three nominees backed a proposal by Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota) to revise Section 230 by allowing federal agencies to bring civil enforcement actions against tech companies over unlawful acts by users.

Slaughter said the agency's investigations frequently are hampered by Section 230, adding that when the law has been violated "there should not be a 'get out of jail free' clause for intermediaries."
Salaar

Starring Prabhas, this movie is yet to be released, but as per reports has already been sold to Netflix for Rs. 162 crores.
The flight deck of the USS George Washington is already streaked with tire marks from aircraft landings just three months after the warship was welcomed back into the Navy fleet.

But as the carrier and its crew transition from a brutal six-year maintenance cycle, there is still much to be done to prepare for its next mission.

The Washington recently provided fleet support to new E-2 Hawkeye pilots working on carrier qualifications. The ship got underway for about two weeks, and reporters were invited aboard.

This marks the ships fourth venture out since leaving Newport News Shipbuilding for Naval Station Norfolk in May. The aircraft carrier had been a fixture at the shipyard since 2017 for its midlife refueling and complex overhaul. The process, which typically takes four years, was exacerbated by delays related to the pandemic.

When Capt. William Mathis reported to the carrier in March 2022, it was nearing the end of its heavy maintenance phase.

It did not look like a ship when I arrived. The shell was a ship, but you walked inside and many spaces were not completed. There was a lot of bare metal everywhere, a lot of components still untested, said Mathis, executive officer of the Washington.

Now, the ship, which still smells of fresh paint, is mostly complete, he said. The ships two nuclear reactors were refueled and its propulsion plant repaired, propellers refurbished and aircraft launch and recovery equipment modernized.

The Washington is in the basic phase of training, which is meant to teach the crew how to operate as a team as well as ensure the ship is ready in all mission areas.

We still are building up the ship and building up the crew in many areas, as the crew is still very green, Mathis said. We have got a long way to go but we have come a long way.

Buzzing with activity

On Thursday and Friday, the ship navigated around Hurricane Lee brewing in the Atlantic Ocean. The Washington, off the coast of Florida, was buzzing with the activity of a crew of 2,800. As the warship swayed with the swell, members scurried through the corridors to their workstations or stopped by one of the galleys to grab a meal between shifts.

I didnt know you could feel the waves on a carrier, one sailor said in passing.

I didnt either, but this is my first carrier, said another.

During this training cycle, many crew members are learning their seagoing responsibilities for the very first time. According to Washington leadership, about 85% are junior sailors who had never been to sea before being assigned to the warship.

The crew are starting to learn their jobs at sea as well, which is exciting. But we have to be patient because we know that a lot of the crew are not proficient in doing the basic things that they are supposed to do, said Command Master Chief Randy Swanson, who reported to the Washington in December 2022.

Many are still figuring out how to manage life at sea, including deployment basics like who is going to water their plants or how their bills will get paid on time, Swanson said.

The Washington and roughly half its current crew will shift homeports in 2024, moving from Naval Station Norfolk to Yokosuka, Japan, where it will be the forward-deployed carrier. Before then, the ship must fully integrate its airwing and certify for deployment. The training will be spread across the next 12 months.

It seems like we are getting better and better at what we do, Swanson said. But we cant get comfortable. We always have to keep our head on a swivel and get through each underway period as a team.

Preparing for homeport shift

The ship is scheduled for a stop in San Diego in April before heading to Japan, where the Navy expects it to be operating by the fall of 2024.

Much of the crew does not yet know if they will join the warship in Japan. But sailors interviewed by The Virginian-Pilot said they are excited to take the Washington to sea, even if only for a brief time.

Jayden Thompson, an aviation boatswains mate, has been in the Navy for five years. She has been assigned to the Washington for four years and nine months.

I hated the shipyard, and I was determined to get out (of the Navy) after this first contract, Thompson said.

The 23-year-old is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the flight decks arresting gear, which snags the tail hooks of landing aircraft. Being on an inoperable ship for the bulk of her contract meant Thompson was unable to do the job she signed up to do.

I can only do my job when we are out to sea, Thompson said. And my job is specifically for carriers, so I cannot go to any other platform.

But Thompson has since changed her mind. While stuck in the shipyard, she was temporarily assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush and deployed with the carrier from August last year to April.

I started to learn my rate and fell in love with my job, Thompson said. And I came back here and was able to take this boat out to sea. Every day, I just fall more and more in love with what I do.

Hope returns to young sailors

The extended midlife maintenance overhaul during the pandemic was challenging. As a vital function, Mathis said it had to get done.

But the sense of purpose for many sailors was difficult to find, he said.

During its time in the shipyard, there were nine suicides among the Washington crew, including three in one week in April 2022. An initial investigation found life stressors contributed to the life-ending decisions of the three sailors, but concluded the deaths were otherwise not connected.

A second investigation was launched with the purpose of evaluating the challenges unique to a shipyard environment. According to the findings, which were released in May, there was a failure in maintaining a suitable Navy standard, after sailors reported constant noise and cold temperatures aboard a shell of a ship that was periodically without hot water and power.

When the Washington finally departed Newport News Shipbuilding and was delivered to the Navy, sailors manning the rails wept.

It was just this sense of accomplishment, what they had done, what they had been through  what we had all been through, Mathis said.

Capt. Brent Gaut, who assumed command of the USS George Washington in June 2021, said after the ship left Newport News Shipbuilding, a sailor approached him.

And they said, I just cant believe that we got out. I really didnt think it was going to happen. And that was one of those moments as a commanding officer and as a human being  a person, a father, a husband  that was just so emotional for me, Gaut said. You could see a little glimmer of the hope in their eyes that for a long time, we hadnt seen.

Resources for service members and veterans struggling with mental health, including 24-hour crisis hotlines, include:

The Military Crisis Line: call 1-800-273-8255, Ext. 1; or text 273Talk to 839863

Military OneSource: 1-800-342-9647

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988  call or text

2023 The Virginian-Pilot. Visit pilotonline.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
UNITED NATIONS  Irans President Ebrahim Raisi said Tuesday that his country will never give up its right to have peaceful nuclear energy and urged the United States to demonstrate in a verifiable fashion that it wants to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Addressing the annual high-level meeting of the U.N. General Assembly, Raisi said the American withdrawal from the deal trampled on U.S. commitments and was an inappropriate response to Irans fulfillment of its commitments.

Then-President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the U.S. out of the accord in 2018, restoring crippling sanctions. Iran began breaking the terms a year later and formal talks in Vienna to try to restart the deal collapsed in August 2022.

Iran has long denied ever seeking nuclear weapons and continues to insist that its program is entirely for peaceful purposes  points Raisi reiterated Tuesday telling the high-level meeting that nuclear weapons have no place in the defensive doctrine and the military doctrine of the country.

But U.N. nuclear chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press that the Iranian governments removal of many cameras and electronic monitoring systems installed by the International Atomic Energy Agency make it impossible to give assurances about the countrys nuclear program. Grossi has previously warned that Tehran has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.

The IAEA director general also said Monday he asked to meet Raisi to try to reverse Tehrans uncalled for ban on a very sizable chunk of the agencys inspectors.

Raisi made no mention of the IAEA inspectors but the European Union issued a statement late Tuesday saying its top diplomat, Josep Borrell, met Irans Foreign Minister on Tuesday and raised the nuclear deal and the inspectors as well as Irans arbitrary detention of many EU citizens including dual nationals.

At his meeting with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the EU said Borrell urged Iran to reconsider its decision to ban several experienced nuclear inspectors and to improve cooperation with the IAEA.

Borrell again urged the Iranian government to stop its military cooperation with Russia, the EU statement said. Western nations have said Iran has supplied military drones to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, which Tehran denies.

Raisi spoke to the General Assembly a day after Iran and the U.S. each freed five prisoners who were in jails for years. The U.S. also allowed the release of nearly $6 billion in Iranian frozen assets in South Korea for humanitarian use. The five freed Americans arrived in the U.S. earlier Tuesday.

The Iranian president made no mention of the prisoner swap.

Israels U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan walked out of the assembly hall when Raisi got up to speak, carrying a sign with a picture of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody in Iran last year, sparking worldwide protests against the countrys conservative Islamic theocracy.

___

Nasser Karimi contributed to this report from Tehran
Attorneys representing families sickened by the 2021 Red Hill water crisis introduced a motion in Honolulu's U.S. District Court on Tuesday that alleges that Navy officials "recklessly destroyed " text and phone records between two key officials.

According to the filing, the government says that the official phone of Capt. James "Gordie " Meyer, then-commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Hawaii, was "wiped " in spring 2022 during a "tech support incident, deleting all of the text messages, voicemails, and call logs on the iPhone."

Capt. Erik Spitzer, then-commander of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, also had his official command phone wiped when he retired in June 2022 and handed command of the facility to Capt. Mark Sohaney, which is standard procedure when a new officer takes over. Lawyers representing the U.S. government said that in both cases the texts are now irretrievable, but lawyers representing the families argue the Navy failed to take sufficient efforts to preserve them when they had the chance.

"This is not an unsophisticated party; the Navy knows it has to preserve evidence," said Kristina Baehr, one of the attorneys for the plaintiffs. "After we filed our first (claims ) in February of 2022, the Navy knew that it had to preserve evidence, and it also knew who the key players were. ... I'm not going to say it was intentional, but it was absolutely reckless."

In response to a request for comment, a Navy spokesman said, "We do not discuss matters that are currently under litigation."

In 2021, fuel from the Navy's underground Red Hill fuel facility contaminated the Navy's Oahu water system that serves 93, 000 people in military housing facilities across southern Oahu as well as former military housing areas that local civilian families now live in. Many reported illnesses as a result of drinking or bathing in the contaminated water, and some say they continue to suffer from ailments two years later.

At NAVFAC Hawaii, Meyer was responsible for overseeing construction and maintenance at Navy and Marine Corps facilities across the Hawaiian Islands. That included the maintenance and operations at Red Hill and on the network of fuel pipelines connecting the underground fuel farm to JBPHH.

In May 2021, after a spill from a pipeline in the Red Hill facility, Meyer testified to state lawmakers that the fuel was "captured and fully contained " and that the "containment system in the lower access tunnel worked exactly as intended." But on Nov. 20, 2021, a pipeline associated with the facility's fire suppression system burst when a worker at the facility accidentally hit one of the pipes.

According to the U.S. Pacific Fleet's investigation, those who responded Nov. 20, including Meyer, could smell fuel in the tunnel where it happened, and reasoned on the spot that fuel from the May spill had likely entered the fire suppression system. The tunnel was near the pump room for the Navy's Red Hill water well.

On Nov. 28, as reports began flooding in from residents on the waterline that their water smelled of fuel, Meyer and a team of other military officials fanned out to houses to smell and sample the water in the homes and at the water storage tanks. By evening most of them believed the fuel smell in the drinking water could be coming from the Red Hill well because the calls were coming in from neighborhoods closest to the water source and shut down the well, but nobody told the public.

Spitzer said in an Nov. 29 email to residents as well as on a Facebook post on the base's account that "I can tell you at this point that there are no immediate indications that the water is not safe. My staff and I are drinking the water on base this morning, and many of my team live in housing and drink and use the water as well."

But by that evening the state Department of Health issued a warning not to drink the water. Army officials also began telling residents in Army housing areas that used the Navy waterlines to stop using the water for any reason until more data was available. On Dec. 5 in a post to the JBPHH's Facebook page, Spitzer told residents that "if there was one day I had a chance to do over, it would be that day."

"I regret I did not tell our families not to drink the water. I am deeply remorseful. My apologies to you all, " Spitzer wrote. "I said in my notification that my staff and I were drinking the water. That was not a cover, we were. We truly thought the testing results indicated the water was safe to drink."

The Pacific Fleet's investigation was deeply critical of decisions by Meyer and others in the immediate aftermath. It's still not entirely clear when or whether Meyer discussed the contamination with Spitzer before he sent the Nov. 29 email, or what Spitzer knew at the time.

According to the motion, Meyer previously said that he used text messages as one of his main ways of communication throughout the Red Hill response because "during the times of, I'll call it, the crisis or emergency, yes, that was a way to communicate to a large amount of people." The motion notes that Meyer "captured two pertinent Red Hill text chains via screenshot which he turned over to investigators, but he did not turn over any regarding the drinking water system which he may have texted about."

The attorneys representing the plaintiffs are asking the court to make an "adverse inference" as a result of the lost texts, essentially asking the presiding judge to assume that those text messages would have negatively affected the government's case and the Navy.

___

(c)2023 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Visit The Honolulu Star-Advertiser at www.staradvertiser.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
WASHINGTON  A military medical panel has concluded that one of the five 9/11 defendants held at the Guantanamo Bay naval base has been rendered delusional and psychotic by the torture he underwent years ago while in CIA custody.

The findings heighten uncertainty over whether Ramzi bin al-Shibh, who has long complained he was under attack by invisible rays at Guantanamo, will stand trial. A military judge, Col. Matthew McCall, is expected to rule as soon as Thursday whether al-Shibhs mental issues render him incompetent to take part in the proceedings against him.

Defense lawyers argue that the best hope of al-Shibh, a Yemeni accused of organizing one cell of the Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers, regaining competency to stand trial is a step that some Americans are likely to find distasteful: for him to be provided with post-torture trauma care and no longer subject to solitary confinement.

Al-Shibh's newly disclosed diagnosis  post-traumatic stress disorder with secondary psychotic features  is the latest development to show how the George W. Bush administration's approval of abusive interrogation of alleged al-Qaida attackers is complicating U.S. efforts to try the men more than two decades later.

On Wednesday, al-Shibhs lead attorney, David Bruck, told the courtroom that the diagnosis is creating a moment of truth" and an opportunity for the country to take into account the harm that was done by allowing torture.

On Sept. 6, the White House said President Joe Biden had declined to approve or deny demands presented by defense lawyers in plea negotiations to settle the case. They were seeking guarantees that all five men would get care for the physical and mental damage of their torture, and would be spared solitary confinement going forward.

Biden was unsettled about accepting terms for the plea from those responsible for the deadliest assault on the United States since Pearl Harbor, a White House National Security Council official said. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

Defense and prosecution attorneys had been negotiating a possible deal that would have the defendants plead guilty in exchange for being spared the death penalty. Some family members of 9/11 victims objected to the plea negotiations. Conservatives faulted the Biden administration for allowing the negotiations.

Al-Shibh's mental issues meant he was not included in the plea negotiations. Any future plea negotiations are on hold at least until the military commission gets a new presiding military official next month, lawyers said.

No trial date has been set for the five defendants after more than a decade of proceedings. Logistical challenges and legal questions have slowed the commission at Guantanamo. That includes the question of how much evidence has been rendered inadmissible by torture while they were in CIA custody. The case has had a succession of military judges, with the fourth announcing Wednesday that he will retire in April.

The charges accuse alleged lead conspirator Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and the other four of helping orchestrate the killings of 2,976 people on Sept. 11, 2001. Al-Qaida attackers commandeered commercial aircraft and flew them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and, when passengers thwarted one attack, a field in Pennsylvania

The Associated Press monitored the military commission's hearings in Cuba on Wednesday via a relay provided by the Pentagon.

The five defendants are being prosecuted jointly. Wednesday was the first time in more than a year the men were in the Guantanamo commission room together.

Bruck pointed to what he said was al-Shibh's solitary confinement over four years in detention at CIA black sites, and torture that included his being forced to stand sleepless for as long as three days at a time, naked except for a diaper and doused with cold water in air-conditioned rooms, for the man's lasting belief that guards at Guantanamo were subjecting him to unseen attacks to deprive him of sleep.

Prosecutor Clayton Trivett and the judge acknowledged what they said were the man's persistent demands for an end to the invisible attacks over the years. Bruck estimated that al-Shibh's defense team spent as much as 90% of its time dealing with al-Shibh's mental challenges and trying to show him it was taking his complaints of invisible attacks seriously.

Al-Shibh is currently being held in disciplinary solitary confinement at Guantanamo, after staging a protest in his cell about the invisible attacks, Bruck said. The defense lawyer said the event did not injure others but gave no details.

Prosecutors are fighting a designation of incompetency for the defendant.

While al-Shibh is delusional, he has the capacity to participate with his lawyers and it's really just a choice, Trivett argued.

Trivett said prosecutors would seek to separate him from the case against his four co-defendants if the judge does deem him incompetent.

For al-Shibh ever to improve, defense lawyer Bruck told the court, his PTSD has to be treated. It's not going to get any better until it is.

The Bush administration after 9/11 cited the threat of future attacks in authorizing abusive interrogation by the CIA and military. It instituted a secret CIA detention program for hundreds of suspects, many of whom were later cleared.

The five 9/11 defendants were variously subjected to repeated waterboarding, beatings, violent repeated searches of their rectal cavities, sleep deprivation and other abuse.

A Senate investigation concluded what the administration called enhanced interrogation was ineffective at obtaining information. The CIA had stopped the abusive program by 2007, the investigation found.

A CIA spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the 9/11 defendant's diagnosis.

This June, the first U.N. independent investigator allowed to meet with detainees at Guantanamo said even though the 2001 attacks were crimes against humanity, the treatment of the detainees was unjustified. She noted that most of the more than 700 men brought to Guantanamo over the years were detained without cause and had no role in terror attacks. She said all still suffered from physical and psychological trauma and urged torture rehabilitation.

The Biden administration, which has said it wants to close the Guantanamo facility, said in a statement attached to the report that the United States disagrees in significant respects with many factual and legal assertions but it will carefully review her recommendations.
The opinions expressed in this op-ed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Military.com. If you would like to submit your own commentary, please send your article to opinions@military.com for consideration.

The men and women who willingly put themselves in harm's way by serving in the military do so knowing that they may be severely wounded or even killed. They are all aware. There is a theme in the military that we take care of our own and that no one gets left behind. These are creeds that we live by. If someone falls in battle, you get them out.

This mindset is how we can muster up the courage, tighten our chin strap, and charge into combat knowing we might not come home. And yet, some 50,000 veterans who are medically retired from combat and have less than 20 years of service have been left behind by our country and forced to sacrifice yet again. This time, not in the sense of battle, but in the form of reduced monetary benefits.

Currently, service members who are medically retired with less than 20 years of service are forced to offset their retirement pay with their Department of Veterans Affairs pay. In most cases, VA disability compensation pay is higher than retirement pay, especially if the service member is a lower enlisted rank. This causes a large percentage of combat-wounded veterans to sacrifice their retirement so they can collect their VA pay. The only way they can recoup some of this money is by applying for Combat Related Special Compensation, or CRSC, which allows them to apply a formula that gives them 2.5% of their retirement for each year they served if they have a combat-related VA rating. Only veterans who have 20 years in service and a disability rating of 50% or higher can collect both, known as Concurrent Military Retired Pay.

There are a few issues with the current compensation structure. First and foremost, it is unfair to penalize veterans who were unable to make it to 20 years because of combat. Combat does not care if you are a seasoned 20-year master sergeant or a green first-year private. If your time is up, your time is up. Most combat wounds stemming from America's recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the bulk of service members were wounded, result in terminating their military service because they are unable to continue serving due to injury. So instead, they are retired, either temporarily or permanently.

Similarly, those veterans end up with significant VA ratings for their wounds and injuries, and many of them would likely exceed the 50% disability threshold. If they had made it to 20 years like their buddies, they'd be eligible for both forms of compensation.

Lawmakers are working to remedy this travesty that our combat-wounded face. Both the Senate and Congress have introduced bills under the Major Richard Star Act, which if passed will allow combat retired veterans with less than 20 years to collect both types of compensation. Each bill is supported by overwhelming co-sponsorship, with 326 co-sponsors in the House of Representatives and 70 in the Senate. However, both bills have hit a roadblock because lawmakers must find the estimated $10 billion it would cost to fund the retirement pay for combat-retired veterans for 10 years. In contrast, the Afghanistan and Iraq wars cost $2 trillion. It is unconscionable to say that we as a country can afford to waste trillions in fighting what some Americans would call pointless wars, but we can't find $10 billion to take care of those who were wounded while fighting the wars they volunteered to fight, especially when it would cost less than $1 billion a year to do so.

Major veteran service organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project and Disabled American Veterans and countless others advocate for the passing of the Major Richard Star Act. Politicians have issued press releases to voice their support of the legislation. Numerous veterans' social media groups, like Major Richard Star Act on Facebook, have thousands of followers, veterans and advocates alike, all trying to petition their government to change the law through phone calls, emails and joint efforts like video calls and coordinated posts. Yet, sadly, some of the veterans who would benefit from the passing of this law voice dismay and feel that their service isn't worth enough for lawmakers to do the right thing. Despite those feelings, they show grit and push on and try to the best of their ability to enact change, much like the grit they showed in combat.

These heroes should have been collecting their earned benefits from the first day they were retired from combat. Each month law lawmakers delay in passing the Major Star Act forces our nation's heroes to sacrifice earned benefits. Some of these heroes have been medically retired for decades, and they have already sacrificed beyond what should be expected of them. Congress and the Senate must act immediately because America should always take care of its veterans. Because taking care of its veterans is what America does.

-- Emil Hirsch is a retired Army sergeant who was medically retired after being wounded by an improvised explosive device in Iraq in 2006. He served with the 327th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade (Airborne), in Afghanistan, and the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq.
WASHINGTON  As part of the Armys ongoing efforts to eliminate the stigma associated with seeking mental health support, the Army has approved a policy empowering soldiers to request a mental health evaluation through a commander or supervisor in accordance with the Brandon Act. The Armys new Brandon Act policy will allow soldiers to confidentially seek help through their leaders in the rank of staff sergeant or above, and it will charge leaders to connect soldiers quickly and confidentially with resources.

Named after Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandon Caserta, who died by suicide in 2018, the Brandon Act aims to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health care and provide an additional avenue for support. The act allows soldiers to initiate a self-referred, command-facilitated mental health evaluation for any reason, at any time and in any environment.

I call on leaders to continue making it clear that taking care of your mental health and your family is encouraged, Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth said. We must constantly look for additional ways to connect our Soldiers with the necessary resources for their well-being, and the Armys new policy to implement the Brandon Act gives Soldiers another tool to seek help while honoring the legacy of Petty Officer Caserta.

Soldiers will not be required to provide a reason or basis to request and receive a referral. Mental health providers will conduct the mental health evaluations as soon as possible and will provide necessary clinical care.

This policy applies to soldiers in the regular Army, the Army National Guard and the Army Reserve who are on active duty for over 30 days. Guidance for Army National Guard and Army Reserve Soldiers not on active duty for more than 30 days is currently under development. Soldiers will continue to have the option to contact a mental health care provider directly, without the involvement of their leadership.

Petty Office Casertas parents, Patrick and Teri Caserta, have been a driving force in implementing the Brandon Act across the military services.

We did not want our son to die in vain, said Patrick Caserta, a retired Navy senior chief combat veteran. We are in the lifesaving business, and we will remain in this business the rest of our lives. We thank the Secretary of the Army and her staff for implementing this policy.

Additional mental health resources include the 988 Veterans Crisis Line, Military OneSource nonmedical counseling, and the 24/7 Psychological Health Resource Center. For more information, visit Health.mil. Soldier patient rights and confidentiality of health information will be protected in accordance with Public Law 104-191, applicable privacy laws, and Department of Defense privacy regulations. Soldiers to initiate a self-referred, command-facilitated mental health evaluation for any reason, at any time and in any environment.
Between 1983 and 1994, almost everyone knew that the one place to go for free, top-tier painting lessons was PBS' "The Joy of Painting." Hosted by beloved Air Force veteran Bob Ross, the show was more than just tips and tricks: Ross completed an entire landscape painting during each half-hour show.

That means after 403 episodes, there are at least 403 Bob Ross originals out there (more on that in a second). But some lucky art lover, pop-culture fan or ironic hipster is about to pick up the very first painting from the show -- just as long as they have the $9.85 million to pay for it.

"A Walk in the Woods," painted on air by Bob Ross in 1983. (Modern Artifact)

The very first painting completed on-air in 1983 was called "A Walk in the Woods," and was put on auction that year as a fundraising effort for the PBS station in Falls Church, Virginia. A volunteer at the station purchased the first Bob Ross original and kept it until 2023, when it was acquired by Modern Artifact, a gallery based in Minneapolis.

Ross spent 20 years in the Air Force, but fell in love with painting early on while stationed at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The painting instructors at the USO classes would never teach him exactly how to paint things, so he turned to the one place so many of his fans would turn: TV. He learned a wet-on-wet technique from "The Magic of Oil Painting" on PBS that allowed him to create beautifully vivid paintings in 30 minutes.

Ross painted as a side gig to supplement his Air Force pay, focused on the landscapes of Alaska, a preference that would continue through the rest of his life. Eventually he started making more money from his paintings than his career, so he retired as a master sergeant in 1981 and moved to Florida, where he connected with Bill Alexander, host of "The Magic of Oil Painting."

MSgt. Bob Ross, first sergeant of the USAF Clinic, puts the finishing touch on one of three Alaskan nature scenes he painted during a recent art demonstration for the employees and retired residents of the Fairbanks, Alaska Pioneers Home. Following the demonstration, Sergeant Ross donated the paintings to the retirement home. Watching Sergeant Ross are (foreground) Liberty Pease, and employee Lola Hodges. (U.S. Air Force/Senior Airman Dan Saylor)

Ross started his career as a salesman and art teacher with Alexander's company, but would soon outshine his painting mentor. He filmed an art class as a pilot for PBS, started his own company, and by 1983, "The Joy of Painting" had supplanted "The Magic of Oil Painting" on PBS.

Ross actually painted three paintings per episode, meaning there are more than 1,200 pieces of his work in existence. He created the first before a taping to use as a guide for his second painting, which was made on-air. He then created a third, more detailed version to include in his books, which were basically his show in book form.

Those are just the ones he made on the show. Ross claimed he made more than 30,000 in his lifetime. When he died in 1995 at the age of 52, of complications from lymphoma brought on by a lifetime of smoking, demand for his paintings were at a fever pitch. Despite his prolific work, they were impossible to buy.

Ross' paintings were mostly kept by Bob Ross Inc. at a warehouse in Herndon, Virginia. Some were donated to the Smithsonian and others were donated to PBS stations around the country. It was a donation to one of those stations that is making a Bob Ross original available to the public.

Bob Ross Inc. has verified that the painting was done by Ross himself, making it a rare piece available to any buyer. His other paintings are just not for sale at any price. So if you're looking to own both a work of art and a piece of history and happen to have $9.85 million lying around, check out the Modern Artifact gallery.

-- 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.
Country music fans, there is still time to get last-minute tickets to the Outlaw Music Festival Friday, Sept. 22 at Pine Knob.

Get tickets to experience the music of Willie Nelson, Bob Weir and Wolf Bros., and a host of others in Clarkston this weekend.

Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster still have last-minute tickets to the tour stop at the Pine Knob Music Theatre.

Tickets range from $36 to $351. Ticket prices will fluctuate. Act now, tickets are selling fast.

Nelson, who turned 90 in April, is set to play Farm Aid -- the annual benefit concert he helped found in 1985 -- this weekend in Indiana.

Tickets for the Sept. 23 Farm Aid show are available for as low as $85.

Since 2016, Outlaw Music Festival has served as a space for country and folk fans to gather and enjoy great music. Founded by Willie Nelson, Outlaw Music Festival was a one-time event before eventually transitioning to its current annual touring festival. The 2023 Outlaw tour continues the celebration of Willie Nelsons legendary music career.

The festival kicked off in June in Wisconsin and concludes in October in Pelham Alabama for the largest-ever Outlaw tour to date.

Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster have last-minute tickets to experience the sounds of country music legends and more at the Pine Knob Music Theatre.

Clarkston - Fri Sept. 22, 5:55pm, Outlaw Music Festival - Willie Nelson, Bob Weir And Wolf Bros, Pine Knob Music Theatre, Clarkston, MI

Stubhub

Vivid Seats

SeatGeek

Ticketmaster
DETROIT AND GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Get ready to see 12,000-pound machines race a speeds up to 70-miles per hour and do backflips and wheelies. Thats just a taste of what these monster truck drivers can do at Monster Jam, which returns to Michigan in 2024 for seven events.

Monster Jam will first be at Ford Field in downtown Detroit on Saturday, February 24 (Event time: 5pm, Party in the Pit: 12:30pm) and on Sunday, February 25 (Event time: 3pm, Party in the Pit: 11:30am).

The event comes to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Friday, March 22 (Event time: 7pm), Saturday, March 23 (Event times: 1pm and 7pm, Party in the Pit: 10:30am), Sunday, March 23 (Event times: 1pm and 6:30pm, Party in the Pit: 10:30am)

Tickets for Ford Field can be purchased here for Saturday and here on Sunday. Tickets for Van Andel Arena can be purchased here for Friday, here for Saturday at 1pm, here for Saturday at 7pm, here for Sunday at 1pm and here for Sunday at 6:30pm.

Some of the monster trucks youll see are Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Scooby-Doo, Megalodon and Just Get-Er-Done. Each show features a Pit Party where fans can see the huge trucks up-close, meet the drivers and crews and take pictures and autographs.

MORE FROM MLIVE:

Michigan wine bar named one of the 24 best new restaurants in the entire U.S.

See the tallest skyscrapers in the world made from LEGO all in one place in Michigan

Michigan forest being transformed immersive Halloween haunt with CarnEvil theme

Swanky new Michigan hotel has year-round rooftop bar with dazzling skyscraper views
A Headland man has been arrested in connection with the break-in and theft of property from Enterprise High School.

Michael Sebastian Crites, 28, was arrested last Sunday by Enterprise Police, according to EPD Public Information Officer Capt. Billy Haglund.

Haglund said that police recovered property Crites is accused of stealing from Enterprise High School.

Crites is charged with unlawful breaking and entering and two counts of unlawful breaking and entering a motor vehicle, third-degree burglary, second-degree theft of property, and first-degree theft of property. Cripes was transported to the Dale County Jail after his arrest, Haglund said.

"We would like to thank the Dale County Sheriffs Office, Ozark Police Department, Houston County Sheriffs Office, and Newton Police Department for their assistance with this investigation," Haglund said.
YPSILANTI, MI - Ypsilanti city leaders have voted to urge state lawmakers to roll back Michigans longstanding ban on rent control after hearing from a slew of tenants in the area who said housing costs eat up sizeable chunks of their income and could force them from their homes.

The Ypsilanti City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Sept. 19 to pass a resolution sending a message to the citys representatives in Lansing that rent control, where the government limits how much landlords can charge for rent, is a tool that can be used to protect tenants wellbeing and ensure adequate affordable housing for city residents.

A $100 increase in median rent is associated with a corresponding 9% jump in homelessness, said City Council Member Desirae Simmons, who introduced the measure, citing federal research and data from the Washtenaw Housing Alliance.

Read more: We need a systemic solution: High housing costs no longer just an Ann Arbor problem

The county has seen that kind of jump in the past year alone, and rising rents are clearly tied to other social problems, Simmons said.

Increasing housing costs have led some renters to postpone medical appointments and defer care at a time when the costs of basic necessities like groceries also are on the rise, tenants told city leaders on Tuesday.

Every year our rent goes up, and every year our landlord says rising market rate is the reason. It seems to me the market rate is the amount landlords collectively decide they can upcharge us before wed rather be homeless than pay. And we as renters are extorted into paying it, Ypsilanti renter Jaime Fitzgerald said during the Tuesday meeting.

The tenant pointed to laws preventing price-gouging during natural disasters, saying todays economic conditions presented a similar challenge to residents.

Its a criminal offense to charge $45 for a case of water after a hurricane, yet median rent prices in our county have risen nearly 10% in three years in a time of economic crisis and we do nothing, Fitzgerald said.

Rent might be top of mind for a majority of city residents. Based on 2020 Census data, two-thirds of its population are renters or tenants, according to the Ypsilanti resolution.

Nearly a third of city residents live in poverty, and more than half are cost-burdened when it comes to housing, the resolutions states, citing rental data. Residents have reported monthly rent hikes of up to $200, it states.

Many renters who addressed city leaders said they were part of the McKinley Tenants Association, a group of organized renters of the major landlord in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti areas.

Were speaking together because our current living conditions are frankly unacceptable, said Justin Yuan, a renter with association. Yuan called on officials to tighten up health and safety enforcement, eliminate the practice of landlords charging nonrefundable fees and support the repeal of the states rent control ban.

The tenants association made similar pleas to Ann Arbor leaders in August. McKinley company officials then defended the firm, saying it was responsive to concerns and provided thousands of units of first-class, workforce housing affordable to many low- and moderate-income residents in Washtenaw County.

Ypsilanti officials, including Mayor Nicole Brown, said Tuesday there were no McKinley properties within city limits, but that Ypsilanti would take down information from renters and forward it to the township jurisdictions in charge of those areas.

Brown added on Tuesday she had spent the day in Lansing and discussed rent control legislation with state Rep. Carrie Rheingans, D-Ann Arbor, who along with other Democrats has recently introduced a House bill that would repeal the state law limiting local governments from pursuing rent control policies.

Read more: Tenants say rent is too high. Michigan lawmakers say they have solutions.

The ban dates back to 1988, enacted after a handful of cities, including Detroit, moved to limit rents. Getting rid of it is also on the policy agenda of Ann Arbor city leaders.

Rolling back the ban could give cities a tool to address housing costs, said Simmons, who as a homeowner said her monthly payments were at $850, a far cry from the cost burden many renters face.

The city should listen to tenants from across the area, as many people move in and out of city limits, Simmons said. They are lots of times shuffling from one bad situation to another.

City Council approved the resolution 6-0, with Council Member Jennifer Symanns absent. The resolution will be forwarded to Ypsilantis delegation of state House and Senate representatives.

Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter.

More from The Ann Arbor News:

Washtenaw County cities look beyond $500K Aston Martin homes amid affordability woes

Ypsilanti-area garage fire being investigated as arson

Mouse droppings, flies on food: Eastern Michigan Dining dinged in 13 health inspections

What does an Ann Arbor garage apartment look like? Heres a tour inside 2
ANN ARBOR, MI  Ann Arbor is once again rethinking its downtown zoning.

As officials aim for more housing and greater density, the next change to the regulations may be getting rid of floor-area limits and letting developers automatically build up to height limits without needing to unlock bonus floor-area premiums.

With that, the city would be saying to developers, Bigger is better, we want density, and were going to make it much easier for you to do that, City Planner Alexis DiLeo said.

The citys Planning Commission voted 7-0 Tuesday night, Sept. 19, to endorse a set of staff-recommended changes that would move the downtown zoning in that direction.

They now await City Council approval.

Vic Village South, a 13-story building with apartments expected to cater to University of Michigan students, at the corner of South University Ave. and East University Ave. near the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.comStaff Photographer

The changes dont revise height limits that generally range from 60 to 180 feet in D1 and D2 zones, but they would no longer make developers tap into premiums and provide certain features in order to build up to those heights.

Developers still could get a 30% height increase for sustainable and affordable housing and go above the height limits  an incentive offered for development anywhere in the city, officials said. However, thats technically classified as an exception to height, not a premium.

Ben Carlisle, a consultant with Carlisle Wortman Associates, gave commissioners an overview of the proposed changes Tuesday, saying existing downtown premiums put in place in recent years are not advancing city goals and are potentially stifling development. Carlisle and colleague Megan Masson-Minock also explained the changes in a memo.

The changes would make it easier for developers to reach maximum heights, since they would no longer need to navigate the citys premium process, the consultants said. They predict it would result in an increase in development proposals with more residential units than what the city has seen in the last couple years, going back to facilitating a rate of construction similar to what the city saw from 2014 to 2021.

Building massing and setback standards wont change, so new buildings would take on familiar forms, Carlisle said.

The Standard, a new 10-story high-rise at the corner of Main and William streets in downtown Ann Arbor, on May 3, 2023. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The consultants predict simplifying the process could lead to a greater diversity of developers doing projects downtown, as many may not have the experience or financial backing to provide the amenities required with the citys existing premiums or want to risk going through a longer approval process.

Two commissioners  Lisa Sauve and Wonwoo Lee  recused themselves from Tuesdays vote due to potential conflicts of interest. Sauve, an architect, disclosed shes involved in a project proposed downtown, while Lee said his employer, real estate firm Oxford Companies, owns property downtown.

As a followup to the changes headed to council, DiLeo suggested other next steps.

To continue to remove barriers to increased density, including downtown, the planning department recommends further evaluating height limits to allow exceptions for architectural and mechanical features such as parapet walls, elevator overruns, HVAC equipment and solar panels. That should be considered as soon as possible to coincide with or immediately follow the other proposed changes, DiLeo said.

Lisa Disch, City Councils liaison to the Planning Commission, said downtown developments have been maxing out height, but not floor area, which suggests more height is desired. While some developers suggest the city should allow even taller buildings, city leaders have yet to propose increasing the caps established by City Council in 2009.

Most of the downtown housing the city has been getting over the years is either high-end condos in mid-rise buildings on the edge of downtown or expensive student apartment high-rises, Carlisle noted. The current market does not support building more attainable, high-density housing for residents, he said, citing a goal of increasing affordability of housing downtown.

Thats something city leaders are grappling with as prices soar, with downtown high-rise studio rents topping $2,400.

To read more about the high cost of living in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, click here.

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:

Hippies to high-rises: How Ann Arbor went from funky college town to $1M condos

What does an Ann Arbor garage apartment look like? Heres a tour inside 2

More neighbors in Ann Arbor neighborhoods can help with housing crisis, mayor says

Leave our neighborhood alone. Ann Arbor rezoning irks some residents

Washtenaw County cities look beyond $500K Aston Martin homes amid affordability woes
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Police are investigating a break-in at a Washtenaw County school where a man stayed overnight.

Staff at Washtenaw International High School, 105 N. Mansfield in Ypsilanti Township, called the police after they realized on Monday, Sept. 18, the school had been broken into over the weekend, said Derrick Jackson, spokesperson for the Washtenaw County Sheriffs Office.

Investigation revealed an unknown man entered the school on Friday, Sept. 15, and stayed until late Saturday, Sept. 16. The man also took several undisclosed items and left the area on foot, police said.

Staff were not aware of the break in until Monday morning, police said.

Officials from Washtenaw International High School did not respond to a request for comment.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Washtenaw County Sheriff Deputy Austin Pearson at pearsona@washtenaw.org.

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.

Read more from The Ann Arbor News:

Ypsilanti-area garage fire being investigated as arson

Man arrested for spitting in employees face at Ann Arbor restaurant

1 injured in crash into Ann Arbor backyard
SALINE, MI -- After a 30-minute public comment and roughly two hours of discussion, Saline City Council passed a resolution to merge its emergency dispatch system with Washtenaw Countys system.

Saline City Council voted 6-1 on Monday, Sept. 18, to approve a resolution merging the citys emergency dispatch system with Metro Dispatch, the countys dispatch system.

The one dissenting vote came from Councilmember Jim DellOrco.

The resolution did not include language to create a Community Relations Specialist role, which would ensure staffing for works like gun registration, sex offender registration and other community needs. The creation of the new role will come before council later, Mayor Brian Marl said in the council meeting.

The decision disbands the citys private dispatch system, putting it on the same channel as neighboring communities.

Speakers at the meetings public comment expressed concern over response times and the loss of the dispatching jobs.

The citys four dispatchers have been welcomed to apply for a position with Metro Dispatch, Radzik said at the meeting. Emergency calls made from cell phones are already routed through the countys system, so the change only impacts residents calling from landlines, Radzik previously said.

Read more: Saline emergency dispatch may merge with county system

Salines dispatch only handles call for police, not medical response or the fire department, said City Manager Colleen OToole during the meeting.

Marl said he understands residents may be disappointed by the councils decision but that it must be overcome by a unity of purpose.

Our local dispatch service is something special and it is something unique, but is indeed correct that times change and municipal services have to evolve, Marl said.

Radzik said she looks forward to working with Metro Dispatch.

From a human aspect this was a difficult decision, she said in an email to MLive/The Ann Arbor News. We appreciate our dispatchers, and they do a wonderful job, however from a financial standpoint and operational perspective, being mindful of public safety, moving to Metro-Dispatch is the right choice.

The transition to Metro Dispatch is earmarked for April 2024, according to a budget adopted by the council May. The resolution approved the contract for 15 months.

Read more from The Ann Arbor News:

Fire at Ann Arbor apartment complex prompts evacuation

Ypsilanti-area garage fire being investigated as arson

Home invasion victim uses Find My iPhone app to track down stolen laptop
LAPEER, MI - GST Michigan Works! in Lapeer is hosting a Resource Fair Block Party this afternoon.

The event is from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Lapeer Michigan Works! facility, located at 550 Lake Drive.

This will be a one-stop-shop for folks in the community who would like to learn about the wide variety of complimentary services available to assist them.

There will be approximately 28 different agencies and companies represented. Click the link here to view a few highlighted partners: https://gstmiworks.org/events/lapeerblockparty/

Bell Bottom Grill, a concession trailer serving all-American food such as burgers, hot dogs, and fries, will also be on site during the event.

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:

Take a look at the new Rage Room in this Michigan city

Ms. Senior Michigan to represent Flint on national stage

The Holly Hotel halts reconstruction over property lawsuit

Michigans Best Local Eats: Ziggys Ice Cream serves up cool treats in Grand Blanc, Holly

Michigans Best Local Eats: Soul food kitchen offers dishes made with love
FLINT, MI -- State prosecutors say they want the public to see grand jury evidence that led to criminal charges related to the Flint water crisis even if dismissed criminal cases cant be revived.

Hours after the Michigan Supreme Court brushed aside their request to take up the dismissal of seven felony cases tied to the water crisis, prosecutors in the office of Attorney General Dana Nessel said state and Flint residents deserve to know the truth about the basis for the criminal charges against some of the top aides to former Gov. Rick Snyder.

Outside of the one-man grand jury, no court has ever ruled on the merits of these cases and evidence has not been made available to the public, the prosecutors said in a statement issued Wednesday, Sept. 20. Furthermore, the evidence supporting the felony charges remains sealed and the statutes involved make it a misdemeanor to release any of the information presented to the one-person grand jury ... Failure to follow this law would result in misdemeanors for anyone responsible for releasing this material.

The Flint water prosecution team will be exploring this matter with the Legislature, prosecutorial partners, and others to take the necessary action to allow for the evidence to be shared with the public and the people of Flint, who most deserve to know the truth. It is imperative that our team be empowered to release all of the reports, testimony, opinions, and documents that supported the prosecution of these defendants.

The Supreme Courts ruling on Wednesday denied a request from water prosecutors to consider whether dismissed criminal charges against former state employees and Flint emergency managers could be revived after the charges against them were dismissed in Genesee Circuit Court a year ago.

Circuit Judge Elizabeth Kelly issued the order granting dismissal of the seven felony cases, saying the indictments issued against the officials were invalid.

The ruling wiped out criminal charges against Nick Lyon, former director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; former Gov. Rick Snyders former senior adviser Richard Baird; former Flint emergency managers Gerald Ambrose and Darnell Earley; Dr. Eden Wells, the former chief medical executive for MDHHS; Jarrod Agen, former director of communications and former chief of staff for Snyder; and Nancy Peeler, who served as the Early Childhood Health Section manager at MDHHS.

Snyder and former Flint Department of Public Works Director Howard Croft, each of whom were charged with misdemeanors for their alleged roles in the water crisis, later had their criminal charges dismissed as well.

The dismissals came after the state Supreme Court ruled in June 2022 that a one-man grand jury like the one used to indict Snyder and the eight other defendants didnt have the authority to do so and said those charged with alleged crimes were entitled to preliminary exams that they did not initially receive.

The prosecutors use of a one-man grand jury to indict the officials was unusual and was immediately challenged before any evidence was presented in any of the criminal cases.

Water prosecutors appealed those dismissals but both the Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court have now declined to take up the issue, resulting in none of the evidence in the cases ever having been considered by a judge or jury.

Prosecutors said in a news release Wednesday that they were deeply disappointed by the Supreme Courts ruling Wednesday and maintained that the water crisis resulted from the direct actions of a small group of people in power who chose financial savings for the state over the health of Flint residents, and then conspired to hide the truth from the public.

Tens of thousands of Flint residents were exposed to elevated levels of lead and bacteria in their water during the citys water crisis.

State-appointed emergency managers made a series of decisions, leading to a switch in Flints water source in April 2014. Researchers have said the decision to use the Flint River for the citys drinking water for 17 months caused lead to leach from lead service lines and lead solder in home plumbing, unnecessarily exposing residents to lead poisoning.

The criminal charges were tied to elevated levels of lead in Flint water and a spike in Legionnaires disease in the Flint area while the city used the river for drinking water. The nine individuals charged with crimes tied to the water crisis primarily worked in state agencies responsible for oversight of public health and public drinking water systems.

The Michigan Civil Rights Commission in 2017 concluded that the water switch was the result of systematic racism as state officials brushed off citizen complaints about the color and odor of their tap water -- something that would not have occurred in a predominantly wealthy, white community. Nearly 57% of Flint residents are Black and more than one-third live in poverty.

In a statement released by the water prosecutors on Wednesday, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said the Supreme Courts decision not to take up the criminal case dismissals means those individuals will not be held accountable for their alleged crimes.

The Michigan Supreme Court owed it to the people of Flint to let this case be heard, Neeleys statement says. Through legal maneuvering, the people of Flint have been denied the opportunity to even bring evidence into a courtroom, layering on another injustice perpetrated against Flint residents. As we attempt to rebuild trust in government in the aftermath of the Flint water crisis, this decision further erodes that sacred trust in a representative governments ability to serve the people through appropriate checks and balances.

Water prosecutors described the misdemeanor charges against Snyder and Croft as still pending although they were dismissed by lower courts and said attorneys are reviewing the statutes and considering next steps on the felony charges.

They have said previously that the Supreme Court would ultimately decide the fate of those cases.

We understand that our work is not done, and the criminal justice system alone cannot remedy all the suffering that every victim endured, the water prosecutors statement says. Despite todays outcome, we take seriously our continued role in restoring trust and transparency in government.

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:

Michigan Supreme Court ruling may be final chapter in Flint water criminal prosecutions

Michigan Supreme Court appears last chance for Flint water prosecutors

Flint water crisis charges dismissed against seven former officials

Genesee County Road Commission rescinds appointment, to conduct search for permanent director
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Nothing beats spending a crisp fall afternoon at a Michigan apple orchard with a freshly-made donut in one hand and a cup of apple cider in the other.

Luckily, the Grand Rapids area is full of local orchards, cider mills and farms that serve up delicious seasonal apple, cinnamon and pumpkin donuts, so youll always have a place to satisfy your autumn sweet tooth cravings this fall.

Below is a list of 10 great places to get a fall donut in the Grand Rapids area, in no particular order. On Thursday, Sept. 21, MLive/The Grand Rapids Press will give readers an opportunity to vote for their top choice on the list.

Note: We know this list is not exhaustive and there are plenty of other delicious fall donuts in the city. You can let us know what other great, local spots were missing by emailing mfrick@mlive.com.

1. Robinettes Apple Haus & Winery

Perhaps the most iconic West Michigan apple orchard, Robinettes has been a local fall staple for over 100 years. Its 125 acres of orchards boasts fresh, seasonal fruits including apricots, cherries, peaches, nectarines, blackberries and 35 varieties of apples.

Located just off the East Beltline in Grand Rapids Township, Robinettes Apple Haus and Winery has tons of outdoor activities including U-Pick apples, hayrides, a corn maze, nature trail, petting zoo, wine tasting and more.

The Robinettes bakery has been serving up fresh donuts since 1972. Their most popular donuts are the cinnamon sugar donuts, available year-round, and the pumpkin spice donuts, only available from Labor Day to Thanksgiving. Be sure to pair it with a jug of freshly pressed cider for a delicious fall treat.

Robinettes is located at 3142 4 Mile Road NE. The bakery is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, and the donut line may close by 5:15 p.m. You can reach the bakery by calling 616-361-5567. For more information, visit the Robinettes website.

2. Schwalliers Country Basket

This West Michigan family-owned farm has been around since 1989, expanding from its humble beginnings as a roadside produce stand into a thriving farm market complete with a corn maze, petting farm, pumpkin patch, and other attractions, its website says.

Schwalliers Country Basket, in Sparta, has delicious homemade donuts including old-fashioned, apple cinnamon, and pumpkin spice, which you can order plain, glazed, or topped with icing and sprinkles. You can even order a batch online, ensuring youll be able to skip the long lines on busy days.

Schwalliers is located at 1185 9 Mile Road NW in Sparta. Its open seasonally from August to October, and its hours are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can contact the farm by calling 616-785-9896 or visiting its website, schwalliers.com.

3. Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm Market

The Ed Dunneback & Girls Farm Market was founded by Edwin Dunneback in 1922 and is still run by the family four generations later. The farm offers U-Pick asparagus, strawberries, sweet & tart cherries, apples and pumpkins, as well as a fresh produce market, gift shop, bakery, kitchen and tap room.

Adult visitors will love the farms selection of hard ciders, wines and beers  including its famous Honeycrisp ale  to pair with their yummy donuts.

The farm is located at 3025 6 Mile Road. Its open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

You can reach the farm by calling 616-784-0058 or visiting its website, dunnebackgirls.com. Check its Facebook page for regular updates on its seasonal activities including its Fall Fun Land and corn maze.

4. Post Family Farm

Post Family Farm is an 80-acre farm that was purchased by Bill and Etta Post in 1969 and now raises about 15 acres of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. The farm offers U-Pick pumpkins, hayrides, bonfires, a corn maze, and its delicious homemade pumpkin donuts.

The farms melt-in-your-mouth donut delicacies are made with a slightly crunch exterior that will leave you wanting more, according to the farms website. The pumpkin donuts, which can be served with pumpkin icing or cinnamon sugar, are only available Labor Day through Thanksgiving, while the homemade Classic Cake and Cherry Donuts are only available in the spring.

Post Family Farm is located at 5081 Bauer Road in Hudsonville. The farms fall donut hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. You can reach the farm by calling 616-669-1964 or visit the farms website for more information, postfamilyfarm.com.

5. Klein Cider Mill & Market

Klein Cider Mill and Market is a family-run market and cider mill that offers gorgeous views overlooking the Ridge, a prime fruit-growing stretch of gently rolling slopes with acres of orchards and farmland in Sparta.

This cider mill keeps it simple, offering a limited selection of ciders and donuts that have been family recipes for years. Theyre known for their hot Pear Apple Cider that is spiced and pears great with their cinnamon sugar donuts.

Klein Cider Mill and Market is located at 2151 10 Mile Road NW in Sparta, and its open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. For updates on its cider offerings, visit the Klein Cider Mill and Market LLC Facebook page, linked here.

6. Grandview Orchard

This family-owned orchard in Hudsonville is open seasonally and offers freshly picked apples, ciders, and donuts.

Grandview Orchard offers fresh apple donuts, served glazed or sugared, that are sold out of an adorable outdoor donut truck. For orders of three dozen or more, the orchard asks customers to call or text 616-581-7891. The orchard also sells bags of apples including varieties like Honey Crisp, Gala, McIntosh, and more.

The orchard is located at 1118 Riley St. in Hudsonville. Its open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. Its closed on Sundays. The orchard posts regular updates on the Grandview Orchard Facebook page, linked here.

7. Heidis Farmstand and Bakery

Heidis Farmstand and Bakery is a family operation established in 2006 with over 30 acres of vegetables and fruit orchards. The farm has a bakery serving up donuts and breads, fresh produce, and a giant corn maze for fun fall activities.

In addition to its delicious seasonal pumpkin donuts in the fall, the bakery also serves a variety of chocolate, cinnamon sugar, maple, and vanilla donuts, just to name a few. They also offer seasonal pies including apple and pumpkin pies, as fruits are in season.

Heidis Farmstand and Bakery is located at 11999 Cascade Road SE in Lowell. Its open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. You can reach the farm by calling 616-897-6707 or find more information on its website, heidisfarmstand.com.

8. Fruit Ridge Hayrides

Fruit Ridge is a 130-year-old fruit farm in Kent City that offers fun fall activities including horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin and apple picking, a giant corn maze, petting zoo and more.

The farms Little Barn Bakery serves up hot, fresh apple spice donuts that are homemade daily, and pair great with their hot spiced cider.

Located 20 minutes outside of Grand Rapids, Fruit Ridge Hayrides is located at 11966 Fruit Ridge NW in Kent City. The farms website is fruitridgehayrides.com and its Facebook page can be found here.

The farms activities, market and U-Pick services are open to the public Sept. 23 through Oct. 29. The hours are 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays in October only, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

9. Nelsons Farm Market

Nelsons Farm Market is a family owned farm and retail market that grows and sells a variety of fruits and vegetables in Grant.

The farms bakery serves up a variety of homemade baked goods including donuts, Long Johns, apple fritters, turnovers, pies and more. They also sell yummy caramel apples and fresh apple cider.

Nelsons Farm Market is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. It is located at 469 W. 112th St. in Grant. You can find more information on the farms website, nelsonsfarmmarket.com, or call the farm at 231-834-8441.

10. The Orchards at Red Barn Market

The Orchards at Red Barn Market is a fifth-generation centennial farm and apple orchard that serves up fresh donuts and cider in addition to U-Pick apples and locally produced products like beef, raw honey, maple syrup, and cheese.

Located on the southeast corner of Murray Lake in Lowell, the farm and market also has fun fall activities including a corn maze, petting farm, yard games, apple orchard, pumpkin field and more.

The Red Barn Market is located at 3550 Alden Nash Ave. in Lowell. The market is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Check the farms website or Facebook page for more information, or call 616-987-3182.

More on MLive:

11 Michigan schools earn 2023 National Blue Ribbon recognition

4 things to know about large Grand Rapids housing, retail project

5 great cafes for fall-themed drinks in the Muskegon area
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A non-profit organization that funds and supports agencies that work with preschool children has closed after its founder took hundreds of thousands of dollars, the organization said.

Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, or ELNC, which works with agencies in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, filed a lawsuit last week against founder and former CEO Nkechy Ekere Ezeh and its former bookkeeper, Sharon Killebrew.

The Board of Directors has since discovered hundreds of thousands of additional funds missing, with some money transferred to a business in the state of Georgia with ties to Nigeria, an attorney said.

We understand and share the anger of ELNC employees, who have been betrayed by Nkechy Ezeh and Sharon Killebrew, ELNC Board of Directors Chair Amy DeLeeuw said Wednesday, Sept. 20, in a statement.

The Board has worked for months to try and salvage operations, but the fraud runs too deep for the organization to recover. We had no other choice but to close the doors.

ELNC is an initiative that worked to change the reality of underserved children by designing and implementing a preschool service system aimed at providing high quality early care and education programs in vulnerable neighborhoods.

DLeeuw said Ezeh and Killebrew masterminded an elaborate accounting scheme using a web of interrelated organizations to hide their financial misdeeds from the Board, employees and funders.

Brian Lennon, attorney for ELNC, said, The reckless and selfish actions of Nkechy, former director of finance Sharon Killebrew and others have left us with significant debt, forcing us to make the extremely painful decision to close our doors. It is incomprehensible how anyone who claims to be committed to helping children and families could commit such brazen fraud.

Their greed means 30 dedicated team members are now out of a job. ... Their greed has jeopardized programing for children and families in West Michigan who depend on the early care and education programs ELNC funds.

The statement said ELNC hoped that its education partners would be able to find funding for critical programs.

The ELNC said it is committed to doing everything in our power to seek restitution of the funds Nkechy and Sharon have stolen ... .

ELNC said Ezeh approved exorbitant payments to Killebrew, who received nearly $1 million over a six-year period.

Ezeh left Aquinas College in May where she had worked 25 years as associate professor of education, a spokesperson said. Her departure had been planned for some time.

The lawsuit said Ezeh took money for herself, family and friends.

The lawsuit, filed in Kent County Circuit Court, accused Ezeh and Killebrew of embezzlement, fraud and civil conspiracy. Ezeh is also accused of breach of fiduciary duty.

Messages seeking comment were left with Ezeh and Killebrew.

The agency had about $17 million in total income in 2021, with about 80 percent coming from foundations and the rest from public funding, individuals and businesses. Among those helping fund ELNC are W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Stryker Johnston Foundation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Department of Education.

ELNC has accomplished tremendous things in Grand Rapids and elsewhere, advocating on behalf of partner organizations rooted in historically underserved communities for many years, Lennon wrote in the lawsuit.

Ezeh founded ELNC in 2010 and served as chief executive officer.

Less than two years ago, Ezeh and others celebrated a $12.4 million grant from the Stryker Johnston Foundation to expand early-learning programs to Kalamazoos most vulnerable communities.

In partnership with community-based programs in Kalamazoo, ELNC worked to increase access to free, quality early childhood opportunities for vulnerable children, aged birth to 3 years old, with a heavy emphasis placed on the North and Edison neighborhoods.

The neighborhoods had higher poverty rates than other areas of the city.

The lawsuit said the ELNC board began investigating after complaints from a whistleblower.

The investigation showed that Ezeh had used a web of interrelated organizations to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars to herself, as well as to her family and friends  money that should have been used to support at-risk youth, the lawsuit said.

DeLeeuw, the board chair, said: When the executive leadership of an organization conspires together to defraud an organization, the standard checks and balances and financial policies are a moot point. The founder and CEO of an organization should safeguard its finances, not divert them for her own use and that of her family. The person who could have stopped the fraud  the director of finance  was actually the person who enabled it.

Read more:

10 great orchards and farms to get a delicious fall donut in Grand Rapids

Battle Creek woman, 30, dies after being struck by vehicle

4 things to know about large Grand Rapids housing, retail project
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A Howard City man was sentenced Wednesday, Sept. 20, to one year on probation and fined $4,000 for his part in a scheme to evade emission controls on heavy-duty diesel engines.

Glenn Hoezee, 56, was the first of 11 men and three companies to be sentenced in what U.S. Attorney Mark Totten has called one of the largest (investigations) of its kind ever charged in the United States.

The defendants are accused of violating the federal Clean Air Act, which regulates sources of mobile pollution. Removing emissions controls can increase output of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

Related: Trucking companies, owners admit tampering with diesel-engine emissions

Federal prosecutors said the defendants removed or altered pollution control components and disabled monitoring devices intended to ensure limited emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines. On-board diagnostic systems were reprogrammed as part of the scheme.

The result was and is the release of toxic or hazardous pollutants into the air on the order of multiple kilotons, Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Presant wrote in a sentencing memorandum.

Related: Man first to plead guilty in major diesel-engine emissions tampering case

The companies that performed the deletions earned thousands for every truck, while the operator avoided maintenance costs and downtime while getting better gas mileage, he said.

Hoezee was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Paul Maloney in Kalamazoo.

Related: Service manager admits role in diesel-engine emissions tampering case

The government asked that Hoezees extensive cooperation in the investigation be considered at sentencing.

Defense attorney Sean Tilton said Hoezee, a certified master mechanic, had never been arrested before. He is a married father of three adult children. He was described in letters as a caring father, involved community member, and always willing to help others.

He said that Hoezee did not benefit from the scheme other than maintaining his employment.

Mr Hoezee was ultimately fired from STS (Transportation). He believes he was fired for expressing concerns to his employer about the April 2018 inspections and continuing deletions, Tilton wrote.

The government alleged Accurate Truck Service removed or altered hardware while Diesel Freak reprogrammed trucks engine computers. Griffin Transportation engaged the other two companies to delete trucks, the government said in court records.

Court records showed that the companies and nine others await sentencing. They are Ryan Lalone, 47, of Gaylord; Wade Lalone, 44, of Gaylord; Dustin Rhine, 33, of Indian River; Douglas Larsen, 51, of Wayland; Craig Scholten, 59, of Byron Center; Ryan Bos, 45, of Grandville; Robert Swainston, 50, of Hopkins; Randy Clelland, 33, of Grand Rapids; and Scott DeKock, 45, of Hudsonville.

James Sisson, 43, of Mt. Pleasant, awaits trial.

Read more:

Ex-Muskegon Heights police officer was sexually harassed for years, lawsuit alleges

4 things to know about large Grand Rapids housing, retail project

Michigan Supreme Court ruling may be final chapter in Flint water criminal prosecutions
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Police are investigating after a man was shot in the foot Tuesday, Sept. 19.

The incident happened around 7:30 p.m.

Grand Rapids police responded to the 600 block of Clancy Avenue NE, near Trowbridge Street, for reports of a shooting. Police found the victim with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his foot.

He was taken to an area hospital for treatment.

The investigation continues. Anyone with information can contact Grand Rapids Police Department at 616-456-3380 or Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.

Read more:

Feds seek $833K in back wages, damages for 177 Barrio Tacos workers

200K emails part of expensive probe into whistleblowers claims against Grand Haven BLP

Michigan to crack down on SNAP food stamp fraud with $750,000 grant
A key player in the industrial hose industry is celebrating its first year of operation in the city of Enterprise and Key Industrial Hose Vice President Ron Ugalde said the move was the right decision.

Were excited to be in Enterprise, Ugalde said, reflecting on the past year at the Industrial Boulevard location. There is a lot of great opportunity for us here.

Located inside a 150,000 square foot facility on approximately 15 acres in the South Industrial Park in Enterprise, KIH is a sister company for Key Hose, based in Dothan since 2010. The parent company has a total of around 200 employees at its facilities on Highway 52 East and in Cottonwood.

One of the biggest reasons we chose Enterprise to locate KIH is the support we received from both the community and government leaders, Ugalde said. Enterprise has been very supportive of our launch and growth here.

Ugalde said the company produces a complete line of woven jacket and rubber covered customized hose products designed and engineered for maximum performance in industrial fire suppression, dewatering, emergency bypass, construction, military, mining, and petrochemical applications.

Through a network of dealers and distributors throughout North America, KIH helps communities recover from devastating natural and manmade disasters, Ugalde said. Our team of specialists prepares customized industrial hose solutions for disaster relief and recovery.

End users of the large diameter customized hoses include the U.S. Corp of Engineers, multiple governments, municipalities, and the U.S. government. KIH hoses help with fire, flood, and drought suppression. The company can customize industrial hose solutions for disaster relief and recovery from a manmade or natural disaster.

From hurricane relief to helping our military, fire suppression. KIH provides solutions to problems faced around the world every day, said Enterprise Mayor William Cooper, who toured KIH this week. We are proud to be the home of the technology solutions that KIH provides to its customers, he said. Thank you for being a valuable member of the Enterprise community.

KIA currently employees 15 people and as expansion continues is looking to employ fabricators, production specialists, welders, supervisors. Those who are interested available jobs at KIH can visit www.Kihllc.com. Were in our first stages of growth and our goal is to build our production up, Ugalde said. We have the square footage here to do that.

Were pretty excited about what I see for us in the future, Ugalde said. Where you see firefighters, haz mat, forest fires, there is a good chance that some of our product is supporting that fight.
JACKSON COUNTY, MI - Jackson College administrators have vowed to address student concerns in the wake of multiple on-campus demonstrations.

More than a dozen Jackson College students spoke during the public comment segment of a Sept. 11 meeting of the Jackson College Board of Trustees, bringing forward concerns about racism and harassment they say theyve experienced at the school. Several of the same students also staged a protest on the Jackson College campus Sept. 14 addressing the same issues.

Related: We dont feel safe. Protest calls out racism, harassment at Jackson College

Jackson College President Dan Phelan said he applauds the students who came forward to voice their concerns.

Were all better served when individuals feel like they have a voice and can be heard -- that they have the opportunity to engage in freedom of expression, Phelan told MLive.

Phelan said he and his fellow administrators will do their best to listen to students and ensure Jackson College is a safe place for people to express themselves.

A special meeting of the Jackson College Board of Trustees has been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in response to the recent controversies. At the meeting, Phelan said he will recommend the college enlist a special investigator to look into the concerns students have brought forward -- something board members Sam Barnes and Sheila Patterson suggested during the Sept. 11 meeting.

In response to the protest, Phelan announced plans to meet with spokespeople chosen by the students so as to better understand what issues need to be addressed, and how.

My message (to the students) is that I see you, I hear you, Im listening to your concerns and were finding evidence and trying to take the action that we can, Phelan said.

Other issues brought up during the protest included the colleges handling of student safety during a severe winter storm that rolled across Michigan in February, as well as issues of campus security mistreating students and enforcing a strict curfew that some students considered unfairly restrictive.

A number of initiatives are being discussed internally to address these issues, Phelan said. One measure under discussion is the possibility of changing the uniform worn by security staff in response to some students feeling the current design feels threatening.

Phelan said he also made sure to eliminate curfew restrictions that had erroneously been in place at the beginning of the fall semester. A curfew policy had been in effect for participants of the Ready, Set, Jet! summer program, though it was not supposed to last into the school year.

Phelan blamed a miscommunication at some level among school administration for why the curfew was extended past the summer and moved to get rid of the curfew as soon as he was informed about it.

I will do my level best to make this an institution where people feel safe, where they get a quality education, where theyre treated respectfully and their voice is heard and all feel welcome, regardless of the hue of their skin, Phelan said. This is the one place -- especially in higher education -- where people should be able to come and engage in freedom of expression, without retaliation.

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:

These Jackson County students are 2024 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Bridges over I-94 closing for maintenance in Jackson County

A new executive director has been selected to lead the Ella Sharp Museum

Retailer leaves Westwood Mall, new hobby store opens and more Jackson County business news
GRAND HAVEN MI  A divided city council agreed to pursue what could be an extraordinarily expensive investigation into whistleblower allegations against Grand Havens power company that involves 200,000 emails.

The council on Monday, Sept. 18, voted 3-2 to seek independent counsel to look into allegations that the Grand Haven Board of Light & Power violated the Open Meetings Act, the Freedom of Information Act and Michigans election law.
MUSKEGON, MI  A vacant lot in the city of Muskegon will be transformed into an urban micro forest with more than 2,000 plantings.

The lot on Marquette Avenue just west of the U.S. 31 overpass will become an urban forest over one or two days next spring, Muskegon Parks and Recreation Director Kyle Karczewski told MLive/The Muskegon Chronicle.

It will be a very dense planting of native species, he said. Its a unique perspective on a park.

More than 60 volunteers spent the United Ways Day of Caring on Sept. 8 prepping the lot for the plantings. Their work included laying down cardboard to kill weeds as well as mulch and bark chips.

Karczewski hopes many of them will return next April to help plant between 2,000 and 3,000 trees and plants. His hope is that all can be planted on Earth Day, April 24, 2024, and Arbor Day on April 26, 2024.

About 50 different varieties of species will be planted, Karczewski said.

A big part of it is restoring biodiversity, he said. Its hard in an urban area to have all of that.

The 12,500-square-foot lot, roughly a third of an acre, on the south side of Marquette near Broadmoor Street has few uses, and the city works to keep it mowed, he said.

The micro forest will muffle noise pollution from the nearby freeway, help combat climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, capture stormwater runoff and allow for forest bathing, Karczewski said.

A path through the forest with story boards will promote forest bathing, which is based on a Japanese practice of spending time, and being completely present, in a natural area such as a forest to improve wellbeing.

While the citys west side has large forests, particularly along Lake Michigan, to promote forest bathing, the citys east side does not, Karczewski said.

Dave Bailey, the citys arborist, said plantings will include everything from understory to large canopy trees.

Bailey estimated the cost of the project at between $10,000 and $20,000. The city has acquired some grants and is seeking more to help pay for it.

In addition, the Muskegon Rotary Club has set aside 500 plants for the project, Bailey said.

Rotary members as well as individuals affiliated with the United Way of the Lakeshore and the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission were among those who volunteered to prep the space.

They all seemed to be excited about the planting, which is the funner part of it, Bailey said. Were trying to figure out the logistics of getting that much done. We plan to get a lot of community help.

In a typical year, Bailey plants between 200 and 400 trees on city property. But that work is spread throughout the year.

Want more Muskegon area news? Bookmark the local Muskegon news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Muskegon daily newsletter.

Also on MLive:

Ex-Muskegon Heights police officer was sexually harassed for years, lawsuit alleges

200K emails part of expensive probe into whistleblowers claims against Grand Haven BLP

Get help clearing criminal record at Muskegon expungement clinic
SAGINAW, MI  Eight years ago this month, Sue Ricos 21-year-old son was shot to death on a Saginaw street. Since then, she has retained a single-minded determination to see his killer brought to justice.

She finally attained the relief she sought while sitting in a courtroom on Sept. 19, when a judge presiding over the accused killers trial said the word she longed to hear: guilty.

I did what I set out to do. It was a good day, Rico said after Saginaw County Chief Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello found 26-year-old Marcos A. Torres guilty of second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm, and two counts of third-offense felony firearm.

Second-degree murder is punishable by up to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole. A third-offense felony firearm convictions mandates a 10-year prison sentence consecutive to any related stint.

Torres waived his right to a jury trial, opting instead for Judge Borrello to be the sole decider of facts in a bench trial.

Marcos A. Torres at his murder trial on Sept. 19, 2023. Torres is accused of fatal shooting 21-year-old Dakota Rico in Saginaw in 2015.

We had a huge sense of peace that flew over the top of us soon as that guilty verdict was handed down, Rico said.

Torres shot Dakota M. Rico numerous times in the early morning of Sept. 2, 2015. Police found Ricos Chevrolet S-10 pickup truck against a yield sign at the intersection of Douglass and Youmans streets, with Rico deceased inside.

Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson said police had been looking at Torres as a suspect since day one, but they did not have enough evidence to charge him. That is, until he phoned police in January 2022 to abruptly confess to the killing.

After seven years, his own demons were haunting him and made him confess out of nowhere, Stevenson said. Its one of those rare cases where we had this suspect the whole time, but it wasnt until he turned himself in that we could charge him.

Torres was defended by attorney James F. Gust, who declined to comment on the convictions.

During the trial, police testified Torres called 911 on Jan. 8, 2022, to report unusual microwave antennas in the house and a desire to confess to Dakota Ricos homicide. Michigan State Police Detective Bill Arndt interviewed Torres at headquarters, video footage of which was played during proceedings.

In it, Torres said he borrowed a handgun from a friend as the two of them planned to rob Rico. He had purchased cocaine from Rico once before and messaged him about meeting up late on the night of Sept. 1, 2015, he told Arndt.

Rico picked up Torres from Nestels Liquor & Party Store, 2714 S. Washington Ave., and the two drove around for a while. After Rico pulled to a stop, Torres stepped outside, drew the gun, and fired three shots, striking Rico in his head, shoulder, and side, he said.

Torres cried as he unburdened himself. He maintained the other man who provided the gun was not present at the shooting.

I deserve life, Torres said. It was premeditated murder, right? I said I wanted to kill him, before he picked me up.

At different points, Arndt repeatedly asked Torres what his reason for killing Rico was.

I had no reason, simply panic, Torres said. But I didnt rob him. I just shot him. I just wanted to kill him.

Aware of police investigating him, Torres fled Michigan by taking a Greyhound bus to Texas. He apparently returned to Saginaw County by the end of 2015, as he acquired convictions on unrelated matters.

Between 2014 and 2017, Torres was convicted seven times of firearms offenses in Saginaw County. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Torres from prison on Sept. 17, 2019. The MDOC discharged Torres from parole on April 17, 2021.

Police previously testified that they recovered Ricos cellphone and 2.9 grams of cocaine from his truck. A search of phone records yielded exchanges between Rico and Torres shortly before the fatal shooting.

Torres testified in his own defense, saying he did not know who killed Dakota Rico and that he lied in his lengthy prior confession.

Sue Rico said the senseless of her sons death added to her heartbreak.

He just wanted him dead, she said. He didnt take anything from him; he only took his life, and he ruined a lot of lives over this.

Dakota Rico was survived by a daughter, who is now 8. Sue Rico said her granddaughter is doing well, but still misses her father and often cries herself to sleep.

Its heartbreaking and I dont know what to say to her, she said. Hes not coming back. What do you do with that?

Stevenson lauded Sue Rico for keeping her sons killing in the public eye as she stumped for justice.

She was a huge advocate for her son and stayed in contact with the media, police, and the prosecutors office, he said. Its nice to be able to finally bring this case to a close for her.

Judge Borrello is to sentence Torres at 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 6.
LANSING, MI  Lawmakers took their first votes on what would be the biggest change to Michigans abortion laws since citizens passed a constitutional right to the procedure last fall.

But one Democrats surprise no votes in committee Wednesday set off an emergency siren going forward for proposed major repeals of abortion restrictions.

The House Health Policy Committee advanced six bills in the Reproductive Health Act, an 11-bill package. Although those bills comfortably moved on despite Rep. Karen Whitsetts opposition, that wont be the case in front of the full House.

Democrats have a two-vote majority in both legislative chambers, but only in the Senate can they survive a tie. Thats because Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist can cast a tiebreaking vote. In the House, a tie means a bill doesnt pass.

I will hold that on the floor, Whitsett, D-Detroit, told reporters of her committee votes. If changes are not made or were not able to come to a resolution, I will hold that vote.

Catch up: 3 things to know about abortion restrictions Michigan Dems want to repeal

The Reproductive Health Act targets so-called TRAP laws: targeted restrictions on abortion providers. Democrats and advocates argue these laws are medically unnecessary and that repealing them would make abortions more accessible, more affordable and safer.

Among the laws this package would repeal is a 24-hour waiting period to have an abortion, plus the requirement that patients be given printed information  which can include pictures of fetuses  about alternatives, such as adoption.

I do not think it is too much to ask  when someones terminating a life  a 24-hour pause to be able to say, for sure, this is the decision you want to make, Whitsett said. Twenty-four hours is not too much.

Restrictions around abortion clinics to assure safe procedures, she said, should also not be removed. The Act would repeal clinic requirements that include procedure room size and hallway width.

Whitsett had the most criticism, however, for a bill that would allow Medicaid to cover abortions in Michigan. This, she claimed, will increase Medicaid costs at the expense of seniors receiving Medicaid benefits.

Its not my decision to make that choice for someone, Whitsett said when MLive asked her to describe her overall stance on abortion. They deserve to have access and for that access to be healthy and safe, but not funded by the state and not diverting any funds from seniors.

Its a false choice to assume that extending Medicaid benefits to abortion patients diminishes benefits for seniors, said Amber McCann, spokesperson for House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit.

Bill sponsors will work with Whitsett to address her concerns, McCann told reporters. That doesnt mean adding pressure, just working through some of those issues with her as we would any member.

Representative Whitsett has been known to change her mind, McCann said, adding that Whitsett merely has policy concerns and is not currently trying to strike a deal with leadership.

Whitsett, however, said shes already been pressured by fellow Democrats to change her position, but says shes just representing the will of her constituents in House District 4, which covers sections of western Detroit and Dearborn.

Until we can get those things resolved and come to an understanding of where these things should be, I cannot support, she said.

More RHA debate: Abortion fight renewed: Michigan looks to repeal cruel restrictions

Health committee chair Rep. Julie Rogers, D-Kalamazoo, said she is optimistic that the package will still pass despite Wednesdays roadblock. Rogers said she was aware before committee that Whitsett had some concerns, but didnt know Whitsett would be a no on all of them.

Rogers is unsure whether any Republicans will support these bills, but giving her hope is the fact that some Republicans joined Democrats in the spring to repeal Michigans century-old abortion ban. Although, that ban was already moot because of the constitutional right from Proposal 3 passing.

Dont expect any defectors on this package, however, Rep. Tom Kunse, R-Clare, told reporters. McCann said shed be very surprised if any Republican joined Democrats on this.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in a statement Wednesday urged lawmakers to pass the Reproductive Health Act, calling it commonsense legislation to repeal politically motivated, medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion.

The governor did not mention Whitsetts opposition.

Whitsett, first elected to the House in 2019, has been a contrarian to fellow Democrats before. She met with President Donald Trump in 2020 to praise the controversial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19, and later that year she filed a defamation lawsuit against Whitmer.

Planned Parenthood of Michigans president, Paula Thornton Greear, called Whitsetts opposition to the Reproductive Health Act a betrayal of her constituents who overwhelmingly support access to abortion.

If Rep. Whitsett votes in opposition, Thornton Greear said in a statement, she will be solely responsible for the continued enforcement of dozens of anti-abortion restrictions that disproportionately harm women of color and people who are struggling to make ends meet.

As for the remaining five bills in the Reproductive Health Act package, Rogers told MLive, the Senate will likely take up identical versions of them to get them to the full legislature.
WASHINGTON, D.C.,  The federal government has awarded more than $20 million to a mine developer which is exploring for nickel deposits in Michigan and Minnesota.

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded a grant to Talon Metals, which is accelerating its hunt for nickel along a geologically unique region that includes parts of Minnesota and Michigans Upper Peninsula.

The mineral is critical in aerospace and electric vehicle battery manufacturing. Talon has agreed to supply automaker Tesla with 165 million pounds of nickel from its Tamarack mine, a joint venture with Rio Tinto under development in Minnesota.

Last year, Talon acquired rights to explore for nickel on 400,000 private acres in the U.P. The company is seeking a lease from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to drill on more than 23,000 public acres in Baraga, Houghton, Iron and Marquette counties.

The DNR is holding a virtual public meeting on Talons proposed lease on Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.

More: Talon steps up hunt for nickel in Michigan

This funding makes clear that domestic supply of nickel is a national security priority, said Talon CEO Henri van Rooyen in a statement last week.

With this funding, Talon will be able to accelerate our efforts to discover domestic sources of battery grade nickel and help ensure that the United States is not dependent on Russia, China or Chinese companies operating in countries like Indonesia for nickel that is needed in both defense platforms and clean energy systems, van Rooyen said.

The grant is authorized under the Defense Production Act and paid by a supplemental funding bill passed by Congress to supply aid to Ukraine. Talon says it will use the $20.6 million grant to purchase more equipment and hire additional employees. The company agreed to spend $21.7 million in matching funds on a cost-share basis over 39 months.

This award exemplifies the DoDs commitment to strengthening the resilience of critical supply chains and lessening our reliance on foreign sources of vital materials, said Anthony Di Stasio, a director in the undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment office.

The defense grant follows a $114 million U.S. Department of Energy grant Talon received in 2022 to develop a nickel ore processing plant in Mercer County, North Dakota.

Talon says the Lake Superior region of Minnesota and Michigan is highly prospective for nickel sulfide deposits with potential for district scale mineralization.

The company is search for minerals near the nations only existing nickel mine, Lundin Mining Companys Eagle Mine northwest of Marquette. That mine began producing ore from two large deposits under the Yellow Dog Plains in 2014. The mine is expected to close in 2027.

Talon said it is moving exploratory drilling rigs from Minnesota to Michigan this year as it advances through the Tamarack mine permitting process.

The companys efforts come as skyrocketing demand for vehicles that run on electricity is driving major investments in a domestic supply chain for batteries and putting EV manufacturers in direct business with mining companies like Talon to source critical minerals.

In 2022, President Joe Biden ordered the Department of Defense to consider five metals  lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel and manganese  as essential to national security under the Defense Production Act because of their importance to battery technology.

In 2021, the British Virgin Islands-based Talon hired longtime Rio Tinto geologist Dean Rossell, a minefinder who discovered both the Eagle and the Tamarack deposits.

Talon doesnt presently operate any mines and, should a mineable deposit be discovered in Michigan, years of permitting and regulatory scrutiny would follow, as well as likely opposition from groups worried sulfide acid drainage could leach into groundwater and rivers.

In Minnesota, Talons Tamarack project is located in Aitkin County west of Duluth. The company submitted its mining plan to state regulators this summer.

Talon is facing opposition from tribal and environmental groups which argue the mine would endanger local waters. Such concerns have successfully derailed two other proposed nickel and copper mine projects in Minnesota this year.

This summer, a key permit for a former PolyMet project named NewRange about 80 miles northeast of Tamarack was overturned. In January, the Biden administration quashed plans for a copper and nickel mine near Ely and imposed a 20-year ban on mining in the watershed due to its proximity to the federal Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Talons Tamarack project is not located in either the Lake Superior or Boundary Waters watersheds.

Related stories:

Michigan gold mine fights tribe over historic land

New chapter begins in 20-year clash over gold mine

UP wilderness bid highlights tension over public lands

Rising EV demand puts UP mine in global spotlight

Advocates scramble to preserve Keweenaw forest

A $1B eco-disaster is swallowing Lake Superior coast
Sign up for The Meltdown, a weekly newsletter highlighting the latest apocalyptic dramas, debunking climate myths, and sharing sustainability hacks, all while arming you with information to hold polluters and the government accountable. Enter your email to subscribe.

The sweeping vistas, rolling hills and majestic forests of Americas public lands have fueled wanderlust among settlers, pioneers and regular folks for hundreds of years.

They are places of exquisite natural beauty and national pride, cherished and visited by millions of Americans and tourists every year. But they also hold a dual and dark legacy rooted in the forced removal and dispossession of Native Americans in the name of colonial expansion.

In just under 200 years, Native Americans lost 99 percent of the land they once called home. And  in case you didnt know  every national park exists on traditional indigenous lands.

From the infamous Trail of Tears to the cruel and heart-wrenching stipulations of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, hundreds of thousands of indigenous people were made to leave their ancestral lands, often facing unimaginable hardships and loss of life. Each national park, monument, forest and river tells a story of natural wonder and a tale of lost heritage and painful displacement.

But as the nation continues to wrestle with its colonialist past and slowly trudges its way to a greener future, giving back land has the potential to mend those injustices and maintain it for future generations.

Here are 10 times that public land was given back to its rightful owners:

Timbisha Shoshone Homeland Act

The act, signed into law in 2000, returned over 7,000 acres of land in Nevada and California to the Timbisha Shoshone Tribe. This included areas within Death Valley National Park. The act aimed to rectify historical injustices by restoring tribal sovereignty over ancestral lands.

Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement

The 2016 settlement was a landmark agreement between the Blackfeet Tribe and the U.S. government. It resolved long-standing water rights disputes in Montana, including transferring some federal lands back to the tribe. The settlement also provided funding for water-related infrastructure projects on tribal lands.

San Juan Islands, Washington

In 1991, an act of Congress returned over 700 acres of land in the San Juan Islands of Washington State to the Lummi Nation. The land transfer gave the Lummi people renewed access to traditional fishing areas.

Sugar Point, Minnesota

In 1997, after years of legal battles, land at Sugar Point, Minnesota, was returned to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. The federal government illegally seized the land in 1898 after the Battle of Sugar Point. The battle started after Ojibwe men refused to give themselves up after allegedly violating federal laws that regulated hunting and fishing rights.

The battle occurred in the context of broader U.S.-Native American relations. It was one of the last armed conflicts between Native Americans and the U.S. government and is seen as emblematic of the broader injustices and tensions of the time. Native American lands had been significantly reduced through a series of treaties, land cessions, and federal policies like the Dawes Act of 1887. The return restored tribal sovereignty over the area.

Taos Blue Lake, New Mexico

In 1970, President Richard Nixon signed a bill that returned Blue Lake and surrounding areas in New Mexico to the Taos Pueblo people. This sacred land had been federally controlled since 1906. The return of Blue Lake was a monumental victory for Indigenous rights and religious freedom. For the Taos Pueblo people, the lake is alive and imbued with spiritual significance, making it central to religious ceremonies and rituals.

Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana

In 1991, a section of the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana was transferred back to private Native American ownership. This historic site, significant for the Cheyenne and Sioux tribes, was the location of the Battle of Little Bighorn in 1876. The land transfer aimed to honor and preserve Indigenous heritage.

Fort Wingate, New Mexico

The Department of Defense announced plans to return nearly 22,000 acres of land to the Navajo Nation and Zuni Pueblo, although the process has been complex and is still ongoing.

Yellowstone National Park Bison Range

In 2020, the U.S. Department of the Interior transferred ownership of the National Bison Range, located within Montanas Flathead Reservation, back to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. This transfer allows the tribes to manage the land and its bison population in a culturally appropriate way

California Coastal Lands

In 2019, around 688 acres of California coastal land were returned to the Yurok Tribe. This was facilitated through a partnership between the state of California and the nonprofit Western Rivers Conservancy. The returned land includes part of the Yuroks ancestral territory and is culturally and ecologically significant.

Rapid City, South Dakota

In 2020, a church in Rapid City, South Dakota, returned its property to the Native American community. The land became part of the Native American Community Development Corporation. While not a governmental action, this transfer symbolizes a growing trend towards restorative justice and acknowledgment of historical injustices against Indigenous peoples.
Detroit Tigers outfielder Riley Greene will undergo season-ending surgery on his right elbow on Wednesday in Dallas.

Greene has been on the injured list since he jammed the elbow while making a diving catch on Sept. 1 in Chicago.

The Tigers did not specify what procedure Greene will undergo, although more details are expected to be released after the surgery.

Greene, who turns 23 later this month, has come into his own in his second season in the big leagues, hitting .288 with 11 home runs, 19 doubles, and four triples in 416 plate appearances. His .796 OPS and 116 OPS+ are second on the team behind Kerry Carpenter.

Greene missed five weeks earlier in the season with a stress reaction in his left fibula (lower leg).

Greene was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 draft and made his MLB debut in 2022.

In other injury news, left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez will not be going on the injured list for now. He exited his start mid-batter on Monday night after experiencing mid-back spasms.

He will continue to be monitored but could make his next start, tentatively set for Sunday.

The Tigers did place one pitcher on the IL on Tuesday. Right-hander Alex Faedo has a finger blister. He was replaced on the roster by right-hander Brendan White.
Ghana National Gas Company has described as false, malicious and unfounded a media report of rot in its operations.

The Herald newspaper, on Monday, September 18 reported about some deals at the Ghana Gas Company, involving some members of the board, which the Akufo-Addo government is too scared to speak about.

According to the report, there are rotten deals in the company but the Akufo-Addo government doesnt want to talk about it, fearing it will be accused of being out to damage the Assin Central Member of Parliament, Kennedy Ohene Agyapong, who has been the board chairman since 2021.

But a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications, Mr. Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah, on Tuesday, September 19 said there is no truth in the Herald newspaper reportage.

There has never been any rot associated with our operations here at Ghana Gas and we find it very unusual for a journalistic outlet to throw away the cardinal journalistic standard of fairness and the responsibility to tell the truth as it engages in news reporting.

The company wishes to state categorically that the Herald publication is completely false, malicious and unfounded."

The statement continued Indeed, there is no scintilla of evidence to back the Herald story,.

Mr. Ernest Kofi Owusu-Bempah, who described the media report as irresponsible media aggression and certainly not journalism is demanding a retraction and a formal apology from the Herald newspaper to repair the damage caused to our organization.

The company has reiterated its commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards in all its operations.
20.09.2023 LISTEN

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a North Tongu Member of Parliament has criticized the Jean Mensa-led Electoral Commission.

He described the electoral management body as autocratic.

According to Mr. Ablakwa, the limited voter registration exercise is a clear demonstration of her disregard for dissenting views.

He said during a press conference held at Battor in his constituency that all opposing parties including civil society groups, the clergy, and all concerned citizens should be vocal in opposing the registration process.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ablakwa launched a movement plan to facilitate voter registration for first-time voters in his constituency.

This involved transporting young graduates from high schools to the district electoral office in Battor for registration.

He aimed to register at least 3,000 youths and assist others who had never registered before.

Mr. Ablakwa said although the EC had gone ahead with the limited voter registration exercise despite the legal suit filed by the National Democratic Congress and other political parties, he warned the EC that legal challenges would not deter the opposition, as they had a secret Plan B.

The North Tongu MPs actions were prompted by the constituents threats to boycott the registration exercise unless the EC established voting centers closer to them, especially in Juapong and Torgome, where residents faced significant travel costs.

He indicated that issues with network connections in the region compelled some registrants to sleep over at the registration center and continue the registration process the next day.

The District Electoral Officer, Paulina Rolland Agbo acknowledged the network challenges but assured they were being addressed.

During the tour with journalists, Mr Ablakwa described the EC chairperson and her teams actions as disrespectful to his constituents.
(TTCO) - Sang 31-10, Hoi nghi thuong inh Kinh doanh Viet Nam - Hoa Ky lan thu 6 a dien ra tai Ha Noi voi su tham gia cua lanh ao hai nuoc cung nhu cac doanh nghiep Viet Nam, Hoa Ky nhu FPT, Vietjet Air, Google, 3M, Intel, Visa, Baker & McKenzie.
Ukraine told the International Court of Justice on Tuesday that Russia, to justify its invasion in 2022, invoked a terrible lie that it was trying to stop alleged genocide.

The court began hearings on Monday on its jurisdiction in the case, which Russia wants thrown out, calling Ukraine's arguments "hopelessly flawed".

Ukraine brought the case before the ICJ, the United Nations' highest court also known as the World Court, days after Russia invaded on 24 February of last year, arguing that Russia violated the 1948 Genocide Convention when it justified its invasion by saying it was trying to stop alleged genocide in eastern Ukraine.

Russia is waging war against my country in the name of this terrible lie that Ukraine is committing genocide against its own people," Ukraine's representative Anton Korynevych told the panel of international judges on Tuesday.

"Can state use false allegations of genocide as a pretext to destroy cities, bomb civilians and deport children from their homes? When the Genocide Convention is so cynically abused, is this court powerless? The answer to these questions must be 'no'."

Ukraine says there was no risk of genocide in eastern Ukraine, where it had been fighting Russian-backed forces since 2014, and that the genocide treaty does not allow an invasion to stop an alleged genocide.

Russia calls for dismissal

Russia asked the court to throw out the case at the start of the hearings on Monday, saying that Ukraine was using it as a way to get a ruling on the overall legality of Russia's military action.

"Ukraine insists no genocide has occurred," Russia's agent to the court, Gennady Kuzmin, said in opening remarks.

"That alone should be enough to reject the case. Because according to the court's jurisprudence, if there was no genocide, there cannot be a violation of the Genocide Convention."

Sienho Yee, another lawyer for Russia, said Russia's justification of the invasion was not based on the genocide convention, but on the right to self-determination and its inherent right to self-defense.

ICJ's jurisdiction

The hearings, which are set to run through 27 September, are only about the court's jurisdiction over the case.

The ICJ hears disputes between nations, while the International Criminal Court, also based in The Hague, tries individuals for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On Wednesday, ICJ will hear from 32 of Ukraine's allies - including Every European Union member except Hungary, plus Canada and Australia  who all support the argument that the case should proceed.

The court rejected the United States' request to argue on Ukraine's behalf on a technicality.

It could take weeks or months for the court to decide whether the case can move forward, and if it does, a final ruling would take months or years.

In an interim ruling in the case in March of last year, the court decided in Ukraine's favour, and ordered Russia to halt military action in Ukraine immediately.

Russia has so far ignored the order, and the court has no way of enforcing its decisions but observers say the order may impact compensation payments after the war.

(with newswires)
Mr Koku Anyidoho, the former Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has expressed concerns over the current state of disunity within the party.

Mr Anyidoho believes that the NDC's internal divisions and factionalism could pose a significant challenge to the party's electoral chances in the 2024 general elections.

During an interview on Rainbow Radio, Koku Anyidoho noted that the NDC needs to present a united front to succeed in the upcoming elections.

He pointed out that while no one is claiming that the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has transformed Ghana into a paradise, the NDC is not an option due to its internal discord.

"If I were at the NDC headquarters, the NPP would not have had it easy," Mr Anyidoho asserted.

He stressed that the NPP would have faced a tough time if he had been part of the NDC leadership.

Just look at their (NPP) congress and what happened. Do you think theyd have it easy if I were at headquarters? There was not a single press release from the headquarters.

There appears to be no one working at the NDC headquarters. The NPP has rallied and corrected all of its mistakes. So if you speak about them now, it would be dead news, Mr Anyidoho said.
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has vehemently denied allegations of disenfranchisement of eligible voters in its ongoing voter registration exercise.

EC Chairperson Jean Mensa addressed these allegations during a press conference held on Monday, September 18, 2023.

Her comment is in reaction to claims made by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) that the EC is collaborating with the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to suppress qualified voters from registering in the ongoing registration exercise.

The NDC had accused the Commission of deliberately deploying faulty registration machines to their strongholds, which, they alleged, made it challenging for first-time voters to register.

But the EC Chairperson Jean Mensa described the allegations as unfounded.

She emphasized the Commission's commitment to facilitating the registration of every eligible voter without hindrance.

"As a Commission, we are working around the clock to ensure that every eligible voter or person who is eligible to register does so with ease.

We have heard allegations from various quarters that the Commission is disenfranchising eligible voters, and this is false," Jean Mensa declared.

She continued that the voter register is done in accordance with international best practices.

It is not in our interest to disenfranchise any eligible voter. We pride ourselves that our voter register meets international best practices, she said.

The EC Chairperson addressed concerns regarding the Commission's decision to restrict registration to its district offices, explaining that the decision would not lead to voter disenfranchisement.

She said, We are well aware that the Commissions policy to use our 268 district offices as registration centers have attracted some criticism from some section of society and as you are all aware, the Commission conducted a full-blown registration exercise in some 33,000 plus polling stations in 2020 and it is important to note that the current exercise is an update of the register.

Jean Mensa further revealed the Commission's plans to conduct continuous registration at the district offices and carry out mop-up exercises in hard-to-reach areas ahead of the 2024 elections.

"It is important to note that this will not be the only registration exercise we will have before the 2024 elections," she added, reassuring the public of the Commission's commitment to ensuring the inclusion of all eligible voters in the electoral process.
Kennedy Agyapong, an aspirant for the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer position has said his commitment to job creation is the central point of his campaign.

The businessman emphasized his dedication to addressing employment challenges if he becomes the next President of Ghana.

Following his sterling performance in the NPP's Super Delegates Conference, Kennedy Agyapong has intensified his campaign efforts to become the flagbearer of the NPP.

In an exclusive interview with Kessben TV on September 18, 2023, Kennedy Agyapong described himself as a strong advocate for job creation among aspirants.

He asserted, "Let us weigh all the candidates, who have consistently campaigned on job creation and employment when they are voted for. There is no more consistent contestant than me who talks about job creation."

Mr Agyapong criticized his fellow contenders, arguing that their track records and promises in the past seven years of being in power did not show any effort to generate employment opportunities.

Drawing from his extensive experience as a businessman with huge workforce, he highlighted his unique abilities to create jobs for the youth.

Kennedy Agyapong encouraged party delegates to consider the future of the country and its youth when casting their votes.

He made a compelling case for his leadership, pledging that his administration would instil hope in the youth by prioritizing job creation and youth empowerment as key pillars of his governance.
Mr. Charles Amenyaglo, the Director of Special Services at COWBOY, has urged cocoa farmers to protect their farmlands from the encroachment by illegal miners, stressing the potential consequences.

His appeal follows the severe threats illegal mining, locally known as "galamsey," poses to Ghana's cocoa industry.

Mr. Amenyaglo addressed cocoa farmers during a special event held in Dormeabra, near Asankragwa, situated in the Amenfi West Municipality of the Western Region.

The occasion was the official handover ceremony of a new primary school block to the Dormeabra Community.

The newly constructed six-unit classroom block, fully furnished and equipped with a library and a computer laboratory, was made possible through funding from Federated Commodities (FEDCO), a licensed cocoa buying company.

FEDCO received support from its partners, STORK and WALTER MATTER, who collaborated with the COCOBOD Foundation to provide an AstroTurf for recreational activities at the school.

This initiative he noted aimed to express gratitude to cocoa farmers for their continued loyalty in selling their produce to the company while encouraging farmers to prioritize education for their children.

Mr. Amenyaglo emphasized that cocoa farmers have benefited significantly from COCOBOD, its affiliated agencies, and partners through various projects aimed at improving social infrastructure, healthcare, and education in cocoa-growing communities.

However, he cautioned farmers about the potential negative consequences of allowing illegal miners onto their lands.

He stressed that selling land to illegal miners could lead to the destruction of fertile soil, pollution of water bodies, and exposure to health issues.

All these benefits you enjoy after selling your cocoa would be a thing of the past if you give your lands to illegal miners who will in turn destroy the land, pollute water bodies, and expose you to health risks," Mr. Amenyaglo warned.
Leverage Microfinance has been recognized as the Microfinance Company of the Year, 2022 at the 4th prestigious Ghana Excellence Awards organised by the Chartered Institute of Credit Management, Ghana.

In an interaction with the press, Mr. Gilbert Adamtey, the CEO, expressed appreciation to the organizers for recognizing the contribution and enormous efforts of Leverage in the microfinance sector.

Mr. Adamtey extended his appreciation to the company's board, shareholders, management and staff, and stakeholders for the attainment of this milestone.

Under the theme Banking and ESG Revolution-Going Beyond Aspirations, the event sought to showcase and applaud best performing banks and non-bank financial institutions and individuals in various categories of the Ghanaian banking and non-banking financial sector.

The awards encompassed a range of categories such as "Bank of the year, Rural Bank of the year, Savings and Loans Company of the year, Microfinance of the year, Micro-Credit of the year, Excellence in Growth Finance," among others.

Leverage Microfinance, a legally registered limited liability company under Ghana's Companies Act 1963 (Act 179) as a non-bank financial institution, has unquestionably etched its name as a trailblazer in fostering financial solutions that underpin livelihoods.
Mr Kwabena Frimpong, the Deputy Protocol Director for the New Patriotic Party has reacted to former presidential John Dramani Mahama's promise to complete all unfinished projects, including those initiated by the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) government if Ghanaians elect him as president in the 2024 general elections.

In a radio interview hosted by Kwaku Dawuro of Movement TV/Radio, Mr. Frimpong stated that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama is a walking contradiction urging Ghanaians not to take him serious.

"Does Mahama want Ghanaians to believe him this time around despite the fact that he failed to finish projects that were initiated under the government of former President J. A. Kufour? In the Ashanti region alone, the 800-bed KNUST teaching hospital, Krofrom Market, Boankra Inland Port, Affordable housing, Komfo Anokye Maternity block started by Acheampong but continued by Kufour etc were all abandoned by Mahama and the NDC government," Mr Frimpong Stated

He noted that former President John Dramani Mahama's record in office wasn't impressive as compared to President Akufo-Addo's government.

"Under H. E. President Akufo-Addo and the NPP, government has completed all projects started by Mahama and previous governments including Tepa Hospital, Bekwai Hospital, Konongo Hospital, Sewua, Kumawu Hospital (almost completed), Kejetia Market Completed with the Central Market project ongoing, Abuakwa Tanoso road almost completed, Affordable Housing completed, 800-bed KNUST Teaching hospital almost completed, Boankra inland port ongoing, Komfo Anokye Maternity block from ground Zero to over 86% now, etc.

"Also, if Mahama had completed all the projects started by former President Kuffour and Previous governments like H.E President Akufo Addo is doing now, he would be taken seriously by all well-meaning Ghanaians," he stated.

He asked the opposition National Democratic Congress flagbearer to cease his constant peddling of falsehood about the Akufo-Addo government just for political gains.
Worldwide, the government is spending millions to legitimize and normalize the LGBTQ agenda, which is being promoted unabatedly on a global scale. However, regardless of how much the US government, Europe, and other nations cherish it and are sure that a woman marrying a woman is appropriate; they can preserve it as legitimate in their country without pressuring African authorities to allow homosexuality. The majority of Ghanaians reject the idea of legalizing homosexuality in Ghana.

Barack Obama, the former US president, created additional history in the summer of 2015 when he made same-sex marriage legal in America. Since then, he has advocated for the LGBTQ struggle everywhere he goes, up until he visited his Kenyan roots and encountered resistance. Obama received a clear message: just because he has Kenyan ancestry doesn't give him the right to advise Kenyans to legalize same-sex marriage because it is not supported by their culture.

It is no longer a secret that the governments of Western Europe and the US are investing millions of dollars to legitimize LGBTQ rights, but they can't stand the fierce opposition they face in some African nations. France has only recently joined the call for funding for its embassies to support LGBTQ+ rights globally. Ghanaians must stand up for their nation; giving money to African leaders won't foster the acceptance of homosexuality. What is the logic behind the legalization of homosexuality in Africa?

Africa is not a big continent for nothing; it has all the precious metals and resources that for decades before and after independence swept through, European and American governments depend heavily on. For example, cobalt is a valuable mineral mined in Congo that all developed countries need to produce car, computer, and cell phone components. However, since the use of biological weapons affects the whole world, the need to legalize homosexuality will cause the population to decrease.

France promotes LGBTQ Rights already, so we need to find out why announcing to fund it to the tune of two million Euros. The military takeovers of French colonists in Africa, have dealt a heavy blow to the country and as a result; billions have been lost. Therefore; France believes it is necessary to use money as bait to encourage leaders, especially in third-world countries, to fight for LGBTQ rights and legalize homosexuality to avoid population explosion, and to have access to more of Africas resources.

Nigeria is expected to surpass the United States as the third-most populated nation in the world by 2050 with a population of 400 million. The unprecedented population boom that is occurring on the continent has become a major concern to the developed world. The true aim, however, is not to defend the rights of LGBTQ people but rather to encourage homosexuality to slow population growth because they also have to survive on Africas resources.

Sub-Saharan Africa's population is growing at a rate of 2.7% per year, more than twice as fast as South Asia and Latin America. Bill Gates, currently very quiet, after his wife divorced him, has repeatedly expressed concerns and publicly proposed methods to reduce the rapid growth of the world's population.

Another reason why Western and American governments use money as bait to legalize homosexuality is because gay men die on average 24 years earlier than straight people. In other words, homosexual activity reduces life expectancy, and scientists have proved it.
MTN Ghana has expressed its readiness to renew ties with the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA).

This was made known when the leadership of the GJA paid a courtesy call to the management of MTN at the MTN Head office in Accra on Monday.

MTN CEO Selorm Adadevoh assured the GJA of the companys preparedness to support the Association due to its importance to business development.

GJA is an important Association and its important to us as a business. We look forward to collaborating with you, the CEO emphasized.

He said the quality of journalism in the country is a priority to MTN, hence the need to renew the partnership in order to expand the frontiers of journalism in the country.

Senior Manager for Corporate Communications Georgina Asare Fiagbenu emphasized the strong relationship MTN has with the Media and enumerated activities/projects MTN has undertaken with the Media Associations to strengthen the bond.

She thanked the GJA and the media for their support of MTNs business over the years.

Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer (CCSSO) Adwoa Wiafe reiterated that MTN will continue to work with the GJA for mutual benefits and for the industry.

GJA President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour expressed his appreciation to MTN for their support to the media and appealed to them to strengthen the relationship between the two institutions.

One thing commendable is your support for GJA Awards. You have been with us through thick and thin, Mr. Dwumfour stressed.

In that regard, the GJA President appealed to MTN to support this years GJA Awards as a headline sponsor.
Ukraine's president is set to go face to face with Russian officials for the first time since his country was invaded, as the UN Security Council meets Wednesday for a potentially dramatic session.

Volodymyr Zelensky flew to New York for the annual UN General Assembly, where he delivered a speech Tuesday in his trademark military fatigues urging the world to stand firm against Russia.

On Wednesday, he will address a special session on the war at the powerful Security Council, where Russia is a permanent member wielding veto power against any decisions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in New York late Tuesday, with official media saying he flew a circuitous route to avoid European airspace.

It remains unclear if Moscow's sharp-tongued top diplomat -- himself a former UN ambassador -- will attend the Security Council session and face Zelensky.

The potential showdown "could create one of those iconic UN moments," said Marti Flacks, an expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

Two other permanent members, the United States and France, will be represented by their own top diplomats -- Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

Zelensky has addressed the UN Security Council via video but not yet attended a meeting in person since his country was invaded. By TIMOTHY A. CLARY (AFP)

Albania, a strong supporter of Ukraine, is the current president of the Security Council and has agreed to speaking spots for a massive 60 representatives, according to an agenda seen by AFP.

It will be the most direct diplomatic encounter between Russia and Ukraine since Moscow invaded in February 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who rarely travels to the United Nations, did not come this year. He has skipped other high-profile diplomatic gatherings as Western nations seek to isolate him and as he faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Courting world opinion

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly. By Bryan R. Smith (AFP)

Addressing the General Assembly on Tuesday, Zelensky said that Russia's deportations of Ukrainian children -- which triggered the warrant for Putin -- constituted "genocide."

Zelensky cast the war as in the world's interest, saying that Russia was "weaponizing" both food and energy, including by halting a UN-backed arrangement that let Ukraine ship grain safely through the Black Sea.

"For the first time in modern history, we have the chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked," Zelensky said in a speech met with applause led by Western nations but many empty seats elsewhere.

US President Joe Biden in his own speech Tuesday warned that Putin wanted the world to "grow weary" on supporting Ukraine.

"If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?" Biden asked.

"We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said that the world must be involved as the war has had "unbearable consequences" for all.

But he also issued a veiled warning against Russian-backed calls to end the war on its own terms by effectively letting it keep swathes of Ukrainian territory.

"We should be aware of phony solutions which represent peace in name only," Scholz said.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, himself a former UN ambassador, attended the September 2023 Security Council meeting on Ukraine. By Bryan R. Smith (AFP)

"Let us not forget that Russia is responsible for this war. And it is Russia's president who can end it at any time with one single order."

But some developing nations have been critical of the attention granted to Ukraine, which has received some $43 billion in military aid from the United States alone.

"It is a grave indictment of this international community that we can spend so much on war, but we cannot support action that needs to be taken to meet the most basic needs of billions of people," South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.
Tolentino: Beef up security forces budget to bolster WPS strategy

MANILA -- Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino said it is necessary to beef up the budget for the security forces in the West Philippine Sea as well as equip Filipino fisherfolks in the vicinity.

In an interview with ANC Headstart on Wednesday, Sen. Tol said: "We have to really ramp up the budget for our Naval Forces as well and the Air Force."

"I think strategy-wise, I think [it] would be better to equip likewise our fisherfolks, give them the necessary tools to really fish in the area but protect them as well," he added.

Tolentino, Senate Special Committee on Maritime and Admiralty Zones chairman, also underscored that to fortify the claim of the Philippines in the territorial dispute, crafting the Maritime Zone Law is a key factor.

"It is claiming now. It is claiming the breadth of our territorial sea, continental shelf, beyond exclusive economize zone, our seabed, et cetera," Sen. Tol Said.

He further stressed: "Maritime Zone Law will not just include the West Philippine Sea, it would include even the Pacific side, the Benham Rise."
On Tuesday, NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey unveiled the state budget for 2023-2024.

Heres a brief overview of the initiatives outlined in the budget. The government has unveiled a series of budgetary initiatives for SMEs across NSW to boost their prospects and bolster the states economic vitality.

National energy bill relief



In collaboration with the Australian Government, the NSW Government rolled out the National Energy Bill Relief program in July 2023. This initiative is aimed at assisting over 300,000 eligible businesses consuming less than 100 MWh of electricity annually. These businesses will be granted a one-time relief payment of $650 towards their electricity bills during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Revamping EV industry

The NSW Government is injecting a record-breaking $1.8 billion into revitalising the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap, including a boost of $804.0 million for Renewable Energy Zones. Theyre also establishing the Energy Security Corporation with $1.0 billion to promote stable and affordable renewable energy. Additionally, $263.5 million will fast-track electric vehicle infrastructure, a significant step towards widespread EV adoption, showcasing a strong commitment to a sustainable energy future in New South Wales.

Payroll Tax maintained

An initiative within the Future Economy Fund will incentivize businesses in emerging industries to set up or expand in NSW through grant payments and payroll tax exemptions. These exemptions are expected to lower revenue by $51.0 million over the five years until 2026-27. This dependable tax environment offers SMEs a conducive atmosphere for long-term planning and investment.

Restructuring the Future Economy Fund

The Future Economy Fund, originally designed to support innovative businesses, is now undergoing changes to redirect unallocated funds towards creating 1,000 new apprenticeships. This initiative not only addresses the skills gap but also provides SMEs with a fresh pool of skilled labour.

New toll road policies

The NSW Government is delivering on its commitment to introduce a $60 weekly toll cap and truck toll multiplier relief as a first step towards comprehensive toll reform. The introduction of new toll road policies, including reduced tolls for businesses, can alleviate transportation costs for SMEs. This cost savings can improve their overall competitiveness and profitability.

Wages and workers

Frontline workers, such as nurses, paramedics, police officers, and others, have been recognised and rewarded with a 4.5% pay increase, benefiting over 400,000 public sector employees. This substantial raise, the largest in a decade, not only uplifts the workers but also injects more spending power into local economies, which can greatly benefit SMEs through increased consumer spending.

Apprenticeship registration rebate

The rebate program for apprentices, offering a $100 vehicle registration rebate for first and second-year apprentices, directly reduces financial burdens on SMEs employing apprentices. This incentive may encourage more SMEs to invest in apprenticeship programs.

FCA expresses disappointment

The Franchise Council of Australia (FCA), a representative body for small businesses in the state, has expressed disappointment over the lack of action taken to address the existing cost and compliance burdens affecting the franchise sector, a vital part of the economy.

Despite these concerns, the FCA reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with the NSW Government to tackle these critical issues. It emphasizes the substantial economic contribution made by the franchise sector to local communities.

FCA CEO Matthew Monaghan stated, While we understand the challenging circumstances that necessitate difficult decisions, we are disappointed on behalf of our predominantly small business members by the lack of targeted support. Small businesses within the franchise sector play a substantial economic role in their local communities.

Monaghan continued, Whether youre in Gundagai, Orange, Sydney, or Wollongong, small businesses are affiliated with franchise networks along the high streets. These businesses have not only weathered the challenges of the pandemic but have also continued to support their communities and employ local residents. Unfortunately, todays Budget does not provide significant relief for them.

The FCA looks forward to constructive collaboration with the NSW Government to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the economic contributions made by its members and to advocate for much-needed support and relief, particularly considering their crucial role within their communities.

ARA calls for more SME support

The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has called for increased support for small businesses facing a cost-of-doing-business crisis. ARA CEO Paul Zahra acknowledged the NSW Governments measures to assist those grappling with financial difficulties and highlighted that any steps taken to bolster NSW families finances are likely to positively impact the retail sector.

Cost-of-living is a major concern for all Australians, and New South Wales is no exception. Its encouraging to see the budget offering some relief, which is expected to stimulate the retail economy, remarked Mr Zahra.

He further noted, Initiatives like preschool fee relief, toll caps, and energy rebates for consumers will all contribute to freeing up household budgets, alleviating financial pressures, and potentially encouraging more discretionary spending.

While acknowledging the budgets focus on returning the state to a future surplus, Mr. Zahra expressed hope for greater support for small businesses facing unprecedented pressure due to rising costs and declining revenues.

Small businesses are grappling with escalating costs and dwindling revenues, and they urgently need relief, added Mr. Zahra. He also expressed the desire to see relief in terms of energy expenses, payroll tax, and workers compensation, or alignment of policies across state borders to reduce complexity for businesses.

The NSW government has also made announcements related to transitioning to net-zero emissions and strengthening supply chains, two key focus areas for the retail sector.

The ARA is dedicated to a smooth transition to the low-carbon economy of the future, and we welcome the governments announcements aimed at reducing the costs and risks associated with the shift from coal-fired generation to renewable energy sources, Mr Zahra affirmed.

He also welcomed announcements regarding toll relief, which will lower costs for businesses, and investments in road infrastructure to maintain the supply chains efficiency in greater Sydney and regional areas, especially following natural disasters.

The ARA anticipates working closely with the Minns government and applauds measures already taken by the new government, including stricter penalties for individuals who assault retail workers.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
20.09.2023 LISTEN

Ghana and El Salvador have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, who signed on behalf of Ghana at the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, USA, stressed the importance of collaboration between Ghana and El Salvador.

Madam Botchwey also held bilateral meetings with her colleague Foreign Ministers from Bangladesh, St. Lucia, Namibia, Bahamas, Maldives and Tonga. She appealed to the Foreign Ministers to convince investors in their respective countries to explore investment opportunities in Ghana to advance international trade and investment among the countries.

The 78th United Nations General Assembly high-level week started on Monday, 18th September 20223 and will end on 22nd September 2023.

This years UNGA is on the theme: "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all."
CAMFED Ghana is marking a decade of the Scholars Program with a Change Makers Congress being held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, from September 17-24, 2023.

This years Congress which is on the theme, A Decade of Impact, seeks to demonstrate the significant achievements of the Scholars Program, and is being organised to, among others, groom scholars and alumnae to become transformative leaders and support them to hone their soft and leadership skills as they transition from school. It will host the final cohort of 563 tertiary scholars and over 400 alumnae throughout the week.

The Scholars Program is a 10-year partnership between CAMFED Ghana and the Mastercard Foundation. It is underpinned by shared values and commitment to the provision of quality education and comprehensive support to academically gifted young women in the rural communities within CAMFEDs operational regions.

The objectives of the Scholars Program are to raise social, political and business leaders for the African continent, to unlock the potential of a critical mass of academically-bright yet disadvantaged girls and young women from rural Ghana through secondary and tertiary education, enrichment and service leadership opportunities. The Scholars Program is also designed to build a network of visionary educators at second cycle schools and universities who share the objective of inclusive, equitable and high-quality education. It also aims to provide a unique platform to create an alumnae network that catalyzes the transformative power of individual scholars.

The Scholars Program was designed to provide opportunities for 4,000 and 1,640 young women to attend and complete secondary and tertiary education respectively. Under the umbrella of the Program, CAMFED organized, among others, the leadership and enrichment camps for Secondary Scholars, head-start orientation for Tertiary Scholars, instituted and deepened engagements with Teacher Mentors and heads of schools, and convened the Annual Research Seminar and Learning Summit.

In her welcome address at the opening ceremony, Fairuza Safian, National Director of CAMFED Ghana, stated that to indicate that the 10-year implementation of the Scholars Program has been a decade of impact is an under-statement. She added that it has been a decade of investment in the lives of young women that has yielded monumental, life-changing impact. Scholars Alumnae are leading action on the big challenges their families, communities and country face - from child marriage, and girls exclusion from education to climate change, the Scholars Alumnae network of teachers, nurses, doctors, IT experts, lawyers, engineers, sustainable agriculture experts, and entrepreneurs is growing every year as more girls complete school and join them.

Ms. Safian also added that over the last 10 years of implementation, CAMFED has partnered with secondary and tertiary institutions to support the program. The organisation has also worked with the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and other partners in the implementation of the diverse components of the program, including the flagship Annual Research Seminar and Learning Summit. She expressed profound gratitude to the Mastercard Foundation for the partnership with CAMFED on the transformative program. She also expressed appreciation to the secondary and tertiary institutions for hosting the scholars and for providing the enabling environment for their education. Ms Safian also thanked the Ministry of Education, Ghana Education Service, and a host of individuals and organisations for their partnership and support for implementation.

As part of the Congress, participants will benefit from carefully tailored activities including a career fair, work-readiness skills development including CV clinics, planning for community service and mental wellbeing, networking, team building, health screening, as well as alumnae conversations.
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Health has paid a working visit to Zipline, Ghanas Drone Medical Services Delivery services at Anum, a community located in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region, to familiarize itself with the Zipline operations.

The delegation was led by the Member of Parliament for the Effiduase-Asokore Constituency and Chairperson for the committee, Dr Nana Ayew Afriye and Alhaji Hafiz Adam, Chief Director of the Ministry of Health.

Mr Mawuli Atiemo, General Manager of Zipline, said the centre has about 30 drones that serve the Volta region and parts of the Eastern region.

The Country Leader for Health System Integration, Mr Kwasi Owusu Antwi, took the committee members through the operations of the companys three main divisions; the Medical Supply Storage, the Packaging Unit and the Drone Launching Unit.

During the tour, Mr Owusu Antwi said the drones deliver medical supplies such as blood, antenatal drugs, child vaccines and anti-snake venoms to public health facilities, including CHPS Compounds in the regions.

Anum Zipline currently has delivered 46,516 vaccines and emergency products to 378 direct health facilities in the two regions, he added.

He disclosed that the company works directly with the Regional Medical Stores (RMS), National Blood Service Supply (NBSS) and the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), supplying them with medical products, blood products and vaccines for distribution.

Zipline demonstrated how deliveries are done with the drones and also mentioned the successes and challenges it faces in medical deliveries.

The Chairman of the Committee, Dr Afriye commended Zipline-Anum for ensuring that there is equity in healthcare delivery.
The Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) are collaborating to fight against child marriage in some communities in Ghana.

This was made known when the United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative, Dr Wilfred Ochan, paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Mr Stepehn Asamaoah Boateng, in Accra.

Mr Asamaoah Boateng young people, especially girls are the foundation of every society.

They need government support and the right environment to grow into future leaders that will push the country rather than allow societal norms to cut their dreams short, he noted.

Mr Assamoah Boateng indicated that the initiative was a step in the right direction as chieftaincy disputes had blinded the country from focusing on other norms and cultures which needed to be discarded in society.

He gave the assurance that the Ministry would meet with key stakeholders to map out strategies to curb this culture while ensuring the need for a policy that would address it and prevent society from engaging in child marriage.

On his part, Dr Wilfred Ochan said girls who are supposed to be in school are married off at an early age.

This ends their future dreams making them either becoming a grandmother before they turn age 30 and in some cases, the girls developfistula since their organs are not well developed to make babies, he added.

He emphasized that the collaboration was important because UNFPA believed that the custodians of the land hold a lot of power and can influence change in the communities hence the need to involve them to curb this social vice while promoting the good ones that need to be projected.
The Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), which is currently being built in the Atacama desert in Chile, will be the biggest telescope ever built. It's primary mirror will be 39 metres in diameter, which is slightly less than the size of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, while it's main structure will weigh a staggering 3700 tonnes. Overall, the telescope will use five mirrors to obtain sharp images of the Universe.

One of the key parts of this telescope, which is part of the European Southern Observatory (ESO) is an imager called MICADO (Multi-Adaptive Optics Imaging Camera for Deep Observations).

MICADO will allow the ELT to take images of distant galaxies, individual stars, and help search for exoplanets - planets outside our solar system.

The Space and Astrophysics Instrumentaion Research Laboratory (LESIA) of the Paris Observatory in Meudon is leading a group of French laboratories and institutes in developing MICADO's first-light adaptive optics system.

Speaking about adaptive optics, LESIA's Yann Clenet expalined that in order to observe distant or faint objects from the Earth, scientists need large telescopes such as the ELT.

"However, ground-based observations suffer due to the turbulence of the atmosphere which degrades the quality of the images. So to compensate for this effect of the turbulence, the adaptive optics system was devised," Clenet said.

He said ELT's first-light adaptive optics system consists of a sensor that is able to measure the deformation of the light.

The second subsystem consists of corrective optics made up of mirrors with actuators - a machine that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism - below their surface. These actuators move the mirrors' surface to make the image better.

The third component is a powerful computer which decides what commands should be sent to the mirrors.
"Please let them not kill us, let them not kill us."

Ten years on, Loi Awat still remembers the desperate prayers of people around her as she became caught up in one of the deadliest attacks on Kenyan soil -- the four-day siege at the upmarket Westgate shopping mall.

For four harrowing hours, Awat crammed under a small table in a bank lobby at the Nairobi mall, where she had gone to withdraw money for an afternoon rugby tournament she was going to watch with her two cousins.

She says everything happened in a split second.

"I heard some commotion behind me. I turned back and what I saw were people running. I couldn't see my cousins," Awat told AFP in an interview.

She says talking about the traumatic events that unfolded on September 21, 2013 has helped her heal.

Awat, who was just 23 at the time and had recently graduated, remembers hearing gunshots rattling through the air, leaving her frozen in terror at the bank's entrance.

"Somebody pulled me down to the floor and into the corner... My first thought was that this is a bank robbery."

After an hour of confusion, frantically texting family and friends to find out if there was any news of what was happening at the mall, she heard the Muslim chant "Allahu Akbar" ("God is Greatest)" coming from five different points in the mall.

The bloody siege at the Westgate mall lasted for four days. By CARL DE SOUZA (AFP/File)

"I just knew that these guys are here to kill us... that realisation was so heavy," recalled a sobbing Awat, now 33.

"There was a shooter right outside the bank glass doors. I did not turn to look but I could hear (shots).

"There were explosions... I thought the building would collapse and I (feared) my parents might never find my body."

Fled in panic

It was midday on Saturday when gunmen stormed the teeming mall, spraying shoppers with machinegun fire and tossing grenades.

People fled the four-storey building in panic, crawling along walls to escape stray bullets, through air vents or hiding under piles of carpets, while several played dead.

More than 67 people were killed in the attack, one of the deadliest on Kenyan soil. By James Quest (AFP/File)

On the rooftop, a cooking competition for young children turned into a scene of chaos when gunmen lobbed grenades into the crowd.

The siege lasted for around 80 hours, with at least 67 people killed and more than 200 injured before security forces took control.

Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility, saying it was in retaliation for Nairobi's military intervention in Somalia.

Kenya first sent troops into its neighbour in 2011 and remains a major contributor to the African Union force which backs Mogadishu in its war against the Islamist militants.

But Kenya has suffered a string of deadly retaliatory assaults.

Two years after Westgate, Al-Shabaab fighters attacked Garissa University in eastern Kenya, killing 148 people, almost all of them students.

It was the second most deadly attack in Kenya's history, surpassed only by Al-Qaeda's bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998 that killed 213 people.

In 2019, Al-Shabaab gunmen killed 21 people at the upscale Dusit hotel complex in Nairobi.

'Live for the moment'

Awat and her cousins were among more than 1,000 people rescued from the Westgate carnage.

She and other people hiding in the bank were forced out by thick clouds of tear gas. Trying to suppress coughs, they crawled along a floor covered in broken glass, bumping into a body of a man who had been shot.

"When I got to the door of Nakumatt supermarket, I saw somebody with a gun just like in the movies call me 'come, come'. I just got up and went to him," she recalls.

Awat, who now works as a television scriptwriter, believes that not being afraid to talk about her ordeal has healed her in more ways than she can explain.

Kenya has suffered several retaliatory attacks by Al-Shabaab since it sent troops into Somalia in 2011 to fight the jihadists. By TONY KARUMBA (AFP/File)

"Immediately after, I started telling the story, and I have not stopped telling the story," she says, adding that she had never felt the need for professional therapy.

Despite the nightmares that tormented her sleep, she says her approach was to "face the issue directly" and she even visited the mall within the first week of its 2015 reopening.

"It did affect my perception of the world," Awat says. "Up to then everything had been nice and easy... but when something like that happens, now I started to really think about things like wars, things like death."

"I got deep into studying the war in Somalia, what happened, how it started. I became more political."

And faced with death at a young age, Awat says: "I started to make choices, live for the moment choices."
With a day to the celebration of Dr. Kwame Nkrumahs birthday on September 21, Member of Parliament for Ellembelle, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has called on Ghanaians to celebrate him more often, not just on his birthday.

Armah-Kofi Buah also bemoaned the deteriorating state of Dr. Nkrumahs Museum at Nkroful, his first burial place and hometown. To help fix the place, he donated GHC10,000 to the Planning Committee for Nkrumahs Birthday celebrations.

We went around and obviously, we have seen that there is a lot of work to be done. So one of the things we have to do immediately is to make sure we refurbish the place. It requires a lot of painting and cleaning, a lot of work to be done, we have to work on that. We must also learn that we will not wait for an anniversary before we come and do these things, he said.

We must constantly maintain it. People who know that its become an annual affair know that we would have to come and do that every year. Im very happy to be here. We are very proud that our grandfather, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah hails from this place, Nkroful in Elembele District and we are proud to celebrate him. We celebrate him because of the legacy he left for Africa and for Ghana, he added.

While inviting the public to join him in celebrating the birthday of Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah for the transformational change he brought to Ghana and Africa, Armah-Kofi Buah said, he is committed to making Nkroful the celebration centre of Dr. Nkrumahs birthday.

Obviously in the last few years, we have seen attempts to basically dilute the legacy of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah but obviously nobody can. We believe that we the people of Nzema and so many Ghanaians and Africans who really have followed Dr. Kwame Nkrumah agree that Osagyefo never dies and so we are proud to celebrate him.

So we will join you to make this celebration grand. Our intention is to turn Nkroful and in indeed the Elembele District a Mecca for celebrating the life of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. So Im very excited about this years celebration and let me use this opportunity to invite loving people of Ghana, that you are invited to Nkroful, you are invited to come and join in celebrating the birthday of the great Osagyefo, he added.

A member of the Dr. Nkrumah Memorial Day celebration and Ebusuapanyin of Nkroful, Nana Sanzah Erzah commended the MP for his leadership role in upholding the place of Dr. Nkrumah in Ghanas history.

We are saying that we will make good use of the money which amounts to GH10,000 to renovate the museum. Every year he paints the museum, therefore we will make sure we do that. We will make sure to replace damaged furniture and beautify the environment before 21st September to avoid and form of disgrace to the name of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. Because he laid a good foundation, we will also make sure to follow his good deeds. So all Im saying is thank you Honourable Boah, he noted.

The Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah Museum at Nkroful holds a special place in the history of Ghanas first President since the place tells the story of his birth and the first place he was buried when he was brought back to Ghana after his passing.

Despite this significance, the Nkroful Museum has been left to deteriorate, and forgotten in the national celebration of Dr. Nkrumah's Day.

citinewsroom
France says it will not welcome any migrants coming from the Italian island of Lampedusa, which last week saw a record number of arrivals.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin made the announcement late Tuesday, adding that Paris was ready to help Rome return migrants to countries with which the countries have good diplomatic relations  citing the example of Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal.

"If people are eligible for asylum, they are persecuted sexually, politically, religiously, obviously it's the duty of France like other European countries to welcome them," Darmanin added.

But he downplayed the presence of asylum seekers among the migrants on Lampedusa, where the International Organisation for Migration said some 8,500 people arrived on 199 boats between last Monday and Wednesday.

Emergency plan

The arrivals equal more than the whole population of the tiny Italian island, prompting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to travel there Sunday to unveil an emergency action plan.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on Italy's EU partners to share more of the responsibility.

However sharing the burden of new arrival met with stiff resistance from bloc members. Prior to France, the right-wing governments in Poland and Hungary refused to accept the migrants from Italy.

Political parties in France, where President Emmanuel Macron has a minority in parliament, are wrangling over a draft law governing new arrivals.

France is expected to face a call from Pope Francis for greater tolerance towards migrants later this week during a high-profile visit to Mediterranean city Marseille, where the pontiff will meet Macron and celebrate mass before tens of thousands in a stadium.

(with newswires)
20.09.2023 LISTEN

Nana Akomea, the Chief Executive of the State Transport Corporation (STC) has strongly criticized the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he described as "childish mindset."

He accused the opposition party of deceiving the Ghanaians regarding the ongoing limited voter registration conducted by the Electoral Commission (EC).

The registration exercise, which began on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, aims to register approximately 1.35 million individuals who have attained voting age since the last registration in 2020.

However, the NDC has alleged that the EC intentionally dispatched faulty registration machines to their strongholds with the aim of undermining their electoral chances.

NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah made these allegations during a media briefing on the registration exercise.

He claimed that the malfunctioning registration machines were taken to areas traditionally considered NDC strongholds.

Asiedu Nketiah stated, "There are not more than two centers where these breakdowns are happening which are in the stronghold of the NPP. All the rest are in the stronghold of the NDC."

Nana Akomea, speaking on Peace FMs Kokrokoo morning show vehemently disagreed with these accusations, asserting that the claims made by the NDC were unfounded and absurd.

He questions the logic that the EC intentionally sent faulty machines to NDC strongholds, especially when the registration machine issues were reported across 15 regions.

According to Mr Akomea, the NDC's allegations were merely an attempt to deceive Ghanaians.

He further refuted the NDC's claims of collusion between the National Identification Authority (NIA) and the NPP to manipulate the upcoming general elections.

He described these allegations as baseless, emphasizing that the NIA's role is to provide identification cards to all residents, including foreigners.

When you think about this mindset of the NDC, you simply can't understand it. To say we have sent [faulty] machines to your constituencies or regions; such childish things.

Now, they are even saying that the National Identification Authority has conspired with the NPP to register Nigerians or foreigners, and when you tell them that the foreigners are part of the national identification, just that they will receive a card that shows they are foreigners, something that everyone already knows but you hear them on radio throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaians."

The ongoing limited voter registration exercise, which has sparked controversy, is scheduled to conclude on October 2, 2023.
Russian Embassy in Ghana has denied any involvement with the leadership of the alleged pro-Russia Wagner mercenary group who were arrested by the police in Takoradi in the Western Region.

The Western Regional Police Command recently began prosecuting three youth arrested in Diabene, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, who are suspected of having ties to Russias Wagner mercenary group. The arrest follows a public durbar organized by the youth, who were seen wearing and showing the flags of Wagner and Russia. The suspects have been identified as Evans, 25, Michael Asiedu, 23, and Ernest Asiedu, 26.

With the help of an alleged sponsor from Australia, the three boys mobilized about 20 youth to launch a military group on the Diabene community park. However, the police arrested them following a tip-off.

In a statement on its page on X, formerly Twitter, the Russian Embassy rejected claims of being involved in the spreading of Russian flags, shirts, and placards among the protestors. It further stated that it has no contact with the possible sponsors of the group.

It must be emphasized that the Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Ghana, as well as the other government agencies, have no connections to the abovementioned unauthorized gathering, the embassy said. Moreover, upon receipt in August of information about a public action being plotted, the Embassy immediately appealed to Ghana Police and warned about the possible organization of the rally with the use of the national symbols of the Russian Federation.

It should be noted that the Embassy was not involved neither in spreading of Russian flags, shirts, placards, etc. among the protestors nor in establishing any contacts with the possible sponsors of this unrest, including those ones from abroad.

The Russian Embassy expressed confidence that the security agencies will take the necessary measures to identify the perpetrators, adding that the law will eventually take its course.

The Embassy is confident that the Ghanaian law enforcement bodies will take the necessary measures to identify all those involved in this incident, and the court will take appropriate decisions to bring them to justice, the embassy said.

citinewsroom
As trading conditions get tougher for Australian businesses, it becomes even more important to have a holistic view of the payment behaviour of your clients and customers.

They might be paying you but do you really know if theyre paying their other suppliers on time?

Using trade payments data in your credit risk management process helps you minimise financial risk and maximise cash flow by revealing the true financial health of a business, its intentions when dealing with you and your relationship with it. It should be considered a non-negotiable tool of any good credit control process.

Breaking it down, trade payments data has five key benefits to businesses looking to minimise their financial risk:

Providing data to make more informed credit risk decisions

When onboarding a new customer, deciding what credit terms should be extended to them can be a crucial step in protecting your cash flow. Reviewing trade payments data before deciding on credit terms to offer is an easy defence against potential late payment and cash flow issues down the track. Reviewing a prospective customers trade payments data will give you insight into whether they typically pay suppliers promptly or whether they regularly fall in the late payers bucket. From this knowledge, you will be able to decide whether your standard credit terms can be extended to them or whether its more appropriate to offer cash on delivery until you can see improvements in the way they pay suppliers.

Revealing early warning signs that a customer could be in trouble

Once you are trading with a customer you arent guaranteed their financial situation will remain stable. Ongoing monitoring of customers financial and operating situation is crucial in being first to know when things are deteriorating. Not all changes are bad, and this should be considered as you monitor financial activity. Points to monitor include:

A continued, new trend of late payments when they used to pay on time.

Smaller or less frequent orders

Making payments on time, but not in full

Payment behaviour that is significantly worse than the industry average

Highlighting customer behaviour that warrants further investigation

Sometimes customers can do puzzling things. Sometimes theyre trying to (not so subtly) send you a message. Sometimes theyre doing the opposite and trying to hide something. Whatever the situation the following behaviour spotted through trade payments data should raise a flag:

A change in how they pay you, for example they consistently paid on time and now theyre paying late (or the opposite).

The timeliness of how they pay you is worse than how they pay other suppliers

Their payment behaviour is significantly worse than the industry benchmark

A change in their regular order with you. For example, theyre consistently ordering less from you or more time is passing between their regular orders. Or the opposite and theres a consistent trend of larger and more regular orders.

Why should this sort of behaviour raise flags? Well, if theyve turned their payment behaviour around and have now been paying you consistently on time (perhaps coupled with increasing order sizes or doing more business across the board) then maybe its time to reassess their credit terms. If theyre on cash on delivery, maybe you can strengthen your relationship and start offering trade credit.

On the other hand, if they use to be an all-star customer and are now appearing on you overdues list it might be worth a phone call. Sometimes these situations are caused by a change in staff or someone on holiday. Other times, it can be a first indication that the customer is unhappy with the goods and services supplied. It may mean theres a dispute on the cards. In any case, the only way to speed up payment in these instances is to investigate further  pick up the phone, have a chat, dive into the detail.

Reducing the risk of engaging with a fraudulent customer

Reviewing trade payments data prior to onboarding and agreeing credit terms with a new customer is an important step in minimising your risk of being a victim of B2B fraud. Establishing that a prospective customer has an active payments history and good payment behaviour should give you confidence that youre dealing with a business in good faith.

Increasing trust in your business

If youre a new business or small business chances are youre out there hustling. All your hard work though can be curtailed if suppliers and service providers youre trying to trade with arent sure whether to trust you or not. This is where signing up to a commercial credit bureau and sharing your own trade payments data can be advantageous.

By sharing your own trade payments data, prospective suppliers and customers will be able to review your history and have confidence in your ability and willingness to pay.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The State Transport Company (STC) Chief Executive, Nana Akomea has called on Ghanaians to ignore the antics of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) with regard to the limited voter registration exercise.

The NDC party has accused the Electoral Commission of attempting to suppress voters in its strongholds with faulty registration machines.

According to Mr. Akomea, the NDCs rant is unnecessary.

In an interview with Peace FM, he said the NDC has been acting "childish" with the whole matter.

When you think about this mindset of the NDC, you simply can't understand it. To say we have sent [faulty] machines to your constituencies or Regions; such childish things!...Now, they are even saying that the National Identification Authority has conspired with the NPP to register Nigerians or foreigners and when you tell them that the foreigners are part of the national identification, just but they will receive a card that shows they are foreigners, something that everyone already knows but you hear them on radio throwing dust into the eyes of Ghanaians, Nana Akomea stated.

At a media briefing on the exercise, NDC National Chairman Johnson Asiedu Nketiah alleged that the EC had intentionally taken faulty machines to areas known as traditional NDC strongholds to frustrate eligible voters.

There is not more than two centres where these breakdowns are happening which are in the stronghold of the NPP. All the rest are in the stronghold of the NDCIt is like his excellency when he was complaining about politicking within the bar association which turns to campaign at the bar conference, he stated.

The exercise which commenced on Tuesday, September 12 is expected to end on October 2, 2023.
20.09.2023 LISTEN

Private legal practitioner Martin Kpebu has accused former Sanitation Minister Cecilia Dapaah of being guilty of corruption-related charges following the latest disclosures by the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

According to Lawyer Kpebu, the former Sanitation Ministers source of wealth is questionable.

He said in an interview on TV3, that Ghanaians deserve an explanation from the former Sanitation Minister over her source of wealth.

It points in the direction of corruption and corruption-related offences because as it were, you will see that these monies are not supported by Madam Dapaahs income.

How did she come by that money? What business did she do to earn that income? So once she is not able to explain her source of wealth, then we are in the realm of corruption and corruption-related offences. In fact, bribery to put it in another word.

They look like bribes because she cant explain and what is it that she cant explain? Martin Kpebu stated.

Mr. Kpebu was commenting on the latest charge sheet submitted in court by the OSP to cease and freeze Cecilia Abena Dapaah's cash and bank accounts.

The Office cited Madam Abena Dapaah for running an undisclosed and undeclared business using many aliases.

In an instance, the first respondent sold an SSNIT Borteyman Estates Flat No. BT/OD/BLK2/2BR/1 under the name of Nana Yaa Ode.

Indeed, the first respondent appended her signature on all relevant correspondence with the buyer under the name of Nana Yaa Ode, OSP stated.

Mr Kpebu said from Day 1 it was clear the former minister did not have any business to earn such amounts from it.

So, this case from Day 1 is one that has been riddled with false statements here and there and those false statements and changing positions very frequently let the case look like one that we are headed for bribery and corruption. The only difficulty is that she has a constitutional right to keep quiet under Article 19, the OSP emphasised.
20.09.2023 LISTEN

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says it is not surprising that retired police officer, COP Alex Mensah is aspiring to become a Member of Parliament for Asante Bekwai.

They cited his alleged involvement with NPP affiliates in the Techiman South Constituency of the Bono Region during the 2020 elections as a point of contention.

Mr Suleman Mustapha Mohammed, the NDC's Bono East Regional Communication Officer, asserted that COP Mensah should not be absolved of responsibility for the unfortunate deaths of some innocent NDC youth during the declaration of parliamentary results in the region.

He stated that now that COP Mensah is venturing into mainstream politics, they will treat him as such.

Mr Mohammed argued that security officers with COP Mensah's mindset were in charge during the previous elections, which led to the unnecessary loss of lives.

He stressed his personal involvement, having served as Deputy Youth Organiser for the Techiman South Constituency before rising to become the Regional Communications Officer, and he placed blame on the security officers for the tragic events involving NDC youth.

He noted that the violence that occurred on December 8 should have been limited to clashes between the NPP and the NDC, but instead, security forces were involved, leading to harm to innocent party supporters.

Mr. Mohammed claimed to be well aware of the security dynamics during the declaration of parliamentary results.

Expressing concern, he questioned how a serving police officer with the rank of COP could openly declare sympathy for the governing NPP during the parliamentary ad-hoc committee's hearing, given the sensitive nature of their profession.

He alleged that officers like COP Mensah had been unfairly promoted within the service to further the party's agenda, accusing the retired officer of allowing politics to overshadow his professionalism.

Commissioner of Police (COP) Alex George Mensah officially announced his candidacy for the Asante Bekwai parliamentary seat in the upcoming general elections. COP Mensah, who recently retired from the Ghana Police Service, revealed his long-standing ambition to enter parliament, believing that the time has come to pursue this goal.

During an interview with Angel TV on September 17, 2023, COP Mensah confirmed his intention to run for office. Although he did not specify the political party ticket under which he would be contesting, he indicated that his family has ties to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

COP Mensah gained public attention when he was allegedly involved in a leaked tape scandal, which appeared to depict discussions about removing the current Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Subsequently, he appeared before a bipartisan parliamentary ad-hoc committee to defend his actions and criticise the IGP for what he perceived as mismanagement and information restrictions within the police service.

As COP Mensah embarks on his retirement from the Ghana Police Service, he has received numerous congratulatory messages.

His scheduled appearance before the parliamentary committee investigating the leaked tape is set for October 2, 2023.

-Classfmonline
20.09.2023 LISTEN

Personal Assistant to former Sanitation Minister Madam Cecilia Dapaah has said the embattled former minister does not own a real estate business.

Speaking to a section of the media in Accra, he described the OSPs revelation that the former minister operates a real estate business with a 'fake identity' as false.

He stated that the OSP is only using the media to create public hatred for Cecilia Dapaah.

Cecilia Abena Dapaah has never owned a real estate business. She bought a SSNIT affordable house for her late mum many years ago and later decided to sell it off. How that translates to her owning a real estate business beats human imagination, he stated.

On the issue of the Bank account of Cecilia Dapaahs dead brother still sending her money, Mr Kofi Mensah explained that the bank was present to receive the donations of the late brother during the funeral.

He noted that right after the funeral the donations were used to open an account with Madam Cecilia Dapaah and her elder sisters name being signatories to the account and same was later used to pay off some of the funeral expenses.

Does that warrant a headline that her late brother is signing cheques and sending her money?" he quizzes.

On the issue of the money being hidden in obscure places in the house concealed in wraps and clothes, he retorted that it does not make any sense.

Has the OSP forgotten that the husband of Madam Cecilia Dapaah constantly receives cash from people whose building projects he supervises?

The public is advised to treat the publications and allegations with the contempt they deserve. The OSP is advised to desist from its fiendish delight in trial by the press," he emphasised.
President of the Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA), Dr. Joseph Obeng, has warned the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) against using intimidating tactics to implement the Upfront Payment of the Value Added Tax (VAT).

Addressing the media in Accra on Wednesday, Dr. Obeng said GUTA members will no longer tolerate the GRAs Rambo style approach to enforcing the new tax law.

We will no longer tolerate such acts of intercepting our cargo after leaving the port, Dr. Obeng said. If anything at all the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitics have affected the business community more and we can no longer entertain any abuse of authority in carrying out our legitimate businesses.

Dr. Obeng also criticized the GRAs practice of sending invigilators to sit in traders shops and monitor their sales.

As if that is not enough, GRA also goes further to frustrate members of the business community, especially traders by sending what they call invigilators to sit in our shops and monitor our sales as if we are in a police state which perceives business operators as criminals, he said.

Dr. Obeng recommended that the GRA restructure the VAT system to make it more fair and equitable, rather than using intimidation to enforce it.

What needs to be made clear is that the VAT system which is a consumption tax should be restructured to bring fairness, parity, simplicity and affordability to ensure effective compliance as the only way forward to compel both the trader and the consumer to abide by the policy, he said.

Dr. Obeng also charged GUTA members to resist any intimidatory attempts by the GRA to enforce the new tax law.

The GRAs Upfront VAT payment policy was introduced to improve VAT compliance and reduce tax evasion. However, the policy has been met with resistance from some businesses, who argue that it is unfair and burdensome.

The GRA has defended the policy, arguing that it is necessary to ensure that all businesses pay their fair share of taxes. The GRA has also said that it is committed to working with businesses to implement the policy in a way that is fair and reasonable.

-citinewsroom
In a momentous recognition of Africa's burgeoning influence on the global stage, the G20, a consortium of the world's foremost economies, has extended an enduring membership invitation to the African Union (AU). This historic gesture carries profound implications, representing Africa's aspirations for a more prominent role in international affairs, with its 50-plus nations united under a common banner. The eagerness with which U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi endorsed the AU's permanent G20 membership underscores the significance of this step. Senegal's President Macky Sall, the former AU chair, celebrated this milestone, emphasizing its importance for the entire African continent. After seven years of tireless advocacy by the AU, South Africa no longer stands as the sole African representative in the G20. This elevation of the AU's status holds great promise for Africa, a continent poised to witness its youthful population of 1.3 billion double by 2050, constituting a quarter of the global populace.

The African Union's Quest for Global Prominence

The African Union's journey to secure permanent membership in the G20 marks a paradigm shift in international relations. For years, Africa's 55 member states have sought meaningful roles within global institutions, challenging the post-World War II order that has long dominated international affairs. The AU has not only advocated for its inclusion in the G20 but has also called for reforms in the global financial system, which has disproportionately burdened African nations with higher borrowing costs, exacerbating their debt challenges. Africa's commitment to reshaping the global landscape extends beyond traditional Western powers. In recent times, global players, including China, Russia, Gulf nations, Turkey, Israel, and Iran, have intensified their engagement with African nations, fostering both economic and political ties. In this evolving landscape, African leaders are increasingly positioning themselves as global brokers rather than passive recipients of external influence, as exemplified by their mediation efforts following Ukraine war. The AU's membership in the G20 stands as a testament to Africa's emergence as a global power, demanding its place at the table of international decision-making.

Africa's Wealth and Global Impact

Africa's newfound status as a full-fledged member of the G20 brings to the fore a continent with vast resources and a pivotal role in addressing global challenges. Notably, Africa boasts the world's largest free trade area, making it a vital player in the global economic landscape. Beyond its economic prowess, Africa is rich in resources crucial for combatting climate change, despite contributing the least to this pressing global issue. The continent is home to 60% of the world's renewable energy assets, offering immense potential for sustainable development. Moreover, Africa possesses over 30% of the minerals essential for renewable and low-carbon technologies, including cobalt, a critical component of lithium-ion batteries. The Democratic Republic of Congo alone holds nearly half of the world's cobalt reserves, highlighting Africa's strategic importance in the transition to clean energy.

Leveraging Natural Wealth for Local Development

African leaders are keenly aware of the value of their natural resources and are determined to leverage them for the benefit of their economies and citizens. One of the prevailing concerns is the longstanding practice of outsiders extracting Africa's resources for processing and profits elsewhere. African nations are increasingly advocating for more localized industrial development to ensure that the wealth generated from these resources directly contributes to their economic growth and social development. This drive for equitable resource utilization was prominently featured at the first Africa Climate Summit. The summit concluded with resounding calls for fairer treatment by financial institutions, the fulfillment of rich countries' climate financing commitments, and the implementation of a global fossil fuel tax to address environmental concerns.

Challenges and the Imperative for Unity

While Africa's aspirations on the global stage are resolute, articulating a unified stance among its diverse member states remains a challenge. Economic disparities, varying priorities, and the AU's annually rotating chairmanship hinder consistency in Africa's diplomatic efforts. However, the imperative for Africa to present a united front within the G20 is widely recognized. As former Prime Minister Ibrahim Assane Mayaki of Niger and former IMF Executive Director Daouda Sembene underscored in Project Syndicate, Africa must "speak with one voice" if it hopes to wield meaningful influence in G20 decision-making. This capacity for collective action was demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic when African nations jointly criticized the hoarding of vaccines by wealthier countries and collaborated on bulk procurement of supplies.

Now, as a G20 member, Africa's demands will resonate more effectively, ensuring that its voice is no longer relegated to the periphery of global affairs. Africa's ascent to the G20 represents a moral, economic, strategic, political, and diplomatic boost for the nations within the African Union, reaffirming their importance on the world stage. As the African Union takes its seat at the G20 table, the continent's leaders stand poised to shape the global agenda, harness their considerable resources for sustainable development, and champion the pressing issues of our time.
The Chief Executive for Amansie West District Hon Nii Lartey Ollenu has assured that government will quickly fix all bad roads in the area before the close of this year.

He noted that the ruling party is privy to the bad nature of the road network and for that reason has awarded them on contract for construction.

He told ModernGhana News exclusively that the road stretching from Anwia Nkwanta to Mmem Junction, through to the adjoining Amansie South road has been awarded on contract. He added that construction works are currently ongoing at Datano.

At Antoakrom to Pakyi 2, he said has been classified as a critical access road which government is working on all necessary documentation for it to be awarded on contract.

The DCE however urged them to exercise patience since all the necessary interventions have been rolled out to address the situation.

The Chief Executive said this in reaction to agitations raised by some commercial drivers of Ghana Private Road Transport Union during a demonstration on Tuesday, 19th September 2023.

The drivers mentioned in their press statement that the bad nature of the roads is causing inconvenience to people living in the district.

"Potholes, uneven road surface and waterlogging have become a common sight, making it difficult for commuters to navigate their way through.

"This is not only posing risk to the safety of residents, passengers and drivers but it is also hampering the overall development of our district," they stated.

They added that the poor nature of the road network has increased the rate of road crashes and armed robberies.
20.09.2023 LISTEN

The Ghana Police Service has advised the public not to take part in a planned protest by Democracy Hub scheduled for Thursday to Saturday at Jubilee House in Accra.

In a press statement issued on September 20, the police's Public Affairs Unit said it had "filed an application at the court and successfully served the organizers of a group identifying itself as Democracy Hub in connection with a planned demonstration within the vicinity of the Jubilee House from Thursday, 21st to Saturday, 23rd September 2023."

The statement, signed by Superintendent of Police Juliana Obeng, Head of the Public Affairs Unit, added: "As we wait for the court to determine the matter, we wish to urge the public to take note and disregard any calls from any individuals or groups encouraging them to assemble for a demonstration at the Jubilee House."

The police further urged the organizers "to respect the due process in the interest of public order and public safety."

Democracy Hub plans to stage the protest as it accuses government of mismanaging the economy and demands better relief for Ghanaians facing hardship.

On Tuesday, the group held a press conference where it informed members of arrangements, including providing mattresses, tents and mosquito nets for protesters wishing to sleep over during the three-day protest at Jubilee House.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana COCOBOD has announced the implementation of a traceability system for cocoa farmers in the export of cocoa beans to international markets without encountering restrictions.

This significant development aims to align Ghana's cocoa industry with international regulations, providing greater transparency and accountability in the cocoa supply chain.

The COCOBOD CEO, Joseph Boahen Aidoo emphasized that by December 31 cocoa farmers will be required to adhere to this traceability system to transport cocoa to any European port.

The system, established under his leadership, he noted is designed to exempt Ghanaian cocoa farmers from potential export limitations.

He explained, "If you are exporting cocoa to any European port and they are not able to trace it, you will be disallowed, but this system that we have built makes every cocoa from Ghana permissible to enter European ports because it's traceable."

In addition to the traceability system, the COCOBOD CEO highlighted the implementation of a Cocoa Management System (CMS) to organize and maintain a comprehensive database of cocoa farmers in the country.

Mr Boahen Aidoo also revealed that digitalization has played a vital role in enhancing the cocoa sector's efficiency.

He noted, "We have a digital address system for every farm in Ghana. So, for example, if I want you to go to my farm, I'll simply provide you with the coordinates, and you can navigate directly to the farm."

Currently, over 700,000 cocoa farmers have been registered within the CMS.
20.09.2023 LISTEN

As world leaders gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly and upcoming Climate Ambition Summit convened by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, an Afrobarometer delegation concluded a four-day engagement with U.S. Africa policy actors in Washington, D.C., highlighting African views on climate change, democracy, governance, gender, and youth.

In meetings hosted by the United States Institute of Peace, Afrobarometer leaders presented the research networks latest findings on climate change, democracy, and gender to representatives of the U.S. State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), non-governmental organisations, and other democracy and governance advocates.

The Afrobarometer delegation also met with the World Bank Africa Chief Economist, Andrew Dabalen and his team as well as the Africa Program of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) team led by Senior Director Dave Peterson.

Afrobarometer Round 9 surveys conducted in 2021-2022 offer critical insights on African citizens views, aspirations, and experiences of governance, democracy, and climate change, which feature high on the United Nations General Assembly 2023 agenda.

Our findings shed light key issues of interest to policy makers, offering insights that reflect the aspirations and lived experiences of Africans on climate change, democracy, and governance, said Afrobarometer Board Chair E. Gyimah-Boadi. These should echo resoundingly within the halls of power at the United Nations General Assembly, urging concerted action.

Here are highlights of Round 9 survey findings shared during Afrobarometer engagements On climate change:

On average across 36 African countries surveyed in 2021-2022, just about half (52%) of Africans say they have heard of climate change, while 46% say they have not heard about this phenomenon. Awareness varies widely across countries, from about 80% in Seychelles to just 22% in Tunisia.

Among those who are aware of climate change:

 Almost three-quarters (73%) say it is making their lives worse. This view is especially widespread in Madagascar (91%), Lesotho (88%), Mauritius (86%), Malawi (86%), and Benin (85%).

 Few citizens are satisfied with the efforts of governments, developed countries, business and industry, and ordinary citizens to fight climate change, and most demand a lot more from these stakeholders.

 Majorities in all 36 countries want their government to take action now to limit climate change, even if it is costly, causes job losses, or takes a toll on the economy. In 14 countries, 80% or more of citizens who are aware of climate change share this view.

On gender equality and gender-based violence

Almost three-fourths (73%) of respondents say women should have the same rights as men to own and inherit land, while a much smaller majority (58%) endorse equal rights in hiring.

Three-fourths (75%) of citizens say women should have the same chance as men to vie for political office, rejecting the idea that men make better political leaders and should thus be given priority as candidates. This is the majority view in all countries surveyed except Sudan where a slim majority (53%) say men make better leaders.

where a slim majority (53%) say men make better leaders. While a large majority (79%) of citizens think a woman will gain standing in the community if she runs for office, significant proportions also think its likely that she will be criticised or harassed (52%) and face problems with her family (40%).

Africans see gender-based violence as the most important womens-rights-related issue that their government and society need to address.

But they are divided on whether domestic violence should be treated as a criminal matter (50%) or a private matter (47%).

On democracy and governance

Clear majorities of Aficans express support for democracy and accountable governance. Two-thirds (66%) say they prefer democracy to any other system of government. Even larger majorities reject non-democratic alternatives: one-man rule (80%), one-party rule (78%), and military rule (67%).

Majorities also endorse norms, institutions, and practices associated with democratic governance, including choosing political leaders through the ballot box (75%), placing constitutional limits on presidential tenure (74%), multiparty competition (64%), free media (65%), and government accountability (61%).

Across 30 countries surveyed consistently between 2014/2015 and 2021/2022, citizens have been largely consistent over time in their demand for democracy and accountable governance across many indicators.

However, preference for democracy is now a minority opinion in four countries  Mali (39%), South Africa (43%), Angola (47%), and Lesotho (49%). Between 2014 and 2022, support for democracy has declined sharply in several countries: Mali (down by 36 percentage points), Burkina Faso (-26 points), South Africa (-21 points), and Guinea (-15 points).

Source: Afrobarometer
A staggering 45% of employers have seen a surge in shortlisted candidates haggling over compensation packages this year, compared to the previous year, according to research conducted by Robert Half.

Job candidates and existing employees are increasingly negotiating compensation packages compared to the previous year. This trend is a direct result of Australias historically low unemployment rate, which has remained at 3.7% according to the latest ABS Labour Force statistics.

Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half, points out that in a skills shortage-driven era, employers are experiencing more frequent compensation negotiations. They are now balancing the need to attract and retain top talent with budget constraints and company policies. In this environment, compensation negotiations have become a crucial tool for both employers and employees.

In an era defined by skills shortages, employers are witnessing a growing frequency of compensation negotiations, where the pursuit of talent meets the constraints of a squeezed marketplace, says Nicole Gorton, Director at Robert Half.

As the demand for top talent continues to outgrow the available supply, organisations are finding themselves reconciling the requirements of their business with those of their employees too. They must entice and retain skilled professionals while navigating the constraints of budgets and company policies. In this environment, compensation negotiations have become a critical tool for both employers and employees.

The negotiations are more prevalent among job seekers, especially during the interview stage. This suggests that candidates may feel they have a stronger bargaining position in the current job market.

The research also reveals that more workers are negotiating non-financial benefits in addition to monetary compensation. Among employers surveyed, 44% reported an increase in salary discussions, 22% reported more talks about non-monetary compensation, and 34% reported an increase in negotiations for both monetary and non-monetary perks. Non-monetary compensation measures include additional time off, hybrid or remote work arrangements, and professional development opportunities.

Gorton emphasizes that due to the cost-of-living crisis, financial compensation remains a top concern for workers. However, there is also a growing interest in benefits that promote work-life balance and professional growth. Employers should consider that their perk and benefit structure reflects their company culture and can play a significant role in attracting and retaining top talent.

For jobseekers looking to negotiate their compensation packages, Gorton offers several tips:

Research Industry Trends: Understand the current market value of your skills and experience by consulting resources like the Robert Half Salary Guide. This guide provides insights into salary ranges for various roles and geographical areas. Build Your Case: Prepare to explain why you deserve better compensation by providing concrete examples of how your skills and experience will benefit the company. Highlight your strengths and how they align with the companys goals. Factor in Perks and Benefits: Consider both financial and non-financial perks when negotiating. Think about professional development opportunities, health insurance coverage, retirement savings, employee discounts, allowances, and subsidies. Know When to Quit: Define your lower limits or non-negotiables before entering negotiations. If the company cannot meet your requirements after a few discussions, it may be better to respectfully withdraw your application and focus on opportunities that better align with your expectations.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Lawyers for those arrested in the money-stealing case of the former minister for sanitation and water resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, have bemoaned the inability of their clients to post their bail bond.

An Accra Circuit Court has granted bail to four out of the seven accused persons.

Mr Augustine Gyamfi who represented Sarah Agyei, the second accused in the case said, it was not that they were not making any attempt to execute the bail granted by the court, but the interpretation of the bail condition was a challenge.

He therefore prayed to the court for variation of bail.

The lawyers asked the court to vary the bail granted to their clients and repeated their bail application.

The court, presided over by Mrs Afia Owusua Appiah, urged the lawyers to file bail variation applications and furnish the court with details and particulars of the various sureties.

The court recalled how, in some cases before it, accused people absconded after being granted bail.

Earlier, the court ordered the Registrar of the Family and Juvenile Unit to submit, within seven days, the record of proceedings in respect of Patience Botwe, the first accused person.

This was to enable the court to ascertain if she had been granted bail by the Family and Juvenile Court.

The trial earlier urged lawyers to deal with the matter professionally as it would not bow to public pressure.

According to the court, peoples lives were at stake, and multiple allegations had been made, and urged the lawyers to disregard public sentiments in the matter.

The trial judge said this when Mr Raymond Felli counsel for Yahaya Sumaila urged the court to order the prosecution to desist from taking adjournments and to come clear on the matter.

Soon after the pronouncement of the trial, Mr Felli apologised and withdrew his comments against the prosecution.

The court subsequently granted bail to Malik Dauda, the fourth accused in the case, in the sum of GHC100,000 with two sureties to be justified.

It said that the sureties should reside within the jurisdiction.

The prosecution, led By Akosua Agyapong Agyeman, a State Attorney, said investigators had submitted the docket to the Attorney General's (AG) office but had yet to see it.

According to her, she would be following up on the matter at the AG's office.

The state attorney prayed to the court to order defence counsel to formally present the bail variation for her to respond to them.

Patience Botwe and Christiana Achab, both nursing mothers and Job Pomary and Malik Dauda are on bail.

Sarah Agyei, Benjamin Sowa, Yahaya Sumaila have not been admitted to bail.

Franklin Sarakpo is said to be at large.

All the accused persons are facing eleven charges for allegedly stealing money and items from the residence of the former Minister.

The charges include six counts of stealing and five counts of dishonesty receiving.

Earlier, the prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Emmanuel Nyamekye, said that the fact and charge sheets had been amended.

Meanwhile, the court has discharged Kwaku Botwe, father of Patience Botwe, alias, Maabena.

The prosecution said one other accused, Franklin Sarakpo, was at large.

It stated that the complainants in the case were Mr Daniel Osei Kufour and his wife, Mrs Cecilia Abena Dapaah, who lived in Abelemkpe, Accra.

The prosecution said the first accused, Patience Botwe, was a house helper for the complainants, while the second accused, Sarah Agyei, was unemployed and a former house helper for the couple.

The third accused, Benjamin Sowah, was Patience Botwes lover, the fourth accused, Malik Dauda, was the first accuseds former boyfriend, and the fifth accused is Christiana Achab, a trader.

The court heard that the sixth accused is Job Pomary, husband of fifth accused.

Yahaya Sumaila, the seventh accused, is an excavator operator who lives in Sagnarigu, Tamale Metropolis, and Franklin Sarakpo, the eighth accused, is the son of the fifth accused, who is on the run.

The prosecution said the police commenced investigations when in June 2023, the complainants reported theft of their cash and personal effects.

It said police investigations led to the arrest of the first and third accused persons at their hide outs in Tamale in the Northern Region.

The prosecution said during a search of the rooms of the accused, $40,000 and GHC7,619.70 were discovered.

The prosecution said further investigation indicated that when Mr Kufour returned from town in October last year, he noticed their bedroom had been opened and heard an unusual noise in the house.

The prosecutor said when Mr Kufuor entered the room, he saw the first accused hiding behind the storeroom door with duplicate keys to the master bedroom.

The court heard that the complainants detected theft of money and personal belongings from the room.

The prosecution said the first accused told the police during interrogation that she gave $70,000 of the stolen money to the fifth accused to buy a three-bedroom property at Amrahia for her, as well as several brand-new items that were retrieved from the house.

The matter has been adjourned to October 3, 2023.

GNA
An emerging political group within the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Bono Region, 'Team Dabie 4 Bawumia,' has intensified electioneering to canvass votes for Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia's victory in the NPP's November 4 presidential primary.

The group comprises some delegates and supporters of the NPP supporting the Presidential bid of Dr. Bawumia.

Mr Yaw Dabie Appiah Mensah, the Team Lead, and a former Organiser of the NPP in the former Brong-Ahafo Region, made this known in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at Odumase in the Sunyani West constituency.

He had earlier led some of the team members to undertake a campaign outreach exercise, and interacted with NPP delegates at Odumase, Abosa, Botre, Bofourkrom and Abronye, farming communities in the constituency.

Without Alhaji Dr. Bawumia, our political chances in the Election 2024 would be slimmer. From our interactions with some of the Ghanaian electorate, it would be easier for the NPP to break the eight and retain political power and we are bent on making that happen, Mr Mensah stated.

Though the Vice President won the just ended NPP super-delegates congress with wider margin, we have to upscale our campaign drive, interact with, and let the NPP delegates in general to understand the need to endorse Dr. Bawumia for our great Party in the next general election, he stated.

The NPP can't afford to give back political power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to mess up and disrupt our social intervention programmes and this can only happen if we don't endorse Dr. Bawumia to lead the Party in 2024, Mr Mensah added.

In a related interview, Mrs. Gifty Owusu Ansah, the NPP's Women Organiser of Abosa in the constituency, described Dr. Bawumia as trustworthy and easy to interact with and promised to rally solidly behind him to win the NPP's November 4 polls.

She said the popularity of Dr. Bawumia in the area was an indication that the general voting population at the grassroots level had accepted him, and therefore, called on the NPP delegates to vote for him.

Mr Dennis Amankwaa Yeboah, one of the NPP delegates at Odumase also said the implementation of the Nana Addo-Bawumia free education policy alone remained unprecedented, hence the need to endorse Dr. Bawumia, and support him to win the presidential election.

He said Dr. Bawumia had about 90 per cent support of the NPP delegates in the constituency and therefore urged his campaign team to avoid complacency and propagate the achievements of the Government at the grassroots level.

Mr Yeboah called on the NPP leadership to support the Party at the constituency and polling station levels with logistics to enable them to reach out to the voting population at the hard-to-reach villages in the constituency.

GNA
The Aflao Sector Command of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has explained that the closure of the main gate of the Aflao Border to Togo was to allow for security screening.

Border security officials Monday evening temporarily closed the main gate of the border preventing scores of Togolese motorcyclists seeking entry into the country to ostensibly buy fuel, following an alleged shortage of the commodity in that capital.

While some believed that the fuel shortage was due to a delay in the delivery of products, others alleged that an expected increase in fuel prices led to the situation describing it as artificial fuel shortage.

Assistant Commissioner of Immigration (ACI) Frederick Baah Duodu, the Aflao Sector Commander, speaking to Ghana News Agency (GNA) said Monday evening's closure lasted barely an hour and meant for screening after, which it was re-opened.

The temporary closure of the main gate of the border was an emergency measure to screen the travelling public to know, who were genuinely travelling to Aflao and beyond and those who were coming to Aflao purposely to buy fuel because of the situation that persisted in Lome then. We allowed those travelling access and turned away those coming for fuel. We didn't close the border.

The situation in Lome has normalised. The whole of yesterday we didn't experience motorcyclists trying to come to Aflao to buy fuel. You'll realise that there's free flow of travelers and that there's calm at the border, Ex WOI Maxwell Addo-Boateng, National Security Liaison Officer for Ketu South confirmed to GNA.

Earlier, Mr Kwashie Akorsu, Public Relations Officer for Commercial Motor Riders Association in Ketu South, who spoke to GNA Monday evening, said they were monitoring the fuel purchase by their counterparts from Togo and would raise an alarm when necessary, insisting they had then noticed nothing untoward.

GNA
20.09.2023 LISTEN

Dr Robert Incoom, Director of Pharmacy at the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital (CCTH), has entreated the public to always consult the pharmacist before taking any medication.

He warned that taking drugs which were not duly prescribed by a qualified medical practitioner was extremely dangerous and could be fatal.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Dr Incoom explained that pharmacists per their training, played a lifesaving role in healthcare delivery and, therefore, should not be bypassed.

He explained that many diseases might have similar symptoms but required completely different treatments and cautioned citizens to be wary.

When medicines are not prescribed or recommended by the pharmacist or any health care provider, you stand the risk of developing adverse drug reaction which could cause more illness and even death.

So, we are encouraging the populace to consult their pharmacist or health care provider on any issue on medicine, so that we ensure that together the pharmacy and the entire health care team promote quality health care, he said.

He added that CCTH had established a fully-fledged clinical pharmacy unit to ensure patients who were admitted went through medication therapy review to optimise drug therapy and improve the quality of care.

He said the hospital was determined to expand its pharmaceutical and clinical pharmacy services to give patients the best of health care and increase access.

GNA
20.09.2023 LISTEN

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has recorded about 937 cases of Conjunctivitis, commonly known as Apollo, from 19 health facilities in four regions between June and the second week of September this year.

The cases were recorded in the Greater Accra, Upper East, Central and the Oti regions.

Dr Hornametor Afake, Head of the GHS Eyecare Unit, told the Ghana News Agency in Accra on Tuesday that the service had received reports of a rise in cases of Conjunctivitis, also known as Apollo in Ghana, since June.

He said the current cases of conjunctivitis brought to health facilities were Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis (ACH).

Acute Hemorrhagic is a severe form of viral pink eye that could cause eyelid swelling, eye discharge, and bleeding.

He stated that 680 instances of Apollo have currently been recorded in nine health facilities in the Greater Accra region.

In the Oti Region, 136 cases have been recorded in eight health facilities, 99 cases in the Saltpond Municipal Hospital in the Central Region and 22 cases in the Upper East Regional Hospital.

It is interesting to know that in Manna Mission Hospital in Accra, 22 cases of Apollo were recorded out of the total number of 45 OPD cases in September alone, he said.

Dr Afake said Apollo is a viral infection, highly contagious and usually experienced between July and September.

The GHS would conduct laboratory investigations to confirm what type of virus is responsible for the current Apollo outbreak in Ghana, he said.

The Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis commonly known as Apollo in Ghana was first detected in 1969.

Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin membrane that covers the eyeball and inner eyelid. This inflammation is usually due to an infection, allergen, or toxin.

Conjunctivitis is highly contagious and is usually transmitted through direct contact with an infected person through handshake and hand-to-eye contact.

It can also be caught by using a virus-infected item, such as a handkerchief, towel, or makeup tools.

Symptoms include severe swelling and visible bleeding in and around your eye.

The last Apollo outbreak in Ghana occurred in 2013, with only a few cases reported each year after then.

You cannot contract Apollo by looking into the eye of an infected person, Dr Afake said.

He advised the public to to practice good hand hygiene by washing their hands often with soap and running water.

Dr. Afake stated that Apollo is self-limiting and usually heals by itself within five to ten days, but becomes harmful when people develop a bacterial infection as a result of using an unapproved substance in the eye.

Complications occur when people use sea water, which is already polluted to treat the eye, some use breast milk which is also not beneficial, some use urine and herbal preparation which could lead to a cornea skull, this is dangerous and can destroy the eye, he said.

The GHSs Head of the Eyecare Unit encouraged anyone infected with the disease to seek treatment at a health centre and to stop sharing eye drops.

GNA
Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the 2020 running mate of the National Democratic Candidate (NDC), has expressed her heartfelt condolences to the victims affected by the tragic fire outbreak in CMB-Abuja.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang visited the accident scene to assess the extent of the damage and explore ways in which the NDC party could provide assistance to the victims.

In a statement copied to the Ghana News Agency, the professor, known for her empathetic nature, extended her sympathies to those who suffered in various degrees due to the devastating incident.

After going on an inspection of the devastated site, the former Education Minister expressed deep sympathies for the victims of the devastating fire outbreak, the statement said.

It added that she expressed concern about the children who might have been traumatised by such a shocking development but was thankful that at least no lives were lost, nor were injuries recorded.

She also expressed shock over the complete destruction of clothing, food items, household items, and several other necessities of life.

According to the statement, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang went on to console the victims and urged them never to despair, no matter their present pain and sense of bewilderment.

She encouraged them to use the occasion to form even stronger bonds of friendship, and, aided by a sense of purpose, press on to build a better future for themselves and their families.

She assured the victims of her personal support and that of the entire NDC party, which she described as a family, by holding hands with them to restore order to the difficult situation.

Professor Opoku-Agyemang was accompanied by Ashie Moore, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the NDC; Madam Abigail Elorm Mensah, NDC Deputy National Women's Organiser; Madam Felicia M. Bortey, Greater Accra Regional Women Organiser; Ben Neequaye Kotey, Korle Klottey Constituency Chairman; Eugene Eshun-Elliot, Korle Klottey Constituency Secretary; Frederick Quansah, Assembly Member of the Area; and other constituency and branch executives of the NDC.

GNA
Some structural defects on a culvert on the Tsito-Anyirawase section of the Accra-Ho Highway due to heavy rains in recent times have necessitated the closure of that portion of the road by the Ghana Highway Authority.

Mr Augustus K. Awity, the Chief Director, Volta Regional Coordinating Council, in a press release issued to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), said the closure was to safeguard lives and property since the state of the culvert posed danger to motorists.

Alternative routes have been provided to motorists, the release said.

Those from Asikuma Junction to Ho would turn right at Dededo onto a 10km Gravel Road (Feeder Road)

to meet the Juapong-Abutia-Sokode Road, which is a 12.5km Gravel Road (Highway) and then a 13.1km Bituminous Road to get to the Sokode Roundabout.

The police would be available to assist with the directions, it said, and entreated motorists to take note of the development and use the alternative routes provided.

It assured the public that works on the damaged culvert would be completed in one calendar month.

The inconvenience caused is highly regretted.

GNA
20.09.2023 LISTEN

Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, a candidate in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearership race has expressed his optimism about winning the November 4 contest.

He believes that his vision and commitment to providing economic freedom for Ghana make him a strong contender.

However, Dr. Akoto has made it clear that regardless of the outcome, he is prepared to support and campaign for the candidate chosen by the party's delegates to represent the NPP in the 2024 general elections.

He said, Let me state here categorically, that I am prepared to work equally hard for whosoever the delegates choose to lead this Party on 4th November 2023. We must break the eight to retain the NPP in power.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Dr. Akoto emphasized that the NPP's presidential primaries are not a "make-or-break" issue for the party. "Instead, they serve as an opportunity to select a candidate to lead the party in the upcoming presidential elections," he stressed.

"It offers an opportunity for all of us to unite behind one person to lead us to 'break the 8' and not to break the party," he stated.

Dr. Akoto, a former Minister of Agriculture and former Member of Parliament for Kwadaso, acknowledged the support he received from delegates during the NPP's Super Delegates Conference on August 26, 2023, where he secured 36 votes.

He expressed gratitude for the chance to participate in the main presidential primaries and urged his supporters to work tirelessly to secure victory for him on November 4.

Highlighting his commitment to the welfare and ideals of the United Party (UP) tradition, Dr. Akoto noted that his service to the party had demonstrated his dedication to its principles.

He emphasized that the presidential race should not divide the NPP but should unify the party's efforts towards achieving its goal of "breaking the 8" in the 2024 elections.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has called on the international community to support Africa in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel and the rampant coups across the continent.

In his speech at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, President Akufo-Addo said the instability in the Sahel has put West African countries under severe political pressure and economic strain.

He urged the international community to provide immediate support to help the region recover and improve the standard of living of those affected.

President Akufo-Addo also told the Assembly that it was time for Europe and its allies to reciprocate the support of Africans during the Second World War by helping the continent eliminate terrorism and coups.

Instability in the Sahel and widespread terrorist activities have put West African countries under severe political pressure and economic strain. Several countries in the region have lost vast stretches of territory to the rampaging terrorists. Coup d'etats have reemerged as what some mistakenly hope would be the solution to the threats that confront their nations, he said.

We, in the West African Region, are trying as best as we can, under the very trying conditions we face, to deal with the situation. We are convinced that the conflicts that continue to plague our continent and our Region, in particular, would be more satisfactorily resolved if the international community was to support, not undermine, the efforts of our regional and continental organisations to deal with them, he added.

Africans fought and died in the Second World War in defence of Europe and her Allies, who reset the world towards the path of peace and prosperity that their nations and citizens have enjoyed for decades now. It is surely time for the world to reciprocate in our time of need, President Akufo-Addo said.

-citinewsroom
President Nana Akufo-Addo has urged European nations to pay reparations to Africa for the damage wrought by the historic slave trade.

The president at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly bemoaned the years of global unwillingness to confront the realities and the consequences and horrors of the slave trade and charged that such sensitive horrors must not be neglected.

For centuries, the world has been unwilling and unable to confront the realities of the consequences of the slave trade, but gradually this is changing, and it is time to bring the subject of reparations firmly to the fore. Granted that current generations are not the ones that engaged in the slave trade, but that grand inhuman enterprise was state-sponsored and deliberate, and its benefits are clearly interwoven with the present-day economic architecture of the nations that designed and executed it.

Akufo-Addo also told global leaders in New York that though no amount of money would ever make up for the horrors perpetuated against Africans during the slave trade, paying reparations would be a bold acknowledgement that evil was done against Africans.

Reparations must be paid for the slave trade. No amount of money will ever make up for the horrors, but it would make the point that evil was perpetrated, that millions of productive Africans were snatched from the embrace of our continent, and put to work in the Americas and the Caribbean without compensation for their labour.

If there are any hesitations in some minds about the paying of reparations, it is worth considering the fact that, when slavery was abolished, the slave owners were compensated for the loss of the slaves, because the human beings were labelled as property, deemed to be commodities. Surely, this is a matter that the world must confront, and can no longer ignore. The AU has authorised Ghana to hold a global conference on the issue in November in Accra.

-citinewsroom
Five Americans unlawfully detained in Iran have arrived home. Emad Shargi, Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and two others who wished to remain anonymous set foot on U.S. soil September 19. Their release was made possible by exchanging five convicted Iranians held in the United States and providing the Iranian government with access to $6 billion of frozen Iranian funds to be used for humanitarian purposes only.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked U.S. partners who helped in the prisoners release -- Oman, Switzerland, Qatar, and the United Kingdom.

It means that husbands and wives, fathers and children, grandparents can hug each other again, can see each other again, can be with each other again.

But Secretary Blinken noted that as happy as we are at the freedom of our fellow citizens, we are also thinking of Bob Levinson, who is not among them and who is presumed deceased. A former FBI agent, Levinson was abducted in Iran in 2007. The Iranian government refused to give an account of what happened to him.

Bobs legacy, however, lives on, said Secretary Blinken.

It lives on powerfully in the Levinson Act, which has given us new and important tools to help crack down on and deter the practice of taking Americans unlawfully, to try to turn them into political pawns, and to abuse the international system in that way.

Toward that end, on September 18, the United States announced sanctions against former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for having provided support to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security, the MOIS. The MOIS was also designated for its involvement in the hostage-taking or wrongful detention of US citizens, including Mr. Levinson.

Todays action targets Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for enabling the wrongful detention of our citizens, causing immeasurable pain and suffering for both the victims and their families, wrote Brian Nelson, U.S. Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.

The State Department is also imposing visa restrictions on three Iranian government officials who have been involved in hostage-taking or unjust detention of U.S. and foreign nationals, as well as on two Iranian prison officials.

The United States, said Secretary Blinken, will keep working every single day to take steps to make this practice [of hostage-taking] more and more difficult and more and more of a burden on those countries that engage in it.
Private legal practitioner, Mr Martin Kpebu has asserted that the recent revelations by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) indicate that the anti-corruption agency is set to give former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, a 'showdown'.

According to him, the information contained in the OSP's application for seizure of Madam Dapaah's assets is good enough to make the quest succeed.

Speaking on TV3's Ghana Tonight show hosted by Alfred Ocansay, Mr. Kpedu said This is a much stronger application that looks set to give Madam Dapaah a real showdown.

Mr. Kpebu urged all stakeholders in the fight against public sector corruption to commend the work done by the OSP regarding this issue.

So, it is good and we must really laud the OSP for the resilience. Yes, this is what we expected and Mr. Kissi Agyabeng didn't waste time in re-seizing the currency and that's the application for the currency, so that's great he applauded on September 19, 2023.

The private legal practitioner alleged that from all indications, the amount of money involved cannot be proceeds from Madam Dapaah's personal business.

It points in the direction of corruption and corruption-related offences, because as it were, you would see that these monies are not supported by Madam Dapaah's income. That's the key thing. How did she come by that money? What business did she do to earn that income? So, once she's not able to explain her source of wealth, then we are in the realm of corruption and corruption-related offences. Because they look like bribe because she can't explain and what is it that she can't explain? he asked.

Madam Dapaah has been involved in controversy arising out of the theft of huge sums of money, both in local and foreign currencies by two former house maids at her private residence.

In July this year, she resigned after huge backlash from the public for keeping such huge sums at home. The Special Prosecutor (SP), Mr. Kissi Agyabeng then seized the monies and ordered the freezing of her bank accounts. An Accra High Court refused to confirm the seizing and freezing order and directed the OSP to return the money to Madam Dapaah.

The SP on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 reapplied for the seizure and freezing orders and revealed some findings he made during his investigations conducted at the former Minister's residence.

-citinewsroom
Convener of Democracy Hub, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor has indicated that regardless of the court action initiated by the Ghana Police Service to stop its protest, the demonstration will come off as planned on Thursday, September 21.

Democracy Hub which is an institutional arm of pressure group #FixTheCountry has planned to march to the Jubilee House tomorrow to kick off a three-day protest.

In a release from the Ghana Police Service today, it disclosed that an application has been filed at the court and successfully served the organisers of Democracy Hub in connection with the groups planned demonstration at the Jubilee House.

While the Police awaits the decision of the court, it has urged Ghanaians not to partake in the protest.

Speaking to Citi News this evening, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor said the groups attention has been drawn to the court action taken by the Police on social media but its protest will go ahead as planned.

He explained that the motive behind the protest was to wake the youth to demand accountability from the government.

This is the fight for the soul of the country. The soul that the country has lost and we are led by persons that do not have integrity. Its a wake-up call to a generation that is slumbering and sleeping on its duty. So much has gone wrong in our country and we are calling on Ghanaians to remember their duty of citizenship to fight what we are calling moral decay around us. This is what the demonstration is about, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor explained.

He said the Democratic Hub and its followers will march to the frontage of the Jubilee House, sit there and draw attention to some of the problems facing the country.

He added that the protest is also to show other African countries that Ghanaians embrace democracy and do not subscribe to coups.

We are going to show up tomorrow and we will continue to picket. The plan is that its a 3-day picket. The idea is to show other countries in the subregion that Ghanaian democracy is resolute, that we dont want to follow the barbaric action that is going on in other countries when governments are being overthrown unconstitutionally, Osagyefo Oliver Barker-Vormawor added.
President Nana Akufo-Addo has charged global leaders, particularly Europe and the United States to practice what they preach with regard to democracy, equality, and good governance.

President Akufo-Addo told the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York that justice and fairness should not be sacrificed under the guise of democracy, equality, and good governance.

He warned that the rebuilding of global trust among UN member states and the restoration of stability and prosperity will face major hurdles if these three cardinals are left to only developing countries to practice.

We cannot continue to preach democracy, equality and good governance around the globe; we cannot insist on peace and justice in the world when our global organisation is seen by the majority of its members and the people of the world as hampered by an unjust and unfair structure.

Mr. President, the Assembly has quite properly chosen the rebuilding of trust as critical in restoring stability and prosperity to our world. We cannot rebuild that trust when the organisation that should bind us is seen by many as helping to perpetuate an unfair world order, which is reinforced by an inequitable, dysfunctional global financial architecture.

Ghana still believes that this Organisation provides the best vehicle for the world to manage its hydra-headed problems, but it can only function effectively, and meet our expectations, when we reform the pillars upon which it rests; anything short of that will continue to undermine its credibility, Akufo-Addo added.

-citinewsroom
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday told world leaders the climate crisis had "opened the gates to hell" during a summit where leading polluters China and the United States were conspicuously absent.

The talks were partly overshadowed by an announcement from Britain -- also not present -- that it was rolling back policies that would help it achieve its net-zero goal.

Despite increasing extreme weather events and record-shattering global temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and fossil fuels remain subsidized to the tune of $7 trillion annually.

Guterres had billed the "Climate Ambition Summit" as a "no-nonsense" forum, making clear that only leaders who had made concrete plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions would be invited.

In his opening address, he evoked 2023's "horrendous heat" and "historic fires," but stressed: "We can still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees," referring to the target seen as needed to avoid long-term climate catastrophe.

"Humanity has opened the gates to hell," Guterres warned.

After receiving more than 100 applications to take part, the UN released a list of 41 speakers which did not include China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan or India.

Several major leaders didn't bother making the trip to New York for this year's UN General Assembly, including President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from the United Kingdom.

Sunak also chose Wednesday to announce he was adopting a more "pragmatic" approach to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, including pushing back a ban on the sale of cars fully run on fossil fuels and easing energy efficiency targets for rental properties.

The moves come as Sunak's Conservative Party is trailing in the polls behind the Labour opposition amid a cost-of-living crisis.

US President Joe Biden, who addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday, sent his climate envoy John Kerry to the meeting -- although Kerry wasn't permitted to speak in the high-level segment.

Catherine Abreu, executive director of nonprofit Destination Zero, said it was "perhaps a good-news story that we see Biden not being given a speaking slot at the summit" because the United States is aggressively expanding fossil fuel projects even as it makes historic investments in renewables.

Anger is building among climate activists, particularly younger people, who turned out in tens of thousands last weekend for the "March to End Fossil Fuels" in New York.

Broken promises

People rally in New York against fossil fuels ahead of a climate summit at the United Nations. By LEONARDO MUNOZ (AFP)

There were some bright spots.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz touted his country's 2 billion euro ($2.1 billion) commitment to a fund that finances climate action in developing countries, while Brazil said it would reach zero deforestation of the Amazon by 2030 -- a major reversal from the policies of former president Jair Bolsonaro.

"The small steps countries offered are welcome, but they're like trying to put out an inferno with a leaking hose," said David Waskow of the World Resources Institute, adding: "Far too many key players didn't touch the accelerator."

The issue of money has long plagued climate action. Advanced economies, responsible for the lion's share of historic emissions, vowed in 2009 to channel $100 billion annually to less developed countries by the year 2020  a promise that remains unfulfilled.

Meanwhile, a "loss and damage" fund to assist nations most impacted by the effects of climate change has still not been operationalized.

Kenyan President William Ruto called for a universal tax on the fossil fuel trade to plug the fiscal gap, adding: "Neither Africa nor the developing world stands in need for charity or handout... What we need is fairness."

And Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados urged the world to take the climate crisis and the financing required to solve it as seriously as the Ukraine conflict.

How quickly to purge the global economy of oil, gas and coal will be hotly contested at the two-week COP28 talks in Dubai starting in late November, with nearly 200 nations taking part.
ALLETE, Inc. (NYSE:ALE  Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 782,100 shares, a growth of 10.3% from the August 15th total of 709,300 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 281,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.8 days.

ALLETE Price Performance

Shares of ALE stock traded up $0.30 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $55.76. The companys stock had a trading volume of 35,931 shares, compared to its average volume of 295,316. ALLETE has a fifty-two week low of $47.77 and a fifty-two week high of $67.45. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $56.44 and its 200-day simple moving average is $59.81. The company has a quick ratio of 0.66, a current ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50. The company has a market capitalization of $3.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.27, a PEG ratio of 1.89 and a beta of 0.73.

Get ALLETE alerts:

ALLETE (NYSE:ALE  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The utilities provider reported $0.90 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.12. The company had revenue of $533.40 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $446.41 million. ALLETE had a net margin of 10.20% and a return on equity of 5.81%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 43.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.67 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that ALLETE will post 3.67 earnings per share for the current year.

ALLETE Dividend Announcement

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th were paid a $0.678 dividend. This represents a $2.71 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.86%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, August 14th. ALLETEs payout ratio is 79.47%.

A number of research firms have commented on ALE. Mizuho reduced their price objective on shares of ALLETE from $64.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Guggenheim decreased their target price on ALLETE from $54.00 to $49.00 in a research report on Friday, July 7th. Bank of America cut shares of ALLETE from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and dropped their price objective for the stock from $63.00 to $54.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 27th. Finally, StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of ALLETE in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, ALLETE presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $60.83.

View Our Latest Analysis on ALE

Institutional Investors Weigh In On ALLETE

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of ALE. Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new position in ALLETE in the second quarter valued at about $1,012,000. Osaic Holdings Inc. increased its stake in shares of ALLETE by 2.0% in the second quarter. Osaic Holdings Inc. now owns 17,392 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,008,000 after buying an additional 344 shares during the period. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky raised its holdings in ALLETE by 3.0% in the 2nd quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 32,100 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $1,861,000 after buying an additional 940 shares during the last quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC boosted its position in ALLETE by 19.7% during the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 529,404 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $30,690,000 after buying an additional 87,242 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its holdings in ALLETE by 71.4% during the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 47,734 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,767,000 after acquiring an additional 19,892 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.94% of the companys stock.

ALLETE Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

ALLETE, Inc operates as an energy company. The company operates through Regulated Operations, ALLETE Clean Energy, and Corporate and Other segments. It generates electricity from coal-fired, biomass co-fired / natural gas, hydroelectric, wind, and solar. The company provides regulated utility electric services in northwestern Wisconsin to approximately 15,000 electric customers, 13,000 natural gas customers, and 10,000 water customers, as well as regulated utility electric services in northeastern Minnesota to approximately 150,000 retail customers and 14 non-affiliated municipal customers.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for ALLETE Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ALLETE and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Alta Equipment Group Inc. (NYSE:ALTG  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 931,100 shares, a decline of 7.8% from the August 15th total of 1,010,000 shares. Currently, 4.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 276,600 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Andrew P. Studdert bought 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 21st. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $13.88 per share, with a total value of $69,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 64,983 shares in the company, valued at approximately $901,964.04. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Andrew P. Studdert acquired 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 21st. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $13.88 per share, with a total value of $69,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 64,983 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $901,964.04. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider Ryan Greenawalt acquired 10,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 14th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $14.37 per share, for a total transaction of $143,700.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now directly owns 86,208 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,238,808.96. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. Insiders have acquired 22,000 shares of company stock worth $313,690 in the last ninety days. 20.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Get Alta Equipment Group alerts:

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Alta Equipment Group

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Portside Wealth Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Alta Equipment Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $3,324,000. Virginia Retirement Systems ET AL acquired a new position in Alta Equipment Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $173,000. Legato Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Alta Equipment Group by 36.3% during the 2nd quarter. Legato Capital Management LLC now owns 68,897 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,194,000 after purchasing an additional 18,350 shares during the period. Nuveen Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Alta Equipment Group by 62.0% during the 2nd quarter. Nuveen Asset Management LLC now owns 394,176 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,831,000 after purchasing an additional 150,790 shares during the period. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company MN raised its position in shares of Alta Equipment Group by 8,745.2% in the 2nd quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 355,223 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,156,000 after acquiring an additional 351,207 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.94% of the companys stock.

Alta Equipment Group Stock Performance

Shares of Alta Equipment Group stock traded up $0.02 on Wednesday, reaching $13.05. The stock had a trading volume of 72,019 shares, compared to its average volume of 244,895. The stock has a market cap of $422.43 million, a P/E ratio of 86.87 and a beta of 1.58. Alta Equipment Group has a fifty-two week low of $10.64 and a fifty-two week high of $20.60. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $15.14 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $15.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.41, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 1.40.

Alta Equipment Group (NYSE:ALTG  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, August 9th. The company reported $0.16 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.09 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $468.40 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $462.00 million. Alta Equipment Group had a net margin of 0.45% and a return on equity of 8.07%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Alta Equipment Group will post 0.11 EPS for the current year.

Alta Equipment Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, August 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 15th were paid a $0.057 dividend. This represents a $0.23 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.75%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 14th. Alta Equipment Groups dividend payout ratio is 153.33%.

About Alta Equipment Group

(Get Free Report)

Alta Equipment Group Inc owns and operates integrated equipment dealership platforms in the United States. It operates in two segments, Material Handling and Construction Equipment. The company operates a branch network that sells, rents, and provides parts and service support for various categories of specialized equipment, including lift trucks and aerial work platforms, earthmoving equipment, environmental processing equipment, and other material handling and construction equipment.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Alta Equipment Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alta Equipment Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
American Equity Investment Life Holding (NYSE:AEL  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,560,000 shares, a growth of 5.4% from the August 15th total of 1,480,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 792,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.0 days. Approximately 2.0% of the companys shares are short sold.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently weighed in on AEL. Raymond James lowered shares of American Equity Investment Life from a strong-buy rating to a market perform rating in a report on Wednesday, June 28th. Royal Bank of Canada restated a sector perform rating and issued a $55.00 target price on shares of American Equity Investment Life in a report on Tuesday, August 8th. Truist Financial lowered shares of American Equity Investment Life from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their target price for the stock from $49.00 to $55.00 in a report on Friday, July 14th. Finally, StockNews.com began coverage on shares of American Equity Investment Life in a report on Sunday. They issued a hold rating on the stock. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, American Equity Investment Life has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $47.38.

Get American Equity Investment Life alerts:

View Our Latest Report on American Equity Investment Life

American Equity Investment Life Stock Up 0.1 %

NYSE:AEL traded up $0.03 on Wednesday, hitting $54.09. The stock had a trading volume of 200,360 shares, compared to its average volume of 679,035. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $53.57 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $44.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.28 and a current ratio of 0.28. American Equity Investment Life has a 1 year low of $28.05 and a 1 year high of $54.44. The stock has a market cap of $4.24 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.96 and a beta of 0.96.

American Equity Investment Life (NYSE:AEL  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.62 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.65 by ($0.03). The company had revenue of $851.60 million for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $646.06 million. American Equity Investment Life had a return on equity of 15.52% and a net margin of 18.55%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 600.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.98 EPS. Analysts predict that American Equity Investment Life will post 6.44 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Equity Investment Life

In other American Equity Investment Life news, EVP James Louis Hamalainen sold 16,248 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.32, for a total transaction of $866,343.36. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 19,216 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,024,597.12. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other news, EVP James Louis Hamalainen sold 16,248 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.32, for a total transaction of $866,343.36. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 19,216 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,024,597.12. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, Director Robert L. Howe sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, August 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.35, for a total transaction of $266,750.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 83,282 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,443,094.70. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 90,163 shares of company stock valued at $4,856,571. 1.83% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Institutional Trading of American Equity Investment Life

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AEL. Mitsubishi UFJ Trust & Banking Corp bought a new position in American Equity Investment Life in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. bought a new position in American Equity Investment Life in the 4th quarter worth about $29,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC bought a new position in American Equity Investment Life in the 2nd quarter worth about $33,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in American Equity Investment Life by 69.6% in the 2nd quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 860 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $45,000 after purchasing an additional 353 shares during the period. Finally, CoreCap Advisors LLC bought a new position in American Equity Investment Life in the 4th quarter worth about $48,000. 94.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About American Equity Investment Life

(Get Free Report)

American Equity Investment Life Holding Company, through its subsidiaries, provides life insurance products in the United States. The company issues fixed index and rate annuities, as well as single premium immediate annuities. It markets its products through independent agents, including independent marketing organizations, broker/dealers, banks, and registered investment advisors.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for American Equity Investment Life Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Equity Investment Life and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Atlas Private Wealth Management grew its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 29.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 27,907 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 6,374 shares during the quarter. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF accounts for 1.4% of Atlas Private Wealth Managements investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th biggest position. Atlas Private Wealth Managements holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $2,733,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in AGG. Compagnie Lombard Odier SCmA bought a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. First Manhattan Co. grew its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 697.9% during the 4th quarter. First Manhattan Co. now owns 375 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 328 shares during the last quarter. Activest Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. GPS Wealth Strategies Group LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Nordwand Advisors LLC bought a new position in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 83.21% of the companys stock.

Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts:

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Price Performance

Shares of AGG stock traded up $0.27 on Wednesday, hitting $95.62. 1,663,207 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 7,170,966. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a one year low of $93.20 and a one year high of $101.15. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $96.53 and its 200 day simple moving average is $97.92.

About iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Atlas Private Wealth Management increased its stake in shares of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE:SLB  Free Report) by 23.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 16,992 shares of the oil and gas companys stock after acquiring an additional 3,283 shares during the quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Managements holdings in Schlumberger were worth $835,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Dorsey Wright & Associates purchased a new position in shares of Schlumberger in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $1,352,000. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 4.1% in the 1st quarter. Farmers & Merchants Investments Inc. now owns 126,060 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $6,190,000 after purchasing an additional 4,940 shares during the period. Financial Counselors Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Financial Counselors Inc. now owns 226,539 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $11,123,000 after purchasing an additional 1,862 shares during the period. Teacher Retirement System of Texas lifted its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 24.7% in the 4th quarter. Teacher Retirement System of Texas now owns 441,821 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $23,620,000 after purchasing an additional 87,463 shares during the period. Finally, Toroso Investments LLC lifted its stake in shares of Schlumberger by 56.2% in the 1st quarter. Toroso Investments LLC now owns 33,520 shares of the oil and gas companys stock valued at $1,646,000 after purchasing an additional 12,060 shares during the period. 79.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Get Schlumberger alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling at Schlumberger

In other Schlumberger news, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.67, for a total transaction of $291,687.50. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 201,015 shares of the companys stock, valued at $9,381,370.05. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other news, insider Gavin Rennick sold 18,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $56.11, for a total value of $1,009,980.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 46,633 shares in the company, valued at $2,616,577.63. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Stephane Biguet sold 6,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $46.67, for a total value of $291,687.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 201,015 shares in the company, valued at $9,381,370.05. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 158,805 shares of company stock valued at $9,220,673. Company insiders own 0.23% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently commented on SLB shares. Piper Sandler raised their target price on Schlumberger from $64.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, September 11th. Raymond James lifted their price objective on Schlumberger from $65.00 to $67.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 24th. Benchmark reiterated a buy rating and set a $65.00 price objective on shares of Schlumberger in a research note on Monday, July 24th. Barclays lowered their price objective on Schlumberger from $74.00 to $70.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, July 24th. Finally, HSBC lowered their price objective on Schlumberger from $75.00 to $71.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $66.73.

Read Our Latest Analysis on SLB

Schlumberger Stock Performance

Shares of SLB traded up $0.14 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $60.57. The stock had a trading volume of 1,909,345 shares, compared to its average volume of 9,543,214. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60, a current ratio of 1.33 and a quick ratio of 0.97. Schlumberger Limited has a 12 month low of $33.80 and a 12 month high of $62.78. The firm has a market capitalization of $86.08 billion, a PE ratio of 22.15, a PEG ratio of 0.77 and a beta of 1.82. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $58.52 and a 200 day moving average price of $51.82.

Schlumberger (NYSE:SLB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 21st. The oil and gas company reported $0.72 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.01. Schlumberger had a return on equity of 21.27% and a net margin of 12.63%. The company had revenue of $8.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.20 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $0.50 earnings per share. Schlumbergers revenue was up 19.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Schlumberger Limited will post 2.98 EPS for the current year.

Schlumberger Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 6th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.65%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 5th. Schlumbergers dividend payout ratio is presently 36.50%.

Schlumberger Company Profile

(Free Report)

Schlumberger Limited engages in the provision of technology for the energy industry worldwide. The company operates through four divisions: Digital & Integration, Reservoir Performance, Well Construction, and Production Systems. The company provides field development and hydrocarbon production, carbon management, integration of adjacent energy systems; reservoir interpretation and data processing services for exploration data; and well construction and production improvement services and products.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Schlumberger Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Schlumberger and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Banco Santander-Chile (NYSE:BSAC  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,220,000 shares, a decline of 7.6% from the August 15th total of 1,320,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 354,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 3.4 days.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Banco Santander-Chile

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in Banco Santander-Chile by 37.2% in the first quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 21,400 shares of the banks stock valued at $382,000 after acquiring an additional 5,800 shares during the last quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Banco Santander-Chile by 57.8% during the 4th quarter. Quadrant Capital Group LLC now owns 4,201 shares of the banks stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 1,538 shares during the last quarter. Itau Unibanco Holding S.A. acquired a new position in Banco Santander-Chile during the 1st quarter worth approximately $2,019,000. Cardinal Capital Management lifted its stake in Banco Santander-Chile by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Cardinal Capital Management now owns 51,502 shares of the banks stock valued at $918,000 after purchasing an additional 1,209 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. grew its stake in shares of Banco Santander-Chile by 43.7% during the first quarter. Edmond DE Rothschild Holding S.A. now owns 82,877 shares of the banks stock worth $1,478,000 after buying an additional 25,200 shares during the last quarter. 8.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Get Banco Santander-Chile alerts:

Banco Santander-Chile Stock Performance

Shares of BSAC traded down $0.14 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $18.70. 198,273 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 516,229. The company has a quick ratio of 2.05, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.98. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $19.47 and its 200 day simple moving average is $18.73. Banco Santander-Chile has a twelve month low of $13.37 and a twelve month high of $21.81. The company has a market cap of $8.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.13, a PEG ratio of 1.80 and a beta of 0.77.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Banco Santander-Chile ( NYSE:BSAC Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The bank reported $0.34 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.35 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $593.67 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $591.63 million. Banco Santander-Chile had a net margin of 11.26% and a return on equity of 12.75%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Banco Santander-Chile will post 1.62 earnings per share for the current year.

BSAC has been the topic of several research reports. StockNews.com started coverage on Banco Santander-Chile in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on shares of Banco Santander-Chile from $19.00 to $21.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, August 10th.

View Our Latest Research Report on BSAC

Banco Santander-Chile Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Banco Santander-Chile, together with its subsidiaries, provides commercial and retail banking products and services in Chile. It operates through Retail Banking, Middle-Market, Corporate Investment Banking, and Corporate Activities segments. The company offers debit and credit cards, checking accounts, and savings products; consumer, automobile, commercial, mortgage, and government-guaranteed loans; and Chilean peso and foreign currency-denominated loans to finance various commercial transactions, trade, foreign currency forward contracts, and credit lines, as well as mortgage financing services.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Banco Santander-Chile Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Banco Santander-Chile and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has selected Tim Steadham as the new senior resident inspector at the Browns Ferry nuclear power plant. The plant, operated by the Tennessee Valley Authority, is located in Athens, Alabama.

Steadham joined the NRC in 2002 as a project engineer in the NRC's Region III office in Lisle, Illinois, and has held various positions, including resident inspector, senior construction project engineer, and senior construction inspector. Most recently, he served as the senior resident inspector at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson, Mississippi. He earned a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering from the Missouri University of Science and Technology.



"Tim's extensive experience and dedication to nuclear safety, cultivated over the years in various roles with the NRC, makes him exceptionally qualified to lead our inspections at the plant," said NRC Region II Administrator Laura Dudes. "His depth of understanding, coupled with his hands-on work in the field, assures us that Browns Ferry will continue to operate under the most rigorous safety standards."



Each U.S. commercial nuclear power plant has at least two NRC resident inspectors.



Steadham joins Resident Inspector Kevin Pfeil, serving as the agency's eyes and ears at Browns Ferry, to conduct inspections, monitor significant work projects, and interact with plant workers and the public. Resident inspectors can be assigned to any one site for up to seven years.

Contact: Dave Gasperson, 404-997-4417
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited (OTCMKTS:BKKLY  Get Free Report) shot up 0.5% during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as high as $23.67 and last traded at $23.67. 732 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 74% from the average session volume of 2,846 shares. The stock had previously closed at $23.55.

Bangkok Bank Public Trading Up 1.4 %

The companys 50-day moving average is $24.33 and its 200-day moving average is $23.61.

Get Bangkok Bank Public alerts:

Bangkok Bank Public Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 10th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 6th will be paid a $0.2258 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 5th. Bangkok Bank Publics payout ratio is 28.51%.

Bangkok Bank Public Company Profile

Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited provides various commercial banking products and services in Thailand and internationally. The company operates through Domestic Banking, International Banking, Investment Banking, and Others segments. It offers various personal banking products and services, including savings, current, fixed deposit, foreign currency, and other accounts; home and personal loans, as well as loans for pensioners; mutual funds; investments products and services, such as bonds and debentures, as well as agency services; life and non-life bancassurance products; payment, funds transfer, currency exchange and foreign instrument, and SMS services; debit, credit, and prepaid cards; and phone and Internet banking, mobile banking, ATMs, and other services.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Bangkok Bank Public Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bangkok Bank Public and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Bank Hapoalim B.M. (OTCMKTS:BKHPF  Get Free Report) saw a significant growth in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 48,700 shares, a growth of 12.2% from the August 15th total of 43,400 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 200 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 243.5 days.

Bank Hapoalim B.M. Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS BKHPF remained flat at $8.20 during trading on Tuesday. The companys stock had a trading volume of 972 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,400. Bank Hapoalim B.M. has a 52 week low of $8.20 and a 52 week high of $8.52. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $8.20 and a 200-day moving average of $8.54.

Get Bank Hapoalim B.M. alerts:

Bank Hapoalim B.M. Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Read More

Bank Hapoalim B.M., together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and financial products and services in Israel and internationally. It operates through Corporate Banking, Retail Banking, and Financial Markets and International Banking divisions. The company offers account-management services, credit for various purposes, deposits, and savings plans, and capital-market service; securities, and currencies and derivatives trading services; securities custody services; research, consulting, and advisory services; pension advisory and retirement planning services; and housing loans.

Receive News & Ratings for Bank Hapoalim B.M. Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank Hapoalim B.M. and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) updated its FY23 earnings guidance on Wednesday. The company provided EPS guidance of $1.96-2.00 for the period, compared to the consensus EPS estimate of $2.00.

Boston Scientific Stock Up 2.2 %

Shares of NYSE:BSX traded up $1.18 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $54.21. The companys stock had a trading volume of 9,305,888 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,021,843. Boston Scientific has a 12-month low of $37.74 and a 12-month high of $55.38. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $52.28 and a 200-day moving average of $51.70. The firm has a market capitalization of $79.38 billion, a P/E ratio of 89.95, a PEG ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 0.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.80, a current ratio of 1.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46.

Get Boston Scientific alerts:

Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.53 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.49 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 6.81% and a return on equity of 15.16%. The company had revenue of $3.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.50 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.44 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 10.9% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, research analysts anticipate that Boston Scientific will post 1.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently weighed in on BSX shares. StockNews.com cut Boston Scientific from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, September 2nd. Raymond James increased their target price on shares of Boston Scientific from $60.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Boston Scientific in a research report on Tuesday, May 30th. They set an overweight rating and a $58.00 price target for the company. Oppenheimer raised their price objective on shares of Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $59.00 in a research note on Friday, July 28th. Finally, CL King assumed coverage on Boston Scientific in a research note on Friday, June 30th. They issued a buy rating and a $64.00 price objective for the company. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fourteen have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Boston Scientific has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $58.57.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Boston Scientific

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.95, for a total transaction of $629,650.45. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 57,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,078,279.10. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other news, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, September 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $53.95, for a total value of $629,650.45. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 57,058 shares in the company, valued at $3,078,279.10. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Arthur C. Butcher sold 6,600 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $50.40, for a total value of $332,640.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 11,396 shares in the company, valued at approximately $574,358.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 201,768 shares of company stock worth $10,693,491 over the last ninety days. 0.53% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Boston Scientific

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BSX. Sunbelt Securities Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the first quarter valued at approximately $32,000. Coppell Advisory Solutions LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Boston Scientific in the 2nd quarter valued at about $34,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Boston Scientific during the first quarter worth approximately $35,000. Evermay Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Boston Scientific by 111.9% in the first quarter. Evermay Wealth Management LLC now owns 763 shares of the medical equipment providers stock valued at $38,000 after buying an additional 403 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Coppell Advisory Solutions Corp. acquired a new stake in Boston Scientific during the 4th quarter worth approximately $46,000. 89.11% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

About Boston Scientific

(Get Free Report)

Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Boston Scientific Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Boston Scientific and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Atlas Private Wealth Management boosted its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Free Report) by 9.9% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 10,479 shares of the business services providers stock after acquiring an additional 948 shares during the quarter. Atlas Private Wealth Managements holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $1,736,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. boosted its stake in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 10.0% during the 2nd quarter. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. now owns 8,476 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,404,000 after purchasing an additional 769 shares during the last quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 44.7% during the 2nd quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 6,462 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,070,000 after acquiring an additional 1,995 shares during the period. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Sugarloaf Wealth Management LLC now owns 17,498 shares of the business services providers stock worth $2,898,000 after acquiring an additional 523 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 11,564 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,915,000 after acquiring an additional 507 shares during the period. Finally, Sciencast Management LP raised its holdings in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 226.6% during the 2nd quarter. Sciencast Management LP now owns 6,389 shares of the business services providers stock worth $1,046,000 after acquiring an additional 4,433 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.36% of the companys stock.

Get Broadridge Financial Solutions alerts:

Broadridge Financial Solutions Stock Up 0.8 %

BR traded up $1.40 on Wednesday, reaching $187.16. The companys stock had a trading volume of 178,409 shares, compared to its average volume of 548,220. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $177.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $159.68. The company has a quick ratio of 0.58, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The company has a market capitalization of $22.11 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 35.12 and a beta of 0.98. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $131.35 and a fifty-two week high of $189.69.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Increases Dividend

Broadridge Financial Solutions ( NYSE:BR Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 8th. The business services provider reported $3.21 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.10 by $0.11. The firm had revenue of $1.84 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.87 billion. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a return on equity of 42.09% and a net margin of 10.40%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 6.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.65 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 7.63 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 5th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.71%. This is a boost from Broadridge Financial Solutionss previous quarterly dividend of $0.73. Broadridge Financial Solutionss payout ratio is currently 60.49%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on BR. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price target on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $178.00 to $192.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $165.00 to $175.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $169.00 to $190.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $183.00 to $186.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, DA Davidson boosted their price objective on Broadridge Financial Solutions from $160.00 to $164.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $173.67.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Broadridge Financial Solutions

Insider Buying and Selling at Broadridge Financial Solutions

In other news, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.20, for a total transaction of $362,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 72,430 shares in the company, valued at $13,124,316. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Broadridge Financial Solutions news, VP Douglas Richard Deschutter sold 22,874 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $182.95, for a total value of $4,184,798.30. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 38,247 shares in the company, valued at $6,997,288.65. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Leslie A. Brun sold 2,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Friday, August 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $181.20, for a total value of $362,400.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 72,430 shares in the company, valued at approximately $13,124,316. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 191,035 shares of company stock worth $34,423,247. 1.60% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadridge Financial Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Cembra Money Bank AG (OTCMKTS:CMBNF  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 88,500 shares, a decline of 9.6% from the August 15th total of 97,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 0 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently  days.

Cembra Money Bank Stock Performance

Cembra Money Bank stock remained flat at C$70.00 during mid-day trading on Tuesday. The company had a trading volume of 1 shares. Cembra Money Bank has a 52 week low of C$70.00 and a 52 week high of C$70.00. The business has a 50-day moving average price of C$70.00 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$70.00.

Get Cembra Money Bank alerts:

About Cembra Money Bank

(Get Free Report)

See Also

Cembra Money Bank AG provides consumer finance products and services in Switzerland. The company offers savings products, including medium-term notes and deposit accounts; loans comprising cash, consumer, personal, business, and auto loans; credit card receivables; and leasing services for new and used vehicles, including cars, light commercial vehicles, motorcycles, and caravans, as well as corporate leasing services.

Receive News & Ratings for Cembra Money Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cembra Money Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Centamin plc (OTCMKTS:CELTF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 246,000 shares, an increase of 6.5% from the August 15th total of 230,900 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 14,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 17.0 days.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

CELTF has been the subject of several recent research reports. Berenberg Bank upped their price target on shares of Centamin from GBX 145 ($1.80) to GBX 147 ($1.82) in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Liberum Capital upgraded shares of Centamin from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th.

Get Centamin alerts:

View Our Latest Analysis on CELTF

Centamin Price Performance

Centamin Dividend Announcement

Shares of CELTF remained flat at $1.17 during trading hours on Tuesday. 101 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,359. Centamin has a 52 week low of $0.87 and a 52 week high of $1.52. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $1.15 and its 200-day simple moving average is $1.22.

The company also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 1st will be given a dividend of $0.02 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 31st.

About Centamin

(Get Free Report)

Centamin plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration, mining, and development of precious metals in Egypt, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Jersey, the United Kingdom, and Australia. It explores for gold deposits. The company principal asset is the Sukari Gold Mine project, which covers an area of approximately 160 square kilometers located in the Eastern Desert of Egypt.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Centamin Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Centamin and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of The Chiba Bank, Ltd. (OTCMKTS:CHBAY  Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week high on Tuesday . The company traded as high as $37.38 and last traded at $37.38, with a volume of 0 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $37.38.

Chiba Bank Stock Performance

The stock has a 50 day moving average of $37.38 and a two-hundred day moving average of $37.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $5.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.02 and a beta of 0.57.

About Chiba Bank

(Get Free Report)

The Chiba Bank, Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides banking products and services in Japan and internationally. It offers various deposit products; and various loans and bills discounting products, as well as investment management and investment advisory services. The company also engages in securities, leasing, credit card, and credit guarantee business; management and collection of claims; and outsourcing of operational business.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Chiba Bank Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chiba Bank and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Summit Financial Group Inc. lowered its stake in Chubb Limited (NYSE:CB  Free Report) by 39.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,208 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 782 shares during the quarter. Summit Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Chubb were worth $233,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of CB. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC grew its position in Chubb by 10.1% in the first quarter. Carolinas Wealth Consulting LLC now owns 555 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $119,000 after acquiring an additional 51 shares during the period. Procyon Advisors LLC grew its position in Chubb by 5.0% in the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 1,130 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $220,000 after acquiring an additional 54 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. grew its position in Chubb by 4.9% in the first quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 1,168 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $250,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Mission Wealth Management LP grew its position in Chubb by 0.5% in the first quarter. Mission Wealth Management LP now owns 10,614 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,061,000 after acquiring an additional 55 shares during the period. Finally, Goldstein Advisors LLC grew its position in Chubb by 2.4% in the first quarter. Goldstein Advisors LLC now owns 2,343 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $455,000 after acquiring an additional 56 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 86.30% of the companys stock.

Get Chubb alerts:

Chubb Stock Up 0.6 %

Shares of Chubb stock traded up $1.29 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $215.56. 516,299 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,789,423. Chubb Limited has a fifty-two week low of $173.78 and a fifty-two week high of $231.37. The stock has a market cap of $88.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.18 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a current ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.34 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The company has a 50 day moving average of $201.92 and a two-hundred day moving average of $197.45.

Chubb ( NYSE:CB Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The financial services provider reported $4.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.41 by $0.51. Chubb had a return on equity of 13.56% and a net margin of 12.47%. The firm had revenue of $10.68 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.24 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $4.20 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Chubb Limited will post 18.18 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Chubb declared that its board has approved a share buyback program on Monday, June 12th that authorizes the company to buyback $5.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 6.4% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are usually an indication that the companys board of directors believes its stock is undervalued.

Chubb Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 6th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th will be given a $0.86 dividend. This represents a $3.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.60%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 14th. Chubbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 24.71%.

Insider Transactions at Chubb

In other news, insider John J. Lupica sold 8,398 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.74, for a total value of $1,778,192.52. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 154,049 shares of the companys stock, valued at $32,618,335.26. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, insider John J. Lupica sold 8,398 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $211.74, for a total value of $1,778,192.52. Following the sale, the insider now owns 154,049 shares in the company, valued at approximately $32,618,335.26. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, Director Theodore Shasta sold 699 shares of Chubb stock in a transaction on Monday, August 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $201.94, for a total transaction of $141,156.06. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 14,511 shares of the companys stock, valued at $2,930,351.34. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 22,534 shares of company stock worth $4,645,275 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of brokerages have weighed in on CB. Barclays upped their price target on Chubb from $260.00 to $267.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on Chubb from $192.00 to $209.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on Chubb from $241.00 to $250.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and issued a $250.00 price objective on shares of Chubb in a research note on Wednesday, July 26th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $245.00 price objective on shares of Chubb in a research note on Tuesday, August 29th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twelve have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Chubb has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $242.79.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CB

Chubb Company Profile

(Free Report)

Chubb Limited provides insurance and reinsurance products worldwide. The company's North America Commercial P&C Insurance segment offers commercial property, casualty, workers' compensation, package policies, risk management, financial lines, marine, construction, environmental, medical, cyber risk, surety, and excess casualty; and group accident and health insurance to large, middle market, and small commercial businesses.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Chubb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Chubb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Consilium Wealth Advisory LLC raised its position in Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Free Report) by 29.4% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,597 shares of the industrial products companys stock after purchasing an additional 363 shares during the period. Consilium Wealth Advisory LLCs holdings in Deere & Company were worth $647,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Managment Co. raised its holdings in Deere & Company by 1,475.0% in the 1st quarter. University of Texas Texas AM Investment Managment Co. now owns 63 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $26,000 after acquiring an additional 59 shares during the last quarter. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Deere & Company in the 1st quarter valued at $28,000. Lansing Street Advisors boosted its holdings in shares of Deere & Company by 1,725.0% in the 1st quarter. Lansing Street Advisors now owns 73 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $30,000 after purchasing an additional 69 shares during the last quarter. Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Deere & Company in the 1st quarter valued at $31,000. Finally, 25 LLC acquired a new position in shares of Deere & Company in the 1st quarter valued at $34,000. 66.27% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Deere & Company alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, insider Cory J. Reed sold 4,680 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 25th. The stock was sold at an average price of $449.75, for a total transaction of $2,104,830.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 36,563 shares in the company, valued at $16,444,209.25. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, CEO John C. May II sold 52,967 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $416.02, for a total transaction of $22,035,331.34. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 109,126 shares in the company, valued at approximately $45,398,598.52. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, insider Cory J. Reed sold 4,680 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $449.75, for a total value of $2,104,830.00. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 36,563 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $16,444,209.25. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders own 0.26% of the companys stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on the company. Bank of America raised their price objective on Deere & Company from $455.00 to $484.00 in a report on Sunday, August 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $390.00 to $380.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, August 21st. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of Deere & Company from $460.00 to $475.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 18th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of Deere & Company from $383.00 to $408.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Monday, August 21st. Finally, DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of Deere & Company from $492.00 to $510.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $459.90.

Read Our Latest Research Report on DE

Deere & Company Stock Up 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:DE traded up $9.21 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $407.90. The company had a trading volume of 360,820 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,595,429. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.65, a current ratio of 1.98 and a quick ratio of 1.74. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $417.58 and its 200-day moving average price is $398.57. The stock has a market capitalization of $117.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.78, a PEG ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 1.07. Deere & Company has a one year low of $328.62 and a one year high of $450.00.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Friday, August 18th. The industrial products company reported $10.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $8.22 by $1.98. The business had revenue of $14.28 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.14 billion. Deere & Company had a net margin of 16.36% and a return on equity of 46.15%. The businesss revenue was up 9.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $6.16 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Deere & Company will post 33.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Deere & Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 8th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th will be paid a $1.35 dividend. This represents a $5.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.32%. This is an increase from Deere & Companys previous quarterly dividend of $1.25. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 14.78%.

About Deere & Company

(Free Report)

Deere & Company manufactures and distributes various equipment worldwide. The company operates through four segments: Production and Precision Agriculture, Small Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Production and Precision Agriculture segment provides mid-size tractors, combines, cotton pickers and strippers, sugarcane harvesters, harvesting front-end equipment, sugarcane loaders, pull-behind scrapers, and tillage and seeding equipment, as well as application equipment, including sprayers and nutrient management, and soil preparation machinery for grain growers.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mondrian Investment Partners LTD reduced its position in shares of Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP  Free Report) by 6.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,419,837 shares of the banks stock after selling 104,318 shares during the quarter. Credicorp comprises about 4.2% of Mondrian Investment Partners LTDs portfolio, making the stock its 2nd biggest position. Mondrian Investment Partners LTD owned approximately 1.79% of Credicorp worth $209,625,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC boosted its stake in Credicorp by 3.9% in the second quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 1,764 shares of the banks stock valued at $260,000 after acquiring an additional 67 shares during the last quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC boosted its position in shares of Credicorp by 2.8% during the 3rd quarter. Pathstone Family Office LLC now owns 2,682 shares of the banks stock valued at $329,000 after acquiring an additional 72 shares during the last quarter. US Bancorp DE increased its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 10.3% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 919 shares of the banks stock worth $122,000 after buying an additional 86 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Credicorp by 1.3% in the first quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 7,090 shares of the banks stock valued at $939,000 after acquiring an additional 90 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Credicorp by 3.1% during the 2nd quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 3,031 shares of the banks stock valued at $479,000 after buying an additional 92 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.05% of the companys stock.

Get Credicorp alerts:

Credicorp Stock Performance

Shares of BAP traded up $0.25 on Wednesday, reaching $136.39. The companys stock had a trading volume of 49,931 shares, compared to its average volume of 335,852. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.01 and a quick ratio of 1.01. Credicorp Ltd. has a 12-month low of $118.33 and a 12-month high of $160.15. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.85 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.85, a PEG ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 0.99. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $146.92 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $140.06.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Credicorp ( NYSE:BAP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Monday, August 14th. The bank reported $3.88 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.38 by ($0.50). The company had revenue of $1.04 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.26 billion. Credicorp had a return on equity of 15.90% and a net margin of 23.35%. Research analysts forecast that Credicorp Ltd. will post 17.91 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Credicorp from a sector perform rating to a sector outperform rating in a research report on Friday, July 7th. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Credicorp in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $153.00.

Check Out Our Latest Report on BAP

Credicorp Profile

(Free Report)

Credicorp Ltd. provides various financial, insurance, and health services and products primarily in Peru and internationally. Its Universal Banking segment includes granting various credits and financial instruments to individuals and legal entities; and various deposits and checking accounts. The Insurance and Pensions segment includes the issuance of insurance policies to cover losses in commercial property, transport, marine vessels, automobiles, life, health, and pensions; management services for private pension funds.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAP? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Credicorp Ltd. (NYSE:BAP  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Credicorp Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Credicorp and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
For 16 consecutive years, Site Selection magazine has recognized Entergy Corporation as a top utility for economic growth in the communities we serve, which include some of the largest and most power-intensive industries in the United States. In 2022, Entergy Arkansas helped secure $3.6 billion in capital investments and create nearly 1,400 new jobs within the state of Arkansas.

"One of the important ways We Power Life' is to our help our state and communities be successful in economic development. That's been our commitment for the past 110 years, and we look forward to many more years of helping our friends and neighbors across the Natural State grow and prosper," said Laura Landreaux, president and chief executive officer of Entergy Arkansas.

Site Selection magazine determines each year's honorees by assessing criteria including each utility's job-creating infrastructure and facility investment trends, innovative programs and incentives for businesses and website tools and data.

Customer investments

Capital investments in Arkansas over the last 16 years represent a variety of industries and companies from around the world, including Big River Steel, Tractor Supply and Amazon. Entergy Arkansas developed and launched virtual tours of our certified Select Sites and produced high caliber videos and 360 degree aerials promoting the sites and continues to partner with the University of Central Arkansas and the Arkansas Economic Developers and Chamber Executives in delivering training for local economic development professionals and elected officials This is just a sample of initiatives that demonstrate the scale and breadth of economic growth we have helped drive in our communities.

Economic partnerships

We understand that siting new or expanding industrial facilities can be a complex process, and our teams have built partnerships to enable economic development throughout our four-state service area. Site Selection magazine once again recognized Entergy for our extensive support of local economic development efforts. Our state-of-the-art site selection website, arkansassiteselection.com, empowers companies with the essential information they need to locate, expand and market their commercial and industrial properties within our state. The website currently features over 1,400 listings across our four-state region.

Community development

Since 2018, Entergy Corporation has delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities, philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy across our four-state region through the Entergy Charitable Foundation.

Environmental sustainability

In 2022, Entergy Corporation reaffirmed our 2020 commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and we expect to reach 50% clean, carbon-free power generation capacity by 2030. We also anticipate 50% reduction of our carbon dioxide emissions rate by 2030.

Site Selection magazine's profile of Entergy may be viewed in the September 2023 print issue and online.

Learn how we can power your business at GoEntergy.com.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy, visit the Newsroom.
Crescent Grove Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Cannae Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CNNE  Free Report) by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 310,587 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,537 shares during the quarter. Crescent Grove Advisors LLC owned approximately 0.41% of Cannae worth $6,277,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Triad Investment Management boosted its position in shares of Cannae by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Triad Investment Management now owns 170,597 shares of the companys stock worth $3,448,000 after purchasing an additional 5,506 shares in the last quarter. Duality Advisers LP purchased a new position in shares of Cannae in the 1st quarter valued at about $560,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in Cannae by 14.4% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 27,294 shares of the companys stock worth $551,000 after buying an additional 3,435 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its stake in Cannae by 23.1% during the 1st quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 90,633 shares of the companys stock worth $1,829,000 after buying an additional 17,027 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Susquehanna International Group LLP increased its stake in Cannae by 129.7% during the 1st quarter. Susquehanna International Group LLP now owns 31,444 shares of the companys stock worth $635,000 after buying an additional 17,752 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.28% of the companys stock.

Get Cannae alerts:

Cannae Price Performance

NYSE:CNNE traded down $0.31 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $19.37. 186,737 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 401,130. The company has a market cap of $1.42 billion, a P/E ratio of -114.71 and a beta of 0.87. The firms fifty day moving average price is $19.81 and its 200 day moving average price is $19.59. Cannae Holdings, Inc. has a 52-week low of $17.35 and a 52-week high of $25.74. The company has a current ratio of 1.49, a quick ratio of 1.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Cannae Profile

Cannae ( NYSE:CNNE Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 9th. The company reported ($1.16) EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.36) by ($0.80). Cannae had a negative net margin of 1.36% and a negative return on equity of 0.32%. The business had revenue of $152.80 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $174.10 million. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Cannae Holdings, Inc. will post -0.84 EPS for the current fiscal year.

(Free Report)

Cannae Holdings, Inc is a principal investment firm. The firm primarily invests in restaurants, technology enabled healthcare services, financial services and more. It takes both minority and majority stakes. Cannae Holdings, Inc was founded in 2014 and is based in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CNNE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Cannae Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CNNE  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Cannae Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Cannae and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Get Free Report) was upgraded by stock analysts at StockNews.com from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday.

A number of other equities research analysts also recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from an outperform rating to a market perform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 12th. Societe Generale downgraded Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, July 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $13.00.

Get Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft alerts:

View Our Latest Report on DB

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:DB remained flat at $10.73 during midday trading on Tuesday. The company had a trading volume of 1,209,543 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,469,076. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft has a 12-month low of $7.24 and a 12-month high of $13.57. The company has a current ratio of 0.79, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69. The stock has a market capitalization of $22.18 billion, a PE ratio of 4.53, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 1.33. The firms fifty day moving average is $10.88 and its 200-day moving average is $10.67.

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft (NYSE:DB  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The bank reported $0.21 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.45 by ($0.24). Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft had a net margin of 9.02% and a return on equity of 4.55%. The company had revenue of $8.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $7.28 billion. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft will post 2.03 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. LGT Group Foundation raised its holdings in shares of Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 56.0% in the 1st quarter. LGT Group Foundation now owns 402,581 shares of the banks stock valued at $4,093,000 after buying an additional 144,570 shares during the period. CWM LLC grew its stake in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 33.6% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,011 shares of the banks stock worth $51,000 after purchasing an additional 1,261 shares in the last quarter. Quinn Opportunity Partners LLC acquired a new position in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 1st quarter worth $2,127,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd grew its stake in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft by 55.1% during the 1st quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 143,433 shares of the banks stock worth $1,464,000 after purchasing an additional 50,973 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MQS Management LLC acquired a new position in Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft during the 1st quarter worth $193,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 21.91% of the companys stock.

About Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft

(Get Free Report)

Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft, operates as a stock corporation, engages in the provision of corporate and investment banking, and asset management products and services to private clients, corporate entities, and institutional clients worldwide. Its Corporate Bank segment provides cash management, trade finance and lending, trust and agency, foreign exchange, and securities services, as well as risk management solutions.

Read More

Receive News & Ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant drop in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 310,400 shares, a drop of 15.6% from the August 15th total of 367,700 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 37,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 8.2 days.

Dundee Precious Metals Price Performance

DPMLF stock remained flat at $6.34 during trading hours on Tuesday. 6,612 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 23,659. The stock has a market cap of $1.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.97 and a beta of 0.66. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $6.60 and a 200 day moving average of $6.94. Dundee Precious Metals has a 12 month low of $3.95 and a 12 month high of $8.08.

Get Dundee Precious Metals alerts:

Dundee Precious Metals (OTCMKTS:DPMLF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.33 earnings per share for the quarter. Dundee Precious Metals had a return on equity of 16.47% and a net margin of 13.87%. The company had revenue of $167.52 million during the quarter.

Dundee Precious Metals Dividend Announcement

Dundee Precious Metals Company Profile

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, October 16th. Stockholders of record on Saturday, September 30th will be paid a $0.04 dividend. This represents a $0.16 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.53%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 28th. Dundee Precious Metalss payout ratio is 35.56%.

(Get Free Report)

Dundee Precious Metals Inc, a gold mining company, engages in the acquisition of mineral properties; and exploration, development, mining, and processing of precious metals. It owns and operates a gold, copper, and silver mine located east of Sofia, Bulgaria; a gold mine located in south eastern Bulgaria, near the town of Krumovgrad; and a custom smelter located in Tsumeb, Namibia.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Dundee Precious Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dundee Precious Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Ecora Resources PLC (LON:ECOR  Get Free Report) shares passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 115.77 ($1.43) and traded as low as GBX 110 ($1.36). Ecora Resources shares last traded at GBX 110.40 ($1.37), with a volume of 342,229 shares trading hands.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on ECOR shares. Berenberg Bank reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a GBX 180 ($2.23) target price on shares of Ecora Resources in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. Royal Bank of Canada restated an outperform rating and issued a GBX 230 ($2.85) price objective on shares of Ecora Resources in a research note on Tuesday, July 25th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 180 ($2.23) target price on shares of Ecora Resources in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th.

Get Ecora Resources alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Ecora Resources

Ecora Resources Price Performance

Insider Buying and Selling at Ecora Resources

The business has a 50-day simple moving average of GBX 111.02 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of GBX 115.60. The stock has a market capitalization of 286.27 million, a P/E ratio of -2,240.00, a PEG ratio of 0.12 and a beta of 0.68. The company has a quick ratio of 2.08, a current ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 10.43.

In other news, insider Kevin Flynn purchased 4,700 shares of Ecora Resources stock in a transaction on Friday, September 8th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 107 ($1.33) per share, for a total transaction of 5,029 ($6,229.41). In other Ecora Resources news, insider Marc Bishop Lafleche purchased 7,500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 2nd. The stock was acquired at an average cost of GBX 113 ($1.40) per share, with a total value of 8,475 ($10,497.96). Also, insider Kevin Flynn acquired 4,700 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, September 8th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 107 ($1.33) per share, for a total transaction of 5,029 ($6,229.41). Company insiders own 21.44% of the companys stock.

About Ecora Resources

(Get Free Report)

Ecora Resources PLC operates as a natural resource royalty and streaming company. It has royalties and investments in mining and exploration interests in cobalt, steelmaking coal, iron ore, copper, nickel, vanadium, uranium, calcium carbonate, chromite, gold, and silver primarily in Australia, North and South America, Europe, and internationally.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Ecora Resources Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ecora Resources and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Paradigm Financial Partners LLC cut its holdings in EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) by 1.9% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,733 shares of the energy exploration companys stock after selling 579 shares during the quarter. Paradigm Financial Partners LLCs holdings in EOG Resources were worth $3,403,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. HB Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in EOG Resources by 13.9% during the 2nd quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 6,278 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $718,000 after buying an additional 766 shares during the last quarter. Twelve Points Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of EOG Resources in the second quarter valued at $1,580,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 3.3% during the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 77,316 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $8,848,000 after acquiring an additional 2,498 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. increased its position in EOG Resources by 5.7% during the 2nd quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,604,741 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $298,087,000 after purchasing an additional 140,041 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First National Bank of South Miami raised its stake in EOG Resources by 34.6% in the 2nd quarter. First National Bank of South Miami now owns 1,326 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $152,000 after purchasing an additional 341 shares during the last quarter. 89.21% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get EOG Resources alerts:

Insider Transactions at EOG Resources

In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 4,551 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $130.76, for a total transaction of $595,088.76. Following the completion of the sale, 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 is available through the SEC website. In related news, COO Lloyd W. Helms, Jr. sold 4,551 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $130.76, for a total value of $595,088.76. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 145,259 shares in the company, valued at $18,994,066.84. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 2,031 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.26, for a total value of $238,155.06. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 37,607 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,409,796.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 0.40% of the companys stock.

EOG Resources Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of NYSE:EOG traded down $1.98 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $127.02. 1,562,874 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,363,045. The firms fifty day moving average price is $128.89 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $118.84. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.14, a quick ratio of 2.02 and a current ratio of 2.39. EOG Resources, Inc. has a twelve month low of $98.52 and a twelve month high of $150.88. The company has a market cap of $73.96 billion, a PE ratio of 8.69, a P/E/G ratio of 0.42 and a beta of 1.57.

EOG Resources (NYSE:EOG  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The energy exploration company reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $2.28 by $0.21. The company had revenue of $5.57 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.74 billion. EOG Resources had a return on equity of 28.52% and a net margin of 33.58%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 24.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.74 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.08 EPS for the current fiscal year.

EOG Resources Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, October 17th will be paid a dividend of $0.825 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, October 16th. This represents a $3.30 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.60%. EOG Resourcess dividend payout ratio is currently 22.24%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. TD Securities lifted their price target on shares of EOG Resources from $125.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Friday, August 4th. Truist Financial lifted their target price on shares of EOG Resources from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, August 7th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price target for the stock from $137.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Tuesday, June 13th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on EOG Resources from $156.00 to $157.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, August 14th. Finally, StockNews.com assumed coverage on EOG Resources in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a hold rating for the company. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, EOG Resources currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $149.45.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on EOG

About EOG Resources

(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.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding EOG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report).

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.
Equitrans Midstream Co. (NYSE:ETRN  Get Free Report) was the target of a large decline in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 13,730,000 shares, a decline of 7.5% from the August 15th total of 14,840,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 5,580,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.5 days. Currently, 3.2% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on ETRN. Citigroup boosted their price target on Equitrans Midstream from $6.50 to $9.25 in a report on Tuesday, June 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Equitrans Midstream from $9.50 to $11.00 in a research report on Friday, June 9th. Wolfe Research raised Equitrans Midstream from a peer perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $11.00 target price on the stock in a research report on Thursday, June 1st. TheStreet raised Equitrans Midstream from a d+ rating to a c- rating in a research report on Wednesday, June 28th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $13.00 target price on shares of Equitrans Midstream in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Equitrans Midstream has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $9.69.

Get Equitrans Midstream alerts:

Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on ETRN

Institutional Trading of Equitrans Midstream

Equitrans Midstream Stock Down 1.9 %

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. BlackRock Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 1.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 52,615,234 shares of the companys stock worth $304,116,000 after purchasing an additional 886,117 shares in the last quarter. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 49,239,507 shares of the companys stock worth $415,696,000 after purchasing an additional 2,749,573 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 4.6% during the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 45,275,746 shares of the companys stock worth $338,662,000 after purchasing an additional 1,999,312 shares in the last quarter. Zimmer Partners LP grew its holdings in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 66.1% during the 1st quarter. Zimmer Partners LP now owns 22,253,680 shares of the companys stock worth $128,626,000 after purchasing an additional 8,852,318 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its holdings in shares of Equitrans Midstream by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. State Street Corp now owns 15,207,093 shares of the companys stock worth $87,897,000 after purchasing an additional 284,116 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.68% of the companys stock.

Shares of NYSE ETRN traded down $0.18 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $9.54. 3,394,690 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,820,667. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 4.87, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90. The stock has a market cap of $4.13 billion, a PE ratio of -13.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.17 and a beta of 1.93. The companys fifty day moving average is $9.59 and its two-hundred day moving average is $7.70. Equitrans Midstream has a fifty-two week low of $4.60 and a fifty-two week high of $10.48.

Equitrans Midstream (NYSE:ETRN  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 1st. The company reported $0.09 EPS for the quarter, meeting analysts consensus estimates of $0.09. The business had revenue of $318.50 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $311.21 million. Equitrans Midstream had a positive return on equity of 20.49% and a negative net margin of 18.60%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 3.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $0.11 EPS. On average, analysts expect that Equitrans Midstream will post 0.46 earnings per share for the current year.

Equitrans Midstream Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, August 14th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 4th were issued a $0.15 dividend. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 6.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 3rd. Equitrans Midstreams dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently -82.19%.

Equitrans Midstream Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Equitrans Midstream Corporation owns, operates, acquires, and develops midstream assets in the Appalachian Basin. It operates through three segments: Gathering, Transmission, and Water. The company operates dry gas gathering systems of high-pressure gathering lines; FERC-regulated interstate pipelines and storage systems; and water pipelines and other facilities that deliver fresh water from local municipal water authorities, the Monongahela River, the Ohio River, local reservoirs, and several regional waterways.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Equitrans Midstream Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Equitrans Midstream and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Everhart Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN  Free Report) by 14.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,403 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 437 shares during the period. Everhart Financial Group Inc.s holdings in Lennar were worth $426,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Central Bank & Trust Co. raised its position in shares of Lennar by 29.5% in the 2nd quarter. Central Bank & Trust Co. now owns 1,990 shares of the construction companys stock valued at $249,000 after buying an additional 453 shares in the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Lennar by 95.4% during the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 27,446 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,439,000 after purchasing an additional 13,400 shares during the last quarter. Keel Point LLC acquired a new position in shares of Lennar in the second quarter valued at approximately $222,000. Sciencast Management LP acquired a new stake in Lennar during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,110,000. Finally, Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp grew its holdings in Lennar by 286.8% during the 2nd quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp now owns 11,928 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,495,000 after acquiring an additional 8,844 shares during the last quarter. 79.87% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Get Lennar alerts:

Lennar Stock Up 1.5 %

NYSE LEN traded up $1.71 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $119.00. The companys stock had a trading volume of 525,887 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,206,721. The company has a current ratio of 7.09, a quick ratio of 1.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $122.20 and its 200 day simple moving average is $114.92. Lennar Co. has a twelve month low of $69.90 and a twelve month high of $133.24. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.69, a PEG ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.48.

Lennar Announces Dividend

Lennar ( NYSE:LEN Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Friday, September 15th. The construction company reported $3.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.52 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $8.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.49 billion. Lennar had a net margin of 11.66% and a return on equity of 16.41%. The firms revenue for the quarter was down 2.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $5.18 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Lennar Co. will post 12.56 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, July 7th were paid a $0.375 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, July 6th. This represents a $1.50 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.26%. Lennars dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 11.12%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Jeffrey Joseph Mccall sold 10,000 shares of Lennar stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total transaction of $1,264,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 141,386 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $17,882,501.28. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Diane J. Bessette sold 10,790 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $121.46, for a total transaction of $1,310,553.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 270,556 shares in the company, valued at $32,861,731.76. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, EVP Jeffrey Joseph Mccall sold 10,000 shares of Lennar stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.48, for a total value of $1,264,800.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 141,386 shares of the companys stock, valued at $17,882,501.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have bought a total of 2,634 shares of company stock valued at $321,855 in the last 90 days. 9.53% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of brokerages have recently commented on LEN. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on shares of Lennar from $141.00 to $142.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on Lennar from $130.00 to $145.00 in a report on Friday, June 16th. Raymond James upgraded Lennar from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $150.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, July 14th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their target price on Lennar from $113.00 to $114.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a report on Monday. Finally, BTIG Research raised their price target on shares of Lennar from $148.00 to $161.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have assigned a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $134.25.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Lennar

Lennar Company Profile

(Free Report)

Lennar Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a homebuilder primarily under the Lennar brand in the United States. It operates through Homebuilding East, Homebuilding Central, Homebuilding Texas, Homebuilding West, Financial Services, Multifamily, and Lennar Other segments. The company's homebuilding operations include the construction and sale of single-family attached and detached homes, as well as the purchase, development, and sale of residential land; and development, construction, and management of multifamily rental properties.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LEN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lennar Co. (NYSE:LEN  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Lennar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lennar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Global Business Travel Group, Inc. (NYSE:GBTG  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant growth in short interest in the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,750,000 shares, a growth of 9.4% from the August 15th total of 1,600,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 252,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 6.9 days. Currently, 0.7% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Global Business Travel Group Stock Performance

NYSE GBTG traded down $0.23 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $5.50. 203,181 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 173,022. Global Business Travel Group has a 12-month low of $4.26 and a 12-month high of $8.05. The company has a quick ratio of 1.64, a current ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.01. The company has a market cap of $2.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -6.65 and a beta of 0.27. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $6.52 and a 200 day moving average of $6.68.

Get Global Business Travel Group alerts:

Global Business Travel Group (NYSE:GBTG  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 10th. The company reported ($0.23) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of ($0.07) by ($0.16). Global Business Travel Group had a negative net margin of 2.84% and a negative return on equity of 4.74%. The company had revenue of $592.00 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $560.35 million. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Global Business Travel Group will post -0.22 earnings per share for the current year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

GBTG has been the subject of several analyst reports. Credit Suisse Group increased their price target on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $10.00 to $12.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Friday, August 11th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Global Business Travel Group from $8.80 to $9.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, August 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Global Business Travel Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $8.90.

Get Our Latest Analysis on Global Business Travel Group

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. California State Teachers Retirement System purchased a new position in Global Business Travel Group in the second quarter valued at about $78,000. Credit Suisse AG purchased a new position in shares of Global Business Travel Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Citigroup Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Global Business Travel Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $69,000. Barclays PLC purchased a new position in shares of Global Business Travel Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $47,000. Finally, Carronade Capital Management LP increased its stake in shares of Global Business Travel Group by 7.1% during the 2nd quarter. Carronade Capital Management LP now owns 3,297,158 shares of the companys stock worth $23,838,000 after purchasing an additional 217,561 shares in the last quarter. 96.92% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Global Business Travel Group

(Get Free Report)

Global Business Travel Group, Inc provides business-to-business (B2B) travel platform in the United States and internationally. The company's platform offers a suite of technology-enabled solutions to business travelers and clients; travel content suppliers including airlines, hotels, ground transportation, and aggregators; and third-party travel agencies.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Global Business Travel Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global Business Travel Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Global X Southeast Asia ETF (NYSEARCA:ASEA  Get Free Report)s stock price was down 0.5% during mid-day trading on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as $14.79 and last traded at $14.83. Approximately 4,935 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 70% from the average daily volume of 16,647 shares. The stock had previously closed at $14.91.

Global X Southeast Asia ETF Trading Down 0.5 %

The firm has a market capitalization of $44.64 million, a P/E ratio of 13.54 and a beta of 0.72. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $15.11 and a 200-day moving average price of $15.02.

Get Global X Southeast Asia ETF alerts:

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Global X Southeast Asia ETF

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its stake in shares of Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 1.3% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 56,597 shares of the companys stock worth $824,000 after acquiring an additional 738 shares during the last quarter. Flow Traders U.S. LLC purchased a new position in Global X Southeast Asia ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $1,685,000. Barry Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 17.1% during the 2nd quarter. Barry Investment Advisors LLC now owns 73,700 shares of the companys stock worth $1,093,000 after purchasing an additional 10,746 shares during the period. Bank of America Corp DE increased its holdings in Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 51.2% during the 1st quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 21,382 shares of the companys stock worth $324,000 after purchasing an additional 7,243 shares during the period. Finally, UBS Group AG increased its holdings in Global X Southeast Asia ETF by 13.4% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 16,785 shares of the companys stock worth $254,000 after purchasing an additional 1,984 shares during the period.

About Global X Southeast Asia ETF

The Global X FTSE Southeast Asia ETF (ASEA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the FTSE\u002FASEAN 40 INDEX index. The fund tracks a market-cap weighted and -selected index of the 40 largest and most liquid stocks from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. ASEA was launched on Feb 17, 2011 and is managed by Global X.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Global X Southeast Asia ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Global X Southeast Asia ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Glovista Investments LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 66,210 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after selling 274 shares during the period. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing accounts for about 3.5% of Glovista Investments LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 10th biggest position. Glovista Investments LLCs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $6,682,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Panagora Asset Management Inc. raised its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 287.3% in the first quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 15,150 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $1,409,000 after purchasing an additional 11,238 shares during the last quarter. Hall Laurie J Trustee purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at approximately $36,000. First National Bank of Hutchinson purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at approximately $306,000. Deuterium Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing during the first quarter valued at approximately $2,875,000. Finally, Aprio Wealth Management LLC increased its position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 36.6% during the second quarter. Aprio Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,043 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $408,000 after acquiring an additional 1,084 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 16.51% of the companys stock.

Get Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing alerts:

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Price Performance

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing stock traded up $0.30 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $88.47. 3,209,298 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 11,352,565. The companys fifty day moving average is $95.17 and its 200-day moving average is $93.98. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 2.13 and a current ratio of 2.42. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 52 week low of $59.43 and a 52 week high of $110.69. The firm has a market cap of $458.84 billion, a PE ratio of 14.55, a PEG ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 1.07.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 20th. The semiconductor company reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $15.68 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $15.52 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 43.31% and a return on equity of 32.08%. On average, sell-side analysts forecast that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 4.82 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 11th. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a dividend of $0.4724 per share. This represents a $1.89 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.14%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 24.59%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently commented on TSM shares. Needham & Company LLC decreased their price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $118.00 to $115.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 21st. StockNews.com downgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Susquehanna raised their target price on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $128.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Friday, July 14th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $108.33.

Read Our Latest Research Report on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Profile

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides complementary metal oxide silicon wafer fabrication processes to manufacture logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, and embedded memory semiconductors.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  Barrick Gold Corp. is predicting a 30% growth in production by the end of this decade, the companys president and chief executive officer, Mark Bristow, said at the Gold Forum Americas, stating that our pipeline offers Barrick shareholders real organic growth.

He said Barrick operates six of the top tier gold mines, and the company is poised to expand its portfolio through continued reserve replacement and the potential for new world-class discoveries Barrick is pursuing across many of the worlds most prolific gold belts.

Bristow said during the question period that our fundamental value is still very much gold, although he emphasized upcoming growth in copper production.

In the slide presentation, Barrick reported that the Fourmile project that is still 100% owned by Toronto-based Barrick would complement the Goldrush development project. Goldrush is within the fold of Nevada Gold Mines, the joint venture of Barrick and Newmont Corp. Barrick holds 61.5% of NGM and is the operator.

Goldrush is in the permitting stage.

Talking about copper on Sept. 19 at the Gold Forum, Bristow said the Reko Diq project in Pakistan could be pouring its first concentrate in 2018, and he estimated that 20% to 30% of Barricks bottom line will at some point be copper.

In 2019, our strategy for the new Barrick included a mandate to grow our copper business, which we recognized as strategically important at that relatively early stage. Once fully ramped up, Reko Diq and Lumwana will rank as two of the worlds top 20 copper mines by annual production sustained over significant multi-decade mine lives.

He said that if the forecasts of a copper shortage are even partly correct, this will give us a significant additional upside.

Bristow said the clean energy transition is creating an unprecedented demand for metals and minerals but the markets demand for instant gratification is driving mergers and acquisitions, which is not always conducive to investment in sustainable projects but rather the delivery of short-term results.

He said these projects are vital, not only for the resources needed for cleaner energy but for the development of emerging economies.

Mining is a long game, and it requires long-term vision and investment, Bristow said.
Green Square Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report) by 18.5% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 23,170 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 3,610 shares during the quarter. Green Square Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Prudential Financial were worth $2,044,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC raised its holdings in Prudential Financial by 148.0% in the 1st quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 6,801 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $563,000 after acquiring an additional 4,059 shares during the last quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC grew its holdings in Prudential Financial by 7.3% in the 1st quarter. Wealthfront Advisers LLC now owns 68,271 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,649,000 after buying an additional 4,653 shares during the period. Pictet Asset Management SA increased its stake in shares of Prudential Financial by 2.4% during the 1st quarter. Pictet Asset Management SA now owns 197,301 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $16,325,000 after acquiring an additional 4,601 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Prudential Financial by 3.0% in the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 5,411 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $448,000 after acquiring an additional 156 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Perpetual Ltd acquired a new position in Prudential Financial during the first quarter worth approximately $215,000. 54.92% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Get Prudential Financial alerts:

Prudential Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:PRU traded up $0.79 on Wednesday, reaching $99.71. 364,236 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,041,733. Prudential Financial, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $75.37 and a fifty-two week high of $110.96. The businesss 50-day moving average is $94.97 and its two-hundred day moving average is $87.95. The company has a quick ratio of 0.06, a current ratio of 0.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.19 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 32.97, a PEG ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.41.

Prudential Financial Announces Dividend

Prudential Financial ( NYSE:PRU Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, August 1st. The financial services provider reported $2.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $3.04 by ($0.10). The business had revenue of $12.64 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $12.68 billion. Prudential Financial had a return on equity of 15.73% and a net margin of 1.82%. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $1.74 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Prudential Financial, Inc. will post 11.81 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, September 14th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 22nd were given a dividend of $1.25 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 21st. This represents a $5.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.01%. Prudential Financials dividend payout ratio is currently 166.67%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have recently commented on PRU shares. TheStreet upgraded Prudential Financial from a c rating to a b rating in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Prudential Financial in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group upgraded Prudential Financial from an underperform rating to a hold rating and upped their price target for the stock from $70.00 to $93.00 in a report on Wednesday, September 13th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of Prudential Financial from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued a sector perform rating and issued a $100.00 price target on shares of Prudential Financial in a report on Friday, September 8th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $102.73.

Read Our Latest Report on PRU

Prudential Financial Profile

(Free Report)

Prudential Financial, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. It operates through PGIM, Retirement Strategies, Group Insurance, Individual Annuities, Individual Life, Assurance IQ, and International Businesses segments.

Featured Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PRU? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE:PRU  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Prudential Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Prudential Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Horizonte Minerals Plc (LON:HZM  Get Free Report)s stock price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 114.64 ($1.42) and traded as high as GBX 131.20 ($1.63). Horizonte Minerals shares last traded at GBX 131 ($1.62), with a volume of 71,958 shares changing hands.

Horizonte Minerals Stock Performance

The stock has a market cap of 352.06 million, a P/E ratio of -4,350.00 and a beta of 1.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 93.63, a quick ratio of 4.35 and a current ratio of 6.62. The firms fifty day simple moving average is GBX 145.86 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 114.55.

Horizonte Minerals Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Horizonte Minerals Plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the exploration and development of mineral projects in Brazil. The company primarily explores for nickel deposits, as well as cobalt deposits. It holds 100% interest in the Araguaia ferronickel; and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt project in the eastern part of the Carajas mining district.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Horizonte Minerals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Horizonte Minerals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Installed Building Products, Inc. (NYSE:IBP  Get Free Report) saw a significant decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,320,000 shares, a decline of 7.7% from the August 15th total of 1,430,000 shares. Approximately 5.6% of the companys shares are sold short. Based on an average trading volume of 220,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 6.0 days.

Installed Building Products Trading Down 0.4 %

Shares of NYSE IBP traded down $0.55 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $127.52. The stock had a trading volume of 100,137 shares, compared to its average volume of 225,187. The company has a current ratio of 2.92, a quick ratio of 2.40 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.50. The firm has a market cap of $3.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.12, a P/E/G ratio of 1.71 and a beta of 1.81. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $144.61 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $126.93. Installed Building Products has a 52-week low of $74.69 and a 52-week high of $158.18.

Get Installed Building Products alerts:

Installed Building Products (NYSE:IBP  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 2nd. The construction company reported $2.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.31 by $0.21. The firm had revenue of $692.10 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $667.03 million. Installed Building Products had a return on equity of 53.06% and a net margin of 8.73%. Analysts expect that Installed Building Products will post 9.4 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Installed Building Products Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Saturday, September 30th. Investors of record on Friday, September 15th will be paid a $0.33 dividend. This represents a $1.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.04%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, September 14th. Installed Building Productss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 15.58%.

Several research analysts have issued reports on the company. Truist Financial boosted their target price on Installed Building Products from $140.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Installed Building Products in a research report on Thursday, August 17th. They set a buy rating for the company. Loop Capital boosted their target price on Installed Building Products from $120.00 to $150.00 in a research report on Friday, June 30th. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Installed Building Products from $111.00 to $152.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on Installed Building Products from $142.00 to $158.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Installed Building Products has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $146.25.

Read Our Latest Analysis on IBP

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Installed Building Products news, CAO Todd R. Fry sold 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $155.28, for a total transaction of $77,640.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,443 shares of the companys stock, valued at $845,189.04. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. 17.90% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Installed Building Products

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. increased its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 5.1% during the first quarter. Ameritas Investment Partners Inc. now owns 1,912 shares of the construction companys stock worth $218,000 after purchasing an additional 93 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 2.0% during the second quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 4,913 shares of the construction companys stock worth $689,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. increased its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 1.3% during the second quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 8,218 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,152,000 after purchasing an additional 106 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 12.7% during the second quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 1,084 shares of the construction companys stock worth $152,000 after purchasing an additional 122 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Arizona State Retirement System increased its position in shares of Installed Building Products by 2.2% during the first quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 7,044 shares of the construction companys stock worth $803,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 82.62% of the companys stock.

About Installed Building Products

(Get Free Report)

Installed Building Products, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the installation of insulation, waterproofing, fire-stopping, fireproofing, garage doors, rain gutters, window blinds, shower doors, closet shelving and mirrors, and other products in the continental United States. The company offers a range of insulation materials, such as fiberglass and cellulose, and spray foam insulation materials.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for Installed Building Products Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Installed Building Products and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTCMKTS:ILAL  Get Free Report) traded down 9.4% during trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $0.23 and last traded at $0.26. 241,555 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, an increase of 228% from the average session volume of 73,643 shares. The stock had previously closed at $0.29.

International Land Alliance Trading Up 4.2 %

The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.11 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.11. The company has a market cap of $12.18 million, a PE ratio of -0.41 and a beta of 2.62.

Get International Land Alliance alerts:

International Land Alliance (OTCMKTS:ILAL  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, August 21st. The company reported ($0.01) earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $0.49 million for the quarter.

About International Land Alliance

International Land Alliance, Inc operates as a residential land development company with target properties located primarily in the Baja California, Northern region of Mexico, and Southern California. Its principal activities include purchasing properties; obtaining zoning and other entitlements required to subdivide the properties into residential and commercial building lots; securing financing for the purchase of the lots; enhance the properties' infrastructure and amenities; and selling the plots to homebuyers, retirees, investors, and commercial developers.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for International Land Alliance Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for International Land Alliance and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (BATS:HEFA  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $30.90 and last traded at $30.72, with a volume of 307940 shares. The stock had previously closed at $30.71.

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Price Performance

The firm has a 50 day moving average of $30.32 and a 200-day moving average of $30.06. The stock has a market capitalization of $3.55 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.08 and a beta of 0.70.

Get iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF alerts:

iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a dividend, which was paid on Monday, July 10th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 5th were issued a $0.5543 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Monday, July 3rd.

Institutional Trading of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF

About iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Moody Lynn & Lieberson LLC bought a new position in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at about $217,000. SVB Wealth LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 44.5% in the second quarter. SVB Wealth LLC now owns 7,305 shares of the companys stock valued at $232,000 after acquiring an additional 2,250 shares during the last quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF by 206.8% in the 2nd quarter. AdvisorNet Financial Inc now owns 9,836 shares of the companys stock worth $305,000 after acquiring an additional 6,630 shares in the last quarter. BIP Wealth LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $350,000. Finally, Eldridge Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $403,000.

(Get Free Report)

The iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks a market cap-weighted, USD-hedged index of large- and mid-cap stocks from developed countries outside the US and Canada. HEFA was launched on Jan 31, 2014 and is managed by BlackRock.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) was downgraded by StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the company. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on KBR from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. TheStreet downgraded KBR from a b+ rating to a c rating in a research note on Thursday, July 27th. Citigroup raised their price target on KBR from $68.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 24th. Finally, DA Davidson raised their price target on KBR from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.71.

Get KBR alerts:

Read Our Latest Stock Report on KBR

KBR Trading Down 1.0 %

Shares of NYSE KBR traded down $0.61 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, hitting $60.84. 949,383 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,168,448. KBR has a 1 year low of $41.96 and a 1 year high of $65.87. The stock has a market capitalization of $8.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -65.42, a PEG ratio of 1.50 and a beta of 1.11. The company has a quick ratio of 1.05, a current ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.00. The business has a 50 day moving average of $61.73 and a two-hundred day moving average of $59.62.

KBR (NYSE:KBR  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The construction company reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $1.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.75 billion. KBR had a positive return on equity of 24.94% and a negative net margin of 1.46%. KBRs revenue was up 8.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.76 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that KBR will post 2.9 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at KBR

In other news, insider William Byron Jr. Bright sold 20,000 shares of KBR stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $60.68, for a total transaction of $1,213,600.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 57,986 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,518,590.48. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 1.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On KBR

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Chartwell Investment Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of KBR during the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,619,000. HRT Financial LP lifted its position in shares of KBR by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. HRT Financial LP now owns 22,257 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,175,000 after buying an additional 1,552 shares during the period. Tcwp LLC bought a new position in shares of KBR during the 4th quarter worth approximately $306,000. Putnam Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of KBR by 2.8% during the 1st quarter. Putnam Investments LLC now owns 278,478 shares of the construction companys stock worth $15,330,000 after buying an additional 7,643 shares during the period. Finally, BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp bought a new position in KBR in the 4th quarter valued at $63,463,000.

About KBR

(Get Free Report)

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Featured Articles

Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Steelcase (NYSE:SCS  Get Free Report) and Konica Minolta (OTCMKTS:KNCAF  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, analyst recommendations, profitability, valuation and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Steelcase and Konica Minolta, as provided by MarketBeat.

Get Steelcase alerts:

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Steelcase 0 1 1 0 2.50 Konica Minolta 0 0 0 0 N/A

Steelcase presently has a consensus price target of $11.50, suggesting a potential upside of 6.28%. Given Steelcases higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Steelcase is more favorable than Konica Minolta.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Steelcase 1.49% 9.95% 3.65% Konica Minolta N/A N/A N/A

Institutional and Insider Ownership

This table compares Steelcase and Konica Minoltas net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

69.5% of Steelcase shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 24.7% of Konica Minolta shares are held by institutional investors. 12.7% of Steelcase shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Dividends

Steelcase pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 3.8%. Konica Minolta pays an annual dividend of $13.93 per share and has a dividend yield of 413.0%. Steelcase pays out 97.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Konica Minolta pays out 23.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Konica Minolta is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and lower payout ratio.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Steelcase and Konica Minoltas revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Steelcase $3.23 billion 0.37 $35.30 million $0.41 25.63 Konica Minolta N/A N/A N/A $59.88 0.06

Steelcase has higher revenue and earnings than Konica Minolta. Konica Minolta is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Steelcase, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Summary

Steelcase beats Konica Minolta on 9 of the 12 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Steelcase

(Get Free Report)

Steelcase Inc. provides a portfolio of furniture and architectural products in the United States and internationally. It operates through Americas, EMEA, and Other segments. The company's furniture portfolio includes furniture systems, seating, storage, fixed and height-adjustable desks, benches, and tables, as well as complementary products, such as work accessories, lighting, and mobile power and screens. Its seating products comprise task chairs; seating for collaborative environments and casual settings; and specialty seating for specific vertical markets, including education and healthcare. The company's interior architectural products comprise full and partial height walls and architectural pods. It also provides textiles, wall coverings, and surface imaging solutions for architects and designers; and workplace strategy consulting, lease origination, and furniture and asset management services. The company markets and sells its products to corporate, government, healthcare, education, and retail customers under the Steelcase, AMQ, Coalesse, HALCON, Orangebox, Smith System, Designtex, and Viccarbe brands. It distributes its products and services through a network of independent and company-owned dealers, as well as directly to end-use customers. The company was incorporated in 1912 and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

About Konica Minolta

(Get Free Report)

Konica Minolta, Inc. engages in digital workplace, professional print, healthcare, and industrial businesses in Japan, China, other Asian countries, the United States, Europe, and internationally. It develops, manufactures, and sells multi-functional peripherals, digital printing systems, and related consumables, as well as offers IT and printing solutions and services. The company also provides diagnostic imaging systems, such as digital X-ray diagnostic imaging, diagnostic ultrasound systems, and other systems; digitalization, networking, solutions, and services in the medical field; genetic testing and drug discovery support services; and primary care services. In addition, it offers measuring instruments; functional film displays; organic light emitting diode lighting products; industrial inkjet printheads; lenses for industrial and professional use; and imaging IoT and visual solutions. The company was founded in 1873 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.

Receive News & Ratings for Steelcase Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Steelcase and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mativ (NYSE:MATV  Get Free Report) is one of 17 publicly-traded companies in the Paper mills industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its peers? We will compare Mativ to related businesses based on the strength of its valuation, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, analyst recommendations, risk and earnings.

Profitability

This table compares Mativ and its peers net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Get Mativ alerts:

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Mativ -1.21% 9.73% 3.06% Mativ Competitors 7.59% 18.89% 6.66%

Risk and Volatility

Mativ has a beta of 0.8, suggesting that its share price is 20% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Mativs peers have a beta of 1.32, suggesting that their average share price is 32% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Mativ 0 0 1 0 3.00 Mativ Competitors 112 708 471 47 2.34

This is a summary of current ratings and target prices for Mativ and its peers, as provided by MarketBeat.

Mativ currently has a consensus target price of $32.00, suggesting a potential upside of 104.21%. As a group, Paper mills companies have a potential upside of 11.53%. Given Mativs stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, research analysts clearly believe Mativ is more favorable than its peers.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

91.4% of Mativ shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 72.7% of shares of all Paper mills companies are owned by institutional investors. 2.0% of Mativ shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 5.5% of shares of all Paper mills companies are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

Mativ pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. Mativ pays out -65.6% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, Paper mills companies pay a dividend yield of 3.7% and pay out 57.0% of their earnings in the form of a dividend.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Mativ and its peers revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio Mativ $2.17 billion -$6.60 million -25.74 Mativ Competitors $5.50 billion $686.61 million 28.92

Mativs peers have higher revenue and earnings than Mativ. Mativ is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than its peers, indicating that it is currently more affordable than other companies in its industry.

Summary

Mativ peers beat Mativ on 10 of the 15 factors compared.

Mativ Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Mativ Holdings, Inc. operates as a performance materials company. The company operates through two segments, Advanced Technical Materials and Fiber-Based Solutions. The Advanced Technical Materials segment manufactures and sells polymer, resin and fiber-based substrates, nets, films, adhesive tapes, and other nonwovens. This segment serves filtration, protective solutions, release liners, healthcare, and industrials end-markets. The Fiber-Based Solutions segment provides packaging, printing, and specialty papers; and various paper-based products for the consumer channel, such as bright papers, cardstock, stationery paper, envelopes, journals, and planners. It also offers combustibles products comprising conventional papers and filter wraps, low-ignition propensity papers wrappers for small cigars, and hemp-based alternatives; noncombustibles; and lightweight papers. This segment serves cigarette and cigar manufacturers, and commercial print and combustibles end-markets. The company sells its products in the United States, Europe and the former Commonwealth of Independent States, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, and internationally. The company was formerly known as Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. and changed its name to Mativ Holdings, Inc. in July 2022. Mativ Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 1995 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Receive News & Ratings for Mativ Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Mativ and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Mayflower Financial Advisors LLC decreased its holdings in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 0.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 214,908 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 222 shares during the period. Bristol-Myers Squibb accounts for about 1.8% of Mayflower Financial Advisors LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 11th biggest position. Mayflower Financial Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $13,743,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Hudson Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 9.6% during the 2nd quarter. Hudson Capital Management LLC now owns 45,497 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,910,000 after purchasing an additional 3,992 shares in the last quarter. Prairie Sky Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Bristol-Myers Squibb in the second quarter worth approximately $527,000. HB Wealth Management LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 10.3% in the second quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 63,112 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $4,036,000 after acquiring an additional 5,879 shares in the last quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 10.5% in the second quarter. Miracle Mile Advisors LLC now owns 8,377 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $536,000 after acquiring an additional 799 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dominguez Wealth Management Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb by 3.5% in the second quarter. Dominguez Wealth Management Solutions Inc. now owns 30,281 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $1,936,000 after acquiring an additional 1,031 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 74.98% of the companys stock.

Get Bristol-Myers Squibb alerts:

Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol-Myers Squibb

In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $1,101,642.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,706,915. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. In other Bristol-Myers Squibb news, EVP Robert M. Plenge sold 732 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.14, for a total transaction of $44,754.48. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 6,584 shares of the companys stock, valued at $402,545.76. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total value of $1,101,642.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,868 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,706,915. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.08% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have issued reports on BMY shares. StockNews.com lowered Bristol-Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, September 1st. TD Cowen cut their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $80.00 to $66.00 and set a market perform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 15th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $78.00 to $65.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 28th. Atlantic Securities cut their price target on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 28th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald reissued an overweight rating and issued a $75.00 price objective on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, September 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol-Myers Squibb has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $70.67.

Read Our Latest Report on BMY

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of BMY traded up $0.45 on Wednesday, reaching $59.08. 3,958,849 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 8,980,329. The company has a current ratio of 1.39, a quick ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.08. The stock has a market cap of $123.42 billion, a PE ratio of 15.59, a PEG ratio of 1.56 and a beta of 0.42. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $61.46 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $64.96. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a 52-week low of $58.33 and a 52-week high of $81.43.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.99 by ($0.24). The business had revenue of $11.23 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.81 billion. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a net margin of 17.62% and a return on equity of 50.51%. The businesss revenue was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.93 earnings per share. On average, analysts forecast that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

Read More

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BMY? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol-Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
National Bank of Canada (OTCMKTS:NTIOF  Get Free Report) declared a dividend on Tuesday, September 19th, investing.com reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 25th will be given a dividend of 0.75 per share by the financial services provider on Wednesday, November 1st. This represents a yield of 4.28%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 22nd. This is a boost from National Bank of Canadas previous dividend of $0.75.

National Bank of Canada Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS NTIOF opened at $70.37 on Wednesday. National Bank of Canada has a 12-month low of $59.42 and a 12-month high of $81.60. The company has a market cap of $23.80 billion, a PE ratio of 10.25 and a beta of 1.10. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $73.90 and a 200-day simple moving average of $73.32. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.80 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.04.

Get National Bank of Canada alerts:

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, National Bank Financial lifted their target price on National Bank of Canada from C$102.00 to C$105.00 in a report on Monday, July 24th.

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.

Further Reading

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.
The BRI will "give a stronger voice to those not having a voice at the moment," said David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor of the Foreign Languages Press in Beijing.

The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is of great significance as it will bring prosperity and confidence to the Global South and "give a stronger voice to those not having a voice at the moment," a British international communication expert has said.

"The BRI is at least as important as a small number of initiatives since the end of World War II, for example, the founding of the United Nations and the signing of the Paris Accord, but it has a more profound significance in the sense that it will have a very profound impact on the world," David Ferguson, honorary chief English editor of the Foreign Languages Press in Beijing, who has been living and working in China for more than 15 years, told Xinhua here in a recent interview.

The BRI "will bring prosperity to many poor and developing countries along the way. It will add to these countries' confidence in the system and confidence in the culture ... and it will fundamentally change the structure of the international order," said Ferguson, who received China's Orchid Awards earlier in September for facilitating cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world.

It will "give a stronger voice to people who do not have a voice at the moment," he said, adding that in terms of culture, the BRI has long been dedicated to promoting people-to-people connectivity.

What today's world needs is "not leadership in the old Western colonial sense of leading by dictating other people on how they should behave or by coercing them into doing what they want, but leadership that respects other parties," he said. "And that is a feature of China's international diplomacy."

"It has always insisted (that) all countries, no matter how strong or how weak, no matter how powerful, how large or small, should have an equal voice," he added.

Over the years, Ferguson has edited the English translation of works by Chinese leaders, including four volumes of "Xi Jinping: The Governance of China," as well as a range of government white papers and books aimed at conveying China's perspectives to global audiences, and has authored a collection of books introducing the historical backgrounds and modernization processes of Chinese cities.

This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2023 shows the construction site of Central Business District (CBD) project constructed by China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) in the new administrative capital, east of Cairo, Egypt. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

The expert noticed that the BRI has been a target of criticism from some Western countries and media outlets since the initiative was proposed in 2013.

The West has been talking of the so-called "Chinese neo-colonialism," and of the so-called "debt traps," but those are based on fallacies, he said.

In fact, the expert pointed out, "the West has adopted a position of arrogance far too long," where it believes its system is the best.

This arrogance has restricted dialogue among different countries, and is to blame for the rocky patches of the relationship between China and the West, he noted.

Unlike the BRI, initiatives brought out by the West have failed to take into consideration cooperation and coordination among countries, Ferguson said.

The 600-billion-U.S. dollar Global Infrastructure and Investment fund announced last year by the Group of Seven members, for example, was "all about countering and competing with China," the expert said.

If the West had stood up and made the same proposal by talking about coordination with the BRI, and about cooperation with member parties to the BRI, there could have been a huge difference, he said.
New Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:NGD  Get Free Report) was downgraded by equities research analysts at StockNews.com from a buy rating to a hold rating in a note issued to investors on Tuesday.

Other analysts have also issued reports about the company. TD Securities cut their price target on New Gold from $1.05 to $1.00 and set a reduce rating on the stock in a report on Friday, July 28th. TheStreet upgraded New Gold from a d rating to a c- rating in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Finally, CSFB cut their price target on New Gold from $1.20 to $1.15 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, August 17th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $1.29.

Get New Gold alerts:

Read Our Latest Research Report on NGD

New Gold Stock Performance

NGD stock traded down $0.02 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $1.03. 999,329 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 3,148,827. The stocks fifty day moving average is $1.24. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.45, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.71. The company has a market cap of $704.83 million, a P/E ratio of -12.88, a PEG ratio of 3.56 and a beta of 1.58. New Gold has a one year low of $0.73 and a one year high of $1.48.

New Gold (NYSEAMERICAN:NGD  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 26th. The basic materials company reported $0.02 earnings per share for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $184.40 million for the quarter. New Gold had a positive return on equity of 1.10% and a negative net margin of 7.93%. On average, analysts expect that New Gold will post 0.06 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of New Gold

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Van ECK Associates Corp increased its position in shares of New Gold by 9.0% in the first quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 72,242,626 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $79,467,000 after acquiring an additional 5,959,821 shares during the last quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. increased its position in shares of New Gold by 3.3% in the first quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 16,673,182 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $18,134,000 after acquiring an additional 528,500 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in New Gold by 48.4% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 16,612,687 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $29,903,000 after buying an additional 5,421,488 shares during the last quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC increased its position in New Gold by 8.0% during the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 15,772,864 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $17,035,000 after buying an additional 1,167,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, TSP Capital Management Group LLC increased its position in New Gold by 6.1% during the first quarter. TSP Capital Management Group LLC now owns 11,017,000 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $12,119,000 after buying an additional 634,000 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 31.78% of the companys stock.

New Gold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

New Gold Inc, an intermediate gold mining company, engages in the exploration, development, and operation of mineral properties. It primarily explores for gold, silver, and copper deposits. The company's principal operating properties include 100% interests in the Rainy River mine located in Ontario, Canada; New Afton mine situated in British Columbia, Canada; and the Cerro San Pedro mine in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for New Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for New Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
ORIX Co. (NYSE:IX  Get Free Report) shares saw strong trading volume on Wednesday . 14,634 shares traded hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 40% from the previous sessions volume of 24,536 shares.The stock last traded at $100.14 and had previously closed at $101.39.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com assumed coverage on ORIX in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a buy rating for the company.

Get ORIX alerts:

Read Our Latest Report on IX

ORIX Stock Down 1.2 %

The stocks fifty day simple moving average is $93.21 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $88.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.79 and a quick ratio of 1.76. The company has a market capitalization of $23.68 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.96, a PEG ratio of 0.49 and a beta of 0.88.

ORIX (NYSE:IX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Friday, August 4th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. ORIX had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 7.88%. The firm had revenue of $4.93 billion for the quarter. On average, sell-side analysts predict that ORIX Co. will post 10.24 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of ORIX by 262.6% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 307,037 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,852,000 after acquiring an additional 222,350 shares during the period. Jane Street Group LLC increased its position in shares of ORIX by 476.3% during the 4th quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 61,928 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $4,986,000 after purchasing an additional 51,182 shares during the period. Todd Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of ORIX by 19.0% during the 2nd quarter. Todd Asset Management LLC now owns 288,836 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $26,345,000 after purchasing an additional 46,191 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership raised its stake in shares of ORIX by 86.5% in the 1st quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 57,839 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $5,775,000 after buying an additional 26,824 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its holdings in shares of ORIX by 18.2% in the second quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 149,340 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $13,621,000 after buying an additional 23,000 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 1.73% of the companys stock.

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.

Further Reading

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.
Phoenix Wealth Advisors lowered its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report) by 1.8% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 449,973 shares of the companys stock after selling 8,165 shares during the period. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF comprises 25.7% of Phoenix Wealth Advisors portfolio, making the stock its largest holding. Phoenix Wealth Advisors holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF were worth $44,075,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 90,331.9% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 62,881,813 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,098,907,000 after purchasing an additional 62,812,278 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 34.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 40,024,464 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,881,973,000 after purchasing an additional 10,183,968 shares in the last quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 18.6% in the 1st quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 41,245,264 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,109,678,000 after purchasing an additional 6,466,535 shares in the last quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. boosted its stake in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 1,250.7% in the 1st quarter. First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. now owns 6,163,802 shares of the companys stock valued at $614,161,000 after purchasing an additional 5,707,468 shares in the last quarter. Finally, US Bancorp DE boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 31.6% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 21,776,403 shares of the companys stock worth $2,169,801,000 after acquiring an additional 5,226,719 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.21% of the companys stock.

Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts:

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Stock Up 0.3 %

Shares of AGG traded up $0.27 on Wednesday, hitting $95.62. The companys stock had a trading volume of 1,236,949 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,168,647. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a fifty-two week low of $93.20 and a fifty-two week high of $101.15. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $96.53 and a 200 day moving average price of $97.92.

iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Profile

IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AGG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Prairie Sky Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report) during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 8,191 shares of the utilities providers stock, valued at approximately $575,000.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. MRP Capital Investments LLC acquired a new stake in Southern in the 1st quarter valued at $30,000. Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. acquired a new stake in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at $34,000. Tanglewood Legacy Advisors LLC bought a new position in Southern in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. TD Capital Management LLC raised its position in Southern by 122.0% in the 1st quarter. TD Capital Management LLC now owns 546 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Cascade Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Southern in the 1st quarter valued at $42,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.85% of the companys stock.

Get Southern alerts:

Southern Trading Up 1.1 %

NYSE SO traded up $0.80 on Wednesday, reaching $71.71. The company had a trading volume of 1,219,510 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,052,346. The stocks 50 day moving average is $69.44 and its 200-day moving average is $70.19. The stock has a market cap of $78.20 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.06, a PEG ratio of 4.93 and a beta of 0.52. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. The Southern Company has a 52 week low of $58.85 and a 52 week high of $78.22.

Southern Announces Dividend

Southern ( NYSE:SO Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 3rd. The utilities provider reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.74 by $0.05. Southern had a return on equity of 9.86% and a net margin of 11.17%. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.47 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.07 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 20.2% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that The Southern Company will post 3.6 earnings per share for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 6th. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 21st were paid a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, August 18th. This represents a $2.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.90%. Southerns payout ratio is 98.94%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have issued reports on SO. Bank of America upgraded Southern from an underperform rating to a neutral rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $67.00 to $68.00 in a research report on Wednesday, September 13th. StockNews.com began coverage on Southern in a research report on Saturday, August 19th. They issued a sell rating for the company. Morgan Stanley cut their price objective on Southern from $69.00 to $67.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, August 23rd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded Southern from a buy rating to a conviction-buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 3rd. Finally, LADENBURG THALM/SH SH initiated coverage on Southern in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. They set a buy rating and a $72.00 target price for the company. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, five have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Southern has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $73.13.

View Our Latest Report on Southern

Insider Buying and Selling at Southern

In other Southern news, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total value of $1,452,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 98,659 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,164,616.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Kimberly S. Greene sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.62, for a total transaction of $1,452,400.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 98,659 shares of the companys stock, valued at $7,164,616.58. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.83, for a total value of $339,150.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 121,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at $8,226,693.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 41,490 shares of company stock valued at $2,934,355. Company insiders own 0.37% of the companys stock.

Southern Profile

(Free Report)

The Southern Company, through its subsidiaries, engages in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It operates through three segments: Gas Distribution Operations, Gas Pipeline Investments, and Gas Marketing Services. The company also develops, constructs, acquires, owns, and manages power generation assets, including renewable energy projects and sells electricity in the wholesale market; and distributes natural gas in Illinois, Georgia, Virginia, and Tennessee, as well as provides gas marketing services, gas distribution operations, and gas pipeline investments operations.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Southern Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Revolution Bars Group plc (LON:RBG  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low on Wednesday . The company traded as low as GBX 3.72 ($0.05) and last traded at GBX 3.87 ($0.05), with a volume of 181519 shares. The stock had previously closed at GBX 3.85 ($0.05).

Revolution Bars Group Stock Up 0.6 %

The business has a fifty day moving average of GBX 5.22 and a two-hundred day moving average of GBX 6.25. The company has a market cap of 8.91 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -385.00 and a beta of 2.21. The company has a current ratio of 0.44, a quick ratio of 0.62 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 81.70.

Revolution Bars Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Revolution Bars Group plc operates premium bars located in towns or city center high streets across the United Kingdom. Its bars offer food and drinks. The company operates bars under the Revolution and the Revolucion de Cuba brand names. Revolution Bars Group plc was founded in 1991 and is headquartered in Ashton-Under-Lyne, the United Kingdom.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Revolution Bars Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Revolution Bars Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shimano Inc. (OTCMKTS:SMNNY  Get Free Report)s stock price reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The company traded as low as $13.34 and last traded at $13.43, with a volume of 104447 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $13.78.

Shimano Stock Down 2.5 %

The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $15.24 and a 200 day moving average price of $15.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.15 billion, a PE ratio of 13.92 and a beta of 0.59.

Shimano Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Shimano Inc develops, produces, and distributes bicycle components, fishing tackles, and rowing equipment. It has operations in Japan, Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and Oceania. Shimano Inc was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Sakai, Japan.

See Also

Receive News & Ratings for Shimano Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Shimano and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS) saw a large increase in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 2,650,000 shares, an increase of 6.9% from the August 15th total of 2,480,000 shares. Currently, 0.1% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 8,700,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 0.3 days.

Barclays Trading Down 1.5 %

NYSE:BCS traded down $0.12 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $7.82. The company had a trading volume of 8,146,396 shares, compared to its average volume of 8,145,131. Barclays has a 1 year low of $5.89 and a 1 year high of $9.44. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 1.35 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.28. The company has a 50-day moving average of $7.76 and a 200 day moving average of $7.67. The company has a market cap of $30.41 billion, a P/E ratio of 4.52, a P/E/G ratio of 3.14 and a beta of 1.38.

Get Barclays alerts:

Barclays (NYSE:BCS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.45 by ($0.02). Barclays had a return on equity of 8.09% and a net margin of 22.39%. The firm had revenue of $7.87 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $8.42 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Barclays will post 1.55 earnings per share for the current year.

Barclays Increases Dividend

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Barclays

The company also recently declared a semi-annual dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 11th were given a dividend of $0.1398 per share. This represents a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 10th. This is a positive change from Barclayss previous semi-annual dividend of $0.10. Barclayss payout ratio is presently 15.03%.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Comerica Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Barclays during the 2nd quarter worth about $14,440,000. GTS Securities LLC purchased a new position in Barclays during the second quarter worth about $528,000. Atlas Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Barclays during the second quarter valued at about $393,000. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Barclays by 22.5% in the 2nd quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 6,555,297 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $51,525,000 after acquiring an additional 1,206,068 shares during the period. Finally, MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Barclays by 14.2% in the 2nd quarter. MidWestOne Financial Group Inc. now owns 192,565 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,514,000 after acquiring an additional 23,933 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 3.39% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

BCS has been the topic of a number of research reports. BNP Paribas lowered Barclays from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 8th. StockNews.com downgraded shares of Barclays from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Monday, September 11th. Finally, BCS dropped their price objective on shares of Barclays from GBX 210 ($2.60) to GBX 190 ($2.35) in a research note on Thursday, July 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $206.67.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Barclays

Barclays Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Barclays PLC provides various financial services in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Americas, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The company operates through two segments, Barclays UK and Barclays International divisions. It offers financial services, such as retail banking, credit cards, wholesale banking, investment banking, wealth management, and investment management services.

Recommended Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Barclays Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Barclays and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Basilea Pharmaceutica AG (OTCMKTS:BPMUF  Get Free Report) was the target of a significant decline in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 276,400 shares, a decline of 9.2% from the August 15th total of 304,300 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 0 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently  days.

Basilea Pharmaceutica Stock Performance

Shares of BPMUF stock remained flat at $50.00 on Tuesday. Basilea Pharmaceutica has a 1-year low of $50.00 and a 1-year high of $50.00. The companys 50-day moving average price is $50.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $50.73.

Get Basilea Pharmaceutica alerts:

About Basilea Pharmaceutica

(Get Free Report)

Featured Stories

Basilea Pharmaceutica AG, a commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company, focuses on the development of products that address the medical needs in the therapeutic areas of oncology and anti-infectives. It offers Cresemba, an intravenous and oral azole antifungal drug for the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and mucormycosis in the United States, and the European Union, as well as in Phase III clinical trials for invasive fungal infections in Japan.

Receive News & Ratings for Basilea Pharmaceutica Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Basilea Pharmaceutica and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
China Everbright Environment Group Limited (OTCMKTS:CHFFF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 9,595,000 shares, a decline of 9.0% from the August 15th total of 10,541,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 19,190.0 days.

China Everbright Environment Group Stock Performance

OTCMKTS CHFFF remained flat at $0.34 during trading on Tuesday. China Everbright Environment Group has a 52 week low of $0.34 and a 52 week high of $0.41. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.37 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $0.40.

Get China Everbright Environment Group alerts:

About China Everbright Environment Group

(Get Free Report)

Read More

China Everbright Environment Group Limited provides environmental solutions worldwide. The company's Environmental Energy Project Construction and Operation segment constructs and operates food and kitchen waste treatment, leachate treatment, sludge treatment and disposal, methane-to-energy, fecal treatment, fly ash landfill, medical waste treatment, and solid waste treatment projects, as well as waste-to-energy plants.

Receive News & Ratings for China Everbright Environment Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for China Everbright Environment Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Diageo plc (OTCMKTS:DGEAF  Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant decline in short interest during the month of August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 98,300 shares, a decline of 13.7% from the August 15th total of 113,900 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 3,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 32.8 days.

Diageo Stock Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS DGEAF traded up $0.23 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $39.35. 1,672 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,478. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $41.88 and its 200-day simple moving average is $43.03. Diageo has a twelve month low of $38.23 and a twelve month high of $47.47.

Get Diageo alerts:

Diageo Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Featured Articles

Diageo plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the production, marketing, and sale of alcoholic beverages. It offers scotch, gin, vodka, rum, raki, liqueur, wine, tequila, Chinese white spirits, cachaca, and brandy, as well as beer, including cider and flavoured malt beverages. The company also provides Canadian, Irish, American, and Indian-Made Foreign Liquor whiskies, as well as ready to drink and non-alcoholic products.

Receive News & Ratings for Diageo Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Diageo and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right, front) and Sheng Thao (left, front), Mayor of Oakland city, at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Noting that Vietnam and the US have lifted the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during the Vietnam visit by US President Joe Biden, PM Pham Minh Chinh said that it reflected aspirations of the two nations to further promote the practical and effective development of the relationship for the benefit of their people, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sheng Thao and several officials and businesspeople recalled their good memories of their Vietnam visit in August this year.

Members of the delegation expressed delight at the establishment of the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership. They said that they are making preparations for the APEC Leaders Meeting in San Francisco in November and look forwards to welcoming Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong.

The US officials said that after their visit in August, businesses of the two countries signed many cooperation agreements, including the exploration of Vietjets opening of a direct air route to California. They affirmed their hope to strengthen connections between technology enterprises in the Silicon Valley with the Vietnamese community as well as Vietnam, expressing belief that with their sound relations, the two countries boast great potential for stronger cooperation, especially in technology, semiconductor and pharmaceuticals.

Sheng Thao said that the San Francisco Bay Area is home to a strong Vietnamese community who has received support from the administrations of the state and cities. She expressed her hope to seek collaboration opportunities with Vietnamese firms investing in the US, including automaker VinFast.

PM Pham Minh Chinh underlined that Vietnam always welcomes and gives family sentiments to overseas Vietnamese to return to their home country.

Reaffirming the consistent policy of creating favourable conditions for foreigners and overseas Vietnamese to do business in Vietnam, the PM suggested Sheng Thao and representatives of cities and businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area call for more people and enterprises to exchange and seek investment and business opportunities in the Southeast Asian nation.

He emphasised that strengthening cooperation, sharing interests and joining hands in national development are an effective and practical measure to deploy the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership and contribute to the joint efforts in settling war consequences./.
Monarch Mining Co. (OTCMKTS:GBARF  Get Free Report) saw a significant drop in short interest in August. As of August 31st, there was short interest totalling 25,100 shares, a drop of 9.1% from the August 15th total of 27,600 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 20,600 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 1.2 days.

Monarch Mining Price Performance

OTCMKTS GBARF traded up C$0.00 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching C$0.02. The stock had a trading volume of 21,723 shares, compared to its average volume of 35,515. Monarch Mining has a 1 year low of C$0.01 and a 1 year high of C$0.12. The company has a fifty day moving average price of C$0.02 and a 200 day moving average price of C$0.03.

Get Monarch Mining alerts:

About Monarch Mining

(Get Free Report)

Read More

Monarch Mining Corporation, a gold mining company, engages in the exploration and development of mining properties in Canada. It owns 295 square kilometers of mining assets, including the Beaufor mine, Croinor property, McKenzie property, Swanson property, and Beacon Mill. The company was incorporated in 2020 and is headquartered in Saint-Sauveur, Canada.

Receive News & Ratings for Monarch Mining Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Monarch Mining and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Stellar AfricaGold Inc. (CVE:SPX  Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.02 and last traded at C$0.02, with a volume of 629235 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at C$0.02.

Stellar AfricaGold Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of C$0.02 and a 200-day moving average of C$0.03. The stock has a market capitalization of C$1.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -0.75, a P/E/G ratio of 2.57 and a beta of 1.26. The company has a current ratio of 0.13, a quick ratio of 2.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 201.45.

Stellar AfricaGold Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Stellar AfricaGold Inc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and evaluation of mineral properties in West Africa and Canada. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. It holds interest in the Lullwitz-Kaepelli gold property located in Lacoste and De Sales township in the Charlevoix Area of Quebec; the Birimian Geology, Priko, and Zenoula permits situated in Cote d'Ivoire; the Tichka Est gold project located in the Atlas region of Morocco; and the Namarana gold project situated in region of Koulikoro.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Stellar AfricaGold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stellar AfricaGold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Shares of Tembo Gold Corp. (CVE:TEM  Get Free Report) traded down 2.5% on Tuesday . The stock traded as low as C$0.20 and last traded at C$0.20. 4,500 shares changed hands during trading, a decline of 93% from the average session volume of 61,157 shares. The stock had previously closed at C$0.20.

Tembo Gold Price Performance

The company has a 50 day moving average of C$0.20 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$0.19. The firm has a market cap of C$20.55 million, a P/E ratio of -6.50 and a beta of 0.43. The company has a quick ratio of 5.80, a current ratio of 0.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 8.29.

Get Tembo Gold alerts:

Insider Activity

In related news, insider Phoenix Gold Fund Limited bought 175,000 shares of Tembo Gold stock in a transaction dated Friday, August 4th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of C$0.20 per share, with a total value of C$34,720.00. 25.78% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

About Tembo Gold

Tembo Gold Corp., a junior mineral exploration company, engages in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in Tanzania. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its flagship project is the Tembo gold property covering an area of 32 square kilometers located in the Lake Victoria goldfield district in northwest Tanzania.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for Tembo Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Tembo Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc. decreased its holdings in The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report) by 30.5% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,690 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock after selling 1,621 shares during the quarter. Tilia Fiduciary Partners Inc.s holdings in Sherwin-Williams were worth $980,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 1,716.7% in the first quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 109 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its stake in Sherwin-Williams by 296.9% during the 1st quarter. TCI Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 127 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 95 shares in the last quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Sherwin-Williams by 44,853.3% during the 1st quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 6,743 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock worth $30,000 after acquiring an additional 6,728 shares during the last quarter. Householder Group Estate & Retirement Specialist LLC bought a new stake in shares of Sherwin-Williams in the 1st quarter worth $36,000. Finally, Colonial Trust Co SC raised its holdings in shares of Sherwin-Williams by 315.9% in the first quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 183 shares of the specialty chemicals companys stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 139 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.87% of the companys stock.

Get Sherwin-Williams alerts:

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

SHW has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. 58.com reaffirmed an upgrade rating on shares of Sherwin-Williams in a research report on Monday, June 26th. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Sherwin-Williams from $272.00 to $315.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. Loop Capital boosted their price objective on Sherwin-Williams from $295.00 to $325.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 26th. Barclays raised their target price on Sherwin-Williams from $240.00 to $285.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 25th. Finally, Citigroup boosted their price target on shares of Sherwin-Williams from $310.00 to $320.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 27th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $283.61.

Sherwin-Williams Price Performance

Shares of SHW stock traded up $1.52 on Wednesday, reaching $262.94. The companys stock had a trading volume of 156,330 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,464,743. The Sherwin-Williams Company has a 12-month low of $195.24 and a 12-month high of $283.80. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $270.89 and its 200-day simple moving average is $246.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.62, a current ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.50. The company has a market capitalization of $67.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 29.06, a PEG ratio of 2.18 and a beta of 1.10.

Sherwin-Williams (NYSE:SHW  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 25th. The specialty chemicals company reported $3.29 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.71 by $0.58. The firm had revenue of $6.24 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $6.03 billion. Sherwin-Williams had a return on equity of 83.63% and a net margin of 10.20%. The companys revenue was up 6.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.41 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that The Sherwin-Williams Company will post 9.78 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sherwin-Williams Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 8th. Stockholders of record on Friday, August 18th were given a dividend of $0.605 per share. This represents a $2.42 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.92%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, August 17th. Sherwin-Williamss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 26.86%.

Sherwin-Williams Profile

(Free Report)

The Sherwin-Williams Company engages in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of paints, coating, and related products to professional, industrial, commercial, and retail customers. It operates through three segments: The Americas Group, Consumer Brands Group, and Performance Coatings Group. The Americas Group segment offers architectural paints and coatings, and protective and marine products, as well as OEM product finishes and related products for architectural and industrial paint contractors, and do-it-yourself homeowners.

Recommended Stories

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Sherwin-Williams Company (NYSE:SHW  Free Report).

Receive News & Ratings for Sherwin-Williams Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sherwin-Williams and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited (LON:SMIF  Get Free Report) announced a dividend on Thursday, September 14th, Upcoming.Co.Uk reports. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 21st will be paid a dividend of GBX 0.50 ($0.01) per share on Friday, October 6th. This represents a yield of 0.68%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 21st. The official announcement can be accessed at this link.

TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund stock opened at GBX 74.98 ($0.93) on Wednesday. The company has a market capitalization of 183.16 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -937.30. TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund has a 12-month low of GBX 64.15 ($0.79) and a 12-month high of GBX 80 ($0.99). The firms 50-day moving average price is GBX 73.84 and its two-hundred day moving average price is GBX 73.13.

Get TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund alerts:

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Wendy Dorey acquired 15,000 shares of TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 20th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 71 ($0.88) per share, for a total transaction of 10,650 ($13,192.12). In related news, insider Wendy Dorey purchased 15,000 shares of TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 20th. The shares were bought at an average cost of GBX 71 ($0.88) per share, for a total transaction of 10,650 ($13,192.12). Also, insider Sharon Parr purchased 24,004 shares of TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 8th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 75 ($0.93) per share, for a total transaction of 18,003 ($22,300.26). Insiders have bought 65,254 shares of company stock worth $4,729,050 over the last ninety days. Corporate insiders own 0.12% of the companys stock.

About TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund

TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Limited is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Numis Securities Ltd. The fund is managed by TwentyFour Asset Management LLP. It invests in fixed income markets of the United Kingdom. The fund primarily invests in less liquid instruments across the debt spectrum, including asset backed securities, bank capital, corporate loans, high yield bonds, and leveraged loans issued by a wide variety of issuers.

Further Reading

Receive News & Ratings for TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for TwentyFour Select Monthly Income Fund and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Victoria Gold Corp. (OTCMKTS:VITFF  Get Free Report)s share price traded up 1.5% on Monday . The stock traded as high as $4.89 and last traded at $4.89. 12,254 shares were traded during trading, a decline of 71% from the average session volume of 42,416 shares. The stock had previously closed at $4.82.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, HC Wainwright lifted their target price on shares of Victoria Gold from C$20.00 to C$24.00 in a research note on Friday, August 11th.

Get Victoria Gold alerts:

Get Our Latest Analysis on VITFF

Victoria Gold Stock Performance

About Victoria Gold

The businesss 50 day moving average is $5.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $6.26.

(Get Free Report)

Victoria Gold Corp. acquires, explores, and operates mineral properties in Canada and the United States. The company primarily explores for gold deposits. Its flagship property is 100% owned Dublin Gulch property, which hosts the Eagle and Olive-Shamrock Gold deposit covering an area of approximately 555 square kilometers located in central Yukon, Canada.

Featured Stories

Receive News & Ratings for Victoria Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Victoria Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

(Photo: VNA)

Host and guest shared the view that the formation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development on the occasion of the recent state visit to Vietnam by President Joe Biden will open up a new stage for the intensive and extensive cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

Chinh thanked the Trade Representative for her contributions to the development of the bilateral ties, and suggested the two sides actively coordinate to quickly materialise agreements reached by their high-ranking leaders, including the USs priority of accelerating the recognition of Vietnams market economy mechanism, and further opening door for Vietnamese goods like garments-textiles, footwear and farm produce, as well as its consideration of interests of Vietnamese businesses, and not imposing trade remedies on Vietnamese goods on the basis of ensuring balance, fairness and mutual benefits.

The PM also suggested the US help Vietnam in building a semiconductor-related supply chain.

Tai, for her part, emphasised the importance of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which, she said, will open up opportunities for the two sides to boost their economic-trade ties.

Recalling her visit to Vietnam in February, the Trade Representative said it helped her understand much more about the Southeast Asian nation.

The US always regards Vietnam as an important partner in the region, and hopes for stronger economic and trade cooperation, she said, pledging that the Office of the Trade Representative will further play a role in enhancing the bilateral relations in the time ahead.

Tai also noted her hope that Vietnam will continue supporting efforts to soon conclude the discussion of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), for the sake of countries and people in the region.

The same day, Chinh met with US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, during which the PM affirmed that Vietnam has taken economic-trade-investment cooperation as a foundation and a driving force of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

(Photo: VNA)

He highly valued practical contributions by the US Department of Commerce and its Secretary to fostering the trade ties between the two countries over the past time.

To effectively implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the PM suggested the US soon recognise Vietnams market economy mechanism, pay more attention to enhancing the economic-trade relations, especially encouraging US high-tech firms to operate in Vietnam, and step up delegation exchange and experience sharing.

The two countries should promote collaboration in climate change response, green growth and renewable energy, he continued.

Raimondo shared Chinhs views on the importance of President Bidens Vietnam visit earlier this month, and the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

US firms are interested in seeking business and investment opportunities in Vietnam, the official said, expressing her belief that after the conclusion of the IPEF discussion, more US businesses and investment funds will inject capital in the Southeast Asian nation.

Chinh suggested the US further open its door for Vietnamese goods like electronics, garment-textiles, footwear, agricultural products and fresh fruits, and work together with Vietnam to maintain the growth pace of the two-way trade.

Raimondo pledged to urge the US to soon recognise Vietnams market economy mechanism, and coordinate to put in place the contents agreed in the joint statement, especially in economy, trade and investment, thus making the bilateral cooperation more intensive, extensive, substantive and effective./.
you are here:
Meghna Mittal MEGHNA MITTAL is Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com
Shubham Raj has six years of experience covering capital markets. He primarily writes on stocks with special focus on F&O and PMS-AIF industry.
Press Release

September 20, 2023 Statement of Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva on the LEDAC meeting

September 20, 2023 We are on track in terms of the passage of the priority measures of this Administration. Out of the 20 priority bills that should be passed by the end of this year, the Senate has already passed three measures on third reading: Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Act, LGU Income Classification Act and the Philippine Salt Industry Development Act. This week, three additional bills were passed on second reading, which are the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, Internet Transactions Act and the New Philippine Passport Act. Before the Senate goes on break next week, our goal is to pass the Public-Private Partnership Act, Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers Act and the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. ?Aside from this, additional measures were added to the list of priority measures of this Administration, including the Excise Tax on Single-Use Plastics, Amendments to the Government Procurement Reform Act and Philippine Maritime Zones Act. The passage of the Philippine Maritime Zone Act is very timely as the Philippines continues to assert its rights over the West Philippine Sea. The Senate has a huge task at hand and we thank each of our colleagues for taking an active role in ensuring that we are not only able to meet our targets, but also that all bills that passed are thoroughly studied and discussed. We are in full support of the administration's goals especially in crafting laws to generate employment and uplift the quality of life of every Filipino.
The first middle-frequency dish of the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope, the world's biggest astronomy network, has begun to be assembled in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province. [Photo by Zhao Lei/chinadaily.com.cn]

The first middle-frequency dish of the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope, the world's biggest astronomy network, has begun to be assembled in Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei province.

The Square Kilometer Array is an ambitious scientific project involving several nations including China, the United Kingdom and Australia. It is not a single radio telescope, but a collection of various types of antennae called an array. It is spread over long distances that combine to cover a total surface area of 1 square kilometer.

At a brief ceremony in Shijiazhuang on Wednesday morning, the main reflector of the first Square Kilometer Array middle-frequency dish, officially abbreviated as SKA-Mid, was lifted by a heavy-duty crane and then placed on the dish's pedestal.

After that, engineers spent several hours connecting the two colossal components.

Most parts on the dish, including the main reflector, servo devices and support arm, were designed and built by the 54th Research Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corp, located in Shijiazhuang, which is the major Chinese contractor in the SKA project.[Video by Zhao Lei]

Du Biao, the institute's chief designer of the dish's structure, told China Daily in an exclusive interview after the ceremony that in the next several days, engineers will mount the remaining parts on the dish, including the sub reflector. They will then start fine-tuning the entire dish to ensure its operational stability and accuracy.

Production of the first batch of 64 SKA-Mid dishes, including the one involved at Wednesday's ceremony, has begun at the Shijiazhuang institute. They will later be delivered to the SKA Observatory, an intergovernmental organization based in Manchester, England, and then installed in the Karoo region of South Africa.

Another section of the SKA project, the low frequency dishes, or SKA-Low, will be located in the remote Murchison area of Western Australia.

Both sites were chosen for scientific and technical reasons, including their radio quietness.

Upon its scheduled completion in about 2028, the SKA will be the largest and most advanced astronomy equipment in the world and is expected to give scientists detailed insights into the history of the universe.

It will also enable scientists to better understand the nature of gravity, explore the origins of life and cosmic magnetic fields, as well as search for extraterrestrial civilizations.

The super network's ultra large collecting area will give it 50 times the sensitivity and 10,000 times the survey speed of the best current-day telescopes  the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array located in New Mexico, United States.

The full array will produce data at a rate more than 100 times the global internet traffic, according to Chinese scientists involved in the program.

Editor: JYZ
Lovisha Darad Lovisha is passionate about domestic and global equity market development. She writes stories exclusively on equities from a fundamental perspective, gathering insights from niche market gurus.
Mansi Verma covers Edtech, Agritech, Venture Capital, Job and employment trends under the Tech and Startup team
Amitabh Tiwari Is a former corporate and investment banker-turned political strategist and commentator. Twitter: @politicalbaaba. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication
If the Ukrainian authorities escalate the conflict, Poland will expand the list of products prohibited from importing into the country, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki is quoted by the Polish publication pap.pl.

Commenting on the speech of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in New York, who called the situation with unilateral bans on Ukrainian agricultural products "a thriller with grain, in which some countries play their role, but in fact help prepare the way for the Moscow actor," Morawiecki recalled that Poland was the first country in Europe to open to Ukrainian refugees, helped deliver humanitarian supplies to war-torn areas.

"After all this, we cannot hear any ambiguous, and some believe unambiguous, statements that reduce us to the role of an indifferent state," he said.

Morawiecki stressed that Poland believes in Ukraine's victory and is helping, but the interest of the Polish farmer, the Polish village, and the Poles will be the most important for the country's government. "It will be this way no matter what anyone in the world says, because we do not bow to those from the East or the West, we act only in the interests of the Poles," the Polish prime minister said.

Morawiecki noted that Poland is ready to continue to help Ukraine, but not at the cost of "destabilizing the Polish market." For this reason, the government decided to introduce an embargo on Ukrainian grain, although consent to this was not given by the European Commission.

The Prime Minister stressed that the embargo would remain in place until "cooperation mechanisms" are developed.

"I warn the Ukrainian authorities: if they escalate the conflict, we will add even more products to the ban on exports to Poland," Morawiecki added.
Andreas Kluth is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering European politics. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Shamsher Chandel is an independent journalist based out of Chandigarh. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
Jaideep Hardikar is a Nagpur-based journalist, a core team member of the People's Archive of Rural India, and author of "Ramrao - The story of India's farm crisis". Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.
E Jayashree Kurup is a writer-researcher in real estate and Director Real Estate & Cities, Wordmeister Editorial Services. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed creating grain hubs in African ports, the website of the head of state has reported.

"Ukraine proposes a very clear action. To prevent any turmoil on the global food market, we can establish hubs for millions tons of grain per year in especially sensitive areas, for example in ports of Africa," the press service quoted Zelenskyy as saying at the SDG Summit.

According to him, negotiations on such opportunities have already begun. This will help prevent any shocks in the global food market.

He said that Ukraine will never give up its role as a guarantor of global food security: "Nobody expected from us that we could press the Russian fleet out of our Black Sea waters, providing more room for the Black Sea Grain Initiative as well as humanitarian initiative  Grain from Ukraine. And the results are truly remarkable."

"Ukraine food exports have reached the shores of Algeria, Djibouti, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Lebanon, Morocco, Somalia, Tunisia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Iraq, Oman, Pakistan, Turkiye, Yemen, and others. The roads from intermediary ports have carried our products to Ethiopia and Sudan," the president emphasized.

According to him, this was a total of 32 million tonnes of food. This is 32 million tonnes less chaos.

"I thank all those leaders who supported our export programs. Thank you very much, guys! We have made it. And nothing prevents us from reaching far more ambitious goals," Zelenskyy added.
The non-use of nuclear weapons did not prevent mass destruction, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said speaking at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday.

"This hall saw many wars but not as an active defender against the aggressions. In many cases, the fear of war, the final war, was the loudest here  the war after which no one would gather in the General Assembly Hall again. The Third World War was seen as a nuclear war," he said.

The 20th century, the president said, "taught the world to restrain from the use of the weapons of mass destruction  not to deploy, not to proliferate, not to threaten with, and not to test, but to promote a complete nuclear disarmament."

"This is a good strategy. But it should not be the only strategy to protect the world from this final war," Zelenskyy said.

Recalling that Ukraine had given up its third-largest nuclear arsenal, Zelenskyy said "the world then decided Russia should become a keeper of such power. Yet, history shows it was Russia who deserved nuclear disarmament the most, back in the 1990s."

"And Russia deserves it now  terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons. No right," Zelenskyy said, noting that while nuclear weapons remain, mass destruction is gaining momentum. "The aggressor is weaponizing many other things and those things are used not only against our country but against all of yours as well," the president said.

He gave the example of blocking Ukrainian ports on the Black and Azov Seas. "To this day, our ports on the Danube River remain a target for missiles and drones. And this is a clear attempt by Russia to weaponize food shortages on the world market in exchange for recognition of some, if not all, captured territories," Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy accused Russia of "turning nuclear power plants of other countries into real dirty bombs." "Look please what Russia did to our Zaporizhzhia power plant  shelled it, occupied it and now blackmails others with radiation leaks. Is there any sense to reduce nuclear weapons when Russia is weaponizing nuclear power plants? Scary question," he said.

The President of Ukraine again recalled the tens of thousands of deportees. "The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin for this crime. We are trying to get children back home but time goes by. What will happen to them? Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken This is clearly a genocide," Zelenskyy said.
On the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed a number of bilateral issues, including cooperation in the field of civil defense and protecting people's lives, the website of the head of state said.

At the same time, Zelenskyy reportedly informed the Israeli prime minister about the situation at the front and air strikes, in particular using Iranian-made drones, which Russia continues to launch against peaceful Ukrainian cities, civilian facilities and port infrastructure.

The head of the Ukrainian state expressed concern about the increasingly close military cooperation between Russia and Iran.

Zelenskyy also invited Israel to support the Ukrainian Peace Formula. In particular, he spoke about the preparations for the Global Peace Summit.

In addition, the parties discussed cooperation within the UN and other international platforms.
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov summed up the first results of the meeting in the Ramstein format.

"Ramstein format meeting  the first results. We agreed the initiative to establish Capability Coalition," he said on Facebook.

Umerov emphasized that the main goal is to prepare the Ukrainian defense forces of the future.

"To do this, the Ministry of Defense has identified five priority attention clusters: air defense, artillery, aviation, navy, armored vehicles," he said.

The head of the Ministry of Defense also called on Ukraines partners to continue to support the Ukrainian state and outlined priority needs.

According to him, the partners once again confirmed their commitments to support Ukraine. Umerov thanked the participants for their unwavering support for Ukraine. "Our army, even after nineteen months of fierce fighting, remains highly motivated, and the Ukrainian people have no intention of giving up," the head of the Ministry of Defense said.
Zelenskyy: If ATACMS not given to Ukraine, it to lead to more victims

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with CNN said if the United States does not provide Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles, this will lead to more military and civilian casualties.

In particular, Zelenskyy said he remains focused on getting more long-range missiles from the United States, arguing that Ukraine wants them not to target Russia but to maintain the level of combat capabilities of the two sides.

"We are on the finishing line, I'm sure of that," the president said.

At the same time, he said it would be "a loss for us" weapons are not provided, Zelenskyy said, adding it would result in "more casualties on the battlefield and elsewhere."

Ukraine's president also reiterated the need to increase the number of air defense systems, including the U.S. Patriot system, saying they are needed to protect civilian areas.

In addition, Zelenskyy commented on the progress of the counteroffensive. Thus, answering the question of whether a serious turning point in Ukraine's military counteroffensive is possible this year, he said: "I think nobody knows, really."

"But I think that we will have more success," the head of state said, noting Ukraine's successes in the east of the country.

As reported, U.S. President Joseph Biden should soon make a final decision on sending army long-range tactical missile systems, also known as ATACMS, to Ukraine.
Hunter Biden, son of U.S. President Joe Biden, departs federal court after a plea hearing on two misdemeanor charges of willfully failing to pay income taxes in Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. July 26, 2023.
In this file photo taken on June 29, 2022, police cruisers are seen parked outside the Guam Police Department's Sgt. Frankie E. Smith Police Station.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov held substantive talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd James Austin on the sidelines of Ramstein on the needs of Ukrainian forces at the front and security guarantees for Ukraine.

"Hold substantive negotiations with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. We discussed the urgent needs of Ukraine at the front, as well as guarantees for the security of our state. I am grateful to the United States and personally to Mr. Minister for the invaluable assistance in the fight against the Russian invaders," Umerov said on Facebook.

Umerov also congratulated General Mark Milley on the successful completion of his tenure as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States.

"Mr. Milley has truly become a member of the Ukrainian family. There is no doubt that General Milley's experience and wisdom will become an important asset to the defense community," he said on Facebook.

On September 19, the 15th meeting of Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format took place in Germany. For Umerov, this is the first meeting of the Contact Group on Defense.
The Main Intelligence Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine states that unknown saboteurs blew up two planes and a helicopter in Moscow region, and now Russian security forces are taking measures to search for saboteurs and limit the dissemination of information about the event in local media.

"At Chkalovsky airfield, a group of the Investigative Committee of Russia is investigating sabotage, as a result of which two planes and one helicopter were significantly damaged on September 18, 2023. The event caused great hysteria in the highest military corridors  government aircraft, the so-called 'doomsday planes' and special aircraft (reconnaissance aircraft)," the agency said on the Telegram channel.

Intelligence said unknown persons at a heavily guarded airfield planted explosives and blew up AN-148 and IL-20 aircraft (both belonging to the 354th Special Purpose Aviation Regiment), as well as an MI-28N helicopter, which had previously been actively involved in shooting down attack drones over Moscow region.

"The damage to the aircraft will not allow us to count on their quick recovery. The tail section of the helicopter was damaged by the explosion. Another AN-148, which was parked next to others, received minor damage. The punitive authorities of the Russian Federation are taking measures to search for saboteurs and limit the dissemination of information in local media about the event," the Main Intelligence Agency said.
Sacramento, CA  A rally was held Tuesday at the California state capitol where union leaders, truck drivers, and many lawmakers called for Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill that would temporarily ban large self-driving trucks.

It would impact vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds, which would include most delivery and big rig trucks. It is designed save truck driver jobs while the new technology is still being tested. If signed, a human would be required to be on board the large trucks until at least 2029.

The bill easily passed in the Assembly and Senate, but there is an inside push within the administration for Governor Newsom to veto it.

The bill would cost about $1 million annually to implement, and members of Newsoms administration have argued that it could push autonomous vehicle companies out of state. DeeDee Myers, a senior advisor to Newsom, sent a letter, stating, Our state is on the cusp of a new era and cannot risk stifling innovation.

The Governor has until October 14 to either sign or veto it.

The states legislative database notes that Mother Lode Democratic Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil voted in favor. Local Republican Assemblymen Jim Patterson and Heath Flora did not cast a vote.
Before the meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, a network of bots was discovered on the X social network, spreading slander against Ukraine and Uainians, the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel said.

"Before the meeting of Netanyahu and President Zelenskyy, we located on the X platform a hostile network of bots. The inauthentic network spreads slander in the Hebrew language against President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people," the embassy said in a Facebook post.
Although more than two-thirds of Connecticut towns opted out of a 2021 law that aimed to streamline the process and regulations around accessory dwelling units, most towns still allow units of this type in some form, according to a report released Wednesday.

The report from advocacy group Desegregate Connecticut provides details into the implementation of the 2021 legislation. The law laid out certain standards for municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units, also known as granny pods, but allowed towns to opt-out by Jan. 1, 2023.

Fifty-four towns did not opt-out and are subject to the state law, and 115 opted out. But, the report notes, many of those that opted out set up their own regulations for the units. The majority of Connecticut towns  67%  allow accessory dwelling units that at least partially satisfy the state laws requirements, the report says.

This is one necessary piece of the policy toolkit to address the housing crisis, said Pete Harrison, Desegregate CT director.

(Locally, Meriden, Wallingford, Southington and Cheshire all opted out, but only Meriden continues not to allow ADUs, according to the report.)

To read the report, go to https://tinyurl.com/3mu3rbwp.

Accessory dwelling units are built on residential property and are often used for older people who want to live separately but closer to family or caregivers. Housing advocates have touted them as one of many strategies needed to increase Connecticuts housing stock. The state lacks tens of thousands of units of housing that are affordable and available to its lowest-income renters.

The 2021 state law required towns to allow both attached and detached units without the need for a special hearing before the zoning board. The structure could be up to 1,000 square feet or 30% of the main dwelling units size. The law also banned towns from setting age restrictions or requirements that tenants be related to the person in the main dwelling and prohibited parking requirements of greater than one space per unit.

It is not an end-all be-all solution, but it is what we call sort of common sense housing reform, said Samantha Sondik, one of the researchers on the project.

Thirty towns opted out of the statewide requirements but amended their own regulations. Another 29 opted out but have regulations that at least partially meet state standards, according to the report.

A handful of those the report counted as being subject to the state law didnt confirm that they allowed ADUs, but researchers couldnt find evidence that the town had gone through the official steps to opt-out, according to the report.

After the process, two-thirds of CT towns and cities are allowing ADUs more easily because of this law, Harrison said. The opt-out clause that got stuck in this was not the best policy. It created confusion at the local level.

During the last legislative session, lawmakers considered a bill that would have extended the deadline to opt out, but the measure didnt get through the committee process.

The opt-out clause was added as a compromise into what shaped up to be contentious legislation in 2021. Every Republican member of the House of Representatives as well as several suburban Democrats voted against the bill.

Opponents have said statewide zoning reform infringes on local control and imposes a one-size-fits-all solution on towns. The Desegregate CT report says towns reflected these sentiments in their reasons for opting out.

The themes included: we dont want the state telling us what to do, our regulations work for us, and state regulations dont work in our community, the report says.

These objections have come up again in subsequent legislative sessions in opposition to proposals that Desegregate CT pushes. Housing experts say that local zoning restrictions have limited the number of multi-family housing units in Connecticut.

The group plans to do additional research examining some of the obstacles to building accessory dwelling units such as design and construction barriers and cost, said Yi Ming Wu, a researcher with the Regional Plan Association. Desegregate is a program of the association.

For the past three years, Desegregate CT has advocated for laws that would push towns to increase residential density near public transit stations. Legislators showed some support for the measure during the last legislative session, but the full measure didnt pass.

Harrison said his group will keep pushing for the concept, known as transit-oriented development.

Of course, we want to see more density and higher zoning in more places, Harrison said. Were going to fight for more.

This story originally appeared ctmirror.org, the website of The Connecticut Mirror.
Victoria Falls residents protest proposed mayor selection

Residents of Victoria Falls disrupted their local councils inaugural meeting this week, where newly elected leaders were to choose a mayor. Those in attendance accused the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party of trying to impose candidates from outside the community.

The meeting at the Victoria Falls boardroom was intended to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor following local elections in August. However, tensions emerged when residents said CCC leader Nelson Chamisa aimed to install specific candidates, including councillors who were not born in Victoria Falls, according to reports.

Protesters questioned why Chamisa would select a favoured candidate who does not adequately represent Victoria Falls. They sang songs rejecting his choices and called for the meeting to adjourn. Residents emphasized their desire for local leadership and accused Chamisa of undermining democracy.

Tensions escalated as residents publicly demanded that councillors select a mayor from within their community. The situation grew unruly as police arrived and urged council members to leave for safety reasons.

Local civic groups said residents rightly want self-determination but acknowledged the delay could affect service delivery. This is not the first time mayoral selection in Victoria Falls has been disrupted by autonomy concerns.

Going forward, the town clerk said council will seek guidance from the Ministry of Local Government on a constructive path forward. The impasse underscores the need for representatives that have community consent. All hope leaders can resolve differences and fulfil citizens expectations of responsive, representative local governance.

Breaking News via Email
The European Union has expressed concerns about Zimbabwes recent elections and is suspending US$5 million in funding for the electoral commission.

Last year, the EU donated 6 million to help Zimbabwes Electoral Commission (ZEC) prepare for general elections held last month. However, international observer missions have since raised issues regarding ZECs independence and transparency during the electoral process.

In response, the EU announced it has formally notified Zimbabwes Ministry of Finance and Investment Promotion as well as ZEC of its intent to suspend support for a project managed by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). The project, which was scheduled until December 2024, aimed to strengthen ZECs institutional and technical capacity.

In its statement, the EU referenced preliminary reports from several electoral observer groups, including its own, that pointed to challenges around ZECs impartial management of the polls. As the donor puts responsibility managing public funds, it launched a review process for the ZIM-ECO2 project contributions.

The EU contributed a total of US$4.7 million to the UNDP initiative, of which around US$1 million has been spent so far. It emphasized the importance of election management bodies operating independently and with transparency to ensure credible and inclusive democratic processes.

While suspending support at this time, the EU said it remains open to resuming contributions if electoral processes in Zimbabwe move closer to regional and international standards. It will continue monitoring the situation and cooperate with various stakeholders to advance democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

The overall goal of the ZIM-ECO2 project was strengthening ZECs capacity to run efficient elections that improve Zimbabwes entire electoral cycle. But questions around the recent vote have led the EU to re-evaluate its involvement until concerns are addressed.

Breaking News via Email
The Prosecutor's Office of Georgia has issued a statement regarding Otar Partskhaladze, stating that since leaving office in 2013, Partskhaladze has no connection to the prosecutor's office.According to the agency, a "disinformation campaign has been renewed" against the prosecutor's office, with the purpose of deliberately discrediting the office, misleading the public, and hindering its normal activities."As for Otar Fartskhaladze, he left the position of Chief Prosecutor of Georgia in 2013 and has had no involvement with the activities of the Prosecutor's Office of Georgia since then. Furthermore, he had no connection to the criminal cases against Mikheil Saakashvili. The primary objective of this slanderous campaign is to falsely link Otar Partskhaladze to this case, which can be easily researched," stated the Prosecutor's Office.According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, an agreement on visa-free travel between Georgia and the Republic of Peru was signed on September 18, and the agency has issued a statement about it.The statement reads, "On September 18, 2023, an agreement on visa-free travel was signed between Georgia and the Republic of Peru. The signing ceremony took place during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilia Darchiashvili, and the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Anna Cecilia Gervas."The agency reports that during the meeting held in New York, both parties discussed various aspects of their bilateral and multilateral agendas, as well as future prospects. They highlighted the significance of high-level visits and the deepening of cooperation across political, trade, economic, cultural, and educational domains in their joint statement.It is also noted in the field of foreign affairs that during the meeting with his counterpart, Ilia Darchiashvili emphasized the importance of cooperation with Latin American countries for Georgia. According to the agency's statement, both parties agreed to actively foster bilateral cooperation across various sectors.
At the initiative of the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), the seized helicopter of fugitive former MP Kostiantyn Zhevaho was handed over to Ukrainian military personnel.

"The helicopter of ex-MP and shareholder of JSC Bank Finance and Credit Kostiantyn Zhevaho, arrested thanks to the SBI, will now perform tasks in one of the combat units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," the SBI reported on its Telegram channel on Wednesday.

The Bureau recalled that the helicopter was seized under a criminal investigation in March 2023. "By decision of the country's military command, to ensure the fulfillment of combat missions of one of the units, the helicopter was forcibly alienated," the SBI said.

According to the report, this helicopter belonged to a legal entity controlled by the former. MP Zhevaho used it for personal purposes during his stay in Ukraine.

As reported, the SBI accuses Zhevaho and some top managers of the Finance and Credit bank of organizing a mechanism for embezzling $113 million and damaging the interests of the state and the bank's depositors.

According to the SBI, today, the property of the suspect and associated legal entities has been seized, in particular, "shares in his enterprises worth hundreds of millions of hryvnias, 26 real estate properties, 14 property complexes, 21 parts of property complexes, 30 non-residential premises and 10 apartments."

The Pechersky District Court of Kyiv decided to detain Zhevaho at the end of 2019, and he was put on the international wanted list in the summer of 2021, although the businessman's lawyers denied this fact.

Zhevaho was detained at the end of last year in Courchevel at the request of the State Bureau of Investigation, was arrested for a short time, and on January 5 was released on bail of EUR 1 million and judicial supervision pending consideration of the case on the merits. On March 30, a court in the city of Chambery (France) rejected the Ukrainian side's request for the extradition of Kostiantyn Zhevaho.
Harare Pastor Shingi Munyeza Faces Financial Difficulties After Accumulating Debts

Pastor Shingi Munyeza is facing difficult financial circumstances after accumulating debts to a Zambian company and his neighbour in Harares affluent Borrowdale Brooke neighbourhood. Due to unpaid debts totaling over $100,000 USD, Munyeza lost his luxurious home and was forced to become a tenant, paying $1,500 USD monthly in rent.

In July, the High Court ordered Munyeza and his wife Wilma to pay back US$100,000 owed to business executive Marjorie Mutemererwa. Earlier this year, Mutemererwa had lent the money to the couple but they failed to repay her as promised. To recover her money, Mutemererwa took legal action against Munyeza.

Munyezas situation worsened when Connect Microfinance Zambia, another creditor, obtained a court order to attach his immovable and movable property, including household items, to recover their debts. Between the two creditors, Munyeza lost his home, vehicles, and furnishings.

With legal action being taken, Munyeza and Mutemererwa came to a settlement agreement to avoid civil imprisonment for Munyeza. The agreement requires Munyeza to make an initial payment by September 30th, with Mutemererwa able to pursue further legal remedies if he fails to pay.

Facing losing his home and possessions, Munyeza is learning the difficulties of unpaid debts the hard way. Once a prominent pastor and homeowner, he is now a renter struggling under the weight of substantial loans to creditors. The case shows how even respected community members can face serious financial and legal problems when debts go unpaid.

Breaking News via Email
The Naked Capitalism community has spoken! When our fundraiser looked wobbly, you united and told us how much this destination means to you and backed it with your contributions. Your generous donations say you want more insightful reporting and penetrating analysis of seminal developments, and impact. Youve provided tangible backing for your desire to have work together to demystify complex technical topics, call out corruption, expose propaganda, provide sanity checks, blow off steam, build camaraderie, and in our small way, help promote the establishment of a more just society.

We set an initial target of 1100 donors for our fundraiser. We set a new goal of 1250. You beat that, so we increased it to 1500, then 1650. We are now at 1705! Help us meet our final goal.

Even more important, we are within striking distance of our final funding target for original reporting. That goal is $45,000 and we are less than $5,000 away, at $40,235!

Help us beat our vital fundraiser goals by giving in the home stretch at our Tip Jar!

Can you push us over the top? Ever little bit will help, whether its $5 or $50, or $5,000.

Join us and participate via our fundraiser page, where you can give by credit or debit card of via a PayPal account (the charge will be in the name of Aurora Advisors).

You can also send a check (we like checks!) in the name of Aurora Advisors Incorporated to

Aurora Advisors Incorporated

PO Box 110105

Brooklyn NY 11211-9997

Please also send an e-mail to yves@nakedcapitalism.com with the headline Check is in the mail (and just the $ en route in the message) to have your contribution included in our running tally.

Weve gotten SO many messages that it will take me some time to read through them all and reply properly. I wanted to share a few. Some are humbling. From Den C:

Did somebody just call procrastinators? Yves, thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. You, the crew, and the wonderful commentariat (shout out to your crew of wonderful moderators!) splained the crash to us, taught us MMT, got us through Covid, saw through the Ukraine BS, and inform us on so many and varied topics. We have learned so much from you and all of our friends here. There is no place like this place anyplace and I dont think we could live without NC.

And Neil Z:

Since the Great Recession, I have really appreciated reading your blog articles, using your links, and being introduced to several great other alternative news sources, but I have never donated. Seeing your recent appeal spurred me to support the website I check every day. Over the last few years I have particularly appreciated your efforts to provide Covid-related information that cuts through some of the bs you see pushed in the mainstream. Anyway, good luck with the rest of your fundraiser. I hope to continue providing further support in the future.

And Ben B:

Sorry I took so long. Been working out of town all year. NC is like my anchor.

So, today is your last chance. Be one of the final 100 to make this effort a smashing success.

If you can give a little, give a little. If you can give more, give more. If you can give a lot, give a lot. You are investing in being part of the solution. And thanks again for your support!
Says Kanew of his online success story, I can do a lot of damage with a little phone
On Thursday, 21 September 2023, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Mircea Geoana, will deliver keynote remarks online at the New Threats and Secure Communication Conference, hosted by the CEVRO institute in Prague.

The conference, which will discuss new security threats to critical infrastructure, is organised by the Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations, CEVRO Institute under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Prague and Vit Rakusan, the Czech First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister.



Media advisory

21 September, 09:50 (CEST) The NATO Deputy Secretary General will deliver keynote remarks



Media coverage

The remarks will be broadcast live on the NATO website.

A transcript of the Deputy Secretary Generals remarks as well as pictures will be available on the NATO website after the event.



For general queries:

Contact the NATO Press Office

Follow us on Twitter (@NATO, @Mircea_Geoana and @NATOPress)
Association of American Physicians and Surgeons: Mask mandates provide no clear benefits, cause harm and violate the right to informed consent

As mask mandates are being reintroduced in schools and medical facilities, the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) issued a statement on Sept. 12 opposing the return of these ineffective and unethical policies.

AAPS is a national organization representing physicians in all specialties since 1943.

The AAPS statement of patients' freedoms provides that "patients have the right to be informed about the risks and benefits of any medical intervention  and the right to refuse medical treatment."

The organization states that "all masking mandates currently in place must be rescinded and no future mandates should be imposed."

Included in the statement are references to analysis demonstrating the lack of evidence that mask mandates are effective, along with peer-reviewed studies that reveal patient harm caused by mandates. (Related: The science is undeniable: Face masks do NOT stop COVID transmission.)

Concerning efficacy  in addition to the indisputable failure of mask mandates to prevent outbreaks of COVID  the Cochrane systemic review of available empirical evidence concluded that studies "did not show a clear reduction in respiratory viral infection with the use of medical/surgical masks and there were no clear differences between the use of medical/surgical masks compared with N95/P2 respirators in healthcare workers when used in routine care to reduce respiratory viral infection, writes AAPS.

Multiple studies and articles show downsides of wearing face masks

Concerning the potential for harm, an article published by Brownstone Institute listed more than 170 comparative studies and articles that "illuminate the downsides of masking and face coverings in different scenarios and among varied patient groups."

Here are five examples of harm and ineffectiveness of face masks found in peer-reviewed literature:

According to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, extended mask-wearing by the general population could lead to relevant effects and consequences in many medical fields.

The pathophysiological changes and subjective complaints include:

Decrease in blood oxygen saturation

Decrease in cardiopulmonary capacity

Decrease in empathy perception

Difficulty breathing and shortness of breath

Dizziness

Drowsiness (qualitative neurological deficits)

Feeling of dampness and heat

Feeling of exhaustion

Headache

Impaired skin barrier function with acne, itching and skin lesions

Increase in blood carbon dioxide

Increase in breathing resistance

Increase in heart rate

Increase in respiratory rate

Another study published in The BMJ pointed out potential side effects that must be considered:

The quality and volume of speech between people wearing masks is considerably compromised and they may unconsciously come closer.

Wearing a mask makes the exhaled air go into the eyes  generating an impulse to touch the eyes.

If your hands are contaminated, you are infecting yourself.

Face masks make breathing more difficult. Moreover, a fraction of carbon dioxide previously exhaled is inhaled at each respiratory cycle. Those phenomena increase breathing frequency and deepness and they may worsen the burden of COVID-19 if infected people wearing masks spread more contaminated air. This may also worsen the clinical condition of infected people if the enhanced breathing pushes the viral load down into their lungs.

The innate immunitys efficacy is highly dependent on the viral load. If masks determine a humid habitat where SARS-CoV-2 can remain active because of the water vapor continuously provided by breathing and captured by the mask fabric, they determine an increase in viral load (by re-inhaling exhaled viruses) and therefore they can cause a defeat of the innate immunity and an increase in infections.

One study reported that the average wearing time of face masks in children was 270 minutes per day. Impairments caused by wearing the mask were reported by 68 percent of the parents. (Related: Study: Face masks do more harm than good, especially in children.)

These included irritability (60 percent), headaches (53 percent), difficulty concentrating (50 percent), less happiness (49 percent), reluctance to go to school/kindergarten (44 percent), malaise (42 percent) impaired learning (38 percent) and drowsiness or fatigue (37 percent).

According to a research article published by Childrens Health Defense, laboratory testing of used masks from 20 train commuters revealed that 11 of the 20 masks tested contained over 100,000 bacterial colonies.

Molds and yeasts were also found. Three of the masks contained more than one million bacterial colonies. The outside surfaces of surgical masks were found to have high levels of microbes; even in hospitals, more concentrated on the outside of masks than in the environment.

Staphylococcus species (57 percent) and Pseudomonas spp (38 percent) were predominant among bacteria and Penicillium spp (39 percent) and Aspergillus spp. (31 percent) were the predominant fungi.

Wearing a mask is even more unhealthy than you think, reported Transition-News.

Many face masks are made of polyester, which contain microplastics  exacerbating the waste problem. Many of them contain polyester with chlorine compounds. (Related: More studies show face masks are USELESS against the coronavirus.)

"If I have the mask in front of my face, then of course I breathe in the microplastic directly and these substances are much more toxic than if you swallow them, as they get directly into the nervous system," said Dr. Michael Braungart, head of the Hamburg Environmental Institute.

The AAPS statement concluded: "Since masking mandates for viral illnesses provide no clear benefits, while creating potential for harm, individuals should be empowered to choose to not observe such mandates that are either currently in existence or that may be imposed in the future."

Watch the following video about the return of mask mandates.

This video is from the PureTrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mask mandates now revealed to be a complete waste of time and a junk science fraud, but have politicians learned from the error of their ways?

RESISTANCE IS WORKING: Kaiser Permanente, Lionsgate film studio both drop mask mandate aid rising pushback.

All-black Morris Brown College in Atlanta RESCINDS mask mandate for COVID following massive public outcry.

Its really happening: Mask mandated, contact tracing re-implanted at colleges, offices.

Sources include:

AAPSOnline.org 1

AAPSOnline.org 2

CochraneLibrary.com

Brownstone.org

PubMed.NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov

BMJ.com

ResearchSquare.com

Transition-News.org

Brighteon.com
Forbidding Biblical truth? California school district prohibits Christian club from elementary school

A school district in California has been accused of wrongfully prohibiting a Christian student club from meeting at a local elementary school.

(Article by Decision Magazine republished from HarbingersDaily.com)

According to Liberty Counsel, Hayward Unified School District (HUSD) rejected three separate requests from Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) to let one of its Good News Club chapters meet at Fairview Elementary School.

A Good News Club had been meeting at Fairview Elementary for a number of years until COVID forced the cancellation of all clubs in the spring of 2020, Liberty Counsel said. Once clubs were allowed to return to district schools, CEF asked three separate times for the Good News Club to be allowed back on campus at Fairview, but the school district did not respond.

Other clubs, including Girl Scouts and Girls on the Run, have been allowed to resume meeting on campus after school.

On Aug. 21, Liberty Counsel sent a letter to the school district detailing the facts, policies and laws that prohibit the district from denying CEFs use of school facilities. The letter demanded that the school district immediately approve CEFs renewed facilities use request to hold a Good News Club after school on campus at Fairview Elementary School.

Liberty warned the school district to respond by Aug. 31 to avoid further legal action. As of Sept. 6, the district had not responded.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said in a statement that it is unlawful for the school district to deny the clubs meeting request.

According to the law, Good News Clubs must be given equal access as the non-religious groups on public school campuses, stated Staver.

Equal access means equal treatment including the use of on-campus facilities, fee waivers, time of meetings, and announcements. Liberty Counsel will work to ensure this happens.

A Hayward Unified School District spokesperson told The Christian Post that officials are investigating this matter and have no comment at this time.

In 2001, the Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Good News Club v. Milford Central School that public schools cannot ban Good News Clubs from meeting on school property after class hours solely because the club is Christian in nature.

Since that time, however, there have been occasional efforts to prohibit the Christian student group from meeting on public school property outside of class hours.

In March, Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit against Providence Public School District in Rhode Island after officials there blocked Good News Clubs from meeting at schools for about two years. A federal district court ruled the school district discriminated against CEF by not allowing the Good News Clubs while allowing other clubs to meet. As a result of the victory, the Providence Public School District is permanently mandated to treat the Good News Clubs on an equal basis with similarly situated organizations, such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Girls on the Run. The court declared that Christian clubs are entitled to equal access on the same terms as other after-school clubs.

Providence PSD agreed to a consent order in July that allowed the Christian student club access to District facilities that is equal to and on the same terms as other similarly situated nonreligious organizations offering programs to students in the District.

Good News Clubs do not charge any fee and welcome children, regardless of religious belief, with written permission from parents. There are currently 3,285 Good News Clubs, with approximately 2,000 of them meeting after school in public elementary and middle schools across the United States.

Read more at: HarbingersDaily.com
Euthanized woman in Belgium heard SCREAMING by family as doctors suffocated her with a pillow

A euthanasia procedure gone wrong resulted in Belgian doctors resorting to suffocating a patient after the lethal injection drug cocktail they dispensed into her body failed to produce the desired death.

According to her family, which was outside on a terrace at the time of the incident, 36-year-old Alexina Wattiez was suffocated to death with pillows as nurses and other hospital staff pressed them over her face to finish the job that the drugs failed to do.

Wattiez received a devastating terminal cancer diagnosis in 2021 that doctors said would end her life within a year. When 2022 came around and she was still alive, barely, she opted to participate in Belgium's euthanasia program, which was first legalized back in 2022.

Wattiez was in such extreme pain and misery at the time, and knew that the cancer was going to eventually take her anyway, that she chose to speed things up with a lethal injection. When that lethal injection failed, her caretakers chose a different route.

As doctors and nurses pressed pillows over Wattiez's face, her family says she could be heard from all the way outside screaming in terror.

"After a short night's sleep, I was woken up by a nurse who told me that Alexina was doing very badly," said Christophe Stulens, Wattiez's partner. "Then the doctor took some syringes and we were asked if we wanted to say goodbye."

While Stulens and his 15-year-old daughter waited outside on the terrace, they say they could hear Wattiez screaming, despite previous promises by euthanasia doctors that her death would be "peaceful."

"I recognized her voice," Stulens said. "Afterwards, we saw her lying on the bed with her eyes and mouth open."

An autopsy later confirmed that Wattiez had, in fact, died of asphyxiation and not from the euthanasia drug cocktail she was given.

(Related: Check out our earlier report covering the expansion of Belgium's legalized euthanasia laws to include assisted suicide for children.)

Are euthanasia drugs really pain-free for the patient? Not necessarily

It is rather common for euthanasia drugs, which are also frequently used in the execution of criminals, to fail in this way. It is also unclear in cases where they do work as to whether or not the resulting death was really peaceful for the patient.

According to Dr. Joel Zivot, an associate professor of anesthesiology and surgery at the Emory School of Medicine, the process of dying by lethal injection might appear peaceful, but this is not necessarily the case.

"The death penalty is not the same as assisted dying, of course," Zivot said. "Executions are meant to be punishment; euthanasia is about relief from suffering."

"Yet for both euthanasia and executions, paralytic drugs are used. These drugs, given in high enough doses, mean that a patient cannot move a muscle, cannot express any outward or visible sign of pain. But that doesn't mean that he or she is free from suffering."

In some cases, a patient who receives a lethal injection can experience the lungs filling up with fluid, resulting in a drowning death. And since the patient is paralyzed due to the drugs, he or she cannot move or say anything, despite possibly feeling the pain of it all.

"Advocates of assisted dying owe a duty to the public to be truthful about the details of killing and dying," Zivot further said about the process. "People who want to die deserve to know that they may end up drowning, not just falling asleep."

French president Emmanuel Macron is working on a similar "End of Life Model" for France that advocates hope will morph into a euthanasia model similar to that of Belgium.

The latest news about the globalists' depopulation agenda can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGatewayPundit.com

NaturalNews.com
The Verkhovna Rada has re-adopted the law on the resumption of electronic declarations for state and local government officials (bill No. 9534) with the president's proposals providing for an open register of declarations, taking into account a number of features regarding military personnel.

The corresponding decision was supported by 341 MPs at a plenary meeting on Wednesday, Yaroslav Zhelezniak, member of the Holos faction, said.

In his veto of this law, the President of Ukraine proposed to establish: temporarily, for the period until the termination or lifting of martial law, the National Agency on Corruption Prevention shall provide open round-the-clock access to the Unified State Register of Declarations.

At the same time, the head of state considers it necessary to define in the law that declarations submitted, in particular, by military personnel of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, the State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection, the State Security Administration, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and other military formations will not be publicly displayed. In addition, declarations of special police officers who are involved in combat operations during martial law, as well as the wounded, prisoners, peacekeepers, and persons located in temporarily occupied territories will not be displayed. NACP shall withdraw such declarations from public access on the basis of a written submission from the head of the government agency where the relevant subject of the declaration serves (works).

According to the president's proposals, these exceptions shall not apply to military personnel in the positions of ministers and their deputies, heads of central and local executive authorities and their deputies, in other positions in the apparatus of ministries, other central and local executive authorities, justice system bodies or seconded to the following positions; members of military medical commissions, medical flight commissions or seconded to them; serving in territorial recruitment and social support centers or seconded to them (except for members of the rank and file of the security units of the relevant centers); carrying out the preparation, organization, and procurement of goods, works and services for defense purposes.

The President also proposed to establish that from the day following the day of termination or lifting of martial law, the NACP shall provide open access to the declarations contained in the Unified State Register to all persons authorized to perform the functions of the state or local self-government.

"The National Agency on Corruption Prevention shall provide open round-the-clock access to the Unified State Register of declarations of persons authorized to perform the functions of the state or local self-government... no later than 60 days from the date of entry into force of this law," the president's proposals also indicate.
Evidence shows HPV vaccines like Gardasil are causing severe injuries and deaths

The' Dr. Yuhong Dong has been releasing piece by a piece an important series called "The HPV Vaccine: A Double-Edged Sword?" that probes yet another dangerous vaccine that never should have been approved for human use.

For the past three years, most attention has centered around Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" as those were the primary concern. But before that, you may recall that HPV vaccines like Gardasil, a product of Merck & Co., were being pushed and even forced on young people as part of the official government injection schedule.

In order for young people to attend school, as one example, many of them are told they must take an HPV injection, HPV being an acronym for human papillomavirus, which the establishment says causes cervical cancer.

Since only females have a cervix, HPV jabs were initially only a requirement for girls. Later on, it was expanded to include boys as well because Big Pharma can make twice the amount of cash if both girls and boys get injected for cervical cancer.

In part one of the series, Dr. Dong highlighted documented evidence showing that HPV injections are killing young girls and boys. In her second installment, which we will cover here, Dr. Dong documents evidence of non-fatal but severe injuries in young, previously healthy boys and girls who lost their ability to live normally after taking Gardasil.

(Related: Be sure to check out this interview featuring Mike Adams, the Health Ranger and Dr. Russell Blaylock as they expose the criminal fraud of Gardasil and other HPV vaccines.)

Gardasil is still crippling young girls and leaving them disabled for life

One of the cases Dr. Dong covers is that of Paula Aldea, who after getting jabbed for HPV lost her ability to walk and must now use a wheelchair. Before getting jabbed for HPV, Aldea was a normal, healthy young girl.

"Our Paula is gone," stated Aldea's father.

Young Paula received her first HPV injection on May 26, 2022. Less than a month later on June 25, she called her father sobbing while waiting at a bus stop to tell him that she needed to be picked up and taken home because she could no longer feel her legs.

Young Paula also developed unbearable back pain that resulted in her having to be rushed to the emergency room where she was prescribed a few chiropractic exercises and told to go home. Once home, Paula told her father that she couldn't "feel anything from her body anymore."

"There was this pain," Paula said. "I think it was the worst pain I've ever had. And then this numbness  you just don't realize it. You can't walk, but you don't think about it: What will the future be like? What will it be like now? Even when they said I had to stay in the hospital, I thought why?"

It was later determined that the Gardasil jab caused Paula's body to attack its own immune cells on the myelin layer of her spinal cord. This autoimmune response is the reason why she can no longer walk.

It turns out that there are many cases similar to Paula's that, for the most part, never get reported. Young children everywhere who got jabbed for HPV are now debilitated and unable to live normal lives because the severe inflammation caused by the shots is destroying their brain, nervous system and motor function.

"They had severe nervous system symptoms emerging after the second dose, which often progressed rapidly," Dr. Dong explains about nearly every case of post-Gardasil health damage. "Most of them have been diagnosed with demyelinating diseases, despite varying outward symptoms."

Be sure to read the full report here.

The latest news about the dangers and ineffectiveness of vaccines can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
FDA rules common ingredient in decongestants DOES NOT WORK

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) panel recently ruled that a medicine used by millions of Americans for stuffy nose is ineffective

Many decongestants contain phenylephrine, the most common active compound in many over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion.

After a two-day review, the FDA panel announced that the oral decongestant "is not effective" at standard or even higher doses compared to a placebo.

The panel's ruling is not binding, but it strongly suggests that the agency could soon pull its approval of the decongestant.

While phenylephrine is protected under the FDAs Generally Recognized as Safe and Effective (GRASE) designation, a reversal of FDA approval could mean manufacturers, such as Bayer and Johnson and Johnson, will soon be required to reformulate. (Related: PHARMACEUTICAL FRAUD: Big Pharmas corporate lawlessness cost Americans over $40B in 2019 alone.)

Almost all nasal decongestants contain phenylephrine

Phenylephrine is a very common ingredient and many products that contain it can be found on pharmacy shelves. Data presented by FDA officials suggest that these medications generated almost $1.8 billion in sales in 2022.

However, the unanimous vote by the 16-member Nonprescription Drug Advisory panel could cause a major blow to the pharmaceutical industry despite the ruling only applying to oral formulations of phenylephrine.

Phenylephrine was first approved by the FDA in the 1970s to help shrink dilated blood vessels in the nose, which allegedly relieves nasal and sinus congestion.

But since the ingredient's approval, subsequent studies have questioned whether oral formulations with phenylephrine have any measurable benefit, especially because of how it is metabolized in the body.

Phenylephrine is metabolized in the gut, allowing only a fraction to enter the bloodstream and reach the nose. According to briefing documents compiled by the FDA, less than one percent concentration of the drug can reach the nose after being broken down in the gut.

The documents also detailed flaws in the trials for the ingredient in the 1960s and 1970s, which included small sample sizes and techniques no longer used by the FDA to approve medications.

Additionally, phenylephrine does seem to work better when applied directly to the user's nose.

In 2007, pharmacy professors at the University of Florida put forth a petition calling for the FDA to review whether a 10-milligram phenylephrine pill was effective as a decongestant.

In their meta-analysis of available data, the professors said the results of the studies reported after the 2007 Advisory Committee Meeting "clearly demonstrate that [phenylephrine] is no more effective than [a] placebo in decreasing nasal congestion and increasing the dose fourfold did not provide additional benefit."

Several studies pointing to the ineffectiveness of phenylephrine have come out since the 2007 petition.

In 2015, a study sponsored in part by the New Jersey-based pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. revealed that the 10-milligram dose, along with 20-, 30-, or 40-milligram doses, were "not significantly better than placebo at relieving nasal congestion" in a sample of 539 adults.

While this is good news for consumers, the panel's unanimous ruling does not include pseudoephedrine, another popular decongestant.

In 2006, a law was passed to limit access to pseudoephedrine by moving it behind pharmacy counters. Pseudoephedrine is the active ingredient in different versions of Sudafed and is also used to illegally process methamphetamine.

Natural remedies for a stuffy nose

Avoid OTC drugs with harmful ingredients and try these natural remedies for a stuffy nose:

Try natural decongestants like ginger

Some studies say vitamin C can help shorten the duration of a cold and decrease the severity of symptoms, but it doesnt directly affect congestion.

But if have a stuffy nose because of a cold, taking some extra vitamin C may help you get over your symptoms and recover much faster.

For stuffiness due to allergies, try ginger.

One study published in the journal BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies revealed that a daily 500-milligram (mg) dose of ginger extract was just as effective as loratadine, an antihistamine, for congestion due to nasal allergies or allergic rhinitis.

The researchers suggested that ginger may have both anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

Try nasal irrigation

Nasal irrigation may seem rather unusual, but rinsing out your nasal passages using a neti pot via a technique called nasal irrigation can help loosen thick mucus and remove irritants, allergens, and germs.

The FDA says that a neti pot is safe to use as long as you use it with sterile or distilled water. Never use tap water unless it has been properly boiled and cooled.

Neti pots come with specific directions, but most can be used similarly:

Fill the pot with a saline solution. Use warm, sterile water and salt. Lean over a sink and tilt your head sideways and your forehead and chin level. This will help prevent the liquid from flowing into your mouth. As you breathe through your mouth, insert the spout of the neti pot into your upper nostril so that the liquid drains through the lower nostril. Repeat on the other nostril.

You can also try using a nasal spray bottle, which will deliver a fine mist of saline into the nose that may help soothe dry nasal passages. However, the FDA says that a nasal spray bottle isn't as effective as an irrigation device like a neti pot.

Take a hot shower

If you have a cold, a hot shower can offer some relief. This is because inhaling steam reduces sinus pain and pressure by helping mucus drain.

This can also help your breathing return to normal, at least for a little while.

If you are too sick to take a shower, get the steamy shower effect by breathing in steam from hot water in a sink. Run hot water in the bathroom sink and place a towel over your head.

Put your head over the sink, but make sure you don't get too close and risk burning your skin. You can do this safely several times a day.

Use a humidifier

Using a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer in your home can help reduce nasal congestion because breathing in humid air helps soothe irritated nasal tissues.

Additionally, the humid air lessens sinus inflammation and thins mucus, in turn helping it drain.

Look for warm-mist and cool-mist machines because they are both effective for raising the humidity level and easing congestion.

If you have children at home, use cool-mist vaporizers. The hot water or steam from a warm-mist humidifier can burn a child if they get too close or if the machine is accidentally knocked over and the water spills out.

Whatever kind of unit you choose, always change the water daily. Clean the unit according to the manufacturer's instructions to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

Visit Medicine.news to learn more about dangerous over-the-counter medications.

Watch the video below to learn how organic turmeric, black pepper and ginger can support healthy immune and digestive function.

This video is from the Health Ranger Store channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

FDA to review effectiveness of key ingredient in decongestant meds.

Natural healing: 12 Cold and flu home remedies.

Heart health and drug safety: Common cold medications can increase your blood pressure and heart attack risk.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

EverydayHealth.com

Brighteon.com
Panama intensifies efforts to prevent migrants from making their way to the U.S.

Panama is escalating efforts to prevent illegal South American migrants from crossing the Darien Gap and heading north through the country on their way to the United States. But these efforts are being hampered by Colombia's refusal to cooperate.

This decision comes as official data from the Panamanian government shows that more than 350,000 people have already crossed the Darien Gap in an effort to make the long trek north to the U.S.-Mexico Border in 2023. By comparison, less than 250,000 migrants crossed the gap in all of 2022. The United Nations and the Panamanian government expect the total number of migrants crossing the gap to reach an unprecedented 400,000 by year's end. (Related: This needs to STOP! Tax dollars are being used to fund ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION across America.)

Just in August, an estimated 82,000 migrants traveled up Highway One of the Pan-American Highway through the country north to Costa Rica. The number of migrants trekking through the gap is now estimated at between 2,500 to 3,000 per day.

The Darien Gap is an inhospitable region in southern Panama mostly made up of thick jungle. It connects the country to Colombia in South America, and the area has a reputation for causing injury and death. Not only do migrants and so-called asylum seekers face threats from the jungle  the terrain used to be so perilous to be considered nearly impassable  but the Darien Gap is also mostly under the control of criminal networks and armed rebel groups.

On Friday, Sept. 8, Panamanian authorities announced new measures to curb rising migrant crossings through the Darien Gap. The National Migration Service of Panama claims they will increase deportations of migrants and so-called asylum seekers with criminal records and slash the number of days certain tourists are allowed to stay in the country from 90 to 15 days.

With the help of the country's public security ministry, Panama Immigration Director Samira Gozaine noted that deportation flights for migrants with criminal records will be doubled.

Tourists who expect to stay up to 90 days in the country are also expected to show proof that they have at least $1,000 in personal funds, double the previous $500 financial threshold for tourists.

Colombia's refusal to cooperate prevents Panama from dealing with migrant tide

This is part of the country's ongoing "Darien Is A Jungle, Not A Road" anti-migrant campaign  a campaign that has been hampered by the refusal of Colombia to cooperate by helping prevent migrants from moving through the two countries' roadless border.

Ann Vandersteel and Michael Yon, reporting from Panama for the Brighteon.TV program "Right Now With Ann Vandersteel," pointed out that the Colombian government is incentivized to allow the crossings into Panama for a fee.

Yon noted that the Colombian government has been accused of making millions of dollars arranging trips for migrants to cross the Darien Gap. Furthermore, once the Colombian government has been able to dump their migrants into the Panamanian side of the region, locals in the area can make a small fortune from helping transport migrants north.

"[It's] obviously true. I've been down to Colombia and seen these things  there's huge money to be made," said Yon. "The bus drivers [in Panama], they come up this road on Highway One from the Darien Gap up to Costa Rica. They make $250 per trip, and there's two drivers per bus, so that's $500 between the two of them. That's a lot of money for Panamanians."

"Despite all the efforts, meetings with other countries involved have not managed to stop [the flow of migrants]," said Panama Minister of Public Security Juan Manuel Pino in a news conference.

"Don't tell me the border can't be closed," said Gozaine in the same conference. "It is possible, though it would take action." Gozaine has further accused Colombia of refusing to share information or participate in planned joint actions that could stem the tide of migrants making the dangerous trek through the Darien Gap.

"Instead of getting better, it has gotten worse, in spite of the negotiations with Colombia," said Gozaine. "There has been no agreement, no information sharing, nor any effort that might help Panama manage the unregulated flow, which has grown considerably in recent days."

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to reach any agreement with Colombia, which continues to indiscriminately send us not only people from other countries, but Colombians as well," she added.

Learn more about the migrant crisis in the United States at Migrants.news.

Watch this Sept. 15 episode of "Right Now with Ann Vandersteel," featuring Michael Yon, Matthew Tomlet and Jason Cook.

"Right Now with Ann Vandersteel" airs Monday to Saturday at 8 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

Newsom deploys 50% more California National Guardsmen along U.S.-Mexico border to combat drug trafficking, but won't halt illegal immigration.

As long as Biden keeps the southern border open, Texas will continue sending "even more buses" full of illegals to New York City, Gov. Abbott promises.

Health Ranger Report: Michael Yon exposes Biden's simultaneous creation of migrant cities and depopulation of Americans.

As millions of American citizens struggle to make ends meet, Biden decides to spend BILLIONS of their tax dollars to house illegal aliens in brand new CITIES built exclusively for "migrants."

Venezuelan illegal immigrant paroled by Biden ARRESTED by ICE in Chicago for allegedly FUNDING TERRORISM.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

AlJazeera.com

APNews.com

Reuters.com
Survey: 70% believe Russia is the GREATEST THREAT to the world, while 50% believe America is

Seventy percent of respondents in a survey believe Russia is the greatest threat to the world , while 50 percent of respondents believe that title belongs to the United States.

The 2023 Best Countries Survey of U.S. News & World Report, conducted between March 17 and June 12, revealed this finding. Survey participants in regions across the world answered questions about which of these three major nations  the U.S., China and Russia  were the greatest threat to the world.

Overall, 72 percent of respondents pointed to Russia as the main threat. Sixty-six percent of respondents believe China is the greatest threat, while 50 percent see the U.S. in that role.

Sentiment against Russia was high in three nations surveyed: Finland (95 percent), Japan (92.5 percent) and Poland (91.1 percent). Sentiment against China was high in Japan  with 90.8 percent of respondents deeming Beijing as a threat. The contentious history between China and Japan during World War II, an issue brought up by nationalists in both countries, contributes to this sentiment.

When it comes to the U.S. being a threat to the world, agreement toward this idea was highest in China  with 74.8 percent saying Washington undermines the world order. Other countries asked about this idea did not entirely believe this claim, U.S. News noted.

Earlier Pew poll names China as the biggest threat against U.S.

Meanwhile, a July 2023 survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center found that half of Americans view China as a bigger threat than Russia. Its poll conducted between May 30 and June 4 found that 50 percent of respondents deem Beijing a threat to the U.S., compared to the 17 percent who believe that Moscow is a worse threat to America. Interestingly, this sentiment reflected the view of many conservative Republicans.

Richard Wike, director of global attitudes research at Pew, said Americans see the threat of China as more "multi-dimensional." This means that Beijing threatens both America's economy and national security. In contrast, Russia is viewed as less of an economic threat and more of a national security threat.

A Pew poll conducted in 2007 named Iran as the greatest U.S. threat, but it fell to third in a 2014 poll. Russia and China took the No. 1 and No. 2 spots for the 2014 survey, and both nations shared the No. 1 spot in a 2019 poll. Iran held the No. 3 spot in the 2019 survey.

"Increasingly, Americans have a negative opinion of China," remarked Wike. "They're increasingly worried about a variety of threats from China  anything from cyberattacks to economic competition, or they're concerned about Beijing's record on human rights." (Related: Director of National Intelligence calls China "National Security Threat No. 1.")

Interestingly, the July 2023 Pew survey found that a mere two percent of respondents deem North Korea as the greatest threat to the United States. Since 1948, the hermit kingdom ruled by the Kim family has voiced out its intent to destroy the U.S.  as immortalized by many propaganda posters there. Even current North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, the country's third-generation leader, has urged the country's military forces to be ready against American attacks.

Wike also noted that even as more and more countries surveyed by Pew espouse a negative view of China, attitudes about Russia are "overwhelmingly negative" both from a domestic and an international viewpoint.

Visit NationalSecurity.news for more stories about countries that pose a threat to the United States.

Watch this clip about Russia putting the U.S. on red alert with a serious nuclear threat.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Air Force general warns US will be at war with China by 2025.

China building space weapons to attack U.S. "ground, sea, or air targets from orbit."

Cyber attacks now much more likely as Putin escalates ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia clarifies what its 'red line' is with the U.S., NATO, Europe, as world inches closer to war.

Sources include:

USNews.com

PewResearch.org

Brighteon.com
The death of informed consent

Here's what never happened in the hospital during COVID: a doctor sat down next to a patient and said, "You have a choice. We can give you Remdesivir, which killed 53% of the patients in an Ebola trial. It was so bad the trial had to be shut down. And you'll notice here in Remdesivir's fact sheet, it says, 'Not a lot of people have used Remdesivir. Serious and unexpected side effects may happen.' Or we can give you ivermectin , a safe and effective drug that's been successfully used for decades, and send you home. Which do you prefer?"

(Article by Stella Paul republished from AmericanThinker.com)

The reason that conversation never happened is that it would have cost the hospital too much money. If the hospital gave you ivermectin and sent you home, the federal government paid the hospital $3,200. If the hospital gave you Remdesivir, the federal government paid the entire hospital bill, plus a 20% bonus. So the hospital executives' choice was to receive $3,200 or $500,000, which was the average hospital bill. No contest. Patients were going to get Remdesivir  whether they wanted it or not.

Informed consent died a grotesque death in the hospitals during COVID, and we need an autopsy. There was no information, and there was no consent, and without them, patients are reduced to helpless victims, exploited for corrupt financial gain and immoral experiments.

Informed consent has been enshrined in numerous judicial rulings as the foundation of ethical medical practice and seared into the public's conscience from the Nuremberg trials. Seven Nazi doctors were hanged in Germany by an American military tribunal for "murders, tortures, and other atrocities committed in the name of medical science." Yet murders, tortures, and other atrocities are exactly what was committed by medical staff in the hospitals against thousands of Americans during COVID.

Take, for example, Ray Lamar, who arrived in the emergency room with a message written with a black sharpie pen on his arm: " NO VENT NO REMDESIVIR." On his other arm, he wrote the same message and added his wife's name and phone number. Yet the doctors gave him Remdesivir anyway, without ever informing him. His widow Patti told me she constantly wonders what she could have done to save him.

Christine Johnson told the doctors that she discussed all her medications with her daughter, who is a nurse, and she concluded that she didn't want Remdesivir. It didn't matter. Christine was given Remdesivir while she was sleeping, and now her daughter Michelle doesn't have her mother.

Rebecca Stevens was an avid reader of Epoch Times, where she learned about Remdesivir's dangers. She declined Remdesivir on five separate occasions, as her hospital records confirm. But the medical staff didn't care what Rebecca wanted. She was given Remdesivir without her knowledge, and now Rebecca's five grandsons are bereft.

I asked Michael Hamilton how it's possible to give Remdesivir to patients without them knowing. Hamilton is a lawyer for several families who are suing California hospitals for the murder of their loved ones, and he's heard thousands of victims' stories. "They would lie right to your face," he said. "You'd tell the nurse that you didn't want Remdesivir and she'd say, 'Fine. But you're a bit dehydrated, so let's get some fluids in you.' And she'd hook up the IV, but it wasn't fluids. It was Remdesivir."

Hamilton told me that another favored tactic was to knock out patients with sedatives like morphine and fentanyl. While they lay there in a stupor, they were injected with Remdesivir.

If secret injections of Remdesivir weren't enough to kill you, the hospitals had more torture lined up. After all, the federal government paid hospitals a big bonus to ventilate patients  so patients were going to get ventilated, whether they wanted to or not. A lot of patients turned down being vented, because the whole process is a nightmare. You're painfully intubated, rendered unable to talk; your lungs start shredding, and you may acquire bacterial pneumonia, which the hospital will refuse to treat.

But "no" is not an acceptable answer when the hospital has money at stake. The medical staff's preferred method for gaining "consent" was relentless bullying, screaming, coercion, and threats until the patient finally caved. Patti Lamar, Ray's widow, told me that when she refused to let them ventilate her husband, the doctors screamed at her over and over, "You're killing him! You're killing him! You're killing him!" When she couldn't take it anymore, she reluctantly gave in. Ray died shortly thereafter, and Patti lives with the trauma of that moment.

Image via Dayna Stevens.

Michael Hamilton told me the fate of his friend who was a nurse, hospitalized in the place where she had worked for 26 years. When she refused ventilation, the doctor shrieked, "You're refusing medical advice! Now your insurance company won't pay your hospital bill when you die! Do you want to bankrupt your family? Do you? Do you?" The nurse panicked, and to protect her family, she "consented." Two days later, she died.

"This was a very common technique," Hamilton said. "I've heard it hundreds of times. You tell the patient that unless they do what the doctor says, they'll bankrupt their family because insurance won't pay the hospital bills. Nobody wants to do that to their family." Does this sound like informed consent to you? It sounds more like medical battery to me.

The entire hospital environment was a hellscape of abuse in which informed consent wasn't even a distant memory. Hamilton told me that patients were routinely denied all access to food and water, stupefied with 50 medications that included drugs contraindicated for each other, tortured with oxygen machines set at such high levels that they couldn't breathe, and zip-tied to the bed till their wrists bled and their hands turned black. His stories align with 1,000 collected testimonies of the COVID-19 Human Betrayal Memory Project, which documents the victims' fates.

The ultimate denial of informed consent was the hospitals' refusal to allow the patients to leave. "Patients lost all rights when they went in the hospital," Senator Ron Johnson told Patty Myers in her documentary, Making A Killing. "They became prisoners." A cottage industry of hospital rescues cropped up, as desperate family members hired lawyers to try to spring their loved ones out of hospital "care." Ralph Lorigo, a lawyer in Buffalo, told me that in every case when he succeeded in getting a patient's case before a judge and the judge ruled in the family's favor, the patient went home and survived. In all cases where the judge refused to hear the case or ruled against the family, the patient died.

Every American is a sovereign individual with inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, not a sack of meat to be treated as a profit opportunity. Informed consent must be revived from the grave if Americans are to have a fighting chance against powerful financial interests allied against them.

Read more at: AmericanThinker.com
DEMOGRAPHIC CRISIS: Declining population due to low birth rates is the biggest threat to Europe, warns Hungarian president

Hungarian President Katalin Novak has warned that the biggest threat to Europe is a demographic crisis caused by the lack of self-sustaining birth rates in the continent.

Novak, a conservative and a member of the ruling Fidesz party, gave this warning while being interviewed by Hungarian news outlet InfoRadio just ahead of the fifth Budapest Demographic Summit, a conference discussing demographic issues in Europe and all over the world.

"Not having enough children is not only a Hungarian phenomenon, it is the same everywhere in the so-called developed Western world," said Novak. "If we just think about the fact that there is not a single country in Europe today that has enough children to even maintain its population  so we are not talking about population growth  then we can sense how big the problem is."

"The demographic challenge is now more serious than the [so-called] climate crisis, it is a bigger problem for the future of the developed world," said Novak. "It is a problem for Europe as a whole, and indeed for the Western world as a whole."

Hungary implementing policies to increase birth rate

Data from the Hungarian Central Statistical Office noted that Hungary's population has decreased to around 9.6 million this year from 10.7 million in 1980. This situation can be found all over the continent, with a number of countries hitting record lows in terms of birth rates and, as Novak previously mentioned, not a single country on the continent having enough births to maintain their population, let alone grow it.

Addressing the opening day of the Budapest Demographic Summit, Novak noted that, in the early 2000s when socialists were in government in Hungary, a variety of state-backed incentives that could have supported families who wanted children were cut or outright abolished, including the shortening of paid family leave.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who also addressed the summit, warned that "Western elites" are ignoring the question of demographics. Orban noted how his government has made birth rates a key political priority. Under Orban, the Hungarian government has invested around five percent of the country's GDP into implementing policies that support the creation of families.

These policies include subsidies on housing for young married couples and for families with three children who want to buy a new home or a car, tax exemptions for people under 25, and a lifetime exemption from paying taxes for mothers of four or more children.

At the summit, Orban also announced that he was ramping up these efforts by introducing new policies that promote the creation of families, starting with lowering the threshold for women to receive a lifetime exemption on paying taxes from four children down to three.

Arguing the success of Hungary's policies, the government pointed out that its marriage rate has doubled from 3.6 marriages per 1,000 persons in 2011 to 7.4 per 1,000 in 2021, nearly double the European Union average of 3.9 per 1,000 that year.

The country's fertility rate  the number of live births per woman  has also been rising steadily and is currently at 1.61 live births per woman, above the EU average of 1.53 and up from a record low of 1.23 in 2011  which was also the lowest in the EU at the time.

Hungary hopes to get the fertility rate up to 2.1 by 2030, which is the minimum needed to reverse the decline in the country's population.

"Hungary is the loudest advocate for families and the issue of demography. This won't change," said Orban, who noted that to change the continent's demographic decline, conservatives who will promote pro-family policies need to take control of governments.

"There is a need to change direction," he said. "We need to ensure that family-friendly, conservative forces come to power in as many European countries as possible. I hope family-friendly forces win the European Parliament elections [in 2024]."

Learn more about the demographic crisis affecting countries all over the world at PopulationCollapse.com.

Watch this clip from Newsmax providing a brief summary of the last 100 years in Hungary, and how the Hungary of today is standing up for families.

This video is from the News Clips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Former Malaysian PM warned the world of DEPOPULATION PLAN by globalists in 2015 speech.

China's declining population could lead to economic disaster, says geopolitical analyst Peter Zeihan.

WEF Adviser Prof. Sarah Harper says UK's population collapse is "good for the planet."

Hospitals across the U.S. closing down MATERNITY WARDS due to staff shortages, low birth rates.

Japan's population fell by nearly 800,000 last year, with drops recorded in all 47 prefectures for the first time.

Sources include:

RMX.com

HungarianConservative.com

Politico.eu

English.News.cn

EuroNews.com

EuropeanConservative.com

Brighteon.com
Trans spox says Ukraine will hunt down Russian propagandists around the world

Sarah Ashton-Cirillo, the transgender ex-journalist from the US who is now a spokesperson for Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, has issued yet another bizarre and unhinged statement on behalf of the Ukrainian military.

(Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com)

The military spokesperson is vowing that Russia's "propagandists" will be "hunted down" in a message which was published days ago, but which is now going viral and being mocked.

English speaking spokesperson for the Ukrainian military: Ukraine will hunt down "Russian propagandists" around the world. pic.twitter.com/hjIE1UKhAz  Na'omi Ducaena Allen (@ducaena) September 12, 2023

Ashton-Cirillo said in the clip, "Next week, the teeth of the Russian devils will gnash ever harder, and their rabid mouths will foam an uncontrollable frenzy as the world will see a favorite Kremlin propagandist pay for their crimes."

"And this puppet of Putin is only the first. Russia's war criminal propagandists will all be hunted down, and justice will be served, as we in Ukraine are led on this mission by faith in God, liberty, and complete liberation," he said.

The message appeared to be on the occasion of Ukraine's criminal trial against detained Chilean-American journalist Gonzalo Lira. In May, Lira was arrested for a second time by the SBU and has been in detention since then, reportedly on charges of "justifying Russia's aggression, denying/glorifying Russian war crimes, and undermining Ukraine's leadership and Defense Forces."

As of June it became clear that the US State Department wanted little to do with Lira. He's facing a potential years long sentence in a Ukrainian prison.

The Grayzone noted in June that

When US media have demonstrated any interest in the arrest of an American citizen, Gonzalo Lira, it has been primarily to celebrate his prosecution on the grounds that he has been "shilling for Putin." The US State Department, meanwhile, refuses to answer questions about the disappearance of an American at the hands of a government substantially funded by Washington.

Instead, we get a strange rant from an American put in charge of Ukraine's military propaganda vowing to "hunt" people down around the globe if they are not on board with Kiev's perspective.

One online commenter quipped in reaction to the strange clip of the trans spox vowing to "hunt" down Russian-sympathizers... "This is like a news report in V for Vendetta."

And another observed, "It's like watching the offspring of Hannibal Lector and Hillary Clinton motivate the Orc battalions."

Author Peachy Keenan made some comparisons to WWII...

Our grandparents had Tokyo Rose. We get Pre-Op Bob. https://t.co/pZWsSEejwf  Peachy Keenan (@KeenanPeachy) September 13, 2023

Read more at: ZeroHedge.com
Trump supports COGNITIVE TESTS for presidential candidates

Former President Donald Trump has backed cognitive tests for presidential candidates running in the 2024 elections.

The 77-year-old Trump voiced out support for such tests during a Sept. 17 interview with NBC News. He recounted to the outlet's Kristin Welker how he took a 10-minute mental evaluation while still occupying 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. According to Trump, the aforementioned test designed to screen for mild cognitive impairment or early dementia should be compulsory.

"I'm all for testing; I frankly think testing would be a good thing. I would be for testing  to make sure everyone's just fine," he told Welker. "A lot of people say it's not constitutional to do it. A lot of people say that can't happen because of the Constitution."

"You know, I took a test two years ago, three years ago. It was in front of doctors and a whole big deal at Walter Reed [National Military Medical Center], which is an incredible place. And I aced it; I [got] everything right." (Related: President Trump aces cognitive test, scores 30/30 for brain function could Nancy Pelosi score anywhere close to that?)

Trump's espousal of cognitive tests for presidential candidates appeared to be a subtle dig against 80-year-old current President Joe Biden, who is seeking a second term. The real estate mogul-turned-chief executive has been criticizing Biden's cognitive decline, given the incumbent president's multiple gaffes.

But Trump is not the only person who backs cognitive tests for potential candidates. Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who served as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, also espoused such a view.

During her announcement of her candidacy in February, Haley stressed the need for generational change. Alongside this change, she called for mandatory competency tests for politicians aged 75 and older. Her comments were a subtle swipe at both her former boss and the current chief executive.

"In the America I see, the permanent politician will finally retire," said Haley. "We'll have term limits for Congress, and mandatory mental competency tests for politicians over 75 years old."

Trump: Biden's INCOMPETENCE is the issue, not his age

During the same NBC News interview, the former president expressed opposition to the idea of an age limit for candidates running for president. He also pointed out that the issue with Biden isn't his age, but his incompetence.

"I don't think Biden's too old," Trump said. "But I think he's incompetent, and that's a bigger problem. I'm not anywhere very near 80, by the way."

According to Trump, some of the greatest world leaders have been in their 80s. But in the case of Biden, this isn't necessarily true as he lacks the wisdom that made these older leaders memorable.

The former president also espoused this sentiment during an earlier interview with former Fox News host Megyn Kelly. He remarked during an appearance on her program "The Megyn Kelly Show" that Biden's age is not the issue, but his incompetence. Given this, Trump emphasized that Biden should not be given another four-year term.

"He's not too old. He's incompetent," Trump told Kelly. "Age is interesting, because some people are very sharp and some people do lose it, but you lose it at 40 and 50 also. But no, he's not too old at all. He's grossly incompetent."

When pressed by the host regarding why Biden's age isn't an issue, Trump recounted his many friends in their 80s and 90s who were as "sharp as a tack" despite their advanced age. He further hammered the point of the former Obama-era vice president's incompetence, saying: "But if you go back 25 years, he wasn't the sharpest tack either."

Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the former president and his journey back to the White House.

Watch Dr. Drew Pinsky talking about President Joe Biden's dementia and cognitive decline with Newsmax's Eric Bolling below.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Bad news for the hateful Left: Trump in EXCELLENT mental health, garnering perfect score on cognitive test.

Hillary Clinton: Joe Biden's AGE is a legitimate issue to consider ahead of 2024 presidential elections.

Yale psychiatrist who declared Trump mentally unfit has been fired, and she's suing.

Survey: 71% of Americans believe Joe Biden is TOO OLD for a second term.

WSJ poll: Biden is TOO OLD to run for a second term in 2024 elections.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

POLITICO.com

Breitbart.com

Brighteon.com
Two California school districts ban LGBTQ+ flags

The display of Pride flags in public places has sparked debates around inclusion, civil rights and religious beliefs. Just recently, two school boards in California made headlines by voting to implement policies that restrict the display of flags on school grounds to only those representing the state and the nation.

In both the Sunol Glen School District and the Temecula Valley Unified School District, a newly adopted policy bans the display of all flags, including the rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ movement. The only flags allowed for display are the flags of California and the United States.

Sunol is part of northern California's Bay Area and has a population of under 1,000 while Temecula is in southern California.

These decisions were reached during separate board meetings held on Sept. 12 by each district.

In Sunol, the resolution passed with a 2-1 vote, after passionate arguments were presented by community members both in favor of and against the policy during the meeting. (Related: City council in Michigan BANS LGBT flags from public property  take note, White House.)

According to local reports, the resolution was prompted by parental requests to fly various flags on school property, with some questioning why flags representing the LGBTQ+ agenda were permitted while those representing Christian and pro-gun views were discouraged.

The resolution cites the California Government Code, stating that neither federal nor state law mandates elementary school districts to display any flags other than those of the U.S. and California. It asserts that the Sunol Glen Unified School District seeks to adhere strictly to the flags required by law.

In Temecula, the board established protocols a month ago to inform parents about any gender-related concerns their children may have. While the flag policy applies district-wide, there may be exceptions for displaying other flags if approved by the superintendent.

LGBTQ+ flags a rich source of controversy

Across the United States and Canada, LGBTQ+ flags have sparked controversy, with some citizens expressing support for their removal from schools. These controversies have extended to the Biden administration, which displayed an LGBTQ+ flag between two American flags at the White House.

Conservatives have also noted incidents where patriotic symbols have faced hostility, such as a recent case in a Colorado school where a 12-year-old student was briefly removed from class over a "Don't Tread on Me" patch on his backpack. The school faced conservative backlash, and the student was allowed to keep the patch without further issues.

As another academic year begins, school boards nationwide are discussing the banning of LGBTQ+ Pride flags. In recent years, flag restrictions have been proposed to avoid favoring one group over another, limiting flag displays to government and military flags, and effectively banning Pride flags. These flag restrictions have emerged alongside bans on LGBTQ+ topics in curricula in several states, constituting part of a broader push against inclusion and diversity.

In June, a Detroit-area community banned LGBTQ+ flags from publicly owned poles, raising questions about discrimination, religion and the citys reputation for welcoming newcomers.

"You guys are welcome," council member Nayeem Choudhury said. "(But) why do you have to have the flag shown on government property to be represented? You're already represented. We already know who you are."

The Pride flag clashes with the belief of the all-Muslim council. Businesses and residents, however, are not prohibited from displaying a Pride flag on their property.

Visit Resist.news for more stories about cities resisting the LGBTQ+ mafia.

Does the Pope hate American Catholics because they won't go along with the radical LGBTQ+ agenda? Watch this.

This video is from the KevinJJohnston channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

USAToday.com

PBS.org

Brighteon.com
IOM: U.S.-Mexico border is the worlds deadliest land migration route

The United Nations (UN) International Organization for Migration (IOM) has declared the U.S.-Mexico border as the world's deadliest land migration route . At least 686 deaths and disappearances had been recorded on the frontier last year.

According to the 2022 data from the IOM, these deaths and disappearances accounted for nearly half of the total 1,457 migrant fatalities and missing person cases documented throughout the United States. Data shows that 307 of the recorded deaths were linked to the crossing of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts.

Meanwhile, the migration routes in the Caribbean documented an increase in fatalities with 350 last year compared to 245 in 2021. The treacherous jungle passage between Panama and Columbia, known as the Darien Gap, recorded 141 migrant deaths. The IOM said the actual number of lives lost in the Darien Gap might be higher due to its remote and dangerous nature.

These numbers have made 2022 the deadliest year for migrants since at least 2014 when they began recording migration data. The vast deserts, dangerous canyons and cactus-studded hills have proven deadly for migrants throughout the year. They fall victim to heatstroke during summer, while hypothermia claims many lives during winter.

Experts believe the actual number could still be higher due to missing data, including information from the Texas border county coroner's offices and the Mexican search and rescue agency.

Paul Dillon, the spokesperson for the IOM, noted that the figures reported represent the lowest estimates available. "The alarming figures are a stark reminder of the need for decisive action to create regular legal migration pathways," he said.

Programs against illegals bring more of them to the southern border

Despite the implementation of new restrictions and programs to discourage migrants from going through long and perilous journeys to apply for asylum at the border, most migrants still seek refuge there due to delays in asylum processing.

For instance, in countries like India, Mauritania, Uzbekistan and Venezuela, people would rather choose to illegally cross the U.S. instead of waiting for a legal process due to limited options. Once they're in U.S. territory, it would be harder to deport the migrants because the governments have no diplomatic relations.

These migrants and asylum seekers think the U.S. is the way away from rampant gang violence, poverty, political persecution and other crises in their home countries.

However, some of the laws implemented by the Biden Administration make it more difficult for migrants to seek asylum in the United States. For instance, the "asylum ban," a rule disqualifying asylum seekers who did not apply in countries they crossed earlier in their journey, even delays the process of migration.

The Biden Administration also established "safety mobility" centers in Latin America, allowing asylum seekers to apply for U.S. protection in third countries rather than at the border with Mexico.

These never-ending migrant issues in the U.S. have made an impression in a recent poll that the majority of the Latinos want Biden to take more immigration actions against millions of immigrants living in the U.S. without legal status while securing the southern border.

Matt Barreto, the president of BSP Research, the company that conducted the poll for the Immigration Hub, mentioned that the survey indicates that President Joe Biden has a chance to gain more support from Latinos if he uses his executive powers to give temporary legal status to immigrants. "Latinos want to see Democrats deliver a balanced agenda on the issue of immigration, one that involves humane border solutions and secures legal pathways for long-settled immigrants like Dreamers and TPS holders to continue to live and work in the U.S.," Barreto said. (Related: Inviting terrorism: Number of terrorists being caught at U.S.-Mexico border is increasing, thanks to Bidens policies.)

BorderSecurity.news has more news about America's shared border with Mexico.

Watch this clip of illegal aliens at the southern border of Mexico attempting to break through the cordons of law enforcement.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Sheriff Benny Martinez calls for US-Mexico border to be SHUT DOWN and SECURED  Brighteon.TV.

America Unhinged: Americans urgently need to know about US border issues, says border intel expert Jaeson Jones  Brighteon.TV.

BORDER DEFENSE: America protects US-Mexico border with barbed wire and verbal warnings.

WATCH as the Health Ranger interviews border security operator about using satellite comms to help secure the US border.

Biden administration proposes permanently opening all borders between US, Mexico and Canada.

Sources include:

[your]News.com

MSN.com

Mint.com
During a visit to the United States to participate in the events of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, received the Clinton Global Citizen Award, which is awarded for civic leadership.

According to the website of the Presidents Office of Ukraine, this award, founded in 2007 by Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, embodies President Clinton's call to action, celebrating outstanding people whose vision and leadership have become an example for the global community.

It is noted that these people have proved that different strata of society can successfully work together to develop solutions that lead to positive and long-term social changes.

"It is a great honor for me to accept the award, which was received by outstanding personalities of the world. Along with honor, it is also a great responsibility. They say a leader is someone you follow where you wouldn't go yourself. I'm not sure if this can be applied to me. However, it seems to me that my leadership is to give people courage. I truly believe that leadership is about dedication. Dedication to everyone who trusts you, to what you do," Zelenska said, accepting the award.

The First Lady of Ukraine noted that she shares the award with all Ukrainians.

"Because today everyone in my country is a devoted leader. A mother who takes her child to school and then rushes to work after a sleepless night due to an air raid. A teacher who teaches a lesson - often in a bomb shelter, remotely, in danger, but still teaches. Rescuers and doctors who are rushing to the victims of the shelling. And courageous men and women who stand on the front line to prevent the invader from entering their homes, cities, and also not to let aggression further into the world. These are real leaders who have taken responsibility for their lives, the country and the preservation of security in the world. They are my compatriots. Thank you to them and on their behalf for this award," the President's wife added.
Zelensky dismisses seven top defense officials in bid to reboot his corruption-ridden Defense Ministry

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has just dismissed all six of the country's deputy defense ministers and the ministry's secretary of state in an ongoing "reboot" of the country's corruption-ridden Ministry of Defense

This development comes just weeks after the former head of the Defense Ministry, Oleksiy Reznikov, was replaced by Rustem Umerov over allegations of corruption. (Related: Zelensky's billionaire backer jailed, now facing $13.5 million in fraud and money laundering charges.)

The six deputy defense ministers were joined in their dismissal from the government by State Secretary Kostiantyn Vashchenko. Sources that spoke with Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda alleged that the seven officials had resigned upon the request of Umerov over their associations with the former defense minister.

Among the six dismissed deputy defense ministers are Volodymyr Gavrylov, Hanna Maliar, Denis Sharapov and Rostyslav Zamlynsky. Additionally, Deputy Minister of Defense for European Integration Andriy Shevchenko and Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Digital Transformations and Digitalization Vitaly Deinega were also dismissed.

"Rebooting. We started. We continue. Ministry continues to work as usual. The rest of the news will come later," wrote Umerov in a Facebook post when the news broke of the dismissals.

Umerov previously talked about how he will do "everything possible and impossible for the victory of Ukraine. He has defined victory for Kyiv as "when we liberate every centimeter of our country and every one of our people."

Julia Struck and Maryna Shashkova, writing for the Kyiv Post, noted that it is standard for deputy ministers and other high-ranking ministry officials to be dismissed whenever the head of the ministry changes. Most of those who were fired or resigned are either reassigned to their old posts by their new bosses or are appointed to different positions in government.

No allegations have been made against them regarding their possible involvement in the corruption scandal that embroiled Reznikov. In fact, Deinega believes that he will be reappointed when he posted on Facebook that he looks forward to cooperating with Umerov.

"The new minister and I will resolve our differences and then I will provide a comprehensive update," wrote Deinega. "I believe that we both have expectations from each other and it will take time for us to align our strategies."

Ukrainian Defense Ministry plagued with corruption

Reznikov was removed from his post earlier this month after a scandal involving the defense ministry's procurement of military jackets at three times their actual cost. Reznikov has denied all of the allegations against him, but he has agreed to resign.

Zelensky announced his decision to dismiss Reznikov on Sept. 3, saying that the Defense Ministry "needs new approaches and other formats of interaction both with the military and with society as a whole." The Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, voted to accept Reznikov's resignation as head of the Defense Ministry on Sept. 5. Umerov assumed the role on the next day, with the overwhelming endorsement of the Verkhovna Rada.

Zelensky claimed that Umerov will be able to carry out his agenda of strengthening the central role of the Defense Ministry during the war, ensuring the protection of the country's soldiers, expanding international partnerships, speeding up innovation and, most importantly, curbing corruption and reforming the military to keep up with North Atlantic Treaty Organization standards.

"People are not expendable. Their time and energy are valuable to our state," said Zelensky, who believes Umerov will be able to carry out his agenda as well as reduce the time- and energy-consuming bureaucratic procedures that hamper the ability of Ukrainian troops to do their duty.

"Anything that can be digitized should be digitized. Any unnecessary bureaucracy should be eliminated. Anything that can save lives and protect the health of our soldiers must be identified and provided to our troops," Zelensky added. "I am sure that Rustem Umerov is able to provide it.

Learn the latest news coming out of Ukraine at UkraineWitness.com.

Watch this clip from the "Worldview Report" discussing how Zelensky himself has been accused of money laundering, selling Western weapons and taking Russian money.

This video is from the Worldview Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Former Zelensky backer charged over EMBEZZLEMENT of $250M from Ukrainian bank.

Zelensky buys LUXURY MANSION in Egypt via his mother-in-law using Western aid money.

Zelensky's military chiefs buy luxury cars, opulent properties in Spain while soldiers die in war with Russia.

RFK Jr. blasts U.S. government for its "addiction to war" following $24B aid request for Ukraine.

Fired Ukrainian official speaks out about bribes and corruption committed by the Biden crime family.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

KyivIndependent.com

KyivPost.com

Brighteon.com
Remember when the U.S. Army was caught secretly testing deadly chemical weapons near St. Louis residential neighborhoods during the Cold War?

In 2012,ran a story about secret chemical weapons testing schemes being run by the United States military on U.S. soil during the Cold War that is more relevant than ever in today's political climate.

With so much talk about the COVID biological weapon, the conflict between Russia and the West, and more recently the U.S. Army's alleged completed mission to destroy the last remaining chemical weapons at the U.S. military arsenal at Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, we thought it appropriate to give you a little history lesson about what the U.S. military was up to back during the Cold War period.

It turns out that the U.S. Army was conducting secret chemical testing in an impoverished neighborhood in St. Louis at the height of the Cold War. That testing resulted in many area residents developing cancer and other horrific illnesses that caused many of them to die.

In the mid-1950s, and again in the mid-1960s, the Army reportedly used motorized blowers atop a low-income housing high-rise building, at schools, and even from the backs of station wagon vehicles, to blast dangerous chemicals into the hazy air of predominantly black neighborhoods in and around St. Louis.

Local officials were told at the time that the government was testing a smoke screen to see if it could shield St. Louis from a potential attack by Russia. Instead, it was the U.S. military that was attacking American civilians under the guise of protecting the nation from a Russian attack.

(Related: Last year, we reported that biological warfare operations involving genetically modified [GMO] mosquitoes are currently taking place on U.S. soil.)

Did the U.S. Army mix radioactive particles with zinc cadmium sulfide when it blasted chemical weapons over St. Louis during the Cold War?

Many years later in 1994, the U.S. government tried to claim that these biological weapons tests were specifically held in St. Louis because some areas of the city allegedly resemble Russian cities that the U.S. might one day want to attack. It was also admitted at this time that the chemical blasted on St. Louis was zinc cadmium sulfide, a fine fluorescent powder.

Today, researchers say that there is even more to the story. St. Louis Community College  Meramec sociology professor Lisa Martino-Taylor says it is possible that the U.S. Army mixed the zinc cadmium sulfide spray with radioactive particles  though she says she does not have any direct proof.

Martino-Taylor did release a report, though, that was picked up by U.S. Sens. Claire McCaskill and Roy Blunt from Missouri who were so disturbed by its contents that they wrote a letter to Army Secretary John McHugh demanding answers. Thus far, they have not received a response, and the U.S. Army has declined a requested interview by The Associated Press.

Because of the types of illnesses that developed in area residents who lived near the U.S. Army's chemical testing operations, Martino-Taylor is convinced there were nuclear components to these chemicals.

"There are strong lines of evidence that there was a radiological component to the St. Louis study," Martino-Taylor said.

Blunt and McCaskill both agree.

"The idea that thousands of Missourians were unwillingly exposed to harmful materials in order to determine their health effects is absolutely shocking," Blunt wrote in his letter to the U.S. military.

"Given the nature of these experiments, it's not surprising that Missouri citizens still have questions and concerns about what exactly occurred and if there may have been any negative health effects," wrote McCaskill in hers.

The latest news about the secret chemical weapons operations of the U.S. military can be found at Terrorism.news.

Sources for this article include:

FoxNews.com

Defense.gov

NaturalNews.com
East Coasts largest groundfish company files for bankruptcy, lays off workers with no severance pay

East Coast's largest groundfish company has filed for bankruptcy , according to records in U.S. federal court in Delaware, leaving employees without a job as it shutters all of its locations and concluded an eight-year private equity (PE) roll-up of New Bedford's fishing industry.

Blue Harvest Fisheries unexpectedly filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on September 8, meaning it will most likely have to close and liquidate all of its company assets. The food giant quietly made a decision to stop its fishing operations on Sept. 1 and has yet to make a public announcement. The "secretive" move left the industry regulators, fishermen and city officials in the dark as it abruptly grinds to a halt.

A lawyer who reviewed the company's court records told the non-profit news outlet the New Bedford Light: "They weren't just underwater. It looks like they had long since drowned."

Blue Harvest has been reportedly laying off workers since May when it shut down its processing plant. A total of 64 employees were left out of work after the plant on the New Bedford waterfront closed, according to Undercurrent News. Then in mid-August, 17 more staffers were fired. The company's fishermen, who were employed as independent contractors, were left with no support after being let go. "There's no severance check," lamented Randy Waycotte, captain of a Blue Harvest groundfish vessel. "People have got bills, families to support. They haven't told us anything except that we're no longer working." (Related: A torrent of layoffs  Here are 16 large companies that have just announced mass terminations.)

Meanwhile, Mayor Jon Mitchell expressed his dismay at the company's "hushed" move to "close shop." "Blue Harvest's decision to shutter its operations is, for sure, disappointing and disruptive to the lives of its employees." He promised to work it out to ensure the federal permits associated with the company's vessels remain associated with New Bedford-based commercial fishing interests, "to soften the impact."

The company filed nine separate bankruptcy cases that included 40 individual limited liability companies (LLCs). According to the filings, Blue Harvest's assets range from $50 million to $100 million and its liabilities are estimated between $100 million and $500 million.

Blue Harvest Fisheries is "getting off the hook"

Unlike Chapter 11, which grants the company a chance to restructure, Chapter 7 bankruptcies usually lead to liquidation. If the company proceeds with the process and the assets do not cover its debts, it will get off the hook without paying all the money it owes. "I guess we're not getting paid," said Randy Martin, a machinist at Harbor Hydraulics, which is located next to the Blue Harvest facility. He added that the fishery owed "a lot of companies a lot of money."

Moreover, questions have long circulated about the firm's ties to foreign investors. At the top of the long chain of subsidiaries is "Blue Harvest Fisheries Partners, LLC." PE firm Bregal Partners is listed as owning 89.5 percent of the parent company that owns 92.9 percent of all other subsidiaries. This includes the company's vessels, permits and other assets. Bregal is an investment arm of a firm owned by the family of Dutch billionaire industrialists, the Brenninkmeijers.

Foreign investors are limited from owning more than 25 percent of a U.S. fishing vessel, the New Bedford Light reported and according to the local outlet, it is still unclear if Bregal, Brenninkmeijer family, or Blue Harvest violated the foreign ownership limits. The particular maritime law is notoriously difficult to enforce, relying on a company's own assurance that it is in compliance, it added.

"If they violated the law, it should be investigated," said Eric Hansen, New Bedford's representative to the government's regional fisheries regulatory council.

The remaining 10.5 percent of the parent company is owned by an array of former Blue Harvest executives, lawyers and financiers, including Michael Arougheti, CEO of New York finance company Ares Management as well as former Blue Harvest CEOs Keith Decker and Jeffery Davis.

It also includes Louise Lischewski, the wife of former Bumble Bee CEO Chris Lischewski, who assumed ownership of his stake in the company after he was sentenced to 40 months in prison in 2020 for conspiring to fix canned tuna prices and was freed in November 2022. Each of them owns less than two percent of the company.

Visit EconomicRiot.com for more news related to bankruptcies and mass layoffs.

Watch the video below that talks about the bankruptcy boom in the United States.

This video is from The Talking Hedge channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Driving on an empty tank: Florida trucking company files for bankruptcy as transportation demand plummets.

168-year-old Santa Barbara News-Press files for bankruptcy, fires all workers.

Tech companies laid off nearly 221,000 workers in 2023  already way ahead of last year's total.

Amazon to fire 20,000 employees  the largest staff reduction in company's history.

Meta's Mark Zuckerberg fires more than 11K employees, takes blame for overestimating company's growth prospects.

Sources include:

The-Sun.com

NewBedfordLight.org

UnderCurrentNews.com

Brighteon.com
Lawless FDA refusing to repeal past anti-ivermectin statements, despite recent court ruling

Despite one of its lawyers recently admitting in court that Americans can, in fact, take ivermectin as a Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still refusing to change its official stance concerning the prophylactic drug.

Even though a court ruled that the FDA acted well outside of its jurisdictional authority with the whole "horse paste" fiasco, the FDA says it will not change any of its past statements against ivermectin.

A U.S. appeals court ruled that these past statements from the FDA, including one on Twitter (now X) telling the public to "stop" using ivermectin because it is supposedly just for barnyard animals, went beyond the authority conferred on the agency by Congress. And yet, the FDA is still digging its heels in the sand.

"FDA can inform, but it has identified no authority allowing it to recommend consumers 'stop' taking medicine," ruled U.S. Circuit Judge Don Willett in a September 1 ruling.

(Related: A quick fact check shows that the FDA first approved ivermectin for human use back in 1996.)

The FDA is an enemy of We the People

It has been about two weeks since Judge Willett's ruling, and the social media post in question, as well as others, is still up on X unchanged.

"You are not a horse," reads the Aug. 21, 2021, X post that got the FDA in trouble in the first place. "You are not a cow. Seriously, y'all. Stop it."

The webpage that the FDA linked to in this particular social media post also remains unchanged, ordering Americans that they "should not use ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19."

To be fair, the appeals court never actually told the FDA to modify or take down the posts. The case has also been remanded to a lower court for consideration on its standing.

Still, Dr. Robert Apter, the lead plaintiff in the case that ultimately led to Willett's ruling, says the FDA has an obligation to take down these offending posts that are still up in violation of the law.

"From an ethical point of view, the FDA has been told not to do what they are doing," Dr. Apter is quoted as saying. "They have an ethical and moral obligation to follow the court's directive and stop giving advice against using effective repurposed drugs for early treatment of COVID."

When asked by at least one independent media outlet for comment on the matter, the FDA reportedly declined.

The FDA did, however, issue a statement following Judge Willett's ruling. It states that ivermectin is approved by the agency for other uses, but not for COVID, even though Big Pharma companies have been repurposing FDA-approved drugs for decades without consequence.

The FDA stipulated that it "has not authorized or approved ivermectin for use in preventing or treating COVID-19, nor has the agency stated that it is safe or effective for that use."

"Health care professionals generally may choose to prescribe an approved human drug for an unapproved use when they judge that the unapproved use is medically appropriate for an individual patient," the agency added.

This process is known as off-label prescription, and it is common in the United States as drug companies look for new ways to keep the profits flowing once a given drug loses its luster for its officially approved purpose.

"The decision is pretty clear that the FDA is not a physician, and that while it might have authority to inform the public, it can't endorse particular treatments or advise on how to approach any specific illness," commented Jared Kelson, an attorney representing the doctor plaintiffs in the case.

The latest news about the corrupt and criminally run FDA can be found at FDA.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
While Democrats let actual criminals roam free, these two elderly women were CONVICTED and face 11 years in prison for peacefully blocking an abortion clinic

The Department of Justice (DoJ) has successfully convicted two elderly women, 73-year-old Jean Marshall of Kingston, Mass., and 74-year-old Joan Bell of Montague, N.J., for blocking the entrance of an abortion clinic back in 2020.

Along with 41-year-old Jonathan Darnel of Arlington, Va., Marshall and Bell now face up to 11 years in prison in a two-count indictment charging them with federal civil rights offenses for their actions on Oct. 22, 2020, at a Washington, D.C., "reproductive health" clinic.

Darnel, Marshall, and Bell were each convicted of a felony conspiracy against rights and an offense of the FACE Act. In addition to a maximum prison sentence of 11 years each, the three defendants also face three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $350000 each.

The incident occurred at a time when Black Lives Matter (BLM) terrorists were roving the country burning down businesses and cities, all without consequence, to show solidary with George Floyd, a criminal who was captured by Minneapolis police officers in May 2020.

While the BLM "protesters" were ultimately given a free pass for their crimes because of "systemic racism," these three are now being punished to the full extent of the law for trying to protect the unborn from being murdered.

(Related: Earlier this year, the Satanic Temple opened its own abortion clinic where women can go to perform a "religious ritual" before murdering their unborn babies.)

Destroying cities is fine, but don't you dare block the entrance to an abortion clinic

Based on the evidence showed at trial, the three defendants were ruled to have engaged in a conspiracy to create a blockade at the abortion clinic, preventing it from providing, and patients from receiving, abortion services.

Marshall and Bell traveled to the D.C. area to meet with Darnel and participate in the blockade, which was ruled to be part of the conspiracy. They also broadcast their activities on Facebook.

Marshall and Bell were among a larger group that forcefully entered the clinic and created a blockade at the two clinic doors using their bodies, furniture, chains and ropes while live-streaming their activities on social media.

Because they used a physical obstruction to injure, intimidate, and interfere with the clinic's employees and a patient, the three were further deemed to have violated the FACE Act.

Last month, five other co-conspirators connected to the incident received the same counts. They include:

 28-year-old Lauren Handy of Alexandria, Va.

 67-year-old John Hinshaw of Levittown, N.Y.

 61-year-old Heather Idoni of Linden, Mich.

 52-year-old William Goodman of the Bronx, N.Y.

 25-year-old Herb Geraghty of Pittsburgh, Penn.

All five of these individuals were convicted of felony conspiracy against rights and a FACE Act offense. Another co-defendant, Jay Smith, also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 10 months in jail followed by three years of supervised release.

The lesson to be learned from all this is that you are free to rob, steal, destroy, and even kill, just so long as you do so while aligned with a far-left group like BLM  and you can get extra points if you do so in the name of fighting "white privilege." But you must never, ever try to interfere with baby murder or else you'll be sent to the slammer.

"Yet more political persecution," one commenter wrote about the case. "More weaponization of the justice system."

"These people are being sent to jail for 11 years for, effectively, having a sit in. What about all the Antifa and BLM insurrectionists who trashed dozens of cities, caused many billions in damage, and killed dozens of people?"

Abortion is an unholy sacrament of the left. Learn more at Abortions.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheRightScoop.com

NaturalNews.com
First France, now Korea: Apples iPhone 12 generates too much RADIATION, tests reveal

Just days after France ordered all Apple iPhone 12 sales to cease immediately due to radiation concerns, South Korea launched its own investigation into the safety of this controversial smartphone.

The Korean Ministry of Science and ICT released a statement explaining that the probe is aimed to "resolve public anxiety" about the iPhone 12, which in French tests was found to emit more radiation than the legal limit established by the European Union (EU).

"All smartphones retailed in Korea, including the iPhone 12, have qualified for the global standard related to radiation safety and have been certified," the ministry said.

"However, in order to resolve public anxiety, we requested that Apple report on the issue and will have four variations of the iPhone 12 model go under deliberate inspection and have the results made public."

Should this deliberate inspection show radiation levels in excess of the legal limit, then all four versions of the iPhone 12 series, which also includes the 12 Pro, the 12 Mini, and the 12 Pro Max, could face import and retail bans throughout Korea.

(Related: Apple's plan is to help commit mass genocide in order to reach its 2030 "net-zero" climate goals.)

Germany, Spain likewise considering iPhone 12 ban due to excess radiation

Several other countries have also since made announcements that they plan to take a closer look into the safety of the iPhone 12. Germany's network regulator BNetzA says the iPhone 12 could be emitting too much radiation in violation of the law, and Spain's OCU consumers' group has indicated much the same.

France, the first country to take action, found that the iPhone 12's absorption of electromagnetic energy by the body is around 5.74 watts per kilogram. This is 1.74 watts per kilogram higher than the legal limit of 4.0 watts per kilogram in both Europe and South Korea.

Jean-Noel Barrot, France's junior minister for the digital economy, announced that if Apple sends an over-the-air software update to all iPhone 12s, this should be enough to fix the problem.

"Apple is expected to respond within two weeks," he stated.

What becomes of the South Korean investigation into the iPhone 12's safety remains to be seen, but we do know that all this hoo-ha about the iPhone 12 conveniently coincides with communist China's release of the Huawei Mate 60 Pro smartphone, which is lightyears ahead of anything Apple has to offer in its current smartphone lineup.

"Remember when tobacco executives said their product was non-addictive in front of Congress?" one commenter wrote on a news story about the iPhone 12.

"Radiofrequency radiation exposure (EMF) has been shown to affect the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, as well as alter the expression of microRNA within the brain," wrote another, linking to this article from the Environmental Health Trust.

"Translation: Never wear AirPods and minimize cell use."

This commenter brings up an excellent point about Bluetooth devices like Apple's AirPods, which rest squarely inside a person's ear canals emitting who-even-knows-how-much EMF pollution straight into one's head.

Another tied the injection of graphene via Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" to the 5G wireless technology included in the iPhone 12 and all of the latest smartphone models.

"Graphene is not organically dissolvable by the human body," this person, claiming to be an "IT guy," explained. "So, you get it in there and it just stays there. Worse, as you move and the body flexes, graphene sharp parts pierce nearby cell walls. Your body can heal this, over and over up to a certain quantity."

"The 5G angle: If you were able to design the shape of the graphene, you could accomplish two things. You could shape it like razor wire to 'cut' as many cell walls as possible as quickly as possible, but more importantly you could attune the shape / length to be excited by a specific frequency, like an antenna. In an excited state it buzzes like an electric carving knife."

The latest news about smartphones and radiation can be found at Radiation.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com

EHTrust.org
BREAKING POINT reached: NYC, other sanctuary cities tired of illegal immigrants influx, struggle with local resources

Mayors of "sanctuary cities" New York, Chicago, and other large cities are past their breaking point and now struggling with resources due to the influx of illegal immigrants coming into their jurisdictions.

Most recently, New York City Mayor Eric Adams claimed that the mass migration of illegals into his city has led to an "unprecedented state of emergency." The local government cited the lack of work authorization as one of the problems with "asylum seekers."

"They do not have the authorization to work, so we have to provide shelter. We have supplied food and access to healthcare. We have enrolled children in schools. We have opened almost 200 emergency sites, including more than a dozen large-scale humanitarian relief centers. And we have assisted migrants with asylum applications," Adams said. "But we are past our breaking point.  For each family seeking asylum through the city's care, we spend an average of $383 per night to provide shelter, food, medical care, and social services. With more than 57,300 individuals currently in our care, on an average night, it amounts to $9.8 million a day, almost $300 million a month, and nearly $3.6 billion a year."

Back on May 9, Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency over the "invasion."

The Democrats are blaming Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's migrant busing program. However, Abbott argued that these cities were welcoming of the asylum seekers because their local governments enacted policies that shield illegal immigrants, including criminals, from federal immigration authorities and deportation.

"What's maddening is the fact that in New York and Chicago and D.C. and Los Angeles and other places, they put out policies self-proclaiming that they are sanctuary cities, and they love to promote these liberal ideologies until they have to actually live up and apply them," Abbott said. "It's clear that the policies of sanctuary cities and letting everybody live for free simply do not work."

The Republican governor began busing illegal immigrants to these cities in April 2022 to alleviate border cities in his state. Since the start of the program, more than 30,000 migrants have been transported to Democrat-led cities around the country, which are among the 10 "largest sanctuary cities in the United States," according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). As of Sept. 8, Abbott's office reported it had bused more than 11,300 illegal immigrants to Washington since April 2022, more than 13,500 to New York City, and more than 7,000 to Chicago since August 2022. Texas also started busing illegal immigrants in 2023 to Denver and Los Angeles. Denver has received around 1,100, while L.A. has around 480.

Before being elected mayor of the Big Apple in 2021, Adams' campaign posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: "We should protect our immigrants. Period. Yes, New York City will remain a sanctuary city under an Adams administration." And then almost two years later, the mayor is now claiming that illegal migration will "destroy New York City." (Related: NYC Mayor Eric Adams admits mass illegal immigration is inherently destructive for the Big Apple.)

"We should protect our immigrants." Period. Yes, New York City will remain a sanctuary city under an Adams administration. #EricOnNBC  Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) October 20, 2021

"Never in my life have I had a problem that I did not see an ending to. I don't see an ending to this.  This issue will destroy New York City," Adams said on Sep. 6, during a town hall meeting on the Upper West Side. "We're getting 10,000 migrants a month." And although only a fraction of the illegal immigrants arriving in New York City are arriving on Abbott's buses, NYC Mayor Eric Adams has called the program "morally bankrupt."

As per a press release, Abbott stated that the crisis at our southern border continues to escalate because President Joe Biden's administration policies refuse to secure the border and they even invite illegal immigration. "Texas supports legal immigration but will not be an accomplice to the open border policies that cause, rather than prevent, a humanitarian crisis in our state and endanger the lives of Texans," Abbott added. According to Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol agents have apprehended 1,973,092 illegal immigrants along the southwest border in the past 11 months. A million plus of those crossed into Texas.

L.A. pushes for lawsuit and criminal probe against Abbott over Texas migrant busing program

Legal motions were approved by the Los Angeles City Council, another sanctuary city, on Aug. 30 as a response to Abbott's busing of 42 illegal immigrants to Los Angeles on June 14. The first motion stated, "Investigate and report on whether human trafficking, kidnapping, or any other crime was committed on or before June 14, 2023, when Governor Greg Abbott of Texas sent 42 migrants from McAllen, Texas, to Los Angeles, California."

The second one indicated: "Investigate and begin proceedings on any potential civil legal action that could be taken against the State of Texas, Governor Greg Abbott, or any other entity relating to planning and actions of June 14, 2023." Should the investigation prove that there were crimes committed such as kidnapping and human trafficking through the migrant bus program, lawsuits will be filed.

The 13-0 vote was made following the 11th bus load of illegal migrants that arrived in Los Angeles, with illegal immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Venezuela, and Russia. The migrants included 21 adults and 14 children, according to the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles (CHIRLA).

For one of the council members Hugo Soto-Martinez, what Abbott is doing is "racist." "The competition between these Republican governors about who could be more racist, I think, is just an utter failure and shows clearly that they do not have any intention to govern effectively," Soto-Martinez said, claiming that the Republican governor is disregarding the lives of these illegals' families and that he should be fully investigated on the accountability of his "criminal actions."

InvasionUSA.news contains more stories related to the influx of illegal immigrants via open borders.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

CBP.gov

OANN.com
Biden-appointed judge rules parents cant opt children out of school lessons promoting LGBT ideology

Maryland District Court Judge Deborah Boardman has denied a requested injunction from a group of parents representing various faith traditions who sought to opt their children out of LGBTQ-themed storybook lessons in Montgomery County Public Schools.

Boardman, appointed by President Joe Biden, denied the injunction on Aug. 24. This court decision comes just around a year after the Montgomery County Board of Education officially adopted over 20 pro-LGBT books for students from pre-K through eighth grade. (Related: Books on gender transitioning recommended to kindergartners in Newsom's California.)

Parents were initially able to opt their children out of hearing these books being read. However, earlier this year, the school board decided to remove this option, sparking outrage from parents from a variety of faiths, including Muslims and Christians of different backgrounds, including Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.

These parents note that all they wanted was to shield their children from LGBTQ+ ideologies at such a young age. This collective outrage then fueled the desire of the parents to file a lawsuit.

The parents argued that the "no opt-out" policy, which forbids parents from excusing their children from lessons on transgenderism, gender identity, and other pro-LGBTQ narratives, violated their First Amendment rights to free exercise and free speech, as well as their 14th Amendment rights.

However, Boardman denied the request and argued that the parents had not provided sufficient evidence of the potential for indoctrination despite the claims that these materials are objectionable and could lead to indoctrination. Boardman further reasoned that the school-mandated LGBTQ curriculum did not conflict with the freedom of the parents to practice their religions, but the Supreme Court declared otherwise.

"Even if their children's exposure to religiously offensive ideas makes the parents efforts less likely to succeed, that does not amount to a government-imposed burden on their religious exercise," Boardman stated.

Religious parents of children in Montgomery County Schools are set to file an appeal against the ruling

The decision of Boardman reignited the ongoing debate surrounding the introduction of contentious subjects in public education. Even before the ruling, a group of parents already rallied outside the District of Maryland Courthouse in Greenbelt to voice their opposition.

Wael Elkoshairi, a Montgomery County parent and spokesman for the local organization Family Rights for Religious Freedom, addressed the gathering during the rally. "You are the voice of those who have no voice," Elkoshairi stated.

Parents believe that these discussions should be left to parents to address at home based on their personal beliefs and values. They argue that schools should not be imposing these topics on young children without parental consent. This sentiment is also reflected in their lawsuit and is backed by Professor Helen Alvare, from George Mason University's Scalia School of Law.

In a legal analysis, she said teaching about "family relationships" is integral to the process of instilling and passing on religious beliefs. Anything that interferes with this process encroaches upon the liberty and exercise of parental rights.

She then brought up the precedents of the Supreme Court that public schools are not authorized to intervene in a child's upbringing or religious education by enforcing compulsory education aimed at influencing the child's religious beliefs.

"In fact, the Court has recently reaffirmed the enduring American tradition that emphasizes the rights of parents to guide their children's religious upbringing. Judge Boardman's efforts to distinguish these cases have been criticized as lacking substance," as quoted by The Federalist.

Given that the parents know their rights, they are set for another pushback. The parents in opposition are set to appeal against the ruling at the Fourth Circuit.

Read more news about gender issues in the United States at Gender.news.

Watch this video as Gabe Zolna of the "Zolna Report" reacts to the news that New Jersey students will be taught about gender identity in schools.

This video is from the ZolnaReport.com channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

New Jerseys new sex education curriculum teaches second graders about transgenderism and gender ideology.

Virginia reverses transgender school policy, returns right to affirm children's gender to parents.

Florida school board votes against recognizing October as "LGBTQ History Month."

California K-12 reading list includes books about transgender toddlers, how Trump and Founding Fathers are racist.

Sources include:

LawEnforcementToday.com

TheFederalist.com

WashingtonTimes.com

Brighteon.com
BURNING ISSUE: Toronto landlord prohibits potential fire hazard personal EVs on property; tenants rights advocates outraged

Tenants' rights advocates are raising legal concerns as they found it unreasonable that a real estate company in Toronto, Canada is banning electric vehicles (EVs) and any electric-powered transportation within its apartment complex.

The notices posted by Oberon Development Corporation earlier in the week at 110 and 120 Jameson Avenue in Parkdale indicated that the EVs are not permitted anywhere in the building. This includes anywhere inside apartment units, garages, or parking spaces and lockers. EVs that are not allowed were specified to be: electric bicycles, motorbikes, unicycles, hoverboards, mopeds, segways, and skateboard scooters.

"If you have any of these vehicles, please remove them from the premises immediately," the notice says, highlighting that lithium batteries, a type of rechargeable battery, could be a "potential fire hazard."

(Photo credits: Tyler Cheese/CBC News)

Because of this, Douglas Kwan, the director of advocacy and legal services at the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, a community legal clinic and advocacy organization, said he's never seen such a ban in a residential building. "And these are small devices. A segway is so tiny, that it's smaller than some vacuum cleaners. It seems unreasonable for the landlord to act in this manner," he claimed. According to him, a ban could violate legislation that protects tenants' rights and could also violate Ontario's Human Rights Code. Meanwhile, the Landlord and Tenant Board said tenants who believe a landlord has breached the Residential Tenancies Act can file an application to the board.

E-scooters are currently banned in Toronto, though the city is engaged in a process to examine risks and benefits. In connection to this, CBC Toronto reported that Toronto Fire Services (TFS) said it has responded to 47 fires involving lithium-ion batteries this year. Ten of the instances took place in residential high-rise properties. Parking an electric vehicle in an exit hallway or exit stairway is against the Ontario Fire Code, it said. "Condo corporations are entitled to implement any condo rules for the operation of their building. That is bound by separate legislation that TFS does not intervene with," TFS added. (Related: Lithium-ion batteries of e-bikes and e-scooters are causing hundreds of fires in New York and San Francisco.)

But Kwan argued that the Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) guarantees a tenant's right to the "reasonable enjoyment" of the premises. With "reasonable enjoyment," it meant everything from having a guest over for a meal, or using a chosen method of transportation and storing it in your unit, he said. As per RTA, landlords bear certain rights in choosing a tenant, collecting rent, increasing rent, and evicting tenants. However, there is no specific "provision" defining whether they can make rules regarding tenants' personal property.

As for lithium-ion batteries, Kwan pointed out they're used in all sorts of personal items. "It's unusual and unreasonable," to ban transportation that uses these batteries, he said.

The National Research Council of Canada in June examined a literature review on the potential hazards of parked electric vehicles and it concluded that while the EV fire hazards are not higher than gas cars, there are concerns about outdated parking structures. It said that more research is needed to understand how to prevent fires, specifically when it comes to "robo cars."

How risky are lithium-ion batteries?

Lithium-ion batteries are found in most consumer electronics, such as EVs as well as cordless drills, smartphones, and video game controllers. According to Transport Canada, they are generally safe to use. However, they warn that these batteries are more prone to damage than other types of batteries and can become hazardous in certain conditions since they are more volatile. A test from the government agency revealed that while recognized brand original equipment manufacturer (OEM) batteries passed all safety tests, lower-cost, third-party batteries can pose an increased fire risk as they are much more likely to be substandard, counterfeit or poorly manufactured.

Said 3rd-party batteries are often cheaper than OEM batteries and are obviously manufactured by unrecognized brands. Signs of "fake" brands are misaligned labels or those containing spelling mistakes. They do not come with safety certifications and labels are bought from unverified sources.

The National Post suggested safety tips to minimize risks associated with these types of batteries. These include refraining from using batteries that are swollen or dented or show other signs of wear or damage. It should be noted that the batteries are not to be exposed to the sun for long periods or left in a hot or cold car. Overcharging batteries can also lead to fires, so its important to only charge your devices for the recommended charging time. "Some surface areas, like a couch or bed, can also increase the chance of a battery overheating by trapping in the heat. Only use original chargers or chargers that have recognized Canadian certification marks, such as CSA, cUL, or cETL," the website said, adding that it is recommended that batteries that are not in use be stored with about 50 percent charge and between temperatures of five to 20 degrees Celsius.

Check out RoboCars.news for stories about electric vehicles and the disadvantages of lithium batteries.

Sources for this article include:

CBC.ca

Publications.GC.ca

NationalPost.com
Trump: COMPROMISE with Russia could have helped Ukraine avoid war

Ukraine reaching a compromise with Russia could have resulted in minimal losses of territory and life, according to former President Donald Trump.

The 45th U.S. president outlined this possibility during a Sept. 17 interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker. He argued that the Russia-Ukraine war, which began in February 2022, could have been prevented had Kyiv sat down with Moscow to ink a peace deal.

Per the former chief executive's words, the loss of Ukrainian territory to Russia is "something that could have been negotiated." He told Welker that "a lot of people" expected Kyiv to give up its claims to "Crimea and other parts of the country" in exchange for peace.

"So they could have made a deal where there's less territory [lost] than Russia has already taken. They could have made a deal where nobody was killed, [and] they would have had a Ukrainian country. Now, nobody even knows if Ukraine is going to be totally taken over."

According to Russia Today (RT), Trump may be referring to the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics with his "other parts of the country" statement. Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized the sovereignty of both Donetsk and Luhansk days before Moscow launched its "special military operation" in Ukraine.

Crimea voted to rejoin Russia in 2014. Eight years later, the two people's republics  formerly regions under Ukrainian administration  joined Russia following referendums held in September 2022. The Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions also followed suit, voting to join the Russian Federation.

Trump also claimed during his interview with Welker that he kept Ukraine and Russia "from doing anything" during his presidency. He cited, in particular, the low oil prices that characterized his term in the White House following his victory in the 2016 presidential elections. Trump argued that the low oil prices would have made it too costly for Russia  a leading oil exporter  to finance a military operation.

Trump promises peace deal between Russia, Ukraine if elected in 2024

Trump then repeated his promise that if elected in the 2024 presidential race, he would have a peace deal worked out between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours. He voiced out his intent to invite Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into one room with him to work out a deal.

"It would have been easier if the [Russia-Ukraine] war didn't start, and you'd have hundreds of thousands of people living, most importantly," Trump noted. "But I can get it done, and I can get it done quickly."

The former president outlined his plan to bring about peace between Moscow and Kyiv in July during an interview with Maria Bartiromo of Fox News. Trump mentioned that he knew both leaders "very well," sharing his plan to utilize his "good relationship" with both Putin and Zelensky.

"I would tell Zelensky, 'No more, you got to make a deal.' I would [also] tell Putin, 'If you don't make a deal, we're going to give him a lot. We're going to [give Ukraine] more than they ever got if we have to.' I will have that deal done in one day."

RT pointed out that Trump's stance on Ukraine is fundamentally different from incumbent U.S. President Joe Biden. The current chief executive, a Democrat, has vowed to bankroll Kyiv's military "for as long as it takes" to defeat Russia on the battlefield.

Republican candidates in the 2024 elections are espousing some sort of continued military aid to Ukraine, with Trump and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy going against the grain. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who supports bankrolling Ukraine, denounced his erstwhile boss on Sept. 17. He accused Trump of "embracing the politics of appeasement" and "letting Putin have what he wants."

Over at the Democratic Party, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.) is the only candidate espousing opposition to "forever war" with Russia. Back in June, he urged diplomacy with Russia instead of "forever war" in a speech in New Hampshire. RFK Jr.'s stance mirrored that of his uncle, the later former President John F. Kennedy, who delivered his Peace Speech 60 years earlier in June 1963. (Related: RFK Jr. calls for DIPLOMACY with Russia instead of "forever war" in speech.)

Visit Trump.news for more stories about former President Donald Trump.

Watch this video from "Hannity" on Fox News about former Vice President Mike Pence saying Russia wouldn't have invaded Ukraine under Trump.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russian foreign minister Lavrov claims West has prevented Ukraine from taking part in peace talks, now 'almost in a real war' with his country.

Peace talks over Russia-Ukraine conflict could be held as soon as July, German media reports.

National security experts call for peace and end of arms shipments to Ukraine.

Sources include:

RT.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Ukrainian intelligence about explosions in Crimea: AFU General Staff to announce details very soon

Ukrainian forces carry out scheduled work on Russia's military objects in the temporarily occupied territories, including in Ukraine's Crimea, Spokesperson for the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine Andriy Yusov has said while commending on the recent explosions on the peninsula.

"Scheduled work of the Ukrainian security and defense forces continues. Of course, on the military objects of the occupiers in the temporarily occupied territories, including in Ukraine's Crimea. Details will be announced very soon by the Armed Forces and the General Staff," he said on the air of the national telethon on Wednesday.

Yusov said that in recent days "there have been a lot of news from Crimea, and all this is happening within the framework of a single complex of measures."

"All these measures are effective, trust me," he said.

Yusov also said that the measures are aimed at weakening of enemy's positions, as Crimea is its logistics hub, in particular, for the transfer of troops.

"Certain operations are aimed at this logistics hub: in the sea, on the ground, and in the air. Follow up the updates," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Telegram channels, including the Crimean Wind channel, reported explosions in the vicinity of Inkerman and at the air bases in Belbek and Kacha, Crimea.
Stand-alone unit formed by FBI to investigate and mitigate threats against prosecutors and agents was involved in Hunter Biden probe

Prosecutors and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents involved in the Hunter Biden investigation have been getting threats from the public, who think they haven't been "tough enough" on the president's son . The threats have gotten so bad that the FBI decided to create a stand-alone unit to investigate and mitigate them.

"We have stood up an entire threat unit to address threats that the FBI employees' facilities are receiving," Jennifer L. Moore, then an executive assistant director of human resources for the FBI, told the House Judiciary Committee in June.

"It is unprecedented. It's a number we've never had before. It's going to be about 10 people when it's finished. We are still in the process of staffing it right now. But their sole mission on a daily basis is threats to FBI employees at facilities."

Moore noted that the threats had more than doubled. She reported that there were more in the six months from October to March than in the previous 12 months.

The report has also linked the dramatic uptick in threats against the FBI and the Department of Justice (DOJ) as congressional Republicans accused both agencies of participating in a conspiracy to subvert justice amid federal indictments of former President Donald Trump. According to officials, the pace of harassment increased after the FBI investigations of the former POTUS became public last summer. It has not slowed since then, they said.

Federal prosecutor Lesley Wolf have also received a number of threats that made her seek U.S. Marshals Service assistance as per an unreleased testimony to the Congressional committee. Two Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents have accused Wolf of making decisions that appeared favorable to Biden. (Related: Mounting Hunter Biden evidence vindicates Trump on first impeachment, his spokeswoman says.)

Meanwhile, "high-ranking FBI officials and prosecutors" were reported to have armed protection. Special counsel Jack Smith and his team have long been protected by an armed security detail, same with Robert Hur, the special counsel appointed to investigate classified documents found at President Joe Biden's home and office.

Just recently, an FBI agent involved in the younger Biden's investigation told the Judiciary Committee that the threats have extended to agents' family members. "Things towards their families, that has absolutely increased," Thomas Sobocinski, an FBI agent involved in the investigation, said in an interview. "The sense of the employees and especially the sense of their families is, yes, they feel threatened."

Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, told Sobocinski that the committee's counsel, Steve Castor, "faced the same kind of thing" when he defended Trump in impeachment proceedings. "There's no place for that kind of threat and that kind of thing," Jordan said.

Federal jury indicts Hunter Biden with felony gun charges

Amid all these stories of threats, Hunter Biden was indicted on gun charges Thursday, September 14, by a federal grand jury, less than two months after an earlier plea agreement he'd reached with prosecutors on tax and gun charges fell apart.

In the indictment filed by special counsel David Weiss in the U.S. District Court in Delaware, the president's son has been charged with three criminal counts: two related to false statements he allegedly made while purchasing the firearm and a third for illegal possession of a firearm while addicted to drugs. The three charges carry a combined maximum prison sentence of 25 years.

As per the prosecutors, on or about Oct. 12, 2018, Hunter deceived a firearms dealer in Delaware while buying a Colt Cobra 38SPL revolver by falsely stating on a federal firearms application that he was not addicted to any narcotics. Hunter has since acknowledged he was a drug addict.

Hunter allegedly certified on the form that "he was not an unlawful user of, and addicted to, any stimulant, narcotic drug, and any other controlled substance, when in fact, as he knew, that statement was false and fictitious," the indictment included.

BidenCrimeFamily.news contains more about the Biden family's illegal international business dealings.

Watch the full episode of the "Pete Santilli Show" below that talks about the indictment of Hunter Biden on federal firearms charges.

This video is from the Pete Santilli Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Hunter Biden's lucrative INFLUENCE PEDDLING scheme could spell the end for "Big Guy" Joe.

EXPLOSIVE REPORT: Unearthed emails show Hunter Biden helped coordinate takedown of ex-Ukrainian Prosecutor Shokin.

REPORT: Hunter Biden hired PR firm to clean up his Wikipedia page and make him look good.

Hunter Biden reverses Joe's narrative, admits receiving $664,000 from CCP's CEFC in 2017.

Hunter Biden implicated in a 'laundry list' of corrupt overseas business practices as father Joe Biden intimately involved.

Sources include:

NBCNews.com

AOL.co.uk

Storage.CourtListener.com

Brighteon.com
Eye-opening interview: Canadian economist Chossudovsky blasts U.S. government for pushing nuclear war propaganda, recommending safe use of nuclear weapons in conventional war theater

Canadian economist Prof. Michel Chossudovsky discussed with Mike Adams during a recent episode of the "Health Ranger Report" how the U.S. Empire is run by arrogant and bullying leaders who do not consider the consequences of nuclear war  let alone understand history and geopolitics  making it seem that they are not aware of the limits and danger of their own power.

Chossudovsky, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Ottawa and president and director of the Centre for Research on Globalization, pointed out during the show how the "decision-makers" are brainwashing the public into believing their narrative. "The problem is that the decision-makers are necessarily specialists in nuclear war. They create and believe in their own propaganda. Decision-makers are also victims of their own propaganda," the expert on geopolitical, economic, and public health analysis around the world said.

"I've been doing research on nuclear weapons for more than 20 years. But what struck me was this Nuclear Posture Review under the Bush administration published in 2002, where public opinion was led to believe that nuclear weapons, particularly the so-called mini-nukes, were harmless to the surrounding civilian population because the explosion was underground," he disclosed and added, with a disclaimer that he is quoting Pentagon documents. According to the Department of Defense (DOD), the Nuclear Posture Review is a legislatively mandated review that establishes U.S. nuclear policy, strategy, capabilities, and force posture for the next five to ten years.

He analogized what happened to a pack of cigarettes and the government would say, "Smoking is good for your health." They changed the label and they said, "This bomb is good for your health, go ahead and use it." "That was entrenched in the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review. At the same time, it recategorized nuclear weapons so that they could be used in the conventional war theater. They did not require the permission of the commander-in-chief, it could be a three-star general-approved. Now that, I think, is the beginning of this whole process," he recalled.

Adams agreed adding that this put the country in very dangerous waters. Meanwhile, the host mentioned a recent military exercise being conducted that could launch a nuclear conflict  Operation Sea Breeze by the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet, which ran from Sept 11 to 15 in Constanta, Romania. "This is a land and sea-based exercise with multinational Allies and Partners, aimed to enhance the capabilities of the Black Sea and Partnership for Peace maritime security forces while progressively training and preparing the Ukraine Maritime Command staff," the U.S. Navy website wrote.

"This [Sea Breeze exercises] could be used as a cover story to plant or to detonate a nuclear weapon," Adams warned and also cited the Baltic Sea operations, which was used as a reason to plant the explosives that blew up the Nord Stream pipeline.

"It was civilian infrastructure target that has devastated the industrial economies of Germany and other European, and Western European nations," the Natural News and Brighteon founder said. "This is something that the U.S. has done before. And I'm very concerned that they may do it again."

Chossudovsky concurred pointing out that the United States has invested in a $1.3 trillion nuclear weapons program, which "goes into the pockets of the military-industrial complex." And not only that, he also emphasized the fact that nuclear weapons are already on the table and they're not something which are there as a weapon of last resort. Thus, he said, any incident in the Black Sea, resulting from the exercise and deployment of military hardware, could lead to a false flag and trigger World War three. (Related: Nuclear war escalation alert  Urgent interview with Steve Quayle.)

U.S. is willing to commit suicide just to incite WWIII with Russia

Elsewhere in the show, Adams and Chossudovsky talked about acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland and her role in triggering an imminent war with the Russians. "In my opinion, she is one of the most dangerous figures in the history of the United States of America. And she has ethnic hatred toward people of Russian, ethnicity or descent. She seeks the total destruction of an entire ethnic group. Her obvious hatred is allowed to run amok across U.S. foreign policy," the Health Ranger noted. "This kind of thing leads me to believe that out of sheer desperation to destroy Russia, the U.S. is willing to set off a nuclear weapon against its own naval vessels, in a Pearl Harbor-like incident, to gain public support for full engagement with Russia in World War Three."

For the professor, Nuland has an instrument of their powerful entities behind her, which stay in the shadows. But for him, removing Nuland will not change things. "Nuland is in Africa but she's all over the place as far as regime change is concerned. I read that Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg made a statement a few months back, saying very textually the war started in 2014. Now, everybody says it's the Russians that started it in February 2022. But then he said, 'No, it didn't start. It's there,'" the professor said citing an interview of the NATO head with the Washington Post.

He also explained that looking at the start of the war in 2014, Noland was there, associated very closely with the "Nazi parties," which showed that there was a neo-Nazi agenda embedded in U.S. foreign policy. "And when I look at the project of the New American Century, it also has certain doctrine behind it when they said we are going to wage a long war and a whole series of theater wars and will also modernize a weapons system. But the thing is, those wars are simultaneous. Nuland must have been also involved because her husband was one of the authors of this project."

Visit NuclearWar.news for stories related to the impending nuclear war being waged by the U.S. government.

Watch the"Health Ranger Report" episode featuring Michel Chossudovsky below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DOD.Defense.gov

Navy.mil

Brighteon.com
White House: NO PARDON for Hunter Biden if found guilty on gun charges (a small slap on the wrist that protects him from much larger prosecutions)

Hunter Biden won't be pardoned by his father, President Joe Biden, according to the White House following the presidential son's indictment on gun-related charges.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre reiterated this statement during a Sept. 15 press conference. A day before, the younger Biden was indicted in a Delaware federal court on two counts of making false statements on federal forms. He was also indicted on one count of unlawful possession of a firearm while addicted to a controlled substance for a total of three charges.

"I've answered this question before," said Jean-Pierre. "It was asked of me not too long ago, a couple of weeks ago, and I was very clear. I said 'No.'" (Related: White House press secretary: No presidential pardon for Hunter Biden.)

When asked if the elder Biden had spoken with his son about the indictment, she replied that she wouldn't comment on the president's private conversations with family members. "The elder Biden has rarely addressed his son's legal woes, speaking out only on occasion to offer brief expressions of love and support," the Epoch Times pointed out.

The presidential son's Sept. 14 indictment followed the collapse of a plea deal between his lawyers and federal prosecutors. Had the so-called "sweetheart" deal pushed through, Hunter would likely have avoided jail time for the three charges he was later indicted.

The plea deal fell apart after U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, an appointee of former President Donald Trump, scrutinized the scope and enforceability of the agreement. Negotiations between the government and defense lawyers unraveled, and the case was subsequently dismissed. The latter allows Special Counsel David Weiss to bring in charges in another venue, according to the Epoch Times.

Ziegler: Joe will pardon Hunter at the last minute

Meanwhile, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan reiterated that the president remains "focused on the things the American people want [him] focused on" amid his son's indictment. Sullivan's response followed questions about whether the indictment had taken a toll on the elder Biden's mental focus, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

"You don't have to take it from me; you heard directly from the president that he's focused on delivering for the American people," said Sullivan. "That's true in terms of what he's trying to get done here at home, and it's definitely true in terms of what he's trying to deliver in the way of security at the UN General Assembly in supporting Ukraine and moving forward."

While Jean-Pierre reiterated that the White House won't be pardoning Hunter, many still wonder if the so-called "big guy" will pardon his son should the latter be convicted. According to Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY), the president doing so would be a "mistake."

"I don't think there's any chance that [Joe] Biden is going to do that," he told ABC anchor Jon Karl back in July. "[The elder] Biden has restored the integrity of the Department of Justice, and I think you see that in this case."

But not everyone agrees that a pardon is off the table. Garrett Ziegler, a former aide to Trump-era White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro, is among these skeptics. According to him, there's no chance that the elder Biden won't pardon his son.

"Even if it's the last night he's there, Joe will pardon the family at the federal level because he's terrified of what Trump will do after the fact," Ziegler said.

Visit BidenCrimeFamily.news for more stories about Joe and Hunter Biden.

Watch Pete Hegseth of "Fox & Friends Weekend" explaining why Joe Biden will definitely pardon his son Hunter below.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Amid escalating legal charges, "Big Guy" Joe Biden insists Hunter is INNOCENT.

Hunter Biden pleads guilty to a trio of minor crimes, but the probes into his corruption continue.

Hunter Biden pleads NOT GUILTY to tax charges after judge raises concerns over terms of previously negotiated plea deal.

House Judiciary Committee: David Weiss appointment as special counsel in DOJ's Hunter Biden probe a COVER-UP TACTIC.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

BizPacReview.com

Brighteon.com
A California woman who had undercooked tilapia contracted a vibrio bacteria infection, which led to the amputation of all her limbs.

Undercooked Tilapia Meal Ends in Leg Amputation

After consuming some undercooked tilapia, a mother in California had to have all of her limbs amputated.

According to information provided in a GoFundMe account started by Laura Barajas' close friend Anna Messina, Barajas last month bought fish from a nearby San Jose market and ate it at her home. Unfortunately, Barajas, 40, had to endure a trying hospital stay that lasted for more than a month as she battled a Vibrio vulnificus infection. On Wednesday, Barajas underwent surgery to have all her limbs amputated.

Vibrio Vulnificus Bacteria Infection

By September 1, the CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an urgent alert, warning the public of the increasing cases of Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infections in the US as temperatures of ocean waters continue to rise. This is based on the warming waters of the Gulf of Mexico, which is the breeding ground for Vibrio vulnificus responsible for around 80,000 yearly infections across the US.

Symptoms of a Vibrio vulnificus infection include watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fever. The agency also emphasizes that infected wounds may display signs such as redness, warmth, discomfort, swelling, discoloration, and unusual discharge.

The primary source of Vibrio infections is the consumption of raw or undercooked oysters and shellfish. The CDC strongly advocates raising public awareness and implementing rigorous food safety measures to curtail the spread of these infections.

In response to this alarming situation, the CDC advises against consuming raw or undercooked shellfish, including oysters, and recommends thorough handwashing with soap and water after handling raw shellfish. Furthermore, they caution individuals with open wounds to avoid contact with salt water to prevent Vibrio infection. Staying vigilant and adhering to these guidelines can help mitigate the risk of Vibrio vulnificus infections.

Also Read: Denver Zoo Angelfish Gets CT Scan After Abnormal Swimming Patterns

Warming Temperatures and Wound Infections

The CDC advises healthcare professionals to consider Vibrio vulnificus as a potential culprit for wounds infected in coastal waters, especially near the Gulf of Mexico or the Eastern Coast during elevated sea surface temperatures. Rising water temperatures are expected to cause more frequent and extensive Vibrio infections, according to a recent USDA study. There are indications that this change is already taking place. Surprisingly, an epidemic happened in Alaska in 2004-more than 600 miles farther north than any other cases-providing unmistakable proof of this new pattern. It underscores the importance of vigilance and proactive measures in coastal regions.

Infections, once uncommon in Oregon and Washington, are now commonplace there.

Because of increasing sea surface temperatures linked to modest increases in greenhouse gas concentrations, non-cholera Vibrio infection cases in the US may increase by more than 100% if global warming is not controlled by 2090 compared to 1995.

Vibrio is just one form of infection whose effects will probably worsen in the twenty-first century due to climate change.

Related Article: Parasite Philaster Sends 5000 Sea Urchins Dead to France's Reunion Island Shores
Alligators have been invading a Pennsylvania town for the past several months, according to local reports. The town is typically alligator-free since the area and Pennsylvania itself have a relative climate that is not very friendly to gators, unlike Florida.

As the 2023 US winter season draws near, residents are reportedly hoping that the remaining reptiles on the loose in the town are caught even before the looming cold autumn.

Pennsylvania Alligator Invasion

Alligators are common in Florida where one might encounter them on near daily basis, especially in areas near swamps and lakes. However, the presence of gators is not common in the northern and colder parts of the US, including in states like Pennsylvania.

In a report last week, the Pennsylvania alligator invasion has been occurring in Kiskiminetas Township, located in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. The town has a population of approximately 4,600 based on a 2020 census. Yet, there has been no definitive recorded alligator population in the local area not until this year.

Since the start of the summer season in June, there have been three invading alligators in Kiskiminetas, a phenomenon deemed by many as bizarre and even unusual in the mid-Atlantic region.

Based on the report, the appearance of the gators remains a mystery. Yet, one of the three reptiles was believed to have escaped from its owner. The two-foot alligator was able to head into the Kiskiminetas River after a transfer transaction between its owner and a recipient went wrong.

Also Read: Alligator That Killed 2-Year-Old Boy In Disney Resort Caught

Proposed Pet Alligator Ban

Although there are several states that ban the ownership of alligators, Pennsylvania allows it.

Due to the incidents in recent months, with two alligators still on the loose in the Pennsylvania town, community members in Kiski Township held a heated public meeting on September 13. During the gathering, the locals discussed the proposed pet alligator ban in the town.

While the proposed ordinance was reportedly not meant to be voted or implemented, township supervisors maintained it was supposed to serve as a guideline of ideas. If approved, the ordinance prohibits any residents to make alligators as pets.

Are There Alligators in Pennsylvania?

As mentioned earlier, Pennsylvania has a non-friendly climate for alligators. However, it does not mean alligators cannot survive in the state. According to the conservation organization American Oceans, the Pennsylvania climate is not ideal as an alligator habitat and there have been no known established local gator population in the state.

There are several species of alligators, including the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), which typically live in the southeastern US.

Sometimes referred to as the common alligator or gator for short, American alligators are most prevalent in the states of Louisiana and Florida. According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, there are over 1 million wild alligators in each state, where they can be found in ponds, canals, rivers, swamps, lakes, and bayous.

In recent years, the large alligator population in Florida has resulted in multiple encounters, including fatal attacks on humans.

Related Article: Mexican Mayor Marries Alligator 'Dressed as a Bride' as Part of an Ancient Ritual for Good Fortune
A black bear was captured by Florida wildlife officials following a bear sighting that caused the temporary closure of 10 rides at a Disney theme park.

Bear Sighting in Disney

The black bear that managed to steal the show on Monday at Walt Disney World was reportedly in a tree close to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland, according to eyewitness accounts.

Visitors are not permitted to enter the park's western side because cast members are stationed at the Liberty Square and Adventureland entrances.

Bears in Florida

Bears can be found practically anywhere in Florida, but they prefer a variety of flatwoods, swamps, scrub oak ridges, bayheads, and hammock environments, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. where they travel to find food, water, and a suitable hiding place.

The bear that was spotted Monday was not the first unexpected wildlife sighting at Magic Kingdom. Numerous alligators have been spotted by Splash Mountain over the years as logs pass past, and one even made a home in a washroom stall.

Disney has a robust animal management operation that is prepared to address the majority of wildlife-related incidents in the area.

Although black bears are often not violent, however, they can turn aggressive if they feel threatened, just like any other wild animal. More than half of the bear-related injuries to individuals in Florida have involved dogs. Owners should keep dogs nearby while walking them, ideally on a non-retractable leash, and pay attention to the surroundings. This will help to avoid conflicts with bears and other wildlife.

Also Read: Grizzly Bear Sightings Increase as Population Expands Across More Spots in Montana

10 Rides Temporarily Closed

Due to the black bear's appearance in a tree in the Magic Kingdom, three areas - Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Adventureland - didn't open on time Monday morning, and there were lengthy lines as a result of the animal encounter. Country Bear Jamboree, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, Hall of Presidents, Jungle Cruise, and five additional rides are among those that are momentarily closed.

According to a statement from Disney World, members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came to the site to capture and relocate the black bear.

The bear sighting has been reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which brought FWC Law Enforcement personnel on site, and bear management program biologists are on the site. While the staff was still attempting to capture the bear, the agency reminded visitors that in most circumstances, it is ideal to leave bears room to roam and to go ahead on their own.

Bear that prompted closures at Disney's Magic Kingdom relocated | Watch here: https://t.co/93y47FyYTJ pic.twitter.com/UHSuvtAh8y  WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) September 19, 2023

The adult female black bear ended up being captured and taken outside the park, possibly to the Ocala National Forest, according to the commission.

According to a statement from the Wildlife Commission, the bear was probably looking for food as it tried to stock up for the winter.

Related Article: Grizzly Bears Being Baited, Trapped in Yellowstone Until August 31 for Ongoing USGS Studies, Collaring
A doughnut-shaped island off the coast of England, United Kingdom, built as a tidal barrage several decades ago has been abandoned.

The initial construction of the doughnut island called Outer Trial Bank is one of the two islands, with the other called Inner Trial Bank, was halted by the UK government. Its purpose was to capture freshwater but it was deemed to be inefficient and expensive.

Trial Bank Islands

The failed engineering project of the 1970s surrounding the Trial Bank islands is still visible today in the waters of the Wash, a rectangular bay with multiple estuaries located off the East coast of England. The so-called "two test islands" served to investigate the quality of water constructed on the former seabed.

In 1972, the British government spearheaded the ambitious plan of the Trial Bank Islands, with the idea to build not only a tidal barrage but also a power station and freshwater reservoir to capture the outflow current coming from the river Nene, according to the travel company Atlas Obscura.

It did not take long for the project to push through when the construction started in 1975. The test cost was 3 million but the government determined the project was both "costly and impractical" since the central reservoir became salty and silty, the travel company said.

Based on recent reports, the once promising donut island was completely abandoned.

Also Read: Belgium Plans to Build Artificial Island to Store Wind Energy

What is a Tidal Barrage System?

A tidal barrage is like a dam but with turbines at the bottom of its reservoir. The said structure creates a barrier between the sea and the tidal basin to produce power. The tidal barrage system involves the use of gates which regularly opens and closes to control the flow of water and utilize power generation, according to the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland.

With these, tidal barrages are a feat in hydraulics engineering but with numbers not as many as dams and other related artificial structures. This is according to the said Glasgow university, which says that there are several proposed tidal barrage schemes worldwide but only a few of them have come to fruition.

A tidal barrage is ideally installed across the inlet of an ocean bay or lagoon that serves as a tidal basin. According to the US Energy Information Administration, tidal power has a potential disadvantage since tidal station can have negative impact on animals and plants in estuaries connected to tidal basins.

While tidal barrages are not as popular as dams, the latter has been deemed by some scientists and conservationists alike to be detrimental to fish and other marine creatures.

In recent years, a dam removal project is underway across the US with the aim of restoring natural habitats; since the large structures, sometimes called "river barriers" can block the pathway of foraging, and mating freshwater organisms.

Related Article: Artificial Islands Around British Isles Were Used by Elites for Ancient Parties to Show Wealth and Power
There is a chance of snow in the higher-elevation areas in the Wyoming Mountains this week. On the other hand, flooding rainfall with thunderstorms is forecasted in parts of Colorado.

The possible snow could bring cooler temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and Wyoming.

Anyone with travel plans should monitor the weather this week for possible slower commutes or reduced road visibility.

Severe storms with large to very large hail possible from OK into central TX. A developing upper trough is bringing rain/snow mixed to the mountains in the Pacific Northwest. Fire weather threats are elevated for parts of the North Plains. pic.twitter.com/B3uYqm2NuJ  National Weather Service (@NWS) September 19, 2023

The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that a mix of rain and snow is expected in the Pacific Northwest, while large hail is likely in parts of Texas.

Wyoming snow chances this week

According to the weather reports, Western and Central Wyoming could experience possible rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday.

The rain can help unleash cooler temperatures in the region.

People in the flood-prone or low-lying areas are vulnerable to possible flooding and flash floods this week.

On Friday, the snow could unload in the Wyoming mountains, especially for higher elevation areas. Northwest could also experience the possible accumulation of snow due to a cold storm system from Canada.

The early taste of winter could give relief from the heat. The much-awaited snow is likely in mountainous areas, including the Northern Rockies, Elkhorn Mountains, Wallowa Mountains, Sierra Nevada and the Cascades.

From Wednesday to Thursday, possible snow could be likely in the region. Meanwhile, cooler temperatures are likely in the following areas:

Seattle

Spokane

Medford

Boise

Salt Lake City

Redding

Prince George

Colorado weather: Flooding rainfall and thunderstorms

As of September 19's advisory, parts of Colorado could experience severe thunderstorms and heavy rain. People are advised to watch out for potential lightning strikes.

On Wednesday, the isolated thunderstorms could become more noticeable. In the Plains, fire threat is possible on the weekend.

Pacific Northwest cooler weather

The NWS noted possible snow in the Pacific Northwest. Rainy outlook could hit parts of Oregon, Dakotas and Nevada.

In the Florida peninsula, residents can experience unsettled weather conditions.

As the fall weather is near, temperatures are expected to cool down in parts of the US.

In October, the advisory noted the possible first measurable snow in the country with freezing temperatures.

Meanwhile, a warmer outlook could impact parts of the Great Lakes and Midwest on the midweek. The challenging heat could spread over the South-Central US.

Americans with AC conditions are at risk of the hot weather outlook in the South-Central.

Also Read: Northeastern US Winter-Like Weather: Cooler Temperatures Likely This Week Due to Cold Storm System

Watch out for hurricanes and storms

September is very active in hurricanes. While relief from hurricanes is on the way, Americans should keep alert for possible hurricane conditions this week.

Late hurricanes can emerge with favorable conditions in the ocean. Emergency kits are also essential to prepare for the coming fall weather and winter.

As of September 19, the National Hurricane Center monitored possible storms in the Atlantic Basin.

Related Article: US Weather Forecast: High Temperatures Likely in Central US; Northeast to Expect More Rain

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The beneficial rain is expected in the Central US this week due to a low-pressure area. According to the latest forecasts, thunderstorms and excessive rainfall could be likely this week.

Americans with travel plans should check the weather, as heavy rain could cause slower commutes and travel concerns.

Recently, the Central US experienced above-average temperatures, reaching from mid-80s and 90s on Wednesday. The relief from the heat could help with drought conditions and uncomfortable heat.

Central US Weather: Relief from the heat

According to the latest forecast, flooding downpours, challenging winds and hail conditions are likely on Friday. The affected areas are the following:

Sioux Falls

Omaha

Salina

Kearney

Kansas City

The low pressure and moisture from the Gulf of Mexico could help unload the region's heavy rain and thunderstorm conditions. On the weekend, severe thunderstorms are likely in Kansas, Oklahoma City, Omaha and Sioux Falls.

Oklahoma and North Texas could also experience large hail outlook and tornado threat, according to an advisory on September 19. Possible tornadoes could emerge as well.

On the weekend, the severe weather could continue in the following areas:

Sioux Falls

Omaha

Des Moines

Kansas City

Springfield

The rain can benefit drought-stricken areas, but residents should stay alert for potential floodwaters or flooding due to excessive rainfall.

Weather in the Great Plains and Central Plains

On Tuesday night, scattered thunderstorms and flash flooding would impact parts of the Southern Great Plains.

Rain showers are likely in the Central Plains and parts of Kansas from Wednesday to Thursday. Meanwhile, Great Lakes can experience an above-average heat outlook.

Meanwhile, snow showers can unload in parts of Montana and Wyoming this week due to the colder air.

US East Coast weather outlook

In the US East Coast, the latest forecast reported a possible tropical system in the region, bringing a potentially severe weather outlook in midweek. The low-pressure area can help bring the rainy conditions, including in parts of Carolinas.

The tropical system could cause rough surf and rip currents on the weekend. Beachgoers should monitor the weather on the beaches.

Travel delays are also possible due to the heavy rain outlook this week. On Saturday and Sunday, rounds of rain could hit the following areas:

New York

Washingon

Richmond

Raleigh

Charleston

Portland

Also Read: Northestwern US Winter-Like Weather: Cooler Temperatures Likely This Week Due to Cold Storm System

Staying safe from flooding rainfall

The latest weather forecasts showed the flooding rainfall in parts of the country. Heavy rain could cause landslides, flash flooding and mudslides.

People must keep updated with the latest forecasts until the weekend. When the weather worsens, limiting outdoor activities is suggested.

Homeowners should also keep emergency supplies and weather kits, which include umbrellas, raincoat protection, medicine, food supplies, a small radio and flashlights.

Related Article: US Weather Forecast: Heavy Rain to Hit New England, Arizona, Central Wyoming, Colorado Early Week

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The latest forecast report showed that the early start of fall weather is expected on September 23. People in the US can anticipate possible freezing temperatures, the first measurable snowfall, and cooler weather.

Recent reports showed that the Pacific Northwest and high-elevation mountains can experience early snow showers.

Residents can expect a mixture of snow and rain this week.

The beginning of the fall weather can also mark the relief from hotter temperatures and possible hurricanes. However, Americans should keep alert to the latest weather forecast.

US Official Fall Weather: Is snow possible in October?

The cold storm system records Early winter-like temperatures in the Pacific Northwest.

In the Wyongming's mountains, the Northern Rockies, Cascades, Sierra Nevada and Cascades can expect early snow this month.

It can also mark the arrival of the much-awaited winter season and snow, which many Americans looked forward to the coming holidays.

According to reports, the arrival of the fall weather can help bring cooler air and temperature drop in the US.

Possible freezing chances could unfold in the West, Midwest and Northeastern US this October. Next month, colder temperatures can continue in the Deep South, Mid-Atlantic and Canadian regions.

Meanwhile, NOAA explained that strong El Nino would continue in the winter. There is a 95% possibility that El Nino could unfold from January to March 2024.

El Nino can unleash increasing temperatures aggravated by climate change. Last year, forecasters noted the warmer El Nino and late measurable snowfall in parts of the US, especially New York City.

Average winter conditions could likely emerge in the Pacific Northwest, Ohio Valley and Southern Alaska during the winter.

On the other hand, early first measurable snowfall could be likely in the following areas from October to December:

Southern Rockies

Midwest

Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Northern Plains

Parts of the West

Possible hurricanes and severe weather conditions

In the earlier reports, September is recorded as active in hurricane conditions. Although the fall weather outlook is near, hurricanes can likely spawn.

After September, possible severe weather conditions will unleash more thunderstorms, flooding rainfall and isolated tornadoes.

Americans should always keep updated with the latest forecasts and stay prepared for hurricane conditions in October.

Also Read: EL Nino Likely to Continue This Winter: 3 Things to Expect About the Weather

Preparing your home for severe weather conditions

Snow and severe weather can cause devastating damage to communities and houses. Home preparations are essential to prevent possible injuries or deaths.

Here are essential reminders to keep safe in severe weather conditions and other natural disasters.

Homeowners should always check their houses for damages and potential repairs, from the foundations to the roofing.

Having emergency kits is helpful during severe weather conditions, winter storms and strong tornadoes.

Related Article: US Weather Forecast: Chances of Snow Likely in Wyoming's Mountains, Pacific Northwest This Week

For more similar stories, don't forget to follow Nature World News.
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is negotiating with Croatian DOK-ING and Slovak Way Industries to localize the production of mechanized mine clearance machines in Ukraine, said Colonel Oleh Shuvarsky, Head of the Mine Action Department, Deputy Head of the Main Department of Mine Action, Civil Protection and Environmental Safety of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

As Shuvarsky said at a briefing at the Military Media Center, its primarily about the MV-10, Bozena-4, Bozena-5 machines, which have proven themselves most effectively during the work on cleaning de-occupied territories from explosive objects.

In parallel, the Ministry of Defense, together with the Ministry of Economy, are certifying domestic samples of mechanical mining machines that will be produced at Ukrainian enterprises.

Currently, this is still in the process. Now there are many [Ukrainian] manufacturers who are trying to manufacture mechanized mine clearance machines, but they do not meet safety requirements, which leads to violations of safety rules and civilian casualties, Shuvarsky said.

He added that now the primary need of mine action operators is estimated at 64 machines, despite the fact that currently only more than 20 mechanized complexes are in operation.
Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic plants that produce the largest flowers on Earth, some reaching up to a meter in diameter.

These spectacular blooms, however, are also among the most endangered, as they face multiple threats from habitat loss, climate change, and human exploitation.

A recent study by an international team of scientists has issued an urgent call for coordinated action to conserve these iconic plants before it is too late.

The biology and diversity of Rafflesia

Rafflesia is a genus of about 40 species of plants that are native to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia.

They are parasites that infect vines in the grape family (Vitaceae), and have no roots, stems, or leaves of their own.

They rely entirely on their hosts for water and nutrients and remain hidden inside the vines for most of their lives.

The only visible part of Rafflesia is the flower, which emerges from the vine at irregular intervals. The flower consists of five fleshy petals that surround a central disk with numerous reproductive structures.

The flower emits a foul odor of rotting flesh to attract flies for pollination, earning it the nickname "corpse flower." The flower lasts for only a few days before wilting and decaying.

Rafflesia is one of the most diverse genera of parasitic plants, with each species having a distinct morphology, ecology, and distribution.

Some species have flowers that are less than 10 cm in diameter, while others have flowers that are over 100 cm in diameter.

Some species are endemic to a single island or mountain range, while others are widespread across several countries, while some species are pollinated by specific flies, while others are pollinated by generalist insects.

The threats and challenges facing Rafflesia

Rafflesia is also one of the most threatened genera of plants in the world, with most species classified as critically endangered or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The main threat facing rafflesia is habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, mining, logging, and urbanization.

As rafflesia depends on its host vines for survival, any disturbance that affects the vines also affects Rafflesia.

Another threat facing Rafflesia is climate change, which may alter the temperature and precipitation patterns that influence the flowering and survival of Rafflesia.

Climate change may also affect the distribution and abundance of pollinators and host vines, which may reduce the reproductive success and genetic diversity of Rafflesia.

A further threat facing rafflesia is human exploitation, which may involve collecting flowers for medicinal or ornamental purposes, or harvesting host vines for timber or fuel.

Human exploitation may also involve ecotourism, which may damage or disturb the habitats and populations of Rafflesia.

One of the major challenges facing Rafflesia conservation is the lack of scientific knowledge and public awareness about these plants.

Due to their rarity and elusive nature, Rafflesia are difficult to study and monitor in the wild. Many aspects of their biology, ecology, evolution, and genetics remain unknown or poorly understood.

Moreover, many people are unaware of the existence or importance of Rafflesia, and may not appreciate their value or vulnerability.

Also Read: Rare Corpse Flower Draws Attention from Neighbors

The call for action to save Rafflesia

In light of these threats and challenges, a group of scientists from 13 institutions across nine countries has issued an urgent call for coordinated action to save Rafflesia from extinction.

The call was based on a comprehensive assessment of the conservation status and needs of all 42 known Rafflesia species, published in the journal Plants People Planet.

The scientists proposed a set of recommendations to improve the conservation of Rafflesia at different levels.

At the global level, they suggested updating the IUCN Red List assessments for all Rafflesia species, establishing an international network of experts and stakeholders, and promoting research and education on Rafflesia.

At the regional level, they suggested developing regional action plans and strategies for Rafflesia conservation, enhancing collaboration and cooperation among countries and organizations, and supporting local initiatives and projects on Rafflesia.

Lastly, at the local level, they suggested identifying and protecting key habitats and populations of Rafflesia, implementing sustainable management practices for host vines and forests, and engaging local communities and authorities in Rafflesia conservation.

The scientists emphasized that saving Rafflesia is not only important for preserving these unique plants themselves but also for maintaining the ecological integrity and cultural diversity of their habitats.

They argued that conserving Rafflesia would benefit other species that share their ecosystems, such as other plants, animals, fungi, and microbes.

They also argued that conserving Rafflesia would respect and support the rights and livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities that depend on or value these plants.

Related article: Evolution of Butterflies: A New Family Tree Shows Their Global Diversity
Flowering plants were found to be largely "unharmed" despite the mass extinction event caused by the dinosaur-killing Chicxulub asteroid 66 million years ago, according to a new study led by researchers from Mexico and the United Kingdom.

Specifically, the findings suggest although the Chicxulub impactor wiped out almost all life on Earth, including flowering plants, it still allowed some major families called angiosperms to thrive in a post-apocalyptic world free of non-avian dinosaurs.

In previous research, scientists for a long time thought that the planet-killing asteroid during the end of the Cretaceous period (145 million to 66 million years ago) killed most animals and plant species, regardless of their lineages.

However, the said Mexico, US study shows that the mass extinction event could not kill higher lineages of flowering plants, in addition to the survival of avian dinosaurs, ancient mammals, and ancestors of living organisms that we know today.

Flowering Plants' Survival

Flowering plants or angiosperms are vascular plants with leaves, stems, and roots that we see in our environment on a daily basis. These plants consist of thousands of species that bear flowers and fruits, including forbs, grasses, and grass-like plants.

In the study published in the journal Biology Letters on September 13, researchers Jamie Thompson from the University of Bath and Santiago Ramirez-Barahona from the National Autonomous University of Mexico discovered that there is no phylogenetic evidence of any angiosperm during the Cretaceous-Palaeogene mass extinction event.

In the case of flowering plants (Angiospermae), the researchers posed a major question in the context of macroevolution on whether the said extinction event was a factor in the rise of the angiosperms.

Also Read: Chicxulub Asteroid Impact Led to a 'Mega Earthquake' Lasting from Weeks to Months 66 Million Years Ago

Angiosperm Evolution

In a separate study published in the journal PNAS, its researchers cited Charles Darwin's perspective on angiosperm evolution. In particular, the English naturalist and proponent of the theory of evolution said that the sudden emergence of angiosperm in the fossil record was an "abominable mystery" and "perplexing phenomenon." He adds this is significant for people who believe in extremely gradual evolution.

The accounts of Darwin relating to angiosperms mean that this major family not only survived the Chicxulub mass extinction event but were able to dominate Earth, especially in the tropics and subtropics.

In addition to their remarkable evolution, flowering plants also pose an ecological importance in the natural habitats of different animals, from predators to herbivores and to the agents of pollination like honeybees.

Going back to the Biology Letters study, its author Thompson, during an online announcement by the University of Bath, stated angiosperms took the advantage after most of Earth's living organisms became extinction. Just like mammals, Thompson adds flowering plants thrived after the dinosaurs. He emphasized that currently, all life on Earth depends on these plants ecologically.

The study's research team arrived at their conclusion by examining major flowering plant lineages previously mapped from mutations of the DNA of thousands of species. This enabled the team to determine how flowering plants responded to the Cretaceous-Palaeogene mass extinction event.

Related Article: Dinosaur-Killing Chicxulub Asteroid Produced Mile-High Tsunami Waves That Traveled Halfway Worldwide [Study]
Thailand's air pollution has reached unprecedented levels this year. Poor air quality broke existing records for the capital city of Bangkok and the northern city of Chiang Mai, which are both designated as some of the world's most polluted cities for several days back in April.

As the environmental problem continued in recent months, the air pollution spike in the country resulted in millions of people needing medical treatment, according to reports.

Posing a threat to public health, a local agricultural body urged Thailand to ban crop burning, which has been deemed to contribute in the toxic airborne particles. A fast-emerging country, Thailand has developed as a nation in the past several decades in terms of social, industrial, and economic development, according to the World Bank.

Previous projections indicate Thailand is set to be one of the economic powerhouses of Asia in the next decade.

Call for Crop Burning Ban

Pornsil Patcharintanakul, president of the Thai Feed Mill Association, the country's leading agricultural organization, calls for the ban of the agricultural practice of crop burning, which is highly prevalent in Thailand. This comes as the nation's air quality index (AQI) further deteriorated in 2023, threatening the respiratory health of people, especially those living in urban areas.

Also called stubble burning, crop burning is a traditional farming practice to prepare a particular agricultural land for the next crop. The said method is commonly conducted between the months of December and April, a period which is also called the "burning season."

Since the said agricultural body operates under Thailand's commerce ministry, its president urging the current administration to take action regarding the matter.

Also Read: Air Pollution vs. Ozone Pollution Seesaw: Impacts on Health, Agriculture, Environment, Scientists Warn

Thailand Air Pollution

According to the World Health Organization, air pollution is a compounded mixture of different elements like gases, liquid droplets, and solid particles. However, its most critical repercussion comes from delicate particulate matter called PM 2.5, with a size even smaller than the width of a human hair.

Furthermore, the WHO adds that air pollution increases the risk of several non-communicable or chronic diseases like lung cancer, obstructive pulmonary disease, ischemic heart disease, and stroke.

Amid Thailand's air pollution spike, local authorities are asking the public to stay indoors and work from home due to the high concentration levels of the life-threatening "PM 2.5 particles," which can enter a person's bloodstream. These hazardous particles are severely dangerous for people with respiratory problems and other health conditions.

Thailand AQI Levels

As of Thursday, September 21, the average AQI of Thailand is 58, wherein the cities of Samut Sakhon and Rayong have the highest AQI of 139 and 105. Meanwhile, Bangkok is currently at 75 as of Thursday early morning.

AQI's website also shows the current PM 2.5 concentration in Thailand is "1.9 times above" the recommended maximum level given by the WHO. Aside from crop burning, experts previously linked transport emissions and other industrial activities to be some of the largest contributors to air pollution.

Related Article: Watch as Asian Air Pollution Chokes the World
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for ensuring that all regions of the world are represented in the UN Security Council (UNSC).

The UN Security Council must be fully accountable to the nations of the world. I welcome the proposals of various leaders to expand the representation of nations in the Security Council. The composition of the permanent members of the Security Council should reflect the current realities. Ukraine considers it unjust when billions of people do NOT have their permanent representation in the Security Council, he said, speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York on Wednesday.

The African Union must be here permanently. Asia deserves broader permanent representation  it cannot be considered normal when nations like Japan, India or the Islamic world remains outside the permanent membership of the Security Council. One should take into account the changes that have taken place in Europe, notably that Germany has become one of the key global guarantors of peace and security, he said.

Latin America must be represented here  permanently. And the Pacific states, he noted.

However, Zelenskyy said, we should not confine our attention to those in the top seats only. There is a need to expand the participation and access to the activities of the UN Security Council and its subsidiary bodies for all members of the UN General Assembly who are not recognized as aggressors.

At the same time, the Security Councils membership of any state should be suspended for a period of time when such a state resorts to aggression against another nation in violation of the UN Charter, Zelenskyy stated.
Biden plans to announce another major military aid to Kyiv on Thursday  media

U.S. President Joe Biden is going to announce on Thursday the allocation of a large package of military assistance to Ukraine, Western media report, citing an unnamed American official.

Biden will announce major military assistance to Ukraine on Thursday, the media reported.

They note that the application for assistance coincides with the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the United States.

According to Bloomberg, U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that the administration was still considering the issue of supplying Ukraine with long-range ATACMS missiles. The United States is also discussing this topic with Kyiv.

Earlier in September, CNN, citing informed sources, reported that Biden may soon decide to transfer ATACMS to Ukraine. According to the channel's interlocutors, discussions about sending ATACMS have intensified in recent weeks. They noted that the U.S. Department of State and the Pentagon recommend Biden to take this step.

Previously, Washington stated that it did not intend to send ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles to Kyiv due to their shortage.
Sorry, something doesn't look right.

Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed the UN Security Council to consider the issue of applying preventive sanctions in case of a threat of aggression.

"We need a system of preventing aggression by early response to actions directed against the territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. It is time to do this," the head of state said in his speech at a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.

The world nations "should agree on such a mechanism to respond aggression for the protection of others which everyone would like to have for their own security."

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine has showed what exactly could become such a mechanism. Among other things, these are powerful sanctions against the aggressor. And not only at the stage when Bucha had already happened, but also at the stage of the build-up of the invasion army. Anyone who wants to start a war should see before the fatal mistake what exactly they will lose when the war would start," Zelenskyy said.

"The issue of applying preventive sanctions should be automatically submitted for consideration to the UN Security Council when any member of the General Assembly reports the threat of aggression. Ukrainian soldiers now are doing at the expense of their blood what the UN Security Council should do by its votes  stopping aggression and upholding the principles of the UN Charter," the Ukrainian president said.
By Online Desk

The ongoing July-September quarter is likely to be a not-so-happy one for airline companies in India due to the dual impact of falling airfares and rising fuel costs.

According to a report by JM Financial, the airfares are down nearly 10% so far this quarter compared to the preceding, Apr-Jun period.

To make things worse for the aviation sector, the recent increase in crude oil prices is likely to result in an increase of 6% in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices during the same period.

Further, the recent rally in crude price is likely to result in higher ATF prices, noted analysts from JM Financial.

Airline companies such as InterGlobe Aviation and SpiceJet have been recovering from their COVID disruptions in recent quarters.

To address the fuel price issue, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is reported to be working with states to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) applicable on ATF; VAT rates at most major airports in India are still quite high.

However, there is little the government can do to revive demand.

The traffic for August 2023 marginally increased by 3% month-on-month to 12.4 million.

With an increasing number of aircraft in the air, the passenger load factor for the quarter is also expected to decline from the first quarter average of 90.3% with spot PLFs averaging nearly 85%, added the analysts.

A high load factor indicates that an airline has sold most of its available seats and is preferred over a low load factor.

Indeed, the last reported domestic passenger load factor for July 2023 witnessed a month-on-month decline across all airlines with Indigo registering 83.7% while Air Indias PLF stood at 84.2%.

Other Factors

Besides reduced demand and high fuel costs, the airlines are also facing other drag on their performance, such as technical problems. Go-firsts revival has slowed down post Delhi High Courts order to allow aircraft leasing

companies to access the aircraft leased to Go First for inspections and maintenance work.

In May this year, Go Airs budget owners- the Wadia group filed for voluntary insolvency resolution before the National Court of Law Tribunal (NCLT) sending shockwaves in the entire airline industry.

The NCLT has now granted Go Firsts resolution professional a week to file a reply to

applications by aircraft lessor DAE (SY22) 13 Ireland further slowing the revival process.

Go First was plagued by a peculiar problem -- the purported failure of the jet engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, USA, to supply engines/spares for its aircraft that grounded nearly 40 percent of the fleet for several months before it was compelled to totally suspend operations from the first week of May 2023. Indian airlines engine woes continue to deepen with phased inspection of engines by P&W.

Meanwhile, Indigo which is also facing engine-related issues is set to lease 22 aircraft. The airline is looking to induct these aircraft from the secondary lease markets as it faces the grounding of several aircraft due to P&W engine issues.

P&W will inspect 1,200 engines with 200 engines expected by mid-September.

The engine manufacturer will likely recall 600-700 engines from the current year 2023- 2026.

As of now, Indigos 45 aircraft are grounded.

The airline has hit further turbulence as Indigos ex-promoter Rakesh Gangwal's recent 5% stake sale in the company via a block deal is in line with his strategy to reduce stake in the company over the coming years.

Gangwals stake post the recent sale stands at 25%. Impending stake sale by Gangwal besides slowing earnings trajectory in the second quarter is likely to weigh on Indigos stock price.

The recent CCI approval for the Air India  Vistara merger will ensure the airline becomes the

number two airlines in the domestic space, posing a major setback to the airline.

The potential merger may not only provide economies of scale to both Vistara and Air India but also open up access to dozens of new slots globally for Singapore Airlines on the one hand and help Tata Sons consolidate its aviation business balance sheets on the other. Air India and Vistara are expected to retain their individual brand identities post-merger, though eventually, only one brand may remain.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

The ongoing July-September quarter is likely to be a not-so-happy one for airline companies in India due to the dual impact of falling airfares and rising fuel costs. According to a report by JM Financial, the airfares are down nearly 10% so far this quarter compared to the preceding, Apr-Jun period. To make things worse for the aviation sector, the recent increase in crude oil prices is likely to result in an increase of 6% in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices during the same period. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Further, the recent rally in crude price is likely to result in higher ATF prices, noted analysts from JM Financial. Airline companies such as InterGlobe Aviation and SpiceJet have been recovering from their COVID disruptions in recent quarters. To address the fuel price issue, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is reported to be working with states to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) applicable on ATF; VAT rates at most major airports in India are still quite high. However, there is little the government can do to revive demand. The traffic for August 2023 marginally increased by 3% month-on-month to 12.4 million. With an increasing number of aircraft in the air, the passenger load factor for the quarter is also expected to decline from the first quarter average of 90.3% with spot PLFs averaging nearly 85%, added the analysts. A high load factor indicates that an airline has sold most of its available seats and is preferred over a low load factor. Indeed, the last reported domestic passenger load factor for July 2023 witnessed a month-on-month decline across all airlines with Indigo registering 83.7% while Air Indias PLF stood at 84.2%. Other Factors Besides reduced demand and high fuel costs, the airlines are also facing other drag on their performance, such as technical problems. Go-firsts revival has slowed down post Delhi High Courts order to allow aircraft leasing companies to access the aircraft leased to Go First for inspections and maintenance work. In May this year, Go Airs budget owners- the Wadia group filed for voluntary insolvency resolution before the National Court of Law Tribunal (NCLT) sending shockwaves in the entire airline industry. The NCLT has now granted Go Firsts resolution professional a week to file a reply to applications by aircraft lessor DAE (SY22) 13 Ireland further slowing the revival process. Go First was plagued by a peculiar problem -- the purported failure of the jet engine manufacturer, Pratt & Whitney, USA, to supply engines/spares for its aircraft that grounded nearly 40 percent of the fleet for several months before it was compelled to totally suspend operations from the first week of May 2023. Indian airlines engine woes continue to deepen with phased inspection of engines by P&W. Meanwhile, Indigo which is also facing engine-related issues is set to lease 22 aircraft. The airline is looking to induct these aircraft from the secondary lease markets as it faces the grounding of several aircraft due to P&W engine issues. P&W will inspect 1,200 engines with 200 engines expected by mid-September. The engine manufacturer will likely recall 600-700 engines from the current year 2023- 2026. As of now, Indigos 45 aircraft are grounded. The airline has hit further turbulence as Indigos ex-promoter Rakesh Gangwal's recent 5% stake sale in the company via a block deal is in line with his strategy to reduce stake in the company over the coming years. Gangwals stake post the recent sale stands at 25%. Impending stake sale by Gangwal besides slowing earnings trajectory in the second quarter is likely to weigh on Indigos stock price. The recent CCI approval for the Air India  Vistara merger will ensure the airline becomes the number two airlines in the domestic space, posing a major setback to the airline. The potential merger may not only provide economies of scale to both Vistara and Air India but also open up access to dozens of new slots globally for Singapore Airlines on the one hand and help Tata Sons consolidate its aviation business balance sheets on the other. Air India and Vistara are expected to retain their individual brand identities post-merger, though eventually, only one brand may remain. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress was among the few parties that did not reveal its cards on the Womens Reservation Bill on the first day of discussion in Parliament. Even though the party did not oppose the bill per se, it did not announce its support either.

Instead, it alleged the BJP-led Central government had ulterior motives behind passing the Womens Reservation Bill on the eve of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

What took you [BJP] so long, why wasn't the bill brought in 2014 just before the elections? What they are trying to prove to the people? Is this a gimmick like pulling out a rabbit from the hat and placing it before the country?, asked Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the first member from TMC to participate in the parliamentary discussions on the Bill.

The TMC was among a handful of parties who insinuated that the government is not serious in its move to implement the womens reservation bill and that the reservation will not come into effect before the elections that are expected to take place in April-May next year.

Kakoli pointed out that the bill seems to be making the reservation conditional on the controversial delimitation proposal that will see south Indian states lose strength in the Indian parliament, while states like Uttar Pradesh will gain strength. The delimitation exercise is expected to add to BJPs strength as the party gets most of its MPs from the Hindi belt.

The government has raised many questions against themselves. Why is the delimitation linked with the reservation? It is a sinister move, she said adding that there will be more members in the parliament from states which have failed in population control and have a record of poor women empowerment.

ALSO READ | Women's bill: Countries with highest proportion of women MPs have reservation within parties

Parties such as BRS and CPI also echoed such concerns with CPI claiming that the bill may not get implemented before 2034 even if it is passed in its present shape.

Kakoli further claimed that India as a country needs to concentrate on catching perpetrators who harass and molest women rather than focusing on changing the names of cities and the nation.

Rather than allocating vast sums of money towards construction of structures and altering names of cities and nations I would urge my colleagues in BJP to prioritize transformation of the mindset, she said.

It is imperative that they demonstrate genuine respect for women by aligning their actions with their words moreover it is crucial to take appropriate action against individuals who are harming the women, showing disrespect, she added.

Blaming the BJP for its inaction during the wrestlers' sexual harassment row, Kakoli questioned the BJP as to why the party took no action when the women wrestlers complained of sexual harassment against one of their own leaders.

The golden girls of the country who got us medals have been sexually harassed and they were protesting in Jantar Mantar but the perpetrator sits here today; Brij Bhushan Singh has not been brought to work, so if you are really interested in taking care of the women's betterment and progress, then why don't you take action against the perpetrator, asked the TMC MP.

Why don't you take action against those people who have been molesting and killing women in Hathras, Unnao little Asifa was stoned to death in Jammu and the wrestlers have been manhandled and molested, said Kakoli.

The West Bengal MP further alleged that several women laborers under the 100-day employment scheme have been exploited.

There are many women who have worked in the field but their payment has not been released yet. That is also insulting the women laborers, she remarked.

Kakoli also reminded everyone about the fierce opposition mounted by the BJP when the womens reservation bill was introduced more than a decade ago. She said the party which is trying to act as if it is genuinely interested in womens empowerment had in fact questioned the bill when Sonia Gandhi advocated for the same back in 2010.

Kakoli quoted the BJP leader saying, In 2010, the BJP IT cell head asked Sonia if by pushing the Womens Reservation Bill, Congress has created another constitution for itself. When we should be talking and moving away from reservations of all kinds we have a new way of demanding reservation for women.

Kakoli further said that it was ironic that a party speaking of womens empowerment despite being in power in over 16 states in the country doesnt have one single woman chief minister.

We are actually delighted to witness the realization of our leader Mamta Banerjee's vision where women's rightful entitlements are being recognized and initiatives are being taken to uphold the vision throughout the country she passionately advocated for the implementation of women's reservation, she added.

We have more women than anywhere in the country, in the Rajya Sabha more than 33%, within the party without any forceful reservation being implemented through any parliamentary procedure or through the election commission at the moment TMC has nearly 40% of women members," she said.

She further quoted the National Crime Records Bureaus (NCRB) data that West Bengal registered the least number of rape cases in the country. UP had the highest number of molestation cases at 56,000 followed by Rajasthan at 40,000 and Maharashtra at 39,000.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

Mamata Banerjees Trinamool Congress was among the few parties that did not reveal its cards on the Womens Reservation Bill on the first day of discussion in Parliament. Even though the party did not oppose the bill per se, it did not announce its support either. Instead, it alleged the BJP-led Central government had ulterior motives behind passing the Womens Reservation Bill on the eve of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. What took you [BJP] so long, why wasn't the bill brought in 2014 just before the elections? What they are trying to prove to the people? Is this a gimmick like pulling out a rabbit from the hat and placing it before the country?, asked Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, the first member from TMC to participate in the parliamentary discussions on the Bill. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The TMC was among a handful of parties who insinuated that the government is not serious in its move to implement the womens reservation bill and that the reservation will not come into effect before the elections that are expected to take place in April-May next year. Kakoli pointed out that the bill seems to be making the reservation conditional on the controversial delimitation proposal that will see south Indian states lose strength in the Indian parliament, while states like Uttar Pradesh will gain strength. The delimitation exercise is expected to add to BJPs strength as the party gets most of its MPs from the Hindi belt. The government has raised many questions against themselves. Why is the delimitation linked with the reservation? It is a sinister move, she said adding that there will be more members in the parliament from states which have failed in population control and have a record of poor women empowerment. ALSO READ | Women's bill: Countries with highest proportion of women MPs have reservation within parties Parties such as BRS and CPI also echoed such concerns with CPI claiming that the bill may not get implemented before 2034 even if it is passed in its present shape. Kakoli further claimed that India as a country needs to concentrate on catching perpetrators who harass and molest women rather than focusing on changing the names of cities and the nation. Rather than allocating vast sums of money towards construction of structures and altering names of cities and nations I would urge my colleagues in BJP to prioritize transformation of the mindset, she said. It is imperative that they demonstrate genuine respect for women by aligning their actions with their words moreover it is crucial to take appropriate action against individuals who are harming the women, showing disrespect, she added. Blaming the BJP for its inaction during the wrestlers' sexual harassment row, Kakoli questioned the BJP as to why the party took no action when the women wrestlers complained of sexual harassment against one of their own leaders. The golden girls of the country who got us medals have been sexually harassed and they were protesting in Jantar Mantar but the perpetrator sits here today; Brij Bhushan Singh has not been brought to work, so if you are really interested in taking care of the women's betterment and progress, then why don't you take action against the perpetrator, asked the TMC MP. Why don't you take action against those people who have been molesting and killing women in Hathras, Unnao little Asifa was stoned to death in Jammu and the wrestlers have been manhandled and molested, said Kakoli. The West Bengal MP further alleged that several women laborers under the 100-day employment scheme have been exploited. There are many women who have worked in the field but their payment has not been released yet. That is also insulting the women laborers, she remarked. Kakoli also reminded everyone about the fierce opposition mounted by the BJP when the womens reservation bill was introduced more than a decade ago. She said the party which is trying to act as if it is genuinely interested in womens empowerment had in fact questioned the bill when Sonia Gandhi advocated for the same back in 2010. Kakoli quoted the BJP leader saying, In 2010, the BJP IT cell head asked Sonia if by pushing the Womens Reservation Bill, Congress has created another constitution for itself. When we should be talking and moving away from reservations of all kinds we have a new way of demanding reservation for women. Kakoli further said that it was ironic that a party speaking of womens empowerment despite being in power in over 16 states in the country doesnt have one single woman chief minister. We are actually delighted to witness the realization of our leader Mamta Banerjee's vision where women's rightful entitlements are being recognized and initiatives are being taken to uphold the vision throughout the country she passionately advocated for the implementation of women's reservation, she added. We have more women than anywhere in the country, in the Rajya Sabha more than 33%, within the party without any forceful reservation being implemented through any parliamentary procedure or through the election commission at the moment TMC has nearly 40% of women members," she said. She further quoted the National Crime Records Bureaus (NCRB) data that West Bengal registered the least number of rape cases in the country. UP had the highest number of molestation cases at 56,000 followed by Rajasthan at 40,000 and Maharashtra at 39,000. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Asnani By

Express News Service

JAIPUR: In its bid to regain power in Rajasthan, the BJP is investing significant efforts in the final leg of its 'Parivartan Sankalp Yatra'. On Wednesday, the party roped in two Chief Ministers and one Deputy CM from three BJP-governed states in Yatra rallies, a sign of its big expectations from the 4 Parivartan Yatras in the election-bound state.

While Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the Parivartan Sankalp Yatras in CM Ashok Gehlot's home turf in Jodhpur district, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya was fielded in Alwar; and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the Jhalrapatan area of Jhalawar. Nonetheless, the conspicuous absence of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje from these Yatras remains a focal point of discussion.

In their distinct styles, these three BJP luminaries vehemently attacked the Gandhi family, Congress and the Ashok Gehlot-led government of Rajasthan. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Gandhi family of fostering an atmosphere against Sanatan values in the country and directed a scathing critique towards Sonia Gandhi.

Sarma remarked, "Sonia Gandhi made an unfounded statement, including Rajiv Gandhi in the Women's Reservation Bill. Such actions should not have been taken."

Taking aim at Chief Minister Gehlot's free schemes, Sarma asserted, "This time, ahead of the elections, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appears quite apprehensive. This is evident from the frequent announcements being made. If public welfare were the priority, these schemes would have been launched earlier.  It has become a Congress tradition to distribute mobile phones, laptops, and spice packets before elections. I have personally witnessed this tradition closely within the Congress," Sarma added further.

If Sarma was caustic in Jodhpur, UP deputy CM Keshav Maurya was no less critical in Alwar. He particularly targeted what he called the rampant corruption in the Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya participated in the Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in Thanagaji town of Alwar. While addressing the public meeting, Maurya said that the people of Rajasthan can win 25 out of 25 seats in the Lok Sabha and can win 200 out of 200 seats in the Assembly elections.

While talking to the media, Maurya said, "In Rajasthan, I clearly see that the Bharatiya Janata Party will have a record victory. The people here have forgotten everything, they only remember Narendra Modi and the lotus flower."

Similarly, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami criticised the Gehlot government for its alleged mishandling of women's issues.

Dhami stated, "Since independence, Congress-led governments in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have consistently worked to erode our cultural identity. The numerous incidents that have transpired in Rajasthan over the last five years, especially the mistreatment of women, cannot be overlooked, yet the Congress government remains silent."

Despite the BJP's concerted efforts, the level of enthusiasm among party workers during the Parivartan Sankalp Yatras does not match the fervour observed in election year. The primary reason for this appears to be the absence of CM Vasundhara Raje from these visits, with Raje not even attending the public meeting organised by CM Pushkar Dhami in her home district of Jhalawar.

Notably, this marks the first time in several elections that the BJP has entered the electoral fray without declaring its chief ministerial candidate. Party insiders suggest that this time, the Rajasthan elections will pivot on the faces of CM Gehlot versus PM Modi. In this scenario, Vasundhara Raje has not been nominated as the candidate, and this strategy by the BJP high command has yet to yield significant results, with the elections drawing near.

Vasundhara Raje has been synonymous with the BJP in Rajasthan for over two decades, wielding substantial influence within the state organisation and commanding the loyalty of more than half of the BJP MLAs and MPs in the state. She has never been one to easily bow down and is perceived as a leader who won't tolerate prolonged disrespect.

Experts suggest that if necessary, Raje may not hesitate to engage in a one-on-one battle with the party's high command. This scenario has led to confusion among candidates and party workers, torn between attending these rallies and potentially provoking Raje's ire or abstaining and risking displeasure from the high command. Consequently, the BJP's Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan appears somewhat lacklustre.

However, BJP leaders staunchly deny any internal divisions within the party. Pushkar Singh Dhami, speaking at a public meeting in Jhalawar, asserted, "The BJP is the largest party globally, and here, everyone works together. In Rajasthan as well, everyone will collaborate harmoniously." But it still remains to be seen whether the BJP high command will assign substantial responsibilities to Raje in the days ahead, or if this visit will ultimately be regarded as a perfunctory exercise in this election year.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

JAIPUR: In its bid to regain power in Rajasthan, the BJP is investing significant efforts in the final leg of its 'Parivartan Sankalp Yatra'. On Wednesday, the party roped in two Chief Ministers and one Deputy CM from three BJP-governed states in Yatra rallies, a sign of its big expectations from the 4 Parivartan Yatras in the election-bound state. While Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the Parivartan Sankalp Yatras in CM Ashok Gehlot's home turf in Jodhpur district, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Maurya was fielded in Alwar; and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in the Jhalrapatan area of Jhalawar. Nonetheless, the conspicuous absence of former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje from these Yatras remains a focal point of discussion. In their distinct styles, these three BJP luminaries vehemently attacked the Gandhi family, Congress and the Ashok Gehlot-led government of Rajasthan. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the Gandhi family of fostering an atmosphere against Sanatan values in the country and directed a scathing critique towards Sonia Gandhi.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Sarma remarked, "Sonia Gandhi made an unfounded statement, including Rajiv Gandhi in the Women's Reservation Bill. Such actions should not have been taken." Taking aim at Chief Minister Gehlot's free schemes, Sarma asserted, "This time, ahead of the elections, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appears quite apprehensive. This is evident from the frequent announcements being made. If public welfare were the priority, these schemes would have been launched earlier.  It has become a Congress tradition to distribute mobile phones, laptops, and spice packets before elections. I have personally witnessed this tradition closely within the Congress," Sarma added further. If Sarma was caustic in Jodhpur, UP deputy CM Keshav Maurya was no less critical in Alwar. He particularly targeted what he called the rampant corruption in the Gehlot-led Congress government in Rajasthan. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya participated in the Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in Thanagaji town of Alwar. While addressing the public meeting, Maurya said that the people of Rajasthan can win 25 out of 25 seats in the Lok Sabha and can win 200 out of 200 seats in the Assembly elections. While talking to the media, Maurya said, "In Rajasthan, I clearly see that the Bharatiya Janata Party will have a record victory. The people here have forgotten everything, they only remember Narendra Modi and the lotus flower." Similarly, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami criticised the Gehlot government for its alleged mishandling of women's issues. Dhami stated, "Since independence, Congress-led governments in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have consistently worked to erode our cultural identity. The numerous incidents that have transpired in Rajasthan over the last five years, especially the mistreatment of women, cannot be overlooked, yet the Congress government remains silent." Despite the BJP's concerted efforts, the level of enthusiasm among party workers during the Parivartan Sankalp Yatras does not match the fervour observed in election year. The primary reason for this appears to be the absence of CM Vasundhara Raje from these visits, with Raje not even attending the public meeting organised by CM Pushkar Dhami in her home district of Jhalawar. Notably, this marks the first time in several elections that the BJP has entered the electoral fray without declaring its chief ministerial candidate. Party insiders suggest that this time, the Rajasthan elections will pivot on the faces of CM Gehlot versus PM Modi. In this scenario, Vasundhara Raje has not been nominated as the candidate, and this strategy by the BJP high command has yet to yield significant results, with the elections drawing near. Vasundhara Raje has been synonymous with the BJP in Rajasthan for over two decades, wielding substantial influence within the state organisation and commanding the loyalty of more than half of the BJP MLAs and MPs in the state. She has never been one to easily bow down and is perceived as a leader who won't tolerate prolonged disrespect. Experts suggest that if necessary, Raje may not hesitate to engage in a one-on-one battle with the party's high command. This scenario has led to confusion among candidates and party workers, torn between attending these rallies and potentially provoking Raje's ire or abstaining and risking displeasure from the high command. Consequently, the BJP's Parivartan Sankalp Yatra in Rajasthan appears somewhat lacklustre. However, BJP leaders staunchly deny any internal divisions within the party. Pushkar Singh Dhami, speaking at a public meeting in Jhalawar, asserted, "The BJP is the largest party globally, and here, everyone works together. In Rajasthan as well, everyone will collaborate harmoniously." But it still remains to be seen whether the BJP high command will assign substantial responsibilities to Raje in the days ahead, or if this visit will ultimately be regarded as a perfunctory exercise in this election year. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: In a relief to the former chief minister Raman Singh and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, the Chhattisgarh high court on Wednesday quashed an FIR lodged against both in the Congress Covid Toolkit case.

The high court observed that in instant cases, the posting or tweeting of a message usually is more in the form of political gossip. From the perusal of the FIR, it can be safely held that no offence whatsoever is made out against the petitioners (Raman Singh and Sambit Patra). The court cannot permit the same to be proceeded with, as the complainant has tried to rope the petitioners, a union minister and other functionaries of the BJP on a petty political ideological tussle, stated the court order and quashed the FIR registered at the civil lines police station Raipur, further halting all the consequential proceedings, if any.

Singh asserted that after the court order, one can clearly understand how the party (Congress) in power misuses the authority to suppress the opposition through a conspiracy. Raipur police in May 2021 had registered an FIR against Raman Singh and Sambit Patra for allegedly propagating a fake, concocted letter on a fabricated Congress Covid toolkit from their Twitter handle.

The Congress had prepared a document titled Cornering Narendra Modi & BJP on Covid mismanagement with instructions to embarrass and tarnish the image of the Centre and the BJP. This document was popularly cited as a Congress Toolkit. The petitioners were much distressed owing to the Congress then tried to mislead the people of the country that was facing the unprecedented pandemic challenge, argued the counsel of the petitioners.

The FIR was registered after the state Youth Congress and the students wing NSUI separately lodged written complaints at Raipur police station.

The FIR was lodged under IPC Sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (1b,c) (publishing or circulating statements or rumours conducing to public mischief), 469 (commits forgery) and 188 (for flouting orders under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897).

The opposition BJP had then strongly reacted calling the move as politically disgusting. The police then interrogated the ex-CM at his residence in Raipur while Patra didnt appear for questioning in the toolkit case before the Chhattisgarh police and sought more time.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

RAIPUR: In a relief to the former chief minister Raman Singh and BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra, the Chhattisgarh high court on Wednesday quashed an FIR lodged against both in the Congress Covid Toolkit case. The high court observed that in instant cases, the posting or tweeting of a message usually is more in the form of political gossip. From the perusal of the FIR, it can be safely held that no offence whatsoever is made out against the petitioners (Raman Singh and Sambit Patra). The court cannot permit the same to be proceeded with, as the complainant has tried to rope the petitioners, a union minister and other functionaries of the BJP on a petty political ideological tussle, stated the court order and quashed the FIR registered at the civil lines police station Raipur, further halting all the consequential proceedings, if any. Singh asserted that after the court order, one can clearly understand how the party (Congress) in power misuses the authority to suppress the opposition through a conspiracy. Raipur police in May 2021 had registered an FIR against Raman Singh and Sambit Patra for allegedly propagating a fake, concocted letter on a fabricated Congress Covid toolkit from their Twitter handle.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Congress had prepared a document titled Cornering Narendra Modi & BJP on Covid mismanagement with instructions to embarrass and tarnish the image of the Centre and the BJP. This document was popularly cited as a Congress Toolkit. The petitioners were much distressed owing to the Congress then tried to mislead the people of the country that was facing the unprecedented pandemic challenge, argued the counsel of the petitioners. The FIR was registered after the state Youth Congress and the students wing NSUI separately lodged written complaints at Raipur police station. The FIR was lodged under IPC Sections 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), 505 (1b,c) (publishing or circulating statements or rumours conducing to public mischief), 469 (commits forgery) and 188 (for flouting orders under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897). The opposition BJP had then strongly reacted calling the move as politically disgusting. The police then interrogated the ex-CM at his residence in Raipur while Patra didnt appear for questioning in the toolkit case before the Chhattisgarh police and sought more time. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Shruti Kakkar By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court judge and executive chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), S K Kaul, recently called as disturbing the presumption of considering long incarceration of undertrials as punishment or sentence.

Speaking at the launch of NALSAs Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) Special Campaign, 2023, Justice Kaul, while taking a grim view regarding the undertrials remaining in jails despite being eligible to be reviewed for release, said, We could not have a scenario where we perceive that the only punishment that can be delivered is keeping people at the undertrial stage, irrespective of whether the prosecution has the ability to get conviction ultimately or not."

This is a disturbing trend, where people remain behind bars as undertrials, and the presumption is that  whether they are able to get a conviction or not  this is what may be the punishment or sentence is. The issue of undertrial prisoners languishing in prison despite being eligible to be reviewed for release, have continued to come up before the Supreme Court as well as the high courts.

The Under Trial Review Committee is a district-level body tasked with reviewing the cases of prisoners recommended to be released periodically.

The drive, which would be undertaken pan-India from September 18 to November 20, 2023, aims to accelerate the functioning of UTRC, headed by district and session court judges.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court judge and executive chairperson of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), S K Kaul, recently called as disturbing the presumption of considering long incarceration of undertrials as punishment or sentence. Speaking at the launch of NALSAs Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) Special Campaign, 2023, Justice Kaul, while taking a grim view regarding the undertrials remaining in jails despite being eligible to be reviewed for release, said, We could not have a scenario where we perceive that the only punishment that can be delivered is keeping people at the undertrial stage, irrespective of whether the prosecution has the ability to get conviction ultimately or not." This is a disturbing trend, where people remain behind bars as undertrials, and the presumption is that  whether they are able to get a conviction or not  this is what may be the punishment or sentence is. The issue of undertrial prisoners languishing in prison despite being eligible to be reviewed for release, have continued to come up before the Supreme Court as well as the high courts. googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The Under Trial Review Committee is a district-level body tasked with reviewing the cases of prisoners recommended to be released periodically. The drive, which would be undertaken pan-India from September 18 to November 20, 2023, aims to accelerate the functioning of UTRC, headed by district and session court judges. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
The epicenter of work on the Ukrainian Peace Formula should be the Security Council (UNSC) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA), President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

As he noted, speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council in the United States on Wednesday, the preparation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula was carried out by him on the basis and principles of the UN Charter, as well as on the basis of resolutions adopted by the General Assembly, which may allow the Formula to become global.

Nations that engage with the Formula realize that they are working for the rules-based international order  for the protection of territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, protection of human rights, prevention of aggression and genocide. Naturally, the epicenter of such efforts should be in this very Chamber  the UN Security Council Chamber, and even to a greater extent, in the General Assembly Hall, he stated.

As the President stressed, if reform of UN institutions is necessary for this, then we should NOT be afraid of such reform. We should not wait for this aggression to be over. Our aspiration for peace should drive the reform, he said.

The Head of State noted that Ukraine is ready to work together with the UN members who are already participating in the Peace Formula on the relevant draft resolutions and amendments to the UN Charter.

And I would like to make it clear for everyone in the world, what exactly Ukraine is proposing while addressing the nations of the world and calling on them to join the implementation of the Peace Formula, Zelenskyy said.

So, according to him, each state can show its leadership within one or another, or several, or all points of the Peace Formula. At the same time, groups are formed according to its points, in which national security advisers and diplomatic representatives of the leaders of the states work. Further, in these groups, a list of decisions and rule-making proposals is determined that must be implemented in order for the corresponding item of the Peace Formula to be implemented.

As Zelenskyy stressed, we [Ukraine] are ready to hold ten conferences at the level of advisors in accordance with the ten points of the Peace Formula. Later, these drafts prepared by advisors will be submitted for consideration by heads of states at the respective Summit, he stated.

The Head of State also noted that for the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula, as a basis, full withdrawal of all Russian troops and military formations, including the Russian Black Sea Fleet or its leaky remnants, as well as the withdrawal of all mercenaries and paramilitary formations of Russia from the entire sovereign territory of Ukraine within our internationally recognized borders as of 1991 is necessary.

The second step, according to him, should be full restoration of Ukraines effective control over the entire state border and exclusive economic zone, including in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as in the Kerch Strait.

In fact, only the implementation of these two points will result in an honest, reliable, and complete cessation of hostilities, the President said.
Jaison Wilson By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar and all other accused persons in a case related to a murder case connected to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Sultanpuri area in the national capital.



In the order, Special Judge Geetanjli Goel said, "the accused Sajjan Kumar is given the benefit of doubt and acquitted" for various offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc. (Section 153A), abetment of any offence (Section 109), murder (Section 302) and rioting (147).



He was also acquitted of rioting armed with a deadly weapon (148), unlawful assembly (149), damage of worship place (295), mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy the house, etc (436).



Though he got bail in the present case, Kumar will remain in Tihar jail, where he was lodged after the conviction in another case related to the riots.



Besides Kumar, the special court also acquitted two other accused persons-- Ved Prakash Pial and Brahmanand Gupta -- holding that the prosecution failed to prove the case of murder and rioting against them.



Last month, the court had framed charges against Kumar terming him as 'principal abettor' in the case. Kumar was a part of the violent mob with a clear objective to set ablaze the gurdwara located in Gulab Bagh in Delhi's Nawada area on November 1, 1984, the court had held earlier.



About the decades-old incident, the court had observed that Kumar had prima facie instigated other unidentified members of the mob to commit illegal acts, including burning down the Gurudwara, damaging or looting articles, burning homes, and inflicting injuries on individuals.



The mob's objective was to set the Gurudwara on fire, loot its contents, destroy Sikh residences, and harm or kill Sikhs in retaliation for the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it was noted.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday acquitted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar and all other accused persons in a case related to a murder case connected to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Sultanpuri area in the national capital. In the order, Special Judge Geetanjli Goel said, "the accused Sajjan Kumar is given the benefit of doubt and acquitted" for various offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) including promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race etc. (Section 153A), abetment of any offence (Section 109), murder (Section 302) and rioting (147). He was also acquitted of rioting armed with a deadly weapon (148), unlawful assembly (149), damage of worship place (295), mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy the house, etc (436). Though he got bail in the present case, Kumar will remain in Tihar jail, where he was lodged after the conviction in another case related to the riots. Besides Kumar, the special court also acquitted two other accused persons-- Ved Prakash Pial and Brahmanand Gupta -- holding that the prosecution failed to prove the case of murder and rioting against them. Last month, the court had framed charges against Kumar terming him as 'principal abettor' in the case. Kumar was a part of the violent mob with a clear objective to set ablaze the gurdwara located in Gulab Bagh in Delhi's Nawada area on November 1, 1984, the court had held earlier. About the decades-old incident, the court had observed that Kumar had prima facie instigated other unidentified members of the mob to commit illegal acts, including burning down the Gurudwara, damaging or looting articles, burning homes, and inflicting injuries on individuals. The mob's objective was to set the Gurudwara on fire, loot its contents, destroy Sikh residences, and harm or kill Sikhs in retaliation for the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it was noted. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The row between India and Canada is not going to affect military ties between the two countries, said Indian Army officials. The Deputy Chief of the Canadian Army will be attending the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC) here next week.

Terming Canada an "important partner" in the IPACC journey, Major General Abhinaya Rai, additional director general, Strategic Planning said, "The Canadian (deputy) chief is coming here. His delegation is coming here. Even when we look at the relationships with some of our neighbours...where we may have had a standoff but we continue to engage them at all levels, be it the military level and at the diplomatic level. And I am referring directly to China here," Rai said at a curtain-raiser to the conference.

The Canadian Army will be represented by its deputy commander Major General Peter Scott, accompanied by his delegation, at the two-day event that begins on September 26.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had on Monday alleged a "potential link" between the Indian government and the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

India on Tuesday rejected the Canadian PM's claim. "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," India's foreign ministry said.

Along with the 13th edition of the IPACC, the Indian Army and the United States Army will also co-host the Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF), a three-day conference of Chiefs of Armies and delegates of 35 countries, in New Delhi from 25th to 27th September. This event will see over 150 delegates participate in various plenary and round-table sessions.

ALSO READ | Most-wanted: India has shared list of 23 gangsters' names with Canada

The central theme for this forum is "Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region."

As per the Indian Army, the conference will provide an opportunity for Army Chiefs and senior-level leaders from land forces, primarily of the Indo-Pacific region, to exchange ideas and views on security and contemporary issues. "The core effort of the forum will be to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue and friendship amongst the littoral partners," The Army said.

General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army and General Randy George, Vice Chief of Staff of the US Army, will be holding a joint press conference. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, will attend the opening ceremony.

The conference will feature plenary sessions and informal meetings in three tiers. The Army Chiefs conference will discuss issues of mutual interest and areas of cooperation to synergise efforts of all stakeholders for effecting peace and stability in the region. The IPAMS is a military seminar for Army officers between the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel to Major General to exchange views on regional security issues and best practices. The SELF will involve the participation of tactical level sub unit commanders to hold open dialogue, share lessons learned and provide understanding about armies participating in the forum.

Discussions on topics such as peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance/ disaster relief, leadership development and empowering women will be held. The delegates will also visit the National War Memorial and pay homage to India's fallen heroes. The event will also showcase Atmanirbhar Bharat equipment display. The participants will get a glimpse of India's rich cultural diversity by visiting some heritage sites in the capital. They will also be witnessing various initiatives undertaken by the Army Wives Welfare Association.

During the curtain raiser on Wednesday, Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army briefed the media about the framework of the event. He highlighted that the Indian Army has made significant contributions in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He also emphasised that the Indian Army remains committed to humanitarian endeavours and relief efforts in the region. Attaches of the United States, France, Japan, Maldives and Singapore participated in a round table discussion conducted on the topic "Collaborative Approach in Combating Non-Traditional Security Threats in Indo-Pacific."

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: The row between India and Canada is not going to affect military ties between the two countries, said Indian Army officials. The Deputy Chief of the Canadian Army will be attending the Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs Conference (IPACC) here next week. Terming Canada an "important partner" in the IPACC journey, Major General Abhinaya Rai, additional director general, Strategic Planning said, "The Canadian (deputy) chief is coming here. His delegation is coming here. Even when we look at the relationships with some of our neighbours...where we may have had a standoff but we continue to engage them at all levels, be it the military level and at the diplomatic level. And I am referring directly to China here," Rai said at a curtain-raiser to the conference. The Canadian Army will be represented by its deputy commander Major General Peter Scott, accompanied by his delegation, at the two-day event that begins on September 26.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had on Monday alleged a "potential link" between the Indian government and the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June. India on Tuesday rejected the Canadian PM's claim. "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated," India's foreign ministry said. Along with the 13th edition of the IPACC, the Indian Army and the United States Army will also co-host the Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS) and Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF), a three-day conference of Chiefs of Armies and delegates of 35 countries, in New Delhi from 25th to 27th September. This event will see over 150 delegates participate in various plenary and round-table sessions. ALSO READ | Most-wanted: India has shared list of 23 gangsters' names with Canada The central theme for this forum is "Together for Peace: Sustaining Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region." As per the Indian Army, the conference will provide an opportunity for Army Chiefs and senior-level leaders from land forces, primarily of the Indo-Pacific region, to exchange ideas and views on security and contemporary issues. "The core effort of the forum will be to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region through mutual understanding, dialogue and friendship amongst the littoral partners," The Army said. General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army and General Randy George, Vice Chief of Staff of the US Army, will be holding a joint press conference. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, will attend the opening ceremony. The conference will feature plenary sessions and informal meetings in three tiers. The Army Chiefs conference will discuss issues of mutual interest and areas of cooperation to synergise efforts of all stakeholders for effecting peace and stability in the region. The IPAMS is a military seminar for Army officers between the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel to Major General to exchange views on regional security issues and best practices. The SELF will involve the participation of tactical level sub unit commanders to hold open dialogue, share lessons learned and provide understanding about armies participating in the forum. Discussions on topics such as peacekeeping operations, humanitarian assistance/ disaster relief, leadership development and empowering women will be held. The delegates will also visit the National War Memorial and pay homage to India's fallen heroes. The event will also showcase Atmanirbhar Bharat equipment display. The participants will get a glimpse of India's rich cultural diversity by visiting some heritage sites in the capital. They will also be witnessing various initiatives undertaken by the Army Wives Welfare Association. During the curtain raiser on Wednesday, Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, Vice Chief of Army Staff, Indian Army briefed the media about the framework of the event. He highlighted that the Indian Army has made significant contributions in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. He also emphasised that the Indian Army remains committed to humanitarian endeavours and relief efforts in the region. Attaches of the United States, France, Japan, Maldives and Singapore participated in a round table discussion conducted on the topic "Collaborative Approach in Combating Non-Traditional Security Threats in Indo-Pacific." Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Terming the women's reservation bill a "sham", TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday said it should be renamed as "women's reservation rescheduling bill" and asserted that what was needed was action not the "placebo of legislatively-mandated procrastination".

Participating in a debate on the bill in Lok Sabha, Moitra said women's reservation is dependent on two totally "indeterminate dates" and asked, "Can there be a greater jumla?"

"It is both my pride and my shame as I stand here in India's Parliament speaking on a women's reservation bill. It is my pride that I belong to the All India Trinamool Congress, a party that sent 37 per cent women among its members to Parliament, but it is my chagrin that I belong to a Lok Sabha that on aggregate has only 15 per cent of its people as women, far below the global average of 26. 5 per cent and also below the Asian regional average of 21 per cent," she said.

"As this government pats itself on rankings in various global tables let it also hang its head in disgrace that same India ranks 140 out of 196 in the Inter-Parliamentary Union tables in women's reservations," Moitra said.

The TMC member pointed out that within women parliamentarians, women and Dalits have been consistently under-represented. In 17th Lok Sabha, there are only two Muslim women members and both from TMC, she said.

ALSO READ | Women's quota bill incomplete without OBC quota, says Rahul Gandhi

Pointing out that the reservation would come into effect only after a census and subsequently a delimitation exercise is carried out, Moitra said, "It actually means that in true BJP's doublespeak-style, we do not know if and actually when we will have 33 per cent women sitting in the Lok Sabha because the date of the next census is indeterminate, and the date of the delimitation exercise is doubly indeterminate."

"Women's reservation is dependent on two totally indeterminate dates, can there be a greater jumla. Forget 2024, this may not be possible in 2029," she said.

Hailing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Moitra said she is the mother of this bill and had given birth to the original idea as 37 per cent of TMC MPs are women.

"What this government has brought here is not a women's reservation bill, it is a women's reservation rescheduling bill and should be renamed as such. Its agenda is a delay, its agenda is not a reservation," she said.

"The endless dithering on when will there be the next census, when there will be the next delimitation, will only ensure that the urgent need for reservation for women in elections to Parliament and to state legislatures will be indefinitely delayed yet again," she asserted.

"Alas, this is not the historic bill that is being touted as, it is a sham. And for the women and the men and girls and boys who would be men and women in future, better recognise this because it is staring at us in the face," she said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WOMEN'S RESERVATION BILL

The question of women's reservation requires action not the "placebo of legislatively-mandated procrastination", Moitra said.

She asserted that Mamata Banerjee and the TMC have walked the talk on women's reservation. This government needs to go on record and send 33 per cent women MPs, the TMC leader said.

"We don't need any more vandans, we want direct action, implement the reservation bill immediately based on voters list, send 33 per cent women to Parliament in 2024 from the BJP like our party has done," Moitra said.

After the House proceedings began, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the women's reservation bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha, saying it is a step towards women empowerment.

The constitutional amendment bill was introduced in the Lower House on Tuesday. It was the first bill introduced in the new Parliament building.

The bill provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The reservation will come into effect only after the completion of the census and delimitation exercise.

According to an analysis by PRS Legislative Research, 42 per cent of BJD MPs and 39 per cent of TMC MPs are women. The BJP has 14 per cent women MPs and Congress 12 per cent.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC and the BJD fielded the highest proportion of women candidates. Across parties with 10 or more MPs in the Lok Sabha, women were as likely to win as men, the PRS report said.

CLICK HERE FOR DEVELOPMENTS ON SPECIAL PARLIAMENT SESSION

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Terming the women's reservation bill a "sham", TMC MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday said it should be renamed as "women's reservation rescheduling bill" and asserted that what was needed was action not the "placebo of legislatively-mandated procrastination". Participating in a debate on the bill in Lok Sabha, Moitra said women's reservation is dependent on two totally "indeterminate dates" and asked, "Can there be a greater jumla?" "It is both my pride and my shame as I stand here in India's Parliament speaking on a women's reservation bill. It is my pride that I belong to the All India Trinamool Congress, a party that sent 37 per cent women among its members to Parliament, but it is my chagrin that I belong to a Lok Sabha that on aggregate has only 15 per cent of its people as women, far below the global average of 26. 5 per cent and also below the Asian regional average of 21 per cent," she said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "As this government pats itself on rankings in various global tables let it also hang its head in disgrace that same India ranks 140 out of 196 in the Inter-Parliamentary Union tables in women's reservations," Moitra said. The TMC member pointed out that within women parliamentarians, women and Dalits have been consistently under-represented. In 17th Lok Sabha, there are only two Muslim women members and both from TMC, she said. ALSO READ | Women's quota bill incomplete without OBC quota, says Rahul Gandhi Pointing out that the reservation would come into effect only after a census and subsequently a delimitation exercise is carried out, Moitra said, "It actually means that in true BJP's doublespeak-style, we do not know if and actually when we will have 33 per cent women sitting in the Lok Sabha because the date of the next census is indeterminate, and the date of the delimitation exercise is doubly indeterminate." "Women's reservation is dependent on two totally indeterminate dates, can there be a greater jumla. Forget 2024, this may not be possible in 2029," she said. Hailing West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Moitra said she is the mother of this bill and had given birth to the original idea as 37 per cent of TMC MPs are women. "What this government has brought here is not a women's reservation bill, it is a women's reservation rescheduling bill and should be renamed as such. Its agenda is a delay, its agenda is not a reservation," she said. "The endless dithering on when will there be the next census, when there will be the next delimitation, will only ensure that the urgent need for reservation for women in elections to Parliament and to state legislatures will be indefinitely delayed yet again," she asserted. "Alas, this is not the historic bill that is being touted as, it is a sham. And for the women and the men and girls and boys who would be men and women in future, better recognise this because it is staring at us in the face," she said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WOMEN'S RESERVATION BILL The question of women's reservation requires action not the "placebo of legislatively-mandated procrastination", Moitra said. She asserted that Mamata Banerjee and the TMC have walked the talk on women's reservation. This government needs to go on record and send 33 per cent women MPs, the TMC leader said. "We don't need any more vandans, we want direct action, implement the reservation bill immediately based on voters list, send 33 per cent women to Parliament in 2024 from the BJP like our party has done," Moitra said. After the House proceedings began, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal moved the women's reservation bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha, saying it is a step towards women empowerment. The constitutional amendment bill was introduced in the Lower House on Tuesday. It was the first bill introduced in the new Parliament building. The bill provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The reservation will come into effect only after the completion of the census and delimitation exercise. According to an analysis by PRS Legislative Research, 42 per cent of BJD MPs and 39 per cent of TMC MPs are women. The BJP has 14 per cent women MPs and Congress 12 per cent. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the TMC and the BJD fielded the highest proportion of women candidates. Across parties with 10 or more MPs in the Lok Sabha, women were as likely to win as men, the PRS report said. CLICK HERE FOR DEVELOPMENTS ON SPECIAL PARLIAMENT SESSION Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Mukesh Ranjan By

Express News Service

RANCHI: As the Kurmi community has announced to resume their indefinite rail blockade agitation from Wednesday, South Eastern Railways has cancelled nine trains while routes of seven others have been changed.

The agitation is likely to affect trains passing through at least 10 stations in Jharkhand and Odisha. Plans of agitation at West Bengal stations were withdrawn after Kolkata High Court put a ban on it on Tuesday.

Notably, the Kurmi community has been demanding the inclusion of their community in the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Kurmali language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution for a long time. According to the agitating leaders, the Kurmi community was listed among the aboriginal tribes in 1913 during the British era, but when the Centre notified ST lists on September 6, 1950, Kurmis were put in the list of other backward castes (OBC) in Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha.

Earlier, agitators belonging to the Kurmi community had staged the first rail blockade in September 2022 and again between April 5-10 this year resulting in the cancellation of several mail, express, and passenger trains and numerous other trains were diverted or terminated, affecting lakhs of passengers.

We will be staging rail blockade at strategic stations across Jharkhand and Odisha simultaneously. Talks are also on to stage agitation at Assam from September 20 onwards, said central president of the Totemic (a Kurmi clan) Kurmi Vikash Morcha, Sheetal Ohdar.

They will not withdraw their agitation until an assurance is given to them of taking up the matter at the proper forum, he added.

Ohdar also demanded the centre to announce raising the matter in the ongoing special session of the Parliament. He also appealed to the MPs belonging to the Kurmi community to raise the demand to include Kudmi in the ST list in the special session.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

RANCHI: As the Kurmi community has announced to resume their indefinite rail blockade agitation from Wednesday, South Eastern Railways has cancelled nine trains while routes of seven others have been changed. The agitation is likely to affect trains passing through at least 10 stations in Jharkhand and Odisha. Plans of agitation at West Bengal stations were withdrawn after Kolkata High Court put a ban on it on Tuesday. Notably, the Kurmi community has been demanding the inclusion of their community in the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) and Kurmali language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution for a long time. According to the agitating leaders, the Kurmi community was listed among the aboriginal tribes in 1913 during the British era, but when the Centre notified ST lists on September 6, 1950, Kurmis were put in the list of other backward castes (OBC) in Bihar, Bengal, and Odisha.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Earlier, agitators belonging to the Kurmi community had staged the first rail blockade in September 2022 and again between April 5-10 this year resulting in the cancellation of several mail, express, and passenger trains and numerous other trains were diverted or terminated, affecting lakhs of passengers. We will be staging rail blockade at strategic stations across Jharkhand and Odisha simultaneously. Talks are also on to stage agitation at Assam from September 20 onwards, said central president of the Totemic (a Kurmi clan) Kurmi Vikash Morcha, Sheetal Ohdar. They will not withdraw their agitation until an assurance is given to them of taking up the matter at the proper forum, he added. Ohdar also demanded the centre to announce raising the matter in the ongoing special session of the Parliament. He also appealed to the MPs belonging to the Kurmi community to raise the demand to include Kudmi in the ST list in the special session. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Rajesh Kumar Thakur By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing legislators in the Central Hall on Tuesday, officially named the Old Parliament House as Samvidhan Sadan before the impending move to the new Parliament building.

He expressed the governments determination to transform India into a Viksit-Bharat and drew inspiration from the historic grandeur of the Central Hall.

Reflecting on the historical significance of the Old Parliament House, the PM highlighted that it was where the Constitution took shape, and the transfer of power was executed. He noted that the Central Hall adopted the national flag and anthem after independence, hosting over 41 heads of states and governments from around the world since 1952.

Additionally, Indian presidents addressed the hall 86 times, and both Houses passed around 4,000 Acts in seven decades.

Touching on the removal of Article 370, the PM claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was progressing towards peace and development, asserting that India was now brimming with energy. He stressed the importance of achieving faster progress rates, emphasising that reforms introduced in Parliament should prioritise the aspirations of every Indian.

Modi said that India should work on a larger canvas and become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant). Strengthening the economy and ensuring social justice were vital, given that the world was looking to India, which is now recognised as Vishwa Mitra rather than a neutral country from the Cold War era.

Highlighting Indias potential and growing strength, he mentioned Indias role in the G20. Later, in the Lok Sabha of the new Parliament building, he announced a historic bill named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to strengthen democracy and empower women.

Modi assured the nations mothers, sisters, and daughters of his commitment to making this bill into law. He called for collective dialogues and debates for the welfare of all and urged members to follow parliamentary traditions.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Modi underlined the significance of passing the bill unanimously to realize the full potential of Narishakti in nation-building. He expected the Rajya Sabha to pass the bill without hindrance as the Upper House of Parliament.

Modi stressed the need to set goals with specific timelines, as the nation was no longer willing to wait. He recalled the bills long history, beginning in 1996, and expressed confidence that it would finally become law, energising Narishakti.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing legislators in the Central Hall on Tuesday, officially named the Old Parliament House as Samvidhan Sadan before the impending move to the new Parliament building. He expressed the governments determination to transform India into a Viksit-Bharat and drew inspiration from the historic grandeur of the Central Hall. Reflecting on the historical significance of the Old Parliament House, the PM highlighted that it was where the Constitution took shape, and the transfer of power was executed. He noted that the Central Hall adopted the national flag and anthem after independence, hosting over 41 heads of states and governments from around the world since 1952.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Additionally, Indian presidents addressed the hall 86 times, and both Houses passed around 4,000 Acts in seven decades. Touching on the removal of Article 370, the PM claimed that Jammu and Kashmir was progressing towards peace and development, asserting that India was now brimming with energy. He stressed the importance of achieving faster progress rates, emphasising that reforms introduced in Parliament should prioritise the aspirations of every Indian. Modi said that India should work on a larger canvas and become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant). Strengthening the economy and ensuring social justice were vital, given that the world was looking to India, which is now recognised as Vishwa Mitra rather than a neutral country from the Cold War era. Highlighting Indias potential and growing strength, he mentioned Indias role in the G20. Later, in the Lok Sabha of the new Parliament building, he announced a historic bill named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to strengthen democracy and empower women. Modi assured the nations mothers, sisters, and daughters of his commitment to making this bill into law. He called for collective dialogues and debates for the welfare of all and urged members to follow parliamentary traditions. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Modi underlined the significance of passing the bill unanimously to realize the full potential of Narishakti in nation-building. He expected the Rajya Sabha to pass the bill without hindrance as the Upper House of Parliament. Modi stressed the need to set goals with specific timelines, as the nation was no longer willing to wait. He recalled the bills long history, beginning in 1996, and expressed confidence that it would finally become law, energising Narishakti. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday appealed to the opposition for the unanimous passage of the women's reservation bill and said shortcomings, if any, can be rectified at a later date.

Brushing aside apprehensions of a delay in the bill's implementation, Shah said the next government will conduct the census and the delimitation exercise immediately after the elections and set in motion the process to make reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies a reality.

Intervening in the debate on the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, Shah indicated that women's reservation will become a reality after 2029.

ALSO READ | Bill true to BJP's doublespeak style, says Mahua Moitra on women's quota

He said the passage of the women's reservation bill will mark the start of a new era, and recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presented the vision of women-led development at the recent G20 Summit.

The Modi government has been pushing for empowerment of women since the day it assumed office, he said. Women's security, respect and equal participation have been the life force of the government, he said.

Shah said this was the fifth attempt to push a bill for women's reservation.

"Why did it fail to clear hurdles earlier? First, it was brought by the H D Deve Gowda government in 1996. It lapsed. The second time, it was brought by the government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2008, a bill was brought by UPA. It also lapsed after the dissolution of the then Lok Sabha," Shah said.

"Women have been disappointed by this Parliament on four occasions. This time I request that it be passed with unanimity. Shortcomings, if any, can be set right at a later date," the home minister added.

ALSO READ | Women's reservation bill incomplete without OBC quota, says Rahul Gandhi

The constitutional amendment bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

According to the bill, it will come into effect after the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies to be carried out after the completion of the next population census.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WOMEN'S RESERVATION BILL

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday appealed to the opposition for the unanimous passage of the women's reservation bill and said shortcomings, if any, can be rectified at a later date. Brushing aside apprehensions of a delay in the bill's implementation, Shah said the next government will conduct the census and the delimitation exercise immediately after the elections and set in motion the process to make reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies a reality. Intervening in the debate on the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, Shah indicated that women's reservation will become a reality after 2029.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Bill true to BJP's doublespeak style, says Mahua Moitra on women's quota He said the passage of the women's reservation bill will mark the start of a new era, and recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presented the vision of women-led development at the recent G20 Summit. The Modi government has been pushing for empowerment of women since the day it assumed office, he said. Women's security, respect and equal participation have been the life force of the government, he said. Shah said this was the fifth attempt to push a bill for women's reservation. "Why did it fail to clear hurdles earlier? First, it was brought by the H D Deve Gowda government in 1996. It lapsed. The second time, it was brought by the government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2008, a bill was brought by UPA. It also lapsed after the dissolution of the then Lok Sabha," Shah said. "Women have been disappointed by this Parliament on four occasions. This time I request that it be passed with unanimity. Shortcomings, if any, can be set right at a later date," the home minister added. ALSO READ | Women's reservation bill incomplete without OBC quota, says Rahul Gandhi The constitutional amendment bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday. According to the bill, it will come into effect after the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies to be carried out after the completion of the next population census. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WOMEN'S RESERVATION BILL Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden has been invited to India's January 26 Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital, the Ambassador of the US to India, Eric Garcetti revealed on Wednesday.

"During the sidelines of the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Biden on September 8th (a day ahead of the G20 Summit) PM Modi extended an invite to President Biden to come for the Republic Day," said US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti in Delhi on Wednesday.

President Biden hasnt confirmed his participation yet. But, if he does, then this will be his second visit to India in four months.

India will host the next Quad Summit, however, there is no confirmation on the dates. There was speculation that all Quad leaders to attend the event. However, considering it for a day ahead of the Republic Day isnt strong as other members like Australia would not be able to attend. Japanese Parliament, The National Diet, will also be in operation around that time.

Meanwhile, President Biden will also be preparing for his last State of the Union address before the 2024 elections. There is no clarity yet on when the date will be.

In 2015, Barack Obama became the first US President to attend India's Republic Day parade as the chief guest, while Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden has been invited to India's January 26 Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital, the Ambassador of the US to India, Eric Garcetti revealed on Wednesday. "During the sidelines of the bilateral meeting between PM Modi and President Biden on September 8th (a day ahead of the G20 Summit) PM Modi extended an invite to President Biden to come for the Republic Day," said US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti in Delhi on Wednesday. President Biden hasnt confirmed his participation yet. But, if he does, then this will be his second visit to India in four months.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); India will host the next Quad Summit, however, there is no confirmation on the dates. There was speculation that all Quad leaders to attend the event. However, considering it for a day ahead of the Republic Day isnt strong as other members like Australia would not be able to attend. Japanese Parliament, The National Diet, will also be in operation around that time. Meanwhile, President Biden will also be preparing for his last State of the Union address before the 2024 elections. There is no clarity yet on when the date will be. In 2015, Barack Obama became the first US President to attend India's Republic Day parade as the chief guest, while Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday alleged that the words "secular" and "socialist" were missing from the Preamble in the copies of the Constitution given to lawmakers on the opening day of the new Parliament building.

However, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the copies carried the original version of the Preamble of the Constitution and that these words were added later to it after constitutional amendments.

"This is as per the original Preamble. Amendments were made later," he asserted.

Terming the matter as serious, Chowdhury said the words have been "cleverly removed" and expressed doubts over the intentions of the BJP government.

"The Preamble of the Constitution in the copy that we carried to the new building does not include the words secular and socialist. They have been cleverly removed. This is a serious matter and we will raise this issue," he told reporters.

Chowdhury said he knows that the words were added later in 1976 to the Constitution.

"For me this is a serious issue. I doubt their intentions as their heart does not seem to be clear on this," he said.

The Congress Leader of the House in Lok Sabha also said that if someone gives a copy of the Constitution today, it should carry the version of it as of today.

Binoy Viswam of the CPI-M termed the omission of the words as a "crime", Several opposition MPs, including those from the Left and other parties, are likely to raise the matter at their meeting.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Wednesday alleged that the words "secular" and "socialist" were missing from the Preamble in the copies of the Constitution given to lawmakers on the opening day of the new Parliament building. However, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the copies carried the original version of the Preamble of the Constitution and that these words were added later to it after constitutional amendments. "This is as per the original Preamble. Amendments were made later," he asserted.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Terming the matter as serious, Chowdhury said the words have been "cleverly removed" and expressed doubts over the intentions of the BJP government. "The Preamble of the Constitution in the copy that we carried to the new building does not include the words secular and socialist. They have been cleverly removed. This is a serious matter and we will raise this issue," he told reporters. Chowdhury said he knows that the words were added later in 1976 to the Constitution. "For me this is a serious issue. I doubt their intentions as their heart does not seem to be clear on this," he said. The Congress Leader of the House in Lok Sabha also said that if someone gives a copy of the Constitution today, it should carry the version of it as of today. Binoy Viswam of the CPI-M termed the omission of the words as a "crime", Several opposition MPs, including those from the Left and other parties, are likely to raise the matter at their meeting. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

The son of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar says he feels "a sense of relief" after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in his father's killing, the CBC news reported.

Balraj Singh Nijjar was speaking publicly for the first time since the shooting death of his father Hardeep Singh on June 18, shortly after evening prayers at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.

The Canadian prime minister on Monday said there are credible allegations of a potential link between "agents of the Indian government" and the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The 21-year-old said it was just a "matter of time" before the "truth came out."

Balraj said the Canadian PM's statement brought a sense of relief that the issue is finally coming to the public eye. He also thanked Trudeau, as well as federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who both condemned the killing in the House of Commons.

"Hopefully, you can take this a step further and get specific individuals," he said, addressing the leaders.

"If you place sanctions, whatever the next steps are, we're waiting as a family to see what it is," he added.

India has rejected Trudeau's allegations. Its Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement Monday night calling them "absurd" and "motivated." The relationship between both countries hit rock bottom after they expelled each others diplomats from their countries.

Njjiar was an outspoken supporter of the Khalistan movement, a longstanding separatist movement that has been banned by several Indian administrations over many years.

The Indian government had previously offered a reward for Hardeep's arrest, accusing him of a violent separatist movement for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.

READ MORE | Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the pro-Khalistan activist whose killing has strained Indo-Canada ties

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

The son of Khalistan separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar says he feels "a sense of relief" after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in his father's killing, the CBC news reported. Balraj Singh Nijjar was speaking publicly for the first time since the shooting death of his father Hardeep Singh on June 18, shortly after evening prayers at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey. The Canadian prime minister on Monday said there are credible allegations of a potential link between "agents of the Indian government" and the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The 21-year-old said it was just a "matter of time" before the "truth came out." Balraj said the Canadian PM's statement brought a sense of relief that the issue is finally coming to the public eye. He also thanked Trudeau, as well as federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who both condemned the killing in the House of Commons. "Hopefully, you can take this a step further and get specific individuals," he said, addressing the leaders. "If you place sanctions, whatever the next steps are, we're waiting as a family to see what it is," he added. India has rejected Trudeau's allegations. Its Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement Monday night calling them "absurd" and "motivated." The relationship between both countries hit rock bottom after they expelled each others diplomats from their countries. Njjiar was an outspoken supporter of the Khalistan movement, a longstanding separatist movement that has been banned by several Indian administrations over many years. The Indian government had previously offered a reward for Hardeep's arrest, accusing him of a violent separatist movement for an independent Sikh state called Khalistan. READ MORE | Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the pro-Khalistan activist whose killing has strained Indo-Canada ties Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Eyeing to return to power nearly three years after its 15-month-long government collapsed under the weight of its own disgruntled MLAs, opposition Congress launched seven Jan Akrosh Yatras in the assembly poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday.

The seven Yatras which will travel 11,400 kms while covering all 230 assembly segments in 15 days are being led by seven senior leaders, including current and former leader of oppositions, former state party chiefs, former union ministers and ex-MP ministers.

At a time when the ruling BJP has been attacking the oppositions INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress, over the DMK and Congress leaders anti-Sanatan Dharma remark, all the seven Jan Akrosh Yatras of the grand old party started on the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.

Importantly, all the seven senior Congress leaders, including LoP Dr Govind Singh, former LoP Ajay Singh Rahul, former union ministers Arun Yadav started the Yatras after offering prayers at prominent Hindu temples in different parts of the state, state Congresss media advisor Piyush Babele told this newspaper.

While the Congress started its 11,400 km Yatras on Tuesday, the ruling BJPs 10,500-plus km long five Jan Ashirwad Yatras are approaching their last stretch. Just a day after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had in one of the Yatras, requested PM Narendra Modi to send Congresss Gandhi family to the moon through the Chandrayan, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated the Yatra in Sagar district of Bundelkhand region.

In Betul district, meanwhile, ex-Jharkhand CM Babulal Marandi formed part of the BJPs Yatra, accusing the Congress of treating the tribal just as vote bank. Despite ruling for decades, the Congress has seen tribals as vote banks, while the BJP has worked for their welfare, he said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

BHOPAL: Eyeing to return to power nearly three years after its 15-month-long government collapsed under the weight of its own disgruntled MLAs, opposition Congress launched seven Jan Akrosh Yatras in the assembly poll-bound Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday. The seven Yatras which will travel 11,400 kms while covering all 230 assembly segments in 15 days are being led by seven senior leaders, including current and former leader of oppositions, former state party chiefs, former union ministers and ex-MP ministers. At a time when the ruling BJP has been attacking the oppositions INDIA bloc, particularly the Congress, over the DMK and Congress leaders anti-Sanatan Dharma remark, all the seven Jan Akrosh Yatras of the grand old party started on the Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Importantly, all the seven senior Congress leaders, including LoP Dr Govind Singh, former LoP Ajay Singh Rahul, former union ministers Arun Yadav started the Yatras after offering prayers at prominent Hindu temples in different parts of the state, state Congresss media advisor Piyush Babele told this newspaper. While the Congress started its 11,400 km Yatras on Tuesday, the ruling BJPs 10,500-plus km long five Jan Ashirwad Yatras are approaching their last stretch. Just a day after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had in one of the Yatras, requested PM Narendra Modi to send Congresss Gandhi family to the moon through the Chandrayan, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami participated the Yatra in Sagar district of Bundelkhand region. In Betul district, meanwhile, ex-Jharkhand CM Babulal Marandi formed part of the BJPs Yatra, accusing the Congress of treating the tribal just as vote bank. Despite ruling for decades, the Congress has seen tribals as vote banks, while the BJP has worked for their welfare, he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the UN General Assembly (UNGA) should be given a real opportunity to overcome the veto of a member of the Security Council.

If it is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those who condone the aggressor, it is necessary to bring this issue to the attention of the General Assembly. In the event of two-thirds of the votes reflecting the will of nations from Asia, Africa, Europe, both Americas, and the Pacific region  in other words, a global qualified majority  the veto should be effectively overcome, and such resolution of the General Assembly must be legally binding for all Member States, he said, speaking at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

Zelenskyy said that the resolutions of the General Assembly have clearly recognized the fact that the only source of this war is Russia. But, this has changed nothing for Russia in the United Nations. However, these are the situations that have changed everything for the UN. We should acknowledge that the Organization finds itself in a deadlock on the issue of aggression.

According to him, all in the world see WHAT makes the UN incapable. This seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupied illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash the aggression and genocide being carried out by Russia.

And all the UN actions  either by the Security Council or the General Assembly  that could have stopped this aggression, are shattered by the privilege granted to such seats  the seats of permanent members. Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a dead end, he stated.

I regret that so far the UN Security Council is just the largest and the most visible platform in the world. I believe that the UN is capable of more. I am confident that the UN Charter can actually work for global peace and security, Zelenskyy said.

However, he stressed, for this to happen, the years-long discussions and projects for UN reform must be translated into a viable process of UN reform. And it should not be only about representation here, in the Security Council. The use of veto power  that is what requires reform, and this can be a key reform. This can be what restores the power of the UN Charter.
By PTI

LUCKNOW: Amid speculations that the women's reservation bill will be tabled in the parliament, the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday sought to know the share of the backward castes, tribals, and Dalits in it.

"As far as this bill is concerned, our stand is how much reservation will the backward get under the bill. We had opposed the bill when it was presented by the Congress-led UPA government, and today, when the BJP is bringing it, we are still not in complete agreement," SP chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI.

"We want justice for women and also want reservation for them. But what would be the quantum of reservation to backwards, tribals, Dalits?" Chaudhary asked.

He said a final decision on whether to support the Bill will be taken in Delhi, since senior party leaders Ramgopal Yadav and Dimple Yadav are there.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, the then Samajwadi Party president, had in 2009 opposed the proposal of the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it a "conspiracy" against the politicians who had reached the Lok Sabha through "hard struggles" and warned of a people's movement if the UPA pushes the legislation.

He had at least twice courted controversy for his remarks on how the reservation would benefit only affluent women.

Two years earlier, when the bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha for approval in March 2010, Yadav had said, The Womens Reservation Bill, if passed in the present format, would provoke young men to whistle in parliament.

Yadav, whose party was supporting the government then from outside, had backed JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav's contention, who said if the Bill is passed without a consensus, it would tantamount to administering of "poison by force" by the ruling class to those against the Bill as had been done to Greek philosopher Socrates who was forced to drink hemlock on trumped up charges.

Union Minister of State Prahlad Singh Patel on Monday posted on X that the Cabinet has approved the women's reservation bill, but deleted the post within an hour.

While there was no official word on what transpired in the Cabinet meeting Monday, which lasted for more than 90 minutes, speculations were rife that it approved the women's reservation bill.

"Only the Modi government had the moral courage to fulfil the demand for women's reservation which was proved by the approval of the cabinet. Congratulations Narendra Modi ji and congratulations to the Modi government," the minister said in the now-deleted post on X.

Patel is the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti.

Government sources had earlier indicated that the bill has been approved by the Cabinet and is likely to be tabled in Parliament.

(With inputs from Online Desk)

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

LUCKNOW: Amid speculations that the women's reservation bill will be tabled in the parliament, the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday sought to know the share of the backward castes, tribals, and Dalits in it. "As far as this bill is concerned, our stand is how much reservation will the backward get under the bill. We had opposed the bill when it was presented by the Congress-led UPA government, and today, when the BJP is bringing it, we are still not in complete agreement," SP chief spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary told PTI. "We want justice for women and also want reservation for them. But what would be the quantum of reservation to backwards, tribals, Dalits?" Chaudhary asked.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He said a final decision on whether to support the Bill will be taken in Delhi, since senior party leaders Ramgopal Yadav and Dimple Yadav are there. Mulayam Singh Yadav, the then Samajwadi Party president, had in 2009 opposed the proposal of the Women's Reservation Bill, calling it a "conspiracy" against the politicians who had reached the Lok Sabha through "hard struggles" and warned of a people's movement if the UPA pushes the legislation. He had at least twice courted controversy for his remarks on how the reservation would benefit only affluent women. Two years earlier, when the bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha for approval in March 2010, Yadav had said, The Womens Reservation Bill, if passed in the present format, would provoke young men to whistle in parliament. Yadav, whose party was supporting the government then from outside, had backed JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav's contention, who said if the Bill is passed without a consensus, it would tantamount to administering of "poison by force" by the ruling class to those against the Bill as had been done to Greek philosopher Socrates who was forced to drink hemlock on trumped up charges. Union Minister of State Prahlad Singh Patel on Monday posted on X that the Cabinet has approved the women's reservation bill, but deleted the post within an hour. While there was no official word on what transpired in the Cabinet meeting Monday, which lasted for more than 90 minutes, speculations were rife that it approved the women's reservation bill. "Only the Modi government had the moral courage to fulfil the demand for women's reservation which was proved by the approval of the cabinet. Congratulations Narendra Modi ji and congratulations to the Modi government," the minister said in the now-deleted post on X. Patel is the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti. Government sources had earlier indicated that the bill has been approved by the Cabinet and is likely to be tabled in Parliament. (With inputs from Online Desk) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday expressed his concern over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill and urged the Centre to implement the bill in 2024 if their intentions were clear. The AAP MP also assured the support of the INDIA bloc to the bill.

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, "This is definitely not a Women's Reservation Bill, this is 'Mahila Bewakoof Banao' Bill. We have been saying this because none of the promises made by them have been fulfilled ever since PM Modi came to power. This is another 'jumla' brought by them...If you want to implement the Bill, AAP stands with you completely but implement it in 2024. Do you think the women of the country are fools? Anti-women BJP has brought one more 'jumla' in the name of the Bill. Women of the country and political parties understand these election tactics. So, we say that if their intentions are clear, implement it in 2024..."

ALSO READ | Delay in implementing is gross injustice to Indian women: Sonia on women's bill

MP Sanjay Singh said that in the Women's Reservation Bill introduced by the UPA in 2010, there were no such conditions that the bill would be implemented in 15 years or 20 years and delimitation would be conducted.

Sanjay Singh said, "If the centre is serious about the Women's Reservation Bill then the time limit clause should be removed and it should be implemented in 2024. INDIA alliance meeting is going to be held and we will discuss the details soon."

However, the AAP MP has assured that the INDIA alliance members will vote in favour of the bill after voicing their opposition to certain clauses.

"The INDIA alliance members have agreed to question the Government's intent on the bill in the house, we will also oppose the fact that the implementation of the bill is being delayed. However, during the voting on the bill we will vote in favour of the bill" said Sanjay Singh.

ALSO READ | Kanimozhi questions "veil of secrecy" over tabling of Women's Reservation Bill

Earlier ahead of the discussion on the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha today, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that discussion on the bill will be held throughout the day and it has nothing to do with politics.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building on Tuesday. Arjun Ram Meghwal said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh on Wednesday expressed his concern over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill and urged the Centre to implement the bill in 2024 if their intentions were clear. The AAP MP also assured the support of the INDIA bloc to the bill. AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, "This is definitely not a Women's Reservation Bill, this is 'Mahila Bewakoof Banao' Bill. We have been saying this because none of the promises made by them have been fulfilled ever since PM Modi came to power. This is another 'jumla' brought by them...If you want to implement the Bill, AAP stands with you completely but implement it in 2024. Do you think the women of the country are fools? Anti-women BJP has brought one more 'jumla' in the name of the Bill. Women of the country and political parties understand these election tactics. So, we say that if their intentions are clear, implement it in 2024..." ALSO READ | Delay in implementing is gross injustice to Indian women: Sonia on women's billgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); MP Sanjay Singh said that in the Women's Reservation Bill introduced by the UPA in 2010, there were no such conditions that the bill would be implemented in 15 years or 20 years and delimitation would be conducted. Sanjay Singh said, "If the centre is serious about the Women's Reservation Bill then the time limit clause should be removed and it should be implemented in 2024. INDIA alliance meeting is going to be held and we will discuss the details soon." However, the AAP MP has assured that the INDIA alliance members will vote in favour of the bill after voicing their opposition to certain clauses. "The INDIA alliance members have agreed to question the Government's intent on the bill in the house, we will also oppose the fact that the implementation of the bill is being delayed. However, during the voting on the bill we will vote in favour of the bill" said Sanjay Singh. ALSO READ | Kanimozhi questions "veil of secrecy" over tabling of Women's Reservation Bill Earlier ahead of the discussion on the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha today, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that discussion on the bill will be held throughout the day and it has nothing to do with politics. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building on Tuesday. Arjun Ram Meghwal said that once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in Lok Sabha will increase to 181. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday urged the government to delink the women's reservation bill from the census and delimitation exercises that would "delay" its implementation for years, and ensure that the quota can come into being "immediately."

She said certain provisions of the bill have been framed in such a manner that the benefit of the reservation would not reach women for the next 15 or 16 years, or "several elections" later.

The Centre on Tuesday introduced a constitutional amendment bill to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, reviving a bill pending for nearly three decades because of a lack of consensus among parties.

ALSO READ | Delay in implementing is gross injustice to Indian women: Sonia on women's bill

"The provisions which need to be mentioned here are that after the passage of the bill a census will be carried out in the country followed by the delimitation for Lok Sabha and state assembly constituencies," The Bahujan Samaj Party supremo, who has already extended support to the bill, said.

"This means it will not be implemented immediately," she told reporters.

It is an open fact that the census takes several years to complete, and the last one was carried out in 2011, Mayawati said. "In such a situation, the new census will take several years and then delimitation will also take several years and only then the reservation will be implemented," the leader said.

The BSP chief accused the Centre of bringing the bill with a view to muster women's votes in the state and Lok Sabha polls and not with a clear conscience.

"It is nothing more than that and the conditions kept in the bill prove this. If such is not the case, the BSP urges the government to drop these two provisions from the bill or take such steps as could help women get the benefit of the reservation bill immediately," she said.

ALSO READ | INDIA bloc assures support, urges implementation in 2024 without time limit clause

Stressing her demand for quota within quota, the politician said, "I again appeal for a separate quota for women from SC/ST category in the 33 per cent reservation. Similarly, the quota of the OBC women should also be decided as they are still backwards as compared to the general category women."

She, however, repeated that her party will support the bill even if its conditions are not met, considering women are still backward as compared to men.

The government on Tuesday introduced the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.

However, provisions in the bill state that the reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise, or the redrawing of constituencies, and census.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

BSP leader Mayawati on Wednesday urged the government to delink the women's reservation bill from the census and delimitation exercises that would "delay" its implementation for years, and ensure that the quota can come into being "immediately." She said certain provisions of the bill have been framed in such a manner that the benefit of the reservation would not reach women for the next 15 or 16 years, or "several elections" later. The Centre on Tuesday introduced a constitutional amendment bill to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, reviving a bill pending for nearly three decades because of a lack of consensus among parties.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Delay in implementing is gross injustice to Indian women: Sonia on women's bill "The provisions which need to be mentioned here are that after the passage of the bill a census will be carried out in the country followed by the delimitation for Lok Sabha and state assembly constituencies," The Bahujan Samaj Party supremo, who has already extended support to the bill, said. "This means it will not be implemented immediately," she told reporters. It is an open fact that the census takes several years to complete, and the last one was carried out in 2011, Mayawati said. "In such a situation, the new census will take several years and then delimitation will also take several years and only then the reservation will be implemented," the leader said. The BSP chief accused the Centre of bringing the bill with a view to muster women's votes in the state and Lok Sabha polls and not with a clear conscience. "It is nothing more than that and the conditions kept in the bill prove this. If such is not the case, the BSP urges the government to drop these two provisions from the bill or take such steps as could help women get the benefit of the reservation bill immediately," she said. ALSO READ | INDIA bloc assures support, urges implementation in 2024 without time limit clause Stressing her demand for quota within quota, the politician said, "I again appeal for a separate quota for women from SC/ST category in the 33 per cent reservation. Similarly, the quota of the OBC women should also be decided as they are still backwards as compared to the general category women." She, however, repeated that her party will support the bill even if its conditions are not met, considering women are still backward as compared to men. The government on Tuesday introduced the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, provisions in the bill state that the reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise, or the redrawing of constituencies, and census. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi on Wednesday questioned the Narendra Modi government over the women's reservation bill, and criticised the "veil of secrecy (that) shrouded" the drafting and tabling of the bill and demanded to know if relevant stakeholders had been consulted.

Asking what consensus was built and what discussions were held before tabling the legislation in the Lok Sabha, the Thoothukudi MP in the Lok Sabha said, "I myself raised this issue (the women's bill) many times in Parliament... the government's reply was very consistent. They said, 'We have to involve all stakeholders, political parties... and then build a consensus before bringing the bill."

"I would like to know what consensus was built... what discussions were held. This bill was brought shrouded in secrecy... we did not know why this (special) session was called for. At the all-party leaders' meeting there was no mention of this bill... I don't know if any of the political leaders were called for deliberations. Suddenly the bill popped up on our computers... like a jack-in-the-box," Kanimozhi said.

"Is this going to be the way this government will function?" she asked, in reference to the kurta and pyjama with a pink jacket. The jacket will have lotus motifs new uniforms with lotus motifs for Parliament staffers. "Like we are suddenly seeing lotuses blooming from the uniforms of secretariat staff. Is everything going to be a surprise like this?"

While participating in the discussion on the constitutional amendment bill 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', she said the clause pertaining to 'after delimitation' in the bill should be removed as there could be an inordinate delay in the implementation of the reservation for women.

She also called the delimitation process "a sword" over South Indian states, referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's statement. He said it was like a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of Tamil Nadu. and southern India as this exercise would reduce their representation in Parliament. "This is a political manoeuvre, if seats in Parliament are increased on the basis of the population then this will reduce the political representation of South Indian states", he said.

The 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as proposed in the bill, will come into effect only after census and the delimitation exercise.

"How long should we wait to see this bill implemented? It can be easily implemented in the coming Parliamentary elections. This bill, you should understand, is not a reservation but an act of removing bias and injustice," she said.

VIDEO | DMK MP @KanimozhiDMK alleges heckling by BJP MPs as she starts speaking on Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/jsdTfLjZ3f  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

Asserting that women wanted to be treated as equals and did not want to be pedestalised, she said, "Stop saluting us. We do not want to be saluted, put up on pedestals, worshipped, or called mothers, sisters, or wives; we want to be respected as equals. Let us get down from the pedestals and walk as equals. We have a right to this country as much as you do. This country belongs to us, this Parliament belongs to us, and we have the right to be here."

Even before she could begin her speech in the Lower House of the Parliament during a five-day special session, she was heckled by other members. She said in Tamil that she was not able to understand anything. She then went on to quote social reformer EV Ramasamy 'Periyar', "... when I see the BJP heckling us... the pretence of men - that they respect women and strive for their freedom - is a ruse to deceive them."

Kanimozhi also said she has no qualms in accepting that the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was a very strong woman. Jayalalithaa was the leader of AIADMK, the rival of DMK in Tamil Nadu.

The women's reservation bill, named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, introduced in the Lower House by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed and is, therefore, unlikely to be in force during the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024.

The bill, which was introduced in the Lower House on Tuesday, is also the first bill introduced in the new Parliament building.

TNIE EDITORIAL | Women should not be proxies to win seats

OPINION | Equality gets a number: Half the sky, one-third ground

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP Kanimozhi on Wednesday questioned the Narendra Modi government over the women's reservation bill, and criticised the "veil of secrecy (that) shrouded" the drafting and tabling of the bill and demanded to know if relevant stakeholders had been consulted. Asking what consensus was built and what discussions were held before tabling the legislation in the Lok Sabha, the Thoothukudi MP in the Lok Sabha said, "I myself raised this issue (the women's bill) many times in Parliament... the government's reply was very consistent. They said, 'We have to involve all stakeholders, political parties... and then build a consensus before bringing the bill." "I would like to know what consensus was built... what discussions were held. This bill was brought shrouded in secrecy... we did not know why this (special) session was called for. At the all-party leaders' meeting there was no mention of this bill... I don't know if any of the political leaders were called for deliberations. Suddenly the bill popped up on our computers... like a jack-in-the-box," Kanimozhi said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Is this going to be the way this government will function?" she asked, in reference to the kurta and pyjama with a pink jacket. The jacket will have lotus motifs new uniforms with lotus motifs for Parliament staffers. "Like we are suddenly seeing lotuses blooming from the uniforms of secretariat staff. Is everything going to be a surprise like this?" While participating in the discussion on the constitutional amendment bill 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', she said the clause pertaining to 'after delimitation' in the bill should be removed as there could be an inordinate delay in the implementation of the reservation for women. She also called the delimitation process "a sword" over South Indian states, referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin's statement. He said it was like a sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of Tamil Nadu. and southern India as this exercise would reduce their representation in Parliament. "This is a political manoeuvre, if seats in Parliament are increased on the basis of the population then this will reduce the political representation of South Indian states", he said. The 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as proposed in the bill, will come into effect only after census and the delimitation exercise. "How long should we wait to see this bill implemented? It can be easily implemented in the coming Parliamentary elections. This bill, you should understand, is not a reservation but an act of removing bias and injustice," she said. VIDEO | DMK MP @KanimozhiDMK alleges heckling by BJP MPs as she starts speaking on Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha. pic.twitter.com/jsdTfLjZ3f  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023 Asserting that women wanted to be treated as equals and did not want to be pedestalised, she said, "Stop saluting us. We do not want to be saluted, put up on pedestals, worshipped, or called mothers, sisters, or wives; we want to be respected as equals. Let us get down from the pedestals and walk as equals. We have a right to this country as much as you do. This country belongs to us, this Parliament belongs to us, and we have the right to be here." Even before she could begin her speech in the Lower House of the Parliament during a five-day special session, she was heckled by other members. She said in Tamil that she was not able to understand anything. She then went on to quote social reformer EV Ramasamy 'Periyar', "... when I see the BJP heckling us... the pretence of men - that they respect women and strive for their freedom - is a ruse to deceive them." Kanimozhi also said she has no qualms in accepting that the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was a very strong woman. Jayalalithaa was the leader of AIADMK, the rival of DMK in Tamil Nadu. The women's reservation bill, named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, introduced in the Lower House by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed and is, therefore, unlikely to be in force during the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024. The bill, which was introduced in the Lower House on Tuesday, is also the first bill introduced in the new Parliament building. TNIE EDITORIAL | Women should not be proxies to win seats OPINION | Equality gets a number: Half the sky, one-third ground Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
T Muruganandham By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday welcomed the women's quota Bill but said instead of passing token bills, we must work towards genuine and meaningful change. People are clever enough to see through the BJPs empty rhetoric as the reservation would come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is carried out on the basis of a yet-to-be-held census, Stalin said in a nine-page statement issued on Wednesday.

Stalin also sought assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, would not see a reduction in the number of representatives elected to Lok Sabha under the delimitation exercise to be carried out based on population. The union government must also not ignore the demands for representation for BC and OBC women in the bill, he said.

Stalin said the delimitation process is a Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of Tamil Nadu and south Indian states as it would reduce the number of representatives elected to Parliament from these states. This political conspiracy should be thwarted. The attempt to betray Tamil Nadu, a politically conscious state, should be nipped in the bud, the CM said.

TN likely to lose 8 seats in delimitation

It is unjust that southern states, which have diligently followed the union governments policies to control population growth, must face punitive measures during constituency delimitation, he said. The delimitation exercise completed in 1976 on the basis of the 1971 population census reduced the number of Lok Sabha seats for TN by two. In the 2026 delimitation exercise, the state is likely to lose eight more seats while the number of Lok Sabha seats for northern states would go up.

This would reduce the political representation of southern states. DMK, which has been a relentless crusader for womens rights for the past 75 years, has consistently supported their reservation and wholeheartedly welcomes the bill. The BJP government displayed a lack of commitment in passing the womens reservation bill, Stalin said.

Stalin also said the BJP, did not actively engage in discussions regarding the womens quota bill until the 2024 polls. Regrettably, the current bills effectiveness is contingent on the completion of the delayed census and subsequent delimitation process in 2026, thereby postponing its realisation until 2029. People are clever enough to see through the BJPs empty rhetoric, he said.

He added, In 1996, then CM M Karunanidhi gave 33% reservation to women in local bodies. Now, it has gone up to 50%. Stalin also pointed out that the bill to provide 33% reservation to women has been pending for 27 long years.

In 1996, the Centre in which DMK was a partner introduced the bill for the first time. In 2005, again the then Centre, in which DMK was a partner, introduced the bill. But the BJP which promised to support the bill opposed it. BJP woman MP Uma Bharathi stoutly opposed the bill. Those who opposed it in the past include Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath.

The CM also recalled that after much effort by Congress, DMK, and other parties, the UPA government introduced the bill on March 8 in Rajya Sabha in 2010 and it was passed the next day. However due to opposition from a few parties, the bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha. In 2017, on behalf of the DMK, Kanimozhi MP led a procession pressing for 33% reservation.

A few days ago, a resolution was also passed at the DMK MPs meeting. Stalin also pointed out that according to the Global Gender Gap Index, 2022, India stood at 48th place among 146 countries. In Indian Parliament and legislatures, womens representation is low and through the 33% reservation, this shortcoming could be addressed, he said.

ALSO READ DMK MP Kanimozhi questions "veil of secrecy" over tabling of Women's Reservation Bill

TNIE EDITORIAL | Women should not be proxies to win seats

OPINION | Equality gets a number: Half the sky, one-third ground

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday welcomed the women's quota Bill but said instead of passing token bills, we must work towards genuine and meaningful change. People are clever enough to see through the BJPs empty rhetoric as the reservation would come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is carried out on the basis of a yet-to-be-held census, Stalin said in a nine-page statement issued on Wednesday. Stalin also sought assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, would not see a reduction in the number of representatives elected to Lok Sabha under the delimitation exercise to be carried out based on population. The union government must also not ignore the demands for representation for BC and OBC women in the bill, he said. Stalin said the delimitation process is a Sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of Tamil Nadu and south Indian states as it would reduce the number of representatives elected to Parliament from these states. This political conspiracy should be thwarted. The attempt to betray Tamil Nadu, a politically conscious state, should be nipped in the bud, the CM said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); TN likely to lose 8 seats in delimitation It is unjust that southern states, which have diligently followed the union governments policies to control population growth, must face punitive measures during constituency delimitation, he said. The delimitation exercise completed in 1976 on the basis of the 1971 population census reduced the number of Lok Sabha seats for TN by two. In the 2026 delimitation exercise, the state is likely to lose eight more seats while the number of Lok Sabha seats for northern states would go up. This would reduce the political representation of southern states. DMK, which has been a relentless crusader for womens rights for the past 75 years, has consistently supported their reservation and wholeheartedly welcomes the bill. The BJP government displayed a lack of commitment in passing the womens reservation bill, Stalin said. Stalin also said the BJP, did not actively engage in discussions regarding the womens quota bill until the 2024 polls. Regrettably, the current bills effectiveness is contingent on the completion of the delayed census and subsequent delimitation process in 2026, thereby postponing its realisation until 2029. People are clever enough to see through the BJPs empty rhetoric, he said. He added, In 1996, then CM M Karunanidhi gave 33% reservation to women in local bodies. Now, it has gone up to 50%. Stalin also pointed out that the bill to provide 33% reservation to women has been pending for 27 long years. In 1996, the Centre in which DMK was a partner introduced the bill for the first time. In 2005, again the then Centre, in which DMK was a partner, introduced the bill. But the BJP which promised to support the bill opposed it. BJP woman MP Uma Bharathi stoutly opposed the bill. Those who opposed it in the past include Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath. The CM also recalled that after much effort by Congress, DMK, and other parties, the UPA government introduced the bill on March 8 in Rajya Sabha in 2010 and it was passed the next day. However due to opposition from a few parties, the bill could not be passed in the Lok Sabha. In 2017, on behalf of the DMK, Kanimozhi MP led a procession pressing for 33% reservation. A few days ago, a resolution was also passed at the DMK MPs meeting. Stalin also pointed out that according to the Global Gender Gap Index, 2022, India stood at 48th place among 146 countries. In Indian Parliament and legislatures, womens representation is low and through the 33% reservation, this shortcoming could be addressed, he said. ALSO READ DMK MP Kanimozhi questions "veil of secrecy" over tabling of Women's Reservation Bill TNIE EDITORIAL | Women should not be proxies to win seats OPINION | Equality gets a number: Half the sky, one-third ground Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

ISTANBUL: Azerbaijan's close ally Turkey on Tuesday defended Baku's military operation against Nagorno-Karabakh, saying it was addressing "justified" security concerns in the ethnically Armenian breakaway region.

"As a result of the legitimate and justified concerns it has repeatedly expressed regarding the situation on the ground in the nearly three years since the end of the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan has had to take the measures it deems necessary on its own sovereign territory," the Turkish foreign ministry said.

Ankara said the operation was sparked by "long-standing armed attacks and provocations" against Azerbaijani forces in the region.

But it added that only direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan could permanently resolve the decades-long conflict.

"We believe that ensuring the continuation of the comprehensive negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia... is the only way to establish peace, security, prosperity and permanent stability in the region," the Turkish statement said.

Turkey is a historic ally of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan and views mostly Christian Armenia as one of its main regional rivals.

Ankara supplied Azerbaijan with combat drones and other military equipment that helped Baku win back swathes of the breakaway region in a short but brutal war three years ago.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

ISTANBUL: Azerbaijan's close ally Turkey on Tuesday defended Baku's military operation against Nagorno-Karabakh, saying it was addressing "justified" security concerns in the ethnically Armenian breakaway region. "As a result of the legitimate and justified concerns it has repeatedly expressed regarding the situation on the ground in the nearly three years since the end of the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan has had to take the measures it deems necessary on its own sovereign territory," the Turkish foreign ministry said. Ankara said the operation was sparked by "long-standing armed attacks and provocations" against Azerbaijani forces in the region.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); But it added that only direct talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan could permanently resolve the decades-long conflict. "We believe that ensuring the continuation of the comprehensive negotiation process between Azerbaijan and Armenia... is the only way to establish peace, security, prosperity and permanent stability in the region," the Turkish statement said. Turkey is a historic ally of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan and views mostly Christian Armenia as one of its main regional rivals. Ankara supplied Azerbaijan with combat drones and other military equipment that helped Baku win back swathes of the breakaway region in a short but brutal war three years ago. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

TORONTO: Canada's Sikh community is hoping Ottawa's shock accusations against India -- that New Delhi may have been involved in the assassination of one of their leaders on Canadian soil -- will be just the first dramatic step taken against alleged "Indian interference."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertion on Monday that agents linked to New Delhi may have been responsible for the June 18 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, sent shockwaves through both countries, prompting the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats.

Members of Canada's Sikh community -- the largest outside of India -- said they were relieved that the accusation had been made.

"We are happy to see India being held accountable," said Harkirt Singh Dhadda, a lawyer and prominent member of the Sikh community in the Toronto area.

But, while he told AFP the expulsion of a diplomat was a "signal," it was "not the only thing that is expected."

"We want a full investigation that brings to justice the people involved in this assassination, including those who pulled the trigger and the ones who plotted this assassination," he said.

An activist for the creation of a Sikh state known as Khalistan, Nijjar was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder -- charges he had denied.

Nijjar's son also described a "sense of relief" that the accusations were finally out in the open.

"Hopefully, you can take this a step further and get specific individuals," Balraj Singh Nijjar told reporters.

ALSO READ

Khalistan

Posters still pay tribute to Nijjar on the gates of the Sikh temple in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver on the country's western coast.

In front of the blue and white building, yellow flags proclaiming "Khalistan" were flying. Anger in the community, which at 770,000 people forms some two per cent of Canada's population, has not subsided.

"The fact that a political assassination of this nature could occur in broad daylight in Surrey gives rise to grave concerns about the Government of Canada's lack of decisive action in combating Indian foreign interference in Canada," the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council said in a statement.

New Delhi, for its part, has described the accusations as "absurd."

"I expect Canada to release more information," Jaskaran Sandhu, co-founder of Baaz News, a website for the Sikh community, told AFP.

"If the government doesn't take a strong stance and send a strong message, all it declares to the world is that it's open season on our citizens," he added.

Jagmett Singh, the leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) and a Trudeau ally, called for India to be included in a public inquiry launched earlier this month into alleged foreign interference, particularly by China.

"In my experience, as a Sikh-Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians. Yesterday's announcement confirms that these suspicions are valid," he said.

Canada must also put an end to intelligence sharing with New Delhi, say Sikh officials.

Since 2018, the two countries have established cooperation on counter-terrorism activities which commits them to financial, judicial and police cooperation -- an agreement eyed warily by Canadian Sikhs today.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

TORONTO: Canada's Sikh community is hoping Ottawa's shock accusations against India -- that New Delhi may have been involved in the assassination of one of their leaders on Canadian soil -- will be just the first dramatic step taken against alleged "Indian interference." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's assertion on Monday that agents linked to New Delhi may have been responsible for the June 18 murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, sent shockwaves through both countries, prompting the reciprocal expulsion of diplomats. Members of Canada's Sikh community -- the largest outside of India -- said they were relieved that the accusation had been made.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "We are happy to see India being held accountable," said Harkirt Singh Dhadda, a lawyer and prominent member of the Sikh community in the Toronto area. But, while he told AFP the expulsion of a diplomat was a "signal," it was "not the only thing that is expected." "We want a full investigation that brings to justice the people involved in this assassination, including those who pulled the trigger and the ones who plotted this assassination," he said. An activist for the creation of a Sikh state known as Khalistan, Nijjar was wanted by Indian authorities for alleged terrorism and conspiracy to commit murder -- charges he had denied. Nijjar's son also described a "sense of relief" that the accusations were finally out in the open. "Hopefully, you can take this a step further and get specific individuals," Balraj Singh Nijjar told reporters. ALSO READ Canada links India to slaying of Khalistani separatist leader, expels top Indian diplomat Canada not looking to provoke India or escalate tensions, says PM Justin Trudeau INTERVIEW | PM Trudeaus allegations are 'wild and preposterous', says ex-Indian envoy to Canada Khalistan Posters still pay tribute to Nijjar on the gates of the Sikh temple in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver on the country's western coast. In front of the blue and white building, yellow flags proclaiming "Khalistan" were flying. Anger in the community, which at 770,000 people forms some two per cent of Canada's population, has not subsided. "The fact that a political assassination of this nature could occur in broad daylight in Surrey gives rise to grave concerns about the Government of Canada's lack of decisive action in combating Indian foreign interference in Canada," the British Columbia Gurdwaras Council said in a statement. New Delhi, for its part, has described the accusations as "absurd." "I expect Canada to release more information," Jaskaran Sandhu, co-founder of Baaz News, a website for the Sikh community, told AFP. "If the government doesn't take a strong stance and send a strong message, all it declares to the world is that it's open season on our citizens," he added. Jagmett Singh, the leader of the left-wing New Democratic Party (NDP) and a Trudeau ally, called for India to be included in a public inquiry launched earlier this month into alleged foreign interference, particularly by China. "In my experience, as a Sikh-Canadian, there have always been suspicions that India was interfering in the democratic rights of Canadians. Yesterday's announcement confirms that these suspicions are valid," he said. Canada must also put an end to intelligence sharing with New Delhi, say Sikh officials. Since 2018, the two countries have established cooperation on counter-terrorism activities which commits them to financial, judicial and police cooperation -- an agreement eyed warily by Canadian Sikhs today. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

LONDON: British Sikh members of Parliament Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi have reacted to "concerning" reports emanating from Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in the country.

The Opposition Labour MPs, who represent heavily Sikh constituencies in England, took to social media on Tuesday to claim they had been contacted by their constituents about allegations by Trudeau in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force.

They said they are raising their concerns directly with the government ministers.

"PM Trudeau's statement on Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder is deeply concerning," tweeted Gill, who is the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston in the West Midlands region of England.

"It is important that Canada's investigation runs its course, and those responsible see justice. I want to reassure my constituents that I and my colleagues are raising our concerns with ministers," she said.

Dhesi, MP for Slough in south-east England, also tweeted to claim many British Sikhs have been in contact with him over the issue. "Concerning reports coming from Canada. Many Sikhs from Slough and beyond have contacted me; anxious, angry or fearful. Given that Canadian PM Trudeau stated they've been working with close allies, we're in touch with the UK government to ensure justice is delivered," he said.

ALSO READ | Son of Khalistan separatist leader says family 'always suspected' Indian govt's role in his killing

It follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement in the country's Parliament on Monday that the authorities are "actively pursuing credible allegations" related to Indian government involvement in the murder of Nijjar, a designated terrorist, in British Columbia in June.

In an emergency statement to the House of Commons in Ottawa, Trudeau said that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen was "an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty".

India has strongly rejected Trudeau's claims as "absurd and motivated" and dismissed a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move.

"Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

Soon after, a UK government spokesperson said Britain is in close touch with the Canadian authorities over the "serious allegations" but declined to comment further.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson told reporters later that "work on the trade negotiations will continue as before" and that the UK was "not looking to conflate these issues."

ALSO READ | 'Exercise caution': MEA's advisory to Indians in Canada amid growing tensions between both nations

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

LONDON: British Sikh members of Parliament Preet Kaur Gill and Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi have reacted to "concerning" reports emanating from Canada after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged Indian involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in the country. The Opposition Labour MPs, who represent heavily Sikh constituencies in England, took to social media on Tuesday to claim they had been contacted by their constituents about allegations by Trudeau in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force. They said they are raising their concerns directly with the government ministers.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "PM Trudeau's statement on Hardeep Singh Nijjar's murder is deeply concerning," tweeted Gill, who is the MP for Birmingham Edgbaston in the West Midlands region of England. "It is important that Canada's investigation runs its course, and those responsible see justice. I want to reassure my constituents that I and my colleagues are raising our concerns with ministers," she said. Dhesi, MP for Slough in south-east England, also tweeted to claim many British Sikhs have been in contact with him over the issue. "Concerning reports coming from Canada. Many Sikhs from Slough and beyond have contacted me; anxious, angry or fearful. Given that Canadian PM Trudeau stated they've been working with close allies, we're in touch with the UK government to ensure justice is delivered," he said. ALSO READ | Son of Khalistan separatist leader says family 'always suspected' Indian govt's role in his killing It follows Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement in the country's Parliament on Monday that the authorities are "actively pursuing credible allegations" related to Indian government involvement in the murder of Nijjar, a designated terrorist, in British Columbia in June. In an emergency statement to the House of Commons in Ottawa, Trudeau said that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen was "an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty". India has strongly rejected Trudeau's claims as "absurd and motivated" and dismissed a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move. "Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Soon after, a UK government spokesperson said Britain is in close touch with the Canadian authorities over the "serious allegations" but declined to comment further. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesperson told reporters later that "work on the trade negotiations will continue as before" and that the UK was "not looking to conflate these issues." ALSO READ | 'Exercise caution': MEA's advisory to Indians in Canada amid growing tensions between both nations Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

BANGKOK: A Thai politician and activist was banned from politics for life on Wednesday for breaching "ethical standards" with decade-old photos deemed disrespectful to the kingdom's revered monarchy.

Pannika Wanich, an activist with the progressive Move Forward Party and previously an MP and spokesperson with the now-dissolved Future Forward Party, has been hit with numerous lawsuits over the years over allegations she disrespected the monarchy.

Thailand has strict royal defamation laws banning any criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family, which critics say have been used to silence dissent.

"The (Supreme) Court ruled that she has violated the ethical standards of a person who holds the political position," Pannika's lawyer Krissadang Nutcharat told AFP.

"The court has banned her from enrolling in politics for the rest of her life."

Srisuwan Janya, a royalist activist and serial petitioner, filed the case with the National Anti-Corruption Commission in 2019 over Facebook posts published on Pannika's personal account.

He alleged that photos -- including an image taken at her 2010 graduation, where she was photographed pointing at former King Rama IX -- were disrespectful to the monarchy.

Srisuwan claimed Pannika had breached the "ethical standards that a person with political position" must maintain to hold public office -- which include respecting the monarchy.

The Supreme Court upheld his complaint on Wednesday.

In a separate case, officials also charged Pannika with violating the Computer Crime Act after she shared an old poem online.

A court dismissed those charges this year and ruled that the poem, which focused on the Ayutthaya period hundreds of years ago, had been widely available.

One of the only women on the executive board of the Future Forward Party, Pannika was previously banned from holding political office for a decade following the party's dissolution in 2020.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

BANGKOK: A Thai politician and activist was banned from politics for life on Wednesday for breaching "ethical standards" with decade-old photos deemed disrespectful to the kingdom's revered monarchy. Pannika Wanich, an activist with the progressive Move Forward Party and previously an MP and spokesperson with the now-dissolved Future Forward Party, has been hit with numerous lawsuits over the years over allegations she disrespected the monarchy. Thailand has strict royal defamation laws banning any criticism of King Maha Vajiralongkorn and his close family, which critics say have been used to silence dissent.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "The (Supreme) Court ruled that she has violated the ethical standards of a person who holds the political position," Pannika's lawyer Krissadang Nutcharat told AFP. "The court has banned her from enrolling in politics for the rest of her life." Srisuwan Janya, a royalist activist and serial petitioner, filed the case with the National Anti-Corruption Commission in 2019 over Facebook posts published on Pannika's personal account. He alleged that photos -- including an image taken at her 2010 graduation, where she was photographed pointing at former King Rama IX -- were disrespectful to the monarchy. Srisuwan claimed Pannika had breached the "ethical standards that a person with political position" must maintain to hold public office -- which include respecting the monarchy. The Supreme Court upheld his complaint on Wednesday. In a separate case, officials also charged Pannika with violating the Computer Crime Act after she shared an old poem online. A court dismissed those charges this year and ruled that the poem, which focused on the Ayutthaya period hundreds of years ago, had been widely available. One of the only women on the executive board of the Future Forward Party, Pannika was previously banned from holding political office for a decade following the party's dissolution in 2020. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

NEW DELHI: Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh independence advocate whose killing two months ago is at the centre of a widening breach between India and Canada, was called a human rights activist by Sikh organizations and a criminal by Indias government.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that his government was investigating credible allegations" that Indian government agents were linked to the June 18 slaying, when Nijjar was gunned down outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia.

India has denied any role in the killing, calling the allegations absurd.

A separatist and a plumber in Canada

Nijjar, 45 when he died, was a prominent member of a movement to create an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan and was organizing an unofficial referendum among the Sikh diaspora with the organization Sikhs For Justice.

He also owned a plumbing business and served as president of a Sikh temple or gurdwara in suburban Vancouver, where banners hung with his face promoting the referendum on Tuesday. In a 2016 interview with the Vancouver Sun, he responded dismissively to reports in Indian media that he was suspected of leading a terrorist cell.

This is garbage  all the allegations. I have been living here for 20 years, right? Look at my record. There is nothing. I am a hard worker. I own my own business in plumbing, Nijjar told the newspaper. At the time, he said he was too busy to take part in diaspora politics.

Following his death, the World Sikh Organization of Canada called Nijjar an outspoken supporter of Khalistan who often led peaceful protests against the violation of human rights actively taking place in India and in support of Khalistan.

India called him a militant; he denied it

Nijjar was a wanted man in India, which has for years seen Sikh separatists abroad as a security threat.

In 2016, Indian media reported that Nijjar was suspected of masterminding a bombing in the Sikh-majority state of Punjab and training terrorists in a small city southeast of Vancouver. He denied the allegations.

ALSO READ | INTERVIEW | PM Trudeaus allegations are 'wild and preposterous', says ex-Indian envoy to Canada

In 2020, Indian authorities claimed Nijjar was a member of a banned militant group and designated him a terrorist. That year, they also filed a criminal case against him as farmers, many from Punjab, camped out on the edges of New Delhi to protest controversial agriculture laws. The Indian government initially tried to discredit the protests by associating them with Sikh separatists, filing a number of such cases against Sikh activists in India and abroad.

Last year, Indian authorities accused Nijjar of involvement in an alleged attack on a Hindu priest in India and announced a reward of about $16,000 for information leading to his arrest.

India's war against separatism

The modern Sikh independence movement reaches back to the 1940s but eventually became an armed insurgency that shook the country in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1984, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a raid to capture armed separatists taking refuge in Sikhism's holiest shrine.

The raid killed hundreds of people, and two of Gandhis Sikh bodyguards assassinated her shortly after. In response, anti-Sikh riots took place across India in which members of the minority were dragged out of their homes and killed. The insurgency was eventually suppressed in a crackdown during which thousands of people were killed, but the goal of Sikh independence still has support among some in northern India and in the Sikh diaspora.

More recently, the Hindu nationalist-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cracked down on both non-Hindu rights movements and dissidents.

Sikh diaspora activism has been a source of tension between India and Canada for years. Canada has the largest population of Sikhs outside India, and India has repeatedly accused it of tolerating terrorists and extremists."

Nijjar was shot at a temple

Canadian police said Nijjar was shot as he was leaving the parking lot of the Sikh temple where he served as president in British Columbia. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene.

After the killing, a lawyer and spokesperson for Sikhs For Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, said Nijjar had been a target of threats because of his activism. His killing was the second in two years of a prominent member of the Sikh community in Canada.

Pannun said he had spoken to Nijjar by phone the day before he was killed and that Nijjar had told him that Canadian intelligence had warned him that his life was at risk.

Canada's Sikh community rallies behind him



Nearly a week after Nijjars slaying, about 200 protesters from Canadas Sikh community gathered in front of the Indian Consulate in Vancouver to demonstrate. Many of the protesters were convinced that Nijjars killing was linked to his calls for an independent Sikh state.

He was a loving man, a hard-working man, a family man, said Gurkeerat Singh, one of the protesters.

On Monday, Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Sikh Gurdwara Council, told Canadas CTV that the wave of support for Nijjar seen after his death was an indication of how he was seen in the community.

ALSO READ | UK says India trade talks 'continue as before' amid Canada allegations

It shook the community across the entire world, including in Punjab, Singh said.

The community is shattered. There are very, very high emotions, Sukh Dhaliwal, a member of Parliament who represents Surrey, said days after the killing.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh independence advocate whose killing two months ago is at the centre of a widening breach between India and Canada, was called a human rights activist by Sikh organizations and a criminal by Indias government. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday that his government was investigating credible allegations" that Indian government agents were linked to the June 18 slaying, when Nijjar was gunned down outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia. India has denied any role in the killing, calling the allegations absurd.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); A separatist and a plumber in Canada Nijjar, 45 when he died, was a prominent member of a movement to create an independent Sikh homeland known as Khalistan and was organizing an unofficial referendum among the Sikh diaspora with the organization Sikhs For Justice. He also owned a plumbing business and served as president of a Sikh temple or gurdwara in suburban Vancouver, where banners hung with his face promoting the referendum on Tuesday. In a 2016 interview with the Vancouver Sun, he responded dismissively to reports in Indian media that he was suspected of leading a terrorist cell. This is garbage  all the allegations. I have been living here for 20 years, right? Look at my record. There is nothing. I am a hard worker. I own my own business in plumbing, Nijjar told the newspaper. At the time, he said he was too busy to take part in diaspora politics. Following his death, the World Sikh Organization of Canada called Nijjar an outspoken supporter of Khalistan who often led peaceful protests against the violation of human rights actively taking place in India and in support of Khalistan. India called him a militant; he denied it Nijjar was a wanted man in India, which has for years seen Sikh separatists abroad as a security threat. In 2016, Indian media reported that Nijjar was suspected of masterminding a bombing in the Sikh-majority state of Punjab and training terrorists in a small city southeast of Vancouver. He denied the allegations. ALSO READ | INTERVIEW | PM Trudeaus allegations are 'wild and preposterous', says ex-Indian envoy to Canada In 2020, Indian authorities claimed Nijjar was a member of a banned militant group and designated him a terrorist. That year, they also filed a criminal case against him as farmers, many from Punjab, camped out on the edges of New Delhi to protest controversial agriculture laws. The Indian government initially tried to discredit the protests by associating them with Sikh separatists, filing a number of such cases against Sikh activists in India and abroad. Last year, Indian authorities accused Nijjar of involvement in an alleged attack on a Hindu priest in India and announced a reward of about $16,000 for information leading to his arrest. India's war against separatism The modern Sikh independence movement reaches back to the 1940s but eventually became an armed insurgency that shook the country in the 1970s and 1980s. In 1984, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a raid to capture armed separatists taking refuge in Sikhism's holiest shrine. The raid killed hundreds of people, and two of Gandhis Sikh bodyguards assassinated her shortly after. In response, anti-Sikh riots took place across India in which members of the minority were dragged out of their homes and killed. The insurgency was eventually suppressed in a crackdown during which thousands of people were killed, but the goal of Sikh independence still has support among some in northern India and in the Sikh diaspora. More recently, the Hindu nationalist-led government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has cracked down on both non-Hindu rights movements and dissidents. Sikh diaspora activism has been a source of tension between India and Canada for years. Canada has the largest population of Sikhs outside India, and India has repeatedly accused it of tolerating terrorists and extremists." Nijjar was shot at a temple Canadian police said Nijjar was shot as he was leaving the parking lot of the Sikh temple where he served as president in British Columbia. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. After the killing, a lawyer and spokesperson for Sikhs For Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, said Nijjar had been a target of threats because of his activism. His killing was the second in two years of a prominent member of the Sikh community in Canada. Pannun said he had spoken to Nijjar by phone the day before he was killed and that Nijjar had told him that Canadian intelligence had warned him that his life was at risk. Canada's Sikh community rallies behind him Nearly a week after Nijjars slaying, about 200 protesters from Canadas Sikh community gathered in front of the Indian Consulate in Vancouver to demonstrate. Many of the protesters were convinced that Nijjars killing was linked to his calls for an independent Sikh state. He was a loving man, a hard-working man, a family man, said Gurkeerat Singh, one of the protesters. On Monday, Moninder Singh, a spokesperson for the British Columbia Sikh Gurdwara Council, told Canadas CTV that the wave of support for Nijjar seen after his death was an indication of how he was seen in the community. ALSO READ | UK says India trade talks 'continue as before' amid Canada allegations It shook the community across the entire world, including in Punjab, Singh said. The community is shattered. There are very, very high emotions, Sukh Dhaliwal, a member of Parliament who represents Surrey, said days after the killing. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
www.sacw.net > Citizens Action & Ideas for Peace in South Asia | October 19, 2004

Sri Lanka: Broadening the discourse on peace and security

by Prof. Asoka Bandarage



(Text of a Talk presented at a session sponsored by The Society for International Development, Washington Chapter on September 23, 2004. The talk was attended by many policymakers and practitioners from the diplomatic, academic, NGO and state sectors in Washington D.C.)

We have come to a point in world history where the social development issues and the environmental issues cannot be addressed without addressing peace and security. The breakdown in peace and security is has an impact in all aspects of life everywhere. For long, I kept away from addressing so- called 'ethnic' issue and the civil war in Sri Lanka. My background is in socio-economic development, gender concerns and so forth, but, like many serious scholars, I am compelled to address the peace and security issues now. We have to address war and peace if we want to talk about sustainable development in the future. This is not just a situation peculiar to Sri Lanka; it is a global reality, this shift from economic and social development as well as environmental development to peace and security issues.

I don't need to tell you that it's a very tense time in the world, today; peace and freedom are undermined everywhere, deception and authoritarianism are upheld in the name of truth, freedom, and security. It is important for people everywhere to speak up urgently to safeguard our human traditions of peace democracy and to avert the further spread of global violence. It is very important to look at the Sri Lankan case within this broader context.

In a world where insecurity and violence are increasing, Sri Lanka is often presented as an exemplary case, the case where the terrorism is being overcome through the political means. A ceasefire was signed by Sri Lanka and the LTTE over two years ago and we have to commend the fact that the ceasefire has basically held. That is a very important achievement which has saved thousands of lives. The ceasefire must continue to hold. While recognizing this, it is important to look beneath the headlines commending the ceasefire. If you look at what is happening in the ground, you see some ominous developments: the hoisting of a terrorist, racist, and a totalitarian regime in the name of the peace.

Historical Evolution

Before we look at the peace process, I want to look at the background to the conflict which I have promised to provide in the description of this presentation. Let me go through this very quickly as a preface to looking at the peace process. The Sri Lankan case is commonly interpreted as a primordial conflict between the Sinhala majority and the Tamil minority. According to this simplistic explanation, the Sinhala majoritarian oppression has driven to the Tamil minority towards a violent secessionist struggle. The focus of this dualistic analysis is on the post independent period, specially starting the mid 1950s and going toward the 1970s when the Sinhala majority government passed legislation, especially linguistic legislation, making Sinhala the only official language. It also introduced legislation to curb Tamil entrance to the university and access to state employment. There is a vast literature on this issue and I cannot go into the details here. What is often overlooked in the literature is that those discriminatory policies were changed by the early 90's. Tamil is an official language in Sri Lanka and the regional quotas on university entrance were done away with decades ago.

However, the sense of grievance among Tamils has persisted and the conflict has gone ahead despite changes in discriminatory legislation. Certainly, the sense of grievance is understandable and it intensified after the horrific attack against the Tamils in 1983. Although this attack has been attributed to the Sinhala masses, there is evidence that it was led by goon squads of the government then in power. Following 1983, there was a vast dispersal of Sri Lankan Tamils to the west, what is called the Tamil Diaspora. The Tamil struggle for secession to create a separate state in the northern and eastern regions of the island, which are claimed as the 'traditional Tamil homelands', gained financial support and international legitimacy after that. From this vantage point, Sinhala resistance to the creation of a Tamil administration in the north and the east of the island appears to be the great stumbling block to the achievement of peace in the island.

However, to find a lasting peace in Sri Lanka we need to take in a broader perspective, a perspective that goes beyond the narrow primordial dualism as well as the narrow focus on the very short historical period in the post-independence era. We also need to consider perspectives that do not see secession and the creation of a new ethno-nationalist state as the only solution to the problem. The book I am writing has much more details on these issues than I am able to present in my brief presentation here.

In the long history of Sri Lanka including the long pre-colonial history of the island, we do not find two entirely separate communities of Tamil and Sinhalese. There was much intermingling and ethnic mix between the Sinhala and Tamil as well as other groups in the island. But, after Buddhism wiped our in India, Sri Lanka became the holy land of Buddhism and came to be known as Dhammadipa, the island of the Buddha's teachings. The state was very closely associated with Buddhism from the beginning. The northern part, especially the Jaffna peninsula was a center of Buddhism. According to the ancient literature, the Buddha himself is supposed to have visited there. Also, a branch of the original Bodhi tree under which Buddha received Enlightenment was apparently first brought to the north. So, the north was a center of Buddhist pilgrimage and worship as was the southeast. In fact, the earlier civilization of the island was centered in the eastern province much before the celebrated Anuradhapura in the north-central region became the center of population and cultural development. A Tamil kingdom came into being in the 13th century and lasted until the early 16th century; but, it was located just in the Jaffna peninsula and certainly did not extend to the eastern province. Although the entire north and eastern regions are being claimed by the separatists as their traditional Tamil homelands', there is no historic evidence of that. I am not able to provide the details now. I do have a paper that is to be published on 'Pre-colonial Ethno Religious Evolution in Pre-Colonial Sri Lanka'; it should be coming out soon.

Moving on to the history of the colonial period, I would like to emphasize that the origin and the evolution of the conflict lie really in the colonial period, particularly the British era. The present provincial boundaries, including the northern and the eastern boundaries were drawn by the British in 1833 after the British conquered the entire island. They did it to dismember the ancient Sinhala kingdom, which was putting up a lot of resistance to colonial rule. The eastern province was carved out of the Kandyan kingdom; there is a lot of historical evidences to prove this. In addition, the colonial social transformation led to the creation of a new form of ethno-religious stratification on the island. English was made the official language and Christianity, the official religion. Those who received English language education; particularly at the missionary schools, became the privileged indigenous elite. In the Jaffna peninsula in particular there was a disproportionately large number of missionary schools and the education there was also made available relatively cheaply.

Therefore Jaffna elite, especially of the Vellala caste, had greater access to secondary school education and later higher education and government employment, the civil service, and the modern professions like medicine, engineering, and accounting and so on. There were also other groups that had greater access to western education, particularly the Burgher, mixed race Eurasian community and particular castes among the Sinhalese, like the Karava caste, for example. But the majority of the Sinhalese did not have access to modern education. Those who resisted Christianization and western education became marginalized in the colonial political and the social order. They included Buddhist monks, native teachers and Ayurvedic physicians who lost their traditional authority in the new colonial society.

The colonial transformation was also uneven and unequal: regional development in particular was very uneven. The uneven and unequal economic development led to massive changes in the ethnic, demographic distribution on the island. Many Tamils from the north migrated to the south where there were job opportunities in the commercial and state sectors. There were no plantations in the north; the plantation economy was centered in the central hill region of the country. Large numbers of low caste Tamil indentured laborers were brought by the British from south India to work on the plantation in the central hills. Today, the descendants of those Indian laborers form a plurality in certain district of the Central province that is, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya districts. They are all enfranchised now, although they maintain their distinct cultural identity as Indian Tamils.

Over time, plantation development and demographic pressure created increasing problems of landlessness and poverty, particularly in the southeast and central province of the island. To ease this demographic pressure and also the growing food problem , the British themselves began to resuscitate ancient irrigation technology of the north central dry zone areas and to transfer the population to those less populated areas in the north and in the north central and eastern provinces. The population resettlement schemes that were started by the British expanded under the Sinhala government in the post independence era. Tamil separatists blame the Sinhala settlements in the north and the east as representing Sinhala hegemony and colonization. Although there may be an aspect of that what is often overlooked is the historical reality and the economic and demographic pressure created by the colonial transformation. In this regard, it is important to recognize that in Sri Lanka , particularly the south western central region that is the so-called Sinhala south, demographic pressure is very high. Sri Lanka is considered as the 10th most densely populated country in the world.

In this context, it is also important to recognize that today, the majority of Tamils, are actually living in the Sinhala south and not the north and east claimed as the 'Tamil homeland'. Also, according to the latest projection, the Sri Lankan Tamil population in the island is only about 8% of the total population of Sri Lanka. Yet, the amount of land that is demanded by them constitutes one third of the island's land mass and two thirds of the coastline. This demographic reality underlies the resistance against the creation of a separate and exclusive Tamil regime.

Just to wrap up the discussion of the colonial period, it's important to point out the political advantage that the Tamils, the Jaffna Vellala Tamils enjoyed during the British colonial period. The system of political representation clearly favored them; throughout the British colonial period, the Tamils were treated as a majority community and always the Vellala Tamil elite of Jaffna rather than Batticoloa Tamisl from the east or the Indian Tamils from the hillside of the country were chosen to represent all of the Tamil community. Moreover, the Tamils were treated as a 'majority community' and a dominant community'- this was the language used by the British. This basically contributed to what came to be known as the 'majority complex ' of the Tamils and the 'minority complex' of the Sinhala. This phenomenon was also compounded by the existences of a large Tamil community in south India. There are about 60 million Tamils in south India.

The first Sri Lankan elected to the colonial legislature was a Tamil. But this situation of advantage began to change after 1930s with democratization and the introduction of universal franchise in 1933. After that much larger number of Sinhalese came into the legislature and the Tamil for the first time began to get the identity of a minority. A lot of the current problems can be traced to this. Tamil politicians brought up many schemes to maintain their earlier privileged position. A well know scheme known as " Fifty Fifty" was introduced by a leading Tamil politician to restrict the number of Sinhalese in the legislature to 50% and guarantee 50% of seats for the Tamils and other minorities. The British did not accept that attempt to make majority into a minority (the Sinhalese are about 74% of the population today).Tamil elite did not want to live under Sinhala majoritarian rule. The Federal Party known in the Tamil language as the Tamil State Party was created in 1949, i.e. well before the introduction of discriminatory policies in the post independence era.

Now, let me switch to post independence era. It is important to emphasize here that both the Tamil and Sinhala politicians have used ethnic mobilization opportunistically. The Sinhalese nationalism allowed the Sri Lanka Freedom Party which broke away from UNP (United National Party) came to power in 1966. However, the nationalist policies that were introduced in the post independence era were not directed at Tamils per se but directed against westernized and privileged classes of all ethnic and religious communities. Those policies were motivated by a need to empower groups that were marginalized during the colonial rule.

So the conflict that ensued was not simply between Tamil and Sinhalese. In fact, many Christians, as well as westernized Sinhalese opposed the new legislation which required everyone to learn Sinhalese which was made the official language. The urban elite across the ethnic groups opposed regional quotas placed on university entrance in order to favor the rural area where students had difficulty competing to get into the university. They did not have the facilities that existed in urban areas like Jaffna and Colombo. However, the Tamil elite interpreted the nationalist policies entirely along ethnic lines, as a conflict between the Sinhalese and the Tamils.

In 1977 Tamil United Liberation Front was created and contested the election on a separists platform. Incidentally, for reasons we shall discuss later, the election that was held in 1977 is considered the last legitimate election in the north and the east of Sri Lanka. The LTTE is now claiming the results of that election have given them a mandate to create a separate state. But, when we look at the breakdown, especially the electorate in the eastern province, we see that the majority in the east opposed the separatist mandate sought by the TULF in 1977. If we look at the north and east combined, 53% opposed mandate at that time.

Moving beyond the narrow ethno-nationalist analysis, we see that the problems faced by the Tamils were also experienced by the Sinhalese and other communities in the sense that the majority of the Sinhalese particularly in the outlying areas did not have access to good education and employment. They also faced the problems of economic and cultural marginalization. If you don't speak English, you were marginalized not only in the colonial period but also the post-colonial period as well. In 1971, JVP insurrection of the Sinhalese youth emerged out of these frustrations. There are very close parallels between the grievances and charges against the central government brought by the Tamil nationalists as well as the JVP. The JVP insurrection of 1971 was the first armed rebellion in post-colonial Sri Lanka and it was a Sinhala rebellion.

Transcending the narrow ethnic analysis, it is important to look at the grievances of the two communities. It is also important to look at the policies of globalization and privatization in recent decades how they have widened economic disparity and the sense of marginalization of youth of all the communities. In fact, Sinhala language policy backfired on the majority of the Sinhalese in that it created a monolingual community unable to communicate with the rest of the world, a Sinhala youth unable to use the Internet and have access to the more valued sectors of employment in the global economy, for example. Most soldiers in the Sri Lankan government's armed forces have come from among these marginalized Sinhalese youth. Similarly among the Tamils, the cadres who fight for the LTTE war machine, the suicidal bombs and child soldiers come from among the poorest communities among the Tamils.

Like in other wars historically and today, it is the poor children of all communities who fight the wars of the elites on all sides. This is not just the situation in Sri Lanka. Similarly the idea of ethnic polarization has to manufactured in order to keep these ethno-religious wars going. But narrow ethno ideology based on dualism Sinhalese vs Tamil, in the broader global context west vs Islam actually contribute to the perpetuation of wars. Needless to say, war takes a tremendous toll on lives as well as material resources. It has a negative impact on sociological and psychological development, the environmental and sustainable economic development.

The Peace Process

Having given this brief sketch of the historical evolution of the conflict let me now turn to the current Sri Lanka peace process. I hope that this background information has helped contextualize it. As I said earlier, the ceasefire is welcomed practically by all and it needs to be maintained. But, a ceasefire is not necessarily peace. We have to examine the costs of the peace process and what is often referred to as the 'peace at the cost approach' pursued in Sri Lanka. Internationally there is a great deal of support for the peace process and the Norwegian facilitation has been considered a great achievement. The international community has pledged a 4.5 billion dollars for rehabilitation and reconstruction and there is increasing pressure on the current Sri Lankan government to resume peace talks. If peace talks are not resumed aid may not be flowing to Sri Lanka and the government is in dire economic straits, particularly with hike in gas/ petroleum prices. So there is a lot of pressure being put by international community on the government to resume peace talks. International community sees the finalization of some kind of power sharing between the government of Sri Lanka and LTTE as a necessary foundation to get the economy rolling.

But, looking at the reality on the ground we have to question what has been happening in the name of peace over the last two years. There are massive human rights violations and violations of the MOU and these are overwhelmingly on the part of the LTTE. There is a lot of evidences showing that. There is systematic killing of Tamil dissidents. There have been killing of Tamil opposition to the LTTE, for example the members of the EPDP who have entered the democratic process. According to reports, just today, the 23rd of September, an EPDP member was gunned down. There have been increasing killings in Wellawatta in the heart of Colombo and not just in the east.

There was a suicide bombing this past July, which was targeted to kill the leader of EPDP; he escaped but some policemen were killed and some others were injured. The effort seems to be to completely wipe out Tamil dissidents. There have been killing of civilians and increasing skirmishes with the Muslims, particularly in the eastern province, continued forcible recruitment of children despite the demands of the UNICEF, Save the Children and other international organizations. There has been an arms build- up, many loads of sophisticated weapons have been brought to Sri Lanka during the course of ceasefire. There have been skirmishes on the sea involving LTTE and the government of Sri Lanka. The Harbor of Trincomalee in the north east has been surrounded by LTTE bunkers and LTTE military build up. The LTTE has extended its military beyond the lines of control set in the MOU.

But, what is very disconcerting is that those who are monitoring the Sri Lanka peace process, the Norwegian -Scandinavian peace monitors seem to be turning a blind eye or being partial to the LTTE. There is evidence that the Norwegian Ambassador in Sri Lanka may have helped the LTTE to obtain some surveillance equipment. There is also a charge that LTTE cadre visiting Oslo on a peace mission were given a tour of a Norwegian defense facility. Apparently, these charges and the nature of Norwegian involvement in Sri Lanka and Norwegian neutrality are under investigation in Norway. After the LTTE was banned as a terrorist organization in USA, Canada, Australia, and UK and so forth, LTTE fundraising activities shifted to Europe, especially Norway and Denmark. There has been concern in Denmark recently about certain remarks made by a LTTE representatives there that if the Sri Lanka peace process is not resumed on the basis of the LTTE's conditions, there will be suicide bombing and return to war.

The Norwegian approach to conflict resolution is built on the assumption of dualism and primordial hatred between the two groups the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Their approach to peace, like the approach of the conflict resolution school, is to equalize the two parties, in this case the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE. The result is the strengthening of the LTTE and weakening of the Government of Sri Lanka to the point that the government of Sri Lanka is not able to maintain law and order and to carry out its rightful duty to maintain its authority in all parts island.

Let's move to the ISGA, Interim Self Governing Authority proposals put forward by LTTE last November. They are taking very firm position that for them to come to the table (they left the peace talks in April 2003) the talks must be resumed on the basis of their ISGA proposal. But, as analysts point out, the ISGA proposal constitute a blue print for separate state. The U.S. Asst. Secretary of State, Christina Rocca has also affirmed that. The ISGA does not recognize the Sri Lankan constitution, Sri Lankan parliament and court. It provides room for a separate army LTTE, Navy, air force as well as judiciary and the right for tax collection for the LTTE. As analyst have pointed out, it connotes not federalism, but, the demise of the Sri Lankan state. Although the LTTE said it is giving up the demand for a separate state at the Oslo conference in 2002. These demands and the peace process are build on the acceptance of the concepts of self-determination and the myth of the 'traditional Tamil homeland'.

It is important to mention that the acceptance of the Tamil home land also requires the merger of the northern and eastern provinces which have never existed as a unified and separate entity historically. According to the 1987 Indo-Sri Lanka Accord that was signed between the Sri Lanka and Indian government, the north and the east were to be merged, but, only temporarily subject to the referendum to be held within one year. And this referendum was to determine if the people of the eastern province wanted to be part the merged unit of with the north because there is no historical basis or administrative basis for a merger with the north. Except, for the Tamil separatist political demand. The eastern provinces is the key because without the eastern province the separatist Tamil state is not viable. The Eastern Provinces has not only the land but vast natural resources. Despite the 1987 Accord, the referendum, which was supposed to have been held within a year of the signing of the accord, was never held. But, now the LTTE is demanding that the ISGA be handed to them outside the Constitution and the democratic process. To offer that would constitute a violation of an international agreement on the part of the Sri Lankan government and the Indian government.

To further complicate matters, it must be noted that the current Sri Lankan government came to power in April this year on the basis of its opposition to the ISGA. The previous government was heavily criticized by the current government. It pointed out that the ISGA was going far beyond federalism and decentralization. The current government's major coalition partner, the JVP, continues to oppose the resumption of peace talks on the basis of the ISGA.

There is a massive and growing opposition to the ISGA. proposals. A large demonstration was held just yesterday. I think to understand this opposition we have to go beyond the simplistic critique of this opposition as constituting Sinhala chauvinism. It is important to look at what the LTTE as an organization stands for and the social and demographic reasons for opposition to the ISGA proposal on the part of large number of people and groups.

If we look at the map of the north we see a Tamil majority, but, the creation of this absolute majority involved a process of ethnic cleansing of Sinhalese and Muslims who had lived there historically for centuries. But, in the Eastern province, the Tamils are not a majority; there is a much more complicated picture. The LTTE did not allow the 2001 census to be carried out so there is no accurate population estimates. I too am using the 1981 estimates. Roughly the Sinhala, the Tamils and the Muslims each constitute about one third of the population each in the eastern province. The Sinhalese own the 50% of the land. In the Eastern province, there are extensive Buddhist heritage sites, in fact, all over the north and eastern provinces. These are threatened if an exclusive Tamil regime is brought into power in the north and the east.

Moreover, because of the way communities are dispersed in the eastern province, the Tamils and the Muslim populations living contiguously along the coast line, for example, it would be very difficult to create a merger of the north and the east. Trincomalee district which brings the north and the east together has a Sinhala plurality. Because the different ethnic groups are distributed in a sandwich' like pattern, it would be extremely difficult to create an exclusively Tamil regime. There are areas where Sri Lankan Tamils are the majority like in Batticoloa, but, there are certain areas where the Muslims are the majority and there are areas like Ampara which is predominantly Sinhala. And then, within these areas there are pockets where another ethnic group has a plurality.The fact of the matter is that for thousands of years and even now, the different Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim groups have been living side by side and for much of that time there has been mutual co-existence and harmony. In fact, it is the war that has exacerbated communal tensions. So, the artificial creation of a primordial ethno-nationalist state could lead to balkanization and population transfer and ethnic cleansing which are already happening

So, there is a lot of opposition to a Tamil LTTE led regime even not only in the east, but, also in the north from where many thousands of Muslims were ousted by the LTTE. There have been skirmishes between the LTTE and the Muslims during the course of ceasefire and these have led to a Muslim demand for a separate administrative unit of their own in the east. Something called the Oduvil Declaration was issued by some Muslim groups last year to that effect. And there is also some signs of the internationalization of the Muslim struggle apparently with increasing Muslims visitors form other part of the world. British journalist Paul Harris ( incidentally, his visa to remain in Sri Lanka was not renewed by the previous government) has painted a possible future scenario of a struggle between of the LTTE and Islamic fundamentalism in Sri Lanka.

But, right now the greatest opposition to the LTTE comes from Tamils themselves, the dissident Tamil groups. Groups such as the EPDP are feeling desperate. Just a few days ago after an EPDP leader was killed, the EPDP organized a demonstration in front of the Norwegian embassy in Colombo and left the dead body of their assassinated leader in the coffin right in front of the embassy gate. They are asking why the Norwegian facilitators and the international community are not taking a stand against the massive human rights violations that are going on. The university teachers for Human Rights, that is also Tamil group, that used to operate in Jaffna but are now in Colombo, have produced report after report about the child recruitment, killing of dissidents and other violations of human rights and democratic norms.

The LTTE is the 'sole representative of Tamils', this is the false premise that is unfortunately accepted by the international community and upon which the Sri Lanka peace process is built. Just the break up of LTTE into two factions: the Northern faction and the the Eastern faction in Batticoloa alone shows the falsity of the LTTE's claim of the sole representation. It is an anti-democratic premise and it is obviously dangerous to build a peace process on it. Despite its pronouncement at the Oslo conference, the LTTE has not given up its struggle for Eelam, and it is likely that if the ISGA proposal or something very close to it is accepted, it is unlikely that it would bring peace, but, rather border wars, population transfers, balkanization and a state of anarchy.

There is also fear and some of it is justified that the creation of an exclusive, Tamil totalitarian regime in the north and east could also result in the annexation of districts in the central province, such as, Nuwara Eliya and Badulla where Indian Tamils are a plurality today. The sources of the water for the north and the east come from the central hill country. That water is necessary for ecological survival. And as many Indian analysts have also pointed out the creation of an exclusive Tamil regime in the north and east of Sri Lanka would have very great implications for sovereignty and security of India particularly South India where over 60 million ethnic Tamils live. It would also have very serious international implications given alleged ties of the LTTE to other terrorist organizations. International defense analysts are in fact pointing out that the LTTE represents the prototype of terrorism in the 21st century. Indeed, the suicide bomb pack and the Sri Lankan airport attack and other initiatives of the LTTE have been copied by terrorist organizations else where. So, let me just mention some possible solutions before I open this up for discussion. As I see it there are two broad positions with regard to the Sri Lanka peace process. On the one hand, we have the 'peace at any cost approach' which is currently supported by the international community, the various peace NGOs that work within the country and outside. This position is guided by the necessity to keep the LTTE in the peace process, maintain the ceasefire and continue peace process. On the other hand, there is a belief that the LTTE will never give up the demand for Eelam and terrorism and only armed war and victory can bring a peace, that is, victory over the LTTE. This position may underlie the increasing demand that Norwegians go home and that the country be freed from undue international meddling. These seem to be the two positions. But, I think that we have to look at a middle ground based on an analysis that goes beyond the primordial dualism which informs both these positions. We have to move beyond the dualism of the Sinhala as the oppressor and the Tamil as the victim or vice versa. We have to develop an analysis that recognize the suffering and the grievances of all the communities and a position that is committed to finding the just and democratic approach to peace for all. We need to be talking about peace with democracy, human rights, political pluralism and justice rather than peace at any cost' or war. The international community has been putting a lot of pressure on the Sri Lankan government as I said before, even threatening aid cut-off. But, I think the international community needs to put much more pressure on the LTTE to uphold democratic norms and human rights. This was agreed upon at the Tokyo peace conference last year. In the Declaration that was signed there, there is specific stipulation with regard to respecting human rights, stopping child recruitment and honoring democratic process. Here, the roles of the USA and India are extremely important to make these stipulations go beyond words and to lay down specific conditions.

With regard to other specific solutions, I am just going to share some ideas that different analysts have put forward in the course of the ongoing debate and discourse. One suggestion is that there should be a referendum in the eastern province in order to know what the people in the eastern province want. This is long overdue. There is another suggestion put forward by Indian legal scholars that there should be a clause in the Sri Lankan constitution which dismisses any attempt at cession by any future regime along the line of a similar clause in the Indian constitution which dismisses any attempted cession. Another idea which is very important is the necessity for a bill of rights and certain constitutional provisions in Sri Lanka for minority protection. In spite of the war and all that has transpired over the last 20 years or so these has not been attended to.

It is also really important to have an international initiative for the protection of heritage sites in the north and the east because they are not only the heritage sites of Sri Lanka but world heritage sites. You know how the Buddhist statues the enormous statues in Bamian in Afghanistan were blown up. In Sri Lanka's north and east, there are incredible sacred structures, not only statues, but temples and other archeological sites that need to be protected. There has to be international attention before they disappear quickly.

It is important to emphasize the role of the Diaspora, the Sri Lankan Diaspora. The Diaspora which has contributed to the war by sending money and moral support needs to re-evaluate its positions, broaden its perspective. Members from different ethic groups really need to work together to look at the common problems facing the different groups.

I know it sounds like wishful thinking. We can't ignore our responsibility and leave the task of change up to others. We can't simply try to focus on our individual lives. There is no escape from the broader physical and economical realities of the world, they effect all our lives. We face a common struggle for human dignity and freedom around the world and we each have to make a greater efforts to safeguard peace and democracy in Sri Lanka and elsewhere before it is too late. And I think that every telephone call and every letter makes a difference. There is a role each person can play regardless of where we are placed within the global social order. Yes, compassion is important, but, compassion alone is not sufficient I think it has to come with wisdom and awareness of what is really happening in Sri Lanka as well as in the world.



I will stop here. I thank you and welcome discussion.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama in New York and invited the representative of this country to join the preparations for the Global Peace Summit, the press service of the head of the Ukrainian state reported.

On the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania Edi Rama. Albania holds the Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for the month of September, a message posted on the official website of the President of Ukraine on Wednesday says.

It is noted in the message that the Head of State praised Albania's contribution to countering full-scale Russian aggression, particularly in the framework of the country's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the consistent position of the Republic of Albania in support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as for the decision of the Albanian government to provide practical assistance to our country.

As reported, the President informed the Prime Minister of Albania about the situation on the battlefield and described the challenges caused by the mining of vast territories. The parties discussed the assistance from the Balkan countries in the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy also informed Rama of Ukraine's efforts to consolidate international support for the Ukrainian Peace Formula. The President invited the representative of Albania to join the next meeting at the level of advisors and the preparation of the Global Peace Summit.

The President thanked Albania for joining the G7 Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine. This document, in particular, is the basis for further bilateral agreements between Ukraine and its partners, the message reads.

Earlier it was reported that during the meeting, the President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Albania signed a joint declaration on support for the Euro-Atlantic integration of Ukraine.
Lucknow, September 19

U ttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday said that the nutrition campaign is the foundation of a healthy and capable India.

He said that there was a time when the liquor mafia used to supply 'nutritious food' in Uttar Pradesh, adding, "Our government has created a new mechanism through which women self-help groups are now delivering nutritious food to Anganwadi centres."

Addressing the National Nutrition Month program at Lok Bhavan on Monday, he said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inspired the entire country to fight malnutrition by initiating a widespread campaign. In this direction, a lot of work has been done in Uttar Pradesh over the past six years."

The Chief Minister further said that there was a time when the state used to witness around 1,200-1,500 deaths annually due to encephalitis. Eastern Uttar Pradesh was particularly affected by this disease, he said adding that in the last 30 years from 1977 to 2017, approximately 50,000 children in the state fell prey to this disease.

Emphasizing the significant improvements in the National Family Health Survey, the Chief Minister said that there has been a 5.1 per cent improvement in anaemia, a 6.6 per cent improvement in dwarfism, a 7.4 per cent improvement in underweight, and a 0.6 per cent improvement in dryness between 2015-2016 and 2019-2020.

"After our government came to power, we started our efforts to eradicate encephalitis from the state through inter-departmental coordination with the Central Government in 2018 and today we have been largely successful in our attempt," Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath added.

He also shed light on the decrease in maternal and child mortality rates in Uttar Pradesh today.

"This became possible because mothers and children started receiving nutritious food. Our government will organize competitions for healthy boys and girls at the Anganwadi centres, Nyay Panchayat and block level", he said.

Yogi Adityanath said that as this year marks the first year of the Azaadi ka Amrit Kal, the government aims to establish India as the world's third-largest economy by 2027.

He mentioned that Prime Minister Modi has set a goal for 2047, the centenary year of India's independence, to make the country developed. "For this, we need to make our country healthy, educated, and capable", he added.

During the baby shower ceremony, the Chief Minister gifted medicines and nutritious food items to some pregnant women. He also performed Annaprashan Sanskar on infants by feeding pudding to them.

Additionally, the Chief Minister honoured the parents of three children who came from malnourished to well-nourished categories of families, under the 'Sambhav' campaign. He further gifted two sarees each as uniform to four Anganwadi workers as a token of appreciation.

During the program, Yogi Adityanath laid the foundation stone of 1,359 Anganwadi centres built at a cost of Rs 155 crore. Besides, the foundation stone of 171 child development project offices was laid at a cost of Rs 50 crore. Additionally, the CM transferred an amount of Rs 29 crore through DBT for uniforms to 2.90 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers.

In the program, Minister of Women's Welfare, Child Development, and Nutrition Baby Rani Maurya, State Minister of Child Development and Nutrition Department Pratibha Shukla, Chief Secretary Durga Shankar Mishra, Agriculture Production Commissioner Manoj Kumar Singh, and Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Veena Kumari, were present among other dignitaries.

Nutrition campaign is foundation of healthy, capable India: Yogi Adityanath

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 19

M ore than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Al Jazeera reported.

US President Joe Biden is the only representative among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who is attending the UNGA.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the General Assembly for the first time since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his nation in February 2022.

One of the most anticipated annual UN events, the General Debate, provides a platform for leaders to discuss topics of worldwide concern in 15-minute statements. While speakers at the General Debate are free to discuss whatever they like, each year's event is framed by a broad theme, Al Jazeera reported.

This year, the theme is "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity".

Joe Biden is scheduled to be the second world leader to speak at Tuesday's General Debate, but he is also the only top leader representing the UN Security Council's five permanent members at this year's event.

The Security Council is one of the most powerful committees in the United Nations, tasked with maintaining peace, imposing sanctions, and adopting binding resolutions for the 193 member states.

The council has 15 members, just five of whom are permanent the United States, China, France, Russia, and the United Kingdom.

However, several of those officials have declined to attend this year's high-level gathering. French President Emmanuel Macron, for example, has stated that he will not attend the ceremony in order to focus on King Charles III's imminent visit, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak will be the first British Prime Minister in a decade to miss the General Assembly owing to schedule issues.

Zelenskyy's presence was questionable until recently, but experts believe Zelenskyy is seeking to rekindle worldwide support for Ukraine as the battle continues.

He is the 14th speaker on the agenda for today. The Security Council will also have an open debate on the "maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine" on Wednesday, which could place Zelenskyy in the same room with Russian diplomats - a potentially explosive encounter.

Following that, Zelenskyy is anticipated to go south to Washington, DC, for his second wartime appearance before the US Congress.

The theme urges world leaders to evaluate the UN's 2030 agenda, which includes a deadline for its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It urges for "accelerating action" towards those aims in order to promote "peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all," according to Al Jazeera.

The 78th UN General Debate began on Tuesday, kicking off a period of high-level discussions that will continue till September 26.

However, while the event is billed as a "debate," it is actually a series of 15-minute statements delivered by world leaders on issues of their choosing.

As a result, the General Debate is one of the most eagerly anticipated - and extensively viewed - events on the UN calendar, Al Jazeera reported.

UNGA 2023: Biden to speak shortly, Zelenskyy to make first in-person appearance

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Canada not trying to provoke...: Trudeau after alleging India of killing Khalistani leader

Ottawa, September 19

A day after Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau levelled 'allegations' on India being linked to the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force Chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Trudeau said on Tuesday that Ottawa wants New Delhi to address the issue properly, CBC news reported.

Trudeau said that Canada is not trying to provoke India by any means.

"We are not looking to provoke or escalate. We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them," the Canadian Prime Minister told reporters, according to CBC news.

"The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that," he said.

"As for Canada, I said yesterday...we are going to remain calm, we are going to remain grounded in our democratic principles and values.... and we are going to follow the evidence and make sure the work is done...," he added.

CBC News is a Canada-based media company, a division of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Najjar, who was wanted in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Hailing from Bharsinghpur village in Punjab's Jalandhar, Nijjar was based in Surrey and had been declared "absconder" by the National Investigation Agency .

Canadian PM Trudeau on Monday alleged the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Trudeau on Monday claimed that his country's national security officials had reasons to believe that "agents of the Indian government" carried out the killing of the Canadian citizen, who also served as the president of Surrey's Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara.

"Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said.

India has, however, rejected the allegations by Canadian PM Trudeau regarding the government's involvement in the fatal shooting of Nijjar. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs termed the allegations 'absurd 'and 'motivated'.

"We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister," said the MEA in an official statement.

Canada not trying to provoke...: Trudeau after alleging India of killing Khalistani leader

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Mumbai, Sep 19

P opular TV actress Kanisha Malhotra, who is known for featuring in shows like 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein', 'P.O.W. - Bandi Yuddh Ke' among others, has marked a decade of success on Ganesh Chaturthi, crediting her success in great part to the blessings of Lord Ganesha.

The Delhi born actress, who also calls Ganapati as 'Gannu' fondly and considers him a brother in life, said "This is my 10th year of bringing Gannu home. I am delighted as it also marks my 10 year in Mumbai and these years have made me learn and grow."

Recalling celebrating the festival for the first time she revealed "My first year of bringing Bappa will remain memorable as we celebrated the festivities without any plans. Just a day before the festival, when people were taking idols home."

"The vibe touched my heart while I was having coffee with one of my friends at a cafe, in a moment I shared the idea about celebrating the festivities. It was 2 am, when we went to buy an idol and since then every year I'm following the ritual without any miss," she added.

She further mentioned "Last year I was in Delhi during the festival, I celebrated there at my home too with my family. But I was missing Mumbai, though nothing beats the celebration here."

Sharing her plans for the year, both what she has in mind currently as well as in the near future, she detailed "We brought the idol yesterday and today we started our holy ritual and in the evening we will perform Havan. And then will bid adieu to him.

"For visarjan I also booked musicians (Dhol Wale) from Nashik. I am fortunate that I'm cooking all the meals today for him all by myself. I wish with his blessings that by next year, I will be able to bring him into my own house," she added.

Kanisha had won the Zee TV reality show 'Bzinga' back in 2022, which was hosted by actors Kavvin Dave and Sunita Rajwar, and before that has also taken some daring steps to experiment in her serials, such as 'Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya', which detailed challenges of love faced by couples from different angles, such as love triangles, social status and even homosexuality.

Kanisha Malhotra completes 10 years of success, crediting her victory to Lord Ganesha

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Mumbai, Sep 19

A ctor Aayush Sharma, who is busy with the shoot of his upcoming film 'Ruslaan', celebrated the Ganpati festival in Mumbai as he brought home the Ganpati idol, decorating the house to usher in the auspicious festival and celebrating it with his wife and two children.

Talking about the festivities in the house this year, Aayush said that Ganpati is an integral festival for Maharashtra but he feels happy knowing that how the festival over the years has stretched to outside of Maharashtra.

He said "I love celebrating the festival, bringing home the idol and offering prayers along with my wife and kids. My wife and children look forward to this annual puja and participate with devotion and enthusiasm.

"I love the modaks and all the yummy delicacies which are prepared for the puja. I invite my friends and family home. I enjoy the fact that everyone comes home and there is a sense of togetherness."

He further mentioned "Though many of our friends and family live in Mumbai, it's an occasion where family travels from different cities to join us during the festivities. During the festival, the city wears a colourful look and people throng the Ganpati pandals in hordes to offer their prayers. This festival is close to my heart and I love everything about it."

With their home adorned with intricate decorations, aromatic flowers, and a beautifully bedecked idol of Lord Ganesha, Aayush, his wife and his children actively participate in the rituals and the prayers, creating an atmosphere that's both spiritually enriching and joyous for all of them.

Ganesh Chaturthi: Aayush Sharma brings home Ganpati, loves the togetherness of festival

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 19

R eaffirming Washington's support for Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US President Joe Biden said that the US, with its allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the "brave people of Ukraine" in defending their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Biden's remarks came at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly which is taking place in New York.

Biden said, "Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence. But I ask you this If we abandon the core principles of the UN Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state feel confident that they are protected?

In a stern message to Russia, Biden called upon the world leaders at the UN General Assembly, "If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? The answer is no. We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

"That is why the United States together with our Allies and partners around the world will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity - and their freedom," Biden added.

The first day of the high-level general debate is taking place at the 78th United Nations General Assembly.

"The United States seeks a more secure, more prosperous, more equitable world for all people, because we know our future is bound up with yours. And no nation can meet the challenges of today alone," the US President said.

Moreover, US President Joe Biden also highlighted the issue of climate change and ongoing wildfires ravaging North America and Southern Europe.

He said, "Record breaking heatwaves in the United States and China. Wildfires ravaging North America and Southern Europe. A fifth year of drought in the Horn of Africa. Tragic flooding in Libya that has killed thousands of people. Taken together these snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and begin to climate-proof our world."

More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

Notably, US President Joe Biden is the only representative among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who is attending the UNGA.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will attend the General Assembly for the first time since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his nation in February 2022.

One of the most anticipated annual UN events, the General Debate, provides a platform for leaders to discuss topics of worldwide concern in 15-minute statements. While speakers at the General Debate are free to discuss whatever they like, each year's event is framed by a broad theme, according to Al Jazeera.

This year, the theme is "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity".

US President Biden reaffirms support for brave people of Ukraine at 78th UNGA session

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine's Economic Recovery Penny Pritzker in New York, the press service of the Ukrainian Presidents Office said.

The Head of State congratulated Penny Pritzker on her appointment and expressed hope for the future fruitful cooperation, a message posted on the official website of the President of Ukraine on Wednesday reads.

"Recovery is a very important issue for us, both after the war and right now, while the war is ongoing. In particular, you can come to Ukraine and see the functioning of schools, bomb shelters, hospitals and energy infrastructure, which is key on the eve of winter," the presidential press service quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

As reported, the parties discussed the priority regions of our country for reconstruction, as well as support for the most promising sectors of the Ukrainian economy. The President emphasized the importance of participation of American business in the reconstruction of infrastructure destroyed as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion. In particular, these are schools, kindergartens, residential buildings, and energy facilities, the message reads.

The Head of State noted that American companies could join the reconstruction of the Ukrainian energy system.

As reported, U.S. President Joe Biden announced the appointment of a special representative for the restoration of Ukraine on September 14
New Delhi, September 19

N oting that the new Parliament is not just a new building but also a symbol of a new beginning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged members of Rajya Sabha to support the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam unanimously.

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha in its first sitting in the new Parliament building, Prime Minister remarked that the occasion is historic and memorable.

He underlined the intentions of the makers of the Constitution that the upper House of Parliament becomes a centre for serious intellectual discussions rising above the ebb and flow of political discourse.

The Prime Minister quoted former President Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan that the Parliament is not just a legislative body but a deliberative body. He said that it is always a pleasure to hear quality debates in Rajya Sabha.

"At the dawn of Amrit Kaal, this new building will infuse a new energy in 140 crore Indians, he said.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to achieve goals in a set time frame as the nation is no longer ready to wait.

He said that the time has come to move with new thinking and style to meet the aspirations of the people and that will require expanding the scope of work and thought process.

The Prime Minister said that the House can be a source of inspiration for the legislative bodies all over the country with regard to parliamentary probity.

He spoke of some of the decisions taken in the last nine years. "Touching upon such issues was considered a huge mistake from the political standpoint," the Prime Minister said and noted that the government took major strides even though it did not have the required numbers in the Rajya Sabha.

He expressed satisfaction that the issues were taken up and resolved for the betterment of the nation and credited the maturity and intellect of the members for the same. "The dignity of the Rajya Sabha was upheld not because of sheer numbers in the house but due to the dexterity and understanding," he said.

The Prime Minister said despite the changes in governments in a democratic setup, the effort has been to keep the national interest supreme.

He underlined Rajya Sabha's role as House of the States and mentioned the coronavirus pandemic as an example of Centre-state cooperation.

He said the diversity of the country was showcased during G20 events in more than 60 cities and the summit in Delhi. This is the power of cooperative federalism, he said.

He also mentioned that the new Parliament building also represents the spirit of federalism as artefacts from states have found a place of prominence in the scheme of the new building.

Highlighting the growing impact of technology in daily life, the Prime Minister mentioned that advancements that took more than 50 years to accomplish can be witnessed within a few weeks now. He stressed the need to mould oneself in a dynamic way to adapt to the growing technological advancements.

The Prime Minister said that in the Samvidhan Sadan, the country celebrated 75 years of Independence and when the country celebrates the centenary of Independence in the new parliament building in 2047, it will be a celebration of a developed country.

"I am confident that in the New Parliament, we will be part of the top three economies of the world. While we undertook many measures for the welfare of the poor, in the new Parliament we will achieve saturation of coverage of those schemes."

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to adopt new technologies and urged the members to support each other in getting accustomed to the new technology support available in the House.

In this Digital Age, the Prime Minister said, "we must make technology a part of our lives".

Referring to Make in India, the Prime Minister said that the nation is making the most out of this initiative with new energy and enthusiasm.

He said that the participation of women is being ensured in many sectors. "Potential of women should get opportunities. Time of 'ifs and buts' in their lives is over."

He said the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme became a people's programme. He also mentioned women's participation in Jan Dhan and Mudra Yojana, Ujjwala scheme and the law against triple talaq. He said women-led development was the biggest topic of discussion in G20.

The Prime Minister mentioned that the issue of reservation for women in the Parliament has been pending for decades and everyone has contributed towards it in their capacity.

Pointing out that the bill was first introduced in 1996, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that the bill for the reservation of women in Lok Sabha and assemblies will finally become law.

The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was introduced as a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha today and will be up for debate tomorrow.

New Parliament building is symbol of new beginning: PM Modi

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
United Nations, Sep 19

U N Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on Monday for reforming the Security Council as one of the urgent measures required to prevent the "great fracture" threatening the polarised world.

"Our world is becoming unhinged," he warned as he urged far-reaching reform of the global institutions, from the political to the economic, highlighting what he said were inequalities spanning all areas.

At the same time, he acknowledged the difficulties in bringing about the changes.

"I have no illusions. Reforms are a question of power. I know there are many competing interests and agendas.

The world has moved from the Cold War divide to 'unipolarity', and "now we are moving towards a multipolar world", he said addressing world leaders gathered for the General Assembly's annual high-level meeting.

"A multipolar world needs strong and effective multilateral institutions. Yet global governance is stuck in time," he said.

The Security Council and the major multilateral international financial "reflect the political and economic realities of 1945, when many countries in this Assembly Hall were still under colonial domination", he said.

To make them reflect 21st century realities "rooted in equity, solidarity and universality", he said, "means reforming the Security Council in line with the world of today".

"It means redesigning the international financial architecture so that it becomes truly universal and serves as a global safety net for developing countries in trouble," he added.

While the world is polarised, he said "Divides are widening within countries. Democracy is under threat. Authoritarianism is on the march. Inequalities are growing. And hate speech is on the rise."

"In the face of all these challenges and more, 'compromise' has become a dirty word," he said, adding that the world "needs statesmanship, not gamesmanship and gridlock".

Calling for compromise, he said "Leaders have a special responsibility to achieve compromise in building a common future of peace and prosperity for our common good.

"As I told the G20 (chaired by India in New Delhi this month), it is time for a global compromise. Politics is compromise. Diplomacy is compromise. Effective leadership is compromise," he said.

Reflecting the growing voice of the Global South, Guterres made a strong pitch for the reform of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to make them more democratic and responsive to the needs of developing countries.

He raised Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling it "Exhibit A" for the consequences of countries breaking their UN Charter pledges and putting the world at risk.

"The war, in violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, has unleashed a nexus of horror lives destroyed; human rights abused; families torn apart; children traumatised; hopes and dreams shattered."

Its consequences go beyond Ukraine, he said.

"Nuclear threats put us all at risk. Ignoring global treaties and conventions makes us all less safe. And the poisoning of global diplomacy obstructs progress across the board."

But, "we must not relent in working for peace  a just peace in line with the UN Charter and international law", he said, "and even while fighting rages, we must pursue every avenue to ease the suffering of civilians in Ukraine and beyond".

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

Guterres calls for Security Council reform to prevent global 'great fracture'

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New Delhi, Sep 19

F ilm actors Kangana Ranaut and Esha Gupta on Tuesday extended support to the women's reservation bill that was introduced in the Parliament on Tuesday.

Both the actors, who were present in the new Parliament building, said that proposed legislation was revolutionary and progressive.

"It is a historic day for the nation and the women of the nation... We also see women in more active roles like army and the Air Force. In fact in my upcoming film, Tejas, I am playing an Air Force pilot as well. So I think this is a new age that we are getting into," Ranaut said.

Esha Gupta said, "It's a very progressive thought. This Reservation Bill will give equal powers to women and it is a big step for our country. PM Modi promised it and delivered it."

Some of the women achievers were among the special invitees on the occasion of introduction of the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', as the bill is officially called, in the new Parliament building.

Kangana Ranaut, Esha Gupta laud women's reservation bill, visit new Parliament building

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Thiruvananthapuram, September 19

T he Kerala government has decided to conduct a surveillance study on Nipah virus and directed its Health Department to prepare a detailed report on it, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Department in Kerala's Kozhikode has relaxed the restrictions in the district as no new cases of Nipah virus infection were reported in the state.

The district collector A Geetha informed that shops and establishments in the above containment zones can operate till 8 pm, while all banks can function till 2 pm as per the Nipah protocol. Masks and sanitisers must be used, social distancing must be followed and gatherings must be strictly controlled, the district collector said. As per the officials, other restrictions will continue till further order.

The District Collector also informed that those who are on the contact list and under observation should follow strict restrictions and remain in quarantine till the period prescribed by the Health Department.

Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Veena George said that no fresh cases of the Nipah virus were reported in the state as 61 samples taken of 'high-risk' contacts including healthcare workers tested negative.

She further said that the Nipah strain found in Kerala has been identified as the Indian Genotype, or I Genotype, which is similar to the strain found in Bangladesh.

Six cases of the Nipah virus have been so far found in the state of which two persons died while four others, including a nine-year-old boy, are under treatment. The health minister said that ICMR and WHO had conducted studies and found that Kerala and eight other states in India have the probability of Nipah occurrence.

"Also after 2018, we conducted surveillance and we found that the source of Nipah infection is bats. The virus we found in Kerala is identified as Indian Genotype or I Genotype which is similar to the strain found in Bangladesh. We have two strains of Nipah Virus one is Malaysian and the other from Bangladesh," the Kerala health minister told ANI.

Kerala to conduct surveillance study on Nipah virus: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
United Nations, Sep 20

T urkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again raised the Kashmir issue saying that resolving it through dialogue by India and Pakistan will lead to regional stability.

"Developments that will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan," he said on Tuesday at the high-level UN General Assembly meeting.

"Turkiye will continue to support the steps to be taken in this direction," he added.

His latest comment was mild as it had been the last two years and by avoiding references to UN resolutions or a direct mediation offer, it was closer to India's position that the Kashmir dispute was a bilateral matter.

In 2020, Erdogan called the Kashmir situation a "burning issue" and criticised the abolition of the special status for Kashmir.

The previous year, he had asserted that "despite the resolutions (UN) adopted, Kashmir is still besieged and eight million people are stuck in Kashmir".

Last year, only Erdogan and then-Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan were the only two leaders to refer to the Kashmir issue while the 191 others ignored it despite Islamabad's lobbying, showing its isolation in the UN.

Erdogan signalled to the Taliban regime, which has barred women and girls from education in the name of Islam that and most work, that it would be accepted internationally if it gave up the restrictions.

"The transformation of the interim (Afghanistan) government into an inclusive administration in which all segments of society are fairly represented will pave the way for Afghanistan to be positively received in the international arena," he said.

He criticised China for its treatment of the Uyghur minority, who are mostly Muslim.

"We will continue to express our sensitivity regarding the protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of Uyghur Turks, with whom we have strong historical and humanitarian ties," he said.

Erdogan said that the Security Council "has ceased to be the guarantor of world security and has become a battleground for the political strategies of only five countries".

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

Erdogan again raises Kashmir at UN; calls for India-Pakistan dialogue

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Washington, Sep 20

U S President Joe Biden was reportedly "highly concerned" over the diplomatic row between India and Canada amid Ottawa's claim that its citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed on Canadian soil by agents linked to the Indian government.

The US has expressed concerns over the incident and deteriorating relations between India and Canada on the issue, US media reports said.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had a rough time in Delhi during the G20 summit hearing accusations of harbouring pro-Khalistan terrorists on its soil, alleged that agents linked with the Indian government had assassinated a Canadian citizen Nijjar -- designated as a terrorist in India -- on its soil and expelled an Indian diplomat.

In fact, both countries expelled one diplomat each from their high commissions.

Nijjar is described by Indian officials as a Sikh separatist leader in Canada touting pro-Khalistan slogans and demanding separation from India in a disturbing secessionist movement.

India was deeply upset recently when pro-Khalistani elements took out a tableau through the streets of Canada glorifying the assassination of the then-Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards in 1984.

She was assassinated for her operation "Blue Star" sending the army into the Golden Temple in Amritsar to flush out terrorists which a section of the Sikhs community viewed as a sacrilege on their holy shrine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was upfront in telling his counterpart Trudeau to curb the activities of pro-Khalistani elements that were harbouring on its soil even as Trudeau said Canada "did not restrict of freedom of speech of any of its citizens".

Tensions escalated between Canada and India as Ottawa alleged that New Delhi may have been behind the killing of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil, with both sides expelling senior diplomats even as India rejected the allegation as "absurd".

Trudeau said on Monday that his government was investigating "credible allegations" that Indian government agents had been involved in the death of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, 45, was shot and killed in June outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia, a suburb of Vancouver. "Any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty," Trudeau told Parliament on Monday.

"In the strongest possible terms, I continue to urge the government of India to cooperate with Canada to get to the bottom of this matter."

Ottawa on Monday announced the expulsion of a top Indian diplomat from Canada. To which, New Delhi responded on Tuesday by saying a senior Canadian diplomat had been asked to leave India within the next five days.

The Indian Foreign Ministry said that the expulsion reflected the government's "growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities", US media reports claimed.

India has been accusing Canada of supporting pro-Khalistan elements as they constituted a chunk of the voter base.

About 2 per cent of the Canadian population is Sikh, championing the movement to establish an independent Sikh nation they call Khalistan, derived from the word Khalsa, a holy word for them in their religion.

The state they want carved out lies in the northern Indian state of Punjab, where most of India's Sikhs live.

The Khalistan secessionist move is outlawed in India but has found a large number of supporters among the Sikh diaspora in countries such as Canada and the UK.

The Indian Foreign Ministry had earlier dismissed the Canadian allegations regarding Nijjar's killing as "absurd and motivated".

"Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten India's sovereignty and territorial integrity," it said in a statement earlier Tuesday.

Biden 'highly concerned' over India-Canada diplomatic row

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
United Nations, Sep 20

T he US is holding consultations with many countries to break the gridlock on reforming the UN Security Council and adding more permanent members, President Joe Biden has said.

Speaking to world leaders at the high-level annual session of the General Assembly on Tuesday, he said: "We need to be able to break the gridlock that too often stymies progress and blocks consensus on the Council. We need more voices and more perspectives at the table."

"The United States has undertaken serious consultation with many member states. And we'll continue to do our part to push more reform efforts forward, look for points of common ground, and make progress in the year ahead," he said, recalling that at last year's meeting, he had announced support for increasing the number of permanent and non-permanent members in the Council.

The US has said that it will support India, Germany and Japan to become permanent members along with representation for Africa and Latina America-Caribbean region.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who spoke before him, also called for reforming the Council.

The leaders of the other four permanent members of the Security Council are staying away from the high-level meeting handing over the spotlight to Biden, who made boosting international cooperation, especially with countries of the Global South, the centre-piece of his address.

He mentioned the Quad and the India-to-Europe Economic Corridor as examples of global cooperation he is pursuing.

"In every region of the world, the United States is mobilising strong alliances, versatile partnerships, common purpose, collective action to bring new approaches to our shared challenges," he said.

"In the Indo-Pacific, we've elevated our Quad partnership with India, Japan, and Australia to deliver concrete progress for the people of the region on everything from vaccines to maritime security," Biden said.

"The groundbreaking effort we announced at the G20 connect India - to connect India to Europe through the UAE (United Arab Emirates), Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel will spur opportunities and investment across two continents," he said.

Turning to China, he offered an assurance that the US efforts to build international cooperation were not directed against Beijing which is paranoid about other countries cooperating.

"Now, let me be clear: None of these partnerships are about containing any country. They are about a positive vision for our shared future," he said.

He held out to Beijing an olive branch while also throwing the gauntlet.

Offering to work with China "on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts", he said that the US sought to "responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict".

"We are for de-risking, not decoupling with China," he declared.

But he warned, "We will push back on aggression and intimidation and defend the rules of the road, from freedom of navigation to overflight to a level economic playing field that have helped safeguard security and prosperity for decades."

Biden assured Ukraine of unrelenting support as it fights Russia's invasion.

He said: "Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalise Ukraine without consequence. The answer is no. We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow."

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that many seats in the General Assembly Hall could become empty if Russia's aggression is not stopped.

"The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into a weapon against you, against the international rules-based order," he said.

He cautioned countries against making deals with Russia, citing the fate of Putin's collaborator Yevgeny Prigozhin, the head of the private militia Wagner Group, who died in a mysterious plane crash.

"I am aware of their attempts to make some shady dealings behind the scenes. Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin if one bets on Putin's promises," Zelensky said.

(Arul Louis can be contacted at arul.l@ians.in and followed at @arulouis)

al/sha

US consulting countries to break deadlock on adding UNSC permanent members: Biden

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
New York, September 20

W ith still no signs of a truce amid the raging armed conflict with Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while accusing Moscow of being the aggressor and perpetrating "genocide" in his homeland, proposed a "peace formula" at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

Addressing the UNGA session, Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian children in Russia were being taught to "hate" their homeland, adding that all ties that Ukraine nationals have with their family members back home were being snapped.

"We're trying to get children back home, but time goes by. What will happen to them? Those children in Russia are told to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are broken. This is clearly a genocide," Zelenskyy said at the UNGA session.

Putting forward a peace plan amid the continuing hostilities with Russia, Zelenksyy said, "For the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked."

Last month, during the peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia, Zelenskyy said Ukraine had proposed a "peace formula" to "restore" the international rules-based order that had been "violated" by the Russian aggression.

According to experts, Zelenskyy's participation in the ongoing General Assembly session will boost worldwide support for Ukraine amid the continuing armed conflict with Russia.

Further, during his address at the UNGA session, Zelenksyy said "unity" alone can make sure that such aggressions do not happen again.

"It takes our unity to make sure that aggression will not again," the Ukrainian President said.

The visit this year marks the first by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to the General Assembly since Russia launched a "full-scale invasion" of his nation in February 2022.

More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

After the UNGA session, Zelenskyy is likely to visit Washington DC, for his second wartime appearance before the US Congress.

The theme for the 78th UNGA session calls on world leaders to evaluate the UN's 2030 agenda, which includes a deadline for its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It urges "accelerating action" towards those aims in order to promote "peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all", according to Al Jazeera.

The 78th UN General Debate began on Tuesday, kicking off a period of high-level discussions that will continue till September 26.

However, while the event is billed as a "debate," it is actually a series of 15-minute statements delivered by world leaders on issues of their choosing.

On February 24, 2022, Russia allegedly 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.

78th UNGA session: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accuses Russia of genocide, proposes peace formula

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attacks Russia at 78th UNGA session

New York, September 20

I n a scathing attack on Russia amid the continuing military conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, with reference to the former at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, said "terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons".

Addressing the UNGA session in New York City, the Ukrainian President claimed that the "mass destruction" in his homeland was gaining momentum.

"The aggressor is weaponizing many other things and those things are not only used against our country but yours as well," Zelenskyy said.

Invoking the mystery death of Wagner mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Ukrainian President hinted at the involvement of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the plane crash that killed him.

"Evil cannot be trusted. Ask Prigozhin, if one bets on Putin's promises," Zelenskyy said.

According to reports, there were no survivors in the plane crash, which happened barely months after the commander of the Russian mercenary group staged a mutiny against the country's military leadership.

The Embraer business jet in which the Wagner group chief was listed as a passenger, went down in the final moments of descent in the Tver Region near the settlement of Kuzhenkino.

A former close aide of Russian President Vladimir Putin until he staged a rebellion in June 2023, Prigozhin controlled a network of companies including the Wagner private military group.

On June 23, 2023, the Wagner Group led by him launched a mutiny against the Russian military leadership.

However, the rebellion was called off after a truce was negotiated between Moscow and the armed mercenary group.

During the UNGA session held on Tuesday, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of being the aggressor and perpetrating "genocide" in his homeland.

He further claimed that Ukrainian children in Russia were being taught to "hate" their homeland, adding that all ties that Ukraine nationals have with their family members back home were being snapped.

"We're trying to get children back home, but time goes by. What will happen to them? Those children in Russia are told to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are broken. This is clearly a genocide," Zelenskyy said at the UNGA session.

According to experts, Zelenskyy's participation in the ongoing General Assembly session will boost worldwide support for Ukraine amid the continuing armed conflict with Russia.

Further, during his address at the UNGA session, Zelenksyy said "unity" alone can make sure that such aggressions do not happen again."It takes our unity to make sure that aggression will not again," the Ukrainian President said.

The visit this year marks the first by Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to the General Assembly since Russia launched a "full-scale invasion" of his nation in February 2022.

More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

After the UNGA session, Zelenskyy is likely to visit Washington DC, for his second wartime appearance before the US Congress.

Terrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy attacks Russia at 78th UNGA session

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Surat, September 20

G anesh Chaturthi is being joyously celebrated across the nation with immense enthusiasm and fervour to honour Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati.

The 10-day festival started on Tuesday, ushering in a wave of excitement and devotion that has captivated hearts across India. Social media platforms are abuzz with pictures and videos showcasing the artistry of theme-based pandals, each one distinguished by its unique and creative designs.

One of the most sought-after themes this year is Chandrayaan-3, India's successful mission to the moon. Another unique pandal that has captivated the attention of many is the pandal built by the Cyber Cell Surat Police, which shares a message to beware of cyber fraud.

Interestingly, the pandal has an idol of lord Ganesha dressed up in police attire while several posters and billboards have been placed with instructions to avoid cyber fraud. Another pandal in the city has been built on the Ramayana theme. The pandals have become the centre of attraction for visitors, especially for children.

Earlier on Tuesday morning, devotees were observed reverently transporting idols of Lord Ganesha aboard a local train at Mumbai's Dadar railway station. Visuals showed people chanting in the chorus 'Ganpati Bappa Morya'.

Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated every year with great fervour, with thousands of devotees thronging temples and pandals for the darshan of the Lord Ganesha.

The festival ends with elaborate immersion processions on Anant Chaturdashi, 10 days from the start of Ganesh Chaturthi.

From Cyber Ganesha to Chandrayaan-3: Unique pandals illuminate Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Incarcerated former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has predicted that there will soon be a change of administration in Georgia and proposed that the authorities sit down for talks with the opposition.

"No one can resist the will of the people, and events may develop swiftly and according to a very difficult scenario. The only thing I want to tell Ivanishvili [Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party and businessman, accused by the Georgian opposition of discretely controlling the Georgian administration] is that he should sit down for talks with the opposition and discuss the only issue, i.e. the peaceful transfer of power," Saakashvili said at a court hearing for one of his criminal cases which he attended remotely.

He commented on a number of Georgian domestic and foreign policy issues, and said in conclusion that despite his physical weakness his spirit could not be crushed, as he is "part of the Georgian people."

Saakashvili refused to discuss the criminal case against him, and the Tbilisi City Court continued the hearing without him.

Saakashvili secretly arrived in Georgia on September 29, 2021. He was detained in Tbilisi on October 1 of the same year, put in prison in Rustavi and subsequently went on hunger strike. He was transferred from the Rustavi prison to a prison infirmary in the Gldani neighborhood of Tbilisi on November 8 without the consent of his family. Saakashvili was moved to a military hospital in Gori on November 20, and he ended his hunger strike. On May 12, 2023, he was admitted to the Vivamedi clinic in Tbilisi. He is still a patient at Vivamedi.

There are several criminal cases against Saakashvili ongoing in Georgia. He has called his detention illegal and the charges against him falsified.
New York, September 20

I n a rousing speech at the United Nations on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at Russia, accusing it of "weaponising" food and energy and attacking children during the war in Ukraine reported the New York Post.

Zelenskyy framed Russia's war on his country as an attack on the "international order" and urged the world leaders to "act united to defeat the aggressor"

"Let unity decide everything openly," Zelenskyy said. "While Russia is pushing the world to the final war, Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after Russian aggression no one in the world will dare to attack any nation.".

"Weaponization must be restrained, war crimes must be punished, deported people must come back home and the occupier must return to their own land. We must be united," he said, to spirited applause," the New York Post quoted Zelenskyy as saying.

Zelenskyy had begun his speech slamming Russia for "weaponising food, energy and attacks on children against Ukraine".

"We know the names of tens of thousands of children...kidnapped by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and later deported. The International Criminal Court issued international arrest warrants for Putin for this crime. We are trying to get children back home but as time goes by...what will happen to them?" he asked.

He added, "For the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation that was attacked. And this is a real chance for every nation... to have the same outcome if attacked".

In an apparent reference to the death of Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin, Zelenskyy said, "Evil cannot be trusted".

The embattled leader took the stage hours after US President Biden, who also urged international unity against Russia's offensive.

Addressing the 78th UNGA session, Biden reaffirmed Washington's support for Ukraine and said that the US, with its allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the "brave people of Ukraine" in defending their sovereignty and territorial integrity.

More than 140 world leaders are meeting to discuss the pressing world issues at the 78th session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

Notably, US President Joe Biden is the only representative among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council who is attending the UNGA.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended the General Assembly for the first time since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of his nation in February 2022.

One of the most anticipated annual UN events, the General Debate, provides a platform for leaders to discuss topics of worldwide concern in 15-minute statements. While speakers at the General Debate are free to discuss whatever they like, each year's event is framed by a broad theme, according to Al Jazeera.

This year, the theme is "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity".

Russia weaponising food, energy; abducting children: Zelenskyy in fiery UN speech

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Won't talk about security briefings as part of Five Eyes: Anthony Albanese on Canada's allegations

Newcastle, September 20

A mid the India-Canada diplomatic standoff, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that Canberra doesn't talk about security briefings as part of the Five Eyes group.

The Five Eyes is an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK.

On being asked if the Australian government has received a security briefing about the alleged assassination, PM Albanese said, "We don't talk about security briefings from Five Eyes, as part of the Five Eyes group."

He further said that he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, but would like to keep those discussions 'confidential'.

"...Well, I do have discussions with Prime Minister Trudeau but one of the things that I do, unlike my predecessor, I don't send out text messages, I keep those discussions confidential. Justin Trudeau is a friend of mine, he's a fine Prime Minister of Canada. I was pleased to engage with him at the G20," the Australian PM said.

He added, "He has expressed his concerns about this on behalf of the Canadian government and the Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has also expressed concerns."

Earlier, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong also called the allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament about India's alleged role in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar "concerning".

Wong also noted that an investigation is underway into the matter, and Australia will continue to monitor the developments.

"These are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway, but obviously these are concerning reports, and as I've said, we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners, and we'll continue to do so," she said in a statement.

On being asked about the safety of the Sikh community in Australia, she said that Australian democracy remains unaffected by external concerns, and that Australians of every persuasion have the right to "peaceful protest".

"Australians of whatever persuasion have a right to peaceful protest, and in all circumstances we reflect that right in our public statements and in our private conversations with other governments. You would also know we have, as a Parliament, made very clear statements, both legislatively and as a matter of policy about the importance of Australian democracy being unaffected by external concerns," she said.

She further said that as a foreign minister, she won't "run a commentary", but Australia's principle position is that it believes that the sovereignty of all countries should be respected.

"Well, I'm sure you would not expect the foreign minister of any country to run a commentary on how and what is raised, in detail or what will be raised. But I would say to you, you know, Australia's principal position is that we believe the sovereignty of all countries should be respected, we believe the rule of law should be respected," Wong said.

She added, "I would just say to you that we have been monitoring these developments with partners closely, we will continue to do so, and I will confirm that we have raised our concerns with India. I'm not going to go into any further detail on that."

On Monday, after Candian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's involvement in the killing of Hardeep Nijjar a designated terrorist in India, Canada had expelled an Indian diplomat from the country.

India rejected Canada's allegation calling them 'absurd' and motivated. In a tit-for-tat move on Tuesday, India expelled a Senior Canadian diplomat giving him 5 days to leave the country.

After coming under severe pressure the Canadian Prime Minister then appeared to tone down the rhetoric on Tuesday saying Canada was not looking to provoke India.

"We are not looking to provoke or escalate, we want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes," Trudeau said in a news briefing.

Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Won't talk about security briefings as part of Five Eyes: Anthony Albanese on Canada's allegations

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 21

T he day is getting closer when the first mother ship carrying massive cranes from China will berth at the Vizhinjam International Seaport, the first phase of which is nearing completion.

On Wednesday Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan named the port Vizhinjam International Seaport, Thiruvananthapuram and released its logo at a function.

"This is the dream project of Kerala and when finally commissioned, this is going to throw open the gateway to international marine transshipment which has huge potential. As announced the first ship will berth here early next month and it's going to bring cheer to every Keralite," said Vijayan.

According to top port sources, the first ship is expected to berth in the first week of October as it has already set sail from China.

When it arrives in Thiruvananthapuram it will be received by Union Minister of Shipping Sarbananda Sonowal, Vijayan and top officials.

Incidentally, this momentous event takes place after a delay of five years. During the commencement of the port by Adani on December 5, 2015, its founder Gautam Adani had announced that the first ship would berth here on September 1, 2018, in a record time of less than 1,000 days. But the group failed to meet the deadline due to various factors.

At the moment, more than 80 per cent of the first phase of the work at the port is over. Soon after the first ship arrives, seven more ships are scheduled to arrive and the port will be opened to commercial operations in May next year.

Once opened, the port will prove to be a game-changer not just for Kerala but for the entire country as 80 per cent of transshipments to India that currently takes place at Colombo, Singapore and Dubai, will arrive at Vizhinjam.

The project was signed off by the Congress-led UDF government under Chief Minister Oommen Chandy (2011-16) and the work on the port began at the fag-end of Chandy's tenure.

After the Vijayan government took over, due to numerous reasons, the pace set by the Chandy government could not be followed.

After cyclone Ockhi hit the construction site in 2017, a portion of the constructed breakwater was washed away and since then the shortage of limestone, the most important raw material for the project, caused yet another delay.

According to the project, a record one lakh jobs which includes direct and indirect ones will be created and hence the arrival of the first mother ship is eagerly awaited.

Vijayan Unveils Dream Project: The Vizhinjam International Seaport

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
Thiruvananthapuram, September 20

K erala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday said that no new cases of the Nipah virus have been reported in the last four days in the state.

Addressing reporters in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram, George said, "No new Nipah cases have been reported in the last four days in the state. Out of the 323 samples tested, 317 samples tested negative and six samples tested positive till now. 11 persons in isolation and their test results are negative".

"We have decided to strengthen the healthcare system. We have started to strengthen the 'One Health' activities in the district. We have started training people for the same. 'One health' means all the departments will come together. We have also taken the decision to establish an institution where all the departments will be well-coordinated. So, community surveillance will be there throughout the year", she added.

The health minister further said, "We have a health calendar which is issued at the beginning of every year. In 2023, we issued a health calendar in which it was clearly written that Nipah activities should be tarnished. Accordingly, we started training people and samples were collected from the medical college laboratories. Till August 30, that is, before the outbreak, 81 samples were tested. So it is all a part of the surveillance. Our field workers gave us information about these unusual fever cases. They reported the cases to their superior officers...".

On being asked about whether the state contained the virus, she said, "Scientifically, we have to wait for the next 21 days of the incubation period from the last positive case and another 21 days will also be on the vision".

"The nine-year-old boy is recovering now. He has a good saturation level also. And the three other people who tested positive are stable now. So far, we have tested 323 samples out of which 317 are negative. We tested all the high-risk contacts of the first positive person. The total number of contacts stands at 994. We are still testing for symptomatic cases", George added.

Six cases of the Nipah virus have been so far found in the state of which two persons died while four others, including a nine-year-old boy, are under treatment. The health minister said that ICMR and WHO had conducted studies and found that Kerala and eight other states in India have the probability of Nipah occurrence.

On being asked about the symptoms of the Nipah virus, she added, "There is no written literature on the symptoms. We are writing them down on the basis of our experiences. I think it is a learning experience. We need to sit together and analyse it".

Earlier today, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the state will conduct a seroprevalence study on the Nipah virus being repeatedly found in Kozhikode district.

According to WHO, population-based seroprevalence surveys are conducted to predict the proportion of infection and immunity in order to comprehend disease burden, a pattern of transmission, and associated risk factors.

The Chief Minister said that the Indian Council of Medical Research is not providing a clear answer to why the virus outbreak repeatedly happens in Kozhikode.

So the state has decided to conduct a sero survey. Have asked the health department to prepare a detailed proposal for this," CM Vijayan said in a media briefing in Thiruvananthapuram.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Department in Kerala's Kozhikode has relaxed the restrictions in the district as no new cases of Nipah virus infection were reported in the state.

The district collector A Geetha informed that shops and establishments in the above containment zones can operate till 8 pm, while all banks can function till 2 pm as per the Nipah protocol. Masks and sanitisers must be used, social distancing must be followed and gatherings must be strictly controlled, the district collector said. As per the officials, other restrictions will continue till further order.

The District Collector also informed that those who are on the contact list and under observation should follow strict restrictions and remain in quarantine till the period prescribed by the Health Department.

Earlier on Monday, Health Minister Veena George said that no fresh cases of the Nipah virus were reported in the state as 61 samples taken of 'high-risk' contacts including healthcare workers tested negative.

She further said that the Nipah strain found in Kerala has been identified as the Indian Genotype, or I Genotype, which is similar to the strain found in Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, speaking on the women's reservation bill, Veena George said, "My party always stood for the Women's Reservation Bill. We welcome it".

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday introduced the Women's Reservation Bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building.

The bill has been named "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam."

Introducing the bill in the Lower House, the minister said, "This Bill is about women's empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Article 330A provides for reservation of seats for SC/ST in the House of People."

No new Nipah cases reported in last four days: Kerala Health Minister Veena George

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
India and other nations of Asia Pacific are civilizational protectors of human rights: President Murmu

New Delhi, September 20

P resident Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the two-day conference of the National Human Rights Institutions of Asia Pacific and said that India and other nations of the Asia Pacific are civilizational protectors of human rights and can play a role in evolving an international consensus on related issues.

Drawing attention to the issue of climate change impacting human rights, she exhorted to conserve and enrich nature before it is too late.

She was inaugurating the two-day conference of the National Human Rights Institutions of Asia Pacific organized by the National Human Rights Commission, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific Forum at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi.

The President said that India has a long historical experience of practising and cherishing democratic values and individual rights. It adopted universal adult franchise rights since the inception of the republic. "We ensured a minimum 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies and a proposal is taking shape to have the same in assemblies and parliament," she said.

Earlier in his keynote address, the NHRC, India, Chairperson Justice Arun Mishra said that the NHRIs of the Asia Pacific need a joint strategy for the emerging challenges to Human Rights protection in areas of climate change, child trafficking, Child Sexual Abuse Material and other crimes in cyberspace, the latest developments in Artificial Intelligence, among others.

He said that the concentration of wealth in a few hands globally is causing a brooding sense of injustice. We must ensure that workers involved in various economic activities are provided humane working conditions.

He said that business houses must be responsible for processing waste and removing debris from their premises. He said that in the matter of essential health issues, the intellectual property right must adopt a right-based approach in essential health services in the public interest.

He also strongly pitched in for ensuring gender justice for women and the LGBTQI community besides liberalising the concept of reasonable opportunity for the specially-abled.

The conference including the Annual General Meeting on September 20, 2023, followed by the Biennial Conference will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and 30 years of National Human Rights Institutions and the Paris Principles, with a sub-theme on the environment and climate change.

It is being attended by Heads, members, and senior officials of the NHRIs of the Asia Pacific region, observer countries along with representatives from the Union and State governments, State Human Rights Commissions, Special Rapporteurs, Monitors, various institutions involved in the protection and promotion of human rights in the country, members of civil society and NGOs, human right defenders, lawyers, jurists, academicians, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, and academic institutions.

NHRC is also hosting an international seminar on 'Business and Human Rights' for the development of strategies to ensure that businesses prioritize human rights and environmental sustainability in their operations.

India and other nations of Asia Pacific are civilizational protectors of human rights: President Murmu

Found this article helpful? Spread the word and support us!
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Illegal Armenian armed formations were subjected to fire in Azerbaijan's Shusha, killing a civilian, senior prosecutor of the press service of the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan Kenan Zeynalov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

"As a result of the shelling of Shusha by illegal formations of Armenian armed forces on September 19 with the use of large-caliber weapons, including mortars, an engineer of the housing and repair service of the State Reserve Department of Shusha, Farhadov Vidadi Aydin, born in 1967, died of shrapnel wounds. At present, employees of the Prosecutor's Office are inspecting the site of the terrorist attack," he said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

On September 19, 2023, at 04:30 (GMT+4), as a result of a terrorist act, on a newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in Khojavand district, a KAMAZ truck carrying employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan got blown up on a mine previously planted by illegal Armenian armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [under the trilateral statement].

The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavand district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade, Ramil Shirinov, Seymur Mahmudov, and Khazar Zamanov, died on the spot.
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.




Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service covering state government. It is distributed to hundreds of print and broadcast outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, along with major contributions from the Illinois Broadcasters Foundation and Southern Illinois Editorial Association.
FBI agent Andrew Huckstadt said 73-year-old Philip Bueno's car got stuck when he repeatedly backed into the building. The Prophetstown man "stated that he threw the red gas can out of the window so the gas would spill and he could light the gas on fire, but the can landed in an upright position."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. During the anti-terrorist activities conducted on the basis of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Combating Terrorism", the public shall be informed about terrorist acts in the form and volume established by the head of the operational headquarters or a representative of the operational headquarters responsible for public relations, Trend reports via the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan.

It was noted that it is not allowed to disseminate the following information:

1) on tactics and technical means of conducting anti-terrorist operations;

2) information posing a threat to the life and health of people in the zone of anti-terrorist actions or outside this zone and preventing the implementation of anti-terrorist actions;

3) information justifying terrorism or serving as its propaganda;

4) information about persons participating in anti-terrorist operations or assisting in such activities.

It is considered an administrative misdemeanor to post information on terrorist acts and anti-terrorist activities in Internet information resources prohibited for dissemination. (Article 388-1 of the Code of Administrative Misdemeanors) Individuals are punished with an administrative fine of 500 to 1000 manat (from $294 to $588), officials from 1000 manat ($588) to 1500 manat ($882), or administrative detention for up to 1 month, and legal entities are fined from 1500 manat ($882) to 2000 manat ($1,176).

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

On September 19, 2023, at 04:30 (GMT+4), as a result of a terrorist act, on a newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in Khojavand district, a KAMAZ truck carrying employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan got blown up on a mine previously planted by illegal Armenian armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [under the trilateral statement].

The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavand district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade, Ramil Shirinov, Seymur Mahmudov, and Khazar Zamanov, died on the spot.
Physical health and cognitive function declines as we age. Aging impacts people's ability to perform routine tasks, which affects their well-being and sense of independence. One such routine activity that is frequently affected is driving. For older adults, the inability to drive themselves can mean that they become unable to access basic needs or engage in social activities.

In a recent study that was made available online on 29 August 2023 and is all set to be published in volume 176 of Transportation Research in October 2023, researchers from Waseda University, Japan looked at the mobility challenges faced by older adults in the country. They analyzed data from the Japanese Study of Aging and Retirement (JSTAR) survey, using exploratory analysis methods.

The study found that car ownership among older adults in Japan is strongly related to several positive indicators of well-being. For example, car ownership was associated with higher self-rated health status, greater number of years lived in the current municipality, and better working status. Older adults who owned at least one car experienced a higher level of independence and a greater positive attitude towards giving and receiving help, including running errands, compared to those who did not own a car.

Countries around the world are grappling with challenges caused by an aging population due to falling birth rates. Although the phenomenon is especially acute in Japan, research suggests that other countries will soon follow suit. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop technologies to improve the quality of life of an aging population and mitigate the impacts of population aging.

As Associate Professor Andante Hadi Pandyaswargo from the Environmental Research Institute of Waseda University, the lead researcher in the study, notes, "The rate of population ageing and life expectancy in Japan has been increasing. Other countries, including the developing countries, will follow the trend. In fact, the doubling time of the ratio of older adults in the population of some developing countries is faster than that in Japan. The United Nations World Population Prospects 2022 projected that by 2050, the global population of people older than 64 will be more than twice that of children under five. Therefore, countries with an ageing population must quickly adapt and accommodate the changes caused by the growing number of older persons." Besides Pandyaswargo, researchers Tifani Husna Siregar, former Assistant Professor at the School of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University and Hiroshi Onoda, a Professor at the Graduate School of Environment and Energy Engineering at Waseda University, were involved in the study.

Analyzing the findings of this study, the researchers suggest that autonomous driving may play a key role in solving the mobility crisis among older adults. Giving older adults access to autonomous vehicles (AVs) via a car-sharing business model can have several benefits. For instance, it can improve mobility in older adults, reducing the financial costs associated with their transportation. In the long term, introducing the technology to a greater section of the population is likely to increase its adoption.

"Our study found that providing better access and safer mobility, like shared AVs, for older adults in the countryside has the potential to alleviate some mobility concerns that push older adults to relocate to denser cities. Our study also showed that mobility independence relates to self-perceived health and willingness to help others. We hope that nurturing these factors will allow us to halt the unnecessary shrinking of communities and mitigate the mobility challenges of older adults, thereby ensuring their well-being", explains Pandyaswargo.

Shared AVs are a fitting technological solution to the mobility issues facing older Japanese adults, because Japan is a world leader in automobile technology. "The automotive industry is one of Japan's core industries. Therefore, Japan has the potential to set a global example of how automotive technologies can evolve to support the mobility of older adults," Pandyaswargo concludes.

Aging being a reality for all living beings, it is imperative that the challenges we face in our old age are probed for solutions armed with new and emerging technologies. This study attests to this need and shines the light on possible answers to one inescapable question that aging presents.
Purpose in life is an essential aspect of psychological well-being, as it is linked with better cognitive outcomes in patients with dementia. A recent JAMA Network Open study evaluates changes in an individuals purpose in life before and after the onset of cognitive impairment.

Study: Change in Purpose in Life Before and After Onset of Cognitive Impairment. Image Credit: imtmphoto / Shutterstock.com

Background

Individuals with dementia often appear withdrawn from activities that they once found meaningful. A solution to this problem could be to have a purpose in life.

Purpose in life is a core component of psychological well-being and is defined as the feeling that ones life is goal-oriented, meaningful, and has direction. Research has shown a link between purpose and cognitive ability, as those who report higher purpose also perform better on cognitive tasks.

In dementia patients, having a purpose in life may reduce or forestall dementia-related apathy. Thus, engaging in social or creative activities, which has been encouraged across all stages of dementia and all ages, can support the overall health of these individuals.

Most research on psychological change during cognitive impairment has focused on clinical markers of mental health and trait aspects of psychological function. However, recent research has revealed that caregivers perceive significant declines in purpose in life after a dementia diagnosis.

About the study

The present study used data from two large population-based longitudinal studies: the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). HRS data was obtained from March 2006 to May 2021, whereas NHATS data was acquired between May 2011 to November 2021.

The Purpose in Life subscale from the Ryff Measures of Psychological Well-Being was used to assess purpose in life in HRS. In NHATS, purpose in life was measured slightly differently with the item My life has meaning and purpose, in which individuals rated this statement from one or agreeing a lot, to three, or agreeing not at all.

Key findings

In both HRS and NHATS, modest reductions in purpose in life were observed before the development of cognitive impairment, with substantially greater declines reported during cognitive impairment. The purpose in life decreased by about 10% of a standard deviation in the decade before the onset of cognitive impairment. Notably, the pattern of change across both studies was similar despite any differences between the two study cohorts.

Changes in apathy and purpose, which have been documented in previous studies, were different and more notable from those reported in the current study. This could be because the participants of the present study were still active in HRS and NHATS and could report their feelings, as their cognitive impairment was relatively low.

The study findings suggest that alterations in self-reported purpose prior to impairment are too small to detect an imminent impairment meaningfully. This small change is unlikely to be perceived by standard clinical measures.

Nevertheless, the current study contributes to the general knowledge of purpose in life and the natural history of purpose in the context of cognitive impairment. Future studies are needed to evaluate how purpose can be supported as cognitive impairment commences and how to identify and support purpose during the recovery phase.

Conclusions

Replicable declines in purpose in life were documented across preclinical and clinical stages of cognitive impairment. These reductions were significantly greater during cognitive impairment. Thus, measures to sustain purpose could support cognitive health before and during cognitive impairment.

The main strength of the current study is the use of two independent samples, which ensured the robustness of the findings. The large sample sizes and repeated longitudinal assessments also contributed to the robustness of the results, as similar results across two samples reduced the likelihood that the observed patterns were due to chance.

Some limitations of the current study include the use of performance-based measures to identify cognitive impairment. The focus on the earlier stages of cognitive impairment could also be considered a study limitation.

Both studies were conducted in the United States, which could limit the generalizability of the results. The number of assessments was also limited, especially in HRS, suggesting that some estimates should be interpreted cautiously.

In the future, rather than using self-reported data, a clinical diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or dementia could be used. Samples from more diverse geographic locations should also be examined.
Pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, and tuberculosis (TB) will be at the centre of global talks at the United Nations this week, with the health sector ramping up pressure on leaders to make good on commitments towards the health SDGs.

The three global health meetings at the UN General Assembly in New York come at the mid-way point for the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), many of which are severely off-track for meeting their 2030 targets.

The first of the meetings, on Wednesday (20 September), will see heads of state and government convene to adopt a declaration on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, led by president of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis and the World Health Organization (WHO).

"If COVID-19 told us nothing else, it's that, if health is at risk, everything is at risk," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press briefing on Thursday (14 September).

"The pandemic showed that health is essential for development, social and economic prosperity, and national security."

He said the declaration would support ongoing member state negotiations on a pandemic agreement and amendment of the International Health Regulations, a set of binding rules on disease outbreaks that have the potential to cross international borders, agreed by countries in 2005.

On Thursday (21 September), talks will centre on Sustainable Development Goal 3 - achieving universal health coverage. It follows a progress report, jointly published Monday by the WHO and the World Bank.

Ending TB

The following day (22 September), global policymakers will discuss how to give people equitable access to TB prevention, testing, and treatment by focusing on advancing science, finance and innovation.

Eliud Wandwalo, head of TB at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said he hoped it would lead to innovations being deployed equitably and rapidly where they are most needed.

"Investing in innovation alone will not help us end TB," he told SciDev.Net. "We must simultaneously fight the inequities that fuel the disease."

But some global health experts are not so optimistic about what might be achieved through the meeting.

"Unfortunately, it is hard to envisage tuberculosis being high on the agenda of world leaders more concerned with war, food insecurity, and  economic climate," said an editorial published 16 September in the Lancet.

Cutbacks

Madhukar Pai, associate director of the McGill International TB Centre, and a member of the Lancet Commission on Tuberculosis, told SciDev.Net: "My anxiety is that TB, this time again, will garner little political interest.

"Countries are already cutting back on health after COVID, and TB is a small portion of health expenditure."

He believes getting TB included in the universal health and pandemic response agendas could be a more effective strategy for making progress on the disease.

A report by the Lancet Commission published last week pointed out that while many African countries have seen declines in TB mortality rates since the last UN high-level meeting on TB in 2018, more than 7 million people have since died from the disease.

It said none of the ten countries with the highest TB burden had reached the targets set in that meeting, citing COVID-19 as a major setback to progress. The WHO has said the pandemic had set global goals on TB back a decade.

In 2020, global TB deaths stopped declining for the first time in two decades, the Commission said. However, it pointed to a range of new diagnostic tools and treatments which, if scaled up, mean that "ending tuberculosis within a generation is still plausible".

On 19 September, the Stop TB Partnership will launch the "Coalition of Leaders to End TB" advocacy initiative, bringing together heads of state and delegations from ten countries together with heads of multilateral and UN organisations to collaborate towards ending TB. It will also host a TB Innovation Summit the same day in New York.

SDGs, climate summits

Ahead of the meetings on health, the UN General Assembly kicks off with a two-day SDG summit (18-19 September) to assess progress on the 17 global goals. The UN says it will result in a political declaration with the aim of resetting progress to achieve the goals by 2030.

This will be followed on 20 September by a high-level dialogue on financing for development, to provide guidance on the implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, a UN framework for financing the SDGs.

Another key focus of the UN meeting will be the Climate Ambition Summit on 20 September, led by UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres. He will urge all sectors to come up with an ambitious course of action to respond to the climate crisis.

Pete Ogden, vice president for climate and environment at the United Nations Foundation, told SciDev.Net that the summit would "feature the ways in which a wide range of actorsfrom governments, to the private sector to sub-national leaders and international financial institutionsare stepping up and doing what it takes to be 1.5 degrees C-aligned," referring to the 2015 agreement reached in Paris to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

"And in so doing, it will build pressure on others to join what the secretary-general calls the 'first movers and doers' in the critical run up to COP 28, when we need to see their ranks swell."

Climate action and governance are also a recurring theme at the annual Science Summit, hosted on the sidelines of the Assembly by the International Science Council and partners.

The summit is looking at the role of science in attaining the SDGs and aims to foster collaborations to that end. It is also being used to prepare input for the UN Summit of the Future, which will take place during next year's UN General Assembly.
A new study from the University of Connecticut has discovered that rehabilitation to address chronic knee pain may not be targeting all the right muscles.

Neal Glaviano and Sungwan Kim, a Ph.D. student in his lab, recently published their findings in the journal Physical Therapy in Sport.

Glaviano has been studying patellofemoral pain, sometimes called "runner's knee" for years. Approximately 23% of the global population suffer from this kind of pain, which affects the area around the kneecap. While present in the general population, this condition is especially common for runners and those in the military.

Across the board it's a pretty significant impairment in [people's] ability to lead happy and healthy lives." Neal Glaviano

Researchers know that in patients with chronic patellofemoral pain, some muscles in their legs and hips are weaker in terms of strength and endurance, in addition to a decreased ability to generating their maximal muscle contraction.

"It all comes back to there being some potential deficit in the muscle for some reason," Glaviano says.

Glaviano hypothesized that these deficits may be related to the size of certain muscles around the knee. Specifically, he was interested in the glute and quad muscles.

"A lot of the research shows consistent evidence that there's weakness in those muscles," Glaviano says. "So, I expected those are the four muscles that we would discover are smaller in size compared to the healthy database."

Glaviano and Kim worked with the Brain Imaging Research Center (BIRC) at UConn to conduct MRI scans of 13 female patients with patellofemoral pain. The researchers then worked with Springbok, a company developed by researchers at the University of Virginia, to analyze individual muscle volumes.

They focused on female patients because women are 2.2 times more likely to experience this kind of pain than men, though researchers do not know why.

"We thought trying to control for [sex] would allow us to answer our question a little more straightforwardly rather than having to worry about known differences in muscle size between males and females," Glaviano says.

While Glaviano and Kim expected to see differences in muscle size in the quads and glutes, that's not what they found. There were no significant differences in the size of these muscles in patients with patellofemoral pain compared to the healthy samples.

Instead, the muscles at the front of patients' hips, their deep external hip rotators, and hamstrings were smaller. Additionally, not all patients had impairments in the same muscles.

"The four main muscles that a lot of the research prioritizes as the target for rehabilitation were not actually smaller in size," Glaviano says. "I think it demonstrates the need to individualize patients' treatment. We as clinicians and researchers need to quantify which muscles have impairment and target those in a patient's treatment."

Glaviano intends to pursue these findings to investigate if rehabilitation interventions for patellofemoral pain can be better tailored and individualized.

Most patients who receive rehabilitation for patellofemoral pain do not experience long-term pain relief. These findings may be a key to addressing this shortcoming and improving their quality of life.

"There's very little work on the muscles that were identified as being smaller, so that might explain why there's such poor long-term outcomes in these patients," Glaviano says. "While we're targeting their quads and their hip muscles, we might be missing other muscles that might also be important."

Glaviano also plans to look at muscle inhibition, where a muscle is unable to perform optimally because not all the connected nerves are firing. In his previous work, Glaviano found that patients with patellofemoral pain experience inhibition in their glute and quad muscles.

"Maybe it's not that the muscle is smaller," Glaviano says. "It's that the muscle isn't able to recruit all the motor units available to be able to produce that force, and that's why the weakness is present, not purely from a volumetric standpoint. We'll have to continue to work to find out."
In previous research, Andrew Subica and his colleagues found exceptionally high rates of alcohol use disorder (or alcohol abuse) and alcohol-related harms among Pacific Islander young adults. Now Subica, an associate professor in the UC Riverside School of Medicine's Department of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health, has received a $3 million grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, or NIAAA, of the National Institutes of Health to conduct research aimed at preventing these disorders and harms in Pacific Islander young adults.

"Almost half of Pacific Islander young adults we surveyed screened positive for probable alcohol use disorder and 40% experienced significant harms -; impacting health, finances, and family -; from their alcohol use," said Subica, the five-year grant's principal investigator. "These rates far surpass the rates for the general young adult population, demonstrating the extreme alcohol risk that exists in Pacific Islander communities."

According to Subica, no known tailored intervention currently exists to effectively reduce the alcohol risk in this population. As a result, he said, the study will design and conduct a full-scale clinical trial of "Strategies for Pacific Empowerment and Alcohol Reduction," or SPEAR.

The ultimate product of this study will be the demonstrated effectiveness of SPEAR: a culturally tailored group-based intervention to prevent alcohol addiction and consequences in Pacific Islander young adults. SPEAR will combine Pacific Islander cultural elements with evidence-based alcohol education content, professional storytelling films with Pacific Islander characters, and cognitive behavioral skills training." Andrew Subica, Associate Professor, UC Riverside School of Medicine's Department of Social Medicine, Population, and Public Health

To conduct the research, which will take place in Southern California and northwest Arkansas, Subica and his team will partner with Pacific Islander communities to help shape and refine the SPEAR intervention, which will use a group format chosen by Pacific Islander young adults. The researchers will design a treatment manual and conduct a three-year randomized controlled trial of SPEAR with Pacific Islander young adults in California and Arkansas.

"Pacific Islander communities are a combination of both Indigenous and immigrant communities who are connected by legacies of cultural traumatization by the U.S.," Subica said. "By using our innovative community-engaged research methods to study and test a culturally tailored intervention to reduce alcohol addiction and harms in Pacific Islanders, this study may have significant implications for designing similar interventions that target the unique alcohol risks of other culturally traumatized groups in the U.S."

Subica will be joined in the study by Scott Okamoto at the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Li-Tzy Wu at Duke University School of Medicine, Esra Kurum and Dr. Howard Moss at UCR, Nia Aitaoto at the Pacific Islander Center of Primary Care Excellence, Erick Guerrero at Research to End Healthcare Disparities, and Derek Iwamoto at the University of Maryland.
It turns out yogurt may have a previously unknown benefit: eliminating garlic odors.

A new study conducted in a lab  with follow-up human breath tests being planned  showed that whole milk plain yogurt prevented almost all of the volatile compounds responsible for garlic's pungent scent from escaping into the air.

Researchers tested the garlic deodorizing capacity of yogurt and its individual components of water, fat and protein to see how each stood up to the stink. Both fat and protein were effective at trapping garlic odors, leading the scientists to suggest high-protein foods may one day be formulated specifically to fight garlic breath.

"High protein is a very hot thing right now  generally, people want to eat more protein," said senior study author Sheryl Barringer, professor of food science and technology at The Ohio State University.

"An unintended side benefit may be a high-protein formulation that could be advertised as a breath deodorizer in addition to its nutritional claims," she said. "I was more excited about the protein's effectiveness because consumer advice to eat a high-fat food is not going to go over well."

The study was published recently in the journal Molecules.

Barringer has a history of identifying foods that can combat garlic breath, among them apples, mint and lettuce and milk, thanks to their enzymes and fat, respectively, that snuff out the sulfur-based compounds that cause garlic's persistent smell.

After encountering speculation that yogurt might have a deodorizing effect, Barringer and first author Manpreet Kaur, a PhD student in her lab, decided to check it out.

For each treatment experiment, the researchers placed equal amounts of raw garlic in glass bottles and confirmed the cluster of offending sulfur-based volatiles were released in concentrations that would be detected by the human nose. They used mass spectrometry to measure levels of the volatile molecules in gaseous form present before and after each treatment.

Results showed that yogurt alone reduced 99% of the major odor-producing raw garlic volatiles. When introduced separately, the fat, water and protein components of yogurt also had a deodorizing effect on raw garlic, but fat and protein performed better than water.

In the case of fat, a higher quantity of butter fat was more effective at deodorization. The proteins studied included different forms of whey, casein and milk proteins, all of which were effective at deodorizing garlic  likely because of their ability to trap the volatile molecules before they were emitted into the air. A casein micelle-whey protein complex performed the best.

We know proteins bind flavor  a lot of times that's considered a negative, especially if a food with high protein has less flavor. In this case, it could be a positive." Sheryl Barringer, professor of food science and technology, The Ohio State University

Additional experiments involving changing the pH of the yogurt to make it less acidic  from 4.4 pH to 7 pH  reduced the yogurt's deodorization effect on the garlic. Changing the pH of water, on the other hand, did not make any difference in water's deodorization effect.

"That's telling me it goes back to those proteins, because as you change pH you change the configuration of proteins and their ability to bind. That said we definitely should be looking at these proteins," Barringer said. "It probably depends on the protein, as well, because different proteins react differently to pH. So that may be an important thing as we look at other proteins for their garlic deodorization effect."

Barringer and Kaur tested the deodorizing effect of yogurt and its separate components on fried garlic as well, and in the process, they discovered that frying garlic alone significantly reduces most of garlic's odor-causing volatile compounds. Yogurt and its individual ingredients neutralized a lower percentage of volatile compounds of fried garlic compared to raw garlic, presumably because there were fewer volatiles to trap than were present in the raw cloves, the researchers theorized.

The findings are a good foundation for future studies analyzing a variety of proteins that might be formulated into the perfect garlic-breath-reducing product and seeking to verify yogurt's ability to curb actual garlic breath in people.

In the meantime, Barringer predicts that Greek yogurt, with a higher-protein profile than the whole milk plain yogurt used in the study, may be particularly effective at getting rid of garlic breath. Fruit-flavored yogurts will probably work, too, she said  and whatever is used, it must quickly follow ingestion of raw garlic.

"With apples, we have always said to eat them immediately," she said. "The same with yogurt is presumed to be the case  have your garlic and eat the yogurt right away."
Doctors urgently need better international guidance on treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in the over 50s, conclude world-leading experts reviewing current research on this increasing issue globally.

Published in the peer-reviewed journal Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, the team's findings highlight a 'striking' gap in knowledge about older people as existing guidelines focus on children and young adults.

"Our analysis concludes that better approaches are urgently required to screen and diagnose people aged from around age 50 to 55," says lead author Dr Maja Dobrosavljevic from the University of Orebro, in Sweden.

"As we gain deeper insights into the challenges faced by older adults living with ADHD, a comprehensive and tailored approach is crucial for their well-being.

"We therefore urge the medical community, researchers, and policymakers to collaborate in refining diagnostic criteria, treatment guidelines, and research initiatives that are inclusive of all age groups affected by ADHD."

Estimated to affect around 2.5% of adults, ADHD runs in families.

Symptoms include being impulsive, hyperactive, and having poor focus, attention, and organizational skills.

The neurodevelopmental disorder can persist throughout life and have a negative impact on education, job prospects and social interaction. Stimulants such as methylphenidate are the most commonly used medication for ADHD.

The team of authors includes Chair of the European ADHD Guidelines Group Samuele Cortese, who is a Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Southampton, and Henrik Larsson, a Professor of psychiatric epidemiology at Orebro University.

They reviewed almost 100 studies. Of these, 44 were papers on the prevalence, health outcomes, diagnosis, and treatment efficacy/safety, as well as clinical guidelines/consensus statements providing recommendations on clinical diagnosis and treatment of ADHD in older adults.

The team then assessed the current diagnostic criteria according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), and the World Health Organisation's International Classification of Diseases (ICD). Other aspects were also evaluated such as how useful current criteria are for diagnosing older adults.

"Our results show no studies have observed people over a long time period into older age. Research has instead focused on retrospective assessment of childhood symptoms, and this can be unreliable because of age-related memory issues," says Professor Larsson, whose expertise lie in how genes and environment influence mental health problems across the life span.

"Essentially, this means that more trials are needed into the safety and efficacy of current ADHD medication, including the maximum recommended doses, used to treat this age group  who are at increased risk of other health conditions such as heart problems."

Doctors should be assessing the physical health of an older person with ADHD before prescribing drug treatment. Diagnostic criteria have shifted towards a 'wider inclusion' of adults who previously would have remained undiagnosed. Yet, still, there is no specific consideration of how ADHD presents in older adults. Another issue is that screening tools validated for ADHD in older adults are not specific enough to recognize the condition in the over 50s. Only those with the most severe ADHD would be picked up." Henrik Larsson, Professor of Psychiatric Epidemiology, Orebro University

The team's analysis also adds further weight to conclusions that ADHD is linked with mental health issues, increased death rates, and illness such as cardiovascular disease and dementia.

However, diagnosis remains an issue for this age group.

The research concludes that one of the main challenges for clinicians is that some medical conditions among older adults have similar clinical presentations as ADHD such as menopause-related memory decline.

On this basis, the researchers recommend that doctors take into account distinctive clues to distinguish ADHD from age-related mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People with ADHD typically report childhood symptoms whereas MCI has a more abrupt onset, they point out.

The authors do concede that future editions of the DSM and ICD are expected to address current gaps in the definition of ADHD for older adults, and that more data will become available.

They suggest that classification for older adults should include diagnoses that differentiate between ADHD and conditions with similar symptoms.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Authoritative Ukrainian media published materials on the deaths of Azerbaijani policemen and civilians as a result of the ongoing Armenian mine terror on the territory of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The articles published on the websites of the state news agency Ukrinform, the news portals Korrespondent, PolitDumka, and others say that Azerbaijani policemen were killed as a result of the explosion of an anti-tank mine planted by a sabotage and provocation group of illegal Armenian armed groups on a section of the Ahmedbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the territory of Khojavand district. It is noted that Azerbaijani security bodies launched an investigation into the terrorist act.

It is also emphasized that after the second Karabakh war, the total number of deaths as a result of the rupture of laid mines reached 61. It is reported that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev noted that demining of the occupied territories will last about 30 years and cost $25 billion.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

On September 19, 2023, at 04:30 (GMT+4), as a result of a terrorist act, on a newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in Khojavand district, a KAMAZ truck carrying employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan got blown up on a mine previously planted by illegal Armenian armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [under the trilateral statement].

The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavand district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade, Ramil Shirinov, Seymur Mahmudov, and Khazar Zamanov, died on the spot.
Abby Madore covers a lot of ground each day at work.

A staffer at a community health center in Carson City, Nevada, Madore spends her days helping low-income residents understand their health insurance options, including Medicaid. Her phone is always ringing, she said, as she fields calls from clients who dial in from the state's remote reaches seeking help.

Its a big job, especially this year as states work to sort through their Medicaid rolls after the end of a pandemic-era freeze that prohibited disenrollment.

A few dozen specialists work for seven navigator organizations tasked with helping Nevadans enroll in or keep their coverage. Madore said she mostly works with people who live in rural Nevada, a sprawling landmass of more than 90,000 square miles.

Katie Charleson, communications officer for Nevada's state health marketplace, said it's always a challenge to reach people in rural areas. Experts say this problem isn't unique to the state and is causing concern that limited resources will throw rural Americans into jeopardy as the Medicaid unwinding continues.

Recent data submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services shows 72% of people who have lost Medicaid coverage since states began the unwinding process this year were disenrolled for procedural reasons, not because officials determined they are no longer eligible for the joint state-federal health insurance program.

By late August, federal officials directed state Medicaid overseers to pause some procedural disenrollments and reinstate some recipients whose coverage was dropped.

Experts say those procedural disenrollments could disproportionately affect rural people.

A brief recently published by researchers at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families noted that rural Medicaid recipients face additional barriers to renewing coverage, including longer distances to eligibility offices and less access to the internet.

Nationwide, Medicaid and CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Program, covered 47% of children and 18% of adults, respectively, in small towns and rural areas, compared with 40% of children and 15% of adults in metropolitan counties.

"As is clear from our research, rural communities rely on Medicaid to form the backbone of their health care system for children and families," said Joan Alker, who is one of the brief's co-authors, the executive director of the Center for Children and Families, and a research professor at Georgetown's McCourt School of Public Policy. "So if states bungle unwinding, this is going to impact rural communities, which are already struggling to keep enough providers around and keep their hospitals."

A lack of access to navigators in rural locales to help Medicaid enrollees keep their coverage or find other insurance if they're no longer eligible could exacerbate the difficulties rural residents face. Navigators help consumers determine whether they're eligible for Medicaid or CHIP, coverage for children whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, and help them enroll. If their clients are not eligible for these programs, navigators help them enroll in marketplace plans.

Navigators operate separately from Nevada's more than 200 call center staffers who help residents manage social service benefits.

Navigators are required by the federal government to provide their services at no cost to consumers and give unbiased guidance, setting them apart from insurance broker agents, who earn commissions on certain health plans. Without them, there would be no free service guiding consumers through shopping for health insurance and understanding whether their health plans cover key services, like preventive care.

Roughly 30 to 40 certified enrollment counselors like Madore work at navigator organizations helping consumers enroll in plans through Nevada Health Link, the state health marketplace, which sells Affordable Care Act plans, said Charleson. One of these groups is based in the small capital city of Carson City, 30 miles south of Reno, where fewer than 60,000 people live. The rest are in the urban centers of Reno and Las Vegas.

Availability of navigators and their outreach tactics vary from state to state.

In Montana, which is larger than Nevada but has one-third the population, six people work as navigators. They cover the entire state, reaching Medicaid beneficiaries and people seeking help with coverage by phone or in person by traveling to far-flung communities. For example, a navigator in Billings, in south-central Montana, has worked with the Crow and Northern Cheyenne Tribes, whose reservations lie relatively nearby, said Olivia Riutta, director of population health for the Montana Primary Care Association. But officials struggle to reach northeastern Montana, with its Fort Peck Reservation.

Having navigators in rural communities to help people in person is an ongoing challenge the country faces, said Alker. But the unwinding circumstances make it an especially important moment for the role navigators play in guiding people through complex insurance processes, she said.

This became clear following a recent survey regarding what consumers encounter when independently searching for health coverage on Google. "The results are really concerning," said survey co-author JoAnn Volk, a research professor and the founder and co-director of the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reforms.

The researchers found that former Medicaid enrollees looking for health plans on the private market face aggressive, misleading marketing of limited-benefit products that don't cover important services and fail to protect consumers from high health costs.

Researchers shopped for coverage using two profiles of consumers who were losing Medicaid coverage and were eligible for a plan with no premiums or deductibles on the ACA marketplace.

The team reported, though, that none of 20 sales representatives who responded to their queries mentioned that plan, and more than half pushed the limited-benefit products. The representatives also made false and misleading statements about the plans they were touting and misrepresented the availability or affordability of the marketplace plans.

The sales reps and brokers quoted limited plans that cost $200 to $300 a month, Volk said. Such an expense could prove unaffordable for consumers who may still be low-income despite being ineligible for Medicaid.

"If they can't get to a navigator, I would not trust that they would get to their best coverage option in the marketplace, or to the marketplace at all, frankly," Volk said.

Making a difficult problem more challenging, the federal government does not require states to break down Medicaid disenrollment data by county, making it harder for experts and researchers to track and differentiate rural and urban concerns. The Center for Children and Families does so with data from the Census Bureau, which Alker pointed out won't be available until next fall.

A data point that will be important to watch as states continue the redetermination process, Alker said, is call center statistics. People in rural areas rely more heavily on that method of renewing coverage.

"Call abandonment rate" is one such statistic. CMS defines it as the percentage of calls that drop from the queue in two separate measures  calls dropped up to and including 60 seconds, and calls dropped after 60 seconds. In August, the agency sent a letter to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services about its rate: An average of 56% of calls dropped in May, the first month after Nevada's unwinding began.

The agency "has concerns that your average call center wait time and abandonment rate are impeding equitable access to assistance and the ability for people to apply for or renew Medicaid and CHIP coverage by phone and may indicate non-compliance with federal requirements," said Anne Marie Costello, deputy director of CMS.

In the letter, Costello also cited the 45% of Medicaid enrollees whose coverage was terminated for procedural reasons in May.

All 50 states received letters about early data, but only Idaho, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah had higher disenrollment rates than Nevada, and no state had a higher rate of call abandonment.

Officials at Nevada's Division of Welfare and Supportive Services said its call center, staffed by 277 family service specialists, receives more than 200,000 calls a month. A spokesperson said the phone system offers self-service options whereby customers can obtain information about their Medicaid renewal date and benefit amounts by following prompts. Because those calls aren't handled by a case manager, they are considered "abandoned," the spokesperson said, raising the rate even though callers' questions may have been fully addressed.

People shopping around for coverage after a lapse might go into a panic, Madore said, and the best part of her job is providing relief by helping them understand their options after disenrollment from Medicaid or CHIP.

When people find out the wide range of free services navigators like Madore offer, they're shocked, she said.

"They're unaware of how much support we can provide," Madore said. "I've had people call me back and they say, 'It's my first time using insurance. Where do I go to urgent care?'"
insights from industry Dr. Yingmin Zhu, Dr. Amy Sheng and Dr. Xuejiao Zhang Head of Bioprocessing, CRO and R&D Project Manager Sino Biological

The baculovirusinsect cell expression systeminsect cells used in conjunction with the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) remains a crucial technology for manufacturing large and complex proteins. This eukaryotic expression system offers inherent safety, ease of scale-up, flexible product design, and versatility for a broad range of proteins.

Could you tell us about the advantages of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system over other expression systems?

Yingmin Zhu

The baculovirusinsect cell expression system offers multifaceted advantages that set it apart from other expression systems. One of the most noteworthy advantages is its capacity to accommodate large DNA molecules within the vector, which enables the production of high-molecular-weight proteins.

This system can house multiple gene insertions, allowing for the concurrent expression of different proteins. These attributes render the baculovirusinsect cell expression system desirable for producing complex and diverse protein products.

Another significant advantage lies in insect cells' remarkable post-translational modification (PTM) capabilities within this system, encompassing essential processes such as glycosylation and acetylation.

These PTMs play a pivotal role in ensuring the proper folding, enhanced stability, and biological activity of the expressed proteins. They empower insect cells to produce proteins with complex structures akin to those obtained through mammalian cell culture.

This critical capability starkly contrasts bacterial and yeast-based expression systems, which either lack or have limited capacity for performing PTMs.

The profound impact of insect cells in performing these modifications cannot be overstated, as it is often the key to achieving the desired biological or therapeutic activity of the protein product, rendering the baculovirusinsect cell expression system a desirable option for the production of functional and biologically active proteins.

The efficiency of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system is impressive. Could you elaborate on its high-density cell culture capabilities?

Amy Sheng

The high-density cell culture capabilities of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system represent a crucial aspect of its efficiency. This system achieves remarkable cell densities, resulting in substantial protein yields.

Such proficiency means it is a highly efficient and adaptable platform for expressing various types of proteins, whether they are intracellular, membrane-bound, or secreted. Furthermore, it is well-suited for large-scale production, enhancing its appeal for industrial applications where high productivity and efficiency are paramount.

Xuejiao Zhang

It is worth highlighting that the versatility of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system extends to the types of proteins it can express, encompassing a wide range of functionalities. Whether it is intracellular, membrane-bound, or secreted proteins, this system offers a robust and adaptable solution for their expression. This versatility and its potential for large-scale production make it an advantageous choice for industrial applications, where diverse protein types are often required.

The safety profile of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system is notable. Could you expand on this aspect?

Yingmin Zhu

The inherent safety advantages of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system are pivotal to its widespread adoption and reliability in protein manufacturing. The viral vectors, known as baculoviruses, employed in this system exhibit a limited host range, primarily infecting specific insects.

Crucially, they are incapable of replicating in mammalian cells, which ensures that the manufacturing process and the final protein product maintain a high level of safety.

This characteristic significantly reduces the risk of potential contaminants and guarantees the production of pure and safe proteins suitable for various medical, research, and industrial purposes. In essence, the safety profile of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system is a cornerstone of its trustworthiness and continued prominence in protein manufacturing.

This system addresses important needs. Could you discuss the market demand for insect cell-based expression systems?

Xuejiao Zhang

The market demand for insect cell-based expression systems remains substantial and is poised to persist into the foreseeable future. This is primarily attributed to the complexity of therapeutic protein candidates currently in development.

Many of these complex proteins cannot be efficiently produced using traditional mammalian expression systems, and bacterial expression systems, on the other hand, are typically unsuitable due to their inability to perform specific critical PTMs necessary for proper protein folding and function.

Amy Sheng

The relevance of insect cell-based expression systems extends to producing viral proteins, including antigens from pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and others.

Enzymes, such as kinases, are also effectively produced using this system. Therefore, the demand for such expression systems is driven by the complexity of therapeutic proteins and the need for critical components in areas like diagnostics and vaccine development.

Could you describe the transformative development of the baculovirusinsect cell expression system since its inception?

Yingmin Zhu

The baculovirusinsect cell expression system has witnessed transformative development since its inception in the 1980s. It marked a groundbreaking milestone in adopting insect cells for pharmaceutical protein production when the baculovirus expression vector system (BEVS) was introduced.

This pivotal advancement coincided with establishing standard insect cell lines like Sf9 and Hi5, forming the foundation for the baculovirusinsect cell expression system.

Since its inception, this system has been vital in generating various vaccines, diagnostics, and research reagents. Notably, it has excelled in producing complex and challenging proteins, such as viral antigens, enzymes, transcription factors, and monoclonal antibodies.

Providing access to high yields of adequately folded proteins with essential PTMs has opened new avenues for biotechnologists to achieve their research objectives effectively. As a result, the baculovirusinsect cell expression system continues to be a cornerstone in protein production for pharmaceutical applications.

While this system offers numerous advantages, what are some of the challenges and limitations to consider?

Amy Sheng

One notable challenge is the complexity of glycosylation.

Insect cells cannot perform complex glycosylation, which can be important for specific proteins. However, researchers have addressed this limitation by engineering insect cells to alter their glycosylation pathways, allowing for the production of proteins with more mammalian and human-like glycosylation patterns.

Xuejiao Zhang

Another challenge relates to industry conservatism. The biopharmaceutical industry often favors well-established methods like mammalian cell expression systems.

Proteins expressed in mammalian cells are closer to their native form and are preferred during drug discovery screening. Ensuring the absence of residual insect cell proteins in the final product is crucial for regulatory compliance, which can be a challenge in itself.

Could you tell us about Sino Biological's experience and expertise in baculovirusinsect cell protein expression?

Amy Sheng

Sino Biological stands at the forefront of bioreagents and contract research services industries. We have accumulated deep experience and expertise in baculovirusinsect cell protein expression, which allows us to ensure the development of optimal processes for our customers. Our insect cell expression and production team comprises a large group with advanced degrees and years of experience working with various processes and protein products.

Our approach to projects is comprehensive. We begin by evaluating the target sequence to identify relevant features, such as problematic regions that can be deleted. Moreover, we have developed proprietary serum-free media specifically tailored for insect cell culture.

This supports healthy cell growth to high densities, which, in turn, results in higher protein yields. We leave no stone unturned regarding optimization, addressing variables like virus packaging, transfection reagents, culture and purification conditions, and more.

Our flexibility extends to culture volumes, ranging from 20 mL to 1500 L, to cater to different production demands, allowing for rapid screening of protein production from early-phase development to commercial-scale manufacturing.

How is Sino Biological expanding its capabilities in this field?

Yingmin Zhu

Sino Biological is enhancing its capabilities by establishing a new Houston, Texas facility to better serve its customers and scientific community. This marks a significant milestone as our first manufacturing facility outside of China.

The upcoming laboratories in Houston will form the Center for Bioprocessing, equipped with advanced manufacturing suites and cutting-edge technologies.

This expansion will enable Sino Biological to broaden its research services and bioreagents manufacturing capabilities in the United States. Our core laboratory team responsible for setting up the Center for Bioprocessing comprises experienced scientists and technicians with expertise from both industry and academia.

They aim to drive scientific advancements in next-generation precision medicine therapeutic antibodies and proteins.

*This content has been created in collaboration with Pharmas Almanac

About the interviewees

Dr. Yingmin Zhu is the head of Sino Biological's new Center for Bioprocessing. He received his Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and completed his postdoctoral training at the Ohio State University. Before joining Sino Biological, Dr. Zhu served as the Director of Baylor College of Medicine's (BCM) Protein and Monoclonal Antibody Production Core and as an assistant professor for BCM's Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Dr. Amy Sheng is the head of CRO Program at Sino Biological. Amy joined Sino Biologicals North America Contract Research Organization team in 2021. She has a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and is an ASCP-certified molecular biologist and ASQ-certified CSSGB.

Dr. Xuejiao Zhang is an R&D project manager at Sino Biological. She is mainly responsible for CRO services, development and optimization of recombinant protein products, and has rich experience in the expression and purification of recombinant proteins and recombinant antibodies. Prior to joining Sino Biological, Dr. Zhang received her Ph.D. in Biophysics from the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

About Sino Biological Inc.

Sino Biological is an international reagent supplier and service provider. The company specializes in recombinant protein production and antibody development. All of Sino Biological's products are independently developed and produced, including recombinant proteins, antibodies and cDNA clones. Sino Biological is the researchers' one-stop technical services shop for the advanced technology platforms they need to make advancements. In addition, Sino Biological offers pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms pre-clinical production technology services for hundreds of monoclonal antibody drug candidates.

Sino Biological's core business

Sino Biological is committed to providing high-quality recombinant protein and antibody reagents and to being a one-stop technical services shop for life science researchers around the world. All of our products are independently developed and produced. In addition, we offer pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms pre-clinical production technology services for hundreds of monoclonal antibody drug candidates. Our product quality control indicators meet rigorous requirements for clinical use samples. It takes only a few weeks for us to produce 1 to 30 grams of purified monoclonal antibody from gene sequencing.
In a recent study published in BMC Public Health, researchers performed a systematic-type review to evaluate the efficacy of behavior change interventions (BCIs) for smoking cessation in pregnant couples and new parents using a gendered lens.

Smoking cessation is a crucial strategy for expecting males, offering significant health benefits. However, partners are less likely to seek cessation treatments compared to pregnant or postpartum females.

Personalized programs are increasingly recognized for new and expecting fathers. BCIs are a promising strategy; however, research on efficacy in this group is fragmented, limiting clear conclusions.

About the study

In the present systematic review, researchers investigated the types of effects that can be expected from behavior-change-focused smoking cessation couple- or individual-based interventions personalized to male partners of pregnant as well as postpartum females.

The major goal was to investigate the efficacy of behavior change interventions for quitting smoking when administered to pregnant females and the husbands of new mothers (new and expectant fathers).

The studys secondary goal was to investigate different BCI methods to address the smoking behavior of expecting and newly-turned fathers. Fathers were included in the new father group until their children were aged one year.

In November 2021, peer-reviewed publications were found in eight databases [EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, JSTOR, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and APA PsycINFO], with no language, location, or date restrictions.

Furthermore, reference lists from identified studies were cross-checked to find further relevant studies that were not picked up in the original search.

Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the impact of behavior change interventions to quit smoking for new and expectant fathers, as well as RCTs evaluating interventions on expecting females and new mothers (infants aged less than one year) with assistance to quit smoking for their partners, were considered.

New and expectant fathers who engaged in smoking during the interventions were included in the studies, regardless of the extent of their nicotine dependency, intention to stop, or preset mental and physical circumstances.

There were no constraints on the mode, duration, or setting of the intervention. Two reviewers examined the papers and disagreements were addressed by discussion or consulting another reviewer.

The included studies' quality was assessed using Cochrane's revised risk-of-bias (RoB2) technique. The study eliminated RCTs that solely reported substitutes or alternatives to smoking cigarettes [such as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic cigarettes, and cannabis]. Review articles were also omitted. Michie and Johnston's definition was used to characterize BCIs.

Results

In total, 1,222 studies were initially identified, of which 213 duplicate records were eliminated. Further, 970 records were excluded after title and abstract screening, and the remaining 39 records underwent full-text screening.

Eight records were identified by reviewing the references of articles identified in the original database search. As a result, nine RCTs were considered for review, of which one and six records had high and low bias risks, respectively, and two had minor concerns.

Six of the nine records concentrated on males, two on couples, and one on women. All studies were generally done in healthcare settings such as maternal-neonatal wellness centers, antenatal or prenatal health clinics, pediatric clinics, and urban county and rural medical departments. The studies included a total of 6,231 couples, including 2,663 new parents and 3,568 pregnant couples.

The definitions of BCI, intervention components, controls, and outcome measures varied throughout the included research. Booklets and self-help materials, telephone counseling, face-to-face therapy, and online or telephonic video or text-based counseling were among the intervention delivery options. The length of the interventions ranged from one month to eight years.

The transtheoretical model of behavior change and the social cognitive theory were the most frequently referred-to theories. The research interventions were informed by the AWARD (Ask, Warn, Advise, Refer, and Do It Again) paradigm, the health belief model, and the teachable moment model.

In the studies, one to seven BCTs were utilized, with health-related data being the most prevalent element, followed by social support and goal-setting outcomes.

All participating males smoked in current times, whereas participating mothers included non-smokers, former smokers, and current smokers. The most prevalent primary outcome was the one-week point prevalence (PP) of not smoking. While male follow-up data differed between trials, the majority reported biochemically validated quit rates at six months.

Most therapies had a beneficial impact on cessation results. Specifically, five of the six records reporting one-week PP as the research endpoint revealed favorable effects in abstinence rates compared to control groups, while one reported a small change. According to the data, sex-targeted therapies had a higher possibility of producing favorable smoking cessation outcomes.

Conclusions

Overall, the study findings showed that BCI interventions have shown promising results in improving smoking cessation outcomes in expecting males. However, more research is needed to understand the sex-based requirements during pregnancy and the impact of gender on health-related behavior.

A holistic strategy should be implemented to provide gender-equitable services, considering both same- and different-sex partnerships. Engaging expecting fathers in health behavior interventions can provide a foundation for gender-specific tobacco control policies and practices. Taking gender variations into account can lead to favorable cessation results.
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development awarded $3.1 million to the University of Arkansas to study a spectrum of pediatric mitochondrial disorders caused by mutations in the mitochondria. These disorders often impact different organs requiring energy and can lead to mitochondria-induced multiple organ disorder syndromes, or MIMODS.

Shilpa Iyer, an associate professor of biological sciences, will serve as the principal investigator on the five-year award. Iyer and her team conduct research on mitochondrial diseases and have received grants from Arkansas Bioscience Institute, National Institute of Health and the Department of Defense. Her team has obtained skin cells from mitochondrial patients and are creating disease-specific stem cells to better understand the role of bioenergetics and mitochondrial mutations in vital tissue types -; such as the heart, nerve, muscle, and kidney -; that are affected by mitochondrial diseases.

Mitochondria, the tiny organelles inside cells, play a critical role in producing metabolic energy by oxidizing carbohydrates, protein and fats. In the presence of oxygen, this organelle combines with glucose and fats to create ATP, or adenosine triphosphate, which is the energy fuel for sustaining life. Many devastating diseases can arise from damage to mitochondria and could contribute to MIMODS in children and adults alike.

The NIH award will be used to explore how damage to the mitochondria alters the shape of the mitochondria and adversely impacts bioenergetic function, which in turn can affect the proper functioning of the organs, leading to disease severity and organ failure. The award will test the hypothesis that the causative role of specific metabolites altered by mutations in the mitochondrial genome lead to organ failure in pediatric mitochondrial disorders.

Starting with skin cells from children with mitochondrial disorders, our team is involved in recreating cells in vital organs impacted by the disease to capture many aspects of disease progression, which could lead to better understanding of mitochondria mutations and multiple organ failure. It is our hope that results from these studies will provide new therapies for patients impacted by mitochondrial disorders." Shilpa Iyer, associate professor of biological sciences, University of Arkansas

Iyer reasons that the team's interdisciplinary expertise in mitochondrial genetics and physiology, stem cell biology and differentiation, next-generation sequencing analysis and metabolite profiling supported by animal studies, will provide new directions for exploring the complexities associated with mitochondrial disorders.

In addition to Raj Rao, a professor of biomedical engineering, and Chris Nelson, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering, both with the U of A, Iyer's team includes Franklin West, at the Regenerative Bioscience Center at the University of Georgia; Sean Palecek, at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; Edward J. Lesnefsky Jr., at the Richmond VA Medical Center; and Thomas LaFramboise, at the Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University.

The North American Mitochondrial Disease Consortium, the Children's Hospital of Salzburg and Innsbruck, and the Jackson Laboratory are also providing additional support and resources.

The announcement of this award also coincides with World Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week Sept. 18-24.
Akasa Air has taken 43 pilots to court for leaving the company without serving a mandatory six-month notice period which has impacted the airlines operations.

Airline sources said the pilots exits have led to cancellations that have gone beyond estimates and could lead to halting of operations altogether if the situation continues. Pilots resigned after Akasa Air changed their salary structure.

In its petition, the airline also sought monetary compensation of Rs 21 crore, which includes the cost of training one pilot

The developments would make a dent in Akasas ambitious expansion plans. After Go Airs grounding, Akasa became the third biggest player but it has now lost 1% market share by the end of August.

Pilots, who have quit, said that the airline violated the contractual agreement by altering the salary structure. In June, Akasa reduced the payment to Rs 7,500 from Rs 10,000 for every hour flown by a pilot beyond the monthly quota of 40 hours.

No Impact on Operations: Akasa Air After Pilots Resignations

Responding to CNN-News18s queries, Akasa said they have sought legal remedy only against a small set of pilots who abandoned their duties and left without serving their mandatory contractual notice period.

This was not only in violation of their contract but also the countrys civil aviation regulation. Not only is this illegal in law but also an unethical and selfish act that disrupted flights in August forcing last-minute cancellations, it added.

The airline said the exits of pilots will not have an impact on its operations. We are pleased to note that our disciplined approach has helped us to be well established with a strong financial profile to execute our ambitious plans. The airline that our team has created has generated cash from its first day of operations as a result of which the initial investment by our investors (including the investment made by Mr. Jhunjhunwala) continues to remain secure in our bank account. As a young airline, we are proud that we are adding to the company reserves even in the first year of our operations, it said.

When asked about the salary structure being changed as complained by pilots, the airline said, We have increased our overall compensation substantially on three separate occasions since the start of our operations in August 2022 and this has been well covered in the media. It is disingenuous for any employee to suggest otherwise.
Flexible office space operators currently have a portfolio of 53.4 million square feet and the number is projected to grow 52 per cent by 2025 to 81 million square feet on rising demand from corporates, according to real estate consultant Vestian.

In its report Flexing the Workspace-Back to Office released on Wednesday, Vestian highlighted that over 7.6 lakh seats are available with flexible space operators spread across more than 1,000 centres in India.

The report mentioned that there are 50 major flexible space operators. The top 10 players hold 84 per cent of the total flexible office space portfolio.

Vestian CEO Shrinivas Rao said the flexible spaces sector is at a nascent stage in India compared to other countries such as the US and European countries.

It has grown gradually in India and flexible office stock has reached 53.4 million square feet. Furthermore, the stock is anticipated to reach 81 million square feet by 2025, growing at a CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of 23 per cent, as COVID-19 catalysed the market growth, he said.

The report noted that wider adoption of flexible spaces in India started in 2015-16 when the market was fragmented and unorganised. However, it has since grown rapidly and become more organised.

Flexible spaces are garnering significant attention not only from startups and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) but also from large enterprises, the report said.

Flexible space operators provide what occupiers are looking for  low cost, flexibility and technologically advanced spaces. While 2023 is likely to be a challenging year for businesses amid macroeconomic uncertainty and fear of recession, flexible spaces are a way to navigate global headwinds, Rao observed.

As several companies return their employees back to the office under a hybrid model, it is expected the demand for flexible spaces to rise.

Furthermore, Vestian has projected that the flexible office sector would constitute around 25 per cent of the overall office space absorption by 2025.

In the 2022 calendar year, the total office space leasing by co-working/flex space operators stood at 8.4 million square feet. The co-working players are expected to take on lease 10.5 million square feet this year and 12.8 million square feet next year.

Flexible office spaces broadly include dedicated desks, hot desking, co-working spaces, and serviced and managed office spaces. While co-working centres are at the most flexible end of the spectrum, managed offices would be at the less flexible end, it added.

WeWork India, Smartworks, Simpliwork Offices, Awfis, Table Space, Skootr, The Executive Centre, Urban Vault, IndiQube, Incuspaze, 91Springboard, 315Work Avenue, Akasa Coworking, The Office Pass, Avanta India and BHIVE Workspace are among major co-working/flex space operators.

Prominent office areas like Whitefield in Bengaluru, Hitec City in Hyderabad, Baner in Pune, Andheri (E) in Mumbai, and DLF Cybercity in Gurugram are popular with flex space operators and occupiers/tenants alike.
Stocks to Watch on September 20: GIFT Nifty on the NSE IX traded 11 points, or 0.05 per cent, lower at 20,089, signaling that Dalal Street was headed for muted start on Wednesday. Heres a slew of stocks that will be in focus today for various reasons.

HDFC Bank: The Reserve Bank of India has approved the reappointment of Sashidhar Jagdishan as HDFC Bank managing director and chief executive officer for three more years till 26 October 2026, the bank said in a regulatory filing. Jagdishan joined the bank in 1996 as a manager in the finance function and became business head of finance in 1999. He was later appointed CFO in 2008. Prior to his appointment as CEO in October 2020, he was the group head of the bank in addition to overseeing other functions.

RR Kabel: RR Kabel is set to make its debut on stock exchanges today, and according to the latest trend in the grey market, the stock could be listed at a premium. The company has become the first IPO firm to complete its listing under the T+2 timeline. Under this norm, an IPO firm needs to complete its listing process within three working days from the closure of the IPO. The companys act was voluntary and SEBI has not made the deadline mandatory for IPO firms till November 30.

Tata Motors: Tata Motors on Monday announced that it will raise the prices of its commercial vehicles by up to 3%, its third hike this calendar year to offset the residual impact of post-input costs, according to a report published by Reuters. The price hike will be effective from October 1. The increased prices will be applicable across its range of commercial vehicles, the Indian automaker said.

Torrent Pharma/Cipla: Indias Torrent Pharmaceutical is in preliminary talks with Apollo Global Management to secure a loan of up to $1 billion to help fund a planned bid for Cipla, two people briefed on the discussions said. Torrent is hoping to secure roughly $3 billion to $4 billion in financing for the bid for its much bigger rival, they said. Bernstein analysts have estimated that a deal for about 60% of Indias No. 3 drugmaker could be worth as much as $7 billion  potentially Indias largest pharma deal to date.

Adani Group stocks: The Supreme Court of India has received a fresh plea that questions the integrity of the existing expert committee looking into the Hindenburg report on Adani Group accusing it of stock manipulation. The plea sought that the apex court formulate a new panel comprising individuals with unblemished integrity and no conflicts of interest in the matter related to the Hindenburg report. The plea was filed by one of the petitioners, Anamika Jaiswal, through her advocate Ramesh Kumar Mishra.

Coal India/NHPC: State-run Coal India Ltd and Indias largest hydropower company NHPC Ltd may join hands to explore the possibility of converting abandoned or closed mines into pump storage projects (PSP). A person aware of the development said the coal ministry under its plan to set up PSPs at de-coaled areas, where all the coal has been mined, has directed Coal India to partner with NHPC and other related agencies. Coal India is currently in the process of appointing a consultant for the project.

Jindal Steel & Power: Naveen Jindal, the chairman of Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL), will be re-designated as a non-executive chairman, with effect from 1 October 2023, the company said in an exchange filing here on Monday. Jindal is currently acting as an executive director, designated as chairman, which is due to end on 31 September 2023, as per the exchange filing of the steel manufacturer. In his new role, Jindal would not be entitled to draw remuneration from the company, except for a sitting fee for attending the meetings.

Shree Cement: Leading cement company Shree Cement said on Tuesday that it is planning to issue Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) worth 700 crore on a private placement basis. The companys board of directors will consider approving the issuance of NCDs on September 25. The fundraising plan is expected to be part of the companys 7,000-crore capex plan in the next phase of growth, during which it aims to add an additional 12 million tonne of capacity.

Biocon: Biotechnology major Biocon Ltd., on Monday, appointed its Board of Director member, Peter Bains, as its new Group Chief Executive Officer. To take over the position, Peter Bains, stepped down from his role as non-executive independent director from the Board of Biocon Ltd with with immediate effect. He has over 30 years of experience in strategic and operational leadership, including at board, CEO and senior corporate levels.
Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a popular method of investing in mutual funds in India. SIP is a mode of investment where you invest a fixed amount of money in a mutual fund scheme at regular intervals. SIPs allow investors to start with small amounts, making it affordable for individuals with varying income levels to invest in mutual funds regularly. This encourages disciplined saving and investment.

Also Read: Investing SOS: Missed Mutual Fund SIP? Must Read What Happens After That

Its a popular investment option because it offers several benefits, including:

Convenient investment method: SIPs are very convenient to invest in. You can set up a SIP online or through your bank account. Once you have set up an SIP, you dont have to worry about anything else. The investment amount will be automatically deducted from your account and invested in the mutual fund scheme of your choice.

Rupee cost averaging: With SIP, you buy more units when the market is low and fewer units when the market is high. This averages out your cost per unit over time, which can help you generate higher returns in the long term. [Read More]

Power of compounding: When you invest regularly through SIP, your earnings are reinvested to generate further earnings. This is known as the power of compounding, which can help you grow your wealth exponentially over time.

Disciplined saving: SIPs instill financial discipline, as they require investors to commit to regular contributions. This helps individuals stay focused on their financial goals and avoid impulsive investment decisions.

Flexibility: Investors have the flexibility to increase or decrease their SIP amount or even pause their investments temporarily, depending on their financial circumstances. This adaptability makes SIPs suitable for different life stages.

Liquidity: Most mutual funds in India offer high liquidity, allowing investors to redeem their units whenever needed. This makes it suitable for both short-term and long-term financial goals.

Market timing: SIPs eliminate the need for trying to time the market. Since you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, you buy more units when prices are low and fewer units when prices are high, reducing the impact of market volatility.

Accessibility: SIPs can be started with as little as Rs 500 per month, making it accessible to a wide range of investors.

Its important to note that while SIPs offer these benefits, they are subject to market risks, and the returns on your investments can vary. Its essential to align your SIP investments with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and investment horizon while considering the potential rewards and risks associated with mutual funds.
The F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter, that crashed last week, is considered the most advanced fighter jet in the US arsenal. The $100 million warplane kept flying pilotless for 100 kilometres before the mishap occurred on Sunday and the debris were found after a long search in Williamsburg County, South Carolina on Monday.

The US Marine Corps pilot experienced a malfunction on the single-seat F-35B fighter jet and was forced to eject and parachute safely into a North Charleston neighbourhood. But the crash has raised a lot of question: whether the auto-eject function was triggered on its own, whether the malfunction was in the seat itself and why did the pilot ejected if the plane was able to keep operating for that long.

Fighter Jet of the Future

The F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter, produced by Lockheed Martin, is not only considered the most advanced fighter jet but also the primary fighter for both the US and its allies. So, far 972 warplanes already built and the manufacturer has already got plans to produce more than 3,500 planes.

The aircraft has three variants: the Air Forces F-35A, which is the most produced and most sold to allies; the Marine Corps F-35B, which has the ability to take off and land vertically, and hover like a helicopter; and the Navys F-35C, which can land on a carrier.

Lockheed Martin has delivered 190 F-35B variants to the Marine Corps, at a cost of about $100 million each.

The jet has several unique features like its advanced stealth enables it to avoid radar and the sensors, communications and avionics allows it to track the enemy, jam radars and thwart attacks. However, there have been at least seven previous crashes where F-35s have been destroyed.

Many Crashes

A US Navy F-35C fighter jet had experienced a landing incident on the deck of the Carl Vinson aircraft carrier in the South China Sea in January this year, injuring seven people. The pilot was able to eject safely before the mishap.

During a training mission In October 2022, an F-35 fighter jet crashed while landing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. It was later found that the crash was resulted from a glitch in the aircraft software system which occurred after the pilot flew too close into the turbulence left by another F-35 ahead of him.

In November 2021, a British Royal Navys F-35B short take-off and vertical landing jet crashed into the Mediterranean Sea during take-off attempt from HMS Queen Elizabeth.

These incidents have been preceded by crashes of two USAF F-35As, two Marine Corps F-35Bs, one US Navy F-35C and one Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-35A.

Many Problems

The Marine Corps variant of the F-35, that was involved in the latest crash, is different from the Air Force and Navy versions due to several features like take off and landing like a helicopter and an auto-eject function.

However, auto-eject function has raised questions as to whether the malfunction the Marine pilot experienced was the seat itself.

Last December, an F-35B that had not yet been delivered to the Marine Corps crashed at Naval Air Station in Texas. The jet had been in hover mode over the airfield and began to drop, hit the runway and bounced before the pilot was ejected into the air.

In July 2022, the Air Force temporarily grounded its F-35s over ejection seat concerns. The last question that remains is why the plane kept operating for that long in a zombie state.

(With inputs from Associated Press)
The United States on Monday denied a report in a Saudi-owned newspaper that Riyadh had frozen normalization talks with Israel because it refuses to rule out concessions to Palestinians.

The US State Departments Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs denied such reports by saying, The United States remains committed to furthering Israels regional integration, including through active diplomacy aimed at Israel-Saudi normalization. Talks are ongoing, and we look forward to further conversations with both parties.

According to a report in London-based Elaph newspaper, Saudi Arabia reportedly conveyed to the Joe Biden administration its decision to suspend discussions regarding the normalization of relations with Israel.

The US have for months sought to reach the historic agreement that would be a huge step towards settling the Israel-Palestine conflict and changing the geopolitics in the Middle East.

What Normalisation Would Mean?

Saudi Arabia hasnt recognized Israel as a state and refused to do so ever since the formation of the nation in 1948. But after decades of tension, there has been growing cooperation between the two nations in the recent years.

The two nations have also shared threat from Iran, which has been a longtime common adversary. However, Saudis relations with Iran has eased recently after efforts from China.

Amid the changing geopolitical scenarios, the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel are engaged in complex negotiations in which the US would offer security guarantees to Saudi Arabia, which in turn would normalize relations with Israel. Israel would also take actions aimed at preserving the possibility of a Palestinian state.

The normalisation would also mean that Israel would be part of joints projects between nations in the Middle East.

What are the Concerns?

As per reports, Saudi Arabia had communicated through the United States that the extremist character of Israels right-wing government is obstructing any potential improvement in relations with the Palestinians, consequently affecting ties with Saudi Arabia.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Saudi Arabia had communicated to the Biden administration that addressing Palestinian concerns is a pivotal factor in any potential agreement for normalizing relations with Israel.

The current nationalist government led by Benjamin Netanyahu is the most right-wing government in its history and appears hostile to the idea.

It is also widely believed that the Palestinian part of the negotiations will be among the most challenging as it appears very unlikely that Israel would meet Saudi demands for concessions to the Palestinians. Netanyahu has repeatedly said that he would take no steps that would endanger Israels security.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia wants a security guarantee from the US against potential attacks and also wants more access to advanced weapons and help with a civilian nuclear program, according to CNBC.

But the US seems adamant to break the deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia as it could dramatically reshape the geopolitics of the Middle East and also prove beneficial for Biden as he heads for re-election.

What Lies Ahead?

The Joe Biden administration is also discussing the terms of a defense treaty with Saudi Arabia to create a military pact that and normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, according to a report in The New York Times.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Joe Biden on Wednesday for the first time since being re-elected and Saudi normalization process and concerns about Iran are considered to be brought up in the agenda.

Earlier Biden has withheld an invite to the White House and the pair will instead meet on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly of New York.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Armenia itself forces Azerbaijan to carry out anti-terrorist activities in the region, Turkish Army Major General Ozgur Tor told Trend.

He noted that Armenia has not taken any steps for peace after the second Karabakh war.

"It only continued to buy weapons, mined the territories of Azerbaijan. Haunted by revanchist sentiments, Armenia delayed peace processes. But it made a mistake. Armenia forgot that it is located in the South Caucasus region. It has no one to turn to for support," Tor said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

On September 19, 2023, at 04:30 (GMT+4), as a result of a terrorist act, on a newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in Khojavand district, a KAMAZ truck carrying employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan got blown up on a mine previously planted by illegal Armenian armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [under the trilateral statement].

The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavand district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade, Ramil Shirinov, Seymur Mahmudov, and Khazar Zamanov, died on the spot.
Implementing the Womens Reservation Bill, 2023, or the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, without a fresh census and delimitation exercise could expose the legislation to a legal challenge as there needs to be criteria for reserving a particular seat for women, top government sources have told News18.

Questions are being raised on why the Bill is not being implemented immediately from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and why the Narendra Modi government chose to bring in a new Bill rather than pursue the Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010.

Sonia Gandhi in Parliament on Wednesday said the Bill should be implemented immediately and the OBC reservation should also be given in the women quota.

Home Minister Amit Shah, however, explained that the government could be accused of partisanship if a seat like Wayanad or Hyderabad was reserved for women without any criteria determined through a delimitation exercise. He said opposing the Bill would not mean that the Bill would come sooner.

Government sources hence say the Womens Reservation Bill has to wait for a fresh census and delimitation exercise. There has to be criteria to reserve any seat for a woman candidate. If we do this, without a fresh census and latest data, it will be up for legal challenge. The last census data is of 2011 and the last delimitation was done even before that. The 2021 census was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic," a government source explained.

A Supreme Court Case

In the case of Rajesh Kumar Daria v. Rajasthan Public Service Commission and Ors, a three judge bench of the SC explained the difference between horizontal and vertical reservation. It was stated that special reservations in favour of those who are physically handicapped, women, etc., under Art. 16(1) or 15(3) are horizontal reservations whereas a vertical reservation is made in favour of a backward class under Art. 16(4).

Sources said upon a reading of the same judgment, it is apparent that the issue of reservation in Parliament is one which is horizontal (for women) as well as vertical (SC/ST). In this regard, it would be prudent to first carry out the delimitation and then implement the reservation," sources said.

Delimitation refers to the process of demarcation of the boundaries of parliamentary or assembly constituencies. The process is carried out every few years to ensure that each constituency has approximately an equal number of voters  the underlying logic being that a set number of voters have one representative in the Lok Sabha as well as in the state assemblies across the country.

It would be incorrect to term womens reservation as merely a horizontal type of reservation. This is because reservation for SC/ST exists in the Lok Sabha. This will create an overlap as the womens reservation will also touch upon the reservation granted to SC/ST," the source said.

The government feels that if it implements reservation post the delimitation, it will ensure that this issue of overlap is suitably dealt with without creating any legal tussles which may derail the process of women reservation altogether. Moreover, it will ensure that women get greater number of seats and are adequately represented in lacking constituencies as per the census," sources said.

The government feels that implementation of horizontal reservations alongside vertical reservations presents a myriad of challenges. These challenges can lead to operational difficulties, legal battles, and even potential injustices. Its essential to reconsider such strategies to ensure fair representation without compromising the integrity of the electoral process. Thus, it is necessary that the delimitation be carried out to ensure that reservation for women is without any legal obstacles," sources said.

The BJP also feels that from a political perspective, the strategy of the Congress party appears to be to first pressurise the government to implement the issue of women reservation without careful consideration of the vertical reservation in the Lok Sabha and then set up dummy petitioners in the court to challenge womens reservation on the grounds that it was done without considering the overlap of the reservation offered to SC/ST in the Lok Sabha.

It is apparent that this is an elaborate scheme hatched to ensure that the Modi government is not credited for introducing and implementing reservations for women in the Lok Sabha," the government sources said.

The timelines

Sources say once the census is conducted after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the delimitation exercise can also be done after 2026 till when there is a freeze on the fresh delimitation exercise. Once the latest data is available, womens reservation will be implemented as per the criteria fixed by the Election Commission of India.

Same holds good for any OBC quota within women reserved seats, if that is opted for in the future," the source said. There is no OBC reservation in the Lok Sabha for any candidate, while 131 seats are reserved for SCs and STs.

A government source said there is a silver lining too as it is expected that the seats in the Lok Sabha could go up significantly after the next delimitation as the number of seats in the Lower House has been stuck at 543 since 1976 while the population of the country has increased almost 2.5 times since.

This is also the reason why the new Parliament building has a very large Lok Sabha chamber to allow the seating of far more number of MPs than the current strength of 543. That could mean that more than 180 seats could be reserved for women MPs in the Lok Sabha after the delimitation as the total number of seats would go up. So, women would get an even better deal," a source told News18.

The government is citing Article 82 of the Constitution in the regard of census and delimitation needed before a fresh reservation being introduced in the house.

Why a New Bill?

A new Bill had to be brought in as there are some significant changes in the Modi governments Bill compared to the UPAs in 2010 that was passed by the Rajya Sabha, sources said.

The major change is while the 2010 Bill mandated a rotation of seats reserved for women, the provision has been dropped in the present Bill. In the earlier Bill, it meant the woman-reserved seat would change in every general election putting a lot of uncertainty in the minds of sitting MPs. That provision has been changed in the present Bill," the source explained.

Congress leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had questioned on Tuesday why the government had not followed up on the Bill brought by the UPA in 2010 in Rajya Sabha, claiming that the Bill had not lapsed.
The Andhra Pradesh Police have filed a prisoner transit (PT) warrant seeking the custody of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu in AP FiberNet Scam case, alleging a loss of Rs 114 crore to the state government.

Special Public Prosecutor Y N Vivekananda, representing AP Crime Investigation Department (CID) told PTI that the warrant was filed in the ACB Court in Vijayawada late on Tuesday.

The state CID has alleged that tender manipulation was done in the case to allot work order under Phase-1 of the AP FiberNet Project of Rs 330 crore to a favoured company.

Several irregularities took place from the allotting of the tender to completion of the total project, causing a huge loss to the exchequer, according to a note circulated to reporters from government sources.

Further, sub-standard material, violating the conditions and non-adherence to the specifications mentioned in request for proposal (RFP) while executing the project resulted in nearly 80 per cent of the capacity of the optic fiber cable becoming unusable, it said.

As the erstwhile chief minister, Naidu, who was holding the portfolios of energy, infrastructure and investment departments allegedly personally recommended the FiberNet project to be executed by the Energy I & I Department, instead of the IT Department.

Further, Naidu allegedly approved the estimates of this project without considering the fact that market survey was not undertaken and coerced officials to include one Vemuri Harikrishna Prasad in various tender evaluation committees.

The then government allotted the project to Tera Software company, which was blacklisted earlier. It revoked this blacklisting before awarding the contract, despite protests by other bidders.

Besides Prasad, managing director of Net India, a Hyderabad-based company, IRTS officer K Sambasiva Rao, who is currently working as the chief commercial manager, passenger marketing, South Central Railways, Secunderabad has also been named as accused in this case.

The CID alleged that the accused persons misappropriated the funds by funnelling them through a web of companies belonging to their associates using fake invoices.

Naidu was included as accused number 25 (A-25) in the FiberNet case.

AP FiberNet Scam case pertains to crime number 24/2021 and Naidu has been booked under IPC Sections 166, 167, 418, 465, 468, 471, 409 and 506 read with 120-B, including Section 13 (2) read with 13 (1) (C) (D) of PC Act 1988.

Besides the FiberNet case, the CID has also filed a PT warrant in the same Court naming Naidu as A-1 in Inner Ring Road (IRR) and Seed Capital Case, which pertains to manipulating master plan of the Amaravati capital city, alignment of inner ring road and the seed capital to offer undue enrichment to several companies.

The TDP chief was arrested on September 9, in connection with a case involving misappropriation of funds from the Skill Development Corporation, leading to an alleged loss of over Rs 300 crore to the state government.

He is currently lodged in the Rajamahendravaram central prison.
The Mumbai civic body on Wednesday appealed to people to guard themselves against the bites by sting rays and jellyfish during immersion of Lord Ganeshs idols in the sea.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has come up with a set of guidelines asking citizens to be careful given the fish-bite incidents reported at seafronts in the recent past.

Be careful of sting rays, and jellyfish during Ganesh festival, the BMC said in a release.

Citizens should preferably carry out immersion of idols through lifeguards and other civic machinery deployed at Chowpatties or beaches, it said.

The immersion of idols takes place on different days during the ten-day Ganesh festival, which began a day before.

A maximum number of idols are immersed in the sea and other water bodies on the last day of the festival the Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on September 28 this time.

The civic body has urged citizens to ensure they wear proper clothes, use gumboots to avoid fish bites, strictly follow the instructions given by the administration through public announcement systems at sea-fronts, and not let children enter the water.

Sting ray bite can cause a burning sensation on the skin whereas the jellyfish bite causes itching, the BMC said, adding citizens should immediately visit the nearest primary medical centre or hospital for first aid without panicking.

For treating fish bites, the BMC has kept medical rooms ready at every Chowpatty in the city, along with a 108 ambulance.

It has asked citizens not to rub the fish bite injury as it might aggravate it.

Citizens should first wash the spot with clean water and remove the jellyfish sparshak (the sting) and apply ice on the injury spot, the BMC said.

The civic body said as per the information given by the state Fisheries Department, Mumbais coastline remains full of blue button jellyfish and sting ray species between August and October, which means incidents of biting may occur during immersion of Ganesh idols.

Since Mumbais coastline is among the protected ones and it doesnt have rapid currants, abundant plankton-like food is produced here for aquatic animals like jellyfish. As a result, stingrays and Blue Button jellyfish are found in sandy areas of the coastline, according to BMC.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claim of a potential link between Indian government agents and the assassination of a Khalistani leader has been dismissed by US expert Michael Rubin. During a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute think-tank, he termed Trudeaus claim as a shameless and cynical action. Rubin, a Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute, urged the US to avoid involvement in this matter, emphasising that Trudeaus stance could inadvertently support those who view the Khalistani movement as driven by personal gain and ego, rather than legitimate concerns.

Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey in June. Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of Indias most-wanted terrorists, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

In a strong response, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) outrightly rejected claims made by Trudeau as absurd. The MEA urged the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity, it added.

On Tuesday, Trudeau said Canada is not trying to provoke India by suggesting its agents were linked to the murder of a Khalistani terrorist but Ottawa wants New Delhi to address the issue adequately. The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that, we are not looking to provoke or escalate, the Canadian prime minister told reporters.

What is striking about Trudeaus shameless action and cynical action is that while hes making a statement now, the killing of Karima Baluch that was carried out allegedly with Pakistani assistance is a police matter and has not been taken to the Prime Ministers office, Rubin said. So, the question then becomes why the discrepancy if not populist political posturing?  That might help Justin Trudeau in the long term but thats not what leadership is. We really need our politicians on both sides of the aisle here and in Canada, (there is a) need to be much more responsible because theyre playing with fire, he said.

Rubin believes that some outside hands are trying to revive the Khalistan movement. I dont think it will work, he said, adding he would not want the US to give legitimacy to this sort of cynical manoeuvres by outside powers.

It would be a mistake to suddenly see a separatist movement and argue that this is legitimate. And I worry less so with the United States but more so with what we see in Canada right now with Justin Trudeau, that same knee-jerk reaction playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement for ego, a movement for profit and for politics, he said. After Trudeaus remarks in Parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she has ordered the expulsion of a senior Indian diplomat.

Jassee Singh, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America, said the Khalistani movement does not represent the voice of the majority of Sikhs in the US. Sikhs in India are not in favour of Khalistan. Today, Sikhs are in the Indian Army defending the nation, whether its against China or Pakistan, he said. There are one million Sikhs living here (in the US) and only a few of them, a very, very small percentage shows up for protests demanding Khalistan, he said.

Dinsha Mistree, research fellow at the Hoover Institution, said if Canada keeps pushing this narrative, then we can see some big challenges there. He also underlined the importance of intelligence sharing. For me, it is just very surprising. Again, the San Francisco consulate is not too far away. I dont think any arrests have been made since this consulate was vandalised twice. If you dont stop these smaller things, (then there is a) danger that they might snowball into bigger things, he said.

Earlier in July, Indias consulate in San Francisco came under attack from Khalistan supporters, who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fire, in the second such act of violence within months. A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 posted on X, showed the act of arson at the Indian Consulate. The video, with the words violence begets violence emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Nijjar.

(With PTI inputs)
India on Wednesday advised all its citizens living in Canada and those contemplating travel to exercise utmost caution in view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes in the North American country. The statement of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) came a day after a diplomatic row erupted between India and Canada over the killing of a Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

In the statement, the ministry referred to threats targeting Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community that oppose the anti-India agenda, and asked Indian nationals to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada which have seen such incidents.

The High Commission/Consulate General will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Canada, the statement said, adding that the government mentioned that given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident, added the statement.

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023

It is also learnt that Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is said to have met Union Home Minister Amit Shah amid the rising tension between the two nations.

The advisory to Indian nationals and students in Canada comes amid escalating tensions between the two countries over Khalistan extremism. A senior Canadian diplomat was expelled on Tuesday by India in a tit-for-tat move after Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed foreign powers were behind the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force terrorist group, and sacked an Indian diplomat.

High Commissioner to India Cameron MacKay was summoned by MEA headquarters at South Block in Delhi on Tuesday amid India-Canada fireworks over Nijjars death and was informed about the expulsion of the senior Canadian diplomat.

The diplomat has been asked to leave India within the next five days, sources said.

In a statement, the MEA said that the decision reflects Government of Indias growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities.

Soon after the expulsion, MEA sources told News18 that the ministrys grounds of diplomat expulsions are strong and was in mind for long.

(with inputs from PTI)
Calcutta High Court, which is hearing the cash-for-jobs case, on Wednesday asked the director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Praveen Sood, to remain present virtually during the proceedings of the court on October 4.

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay, apparently peeved at the pace of investigation by the central agency into the teacher recruitment scam, said going through the case diary submitted to the court by CBI, it seems that there is no serious intent to conduct the probe into the irregularities and smacks of a casual approach.

He also said the CBI, which had arrested a few persons allegedly involved in the scam, is not taking the probe seriously and this is why the agencys director has been asked to remain present virtually in the court on October 4 to prove its accountability.
After the historic landing of Chandrayaan-3 last month, ISRO will soon begin to re-establish communication with Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover as sunrise is expected to have occurred at the Shiv Shakti point today.

The space agency said it will now wait for Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover to heat up above a certain temperature before beginning attempts to re-establish communications with them on September 22.

Sunrise is expected to have occurred at the Shiv Shakti point today and soon Vikram and Pragyan will be receiving usable amounts of sunlight! #ISRO will now wait for them to heat up above a certain temperature before beginning attempts to re-establish communications with them on 22 Sept. #Chandrayaan3, ISRO said in a post on X.

On September 2, the ISRO informed that the Pragyan rover aboard Chandrayaan-3 completed its assignments on the surface of the Moon and is now safely parked and set into sleep mode.

Vikram and Pragyan have been in complete darkness since September 4 when sunset occurred at the Shiv Shakti point.

As of 11 pm IST yesterday, sunset has occurred at the Shiv Shakti point. Vikram and Pragyan are now in complete darkness. This concludes both of their primary missions.The Chandrayaan-3 mission, as far as the Lander and Rover are concerned, is a 100% SUCCESS  Once pic.twitter.com/HoXGxI4SBQ  ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) September 5, 2023

After its landing on August 23 till Saturday, both Pragyan and Vikram sent a repository of data to ISRO, some of which has been made public by the agency.

India became the fourth country to touch the lunar surface and the first to ever reach the south pole of the moon.

Following the success of Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the ISRO scientists at the space agencys headquarters in Bengaluru has named the landing point of the Vikram Lander as Shivshakti.
The central government has asked the ministry of tribal affairs to deploy Aarogya Maitri Cube  the worlds first portable hospital made by India  in tribal pockets across the country, News18 has learnt. From an operation theatre to a mini-ICU, ventilator, blood test equipment, X-ray machine, cooking station, food, water, shelter, power generator, and much more  India has built the worlds first disaster hospital, that can be airlifted, packed in 72 cubes.

While HLL Life Care is the governments nodal agency for sourcing the Aarogya Maitri Cube, the manufacturing has been undertaken by multiple sellers as it includes a variety of products.

HLL pitches project to tribal affairs ministry

In a letter written by HLL Lifecare  a central public sector unit under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare  it has requested the union minister Arjun Munda to consider the deployment of the project in all the tribal district headquarters.

According to a government source privy to the development, the ministry has shown interest in the project.

They are interested in deployment. We are working on a plan for deployment and demonstration, he said.

The official also added that apart from the tribal affairs ministry, several other states have expressed interest in deployment. For instance, Maharashtra has shown interest and had proposed to deploy these cubes in 30 district headquarters, he said without divulging more details.

A friend in need

The official also said that India has recently sent five cubes to Libya through the UAE government, apart from Myanmar and Sri Lanka as a goodwill gesture.

India, under this exercise  which is a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) initiative  will provide essential medical supplies to any developing country affected by natural disasters or humanitarian crises.

India has proposed to set up a centre of excellence to facilitate development solutions for such countries, HLL said in the letter dated September 12, adding that the cube is cost-effective as it is packed in a way that makes it reusable with minimal wastage.
A 24-year-old government employee was arrested for allegedly killing his colleague, wrapping his body in polythene and burying it in a vacant house in his neighbourhood in southwest Delhis RK Puram area, police said on Wednesday.

The accused has been identified as Anish, who works at Survey of India and is a resident of RK Puram Sector-2, they said.

According to police, victim Mahesh had loaned Anish Rs 9 lakh and was killed when he demanded his money back and berated Anish for splurging money on his girlfriend.

On August 29, RK Puram Police Station received a call from Maheshs brother Anesh, who said his brother was missing, a senior police officer said. He said his brother had left his house on August 28 around 12.30 p.m. and told his wife before leaving that he was going to meet his colleague Anish at RK Puram Sector 2, but never came back, the officer said.

Manesh said when he and his sister-in-law spoke to Anish about Mahesh, he said that did meet Mahesh at his house, but he had left for his house after some time, police said. Anish even promised to help the family in their search for Mahesh.

Police said during their investigation Maheshs last location was Faridabad in Haryana. When they went there, they found no evidence of his being there.

Anish became a suspect as he did not inform the police that the victim came to meet him on the day of the incident as he told Maheshs family, they said. They began questioning several suspects, including Anish, who later confessed to killing Mahesh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (southwest) Manoj C said.

According to the officer, the accused said that Mahesh was harassing him for his money and even insulting him, so he decided to kill him. He said when Maheshs wife called him to ask for his whereabouts, he told her Mahesh had come and left leaving his car behind with him, the DCP said.

On the day he went missing, Mahesh received a call from Anish, who invited him to his house in RK Puram. When he came, Anish killed him and buried his body near his house where sewer work was taking place. According to the police, the accused recently bought new furniture and spent around three to four lakh on it.

He hit the victim around two to three times. The investigators further stated that it was alleged that the accused had put a status on WhatsApp regarding a debt of around Rs 65 lakh. They are checking all the facts in the case and also investigating whether the case is linked to a job scam, for which they do not have any evidence so far.

We are also checking and corroborating the claims of the accused whether he first went to Faridabad and later to his hometown in Sonipat, Haryana. Anish claimed that he dumped the body in the pit and covered it. However, the probe is underway to check who covered the pit with cement, another official said.

At his instance, police recovered Maheshs body from near his house. They also seized Rs 5 lakh in cash, two vehicles used in the crime, and the weapon of offence from his possession.
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file its affidavit in response to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyals plea challenging his illegal arrest in a money laundering case linked to bank loan default.

Goyal, in his plea, claimed his arrest was illegal as it was done without following provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and also challenged orders of a special court which had sent him to the ED custody first and thereafter to jail under judicial remand.

When the plea was taken up for hearing on Wednesday by the HC, advocate Hiten Venegaonkar, appearing for the central agency, sought time to file their reply affidavit.

Senior counsel Amit Desai, appearing for the 74-year-old businessman, urged the court to grant a short date for hearing and pointed to his clients advanced age.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Gauri Godse then said it has to give the other side time to respond.

He (Goyal) can file for bail. That liberty is there ED may challenge this plea (filed by Goyal in HC) on maintainability itself, Justice Dere noted.

The bench posted the matter for hearing on October 6 by when the financial crime-fighting agency has to file it affidavit.

Goyal is currently in judicial custody and lodged at Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai after arrest in the money laundering case linked to an alleged fraud of Rs 538 crore at Canara Bank.

The septuagenarian businessman, who once operated Indias top private airline, was arrested by the ED on September 1 and produced before a special court which remanded him to custody of the central agency till September 14.

On September 14, he was remanded to judicial custody for two weeks.

Goyal, in the plea, said his arrest was arbitrary, unwarranted and done without the ED following proper procedure. He sought to be released immediately.

The money laundering case stems from an FIR of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against Jet Airways, Goyal, his wife Anita and some former company executives of the now grounded airline in connection with the alleged Rs 538-crore fraud at Canara Bank, a government lender.

The FIR was registered on the banks complaint which alleged that it sanctioned credit limits and loans to Jet Airways (India) Ltd to the tune of Rs 848.86 crore of which Rs 538.62 crore was outstanding.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Italian media wrote about anti-terrorist activities in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, Trend reports.

An article on the Italian news portal "LaPrealpina" noted that anti-terrorist activities began today after Azerbaijani police officers and civilians were killed in an Armenian mine terror attack.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

It should be noted that on September 19, 2023, at about 04:00 (GMT+4) on the 58th kilometer of the Ahmedbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through Khojavand district, a Hovo truck belonging to the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan exploded on an anti-tank mine. As a result of the terrorist attack, the driver and a passenger died on the spot.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan went to the scene of the terrorist act on a Kamaz truck. At 04:30 (GMT+4) on the newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in the Khojavand region, as a result of a terrorist act, the KAMAZ truck exploded on a mine planted by a sabotage group of Armenian illegal armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade (born in 1994), Ramil Shirinov (born in 1987), Seymur Mahmudov (born in 1991), and Khazar Zamanov (born in 1998), died on the spot.
Indias Intelligence agencies have raised concerns over pro-Khalistani entities (PKE) and growing political support to them in Canada, warning about aggressive and intensified activities against Indians and officials living in the country.

Releasing fresh input on PKEs, the agencies shared that they can target temples, Indians living in Canada and Indian entrepreneurs running businesses there. The agencies added that clashes between PKEs and Indians can be reported in the coming days.

Most of these entities are banned in India under UAPA and their leaders declared terrorists by the Union government.

Concerns have also been raised over the security of the office of the Indian High Commission in the Canadian consulate as it has come to the notice of the agencies that Khalistani groups may intensify their protests  which will be violent  against Indian officials.

The Indian diplomatic representation in Canada comprises the High Commission at Ottawa, which is the principal mission and overall in charge, and the Consulates General at Toronto and Vancouver.

Top sources, while quoting an input, said it was earlier noticed that PKEs were threatening Indians living in different areas of Canada and the groups were likely to target those who run restaurants, cafes etc., which are more vulnerable. Similarly, students residing in Canada may also face clashes in different cities.

In the past six months, there have been multiple cases where PKEs have defaced Indian temples and statues of Mahatma Gandhi. There have also been instances where cafe owners have been asked to shut down if they do not support the Khalistan agenda. Temples have been targeted by Khalistani groups and vandalised but no action has been taken by the local police yet.

The tension between India and Canada rose further on Monday after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau questioned Indias role in the June 2023 killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar who was shot outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia.

Rejecting Trudeaus statement as well as that of the Canadian foreign minister, Indias external affairs ministry said in a press release: Allegations of the Government of Indias involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated. Similar allegations were made by the Canadian Prime Minister to our Prime Minister, and were completely rejected.

Hours after Trudeau made the allegations, Canada expelled a senior Indian diplomat. Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly told media outlets that her government has expelled a senior Indian diplomat over the killing of Nijjar. India too retaliated by expelling a Canadian diplomat on Monday.

Meanwhile, Trudeau, in another statement, said: The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that, we are not looking to provoke or escalate.
The Khalistani elements in Canada, especially in the Liberal Party and New Democratic Party, have been receiving funds regularly from Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agents in Vancouver, according to the Indian intelligence sources.

Sources say the Khalistani elements in the name of immigration are taking money from students and using them for anti-India propaganda.

The students, who dont wish to return to India, are being used by the Khalistani groups to carry out protests against India and the Indian High Commission in Canada.

Although old Canadians are not in favour of supporting the Khalistani groups but the new groups are in cahoots with them for their own gains.

The sources further pointed out that the farmers protest over the key farm bill in New Delhi in 2021 was fuelled by the Khalistani elements backed by the Canadian and Pakistani governments. In fact, the religious flags hoisted by Sikh protesters, who climbed atop a pole at Red Fort on the Republic Day in 2021, had the involvement of people from Canada, the sources told News18. Those spreading anti-India propaganda have also identified drug addicts in India, especially Punjab, for carrying out anti-national activities, the sources explained.

Death to India Call by Khalistani Groups

According to the intelligence inputs, the Khalistani groups are now beyond the control of the Trudeau government in Canada. A death to India threat call has been issued by a Khalistani group in Canada after the recent meeting of Justin Trudeau with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi, which indicated diplomatic row between the two countries.

Terming the Indian missions in Canada as terror houses, the Khalistani group is demanding shutting down of consulates, the sources further said.

Trudeau had in parliament accused India of its involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), in a suburb in Canada in June. Nijjar was a wanted terrorist in India, and also had a red corner notice issued against him.

Following the allegations, both countries expelled their diplomats.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday called the accusations absurd. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern, the MEAs statement declared. The statement further acknowledged that the matter had been discussed earlier by PM Modi and Trudeau.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested an accused in the case of smuggling gold using diplomatic baggage on his arrival at the Thiruvananthapuram airport from Dubai, an official said on Wednesday.

Ratheesh, a resident of Kannur, was a fugitive member of the gang involved in smuggling of huge quantities of gold from various countries into India through diplomatic channels between 2019 and 2020, the agency said.

He was taken into custody on arrival from Dubai in the UAE on Tuesday, the NIA spokesperson said.

The NIA had launched a manhunt for six of the absconding gang members, including Ratheesh, and had filed charge sheets against 20 accused on January 5, 2021.

The NIAs investigation had revealed that Ratheesh, an associate of charge-sheeted accused Hamsath Abdu Salam, had collected the smuggled gold from Thiruvananthapuram and transported it for sale to one Nandakumar of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.

A consignment of gold, weighing 30 kg and worth Rs 14.82 crore, was seized on July 5, 2020, at the Thiruvananthapuram airport from a piece of baggage addressed to a senior diplomat stationed in the Kerala state capital.

Investigation in the case was underway, the agency said.
Amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada over Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday announced to intensify its crackdown on Khalistani terrorists operating in India and a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of some listed terrorist for promoting the terror activities of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) in the country.

Issuing a statement, the agency named Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias Rinda and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias Landa as the listed terrorist.

A cash reward of Rs 5 lakh each has also been declared by the NIA for information on three associates of these terrorists, namely Parminder Singh Kaira alias Pattu, Satnam Singh alias Satbir Singh alias Satta, and Yadvinder Singh alias Yadda.

All five persons are wanted in a case registered by the NIA relating to BKIs terrorist activities aimed at disturbing Indias peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in Punjab. The NIA had registered the case under sections 17, 18, 18B, 20, 38 & 39 of UA (P) Act, 1967, said the NIA in a statement.

The wanted terrorists are accused of commission of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI, a banned terror outfit, through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals. They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings, as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in the state of Punjab.

The NIA investigations have further shown that these terrorists have been engaged in recruiting new members for the BKI by promising them monetary benefits. They have also established a network of operatives in various countries to further their terror activities in different parts of India, the statement reads.

Earlier in the day, India advised its nationals in Canada and those contemplating travel there to exercise utmost caution in view of anti-India activities in some parts of that country. The advisory came amid further deterioration of diplomatic relations between the two countries following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.
Mumbais Laulbagcha Raja enjoys the love, support and warmth of his devotees from across the world, however, Lord Ganesha lovers also offer huge donations to the pandal every year. In a video, which has gone viral on social media, volunteers at Mumbais Ganesh Pandal can be seen counting the donations they received this year.

In a minute-long clip shared by news agency PTI, the volunteers can be seen sitting in a circle and counting a massive stack of cash received in the form of donations. In the stack, several notes of various denominations from Rs 2000 to Rs 10 are visible.

Visuals of the donations by devotees received at Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. pic.twitter.com/vnWLnOCF8R Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

In the other part of the video, organisers can be seen carrying other articles including pieces of jewellery in a bag. A silver modak, and gold articles including necklaces, earrings and bangles along with other valuables were found in the donation bag.

Lalbaugcha Raja or King of Lalbaug, located in Putlabai Chawl, is the most visited Ganesh idol in Mumbai. Every year, lakhs of devotees throng the Lalbaugh market to visit the Lalbaugcha Raja.

The tradition here dates back to 1934 when the first idol was installed by the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal following which it became an iconic symbol of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai.

The celebration at the Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 will mark 90 years of its commemoration.

Several celebrities and political leaders also visit the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Earlier, famous industrialist and Reliance Industries chief Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani also visited Lalbaugcha Raja and offered a huge garland of Rs 2000 notes.

Also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chavithi, this festival is one of the most eagerly awaited, popular, and widely celebrated in India. The excitement, enthusiasm and joy associated with this occasion is unparalleled. It is an elaborate Hindu festival that spans over 10 days.
Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan group banned in India in 2019, has threatened Hindus living in Canada and asked them to leave the country for supporting India amid the ongoing diplomatic row over the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. In a video making rounds on the internet, SFJs Gurpatwant Singh Pannun is seen calling on Canadian Sikhs to vote for a so-called referendum in Vancouver on October 29.

Indo-Hindu leave Canada, go to India, said Pannun, who has been designated as a terrorist in India. He claimed that pro-Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada and they have always sided with Canada. The video surfaced two days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed there was a potential link between Indian government agents and the killing of Nijjar in June. These serious allegations caused tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats of the two countries.

In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) dismissed his claim as absurd and motivated, Trudeau insisted Canada was not looking to provoke or escalate. Such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. The inaction of the Canadian Government on this matter has been a long-standing and continuing concern, the MEA said.

The diplomatic tensions between the two countries come in the backdrop of New Delhis growing concern about the increasing anti-India activity in Canada, including political figures open support for Khalistani leaders.

On Wednesday, Indias Intelligence agencies raised concerns over pro-Khalistani entities (PKE) and growing political support for them in Canada, warning about aggressive and intensified activities against Indians and officials. The agencies shared that they can target temples, Indians living in Canada and Indian entrepreneurs running businesses there. The agencies added that clashes between PKEs and Indians can be reported in the coming days.

Canadian minister Anita Anand of Hindu descent appealed for calm. In a post on X, Anand said South Asians and families who come from India, regardless of religion, will share the sentiment that it was difficult to hear Trudeaus statement on Monday. This is a time to let the legal process continue as it must. Let us all remain calm, unified, and empathetic, she said.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday said that no new Nipah virus infections were found in the state for the fourth consecutive day adding that the health department continues to maintain strict vigilance on the spread and prevention of any further infection.

Giving details on the number of infections, the health minister said that out of the 323 samples which were sent for analysis, 317 samples tested negative while six samples tested positive till now. 11 persons in isolation and their test results have come out negative.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1704450720622371234?s=20

 Since Tuesday, 61 samples have been tested for Nipah Virus and they all turned out to be negative. The condition of all the patients who were indicted is now stable, as per the doctors report, she added.

The health minister further added that the 9-year-old boy, who was said to be critical earlier, is also showing good signs of improvement.

Possibility of Second Wave of Nipah Virus Cant Be Ruled Out: CM Vijayan

Earlier on Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan assured people that the Nipah outbreak reported from Kozhikode district is under control now, but the threat of the infectious disease is not over yet in the state. At present, it is not possible to rule out the chance of a second wave of the Nipah outbreak, he said. The chief minister also informed that a review meeting was conducted where health experts suggested that the possibility of a second wave is very remote but cannot be completely ruled out.

CM Says Study on Cause of Nipah Infection Will Be Done: CM

Vijayan in his press briefing said that Kerala will conduct a seroprevalence study on the Nipah virus being repeatedly found in Kozhikode district.

Even the ICMR does not give a clear answer to why the disease is recurring in Kozhikode. In this regard, the state has decided to conduct a zero surveillance study. The health department has been directed to prepare a detailed proposal for this, PTI quoted Vijayan as saying. The chief minister further informed that research which involves collecting samples without catching bats would be carried out with the help of the Institute of Advanced Virology.

(With inputs from ANI/PTI)
The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the womens reservation bill with 454 votes in favour and two against.

Earlier today, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi said she hopes the Bill is passed unanimously and demanded census for OBC quota. The new Bill has no provision for reservation for women in Rajya Sabha or state Legislative Council and also does not include women from the OBC. NCPs Supriya Sule, meanwhile, asked for a debate on Canada issue.
US President Joe Biden has been invited to be the Chief Guest for the January 26 Republic Day celebrations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday.

News agency ANI quoted Garcetti as saying that Biden got the invitation during his bilateral meeting with PM Modi on September 8 on the sidelines of the G20 summit held in Delhi. The US envoy was asked at an event about the reports that India is mulling to invite leaders of the Quad countries to grace the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 next year.

Biden, 80, made his maiden trip to India earlier this month after taking over as the US President.

Asked whether the Quad summit is being planned in India around the time of the Republic Day celebrations, Garcetti did not confirm it.

If Biden accepts Indias Republic Day invitation, he will be the second US president to be the chief guest at the event after Barack Obama, who graced the occasion in 2015.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the chief guest at this years Republic Day celebrations.

Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. There was no Republic Day Chief guest in 2021 and 2022 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, the then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the celebrations.

In 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at celebrations, while the then French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016.

In 2014, the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations, while Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.

The heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac.

The then British Prime Minister John Major had attended the celebrations in 1993, Nelson Mandela participated as then South African President in 1995 while South Korean President President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.

(with inputs from PTI)
The 108-feet-tall statue of Adi Shankaracharya in Madhya Pradesh on September 21 marks the oneness of India and embodies the message of Advaita Vedanta as propagated by the reformist-philosopher himself.

The statue, which was commissioned as Icon of Unity and Oneness at Omkareshwar in Madhya Pradesh, has an initial portrait created by a Sholapur-based artist Vasudev Kamath in 2018. It was followed by a massive public rally and processions titled Ekatma Yatra that covered around 23,000 gram panchayats across the state. During the Yatra, metal for the statue was sought and collected with the help of community participation, thus, making the statue a set example of public-private participation.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in a chat with Vithal C Nadkarni, who is a senior editor and columnist, recalled the glorious achievements of Adi Shankaracharya and spoke about his glorious association with the state.

Chouhan further said Shankaracharya unified the land called Bharat-varsha not only with his celebrated credo of monism called Advaita Siddhanta, but also with his creation of the four spiritual mathas or monasteries strategically located in the four corners of this great land.

This also highlights the timeless appeal of Acharyas philosophy, Chouhan added, for not only was the Master a child prodigy but he walked on foot at a tender age to all over India for unity. He also brought the various sects under one roof with the worship of multiple deities on a single platform; he is therefore also lauded greatly as Shanmata-Sthapanacharya or the Unifier of Six Creeds. He also composed voluminous commentaries on the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras and the Bhagvad Gita in addition mellifluous verses to the deities, all of which remain as classic authorities even today.

Among the six main sects during Shankaras time in 9th century was one devoted to the Mother Goddess and the four cults centred on worship of Surya, Vishnu, Shiva and Ganesh. The sixth cult was focused on the God Skanda-Kartikeya also known as Subrahmanya or Shanmukha: as a martial deity, the son of Shiva and Parvati and elder sibling of Ganapati, Kartikeya or Mahasena and Kumara in North India and is predominantly worshipped in Tamil Nadu and other parts of South India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and Mauritius by Tamils as Murugan. Shankaracharya did all this in his 32 years of lifespan.

Adi Shankara is also venerated today across the country as the very incarnation of Lord Shiva as the Great Teacher or Dakshinamurti.

First vice-president of India Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan wrote about the cultural tensions among sects at the time of Adi Shankara and how the time needed a genius who could stretch the old moulds without breaking them and synthesise the warring sects on a broad basis of truth.

Mahamohopadhyaya PV Kane in his magisterial History of Dharmashastras, which won him the Bharat Ratna, Indias highest civilian award, wrote, In modern times, these five devatas are still worshipped, but they are differently arranged according as the worshipper places one or the other of the five in the centre.

Thus, Adi Shankaracharya brokered peace between the sects and united India by bringing all the five/six sects onto a single platform for worship.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. We categorically deny the disinformation spread on some social networks in Armenia about the alleged shelling of residential areas by the Azerbaijani Army, Trend reports.

"Our Armed Forces use precision weapons to neutralize only legitimate military targets," Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
If 2022 scorched India with a record-breaking heat wave, 2023 exposed its extreme vulnerability to catastrophic floods. Hundreds of lives lost, thousands of houses destroyed and public infrastructure crumbled across several states in one of the most devastating floods witnessed in decades.

Floods are natural disasters, but their intensity and frequency have increased over the years. The current monsoon season is an apt reminder of what climate change would do to our rivers if global warming continues unchecked.

Despite its late onset, the southwest monsoon covered the country six days in advance. In the days to follow, it unleashed its fury over the Himalayan states, triggering one of the most devastating floods over Northwest India which also recorded its wettest July in 22 years.

The unforeseen July floods pounded the states of Punjab and Haryana, just when the farmers were preparing to sow Kharif crops. Haryana declared floods with over 1,300 villages inundated. The Himalayan rivers surged crossing their danger mark, as floodwaters over-topped the banks. In Delhi, Yamuna breached its all-time high mark  first time in almost 45 years. The national capital recorded its highest-ever 24 hour rainfall in July in over 41 years. In the east, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Sikkim bore the brunt and now Gujarat has been battered by heavy rains and multiple reservoirs are overflowing, causing massive damage.

INCREASING WEATHER EXTREMES

From one of the wettest July to driest August in almost 100 years, the southwest monsoon  lifeline of Indias agri-based economy  is now more erratic than ever. These intra-seasonal variations are bound to get more extreme in a warming world, climate scientists warn. India recorded its hottest August since 1901 with the highest average maximum temperature of 32.19C.

Warm atmosphere can hold more water and for longer duration. Scientific analysis shows the air can generally hold around 7 per cent more moisture for every 1-degree Celsius temperature rise. This means any ordinary rainfall event can have a higher probability of intensifying into an extreme or exceptional rainfall event with over 200-250mm rain.

Rainfall patterns are changing with torrential downpours in a short period of time. A characteristic feature of winters, the western disturbances are now more active during the monsoon season. What we saw in Himachal in July was a result of a strong interaction between this system and a vigorous monsoon. Timely weather forecasts are crucial, but experts warn that instead of waiting for weather forecasts yearly, we need to re-assess the flood risks locally and prepare.

WHY NO FLOOD PLAIN ZONING?

Floods are natural events but they turned into massive disasters when humans encroached on the flood plains. So, when the river swells, it is bound to submerge everything that will restrict its flow.

The intensity of rain is bound to go up. Those once-in-a-50 years or once-in-a-100 years floods will become more frequent. Thats exactly what we are witnessing now. There has been rampant encroachment of the floodplains, and when these rivers swell, they will destroy everything that may restrict their flow. Despite all the warnings, flood plain zoning is not being done in our country, says Professor Emeritus AK Gosain at Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi.

Years after the Centre circulated a Flood Plain Zoning legislation, many of the flood-hit states are yet to delineate and demarcate their flood plains. The policy requires a clear identification of these regions on both sides of the river which are likely to be affected by floods of different magnitude or frequencies and probability levels.

It also requires states to specify and regulate the activities that are permissible in these zones, so that whenever floods actually occur, the damage can be minimised. While Manipur, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir have enacted the legislation, this crucial measure to mitigate floods is yet to be undertaken.

The increasing torrential rainfall, deforestation, and unchecked construction have increased the magnitude of the disasters. As humans, we have been challenging these mountains capacity for many years now. Increasing anthropogenic stress will only lead to disaster, says Professor YP Sundriyal, Head, Department of Geology, HNB Garhwal University, Uttarakhand.
In a counter to Chinas designs on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) amdist the ongoing tensions since 2020, the Narendra Modi government has rolled out plans to build four key border roads in Arunachal Pradesh totalling nearly 300 km, and sought Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) on them.

News18 has accessed documents in this regard showing the plans of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to build these four roads in strategic areas where no roads exist at present. This could make the movement of troops and military equipment quicker to the LAC as well as to the forward ITBP and Army troops in the border areas.

According to the details with News18, a new 72 km-long road is being planned from Tuting to Muirbe and onward to Bame, close to the LAC. Another 58 km-long road is being planned from Tapa to Hush onwards to Dille in border areas of Arunachal, a 107 km-long road is planned from Hayuliang to Kundao, and another road from Kibithu to Kundao of 52 km. BRO has sought feasibility reports of all these four roads.

Top government sources told News18 that these roads were strategic projects in different districts of Arunachal Pradesh and will have both socio-economic and strategic impact. The border area movement will be swift and the roads will connect places, which are still not connected even after so many years. The roads could also lead to tourism once these roads are made part of the Arunachal Frontier highway, a source said. There are no roads connecting the above-mentioned stretches at present. Any road running parallel to the LAC will not only put our adversaries on the back-foot as our reaction pan-Arunachal will be swift, a source told News18.

These projects will give a massive boost to forces deployed in the region in terms of saving travelling time and reaching to the border area in less time. According to an ITBP official, the area has no road, and almost three years ago, a foot track was built from Kibithu to Kundao but that used to take time to travel. Kibithu is very close to the Chinese border and there is no proper road to travel on the same route. No heavy vehicles can travel in the close by areas also.

Similarly, from Tuting-Muirbe-Bame Road area, the road will reduce 60-70% travel time, which is now tough, and at night it is impossible to travel. Tuting is close to the China border and this road will connect the area to the mainland. Also, Hayulang-Glothang La Du Dakhru-Kundao forces will save at least one hour.

China has been constantly provoking India about Arunachal Pradesh and had objected to India holding a G20 meeting in Itanagar recently. China had also last month issued a distorted map of its territory, showing Arunachal Pradesh state as part of China. India had strongly protested at Chinas actions on both counts and reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh remained an integral part of India. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement then said such moves only complicate the resolution of the boundary question and termed Chinas moves as baseless and absurd.
In yet another incident of unruly passenger behavior on a plane, a 40-year-old man was arrested in Karnatakas Bengaluru for allegedly misbehaving with a flight attendant on a Goa-bound AirAsia India flight. The incident reportedly occurred moments before AirAsia flight I5 1574 was scheduled to take off from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at 4:10 a.m. on September 13.

The accused, identified as Anil Kumar, was deplaned and booked for outraging the modesty of a woman and sent to jail, according to a report by Times of India.

As per the report, Kumar, a resident of Aland in Karnatakas Kalaburagi, who was seated in 21B, a middle seat on the aircraft, misbehaved with the flight attendant and made lewd remarks towards her.

When a 21-year-old flight attendant was attending to boarding passengers, he started misbehaving with her, attempted to touch her inappropriately, and grabbed her hand. He also made sly remarks about her, the TOI report quoted the investigating officer as saying.

The airlines crew promptly intervened and escorted Kumar off the aircraft. He was then handed over to the KIA police, where he was booked on charges of outraging the modesty of a woman. Following his arrest, Kumar was remanded in judicial custody.

An Air India spokesperson said: A passenger behaved in an inappropriate manner with our cabin crew while boarding a flight from Bengaluru to Goa. The passenger was offloaded immediately, and a complaint was filed with the Bengaluru Airport Police Station. We also initiated action in accordance with our disruptive passenger handling policy and relevant regulations concerning the safety and comfort of passengers and airline personnel. We prioritise the security and well-being of our guests and crew. We have a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive conduct on our flights.

In a separate incident at KIAs Terminal 2 on Monday, a 44-year-old international passenger was arrested after allegedly assaulting a Customs officer.
In a shocking incident, a seven-year-old boy has been accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur Dehat district. The incident was reported in a village under the limits of districts Akbarpur police station on Sunday night after the girls mother accused the boy from their neighborhood of sexually assaulting her daughter.

The five-year-old girls mother said her daughter had gone out to play when the incident took place. After the mother approached the police, both children were sent to the district hospital and a medical report confirmed rape.

Meanwhile, police lodged an FIR under sections 376 of IPC and section 5/6 of the POCSO Act on the complaint of the girls mother on Tuesday.

Notably, section 82 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 under Chapter IV states that nothing is an offence which is done by a child under 7 years of age. Therefore, no child under the age of seven can be held criminally responsible.

Akbarpur Kotwali police station inspector Satish Singh said police were treating this case with caution.

If a child below seven years of age commits a crime, it does not fall in the category of crime. Nevertheless, further action will be taken in this case only after taking legal opinion. The FIR was registered on Tuesday, he said.

(With IANS Inputs)
When it comes to the elites of the fashion world, there is one name in Bollywood that consistently stands out for its impeccable sartorial choices and it is Sonam Kapoor. Known far and wide for her exquisite and contemporary sense of style, this celebrated actor has proven time and again that she is in a league of her own. Recently, at the much-anticipated Burberry show during London Fashion Week 2023, Sonam Kapoor not only met but exceeded all expectations with her effortlessly elegant ensemble. Taking to Instagram, the actress shared a series of beautiful photographs of herself from the event. In the caption of her post, she wrote, At the Burberry show today sporting its newest threads. Indeed, her appearance at this prestigious fashion gathering was nothing short of remarkable.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonam Kapoor Ahuja (@sonamkapoor)

For this special occasion, Sonam Kapoor donned a head-to-toe Burberry creation, showcasing her innate ability to look chic and sophisticated as always. Her ensemble was expertly curated by the talented duo, one of them being her sister, Rhea Kapoor, and Abhilasha Devnani. Her outfit featured the iconic Burberry checkered print. The midi dress, rendered in shades of grey and black, boasted a classic turtle neckline and full sleeves, creating a timeless and fashionable look.

To complement this dress, Sonam paired it with a matching knitted woollen trench coat. It boasted a notch lapel collar neckline, full-length sleeves, padded shoulders, button closures with an open front, and a relaxed silhouette, adding an air of sophistication to the ensemble. She also wore matching stockings, ensuring that every element of her outfit was meticulously coordinated.

Sonam Kapoors fashion prowess doesnt stop at her clothing choices alone. To complement her check-printed ensemble, she accessorised with black calf-length boots, statement silver earrings, ear cuffs, and a striking deep blue Burberry fur bag, which stole the show with its unique and quirky design.

Lastly, when it came to her makeup and hair, Sonam chose centre-parted open locks, feathered brows, mascara to enhance her lashes, subtle pink eye shadow, blushed cheeks, a berry-toned lip shade, a dewy complexion, and perfectly executed contouring, all contributing to her glamorous appearance.

The Burberry London Fashion Week Spring 2024 show was hosted at the picturesque Highbury Fields in London, and Sonam Kapoor is reportedly the only Indian personality to have received an invitation from the prestigious British luxury fashion house this year.

Sonams delightful appearance at the show surely serves as an inspiration to all fashionistas. Which element from her blend of luxury and contemporary aesthetics left a lasting impression on you?
After almost 2 years, Shilpa Shettys husband Raj Kundra made a comeback on Instagram. On the auspicious occassion of Ganesh Chaturthi, Rajs first post gave a glimpse of the celebrations at his home which came with a strong message for his haters. Raj had previously deleted his Instagram accounts after being mired in a pornographic scandal.

Sharing the video of his Ganpati celebrations on Instagram, Raj wrote, Jai Shri Ganesh. Hes BACK! Well wishers your love makes me stronger, haters your hate makes me unstoppable! Karma is efficient I am just being patient. Ganpati Bappa Morya!!!! Happy Ganesh Chaturthi.

Have a look at the video:

Shilpa Shetty Kundra couldnt be more happier. She took to the comments section and wrote, Stay blessed and protected always .

Each year, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra welcome Lord Ganpati in their home. This year, she continued this ritual, and she was spotted at an idol store with Raj.

On Tuesday, the actress took to Instagram to share a photo from the celebrations at home. Going by the photo, it looks like the theme was ivory and gold. Shilpa looked gorgeous in an ivor and gold dhoti sari accessorised with traditional jewellery, while Raj Kundra opted for Kurta in the same colour palatte. Her children  Viaan Raj Kundra and Samisha Shetty Kundra  too, wore ivory and gold outfits. She captioned the photo, Ganpati Bappa Moriya Happy Ganesh Chaturthi to you all  Sukhee Bhava.

The actress is a devout follower and strong believer in Lord Ganpati, and she frequently visits the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai, particularly on Tuesdays.

For the unversed, Raj Kundra was arrested in July 2021 in connection to the alleged creation and uploading of pornographic films on mobile applications. He was granted bail after almost two months.

Later in 2022, Kundra wrote to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) claiming that he was innocent and alleged that it was all personal vendetta of a businessman who connived with police officers to get him arrested. Kundra had also requested the central agency to probe the case and had further claimed that he was framed by the senior officers of the Mumbai Crime Branch.

I have lived in silence for one year; ripped apart by a media trial and spent 63 days in Arthur Road Jail. I seek justice from the courts, which I know I will get, and I humbly request an investigation against these officers, he had written in his letter as reported by Mid-Day.

In December 2022, Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Raj Kundra, Poonam Pandey and Sherlyn Chopra in connection to the case. The top courts decision came after the Bombay High Court had rejected Kundras plea for pre-arrest protection in the case.
Shehnaaz Gill never fails to impress all with her gorgeous looks. The actress has repeatedly proved that she can slay any outfit with her style. On Wednesday too, Shehnaaz took to her Instagram handle and dropped a series of pictures from her Toronto fashion diaries.

In one of the photos, Shehnaaz was seen posing in a white off-shoulder outfit. She tied her hair into a neat bun and ditched accessorised to take her outfit take centre stage. Another picture featured the actress in a shimmery orangish-nude gown with a plunging neckline. One of the photos also showed Shehnaaz posing in a thigh-high slit green gown.

Soon after the pictures were shared online, fans and friends rushed to the comments section to shower love on their favourite actress. Shehnaaz you are a treat to watch, one of the fans wrote. Another user shared, Uff shes hot beautiful ethereal stunning gorgeous. She looked so good! a third comment read. Several other fans also dropped fire and red-heart emojis in the comments section.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Devanshi Tuli (@devanshi.15)

Shehnaaz Gill is currently in Toronto, Canada where her upcoming movie Thank You For Coming recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film features Bhumi Pednekar, Shehnaaz Gill, Kusha Kapila, Dolly Singh and Shibani Bedi as an ensemble.

Sharing pictures of her TIFF red-carpet look on her Instagram handle, Shehnaaz had earlier written, Celebrating and taking it all in one breath at a time. This carpet, this air, this all feels so surreal. Sinking in all in. This magical international carpet premiering my film with a sold-out show, it all feels nothing less than a dream. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, a young naive girl from a small town in Punjab can come this far, then so can you never give up on your dreams. Work the hardest when given the opportunity and no one can stop you from growing!

Directed by Karan Boolani, Thank You For Coming is produced by Rhea Kapoor. The film was first premiered at the festival on Friday, September 15 and then on Saturday, September 16.
Tamil composer and actor Vijay Antonys daughter, Meera, died by alleged suicide on September 19. She just was 16. Meeras mortal remains were taken to a church in Nungambakkam on Wednesday morning for last rituals, where her mother Fatima Vijay Antony broke down in tears.

As per a post, shared by Thanthi TV on its official X account, during Meeras last rites, an inconsolable Fatima said: I carried you in the womb You could have said a word to me.

Vijay Antonys daughter Meeras death by alleged suicide has sent shock waves across the Tamil film industry. Several Tamil film celebrities like Anirudh Ravichander, Keerthy Suresh, Vishal and Lokesh Kanagaraj have expressed their grief over the demise of the young kid on social media.

Vishal, who studied with Vijay, took to X to pen an emotional tribute to Meera. He wrote, Writing with a heavy heart and a wavery mind. The news of my dear friend and classmate actor @vijayantonys daughter leaving this world all of a sudden and all of us behind is unimaginable and unable to digest. May her soul rest in peace. Dear Raja am always there for u as a friend and brother. Be strong. Life is just unpredictable, no words will sooth u or make u come to terms. My deepest condolences to the entire family and may God give enough strength to the family to overcome this tragedy. I leave these words once again with an utmost blank mind.

Lokesh, who also postponed the poster release of Thalapathy Vijay starrer Leo after Meeras death, wrote, Heartbroken to hear the news about your loss @vijayantony brother. More strength to you and your family to get through this loss.

DISCLAIMER: This news piece may be triggering. 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).
Chris Evans, who is popular for portraying the iconic character of Captain America in the Marvel movie franchise, has hinted that he may reprise his role. But the actor also added that his character reprisal is not in the cards anytime soon. It is been nearly five years since Evans final appearance as Captain America in the 2019 film Avengers: Endgame, which marked the end of an era for the franchise. However, ever since the film concluded, fans have been eagerly waiting for the return of their favourite Marvel superheroes on the big screens. Recently, in an interview with GQ, Chris Evans updated his fans about the possibility of returning as Captain America and how the role changed his life.

When asked about returning as Captain America to the Marvel Cinematic Universe Chris Evans said, Ill never say never, just because it was such a wonderful experience. But Im also very precious with it. Its something that I am very proud of. And like I said, sometimes I cant believe it even happened. And I wouldnt want the black eye if it felt like a cash grab, if it didnt live up to expectations, or if it just felt like it wasnt connected to that original thing. So, no time soon.

Chris Evans also recalled a previous statement made by acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino. Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is you have all these actors who have become famous playing these characters. But theyre not movie stars. Right? Captain America is the star. Or, Thor is the star, Quarantino had said earlier. Evans agreed with Tarantinos opinion and said, You know, hes right. The character is the star. Youre there, but you dont feel the burden of it.

During the course of the conversation, Chris Evans mentioned that he initially refused to play the role of Captain America but the actor was quick to chime in that he was grateful for signing the film contract. I love playing that role I feel connected to it in a way that when you revisit a character so many times you cant help but try to absorb some of their traits and measure yourself against them, he said.

Although the actor has played some significant roles in his film career, Chris Evans stated, By no means have I climbed any sort of a mountain in this field. I have no Oscars and Im not lumped with other names that are at the top of the mountain in any way. But I also feel very satisfied. Chris Evans has been reigning in Hollywood for over 20 years. Some of his recent works include Ghosted and Pain Hustlers among others.
The ongoing encounter in the Kokernag area of South Kashmirs Anantnag district  in which commanding officer Colonel Manpreet Singh, company commander Major Aashish Dhonchak and a soldier of 19 Rashtriya Rifles Rashtriya Rifles along with deputy superintendent of J&K Police Hamayun Muzamil Bhat gave the supreme sacrifice  indicates that the menacing shadow of terrorism still looms in some pockets of J&K.

Coming just after New Delhi hosted a grand ceremony to mark Indias spectacular and praiseworthy presidency of G20, there are strong suspicions that Pakistan orchestrated this dastardly attack by using terrorists that it has been patronising.

While a lot has been written and said about the strategic and tactical significance of this terrorist act, the human angle has largely been ignored. A Sena Medal awardee, Colonel Singh was a true soldier who volunteered to continue serving in J&K despite completing his tenure. Maj Dhonchak was another die-hard soldier who put duty before self and has left behind a bereaved wife along with a three-year-old daughter, who will at best, only have a hazy memory of her father.

Son of a retired Inspector General of Police (IGP), DSP Bhat was a highly motivated Kashmiri, who, following in his fathers footsteps, joined J&K police. It was heart-wrenching to see him performing his sons last rites. While DSP Bhats loss will forever haunt his near and dear ones, his one-month-old son is perhaps the most unfortunate as he will have to grow up without the loving hand of his father on his shoulder.

In fact, this is precisely what had weighed on Bhats mind after he was mortally wounded when he made a video call to his wife and told her: I may not survive. If I succumb to my injuries, please take care of our son.

This terrorist act reminds all of us that peace and stability in the Union Territory is at best fragile. It also indicates that even four years after Article 370s abrogation that paved the way for unprecedented progress, people of the region remain vulnerable to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and need protection. Accordingly, the counter-infiltration grid and anti-terrorist operations have to continue as these are live threats to peace and normalcy in J&K.

The Kokernag incident also raises several questions regarding the Union Home Ministrys claims on terrorism in J&K. It has projected a 32% drop in terror acts during 2019-22, as compared to 2016-19. However, have civilian and security personnel deaths really gone down by 14 and 52%, respectively, as stated? Is there a significant decline in recruitment of terrorists? Why does the UT still need an excessive security presence? Despite trumpeting major successes, has the local administration has fallen short on the issue of dismantling local terror networks?

Why are the areas south of Pir Panjal range, especially in Rajouri & Poonch area, witnessing an upsurge in terrorist activities? Is there unfinished business post-Burhan Wanis elimination in 2016? Is the Anantnag incident a chilling reminder of J&K in the 1990s? It is as clear as daylight that the government and security establishment have to remain alert and we need to have an effective and efficient intelligence grid, while Indias strategic calculus requires freshness and nimbleness.

Our men in uniform can no longer be treated as sacrificial lambs. We also need to rebut any suggestions by Kashmirs (discredited) political class of talking to Pakistan, the indisputable harbinger of state-sponsored terrorism. Leaders like Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and others need to be reminded time and again that human lives cannot be sacrificed for political expediency. The Indian government has already sent out a strong message that every sinew available will be used and strained to counter the deep state within Pakistan.

The international community now knows for a fact that Pakistan stands exposed on the issue of Kashmir. This last year, more than ever, demonstratively reflects that if the lid is firmly kept on terrorism and militancy, the common people in J&K can enjoy socio-economic benefits long denied to them.

Terrorism fundamentally focuses on killing innocent men, women and children. It is totalitarian in approach and power-driven, i.e. might is right. It is absolutely and factually incorrect to say that terrorism began from the 9/11 attacks in the US. India has long been suffering from it and Pakistans devious outlook has made Kashmir an unstable region for almost seven-and-a-half decades.

Post-Anantnag, New Delhis messaging has to remain strong and unambiguous. Pakistan needs to be told that come what may, Indias security forces will, with active support from citizens, root out terrorism. The people of Kashmir, too, need to be aware and conscious about any form of separatist propaganda aimed at creating unrest. Kashmiri society has long been deprived of happiness and laughter due to terrorism and its time brutal subjugation and violence ends.

Former secretary of United Hurriyat conference Dr Gh Mohmmad Hubi warns that poor economic conditions and political uncertainty can lure Pakistani youth to join terrorism just to meet the requirement of two square meals. He is also hopeful that people of Kashmir will remain vigilant and denounce motivated acts that promote violence and escalate terrorism in J&K.

The author is Editor Brighter Kashmir, author, TV commentator, political analyst and columnist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. On September 19, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a phone call to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports.

During the telephone conversation, the sides exchanged views on the current situation in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

The head of state pointed out that the intelligence-sabotage groups of the Armenian armed forces in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan had planted mines for the purpose of terrorism, as a result of which civilians and police officers were killed, and the units of the Azerbaijan army were subjected to fire from mortars and small arms of various calibers.

President Ilham Aliyev stressed that these actions, including the so-called "presidential elections" in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan on September 9, were a continuation of deliberate provocations against the sovereignty of Azerbaijan by Armenia and the so-called separatist institution established and supported by it.

The President of Azerbaijan said that in order to prevent such provocative and inciting actions, Azerbaijan had to launch local anti-terror measures in the region.

The head of state emphasized that during the anti-terror measures, civilian population and infrastructure facilities are not being targeted, only legitimate military targets are incapacitated.

The head of state mentioned that representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan had been invited to a dialogue several times by the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan to discuss reintegration issues, but they refused, however, they were invited to a dialogue again when the local anti-terror measures continued. The head of state said that anti-terror measures will be stopped if the weapon is laid down and disarmed.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern about the situation, called for a ceasefire and said that the United States supports direct dialogue between Baku and representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region.
China has sent a new ambassador to Kabul for the first time since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. With this, even as it has not recognised the Taliban regime, China has signalled a clear intent to engage with it, in a bid to secure an array of interests including the Belt and Road Initiative, access to Afghanistans mineral wealth and keeping Uyghur militants at bay.

Zhao Xing, the new Chinese ambassador, officially presented his credentials in a lavish ceremony held in Kabul last week. China has become one of at least six other countries, namely Qatar, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, to have their ambassadors in the conflict-ridden nation. The Taliban seeks to play this up as an endorsement from China and a cue for other nations to step up and formally recognise the new leadership in Kabul.

China asserts that Afghanistan has significantly recovered since the Taliban takeover in 2021. In an interview with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) mouthpiece Global Times, Zhao said that the nation is gradually recovering with the economic and security situations having improved in the last two years.

China has its work cut out in Afghanistan. Beijing wants Kabul to help secure the BRI project at a time when it is losing steam and is likely to be overshadowed by the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IME EC). China also has to deal with the security challenges emanating from the conflict between the Taliban and Pakistan, with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) being a prime target. It not only has to secure the CPEC but also manoeuvre around the Talibans heated conflict with Pakistan along the border. It also has to balance ties with Iran, a Shia-Muslim nation with ideological differences with the Sunni-Muslim Taliban, locked in a violent water dispute over the Helmand River. China also has the threat of Uyghur militants to take care of. The East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) is being sheltered by the Taliban in Afghan territory, posing a risk of heightened insurgency in the China-controlled Xinjiang region.

In fact, the Taliban threat to Chinas economic interests in and around Afghanistan is so extensive that Beijing is locked in a catch-22 situation. If it shuns the Taliban, the risks would only worsen, and if it embraces the militant regime in Kabul, it would embolden the warlords and convey a negative image on the global stage one where China is seen as complicit in the Talibans violent oppression of women and young girls, among other crimes.

However, for now, China has made its choice since there is an opportunity in this crisis as well. Afghanistan sits on trillions of dollars worth of mineral wealth, more than $3 trillion according to one US study. With reserves of gold, oil, lithium, copper, cobalt, various gemstones, chromite, iron and more, the war-ravaged nation is a treasure chest that China may deem worth the risk. Not only is the Afghan Taliban regime desperately seeking investments from global players, but it is also keen on being part of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative and wants China to resume its mining projects in the country.

China has expressed interest in investing $10 billion in Afghanistans lithium reserves. A Chinese company has also signed a $700 million contract to extract oil from the Amu Darya basin. It runs mining operations tapping into the Mes Aynak copper reserves. Afghanistan also announced seven contracts with Chinese and other companies, worth $6.5 billion, which is nearly half of the countrys GDP.

Attacks on Chinese citizens involved in crucial projects in Afghanistan and Pakistan have continued with the Taliban at the helm of affairs. Pakistan has been unable to fight off the threat of the Tehreek-e-Taliban on its territory, and border disagreements over the Durand Line have escalated into full-blown conflicts with the Afghan Taliban turning hostile towards its former patron.

For long, Beijing has leaned on Islamabad to do its bidding with the Taliban. However, Pakistan has taken a backseat in Chinas scheme of things, owing to its failure in securing Chinese citizens and interests along the CPEC. It now seeks the cooperation of the Taliban directly and has even agreed to extend the CPEC into Afghanistan. Through this, its mining exploits could now travel through the CPEC and enter the Indian Ocean through the Gwadar port in Pakistan.

China also needs the Taliban to act against the ETIM. Previously, there have been reports of China paying the Taliban to keep the militants at bay. For the Taliban, this is a convenient leverage. The risks are heightened further when one factors in the attacks by ISIS-K, the regional affiliate of the Islamic State group, as well as the opposition posed by the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front (NRF) and internal disputes within the Taliban related to mineral resources.

Last year December, ISIS-K carried out an attack on a Kabul hotel that was frequented by Chinese business people. This incident occurred after a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Wang Yu and Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai to discuss the security of the Chinese Embassy. The Taliban itself has its own fears regarding ISIS-K, particularly concerning the potential for collaboration between militant groups that could weaken the control of the ruling faction. The fight for the Afghan exploits puts into question the Talibans own abilities to secure Chinese interests.

So what is the end game here?

There is no easy way to deal with the Taliban but China is taking the risk anyway. China has to juggle between the Taliban, Iran and Pakistan and also secure its own borders. But by being one of the first in line, China may seek the first movers advantage. Chinas Afghan strategy is taking shape amid intensifying rivalry with the United States. If China can secure a lead in the quest for Afghanistans mineral wealth, it could possibly one-up the US in another battleground. It remains to be seen, however, if it will emerge a victor or with its fingers burnt.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has gone rogue. He is now accusing India of orchestrating extra-judicial killings on Canadian soil. Has the Canadian leader, whose popularity and ratings are in the doldrums, provided any evidence to support his wild claims? Not really. One must read Trudeaus frivolous statement carefully. He has talked about allegations about a potential link between Hardeep Nijjars death and Indian agents. What this means is that Canada has no substantial proof to definitively say that India was somehow involved in the death of Nijjar. By the way, India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist. So, for India, Nijjar was a Khalistani terrorist before being a Canadian citizen. That is all that matters.

On its part, it is time for India to downgrade its diplomatic relationship with Canada and demand an apology from Ottawa. Trudeau needs to be told how international diplomacy works, and that he cannot go around accusing countries of fictitious transnational crimes without concrete evidence. While Indias decision to expel a senior Canadian diplomat is appreciated, New Delhi needs to do a lot more. Remember, Canada is a country whose envoy has been summoned to the South Bloc more than Pakistans envoy this year. This goes on to show how under Trudeau, Canada has become a notorious hub of anti-India activities and extremism. India also needs to tell the world how Trudeaus government has been giving a free pass to organised mafia and crime syndicates on Canadian soil, who, in turn, are perpetrating crimes on Indian soil.

But why did Justin Trudeau suddenly stand in his countrys parliament and accuse India of something he cannot immediately prove and probably will never be able to?

Indias Meteoric Rise Rattles Trudeau

You see, Indias global image and the worlds perception of our country is at historic highs. India has emerged as the leader of the Global South. It has just hosted the most constructive G20 summit ever. Indias economy is booming and is set to become the worlds third-largest in the next five years. Amid Indias rising popularity, Canada under Justin Trudeau is quite literally sinking.

Canadas economy  much like Trudeaus ratings  is in the doldrums. Canadas economy is already in what is being called a modest recession. Trudeaus second visit to India after 2018, to attend the G20 Summit, was a memorable disaster. If his first visit was an embarrassing failure, his latest stay in India was nothing short of humiliating. He was hardly the subject of any media coverage; was absent from the gala dinner organised by the President of Bharat and to top it all, was forced to stay back in New Delhi as his aircraft was found to be unfit for flying.

Even during his additional stay, Trudeau was not entertained by any official of the Indian government. Trudeau was rightfully given the cold shoulder for his governments patronage of anti-India, Khalistani elements on Canadian soil. There was no bilateral meeting between Trudeau and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Instead, all that Trudeau got was a brief pull-aside discussion in which he was pulled up by the Indian prime minister.

Justin Trudeau is visibly paranoid. He has invested a lot in his image of being a leader who can stand up to the most powerful nations if they err on international law and human rights. Take China for example. What Trudeau does not seem to grasp is that India is no China. India is a country that is championing the cause of One Earth, One Family, One Future. It is the worlds biggest democracy and also the nation that practised the most ancient forms of citizen-driven governance.

ALSO READ | Leave Within 5 Days: India Ousts Senior Canada Diplomat In Tit-For-Tat Move

Today, the West  particularly the G7 nations  see India as indispensable in the fight against China. The rise of India as a power to reckon with is a sentiment that is shared in all Western capitals and their power corridors. The world and a host of international agencies are bullish on Indias rise. Perhaps this is what burns Trudeaus heart. At a time when India is rising, Canada  under Trudeaus inept leadership  is seeing its growth not just getting scuttled, but decelerating.

Trudeau In Deep Domestic Trouble

Trudeaus wild allegations against India are a mere diversionary tactic. The Canadian prime minister, who was once the blue-eyed boy of a rather global liberal ecosystem, is today failing miserably in domestic polls. His ratings are dangerously low. Half of the Canadians want a new government while only 19 per cent favour Trudeau. Meanwhile, housing prices are soaring and Trudeau faces the prospect of an inquiry into how his government handled alleged Chinese government interference in the last election.

ALSO READ | Opinion | Justin Trudeaus India Curse May Bring the End of His Political Career

So, Trudeau is in deep political trouble. He needs the Khalistanis to vote for him en masse. Jagmeet Singhs NDP could make significant cuts into Trudeaus immigrant voter base, and the popularity of conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is rising too. He is a comparatively serious politician who talks about real issues, unlike the Woke agenda that Trudeau has made the crux of his governance. Interestingly though, the likes of Poilievre seem to be supporting Trudeau in baselessly attacking India.

What this proves is that Trudeau and his Khalistani friends have been successful in mainstreaming disdain for India in Canada. Also, the immigrant Sikh vote bank in Canada is quite significant, and it is a bloc which no party  liberal or conservative  wants to alienate. Standing up to India and projecting his supposed muscle against PM Modi seems to be the last straw for Trudeau. It is a desperate attempt at projecting power and diplomatic might. What Trudeau does not realise is that he has irreparably damaged India-Canada ties for a very long time. Until Trudeau is in power, there is no scope of recovery in bilateral relations that have hit a historic low after the Canadian leaders misadventure.

Justin Trudeau wants to craft an image not just in Canada, but across the Western hemisphere, of being a man who stands up for human rights and the upkeep on international law. This is why he chose to brief US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Frances Emmanuel Macron about the alleged Indian link in the death of Hardeep Nijjar. Again, Canada has no real evidence to prove Indias involvement, and yet, Trudeau is calling Western leaders and seeking their attention on a subject that India has outrightly denied as motivated and absurd.

Justin Trudeau thinks he can do to India and PM Modi what the West did to Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman after the killing of Jamal Khashoggi. Little does Trudeau know that while Khashoggi was a journalist, Nijjar was a man designated as a terrorist by India and who had an Interpol red-corner notice against his name. While Trudeau might think he is making a lot of constructive noise among Indias allies in the West, the fact is that the world knows that under him, Canada has become a power that is in decline. If the choice is between India and Canada, Trudeau might be surprised to see just how overwhelmingly the world chooses India.
Renowned author Arundhati Roy, in her address at the 45th Prix Europeen de lEssai held in Lausanne, Switzerland on September 12, 2023, delivered a speech laden with inaccuracies pertaining to a fictitious scenario involving Bharat. This occasion, which saw Roy being honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award, was seized as an opportunity to present a narrative that was, regrettably, divorced from reality. Specific incidents were erroneously generalised to depict an overly bleak image of Bharat before a global audience.

The interview in question displays a notable bias towards Bharats democratic system, with a particular emphasis on the countrys second-largest community. This approach has the potential to generate sympathy for the Leftist-Islamist extremist faction. A group stands accused of actively seeking to disrupt Bharats societal harmony through the selective narration and manipulation of various incidents.

Arundhati Roys apparent objective, as discerned from her address, appears to be the vilification of Bharat through the introduction of a narrative rooted in fictitious suffering, which she attributes to the entire Muslim community. This deliberate misrepresentation serves to further polarise an already complex socio-political landscape.

It is essential to approach such narratives with a discerning eye, considering a multiplicity of perspectives to form a comprehensive understanding of the situation at hand. By engaging in constructive discourse, we can strive towards a more nuanced and informed societal dialogue.

A Closer Look at Deceptive Information

Commencing from delineation to the awakening in a particularly tumultuous period in Bharat, Roy persisted in her indictment against the democratic framework of the nation, contending that if one identifies as a Muslim, the legal apparatus is administered disparately. It is imperative to underscore that the democratic ethos of Bharat accords equal recognition to all its citizens, with no differentiation in the application of the law based on faith. There exists no recorded instance in Bharat where legal prescriptions have been selectively applied on the grounds of religious affiliation.

Assertions contending that Muslims endure dehumanisation due to their religious beliefs lack substantive evidential substantiation, relying primarily on a limited set of narratives disseminated through social media platforms to implicate the government. Roy astutely insinuated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, being affiliated with the RSS, an organisation historically disinclined to hoisting the Tiranga and displaying limited deference towards the constitution. However, it is noteworthy that the RSS has adopted the practice of displaying the national flag at its premises. Simultaneously, Narendra Modi, in his capacity as a Prime Minister of India, initiated the har ghar tiranga campaign.

NRC, CAA and Shaheen Bagh Protest

It is unmistakably evident that Roys agenda was to propagate misinformation about Bharats flourishing democracy, which has exhibited remarkable progress in recent years. Roy adroitly attempts to confine the scope of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to Assam exclusively, notwithstanding the fact that the terminology inherently suggests a broader national applicability.

Persisting in her misrepresentations, she levels accusations that the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) was introduced with the primary aim of first deregistering all Bharat citizens, followed by a government determination of their authenticity. However, upon a meticulous examination of the CAA, it becomes apparent that its objective was to extend Bharat citizenship to non-Muslim refugees, in alignment with the wishes articulated by Mahatma Gandhi, offering them sanctuary and Indian citizenship should they seek refuge and choose to settle in Bharat.

Arundhati Roy falsely claims Bharat is building city-sized detention centres for Muslims. In reality, only smaller facilities exist, mainly in Assam, for illegal immigrants, addressing local concerns. These are not related to actual Indian citizens.

In her analysis, Roy interprets the 2020 Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest in Bharat, asserting that the Hindu right-wing, allegedly aided by law enforcement, played a role in fomenting a riot to quell dissent. She omits crucial context regarding the underlying factors that contributed to the unrest. Furthermore, Roy overlooks the significant disruption caused by the 100-day-long protest at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi, which led to unlawful road blockages and the forced closure of businesses. A comparable demonstration in northeast Delhi escalated into a violent clash, resulting in casualties from both Hindu and Muslim communities. However, Roys narrative predominantly focuses on the impact on Muslims, potentially providing a skewed perspective on the event.

Covid-19: Examining Empathy and Critique

Arundhati Roy exhibits empathy towards Muslims facing unwarranted blame for Covid-19 transmission, particularly in the case of the Tableegh Jamaats non-compliance with lockdown measures. While attributing responsibility for the virus spread to the entire Muslim community, Roy astutely overlooks the misconduct of Jamaat members towards healthcare workers during their quarantine.

Throughout her session, Roy does not address concerns related to the non-Muslim community, even though the Covid virus rapid spread posed a significant threat to public health and safety. It is noteworthy that Roy did not endorse the decision for a lockdown, asserting that it allowed insufficient time for preparation. However, in the face of a spreading virus, swift and decisive action was imperative to curtail its transmission. Bharat notably implemented a one-day lockdown (Janata Curfew), providing a valuable experience of its potential effectiveness prior to the continuous lockdown, however, Roy had failed to mention this.

Deliberate Attempt to Portray Bharat as a Fascist Nation

Bharat, a diverse nation of varied faiths, cultures, and languages, stands as the worlds largest democracy, providing equal opportunities for all its citizens to prosper and coexist harmoniously. Regrettably, a few people have exploited this fairness, tarnishing the nations environment. Ive outlined the points Arundhati Roy raised during her speech, where she endeavours to extrapolate specific situations to a broader context. Any attentive Indian listener can discern that her narrative does not reflect the reality of our nation; instead, it serves her agenda to paint a distorted picture of growing fascism. It is crucial for us to scrutinise such voices and discern deliberate distortions, ensuring we are not swayed by nonexistent narratives.

As a Muslim residing in Bharat, I have personally experienced no bias in the application of constitutional rights that our nation affords to its citizens. It is important to acknowledge that individuals who engage in activities that threaten the unity of Bharat and involve themselves in illegal pursuits are rightfully addressed without regard to their religious identity. It is incumbent upon Muslims to recognise and appreciate that scrutinising and verifying any selective narrative is essential before levying accusations and voicing opposition against perceived mistreatment and injustice. This discerning approach ensures a more balanced and informed perspective on matters of national significance.

The author is a nationalist Indian Muslim, a student of Philosophy and a researcher in the Quran and Islamic theology, having in-depth knowledge in Islam. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
In tabling the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the latest iteration of the Womens Reservation Bill, the Narendra Modi government has taken a positive step towards closing the political representation gap and sent out a message of hope at a time when womens rights are under assault in many parts of the globe.

Significantly, the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, providing a 33 per cent quota for women in the Parliament and state assemblies, was the first to be tabled in the new Parliament building. It was, perhaps, a signal that the ground had shifted and a shake-up of the political establishment was imminent!

The PMs empowerment initiative puts the Opposition in a tough spot, for three reasons. First, it cannot position itself on the wrong side of such an emotive issue, even though credit for the passage of the law will go entirely to the Modi government. For instance, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, who has been lobbying for the Bill, has no choice but to welcome it.

Second, the wind has been taken out of the INDIA companys democracy in danger campaign. The governments stated commitment to furthering gender parity in political representation is eminently progressive, liberal and in keeping with the tenets of democracy. And like the governments welfare schemes, it benefits women of all castes and communities.

Third, the womens vote is now a potent force in electoral politics. In the 2019 general elections, the gender gap was not only bridged but reversed, with 67.18 per cent of women participating as opposed to 67.01 per cent of men. For some Opposition leaders, such as Nitish Kumar and Mamata Banerjee, the womens vote is all-important. If the Bill becomes law, the BJP will have the W factor advantage.

That the prime minister means business is evident from his characterisation of the Bill as an agni pareeksha (trial by fire) for the ruling BJP. Party MPs who are privately opposed to the Bill for fear of losing their seats have been warned that they must fall in line, even if that means voting against their own self-interest. Fortunately, implementation is a long way off, so the fallout will be visible only in 2029.

The debate will be interesting, going by past experience. Ever since the Deve Gowda government introduced the Bill in 1996, every government has tried to push it through  in 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2008 and 2010. But the closest it ever came to becoming a law was its passage in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 (only to lapse thereafter).

Each time, it was held up for lack of consensus, which goes to show that consensus is overrated at times. Opposition to the Bill came largely from OBC MPs, who felt it ought to provide a quota within a quota for certain categories. The current iteration provides reservations for SCs and STs; for obvious reasons, it cannot do so for backward castes.

The other argument, that the reserved seats would go to the wives, mothers, sisters or daughters of political families, has some basis. The same argument was made vis-a-vis reservation of seats for women in panchayats and local bodies (initially 33 per cent, now 50 per cent in most states) in 1993. However, despite the sarpanchpati culture, political awareness among women has increased over time. Studies testify to the vital role played by reservation in improving the political participation of women and combatting patriarchal attitudes.

Globally, the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) pegs the representation of women at 26.5 per cent. Only six countries have achieved or exceeded gender parity in this regard. India, with representation at 15.1 per cent, stands 140th in a list of 186 countries, behind Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. Likewise, in the World Economic Forums Gender Gap Index, India is 127th in a list of 146 countries. If it is to improve its position, the Womens Reservation Bill must become law.

The fragility of womens rights became evident when the Supreme Court of the United States rolled back Roe vs Wade, which guaranteed the legal right to abortion, in June 2022. Poland, too, has severely restricted the reproductive rights of women. In Afghanistan, women have been progressively stripped of virtually all their rights. In Iran, anti-hijab protests have resulted in the government mooting a mandatory hijab law that proposes a ten-year sentence for violators.

Indias initiative is all the more important against this backdrop. Political parties must, however, ensure that it does not become a tokenism. On no account should women be excluded altogether from general (unreserved) seats.

Some political parties have already made important strides in furthering the representation of women in electoral politics, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and Biju Janta Dal (BJD), for example. The BJP, sadly, has not been one of them. For all too long, there has been a disconnect between the grassroots mobilisation of women by the RSS-BJP and their participation in electoral politics. Its time for the BJP to change that, and lead by the power of example.

Bhavdeep Kang is a freelance writer and author of Gurus: Stories of Indias Leading Babas and Just Transferred: The Untold Story of Ashok Khemka. A journalist since 1986, she has written extensively on national politics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau isnt the first politician to have allowed domestic political compulsion to risk his countrys diplomatic relationship with a foreign partner. Trudeau told his countrys Parliament that India violated Canadas sovereignty by carrying out an extra-judicial killing of a Canadian citizen. The Canadian premiers remarks are at one with the kind of provocation Indians have come to expect from a sundry cast of Pakistani demagogues and dictators. New Delhi has thus far denied the accusation that links it to agents who purportedly executed a Canadian citizen Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

For those who may not be in the know, Nijjar was shot dead by two unknown assailants near Vancouver on June 18. Indian security establishment claims that he was active in the Khalistan Tiger Force, an organisation proscribed in India under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) for aiming to revive terrorism in Punjab.

Immediately after making the announcement, but withholding the evidence needed to establish the bona fides of his serious claim, the Trudeau government expelled an Indian diplomat.

A flabbergasted Modi government issued an immediate denial calling the accusation absurd and unsubstantiated. Later in the day, India also gave marching orders to a senior Canadian diplomat posted to Delhi.

It isnt known when Trudeaus administration intends to share evidence of its so-called investigation into Nijjars killing with New Delhi. But Ottawa is clearly not interested in addressing New Delhis concerns over Canada becoming a refuge for terrorists that want Punjab (which they have long christened Khalistan) to secede from India.

While the Khalistan project is decades old and triggered a bloody insurgency in Punjab late last century, some groups based overseas mainly in the US, UK, Canada and Australia have been trying to re-ignite separatist fires. A series of Khalistan terrorists have carried out attacks, mostly political assassinations, in Punjab over the last few years. Earlier, this year, a pro-Khalistan separatist threatened to raid a police station and take hostages if his comrades in arms werent freed from jail.

Indian High Commissions and Hindu temples have been vandalised in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Recently, in Canada, Khalistan groups put out posters declaring a bounty on the heads of Indian diplomats amidst a parade celebrating the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. India has assiduously documented the links of these Khalistanis to Pakistans deep state and to sleeper cells in India. New Delhi has reportedly shared intelligence dossiers with all the above-named countries. While most have at least verbally assured India that they will pro-actively police these groups, the Canadian government under Trudeau has been reluctant to commit.

Even when Prime Minister Modi personally appealed to Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi to curb anti-India activities on Canadian soil, the latter, rather defiantly and disturbingly vowed that his government would uphold freedom of expression.

But Trudeau is being highly economical with the truth. Hes hardly upholding a peaceful cause. A recent media report revealed that, under pressure from Sikh groups, Trudeaus government dropped references to Sikh extremism from the Public Report on the Terrorist Threat to Canada that it had itself prepared in 2018.

The report said Canada continued to face threats from individuals inspired to commit violence based on other forms of extremism, including fromSikh (Khalistani) extremists. The report also noted that some Canadians continue to support these extremist groups, including through financing.

References to Sikh extremism in the name of the Khalistani cause were removed purely for the sake of political expediency. At the time there were four Sikhs in Trudeaus cabinet, including the countrys defence minister. Overall, 16 Sikhs were sitting MPs. Today, the some Canadians who continue to support Khalistan groups in Canada and overseas are in fact the ones propping up the Trudeau government.

In Spring 2022, Trudeaus Liberal Party allied with the New Democratic Party (NDP) led by Jagmeet Singh and returned to power. In October 2022, the NDP openly supported the Khalistan Referendum calling it the basic human right of Canadian Sikhs enshrined in local and international laws. Readers will note that Jagmeet Singhs support is essential for Trudeau to continue as Canadas prime minister till 2025.

With Trudeaus approval ratings slipping, he cant afford to risk his coalition by defying his ally and face the electorate anytime soon. The Sikh vote matters in Canada. This is demonstrated by the number of MPs from the Sikh community sitting in Canadas Parliament.

The Khalistan issue has always been a bit of an irritant in the Indo-Canadian ties. Theres documented evidence to suggest that even Trudeaus father Pierre, who was Prime Minister, played along with the growing Sikh separatist fringe in Canada in the late 70s and early 80s.

According to a newspaper report, Terry Milewski, a reputed Canadian journalist who had worked as a senior correspondent with CBC News wrote that in 1982, when India asked Canada for the extradition of a Khalistani terrorist wanted in India for killing of police officers, then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau refused.

Heres Milewski, Canadahas offered them (Khalistani terrorists) the great advantage of a congenial legal and political environment. The meek Canadian response to the Khalistani challenge was a frequent target of Indian politicians as far back as 1982, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi complained about it to Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau. Not much came of it. Quite the reverse, in fact. It was Pierre Trudeaus government which refused the 1982 Indian request to extradite Talwinder Parmar to India for murder, on the quaint grounds that India was insufficiently deferential to the Queen. That is not a joke. Canadian diplomats had to tell their Indian counterparts that the extradition protocols between Commonwealth countries would not apply because India only recognised Her Majesty as Head of the Commonwealth, and not as Head of State. Case closed!

Parmar, who was the head of the Khalistani terror organisation, Babbar Khalsa, would go onto bombing an Air India plane called Kanishka, killing all 329 people on board.

Many passengers were non-Sikh Canadians.

Today, all those years later, despite being aware of the dangers of nursing snakes in his backyard, Justin Trudeau feels no qualms about sheltering terrorists who he calls Canadian citizens. By equating a terrorist like Nijjar with ordinary peace-loving Canadians, Justin Trudeau has insulted his countrymen. After all, Canadian citizens arguably better acquainted with the axiom  terror knows no religion and no borders  endorsed their countrys engagement in Afghanistan to neutralise Pakistan-sponsored al-Qaeda terrorists harboured by the Taliban regime who carried out the 9/11 attack.

In a stunning irony, just days after the anniversary of the 9/11 attack, it is Trudeaus Canadian government that is legitimising Pakistan-sponsored Khalistan terrorists and activists hell-bent on balkanizing India.

Wonder what the overwhelming majority of ethical Canadian citizens think about their Prime Minister choosing to remain on the wrong side of the moral fence?
Senior leaders from both Sharad Pawar- and Ajit Pawar-led factions of the Nationalist Congress Party have said that there is no split in the party.

The Election Commission has called the rival factions of the NCP for a personal hearing on October 6 following a petition filed by the Ajit group claiming that he has been elected as the partys national president.

It is unfair on the part of the Election Commission of India to treat our case as a dispute within a political party when we have consistently maintained that there is no split, said Jayant Patil, the Maharashtra unit chief of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, on Tuesday.

Sharad Pawar in his letter to the ECI stressed the fact that he never faced any opposition within the party. There is no dispute. There has been no opposition to my (Sharad Pawars) policies from the party on any public platform, Patil told reporters.

Pawar also sought time from the ECI to explain his side because there was no dispute but there has been some exchange of emails (with Ajit Pawars side). The ECI, without giving time to (Sharad) Pawar, concluded that there is a dispute, he added.

Asked about Patils comments, Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra cabinet minister and senior leader from the Ajit Pawar group, said, It is good as there is no dispute in the party. Some changes have taken place, such as change of national president.Ajit Pawar is now the partys president and we have already communicated this to the ECI.

Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawars leadership in July this year and joined the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra as deputy chief minister.
Dressed in a white cotton kurta, amid a bunch of books in a room in Raipur, sits one of the countrys best performing state ministers. Oblivious to the controversy he has kicked off by praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TS Singh Deo  Chhattisgarhs deputy chief minister who holds a plethora of important portfolios like Energy, Public Health and Family Welfare, Medical Education, 20-point implementation and Commercial Taxes (GST)  was clear: he is a person who is not adversarial to the prime minister of India.

Earlier last week, Deo said, We have worked under the guidance of the Centre and I do not want to miss out on saying that, in my experience, I did not feel any partiality. The statement kicked off a political storm, with BJP using his video to seek Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghels apology for maligning the Centre. However, Deo says he did not praise Modi but showed regard for the prime minister in whose programme he had the honour to be present as a representative of Chhattisgarh.

The Congress leader, with whom PM Modi later shook hands, said though he has his grievances which he will write to the Centre about, there were previous instances when the state received bonus funds for central projects.

At a time when an increasing number of chief ministers  from Mamata Banerjee to MK Stalin  accuse the Centre of step-motherly treatment to opposition states, Deos endorsement from a poll-bound state gives the BJP a shot in the arm.

In a freewheeling interview to News18, the deputy CM of Chhattisgarh talks about his reported apology to Kharge over his words of praise for PM Modi, Raman Singhs allegation that Congress enabled Naxalism in the state to Deos chief ministerial ambitions.

Edited excerpts:

You swept to power with 68 seats in 2018. The BJP is claiming the Congress is on its way out. Do you think the Congress can retain Chhattisgarh and if yes, can Congress reach the 68-mark this time?

One should never underestimate ones opponent whether in politics or a playing field. It will be almost like the sun rising from the west if the BJP wins. The Congress government has done well. One cant fulfill 100 per cent promises if you compare it to the manifesto. Last year, Delhi discounted Congress in Chhattisgarh because of the Jogi factor. But, as you rightly said, we won 68 seats. Our party men are looking at 75+ seats this time. Its easier to get there from where we are after winning a few more bypolls. But for the BJP, its a long journey. I would be disappointed if we get anything less than 60. I am expecting something between 60 to 75 seats.

Just days after kicking off a controversy for praising #PMModi, #Chhattisgarh Deputy CM TS Singh Deo (@TS_SinghDeo) speaks exclusively to CNN-News18 on the same and more'Didn't praise Modi, but wasn't adversarial either,' he says#TSSinghDeo #Exclusive | @AninBanerjee pic.twitter.com/Eba0qRXnyO  News18 (@CNNnews18) September 20, 2023

How do you rate Bhupesh Baghels tenure?

I would give it seven out of 10. He missed out on three marks because he could not deliver some things. It is not possible to deliver 100 per cent. We should not exaggerate even while assessing ourselves. A reasonable assessment will be seven, which is pretty good.

Raman Singh told News18 that the Congress is enabling Naxalism. How would you respond?

It is sad coming from Dr Raman Singh who seems to have forgotten the Jhelum Ghati massacre in 2013 just before the election when he was the chief minister. We lost 30-odd people. Compared to that period, Naxalism has reduced considerably. Its an effort headed by the state government where the Union governments subsidiary forces and the state police are under the joint command of the chief minister. Incidents have come down by more than half. Its not zero. The government reach in Naxal-infested areas has doubled. Earlier, there were 210 villages where the state had no presence. This has now reduced to less than 100 villages.

You recently praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he doesnt discriminate. Do you stand by your comment?

If you go through my comment, I did not praise him profusely. You see when I started, I said: We welcome you in Chhattisgarh, sir. He signaled a pranam. Then I went on to say when we work in a federal structure  I have, in my experience, not seen that the Union government has not responded (when asked for help). If we asked, we got [help]. And we will ask for our rights. It is not a gift from the Centre. I said: Humare Haq Hum Maangte Hain, Aur Saathi Ke Taur Par Aap Dete Ho. In a subtle way, I put forth the tensions that sometimes occur in Centre-state relations.

That is something we have seen being raised by many states recently

I am not loud. I say things where people who have to understand get my point. I have repeated the phrase federal structure at least three times. It wasnt praise for Modi. It was regards for the prime minister in whose programme I had the honour to be present as a representative of Chhattisgarh. In the interest of Chhattisgarh, I was reaching out to the prime minister of the country.

If you listen to the last part, I said we hope to continue this relationship. Many people rang me to congratulate me as I was able to say in the same breath that Congress is coming back to power in the state, while asking him to maintain the same relationship if he comes back as prime minister. On September 7, our chief minister did not hesitate to mention to Nitin Gadkari that he gives us more than we ask for. I have done the same, but with the prime minister. I certainly didnt praise Modi. But, I am not a person who wishes to have an adversarial attitude either.

But Bhupesh Baghel immediately took an opposite stand. What do you have to say to that?

When I am sitting with you, of course we are partners in the progress of the state. But surely, off the record, I mentioned many things that did not come out. I told him that I will give him in writing. But when I was panchayat minister of the state, we got bonus funds for surpassing our targets. During the Covid-19 period, I contradicted many CMs claiming to have faced step-motherly treatment. Even then I said we have sufficient quantity of vaccines. However, on the other hand, we also did not get our GST dues or our rice quota either.

There is a perception that you and Baghel have different stands on the prime minister.

I dont think so. I havent seen the chief minister  I wont use the word abuse  say something that is against the dignity of the PMs chair. There are times when Baghel has said positive things about the prime minister as well. I think it was in 2022 when PMs mother had passed away and Baghel was given an appointment. The CMs office got in touch with the PMO, saying under the circumstances, they are open for another date. It was conveyed back to them that the prime minister will be there at the scheduled date and time. Baghel went on record to say that very few people under the circumstances would be able to continue doing work. Should that be taken out of context and be construed as praise for the prime minister?

There are reports that you apologised to Mallikarjun Kharge during the extended CWC for your remarks on PM Modi. Is it true?

Kharge started by saying nothing, not even a word, should leave the room. Assuming that everyone in the meeting would adhere to his direction and nobody has said anything about the meeting, whatever is being talked about is in the sphere of conjecture or speculation.

Raman Singh, when asked why he is not the CM face of BJP, countered saying neither is Bhupesh Baghel. Do you think you can become the CM face?

We had a meeting on June 28 at 24, Akbar Road, with the central leadership, including Rahul Gandhi ji, Kharge ji, KC Venugopal ji, and Kumari Selja ji among others. In that meeting, it was decided we will fight this election in a joint leadership, with Bhupesh Baghel leading the team. That is the direction we have got till date. The chief ministerial face or the CM after the election is always decided by the central leadership. They seek the advice of the elected members and take the final call.

We have seen over time that elections were fought with a CM face who lost but was eventually made the chief minister through a by-election. We had Arjun Singh. We had won the election and two days later, we had another chief minister after his swearing-in. Various scenarios play their part. But today, we have Bhupesh Baghel leading Team Chhattisgarh and due to the work done so far, we hope and expect to win.

Do you see yourself as the next chief minister?

Only the high command can see (who the next) chief minister is. We are workers of the party. When given a job, we do our best.
Karnatakas Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is a worried man these days.

The failed monsoon has led to the Cauvery crisis, triggering the worst situation in over two decades. Besides being the deputy chief minister, Shivakumar is also the water resources and Bengaluru development minister. He is also the Karnataka state Congress president.

The man who wears multiple hats has more than one reason to be worried about the Cauvery river water crisis. As water resources minister, he must ensure that the interests of the state are protected in a distress year.

Failure of monsoon is a natural calamity and there is nothing much Shivakumar can do. However, he has a bigger challenge to face in the political field. Shivakumar hails from the Cauvery belt in the old Mysore region and the Gowda clan, which was decimated in the May assembly elections, is trying to exploit the current water crisis to revive the moribund party. The BJP and JDS are also planning to fight the coming Lok Sabha elections together. Alarmed by these developments, Shivakumar is holding a series of discussions to retain his hold over the most important Cauvery belt.

After the big win in the assembly elections, Shivakumar was hoping for a bountiful monsoon since he got the most lucrative water resources and Bengaluru development portfolios after a big fight with chief minister Siddaramaiah.

The failed monsoon, however, has made his portfolios a big burden and any water scarcity will make him look bad in the eyes of farmers and residents of Bengaluru. His detractors in the Congress might also try to use it against him.

Shivakumar can very well escape from it using collective responsibility of the government as an excuse. But he cant do the same when it comes to old Mysore politics.

Interestingly, both Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are from the same region and under their leadership, the Congress literally swept the area in the assembly polls. The Vokkaligas, the dominant caste, seemed to have ditched the Gowdas to shift their allegiance to rising star Shivakumar. He wanted to keep the momentum till the Parliament elections and deliver yet another death blow to the JDS.

However, the current Cauvery crisis has dashed his hopes and the wily Gowdas are making a serious effort to regain lost ground.

Cauvery has always been an emotive issue for people of both old Mysore and lower riparian Tamil Nadu. No logic has ever worked in the past and it is easy for political parties to take on governments using the Cauvery card.

Since there is not much water in the reservoir to irrigate the paddy and sugarcane fields, the farmers of the region will naturally be upset with the government. If the Karnataka government releases more water to Tamil Nadu, tensions will rise and Shivakumar will come under fire.

The prevailing situation has halted his victory march across the region, giving hope to JDS. The BJP, which has suffered a humiliating defeat in the region, will most likely fight the Lok Sabha elections with JDS. The combine will surely blame Shivakumar for the situation or lack of leadership.

Since Shivakumar cant control the monsoon, there is nothing he can do. Will he be able to handle the political fallout of a failed monsoon? One must wait till the next summer to know the answer.
The lack of consensus over seat sharing in West Bengal is likely to mark the end of INDIA blocs grand plans of putting up an impressive show against the Narendra Modi-led NDA behemoth.

A look at the Congress-Trinamool Congress relationship in the state signals that the parties are not keen to align with each other. While TMC has made its disdain clear, veteran Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury too has said he is not an INDIA leader, I am leader of Congress in Lok Sabha and I will fight against TMC in the state.

The Bengal Congress unit is also not happy with the opposition blocs support to TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee who was recently questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

In a letter to Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, state party leader Kaustav Bagchi said the Grand Old Party must not show solidarity with TMC. There is no reason why we should stand in solidarity with thieves, the letter read, showing Mamata Banerjees partys staunch stand on the issue.

Though Abhishek Banerjee has met Rahul Gandhi and Mamata Banerjee shares a good equation with Sonia Gandhi, the camaraderie has not percolated to the state level. Sources in TMC say since the party is more powerful in Bengal, it will take the BJP head on.

The story is no different when it comes to the equation between CPI(M) and TMC.

The CPI(M) Politburo has decided to not be a part of the coordination committee in which Abhishek Banerjee is a member. Sources say the decision was taken after pressure from Bengal and Kerala cadres who are not ready to share stage with either TMC or Congress in Kerala and Bengal.

Md Salim, CPI(M) secretary, said: INDIA is not a political party but a platform. INDIA has been formed to stop BJP but regional differences are present. We are there [in the bloc] but not in the committee.

Commenting on the state of affairs, political analyst Biswanath Chakraborty said: CPI(M) has realised that their votes in Bengal will decrease with this theory of dosti in Delhi and kushti in Bengal. People will not believe them. Though formation of INDIA is a good step, in Bengal, Punjab and some other states, this seat-sharing model is not going to work. PM Modi has started building a pan-India narrative and they have to combat that.

On the other hand, TMC says it is always interested in working with like-minded parties. After the Politburos decision, Abhishek Banerjee said: Only CPIM can answer why they have decided so. Recognising the importance of solidarity in safeguarding democratic values, our doors are always open to all like-minded parties. In this fight against the BJP, we shall stand tall and united.

Experts say the main challenge for the united opposition will be to establish a counter-narrative to the prime minister and sort out seat sharing at the regional level.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said womens empowerment is not a political issue for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He asserted that census and delimitation will begin soon after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and appealed to the opposition for unanimous support to the womens reservation bill, saying shortcomings, if any, can be rectified later.

In his intervention during the debate in Lok Sabha on the bill for reserving one-third of seats in the Lower House and state assemblies for women, the senior BJP leader pushed back against the Oppositions criticism for not including an OBC sub-quota, asserting that his party has given more representation to the community than those claiming to speak for them.

The Womens Reservation Bill was later passed in Lok Sabha with over two-thirds majority and got 454 votes in favour.

Shah highlighted the Modi governments works for women empowerment from building crores of toilets to opening Jan Dhan Bank accounts and distributing gas cylinders under Ujjawala Yojana.

Shah said it is a historic leap for the nation as the Lok Sabha passes the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam today. He said the bill envisaged by PM Modi will not only script a new chapter in the history of womens empowerment but also foster equitable and gender-inclusive development in our nation.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to PM @narendramodi Ji for the Womens Reservation Bill, passed in the Lok Sabha today.It has transformed the political discourse in our nation. Throughout the ages, women in India have shaped individuals, families, our society, and the economy  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 20, 2023

The constitutional amendment bill, which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

According to the bill, it will come into effect after the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies to be carried out after the completion of the next population census.

Amit Shahs Top Quotes From His LS Speech:
Hubei Media Group: According to reports, the anti-subsidy probe into China-made electric vehicles announced by the European Commission president last week has drawn opposition from the business community in Europe. A well-known German automakers CEO said that open market is what drives growth. Decoupling from China poses risks to sound competition and global auto supply chains. Whats your comment?

Mao Ning: Chinas Ministry of Commerce has responded to the EUs announced anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.

I would like to stress that China opposes all forms of trade protectionism. The action that the EU plans to take will disrupt the stability of global auto industrial and supply chains and will not serve anyones interests.

The EU needs to listen to what the industry has to say and provide a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable market environment for businesses of all countries.

China News Service: The 20th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit closed yesterday. What is their significance to the relations between China and ASEAN? What is Chinas expectation for China-ASEAN relations in the next stage?

Mao Ning: The 20-year journey of the China-ASEAN Expo so far has witnessed the continued increase of exchanges and expansion of cooperation between China and ASEAN. Trade between the two sides went up by 16.8 times over the past two decades. Last year, the region accounted for 21.5 percent of the worlds economic aggregate, up from 6.1 percent in 2002. Life has improved tremendously for the over 2 billion people living in this part of the world. China-ASEAN relations have become the most shining example of the success and robustness of regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.

As a new journey starts, China will continue to pursue amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in our relations with neighboring countries, and work with ASEAN countries to build a closer community with a shared future for China and ASEAN and make greater contribution to development and prosperity in the region and beyond.

Beijing Youth Daily: The foreign ministry has taken a series of steps lately to facilitate cross-border travel. Could you tell us whether there will be other new steps next?

Mao Ning: To ease visa application for foreigners, after consulting other government departments, our foreign ministry has recently improved visa application forms. The improvement involves seven major items and 15 sub-items, concerning mainly the applicants educational background, family information and previous travel history. The amount of information required is reduced. For example, the applicant only needs to provide international travel history during the past one year, instead of five years. For educational background, the applicant only needs to provide the highest diploma obtained. This will greatly shorten the time it will take to fill out the forms and ease the application process.

The new forms have been put online today. The foreign ministry will continue to facilitate people-to-people exchange between China and other countries and serve high-quality development and high-level opening up.

CCTV: According to reports, Saudi Arabia and the Houthis recently held negotiations in Riyadh. Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman said that Saudi Arabia is committed to promoting dialogue among all parties to reach a comprehensive political solution under UN supervision. Do you have any comment?

Mao Ning: We commend and support Saudi Arabias active efforts towards de-escalation and a political settlement on Yemen. We hope relevant parties in Yemen will continue seeking to resolve differences through dialogue and consultation. China will continue to work with regional countries and the international community to play a constructive role in restoring peace and stability in Yemen at an early date.

CCTV: On September 19, the UK government issued a six-monthly report on Hong Kong, which contains criticism on Hong Kong affairs. Whats the foreign ministrys comment?

Mao Ning: We see in this so-called report the usual irresponsible, non-factual accusations. It is a blatant interference in matters related to Hong Kong, which are Chinas internal affairs. This is also against the principles of international law and the basic norms of international relations. China strongly deplores and firmly opposes it.

The success story of Hong Kong is indisputable. Since its return to the motherland, One Country, Two Systems has been a success in Hong Kong, which is widely recognized. Hong Kong has actively integrated itself into Chinas development and continues to serve as an important bridge and window between the Chinese mainland and the rest of the world. Hong Kongs economy continues to thrive, and its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre remains solid. Constitutional order continues to function well, national security is upheld, the principle of patriots administering Hong Kong is implemented, and Hong Kong enjoys bright prospects in advancing its democracy.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration should not be wrongly cited. The essence of the Joint Declaration is to ensure that China resumes the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. The UK has no sovereignty, jurisdiction or right of supervision over Hong Kong after its return to China.

We do not accept irresponsible accusations against the measures for law-based governance in Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are Chinas internal affairs. The legal basis for the Central governments governance of Hong Kong is Chinas Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. The National Security Law and the improved electoral system have enabled Hong Kong to enter a new stage in which it has restored order and is set to thrive. The SAR governments law-based action regarding those suspected of violating the National Security Law is a just move to maintain the rule of law in Hong Kong and what is required to safeguard Chinas national sovereignty and security. It is constitutional, legal and beyond reproach.

The UK needs to know that no foreign interference will ever shake the Chinese governments firm resolve to fully and faithfully implement One Country, Two Systems and no attempt to destabilize Hong Kong will ever succeed.

AFP: Syrian President Bashar Assad is expected to visit China from tomorrow. Do you have any details about the visit? And also would it be the very first meeting between him and President Xi Jinping?

Mao Ning: We will release information in due course. Please check back for updates.

Reuters: Russia has said that President Vladimir Putin will meet President Xi Jinping for talks in Beijing in October. When will President Putin be visiting Beijing for the talks? And will he also be attending the Belt and Road forum?

Mao Ning: The leaders of China and Russia maintain close strategic communication. As to your specific question, I have nothing to share at the moment.

Bloomberg: Chinese diplomats issued a warning to all other permanent missions to the UN telling them not to attend an event that was taking place on the sidelines of the General Assembly. This event, which took place Tuesday afternoon New York time, was about human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on the actions of the Chinese diplomats warning other permanent missions not to attend this briefing?

Mao Ning: Xinjiang is a place that enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, ethnic unity and religious harmony, and the human rights of people of all ethnic groups are under full protection. Some anti-China elements have kept producing rumors and lies about Xinjiang to vilify China and hold back Chinas development. But the truth is there for all to see. In recent years, nearly 100 countries have spoken up at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Human Rights Council and on other multilateral occasions related to human rights to express support for China on Xinjiang, which shows the fair judgement people have on this.

NHK: It was reported that a Japanese citizen arrested by Chinese authorities in March this year was put under criminal detention today, according to relevant sources. Can the foreign ministry share more information?

Mao Ning: I am not aware of the specifics that you mentioned. China is a country under the rule of law. The case will be handled in accordance with the law, and the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned will be protected.

Bloomberg: Its reported that the Chinese Ministry of State Security has said that the US has been infiltrating Huawei by monitoring Huaweis servers. They said that this has been happening going back as far as 2009. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this accusation by the Ministry of State Security about US monitoring of Huawei since 2009?

Mao Ning: I am not aware of the specifics. Id refer you to competent Chinese authorities.

Bloomberg: The US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said that she was upset when Huawei launched a new advanced phone with an advanced chip during her visit to China. Is there any sense that this timing of the launch might have been an effort to embarrass the secretary while she was in China? What is the foreign ministrys comment on Gina Raimondo saying that she was upset about the launch of the Huawei phone during her visit? It coincided with her visit.

Mao Ning: Its the companys own decision as to when to launch a new cellphone.

We oppose the USs abuse of the concept of national security to hobble Chinese companies. That discriminatory and unfair practice undermines the principle of free trade and international economic and trade rules, destabilizes the global industrial and supply chains and serves the interests of no one. The US needs to be aware that containing and suppressing China will not stop its development, but will only make China more determined and capable in pursuing self-reliance and tech innovation.

Reuters: When will the Belt and Road forum be held next month? Which dates?

Mao Ning: We will release information in due course. Please check back for updates.

Bloomberg: Just regarding the BRI again and the question earlier about the visit of Russian President Putin. Is there any sense that Russia will join the BRI or declare in some way or other, sort of a more formal agreement or arrangement under the BRI? Is that something that we could expect?

Mao Ning: We maintain communication with BRI partners.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Another terrorist attack committed by Armenians, which resulted in the deaths of seven Azerbaijani officers, overflowed the cup of our patience, Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (Parliament) deputy Elshan Musayev told Trend.

"Therefore, there was no other option but to launch anti-terrorist measures. Constant provocations by Armenia, non-compliance with the trilateral declaration, support of terrorist groups in our territories, and the presence of illegal armed groups made it necessary to take local anti-terrorist measures. The entire responsibility for the emergence of this situation falls on Armenia," he said.

He noted that the launch of anti-terrorist measures by Azerbaijan is quite an adequate response.

"Armenian terrorists will get a worthy lesson very soon. Let everyone be sure of that! They do not want to go to peace talks. They can only carry out provocations and terror, nothing else. Therefore, there is nothing to think about anymore but waiting. Such people never mend their ways. They will not rest until they feel the impact of the "iron fist"," the deputy added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

On September 19, 2023, at 04:30 (GMT+4), as a result of a terrorist act, on a newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in Khojavand district, a KAMAZ truck carrying employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan got blown up on a mine previously planted by illegal Armenian armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [under the trilateral statement].

The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavand district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade, Ramil Shirinov, Seymur Mahmudov, and Khazar Zamanov, died on the spot.
As the Members of Parliament moved into the new building heralding new beginnings in the Special Session of Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose the Womens Reservation Bill as the first to be presented in the Lok Sabha.

The prime minister appealed to all members to pass the Bill  called the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam  unanimously. Stuck for more than two decades, the Bill came the closest to reality in 2010 when Congress-led UPA government managed to get it passed in the Rajya Sabha but failed to do so in the Lok Sabha.

A game-charger in Indian politics and women empowerment and representation, the Bill seeks to reserve 33 per cent seats in the Lok Sabha and all state assemblies and includes the quota to the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Leader of the Congress in the House Adhir Ranjan said on Tuesday that Womens Reservation Bill was first brought in in 1989 by the then prime minister Rajiv Gandhi to ensure one-third reservation for women in local body elections. Speaking in the new Lok Sabha, PM Modi, meanwhile, said he was the chosen one to empower and strengthen women.

Caught off guard by the Modi governments move, coming as it does on the eve of the crucial 2024 general elections, various opposition parties have been re-calibrating their stand.

As envisaged by the Modi government, 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise and the next census. It is plain for every stakeholder that these two exercises cannot be achieved ahead of 2024 elections.

AAP minister and the only woman in the Delhi cabinet, Atishi, said the move was aimed at fooling people.

The 91st amendment in the Constitution makes it clear that delimitation at the national level cannot happen before 2026. This means the much tom-tommed Womens Reservation Bill can be implemented at the earliest only in 2027 or 2028. This is not going to happen in 2024. So when we read the provisions of the Bill, we understand that there is an attempt to fool the women of this country. We demand of the BJP and PM Narendra Modi that this Bill introduced in the House may be amended and without waiting for delimitation or census, reservation for women be implemented in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh went a step further and said: This is not the Womens Reservation Bill but the Mahila Bewakoof Banau Bill. Anti-women BJP has brought one more jumla in the name of the Bill.

The apprehensions expressed by CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat were similar. Womens Reservation Bill was promised by the BJP before the 2014 elections. Nine years have passed and they have not implemented that promise. Now, in the fag-end of their second term, they have brought this Bill.

Karat added: What is this Bill? It just ensures that, in fact, women are going to be deprived till the next census, till the next delimitation exercise. In other words, in the 2024 elections and in the Constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha, we will not have one-third women members in Parliament. This delayed action by the Modi government has ensured, once again, inequality for women for the next so many years.

Priyanka Chaturvedi, Shiv Sena (UBT)s Rajya Sabha MP, echoed Karat. Arguing that PM Modi had promised reservation in 2014 and it was in the BJP manifesto, yet the Bill was presented after nine-and-a-half years, Chaturvedi said: When a Bill becomes a law, it is implemented immediately. It is sad that when the Bill was presented, there were terms and conditions that though we will pass the Bill, it will be implemented only after delimitation. There is already a battle being fought in the South over delimitation and on the back of the new census, which was supposed to begin in 2021 but is yet to take off, you have given yet another jumla to the women.

Even as the Congress and the BJP sparred to take credit for the Womens Reservation Bill, historic as its passing will be, many in opposition ranks are questioning the inevitable delay in implementing it, given the pre-conditions in the much-awaited landmark Bill.
The festive season is a time for fun, family, and makeovers. Its also the best time to get that much-needed quality of life upgrade that youve been putting off for so long. The festive season is host to some incredible consumer offers, after all, and what better to spend that hard-earned bonus on than something that will significantly improve your life, or the life of someone you care about?

washing machine washing machine When it comes to home upgrades, our vote goes to the humble

Energy-efficient with fabric care: Ecobubble technology

One of the most interesting features of Samsung washing machines is its Ecobubble technology. Essentially, the detergent and water are vigorously mixed to produce a kind of saturated cleaning foam that will penetrate deep into your fabrics and give them a thorough cleaning. This is, in essence, a fabric care feature that minimizes by cushioning the fabric from vigorous mechanical motions while allowing the detergent to do its job more effectively.

Safer wash cycle with Hygiene Steam

At a time when were particularly conscious of germs and health and conscientiously wash our hands after every outing, it makes sense that we invest in a technology that does the same for our clothes as well.

Hygiene Steam, a feature on many of Samsungs most popular washing machines, is particularly useful when dealing with fabric that has been in contact with our skin. When enabled, the Hygiene Steam Cycle steams your clothes, killing up to 99.9% of common bacteria, including E. Coli, and also any mites and other tiny, harmful organisms. Your clothes will emerge cleaner and fresher than ever, with the added peace of mind of knowing that theyve been properly sanitised as well.

Intelligent design with SmartThings integration

The beauty of investing in a Samsung ecosystem is that the products talk to each other, and to you. In the case of Samsungs fully-automatic washing machines, this takes the form of the SmartThings app, which not only gives you remote access to your machine, but also makes your machine smarter by intelligently choosing cycles based on the types of clothes youve put for a wash, keep you informed about energy usage, notify you when wash cycles finish, and more.

Digital inverter technology and a 20-year warranty

If you are looking for a durable, silent, and high-performing washing machine, then you have found your perfect match with Samsungs digital inverter technology. Not only that, it also comes with a 20-year warranty on the motor and a 5-star energy rating.

Now that youve made up your mind to buy a Samsung fully-automatic washing machine, here are the models wed recommend:

9.0 kg Ecobubble Front Load Washing Machine WW90T504DAN

washing machine Upping the capacity to 9 kg, this fully-automatic front-load

In addition to Hygiene Steam, this machine packs in features that monitor the drum for odor-causing bacteria and can notify you when it needs cleaning. The machine then cleans the drum automatically without the need for harsh chemicals. A StayClean drawer ensures that no detergent residue remains, and theres a bubble wash mode for soaking fabrics that are covered in stubborn stains.

8.0 kg Ecobubble Front Load Washing Machine WW80T604DLB

This 8kg front-loader is one of Samsungs most advanced and efficient washing machines around. The two features that stand out on this machine are support for Samsungs Ecobubble technology, which allows the machine to more efficiently clean your clothes, and Super Speed 59-minute wash for when youre in a rush. Paired with AI Control and SmartThings connectivity, its now easier than ever to monitor your machine and choose the most efficient wash for the fabrics involved.

9.0 kg Ecobubble Top Load Washing Machine WA90BG4582BD

washing machine If youre looking for a top-loader, then look no further than this model. This is a very capable

front

washing machine -loaders. Theres even a built-in heater that helps kill most of the harmful bacteria on your clothes, and for dealing with stubborn stains. The machine also features a SpaceMax design that allows it to accommodate a higher volume of fabrics than its external design would indicate, occupying the same space as a

8.0 kg Ecobubble Top Load Washing Machine WA80BG4545BV

washing machine Yet another great option, this fully-automatic top-load

The perfect gift for the festive season

washing machine Clearly, a Samsung fully automatic

The best part is that these Samsung is offering attractive affordability programs for customers in the form of low-cost EMIs and cashbacks.

This is a Partnered Post.
Jabra is the latest brand to enter the premium TWS earbuds market where the competition is with the likes of Sony, Sennheiser and even Apple to some extent. Jabra Elite series features the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 which are claimed to be Jabras most advanced earbuds suited for work and leisure. Jabra audio gear has been known for its clear audio quality for calls but now with the Elite series, you can add comfort and premium sound quality to the mix.

Jabra Elite 8 Active And Elite 10 Price In India

Jabra Elite 8 Active has launched in India at Rs 17,999 and you have multiple colour options. The Elite 10 is priced at Rs 20,999 in the country. Both earbuds will be available from September 20 across different channels. The Elite series faces off with the Sony WF-1000XM series, AirPods Pro and Sennheiser Momentum earbuds.

Jabra Elite 8 Active And Elite 10 Features

As the name suggests, the Elite 8 Active comes with an IP68 rating which makes it dust and water-resistant. Jabra claims the earbuds also come with 1m drop-resistant and the charging case gets an IP54 rating for dust and splash-proof protection.

In addition to its durability, Jabra is offering crystal sound via Dolby Audio. The design of the buds promises a secure fit which is essential to give you the adaptive active noise cancellation packed in the buds. It has a 6-mic call technology which also looks to reduce the wind noise while youre taking calls. You have support for Google Assistant, Fast Pair and some more intuitive features. Jabra says you get up to 8 hours of battery life with the buds which goes up to 32 hours with the case and the ANC turned on.

The Elite 10 is optimised with Dolby Atmos and a better semi-open design to relieve the ear pressure while you are wearing the buds for a long time. These earbuds last for up to 27 hours with the case and JabraAdvanced ANC is claimed to block 2x the noise you can isolate with the companys standard ANC tech.
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Chandigarh has directed a well-known restaurant chain in Chandigarh to compensate a customer, Ranjot Kaur, with Rs 25,852 due to an unsatisfactory incident at one of their branches. Kaur had a rather creepy encounter at Chillis restaurant located in Elante Mall on September 14, where she discovered a live worm in her bowl.

Kaur narrated her experience, stating that she had visited the restaurant with a friend and ordered Chipotle Chicken Rice and Chipotle Paneer Rice. As she was nearing the end of her meal, she was startled to find live moth larvae in her bowl. Reacting promptly, she notified the restaurants manager of the distressing situation. Unfortunately, her complaint was met with indifference from the manager, who reportedly failed to exhibit any signs of remorse. Instead of offering an apology, he nonchalantly suggested that Kaur could opt not to settle the bill.

Also Read: Chennai Woman Files Complaint After Finding Worm Crawling in Her Food at Vegetarian Restaurant

Following this incident, Kaur sent a legal notice to the restaurant but received no response from their end. In response to the complaint, Chilis restaurant claimed that there had been no worms in the food as Kaur had alleged. Instead, they asserted that Kaur had sought a discount on the bill by claiming she knew the restaurants owner. The staff informed her that since the owner was not present, they could only offer a discount on the drinks menu. According to the restaurant, when Kaur was denied the discount, she fabricated the story about the live worm in her food.

However, upon reviewing the matter, the commission determined that the footage clearly showed Kaur calling the police to file a Daily Diary Report (DDR) when the restaurant failed to address her complaint. The contents of the DDR confirmed that she had reported the presence of a live worm in her food and explicitly mentioned that the restaurant had not shown any empathy toward her.

Also Read: Not Funny At All: Worm Crawling Out Of Spring Roll Disgusts Internet

According to the Indian Express, the commission stated, In our opinion, it is the duty of the restaurant to provide hygienic and safe food to the customers. Any deviation from this standard can be considered a breach of their duty. In the present case, presence of live worm in the complainants food clearly indicates that it is a failure on the part of restaurant to meet its duties.
What would you do if you arrived at a hotel only to find no caretaker? Most people might consider searching for another hotel, but not these three friends from Georgia. According to a report published in WSMV4, Kenzie Brooks, Aaron Howard, and Noorain Dobani travelled to Nashville for Howards birthday to attend an Arctic Monkeys concert. After a four-hour drive, they arrived at the La Quinta Inn run by Wyndham Hotels on September 13 and discovered that the front desk was unattended. Instead of panicking, they decided to take matters into their own hands, wore their imaginary management hats, answered incoming phone calls, handled an irate lobby full of guests, and even served breakfast. Their video quickly went viral on TikTok, earning this trio massive fame on the platform.

Kenzie, Aaron, and Noorain found themselves at the hotel around 5 AM, and to their surprise, there was only a lone housekeeper in the entire establishment who couldnt communicate in English. Kenzie recounted, No one had been there since 4:30 a.m. A woman gets off the elevator, screaming at us and screaming behind the counter that $600 had been taken off her card. The police were called, the woman was asked to calm down, and they searched for Wyndham Hotel employees, but no one was to be found. Faced with this chaos, the friends even inquired with the officer if they could check themselves in. He said, I am leaving. Do whatever you need to do.

After that, the group of friends went behind the counter. They started answering phone calls from customers reporting unauthorised transactions on their accounts. As the clock ticked past 6 AM, hungry guests in the lobby began asking for breakfast. Drawing on their experience working in the service industry, Aaron and Kenzie managed to locate the master key to the kitchen. Aaron said, We got what we could: yoghurt, biscuits, waffles. We were not so successful with [the waffles].

Finally, an employee from the nearby Holiday Inn, also managed by Wyndham Hotels, arrived to handle the situation. By that point, the friends were utterly exhausted and eager to finally get some rest. However, the chaos didnt end there. Upon checking into their room, they were startled to find an elderly lady who had been staying there for the past two weeks. This misunderstanding resulted in the friends being offered a complimentary room at the Holiday Inn. All in all, the friends considered the experience quite entertaining and something they would remember for a long time.
A woman, who turned out to be a social media influencer after sharing how she embraced her lazy eye, has now revealed that she had decided to go under the needle to fix it. Elley Davies from Wales was born with strabismus in the left eye- a disorder in which both eyes dont line up in the same direction and is commonly known as a crossed eye or a lazy eye. The 19-year-olds unique look got her fame online where she tackled trolls and filmed impressive makeup tutorials.

With over 300,000 followers over the years, she also used her platform to launch her adult modelling career and now claims to have earned 300,000 (Rs 3.09 crore).

While her lazy eye has been a charm for her, now Elley wants to move into the mainstream industry, so she is opting for surgery. She has even booked an appointment for a consultation with an eye specialist. Her surgery is scheduled on Thursday at a hospital in Cardiff to talk about her next steps.

Speaking with Daily Star, Elley said, I have a really weird feeling its going to turn back because the surgery is 99.9 per cent effective, it can always go back and it might not workand to be honest with you, if it does Im not complaining, Im not bothered by that. She even said that if it doesnt work, she wants to see a change in herself.

While the surgery has cosmetic benefits, the influencer-turned-model has another medical reason for opting for the surgery which is to avoid going blind completely. When she was younger, Elley was prescribed glasses which she never wore, even though she was told it would improve her eyesight. Fearful of her deteriorating eyesight, the model is determined to get it fixed as soon as possible. She is also planning to go for private practice rather than NHS to ensure it happens quickly.

Elley previously slammed vicious trolls on social media who told her to stay off the road after passing her driving test with flying colours. In the video, she counted down the hours until she received the results of her test and the comments were swamped with people making vile jokes about her eyes.
Weeks before Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly made allegations about Indias involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Ottawa had sought the support of its closest allies, according to The Washington Post. Citing an anonymous Western official, the report disclosed that these requests were denied.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, who served as the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of Indias most-wanted terrorists. He was fatally shot on June 18 by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey, in the western Canadian province of British Columbia. According to the report, the killing of Canadian citizen Nijjar was raised privately by several senior officials of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing nations in the weeks before this months Group of 20 summit in New Delhi.

This week, Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of the separatist leader. Canada worked very closely with the US on intelligence on the Khalistani leaders killing in British Columbia. Weve been working with the U.S. very closely, including on the public disclosure yesterday, a senior Canadian government source said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has outrightly rejected claims made by Trudeau about Indias link as absurd. The MEA urged the Government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil.

On Tuesday, Trudeau said Canada is not trying to provoke India by suggesting its agents were linked to the murder of a Khalistani terrorist but Ottawa wants New Delhi to address the issue adequately. The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that, we are not looking to provoke or escalate, the Canadian prime minister told reporters.

Members of the Five Eyes alliance which includes the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand called the accusations serious. The US said it was deeply concerned over Justin Trudeaus claim about Indias role. We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is critical that Canadas investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice, White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said that his government backs a Canadian probe to determine whether India was involved in the killing of the Sikh leader. We are in regular contact with our Canadian partners about serious allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament. Important that Canadas investigation runs its course and the perpetrators brought to justice, Cleverly wrote on social media platform X.

Australia said that it had conveyed its concerns on the developments to India at senior levels. Australia is deeply concerned by these allegations and notes ongoing investigations into this matter. Australia believes all countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. We are closely engaged with partners on developments. We have conveyed our concerns at senior levels to India, the foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement.

In a strong response, the MEA said such unsubstantiated allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity. In the past, New Delhi on several occasions has called to Ottawa to crack down on anti-India elements attacking Indian diplomatic outposts and Hindu temples throughout the country.
US President Joe Biden stressed the territorial integrity of Central Asia on Wednesday after meeting regional leaders, adding that he may soon visit one of the nations in what Moscow views as its backyard.

This is a historic moment, Biden told the leaders of the so-called C5  Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan  after their first meeting together on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

I look forward to seeing you soon, possibly in one of your countries.

In an apparent swipe at Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, Biden said the former Soviet republics and the United States had a shared commitment to sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity.

These principles matter more than ever, in my view.

He added: I genuinely believe the world is safer when we stand together.

In an earlier UN speech, Biden warned that Russian President Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine could undermine the global bodys principles of national sovereignty, and embolden further land grabs.

Putin did not travel to New York to attend the annual summit.

The Ukraine war has prompted global powers like the United States to seek a greater role in Central Asia at a time when many in the region are questioning their long-standing ties with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky had earlier accused Russia of obviously threatening Kazakhstan in a speech to the UN General Assembly in which he urged the world to stand firm against Russia.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky told former US president and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump this week to share his peace plans for Ukraine publicly and back his claims that he can end the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian war.

He can publicly share his ideas now, not waste time, not to lose people Zelensky was quoted as saying by CNN. He, however, warned that if the idea is to give Ukrainian territories to Russia then that does not qualify as a peace plan.

If the idea is how to take part of our territory and to give Putin, that is not the peace formula. And he said, how he sees it, how to push Russian from our land. Otherwise, hes not presenting the global idea of peace, Zelensky said.

Zelensky was referring to Donald Trumps recent claims where he promised that he would negotiate a fair deal when he appeared for a programme on news channel NBC.

No, no. Id make a fair deal for everybody. Nope, Id make it fair, Trump said during an appearance at the NBCs Meet the Press programme.

Trump was asked if the deal would be a win for Russian President Vladimir Putin and to that he responded by saying that a deal could be negotiated to ensure Russia has less territory than it has now.

You know, thats something that could have been negotiated. Because there were certain parts, Crimea and other parts of the country, that a lot of people expected could happen. You could have made a deal. So they could have made a deal where theres less territory right now than Russias already taken, to be honest, Trump was quoted as saying.

Zelensky also appeared positive about the Ukrainian counteroffensive and said that his nation is on the finishing line. We are on the finishing line, Im sure of that, Zelensky said.

He urged US President Joe Biden and the US Congress to sanction Ukraines request to obtain long-range missiles from the US.

The US is divided on whether to provide more support to Ukraine as one faction of the Republicans demand sending aid to Kyiv and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy faces a dilemma whether to approve additional funding for the war-torn nation.

Zelensky will meet Kevin McCarthy and Joe Biden later this week. He is in the US to attend the UN General Assembly.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ousted former foreign minister Qin Gang from his role due to an alleged extramarital affair, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The Communist Party of China (CPC) probed the matter and found that the affair took place when he was serving as Chinese ambassador to the US. The Chinese foreign ministry declined to address the matter. Qins ouster shocked many because he was close to Xi Jinping. Before he was removed from his role in July, there were speculations regarding his sudden absence from public view for over a month.

ALSO READ | Loyalty Paranoia Grips Xi as China Prez Rejigs Elite Nuclear Force Leadership

The CPC probe said Qin was dismissed due to lifestyle issues  a term, according to the WSJ and CNN, China uses to refer to sexual misconduct.

ALSO READ | US Claims Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu Has Been Ousted, Placed Under House Arrest

The probe revealed that Qin had engaged in an extramarital affair that led to the birth of a child in the US, the WSJ report said.

The names of the woman and child were not disclosed to officials.

The WSJ report said the former foreign minister is cooperating in the ongoing probe. The probe focuses on any actions Qin may have taken to hurt Chinas national security.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said she was not aware of these reports. Qin was replaced by his predecessor Wang Yi but remains listed as one of the five state councillors.

Xi Jinping has renewed his focus on national security and has taken steps to bolster Chinas counter-espionage and intelligence gathering apparatuses this summer, CNN reported.

Qin served as Chinese envoy to the US from July 2021 until early 2023 and worked to restore US-China communication where he also met with counterpart Antony Blinken in June.

He is not the only high-profile Chinese personnel to be removed from major roles. A report by AFP said Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu is also facing a probe. Xi Jinping also removed Li Yuchao, the former commander, and now ex-commissar Xu Zhongbo, tasked to head the Peoples Liberation Army Rocket Force.

There are no updates on what happened or why Li Yuchao, the former commander, and now ex-commissar Xu Zhongbo were removed from their roles.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Anti-terrorist activities conducted by the Azerbaijani Army in the region [Karabakh] aim to restore Azerbaijan's constitutional order, Ukrainian military expert Alexander Kovalenko told Trend.

He emphasized that Azerbaijan is conducting these activities on its internationally recognized territory, adding that they won't last long because the country will achieve its goals in a short time.

"These anti-terrorist activities are of a local nature," Kovalenko said.

The expert also touched upon the role of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization) in this matter.

"The CSTO won't interfere in what is happening. Karabakh is internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, which was occupied by Armenia in the 1990s, and the anti-terrorist activities of the Azerbaijani Army don't mean an occupation of Armenia. The CSTO statute is not applicable here," he concluded.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

On September 19, 2023, at 04:30 (GMT+4), as a result of a terrorist act, on a newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in Khojavand district, a KAMAZ truck carrying employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan got blown up on a mine previously planted by illegal Armenian armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [under the trilateral statement].

The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavand district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade, Ramil Shirinov, Seymur Mahmudov, and Khazar Zamanov, died on the spot.
A large number of Indians are among hundreds of buyers who queued up in the heat early on Wednesday to buy luxury homes on Dubais largest but undeveloped island  Palm Jebel Ali. These villas, the project for which was launched two decades ago but never built, are now selling for 10 times the initial price.

It is well known that Dubai has a red-hot real estate market. Last year, business tycoon Mukesh Ambani bought one of the most expensive houses in the most famous of the palm-shaped islands called Palm Jumeirah while Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan is also among many other rich Indians to have invested in this island. Indians and Russians make a beeline to buy properties in Dubais unique artificial archipelago, making its real estate market primarily fuelled by the wealthy.

Nakheel, the state-owned developer, is now reviving the Palm Jebel Ali project years after it was halted. With this, the United Arab Emirates is seeking to cash in on an influx of newcomers for its newly restored real estate market that was suffering from a seven-year slump.

According to a report in Bloomberg, investors and brokers were spotted outside the sales centre of Nakheel PJSC where five-to-seven bedroom villas are being sold on the yet-undeveloped Palm Jebel Ali. Homes start at 18.7 million dirhams ($5.1 million), which is an estimated Rs 42.21 crore; the cheapest plots of land are selling for about 40 million dirhams, which is an estimated Rs 90.30 crore.

The Bloomberg report states that luxury real estate has revived in a big way even as the city bagged the top spot of global rankings in the second quarter for transactions of homes valued at $10 million or above, according to real estate consultancy Knight Frank.

The Palm Jebel Ali designs are exceptional, the report quoted Tamer Bazzari, founder of Dubai-based investment firm Genero Capital LLC, who bought a 7,000 sq ft property for 19 million dirhams (Rs 42.89 crore approx) and is planning to buy a second villa. The location and square foot value is much better than other properties. We think it will be a very lucrative investment.

The report also stated that buyers will have to pay 20 percent of the villas value upfront and a further 40 percent during construction. The remaining amount is to be paid when the properties are complete in 2027.

Bloomberg was unable to get a comment from Nakheel.

Why is Palm Jebel Ali in the news again?

In 2003, Nakheel started selling townhouses and high-end waterfront residential properties on the Palm Jebel Ali for between 1.8 million dirhams (Rs 4.06 crore approx) and 5.6 million dirhams (Rs 12.64 crore approx). While these properties were resold many times thereafter, not a single house was constructed.

This was the first time the emirate allowed foreigners to buy homes but this wave was met by sudden downturns. Palm Jebel Ali was called the eighth wonder of the world in the brochures laid out by Nakheel, Bloomberg reported. The development has 17 palm leaves and adds 110 km to the emirates coastline, it added.

But, the 2008 economic crisis pushed Nakheel to the brink of default, leaving hundreds of buyers in a limbo. The project was eventually halted.

Now, Nakheels redesigned plan includes 80 hotels and resorts and housing for 35,000 families. Construction will start across four fronds of the island, which is roughly twice the size of Palm Jumeirah. Some of the largest villas will be more than 12,000 square feet  about a third of the size of the White House, as per Bloomberg.

What does the Dubai real estate market look like?

When it comes to real estate, Dubai has been a prime attraction for Indians looking to invest abroad. And not for the luxury segment alone but also for rental and other properties. A report by an affordable housing group in the city stated that such properties in Dubai were cheaper than those in suburban Mumbai.

But, coming back to luxury real estate, Dubai is performing in a completely different world. Bloomberg stated that rents on average across Dubai are up 26.9 percent year-on-year and the city had 86,849 residential sales last year, beating its previous record of 80,831 from 2009.
Former US vice president Mike Pence said his ex-boss, former US president Donald Trump, is missing an opportunity by not participating in the second GOP primary debate in the 2024 presidential cycle. The debate will be held in California on September 27.

Pence, a contender for the US elections next year, targeted Joe Biden and said the US President weakened the nation at home and abroad.

Speaking to CBS, Pence said that not only is it a missed opportunity for the former president but also a missed opportunity for Republican voters.

I think its a missed opportunity for Donald Trump, and I think its a missed opportunity for Republican voters, Pence said, pointing out that Trump owes it to Americans to explain his agenda for the US ahead of the 2024 US elections.

Look, this country is in a lot of trouble. Joe Biden has weakened America at home and abroad, and I think the former president  just like all the rest of us vying for the Republican nomination  owes it to the American people to express what our agenda will be for turning this country around, Pence was quoted as saying by CBS.

Trump will skip the debate and head to Michigan to deliver a speech to autoworkers. He also skipped the first debate.

He skipped the first GOP debate and said he skipped the debate because he commanded a lead in the race and also chided Fox News of being hostile to him.

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) which represents more than 150,000 American auto workers are striking against General Motors, Ford and Stellantis. The strike has entered the fourth day, with the UAW demanding wage increases and the length of the work week.

Trumps visit to Michigan will provide him with an opportunity to deliver a message to a key voting bloc in the pivotal battleground state. However, his criticism of United Auto Workers (UAW) President Shawn Fain, despite courting the workers on his social media portal Truth Social, could backfire.

Donald Trump is going to Michigan next week to lie to Michigan workers and pretend he didnt spend his entire failed presidency selling them out at every turn, Bidens campaign team said, assailing Trumps plans to meet the striking workers.
The missing F-35 jet, which has been touted as the worlds most advanced fighter jet, was found early Monday morning (local time), after it went missing over the weekend, in rural South Carolina.

The debris from the $100 million fighter F-35B Lightning II jet  which is the US Marine Corps variant of the Joint Strike Fighter  was found in Williamsburg County on Monday. The pilot aboard the fighter jet ejected before the crash and was taken to a hospital nearby. He had taken off from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort before, later ejecting over North Charleston.

He parachuted to the ground and landed in a backyard in the suburbs.

The first question that investigators will be probing is why did the pilot bail from such an advanced jet. The second question despite the fighter jet having an advanced transponder, how did the fighter jet elude the search teams. The third question is how did the F-35B fly the distance it did without any guidance.

The Hill in its report said in its report that it raised these queries with the US Marine, but they have been tight-lipped regarding what they know.

The mishap is currently under investigation. We are unable to provide additional details to preserve the integrity of the investigatory process, Marine Corps spokesman Captain Joe Leitner said in a statement to The Hill.

The F-35B Lightning II jet is a single-seat fighter aircraft made by Lockheed Martin. It costs a whopping $100 million and is termed by its maker as the most advanced fighter jet in the world.

It can reach speeds up to 1,932 kph and operate in stealth in hostile airspace while also being able to land vertically with short take-offs, the Hill said, citing the makers of the jet.

The missing aircraft is part of Joint Base Charlestons 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing.

The concerns grew when it took almost over 24 hours to locate the jet and then the Marine Corps, along with local law enforcement, urged the public to call in and share any information they may have while they searched areas around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion northwest of Charleston.

It was finally on Monday evening a debris field was found and on Tuesday morning Marine Corps confirmed that it was the downed F-35, found two hours northeast from where it took off.

The Hill citing the recovery team said it will take time for the recovery and investigation process to end.

Lawmakers and former officials, however, are not impressed with this multimillion dollar mishap.

How in the hell do you lose an F-35? How is there not a tracking device and were asking the public to find a jet and turn it in? South Carolina Republican and member of the House of Representatives Nancy Mace posted on social media site X (formerly Twitter), expressing her frustration.

James Hutton, a retired Army colonel and former assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs, told the news outlet that the taxpayers have the right to know some basic answers.

Mace said that the question of transponders not working following disappearance is the $80 million question. Weve invested so much money into this program. And the minute theres an accident, we have no idea where the jet is. Thats just unacceptable, Mace was quoted as saying by The Hill.

Third High Profile Crash in Six Weeks

The Marine Corps on Monday ordered a two-day safety stand down to assess the situation as the crash was the third Marine Corps aircraft mishap within six weeks. These crashes are classified as Class-A mishaps.

This stand down is being taken to ensure the service is maintaining operational standardisation of combat-ready aircraft with well-prepared pilots and crews, the Marine Corps said in a statement.

In August the Marine Corps suffered two crashes. An F-18 crash during a training flight near San Diego that killed the pilot and an MV-22B Osprey crashed in Australia that killed three Marines and injured 20 others during a war drill.

Class-A mishaps are incidents that lead to a death or cause more than $2.5 million in property damage.
Russia and the United Nations called Wednesday for an end to fighting in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, after the launch of a military operation against separatist forces.

Baku has warned it will continue until the end in the Armenian-majority region, over which it has fought two wars with neighbouring Armenia.

The latest flare-up comes as Russia, the traditional power broker in the region, is bogged down in a conflict in Ukraine, which has left it isolated by the West.

We urge the conflicting parties to immediately stop the bloodshed, stop hostilities and eliminate civilian casualties, Russias foreign ministry said in a statement.

It also said its 2,000-strong peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh was evacuating civilians and providing medical assistance.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres similarly demanded an end to hostilities.

He called in the strongest terms for an immediate end to the fighting, de-escalation, and stricter observance of the 2020 ceasefire, said his spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

The United States and France rushed a day earlier to try to halt an Azerbaijani offensive.

Paris on Tuesday called for the UN Security Council to meet urgently on the crisis, which came just as world leaders gathered in New York for the annual General Assembly.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, with French President Emmanuel Macron also speaking to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Blinken urged Azerbaijan to cease military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh immediately and deescalate the situation in a call with President Ilham Aliyev, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Fears of a fresh war in the volatile Caucasus region have been growing recently, with Armenia accusing Azerbaijan of a troop build-up around the disputed territory.

Separatists said Azerbaijan on Tuesday pounded the mountainous territory with artillery, aircraft and drones.

Blasts rocked the separatist stronghold Stepanakert.

More than 7,000 people were evacuated from 16 villages, the separatists said.

Azerbaijans defence ministry said it had taken control of more than 60 military positions during localised anti-terrorist measures.

Armenian separatists said on social media that fighting was ongoing along the entire line of contact and that Azerbaijani forces were trying to advance into the territory.

Separatists said 27 people, including civilians, were killed and more than 200 wounded.

Baku said it would fight until the separatists surrendered.

Illegal Armenian armed forces must raise the white flag, Azerbaijans presidency said.

Otherwise, the anti-terrorist measures will continue until the end.

Yerevan unrest

The ex-Soviet Caucasus rivals fought two wars over the mountainous territory, in the 1990s and in 2020.

The latest offensive raised fears that the unrest could destabilise the region.

As angry protesters clashed with police in Armenias capital Yerevan, calling on Pashinyan to resign, the countrys security council warned of large-scale unrest, vowing to take effective measures to maintain constitutional order.

More than 30 people were injured in the clashes, the health ministry said.

Accusing Azerbaijan of engaging in ethnic cleansing of Karabakh Armenians, Pashinyan said in a televised address that the Armenian army was not involved in the fighting and the situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was stable.

Operation justified

Armenias foreign ministry called on Russian peacekeepers to take clear and unequivocal steps to stop the fighting.

Azerbaijan justified its operation citing systematic shelling by Armenian-backed forces and accusing them of carrying out reconnaissance activities and fortifying defensive positions, accusing separatists of a high level of combat readiness.

Russia and Turkey, which oversee a fragile peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh, had been informed about the operation, Baku said.

Turkey, a historic ally of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan that views mostly Christian Armenia as one of its main regional rivals, called the operation justified, while urging comprehensive negotiations.

Armenian separatists blamed international inaction for the fresh fighting.

By ignoring warnings about Azerbaijans criminal intentions and refusing to act accordingly, all the responsible international actors failed to prevent yet another Azerbaijani (act of) aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, they said in a statement.

Mine blasts

The fighting erupted hours after Azerbaijan said four police officers and two civilians were killed in mine blasts in Nagorno-Karabakh, with authorities blaming separatists.

Earlier, Armenian separatists said they had reached an agreement with Azerbaijani authorities to resume aid deliveries to Karabakh.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ethnic Armenian separatists in Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan.

The ensuing conflict claimed some 30,000 lives.

A six-week war in 2020 saw Armenia cede swathes of territory it had controlled since the 1990s.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Wednesday for an immediate end to the fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, where Azerbaijan has launched a military operation against separatist forces.

The Secretary-General calls in the strongest terms for an immediate end to the fighting, de-escalation, and stricter observance of the 2020 ceasefire and principles of international humanitarian law, said Guterres spokesman Stephane Dujarric.

Russia also Nations called Wednesday for an end to fighting in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, after the launch of a military operation against separatist forces. Baku has warned it will continue until the end in the Armenian-majority region, over which it has fought two wars with neighbouring Armenia.

The latest flare-up cames as Russia, the traditional power broker in the region, is bogged down in a conflict in Ukraine, which has left it isolated by the West. We urge the conflicting parties to immediately stop the bloodshed, stop hostilities and eliminate civilian casualties, Russias foreign ministry said in a statement. It also said its 2,000-strong peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh was evacuating civilians and providing medical assistance.

The United States and France rushed a day earlier to try to halt an Azerbaijani offensive. Paris on Tuesday called for the UN Security Council to meet urgently on the crisis, which came just as world leaders gathered in New York for the annual General Assembly.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by phone with the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, with French President Emmanuel Macron also speaking to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Blinken urged Azerbaijan to cease military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh immediately and deescalate the situation in a call with President Ilham Aliyev, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

Fears of a fresh war in the volatile Caucasus region have been growing recently, with Armenia accusing Azerbaijan of a troop build-up around the disputed territory. Separatists said Azerbaijan on Tuesday pounded the mountainous territory with artillery, aircraft and drones.

Blasts rocked the separatist stronghold Stepanakert. More than 7,000 people were evacuated from 16 villages, the separatists said. Azerbaijans defence ministry said it had taken control of more than 60 military positions during localised anti-terrorist measures.

Armenian separatists said on social media that fighting was ongoing along the entire line of contact and that Azerbaijani forces were trying to advance into the territory. Separatists said 27 people, including civilians, were killed and more than 200 wounded.

Baku said it would fight until the separatists surrendered. Illegal Armenian armed forces must raise the white flag, Azerbaijans presidency said. Otherwise, the anti-terrorist measures will continue until the end.

 Yerevan unrest 

The ex-Soviet Caucasus rivals fought two wars over the mountainous territory, in the 1990s and in 2020. The latest offensive raised fears that the unrest could destabilise the region.

As angry protesters clashed with police in Armenias capital Yerevan, calling on Pashinyan to resign, the countrys security council warned of large-scale unrest, vowing to take effective measures to maintain constitutional order. More than 30 people were injured in the clashes, the health ministry said.

Accusing Azerbaijan of engaging in ethnic cleansing of Karabakh Armenians, Pashinyan said in a televised address that the Armenian army was not involved in the fighting and the situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan was stable.

 Operation justified 

Armenias foreign ministry called on Russian peacekeepers to take clear and unequivocal steps to stop the fighting. Azerbaijan justified its operation citing systematic shelling by Armenian-backed forces and accusing them of carrying out reconnaissance activities and fortifying defensive positions, accusing separatists of a high level of combat readiness.

Russia and Turkey, which oversee a fragile peacekeeping mission in Nagorno-Karabakh, had been informed about the operation, Baku said. Turkey, a historic ally of predominantly Muslim Azerbaijan that views mostly Christian Armenia as one of its main regional rivals, called the operation justified, while urging comprehensive negotiations.

Armenian separatists blamed international inaction for the fresh fighting. By ignoring warnings about Azerbaijans criminal intentions and refusing to act accordingly, all the responsible international actors failed to prevent yet another Azerbaijani (act of) aggression against Nagorno-Karabakh, they said in a statement.

 Mine blasts 

The fighting erupted hours after Azerbaijan said four police officers and two civilians were killed in mine blasts in Nagorno-Karabakh, with authorities blaming separatists.

Earlier, Armenian separatists said they had reached an agreement with Azerbaijani authorities to resume aid deliveries to Karabakh. When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, ethnic Armenian separatists in Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan.

The ensuing conflict claimed some 30,000 lives. A six-week war in 2020 saw Armenia cede swathes of territory it had controlled since the 1990s.
The United States and France rushed Tuesday to try to halt an Azerbaijani offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, with the eruption of violence against the ethnic Armenian enclave setting off a flurry of diplomacy at the United Nations. France called for the Security Council to meet urgently on the crisis, which came just as world leaders gathered in New York for the annual General Assembly.

This operation is illegal, unjustifiable and unacceptable, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told reporters. Azerbaijan launched an offensive in the mountainous territory just one day after allowing in aid through the sole road link connecting to Armenia.

I would like to emphasize that we hold Azerbaijan responsible for the fate of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, Colonna said. She condemned the use of heavy weapons including in populated areas.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, also in New York for the meetings, spoke by telephone with the leaders of both Armenia and Azerbaijan, with French President Emmanuel Macron also speaking to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Blinken urged Azerbaijan to cease military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh immediately and deescalate the situation in a call with President Ilham Aliyev, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said.

At least 29 people have died in the offensive, which comes three years after an earlier war in which Azerbaijan won back broad areas. Two diplomats said that the Security Council meeting requested by France could happen in the coming days, possibly on Thursday.

 Russia joins calls for calm 

France is looking for unanimous condemnation of Azerbaijan. Unlike on many issues, Russia has largely joined Western powers in supporting calls for calm, even as it voices alarm over greater European and US efforts between the former Soviet republics.

Russia after 2020 sent peacekeepers but Armenia had already accused Moscow of failing to live up to its obligations as it is distracted by the Ukraine war. Protesters rallied in Yerevan on Tuesday outside the Russian embassy in anger that Russia did not prevent the offensive by Azerbaijan.

The United States was also in touch with Turkey, which has cultural ties with Azerbaijan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who was in New York, voiced support for the offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

A senior US official voiced frustration that the violence came just one day after the world welcomed the aid delivery through the Lachin corridor, which had been blocked for months.

We had actually good news yesterday, the official said on condition of anonymity. We were hopeful that we were going to be able to adapt to the longer-term issues, the official said, so that makes this incident overnight particularly egregious and particularly dangerous.

France and the United States both have large and active Armenian diasporas. France has been especially supportive of Armenia, with Azerbaijan recently protesting after French mayors tried to force aid into Karabakh. Blinken has fashioned himself as a neutral mediator and has led three rounds of peace talks with the Armenian and Azerbaijani foreign ministers, with earlier hopes for further meetings in New York before the violence.

In Washington, Senator Bob Menendez, who heads the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, accused Azerbaijan of pursuing a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Christian Armenia.

The Democrat said he would introduce legislation in the coming days to punish Aliyev. We must provide immediate support to Nagorno-Karabakh and work with international partners to bring pressure on Aliyev to stop his ruthless campaign, Menendez said.

Also calling for action was Argentine President Alberto Fernandez who in his speech to the General Assembly called on the two sides to show sanity. The international community cannot remain passive, he said.
President Joe Biden has told world leaders that the US is not seeking conflict with China but it will push back on aggression and intimidation as his administration seeks to responsibly manage its tense relationship with Beijing.

Addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden said his administration is also ready to work together with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts. When it comes to China, I want to be clear and consistent: We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict, Biden said in his address to the Heads of State and Government at the 193-member UN General Assembly on the opening day of the General Debate.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated earlier this year following an incident involving a spy balloon over American airspace, Chinas support for Russias conflict in Ukraine, trade disputes and human rights.

Ive said, We are for de-risking, not decoupling with China, Biden said.

We will push back on aggression and intimidation and defend the rules of the road, from freedom of navigation to overflight to a level economic playing field that has helped safeguard security and prosperity for decades, Biden said as his administration sought to counter Chinas growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region and its military might.

Bidens comments come as his administration has increased outreach to China, even as Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have gone nearly a year without having a face-to-face meeting. However, the Biden administration has taken the lead in having regular channels of communication with Beijing to avoid conflict.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan recently met with Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo have both made recent trips to China for meetings with government and business officials.

Meanwhile, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng met on the sidelines of the General Assembly on Monday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session.

I had a candid and constructive meeting with Peoples Republic of China Vice President Han Zheng about responsibly managing our bilateral relationship and addressing global and regional issues, Blinken posted on X.

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry also met Vice President Zheng on the margins of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday.

The two sides discussed the critical importance of bilateral and multilateral efforts to address the climate crisis, including promoting a successful COP 28.

Secretary Kerry reiterated the urgency of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which will require ambitious action by the United States and China. He also emphasised the need for China to raise ambition in efforts to, among other things, accelerate decarbonisation and reduce emissions of super pollutants like methane, the State Department said in a press release.
Two Indian nationals have been sentenced to 41 months in prison for their role in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud by accepting illegally obtained USD 1.2 million in wire transfers from victims across the United States, a US attorney said.

Arushobike Mitra (29) and Garbita Mitra (25) had previously pleaded guilty before US District Judge Esther Salas to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Tuesday.

These defendants and their conspirators preyed upon some of our most vulnerable citizens, using trickery and threats to coerce them into sending money, Sellinger said.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court as part of an international fraud scheme, criminal India-based call centres utilised automated robocalls to contact victims across the country with the intent of defrauding US residents, particularly the elderly.

After establishing contact with victims through these automated calls, other members of the conspiracy would coerce or trick the victims into sending large sums of cash through physical shipments or wire transfers to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras, a media release said.

These conspirators used a variety of schemes to convince victims to send money, including impersonating government officials from agencies such as the Social Security Administration, or impersonating law enforcement officers from the FBI or DEA, and threatened victims with severe legal or financial consequences if they did not comply, federal prosecutors alleged.

Another method utilised by the callers involved convincing the victim they were speaking with someone from a tech support company and coercing the victim into granting the caller remote access to their personal computers.

The caller would then access the victims bank accounts and make it appear to the victim that the caller had inadvertently added money to the victims bank account, when in fact the caller had simply transferred money from another one of the victims own accounts. The caller would then instruct the victim to return the money by way of mail or wire transfer to other members of the conspiracy, including the Mitras, it said.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he had accepted Chinese President Xi Jinpings invitation to travel to China in October.

China and Russia describe each other as strategic allies, with both countries frequently touting their no limits partnership and economic and military cooperation.

They came even closer after the start of Russias offensive in Ukraine in February last year, which China has refused to criticise.

I was pleased to accept the invitation of the Chairman of the Peoples Republic of China to visit China in October, Putin told Beijings Foreign Minister Wang Yi in televised remarks as they met in Saint Petersburg.

In March, Chinas leader Xi Jinping made a state visit to Moscow, where he and Putin sought to showcase a united front against Western countries.

The top Chinese diplomat was on a four-day visit to Russia, in the latest of a series of high-level contacts between Moscow and Beijing.

The Kremlin has sought to deepen ties with China after the start of its Ukraine offensive, which has thrown Moscow into increasing isolation.

China has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine conflict, while offering Moscow a vital diplomatic and financial lifeline.

On Tuesday, Wang met with Nikolai Patrushev, the secretary of Russias Security Council, and Nambaryn Enkhbayar, secretary-general of the National Security Council of Mongolia, Chinas foreign ministry said.

China is willing to work with Russia and Mongolia to seek effective ways to deepen cooperation, promote regional prosperity and stability, and share the fruits of regional development, the ministry said in a statement.

On Monday, Wang held talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

According to a Chinese state media readout, Wang reiterated Beijings position paper on the Ukraine conflict, which called for peace talks but was met with scepticism by the United States and NATO when it was released earlier this year.
China held 12 hours of talks on Saturday and Sunday in Malta with the US as foreign minister Wang Yi and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan agreeing to continue high-level discussions in the coming months.

China is seeking to stabilise relations with the US while also drawing Russia closer as Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, seeks to set up meetings with both counterparts towards the end of this year.

The Chinese vice president Han Zheng met on Monday with US secretary of state Antony Blinken in New York and assured him that Chinas growth is a plus for the US and not a risk.

A report by Nikkei Asia said that a summit could be held between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November in San Francisco during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Wang Yi was expected in New York for the UN General Assembly and to meet with Blinken to discuss the possibility of the summit. But Wang Yi is in Russia where he met counterpart Sergey Lavrov and reaffirmed the close bonds between Beijing and Moscow.

Both agreed to strengthen their commitment to fighting mounting unilateral acts, hegemonism and bloc confrontation. Wang also met Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of Russias National Security Council. We expect that substantive bilateral talks between President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Xi Jinping of China will take place in Beijing in October, Patrushev was quoted as saying by Russian media outlets.

Xi Jinping invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next month.

Xi Jinping wants to extract concessions from the US ahead of a meeting with Joe Biden by highlighting cooperation with Moscow, the Nikkei Asia report said.

The report also pointed out that the US does not want to give in to Beijings demands of ending cooperation with Taiwan and end restrictions on semiconductor exports but since these are core issues, there is very little scope for negotiations.

The report also said that the US demands of reopening military-to-military dialogue to help avoid accidental clashes and stop China from sending arms to Moscow for use in the Ukraine war were met with little interest.

However, reports of a probe on General Li Shangfu and claims of his removal from the role of Chinese defence minister opens up possibilities of military-to-military dialogue as the US had sanctioned Shangfu. The sanctions on Shangfu were the reason China ignored US requests to hold a ministerial level meeting between him and defence secretary Lloyd Austin in Singapore in June.

Xi will also urge Putin in Beijing to seek a political solution in Ukraine, hoping that if Moscow takes a step in that direction then Washington will lower its pressure on Beijing.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijan is conducting anti-terrorist activities on its territory against illegal armed groups, Russian political scientist Alexey Naumov said, Trend reports.

"First and defining: Karabakh is Azerbaijan. From the point of view of international law, from the point of view of Russia, from the point of view of the UN, from the official point of view of Armenia itself," he said.

Alexey Naumov emphasized that Azerbaijan is now conducting anti-terrorist activities on its territory against illegal armed groups, which should have been withdrawn from there three years ago. The requirement to withdraw them is officially enshrined in the Trilateral Statement of 2020.

"Second: no one has attacked Armenia. Armenia's territory is not under threat, its armed forces are sitting in barracks and are not involved in battles. This implies the third thing, Russia fully fulfills its allied obligations within the Collective Security Treaty Organization, claims to the contrary do not correspond to reality and are designed to involve Russia in a war for the interests of the radical part of the Armenian society. Fourth: Russian peacekeepers should not take part in battles. Russian peacekeepers should protect civilians (which they are doing now) and record ceasefire violations (which they have been doing for three years, recording the presence of those very armed groups on the territory of Karabakh)," he said.

Naumov notes that in the three years since the conclusion of the Trilateral Statement, it has been necessary to promote the reintegration of the region into Azerbaijan. In fact, the opposite has happened - attempts by separatists to preserve and develop separatist sentiments in the region by all means, he added.

Therefore, as the political scientist said, attempts to blame all miscalculations on Russia can be understood (and explained by the shock of what is happening and irresponsibility), but cannot be accepted.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijan's local anti-terrorist activities are not a war against Armenia but are aimed at Armenian illegal armed groups located on Azerbaijani territory [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] and menacing its territorial integrity, the Dean of the Faculty of Turkic World Economics at UNEC (Azerbaijani State University of Economy) and professor at Uludag University, Mehmet Yuce told Trend.

He noted that these illegal formations, numbering around 10,000 people and financed by Armenia, pose a threat to the security of people in the region, including Armenian civilians, and commit crimes against Azerbaijan.

"Due to this, Azerbaijan launched local anti-terrorist activities to restore constitutional order and ensure the safety of the civilian population in the region, including its Armenian citizens. Azerbaijan is waging this fight on its own land. Therefore, naturally, like other countries, Azerbaijan does not tolerate terrorist activities on its territory," the professor said.

According to him, these anti-terrorist activities launched by Azerbaijan in accordance with international law are aimed at preventing large-scale provocations expected from Armenian armed forces in the Karabakh region, ensuring compliance with the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, disarming and removing Armenian illegal armed groups from the region, and neutralizing their military infrastructure.

"Azerbaijan will stop the anti-terrorist activities in Karabakh after withdrawing the Armenian illegal armed groups from the region, Yuce added.  

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
GOVERNMENT yesterday said the European Unions withdrawal of financial support to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will not strain Zimbabwe-EU relations.

It said ZEC, the body in charge of electoral processes, is funded by the State and other funding partners.

The EU announced on Tuesday that it had withdrawn its three-year financial support to the ZEC, worth US$5 million, ostensibly because of irregularities in the August harmonised elections.

President Mnangagwa was re-elected while the ruling Zanu PF party won a majority of Parliamentary, Senate and local councils countrywide.

In a statement last night, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said although the EU has suspended financial support to ZEC, the country will continue to foster cordial relations with all the countries in the global village.

The Government has always maintained the mantra as espoused by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa that Zimbabwe is a friend to all and an enemy to none, which is also in line with our policy thrust of re-engagement and engagement with all the nations and institutions of the world, said Dr Muswere.

We remain fully committed to working with the various institutions and funding partners, including the European Union.

The ZEC is fully funded by the State through the Consolidated Revenue Fund managed by the National Treasury but the Government has also always welcomed other donor partners whose help is to assist in capacity building and strengthening State institutions.

He said Government has been consistent in providing ZEC with the required funding for elections.

We appreciate efforts by the European Union and other donor partners who have chipped in to assist in capacity building through the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF), a vehicle through which donor partners provide electoral assistance.

In a statement on Tuesday, the EU said it was withdrawing funding from ZEC, citing alleged lack of transparency and independence of the electoral body.

It said it took the decision based on an adverse report on the August 23 elections by its election observers, and a few other groups, mainly Western, that observed the polls.

On its part ZEC said it was grateful for all funding support it received from the EU and recognises that funding partners are at liberty to interact with it within the confines of the Electoral Act and the laws of Zimbabwe as they deem fit.

ZEC wants to reiterate that the support received through ZIM-ECO augments what is provided by the State and thus is not solely dependable on the Project itself, said the electoral body.

In the 2023 election, activities which included voter education, voter registration, voter inspection and polling itself, the Government of Zimbabwe availed millions of dollars against the ZIM-ECO Project support of US$5 million which was projected to cover the tenure of the Project (2022-2024).

The Government of Zimbabwe has been consistent in providing required funding and has never failed to fund elections in any regard. Herald
THE illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West are causing untold suffering among ordinary citizens and neighbouring countries, and should be lifted, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, said yesterday.

Addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, President Ramaphosa also called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Cuba some 60 years ago.

South Africa continues to call for the lifting of the economic embargo that was imposed 60 years ago against Cuba, he said.

An embargo that has caused untold damage to the countrys economy and the people of Cuba as well.

The sanctions that are also being applied against South Africas neighbour, Zimbabwe, should also be lifted as they are imposing untold suffering on ordinary Zimbabweans, but also have a collateral negative impact on neighbouring countries as well such as my own country, South Africa.

President Ramaphosa and many African presidents have been consistently calling for the removal of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by the West, mainly the United States.

The European Union, Britain, Canada and other countries, have also imposed sanctions against Zimbabwe but have been reviewing them after realising they were unjust, and that Harare is keen to engage and re-engage with the rest of the world under President Mnangagwas foreign policy mantra, friend to all and enemy to none.

It is only the US which has continued to tighten the sanctions at the behest of the opposition, with a view to making the economy scream so that Zimbabweans turn against the ruling Zanu PF party and replace it with the CCC, which has morphed from the MDC.

The CCC was soundly defeated in last months harmonised general elections, despite attempts by detractors to undermine the local currency against the US dollar, resulting in price increases.

ZANU PF won 136 National Assembly seats against the CCCs 73 while President Mnangagwa, who was the Zanu PF presidential candidate, received 52,6 percent of the total votes cast against CCCs Mr Nelson Chamisa who got 44 percent.

Eight other presidential candidates got 3,4 percent of the total 4 561 211 votes cast during the August 23 and 24 elections.

The call for the removal of sanctions by President Ramaphosa comes ahead of October 25, which was declared by SADC as a day of solidarity against sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

During its 39th SADC Summit in Tanzania in 2019, Southern African leaders agreed to set October 25 as a day when they can collectively voice their disapproval of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe at the turn of the millennium by the West.

The sanctions came as a response to the Land Reform Programme that Zimbabwe embarked upon from the year 2000 to correct colonial land ownership imbalances that saw a few white people owning large tracts of land while the majority blacks contended with small and largely unproductive pieces of land.

More African leaders are expected to call for the lifting of the sanctions during the UNGA.

Meanwhile, Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who was the first to address UNGA yesterday, said he was back in New York in the honourable capacity of president of Brazil, thanks to the victory of democracy in my country.

Brazil is finding itself again with itself, with our region, with the world and with multilateralism. Our country is back to make its due contribution to facing the main global challenges, he said.

President Mnangagwa, who arrived in New York yesterday, is expected to address the UNGA tomorrow.

The 78th UNGA is running under the theme, Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all. Herald
A ZAMBIAN man, who is in remand prison pending trial for fraud, now faces human trafficking charges.

Kimbugwe Yub Ibrah was not asked to plead when he appeared before regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, who remanded him in custody.

The first complainant is Ugandan Dennis Mayega (21).

The court heard that in 2021, Ibrah contacted Mayega and lured him to come to Zimbabwe saying he had secured employment for him.

Ibrah also misled Mayegas parents that he had found a job for him in Zimbabwe.

He then offered to pay for Mayegas journey from Uganda to Zimbabwe.

Ibrah facilitated Mayegas illegal entry into Zimbabwe and the two stayed together in Waterfalls.

He then started exploiting Mayega by forcing him to distribute fliers advertising him as a sangoma-cum-doctor.

He called himself Sekuru Banda and claimed he could bring back lost love, multiply money tenfold, give magic rings and magic wallets.

He allegedly forced Mayega to collect money he defrauded people seeking healing.

He would punish him for failing to collect the money on time.

Mayega was then arrested for illegally entering and staying in the country.

He told the court that he had been trafficked into Zimbabwe by Ibrah.

Ibrah allegedly trafficked another 17-year-old boy from Uganda. H Metro
UPDATE

Sep 20, 2023 4:16 PM CDT

The Federal Trade Commission says it has started contacting 37 million to let them know they can apply for refunds for in-game purchases in Fortnite. Epic Games agreed to pay $245 million in refunds as part of $520 million settlement last year for breaching children's privacy and tricking people into buying items in the popular online game, the BBC reports. The FTC has details on the refund process here. The agency says people can apply for refunds if they were charged for items they didn't want between Jan. 2017 and Sept. 2022or if their child made charges to their credit card without their knowledge between Jan. 2017 and Nov. 2018. Users whose Fortnite accounts were locked after they complained to their credit card companies about charges are also eligible for refunds.

Dec 19, 2022 1:15 PM CST

Video game company Epic Games will pay a total of $520 million in penalties and refunds to settle complaints involving children's privacy and methods that tricked players into making purchases, federal regulators said Monday. The Federal Trade Commission said it has secured the record-breaking settlements for two cases from Epic Games Inc., which makes the popular game Fortnite, per the AP. "Epic used privacy-invasive default settings and deceptive interfaces that tricked Fortnite users, including teenagers and children," FTC Chair Lina Khan said in a statement.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Armenian armed forces [which haven't been withdrawn from Azerbaijan's Karabakh, contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], running low on ammunition, are trying to attract civilians from the Karabakh economic region to fighting positions by forcibly arming them, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel Anar Eyvazov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

Zeynalov also noted that the Armenian side is once again trying to form a false opinion in the international community.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
UPDATE

Sep 20, 2023 5:25 PM CDT

The Arizona man named in right-wing conspiracy theories as a government agent who urged Capitol rioters on has pleaded guilty to one count of disorderly conduct on restricted grounds. Ray Epps, who has received death threats, appeared in the DC court on video, per the Washington Post, and his lawyer cut off mention of where the defendant will report for supervision. Earlier in the day, Attorney General Merrick Garland repeated his assurance that Epps was not in the service of the FBI to a House committee. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie pressed Garland about the charge. "You've got all the goods on him, 10 videos, and it's an indictment for a misdemeanor?" Massie said. "The American public isn't buying it." Epps will be sentenced Dec. 20, per NBC News.

Sep 19, 2023 6:39 PM CDT

Ray Epps, a former Marine who became the center of a Jan. 6 conspiracy theory, has been charged with a misdemeanor offense in connection with the Capitol riot and is expected to plead guilty, according to court papers filed Tuesday. Epps, who claimed in a lawsuit filed this year that Fox News Channel made him a scapegoat for the Capitol riot, is charged with disorderly or disruptive conduct on restricted grounds, court records show. Epps' attorney, Edward J. Ungvarsky, told the AP that that the case was filed with an anticipation that Epps would plead guilty to the charge. The judge has scheduled a plea agreement hearing for Wednesday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Tuesday that Russia is "weaponizing" everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraineand he warned world leaders that the same could happen to them, the AP reports. "When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there," he said at the United Nations General Assembly's annual top-level meeting. "The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into weapons against youagainst the international rules-based order."

The war in Ukraine has deepened major global supply disruptions caused by the pandemic, driving a huge spike in food and energy prices, jolting the global economy and increasing hardship in many developing countries. Zelensky pointed to the food and fuel crunches, and he highlighted what Ukraine says were kidnappings of at least tens of thousands of children taken from Ukraine after Moscow's invasion: "What will happen to them?" "Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide," Zelensky said in remarks that ran 15 minutesthe meeting's often-disregarded time limit.

"We must stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow," President Biden told the assembly Tuesday in his own speech. Russia gets its chance to address the General Assembly on Saturday. Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky sat in Russia's seat during Zelensky's address. "Did he speak?" Polyansky said with a wry smile when an AP reporter asked about his reaction to the address. "I didn't notice he was speaking. I was on my phone."

story continues below

After landing Monday in New York, Zelensky suggested that the UN needs to answer for allowing his country's invader a seat at the tables of power. If there is still "a place for Russian terrorists" in the United Nations, "it's a question to all the members of the United Nations," Zelensky said after visiting wounded Ukrainian service members at Staten Island University Hospital. He awarded medals to military members who had lost limbs. With help from a charity called Kind Deeds, 18 troops have been fitted for prostheses and are undergoing outpatient physical therapy, hospital leaders said. "We all will be waiting for you back home," Zelensky told those he met. "We absolutely need every one of you."

(Read more Russia-Ukraine war stories.)
Ella Mills arrived in New York City at the beginning of September as a student in Columbia University's dual BA program with Trinity College. Weeks later, the college junior from Ireland died during a trip with Columbia's whitewater kayaking club, WTOP reports. The club traveled to Washington, DC, to kayak on the Potomac River, and in the Little Falls rapid, four members of the group capsized, including Mills, NPR reports. A piece of her gear got stuck between rocks that are typically deeply submerged, but which are among the many underwater hazards that have been exposed recently due to water levels lower than they've been seen in decades. She was stuck face-down and fatally drowned despite rescue attempts.
A Justice Department investigation exploring whether Tesla funds were used to build a proposed glass house for CEO Elon Musk is more wide-reaching than previously known and could result in criminal charges. Federal prosecutors in New York are not only investigating other potential personal benefits Tesla provided to the billionaire as far back as 2017, but also transactions between Tesla and other Musk companies, reports the Wall Street Journal . One example of such transactions: Last October, around the time Musk was acquiring what was then known as Twitter, he received a $1 billion loan from SpaceX , which he paid back with interest in November.

The Securities and Exchange Commission requires that public companies disclose transactions above $120,000 if an executive officer or other related party has a material interest. It also requires the disclosure of personal benefits (including reimbursement of housing, security, or airplane use) valued at $10,000 or more. Prosecutors have spoken of the involvement of a grand jury in their probe, indicating criminal charges could result. Meanwhile, Musk has denied that he built what is known as "Project 42," said to include a glass house for Musk across the Colorado River from the Tesla factory Giga Texas. Writing on X earlier this month, Musk said no glass house has been built, is "under construction or planned."

According to Walter Isaacson's biography of Musk published this month, Musk had suggested constructing a specialized glass structure on the lakefront property. "It should be like something fell out of space, like a structure from another galaxy landed in the lake," he reportedly said, per Tech Crunch. Plans viewed by the Journal showed a glass structure that included bedrooms, bathrooms, and a kitchen, per Forbes. Isaacson wrote that Musk "put off building it." According to the Journal's reporting, Tesla board members had raised concerns about the use of millions of dollars of large-format glass panels Tesla had ordered. Prosecutors are interested in how Tesla's resources were used for the project, which the SEC is investigating separately. (Read more Elon Musk stories.)
An 85-year-old woman in San Francisco has filed the latest hot-coffee lawsuit against McDonald's, saying she suffered "severe burns and emotional distress" after buying coffee at a drive-through in June. Mabel Childress says the lid wasn't properly sealed and the coffee spilled on her when she tried to drink it, KTLA reports. She has scarring in her groin area and still feels pain months later, according to the lawsuit. Childress says restaurant employees not only failed to close the cup properly, they "refused to help her" after she reported the incident and asked for assistance.

Her attorney, Dylan Hackett, tells the Washington Post that Childress went to the emergency room after she was ignored for an hour. Restaurant owner Peter Ou denies that workers refused to help Childress. "My restaurants have strict food safety protocols in place, including training crew to ensure lids on hot beverages are secure," he said in a statement. "When Ms. Childress reported her experience to us later that day, our employees and management team spoke to her within a few minutes and offered assistance." Childress is seeking more than $25,000 in the lawsuit filed against McDonald's Restaurants of California.

This is far from the first time McDonald's has been sued over hot coffee, Insider reports. In a famous case in 1994, a jury awarded 79-year-old Stella Liebeck $2.9 million after spilled coffee gave her third-degree burns over 6% of her body. Liebeck, who spent eight days in the hospital and need skin grafts, later settled for $500,000. In 2013, 74-year-old Joan Fino filed a similar lawsuit in California. It was settled for an undisclosed amount, per ABC30. Her attorney, Butch Wagner, said that since hot coffee stays fresh for longer, McDonald's franchises often keep it too hot, saving a total of around $1 million daily. (Read more McDonald's stories.)
Rescuers say a 19-year-old was "pretty shaken up" when he was brought to safety from California's tallest bridge, and it's easy to see why. The teen was stuck for more than an hour dangling from a rope around 700 feet above the North Fork of the American River. Officials say more than two dozen first responders went to the Foresthill Bridge near Auburn after they received a 911 call Monday from the teen's 17-year-old friend, KTVU reports. The younger teen had been filming his friend swinging from the bridge's catwalk on a 30-foot rope.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office says the 19-year-old's equipment failed and he couldn't pull himself back up. The sheriff's office says the teen was checked by medics after the rescue but didn't have any visible injuries and declined additional medical attention. Both teens were cited for trespassing on the bridge, which is the fourth highest in the US, standing 730 feet above the river.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nolan Hale says stunts of any kind at the bridge are illegaland they usually result in recovery operations, not rescues. "This is the first incident of a live rescue in the last 30 years," Hale tells CBS Sacramento. "Someone dangling 700 feet above the American River is a high-risk operation with vertical rope rescue." (Read more rescue stories.)
The man charged with murder in the ambush killing of a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on Wednesday. Officials say Kevin Cataneo Salazar fatally shot 30-year-old Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, who was sitting in a patrol car, on Saturday in Palmdale, a city of more than 167,000 residents in northern Los Angeles County. Prosecutors charged Cataneo Salazar, 29, with one count of murder with special circumstances. His attorney, George Rosenstock, entered a plea of not guilty and a dual plea of not guilty by reason of insanity on his behalf during Wednesday's arraignment, the AP reports.

Cataneo Salazar was arrested Monday after an hourslong standoff with sheriff's deputies. He had barricaded himself inside his family's Palmdale home. Cataneo Salazar is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court in November. Prosecutors haven't laid out a motive in the case or said whether Clinkunbroomer and Cataneo Salazar previously knew each other. The suspect's mother, Marle Salazar, told the Los Angeles Times her son was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic about five years ago. He would say he was hearing voices in his head, she said, and sometimes claimed that cars or people were following him. He twice attempted suicide, she said.

"My son is mentally ill, and if he did something, he wasn't in his full mental capacity," she said. Marle Salazar told the Times that she didn't know her son owned a gun, but she was told by detectives that he had legally purchased a weapon used in the attack. It was not clear when he bought the firearm. She said her son had been hospitalized in the past year, but it was not clear if he sought treatment himself or was involuntarily committed. She said she called deputies at least twice in the past, asking for help when her son refused to take his medication and grew aggressive toward himself. She said he had never hurt anyone before, and his aggression was always self-directed.

(Read more Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department stories.)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has called on units of the Armenian Armed Forces to lay down their weapons and surrender, Spokesperson for the ministry, Colonel Anar Eyvazov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

Will be updated
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.
Doug Vincent-Lang is the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Treg Taylor was appointed as the Alaska attorney general on Jan. 29, 2021.

This opinion piece first appeared in the Alaska Beacon. Alaska Beacon is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

In a world consumed by excess and driven by the constant pursuit of more, a growing movement in Bahrain is urging individuals to embrace minimalism, a lifestyle that advocates for simplicity, intentionality, and conscious consumption.

As people seek to break free from the shackles of materialism, minimalism is gaining popularity globally, offering a more meaningful and fulfilling existence, say experts. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Tribune, environmentalist and advocate of minimalism Kai Miethig shed light on several eye-opening facts.

He revealed that an average of 33 to 50 percent of food is wasted annually, resulting in a staggering 1.6 billion tons of food and a loss of around $1 trillion. Astonishingly, this amount could be used to feed every single human on the planet, he said. Locally, per capita waste is one of the highest in the world.

Mr. Miethig emphasized, "If food reaches its expiration date, it does not necessarily mean it has gone bad immediately. It is often a ploy by the food industry to encourage consumers to buy more. Food can be used well beyond its expiration date with proper storage," he stated.

He further mentioned that canned food lasts almost indefinitely, as without oxygen and light, there are no reactions taking place. As an example, a German magazine tested canned milk powder from 1950 to 2015 and found it to have the same quality as new milk powder, Mr. Miethig said.

On a global scale, an astounding $400 billion worth of fashion is wasted each year, with 85 percent of it ending up in landfills or textile mountains in various regions such as Chile, Asia, and Africa.

These regions are flooded with second-hand items discarded by consumer societies in developed countries, the expert pointed out. To combat fashion waste, Mr. Miethig provided some valuable insights.

He recommended decluttering by giving away any item that hasnt been touched in a year, repairing clothes and shoes instead of replacing them, and opting for long-lasting quality items rather than cheap fast fashion products.

He also highlighted the issue of e-waste generated by technology-minded communities, which amounts to a staggering 53.6 million tons annually worldwide, comprising valuable mineral resources worth 62.5 billion USD.

When asked how individuals can adopt a minimalist lifestyle, Mr. Miethig emphasized the importance of saving resources.

This includes reducing the number of light bulbs in the house, purchasing from local markets to avoid excessive plastic bag usage, utilizing bicycles for shorter distances, and cutting down on overconsumption to save both money and resources. He concluded by reminding everyone that saying No to unnecessary items is crucial, as there is "No Away" as almost everything eventually ends up somewhere else.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. A telephone conversation was held between Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva and European Union (EU) Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore, Trend reports.

The sides discussed the issue of Armenia's mine terror against Azerbaijan during the phone conversation.

The Ombudswoman called on the EU representative to comment on the events of September 19.

It should be noted that on September 19, 2023, at about 04:00 (GMT+4) on the 58th kilometer of the Ahmedbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through Khojavand district, a Hovo truck belonging to the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan exploded on an anti-tank mine. As a result of the terrorist attack, the driver and a passenger died on the spot.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan went to the scene of the terrorist act on a Kamaz truck. At 04:30 (GMT+4) on the newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in the Khojavand region, as a result of a terrorist act, the KAMAZ truck exploded on a mine planted by a sabotage group of Armenian illegal armed groups on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade (born in 1994), Ramil Shirinov (born in 1987), Seymur Mahmudov (born in 1991), and Khazar Zamanov (born in 1998), died on the spot.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

The Court of Urgent Matters in Bahrain has ruled that the owner of a villa, who had abruptly disconnected the electricity and water services, should be held responsible for the tenant's damages.

The owner, who had requested the services, cut off the electricity supply and deactivated the designated water pipes, causing the tenant inconvenience.

The court called upon the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) to provide clarification, which was confirmed. However, the owner failed to present any evidence substantiating the lawful termination of the lease contract or any mutual agreement.

The court concluded that the owner's actions unjustly hindered the tenant's rightful enjoyment of the property, and thus, the court favoured the restoration of essential services, safeguarding the tenant's rights. The owner was also mandated to bear the associated fees and expenses.
Agencies | New York

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani took part in the GCC Joint Ministerial meeting with Association of Caribbean States (ACS), on the sidelines of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78).

The GCC delegation was headed by Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al Busaidi, Omans Foreign Affairs Minister and chairman of the ministerial councils current session, in the presence of GCC countries foreign ministers and Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi, GCC Secretary-General.

The ACS delegation was headed by Rodolfo Sabonge, Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). The meeting discussed the developments of the GCC and ACS relations and ways to benefit from the opportunities available to increase cooperation between the two sides in various economic, social, cultural and development fields.

They also reviewed increasing coordination between the two sides in international forums and exchanging visits and experiences to meet the common interests and goals of both sides.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation and a joint action plan was signed between the GCC Secretariat General, represented by Jasem Mohamed Al Budaiwi and ACS, represented by Rodolfo Sabonge.

UN session

Dr. Al Zayani also led the delegation of Bahrain participating in the opening session of the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly.

The session was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, under the theme Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress, and sustainability for all, chaired by the President of the current session of the UN General Assembly Dennis Francis, and with the participation of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres.

Bahrains delegation participating in the opening of the General Assembly included the Minister of Oil and Environment and Special Envoy for Climate Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Mubarak bin Daina, the Minister of Sustainable Development, Noor Ali Al-Khulaif, and the accompanying delegation.
AFP | United Nations, United States

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

US President Joe Biden appealed to the United Nations yesterday t o stop Russias naked aggression in Ukraine, warning other states would be at risk if the world appeases Moscow.

We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, Biden told the UN General Assembly in New York, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky -- but not Russias Vladimir Putin.

Bidens words on Ukraine won applause in the hall, but he was speaking to an audience missing numerous key leaders, including those from France and US allies Britain and France.

He warned that the UNs core principles of peace and national sovereignty were at risk if the world tries to appease Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Russias price for peace is Ukraines capitulation, Ukraine s territory, and Ukraines children.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence, Biden said.

Can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected if you allow Ukraine to be carved up?

Is the independence of any nation secure?Id respectfully suggest the answers no.

Biden added that the United States and its allies would continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they tried to expel Russian forces from the country.

Zelensky, wearing his trademark khaki shirt and sitting in the Ukrainian delegations section of the UN hall, applauded at the end of Bidens speech.

The Ukrainian leader will visit the White House on Thursday to seek more US aid and weaponry to push its slow-moving counteroffensive.

He is also due to meet members of the US Congress, where Bidens administration is trying to shore up support for a new $24 billion Ukrainian aid package in the face of growing Republican opposition.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Precision fire strikes destroy military facilities and equipment of the formations of the Armenian armed forces [which haven't been withdrawn from Azerbaijan's Karabakh, contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] at strategically important heights, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense released footage of the destruction of a military unit of the Armenian armed forces located in Tapakand in the Tartar direction.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 /CNW/ - The announcements that Ontario community newspaper publishers Metroland Media Group and Quebec-based Metro Media have gone bankrupt will see fewer journalists covering large swaths of Ontario and Quebec. This is yet another devastating blow to an industry increasingly hanging by a thread.

"These are catastrophic losses for media workers and Canadians who live in smaller communities," said Brent Jolly, president of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ).

"The bottom line is that with every journalist that is laid off, and every publication that shutters its doors, Canada's democratic resiliency erodes a little bit more and that leaves us susceptible to co-ordinated campaigns of mis & disinformation."

On Friday, Metroland Media Group announced it was seeking bankruptcy protection and having to furlough 605 employees  including an estimated 68 journalists.

According to Unifor , 104 employees being laid off are unionized, with the rest coming from non-unionized job categories. The CAJ was extremely disappointed to learn the company was denying severance and termination benefits to many now-former employees.

Metroland Media Group said that the company has been forced to cease the print editions of more than 70 community newspapers because they have faced "substantial declines in both print advertising and the flyers business is no longer viable in printed form" over the past several years.

Andrew Mule, the owner of Quebec-based Metro Media, which is not affiliated with Metroland, announced on Sunday that the hyperlocal French-language news organization would be announcing bankruptcy this week .

Metro Media abruptly suspended editorial operations last month at its more than 30 hyperlocal publications, which includes 16 print weeklies and le Journal Metro.

Given the sweeping human impact on those who have lost their jobs, the CAJ is calling on its community for assistance.

As was the case with previous large-scale layoffs, the CAJ will be accepting public donations via its website for an indefinite period of time. A specialized team of CAJ members have volunteered to ensure the funds are given to those affected.

"When times get tough, journalists rally together to support each other," Jolly said. "Each of the people that have lost their job aren't just another line on a spreadsheet; they have a name, a family, and a commitment to serving their communities. They need our support and we'll have their backs."

The Canadian Association of Journalists is the country's largest professional organization that serves to advance the interests of journalists from coast to coast to coast. The CAJ's primary roles are public-interest advocacy work and professional development for its members.

SOURCE Canadian Association of Journalists

For further information: Brent Jolly, CAJ President, 289-387-3179, [email protected]
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense released footage of the personnel of the Armenian armed forces [which haven't been withdrawn from Azerbaijan's Karabakh contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], fleeing from the trenches, Trend reports.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Estonia has no moral right to meddle in Azerbaijan's own affairs, the Western Azerbaijan Community said, Trend reports.

The community made the comment, commenting on the recent statement of the Estonian Foreign Ministry.

"Estonia should protect the rights of the ethnic minority that it oppresses on its territory. This country, instead of illegally depriving it of citizenship, should hold dialogue with it for integration," the community emphasized.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.




The Coalition for Parliamentary Democracy, CPD, has told the Senate President to step down.





According to the group, the Senate President has reportedly fallen out of favour with his colleagues.





CPD said this in reaction to claims from Akpabios office that one South-South Governor was behind the plot to impeach him.





The group said the former Akwa Ibom State Governor must stop pointing accusing fingers and rather come clean on why other lawmakers do not want him in the position.





This was contained in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr. Menike Johnson and made available to newsmen on Wednesday.





CPD said the Senators had clearly adduced Akpabios perceived failure to fit into the duties of a Presiding Officer and providing a transparent and credible leadership as reason for their decision to move against him.





As Parliamentary watchers, we believe that Senator Akpabio should face the issues raised by his colleagues, including allegations of lack of transparency, violation of elementary rudiments, conventions and processes of presiding over the Senate, diminishing the integrity of the Senate on financial matters and claims of preferentialism in the management of the Senate.





The attempt to overheat the polity by blaming external individuals is therefore a self-indicting measure that does not provide the much-expected answers to the very critical issue of leadership failure raised by senators against the embattled Senate President.





Having admitted that he has lost favour with his colleagues and having no answers to the very serious issues raised by the Senators which borders on leadership failure, we counsel Senator Akpabio to save the nation further trouble by stepping down as Senate President.





Our nation is in a very critical moment and Nigerians cannot afford a Senate that is plagued by an unstable leadership which does not command the loyalty of the lawmakers, the group claimed.




The Bauchi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar.





The tribunal affirmed the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.





The three-man panel chaired by Justice P.T Kwahar, held that there was no strong reason to nullify the election, stating that the poll was conducted in compliance with the law.





It was reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared Bala Mohammed winner of the March 18 governorship election.





However, the APC candidate, a former Chief of Air Staff, approached the court to nullify the election over alleged irregularities.
Femi Adesina, who served as the Special Adviser on Media to ex-president, Mohammadu Buhari, has said his principal actually felt some things the administration did, could have been done better.

Adesina spoke in Osogbo on Wednesday at a programme tagged Media Dialogue with Femi Adesina organised by the Association of Veteran Journalists in Osun State.

The ex-presidential spokesperson said before Buhari left office, he had a two-hour chat with him, during which he asked all manners of questions.

According to him, during the interview session, he asked his principal what his regrets were, and Buhari expressed regret that certain things should have probably been done in another way.

Although Adesina did not state Buharis regret, he however said There is no living human being that will not regret certain things. It is one of the questions I asked the president.

Before we left office, I sat with him for about 2 hours and I asked him every question under the sun and when we finished, he asked what I gave to Chief of Protocol that he gave so long a time with him. There was no question I didnt ask him. There were things he (Buhari) felt could have been done better.

Defending some of the actions taken by the administration, Adesina, who said naira redesign policy, though exposed Nigerians to hardship was not totality a bad policy as it enabled the country to have reduction in crime, especially kidnapping and curbed manipulation in the 2023 polls.

He further said Buhari served the country diligently, but added that whatever inadequacies noticed in the manner his principal led the nation, could not be solely blamed on him.

The policy (naira redesign) brought hardship to Nigerians. I had N20,000 which I stretched for almost two weeks. There was a day I had a full house and we wanted to cook breakfast but midway, the gas finished.

When they came to tell me that the gas has finished, I didnt know what to do because to fill that big cylinder, I needed N40,000 but I didnt have it. I was special adviser to the president but I didnt have the cash. One boy living with me had to bail me out to fill that gas which I refunded.

So, it was everybody that bore that brunt. You will recall that even during that time, there was no kidnapping. I remember some people went to kidnap an APC chairman or is it secretary in Kano. After holding him for three days and nobody was calling to ask how much they will collect because there was no cash, they just slapped him three times and told him to go.

Even kidnappers were out of business because there was no naira and do you know that we have a cleaner election because of that policy?

Nine serving governors couldnt go to the Senate. They contested but lost. Have you ever seen a governor who will contest an election and will not win? But because there was no money to spread around, they couldnt win. The policy was not bad in its entirety. There were issues with it but it was not bad in its entirety, Adesina concluded.




Bayern Munich manager, Thomas Tuchel, will serve a one-match ban against Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday night.





Tuchel will serve his one-game touchline ban after he was sent off during the quarter-final second-leg clash with Manchester City in April.





Bayern were eliminated that night following a 1-1 draw on the night, losing 4-1 on aggregate.





The Bundesliga champions will begin this new campaign against United at the Allianz Arena.





It will be the first time the two sides have met in the Champions League since 2014, when they went head-to-head in the quarter-final.





On that occasion, Bayern ran out 3-1 winners  4-2 on aggregate  to book their place in the last-four.




The Federal Government says it is committed and passionate about solving the housing deficit in the country.





The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Mr Ahmed Dangiwa, made the pledge when he received Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State in Abuja, on Tuesday.





Since independence, Nigeria has struggled to provide decent housing for its citizens.





Inspite of numerous plans, initiatives, projects, and institutions introduced over the past 60 years, progress has been limited.





With rapid population growth, these unsuccessful or suboptimal efforts have led to the accumulation of a significant housing shortage, the minister said.





Dangiwa said the housing sector remains far from where it should be in terms of meeting the needs of millions of Nigerians for decent shelter while contributing as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and poverty eradication.





This is the challenge that President Bola Tinubu has put on my shoulders. With the grace of Allah, I am committed to putting in the hard work necessary to break the jinx of failure and achieve historic success.





As part of our efforts to achieve this, we have outlined a series of housing reform initiatives in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda for Housing and Urban Development of President Tinubu.





We plan to embark on a Stakeholder Engagement Drive with State Governors nationwide towards achieving it, he said.





Commending the Governor for his achievements within a short time, Dangiwa solicited the support of the indigenes of Katsina to ensure the Radda-led administration transforms the State.





His tireless efforts in improving security, education, agriculture, infrastructural development, and the welfare of our citizens is a testament to his vision for a prosperous Katsina.





As a fellow son of Katsina state, I am immensely proud of the momentum of achievements that he has recorded in such a short time and I pray to the Almighty to continue to grant him the wisdom, understanding, and good health to transform our State.





As the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, I approach my work with the full understanding of the huge responsibility that accompanies it, he said.





The minister encouraged Gov. Radda to deepen collaboration with key housing agencies, including the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Federal Housing Authority, and the Family Homes Funds, to increase access to affordable housing for Katsina indigenes.





Earlier, Radda said that the provision of affordable housing remains part of its priority programmes to improve the lives of its citizens.





According to the Governor, Katsina State is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to open the cities in the State.





Urban renewal is one of the major priorities of our administration.





We want to expand our city, we are in the process of developing the Katsina master plan which has expired in the last 30 years.





So, urban renewal is one of the major focuses of our administration and affordable housing to serve the people.





We are thinking of collaborating with the Housing and Urban Development Ministry to tap from your experiences to help us in achieving our goal of renewing our cities and towns in the state, Radda said.
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said that he became a politician by accident.

The former military head of state said that he never wanted to go into politics

Obasanjo said this while speaking with a group of youths under the aegis of Africa for Africa Youth Initiative (A4A), at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta.

He said, I never wanted to be a politician. I became one by accident, but the love of my people, love for my country and humanity made it something that I am coming into.

The former president, therefore, said that politicians must aspire to go into politics to serve.
Femi Adesina, former Spokesperson to former President Muhammadu Buhari, has disclosed that the media was deliberately misquoting his statements when he was in office.

Adesina, who spoke at a media chat organised by the Association of Veteran Journalists in Osogbo on Wednesday, said some media outfit deliberately set him against the members of the public just because he was serving in government.

My biggest challenge during the eight years that I served with former President Muhammadu Buhari was the fact that a section of the media deliberately quoted me out of context.

I eventually grew out of it and got used to the antics. Even while I had a television interview, it was turned upside down in the papers deliberately to make me an enemy of the public, but I outgrew it and it did not affect my duty throughout my tenure, he said.
Bayo Onanuga, ex-media director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, has called on security agencies to acquire bulletproof vehicles for operatives on patrol.

On Tuesday morning, gunmen killed some security operatives and burnt their patrol vehicles in Oriagu, Ehime-Mbano LGA of Imo state.

The personnel were patrolling the Aba-branch Oriagu in Ehime-Mbano road when the gunmen ambushed them and killed over six joint task force officers.

In a post on his official X page, Onanuga said the tradition of packing security operatives into ordinary vehicles in the name of patrols, exposes them to the enemy.

Dear IGP, Chief of Army Staff, NSA, please stop packing your men inside pick up vans like sardines, in the name of security patrol, he said.

They become easy targets and sitting ducks for annihilation by the enemy. I wonder why we keep doing the same thing for decades and we keep getting the same tragic result.

Drop the idea of using the vans and packing up to eight people inside it.

The idea is archaic and we must change it immediately. Henceforth, buy bulletproof cars for your men to do patrols and put only two of them in each vehicle.

They will be more nimble-footed if attacked or if they run into ambush like some of your men did in Ehime Mbano, Imo State.

I do not need to be a soldier or a policeman to offer this advice. Its mere common sense.




The Kano State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew statewide.





This follows the judgement of the election petitions tribunal,which sacked the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.





This was contained in a statement by the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Usaini Gumel.





The commissioner, who personally signed the statement on Wednesday evening, said a combined team of security operatives has been dispatched across the city to enforce the curfew.





Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined security forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies, including the entry and exits of the state, to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the 24-hour curfew order as communicated by the State Government via letter with Reference No: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September, 2023 taking effect from 6pm of Wednesday, 20th September to 6pm of Thursday, 21st September 2023.





In view of the Constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force alongside the relevant internal security and law enforcement agencies to preserve law and order in the state, the Kano State Police Command has mapped out strategies in that direction and calls on the good people of the state to give the necessary confidence and support.





He warned that violators would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.





Finally, I wish to appreciate all the peace-loving people of the state and urge them to remain law-abiding, as its in the best interest of all that we come together to maintain law and order in the State, he said.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has appealed against the tribunal judgement which upheld the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

Obi in a 50 grounds notice of appeal by his lead counsel, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, SAN, challenged the decision of the presidential election tribunal.

The notice of appeal partly read, Take notice that the Appellants being dissatisfied with the decisions in PETITION NO: CA/PEPC/03/2023 MR. PETER GREGORY OBI & ANOR. v. INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION & ORS. (consolidated with Election Petition Nos: CA/PEPC/04/2023 and CA/PEPC/05/2023), contained in pages 3-327 of the Judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting as the Presidential Election Petition Court, Holden at Abuja, Coram: H. S. Tsammani, Stephen Jonah Adah, Misitura Omodere Bolaji-Yusuff, Boloukuroma Moses Ugo and Abba Bello Mohammed, JJ.C.A. (the Court below) delivered on the 6th day of September 2023, and more particularly stated in paragraph 2 of this Notice of Appeal, do hereby appeal to the Supreme Court on the Grounds set out in Paragraph 3 and will at the hearing of the appeal seek the Reliefs sought in paragraph 4 herein.
Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan Deputy Culture Minister Saadat Yusifova and the senior director of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) Joseph King have discussed prospects of cooperation in the cultural field.

The meeting was organized in Riyadh within the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee, Azernews reports.

Speaking at the meeting, Joseph King recalled his visit to Azerbaijan and shared his impressions about Azerbaijan's cultural heritage.

Saadat Yusifova stressed the importance of protecting Azerbaijan's cultural heritage. She expressed her interest in ICCROM's support mechanisms for training restoration and conservation experts.

The meeting also discussed current issues on the bilateral agenda regarding the development of cooperation between Azerbaijan and ICCROM, the exchange of experience in the field of protection and restoration of cultural heritage samples, and the joint organization of training and seminars for this purpose.

Note that the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee will last until September 26, 2023.

The committee is chaired by H.H. Princess Haifa Al Mogrin, Saudi Arabia's Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. Currently following countries are members of the World Heritage Committee: Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Mali, Mexico, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand and Zambia.

The World Heritage Committee considers the implementation of the 1972 UNESCO Convention on Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage in Member States.

For the time being, 195 countries are State Parties to the Convention. Up to date 1157 cultural/natural properties from 167 State Parties are inscribed to the World Heritage List under the 1972 Convention. Among them 43 are transboundary properties from 67 State Parties.

The World Heritage Committee also considers new nominations to the World Heritage List. Based on the evaluation made by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) following cultural sites from IICAS's Member States were recommended to inscribe to the World Heritage List: Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and Koc Yolu Transhumance Route (Azerbaijan), Cultural Landscape of Old Tea Forests of the Jingmai Mountain in Puer (China), Deer Stone Monuments and Related Sites of Bronze Age (Mongolia), Gaya Tumuli (Republic of Korea), Silk Roads: Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan) and Gordion (Turkiye). According to the evaluation by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), following natural sites from IICASs Member States were recommended to inscribe to the World Heritage List: Cold Winter Deserts of Turan (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan) and Tugay Forests of the Tigrovaya Balka Nature Reserve (Tajikistan).

The final decision will be made by the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. When Ukraine and Georgia fight for their territorial integrity, you support them, but when Azerbaijan seeks to ensure the withdrawal of 10,000 Armenian troops from its territory, you say "We need to stop Azerbaijan", Brenda Shaffer, a lecturer at the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School and foreign policy expert, wrote on X (Twitter), Trend reports.

She made a statement, commenting on the inconsistency of various media and analysts regarding geopolitical conflicts.

Further, Shaffer also criticized the ambiguous US position on the principles of territorial integrity, noting the biased position expressed by Secretary of State Blinken.

It is obvious that both American politicians and foreign media, falling under the influence of the Armenian lobby, pursue a policy that in no way contributes to the establishment of relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Moreover, in order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.




Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has said that his administration would soon enact a law that will pronounce the death penalty on anyone caught engaging in cult activities in the state.





Governor Abiodun made this known on Tuesday at a meeting with the Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, and his chiefs at the Akarigbo Palace in Sagamu.





He expressed shock at the wanton destruction of lives and peace of Sagamu and its environs, even as he warned that the government would not fold its arms and watch unscrupulous persons run riots in any part of the State





He said: I want to sympathize with the good and law-abiding citizens of Sagamu and of course, our referred paramount ruler and the kabiyesis and all those who have lost loved ones.





We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that we bring any person directly, indirectly or remotely responsible for these occurrences to book. I have discussed with the Attorney General perhaps it is our disposition that allows for these occurrences of heinous crimes.





It is well within my powers as the governor of this State to pronounce the death penalty on people and we are going to ensure that we enact that because when people appreciate and understand the consequences of their behaviours, perhaps they will begin to have a rethink.





I have called on the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Service (DSS), the Commander of the Civil Defence, our AMOTEKUN Commander and all our security architecture to relocate to Sagamu for this purpose.





We will rely on our kabiyesis because they are the closest to the grassroots, for all the intelligence support because these people are not spirits. They live within us, they are tenants in our houses.





The last time I came here, I said any house that we arrest anybody that is connected to either cultism or kidnapping, we will find out where they live and demolish that house. And sadly, it has been very difficult for me to implement because they rent an apartment and the unsuspecting landlords who dont know what they do give their houses to them and after we arrest them and about to demolish the house, those landlords will come and beg us that they did not know the suspects were into that business.





I am now pronouncing that we will no longer refer to these people as cultists or any other name. We are pronouncing them as murderers and we will mete out punishments that are deserving to murderers, he warned.





The governor said that henceforth, he would not entertain any sentiment from any quarter as the activities of the hoodlums were capable of sabotaging government efforts to bring more development to the state.





This is an economic sabotage against our state and our people. Nobody should call me or my SSG nor the Commissioner of Police. I am warning parents, we are going to deal decisively with anybody caught in the act, and we will not spare anyone, he added.





He said his government was committed to the development and prosperity of the state, and no one would be allowed to draw the state backwards.





Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi decried the incessant destruction of lives and properties in the town, saying the needed development would not come to the town when people continue to cause havoc through criminal activities.





He requested mobile Police and military formations in the area for proper maintenance of law and order.





The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Assistant Inspector General of Police Olusola Subair (rtd) and Consultant on Security, retired Commissioner for Police Awolowo Ajogun traced the genesis of the clash to dispute on the sharing of proceeds from a land transaction, saying eight people were killed while nine suspects arrested in connection with the incident are currently under investigation.
President Bola Tinubu says the leadership of global oil and gas giant ExxonMobil has pledged new production of nearly 40,000 barrels per day in its Nigerian operations.

Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday after Tinubu played host to a delegation from ExxonMobil in New York.

Tinubu noted that, following an illustrious private sector career as a professional accountant in the oil and gas industry, he has proven his capacity to make difficult decisions as President and is best prepared to solve problems and crush all bottlenecks standing in the way of new and large-scale capital flowing into Nigerias oil and gas industry.

The knotty issues require direct supervision on my part. Despite many contending obligations, I will sit down and oversee removing these encumbrances to job and wealth creation for the Nigerian people. We know the industry. We grew up in it. We are positioned to solve the problems, and we are pragmatic and will solve the problem, he stated.

ExxonMobil President of Global Upstream Operations, Liam Mallon, assured Tinubu that he is aware of the new and personal commitment that the President is bringing to bear on behalf of Nigeria and is well placed to reciprocate his efforts with further investment.

Mallon pledged new production of nearly 40,000bpd in its Nigerian operations in phase one of a new investment push in the country.

You told us that your team would collaborate with us, which has proven true. We have made significant progress since we last met. We are growing our production and working hard to expand deepwater production.

We appreciate your efforts, and we will respond in kind. The time is right. Thank you for your leadership, he stated.

Recall that Tinubu travelled out of Nigeria for the ongoing 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States.
Judge Jeffrey Gilbert of the U.S District Court, Northern District of Illinois, has ordered the Chicago State University to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu.

Gilbert, a US magistrate judge, gave the ruling on Tuesday, ordering CSU to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents to Abubakar Atiku, the plaintiff, within two days.

The case is being touted as victory for Atiku, but from the ruling Abubakar may not get more information other than what the CSU has already offered in the public space.

Tinubus lawyers have argued that their client is not willing to lift his privacy privilege, with the ruling also conceding this by using the term non-privileged documents.

The University in its deposition before the court consistently confirmed that Tinubu attended the university and graduated in 1979.

Atiku will not receive a copy of any certificate from the US. He is only left with a copy of Tinubus academic records, including the admission letter and exam sheets, @Renerodrig1142, who has kept a tab on the case wrote on X on Wednesday.

There is no new information coming forth. Jamar Orr will orally state that he certified those documents and handed them over to Tinubus lawyer.





This settlement holds no relevance to the case in Nigeria, making it a total waste of effort, he wrote, attaching the full judgment. [Read here The Judgment: Full Judgment of Chicago court on Atiku v Bola Tinubu

The information Atiku requested is to be used in his petition against Bola Tinubus election.

On Tuesday, Atiku approached the Supreme Court, seeking to set aside the judgment of the Presidential Election Petition Court(PEPC), which on 6 September affirmed Tinubus election.

Atiku in the Notice of Appeal predicated on 35 grounds, insisted that the tribunal in the judgment delivered by Justice Haruna Tsammani committed grave error and miscarriage of justice in its findings and conclusion in the petition challenging the declaration of Tinubu as President by INEC.

The Notice of Appeal filed by Atikus lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche, SAN is praying the apex court to set aside the whole findings and conclusions of the tribunal on the grounds that they did not represent the true picture of the grounds of his petition.

The former Vice President maintained that the tribunal erred in law when it failed to nullify the presidential election held on Feb. 25.

He wants the election nullified on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022, when by evidence before the tribunal, INEC conducted the election based on grave and gross misrepresentation contrary to the principles of the Electoral Act 2022, based on the doctrine of legitimate expectation.

Atiku alleged that the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) erred in law by not taking into cognisance the Doctrine of Legitimate Expectation when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to conduct the election in accordance with its own guidelines and the Electoral Act 2022.




Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has vowed that the unknown gunmen who murdered security operatives in the Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state on Tuesday would be tracked and brought to book.





Recall that unidentified gunmen, on Tuesday, attacked and killed no fewer than eight security operatives, including police, military and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.





Reacting after visiting the scene, the state governor, in a post on his official X account, expressed sadness over the unfortunate incident, assuring citizens that justice would be served.





The governor called on members of the community to remain calm, asking them not to be dismayed by the development.





He wrote, I was saddened at the news of an ambush by armed men, which led to the death of some security personnel on duty at Umuezeala Owerre in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.





I have visited the scene of the crime; this barbaric act is unacceptable and I have directed a collaborative effort amongst the security units for justice.





However, I assured our people not to exercise any fear of reprisal attack or hostility, even as I appeal for cooperation from the community.





Ndi Imo nwem, lets not be dismayed by this, as it does not in any way unbalance our ongoing campaign against criminality and its associated vices in our dear State.





Let us rest assured that we will track those behind this heinous crime and bring them to book. Once more, I commiserated with the security agencies whose men were involved in the ugly incident.
A 66-year-old Baltimore man convicted earlier this year of making criminal sexual contact with a housekeeper while he was a guest at an Atlantic City hotel has been sentenced to probation.

The Atlantic County Prosecutors Office asked Superior Court Judge W. Todd Miller to sentence Hosea R. Jackson to five year in state prison at his sentencing on Tuesday, according to a statement issued by the office Wednesday.

Jackson, who has a prior criminal record, locked a housekeeper in his room at the Claridge Hotel on South Indiana Avenue in July 2018, authorities said. He then grabbed the womans arms and placed her hand over his genitals, refusing to let her go, prosecutors said.

The housekeeper escaped and ran to another room, where she locked herself in and called for help.

Jackson was convicted in July of both criminal restraint with the risk of serious bodily injury and criminal sexual contact.

The prosecutors office didnt immediately provide the length of the probation Jackson received.

Earlier this year, a Camden man was sentenced to 54 years in state prison for sexually assaulting a housekeeper at the Claridge Hotel in July 2020.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Still weighing a bid for governor, Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka held his most high-profile fundraiser yet Monday night in the runup to the 2025 Democratic primary.

The 6 p.m. gathering at the New Jersey Performing Arts Centers Nico Kitchen + Bar was not officially a campaign event. Instead, it was for Unite PAC, Barakas political action committee, to promote anti-violence, housing and other public policies hes implemented as mayor.

A flier for the event listed a suggested donation of $2,000 and a VIP reception with Mayor Baraka for $10,000 while reminding donors that their contributions to the Washington, D.C.,-based Unite PAC are not tax deductible.

Baraka arrived about an hour after the fundraiser started after participating in a forum on public safety and victims rights.

Baraka told the forum that the key to breaking the cycle of violence plaguing his and other cities is to offer people opportunities for emotional, economic and other types of fulfillment as a form of healing.

Theyre repeating violence and hurting other people and creating mischief and misery as a way to lash out to solve their own issues, instead of doing it in a pro-active and progressive kind of way, he told listeners at the Express Newark Lecture Hall on Halsey Street.

As he left the forum, Baraka said the fundraiser was not a campaign event and that, despite widespread speculation, he had not decided whether to launch a campaign to succeed fellow Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy.

Its for the PAC, Baraka said of Mondays event. I dont even know if were having a campaign.

If he does decide to run, Baraka said he would do it by January.

So far, the only announced Democratic candidate for governor is Barakas counterpart from New Jerseys second-largest city, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop. Other potential candidates include former State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th Dist.), and Assemblyman Craig Coughlin (D-Woodbridge).

Murphy has remained neutral in the 2025 primary, though he has praised Baraka as unsurpassed among the states mayors. During a groundbreaking ceremony with Baraka for a new pedestrian bridge in Newark on Tuesday, Murphy praised the mayor  Hes a bridgebuilder  but declined to say whether he would make a good governor.

Unite PAC has been raising and spending cash since registering with the Federal Election Commission in September 2022. According to the FEC, Unite had $491,327.68 on hand as of June 30 after receiving $127,610 in contributions during the first half of the year.

The PAC has had many events, said Baraka, now in his third 4-year term after a landslide victory last year. This is, like, number 15, 16. And all of them have been pretty significant. Theres just been less people and, you know, quieter, I should say.

The PACs registered agent did not respond to a request for comment after the fundraiser, and the mayors press secretary, Susan Garofalo, said she could not speak for the mayors fundraising or campaign activities.

The most vocal people around Mondays fundraiser were a half-dozen demonstrators on the sidewalk outside the performing arts center on Center Street, who used a megaphone to criticize Baraka for what they said was his failure to adequately house the citys highest-in-the-state homeless population, root out corruption or stem violence.

We need more housing! one protestor shouted through the megaphone across the NJPAC plaza toward the fundraiser inside. Later, four uniformed Newark Police officers told the protestors they had to stop using the megaphone because they lacked a permit for one. The protestors complied.

They included members of local groups Come Unity www.1comeunity.com and the Newark Anti-Poverty Coalition, who called for measures to improve education, health care and permanent housing.

We out here contesting what is supposed to be a so-called Unite PAC fundraiser to raise money for Moving New Jersey Forward, said the coalitions founder, Munirah Bomani, referring to the slogan on the fundraisers flier.

So when you say move New Jersey, we think youre running for governor, Bomani told NJAM. So, were out here because you cant run for (governor of) New Jersey when you cant run the city of Newark.

Bomani is part of a nascent campaign to recall Baraka and all nine members of the City Council. However, the city clerk has yet to issue the Total Recall campaign, led by local activist Deborah Salters, petitions for the thousands of signatures required to schedule the recall votes.

The protestors had announced beforehand that they would be at the fundraiser, and Baraka said on his way there that they were within their rights, even though he said their criticisms didnt make sense.

We just came out of a room full of people from Newark who are doing anti-violence work, Baraka said, adding that he had been invited to talk about the issue at the White House, among other places. Weve put people in Newark in homes who never had homes before. Weve increased employment.

They have a right to be opposed to whatever theyre opposed to, Baraka said. I dont know whether theres any elected official in the country where everybody agrees with what they say or are going to do, where theres not going to be people that protest or argue against them. That comes with the job.

Nobody knows Jersey better than NJ.com. Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox.

Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com
A Gloucester County man was shot four times in the head during an encounter with a Deptford police officer that left both men dead earlier this year, according to a newly-released autopsy report that has raised additional questions from the mans family.

Mitchell O. Negron Jr., 24, died at the scene after the March 10 incident that began with him being stopped by Deptford Police Officer Robert J. Shisler because he was walking on the wrong side of the road, according to police body camera video released earlier this year.

Negron eventually ran and was chased by Shisler before both men were shot, authorities said. Shisler, 27, died May 7 from complications related to a gunshot wound to the leg.

Both men had firearms in their possession that day, according to investigative documents in the case. But, officials have never stated if both mens guns were fired, who may have fired first or how many shots were fired from each weapon.

Negrons brother, Raul, said this week it is still unclear if his brother fired a shot during the encounter and he believes his sibling was murdered by the police officer.

Were still waiting for answers. There are still so many unanswered questions, he said.

Local law enforcement officials declined to comment on the familys view of the case Wednesday and referred questions to the state Attorney Generals office.

The Attorney Generals office closed its investigation into the case in June, saying only that the case would not be presented to a grand jury because both people involved in the incident were dead.

A spokesperson for the office reiterated that stance in a statement Wednesday afternoon.

Every loss of life is regrettable, and this encounter involving Mitchell Negron Jr. and Deptford Police Officer Robert Shisler is certainly no exception. However, this investigation is closed as the two men involved are deceased.

Mitchell O. Negron Jr., 24, was killed March 10, 2023, in a shooting that also claimed the life of a Deptford police officer. (Photo provided by Raul Negron)

The autopsy reports for both men were among new details about the case released this week in response to an Open Public Records Act request filed by NJ Advance Media. The documents describe the injuries suffered by Negron and Shisler.

The autopsy for Shisler lists his cause of death as complications of gunshot wound of right lower extremity, while Negrons is listed as gunshot wounds to the head.

Negron was shot in the side, back and top of the head, the autopsy said. The manner of death for both men is listed as homicide.

Audio was also released revealing the last radio call from Shisler as he contacted a county dispatcher for help.

County, Im shot. I need help, the officer said.

Negrons brother, Raul, said his family received a copy of the autopsy report Tuesday and continues to seek information about what happened.

Raul Negron believes the autopsy report tells a different story from the public perception that his brother killed a cop.

For six months, people have said that my brother shot the gun, he said. No, the cop shot the gun. And then, whatever happened after that, which, if youre reading the same thing I read, Im reading murder.

Getting information from authorities about the case has been difficult, Raul Negron said.

We literally just got the autopsy, he said. Something is wrong. How does a national story go to, OK, theyre both dead. No answers. Thats crazy to me.

When the state Attorney Generals Office announced in June that it had closed the investigation, officials released Shislers body camera footage, which shows the initial interaction between the men on a street in Deptford.

Shisler stopped Negron as he walked along Delsea Drive that day. In a cordial exchange captured by the body camera, Shisler told Negron he was walking on the wrong side of the street and putting himself in danger from vehicle traffic. Negron thanked the officer, then Shisler asked for his name and date of birth in order to check for any outstanding warrants.

Negron gave Shisler someone elses name and the officer returned to his vehicle to contact the dispatcher, according to the video.

As he read the name to a dispatcher over his radio, Shisler said he saw Negron running away. Shisler pulled his vehicle forward briefly, then got out and started running after Negron, the video shows.

The foot chase lasted for nearly a minute as the men ran through several yards. Shisler yelled, Stop, police, but Negron kept running before Shisler tackled him, according to the video.

The pair struggled on the ground and the video is obscured for the remainder of the recording after officials said the body camera fell off the officer. However, the audio of the incident can still be heard as Shisler and Negron continued to struggle.

Expletives and grunting can be heard on the audio, along with Shisler radioing to police dispatchers.

Im in the back yard, I need help, Shisler said.

Do you know the house number? a dispatcher asked, without a response from the officer.

About two minutes and 40 seconds after Shisler tackled Negron, a single gunshot is heard on the recording.

Then, someone can be heard groaning and saying, Help me.

Turn the f--- around, someone says. Roll the f--- over. Roll the f--- over. About 15 seconds after the gunshot, a man is heard saying, You shot me.

County, shots fired, another voice said.

About 30 seconds later, seven gunshots are heard in rapid succession and the video soon ends.

It is not clear from the images or audio on the police body camera recording who fired which shots. The Attorney Generals Office has declined to answer questions about the series of events that unfolded after the video ended.

Negron had a Taurus .38 special revolver in his possession, according to an investigation record released in March in response to an Open Public Records Act request. But, the police body camera footage did not appear to show any images of the gun in Negrons hand before the camera fell to the ground in the struggle.

The autopsy report for Negron states he was shot in the head four times and suffered two superficial gunshot wounds to the chest.

The gunshot wounds to the head struck the left temporal scalp, left superior parietal scalp, right posterior parietal scalp and left inferior posterior parietal scalp, according to the autopsy report.

Raul Negron said the state has offered little information to the family, including any details about the gun they said Negron had in his possession.

The attorney general couldnt confirm where the bullet that struck the cop came from, he said. Nor could they confirm the revolver they reported finding on the scene was shot. When asked, they said there were bullets missing from that gun, but they gave us no other information confirming it had been shot that day.

Newly released police dispatch audio from that day includes Shisler calling for help over his police radio.

After reporting, County, shots fired, as was heard in the body camera audio released in June, the new dispatch audio includes Shisler later saying he was shot and needed help.

The audio then includes other officers trying to locate Shisler. A 911 caller reported Shisler was in the front yard of a home on Doman Avenue bleeding badly, a dispatcher told officers.

Deptford Police Officer Robert J. Shisler died May 7 from complications from a gunshot wound.(Deptford Township Police Department)

Hes bleeding out. Im getting a tourniquet on him, an officer who arrived at the scene later reports.

Another body camera video from an officer coming to assist Shisler showed Negrons body on the ground very close to the injured officer. The images of Shisler and Negron were pixelated in the video, which was released in June.

In additional police dispatch communications released this week, an officer says Shislers body camera was found on a dirt mound near Negron.

Several officers rushed Shisler to the hospital after finding the pair both shot.

The officer underwent multiple surgeries at Cooper University Hospital in Camden and was later transferred to a Philadelphia hospital for additional treatment. He never recovered from the gunshot wound.

The Deptford community raised funds and offered displays of support for Shisler while he was in the hospital.

Thousands turned out to pay their respects at a public funeral service for the officer held at Rowan University in May.

57 1 / 57 Funeral of Deptford Police Officer Robert Shisler

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com.
A Jersey City high school student was injured in a lunchtime fight outside the school Wednesday that apparently stemmed from the robbery of a store nearby.

Jersey City police responded to Dickinson High School at 2 Palisade Avenue at 12:34 p.m. and found a juvenile suffered a gash to their eye in a fight, Jersey City spokeswoman Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione said.
A federal judge has acquitted a Trenton police officer of a civil rights charge due to erroneous and prejudicial remarks by a prosecutor during closing arguments at his trial.

The Sept. 11 decision by Judge Peter G. Sheridan clears Drew Inman and closes the case. A jury had found him not guilty in May on another charge, and was hung on the civil rights count, which alleged the use of excessive force in a 2017 arrest.

Sheridans 31-page decision is highly critical of the prosecutor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Martha Nye, who alleged in her second closing statement that Inman hit the suspect, Chanzie Washington, with a flashlight.

The flashlight allegation was not in the indictment, prosecutors pretrial submissions, opening statements, nor trial testimony, Sheridan said in his decision. It surfaced for the first time when Nye made a rebuttal closing statement, after Inmans lawyer gave his closing.

And, Sheridan noted, Nye also displayed a PowerPoint slide in her closing that read, INMAN HIT CHANZIE WITH FLASHLIGHT.

In brief, the Government never alleged the use of a flashlight was in play prior to the prosecutors rebuttal. Taking into account all the circumstances of the case, the Court finds that the prosecutorial misconduct so infected the trial with unfairness as to make the result of the trial a miscarriage of justice and denial of Inmans right to Due Process, Sheridan wrote.

Prosecutors had alleged Inman and another officer, Anthony Villanueva, who were tried together, excessively punched Washington with their fists, using physical force, not with an object, which police characterize as mechanical force.

Sheridan explored the physical vs mechanical issue, saying in a footnote, To speak with candor, the prosecutors remark that Inman employed mechanical force...rather than physical force...to inflict excessive force surprised me.

Prosecutors later argued that Inman and Villanuevas lawyers opened the door in their closings that characterized Washington as a con man and a liar.

But Sheridan soundly rejected that, finding no reasonable inference for Nye to raise a new theory on use of force, and characterized it as misconduct.

Later, Sheridan said he was compelled to comment further on the prosecutors remark, saying: It is utterly void of any charge that Inman used a flashlight or mechanical force. This was an error by the government that deprived Inman of his right to mount a proper defenseWithout being sufficiently informed of the charge against him, Inman was unfairly prejudiced.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey said Tuesday: The office greatly respects the district judge. We will move for reconsideration of the courts misconduct finding and, in our submission to the court, will outline why we believe there was no misconduct here.

Inman and Villanueva went on trial in U.S. District Court in Trenton in May 2023 for the allegations they used excessive force in the April 2017 arrest of Washington, then 36. (Villanueva was later terminated from the force for another incident.)

The Washington arrest started as a routine traffic stop, then two separate police pursuits, first with Washington fleeing in the vehicle, then running on foot. Washington fled through backyards, along Spring, Passaic and West Hanover streets.

Then he jumped into the Delaware & Raritan Canal and swam to the other side. When he emerged, other officers confronted him as he was behind a chain-link fence.

Villanueva and Inman got behind the fence and got to Washington first.

Federal prosecutors alleged say Villanueva and Inman excessively punched Washington, violating his civil rights, then filed false reports about it.

The jury found Villanueva not guilty of all charges, and Inman not guilty of the report charge. But it was hung on the civil rights charge.

Inmans lawyer, Scott Krasny, made an oral motion, then later filed a written motion, to have the civil rights charge dismissed via acquittal, due to the flashlight comments.

Sheridans Sept. 11 decision reverts to that oral motion, which he now granted.

The remedy for prosecutorial misconduct is typically a new trial, Sheridan wrote. However, Kransy made his oral motion based on the evidence at the time and before the jury returned its partial verdict, Sheridan wrote.

Villanueva still faces another possible trial on use of force from a unrelated incident in the Trenton police lockup, also in 2017.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
A Trenton man died at a hospital shortly after being shot several times on Middle Rose Street in the citys North Ward on Saturday, the Mercer County Prosecutors Office said.

Balil Lewis, 37, lived in the Prospect Village neighborhood in North Trenton.

Multiple activations of ShotSpotter, Trentons gunfire-detection system, sent police officers to Middle Rose Street shortly before midnight on Saturday, authorities said. They found Lewis fatally wounded in the middle of the street.

Lewis went by the name Governor Lewis on Facebook, and has been mourned for days as a well-known resident and father in the Prospect Village area.

No arrests have been made in the case, the prosecutors office said Wednesday.

The prosecutor offices Homicide Task Force is investigating the shooting and anyone with information can call Detective Jacob Schor at 609-414-1179 or William Jett Jr. at 609-331-5010, or information can be emailed to mchtftips@mercercounty.org.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The strategic initiative is fully in the hands of the Azerbaijani armed forces, which have significantly advanced in all key areas during anti-terrorist activities in Karabakh, Igor Korotchenko, CEO of the Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies (Russia), wrote on social networks, Trend reports.

"Armenian units are largely disorganized due to the loss of communication and the impossibility of centralized combat control," he noted.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.
A man was sentenced to state prison on Tuesday for his involvement in a conspiracy to steal credit cards and pandemic relief debit cards from the mail, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said.

Justin Brooks, 24, of the Vauxhall section of Union, was sentenced to time served, 14 months, on a guilty plea of receiving stolen mail, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit mail theft and bank fraud.

He pleaded guilty to the three-count indictment in Newark federal court on March 15.

Brooks and his brother Jarid Brooks enlisted the help of Kyle Williams, a postal service employee in West Caldwell, federal prosecutors said. Williams swiped envelopes and gave them to the Brooks brothers and co-conspirator Kyjuan Hutchins, who bought merchandise and gift cards in in Essex, Hudson, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties from July 2019 until early October 2020, officials said.

At least eight victims in West Caldwell, Fairfield, Roselle Park, Boonton and North Caldwell suffered $70,000 in losses from fraudulent purchases made using their stolen credit cards. Justin Brooks also schemed to fraudulently use more than $13,000 of funds pre-loaded onto Economic Impact Payment cards issued by the U.S Treasury Department, authorities said.

When investigators executed a search warrant at Justin Brooks home in October 2020, they found $3,330 in cash, an American Express gift card, 29 Mastercard gift cards, four Netspend debit cards, 13 Vanilla gift cards, nine Vanilla Visa prepaid cards, six Visa Economic Impact Payment debit cards and 21 Visa gift cards, according to charging documents.

In late May and early June 2020, Justin Brooks was seen on surveillance cameras withdrawing more than $9,100 from ATMs in Maplewood and Irvington using stolen pandemic relief cards, court documents said.

As part of his sentence, Brooks will serve three years of supervised release pay $87,080 in restitution.

Williams was sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay $87,079 in restitution after pleading guilty to conspiring to commit access device fraud. Hutchins and Jarid Brooks have both pleaded guilty in the case and are awaiting sentencing.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Nicolas Fernandes may be reached at nfernandes@njadvancemedia.com.
The Deptford Board of Education on Tuesday rescinded a controversial policy that would have withheld or limited meals to a basic lunch of cheese or peanut butter sandwiches for children with delinquent food bills.

Following feedback and discussion with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, this policy will be suspended immediately, Superintendent Kevin Kanauss wrote to families Tuesday afternoon. All students will be offered school breakfast and lunch, regardless of the balance of their meal account.

The move comes after Kanauss emailed families on Sept. 13, informing them that the district had amended its policy on outstanding food service charges because it had incurred an enormous debt from delinquent student accounts.

The letter stated that children in Pre-K and kindergarten with unpaid bills would receive breakfast and a limited lunch; first through fifth graders would receive the basic lunch but no breakfast; and sixth graders and above would not receive meals. The letter said students with unpaid bills of $50 or more faced meal restrictions.

It also said parents would be charged for the alternative meals and could be reported to a collection agency if their accounts remained delinquent.

Some parents and critics took to social media, shaming the district over its revised policy.

Reaction from Gov. Phil Murphys Office was swift.

On Tuesday morning, a spokesperson for Murphys Office said the administration was working to address the school lunch policy recently enacted by the Deptford school district to serve alternative lunches to children whose parents have accrued a certain amount of unpaid meal fees.

The districts policy goes against protections outlined in the Hunger-Free Students Bill of Rights Act and the Working-Class Families Act, said Christi Peace, a spokesperson for Murphys Office. The Governor and his Administration will not stand for policies that ostracize and harm New Jersey students, especially those who may already come from a family struggling to put food on the table.

According to the Inquirer, which first reported the story, the district enacted the policy at the start of the new school year because some parents had racked up thousands of dollars in unpaid debt for school meals. The Inquirer reported over 783 delinquent student accounts were $68,000 in arrears this year.

Lunch costs $3.25 for elementary school students, $3.50 for middle school students and 3.75 for students in high school.

District spokesperson Salvatore Randazzo did not return calls for comment Tuesday. But In the Sept. 13 letter to parents, Superintendent Kanauss stated:

Our district is committed to providing these meals for students daily. However, the district has encumbered a huge financial burden from families failing to pay their meal balances for their scholars. Such financial losses impact our programs, staff, and supplies for students.

Deptford is not the first school district to enact a controversial policy over delinquent food services charges. In 2019, the Cherry Hill school district in Camden County served tuna sandwiches  not hot lunches  to students with outstanding balances.But it later changed the policy to allow hot lunches but prohibited the students from participating in school activities and going to prom.

The Deptford district enrolls about 4,100 students, about 25% economically disadvantaged. It is being asked to submit its revised policy to the Department of Agriculture for review before the Board of Education adopts it so that the Department can confirm the policy is in aligns with the law.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Tina Kelley contributed to this report.

Deion Johnson may be reached at djohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Instagram at @DeionRJohnson or Twitter @DeionRJohhnson
A 50-year-old New Jersey man died after collapsing while hiking in the Catskills in upstate New York on Saturday, officials said.

The man experienced chest discomfort and breathing issues before he collapsed on the Diamond Notch Trail in the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness at about 8:50 a.m., the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation said in a statement.

Those hiking with the man began CPR and found two EMTs, but they were unable to revive him, authorities said.

New York State Police didnt respond to a request for the mans identity.

TimesUnion.com said officials identified the man as Ravi K. Vegiraju, of the Morganville section of Marlboro.

Hunter-West Kill Wilderness is a 19,250 acre area in Catskill Forest Preserve, according to the Department of Environmental Conservation.

The area in New York where a 50-year-old New Jersey man collapsed and died while hiking Saturday morning.Google

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.

Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Gov. Phil Murphys push for comprehensive liquor license reform has faced stiff opposition in the New Jersey Legislature as state lawmakers are leery of angering the trade associations that dominate lobbying efforts in Trenton.

That is especially true in an election year with all 120 seats in the Legislature on the ballot, and Democrats are trying to prevent Republicans from expanding on the gains they made two years ago, when they flipped seven seats.

The lame duck session that begins after the election and ends when the new Legislature takes over in January might be the Democratic governors best chance at overhauling the antiquated system  as well as easing restrictions on New Jersey breweries. Murphy has not acted on a brewery bill lawmakers sent him in June, saying he wants bigger changes.
The last time Chad Green was in Yankee Stadium he was being pulled from a game after experiencing forearm soreness in May 2022. Within a week, he underwent Tommy John surgery, ending his seven-year tenure as one of the Yankees most reliable relievers.

On Wednesday, he returned to Yankee Stadium as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.

BUY YANKEES TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

Walking in on the other side, its just different, Green said, via Gary Phillips of The New York Daily News. Im definitely excited to be back. Definitely looking forward to pitching here.

The right-hander, who landed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Blue Jays last winter, admitted that he watches the scoreboard from time to time to see how his former team is doing. He even inferred that his not returning to New York after declaring for free agency at the end of last season, was not entirely his decision.

Its not common for the Yankees to sign a player who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, let alone for what Toronto ended up offering him.

I kind of put two and two together and realized that probably my Yankee career was over at that time, he said.

Per The Daily News:

Green went on to say that he and the Yankees had small talks over the winter, but they didnt show serious interest in bringing him back.

Green was one of the Yankees most reliable relievers over the years. He arrived in New York via trade with the Tigers in the 2015-2016 offseason. In seven seasons, he posted a 3.17 ERA over 271 appearances.

He had a 3.14 ERA in 13 appearances before forearm soreness drove him off the mound in a game against the Orioles. A week later, Green opted for Tommy John, a surgery that kept him from a major league mound until this September.

Green has a 7.36 ERA in 7 1/3 innings pitched in Toronto, where in eight appearances, hes recorded eight strikeouts.

MORE SPORTS

- ESPNs Michael Kay makes bold prediction about competitors future

- Weighing bottom line on Yankees Anthony Volpe: Was he rushed to majors? | Klapisch

- How Yankees can dump Giancarlo Stanton, an injury-prone, .190 hitter who runs like grandma

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Manuel Gomez may be reached at mgomez@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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Experts have been appointed to assess the damage to Azerbaijan's civilian objects, the Senior Prosecutor of the Press Service of the Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office Kanan Zeynalov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

According to Zeynalov, Armenian illegal armed formations [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] continue to commit acts of terrorism, targeting the civilian population, civil infrastructure, and residential homes, as they did during the 2020 second Karabakh war.

"As known, two employees of the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads, who were killed as a result of a terrorist act committed on September 19 by the Armenian illegal armed formations, were working in the liberated territories with the aim of creating road infrastructure," he stated. "The four police officers who were injured by a mine planted by an Armenian illegal armed group were not involved in any combat activities, but were sent to the scene to restore public order."

"Furthermore, as reported, as a result of the attacks carried out by illegally created armed formations in Karabakh, civilians were injured yesterday due to shelling with heavy weapons, including mortars. In the city of Shusha, Vidadi Farkhadov (born in 1967), who worked as an engineer for housing and communal services, was killed, and in the Aghdam district, an attempted deliberate murder with multiple shrapnel wounds was made on Mehman Hasanov (born in 1992), an excavator operator for one of the companies conducting restoration work in the area," added Zeynalov.

He noted that criminal cases have been initiated for each incident, and investigations are ongoing. Under current conditions, prosecutorial authorities are conducting possible investigative actions, and appropriate expert examinations have been appointed to determine the extent of damage to civil infrastructure objects.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
Pushboats wrangle pipe used to transport sediment to a location near Alliance where an underwater sill was built to slow the movement of saltwater upriver, on July 12, 2023. The sill will be elevated in the next couple of weeks in an attempt to reduce the amount of saltwater overtopping it and threatening water supplies in Belle Chasse, St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans. (Army Corps of Engineers)
Stricter catch limits on one of Louisiana's most popular fish are on the way if a new state plan on redfish approved Thursday moves ahead unimpeded.
Judge Shayne Beevers Morvant of the 24th Judicial District Court sentenced Laborde to a total of 11 years in prison but suspended all but six months of the sentence, court records said.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office investigators said Laborde paid late-night visits to the campus of St. Edwards the Confessor Catholic Church three times between March 20 and April 24. He was accused of intentionally pushing over statues on the grounds, including causing $4,000 worth of damage to a 100-year-old statue of the Virgin Mary.

When authorities reviewed surveillance video from the nights the acts occurred, they determined that the same man broke into the locked sanctuary on the night of March 21 and crouched behind the alter for about 22 minutes, authorities said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Armenians still remain "true" to themselves and resort to provocative actions on the battlefield, Trend reports.

Armenians place civilian vehicles in close proximity to the combat positions, thus trying to create the impression that Azerbaijan is shelling civilians.

Through these nefarious acts, they are trying to deceive the international community and portray themselves as victims.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.
State Rep. Richard Nelson, a Mandeville Republican who campaigned for Louisiana governor on an ambitious policy platform but never gained traction in polls, dropped out of the race Wednesday and endorsed the current front-runner, Attorney General Jeff Landry.

Nelson, 37, has touted a goal of jettisoning Louisiana's state income tax to make the state more attractive to young people and align it with neighbors such as Texas. He took more moderate stances than other Republican candidates on some issues, pledging to support exceptions to Louisiana's strict abortion ban in cases of rape and incest.
WASHINGTON  The U.S. House gave the Federal Emergency Management Agency until Monday to turn over documents describing what goes into the new Risk Rating 2.0 calculations, which have caused premiums in the flood insurance program FEMA oversees to skyrocket for many property owners.

If we do not receive a production of responsive documents not already publicly available, we will consider the use of the compulsory process to gain compliance, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, and Rep. James Comer, R-Kentucky, wrote in a letter delivered to Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell Tuesday night.

As chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Comer can subpoena documents and can launch an investigation that could lead to a criminal contempt of Congress charge should Criswell and FEMA fail to produce the documents. That charge, set up to enforce congressional subpoenas, is punishable by a fine up of up to $100,000 and imprisonment between one and 12 months. Stephen Bannon, former President Donald Trumps advisor, was convicted of the charge in 2022 and sentenced to four months in jail.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Armenians threw paint on the building of the Azerbaijani Consulate in Los Angeles, Trend reports.

The provocateurs also tried to block the doors.

Armenians have attacked Azerbaijani embassies and consulates before in an attempt to sabotage them.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Illegal militants in Karabakh seriously threaten the lives of hundreds of our people every day, said Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Special Assignments Elchin Amirbayov in an interview with French radio, Trend reports.

About 10,000 illegal fighters have been in the area for almost three years, he noted.

Stressing that Armenia provides all kinds of support to the Karabakh separatists, Amirbayov said that "Armenia also finances the separatists from its state budget".

"All this poses a serious threat to the security of our country. Therefore, it was decided to take local anti-terrorist measures and neutralize the legitimate military objectives of the other side," he added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.
(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

OSLO, Norway, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces that its partner Asieris Pharmaceuticals (SSE: 688176) has communicated today that the multinational Cevira Phase III clinical trial has been completed and successfully met its primary endpoint. Cevira (APL-1702) is a photodynamic drug-device combination product in development for the non-surgical treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), licensed to Asieris by Photocure.

The results of the study will be submitted to the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as part of a new drug application (NDA) in the coming months.

This study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled international multicenter Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APL-1702 for the treatment of cervical HSIL. It is led by Academy Member Dr. Jinghe Lang from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and has enrolled 402 participants. The trial met its primary endpoint, together with a robust safety profile. Comprehensive data from this study will be presented at forthcoming academic conferences and published in scientific journals.

Dr. Linda Wu, Chief Development Officer of Asieris Pharmaceuticals, said "This milestone marks a significant leap forward in the management of HSIL, with the potential to transform care in this domain. Moreover, tackling precancerous cervical conditions is pivotal for early prevention of cervical cancer and is an integral part of the three-tier cancer prevention system. Asieris Pharmaceuticals is committed to playing an active role in advancing China's Action Plan to Eliminate Cervical Cancer (2023-2030) and contributing to Healthy China 2030, aligning our efforts with the WHO's global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer."

"It is exciting to see that the Phase III clinical trial for Cevira has met its primary endpoint. There are many patients globally who can benefit from a non-surgical approach to treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Given the high unmet need and the importance of novel therapies to improve HSIL clinical outcomes, Photocure will continue to support Asieris, as our partner advances to the next stages of product development and regulatory approval," said Anders Neijber, Photocure's Chief Medical Officer.

According to the Global Cancer Statistics 2020, there were 604,127 new cases of cervical cancer in women, with 341,831 deaths worldwide, ranking it as the fourth most prevalent malignancy among females.1 In China, cervical cancer ranks as the second most common malignancy among women.

The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection, leading to precancerous cervical lesions. Alarmingly, approximately 20 percent of individuals with HSIL may progress to invasive cervical cancer within a span of 10 years.2 According to Frost & Sullivan, the number of HSIL patients is projected to reach 16.6 million globally and 2.2 million in China by 2030.

Read Asieris' full media release here: https://asieris.com/the-first-non-vaccine-investigational-product-for-cervical-hsil-has-achieved-its-primary-endpoint/

1 Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-49.

2 Expert Committee of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Branch (CSCCP) of Chinese Eugenics Association. Expert consensus on cervical cancer screening and abnormal management in China (II). Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2017, 20 Sep. (3) - :286-288. (in Chinese)

Note to editors:

All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA.This press release may contain product details and information which are not valid, or a product is not accessible, in your country. Please be aware that Photocure does not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin.

About Cevira

Cevira (APL-1702) is a photodynamic drug-device combination product in development. Based on the principles of photodynamic therapy, the Cevira product aims to use a photosensitizer in combination with light activation to produce a therapeutic effect as a non-surgical treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), including all human papilloma virus (HPV) sub-types.Photocure developed Cevira through Phase I and Phase II trials, and the global rights for development and commercialization were out-licensed to Asieris Meditech Co., Ltd in 2019. In November 2020 Asieris initiated the phase III clinical trial for APL-1702 (Cevira), Clinical trial number: NCT04484415.

About Photocure ASA

Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com

About Asieris

Asieris Pharmaceuticals(688176.SH), founded in March 2010, is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases.

For further information, please contact:

Dan SchneiderPresident and CEOPhotocure ASAEmail: ds@photocure.com

Erik DahlCFOPhotocure ASATel: +4745055000Email: ed@photocure.com

David MoskowitzVice President, Investor RelationsPhotocure ASATel: +1 202 280 0888Email: david.moskowitz@photocure.com

Media and IR enquiries:

Geir BjrloCorporate Communications (Norway)Tel: +47 91540000Email: geir.bjorlo@corpcom.no

The following files are available for download:

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/photocure-partner-asieris-announces-that-the-first-non-vaccine-investigational-product-for-cervical-hsil-has-achieved-its-primary-endpoint-301933243.html
You are clearly a super-user of NUVO.net. Thats a good thing. It means you depend on independent and local news sources to keep you informed. You are a smart person.



Coincidentally, independent and local news sources depend on you too. Youve read 25 articles this month and now, wed like you to be join our mission and become a NUVO Supporter. For as little as $4 a month, you can keep us alive and fighting -- and can have unlimited access to the independent news that cant be found anywhere else.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijan has successfully attacked and destroyed military facilities controlled by Armenian separatists in Karabakh, with no damage to civilian objects, civilian casualties, or injuries, an article issued in the Austrian Das Fazit online newspaper said, Trend reports.

"For several months, Azerbaijan had been trying to push Armenia toward signing a peace agreement. Azerbaijan had pursued all of this through diplomacy," the article noted.

"Usually, it only takes one wrong move to undo all the agreements reached. On September 19, a truck carrying employees of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs was blown up by mines planted by Armenian military formations. The employees were killed on the spot," the article reminded. "The truck headed to the site of a terrorist attack that occurred on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha highway, passing through the Khojavand district, which resulted in the deaths of employees of the State Agency of Azerbaijan Automobile Roads."

As a result, Azerbaijan initiated an anti-terrorism operation aimed at Armenian illegal armed formations in Karabakh, the article said.

Besides, the article noted that Karabakh separatists are now requesting negotiations with Azerbaijan.

"However, it's now too late. Azerbaijan has made it clear - the only condition is for the Karabakh separatists to lay down their arms and leave. There is no need to waste time," the article authors emphasized.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
CROWN POINT  Students at Solon Robinson Elementary School got to learn more about their constitutional rights from a judge on Tuesday.

Lake County Superior Court Judge Julie Cantrell spoke to approximately 70 fifth-grade students at the elementary school to celebrate Constitution Day, which was on Sept. 17.

Cantrell and 45 other judges are meeting with nearly 3,500 students across the state of Indiana to commemorate the signing of the document 236 years ago.

The judge discussed with students about the Constitution and the original ten amendments. She also gave a chance for the kids to ask questions. They eagerly raised their hands to ask not just about the supreme law of the land but also about her role as a county judge and about the judicial system.

One of the students, Carson Kaczynski, said it was interesting to hear Cantrell tell stories about her career as a judge.

I think its cool that theyre coming here to teach us about the Constitution, Kaczynski said.

Kelly Wool, a fifth-grade teacher at Solon Robinson, said her students have talked about the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and discussed their importance ahead of Cantrell's visit. Wool said her students will learn more about the Constitution later in the school year, and said the judges presentation was a great introduction for when they get more in-depth later on.

I think Judge Cantrell does a great job with working with the kids, Wool said.

According to Cantrell, the presentations at the schools began six years ago to commemorate the 230th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution. She has done them every year and has encouraged her fellow judges to do these presentations.

I really like going out into the community. Im kind of an educator at heart, Cantrell said.

Before becoming a judge, Cantrell was a teacher in East Chicago. She also for a time taught at Purdue Northwest.

Cantrell said it was important for judges to do outreach so they are not a mystery to the community.

You dont want it to be such a scary thing, she said. You want somebody to come into court, you want them to feel comfortable.

Lake County judges are visiting students in Gary, Munster and Hammond schools throughout this month.

PHOTOS: New Taft Middle School Nearing Completion
CROWN POINT  Up until a few months ago, Beans the bulldog sat on the Werkowskis deck, his weathered coat gradually pealing away.

On Monday night, Beans was unveiled at his new home  Bulldog Park.

The four-foot-tall fiberglass bulldog statue was part of the original Best in Show exhibit launched by the Stewards of the Square, Inc in the early 2000s.

In 2005, Stewards of the Square asked businesses and individuals to sponsor the decoration and placement of dozens of bulldog statues. Some pooches can still be spotted around town today, at places like the library and the fire station.

The Werkowskis mobile ice cream business, called Crown Creamery, is a regular presence at Bulldog Park events like the weekly Car Cruise and Oktoberfest. The family thought it was odd there was no bulldog at Bulldog Park, so they decided to make a donation.

Were so happy to see him become part of the town again, Emma Werkowski said.

Beans big debut involved a collaboration between the city and the Crown Point Library, a state grant and a few layers of fresh paint.

Capturing his hometown

After learning about the Werkowskis bulldog, Mary Freda-Flores, Crown Points communications-media manager, began brainstorming ways the sculpture could be used to highlight the citys history. She reached out to the Crown Point Community Library and found multimedia artist Lewis Lain, a Crown Point native who now lives in Chicago.

As Lain sanded away Beans old coat of newspaper, Crown Point Library Historian Jeanene Letcher started sifting through old city directories and the Walk the Dog public art took shape.

Walk the Dog focuses on 10 historic places spread throughout Crown Point. Lain painted the locations on the sculpture and created a coloring book that features a page dedicated to each spot.

Letcher created informational signs that will be posted at each site; the signs will also feature a QR code with more information so people can embark on self-guided walking tours.

Freda-Flores said the goal was to create something that appeals to all ages. The project received a $9,600 grant from the Indiana Destination Development Corp. The Crown Point Redevelopment Commission paid $13,000 for the informational signage. The signs and the QR codes will be up and running later this fall.

The Crown Point Library has operated a historical tour since 2016. In 2017, the library partnered with the city and began offering historical trolley tours. Letcher said the tour is constantly expanding as more locations are added and additional information becomes available.

Her research usually starts at the librarys Indiana room which is filled with history books and microfilm copies of the old Lake County Star newspaper.

Because the library has sat just off of the Crown Point square for 115 years, it is home to a wealth of historical knowledge, library director Julie Wendorf said.

The citys passion for historic preservation is clear  Crown Point has four historic districts, a historic preservation commission and multiple homes are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

I think Crown Point is a place you fall in love with and you just want to know more about it, Wendorf said.

While painting Beans, Lain drew on his own personal history with the Hub City.

Each of the 10 historic locations had a personal significance for the artist: his first job was at the Crown Theatre, he and his mother used to visit the Antique Mall and the Maplewood Cemetery served as a handy shortcut during walks home from school.

It was a magic place to grow up and when I finally left for college in 1996, I carried that magic with me. It has inspired and guided me greatly, Lain said he was honored to hopefully return some of that magic by intimately capturing the spirit of the structures of my hometown, one brush stroke at a time.

The bright buildings painted on Beans are set against green hills and a sunset that fades into the night sky. Lain said he wanted to depict the city growing out of its foundation connecting to both the nature that surrounds it, and the greater cosmos around us.

Beans will live at the Bulldog Park, though his wheels allow him to move around the plaza.

Lains hope is that the project will inspire even more creativity in the city.

As the signs are finalized, more information about the Walk the Dog project will be available on the Crown Point website at crownpoint.in.gov/553/Walk-the-Dog.

PHOTOS: Crown Point's inaugural chalk walk
The comedian Tom Papa from "Wait.. Wait... Don't Tell Me" and many standup specials will perform in Michigan City.

The New Jersey native, a fixture on WBEZ on Saturday mornings who's been doing comedy since 1993, will perform at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Stardust Event Center at the Blue Chip Casino in Michigan City.

Papa does stand-up as well as film, television, radio and podcasts. He's a regular guest on late-night television shows and the popular "Wait.. Wait... Don't Tell Me" on NPR.

He hosts the Sirius XM Satellite Radio Show "Come to Papa" and "What a Joke with Papa and Fortune." He also hosted the Food Network show "Baked" and did the "Out in America" segment on the "Prairie Home Companion" successor "Live from Here," hosted by Chris Thile, which he also was the head writer of.

He started doing standup at open mics in New York City, toured with Jerry Seinfeld and did a one-man show at the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. He put out the album "Calm, Cool and Collected" and has done five stand-up specials, two of which were directed by Rob Zombie. All of them are streaming on major platforms like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.

He's regularly appeared on shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman and The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

His own radio play variety show "Come to Papa Live" has hosted guests like Jim Gaffigan, Matt Damon, Sarah Silverman, Joel McHale and Andy Richter. He's also appeared in movies like "Top Five," "Behind the Candelabra" and "The Informant!" as well as in television shows like "The Knick," "Inside Amy Schumer," "The Jim Gaffigan Show," "The New Adventures of Old Christine" and "Duck Quacks Don't Echo."

He also penned the book "You're Doing Great!," whichwas an hourlong Netflix comedy special.

Tickets are $55.

For more information or tickets, visit https://bluechip.boydgaming.com/.
The 74 looked at an issue facing thousands of students and familieshow using a false address to get into a better school has criminal ramifications
A Lake Station man found guilty in absentia of two counts of child molesting last year received a fair trial, according to a recent ruling by the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Records show David Powers II, 52, was sentenced to 36 years in prison following his conviction by a LaPorte County jury and subsequent apprehension in Tennessee after fleeing Indiana just days before his trial ultimately was held without him.

According to court records, Powers unlawfully touched a 12-year-old girl on two occasions while the girl seemed to be sleeping.

Powers argued in his appeal that the victim's testimony was so incredibly dubious or inherently improbable that no reasonable person could believe it.

The appeals court, in a 3-0 ruling, rejected Powers' claim, in part because the girl immediately sought help after being molested and DNA testing following the second incident provided "very strong" circumstantial evidence that Powers molested the girl.

"Although Powers claims that (the girl's) DNA could have gotten on his fingers from touching another surface that contained her DNA, such as a doorknob, this argument was presented to the jury and rejected," the appellate judges said. "The incredible dubiosity doctrine does not apply here."

Powers still can request the Indiana Supreme Court review his case. Otherwise, his earliest possible release date from prison, assuming good behavior, is Feb. 12, 2049, according to the Department of Correction.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into LaPorte County Jail Dawn Egener Ronald Walters II Marcus Havis Jr. Jonah Stromer Briana Knoebel Devin Hodge Anthony Magee Kylie Holcomb JD Williams Jr. Aaron Aldridge Joshua Smith Jennifer Hopper Anita Wolfenbarger-Swoverland Kyle Kinslow Dylan Fredenburg Steven Biller Mitchell Taebel Fred Timmons
Jump to: Todays Theme | Tricky Clues

WEDNESDAY PUZZLE  What makes a good karaoke song? Is it the popularity of the song choice? The social cachet demonstrated by your knowing the artist? How singalong-friendly the lyrics are to a room full of rowdy listeners? Or is it just about what you really, deeply feel?

Todays song-filled crossword was constructed by Gina Turner, who, it might not surprise readers to learn, is a musician herself. Ms. Turner was a member of this years Diverse Crossword Constructor Fellowship  applications for which open again on Oct. 4  and were thrilled to feature her New York Times debut.

Yes, this puzzle certainly curates a playlist of performance-ready songs. But its central theme is so striking to uncover that it may have you skipping karaoke altogether just to sing in the shower with everything youve got.

Todays Theme

I love that Ms. Turner has chosen to focus her puzzle on the POWER BALLAD  38-Acrosss Slow rock song with an emotional vocal delivery  because its a style whose qualities mirror the journey traveled when solving a crossword. While it thrills your insides with recognition and spurs you onward, it takes time for the plot to unfold. You have to move through the entire song to take it in. (I might also compare the experience of listening to a power ballad to what my dog experiences when she realizes were headed to the dog park: feverish excitement, coupled with Why are we going so slowly?)
The meat that made the deepest impression on me was smoked Boer goat. A breed developed in South Africa, Boers are raised for eating, as opposed to milking or making into angora sweaters. Mr. Santos cooks it overnight at a low temperature in a smoker inherited from the last tenant, Harry & Idas Meat and Supply Co.

The pastrami that Harry & Idas made in it became an obsession for lovers of smoked meat. Foxfaces goat is a worthy successor to the pastrami  maybe even a natural continuation. What it most reminds me of, though, is Texas Hill Country barbecue, if pitmasters in Texas served their barbecue with things like saffron-scented tomato sauce and creamy roasted new-crop potatoes.

The mammals are likely to be the first thing most people notice about the menu. After four meals at Foxface Natural, though, Ive come to think of it as a seafood restaurant that occasionally dabbles in antelope. Although most of the fish Mr. Santos serves are the opposite of exotic  he favors black sea bass, striped bass and a few other fixtures of the local waters he is particular about whom he buys them from. He prefers fish that are caught on the end of a line by crews that practice the Japanese slaughtering technique known as ikejime.

This method, thought to be more humane, also keeps the fish firm. You may notice the texture in uncooked dishes like the Boston mackerel that he cured in salt and apple vinegar one night. This was a take on a sushi-bar standard, served with a very un-Japanese sweet-pepper relish spooned over a fermented-pepper puree on a plate dotted with beehive-shaped domes of ricotta. (Like the heap of salted butter that accompanies each order of sourdough bread, the ricotta is made at the restaurant.)
James Hoge, who was a blue-blooded editor and publisher of blue-collar newspapers in Chicago and New York for a quarter-century and then long guided a leading journal on international relations, died on Tuesday in Manhattan. He was 87.

His son James Patrick Hoge confirmed the death, at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, but did not specify the cause. Mr. Hoges death came four weeks after that of his younger brother, Warren, a former foreign correspondent and top editor at The New York Times.

Few editors at major American newspapers have been as young as Mr. Hoge was when he rose to the top at The Chicago Sun-Times, a tabloid aimed at a working-class readership. He became the city editor at age 29, editor in chief at 33 and publisher at 44.

He shook up the staff, strove for sprightlier writing and, like other newspaper editors in the 1970s, introduced new sections on business, food and fashion. I am always agitating, he said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan is holding a press briefing on the anti-terror measures the Azerbaijani Army has carried out in Karabakh, Trend reports.

"The agreement was reached to stop local antiterror measures.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan states that considering the appeal by the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, conveyed by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement has been reached as of 13:00, 20 September 2023, to stop the antiterror measures under the following terms:

1. The formations of Armenias armed forces stationed in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and illegal armed groups lay down their arms, withdraw from their battle positions and military outposts and are subjected to complete disarmament.

2. Simultaneously, all the ammunition and heavy military equipment is handed over.

3. Conducting the abovementioned process in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured," the ministry said.
Unlawful crossings along the Southern border have reached levels not seen for several months, straining government resources and taxing some local communities where large numbers of migrants have been released from federal custody.

There were more than 8,000 arrests on Monday, according to Brandon Judd, the head of the union that represents Border Patrol agents. Such high numbers havent been seen since a surge in early May brought the daily number to nearly 10,000, and they are far higher than in mid-April, when there were about 4,900 illegal crossings a day.

The effects of the increasing numbers ripple across the country, as communities on the border and others far from it find themselves scrambling to support migrants released from federal custody.

Right now we are seeing a surge, said Ruben Garcia, who oversees a network of shelters in El Paso, across the border from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. We have a significant increase in the number of people crossing.
Ms. Reynolds, a Republican popular in her home state, came under attack by Mr. Trump this summer after saying she would not endorse in Iowas caucuses, although she has appeared at several campaign events alongside Mr. DeSantis. Criticizing her, and Iowas abortion ban, poses a risk for Mr. Trump, the races clear front-runner, as doing so could anger the evangelical Christian voters who are highly influential in the states Republican caucuses, set for early next year.

The conflict over abortion could also provide an opening for Mr. DeSantis ahead of the Republican debate, which Mr. Trump is skipping, next week. The Florida governor and his allies have pilloried Mr. Trumps comments, especially his statement that he would cut a deal with Democrats on abortion, and Mr. DeSantis may continue that line of criticism at the debate, at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in California.

I think all pro-lifers should know that hes preparing to sell you out, Mr. DeSantis said in an interview on Monday with RadioIowa. Relatively few faith leaders and elected officials have been openly critical of Mr. Trump for his comments, reflecting how unwilling many have been to challenge the man who retains the loyalty of much of the Republican base.
President Biden sought to rally the world on Tuesday to stick with Ukraine and warned against appeasing Moscow in a way that would reward its aggression and encourage the further use of force to redraw the global map.

The president used his annual address to the United Nations General Assembly to try to counter war fatigue both at home and abroad even as House Republicans back in Washington hold up further military aid to Ukraine and key nations around the globe remain on the sidelines or even facilitate the Kremlins war.

Russia believes that the world will grow weary and allow it to brutalize Ukraine without consequence, Mr. Biden said as President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine watched from the audience. But I ask you this: If we abandon the core principles of the United Nations Charter to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? I respectfully suggest the answer is no.

We have to stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, Mr. Biden continued. Thats why the United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity  and their freedom.
Harrells imagination was shaped, he said, by his very idyllic Southern upbringing in Douglas, as part of a well-to-do Black family. My grandfather was the patriarch of the town. He came of age in the 50s, and managed to buy land, Harrell said. There was a certain kind of poetry to language, to eating, to being. My grandparents were always using metaphors, like: Theres more than one way to skin a cat.

The academically gifted Harrell was pushed to be ambitious by his college-educated parents. A self-described drama kid, he considered a career in acting, but after being introduced to the Six Viewpoints, a movement-based theater practice in college, he said, I came back to my body, and all of a sudden, I just wanted to move.

I didnt want to speak anymore, he added.

After years as a freelance choreographer, in 2019, Harrell was invited to form a permanent dance company at the Schauspielhaus Zurich, one of the German-speaking worlds most high-profile theaters. It allowed him to work on a more ambitious scale, and with a full-time group of dancers: It was a turning point where we began to share a movement style, a philosophy of movement, he said.

His next production, Tambourines, will be loosely inspired by Nathaniel Hawthornes 1850 novel The Scarlet Letter. Ive been thinking about how to reclaim this idea of the fallen woman. What if there had been like a community of people to support her?, said Harrell, who studied with the feminist thinker bell hooks at Yale.
In an interview this year, Taylor Tomlinson told me she cut a joke about being single after she started dating someone because even that minor white lie made her uncomfortable. Many other comics, like Kate Berlant, build unreliability into their acts. Others lie so overtly that it sets expectations. Whats tricky is that there is no one industry standard.

The reality is that some comics have more leeway toying with the truth than others. All artists teach their audience how to view them, by the way they tell jokes, their style, the level of absurdity. What makes Hasan Minhaj such a troubling example is that his style, onstage and often off in interviews, suggested we should believe him.

Minhaj is known for using visual aids the way a journalist would. He mixes clips of television news and photos from his life with a general tone of sincerity. The nature of his deceptions was peculiar. He didnt invent stuff to make himself funnier. He did it to raise the stakes in the easiest, most self-regarding way possible. Lying in comedy isnt necessarily wrong. But how you lie matters. Minhaj has told a story about his prom date reneging on the day of the dance because her parents didnt want her seen in photos with a brown boy. He now admits to some untruths in this story, but not all, and left her perspective out. (The woman has said she and her family faced online threats for years.) This genre of fiction is a shortcut to sympathy, an unearned tug at the heartstrings. Its not a capital crime, but its an unnecessary and risky one.

Lies involving real people should add a new sense of obligation. The problem with only considering the standard of emotional truth is that it can blind you to the impact on the actual world outside your emotions. You could say that the emotional truth behind the Patriot Act was that the terrorism of Sept. 11 required extreme tactics to feel safe, but that doesnt make the legislation right. The truth is usually more complex than the way you feel about it.

Watching The Kings Jester now hits differently. In some ways, its more interesting than the first time I saw it, when it seemed mawkish. Some jokes, like his desperation for social media clout, seem like clues. And others come across as the work of a guilty conscience, like the moment when Minhaj faces the audience and says: Everything here is built on trust.
Seven works by the Austrian Expressionist Egon Schiele were handed over on Wednesday to the heirs of the Viennese cabaret artist who had owned them before he was murdered by the Nazis, marking a major turning point in one of the art worlds longest-running Holocaust restitution cases.

The artworks were returned to the heirs of Fritz Grunbaum, who was killed in the Dachau concentration camp in 1941, in an emotional ceremony at the office of the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin L. Bragg, which investigated the case.

This is of huge importance in our world, said one of the Grunbaum heirs, Timothy Reif, referring to the descendants of Holocaust victims seeking the return of looted property nearly 80 years after the end of World War II. It sets the tone and the agenda for all future cases.

For more than a quarter of a century the Grunbaum heirs have sought the return of a number of different Schieles; their claims, which prompted civil suits in state and federal courtrooms, have been closely watched in the art world.
Many other countries, however, have not chosen sides. They are willing to work closely with both Washington and Beijing, depending on the issue. These countries tend to be flawed democracies (like Brazil, India, Israel and Nigeria) or autocracies (like Saudi Arabia and Vietnam). If the U.S. suggests that only democracies are welcome in its alliance, that alliance will shrink.

Defining the current contest as one between democracies and autocracies is a flawed strategy, Walter Russell Mead, a foreign policy expert at the Hudson Institute, wrote in The Wall Street Journal this spring. Abroad, this approach weakens Americas ties with key allies and exposes us to devastating charges of systemic hypocrisy. Mead is a conservative who often criticizes Biden, but some members of the administration have had similar concerns, as Peter Baker, The Timess chief White House correspondent, has reported.

In June, Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser, acknowledged the tension. I do think we are dealing with the gathering and march of autocratic forces in ways that are not in the United States national interest, and that we do need to rally the values, norms and forces of democracy to push back against that, Sullivan said. But, he added, Biden has also been clear that in that larger effort, we need constructive relationships with countries of all different traditions and backgrounds.

The C.I.A. and Stalin

There is, of course, a long history of the U.S. working with autocracies as part of a stated strategy of fostering democracy. Sometimes, this history has been tragic, as during the Vietnam War. Other times, the practice has aged well, such as the alliances with Stalins Soviet Union during World War II or with Persian Gulf kingdoms to evict Saddam Hussein from Kuwait during the 1990s.

The democracy-vs.-autocracy dichotomy has probably been most helpful in energizing Western Europe to come to Ukraines defense and persuading Japan and South Korea to strengthen ties as a counterweight to China. Over the past year, though, the administration has also tried to build ties with countries that are democratically weaker:

India is another potential counterweight to China, and Biden hosted its prime minister, Narendra Modi, for a warm three-day visit this year despite Modis crackdown on critics of his Hindu nationalist government. (This week, Justin Trudeau, Canadas prime minister, accused Indias government of killing a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia.)

The U.S. strengthened its ties with Vietnam  which remains a one-party state  when Biden visited Hanoi this month. Both countries are worried about Chinas ambitions.

Turkey, Hungary and Poland are important parts of the alliance supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight Russia.

The Biden administration is talking with Saudi officials about establishing a mutual defense treaty in which each country would promise to come to the others aid if attacked, my colleagues Edward Wong and Mark Mazzetti reported yesterday. The talks are part of an effort to persuade Saudi Arabia and Israel to normalize their relations.

All of this may help explain the approach Biden took at the U.N. yesterday. He continued to celebrate the virtues of democracy, saying that it can deliver in ways that matter to peoples lives while describing programs to build infrastructure in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia. Yet he did not use any versions of the words autocracy or authoritarian.
Climate and Ukraine take center stage at the U.N.

The U.N. secretary general, Antonio Guterres, convened a special summit yesterday in New York designed to shine a spotlight on the most ambitious global leaders on climate policy. The leaders of the U.S. and China, the worlds biggest polluters, did not get a turn at the microphone.

Of the worlds four biggest emitters, only the E.U. spoke at the summit. But despite its emphasis on ambition, the summit yielded little in the way of new announcements of climate action. In London, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a delay on a ban on the sale of new gas and diesel cars, weakening Britains climate targets.

Also at the U.N., President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine presented his 10-point plan to end the war with Russia at a Security Council meeting and called for Russia to be stripped of its veto power.

It is impossible to stop the war because all actions are vetoed by the aggressor, he said.

Russias foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, was not present for Zelenskys speech. When Lavrov spoke later, he justified his countrys invasion, reiterating claims that the West had staged a coup in Ukraine to install a pro-Western president.
Zelensky warns of global risks of Russian aggression

Speaking at an annual gathering of world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, presented Russias invasion as a worldwide threat that would not stop at the borders of Ukraine. He added that Russia was weaponizing essentials like food and energy not only against our country, but against all of yours, as well.

President Biden also condemned Russias naked aggression and said the U.S. would continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine. If the world appeases Russia, he asked, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure?

Unity is a frequent theme for the General Assembly, when the leaders and representatives of nearly 200 nations gather. But the world has become increasingly polarized: Russias war against Ukraine is pitting Moscow against the U.S. and its allies, while tensions between China and the United States are rising.

More weapons: As Zelensky spoke in New York City, defense ministers and other top officials met in Ramstein, Germany, to discuss providing military aid to Ukraine. The U.S. defense secretary said that Abrams battle tanks will arrive soon, bringing a powerful weapon to help Ukraine advance in its slow-moving counteroffensive.
Unifors talks with Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, Jeep and Ram, started on Aug. 10 but have been overshadowed by the U.A.W. contract talks in the United States.

Ford has an assembly plant and two engine plants in Canada. Unifor selected Ford as the target of its talks, meaning it focused on securing the best deal it could from the company before turning to the other two automakers. Now, it will seek to strike similar agreements with G.M. and Stellantis.

Fords deal in Canada appears to have little bearing on the U.A.W. strikes in the United States.

Last Thursday, the U.A.W. told nearly 13,000 workers to leave their jobs at three U.S. plants: a G.M. pickup truck factory in Wentzville, Mo.; a Ford truck and sport utility vehicle plant in Wayne, Mich.; and a Stellantis S.U.V. plant in Toledo, Ohio.

The talks appear to have progressed only a little since the strikes began on Friday. On Wednesday, the U.A.W. said it was reviewing a new offer from Stellantis but declined to provide details.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Armenia bears full responsibility for the current situation, Milli Majlis (Parliament) MP Afet Hasanova told Trend.

"This country, flagrantly violating the provisions of the statement of November 10, 2020, constantly resorted to provocations, continued mine terror, did not withdraw its illegal armed formations from the territory of Azerbaijan, and on the contrary, continued to commit new provocations, supporting the separatists in Karabakh," she said.

She noted that Azerbaijan after the 44-day second Karabakh war, showing humanism, offered peace to Armenia and took necessary steps to establish stability and calm in the region.

"However, the Armenian side, showing an unconstructive stance, responded to Azerbaijan's peace proposals with provocations. Azerbaijan has always warned that it does not intend to tolerate Armenian provocations for a long time and will not allow Armenian illegal armed formations, which continue to commit provocative actions and mine terror, to remain on their sovereign territories," Hasanova noted.

The MP added that Azerbaijan tried to solve the issue peacefully, but the Armenian side did not take any constructive steps in this direction. Thus, Armenia itself caused the need for anti-terrorist measures, which are implemented on the basis of the sovereign rights of Azerbaijan within the framework of international law.

Hasanova emphasized that Armenia continues to shell the civilian population even now, as it did during the 44-day second Karabakh war.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.
This article is part of our special section on the Climate Forward event that will include policy and climate leaders from around the world.

Ali Hajimiri thinks theres a better way to power the planet  one thats not getting the attention it deserves. The Caltech professor of electrical engineering envisages thousands of solar panels floating in space, unobstructed by clouds and unhindered by day-night cycles, wirelessly transmitting massive amounts of energy to receivers on Earth.

This year, that vision moved closer to reality when Mr. Hajimiri, together with a team of Caltech researchers, proved that wireless power transfer in space was possible: Solar panels they had attached to a Caltech prototype in space successfully converted electricity into microwaves and beamed those microwaves to receivers about a foot away, lighting up two LEDs.

The prototype also beamed a tiny but detectable amount of energy to a receiver on top of their labs building in Pasadena, Calif. The demonstration marks a first step in the wireless transfer of usable power from space to Earth  a power source that Mr. Hajimiri believes will be safer than direct sun rays. The beam intensity is to be kept less than solar intensity on earth, he said.
While her paper doesnt include data from 2023, Dr. Childs said the wildfires in Canada and subsequent smoke over large swaths of the northern United States this year had shown more than ever that everyone is going to be affected by the growing problem of wildfires, no matter where they live.

Climate change is one of the driving forces behind worsening fires worldwide. As the atmosphere warms, many forests and other natural ecosystems are becoming drier and more prone to catching on fire. Its just so clear that, sometime in the last five to 10 years, somethings changed, said Marshall Burke, a professor of environmental policy at Stanford University and a co-author of the report that focused on the United States. You dont have to cook the books.

Together, the two studies show how wildfires are a growing health threat. Wildfire smoke can contain a variety of pollutants, including fine particulate matter, or PM 2.5, a type of air pollution made up of very small particles that can invade the lungs and bloodstream.

Thanks to the Clean Air Act, air pollution in the United States has generally improved since the 1970s. But levels of PM 2.5, which are routinely tracked by the Environmental Protection Agency and had been declining, took a marked turn back up around 2016.
While it was once seen mostly around Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, V. vulnificus seems to be colonizing new waters. It used to be highly unusual north of the Carolinas, said Jim Oliver, a microbiologist at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Now its fairly routine.

He is an author of a recent study that found that V. vulnificus wound infections increased eight-fold in the eastern United States between 1988 and 2018, from 10 to 80 infections per year. Cases were identified an average of 48 kilometers farther north each year, according to the study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports.

By 2018, infections caused by various Vibrio species (there are at least a dozen) were reported regularly as far north as Philadelphia. There were more than 1,100 Vibrio wound infections between 1988 and 2018, and 159 deaths. The infections have become a microbial barometer of climate change, according to the paper.

Earlier this month, officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged medical providers to consider V. vulnificus to be a possible culprit if they see a wound infection in someone who has been in coastal waters, and to initiate aggressive antibiotic treatment immediately. The infection can kill in as little as a day.

Many bacteria, including Vibrio, are more abundant in warm waters, and we know that water temperatures are increasing, and we had record-breaking heat waves this summer, said Joan Brunkard, an epidemiologist at the C.D.C.
A visiting researcher at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center was startled when he read the warning from the Food and Drug Administration about a product that had been used in spine surgeries at the esteemed Manhattan hospital.

The fluid, derived from umbilical cord blood, was not approved for such procedures, the agency cautioned, and its Idaho manufacturer had been cited for possible contamination problems and inadequate screening of donors, making the product potentially unsafe.

Yet before that advisory, about 40 patients at the hospital had received treatment with the fluid under the direction of Dr. Roger Hartl, a senior surgeon and professor at Weill Cornell, who is also a physician for the New York Giants. The surgeries were documented in a draft study that Dr. Hartl and others, including the visiting researcher, had intended to publish, tracking the fluids effectiveness in fusing delicate bones.

After seeing the F.D.A. announcement, the researcher, Dr. Pravesh Gadjradj, approached Dr. Hartl and told him the fluid is not yet proven to be safe, according to a complaint filed with the hospital that was reviewed by The New York Times. The fluid fell under a booming area of treatment known as regenerative medicine, which is aimed at replacing or restoring damaged cells through gene and stem cell therapies.
Toshitaka Suzuki, an ethologist at the University of Tokyo who describes himself as an animal linguist, struck upon a method to disambiguate intentional calls from involuntary ones while soaking in a bath one day. When we spoke over Zoom, he showed me an image of a fluffy cloud. If you hear the word dog, you might see a dog, he pointed out, as I gazed at the white mass. If you hear the word cat, you might see a cat. That, he said, marks the difference between a word and a sound. Words influence how we see objects, he said. Sounds do not. Using playback studies, Suzuki determined that Japanese tits, songbirds that live in East Asian forests and that he has studied for more than 15 years, emit a special vocalization when they encounter snakes. When other Japanese tits heard a recording of the vocalization, which Suzuki dubbed the jar jar call, they searched the ground, as if looking for a snake. To determine whether jar jar meant snake in Japanese tit, he added another element to his experiments: an eight-inch stick, which he dragged along the surface of a tree using hidden strings. Usually, Suzuki found, the birds ignored the stick. It was, by his analogy, a passing cloud. But then he played a recording of the jar jar call. In that case, the stick seemed to take on new significance: The birds approached the stick, as if examining whether it was, in fact, a snake. Like a word, the jar jar call had changed their perception.

Cat Hobaiter, a primatologist at the University of St. Andrews who works with great apes, developed a similarly nuanced method. Because great apes appear to have a relatively limited repertoire of vocalizations, Hobaiter studies their gestures. For years, she and her collaborators have followed chimps in the Budongo forest and gorillas in Bwindi in Uganda, recording their gestures and how others respond to them. Basically, my job is to get up in the morning to get the chimps when theyre coming down out of the tree, or the gorillas when theyre coming out of the nest, and just to spend the day with them, she told me. So far, she says, she has recorded about 15,600 instances of gestured exchanges between apes.

To determine whether the gestures are involuntary or intentional, she uses a method adapted from research on human babies. Hobaiter looks for signals that evoke what she calls an Apparently Satisfactory Outcome. The method draws on the theory that involuntary signals continue even after listeners have understood their meaning, while intentional ones stop once the signaler realizes her listener has comprehended the signal. Its the difference between the continued wailing of a hungry baby after her parents have gone to fetch a bottle, Hobaiter explains, and my entreaties to you to pour me some coffee, which cease once you start reaching for the coffeepot. To search for a pattern, she says she and her researchers have looked across hundreds of cases and dozens of gestures and different individuals using the same gesture across different days. So far, her teams analysis of 15 years worth of video-recorded exchanges has pinpointed dozens of ape gestures that trigger apparently satisfactory outcomes.

These gestures may also be legible to us, albeit beneath our conscious awareness. Hobaiter applied her technique on pre-verbal 1- and 2-year-old children, following them around recording their gestures and how they affected attentive others, like theyre tiny apes, which they basically are, she says. She also posted short video clips of ape gestures online and asked adult visitors whod never spent any time with great apes to guess what they thought they meant. She found that pre-verbal human children use at least 40 or 50 gestures from the ape repertoire, and adults correctly guessed the meaning of video-recorded ape gestures at a rate significantly higher than expected by chance, as Hobaiter and Kirsty E. Graham, a postdoctoral research fellow in Hobaiters lab, reported in a 2023 paper for PLOS Biology.

The emerging research might seem to suggest that theres nothing very special about human language. Other species use intentional wordlike signals just as we do. Some, such as Japanese tits and pied babblers, have been known to combine different signals to make new meanings. Many species are social and practice cultural transmission, satisfying what might be prerequisite for a structured communication system like language. And yet a stubborn fact remains. The species that use features of language in their communications have few obvious geographical or phylogenetic similarities. And despite years of searching, no one has discovered a communication system with all the properties of language in any species other than our own.
Robert Klane, a comic novelist, screenwriter and filmmaker with a taste for gleeful vulgarity who wrote the screenplay for Weekend at Bernie's, the 1989 cult film about two young insurance company employees who create the illusion that their murdered boss is still alive, died on Aug. 29 at his home in Woodland Hills, Calif. He was 81.

His son Jon said the cause was kidney failure.

Mr. Klane wrote Weekend at Bernies more than two decades into a career that began with the publication of two humorous novels: The Horse Is Dead: A Tasteless Novel (1968) and Wheres Poppa? (1970). He adapted Wheres Poppa? into the screenplay for a twisted comedy about a single lawyer (played by George Segal) who dreams of scaring to death or institutionalizing his aged, maddening mother (Ruth Gordon).

Ted Kotcheff, who directed Weekend at Bernies, wrote in his 2017 memoir, Directors Cut: My Life in Film, that Mr. Klane had been inspired to write it by his time as an advertising copywriter in the 1960s, when the top executives at one of the agencies where he worked invited employees to their beach houses on Long Island.
Tensions ran high in a Rockland County, N.Y., courtroom on Wednesday as two rabbis who have admitted to recklessly starting a deadly fire at an assisted living home were spared jail time under a plea agreement with prosecutors.

The rabbis, Nathaniel Sommer, 71, and his son Aaron, 29, were sentenced instead to probation after pleading guilty in connection with the March 2021 fire at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley, N.Y., which they set off during a ritual cleansing of the homes kitchen and ovens before Passover.

The fast-moving blaze killed Oliver Hueston, 79, one of the homes 112 residents, and Jared Lloyd, 35, a volunteer firefighter who ran into the building and died attempting a rescue on the third floor. About a dozen others were injured.

In an emotional statement delivered in court, Mr. Lloyds mother, Sabrail Davenport, expressed outrage about the sentence.
But I suspect its a little more complicated than that, and that Trumps willingness to show ideological flexibility  or, to be a bit harsher, to pander emptily to any audience he faces  has its uses in the primary campaign as well. Because what it showcases, even to primary voters who disagree with him, is an eagerness to win even at the expense of ideological consistency, an eagerness that much of American conservatism lacks.

And showcasing electability is arguably even more important for Trump in 2024 than in 2016, because he was at his weakest after the 2022 midterms, which seemed to expose his election fraud obsessions as a political disaster for the G.O.P. So by moving to the center early, while DeSantis and others try to run against him from the right, hes counteracting that narrative, trying to prove that hes committed to victory and not just vanity. (And on the evidence of national polls, in which he now does slightly better than DeSantis against Biden, its working.)

Does Trump actually have a labor-friendly solution to the U.A.W. strike or a coherent pro-worker agenda? The answers are no and not really. But if showing public sympathy for workers and promising a 10 percent tariff on foreign goods are respectively an empty gesture and a dubious gambit, they are still a better political message than, say, what we got from Tim Scott, the candidate of pre-Trump conservatism, who suggested that the U.A.W. workers should be fired the way Ronald Reagan fired the air traffic controllers. (This kind of nonsense position, invoking Reagans firing of federal employees in the completely different context of a private-sector fight where employers cant fire strikers, is exactly what the term zombie Reaganism was invented to describe.)

Likewise, can Trump actually mediate a national compromise on abortion by stiff-arming the pro-life movement? I wouldnt bet on it; for better or worse, I expect his transactional relationship with anti-abortion organizations to survive in a potential second term.

But his sudden pro-choice outreach is a cynical response to a real political problem for Republicans. If you aspire to restrict abortion beyond the reddest states in a politically sustainable way, you need at the very least a rhetorical modulation, a form of outreach to the wavering and conflicted. And better still would be some kind of alternative offer to Americans who are pro-choice but with reservations  with the obvious form being some new suite of family policies, some enhanced support for women who find themselves pregnant and in difficulty.
To the Editor:

Re By Dropping Civics, Colleges Gave Fuel to the Culture Wars, by Debra Satz and Dan Edelstein (Opinion guest essay, Sept. 7):

As a humanities professor for three decades, I am frequently amazed at the  dare I say  hubris of my colleagues when it comes to their estimate of their capacity to mold the conscience of the Republic.

Professors Satz and Edelstein believe that the decline in prevalence of Western Civ courses in the curriculum has been a key element in the degradation of our civic culture. Their notion that some 40 hours of class time turned students souls toward the light is indeed touching, but highly unlikely.

They neglect to mention, for example, that in the days they look back on fondly, when freshmen wrestled with the eternal verities revealed by Socrates, these courses seldom moved Southern whites to rethink their subjugation of Black people, or Northern whites to call their Southern brothers and sisters to account.

Colleges can do many things, but turning the culture away from its immemorial vices is not one of them.
The Heritage Foundation critique also argued that AIDS is primarily a lifestyle disease and so should be suppressed through education, moral suasion and legal sanctions rather than medication. That phrase reeks of sanctimony. During the worst of the epidemic, I met Zambian women whose husbands were away working as miners; the women were terrified that when their husbands, whom they loved, came home on vacations, they would have to sleep with them  and risk death if their husbands had strayed.

The most dangerous thing a woman there could do, it was said then, was to get married. If American conservatives want to fight AIDS with finger wagging instead of antiretrovirals, those women will again be at great risk.

This crisis over reauthorization has to do with the fever that has beset elements of the G.O.P., leaving some senators and House members inhabiting what seems to be delirium. A P.R.R.I. poll in 2021 found that 23 percent of Republicans agree that The government, media and financial worlds in the U.S. are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex-trafficking operation. Even now, some two-thirds of Republicans believe that President Biden was not legitimately elected. Only 40 percent of Republicans say that the benefits of Covid vaccines outweigh the risks (which is why research suggests that Covid may have disproportionately killed Republicans).

Republican critics say that theyre still for PEPFAR in principle, but only if there are changes or a shorter reauthorization period, which would undermine confidence in the program  think of it as death by 1,000 cuts. If PEPFAR is not reauthorized by its expiry at the end of this month, it would still continue if Congress separately appropriates further funding for it, but in hobbled form.

The denunciations of PEPFAR horrify the Republican Partys grown-ups, who recognize how important the program has been.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Karabakh separatists have surrendered to Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

"The agreement was reached to stop local antiterror measures.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan states that considering the appeal by the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, conveyed by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement has been reached as of 13:00, 20 September 2023, to stop the antiterror measures under the following terms:

1. The formations of Armenias armed forces stationed in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and illegal armed groups lay down their arms, withdraw from their battle positions and military outposts and are subjected to complete disarmament.

2. Simultaneously, all the ammunition and heavy military equipment is handed over.

3. Conducting the abovementioned process in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured," the ministry said.
This transcript was created using speech recognition software. While it has been reviewed by human transcribers, it may contain errors. Please review the episode audio before quoting from this transcript and email transcripts@nytimes.com with any questions.

Any time you have a labor dispute, its not just between the workers and the management. The publics involved, too, because the public feels the impact of the strike. If the public feels its the unions fault, then they can be mad at the union. If they feel its managements fault, theyre going to be mad at the management. So both sides are very eager to change public perceptions to make sure that they get the public on their side. For example, Ford has an ad showing people in assembly plants building cars, and it makes a big point about how they employ more hourly autoworkers than anyone else in America.

My name is Peter Coy, and Im a writer for the Opinion section of The New York Times. I have a newsletter about economics, business, and finance. Labor unions have been quiet for a long, long time. But very lately, theres been an uptick in union activity. Weve seen organizing efforts at Starbucks, Amazon. UPS drivers came close to striking this summer. And people are talking about it as being like the long, hot summer of labor going into the long, hot fall of labor. And the latest, of course, is that the United Auto Workers has gone on strike against the big three Detroit automakers.

It doesnt say anything about the strike, of course, but theyre trying to convey the message that they are a reliable strong employer of union workers.

The confidence that Americans have in big business at this point is abysmal. Even if theyre not unionized, they know what its like to struggle to make a living and to feel like the owners are getting rich, and theyre. Theyre not even being able to make ends meet. So there is some natural inbred sympathy right now, which leans in the direction of the autoworkers over the automakers. And that is going to give a bigger opening for the autoworkers to get some of their demands met. Now, these demands are pretty strong.

You get the right gravelly-voiced all-American narrator on an ad like that, and you show people assembling cars  it kind of hits a lot of people the right way. Now, whether itll work is a different question because they have a lot going against them. Gallup has a survey showing confidence in institutions. In general, peoples confidence in institutions has fallen, but its fallen a lot for big business and less so for organized labor.

And he sat there in front of the cameras, wearing a black short sleeve shirt with the UAW logo and posters on easels behind him, fielding questions from the rank and file. And he said, we have audacious demands here.

As I go to the table this week, Ill be giving the big three the most audacious and ambitious list of proposals theyve seen in decades.

Now, usually, thats not the kind of thing you hear from a negotiator. They try to minimize. They try to say, no, this is not audacious at all. But I think that theres a method to his madness. In 2007 to 09, we had a really big global financial crisis. And the autoworkers took it on the chin.

They had to give up a lot. They had to give up their cost of living adjustment, which theyd had for decades. Thats the one that gives them a raise every year based on inflation. They had to create a two-tiered wage system with a new lower entry point for pay. Had to give up some retiree health benefits and many, many other benefits that they had counted on. And they did it to sacrifice for the sake of keeping the companies alive.

What happened after that is that the companies recovered surprisingly well. Over the past 10 years, they earned $250 billion. They started paying big dividends, issuing stock buybacks, giving raises to executives. Meanwhile, the workers didnt get any of that. Their pay has not kept up with inflation  far from it. The starting pay today is lower in inflation adjusted terms than in 2007.

When Shaw Fain, the president of the UAW, talks about making audacious demands, I think what hes trying to do is he wants to tell the rank and file of the UAW, look, were not going to settle anymore. Weve lost a lot. And its our turn to get some of it back. And if you call that audacious, then call it audacious.

So I think its a message thats inspired a lot of United Auto Workers. And I think it might even inspire some members of the general public who maybe arent even in unions at all, but have the same feeling that theyve been left behind, that all the wealth is going to the people who already have wealth, and theres none left for ordinary Americans.

In any negotiation, not just this one, you have two parties that actually benefit from their relationship. The issue is how to split up the benefits that they jointly create. And its hard to know how that should happen. Clearly, the company shouldnt get 100 percent of the value that they jointly create, but neither do you want to give 100 percent of the benefits to the employees.

So whats going to be the outcome here? What were seeing now is that workers position is a little stronger than its been in the past. The unemployment rate remains fairly low. Public attitude has shifted sort of in the direction of organized labor more than in the past. And the inventory to sales ratio is low. There are not a lot of cars available for sale.

So the autoworkers have a stronger hand than in the past. If they win big here, in the same way that the UPS deal, which was favorable to workers, has inspired the autoworkers, the same will be true. If the autoworkers earn a good deal, thatll inspire yet more workers to say, they got some of that. We want what they got.

[MUSIC]
According to Pew, among American adults under 30, 70 percent favor having a national popular vote for president, 58 percent favor expansion of the Supreme Court, 44 percent favor expansion of the House of Representatives, and 45 percent favor amending the Constitution to change the way representation in the Senate is apportioned  numbers higher than their older counterparts, particularly those over 50.

But the American political system wasnt built to make radical change easy. Yes, our political system needs a major overhaul, but such an overhaul is almost inconceivable given current political constraints.

This can be a bracing reality when youthful idealism crashes into it.

The knot that the country finds itself in may be one reason Pew found that younger voters are the least likely to believe that voting can have at least some effect on the countrys future direction.

And yet, according to a poll this spring of 18- to 29-year-olds by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, theyre still engaged. As John Della Volpe, the director of polling at the institute and the author of Fight: How Gen Z is Channeling Their Fear and Passion to Save America, put it, From the midterms through the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court election, we are seeing young Americans increasingly motivated to engage in politics out of sheer self-defense and a responsibility to fight for those even more vulnerable than themselves.

This defensive posture is understandable when you think about the political era in which these younger voters came of age: a dizzying period of dysfunction, calamity and activism.
Nearly half a million years ago, humans in Africa were assembling wood into large structures, according to a study published Wednesday that describes notched and tapered logs buried under sand in Zambia.

The discovery drastically pushes back the historical record of structural woodworking. Before, the oldest known examples of this craft were 9,000-year-old platforms on the edge of a British lake.

Ancient wood products are extremely rare because the organic material typically degrades over thousands of years, said Annemieke Milks, an archaeologist at the University of Reading who was not involved in the new study, which appeared in the journal Nature. It almost never preserves, she said.

Its not clear what early humans were building in Africa. Dr. Milks said that the new discovery suggested that they used wood not just for spears or digging sticks, but also for far more ambitious creations such as platforms or walkways.
One Saturday morning in June, Amy Simmons spotted some sparrows flitting around a coastal marsh in Maine. She and her two companions, all dedicated bird-watchers, quickly identified one of the foraging birds as a Nelsons sparrow, a small, round bird with a yellow stripe over its eye. Then, overhead, they spotted something slightly different. The stripe over this sparrows eye had a more saturated, orange tint, and its breast was speckled with black and white.

It was a saltmarsh sparrow, a species threatened by sea level rise. Without significant conservation action, climate change could render the species extinct by the middle of this century, some scientists predict.

Its a beautiful bird, said Ms. Simmons, who works in fund-raising at the National Audubon Society. Its exciting to see it. But then it kind of breaks your heart at the same time. Because it is so threatened right now.

Ms. Simmons snapped some photos and logged the observation in eBird, a website and app that allows scientists at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to collect observations from bird-watchers worldwide. The data has already helped scientists keep tabs on bird populations, many of which are in steep decline, and track how their behaviors and lives are shifting with a changing climate.
After a year spent listening to the constant hum of the complicated machinery that keeps the International Space Station livable, the astronaut Frank Rubio is looking forward to some silence on Earth.

Mr. Rubio is scheduled to return to land next week after a 371-day mission, the longest single spaceflight for an American astronaut.

On Sept. 11, he surpassed the previous record for the longest continuous spaceflight by an American, and he will complete a full year in space on Thursday. At a news conference on Tuesday, Mr. Rubio spoke on video from the International Space Station about what he was most looking forward to when he returns home on Sept. 27: his family, fresh food and silence.

For me, honestly, obviously, hugging my wife and kids is going to be paramount, and Ill probably focus on that for the first couple days, Mr. Rubio said as he bobbed gently in microgravity.
But Google has argued that its easy for people to change their search engine  just as simple as putting a box of cereal back on the store shelf.

The trial raises questions about how and why we use Google search. Many of us grew up doing web searches on Google because it seemed to deliver the best results with minimal effort. But if something better came along, would we really have known since Google came loaded on most of our devices? And even if we had known, would we have just stuck with Google since its search engine was set as the default?

I decided to test how easy or hard it really is to switch to a different search engine. In a blog post this month, Google said the change was a straightforward process and offered three examples:

On an iPhone, it takes four taps.

On a Macs Safari browser, it takes two clicks.

On Android phones, it takes two taps.

So I followed Googles instructions and also shared the companys guidance with a panel of three design veterans. The verdict: Its hard to switch  and most people would probably give up before completing the change.

God help me, Im dead, Ted Selker, a product design veteran who worked at IBM and Xerox PARC, said after reading the steps to change the search engine on an iPhone.

Harry Brignull, a user-experience consultant in Britain, concluded about Google search: Most people will just stick with it.
Had I stepped into a scene from Planet of the Gulls? The sky resonated with the sound of flapping wings, and groups of the birds shrieked and stalked among the shrubs on a rocky beach at Block Island National Wildlife Refuge.

A fuzzy, freckled gull chick emerged from a bayberry bush, stared curiously at me as if it had spotted a Martian, and then waddled back to its hiding place.

It turned out I had stumbled on Rhode Islands largest gull colony, and the reason so many other sunset watchers had stayed behind in their cars may have been that, as I later learned, the gulls are known to divebomb trespassers.

Preserves make up about 2,500 acres  nearly half  of Block Island, a nine-square-mile, pear-shaped speck of Rhode Island just northeast of Montauk, N.Y. With about 28 miles of trails, these areas provide a haven for numerous endangered animals, and anyone else seeking a little solitude.
Over the decades, residents have gathered, feasted and proposed marriage beneath the 150-year-old banyan tree in the downtown area of Lahaina, Hawaii. But last month, after a fast-moving blaze tore through the town in West Maui, scorching the tree, some feared that it might not live on.

Then, green shoots began to unfurl around the trunk of the communitys sacred giant; others sprouted from its branches between brown and withered leaves.

This week, Hawaiis Department of Land and Natural Resources shared a video that showed bright green leaves on the tree, describing them as positive signs for its long-term recovery. The department noted the work of arborists volunteering their time and expertise to nurse the banyan back to health.

When we saw the first new leaves starting to pop on the canopy of the tree, thats when we got really, really excited, said Chris Imonti, a landscape contractor who has spent the past several weeks carefully tending to the banyan. For many locals, he added, its regrowth symbolizes hope, and maybe some normalcy down the line.
I do really worry about these new contract negotiations, if they are not sustainable for the many aspects of the economy that they affect, said Tyler Theile, chief operating officer of Anderson Economic Group, a Michigan-based research and consulting firm whose past clients have included the auto companies. We dont want to go back to the jobs banks and bankruptcy. Public opinion isnt going to digest another bailout.

Over generations, the auto industry has become part of Michigans culture, forging not only the stories of industrial cities like Detroit and Flint and Lansing, but also of families whose grandparents moved to the state to find steady union jobs that paid enough to raise children and buy a house.

Detroits N.B.A. team, the Pistons, is named after an engine component. On the states highways, Chryslers and Chevys and Fords are notably prevalent, with foreign brands more sparse. And young Michigan residents, though in smaller numbers than before, continue to follow relatives into jobs at the auto plants.

Heaven Brown, 22, said she joined family members at the Wayne factory about three years ago. Her overnight shift helping to build Ford Broncos is physically demanding, she said, and it pays just enough to cover her bills. From her place on the picket line this week, she said she hoped the work stoppage would lead to improvements.

I think everything is going to work, were going to get what we deserve, Ms. Brown said. Still, she said, I wonder how long this strike is going to be, how long theyre going to wait.
The Biden administration on Wednesday announced that it was awarding $238 million through the Defense Department to set up eight hubs around the United States for promoting innovation in the semiconductor industry.

The funds are one of the earliest releases of the nearly $53 billion in grants and subsidies that Congress and the Biden administration have approved to build up the domestic semiconductor industry, which U.S. officials say has been left vulnerable by decades of offshoring.

The Biden administration has a variety of funding programs in the works to encourage chip research institutions and manufacturers to set up operations in the United States. Most of these programs are run through the Commerce Department, and many will begin handing out money this fall.

While U.S. companies still design many of the worlds most advanced chips, much of the manufacturing of the technology has been outsourced to foreign locations, including Taiwan, leaving U.S. chip supply vulnerable if, for example, the Chinese government were to invade Taiwan.
Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan National Conservatory has hosted a concert timed to the National Music Day.

Many public and cultural figures attended the event, including the Deputy Culture Minister, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Murad Huseynov, Azernews reports.

In his speech, the minister emphasized that National Music Day is celebrated annually in the country at a high level.

National Music Day went down in history as the birthday of Azerbaijan's outstanding composer, the founder of the Azerbaijani professional musical art Uzeyir Hajibayli (1885-1948).

The tradition of celebrating the great composer's birthday as a holiday was laid by eminent conductor Niyazi Hajibayov, who used to celebrate this day each year after Uzeyir Hajibayli's death. This tradition continues till nowadays.

Numerous cultural events, including gala concerts and festivals, are being held nationwide as part of the celebration.

Rector of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, People's Artist of Azerbaijan Siyavush Karimi noted that Azerbaijani music sounds all over the world, captivating the hearts of listeners.

The official part was followed by a gala concert, which was received with great enthusiasm.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The last personnel belonging to the Armenian armed forces left the combat position, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, Colonel Anar Eyvazov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

"Under the control of our technical means, as well as means of surveillance, conditions have been created for these personnel to retreat and leave the combat position. In this case, we will not open fire at them," Eyvazov said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime were put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects weren't targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
That didnt stop Mr. Trumps campaign from taking a shot at the governor for his remarks. Steven Cheung, a Trump spokesman, used expletives in calling Mr. DeSantis a candidate that just steals from President Trumps policy book in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, during the governors remarks.

In a lengthy, six-pronged policy outline, Mr. DeSantis promised to remove subsidies for electric vehicles, take the U.S. out of global climate agreements  including the Paris accords  and cancel net-zero emission promises. He also vowed to increase American oil and natural gas production and replace the phrase climate change with energy dominance in policy guidance.

Mr. DeSantis spoke from behind a lectern that read $2 in 2025, a nod to his campaigns promise to lower gas to $2 in the first year of his administration (a number not seen consistently since the George W. Bush administration). His remarks  delivered above the sounds of heavy machinery  paired standard Republican energy policy, blasting foreign energy dependence and blue state regulations, with criticism of the Biden administrations focus on reducing carbon emissions and incentivizing clean energy.

The Biden campaign criticized Mr. DeSantiss plan.

This is a deeply unserious and impractical plan that wont actually lower gas prices to $2 per gallon and is chock-full of the climate denialism that defines the MAGA Republican Party, Ammar Moussa, a spokesman for the Biden campaign, said in a statement. Voters need look no further than DeSantiss own state  where his agenda is leading to skyrocketing energy costs for his constituents and natural disasters are causing tens of billions of dollars in damages  to know what DeSantiss plan would mean for the country.

Mr. DeSantis calls his plan Freedom to Fuel, and it includes a segment on automobiles, an industry segment that has also put Mr. Biden under scrutiny by Republicans, with autoworkers on strike. The United Auto Workers began targeted strikes last week over contract talks.
A small band of Republican holdouts has prevented the Senate and the House from moving spending bills through their respective chambers. And instead of rolling out the red carpet for the Ukrainian president, Mr. McCarthy  who just months ago spoke forcefully about his commitment to Kyiv  now says Mr. Zelensky must convince him that supporting the fight against Russia is worth Congresss money and time.

Is Zelensky elected to Congress? Is he our president? I dont think I have to commit anything, Mr. McCarthy told reporters on Tuesday. Where is the accountability on the money we already spent? What is the plan for victory? I think thats what the American public wants to know.

Mr. McCarthys hostility to approving additional funds for Ukraine has been mounting in recent months, as his increasingly emboldened right flank revolts over a deal he struck with Mr. Biden this spring setting spending limits in exchange for suspending the debt limit. Despite having previously stated that he supported Ukraines fight against Russia, Mr. McCarthy declared himself in June to be opposed to budgeting additional dollars for it, and this week he endorsed a spending measure drafted by conservative and moderate Republicans that would allot no additional funding for assisting Kyiv.

The stance has put Mr. McCarthy out of step with other Republican leaders, like Senator Mitch McConnell, the minority leader, as well as the bulk of his own members in the House. They have argued that helping Ukrainian troops by budgeting for a steady flow of weapons is a moral imperative, and that Mr. Zelensky could help persuade their more skeptical colleagues of that necessity, if only the speaker would give him the chance.
Speaker Kevin McCarthys latest embarrassing setback unfolded on the House floor on Tuesday, when five rebel Republicans took the rare step of breaking with their party to block a Pentagon spending bill from coming to the floor for a vote.

The five represent just a fraction of about a dozen hard-right lawmakers who are pushing for deeper spending cuts than Mr. McCarthy has put forward in bills to fund the government over the next year, and who are opposed to a stopgap funding measure that would avert a government shutdown at the end of the month while lawmakers try to hammer out a deal.

They were also ringleaders of the resistance to Mr. McCarthy when he waged a 15-round battle to become speaker in January, and are among those who have recently threatened to oust him from the post for failing to keep promises he made to them to win the job.

Two other like-minded Republicans, Representatives Matt Gaetz of Florida and Eli Crane of Arizona, voted with their party to allow the military spending measure to come to the floor, though they have indicated they will not vote for a temporary spending measure to stave off a shutdown. They had personal and parochial reasons for backing the Pentagon measure: Mr. Crane is a former member of the Navy SEALs and Mr. Gaetz represents Pensacola, the heartbeat of naval aviation.
In March, the Pentagon enacted a policy providing time off and travel reimbursement to service members needing to go out of state to obtain an abortion or other forms of reproductive health services, in an effort to give troops equal access to such care regardless of where they are stationed.

Mr. Tuberville, who had warned earlier that he would protest the policy change if it was enacted, has dug in since, refusing to allow nominations to advance even when leaders of his own party publicly disavowed his efforts as dangerous for military readiness. Instead, he has demanded repeatedly that the Pentagon revoke its policy unless Congress passes a law explicitly codifying it, and he dared Mr. Schumer to use cumbersome procedural maneuvers if he wants to get around his objections.

Before Mr. Tubervilles protest, the Senate regularly approved senior military promotions in large blocks without controversy, a practice established to save precious floor hours. While Mr. Schumer has had the power to force votes on each individual promotion, he has resisted because doing so for the hundreds that are pending would have consumed the Senates attention for weeks. He also feared it might encourage other senators to employ similar tactics to protest federal policies in the future.

Mr. Schumer changed his mind on Wednesday after Mr. Tuberville threatened to go around his own blockade and demand that the Senate hold a vote on the nomination of General Smith, the first of the three newly confirmed chiefs to have appeared for a hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee. That would have allowed Mr. Tuberville to blunt accusations that he has put national security at risk by leaving the top ranks of the military without permanent, fully empowered leaders.

Mr. Schumer ridiculed Mr. Tubervilles latest gambit on the floor Wednesday, accusing the Alabama senator of being underhanded and essentially trying to make himself the gatekeeper of which officers are promoted and who sits and waits.
About 171,000 people living in California are homeless, a total that, stunningly, accounts for nearly one-third of all the homeless people in the United States.

This growing problem is hard to miss: Camps are sprawling across sidewalks in some places and are overwhelming public parks in others. And there are 40,000 more homeless people in the state now than there were six years ago.

Thats made California a target for Republican critics who point to encampments in San Francisco and Los Angeles as proof of failed liberal policies. But its also led to increasing frustration among liberal voters and elected officials in California, who have begun to criticize progressive policies and court rulings that have thwarted the removal of camps.

In a surprising move, the Sacramento County district attorney sued the City of Sacramento yesterday, claiming that the city authorities were not doing enough to remove homeless people from the streets.
Lawyers for three Georgia Republicans charged in a racketeering indictment for casting false Electoral College votes for former President Donald J. Trump offered a glimpse of their defense strategy on Wednesday, telling a federal judge that they submitted the votes as part of their duty under federal law.

The three defendants  David Shafer, the former chairman of the Georgia Republican Party; Cathy Latham, a party activist from a rural part of the state; and State Senator Shawn Still  were among 16 Republicans recruited to cast electoral votes for Mr. Trump at the Georgia State Capitol on Dec. 14, 2020, the same day that the legitimate electors for President Biden met to cast their votes for him.

The three are among 19 people, including Mr. Trump, who were charged last month in an indictment that sketches out a multifaceted scheme to illegally overturn the former presidents 2020 election loss in Georgia. Crucial to the plan, the indictment says, was an effort to recruit Trump loyalists to convene and cast false Electoral College votes in Georgia.

On Wednesday morning, lawyers for the three fake electors squared off against prosecutors from the Fulton County district attorneys office in a hearing over whether the three were serving as federal officers. Such a designation could allow them to move their cases from state court to the federal system, where the jury pool would be somewhat more supportive of Mr. Trump.
The police in South Korea on Wednesday accused 17 American soldiers and five other people of distributing or using synthetic marijuana that had been brought into the country through the U.S. militarys postal service.

The police said they had not arrested any of the soldiers but that they had asked prosecutors to file charges against all 22 people. A Philippine national and a South Korean national were under arrest, said the police in the city of Pyeongtaek. Synthetic marijuana is an illegal substance in South Korea.

Cha Min-seok, a senior detective, said the drug investigation was one of the largest in recent years involving American soldiers. Most of the distribution of the drug had taken place on U.S. bases, through soldiers communicating on Snapchat, Detective Cha said. Two of the civilians were a soldiers spouse and another soldiers fiancee, he said.

In South Korea, after the police finish a criminal investigation, prosecutors review it, sometimes conducting their own inquiry, before deciding whether to bring indictments. The police said their four-month investigation had begun with a tip from the U.S. Armys criminal investigation division.
On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada made the shocking accusation that government agents from India had been involved in the killing of a Sikh community leader in British Columbia in June.

The allegations have widened a growing rift between Canada and India and set off a political dispute between the two already apprehensive nations.

Here is what we know:

Who was Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and what happened to him?

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, was born in the North Indian state of Punjab. After several unsuccessful attempts to gain entry to Canada, he moved there in the mid-1990s, according to Indian news reports, just after a period of Indian government crackdowns on a Sikh separatist movement.
The stunning allegation that India was behind the assassination of a Sikh separatist leader in British Columbia has revived long-simmering tensions within Canadas Indian diaspora, pitting staunch Hindu nationalists against supporters of the creation of an independent Sikh state called Khalistan.

Last October, in the city of Mississauga in Ontario, the police broke up a fight in which one man was slightly injured after a crowd, carrying Indian and Khalistan flags, became unruly during a Diwali celebration. In March, a Punjabi radio journalist covering a protest of an Indian high commissioners visit to Surrey, British Columbia, was attacked by demonstrators.

These episodes underscore the challenges that Canada  home to the worlds largest Sikh population outside India  faces following Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus claim on Monday that India was responsible for fatally shooting the Sikh leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in June outside a temple in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver.

Mr. Trudeaus allegations have set off a diplomatic skirmish, as the country seeks Indias cooperation with its investigation into Mr. Nijjars killing.
Jango Edwards may have been the most famous clown never to don a red nose. In fact he was as far from the family-friendly Bozo as one can imagine: rude, scatological, raunchy. He performed in drag, in fat suits and sometimes in nothing at all.

In one of his stage bits, in which he played a nearsighted, manic magician, he would ask an audience member, usually a woman, to help him perform a card trick in which the deck had been replaced with hot dogs  a gag that was as absurd, and lewd, as one can imagine.

For sheer theatrical energy, for schmutz as well as chutzpah, he makes John Belushi look like Charlie Brown, The New York Times wrote in 1981.

Some might have called him unhinged. But to his fans, mostly in Europe, Mr. Edwards was a genius.

Starting in the early 1970s, he helped lead a back-to-basics revival of clowning, embracing a thread of transgressive traditions running from medieval court jesters through renaissance commedia dellarte and Weimar burlesque to Jerry Lewis, whose zany antics, a model for Mr. Edwards, also won great acclaim in Europe.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Today, an agreement has been reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist measures, press service spokesman of Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense Colonel Anar Eyvazov said during today's briefing, Trend reports.

"The leadership of the Ministry of Defense gave a corresponding instruction to the troops," he said.

According to him, the Azerbaijani armed forces are currently fulfilling the tasks assigned to them.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been conducted in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects weren't targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime were put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
British prosecutors announced a murder charge on Wednesday for a police officer accused of fatally shooting a Black man in south London last year during a botched arrest operation, a rare move in a case that has prompted calls for greater police accountability.

Chris Kaba, 24, was killed while driving a car through the south London district of Streatham Hill last September. The shooting prompted widespread outrage in Londons Black community amid plummeting public trust in the citys police force, which has been dogged by accusations of racism and misogyny.

The police first flagged the car after an automatic license plate tracker identified it as being potentially linked to a firearm incident, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a watchdog that handles complaints against officers in Britain.

Officers in unmarked vehicles then pursued Mr. Kaba for about 15 minutes without turning on their headlights or sirens, investigators said. After he turned left at an intersection toward a waiting marked police vehicle, armed officers exited their vehicles to arrest him.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, denouncing Russias unprovoked aggression, told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that if it did not break the grip of Russian veto power, it would be powerless to resolve conflicts around the world, adding his voice to the rising calls to overhaul how the body works.

Ukrainian soldiers are doing with their blood what the U.N. Security Council should do by its voting, Mr. Zelensky said on Wednesday, arguing that veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the U.N. into deadlock.

Mr. Zelenskys appearance before the Council helped make it the highest-level direct confrontation over the invasion of Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey V. Lavrov of Russia and his American counterpart, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, taking the seats normally occupied by their ambassadors and stating their countries cases.

Mr. Lavrov and Mr. Zelensky did not cross paths  the Russian did not enter the hall until after the Ukrainian had spoken and left  in a bit of choreography that reflected a session in which the two talked past each other.
To secure the deal, Israel would need to make some concessions to the Palestinians, such as ceding them more land in the West Bank. But senior members of Mr. Netanyahus government  the most ultranationalist in Israeli history  are strongly opposed to such gestures, making it harder to forge a deal.

In an interview with Bret Baier of Fox News, excerpts of which were released on Wednesday, the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, made the kingdoms concern clear. For us, the Palestinian issue is very important, he said. We need to solve that part.

Mr. Biden used the meeting to press the prime minister to do more to support the normalization process, White House officials said. A description of the meeting released by the White House after it was over said Mr. Biden had called on Mr. Netanyahu to take immediate measures to improve the security and economic situation, maintain the viability of a two-state solution, and promote a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

A senior Biden administration official, who spoke to reporters after the meeting on the condition of anonymity, said there was a common understanding among all the leaders in the region, including Mr. Netanyahu, that any normalization of relations with the Saudis would require dealing with the Palestinian issue.

The official said that during the meeting, there was a basic meeting of the minds about both the importance of the issue and also about the contours of what would be required.
Thousands of refugees are fleeing into Armenia after Azerbaijan claimed control of an Armenian enclave inside its territory, reshaping in just two days of fighting a conflict that has resulted in two wars since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

By Sept. 26, the Armenian government said, 19,000 forcibly displaced people had entered Armenia from Nagorno-Karabakh. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia said in a speech on Sept. 24 that Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh were facing the threat of ethnic cleansing unless effective mechanisms of protection were created in the enclave under Azerbaijani rule.

On Sept. 25, officials said, dozens of people were killed by a blast in a fuel depot, which witnesses said struck as people lined up to refuel their cars before evacuating.

A few days later, the government of Nagorno-Karabakh announced that it would dissolve itself, formally ending more than 30 years of separatist rule. The government of Armenia said that the number of displaced people who had left the breakaway state to seek safety in Armenia had reached more than 68,000, with many more expected to follow.
Ukraine Has Gained Ground. Progress since counteroffensive began Held by Russia But It Has Much Farther To Go. Ukraine Has Gained Ground. Progress since counteroffensive began Held by Russia But It Has Much Farther To Go.

Ukraine Has Gained Ground. But It Has Much Farther to Go

Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Ukrainian position before counteroffensive Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Ukrainian position before counteroffensive Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Russia Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Ukrainian position before counteroffensive Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Ukrainian position before counteroffensive Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Russia Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Russia Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Verbove Robotyne First Russian lines of defense Held by Russia Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia July 3 Aug. 7 Verbove Aug. 21 Robotyne Sept. 18 Held by Ukraine Orikhiv July 3 Aug. 7 Verbove Aug. 21 Sept. 18 Held by Russia Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Other Russian lines of defense Tokmak Melitopol Access to sea Held by Ukraine Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Held by Russia Other Russian lines of defense Tokmak Melitopol Access to sea Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Other Russian lines of defense 15 miles to Tokmak Tokmak 30 miles to Melitopol Melitopol Access to sea Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Held by Russia Other Russian lines of defense 15 miles to Tokmak Tokmak 30 miles to Melitopol Melitopol Access to sea Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Other Russian lines of defense 15 miles to Tokmak Tokmak 30 miles to Melitopol Melitopol Access to sea Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Held by Russia Other Russian lines of defense 15 miles to Tokmak Tokmak 30 miles to Melitopol Melitopol Access to sea Orikhiv Held by Ukraine Held by Russia Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Other Russian lines of defense 15 miles to Tokmak Tokmak 30 miles to Melitopol Melitopol Access to sea Held by Ukraine Orikhiv Verbove Robotyne Main line of defense Held by Russia Other Russian lines of defense 15 miles to Tokmak Tokmak 30 miles to Melitopol Melitopol Access to sea In June, Ukraine prepared to launch its counteroffensive facing immense risks: Without a decisive victory, Western support could weaken, and Kyiv could face pressure to negotiate a ceasefire. Since then, Ukrainian forces have breached the first line of defense in some Russian positions along this southern line of advance, the counteroffensives most promising front. Kyivs forces have recaptured the tiny village of Robotyne, a tactical victory that highlighted the enormous challenges that lie ahead. Progress has been grueling and slow. In some weeks, troops have moved only a few yards at a time along this line of advance. Troops have familiar obstacles ahead: mines, trenches and fresh Russian forces, with the added challenge of cooling weather and approaching fall rains. The first big strategic target of this southerly line of advance, the city of Tokmak, a rail and transport hub, is still another 15 miles away. Thirty miles south of Tokmak is the coastal city of Melitopol, the initial goal of the widely anticipated Ukrainian counteroffensive. Even farther is the Sea of Azov, which Ukrainian troops would need to reach to sever the so-called land bridge between Russia and the occupied Crimean Peninsula.

The bloody drive toward Tokmak is one small part of a front line that extends several hundred miles, part of a broader push in which Ukrainian forces are trying to break through elsewhere in the south and east.

KHARKIV LUHANSK UKRAINE Bakhmut Luhansk Held by Russia Ukrainian counteroffensive gains Donetsk Velyka Novosilka DONETSK RUSSIA Robotyne Area shown above Tokmak Mariupol ZAPORIZHZHIA Melitopol Berdiansk Detail area Kyiv UKRAINE SEA OF AZOV RUSSIA Kharkiv KHARKIV LUHANSK UKRAINE Bakhmut Held by Russia Ukrainian counteroffensive gains Donetsk DONETSK Robotyne Area shown above Tokmak Mariupol ZAPORIZHZHIA Detail area Melitopol Berdiansk Kyiv UKRAINE SEA OF AZOV Kharkiv HELD BY RUSSIA KHARKIV LUHANSK UKRAINE Bakhmut Luhansk Counteroffensive gains Donetsk Velyka Novosilka Counteroffensive gains DONETSK RUSSIA Robotyne Tokmak Mariupol Detail area ZAPORIZHZHIA Kyiv Melitopol UKRAINE Berdiansk SEA OF AZOV Source: Institute for the Study of War with American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project

After a string of victories last year, military analysts thought Ukraines summer counteroffensive would attempt to split Russian supply lines in the south, driving a wedge between western Russia and Russian-occupied Crimea.

The Russian military expected the same and prepared accordingly. Moscow shifted troops, dug fresh fortifications and scattered land mines across the relatively flat fields of Ukraines south. When Ukraine began its attack, even with fresh supplies of advanced western tanks and equipment, it faced a prepared defense of the sort not seen in Europe since World War II.

Ukraine surged forward in June, but quickly lost tanks, troops and other armored vehicles to dense minefields and prepared Russian troops. Kyivs forces initially used American tactics better suited for the last century than the current-day battlefield in Ukraine.

Since August, the fighting has concentrated around the small hamlet of Robotyne. The Ukrainians are fighting to widen the breach with hopes they can capitalize on their hard-earned gains and inch forward to the next line of Russian defenses.

August 30, 2022 Robotyne Robotyne Robotyne Robotyne Robotyne August 2, 2023 Craters Robotyne Russian fortifications Trees gone along roads Russian fortifications Craters Robotyne Trees gone along roads Russian fortifications Craters Robotyne Trees gone along roads August 30, 2023 Robotyne Robotyne Robotyne This is what Robotyne looked like a year ago: occupied by Russia, untouched by battle and home to around a hundred people. As Ukrainian forces pushed closer to Robotyne over the summer, shell craters pock-marked fields, and trees and vegetation that concealed Russian trenches and positions were slowly sheared away. By summers end, Robotyne was all but gone. Most of its buildings were destroyed. Fields were burned. And the farmland surrounding it looked more like the surface of the moon. Sources: Satellite imagery by Planet Labs, Brady Africks analysis of imagery from Copernicus (Russian fortifications).

The fight for Robotyne played out in official statements and grainy videos posted on social media, leaving the scope of destruction and the scale of violence in the fight for such a small tract of land mostly at arms length. It is unclear how many soldiers died  on both sides  during the battle, but overhead imagery suggested the cost was disproportionate to the amount of land retaken.

Craters Craters Robotyne is now a village in name only. In late August, the Ukrainian armed forces released footage showing its forces entering what remains of the small enclave, images that revealed bombed-out fields and roads and destroyed homes. Dozens of craters filled the small area shown in one photo, a hint at the sheer amount of ammunition required to win control of a town just over a mile wide. Image source: Ukrainian Armed Forces, via Reuters

As fall approaches, and with it poor weather, Ukraines gains around Robotyne could dictate the next moves in its southern campaign.

As it did in the summer, Russia knows this as well. It has moved substantial resources into the area to stop Ukraine from pushing further south.

Valerii Zaluzhnyi/Telegram, via Reuters

With Robotyne firmly in Ukraines hands, Kyivs forces are shifting east, to their next objective and Russias main line of defense around the village of Verbove. There have been reports of Ukrainian gains and Russian counterattacks, but the progress of the offensive is unclear.

The currency of the counteroffensive is ammunition, vehicles and human lives. This is what is certain: More people will die, more buildings will burn and the surrounding farmlands will be seeded with land mines and unexploded shells that probably will take decades to clear.
Maleesha Kharwa grew up in Mumbais infamous Dharavi slum, but thanks to a chance encounter with an American actor, she became one of Indias most popular teenage models.

At just 15 years of age, Maleesha Kharwa has already graced the covers of international fashion magazines like Vogue and Cosmopolitan, become the face of a luxury skincare brand, and amassed over 300,000 followers on Instagram alone. She is one of the most recognizable faces in India, and its almost impossible to believe that only three years ago she was just another girl in the slums of Mumbai. It was only thanks to a lucky encounter with Step Up 2: The Streets and Greys Anatomy actor Robert Hoffman that her life changed drastically and she got the chance to live out her childhood fantasy of one day becoming a fashion model.

My life has changed, Maleesha told The National. Before I was not on posters, newspapers, or on TV channels but now I am all over the world. Everyone recognizes me and asks me for selfies. I feel proud of myself. I always wanted to become a model. I started dreaming of becoming a model when I was five years old. I am very happy. I dream of becoming a supermodel one day.

Three years ago, Robert Hoffman was in Mumbai to shoot a music video, when she noticed this striking-looking girl sitting on a mattress inside a makeshift tent. He talked to her and later posted a video of her on social media, which went viral almost instantly. Before long, Maleesha was an international sensation, and audition opportunities were pouring in.

The teenage girl started getting modeling assignments, and the first thing she did with her substantial earnings was to get her family out of the slum and into a decent one-room apartment.

Earlier, we did not have proper electricity, we had to go far to fetch water but now we have a power connection, there is a ceiling fan, and we have tap water, the teen model said. The municipality would often demolish our huts but now we have a safer roof over our heads. My father is proud of me.

This year, Maleesha Kharwa became the face of luxury beauty brand Forest Essentials new campaign The Yuvati Collection, and her amazing story shows no sign of ending anytime soon. If anything, the 15-year-old is only becoming more popular as she continues to get attention both online and offline. Often referred to as the Princess of the Slum, Maleesha has become a symbol of hope for the millions of other teenagers dreaming big in Indias slums.

Maleesha Kharwas story has been compared to the fictional story of the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, but, as it often happens, life is actually more amazing than any movie. Her life-changing chance encounter is comparable to that of Filipino sensation Rita Gaviola, who also went from being just another slum girl to a popular model and social media influencer.
James Hoge

James Hoge, who was editor of the Chicago Sun-Times and New York Daily News, died on Sept. 19. He was 87.

He became one of the youngest editors at a major daily newspaper, when he was named the Sun-Times city editor at age 29. He rose to editor-in-chief at 33 and publisher at 44.

The Sun-Times won six Pulitzers Prizes under Hoges leadership. He also okayed running Seymour Hershs account of the My Lai massacre, the murder of civilians by US soldiers in Vietnam.

Hoge left Chicago in 1984 after a group that he led to buy the Sun-Times was outbid by Rupert Murdoch.

Returning to his hometown of New York, Hoge become editor and publisher of the struggling Daily News and exited in 1991 after the paper was bought by Robert Maxwell.

Hoge then left the rough and tough tabloid world for the editor slot at the more sedate Foreign Affairs magazine.

During his 18 years at the bi-monthly, Hoge doubled its circulation to more than 160K and launched Spanish, Japanese and Russian language editions.

He went on to chair Human Rights Watch and the International Center for Journalists.

At his death, Hoge was a senior advisor at Teneo.
A COLLAPSED bridge on a busy road in north Offaly may not be replaced until late October at the earliest, it emerged this week.

The collapse of the bridge over the Yellow river near Rhode has necessitated the closure of the R400, the road which connects the Offaly village with Rochfortbridge and is the direct route to the Dublin-Galway motorway.

It was also confirmed this week that similar bridges on the same road are also at risk of collapse and the quality of the diversion routes is deteriorating from overuse.

An engineer with Offaly County Council, Enda Daly, said on Wednesday that the new precast culvert sections for the bridge were being manufactured off site and were due for completion by September 30.

But Mr Daly added: We did encounter other issues when we stripped back the existing structure.

He said it had been anticipated that the original abutments at the bridge might be suitable but when the whole structure was taken down and the site investigated they were deemed to be structurally inadequate.

This mean that further site investigation had to be carried out and a new foundation has to be built.

The council is currently finalising tender documents for the new foundations and the engineer said a contractor will be appointed late this month, with a completion date hopefully of late October.

That date is subject to weather conditions, the water levels of the Yellow river remaining low and contractor availability.

Cllr Liam Quinn expressed concern about the completion of the project, especially with the dark evenings approaching.

With the road closed, an official diversion route through Croghan and Tyrrellspass was being recommended but local people were also driving by Knockdrin and Garr.

When it starts getting dark by 4.30pm, said the Fine Gael councillor those little by roads that are carrying all that traffic they just get an awful lot worse.

Cllr Quinn said funds will have to be allocated to repair those roads next year, because, like the R400, they were built on peat.

They're bog road themselves and they're carrying a couple of thousand vehicles a day that they were never designed to carry.

He added: That stone bridge that collapsed is one of two stone bridges on that road and I would ask that we look at the second one.

Mr Daly told the councillor that various stakeholders, such as Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries and the OPW had to be kept in the loop during the bridge replacement project.

It's unfortunate that these things do take time. It's very much our main priority at the moment to get the road back open as soon as possible. We are pushing as much as we can to do that.

The engineer added: In relation to the other bridges on the R400 it was a concern to us that if this one has collapsed what's the potential for the rest of them.

The council has examined two of them and found that one had significant work done on it 20 years ago.
Thirteen people have been charged by gardai during a day of protests outside the Dail that saw demonstrators block entrances and display a mock gallows.

Photographs of high-profile politicians were attached to the gallows placed outside Leinster House as Dail business returned following the summer recess.

There was a sizeable gardai presence, with metal barricades erected, as politicians, media and Oireachtas staff were barracked arriving and leaving the building.

Some TDs and senators required gardai escorts to leave the Dail through the shouting crowds of protesters.

The gallows, which featured an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of enterprise minister Simon Coveney, education minister Norma Foley and minister for children Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Eoin O Broin from Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also featured.

On Wednesday morning around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House on Kildare Street, where the main entrance was fenced off by gardai, as part of what has become a traditional day of protest for the return of the Dail session.

Far-right protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws.

Politicians and journalists entering the Leinster House premises were called traitors by the gathered crowd.

Demonstrators held signs featuring slogans such as Irish lives matter and Ballybrack says no.

Earlier this year, several gardai responded to the Ballybrack area of Co Dublin as groups of anti-migrant protesters damaged a building they did not want to be repurposed for refugees.

Outside Leinster House on Wednesday, the protesters regularly chanted: Youll never beat the Irish.

The nearby National Library of Ireland shut as a result of the protest.

Later in the day, protesters moved to the other entrance to the Dail on Merrion Street.

While their numbers had reduced to below 100, they attempted to form human chains at the entrance to prevent people leaving.

At one point several politicians cars were trapped inside the grounds before gardai moved to clear a path.

A Garda statement said: Gardai at Pearse Street put in place a policing operation to facilitate the resumption of the 33rd Dail at Government Buildings today, Wednesday September 20 2023.

On a number of occasions gardai were required to intervene during public order incidents which occurred on Molesworth Street, Kildare Street and Merrion Street.

Regular uniform gardai were supported by plain clothes units and the public order unit in soft cap mode.

In total 13 arrests were made over the course of today connected with incidents in the vicinity of Government Buildings.

A senior investigating officer has been appointed, overseeing an investigation team based at Pearse Street, to co-ordinate and investigate all of the circumstances regarding these incidents and any other matters which may be identified as necessary for investigation which occurred around Government Buildings.

Later, gardai said 13 people had been charged.

Two men (40s) have already appeared before the courts, a spokesperson said.

Two women (40s and 30s) and nine males (ages ranging from 20s-60s) are due to appear before Court No.3 at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin at a later date.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The anti-terrorist measures carried out by the Azerbaijani army in Karabakh are Baku's reaction to the gross violation of the constitutional order of the country, IITUs Professor of the Department of Media Communications and History of Kazakhstan, Saken Mukan told Trend.

"The anti-terrorist measures launched yesterday in Karabakh by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces were not a surprise. The so-called "presidential elections", unrecognized by anyone, were a gross violation of the constitutional order and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan, as well as the norms of international law. As a result, Baku is restoring the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the region," Mukan said.

According to him, Armenia, as always, continued provocative actions against Azerbaijan and disseminated false statements about the "humanitarian crisis in Karabakh".

"Baku has repeatedly invited representatives of the Armenian population living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan to a dialogue to discuss issues of reintegration, but they refused," he said.

According to Saken Mukan, Azerbaijan always takes a balanced approach to strategic steps in its foreign policy.

"The current anti-terrorist activities are carried out in the internationally recognized territories of Azerbaijan and are of a local nature, they do not threaten the territories of any countries," he said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.
Some very valuable stakes got underway this week, including two of the annual big stakes in Cork, and also the quarterfinals of the top Juvenile stake in Shelbourne, quarterfinals of the Kilkenny Derby, as well as numerous stakes at final and semi-finals stages. Plenty of Offaly winners in the mix in another super week of greyhound racing.

Early Week Racing

Monday, Enniscorthy, quarter-finals of the September Open unraced stake, Bounceback Elly set the standard for Anthony Kehoe in 28.96 (20 slow) by two lengths at 2/1. Heat one went to Trinity Bestie for Edenderry owner Timmy Slevin in 29.23 (20 slow) by five lengths at 1/4 fav with Peter Cronin at the helm.



Thursday, two finals in Curraheen Park in Cork. First off in the Jack, Mary and Brian Finn Memorial ON2 unraced stake, cream came to the top here as Faypoint Sean (Droopys Sydney -Roaming Shari) won for the fourth consecutive week, and remained unbeaten, when winning in 28.78 (10 slow) by six lengths at 2/7 fav, with a winners cheque of 2k going to champion trainer Graham Holland. In the final of the AOS Mechanical Services Ltd and CPSC A4 stake, the 1.5k pot went to Missouri Jumbo (Kinloch Brea - Delboys Cushty) in 29.00 (10 slow) by four lengths at 5/2 with Sean DeBurca training

Also on Thursday, in Shelbourne, in the semifinals of the Mustang Jet @ Stud Open Unraced bitch stake, Cute Intentions won the first for Edenderry owners Keith Duffy and Niamh McNamee, in 28.65 by six lengths at 6/4 fav, coming out Rathangan trainer Robert Gleesons kennels. The second semi went to Fashion Model for Paul Horig and Stephen Bourke in 28.52 by one length at 5/2.



Friday Racing.



Cork staged the first round of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 stake, which included all eleven races on the card, won last year by Ballymac Johnjo for Liam Dowling. Double on the night for Holland and Paul Hennessy with the latter supplying the fastest heat winner in Jaytee Etienne, in 28.47 by nine lengths, at 4/5 fav. Another to catch the eye was Kyanite Kate for John Linehan, who stopped the clock in 28.51, by two lengths at 2/1.



Three Offaly winners in the Showgrounds in Galway, with two for Geashill trainer Margaret Bolton, in an S8 sprint. Mayfield Flyer won by ten lengths in 19.45 (.05 slow). In an A7 525 Cillowen Recruit was first home for her in 29.59 (10 slow) by one length at 4/1. In an ON2 unraced contest, Straws Gift won for Birr owners Bill and John Pardy in 29.64 (10 slow) by two lengths at 7/4.



Some great racing in Kilkenny with a fine card. In the semifinals of the Jag Building Services and KGOBA A1 Derby, Bogger Dusty won the first for Liam Peacock in 28.85 (10 slow) by one length at 2/1. The second heat went to De Black Swallow for Murt Leahy in 29.06 (10 slow) by three lengths at 2/1. In the semi-finals of the Peter Meaney Memorial ON2 unraced stake, Kilara Twinkle was first back in kennels in the first heat for David Flanagan in 29.65 (10 slow) by two lengths at 2/1. The second semi was won in a faster 29.44 (10 slow) by Rafa Secco for Leahy again by a neck at 6/4.



In a wet Shelbourne Park, in the final of the Retired Greyhound Trust A3 stake, All Along (Droopys Sydney - Jet Ski Queen) won the 1.75k purse in 29.22 (30 slow) by one length at 5/2 with Mullingar trainer David Murray training.

In the semifinals of the Talking Dogs A2 stake, Rockmount Zak won the first for Brendan Murphy in 28.97 (30 slow) by four lengths at 6/1. Druids All Go was first over the whitewash in the second for Keeley McGee in 28.93 (30 slow) by seven lengths at 4/5 fav. One Offaly winner on the supporting card, in an A1 race,Leeloo won for Croghan trainer Nuala Lynch in 29.25 (30 slow) by two lengths at 5/4 fav.



Saturday Racing.



Another full card was taken up in Cork with the first round of their biggest stake of the year, the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels. While the Derby in Shelbourne is all about strength and stamina this Curraheen Park classic is all about speed and especially early pace. It has always been regarded after the Derby as the next best classic to win. With a winners cheque of 30k all the top dogs in the country took their chance in what was and always is the most competitive of stakes. First run in 1944 the history books show that we never had an Offaly winner but we certainly have a fighting chance this year with some very pacey dogs representing the Faithful County.

Seventy two dogs and twelve heats went to post in front of a full house in Curraheen. All the top trainers had a win with a double for Graham Holland. Holland supplied the joint fastest winner as last weeks winner of the A1 Kasco Derby in Cork Jacktavern Bolt stopped the clock in 28.07 by one length at 9/4. The other dog to equal this super time was Easy Razzle, last week's winner of the Munster Oaks in Waterford for John Linehan, by three lengths at 6/4.

One brilliant Offaly winner on the night, in the final heat, Carrick Aldo fresh from winning the National Sprint in Dundalk in August showed massive pace to win by three lengths against a quality field in 28.15 at 1/1 fav for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn with David Murray training. Glynn also has another live contender in this stake as Carrick Fergie finished a comfortable third in his heat with Robert Gleeson training. Expect more from this fellow as the competition goes through the rounds weekly.

The best two races in Limerick were the semi-finals of the Roma Casino Irish Cambridgeshire Open 750. Recent winner of the Corn Cuchalainn open 750 stake Kinturk Road won heat one in 41.60 by a neck at 7/4 from the Kerry kennels of Liam Dowling. The second semi went to Hukum for Adam Dunford in a faster 41.29 by ten lengths at 5/4 fav.

Two Offaly winners in Mullingar, in an A6 race, Killeshill Lilac won for Croghan owner Vincent Lynch in 30.73 (50 slow) by one length at 2/1. In an A4 grade Clonearl Kate won for Tullamore owners Niall Deegan and Conor McGrath in 29.94 (50 slow) by a neck at a well backed 1/1 fav.

Thurles hosted the first round of the Kasco Dog Foods ON2 unraced stake, four heats, won last year by Keeperhill Cash for Barbara Rees Jones. Fastest of the four was Vis A Vis for Dave Bourke in 28.94 (20 slow) by nine lengths at 6/4 fav.

Shelbourne Park staged the quarter-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby, four great heats with the cream of the younger dogs in the country going to traps. Holland again supplied the fastest heat winner as Ballinakill Alf stopped the clock in a fine 28.10 by two lengths at 1/2 fav. Three Offaly dogs made it through to the semifinals and all are certainly in with a live chance of making the final on Saturday, Highview Splash and Highview Treat for Croghan trainer Gerry Merriman and Short Grip who probably is our best chance of outright winner for Rhode owner P.J Cocoman. Heres hoping.

One final on the night, the Time Greyhound 20 AO dual/distance 525/550 stake, the 2k first prize cheque went to Gowran trainer Paul Hennessy as Jaytee Craze (Ballymac Cashout - Ballymac Minton) just got up on the line to win by a head in a decent 29.53 at 3/1.



Sunday Racing.

One Offaly winner at the matinee meeting in Mullingar with Lingrawn Lola having her twelfth career win for Moneygall owner Mary Jones in an A5 race in 29.91 (60 slow) by four lengths at 1/1 fav.



Upcoming Events.

Thursday, Shelbourne, final of the Mustang Jet @ Stud Open unraced bitch stake.

Friday, second round of the Michael (Bart) Leahy Memorial A2 stake in cork, semi-finals of the Jag Building Services A1 Derby and final of the Peter Meaney Memorial ON2 unraced both in Kilkenny and final of the Talking Dogs A2 sweepstake in Shelbourne.



Saturday, second round of the Bar One Racing Irish Laurels in Cork, semi-finals of the Kasco Dog Foods ON2 unraced in Thurles, final of the Irish Cambridgeshire in Limerick and semi-finals of the Time Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Derby in Shelbourne.



Tribune Offaly dog of the week. Easy decision this week as Carrick Aldo was a brilliant winner in the first round of the Laurels in Cork in 28.15 for Edenderry owner Thomas Glynn. Super performance.



Offaly Winners.



There were ten Offaly winners this week which was a great return. Congratulations to all who were involved with these winners.
Actor Prakash Raj Alleges Death Threat, Files Complaint Against Vikram TV YouTube Channel

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Actor Prakash Raj has lodged a formal complaint against a YouTube channel, alleging death threat due to his remarks on Sanatana Dharma. The Ashok Nagar police station in Bengaluru have filed an First Information Report (FIR) against Vikram TV YouTube Channel and began investigating into the case.

The film actor had filed a complaint against the owner and staff members of the Vikram TV YouTube channel, alleging that he had been verbally abused on a program of the channel, along with him and his family members being issued threats to their lives on two videos uploaded on the channel.

In his complaint, the versatile actor claimed that Vikram TV had posted a video on YouTube containing inflammatory speeches that posed a danger to his life.

One excerpt from the video mentioned in Raj's complaint reads: "Stalin and Prakash Raj must be finished? What must Hindus do? Your blood does not boil?"

Prakash Raj Trolled With Hilarious Memes After Chandrayaan-3 Lands On Moon's South Pole

Additionally, Prakash Raj asserted that the video depicted him and his family members in a negative light, further inciting people. He maintained that the video amounted to a life-threatening communication directed at him and his family, and therefore, he urged authorities to take action against the owner of the YouTube channel and others involved.

As of now, the video has garnered over 89,000 views. The alleged threats emerged following the actor's comments about Sanatana Dharma.

An FIR has been registered under IPC sections 506 (pertaining to criminal intimidation), 504 (concerning intentional insults leading to provocation), and 505(2) (relating to the sale of printed or engraved material containing defamatory content).

Prakash Raj's Statements on Sanatana Dharma:

The actor had previously remarked that individuals who aggressively promote Sanatana Dharma are not genuine Hindus.

'Shocked and hurt': Prakash Raj on Sudeep campaigning for BJP

He stated, "People speaking aggressively on Sanatana Dharma and Hindutva are not Hindus. They are contractors of Hindutva. Such statements are made for political motives. People must discern the underlying intentions behind such statements, and I hope they will," during an address to writers and artists in Kalaburagi.

Prakash Raj's comments came in response to Tamil Nadu Minister Udayanidhi Stalin's comparison of Sanatana Dharma to diseases like malaria and dengue.
Big Cat On The Loose: Leopard Spotted Yet Again Near IT Park In Kudlu, Residents Panic

Baiyappanahalli-Krishnarajapuram Metro Line Safety Check On September 21

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Namma Metro Purple Line Update: After several delays, the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) has announced that the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) will inspect the much-awaited Krishnarajapura-Baiyappanahalli line on September 21. The 2-kilometer metro stretch on the purple line is likely to be launched by the end of September, if the CMRS gives an approval after the inspection.

During this period, metro train services will be unavailable between specific stations on Thursday.

Train services will be suspended between Krishnarapura and Garudacharpalya on Thursday. Additionally, there will be a disruption in train services between Baiyappanahalli and Indiranagar from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm on Thursday.

In view of the Statutory Safety Inspection by Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (Southern Circle)on 21.09.2023 , there will be changes to the Metro Train Operations. May kindly note and cooperate. Details are in the media release. pic.twitter.com/0K0a5pzkBS    (@cpronammametro) September 19, 2023

However, trains will continue to operate between Whitefield (Kadugodi) and Garudacharpalya, as well as between Indiranagar and Kengeri from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm.

Posing As RSS Workers In Bengaluru, 4 Men Kidnap A Man And Steal Beef; 4 Arrested

The BMRCL press release stated that regular train services will be available between Baiyappanahalli and Kengeri Metro stations before 1:30 pm and after 4:30 pm, up to 11 pm.

Please note that there will be no changes to train operations on the Green Line.

If the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) approves it following the inspection, the 2.1 km stretch on the purple line connecting Krishnarajapura and Baiyappanahalli is expected to be inaugurated by the end of this month.

The BMRCL had previously mentioned that daily ridership on the metro is projected to reach 7.5 lakh after the stretch between Baiyappanahalli and KR Puram is operational.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 14:18 [IST]
Big Cat On The Loose: Leopard Spotted Yet Again Near IT Park In Kudlu, Residents Panic

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Becomes First CM In India To Launch WhatsApp Channel

Bengaluru

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has become the first head of government in India to use WhatsApp for mass communication. This groundbreaking move comes after WhatsApp recently introduced a new feature called "WhatsApp Channel," which makes it easier for government officials to communicate directly with the public.

The initiative was officially unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on September 12, and within a remarkably short span, it has garnered an impressive subscriber base of over 50,000 individuals.

The launch of the WhatsApp Channel by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah signifies a remarkable leap in embracing technology to foster transparent governance.

The channel, aptly named "Chief Minister of Karnataka," serves as a dynamic platform through which the state's administration seeks to provide real-time information on the day-to-day affairs of the government, placing a wealth of knowledge and updates right at the fingertips of the citizens.

Karnataka To Move CWRC Expressing Inability To Release Cauvery Water To TN: Siddaramaiah

What sets this initiative apart is its commitment to open and direct access. Any citizen can readily subscribe to the official channel of the Chief Minister by simply searching for "Chief Minister of Karnataka" within WhatsApp's channel section. This user-friendly approach ensures that crucial government updates, news, and notifications are effortlessly accessible to a wide spectrum of people, fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.

For the unversed, WhatsApp Channels serve as a unidirectional communication tool, enabling administrators to disseminate text, photos, videos, stickers, and polls. These channels are conveniently located in a dedicated tab known as "Updates" within WhatsApp. In this section, you will discover both your own Status updates and the channels you opt to subscribe to, distinct from your personal conversations with family, friends, and various communities.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 10:09 [IST]
Watch Comedian Danish Sait's Hilarious Take On Leopard Sighting In Bengaluru's Kudlu Gate Goes Viral

Posing As RSS Workers In Bengaluru, 4 Men Kidnap A Man And Steal Beef; 4 Arrested

Bengaluru

oi-Prakash KL

Four men posed as the workers of Hindu group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), kidnapped a driver who was transporting beef and stole it.

The Adugodi police in Bengaluru arrested four accused in connection with the incident. The main accused is identified as Mohammed, who hatched a plan to kidnap the driver to steal the beef.

On September 10, an individual named Javed was transporting beef from Ramanagara to a shop in Tilak Nagar, Bengaluru. Upon reaching Mico Layout Signal, three individuals halted the car, identifying themselves as RSS workers, and forcibly moved him to an isolated location.

The three men then demanded Rs 1 lakh from the driver identified as Javed for carrying beef. After negotiations, they released him but took Rs 10,000 to free him.

On asking him about vehicle, Javed was asked to take it from St John's signal. When he got back to his vehicle, he discovered that the beef was stolen.

Railway Jobs 2023: Bumper Vacancies Announced; Apply For Bengaluru Location

So, he filed a complaint with the Adugodi police station who launched a manhunt to nab the culprits behind the incident.

It was then revealed that the Beef shop owner himself devised the plan and executed it. Mohammed, the owner of the shop, wanted to get the meat without paying money.

Mohammed instructed three individuals to transport Javed to a remote location and park his car near St John's signal. Subsequently, he absconded with the beef.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 14:13 [IST]
DMKs contribution to temples  From Annadurai to Stalin

Chennai

oi-Oneindia English Desk

DMK's parent house is Dravida Kazhagam and its root is Periyar. It was Periyar who strongly denied the existence of God and deeply planted the atheist mentality in Tamil Nadu. Annadurai was also a member of the Dravida Kazhagam with an agnostic mentality.

Even though Annadurai was an agnostic, he did not advocate atheism as the principle policy of his newly started political party, the DMK. Annadurai made 'One Clan One God' the policy of DMK as opposed to Periyar's complete denial of God's existence. There onwards, this policy existed as a small difference between Dravida Kazhagam and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

The change of policy is due to Anna's belief that a party which denies the existence of God cannot succeed in a place whose people are stern believers of God. Anna, for this reason did not consider Periyar as a role model in the matters of God but he still followed the main principles of Dravida Kazhagam such as social justice, self-respect marriages, caste equality etc.

During the 1967 elections, the information of vote buying reached the ears of Annadurai, mainly done to defeat him in Kanchipuram constituency. The cash for vote given by Congressmen was Rs.5 per vote. Congressmen's campaign involved giving of Rs.5 and getting a promise in front of the Tirupati deity to vote for Congress.

Anna jokingly said, "...to defeat me my opponents have to climb seven hills and bring the deity from there". Anna said this not to criticise the God but to criticise the wrong-doers. The evidence to this is the organisation of Kumbakonam Mahamaham festival by former CM Karunanidhi when he was a Minister in Anna's Cabinet, which shows that Anna took religious matters seriously.

After Annadurai's death, Karunanidhi who is also an atheist became the DMK's leader. Like Anna, he also did not impose his personal beliefs on the party and its members. This is evident from two events, one is the organisation of the chariot festival in Tiruvarur after he became Tamil Nadu CM and the other is the appointment of Kundrakudi Adigal as the member of MLC (Madras Legislative Council).

In 1992, when DMK was celebrating its silver jubilee, a debate surfaced regarding the stand of DMK in the matters of God. Murasoli Maran, the brain behind the DMK party at that time explained in an interview, "...dravidian movement is never about going to temples, worshipping etc. The key principles of the Dravidian movement are rationality, social justice and abolition of untouchability."

Karunanidhi, during his lifetime, gave complete freedom to his household women to worship God and he never asked any of his family members to hide their devotion to God in public places. This is proof for Karunanidhi's non imposition of his personal beliefs on others. Former CM Karunanidhi organised a chariot festival in Tiruvarur after he became CM, now the present CM Mr.Stalin organised more than 1000 consecration festivals in temples of Tamil Nadu in his 2 year reign.

During the 1000 year anniversary of Thanjavur Brihadeeswara temple, everyone advised Karunanidhi not to conduct the festival due to the belief that it will be a bad omen for the reign. Karunanidhi set aside all those superstitions and successfully celebrated the 1000th anniversary as a state festival.

Renovation of 4724 temples at the cost of 523 crores; constitution of a welfare board for the village temple priests; launch of a scheme to provide bicycles to 10000 priests in 2010; enactment of law on 2.10.1970 to allow persons from all caste to become priests are some of the measures taken during the reign of Karunanidhi.

Tamil Nadu's current CM, Mr. Stalin is also walking in the path of his political forefathers. Steps taken by him include, the appointment of 3 women as priests for the first time in Indian history; recovery of temple properties worth 5000 crores in the last 2 years etc. Former CM Karunanidhi reclaimed around 5 lakh acres of temple land which was in the hands of private individuals. During Karunanidhi's reign, 432 temples were consecrated at the cost of 8484 crores.

Steps taken during the DMK reign of 2006-2007 include the renovation of 240 chariots, consecration of 5000 temples, distribution of 25000 to each tribal and Adi Dravidar temples amounting to 17.5 lakhs and the increase of amount given to temples annually from 75 lakhs to 3 crores.

Like this, the spiritual programs of DMK continue even today. The scheme of giving free food to devotees in temples has been functional since 2002, which was extended in 2021-22 to temples like Tiruttani, Tiruchendur and Samayapuram as per the order of CM Stalin. It was CM Stalin's DMK government who celebrated Vallalar's 200th anniversary grandiosely. It was CM Stalin's DMK government which digitised the manuscripts in 30 lakh temples at the cost of 5 crores.

DMK is not against God, it is only against social injustice!
DMKs growth beyond splits! A record of 75 years of achievements

Chennai

oi-Oneindia English Desk

DMK celebrated its 75th anniversary and Mupperum Vizha (triple celebration - birth anniversary of Anna, Periyar and foundation day of DMK) splendidly in Vellore which became extra-special this year. The reason being, the survival of a state party for 75 years. It was Annadurai who sowed the seed for this historical achievement.

Annadurai was the one who announced the establishment of DMK on September 17, 1949 from Robinson Park in Royapuram, Chennai. Royapuram in North Chennai served as the headquarters of DMK in the initial years. A state party started in North Chennai has now stood out and drew the attention of northern states in India. DMK prevails as the 3rd largest party in the Parliament.

Anbagam in Teynampet became the headquarters of DMK after Royapuram. Following that, Karunanidhi built 'Anna Arivalayam' to be used as the head office of DMK which remains as the symbol of DMK till now.

Annadurai became CM as the DMK candidate in 1967, which was the first time in the Indian political history where a state party formed government with an overwhelming majority. Representing DMK, Anna became CM only once before he died in 1969, it was Karunanidhi who became CM 5 times representing DMK. In fact, Karunanidhi was the one who remained as the face of DMK for 80 years and held the party leadership longer than Annadurai.

CM Stalin has now become the 3rd generation Chief Minister directly from DMK after Annadurai and Karunanidhi. Apart from them, DMK has made 5 other Chief Ministerial candidates indirectly. 3 CMs who came directly from DMK include Annadurai, Karunanidhi and Stalin. The indirect CMs who came from the ADMK party which was broken away from the parent organisation of DMK include M.G.R, Janaki, Jayalalithaa, O. Panneerselvam, Edappadi K. Palaniswami. Totally Tamil Nadu has got 8 CMs from the parent organisation, DMK.

First Split from DMK:

E. V. K. Sampath (Erode Venkatappa Krishnasamy Sampath - Periyar's nephew and father of E.V.K.S. Elangovan) was the one to first break away from DMK and he formed the Tamil National Party. The split happened owing to the difference of opinion regarding the demand for a separate Dravidian nation. Annadurai gave up the demand due to the war threat from China which was the point of contestation and served as the reason for Sampath leaving the party.

During the 1961 Sampath's breakaway from DMK, Kannadasan, Sivaji Ganesan and Pazha Nedumaran played a significant role. Immediately after the inception, Sampath merged the Tamil National Party (TNP) with the Indian National Congress in 1964 which made the TNP lose its identity in Tamil Nadu. The turmoil created by Sampath's leaving disappeared in front of the mighty personality, Annadurai.

Upheaval caused by MGR:

The next big storm was created by MGR, the treasurer of DMK at that time. In 1972, MGR broke away from DMK and formed the ADMK party (Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam). The news was that MGR was expelled from the party because of his role in asking questions about party's accounts.

The split caused by MGR did not affect the parent organisation much, because the second line leaders stayed with DMK. But the party established by MGR gained prominence with time-being and became powerful which led to the capturing of power in Tamil Nadu. From 1977 to 1987, MGR served as the CM of Tamil Nadu. After the death of MGR, his wife became CM and there onwards the ADMK party split into two factions.

The Janaki faction and Jayalalithaa faction with Two Doves (Irattai pura) and Rooster as symbols respectively clashed with one another. The Jayalalithaa faction secured the win and the ADMK party was officially handed over to her which led to Janaki's retirement from political life.

ADMK was the only party which was separated from DMK and grew to a level of forming government. During ADMK's rule, Karunanidhi elevated DMK's position by being a dedicated and ambitious opposition leader. To remain as an able leader and to avoid the bitter effects of failure, his eloquence and literary skills helped a lot. Using literature, he won over people's heart and justified the actions of his side.

Third split from DMK:

After MGR, DMK's General Secretary Ira. Nedunchezhiyan along with K. Rajaram started the Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1977. In the 1977 election, Nedunchezhiyan formed an alliance with ADMK and later merged with ADMK which led to the disappearance of the party formed by him.

DMK splits Vs ADMK splits:

Compared to DMK, ADMK experienced more splits. Due to difference of opinion with Jayalalithaa, Thirunavukarasu established the Anna Puratchi Thalaivar Tamizhaga Munnetra Kazhagam and formed an alliance with DMK. In 1996 he merged with ADMK and again due to conflict of interest, Thirunavukarasu came out and formed the MGR ADMK party which failed to withstand the test of time. Another split from ADMK was caused by R. M. Veerappan who started the MGR Kazhagam in 1995. Initially he formed an alliance with DMK but later the party disappeared from the political arena.

Panruti S. Ramachandran was considered to be the brain behind MGR. After the death of MGR, he was one of the persons who sculpted the Jayalalithaa faction but with time-being owing to the negligence of Jayalalithaa, he joined the Pattali Makkal Katchi. In 1997, he started a new party in the name of Makkal Nala Urimai Kazhagam and formed alliance with DMK.

Actor T. Rajendar's split from DMK:

T. Rajendar, the Propaganda Secretary of DMK who was elected from the Park Constituency, left DMK due to the difference of opinion and established the Thaayaga Marumalarchi Kazhagam in 1991. This party was later changed as Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the rest is history.

Split created by Vaiko:

It was Vaiyapuri Gopalasamy who created split in DMK after T. Rajendar. A letter sent to Karunanidhi by Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary T. V. Venkataraman created a big turmoil in the political circles. The content of the letter was an intelligence received by IB and RAW saying that Vaiko had planned to kill the DMK leader Karunanidhi with the help of LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). Owing to this piece of intelligence, DMK broke again. Regarding this Karunanidhi in an interview said, "Vaiko's issue is just a bump in the road not a rift to DMK".

75 years of DMK:

Despite all the hurdles, Karunanidhi has turned DMK party into a big organisation with strong principles. In the due course of time, Karunanidhi and the DMK party has become one and the same. Karunanidhi is one of the reasons why the party has survived 75 years after its inception by Annadurai.

Now DMK has celebrated its 75th anniversary on September 17. In the function, CM Stalin said, "DMK has stepped into its 75th anniversary which was started by a commander of the common youth force, Annadurai. Anyone writing about the 20th century political history cannot avoid the achievements of DMK. Despite many crises, protests, imprisonments, sacrifices, intimidations and failures, DMK has sustained its position as a powerful organisation."

He continued, "DMK is the only party which withstood the test of time due to its strong policies and ideologies. It is because of Periyar, Annadurai and Kalaignar Karunanidhi's propagation of ideologies, Tamil Nadu is standing out with uniqueness when compared to other states in India. We are proud that DMK is the only organisation in the world which made the changes possible through democratic means and rational activities."

The pride will soon reach 100 years!
'I Carried You In The Womb': Vijay Antony's Wife Bids Tearful Adieu To Daughter

Chennai

oi-Prakash KL

The final rites of Meera, daughter of musician-actor Vijay Antony, was performed on Wednesday. The 16-year-old girl was found dead at her residence in Chennai on Tuesday.

The last rituals were performed at a church in Nungambakkam on Wednesday morning. It was reported that the child, who was in her class 12, was battling stress.

Going by a social media post, shared by Thanthi TV on its official X account, during Meera's last rites, Fatima said, "I carried you in the womb... You could have said a word to me."

Earlier, a social media post of Fatima hailing daughter's accomplishment had gone viral.

In the post, the proud mom had said, "The Force behind my strength,the consolations to my tears,the reason for my stress(Naughtiness super loaded)my Thangakatti-chellakutty. Meera Vijay Antony ,Congrats Baby."

Old Post Of Vijay Antony's Wife Hailing Daughter Meera Goes Viral

This tragic news deeply shocked both the public and the film industry. Prominent figures in the industry, including Jayam Ravi, Sarathkumar, director Venkat Prabhu, Raghava Lawrence, RJ Balaji, and many others, expressed their condolences to the grieving family through social media.

Meanwhile, Vishal, a classmate of the deceased, took to X to pen an emotional tribute. He said, "Writing with a heavy heart and a wavery mind. The news of my dear friend and classmate actor @vijayantony's daughter leaving this world all of a sudden and all of us behind is unimaginable and unable to digest. May her soul rest in peace. Dear Raja am always there for u as a friend and brother. Be strong. Life is just unpredictable, no words will sooth u or make u come to terms. My deepest condolences to the entire family and may God give enough strength to the family to overcome this tragedy. I leave these words once again with an utmost blank mind."

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 17:31 [IST]
On Independence Day Eve, President Murmu Hails ISRO's Achievements, Says Space Agency Is Scaling New Heights

Fact Check: No, Rashtrapati Bhavan Didn't Replace Sikh Guards, False Claims Go Viral

Fact Check

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's controversial statement suggesting a possible link between the Indian government and the June killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, social media platforms were flooded with speculations and rumors about potential domestic repercussions.

On social microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), netizens began disseminating unverified assertions. Among these claims were allegations that, in response to Trudeau's statement, the Indian Army had ceased granting leaves to Sikh soldiers. Additionally, there were assertions that Sikh security personnel at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the President of India, had been replaced.

These tweets began circulating on September 19, coinciding with a special session at the new Parliament building.

However, a fact-check by the Ministry of Defence and the Press Information Bureau found that these allegations were completely false.

Fact Check: Is Narendra Modi's BJP Govt Giving Rs 3,000 For All Women Under 'Laadli Behna Yojana'?

The Additional Directorate General of Public Information said that the tweets in question were spreading "fake messages" on social media and that malicious actors were behind these false assertions.

Indian Army also denied allegations of denying leaves to Sikh soldiers and replacing Sikh security personnel at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

#FakeNewsAlert#Beware



Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of #IndianArmy, spreading rumours & hate-mongering.



Safeguard yourselves against such fake news. #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/7q1icOPXdm  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 19, 2023

The Press Information Bureau also issued clarifications, asserting that no such decisions or actions had been taken and that these unfounded allegations were being circulated with the aim of fomenting disharmony within the society.

Claim: Following Sikh leader Hardeep Singh's assassination, Sikh security personnel at Rashtrapati Bhavan have been replaced & Army is denying leave to Sikh soldiers#PIBFactCheck



This claim is Fake & shared with intention to create disharmony



No such decisions have been taken pic.twitter.com/wF6bLOXrKK  PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) September 19, 2023

Fact Check Claim The claim states that the Indian Army started denying leaves to Sikh soldiers. Many also claimed that Sikh security personnel who were placed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, have also been replaced. Conclusion Viral post claiming Sikh security personnel deployed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan been replaced is false. Denying leave to Sikh soldiers is also false. No such decision has been taken. Rating False Raise your request for FACT CHECKING. Mail us at [email protected]
26-Year-Old Man Admitted To Kolkata Hospital With Nipah Virus Symptoms

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

A 26-year-old Burdwan resident was admitted to the Beliaghata ID Hospital in Kolkata on Tuesday with suspected symptoms of Nipah Virus. Reportedly the man returned from Kerala earlier this month.

The man worked as a labourer in Kerala. He had initially undergone medical treatment in Ernakulam district and recovered. However, he again fell ill within a few days after returning to Kolkata. He was recently admitted to the Beliaghata ID Hospital.

According to the medical officials, the man fell ill after returning home from Kerala. He was initially admitted to Calcutta National Medical College where he showed some improvement but his fever was persistent due to which he was admitted to the Beliaghata ID Hospital.

No Fresh Nipah Cases, 42 More Negative Results: Kerala Govt

Reportedly, persons with whom he lived in Kerala died earlier this month. Doctors suspect they might have died because of Nipah Virus.

Health officials in Kolkata are highly concerned about the situation due to the recent Nipah virus outbreak in Kerala. Doctors are closely monitoring patient's conditions to ensure proper medical care.

According to a senior health department official, they are not taking any chances looking at the patient's recent travel history and symptoms. The patient's journey from Kerala to West Bengal raises concerns about the potential spread of the virus.

Kerala reported the outbreak of the deadly virus that killed at least two people and a thousand people under surveillance. Initial symptoms of Nipah Virus include fever, respiratory distress, headaches, and vomiting. Severe cases can also include encephalitis and seizures leading to coma.

Bangladesh Strain Of Nipah Virus Can Kill 9 Out Of 10: Top Epidemiologist

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday asserted that the situation was under control, however, the 'threat is not over yet'. Meanwhile, the Kozhikode administration relaxed restrictions as no new cases of Nipah virus infection were reported in the state.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 17:57 [IST]
Bangladesh Unleashes 'Hilsa Diplomacy', To Export Prized Fish To India Before Durga Puja

Ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations, Bangladesh has given permission for the exportation of around 4,000 metric tons of Hilsa fish from Padma and Meghna rivers. The decision was made as part of what is termed as 'Hilsa diplomacy' initiated by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in response to a request from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The government of Bangladesh has recently granted permission to traders for the sale of approximately 4,000 metric tons of Hilsa fish to India. This move comes just in time for the festive Durga Puja season, a period during which demand for this particular variety of fish is at its peak in India. The Hilsa, sourced from Bangladesh's Padma and Meghna rivers as well as Chandpur where the two rivers intersect, is highly sought after by connoisseurs who regard it as one of the most delectable varieties among all fishes.

Trade Licences Issued

The Chief Controller of Imports and Exports based out of Dhaka issued licences to a total of 79 exporters. Each exporter has been permitted to export up to 50 metric tons of Hilsa each under these licenses. The decision was announced by diplomats from Bangladesh stationed in Kolkata who stated that "India is our closest neighbour. As in previous years, Bangladesh will open up export of Hilsa to India ahead of the Durga Puja."

Hilsa Diplomacy: A Tradition Upheld

This tradition began when Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister Of Bangladesh took an initiative some years back to allow exports of Hilsa prior to the celebration on request by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This act came into being known as 'Hilsa diplomacy'. It seems this diplomatic gesture continues to be upheld with mutual respect between both nations.

Market Reactions

Mintu Pal, a wholesale dealer specializing in marine products shared his insights regarding market trends associated with Padma Hilsa; he said "Padma Hilsa gets snapped up in the market regardless of the price." He also expressed optimism about how this export would impact local markets during festive times. He believes that despite large quantities being offered, the market will remain buoyant due to the high demand for Hilsa during this period.

In conclusion, Bangladesh's decision to export a substantial quantity of Hilsa fish to India ahead of Durga Puja is not just an economic move but also a gesture reflecting friendly relations between two neighbouring countries. As per experts and traders, this decision will likely stimulate local markets in India while simultaneously meeting high consumer demand during the festive season. This annual tradition of 'Hilsa diplomacy' is indeed a testament to the enduring ties between India and Bangladesh and their shared love for Hilsa fish.
Know All About The Emergency Flash Message Sent By The Indian Government

Opposition Leaders Allege Hacking Attempts By Government; Are You At Risk As Well?

Exercise Utmost Caution: India Issues Travel Advisory For Citizens And Students In Canada

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The Indian government on Thursday issued a travel advisory for its nationals and students in Canada in view of the growing anti-India activities in the country.

"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution,''the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement.

''Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents," a foreign ministry statement said.

India-Canada Row Over Nijjar's Murder: The Implications of Strained Relations [Explained]

The advisory comes following the frosty relations between India and Canada after a diplomatic row caused by Canadian PM Justin Trudeau's allegations of India's hand in the killing of Khalistan separatist near Vancouver.

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023

Recommended Video

Tensions between Canada, India: Travel Advisory Amid International Concern| Oneindia News

Additionally, the MEA has also issued a directive to students, urging them to complete the registration process with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver.

The MEA emphasized the importance of this registration, stating, "Indian nationals and students from India currently residing in Canada should also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver using their respective websites or the MADAD portal at madad.gov.in. This registration will facilitate enhanced communication between the High Commission, Consulates General, and Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergencies or unforeseen incidents."

Before G20, Canada Wanted Allies To Condemn India Over Nijjar's Killing But Was Rebuffed

In comparison to the Indian travel advisory, the new Canadian version is less restrictive. It asks its citizens to be cautious while traveling to Manipur and to take precautions to avoid natural disasters and COVID-19. However, most of its advisory remains the same, warning against traveling to the northeast, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, and border areas of Pakistan.
'Go To India': Pro-Khalistan Outfit SFJ's Gurpatwant Singh Pannun Threatens Hindus To Leave Canada

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

A Sikh separatist group banned in India has threatened Hindus living in Canada, urging them to leave the country and accusing them of supporting India and promoting violence.

The threats were made by Gurpatwant Pannun, the legal counsel for Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and a designated terrorist in India, in a viral video. In the video, Pannun was heard saying,''Indo-Hindu leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs", Hindustan Times reported.

The video emerged shortly after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested a "potential link" between Indian government agents and the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June, leading to diplomatic tensions between the two countries. However, India dismissed the Canadian government's accusations as 'absurd' and later asked a Canadian diplomat to exit the country within the next five days.

Exercise Utmost Caution: India Issues Travel Advisory For Citizens And Students In Canada

Pannun's threat has raised concerns among Hindu Canadians, who say it is a manifestation of "full-scale Hinduphobia." There have been incidents of temple desecration and anti-India propaganda by vandals associated with the Khalistan referendum in Canada.

Recommended Video

India-Canada Row: Sikhs for Justice asks Hindus of Indian origin to leave Canada | Oneindia News

Some commentators have questioned the lack of action in response to Pannun's threat, drawing attention to the disparity in reactions when compared to threats from white supremacists.

"Hindus living in Canada, leave Canada as soon as possible": Khalistani terr0rist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu threatens Hindus in Canada



This is open call for genoicide of Hindus in Canada by a man who is living in Canada and continuously using the ground to threaten Indian govt and pic.twitter.com/Fac4tGFYf7  Amitabh Chaudhary (@MithilaWaala) September 20, 2023

SFJ has claimed to feel "emboldened" by the Trudeau government's recent actions, further escalating tensions.

India-Canada Row Over Nijjar's Murder: The Implications of Strained Relations [Explained]

In an opinion piece, Andrew Coyne emphasized the need to maintain peace in Canada following Nijjar's killing, cautioning against the potential for ethnic and sectarian violence.

Responding to the threat video, Hindu Canadian minister Anita Anand appealed for calm. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the minister wrote, "South Asians and families who come from India, regardless of religion, will share the sentiment that it was difficult to hear the Prime Minister's statement yesterday. This is a time to let the legal process continue as it must. Let us all remain calm, unified, and empathetic."

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 15:48 [IST]
Bill Introduced by Himachal Govt for Assisting Governor in Appointing VCs of Agriculture, Horticulture Universities

The Himachal Pradesh Government has introduced a bill that seeks to empower it to aid the governor in appointing vice chancellors at two agriculture and horticulture universities. The proposed legislation will be applicable to Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalay, Palampur and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The government of Himachal Pradesh has recently proposed a bill that aims to empower it in advising and aiding the governor in the appointment of vice chancellors for two agricultural universities within the state. This move, introduced on Wednesday, is directed towards Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishvavidyalay located in Palampur and Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry situated in Solan.

Empowering Government's Role

The suggested legislation titled The Himachal Pradesh Universities of Agriculture, Horticulture and Forestry Amendment Bill, 2023 seeks to offer a more direct role for the government when appointing vice chancellors. Currently, there are no provisions allowing governmental involvement with such appointments; this has been deemed restrictive by lawmakers who believe that a democratic government should have rights to shape higher learning institutions.

A Shift from Current Practice

As per existing norms, vice chancellors are appointed by the governor who also serves as chancellor for these state-run universities. However, their recommendation is based on inputs from a selection committee comprised of a nominee chosen by the governor himself along with chairman representatives from both Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and University Grants Commission (UGC). This current practice does not allow any scope for intervention or influence from governmental bodies.

New Provisions Proposed

To address this issue, amendments have been proposed to sections 23 and 24 of The Act which stipulate that future appointments will be made directly by the Governor but only after consultation with state government officials. This marks significant change as it ensures an active participation from governing bodies while selecting leaders for these educational establishments.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Democratization?

This legislative proposal can be seen as an attempt at democratizing processes within higher educational institutions, by allowing the government a say in their leadership appointments. While it is yet to be seen how this change will impact the functioning of these universities, it certainly underlines the government's intent to have a more direct involvement in shaping higher education. The move also raises questions about academic autonomy and independence of such institutions from political influence. As we wait for further developments on this bill, one thing is clear - the Himachal Pradesh Government is keen on playing an active role in steering its agricultural universities towards new directions.
Historic Women's Reservation Bill Passed In LS: Who Said What?

India

oi-Prakash KL

The women's quota bill ('Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'), granting 33 percent reservation to women in both Parliament and State Assemblies, saw its successful passage in the Lok Sabha today following intense and lengthy debates.

The bill received approval through a voice vote in the new parliament during a five-day special session convened in honor of the 75th year of Indian Independence.

It had the backing of 454 MPs with two opposing votes. The bill is slated for presentation in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow, on day four of the special session.

The 2 MPs Who Voted Against The Bill

While the 454 MPs cutting across the party lines voted in favour of the bill, the two MPs from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) were against the passage of the bill.

The two MPs are Asaduddin Owaisi and Imtiaz Jaleel and they represent Hyderabad and Aurangabad constituencies, respectively. However, it has not come as a surprise as they have been vocal about their stand on the bill.

The lower house saw intense and fierce debate today. Check out who said what in the Lok Sabha on the historic bill:

Rajiv Gandhi's dream is only half fulfilled: Sonia Gandhi

Extending her party's support to the women's reservation bill, Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday demanded that the quota be implemented immediately and provision be made for reservation for OBC women. Initiating the debate on the bill from the opposition's side, Gandhi said in the Lok Sabha that any delay in bringing the reservation into effect would be "gross injustice" to Indian women.

"Rajiv Gandhi's dream is only half fulfilled. It will be fulfilled with the passage of this bill. The Congress supports this bill. We will be happy with the passage of this bill but we also have a concern. I want to ask a question. For the last 13 years, Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibilities, and now they are being asked to wait for a few more years -- two years, four years, six years, eight years," the former Congress chief said. Is such behaviour with Indian women appropriate, she asked.

"It is the demand of the Indian National Congress that the bill be immediately implemented... but, along with that, provision should be made for the reservation of SC, ST, OBC women after conducting a caste census," she said. The government, Gandhi told the House, should take the required steps for this. The bill has proposed that the reservation continue for a period of 15 years and there will be one-third quota for women also within the seats reserved for SC/STs.

"This is the most appropriate moment to acknowledge and thank women for their contribution," Gandhi said. "On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I demand from the government that the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 be implemented as soon as possible while clearing all roadblocks in its way. Doing this is not only necessary but also possible," Gandhi said.

Gandhi said she stands on behalf of the Indian National Congress to support the 'Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. "From smoke-filled kitchens to brightly-lit stadiums, the journey of Indian women has been long. But finally she has reached her destination. She gave birth, ran a household, ran fast among men and with infinite endurance often saw herself losing but won in the end.

"The Indian woman has patience like an ocean in her heart, she never complained about being wronged and never thought only about her own benefits. Like a river she worked for the welfare of all... remained steadfast like the Himalayas in difficult times. It is impossible to estimate a woman's patience, she does not recognise rest and does not even know how to get tired," Gandhi said.

"Woman is the mother of our great country. But she has not only given birth to us, she has also made us intelligent and powerful enough to think for ourselves by nourishing us with her tears, blood and sweat," the Congress leader added. Only by recognising the hard work, dignity and sacrifice of women can we pass the test of humanity, Gandhi said.

"In the fight for independence and the creation of a new India, women have fought shoulder to shoulder with men on every front. She was not buried under the burden of hopes, aspirations, troubles and household chores," she said.

Lauding the contribution of the likes of Sarojini Naidu, Sucheta Kripalani, Aruna Asaf Ali, Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and millions of other women, she said they have always ensured that the dreams of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Sardar Patel, Baba Saheb Ambedkar, and Maulana Azad are realised on the ground.

"The personality of Indira Gandhi ji is a very bright and living example in this regard," she said in a speech that made its political points but also brought in personal, emotive notes. "This is a very poignant moment in my life. It was my life partner Rajiv Gandhi ji who for the first time had brought the constitutional amendment for participation of women in local bodies, but it was defeated in the Rajya Sabha by seven votes.

Later, the Congress government under the leadership of Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao got it passed," Gandhi said. Today, as a result of that, there are 15 lakh elected women leaders through local bodies across the country, she added. After the House proceedings began, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Wednesday moved the women's reservation bill for consideration and passage in the Lok Sabha, saying it is a step towards women empowerment.

Women's reservation bill is about removing bias, injustice: DMK's Kanimozhi

The women's reservation bill is not about reservation but an "act of removing bias and injustice," DMK leader Kanimozhi said in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday while asserting that women want to be respected as equals. Participating in the discussion on the constitutional amendment bill 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', she said the clause pertaining to 'after delimitation' in the bill should be removed as there could be an inordinate delay in the implementation of the reservation for women.

The 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, as proposed in the bill, will come into effect only after census and the delimitation exercise. "How long should we wait to see this bill implemented? It can be easily implemented in the coming Parliamentary elections. This bill, you should understand, is not a reservation but an act of removing bias and injustice," she said. She stressed that the politics of tokenism must evolve into politics of ideas.

"This bill is called the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam'. Stop saluting us. We don't want to be saluted, we don't want to be put on pedestals, we do not want to be worshipped... we want to be respected as equals," she said. Further, Kanimozhi said she has no hesitation in accepting that late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was a very strong woman.

It's A "post dated cheque": Sule

NCP MP Supriya Sule termed the legislation a "post dated cheque" and demanded the government spells out the date and timeline for its implementation Sule questioned the reason for calling a special session of Parliament to approve the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill -- 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' when it cannot be implemented without a census and delimitation.

She stressed that since the date of census and delimitation is not yet decided, the bill could have as well been introduced in the Winter session of Parliament. "There is drought in the country. Why this special session cannot discuss drought? My question to the government is date of next census... the date of delimitation is indeterminant. So, the (woman) reservation which is dependent on two indeterminant dates, how are we going to get it? There is no date decided for census or for delimitation, what is the date and timeline for this," Sule said.

On BJP fielding Nishikant Dubey as the lead speaker of the debate, Sule said she felt that BJP was taking "anticipatory bail" as Dubey raised the same questions which the opposition had asked yesterday. "Why should we not ask for OBC reservation? It is a golden opportunity... With a big heart let's make a constitutional amendment for SC, ST, OBC in the Special Session. Let's send a message to the nation that we are committed to SC, ST and OBC. What's wrong in that? If they have a different view, BJP must clarify that stand," Sule said in the Lok Sabha.

Catch me if you can: TMC leader dares BJP to raise women's quota to 40 Per Cent

Trinamool Congress member Kakoli Ghosh-Dastidar on Wednesday invoked famous song 'catch me if you can' dedicated to legendary boxer Muhammad Ali to dare the BJP to match the 40 per cent reservation for women already implemented by her party for Lok Sabha elections.

"Catch me if you can, all of the political parties here, catch Mamata Banerjee and AITC (All India Trinamool Congress) and make it 40 per cent and not 33 per cent," she said, while participating in the discussion on the women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha.

Ghosh-Dastidar said she was referring to the popular song dedicated to legendary boxer Cassius Clay, who changed his name to Muhammad Ali. She was referring to TMC chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee putting up 40 per cent women candidates in the 42 Lok Sabha seats in the state during the 2019 general elections.

Ghosh-Dastidar said even in the West Bengal government, Banerjee has allocated important portfolios such as health, law, women's empowerment and industry that were held by women legislators. "We in Trinamool Congress get that much respect for being here (in the Lok Sabha) in great numbers," she said.

The Trinamool leader also quoted poems by Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore.

BJP misleading women on reservation bill: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP in Lok Sabha, accusing it of misleading women of the country by bringing a reservation bill for them that will take a long time to come into effect

"You can do demonetisation in hours, pass GST, why can't you implement women's reservation bill... in the next election?" she said while participating in the debate on the Constitution amendment bill - Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam-2023.

Badal also targeted the ruling party over its leaders being booked for crimes against women and the remission granted to the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case in Gujarat. "In the last five years, there has been a 26 per cent increase in crime against women. That is why an incident like in Manipur happens and the government opens its mouth only when a no-confidence motion is brought.

"A minister from Haryana is accused of sexual assault, but is enjoying cabinet status...," Badal said. "Women wrestlers, who brought so many medals, have been sitting for months but the Bahubali is still sitting here," she said referring to former Wrestling Federation of India president and MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who has been accused of sexual harassment by several women wrestlers.

She also slammed the remission granted to the 11 men convicted for the gang rape of Bilkis Bano and the murder of seven of her family members during the 2002 Gujarat riots. "The rapists of Bilkis Bano were called 'sanskari' (cultured) and were called on the stage and felicitated by their leaders...," she alleged.

"In this House, 306 MPs have criminal cases like rape, murder and kidnapping, 45 per cent are from the ruling party, and they talk about Beti Bachao," she alleged. Badal alleged that the women of the country were being misled by the BJP government as it would take a long time to implement reservation for them under this bill.

"We were wondering why the special session had been called, agenda was not provided... What happened in the Cabinet was also not revealed. What was this shroud of secrecy for? Hopes were built and dashed in 24 hours," she said.

Women's reservation bill incomplete without OBC quota: Rahul Gandhi in Lok Sabha

Expressing support for the women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday batted for its immediate implementation and said that the legislation is "incomplete" without provision for quota for OBCs.

Gandhi also made a strong pitch for a caste census. He claimed that out of 90 secretaries of the government of India, only three are from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) and control only five per cent of the Budget, which he said was an "insult" to the backward classes.

Recalling the discussion on Sengol and the transfer of power from the British, the former Congress chief said the revolutionary answer that the freedom movement leaders gave to the British was that the transfer of power was to the people of India.

"It's been a constant transfer of power, more and more and more power to the people of India on one side and the other side, the counter idea that takes away power from the people of India," Gandhi said.

"This is the fight that is going on. And in fact, in many ways, it is the fight that is taking place today. A huge step forward in the transfer of power to the women of India was Panchayati Raj, where they were given reservation and they were allowed to enter the political system at scale.

"And this (bill) is another step. It's a big step, it's is not a small step," the former Congress president said. "There is one thing in my view that makes this bill incomplete. I would like to have seen the OBC reservation included in this bill," he said.

Gandhi said, "I think it is very important that a large chunk of India's population, a large chunk of India's women should have access to this reservation and that is missing in this bill." He also said that the idea that a new census and delimitation are required to implement the bill seems "strange" to him. This bill can be implemented today by giving 33 per cent of the seats in the Lok Sabha and the Vidhan Sabha to India's women, Gandhi said.

"And so I wonder if this is not designed to push the ball forward? To push the ball forward by seven, eight, nine years and then let this thing play out the way it does," he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP leaders, Gandhi said they like to divert the people's attention away from various issues. "There is, of course, the Adani issue. They always want to take the attention away from it," he alleged. In his remarks in the Lower House, Gandhi also took a swipe at the government over the events held around the inauguration of and the move to the new Parliament building.

"I would like to say this is quite a nice building. Nice peacocks, nice peacock feathers on the ground, nice peacock feathers on the chair. It's a nice, tasteful building. But frankly, I would have liked to see the President of India in this process," Gandhi said.

"The President of India is a woman, she represents the tribal community, and it would have been befitting to have her visible in this transfer from one House to another," he said.

Gandhi also alleged that the government likes to distract the attention of the people from the demand for caste census. "For some reason, and I don't quite understand what the reason is. The moment the opposition raises the issue of the caste census, the BJP tries to create a new distraction, a new sudden event, so that the OBC community and the people of India look the other way," he alleged.

Gandhi said he researched to understand what is the participation of the OBC community in various institutions of the country. "Ninety secretaries are responsible for managing the core of the Government of India. And I asked myself the question how many of the 90 people come from the OBC community and I was shocked and shattered by the answer...Only three are from the OBC community and control only five per cent of the Budget," he said.

"This is an insult and shame to the OBC community. So the question arises, how many OBCs, Dalits and Adivasis are there, and the answer to that is through the caste census," he said. Gandhi urged the government to bring the reservation for women into effect immediately, contending that census and delimitation were not required for it.

He also called on the government to change the situation where out of 90 secretaries only three are from the OBC community. "So, I urge you to get a caste census done. Release the data of the caste census we had gotten done and if you don't, we will do it," he said.

Pass women's reservation bill unanimously, shortcomings can be rectified later: Amit Shah

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday appealed to the opposition for the unanimous passage of the women's reservation bill and said shortcomings, if any, can be rectified at a later date. Brushing aside apprehensions of a delay in the bill's implementation, Shah said the next government will conduct the census and the delimitation exercise immediately after the elections and set in motion the process to make reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies a reality.

Intervening in the debate on the Constitution (128th Amendment) Bill, Shah indicated that women's reservation will become a reality after 2029. He said the passage of the women's reservation bill will mark the start of a new era, and recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had presented the vision of women-led development at the recent G20 Summit.

The Modi government has been pushing for empowerment of women since the day it assumed office, he said. Women's security, respect and equal participation have been life force of the government, he said. Shah said this was the fifth attempt to push a bill for women's reservation.

"Why did it fail to clear hurdles earlier? First it was brought by H D Deve Gowda government in 1996. It lapsed. Second time, it was brought by the government under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. In 2008, a bill was brought by UPA. It also lapsed after the dissolution of the then Lok Sabha.

"Women have been disappointed by this Parliament on four occasions. This time I request that it be passed with unanimity. Shortcomings, if any, can be set right at a later date," the Home Minister said.

Smriti Irani Takes A Dig

Taking a dig at Sonia Gandhi for claiming that the bill was introduced by the UPA government in 2010, Smriti Irani said, "They say success has many fathers and failure none... so, when the bill came, some people called it 'our bill'," Smriti Irani stated.

In response to the opposition's call for implementing women's reservation prior to the 2024 election, Irani questioned, "Do they (the opposition) want us to violate the Constitution?" She further alleged that the Congress was attempting to deceive the nation by proposing a "religion-based quota."

What Janata Dal (United) Say?

The Janata Dal (United) on Wednesday alleged that the women's reservation bill was a panic reaction of the BJP-led central government after the formation of the opposition group INDIA. Participating in a debate on the bill in Lok Sabha, JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh called the measure a "jumla" of the Narendra Modi government aimed at winning the 2024 parliamentary elections.

"We support the bill. We want to empower all women. But this is nothing but a 'jumla'. This is nothing but a panic reaction (of the ruling dispensation) to the formation of the opposition group INDIA. You are scared of 2024. That is why you have brought this bill," he said.

Singh claimed that had the Narendra Modi government been serious, it would have conducted the caste census, which the opposition parties have been demanding for a long time.

"This government has no intention of empowering women. Their only intention is to capture power," he said. The JD(U) leader said the people of the country know the intention of the ruling dispensation that it was not interested to give reservation to women or to the backward classes.

Samajwadi Party

Samajwadi Party member Dimple Yadav demanded a provision for reservation of women belonging to backward classes, SC/STs and minority community in the bill.

BSP

Bahujan Samaj Party MP Sangeeta Azad said her party wholeheartedly supports the bill as it will empower women and give encouragement them. "Women will feel part of the nation building. We demand the reservation for women to be 50 per cent," she said.

BRS

Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader Nama Nageswara Rao demanded that the bill be enforced immediately after it is passed by Parliament or otherwise the government must declare when the census operation and delimitation exercise will be completed.

According to the bill, it will come into effect after the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies which will be carried out after the completion of the next population census.

Shiv Sena

Bhavana Gawali of the Shiv Sena (Shinde) said her party fully supports the bill as it will benefit all women of the country. She said the women parliamentarians know how much they have to fight all through to reach Parliament.

"We are happy with the 33 per cent reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. In ministries too, there should be 33 per cent seats for women," she said. Sunita Duggal of the BJP termed the women's reservation bill "historic" and said women of the country know that it is only Prime Minister Modi who can give them 33 per cent reservation. She appealed to all MPs cutting across political parties to support the bill.
India-Canada Row Over Nijjar's Murder: The Implications of Strained Relations [Explained]

India

oi-Prakash KL

India and Canada's relationship is expected to be impacted by the ongoing diplomatic row following allegations made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against the Indian government's involvement in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

With both countries expelling a diplomat each and making strong statements, the ties between India and Canada might be further strained. How the escalating tension will impact the two countries?

Trade Talks, The First Casualty

Even before the Canadian PM made the explosive statement in the Parliament, Ottawa paused negotiations for a free trade agreement with India. "The Canadian side conveyed that they were taking a pause in India-Canada negotiations on the Early Progress Trade Agreement. This will enable us both to take stock of progress and next steps. We will decide by mutual agreement when negotiations will resume," an official had told PTI.

Before G20, Canada Wanted Allies To Condemn India Over Nijjar's Killing But Was Rebuffed

What About Financial Damage?

The immediate impact on the economy and finances is expected to be limited. While a trade agreement with India could have expedited Ottawa's shift away from the People's Republic, India represented just around $6.5 billion, accounting for less than 1 per cent of Canada's global trade in 2020.

This dispute might also lead politicians in Canada to adopt a more skeptical stance regarding any Indian-backed bid, such as JSW Steel led by Sajjan Jindal, for Vancouver-based Teck Resources' $8 billion coking coal business (TECKb.TO). This notable cross-border potential emphasizes India's eagerness, as the world's fifth-largest economy, to diversify its critical raw material supplies, moving them away from Australia.

The Key Items Of Trade

Sustained growth has led to a surge in goods trade, reaching $8 billion in 2022. Indian exports to Canada amounted to $4 billion, and imports from Canada were equally valued at $4 billion. Canadian farmers have reaped the benefits of India's increasing appetite for imported lentils, while Indian pharmaceutical and software firms have expanded their footprint in the Canadian market.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Who Was The Khalistani Terrorist Killed In Canada?

Key imports from Canada encompass energy products like coal, coke, and briquettes, along with fertilizers. On the other hand, India exports various consumer goods, garments, engineering products such as auto parts, aircraft equipment, and electronic items.

Investments

Canada has invested over $3.6 billion since 2000 and it stands as the 17th largest foreign investor in India, according to a report in Reuters. The Canadian portfolio investors have poured billions of dollars into Indian stock and debt markets. Notably, the Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) has significantly upped its investment in India's markets, reaching approximately $15 billion by the end of the last fiscal year in March 2023. These investments have been allocated across sectors like real estate, renewables, and the financial industry.

Also, over 600 Canadian companies, with industry giants like Bombardier and SNC Lavalin being prominent players have invested in India. And over 30 Indian companies, including major infotech firms like TCS, Infosys, and Wipro, have made substantial investments amounting to billions of dollars in Canada, generating thousands of job opportunities. A significant aspect of the relationship is the role of Indian students in Canada, as since 2018, India has stood as the largest source country for international students in the country.

In 2022, this figure surged by 47 per cent to almost 320,000, constituting approximately 40 per cent of the overall international student population, according to the Canadian Bureau of International Education. This influx of international students, including a significant portion from India, enables universities and colleges to offer subsidized education to domestic students, benefiting the education sector.

Watch: Trudeau Claims India May Be Behind Khalistani Terrorist's Killing In Canada

How The India-Canada Strained Relation Impacts Sikhs In India?

The escalating tensions may have ramifications for the economic interests of numerous Sikh families in Punjab. Many of these families have relatives in Canada who remit millions of dollars back home. Over the past two decades, the Sikh population's share in Canada has more than doubled to 2.1 per cent, as per the country's 2021 census.

This increase is attributed to a substantial migration of Sikhs from India in pursuit of advanced education and employment opportunities.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 14:54 [IST]
Onion Traders Halt Auctions in Nashik Amid Protest Against Export Duty Hike

In protest against the Union government's decision to raise export duty on onions, traders have indefinitely suspended auctions across all APMC's in Maharashtra's Nashik district. The suspension could potentially result in a shortage of onions and an increase in prices at retail markets.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Onion traders in Nashik district of Maharashtra suspended auctions in all agriculture produce market committees (APMCs) on Wednesday, September 20th, protesting against the Union government's decision to increase export duty on onions up to 40 per cent. The suspension is indefinite and raises concerns about potential shortages and price hikes in retail markets.

The Onion Traders Protest

An office-bearer of the Nashik District Onion Traders Association (NDOTA) voiced their opposition to the Union governments recent move. The increased export duty will remain effective until December 31st. According to him, this decision will not only make onion exports challenging but also affect onions in transit, thereby causing significant losses for farmers.

Government Response

In response to these protests, the District Sub-registrar for Co-operative Societies issued an order on Wednesday night directing all APMCs to suspend or cancel licenses of striking traders and submit an Action Taken Report by September 21st. This action highlights the seriousness with which authorities are addressing this issue.

Criticism from Local Government Officials

Earlier that day, Abdul Sattar, Maharashtra's marketing minister, criticized the protest. He stated that observing a bandh - shutting down auctions of onions - was not appropriate behaviour from onion traders. Secretaries in different APMCs were also noted expressing similar sentiments regarding the situation.

Impact on Consumers and Farmers

The indefinite strike could lead to a shortage of onions in retail markets across India and potentially drive prices up significantly due to reduced supply. Onions are a staple food item used extensively across various Indian cuisines; thus any disruption can have wide-reaching impacts on households throughout India.

Farmers who rely heavily on onion cultivation could be hit hard as well. The hike in export duty and the subsequent protest by traders could lead to a significant drop in demand for their produce, leading to potential financial losses.

In conclusion, the suspension of onion auctions due to protests against increased export duties is a significant development that could have far-reaching implications on both consumers and farmers. It raises concerns about food security and affordability, especially among low-income households who are already grappling with economic hardships. Furthermore, it highlights issues relating to agricultural policies and farmer welfare in India. As authorities attempt to resolve this issue, the situation calls for balanced solutions that consider not only the interests of traders but also those of farmers and consumers.
Bihar-based Sherghati Gang Busted: Raigarh Police Solve Rs 5.62 Crore Bank Heist

Five members of the notorious Bihar-based Sherghati gang were arrested by Raigarh police in Chhattisgarh for their involvement in a bank robbery amounting to Rs 5.62 crore. The entire looted booty along with weapons and vehicles used in the crime were recovered.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Raigarh police force in Chhattisgarh, India made a significant breakthrough on Wednesday when they arrested five members of the Bihar-based Sherghati gang. The arrest led to the resolution of a high-profile robbery case involving Rs 5.62 crore that had occurred at a leading private bank's branch in the city just one day prior. The robbers were apprehended from Balrampur district and subsequently transferred back to Raigarh.

Details of the Arrest

The individuals taken into custody have been identified as Rakesh Kumar Gupta (22), Rahul Kumar Singh (22), Amarjeet Kumar (24), Pankaj Kumar Mahto alias Rajesh Das alias Nishant (32) and Upendra Singh (50). All five men hail from Bihar, according to Bilaspur Range Inspector General of Police Ajay Kumar Yadav. It is noteworthy that two among them - Amarjeet Kumar and Mahto - have previously been implicated in various criminal activities including theft, abduction, and looting cases within Bihar itself. The remaining three suspects also reportedly have records for similar crimes committed across several other states.

Recovery of Looted Goods

In addition to making these arrests, police forces successfully recovered all items stolen during the robbery. This included Rs 4.19 crore in cash along with mortgaged gold ornaments weighing 2.9kg valued at approximately Rs 1.43 crore. Additionally, an assortment of tools used during their criminal pursuits such as a country-made rifle, pistol, motorcycle, car and truck were seized by authorities alongside face masks and multiple keys used during their illicit operations.

Ongoing Investigation

Inspector General Yadav stated that efforts are currently ongoing to identify any additional criminals who may have played a part in this crime. The arrest of these five individuals marks a significant step forward in the investigation, but it is clear that there may be more pieces to this puzzle yet to be uncovered.

In conclusion, the swift and decisive action taken by Raigarh police in apprehending members of the Sherghati gang has not only solved a major robbery case but also led to the recovery of all stolen goods. This event serves as a stern reminder of law enforcement's commitment to upholding justice and maintaining public safety. However, with investigations still ongoing, it remains crucial for citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly. This incident underscores the importance of community cooperation with law enforcement agencies in combating crime effectively.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Western Azerbaijan Community condemns the biased statements of some representatives of the Council of Europe regarding anti-terrorist activities in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, the Western Azerbaijan Community said, Trend reports.

It is noted that the realization of measures on Azerbaijan's territory to overcome terrorist threats and restore constitutional order is the sovereign right of Azerbaijan.

"Those who turn a blind eye to the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia, Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territories and their destruction, as well as the expulsion of about one million Azerbaijanis from there, and who previously stated in response to Azerbaijan's appeals that the Council of Europe does not deal with this issue, have now, for some reason, started to worry about Azerbaijan's legitimate activities. We call on the Council of Europe to respect Azerbaijan's territorial integrity and sovereignty and support the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia," the Community stressed.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4), an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the following conditions: Armenian armed forces formations, illegal Armenian armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm, Armenian armed forces formations leave the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are disbanded.
Rajasthan's Big Move: Land Allotment & Govt. Jobs for Orphans

In a recent cabinet meeting, the Rajasthan government approved 63 proposals which include land allotments to over 200 social institutions at concessional rates and providing government jobs for orphans due to the pandemic. They also decided on giving jobs to two youths involved in a murder case arrest, increasing promotion opportunities for employees, and addressing salary discrepancies.

India

-Krishna Kripa

The Rajasthan cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, approved 63 proposals on Wednesday, September 20th. The decisions taken during this meeting will have a significant impact on various social institutions and individuals affected by the ongoing pandemic. The key resolutions include land allotment to more than 200 social organizations at concessional rates and provision of government jobs to children who were orphaned due to COVID-19 once they reach adulthood.

Land Allotment for Social Institutions

One of the major decisions taken in the meeting was about land allotment at concessional rates to over 200 social institutions. These organizations are involved in educational upliftment and improvement of facilities such as hostels, old age homes, community centres among others. With the approval of this proposal, these entities can now avail land at just 10 per cent of its reserved rate.

Besides these social bodies, certain other institutions like Indian Army, Indian Railways and Power Grid Sikar Transmission Limited will also be allotted lands but at their reserved rates. This move aims to provide necessary resources for these establishments so that they can continue their services effectively.

Government Jobs for Orphaned Children

In a compassionate move towards children who lost their parents due to coronavirus pandemic, the Rajasthan cabinet has decided to offer them government jobs once they reach adulthood. This initiative is expected to provide some security and stability in their future lives which have been disrupted because of this global health crisis.

Other Decisions Taken

The cabinet also made important rulings regarding employment opportunities within existing governmental bodies. Two youths played a critical role in arresting the main accused person in Kanhaiyalal murder case; recognizing their efforts and bravery; it was decided that they would be rewarded with government jobs.

Apart from this, the cabinet also focused on enhancing promotion opportunities for government employees and addressing salary discrepancies. A proposal to amend service rules was approved which will ensure that these changes are effectively implemented.

The meeting held at Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's residence was a significant one with decisions taken that would impact various sectors of society. It reflects the Governments commitment towards social upliftment, justice and providing a secure future for those affected by the pandemic.

In conclusion, these resolutions mark an important step in Rajasthan's journey towards social welfare and progress. The move to provide land at concessional rates to social institutions is likely to boost their efforts in community development. Moreover, offering government jobs to children orphaned due to COVID-19 is a commendable initiative providing them with some semblance of stability amidst these uncertain times. These measures underline the state government's dedication towards its citizens' welfare and improvement of public services.
Students in Rampur Stand Against Alleged Police Misconduct

Following allegations that a policeman slapped and pressured a woman to withdraw her daughter's kidnapping case, students from a private school protested outside their local police station. The incident led to several officers being removed or suspended and caused significant traffic disruption.

India

-Krishna Kripa

In a shocking incident in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, students from a private school staged a protest outside the local police station. The reason for their agitation was an alleged act of police misconduct involving the mother of one of their former classmates. It is reported that a policeman allegedly slapped and pressured the woman to withdraw her complaint concerning the kidnapping and harassment of her daughter.

Police Misconduct Sparks Outrage

The demonstration by these young citizens brought forward serious allegations against law enforcement personnel, leading to significant traffic disruption near the police station. The woman who bore this alleged assault is the mother of a 12-year-old girl. She claimed that certain policemen, including outpost in-charge Ashok Kumar, came to her residence on Tuesday and physically assaulted both her and her daughter.

"The policeman slapped me two-three times and my clothes got torn," she disclosed, adding that there was relentless pressure being exerted on their family to retract their case. This incident has sparked outrage among locals, prompting them to question the integrity of those meant to uphold law and order.

Administrative Action Ensues

Taking cognizance of this grave matter, swift administrative action followed as confirmed by officials from district administration. A Circle Officer along with Station House Officer (SHO) from Milak Police Station were removed from duty while two constables faced similar consequences. Furthermore, Ashok Kumar - accused outpost in-charge - has been suspended pending further investigations into his conduct.

Detailed Probe Underway

Additional Superintendent of Police Sansar Singh stated that on Tuesday itself the woman had filed a case against two teenagers under IPC sections 354 (criminal force with intent to outrage modesty) and 363 (kidnapping). These sections were invoked after it was alleged that these individuals forcibly took away her daughter on their bike. Singh confirmed that both the accused have been detained and a thorough investigation is presently underway.

The SHO, Circle Officer, and two constables implicated in this case have been removed from their posts to ensure an impartial probe into these serious allegations. The incident has highlighted the importance of police accountability and transparency in law enforcement, prompting calls for stringent action against any form of misconduct.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for reform within our law enforcement agencies. It underscores the dire need for mechanisms to hold those in positions of power accountable for their actions. While it is heartening to see swift administrative action being taken, it is equally crucial that justice is not only done but also seen to be done. This will help restore faith in our policing system among citizens who look up to them as protectors of societal order and security.
Telangana Govt Grants Free Electricity Benefit to Muslim Washermen Community

The Telangana government extends its free electricity scheme up to 250 units per month, previously available only for backward caste dhobis, now also includes washermen from the muslim community. This decision was taken after a representation by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.

India

-Krishna Kripa

In a recent move to uplift the socio-economic conditions of the marginalized sections, the Telangana government has decided to extend its free electricity scheme to Muslim washermen known as 'Dhobis'. This policy is an extension of an existing scheme that already provides this benefit to backward caste Dhobis. The objective behind this initiative is not only to provide financial relief but also to promote these traditional occupations which are increasingly facing challenges in today's fast-paced world.

Free Electricity for Washer Communities

The Backward Classes Welfare Department is responsible for implementing this free electricity supply scheme. As per official communications, it offers up to 250 units of free power each month for Dhobi Ghats and laundry shops run by members from backward castes. The decision comes after Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi highlighted that there are groups of Muslim Dhobis who engage in the same profession and thus deserve similar benefits.

Immediate Implementation Ordered by CM

Taking cognizance of the representation made by MP Owaisi, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao promptly ordered extending these benefits to Muslim dhobis for their Dhobi Ghats and laundry shops. Following his directive, a memo was issued by Principal Secretary, BC Welfare Department, sanctioning free electrical supply up to 250 units per month for Muslim Dhobi Ghats and laundry shops across the state.

Criticism from Opposition Parties

However, not everyone welcomed this decision with open arms. BJP National General Secretary and MP Bandi Sanjay Kumar criticized the government's move alleging that it could potentially harm traditional washermen communities whose livelihoods depend on these occupations. He expressed concerns over how new laundry services might emerge due to this policy thereby creating competition which could adversely affect existing businesses run by traditional washermen communities.

In his criticism, Kumar further accused the Chief Minister of jeopardizing traditional occupations for gaining votes from a particular religious group. This reflects the political tensions that often accompany such decisions and highlights the need for more inclusive policies that do not inadvertently harm one section while trying to help another.

Conclusion

The Telangana government's move to extend free electricity benefits to Muslim Dhobis is indeed a step towards acknowledging and supporting these marginalized communities. However, it also underscores the need for careful planning and consideration in policy-making to ensure that well-intentioned measures do not lead to unintended consequences. It also raises questions about how best to support traditional professions in an increasingly modern society where they face numerous challenges.
Biden On Hamas Attack: They Knew I Was About To Sit Down With The Saudis

US President Biden Invited For Republic Day Celebration In India

India

oi-Prakash KL

By Pti

Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited US President Joe Biden to be the Chief Guest for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday.

Asked whether the Quad summit is being planned in India around the same time, Garcetti indicated that he was not aware of it. The Quad comprises India, the US, Japan and Australia. It is India's turn to host the annual Quad summit next year. The US ambassador was asked at an event about the reports that India is considering inviting leaders of the Quad nations to grace the Republic Day celebrations.

US President Biden was invited to the Republic Day celebrations by Prime Minister Modi during the bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit, Garcetti said. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day celebrations. Every year, India invites world leaders to attend its Republic Day celebrations. There was no Republic Day Chief guest in 2021 and 2022 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, the then Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro was the chief guest. In 2019, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was the chief guest at the parade, while in 2018, leaders of all 10 ASEAN countries attended the celebrations. In 2017, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest at celebrations, while the then French President Francois Hollande graced the occasion in 2016.

In 2015, the then US President Barack Obama watched the parade. In 2014, the then Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was the chief guest at the celebrations, while Bhutan king Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck attended the parade in 2013.

Other heads of state and government who have attended the Republic Day celebrations include Nicolas Sarkozy, Vladimir Putin, Nelson Mandela, John Major, Mohammed Khatami and Jacques Chirac. The then British Prime Minister John Major had attended the celebrations in 1993, Nelson Mandela participated as then South African President in 1995 while South Korean President President Lee Myung Bak witnessed the parade in 2010.
One Nation, One Election, UCC, And Women's Reservation Bill: What To Expect In Special Parl Session?

Voting For Women's Reservation Bill Took Time Due To This Reason

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

The 'Women's Reservation Bill' that proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in parliament and state assemblies was passed by the Lok Sabha today. However, the voting took some time due to the absence of electronic voting.

The leaders were not yet assigned seats which prevented electronic voting from taking place. Problems pertaining to audio connections also delayed the process of voting.

Members of the Parliament also complained of not getting proper audio connections. Members were further annoyed as the new bills suddenly started popping on their screens. The Speaker however intervened in the matter and said there could be minor issues initially in the new house, but it would get sorted very soon.

The Women's Reservation Bill proposes 33 percent representation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The bill has been named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The Bill proposes that the reservation will continue for 15 years. Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each delimitation exercise.

Women's reservation bill has been passed in Lok Sabha with 454 votes in favour. Two Parliamentarians have voted against the motion in Lok Sabha, House Speaker Om Birla said.

The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha chambers have digitised voting systems, and state-of-the-art audio and visual systems to ensure effective legislative proceedings.

Twenty-seven women MPs spoke on the women's reservation bill today during the debate in the parliament. The bill was supported by BJP MPs along with the Opposition parties. However, the Opposition demanded for its immediate implementation. At present, there are 82 women MPs in the Lok Sabha, out of a total strength of 543.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 21:51 [IST]
Women's Reservation Bill: PM Modi Thanks MPs For Historic Legislation

India

oi-Sushmita Halder

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said he was delighted over the passage of the 'Women's Reservation Bill' by the Lok Sabha and also expressed his gratitude to the MPs for voting in favour of the legislation.

By calling 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' (Women's Reservation Bill) a "historic legislation", the Prime Minister said, "It will boost the women's empowerment".

PM Modi took to platform X, formerly Twitter, "Delighted at the passage of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha with such phenomenal support. I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which will further boost women's empowerment and will enable even greater participation of women in our political process."

Delighted at the passage of The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Lok Sabha with such phenomenal support. I thank MPs across Party lines who voted in support of this Bill.



The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is a historic legislation which  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 20, 2023

Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the passing of the bill is a "historic leap" for the nation while addressing the Lok Sabha on the women's quota.

"The bill envisaged by PM @narendramodiJi will not only script a new chapter in the history of women's empowerment but also foster equitable and gender-inclusive development in our nation. It yet again reiterates the Modi government's commitment to women-led governance," Shah wrote on his official X handle.

It is a historic leap for our nation as the Lok Sabha passes the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' today.



The bill envisaged by PM @narendramodi Ji will not only script a new chapter in the history of women's empowerment but also foster equitable and gender-inclusive development in  Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 20, 2023

Shah also said that the legislation "strengthens parliamentary democracy by making laws and policies more gender-inclusive and effective."

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani while speaking to ANI said, "What a better way to begin Parliamentary innings for any parliamentarian than with the passage of a bill that crores of women were waiting for...It is yet to pass in the Rajya Sabha, yes, but as a Lok Sabha member, I am extremely privileged to have not only viewed history but also participated in it."

However, even though the bill was passed by the Lok Sabha, the opposition parties have been questioning the government over the timing of the implementation of the legislation.

While addressing the media, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, "It is good that the bill got passed but we have concerns, it is a bit of a 'jhumla' because of reference to delimitation and census...neither of it has been scheduled, which makes it very unclear when the bill will actually be implemented."

The bill granting 33 percent reservation to women in both Parliament and State Assemblies, saw its successful passage in the Lok Sabha. The bill was supported by 454 MPs with two opposing votes. While the 454 MPs cutting across the party lines voted in favour of the bill, the two MPs from All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) were against the passage of the bill.
Before G20, Canada Wanted Allies To Condemn India Over Nijjar's Killing But Was Rebuffed

International

oi-Prakash KL

Before making allegations against India, linking the Modi government to the murder of a Sikh separatist, Canadian officials wanted their allies to condemn India, but were met with reluctance, The Washington Post reported.

The Trudeau administration had sought public condemnation from the US and its other allies before the G20 Summit. The report underlines the diplomatic hurdles encountered by the Biden administration and its allies while managing relationships with India, a crucial player in the region.

The Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance is a coalition that includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which engage in extensive intelligence sharing through a unified multilateral agreement. There have been behind-the-scene discussions among the members in connection with the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head.

Times When Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Supported Anti-India Activities

He was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia in June.

India hosted the G20 Summit, last week. However, there was no mention about the incident by The Five Eyes Intelligence alliance before the event as New Delhi considered it as an important event.

Trudeau has briefed the leaders of some of Canada's closest allies about the case, including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron, CBC News reported citing a senior government source.

However, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an explosive statement on Monday accusing an Indian government agency of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. He also expelled an Indian diplomat identified as Pavan Kumar Rai, the head of India's foreign intelligence agency in Canada, the Toronto Star newspaper reported.

In retaliation, New Delhi kicked out Canada's top diplomat from India, further escalating tension between the two countries. It comes at a time when Western nations seek to strengthen their geopolitical and trade partnerships with India.

South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman highlighted the complicated situation of the Western governments as they have to consider Canada as an ally while also placing significant value on their relationship with India as a vital strategic partner.

9 Separatist Outfits Supporting Terror Groups Have Bases In Canada, Say Officials

As reported by The Washington Post, the G20 summit held in India in September was characterized by tension. Prime Minister Trudeau was sidelined and denied formal bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi. The Khalistan matter was discussed on the summit's sidelines, adding strain to the relations.

However, the US and Australia have expressed concerns over the incident while the UK has decided to continue with the trade deal with India despite Canada's allegations.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 12:46 [IST]
It Is "Extremely Important" For Canada And Its Allies To Engage With India: Canada PM Justin Trudeau

Canadian MP Raises Questions On 'Evidence' Of Nijjar's Killing As Claimed By Justin Trudeau's Ally Jagmeet Sin

In Fresh Provocation, Canada PM Talks To UAE About India On 'Importance Of Upholding Law'

Come Clean With Facts: Canada's Opposition Demands Answers From Trudeau On Nijjar's Killing

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, insisted on Wednesday that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must provide a comprehensive account of all the facts pertaining to his allegations linking Indian government agents to the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Speaking to the media, Poilievre asserted, "I believe the Prime Minister needs to be fully transparent with all available facts. Canadians should have access to all the evidence to form their judgments."

He further emphasized that the Prime Minister had not divulged any additional information privately, beyond what was conveyed to the public. Poilievre expressed the need for a more detailed presentation of information.

Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party, insisted that #JustinTrudeau must provide a comprehensive account of all the facts pertaining to his allegations linking Indian government agents to the killing of #KhalistaniTerrorist #HardeepSinghNijjar.#Nijjar #Canada pic.twitter.com/i8F8Q6KTRW  Madhuri Adnal (@madhuriadnal) September 20, 2023

On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had raised a "potential link" between Indian government agents and the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who served as the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and was killed in Surrey in June. In response, the Canadian government expelled a high-ranking Indian diplomat.

9 Separatist Outfits Supporting Terror Groups Have Bases In Canada, Say Officials

The Indian government dismissed Canada's allegations as "absurd and motivated," reaffirming India's unwavering commitment to the rule of law. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement in this regard.

India also expelled a senior Canadian diplomat, Olivier Sylvester, on Wednesday. The MEA summoned the Canadian High Commissioner, Cameron MacKay, to convey India's decision.
UFO sighting: How to calculate the odds that an alien spaceship has been spotted

Mexican Doctors Reveal Shocking Truth About Alien Autopsy

International

oi-Sushmita Halder

Mexican doctors who conducted an alien autopsy revealed that the aliens belonged to a single skeleton and were not assembled with human objects.

An alien autopsy was conducted after scientists and archaeologists around the world argued that the non-human corpses were part of an elaborate hoax.

According to some reports, Jose Zalce Benitez, Director Of The Health Sciences Research Institute in the secretary of the Mexican Navy's office claimed that the alleged aliens belonged to a single skeleton and were not assembled with human objects.

This came after Mexico held its first-ever congressional hearing on the subject of UFOs, where journalist Jaime Maussan produced two artefacts he claimed amounted to evidence of "non-human" life.

According to Maussan, the non-human bodies which were 1,000 years old, were unearthed in Cusco, Peru. He further said that a third of their DNA "remains shrouded in enigmatic mystery."

Jose de Jesus Zalce Benitez, a forensic doctor with the navy, conducted a number of tests on the corpses on Tuesday that were live-streamed on Maussan's YouTube channel.

Benitez confirmed that lab tests proved the aliens were not assembled with human objects and belonged to a single skeleton. "I can affirm that these bodies have no relation to human beings," he had previously claimed.

The corpses were reportedly unearthed in Peru in 2017. Each corpse has an elongated head and three fingers on each hand - making them remarkably human-like. However, Maussan has also claimed that they have implants of cadmium and osmium, which is one of the rarest elements on earth.

The humanoid characteristics of the aliens is one reason why critics feel they are a hoax. Physicist Brian Cox is one among such critics - he claims that the bodies are "way too humanoid" to be genuine.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 19:09 [IST]
Southwestern US Governors Pursue Stronger Business Relations with Taiwan, Eyeing New Investments and Jobs

Trade missions led by the governors of New Mexico and Arizona aim to strengthen business ties with Taiwan in hopes of attracting new foreign investments and job opportunities. A parts supplier for electric vehicle manufacturers plans to invest $100 million in a plant in southern New Mexico.

International

-Sathish Raman

The Governors of Southwestern United States have embarked on a mission to foster stronger business relations with Taiwan, in an effort to attract foreign investments and job opportunities for their landlocked states. This move has seen New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, both Democrats, travel to the self-governing island of Taiwan this week.

Trade Missions and Business Conferences

The two governors participated in a business conference held in Taipei where they interacted with US and Taiwan leaders. The main agenda of these trade missions is to open up avenues for investment that can spur economic growth back home. By engaging with Taiwanese businesses, the governors hope to lure investors into sectors such as manufacturing and technology which are key drivers of their state economies.

New Investment Opportunities

A significant breakthrough came when Hota Industrial Manufacturing, a parts supplier for electric vehicle manufacturers including Tesla, announced its plan to invest nearly $100 million in building a plant at an industrial park situated in southern New Mexico near the US border with Mexico. This new facility is expected to employ around 350 people.

Hota Industrial Manufacturing Chairman David Shen attributed the company's decision to set up shop in New Mexico due to several factors including relatively low labour costs, affordable land prices, proximity to the US auto supply chain as well as minimal risk from natural disasters related weather or geological events.

Shared Affinities

In a remote news conference from Taiwan, Governor Lujan Grisham expressed her enthusiasm about having shared interests with Hota on various fronts such as electric vehicles development among other things. She stated "They really like our investments and they really appreciate our strategy" indicating that there is mutual benefit derived from this partnership between her state's government and Taiwanese companies.

Conclusion: Strengthening Ties and Expanding Opportunities

This recent development marks a significant step towards strengthening business ties between the Southwestern United States and Taiwan. The move not only opens up new avenues for investment, but also creates job opportunities which are vital for economic growth. By leveraging their shared affinities, both regions stand to gain from this partnership.

The actions of Governors Lujan Grisham and Hobbs demonstrate a proactive approach in seeking foreign investments that can contribute positively to their state economies. Their efforts serve as an example of how strategic partnerships with international businesses can lead to mutual benefits.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Kazakhstan once again confirms its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of brotherly Azerbaijan, said the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan Alim Bayel, Trend reports.

"We welcome the initiative of the Azerbaijani side to hold a meeting with representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh. We express hope for a speedy resolution of the current situation through peaceful dialogue within the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. We are confident that the establishment of an atmosphere of peace and mutually beneficial cooperation in the South Caucasus, the unblocking of all communications corresponds to the interests of all countries in the region," he said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime were put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects weren't targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan stated that the agreement was reached to stop the local anti-terrorist activities.

"Considering the appeal by the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, conveyed by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement has been reached as of 13:00 (GMT +4), September 20, 2023, to stop the anti-terrorist activities under the following terms:

1. The formations of Armenias armed forces stationed in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and illegal armed groups lay down their arms, withdraw from their battle positions and military outposts and are subjected to complete disarmament.

2. Simultaneously, all the ammunition and heavy military equipment is handed over.

3. Conducting the abovementioned process in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured," the ministry said.
It Is "Extremely Important" For Canada And Its Allies To Engage With India: Canada PM Justin Trudeau

Trudeau's Claim Of India's Link To Nijjar's Killing A 'Shameless Action', Says US Expert

International

oi-PTI

A US expert has termed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim of a ''potential link'' between Indian government agents and the killing of a Khalistani leader a ''shameless and cynical action'' and urged the United States not be part of it.

Participating in a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute think-tank, Michael Rubin, Senior Fellow at American Enterprise Institute, claimed Trudeau is playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement of ego and profit.

Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after Trudeau alleged the involvement of ''agents of the Indian government'' in the killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in Surrey in June, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as ''absurd'' and ''motivated''.

Not Trying To Provoke, But Want Answers: Canada PM Trudeau Amid Row With India

Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

What is striking about Trudeau's ''shameless action and cynical action'' is that while he's making a statement now, the killing of Karima Baluch that was carried out allegedly with Pakistani assistance is a police matter and has not been taken to the Prime Minister's office, Rubin said.

''So, the question then becomes why the discrepancy if not populist political posturing? ... That might help Justin Trudeau in the long term but that's not what leadership is. We really need our politicians on both sides of the aisle here and in Canada, (there is a) need to be much more responsible because they're playing with fire,'' he said.

It seems, Rubin said, that some outside hands are trying to revive the Khalistan movement.

''I don't think it will work,'' he said, adding he would not want the US to give legitimacy to this sort of ''cynical manoeuvres by outside powers''.

9 Separatist Outfits Supporting Terror Groups Have Bases In Canada, Say Officials

''It would be a mistake to suddenly see a separatist movement and argue that this is legitimate. And I worry less so with the United States but more so with what we see in Canada right now with Justin Trudeau, that same knee-jerk reaction playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement for ego, a movement for profit and for politics,'' he said.

After Trudeau's remarks in Parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she has ordered the expulsion of ''a senior Indian diplomat''.

Reacting sharply to the allegations and Joly's remarks, India rejected Trudeau's claims, calling them ''absurd and motivated''. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave India within the next five days.

Jassee Singh, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America, said the Khalistani movement does not represent the voice of the majority of Sikhs in the US.

''Sikhs in India are not in favour of Khalistan. Today, Sikhs are in the Indian Army defending the nation, whether it's against China or Pakistan,'' he said.

''There are one million Sikhs living here (in the US) and only a few of them, a very, very small percentage shows up for protests demanding Khalistan,'' he said.

Dinsha Mistree, research fellow at the Hoover Institution, said if Canada keeps pushing this narrative, then ''we can see some big challenges there''. He also underlined the importance of intelligence sharing.

Times When Canadian PM Justin Trudeau Supported Anti-India Activities

''For me, it is just very surprising. Again, the San Francisco consulate is not too far away. I don't think any arrests have been made since this consulate was vandalised twice. If you don't stop these smaller things, (then there is a) danger that they might snowball into bigger things,'' he said.

In July, India's consulate in San Francisco came under attack from Khalistan supporters, who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fire, in the second such act of violence within months.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 posted on X, showed the act of arson at the Indian Consulate. The video, with the words ''violence begets violence'' emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Nijjar.
What Is Five Eyes Intelligence That Is Backing Probe In Khalistani Terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's Murder?

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Canada's relationship with India has plunged into turmoil following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's explosive statement accusing an Indian government agency of killing Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June of this year. Trudeau's remarks have resonated within the Five Eyes Intelligence alliance, a coalition that includes Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, all of which engage in extensive intelligence sharing through a unified multilateral agreement.

The Five Eyes alliance has responded variably to Trudeau's allegations. A senior US State Department official stated that they have maintained close communication with their Canadian counterparts regarding the allegations of Indian government involvement in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada. They have urged India to cooperate with the investigation.

In contrast, a US expert criticised the Canadian Prime Minister's assertion of a "potential link" between Indian government agents and the Khalistani leader's killing as a "shameless and cynical action." This expert called on the United States not to endorse it.

Not Trying To Provoke, But Want Answers: Canada PM Trudeau Amid Row With India

The UK government, addressing the "serious allegations" concerning the murder, declared that it would not allow these allegations to impact its ongoing trade negotiations with India.

Australia's Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, commented on the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, expressing concern and noting that investigations are ongoing. Australia is closely monitoring developments in coordination with its partners.

Recommended Video

Canada-India Row: Five Eyes Intelligence backs Canadas probe into Nijjars death | Oneindia News

Prime Minister Trudeau has called on India "in the strongest possible terms" to cooperate with Canada in uncovering the truth behind this matter.

In response to Trudeau's allegations, both Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat from each other's nations. Trudeau implicated "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of the prominent Sikh separatist leader, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, aged 45, in Surrey in June.

Nijjar, the leader of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), was one of India's most-wanted terrorists, carrying a reward of 10 lakh on his head. He was fatally shot by two unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Surrey, located in the Canadian province of British Columbia, on June 18.

Canada is home to a substantial population of nearly 1.4 million individuals of Indian ethnic or cultural origin, constituting about 3.7% of the country's total population, as per the 2021 census.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar: Who Was The Khalistani Terrorist Killed In Canada?

Over 770,000 people in Canada identify their religion as Sikhism, representing approximately 2 per cent of the nation's population. In 2019, the Canadian government designated April as Sikh Heritage Month.

In terms of trade, India ranked as Canada's 10th largest two-way merchandise trade partner in 2022, with trade exceeding USD 13.7 billion. However, Trudeau's interactions with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Group of 20 meeting in New Delhi were marked by tension. Trade negotiations have been halted, and a planned trade mission to India has been canceled.

For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications

Story first published: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 11:08 [IST]
The highest recorded temperature in Sydney was 35.7 degrees at the airport, while firefighters battled blazes on the citys western outskirts.
A year ago, Russia stopped supplying gas to the EU through the Nord Stream pipeline to hurt the bloc for its overwhelming support for Ukraine. The weaponization of its gas supplies has ended up hurting Moscow more.
Rumble 20 Oct 2023

We speak to Maria Karapetyan, member of the National Assembly of Armenia and Standing Committee on Protection of Human Rights..
Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians in the breakaway region reached a deal after negotiations with Russian peacekeepers. It comes after Baku launched an offensive to take control of the enclave.
By Dominic Tierney



(FPRI)  On July 7, 2023, at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky, operators carefully placed an..

Eurasia Review 01 Sep 2023
Pope Francis, returning from a two-day trip to Marseille, called for the right not to migrate after the Angelus prayer on Sunday...

Upworthy 24 Sep 2023
On day 2 of the UN General Assembly, Ukraine's president accused Russia of "criminal and unprovoked aggression" during his address before the Security Council. Follow DW for more.
By Peter Pinedo



Azerbaijan unleashed military strikes against an enclave of about 120,000 Armenian Christians in the..

Eurasia Review 19 Sep 2023
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. We proudly support Azerbaijan in its fair fight, Selcuk Bayraktar, technical director of Turkish Baykar company, wrote on X, Trend reports.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
Eurasia Review 28 Sep 2023

Two interesting things happened at the BRICS summit in South Africa in August. Several new members were invited to join BRICS in..
(RFE/RL)  After weeks of bloody clashes, Azerbaijan on September 19 said it had launched an anti-terrorist operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, a major escalation in hostilities with Armenia as the breakaway region already teeters on the brink of a humanitarian crisis after being blockaded for more than eight months.



The...
"Slow to learn or understand; obtuse." --American Heritage, 4th ed.

A year ago I wrote a piece titled, The Golden Age of Stupidity. It was well received. The question I want to address a year later is how we can quantify this rather negative "natural resource" that we seem bent on cultivating. Can it be quantified, and how is its ongoing development proceeding? Just how stupid are we Americans, as a nation, becoming?

But first of all, let's try to establish that this factor is, indeed, increasing. Are we becoming better thinkers, or weaker ones?

Well, at least since the 1950s, we should have seen the stupidity levels growing simply by looking at the results of television advertising. We know this advertising works, or they wouldn't keep throwing money at it.

In 1957, journalist and critic of consumerism Vance Packard published an informative exploration of the manipulative techniques used in advertising. The book was titled, The Hidden Persuaders, and it revealed how advertisers create in the minds of consumers, completely artificial needs (for their products and services). They do this through subliminal psychology and effectively manipulative wording. The theory then was that advertisers influence consumers to believe the company's products satisfy consumers' actual "needs" rather than simply satisfying mere superficial desires, or "wants". The evidence of this strategy's success can be clearly seen today, in ads that blatantly boast, "We've got what you NEED!" We have been shown the manipulative nature of this advertising technique, and we are stupid enough to ignore the manipulation, so we go out and buy the product, convinced that it was OUR IDEA! If this does not indicate a decline in intelligence, I am not too sure what would do so. Advertising is a trick to get you to buy. We know this. And we don't care. So we dutifully and calmly listen to ads that repeat a phone number three times, tell us what we "need", and coddle us with pretty-face smiles. We sit docile, listening to the same ad four times during a single program. Slow to learn or understand; obtuse. That's called stupid.

They know how stupid you have become. They know that if they repeat their phone number three times, you will be more favorably inclined to call, "right now". The unmistakable success of today's TV advertising should be the deciding vote in the condemnation of our intelligence. But somehow we required further proof. Enter Mr. Donald John Trump.

In 2017, professor and former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich posted a statement on Facebook about how dumb we as a people have become. Quoting a National Science Foundation survey, he stated the following.

"To the question, 'Does the Earth go around the Sun, or does the Sun go around the Earth,' 26 percent answered incorrectly. In the same survey, [only] 39 percent answered correctly (true) that [t]he universe began with a huge explosion. Only 48 percent said 'Human beings, as we know them today, developed from earlier species of animals.' Just over half understood that antibiotics are not effective against viruses. Oh, and in the latest political poll, 36 percent said they "support Donald Trump".

We elevated a mentally challenged, con-man grifter to the presidency of the United States. Now, that example is admittedly pretty hard to top. But we appear to be up to even that challenge. Because now he is running again, even more popular than before, despite the travesty of an administration that he ran the last time. He is actually gaining in popularity while the number of criminal indictments grows, and the number of criminal counts against him reaches almost a hundred. Some utter Bozo in a red MAGA hat just claimed that Trump could literally commit murder on the steps of the White House, and the Bozo would still be a big fan. No, really. We're in serious trouble here. It appears that the abbreviation, IQ, now stands for Inadequacy Quotient.

Fairly soon now, Trump is going to have his very own legal category: Innocent despite proven guilty. But the Grand Old Party has fallen in love with him and his band of cultish followers. Slow to learn or understand; obtuse. That's called stupid. But who is the more stupid? The Trumpers? The party of obedient lackeys, who know better but accept him anyway? Or the rest of us who continue to put up with this crap without throwing Trump's butt in prison. Yes, yes, I realize that the judicial process takes time. But how much time is too much time?

You've got to feel sorry for sane Republicans who still have not left their party. America has to live with the fact that enough of us were stupid enough to elect Donald Trump, but imagine how tough it is for sane Republicans to admit that it was their fault. The Colin Powells, James Comeys, and Nicole Wallaces are not representative of a small crowd. Huge numbers of Republicans have left the party since 09-11-01. But what percentage of conservatives are still hanging on in desperation to their party loyalty, despite the devastation of Trumpism? Senator Mitt Romney (R), Utah, has recently announced that he will not seek re-election in 2024. Can you blame him? He also said he was paying $5,000 a week for private security protection for his family, to protect them from all the rabid Trump supporters threatening their safety. Romney stated that he believes his party will come back to sanity, but it might take a decade or more. How many true conservatives will hold on for that long?

Why has the Republican Party embraced Trumpism so thoroughly? On the surface, that seems like a tough question to answer. But it isn't so tough when you examine where the party is in popularity these days. Even when they win via the Electoral College, Republicans routinely fail to win the popular vote in presidential elections. The party's popularity is declining. After election losses, parties do what are referred to as autopsy reports, identifying the reasons for such losses, and what to do to correct the trend. These reports are pretty clear. They state the party is out of step and should change its stance on things like abortion rights, voters' rights, gun control, and others. But the GOP has zero interest in changing its stance on these issues. So the alternatives are pretty clear. If your stance on issues cannot (or will not) match current popular trends in the voting public, you must change how the voting public votes by other means. And those means include gerrymandering districts so those most likely to vote against you are limited in representation. You adopt deceptions and outright lies to influence beliefs. You embrace Trumpism, which encourages violence against opponents.

Republicans have unfortunately learned that the Trump base, the MAGATS, are so stupid that they are easily duped with the deceptions and lies. They are mere pawns to be moved about on the chess board. They will gladly vote for someone like Donald Trump, fully embracing things like criminality, immorality, predatory sexual behavior, indecency, misogyny, xenophobia, racism, the deliberate mocking of handicapped individuals, and the complete lack of a political platform. The Republican Party has thus devolved into an autocratic movement instead of a viable political party, because they can't win when they "fight fair." Desperation produces desperate results, and the Grand Old Party is no longer grand, nor a party, by any normal definition. And all of this has become possible because of the existence of the public's stupidity. The right has effectively programmed its audience, and the path forward, and the tactics to be employed, are clear. Television advertising has proudly led the way. The political right wing has adopted the habit of referring to their opposition as sheep. The right-wingers' victim-base of MAGATS are perhaps more like lemmings: Easily duped. Slow to learn or understand. Obtuse.

So do we have proof of our collective mental decline? Absolutely. We are very clearly becoming far weaker thinkers, less able to evaluate variables and make logical intelligent choices. Because of stupidity, H. L. Mencken's prophecy is fulfilled. "On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last, and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron." And in the novel, 1984, George Orwell couldn't have predicted this outcome much more clearly back in 1949. It just took double the amount of time that the cautionary tale suggested. As they say, stupid is as stupid does. And America has arrived.
Neal Huybens, professionally known as Judge Neal, has accomplished a remarkable ascent in the music industry. From signing his debut record deal with Sony Music Denmark for a single recording, he has now risen to the esteemed position of A&R (Artist and Repertoire) and Publisher at Sony Music International - The Orchard. In 2021, Judge Neal burst onto the music scene through the MTV program "Popland," where he showcased his exceptional 
Atlanta, Georgia - September 20, 2023 - Atlanta Distillery, a local family-owned distillery, is thrilled to announce it has established an exclusive vodka partnership with the Fox Theatre beginning this October. It is excited to offer fellow Atlantans and tourists alike its award winning apple-based vodka when they visit the Fox Theatre. Founded in Atlanta, Georgia, Atlanta Distillery is honored to partner with an iconic venue like the Fox Theatre to 
Lawyers for the state Tuesday objected to testimony from Oregon State Police Supt. Casey Codding about the type of guns and rounds of ammunition his troopers typically carry on the job during a trial on whether gun control Measure 114 violates the state constitution.

Oregon Special Assistant Attorney General Harry B. Wilson called the information irrelevant because the voter-approved gun control Measure 114 specifically excludes law enforcement from its restriction on the use of gun magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds.
The man awarded $10.5 million in court last year after he was paralyzed while mountain biking down the slopes of Mount Hood faces a manslaughter charge in Clackamas County for allegedly killing a woman in a drunken crash.

Court documents accuse Gabriel B. Owens of mixing alcohol and painkillers when he got behind the wheel of a Tesla Model S sedan and collided head-on with another driver on Southeast Jennifer Road at the railroad overpass near 82nd Avenue about noon on Sept. 8.
Members of the Portland Public Schools board signed off Tuesday on firing former Harriet Tubman Middle School teacher Bryan Chu, on grounds of insubordination and neglect of duty, after raucous public testimony.

The vote to terminate Chu was 5-1, with board member Eddie Wang abstaining. The sole no vote came from board member Patte Sullivan; Sullivan and Wang are the two newest board members.

The firing capped a drawn-out, two-year saga, which was noted by several people who testified on Chus behalf or called out support for him from the audience.

District investigators said Chu, who is Asian American, belittled district staff during public forums, intimidated and bullied colleagues and failed his students by giving virtually all of them As regardless of effort or performance, delaying or masking the need for help for those who required it.

Chus supporters and his lawyer countered that Chu was a bulwark for students in the face of a systemically racist school system. And they contended he faced discipline for criticizing district leaders for failures including refusing to seek community input on the proposed relocation of Tubman, which sits about 50 feet from Interstate 5, in close proximity to the smog generated by constant traffic.

School board members said during Tuesdays hearing that the decision was not easy, with board Chair Gary Hollands citing concerns about discipline falling disproportionately on teachers of color. Still, Hollands, along with fellow board members Julia Brim-Edwards, Andrew Scott, Herman Greene and Michelle De Pass, voted for termination.

Chu now has 10 days to inform the district that hed like the school boards decision to be reconsidered by a professional arbitrator from the state Employment Relations Board. Arbitration is a lengthy process, and it could be up to a year before a final decision emerges.

 Julia Silverman, @jrlsilverman, jsilverman@oregonian.com
McMinnville company ARQ, which became a pandemic hit for its simple, high-waisted underwear, will wind down business operations after the death of founder Abigail Quists husband, Jefferson Quist.

According to an obituary from Yamhill Countys News-Register, Jefferson Quist died in McMinnville on Aug. 5 at the age of 40. No cause of death was given.

Our family has experienced an unimaginable tragedy recently, Abigail Quist wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday. For this and many other smaller but significant reasons, I have decided to scale ARQ way back and wind it down before taking a pause.

Abigail Quist started ARQ as a small line of childrens clothing in 2015. But when she introduced her throw-back underwear and camisole for adults in 2018, the line took off.

2018, Abigail Quist told The Oregonian/OregonLive in 2021, we did about $180 thousand. 2019, we did about $1 million. And 2020, we did about $7.5 million in gross sales.

Read more: How Oregon underwear company ARQ became an Instagram hit during pandemic lockdown

As her company became more successful, Abigail Quists husband, Jefferson Quist, an immigration and criminal defense lawyer, became ARQs CFO. The couple have three children.

I have had to say heartbreaking goodbyes this past few months, including to many beloved members of the ARQ family who I could no longer keep on and who will be dearly missed, Abigail Quist wrote in her Instagram post.

It is not clear when ARQ will pause its operations. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But in her Instagram post, Abigail Quist said the company would have some promotions through the end of the year and would still introduce some small new collections that have long been in the works.

My children and I need some time and are being well-supported by loved ones, Abigail Quist said at the end of her post. We thank so many of you who know us and have sent well wishes and love our way. We can feel it. Love, Abigail.

 Lizzy Acker

503-221-8052; lacker@oregonian.com; @lizzzyacker

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Rufiz Hafizoglu, Trend News Agency's Deputy Director General, spoke about the local anti-terrorist activities carried out by Azerbaijan in Karabakh on France 24 TV channel broadcasting in Arabic, Trend reports.

Hafizoglu noted that Azerbaijan has announced its conditions for the cessation of anti-terrorist activities.

"Azerbaijan is conducting antiterrorist measures, not war, and these measures fully comply with international law," he said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.
Carolyn Buppert and James Ofsink

Buppert is president of the League of Women Voters of Portland. Ofsink is chair of the Leagues Justice Interest Group. They both live in Portland.

After almost two years and thousands of hours of volunteer effort, Portlands Police Accountability Commission last month released its final proposal for a new community-led police oversight system. In accordance with voters direction, a 20-member volunteer committee has researched, debated and crafted a framework for providing civilian oversight of our policing system to improve accountability and restore trust in our police force.

As the president of an organization that supported the ballot measure behind this transition and as a police reform advocate who has closely monitored the commissions progress, we can say the outcome was worth waiting for  and is worth supporting now. The Portland City Council, which will consider the commissions recommendations this Thursday, should support this proposal and help ensure its implementation as soon as possible.

City councilors appointed the members of the Police Accountability Commission in 2021, nine months after Portland voters approved Measure 26-217 with 82% of the vote. The transformative measure added a new section to the City Charter authorizing the creation of an independent board to investigate complaints against police and their supervisors. In addition, the initiative called for the board to examine all deaths in custody, uses of deadly force, force that results in injury and violations of constitutional rights. Importantly, the measure specifically called for giving the new oversight board the ability to compel testimony, issue subpoenas and impose discipline  a significant enhancement to the current systems authority.

The commissions job was to fill in the details of how the new oversight system and board will operate.

The volunteers researched best practices. They examined the oversight systems of other cities including San Diego, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Chicago and New York City, and reviewed reports by the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement and the U.S. Department of Justice. The proposal incorporates policies from some of those jurisdictions, including how to size the board so it is large enough to reflect the citys diversity and handle the complaint processing workload. It also works to remove barriers to participation by modestly compensating board members.

Furthermore, it provides complaint navigators to assist people through the process and suggests conducting root cause analyses of undesirable police-related events in order to prevent future occurrences. To ensure the new offices work is fully transparent to the public, the proposal requires annual reporting on 20 different data points such as how the city is progressing on the boards policy recommendations as well as the number, nature and settlement amounts of civil suits against Portland Police officers.

The commission also engaged the public through a robust and deliberative process, meeting with police officers, business community representatives, racial justice advocacy groups, culturally specific groups and many others with interests in the police accountability system. In total, the commission held 23 community engagement events across all parts of the city and held 124 public meetings where they solicited public testimony. And they collaborated with their peers, discussing such issues as how best to support and train board members and promote public participation in board meetings before finalizing their proposal. Notably, the commission unanimously approved submitting the draft code and report to city council for their consideration.

Community members interested in learning details of the proposal can attend the League of Women Voters online community education event on the evening of Oct. 11, to hear from Police Accountability Commission members. Check lwvpdx.org, for specifics.

The League of Women Voters of Portland began studying policing in Portland in the 1960s and has been engaged in issues related to law enforcement and police oversight since that time. In the ensuing decades, the League has had a role in the creation, advocacy and monitoring of effective civilian oversight of police. Based on League study and policy positions, we endorsed Ballot Measure 26-217 in November 2020, joining the vast majority of Portland voters in supporting the reforms outlined in the charter amendment. As it has for many decades now, the League will continue to monitor and encourage the citys support of effective civilian oversight of the police.

We urge City Council to follow the will of the voters, honor the commissions careful research and deliberative process and offer its support for the proposal when it comes before them this week.

Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email:


Last month, the air quality index remained at dangerously high levels for days in the Rogue Valley. Wildfires have become a routine part of Oregon summers. Mitigation must shift to emergency gear to help our communities cope. Adequate housing has always been a major challenge for people of color, Indigenous people, immigrants and refugees, rural residents and those experiencing poverty across the state. The wildfires and the bad air quality have exposed the vulnerabilities that they continue to face.

When air quality is bad, health officials advise people to stay indoors and use air filters and, if it is hot, air conditioners. But many of our Rogue Valley community members endured the last days of August without this kind of equipment, and subsequently had unhealthy air in their homes. Many experienced respiratory problems and chronic headaches.

Our organizers in Rogue Valley distributed over 300 air purifiers last year, and 14 so far this year. This has helped, but we need other solutions as well. Community members need adequate housing that can protect them from the effects of climate change. Newer buildings meet certain standards to mitigate these effects, but older structures do not and should be outfitted with air filters and air conditioners.

In the 2023 legislative session, a diverse coalition of climate justice organizations helped establish climate resilience hubs - centralized locations for people and resources to gather before, during and after natural disasters. This was a major milestone in our fight for climate justice. We will keep fighting to bring our community members a safe environment.

Virginia Camberos

Camberos is Rogue Valley Chapter Director for Unite Oregon

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
When voters elected Tim Hall mayor of Garibaldi in 2021, he joined a small circle of Black mayors in Oregon. Following his resignation Sept. 1, which he said was spurred by harassment, only three Black mayors remain across the states 241 cities.

It was against this backdrop Sunday that Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff gave an impassioned speech at the 30th anniversary gala in Portland of the Oregon Black Pioneers historical society.

Now there are three of us, McGriff said. We are the modern day Black pioneers. We need to do more to get more African American people to run for elected office. That will help us change the demographics of Oregon.

Hall, 68, moved to Garibaldi in 2017 shortly after retiring from the Portland Water Bureau. He said he had experienced pushback from members of the Garibaldi city council since joining in 2019, but that his relationships grew more hostile when he took office as the citys elected mayor in 2021 and he began looking into Garibaldis financial history.

The city was behind on audits dating to 2018, barring the small coastal city of 833 people from federal and state government grants, Hall said. He said he was concerned about how the citys funds were being used.

During his term, Hall said other city officials tried to deny him some of the mayoral duties, such as selecting a grand marshal for a local parade. Although the choice is a small token of responsibility, it seemed like a sign of disrespect, he said.

A small group of former city officials, including former Mayor Judy Riggs, and residents launched a recall petition against Hall in mid-August. Hall pointed to Riggs as one of the biggest forces behind the recall.

The petition collected 120 validated signatures by Aug. 25. That triggered a five-day window for Hall to resign or face a recall election, he said. He announced his decision to resign in The Tillamook Headlight Herald on Aug. 29, saying he wanted to avoid further ugliness and mudslinging.

Hall said he believes his effective removal was partially motivated by his race; he said he is the only Black man in the city.

I love this town and the people here have been wonderful to me, but of the organizers, half of them were bigots, Hall said. The most disappointing thing about this is that they were lying on social media and trying to convince the city I was a villain.

Hall also claimed that a man in Garibaldi harassed him and stalked him at his home, making him fear for his and his familys safety.

After a while, my wife and kids reminded me that this was a volunteer position; I wasnt getting paid, Hall said. Even if I won the recall, we didnt feel like the harassment was going to stop. I was bullied out of office.

Hall said former City Manager Juliet Hyams was also harassed out of office. Hyams filed a $1 million lawsuit against the city earlier this year, alleging that she faced retaliation for whistleblowing, according to state court records.

The lawsuit was dismissed in June, court records show.

Valeria Schumann, one of the members of the recall committee, refuted Halls claims of harassment. She said they called for him to step down because of his unsubstantiated allegations that city officials misused funds and for failing to adhere to city protocols on several occasions.

The group also highlighted Halls support of Hyams during the lawsuit as a point of contention, saying he should have sided with the city.

Schumann said Hall was perpetuating a culture of accusations and blame, and causing turmoil within city hall.

We had our first city council meeting last night without him as mayor, Schumann said. There was a feeling of community in the room that was missing before.

Riggs said that her disagreements with Hall had nothing to do with his race, but how he conducted himself in city meetings. She said he consistently broke city protocol and meeting rules. Riggs also claimed the budgeting issue came down to a faulty accounting system that needed restructuring.

Ive done nothing but try and make this a better place, Riggs said. I did not feel like I was discriminating against him; we just have rules in place that all of us need to follow. Were supposed to work as a team, and I just felt like he wasnt doing that.

Outside of Oregon City, both Gresham and Albany have elected Black mayors. Gresham Mayor Travis Stovall and Albany Mayor Alex Johnson II took office in 2021. Both men won a second term in 2023.

McGriff said she was disappointed to see Black representation in local government dip even further after Halls resignation.

I will say Im disappointed he didnt see more community support and that he felt he needed to resign because he was being harassed, she said. Nobody should have to deal with that.

McGriff said being the only Black female mayor in Oregon was not something she aspired to be, but that she answered a call to service. She said having diverse individuals in local government is important as Oregons population is changing.

Its becoming more diverse and there are different voices out there that need to be heard, McGriff said. People need to see people that represent them in local government.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

Our journalism needs your support. Please become a subscriber today at OregonLive.com/subscribe
State Rep. Khanh Pham, D-Portland, is setting her sights on the Senate.

Pham, 45, will announce her campaign for the 23rd Senate District in east Portland on Tuesday and hold a launch event in early October. She told the Capital Chronicle she wants to build on what shes done in the House.

I see the high stakes of this moment and I am feeling called to serve, to build on the really important work that weve been able to accomplish in the House, from transferring 82nd Avenue with $185 million to make improvements to passing the boldest 100% clean electricity standard in the country, with some of the strongest labor standards, she said. I want to expand on this work in the state Senate, because I think this is the time that we need bold leadership thats really unafraid to push for changes.

Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, now represents the district and plans to retire at the end of his term. He didnt return a call from the Capital Chronicle on Monday, but Pham said Dembrow has been supportive in their conversations.

Its a solidly Democratic district, with more than 53,000 registered Democrats to 8,000 Republicans, and about half of them are also in her current House district. So far, Phams the only candidate in the race.

Phams one of the most progressive members of the House, at times clashing with more moderate members of her caucus over issues like replacing the Interstate 5 bridge connecting Oregon and Washington. She vehemently opposes suggestions to widen the bridge and add more lanes for cars, and her skepticism of the Oregon Department of Transportation contributed to tensions in Joint Transportation Committee meetings.

But shes also worked with more conservative Democrats and Republicans, including partnering with state Rep. David Gomberg, a moderate Democrat from Otis, on a plan supported by most Democrats to change Oregons unusually high quorum requirements and stop a small group of lawmakers from being able to shut down legislative work by leaving the Capitol. They werent successful, but Pham intends to keep pushing for quorum changes.

She also sponsored a bill this year that passed unanimously out of the House and with only one no vote in the Senate that will allow schools to use state transportation funding for student transit passes or to facilitate walking or biking to school. So-called bike buses or walking buses include one or more adults chaperoning children who bike or walk to school, and the new law would allow districts to receive state funding for bike bus leaders the same way they can get funding for school bus drivers.

Pham serves on the budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee and its natural resources subcommittee, the Joint Transportation Committee and the House Committee on Climate, Energy and the Environment. If elected to the Senate, she said shed stay focused on fiscally responsible transportation spending that prioritizes safety, multimodal access and climate-friendly transportation.

The Senate district contains Phams current House district and a district represented by Rep. Thuy Tran, D-Portland. It has fewer shade-providing trees than other parts of Portland, and 82nd Avenue, the abandoned section of state highway 213 thats one of the citys most dangerous corridors for pedestrians and cyclists, runs through the district.

THREE YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE

Pham was elected to the House in 2020, after years as a community organizer focused on safer streets, affordable housing and clean energy. Her area of Portland is poorer than other parts of the city and has a high concentration of immigrants and other people of color. Phams first foray into electoral politics was with passing a local ballot initiative and creating the Portland Clean Energy Fund, a grant program funded by a 1% surcharge on large retailers that pays for things like installing heat pumps.

With that kind of coalition, we realized that we wanted to continue to build on that at the state level, Pham said. And so when the seat opened up, my community asked me to run for House District 46, and thats what led me. It was purely my experience organizing the community that led me to now wanting to bring these issues and advocate for my community at the state level.

Sens. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis; Wlnsvey Campos, D-Aloha; Lew Frederick, D-Portland; Kayse Jama, D-Portland; James Manning, D-Eugene; and Kathleen Taylor, D-Portland, have endorsed Pham. Taylor, who represents a neighboring district, said in a statement that the two are already working together on issues that affect both districts.

She has proven herself to be a strong partner for Portland in Salem, delivering the jurisdictional transfer of 82nd Avenue in her first term in the House and now working with me on the Powell workgroup so we can make needed safety changes and stop dangerous crashes, Taylor said. Khanh is an unwavering advocate for our environment and a true champion for her community. I look forward to serving alongside Khanh in the Senate in 2025.

Pham has about $78,000 in her campaign bank account, according to state campaign finance records, though her team said the actual figure is closer to $118,000 with some checks expected to clear this week. Candidates have 30 days after a transaction to report any contributions or expenses.

She declines contributions from corporations or corporate political action committees, though she has accepted large contributions in past campaigns from labor unions and environmental groups.

-- 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.
Travel website Trips to Discover ranked the 14 best places in the world to visit in the month of September, and Oregon coast destination Cannon Beach made the list.

Its not the first time Trips to Discover has singled out Cannon Beach. Earlier this year, the site declared Haystack Rock in Cannon Beach one of the most beautiful landmarks in the U.S.

The sun sets over Haystack Rock and the beach at Cannon Beach, creating a colorful scene in the surf and sky in 2019.Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Another ranking of the best resort hotels in the country, included an impressive three Cannon Beach hotels, including one ranked No. 1 overall.

This time around, Cannon Beach finds itself in such lofty company as Iceland, Germanys Black Forest, and the Greek island of Kefalonia.

September in Cannon Beach, writes Trips to Discover, is less crowded than the summer months, with ideal weather. Its also a great time for whale watching with gray whales migrating south during this time and often spotted from shore. Guided tidepool tours can be enjoyed around its famous monolith, Haystack Rock, providing an opportunity to learn about the areas abundant wildlife, according to the website.

READ MORE:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is an outstanding politician of our time; Pashinyan is a loser, Igor Korotchenko, Caspian Institute for Strategic Studies (CISS) CEO, wrote in a social network, Trend reports.

"However, it could not have been otherwise. It was clear to any objective analyst," the CISS CEO noted.

Korotchenko emphasized that the UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Karabakh will not change anything anymore. De jure and de facto, Karabakh is Azerbaijan. Already forever. These are the realities.

According to him, it is important that the Declaration on Allied Cooperation between Russia and Azerbaijan has been signed and is in force.

"Russian President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev have excellent personal relations. Our common goal is for the US and France not to muddy the waters in the South Caucasus. We will work in this direction," he added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The responsibility for the current situation lies with Armenia and the separatist troops in Azerbaijans Karabakh, veteran and honorary employee of the security agencies of Azerbaijan, retired Colonel Azer Garayev told Trend.

"After the second Karabakh war, Armenia continued to grossly violate the provisions of the statement of November 10 and did not fulfill its obligations. Azerbaijan offered Armenia peace, and Armenia continued its provocations," said Garayev.

He noted that it is impossible to ignore the reasons that prompted Azerbaijan to carry out anti-terrorist measures. After the end of the war, Azerbaijan began the restoration of the territories liberated from occupation. The country is taking all steps to ensure the dignified return of the former internally displaced persons to their native lands, but Armenia and the formations of its army in Karabakh continue to pose a threat to our citizens. The separatists, having held the so-called "presidential elections", have exhausted Azerbaijan's patience.

"After the Second Karabakh War, dozens of our citizens became victims of mines, the last case was the death of six of our citizens as a result of an explosion at a mine planted by Armenian sabotage groups. This is a terrorist act against Azerbaijani citizens. According to all international rules, Azerbaijan could carry out anti-terrorist activities on its territory. Unfortunately, the Armenian side left Azerbaijan no choice. Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that the Armenian separatist troops in Karabakh should be disarmed. However, this did not happen, but instead, these groups resorted to another provocation against Azerbaijan, and six more of our citizens became martyrs. All this made it necessary to launch anti-terrorist measures," Garayev said.

He said that the Azerbaijani army carried out anti-terrorist measures with high professionalism and precision.

"The professional Azerbaijani army was aimed only at legitimate military facilities. According to the footage published by the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan, it is clear that Azerbaijan did not open fire on civilians, civilian vehicles, or civilian objects. The Armenian side tried to place its military vehicles and firepower where civilians were. Armenia knew that Azerbaijan would not shoot at civilians and tried to abuse it," Garayev said.

He noted that the anti-terrorist measures, which lasted one day, achieved their goal.

"The armed units of the Armenian army surrendered and raised the white flag. An agreement has been reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the conditions determined by Azerbaijan, namely: formations of the Armenian armed forces, Armenian separatist troops located in the Karabakh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan, lay down their weapons, leave combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm the military; the formations of the Armenian armed forces leave the territory of Azerbaijan, the Armenian illegal armed formations are disbanded; all ammunition and heavy equipment are handed over; the implementation of the above processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent. This is another historic victory for the Azerbaijani army. Azerbaijan did what it wanted and forced Armenia to accept its conditions. Our country has once again proved that Azerbaijan is the party dictating the conditions," Garayev said.

He also spoke about the war crimes of the armed formations of the Armenian army.

"As during the second Karabakh war, this time the Armenians also shelled the houses of civilians. The shelling of the city of Shusha testifies to their real intentions. Unfortunately, as a result of this shelling, one civilian was killed. The shelling of the cultural capital of Azerbaijan is an indicator of their savagery and barbarism. Armenia shows hatred towards Azerbaijanis, our historical cities and monuments, whatever we do," Garayev said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Some 406 migrants have died among the 3,958 deaths recorded in hospitals in eastern Libya following the passage of Mediterranean storm Daniel, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced, quoting the Libyan Red Crescent
New York, US (PANA) - A rescue plan for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) must now result in policies, budgets and investment to ensure a more just, equitable and green future by 2030, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday
Photo: (Photo : Carlo Navarro on Unsplash)

A baby girl born on September 16, 2023, in Bharatpur, located in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, has become the talk of both medical and spiritual circles. Born with 26 fingers and toes, she has seven digits on each hand and six on each foot. While medical professionals identify her condition as a rare genetic abnormality, her family and the community are celebrating her birth as the possible reincarnation of the Hindu goddess Dholagarh Devi.

Spiritual Significance

The goddess Dholagarh Devi is a prominent and revered figure in the region. Depicted as a young girl with multiple arms in statues, the temple dedicated to this goddess is located remarkably close to where the baby was born. This has added layers of spiritual significance to the child's birth, prompting many in the local community to regard her as special in more ways than one.

Sarju Devi, the 25-year-old mother of the newborn, couldn't be happier. Her brother, speaking to local media outlets, conveyed the family's joy: "My sister has given birth to a baby who has 26 fingers, and we are considering it to be the incarnation of Dholagarh Devi. We are very happy."

Gopal Bhattacharya, a police constable in the Central Reserve Police Force, is the proud father. Sharing the elation and reverence of his family, he sees his daughter's birth as a divine blessing. "It's like she has brought a piece of heaven with her," Bhattacharya commented.

While the public's focus has primarily been on the spiritual aspects of the baby's birth, the medical community is equally intrigued. "There is no harm of any kind in having 26 fingers, but it is a genetic anomaly. The girl is otherwise absolutely healthy," said Dr. BS Soni, a physician at the hospital where the baby was delivered.

Read Also: Testing Your Baby For Triploidy Before Birth

To Operate or Not to Operate

One question now arising is whether the baby will undergo surgical procedures to reduce her number of digits to the more common 10 fingers and 10 toes. As of now, it remains an open question, but medical professionals stress that there are no health risks associated with her extra digits.

The case shines a spotlight on the fascinating intersection of science and faith, offering a compelling example of how traditional beliefs can sometimes coexist harmoniously with modern medical understandings. While for the doctors, the anomaly is a subject of medical inquiry, for many in the local community, the baby's extra digits are nothing short of a miracle, seen as a sign of divine intervention.

As word of the birth spreads across the region and beyond, the family has been receiving an influx of community support, blessings, and gifts, reinforcing their belief in the spiritual auspiciousness of their daughter's extraordinary birth. Neighbors, friends, and even strangers have stopped by to offer congratulations and blessings.

It remains to be seen what life has in store for this special young girl. However, she has already become a symbol of unity, bringing together elements of science and spirituality in an unprecedented way. She has, in her short life so far, touched the hearts and minds of many, making her a subject of both medical curiosity and spiritual celebration.

Related Article: California Baby Girl Born With Just 1 Lung Beats Odds, Survives Major Surgery To Reunite With Her Twin
A family of four was found brutally murdered in a targeted Chicago suburb shooting, jolting the community of Romeoville.

The tragic deaths of Alberto Rolon, 38, Zoraida Bartolomei, 32, and their two young children, ages 9 and 7, have prompted intensive investigations.

Family of four shot dead at home, rattling quiet Illinois neighborhood, not a random incident, according to police. Police in a quiet community outside Chicago who are investigating the shooting deaths of a family of four, including two children, in their home Sunday night say pic.twitter.com/xExjMWPI1A  omobaba (@adisababaoke) September 20, 2023

Chicago Suburb Shooting Might Be a Targeted Attack

Romeoville, a tranquil Chicago suburb, now finds itself at the epicenter of a harrowing suburban shooting.

In an unforeseen and tragic occurrence, Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei, along with their two children and three dogs, were discovered with gunshot injuries in their residence, tragically becoming victims within the confines of their own home.

Authorities were summoned to the residence located in the 500 block of Concord Avenue to conduct a welfare check due to one family member's failure to report to work on Sunday and unanswered calls from concerned relatives, prompting immediate concern.

The startling news of a family of four meeting such a sorrowful destiny has left the local community in this Chicago suburb deeply saddened and in a state of disbelief.

The police suspect that the shooting occurred sometime between 9 p.m. on Saturday and 5 a.m. on Sunday.

Mayor John Noak voiced the sentiments of many, saying it is always distressing to hear about the loss of life, but the demise of children amplifies the anguish.

The incident has cast a somber shadow over the town, located approximately 35 miles from the heart of Chicago, as residents grapple to make sense of the calamity.

Chicago Police Intensifies Investigations

The gravity of the tragedy has propelled the Romeoville Police Department into high gear, with Deputy Chief Chris Burne confirming that the shocking Chicago suburb shooting that claimed the lives of a family of four has become their primary focus.

They're pooling resources with the Will County Major Crime Task Force to meticulously gather any evidence and video footage to decipher the horrendous episode.

Alberto Rolon and Zoraida Bartolomei's unfortunate demise in this targeted attack has pushed the police to request vigilance and collaboration from the residents of the Chicago suburb.

Emphasizing the importance of community partnership, they're particularly interested in any potential video clips from doorbell cameras.

In an effort to reassure the shaken community, Burne stated that there's no immediate danger, prompting a shelter-in-place order.

Read Also: Seattle Student Jaahnavi Kandula's Death: Officer's Controversial Comments Ignite Protests

Chicago Community in Shock, Now Mourning

The aftermath of the Chicago suburb shooting has reverberated far beyond the immediate vicinity of the crime scene.

Neighbors, friends, and even distant residents are grappling with the unsettling reality of such a gruesome act happening in their midst.

Recounting the eeriness of the incident, neighbor Carol Love revealed her surprise, having not heard anything during the given timeframe of the crime.

Another local, Dan Lugo, echoed a similar sentiment, stating, "It's alarmingly quiet. This isn't something we're accustomed to here. The entire neighborhood is undoubtedly disturbed."

The children, cherished members of R.C. Hill Elementary School, had their young lives tragically cut short.

Rachel Kinder, the district's superintendent, mourned their loss, labeling it a "senseless act of gun violence."

In response to the tragedy, the school has taken steps to offer mental health services and counseling resources for its families, ensuring they have the necessary support during this traumatic period.

Related Article: North Dakota Faces Legal Challenge Over Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
Photo: (Photo : OSCAR DEL POZO / Getty Images)

In a historic announcement, Maryland officials have unveiled a substantial commitment of $120 million in grants for behavioral and mental health services to support K-12 students.

This significant investment comes at a critical juncture as K-12 students grapple with the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of crisis intervention for students.

Supporting the Mental Health of Maryland's K-12 Students

The allocation of $120 million for mental health services marks a watershed moment for Maryland. With close to 900,000 K-12 students in the state, this commitment underscores the government's determination to provide essential mental health services to a diverse student population facing the enduring repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate President Bill Ferguson, a former high school teacher, has highlighted the critical nature of this initiative, recognizing the challenges students face in terms of learning and socialization in the wake of the pandemic.

Ferguson stated that the responsibility cannot be solely placed on teachers or principals. He added that community support within school premises to engage and support the students adequately is also much needed.

Collaborative Approach for Maryland's Students

The announcement was made in conjunction with Laura Herrera Scott, the state's health secretary, and members of the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, a 25-member panel that has been working on developing a statewide framework to expand access to services for students.

These Maryland officials believe that the $120 million in grants is intended to provide a range of services, including counseling and behavioral health support, both within school settings and in local communities, focusing on crisis intervention for students.

Dr. Laura Herrera Scott elaborated on the vision, saying that the goal is to create a seamless health care continuum, encompassing prevention, primary behavioral health care, culturally competent crisis services, and ongoing support for mental health and substance abuse issues.

She added that this approach will enable children to thrive in their communities and their schools.

Read Also: Seattle Student Jaahnavi Kandula's Death: Officer's Controversial Comments Ignite Protests

Maryland's Pledge to Mental Health Support for K-12 Student Well-being

Del. Eric Ebersole, a Baltimore County Democrat with 35 years of teaching experience, praised the funding as an initial step towards expanding access to high-quality mental health services.

He emphasized that the partnerships being forged through this initiative will lead to innovative and collaborative approaches to improving the behavioral health of Maryland's students, ultimately enhancing their education.

David Rudolph, a former state legislator and chair of the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, expressed optimism that grants would begin to be awarded by December. He encouraged service providers throughout the state to engage with the school system, recognizing that the mental and behavioral health of students is a paramount concern.

In summary, Maryland officials have pledged $120 million to significantly bolster mental health services for K-12 students, focusing on crisis intervention for students. This monumental commitment addresses the pressing need for comprehensive mental health support in the face of the pandemic's challenges.

It underscores the state's unwavering dedication to supporting the well-being of its nearly 900,000 K-12 students by providing essential mental health services within their schools and communities.

Related Article: North Dakota Faces Legal Challenge Over Ban on Gender-Affirming Care for Minors
vs. Jason Engwer

Jason Engwer is a prolific Protestant anti-Catholic apologist and webmaster of the site, Triablogue. He used to interact with me from 2000 to 2010 or so and then promptly stopped. I continue to critique his material, if I think there is educational value in doing so. Maybe one day hell decide to start dialoguing again. In any event, Ill continue to do what Ive done these past [nearly] 33 years as a Catholic apologist, and if I see that he makes some dubious claim against a Catholic position, Ill respond, provided it is substantive enough to be worth addressing.

*****

Im replying to Jasons article, Does baptism save? (Tribalblog, 9-3-23). His words will be in blue.

1 Peter 3:18-21 (RSV) For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; [19] in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, [20] who formerly did not obey, when Gods patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. [21] Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Obviously [baptism saves] (1 Peter 3:21). Its remarkable that so many Evangelicals deny it or try to avoid saying it. What they ought to do, instead, especially when its so evident what the people asking them the question are up to, is say something like, Yes, baptism saves, but in the sense of sanctification, not justification. Thats the context in which Peter was writing. The surrounding context is primarily about sanctification, such as good behavior in Christ (3:16) and suffering in the flesh as Christ did (4:1). Theres a reference to a good conscience in 3:16, which is about sanctification, and verse 21 refers to a good conscience, which makes more sense if both passages are addressing sanctification. . . . context favors a non-justificatory interpretation of saves (as in Matthew 8:25, 1 Timothy 4:16, Hebrews 5:7, 9:28, 1 Peter 3:20, etc.).

Ive never heard this argument. Its new to me. Maybe it has been out there; Im simply saying that I am completely unfamiliar with it (and Ive debated about baptism probably more than twenty times). Rather than claiming that baptism does nothing except make a public pronouncement of belief (the usual low church evangelical view, which I once held, myself), Jason contends that, sure, baptism saves (per 1 Peter 3:21, which plainly states that, after all), but its only in the non-justificatory sense of sanctification, or an increase of righteousness, rather than heaven-attaining, delivering, soul-redeeming, justifying salvation.

In so doing, Jason redefines the standard (though granted, not 100% exclusive) meaning of salvation in Scripture in order to evade what appears to be clear teaching in this passage. He gets an A for cleverness and inventiveness and an E for effort, but it just wont fly, as I will now demonstrate. He attempts to make an argument from context. But the phrase good behavior in Christ (3:16) was part of an entirely different preceding thought: one of the classic biblical statements on evangelism and apologetics: Always be prepared to make a defense . . , which is to be done with gentleness and reverence (3:15): an approach that helps keep ones conscience clear (3:16) and is described by Peter as good behavior.

As for conscience being mentioned again, five verses later in 3:21, the thought appears to be in both cases that there are things that we can and should do (among many things) that will help form a good Christian conscience in us. In 3:15-16 its evangelizing properly, with love; in 3:21 its baptism: also a good work that we decide to do (if we are above the age of reason). That much is certainly a common motif in the two passages, but 3:15-3:16 doesnt make reference to salvation. And simply because both mention conscience does not prove that the word saves here is referring only to non-salvific (as Protestant believe) sanctification.

1 Peter 4:1 and its reference to Christians who have suffered in the flesh is also a different thought from what preceded it: presumably why someone thought that it was different enough to make it the first sentence of a new chapter, since the New Testament didnt originally have chapters. They were added by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, around the year 1227.

If we are to use the method of searching for related words in unrelated portions of the epistle, we could just as well also search for save and salvation. Goose and gander . . . Kittels Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (one-volume edition) does just that, commenting on the Greek word sozo (Strongs word #4982), as used by Peter in his first epistle, as follows:

In 1 Peter believers are kept for salvation, will achieve it, and are to grow into it (1:5, 9; 2:2). It is the gift of eternal glory. The prophets inquired about it (1:10). The verb occurs only in the quotation in 4:18 and in 3:21, where, with a reference to the last judgment, it endorses both a present and a future. (p. 1136)

Not a word about supposedly non-salvific sanctification there. Likewise, Thayers Greek-English Lexicon defines the word as specifically used in 1 Peter 3:21 and many other verses, as to make one a partaker of the salvation by Christ. Thayers lengthy exposition on sozo never mentions sanctification or holiness or righteousness; i.e., the descriptions typically used for the peculiar Protestant concept and process of sanctification. Neither Kittel nor Thayer (scholarly experts on biblical words, and on their meaning in specific passages) help Jasons case for a sanctification interpretation of sozo in this verse. Its a novel and desperate, special pleading effort.

Noah was already saved in the sense of justification when the flood occurred. His salvation in the flood context was of a different nature, as Peters readers were saved through baptism in a non-justificatory manner. The parallel with Noah and the flood is vague under either reading, but makes somewhat more sense if Peters focus is on sanctification rather than justification.

The analogy is not about Noahs own justification, but about the metaphorical parallel of a physical occurrence in the Old Testament having to do with being delivered and about water, compared to baptism. I wrote about the passage in a dialogue on baptism, dated 13 March 2002:

This is a typical Hebraic parallelism or what is called types and shadows; very common in Scripture. In the Old Testament, when salvation was mentioned, it usually referred to winning a battle, being saved from an enemy, having ones life or town saved, etc. In other words, physical salvation. This became a metaphor for spiritual salvation later on, in New Testament thought (or the parallel between physical death and spiritual death; losing ones life and losing ones soul). So here, Peter makes the same sort of analogy. The eight persons in Noahs ark were saved through water (i.e., primarily saved from drowning). The water of the flood symbolized baptism that now saves you also. Baptism saves us spiritually, not physically. In no way can water baptism be thought to save us physically, so in order to maintain the symbolism Peter is referring to, we must conclude that it saves us spiritually (baptismal regeneration). The symbolism referred to is the parallel between the Flood and water baptism. It is not referring to a symbolic baptism. This is proven by the clause this water, which refers back to the preceding clause, saved through water (referring to the Flood and Noahs ark). As Noah and his family were saved through water, so Christians are saved by baptism, not merely symbolically saved, or doing a symbolic ritual after being saved, which makes no sense of the passage and twists the parallelism itself. Likewise, we see a similar analogy when Jesus talks about the sign of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-41). He compares Jonahs being swallowed by the fish with His Resurrection, after being in the heart of the earth (i.e., as Jonah appeared when it would be thought that he was dead, so would Jesus). This is another comparison of a physical salvation or near-miracle, with an event of great spiritual import. Jesus wasnt saved like we are but He conquered death, just like we can, in Him. We can conquer spiritual death, by means of Jesus redemption on the cross. So it is another instance of comparing an Old Testament physical event with a New Testament occurrence of spiritual significance. Peter ties in the Resurrection of Jesus with water baptism, by showing that the former provides the power for the latter. St. Paul does the same thing: Romans 6:3-4 Or dont you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. (cf. 8:11; 1 Cor 15:20-23; Col 2:11-13)

That reading also makes more sense of Peters references to faith as justificatory without any reference to baptism elsewhere . . .

If were talking about Peters complete teaching on baptism, then we also have the following texts:

Acts 2:38-41 And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him. And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation. So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (cf. 9:17-18; 1 Corinthians 12:13: both associate the Holy Spirit with baptism)

Mark is widely thought to have been derived from Peter, too. So we have this passage there:

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

So Peter teaches that baptism offers forgiveness of sins (a key part of regeneration), brings about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, saves (twice), and is the criterion for souls being added to the Church and/or to salvation. All of this is relevant in discerning Peters overall view. Its not as Jason is contending.

. . . and his references to Cornelius prebaptismal justification as normative (Acts 11:15-17, 15:8-11).

Catholics dont believe that what we regard as initial justification and baptism are absolutely identical, so this is a non-issue. The fact of distinction doesnt disprove baptismal regeneration,. no matter how hard Jason wished that it would. The baptism passages have to be addressed in their own right.

People are born again in the context of preaching (1 Peter 1:23-25), which is distinct from the later context of baptism (1 Corinthians 1:17).

Again, Jason is playing the either/or game. These things arent mutually exclusive. You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God (1 Pet 1:23) simply doesnt exclude baptism. Being forgiven and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) also certainly have to do with being born anew too, and Peter connected both with baptism in the first sermon of the Church age on the day of Pentecost.

Why discuss justification as much as chapter 1 does, with all of its references to being born again and such, without mentioning its culmination in baptism, if were born again, justified, and such in the context of baptism?

Thats a fair question. A good answer might be to note that the Bible writers dont (and arguably cant) always cover every base, every time they talk about a large topic like salvation, in the same way that Paul could wrote all of the following without ever mentioning the Bible:

Ephesians 4:11-15 And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, [13] until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ; [14] so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles. [15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Elaborating upon the point that not everything has to be in every Bible passage, I wrote in my 1996 book, A Biblical Defense of Catholicism:

If the Greek artios (RSV, complete / KJV, perfect) proves the sole sufficiency of Scripture in 2 Timothy, then teleios (RSV, mature manhood / KJV, perfect) in Ephesians would likewise prove the sufficiency of pastors, teachers and so forth for the attainment of Christian perfection. Note that in Ephesians 4:11- 15 the Christian believer is equipped, built up, brought into unity and mature manhood, knowledge of Jesus, the fulness of Christ, and even preserved from doctrinal confusion by means of the teaching function of the Church. This is a far stronger statement of the perfecting of the saints than 2 Timothy 3:16-17, yet it doesnt even mention Scripture. Therefore, the Protestant interpretation of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 proves too much, since if all non-scriptural elements are excluded in 2 Timothy, then, by analogy, Scripture would logically have to be excluded in Ephesians. It is far more reasonable to synthesize the two passages in an inclusive, complementary fashion, by recognizing that the mere absence of one or more elements in one passage does not mean that they are nonexistent. Thus, the Church and Scripture are both equally necessary and important for teaching. This is precisely the Catholic view. Neither passage is intended in an exclusive sense. (p. 16; Bible version names abbreviated)

We could also flip Jasons argument around and note that in searches in the New Testament for the possible proximity of baptism to sanctification, holiness, and righteousness (the overall term and hallmarks of sanctification), nothing comes up except the verse about Jesus baptism, where He said, it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness (Mt 3:5). Thats one instance where we know for sure that it has nothing to do with sanctification, since Jesus didnt need to be sanctified at all. Thus, we get refutations of Jasons view at every turn. The more it is examined, the worse his case is seen to be.

The many biblical passages that teach sacramental, regenerative baptism clinch the case for the Catholic view.

***

Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,300+ free online articles (the most comprehensive one-stop Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-three books have helped you (by Gods grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.

Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. Im always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. The laborer is worthy of his wages (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.

PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. Youll see the term Catholic Used Book Service, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!

***

Photo credit: Photograph by Kai Stachowiak [PublicDomainPictures.Net]

***

Summary: Protestant evangelical apologist Jason Engwer addresses the question, does baptism save?, contending that saves in 1 Peter 3:21 refers merely to sanctification.
One of the first things I bought when I started my magical journey was a deck of Tarot cards. The friend who introduced me to Wicca recommended the Robin Wood Tarot  it was a good recommendation. Robin Wood follows the structure and themes of the more popular Waite-Smith deck very closely, but it replaces all the Christian and Jewish imagery with modern Pagan images and concepts. It worked very well for me.

It worked so well that Robin Wood was my only deck for 13 years. Then I signed up for Dolores Nabors Tarot class, and Dolores taught from Waite-Smith. So I bought that deck and got familiar with it. Again, that was enough  I had only those two decks for another 11 years.

In 2017 Kristoffer Hughes created the Celtic Tarot. It looked like an excellent deck, so I bought it, and found that it spoke to me very clearly. Its been my most frequently used deck ever since, including in my annual New Years divinations. After that I had three decks  why would I need another?

Because Tarot decks can be addictive, thats why.

Shortly after getting Celtic Tarot, a friend was selling some old decks. I bought Aleister Crowleys Thoth deck from her because I love the artwork. I struggle to read with Thoth, but there are times when its the right deck for the right question. And I do love the Art Deco imagery.

After that, the floodgates opened. The only deck I bought specifically for divination was Sola Busca, the oldest deck for which we have the full set of 78 cards. Its very hard to read with, although for some questions, its the most appropriate deck. Other than that, I bought decks because I liked the artwork, or in one case, because I wanted a connection to a story I found intriguing.

Occasionally I see debates about which deck is the most authentic or even the best. Those are silly debates. Older and more popular decks  such as Waite-Smith or Tarot de Marseille  have residual energies built up in them and can be quite powerful. So can newer decks like Robin Wood or Celtic Tarot. But at the end of the day, the best deck is the one you can get good, reliable answers with. Beyond that, reading with a new and different deck can force you to focus on the images on the cards, rather than trying to recall what the proper meaning of that card is supposed to be.

And sometimes, new and different decks are just fun. We can use more fun.

Here are five relatively new Tarot decks I find interesting.

Valentina Tarot

Artwork by Guido Crepax, published by Lo Scarabeo, republished by Llewellyn. $26.95.

Standard Tarot size, with a nicer-than-usual little white book.

Italian artist Guido Crepax (1933  2003) drew his Valentina comics series for over 30 years. The title character Valentina was a fashion photographer who found herself in all kinds of unusual situations, some realistic and some more dreamlike. Ive been fascinated with Crepaxs artwork for a very long time, and when I saw this deck was coming out in 2021 I had to have it.

I cant figure out who curated this deck, which includes artwork from some of Crepaxs other series. Like all the decks in this review, its presented in the Waite-Smith format. Some of the imagery matches Waite-Smith very closely  much of it does not.

While the cards are the typical 4 x 2, theyre considerably thicker and stiffer than usual, making them hard to shuffle.

This isnt a deck I would recommend for deep spiritual questions. Ive had some success using it for questions concerning how the querent presents themselves to the wider world  appropriate for artwork inspired by the fashion industry.

The Magicians Tarot

Created by Brandon McGill. Self-published. $59.99.

Oversized cards (5 x 3), with a very brief guide to interpretation.

Unlike most decks, the images in The Magicians Tarot are not drawings but photographic manipulations. The people in the deck represent virtually every gender, orientation, skin color, and body type imaginable. If youre looking for diversity in Tarot imagery, this is your deck.

This was a Kickstarter project. I backed it because Im friends with one of the models.

McGill clearly tried to make his imagery fit into the Waite-Smith format  some cards accomplish that better than others. That doesnt mean the others are bad  it does mean you have to read the pictures in front of you and not try to force them into a standard meaning that doesnt fit.

Although these cards are oversized, theyre flexible and thus easier to shuffle than those in the smaller but stiffer Valentina Tarot.

I struggle to read with this deck  it just feels too different for me. But the artwork is beautiful, and theres definitely enough depth in the imagery to facilitate good readings  if this style of Tarot appeals to you.

Tarot of the Vampires

Created by Charles Harrington, illustrated by Craig Maher. Published by Llewellyn. $31.99.

Standard Tarot size, with a slick color Codex of the Vampires book explaining the cards, presented in an oversized box.

This is the newest of my decks. Someone was complaining about it making Pagans not be taken seriously (Really? This is what you want to complain about?). I looked it up, liked the artwork, and bought it.

Tarot of the Vampires draws from classic vampire lore, but places it in our time: think urban fantasy, not Dracula or Carmilla. It tries to stick to the Waite-Smith themes and its close on most cards, but they feel very different. I havent tried reading with it yet, but I suspect it will do well for certain questions and certain querents, but not for most. Mainly I like the artwork.

Interestingly, while theres plenty of blood, this deck is mostly PG-13.

The cards are standard size, standard thickness, and reasonably flexible  theyre easy to shuffle.

Note: Llewellyn also publishes The Tarot of Vampyres by Ian Daniels. I dont have that deck, but from what I can see on the internet I like this one slightly better. In any case, if you decide to buy a vampire Tarot deck, make sure youre ordering what you think youre ordering.

The Pulp Tarot

Created by Todd Alcott. Published by The Unemployed Philosophers Guild. $24.95.

Standard Tarot size, with a fairly typical little white book, presented in a box made to look like a pulp novel of the mid-20th century.

Artist Todd Alcott is making a career of cultural mashups. He has an Etsy shop full of 80s and 90s album covers reimagined with 50s and 60s artwork. As someone Of A Certain Age, this hits me on both ends. I remember magazines and book covers like this as a kid, and Talking Heads, David Bowie, and Leonard Cohen are some of my favorite musical artists from my young adult years.

And then theres The Pulp Tarot. I think Alcott tried harder than any of the other creators here to not just make his cards fit into the Waite-Smith system, but to embody the Waite-Smith themes are closely as possible. I havent read with it much, but when I have its been pretty clear  though I suspect it would be harder for someone who isnt familiar with pulp novels and film noir.

Then again, I imagine most people who buy this deck will be very familiar with pulp novels and film noir. If you like it, you can probably read with it.

This was another Kickstarter project. I discovered it after it was finished  I got mine from Amazon.

The cards are standard thickness and are OK to shuffle. I suspect theyll get more flexible the more theyre used.

Penny Dreadful Tarot

Created by Anais Chareyre. Published by Showtime. Original price $14.95, now only available second-hand.

Standard Tarot size, with a card with 1-line meanings in place of a little white book.

I love Penny Dreadful (the original series that ran from 2014-2016, not the 1-season debacle from 2020). Ive mentioned it here a few times, especially with this post titled Im Better Than Vanessa Ives  I Hope To Be As Good As Vanessa Ives. Vanessa (played by Eva Green) occasionally reads Tarot, and the show created a deck just for her. When I found out it was available I had to have it.

The artwork in this deck consists of white line drawings on a purple background. While it follows the Waite-Smith format, the imagery bears little resemblance to  or correspondence with  the art of Pamela Colman Smith.

You can perform cartomancy with pretty much any deck of cards. Camelia Elias wrote a Read Like The Devil book for divination with playing cards. You can read with the Penny Dreadful Tarot, and Ive done it.

But its very difficult. If youre not familiar with the show, it will be even harder.

Additionally, this is the lowest quality Tarot deck Ive ever come across. The cards are thin and easy to shuffle, but theyre so thin theyre also easy to crease and mark. The trim is inconsistent, meaning some of the cards are slightly larger than others.

If youre a Penny Dreadful fanatic you probably want this deck. I cant recommend it for anyone else.

Just read the cards

Perhaps the most important thing Ive learned from Camelia Elias is just read the damn cards. Forget about the book meanings: what do the cards say, in the context of the question presented? I had to learn the consensus meanings first. That gave me the confidence to look at the cards and let them speak to me.

Thats the best way to approach non-traditional Tarot decks like these. Dont worry if the images dont line up with what the Three of Swords or the King of Pentacles is supposed to mean. Just look at what you see, what catches your attention, what seems relevant to the question at hand.

Or you could just enjoy contemplating some beautiful and fascinating artwork.

For those who care about such things, I bought all of these decks myself. I get nothing from the links  theyre here for your convenience. I wrote this post because I find non-traditional Tarot decks fascinating and I wanted to write about these five.

Want to learn to read Tarot? I have a course for that! The first run of Tarot For Divination is complete, but the course is on-line and you can take it at any time.
Microsofts next huge Windows 11 feature update, code-named Windows 11 23H2, has a big addition: AI. Microsoft is readying for the era of the AI PC with the addition of Windows Copilot, powered by Bing Chat. And it will debut on Sept. 26 in preview form before a wider release in October, called the Windows 11 2023 Update.

Its the closest thing to a theme that weve seen within a Windows 11 update in some time. AI will power Windows Copilot, of course, but also recommended files in File Explorer and Start as well as a designated AI-specific section within the Microsoft Store app. You should also expect various small improvements across Windows, both in terms of ease-of-use and functional updates, like the ability to restore apps from a backup.

Microsoft unveiled the new update during press event on Sept. 21 in New York City, showcasing some of these new features. However, theres a small twist: the features that are coming to Windows 11 are arriving first in an update to the current version of Windows 11, Windows 11 22H2. Windows 11 23H2 will then roll out in the fourth quarter as a cumulative update that rolls up all of the new features. What does this mean to you? Not a whole lot, but the point is that you probably wont see all of these features right away.

When can you expect Windows 11 23H2 to arrive on your PC? Microsoft said that Windows 11 23H2 will be released on Sept. 26 in an update to Windows 11 22H2, before rolling out to all Windows 11 PCs later as Windows 11 23H2.

Microsoft said that Windows 11 23H2 will be released on Sept. 26 in an update to Windows 11 22H2, before rolling out to all Windows 11 PCs later as Windows 11 23H2. What will Windows 11 23H2 be known as? Windows 11 23H2 will be known as the Windows 11 2023 Update. The Windows 11 22H2 update is being delivered as KB5030310, also known as the Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-Based Systems.

Windows 11 23H2 will be known as the Windows 11 2023 Update. The Windows 11 22H2 update is being delivered as KB5030310, also known as the Cumulative Update Preview for Windows 11 Version 22H2 for x64-Based Systems. How much will Microsoft charge for Windows 11 23H2? It will be a free update, and we have seen just a single small update feature that is reserved for the more expensive Windows 11 Pro.

It will be a free update, and we have seen just a single small update feature that is reserved for the more expensive Windows 11 Pro. How long will Windows 11 23H2 take to download and install? Though downloading Windows 11 23H2 can be done in the background, the installation/reboot process could take 20 minutes to a half hour, depending on how long Microsoft takes to apply the updates to your PC. Installing the Windows 11 22H2 patch (with Copilot included) took about five minutes on a 13th-gen Intel Core laptop with an SSD.

Microsoft will make Windows 11 23H2 available as a preview on September 26 ahead of a larger rollout in October. Previously, Microsoft has pushed updates via the Windows 11 update stack, shooting incremental code updates to your PC in a matter of moments. But with some of the fundamental changes Microsoft is adding to your PC, its possible that Windows 11 23H2 may be a bit more involved. To date, Microsoft hasnt released Windows 11 23H2 to testers in its Release Preview Channel in one fell swoop, but in incremental updates alongside its more experimental Beta Channel.

As @Microsoft's Yusef Mehdi announces, #Copilot is coming to @Windows shortly, with both a chat-style interaction model for settings and a number of new #genai powered creative apps. pic.twitter.com/1JYTXlZ5o8  Bob O'Donnell (@bobodtech) September 21, 2023

Although Windows 11 23H2 will include fundamental changes to Windows, it will also include app updates as well. Here are what we believe the new features of Windows 11 23H2 will include, based upon what Microsoft has released publicly to its Windows Insider Release Preview channel and then what Microsoft has subsequently announced.

Weve also noted what features were seeing first in the Sept. 26 update Windows 22H2.

Windows Copilot (now just Copilot)

Think of Windows Copilot as a combination of Bing Chat and Cortana: part cloud AI assistant, with the ability to process a few tasks locally on your PC. Make no mistake: launching Windows Copilot requires an Internet connection, and youll have the same, neutral experience as you would using Bing Chat on the Web. (This is in our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.)

Microsoft previously referred to Copilot as Windows Copilot, with Copilots for Edge, and so on. Now its all just one Copilot for your Windows PC, and without the Windows.

The difference is that Copilot appears to be smart enough to help you through a few common tasks on your PC, without the need to dig through setup menus and control panels. When we tested Windows Copilot in June, it could switch to light or dark mode, take a screenshot, and little else. Copilot is more about potential than what it can do right now. If Microsoft adds enough to it make it a real-time, robust help tool, than Windows Copilot could be really something.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Theres one hitch: Microsoft released Windows Copilot as a Dev Channel preview to date, though that might change soon.

We know that there will be an updated Settings Home screen, as its already there now in public Release Preview builds. (This is in our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.)

Mark Hachman / IDG

It might not be anything profound  just a summary of the various sub-pages within the Settings menu, all bundled together in a nice single-page summary that uses the available space on your screen. But its a handy improvement anyway.

RGB lighting controls

Some people adore RGB lighting (especially those who dont have to sleep in the same room as their PC). Some people despise it. What we havent had, to date, is a unified Windows control panel to manage RGB lighting across various peripherals, even though weve asked for it for years. Dynamic Lighting is Windows answer to this longstanding problem.

(This is in our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.)

Microsoft

What peripherals will support Windows 11s Dynamic Lighting control? Unfortunately, this still appears to be a long list of Razer peripherals, but perhaps more will be added soon.

AI-powered recommendations in File Explorer

In March (and then later in May), Microsoft told us that it was bringing AI-powered recommended files to File Explorer. You should see these as a new carousel of images at the top of File Explorer  through with a catch! You have to have a SharePoint account as well, which Microsoft will tap to prioritize files based upon their importance.

While were not seeing the carousel view that Microsoft shows here, we are seeing Recommended files (or at least a section for them) and a new Gallery view that looks like Photos. (This is in our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.)

Windows 11 File Explorer will have a new carousel view in Windows 11 23H2. Microsoft

Microsoft has also been making changes to File Explorer to better show off which files live in the cloud and which are on your PC. Hitting ALT + Shift + P to bring up the Properties menu of a file now emphasizes with whom its been shared. Weirdly, this is where Windows 11 Pro comes into play.

If you have a Sharepoint account and Windows 11 Pro, youll see this richer file preview. An example is below.

Microsoft

Windows Backup and Restore

Migrating to a new PC is something weve all done, and it can take time out of your day. Microsoft is introducing a new Windows Backup app  push everything to the OneDrive cloud!  as well as a new Out of the Box Experience (OOBE) to take that backup and migrate it to a new PC during the Windows 11 setup process. We havent tried migrating from one PC to another, but we are seeing the Windows Backup app on our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.

Users will see pins for their desktop app restored on the taskbar and Start Menu, including desktop apps that were not installed from the Microsoft Store, Microsoft says. Click on the pin and the app will download and install. (We wouldnt expect this for games you installed, say, via Steam, though.)

This is the so-called OOBE Restore experience in Windows 11 23H2. Microsoft

Passkeys

Passkeys are a simple, powerful tool: instead of asking for a password, a passkey can authenticate you to a website using biometrics  weve already seen this with some mobile apps, which require a fingerprint to log in. Windows is promising this, too.

Well, sort of. Microsoft has implied that we should be seeing a Settings page (Settings>Accounts>Passkeys) similar to how Edge stores passwords, where passkeys are stored instead. (This feature is in our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.)

A new Volume Mixer in Quick Settings

I wrestle with the Volume Mixer on a regular basis, especially when I swap between headphones, earbuds, an ANC pair of headphones, or just an old Hardon Karmon Invoke thats now just a Bluetooth speaker. Microsoft appears to be bringing better audio controls to Windows, even potentially on a per-app basis. (This is in our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.)

The new volume mixer in Windows 11 23H2. Microsoft

Theres a new shortcut (WIN+CTRL+V) to control it all, too.

In-field inking for Windows Ink

Its easier to just say what this does. Ii you write cat inside of a Windows field (like a search box), Windows will interpret your inked word cat as you typing in cat into the same field. Simple, right? Thats how you would expect inking to work, anyway, but it historically hasnt.

Microsoft has signaled that this feature is headed to Windows 11 23H2, and for those who ink on a regular basis (hello, Surface Pro 9 users!) this is welcome news.

Our test laptops dont include inking capabilities, but well try this later.

Microsoft

Improved Voice Editing and Controls

Voice editing with Windows is kind of fun. But it can always get better. Microsoft is adding new voice controls (Select from [text 1] to [text 2], or bold that) as well as revamping the Voice access home page to make the list of commands easier to understand.

Microsoft is also expanding the list of English accents that are now supported, including the UK, India, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Voice access (or voice control) is gaining more of a foothold, too, with Microsoft promising that youll be able to log in with your PIN, via voice, if your PC is set up for it. A Windows Settings setting (Accessibility > Speech) allows you to turn on voice access before you sign into your PC. (This is in our Windows 22H2 update build, KB5030310.)

Whats new in Windows 11 23H2

Microsoft has told us which features are arriving within Windows 11 23H2, and some of the features above are already released. We can assume that those below will either be released when Windows 11 2023 Update (23H2) launches, or before.

The Windows 11 Snipping Tool added screen capture late in 2022. Now, youll be able to capture audio from the screen and your mic as well.

Snipping Tool is also adding the ability to extract text via OCR from anything youve captured, and, conversely, redact it. Thats good news for those of us who capture screenshots with potentially personal, confidential information.

Photos AI background blur and search

Microsoft announced background blur (aka the portrait mode found in smartphones) was coming to the Photos app. Its not quite here yet, though. Microsoft will also allow you to search the Photos archive by scene info, such as a beach shot.

An improved Paint app

Paint (Paint!) is getting transparency and layers, a real surprise for an app that was once left for dead. When combined with the recently added background removal tool, these new features now let you create rudimentary composite images in Paint. So far, were seeing this in just a Windows Insider preview, but we think that this updated Paint should be there on or about the time Windows 11 23H2 launches.

Unfortunately, were not seeing the updated Paint in our Windows 11 22H2 update, which is probably consistent with Microsofts timeline.

Microsoft

Other tweaks in Windows 11 23H2:

Taskbar badging: Some people (me included, on occasion) like when an app pinned to the Taskbar shows you what it actually is, instead of an icon. This feature is in Personalization > Taskbar within the Settings menu in the Windows 11 22H2 update.

Some people (me included, on occasion) like when an app pinned to the Taskbar shows you what it actually is, instead of an icon. This feature is in Personalization > Taskbar within the Settings menu in the Windows 11 22H2 update. Wake on approach : Microsoft will dim your screen if you look away, and wake up your PC if it senses you nearby. Youll need a webcam that supports this, though, and Microsoft hasnt really detailed the hardware requirements. Were not seeing this yet in Windows 11 22H2.

: Microsoft will dim your screen if you look away, and wake up your PC if it senses you nearby. Youll need a webcam that supports this, though, and Microsoft hasnt really detailed the hardware requirements. Were not seeing this yet in Windows 11 22H2. Windows Spotlight improvements: I love Windows Spotlight, which gives me new, beautiful 4K wallpaper images daily. Microsoft is promising a better preview experience at full screen, with multiple opportunities to learn more about each image and a minimized experience.

I love Windows Spotlight, which gives me new, beautiful 4K wallpaper images daily. Microsoft is promising a better preview experience at full screen, with multiple opportunities to learn more about each image and a minimized experience. Sharing improvements: When you right-click and share a file, Microsoft is now leaning harder on making files available for Nearby Share, Windows answer to AirDrop. This appears to be in Windows 11 22H2s update.

When you right-click and share a file, Microsoft is now leaning harder on making files available for Nearby Share, Windows answer to AirDrop. This appears to be in Windows 11 22H2s update. Instant Gaming: Microsoft is promising a tweak to the Microsoft Store app that will allow very small games to be instantly launched. So far, this seems to be reserved for Windows 11 22H3.

Screen casting: If you do a lot of switching between desktops, Microsoft may pop up a screen reminding you that Screen casting to other devices exists.

If you do a lot of switching between desktops, Microsoft may pop up a screen reminding you that Screen casting to other devices exists. Emoji 15 : Microsoft implied Emoji 15 (just released on Sept. 15) would arrive in Windows 11 23H2, though it has only debuted in the Beta Channel.

: Microsoft implied Emoji 15 (just released on Sept. 15) would arrive in Windows 11 23H2, though it has only debuted in the Beta Channel. Copying 2FA codes from Notifications: If Your Phone is connected to your PC and you receive a 2FA code via text, Windows will recognize it and offer to copy it.

If Your Phone is connected to your PC and you receive a 2FA code via text, Windows will recognize it and offer to copy it. VPN logo: If youre running a VPN, Windows should show you a small logo to identify it.

If youre running a VPN, Windows should show you a small logo to identify it. Bing improvements: Bing is a cloud service, and not part of Windows, but it will add text-based image creation with Dall-E 3.

Bing is a cloud service, and not part of Windows, but it will add text-based image creation with Dall-E 3. Clipchamps AI composer: This is not tied to Windows 11 22H2 or even 22H3, but you should see an AI-powered creation option if you open Clipchamp.

get windows 11 pro cheap in pcworld's software store Windows 11 Pro Best Prices Today:

This story was updated at 12:33 PM on Sept. 26 with new information from Microsoft and our own testing.
Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijani artist Ayna Huseynova has demonstrated her art works in Motsartplats Gallery in Salzburg, Austria.

The exhibition "Colors of Feelings" featured 40 paintings dedicated to Azerbaijani culture and traditions, Azernews reports.

Ayna Huseynova's art works aroused great interest among art enthusiasts. The exhibition will be on display until October 31.

Note that Ayna Huseynova is a graduate of the Azim Azimzadeh State Art School and the Salzburg Academy of Media Design.

Since 2002, the artist lives in Austria. Although Ayna Huseynova works as a media specialist, she continues to create paintings in her home studio. The artist, who cites the creation of female images as one of his strengths, works primarily in oil paints, but also uses pencil techniques.

Through her art, Huseynova expresses her feelings on canvas using vibrant color, the play of light and shadows.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed a decree on the abolition of the Baku City Administration of Preschool Educational Institutions and Orphanages under the Executive Power of the City of Baku and amendments to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated May 11, 2012, No. 635 "On additional measures related to the regulation of the activities of nurseries, nurseries, and kindergartens", kindergartens, special kindergartens, and orphanages in the city of Baku", Trend reports.

The decree abolishes the Baku City Department of Preschool Education Institutions and Orphanages under the Executive Power of Baku City.

Will be updated
Intel finally took the wraps off its 14th-gen Core processors for laptops this week, powered by the companys radical new Meteor Lake architecture.

It cant be overstated just how much of a change Meteor Lake is for Intel: Rather than using traditional monolithic dies, Meteor Lake is constructed around four chiplet-style tiles: one each for the CPU, the SOC, graphics, and I/O. The new 14th-gen chips also weave in Intels Arc graphics architecture to provide real-time ray tracing with integrated graphics, as well as the latest Wi-Fi 7 and 6E wireless technologies, among much, much more.

So much more, in fact, that Intel invited a select group of journalists and analysts to Malaysia a few weeks back to detail and show off the new manufacturing process, along with key Meteor Lake technology details. And we were lucky enough to get two attendees into the same studio to dive deep into the new architecture: More Than Moore and TechTechPotatos Dr. Ian Cuttress, along with our own Mark Hachman.

If youve got time to spare, you can watch these two wicked-smart chip gurus delve into the nuts and bolts of Intels 14th-gen Meteor Lake in wondrous detail, complete with plenty of talk about what it all means for you. Brew yourself a cuppa, settle back, and enjoy.

If youre looking for Meteor Lake details but cant blare videos (thanks, boss), be sure to check out Marks massive Meteor Lake deep-dive and his separate breakout on 6 ways Intels 14th-gen Core CPUs supercharge laptops. Expect to see notebooks powered by Intels new 14th-gen Core Ultra chips on December 14, appropriately enough  and to see some of them land on our roundup of the best laptops shortly thereafter.
Equity Health Insurance has extended its support to the Redbridge School of Healthcare Management, a Nigerian-based company, hosting a comprehensive study tour.



Redbridge School of Healthcare Management as part of the study tour, presented fifteen (15) senior staff of NNPC HMO Ltd, a health insurance company operating in Nigeria, to engage and interact with the health insurance industry in Ghana.



According to the CEO of Equity Health Insurance, Elton Fedrick Afari, this initiative seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in healthcare management, fostering a deeper understanding of the industry and its challenges.



Equity Health Insurance, known for its dedication to promoting accessible and high-quality healthcare services, saw this partnership as an opportunity to contribute to the development of the next generation of healthcare leaders. We recognized the importance of a well-trained workforce in addressing the evolving challenges of the healthcare industry.



Speaking about the study tour, he said, Aside from enhancing the teams knowledge about health insurance policies, claims processing, and the financial aspects of healthcare management, topped with understanding the importance of quality control, patient safety, and compliance with healthcare regulations in Ghana, the tour provided them with valuable networking opportunities.



The tour had participants visit Equity Health Insurance's facilities, interact with healthcare professionals, and engage in practical exercises and access to firsthand successes, challenges, and best practices to grow the health insurance market



About Equity Health Insurance



With six key pillars of Respect, Integrity, Speed, Empathy, Innovation, and Teamwork, Equity offers product options that are tailor-made for all categories of businesses (big and small corporations) and all levels of employees including individual and family packages.



Equity works with accredited Health Service Providers (HSPs) which span the entire country, who understand the language of comprehensive healthcare solutions.



Equity Health Insurance offers a wide range of products to suit clients needs and budgets. All four products have been designed to offer members comprehensive medical care, including but not limited to hospital consultations, surgeries, dental care, maternity, prescribed drugs, and optical care. Clients enjoy competitive packages that cover 99% of medical conditions including in-patient and out-patient services.



Started in 2017 as Equity TPA Limited, Equity Health Insurance is a limited liability company that operates for its members' benefit as a Private Health Administrator.



The company is indigenously owned. It received regulatory approval in 2020. The organization's ultimate goal is to provide world-class and top-of-the-edge customer service to its clientele while ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible and affordable for all Ghanaians.



Equity Health Insurance was adjudged, the emerging brand of the year and winner of the Product Innovation Award in the private health category at the 2023 Ghana Insurance Awards.

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
Ghana has implemented a traceability system for cocoa farmers to help them export their cocoa beans abroad without restrictions.



According to Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana COCOBOD, this system will ensure the farmers meet international regulations.



He noted that effective December 31, 2024, no cocoa farmer will be allowed to transport cocoa to any European port if the cocoa cannot be traced, hence the traceability system of Ghana, established under his leadership, exempts Ghanaian cocoa farmers.



"If you are exporting cocoa to any European port and they are not able to trace it, you will be disallowed but this system that we have built makes every cocoa from Ghana permissible to enter European port because it's traceable", he told Kwam Sefa Kayi in an interview on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning show.



The COCOBOD boss also indicated that a Cocoa Management System (CMS) has also been implemented to organize the database of cocoa farmers in the country and currently over 700,000 cocoa farmers have been captured on the system.



Another measure, he highlighted, in enhancing the cocoa sector is digitalization.



"We have a digital address system for every farm in Ghana. So, my farm for instance, if I want you to go there, I'll just give you the coordinates and you will drive straight to the farm," he recounted.







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
First Lady of the Republic, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo has appealed to international advocates and stakeholders in the prevention of malaria in pregnancy to scale up their efforts aimed at using Intermittent Preventive Treatment (IPT) to protect pregnant women and their unborn babies from the harmful effects of malaria during the period of pregnancy.



Mrs. Akufo-Addo made the call when she addressed attendees of one of several events organized by Devet at the Neuehouse, Madison Square, New York, on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) under the theme "Protecting Pregnant Women against Malaria: Speeding up Uptake to IPTp in affected African countries".



The event which was sponsored and convened by RBM Partnership To End Malaria, essentially invited African First Ladies to provide leadership to the continuation of the campaign and join as champions, the effort to scale up access and uptake of antenatal care services and IPTp on the African continent.



"Our pregnant women must receive Intermittent Preventive Treatment once a month or at least 3 times, during pregnancy. We must also ensure that they sleep under treated bed net in addition to effective case management of malaria when necessary.



"This can help save the lives of pregnant women and their unborn children. But we must make sure SP is readily available at health facilities. We must ensure an efficient and expanded supply chain system for SP distribution and access", Mrs. Akufo-Addo said.



Mrs. Akufo-Addo affirmed the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundations support for Ghanas Malaria Prevention Programme.



We will continue to educate, create awareness, conduct medical outreaches, provide insecticide treated nets, and construct more primary health facilities known in Ghana as CHPS compounds.



She called on stakeholders to join in the work of upscaling the use of Intermittent Preventive Treatment to protect pregnant women and their unborn children from the devastating effects of malaria in pregnancy.

Present at the event was the First Lady of Liberia, Clar Weah. In her solidarity remarks, she noted that she has very much been inspired in her work in malaria prevention in Liberia by the First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo.



Globally, 1 in 3 pregnant women suffer from malaria in moderate to high transmission countries in sub-Saharan Africa.



Malaria in pregnancy or MiP is a leading cause of maternal anemia and malaria in the fetus.



It is also responsible for approximately 10000 maternal deaths and 100000 newborn deaths yearly.



Intermittent Preventive Treatment, started as early as possible in the second trimester and taken once each month at least three times during pregnancy, can save the lives of both expectant mothers and their unborn children from malaria together with sleeping under a bed net and effective treatment of malaria.



In 2022, as part of efforts to increase access to IPT for pregnant women, the malaria in the pregnancy working group of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria initiated the "Speed Up Scale Up IPTP campaign".



Over 1000 people signed a letter under the umbrella of the campaign from some 300 organizations in 43 countries in Africa, calling on decision-makers to support access to all eligible pregnant women with the malaria preventive treatment they need.



A book with the signatures was handed over to the African Leaders Malaria Alliance at a media briefing and malaria awards ceremony at the 2023 African Union Summit.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
A constitutional expert and Paramount Chief of Asokore Asante, Nana Dr S.K.B. Asante, has called on Ghanaians, especially politicians, to allow the Judiciary and the Electoral Commission (EC) space to perform their duties in the interest of the country.



"Materially, you cannot attack the judiciary or the EC and at the same time expect them to perform their public functions," he said.



Nana Dr Asante, a distinguished scholar, a former Law lecturer and an expert in negotiations and arbitration, made the call in an interview with the Daily Graphic.



"You go to the judiciary when you feel you are aggrieved under the Constitution, so the judiciary must be respected for that purpose.



You rely on the Electoral Commission to organise elections, so you cannot reprobate and approbate.



All together is terrible, and must be stopped," he said.



Encouragement



Nana Dr Asante, who was the Chairman of the Committee of Experts who drafted constitutional proposals leading to the promulgation of the 1992 Constitution, urged politicians, in particular, to rather encourage the judiciary and the EC to do their work without impediments, saying if there were flaws, everybody would see and discuss them dispassionately.



Give them a chance, accept them in good faith; if there is a real flaw everybody will see it.



But don't say that one is collaborating with this one or conspiring with this one, and so forth and so on, and still go to the same institutions for remedies," he stated.



"But you cannot actually go to it (EC) to assert your rights if you think they can still organise elections and, in fact, it has been organising elections for all parties without anything and they should be encouraged.



"I believe that we should give the EC and the judiciary a chance to do their work," he emphasised.



Context



The revered chief was responding to a question regarding the recent misgivings expressed by a section of the public, including politicians, about the work of the EC and the judiciary.



The interview was to offer him the opportunity to throw more light on his book, Critical and Biographical Essay on Nana Dr S.K.B Asante with the sub-title From an African Village to the Global Village and back, chosen by the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) as the Book of the year 2022.



The book is a compendium of small books detailing the distinguished career of Nana Susubiri Krobea Asante (his stool name) as a Law teacher, a public servant, a constitution framer and traditional ruler, which appeared in the GIMPA quarterly, a publication of the institute's Governing Council Volume 3 Issue 7 dated January to March 2023.



Extreme partisanship



Nana Dr Asante said excessive partisanship has been the bane of the countrys development.



"It is certainly one of the problems because it doesn't promote the utilisation of the best talents available," he noted.



"One of the things I want us to do if I had my way is that instead of having this multi-partisan politics  I mean the highly divisive and polarised system we have  I wouldn't mind having consensual arrangement or a national government," Nana Dr Asante said.



He explained that a coalition government would bring all the parties and the best in them to the task of developing; that is, of course, a very, very unpopular thing because we are used to the American and British scenarios which we think are the best.



In fact, if you go to the continent of Europe, a consensual approach or a coalition approach is the order and if you look at the Asians and so forth this has been their preoccupation.



How a political party will win and so forth is to bring the best people to the task.



When Ghana became independent in 1957 the Public Services Commission sent a mission abroad looking for the best qualified Ghanaians to come fill positions, he recalled.



And now, sometimes when people come from the diaspora and offer themselves, people want to look at where they belong, that kind of thing.



So, meritocracy is very, very important.



He emphasised that what was needed for one to serve his country well was commitment and integrity and, said you might have all the expertise but if you don't have the integrity, it is problematic.



"I know so many agreements in international law where lack of integrity led to a disaster," he stated.



Sharing an experience while serving in the international community, Nana Dr Asante said what had made Asian countries such as China, Singapore, Korea to progress as nations was their long-term strategy for economic development and execution of projects.



He said what Ghana was lacking was such commitment, since the moment one government left power the project it initiated for the benefit of the citizenry was abandoned while new ones were started by the new government.



Asian example



"What I admire about the Koreans and Chinese is their long-term strategy for economic development and execution of projects.



You take Korea, for example, according to a World Bank report, in the 60s they concentrated on elementary education, 70s, secondary and 80s, tertiary and they became experts in mathematics and science.



"Let me tell you a story about China. In the 1980s the Chinese Communist Party decided that they would welcome foreign investment from the Western world but they did not know anything about foreign investment or how to negotiate international agreements with them.



So they invited organisations from United Nations (UN), America and so forth and private organisations to come and tell them how to deal with these transnational corporations, how to negotiate with foreign investors, what are the negotiations and what are the implications.



And I can tell you, I led one of the teams and when I was going there, there was a high-ranking Chinese foreign minister who used to be the Ambassador of China to Ghana during Kwame Nkrumah's time.



When Kwame Nkrumah was overthrown, he was the one who handed a note to Nkrumah that this was what had happened.



He then told the Ghana Ambassador to China that a UN delegation was coming to assist us, led by a Ghanaian and when I went, whether I was an African or not, everybody was ready to learn.



They absorb everything and now the Chinese are experts in international transactions, he explained.

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
NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg has warned that there will not be a swift end to the war in Ukraine. Since the beginning of the full scale war between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022, Transatlantic military alliance, NATO has supported Ukraine with billions economically, militarily and politically. Ukraine has made joining NATO it's long term goal, but the Bloc says the war must end before Ukraine is admitted into the alliance .



Most wars last longer than expected when they first begin, the NATO chief said in an interview with Germanys Funke media group. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves for a long war in Ukraine.



We are all wishing for a quick peace, Stoltenberg added.



But at the same time, we must recognize: if President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians stop fighting, their country will no longer exist. If President Putin and Russia lay down their weapons, we will have peace, he said.









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
Ghana's tourism sector is on the brink of a transformative journey with the forthcoming establishment of the Eye of Africa Eco-Resort in Akosombo, in the Eastern Region.



Oseadeeyo Nana Kumi Kodie, Board Chairman of Dadaba Group, has explained the rationale behind the company's highly anticipated "green initiative," slated for an official inauguration in November 2023.



According to him, the Eye of Africa represents a sustainable approach to hospitality, blending luxury with environmental consciousness.



In a press statement, Nana Kumi Kodie reaffirmed Dadaba Group's dedication to environmental stewardship and pioneering thinking. He said the project is poised to redefine Ghana's hospitality landscape, offering patrons an unrivalled experience while minimising its environmental footprint.



"With an unwavering dedication to responsible business practises, the Eye of Africa Eco-Resort has been meticulously designed, incorporating cutting-edge technologies and innovative architectural elements. From renewable energy solutions to water conservation initiatives, every facet of the resort has been thoughtfully crafted to tread lightly on our planet."



Nana Kumi Kodie highlighted the role the eco-resort will play in propelling local economic growth. The vision is to catalyse sustainable development and uplift neighbouring communities through job creation and support for local enterprises.



He expressed gratitude to all project partners, recognising their expertise and shared vision as instrumental in bringing the idea to fruition.

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
The Electoral Commission says there will be a continuous registration exercise in 2024.



In line with the ECs plans to promote an inclusive participatory registration process, they plan to institute continuous registration in all their district offices nationwide in 2024 for a considerable length of time.



It is important to note that this will not be the only registration exercise before the 2024 elections . . . In addition to that, we will identify difficult to access areas and undertake a mop up registration exercise in those areas. Of course, we will rely on data from the Ghana Statistical Service and our own database to determine areas where the registration figures are low, due to inaccessibility to our district offices, Mrs. Jean Mensa assured.



This Limited Registration exercise is an update of the register. It is to allow persons who have obtained the age of 18 years and above since the 2020 and others who had not previously registered the opportunity to register to vote.



It is not a full-blown registration, she added.



The Electoral Commission says it is aware that the their policy to use its 268 district offices as the registration centres has attracted criticism from some sections of the society.





















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
The Electoral Commission on Monday, September 18, 2023 organized a press conference to update Ghanaians on the ongoing Limited Voters' Registration Exercise in its 'Let The Citizen Know' series.



Read attached the full speech of the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Mrs. Jean Mensa.

Your browser does not support iframes.

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
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia says his orientation and life experiences have thought him to accord respect and create inclusive support for all because life is about helping one another.



Interacting with NPP stakeholders in Kukuom in the Asunafo South Constituency of the Ahafo Region, Dr. Bawumia said he believes in inclusive progress and creating opportunities.



"Everyone needs help, one way or the other," Dr. Bawumia said.



"That's why I believe in creating opportunities and giving people opportunities. Many people are looking for opportunities, and when you create opportunities, you change the life of many."



"My own life experience teaches me to be humble and respect everyone you meet because the cleaner you meet today, can be a Vice President tomorrow", he added.



He further said; "When I was in secondary school in Tamale, I used to go to the farm during holidays to support myself. I had an opportunity to study abroad and over there, I drove taxi and cleaned dormitories to earn some money to pay for my fees."



"All these teach me to be humble, to respect people and to also create opportunities for people."



Dr. Bawumia is in the Ahafo Region to continue his interactions with NPP stakeholders in all constituencies across the country.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

Featured Video
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Western Azerbaijan Community has called on the US to assist Azerbaijani refugees' return to Armenia, Trend reports.

This issue has been reflected in the community's statement.

"The implementation of measures on its territory to overcome terrorist threats and restore constitutional order is Azerbaijan's sovereign right. The recent statements from the US side do not align with its position on the international fight against terrorism and its partnership with the Republic of Azerbaijan over the past decades," the community said.

"It's regrettable that the US has taken a biased stance regarding Azerbaijan's anti-terrorist measures, especially in light of the lack of an adequate response from the US government to the expulsion of Azerbaijanis from Armenia, the occupation of Azerbaijani territories by Armenia, and their destruction, as well as the expulsion of nearly a million Azerbaijanis from these lands," the community noted.

"Furthermore, while Armenia continues to encroach upon the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the US side, for some reason, only expresses support for Armenia's territorial integrity. We urge the US government to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Azerbaijan, prevent discrimination in human rights issues, and support the return of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia," the community emphasized.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been conducted in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects weren't targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime were put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
PPP National Chairman, Nana Ofori Owusu has appealed to the Electoral Commission to heed the calls by political parties to decentralize their ongoing limited registration.



According to him, the process which is being undertaken in the district offices of the Commission will deprive many people of their voting right as they will be discouraged to partake in the exercise.



He argued that the district offices in some communities are very distant that before a person can register his or her name, the person will have to travel long distances or expend a lot of money.



He also stated that the current fashion of the exercise makes it very costly and all these factors impede the progress of the limited registration.



Nana Ofori Owusu stressed that all these issues among others were raised at IPAC meetings with the Commission, so expects the EC Commissioners to listen to the political parties' suggestions and apply them for smooth administration of the exercise.



"They must listen and be able to make sure they do what is right and I'm hoping that the lessons that we're learning now are lessons that we can apply to make sure that we go ahead and do the needful. You can't say that everybody is crying including the NPP, at the IPAC meeting as their representative was against the fact that this thing has not been decentralized, so if he is saying that at the meeting and at the same time we have this particular situation propping up; I think it's about time that the EC listens to all the political parties and implement what will give us relief," he said on Peace FM's morning show 'Kokrokoo'.





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
A 15-year-old boy has died after being shot Tuesday in Pittsburgh.

WPXI reported that the shooting occurred at 10:43 a.m. along the 700 block of Excelsior Street in the citys Allentown neighborhood.

The teen, who had been shot in the torso, was taken to a hospital in critical condition, where he later died, officials said.

He was later identified by the Allegheny County Medical Examiners office as Mohamed Hussein, of Pittsburgh.

Jordan Shoenberger, executive director for Abiding Missions, told WTAE that the shooting happened on the groups property.

It feels like every six months there has been something over here, he said to the news outlet. It feels very close every time it happens, and it feels that we still have so much work that needs to be done and so many kids that need support.

No arrests have been announced yet.

READ MORE: Decomposing body found in wooded area in Pa.: reports
A 17-year-old has been charged with killing his ex-girlfriend and her mother in a North Catausauqua double homicide last week.

Investigators called the deaths of 39-year-old Rosalyn Siobal Glass and 16-year-old Rianna Lynn Glass a tragedy in a news conference on Tuesday announcing an arrest amid an ongoing investigation that crosses county lines.

The victims, also identified Tuesday, were found dead last Thursday in the home in the 1100 block of Railroad Street in North Catasauqua. Both were stabbed, and the teens neck had been squeezed.

John Derwin Bradley, of North Whitehall Township, faces two counts of criminal homicide and an additional theft charge for allegedly taking the mothers vehicle, which crashed the same day in Upper Saucon Township, injuring Bradley and leaving a 14-year-old female passenger from Orefield hospitalized in very serious condition. In Tuesdays news conference, Northampton County District Attorney Terry Houck identified the other teenagers only by initials.

Rianna Glass and Bradley had broken up in August, according to Houck and an arrest affidavit. It was previously reported that South Whitehall Police investigated a claim of abuse and a threat allegedly made against Rianna on Sept. 8; in that case, the alleged attacker was identified by the initials J.B.

According to the latest affidavit, on Sept. 13, Rianna texted with a friend saying she was in a new relationship, and later said Bradley was coming to her house. The affidavit says that at about 12:45 a.m. on Sept. 14, Rianna texted her last message to her friend: He wont leave the house. The friend later found her dead, the affidavit says.

Cameras allegedly saw Bradley and his teenaged passenger leave the house around 3:30 a.m., then a vehicle matching Rosalyn Glasss SUV driving away.

Authorities respond to a serious crash the morning of Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in the 1800 block of Spring Valley Road near the Saucon Rail Trail, in Upper Saucon Township.Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com

The same vehicle, a silver Nissan Murano, crashed about two and a half hours later, shutting down Spring Valley Road in Upper Saucon Township, near the Saucon Rail Trail. Houck said it was going very fast and that both Bradley and the girl were thrown from the vehicle. A witness at the scene told lehighvalleylive.com that it crashed into multiple trees and a concrete wall before flipping onto its roof along the road. The witness said they heard a series of booms upon impact and saw smoke coming from the engine.

Bradley was found sitting near a tree. Authorities say a knife with a red stain was next to him. Forensic investigation later determined Bradleys and the victims DNA was present on the blade, and Bradleys DNA was found at the house.

The vehicle was traced to Rosalyn Glass but officers were unable to make contact at the home. Authorities were again called four hours later for a report of an unresponsive woman. Neighbors were stunned as investigators descended on the quiet neighborhood.

Asked about the pace information was released in the case, Houck said an arrest in a double-homicide case in under a week is actually very quick. But he also acknowledged that especially in such a heinous case involving juveniles, investigators must be conscious of families and must keep the investigation as pristine as possible.

You dont want to rush to judgement, he said.

Funeral services for Rosalyn Glass, 39, and Rianna Glass are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23.Courtesy of the Glass Family

Rosalyn Glass was born in the Philippines and worked at iHerb in Palmer Township, attended Grace Christian Fellowship in Bethlehem, according to their joint obituary. Rianna Glass, born in Louisiana, had just started her junior year at Northampton Area High School and was active with 3D Dance Studio in Northampton.

Calling hours will be 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday and Reichel Funeral Home, 326 E. 21st St. in Northampton. A prayer service will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

The family is asking that memorial contributions be made to Grace Christian Fellowship in Rosalyn Glasss name, and to Wolfpack Search and Recovery for Rianna.

Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com.
If youre wondering how Pennsylvanias newly-implemented automatic voter registration system rolled out by Gov. Josh Shapiro in a tour of national cable appearances Tuesday will play in the real world of big swing state elections, lets just say time will tell.

Under the new system, all eligible voters will be guided right into voter registration when they apply for a new or renewed drivers license, unless they intentionally choose to opt out.

Some experts were immediately inclined to suggest Democrats could get a little bit of an advantage from the change in statewide elections.

It does disproportionately help people who want to participate in politics but struggle to overcome cumbersome registration barriers - mostly notably, young people, said Charlotte Hill, a co-author of a 2021 study on the effects automatic voter registration.

Young voters do tend to prefer Democratic candidates (though this of course isnt always the case), Hill continued. So, to the extent that AVR boosts youth turnout, it could help Dems somewhat.

You can by whos for it and whos against it, Pittsburgh-based Democratic campaign consultant Marty Marks told PennLive Wednesday, referring to statements by state House Minority Leader Bryan Cutler and Senate State Government Committee Chairman Cris Dush in opposition, and other releases from legislative Democrats and progressive groups in favor.

But several Republican consultants reached by PennLive Wednesday argued in a post-Trump electorate the the non-registered population may now be just as much comprised of the kind of forgotten conservative who is turned off by Democratic policies.

Still others said they arent convinced the changes will add that many new voters to the campaigns at all.

Shapiro, for his part, acted the part of a political agnostic about the move Tuesday, telling MSNBCs Nicole Wallace: I begin and end the conversation by believing that greater voter participation equals a stronger democracy.

That Shapiro did this in the first place is not a surprise.

Automatic voter registration was clearly a part of the free and fair elections platform that he ran on as the Democratic Party nominee in 2022.

What did infuriate many Republican lawmakers this week, however, is that the governor implemented it without seeking legislative approval, even at a time when there are a number of election-related issues already on the table for joint resolution.

Those issues include the date of Pennsylvanias 2024 presidential primary, whether to give county election staffs more time to pre-process valid mail-in ballots, and the longstanding Republican goal of requiring production of some specified form of personal identification to vote.

The anger could be seen in a missive issued Tuesday by Dush, R-Jefferson County, the chair of the state Senates State Government Committee.

Excoriating the process used for the change, Dush said: Any laws made unilaterally through executive orders  without the full scrutiny and debate that this committee and the legislature are obligated to provide  are the work of tyrants.

Similar automatic registration proposals were introduced as bills by Democratic legislators during former Gov. Tom Wolfs administration, but they did not move in the then-Republican controlled House or Senate.

Shapiros press secretary Manuel Bonder said the governor believes he is on firm ground to make what his staffers see as essentially an administrative change in Pennsylvania Department of Transportation operations.

Dush also sounded off against the end result, arguing that it threatens to dumb down democracy.

Our republic thrives when voters are committed and engaged. By making registering to vote a deliberate choice, we ensure that citizens take the time to educate themselves about the issues and candidates, which ultimately leads to a more informed electorate, Dush argued.

Pre-checked registration accomplishes the opposite  it encourages people to sleepwalk their way into being registered, potentially without understanding the significance of their actions. It risks turning a solemn duty into a thoughtless action, exploiting the system to catch the unwitting, the uncertain and the unintentional, making a mockery of that solemn duty.

Supporters of automatic voter registration, meanwhile, have countered that capturing new voters this way is an important way to make sure that the pool of registered voters more accurately reflects the pool of age-eligible voters.

Many argue those two things have gotten increasingly out-of-balance in recent years.

In Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration said that as of December 2022, approximately 8.7 million Pennsylvanians were registered to vote; but according to U.S. Census estimates, more than 10.3 million residents are eligible to register.

Thats the gap that Shapiro says he wants to try to close.

Not all of those people will interact with PennDOT in a given year. Shapiro said Tuesday hes seen estimates the actual number of new registrants in the first year of the new program will be more likely be in the tens of thousands.

The 2021 study co-authored by Hill, a senior researcher for Elections and Voting at the University of California Berkeleys Goldman School of Public Policy, looked at 18 states that implemented automatic voter registration prior to the 2020 presidential election.

Its results showed that the type of program implemented here, where voters are automatically registered unless they intentionally opt-out, has increased registration rolls by an average of 2.9 percent, over time.

While the turnout rates of all registered voters has actually dropped by an average of 1.4 percent due to the low propensity of many of these new registrants to vote, overall participation - as measured by turnout of the entire age-eligible population, is increased by about 1.1 percent.

Several county elections administrators reached by PennLive for this story said they are cautiously optimistic about the new plan, if only because it wont really impose any new requirements on them, and it could actually help even out the flow of their voter registration business, which tends to surge in presidential election years as people re-register to account for name or address changes.

Under the new system, Dauphin Countys Jerry Feaser said, many more of those address changes should occur on a rolling basis.

Feaser also noted PennDOT and Pennsylvanias Department of State have fixed past loopholes in the states original motor-voter system that at one point had inadvertantly permitted thousands of non-U.S. citizens to register to vote.

Ironically, it was Shapiros top elections administrator Al Schmidt, then serving as a county commissioner in Philadelphia, who flagged that problem back in 2017.

It was not immediately clear if opponents of the new automatic voter registration move in Pennsylvania will try to stop it in court. PennLive reached out to GOP legislative leaders with that question Wednesday, but did not get an immediate response.
For five generations, the Lange family has been a sustainable grower of premium grapes in the Lodi appellation of California.

In 2006, LangeTwins Family Winery & Vineyards opened a winery in Acampo, California, just 90 miles east of the San Francisco Bay Area, to showcase their passion for growing superior wine grapes and creating sustainably farmed, luxury wines.

Today, LangeTwins farms over 7,000 acres in both the Lodi and Clarksburg appellations. The vineyard and winery operation is owned and managed by twins Randall and Brad, their wives Charlene and Susan, and children Marissa, Aaron, Philip, Kendra, and Joseph. Here is a link to the history of the place.

David Akiyoshi, a 35-year industry veteran who graduated from the University of California, Davis, and Karen Birmingham  who earned her bachelors and masters at Washington State before returning to her native California to work at Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi before joining the LangeTwins team in 2008  are the winemakers.

The LangeTwins family is committed to sustainable winegrowing, restoration projects, and using renewable energy.

Located at 1525 E. Jahant Road, the tasting room is open by appointment only.

Its portfolio includes four lines: LangeTwins, Sand Point, Caricature, and Ivory & Burt.

Marissa Lange, the company president, recently was nominated for Wine Enthusiasts prestigious Wine Executive of the Year, Wine Star Award. The magazine award highlights individuals who have made outstanding achievements over the past year in the wine and alcoholic beverage world.

Says company president Marissa Lange of LangeTwins Family Winery: 'Our wines are more than just estate wines  they are single vineyard wines proudly sourced from vineyard blocks we have cultivated for decades [and in many cases, generations].'

In response to that announcement, she said: For generations, our family has been dedicated to farming the land in a way that preserves the same opportunities for future generations and its an immense privilege to be a part of that next generation leading this family business. Wine Enthusiast shares our values of family ownership and commitment to a more sustainable future through fostering the next generation of wine enthusiasts.

Her nomination notes that she has propelled the organization to unparalleled heights and has been instrumental in driving growth and diversification of the family business in both branded products and business-to-business custom services. Her familys farming legacy and her personal commitment to sustainability are integral to the success of LangeTwins, a winery renowned for its innovative approach to environmentally responsible viticulture.

In addition to her roles with the winery, she is a member of the Public Policy Committee of the California Wine Institute.

She took on a variety of questions from PennLive and returned these answers:

Q, First, tell me about the winery. What are a couple of things my readers should know about the wines you make?

A, We are a fifth-generation, farm-first, family-owned organization crafting estate-grown wines, which are dual-certified in the practices of sustainable wine growing. Our wines are more than just estate wines  they are single vineyard wines proudly sourced from vineyard blocks we have cultivated for decades [and in many cases, generations]. The wines reflect the grounding concept of somewhereness [aka terroir] in a boldly vulnerable way through our desire to showcase individual vineyards and the characteristics they impart. In that way, our wines are both accessible and extremely exclusive because no one else can access them!

Q, So many families provide the fabric for the wine industry. What has worked for your family in terms of turning that into a successful business?

A, Before our generation had the option of returning to the family business, our parents created a family charter that spelled out both the advantages and challenges of family business. This charter served to differentiate between opportunity and inheritance and established ground rules surrounding contribution, sweat equity, and market value. We bifurcated our ownership as separate from our employment  and hold ourselves accountable to what is best for the business and our responsibility to our land, our community, and our team of employees [and their families], all of which depend on us. The business is now actively managed by my generation with our parents acting as sounding boards and mentors, offering historical perspective and advice as we face the challenges of our day.

The LangeTwins single vineyard wines are made to express the true characteristics of each individual vineyard.

Q, What are a couple of the biggest challenges facing your business and the industry as a whole?

A, The economic sustainability of the family farm. UC Davis conducts research surrounding the costs of vineyard operations across all agricultural products regionally  and vineyard operating costs have been on a steady increase since the mid-90s [i.e. the cost of annual operation, not the amortized costs of land and vineyard establishment]. However, the cost per ton of grapes from Lodi and other key grape-growing regions in California has not kept pace with increases in operating costs, to the detriment of the grower. With Lodi representing just over 20% of all fruit grown for wine in CA, the long-term sustainability of the grape farmer is certainly a challenge  if not a risk  facing our industry. Other challenges would be the consolidation of our mandatory three-tier distribution system and the resulting market-access restrictions that imparts on smaller producers [which challenges the diversity of products available for retail or restaurant distribution]. And changing market trends. The alcohol beverage industry [certainly in the retail channel] was one of the winners in the pandemic and is now  in the face of changing consumer behavior  experiencing a post-pandemic shift.

Q, Are there a couple of trends that you have your eye on?

A, The NA category [non-alcs] and the potential to deliver a wine experience [rather than a grape-based beverage experience] to a consumer interested in discovery.

Q, Can you talk a bit about the importance of sustainability?

A, Sustainability is at the core of who we are  as to be generational, you must be sustainable [and we are striving forward with a generational outlook]. The twins were active collaborators and contributors to the drafting of The Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing [www.lodirules.com], a set of thresholds designed to assess farming practices according to environmental stewardship, social equity, and economic viability. This 3rd party certification system was also used as the basis for the creation of the statewide sustainability platform of CSWA [California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance]. We are certified under both. Our sustainable practices span both vineyards and winery. In addition to the cultivation and operational practices governed by our certifications, we continue to collaborate with regional environmental organizations in support of habitat restorations, youth experience, and education, pollinator habitats and are now two years into our pilot program to establish a playbook for regenerative winegrowing at a commercial scale [as scale is necessary to cultivate a lasting impact]. Come to our vineyards and youll find drip irrigation and owl boxes, cover crops and grazing sheep, solar panels, and multi-row tractors. We are experimenting with pheromone disruption for pest mitigation, embracing new technologies without replacing the impact of footprints in the vineyard, and patience in the winery toward the end of crafting high-quality wines.

Q, Love the diversity of grapes. What are a couple of newcomers to the LangeTwins portfolio and is there another grape on the horizon that you are looking at planting?

A, With the disadvantage of only one vintage per year, we have actively pursued diversity within the varietals planted across our vineyards in the Lodi and Clarksburg appellations. A decade ago, esoteric Italian varietals were our muse  Aglianico, Montepulciano, Nero dAvola  and today many of those wines are wine club favorites in our portfolio. But our curiosities persist and five years ago, we planted Chardonnay Rosa (one of the few in the United States and likely the largest)  and plan to develop a sparkling wine program (our first!). Next up: Picpoul Blanc. Our landmark varietal remains Cabernet Sauvignon, first planted in 1982 in partnership with Robert Mondavi [a vineyard that is still in production today].

9 1 / 9 LangeTwins Family Winery

Q, I saw you mention in an interview a few years back about working with Robert Mondavi. Were there a couple of important lessons you took away from that?

A, I feel very fortunate to have known Robert and Margrit Mondavi on both a personal and professional level. During my adolescence, they would join us around my parents home to school us kids through a tasting of Lodi Zinfandels (talk about intimidating!). Through that experience, we learned how to evaluate wine, how to speak to its nuances as well as how to appreciate it for the artisan craft that it is. As an unpaid intern at his company, I gained exposure to the three-tier distribution channel and the trifecta impact of brand marketing, public relations, and sales. And as a fellow winery entrepreneur, I embrace what he has often said publicly [and what he many times over shared over a meal]: If you love what you do, youll never work a day in your life. True.

Q, In your bio it mentions your being an avid traveler and serial foodie. So I need to ask Whats a destination you cant wait to revisit and one youve never visited thats top of your list?

A, Ive delighted in urban cultures and have had way too much fun in the bistros of Paris and the streets of San Sebastian. And I was marvelously overwhelmed in the Hawker stalls of Singapore this summer. Ive also stepped off the beaten path in trekking through Patagonia and the Himalayas, soaking up cultures quite foreign to me. Id love to revisit all those places but that takes away time from exploring somewhere new! Up next  something long on my visit list - South Africa. I cant wait to delve into the culture, the landscape, the food, and the wine [as often, the local gems never make it out of the country].

Q, Can I assume that part of the fun of your travels is sampling/exploring the food?

A, Absolutely. My favorite culinary experiences are in spaces or places where the chefs  whether haute cuisine or street food  dare to explore the unexpected. Whether that is presented through new ingredients or in the reimagining of common cuisine presented in an altogether different way. I dont even care if I like the food [arguably I almost always do]  rather, I think chefs should be celebrated and supported in taking risks and I can appreciate their effort all the same.

More:

Future firmly in place for family-run central Pa. winery that already has tasted much success

Winery owner, 37, battles cancer while cultivating family business

Visiting the Pa. winery with a treehouse tasting room, and other notes
There are a handful of wine regions located along the East Coast, from the Finger Lakes and Long Island in New York to the areas around Loudon County and Charlottesville in Virginia.

Not as high profile as those regions but a worthy destination is North Carolinas Yadkin Valley, largely northwest of Winston-Salem and Charlotte, where you can find 50 wineries (with more being built or planned) operating in the Piedmont and foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It provided the destination for this past weekend, an opportunity to visit a few producers and also attend the 18th annual Italian Festival at Raffaldini Vineyards in Ronda.

That area encompasses two American Viticultural Area (AVAs):

Yadkin Valley AVA was established in 2003 and covers 1.4 million acres and all or parts of seven counties, with 44 wineries

Swan Creek AVA was created in 2008 and is a sub-appellation of the Yadkin Valley AVA, covering 120,000 acres and parts of three counties, featuring six wineries

Stony Knoll Vineyards is one of those wineries thats open for business, a piece of property in Dobson that has been farmed since the beginning of the 1900s, with tobacco as the primary cash crop. By the end of the century, the owner was looking at plantings that would give that farmland a new life and take it into the future. Those turned out to be grapevines.

In April 2001, more than 5 acres of vines were planted, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Franc, and Niagara. Three years later, the winery and tasting room opened. Today, Jonah Hoosier tends 10 acres of vines, which have added Merlot, Chambourcin, Viognier, Arandell and Corot Noir to the initial planting.

He got on my radar while recruiting for the fifth East Coast winemakers summit in Maryland on Aug. 1. It drew winemakers from New Hampshire down to North Carolina and featured Hoosier and his 2022 Viognier, which not only won the 2023 North Carolina Fine Wines competition but scored higher than any previous winner. Last year the winery was recognized for the competitions best rose.

And, yes, the state has some outstanding producers as it fights the same perception as many East Coast states that it only makes inferior and mostly sweet wines. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The cozy tasting room, highlighted by antiques and other items that gave the place a touch of home, at Stony Knoll Vineyards in Dobson, North Carolina.

Two other Dobson wineries to consider are Shelton Vineyards, whose owners Charlie and Ed Shelton led the push to create the Yadkin Valley AVA, and Haze Gray Vineyards, the latter being the subject of a 2021 PennLive profile story.

As for Stony Knoll, it was about 6-hour ride from York, mostly on I-81. From there, you curve through the hills of southern Virginia and northern North Carolina along I-77, pass Mt. Airy with its Andy Griffith Museum, and then wind a mile or 2 along rural Stony Knoll Road to reach the winery. Its open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Monday, with those days cut in half during January and February.

There are tables and chairs outside on a couple of patios and, if youd prefer, an abundance of lawn between the tasting room and the vines to lay down a blanket or set up a chair. Dogs, on leash, are welcome outside. Some snacks are available for purchase to go along with more than a dozen wines (a few are sweet with the reminder being dry) and sangria that range in price from $12 to $30. Flights of six wines are $12 and wine is also available by the glass and bottle.

Walking into the tasting room, with its bar across the front, is like walking into a home, with paintings and photos on the walls and antiques in several corners of the buildings. Tables and chairs are distanced comfortably from each other.

The production area was located downstairs, which is where Hoosier ascended from when we arrived.

As he told PennLive after the summit that drew 12 East Coast winemakers to The Crossvines, Guards were lowered and we all celebrated the good but also admitted that there are no get-out-of-jail-free cards. No matter who, what, where, when, or how, we all have challenges and experience many of the same issues. In other words, the work never ends for a family-run operation (which includes his wife Patricia) where you can just as easily find Jonah in the tasting room helping out as in the cellar or out in the vineyard.

16 1 / 16 Stony Knoll Vineyards

One other feature that Stony Knoll offers is a wine lodge, which according to the website was built in the 1860s and needed plenty of work by 2007. Rather than tear it down, they chose to renovate it, and its available as an Airbnb for those looking for lodging.

The creation/renovation of several more places to stay is in the plans, he said.

One more note: If you get to that area of North Carolina and enjoy wine, try a meal at The Wisdom Table, a bottle shop and bar/restaurant in Elkin. This story was written on the place before (sommelier) Jeremy and Krystle Stamps decided to add food as another reason to stop in. The meal was excellent, and its a menu that changes often.

More:

Winery owner, 37, battles cancer while cultivating family business

Visiting the Pa. winery with a treehouse tasting room, and other notes

Winemaker at premium Md. producer excited as he takes over in the cellar
The Wall Street Journal has published a list of their 2024 Best Colleges in the US, ranking 400 of the top colleges and universities on a wide array of criteria - including several in Pennsylvania.

Their study, in collaboration with esearch partners College Pulse and Statista, examined criteria including overall rankings, student experience, salary impact and social mobility - i.e. the likelihood that a student could climb up the economic ladder via a degree from the college.
Driving along Hummel Avenue in Lemoyne, youve likely noticed the former Kessler Foods Inc. plant is all but a pile of rubble.

The meat processing facility and headquarters of Nittany Lion Franks and other cured meats was demolished. Vedad Sahovic, president of Brother and Sister Food Services, Inc., said it will be rebuilt as a cold storage and light manufacturing facility.

Last year, his Camp Hill-based company purchased Kesslers at 1201 Hummel Ave. for an undisclosed amount. The more than 100-year-old meat processing plant was started by George A. Kessler, and is known for smoked and fresh sausages, ham, deli meats and specialty items such as Primal Scream Smoked Sausage and Nittany Lion Franks.

Describing the old plant as being in bad shape, Sahovic said they moved Kesslers operations to their Brother and Sister facility in Camp Hill.

The new 52,000 square foot building is scheduled to be completed by next spring. Cost of the entire project is estimated between $22 million and $25 million, Sahovic said.

The building will house freezer space to store bulk meat for processing as well as a state-of-the-art automated meat slicing operation. No more than 10 people will work in the plant, he noted.

The automated system will ensure accuracy with product weight, so customers get what they are paying for, he said, adding it is also improves food safety. Previously, Kesslers employees hand-cut meats.

The reason is less people handling the products for cross contamination, Sahovic said.

The family-owned Brother and Sister specializes in dried meats such as beef, salami, prosciutto and sausages as well as high-end pates and canned lunch meats sold nationally and in Canada. Kesslers also does private labels for retail chains, distributors, and other meat and poultry companies along the East Coast and in Canada.

Sahovic said there has been little to no disruption in the pipeline of Kesslers products to consumers.

His father, Aziz Sahovic, who fled from Bosnia in the 1990s, started the business as a backyard smokehouse in New Jersey. The company relocated to the Harrisburg area in 2007, a few year after acquiring the former Dutch Master Meats in Harrisburg.

The two companies became acquainted about 22 years ago at the Dutch Master auction, and maintained a bond and helped one another.

We purchased Kesslers a little bit for the name brand and because of the network they have developed. Because we were not retail-oriented at all. We were only wholesale, Sahovic told PennLive last year.

READ MORE:
For 48 years, Mike Herr worked at the post office on the Penn State University campus.

He was known affectionately as Mike the Mailman was an icon to the college community.

This spring, Herr won Penn States 2023 Lions Paw Medal.

Today it was announced that the lunch he packed for almost 50 years has won him another, more tasty award - a lifetime supply of Utz brand snacks.

Herr is the grand-prize winner of the Ultimate Utz Fan contest. This spring, the brand had solicited entries for the contest in the form of short videos and photos. At the end of May, June and July, followers voted for the fan of the month. Those people advanced to the final Ultimate Utz Fan vote. Herr was the July winner and the grand prize winner.

Hanover, Pa. based Utz said Herrs prize is 11 packages of Utz brand snacks weekly for 32 years. Thats a lot of cheese balls, potato chips and pretzels.

In his video entry, Mike says most people remember him working for this very particular blue-and-white post office for 48 years.

If you do you might remember that every day when I came to work for nearly 50 years I brought my own lunch in a brown paper bag.

I have always been a firm believer that whatever you pack for lunch you need to make sure it puts you in the Ultimate Taste Zone. Over the years, I have been known to have all kinds of sandwiches, sometimes Ill have a banana. Every now and then, I will have an apple.

But one treat in the last 50 years has never left my bag  Utz potato chips.

Herr retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 2016.

READ MORE

Get revved up for Penn State Whiteout football game with free coffee at Dunkin pep rally

Utzs new potato chips are salty, sweet and hot all at the same time
The baby names these days just keep getting weirder and weirder.

But apparently, one mother is perfectly OK with her babys chosen name, according to reports.

Australian ABC journalist Kirsten Drysdale welcomed her third child with her husband, Chris. The happy couple decided to legally name the newborn, Methamphetamine Rules.

As it turns out, the New South Wales Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages overlooked the name during the submission process despite offensive terms being prohibited. Since then, a spokesperson told news.com.au theyve since strengthened the system to avoid that ever happening again.

But, like many, you mightve wondered why Drysdale wanted to name her baby after an illegal drug.

Well, Drysdale was heavily pregnant when she was working on a news segment for ABCs WTFAQ program, which aims to investigate the answers to viewers submitted questions.

The question that came up consistently asked, What can I legally name my baby?

Drysdale took the question and began investigating.

She was trying to figure out if the registrars office provides children with default names if a parents name submission is rejected. Drysdale claimed she tried to get answers directly from the office but there was no reply, Fox News reported.

As Drysdale was about to give birth, there was no better time than the birth of her own child to take matters into her own hands and see what happens.

Drysdale then decided to come up with the most outrageous name possible for her baby, thinking the name would be rejected and she would find out if the registrar had default names.

Methamphetamine Rules we thought would surely get rejected, and then when it does, we can find out what name the registrar chooses, Drysdale told the outlet. It was really just a lighthearted, curious attempt to get an answer to this question.

To Drysdales surprise, however, the NSW Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages did not reject the name. The baby boys name was officially and legally named Methamphetamine Rules.

Drysdale received the birth certificate weeks later and was in disbelief about the name being approved.

I dont know how it slipped through, Drysdale said to the outlet. Im not sure if someone was overworked or if it was automated somewhere.

Or possibly, maybe they thought Methamphetamine was a Greek name. They havent really given us a clear answer, she added.

As it turns out, the registrar admitted that it was highly unusual, labeling the slip-up as a rare oversight. Thankfully, Drysdales sons normal name should be approved any day now.

The registry has since strengthened its processes in response to this highly unusual event, a spokesperson told the outlet. The vast majority of parents do not choose a name for their newborn baby that is obscene, offensive or contrary to the public interest.

Baby Meths real name Im not publicly disclosing it, because I dont want it to be attached to this, Drysdale laughed. Its a beautiful name and I can tell you has nothing to do with class A drugs.

We think itll be a very unique 21st birthday present to tell him this story, she added.

Now, you can say Drysdale is perfectly OK with her babys chosen name.

Read more via News.com.au.

Read More:
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Yeni Shafak, an influential Turkish daily newspaper, has published an article about the results of the anti-terrorist activities the Azerbaijani Army has carried out in Karabakh on September 19-20, Trend reports.

"For months, Azerbaijan has been actively pursuing a peace agreement with Armenia, aiming to guide both countries towards a new era of cooperation and progress in light of the changed dynamics following the second Karabakh war. This endeavor seeks to elevate both countries to a higher level characterized by peace, growth, and development.

Azerbaijan pursued these objectives primarily through diplomatic means, concurrently engaging in the process of reclaiming its liberated territories from occupation while also quelling sporadic artillery fire from Armenian armed forces.

Nonetheless, a single misstep has the potential to undo all the long-term efforts undertaken.

At 04:30 (GMT+4) on September 19, 2023, a terrorist attack occurred near the village of Taghavard in the Khojavand district. A KAMAZ truck transporting personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan was struck by an explosion caused by a mine that had been previously planted by unauthorized Armenian armed groups. Notably, these groups had not withdrawn from Azerbaijani territory, despite the provisions outlined in the trilateral agreement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia following the second Karabakh War in 2020.

Consequently, Azerbaijan initiated anti-terror measures aimed at addressing the presence of unauthorized Armenian forces and remnants of the Armenian armed forces in Karabakh.

As a result, in under 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Army has managed to take control of more than 90 combat positions of the Armenian armed forces units. At the same time, seven combat vehicles, one tank, four mortars, and two infantry fighting vehicles were captured as trophies from the Armenian armed forces units.

Thus, on September 20, at 13:00 (GMT+4), and agreement has been reached to stop the anti-terrorist activities under several terms.

First, the units of Armenia's armed forces deployed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, as well as illegal armed groups, are required to relinquish their weaponry, vacate their combat positions and military bases, and undergo thorough disarmament. Concurrently, the surrender of all ammunition and heavy military equipment is enforced. At the same time, the implementation of the aforementioned procedure should be coordinated with the presence of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, temporarily stationed in Karabakh.

Moreover, tomorrow the representatives of Karabakh Armenians are expected to meet with Azerbaijani officials in the city of Yevlakh to discuss the reintegration process.

Azerbaijan has consistently emphasized that the sole prerequisite is for the Karabakh separatists to disarm and vacate the area, without any unnecessary delays. However, the separatists initially declined this offer. It's only now, with less than 24 hours elapsed since the Azerbaijani Army decisively altered the course of events, that they are willing to engage in negotiations. Consequently, all the speculations surrounding the so-called "humanitarian crisis" in Khankendi and the false propaganda aimed at discrediting Azerbaijan have been rendered ineffectual by the resolute actions of the victorious Azerbaijani Army," the article reads.
Pa. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman announced $15.45 million in infrastructure funding for Harrisburg International Airport (HIA) and the Lancaster Airport as part of the Airport Improvement Program.

HIA, in Lower Swatara Township near Middletown, will receive $9,776,896 from the U.S. Department of Transportation, according to a press release sent out Wednesday. Lancaster Airport, located several miles north of the citys Downtown Business District, can expect $5,679,209 in funding.

These awards for south central Pennsylvanias airports add to the consistent flow of much-needed funds to serve travelers in one of the fastest growing regions in Pennsylvania, said Casey. Rehabilitating runways and expanding tarmacs will make these two airports safer and more efficient. A safe, effective airport means a better experience for travelers and greater investment in the regions economy.

HIAs funding will be used to expand the airports apron, where planes are parked and boarded, and Lancaster Airport will make improvements to its runway.

Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, February 25, 2016, aerial photo. Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com PENNLIVE.COMPENNLIVE.COM

This funding, combined with additional investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is making sure airports across Pennsylvania can serve our local communities, said Fetterman. Its an honor to join with my colleagues to announce this important funding.

HIA has received $48,399,009 in federal funding since 2021 and Lancaster Airport has received $10,293,979 in the same timeframe, the release said.

READ MORE:

U.S. will produce, mail out free COVID-19 tests again

Are these the best colleges in the US? How Pa. colleges rank - and where to find the best value
A K9 who worked with the Newberry Township Police Department died Tuesday evening, according to multiple reports.

The 5-year-old dog, Zar, was a Belgian Malinois and German Shepherd mix, Ted Czech, the York County Office of Emergency Managements spokesperson, told abc27.

Police say Zar did not die while on duty and he was taken to the Newberry Animal Emergency Center, according to abc27.

Officers and colleagues greeted Zar at the animal hospital and lined the entrance in his honor, according to CBS21.

It is not clear what caused Zars death, but more details are expected to be released in the coming days.

READ MORE:

Temple University acting president dies after collapsing on stage

Woman killed, two injured in central Pa. fire: coroner
As chaos within the Republican ranks of the GOP-controlled U.S. House pushes the federal government closer to a shutdown, Democratic Sen. John Fetterman has offered the opposition a sartorial olive branch.

On Wednesday, Fetterman, who has been the target of Republican attacks over his insistence on wearing shorts and hoodies in Congress rather than suits, made a unique proposal.

If those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut our government down, and fully support Ukraine, then I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week, Fetterman said in a statement.

Jagoffs, for those not from western Pennsylvania, is a Pittsburgh slang word for jerks (or worse).

If those jagoffs in the House stop trying to shut our government down, and fully support Ukraine, then I will save democracy by wearing a suit on the Senate floor next week.  Senator John Fetterman (@SenFettermanPA) September 20, 2023

Fettermans offer comes amid a barrage of Republican criticism over a change in the Senate dress code seemingly to accommodate his disdain for suits, criticism that he has more than happily responded to via social media.

Former U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, an Allegheny County Democrat, shared his support for Fetterman via Twitter/X on Tuesday and took a shot at House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz, a McCarthy critic, in the process.

I would have worn a top hat and tails onto the House floor every day if it made Kevin McCarthy and Matt Gaetz any better at their jobs, but it would not have, Lamb wrote. The fixation on Sen. Fetterman is purely a distraction from yet another looming, disastrous, pointless shutdown.
To mark Hispanic Heritage Month - Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 - PennLive is showcasing residents from central Pennsylvania who represent the thriving and dynamic Latino community in the region.

Educators, elected officials, social advocates, business entrepreneurs, artists and writers, the men and women featured, embody the contributions of Latinos and the cultural legacy that informs their work and identity.

Whether we use Hispanic or Latino, both terms convey the diverse cultural and ethnic community that claims ancestry from about two dozen countries - and one territory - including Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Spain.

Pennsylvanias Latino community has seen explosive growth in recent years.

In fact, the growth of the Latino community in Pennsylvania between 2010 and 2020 far outpaced that of the whole state and offset declines in population of other groups. U.S. Census numbers show that Pennsylvanias population grew 2.4% in that time frame; while its Latino population grew 45.8%.

The Pew Research Center found that of the 12 states with at least 1 million Hispanics, Pennsylvania saw the fastest Latino population growth during the last decade.

Our profiles represent just a sliver of the myriad strands that make up the fabric of Latino community and its contribution to Pennsylvania.

We asked our subjects how being Latino influences their life and the work they do.

Samuel and Maria Mejia, owners of Las Delicias Restaurant in Harrisburg. Aug.22, 2023. Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com

Samuel and Maria Mejia

Samuel and Maria Mejia own Las Delicias, one of the first Latino restaurants to open in Harrisburg. They moved here from New York City nearly 22 years ago to be close to family (Maria lived here as a child) and ended up opening the restaurant, which reflects their heritages - Samuel is from the Dominican Republic and Maria from Puerto Rico.

How does being a Latino influence your life and the work you do?

We provide a spot for Latinos and others to enjoy flavorful Dominican and Puerto Rican food, including empanadas, roast pork and Spanish rice. Clientele ranges from people driving in from the West Shore to a cross-section of the population, many whom come for the community atmosphere and home-cooked food.

We get people from Columbia, Venezuela, and a lot of Dominicans moving here from out of the area. Weve been known for so long, we have our people who come back all of the time. They always go and try other restaurants, but they always end up coming back. We use all-natural ingredients including peppers, seasonings, cilantro and garlic in our recipes. Its basically like home-cooked meals everyday. The roast pork is our little secret. One of the best foods from Puerto Rico is the pork.

Our customers relate to the language and the food. Its like cooking at home, but if I dont feel like cooking, Im going to go get some home-cooked foods at Las Delicias. They love the flavors; they love the food. Go on Google and read the reviews. We are just proud to be who we are, and make sure our kids pick up the language and our culture and everything.

George Fernandez is President & CEO of Latino Connection in Harrisburg, Pa., Aug. 30, 2023. Mark Pynes | pennlive.comMark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com

George Fernandez

George Fernandezs path to entrepreneurial success hasnt been an easy one. But its one he would never want to give up.

I had to become an adult at a very young age, said the Harrisburg-based founder of the marketing and communications firm now known as Color & Culture. Fernandez arrived in the U.S. at age eight from the Dominican Republic, the son of a single mother.

If I could go back in time, I would not change any of that, because it made me grow, Fernandez said, and my mothers challenges became the backbone of why he started his business.

Fernandez founded Latino Connection in 2015; last year, he purchased the advertising firm PPO&S, combining the companies to form Color & Culture. Prior to that, Fernandez had worked for Highmark doing membership outreach for the Hispanic community, and still works with health insurers seeking to reach that market.

Its no secret that Latinos are leading the population growth in Pennsylvania, Fernandez said, and while many companies may pay lip service to reaching that community, ultimately I think companies need to not only talk about it, but walk the talk and meet people where they are, particularly when it comes to hiring more Latino talent to fill corporate ranks.

During the pandemic, Fernandezs company did COVID outreach and response, including setting up mobile clinics.

My team and I essentially became frontline defense healthcare, Fernandez said, and ultimately administered about 40,000 vaccines.

We helped save lives in Pennsylvania, and thats what my team and I are most proud of, he said.

How does your Hispanic heritage influence your life and work?

Every aspect of my lifes work ties back to my Latino heritage and my experience as a young immigrant from the Dominican Republic living in Harrisburg with my non-English speaking family. I had to quickly adapt to the American language and culture to help my family navigate and survive this life-changing transition.

At just 8 years old, I was the male leader in my family, learning how to break through the societal barriers that made daily living a constant struggle. As I faced the culminating challenges of a broken system, I channeled this frustration into a passion for wanting to ensure marginalized populations never experience what my family did.

The foundation of every entrepreneurial venture I have taken has been built upon the foundation of improving access to social assistance programs through culturally relevant education and resources. My goal is clear and powerful: To help every person feel supported, valued, and heard regardless of ethnicity, belief, or background.

READ MORE:

Hispanic Heritage Month voices: Frontline professionals are passionate about their missions.
The main theme: empowerment. The talking points: identity, representation and fearlessness.

Those were just some of the takeaways on Wednesday as Harrisburg played host for the first time to the Pennsylvania Latina Women Conference, one of several events scheduled for the Pennsylvania Latino Convention.

The conference, held at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, featured a cadre of Latina leaders from across Pennsylvania representing private industry, the public sector, education, health care, small businesses and more.

Infused in Spanglish - the effortless back-and-forth between Spanish and English - moderators and panelists drove home the message that Latinas are emerging a political and economic powerhouse in every state of the nation, particularly in Pennsylvania, where Latinos are the fastest growing minority group.

Panelists and speakers underscored the unique experience of the multicultural upbringing - as Latinas and Americans - that many of the women in attendance represented.

How do you leverage those upbringing memories, those upbringing experiences to stand out in the workplace, to show up in our own power and not allow others to write our story and write our narrative, said Damary Bonilla Rodriguez, a nationally renowned leadership developer.

Rodriguez set the tone of the days conversation around identity and the contribution of Latinas in all sectors of the workforce.

We have to preserve and educate about the Latino culture contribution, said Angelica Docog, director of the State Museum of Pennsylvania, whose mother is Mexican and father is Filipino.

The statistics show that we are the largest minority community in the U.S. We are going to be the ones to make a difference.

The Pennsylvania Latino Convention, which coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, officially kicked off at the Capitol on Wednesday.

Organizers of the event underscored the fact that the Latino population in Pennsylvania continues to grow, numbers currently at 1.1 million residents  making it the fastest (and youngest) growing ethnic group.

Latinas alone make up 18% of the U.S. population - a figure set on an upward trajectory.

For Monica Ruiz-Caraballo, who serves on the Governors Latino Affairs Commission and is the head of a Pittsburgh-based non-profit, the statistics equate to empowerment and a call to action for all Latina women.

She said that when she looks around the city she sees few women who look like her in position of power - and that has to be change.

There are few people who look like me in leadership, Ruiz-Caraballo said. We are not afforded these opportunities. We have to work very, very hard.....Its systemic. Its not something that happened yesterday. We have to be the ones to dismantle the systems.

Ruiz-Caraballo said that unlike central Pennsylvania, which boasts a thriving Latino community, the Latino demographic in Pittsburgh is just 3% of the population.

We have to work really hard to have positions of power, she said.

The central and eastern Pennsylvania regions of Easton, Bethlehem, Allentown, Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Harrisburg and Gettysburg are home to more than 50% of the states total Latino population.

To increase empowerment among women, Kathleen McKenzie, vice-president of community and civic affairs for Highmark, stressed the importance of Latina women being mentors for younger women.

If you are a leader, if you have experience, you are expected to be a mentor, she said. You are expected to impart your wisdom and pull the next generation forward.

Wilmarie Gonzalez, president of Pa Market CareBridge, spoke candidly about the obstacles that many Latinas face in the workplace - most of that driven by discrimination.

We get confused with being assertive and having everyone else think you are aggressive which is challenging and hurtful, she said. You are in a meeting and you say heres a solution and no one recognizes you. Be prepared to go to the meeting...be prepared to ask one question that is meaningful.

Rodriguez noted the continuing pay gap between Latinas and white men is far greater than the pay inequity between white men and women in general.

Latinas are still working to earn as much, Rodriguez said. Thats to paint a visual in terms of annual salary pay gap.

Docog, director of the State Museum of Pennsylvania, noted that the museum aims to be inclusive and celebrate everyones story.

Docog shared her own personal experience coming to terms with her identity. She said that growing up in a bicultural family was a tremendous opportunity, though not readily always recognized by others.

I thought everybody had this dualism, she said. It was not until I went to college that I was shocked and horrified that people didnt understand diversity.

Other panelists included: Edna Benavides, owner GPL Magazine; Maria Alejandra Hernandes, constituent advocate for the Office of Sen. Bob Casey; and Kathryn Hartzell, director of technology and innovation for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.

Norman Bristol Colon, chairman of the Pennsylvania Latino Convention, announced that next year, the state Latina Conference would be a standalone event held in March to coincide with Womens History Month.

The convention continues through Friday with a slew of events, including a Latino health summit, a youth leadership panel discussion, and business and education development seminars.

READ MORE:

Fentanyls threat to children: Hundreds have died in Pa. from overdoses

Fetterman offers to wear suit in Senate if House jagoffs avoid government shutdown
WILLIAMSPORT - A federal judge had the same question for the mother and daughter who admitted stealing $338,855 from a Northumberland County credit union: what did you do with the money?

U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann asked that Monday when he sentenced Mindy L. Plasters, 58, and again Tuesday for her daughter, Brittany Aikey, 35, both of New Columbia.

Each had pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

I hate mysteries, the judge told each of the women who formerly worked for the NU Community Credit Union in Milton. Plasters was a manager.

Both said some of the money was used to pay for drug rehabilitation for Plasters son and Aikeys brother who died in 2017 from an overdose.

Plasters, who Brann said seemed to answer reluctantly, estimated she spent $40,000 gambling.

When the judge asked what happened to the rest of the money she responded: I was very stressed. It was a difficult time in my life.

Aikey was more forthright saying she used the money for vehicles and to remodel the house she shares with her husband and children.

The two admitted obtaining unauthorized loans and cash advances at the credit union between 2009 and early 2017, by:

* Applying for loans using the names of approximately 20 members of the credit union without their knowledge.

* Applying for loans using the identities of credit union members with their knowledge but giving them false information about the purpose and terms of the loans.

* Falsifying financial information on member applications to qualify for loans that otherwise would not have been approved.

* Obtaining the proceeds of loans for their own use not for the members whose names they used.

* Obtaining cash advances for personal use utilizing members MasterCard accounts serviced by the credit union without their knowledge.

* Aikey forging signatures on receipt cards indicating letters advising borrowers loans were in default had been sent.

Brann said in sentencing Plasters to a year and a day in prison that this type of behavior needs to be sanctioned. Plasters is to self-report Oct. 18.

When she gets out she will be on three years supervised release during which she must perform 20 hours of community service and undergo mental health and gambling addiction treatment.

She is prohibited from gambling in any manner and cannot enter any place where gambling is featured such as casinos.

Brann sentenced Aikey to time served, although she has not been in prison.

That enabled him to place her on supervised release for two years, the first six months of which will be home confinement with electronic monitoring. She must perform 30 hours of community service.

The guideline sentence range for Aikey was 6 to 12 months but Assistant U.S. Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur told the judge he was not sure an incremental period of incarceration would serve any purpose.

The amount of the loss attributed to Aikey is $186,815.

She and her mother are required to pay back the full $338,855.

Aikey said she is willing to take full responsibility for her actions and is ready to begin a fresh chapter in her life.
The Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow all of the states medical marijuana growers and processors to sell their products directly to patients, with several senators speculating that the bill could  and should  become a vehicle for further opening up the commonwealths marijuana laws.

Senate Bill 773, which won wide bipartisan approval 44-3, specifies that all licensed cannabis grower-processors in Pennsylvania also be issued dispensary permits, allowing them to retail their products directly to medical marijuana patients.

Pennsylvanias Medical Marijuana Act, enacted in 2016, currently specifies that no more than five of the states 25 grower/processor license holders be allowed to also act as dispensaries.

The remainder must sell their products to a retail dispensary which acts as a middleman  but that system has grown into a near-monopoly, according to lawmakers, creating an imbalance which the bill aims to correct.

Pennsylvanias medical cannabis system is dominated by just a few corporations who control the vast majority of the retail market, said Sen. Tim Kearney, D-Delaware County, and independent growers must sell to the corporate buyers on their terms, or you close your shop.

Senate Majority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny County, similarly described a monopoly-type situation with out-of-state, multi-state organizations coming in to the detriment of these independent grower-processors, that and allowing all grower-processors to sell directly would help combat market concentration.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Chris Gebhard, R-Lebanon County, will head to the House where some lawmakers suggested that additional measures could or should be added in.

This may include allowing patients to grow a small amount of marijuana at home for personal use  or potentially full legalization for adult recreational use, although it is unclear how much support this may have.

There will certainly be vigorous discussions there [in the House] on what shape this bill will come back to the Senate in, said Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie County.

If this becomes a vehicle for adult use, I doubt that it would pass this chamber, Laughlin said. However, I think if they do add home-grown to this bill, it would strengthen the bill and I believe that we would be able to get it through this chamber as well.

To that point, one of the three senators who voted against the bill on Wednesday said she did so specifically because home-grow language had not been added in.

I will be a no vote because I feel so strongly that we need to increase access to this medication for more Pennsylvanians by allowing them the option to grow a few plants at home, said Sen. Camera Bartolotta, R-Washington County.

Likewise, although he voted in favor of the bill to keep the issue alive, Sen. Sharif Street, D-Philadelphia, said it is unconscionable that we continue to do this without addressing the issues that so many patients are having with cost, and the best way to do that is to allow home-grown in small amounts.

Moving forward with Senate Bill 773 gives us the opportunity to continue to work not only in this space going forward but also in the recreational marijuana space as well, which I think will require further discussion, Costa noted.

Wednesdays Senate action was the latest indicator of momentum toward some type of larger marijuana reform in Harrisburg.

Gov. Josh Shapiro included legalization in the long-term financial projections provided with his budget request earlier this year. Shapiros financial plan specifies legal adult use with a 20% tax at the wholesale price, projected to bring in $189 million per year by its fourth year of implementation.

Although Republicans have traditionally been more opposed to easing up on marijuana laws, some conservatives in Harrisburg have begun to endorse such proposals. This includes the chair of the Senate Law & Justice Committee, Sen. Mike Regan, R-York County, who has pushed legislation legalizing recreational marijuana and using the tax revenues to fund law enforcement, including dedicated funding for the state police.
For about 10 days this month, U.S. Army officials are conducting the disinterment of five children from the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School who died well over a century ago and are buried on the grounds of the Carlisle Barracks at the Carlisle Post Cemetery.

The children are being disinterred at the request of family members or tribes.

Edward Spott from the Puyallup Tribe was one of the five children that was expected to be exhumed.

On Thursday, however, when the Army conducted a disinterment of grave E-14 at the Carlisle Post Cemetery, which records indicated was for Spott, the remains recovered were of an approximately 16- to 22-year-old female, not a 17- to 18-year-old male.

The Army says that the unknown remains were reinterred in a ceremony on Friday with the assistance of the Puyallup family.

The Army is committed to reviewing all available resources and seeking new information that may help us identify any possible error that led to this anomaly so we can make the appropriate effort to return Edward to his family and the Puyallup Tribe, Army officials said in a statement.

This is at least the third time at this cemetery since 2017 that the remains buried in a plot did not match the person that was expected to be buried at that location.

Last year, the Army exhumed a grave thought to belong to Wade Ayres of the Catawba Indian Nation of South Carolina, who died in 1904. The remains did not match those of a male aged 13 or 14, but instead were found to be consistent with a female aged 15 to 20.

In 2017, a grave thought to belong to a 10-year-old Native American child actually contained two sets of remains, one from a teenage male and the other from a person of undetermined age and sex.

Before the most recent disinterments, there were 173 children from the school buried at the cemetery, including 16 unknown students.

The other four students expected to be disinterred include Beau Neal from the Northern Arapaho Tribe; Launy Shorty from the Blackfeet Tribe; Amos LaFramboise from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe; and Edward Upright from the Spirit Lake Tribe.

Today, the Carlisle Barracks is home to the U.S. Army War College but from 1879 until 1918, the Carlisle Barracks was the site of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, operated by the Department of the Interior. The school enrolled more than 10,000 Native American children from approximately 50 Native American tribes across the country.

The Army has repatriated 28 children over the last five years and will continue with the next group in 2024.

This is the sixth round of repatriations from Carlisle Barracks, a process that began in 2017 after the Office of Army Cemeteries first began to field requests from interested survivors and tribes.

The Carlisle school was the first of hundreds of boarding schools operated as part of a government-led program aimed at assimilating Native Americans into Anglo-American society.

Loretta Webster, an Oneida Nation member who came to Carlisle in 2022 for the remains of Paul Wheelock, her fathers cousin, told PennLive at the time that the effects from the residential Indian boarding schools still impact Native Americans today.

Theres still a lot of trauma in our community and Im sure in all the reservation communities where children were taken (away from their families). There were families that moved away from the reservation to try to protect their children from being taken, so this era (in the early 1900s) was a very traumatic time for the families trying to raise their children, Webster said. And theres repercussions of that even today, that we feel.

The Army inherited this post in 1918 from the Department of the Interior. The Barracks cemetery is the only one maintained by the Army that predominantly housed indigenous boarding school students.
Hampden Elementary School principal Todd Franze has been holding onto a big secret for nearly a year. On Tuesday  in front of the entire student body  he finally got to let it out.

The school, Franze and other Cumberland Valley School District officials announced Tuesday, has been named a National Blue Ribbon School - one of just 353 schools nationwide to earn the highly-selective designation in the 2023 round, according to the federal Department of Education, which issues the award.

Once we get that banner up in our lobby, thats not going away for a long time. Thats going to be our legacy, Franze told staff and students at an assembly Tuesday.

Thirteen Pennsylvania schools were awarded the Blue Ribbon title Tuesday, with two schools in south-central part of the commonwealth, Hampden Elementary and Elizabethtown Area High School, making the cut.

The elementary school  in Hampden Township and one of eight CVSD elementary schools  was notified in fall 2022 that it qualified for the Blue Ribbon designation based on high scores on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA) standardized tests, according to Franze and CVSD Superintendent David Christopher. The school then went through a lengthy application process, highlighting programs it had implemented to achieve its scores.

Blue Ribbon designations come in two forms  those for schools that have closed achievement gaps and those that have high achievement overall. Hampden Elementary was awarded based on the latter, Franze and Christopher said, although the education department still collects multiple years of test results to ensure that schools arent letting students fall through the cracks.

The work that you do in the classroom on those PSSAs, we are out-achieving the other schools across the nation. We are rocking the PSSAs, Franze said in explaining the award to students.

But Franze and other school staff stressed that it wasnt just a matter of drilling PSSA materials into students heads  the high scores, they said, were largely the result of a strong school culture that fosters learning.

I love the high PSSA scores, but what makes me as your principal and the staff around you proud are the following things, Franze told students, listing traits such as being kind, responsible and courteous.

With approximately 550 students, Hampden Elementary is located in one of the fastest-growing areas of Pennsylvania, with CVSD regularly clocking in as one of the states most rapidly expanding.

Growing property values have given the district financial resources, and Hampden Elementarys portion of lower-income students by state and federal reporting standards  about 27%  is lower than the state average for public schools of around 49%.

But this growth also presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to helping students with limited English skills - making Hampden Elementarys Blue Ribbon designation all the more notable. The school, and CVSD as a whole, is rapidly diversifying, with Asian students now making up 27% of the elementary schools student body, according to data provided by the district.

Over 11% of Hampden Elementarys students are classified as English Language Learners; of at least 18 languages used by students, over half are from the Indian subcontinent, according to information provided by the district.

Its numerous different cultures within our classrooms. The children are very welcoming, and they just make friends with each other, even students who have limited English skills, said Hampden Elementary kindergarten teacher Stacy Hart.

Social and emotional growth has a lot to do with it, Hart said of the schools high test scores. Its about creating a learning community where children feel comfortable.

Even when preparing for standardized tests, students said their teachers worked hard to make sure they were never bored.

We always do a game or something to help us understand, said fifth-grader Hannah Werts.

Werts also said she liked how everyone was included  Hampden Elementary has, for instance, put buddy benches on the playground to encourage students to hang out with those who might not have as many friends, Werts said.

If you come here, you never feel left out, agreed fellow fifth-grader Gabe Prough.

Elizabethtown Area School District Karen Nell said Tuesday that we are thrilled to be recognized.

Im so proud of our faculty, our staff, and our administrators. The last couple of years since COVID have been really challenging for public education. Its just an honor, Nell said.

Its very humbling to watch the work they do and Im just so proud of our team, she continued, referring to teachers as rockstars.

Sue Gleiter contributed reporting.
Many Americans may not know theres a government agency dedicated specifically to promoting peace around the world. But theres none dedicated to promoting peace at home.

Michael Yaffe, Ph.D., spoke at the World Affairs Council of Harrisburgs International Peace Symposium held Saturday at Elizabethtown College and detailed how President George Washington envisioned two essential government agencies, one to teach the art of war and the other to teach the art of peace. He saw both as vital to American security.

Dr. Michael Yaffe is vice president of civic engagement and scholarship at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He spoke Saturday, Sept 16, 2023 at the International Peace Symposium at Elizabethtown College.

West Point became a reality in 1802 to ensure America soldiers were properly trained for war. But it took much longer for America to turn its attention to peace. In fact, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) didnt emerge until 1984 after Congress passed legislation to create the agency and President Ronald Reagan signed it into law.

USIP soon will celebrate 40 years of critical, behind-the-scenes work that has undoubtedly saved lives and prevented conflicts around the globe from escalating into full-scale war. The agencys researchers, scholars and conflict resolution experts do their work quietly, without fanfare, engaging people on the ground in places like Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Haiti, some of the most unstable places on earth. Their aim is to reduce violence by teaching people how to prevent and stop violence.

But USIP is expressly forbidden from working inside the United States. And thats a shame. The skills they teach around the world are sorely needed here at home.

With the political rancor that culminated with the Jan. 6 insurrection, we need an institute of peace to address conflict within the United States. We need to raise a cadre of people trained in how to prevent people from becoming embroiled in political violence and being lured into extremist gangs.

We need a USIP for Americans. But since we have no federal agency focused on internal peace, the work is left to grassroots organizations like those honored with the Peacemaker in Our Midst awards at the peace symposium. They included:

 The Peace Islands Institute

The organization is based in Wayne, Pa., and has a mission to bring people of diverse backgrounds together to learn from each other and to dispel ignorance and fear. Earlier this year, the organization hosted an international day at the state capitol that attracted people from at least a dozen cultures, including many immigrants who have recently settled in Pennsylvania. Its members are actively working to hold forums and community events that allow ordinary people to make new friends from diverse races, ethnic groups, and cultures.

 Brethren Community Ministries

The church is in Harrisburgs Allison Hill neighborhood and its members say they believe in peace, inclusion, and anti-oppression as an expression of Gods love. They want to make Allison Hill a safe, welcoming, and healthy community. They partner with Brethren Housing Association to help low-income and homeless people, as well as with the organization Samara to help families and children.

 The Ahmadiyya Muslim Communitys Womens Auxiliary

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community has become well-known in the Harrisburg area for its mottos of Love for All, Hatred for None. The Womens Auxiliary is the backbone of all the activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in our region, including its annual Sept. 11 blood drive. The faith group also brings thousands of people to our region for its annual convention at the Farm Show, inviting community and elected leaders to join them for a big dinner to kick off the event.

The Womens Auxiliary has taken on a special mission to bring together women of diverse groups in our region to share meals and make friends. Mayor Wanda Williams served as keynote speaker for their recent dinner at the Hadee Mosque on Italian Lake that attracted women from throughout the region, representing diverse religions, races, and cultures.

 Market Square Presbyterian

The church in downtown Harrisburg proudly proclaims itself a welcoming community and holds services in both English and Korean. It supports the LGBTQIA+ population and sponsors many social justice activities to combat racism, help address environmental concerns as well as to help the homeless and poor.

Market Square has provided space to the International Service Center for many years to support its work to help new immigrants to our region with education, employment, as well as in forging social and cultural connections.

And the church has hosted the annual Candles on the Water commemoration of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a reminder of the tragedy of nuclear weapons and war.

Until we have a USIP with experts such as Dr. Yaffe focused inside the country, the work of these peacemakers in our communities is vital to peace at home. Our democracy depends on how we navigate our differences. These organizations show us how to do so without resorting to insurrections and violence.

Joyce M. Davis is PennLives Outreach & Opinion Editor. Follow her on Facebook and on Twitter @byjoycedavis.

Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan is holding a press briefing on the recent anti-terror activities of the Azerbaijani Army in Karabakh, Trend reports.

On 20 September 2023 a briefing for the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with participation of Assistant to the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan-Head of the Department of Foreign Policy Affairs of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev, Representative of the President of Azerbaijan on special assignments Elchin Amirbayov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Fariz Rzayev.

During the briefing the following main points were highlighted:

On September 19 Armenian armed forces illegally stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan conducted a number of large-scale military provocations and terror attacks.

As a result of the explosion of landmines planted by Armenian reconnaissance-sabotage groups on the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road for the purpose of inflicting terror, civilians and servicemen of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs were killed and wounded. Furthermore, units of Azerbaijan Army came under fire from mortars and small arms. As a result, two servicemen of Azerbaijan Army were injured.

On September 19, as a result of a further terrorist attack by the Armenian armed forces illegally stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, two civilian workers were killed in the cities of Aghdam and Shusha, respectively.

Fortification of the positions and units being brought to the high combat readiness level by the Armenian armed forces was detected by the units of Azerbaijan Army.

In light of the listed factors, local counter-terrorism measures were launched to prevent possible large-scale provocations by the Armenian armed forces illegally stationed in the Karabakh economic region, to ensure implementation of the Trilateral Statement provisions, including the disarmament and withdrawal of units of the armed forces of Armenia from the territories of Azerbaijan, neutralization of their military infrastructure, and to provide the safety of civilian population, the personnel involved in the reconstruction work in the area, and to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Within the measures taken, the positions of the formations of the armed forces of Armenia in the front lines and rear areas, military equipment and facilities were incapacitated using high-precision weapon systems.

The counter-terrorism measures targeted exclusively illegal military formations and military infrastructure. The civilian population and facilities have never been attacked. Any claim in this regard is groundless and unacceptable.

Taking into consideration the deployment of military infrastructure of the units of Armenian armed forces near the residential areas, Azerbaijan urged the civilian population to stay away from military facilities. Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan were provided with relevant information via mobile SMS service, loudspeakers and information leaflets.

The protection and security of administrative, social, educational, medical, religious, and other facilities was ensured in line with laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan and international humanitarian law.

In order to ensure the evacuation of the population from the dangerous areas, humanitarian corridors and stations were established on the Lachin road and other directions.

Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated that the continuation of deployment of units of the armed forces of Armenia in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan runs contrary to the provisions of the Trilateral Statement of November 10, 2020, and thus is a serious threat to regional peace and stability.

The only way to achieve peace and stability in the region is the unconditional and complete withdrawal of the Armenian armed forces from the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and the dissolution of the illegal puppet regime.

Any military presence in the sovereign territories of Azerbaijan in violation of international law is a serious threat to regional peace and security, and Azerbaijans actions are aimed exclusively at disbanding these illegal forces and dissolution of the puppet regime.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh region of Azerbaijan through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on complete ceasefire and the local anti-terrorist measures were halted on September 20, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

According to the agreement, the formations of the Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian armed groups located in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan must lay down their weapons, surrender military equipment, and withdraw from their combat positions and military posts.

The implementation of the agreement will be carried out in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.

A meeting with the representatives of Armenian residents living in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan will be held on September 21, 2023 in the city of Yevlakh, Azerbaijan, to discuss the reintegration issues in the framework of the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Newfoundland and Labrador's ocean marine polytechnic threw open its "proverbial doors" last year to the company that owned the doomed Titan submersible, which suffered a catastrophic implosion on a descent to the Titanic shipwreck in June, killing all five people on board. Debris from the Titan submersible, recovered from the ocean floor near the wreck of the Titanic, is unloaded from the ship Horizon Arctic at the Canadian Coast Guard pier in St. Johns on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijani people were ethnically cleansed from Karabakh, and today they are a small minority there, Hananya Naftali, a leading Israeli Jewish influencer and human rights activist in the fight against antisemitism, said, Trend reports.

"The media may tell you one side, but Azerbaijan is fighting terrorism, not people. Ask yourselves, why Azerbaijani population in Karabakh used to be around 23 percent in 1989 and today it's less than 5 percent," he wrote on his page on X (Twitter).

Meanwhile, on September 19, Azerbaijan has launched anti-terrorist measures in Karabakh to completely expel the remnants of the illegal Armenian armed groups from those territories.

As a result, in less than 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Army has managed to take control of more than 90 combat positions of the Armenian armed forces units. At the same time, seven combat vehicles, one tank, four mortars, and two infantry fighting vehicles were captured as trophies from the Armenian armed forces units.

Thus, on September 20, at 13:00 (GMT+4), and agreement has been reached to stop the anti-terrorist activities.
Rob Mercer Admits to Lying About Cancer Diagnosis, Denies Scamming Poker Community

September 20, 2023 Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S.

Following text messages and an admission to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rob Mercer, who is alleged to have conned his way to thousands of dollars in donations after he revealed that he has terminal cancer, lied about his cancer diagnosis to the poker community.

According to a text message sent to and released by Cody Daniels, who really is terminally ill, Mercer hasn't actually been diagnosed by a doctor with any form of cancer.

Poker Community Exposes Rob Mercer

Hustler Casino Live co-founder Nick Vertucci and Poker Twitter Spaces host "SnoopDoug" both played key roles in helping Mercer's dream come true. But they've both recently changed course and admitted they were duped by the supposed cancer patient.

Vertucci spoke about the alleged scam on his own YouTube podcast, while SnoopDoug appeared on the PokerFlops channel.

Over the past few weeks, SnoopDoug exposed the apparent scam on "The Alternative Space," his own Twitter Spaces show. Immediately after doing so, the poker player who claimed to have Stage 4 colon cancer deleted his account and has been unresponsive to text messages since. Attempts by PokerNews to reach him have been unsuccessful.

"I should have vetted him in the beginning, but this was something I'd never dealt with in the past," SnoopDoug admitted to PokerFlops. "It just feels weird asking someone you think is dying for proof."

Coming Clean

If there was any doubt left as to Vertucci and SnoopDoug's claims about the supposed colon cancer patient, there likely aren't many left following text messages SnoopDoug shared via Daniels on Wednesday, along with a damaging confession to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

I did lie about having colon cancer. I dont have colon cancer. I used that to cover my situation, Mercer told the LVRJ via a phone conversation. What I did was wrong. I shouldnt have told people I have colon cancer. I did that just as a spur-of-the-moment thing when someone asked me what kind of cancer I had."

Daniels, who played on Hustler Casino Live and has become a beloved poker player the community has rallied behind, also played in the 2023 WSOP Main Event thanks to some generous donations. He struck up a friendship with Mercer on the basis that he assumed Mercer was going through the same health issues as him.

Mercer, however, admitted in a lengthy text message that he never was diagnosed with colon cancer. Instead, as he claims, he has "male breast cancer" and was too ashamed to admit that publicly, as if that's something to be embarrassed about. Daniels sent the text message to SnoopDoug, who then released them on X.

Not only is Mercer apparently afraid to admit his condition, but he doesn't actually know if he's suffering from anything severe as he wrote, "I most likely have male breast cancer." According to the now public chat, he claims he "never wanted to set foot in a doctors room again" because he is "too afraid to be told by a doctor that I was dying."

So, he doesn't know if he's seriously ill, and judging by the comments on SnoopDoug's tweet, many poker fans aren't buying any bit of his story.

Mercer received thousands of dollars in donations. He denies being a scammer and admits that deleting his social media accounts "makes me look like a guilty person."

The poker player confirmed with the Las Vegas Review-Journal that a representative with GoFundMe contacted him for violating its terms of service. He said he has no plans to pay back the estimated $40,000 back because, per the LVRJ, he believes he really does have breast cancer, albeit undiagnosed.

Obviously I was just trying to keep up with my story, Mercer told the LVRJ. I didnt want to get exposed because it looks bad. It does look bad. I lied. Im not going to deny that. I lied. I should have just been transparent and comfortable with what is going on with me and tell people what was happening.

In the message to Daniels, Mercer claims he doesn't know how much time he has left given his undiagnosed illness, but said "it could be months" or more. Are you buying his story? Vote in the poll below and let us know your thoughts.

*Image credit PokerFlops YouTube channel.

Sharelines It turns out that Rob Mercer is an apparent scammer and doesn't really have cancer.
The Big Wrap Series Proves King's Resort is THE Place For PLO Action in Europe

September 20, 2023 Matthew Pitt Senior Editor

In a world where No-Limit Hold'em dominates the landscape, it is brilliant to see the likes of King's Resort bucking the trend and offering massive Pot-Limit Omaha events. The Big Wrap series, which wrapped up this week (pardon the pun) proves that King's Resort is the destination for PLO tournaments in Europe.

The 5,000 buy-in Big Wrap 5K PLO Master served as the opening event for the week-long series and was a sign of things to come. By the time the registration desk slammed shut, the 128 entrants had created a guarantee-busting 583,680 prize pool. Finnish superstar Joni Jouhkimainen was the player who emerged victoriously from the intense battle, doing so with 154,900 to show for his efforts.

The Schedules are Out for the 2023 WSOP Europe and International Circuit Tour Check out the schedules

The Big Wrap Diamond 10K PLO High Roller exceeded all expectations, drawing in 143 unique entrant, who purchased 78 re-entries between them. Before you clamber for your calculators to work out the prize pool, let PokerNews tell you that those entrants fought tooth and nail for a slice of a cool 2,036,515, making this tournament the richest PLO tournament ever held in Europe.

Of course, with such a massive purse offered, the Diamond 10K PLO High Roller attracted the attention of some of the biggest names in world poker. The field read like a who's who of the high-stakes and nosebleed-stakes PLO scene. Ronny Kaiser, Martin Kabrhel, Harry Casagrande, the 2019 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event champion Hossein Ensan, and this year's WSOP Main Event finalist Jan-Peter Jachtmann were in attendance.

King's Resort owner Leon Tsoukernik was one of the Diamond High Roller entrants

Such luminaries as the legendary Antanas "Tony G" Guoga, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, and Mr. PLO himself, Leon Tsoukernik joined the battle for supremacy in Europe's biggest card room. Of those superstars mentioned, Jachtmann went the deepest, eventually falling in seventh place for 77,500.

With Jachtmann done and dusted, the remaining six players locked in a six-figure score. Vasil Medarov (105,000), Cai Lin Jin (135,500), and Alex Livingston (170,000) were the first trio of PLO grinders to bank more than 100,000 for this record-breaking tournament.

Sweden's Anton Suarez (211,000) bowed out in third before China's Quan Zhou defeated flying Finn Eelis Parssinen (327,000) to capture the title of champion plus 500,000 in prize money.

The Big Wrap PLO Results

Quan Zhou banked 500,000 for his impressive victory

Event Buy-in Entrants Prize Pool Champion Prize Big Wrap 5K PLO Master 5,000 128 583,680 Joni Jouhkimainen 154,900 Big Wrap Diamond 10K PLO High Roller 10,000 221 2,036,515 Quan Zhou 500,000 Big Wrap 2K 5-Card PLO Knockout 2,200 146 131,400 Eran Carmi 28,940 Big Wrap 2K PLO Main Event 2,350 316 660,440 Dorel Eldabach 132,400 Big Wrap Platinum 10K PLO High Roller 10,000 95 1,000,000 Filip Lovric 261,250 Big Wrap 1K PLO One Day 1,100 42 39,900 Nuran Karasu 13,437

More PLO Action Heads to King's Resort

There are many more opportunities to get your PLO grind on at King's Resort over the next few months thanks to the WSOP International Circuit being in Rozvadoz between September 20 and October 10. Almost immediately after that festival wraps up, the 2023 WSOP Europe festival takes place from October 25 through November 15. Be sure to follow all of the WSOP Europe action right here at PokerNews.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Reps. Adam Schiff and Hank Johnson have introduced legislation that would allow Supreme Court justices to keep their lifetime appointments but be limited to 18 years on the high court.

The legislation titled the TERM Act would:

Establish terms of 18 years in regular active service for Supreme Court justices, after which justices who retain the office will assume senior status;

Establish regular nominations of Supreme Court justices in the first and third years following a presidential election as the sole means of Supreme Court appointments;

Require current justices to assume senior status in order of length of service on the Court as regularly appointed justices receive their commissions;

Preserve life tenure by ensuring that senior justices retired from regular active service continue to hold the office of Supreme Court justice, including official duties and compensation; and

Require a randomly-selected senior status Supreme Court justice to fill in on the Court if the number of justices in regular active service falls below nine.

Rep. Schiff said, Implementing term limits for Supreme Court Justices is a critical step towards restoring the nations faith in our justice system and protecting Americans fundamental rights and freedoms. Term limits will ensure that an entire generation of Americans will not suffer a further loss of their freedoms under a reactionary and partisan Supreme Court and that no future Senate Leader can stack the Court the way McConnell did.

While the legislation has no chance of passing in the current Republican House majority, the TERM Act will be a top priority for Democrats if they win back the House next year.

Rep. Johnson said, Our system is broken, and Congress must act if we are to save freedom, liberty, and democracy for all. This year, Ive introduced several judicial reformsincluding the Judiciary Act to expand the Court and the Supreme Court Ethics Recusal and Transparency Actand today I am proud to introduce another crucial part of the Court Reform package: the Supreme Court Tenure Establishment and Retirement Modernization Act of 2023, also known as the TERM Act.

The conservative majority on the Supreme Court has been engaging in behavior that ranges from unethical to corrupt, and if Democrats return to having entire control of the federal government, Supreme Court reform, along with voting rights legislation, should be at the top of their to-do list.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Trumps planned publicity stunt where he is going to speak to autoworkers, non-autoworkers, and former union members has been denounced by the UAW.

UAW head Shawn Fain said in a statement responding to Trumps planned event, Every fiber of our union is being poured into fighting the billionaire class and an economy that enriches people like Donald Trump at the expense of workers, We cant keep electing billionaires and millionaires that dont have any understanding what it is like to live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by and expecting them to solve the problems of the working class.

Trumps Event Addressing Autoworkers Is A Fake

In typical Trump fashion, his speech to autoworkers will include lots of people who arent autoworkers.

According to The New York Times, So instead of attending the next G.O.P. debate  on Sept. 27 in California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum  Mr. Trump intends to speak to over 500 workers, with his campaign planning to fill the room with plumbers, pipe-fitters, electricians, as well as autoworkers, according to one of the Trump advisers familiar with the planning. Mr. Trump has not directly addressed the wage demands of striking workers and has attacked the union leadership, but he has tried to more broadly cast himself on the side of autoworkers.

Due to logistical concerns, it has also been reported that Trump will not be meeting with workers on the picket line. Instead, he is going to give a primetime speech in an attempt to upstage the second Republican presidential primary debate.

Trumps speech is a sham. It would be surprising if Trump actually set foot in Detroit, The former presidents previous campaign events that he claimed were in Detroit were actually in a Republican suburb.

Trump isnt coming to Michigan to support autoworkers. He is coming to the state to use the striking workers as props.

The Trump record on unions and workers rights was horrible. As president, Trump was an enemy of union labor, so no one should fall for this sham of a speech that is more about Trump than heroes who are fighting for democracy and a living wage.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) exposed Judiciary Committee chair Jim Jordans (R-OH) attack on democracy that he is trying to hide as a weaponization of government.

Schiff said:



At a momentous time in our history. The country is about to go through a great trial. I do not mean any of the several trials of the former president but rather a trial, the proposition that we are a nation of laws committed to the rule of law and that no one is above the law. It is a proposition well known around the world because it is the one essential ingredient in all democracies. We have all professed our belief in this principle, but it has never been truly tested.

Not like it is today in this committee, we are engaged in a portion of that trial. The chairman would abuse the power of this committee by trying to interfere in the prosecutions of Donald Trump by trying to use the committees power of subpoena to compel criminal discovery in effect, making the committee kind of criminal defense firm for the former president. In doing so, the chairman of this committee would establish a very different proposition through Mr. Jordans actions. He would establish the principle that the rule of law should apply to almost everyone, just not the leader of his party.

According to this alternate proposition. If you are the President Of The United States and you lose your reelection, you can violate the law and constitution to try to stay in power. And if you are successful, well then maybe you get to be president for life and if you fail, there is no repercussion. This proposition is also well known to the world and it is called dictatorship.

Mr. Jordan hopes to camouflage his assault on the rule of law by falsely claiming that Donald Trump is the victim of unequal justice. And Hunter Biden is beneficiary. It is a claim as transparently political as it is devoid of any factual basis. And it is cynical based on the belief that the American people cannot discern fact from fiction. But I am betting on America history has shown that those who bet against her are rarely successful and more often end up covered in shame.

Video:

Jim Jordans scheme isnt just about helping Trump. It is also about expanding presidential power and ending democracy. Rep. Schiff perfectly labeled it. Jordan hopes that the American people are too dumb to separate fact from fiction. They get blinded by the idea that Biden and Trump are two sides of the same coin and send Trump back to the White House.

The entire nation needs to see that what Jim Jordan is doing is attempting to end democracy through a bogus claim of weaponization of the government.

This isnt about weaponization of government. Its about the democracy that Jim Jordan is trying to destroy for Donald Trump.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Azerbaijan flag will flutter everywhere in Karabakh, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Ylmaz said at the "Consultations with the Business World" event in Izmir, Trend reports.

He noted that Ankara supports the steps taken by Azerbaijan to ensure its territorial integrity.

"Karabakh is Azerbaijani land, and Turkiye supports Azerbaijan's steps. Attempts to create a 'gray zone' in Karabakh are futile. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during his speech at the UN, once again expressed Turkiye's support for Azerbaijan. Long live the Azerbaijani Army! Ensuring stability in the South Caucasus is in everyone's interest. Stability in this region benefits each of us, while chaos serves the interests of other actors," Yilmaz stated.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement [signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war], to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and Azerbaijan's military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been conducted in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects weren't targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime were put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent [temporarily stationed in Azerbaijan under the trilateral statement], an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Print

During the House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring Attorney General Merrick Garland, Chair Jim Jordan launched into several Hunter Biden investigation conspiracies, and Garland shut him down with a single fact.

Jordan said:

Heres why the statute of limitations question is important that Mr. Bishop was getting at just a few minutes ago. Heres why its important. You let the statute of limitations lapse for 2014 2015. Those were the years with the felony tax charges where Hunter Biden was getting income from Burisma

.

Here are four facts that I think are so important. Hunter Biden was put on the board of Burisma made a lot of money, got paid a lot of money over those years, a couple of million bucks, he wasnt qualified fact. Number two. He wasnt qualified to be on the board of Burisma. Not my words, his words. He said he got on the board because of his last name, the brand as Devin Archer said when he was under oath and we deposed him. Fact, number three Burisma executives told Hunter Biden were under pressure. We need help.

Fact number four, Joe Biden goes to Ukraine leverages our tax money, American peoples tax money to get the prosecutor fired. Who was applying the pressure? Interestingly enough, that fact is entirely consistent with what the confidential human source told the FBI and they recorded in the 1023 form. The same form. Mr. Wray didnt want to let this committee and the Congress see that all happened, that all happened. What Im wondering is why you guys let the statute of limitations lapse for those tax years that dealt with Burisma income?

Attorney General Garland responded, Theres one more fact thats important and that is that this investigation was being conducted by Mr. Weiss, an appointee of President Trump. You will at the appropriate time have the opportunity to ask Mr. Weiss that question and he will no doubt address it in the public report that will be transmitted to the Congress.

Video:

The problem for House Republicans when it comes to the Biden investigation is no matter how many details that they invent and try to label as facts. The real facts contradict their points.

The hearing has whiplash like moments where Democrats on the Judiciary Committee attempt to ask serious questions and conduct DOJ oversight, and they are followed by Republicans like Jordan, Matt Gaetz, and others who scream Hunter Biden conspiracy theories at the Attorney General.

Democrats are attempting to govern, and Republicans are engaging in Biden impeachment performative theater.

As Attorney General Garland demonstrated, the curtain comes down on the GOP production when real facts enter the picture.
Family harmony was an elusive concept for Diehl in his early years. He grew up in foster homes and an orphanage and shared those memories and others in a 2022 book titled "His Grace Is Sufficient! A Story of the Search for Family," which draws its title from a Bible verse: 2 Corinthians 2:19. Readers are invited to "join the author as he looks back at what it was like to grow up as a ward of the state and how he finally answered that question," as explained in a summary.

The inspiration to write the book came largely from repeatedly being told that "you need to write that down" after sharing parts of his story aloud over the course of years. Diehl never knew his parents, and his childhood, he said, was that of "a boy in search of a home." Each chapter, he noted, ends in a cliffhanger.

The author, in his book's preface, notes, "In my mind, writing an autobiography pretty well rates up there with egotism and a self-serving character. However, folks continue to encourage me to write it all down as a testimony  not about me but about what God has done during my short, comparably speaking, lifetime."

He devoted plenty of time to research and the end result included plenty of positive feedback. "People have come up to me and said what a blessing it was for them, and how it helped them get through some things themselves," he said.

Another question he has faced over the years has focused on his academic language of choice  the classical tongue that has provided English words ranging from "bacterium" and "sycophant" to "metropolis" and "planet."

"The kids pick it up, but people say, 'Why are kids taking New Testament Greek?' or 'Why are they studying Greek?' Well, it helps them with their Bible study, No. 1, but then it also helps with their English, because a great deal of the English language comes out of classical Greek and ancient Greek," he said.
Aiken Standard Reporter

Erin Weeks is a reporter with the Aiken Standard. She covers education in Aiken County.

Erin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina Aiken. Her first poetry book, "Origins of My Love," was published by Bottlecap Press in 2022.

To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers 
Aiken Standard reporter

Matthew Christian is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He covers the Savannah River Site, city of Aiken and politics.

Matthew previously covered government and politics for the Morning News in Florence. He is a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law and the University of Charleston in West Virginia.

To support local journalism, sign up for a subscription. See our current offers 
A onetime empty ground-level corner of the parking garage of the Charleston Tech Center is aiming to make technology industry careers accessible to the masses.

The 1,200-square-foot space near Morrison Drive and Conroy Street on the upper peninsula is a finished glass storefront neatly furnished with rows of fresh, white tables and gray chairs awaiting students, young and old, interested in learning skills for higher-paying jobs that can change their lives.

"This is not just about an adult program," said Ernest Andrade, executive director of the Charleston Digital Corridor, which spearheaded the new CDC Learning Center with $250,000 from Google.

He added that Comcast also plans to support the learning center.

Founded in 2001, the organization Andrade launched as a city of Charleston employee works to help build and support the Lowcountry's tech industry, partly by helping provide workers with the skills that businesses need. Over the past two decades, the number of companies it works with has swelled from fewer than 20 to more than 700.

A Sept. 19 dedication ceremony marked the official opening of the learning center on the ground floor of Charleston Tech Center, a $55 million office complex that's been open for about two years. Andrade said "it was time to raise the bar" to meet "unmet needs," particularly within underserved communities in the region.

"These are folks we have not aggressively courted and gone to work to support," he said.

A goal is to spread the word through newly formed partnerships with the Hispanic Business Association, the Trident Urban League and the Medical University of South Carolina's Autism News Network.

Nilsy Rapalo, a consultant for the Hispanic Business Association, said his organization will have the opportunity to provide workshops in Spanish "to close the digital gap for the entrepreneurship community."

Andrade said as the region has grown, several public and private entities have launched or expanded their tech-related educational options, from basic coding courses to post-graduate degree programs.
Consumers continued to have a tight grip on their wallets over the past two months, leading to reduced cargo shipments through the Port of Charleston, but the decline was not as steep as the national average.

The number of 20-foot-long containers moving through Charleston's terminals totaled 203,169 in July and August  the first two months of the State Ports Authority's current fiscal year. While that is a 9.16 percent decrease from the same period a year ago, it's less than the 11.9 percent drop in cargo seen at seaports nationwide.

August is usually a strong month as inbound goods arrive for the holiday shopping season, "but with consumer demand down, we did see a decrease," Phil Padgett, the SPA's chief financial officer, said during a Sept. 19 meeting of the maritime agency's board of directors.

Consumer confidence fell in August, according to the Conference Board, with the research group's latest report showing worries over "rising prices in general, and for groceries and gasoline in particular." Consumers have also shifted their focus away from goods and toward services, like travel and restaurant meals, although that spending was also down.

The SPA said in a written statement that ports are "anticipating a slower peak season than typical due to a lower consumer appetite and tempered U.S. economy."

The National Retail Federation, which tracks cargo shipments through U.S. ports, said the number of containers nationwide was down by about 12 percent in July and August compared to last year. It's predicting a 12.5 percent drop for the entire year.

While competing ports in the Southeast have not yet reported August cargo volumes, Charleston's port saw less of a decline in July than both Savannah and Norfolk, Va.

Among the SPA's highlights was a record-setting month at its cargo hub in Greer, which handled 16,857 containers in August  a 52 percent year-over-year increase. The Upstate inland port, located between key markets in Atlanta and Charlotte, handles goods for companies that include automaker BMW and tire manufacturer Michelin.
Four food-and-beverage purveyors, a couple of bargain vendors, and clothing and card shops soon will open in the Lowcountry while resale and jewelry retailers will say goodbye. Read moreCharleston area gaining 8 new restaurants and retailers, but it's losing 2
COLUMBIA  University of South Carolina President Michael Amiridis praised the college's year of improvement at his State of the University address Sept. 19.

Amiridis rejoined the university as its leader last July, ending three years of turmoil through a global pandemic and ousting of former President Bob Caslen.

Amiridis' first year held successes for the university, including student enrollment growth, research strides and expansion of student services. On Aug. 18, the university's board of trustees endorsed the president with a glowing annual evaluation.

Amiridis spoke to a full ballroom in Russell House about USC's achievements in record-breaking growth this year.

"The University of South Carolina is in great shape and is building strong momentum," he said in the address.

In August, USC welcomed its largest freshman class  more than 7,300 new students  adding to the university's decade of enrollment growth.

This expansion presented some challenges for the university. The faculty population has not increased proportional to the enrollment boom. And the university projected it will to run out of beds for students, who are required to live on campus their freshman years.

But the university had prepared for some aspects of the student boom. Amiridis touted the hiring of 137 faculty and the opening of Campus Village, the school's largest housing complex with 1,800 beds.

"We don't anticipate and we don't want  this level of growth next year," he said to press. "(We) cannot handle it. So our goal for next year is roughly the same number as we got this year."

USC has also expanded its student resources over the last year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijan has not caused any harm to the civilian population and facilities, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said at a press briefing, Trend reports.

He noted that during the anti-terrorist activities, messages were sent to the phones of Karabakh residents with a warning to stay away from military facilities.

At 04:30 (GMT+4) on September 19, 2023, a terrorist attack occurred near the village of Taghavard in the Khojavand district. A KAMAZ truck transporting personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan was struck by an explosion caused by a mine that had been previously planted by unauthorized Armenian armed groups. Notably, these groups had not withdrawn from Azerbaijani territory, despite the provisions outlined in the trilateral agreement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia following the second Karabakh War in 2020.

Consequently, Azerbaijan initiated anti-terror measures aimed at addressing the presence of unauthorized Armenian forces and remnants of the Armenian armed forces in Karabakh.

As a result, in under 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Army has managed to take control of more than 90 combat positions of the Armenian armed forces units. At the same time, seven combat vehicles, one tank, four mortars, and two infantry fighting vehicles were captured as trophies from the Armenian armed forces units.

Thus, on September 20, at 13:00 (GMT+4), and agreement has been reached to stop the anti-terrorist activities under several terms.

First, the units of Armenia's armed forces deployed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, as well as illegal armed groups, are required to relinquish their weaponry, vacate their combat positions and military bases, and undergo thorough disarmament. Concurrently, the surrender of all ammunition and heavy military equipment is enforced. At the same time, the implementation of the aforementioned procedure should be coordinated with the presence of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, temporarily stationed in Karabakh.
An attorney confers with Judge Heath Taylor in Richland County on Sept. 15, 2023, after hours of proceedings in a trial for a 2019 boat crash that resulted in the death of a 68-year-old man and serious injuries to the man's wife and daughter. T. Michael Boddie/Staff
The pastor of a Baptist church in Anderson will be the new manager of the Travelers Rest library branch, replacing Nathan Schmaltz, who in June defied orders from Greenville County library administrators to remove a Pride Month display at the location.

Brian Morrison, the Greenville County Library Systems access and discovery director, announced the move to staff Sept. 14 in an email obtained by The Post and Courier. In that announcement, Morrison wrote that Ray Arnett, who serves as the senior pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church of Anderson, would be starting as branch manger this week.

According to a LinkedIn profile believed to belong to Arnett, he has served as a librarian in different capacities for more than 20 years.

Sign up for updates! Get the latest Greenville news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email

Sign Up!

Tory Sherrill, a library assistant at the Travelers Rest location, said staff at the library see Arnett's hiring as a clear message during a time of internal strife within the library system regarding management and LGBTQ materials.

"We're concerned," she said. "I'm not saying a person of faith can't be a good librarian. I'm a person of faith, and there are lots of Christians in the library system. But it does seem pointed that admin would make this decision for us now."

Arnett could not be immediately reached for comment.

According to a LinkedIn profile under his name, he served from 1993 to 2001 as the library director of Northland International University, a Southern Baptist school in Dunbar, Wisconsin that now operates as a high school called Northland Scholars Academy. According to the LinkedIn profile, he went on to serve as director the Dickinson County Library System from 2001 to 2005 and headed the Fremont Area District Library from 2005 to 2017, both of which are located in Michigan. He became the pastor of Fellowship in 2017.

In a "What we Believe" section of its website, which is displayed below Arnett's bio, Fellowship Anderson explains the church is against gay marriage.
The reason for bringing up the Israeli-Hamas war and the dysfunction in Congress is not to comment on the political scene. My point is that this distinction between guerrilla-fighting and governing is absolutely relevant to those growing into old age. Read moreAging for Amateurs: Become the governor of your life
Editors note: Candidates running opposed races for Summerville mayor and the Summerville Town Council District 2 seat were all asked to respond to the following questions. All candidates received the same set of questions and were asked to limit their responses to around 1,000 words total. Read moreQUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES: Tiffany Johnson-Wilson
(COLUMBIA, S.C.)  South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced recently that 42 attorneys general sued Meta in federal and state courts alleging the company knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and its other social media platforms that purposefully addict c Read moreAttorney General Alan Wilson joins bipartisan, multistate coalition in lawsuits against Meta for harming children
What would happen if several thousand members of ISIS or a group similar to Hamas invaded our Southern border? What if a group of 5,000 terrorists with semi-automatic weapons stormed our border? What would it look like? It might look like the Southern border of Israel  horrific. Read moreWhat if Hamas invaded America?
CONWAY  A new state-run nursing home specifically designed for veterans is being planned for Horry County.

County officials said the facility, which will be built along S.C. Highway 90 outside Conway, will hold about 100 beds, though the exact size and scale of the project remain undetermined due to the early stages of the planning process.

"The state-run veterans nursing home is just an extension of the pride and respect that our county government has for veterans," said Ronnie Elvis, director of Horry County Veterans Affairs. "As a 25-year Army veteran, that's special to me that my county's saying, 'Hey, we care enough about our veterans to identify and provide this facility for the folks that have sacrificed for our community, state and nation.'"

The 72-acre site for the facility was purchased by Horry County Government in May for $1.7 million, according to county land records. The land sits at the intersection of S.C. 90 and Old Altman Road, which is about two miles from International Drive.

County officials initially thought the center could be built in a more rural area, but they later learned it needed to be closer to medical facilities and have access to natural gas.

The land is the county's contribution to the project. Although there is no budget for the center yet, county officials have said it could cost nearly $100 million to construct.

Assistant County Administrator Barry Spivey said state officials are designing the facility now, though the biggest hurdle remains securing the federal dollars for the project. That could take two to five years.

"We're on the list," Spivey said. "We're not funded yet."

Elvis said he is excited about the project because Horry County has one of the fastest growing veteran populations in the country, with many of those veterans moving to the area from outside the state.

There are five veteran nursing homes in the Palmetto State that are operated by the S.C. Department of Mental Health. Those are in Columbia, Walterboro, Anderson, Florence and Gaffney.
Heavy rain, lightning and thunder pumped from swollen skies as a Marine fighter jet raced through the airspace over North Charleston on the afternoon of Sept. 17.

The storms that day swamped roads and stranded drivers, but were they also powerful enough to cause a pilot to abandon his $90 million plane over South Carolina's third largest city?

Marine Corps officials cautioned that it could take months to figure out the cause of a "mishap" that left an unmanned stealth fighter roaring across the state on its way to a calamitous crash in Williamsburg County.

The Associated Press, quoting a situation report received from an unnamed Marine Corps official, reported that the pilot experienced a malfunction and was forced to eject at an altitude of about 1,000 feet just 1 mile north of Charleston International Airport.

Meteorologists have also found evidence that the storms Sept. 17 spawned whipping winds over North Charleston around the time the fighter pilot ejected  the type of weather planes usually try to avoid.

The lost F-35B Lightning II fighter jet was one of two Beaufort-based Marine planes in the area that day conducting a training flight out of Joint Base Charleston. What started as a routine exercise ended with one pilot safely bailing out around 1:30 p.m. as the jet raced away from the area on autopilot, military officials have said.
The power to hold social media Facebook legally liable for tragedies including the 2015 massacre at Charleston's Emanuel AME Church belongs to Congress not the courts, a recent judge's ruling contends that guts a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of a child of one of the victims.

The widow of Rev. Clementa Pinckney filed the suit Nov. 2 on behalf of their daughter against Facebook's parent company Meta Platforms in U.S. District Court in Charleston.

Pinckney was one of nine people shot to death July 17, 2015, during a Bible study at the historic Black church in downtown Charleston. Their killer, Dylann Roof, was an unemployed 21-year-old from Columbia who embraced racist theories such as White Replacement Theory.

The lawsuit contends Facebook's use of algorithms to maximize engagement leads people to content that fuels hatred and violence which can be weaponized against particular victims. In Roof's case, it directed him to white supremacists and Russian state operatives who seek to brainwash and radicalize, according to the lawsuit.

Attorneys for the defendants contend that federal law, specifically the Communications Decency Act, protects media providers from civil liability.

"No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another," they argued, meaning providers don't own the content and cannot be held responsible for it.

In his Sept. 14 ruling, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Mark Gergel sided with the defendant.

Gergel dismissed the claims against Meta, although the claims against Russian defendants also named in the lawsuit remain. They have never answered the suit or made a motion to be dismissed.

The Russian defendants are alleged to be an arm of the Russian government seeking to spread propaganda to destabilize other countries  claims the Russian government has denied publicly. The alleged leader of the program, Yevgeniy Prigozhin, is the only named Russian person in the Pinckney lawsuit. Prigozhin, the founder of the mercenary Wagner Group, waged an armed insurrection against Vladimir Putin in June. He later died in a fiery plane crash on Aug. 23.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The reintegration plan into Azerbaijani society for the Armenian residents of Karabakh is ready, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said at a press briefing, Trend reports.

He noted that the socio-economic reintegration of the Armenian residents of Karabakh is an internal issue in Azerbaijan.

The Assistant to the President noted that the plan for the socio-economic reintegration of the Armenian residents of Karabakh in broad form is ready and has been prepared jointly with the relevant specialized bodies.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
ISLE OF PALMS  Commander Bo Stallings walked into VFW Post 3137 on Sept. 18 to address a threat to the 47-year-old veterans organization.

The members-only meeting was to be held at 6:30 p.m. Drinks would not be served. The fact that attendees were barred from visiting the canteen, where a domestic beer costs $2.50, beforehand was the reason for the gathering in the first place.

Amid a statewide rise in liquor liability insurance rates, some of the most beloved bars, restaurants and venues are shutting down. Now, veterans service organizations that serve alcohol and sometimes food are struggling, too.

At the "Post on the Coast," as the beachfront VFW spot is referred to, proceeds from alcohol sales are donated to various charitable organizations, such as One80 Place and the Ronald McDonald House on Gadsden Street. Funds raised through special VFW events  like a Sept. 16 fish fry featuring a platter of whiting fillets, hushpuppies, sides and desserts for $12  further those philanthropic efforts.

One day after that celebratory September fish fry, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3137 temporarily closed its doors. Its $14,000 liquor liability insurance policy had expired, and the lowest quote for renewal was $85,000.

Now our hands are going to be tied until we can get some insurance, Stallings, the VFW 3137 commander, told The Post and Courier the morning after the meeting. "Its not just our post; its statewide."

The American Legion, another veterans service organization with posts across the country, has also been impacted. American Legion Post 147 commander Harold Blum told The Post and Courier that insurance costs at their 968 Folly Road location  including liquor liability, building insurance and workers compensation  cost $22,000 in 2022. This year, the posts liquor liability rate alone jumped to $65,000. To make ends meet, he raised canteen prices by 20 percent.
FOLLY BEACH  This island draws its name from its once-densely forested coastline, an area known in Old English as a "folly." Such foliage can still be found at the old Coast Guard station at the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve. The inlet has a boneyard beach similar to the much larger coast of Botany Bay, just south of Charleston.

Folly Beach had a significant role during the Civil War, occupied by Union troops as a base by which to establish control of Charleston Harbor and retake Fort Sumter.

After the war, the island was basically abandoned.

Fast forward to 1925, when the first pavilion popped up, expanding years later to include a pier, boardwalk and oceanfront hotel.

George Gershwin later spent a summer in a beachfront cabin near DuBose Heywards Folly Beach house that Heyward called Follywood while working on the musical "Porgy and Bess."

As the island's popularity continued to grow, a fire destroyed the pier, pavilion and hotel in 1957.

Not long after, Folly Beach was brought back to life with a new pier and 1,700-foot boardwalk, along with the addition of a Ferris wheel and other carnival-like offerings.

In 1973, Folly Beach became a city.

For the last 50 years, this beach town nicknamed the "Edge of America" has served as a popular destination for Charleston-area locals and tourists alike.

Folly Beach tourism season is from Memorial Day until Labor Day. Just before the end of that season in August, The Post and Courier photo staff spent 24 hours documenting life in this funky beach town.

SATURDAY

NOON

At noon on Saturday, traffic snakes down Folly Road on its way to the Edge of America. Members of one group from different states sport T-shirts with images of bathing suits as they march up the wooden boardwalk to the ocean. Like other groups on the island this day, they are celebrating a bachelorette party.

Down the beach, Allove Brown, 2, sinks into the water that fills a 5-gallon bucket partially buried in the sand by her father Tony Brown.

1 P.M.

A few blocks down the strand, a trio of women  Chandler Bergquist, Amanda Brown and Blake Ryan  read comfortably in their matching inflatables while waves splash upon their feet.

Having sandy feet is just a way of life on Folly.

2 P.M.

Crowds flock to Berts Market, an always-open corner store, to get their midday snacks. James Island locals Millie Allred, 9; Helen Russell, 11; Ruth Russell, 13; and Doc Russell, 9, quickly eat their ice cream cones before the treats melt in their hands. For Millie, it is too late.

Surfers, swimmers and other beachgoers wash off before leaving the beach along 3rd Street.

A few minutes later, Paul Chrysostom checks out customers at his shop, Mr. Johns Beach Store. Paul took over the store in 1989 after his dad, John Chrysostom, died. Paul kept the name in his dad's memory. Paul took over the same year that Hurricane Hugo swept through Folly Beach on its brutal path through the Lowcountry.

Back on the beach near the pier, 2-year-old Hampton Hall splashes in shallow water with a grin on his face. Due to the shallow waters and shade provided, many people seek shelter under the pier to play and relax.

3 P.M.

In front of the nearby Tides Folly Beach Hotel, a reserved umbrella spot is set aside for Jeanie Engelbach, an interior designer from New York and Charleston who works on her laptop. Behind her is Camp Dale, the spot where Dale Antley plays redneck horseshoes, a game invented on Folly Beach. Dale and his friends play almost every day.

4 P.M.

At the High Life house on Ashley Avenue, Kevin Hodges, 53, moves one of his many signs out of the way in his rental. I never thought Id be able to stay here, maybe someone buys it or even a hurricane will knock it down, he says. Hodges has been renting here for 15 years. He has had several scares when the owner put the home up for sale but plans to live here just as long as he can.

5 P.M.

6 P.M.

As 6 P.M. nears, lifeguards begin to bring in umbrellas and perform other duties before their shift ends.

Florence ODonnell, 92, also known as "Mama Flo," laughs with regulars at Planet Follywood, the local bar she owns. Her former employee Amanda Scott kisses her on the cheek before leaving. "Mama Flo," a Folly Beach original, has been heavily involved with the community.

Columbia musician Lola Grace warms up on the stage at Chico Feo about an hour before sunset.

Back at the county park, newlyweds Christina Coats and her husband Matthew Coats wash each other's feet during their wedding ceremony.

7 P.M.

Clouds roll in around sunset, turning the sky purple, then blue. Randy Reeves leans over the pier remembering the time his son got married beneath where he was standing, just over 10 years ago.

8 P.M.

Amanda Scott makes her way back to the pier as the sky darkens, before the night comes. Folly is a bubble and its my place. When the waves roll in, all my problems roll out with them into the ocean," she says as she stares out into the deep-blue sea.

9 P.M.

Music starts up just around 9 P.M. at the Sand Dollar. Kevin Vandwaye, a local tattoo artist, plays pool in the back of the bar. This cash-only dive bar has its roots embedded in the community. There is $1 application fee to apply to become a member at this late-night establishment.

10 P.M.

The Sand Dollar has a Hurricane Hugo line where water reached back in 1989.

Music picks up and Sheron Zawaduk yells I love this song as she dances on center stage.

11 P.M.

A short rainstorm arrives on the island. Most everyone is back home for the day and others who stayed are inside the late-night bars getting ready for the night. A group walks down Ashley Avenue, cars zip through puddles on Center Street and a couple kiss in front of the Sand Dollar.

SUNDAY

Midnight

Midnight strikes and Wyatt Jowers and Summer Knight light up their cigarettes on the patio of the Bounty Bar off Center Street.

1 A.M.

Just before last call, Marcia Brown and Heart Bernados are seen through the bar window of Planet Follywood. Mama Flo is long gone for the night but will be back early in the morning for their brunch.

2 A.M.

The party has ended and bartenders Lee Hettesheimer and Jessie Bessette clean up before closing the Sand Dollar Social Club. Hettesheimer wants to skate the next morning.

3 A.M.

It becomes quiet on Folly Beach after the bars close. Marcia Brown and Heart Bernados walk down Ashley Avenue just past Berts Market on their way home. Berts slogan is: "We may doze but we never close."

Folly Beach police officers wait out front until they get a call while they have their late-night dinner. Just inside, Leigh Riddle also known as Miss Leigh, works the night shift. For 15 years she has worked the third shift where she stocks items, serves late-night snacks and works at a slower pace than 12 hours earlier. I like the energy that goes with this shift and just have fun with it," she says.

Miss Leigh stops, carrying an armful of coffee sleeves, while she greets a group of three younger men. Hey guys, Ill be right with you.

They look at various candies and make their rounds up and down the aisles. They decide on ice cream. She then reads the flavors: banana pudding, birthday cake, cookie dough. They order and walk out to the beach. The stars are bright and the waves clear.

It's never too late for a Coney dog.

4 A.M.

5 A.M.

Just before dawn, Cort Stayton sets up cones around the intake ports before filling gas tanks for the day at the Circle K.

6 A.M.

Several ghost crabs scatter across the dimly lit beach at the Lighthouse Inlet Heritage Preserve. They are looking for food early in the morning. That's a problem for sea turtle nests.

Volunteers Alice Anderson and Kelly Johnson, along with others, count sea turtle eggs: 62 underdeveloped, 3 dead, 41 hatched.

As the sun rises, a surfer rides a wave at The Washout and a containership enters Charleston harbor.

7 A.M.

Julie Boles plays singing bowls along the shores of Folly Beach as surfers walk by. She has been coming to the beach every Sunday to bring peace and calm to beachgoers since May. Its the smallest things that can have the biggest change.

The smell of chicken and waffles, grits and cinnamon rolls fills the air at Lost Dog Cafe.

8 A.M.

Dozens of surfers participating in the group, Shes On Edge, paddle out into the ocean for a demonstration called Paddle Against The Patriarchy.

9 A.M.

10 A.M.

Bells begin to ring at Folly Beach United Methodist Church. Jim Carney, 75, has been a member and rung the bell at the church for around 60 years.

11 A.M.

Mary Rhodes sings songs of praise. Rhodes, who will turn 99 in September, has attended the church for over 70 years and lives in a small home right next door.

After the church service down the road, Karl Lamont examines a surfboard on sale at McKevlins Surf Shop.

An hour before noon Sunday, photographer Kristin Middleton, has a flying dress photo shoot with four models on Folly Beachs northeast end along the boneyard beach, with Morris Island Lighthouse seen in the distance.

12 P.M.

In celebration of Folly Beach's 50th anniversary, the Folly Association of Business is hosting a 10-day festival with shag dancing on the pier, a classic car show, a 1920s-themed gala and much more.

The events are planned for Sept. 22 through Oct. 1.
We had an extraordinary moment back in June. Well, extraordinary by todays shambolic standards: With the United States about to default on its debts for the first time ever, because scoring political points had become more important than running the government, Republicans and Democrats came together to extend the debt ceiling.

Unlike other recent efforts that were only technically bipartisan  with a handful of Republicans joining a Democratic majority in the House for show or to clear a supermajority threshold in the Senate  this one was truly bipartisan. It was negotiated by President Joe Biden and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and supported by 165 Democrats and 149 Republicans in the House and 45 Democrats and 17 Republicans in the Senate.

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 demanded deeper cuts than Democrats wanted and cuts not as deep as Republicans wanted. But thats the point of a compromise, and this was one that actually moved us in a good direction rather than taking the worst ideas from both parties.

Beyond averting a catastrophe, it was supposed to set us on a smoother path for passing a federal budget, which means we could avoid furloughing hundreds of thousands of federal workers and disrupting a wide array of nonessential services, from applications for federal flood insurance to trash pickup at national parks.

Instead, as Oct. 1 approaches, were once again lurching toward a government shutdown, because the coalition immediately collapsed, the extremists in the threadbare GOP House majority demanded deeper cuts than had been agreed to and Speaker Kevin McCarthy is having to go to extremes to mollify the extremists in an effort to win the support of 218 of his partys 221 members  which so far isnt working. Even if the GOP can come to an agreement with itself, whatever it passes almost certainly will be DOA in the Democratic Senate  which has been working in a modestly bipartisan way in support of the June agreement.
While wars still wage and discrimination and division still exist, the effort to remind younger generations that, Those who dont learn from history are doomed to repeat it is as important as ever. Read more2 years in a concentration camp
FLORENCE  Site preparation for AESC's approximately 1.5 million square foot, $810 million lithium ion battery plant in Florence is on schedule, AESC US Managing Director Jeff Deaton said.

Deaton was the guest speaker at the Sept. 20 Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce's annual membership luncheon, which was held at the Florence Center.

AESC held a groundbreaking in June at the 870-acre Technology and Commerce Park in Florence, which is located across the street from Wilson High School on Old Marion Highway.

"I am happy to say today that the site work is more than 50 percent completed. The building design itself is also more than 60 percent completed," Deaton said. "Everything is on schedule today."

Deaton said he expects the Florence facility to start mass production in 2026.

AESC will use approximately 500 acres of the technology park for its battery plant, a training center and probably expansion. The battery maker will bring 1,170 jobs to Florence, Deaton said.

The company already has hired 12 to 15 employees, he said.

AESC's Florence facility will make cylindrical lithium-ion batteries, which BMW will use in electric vehicles produced at its Spartanburg plant, which is expected to produce at least six, all-electric BMW X models by 2030.

The advanced battery format will have 20 percent more energy density than the current generation of lithium-ion batteries, which means an electric vehicle using these batteries will be able to recharge more quickly and increase electric vehicle range and efficiency by 30 percent.

"The site itself is 500 acres in size," Deaton said. "We are only using a small part of that with our first building. What is important about that is we want to expand our production capacity here."

The tract will allow AESC to expand as needed, he said.

The building, Deaton said, will have all the advanced production technologies to build high quality, safe batteries.

Batteries are sensitive to contamination and humidity, Deaton said.
FLORENCE  Kyle Gunter walked to the stage as the 2023 Florence Business Person of the Year to a standing ovation.

It was a shock to Gunter, president of FBi Construction, Inc.

We try to keep things under wraps, so one of the most fun parts of this is scheming with family members and friends to surprise our Business Person of the Year, said Amber Tomlinson, a commercial relationship manager with Wells Fargo, who announced the award winner at a luncheon hosted by the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce at the Florence Center.

Tomlinson began by reeling off the winners biography. When she mentioned that the winner grew up in Mechanicsville  a small community outside of Florence  Gunter started to get the hint.

There are only so many people in Mechanicsville, he said with a laugh.

Gunter grew up surrounded by family. He attended St. Johns High School, where he graduated with honors, and The Citadel, where he graduated with a degree in civil engineering.

After four years in North Carolina, he moved back to Florence to work at the family business, FBi. Nine years ago, he took over as president.

Williamson described Gunter as deeply religious and devoted to his community.

She listed a litany of organizations he had supported over the years  including by being a board member for House of Hope of the Pee Dee, HopeHealth, the Boys and Girls Club, The Eastern Carolina Community Foundation and the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Williamson also said he was a loving father to his wife Beth and to his daughters Riley and Reaves.

Gunter gave a short and sweet speech, thanking members of the business community who mentored him over the years, the staff at FBi and God.

He has blessed us with a team that I could not do without, and I think this is more of a team award than an individual award, Gunter said.

FBi Construction, a regional contractor, is a true family business.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. There is no need to hold a meeting of the UN Security Council on Karabakh, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said at a press briefing, Trend reports.

He noted that the international community and Azerbaijan's partners are constantly informed about these issues.

"The legitimate concern of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been brought to their attention. We do not believe that unilateral statements serve a peaceful agenda," Hajiyev said.

The official stressed that he did not see it necessary to involve the UN.

He noted that such important issues need to be resolved at the local level.

"Even if a meeting is held, it will be neither useful nor effective. We wouldn't want this situation to get any worse. Therefore, there is no need to hold this meeting. If it takes place, Azerbaijan is ready to express its legitimate concern," Hikmet Hajiyev said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4), an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the following conditions: Armenian armed forces formations, illegal Armenian armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm, Armenian armed forces formations leave the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are disbanded.
The Biden administrations $6 billion hostage deal with Iran is a big story, but the public version is for chumps. I fell for it, and perhaps that assessment is overly harsh on similarly situated citizens who follow the news. The real deal hasnt been covered in the news and the administration has deftly lied about it.

Rich Goldberg is a senior advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. From 2019-2020, he served as the Director for Countering Iranian Weapons of Mass Destruction for the White House National Security Council. He is also an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve with military experience on the Joint Staff and in Afghanistan. He knows what he is talking about.

FDD has posted Goldbergs recent column Biden has a secret, illegal deal with Iran that gives mullahs everything they want (with links). This is the heart of the column:

In May, a top White House official visited Oman to pass a message to Tehran: Washington wants to broker a nuclear deal in secret. Biden would lift sanctions restrictions on Iranian funds held outside its borders, and in exchange Iran would slow its steady march toward a nuclear-weapons threshold. Iran would be free to continue hunting former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former Special Envoy for Iran Brian Hook and other Americans. Tehran could keep directing attacks against Israel through its Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad terror proxies. The mullahs could keep providing armed drones to Vladimir Putin for use against the Ukrainian people. The regime could even keep producing high-enriched uranium just a stones throw from weapons-grade, manufacturing advanced centrifuges, developing longer-range missiles, denying access to international nuclear inspectors and constructing a new underground facility that could prove invulnerable to military action. Bidens only demands: Dont move across the nuclear threshold by producing weapons-grade uranium and release five American citizens held hostage in Iran. For Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the deal was a dream come true. On the nuclear front, Iran gives up nothing. The United Nations nuclear watchdog last week reported that Iran is still expanding its stockpile of high-enriched uranium, just at a slower rate. As for the five American hostages  at a cost of $1.2 billion a person  Khamenei will merely restock his collection of American hostages for a future extortion racket. Meanwhile, Iran gets to use billions of dollars in budget support to subsidize a wide range of illicit activities. In June and July, the Biden administration unfroze more than $10 billion of Iranian assets held in Iraq, allowing Baghdad to move payments for Iranian electricity into accounts in Oman established for Tehrans use  payments that will continue on a rolling basis. Now comes $6 billion more transferred to accounts in Qatar, providing the regime additional budget support. Multiple reports also suggest Washington is allowing Tehran to trade $7 billion in International Monetary Fund special drawing rights for fiat currency. At the same time, US officials now admit theyre allowing Iranian oil exports to China to skyrocket with estimates ranging from 1.4 to 2.2 million barrels per day flowing in August  their highest levels since President Donald Trump ended Americas participation in the old Iran nuclear deal. Conservative estimates put this sanctions relief at $25 billion in annual revenue. Iran is now eyeing the transfer of another $3 billion from Japan. All told, this is at least a $50 billion protection racket  not just a $6 billion hostage payment.

Goldberg explains the deal in more compelling detail in Dan Senors recent Call Me Back podcast (below). This is worth your time.
I want a seasoned pro that knows how to get things done, California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CNN on Monday. Im a little old-fashioned. I want a guy who produces results, and the results are in: Its been a master class. The governor was referring to 80-year-old Joe Biden, who announced his reelection bid back in April.

Theres simply no administration in my lifetime thats been more effective producing more substantive results, said Newsom. The California Democrat, 55, has been around through administrations of Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. According to Newsom, Biden beats them all.

I mean this, I couldnt imagine three years ago that this president could accomplish so much in such a short period of time. I mean that, said the California governor and former mayor of San Francisco. In similar style back in June, Newsom said Joe Biden delivered a master class of results last year. As it happens, Gov. Newsom used some of the same language for San Francisco Democrat Nancy Pelosi, 83, who recently announced that she is running for Congress again.

Nancy Pelosi is the model of dedicated public service, said a November 17, 2022 statement from Gov. Newsom after Pelosi stepped down from the House Democratic leadership. Her career in Congress, and as Speaker, has been a master class in powerful, empathetic leadership, guided by her strong moral compass and unmatched political skill. Some background may prove helpful.

Born in 1940, Nancy Pelosi is the daughter of congressman and Baltimore mayor Thomas DAlesandro. In 1960, California Gov. Edmund G. Pat Brown awarded concessions for the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley to William Newsom, Gavins grandfather, and John Pelosi. In 1963, Johns son Paul Pelosi married Nancy DAlesandro.

In 1969 Paul and Nancy Pelosi moved to San Francisco, where Pauls brother Ron was a San Francisco supervisor. Ron married William Newsoms daughter Barbara, so Nancy Pelosi was Gavin Newsoms aunt by marriage until the couple divorced. The pair are still tight.

In his March 12, 2020, press conference, telling 40 million Californians to stay home, Newsom said, I want to thank Speaker Nancy Pelosi. We had a very long conversation today. Talk about meeting the moment. We are so blessed to have her leadership in California. So it was really Pelosi leading the way in the Golden State.

On August 31, 2020, Speaker Pelosi got a wash and blow-out at a San Francisco salon that Gov. Newsoms emergency order had shut down as non-essential. Pelosi told reporters, the salon owes me an apology for setting me up. Maybe that was part of Pelosis master class in powerful empathetic leadership.

Nancy Pelosi was first elected to Congress in 1987. In 2001, Rep. Pelosi wrote in the Congressional Record that Harry Bridges was arguably the most significant labor leader of the twentieth century, and beloved by the workers of this nation, and recognized as one of the most important labor leaders in the world.

As Joshua Muravchik explained in Pelosis Favorite Stalinist, Harry Bridges was a member of the central committee of the Communist Party USA, and a longtime agent of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The most important American labor leader was George Meany, a strong anti-Communist. Nancy Pelosi should have known that. Maybe her strong moral compass only pointed east, but as Gavin says, masters know best.

On November 5, 2024, Nancy Pelosi will be 84 and Joe Biden will be 81. As Trump likes to say, well have to wait and see what happens.
I had never heard of Russell Brand until recently. I take it that he is a British comedian and actor who has generally, for quite a few years, had a terrible reputation. Within the last week or two, several women have come forward and alleged that Brand raped them, or otherwise assaulted them, between 2006 and 2013. I subscribe to the London Times and the Telegraph, and they have followed the Brand case to an astonishing degree. Until now, I have skipped over all of those articles.

But John Nolte puts the controversy in a different light:

The Brett Kavanaugh/Russia Collusion Media say five women have accused Russell Brand of rape and sexual assault between 2006 and 2013. Four of those women have chosen to remain anonymous. One woman claims she was 16 during their relationship, although 16 is the age of consent in England. Since the media onslaught against Brand began over the weekend, other anonymous women have come forward saying Brand was controlling during consensual relationships  which is not a crime.

Nolte asks a good question:

The first question is, why now? The #MeToo movement is more than six years old. Why now? These allegations of wrongdoing are said to have occurred between 2006 and 2013. Why now?

As a general rule, I am deeply skeptical of claims of sexual abuse (or any other serious crime) that emerge a decade or more after the alleged crime. Rape is one of the most serious crimes, a felony that justifies a long prison term. If it actually happens, it should be reported to the police immediately, and it should be prosecuted vigorously. Perpetrators, if convicted, should be sentenced to very long prison terms. But if the alleged rape wasnt worth mentioning 10 or 15 years ago, why is it worth mentioningby mostly-anonymous women!now?

Nolte suggests an answer. For most of his career, Russell Brand was an openly disgusting character. But in recent years, he claims to have reformed. And, apparently, he has turned into something of a conservative:

I have no emotional investment in Russell Brand. I dont know the guy personally. I know that he was a loathsome lout for most of his public life. I also know that in recent years, hes sought to repent for his past. He appears to have wised up and matured. He says hes now a dedicated husband and father. Politically, while hes no Donald Trump, he does see the Matrix. Using his wildly popular YouTube channel, he questions narratives cherished by the corporate media. He lashes out at the establishments obscene lies and desire to divide us and subjugate normal people as racist Nazis.

That is enough to get you canceled. Which is what happened to Brand. The British press has stirred up a wave of hate against him, and YouTube, where he had a vast number of followers, has demonetized him. So Brand has moved to Rumble. The London Times takes this as more evidence of Brands guilt: not of being a rapist, which may be secondary at this point, but of not being fully on board with woke ideology. The Times article begins:

A major shareholder in one of the worlds biggest alt-right video sites has embraced Russell Brand after the BBC, Channel 4 and YouTube distanced themselves from him.

So Rumble is alt-right. No one knows what that recently-invented word means, but it is surely bad. The major shareholder is Dan Bongino.

Dan Bongino, a former Fox News presenter, is among the largest financial backers of Rumble, a Florida-based video-sharing platform that has styled itself as being immune from cancel culture.

A former Fox News presenter! A Florida-based platform! Immune from cancel culture! These are all cues to the Timess liberal audience. They know what direction this is going.

The American conservative commentator and host of a daily Rumble programme with 2.9 million subscribers urged his Twitter/X followers to visit the site in the wake of The Times, The Sunday Times and Channel 4s investigation into Brands treatment of women.

God forbid that anyone watch Brand on video while the British medias investigation is going on. Verdict first, investigation later?

The Times turns to a fact checking organization to elaborate:

Joe Ondrak, head of the investigations for misinformation service Logically, said: Rumble is predicated on free speech in an absolute sense, so unless Brand explicitly breaks hate speech laws, I dont expect them to take action.

Sorry to break it to Mr. Ondrak, but here in the U.S. of A. we do not have hate speech laws. Platforms can impose various standards if they want to, but hate speech, as conventionally defined by liberals, is protected from government suppression under our First Amendment. Which has been true at least since 1929, and which a 9-0 decision of our Supreme Court recently re-affirmed.

The London Times obviously disapproves of the content of Brands videos, now that he has become a sort-of conservative:

After he passed one million subscribers in March, Brand hinted at its value and the way in which Rumble provided him with a platform to share his conspiracy theory-laced rants about Covid lockdowns, vaccines, central banks digital currencies and the Wests role in the Ukraine war.

Conspiracy theory-laced rants about Covid lockdowns and vaccines! Note, first, that liberals never rant, and second, that conspiracy theories about covid responses and vaccines have often proved to be true. (I have no idea what Brands specific take might be.) Nor do I know what Brand has to say about central banks digital currencies or the Ukraine war, but apparently these are verboten topics.

So, like John Nolte, I have absolutely no idea whether Russell Brand is a serial rapist. If he is, he should be prosecuted and sent to prison, not just pilloried in the polite press and de-platformed. But as a first impression, I am not impressed by stories told by anonymous women about something that supposedly happened ten or fifteen years ago. Brand may or may not have anything useful to say, but in any event, he has the right to say it.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 18:01:29

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 641 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / EzPag, provider of lease-to-own financing for the latest cell phones, today announces the completion of a $10 million debt funding round. The money raised was from private investors and will be used to fund the growth of EzPag and acquire inventory to lease to their customers. This funding will allow the company to continue its mission facilitating access to iPhones and other electronic devices for immigrants or people who do not have complete documents.After less than a year in operation, the investors felt confident that EzPag will continue to grow. The company has a track record of success, with over a thousand sales in its first five months of operation. With this capital infusion the founders of EzPag, Matheus Freire and Lucas Paiva, will aim the 46 million immigrants that reside in the USA.EzPag Co-Founder and CEO Matheus Freire is excited about the opportunities the new funding will offer, "I couldn't be happier to announce the successful completion of our recent $10 million debt financing round. This achievement underscores our unwavering commitment to leveling the financial playing field for immigrants who aspire to build brighter futures in their new country. With this substantial capital infusion, we are poised to expand our reach, enhance our services, and empower even more individuals with access to fair and affordable credit. Our mission is rooted in the belief that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves the opportunity to achieve financial stability and success. We extend our sincere gratitude to our investors for sharing our vision and supporting our efforts to create a more inclusive financial landscape for immigrants." Co-founder Lucas Paiva is grateful for the future growth this funding provides to the company and its customers, "When we started this journey, we knew that the goal of creating a new concept of credit score for the immigrant population would be a huge challenge and the need for capital would only increase. Receiving a $10 million investment is a significant milestone for us. I see this as a true recognition of the hard work we've dedicated to this company. We have been living and breathing our vision. Achieving this first milestone fills me with pride. This injection brings more fuel to the operation, allowing us to dedicate ourselves even more intensely to everything we have planned for the future of our company." ABOUT EzPAGFounded in January 2023 by Matheus Freire and Lucas Paiva, EzPag was born with the mission of facilitating access to iPhones and other electronic devices to immigrants in the USA. The company began testing its services in January and made their first sale in April of 2023. Their core values include a sense of community, sustainability, flexibility, transparency, and accessibility. By serving the immigrant community, they uphold their belief in diversity and inclusion. By offering refurbished devices in addition to new, they keep electronics from ending up in a landfill and damaging the environment. EzPag offers a wide range of flexible payment options and price points to meet every need. They are transparent about every interaction with their customers and business partners. Their main goal of access to financing for everyone means opportunities for some that have previously been left behind.Their customers may not be able to buy the latest iPhones or other electronic devices in cash or have access to the credit to finance that purchase. EzPag offers flexible payment options and a simple, accessible buying process. They value equal opportunities and by providing easy access to these products are contributing to digital inclusion and a more equal future for people new to this country. In addition, each device they finance is fully insured by Akko and protected against theft, defects in parts and/or batteries, accidental damages, broken screens, and any damage caused by liquids.CONTACT: Matheus FreirePHONE: (786) 882-7912EMAIL: contato@ ezpag.com SOURCE: EzPag
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 16:02:11

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 441 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 14, 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 & Grossman, LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 19:37:28

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 348 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Crown Minerals Corp. ("Crown" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the launch of its new corporate website, a significant step in enhancing its digital presence and providing shareholders with comprehensive information about the company's operations and projects.Visit our new website here: https://www.crownminerals.co Highlights:Gladiator Gold Project: The website offers detailed insights into the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona over 2,000+ acres. The property block is home to the most significant veins from the historic Crown King Mining District.History: Crown Minerals Corp. is advancing an Arizona-based past producing gold mine with a storied history of successful operations. Explore the company's journey from historic beginnings to modern day advancements.Learn About Crown Minerals Corp.: Subscribe on our website to receive news releases, important updates & videos. Explore our blog section for in-depth articles, discussions, and perspectives on the industry and our ongoing projects.Dave Hodge, President & Chief Executive Officer of Crown Minerals Corp., stated, "The launch of our new website is a pivotal moment in our commitment to transparency and shareholder engagement. Our website serves as a comprehensive resource for our investors, partners, and the broader community. As we continue to advance our projects, our website will play a crucial role in communicating our progress and milestones." About Crown Minerals Corp.Crown Minerals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona's historic Crown King Mining District. The Gladiator Gold Project encompasses over 2,000+ acres, showcasing significant veins with historical mining and exploration significance. The company is dedicated to unlocking the potential of the Gladiator Gold Project & aiming to deliver consistent value to its shareholders while contributing to the global gold mining narrative.On behalf of the Board of DirectorsCROWN MINERALS CORP."Dave Hodge"President & Chief Executive OfficerFor further information, please contact:Crown Minerals Corp.1450 - 789 West Pender Street,Vancouver, BC Canada V6C 1H2Telephone: +1 (604) 681-1568Email: info@ crownminerals.co SOURCE: Crown Minerals Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 16:30:43

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 1106 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Concerned Shareholder Grant Sawiak announces that he now has proxy deposits now totaling 82 million shares or 43% of the issued which is enough to remove the Entrenched Directors."We have all heard a lot of talk from the Entrenched Directors about their strong base of shareholder support but we've seen no evidence of that." said Mr. Sawiak who added, "If the Entrenched Directors don't disclose the number of proxies deposited in their favour then the only reasonable conclusion is that they don't have the votes to win and, if you don't have the votes to win, then you have to find a way to disenfranchise the votes of the majority of the shareholders who want to remove you. The most obvious strategy, which I believe is being used by NWST, was to obtain the permission of the BC Registrar of Companies ("Registrar") on September 5 to extend the shareholders' meeting for a 5th time to October 24, 2023 and then not disclose this fact".Mr. Sawiak added, "I don't expect that this extension will be utilized until after the proxy deposit date of September 22, because I believe the extension would have been sought for the express purposes of: (a) changing the record date to frustrate the will of a majority of shareholders by nullifying their current votes; and (b) allowing the Entrenched Directors to examine the deposited proxies voting in favour of the alternate slate in order to give NWST an opportunity to badger those shareholders to try to change their vote at the later meeting. An example of the problem with such a course of action is that NWST specifically did not make disclosure of the material fact that they had applied for, obtained, and intended to use the extension for the purposes above. A second example is that not only was the existence of the extension not disclosed at the September 13 expedited hearing before the BC Securities Commission (BCSC), but rather NWST instructed counsel to represent to the BCSC that the only extension the Entrenched Directors would need to the September 26 meeting would be a delay to no later than October 3, 2023 and only for the purpose of allowing the BCSC's decision to reach the investing public. If I am wrong about this then NWST will not use the extension and will instead allow shareholders to exercise their fundamental right to vote on the competing board slates at the September 26 meeting." IF YOU WISH TO VOTE WITH MR. SAWIAK TO CHANGE THE BOARD OF NWST CONTACT HIM IMMEDIATELY BY:1. CALLING HIM AT 1.416.917.2816 OR2. EMAILING HIM AT gvsawiak@ hotmail.com ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 21, 2023.Information in Support of Public Broadcast SolicitationThe Concerned Shareholder is relying on the exemptions contained in Section 9.2(2) and Section 9.2(4) of National Instrument 51-102 - Continuous Disclosure Obligations to solicit proxies from no more than 15 securityholders and by soliciting proxies by broadcast, speech or publication. The Concerned Shareholder may also choose to file a dissident information circular in due course in compliance with applicable securities laws. A copy of the press release and the Nominating Shareholder Notice which collectively contains all information on the Concerned Shareholder's Nominees as required by National Instrument 51-102 and Form 51-102F5 were filed on SEDAR+ on August 4, 2023 and are available for viewing there.The information contained herein, and any solicitation made by the Concerned Shareholder in advance of the Meeting, is or will be, as applicable, made by the Concerned Shareholder and not by or on behalf of the management of NWST. All costs incurred for any solicitation will be borne by the Concerned Shareholder and by Mr. John Kimmel, provided that, subject to applicable law, Messrs. Sawiak and Kimmel may seek reimbursement from NWST of their out-of-pocket expenses, including proxy solicitation expenses and legal fees, incurred in connection with a successful reconstitution of the Company's board of directors. Other than in respect of their beneficial ownership, control or direction of securities of the Corporation described above, none of Messrs. Sawiak and Kimmel or any of their associates or affiliates has any material interest, direct or indirect, by way of beneficial ownership of securities or otherwise, in any matter to be acted upon at the Meeting other than the election of directors.A Registered Shareholder who has given a Proxy may revoke the Proxy by: (a) completing and signing a Proxy bearing a later date and depositing it at the offices of Odyssey, 350- 409 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1T2 or and following the online voting instructions given to you no later than 10:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on the second Business Day preceding the date of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof; (b) depositing an instrument in writing executed by the Registered Shareholder or by the Registered Shareholder's attorney duly authorized in writing or, if the Registered Shareholder is a body corporate, by a duly authorized officer or attorney either with Odyssey, 350-409 Granville Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1T2 at any time up to and including the last Business Day preceding the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof or with the Chair of the Meeting prior to the commencement of the Meeting on the day of the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof; or (c) in any other manner permitted by Law. Such instrument will not be effective with respect to any matter on which a vote has already been cast pursuant to such Proxy. If a Registered Shareholder who has submitted a Proxy attends the Meeting, any votes cast by such Registered Shareholder on a ballot at the Meeting will be counted and the submitted Proxy will be disregarded.Only Registered Shareholders have the right to revoke a Proxy. Non-Registered Shareholders that wish to change their voting instructions must, in sufficient time in advance of the Meeting, contact their Intermediary to arrange to change their voting instructions.The Concerned Shareholder has engaged Shorecrest Group Ltd. to act as proxy solicitor in respect of this matter and will incur expenses of up to $120K plus out of pocket expenses. The Concerned Shareholder may engage the services of one or more other agents and authorize other persons to assist in soliciting proxies on behalf of the Concerned Shareholder. Any proxies solicited by or on behalf of the Concerned Shareholder, including by any other agent retained by the Concerned Shareholder, may be solicited in any other manner permitted under Canadian corporate and securities laws. Any such proxies may be revoked by instrument in writing executed by a shareholder or by his or her attorney authorized in writing or, if
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 14:00:37

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 570 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

New York-based Technology Company Will Resell and ImplementGXC's Onyx Private Cellular Solution to EnterprisesAUSTIN, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / GXC ( www.gxc.io) , a leading provider of private cellular network solutions, announced it has signed an agreement with Interface Cable Assemblies and Services Corporation (ICAS), an expert in the installation of sophisticated communications and power solutions for businesses. Through this relationship, ICAS will offer GXC's Onyx private cellular solution to clients in the public, education, enterprise, and transportation sectors, and will also handle installation of GXC's solutions for select customers around the country.Headquartered in New York City, ICAS has been serving government, enterprise, education, and public agencies since 1979. The company is recognized for its incomparable expertise in managing the installation of sophisticated communications, high voltage, security and surveillance, and video equipment. ICAS relies on teams of highly trained professionals who are fluent in technology, and meet all industry certifications and mandates. Along with managing installations, ICAS will offer GXC's technology to its roster of clients throughout the Northeast that are looking to maximize efficiency through private cellular solutions."We are delighted to welcome ICAS to the GXC family, and look forward to closely working with them both on joint sales opportunities, as well as seamless implementations, of our private cellular solutions," said Mike Henderson, chief revenue officer at GXC. "ICAS has unparalleled expertise in the installation of mission-critical communications infrastructures, as well as close-knit relationships with a range of customers that can benefit from our services. We anticipate that this partnership will allow GXC to quickly expand its footprint in the Northeastern United States, and ensure that our customers experience consistently fast, accurate, and efficient implementations." GXC is a recognized provider of private cellular networks for enterprise applications. The company's patented solutions enable businesses to deliver reliable connectivity that allows businesses to maximize performance, improve resiliency and security, and lower network operating costs. The company's GXC Onyx platform utilizes proprietary interference cancellation technology that enables access to devices provided in the publicly available CBRS spectrum."GXC has demonstrated it is at the leading edge of private cellular technology by delivering a solution that meets the exacting needs of enterprise customers," said Matthew Bonfitto, ICAS' chief executive officer. "We are looking to introduce GXC's offerings to the many clients in our portfolio that we believe will benefit from a private cellular network. In addition, we are committed to ensuring that every installation we manage for GXC will adhere to our highest standards and expectations." To learn more about GXC and its groundbreaking 5G cellular mesh architecture for enterprises, please visit www.gxc.io About GXCFounded in 2016, GXC is an Austin, Texas-based company that provides groundbreaking private cellular network solutions for enterprises. Through its turnkey proprietary platform, GXC Onyx, the company delivers comprehensive connectivity both indoors and out, enabling highly secure, resilient, and scalable coverage that supports critical business operations in manufacturing, logistics, transportation, agriculture, and other commercial venues. GXC is the only provider to offer private cellular mesh technology, building this capability based on years of advanced research. The company partners with leading technology providers and systems integrators to ensure that each system is professionally deployed and meets the expectations of sophisticated enterprises. Follow us on LinkedIn and X and contact us here for inquiries.GXC Contact:PR ContactGlenn GoldbergParallel Communications Group516-705-6116X: @Parallel_PRggoldberg@ parallelpr.com SOURCE: GXC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 06:01:52

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 867 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

MOUNT PLEASANT, SC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Golden Vision Capital Americas ("GVC"), a Chicago-based private equity firm, is excited to announce their investment into Hawkes Learning ("Hawkes"), an educational software company providing innovative learning solutions for students and educators at hundreds of colleges and universities through its best-in-class courseware platform.Founded in 1979 by Dr. James Hawkes, a statistics professor at the College of Charleston, Hawkes created the first adaptive learning educational software with embedded expert systems - the precursor to AI. Their comprehensive suite of innovative course materials encompasses a wide range of subjects, including Mathematics, English, Science, Statistics, Business, and Humanities. By integrating cutting-edge AI technology with a unique mastery-based approach, Hawkes empowers students to master challenging concepts and makes a lasting, positive impact on the learning journey of students on college campuses around the U.S.. Hawkes prides itself on being a student-centered company that puts reliability and service at the forefront of all initiatives, helping students and instructors adapt to the everchanging educational landscape.As part of the transaction, Scott Virkler has assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and Brad Johnson has assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer. Scott comes to Hawkes with a reputation of being a student-first innovator in EdTech. He has held a Senior Executive roles at Renaissance Learning, Illuminate Learning, McGraw Hill Education and Reed Elsevier. Brad is a seasoned global business executive who has held various Operating and Finance roles at several companies including Saint Gobain and Plug Power."I founded Hawkes Learning to help students and instructors achieve improved learning outcomes by embracing technology in the higher education classroom. We have been an innovator since we started and have arguably been using AI in our learning tools longer than anyone in the market, enhancing learning outcomes and fostering lasting knowledge for thousands of students. I am thrilled to be handing over the reins of Hawkes to a strong, experienced team that will uphold the same company values as I have for the last 40 plus years of service and innovation. As I retire from my role as CEO I'm excited to continue supporting Hawkes Learning in becoming one of the leading EdTech companies in the market." - Dr. James Hawkes, Founder & former CEO, Hawkes LearningSynergies & Long-Term Value CreationBy partnering with Hawkes Learning, GVC Americas will provide the critical resources needed to invest in key strategic initiatives and support plans to serve a broader range of students and educators by expanding their geographical reach. GVC's differentiated approach in building upon the legacy of owner-operated companies, along with their deep industry knowledge in the educational technology sector will drive successful, operational improvements and long-term growth allowing Hawkes to continue to better serve their students and educators."We are very excited to partner with Dr. Hawkes, Scott, Brad and the entire Hawkes Learning team on this transaction. GVC was founded to partner with owner-operators to provide the infusion of capital necessary to create industry leaders. The core of this thesis is supporting the existing employees and management team and providing them with the tools to make the business truly transformative." - Eli Boufis, Head of Private Equity Americas"This investment signifies a remarkable milestone for Hawkes. I am confident that this partnership will unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation, further solidifying Hawkes' reputation as an industry leader in educational technology and transformative learning solutions." - Jacob Voorhees, Managing Director, NavagantJacob also invested alongside GVC and will serve as a Board member of Hawkes. Navagant served as the sole financial advisor to Hawkes Learning throughout its successful recapitalization to Golden Vision Capital Americas.About Hawkes LearningPartnering with the higher-ed community since 1979, Hawkes Learning has harnessed the transformative potential of technology to provide reliable course materials and exemplary service in the shared pursuit of student success. By combining student-centered innovation with AI-based tutoring and a proven, mastery learning approach, Hawkes cultivates an effective learning experience for students while simultaneously supporting educators.For more information, please visit www.hawkeslearning.com About Golden Vision Capital AmericasFounded in 2021, Golden Vision Capital Americas is a private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The firm invests in business services and healthcare services companies. GVC successfully closed its first fund in 2022 ("GVC Americas Growth Fund I") that focuses on investing alongside owners of middle-market companies that preserve and enhance the legacy of its founders with a curated environment of operators, entrepreneurs, industry specialists, and investors. The GVC environment can be leveraged to achieve synergies, produce growth, and provide a lifetime network of like-minded business partners.For more information, please visit www.gvcamericas.com About NavagantNavagant LLC is a middle-market investment bank focused exclusively on the Education & Training industry. We serve entrepreneurs, family-businesses, large corporations, and financial sponsors seeking to optimize their transaction outcomes. Our sell-side advisory services include mergers and acquisitions, majority and minority recapitalizations, management buyouts and corporate carve-outs. With a conscious-capital mission and a team of experienced professionals, Navagant delivers tailored solutions to help organizations unlock value and achieve life-changing outcomes.For more information, please visit www.navagant.com Jacob VoorheesManaging Director, NavagantPhone: (617) 216-1543jacob@ navagant.com SOURCE: Navagant
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 22:50:24

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 367 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. ("Hawaiian Electric" or the "Company") (NYSE:HE) 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 Hawaiian Electric securities between February 28, 2019 and August 16, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: www.bgandg.com/he Case Details:The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose 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.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/he 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 Hawaiian Electric you have until October 23, 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 & Grossman, LLC
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The military facilities of the Armenian armed formations were placed near the places of residence of civilians. The civilian population of Karabakh was not affected, but the data received is being checked again, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said at a press briefing, Trend reports.

He noted that the population was notified via SMS about anti-terrorist measures.

"The goal was to keep the civilian population away from military facilities. But it turned out that the Armenians began to place military facilities closer to the place of residence of the civilian population. We, in turn, did not strike at these territories," Hajiyev said.

At 04:30 (GMT+4) on September 19, 2023, a terrorist attack occurred near the village of Taghavard in the Khojavand district. A KAMAZ truck transporting personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan was struck by an explosion caused by a mine that had been previously planted by unauthorized Armenian armed groups. Notably, these groups had not withdrawn from Azerbaijani territory, despite the provisions outlined in the trilateral agreement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia following the second Karabakh War in 2020.

Consequently, Azerbaijan initiated anti-terror measures aimed at addressing the presence of unauthorized Armenian forces and remnants of the Armenian armed forces in Karabakh.

As a result, in under 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Army has managed to take control of more than 90 combat positions of the Armenian armed forces units. At the same time, seven combat vehicles, one tank, four mortars, and two infantry fighting vehicles were captured as trophies from the Armenian armed forces units.

Thus, on September 20, at 13:00 (GMT+4), and agreement has been reached to stop the anti-terrorist activities under several terms.

First, the units of Armenia's armed forces deployed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, as well as illegal armed groups, are required to relinquish their weaponry, vacate their combat positions and military bases, and undergo thorough disarmament. Concurrently, the surrender of all ammunition and heavy military equipment is enforced. At the same time, the implementation of the aforementioned procedure should be coordinated with the presence of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, temporarily stationed in Karabakh.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 14:02:40

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 424 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Today, Leone Asset Management (OTC PINK:LEON) Subsidiary JP Anderson, Ltd., announced that they have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Nyingohun landholding family of Molendeh Village in the Nyawa Section of the Gbo Chiefdom in Sierra Leone, West Africa.The MOU agreement between the two parties is to undertake the business of quarrying, leading to the crushing of stone for infrastructure development in Sierra Leone and other countries in West Africa. JP Anderson will be operating a 500+-acre quarry location in the Bbo Chiefdom in Sierra Leone. The quarry location has more than 100 million tons of stone to be crushed. The agreement is in place for 20 years with an additional 25-year option. The parties anticipate beginning operations in the first quarter of 2024.James Price, Chairman and CEO of Leone Asset, stated, we anticipate beginning operations with a 350 ton per hour crushing plant and operating six days per week with two eight hour shifts daily. We plan on doubling production in both year 2 and year 3 depending on demand for the finished product. For all product marketing and quarry information Leone will be building out a separate website ( LeoneStone.com) and will be selling all products as Leone Stone & Gravel.This opportunity and corporate expansion will add tremendous share-holder value and will allow Leone Asset to participate with Sierra Leone and other Sub-Saharan countries with some of the World's largest infrastructure development over the next fifty years." About Leone Asset ManagementLeone Asset Management, Inc., is a multi-national, multi-industry conglomerate withsubsidiary companies that operate in Health and Wellness, Infrastructure development, agriculture management. For additional information, please visit www.leoneasset.com Forward-Looking Statements Disclosure:This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. In this context, forward-looking statements may address the Company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipates," "beliefs," "estimates," "expects," "intends," " plans," "seeks," "will," and other terms with similar meaning. These forward-looking statements by their nature address matter that are, to different degrees, uncertain. Although the Company believes that the assumptions upon which its forward-looking statements based are reasonable, it can provide no assurances that these assumptions will prove to be correct. All forward-looking statements in this press release are expressly qualified by such cautionary statements, risk, and uncertainties, and by reference to the underlying assumptions.Contact:James PriceJPriceceo@ gmail.com SOURCE: Leone Asset Management, Inc.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 10:20:29

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 522 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / October 18-22, 2023 -Meet Me at the Hotel (MMATH) makes its second return from October 18th to 22nd 2023 at the Room Mate Aitana Hotel in Amsterdam. We are also very happy to announce we will be official partners with ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) this year. The largest music festival in the world, the 400,000 person plus festival, brings together electronic music fans from around the globe for five days of some of the best live electronic music performances in the genre.MMATH brings together a unique mix of Festival and event organizers, DJ's, artists, creative minds, and music producers, under one roof for a total of 5 days. It gives the attendees the opportunity to interact and enjoy the expertise of specialists across the Music Industry.Following the success of the inaugural edition, this year's MMATH conference looks to create an increasingly enriching experience, offering a mix of showcases, interviews, live streams, and other interactive activities. The global program includes events with We Rave You, Boatshaus, 1001 Tracklist, Florian Picasso, Boomerang, and Octagon.Whether you are looking for a hotel room to stay during ADE or want to join one of the amazing showcases, all information can be found at the official Meet Me at the Hotel website/socials and of course thru all the official ADE channels.Bjoern Wilbrink, CEO of MMATH, said "Meet Me at the Hotel is more than a gathering. It is a meeting point for enthusiasts coming from all walks of the music industry to share their knowledge and skills to enrich it even further. We look forward to seeing the music industry enthusiasts and the leaders of the industry in Amsterdam this October!"MMATH is a one-stop-shop for all music industry enthusiasts, boasting an elite atmosphere with its invite-only attendance list.About Meet me at the HotelMeet Me at the Hotel is an exclusive international conference which unites the visionary minds from the electronic dance music industry. Being held during the highly renowned "The Amsterdam Dance Event", it brings together music industry professionals from around the globe; all concentrated in one place for five consecutive days. It is a unique opportunity to interact with like minds that share your interest and passion for the electronic dance music industry. It is a destination where you can share knowledge, experience, insights, and opportunities with other music industry professionals. Meet Me at the Hotel is an occasion to not only further develop your network within the industry, but it also provides a forum to further advance the music industry in its entirety, going beyond the electronic music genre.Are you a music industry professional looking to network and learn more about what is happening in the industry? You can join us at Meet Me at the Hotel from October 18th - 22nd in Amsterdam. For more info and to book your room visit https://www.meetmeatthehotel.com! See you at the Hotel!Media DetailsCompany - Meet Me At The HotelContact person - RoelienBusiness Mail: roelien@ d-verse.ioWebsite https://www.meetmeatthehotel.com/City and Country - Amsterdam, NetherlandsSOURCE: Meet Me At The Hotel
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 20:30:38

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 776 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / AcreBy Johnny GoldsmithInnovative technology to calculate travel carbon emissions has highlighted rail travel as kinder to the planet with 10 times less CO2 releases, compared to driving a car.The carbon calculations form part of the Green Travel Pledge, an initiative from the rail industry, which will provide businesses with carbon calculations by the end of the year to empower business leaders to make more informed travel choices.Calculations were based on travel, per passenger, from London to Edinburgh and studied flight travel too, which emitted 13 times more carbon than a train.How will the data help the environment?The rail data, which assesses several factors including journey distance and fuel type is expected to provide an industry benchmark to measure rail carbon and demonstrate its environmental benefits.The initiative is led by the Rail Delivery Group on behalf of the rail industry, in collaboration with Great British Railways Transition Team, Thrust Carbon, Fabrik and Black Box Partnerships.Data shows an equivalent journey from London King's Cross Station to Edinburgh Waverley Station produced 12.5kgCO2e of carbon emissions per passenger by train, compared to 136.4kgCO2e by car and 165.1kgCO2e by plane.Currently, emissions for this type of distance are calculated at nearly half the figure considered to be a standard measure by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra).Travelling wisely to boost ESG credentialsJacqueline Starr, CEO at the Rail Delivery Group, said: "We want to empower businesses to make greener travel choices. Businesses have been asking for a tool to demonstrate the environmental benefits of shifting business travel journeys from planes and cars to rail. We are now delivering this."We are really excited to be rolling out accurate and reliable carbon emission data for rail routes across Britain as part of our Green Travel Pledge later this year so businesses can accurately demonstrate how rail travel is helping them to reach their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals." Kit Brennan, Founder and Head of Product at Thrust Carbon which assisted with development of the methodology behind the new rail carbon calculations, said: "Businesses always knew that rail was the greenest way to travel; but for the first time we now know just how much greener it is."This is the first time we've combined such granular data on occupancy, journey distance, carriage layout and a number of other factors to provide an accurate and reliable figure for greenhouse gas emissions."We are excited about expanding the rail carbon calculator to include rail routes across Britain to support businesses to travel more sustainably in future." Clive Wratten, CEO at the Business Travel Association (BTA), said: "We've heard loud and clear from our members and the business travel community, that consistency in carbon measurement is an imperative."This initiative from RDG on behalf of the whole rail industry has the potential to provide clarity and a robust green message to all parts of business travel." Jonathan Goldsmith, Head of Transport & Infrastructure, Acre - UK, said: "Rail travel should be fully embraced to reduce our carbon footprint whenever possible as businesses conduct more physical meetings, in addition to the virtual ones we relied heavily upon over the past three years."Awareness of increased emissions when driving a petrol or diesel-powered car is one thing, but now there is solid evidence to support the fact that rail travel creates 10 times less carbon emissions in comparison - a sure-fire way to ensure we are more mindful of our modes of travel."I applaud the innovations that empower businesses to make more sustainable travel decisions, such as the award-winning technology and intelligence from Thrust Carbon, which demonstrates the importance of utilising accurate and impactful data." About AcreAt Acre, we work with the most aspirational businesses with potential to make real change; from those who are just starting out to those who are well on the journey to crafting a legacy.Our 18 years' experience in sustainability recruitment, combined with our extensive global network, enables us to provide talent solutions that are designed to deliver this change.Through our unique behavioural assessment technology, we understand the types of people, skills and behaviours required to create impact. We can develop these qualities within your existing teams too.We find talented people and develop their skills to ensure they make a true impact in ambitious, progressive organisations.Acre. Making companies ready for tomorrow.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Acre on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: AcreWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/acreEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Acre
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 07:31:00

Press Information

Dhirtek Business Research and Consulting Private Limited









+91 7580990088

email

www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com



Published by

Parmeet Singh

7580990088

e-mail

https://www.dhirtekbusinessresearch.com/







# 1023 Words

+91 7580990088Parmeet Singh7580990088

The world of the powder free exam gloves market is a complex and ever-evolving landscape, shaped by consumer demands and technological advancements. In this report, we delve into the depths of this market to provide a profound and comprehensive analysis, catering to a diverse audience that includes manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors. Our primary goal is to empower industry stakeholders with invaluable insights to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing environment. We aim to illuminate the current status of the powder free exam gloves market while projecting its future trends.Scope and PurposeOur report is a comprehensive guide designed to equip industry stakeholders with actionable information. It covers various aspects of the powder free exam gloves market, including market dynamics, competition, growth avenues, challenges, and regional variations. This information goes beyond mere descriptions; it is intended to help stakeholders make critical decisions that can shape their strategies and endeavors in the market.Request for Sample Report:Promising Comprehensive AnalysisTo fulfill our promises, we commit to providing a comprehensive analysis that leaves no stone unturned. We pledge to unravel the factors propelling the market's growth, dissecting shifts in consumer preferences and technological breakthroughs that are driving the demand for powder free exam gloves products. Simultaneously, we acknowledge that challenges and obstacles are part of any industry landscape, and we vow to illuminate these hurdles, be it economic uncertainties or the intense competition that often characterizes such markets.Some of the major companies in the Powder Free Exam Gloves market are as follows: AMMEX Corporation, Ansell, Bluesail, Cardinal Health, Halyard Health, INTCO Medical, Kanam Latex Industries, Kossan Rubber, Lohmann & Rauscher, Medline Industries, Molnlycke Health Care, Motex Group, Semperit, Shangdong Yuyuan Latex Gloves, Sri Trang Group, Supermax, Top GloveGuiding the Path ForwardOur report extends an invitation to its readers to explore its contents and sets the stage for uncovering the competitive landscape. It introduces the major players in the powder free exam gloves market and their strategies, offering insights into what makes them thrive. This insight-rich analysis is meant to guide others on their path forward  whether it's to navigate the competition more effectively or to find inspiration in successful strategies.Anticipation of InsightsRecognizing that the market is not monolithic but rather a composition of various segments, the report pledges to provide a nuanced understanding of these segments. It promises to detail their sizes, potential growth trajectories, and key trends. This targeted knowledge assists stakeholders in carving out specialized strategies and ensuring optimal resource allocation.Balancing Forces and Strategic ImplicationsBy elucidating both the driving forces and potential obstacles, the report paints a holistic picture of the market dynamics. It enables industry stakeholders to navigate the competitive landscape with a deeper understanding of the forces at play. Manufacturers can align their innovation efforts with consumer preferences and regulatory trends, thereby enhancing their market position. Investors and decision-makers can be better prepared to address economic uncertainties and supply chain vulnerabilities. Overall, this section equips readers with insights to make strategic decisions that account for both growth opportunities and challenges in the powder free exam gloves market.Exploring the Competitive LandscapeThe section dedicated to the competitive landscape of the powder free exam gloves market offers an intricate exploration of the market's key players, their strategies, and their impact on the industry. This segment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the market's dynamics, the role of major companies, and the strategies they employ to thrive.Segment CharacteristicsThe report initiates the analysis by outlining the unique characteristics that define each segment. Whether these segments are categorized based on product types, customer demographics, use cases, or other distinguishing factors, the report provides a clear picture of how these segments are defined and differentiated.Market SizeUnderstanding the size of each market segment is crucial for gauging its significance within the overall market landscape. The report likely provides quantitative data to illustrate the market share and contribution of "Type" and "Application" segments to the entire powder free exam gloves market. This information helps stakeholders appreciate the relative importance of each segment.Growth PotentialBeyond current market size, the report delves into the growth potential of these segments. It explores factors such as emerging trends, consumer behaviors, technological advancements, and regulatory influences that could drive the future expansion of these segments. This forward-looking perspective aids stakeholders in identifying where the market's growth opportunities lie.Key TrendsThe analysis likely captures the key trends specific to each segment. Whether it's changing consumer preferences, evolving technology adoption, or shifting regulatory landscapes, the report provides insights into the forces shaping the behavior of "Type" and " Application." These trends inform stakeholders about the directions these segments might take in the coming years.Strategic InsightsThe segment analysis extends beyond descriptive data to offer strategic insights. By understanding the characteristics, potential, and trends of "Type" and "Application," industry participants can make informed decisions. Manufacturers can tailor their product development strategies to meet the demands of these segments, and marketers can create targeted campaigns to reach specific customer groups.Market Segmentation:Type: Latex Powder Free Examination Gloves, Nitrile Powder Free Examination Gloves, PVC Powder Free Examination Gloves, OtherApplication: Hospital, Clinic, Scientific Research Institute, OthersExploring Regional DynamicsThe section dedicated to the regional analysis of the powder free exam gloves market provides a comprehensive exploration of how the market fares across different geographical areas. This analysis recognizes that markets are not homogenous and that regional variations can significantly impact market dynamics. The report delves into the intricacies of each region  North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa  to provide stakeholders with valuable insights.Closing ThoughtsIn essence, the conclusion encapsulates the report's journey. It emphasizes the report's role as a strategic tool, a navigator, and a decision-making companion in the complex world of the powder free exam gloves market. This report is more than just a document; it is a valuable resource that empowers industry stakeholders to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving market environment.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 01:00:15

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 908 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

Local, Louisiana-based communications provider and rural America-serving cooperative bank collaborate and donate to Southeast Louisiana community organizationsGONZALES, LA / ACCESSWIRE / September 19, 2023 / REV recently partnered with CoBank through their annual Sharing Success program to provide surprise donations to four local non-profits making a difference in South Louisiana.Annually, CoBank - a cooperative bank focusing on corporate citizenship efforts - provides matching funds to enhance partners' donations to a selection of area nonprofits. Trusting that local partners, like REV, have an on-the-ground perspective about their communities' needs, CoBank's Sharing Success program has consistently doubled the local telecom's charitable donations.Thanks to the dual impact of CoBank's Sharing Success program, REV was able to double funds contributed to four local non-profit organizations."Supporting meaningful causes and partnering alongside local organizations continue to remain central to REV's commitment to give back to the communities we serve and connect," said Josh Descant, CEO of REV. "In an effort to promote and enhance the missions of these deserving non-profits, REV is proud to partner with CoBank and, together, effectively double our donations to make an even more considerable impact." This year, the following non-profits were beneficiaries of REV and CoBank's Sharing Success program (receiving the below amounts after REV's and CoBank's partnership matches were applied):ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter - $2500.00Hammond Air Show Foundation - $10,000.00Upside Downs, Inc. - $4000.00The Whitney Institute - $4000.00."The Sharing Success program is ultimately an investment into the communities, leveling up what REV provides and truly making a difference," said Monika Arnold, REV's Community Relations and Business Development manager. "This repeat collaboration with CoBank is deeply appreciated - helping those who are facilitating incredible outcomes right here in South Louisiana." "For many years, REV, formerly EATEL, and CoBank have supported the fight against ALS by sponsoring The ALS Association Louisiana-Mississippi Chapter's annual Walk to Defeat ALS. In addition, Peter Louviere [REV's CFO] is an avid supporter, raising thousands of dollars through his team, Lou's Mission,'" said Frankie Erwin, office administrator, ALS. "We are grateful that REV and CoBank have once again partnered to provide a $2,500 Bronze Sponsorship for the 2023 Louisiana Walk to Defeat ALS as we strive to make ALS a livable disease." "The REV/CoBank donation is what fuels the Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow," said Lacy Landrum, Airshow Chair. "It brings us together to be inspired by pilots flying incredible stunts with their aircraft. More importantly, the generous donation continues after the airshow by funding STEM education year-round." "REV's and CoBank's belief in our mission resonates deeply, and we are honored to have partners like them supporting Upside Downs. We thank these two companies for their generosity and dedication to making a difference," said Beau Brooks, Board Member and Founder of Upside Downs. "This support will allow us to reach more families and touch their lives in meaningful ways. With the help of REV/CoBank, we are able to continue to show that anything is possible with Down syndrome." "We were thrilled to receive a donation from REV and CoBank to help support our mission and programs at Whitney Plantation," said Ashley Rogers, Whitney Plantation's executive director. "We are proud to have such strong community partners who see the importance of the work we do to educate the public every day." Recently, each organization was surprised with the above-mentioned funds and presented with a ceremonial, large check to mark the donation of these philanthropic dollars. Established in 2012, CoBank's Sharing Success program has contributed over $76 million to partners in agribusiness, power, water, and telecommunications industries.l-r: Monika Arnold (Community Relations and Business Development manager, REV), Frankie Erwin (office administrator, ALS), Peter Louviere (CFO, REV), Sadie Eymard (Finance executive assistant, REV)l-r: Jeremy Theriot (Community Relations and Business Development director, REV), Ginger Cangelosi (executive director, Tangipahoa Economic Development), Tressy Leindecker (Sales and Marketing EVP, REV), Mayor Pete Panepinto (City of Hammond), Lacy Landrum (director of Administration, City of Hammond and Airshow Chair), Monika Arnold (Community Relations and Business Development manager, REV)l-r: Donna Martin (Sr. Strategic Account Manager, REV), Beau Brooks (President of the Board and Founder of Upside Downs), Michelle Brooks (Board Member and Founder of Upside Downs), Angelle Tanner (Development and Communications coordinator), and Jeremy Theriot (Community Relations and Business Development director, REV)l-r: Kyronisha Dunn (Customer Care manager, REV), Trenice Cooper (Deputy Director of Operations, Whitney Plantation), Ashley Rogers (executive director, Whitney Plantation), Monika Arnold (Community Relations and Business Development manager, REV), Megan Archer (Production manager, REV)About REVEstablished in 2020 - with the merging of three local and storied telecom providers - and rebranded in 2022, REV is the combined parent company of Reserve Telephone Company (RTC), EATEL/EATEL Business and Vision Communications. The combined company, with nearly 250 years of collective communications service, operates as Louisiana's largest, locally owned, telecommunications network.With over 2,790 miles of fiber and nearly 400 employees, REV (and the organization's suite of business services offered by REV Business) connects more than 60,000 customers in their homes and places of work. For more information about REV and the provider's new brand and continued commitment to localism, please visit www.letsrev.com - New Name. Same Local Company.Media ContactsJeremy Theriot, Director of Community Relations and Business Development 225-315-8294, jeremy.theriot@letsrev.com Monika Arnold, Manager of Community Relations and Business Development225-305-8001, monika.arnold@letsrev.com SOURCE: REV
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 21:31:44

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 374 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Rose Sanders Law Firm, PLLC, a top-rated personal injury law firm, congratulates attorney Charles Sanders for being awarded "NTL - Civil Plaintiff - Top 40 under 40 Trial Lawyer in Texas" by The National Trial Lawyers Association.Personal injury attorney Charles Sanders has beenselected as one of the top attorneys in Texas. Each year, The National Trial Lawyers Association selects the top 40 attorneys under the age of 40 in Texas. The organization considers a wide variety of qualifications, including commitment to upholding the principles of justice, legal prowess, individual excellence, qualifications, trial results, and leadership in both the civil plaintiff and young criminal defense arenas. Members of this elite group benefit from an array of resources, such as access to essential legal news, information, and continued education, helping them to remain at the forefront of their profession.Rose Sanders Law Firm's Managing Partner Erica Rose states, "We are thrilled for Charles and celebrate with him. He remains dedicated to improving his knowledge, skills, and experiences for the benefit of his clients. We are inspired by his commitment to defending justice for all, and we could not be happier for him. His exceptional legal journey is a testament to his relentless passion for the legal industry and his clients." Sanders says, "I am honored that The National Trial Lawyers Association has included me in such an incredibly talented group of attorneys. I will work hard to set a benchmark for what can be achieved with dedication, expertise, and an unwavering pursuit of justice." For those interested in learning more about The National Trial Lawyers and their mission, please visit their official website at http://thenationaltriallawyers.org/ Rose Sanders Law Firm represents injured Texans across the state. About Rose Sanders Law Firm:Founded on the principles of justice, equality, and commitment, the Rose Sanders Law Firm has been a beacon of legal excellence at its offices in Dallas, Houston, McAllen, and El Paso. The firm's dedicated team, under the leadership of Charles Sanders and Erica Rose, consistently delivers unparalleled legal services to its clientele.Media Contact:Charles K. Sanders(713) 221-3773charles@ rosesanderslaw.comRose Sanders Law Firm, PLLCHouston, Dallas, McAllen, El Paso, TXwww.rosesanderslaw.com SOURCE: Rose Sanders Law Firm
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 22:35:12

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 361 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

HORSHAM, PA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Sofidel, a leading global provider of paper products, has earned a Climate Pledge Friendly badge from Amazon. This label highlights Sofidel's unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility."We're thrilled to have received the Climate Pledge Friendly label," said Fabio Vitali, Vice President of Marketing, Sofidel America. "This recognition reinforces our dedication to sustainability and our mission to provide our customers with products that are the highest quality while helping to preserve the planet." The Climate Pledge Friendly initiative is part of Amazon's commitment to conserving the natural environment. This badge is given to products and companies that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions. Under this badge, Sofidel is committed to routine reporting on greenhouse gas emissions and the implementation of decarbonization tactics. The goal is to achieve net-zero annual carbon emissions by 2040.Sofidel's commitment to sustainability is ingrained in its corporate values and reflected throughout its practices to help reduce its ecological footprint. This commitment is demonstrated further through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification of its product line.The badge has been received by all of Sofidel's Papernet and NICKY products available on Amazon here.To learn more about Sofidel's commitment to sustainability and its range of Climate Pledge Friendly products, visit www.sofidel.com/en/the-group/sofidel-in-the-world/sofidel-america/ About The Sofidel GroupThe Sofidel Group, a privately held company owned by the Stefani and Lazzareschi families, is a world leader in the manufacture of paper for hygienic and domestic use. Founded in 1966, the Group has subsidiaries in 12 countries - Italy, Spain, the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Romania, and the USA - with more than 6,400 employees. A member of the UN Global Compact and the international WWF Climate Savers program, the Sofidel Group considers sustainability a strategic imperative and is committed to promoting sustainable development. For more information, visit www.sofidel.com ###Media Contact: Christina Alvarez Mulberry Marketing Communications calvarez@ mulberrymc.com 708-908-0898View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Sofidel on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: SofidelWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/sofidelEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Sofidel
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 16:49:26

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 650 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

ROCK HILL, SC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / TaxBandits, a leading IRS-authorized e-file provider, is launching a new integration option with FreshBooks, a popular accounting software, ahead of the upcoming tax season. FreshBooks is widely used by business owners and accountants for managing invoices, expenses, payments to non-employees, and more.This integration is a crucial tool for business owners and tax professionals who rely on FreshBooks for accounting, particularly when filing their annual Form 1099 in January.TaxBandits simplifies IRS e-filing for businesses of all sizes and industries. Now, clients of FreshBooks can take advantage of this integration option, streamlining the process for filing these key information returns:Form 1099-NECForm 1099-NEC is used to report all non-employee compensation to the IRS. Non-employee compensation refers to payments that a business makes to an independent contractor, freelance worker, or vendor. Form 1099-NEC must be filed with the IRS, and a copy must be distributed to the recipients of the payments.Form 1099-MISCTheForm 1099-MISC is used to report miscellaneous payments made by the business during the tax year to the IRS. Some examples of miscellaneous payments include but are not limited to rents, prizes, royalties of $10 or more, and fishing boat proceeds. In addition to reporting these payments to the IRS on 1099-MISC, the business must also furnish the recipient with a copy.Benefits of the Freshbooks 1099 Integration ProcessThe most notable benefit of this integration option is its simplicity. All FreshBooks clients can start the process by creating a TaxBandits account and choosing to import their vendor's information using the integration. The vendor's information will be pulled from the Billing' section of their FreshBooks account and used to generate Forms 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC either one at a time or in bulk. Once the 1099 forms are generated, all clients will need to do is review and transmit them to the IRS.Streamlined, Year-end 1099 E-filingIn addition to the smooth process of importing and generating 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC forms, clients can also take advantage of TaxBandits advanced features for smooth and efficient filing. TaxBandits offers built-in audits using the IRS Business Rules to capture common filing errors before forms are transmitted to the IRS.In addition to federal filing with the IRS, TaxBandits also supports filing with the required state agencies, allowing businesses to maintain compliance with their state. When it comes to distributing 1099 recipient copies, TaxBandits clients can choose Postal Mailing and/or Online Access services for a complete 1099 reporting solution.When asked about the integration with FreshBooks, Agie Sundaram, the CEO and Co-founder of SPAN Enterprises (TaxBandits' parent company), responded stating, "For our team the tax season is on the horizon and we are preparing to offer our clients the most streamlined filing process available. With excellent new additions like the 1099 integration with FreshBooks, we are continuing to expand our robust e-filing solution. With the addition of the FreshBooks to our pre-existing integrations with Sage Intacct, QuickBooks, and ZohoBooks, we have positioned ourselves as the market leader of simplified e-filing." About TaxBanditsThe 1099 and W-2 experts! TaxBandits is a SOC 2 Certified, IRS-authorized e-file provider of 1099, W2, Form 1095-C, Form 1095-B, 940,941, and W-9, serving businesses, service providers, and tax professionals of every shape and size.Additionally, software providers and other high-volume filers can take advantage of TaxBandits API. The integration allows them to add value for their clients and expand monetization efforts. TaxBandits API enables seamless preparation and e-filing of 1099, W-2, 941, 940, and ACA 1095 forms. Software providers can also use the developer-friendly 1099 API to enable W-9 automation and automate 1099 filings efficiently within their software.About SPAN EnterprisesBased in Rock Hill, South Carolina, SPAN Enterprises has been developing industry-leading software solutions for IRS e-filing and business management tools for over a decade.The SPAN Enterprises portfolio of products includes TaxBandits, Tax990, ACAwise, ExpressExtension, 123PayStubs, and TruckLogics.For any media inquiries, please reach out to Stephanie Glanville, Content Writer at stephanie@ spanenterprises.com SOURCE: TaxBandits
PR-Inside.com: 2023-09-20 18:18:41

Press Information





Published by

ACCESSWIRE News Network

888.952.4446

e-mail

http://www.accesswire.com







# 543 Words

ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / 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.Attorney advertising.Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices.Contact:Reed Kathrein, 844-916-0895SOURCE: Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP
Yemisi Fatona, a single mother of three whose only means of survival is farming explained how her lands open gateways have allowed Fulani cattle to roam freely on her once-thriving cassava farm.

She explained with a faint smile that quickly fades, I have been farming on the land for close to two years, and I used to harvest large numbers of cassava when it was time for harvesting. But these past few months, the devastation of how most of the crops would have been destroyed by the cattle is all I see. The selling of these crops in exchange for money and using part of it for the sustenance of my family has always brought joy, but now, I only get a little to take home, and it has affected our livelihood. I only have a little profit, which is nothing compared to what I used to get before.

Her voice trembles as she explains her ordeals and the struggles of providing for her family since the beginning of the Fulani herders attacks on her farm crops.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces Physical Health School and Games Village project in Esa-Oke, Osun State has become an abandoned project with the area covered in thick bushes.

However, the Esa-Oke community demonstrated resilience by making use of the abandoned land for farming to cultivate crops.

However, their efforts faced challenges from roaming Fulani herders and their cattle, which often damaged their crops.

Mudashiru Obadaras calloused hands grip his hoe, a tool that has become both his ally and his shield.

The once-fertile farmlands that have sustained his family now bear the scars of relentless intrusion. With each dawn, he rides to his field, bracing himself for the heart-wrenching sight of trampled crops devoured by the hooves of Fulani cattle.

Its not just about crops anymore; every crop represents a meal for myself and for my family. These cattle dont just eat our plants; they consume our hopes. Whenever I come around on the farm, I try to shoo them away and warn their herders, but they only move away when they keep coming back, he says with a heavy sigh.

I am a bike rider, and I farm too as a secondary means of livelihood, at least to make ends meet for my family, but with the ongoing destruction of the Fulanis and their cattle, I am beginning to lose hope on the farm, but it is more or less wasting time and resources on the farm.

The presence of Fulani herders and their cattle has contributed to security challenges and agricultural concerns.

The cattles grazing activities have led to damage to crops, prompting the farm owners to voice their complaints over the destruction caused by the cattle, which has compounded the communitys struggles to utilize the abandoned land effectively.

The Armed Forces Physical Health School and Games Village project in Esa-Oke, Osun State, once promised prosperity and development for the armed forces.

With a substantial budget of over N200 million allocated in the 2022 zonal intervention projects, the project aimed to foster physical well-being and camaraderie among the armed forces personnel. However, upon visiting the site, it became evident that the project had been abandoned for many years, leaving behind a desolate and deteriorating landscape.

The project was intended to benefit the armed forces, including the police, army, and other security agencies. While the community provided the land, the projects ultimate impact on the community remains uncertain, given its primary focus on the armed forces.

The project was introduced to our community by Honorable Oluwole Oke, the representative of Obokun Local Government Constituency, in 2007. Despite being primarily meant for the armed forces, we had expectations when we agreed to the proposal, Oba Adeyemi Adediran of Esa-Oke Land explained.

The king elaborated that the project site is situated approximately 8 kilometress away from the residential area of Esa Oke, pointing out that since the projects abandonment, the land has become accessible to all, leading to challenges.

This has allowed Fulani herders to bring in their cattle, with estimates of up to 5,000 cattle grazing on the land indicating that the absence of consistent management has given rise to this situation.

The security guard stationed at the site hasnt received payment for almost five years. To sustain himself, he resorts to farming on the land and also permits other residents to utilize portions of the land for farming in exchange for compensation.

Project Cost Escalation

Further investigation into the project reveals a significant disparity between the initially budgeted amount and the actual expenditure. Originally allocated N254 million in 2012, the projects documented expenses from 2012 to 2017 with a dynamic status of New and Ongoing have surpassed N1.4 billion.

The project dates back to 2009, with consistent funding allocations continuing until 2022. However, a critical observation emerges  despite the sustained financial support, the project has remained in a state of abandonment for several years. This points to a significant gap between the allocated funding and the projects completion.

An online document dated July 4, 2018, reveals evidence from the parliamentary records that they have been actively engaged with the issue of the project. In the document, concerns were raised about the projects state of abandonment despite the allocation of funds for its completion. This parliamentary resolution underscores the projects significance for the physical readiness of Nigerian Armed Forces personnel and emphasizes the need for its urgent completion.

Dilapidation

The excitement and optimism that once surrounded the project have long faded, leaving behind a desolate and deteriorating landscape.

The already constructed buildings that were once symbols of progress now bear the scars of neglect, with their roofs tattered and walls stained by time. The land that was meant to be a thriving hub of activity is now overrun by encroaching vegetation and serves as grazing grounds for cattle.

The buildings, including the library, stadium, and some others whose purpose couldnt be identified due to the thick bushes, which made it impossible to move closer for proper access, are beginning to deteriorate and are in a state of dilapidated condition.

The stadium, which was supposed to be a covered pavilion housing large and happy crowds, now has its rooftops nearly stripped away by the harsh elements of wind and rain. The paintings on the walls of the building have faded and washed away, leaving only dust.

Why We Keep Mute  King

According to the king, there have been several reported cases of the Fulani attacking farmlands and destroying crops, leaving the farmers devastated by the destruction of their crops.

The attacks have almost resulted in conflicts between the herders and the farmers when the actions by the herders persisted in destroying farmlands, and we have tried to settle it amicably, but they keep coming back.

Opposite the abandoned land where some community residents have utilized it for farming, there is a farm settlement given to the government, which later gave it out to farmers as the primary occupation in this community is farming. On that farmland, different kinds of crops are being planted, like cocoa, cocoyam, cassava, and maize, among others, which might be the reason why the cattle are attracted to the particular area.

Those who farm on the farm settlements are also affected by the Fulani attacks, which is more of a concern to us than those who farm on abandoned land. That is because we have no say over the land, as it has already been given to the government, and we were given no directives to watch over it on their behalf, the king explained.

If the land hadnt been abandoned and utilized as it ought to, there wouldnt be cases of Fulani attacks, and they wouldnt have had any reason to patrol the entire area covering the farm settlements as there would be restrictions.

Contractor Verification and Inactivity

Using keyword search on Google to find the contractor, it was discovered that the project was contracted to a company called Hea Bond to oversee.

Efforts to contact the contracted company responsible for the projects execution encountered difficulties as attempts to reach the company via email received no response.

Further findings were made through the companys social media handles, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, and it was discovered their last activity was in December 2022.

The company was listed as inactive on the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) platform.

A physical visit was made to the companys listed address but no company could be found on the provided location.

Security Challenges

The abandoned site had become a hotbed of insecurity, a place where lawlessness found fertile ground. Despite having a security guard on site, the lack of proper use of security measures allows thieves and miscreants to roam freely.

The king and the security guard recounted tales of stolen equipment, vandalized properties, and fearsome encounters with the miscreants who had claimed the abandoned facility as their own. The absence of a proper security presence further emboldened these criminals, perpetuating a cycle of fear and desolation.

The security personnel, Ibrahim Dauda, who has been a guard on the land since the commencement of the project, revealed that most of the water heaters, water closets, and wiring installed in the buildings have been carted away by thieves.

He also complained about the land turning into a grazing ground for the Fulani and their cows, destroying some farmers crops.

I was employed by one of the contractors with the name Hea Bond Nig. Ltd. working on this project to safeguard the equipment brought in by their employers, but unfortunately, they stopped coming and stopped working too. Along the way, they stopped coming to work and also stopped paying my monthly salary, and till now, I have been owed a salary for four and a half years. Whenever I call, they complain of not being disbursed money by the government and therefore, cant pay me, he lamented.

Most of the equipment already installed in the buildings has been stolen by thieves. I am not always on duty; I have a farm I am managing as a means of survival, and due to how large this place is, I cant monitor everything, he explained.

There is a case of theft that happened recently where the police after I reported about stolen equipment, caught a young boy who is also a resident of the community suspected of having stolen two water heaters from one of the buildings and trying to sell them to a non-resident of the community. He is now in detention at the state Crime Investigation Department in Osogbo.

The abandoned facilities, shrouded in thick bushes in various sections of the land, have become the perfect hiding place for those with sinister intentions. Alleged thieves slip through the cracks, seeking refuge within the dilapidated buildings.

One of the farmers who farms on the land, Adebayo Akanni, recalls a chilling encounter when he came to check on his farm.

He says, I was passing by the stadium building one evening to check my farm when I heard running footsteps opposite my direction. My heart raced, and I hurried away because I have heard cases of robbery happening in the facilities.

The projects abandonment has transformed a once-secure community into one plagued by anxiety he adds.

I used to find comfort in the familiarity of these surroundings, but now every shadow holds the potential for danger, and every sound is a harbinger of uncertainty, Mr Akanni said.

The sites increasing reputation as a haven for thieves compounded the communitys hardship. Equipment installed in the already-constructed buildings on the project site have been stolen, creating fear and trepidation among the residents farmers.

The king himself advised against visiting the site alone, especially considering the gender of this reporter, and arranged for a bike rider with the security guarding the land to accompany the reporter during a visit to the site.

Environmental Concerns and Erosion

The abandoned project was not only neglected but also faces severe environmental degradation.

The lack of proper drainage and erosion control measures has caused significant damage to the roads on the land. Potholes filled with rainwater have transformed the pathways into treacherous terrain, making them nearly impassable. The unchecked erosion not only poses risk to the abandoned infrastructure but also contributed to broader environmental degradation.

The site displayed clear signs of neglect, with gullies and ditches scattered across the landscape, revealing the impact of unmanaged runoff.

The erosion had taken its toll on the surrounding vegetation, stripping away topsoil and leaving exposed roots vulnerable to further degradation. The communitys efforts to farm the land also suffered as the erosion disrupted their cultivation efforts, causing soil erosion and hampering crop growth.

Communitys Expectations

The kings account of community expectations underscores the profound echoes of the projects abandonment in the very fabric of the Esa-Oke community.

The ripple effects extend far beyond neglected buildings and trampled crops; they are etched into the communitys past, present, and future. Through the kings reflection, the profound economic implications come into sharp focus, casting a shadow over the unfulfilled dreams of prosperity that once glimmered.

When the project was introduced to us, we had lots of expectations from the completion of the project, which we once believed would bring forth growth and progress to the community. One of our greatest expectations includes galvanizing the economy of the community, but the abandonment of the project has killed that hope.

Also, we believed that the completion will bring job opportunities/employment to the community, boost the name of the community, and put it on the world map because once the land is utilized for what it is meant for, it will influence and drive visitors and tourists to the community, amongst other complementary services, the king explained.

The kings concern resonates as a chorus of missed opportunities that could have blossomed from the projects completion and vibrant utilization. The unfulfilled promise of jobs, economic activities, and newfound vitality hangs heavy, a missed chance to uplift the community from its struggles.

But even as the landscape of potential dimmed, the communitys spirit did not waver. Attempts to reclaim the land for farming stand as a testament to their resilience. However, their endeavours have not been without trials.

We had hopes of our towns name being etched in the annals of progress, but the abandonment is having negative impacts on the communities, which include Fulani attacks on farmlands, a suppressed economy, and wasted land, the king said.

Funding not implemented as proposed  Oluwole Oke

Despite the initial introduction of the project by the lawmaker, Mr Oke in 2009/2010 during President Yaradua/Jonathans regime, the project has faced significant challenges.

According to Mr Oke when contacted via email, the main obstacles have been inadequate funding and a lack of prioritization by the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces High Command.

I have made multiple attempts to address these issues without visible progress. Both the Ministry of Defense and Accountant General Office can provide detailed information on contractors for the various projects of the building and how much they have been paid vis a vis project status.

During the 8th and 9th assemblies, budget allocations were made for the project, but these funds were not implemented as intended, he explained.

Contacting the Ministry of Defence Head of Press and Public Relations, Victoria Akem Agba-Attah, on the 9 August, 2023, she asked to be sent the title of the project via SMS and promised to get back with a response but no response was received from her.

She was again contacted on 12 September via WhatsApp text message and phone calls after all efforts by the reporter to get the details of the project and comments from the accountant generals office and the Ministry of Defence were unsuccessful, but all efforts were not successful as she stopped responding to the reporters calls.

An FOI and message were also sent through the Ministry of Defense website through their FOI and Contact Us pages, respectively, but no feedback was received as of press time.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Elnur Enveroglu

In the Garabagh economic region of Azerbaijan, under the control of Russian peacekeepers, the terrorist groups and the separatist elements of Armenia, who commit terror and provocations against the Azerbaijani Army servicemen and civilians, have already attracted the attention of bloggers from across the world. Although the separatists have bribed many in the US Senate and the European Union Parliament, the truth still speaks for itself. Indeed, the world is bigger than five.

Azerbaijani policemen and two state agency employees who died in a mine explosion as a result of Armenian terrorist provocations yesterday were a clear proof of Armenia's insidious intentions. The world was not silent about what happened; Italian military expert Thomas Theiner reacted to the proceedings and called on the separatist forces to surrender on his X social network page (formerly twitter).

"In September 2020 I said after 3 days that Armenia has lost the war in Karabakh In March 2022 I said after 7 days that Russia has lost the war in Ukraine. In September 2023 I say after 20 minutes of fighting that Karabakh Armenians have lost the war. It is over. Surrender now," the Theiner wrote.

In fact, Theiner's statements are not new. Azerbaijan has repeatedly declared it internationally that Armenia is a defeated state and that it should end its policy of invasion. There is also an interesting calculation in Theiner's statement that shows Armenia's backwardness in development. Three years ago, when Armenia attacked Azerbaijan, only three days were enough for the Azerbaijani Army to expel the invading military forces of Armenia from the occupied territories. Three years have passed since that event, and the attack plan of the same invading groups that did not want to leave Garabagh violating the 10 November Statement signed in 2020 was crushed by the victorious Azerbaijani Army in just 20 minutes. Analyzing all the processes, the military expert also wants to say that the Armenian military forces do not have any strong potential. As the saying goes, beat a dead horse. Although Armenia dreamed of restoring its military strength due to the military aid it received from outside, it could not put it dreams come true. The latest provocations of the Armenians made them surrender and showed once again that no provocation attack can affect Azerbaijan, neither in its own territory nor from outside.

During the proceedings, the position of the West attracted considerable attention. US congressman Adam Schiff, who is constantly on the agenda with his biased views on Azerbaijan, tirelessly tried to defend terrorist forces on his X social page yesterday. Shouting the name of the unrecognized so-called artsakh, Adam dressed up the terrorists as innocent and called on a group of pro-Armenian forces like himself to impose sanctions against Azerbaijan.

In addition, co-chairs of the Armenian Affairs Committee of the Congress, Gus Bilirakis, Frank Fallon and David Valadao, prepared a so-called joint statement on the fate of Armenian terrorist groups. In a joint statement, they claim that Azerbaijan is committing genocide against the terrorist groups. But there can be no doubt that the statement is absurd and totally ridiculous. First of all, the members of the congress should report the bribes they received from the lobbyists who finance the separatist Armenians. There's no doubt that because the amount going to them this time is high, as the voices of the Congressmen Adam Schiff, Gus Bilirakis, Frank Fallon and David Valado are coming louder. But let them not forget that if they consider themselves strong with their voices, Azerbaijan is strong in every sense.

Western forces cannot present themselves as the right side to the world by supposedly recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Because justice and honour are not as cheap as their dignities in the world. The value of the words spoken at the meetings held in Brussels was as worthless as the confessions made by Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan. This is not what Azerbaijan says, but many farsighted people of the West express these in their quotes. The other day, the faculty member of the US Naval Postgraduate School, foreign policy specialist, an influential American expert in South Caucasus, Brenda Shaffer's reaction to the President of the Council of Europe Charle Michel expressing the name of Garabagh economic region as "Nagorno Karabakh" was an extremely fair and adequate step.

It's not "Nagorno-Karabakh Oblast"-- the USSR collapsed over thirty years ago. It is Azerbaijan's region of Karabakh, Shaffer wrote on her X social page in response to EU Council Presidents political gaffe.

With this statement, Brenda Shaffer taught the head of the European Council a lesson about justice and honesty. If the territory of Azerbaijan is recognized at the level of the leadership of the Council of Europe, then its name should be duely respected.

In general, the different approaches of the West regarding the situation in Garabagh create such an idea that truth and justice are not within statements sealed on documents on the desks of the US Congress or various international organizations - they are in the words of people who hold not high positions, receive no bribe, can see the truth and are able to say the right word.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Armenia should give up its territorial claims to Azerbaijan, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev told journalists, following a press briefing, Trend reports.

"There should be no Armenian armed forces on the territory of Azerbaijan. The anti-terrorist measures showed that the Armenian armed forces have been there all this time," he said.

At 04:30 (GMT+4) on September 19, 2023, a terrorist attack occurred near the village of Taghavard in the Khojavand district. A KAMAZ truck transporting personnel from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan was struck by an explosion caused by a mine that had been previously planted by unauthorized Armenian armed groups. Notably, these groups had not withdrawn from Azerbaijani territory, despite the provisions outlined in the trilateral agreement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Russia following the second Karabakh War in 2020.

Consequently, Azerbaijan initiated anti-terror measures aimed at addressing the presence of unauthorized Armenian forces and remnants of the Armenian armed forces in Karabakh.

As a result, in under 24 hours, the Azerbaijani Army has managed to take control of more than 90 combat positions of the Armenian armed forces units. At the same time, seven combat vehicles, one tank, four mortars, and two infantry fighting vehicles were captured as trophies from the Armenian armed forces units.

Thus, on September 20, at 13:00 (GMT+4), and agreement has been reached to stop the anti-terrorist activities under several terms.

First, the units of Armenia's armed forces deployed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, as well as illegal armed groups, are required to relinquish their weaponry, vacate their combat positions and military bases, and undergo thorough disarmament. Concurrently, the surrender of all ammunition and heavy military equipment is enforced. At the same time, the implementation of the aforementioned procedure should be coordinated with the presence of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, temporarily stationed in Karabakh.
Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to overturn the judgement of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) affirming President Bola Tinubus election earlier this month.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has similarly filed his appeal to challenge the PEPCs verdict delivered on 6 September.

The appellants had 14 days from the date of judgement to file their appeal to challenge the verdict at the Supreme Court. The 14 days period ends on Wednesday.

Mr Obi and Atiku had filed separate petitions at the PEPC accusing Nigerias electoral umpire, INEC, and Mr Tinubu of electoral malpractices. They contested Mr Tinubus qualification to stand for election and begged the PEPC to set aside the election.

But the court, in its decision, held that they failed to substantiate their claims of electoral fraud against INEC and the president.

Another political party, the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), filed the third petition alleging improper nomination of Mr Tinubus running mate and incumbent Vice President Kashim Shettima. The case was similarly dismissed by the court, but the party has not indicated any intention to pursue an appeal against the verdict.

In his notice of appeal dated 19 September, Mr Obis lead counsel, Livy Uzoukwu, predicated his clients appeal to the Supreme Court on 51 grounds.

PEPC reached wrong conclusions

In one of the grounds, Mr Uzoukwu told the Supreme Court that the five-member panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Haruna Tsammani erred in law and thereby reached a wrong conclusion when it dismissed Mr Obis suit.

Mr Uzoukwu, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), faulted the presidential election courts evaluation of Mr Obis evidence. He said the court erroneously ruled that Mr Obis case failed to establish the polling stations where electoral malpractices took place during the February presidential election.

The lawyer also said the lower courts conclusions caused grave miscarriage of justice when it held that Mr Obi did not identify the specific number of votes he polled at polling units where he accused INEC and Mr Tinubu of suppression of votes.

The appellants lawyer urged the Supreme Court to determine if the presidential election court did not err in law when it based its reasons on the First Schedule of the Electoral Act 2022 to expunge Mr Obis witnesses statements on oath from the courts records.

Some of Mr Obis key witnesses whom the five-member panel of the court dismissed their testimonies were a web engineer, Mpeh Ogar; and a statistician, Eric Uwadiagwu.

In her report bordering on a glitch on INEC Results Viewing portal being hosted by the Amazon Web Services Incorporated, Ms Ogar said there was no glitch in the IReV system on the day of the presidential election, contrary to INECs excuse for not uploading polling unit results to the portal real-time on the day of the election.

As for Mr Uwadiagwu, a professor of Mathematics, who conducted a data analysis of the results from Rivers and Benue states, the court expunged those testimonies and his report from its records..

Haruna Tsammani, who chaired the five-member panel of the PEPC, held that Mr Obi failed to accompany his petition with the statements on oath of all the witnesses at the point of filing thereby rendering their reports inadmissible.

One of the reports said results from over 18,088 polling stations contained in four boxes were blurred.

Mr Obi contended in his filing that his right to fair hearing was violated in the matter when the PEPC dismissed the evidence of 10 out of his 13 witnesses.

The learned justices of the court below erred in law and occasioned a miscarriage of justice when they held and concluded that he (Mr Obi) failed to establish the allegation of corrupt practices and over-voting, the appellants lawyer argued.

Electronic transmission

The appellant also faulted the presidential election courts decision rejecting his contention that INEC circumvented its own regulations and guidelines when it refused to electronically transmit results of the election from polling stations to the IReV.

The petitioners adduced credible and substantial evidence, both oral and documentary, that proved substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 by the Respondents in the conduct of the election, the notice of appeal read in part.

Tinubus, Shettimas non-qualification

Arguing further, the appellant alleged that Mr Tinubu was not qualified to vie for the election on account of improper nomination of his vice-presidential pick.

Mr Obis lawyer, Mr Uzoukwu, said the court below overlooked that the respondents failed to disprove the evidence of substantial non-compliance adduced by the petitioners.

The appellant, in the filing, told the Supreme Court that the lower court ignored evidence that proved how Mr Tinubu was indicted and fined $4,600, in the US for alleged cocaine trafficking in the 1990s..

Mr Obi, who came third in the race, urged the court to either declare him president or order a fresh rerun election.

The presidential candidate and his party are expected to later file their joint appellants brief which will contain their full legal arguments.

INEC, Mr Tinubu, and the APC will, in response, then file their respective respondents briefs before the Supreme Court will fix a date for hearing.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in New York City, addressed world leaders at the 78th United Nations General Assembly, during which he made a firm and compelling declaration that the time is now for UN member states to show, with their actions, that they mean what they say concerning the crackdown on terror financing, economic sabotage, and illicit mineral & arms smuggling in the developing world.

The fourth important aspect of global trust and solidarity is to secure the continents mineral-rich areas from pilfering and conflict. Many such areas have become catacombs of misery and exploitation. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little.

Foreign entities that are abetted by local criminals, who aspire to be petty warlords, have drafted thousands of our people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel countless violent enterprises. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk. Given the extent of this injustice and the high stakes involved, many Africans are asking whether this phenomenon is by accident or by design. Member nations must reply by working with us to deter their firms and nationals from this 21st-century pillage of the continents riches. To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this years Assembly, the poverty of nations must end. The pillage of one nations resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must now end, the president declared.

President Tinubu further noted that his aggressive economic development diplomatic push for new investment has been demonstrably effective in presenting Nigeria as business-ready, but the ease of doing business, according to the president, might not be the major encumbrance to large-scale investment.

The question is not whether Nigeria is open for business. The question is how much of the world is truly open to doing business with Nigeria and Africa in an equal, mutually beneficial manner. Direct investment in critical industries, opening their ports to a wider range and larger quantity of quality African exports, and meaningful debt relief are important aspects of the cooperation we desire, the president affirmed.

The president equally noted that the global fight against the effects of climate change can not be based on a one size fits all approach and that nations must be cooperated with in the design and implementation of their own strategies, which are tailored to their respective socio-economic strengths and weaknesses.

African nations will fight climate change, but we must do so on our own terms. To achieve the needed popular consensus, this campaign must accord with our overall economic efforts. In Nigeria, we shall build political consensus by highlighting remedial actions which also promote the broader economic good. Projects such as The Great Green Wall to stop desert encroachment; halting the destruction of our forests through the mass production and distribution of gas-burning stoves; and the provision of employment through local water management and irrigation projects are examples of efforts that equally advance both economic and climate change objectives simultaneously. Continental efforts regarding climate change will register important victories, only if established economies were more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africas preferred projects and initiatives, the president cautioned.

President Bola Tinubu concluded by reminding the world what Africa truly represents in the global village.

Walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided, nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the worlds future.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), has flagged off the partys campaign for the 11 November governorship poll in Bayelsa State.

Mr Obi, who spoke alongside the National Chairperson of LP, Julius Abure, in Yenagoa, assured the people that the partys candidate, Udengs Eradiri, would emerge victorious at the poll.

He said the party had an overwhelming support base in the state coupled with its performance and excellence, and urged the people of Bayelsa to come out en masse and vote for Mr Eradiri as the next governor of the state.

He described the process that produced Mr Eradiri as the partys governorship candidate in the state as credible.

What Nigeria is lacking is verification and that is one of its major problems. If you dont know where you are coming from that means you dont know where you are going.

As I was coming from Port Harcourt to Yenagoa, you will see poverty, Nigeria has failed Bayelsa in 57 years after oil was discovered.

After Sokoto as the poorest state, then Bayelsa is the next. The state suffered from one of the worst flooding incidents last year, in the history of Nigeria.

The LP chairperson, Mr Abure, said he was confident that his party would form the next government in Bayelsa.

He said that the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress had failed Nigerians and the people of the state in particular.

He said: We will change the economic narratives of Bayelsa state. Eradiri is the only governorship candidate of the Labour Party in Bayelsa state.

LP is founded on integrity and performance. PDP and APC have failed. We have tried PDP and APC and they failed.

Their results are insecurity, poverty and infrastructural decay. The Labour Party has come to change the narratives. Vote Udengs Eradiri, vote LP come November 11, he said.

Speaking after the partys flag was handed over to him, Mr Eradiri promised to fix the state if he wins the election.

He said his programme is to engage the people and reach out to those in the rural areas about his ambition.

Mr Eradiri promised not to play politics with the development of Bayelsa, but to ensure a better life if he is elected governor.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, says Nigeria is ready to play an important role in meeting the global demand for critical minerals.

Mr Alake who was speaking at a special session on the sidelines of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York, said the nations mineral resources make it one of the top 10 players in the energy sector.

The minister spoke on the topic: From critical minerals to energy transition: Africa in the drivers seat at the event organised by the Corporate Council of Africa.

He said despite being behind other African countries in mining, Nigerias mineral deposit is valued at over $700bn with very huge potential to increase.

Speaking broadly of the continent, Mr Alake said Africa is fit for the drivers seat of the global energy transition that will be driven by critical minerals.

He said, Nigeria has always occupied a special position in global energy discourse. Nigeria played a vital role as a key oil exporter during the era of hydrocarbon and became a top 10 exporter of oil. As the face of global energy changes, Nigeria once again emerges as a key supplier of gas which we know is an important energy transition fuel today.

Last year in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, Nigeria was one of the top exporters of LNG to Europe and was the 6th largest LNG global exporter in 2022. As you can see, there is a clear trend, whenever Nigeria is active in the global energy space, it emerges as a top 10 global player and it will be no different with critical minerals.

Nigeria is endowed with a vast deposit of minerals critical to our new world. In our new world mobility requires a new form of energy driven by minerals in our new electric vehicle world; technology is more mineral-dependent; our energy source will depend more on the energy converted from the sun and other sources; and energy storage is even more mineral-reliant. This trend does not have any reversal in sight and demand will only continue particularly as the world seeks and envisions a lower carbon future where environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors are prioritized in governance and investment decisions. Therefore, minerals are at the forefront.

He also traced the transition from different sources of energy to the now prominent renewable sources of energy.

The shift from fossil-based energy systems to renewable energy such as wind and solar has meant that minerals that were not a part of general and public parlance have become a part of everyday speech. Today, lithium for example is woven through everyday conversations and this only just the beginning.

Without a doubt, minerals are a major focus of our world today and rightly so. Nigeria is well-positioned to play an important role in our new world. Your Solid mineral sector is valued at over USD$700bn and we know there is more to be discovered. Endowed with critical minerals, Nigeria should not and dare I say, cannot be ignored.

We may not have a strong historic mining history like some of our neighbours such as Ghana, Mali and those in the South such as South Africa, Botswana, etc. but things are about to change, he added.

According to him, Lithium-hosted pegmatite rocks are available in Nigeria across states such as Nasarawa, Kwara, Oyo, Abuja, Kebbi and many more. Graphite is found in states such as Kaduna.

One of the key objectives of President Bola Tinubus administration, according to Mr Alake, is to develop the entire value chain in-country  in the case of lithium.

We want to go from Ore to concentrate to lithium hydroxide to end product, the Minister emphasised.

He also listed states with rare Earth Elements critical for wind turbines and EV motors as Nasarawa and Plateau.

He added, Platinum group minerals can be seen in the middle belt such as Benue and other regions. We have nickel in Kaduna and other locations. Zinc which is vital to offshore and onshore wind power generation has been a mainstay in Nigeria and is available in Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Plateau and many other Nigerian states.

He further added that the nation was ready for foreign investment in the solid mineral sector, with President Tinubu giving it prominence.

It is clear that Nigeria is important to the world and we are ready for investment, collaboration and partnerships in our solid mineral sector. Our new president, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made the solid mineral development sector vital to his administration and we are committed to making it a key contributor to our national GDP. A lot of work has been done in the sector under former administrations and we plan to take it further. Nigeria is prime to becoming a mining destination on the

continent and it will happen in our time.

He listed the incentives available for potential investors as:

1. Up to 95% capital allowances of qualifying capital expenditure.

2. Up to 3-5 years of tax holidays.

3. Possible capitalisation of expenditure on exploration and surveys.

4. Free transferability of foreign currency through the Central Bank of Nigeria for servicing foreign loans and remittances of foreign capital and much more.

He said the country was interested in joint ventures with foreign major mining companies to explore the critical minerals.

Many leaders in the public sector, financial services and mining sectors were present at the Roundtable session. Some of them include the Minister of Solid Minerals and Mines from Namibia, the Ambassador of Tanzania to the United States, the Ambassador of Zambia to the United States, Alexia Latortue from the US Treasury Department, Inesha Premaratne from the US International Development Finance Corporation, Seth Levey from Glencore, Hannah Gardner from DLA Piper, Daniele Laporta from Gerald Group among others.

Alaba Balogun

Deputy Director of Press

Ministry of Solid Minerals

September 20, 2023

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, says the forthcoming 2023 Independence Anniversary celebration is going to be low-key.

Mr Akume made this known in an interview with journalists shortly after paying a private visit to the Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday.

We are fully prepared for celebration and for obvious reason its going to be low-key, but we are wishing Nigerians best of luck and we want to assure them that better days are coming

There will not be a fantastic jamboree at the Eagles Square and all that locations. It is a time for reflection. It is a time for all of us to think very deeply on the journey forward

Independence day is a very historic event in the history of any country and we in Nigeria are no exception, he said.

He said the President Bola Tinubu administration was determined to ensure that it enhances the living standard of the Nigerian workers and create prosperity for all.

It is not something that can be done overnight. This government came into being on May 29, and we have a tenure of four years. So it will be inappropriate to begin to judge us on the basis of a few months that we have spent in office.

Nigeria gained independence from Britain on 1 October, 1960.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd (CCECC) has pledged to complete the Abuja light rail project in eight months.

CCECC Chairman, Jason Zhang, made the pledge on Wednesday when he led some members of its management team on a courtesy call on Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

This was contained in a statement by Stanley Nkwocha, media aide to the vice president.

Mr Shettima described the company as part of Nigerias history, saying the Chinese construction giant has played a pivotal role in developing Nigerias landmark projects.

He added that their commitment to the development of Nigeria and Africa is commendable.

You have been in this country for 42 years. We have to commend you for all the beautiful initiatives and support over the years. We share a lot in common with the people of China, just as you have been with us through thick and thin.

You have the financial fire power and the willingness to support Nigeria and other African countries without interfering in our local politics. This we appreciate a lot, the vice president said.

Mr Shettima assured CCECC that the present administration will sustain the existing relationship with the company and the people of China, saying the Abuja rail project, like others, remains dear to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian people.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of CCECC, David Waig, reiterated the companys commitment towards delivering the project within the stipulated period, saying the company will go above board and leave no stone unturned in ensuring the delivery of the Abuja light rail line come May 2024.

He called on the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to engage an operational company that will quickly see to smooth take off of the rail project.

Present at the meeting were the Deputy Managing Director of the company, Jaques Liao, General Manager (Business), Eric Yu, and Inain Guo.

The $823 million Abuja railway was was due to be completed by 2015.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The police in Rivers State, South-south Nigeria, say they have arrested some officers who allegedly kidnapped and extorted a resident in Port Harcourt.

How it happened

On 8 September, a social media user, Uche Okoye, uploaded a video clip of a young man on his X handle (formerly Twitter).

The young man, simply identified as Kay Persona, was heard in the clip narrating how some police officers allegedly kidnapped, locked him up in a police cell and forced him to pay a sum of money before being released.

Narrating his experience in the hands of the officers, Mr Persona man said the officers, who were armed and dressed in ash and blue police camouflage, had intercepted a bolt vehicle he was riding in on a Saturday in September.

The young man said the incident happened around Rumuokwuta in Port Harcourt, shortly after they had passed a police checkpoint without being stopped.

He said the officers, numbering about 10, arrived in a pickup van and asked him to come down from the vehicle, but immediately dragged him down.

It was utterly embarrassing because I felt like a criminal, he said.

Some of the officers, according to him, immediately jumped into his vehicle and asked his driver to follow their van to their facility without informing him of his offence or responding to his enquiries.

He tried to make a phone call but was stopped by the officers, which prompted him to ask the bolt driver to stop the vehicle.

He said one of the officers informed him that the vehicle was under surveillance and that they had been tracking it.

The officer subsequently told him to calmly follow them to their facility.

At the Police Intelligence and Surveillance Unit, Ogbunabali, where he was taken to, the officers asked him to pay the bolt driver so that he could go, despite claiming they were tracking the vehicle.

But he declined. The officers later took him into their facility.

At the end of the day, I got into the station. There was no processing (documentation) at the counter. We went straight into an office and they told me to take off my jewellery and my wristwatch, he said.

Aside from him, there were other boys also picked up by the officers from different locations in the area.

They took us somewhere and sat us on the floor. From there, they moved into a cell. I spent almost five hours inside the cell, he said.

After checking his social media handles, emails and phones without finding anything incriminating, he was released at about 12 a.m. the following Sunday.

I spent a night at the police cell for doing absolutely nothing. There was no allegation.

But because it was late, the officers returned him to the cell, with a promise to release him in the morning.

The following morning, the police officers told me that I have to pay N150,000, he said.

He noted that, at that point, he could not do anything because nobody knew he was being detained at the facility.

So, I had to negotiate with the police officers to pay what I will call ransom. I ended up withdrawing N50,000 and paid them cash because they refused to accept a bank transfer to avoid a trace, he narrated.

Arrest of the officers

In a post via their verified X handle on Tuesday, the police in Rivers State said they had identified and arrested the officers involved in the alleged extortion and kidnap of the young man.

The command also wants to plead with the general public to synergise with us in the fight against crime, the police wrote on the microblogging site.

The police did not mention the number of the officers arrested in connection with the matter but a photograph posted on X indicated they were five of them.

Not the first time

The latest incident occurred less than three weeks after the police arrested four officers who allegedly assaulted a traveller in the state.

A police officer who was filmed slapping a motorist in the Emouha area of the state was demoted in April.

The Emouha incident occurred a few days after Ubi Ebri, another officer, allegedly shot dead a young man in the neighbouring Delta State for reportedly refusing to give a N100 bribe.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how youths in Delta State protested with the victims corpse along major roads in Asaba.

Mr Ebri, the officer, was immediately arrested, dismissed from service and later arraigned.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


This is my first address before the General Assembly. Permit me to say a few words on behalf of Nigeria, on behalf of Africa, regarding this years theme, said Commander-in-Chief and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu. He was speaking on the opening day of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York City, which will run until 26 September. He sought to highlight several points important to him.

On Nigerias national security, President Tinubu said foreign actors have been knocking on Nigerias door. Foreign entities abetted by local criminals who aspire to be petty warlords have drafted thousands of people into servitude to illegally mine gold and other resources. Billions of dollars meant to improve the nation now fuel violent enterprises. If left unchecked, they will threaten peace and place national security at grave risk.

PREMIUM TIMES has reported how illegal mining activities are prevalent in many Nigerian states including Zamfara, Osun and Plateau. The foreign firms, usually Chinese, connive with local leaders and sometimes armed groups to take control of large expanses of minerals-filled land.

At the UNGA, Mr Tinubu voiced his planned approach to armed groups. Mercenaries and extremists with their lethal weapons and vile ideologies invade our region from the north he said, harmful traffic undermines the peace and stability of an entire region, and there are plans to disband extremist groups on our turf.

Mr Tinubu said about Niger, where a coup recently sacked President Mohamed Bazoum. We are negotiating with the military leaders. As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region. I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission.

Our entire region is locked in protracted battle against violent extremists. In the turmoil, a dark channel of inhumane commerce has formed. Along the route, everything is for sale. Men, women, and children are seen as chattel, Mr Tinubu said.

Highlighting challenges which other African states are facing, he said about the Democratic Republic of the Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Congo has suffered this for decades, despite the strong UN presence there. The world economy owes the DRC much but gives her very little.

He added, The mayhem visited on resource-rich areas does not respect national boundaries. Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, CAR, the list grows.

He closed his speech with how he characterizes Africa: Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the worlds future.

This is President Tinubus first participation at the UN annual General Assembly. He was sworn in as president of Africas largest country on 29 May although his victory is still being challenged by two of his major opponents in court.

Pearl Matibe is a Washington, DC-based White House Correspondent, and media commentator with expertise in US foreign policy and international security. You may follow her on Twitter: @PearlMatibe

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The All Progressives Congress (APC) ward chairman for Arigidi/Iye, Akoko North West of Ondo State, Olumide Awolumate, says he beat up the state commissioner for women affairs, Bunmi Osadahun, in self-defence.

However, the party has imposed an indefinite suspension on him over the incident while many people in the state have called for his prosecution.

The incident occurred on Saturday and was caught on a video clip that has since gone viral.

The partys spokesperson in the state, Alex Kalejaiye, said on Tuesday that the action of its local chapter in suspending the politician is in line with the directive of the state leadership of the party in Akure.

In furtherance to the above, the leadership of the party in Akoko North West deemed it fit to officially inform the State Secretariat that Awolumate Olumide is hereby suspended indefinitely from the Party in Akoko North West of our great party, a letter from the ward read in part.

The chairman of the party in Ondo, Ade Adetimehin, on receipt of the suspension letter, said a disciplinary committee would be set up to ensure that Mr Awolumate is appropriately punished, to serve as deterrent to other leaders and members of the party.

Mr Awolumate told journalists, on Tuesday, that the commissioner led two persons, including her son, who is a police officer, to attack him in his house.

He said this happened after he had an altercation with the commissioner at a meeting over the mode of sharing of palliative items allocated to party members.

He said the confrontation resulted in the commissioner and her son attacking him, and he was forced to defend himself.

What happened is that we had a meeting at the local government level, at the house of a leader, Pa Akeju. We talked about the oarty, during which the commissioner for women affairs talked about the palliatives that were distributed sometime ago, Mr Awolumate explained.

The commissioner disclosed that the palliatives had been given to different sectors, and at that juncture I raised my hand as the ward chairman of the party that the 10 bags that supposed to be in my custody did not get to me. I noted that some groups had been given, which include, PDP, artisans and groups and said ours should be sent to me.

I raised this in the presence of all the leaders of the party, and the commissioner objected to this, saying she was the head of that committee at the state level. But I objected my non-inclusion in the sharing of the palliative, as I was not invited.

This led to an argument and I was prevailed upon to leave the meeting and I was home with my family playing Ludo when I saw the commissioner in company of her son and the police officer.

Her son pounced on me from behind and started hitting me, but I cannot sit and fold my arms to allow him be hitting me in the presence of my own wife, children and friends. I stood up and fought him back, as I was fighting him, the commissioner joined her son and fought me also.

She started beating and tearing my cloth. In the process, she carried a chair and threw it at me and in retaliation I took the chair and threw it back at her.

To my surprise I started seeing a video circulating. Anybody that studies the video would see it has been doctored and edited, it was so short. It was a planned work, they knew what they are coming to do in my house, they had arranged for somebody to video the scene, I never expected something of such.

Meanwhile the police and the state government said they were investigating the matter.

They had condemned the action of the politician, saying it was unacceptable.

Also, women groups in the state have called for prosecution of Mr Awolumate for assaulting the commissioner.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) has condemned the murder of Yusuf Mubaarak, a 27-year-old journalist in Kwara State.

The coalition comprising media and civil society organisations said in a statement on Wednesday, described the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Mubaarak as both shocking and deeply concerning.

Mr Mubaarak, a new media personality from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, reportedly went missing on 13 September.

His lifeless body was discovered in the Unity Road area of the state capital three days later on 16 September.

The coalition called for a swift, impartial, and transparent investigation into the murder of Yusuf Mubaarak to ensure those responsible are swiftly brought to justice.

It also expressed hope that the swift resolution of the case would bring about increased security measures to protect journalists and citizens in Kwara State from the rising threats of cult violence and other criminal activities.

READ COALITIONS STATEMENT IN FULL

Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom Condemns Murder of Journalist Yusuf Mubaarak in Kwara State

20th September 2023: The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) is deeply saddened by the tragic murder of Yusuf Mubaarak, a 27-year-old journalist in Kwara State. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mr. Mubaaraks family, friends, and the entire youth constituencies of Kwara State who mourn the loss of this promising young talent.

The circumstances surrounding the death of Yusuf Mubaarak are both shocking and deeply concerning. As reported, Mr. Mubaarak, a new media personality from Ilorin, had gone missing on 13th of September only for his lifeless body to be discovered in the Unity Road area of the state capital on the 16th of September.

This loss has sent shockwaves through the media sphere and highlights the need for swift and thorough investigations.

We appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaqs swift response to this tragedy and his call for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of Mr. Mubaaraks death. The demand for justice and accountability is paramount, and we urge the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the truth behind this drastic act.

Journalists, like Mr. Mubaarak, play a vital role in our society by advocating for justice, good governance, and the free flow of information.. It is essential that their safety and security are guaranteed as they continue to serve as watchdogs of democracy.

The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom calls for- a swift, impartial, and transparent investigation into the murder of Yusuf Mubaarak to ensure those responsible are swiftly brought to justice, increased security measures to protect journalists and citizens in Kwara State from the rising threats of cult violence and other criminal activities.

We join all concerned stakeholders in demanding justice for Yusuf Mubaarak. We hope that the truth behind this tragic loss will emerge, and that his family and loved ones may find solace.

Signed

The Coalition for Whistleblowers Protection and Press Freedom (CWPPF) is a group of media and civil society organisations committed to upholding good governance and democracy by protecting the ethos of whistleblowing, freedom of expression and press freedom.

CWPPF Members

Premium Times

The Cable

Daily Trust Newspaper

International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)

Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ)

Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID)

African Centre for Media & Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)

Civic Media Lab

Civil Society Network Against Corruption (CSNAC)

International Press Centre (IPC)

International Press Institute (IPI)

Media Rights Agenda (MRA)

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)

Paradigm Initiative

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP)

HEDA Resources Centre.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijan sees biased assessments from the European Parliament, Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan for special assignments, Elchin Amirbayov said at today's briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

"I do not believe that the European Parliament will contribute to peace between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I don't want to go into details here. From this point of view, I hope that you do not take some of its statements seriously," Amirbayov said.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4), an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the following conditions: Armenian armed forces formations, illegal Armenian armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm, Armenian armed forces formations leave the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are disbanded.
Nigerias President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday called on world leaders to affirm democratic governance as the best guarantor of the sovereign will and well-being of the people, saying military coups are wrong.

Mr Tinubu said this in his inaugural statement to the 78th session of the General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Tinubu, who delivered his address to the world leaders at 8p.m. local time, spoke on behalf of Nigeria and Africa.

Military coups are wrong, as is any tilted civilian political arrangement that perpetuates injustice. The wave crossing parts of Africa does not demonstrate favour towards coups.

It is a demand for solutions to perennial problems. Regarding Niger, we are negotiating with the military leaders.

As Chairman of ECOWAS, I seek to help re-establish democratic governance in a manner that addresses the political and economic challenges confronting that nation, including the violent extremists who seek to foment instability in our region.

I extend a hand of friendship to all who genuinely support this mission, he said.

Mr Tinubu, however. told the leaders of Nigerias accord with the objectives and guiding principles of the world body: peace, security, human rights and development.

In fundamental ways, nature has been kind to Africa, giving abundant land, resources and creative and industrious people.

Yet, man has too often been unkind to his fellow man and this sad tendency has brought sustained hardship to Africas doorstep.

To keep faith with the tenets of this world body and the theme of this years Assembly, the poverty of nations must end.

The pillage of one nations resources by the overreach of firms and people of stronger nations must end. The will of the people must be respected. This beauty, generous and forgiving planet must be protected, he said.

According to him, as for Africa, we seek to be neither appendage nor patron and we do not wish to replace old shackles with new ones.

Instead, the Nigerian leader said: we hope to walk the rich African soil and live under the magnificent African sky free of the wrongs of the past and clear of their associated encumbrances. We desire a prosperous, vibrant democratic living space for our people.

To the rest of the world, I say walk with us as true friends and partners. Africa is not a problem to be avoided nor is it to be pitied. Africa is nothing less than the key to the worlds future.

NAN reports that Mr Tinubu was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the UN, Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, and the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Other Nigerian officials on the delegation are: Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Ali Pate and Minister of Industry Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anita.

Also on the delegation are: Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu.

Others are: Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo; Uba Sani of Kaduna; Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe; and AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara, among others.

(NAN)

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Nigerias President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said African nations are devoted to tackling the devastating impact of climate change across the continent.

He added, however, that the various countries across the continent will be doing so on their terms.

The President disclosed this while addressing world leaders Tuesday at the ongoing 78th session of the high-level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York.

African nations will fight climate change but must do so on our own terms, Mr Tinubu said.

To achieve the needed popular consensus, he said the Climate change campaign must be planned within overall economic efforts.

Mr Tinubu explained to the world leaders that climate change severely impacts Nigeria and Africa.

He said Northern Nigeria is hounded by desert encroachment on once arable land and that the southern part of the country is affected by the rising tide of coastal flooding and erosion.

In the middle belt, the president said the rainy season brings floods that kill and displace multitudes.

As I lament deaths at home, I also lament the grave loss of life in Morocco and Libya. The Nigerian people are with you,

At least 2,900 people are known to have died in the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Moroccos High Atlas mountains recently.

Less than four days later, floods resulting from horrific rainfall swept through the eastern city of Derna causing thousands of fatalities, while tens of thousands of people are missing and 40,000 people displaced.

The World Weather Attribution initiative, a team of scientists that analyse the role of climate change in the aftermath of extreme weather events, has attributed the disaster to climate change and other human factors.

The scientists said they found planet-warming pollution made the deadly rainfall in Libya up to 50 times more likely to occur and 50 per cent worse.

Climate action in Nigeria

In Nigeria, Mr Tinubu told the world leaders that the government will build political consensus by highlighting remedial actions which also promote economic good.

Projects such as a Green Wall to stop desert encroachment, halting the destruction of our forests by mass production and distribution of gas burning stoves, and providing employment in local water management and irrigation projects are examples of efforts that equally advance both economic and climate change objectives, the president said.

He said continental efforts regarding climate change would register important victories if established economies were more forthcoming with public and private sector investment for Africas preferred initiatives.

Meanwhile, at the just-concluded Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, the president in his address delivered by Nigerias Minister of State for Environment and Ecological Management, Iziak Salako, said that Nigeria would require 17.7 billion dollars annually to fulfil its unconditional Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) pledges by 2030.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The supporters of the All Progressives Congress APC and their counterpart, the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) are optimistic about the outcome of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The three-member panel of justices led by Oluyemi Asadebay, are delivering the judgement on Wednesday virtually.

The APC filed a petition at the tribunal to challenge the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Governor Abba Yusuf of the NNPP as the winner of the election conducted on 18, March.

PREMIUM TIMES observed at various locations in the state where members of the political parties are gathered to watch the tribunal deliver judgement.

We are here for celebration if our party eventually emerges victorious at the tribunal but if we lose we are going back home peacefully, said a supporter of the APC who only identified himself as Ibrahim.

Some of the supporters gathered at the Daula Hotel site are already celebrating chanting Gawuna has come meaning that the APC candidate is winning at the tribunal.

ALSO READ: Kano governor fires commissioner who issued death threat to tribunal judges

Supporters of the NNPP are assembled at the residence of the NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, at Miller Road.

Meanwhile, security operatives are trying to prevent flashpoints in the metropolis while restricting vehicular traffic around Bompai where the court is located.

The governorship election petition tribunal is receiving attention from within and outside the state.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


A United States court in Eastern Illinois has ordered the Chicago State University to release the academic records of President Bola Tinubu to his rival presidential candidate in the 25 February election, Atiku Abubakar.

Jeffrey Gilbert, a US magistrate judge, gave the ruling on Tuesday, ordering the university to produce all relevant and non-privileged documents to Atiku within two days.

On 2 August, Atiku filed an application requesting from the university the academic documents of Mr Tinubu. Atiku, a former vice president of Nigeria, is challenging the authenticity of the Chicago State University diploma Mr Tinubu presented to the INEC before the election.

The former vice president argued that among other things, a second Chicago State University diploma has since emerged (dated June 27, 1979) that bears the name Bola Ahmed Tinubu but also presents with a different font, punctuation, seal, and signatures, than the June 22, 1979 diploma, among other alleged discrepancies.

Mr Atiku told the US that he wanted to authenticate these documents whether a Chicago State University diploma in the name of Bola Ahmed Tinubu dated June 22, 1979, that was submitted to the INEC before the Nigerian presidential election in February 2023 is genuine or was forged.

Atiku added that under Nigerian law, the submission of a fraudulent document to the INEC would have disqualified President Tinubu from participating in the election.

When Atiku filed his application in the US district court on 2 August, his petition challenging the presidential election was pending before the Nigerian Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Therefore, Atiku said his application in the US court was to obtain discoveries that would support his petitions in the Nigerian court of appeal.

Court documents show that a day after Atikus application was filed, President Tinubu filed a motion to join in the suit. The judge granted the motion to intervene on 7 August.

In his intervention, Mr Tinubu contended that the discovery Atiku sought was not relevant to the Nigerian proceedings because issues regarding his educational background were not referenced specifically in Atikus petition filed with the court of appeal.

Those matters instead were raised in Atikus reply materials filed in support of the petition, Mr Tinubu told the US court, adding that the Nigerian Court of Appeal declined to consider issues related to Mr Tinubus educational background that had not been included in Petition but rather were belatedly raised for the first time in Atikus petition.

Atiku responded that in his intended appeal of the Presidential Election Petition Courts decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria could consider new evidence in exceptional circumstances under the Nigerian Electoral Act of 2022 and/or in its discretion, and he provides a declaration to that effect from his counsel in the Nigerian Proceedings.

The court said it agreed with Atiku.

Documents requested

The former vice president requested four documents from Chicago State University.

They are: true and correct copies of (1) an exemplar of a Chicago State University diploma issued to President Tinubu in 1979; (2) Intervenors diploma issued in 1979; (3) any exemplar of a Chicago State University diploma that contains the same font, seal, signatures, and wording as contained in Exhibit C to the First Liu Declaration, which purports to be a CSU diploma issued to Mr Tinubu on or about June 22, 1979; and (4) the CSU documents that were certified and produced by Jamar Orr (an associate general counsel at CSU) as well as communications relating to these documents.

In its ruling, the US court said: For all of the reasons discussed above, Atiku Abubakars Application Pursuant to 28 U.S.C.  1782 for an Order Directing Discovery from Chicago State University for Use in a Foreign Proceeding [ECF No. 1] is granted. Respondent CSU shall produce all relevant and non-privileged documents in response to Requests for Production

The deposition of respondents corporate designee shall proceed within two days of the production of documents. The parties can modify the dates set by the court by mutual agreement. Given the tight time frame under which the parties are operating, the deposition can, if necessary, occur on a non-weekday, the court added.

Nigerian PEPC judgement

On 6 September, a five-member panel of the Presidential Election Petition Court led by Haruna Tsammani, dismissed Atikus petition challenging Mr Tinubus election.

The five-member court held that Atiku failed to prove the allegations of electoral fraud against Nigerias electoral commission, INEC and Mr Tinubu.

But, Atiku through his team of lawyers, led by Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued that the PEPCs judgement occasioned grave error and miscarriage of justice in its legal reasoning by upholding Mr Tinubus election as president.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that on 18 September, Atiku filed an appeal at the Supreme Court urging the apex court to set aside the lower courts affirmation of Mr Tinubus election and order INEC to conduct a second election (run-off) between him and Mr Tinubu. He urged the court to declare that Mr Tinubu did not secure a majority of lawful votes cast during the presidential election on 25 February.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Nigeria police have revealed how security operatives were lured into ambush and murdered by gunmen in Imo State, South-east Nigeria.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that gunmen, on Tuesday, killed many security operatives in Umualumaku, a community in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of the state.

The gunmen set ablaze two pickup trucks, killing a yet-to-be-ascertained number of the operatives in the two vehicles.

How they were lured into ambush

The Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement on Wednesday, said the security operatives were lured into the ambush through a fake distress call.

Mr Adejobi, an assistant commissioner of police, said the operatives were responding to the fake distress call when they were ambushed and murdered by the gunmen in the area.

The incidentserves as a stark and painful reminder of the daily risks and sacrifices that our security personnel willingly embrace in their unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities, he said.

The spokesperson said the security operatives affected in the attack comprised police officers, military personnel, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

There have been conflicting figures about the number of operatives killed in the attack.

Some reports suggested that eight of the operatives were killed, although a PREMIUM TIMES reporter counted four bodies from a viral clip showing the operatives and their vehicles in flames.

Mr Adejobi was silent on the number of casualties. He simply said the incident resulted in the tragic loss of precious lives of the officers.

He said the police deeply mourned the slain officers.

Investigation

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun (IGP), has assured that the police are fully committed to collaborating with other security agencies to investigate the attack and track down the hoodlums, Mr Adejobi said.

Mr Egbetokun implored residents of the state to remain calm and vigilant, assuring that the Force would redouble their efforts to guarantee their safety and those of other officers in the state.

The IGP urged the residents to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the fight against crime in the state and other parts of the country.

The police chief condoled with the families of the slain operatives, saying their sacrifices will not be in vain.

He appealed to the public to volunteer information that would help the police in investigating the attack.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


As part of its efforts towards promoting safety practices in schools, an agency of the Lagos State Government is set to hold the inaugural Beacon of Safety (BOS) Awards.

The award ceremony, according to the organisers, Safe School Lagos (SSLAG), which is an arm of the Lagos State Safety Commission, is planned to recognise 24 schools and other stakeholders including PREMIUM TIMES Development Editor, Mojeed Alabi.

The organisers said the 24 schools selected have demonstrated exceptional dedication to enhancing safety practices and minimising risks in the school environment.

Speaking during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, SSLAGs Lead Resource, Bisi Esuruoso, said the event is aimed at promoting the culture of safety awareness within school environments in Lagos State.

SSLAG is a compliance-driven initiative that was developed to build on the 10 Standard School Safety Guidelines that were initially launched in 2013 by the Lagos State Government.

According to Mrs Esuruoso, the BOS Award Conference will recognise schools that have shown commitment to the SSLAG framework and implemented innovative strategies to create a safe school environment for students, staff, and visitors.

She added that stakeholders such as individuals and organisations who have promoted and supported safety and security initiatives in schools will be rewarded with the BOS Safety Champion awards.

Mrs Esuruoso said the ceremony scheduled to be held on 26 September will feature a workshop on safety and that it is open to parents, school administrators and media practitioners.

She added that the event which is in collaboration with Safe School Alliance will also recognise media professionals who have been helping to promote safety through reports, investigations, and advocacy projects.

Award for Alabi

Earlier, in a letter of nomination sent to Mr Alabi, and dated 5 September, he was commended by the organisation for his roles in promoting school safety through reporting and advocacy initiatives.

The letter, which was signed on behalf of the organisation by Mrs Esuruoso, reads in part: The BOS Champion Award is a testament to your excellence and commitment, and we believe that your accomplishments will continue to inspire others to be involved in ensuring a safety culture in our school communities.

In 2022, the Education Writers Association of Nigeria (EWAN)- a body of Nigerian journalists reporting on education across print, online and broadcast media, which Mr Alabi serves as its Chairman, convened a summit in partnership with the Lagos State Government on insecurity around Nigerian schools.

The summit drew participants across both private and public sectors, and it was declared open by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his then Special Adviser on Education, Tokunbo Wahab.

The summit was attended by other stakeholders including representatives of the then Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, among others. The communique at the end of the conversations was led to the stakeholders.

More on BOS

In his remarks, the Director of Public Safety and Wellbeing at the Lagos State Safety Commission, Olatunde Ajose, reiterated that the award is to celebrate the best schools in safety practices in Lagos so that others can emulate them.

Mr Ajose said the programme is one of its kind in the state to appreciate schools that have been following the regulations of safety commission in line with the governors theme to make the state a safe place.

The BOS Awards ceremony is convened by the Safe School Alliance as part of a targeted advocacy programme to improve school safety outcomes. The initiative and event are in collaboration with the Lagos State Government regulating agency, the Lagos State Safety Commission and the Ministry of Education.

Criteria for selection

When asked why only one public school will be awarded out of 24 schools, Mrs Esuruoso said the selection criteria were strictly based on compliance with safety practices.

The government is investing so much in public schools and we run the same safety programmes for both private and public schools, she said.

So we are taking it step by step. We hope that through this award more schools will be intentional about compliance.

She also emphasised that closing the gap between private and public schools requires collaboration and sponsorship, adding that less than 20 per cent of private schools are complying with safety practices.

READ ALSO: One hospitalised as buildings collapse in Lagos

Mrs Esuruoso added that schools must implement a safety management system to ensure staff are properly vetted and trained to prevent workplace violence.

And we also need to realise that school safety has been defined as creating safe environments for children and it is starting from their homes to their schools, she said.

Minimum standard for safety

Mrs Esuruoso also noted that the state has developed a guideline for the minimum standard for safety.

According to her, the guidelines range from general safety, and management commitments to safety infrastructure, physical safety, nutrition and food service, sporting and recreation, offsite activities, disease prevention and controls. transportation safety, emergency preparedness, staff safety and other stakeholders, and child protection, among others.

She added that Lagos state is leading the way in prioritising safety and well-being in schools, with international recognition and invitations to share best practices.

She said: If you look at the ecosystem, children who come to school live and they go back home. So whatever has been done in school, can easily be negated by a lack of purposefulness, or deliberate intention to keep them safe.

So we are calling on parents to take care of their children.

She added that the event will also feature workshops to discuss issues such as mental health, psychosocial safety, and also their obligations to their children.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, has lamented the high volume of political cases flooding the Nigerian courts.

Mr Ariwoola spoke on Wednesday at a swearing-in ceremony of nine new justices of the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court in Abuja.

He said political cases are taking a monumental toll on our dockets.

The times we are in are not pleasant, to say the least, Mr Ariwoola added, painting a picture of the overwhelming workload Nigerian judges grapple with.

For instance, the Supreme Court with only 11 justices had thousands of appeals clogging its dockets. The court is currently 10 short of its full complement of 21 justices.

The Federal High Court, during the electioneering, was inundated with over 3000 pre-election suits with many journeying through the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.

The CJN also bemoaned the steady rise in litigation, which he attributed to several novel crimesbeing committed in the country.

We are constantly on our toes and the dockets are ever rising in response to the challenges of our time, Mr Ariwoola said, as he called for less litigation and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

He noted that the crowded dockets cause unnecessary burden and depletion of both human and material resources.

Charge to new justices

In his charge to the new justices, Mr Ariwoola said they must redouble their pace to meet the expectations of litigants.

The onus squarely rests on your Lordships to fasten your belt and roll up your sleeves to face the challenges head-on.

The CJN reminded the justices who were elevated from the High Court cadre to the appellate court that you have a divine mandate on earth that you must discharge with unveiled honesty and sincerity.

Congratulating the justices for their well-deserved appointments, the CJN advised them to justify their promotion to the Court of Appeal to earn them subsequent elevation to the Supreme Court.

He further urged the jurists to flee from juicy and irresistible gifts that are often intended to dent your reputation and integrity.

Mr Ariwoola to the justices that many high-profile cases would come to them on appeal, warning that the tempo of public assessment of your conduct has assumed unprecedented spike from this moment.

You must, against all odds, conduct your affairs within the ambit of the law and the oath that has been administered to you, the CJN admonished the justices.

The new Justices of the Court of Appeal with their states of origin include: Hannatu Azumi Laja-Balogun, Kaduna State; Binta Fatima Zubairu, Kaduna State; Peter Chudi Obiora, Anambra State; Okon Efreti Abang, Akwa Ibom State; and Asmau Musa Mainoma, Federal Capital Territory, will be sworn-in Wednesday.

The rest are: Lateef Adebayo Ganiyu, Oyo State, Jane Esienanwan Iyang, Cross River State; Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, Sokoto State; and Paul Ahmed Bassi, Borno State.

The inauguration of the nine jurists raised the number of the Court of Appeal justices to 81.

Below are the names of the Justices.

Hannatu Azumi Laja-Balogun, Kaduna State; Binta Fatima Zubairu, Kaduna State; Peter Chudi Obiora, Anambra State; Okon Efreti Abang, Akwa Ibom State; and Asmau Musa Mainoma, Federal Capital Territory, will be sworn-in Wednesday.

The rest are: Lateef Adebayo Ganiyu, Oyo State, Jane Esienanwan Iyang, Cross River State; Hadiza Rabiu Shagari, Sokoto State; and Paul Ahmed Bassi, Borno State.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Ondo State House of Assembly has directed its Clerk, Benjamin Jaiyeola, to write the Deputy Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over allegations of gross misconduct levelled against him.

This followed a decision reached by the lawmakers at their plenary on Wednesday.

Gross misconduct is a ground for the impeachment of a governor or deputy governor by state lawmakers.

A petition detailing the allegations against Mr Aiyedatiwa and signed by nine out of the 26 members of the House was presented to members at an emergency plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olamide Oladiji.

Indications of a plan to remove the deputy governor appeared earlier on Wednesday morning when the house leadership summoned an emergency session of the house.

It was immediately speculated that Mr Aiyedatiwa was the issue on the agenda and that he might be facing an impeachment process.

There was also a heavy presence of security officials at the Assembly gate during the meeting of the house.

Loyalists to the governor had accused Mr Aiyedatiwa of surreptitious moves against his principal while acting as Governor.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu recently returned from Germany where he was hospitalised for an undisclosed ailment for three months.

Throughout the period, Mr Aiyedatiwa was acting governor, but not without contentions within the cabinet that was polarised.

After returning from hospital, Mr Akeredolu sacked all the media aides to the deputy governor.

The House earlier denied that it was considering impeaching Mr Aiyedatiwa when confronted with the question.

Doyin Odebowale, senior special assistant to the governor on special duties, while speaking on Channels television last week, said the governor was not vindictive and would not be involved in petty politics despite his alleged poor treatment by those who ran the government in his absence.

Mr Akeredolu also had issues with his first deputy, Agboola Ajayi, for nursing an ambition to succeed him.

An impeachment process was also launched against Mr Ajayi but the house could not secure the needed support of two-thirds of members to see it through.

He later contested the governorship against Mr Akeredolu on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party.

However, members who did not support his impeachment and whose actions frustrated it suffered various persecutions at the House before their tenure expired.

The deputy speaker then, Iroju Ogundeji, was later impeached, the others expelled from the party, while the opposition members among them were suspended by the house.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday sacked Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) while declaring the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Gawuna, winner of the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared that the NNPP polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat the APC with its candidate, Mr Gawuna, who scored 890,705 votes. The NNPP candidate thus won with a margin of 128,897 votes.

The APC had filed a petition challenging the election of Mr Yusuf.

The three-member panel of judges led by Oluyemi Asadebay delivered the judgement on Wednesday virtually.

The court invalidated over 165,663 votes printed in favour of NNPP.

The court deducted the invalid votes stating that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and were therefore invalid.

The tribunal said the petitioner has proven the allegation of the invalidity of some of the votes cast on the ground that the election was not in compliance with the provision of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The tribunal therefore ordered that the invalid votes scored by Mr Yusuf be expunged from the total votes he scored.

The tribunal subsequently ordered INEC to retrieve the certificate of return earlier issued to Mr Yusuf and present it to to the APC candidate, Mr Gawuna.

The tribunal also ruled that Mr Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP before he contested and won the election, affirming that he did not follow the required procedures of becoming a member of the NNPP and accordingly not qualified to contest the election.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the petitioners alleged irregularities during the polls, and challenged the qualification of Governor Yusuf to contest the election.

The petitioners lawyer, Mr Fagge, while making his final submissions in court, argued that the governor was not a registered member of the NNPP as of the time he contested and was declared the winner of the election.

He tendered the INEC-certified copy of the NNPP membership register to substantiate his claim.

In law, before you contest any election, you must be a member of a political party. In the Electoral Act 2022, section 75 made it clear that all political parties shall submit their register to INEC not later than 30 days before the conduct of their partys primary election. The name of the governor is missing in the certified true copy of the NNPP register issued by INEC, Mr Fagge argued.

He dismissed the alternate membership register brought by the NNPP, arguing that it was belatedly updated at the ward level after the APC had filed its petition.

He added that the register fell short of the prescription of the law and INECs standards.

The APC lawyer also tendered over 270,000 ballot papers thumbprinted in favour of the NNPP.

He argued that the ballot papers were certified by INEC but were neither signed, stamped nor dated, and were therefore invalid.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Kano Police Command has announced a 24-hour curfew across the state following the judgement of the Election Petition Tribunal that sacked the state governor, Abba Yusuf.

The police commissioner of the state, Muhammed Gumel, called on the residents of the state to support the security agents and be law-abiding.

The commissioner warned that violators would be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

The curfew is a constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police force alongside the relevant Internal security and law enforcement agencies to preserve law and order in the state.

Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined security forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies including the entry and exits of the state to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the 24-hour curfew order as communicated by the State Government via letter with Reference No: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September, 2023.

The curfew takes effect from 6 pm on Wednesday, 20th September (to) 6 pm on Thursday, 21st September 2023.

Violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

Finally, I wish to appreciate all the peace-loving people of the state and urge them to remain law abiding as its in the best interest of all that we come together to maintain law and order in the state, the police commissioner said.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the tribunal sacked Governor Yusuf, and declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Gawuna, the winner of the 18 March election.

The APC candidate was adjudged the winner of the election after the tribunal deducted 165,663 votes from Mr Yusufs votes.

The judge ruled that the ballots where not certified by INEC.

The tribunal is the court of first instance and parties in the case can appeal judgements up to the Supreme Court.

Following the tribunals judgement, pockets of violence were reported in some areas of Kano metropolis where some thugs attacked residents and stole their belongings.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Negotiations between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri took place in Tehran, Trend reports.

The sides discussed the situation in Syria, Afghanistan, as well as in Karabakh, a number of topical issues of bilateral military cooperation.

On September 19, a truck with employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan blew up on one such mine. The employees died on the spot. The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavend district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan. As a result, Azerbaijan launched anti-terrorist measures oriented towards illegal Armenian troops and remains of Armenian Armed Forces in Karabakh.

Azerbaijan successfully accomplished the set goals.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4), an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the following conditions: Armenian armed forces formations, illegal Armenian armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm, Armenian armed forces formations leave the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are disbanded.
I believe that competence and capacity should be uppermost in considering people for appointments, but I also know that all regions or ethnic groups harbour such competent people among them. Going forward, the president should be more circumspect, and look elsewhere, instead of his household, in a delicate balancing act that Nigeria needs

In all ramifications, it appears the euphoria and excitement that greeted President Bola Tinubus assumption of office are gradually ebbing away. Quite expectedly, having started with the tough decisions of fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira, the president now needs to do more and urgently too.

Both policies have since worsened the woes of the naira and Nigerians. From accusation of being surrounded by Lagos boys (his cabinet as Lagos State governor between 1999 to 2003), policy somersaults, to somehow nepotistic appointments (and vengeful dismissal of some CEOs), questions are being asked about Tinubus pro-people and pan-Nigerian credentials.

He started with politically correct appointments. The geographical spread of his service chiefs was received positively. His swift policy statements, though criticised, were timely, in comparison to the sordid silence of his predecessor.

The misnomer became apparent during the ministerial nominations flip-flopping to the high-wire politics that led to a ministerial nominee, in person of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, being dropped at the last minute over a so-called security report after screening. We also witnessed how a nominee from Kano State, Maryam Shetty, was refused screening by the senators after she was already seated in the National Assembly lobby, which clearly showed a scene from the playbook of Gandujes dirty politics, now under the Tinubu government.

Two former governors were appointed to man the Ministry of Defence  former Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State was downgraded to serve as a junior minister under his colleague, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, the former governor of Jigawa State. It looks so incongruous. Some ministries, departments and agencies of government (MDAs) were reorganised, and we expected a more compact arrangement. But what did we get? Some ministries were boosted and some downgraded. To which end, except to favour some ministers and appoint others to less juicy or relegated ministries, just to satisfy the constitutional provision? Tokenism? Maybe.

The result was a boosted aviation sector, renamed the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, under the supervision of an equally controversial figure, Festus Keyamo, while the Ministry of Transportation was debased and can now safely be called the Ministry of Railway, after the removal of everything maritime former under it, like NIMASA, NPA, Shippers Council, etc., which are now under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Still smarting from all these came the issue of lopsided appointments, which we thought we had last seen with Buhari. The protests over Tinubus skewed appointments have started from home, with a group from the South-West accusing him of appointing only people from Lagos, contrary to the notion that Yorubas had an edge in his government.

Indeed, inconsistencies in pronouncements came too early in this administration. Tinubu made history when he reshuffled a cabinet that was yet to be inaugurated. Engineer Abubakar Momoh was redeployed from the Ministry of Youth to the Ministry of Niger Delta, which the president had hitherto ignored.

Imagine the embarrassment that followed the declaration by the UAE government that they are yet to resolve and reverse their visa ban on Nigerians, after the presidents spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale went to town to announce these as if they were facts. Propaganda should have limits. Why the hurry? To impress who? The disinformation has since taken the shine off the presidents diplomatic engagement with his UAE counterpart. So, after the UAE denunciation, where exactly are we now?

Tinubu does not seem bothered about over-bloated personnel costs or reducing the cost of governance. For the first time, Nigeria now has almost 50 ministers under its low per capital income of $5,200 PPP in 2021, compared to USAs 25 ministers and per capita income of $70,480 PPP as at 2021.

Consequently, Nigerians have resigned to fate that they may never have a pro-people government in their lifetimes, since most of the policy initiatives of the new government favour only the rich, the haves, high-end businesses and the high class of people and interests. It is obvious that the president must have made many commitments to friends and associates, who in his own estimation must be fixed, regardless of an ailing economy like ours.

Still smarting from all these came the issue of lopsided appointments, which we thought we had last seen with Buhari. The protests over Tinubus skewed appointments have started from home, with a group from the South-West accusing him of appointing only people from Lagos, contrary to the notion that Yorubas had an edge in his government.

In addition to his hard-to-swallow economic direction, Tinubus choice of appointees is somehow causing concerns among the elite too.Without a semblance of inclusion and symbolism, the people feel let down by a president they thought was going to be pan-Nigerian, who is gradually becoming provincial in deeds, even as appointments only enrich the beneficiaries, while the conditions of ordinary people remain unchanged.

Last weekend, evidence of such slanted appointments went viral. Critics reeled out at least 20 consequential appointments from the South-West, including headship of MDAs like Justice, Finance, Customs, Police, FIRS, Immigration, NIMC, CBN, Power, Digital Economy, COAS, Maritime, Interior and Communications in the presidents kitchen cabinet. Muslim groups like MURIC have also cried out complaining that Christians now hold key economic positions. The cry of marginalisation has always been part of governance and politics in our clime, and Tinubu does not appear in a hurry to end it.

In addition to his hard-to-swallow economic direction, Tinubus choice of appointees is somehow causing concerns among the elite too. Without a semblance of inclusion and symbolism, the people feel let down by a president they thought was going to be pan-Nigerian, who is gradually becoming provincial in deeds, even as appointments only enrich the beneficiaries, while the conditions of ordinary people remain unchanged.

I believe that competence and capacity should be uppermost in considering people for appointments, but I also know that all regions or ethnic groups harbour such competent people among them. Going forward, the president should be more circumspect, and look elsewhere, instead of his household, in a delicate balancing act that Nigeria needs, and which will surely give him (Tinubu) more support and goodwill. No matter how inconsequential he thinks these issues are, they have already got tongues wagging. As a minority myself, I cant help but notice this potentially damaging and divisive subject in our polity.

Already an internal revolt is brewing in APC over Tinubus style of leadership and appointments. In what a group called yorubanisation of the current APC government, the APC members in Coalition for a United Nigeria (CUN), said 86% of the critical appointments made so far have been people from your (Tinubu) geopolitical zone, the Southwest. Moreso, to our greater bewilderment is the fact that 90% of these people are your Lagos boys. They thus implored the president to drastically balance this prejudice by giving attention to other regions outside the Southwest.

If members of the party are disappointed in their government, what do you expect from the rest of the country?

Zainab Suleiman Okino is a syndicated columnist. She can be reached via zainabokino@gmail.com

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


in recent months DDoS attacks have become yet another threat to be on the lookout for. This is not a new issue as from way back as 2010, research was done by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, supported by Open Society Foundations, on distributed denial of service attacks against independent media and human rights sites.

Threats to media freedom have been evolving and increasing over the years and while efforts to address impunity for crimes against journalists continue, stakeholders are battling even more forms of attacks. The 2022 theme for World Press Freedom Day, Journalism under digital siege, continues to be a precise and timely reflection of what is happening. While surveillance has been the most common form of digital attack on journalists and media freedom through enabling legislation and various government apparatus, in recent months DDoS attacks have become yet another threat to be on the lookout for. This is not a new issue as from way back as 2010, research was done by the Berkman Center for Internet and Society, supported by Open Society Foundations, on distributed denial of service attacks against independent media and human rights sites.

According to Cloudflare, a distributed denial of service attack (DDoS) is a malicious attempt to disrupt the regular traffic of a targeted server, service, or network by overwhelming it or its surrounding infrastructure with massive Internet traffic.

In August, a South African media outlet, Daily Maverick, reported that it faced DDoS attacks following its report on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modis arrival in Johannesburg for the BRICS Summit. To restore access to its website, Daily Maverick had to block the Indian domain.

Somali Journalists Syndicate, an organisation that promotes media freedom and the safety of journalists in Somalia also faced massive DDoS attacks in August. SJS received technical support from Qurium, an organisation that provides proactive and reactive digital security services to a community of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders that often face digital threats against their communication channels.

The International Press Institute recently reported on the targeting of over 40 media outlets in Hungary, with independent media that is critical of the government experiencing DDoS attacks multiple times since April. Stemming from that report, IPIs website was also attacked in September.

Media reports highlight that media outlets from at least six countries, including Somalia and Nigeria, have experienced DDoS attacks in the past two years, alleged to have originated from cyberattackers that used the services of a United States company, RayoByte. This is the same company whose services are also reported to have been used for the attacks on SJS. In a 2019 research paper on freedom of expression and elections in the digital age, the UN Special Rapporteur highlighted that in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and as part of their mandate to promote free expression, companies should invest resources in security measures and improvements to infrastructure that prevents or mitigates the effects of DDoS attacks done through their services or products.

This is not peculiar to Africa, as media outlets in other regions have also been fighting off DDoS attacks. The International Press Institute recently reported on the targeting of over 40 media outlets in Hungary, with independent media that is critical of the government experiencing DDoS attacks multiple times since April. Stemming from that report, IPIs website was also attacked in September. Media outlets in Poland, the Philippines, and Brazil have also faced similar attacks in the past.

Going forward, training, engagements, and policy development focused on DDoS attacks on media outlets are worth placing on stakeholders agendas. Generally, cyber capacity-building is critical in Africa, and this should include introducing or revising national cybersecurity strategies

The nature of these attacks requires adequate technical support, which several media outlets cannot afford. Collaboration with organisations such as Qurium, Cloudflare and Digital Society Africa is necessary to address these challenges, especially through the existing rapid response mechanisms. It is however also important for media outlets to prioritise IT experts as part of their human resources to mitigate such attacks.

DDoS attacks have serious consequences for the media as they prevent the public from accessing information. The efforts to defend against DDoS attacks also require the media to devote time, money, and resources that could be alternatively used for reporting and investigative journalism. As noted in the case of the Daily Maverick, the defence mechanisms against these attacks, like blocking traffic from certain countries, also ends up making it more difficult for readers to access content in some cases.

Going forward, training, engagements, and policy development focused on DDoS attacks on media outlets are worth placing on stakeholders agendas. Generally, cyber capacity-building is critical in Africa, and this should include introducing or revising national cybersecurity strategies, capacitating law enforcement, and establishing cybersecurity response teams to address these challenges.

Nompilo Simanje is a lawyer by profession and is passionate about promoting media freedom, freedom of expression, and access to information. She works as the Africa Advocacy and Partnerships Lead at the International Press Institute.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


Former Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, born on 22 September, 1957, is 66 years old this year. At 66, Shema is an accomplished international corporate lawyer, businessman, and politician. In his voyage in the field of politics, he was a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a mentee of the late President Umaru Musa YarAdua. When YarAdua was elected as the governor of the Katsina State in 1999, and he nominated Shema as the states Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, there was a lone voice against his nomination. Due to one mans opposition to his nomination, Shema met with YarAdua and pleaded to be withdrawn from the cabinet, but YarAdua declined.

Shema eventually served as the States Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice between 1999 and 2003. In 2003, when YarAdua was re-elected as governor, Shema was being considered to be re-appointed as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice or Secretary to the State Government, but Shema pleaded with YarAdua to permit him to go back to his thriving private practice as a lawyer and business man, a request which was reluctantly granted by Governor YarAdua.

In 2005, when there was a crisis in PDP, which led to the mass resignation of all the members of National Working Committee, to pave way for the caretaker committee before the partys National Convention, Shema was chosen to serve as the PDPs Deputy National Chairman (North). He served in that capacity till 2007 when he became Katsina State PDP governorship candidate, and was subsequently elected as a governor. He served as the State Governor for eight years with a laudable record of achievements.

In 2014, when the All Progressives Congress (APC) was formed and Muhammadu Buhari emerged as the partys presidential candidate, the former governor, despite being the chief executive officer of Buharis State and with potential political danger that accompanied such, he remained committed to the PDP. He ignored appeals from diverse quarters for him to join the APC, like others did, simply because he is not a transactional politician. He stands for principles and integrity.

However, the scenario was not the same in 2023, when Shema took a decision to work for the APC against the PDP in Katsina State during the general elections. It was a decision premised on honour, integrity, and public interest. During the 2023 PDP presidential campaign, the partys presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had relegated the former governor to the background during his campaign in Katsina, ignoring the fact that every politics is local. Shema was also in Katsina days earlier to make arrangements for the presidential political campaign, but he backed out when he saw the handwriting on the wall that his contributions to the partys success in Katsina was not considered to be vital. Former Vice President Atikus rhetoric during the campaign was replete with the landmark achievements of the PDP during Shemas era as governor, including the campaign venue (Kankarda stadium), yet he refused to mention Shemas name.

Surprisingly, the same Atiku was fond of referring to PDP accomplishments between 1999 and 2007 as the achievements of Obasanjo/Atiku administration.

Was it not amusing that Shemas name and photograph, the only living former PDP governor of the state, were not included in the programme of events for the PDPs presidential campaign rally, held in Katsina on 20 December, 2022? Deliberately, Atiku Abubakar, alongside a former National Chairman of the PDP Iyorchia Ayu, and the presidential campaign council Director General, Aminu Tambuwal snubbed the former governor when their campaign train moved into Katsina State. It is on record that before and after the rally, none of them deemed it necessary to visit or put a call through to Shema, an attitude that further confirmed the conspiracy against a man whose indelible record of performance was perceived to be a threat to APCs retention of power in Katsina State.

If not for arrogance, how would a political party seeking a mandate to win elections in a state like Katsina, ignore a two-term governor of the state who performed creditably well on the platform of the party? In an election where every single vote counts, is it not living in delusion for anyone to think that Shema would not command thousands of sympathy votes from his ardent supporters, mostly the rural dwellers?

Prior to the above incident, Shema, using his personal resources, opened a PDP presidential campaign office for Atiku in the centre of Katsina, the office adjudged to be the best among the 2023 presidential candidates campaign offices in the state. It is disappointing that neither the PDP leadership nor the partys presidential candidate acknowledged Shemas notable contributions. Shema was like a sheep in the midst of wolves. The PDP leadership chose to celebrate the APC members who were regarded in the eyes of the electorate as APCs nemesis and cankerworm, who were romancing with the PDP, before they eventually decamped to APC, a move regarded by APC leadership as an answered prayer.

Considering the above scenario and other details that will be a matter for another day, it is evident that Shema, with the philosophy of public-oriented service and developmental politics, could no longer function in the midst of political vultures, hence the decision to pitch his tent with the APC, without any condition attached to it. To say it loud and clear, it was Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and APC who Shema worked together in Katsina State during the 2023 general elections. The outcome of the elections in the state buttressed this fact. In an election the PDP expected to win its presidential election in the state in a landslide, Atiku only polled 489,045 votes, while Tinubu got 482,283, with just a margin of 6,762. In the gubernatorial election, it was a landslide win for APC gubernatorial candidate, Dikko Radda against PDP candidate, Yakubu Lado. Dikko Radda got 859,892 votes, while Lado received 486,620 votes, with a margin of 373,272. The margin was regarded as the highest in the 2023 gubernatorial election in Nigeria.

Shema, prior to the 2023 general elections, was regarded as the face and the umbrella of PDP in Katsina State. The moment the umbrella was removed, the gathering could no longer hold, hence the PDPs embarrassing defeat at polling units and local governments of its so-called political gladiators for 2023 elections.

The fact that no living member of the PDP in Katsina State can parade the record of service that Shema possesses is without debate. He was the PDPs Deputy National Chairman (North) between 2005 and 2007. He served as the chairman of its National Disciplinary Committee, which amended and drafted the disciplinary procedure as enshrined in the partys constitution. He was a member of the Olagunsoye Oyinlola Committee on Anambra crisis pertaining to the dispute between Chris Mba and Chris Ngige; the chairman, reconciliation committee on South-South; chairman, Peoples Democratic Institute; and chairman, reconciliation team on Gombe on the crisis between Danjuma Goje and Adamu Abdullahi. He has also been the chairman, reconciliation committee on Benue, Oyo (the Ladoja and late Adedibu crisis) states; chairman, Lagos State reconciliation committee (2022); secretary, Ortoms PDP committee on zoning; secretary of PDP National Convention Committee; member, Bukola Saraki National Reconciliation Committee; member of Board of Trustees, member of National Executive Committee; and member National Caucus Committee, among many others.

As a result of his deep commitment to the PDP, Shema resisted the temptation to decamp to the APC, despite the hostility he faced from APC administration after the 2015 general elections. In the face of the persecution and trials, he remained committed to the PDP, just because he is not a transactional politician, until the leadership of the party rewarded his sacrifice and loyalty with hatred and backstabbing.

In the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, the PDP illegally dissolved the Katsina State PDP executive and proceeded to suspend Shema, among others, from the party. The action necessitated a reaction from Shema, a first-rate administrator with exemplary records of public service. Shema, in his famous two-page letter, dated 24th March, 2023 and addressed to the National Chairman of PDP (it is worth of note that Shema suspension was the last official assignment of Iyorchia Ayu in office as PDP Chairman), appealed to the party to rescind its decision as follows-

(1) Rescind the National Working Committee (NWC) decision of unlawful dissolution of Katsina State duly elected Executive Committee and allow them to complete their tenure and disband the purported caretaker committee similar to which so many court decisions in the land has illegalized

(2) Rescind the National Working Committee decision of my suspension as member of our party within the next Forty-Eight (48) hours. Take notice that failure to effect these two changes above within Forty-Eight (48) hours, this letters serves as my formal and official withdrawal of my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) effective from Saturday 25th March, 2023.

The NWC of PDP eventually rescinded its decision on Shema suspension after seventy-two hours, but ignored the reversal of unlawful dissolution of Katsina State duly elected Executives Committee of the party.

Shema unlike many Nigeria politicians, doesnt play transactional politics; his decision to quit PDP was purely on principle, rule of law, honour, integrity and public interest. He has determined to use the rest of his life to serve God and public interest. He remains resolute and committed to good governance for better and prosperous Nigeria. It is glaring that his likes are few among the politicians in the country political space. He is a man of his words, and his major sin is the fact that he is not political hyenas or vipers , hence the hatred, conspiracy and the gang up against him.

Once again happy birthday to a man with heart of gold, astute politician, an accomplished administrator, my oga, mentor, leader, brother and friend.

Olawale Oluwabusola is the head of the media team of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


The Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission in a statement on Tuesday announced that the local government election in the state will be held on 18 November.

The statement also requested political parties to submit names of their candidates at the commissions headquarters in Jalingo.

Political parties have until 7 November to indicate interest in participating in the election and to submit names of candidates, according to the notice signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Philip Duwe.

The 16 local government councils in the state have been run by the Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), appointed by Governor Agbu Kefas on assumption of office.

Mr Duwe told PREMIUM TIMES that the commission has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ease the processes of the election.

He said the Commission deemed it necessary to liaise with INEC in terms of getting production of the electoral materials needed for the success of the polls.

We are ready for the election but not absolutely ready, we must seek authority from INEC to get the materials they produce, he said

Mr Duwe said that TSIEC wants to complement the vision of Mr Kefas, who is desirous of a local government system that is efficient and constitutional.

The governor does not believe in Caretaker or Sole Administrator management which are not in the Constitution.

Mr Duwe, who said information was key, added that journalists are critical stakeholders hence the need to involve them in the course of what TSIEC is doing.

Mr Duwe further disclosed that the commission has met with 18 registered political parties in the state where they agreed on a date for the conduct of the election.

The leadership of Intra Party Advisory Council (IPAC) would be supervising the Political Parties on the entire processes, we have also issued a Time Table to guide them,

On the electoral umpires assurance that votes of the electorates count, Mr Duwe said election results would be declared at the polling units, then to the ward collation centres before heading to the local government collation centres.

He also revealed that about 2,000,000 registered voters would be participating in the polls, adding that the Commission has done an assessment based on the number of registered voters per senatorial district.

There are 168 electoral wards with about 3,650 polling units across the 16 local government areas of the state,

The SIEC boss, however, revealed that the commission wants to customise the ballot papers by senatorial district and if possible by local government to solve the problems of results and ballot papers diversion from one zone to the other.

Share this: Twitter

Facebook

WhatsApp

Telegram

LinkedIn

Email

Print


BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Russian Defense Ministry has reported an attack on a vehicle carrying Russian peacekeepers in Azerbaijan's Karabakh, Trend reports.

According to the ministry, the soldiers inside the vehicle lost their lives.

"The Russian and Azerbaijani investigative teams are currently at the scene, working diligently to ascertain all the details surrounding this incident," stated the ministry.
BEIJING, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 7th World Geothermal Congress (WGC2023), hosted by China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), has officially published the world's first geothermal industry standards (the "Standards") and Beijing Declaration during the closing ceremony in Beijing.

WGC2023 Publishes Beijing Declaration and the Worlds First Geothermal Industry Standard.

The release of the Standard and Beijing Declaration is defining the principles and adding momentum to the sustainable, high-quality development of global geothermal industry, which will bring the development of geothermal energy and clean energy to a new level and make positive contributions to tackling climate challenges, boosting energy security, and benefiting people around the world.

Beijing Declaration expresses that, with the support of all parties, geothermal energy will become one of the most popular and competitive energy sources in the future. To this end, the participants in WGC2023 made commitments to adhering to the following principles:

The principle of sustainable development and raising global awareness about the development of the geothermal industry in response to climate change;

The principle of openness and cooperation and jointly promoting technological innovation and high-quality development in the geothermal industry;

The principle of fairness and rationale and steadily promoting the cooperation and development of global geothermal industry;

The principle of win-win and sharing, and deepening the cooperation of the global geothermal industry.

In the meantime, Beijing Declaration is calling to strengthen public awareness and policy support for geothermal development, advance global technological innovation, promote geothermal technology and knowledge exchange, support global energy transformation, and push forward high-quality development of the global geothermal industry.

The Standard, which takes China's geothermal practices as a reference to formulate a sustainable utilization and development model of the whole life-cycle of geothermal energy, provides a comprehensive reference of technical standards for the global geothermal industry. It recommends practices for low- and medium-temperature hydrothermal geothermal heating, covering geothermal resource evaluation, heat load calculation, mining scheme design, drilling and completion engineering, heating engineering, monitoring, and control.

"Sinopec has built solid strengths and accumulated rich experiences in the clean and efficient development and utilization of geothermal energy, and it is our goal as well as responsibility to accelerate progress in this regard and promote global green and low-carbon growth," said Dr. Ma Yongsheng, Chairman of Sinopec.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2215759/WGC2023_Publishes_Beijing_Declaration_World_s_First_Geothermal_Industry_Standard.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/960416/4284715/SINOPEC_Logo.jpg

SOURCE SINOPEC
Former Allina Health Chief Integration Officer Jonathan Shoemaker to replace Angie Franks, who served the company for 10 years and will continue as advisor to board of directors

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ABOUT Healthcare (ABOUT), a leading provider of solutions for orchestrating patient access across the care continuum, announced today that veteran health system operations and information systems senior executive Jonathan Shoemaker will become its new CEO beginning September 25. Shoemaker replaces Angie Franks, who served ABOUT for nearly 10 years and will continue as a senior advisor to the company's board of directors.

Jonathan Shoemaker, CEO of ABOUT Healthcare

Shoemaker holds more than 25 years of healthcare operations and information systems experience, including 18 years with Allina Health, a 12-hospital integrated health system with more than 28,500 employees and 8,300 providers throughout Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Most recently, Shoemaker was senior vice president of operations and chief integration officer as well as a member of the senior executive team leading Allina Health's Performance Transformation Office that managed more than $300 million in operational and care delivery process improvement initiatives.

"Jonathan's health system leadership over innovation and network organizational performance combined with decades of operational and administrative experience make him the ideal leader to guide ABOUT through this transformational time in healthcare," said Darin Vercillo, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer of ABOUT. "As a health system veteran, Jonathan fully grasps the challenges that our customers and the entire industry face. More importantly, he comprehends firsthand how they can overcome these obstacles, unify their systems, improve network integrity, and orchestrate an optimal patient journey."

Before his most recent role at Allina, Shoemaker spent six years as Allina Health's chief information officer and chief improvement officer. In this role, Shoemaker developed and drove organizational transformation improvement projects and led major technology systems implementations and integrations. These initiatives supported high-quality care delivery and seamless care orchestration across the health system's network of hospitals and more than 160 primary care and specialty clinics and other facilities, as well as virtual care delivered within patients' homes.

"Joining ABOUT represented an opportunity to improve many elements of healthcare delivery I am most passionate about  business processes, mission, and ultimately, ensuring people receive the right care as soon as possible," said Shoemaker. "The opportunity to leverage my skills and experience to drive organizational growth and using technology to transform operations at not just one health system but many healthcare institutions around the country is what truly excites me about this leadership role. I look forward to sharing our team's expertise and solutions to drive improved patient outcomes and experience while helping health systems achieve stronger financial performance."

Franks positioned ABOUT for future

Franks transformed and positioned ABOUT for the future in her six-year tenure as CEO and four years prior on the board of directors. These achievements include a corporate rebrand, two strategic acquisitions, a majority equity investment, and numerous expansions and improvements to the ABOUT technology and services platform as well as record-breaking customer growth while fostering a people-first company culture.

Notably, during Franks' tenure, ABOUT supported health systems across the U.S. during the early outbreaks of the COVID-19 pandemic in helping maximize their capacity while enabling critically ill patients to receive needed care, whether it was in a hospital across town or across the state. ABOUT's collaboration in creating the Arizona Surge Line was held up as a national example  with articles published in JAMA Health Forum, NEJM Catalyst, and Frontiers in Public Health  demonstrating how hospitals and health systems can put aside competitive barriers during public health emergencies to ensure patients receive critical care as soon as possible.

"We thank Angie for a decade of achievement, service and dedication, as well as her personal support in selecting the next leader for ABOUT," said Bob Zdon, chief operating officer of ABOUT. "Jonathan is the ideal leader to guide the next phase in our evolution. With his knowledge and expertise combined with our market position, Jonathan has a rock-solid foundation to build on as healthcare continues to rapidly evolve in exciting new ways to help more patients receive the highest-quality care sooner."

About ABOUT Healthcare

ABOUT offers a flexible, purpose-built solution that empowers hospitals and health systems to operate as one connected network of care. ABOUT enables easy access for clinicians to move patients into and out of the acute care setting  getting them to the next, best care setting faster and easier. Complemented by clinical experts and best practices, ABOUT provides health systems with the necessary controls and insights to grow with resilience, drive clinician effectiveness, and improve patient outcomes. For more information, visit www.abouthealthcare.com.

Media Contact:

Yancey Casey

Amendola Communications for ABOUT

(678) 895-9401

[email protected]

SOURCE ABOUT
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Monteverde & Associates PC is the only firm that has filed a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Case No. 5:23-cv-3665, on behalf of former public common shareholders of Sumo Logic, Inc. ("Sumo Logic" or the "Company") who held Sumo Logic securities as of the record date, April 3, 2023 (the "Class Period"), and who were harmed by Sumo Logic and its officers' alleged violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), in connection with the acquisition of Sumo Logic by an affiliate of Francisco Partners Management, L.P. (the "Merger").

Under the terms of the Merger, each share of Sumo Logic common stock owned was converted into the right to receive $12.05 in cash per share (the "Merger Consideration"). The Complaint alleges that the Merger Consideration was inadequate and that the Definitive Proxy Statement issued by the Company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 5, 2023, provided stockholders with materially incomplete and misleading information in violation of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The Merger was completed on May 12, 2023.

Mr. Juan Monteverde is available to personally discuss this case with you, and if you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 26, 2023 . Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member.

Click here for more information: https://www.monteverdelaw.com/case/sumo-logic-inc. It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you.

Monteverde & Associates PC is a national class action securities and consumer litigation law firm that has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is committed to protecting investors and consumers from corporate wrongdoing. Monteverde & Associates lawyers have significant experience litigating Mergers & Acquisitions and Securities Class Actions, whereby they protect investors by recovering money and remedying corporate misconduct. Mr. Monteverde, who leads the legal team at the firm, has been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Securities Litigation in 2013, 2017-2019 and a Super Lawyers Honoree in Securities Litigation in 2022-2023. He has also been selected by Martindale-Hubbell as a 2017-2023 Top Rated Lawyer. Our firm's recent successes include changing the law in a significant victory that lowered the standard of liability under Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act in the Ninth Circuit. Thereafter, our firm successfully preserved this victory by obtaining dismissal of a writ of certiorari as improvidently granted at the United States Supreme Court. Emulex Corp. v. Varjabedian, 139 S. Ct. 1407 (2019). Also, over the years the firm has recovered or secured over a dozen cash common funds for shareholders in mergers & acquisitions class action cases.

Contact:

Juan E. Monteverde, Esq.

MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC

The Empire State Building

350 Fifth Ave, Suite 4740

New York, NY 10118

United States of America

[email protected]

Tel: (212) 971-1341

Attorney Advertising. (C) 2023 Monteverde & Associates PC. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome with respect to any future matter.

SOURCE Monteverde & Associates PC
BANGALORE, India, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global AI in Genomics Market is Segmented by Offering (Hardware, Software, Services), by Technology ( Machine Learning , Computer Vision ), by Application ( Drug Discovery and Development , Precision Medicine , Diagnostics, Others), by End User (Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies, Healthcare Providers, Research Centers): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031.

The AI in Genomics market size was valued at USD 346.3 Million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 9,859.7 Million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 40.6% from 2022 to 2031.

Get Free Sample Research Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/ALLI-Manu-1D78/AI_in_Genomics_Market

Major Factors Driving the Growth of AI in Genomics Market:

The demand for cost and time management in drug research and development, rising public and private investments in genomics AI, and the acceptance of AI solutions in precision medicine are the factors propelling the expansion of this AI in the Genomics Market.

The need to speed up procedures and timelines, save costs associated with drug development and discovery, increase player alliances and collaborations, and increase investments in AI and genomics are the main factors driving AI in Genomics Market growth. Additionally, factors including increasing AI adoption in precision medicine, falling hardware costs, and the explosion of bioinformatics and genomic databases are all boosting market growth.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/ALLI-Manu-1D78/ai-in-genomics

TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF AI IN GENOMICS MARKET:

Drug development is an expensive and drawn-out process, necessitating the use of different techniques. In vivo and in vitro techniques are frequently used for drug discovery and development, although they are expensive and time-consuming. The majority of the medication candidates chosen during the discovery phase fall short during the latter phases of development as a result of toxicity or other pharmacokinetic traits. By foreseeing a drug compound's outcome during the discovery phase and removing compounds with no potential during the early discovery phase itself, machine learning technology can be helpful at this time. By doing this, the time and money spent looking for possible drug candidates will be greatly reduced.

Numerous research studies have been conducted as a result of the strong stakeholder interest in the potential for time and cost savings in this process. This is expected to drive the growth of AI in the Genomics Market.

To find genetic variations in a human genome, a complex and computationally costly process called sequencing analysis is needed. With the use of RNN- and CNN-based models, deep learning is becoming more crucial for base calling within the genomic instrument. Neural networks decipher the 3 billion nucleotide pairs of the human genome by analyzing picture and signal data produced by devices. This is guaranteeing that base calling happens more quickly and boosts read accuracy, which accelerates the entire genomics workflow from sample to variant call format to final report. This is expected to drive the growth of AI in the Genomics Market.

The scientific community and society must fully trust and accept AI systems in order for genetic medicine to be successful. A considerable deal of attention must be taken to ensure the quality and correctness of the data utilized for the analysis because an AI system's data analysis is only as good as the data supplied. Data sharing between different companies, hospitals, and governmental agencies may be necessary to gain access to sufficiently complete and high-quality data. Therefore, in order to successfully develop AI-driven genomic medicine that is regarded and embraced by the scientific community and society, private enterprises and the government will need to work together. This is expected to drive the growth of AI in the Genomics Market.

Buy Separate Chapters Only: https://reports.valuates.com/request/chaptercost/ALLI-Manu-1D78/AI_in_Genomics_Market

AI IN GENOMICS MARKET SHARE

The market is divided into software, services, and hardware segments based on what each offers. The largest contributor to the AI in Genomics Market Size in 2021 was the software sector. But during the projected period, the hardware segment is expected to increase at the highest CAGR. Because AI enables the processing of enormous volumes of data produced by genomic sequencing methods, AI hardware has been used more and more in genomic analysis.

The market is divided into machine learning and computer vision based on technology.

In terms of revenue, the machine learning category led the market in 2021 and is anticipated to expand at a quicker CAGR over the projected period. This is explained by the popularity of numerous applications in precision medicine, drug development, and genetic data processing.

The market is divided into diagnostics, precision medicine, drug research & development, and others based on application. Due to the streamlined drug discovery process that reduced the time and cost needed to produce new treatments while also enhancing the success rate, the drug discovery segment contributed the most to the market in 2021. The application of AI in genomics has substantially improved the accuracy and speed of diagnostic tests, but the diagnostics category is predicted to increase at the highest CAGR throughout the forecasted period.

The market is divided into pharmaceutical and biotech firms, healthcare organizations, and research facilities based on the end user. In 2021, the segment of pharmaceutical and biotech companies contributed the most to the market. However, due to the huge rise in the usage of AI for illness detection in hospitals by healthcare providers, it is predicted that the sector of healthcare providers would expand at the highest CAGR throughout the forecasted period.

The market share of AI in genomics is examined by region, including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. In 2021, North America was the region that contributed the most revenue to the market. This is credited to numerous academic institutions, including Stanford, MIT, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of California, Berkeley, which are at the forefront of AI research. These organizations perform cutting-edge research and entice top people from around the globe. Additionally, the American government and the commercial sector have made significant investments in the study and advancement of AI.

However, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to experience the quickest CAGR growth throughout the forecast period for the market for artificial intelligence in genomics. This is due to an increase in the number of major players investing in the development of AI as well as an increase in the number of key players themselves.

Get Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/ALLI-Manu-1D78/AI_in_Genomics_Market

Key Players:

Microsoft Corporation

Freenome Holdings, Inc

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc

Illumina, Inc

NVIDIA Corporation (Mellanox Technologies)

Sophia Genetics

IBM Corporation

Deep Genomics

Data4Cure, Inc

BenevolentAI

Buy Now for Single User + Covid-19 Impact : https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=ALLI-Manu-1D78&lic=single-user

SUBSCRIPTION

We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans.

SIMILAR REPORTS

- Genomics market size is projected to reach USD 31240 Million by 2027, from USD 15120 Million in 2020, at a CAGR of 10.8% during 2021-2027.

- Pharmacogenomics (PGx) market size is projected to reach USD 14590 Million by 2028, from USD 7757.9 Million in 2021, at a CAGR of 9.3% during 2022-2028.

- Genome Editing market size is projected to reach USD 6739.8 Million by 2028, from USD 3513 Million in 2021, at a CAGR of 9.3% during 2022-2028.

- Conversational AI in Healthcare Market

- AI in Healthcare market is projected to grow from USD 5654.8 million in 2023 to USD 24220 million by 2029, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 27.4% during the forecast period.

- AI Pharma Market

- AI for Pharma and Biotech Market

- Drug Developing Platforms by Artificial Intelligence (AI) Market

- Artificial Intelligence in Bioinformatic Market

- AI Technology in Pharmaceutical Market

- Machine Learning in Pharmaceutical Industry

- The AI-assisted Drug Design (AIDD) market was valued at USD 1786.8 million in 2022 and is anticipated to reach USD 8890.4 million by 2029, witnessing a CAGR of 30.7% during the forecast period 2023-2029.

- The Genetic Analysis Software market is projected to reach USD 405.1 million in 2029, increasing from USD 286.5 million in 2022, with the CAGR of 4.9% during the period of 2023 to 2029.

- Bioinformatics Market Size is USD 8,614.29 Million in 2019, and is projected to reach USD 24,731.61 Million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 13.4% from 2020 to 2027.

- The global synthetic data generation market was valued at USD 168.9 Million in 2021, and is projected to reach USD 3.5 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 35.8% from 2022 to 2031.

- The global generative ai market size was valued at USD 8.2 Billion in 2021, and is projected to reach USD 126.5 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 32% from 2022 to 2031.

- AIGC Hardware Support Market

- AIGC Generates Algorithmic Models and Datasets Market

- AIGC (AI Generated Content) Market

Click here to see related reports on AI in Genomics Market

ABOUT US:

Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs.

Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs.

To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources.

CONTACT US:

Valuates Reports

[email protected]

For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225

For IST Call +91-8040957137

WhatsApp: +91-9945648335

Website: https://reports.valuates.com

Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/

https://reports.valuates.com/sitemap/html/reports/4

https://reports.valuates.com/sitemap/html/reports/5

https://reports.valuates.com/sitemap/html/reports/6

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Valuates Reports
ARLINGTON, Va., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Signaling a major leap forward for aviation in the digital age, the United States Air Force Research Laboratory awarded Istari Digital, Inc., a $19.1 million contract today to secure the world's first airworthiness certification, through Military Flight Release, of a digital aircraft using state of the art digital engineering processes.

The program, dubbed Flyer ne in homage to the Wright Brothers, will develop a digital-first, fixed-wing drone to demonstrate and de-risk a new, digital-first engineering process from design through certification. To date, no airplane has ever been digitally certified for real-world flight; Flyer ne will change that.

"The United States Air Force is leading the charge on digital transformation in defense," said Dr. Will Roper, Istari Digital's Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "Certification is the next step to increase digital engineering rigor and transform the industry: Flyer ne is the needed mechanism - the Kitty Hawk moment."

Flyer ne will pair an aerospace company and its aircraft design expertise with Istari Digital's novel digital engineering platform and processes. The manufacturer will adapt existing aircraft models to Istari Digital's all-digital engineering workflow, demonstrating a faster, more cost-effective paradigm that may be applied across the aerospace industry.

Physical aircraft prototyping is far too slow and expensive, resulting in stymied hardware innovation and stunted engineering creativity. Istari Digital will introduce Industry 4.0 practices to the world of aviation that have already revolutionized other industries like Formula 1 racing.

Using Istari Digital's new, plug-n-play digital thread technology, Istari Digital will demonstrate via authoritative digital modeling and simulation that a digital aircraft can prove real-world performance and safety to the point of certification. In doing so, it will automatically integrate all of the models, simulations, requirements and certifications across the aircraft's lifecycle into a true digital thread.

Istari Digital will construct digital versions of the required lifecycle models for development, testing, design reviews and finally airworthiness certification. Multiple Department of Defense processes will be digitized for the first time which will increase rigor and efficiency throughout the Military Flight Release process.

Flyer ne will set the precedent for Formula 1-like digitization in aviation, opening the door to more digital possibilities. Formula 1 is a remarkable example of digital agility. Using authoritative modeling and simulation, race teams design over 30,000 digital cars per season. Most never physically exist, yet teams still confidently certify their real-world performance and safety. On average, parts are digitally redesigned, tested, and certified every 15 minutes, with the cars changing by as much as 85 percent over the course of a single season. Such software-like agility is only possible because racing hardware primarily evolves in digital threads.

"Digital engineering will not revolutionize aerospace overnight, nor make mistakes magically disappear. But industries, from Formula 1 racing to medical devices, keep demonstrating amazing digital transformations," said Roper. "It's time for aerospace to push the boundaries of its digital possibilities."

Founded by Will Roper, and backed by former Google chief executive officer Eric Schmidt, Istari Digital, Inc. aims to make the vision of digital engineering ecosystems a reality, where all technologies are created digitally. The company is building the world's best digital engineering collaboration platform, making digital threads easy and impactful, and laying the groundwork for tomorrow's engineering metaverse. Learn more here .

Media Contact: info@istaridigital.com

SOURCE Istari Digital, Inc.
AJEX expands into the US market, unlocking new B2B growth opportunities in E-Commerce and heavy industry

AJEX's newly launched US operations support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, fostering economic diversification and enhancing logistics technology solutions

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AJEX Logistics Services, the Saudi-headquartered Middle East specialist in express distribution and shipping solutions, today announced its expansion into the United States market. This strategic move represents a significant milestone in the company's global initiative to foster connectivity between Saudi Arabia and the world. AJEX's presence in the U.S will serve as a pivotal element in providing seamless logistics solutions for E-Commerce brands, industrial connectivity, and global trade hub operations in Saudi Arabia.

Represented in Atlanta and Dallas and serving the entire United States, AJEX will provide comprehensive ocean and air freight services for heavy weight shipments, further enhancing its offerings to meet diverse customer needs. With goods shipped to Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, AJEX will cater to underserved markets such as automotive, besides the energy and E-commerce sectors.

This expansion aligns perfectly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. AJEX, as an active participant in this transformative plan, will play a vital role in diversifying Saudi Arabia's economy across multiple industries, enhancing solutions in logistics and supply chain management, and facilitating universal connectivity to Saudi Arabia.

To spearhead this phase of growth and expansion, AJEX has appointed John Martin as the General Manager for the United States. John Martin has an impressive career spanning 35 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his tenure with esteemed organizations such as the US Marine Corps, American Airlines, Skyway (Apple Logistics), BAX Global, Agility Logistics, and Naqel Express.

AJEX further bolsters its leadership team with the appointment of Nourhan Beyrouti as Chief Revenue Officer for US Commercial Operations. Nourhan possesses a remarkable track record in diverse sectors, including Logistics, Retail, Telecom, Real Estate, and Petrochemicals. His extensive experience across the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the GCC region will be instrumental in advancing AJEX's strategic objectives.

"We are thrilled to embark on this strategic expansion into the United States, as it signifies a significant milestone for AJEX, reinforces our commitment to supporting the growth of trade between Saudi Arabia and the world," said John Martin, AJEX. "With Saudi Arabia being one of the fastest growing G20 economies, our presence in the US will play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless logistics solutions and fostering prosperous partnerships that not only strengthen our position as an industry leader but also contributes to the economic prosperity of both nations."

The establishment of AJEX's U.S operations signifies a significant milestone in the company's hypergrowth strategy. With a robust presence now in the United States, AJEX is poised to capture key market share in E-Commerce, industry, and heavy industry through a sector-by-sector win strategy. The company's relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction are core principles that will guide its operations in the United States.

AJEX looks forward to forging strong partnerships and contributing to the growth of the Saudi and US economy while facilitating seamless international trade and logistics operations. With this expansion, AJEX remains steadfast in its mission to connect the world with Saudi Arabia, fostering prosperity and progress for businesses and communities alike.

About AJEX

Founded in 2021, AJEX Logistics Services is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's logistics & transportation expert. Specialized in Middle East E-commerce distribution and industrial solutions, AJEX is established in the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and China. With a network of more than 40 active logistics facilities, AJEX offers a full suite of customer-centric solutions from express distribution, E-commerce solutions, road, ocean, airfreight, warehousing, cold chain, and healthcare solutions. AJEX is a joint venture between Ajlan & Bros Holding, a leading investment company and conglomerate in the Middle East region, and SF Express, a leader in China Transportation and Logistics.

SOURCE AJEX
The firm will leverage FundPortal to scale marketing and drive investment across its innovative and niche strategies.

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Edgefolio Group ("Edgefolio") today announced that Altana Wealth ("Altana"), a London and Monaco-located fund management company, is live on FundPortal, Edgefolio's all-in-one fund marketing and investor relations platform for fund managers. Altana will now benefit from a gated investor portal, connected seamlessly with Altana's public website, to give a consistent user experience whilst also allowing the firm to control and track access to fund marketing information. FundPortal also includes a CRM, with data room, mailing tools, and fund reporting - all within a single platform.

"We deliver uncorrelated alpha across six strategies and are material co-investors in all our funds," said Stephen Martus, CFA, Altana's Head of Business Development. "Our niche focus, uncovering asymmetric opportunities in less-crowded strategies, represents an excellent opportunity for investors, and we want our investor journey to reflect that excellence. With FundPortal, we have expanded our marketing breadth while delivering a better experience for our clients and prospects".

In selecting FundPortal, Altana replaced an existing CRM and a separate mailing tool, which needed to be revised to support the business. FundPortal is a SaaS solution, and Altana launched their FundPortal to investors within six weeks of selection, as determined by their project timeline.

"FundPortal lets fund managers deliver a wide range of information on multiple funds in a way that is efficient, scalable, and above all easy for the investor," said Rowen Pillay, CEO and Co-Founder, Edgefolio. "The fund manager maintains total control over who can access their sensitive information and can monitor engagement to focus the sales effort. We are excited to help Altana optimise the investor journey and accelerate their growth".

About Altana Wealth

Established in 2010, Altana Wealth has $500m in assets under management and employs over 30 personnel across its London and Monaco offices.

Altana Wealth focuses on specialist, innovative and under-explored areas that can generate alpha with a low correlation to broader public markets and where it has a competitive edge, typically due to superior information analysis or style of investment.

These niche strategies are often less crowded and overlooked by large managers since capacity is generally constrained. Altana's seed investments in new funds and continuing co-investments demonstrate commitment and alignment of interest with investors.

About Edgefolio

Edgefolio is a leading provider of SaaS solutions for hedge funds, investment banks, prime brokerages and third-party marketers.

FundPortal is a digital fund marketing and investor relations platform for fund managers worldwide, incorporating an investor portal, CRM, email campaigns, data room and digital reporting.

Edgefolio has digitised the fund marketing operations of six of the top 10 investment banks, prime brokerages, and many of the world's leading third-party marketers and fund platforms.

Contact details:

Altana Wealth:

Stephen Martus, CFA

Stephen.martus@altanawealth.com

+44 78 2112 8335

www.altanawealth.com

Edgefolio:

Hannah Smith

[email protected]

+44 (0)7803 696380

www.edgefolio.com

SOURCE Edgefolio
Dr. Jenkins' extensive education experience and leadership accolades support the college's mission.

INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- American College of Education ( ACE ), a leading conferrer of graduate degrees in education1, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Barbara Jenkins to its board of trustees. Her extensive education and leadership experience is solidly aligned with ACE's commitment to providing quality programs in a variety of verticals.

Dr. Jenkins brings over 30 years of education experience to the role. During her 10-year tenure as the superintendent for one of the largest public school districts in the nation, Orange County Public Schools, Dr. Jenkins earned multiple accolades. In fact, she led the district to win the prestigious Board Prize for Urban Education, the Governor's Sterling Award, the Sustained Excellence Award, and a District Accreditation from AdvancED. And the district reached an unprecedented graduation rate of 97% under her leadership.

In addition to the outstanding district awards, Dr. Jenkins earned recognition for her individual contributions. They included several Superintendent of the Year honors, and most notably, she was the Florida Superintendent of the Year in 2017 and a top finalist for the national title.

ACE Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Jeri Nowakowski said, "Dr. Jenkins brings exceptional experience, and we are thrilled to welcome her to our board of trustees." ACE President and CEO Geordie Hyland added, "As a college, we are committed to helping develop human capital in K-12 school districts. Dr. Jenkins will enable us to have more impact in support of our mission."

"Since retiring as an educator, I've dedicated much of my time to serving organizations that serve others, and ACE does an outstanding job of this. I'm honored to join a team that puts students first." Dr. Jenkins stated.

1Source: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data

About American College of Education

American College of Education (ACE) is an accredited, 100% online college specializing in high-quality, affordable programs in education, business, leadership, healthcare and nursing. ACE is ranked #2 on Newsweek 's 2023 top online colleges list. Headquartered in Indianapolis, ACE offers more than 80 innovative and engaging programs for adult students to pursue a doctorate, specialist, master's or bachelor's degree, along with micro-credentials and graduate-level certificate programs. In addition to being a leader in online education, ACE is a Certified B Corporation.

SOURCE American College of Education
New data shows record surge of challenges in public libraries

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Library Association (ALA) has released new preliminary data documenting the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school and academic libraries during the first eight months in 2023.

Between January 1 and August 31, 2023, ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles.* The number of unique titles challenged has increased by 20 percent from the same reporting period in 2022 , the year in which the highest number of book challenges occurred since ALA began compiling this data more than 20 years ago. Most of the challenges were to books written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

New data shows record surge of challenges in public libraries Post this

Challenges to books in public libraries accounted for 49 percent of those OIF documented, compared to 16 percent during the same reporting period in 2022. The largest contributor to the rise in both the number of censorship attempts and the increase in titles challenged continues to be a single challenge by a person or group demanding the removal or restriction of multiple titles.

As in 2022, 9 in 10 of the overall number of books challenged were part of an attempt to censor multiple titles.

Cases documenting a challenge to 100 or more books were reported in 11 states, compared to six during the same reporting period in 2022 and zero in 2021.

In the past, most challenges to library resources only sought to remove or restrict a single book.

"These attacks on our freedom to read should trouble every person who values liberty and our constitutional rights," said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. "To allow a group of people or any individual, no matter how powerful or loud, to become the decision-maker about what books we can read or whether libraries exist, is to place all of our rights and liberties in jeopardy."

Caldwell-Stone continued, "Expanding beyond their well-organized attempts to sanitize school libraries, groups with a political agenda have turned their crusade to public libraries, the very embodiment of the First Amendment in our society. This places politics over the well-being and education of young people and everyone's right to access and use the public library."

"What this data set does not reveal are the people who want books that speak to their lived experience and librarians who want to make books accessible to people who find them relevant. Both are under attack," said ALA President Emily Drabinski.

Examples of publicly documented cases of censorship include:

Samuels Public Library (Fort Royal, Va.)  A local pressure group called "Clean Up Samuels" held two book-banning BBQ events ("there will be beer and babysitting") to fill out Request for Reconsideration forms for materials held at the library. Their efforts focused on children and young adult materials with representation of the lived experiences of those who are LGBTQIA+. Over 500 forms were completed for nearly 150 unique titles. At county board of supervisor meetings, group members called for the elimination of the library's funding over the availability of "And Tango Makes Three," "Pride Colors," "Prince and Knight," "I Love You Because I Love You, Plenty of Hugs" and other LGBTQIA+ titles. In June, the county board of supervisors voted to withhold 75 percent of the budget until the library takes action to "protect our children from sexually explicit material and ensure parents have control over their children's reading choices." The library director resigned in August.

Clinton (Tenn.) Public Library  In February 2023, the library board voted against a proposal to create a special section of their library to house books related to gender identity and sexual orientation. The conversation was spurred by challenges to "Grandad's Camper," "It Feels Good to be Yourself" and "Families like Mine" from members of a group that advocates for the censorship of library material with LGBTQIA+ representation. While the books were retained where they were originally shelved, members of the group went on to challenge numerous additional titles with LGBTQIA+ representation, including literary memoirs and sex education titles. The group has recently begun calling for the library director's resignation and threatening community members who have publicly defended access to these resources. In August, the mayor of Anderson County and four county commissioners asked the sheriff to investigate whether 17 books available at public libraries, including Clinton Public Library, violate Tennessee's criminal obscenity laws. Prosecutors have not brought charges.

Urbandale (Iowa) Community School District  In July 2023, the Des Moines Register obtained a list of 374 books that the district had flagged for removal without knowing if the district even owned the books. The justification for the list was to comply with a state law (SF 496) that went into effect in July and set to begin imposing penalties in January 2024. The law is focused on defining what books are deemed age-appropriate in Iowa schools with a focus on topics addressing sex, sex education, sexual orientation and gender identity. A school district spokesperson stated the district was "to provide guidance to K-12 teachers about books that might violate the state law." In response to protests, the list was revised to 65 books. Among the books removed from school libraries were "The Kite Runner," "The Handmaid's Tale," "Brave New World," "Beloved," "The Color Purple," "Native Son," "Gender Queer," "All Boys Aren't Blue" and "The Hate U Give."

"The antidote to the contagion of censorship is public, vocal support for libraries," said Drabinski. "Libraries continue to welcome every reader in their communities and provide something in the collection for everyone. ALA invites everyone who cares about protecting the freedom to read to show up to support their libraries at a local school or library board meeting, participate in Banned Books Week, and join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign to fight censorship."

Banned Books Week 2023 (October 1-7) will draw attention to attempts to remove books and other materials from libraries, schools and bookstores. The 2023 Banned Books Week theme, "Let Freedom Read," is a call to action that underscores the urgent need to defend the right to read and to support the community of readers, library staff, educators, authors, publishers and booksellers.

For more information, visit www.ala.org .

*ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed with OIF by library professionals and from news stories throughout the U.S. Because many book challenges are not reported to ALA or covered by press, this data represents only a snapshot of book censorship throughout the year. A challenge to a book may be resolved in favor of retaining the book in the collection or result in a book being restricted or withdrawn from the library.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE American Library Association
Announced winner of 'Market Trailblazer' category for achievements in transitioning to renewable energy and driving market change

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amorepacific, Korea's leading beauty company, was announced the winner of the 'Market Trailblazer' accolade at the RE100 Leadership Awards held on September 19th at the Climate Week NYC 2023.

The RE100 Leadership Awards is organized by The Climate Group, a non-profit foundation that actively promotes the use of renewable energy among companies and governments in partnership with CDP. Since 2020, this award has been given to recognize the efforts and achievements of companies leading the charge in transitioning to renewable energy.

Amorepacific Wins 'Market Trailblazer' Category at RE100 Leadership Awards 2023

The award's Market Trailblazer category is presented to companies that 'drive market changes, communicate transparently about the challenges and solutions related to transitioning to renewable energy, and collaborate with various stakeholders to lead the change.'

Amorepacific became the first in the Korean beauty industry to join RE100 in 2021. It established a roadmap to convert 100% to renewable energy across all its business locations by 2025. The company has been actively implementing its transition to renewable energy through various means. In March 2022, it became the first in Korea to enter into a direct renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA)[1]. In September 2022, it also concluded a third-party PPA. In November 2022, it inked Korea's first-ever virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA)[2] with Bukchon Seomo Wind, a local renewable energy firm based in a village on Jeju Island, to transition to renewable energy while coexisting with local communities.

Amorepacific's Osan Beauty Park, which manufactures the company's key brands, including Sulwhasoo and Laneige, operates a 2.6MW solar power generation facility, creating and using its renewable energy. Through PPAs and green tariff schemes, they have been manufacturing products using 100% renewable electricity since 2022.

The company commented, "We will continue to address the global climate crisis faced by humanity and carry on our efforts to coexist with nature through our sustainable management goal, 'A MORE Beautiful Promise.'"

[1] PPA (Power Purchase Agreement): A direct electricity trading contract, an agreement where an electricity supplier and a company in need purchase power directly from each other. [2] VPPA (Virtual Power Purchase Agreement): A virtual power contract, an agreement in which a company assumes the market risk related to selling electricity from a power plant and trades energy certificates.

SOURCE Amorepacific
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Karabakh issue is an internal affair of Azerbaijan, Press Secretary of the President of Russia, Dmitry Peskov said, Trend reports

"Azerbaijan operates on its territory, which is recognized by the Armenian leadership," he said.

He also said that there is no reason to talk about the so-called "ethnic cleansing" in Karabakh.

On September 19, a truck with employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan blew up on one such mine. The employees died on the spot. The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavend district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan. As a result, Azerbaijan launched anti-terrorist measures oriented towards illegal Armenian troops and remains of Armenian Armed Forces in Karabakh.

Azerbaijan successfully accomplished the set goals.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4), an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the following conditions: Armenian armed forces formations, illegal Armenian armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm, Armenian armed forces formations leave the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are disbanded.
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AI-powered property platform Archistar today announces a pilot program with the City of Austin to accelerate property assessment times for residents.

Archistar's technology uses artificial intelligence to assess planning rules and restrictions on land plots, creating rapid compliance checks that can be used to accelerate the design and building process.

Dr. Benjamin Coorey, Founder of Archistar Archistar eComply Metricon

The pilot will see Archistar's local team collaborating with government and housing representatives to ensure alignment, before considering the potential for a large-scale roll-out.

Archistar Founder and CEO Dr. Ben Coorey said: "Archistar is proud to work with the City of Austin on an important initiative that has the potential to speed up the building plan review process associated with checking rigorous planning and zoning laws, while ensuring the highest building and design standards are maintained."

"Austin joins several other cities, such as Vancouver and Burlington, that are working with Archistar's artificial intelligence to improve outcomes for residents. When it comes to property, there is so much to consider, from environmental considerations to flood controls and tree care requirements, so getting access to quality information early can make or break a development, and ultimately save time and money."

"This collaboration is the start of a significant step toward a more efficient, customer-centric building plan review process," said City of Austin Development Services Department Director, Jose G. Roig. "At the City of Austin, we're all about community, and as technology continues to evolve, we want to harness its potential for the greater good. We're excited to leverage this powerful tool to work in conjunction with our current experts at DSD, ensuring that the benefits of AI-driven assessments translate into tangible improvements for the residents and developers in Austin."

The partnership is the next step in Archistar's international expansion as it works to address housing supply issues across the world's largest cities. Archistar is engaged with governments across Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and United States.

Archistar recently announced a partnership with the City of Vancouver for a multi-year implementation, which will see the delivery of an app for Vancouver citizens as a compliance and education tool. The app, which will leverage Archistar's eComply platform, will allow citizens to ensure adherence to local regulation and standards, on any plot of land in Vancouver.

Archistar Chairman and Former Managing Director of Murdoch Media, Prabhat Sethi, said: "The City of Austin represents another exciting opportunity for Archistar to help solve the global issues of housing supply and unaffordability. The innovative technology will drive change across North America, as we work with other cities to deliver value."

About Archistar: Founded by Dr. Benjamin Coorey, a global expert in 3D generative design, Archistar is the world's leading digital platform for the Property Industry. The platform combines architectural design with artificial intelligence to inform decision-making in property and is used by agents, developers, architects, government planners and homeowners nationwide. Since launching in 2018, Archistar has grown rapidly, listed by the AFR as the 20th fastest growing company in Australia, with notable clients including Mirvac, Ernst & Young, Brookfield and JLL.

SOURCE Archistar
European data teams can now build and automate data pipelines with the ease of a managed SaaS offering while meeting stringent data sovereignty requirements.

MENLO PARK, Calif. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascend.io , the leader in data pipeline automation, today announced the availability of its cloud-based data engineering platform in the European region. Now, data engineers, data architects and analytics engineers can build intelligent data pipelines for Snowflake, Databricks, and Google BigQuery through Ascend's fully managed Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform. Data will never be exported or processed outside of the EU, allowing enterprises to meet strict data sovereignty requirements without having to host their own deployment of the software. Ascend's EU-based cloud offering is generally available to all customers today.

Ascend is bringing this cloud offering to Europe in response to rapidly growing demand driven by large digital transformations and new digital native business models. Ascend already supports customers in the region including News Corp and Maytronics, and regularly fields requests from digital natives for more accelerated deployment options. As Ascend's partners Snowflake and Databricks continue to expand in the region, the demand for scalable data pipeline solutions has skyrocketed. Snowflake reports growing FY23 revenue in the region by 72% YoY , and Databricks has grown its team size 75% in the region over a similar period.

Ascend's native cloud offering provides a lower barrier to its intelligent data pipeline controller that reduces up to 91% of repetitive data engineering tasks, reduces data software costs by 68% and can lower ETL cloud consumption bills by up to 30%. Now, even the leanest data engineering teams can meet data privacy, security and sovereignty requirements in their local regions.

"Ensuring data remains within a country's geographic borders while providing a self-managing SaaS experience for data pipelines is no small feat. This expansion ensures that European data professionals can focus on building intelligent data pipelines 10x faster without worrying about compliance or technical backends," said Sean Knapp, CEO of Ascend.io.

Data teams in Europe can now enjoy:

Instant Access & Setup: Just enter credentials and immediately tap into the world of intelligent data pipeline automation.

Complete Data Sovereignty: Uncompromising compliance with European data sovereignty regulations, ensuring data remains strictly within national boundaries.

Stellar Savings & Efficiency: As endorsed by industry giants like News Corp, and Maytronics, Ascend's users report up to 91% less effort in data prep and transformation, a 68% cost reduction in their data stack, and up to 30% less cloud resource consumption.

Seize the Future of Data Pipeline Automation: Embrace the future of data pipelines with Ascend's free trial of the new SaaS offering, perfectly complementing the trusted, fully dedicated tenant deployment that's been at the forefront of progressive data engineering teams for years.

Start your trial today .

ABOUT ASCEND.IO

Ascend is the leader in Data Pipeline Automation for building the world's most intelligent data pipelines. It's a single platform that detects and propagates change across your ecosystem, ensures data accuracy and quantifies the cost of your data products.

Customers can automate up to 90% of repetitive data engineering and reduce infrastructure costs with one place for end-to-end observability and automated lineage tracing. The Ascend intelligent control plane enables customers to automatically detect, manage and propagate change, maintain data integrity, and prevent errors. Customers can also accurately cost data products with metadata-driven insights into team and solution resources used across their landscape. Ascend partners at every step of the data journey with product innovation and expert support that frees customers to focus on achieving goals. Learn more at Ascend.io or follow us @ascend_io.

MEDIA CONTACT

Mission North for Ascend.io

[email protected]

SOURCE Ascend.io
Investment will fuel expansion of Ashcroft's Sun Belt portfolio

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashcroft Capital , a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, today announced that it has entered into a strategic venture with Temerity Strategic Partners (TSP) that provides Ashcroft with $50 million of growth capital. The capital is expected to support an estimated $1.5 billion of acquisitions over the next two to three years, as Ashcroft expands its Sun Belt portfolio.

"We are excited to have this capital and backing from Temerity Strategic Partners as we position ourselves to benefit from the dislocation and repricing taking place in the market. We look forward to continuing to build our portfolio and delivering on our promise of improving the quality of life of the residents at each of our communities," said Frank Roessler, founder and CEO of Ashcroft. "The founders of Temerity Strategic have been instrumental in the growth and success of many of the largest real estate operators in North America and across all asset classes. We expect that with Temerity Strategic as our partner we will continue to scale the Ashcroft platform."

Ashcroft currently owns and, through its Birchstone Residential affiliate, manages apartment communities throughout Texas, Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. In addition to its existing markets, the company is looking to expand into such other Sun Belt markets as Arizona and Tennessee.

"We continue to cultivate a strong roster of like-minded institutional joint venture partners," said Scott Lebenhart, chief investment officer at Ashcroft. "Our partnership with Temerity Strategic will further support the expansion of our JV program with existing relationships and select new institutional partners."

"Temerity Strategic provides growth capital and expertise to established, focused, vertically integrated and best-in-class real estate operators that are uniquely positioned for success, which is exactly why we identified Ashcroft as a candidate for our firm's sponsorship," commented Bruce Cohen, co-founder and CEO of TSP. "Ashcroft has emerged as a leader in the multifamily industry, and we are big believers in the Ashcroft team's vision of building a portfolio throughout high-growth metropolitan areas in the Sun Belt region. We are excited to support Ashcroft's expansion through a combination of capital, resources and strategic guidance."

TSP seeks to partner with real estate owners and operators that have scaled businesses, an established competitive advantage, in-depth customer and broker knowledge, strong access to institutional capital and a track record of successful deals.

"Ashcroft exhibits all of the attributes we seek in the platforms with which Temerity Strategic will be partnering," added Jeffrey B. Citrin, co-founder and executive chairman of TSP. "When you add what Temerity Strategic brings to the table with Ashcroft's multifamily expertise, exemplary corporate culture and strategic vision, the stage is set for Ashcroft to truly soar."

About Ashcroft Capital

Founded in 2015, Ashcroft Capital is a vertically integrated multifamily investment firm that currently owns and manages 14,000 units  totaling $2.6 billion in value  throughout several high-growth metros of the Sun Belt. The firm focuses on capital preservation while striving to return strong, risk-adjusted cash-on-cash to investors. Ashcroft is capitalized with high net worth, family office and institutional capital. Ashcroft specializes in value-add multifamily real estate and exhibits an expertise in extracting maximum value from every asset it acquires. Rather than attempting to play cycle timing, the firm strives to acquire excellent apartment communities within well-located submarkets of large and growing U.S. metros. Ashcroft is driven by a focused mission to improve the quality of life of the residents at each community in its portfolio.

About Birchstone Residential

Birchstone Residential is the in-house property management company of Ashcroft Capital. It has a comprehensive property management platform that provides all essential services, including leasing, maintenance and construction management. Birchstone was purpose-built to execute the value-add business plan for each Ashcroft property, optimize financial returns and deliver high resident satisfaction. Committed to a people-centric culture and employee development through job training, job enrichment and accelerated development, Birchstone seeks to provide best-in-class service that attracts new residents and enriches the lifestyles of current residents.

About Temerity Strategic Partners

Temerity Strategic Partners is a Chicago-based private equity firm with a focused strategy of providing growth capital to real estate operating, development, and asset management companies on behalf of its principals and a distinguished group of private and institutional investors. TSP provides growth capital, strategic resources and access to its extensive relationships to support rapidly growing, market-leading real estate owners and operators executing development, value-add and core-plus strategies throughout the United States. Founded by industry veterans Bruce Cohen and Jeff Citrin, TSP leverages its experience in building, capitalizing and investing in preeminent real estate operating platforms to support the pursuit of their long-term objectives.

Media Contact

Stephen Ursery

LinnellTaylor Marketing

[email protected]

303.682.3945

SOURCE Ashcroft Capital
LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BancTrust Investment Bank Limited (BancTrust), the London-based emerging markets investment bank, announced today that Martin W. Schubert, founder and Chairman of European InterAmerican Finance Corp., has stepped down from the company's board of directors effective September 1, 2023 and has been appointed as Senior Adviser to Carlos Fuenmayor, Chief Executive of BancTrust.

Martin Schubert will support the Chief Executive and other BancTrust executives by providing strategic advice on international business issues. He will support the company in engagements throughout Latin America and Africa.

BancTrust Investment Bank Announces the Appointment of Martin W. Schubert as Senior Adviser to the CEO Post this

Carlos Fuenmayor said, "I am delighted to have someone of Martin's experience as we continue to develop our business model".

Martin Schubert said, "I look forward to working more closely with Carlos and his team to help deepen the company's relationships in key markets".

The appointment has been approved by the company's Board Nominations and Governance Committee (BNGC), and his activities on behalf of BancTrust will be subject to conditions agreed with the BNGC.

About BancTrust & Co.

BancTrust & Co. Investment Bank is a London-based investment bank specialised in Emerging Markets. The firm offers capital markets advisory, institutional sales & trading and investment research products and services to corporate clients and institutional investors.

SOURCE BancTrust & Co. Investment Bank
Functional foods company brands include Wild About Sprouts, Wild About Bread, and Mixmi Frozen Yogurt.

SOUTHLAKE, Texas, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ra Foods, a pioneer in food tech and functional foods, today announced that Barry Didato recently joined the company as its President, overseeing all company operations, spearheading strategic initiatives, and commercializing their intellectual property at scale.

Barry Didado, President Wild About Sprouts, Alfalfa Wild About Sprouts

Didato's career spans over three decades, during which he held key executive and advisory positions in strategic planning, finance, operations, and business development in a range of companies and organizations. His experiences span several industries, including food and beverage, ag tech, real estate, health and wellness, and family offices. Most recently, he served as the Vice President, Strategy of EatWell Investment Group (EWG.CN) a publicly traded plant-based foods investment company focused on agribusiness, foodtech, and CPG brands. Didato received a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a master's degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Design.

"Barry's broad management and leadership experience in our industry and others is a great fit for our company at a time of significant growth of our product portfolio, production capacity, and rapidly expanding distribution footprint," said Jeff Sholl, co-founder of Ra Foods. "His personal dedication to healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle perfectly aligns with our company culture and purpose. With Barry's leadership, we're confident we'll expand our leadership position as a food pioneer while taking Ra Foods and the industry to the next level."

"Ra Foods co-founders Jeff Sholl and Sue Harlander have built a great team and a wonderfully differentiated intellectual property product portfolio that I am now privileged to lead," said Barry Didato, President of Ra Foods. "These products have proven themselves in several key domestic markets and are now primed for expanded distribution  bringing more and more people in the United States and beyond their benefits tied to human longevity, convenience, and enjoyment."

About Ra Foods "Nourishing Innovation And People"

Focusing on human health, wellness and longevity, Ra Foods brings great-tasting, highly functional foods to market through research, innovation and unrelenting vigilance. Our growing portfolio of brands can be found in thousands of retailers and restaurants throughout the US, and includes Wild About Sprouts, Mixmi Frozen Yogurt, and Wild About Bread, all share a simple purpose: bringing to life more wholesome, healthy, restorative food options for all. Learn more at rafoods.com

SOURCE Ra Foods
The 3rd Anniversary Party for Beloved Birth Black Centering will feature a screening of A24's 'Earth Mama,' plus a conversation with Beloved alumni and the film's star Tia Nomore and Black maternal health equity leaders.

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oakland-born rapper, actress, and activist Tia Nomore will join Black maternal health leaders at a screening of her groundbreaking film 'Earth Mama' at the New Parkway Theater in Oakland, CA on Oct. 2, 2023.

'Earth Mama' star Tia Nomore, in her role as Gia. (Photo by Gabriel Saravia)

The screening and celebration is in honor of Beloved Birth Black Centering  an innovative perinatal care program, built by Black women, for Black women and birthing folk, to eliminate racism-based disparities in Black birth experiences and outcomes. Now in its third year, Beloved Birth Black Centering's "by us for us" group prenatal care is delivered by Alameda Health System (AHS), the Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD), and the Beloved Birth Collective.

Nomore is a Beloved Birth alum, and is now a doula and member of the Beloved Birth Collective. Her performance in 'Earth Mama' was met with significant acclaim this year. 'Earth Mama' tells the story of a young Bay Area mother fighting to keep her family together. The film debuted at Sundance and won the Audience Award at the San Francisco Film Festival.

"Beloved Birth Black Centering's mission is to empower Black women and community to lead health system innovations that address all the ways that racism is harming our health. Our model of care is built on the belief that Black women and birthing people are the experts on how to end the Black maternal health crisis," said Jyesha Wren, Beloved Birth Program Director. "Those most impacted by a problem are best positioned to develop solutions, so it's critical that we empower Black women, Black community, and families to lead this work."

"Alameda Health System is proud to partner with the Alameda County Public Health Department, and the Beloved Birth Collective to deliver Beloved Birth Black Centering, a successful example of community-led health system innovation that reduces health inequities that impact the communities we serve," said James Jackson, CEO, Alameda Health System. "I'm delighted to celebrate three years of this innovative model of Black-centered perinatal care that supports growing families through the joys and challenges of pregnancy, birth and parenting."

"Racism is the root cause of the Black maternal health crisis. The Alameda County Public Health Department is committed to investing in solutions that eliminate racism-based disparities in Black birth experiences and health outcomes," said Anna Gruver, Interim Division Director, Family Health Services, at the Alameda County Public Health Department. "We're proud to celebrate three years of Beloved Birth Black Centering's model of perinatal care that honors and celebrates Black birth, Black families, and Black community."

Beloved Birth Black Centering's 3rd Anniversary Party and film screening will feature a number of special guests, popcorn bar, catered dinner, drinks for purchase, and time to connect with community. Tickets and more information are available on Eventbrite here .

About Beloved Birth Black Centering

Beloved Birth Black Centering is a revolutionary, new, "by us, for us" group perinatal care program; honoring and centering Black families and community while addressing the crisis of racism-based disparities in birth experiences and outcomes. Beloved's Gold-Package of Black Love is a holistic and comprehensive group perinatal care program, working to provide everything that's needed for a healthy pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery. This unique model of group care is a program of Alameda Health System, Alameda County Public Health Department, and the Beloved Birth Collective. Learn more here .

About Alameda Health System

Alameda Health System (AHS) is a leading public, integrated health care provider and medical training institution recognized for its world-class patient and family-centered care. AHS provides comprehensive medical treatment, health promotion and disease prevention throughout our integrated network of hospitals, clinics and health services. AHS includes three acute care hospitals, a psychiatric hospital, four ambulatory care wellness centers, five post-acute facilities, and the only adult Level 1 Trauma Center and psychiatric emergency department in Alameda County. AHS is committed to promoting wellness and optimizing the health of the community through the mission of caring, healing, teaching and serving all. For more information, visit AlamedaHealthSystem.org .

About Alameda County Public Health Department

Alameda County Public Health Department has an array of programs and services designed to protect the health and safety of County residents. The backbone of the Public Health Department includes assessments of the health status of residents, disease prevention and control, community mobilization and outreach, policy development, education, and assurance of access to quality medical and health care services. To learn more about the Alameda County Public Health, visit acphd.org . To be effective, we actively seek community involvement -- partnerships with grassroots and corporate entities, with individuals and groups.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Eleanor Ajala

Manager, Media and Communications, Alameda Health System

[email protected]

510-421-9222

SOURCE Alameda Health System
Benchmark Advance and Adelante have been incorporated into the district's reworked approach to early literacy with significant results.

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Literacy programs Benchmark Advance and Adelante, from leading educational publisher Benchmark Education Company (BEC), have played a role in helping improve early literacy in California's Palo Alto Unified School District. After launching a new early literacy initiative that incorporated the two programs in its reading curriculum, Palo Alto Unified saw significant progress in reading among high-need students, particularly low-income and historically marginalized students.

Considered one of California's top districts, Palo Alto Unified was nevertheless struggling to support its high-need students, according to a commentary piece from Todd Collins, a member of the district's school board. In the piece, entitled "How Our District Moved the Needle on Early Literacy (And You Can Too)" and published on EdSource.org on September 11, 2023, Collins noted that 80% of low-income Latino third graders in the district were reading below grade level. In response, district leadership went "all in" on a comprehensive reworking of their approach to early literacy, implementing the Every Student Reads Initiative (ESRI) in 2021, with the goal of having all students reading at grade level by the end of Grade 3.

"Early literacy is a 'solvable crisis' for California's schools," Collins wrote. "Any district can do what we did." Post this

As part of the initiative, the district removed Lucy Calkins's Units of Study from its curriculum and implemented Benchmark Advance and Adelante. Benchmark Advance is an award-winning core language arts program that aligns with state standards and Science of Reading research. Its knowledge-based framework provides a cohesive structure for the development of literacy skills and content understanding, expanding students' topic knowledge and vocabulary in each new grade. Its culturally affirming texts incorporate a wide range of student identities, languages, backgrounds, and abilities. Benchmark Adelante is a parallel and fully equitable program alongside Benchmark Advance.

Since 2021, Palo Alto Unified has seen significant improvement on the state's CAASPP/Smarter Balanced assessments across all targeted groups, despite obstacles stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Low-income Latino third graders have gone from 20% reading at or above grade level to 47%, reportedly one of the top results in the state. Collins described the results thus far as "impressive," and added that nearly all groups saw double-digit growth in 2022, and that the share of third-grade English Learners reclassified to English proficient reached its highest level in at least the last 10 years. Further, last year's third graders have held onto their gains in fourth grade.

"Early literacy is a 'solvable crisis' for California's schools," Collins wrote. "Any district can do what we did."

"Congratulations to the Palo Alto School District on their tremendous accomplishments," BEC Founder and CEO Tom Reycraft said. "We are thrilled that Benchmark Advance and Adelante were contributing factors to their success."

ABOUT BENCHMARK EDUCATION COMPANY

Benchmark Education Company (BEC) is a leading publisher of core, supplemental, and intervention literacy and language resources in English and Spanish. BEC is also a provider of exceptional professional development to educators.

BEC is recognized as a responsive publisher that offers equally rigorous and engaging digital, print, and hybrid learning materials grounded in Science of Reading research. BEC monitors research outcomes carefully to create effective foundational resources that include strong decoding materials with systematic and explicit instruction and high-quality resources focused on language development and comprehension. BEC's content-rich and authentic texts offer instruction in close reading and analysis, multiple perspectives, and authentic literature while building world knowledge and reflecting the individuality of every student in each diverse classroom.

Family owned and operated, BEC is committed to partnering with educators to provide the best for all students through resources of exceptional quality, world-class professional learning, and effective and dedicated customer support.

SOURCE Benchmark Education Company
MONROEVILLE, Pa., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In her bestselling book, Out of the Darkness - Aligning Science and Spirit to Overcome Depression, award-winning author, Debra Holz shares her courageous story of awakening, healing, joy, and peace. Now, Holz offers a way for people to benefit directly from her experiences through a new membership program.

Author Debra Holz and her book, Out of the Darkness.

More than 21 million Americans suffer from some form of depression. Far too often, the condition leads the sufferer down a painful pathway toward substance abuse and suicidal thoughts. For more than 50 years of her life, crippling depression dictated Holz's negative beliefs in herself and her life's purpose.

Holz was raised in a deeply religious family with an emotionally troubled mother and an abusive father. The crippling trauma she experienced as a child led her down a dark path of addiction, self-loathing, and depression. After decades of psychological and pharmaceutical treatment, nothing helped, and she regularly found herself wanting to die.

On the brink of suicide, Holz was suddenly overwhelmed with the idea there must be another way to treat her problem beyond the traditional medical and psychiatric methods. After a great deal of research, she found a way to reframe the events of her childhood and, as she says, "cured" her depression.

"I became obsessed with learning everything I could about the brain and discovered that we aren't really hardwired, as most would have you believe," she explained. "Studying neuroplasticity and quantum physics as it relates to psychology, I learned how to rewire my brain. Understanding the real science behind the ways energy and thought coexist helped me to learn who I am and allowed me to cure the depression, for good."

"Once you learn the truth, that depression is a neurochemical response, there is no reason to be depressed. Now I have the tools," she said, and she wants to share her techniques with the millions of people who suffer from depression.

"I no longer fear returning to the darkness because I simply can't. Because for me to be depressed again would be a choice, a choice to forget everything I've learned, and that's impossible," Holz explained. "For me, it was the story of how my brain was wired for depression as a child."

In Out of the Darkness - Aligning Science and Spirit to Overcome Depression, Holz candidly shares the 6-step approach she developed to rewire her brain and, thereby, her neurochemistry, ultimately leading to a deep joy and peace she had never known. The book has become a number one, new release bestseller in 6 categories and won The Authors Zone 2022 Non-Fiction Spiritual Book of the Year.

Holz sees her mission as a calling to help others out of the darkness that once consumed her life. "I started sharing my story with people and someone convinced me I could help people," Holz said. "It's become my passion, and it has helped to give me a meaning to my life. It's what I'm supposed to be doing."

The launch of her new membership program, "Depression Free Life," will help continue that work. Members will have direct access to Holz as she shares her methods through monthly articles, videos, lessons, and exercises. The program is being offered to founding members at $35 per month, for a limited time. It all begins with a free download of her six steps to living depression-free.

To learn more about Holz's journey, purchase her book, or for membership information, go online to www.debraholz.life .

Media Contact:

Debra Holz

[email protected]

412-651-5051

SOURCE Debra Holz
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The biobanking market is expected to grow by USD 1.45 billion from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the market's momentum will progress at a CAGR of 8.58% during the forecast period, according to Technavio Research. The market is segmented by Type (Physical and Virtual), Product (Equipment and Consumables), and Geography (Europe, North America, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). Europe is estimated to contribute 38% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. A growing need for the preservation of biosamples in Europe has been driven by the presence of many well-known Biobanks within the region. This is a result of the very robust biobanking system, for example, in Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and other EU countries like France and Belgium. The two main factors that support these countries with strong biobank systems in the region are high-quality biobanks and efficient public health services. The UK's Biobank, with a population of more than 5 million samples, is one of the most important biobanks in the region and has proved to be vital for conducting major-scale drug research. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read FREE PDF Sample Report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Biobanking Market 2023-2027

Company Profile:

AMS Biotechnology Europe Ltd., ASKION GmbH, Azenta Inc., Bay Biosciences LLC, BioIVT LLC, Boca Biolistics LLC, CTIBiotech, Cureline Inc., Danaher Corp., Firalis SA, GENETICIST Inc., Greiner Bio One International GmbH, Hamilton Bonaduz AG, OraSure Technologies Inc., PHC Holdings Corp., Promega Corp., ProteoGenex Inc., Shanghai Genext Medical Technology Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and US Biolab Corp. Inc.

AMS Biotechnology Europe Ltd. - The company offers biobanking such as Pig Liver Total RNA, Zebrafish Genomic DNA, Human tonsil normal FFPE tissue block, and others.

To gain access to more vendor profiles available with Technavio, buy the report!

Biobanking Market: Segmentation Analysis

The market share growth by the physical segment will be significant during the forecast period. Based on the physical nature of the biological samples, the physical segment refers to the various types of biobanks. Biobanks can be divided into several groups, e.g. tissue biobanks, stem cell banks, and blood branches, as a result of the biological characteristics of the sample.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a FREE PDF Sample Report

"Besides analyzing the current market scenario, our report examines historic data from 2017 to 2021"- Technavio

Biobanking Market: Market Dynamics

Key Driver

Growing demand for personalized medicine

Increase in efficiency through automation

Reduction in research costs

Growing demand for personalized medicine is a key factor driving market growth. Personalized medicine refers to treatments that are based on an individual's characteristics, needs, and preferences. People are increasingly saving their tissue and stem cells for future treatment if needed. An important need for personalized medicine is the availability of individual samples containing individual annotated clinical and pathological data. Furthermore, research institutions are widely exploring ways to develop personalized treatments from biological samples. For example, in February 2021, UPS Healthcare announced an investment and further expansion of its capabilities in genetic and cellular services. Additionally, in June 2020, Infosys, a next-generation digital consulting and services company, launched personalized medicine solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Increasing focus on rare disease research is a major trend in the market. Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market. Download a FREE sample to gain access to this information.

FAQS

How do the major trends impact the market?

How big is the Europe market?

market? How do the key drivers and challenges impact the market?

Related Reports:

The bioprocess validation market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.39% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 280.93 million. This bioprocess validation market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (pharmaceutical companies, contract development and manufacturing organizations, and others), type (in-house and outsourced), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). One of the key factors driving the bioprocess validation market growth is the increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals.

Biochips Market size is estimated to grow by USD 43,273.01 million between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 25.15% during the forecast period. This biochips market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and diagnostics centers, and academic and research institutes), technology (microarrays and microfluidics), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The growing use of personalized medicines is notably driving the market growth.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Type

Market Segmentation by Product

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The blood pressure transducers market is expected to grow by USD 128.65 million from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 5.32% during the forecast period, according to Technavio Research. The market is segmented by Product (Disposable blood pressure transducers and Reusable blood pressure transducers), End-user (Hospitals, Clinics, and ASCs), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). North America is estimated to contribute 36% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. Some of the key countries that are contributing significantly to the growth of the blood pressure (BP) probe market in North America are the US and Canada. Factors such as the increasing prevalence of hypertension, adoption of technologically advanced blood pressure transducers, advanced healthcare infrastructure, rising healthcare costs, High prevalence of hypertension, and associated risk factors in end-users are contributing significantly to the global growth in blood pressure (BP) probe market in the region. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth in the region during the forecast period. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read FREE PDF Sample Report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Blood Pressure Transducers Market 2023-2027

Company Profile:

ADInstruments Pty Ltd., B L Lifesciences Pvt Ltd., B.Braun SE, BIOPAC Systems Inc., CODAN Medizinische Gerate GmbH and Co KG, Edwards Lifesciences Corp., Elcam Medical Group, Harvard Bioscience Inc., ICU Medical Inc., iWorx Systems Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., Masimo Corp., MEMSCAP SA, Merit Medical Systems Inc., SCW Medicath Ltd., Smiths Group Plc, UGO BASILE S.R.L., Utah Medical Products Inc., World Precision Instruments, and Biosensors International Group Ltd.

ADInstruments Pty Ltd - The company offers disposable blood pressure transducers MLT0670 and MLT0699.

To gain access to more company profiles available with Technavio, buy the report!

Blood Pressure Transducers Market: Segmentation Analysis

The disposable blood pressure transducers segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The invasive hemodynamic blood pressure transducer systems that change as a result of the mechanical changes in your blood pressure to electrical current, which can be measured by a histograph system, may be referred to as disposable blood pressure transducers.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a FREE PDF Sample Report

"Besides analyzing the current market scenario, our report examines historic data from 2017 to 2021"- Technavio

Blood Pressure Transducers Market: Market Dynamics

Key Driver

Increasing focus on preventive care

Increasing incidence of hypertension

Growing geriatric population

Increasing focus on preventive care is a key factor driving market growth. Preventive healthcare is gaining more and more attention due to increasing awareness of the healthcare provided by medical professionals. Several healthcare reforms in preventive care have significantly reduced health spending without compromising the quality of treatment. In addition, some healthcare organizations are increasingly focusing on early diagnosis to reduce the burden on curative treatments that are expensive and can have a significant impact on care organizations. health care. The primary purpose of blood pressure transducers is to prevent serious events in critically ill patients from a sudden rise in blood pressure through early diagnosis. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

The growing adoption of product bundling strategies by companies is a major trend in the market. Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market. Download a FREE sample to gain access to this information.

Related Reports:

The smart healthcare market size is estimated to grow by USD 115.39 billion at a CAGR of 9.26% between 2022 and 2027. This smart healthcare market report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (offline and online), solution (telemedicine, mHealth, EHR, smart pills, and others), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). Increasing focus on patient engagement is notably driving the market growth.

The eClinical solutions market size is estimated to grow by USD 9,654.33 million at a CAGR of 13.47% between 2022 and 2027. ThiseClinical solutions market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, contract research organizations, consulting service companies, medical device manufacturers, and others), deployment (cloud-based and on-premises), and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). Rise in clinical trials for drugs driving the growth of the market.

What are the key data covered in this blood pressure transducers market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the blood pressure transducers market between 2022 and 2027.

Precise estimation of the blood pressure transducers market size and its contribution to the market in focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the blood pressure transducers market across North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW

A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about companies

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of the blood pressure transducer market companies.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Product

Market Segmentation by End-User

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. As a result of the initiation and successful completion of anti-terrorist measures, Azerbaijan regained its sovereignty at around 1:00 p.m. yesterday, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the nation, Trend reports.

I must note that as a result of anti-terrorist measures, our servicemen have shown great heroism, bravery and professionalism. In difficult terrain and despite the presence of fortifications created over the years of engineering works by the enemy, despite the fact that the enemy's positions are located on hills and in favorable places, our servicemen once again, as I mentioned, showed heroism and professionalism and achieved significant military success in all directions in a short period of time. A large part of the army of the Armenian state, which was illegally stationed on the territory of Azerbaijan and has not been removed to this day despite the commitment of the Armenian state, has been completely destroyed. Military equipment was destroyed and incapacitated, the head of state noted.
Open from September 27 through November 5, the Los Angeles Blue Bottle Studio residency features some of the most extraordinary and limited coffees in the world. The coffees showcased at the Studio are sourced from limited lots from long-time Blue Bottle producers. These include a Gesha microlot from Panama's Finca Deborah; a Wush Wush from Colombia's Eco Farm La Cereza; Aljidan X1 from Yemen's Qima Coffee; and an extremely limited California Gesha from Frinj Coffee in Goleta.

The Blue Bottle Studio service is unlike any other coffee tasting in the specialty coffee market. The tools have been simplified and the techniques refined to such a degree that guests will be able to taste coffee leaves, flowers, cherries, and roasted coffee in a way that will underscore their simple, transcendent truth. Truth takes time, however. The painstakingly simple brew methods, which have been developed for this service have been repeatedly refined over four years of trials and a debut in Japan last spring, are exacting and precise. However, the setting is relaxed and elegant. Los Angeles-based pastry chef Kiyoshi Tsukamoto has developed two pastries that will highlight the flavors of the coffee used in the service. Both culinary offerings are nut and gluten-free.

"Benjamin and I have been working on these concepts for about twelve years," said Blue Bottle's Founder, James Freeman. "After the successful launch of this menu in Kyoto last spring, we continued to refine and revise it until we had a tasting that underscores the simple, inherent beauty in these extraordinary coffees."

Similar to the Studio residencies Blue Bottle offered in Hong Kong and Kyoto earlier this year, the Los Angeles Blue Bottle Studio is designed to free guests from the usual constraints of the cafe experience and place them into a space that transcends it. The modest, eight-seat space in Los Angeles, designed in collaboration with wrk-shp and Capsule Manufacturing, features a custom-made brass bar and vintage furniture which can be loaded up into a truck at the end of the residency and used in the next location. Also contributing to the visual elements of the space are curtains dyed using various blends of Blue Bottle coffee beans designed by Lookout & Wonderland.

The sonic environment is important too: a beautiful vintage stereo, selected by noted audio specialist Benjamin Brinkman, will play records chosen by James, Benjamin, and the other Studio baristas, to underscore the way the coffee is being brewed. Everything from the design of the space to the coffees selected, brewing methods, and cups into which the coffee is poured have been thoughtfully selected to create an environment for guests to enjoy the tasting experience.

The Studio's tasting menu of coffees and desserts is unavailable at any other Blue Bottle location. Additionally, guests of the Studio can purchase select coffee beans and merchandise used in the service such as Japanese cups and plates, Takahiro Haruka Shizuku kettle, and an exclusive coffee-dyed tote bag, enabling guests to bring the simple yet elevated Studio coffee experience home.

"Everything we do at Blue Bottle is designed with intentionality and the Studio experience is our way of expressing the best of what coffee can be," said Jeff Cha, Chief Brand & Growth Officer at Blue Bottle Coffee. "After the enthusiastic response from our fans in Japan and Hong Kong, we knew we had to bring the experience to the US starting in Los Angeles."

Blue Bottle Studio is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with three seatings: 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:30pm. The Studio experience lasts around 90 minutes and operates on a reservation-only basis for the price of $75 per person, which includes gratuity.

For full details on Blue Bottle Studio and to reserve your seat, please visit https://bluebottlecoffee.com/us/eng/blue-bottle-studio or https://www.exploretock.com/blue-bottle-coffee. Follow along on Instagram and TikTok via @bluebottle.

About Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee was founded by James Freeman in Oakland, California, in 2002 with a simple yet revolutionary idea: to serve delicious coffee, roasted fresh and brewed to order, sourced from the finest, sustainable coffee farms. Today, Blue Bottle is a global network of cafes in the US and Asia. We are the leader in specialty coffee, driven by our obsession for quality and our commitment to environmental health. Our belief is simple and our goal unchanged: to connect the world to delicious coffee, because delicious coffee makes life more beautiful. Follow Blue Bottle on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or visit bluebottlecoffee.com for more information.

Contact:

Blue Bottle Coffee

[email protected]

SOURCE Blue Bottle Coffee

 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. For more information on how we will use your data to ensure we send you relevant content please visit our By signing up you agree to receive content from us.Our newsletters contain tracking pixels to help us deliver unique content based on each subscriber's engagement and interests. For more information on how we will use your data to ensure we send you relevant content please visit our PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . You can withdraw your consent at any time in the footer of every email you'll receive.



Unsere Newsletter enthalten Zahlpixel, die die Lieferung einzigartiger Inhalte in Bezug auf das Abonnement und die Interessen der einzelnen Abonnenten ermoglichen. Weitere Informationen uber die Verwendung Ihrer Daten im Hinblick auf die Zusendung von relevanten Inhalten, finden Sie in unserer Mit Ihrer Anmeldung erklaren Sie sich damit einverstanden, Inhalte von uns zu erhalten.Unsere Newsletter enthalten Zahlpixel, die die Lieferung einzigartiger Inhalte in Bezug auf das Abonnement und die Interessen der einzelnen Abonnenten ermoglichen. Weitere Informationen uber die Verwendung Ihrer Daten im Hinblick auf die Zusendung von relevanten Inhalten, finden Sie in unserer PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . Ihre Zustimmung konnen Sie jederzeit in der Fuzeile jeder erhaltenen E-Mail widerrufen.



Notre newsletter contient des pixels espions nous permettant la fourniture a chaque abonne, dun contenu unique en lien avec ses souscriptions et interets. Pour de plus amples informations sur lutilisation faite de vos donnees en vue de lenvoi des contenus concernes, nous vous invitons a consulter la politique de confidentialite disponible a partir du lien suivant En vous inscrivant a la newsletter, vous consentez a la reception de contenus de notre part.Notre newsletter contient des pixels espions nous permettant la fourniture a chaque abonne, dun contenu unique en lien avec ses souscriptions et interets. Pour de plus amples informations sur lutilisation faite de vos donnees en vue de lenvoi des contenus concernes, nous vous invitons a consulter la politique de confidentialite disponible a partir du lien suivant PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . Vous pouvez a tout moment revenir sur votre consentement par le biais des informations situees au bas de chaque e-mail recu.
SANTA ANA, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bored & Thirsty, the first-of-its-kind Media + CPG brand, is officially launching today, offering consumers a unique and refreshing way to express themselves through a premium alkaline water experience.

Bored & Thirsty is already turning heads in the beverage industry, with partnerships with KeHE, Save Mart / Lucky, Life is Beautiful Music Festival, C3 Presents, 7-Eleven, and Amazon. This sets the stage for rapid national expansion and makes Bored & Thirsty one of the most anticipated new beverage brands of 2023.

Bored & Thirsty, the Revolutionary Beverage + Media Company, Launches with a Mission to Turn the Boring Water CPG Category into a Platform for Artistic Self-Expression

The company was founded by Darin Rasmussen and Kurt Lohse, two experienced entrepreneurs with a passion for innovation. Rasmussen and Lohse share a vision of creating a unique beverage and media company that transcends the traditional boundaries of consumer-packaged goods. They aim to redefine how people interact with beverages, art, and media, and by intertwining these elements, they are pioneering an entirely new Media + CPG segment that empowers consumers to make a personal statement with their drink choices.

Key Achievements and Partnerships:

Exclusive Water Partner for Life is Beautiful Music Festival Sept. 22-24, downtown Las Vegas. As the exclusive water provider for Las Vegas' renowned Life is Beautiful Music Festival, Bored & Thirsty will gain mass exposure through custom can offerings and merchandise during the three-day event with 150,000-170,000 concert goers, and over 1.2 million greater festival attendees.

Offering the first of its kind Augmented Reality (AR) enabled can of alkaline water featuring an original song clip from Snoop Dogg. See Video: Bored & Thirsty AR

Strategic Relationship building with 7-Eleven: Bored & Thirsty exhibited at the national 7-Eleven-hosted trade event last month, receiving wholesale order requests from franchise owners across the country representing over a dozen FOAs operating over 1,200 stores.

Approved for approximately 200 Save Mart & Lucky Stores in Central and Northern California in partnership with national mass beverage distributor KeHE.

Partnership developed with C3 Presents to provide the exclusive packaged water for Darker Waves, an 80s themed music festival with iconic bands from the 80s performing in Huntington Beach, CA November 18, 2023.

Strategic Partnership with Octane Capital & Growth for startup acceleration and funding strategy. Bored & Thirsty was one of the headliner companies that presented at the Tech Innovation Forum, a large investing event at UCI Beall Center for applied innovation on May 9th  11th, 2023.

Bored & Thirsty Amazon Store: Bored & Thirsty is available for sale online, making Bored & Thirsty products available direct to customers throughout the U.S.

Why Beverage Industry Trade Editors Should Care:

Bored & Thirsty is a disruptive new entrant into the beverage industry with a unique and innovative approach to the water category. The company's focus on artistic self-expression and its partnerships with leading music festivals and other cultural marketplaces make it a brand that is poised to resonate with consumers of all ages.

In addition, Bored & Thirsty's commitment to sustainability, proprietary alkaline water formulation, and its use of high-quality manufacturing processes make it a brand that is aligned with the values of many beverage industry trade insiders. For example, Bored & Thirsty's cans are made from recycled aluminum and the company uses a low-carbon bottling process to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible throughout national expansion.

About Boredroom LLC / Bored & Thirsty

Boredroom LLC / Bored & Thirsty is a revolutionary Media + CPG company that is turning the boring water CPG category into a platform for artistic self-expression. The company offers a premium alkaline water experience with unique and eye-catching can designs celebrating renowned artists, web3 projects, and artistic endeavors by traditional brands. Building on its mission to build communities around art, Bored & Thirsty is also fully committed to sustainability and the elimination of single-use plastics.

About The Industry Collective

The Industry Collective is a public relations and marketing agency that specializes in the beverage industry. The agency has a proven track record of helping beverage brands achieve their marketing goals and launch new products successfully. The Industry Collective is proud to represent Bored & Thirsty and is excited to help the company achieve its mission of becoming the leading Media + CPG brand in the water category.

For more information, visit https://boredandthirsty.com/.

Media & Communications Contact: Taylor Foxman, 609-432-2237, [email protected]

SOURCE Bored & Thirsty
SAO PAULO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BRF S.A. ("BRF") today announces the early tender date results of its previously announced offers to purchase for cash for its own account and, in the case of the 2026 Notes, on behalf of BRF GmbH, a limited liability company (Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung) organized under the law of the Republic of Austria, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of BRF (the "Subsidiary Issuer"), up to the Maximum Amount (as defined below) of the outstanding: (i) 4.350% Senior Notes due 2026 (the "2026 Notes") issued by the Subsidiary Issuer and guaranteed by BRF (the "2026 Notes Offer"), and (ii) 4.875% Senior Notes due 2030 (the "2030 Notes" and, together with the 2026 Notes, the "Notes") issued by BRF (the "2030 Notes Offer" and, together with the 2026 Notes Offer, the "Offers" and each, an "Offer").

The Offers are being made upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the offer to purchase dated September 6, 2023 (the "Offer to Purchase"). This press release is qualified in its entirety by the Offer to Purchase. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Offer to Purchase.

As of 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on September 19, 2023 (the "Early Tender Date"), according to information received from D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information and tender agent for the Offers: (i) U.S.$250,552,000, or approximately 50.18% of the principal amount outstanding, of the 2026 Notes was validly tendered, and not validly withdrawn; and (ii) U.S.$132,305,000, or approximately 22.49% of the principal amount outstanding, of the 2030 Notes was validly tendered, and not validly withdrawn. The following table sets forth the principal amount of the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn, as well as the principal amount of Notes that BRF has accepted for purchase, after giving effect to the Maximum Amount, Acceptance Priority Levels and proration (as described below).

Title of

Security CUSIPs ISINs Principal Amount

Outstanding Prior to

Consummation of the

Offers Acceptance

Priority Level Maximum

Amount(1) Principal

Amount Validly

Tendered and

Not Validly

Withdrawn

Prior to Early

Tender Date (2) Principal

Amount

Accepted(3) 4.350% Senior Notes

due 2026 05583BAA7/ A08163AA4 US05583BAA70/

USA08163AA41 U.S.$499,282,000.00 1 U.S.$200,000,000 U.S.$ 250,552,000 U.S.$ 200,000,000 4.875% Senior Notes

due 2030 10552TAG2 / P1905CJX9 US10552TAG22 /

USP1905CJX94 U.S.$588,307,000.00 2 U.S.$ 132,305,000 -

(1) The "Maximum Amount" represents the maximum combined aggregate principal amount of Notes that will be purchased in the Offers. (2) As reported by D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information and tender agent for the Offers, as of the Early Tender Date. (3) Because the Maximum Amount was exceeded, BRF will accept 2026 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn in the Offers and no 2030 Notes, based on the Acceptance Priority Levels (as defined below) and will apply proration to the 2026 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn prior to the Early Tender Date as described below and under "The OffersMaximum Amount; Acceptance Priority Levels; Proration" in the Offer to Purchase.

Since the purchase of all 2026 Notes and 2030 Notes validly tendered in the Offers on or prior to the Early Tender Date would cause BRF to purchase an aggregate principal amount of Notes in excess of the Maximum Amount, BRF will apply the Acceptance Priority Levels specified in the table above (each, an "Acceptance Priority Level," with 1 being the highest Acceptance Priority Level and 2 being the lowest Acceptance Priority Level), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Accordingly, BRF will accept for purchase 2026 Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or prior to the Early Tender Date on a prorated basis and no 2030 Notes.

Holders who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw their 2026 Notes in the 2026 Notes Offer on or prior to the Early Tender Date will be eligible to receive the total consideration of U.S.$952.50 per U.S.$1,000.00 principal amount of 2026 Notes tendered (the "2026 Total Consideration"), which includes an early tender premium of U.S.$30.00 per U.S.$1,000.00 principal amount of Notes validly tendered on or prior to the Early Tender Date and not validly withdrawn on or prior to the Withdrawal Date (the "Early Tender Premium"), subject to proration.

The settlement date for the Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn on or before the Early Tender Date and accepted for purchase (the "Early Settlement Date") is expected to be September 21, 2023.

All Notes not accepted as a result of Acceptance Priority Levels or proration will be rejected from the Offers and promptly returned to the tendering Holder.

The Offers will expire at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on October 4, 2023, unless extended by BRF (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the "Expiration Date"). However, the Maximum Amount of Notes to be purchased has been reached in respect of tenders of Notes made on or prior to the Early Tender Date and, accordingly, BRF does not expect to accept for purchase any Notes that are validly tendered after the Early Tender Date in the Offers.

Holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase in the Offers will also receive accrued and unpaid interest ("Accrued Interest") from, and including, the last interest payment date to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date.

The deadline for holders of Notes to validly withdraw tenders of Notes has passed. Accordingly, Notes tendered on or before the Withdrawal Date and not validly withdrawn, or any Notes tendered thereafter, may not be withdrawn or revoked, except as required by applicable law.

BRF's obligation to accept for purchase, and pay for, Notes that are validly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Offers is subject to, and conditioned upon, the satisfaction or waiver by BRF of a number of conditions described in the Offer to Purchase, in BRF's sole discretion.

BRF has the right, in its sole discretion, to amend or terminate the Offers at any time, subject to applicable law.

BRF has retained BofA Securities, Inc. and Santander US Capital Markets LLC to serve as dealer managers and D.F. King & Co., Inc. to serve as information and tender agent for the Offers. The full details of the Offers are included in the Offer to Purchase. Holders of Notes are strongly encouraged to carefully read the Offer to Purchase, because it contains important information. Requests for the Offer to Purchase and any related supplements may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. by telephone at +1 (212) 269-5550 or +1 (866) 416-0577 (US toll free) or in writing at [email protected]. Documents relating to the Offers, including the Offer to Purchase, are also available at www.dfking.com/brf. Questions about the Offers may be directed to BofA Securities, Inc by telephone at +1 (646) 855-8988 (collect) or +1 (888) 292-0070 (U.S. toll free) and Santander US Capital Markets LLC by telephone at +1 (212) 940-1442 (collect) or +1 (855) 404-3636 (U.S. toll free) or by e-mail at [email protected].

This press release shall not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of acceptance of the offer to purchase, which are being made only pursuant to the terms and conditions contained in the Offer to Purchase. The Offers are not being made to, nor will BRF accept tenders of Notes from, holders in any jurisdiction in which any Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where the laws require any Offer to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, such Offer will be made by the dealer managers on behalf of BRF.

None of BRF, the trustee with respect to the Notes, the information and tender agent, the dealer managers or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers, agents, attorneys or employees makes any recommendation as to whether holders should tender or refrain from tendering all or any portion of the principal amount of their Notes in response to any Offer, and none of them has been authorized or has authorized any person to make any such recommendation or to give any information or to make any representation in connection with the Offers other than the information and representations contained in the Offer to Purchase. Holders must make their own decisions with regard to tendering Notes.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, any U.S. state securities commission nor any regulatory authority of any other country has approved or disapproved of the Offers, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Offers or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the Offer to Purchase.

About BRF

BRF is a sociedade anonima (corporation) organized under the laws of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Our principal executive offices are located at Avenida das Nacoes Unidas, 14,401  22nd to 25th Floors, Torre Jequitiba, Condominio Parque da Cidade, Chacara Santo Antonio, 04730-090, in the city of Sao Paulo, State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. The telephone number of our investor relations department is +55-11-2322-5377 and our investor relations e-mail address is [email protected].

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Other than statements of historical fact, information regarding activities, events and developments that BRF expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements based on management's estimates, assumptions and projections. Many forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe, "estimate" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are predictions only and actual results could differ materially from management's expectations due to a variety of factors. The forward-looking statements that BRF makes in this press release are based on management's current views and assumptions regarding future events and speak only as of their dates. BRF and the dealer managers assume no obligation to update developments of these factors or to announce publicly any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements that BRF makes, or to make corrections to reflect future events or developments, except as required by the U.S. federal securities laws.

DISCLAIMER

This press release must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase. This announcement and the Offer to Purchase contain important information, which must be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Offers. None of BRF, the dealer managers, the information and tender agent and any person who controls, or is a director, officer, employee or agent of such persons, or any affiliate of such persons, makes any recommendation as to whether holders of Notes should participate in any of the Offers.

SOURCE BRF S.A.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Capsida Biotherapeutics ("Capsida") today announced that Peter Anastasiou, Chief Executive Officer, will present a corporate update at the following upcoming investor and industry conferences:

Jefferies Cell & Genetic Medicine Summit on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 9:30 AM ET . The meeting is being held September 26-27, 2023 in New York, NY .

at . The meeting is being held in . 2023 Cell & Gene Meeting on the Mesa on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM PT . The meeting is being held October 10-12, 2023 in Carlsbad, CA.

The Capsida corporate presentation can be accessed by visiting the presentations section of the Company's website at www.capsida.com.

About Capsida Biotherapeutics

Capsida Biotherapeutics is an integrated gene therapy company developing treatments for rare and common diseases across all ages. Capsida's new class of engineered adeno associated virus (AAV)-based delivery technologies enables a broad range of therapeutic modalities, including DNA, RNA, gene editors, vectorized antibodies and other genetic cargoes, to be systemically delivered to specific organ systems while simultaneously limiting exposure to non-targeted organs. Capsida's proprietary capsid engineering and broad IP estate allows for identification and development of capsids with tropism for any tissue or cell type. The company's initial focus has been delivering therapeutic cargoes intravenously to the central nervous system (CNS) with high transduction levels to the desired tissues and cells. The company is developing a pipeline of both wholly owned programs in CNS and partnered programs with AbbVie (CNS and broad range of ophthalmic disorders), Lilly (CNS), and CRISPR Therapeutics (CNS). Capsida was founded in 2019 by lead investors Versant Ventures and Westlake Village BioPartners and originated from groundbreaking research in the laboratory of Viviana Gradinaru, Ph.D., a neuroscience professor at Caltech. Visit us at www.capsida.com.

SOURCE Capsida Biotherapeutics
New business unit is focused on "undruggable" targets for age-related indications and genetically inherited diseases.

MOUNT LAUREL, N.J., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CCM Biosciences , a pharmaceutical discovery and development company that recently confirmed its launch from stealth , today announced its latest business unit  CCM Protein Upregulation  dedicated to advancing first-in-class drug leads for age-related conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and infertility as well as for genetically inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis, using highly differentiated technology platforms for improving the enzymatic activity or expression level of critical proteins implicated in the pathogenesis of such disorders.

Enhancement of the activity or expression level of proteins is important for the treatment of many age-related and genetically inherited conditions. However, whereas reduction of enzymatic activity or protein expression level can be achieved for a very broad class of protein targets by inhibitors  which comprise the vast majority of small molecule drugs  and protein degraders, respectively, enhancement of the activity or expression level of protein targets is notoriously difficult. Protein targets susceptible to enzymatic activity enhancement have historically been almost entirely restricted to those with naturally evolved, so-called allosteric binding sites, and enhancement of protein expression by orally bioavailable drug molecules generally requires interaction between the drug and the cellular machinery for protein synthesis at the genetic level. CCM Protein Upregulation's technology platform is comprised of methods for the design of drugs that can enhance enzyme activity in the absence of allosteric binding sites, as well as drugs that can enhance translation of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) for genes bearing nonsense mutations to enable efficient production of functional proteins.

CCM's sirtuin-activating drug leads were discovered in-house using its proprietary, patented drug discovery platform. Post this

Advances aimed at improving human healthspan and lifespan are arguably among the most coveted targets in healthcare but also among the most scientifically complex ones. A class of enzymes known as sirtuins has been shown to play a central role in the regulation of human longevity and age-related diseases. However, most of these enzymes are considered "undruggable" because of the challenge of improving the activity of these enzymes in the absence of known allosteric sites. Among the seven mammalian sirtuin enzymes SIRT1-7, only SIRT1 has a known allosteric site. To date, sirtuin activation has been pursued pharmaceutically for SIRT1 by allosteric activation and for other sirtuins by nutraceutical supplements that are not drugs.

CCM's sirtuin-activating drug leads were discovered in-house using its proprietary, patented drug discovery platform , which combines computational biophysics and DNA-Encoded Libraries, building upon publications by CCM scientists in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry, the Journal of Chemical Physics, and PLoS. Application of the platform led to the discovery of novel first-in-class hits for activation of SIRT3, the major sirtuin enzyme in mitochondria  the energy production powerhouses of cellular metabolism that become less efficient with age, in part due to loss of sirtuin activity.

"Characterization of the novel sirtuin activators uncovered for the first time the mechanism whereby they can activate enzymes without allosteric sites. In particular, these compounds were shown to increase up to two-fold the catalytic efficiency of SIRT3 under conditions wherein the essential metabolic cofactor NAD+ is depleted, as it is in old age. Such compounds have the potential to rejuvenate the activity of SIRT3 to levels observed in youth," said Dr. Raj Chakrabarti, CEO of CCM Biosciences.

Preclinical studies are underway on evaluating the efficacy of such non-allosteric sirtuin activators for conditions stemming from the decline of mitochondrial function and NAD+ levels with age, such as Parkinson's and the reduction of fertility in females of advanced maternal age.

Genetically inherited diseases affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. An estimated 30 million of those patients are impacted by a nonsense mutation, which results in making an incomplete, nonfunctional protein product. CCM Protein Upregulation's drug leads represent a first-in-class opportunity to treat multiple diseases caused by nonsense mutations. The company's drug leads for nonsense mutation translational readthrough were discovered using computer-aided drug discovery methods, and acquired through exclusive licensing rights from the University of Palermo and the Italian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. With promising preclinical animal study results, IND-enabling studies for the lead indication of cystic fibrosis are underway.

About CCM Biosciences

CCM Biosciences is a biotechnology company dedicated to discovering and developing novel drugs, including small molecules, gene therapies, biologics, and nanomedicines. CCM's patented drug discovery platforms were developed at Chakrabarti Advanced Technology , a privately funded R&D institute founded in 2010 with scientists in the US, France and India and with publications in leading scientific journals including PNAS, Nucleic Acids Research, American Chemical Society journals and Nature Publishing Group journals. These platforms are complemented by the contract research, development, and manufacturing organizations (CRDMO) at PMC Group , developed through acquisitions of industry-leading companies.

Contact: Anisha Ghosh

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE CCM Biosciences
BEIJING, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At the China Sustainable Investment (ESG) and Hainan Free Trade Port Sanya Forum, CCV entered into a significant partnership with Tai Ming Carbon Management by signing a cooperation agreement for the Bangladesh Energy-Efficient Stove Carbon Reduction Project.

This marks another significant step for CCV in the ESG field this year, following its official membership in the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI). Through this strategic collaboration, CCV will contribute to the ongoing development of the global carbon market and actively promote the participation of more companies and organizations in this initiative.

Once initiated, the project will distribute over a hundred thousand portable energy-efficient improved stoves (ICSs) in the districts of Sylhet and Chittagong in Bangladesh, replacing traditional inefficient stoves and bringing about positive environmental and societal changes.

ICSs are at the core of this project, as they improve energy efficiency by burning wood more efficiently, reducing fuel expenses, and significantly decreasing indoor air pollution, particularly benefiting the health of women and children. This initiative helps reduce Bangladesh's reliance on biomass resources like wood, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and assisting in addressing the issue of deforestation faced by the country. Before the project's implementation, Bangladesh widely used traditional solid fuels such as open flames or three-stone fires for heating purposes. Over 41% of households in Bangladesh still rely on wood fuel for cooking.

The project has already obtained carbon reduction certifications, and once operational, it is expected to annually reduce over 400,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions while fulfilling commitments to all 13 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Bangladesh was chosen as the project's implementation site due to the severe adverse effects of traditional stoves on health and the environment in the country. According to estimates by the World Health Organization, over 40,000 people worldwide die each year due to issues related to indoor air pollution (IAP). Bangladesh alone records over 3,000 deaths annually from IAP, primarily caused by traditional wood-burning stoves.

Despite the Bangladesh government's introduction of the Seventh Five-Year Plan aimed at addressing air pollution issues caused by brick kilns, vehicle emissions, and waste incineration, an effective solution to indoor air pollution has yet to be found.

CCV, inheriting its green genes from KPCB China, has been focusing on green technology investments since its inception and has consistently incorporated ESG elements into investment decisions. To date, the companies we have invested in all contribute to making the world a better place though initiatives similar to the Energy-Efficient Stove Carbon Reduction Project.

CCV will continue to unite CCV's Portfolio to contribute to society, shoulder social responsibilities, practice long-termism, and consistently use the power of "business for good" to support ESG goals.

Contact: Jing Wu, [email protected]

SOURCE CCV
FAIRFAX, Va., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) today announced that the CGI All Payments solution has been certified to support transaction activity for financial institutions that make payments on the Federal Reserve Bank's new instant payments system, FedNow Service.

"We are excited that early adopters across the country are making strides in their operational readiness for transacting through the service since we launched in July," said Ken Montgomery, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston first vice president and FedNow Service program executive. "Completing certification is a key milestone for participating organizations to validate their ability to deliver instant payment services."

CGI has been actively developing FedNow Service-specific capabilities since joining the FedNow Service Pilot Program in 2021. With four decades of deep expertise and industry knowledge in the global payments sector, CGI contributed to the development and market readiness of this new system throughout the certification process. CGI was certified to support sending and receiving FedNow Service credit transfers and requests for payment.

"CGI is an active member of the FedNow community and is working to onboard clients and empower them to deliver instant payment services to their customers at a pace that's right for them," said Robert Coakley, Vice-President Consulting, Delivery, and CGI Lead for Payment Solutions.

The CGI All Payments solution provides connectivity to this new rail, which helps banks rapidly deploy the orchestration, processing and network connectivity required to meet evolving market needs. Delivered as a package or cloud-based platform-as-a-service, CGI All Payments deploys quickly and allows banks to become adopters of the FedNow Service. With a core ISO 20022-native database, API-driven workflows and certified interfaces, CGI clients have deployed from kick-off to go-live in as little as four months, allowing return on investment and future business growth to begin faster.

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world. With 91,500 consultants and professionals across the globe, CGI delivers an end-to-end portfolio of capabilities, from strategic IT and business consulting to systems integration, managed IT and business process services and intellectual property solutions. CGI works with clients through a local relationship model complemented by a global delivery network that helps clients digitally transform their organizations and accelerate results. CGI Fiscal 2022 reported revenue is $12.87 billion and CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Learn more at cgi.com.

SOURCE CGI Technologies and Solutions, Inc.
BEIJING, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The two-day Summit of the Group of 77 (G77) and China concluded last Saturday in Havana, Cuba, with a call for more participation and say of the Global South in the global governance system.

China and other developing countries are working hand in hand to promote the further development of South-South cooperation.

After attending the G77 plus China summit, Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, paid an official visit to Cuba from Saturday to Monday and met with a slew of Cuban leaders, vowing to deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests.

Profound China-Cuba friendship with solid mutual support

Cuba is the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with China.

When visiting Raul Castro, the leader of Cuba's socialist revolution, Li, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that the traditional friendship between China and Cuba was forged and carefully cultivated by the older generation of leaders of the two countries.

In 2022, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel paid a state visit to China, and the two sides issued a joint statement on deepening China-Cuba relations in the new era.

"China stands ready to promote the development of the respective party building and socialist cause," Li said during a meeting with Diaz-Canel.

Under the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China and Cuba have deepened exchanges and expanded practical cooperation in fields such as energy, agriculture, bio-medicine, science and technology, education and culture over the years, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries put the safety of people's lives first and carried out fruitful anti-pandemic cooperation. When the pandemic situation in Cuba was severe, China provided urgently needed supplies such as ventilators, oxygenerators, food and medicine.

Thanking China for its assistance to Cuba's economic and social development and firm support for the Cuban people's just struggle against unilateral blockade and sanctions, Diaz-Canel vowed to maintain close friendly exchanges with the CPC and promote practical cooperation.

During the meeting with Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Political Bureau and secretary of organization of the PCC Central Committee, the two sides agreed to strengthen political mutual trust and strategic coordination, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance and experience sharing and cooperation in party management and the fight against corruption.

The two sides also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between China's National Commission of Supervision and the Office of the Comptroller General of Cuba.

Advancing South-South cooperation to build community with shared future for mankind

As a member of the Global South family, China has been actively carrying out South-South cooperation and contributing to the common development of developing countries.

China has provided development assistance to more than 160 countries, worked with more than 150 countries on the joint construction of the BRI, and promoted the cooperation on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) with over 100 countries and international organizations.

Meanwhile, China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with a total funding of $4 billion.

"The fund provides unconditional development assistance to a number of developing countries with no interference in other countries' internal affairs, playing an important role in establishing a more equitable and just new international economic and social order," Cuban ambassador to China Alberto J. Blanco Silva said.

"China has firmly stood with the Global South nations and effectively safeguarded the common interests of developing countries," Diaz-Canel told Li.

Calling for joint efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, Li said China is willing to work with Cuba to promote the implementation of the GDI, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-09-20/China-Cuba-jointly-build-community-with-shared-future-for-mankind-1nflWfJwVOg/index.html

SOURCE CGTN
Enterprises gain a competitive edge with an AI platform that securely combines high value proprietary data with current, accurate external information

VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Charli AI today announced the next release of its state-of-the-art Ancaeus platform which provides the Financial Services sector assurances over data privacy, security, transparency, and compliance enterprise-wide. Enterprises now have a competitive advantage to combine existing in-house models, proprietary data and research with external market data into a secure, cost-effective and adaptable generative AI network of models that understands their business goals, and allows them to make safer, speedier, fact-based decisions. This is ground-breaking technology that is setting the benchmark for secure, responsible AI across the industry.

Charli AI's platform is a sophisticated network of ensembles designed with security and governance at the forefront. Its design ensures proprietary customer data and intellectual property are protected in a scalable environment while retaining compliance with worldwide regulations. It provides end-to-end visibility and traceability for how information is extracted or generated and leverages its network of AI models to fact-check outcomes, ensuring accuracy and relevancy.

The current industry focus on accuracy and urgency for AI solutions is pushing CIOs and IT executives to turn to expensive bespoke solutions with fixed capabilities and limited security and governance or to build it themselves, which involves a massive investment in data, a highly skilled team to implement, and the ongoing management of security and functional upgrades.

"We have the future of enterprise AI in a platform," said Kevin Collins, Founder and CEO of Charli AI. "The ability to deploy a tailored, enterprise-wide AI infrastructure right out of the box that can adapt to company goals, learn to understand your business, and integrate human feedback to continually improve. Because we ensure customer data is not used to train generic AI models, we protect the customer's intellectual property and eliminate the risks of data leaks in shared models. This is a huge competitive advantage for our customers. It's a fundamental change in how AI is built and deployed within the enterprise."

Charli AI's architecture can provide a custom alternative that connects into existing systems at the fraction of the cost with very little training. In addition, Ancaeus requires little ongoing maintenance to deal with changing proprietary databases, data formats and documents and can easily cope with data and concept drift.

Charli AI is already proving to be a game changer for its key financial services enterprise customers across North America. For example, a major North American customer saw accuracy rates exceeding 98%; more than 80% cost savings compared against the same work that had been done manually; and the potential for a 200% increase in revenue due to capacity increase and faster response time for deal flow.

Charli AI's key products include:

Charli AI Compliance & Reporting

Uses the ultimate power of automation to handle the intensity involved in oversight, governance, audit, and compliance across Financial Services to deal with regulations, policies, and changes in jurisdictions. Regulatory compliance is an ongoing, expensive, and time-consuming effort that is fraught with challenges as humans grapple with an ever-increasing workload. The Charli AI Compliance & Reporting AI models can quickly understand regulatory requirements, internal policies and start to audit and automate compliance. Charli AI integrates with existing compliance, security and data governance tools to bring intelligence and insight that improves the overall posture for compliance, privacy, and governance. Charli AI's network of AI models can learn, adapt, extract, cross reference, generate and automate to alleviate a massive compliance burden in Financial Services.

Charli AI Integration & Automation

Access the full-featured AI platform that offers enterprise-grade work enablement for financial services. By accessing the raw power of the Ancaeus Platform, customers can begin to deliver on multiple use cases across their organisation; and can quickly integrate data, systems, documents, and proprietary models. Customers gain critical features for transfer learning, continuous learning, and secure GenAI. The state-of-the-art integration and automation features take centre stage as customers can "integrate anything-and-everything" into their AI solutions with ease. The integration and automation features of Ancaeus come with full transparency to meet forthcoming AI regulations for Responsible and Explainable AI. Charli removes bottlenecks in business and enables teams to get more done, more profitably, with higher accuracy, and lower error rates.

About Charli AI Inc.

Charli AI (Charli) is the premier provider of True AI and AI-powered decision intelligence for the enterprise. It specialises in offering innovative AI applications that are secure, regulatory compliant and scalable for Financial Services. Charli provides organisations with AI solutions to get more done, in less time, securely, than ever before, providing a competitive advantage in today's digital world by reducing content chaos and manual effort, allowing workforces to focus on contributing their expertise. Charli AI is a tech powerhouse backed by an expert team of Ph.D. scientists, engineers, and content management experts who are pushing the boundaries of innovation in the AI-driven intelligent content management and generation space. Today, Charli AI can integrate with over 600 applications giving it broad appeal across industry sectors.

For more information about Charli AI, visit https://charli.ai/

SOURCE Charli AI
-Fast casual concept celebrates grand opening Oct. 3rd with free chicken salad for a year-

ATLANTA, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick , the nation's only fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today its second location in the Louisville, Kentucky, area with an opening in Fern Creek. Situated at 7706 Bardstown Road in the Cedar Creek shopping center, Chicken Salad Chick Fern Creek will welcome guests with a spacious dining room and patio. This is the ninth Chick overall for these local owners, who opened their first Louisville restaurant in Middletown almost two years ago. The Fern Creek community is invited to celebrate this grand opening on Tuesday, Oct. 3rd; the first 100 guests that morning will win free chicken salad for a year.

During grand opening week, Fern Creek guests can expect to experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for with specials and giveaways that include:

Tuesday, Oct. 3  Free Chicken Salad for a Year to the first 100 Guests  The first guest in line will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year. The next 99 guests in line receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.* Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line.

  The first guest in line will receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per week for an entire year. The next 99 guests in line receive one large Quick Chick of chicken salad per month for a year.* Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line. Wednesday, Oct. 4  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a free 40-oz Chick Tumbler with handle and straw.**

 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a free 40-oz Chick Tumbler with handle and straw.** Thursday, Oct. 5  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a free Chicken Salad Chick Tote Bag.**

 The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a free Chicken Salad Chick Tote Bag.** Friday, Oct. 6  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a free Chick Wooden Cutting Board.**

 The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a free Chick Wooden Cutting Board.** Saturday, Oct. 7  The first 50 guests to purchase a Chick Trio receive a free Large Quick Chick on their next visit.**

Multi-unit franchise owners David Harris, Ken Greene, Rand Jones, Ed James, and Bart Middlebrooks of SureChick Kentucky, LLC began opening Chicken Salad Chick locations in 2015. They are bringing their second Kentucky Chick to Fern Creek alongside Operator Laney Brittingham to combine their extensive ownership experience with Brittingham's 10-year career managing Chicken Salad Chick restaurants. After moving to Louisville to open the Middletown location in 2021, she has been spreading joy, enriching lives and serving others in the market for two years now and is looking forward to expanding in Fern Creek.

"We love the day-to-day operations of the restaurant and putting smiles on the faces of the people who walk through our doors. Whether that be new guests, our regulars or team members, we want to serve others through the love of chicken salad," said Laney Brittingham. "We are so grateful for all the support we have received in Middletown and the opportunity to grow our footprint in Kentucky with Chicken Salad Chick's made-from-scratch, Southern favorites. We're eager to share our passion for service with this opening in Fern Creek, where many of our Middletown employees and guests live. It's a wonderful, family-centered community that is growing quickly."

This restaurant group enjoys giving back to important causes. With the Fern Creek opening, they will be supporting Gilda's Club Kentuckiana as part of their pre-opening Friends & Family events. The first cancer support community of its kind in the area, Gilda's Club has the unique mission of ensuring those affected by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action and sustained by community. This cause goes hand-in-hand with Chicken Salad Chick's mission to help raise money to find a cure for cancer through its Foundation.

Chicken Salad Chick in Fern Creek will be open Monday  Saturday from 10 a.m.  8 p.m. For more information, visit www.chickensaladchick.com . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickLouisvilleKYFernCreek.

*Guests should arrive early to secure a place in line. The first 100 guests must remain in line and download the Craving Credits app. Wi-Fi will not be available on site. Once the restaurant opens, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of greater value and enter a code in the Craving Credits app to officially secure their spot. If you leave the line for any reason, your spot will be awarded to the next guest in line. Guests will receive their first free Large Quick Chick electronically to their app the Monday following Grand Opening Day.

**Must download the CSC App and be 16 years or older to purchase. Not valid with any other offers. Limit 1 reward per guest present."

About Chicken Salad Chick

Chicken Salad Chick serves full-flavored, Southern-style chicken salad made from scratch and served from the heart. With more than a dozen original chicken salad flavors as well as fresh side salads, gourmet soups, signature sandwiches and delicious desserts, Chicken Salad Chick's robust menu is a perfect fit for any guest. Founded in Auburn, Alabama, by Stacy and Kevin Brown, in 2008, Chicken Salad Chick has grown to more than 240 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2023 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the third consecutive year, Fast Casual.com's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2023, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019, 2020 and 2022, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Nicole Hunnicutt

Fish Consulting

404-558-4108

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijani soldiers and officers showed both high professionalism and high moral qualities. As a result of short-term local anti-terrorist measures, I would like to note again that most of the enemy's weapons and equipment have been incapacitated, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the nation.

I should also state that more than a hundred tanks and armored vehicles belonging to the Armenian army were illegally stationed in the territory of Azerbaijan. Electronic warfare systems were deployed. More than two hundred cannons and artillery installations, the most modern anti-aircraft installations were deployed. Contrary to the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, Armenia did not withdraw its armed forces, manpower and equipment from our territory for three years. However, during numerous contacts with the leadership of Armenia and from high lecterns of international events, I repeatedly turned to this issue and expressed the rightful dissatisfaction of the Azerbaijani state, the head of state mentioned.
--This initial study found evidence linking changes in organ development with symptoms seen in certain human mitochondrial diseases --

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Zebrafish have revolutionized research into a wide variety of rare and complex genetic diseases. In early development stages, their transparent bodies allow researchers to more easily study tissues and organs. However, studying organ-level defects in adult zebrafish presents a variety of challenges that prevent researchers from studying them at a microscopic level.

In a new study, researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed a noninvasive method for conducting magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in adult zebrafish. Using this technique, the study team examined the effects of certain genetic mutations associated with mitochondrial disease.

The findings were recently published online by the journal Zebrafish.

Zebrafish transition from a single cell to fully formed animal in just one day, with continued larval development over the first week of life. This rapid development and ability to remove their body wall pigment during this early period enables scientists to microscopically image whole organs and perform accurate time-lapse analyses of disease progression. They can also screen drug candidates that may be used to treat various illnesses, since the zebrafish can absorb the drug through their gut, skin, or thin gills. In addition, zebrafish are often used to create models to study diseases because zebrafish share about 70% of genes found in humans.

However, as zebrafish get older, their tissue becomes denser and their organs become more difficult to study through usual microscopic imaging techniques. While MRI has been used to study zebrafish, prior studies have been very limited and did not provide systematic organ-level analyses. This is particularly important for diseases like mitochondrial disease, which often impacts multiple organs by disrupting energy levels in cells throughout the body. No prior study studied adult zebrafish across different times in their adulthood, which prevented researchers from looking into the progression of disease.

"MRI technology is widely used for a variety of clinical and research applications, and as zebrafish become a more preferred model for translational research, we wanted to explore how this technology could improve the research we are doing in these animal models," said first study author Sonal Sharma, MD, a pediatric neurologist within the Division of Neurology and the Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier Program in the Division of Human Genetics at CHOP. "This work demonstrated that MRI allows us to rapidly and comprehensively study organ-level growth defects in mutant adult zebrafish in a low-cost, minimally invasive, and unbiased manner."

The researchers developed a new protocol for utilizing MRI in zebrafish research. As a result, they were able to successfully capture high-resolution MRI of eight different organs in adult zebrafish. This allowed the researchers to establish a reference MRI atlas based on images of zebrafish from five to 31 months after fertilization.

Using three different mitochondrial disease mutant models of zebrafish, the researchers were able to discover that significantly increased brain growth occurs in zebrafish with deficiency in the SURF1 gene, which encode mitochondrial complex IV activity and is one of the genes associated with Leigh syndrome. They also noticed heart and spinal cord volumes were smaller in these mutant zebrafish as compared to healthy wild-type controls. These findings reflect some of the clinical observations seen in human patients with SURF1 deficiency, since they may suffer from serious neurological issues as well as cardiomyopathy.

"We plan on exploring the organ-level discoveries we made by using this novel MRI method to screen organ growth in adult zebrafish," said senior study author Marni Falk, MD, senior author on this study and executive director of the Mitochondrial Medicine Frontier Program at CHOP. "We are also working to develop additional biochemical imaging methods to further refine our understanding of the biochemical changes that occur in specific organs of living animals with primary mitochondrial disease."

This study was supported by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Mitochondrial Medicine Fellowship Program and the National Institutes of Health grant R35-GM134863.

Sharma et al, "Novel Development of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Quantify the Structural Anatomic Growth of Diverse Organs in Adult and Mutant Zebrafish." Zebrafish. Online August 21, 2023. DOI: 10.1089/zeb.2023.0018.

About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: A non-profit, charitable organization, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital. Through its long-standing commitment to providing exceptional patient care, training new generations of pediatric healthcare professionals, and pioneering major research initiatives, the 595-bed hospital has fostered many discoveries that have benefited children worldwide. Its pediatric research program is among the largest in the country. The institution has a well-established history of providing advanced pediatric care close to home through its CHOP Care Network, which includes more than 50 primary care practices, specialty care and surgical centers, urgent care centers, and community hospital alliances throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as an inpatient hospital with a dedicated pediatric emergency department in King of Prussia. In addition, its unique family-centered care and public service programs have brought Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recognition as a leading advocate for children and adolescents. For more information, visit https://www.chop.edu.

Contact: Ben Leach

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

(609)634-7906

[email protected]

SOURCE Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Preclinical data demonstrate durable silencing of HBV expression without cutting or nicking the DNA, nearly eliminating circulating HBV DNA and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) following a single dose of the company's epigenetic editor

BOSTON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Chroma Medicine , Inc., (Chroma) a genomic medicine company pioneering single-dose epigenetic editing therapeutics, today presented positive preclinical data demonstrating the potential of its epigenetic editors to produce efficacious, specific, and durable silencing of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) during the HBV International Meeting 2023, held September 19-23 in Kobe, Japan.

Chronic hepatitis B is incurable, increases the risk of developing liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer, and impacts nearly 300 million people worldwide, accounting for more than 800,000 deaths per year. Antiviral therapy can suppress viral replication, but requires lifelong dosing and few patients achieve functional cure due to the persistence of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) and the integration of HBV DNA into the host genome.

Current gene editing approaches rely on targeted DNA breaks, which introduce risk for translocations or increased viral integration into the host genome, limiting their utility for effectively addressing HBV. By harnessing the endogenous cellular mechanism for regulating gene expression, Chroma's epigenetic editors provide highly efficacious, specific, and durable silencing of HBV expression with the potential for a functional cure without introducing the unintended chromosomal effects associated with traditional gene editing approaches.

Chroma identified several epigenetic repressors across the HBV genome, targeting HBV cccDNA and integrated DNA from multiple genotypes, that durably and efficiently reduced hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) in cellular models of HBV infection.

The data show a single administration of Chroma's epigenetic editor robustly and durably repressed serum viral markers in transgenic HBV mice, with 5 of 6 (83%) animals exhibiting undetectable HBV DNA and HBsAg at the last time point tested (> 5 months).

"Our epigenetic editing approach holds the potential for highly efficacious, specific, and durable silencing of both episomal and integrated HBV, independent of virus genotype," said Vic Myer, Ph.D., Chroma's President and CSO. "These results are an encouraging demonstration of our platform potential as we advance a new class of genomic medicines toward the clinic and bring hope for functional cures to patients living with chronic HBV."

Details for Chroma's presentation at the HBV International Meeting are as follows:

Title: Development of HBV-targeting epigenetic repressors with deep, durable in vivo silencing of viral markers

Presenter: Yesseinia Anglero-Rodriguez, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, Chroma Medicine

Date and Time: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 5:15p - 7:15p JST (4:15a - 6:15a ET)

Session: Poster Session I

The presentation will be available on the Chroma website following the meeting.

About Chroma Medicine

Chroma Medicine is a biotechnology company pioneering a new class of genomic medicines that harness epigenetics, nature's innate mechanism for gene regulation, to deliver precise, programmable, single-dose therapeutics while preserving genomic integrity. The company was founded by the world's foremost experts in genomic research and is led by a veteran team of industry leaders and scientists with deep experience in genomic medicine, drug discovery, and development. For more information, please visit chromamedicine.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly known as Twitter).

SOURCE Chroma Medicine
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unit4, a leader in enterprise cloud applications for people-centric organizations, today announced that City of Campbell River, in British Columbia, has selected Unit4 ERP, FP&A, and Talent Management (TM) to deliver a fully integrated solution to help accelerate engagement and growth, and help the City meet its evolving needs.

Being the fifth largest city on Vancouver Island, Campbell River covers a population of more than 37,500, and is the urban service centre and hub community for approximately 60,000 people living and working in the region.

By switching to Unit4's ERP, FP&A, and TM, City of Campbell River will be able to modernize and automate its business processes using low-code solutions that do not require customizations, nor extensive coding, which will help the organization save time and money to focus on meeting the needs of its citizens. The City will also benefit from fully integrated solutions that will allow comprehensive financial planning, analysis, and control, as well as ongoing support, both during and after the implementation.

Other benefits to be derived from selecting Unit4 ERP, FP&A and TM include:

Increased visibility of financial and service operations data by improving the accuracy of reporting, accountability, collaborative planning, and decision-making for professional staff and leadership, as well as greater transparency and internal control across the organization

Modern services and financial operations which will make it easier for public-facing teams to access data and simplify work to focus on delivering excellent service to citizens.

Engagement-based performance management to develop the organization's workforce.

Automation and streamlining of processes across multiple functions to enable operational efficiency and increase the capacity of existing teams, which will help reduce costs as the City grows.

Enhanced and efficient hiring, budgeting, accounts payable, and invoicing by integrating data from different sources and tracking performance.

Reduced internal IT costs as services such as server hosting, security, infrastructure and software support, and SaaS system maintenance are provided by Unit4 solutions, freeing up IT resources to focus on other priority tasks.

City of Campbell River is now among many other public sector organizations that selected Unit4, including Durham Catholic School Board, and City of Nanaimo.

Having spent over 20 years delivering unmatched business transformations, Elite partner, Agilyx, will work together with Unit4 and City of Campbell River to implement Unit4's solutions. By implementing Unit4, City of Campbell River will realize gains in efficiency, capacity, and operational cost savings.

"Unit4's cloud-based solutions offer modern and powerful reporting tools and will automate the City's business processes, which supports Council's Strategic Priorities and ensures high-quality services are delivered to residents," said Alaina Maher, Director of Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer, City of Campbell River. "This exciting collaboration will enhance the City's ability to meet the community's needs and equip City employees with tools they can rely on."

"We are looking forward to supporting the City of Campbell River to modernize the way its team manage the City's operations and processes and, in doing so, transform the way they work," said Johan Reventberg, Chief Revenue Officer, Unit4. "Unit4 has decades of experience working within public sector across North America, and we will partner closely with City of Campbell River to support it becoming a more agile organization."

Further Reading

Learn how Unit4 is helping Public Sector organization accelerate growth.

About Unit4

Unit4's next-generation enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions power many of the world's mid-market organizations, bringing together the capabilities of Financials, Procurement, Project Management, HR, and FP&A to share real-time information, and deliver greater insights to help organizations become more effective. By combining our mid-market expertise with a relentless focus on people, we've built flexible solutions to meet customers' unique and changing needs. Unit4 serves more than 5,100 customers globally across a number of sectors including professional services, non-profit and public sector, with customers including Southampton City Council, Metro Vancouver, Buro Happold, Devoteam, Save the Children International, Global Green Growth Institute and Oxfam America. For further information visit www.unit4.com.

For more information, please visit https://www.unit4.com/, follow us on Twitter @Unit4global , Facebook: Unit4 Business Software, Instagram: @unit4global or visit our YouTube: Unit4 and LinkedIn page.

Media Contact:

Lisa Stassoulli

Global Communications Manager, Unit4

Mobile: +44(0)7870 916827

[email protected]

SOURCE Unit4
Acquisitions fortify the company's capabilities

and expand its service area in the precision manufacturing space

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Concept, the Midwest's leading source for advanced manufacturing solutions, today announced that the company has completed two acquisitions that will further expand its capabilities, expertise and geographic reach: American Calibration Inc. and Inspection Engineering LLC. Both Midwest-based businesses will retain their leadership and autonomy while benefiting from investments and synergies that come from being part of the growing Concept family.

Concept, the Midwest's leading source for advanced manufacturing solutions, today announced that the company has completed two acquisitions. Post this Pictured left to right: Andrew Hecker, CEO of Concept, Michael Bergmann, leader of Inspection Engineering, Todd Gibson, leader of American Calibration, and Kendal Norberg, President of Metrology of Concept.

"The precision manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving," explained Concept CEO Andrew Hecker. "Bringing together services that complement the products we offer makes sense for all involved. Whether a customer is looking to make, measure, calibrate or automate, we're now able to advise and support them more efficiently and comprehensively," he continued, "and help them make the most of their equipment with education and training."

Based near Chicago, American Calibration was founded in 1992 by Todd Gibson, who spent three decades building a nationally known company with vast capabilities. Today, American Calibration serves both Fortune 500 customers and small manufacturers, offering more than 350 types of accredited calibration (among the largest ISO 17025 scopes available) with the highest precision available. Gibson explained, "This business is all about taking care of customers and meeting exacting standards." He continued, "We are thrilled to join Concept, which shares the same commitment to excellence and professionalism as we do, expands our business to eight new facilities, and new customers. It's a natural match."

The second acquisition, Inspection Engineering, is a full-service gage house offering inspection services and equipment throughout the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic region, covering part or all of eight states including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and the District of Columbia. A second-generation business, Inspection Engineering is led by President Michael Bergmann, whose father founded the company in 1977. Inspection Engineering provides dimensional measuring products and services, software training and calibration services. Bergmann noted, "We take incredible pride in our family business, and wanted to grow with a partner who shares the values that have made us successful for the past 45 years." He continued, "We've always believed in educating our customers so that they can make the most of their equipment and business, and wanted to align with a company that shares those beliefs."

These moves are part of a strategic plan to cement Concept's position as the Midwest's top source for advanced manufacturing solutions and deepen its functional expertise in machining, automation, precision measurement, calibration services and additive manufacturing. Concept CEO Andrew Hecker explained, "After several successful acquisitions, we have confidence that our focus on developing our people, processes and technology is sound and scalable." He continued, "With Inspection Engineering, we're expanding into a significant new region in a business we know well, and with American Calibration, we're deepening our calibration capabilities and bringing them to the national level." He concluded, "We're definitely seeing the results and the momentum building, so it's an exciting time."

About Concept

Concept, based in Minneapolis, MN, and with offices in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Illinois, is the Midwest's best source for advanced manufacturing solutions. Since 1974, Concept has provided quality machine tools and metrology solutions to manufacturers across medical device, aerospace, industrial, automotive, and heavy vehicle industries. Today, Concept is leading precision manufacturing toward a future that's increasingly automated by providing high-end solutions to keep customers ahead of the competition, along with the support they need to handle the toughest manufacturing challenges.

SOURCE Concept
COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber addressed world leaders at the UN Climate Ambition Summit as part of the UN General Assembly, issuing a rallying cry to the international community to move from agreements to action on global climate change.

President-Designate Dr. addressed world leaders at the UN Climate Ambition Summit as part of the UN General Assembly, issuing a rallying cry to the international community to move from agreements to action on global climate change. His intervention follows the latest data from the Global Stocktake which confirmed "the world is falling short, and we are running out of time".

Speaking at the UN Secretary General's climate summit he emphasised that "Climate change is our common enemy, and we must unite to fight it".

Dr. Al Jaber set out a comprehensive COP28 Action Agenda focusing on fast tracking a just and orderly energy transition, fixing climate finance, lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

set out a comprehensive Action Agenda focusing on fast tracking a just and orderly energy transition, fixing climate finance, lives and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity. He encouraged the world to "rediscover humanity's greatest strength: our capacity to collaborate, to overcome differences, and to harness the power of collective action."

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, COP28 President-Designate Dr. Sultan Al Jaber addressed the UN Climate Ambition Summit in New York where he reminded the international community that "we are not powerless" to overcome the climate crisis and urged the world to "get after gigatons".

The summit, which is the landmark climate engagement during United Nations General Assembly and was convened by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, was attended by world leaders, the private sector and civil society.

During his speech, the President-Designate called on the world to be "brave" and "bold" and get "back on track" to meet its climate ambitions, reaffirming the founding principles of the UN and to think "beyond borders, beyond politics, and beyond our own lifetimes." He emphasised that "climate change is our common enemy, and we must unite to fight it".

Dr. Al Jaber pointed to recent data from the first Global Stocktake, which confirmed that "the world is falling short, and we are running out of time" but was emphatic in stating that it is not too late to change course. Indeed, he challenged the world to respond to the Global Stocktake with the highest levels of ambition, noting that "We know the size of the problem. The numbers are straightforward: 22 gigatons. That's the amount of greenhouse gas emissions we need to cut in the next seven years to keep 1.5 within reach."

Dr. Al Jaber went on to speak of the need for the international community to "remember that we are not powerless. As we have seen throughout history, when we act with optimism, urgency and solidarity, we can overcome even the most daunting challenges."

He continued to share his belief that "in the face of the climate crisis, we can  and we will  rediscover humanity's greatest strength: our capacity to collaborate, to overcome differences, and to harness the power of collective action."

Dr. Al Jaber's speech at the UN Climate Ambition Summit comes just 71 days before COP28, the global climate summit in the UAE. Dr Al Jaber noted, "We are working tirelessly to advance an ambitious climate agreement between all 198 Parties. However, climate change won't be solved through agreement alone. It can only truly be addressed through Action. That's precisely what we aim to achieve through the COP28 Action Agenda."

Dr. Al Jaber went on to detail the COP28 Presidency's 'Action Agenda' to get the world "back on track" to meet the ambitions set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. He called on those present and listening across the world to make actionable commitments across its key pillars: to fast tracking a just and orderly energy transition, fix climate finance, focus on lives and livelihoods, and underpin everything with full inclusivity.

Fast Tracking Energy Transition

Speaking of the COP28 Presidency's plan to fast track a just, orderly, and well-managed energy transition, Dr. Al Jaber told the audience that the "phase down of fossil fuels is essential. It is in fact inevitable. And it must go hand-in-hand with a rapid phase up of zero carbon alternatives."

Dr. Al Jaber called on Parties to do their part towards a "massive expansion of renewable energy" and triple global capacity to 11TW by 2030. He also emphasised the power of energy efficiency improvements as "the simplest cheapest and fastest way to dial down emissions."

He then called for all to be "brutally honest about what it will take to transition heavy emitting sectors" which cannot run on renewables alone, while noting the need to develop the entire hydrogen value chain.

Dr. Al Jaber also stressed the need to "rapidly and comprehensively decarbonize the energies we use today," before reiterating his previous calls on the oil and gas industry to eliminate methane emissions by 2030 and align with net zero by or before 2050.

Fixing Climate Finance

Addressing the COP28 plan to fix climate finance, Dr. Al Jaber spoke of the need to restore trust between Parties and for contributing countries to deliver the $100 billion pledge this year. He then stressed the need to go "much further" and noted that "if we are to unlock trillions, we need to unleash the full potential of private capital."

Dr. Al Jaber called for reform of "outdated international financial institutions", and for "smart innovation across the financial system and better-functioning carbon markets." In summary, Dr. Al Jaber noted that the objective was to "create an ecosystem where finance is more available, more accessible and more affordable, so that the money flows to where it needs to go  to the people who need it most."

Focusing on People, Lives and Livelihoods

Dr. Al Jaber spoke of the urgent need to put "people, lives and livelihoods" at the centre of climate discussions. He noted that "people everywhere want the same things: clean water, clean air, economic opportunity, safety in the storm." He then called for countries to "embed nature-positive investments in national climate strategies" and for "a smarter approach to how we grow and consumer food." He also noted that COP28 would be the first COP to put global health on the COP agenda.

He acknowledged that "the key to all these measures will be finance." He therefore called on countries to "double adaptation finance by 2025, replenish the Green Climate Fund, and operationalize the fund for Loss and Damage with early pledges."

Full Inclusivity

Discussing the COP28 priority to underpin all climate action with full inclusivity, Dr. Al Jaber called on everyone to "put our differences aside and start partnering for progress." He asked that "everyone who comes to COP28 to come with results in mind" and particularly key stakeholders, such as negotiators, the private sector and world leaders.

He stressed this would be the most inclusive COP yet, with plans to facilitate the participation of all groups, including subnational leaders, youth, businesses, philanthropists, Indigenous Peoples, and others.

Dr. Al Jaber concluded his speech by calling on leaders to "turn pledges into projects and ambition into action".

He continued "Action builds hope and hope builds action. Let us create that positive feedback loop. Let us be brave. Let us be bold. Let us do what is right and let us do what is necessary. Let's activate a truly global response to the Global Stocktake, and let's get back on track."

Notes to Editors COP28 UAE:

COP28 UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from November 30-December 12, 2023 . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors.

UAE will take place at Expo City Dubai from . The Conference is expected to convene over 70,000 participants, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youth, and non-state actors. As mandated by the Paris Climate Agreement, COP28 UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals.

UAE will deliver the first ever Global Stocktake  a comprehensive evaluation of progress against climate goals. The UAE will lead a process for all parties to agree upon a clear roadmap to accelerate progress through a pragmatic global energy transition and a "leave no one behind" approach to inclusive climate action."

The four pillars of the COP28 Presidency's Action Agenda are fast tracking the energy transition, fixing climate finance, focusing on people, lives, and livelihoods, and underpinning everything with full inclusivity.

SOURCE COP28
MANSFIELD, Mass., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- (CSI), a renowned provider of background screening and due diligence services (www.creativeservices.com), is thrilled to announce its third consecutive certification by Great Place to Work. This esteemed recognition comes as a testament to CSI's unwavering commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace environment.

Great Place to Work, a globally recognized authority on matters of workplace culture, employee engagement, and effective leadership, conducts impartial evaluations of companies. These evaluations are solely based on feedback provided by employees regarding their experiences within the organization. Notably, CSI's recent assessment revealed an impressive statistic: a remarkable 95 percent of its employees affirm that it is indeed a Great Place to Work a sharp contrast to the 57 percent average for typical U.S.- based companies.

This achievement underscores CSI's dedication to creating a workplace where employees thrive and contribute to the company's ongoing success. The company's consistent recognition by Great Place to Work affirms its commitment to nurturing a supportive and fulfilling work environment.

"Great Place to Work Certification is not just a certification, but an ongoing commitment to our employees, who are engaged, and enthusiastically contribute to our successes." - Judy Gootkind-Vice President of Finance and Administration.

"Forging a culture of empathy and inclusion within our team is just as crucial for our growth and triumph as devising innovative background screening services for our clients," stated Alan Sklar, CEO and President at CSI. "We're elated to achieve the status of a Great Place to Work-Certified company and stand unwavering in our commitment to cultivating a work environment where our team members can join forces with our customers to reach the pinnacle of their professional goals."

Highlighting the company's commitment to empathy and inclusion, a significant 96 percent of team members surveyed by Great Place to Work affirm that new members are warmly welcomed into CSI. Furthermore, a complete 100 percent indicated that colleagues prioritize treating each other with equality and respect, instead of getting involved in office politics or behaviors that undermine collaboration.

"Great Place to Work Certification isn't something that comes easily  It's the only official recognition determined by employees' real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that CSI is one of the best companies to work for in the country," said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place to Work.

About CSI

Creative Services, Inc. (CSI) has been helping companies hire with confidence since 1976. CSI is a full-service employment screening provider specializing in Background Checks, Drug Testing, Due Diligence, Corporate Investigations and Consulting, Recruiting Solutions, and Monitoring Programs. CSI's tireless pursuit of accuracy and unwavering attention to compliance are a testament to our philosophy of being a trusted partner in the employee selection process. Companies of all sizes and industries put their trust in CSI's established best practices backed by the latest technology and system integrations.

Learn more, visit https://www.creativeservices.com/about/contact

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Creative Services
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global shipping and energy supply chain leader Crowley has teamed with nuclear power leader BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) through a memorandum of understanding for a ship concept that has the potential to generate alternative, zero-carbon emission energy for defense and disaster needs by including a microreactor on board.

Rendering of Crowley and BWXT vessel concept that will supply small-scale nuclear energy to shoreside locations

The new memorandum of understanding with BWXT's Advanced Technologies subsidiary will allow both companies to jointly pursue and develop opportunities relative to the design, engineering and development of new shallow-draft hull ships that will supply small-scale nuclear energy to shoreside locations. The new ships would feature the latest technology available for factory fabricated microreactors, readily deployed into a shipyard configuration for ease of installation on the vessel. The onboard power plant would supply energy to shore facilities, such as military bases in remote island locations, backup utility grids after disasters, and provide power in other scenarios where traditional electricity sources are damaged or not possible.

The new vessel concept envisions a 378-foot ship that pulls from the logistics and marine capabilities of Crowley, a longtime operator with in-house vessel design by its Crowley Engineering Services, and the nuclear capabilities of BWXT, a leading supplier of nuclear components, fuel and services to the U.S. government at the highest levels of safety and security for more than 60 years. Both Crowley and BWXT are based in the United States and have been in business for more than a century.

"Our cooperation with BWXT will move Crowley for the first time into the nuclear energy sector, a key part of our commitment to sustainable, alternative energy sources. This concept supports the U.S. Department of Energy's goal of maintaining U.S. leadership in nuclear energy technology as well as many the U.S. Department of Defense's strategic goals for operational energy," said Shiju Zacharia, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Government Solutions.

This new vessel concept pairs traditional propulsion while carrying a modular reactor between 5 and 50 megawatts that can be activated upon arrival at the destination and be deactivated and transported after the power supply is discontinued. Buoyed power delivery cables will enable the ships to deploy energy connections to shore. Shallow draft hulls allow the vessels to maneuver to strategically deliver power for military activities or if disasters limit harbor access.

"We are excited to work alongside Crowley to leverage our ongoing reactor development and demonstration programs, advancing nuclear technology into new and novel markets to deliver zero carbon emissions energy generation to strategic locations," said Joe Miller, president of BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC.

To download a high-resolution copy of the rendering for reproduction, click here.

Crowley Contacts:



David DeCamp Torey Vogel Director, Corporate Communications Specialist, Corporate Communications (904) 727-4263 (904) 726-4536 [email protected] [email protected]



BWXT Contacts:

Media Investors Jud Simmons Chase Jacobson Senior Director, Media & Public Relations Vice President, Investor Relations 434.522.6462 [email protected] 980.365.4300 [email protected]

About Crowley

Crowley is a privately held, U.S.-owned and -operated maritime, energy and logistics solutions company serving commercial and government sectors with $3.4 billion in annual revenues, over 170 vessels mostly in the Jones Act fleet and approximately 7,000 employees around the world  employing more U.S. mariners than any other company. The Crowley enterprise has invested more than $3.2 billion in maritime transport, which is the backbone of global trade and the global economy. As a global ship owner-operator and services provider with more than 130 years of innovation and a commitment to sustainability, the company serves customers in 36 nations and island territories through five business units: Crowley Logistics, Crowley Shipping, Crowley Government Solutions, Crowley Wind Services and Crowley Fuels. Additional information about Crowley, its business units and subsidiaries can be found at www.crowley.com.

About BWXT

At BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT), we are People Strong, Innovation Driven. Headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia, BWXT is a Defense News Top 100 manufacturing and engineering innovator that provides safe and effective nuclear solutions for global security, clean energy, environmental restoration, nuclear medicine and space exploration. With approximately 7,000 employees, BWXT has 14 major operating sites in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. In addition, BWXT joint ventures provide management and operations at a dozen U.S. Department of Energy and NASA facilities. Follow us on Twitter at @BWXT and learn more at www.bwxt.com.

Forward Looking Statements

BWXT cautions that this release contains forward-looking statements, including statements relating to the performance, design, suitability and impact of microreactor technology. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, the timing of technology development; our ability to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals, licenses and permits in a timely manner; the ability to commercialize this technology; competition in an environment of rapid technological changes; and the enforcement and protection of our intellectual property rights. If one or more of these or other risks materialize, actual results may vary materially from those expressed. For a more complete discussion of these and other risk factors, please see BWXT's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 and subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. BWXT cautions not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release, and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, except to the extent required by applicable law.

SOURCE Crowley
DFIN Ranked as #63 Among 100 U.S. Companies Recognized for Outstanding Employee Sentiment and Satisfaction

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DFIN (NYSE: DFIN), a leading risk and compliance company, today announced that it has been ranked #63 by Newsweek in the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list. The 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces are the result of a collaboration between Newsweek and the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company.

The results were determined after surveying more than 2 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 100,000. The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, and appreciated and are at the center of the business model.

Employee sentiments and emotions indicating how engaged employees are, how positive they feel about their workplace, and how committed they are to the organization's success were analyzed to identify the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces.

"Our inclusion on this list is a testament to how the transformation of our culture has been compelling and centered around employee needs," said DFIN CEO Dan Leib. "We were happy to not only be named to this list for two years in a row, but very gratified to know that our scores in the areas of trust and perseverance increased since last year."

"With the rapidly changing workplace and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment," said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek. "The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract the best talent and deliver strong business outcomes."

For the full Newsweek list of 2023's Most Loved Workplaces, please visit Most Loved Workplaces in America 2023 (newsweek.com).

Methodology

To identify the top 100 companies for the Newsweek ranking, companies were evaluated and scored as follows: 35 percent of the initial score was based on employee survey responses; 25 percent was derived from analysis of external public ratings from sites such as Comparably, Careerbliss, Glassdoor, Indeed and Google; and 40 percent came from direct interviews with and written responses from company officials. Newsweek then conducted additional research into every company on the list, as well as the top runners up, to determine the final list of 100 companies and their ranking. (The list includes both U.S. firms and companies with a strong U.S. presence that are based overseas.)

About DFIN

DFIN is a leading global risk and compliance solutions company. We provide domain expertise, enterprise software, and data analytics for every stage of our customers' business and investment lifecycles. Markets fluctuate, regulations evolve, technology advances, and through it all, DFIN delivers confidence with the right solutions in moments that matter. Learn about DFIN's end-to-end risk and compliance solutions online at DFINsolutions.com, or you can also follow us on Twitter @DFINSolutions or LinkedIn.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the modern global digital news organization built around the iconic, over 85-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people each month with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia.

About Best Practice Institute

Best Practice Institute is an award-winning leadership and organization development center, benchmark research company, think tank, and solutions provider. BPI is the certifying body for Most Loved Workplace and conducted the original research to create the model and criteria for becoming a Most Loved Workplace. BPI's research proves that Most Loved Workplaces produce 3-4 times better customer service, employee performance, and retention than companies not loved by their employees.

For more information on how to apply to become a certified Most Loved Workplace in 2024, go to: http://www.mostlovedworkplace.com

SOURCE Donnelley Financial LLC
SAN MATEO, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Diabetes nonprofit, Beyond Type 1, is excited to announce its expansion into Canada with the launch of a new website and local community under the organization's Beyond Type 2 platform, which serves those living with type 2 diabetes. The creation of this online network was in response to an already established and growing Canadian audience with demands for local content and resources related to type 2 diabetes. Through the support of Lilly Canada as a founding partner, Canadians can engage on the organization's localized digital platforms in French and English to share their stories, get connected to the community and find critical resources on topics from daily diabetes management and the importance of early glycemic control, to weight management in type 2 diabetes to mental health.

"We have such strong representation from Canadians living with type 2 diabetes, all of whom have incredible voices and stories to share, so with a growing audience, it seemed only fitting for Canada to receive something unique," says Deborah Dugan, CEO of Beyond Type 1. "I'm proud of the resources and community we've built thus far, and I'm thrilled to share it with others around the globe. It will take everybody worldwide and the power of our combined voices to truly redefine what it means to be a person living with type 2 diabetes."

Canadians living with type 2 diabetes can now visit ca.beyondtype2.org for local content, resources and community. Post this

A type 2 diabetes diagnosis often carries with it shame and stigma, inhibiting people from finding the best support and care available. Beyond Type 2 aims to educate, empower and connect all people living with type 2 diabetes so that they can live beyond their diagnosis.

"Lilly is proud of our partnership to expand Beyond Type 2 in so many countries around the world, and we're thrilled to be founding partners of the Canadian network," says Kenneth Custer, General Manager, Lilly Canada. "As Lilly Canada celebrates our 85th anniversary as an affiliate this year, we are so pleased to welcome Beyond Type 2 to Canada and we look forward to meaningful collaborations that improve the lives of people with type 2 diabetes."

Since Beyond Type 2 launched in 2019, its English and Spanish web and social platforms have grown to serve a network of nearly half a million individuals impacted by type 2 diabetes. In 2022, Beyond Type 2 launched in French, German and Italian with support from Lilly.

In addition to the multi-language websites, people living with type 2 diabetes can also find community through the Beyond Type 2 app , launched in partnership with the American Diabetes Association. The app provides a safe, private space for people with type 2 diabetes to connect with others in various forums, including monthly virtual meetups.

Beyond Type 2 operates as a platform of registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization Beyond Type 1 , whose mission is to improve the lives of those impacted by diabetes. Beyond Type 1 offers content in nine languages.

Visit the new Canadian website at ca.beyondtype2.org .

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Kim Pace, Associate Director of Marketing Communications, Beyond Type 1

[email protected]

ABOUT BEYOND TYPE 1

Beyond Type 1 is a global nonprofit dedicated to the diabetes community. We serve the largest digital audience of any diabetes nonprofit, and our mission is to help people living with diabetes to stay alive and thrive. Through peer support programs, global campaigns and digital platforms, Beyond Type 1 is uniting the global diabetes communityacross all typeshelping to change what it means to live with chronic illness.

SOURCE Beyond Type 1
MILAN, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Unlocking the AI Revolution - A Symposium on the future of the Healthcare Industry and Diagnostic Imaging in the era of Artificial Intelligence is the title describing the theme of the 2023 edition of Bracco Innovation Day. This event took place at the Human Technopole Auditorium in Milan.

Diana Bracco, President and CEO of Bracco Group (PRNewsfoto/Gruppo Bracco)

Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, Vice President and CEO of Bracco Imaging, opened the proceedings with a talk in which he observed: "Artificial Intelligence is significantly impacting our lives and its adoption in diagnostic imaging will greatly benefit both patients and healthcare providers. Therefore, we have long since built a dedicated AI team that collaborates with prestigious universities, hospitals, and private companies and that aims to develop algorithms and smart solutions capable of improving the diagnostic performance of contrast media, resulting in increasingly accurate and predictive imaging."

The symposium included three sessions with important international keynote speakers, and concluded with final remarks by Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of University and Research. The first one, which looked at the new capacities of Artificial Intelligence in drug discovery, omics sciences, and pharmaceutical manufacturing, highlighted how AI is destined to play a significant role in many aspects of medicine and the healthcare industry. Specifically, AI will: accelerate the speed of development of new engineered drugs for specific targets, facilitate the study and management of large amounts of omics data for the prevention and treatment of human diseases, and streamline the production sector to maximize yields and minimize environmental impact.

The second session was dedicated to the impact of AI in radiology, where significant topics regarding the adoption of AI in diagnostic imaging were addressed.

The final session addressed the numerous ethical, political and regulatory aspects that national and international institutions are currently addressing in the face of the AI revolution.

This final session was opened by Diana Bracco, President and CEO of Bracco Group, who spoke of the growing importance of diagnostic imaging for patients' health, a sector in which the company is a global leader. "Imaging is consolidating its status as a pillar of contemporary medicine and as an essential tool for the identification of pathologies and the development of innovative medical treatments. Indeed, it is universally understood," she said, "that an early diagnosis not only enables personalized and targeted medicine but also helps address diseases in their initial stages. Precision imaging - thanks also to its non-invasive nature and minimal risk for the patient - will increasingly take center stage in the medicine of the future, where diagnosis and therapy appear to be more closely integrated." Diana Bracco then turned her attention to the potential of the AI revolution for diagnostic imaging. "Artificial Intelligence will assist our radiologists in their work, supporting them in producing increasingly precise and reliable diagnostic reports."

In addition to the many visitors, Bracco Innovation Day was attended by invited researchers from Bracco facilities in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and China. During the session dedicated to 'AI in radiology,' the results of an important study published in the prestigious journal Investigative Radiology: https://journals.lww.com/investigativeradiology/fulltext/9900/amplifying_the_effects_of_contrast_agents_on.129.aspx.

were presented. This study was authored by, among others, Alberto Fringuello Mingo, Sonia Colombo Serra, and Giovanni Valbusa, three young researchers from Bracco Imaging. Through the use of Artificial Intelligence, the team successfully "trained" a neural network using an innovative approach to enhance the contrast in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the brain, all without any impact on the current clinical protocol.

Carolina Joyce Elefante

Ufficio Stampa Direzione Comunicazione & Immagine Gruppo Bracco

carolina.elefante@bracco.com

+393334263484

www.bracco.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216543/Diana_Bracco.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216544/Gruppo_Bracco_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Gruppo Bracco
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has met with Latvian Foreign Minister Krisjanis Karins within the framework of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

During the meeting, bilateral and multilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Latvia were discussed, as well as Azerbaijans steps to reintegrate the Armenian residents of Karabakh into Azerbaijani society, Minister Bayramov wrote on his page on X (Twitter).

On September 19, a truck with employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan blew up on one such mine. The employees died on the spot. The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavend district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan. As a result, Azerbaijan launched anti-terrorist measures oriented towards illegal Armenian troops and remains of Armenian Armed Forces in Karabakh.

Azerbaijan successfully accomplished the set goals.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4), an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the following conditions: Armenian armed forces formations, illegal Armenian armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm, Armenian armed forces formations leave the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are disbanded.
Partners with Dell to Provide Enhanced RF Awareness for the City of Las Vegas

Exhibiting with O-RAN Pioneer Airspan at Mobile World Congress Las Vegas 2023

Exhibiting DGS installation via COTS-based Deepwave Digital sensors

Partners with Distributor Excelerate Technologies for Government and Public Services

Leads Industry in Spectrum Optimization/Management With Expanded Patent Profile

"Advanced Functionality" for RANs Highlighted in ABI Research Report

TYSONS, Va., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Global Systems (DGS), an innovator and leader in delivering dynamic spectrum sharing to improve private wireless networks, enable 5G services, and enhance the Next-Gen RAN, announced today new partnerships and developments built around the company's proprietary persistent RF awareness technology. DGS has partnered with Airspan to demo its tech at Mobile World Congress Las Vegas 2023, partnered with Deepwave Digital to illustrate DGS's easy software installation with third-party commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware, and partnered with Dell to deliver a CBRS neutral host POC with the City of Las Vegas. Additionally, DGS has signed Excelerate Technology as its new distribution partner, and technology industry analyst group ABI Research (ABI) has just published its report on DGS's dynamic spectrum sharing technology.

As wireless communications needs expand exponentially and spectrum becomes increasingly congested and contested, the need for an alternative approach for industry and enterprise has become increasingly urgent. Existing spectrum sharing alternatives suffer from limitations that hinder networks from optimally enabling low-latency, high-reliability services that are critical for organizations across many sectors, including public safety, defense & public sector, airports, smart city infrastructure, and utilities, among many others.

DGS has developed patented technologies that provide spectrum utilization measurement and facilitate low-latency and high-reliability communications using today's 5G networks. DGS partnerships and announcements include:

Dell and the City of Las Vegas : DGS and Dell are partnering on a neutral host CBRS proof-of-concept for the City Las Vegas, which is a leader in Smart City initiatives. The initiative will allow DGS to demonstrate the value of persistent RF measurements within the context of CBRS network operations effectiveness. The partners will demonstrate their combined technology's value proposition via this project to support the City of Las Vegas public employees;

DGS and Dell are partnering on a neutral host CBRS proof-of-concept for the City Las Vegas, which is a leader in Smart City initiatives. The initiative will allow DGS to demonstrate the value of persistent RF measurements within the context of CBRS network operations effectiveness. The partners will demonstrate their combined technology's value proposition via this project to support the public employees; Airspan at MWC Las Vegas: Airspan has partnered to demonstrate the importance of DGS RF awareness technology for RAN vendors at Mobile World Congress Las Vegas 2023, September 26-28 . Guests are invited to meet with Airspan and DGS for an exhibit at DGS booth 530 in the conference exhibition hall;

Airspan has partnered to demonstrate the importance of DGS RF awareness technology for RAN vendors at Mobile World Congress Las Vegas 2023, . Guests are invited to meet with Airspan and DGS for an exhibit at DGS booth 530 in the conference exhibition hall; Deepwave Digital at MWC Las Vegas: Deepwave Digital, which manufactures hardware sensors, including Software Defined Radios (SDRs) with on-board GPU and CPU capabilities that support edge processing and Artificial Intelligence, has been selected by DGS to demo its software installation at the DGS booth at MWC Las Vegas. The companies will partner to provide commercial off-the-shelf solutions to easily leverage DGS's software solution with Deepwave's hardware;

Deepwave Digital, which manufactures hardware sensors, including Software Defined Radios (SDRs) with on-board GPU and CPU capabilities that support edge processing and Artificial Intelligence, has been selected by DGS to demo its software installation at the DGS booth at MWC Las Vegas. The companies will partner to provide commercial off-the-shelf solutions to easily leverage DGS's software solution with Deepwave's hardware; Excelerate: DGS is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with Excelerate Technology, a leading provider of hybrid connectivity solutions to governments, civil defense agencies, and emergency services worldwide. Excelerate will utilize DGS's RF situational awareness and anomalous signal detection to increase the security posture of their clients;

DGS is pleased to announce a new distribution partnership with Excelerate Technology, a leading provider of hybrid connectivity solutions to governments, civil defense agencies, and emergency services worldwide. Excelerate will utilize DGS's RF situational awareness and anomalous signal detection to increase the security posture of their clients; Patents : DGS continues to invest heavily in RF awareness research and has added new U.S. and international patents to its portfolio. Now with a total of 135 patents issued to date, the company leads in the four key technology areas needed for spectrum optimization and management, which include RF capture, RF analysis, actionable data, and process optimization. DGS is second only to Qualcomm in patents issued in the area of spectrum management;

: DGS continues to invest heavily in RF awareness research and has added new U.S. and international patents to its portfolio. Now with a total of 135 patents issued to date, the company leads in the four key technology areas needed for spectrum optimization and management, which include RF capture, RF analysis, actionable data, and process optimization. DGS is second only to Qualcomm in patents issued in the area of spectrum management; ABI Research White Paper On Dynamic Spectrum Sharing: Leading analyst group ABI Research has published a whitepaper entitled " Dynamic Spectrum Sharing for Private Cellular, " stating that RAN vendors can gain market share by integrating DGS' DSMS (dynamic spectrum management system) into their equipment. This will allow them to better understand the RF environment, which will result in more efficient deployments and systems. To view the white paper, please visit https://www.dgsmwc2023.com/white-papers

"For the last decade, DGS has developed and implemented technology to make radio frequency spectrum  the lifeblood of wireless network services  universally accessible and usable in today's digital economy," said Fernando Murias, chairman and CEO of Digital Global Systems. "Today, we are seeing a major uptick in demand for our capabilities as wireless networks strain to support the growing need for high-reliability, low-latency performance to support carriers, municipalities, government entities, enterprises and more."

"DGS's dynamic spectrum sharing capabilities are a valuable and credible approach to understanding the RF channel and making sure that interference and channel impairments can be addressed in near real-time. This opens valuable communications opportunities to improve private and licensed wireless network performance and enhance next gen RANs," said ABI Principal Analyst Leo Gergs, who authored the white paper.

Mr. Murias and Mr. Gergs discuss dynamic spectrum sharing and private wireless networks in a video released this week. To hear their conversation, go to https://www.dgsmwc2023.com/ceo-interview

With its dynamic spectrum management technology, DGS enables companies to use 5G to cost-effectively optimize communications in the office and in the field, across multiple IoT applications. As demand for wireless spectrum will grow, the ability to maximize utilization of available spectrum in real time will become even more critical to ensure U.S. wireless networks and related services continue to drive innovative, new technologies to stay technologically competitive on the global stage.

VISIT DIGITAL GLOBAL SYSTEMS DURING MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS LAS VEGAS 2023 AT EXHIBITION HALL BOOTH 530.

About DGS:

Digital Global Systems (DGS) blends deep expertise, innovative thinking and groundbreaking technology to deliver next-generation network optimization solutions for dynamic wireless spectrum management, critical asset protection, and high-tech defense systems. DGS is headquartered in Tysons, VA, and serves customers worldwide. It has been awarded more than 100 U.S. patents for the advancement of spectrum and RF data management, with additional patents pending. Organizations across a variety of sectors use DGS technology to cost-effectively maximize the performance of their wireless networks using the company's unique, deep and persistent RF awareness solutions, as well as micro-edge data processing capabilities.

To learn more about DGS's innovative RF awareness and wireless network optimization technologies, visit digitalglobalsystems.com .

SOURCE DGS
Rigorous Third-Party Security Testing Shows Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM Series MFPs are Safeguarded Against Vulnerabilities

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson America, Inc., a worldwide leader in inkjet printing solutions, today announced its WorkForce Enterprise AM Series Color Multifunction Printers have earned the Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation Seal for Device Penetration. The WorkForce Enterprise AM Series  AM-C6000, AM-C5000 and AM-C4000 A3 line head MFPs  passed a rigorous testing process conducted by certified security experts with automated tools and manual exploitation attempts, ensuring the devices are safeguarded against vulnerabilities.

"The cybersecurity focus of IT departments tends to be on thwarting phishing attacks and securing traditional targets such as network infrastructure PCs and servers. Relatively little attention is paid to printers and MFPs that may also be vulnerable, however, so it is incumbent on OEMs to ensure that their devices have the features to secure the data the printers handle as well as the wider network," said Jamie Bsales, principal analyst for Smart Workplace & Security in Keypoint Intelligence's Office Group. "Our device penetration testing showed that these Epson models can do exactly that."

Keypoint Intelligence provides WorkForce Enterprise AM Series MFPs with Security Validation Seal for Device Penetration. Post this

The Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation Program has become a benchmark in the office peripheral industry and helps position the security of OEM products using consistent testing processes and methodologies as an industry stamp of approval.

"In our digital world, security is critical. It's crucial for businesses to have layers of IT equipment security to keep systems and devices safe and operations running smoothly," said Dan Misilewich, product manager, Business Imaging, Epson America, Inc. "We are proud to provide partners, and in turn customers, with print solutions that are not only designed to be safeguarded against vulnerabilities but also validated to do so by a respected industry organization."

The WorkForce Enterprise AM Series color MFPs AM-C6000, AM-C5000 and AM-C4000 A3 line head MFPs  are built for productivity and reliable performance with fast first-page output, practically no warm-up wait time and precise image quality. With PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, the WorkForce Enterprise AM Series MFPs feature the lowest power consumption in each of their classes,1 saving energy. The compact AM-C6000, AM-C5000 and AM-C4000 are designed with features for large workgroups and departments, including a full suite of advanced security features, intuitive and user-friendly operation, and optional finishing and media handling accessories. Epson business printers, including the AM Series, are engineered with PrecisionCore, a Simple. Smart. Clean. advanced printing technology.

In addition to the WorkForce Enterprise AM Series Color MFPs, the WorkForce Enterprise WF-C21000, WF-M21000 and WF-C20750 have also been tested and received the Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation Seal.

For more information on the Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM Series, visit: epson.com/business-inkjet-printers-workforce-enterprise. For more information on the Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation program, visit: keypointintelligence.com/security-validation.

About Keypoint Intelligence

For over 60 years, clients in the digital imaging industry have relied on Keypoint Intelligence for independent hands-on testing, lab data, and extensive market research to drive their product and sales success. Keypoint Intelligence has been recognized as the industry's most trusted resource for unbiased information, analysis, and awards due to decades of analyst experience. Customers have harnessed this mission-critical knowledge for strategic decision-making, daily sales enablement, and operational excellence to improve business goals and increase bottom lines. With a central focus on clients, Keypoint Intelligence continues to evolve as the industry changes by expanding offerings and updating methods, while intimately understanding and serving manufacturers', channels', and their customers' transformation in the digital printing and imaging sector.

About Epson Business Inkjet

Engineered with Epson's innovative PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, Epson's groundbreaking business printing solutions  from Supertank, WorkForce, WorkForce Pro and WorkForce Pro HC for hybrid work-from-home and in-office small businesses to WorkForce Enterprise  deliver high performance with few moving parts to exceed market needs.

To learn more about Epson's portfolio of business inkjet printing solutions, visit Epson.com/BusinessInkjet. To learn more about Epson PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, visit Epson.com/Heat-Free.

About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact, and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050.

Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/

Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica).

1 Compared to similarly featured A3 color laser printers and copiers at 3140 ppm (AM-C4000), 41-50 ppm (AM-C5000), and 51-60 ppm (AM-C6000) based on manufacturers' specifications and industry available data as of March 2022. Actual power savings will vary by product model and usage.

EPSON, PrecisionCore, PrecisionCore Heat-Free and WorkForce are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2023 Epson America, Inc.

SOURCE Epson America, Inc.
The agreement will deliver one of the leading global documentary trade and supply chain finance platforms  Finastra Trade Innovation, running on Microsoft Azure

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Finastra today announced a multi-year global agreement with Microsoft focused on trade platform modernization, building on the existing availability of Finastra Trade Innovation in the cloud. Delivering the full functionality of Trade Innovation via a full microservices architecture using Microsoft Azure, will give banks increased agility, flexibility and scalability, enabling them to continue to provide service excellence to customers throughout their modernization journey.

As the expectations of corporate customers evolve, financial institutions need to deliver a seamless and engaging transactional experience across their trade finance and supply chain finance operations in support of open finance. Further extending the open APIs available through Trade Innovation and Finastra's open innovation platform, FusionFabric.cloud, will allow customers to leverage a vibrant digital trade ecosystem, supporting the digitalization of the full transaction lifecycle.

"Partnering with Microsoft builds on our joint strategic vision to help accelerate the digital transformation of financial services, and support customers on their journeys to be open," said Isabel Fernandez, Executive Vice President for Lending at Finastra. "Customers are eager to transform their trade finance and supply chain offerings, and to access the latest innovations, working with partners across the ecosystem. Via this agreement, existing and new customers will benefit from increased flexibility to connect, collaborate and adapt to evolving customer needs and new regulations."

Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services, Microsoft added: "We're excited to deepen our relationship with Finastra to support banks on their trade modernization journey. Using the rich functionality of Finastra's Trade Innovation platform and FusionFabric.cloud, combined with the power of Microsoft Azure and data and AI advancements, we look forward to helping financial institutions further accelerate innovation, increase efficiencies, enhance customer engagement and transform their operations at scale."

Finastra Trade Innovation was recognized once again as "Best in Class" in the Aite Matrix of Trade Finance Software (Feb 2023) from Datos Insights (formerly Aite-Novarica Group). Enrico Camerinelli, Strategic Advisor at Datos Insights said: "The decline of manually intensive and paper trade finance operations, the continued growth of supply chain finance, and the rise of fintech players are encouraging banks to transform the status quo with API-based open banking, artificial intelligence, and data analytics. To achieve this, banks need modern, open systems and the support of industry leaders in this space, supporting them on their transformation journeys."

About Finastra

Finastra is a global provider of financial software applications and marketplaces, and launched the leading open platform for innovation, FusionFabric.cloud, in 2017. It serves institutions of all sizes, providing award-winning software solutions and services across Lending, Payments, Treasury & Capital Markets and Universal Banking (Retail, Digital and Commercial Banking) for banks to support direct banking relationships and grow through indirect channels, such as embedded finance and Banking as a Service. Its pioneering approach and commitment to open finance and collaboration is why it is trusted by over 8,000 institutions, including 45 of the world's top 50 banks. For more information, visit finastra.com.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1916021/FINASTRA_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Finastra
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Corporation, (NYSE: FHN or "First Horizon") has been recognized by Black EOE Journal as a 2023 Best of the Best Employer.

Black EOE Journal, now celebrating its 31st year of diversity, polled hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies for its 2023 Best of the Best evaluations. BEOEJ is one of the nation's fastest-growing magazines, promoting the advancement of African Americans in all aspects of business and employment to ensure equal opportunity. The outstanding efforts toward this promotion make these companies leaders in the quest for true diversity, and we commend them all.

"First Horizon recognizes that the success of diversity and inclusion hinges on the way it is embedded into the fabric of our culture. Our goal is to lead the way in searching for and providing professional and personal growth opportunities to our associates," says Dr. Anthony C. Hood, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at First Horizon Bank. "It is an honor to be recognized and receive this award."

About Black EOE Journal (BEOEJ)

The Black EOE Journal (BEOEJ) is the African American career and business connection. Our mission is to be the epicenter of information utilizing our channels of distribution in print and digital media. As one of the strongest growing African American publications in the nation, our mission is to inform, educate, employ and provide equal opportunity to corporate America in order to create a more diverse workplace.

We provide the latest, most important diversity news, covering virtually every industry, business and profession. This includes up-to-date statistics on workforce diversity as well as business-to-business trends. We offer both recruitment and business opportunities, along with accurate, timely conferences and event calendars. And, just as important, we spotlight inspiring role models and notable mentors. BEOEJ is a WBENC and DOBE-certified company.

About First Horizon

First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $85.1 billion in assets as of June 30, 2023, is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN, the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.

SOURCE First Horizon Corporation
WESTPORT, Conn., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gemspring Capital Management, LLC ("Gemspring"), a middle-market private equity firm, is pleased to announce that an affiliate has acquired a majority interest in ClearCompany Holdings, Inc. ("ClearCompany" or the "Company"), a provider of human capital management software. Financial terms were not disclosed.

ClearCompany's complete Talent Management software platform offers a comprehensive suite of solutions to streamline talent acquisition, performance management, employee engagement, and analytics, with a primary focus on serving mid-market and enterprise businesses. The Company supports a diverse base of more than 2,000 customers spanning nearly 50 distinct industry verticals.

Andre Lavoie, CEO and Co-Founder of ClearCompany, said, "ClearCompany is at an exciting inflection point, and we are thrilled to partner with Gemspring to pursue a number of compelling growth opportunities. Gemspring's extensive strategic and operational experience in scaling software companies make them the ideal partner to support our business as we build out our customer base, expand product offerings, and strengthen our partnerships."

"We're extremely impressed by ClearCompany's longstanding track record of growth and innovation," said D.J. Andrzejewski, Managing Director at Gemspring. "We look forward to partnering with Andre and the team to continue to drive product enhancements, bolster operations, and accelerate ClearCompany's growth trajectory while maintaining its customer-centric approach."

ClearCompany was advised by First Analysis Securities Corporation as financial advisor and Winston & Strawn LLP as legal advisor. McDermott Will & Emery LLP served as legal advisor to Gemspring.

About ClearCompany

ClearCompany, a full-spectrum Talent Management platform, has enabled thousands of companies to maximize talent by empowering people at every stage of the employee journey. ClearCompany integrates data-driven best practices, expert-informed content, and tailored software tools to recruit, ramp, recognize, and retain employees, uniting people and processes to achieve business success. For more information, visit www.clearcompany.com.

About Gemspring Capital

Gemspring Capital, a Westport, Connecticut-based private equity firm with $3.5 billion of capital under management, provides flexible capital solutions to middle market companies. Gemspring partners with talented management teams and takes a partnership approach to helping drive revenue growth, value creation, and sustainable competitive advantages. Target companies have up to $500 million in revenue in the aerospace & defense, business services, consumer, financial and insurance services, healthcare services, industrial services, software and tech-enabled services, or specialty manufacturing sectors. For more information, visit www.gemspring.com.

CONTACT: D.J. Andrzejewski, [email protected]

SOURCE Gemspring Capital
The Group is investing $12.6 billion in new dedicated electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities in Georgia. The investment includes the $7.59 billion Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) site in Bryan County, Georgia that will create more than 8,500 direct jobs and the $5 billion battery manufacturing facility joint venture with SK On in Bartow County, Georgia that will employ approximately 3,500 people. The proximity of these facilities to Georgia Tech was one of the important considerations in deciding their locations.

The collaboration with Georgia Tech builds upon the Group's long history in Georgia. The Kia Georgia's West Point assembly plant, established under the leadership of Honorary Chairman Mong-Koo Chung and Executive Chair Euisun Chung, began vehicle production in 2009. University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, participating in the HMG-Georgia Tech MOU ceremony, was the Governor of Georgia at the time of the Kia Georgia plant's opening.

Also, a recent study by the Center for Automotive Research reveals that Hyundai Motor's automotive operations contributed $20.1 billion and 190,000 jobs to the U.S. economy in 2021 alone. According to the study, Hyundai's investments in Georgia are expected to create nearly 40,000 jobs and $4.6 billion in individual earnings every year.

"Like Georgia Tech, Hyundai is a global brand that is synonymous with quality, innovation, and a commitment to advancing technology to make a positive difference in the world. The more we have gotten to know each other, the more obvious the alignment of our values has become," said Georgia Tech President Angel Cabrera. "I am grateful for the transformative investments Hyundai is making in our state, and I am proud that the Hyundai brand will feature prominently on our campus. I look forward to working with Hyundai leaders to deepen our partnership as we work to develop exceptional leaders and produce new ideas that will shape the automotive industry and advance mobility in the future."

"Georgia is like a second home to us," said Jay Chang, President and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company. "We are a mission-driven organization with a very compelling point of view about the future. We feel a great responsibility to contribute to a sustainable future where all humankind can have a safe and healthy life while enjoying freedom of movement. On behalf of all of us at Hyundai Motor Group, we are thrilled to create a partnership with Georgia Tech that includes research and applications to support the future of sustainable mobility, hydrogen economy, workforce development, and smart cities, among many other areas of cooperation. Today is the beginning of a partnership that will last for decades, and this partnership is one of the reasons why we chose Georgia for our EV investments."

"Hyundai's investments in Georgia will create tens of thousands of jobs and bring tens of billions of dollars in economic impact for decades to come," said Jose Munoz, President and Global COO of Hyundai Motor Company, and President and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. "Proximity to institutions like Georgia Tech was one of the many reasons Hyundai selected Georgia for our new EV manufacturing facility.

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group's mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at:

http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Media Center

SOURCE Hyundai Motor Group

 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. For more information on how we will use your data to ensure we send you relevant content please visit our By signing up you agree to receive content from us.Our newsletters contain tracking pixels to help us deliver unique content based on each subscriber's engagement and interests. For more information on how we will use your data to ensure we send you relevant content please visit our PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . You can withdraw your consent at any time in the footer of every email you'll receive.



Unsere Newsletter enthalten Zahlpixel, die die Lieferung einzigartiger Inhalte in Bezug auf das Abonnement und die Interessen der einzelnen Abonnenten ermoglichen. Weitere Informationen uber die Verwendung Ihrer Daten im Hinblick auf die Zusendung von relevanten Inhalten, finden Sie in unserer Mit Ihrer Anmeldung erklaren Sie sich damit einverstanden, Inhalte von uns zu erhalten.Unsere Newsletter enthalten Zahlpixel, die die Lieferung einzigartiger Inhalte in Bezug auf das Abonnement und die Interessen der einzelnen Abonnenten ermoglichen. Weitere Informationen uber die Verwendung Ihrer Daten im Hinblick auf die Zusendung von relevanten Inhalten, finden Sie in unserer PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . Ihre Zustimmung konnen Sie jederzeit in der Fuzeile jeder erhaltenen E-Mail widerrufen.



Notre newsletter contient des pixels espions nous permettant la fourniture a chaque abonne, dun contenu unique en lien avec ses souscriptions et interets. Pour de plus amples informations sur lutilisation faite de vos donnees en vue de lenvoi des contenus concernes, nous vous invitons a consulter la politique de confidentialite disponible a partir du lien suivant En vous inscrivant a la newsletter, vous consentez a la reception de contenus de notre part.Notre newsletter contient des pixels espions nous permettant la fourniture a chaque abonne, dun contenu unique en lien avec ses souscriptions et interets. Pour de plus amples informations sur lutilisation faite de vos donnees en vue de lenvoi des contenus concernes, nous vous invitons a consulter la politique de confidentialite disponible a partir du lien suivant PRN Consumer Newsletter Privacy Notice . Vous pouvez a tout moment revenir sur votre consentement par le biais des informations situees au bas de chaque e-mail recu.
DUBLIN, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Pumps Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global pump market is poised for remarkable growth, with projections indicating that it will surge to $90.11 billion by 2028 from $70.62 billion in 2023, reflecting a substantial CAGR of 11.39% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2028. Several key drivers and trends are propelling this expansion, making the pump market increasingly important for various industries.

Key Market Trends and Drivers

Adoption of Electric Air-Source Heat Pumps: Electric air-source heat pumps are gaining prominence for their energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness in heating and cooling applications, especially in moderate climates. They contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based systems. Governments worldwide are incentivizing the adoption of electric air-source heat pumps through tax credits, grants, and low-interest loans, which significantly lowers the installation costs. Strong Replacement Demand: The replacement sector is driving the demand for aftermarket pump parts and services. The global pump market is witnessing increased sales of modern and efficient water pumps, particularly in applications like agriculture. The shift from diesel pumps to electric pumps is another significant trend, along with upgrading industrial water and sanitation systems, further boosting pump demand.

Industry Restraints

The pump market is characterized by intense competition due to the presence of numerous large players. Competing companies offer various groundwater and fuel pumping systems, making the industry highly competitive. Varying financial resources among industry players intensify competition, and key competitive factors include pricing, service quality, innovation, timely delivery, and product consistency. Many manufacturers rely on distributors and independent representatives to reach customers, emphasizing the importance of building strong channel networks.

Segmentation Insights

Product Types:

Centrifugal Pumps : Dominating the global pump market, centrifugal pumps are widely used for pumping water, thin liquids, and slurries across various industries. They are subdivided into single-stage and multi-stage pumps.

: Dominating the global pump market, centrifugal pumps are widely used for pumping water, thin liquids, and slurries across various industries. They are subdivided into single-stage and multi-stage pumps. Reciprocating Pumps : Piston and diaphragm pumps are prominent within the reciprocating pump category, with piston pumps holding a significant market share.

: Piston and diaphragm pumps are prominent within the reciprocating pump category, with piston pumps holding a significant market share. Rotary Pumps: Among rotary pumps, gear pumps lead the market, contributing to its growth.

End-User Segmentation:

Industrial : Industrial applications accounted for a substantial portion of the global pump market in 2022.

: Industrial applications accounted for a substantial portion of the global pump market in 2022. Agricultural : Agriculture is a key sector driving pump demand, particularly for water-related applications.

: Agriculture is a key sector driving pump demand, particularly for water-related applications. Commercial : The commercial sector represents another significant end-user category.

: The commercial sector represents another significant end-user category. Residential: Pump demand in the residential segment is also notable.

Geographical Analysis

Asia-Pacific (APAC) leads the global pump market, driven by high capital spending and construction growth. North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America also contribute significantly to the market, offering unique opportunities and challenges.

Vendor Landscape

The global pump market boasts a highly competitive landscape, with both public and private companies vying for market share. Key competitive factors include efficiency, reliability, service capabilities, pricing, and product availability. Major industry players include Alfa Laval, Baker Hughes, CIRCOR, DESMI, Flowserve, Franklin Electric, Kirloskar Brothers, KSB, Nikkiso, SPX FLOW, Sulzer, Torishima, Weir, WILO, and Xylem, among others.

Other Prominent Vendors

Arian Pumps, AR North America, Bosch Rexroth, CP Pumpen AG, Dover, Ebara, Global Pump, Grundfos, Haight Pumps, HERMETIC-Pumpen, IDEXCorp, Iwaki America, Jetox Motor Pumps, Klaus Union, Kracht, Leitritz Group, Masdaf, Naniwa Pump, Netzsch, Norm Hydrophore Pump, Pentair, PUMPPORT, Roper Pumps, Roth Pump, Ruhrpumpen, Ryan Herco Flow Solutions, Sahinler Submersible Pump, Samsun Makina Sanayi, Seepex, Seko, Sempa, Sumak Pump, Summit Pump, Tark, TEIKOKU ELECTRIC, Vansan Water Technologies, Vaughan, Vestapump, and Zoeller.

Key Questions Answered

How large is the pump market? What is the expected growth rate for the global pump market? What trends are driving the pump market? Which region holds the largest market share for pumps? Who are the key players in the global pump market?

Market Dynamics

Opportunities & Trends

Rising Demand for Water & Wastewater Treatment Plants

Increased Infrastructure Projects in Developing Economies

Rise in Number of Modular Construction Projects

Demand for Energy-Efficient Pumps

Advent of Intelligent & Smart Pumps

Adoption of Electric Air-Source Heat Pumps

Growth Enablers

Strong Replacement Demand

Demand for Efficient & Advanced Pump Technology

Launch of Wastewater Treatment Schemes in the Middle East

Rising Demand for Pumps in the Automotive Industry

Restraints

Volatility in Oil & Gas Prices

Fluctuations in Raw Material Prices

Competitive & Fragmented Market Environment

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/mlvbpv

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, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Respiratory Protective Equipment Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global respiratory protective equipment market size reached US$ 8.1 Billion in 2022. Looking forward, the market is set to reach US$ 10.4 Billion by 2028, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% during 2023-2028.



The respiratory protective equipment (RPE) refers to a kind of personal protective equipment (PPE) that safeguards the wearer from inhaling hazardous substances, dust particles and gases in the air. They find extensive applications across various industries, including oil and gas, petrochemical, healthcare, construction, chemical and mining.



Rapid industrialization across the globe is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, increasing awareness regarding the importance of workplace safety is also providing a boost to the market growth. RPE can protect the industrial workers from inhaling harmful chemicals, gases and radiological and nuclear material.

This can aid in preventing the instances of occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and mesothelioma. The growing demand for technologically advanced multi-functional RPE is acting as another growth-inducing factor.

For instance, manufacturers have introduced respirators that are equipped with auto-darkening filters (ADF) and sensors to minimize eye damage and provide protection from fumes.

Other factors, including extensive research and development (R&D) activities to manufacture product variants with innovative in-facepiece gas detection technology, along with the implementation of stringent government policies promoting occupational safety and health standards, are projected to drive the market further.

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global respiratory protective equipment market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What are the key regional markets?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global respiratory protective equipment market?

What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the filter type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the end-use industry?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the market?

What is the structure of the global respiratory protective equipment market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the market?

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being

3M Company

Company Alpha Pro Tech Limited

E.D. Bullard Company Inc.

Delta Plus Group

Honeywell International Inc.

ILC Dover

LP

Intech Safety Pvt. Ltd.

MSA Safety Incorporated

RSG Safety BV

Uvex Arbeitsschutz GmbH

Key Market Segmentation:



Breakup by Product Type:

Air Purifier Respirator

Unpowered Respirators

Powered Respirators

Escape Respirators

Supplied Air Respirator

Self-contained Breathing Apparatus

Airline Respirators

Loose Fitting Hoods

Breakup by Filter Type:

Particle Filter

Gas/Vapour Filter

Combined Filter

Breakup by End-Use Industry:

Healthcare

Oil and Gas

Chemical

Construction

Law Enforcement

Others

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/roi8r9

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, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "STD Diagnostics Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product, By Application (HIV Testing, HSV Testing), By Technology, By Location Of Testing, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global STD diagnostics market is on a trajectory of significant expansion, with a projected size of USD 16.08 billion by 2030, exhibiting a robust CAGR of 7.2% from 2023 to 2030

Key drivers propelling this growth include the escalating disease burden of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and proactive efforts by governments and non-profit organizations to promote awareness and regular screenings, especially among the younger demographic.

Alarming statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate approximately 374 million new cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are reported globally each year. Technological advancements in diagnostic products, such as next-generation HIV testing kits and multiplex PCR products, enable healthcare professionals to diagnose and differentiate a range of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) promptly.

Companies like Seegene, Inc., are contributing to this advancement by offering innovative products like the Allplex STI/BV Panel Assay, capable of distinguishing 28 causative agents in a single test. The implementation of national strategic plans, such as the HIV National Strategic Plan and Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan in the U.S., further supports the growth of the STD diagnostics industry by focusing on prevention, early detection, and treatment.

Companies in this sector are actively pursuing strategic initiatives, including new product development and regulatory approvals, to enrich their STD diagnostics portfolios and meet the increasing demand for advanced diagnostic solutions.

For example, DiaSorin, Inc. secured FDA approval for its LIAISON XL MUREX anti-HBe immunoassay product, designed for the diagnosis of HBV infection, further illustrating the industry's commitment to technological advancement and public health.

STD Diagnostics Market Report Highlights

In 2022, the consumables segment accounted for the largest market share and is anticipated to maintain its position over the forecast period owing to high testing rates for the diagnosis of STDs and the commercialization of several assays

Based on technology, the molecular diagnostics segment is estimated to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing use of high-throughput PCR technology and the recommendation of NAAT tests for HIV testing. The development of multiplex PCR tests for the simultaneous detection of multiple pathogens is also expected to contribute to the STD diagnostics industry's growth

Based on application, the HIV testing segment is expected to dominate the STD diagnostics industry in 2022, due to factors such as the high incidence rate of the disease, increasing product approvals for molecular tests, and favorable government initiatives

Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience the fastest growth over the forecast period due to an increase in testing rates for STDS, a rise in disposable income, and high disease prevalence of STD in developing countries

Company Profiles

BD

F. Hoffmann-la Roche Ltd.

Hologic Inc. (Gen Probe)

Abbott

Cepheid (Danaher)

Qiagen

Orasure Technologies, Inc

Bio-rad Laboratories, Inc.

Biomerieux Sa

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Seegene Inc.

Diasorin S.P.A

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Methodology And Scope



Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Market Outlook

2.2 Product and Application Snapshot

2.3 Technology and Location of Testing Snapshot

2.4 Competitive Snapshot



Chapter 3 STD Diagnostics Market Variables, Trends, And Scope

3.1 Penetration And Growth Prospect Mapping

3.2 User Perspective Analysis

3.3 Regulatory And Reimbursement Framework

3.4 Market Driver Analysis

3.4.1 Growing Global Disease Burden Of STDs

3.4.2 Technological Advancements In STD Diagnostics

3.4.3 Government Initiatives Encouraging Early Diagnosis And Treatment

3.5 Market Restraint Analysis

3.5.1 Vaccination Coverage For STDs

3.6 Covid-19 Impact Analysis

3.7 Swot Analysis, By Factor (political & Legal, Economic, And Technological)

3.8 Industry Analysis - Porter's



Chapter 4 STD Diagnostics Market: Segment Analysis, By Product, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.1 STD Diagnostics Market: Product Movement Analysis

4.2 Instruments And Services

4.2.1 Instruments And Services Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

4.3 Consumables

4.4 Software



Chapter 5 STD Diagnostics Market: Segment Analysis, By Application, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.1 STD Diagnostics Market: Application Movement Analysis

5.2 CT/NG Testing

5.2.1 CT/NG Testing Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

5.3 Syphilis Testing

5.4 HSV Testing

5.5 HPV Testing

5.6 HIV Testing

5.7 Ureaplasma & Mycoplasma Testing

5.8 Trichomonas Testing

5.9 VZV Testing

5.10 Gonorrhea testing



Chapter 6 STD Diagnostics Market: Segment Analysis, By Technology, 2018-2030 (USD Million)

6.1 STD Diagnostics Market: Technology Movement Analysis

6.2 Molecular Diagnostics

6.3 Immunoassay



Chapter 7 STD Diagnostics Market: Segment Analysis, By Location Of Testing, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

7.1 STD Diagnostics Market: Location Of Testing Movement Analysis

7.2 Laboratory Testing

7.2.1 Laboratory Testing Market, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

7.2.2 Commercial/private Labs

7.2.3 Public Health Labs

7.3 Point Of Care Testing



Chapter 8 STD Diagnostics Market: Segment Analysis, By Region, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)

8.1 STD Diagnostics Market: Regional Outlook



Chapter 9 STD Diagnostics Market: Competitive Analysis

9.1 Recent Developments And Impact Analysis, By Key Market Participants

9.1.1 New Product Launches

9.1.2 Mergers And Acquisitions

9.1.3 Partnerships And Strategic Collaboration

9.1.4 Conferences And Campaigns

9.2 Company Categorization

9.2.1 Innovators

9.2.2 Market Leaders

9.2.3 Heat Map Analysis

9.3 Vendor Landscape

9.3.1 List Of Key Distributors And Channel Partners

9.3.2 Key Customers

9.4 Key Company Market Share Analysis, 2022

9.5 Public Companies

9.5.1 Company Market Position Analysis

9.5.2 Competitive Dashboard Analysis

9.5.2.1 Market Differentiators

9.6 Private Companies

9.6.1 List Of Key Emerging Companies

9.6.2 Regional Network Map



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/s5hs2i

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, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Infection Control Surveillance Solutions Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global infection control surveillance solutions market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating it will reach $1.23 billion by 2028 from $0.58 billion in 2023, representing a robust CAGR of 13.47% from 2022 to 2028. Several key trends and drivers are propelling this expansion, making the market an area of increasing interest for industry players and investors.

Key Trends

Transformation in Hospital Safety: Hospitals are increasingly focused on improving patient safety and reducing infection levels through advanced surveillance solutions. These solutions leverage data analytics, AI, ML, and predictive modeling to accurately detect and mitigate infection risks. Beyond enhancing patient safety, these solutions contribute to cost reduction, operational efficiency, and improved quality of care. Advancements in Cloud-Based and AI-Integrated Software: Cloud-based and AI-integrated infection surveillance and control software have significantly improved the efficacy and efficiency of infection control efforts. These technologies allow public health organizations to detect and respond to infections more rapidly, store and manage data securely, and generate detailed insights for better understanding infection patterns. Government Initiatives & Investments: Governments worldwide are introducing policies and regulations aimed at developing long-term infection prevention programs and educating healthcare providers on best practices. These initiatives often include funding for healthcare facilities to implement advanced infection surveillance software, fostering market growth.

Segmentation Insights

Solution Type

Software

Services

Infection Type

Bloodstream Infection (BSI)

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Pneumonia (HAP & VAP)

Surgical Site Infection (SSI)

Others

End-User

Hospitals

Outpatient Facilities

Long-term Care Facilities

Geographical Analysis

North America dominates the market, accounting for over 34% of the global share in 20-. This can be attributed to the region's advanced healthcare system, robust research funding, and substantial investments across the healthcare industry.

Vendor Landscape

The market is moderately fragmented, with numerous international players offering various infection control surveillance solutions. Notable companies in the market include:

Key Company Profiles

BD

Epic Systems

Oracle

Premier

VigiLanz

Wolters Kluwer

Other Prominent Vendors

Baxter

CenTrak

Clinisys

Harris Healthcare

Medexter Healthcare

PointClickCare

Spacelabs Healthcare

Vecna Technologies

Ecolab

VIZZIA Technologies

Key Questions Answered

What is the current size of the infection control surveillance solutions market? What growth rate is projected for the global infection control surveillance solutions market? Who are the major players in the global infection control surveillance solutions market? What are the emerging trends in the infection control surveillance solutions market? Which region holds the largest share of the global infection control surveillance solutions market?

Market Dynamics

Opportunities & Trends

Growth in Adoption of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs (ASP)

Clinical Surveillance Is Next Step in Value-Based Care

Advances in Cloud-Based and AI-Integrated Software for Infection Surveillance and Control

Growth Enablers

Growing Prevalence of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAI)

Increasing Number of Surgeries

Growing Transformation in Hospital Safety

Growing Government Initiatives & Investment in IPC Programs Across Healthcare Settings

Restraints

High Deployment Cost of Infection Control Surveillance Solutions

Data Security Concerns

Reluctance to Adopt Advanced Healthcare IT Solutions

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/g8hs53

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
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. In the morning hours, we were already informed that our conditions had been accepted. Moreover, representatives of the Armenian community living in Karabakh, who refused to meet our representatives several months ago, are ready to meet in the city of Yevlakh, the place proposed by us. My response was that Azerbaijan always stands by his words. Both our friends and enemies know this, said President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said as he addressed the nation.

Our word is as valuable as our signature and, if our conditions are accepted, of course, our military measures will be stopped. Today, a ceasefire was declared at 13.00. Unfortunately, the opposing side did not observe the ceasefire totally, and our positions came under fire after the declaration of ceasefire. In spite of this, all our conditions were accepted in principle, the head of state noted.
NEW ORLEANS, La., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Grasons, the nation's leading estate sale and business liquidation franchise, recently hosted its annual national conference at the Loews New Orleans Hotel from Sept. 18-20. The event focused on celebrating the company's successful franchisees and reinforcing its commitment to the community.

The brand's franchisees and company officials participated in the conference, marked by dynamic panel discussions, presentations from industry leaders, and networking opportunities.

Founder, Brand President Simone Kelly remarked, "Our franchisees consistently go above and beyond to serve our clients and their communities. This conference showcases their outstanding efforts and provides a platform to gain insights from industry titans." Among them was keynote speaker Carisa Findley, renowned for her franchising expertise and distinctive blend of mindfulness with business strategy. Notably, Findley co-authored the best-selling book "Success" with Jack Canfield of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. "Her decision to participate in the Grasons' conference, given her impressive credentials, not only elevates the significance of our conference but also highlights the caliber of our community," Kelly added.

A highlight of the conference was the awards ceremony, where Grasons recognized top-performing franchisees in categories that included: 2022 Top 3 Highest Gross Sales, 1st - Grasons Estate Sale Specialists, 2nd  Grasons City of Angels, 3rd Grasons Elite North Orange County; and 2022 Most Sales, Grasons Elite North Orange County.

In line with its commitment to community service, Grasons coordinated a volunteer event in collaboration with Veteran Empowerment Services during the conference. Attendees assembled hundreds of toiletry bags for homeless veterans, which will be distributed at the upcoming New Orleans Vet Fest.

Evive Brands CEO, Tim Hadley, remarked, "Grasons has always been a company with a strong focus on community and client service. The dedication and commitment exhibited by its franchisees at this conference underscores that spirit."

Grasons is part of the Evive Brands family providing exceptional estate sales and business liquidation services to families and communities across the nation. With various discounts available, qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. For more information on Grasons' franchise opportunity, visit www.grasons.com.

Media Contact: Rhonda Grundemann, 602-739-8810, [email protected]

SOURCE Grasons Co.
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Newsweek today announced its annual rankings of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in America, and Graybar was named to the prestigious list for the second consecutive year. The 2023 Most Loved Workplaces are the result of a collaboration with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company.

Graybar has been named to Newsweeks list of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in America for the second consecutive year.

"I am very proud that Graybar has once again been named to Newsweek's list of the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in America," said Graybar Chairman, President and CEO Kathleen M. Mazzarella. "Graybar's employee ownership culture brings out the best in our people and inspires them to go the extra mile for our customers and each other. I thank all of our employees for making Graybar such a special company and congratulate them on this outstanding recognition."

The results for the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces were determined after surveying more than 2 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 100,000. The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, and appreciated and are at the center of the business model.

"With the rapidly changing workplace and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment," said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek. "The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract the best talent and deliver strong business outcomes."

For the full list of Newsweek's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in America, please click here.

Graybar, a Fortune 500 corporation and one of the largest employee-owned companies in North America, is a leader in the distribution of high quality electrical, communications and data networking products, and specializes in related supply chain management and logistics services. Through its network of more than 325 North American distribution facilities, it stocks and sells products from thousands of manufacturers, helping its customers power, network, automate and secure their facilities with speed, intelligence and efficiency. For more information, visit www.graybar.com or call 1-800-GRAYBAR.

Media Contact:

Tim Sommer

(314) 578-7672

[email protected]

SOURCE Graybar
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Halcyon, a pioneer in fostering social entrepreneurship, celebrates a decade of transformative leadership and innovation to develop early-stage, impact driven startups from around the globe. Co-Founder Kate Goodall will step down from her role as CEO after founding and leading the organization since its inception. The organization proudly announces Daniel J. Barker, Halcyon Managing Director, as the incoming President and CEO, effective January 1, 2024.

"Building Halcyon over the past ten years has been the greatest honor of my life. Serving our entrepreneurs means I have worked every day in a community of people brave enough to start companies and kind enough to do it for reasons greater than themselves  I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world. I deeply believe that Dan Barker is the person with the vision, talent, and commitment to nurture our special community, and take Halcyon forward as the new President and CEO. I look forward to celebrating his success in my new role," said Ms. Goodall. She, alongside Dahna Goldstein, Halcyon Chief Investment Officer, will join to create a new independent entity investing in Halcyon ventures and other startups focused on Climate, Health, and EquityTech.

Mr. Barker currently serves as Managing Director of Halcyon. He joined the organization from the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth where he was Vice President focused on supporting cutting-edge research on financial inclusion and entrepreneurship. Prior to Mastercard, Mr. Barker was Vice President for social impact at BlackRock. Mr. Barker first connected with Halcyon during his time as a management consultant at Deloitte where he advised corporate, multilateral, and nonprofit clients on social impact strategy. He began his career in global health research at the Council on Foreign Relations and Earth Institute. He holds a master's in international finance and economic policy from Columbia University and a BA from NYU. He serves on the advisory boards of Global Kids, Inc. and the Guyana Economic Development Trust and is a judge for the Inclusive Fintech 50.

"I'm honored to be stepping into the role of President and CEO of Halcyon. Kate's dedication to social entrepreneurship has been a pillar of the community for the past ten years and I plan on steering Halcyon's next ten years with the same kind of passion and excellence. I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to build on the nearly 10-year legacy of helping impact-driven entrepreneurs change how we do business in favor of a more equitable, sustainable, and inclusive future," said Mr. Barker. He brings a wealth of experience in fostering innovation and driving sustainable growth. His passion for social entrepreneurship aligns seamlessly with Halcyon's mission. As Halcyon prepares for the next chapter, the community eagerly anticipates the fresh perspectives and insights Mr. Barker will bring to the organization.

"The Halcyon Board of Directors couldn't be more pleased for Dan to step into this role and look forward to supporting him. It's been wonderful to work alongside Kate for the last two years, and her leadership has been instrumental in ensuring that Halcyon's first 10 years were a great success. I'm confident Dan will continue on this path," said Martha Metz, Halcyon Board of Directors Chair. Ms. Goodall's visionary leadership has propelled Halcyon to its current prominence as a beacon for social change. Under her guidance, the organization has nurtured nearly 500 entrepreneurs working towards every sustainable development goal, across all inhabited continents. Since launching the incubator in September 2014, Ms. Goodall has added an early-stage venture fund (of which she is co-managing director), an angel investing network, microloan fund, and a broad range of intensive programs, continually seeking to serve increasing numbers of entrepreneurs globally to solve the pressing social and environmental problems of our time.

In 2016, Ms. Goodall helped establish WE Capital, a consortium of leading businesswomen investing in and supporting women and women-led companies. She was listed as DC Inno's Fire Blazer, one of the Washington Business Journal's Power 100, 40 Under 40, Women Who Mean Business, Washington's New Guard, Washingtonian's 2017 and 2023 Tech Titans, and Techweek 100 DC's Talent Cultivators. Goodall has also received the Crittenton Leadership Award, is a Sorenson Global Impact Leader, and a member of YPO. Ms. Goodall's legacy will continue to inspire and guide us as we transition into this new era.

Halcyon invites its extended community to join us in celebrating its 10-year milestone, the exceptional legacy of Kate Goodall, and the organization's launch into its next era of growth under Dan Barker's leadership. The festivities will culminate in the Halcyon Homecoming celebration from September 10-13, 2024, a unique gathering welcoming fellows from all cohorts, partners, donors, and ecosystem stakeholders.

About Halcyon

Halcyon accelerates the impact-driven future of business. We believe there's a competitive advantage to having a social mission in your DNA, and that impact-driven businesses represent a powerful opportunity to drive equity and inclusivity in the workplace and society. Halcyon is the community supporting impact-driven businesses and their founders through space, community, and access. Our programs offer fellowships for social entrepreneurs and funding vehicles to help them scale their ventures. www.halcyonhouse.org

SOURCE Halcyon
DUBLIN, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Hemodialysis Vascular Grafts Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The hemodialysis vascular grafts market is forecast to reach USD 283.7 million by 2030, driven by technological advancements and heightened healthcare awareness.

Highlights:

The global hemodialysis vascular grafts market is set to expand at a CAGR of 5.1% between 2023 and 2030.

Key growth factors include increased healthcare spending, technological advancements in graft design, and government initiatives for kidney disease awareness and treatment.

COVID-19 catalyzed the adoption of telemedicine, potentially boosting the demand for hemodialysis vascular grafts as more patients gain remote access to treatment.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dominated the market in 2022 due to its advantages and the rise in End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD) incidence. It's projected to sustain this growth, aided by increased investments in dialysis infrastructure.

North America , with its high healthcare spending and patient population, emerged as the leading regional market in 2022. Well-defined regulatory guidelines and preference for biological grafts underpin this trend.

The "Hemodialysis Vascular Grafts Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report," sheds light on the significant potential of the hemodialysis vascular grafts sector. The report offers a comprehensive assessment of market drivers, trends, and projections.

Vascular grafts, synthetic tubes connecting veins and arteries, are pivotal for hemodialysis - a procedure vital for kidney disease patients. Their demand is fueled by technological advancements and the subsequent improvement in patient outcomes.

Global health infrastructure sees growing investments from both governmental and private entities. Chronic diseases, particularly Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and ESRD, have been receiving heightened attention, resulting in advanced and efficient hemodialysis vascular grafts entering the market. As healthcare systems globally shift toward specialized care, the graft demand is expected to rise further.

Significant government interventions, such as the U.S. National Kidney Disease Education Program (NKDEP), aim to enhance kidney disease management, propelling market growth.

Market Dynamics:

In 2022, PTFE emerged as a market leader, mainly due to the escalating ESRD cases and the elderly demographic. The momentum is expected to be maintained, given the influx of investments in kidney disease research and the private sector's focus on dialysis infrastructure.

Geographically, North America led the charge in 2022, thanks to its higher GDP-allocated healthcare expenditure, inclination for biological & tissue-engineered grafts, and a rising CKD patient base.

Key Players in the Market:

Noteworthy companies in the hemodialysis vascular grafts market include:

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

C. R. Bard, Inc.

Vascudyne, Inc.

LeMaitre

Getinge AB

VASCULAR GENESIS

InnAVasc Medical, Inc.

CryoLife, Inc.

Merit Medical Systems

BIOVIC Sdn Bhd.

These players play a crucial role in shaping the market landscape, bringing innovations and improved solutions for patients.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/oo78xb

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
Industrial software company announces HighByte Intelligence Hub version 3.2 with new UNS Client and expanded data pipelines capabilities

PORTLAND, Maine, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HighByte, an industrial software company, today announced the release of HighByte Intelligence Hub version 3.2 that fully supports Unified Namespace (UNS) architectures and expands data pipelines capabilities, providing a complete data engineering platform to the industrial market. Pipelines are further integrated into the core of the Intelligence Hub and enhanced to provide highly configurable, complex, and sequenced data processing.

Statement provided by Youri Regnaud, Head of Manufacturing Product at Cartier.

"Industrial operations are on the path to becoming more data-driven in their decision-making, but many have struggled to reach scale and ROI on operational analytics initiatives," stated Jonathan Lang, Research Director at IDC. "According to IDC's 2023 Future of Operations Survey of over 1,000 IT and Operations professionals, organizations with a strategy to develop robust data engineering capability for accessing, contextualizing, and building pipelines for operational data are nearly twice as likely to achieve ROI from their operational analytics initiatives."

Pipelines in the Intelligence Hub can now seamlessly interface with complex systems hosting transactional and historical data and sequence dependent transactions with MES and ERP systems. This sequencing, along with new compression capabilities, can tackle "ETL" use cases, such as backfilling historical data from timeseries databases to the cloud. Pipelines can also now maintain state from one run to the next. This is ideal for capturing long-running, conditional events used for tracking machine status and production.

Version 3.2 also includes a new UNS Client that provides visualization of the UNS, allowing users to view the contents of any MQTT broker. HighByte Intelligence Hub users can now see the results of their MQTT-based Industrial DataOps workloads in a single, unified engineering environment, negating the need for external testing clients.

"HighByte Intelligence Hub version 3.2 is more than a 'UNS-in-a-box.' The solution is a partner in the digital transformation journey, guiding businesses to initiate with clarity, think expansively, and scale through composability," said Youri Regnaud, Head of Manufacturing Product at Cartier, a French luxury Maison within Richemont Group. "With the Intelligence Hub, we can start small, think big, and scale fast."

The Intelligence Hub now provides a complete UNS infrastructure solution with an integrated data engineering platform, embedded MQTT broker, and visual client. Oriented for interoperability and architectural flexibility, the Intelligence Hub can serve as an organization's sole UNS infrastructure or as a complementary solution among other third-party UNS components. Other features in version 3.2 include a new SQLite connector, enhanced store-and-forward capabilities, and improvements to many existing connectors, including AWS IoT SiteWise, Sparkplug, and PI System.

HighByte Intelligence Hub version 3.2 is now commercially available. All new features and capabilities introduced in version 3.2 are included in standard pricing. Please contact HighByte or an authorized distributor to request a trial or purchase an annual subscription license.

Additional Resources

About HighByte

HighByte is an industrial software company in Portland, Maine USA building solutions that address the data architecture and integration challenges created by Industry 4.0. HighByte Intelligence Hub, the company's award-winning Industrial DataOps software, provides modeled, ready-to-use data to the Cloud using a codeless interface to speed integration time and accelerate analytics. Learn more at https://www.highbyte.com.

HighByte is a registered trademark of HighByte, Inc.

Media Contact

HighByte

Torey Penrod-Cambra

Chief Communications Officer

+1 844.328.2677 x701

[email protected]

SOURCE HighByte
RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that it has acquired a Louisiana-based business, building on the company's growing presence in additional states and broadening its offerings in both Personal Lines and Property and Casualty business, with a niche focus on contractors and home builders. The acquisition became effective September 1, 2023, and marks the addition of an additional state to Hilb Group's expanding market.

About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 150 acquisitions with over 125 offices in 29 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Peter Lobred

804.548.4629

[email protected]

M&A Contact:

Ryan Havermann

804.414.6508

[email protected]

SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC
Company recognized for leadership in green power use, climate change initiatives

AUSTIN, Minn., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global branded food company known for its corporate citizenship, announced today that it has received a 2023 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Market Development Award from the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS).

Hormel Foods was recognized for outstanding clean energy initiatives and impact on the green power market. The company matched nearly 938 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in 2022 with renewable sourcing, which is enough to meet 100% of domestic energy use and 96% of the organizations total energy use. Hormel Foods Corporation, a Fortune 500 global branded food company known for its corporate citizenship, announced today that it has received a 2023 Green Power Leadership Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Market Development Award from the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS).

For more than 20 years, the EPA's annual Green Power Leadership Awards have recognized America's leading green power users for their commitment to using renewable electricity and advancing the nation's green power market. The EPA and CRS presented Hormel Foods with a Green Power Leadership and Market Development awards at the 2023 Renewable Energy Markets Conference on Sept. 19.

Hormel Foods was recognized for outstanding clean energy initiatives and impact on the green power market. The company matched nearly 938 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power in 2022 with renewable sourcing, which is enough to meet 100% of domestic energy use and 96% of the organization's total energy use. By choosing green power, Hormel Foods is taking action against climate change and moving toward a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable energy future.

"To be recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency for our company's continued commitment to green power implementation is an incredible honor," said Mark Coffey, group vice president of supply chain at Hormel Foods. "This award is proof of the dedication and commitment our team has made to using green power and helping decarbonize the economy."

The company's ambitious 20 By 30 Challenge corporate responsibility goals continue to inspire significant reductions in nonrenewable energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and solid waste sent to landfills. Additionally, Hormel Foods has worked with experts in the field of renewable energy to identify and execute off-site wind and solar projects, as well as on-site solar power and energy reduction projects.

"The leadership at Hormel Foods implementing renewable electricity in their organization exemplifies the kind of impactful action that EPA wants to see consumers in the voluntary green power market take," said James Critchfield, EPA's Green Power Partnership program manager. "I commend each of the 2023 Green Power Leadership Award winners for using their leadership and influence to drive demand for green power and lead the way to a clean energy future."

In addition to recognition from the EPA, Hormel Foods has a long-standing reputation as one of the most successful food companies in the world and has received numerous honors and accolades. The company has been named one of America's Best Companies to Work For by U.S. News & World Report, one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune, one of America's Most Responsible Companies for a fourth consecutive year by Newsweek and one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies by Newsweek for a second straight year.

According to the EPA, green power use of nearly 938 million kWh by Hormel Foods is equivalent to the annual electricity use of more than 88,000 average American homes.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS  Inspired People. Inspired Food.

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters, Skippy, SPAM, Hormel Natural Choice, Applegate, Justin's, Wholly, Hormel Black Label, Columbus, Jennie-O and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement  Inspired People. Inspired Food.  to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

About EPA's Green Power Partnership

The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that helps increase green power use among U.S. organizations to advance the American market for green power and development of those sources as a way to reduce air pollution and other environmental impacts associated with electricity use. In 2021, the Partnership had more than 700 Partners voluntarily using more than 85 billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies; small and medium sized businesses; local, state, and federal governments; and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit www.epa.gov/greenpower.

Contact: Media Relations

[email protected]

SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation
Hornetsecurity's essential guide to Microsoft 365 will assist companies with navigating M365 and successfully transitioning to the cloud

The guide has three focus areas: M365 Basics; Managing, Maintaining, and Support for M365; and Security, Backup, and Compliance

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading cybersecurity provider Hornetsecurity has published Microsoft 365: The Essential Companion Guide. Launched today, this new guide is designed for IT administrators who manage a Microsoft 365 environment, as well as decision-makers looking to gain an overview of what to expect when migrating to the cloud and ways they can adopt services in Microsoft 365 (M365).

Microsoft 365: The Essential Companion Guide (PRNewsfoto/Hornetsecurity)

Commissioned by Hornetsecurity and written by respected technology author and Microsoft Certified Trainer, Paul Schnackenburg, Microsoft 365: The Essential Companion Guide is a comprehensive resource that provides an in-depth analysis of Microsoft 365 to help users maximize their efforts when using this platform. This guide also provides links to additional resources for a deeper dive into the applications most relevant to businesses' specific needs.

The guide comprises three core sections, and focuses on the following key areas:

M365 Basics : Provides a solid foundation with comprehensive descriptions and insights into the core functionalities of Office 365 and Microsoft 365

: Provides a solid foundation with comprehensive descriptions and insights into the core functionalities of Office 365 and Microsoft 365 Managing, Maintaining, and Support for M365 : Details the advanced M365 features and configurations. IT administrators can learn effective strategies to manage and maintain their suite to ensure seamless operations for their organization

: Details the advanced M365 features and configurations. IT administrators can learn effective strategies to manage and maintain their suite to ensure seamless operations for their organization Security, Backup, and Compliance: Strategies to protect a business' valuable data and ensure compliance with essential security measures and backup protocols.

The publication of this new guide complements Hornetsecurity's recent launch of Plan 4 "Compliance & Awareness" of its flagship solution, 365 Total Protection. The new Plan 4 of Hornetsecurity's cloud-based solution is its most comprehensive, taking M365 security management and data protection to the next level by encompassing email security, backup and recovery, compliance, permission management and security awareness. Like Microsoft 365: The Essential Companion Guide, Hornetsecurity's 365 Total Protection Plan 4 assists IT administrators and businesses to best supplement and amplify their M365 security, awareness and compliance from one central console.

"Administrators have a big, and often complex, job on their hands that can become overwhelming given the pace at which technology and business needs continue to advance. Microsoft 365: The Essential Companion Guide will play an important role in giving them a thorough understanding of Microsoft 365 and how to use it to the best of its abilities. With this guide, we want to save time and hassles for M365 administrators, helping them work smarter and not harder," said Hornetsecurity CEO Daniel Hofmann.

Access Hornetsecurity's Microsoft 365: The Essential Companion Guide here .

About Hornetsecurity

Hornetsecurity is a leading global provider of next-generation cloud-based security, compliance, backup, and security awareness solutions that help companies and organizations of all sizes around the world. Its flagship product, 365 Total Protection, is the most comprehensive cloud security solution for Microsoft 365 on the market. Driven by innovation and cybersecurity excellence, Hornetsecurity is building a safer digital future and sustainable security cultures with its award-winning portfolio. Hornetsecurity operates in more than 30 countries through its international distribution network of 8,000+ channel partners and MSPs. Its premium services are used by more than 50,000 customers.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2212227/Essential_Companion_Guide.jpg

SOURCE Hornetsecurity
OSLO, Norway, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- HydrogenPro ASA (OSE: HYPRO) is to receive an order for high-pressure alkaline electrolysers with a total capacity of 100 MW from the ANDRITZ GROUP. This equals 18 units of HydrogenPro's 5.5 MW cell stacks.

Jarle Dragvik, CEO of HydrogenPro, comments, "This order represents a major milestone for our partnership with ANDRITZ, and the first step in our European expansion."

For further information, please see the press release from ANDRITZ: Newsroom (andritz.com)

HydrogenPro will inform the market when the purchase order is received, after final terms and conditions are concluded.

For additional information, please contact:

Ida Eilertsen Nygard, Acting CFO & Head of Investor Relations and ESG

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +47 986 11 952

About HydrogenPro ASA:

HydrogenPro is a technology company and an OEM for high-pressure alkaline electrolysers and supplies large-scale green hydrogen technology & systems. The Company was founded in 2013 by individuals with background from the electrolysis industry which was established in Telemark, Norway by Norsk Hydro in 1927. We are an experienced engineering team of leading industry experts, drawing upon unparalleled experience and expertise in the hydrogen and renewable energy industry.

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

This stock exchange announcement was published by Ida Eilertsen Nygard, Acting CFO & Head of Investor Relations and ESG at HydrogenPro ASA on 20 September 2023 at the time set out in this notice on behalf of the Company.

SOURCE HydrogenPro AS
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspir Carnegie Hill, a luxury senior living community located on Manhattan's Upper East Side, proudly announces its recognition as a 2023 SAGECare Platinum Credentialed Provider. The achievement demonstrates the brand's ongoing commitment to exceptional care and support for the senior LGBTQ+ community.

The entryway to Inspir Carnegie Hill, located on 2nd Avenue between 93rd and 94th Street in Manhattan.

To earn this credential, a minimum of 80% of Inspir's management and non-management staff completed training in LGBTQ+ aging cultural competency. The program encompassed education on historical and contemporary LGBTQ+ struggles, proper use of terminology pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity, and strategies to address distinctive challenges faced by this demographic. The significance of this training is underscored by a 2022 survey conducted by AARP , revealing that 85% of older LGBTQ individuals expressed concerns about discrimination.

"We take great pride in our exceptional staff, who recognize the value of this specialized training in providing the highest quality care to our residents, and completed the training well ahead of our projections," said Jill McGroarty, Vice President of Human Resources at Maplewood Senior Living. At this time, Inspir is one of only two luxury senior living communities in New York City to earn a SAGECare Platinum Certification. Inspir also plans to seek certification at their second location in Washington, D.C., set to open in late 2024, implementing the training into the onboarding process for all new hires.

At Inspir, resident life is grounded in nine core elements; one of which is belonging. Inspir frequently hosts programming that celebrates the causes and identities that hold significance for its residents. Notable guests have included Marti Cummings, a non-binary political activist and candidate for New York City Council; Sutton Lee Seymour and Evita Loca, two of NYC's premier drag queens; and Jim Obergefell, plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, who will visit Inspir Carnegie Hill this October. The attainment of the SAGECare Platinum Credential serves as yet another emblem of Inspir's commitment to fostering an inclusive residence, workplace, and community.

"Armed with this training, we can better understand and cater to the distinct needs of LGBTQ+ elders through an enlightened and compassionate lens," said Evan Rossi, Director of Resident Experience at Inspir Carnegie Hill. "By seamlessly integrating gender identity and sexual orientation into our care plans, we curate personalized services that champion physical, emotional, and social well-being for all residents."

Nicholas Watson, Managing Director for SAGECare commented, "SAGECare is proud to partner with organizations like Inspir Carnegie Hill that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in senior care. This Platinum credential signifies their dedication to providing exceptional care and support to all residents, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We commend their efforts and look forward to continuing our collaboration in creating safe and inclusive spaces for seniors."

SAGECare is a division of SAGE, the country's largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults. SAGECare provides LGBTQ+ competency training and consulting on LGBTQ+ aging issues to service providers.

About Inspir

Inspir is a new, luxury senior living brand offering a different approach to living for discerning older adults in urban markets. The new brand represents the convergence of luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, whole-person wellness and world-class care. The brand's flagship senior living residence, Inspir Carnegie Hill, is located at 1802 Second Avenue at 93rd Street, in the heart of New York City's Upper East Side. Inspir Carnegie Hill boasts a masterfully designed building with state-of-the-art technology and 215 private apartments customized to fit the needs of an aging population. The community offers assisted living, memory care and enhanced care options. Inspir is developed by Maplewood Senior Living, in partnership with Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE: OHI). For more information, please call 646-978-9040 or visit inspirseniorliving.com.

CONTACT: Anna de Graaf, [email protected]

SOURCE Maplewood Senior Living
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The process of withdrawal of the illegal Armenian armed units from their positions has already begun, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the nation.

In addition, they accepted our terms and started handing over their weapons. The question arises. Who benefited by bringing about this situation? Immediately after the Second Karabakh war, we have repeatedly appealed to the Armenian leadership, their patrons abroad and other parties, expressing our legitimate concern, saying that the presence of the Armenian armed forces in the territory of Azerbaijan is illegal and it must be ended. We used to say that the illegal junta regime must fold its so-called flag, whose value is no more than a piece of cloth, put it in its pocket, and leave our land. It is our sovereign right, the head of state said.
The dynamics of the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market are anticipated to change in the coming years owing to the improvement in the diagnosis methodologies, rising awareness of the disease, incremental healthcare spending worldwide, and the expected launch of emerging therapies

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Insights report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2019 to 2032, segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Key Takeaways from the Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report

As per DelveInsight analysis, the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market is expected to grow positively at a significant CAGR during the study period (20192032).

In the Western world, the incidence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is 1 to 2 per 100,000 . Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most prevalent liver cancer, accounting for 3% of all gastrointestinal cancer cases.

. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is the second most prevalent liver cancer, accounting for 3% of all gastrointestinal cancer cases. Leading intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma companies such as Virogin Biotech Ltd., Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Delcath Systems Inc., TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc., AstraZeneca, Relay Therapeutics, Inc., Kinnate Biopharma, Elucida Oncology, Lisata Therapeutics, Inc., Amgen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, BeiGene, Ltd., and others are developing novel intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma drugs that can be available in the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market in the coming years.

and others are developing novel intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma drugs that can be available in the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market in the coming years. Some key therapies for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment include VG161, SNDX-6352, Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, SD-101, Y-90 With Durvalumab/Gem/Cis, RLY-4008, KIN-3248, ELU001, LSTA1, Bemarituzumab, ZW25 (Zanidatamab), and others.

Discover which therapies are expected to grab the major intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market share @ Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Overview

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, originates in the bile ducts within the liver. While the exact causes are not always clear, certain risk factors have been identified. Chronic inflammation of the bile ducts, often due to conditions like primary sclerosing cholangitis or chronic liver infections, can increase the risk. Additionally, exposure to certain chemicals and toxins may play a role in the development of this cancer. Symptoms of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma can be subtle and nonspecific, which makes early diagnosis challenging. Common symptoms include jaundice, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Some patients may also experience itching, dark urine, or pale-colored stools. Diagnosing intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma typically involves a combination of imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRI scans, and ultrasound, to visualize the tumor within the liver. A biopsy may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, where a small sample of tissue is extracted and examined under a microscope.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology Segmentation

The intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma epidemiology section provides insights into the historical and current intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patient pool and forecasted trends for individual seven major countries. It helps to recognize the causes of current and forecasted trends by exploring numerous studies and views of key opinion leaders.

The disease epidemiology covered in the report provides historical as well as forecasted intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma epidemiology scenarios in the 7MM covering the United States, EU4 countries (Germany, Spain, Italy, France), the United Kingdom, and Japan from 2019 to 2032.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment Market

Treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the patient's overall health, and individual preferences. Typically, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment options include surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapies. Surgery, such as a partial hepatectomy, is often the preferred treatment when the cancer is detected early and is localized to a specific area of the liver. Liver transplantation may be an option for some patients with advanced intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Chemotherapy, often in combination with targeted therapies, is used to shrink tumors before surgery or to treat cancer that has spread beyond the liver. Radiation therapy may also be employed to target and destroy cancer cells. Additionally, advancements in immunotherapy and clinical trials offer hope for novel treatment avenues. The intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment necessitates a personalized approach, with healthcare teams comprising oncologists, surgeons, radiologists, and other specialists collaborating closely to determine the most effective strategy for each patient. Early diagnosis and timely intervention remain pivotal in improving prognosis and overall outcomes for individuals with this challenging form of liver cancer.

To know more about intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment, visit @ Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment Drugs

Key Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Therapies and Companies

VG161: Virogin Biotech Ltd.

SNDX-6352: Syndax Pharmaceuticals

Cisplatin and Gemcitabine: Delcath Systems Inc.

SD-101: TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc.

Y-90 With Durvalumab/Gem/Cis: AstraZeneca

With Durvalumab/Gem/Cis: AstraZeneca RLY-4008: Relay Therapeutics, Inc.

KIN-3248: Kinnate Biopharma

ELU001: Elucida Oncology

LSTA1: Lisata Therapeutics, Inc.

Bemarituzumab: Amgen

ZW25 (Zanidatamab): Jazz Pharmaceuticals/BeiGene, Ltd.

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma @ Drugs for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Dynamics

The intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market dynamics have been undergoing significant changes in recent years. The growing awareness and improved diagnostic techniques have led to an earlier detection of ICC cases. This, coupled with advancements in treatment modalities such as surgical resection, liver transplantation, and targeted therapies, has expanded the range of therapeutic options available to patients. Additionally, ongoing research into immunotherapies and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is providing new hope for more effective treatments. As a result, the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma market is witnessing increased investments in research and development, heightened competition among pharmaceutical companies, and a focus on developing innovative therapies tailored to the specific molecular characteristics of individual patients. These evolving dynamics are poised to transform the landscape of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treatment, offering improved prospects for patients facing this challenging disease.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma faces several notable barriers within its market dynamics. Firstly, the rarity of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma makes it challenging to conduct large-scale clinical trials and gather comprehensive data, hindering the development of evidence-based treatment approaches. Moreover, the often late-stage diagnosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma presents a significant hurdle, as advanced disease is more difficult to treat effectively.

Additionally, the high cost of cutting-edge therapies, such as targeted treatments and immunotherapies, poses financial barriers to access for many patients and healthcare systems. These treatments may not be affordable or accessible to all, limiting their widespread adoption. Regulatory challenges, including the approval process for novel therapies, can also slow down the introduction of innovative treatments into the market. Furthermore, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma's heterogeneity at the molecular level presents a complex challenge. Tailoring treatments to each patient's specific genetic profile is promising but also demands advanced diagnostic capabilities and a deeper understanding of the disease's biology.

Report Metrics Details Study Period 20192032 Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Companies Virogin Biotech Ltd., Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Delcath Systems Inc., TriSalus Life Sciences, Inc., AstraZeneca, Relay Therapeutics, Inc., Kinnate Biopharma, Elucida Oncology, Lisata Therapeutics, Inc., Amgen, Jazz Pharmaceuticals, BeiGene, Ltd., and others Key Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Therapies VG161, SNDX-6352, Cisplatin and Gemcitabine, SD-101, Y-90 With Durvalumab/Gem/Cis, RLY-4008, KIN-3248, ELU001, LSTA1, Bemarituzumab, ZW25 (Zanidatamab), and others

Scope of the Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report

Therapeutic Assessment: Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma current marketed and emerging therapies

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma current marketed and emerging therapies Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Drugs

Conjoint Analysis of Emerging Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma drugs in development @ Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Clinical Trials

Table of Contents

1. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Key Insights 2. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Report Introduction 3. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Overview at a Glance 4. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Executive Summary 5. Disease Background and Overview 6. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Treatment and Management 7. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology and Patient Population 8. Patient Journey 9. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Marketed Drugs 10. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Emerging Drugs 11. Seven Major Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Analysis 12. Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Market Outlook 13. Potential of Current and Emerging Therapies 14. KOL Views 15. Unmet Needs 16. SWOT Analysis 17. Appendix 18. DelveInsight Capabilities 19. Disclaimer 20. About DelveInsight

Related Reports

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline Insight  2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma companies, including Basilea Pharmaceutica, AstraZeneca, Delcath Systems Inc., Jiangsu HengRui Medicine Co., Ltd., Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Hutchison Medipharma Limited, Medivir, Newish Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd., Relay Therapeutics, Inc., Exelixis, Forma Therapeutics, Inc., Xencor, Inc., Zymeworks, RedHill Biopharma Limited, Genoscience Pharma, Kinnate Biopharma, Taiho Oncology, Inc., Sirtex Medical, Virogin Biotech Ltd, TriSalus Life Sciences, Tyra Biosciences, Siranomics, Instylla, Inc., among others.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Epidemiology Forecast  2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma epidemiology in the 7MM, i.e., the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom), and Japan.

Cholangiocarcinoma Market

Cholangiocarcinoma Market Insight, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast  2032 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key cholangiocarcinoma companies, including AstraZeneca, Decalth Systems, Basilea Pharmaceutica, Taiho Oncology, Eisai Pharmaceuticals, TransThera Sciences, Incyte Corporation, Roche, among others.

Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline

Cholangiocarcinoma Pipeline Insight  2023 report provides comprehensive insights about the pipeline landscape, pipeline drug profiles, including clinical and non-clinical stage products, and the key cholangiocarcinoma companies, including Merck KGaA, Eisai Inc., Janssen Research & Development, LLC, 3D Medicines, Basilea Pharmaceutica, Hutchison Medipharma Limited, Jiangsu HengRui Medicine, TransThera Sciences, RedHill Biopharma, Eli Lilly and Company, Elevation oncology, Senhwa Biosciences, InnoCare Pharma, Genoscience Pharma, Intensity therapeutics, Elucida Oncology, GlaxoSmithKline, Verismo Therapeutics, Sirnaomics, Toray Industries, Inc, Kinnate Biopharma, Boehringer Ingelheim, Wellmarker Bio, Arbele Limited, NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., Elicio Therapeutics, Xencor, Inc., Celon Pharma SA, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

Contact Us

Shruti Thakur

[email protected]

+1(919)321-6187

www.delveinsight.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082265/3528414/DelveInsight_Logo.jpg

SOURCE DelveInsight Business Research, LLP
The global IoT testing market is experiencing growth due to several factors, including the rise in importance of DevOps, an increase in demand for IP testing of IoT devices, and the increased deployment of microservices.

PORTLAND, Ore., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "IoT Testing Market by Service Type (Professional Service and Managed Service), Testing Type (Functional Testing, Performance Testing, Network Testing, Compatibility Testing, Usability Testing, and Security Testing), and Application (Smart Building and Home Automation, Capillary Networks Management, Smart Utilities, Vehicle Telematics, Smart Manufacturing, Smart Healthcare, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032." According to the report, the global IoT testing industry generated $1.9 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to generate $30.4 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 32.6% from 2023 to 2032.

Internet of Things (IoT) testing is the process by which devices and systems can be tested for their functionality and performance, as well as for their security and interoperability. IoT testing is the process of testing the whole IoT ecosystem, from connected devices to sensors to gateways to communication protocols to cloud platforms and applications.

Prime Determinants of Growth-

The global IoT testing market is experiencing growth due to several factors, including the rise in importance of DevOps, an increase in demand for IP testing of IoT devices, and the increased deployment of microservices. However, scalability of the IoT system and applications is expected to hamper market growth. On the other hand, the growth of cloud computing is anticipated to provide lucrative development opportunities for the IoT testing market in the upcoming years.

Download Sample Pages: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/8492

Report Coverage & Details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $1.9 Billion Market Size in 2032 $30.4 Billion CAGR 32.6 % No. of Pages in Report 436 Segments Covered Service Type, Testing Type, Application, and Region Drivers Rise in the importance of DevOps. Increase in demand for IP testing of IoT devices. The increased deployment of microservices. Opportunities Increasing demand for API monitoring. The increase in adoption of smart city concepts. Restraints Lack of consistency among standards for interconnectivity and interoperability

COVID-19 Scenario:

The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on the IoT testing market, significantly driven by the accelerated digital transformation across industries, propelling increased adoption of IoT technologies. Sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing embraced IoT solutions for remote patient monitoring, telemedicine, and supply chain optimization, leading to a heightened demand for thorough testing to ensure reliability and accuracy.

Overall, contactless solutions and smart retail gained prominence, requiring robust testing to ensure secure and user-friendly interactions. The emphasis on security in remote environments has heightened the need for rigorous security testing of IoT devices and networks. These positive shifts have fueled market growth and innovation during the pandemic.

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/8492

The performance testing segment to rule the roost by 2023-



Based on testing type, the functional testing segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-thirds of the global IoT testing market revenue. With the growing number of cyber threats targeting IoT devices, applications, and data, testing methodologies are evolving to include comprehensive security testing. This involves assessing vulnerabilities, encryption mechanisms, and authentication protocols to safeguard IoT ecosystems. On the other hand, the performance testing to rule the roost by 2032. However, the network testing segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 37.3% from 2023 to 2032. This is because network testing is moving toward replicating real-world network conditions more accurately. This includes simulating scenarios such as network congestion, intermittent connectivity, and varying signal strengths to assess IoT devices' resilience in different environments.

The smart building and home automation segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period-

Based on application, the smart manufacturing segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than one-fourth of the global IoT testing market revenue. This is due to IoT-enabled systems providing manufacturers with data-driven insights that inform decision-making. As manufacturers increasingly rely on these insights to drive improvements and innovations, the demand for accurate data validation and testing grows. On the other hand, the smart building and home automation segment is expected to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. However, the smart healthcare segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 39.5% from 2023 to 2032. The growth is attributed to the fact that biometric authentication enables passengers to move seamlessly through various touchpoints of their travel journey, from check-in and security to boarding and baggage claim.

Asia-Pacific to maintain its dominance by 2032-

Based on region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the global IoT testing market revenue. Owing to the increasing number of connected devices and the potential for cyberattacks, there has been a strong emphasis on integrating robust security testing into IoT solutions. This includes testing for vulnerabilities, encryption, authentication, and access control. On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to maintain its dominance during the forecast period. The same region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 35.9% from 2023 to 2032. Owing to the rising demand for effective manufacturing and the expansion of IT-based services in developing nations. The need for IoT testing solutions is driven by the region's significant technological advancements and demand for 5G IoT across all business sectors.

Buy this Complete Report (436 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/iot-testing-market/purchase-options

Leading Market Players: -

AFour Technologies

Apica

Novacoast, Inc.

Capgemini SE

Happiest Minds

HCL Technologies Limited

Infosys

Keysight Technologies

Praetorian

Rapid7



The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the global IoT testing market. These players have adopted different strategies such as partnerships, product launches, and expansion 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.

AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model):

AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports.

Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access

Trending Reports in ICT & Media Industry:

IoT Market Size Expected to reach $4,421.62 Billion by 2030

IoT in Energy Market Share Expected to reach $703.52 billion by 2031

IoT in Retail Market Expected to Reach $177.90 Billion by 2031

Iot Identity And Access Management (Iam) Market Expected to Reach $47.2 Billion by 2031

IoT Integration Market Expected to Reach $78.1 Billion by 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.

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:

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

[email protected]

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/636519/Allied_Market_Research_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Allied Market Research
On September 22, Isadora will host a fan activation at Mana's San Jose, California concert. Isadora's fan activations at the Mana concerts are part of several celebrations the brand is hosting for Hispanic Heritage Month including its Taco Truck Tour which commences in Phoenix on September 20-23. Isadora's Taco Truck serves up free tacos for the public to experience the flavors and natural ingredients of their newest meals featuring Pollo con Molle, Barbacoa, and Pork Chile Verde. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Isadora is visiting select cities on the West Coast and giving away free tacos and coupons to purchase meals at local retailers including Kroger and Walmart.

Isadora's Taco Truck Tour for Hispanic Heritage Month:

September 20-23 : Phoenix

: September 26-27 : Albuquerque

: Albuquerque October 1-3 : Denver

: October 7-9 : Las Vegas

"We are thrilled to partner with Mana and infuse every event with our passion, creativity, and zest for life reflected by our Mexican heritage," said Maria Jose Garza, Isadora Brand Manager at Verde Valle Food, Inc. "Through this collaboration, we're excited to provide a convenient and delicious way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and enjoy flavors from Mexico anytime, anywhere."

Isadora's meals are revolutionizing the way people enjoy Mexican food by bringing easy, flavorful dishes to the table. Serving an appetizer of mini-mole sliders or pairing barbacoa enchiladas with Isadora's 2-minute heat-and-serve beans makes dinner easy. Isadora's commitment to unparalleled flavors is evident in every aspect of its products, from the ingredients used to the cooking methods employed. Visit IsadoraMexicanFood.com for quick and easy meal recipes, that include tasty tacos, flautas, tostadas and more, all made with the best ingredients and flavors to ensure a delicious and genuinely Mexican culinary experience. The complete Isadora line is available at select retailers throughout the United States including Kroger, Walmart, and on Amazon.

About Isadora

Rooted in quality, Isadora is an authentic Mexican food line offering a variety of ready-to-eat dishes such as pollo con mole, barbacoa, chile verde, beans. Its refried beans are rated Mexico's #1 beans in a pouch. Isadora proudly serves flavorful products that are high in fiber, free of preservatives, BPA free, gluten-free and plant-based. Its innovative, ready-to-eat packages ensure shelf-stability without the need for refrigeration, making them ideal for on-the-go meals or quick and easy dinners. For more information on Isadora visit IsadoraMexicanFood.com.

For Media Inquiries, Partnership Opportunities, Expert Commentary or Product Samples please contact [email protected]

SOURCE Isadora
The Company Also Introduces Their Flagship Product, Tomei RWA

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jiritsu, a pioneer in verifiable computing, is thrilled to announce it has secured $10.2 million in funding, this round has been led by gumi Cryptos Capital, with participation from Susquehanna Private Equity Investments, LLLP, Republic Capital, and other investors.



This significant financial backing will accelerate Jiritsu's mission of revolutionizing blockchain solutions. The company's groundbreaking Unlimited Verifiable Compute (UVC) technology offers an easily programmable approach that can be applied virtually to any workflow and generates Proof of Workflow (PoWF), setting a new paradigm in verifiable computing.



"Securing this funding is a significant milestone for Jiritsu," said Jacob Guedalia, CEO of Jiritsu. "It validates our vision and the groundbreaking work we've been doing in the field of verifiable computing. The strong strategic value of our investors, who are leaders in Real-World Assets, further solidifies our position. We've delivered over 4 million PoWF and counting, our UVC technology is setting new industry standards."



Introducing Tomei RWA, Jiritsu's Flagship Product



Alongside this funding news, Jiritsu is proud to unveil Tomei RWA, a revolutionary asset tokenization platform. Built on Jiritsu's UVC and ZK-MPC technologies, Tomei offers unparalleled assurance in asset management through its proprietary attestation system. The platform employs Zero-Knowledge (ZK) attestations for secure and compliant asset onboarding, while also providing granular, permissioned access to data. Tomei's automation further streamlines compliance by minting tokens tied to initial ZK attestations, and its dynamic consensus mechanism ensures accurate, on-chain asset valuations.



"In summary, Tomei is a game-changer in the asset management industry," added Jacob Guedalia. "We're excited to leverage the funding to accelerate the development and adoption of both the UVC platform and Tomei RWA."



The Team Behind Jiritsu



The team is led by Jacob Guedalia, a successful serial entrepreneur with 4 exits and 50+ US Patents. He holds a BA in Physics and Philosophy from YU and a graduate degree in Applied Physics from the Weizmann Institute in Israel. David Guedalia, the Founder & Chief Architect, is a CTO with multiple exits and 50+ US patents. He holds a Ph.D. in Neural Computation at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Asher Gottesman co-Founder, has more than 20 years of experience in private equity. The team also includes Ph.D.s in Computer Science, Cryptography, Mathematics, and Physics.



Quotes from Investors



gumi Cryptos Capital: "Jiritsu has developed a technology platform for compute verification, an increasingly important Internet infrastructure," said Miko Matsumura, Managing Partner at gumi Cryptos Capital. "With the launch of Tomei, we feel that the team has identified a killer application for this platform."



Republic Capital: "We are thrilled to invest in this amazing team. We believe Jiritsu will be an important catalyst for the tokenized real-world asset space with its Verifiable Compute technology," said Brian Johnson, Senior Director at Republic Capital.



"RWAs may become one of the best use cases for blockchain," said Yida Gao, Shima Capital's Founder and Managing General Partner. "We are extremely bullish on Jiritsu's ability to accelerate the path towards mass adoption by scaling the asset tokenization sector with their unlimited verified compute technology powered by MPC."



Additional Investors



In addition to gumiCC, Susquehanna Private Equity Investments, LLLP and Republic Capital the funding round also includes participation from Comma3, Kestrel, Eterna, Kestrel, Sera Fund, Evernew, Polymorphic, Shima, Tokentus, and other native blockchain funds, further solidifying the strong investor confidence in Jiritsu Network and its innovative solutions.



www.jiritsu.network www.tomei.network



Press Contact

Fiona Dorothea [email protected]



About Jiritsu

Jiritsu is a leading technology company specializing in decentralized and verifiable computing. Founded in 2020, the company has been at the forefront of computational innovation, developing technologies like Unlimited Verifiable Compute (UVC) and decentralized Zero-Knowledge Multi-Party Compute (ZK-MPC).



About gumi Cryptos Capital

gumi Cryptos Capital (gCC) is a boutique early-stage blockchain-focused venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. We believe the Internet will become the single largest market in human history, and it will be rebuilt on a foundation of new protocols that protect and coordinate the transfer of digital assets, resources, and intellectual property, generate consensus, incentivize network participants, and decentralize ownership. Since 2018, we have been among the earliest supporters of the founders of successful projects like OpenSea, Yield Guild Games, 1inch, Hashflow, Qredo, Agoric, and Lit Protocol. We add value by leveraging our entrepreneurial experience and global networks.



Media Contact:

Jiritsu

[email protected]



Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12984993



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Jiritsu
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hach & Rose, LLP, one of New York's leading personal injury firms, is proud to announce that Attorney Jonathan Engel is now leading its intake department, a critical division that stands as the firm's first point of contact with new clients.

Attorney Jonathan Engel leads the intake department at Hach & Rose, LLP

"The intake phase in any personal injury case is of exceptional importance," says partner Michael A. Rose. "It's where the initial investigation occurs, which is often where a case is won or lost. With Jonathan's leadership, Hach & Rose, LLP strengthens our commitment to handling every case with the utmost precision and care."

Engel leads a dedicated team of about ten employees whose foremost goal is to provide unparalleled customer service from the onset of each case. This stage is an emotionally and logistically complicated time for many clients, who are often grappling with ongoing pain, medical treatments, and looming bills. "Jonathan's ability to speak to these very real concerns while also laying the groundwork for successful litigation is why we're so happy to have him in this role," Rose explains.

Engel's unique background helps explain why he's such a good fit. Growing up in the funeral home business, he learned first-hand how to provide compassion and care under the most fraught of circumstances. Seeing people in their most vulnerable moments instilled in him a profound sense of empathy and commitment to customer service, as well as a "salt of the earth" ethos.

Engel did his undergrad work at SUNY New Paltz before attending Pace University Law School, from which he graduated cum laude in 2009. He passed the New York State Bar the following year and was named to Super Lawyers' Rising Stars from 2021-2023 in recognition of his professional achievement and standing with his fellow attorneys.

"In our business, the beginning of a client's case is crucial to its conclusion," Rose says. "Jonathan and his team are there to assure clients that their concerns are heard and their interests respected. His leadership and experience in this role are invaluable to our firm's future."

About Hach & Rose, LLP

Hach & Rose is rated as one of the top plaintiff's firms in New York, having recovered over $500 million for their clients. They handle a wide range of litigation, from traffic accidents and workplace injuries to toxic substance exposure and class action suits. Learn more about the firm and its services by visiting their website at www.unionlawfirm.com.

Media Contact:

Jenn Brown

jennbrown@brownconsultingny.com

SOURCE Hach & Rose, LLP
Irish company enables seamless, data-led insurance product distribution

Pre-seed funding will support Kayna's expansion across the UK and USA

CORK, Ireland, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kayna, the award-winning embedded insurance infrastructure platform, has closed a 1 million pre-seed funding round. Co-led by Delta Partners (Ireland) and MiddleGame Ventures (pan-European) with participation from Aperture (Switzerland) and InsurTech Fund  an affiliate of InsurTech NY (USA), the funding comes as the company accelerates market development efforts into the United Kingdom and United States.

Providing technology and data orchestration between insurance carriers, brokers, and any vertical software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, Kayna drives top-line growth for vertical SaaS providers while providing relevant insurance to underserved SMBs. The global vertical SaaS market serves millions of businesses and consumers, each with a diverse set of needs. Embedded insurance is forecast to reach US$722 billion in gross written premium by 2030, according to InsTech London.

A key feature that makes Kayna's platform ideal for embedded insurance distribution to dynamic SMBs is its tracking of relevant data changes. The platform enables insurers and brokers to conduct real-time reviews of insurance coverage and adapt policies to meet SMBs' insurance needs.

"We are delighted to have secured the support of such expert, innovative, and highly collaborative investors," said Paul Prendergast, CEO and co-founder of Kayna. "Vertical SaaS has already embraced embedded fintech through payments and capital lending. Embedded insurance is the logical next step, offering transformative advantages for vertical SaaS platforms, enabling them to enhance the customer experience, expand revenue streams, mitigate risks and differentiate themselves in the market, whilst delivering real value to their SMB customers. This funding is already powering our new business development and partner onboarding in the UK and US markets so we have hit the ground running and are hugely excited by the potential."

"Kayna ticked all the boxes for us," said Maurice Roche, General Partner at Delta Partners. "The team are proven, successful insurtech innovators and the Kayna solution is outstanding. As a versatile solution, top among its many strengths are its capacity to (a) use a platform's data to boost revenue and render it even more valuable, (b) offer SMBs accurate insurance with a supported claims process, saving them time and money, and (c) unlock new distribution channels for Insurance carriers. It's a winner on every level. We see a significant global market opportunity and look forward to the next steps."

"We are excited to be supporting Paul and Peter on this journey as second-time insurtech founders, with a successful exit under their belt and a wealth of expertise and contacts in the insurance profession," added Kanishk Walia, MiddleGame Ventures Partner. "SMBs continue to be underserved and underinsured by traditional insurance offerings and we believe Kayna is well positioned to change this by opening up access to data sets siloed within vertical SaaS platforms, generating incremental revenue streams for these vendors while creating enhanced distribution opportunities for brokers and carriers."

Kayna was launched in 2021 by Paul Prendergast and CTO Peter Bermingham, who have scaled multiple insurtech businesses during their 19-year partnership.

About Kayna

Kayna enables embedded insurance through vertical SaaS platforms. It provides the technology and data orchestration layer between carriers, brokers and any vertical SaaS platform to distribute products that are directly relevant to policyholders. Founded in 2021, Kayna was developed in the Founders Factory Venture Studio in collaboration with Aviva. The company is a Lloyd's Lab Accelerator Programme Cohort 9 alumnus and winner of the 2023 InsurTech NY's Carrier/Broker Competition for Global Early-Stage Insurtech. Kayna operates across platforms that serve millions of people and businesses worldwide, ranging from field services, fintech and retail, to personal care and wellness. For more information, visit https://kayna.io/

About Delta Partners

Delta Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in Ireland. For over 30 years, Delta Partners has been supporting entrepreneurs to build great businesses. Having invested in over 120 companies with exits generating 1.8 billion, Delta has a track record of investment performance, with LPs including Enterprise Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Fexco, as well as the family offices of successful Irish technology entrepreneurs. Today, the Delta team are investing in early stage Irish companies across a range of sectors. Check us out at https://www.deltapartners.com.

About MiddleGame Ventures

MiddleGame Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing world-class fintech entrepreneurs from Seed through Series B. We invest in, and partner with, exceptional European entrepreneurs that are re-architecting and digitising financial services. We are on the cusp of the next wave of financial services innovation  moving from automation tools and electronic infrastructure to fully digital financial services and assets. As such, the foundational blocks of financial services will be re-shaped by new core systems and driven by the next generation of European entrepreneurs. For more information, visit https://www.middlegamevc.com/

About Aperture

Founded in 2019 in Switzerland, Aperture invests in, and works alongside, founders of the most promising early-stage companies in embedded finance, B2B fintech SaaS and enterprise applied AI.

With a global expert team spanning financial services, technology, strategy, product and marketing, Aperture provides value-added embedded services to its portfolio companies, accelerating product-market fit and growth. Its team includes people who have invested in, built and exited venture-backed startups, acted at board and management level within public companies and designed, built and marketed internet products and services used by hundreds of millions of people. Combining scalable execution capabilities, proprietary know-how and tailored technology into a full-stack growth engine, Aperture helps accelerate performance across the entire sales and marketing funnel.

By leveraging its unique, long-term service engagements with startups, Aperture gains privileged insights into team dynamics, sales pipeline and customer success. This "inside-out" due diligence enables Aperture to make investment decisions based on deeper assessments and better-informed convictions. As well as balance sheet investments, Aperture also syndicates investments to a network of co-investors. For more information, visit https://www.aperture.co/

About InsurTech NY

Founded in 2019, InsurTech NY brings together carriers, brokers, investors, and insurtech startups. InsurTech NY's mission is to help support the insurance industry take advantage of latest digital technology to improve efficiencies and increase revenue, and be ready for the inevitable digitally transformed Insurance industry. We do this through our public events, corporate innovation program, competition, accelerator, MGA lab and the venture fund. For more information, visit https://www.insurtechny.com/

SOURCE Kayna
Irish company enables seamless, data-led insurance product distribution

Pre-seed funding will support Kayna's expansion across the UK and USA

CORK, Ireland, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kayna, the award-winning embedded insurance infrastructure platform, has closed a 1 million pre-seed funding round. Co-led by Delta Partners (Ireland) and MiddleGame Ventures (pan-European) with participation from Aperture (Switzerland) and InsurTech Fund  an affiliate of InsurTech NY (USA), the funding comes as the company accelerates market development efforts into the United Kingdom and United States.

Providing technology and data orchestration between insurance carriers, brokers, and any vertical software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform, Kayna drives top-line growth for vertical SaaS providers while providing relevant insurance to underserved SMBs. The global vertical SaaS market serves millions of businesses and consumers, each with a diverse set of needs. Embedded insurance is forecast to reach US$722 billion in gross written premium by 2030, according to InsTech London.

A key feature that makes Kayna's platform ideal for embedded insurance distribution to dynamic SMBs is its tracking of relevant data changes. The platform enables insurers and brokers to conduct real-time reviews of insurance coverage and adapt policies to meet SMBs' insurance needs.

"We are delighted to have secured the support of such expert, innovative, and highly collaborative investors," said Paul Prendergast, CEO and co-founder of Kayna. "Vertical SaaS has already embraced embedded fintech through payments and capital lending. Embedded insurance is the logical next step, offering transformative advantages for vertical SaaS platforms, enabling them to enhance the customer experience, expand revenue streams, mitigate risks and differentiate themselves in the market, whilst delivering real value to their SMB customers. This funding is already powering our new business development and partner onboarding in the UK and US markets so we have hit the ground running and are hugely excited by the potential."

"Kayna ticked all the boxes for us," said Maurice Roche, General Partner at Delta Partners. "The team are proven, successful insurtech innovators and the Kayna solution is outstanding. As a versatile solution, top among its many strengths are its capacity to (a) use a platform's data to boost revenue and render it even more valuable, (b) offer SMBs accurate insurance with a supported claims process, saving them time and money, and (c) unlock new distribution channels for Insurance carriers. It's a winner on every level. We see a significant global market opportunity and look forward to the next steps."

"We are excited to be supporting Paul and Peter on this journey as second-time insurtech founders, with a successful exit under their belt and a wealth of expertise and contacts in the insurance profession," added Kanishk Walia, MiddleGame Ventures Partner. "SMBs continue to be underserved and underinsured by traditional insurance offerings and we believe Kayna is well positioned to change this by opening up access to data sets siloed within vertical SaaS platforms, generating incremental revenue streams for these vendors while creating enhanced distribution opportunities for brokers and carriers."

Kayna was launched in 2021 by Paul Prendergast and CTO Peter Bermingham, who have scaled multiple insurtech businesses during their 19-year partnership.

About Kayna

Kayna enables embedded insurance through vertical SaaS platforms. It provides the technology and data orchestration layer between carriers, brokers and any vertical SaaS platform to distribute products that are directly relevant to policyholders. Founded in 2021, Kayna was developed in the Founders Factory Venture Studio in collaboration with Aviva. The company is a Lloyd's Lab Accelerator Programme Cohort 9 alumnus and winner of the 2023 InsurTech NY's Carrier/Broker Competition for Global Early-Stage Insurtech. Kayna operates across platforms that serve millions of people and businesses worldwide, ranging from field services, fintech and retail, to personal care and wellness. For more information, visit https://kayna.io/

About Delta Partners

Delta Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in Ireland. For over 30 years, Delta Partners has been supporting entrepreneurs to build great businesses. Having invested in over 120 companies with exits generating 1.8 billion, Delta has a track record of investment performance, with LPs including Enterprise Ireland, Bank of Ireland and Fexco, as well as the family offices of successful Irish technology entrepreneurs. Today, the Delta team are investing in early stage Irish companies across a range of sectors. Check us out at https://www.deltapartners.com.

About MiddleGame Ventures

MiddleGame Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing world-class fintech entrepreneurs from Seed through Series B. We invest in, and partner with, exceptional European entrepreneurs that are re-architecting and digitising financial services. We are on the cusp of the next wave of financial services innovation  moving from automation tools and electronic infrastructure to fully digital financial services and assets. As such, the foundational blocks of financial services will be re-shaped by new core systems and driven by the next generation of European entrepreneurs. For more information, visit https://www.middlegamevc.com/

About Aperture

Founded in 2019 in Switzerland, Aperture invests in, and works alongside, founders of the most promising early-stage companies in embedded finance, B2B fintech SaaS and enterprise applied AI.

With a global expert team spanning financial services, technology, strategy, product and marketing, Aperture provides value-added embedded services to its portfolio companies, accelerating product-market fit and growth. Its team includes people who have invested in, built and exited venture-backed startups, acted at board and management level within public companies and designed, built and marketed internet products and services used by hundreds of millions of people. Combining scalable execution capabilities, proprietary know-how and tailored technology into a full-stack growth engine, Aperture helps accelerate performance across the entire sales and marketing funnel.

By leveraging its unique, long-term service engagements with startups, Aperture gains privileged insights into team dynamics, sales pipeline and customer success. This "inside-out" due diligence enables Aperture to make investment decisions based on deeper assessments and better-informed convictions. As well as balance sheet investments, Aperture also syndicates investments to a network of co-investors. For more information, visit https://www.aperture.co/

About InsurTech NY

Founded in 2019, InsurTech NY brings together carriers, brokers, investors, and insurtech startups. InsurTech NY's mission is to help support the insurance industry take advantage of latest digital technology to improve efficiencies and increase revenue, and be ready for the inevitable digitally transformed Insurance industry. We do this through our public events, corporate innovation program, competition, accelerator, MGA lab and the venture fund. For more information, visit https://www.insurtechny.com/

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2211374/Kayna_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Kayna
Content and commerce company achieves remarkable growth, securing its position as a leader in U.S. retail and becoming Connecticut's top company on the Inc. 5000

FAIRFIELD, Conn., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Knocking Inc., the leader in integrated content and commerce, proudly announces its remarkable achievement of securing the #161 position on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. From its previous placement at rank #664 in 2022, Knocking has experienced further growth, now ranking #3 in the U.S. retail sector on the Inc. 5000 list and claiming the #1 spot among Connecticut-based companies.

Knocking Inc. ranks #161 position on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America. Post this Knocking co-founders (from left): Stefan Dippl, Co-Founder & CTO; Markus Reinmund, Founder & CEO and Brian Meehan, Co-Founder and COO.

Markus Reinmund, Founder and CEO of Knocking, expressed his delight in the company's accomplishments, saying, "We are incredibly proud of Knocking's recognition and high standing on the Inc. 5000. This accomplishment reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence in media and e-commerce, and highlights the continued success of our industry-leading media and commerce platform that generates new revenue streams and customer insights for all our media and brand partners."

Brian Meehan, Co-Founder and COO of Knocking, added, "It is a great honor to be recognized in the top 5% of all Inc. 5000 companies. We are even more excited to be #3 in U.S. retail as our teams work very hard on building world-class media and brand partnerships that introduce the best brands and products to consumers."

Knocking has established itself as a trailblazer in the integration of content and commerce by collaborating with blue chip media companies to produce engaging and authentic shopping segments featuring new, popular, and exclusive products. The company's unique approach involves crafting short-form shopping experiences that resonate with audiences, and which are fully integrated with Knocking's turn-key content and ecommerce platform. Through partnerships with various large media companies, Knocking brings these segments to life and builds deeper relationships between media companies, retail brands and their target audiences.

The company boasts a diverse portfolio of media partners, including CBS News and Stations, Univision, Disney ABC, iHeartMedia, Cox Media Group, Sinclair Broadcasting Group, Meredith, and NBC Owned Television Stations.

Furthermore, Knocking's proprietary viewer-impression model links shoppable content to revenue, thus enabling partners to understand the direct impact of continuous airtime on consumer transactions and sales. As Stefan Dippl, Co-Founder and CTO of Knocking, commented, "Technology has always been at the core of Knocking's success. Through Knocking's Mission Control platform, we are taking media and ecommerce analytics to the next level, offering a transparency that's rare in the industry. The future of retail and media is data-driven, and we're at the forefront of this transformation."

In a world where retail is rapidly evolving, Knocking is cementing its status as a trailblazer in content and commerce by harnessing the power of new data and strategic media partnerships.

About Knocking:

Knocking is an e-commerce company with an award-winning in-house production team at Knocking Studio. Knocking finds the products consumers love and puts them in all media people consume. Partnering with media companies, Knocking delivers real deals through short-form shopping segments viewers trust and value, while helping brands get more direct-to-consumer access.

For more information about Knocking, please visit: www.knocking.com.

Note to Editors:

Companies featured on the Inc. 5000 list are ranked based on percentage revenue growth from 2019 to 2022. To qualify, companies must be privately held, for-profit, independent entities based in the U.S., and have generated revenue by March 31, 2019. (Minimum revenue thresholds apply for both years.)

SOURCE Knocking
CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maritime Patrol Aircraft Market is valued at USD 6.7 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 11.9 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 12.1% from 2023 to 2028 according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The maritime patrol aircraft market is a subset of the aircraft and technology industry that focuses on the development and deployment of maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft play a crucial role in monitoring and safeguarding coastal waters and international waters. They are equipped with advanced sensors, including radar and sonar, to detect and track ships, submarines, and suspicious maritime activities, such as smuggling or illegal fishing. MPAs are essential for ensuring maritime safety, protecting coastal borders, and supporting search and rescue missions. They are also valuable for gathering intelligence and conducting anti-submarine warfare.

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=187686967

Browse in-depth TOC on "Maritime Patrol Aircraft Market"

150  Tables

100  Figures

250  Pages

Maritime Patrol Aircraft Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Market Revenue in 2023 $ 6.7 billion Estimated Value by 2028 $ 11.9 billion Growth Rate Poised to grow at a CAGR of 12.1% Market Size Available for 20192028 Forecast Period 20232028 Forecast Units Value (USD Million) and Volume (Thousand Units) Report Coverage Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends Segments Covered By Type, Propulsion System, Mode of Operation, Application, and Region Geographies Covered Asia Pacific, Europe, North America and Rest of World Key Market Challenge High cost of acquisition, maintenance, and operation of maritime patrol aircraft Key Market Opportunities Leveraging IoAT for Next-Gen Maritime Patrol Operations Key Market Drivers Growing Maritime Threats and Security Concerns



The maritime patrol aircraft market encompasses a range of propulsion systems, types, and applications that leverage these benefits. Propulsion systems in the Maritime patrol aircraft market are Jet Engines which includes turbofan, turboprop, and turboshaft, and Electric Propulsion. Types of maritime patrol aircraft in the market are armored and unarmored. Applications are surveillance and reconnaissance, combat support, search and rescue, and coastal patrolling.

Based on the type, the Armored segment is estimated to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the type, the Armored segment is estimated to lead the Maritime patrol aircraft market from 2023 to 2028. Heightened concerns related to issues such as piracy, territorial disputes, and smuggling have prompted nations to make significant investments in these aircraft. They serve a vital role in ensuring the safety of personnel during critical missions and have become indispensable assets for patrolling and safeguarding maritime interests. These specialized aircraft are equipped with robust protective features designed to withstand various threats and hostile environments.

Based on the Propulsion Systems, Electric Propulsion segment is estimated to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The Electric propulsion in maritime patrol aircraft market is projected to grow at highest CAGR. Electric propulsion systems, which use electricity to power engines, significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions. This aligns with the maritime patrol aircraft market's increasing emphasis on sustainability. Moreover, electric propulsion enables quieter operations, enhancing the aircraft's stealth capabilities, vital for effective surveillance missions. As governments and organizations increasingly prioritize environmentally conscious solutions, there is a growing demand for electric propulsion systems in maritime patrol aircraft.

Based on the application, the Combat Support segment is estimated to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The combat support segment in the maritime patrol aircraft industry is propelled by the demand for versatile aircraft tailored to enhance naval operations at sea. These aircraft are equipped with advanced sensors and weaponry, enabling them to detect and engage potential threats like enemy submarines and ships effectively. They play a pivotal role in providing essential support to naval forces during maritime conflicts and are also valuable assets in search and rescue missions. As maritime security concerns intensify and the need to assert control over strategic waterways grows, nations are increasingly investing in combat support aircraft. This makes the combat support segment a crucial and influential factor within the maritime patrol aircraft market.

Based on the mode of operation, Unmanned segment is estimated to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The unmanned segment within the maritime patrol aircraft market is thriving due to the advantages of automation and cost-efficiency. Unmanned aircraft, commonly known as drones, offer persistent surveillance capabilities, covering extensive ocean areas without risking human lives. They are cost-effective, as they require no onboard crew and have lower maintenance expenses. The increasing demand for maritime security, anti-piracy efforts, and search and rescue operations has led to heightened investments in unmanned patrol aircraft.

Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Enquiry_Before_BuyingNew.asp?id=187686967

Based on regions, the Europe market is estimated to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.

Europe is home to some of the biggest players in the maritime patrol aircraft market, including Leonardo S.p.A., and Airbus. These companies have a wealth of experience and expertise in aircraft technology, and they are investing heavily in the development of maritime systems. The Europe government is a major supporter of the maritime aircraft industry. The government has invested millions of dollars in research and development of this technology, and it is also providing funding for the deployment of unmanned systems.

The maritime patrol aircraft companies is dominated by a few globally established players such as Boeing (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy), Airbus (Netherlands), and Northrop Grumman Corporation (US).

Get 10% Free Customization on this Report: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestCustomizationNew.asp?id=187686967

Browse Adjacent Market: Aerospace and Defence Market Research Reports &Consulting

Related Reports:

Special Mission Aircraft Market by Platform (Military Aviation, Commercial Aviation, UAV), Application (ISR, Command and Control, Combat Support, Air-Launch/Rocket Launch), Payload Type, End-User, Point of Sale and Region - Global Forecast to 2027

UAV Market by Point of Sale, Systems, Platform (Civil & Commercial, and Defense & Government), Function, End Use, Application, Type (Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Hybrid), Mode of Operation, Mtow, Range & Region - Global Forecast to 2027

Public Safety Drone Market by Type, Mode of operation, Platform, Application (Police Operations & Investigations, Firefighting & Disaster Management, Border Management, Traffic Monitoring, Maritime security, Delivery) and Region - Forecast to 2028

Aircraft Actuators Market Size, Share & Industry Growth Analysis Report by Installation Type (OEM & Aftermarket), System, Technology (Hydraulic, Electric Hybrid, Mechanical, Pneumatic, and Full Electric), Type, Platform, Aircraft Type (Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027

eVTOL Aircraft Market by Lift Technology, Propulsion Type, System (Batteries & Cells, Electric Motors/Engine, Aerostructures, Avionics, Software), Mode of Operation, Application, Mtow, Range and Region - Global Forecast to 2030

About MarketsandMarkets

MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's best management consulting firms by Forbes, as per their recent report.

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.

Earlier this year, we made a formal transformation into one of America's best management consulting firms as per a survey conducted by Forbes.

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/maritime-patrol-aircraft-market.asp

Content Source: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/PressReleases/maritime-patrol-aircraft.asp

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/660509/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg

SOURCE MarketsandMarkets
The Saudi Music Commission collaborated with the Saudi Theatre and Performing Arts Commission for a first-of-its-kind "Marvels of Saudi Orchestra" concert in the United States .

. The concert featured the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir and Saudi Performing Arts Ensemble, and included performances alongside the American Jazz ensemble, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars.

The concert was the third stop on the "Marvels of Saudi Orchestra" global tour following previous concerts in Paris and Mexico City .

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Sunday, September 17th, the Saudi Music Commission presented the "Marvels of Saudi Orchestra" in concert, marking the third performance as part of a global tour in collaboration with the Saudi Theater and Performing Arts Commission. The event took place at the iconic Metropolitan Opera House  The Met  a cultural landmark located in the heart of New York City.

The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir performing at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City

By uniting musical talents from across Saudi with American musicians, this exclusive performance was an extraordinary showcase of artistic fusion and cultural bridge-building. First, the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir took the stage, in harmony with the Saudi Performing Arts Ensemble, to present traditional Saudi music and dance. Following this, American Jazz performers, the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars, joined in a first-of-its-kind orchestral segment to create a riveting blend of music that celebrated the art form's ability to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers.

This spectacular showcase of performances featured over eighty specially selected musicians from the Saudi National Orchestra and Choir. The performers delighted audiences with a carefully curated fusion of Saudi melodies, including the performance of five distinct artistic renditions  Rubsh, Liwa, Majrour, Samri, and Al-Khatwa. The evening's curated selection of iconic Saudi scores also illuminated the essence of the Kingdom's musical heritage and showcased the ways in which harmoniously blending diverse elements with our modern day can still pay homage to its timeless legacy.

Additional performances through the night included visual showcases from sixty members of the Saudi Performing Arts who wove an intricate visual tapestry that honored and celebrated centuries of Saudi tradition.

Previous concerts were performed in Paris and Mexico City  with a variety of international cities still to come  showcasing the extraordinary talent of Saudi's music and performing arts sectors and fostering a cultural exchange with local and global communities.

For further enquiries email [email protected]

Notes to Editors:

About the Saudi Music Commission

The Music Commission  one of the Ministry of Culture's 11 sector-specific commissions  oversees the development of the Kingdom's music sector.

The Commission is overseeing the growth of a music sector that provides universal access to music education, empowers musical talent and contributes to the local economy.

It aims to increase the economic contribution of the music sector through job creation, sector regulation and building world-class infrastructure.

To learn more about the Music Commission, please visit https://music.moc.gov.sa/en and the commission's Twitter @MOC_Music

About the Saudi Theater & Performing Arts Commission

The Theater and Performing Arts Commission is one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture. Founded in 2020, it is leading the development of the theater and performing arts sector in Saudi Arabia.

The Commission is working to build the sector's infrastructure through enhancing the quality of content, increasing local production, supporting talent, driving investment, and creating opportunities for cultural exchange.

To learn more about the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, please visit the Commission's website and Twitter page @MOCPerformArt

SOURCE KSA Ministry of Culture
Xi: Spirit of Flying Tigers should live on

08:37, September 20, 2023 By CAO DESHENG ( Chinadaily.com.cn

Letters: Exchanges seen as vital for stabilizing relations

President Xi Jinping has said that China and the United States, as major countries, will shoulder even more responsibility in the future for world peace, stability and development, so it is crucial for both countries to achieve mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

The president made the remarks in his reply to a letter from Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen. The reply letter, dated Sept 12, was released on Tuesday.

The reply is the third within a month that Xi has made to friendly US citizens as part of his efforts to promote and build lasting bonds between the two peoples.

Xi said in his reply that, recalling the past, the peoples of China and the US jointly fought Japanese fascists, withstood the test of blood and fire, and forged a profound friendship.

He was referring to the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, which was formed in 1941 by US General Claire Lee Chennault and widely known as the Flying Tigers. Under the program, a group of US volunteer pilots went to China, standing shoulder to shoulder with the Chinese people to fight the invading Japanese troops during World War II.

Xi also reiterated in the letter that to grow relations between China and the US, the hope lies in the people, the foundation hinges on people-to-people exchanges and the future lies with the youth.

He said the healthy and stable development of China-US relations in the new era requires the participation and support of "a new generation of Flying Tigers", and he expressed his hope that the spirit of the Flying Tigers can be passed down from generation to generation between the two peoples.

The Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, established in 1998, is a nongovernmental US organization aimed at rekindling the spirit of cooperation between the two peoples and enhancing their friendship and understanding. By educating young people about the accomplishments of their forebears, the foundation seeks to provide the inspiration that will spark greater achievement and cooperation in the aviation sector.

Recently, Greene, Moyer, who turned 100 in 2020, and McMullen, who is in his 90s, jointly wrote to Xi, briefing him on the support of the foundation and the Flying Tigers veterans in promoting friendly exchanges between China and the US. They also expressed their willingness to inherit and carry forward the spirit of China-US cooperation.

Xi learned from them that more youths in the US are participating in the Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leadership Program. Nearly 500 Flying Tigers veterans and hundreds of their family members have visited China.

Before this reply letter, Xi also replied to a letter from the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association and friends from all walks of life in the northwestern US state of Washington, as well as a letter from John Easterbrook, grandson of the late US General Joseph Stilwell.

In his replies, Xi expressed the hope that the peoples of both countries would strengthen communication, enhance understanding and expand cooperation, injecting new vitality into the development of bilateral relations.

The interactions came amid the intensive high-level meetings between China and the US that have taken place since the start of this year. The latest was held in Malta over the weekend between Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Experts said that people-to-people exchanges play a vital role in stabilizing and developing China-US relations. President Xi's dedication to fostering friendship and understanding between the two peoples through his personal interactions has pointed the direction, offered a pathway and boosted confidence for overcoming political barriers and strengthening people-to-people exchanges, they said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The information spread on some Armenian social media accounts over the alleged Azerbaijan Armed Forces shelling Khankendi once again does not reflect the truth and is aimed at disinformation, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

"We categorically deny this spread information. We state once again that units of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan target and destroy only legitimate military facilities and military infrastructure with high-precision weapons."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. I once again say that the anti-terror measures were carried out with high professionalism and accuracy in such a way that the civilian population was not harmed, and the civil infrastructure was not damaged. However, enemy positions, their weapons and equipment were destroyed, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the nation.

Now I am sure that the emergence of new situation in our region is inevitable. Because after the criminal regime surrendered, the source of this tension, this poisonous nest is already fading into history, and the Armenian population who lives in Karabakh will finally be able to breathe freely, the head of state noted.
COLUMBIA, Md., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission (MSCRC) announces grant awards totaling approximately $4 million dedicated to fostering innovative research that will propel advancements in stem cell treatments and technologies across Maryland.

12 outstanding scientists have been selected as recipients of these prestigious grants. Post this Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission Announces $4 Million in Grants to Drive Stem Cell Innovations

12 outstanding scientists hailing from Maryland-based research institutions and companies have been selected as recipients of these prestigious grants. Among the distinguished awardees are researchers from esteemed academic institutions, such as Johns Hopkins University and the University System of Maryland, and early-stage companies, including Secretome Therapeutics, Inc. (formerly NeoProgen), Renovate Biosciences, Inc., and Phycin, Inc. The funds are intended to bolster the development of treatments and cures for a diverse range of illnesses including those involving the liver, eyes, blood, bones, heart, nervous system, autoimmune system, and cancer.

Notably, one-quarter of the awards support projects conducted by Maryland companies. With the exception of the Launch program, which invites applications from scientists new to the stem cell research field, this round of funding focused on fostering continued research and development on previously funded projects to bring these innovative technologies closer to clinical application, offering hope to patients presented with limited treatment options.

Ruchika Nijhara, PhD, executive director of the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund (MSCRF), expressed pride in the achievements of these prior awardees, highlighting their progress toward clinical application with a tangible impact on patients' lives. Nijhara emphasized, "We recognize that consistent funding plays a pivotal role in the development of affordable, life-changing therapies. We remain steadfast in our commitment to providing vital support to researchers and companies across Maryland as they work to realize the potential of their groundbreaking stem cell-based discoveries and transformative therapies, reshaping the future of medicine."

To date, the MSCRC has dedicated over $200 million to support nearly 600 research projects. This funding spans various stages of technology development, ranging from basic research to translational research, clinical development, and product manufacturing. "We are thrilled to witness the remarkable strides our awardees have taken in advancing their pioneering discoveries toward clinical application. We hold great hope that these groundbreaking innovations will bring about enduring improvements in patient care and overall well-being," said Diane Hoffmann, chair of the Maryland Stem Cell Commission.

The funding for the first round of FY24 was supported by a budget of $20.5 million from Gov. Wes Moore and the Maryland General Assembly. This reflects the continuing dedication of Maryland's leadership to the advancement of stem cell research and the quest for groundbreaking medical innovations. The Commission is preparing to release Requests for Applications (RFAs) for its second round of FY24 funding, anticipating a continued acceleration of pioneering research and innovative cures through the various programs of the MSCRF.

The 12 funded grant proposals in their relevant categories are listed below.

Launch: This award is to encourage new and new-to-the-field faculty to bring innovative research and technology to the regenerative medicine field. Totaling $1,394,899 , the four Launch Award recipients are Drs. Mark Ranek , Xiaoning Han , Ali Shakeri-Zadeh , and Luo Gu from Johns Hopkins University .

This award is to encourage new and new-to-the-field faculty to bring innovative research and technology to the regenerative medicine field. Totaling , the four Launch Award recipients are Drs. , , , and Luo Gu from . Commercialization: This award is for Maryland -based companies to develop diagnostics, treatments, and cures using stem cells. Totaling $1,196,000 , the three Commercialization Award recipients are Secretome Therapeutics, Inc. (Dr. Rachana Mishra ), Renovate Biosciences, Inc. (Dr. Bhanu Telugu), and Phycin, Inc. (Dr. Jun Wang ).

This award is for -based companies to develop diagnostics, treatments, and cures using stem cells. Totaling , the three Commercialization Award recipients are Secretome Therapeutics, Inc. (Dr. ), Renovate Biosciences, Inc. (Dr. Bhanu Telugu), and Phycin, Inc. (Dr. ). Validation : This award supports faculty at Maryland -based Universities/Research institutes with IP for human stem cell-based technologies that require additional validation. Totaling $479,990 , the two Validation award recipients are Drs. Sheikh Amer Riazuddin and Elias Zambidis from Johns Hopkins University .

: This award supports faculty at -based Universities/Research institutes with IP for human stem cell-based technologies that require additional validation. Totaling , the two Validation award recipients are Drs. Sheikh and Elias Zambidis from . Discovery: These awards fund innovative ideas to develop novel human stem cell-based technologies and cures. Totaling $344,967 , the Discovery Award recipient is Dr. Satoru Otsuru from the University of Maryland, Baltimore .

These awards fund innovative ideas to develop novel human stem cell-based technologies and cures. Totaling , the Discovery Award recipient is Dr. from the . Post-Doctoral Fellowship: These awards support exceptional post-doctoral fellows conducting research in Maryland . Totaling $260,000 , the two Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award recipients include Dr. Hongjun Zhang from Johns Hopkins University and Dr. Joe Kodama from the University of Maryland, Baltimore .

About TEDCO

TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com.

Media Contact

Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, [email protected]

About the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission

The Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission is focused on identifying and fostering cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of regenerative medicine in Maryland. Our Accelerating Cures initiative comprises programs that help transition human stem cell-based technologies from the bench to the bedside as well as mechanisms to build and grow stem cell companies in Maryland. Visit us at www.mscrf.org to learn more about our funding opportunities.

MSCRF Contact

Ruchika Nijhara, PhD, MBA, Executive Director, MSCRF, [email protected]

SOURCE Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 360PR+ has been selected to handle public relations for fine jewelry brand Mattia Cielo, raising awareness of Mattia Cielo's core collection, RUGIADA, and new releases with activations at specialty fine jewelry retailers nationwide. Mattia Cielo's jewelry collection combines fine Italian craftsmanship with the latest innovations in ergonomic design. Embodying each creation are essential elements of Mattia Cielo's philosophy  lightness and softness, movement and flexibility.

"360's luxury experience and relationships with key press and style influencers in fashion accessories and fine jewelry make them an excellent fit for our plans to grow in the U.S. market," said Founder Mattia Cielo.

Mattia Cielo can be found at fine jewelry and department stores nationwide including Bergdorf Goodman, London Jewelers, Neiman Marcus, Maxfield, Stanley Korshak, Cellini Jewelers, Mitchell's Jewelers, Hyde Park Jewelers, Marissa Collections and other specialty retailers nationwide.

"We are delighted to partner with such a unique and sophisticated jewelry brand that is Mattia Cielo," said Cindy Riccio, Executive Vice President and General Manager for 360's CRC, which focuses on fashion, beauty and luxury brands. "We know the target luxury consumer woman well, with our experience reaching and engaging her, and we're eager to increase awareness for Mattia Cielo as a jewelry design disruptor in the U.S. market."

About Mattia Cielo

The brand carries the name of its founder and CEO Mattia Cielo. The entrepreneur is the heir of a long-established dynasty of Italian jewelers, Cielo Venezia 1270, one of the most important ones in Italy, located in Vicenza. In 2007, he created his own company vision with the brand Mattia Cielo, creating jewelry for the Third Millennium with a distinct industrial design approach. The sophisticated jewels are distributed in more than 20 countries around the world. Cielo focused on making a highly innovative, technological jewel, which was befitting of the times we live in. Cielo combines Italian design and modern technology, using laser cutting and soldering, typically seen in the aviation industry. The brand has a strong testimonial network and achieved several international awards such as INSTORE Design Award, Couture Design Award, Italian Jewelry Award and UK Jewelry Award. For more information on Mattia Cielo, visit https://www.mattiacielo.com/.

About 360PR+

360PR+ is an award-winning, leading, independent integrated communications and marketing agency. A certified women-owned business, 360PR+ is a partner in PROI Worldwide, offering clients reach and expertise in 100+ cities globally. The 360PR+ family of agencies includes 360PR+, CRC, Powers Brand Communications and Three Cheers PR.

Led by Cindy Riccio, CRC became part of 360PR+ in 2022, bringing more than a decade's experience serving a roster of storied beauty and apparel brands, among them Hanesbrands Inc. for Donna Karan and DKNY Intimates and legwear, Geneva Watch Group's Breil, Kenneth Cole and Ted Baker. Current accessory and luxury clients include myGemma and Marchon Eyewear for their licensed designer brands such as Ferragamo, Longchamp, Lanvin, Calvin Klein and Lacoste. For more information, visit www.360PR.plus and www.cricciocomm.com.

SOURCE 360PR+
According to the firm's new resource, ineffective performance management leaves room for subjectivity and bias and can have far-reaching effects on other HR functions.

TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - In a time of economic uncertainty, the talent management function of HR is increasingly being challenged to make cost-effective decisions that align with organizational needs. Performance reviews and ratings are key components of performance and talent management. McLean & Company, the trusted research and advisory partner of HR leaders around the world, is responding to the need for guidance on how to select and customize a performance rating scale that meets organizational needs with its new Performance Ratings Guide.

McLean & Companys new guide explains that performance reviews and ratings are a key component of performance management. Data gathered from performance evaluations is also frequently used as an input into other talent programs (e.g. high-potential identification). However, ratings are only one of the components of the greater performance management (PM) picture, as outlined above. (CNW Group/McLean & Company)

"Ineffective rating methods have a negative ripple effect on other programs within and outside of the talent management framework," says Grace Ewles, manager, HR Research & Advisory Services, at McLean & Company. "Ineffective or inaccurate performance assessments can negatively impact other key decisions, including successor selection and compensation decisions, and they often come with invisible yet significant long-term expenses."

The firm's industry guide explains that ratings help organizations by providing an accurate understanding of employee performance and helping to identify gaps. Ratings also allow employees to see a clear summary of their performance with objective feedback, which helps drive performance conversations and employee reflection. Furthermore, data gathered from performance evaluations are frequently used as input in other talent programs, meaning effective rating methods offer a host of benefits to organizations and employees alike.

"Selecting an appropriate scale is not enough to guarantee performance will be measured accurately," adds Ewles. "Maintaining accuracy requires ongoing effort to ensure the successful application of the scale and that performance continues to be assessed in a valid and reliable way."

The new industry resource aims to provide HR teams with data-backed tips and guidance to improve, implement, or adjust their rating processes, including:

Risk mitigation for both organizations and their employees.

An overview of the different types of rating scales, including recommendations for organizations to select the best option for their unique needs.

Guidance on selecting and customizing performance rating scales.

Best practices to ensure rating accuracy.

Recommendations for communicating and rolling out the rating approach.

Insight on the feasibility of removing ratings, if applicable, and exploring alternative approaches.

McLean & Company advises HR leaders that switching to a rating-less approach is a significant change that must be approached with caution. The firm further suggests doing a deeper dive to assess the root cause of challenges and identify opportunities to improve the current approach before deciding to remove performance ratings entirely.

To access the full resource, download the Performance Ratings Guide.

Media interested in connecting with McLean & Company analysts for exclusive, data-backed insights and commentary on implementing effective performance ratings, generative AI in HR, the future of work, and more can reach out to Kelsey King at [email protected].

Signature 2023 Conference

For HR leaders as well as C-suite and VP-level executives who are responsible for enabling, streamlining, and future-proofing their organizations' HR functions, Signature, the highly anticipated HR industry conference from McLean & Company, is returning November 5-7, 2023, in Orlando, Florida.

Register for Signature 2023 or learn more here.

About McLean & Company

Through data-driven insights and proven best-practice methodologies, McLean & Company offers comprehensive resources and full-service assessments, action plans, and training to position organizations to meet today's needs and prepare for the future.

McLean & Company is a division of Info-Tech Research Group.

Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software and over 200 industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected].

SOURCE McLean & Company
HeparDx is an emerging NASH/MASH and liver fibrosis blood test designed to diagnose patients earlier and monitor disease progression

The data presentations add further evidence supporting HeparDx as an accurate blood test to detect non-alcoholic (or metabolic dysfunction-associated) steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH).

New finding correlates PLIN2 and RAB14 mRNA expression level changes with NASH/MASH activity, as well as with patient fibrosis severity and status.

Study comparing HeparDx to three non-invasive tests (NITs) resulted in a superior AUROC for HeparDx.

LONDON and WINTER SPRINGS, Fla., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Metadeq Diagnostics, Inc., a private medical diagnostic company developing tests for NASH/MASH and liver fibrosis, today announced the presentation of three posters at the EASL SLD Summit 2023 in Prague, Czech Republic. The presented data support existing data published in Gut[i] and provide further evidence that HeparDx could become the standard of care for the diagnosis of NASH/MASH and liver fibrosis. There is a clear unmet medical need to provide an alternative or complement to liver biopsy procedures for the detection of NASH/MASH, as well as need for improved blood tests to detect liver fibrosis.

HeparDx is a blood test comprised of two monocyte biomarkers, one for NASH activity and one for liver fibrosis, which have been shown to be highly correlated to detecting patients with NASH/MASH and liver fibrosis. Metadeq believes its diagnostic ultimately may enable hepatologists, gastroenterologists, other specialists and PCPs/GPs to identify NASH/MASH patients before significant disease progression occurs, as well as to monitor treatment responses. HeparDx has the potential to lower treatment costs and improve patients' lives.

Stephen Harrison, M.D., Metadeq Advisory Board Chairman, comments: "The three posters presented at EASL SLD further validate the scientific basis behind HeparDx as a non-invasive blood test aimed to detect both NASH activity and liver fibrosis. Further validation in other patient cohorts will be necessary, but up to now, the evidence described in these posters, coupled with the data published in Gut earlier this year, point to a very encouraging signal."

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Title: Validation of HeparDx score (by Metadeq, Inc.) as a non-invasive test for the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

Authors: G. Angelini, S. Sabatini, E. Lembo, O. Verrastro, A. Daly, O. Govaere, S. Cockel, Q. Anstee, A. Gastaldelli, G. Mingrone

Poster Number: P01-06

Title: High tyrosine and PLIN2 and low beta-hydroxybutyrate characterize subjects with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

Authors: P. Infelise, S. Sabatini, G. Angelini, F. Carli, S. Pezzica, O. Verrsastro, E. Lembo, G. Mingrone, A. Gastaldelli

Poster Number: P03-19-YI

Title: Analytical and clinical comparison of three non-invasive tests for the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

Authors: S. Sabatini, G. Angelini, E. Lembo, O. Verrastro, F. Carli, G. Mingrone, A. Gastaldelli

Poster Number: P06-06-YI

Stephen Harrison, M.D., Metadeq Advisory Board Chairman, comments: "The three posters presented at EASL SLD further validate the scientific basis behind HeparDx as a non-invasive blood test aimed to detect both NASH activity and liver fibrosis. Further validation in other patient cohorts will be necessary, but up to now, the evidence described in these posters, coupled with the data published in Gut earlier this year, point to a very encouraging signal."

David Nikodem, Ph.D., Metadeq Chief Executive Officer, adds: "EASL SLD is an important Congress focused on steatotic liver disease, and we appreciate the opportunity to present the most recent HeparDx data to the hepatology community. The presented data shed light on the correlation between PLIN2 and RAB14 with liver health, specifically on NAFLD Activity Score (NAS) and liver fibrosis. We continue to focus on validating HeparDx to aid in better identifying patients with NASH/MASH and as a potential replacement for liver biopsy procedures. Our goal is to provide physicians with an NIT that allows them to detect and monitor NASH/MASH activity in their patients without a liver biopsy."

About NASH/MASH

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ('NAFLD' - evolving in nomenclature to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or 'MASLD') is a "silent" disease that, if left undiagnosed, can lead to Non-alcoholic (or Metabolic) Steatohepatitis (NASH/MASH), a leading cause of cirrhosis, liver failure, liver transplant, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver biopsy is the diagnostic reference standard of care, but is expensive, time consuming, and carries multiple risks to the patient. Therapeutics are nearing FDA approval, making the need for an accurate and reliable non-invasive test (NIT) imperative to diagnose and monitor patients on therapy. In the U.S., over 25% of adults have NAFLD (approximately 62 million), of which 20%, or 12 million adults, will progress to NASH[ii]. In June 2023, the American Diabetes Association recommended all 28 million people with Type 2 diabetes be tested for NAFLD/NASH.

About HeparDx

HeparDx is an investigational novel blood test to accurately diagnose, stage, and monitor NASH/MASH developed by Metadeq Diagnostics. HeparDx includes two biomarkers correlated with NASH/MASH activity and fibrosis in the liver to accurately diagnose NASH/MASH patients and potentially replace liver biopsies. Clinical data from a prospective study in 250 patients undergoing liver biopsies has been peer-reviewed and published in Gut, a leading medical journal.

About Metadeq Diagnostics

Metadeq, Inc., is committed to delivering diagnostics that help physicians identify, diagnose, stage and monitor NAFLD (MASLD) and NASH (MASH) patients with a simple and accurate blood test. Metadeq's lead product is HeparDx, a blood test based on two biomarkers to detect NASH/MASH activity and liver fibrosis. For more information, please visit: www.metadeq.com.

Contacts

Metadeq Daniel Whittaker Chief Commercial Officer [email protected] Oratorium Group Juliane Snowden Founder [email protected]













Important Notice

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information relating to Metadeq, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), that are based on the beliefs of our management as well as the assumptions made by and information currently available to our management. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, contained in this press release, including statements regarding our ability to commercialize a non-invasive test to identify and monitor patients with NASH/MASH, are forward-looking statements. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "target," "potential," "will," "would," "could," "should," "continue," and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The projections used in this presentation are forward-looking statements. For such statements, we claim the protection of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements reflect the current views of our Company's management, some of which may not materialize or may change. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. You are strongly cautioned that reliance on any forward-looking statements involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: our failure to successfully commercialize our products; costs and delays in development; and supply chain; our inability to maintain or enter into, and the risks resulting from our dependence upon, contractual arrangements necessary for the development, manufacture, commercialization, marketing, sales, and distribution of any products; competitive factors; our inability to protect our proprietary rights and obtain necessary rights to third party patents and intellectual property to operate our business; our inability to operate our business without infringing the patents and proprietary rights of others; general economic conditions; the failure of any products to gain market acceptance; technological changes; government regulation; changes in industry practice; and one-time events. We do not intend to update any of these factors or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this press release are expressly qualified by reference to this cautionary statement.

[i] Gut Feb 2023, 72 (2) 392-403; DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2022-327498

[ii] Int J Mol Sci, 2019; www.liverfoundation.org; Clin Diabetes and Endocrinology, 2020; Gosalia, et al, Diagnostics 2022

SOURCE Metadeq
The bank's $300,000 donation serves to renovate the nonprofit's first market, giving SNAP recipients a fresh alternative to traditional meal and grocery options

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB) is helping one nonprofit organization reinvent the community corner store concept and promote food access in neighborhoods across West and Southwest Philadelphia.

The bank recently donated $300,000 to help The Community Grocer (TCG) build a community-run market to bring thousands of Philadelphians within walking distance of fresh, delicious and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-eligible meal solutions.

TCG enables residents to purchase locally sourced and pre-portioned meal kits, which they can take home and prepare, or "trade" the ingredients for a meal that is freshly prepared and ready to eat  bypassing restrictions that don't allow food stamps to purchase prepared meals. The kits stem from the organization's mission of making eating well easier while ensuring its neighbors have the help they need preparing their ingredients.

TCG's program has been vetted and approved by Harvard Law School's Food Law and Policy Clinic as compliant with SNAP regulations.

Throughout the Philadelphia region, more than 200,000 people are considered food-insecure , with inconsistent access to affordable, healthy food. Philadelphia follows national trends with children and people of color experiencing food insecurity at a higher rate than others.

"Giving back isn't just an option, it's a responsibility," said Dominique Goss, executive director of M&T's Charitable Foundation. "Partnering with a nonprofit that tackles food insecurity allows us to create a stronger, more equitable community, ensuring our neighbors and those we serve have access to the food their families need, as well as resources that pave a path toward a brighter future."

Alexandre Imbot, TCG's CEO and co-founder, said: "TCG is providing education from soil to supper, promoting sustainability in a country where nearly 40% of food is wasted, and challenging the food systems that leave entire neighborhoods without access to fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food."

In addition to the first-of-its-kind corner store located at 627 S. 60th Street, TCG's space will serve as a resource center for community programming and support. As a community-focused bank whose existing charitable priorities align with TCG's, M&T will provide not only startup funding but also access to the resources and guidance community members need to meet their financial and business goals.

Brandon Smith, M&T's head of consumer operations and risk, will serve on TCG's board of directors and work with M&T volunteers to host free financial education workshops for clients and community members within the resource center.

"Regardless of someone's level of financial education, we meet them where they are," Smith said. "By leading community workshops, our goal is to equip our neighbors with the skills and understanding needed to establish a secure financial future, unlocking the potential for stronger communities."

Financing for the refurbishment of TCG's Philadelphia location was provided by Community First Fund (CFF), a Philadelphia-based nonprofit partner of M&T Bank. CFF is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to aligning capital with social justice for low-income communities and low-wealth individuals.

The Community Grocer also has backing and support from The University of Pennsylvania, the FMC Corp., and in-kind support from Ballard Spahr and Stokes Architecture and Design.

"TCG's commitments are to our neighbors and the positive impact we have in our community," said Eli Moraru, TCG's president and co-founder. "As a nonprofit, we are able to stay true to our mission and to our partners on every step of this journey."

About M&T Bank

M&T Bank Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in Buffalo, New York. M&T's principal banking subsidiary, M&T Bank, provides banking products and services in 12 states across the northeastern U.S. from Maine to Virginia and Washington, D.C. Trust-related services are provided in select markets in the U.S. and abroad by M&T's Wilmington Trust-affiliated companies and by M&T Bank. For more information about M&T Bank, visit www.mtb.com .

About The Community Grocer

Winners of the 2022 Penn Presidents Sustainability Prize, Silver Medalist of 2023 Greater Philadelphia Social Impact Award, and participants at the White House Hunger, Health, and Nutrition conference, The Community Grocer is reinventing the corner store and reimagining nutritional assistance to ensure that everyone has access to the ingredients to live stronger, healthier lives.

Promoting food security & improving health outcomes through their community driven retail access points of nutrition, TCG is supporting communities to transform SNAP eligible ingredients into delicious, healthy, and empowering meals through their innovative business model while providing critical resources for community growth and sustainability.

By and for the community, TCG is opening their first location at 627 S. 60th Street in 2024. To learn more, visit www.thecommunitygrocer.org .

Media Contacts:

Scott Graham

(410) 409-4803

[email protected]

Nicole Cheslock (on-site)

(215) 539-9867

[email protected]

 2023 M&T Bank. Member FDIC. NMLS# 381076

SOURCE M&T Bank
Community Fund donations from Noble Solar & Storage Project in Denton County

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, National Grid Renewables announced its pledge to donate $1.1 million to Denton County, Texas school districts and fire departments through its Noble Solar and Storage Project (Noble). Noble is an operating 275 megawatt (MW) solar, 125 megawatt-hour (MWh) storage project located in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) market, approximately 45 minutes north of Dallas.

Noble will support the Noble Community Fund via annual donations to the Krum Fire Department, Sanger Fire Department, Greenwood-Slidell Volunteer Fire Department, Sanger Independent School District, and Krum Independent School District.

"We are grateful for the collaboration and the opportunity to work with National Grid Renewables, especially given the rising costs of firefighting equipment and training," said Adam North, Assistant Fire Chief with the Krum Fire Department. "This collaboration will enable us to better serve the community by funding equipment and training to support our mission. We sincerely appreciate their continued support."

The first annual distributions from the Noble Community Fund will be delivered to all five organizations this fall. The total donation amount is an estimated $1.1 million, provided through annual charitable funding of $55,000 over a twenty-year period. Funds are distributed through the Communities Foundation of Texas, a statewide nonprofit organization.

"At National Grid Renewables, we believe that we have a responsibility to be good stewards within our project communities, which includes playing a role in the economic vitality of our host communities throughout rural America," said Blake Nixon, President of National Grid Renewables. "We know that oftentimes, the schools and local emergency services are at the heart of many of these communities, and we're proud to continue the tradition of investing in their growth and success."

As part of its community-focused and farmer-founded roots, National Grid Renewables initiates charitable funds for each of its owned and operational large scale renewable energy projects. The purpose of these charitable funds is to engage in, assist, and contribute money to charitable and/or community activities and opportunities within the project communities. The gifts donated by the charitable funds are above and beyond any tax revenue delivered by National Grid Renewables' projects. To learn more about National Grid Renewables' commitment to communities, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com/communities.

About National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables develops and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States, including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-friendly and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America's electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid's vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on Twitter or LinkedIn.

CONTACT: National Grid Renewables

[email protected]

612.429.7050

SOURCE National Grid Renewables
Global survey of more than 15,000 physicians in 11 countries uncovers need for further education

The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World invites researchers to propose new analysis & educational programs

On average, 67% of U.S. doctors mistakenly believe nicotine causes lung cancer and 66%-75% mistakenly believe nicotine is a direct cause of a range of illness such as atherosclerosis, birth defects and more.

93% of doctors in the U.S. at least moderately agree that helping patients quit smoking is a priority.

Encouragingly, 81% of American physicians surveyed are at least moderately interested in additional cessation and tobacco harm reduction training.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 7 in 10 U.S. doctors mistakenly attribute the negative health consequences of smoking to nicotine, directly jeopardizing advancements made in helping smokers quit, a survey funded by a Foundation for a Smoke-Free World grant has found.

Sermo, an independent platform and leader in actionable healthcare professional insights, surveyed more than 15,000 doctors online in 11 countries (China, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Africa, United Kingdom, and the United States).

Nearly 7 out of 10 U.S. physicians mistakenly believe nicotine causes lung cancer. Encouragingly, 93% of doctors in the U.S. at least moderately agree that helping patients quit smoking is a priority.

The survey found that while 93% of doctors in the U.S. at least moderately agree helping patients quit smoking is a priority, it is troubling that 66%-75% mistakenly believe nicotine causes a range of illnesses from lung cancer and COPD to atheroscelrosis and birth defects.

These results raise concerns about U.S. doctors' ability to equip patients who smoke with the most accurate and effective advice on how to quit. This misperception could account for the fact that 5 in 10 U.S. doctors are not aware of training opportunities focused on smoking reduction or cessation.

"It is imperative that doctors get the proper training to learn the facts about nicotine and tobacco harm reduction options that can help their smoking patients quit," said Dr. Muhammad Ahmed, Director of Health and Science Research, Foundation for a Smoke-Free World. "With more than 7 million smokers dying annually from smoking-related diseases worldwide, many lives can be saved if doctors become more knowledgeable about the cessation tools available."

Dr. Jed Rose, President and CEO of Rose Research Center (RRC) and co-inventor of the nicotine patch, said, "Patients look to doctors for trusted health advice. Therefore, it is vital that doctors provide accurate, current advice to smokers about the health risks of smoking cigarettes compared to using products that deliver nicotine without combustion."

RRC is a research facility based in Raleigh, NC that specializes in tobacco dependence research, including research on smokers, addiction, smoking cessation, tobacco harm reduction and the use of other tobacco products. RRC is a Foundation for a Smoke-Free World grantee.

Dr. Rose was a panelist on the Doctors' Survey webinar, where he joined other tobacco control experts to discuss the survey results and their impact on smoking cessation and harm reduction efforts. The webinar can be accessed at www.tinyurl.com/Doctors-Survey-Webinar.

Even though there is near unanimity in the global healthcare community that combustion, more than nicotine, is what leads to the negative health consequences from smoking, the Doctors' Survey uncovered that in United States:

67% of doctors on average at least moderately agree that nicotine causes lung, and 69% at least moderately agree nicotine causes bladder cancer and head/neck/gastric cancer;

75% of doctors in the U.S. on average at least moderately agree that atherosclerosis is caused by nicotine; and

66% of U.S. doctors on average at least moderately agree that COPD is caused by nicotine.

Although these misperceptions are alarming, 85% of physicians surveyed in the U.S. have had at least some training on smoking cessation, with 81% at least moderately interested in further training focused on smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction.

The survey, which was conducted in 2022, also found that while doctors' conversations with American patients who smoke focus on the health benefits of cutting down or quitting (74%) and the health risks of continuing (74%), a comparatively smaller number of physicians (65%) recommend cutting down on the amount of smokable tobacco products.

The Doctors' Survey findings for the U.S. can be accessed on the Foundation's website at www.smokefreeworld.org/doctorssurvey/united-states/.

The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World invites researchers to submit proposals to further analyze the Doctors' Survey findings and propose programs that would help improve doctors' fluency about smoking cessation and tobacco harm reduction. Researchers interested in submitting a proposal should contact [email protected].

About the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World

The Foundation for a Smoke-Free World is an independent, U.S. nonprofit 501(c)(3) grantmaking organization with the purpose of improving global health by ending smoking in this generation. The Foundation supports its mission through three broad categories of work: Health and Science Research; Agricultural Diversification; and Industry Transformation. Funded by annual gifts from PMI Global Services Inc. ("PMI"), the Foundation is independent from PMI and operates in a manner that ensures its independence from any commercial entity. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.smokefreeworld.org.

Contact: Laziza Lambert, Actum LLC, [email protected], (913) 709-5317

SOURCE Foundation for a Smoke-Free World
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The neon gas market size is expected to grow by USD 105.46 million, accelerating at a CAGR of 7.29% during the forecast period. The growth of the market depends on several factors such as increasing demand for ICs, increasing demand for lighting, and industrial growth in emerging countries. Technavio report provides a detailed analysis of 20 companies operating in the neon gas market including Air Liquide SA, Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Axcel Gases, Bhuruka Gases Ltd., Chemix Gases, Chengdu Taiyu Industrial Gases Co. Ltd., Cryoin Engineering Ltd., Deluxe Industrial Gases, INGAS LLC, Jinhong Gas Co. Ltd., Linde Plc, Merck KGaA, Messer SE and Co. KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp., Proton Gases India Pvt. Ltd., TEMC Co. LTD., and Wesfarmers Ltd. Request Free sample report now

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Neon Gas Market 2023-2027

Neon Gas Market 2023-2027: Company Analysis

INGAS LLC: The company offers neon gas for scientific research and laser technology.

This report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and latest developments. Buy Full Report Now for detailed company information

Neon Gas Market 2023-2027: Segmentation

Application

Semiconductor

Imaging and lighting

Lasers

Others

Distribution Channel

Cylinders

Bulk and micro bulk

On-site

Geography

North America

Europe

APAC

South America

Middle East & Africa

The semiconductor sector is expected to experience substantial growth during the forecast period. The introduction of multi-core digital signal processors (DSPs) is helping to lower power consumption while boosting performance. Multi-core DSPs are crucial for improving surveillance in defense infrastructure, particularly in high-performance radar and avionics systems. These systems rely on efficient DSP algorithm implementations to provide the necessary processing support for radars and military equipment.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View Free PDF Sample Report

Neon Gas Market 2023-2027: Key Highlights

Historic Market Size 2017-2021

CAGR of the market during 2023-2027

Detailed information on factors that will assist neon gas market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the neon gas market size and its contribution to the parent market

The growth of the neon gas market

Analysis of the competitive landscape and detailed information on companies

Comprehensive details of factors that will impede the growth of neon gas market companies

FAQS

How do the major trends impact the market?

How big is the Europe market?

market? How do the key drivers and challenges impact the market?

Related Reports:

Medical Gas Blenders Market: The global medical gas blenders market size is estimated to grow by USD 623.37 million at a CAGR of 6.01% between 2022 and 2027.

Rare Gases Market: The rare gases market size has the potential to grow by USD 120.36 million during 2020-2024, and the market's growth momentum will accelerate during the forecast period.

Table of Content:

Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Application Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hearing the sound of a newborn's wail can trigger the release of oxytocin, a brain chemical that controls breast-milk release in mothers, a new study in rodents shows. Researchers found that once prompted, this flood of hormones continues for roughly five minutes before tapering off, enabling mothers to feed their young until they are sated or begin crying again.

Led by researchers at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the study explored a centuries-old observation in humans and other mammals that when a baby begins a feeding session, its cries alone can prompt its mother to release breast milk. Studies dating back decades have shown that such calls for food, and not suckling itself, prompts the largest oxytocin surges. However, the mechanisms behind and purpose for this wail-to-milk pipeline had until now remained unclear.

According to the findings, publishing online Sept. 20 in the journal Nature, when a mouse pup starts crying, sound information travels to an area of its mother's brain called the posterior intralaminar nucleus of the thalamus (PIL). This sensory hub then sends signals to oxytocin-releasing brain cells (neurons) in another region called the hypothalamus, a control center for hormone activity.

Most of the time these hypothalamus neurons are "locked down" by proteins that act as gatekeepers to prevent false alarms and wasted milk. After 30 seconds of continuous crying, however, signals from the PIL were found to build up and overpower these inhibitory proteins, setting off oxytocin release.

"Our findings uncover how a crying infant primes its mother's brain to ready her body for nursing," said study co-lead author Habon Issa, a graduate student at NYU Langone Health. "Without such preparation, there can be a delay of several minutes between suckling and milk flow, potentially leading to a frustrated baby and stressed parent."

The results also revealed that the oxytocin boost only occurs in mother mice and not in females who have never given birth. In addition, the mothers' brain circuitry only responded to her pups' cries and not to computer-generated tones designed to mimic natural wails.

According to Issa, the study offers the first description of how sensory experiences like hearing directly activate oxytocin neurons in mothers. She notes that the scientists used a relatively new kind of molecular sensor called iTango to measure actual oxytocin release from brain cells in real time. Previously, she says, researchers could only take indirect measurements using proxies because the hormone degrades quickly given its small size.

For the study, the research team examined brain-cell activity in dozens of female mice. Then, in a form of "reverse engineering," they traced how sound information travels through different areas of the brain to trigger milk flow.

Next, the team explored how this circuit affects parenting behavior. Normally, when pups stray or are removed from their nest, mothers will quickly retrieve them no matter how many times this occurs, says Issa. However, when the researchers chemically blocked the PIL from communicating with oxytocin neurons, the mice eventually tired and stopped fetching their young. Once the system was turned back on, the mothers pushed through their fatigue and continued caring for the infants.

"These results suggest that the crying-prompted brain circuit is not only important for nursing behavior, but also for maintaining a mother's attention over time and encouraging effective care of her young even when she is exhausted," said study senior author Robert Froemke, PhD. Froemke is the Skirball Foundation Professor of Genetics in the Department of Neuroscience and Physiology at NYU Langone.

Also a professor in the Department of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery at NYU Langone, Froemke adds that learning how the oxytocin system works (and goes awry) in our own species may offer new ways to help human mothers who want to breastfeed but struggle to do so.

Froemke, a member of NYU Langone's Neuroscience Institute, cautions that the researchers did not measure lactation itself, only the hormone release that prompts it.

Funding for the study was provided by National Institutes of Health grants T32MH019524, P01NS107616, and DP1MH119428. Further funding was provided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada PGS-D Fellowship and a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Faculty Scholarship.

In addition to Issa and Froemke, former NYU investigator Silvana Valtcheva, PhD, now at the University of Cologne in Germany, served as the study co-lead author. Other NYU Langone investigators involved in the study were Chloe Blair-Marshall, BS; Kathleen Martin, BS; and Yiyao Zhang, PhD. Additional study authors include Kanghoon Jung, PhD; and Hyung-Bae Kwon, PhD, at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Md.

Media Inquiries:

Shira Polan

Phone: 212-404-4279

[email protected]

SOURCE NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health
RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Olalah Njenga, CEO of YellowWood Group, LLC, was awarded the 2023 Lewis Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year Award by the National Small Business Association (NSBA). NSBA presented Njenga with the award during the opening luncheon of the association's signature event, the Washington Presentation, held September 13th -14th in the Crystal City area near D.C.

Njenga, a small business owner from Raleigh, North Carolina, gave remarks that chronicled her journey from employee, to business leader, to advocate in front of a crowd of 200+.

"Not only is Olalah a fierce small-business advocate unencumbered by political allegiances, she is the epitome of a small-business success story," stated NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken.

Njenga has served under two governors from two different political affiliations to the NCWorks Commission, filling a coveted seat on one of the state's most visible boards, where she represents the interests of North Carolina's 900,000+ small-business owners. She has also served in several public sector and non-profit board leadership roles over the 20 years she has lead her consulting firm.

"I am honored to receive this recognition from an organization like NSBA, we share the belief that how you treat people matters," stated Njenga. "My philosophy of advocacy is to do the most for the most without expectation, and it has served me well as an advocate. I urge all small-business owners to get involved in our political process, to start somewhere and to start today."

YellowWood Group is a strategy consulting firm that helps leaders transform ambitious ideas into outrageous outcomes. Discover more at: yellowwoodgroup.com.

As the nation's first small-business advocacy organization and celebrating more than 85 years in operation, NSBA is a staunchly nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of America's entrepreneurs. Discover more at: nsba.biz.

Contact:

YellowWood Group

***@yellowwoodgroup.com

Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12984990

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE YellowWood Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Despite all the injustices, despite all the crimes committed by the criminal Armenian regime, we have never blamed the Armenian people for these crimes, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the nation, Trend reports.

We did not blame the Armenian people for the Khojaly genocide, the destruction of our towns and villages, and the digging of graves. We accused the elements and leaders of the criminal regime, and we will bring them to justice. Some have already received their deserved punishment, and some other will follow suit, the head of state noted.
Southern California gateway draws highest score among California airports and third highest for mid-sized airports

ONTARIO, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --Ontario International Airport earned the highest score among California airports and the third highest among medium-size airports in a prestigious ranking of airports in North America.

According to the highly regarded J.D. Power 2023 North America Airport Satisfaction Study released today, ONT earned a score of 834 out of 1,000 possible points, the highest score of any California airport in the three airport categories surveyed  mega, large and medium.

Ontario International Airport earned the highest score among California airports and the third highest among medium-size airports in a prestigious ranking of airports in North America.

"We are elated that ONT is recognized among air travelers as a top airport in North America, an honor which I believe is richly deserved as we strive to deliver world class facilities, amenities and our hallmark hassle-free customer experience," said Alan D. Wapner, president of the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA) Board of Commissioners and an Ontario City councilmember. "We thank the millions of travelers who choose ONT when they fly, our airline partners who bring new services and our concessionaires who provide appealing dining and retail options. We are grateful for their steadfast loyalty."

The J.D. Power rankings are determined according to surveys of more than 27,000 U.S. and Canadian residents who traveled through at least one airport in either country in the past 30 days. Travelers rated airports on "six factors (in order of importance): terminal facilities; airport arrival/departure; baggage claim; security check; check-in/baggage check; and food, beverage and retail."

Said OIAA Chief Executive Atif Elkadi: "We are gratified that of the nine California airports surveyed, ONT had the highest score, 834, an increase from 813 in 2022 when ONT was ranked No. 8 among medium airports. This is a testament to the hard work of our employees and those of our airline and other business partners who strive each day to deliver exceptional service. Our goal is simply to make ONT the airport of choice for travelers in Southern California."

About Ontario International Airport

Ontario International Airport (ONT) is the fastest growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a leading publication for frequent fliers. Located in the Inland Empire, ONT is approximately 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles in the center of Southern California. It is a full-service airport which offers nonstop commercial jet service to two dozen major airports in the U.S., Mexico, Central America and Taiwan. More information is available at www.flyOntario.com. Follow @flyONT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

About the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA)

The OIAA was formed in August 2012 by a Joint Powers Agreement between the City of Ontario and the County of San Bernardino to provide overall direction for the management, operations, development and marketing of ONT for the benefit of the Southern California economy and the residents of the airport's four-county catchment area. OIAA Commissioners are Ontario City Councilmember Alan D. Wapner (President), Retired Riverside Mayor Ronald O. Loveridge (Vice President), Ontario City Councilmember Jim W. Bowman (Secretary), San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman (Commissioner) and retired business executive Julia Gouw (Commissioner).

OIAA Media Contact:

Steve Lambert, (909) 841-7527 [email protected]

SOURCE Ontario International Airport
New features help customers efficiently manage user access, better protect sensitive information, and address regulatory requirements

City and County of San Francisco meets user access goals with Oracle Access Governance

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle CloudWorld -- Oracle today announced updates to Oracle Access Governance to help IT teams better assign, monitor, and manage user access to applications and other tech resources. This cloud-native service provides detailed visibility into how users interact with tech resources, helping to reduce risk by allowing only authorized users to use, see, or interact with restricted assets such as source code, patents, databases, applications, or infrastructure resources like cloud servers and services.

Providing enough access to legitimate users without exposing sensitive data, applications, or infrastructure to unintended parties is a growing challenge for all organizations. As different users including employees, contractors, customers and suppliers join or change roles, their access must also change. For example, teaching hospitals store personal information about patients that is protected by HIPAA regulations. Medical students do not need access to patient data, but they will require it when they become residents after graduating. Oracle Access Governance can detect the change in status from student to resident and automatically change permissions based on the needs of the new role.

These challenges are increasingly important in highly regulated or sensitive industries that handle personal data like financial services, healthcare, and government agencies. The City and County of San Francisco (CCSF), for example, serves more than 4.5 million residents and must ensure their services are always accessible for internal and external users including the public, employees, suppliers, and state agencies. As a government agency that provides essential services, CCSF must provide access to users without compromising sensitive data. CCSF turned to Oracle Access Governance because it is user-friendly and available 24x7. Easy-to-use functions to review access and design assignment workflows help CCSF achieve its identity and access management goals.

When organizations need to manage a handful of applications and users, identity and access teams may be able to manually review and grant each individual access request. But, as organizations grow to 10,000, 100,000 or more userseach requiring access to different resourcesthe job becomes unmanageable for humans.

New Features Help Organizations Manage Access

Oracle Access Governance has helped make it easier for organizations to automate identity governance and administration tasks to better manage the access needs for large numbers of users with new features including:

Dynamic Access Control: Helps automate the process of managing the identity lifecycle and resource access. It can grant access to thousands of users at once following several common methodsincluding attribute, role, or policy-based access controland enables organizations to customize methods to meet their unique needs. It can also automatically grant access through bundles that assign privileges to large groups with granular and customizable control based on corporate policies and identity collections.

Helps automate the process of managing the identity lifecycle and resource access. It can grant access to thousands of users at once following several common methodsincluding attribute, role, or policy-based access controland enables organizations to customize methods to meet their unique needs. It can also automatically grant access through bundles that assign privileges to large groups with granular and customizable control based on corporate policies and identity collections. No-Code Workflow Formation : Helps organizations define the process for access provisioning, reviews, and control without requiring additional IT or development resources. An intuitive, graphical interface makes it easy for organizations to visualize and design access governance processes while integrating tools such as user management and identity collection services into workflows. A well-designed process speeds up access provisioning for both humans and machines.

: Helps organizations define the process for access provisioning, reviews, and control without requiring additional IT or development resources. An intuitive, graphical interface makes it easy for organizations to visualize and design access governance processes while integrating tools such as user management and identity collection services into workflows. A well-designed process speeds up access provisioning for both humans and machines. Swift Application Onboarding: Helps organizations provision access to new on-premises and cloud applications with a guided step-by-step process and simplified data loading. A wizard-based system manages user identities centrally and prepares applications for access provisioning by managing and updating information without cumbersome data migrations. Streamlining the connection between application resources and Oracle Access Governance helps organizations better secure personal information about users.

"As global environments become increasingly digital and complex, it is becoming more challenging for organizations to efficiently manage user access and protect sensitive information," said Pavana Jain, vice president of product management, Oracle Identity and Access Management. "The new features within Oracle Access Governance address a critical gap in the market by giving organizations better tools to maintain a complete view of user access and manage those permissions even in shifting IT environments."

"With our transition to a cloud-based governance solution, Oracle Access Governance presents an appealing option for streamlining user access reviews, providing enterprise-wide visibility into access permissions, ensuring zero migration effort, and offering insight-driven analytics," said Monica J. Field, IT director, identity and access management, Cummins Inc. "We believe it has the potential to enhance our IT security and efficiency, making it a worthwhile solution for organizations exploring cloud governance platforms."

"As we steer our path towards the adoption of a cloud native governance architecture, Oracle Access Governance rises as a critical player in this arena. Its strategic design, emphasizing intuitive user access review, prescriptive analytics powered by data insights, and automated remediation, echoes our commitment to fostering a secure IT environment," said Chinna Subramaniam, director, IAM & directory Services, Department of Technology, City and County of San Francisco. "This cloud native service aligns perfectly with our forward-looking IT security strategy, and we are eager to explore its potential."

"Oracle Access Governance offers the capabilities we need to meet our strategic business and security requirements including intuitive access reviews through a user-friendly and productive user interface, robust analytics, and automated remediation powered by advanced machine learning technologies," said John Kelly, director, identity and access services, University Information Technology Services, UMass. "This cloud-native service supports our commitment to building a secure and cost-effective IT environment for our employees, students, and businesses. Because it can seamlessly connect to our existing identity governance and administration solution and other investments on-premises and in the cloud, Oracle Access Governance is a pivotal asset for our identity governance strategy."

Additional Resources

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

About Oracle CloudWorld

Oracle CloudWorld is Oracle's largest global celebration of customers and partners. Join us to discover the insights you need to tackle your biggest business challenges, build your skills, knowledge, and connections, and learn more about our cloud infrastructure, database, applications and developer technologies including Java from the people that build and use them. For registration, live keynotes, session details, news and more visit oracle.com/cloudworld or oracle.com/news.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud companyushering in the new era of cloud computing.

SOURCE Oracle
Oracle Database@Azure, MySQL HeatWave Lakehouse on AWS, and Oracle Alloy provide organizations with more flexibility to deploy cloud services anywhere

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Oracle CloudWorld -- Oracle continues to expand its distributed cloud offerings to meet organizations' diverse needs and the growing worldwide demand for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) services. The latest additions to OCI's distributed cloud include Oracle Database@Azure and MySQL HeatWave Lakehouse on AWS. As a result, organizations gain even more flexibility to deploy cloud services anywhere while addressing a variety of data privacy, data sovereignty, and low latency requirements, as well as access to more than 100 services designed to run any workload. Demonstrating the success of its distributed cloud strategy, Oracle also announced increased global partner adoption of Oracle Alloy.

"OCI's distributed cloud is designed to give customers as much choice as possible in where and how they deploy cloud services without sacrificing performance, scale, and availability," said Karan Batta, senior vice president, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. "The modern-day cloud must be more distributed and more flexible than ever. With Oracle database services running on OCI and deployed in Microsoft Azure datacenters customers gain more flexibility on where they run their workloads."

Oracle Database@Azure Delivers Direct Access to Oracle Database Services Running on OCI in Microsoft Azure

With the recent introduction of Oracle Database@Azure, customers will gain direct access to Oracle database services running on OCI and deployed in Microsoft Azure datacenters. Oracle Database@Azure delivers all the performance, scale, and availability advantages of Oracle Database on OCI. This combination provides customers with more flexibility regarding where they run their workloads. It also provides a streamlined environment that simplifies cloud purchasing and management between Oracle Database and Azure services.

MySQL HeatWave Lakehouse Now Available on AWS

With the addition of the Lakehouse capability in MySQL HeatWave, AWS customers can now run transaction processing, real-time analytics across data warehouses and data lakes, and machine learning in one cloud database service. They can replace five AWS services with one, reducing complexity and obtaining the best price-performance in the industry for analytics.

With HeatWave Lakehouse, AWS customers can query hundreds of terabytes of data in Amazon S3 object storage in a variety of file formats including CSV, Parquet, Avro, and export from other databases without copying the S3 data to the database. The query processing is done entirely in the HeatWave engine, enabling customers to take advantage of HeatWave for both non-MySQL and MySQL-compatible workloads. They can continue to run applications on AWS with no changes and without incurring unreasonably high AWS data egress fees. Customers can also run AutoML on HeatWave Lakehouse which provides them with the ability to automatically train machine learning models, run inference and explanations on files stored in S3, and run various kinds of machine learning analysis from the interactive MySQL HeatWave console. MySQL HeatWave Lakehouse on AWS is now in limited availability.

Oracle Alloy helps partners generate new business opportunities while operating locally

Now available to be ordered globally, Oracle Alloy, an award-winning cloud infrastructure platform, enables service providers, integrators, independent software vendors (ISVs), and other organizations to capitalize on the unprecedented business and new growth opportunities of the cloud. Nomura Research Institute, Ltd. (NRI), a leading global provider of consulting services and system solutions, has selected Alloy to help its customers move to the cloud faster and more securely.

With Alloy, NRI will be able to grow its cloud business by offering its customers access to more than 100 OCI services. With the full set of OCI services in its own datacenter, NRI will be able to help its customers migrate their systems to the cloud while benefiting from its compliance, governance, and security capabilities. In addition, Alloy will enable NRI's customers to integrate their systems with NRI's key financial cloud applications and services and leverage a cloud platform with compliance and governance aligned with the stringent requirements of customers, including financial governance and digital sovereignty. NRI will implement Oracle Alloy in its data centers in Tokyo and Osaka. NRI also runs three of its most critical applications on OCI Dedicated Region: BESTWAY, T-STAR, and THE STAR.

"We were one of the first organizations to adopt OCI Dedicated Region. Running all three of our key financial applications in an OCI Dedicated Region has enabled us to accelerate business growth and we are now ready to take the next step in our journey with Oracle to help our customers gain the benefits of the cloud via OCI," said Shigekazu Ohmoto, senior corporate managing director, Nomura Research Institute. "With Oracle Alloy, we will be able to provide new, customized cloud services and help our customers move their systems to the cloud and modernize them using the latest OCI services and technology, such as AI. In addition, we will be able help them integrate their systems with our SaaS applications. This will further benefit the growth of our business while also contributing to the success of our customers."

About OCI's Distributed Cloud

OCI's distributed cloud offers customers the benefits of cloud with greater control over data residency, locality, and authority, even across multiple clouds. OCI's distributed cloud features:

Multicloud: OCI's multicloud capabilities, such as Oracle Database@Azure and MySQL HeatWave on AWS, give customers the choice to select the best cloud provider for their applications and databases.

OCI's multicloud capabilities, such as Oracle Database@Azure and MySQL HeatWave on AWS, give customers the choice to select the best cloud provider for their applications and databases. Hybrid cloud: OCI delivers cloud services on-premises via Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer and Compute Cloud@Customer and manages infrastructure in over 60 countries.

OCI delivers cloud services on-premises via Oracle Exadata Cloud@Customer and Compute Cloud@Customer and manages infrastructure in over 60 countries. Public cloud: OCI operates 45 cloud regions in 23 countries, including an EU Sovereign Cloud to help meet EU data residency and data sovereignty requirements.

OCI operates 45 cloud regions in 23 countries, including an EU Sovereign Cloud to help meet EU data residency and data sovereignty requirements. Dedicated cloud: OCI delivers dedicated regions for customers to run all Oracle cloud services in their own datacenters, while Oracle Alloy enables partners to customize cloud services and the experience for their customers. Oracle also operates separate US, UK, and Australian Government Clouds, and Isolated Cloud Regions for US national security purposes.

Additional Resources

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

About Oracle CloudWorld

Oracle CloudWorld is Oracle's largest global celebration of customers and partners. Join us to discover the insights you need to tackle your biggest business challenges, build your skills, knowledge, and connections, and learn more about our cloud infrastructure, database, applications and developer technologies including Java from the people that build and use them. For registration, live keynotes, session details, news and more visit oracle.com/cloudworld or oracle.com/news.

Forward-Looking Statements Disclaimer

Statements in this article relating to Oracle's future plans, expectations, beliefs, and intentions are "forward-looking statements" and are subject to material risks and uncertainties. Many factors could affect Oracle's current expectations and actual results, and could cause actual results to differ materially. A discussion of such factors and other risks that affect Oracle's business is contained in Oracle's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including Oracle's most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q under the heading "Risk Factors."

These filings are available on the SEC's website or on Oracle's website at http://www.oracle.com/investor. All information in this article is current as of September 20, 2023 and Oracle undertakes no duty to update any statement in light of new information or future events.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud companyushering in the new era of cloud computing.

SOURCE Oracle
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Pathfinder Ventures Inc. (TSXV: RV) (the "Company" or "Pathfinder.") is pleased to announce it has launched a Management Services Division, where it has deployed its current operating expertise and utilized existing infrastructure to help RV park owners increase their occupancy, operating income, and property value, while also expanding the Pathfinder Camp Resorts' brand presence. The Company also announces it has signed its first Management Services agreement and has begun operating a newly constructed RV Park and RV Community in B.C., which will be added to Pathfinder's network of existing locations and managed "by Pathfinder Camp Resorts."

 Pathfinder launches Management Services Division adding immediate and un-leveraged cash flow in a scalable and proven business model.  Newly constructed Mid-Coast RV Park on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. has selected Pathfinder to manage the RV Community. (CNW Group/Pathfinder Ventures Inc.)

Pathfinder launches Management Services Division adding immediate and unleveraged cash flow in a scalable and proven business model.

Newly constructed "Mid-Coast RV Park" on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. has selected Pathfinder to manage the RV Community.

New Growth Strategy  Management Services Division

Under its new Management Services Division, Pathfinder Camp Resorts will provide a turn-key solution for third-party RV park's operational requirements, such as online reservations, on-site staffing & HR, administration, marketing and accounting. The services can be tailored to the unique needs of each property to meet the overall financial and operating objectives of the third-party ownership groups.

The new division will bring Pathfinder immediate and unleveraged cash flow, contributing to the Company's bottom-line. The new Management Services Division is scalable, with revenues expecting to increase at a much faster pace than the direct overheads pertaining to expanding the service offerings. The new growth strategy further adds to Pathfinder's brand recognition and possible opportunities for the Company to purchase the managed properties.

Stan Duckworth, Pathfinder's COO stated, "there are over 5600 RV parks and campgrounds in Canada, many of which are privately owned and operated, which could benefit from our 25+ years' experience and expertise which has resulted in our own RV resorts having occupancy rates above industry average."

New Location - Mid-Coast RV Park, Sunshine Coast B.C. , by Pathfinder Camp Resorts

Pathfinder is pleased to announce it has commenced operating the newly constructed Mid-Coast RV Park which is located in Halfmoon Bay on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast. The RV Park is BC's newest RV community, which offers 40 RV sites with a full suite of RV hookups, including 50-amp electrical connections. Pathfinder Camp Resorts Management Services Division will utilize the same infrastructure and personnel that are currently providing support to its existing Pathfinder Camp Resorts locations.

"We're honoured that Pathfinder Camp Resorts was selected to operate the newly constructed Mid-Coast RV Park on BC's beautiful Sunshine Coast," stated Joe Bleackley, CEO and Founder of Pathfinder. "Our expertise and ongoing presence in British Columbia will bring significant value to the newly constructed Mid-Coast RV Park.

Todd Macdonald, owner of Mid-Coast RV Park stated, "It was a natural fit for Pathfinder to operate our newly constructed RV Park. Pathfinder has a large footprint in Southern British Columbia including an operational team that already services multiple RV resort locations and RV customers."

Pathfinder has also secured the Right of First Refusal to purchase the property until May 2024.

About Pathfinder Ventures

Pathfinder Ventures Inc. owns and operates RV Resorts, RV Communities and campgrounds under the "Pathfinder Camp Resorts" name. Pathfinder currently has four locations in B.C. and is focused on growing its network through both acquisitions, new construction, and management services. The Corporation is taking advantage of the growing outdoor hospitality market driven by Canadians looking to experience the great outdoors in an RV.

To learn more about Pathfinder Camp Resorts, click the link below:

www.PathfinderCampResorts.com

On behalf of the board of directors of the Corporation:

Joe Bleackley

Chief Executive Officer, Founder and Director

Pathfinder Ventures Inc.

Website: PathfinderVentures.ca || PathfinderCampResorts.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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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.

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Corporation and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Corporation, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's expectations include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulations.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Corporation. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release.

In the case of Pathfinder, this news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are particular to Pathfinder and are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Pathfinder's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Pathfinder or its management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Pathfinder, Pathfinder provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, Pathfinder's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, refinancing and funding, and anticipated future growth in new markets. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of Pathfinder to successfully implement its development strategy and whether this will yield the expected benefits; competitive factors in Pathfinder's industry sector; the success or failure of product development programs; currently existing applicable laws and regulations or future applicable laws and regulations that may affect Pathfinder' s business; decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; Covid-19 related risks, availability of properties; the economic circumstances surrounding Pathfinder's business, including general economic conditions in Canada, the US and worldwide; changes in exchange rates; changes in the equity market; inflation; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; and those other risks disclosed in the filing statement or other disclosure document prepared and supplied on Sedar. Although Pathfinder believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Pathfinder disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

SOURCE Pathfinder Ventures Inc.
Andy Bird to retire

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Pearson PLC (FTSE: PSON.L), the world's leading learning company, today announced the appointment of Omar Abbosh as its new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective early 2024. Omar Abbosh will succeed Andy Bird, who has decided to retire as CEO of Pearson.

Appointment of Omar Abbosh as Pearson's new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective early 2024 Post this Omar Abbosh as Pearson's new Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, effective early 2024

Omar Abbosh is a highly regarded global leader with over 30 years of experience in enterprise technology driving substantial growth, strategy and transformation of leading multinational companies. He has a deep understanding of the dynamic business and technology landscape having helped to shape and execute successful strategies in a world of disruption.

Omar is President of Microsoft's Industry Solutions business with direct responsibility for driving sales, service, and solutions across Microsoft's largest global customers. He leads industry and technical business units including strategy, engineering, partnering and sales teams that shape product road maps and strategic campaigns across industries.

Prior to Microsoft, he spent three decades at Accenture in numerous senior leadership roles, including Chief Strategy Officer and ultimately as Chief Executive of the global Communications, Technology and Media business. Omar also serves as a member of the Board of Zuora Inc, a NYSE listed, enterprise SaaS company.

Omid Kordestani, Chair of Pearson, said:

"On behalf of the Board and the Pearson team, I would like to thank Andy for his outstanding leadership over the last three years. Andy has implemented an ambitious vision and strategy for the company and has successfully transitioned Pearson into a consumer-focused business, orientated around lifelong learning. He has driven substantial cultural and organizational change and delivered consistently strong financial performance. With Pearson on firm foundations and with a trajectory for growth, Andy feels now is the right time to hand the reins to a successor.

"The Board is delighted, having conducted a thorough selection process, to appoint Omar Abbosh as our new Chief Executive. Omar is an inspirational, dynamic and growth orientated leader with deep commercial, technology and operational expertise focused on delivering high quality services and products across diverse markets and customer sets. He has extensive experience in creating and executing strategies to enable companies to harness technology and succeed in a world of disruptive change. He shares our values and our ambition and has a strong track record of execution. The Board and I look forward to working with Omar as we accelerate our strategy and continue to deliver value for all our stakeholders."

Omar Abbosh said:

"I am honored to have been appointed as the next Chief Executive of Pearson. The Company is at an exciting stage of its growth journey in markets that are increasingly digital. I look forward to building on the strategic growth opportunities, along with the leadership team, placing Pearson in the vanguard of lifelong learning. Education and learning are fundamental to help people progress through their lives and I am thrilled to work with our customers and partners to build on Pearson's heritage and deliver on the next chapter for all our stakeholders. This is a truly vital mission."

Andy Bird said:

"It has been an enormous privilege to lead Pearson through a period of significant change over the last three years. The business is now firmly established as a digital-first learning company, with technology driving significant growth. It is re-focused around the learner and lifelong learning, with a stronger culture and increased emphasis on accountability and execution. We are well positioned for future growth with a clear vision and a strong management team to deliver it. I am confident that Omar has the right skillset and experience to take Pearson forward."

There is no further information to be declared in accordance with LR 9.6.13.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014.

Remuneration package disclosure

Omar Abbosh's remuneration arrangements are consistent with the remuneration policy approved by shareholders in April 2023. The principal elements are as follows:

An annual base salary of 1,000,000;

An annual cash allowance of 16% of base salary in lieu of pension; in line with the maximum available company pension contribution for UK employees of a similar age;

Participation in Pearson's performance based Annual Incentive Plan (AIP) from 2024, with a maximum annual opportunity of 300% of base salary and a target bonus equal to 50% of the maximum opportunity;

From 2024, participation in the performance based Pearson Long Term Incentive Plan with an annual face value of 450% of base salary;

In addition, Pearson will compensate Omar for remuneration he will forgo as a result of resigning from his current role on a like-for-like basis. This will consist of a cash payment in lieu of his annual bonus expected to be 249,050 covering the 6 months between the end of his current employer's financial year end and the beginning of his eligibility for Pearson's AIP in 2024; and an award of restricted shares of equivalent value to a maximum of 50,813 Microsoft shares, determined by the average Microsoft share price at an average FX rate over a 3 month period, which will vest annually in three equal tranches to match the awards forgone. This maximum share award has a value of approximately 13m at current share price and FX.

Omar will be subject to the ongoing shareholding policy that currently requires him to build up a shareholding of Pearson shares with a market value of 4.5x salary.

Further details of Omar's remuneration will be disclosed as appropriate in the 2023 annual report.

The remuneration arrangements in relation to Andy Bird's departure from Pearson will be disclosed on Pearson's website at the appropriate time in accordance with section 430(2B) of the Companies Act 2006

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That's why our c.20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world's leading learning company, serving customers in c.200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning isn't just what we do. It's who we are.

For more information visit us at pearsonplc.com and connect with Pearson on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Pearson
RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Pendo , the all-in-one product experience platform, today announced highlights from its first two fiscal quarters ending July 31, 2023. Key highlights include onboarding over 35 additional six-figure customers, launching an exciting new AI product roadmap, and appointing three new C-suite executives. Will May has joined the company as chief revenue officer; and JR Rettig and Jason McKerr were promoted to chief people officer and senior vice president of engineering, respectively. More than 10,000 companies now use Pendo to provide better software experiences to over 700 million people every month.

Today's announcement comes on the heels of the July 2023 launch of Pendo AI , an ever-growing collection of AI-powered products and features that enable customers to accelerate product discovery, drive product-led growth, and automate personalized in-app experiences at scale.

"We've sped up the pace of innovation at Pendo and it's paying off in a compelling AI roadmap, and a record number of new products and features shipping in time for Pendomonium," said Todd Olson, CEO and co-founder of Pendo. "Our strong start to this fiscal year is promising and with a new revenue leader and our flagship event on track to be our biggest and best yet, we are well positioned to carry this momentum forward."

Highlights of H1 FY24 include:

Revenue and customer growth: Pendo's strong start to the year was driven by accelerated international momentum, existing customer expansion, and free-to-paid conversions. With the addition of meaningful six-figure customers, Pendo now has 425 customers with an annual contract value over $100,000.

New North American customers include Vimeo, U.S. News and World Report, Facilisgroup, Connect for Health Colorado, TimelyCare, Ivanti, and Transflo. New EMEA customers include Euromonitor International, CARMA, Newcross Healthcare Solutions, Mangopay, and Flock. And in APAC, new customers include Nearmap, AI Inside Inc., and Kanazawa Institute of Technology.

Customers that expanded their relationships with Pendo in the first half of 2023 include Abrigo, Atlassian, Grubhub, Quickbase, StarRez, and Simpro Group.

Product: In the first half of the fiscal year, Pendo announced numerous new products, features and capabilities, including:

Pendo AI : A series of new innovations, along with a long-term product roadmap, to enhance every part of the Pendo platform with artificial intelligence and automation. Pendo's AI investments include one-click guides, instant summaries of qualitative user feedback, and auto-generated customer expansion campaigns, enabling companies to deliver exponentially better digital experiences across the software they buy, build, or sell.

A series of new innovations, along with a long-term product roadmap, to enhance every part of the Pendo platform with artificial intelligence and automation. Pendo's AI investments include one-click guides, instant summaries of qualitative user feedback, and auto-generated customer expansion campaigns, enabling companies to deliver exponentially better digital experiences across the software they buy, build, or sell. Pendo Data Sync : An easy way to export product usage data from Pendo into a cloud storage destination of choice, enabling teams to analyze product data along with other business data to make more confident, data-informed decisions.

An easy way to export product usage data from Pendo into a cloud storage destination of choice, enabling teams to analyze product data along with other business data to make more confident, data-informed decisions. Pendo Free enhancements : Pendo's free offering now includes the ability to create roadmaps and deliver in-app NPS (Net Promoter Score) surveys. Additional tiered subscription plans help free users easily upgrade to a paid plan.

Pendo's free offering now includes the ability to create roadmaps and deliver in-app NPS (Net Promoter Score) surveys. Additional tiered subscription plans help free users easily upgrade to a paid plan. New certification course : Pendo continues to drive the product-led movement forward with its suite of certification courses, launching a new Product Management Basics Certification, and bringing its highly popular Product-led Certification to Japan . The courses have had over 85,000 registrations in total.

Pendomonium 2023: Preparation has been fierce ahead of the seventh edition of Pendo's annual tech event, Pendomonium , returning to Raleigh, NC on October 17-19. Over 1,500 attendees are expected at the annual festival for product and digital transformation leaders, who will explore the theme "How to break away". The event will feature 35+ educational sessions, including an AI spotlight series featuring experts from Google Cloud, Pendo, Writer, and Ada. Other highlight speakers include OpenAI innovator and investor Fraser Kelton, and Milk Bar Founder and Chef Christina Tosi. The event culminates with a live performance from seven-time Grammy Award winner Big Boi, formerly of legendary hip hop band OutKast.

Global: A new datacenter in Japan now enables local customers to store data in the country. Also in Japan, the second-annual Digital Adoption Forum drew hundreds of attendees for talks by industry experts and Pendo customers. In Australia, Pendo launched its partnership with Product Rocket, a product management and UX design consultancy.

Corporate: C-suite additions include:

Will May , who joins Pendo as chief revenue officer to oversee the company's go-to-market (GTM) function, including sales, solutions, success, and services. Prior to Pendo, he was chief revenue officer of productivity platform ClickUp. During his tenure, he helped drive ClickUp's large customers up by 82% YoY. Before ClickUp, Will also led similar commercial, business growth-oriented roles at international brands Zscaler and AppDynamics (later acquired by Cisco).

, who joins Pendo as chief revenue officer to oversee the company's go-to-market (GTM) function, including sales, solutions, success, and services. Prior to Pendo, he was chief revenue officer of productivity platform ClickUp. During his tenure, he helped drive ClickUp's large customers up by 82% YoY. Before ClickUp, Will also led similar commercial, business growth-oriented roles at international brands Zscaler and AppDynamics (later acquired by Cisco). JR Rettig becomes chief people officer after serving as senior vice president of talent; and Jason McKerr moves into the global role of senior vice president of engineering, having previously led U.S. engineering.

Awards: Pendo earned spots on the Inc. Best Workplaces and Forbes Cloud 100 lists for the sixth year in a row. The company was also named among the Inc. 5000 for the fifth time, and was awarded a Best Software Product for 2023 by G2. Jennifer Shevach  Pendo's senior director of engineering  earned a Next Tech Award, gaining recognition as one of North Carolina's rising tech stars.

About Pendo

Pendo's mission is to elevate the world's experience with software. Pendo's product experience platform allows companies to make product intelligence actionable with speed and scale, giving rise to a new generation of companies that put product at the center of everything. Pendo customers include the world's leading companies, including Verizon, Morgan Stanley, LabCorp, OpenTable, Salesforce, and Zendesk. Through Mind the Product and customer communities, sponsored events and a podcast, Pendo aims to support the success of product and digital leaders everywhere. Pendo is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and has offices around the world. For more information, visit: www.pendo.io .

SOURCE Pendo
Contractors, Developers, and Businesses across the City seek persons skilled in the trades

WHO:

Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), The City of Philadelphia, and Orleans Technical College (Orleans Tech), a program of JEVS Human Services, are hosting a Building Trades and Construction Hiring Fair. The event is designed to match persons skilled in the trades with developers and contractors looking for talent.

WHAT:

Building Trades and Construction Industry Hiring Fair

WHEN:

Wednesday, September 20, from 10am to 3pm (open to the public)

Press Conference is scheduled for 12pm

WHERE:

JEVS Orleans Technical College, 2770 Red Lion Rd, Philadelphia, PA 19114

Ample parking in Orleans Technical College parking lot.

VISUALS:

More than 100 employers will be in attendance, meeting with job seekers about openings and opportunities with their companies; on-the-spot interviews and resume collecting; diverse job candidates visiting employer tables

PRESS CONFERENCE:

Invited Speakers for 12pm Press Conference:

Rodney Brutton , Campus President, Orleans Technical College, JEVS Human Services

, Campus President, Orleans Technical College, JEVS Human Services David S. Thomas , President and CEO, PHDC

, President and CEO, PHDC State Representative Joe Hohenstein (PA-177)

(PA-177) Gianna Grossmann , Senior Director of Workforce Development, City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce

, Senior Director of Workforce Development, City of Philadelphia Department of Commerce Keith L. Henderson , Manager of Technical Operations, PECO Workforce Development

, Manager of Technical Operations, PECO Workforce Development Marek Allen , Assistant Director of Maintenance, SEPTA

Tradespeople who are new to the industry and seasoned professionals are invited. Participating companies are looking for: Carpenters, HVAC, Masons, Electricians, Roofers, General Contractors, Plumbers, Painters, Laborers, Fabricators, Heavy Equipment Operators, Property Maintenance, and other specialized trade skills. For job seekers, registration is not required but encouraged at http://orleanstech.edu/jobfair/ .

According to the National Association of Home Builders, the top 25% in most construction trades professions earn at least $60,000 annually. Individuals do not need to follow the traditional college path to get there. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics outlines the average salaries of persons in the trades, and many fields are pathways to career longevity, entrepreneurship, and building generational wealth.

Please add to all community bulletins, public service announcements, and any community related/free advertising opportunities.

About PHDC

PHDC is Philadelphia's full-service community development organization. From home repair to financing affordable housing, PHDC preserves and develops housing. PHDC also helps residents, community groups, businesses, and developers repurpose vacant land. Each initiative supports amenities that make Philadelphia neighborhoods great places to live.

For more information on PHDC's programs, please visit: https://phdcphila.org .

About Orleans Technical College

JEVS' non-profit career training school, Orleans Technical College, prepares adults for new futures. Since 1974, Orleans Tech has helped students move toward one common goal: learning new skills to enhance their success in the workforce. Ranging from healthcare to building trades, Orleans Tech offers a variety of six-month job training programs. Graduates are prepared for employment through hands-on learning and real-world experience.

For more information, please visit www.jevshumanservices.org and www.orleanstech.edu .

/PRNewswire -- Sept. 19, 2023/

SOURCE JEVS ORLEANS TECHNICAL COLLEGE
Picogrid and MIT Mission Innovation X will jointly deliver three Pentagon contracts

BOSTON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Picogrid, a California-based tech startup, and Mission Innovation X (MIx), a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) initiative, announced a collaboration to research technology for the defense sector.

Tony Lugo, Picogrid's Head of Government Solutions, stated, "Both Picogrid and MIT MIx are mission-driven organizations with a shared vision of excellence and open research for the public sector."

Picogrid Helios is a portable, all-in-one sensor and communications package designed for tactical operations, particularly relevant for Pacific Island Chains.

The collaboration was initiated through three separate Pentagon contracts awarded in 2023, under the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. These contracts are aligned with one of the Pentagon's top priorities: creating a more connected defense ecosystem known as Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2). Recently, Picogrid secured a $950 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with the Air Force to address this priority. The new JADC2 doctrine will touch every Pentagon program and career field in the coming years.

The three joint STTR contracts offer a pivotal opportunity for Picogrid and MIT MIx to integrate and field-test Picogrid's solutions within the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. The aim is to significantly enhance the mission capabilities and operational effectiveness of the Department of Defense and our international allies.

About Picogrid

Picogrid is a venture-backed defense technology company that builds an industry-leading open platform to connect defense systems. Trusted by commercial, government, and military users, including the Army, Air Force, and Space Force, Picogrid specializes in connecting fragmented sensors, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence. To learn more about Picogrid, visit picogrid.com .

510-775-0195  [email protected]  picogrid.com

SOURCE Picogrid
WHITTIER, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- October 1, 2023 marks the tenth anniversary since Downey Regional Medical Center became part of the PIH Health network as PIH Health Downey Hospital, the second hospital in the growing healthcare system.

Over the last decade, the hospital has undergone a number of modernization projects to enhance the facility, advance healthcare, and improve the patient experience, and now earns national recognition annually for its optimal use of information technology, best practices, and excellence in care.

"The last ten years have been focused on the renewal and growth of the Downey hospital for the betterment of its patients and the community," says PIH Health President and CEO, James R. West. "We've come a long way from where we started, and, in keeping with our 'Patients First' vision, we will continue to advance our position as the Downey community's trusted health and wellness partner."

Almost immediately after the hospital joined the network, PIH Health began a stream of short and long-term projects including updates to the hospital's interior and exterior, seismic retrofitting, and improvements to hospital processes. From the welcoming main entrance, spacious and updated waiting areas and hallways, to remodeled patient rooms, cafeteria, and other renovated departments and offices, the Downey hospital has been updated to offer patients and visitors a pleasant and comfortable space to receive the highest quality care and services.

Extensive technological upgrades were also made in the form of the installation of state-of-the-art medical equipment, updates to the hospital's communication and medical software systems, and a modernized wireless infrastructure built to support electronic medical records. These technological enhancements have improved the coordination and delivery of patient care, resulting in more security, accuracy, and efficiency.

Directly across the hospital campus, the Downey medical office building (located at 11480 Brookshire Ave., Downey, CA) offers robust medical specialties including allergy & immunology, cardiology, digestive health services, hematology & oncology, otolaryngology (ENT), pain management and rheumatology. The latest addition to the building is a new PIH Health retail pharmacy which recently opened in July 2023.

After several years of work, the hospital also nears completion of another long-term project. The multiphase expansion of the 5,000-square-foot Emergency Department (ED) is expected to be completed early 2025.

"PIH Health Downey Hospital has grown to be a leader in improving the health and wellness of the local community over the past decade," said Dianne Sauco MSN MSHCA RN, PIH Health Downey Hospital chief nursing officer. "As we move forward, we remain focused on growth and continue to expand our services in response to the community's healthcare needs."

About PIH Health

PIH Health is a nonprofit, regional healthcare network that serves approximately 3 million residents in the Los Angeles County, Orange County and San Gabriel Valley region. The fully integrated network is comprised of PIH Health Downey Hospital, PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital, PIH Health Whittier Hospital, 37 outpatient medical office buildings, a multispecialty medical (physician) group, home healthcare services and hospice care, as well as heart, cancer, digestive health, orthopedics, women's health, urgent care and emergency services. The organization is nationally recognized for excellence in patient care and patient experience, and the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has identified PIH Health as one of the nation's top hospital systems for best practices, cutting-edge advancements, quality of care and healthcare technology. For more information, visit PIHHealth.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

SOURCE PIH Health
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijan is a free society. Azerbaijan is a multi-ethnic, multi-confessional state. This is our great asset, said President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev as he addressed the nation.

Representatives of every nation living in Azerbaijan can see this. No need to explain that. This is our way of life, the head of state emphasized.

There has never been and will never be discrimination on religious and ethnic grounds in Azerbaijan, and the Second Karabakh war showed it once again. Representatives of all nations, representatives of all ethnic groups, all confessions united as one fist - for Azerbaijan, for dignity, for the Motherland! Therefore, look at this beautiful atmosphere, this is a natural place, and we are inviting the Armenian population of Karabakh to enjoy this, President Ilham Aliyev added.
GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fredrick Mutesa, secretary general of the Zambia-China Friendship Association, accompanied Hichilema on the Zambian president's first state visit to China from September 10 to 16. "The visits to the three provinces of Guangdong, Jiangxi, and Fujian have been eye-openers. Reading about China's achievements is one thing, and seeing them is another," Mutesa said in a recent interview with GDToday.

"Hichilema's China visit to seek solutions to Zambia's development challenges"

Fredrick Mutesa

Mutesa told GDToday that during the week-long tour of China, Hichilema was seeking practical solutions to development challenges confronting Zambia. "He is looking for affordable capital and technology and offering Zambia's natural resources, particularly strategic minerals that are driving the global economy today, such as copper, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and lithium," Mutesa noted.

In Shenzhen of Guangdong province, the delegation's first stop in China, Hichilema visited Chinese electric carmaker BYD, internet giant Tencent, and technology firms Huawei and ZTE.

"Huawei and ZTE are already in Zambia. President Hichilema wants to deepen and broaden existing economic relations. There are other companies, such as electric vehicles and battery manufacturing companies that utilize the raw materials Zambia is richly endowed with. President Hichilema wants to harness the comparative advantage of both countries for win-win results," Mutesa elaborated.

"BRI projects, a major impetus to Zambian economy"

Mutesa noted that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has positively impacted Zambia's economic development. "The Chinese-built hydropower plant, Kafue Lower Gorge Power Station, is now fully operational and has eased Zambia's electricity shortage. It is also contributing to the southern African region's energy needs."

"President Hichilema's government has also concluded several private partnership projects with Chinese construction companies to upgrade Zambia's road infrastructure, such as the Chililabombwe-Kasumbalesa road, connecting Zambia to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the approximately 327 km Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway, scheduled for completion in 2026. There are also projects in the water supply and sanitation sector, including the Kafulafuta Dam and the Kafue Bulk Water Supply Project," Mutesa elaborated.

"These projects under the BRI are giving a major impetus to the Zambian economy and improving the welfare of its people," he said.

For future China-Zambia cooperation, Mutesa said that Hichilema's China visit has emphasized collaboration in the digital economy, electric vehicles, and green economy. "Traditional areas of cooperation, including mining, agriculture, and energy, have also been prioritized. Tourism is another," he noted.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2214793/0919.jpg

SOURCE GDToday
SEATTLE, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Quark Expeditions, the global leader in polar adventures, invites travelers to boldly rethink their bucket list in Arctic 2025 and choose destinations that take them beyond the standard and overly popular travel experiences. Quark Expeditions is offering an early booking bonus of $1,000 to any guest who decides to step away from the Top 10 lists in favor of truly unique polar experiences in the remote Arctic.

Rethink your Bucket List with Quark Expeditions' New 2025 Arctic Season Post this Photo Credit: Michelle Sole

"Now that global travel is back in a big way, industry watchers have observed that many travelers are heading to the same destinationsin large numbersand taking the very same selfies," says Wendy Batchelor, Vice President of Marketing for Quark Expeditions. "For our Arctic 2025 season, we invite travelers to go bold and take the less-traveled route away from the metropolises of Rome and New York and instead explore remote Arctic destinations like Svalbard, Greenland or the Canadian High Arctic. We want to inspire people to rethink their bucket list dreams, get off the beaten track and return home with travel stories no other destination can provide."

Quark Expeditions' Arctic 2025 season includes 12 itinerariesfour of which are new:

West Greenland Ice Odyssey: Glaciers and Icebergs

Ultimate Arctic Voyage: From Svalbard to Jan Mayen to Iceland

to Wild Fjords of South Greenland : Land of the Vikings

: Land of the Vikings Adventures in Northeast Greenland : Glaciers, Fjords and the Northern Lights

Quark Expeditions has curated its Arctic 2025 portfolio so guests can choose from varying trip lengths and off-ship experiencesmany supported by Ultramarine's two twin-engine helicopters. "Another element that was extremely important to us when we created this season line-up was to allow travelers to fulfill very unique polar dreams," says Batchelor. "If you want to explore the legendary Northwest Passage, we've got you covered. If you dream of flying in a helicopter and then landing on the Greenland Ice Sheet, we can make that happen."

Quark Expeditions' Arctic season runs May to October.

View all itineraries in our Arctic 2025 season.

About Quark Expeditions: The global leader in polar adventures for more than 30 years. The most passionate and seasoned team in the industry, taking explorers to the ends of the earth. Going where few ever dream, and walking where few ever will. Delivering extraordinary experiences and enriching lives through travel, Quark Expeditions is a Travelopia specialist company.

SOURCE Quark Expeditions
All Time High Distribution Expands to 184 U.S. Cities This Weekend

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AIM Tell-A-Vision Group (AIM TV), producers of the nation's most-watched travel show, Raw Travel, announced today that beginning this weekend, the show will broadcast in an all-time high of 184 U.S. Cities representing 97% of the U.S. on over 250 television stations.

Four new cities were added for Raw Travel's Season 11, including Abilene, Texas, on KRBC NBC 9; Boise, Idaho, on KIVI ABC 6; Mankato, Minnesota on KEYC CBS-12, and Watertown, New York on WNYF Fox 28.

In addition, there are switched affiliations in five cities, which include Philadelphia, which is moving to WPSG Channel 57; Dallas, which is moving to KDAF CW 33; Tulsa, moving to KTUL ABC 8; Shreveport, Louisiana, moving to KMSS Fox 33, and Medford, Oregon to KTVL CBS 10.

Also new in Season 11, Raw Travel will feature content from the show's vast library of 200+ episodes. Many stations will be airing up to two unique weekly episodes, so in some markets, viewers can view two different episodes of Raw Travel weekly. Additionally, the producers have announced plans to continue to produce a limited number of unique "one-off" original episodes, which will circulate into the library's carriage.

"We are so grateful to have had such a long run thriving with additional growth for eleven straight seasons. We're very excited at the opportunity to curate our library and create blocks of travel programming for stations and viewers," said Robert G. Rose, Executive Producer and Host of the series.

"Today, if 'content is King' then 'curation is Queen.' We're fortunate to have King and Queen together at once. Our soon-to-re-launch digital efforts will supplement the viewing experience, and we're working on some exciting originals that we think will bring even more value to the eco-system of the inexplicably underserved travel genre in the U.S.," Rose continued.

During his travel journalism career, Rose has traveled to dozens of challenging, politically charged destinations to film, including Haiti, Cuba, China, and Vietnam (all while undercover), Colombia, Georgia (including Russian-occupied territories), as well as Russia (2010) and Ukraine before and during Russia's full invasion. Rose spent a month in the summer of 2023 filming in Ukraine, documenting his experience traveling with volunteers, interviewing soldiers and civilians, often while subject to Russian bombs and munitions.

ABOUT RAW TRAVEL TV



Raw Travel is an adventure travel & lifestyle series showcasing socially and environmentally aware, independent travel. The series weaves together themes of eco-tourism and voluntourism (giving back) with underground music and authentic culture in a unique way. Since 2013, the show has raised funds and highlighted dozens of non-profit organizations helping the unhoused, orphaned children, people with disabilities, displaced refugees, etc., as well as encouraging earth stewardship, sustainable living, and travel with a purpose.

Each weekend the show is broadcast in 184 U.S. cities on major broadcast affiliates and several international territories (Asia, Africa, Europe...). It can also be found on several major airlines. AIM Tell-A-Vision Group produces the show and oversees its domestic and international distribution. Visit RawTravel.tv for more information.

ABOUT AIM TELL-A-VISION GROUP

AIM Tell-A-Vision (AIM TV) Group is an independent production, content, and distribution company founded by media veteran and entrepreneur Robert G. Rose. Since 2000, AIM TV has been producing and distributing positive, compelling content that reflects a mission of presenting "Media That Matters." Visit AIMTVGroup.com for more information.

www.RawTravel.tv

SOURCE AIM Tell-A-Vision Group
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, State Grid Corporation of China (State Grid) successfully unveiled the Report of State Grid Corporation of China on Contribution to the Implementation of Global Development Initiative (hereinafter referred to as the "Report") at the Headquarters of the United Nations (UN) in New York. This landmark event marks State Grid's release of the first Global Development Initiative (GDI) report by Chinese enterprises on the UN platform, following its publication of the first green and low-carbon development report by Chinese central state-owned enterprises at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in November 2022. The Report offers State Grid's solutions to addressing the pressing question of global sustainable development in our time and demonstrates the corporation's concept, wisdom and responsibility in this aspect. Furthermore, it also highlights the responsibility borne by State Grid as an active participant, steadfast executor, and strong promoter of the GDI. Tong Chong, a senior engineer from State Grid Suzhou Power Supply Company, interpreted the Report at the event. He also engaged in profound discussions with all the participants and provided valuable insights and answers to the questions posed by media reporters from all over the world.

In September 2021, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Development Initiative (GDI) at the General Debate of the 76th United Nations General Assembly. This visionary proposal put forth China's solutions and wisdom to address global development challenges and jointly promote global development toward a new era of balance, coordination, and inclusiveness. Under the guidance of the new development philosophy, State Grid has proactively embraced the GDI and remained steadfast in aligning the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its pursuit of high-quality and sustainable economic and social progress. It has explored a string of successful models and experience in facilitating local development under different scenarios at home and abroad. The Report is a systematic summary and comprehensive depiction of the practical experience outlined above.

With a profound understanding of the GDI and its correlation with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), State Grid places a paramount emphasis on promoting common development. Based on this principle, it has developed strategic insights and guiding principles to facilitate development cooperation in this new era. Drawing upon its social function, positioning and development strategy, it effectively coordinates the nexus between the performance of its "three responsibilities" of politics, economy, and society and the promotion of the GDI. With the unrivaled power transmission capacity and the largest scale of new energy power grid connections in the world, State Grid has harnessed its network advantages and actively engaged in global development cooperation. This has established a robust foundation for power technology and energy supply services, facilitating optimal energy supply and driving the transformation towards a green and low-carbon future within its service areas. This also implies its ability, strategy, and responsibility in implementing the GDI. State Grid upholds the six principles put forth in the GDI, regarding them as fundamental guidelines for its operations. It has systematically initiated key initiatives and projects for advancing the GDI, and materialized its commitment from six aspects: staying committed to development as a priority, staying committed to a people-centered approach, staying committed to benefits for all, staying committed to innovation-driven development, staying committed to harmony between man and nature, and staying committed to results-oriented actions. Through these efforts, it has successfully attained anticipated outcomes.

On the path of development, no country or individual should be left behind. This is the vision put forward by President Xi Jinping in the GDI and the requirement in the UN's SDGs. As a pioneer in the global energy revolution, State Grid endeavors to foster a wider consensus on sustainable development in the power and energy sectors. By inspiring and engaging more partners, it actively encourages the pursuit of sustainable development, making new contributions to the achievement of the UN's SDGs on schedule and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

The event garnered global attention and received accolades from international experts and scholars in the power and energy sectors. Additionally, numerous international media outlets have coverage on the event. All these underscore that the GDI fully reflects the common development needs of all countries worldwide. The explorations and endeavors help State Grid align with and even lead the global sustainable development.

SOURCE State Grid Corporation of China
Russell's Reserve continues to explore the impact of the aging environment with its Single Rickhouse 2023 from Camp Nelson F, credited with yielding some of the distillery's most complex whiskeys

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning Russell's Reserve introduces Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F, the highly anticipated second release from its Single Rickhouse Collection. The Single Rickhouse Collection, which debuted in 2022 with Camp Nelson C, highlights the concept of whiskey "terroir," by exploring how specific barrel resting places impact a whiskey's final character. Each iteration features rare stocks drawn entirely from an individual rickhouse. Available now in select markets, the second release featuring whiskey from the beloved Camp Nelson F is a celebration of the aging environment and its influence on the final taste profile.

Russell's Reserve

After the enthusiasm for the inaugural Single Rickhouse release, Eddie Russell, Master Distiller at the Wild Turkey Distillery, knew the second chapter had to leave fans just as excited. Sourcing from across the distillery campus to taste through the aged stocks, Eddie knew immediately once he tasted from Camp Nelson F that he'd found the whiskey for this release, proudly proclaiming, "This is one of the best whiskeys we've ever made."

Built in the 1940s, the Camp Nelson Rickhouse F sits lower than its peers on the Camp Nelson grounds overlooking the Kentucky River. The airflow and wind currents coming off the river benefit the barrels aging inside, which are known to "breathe" more than most. For this reason, the rickhouse has long been a favorite in the distillery's private barrel selection program. For Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F, Eddie selected barrels from the rickhouse's center cut - floors four and five - of the seven-story building, yielding a well-balanced yet complex bourbon with a robust, oaky flavor profile. The resulting bottling is a testament to Eddie's four decades of mastery of craft bourbon and an appreciation for the distinctive nuances that each Single Rickhouse brings to the whiskey aging inside.

"We knew we had big shoes to fill with our second Single Rickhouse release after our first bottling from Camp Nelson C," said Eddie Russell. "I didn't expect we'd release two Camp Nelson whiskeys back-to-back, but after just one sip from those Camp Nelson F barrels, I knew we had to bring this whiskey to our fans  it's too special not to share. I like to think that Camp Nelson C mirrored my personal flavor preferences  more dessert-like with sweet notes of caramel, creme brulee and toffee  and with Camp Nelson F, we've gone the opposite direction  big, bold, spicy and oaky, it takes on a different persona entirely. We're really excited about this one, and hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do."

With a flavor profile that evokes the family's storied history, Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F is a robust and spicy whiskey, coupled with sweet notes of cherry, molasses and dark caramel. It is non-chill filtered, offered at a barrel proof of 117.6 and, like all Single Rickhouse releases, aged for over 10 years. Meant to sip and savor, this whiskey offers a long-lasting finish, and is bottled with the following characteristics:

Proof : 117.6

: 117.6 Aroma : Notes of oak, vanilla and cinnamon transition to aromas of cherry, raisins and dates.

: Notes of oak, vanilla and cinnamon transition to aromas of cherry, raisins and dates. Taste : Robust flavors of clove and white pepper give way to sweet notes of caramel, orange peel and dark fruits.

: Robust flavors of clove and white pepper give way to sweet notes of caramel, orange peel and dark fruits. Finish: A lasting finish with honey and baking spice that gives way to tobacco and mature oak.

Russell's Reserve's Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F is now available for a limited time at $300 SRP per 750 ML bottle at select retailers in U.S. markets as well as at the Wild Turkey Distillery. Whether you're enjoying Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F with your family or with friends, please remember to do so responsibly. To sign up for brand and product availability alerts for future releases, please visit russellsreserve.com.

About Campari America

Campari Group is a major player in the global beverage sector, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas. Campari Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. Campari Group's portfolio, with over 50 brands, spans spirits (the core business), wines, and soft drinks. Its internationally-renowned brands include Aperol, Appleton Estate, Campari, SKYY, Wild Turkey, and Grand Marnier. Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari Group owns 22 plants worldwide and has its own distribution network in 22 countries. Campari Group employs around 4,000 people. The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI - Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: www.camparigroup.com. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.

Campari America is headquartered in New York, New York. More information on the company can be found at www.campariamerica.com , www.facebook.com/campariamerica , Twitter: @CampariAmerica, Instagram: @CampariAmerica, and www.camparigroup.com . Please enjoy Campari America brands responsibly and in moderation.

SOURCE Russells Reserve
ISTANBUL, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 13th, in Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, the "Picturesque and Dynamic Zhejiang" (Turkey) Cultural and Tourism Product Presentation and Ningbo Cultural and Tourism Promotion event took place.

During this event, Zhejiang officially unveiled two special tourist routes tailored for the Turkish market: "Ancient Charm and Cultural Heritage Tour" and "Artisan Showcase Tour." These two routes showcase the picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Zhejiang, including many famous cultural and tourism attractions in Ningbo.

The Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism with Mr. Idris Serci, Deputy Director of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism

As a significant stop on both of these unique tourist routes, Ningbo offers visitors the opportunity to explore its historical and cultural heritage. The "Ancient Charm and Cultural Heritage Tour" takes travelers to sites such as Lao Wai Tan, Tianyi Pavilion, Dongqian Lake, and more providing a glimpse into Ningbo's rich historical and cultural background. Meanwhile, the "Artisan Showcase Tour" allows tourists to experience traditional intangible cultural heritage skills, including gold and silver embroidery, lost-wax casting, and wooden construction, immersing them in the exquisite beauty of Chinese traditional culture.

During the Ningbo cultural and tourism promotional event, Ningbo's cultural and tourism resources were presented under three thematic sections: "Born by the Mountains and Seas," "Exploring Millennium Culture," and "Witnessing Modern Prosperity." These presentations used various multimedia formats, live introductions, and interactive experiences to showcase the diverse cultural and tourism resources Ningbo has to offer.

In the Q&A session, Mustafa Karsl, Vice President of the Turkish-Chinese Cultural Association, and Fatih Mehmedi, Director of a local tourism company, enthusiastically discussed the topic of traveling from Turkey to Ningbo. They highlighted Ningbo's unique charm as a major cultural and tourism city in Zhejiang and expressed their desire to personally visit Ningbo to experience its natural beauty and rich historical heritage.

"We hope that through this event, our Turkish friends can appreciate the charm and warmth of Jiangnan and coastal Ningbo, and further promote exchanges and cooperation in the cultural and tourism fields between our two regions," said the relevant official from the Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2214710/image_5018834_30837969.jpg

SOURCE Ningbo Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio Television and Tourism
SHANGHAI, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Shanghai Electric Energy Storage Technology, the energy storage subsidiary of Shanghai Electric (SEHK:2727, SSE:601727), recently received RMB400 million in Series A financing that will be used to inject added vitality into the development of its energy storage business. It will focus on promoting the research and development of new systems, promoting its industrial supply chain structure, construction of 100Mbps stacks that can be used in megawatt container-type vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) energy storage systems, deepening industrial cooperation, accelerating industrial upgrades, and effectively stabilizing its access to capital.

Shanghai Electric Subsidiary, Shanghai Electric Energy Storage Technology, Receives RMB400 Million in Series A Financing, Accelerating Development of Its Energy Storage Business.

This round of financing will be used to continue to improve corporate governance mechanisms, strengthen talent support, and enhance R&D and innovation capabilities. Once the financing has been completed, the post-investment valuation of Shanghai Electric Energy Storage will exceed 2.2 billion yuan.

"Moving forward, Shanghai Electric Energy Storage Technology will continue to solidify its development positioning and step up as a global leader in long-term electrochemical energy storage," said Jin Xiaolong, Vice President of Shanghai Electric Group. "Specifically, we must strengthen technological innovation and realize the transformation of our technological achievements, deploy 100-megawatt projects, and strengthen leadership of demonstration projects, as well as collaboration in the energy storage industry."

After over a decade of developing world-class technology and three years of rapid industrialization, Shanghai Electric Energy Storage Technology clearly stands out in the field of long-term energy storage, achieving functional product development, reliable manufacturing, and intelligent operations and maintenance. The kW-level and MW-level flow battery energy storage products independently developed and produced by the company can be widely used in new energy power generation and grid connection, grid-side energy storage, distributed smart microgrids, and other fields. It has successfully developed 5kW/25kW/32kW/65kW series stacks and delivered more than 50 vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) energy storage projects.

To date, Shanghai Electric has established the development strategy, specifying its orientation towards "4 plus 2" emerging fields supported by advanced technologies with a focus on "wind-solar-hydrogen-storage" integration, and will also focus on the industrial directions of industrial intelligence equipment to achieve efficient integration of resources. The professional fields of energy storage technology companies will supplement and strengthen Shanghai Electric's continued rapid strategic development.

With this newfound financial backing, Shanghai Electric Energy Storage is laser-focused on propelling the research and development of groundbreaking systems, expanding their production lines, and spearheading the construction of 100-megawatt projects. Additionally, the company aims to forge deeper industrial collaborations and expedite the industrial upgrading process, solidifying its position as an industry frontrunner.

Looking ahead, Shanghai Electric Energy Storage is already setting its sights on launching a Series B financing campaign in 2024. Furthermore, the company anticipates initiating the listing process on the esteemed Science and Technology Innovation Board in 2026, further cementing its position as an industry leader.

SOURCE Shanghai Electric
"Upward SW 6239 represents the gentle forward momentum in all of our lives," said Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams. "It brings to life that carefree, sunny day energy that elicits a notion of contentment and peace. With this color, we invite our consumers to take a pause and infuse a new sense of ease and possibility into their spaces  one that doesn't overwhelm, but rather establishes meditation and tranquility."

To bring this light and buoyant hue to the lives (and tastebuds) of consumers, Sherwin-Williams has partnered with James Beard Award-winning French pastry chef Dominique Ansel to create his first-ever vegan Cronut inspired by Upward SW 6239, available for a limited time at his namesake bakery in New York City's Soho neighborhood. The all-vegan version of Ansel's iconic "half croissant, half doughnut" creation is filled with coconut riz au lait (rice pudding) infused with naturally-flavored Butterfly Pea Flower Tea; this vibrantly-hued Southeast Asian flower, when gently steeped as a tea, mirrors the shade and spirit of Upward SW 6239. With a natural touch of this blue botanical and a hand-glazed fondant topping, the custom pastry invites a blissful sense of wellbeing (& a hint of sweetness) into the day. The limited-edition vegan Cronut is available at Dominique Ansel Bakery in New York City from Thursday, September 21 through Sunday, September 24 from 8:00AM until sold out daily.

"Creating a vegan version of the Cronut has always intrigued me  we're always looking for forward-thinking ways to create new pastries, and this collaboration was a natural opportunity to do so," says Ansel. "At first glance, Upward SW 6239 draws up a sense of balance and lightness for me; it's the same feeling I wanted to impart into our very first vegan flavor. We sourced a butterfly pea flower tea which naturally imparts a soft blue shade into the filling, paired with a creamy coconut riz au lait, all while preserving the light and flaky layers that are signature to our pastry. This was an exciting challenge for me, and I can't wait for our guests to try it and open their eyes to finding inspiration all around  even where they least expect it."

Upward Infuses Tranquility and Ease

Ascending from the earthy tone of 2023 Color of the Year, Redend Point SW 9081, Upward SW 6239 welcomes a weightless, buoyant peace; an invitation to open minds to a color of ethereal calm that is ever-presentif we remember to keep looking up.

"As we play with color, it's essential to consider their interactions thoughtfully," adds Wadden. "Warmed-up blues might lead to hues that appear muddled and lackluster, which is why preserving the crisp edge and magnetic allure of cool blues is vital. It's in these subtle nuances that create spaces that are timeless and inspired. We're excited to share this beautiful color and, craft interiors that exude harmony and evoke a sense of enchantment."

The rarefied blue is part of Palette No. 1 in Sherwin-Williams Colormix Forecast 2024, Anthology: Volume One. Wadden recommends pairing the hue with blues and greens, deeps and darks and delicate tints like Snowbound SW 7004, Drift of Mist SW 9166, Gale Force SW 7605, Tricorn Black SW 6528, Honeydew SW 6428, Palm Leaf SW 7735 and Antiquarian Brown SW 0045.

A Hue that Brings Clarity to Communal Spaces

Use the transitional blue of Upward SW 6239 (224-C1) to inspire meditative spaces and absolute peace in both residential and commercial settings. From classic coastal to casual Nordic styles, the airy-hued beauty of Upward SW 6239 (224-C1) dwells where the fairest-weather blue finds just a hint of silver lining.

"Used as an accent or all over, on both interiors and exteriors, Upward SW 6239 (224-C1) clears the way for lightweight open-mindedness when used in commercial settings," says Wadden. "The hue serves as a reminder to pause and ponder limitless possibilities that can be unlocked in our work, dining, educational spaces and beyond."

Led by Director of Color Marketing Sue Wadden, the Sherwin-Williams global color and design team researches and identifies key trends that influence the way we interact with color. From those findings, the team turns emerging trends into the annual Colormix Forecast, which features trending palettes for the year to come. For this year's Colormix Forecast 2024, Anthology: Volume One, the brand has unveiled a new biennial approach to the trend report; this recurring color reference will alternate each year with the usual style and trend storytelling that the brand is known for. The very first Anthology collection explores the directional shifts of four core chromatic families  diving into the meaning behind the chosen colors, their role in awakening modern aesthetics, and what their future holds. The team then chooses the Color of the Year from the Colormix Forecast -- the 2024 selection, Upward SW 6239, is the 14th official Color of the Year:

2011: Indigo Batik SW 7602

2012: Argyle SW 6747

2013: Aloe SW 6464

2014: Exclusive Plum SW 6263

2015: Coral Reef SW 6606

2016: Alabaster SW 7008

2017: Poised Taupe SW 6039

2018: Oceanside SW 6496

2019: Cavern Clay SW 7701

2020: Naval SW 6244

2021: Urbane Bronze SW 7048

2022: Evergreen Fog SW 9130

2023: Redend Point SW 9081

Upward SW 6239 is available at Sherwin-Williams neighborhood stores nationwide and online for in-store or curbside pick-up.

Homeowners can order color chips and Peel & Stick samples at swsamples.com or visit a neighborhood store.

can order color chips and Peel & Stick samples at swsamples.com or visit a neighborhood store. Designers can connect with their Account Executive, found HERE, for exclusive materials and events. Additionally, designer samples can be ordered now with your PRO+ account.

Learn more about Sherwin-Williams Color of the Year at www.swcoty.com. To try the limited-edition Upward Cronut, visit Dominique Ansel Bakery at 189 Spring Street, New York, NY 10012 from Thursday, September 21 through Sunday, September 24 from 8:00AM until sold out daily.

Ask Sherwin-Williams

For more than 155 years, Sherwin-Williams has been an industry leader in the development of technologically advanced paint and coatings. As the nation's largest specialty retailer of paint and painting supplies, Sherwin-Williams is dedicated to supporting both do-it-yourselfers and painting professionals with exceptional and exclusive products, resources to make confident color selections and expert, personalized service at its more than 4,800 neighborhood stores across North America. For more information, visit sherwin-williams.com. Join Sherwin-Williams on Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About Dominique Ansel

James Beard Award-winning Pastry Chef and cookbook author, Dominique Ansel has shaken up the pastry world with innovation and creativity at the heart of his work. Chef Dominique has been responsible for creating some of the most feted pastries in the world, including: the Cronut (named one of TIME Magazine's "25 Best inventions of 2013"), The Cookie Shot, Frozen S'more, Blossoming Hot Chocolate, and many more. In 2011, Dominique opened his first shop, the eponymous Dominique Ansel Bakery in NYC's Soho neighborhood, with just four employees; he now has additional locations in NYC's Flatiron neighborhood, Hong Kong, and Las Vegas. For more information, visit DominiqueAnsel.com , and follow @DominiqueAnsel on Instagram.

SOURCE Sherwin-Williams
DUBLIN, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Western Europe OTT TV and Video Market Forecasts 2023 - 2029" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Highlighting a significant shift, the report projects that by the close of this year, Germany will be leading the pack with more SVOD subscriptions than the UK. Notably, this gap is expected to widen in the subsequent years.

According to the forecasts, Western Europe's SVOD subscriptions are set to reach a staggering 273 million by 2029, marking an impressive increase from the 210 million recorded at the end of 2023. Delving deeper, the UK is expected to account for 6 million of the 63 million new additions. In contrast, Germany is projected to contribute 12 million, followed by France (11 million), Italy (10 million), and Spain (9 million).

Providing expert insights, Simon Murray, Principal Analyst, commented, "The UK currently stands as the most mature SVOD market in Western Europe. However, in the upcoming years, nations like Germany, France, Italy, and Spain are anticipated to outpace the UK in terms of new subscriptions."

Countries Featured in the Report:

Austria , Belgium , Denmark , Finland , France , Germany , Iceland , Ireland , Italy , Luxembourg , Malta , Netherlands , Norway , Portugal , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , and the UK.

Key Components of the Report:

This comprehensive report spanning 150 pages provides an in-depth exploration of movies and TV episodes in the OTT space.

The report is divided into:

Insight: An exhaustive 86-page document offering detailed country-specific analysis. Excel Workbook: Features data from 2015 to 2029 for the 18 countries covered. This section highlights household penetration, SVOD subscribers, OTT revenues for movies and TV episodes, AVOD revenues by prominent platforms, and summary tables by country and platform. A significant addition in 2023 is the Filter worksheet, ensuring seamless comparisons.

Major Players Highlighted:

The report underscores numerous industry leaders such as Amazon, Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+, HBO, MyCanal, Netflix, SkyShowtime, Viaplay, and Ziggo, among others.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 146 Forecast Period 2023 - 2029 Estimated Market Value in 2023 210 Million Forecasted Market Value by 2029 273 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.6 % Regions Covered Europe



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y89kah

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
Renowned Wagner and Jackson Families to Showcase Award-Winning Portfolio of California and Oregon Wines

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises, the world's most iconic cruise brand, is uncorking two specially themed Pacific Coast Wine & Food Experience cruises onboard Discovery Princess departing October 1, and Sapphire Princess sailing October 8, 2023.

These six- and seven-day voyages bring together two celebrated family wineries, including the Wagner Family of Wine, which includes Caymus Vineyards and their world-famous cabernet sauvignon, and Jackson Family Wines, the largest owner of coastal vineyards in California and Oregon.

Renowned Wagner and Jackson Families to Showcase Award-Winning Portfolio of California and Oregon Wines Renowned Wagner and Jackson Families to Showcase Award-Winning Portfolio of California and Oregon Wines

On sale now, guests will have the opportunity to explore the Pacific Wine Country visiting Napa Valley wineries, with onboard and curated wine and food experiences, such as winemaker dinners, expert guided wine tastings with wine hosts and sommeliers, food and wine pairings and more.

The two upcoming Pacific Coast Wine & Food Experience themed cruises include:

Wagner Family of Wine onboard Discovery Princess, October 1-7, 2023 , sailing from Vancouver to Los Angeles with stops in Victoria, B.C. and an overnight in San Francisco , highlighted by a special excursion to Caymus Suisun Winery in American Canyon with sailings starting as low as $319 per person. Additional activities include: Wine Discovery  The History of Caymus and Wagner Family Wines, with an introduction of wine terms, wine regions and tasting techniques. Caymus Winemaker Dinner  Learn the art of food and wine pairing from the Wagner Family Wine experts. Five carefully selected wines have been chosen to pair with different courses to enhance the flavors of the meal (cover charge applies). Nautical Wine Tasting  Thoughtfully paired culinary delights paired with Sea Sun Chardonnay, Sea Sun Pinot Noir, Red Schooner 'Voyage' Malbec and Red Schooner 'Transit' Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre blend (cover charge applies).

, sailing from to with stops in and an overnight in , highlighted by a special excursion to Caymus Suisun Winery in with sailings starting as low as per person. Additional activities include: Jackson Family of Wine onboard Sapphire Princess, October 8-15, 2023 , from Vancouver to Los Angeles , with day-long stops at four popular coastal destinations, including Victoria , Astoria , San Francisco and San Diego . Guests will enjoy specially selected wine pairings that celebrate the cuisine of the region with sailings starting as low as $349 per person. Other themed activities include: Wine Discovery  The History of Jackson Family Wines, with an introduction of wine terms, wine regions and tasting techniques. Jackson Family Wines dinner  A five course meal uniquely paired with five pinnacle wines from the winery paired to complement each course (cover charge applies). Winery Tours from San Francisco (excursions to be booked onboard). Chardonnay Comparative Tasting  Discover the subtle nuances, aromas, and flavor profiles that set apart the chardonnays from four regions including Kendall-Jackson 'Special Select,' Hartford , Brewer-Clifton and Diatom Unoaked (cover charge applies). Explore Oregon  Learn about the wine region and taste three local wines, including Gran Moraine Chardonnay, Siduri Pinot Noir and Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir (cover charge applies). Food and Wine Pairing Event  Embark on a journey where the rich flavors of Oregon's world-renowned wines are perfectly paired with a selection of bites. Old World/New World Comparative Tasting  Celebrate the tradition and terroir-driven character of old-world wines in comparison to the bold flavors of the new world (cover charge applies) VIP Winemaker Dinner  Hosted by Kendell-Jackson's head winemaker Randy Ullom , and master sommelier Michael Jordan (cover charge applies, not included in package price).

, from to , with day-long stops at four popular coastal destinations, including , , and . Guests will enjoy specially selected wine pairings that celebrate the cuisine of the region with sailings starting as low as per person. Other themed activities include:

Guests can purchase an experience package onboard for $229.

"Enhancing our Pacific Coastal cruises with these two specially-themed cruises offer our guests an engaging experience while we're visiting these top wine regions," said Sami Kohen, Princess Cruises vice president of food and beverage. "Our relationships with the Wagner and Jackson families pair their winemaking prowess with our enthusiastic chefs to serve up wine and food pairings our guests will sip and savor."

More details about these two Pacific Coast Wine & Food Experience cruises can be found here.

Earlier this year, Princess unveiled the exclusive Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner. Available across the fleet for $140 per person, the new Winemaker Dinner leverages the expansive expertise of Chuck Wagner, owner and winemaker of the renowned Napa Valley's Caymus Vineyards, to deliver a five-course menu crafted to complement the tasting notes of his wines. The dinner, available for 12 guests per seating, will be offered up to three times per cruise, based on voyage length, and interested guests can reserve their spot once on board.

Furthermore, the cruise line was recently distinguished by Wine Spectator with 15 Awards of Excellence for its wine lists that pair well with the menu, offering a well-rounded culinary experience. The main dining rooms across the fleet of 15 cruise ships were among select restaurants for well-curated wine lists.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).

SOURCE Princess Cruises
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 21. Azerbaijan was obliged to launch counterterrorism measures on the ground, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan - Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview with CNN, Trend reports.

Answering provocative questions of the CNN host, Hikmet Hajiyev strongly reiterated that Azerbaijan had made it clear that, if illegal armed forces of Armenia in Karabakh disarm and demilitarize, the anti-terror activities Azerbaijan launched would be completed.

"Azerbaijan as any country in the world has right to protect its sovereignty. On multiple occasions Azerbaijan has said that there are 10,000 Armenian soldiers. This was a threat not only to Azerbaijan, but to the whole region. But this is in the past now. We are looking forward to provide rights and security to average Armenian residents of Karabakh under the constitution of Azerbaijan, and ending with the "grey zone" that has been in place for 30 years in Azerbaijan. This "grey zone" is a remnant of 30-year long Armenian occupation," he said.

Hajiyev pointed out that Azerbaijan was not aiming at Armenian civilians in Karabakh, contrariwise, Azerbaijan has used precision guided munitions and we had been very selective and very accurate in regard with target neutralization, while all civilians have been informed beforehand via SMS.

Meanwhile, in order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian population of Karabakh through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4), an agreement was reached on the cessation of local anti-terrorist activities under the following conditions: Armenian armed forces formations, illegal Armenian armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region, lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and completely disarm, Armenian armed forces formations leave the territory of Azerbaijan, illegal Armenian armed formations are disbanded.
Truly Fans Celebrate National Hard Seltzer Day with the Return of Truly Rose Plus Three New Flavors in Newest Seasonal Mix Pack

BOSTON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Is summer just a state of mind? Does a change in season always call for a season of change? Truly Hard Seltzer believes it's always seltzer season and introduces a new mix pack to ease the transition from summer to fall. The all-new Celebrations Mix Pack brings the long-awaited return of Truly's most requested flavor, Truly Rose, plus three new seasonal styles, Peach Fizz, Cranberry Cheers, and Citrus Sparkler. Available nationwide following the success of Truly's mystery inspired "Wonderworld" pack and its latest seasonal "Red, White & Tru" pack, "Celebrations" gives Truly fans plenty to celebrate as they extend the good vibes of summer into fall festivities.

Summer and Seltzer Season Live On! Truly Hard Seltzer Celebrates Return of Fan-Favorite Flavor, Truly ROSE, in Newest Limited Release Summer and Seltzer Season Live On! Truly Hard Seltzer Celebrates Return of Fan-Favorite Flavor, Truly ROSE, in Newest Limited Release Summer and Seltzer Season Live On! Truly Hard Seltzer Celebrates Return of Fan-Favorite Flavor, Truly ROSE, in Newest Limited Release

Truly's lightly fantastic take on rose is the most requested flavor from the Truly lineup with drinkers commenting and calling for its return over the last few years. To celebrate Truly Rose coming out of hibernation for a limited time, Truly is highlighting some of the thousands of passionate, enthusiastic  and sometimes downright desperate  comments from fans over the years in an out-of-home media campaign near Truly's home of innovation in Los Angeles.

"Truly and rose may be synonymous with summer, but to us, it's always seltzer season," said Matt Withington, Truly's Senior Director of Marketing. "With the new Celebrations mix pack arriving ahead of traditional end-of-year celebrations, we think it's the perfect time to give our most loyal fans another taste of Truly Rose. Consider it an early holiday gift or a treat for National Hard Seltzer Day. This season is jam-packed with reasons to celebrate, and Truly is giving drinkers the variety they need to keep it light and fun all year long."

The Truly Celebrations Mix Pack features four lightly flavored styles:

Truly Rose Style : A lightly refreshed version of the Truly Rose fans love, including hints of wine flavor and a blend of strawberry, peach, and green apple.

: A lightly refreshed version of the Truly Rose fans love, including hints of wine flavor and a blend of strawberry, peach, and green apple. Peach Fizz : A fruity, refreshing peach flavor with notes of cranberry and pomegranate, perfectly balanced for a lightly sweet and sour combination.

: A fruity, refreshing peach flavor with notes of cranberry and pomegranate, perfectly balanced for a lightly sweet and sour combination. Cranberry Cheers : A traditional cranberry flavor with a hint of festive pomegranate.

: A traditional cranberry flavor with a hint of festive pomegranate. Citrus Sparkler: A sweet, orange focused flavor with tropical pineapple notes.

Truly Rose is back for a limited time in the Truly Celebrations Mix Pack. To help fans show their Truly Rose fandom all year long and support the demands to bring rose back as a permanent style, the brand is dropping a line of new Truly Originals merchandise, including a partnership with trending loungewear brand . Those looking to sip and celebrate in fashionable comfort can pre-order the Truly x mr eatwell collection here.

For more information on where to find the Truly Celebrations Pack, visit TrulyHardSeltzer.com and follow Truly on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. As always, please drink responsibly.

About Truly

An original hard seltzer, Truly has paved the way for an entire category since 2016 as the most innovative "beyond beer" experience. The brand continues to keep its finger on the tab of what drinkers want: a great-tasting, sessionable alcoholic beverage without the fuss. Truly believes life can be more refreshing when we can be real, let loose, embrace imperfection, and allow ourselves to be free from convention. That's why Truly has something for everyone in more than 30 unique flavors including three lightly flavored mix packs (Berry, Citrus, and Tropical), three bolder flavor mix packs (Lemonade, Margarita-Style, and Punch), plus limited release mix packs. In 2022, Truly introduced Truly Flavored Vodka and its first spirits-based seltzer, Truly Vodka Soda. To learn more, visit trulyhardseltzer.com, follow Truly on social media, or experience Truly for yourself at the home of innovation in Downtown Los Angeles at Truly L.A.

About Boston Beer Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, and Dogfish Head, as well as other craft beer brands Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing. For more information, please visit our website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to our respective brand websites.

CONTACT: Brittany Zahoruiko, 617-368-5395, brittany.zahoruiko@bostonbeer.com

SOURCE Truly Hard Seltzer
Twenty-One Inspiring Educational Leaders Join the Surge Chicago Fellowship

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Surge Chicago Fellowship is thrilled to announce a powerful new collective of 21 brilliant educational leaders beginning their Surge journey this month as they set out to accelerate their leadership and personal growth to become influential change agents in their communities. During their time in the Fellowship program, the collective will hone their executive skills, problem-solving abilities, and team-building techniques as they navigate complex topics surrounding the historical inequity in education and politics.

Surge Logo

"Surge was, as a Fellow, and continues to be, as a Surge Leader, everything I didn't know I needed. I knew I wantedcravedto be in a community and collective of Black and Brown Leaders of Colorwhat I didn't expect was the complete healing, re-membering, and transformation of not only my leadership, but of my SELF. As I've been called to journey with Fellows as they remember themselves, it is with deep gratitude, humility, commitment, and joy that I love and embrace usALL of who we areand all that we will intentionally be and become."

cecilia-ananya belser-patton, Chicago Program Director

Meet the 2024 Chicago Surge Fellows!

Amy CisnerosManaging Director of Braven, Chicago

Ashley EvansSocial Emotional Learning Network Specialist for Chicago Public Schools

Carlos GarciaDean of College & Post-Secondary Counseling at Mansueto High School (Noble Schools)

Christine SmithDirector of Teacher Support Y1 & Y2 at OneGoal

Elizabeth Jamison-DunnPrincipal of Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School

Ifunanya OdumeSenior Director of Y2 at One Goal

Janelle NormanAccess Program Director at Bottom Line

Jasmin Rosales-MontasDirector of Public Affairs for Teach for America of Greater Chicago-Northwest Indiana

Jasmine Gilstrap HunterCofounder and Executive Director of Lion's Pride Mentoring

Jeremy RembertProgram Manager for TECH CORPS

Jessica KimbroughAssociate Director of Chicago Teacher Residency for Academy for Urban School Leadership

Kimesha JamesDean of Students 6-12 at Gary Comer College Prep (Noble Schools)

Maria CruzNetwork Leadership Development Specialist for Chicago Public Schools

Nedra LucasSenior Program Analyst for Crown Family Philanthropies

Nicholas JonesInterim Director of Student Culture and Support for Noble Schools

Rachel RobertsCurriculum Designer for Chicago Public Schools

Rosa Ramirez RichterDirector of Partnerships and Engagement for UChicago Consortium on School Research

Sasha Villagrana-FrostSr. Director of Undergraduate Educator Preparation for National Louis University

Tia SpeatSpecial Education Administrator for Chicago Public Schools

Tiffany WalkerProgram Director for Common Ground Foundation

Yadira GuzmanPrincipal of Whittier Dual Language Magnet School

A signature program of the Surge Institute , the Surge Fellowship serves as a best-in-class cohort experience that unites, accelerates, and unleashes emerging leaders of color in education. The recruitment and selection of the 2024 class of Surge Chicago Fellows began earlier this year.

The Surge Fellowship experience is a 10-month journey of individual leadership development and racial healing, kinship building, and collective transformation and movement-building. A key milestone in the experience is the Freedom Dreams Project (formerly known as the capstone presentation ). Each fellow designs a major project that is reflective of their hopes and aspirations of love, justice, and equityfor the community and for themselves as education and youth-serving leaders. Initially created with the goal of expanding diversity in the education leadership pipeline, the Fellowship has now expanded in reach far and wide, activating, elevating, and connecting mission-driven minds and thought leaders across the nation.

The Chicago Surge Fellowship is made possible through collaboration with and support from a host of Chicago funders, investors, and community partners who deeply believe in the genius within the Surge community.

About The Surge Institute:

The Surge Institute is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established with a simple but important mission to develop and elevate leaders of color who create transformative change for children, families, and communities. Founded by Carmita Semaan in 2014, the organization was designed to empower emerging diverse leaders to change the landscape of education by providing them with a unique, authentic leadership development experience. To learn more about The Surge Institute, please visit: www.surgeinstitute.org .

PR Contact:

Kara Prior

myWHY Agency, Inc. for Surge Institute

[email protected]

(210) 846-4486

SOURCE Surge Institute
National Survey Reveals Patients and Providers Prefer TGH 2:1 Over Competitors

TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tampa General Hospital (TGH) earned top honors in this year's WebMD Choice Awards. The academic health system is one of 26 health systems across the nation to receive the WebMD Elite Choice Award, which honors systems that patients and providers prefer 2:1 over competitors.

"This national recognition by patients and providers as the region's preferred hospital is a testament to the exceptional care we offer at Tampa General Hospital," said John Couris, president and CEO of Tampa General. "By seeking out the best and most experienced talent, implementing the latest innovations and increasing patient access to care, we are effectively saving lives and improving patient outcomes. As a result, patients and providers alike know that they can count on Tampa General Hospital for the best-in-class care when they need it the most."

WebMD honored Tampa General in every specialty measured:

WebMD Elite Choice  Cardiology

WebMD Patient Choice  Gastroenterology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Neurology

WebMD Provider Choice  Gastroenterology, Oncology, Orthopedics, Neurology

Tampa General is the only health system in the region to be recognized for its neurology treatments, including back pain relief surgery, brain surgery, microdiscectomy, spinal surgery and sleep disorder. Additionally, Tampa General Hospital is the only preferred health system in the region for gastroenterology treatments, including: colorectal surgery, stomach cancer treatment, GERD surgery and hernia repair.

The WebMD Choice Awards recognize health systems that are "best in class" according to the perspective of patients and health care providers. In 2023, WebMD honored 167 health systems, and 26 recipients earned the WebMD Elite Choice Award, including Tampa General.

The WebMD Choice Awards program is intentionally designed to measure patients' perception of health systems at the point of choosing care and gauge health care providers' viewpoint on care delivered by health systems when actively referring in a specific market.

WebMD surveyed thousands of patients to rank systems based on quality and treatment capability. Respondents were asked to provide reasons to support their choices. A separate survey was conducted among physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners via email.

The best hospitals are published online by Web MD to enable patients to make confident decisions about their care.

The WebMD recognition comes just weeks after Tampa General was named the #1 hospital in Tampa Bay by the 2023-2024 U.S. News & World Report's Best Hospitals, an honor TGH has earned for six consecutive years. In 2023, U.S. News also ranked TGH in the top 20 nationally in three specialties  the most top 20 rankings for TGH in the past decade.

ABOUT TAMPA GENERAL HOSPITAL

Tampa General Hospital, a 1,040-bed, not-for-profit, academic health system, is one of the largest hospitals in America and delivers world-class care as the region's only center for Level l trauma and comprehensive burn care. Tampa General Hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in the market in U.S. News and World Report's 2023-24 Best Hospitals, with six specialties ranking among the top 50 best hospital programs in the United States. Tampa General Hospital has been designated as a model of excellence by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals list. The academic health system's commitment to growing and developing its team members is recognized by two prestigious Forbes magazine rankings  in the top 100 nationally in the 2023 America's Best Employers for Women and top 25 in Florida in the 2023 America's Best Employers by State. Tampa General is the safety net hospital for the region, caring for everyone regardless of their ability to pay, and in fiscal year 2021, provided a net community benefit worth more than $224.5 million in the form of health care for underinsured patients, community education, and financial support to community health organizations in Tampa Bay. It is one of the nation's busiest adult solid organ transplant centers and is the primary teaching hospital for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. With six medical helicopters, Tampa General Hospital transports critically injured or ill patients from 23 surrounding counties to receive the advanced care they need. Tampa General houses a nationally accredited comprehensive stroke center, and its 32-bed Neuroscience, Intensive Care Unit is the largest on the West Coast of Florida. It also is home to the Jennifer Leigh Muma 82-bed neonatal intensive care unit, and a nationally accredited rehabilitation center. Tampa General Hospital's footprint includes 17 Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care offices, TGH Family Care Center Kennedy, TGH Outpatient Center, TGH Virtual Health, and 21 TGH Imaging outpatient radiology centers throughout Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Palm Beach counties. Tampa Bay area residents also receive world-class care from the TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track network of clinics. To see a medical care professional live anytime, anywhere on a smartphone, tablet or computer, visit Virtual Health | Tampa General Hospital (tgh.org). As one of the largest hospitals in the country, Tampa General Hospital is the first in Florida to partner with GE Healthcare and open a clinical command center that provides real-time situational awareness to improve and better coordinate patient care at a lower cost. For more information, go to www.tgh.org.

Media Contact: Beth Hardy, APR

Senior Communications Specialist

(727) 510-6363 (cell)

[email protected]

SOURCE Tampa General Hospital
VA Home Loans Offer Flexible Guidelines and Exclusive Features for Military Families

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Teachers Federal Credit Union , one of the largest credit unions in the United States with $9.7 billion assets and more than 460,000 members, is proud to now offer VA Loans to help active-duty military, veterans, and surviving spouses maximize their benefits, minimize costs, and find the home they deserve.*

"It is our honor to serve those who serve our country," said Brad Calhoun, President and CEO of Teachers Federal Credit Union. "With competitive rates and no limit on the loan amount, our hope is to put more servicemembers and veterans across the country into their dream homes."

"It is our honor to serve those who serve our country," said Brad Calhoun, President and CEO of Teachers. Post this

Benefits of a Teachers VA Home Loan include:

100% financing 1

No maximum loan amount 2

Flexible underwriting 3

Servicing for the life of the loan

No mortgage insurance

No prepayment penalties

Dedicated and personalized service throughout the homebuying journey

This new VA loan offering further exemplifies the commitment Teachers Federal Credit Union has to active-duty servicemembers and veterans. Over the past year, Teachers has proudly supported Wounded Warrior Project, a non-profit organization that serves injured veterans, their families, and caregivers, as well as the United Veterans Beacon House, an organization that provides housing and physical and mental health programs for veterans and their families.

Visit teachersfcu.org , for more information about Teachers Federal Credit Union.

ABOUT TEACHERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION:

Teachers Federal Credit Union (Teachers) is one of the country's largest credit unions, with more than $9.7 billion in assets and more than 460,000 members across all 50 states. Founded in New York in 1952, Teachers is a full-service, not-for-profit financial institution with an open charter offering membership to anyone in the U.S. through its 33 full-service branches and best-in-class digital solutions. Teachers is a key supporter of the communities it serves and is proud to offer a range of member-focused products with competitive rates and low fees. What started as a smart solution for teachers is now smart for all. For more information, visit www.teachersfcu.org.

* Subject to credit approval and underwriting conditions. VA loans are subject to the borrowers' eligibility as determined by the US Department of Veteran Affairs. Terms and membership conditions apply. Contact Teachers Federal Credit Union for more details. Equal Housing Lender. Teachers NLMS #4011530. Insured by NCUA.

1. Qualified Veterans with their full entitlement can borrow up to county limit with no down payment. Veterans who have one or more active VA loans or who defaulted on a previous VA loan may be required to make a down payment. Product features subject to approval. Available for purchase loans only.

2. Veterans seeking to obtain what are commonly referred to as "jumbo" loans, or Veterans living in higher-cost markets, will no longer be subject to the Federally-established conforming loan limit maximums. The amount of the loan will be determined on available entitlement and the location of the property. See www.benefits.va.gov .

3. All loans are subject to credit and property approval.

SOURCE Teachers Federal Credit Union
Tequila Don Julio ushers in its next chapter to bring Mexico to a global stage

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Don Julio Gonzalez followed his heart over his head. He loved his land, agave and community. Every choice he made was for exceptional tequila. He did it Por Amor, and this is the way that people from Mexico continue to live every day. Today, Tequila Don Julio releases its groundbreaking new global campaign for Por Amor, with an anthem film' titled 'A Love Letter to Mexico' that celebrates modern Mexico and its people who live Por Amor. A magnetic invocation of Mexico's heart and soul and a visceral reimagination of the brand aesthetic and intentions. The campaign is crafted in collaboration with Mexican luminaries who harnessed their respective creativity for an homage to Mexico, highlighting its authentic and deeply powerful culture, landscape and people.

Por Amor Mexican-American Photographer, Thalia Gochez captured stills that represent the magnificent culture of Mexico for the stunning OOH campaign

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9201451-tequila-don-julio-a-love-letter-to-mexico-por-amor/

The global campaign debuts an entirely new visual identity for Tequila Don Julio through A Love Letter to Mexico which sets a global stage for Mexican creativity, all through the eyes of Mexico's original luxury tequila. Filmed across a series of locations entirely in Mexico from streets and local markets in Mexico City, to the beautiful beaches of Tulum, to Atotonilco- the home of Don Julio in the highlands of Jalisco, the result is a living testament to the brand's profound appreciation for the country, culture and people. The brand collaborated with creators at the forefront of their passions who have followed their hearts in order to share Mexican culture with the world through their craft, just as Don Julio Gonzalez did when he began his tequila making journey in 1942.

The final body of work was produced in collaboration with enigmatic creatives, who have each left their mark on the campaign and helped share their own vision of Mexico.

Director JC Molina Mexico's own makes his directorial debut

Cinematographer Flavia Martinez, female cinematographer from Mexico City shows the beauty of her country through her lens

Stylist Nayeli De Alba showcases modern Mexican style at the heart of the work

Photographer Thalia Gochez Mexican-American photographer captured stills that represent the magnificent culture of Mexico for the stunning OOH campaign

Anthem Music remixed by Lao of Mexico City record label NAAFI & The Elements Music.

"What truly sets this campaign apart is the entirely new visual identity that we're unveiling for Tequila Don Julio on a global stage," says Guilherme Martins, Senior Marketing Director for Global Tequila at DIAGEO & Tequila Don Julio Brand Director. "Por Amor is not just an anthem, but an invitation to celebrate the modern spirit of the country that this brand calls home and collaborate directly with its people who live Por Amor."

"As a Mexican American artist I have always felt inspired by my culture. To be asked to film a love letter to mi Mexico, as my directorial debut, has been an honor and a great privilege," shares Director, JC Molina.

"The brand's explosive growth in the US has been a result of sharing our tequila that was created out of love for craft, and this campaign is setting the stage for our next chapter," shares Christina Choi, Senior Vice President of Tequila at Diageo North America. "We've been a leader in defining luxury tequila and its culture. As we continue to share our love for tequila making with the world, we are once again defining what it means to be at the forefront of the category by partnering with Mexican creatives who demonstrate the same unparalleled drive to live Por Amor."

The stunning new work was created in partnership with Anomaly NY and Creative and Co-Director Leanne Amann. The campaign will roll out in markets around the world for the largest globally-led campaign in the brand's history. The first markets include the US, Canada and Mexico and will be supported through a robust global marketing mix in OOH, paid media, social, digital, press outreach, and events.

To help bring the campaign to life, Mexican-American celebrity photographer and cultural curator Carlos Eric Lopez captured stunning portraits of each collaborator on set in Mexico and interviewed everyone during the campaign shoot to tell their creator stories behind the scenes. The result is an amazing collection that allows these collaborators to share their own love letters for Mexico with the world. The brand has also partnered with award winning Mexican-American designer Willy Chavarria who reimagined Don Julio Gonzalez's iconic hat, representing the brand's famous iconography and a cultural symbol from Mexico. This and many of his incredible statement pieces can be found throughout the Por Amor campaign after the hats made their debut on the runway during his recent NYFW show.

Tequila Don Julio encourages consumers of legal drinking age to celebrate responsibly. Follow @donjuliotequila on Instagram for more information on the Por Amor global campaign.

ABOUT TEQUILA DON JULIO

Founded on the pioneering agricultural principles of Don Julio Gonzalez and his personal pursuit of perfection, Tequila Don Julio revolutionized the tequila industry and set the standard for ultra-premium tequila. The original luxury tequila of choice in Mexico, Tequila Don Julio uses only the highest caliber, fully matured and ripened Blue Agave that has been hand-selected from the rich, clay soils of the Los Altos region of the state of Jalisco. The Tequila Don Julio portfolio includes Tequila Don Julio Blanco, Tequila Don Julio Reposado, Tequila Don Julio Anejo, Tequila Don Julio 70 Cristalino, Tequila Don Julio Rosado, Tequila Don Julio 1942, and Tequila Don Julio Ultima Reserva. For more information on Tequila Don Julio, please visit www.DonJulio.com.

ABOUT DIAGEO NA

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world.

For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow at Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA

SOURCE Diageo
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brattle Group has welcomed David W. Prager as a Principal and Co-Leader of its Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice. Based in Brattle's New York office, Mr. Prager brings over two decades of experience as a financial advisor, restructuring consultant, and expert witness in complex commercial litigations. To learn more about Mr. Prager, see his full bio at https://www.brattle.com/experts/david-w-prager/.

David W. Prager | Principal & Practice Co-Leader: Bankruptcy & Restructuring | The Brattle Group

"As we continue to expand the firm's bankruptcy and restructuring capabilities, David will be a tremendous asset to our clients, enhancing both our testimonial and advisory capabilities," said Brattle President & Principal Dr. Torben Voetmann. "With his breadth of experience working on contentious, high-profile disputes, David is a wonderful addition to the Brattle Bankruptcy and Restructuring team and our firm more broadly."

Mr. Prager specializes in bankruptcy and restructuring matters and corporate value and solvency disputes. He has consulted on or testified in a number of high-profile bankruptcies and restructurings, including those of Enron, Lehman Brothers, Archegos, Adelphia, Energy Future Holdings, Puerto Rico, Detroit, Syncora, and Tribune. Topics of his services have included formulations of reorganization plans, evaluations of value allocations and reasonableness of projections, and the resolution of complex capital structures.

As a financial advisor, Mr. Prager has supported both creditors and debtors in major corporate and municipal restructurings, and served in interim C-suite roles, including at The PMI Group and Syncora Guarantee. He also has expertise in fraudulent conveyance actions and forensic and trading investigations.

"Brattle's proven commitment to quality, incisiveness, and collaboration is a perfect match for the restructuring and testimonial services I provide in matters featuring a high degree of complexity," said Mr. Prager. "I look forward to working with my new colleagues to solve complex financial restructurings, corporate valuation disputes, and related financial matters."

Prior to joining Brattle, Mr. Prager was a Managing Director at a global financial and risk advisory firm. He previously focused on restructuring and complex financial litigations at a financial advisory firm.

ABOUT BRATTLE

The Brattle Group answers complex economic, finance, and regulatory questions for corporations, law firms, and governments around the world. We are distinguished by the clarity of our insights and the credibility of our experts, which include leading international academics and industry specialists. Brattle has 500 talented professionals across four continents. For more information, please visit brattle.com.

SOURCE The Brattle Group
FREE BOOKS AND BUTTERBEER ON THE 86TH FLOOR OBSERVATION DECK

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It's been 25 years since Scholastic published J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the U.S., the first of seven in the bestselling book series of all time. To mark this milestone anniversary, at sunset on Wednesday, September 27th, The Empire State Building's world-famous Tower Lights will shine in Hogwarts House colors of Gryffindor red, Slytherin green, Hufflepuff yellow, and Ravenclaw blue. Viewers outside of New York City can watch the Empire State Building live cam.

On September 27th, Scholastic, in collaboration with the Empire State Building and Wizarding World franchise partners, will host a magical pop-up cart on the 86th Floor Observation Deck featuring free copies of the anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and bottled Butterbeer (courtesy of Harry Potter New York), to be given away to guests who purchase tickets to the 86th floor Observatory from 2:00 PM  5:00 PM EST.

All Muggles Invited! On September 27th, Scholastic, in collaboration with the Empire State Building and Wizarding World franchise partners, will host a magical pop-up cart on the 86th Floor Observation Deck featuring free copies of the anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and bottled Butterbeer (courtesy of Harry Potter New York), to be given away to guests who purchase tickets to the 86th floor Observatory from 2:00 PM  5:00 PM EST* (Press preview begins at 1:00 PM EST). Guests are encouraged to dress up in their Hogwarts House attire, enjoy the iconic view, and tag photos with #HarryPotter25 for the chance to be featured on the Empire State Building, Scholastic, and Wizarding World social channels. More information about the Empire State Building and tickets can be found online.

Relevant hi-res imagery can be downloaded HERE.

To celebrate the book series that has created a generation of readers, Scholastic, the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, recently announced highlights of its Harry Potter 25th anniversary campaign. Harry Potter's incredible adventures have left a unique and lasting mark on popular culture with 600 million books sold worldwide, eight blockbuster films, a multi-award-winning stage play, theme parks, and many more. Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced that the Harry Potter stories would be adapted to a new TV series on MAX. This new adaptation will be authentic to the original books. For more on the impact of Harry Potter, check out "25 Harry Potter Facts or visit the Scholastic Harry Potter mediaroom.

To be informed about every Empire State Building lighting, text CONNECT to 274-16 for real time updates.

About the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, the "World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience creates an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and was declared "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, the #1 attraction in the US for the second year in a row in Tripadvisor's 2023 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel List. Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks. For more information and Observatory Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X, Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok.

Harry Potter New York is the world's only official Harry Potter flagship store based in the heart of New York's flatiron district. Housing hundreds of magical products, including a number of New York exclusives, as well as photo opportunities and interactive experiences, Harry Potter New York is a must-visit for Wizarding World fans. The store is also home to New York's only Butterbeer Bar serving the wizard's drink of choice, Butterbeer ice cream and a range of magical sweet treats. Harry Potter New York is part of an expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. owned Wizarding World experiences that include Warner Bros. Studio Tour London  The Making of Harry Potter, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo and Platform 9  retail shops. For more information, visit www.harrypotterstore.com.

*Available while supplies last

SOURCE Scholastic Inc
FARMINGTON, Conn., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Meghan Finn has joined The Jackson Laboratory, an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution, as Vice President and Chief Communications Officer.

In this role, Finn will be responsible for promoting JAX's brand, reputation and visibility as a leader in genetics and genomics with key audiences around the world, leveraging digital and communications strategies to support the growth of the organization.

"We are thrilled to welcome Meghan Finn as JAX's newly appointed vice president and chief communications officer," said Lon Cardon, Ph.D., FMedSci, president and CEO. "Meghan brings to our team over two decades of invaluable experience, successfully leading communication efforts for high growth organizations. I am confident that Meghan will promote and elevate JAX's global brand and drive robust engagement with our key stakeholders. Together, we look forward to an exciting future dedicated to transforming human health."

Finn joins JAX from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in New York, the world's largest private funder of breast cancer research, where she has served as chief communications and engagement officer since 2016. She helped transform BCRF's messaging with key stakeholders and the general public, which resulted in increased engagement among all constituents. In this role, Finn also oversaw BCRF's digital enterprise to drive online donations and peer-to-peer fundraising revenue of more than $8 million annually.

"Meghan is a dynamic and experienced leader with an impressive record of leading communications for mission-driven organizations," said JAX Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Catherine Longley. "Her enthusiasm for science is palpable and I'm thrilled she will bring her considerable talents to our growing organization."

Prior to BCRF, Meghan was employed at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, where she held a variety of positions, most recently vice president of brand and communications. During her tenure, she created a content architecture across all digital, print, and broadcast channels, including the award-winning quarterly Momentum magazine, which had a distribution of 500,000 and $2 million in advertising revenue. She also established and implemented the internal communications function for the Society's more than 1,000 employees.

"I am inspired by The Jackson Laboratory's mission and enthusiastic about our continued impact on human health, the scientific community and beyond," Finn said. "I look forward to working with this talented community to tell the JAX story and continue our trajectory of growth."

Meghan completed her B.A. and M.A. degrees at Iona University in New Rochelle, NY. A member of Chief and the Forbes Nonprofit Council, Meghan also serves on the President's Council of Northwell Health Northern Westchester Hospital.

About The Jackson Laboratory

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

SOURCE The Jackson Laboratory
"Roadmap for a Global Energy Transition" to support a Net Zero 2050 vision launched at UNGA 28 in New York

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A High-Level UNGA consultative session on international finance and energy transition diplomacy, which included sitting and former Heads of State and Government, as well as experts from the RAND Corporation and members of the Scotia Group, was convened on 18 September 2023 by international mediation and energy law expert Professor Malik Al Dahlan.

The Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda jointly with the Alliance of Small Island Developing States (AOSIS) and the Scotia Group, which Professor Al Dahlan founded in 2021 as part of an informal sherpa process to support COP26, hosted the 78th UN General Assembly side meeting on this important issue.

A Call to Action was issued at the event which advocated for a fundamental shift in the way climate finance is raised and deployed. RAND Corporation and the Scotia Group announced a 'Roadmap for a Global Energy Transition' which introduced new financial and legal tools which will encourage much needed green investments in Small Island Development States (SIDs) in collaboration with the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and MERCOSUR countries.

Four specific proposals were outlined:

Global Energy Transition Fund: Funded in part by 2.5% of hydrocarbon sales in the Islamic World being earmarked as Zakat contributions to allow countries to scale up mitigation efforts and complete the energy transition by 2050 supported by Paraguay and Brazil.

Electronic Platform for Green Securities ('NetZero Exchange'): To allow buyers and sellers to interact and bid against each other regularly to price new Green Coupon Bonds. This will improve efficiency and data availability, whilst democratising the global green debt market.

World Scale Green Hydrogen Demonstrator Plant: Built in Saudi Arabia to demonstrate the profitability of Green Hydrogen production and related green or low emission fuel production. This will also foster the formation of the first Green Hydrogen fuels trading hub in the GCC region.

Accelerate the energy transition process by exploring a decarbonisation central bank digital currency (CBDC): Design a new pricing system for carbon and explore the potential for a new digital currency to help states improve their debt sustainability. In particular, new technologies could allow a more accurate valuation of natural assets that could play a valuable role in sovereign debt management and restructuring.

Professor Malik Al Dahlan, the Founder of the Scotia Group, said:

"We urgently need a Decarbonization Marshall Plan. Just as the Arabian Peninsula contributed its natural resources to support energy security for the Developed World in the 20th Century, in the 21st Century it has an opportunity to spearhead a sustainable energy revolution in the Developing World."

Under Secretary General Jorge Moreira da Silva, the Executive Director of UNOPS, said:

"UNOPS is very proud of being part of this partnership."

Speakers at the UNGA Event included, H.E. Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs of St. Martin, HE Ambassador Aubrey Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations and Dr Qiang Liu, Director of Energy Economics Division at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Participants at the UNGA Event included delegations from: Antigua and Barbuda, St. Maarten, Vanuatu, Trinidad and Tobago, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States of America, Mexico, the European Union, Afghanistan, African Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council, the United Nations Development Bank, and the Caribbean Development Bank.

The Roadmap for a Global Energy Transition will now be reviewed by UN member states, as well as by AOSIS and UNOPS, and a final version will be published on the RAND Europe website on Monday 2nd October 2023.

Notes to Editors

The full video of the UNGA Event can be found on United Nations TV here. Professor Malik Al Dahlan's speech can be found here. More information about the Scotia Group, its membership and the 'Climate Majlis Dialogue' sessions which have been hosted since 2021 is here.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216400/Scotia_Group_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The Scotia Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. A total of 314 people became victims of mine terror in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from occupation between November 10, 2020, and September 19, 2023, Trend reports.

Of them, 61 people (civilian - 48, military - 13) were killed and 253 (civilian - 101, military - 152) were injured.

A total of 197 people were affected by mine terror between November 10, 2020 and December 14, 2021. The total number of deaths was 36 (civilian - 29, military - 7) and 161 (civilian - 52, military - 109) were wounded. During the period from December 15, 2022 to February 04, 2022, seven people were victims of mine terror. One civilian was killed, and six people (civilians and four military personnel) were wounded. In addition, from February 5, 2022, to April 6, 2022, six people (civilians and five military personnel) were wounded as a result of mine explosions. During the period from April 7, 2022, to May 18, 2022, 12 people were victims of mine terror. Two civilians were killed and 10 were injured (civilians - 7, military - 3).

During the period from May 19, 2022 to August 18, 2022, 11 people suffered from Armenia's mine terror. One serviceman was killed and 10 were injured (8 civilians and 2 military). From August 19, 2022, to September 23, 2022, 22 people were victims of mine terror. Two servicemen were killed, and 20 were wounded (civilians: 2, military - 18). Between September 24, 2022, and October 3, 2022, five people became victims of mine terror. Two civilians were killed, and three civilians were injured. Between October 4, 2022, and November 10, 2022, a total of 11 people were victims of mine terror in Armenia. One civilian was killed, and 10 were wounded (civilians - 6, military - 4).

From November 11, 2022 to January 06, 2023, Armenia's mine terror victimized nine people. One serviceman was killed, and eight were wounded (civilians: 4, military - 4). From January 7, 2023 to March 14, 2023, five people became victims of mine terror. Two people were killed (civilian - 1, military - 1), and three were wounded (civilian - 1, military - 2). Between March 15, 2023, and June 12, 2023, a total of 16 people became victims of mine terror. Seven people died (civilian - 6, military - 1), 9 were wounded (civilian - 6, military - 3). From June 13, 2023 to August 23, 2023, mine explosions injured 2 people (civilian - 1, military - 1). From August 24, 2023 to September 11, 2023, a mine explosion affected 3 people (civilian - 2, military - 1). From September 12, 2023 to September 19, 2023, Armenia's mine terror suffered 8 casualties. A total of six civilians were killed and two servicemen were wounded.

Areas cleared of mines and other explosive devices:

970,551,604 square meters

(97,055 hectares)

Number of mines and other explosives found: 94,244 in total.

Anti-personnel mines: 29,617

Anti-tank mines: 17,048

Unexploded ordnance: 47,579 items

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist activities carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

On September 19, 2023, at 04:30 (GMT+4), as a result of a terrorist act, on a newly built tunnel road near the village of Taghavard in Khojavand district, a KAMAZ truck carrying employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan got blown up on a mine previously planted by illegal Armenian armed groups [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] on the territory of Azerbaijan, where Russian peacekeepers are temporarily stationed [under the trilateral statement].

The truck was on its way to the site of the terrorist attack that took place on the same day at the 58th kilometer of the Ahmadbayli-Fuzuli-Shusha road passing through the Khojavand district, which killed employees of the State Road Agency of Azerbaijan.

The employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Asim Jamalzade, Ramil Shirinov, Seymur Mahmudov, and Khazar Zamanov, died on the spot.
The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032

LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's Teledentistry Global Market Report 2023, the global teledentistry market is poised for substantial growth, with expectations to expand from $1.51 billion in 2022 to an estimated $1.78 billion in 2023, reflecting an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6%. This upward trajectory is set to continue, culminating in a market size of $3.35 billion in 2027, with a projected CAGR of 17.1%. The driving force behind this remarkable teledentistry market growth is the escalating burden of oral diseases globally.

Oral Disease Burden

Oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer, impose a significant health and economic burden worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that nearly 2.5 billion people globally suffer from various forms of oral diseases. This burden translates into annual direct costs of approximately US$ 387 billion and indirect costs of another US$ 323 billion. Notably, dental caries remains the most prevalent untreated condition worldwide, impacting 1 billion people.

Teledentistry emerges as a vital solution to combat this oral disease burden, enhancing oral health outcomes. Teledentistry facilitates remote consultation, monitoring, education, and training, providing accessible and cost-effective dental care.

Learn More On The Teledentistry Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/teledentistry-global-market-report

Competitive Landscape

The teledentistry market exhibits concentration, with key players dominating the landscape. In 2022, the top ten competitors collectively accounted for 47.92% of the teledentistry market. Leading the pack was SmileDirectClub, commanding a 17.32% teledentistry market share, closely followed by Koninklijke Philips N.V. with 14.14%. Other prominent players in the teledentistry market include Align Technology, Inc., Patterson Companies Inc., The TeleDentists, Dentulu Inc., Toothpic, Medvivo, Sesame Inc., and Virtudent, Inc.

AI-Powered Solutions

Innovative teledentistry companies are integrating artificial intelligence (AI) to assist dentists in crafting personalized treatment plans for patients. For instance, in November 2021, SmileDirectClub introduced SmileOS, a telehealth platform powered by AI. This next-generation system leverages data from over 1.5 million clear aligner treatment plans, optimizing precise tooth movements to achieve a straighter smile.

Request A Free Sample Of The Teledentistry Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=8311&type=smp

Market Segmentation

The global teledentistry market is segmented along several dimensions:

Component: Hardware, Software, and Services. Delivery Mode: On-Premise, Cloud-Based. Application: Tele-consultation, Remote Patient Monitoring, Education, and Training. End-Use: Providers, Patients, and Other End-Users.

Within the market segments, the software and services category stands out, poised to generate $1,359.2 million in global annual sales by 2027.

Regional Dynamics

In 2022, North America emerged as the largest region in the teledentistry market, accounting for 39.1% of the total market share. Asia-Pacific followed closely, with other regions in tow. Looking ahead, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific are projected to experience the fastest growth, with CAGRs of 21.5% and 19.7%, respectively.

The Teledentistry Global Market Report 2023 by The Business Research Company (TBRC), offers a strategic compass for industry players and stakeholders. It provides invaluable insights into teledentistry market trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging opportunities. As teledentistry companies focus on innovative solutions like AI-powered treatment planning, the TBRC report equips industry leaders with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and navigate the evolving market landscape effectively. It serves as a roadmap for harnessing the immense growth potential within the teledentistry market, ultimately contributing to improved oral health outcomes globally.

View More Similar Market Reports:

Telemedicine Services Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/telemedicine-services-global-market-report

Digital Health Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/digital-health-global-market-report

Teleradiology Global Market Report 2023

https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/teleradiology-global-market-report

Interested to know more about The Business Research Company?

The Business Research Company has published over 6500+ detailed industry reports, spanning over 3000+ market segments and 60 geographies. The reports draw on 1,500,000 datasets, extensive secondary research, and exclusive insights from interviews with industry leaders.

The World's Most Comprehensive Database

The Global Market Model, The Business Research Company's flagship product, is a market intelligence platform covering various macroeconomic indicators and metrics across 58 geographies and 27 industries. The Global Market Model covers multi-layered datasets that help its users make better strategic decisions.

Contact Information

The Business Research Company

Europe: +44 207 1930 708

Asia: +91 8897263534

Americas: +1 315 623 0293

Email: [email protected]

Follow Us On:

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/the-business-research-company

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tbrc_info

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessResearchCompany

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24_fI0rV8cR5DxlCpgmyFQ

Blog: https://blog.tbrc.info/

Healthcare Blog: https://healthcareresearchreports.com/

Global Market Model: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/global-market-model

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1751581/tbrc_logo.jpg

SOURCE The Business Research Company
Introducing Timex ReWound, The World's First Circular Program for Watches

Iconic Watchmaker Enhances Sustainability Commitment with Expanded Measures to Protect People, Product, and the Planet

MIDDLEBURY, Conn., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Timex  introduces a new commitment to take less from the planet and leave less behind. As pioneers in the watch industry, Timex is the first to launch a take back and resale program designed to ensure no watch ends up in a landfill: Timex ReWound. Starting today, Timex invites everyone to ship their pre-loved watches back (any watch from any brand) to either be upcycled into new products or available for purchase on the Timex ReWound site.

For almost 170 years, Timex has crafted watches that last a lifetime (and then some). With the planet in mind, they are expanding their sustainability initiatives by implementing innovative technology using materials such as #tide ocean material, apple peel, wheat husk, waterless tanning processes, eco-ceramic, LWG-certified leathers and more to lower their carbon footprint. By 2025, their goal is to have 50% of their collection be made with eco-friendly components by implementing the use of more recycled materials in their products. Furthering their commitment, they are working towards a goal of achieving Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, starting with halving in 2030.

"Every watch has a soul and a story to be told, and this initiative will help keep our planet ticking. Circularity is about maintaining value and not creating waste in the process. Every year, 2 billion tons of waste is created with 99% of it ending up in a landfill. A Timex is crafted to take a licking and keep on ticking and it's our goal to keep watches on wrists and out of landfills," said Shari Fabiani, Sr. Vice President Brand & Creative at Timex Group.

Through Timex ReWound, those who wish to upcycle their pre-loved watches will receive a pre-paid shipping label. Each watch received will be inspected, cleaned, and refurbished with a working battery before it is available for resale and ready for a new life with a new generation. Watches that have already lived their best life and do not qualify for resale will be broken down and their parts will be upcycled into new products. Currently, Timex ReWound is exclusive to customers in the United States with possible plans for further expansion in the near future.

Timex has made it their goal to take less from the planet and leave less behind. With the planet in mind, they are a proud pioneer in making timeless watches that are equal parts environmentally friendly and beautifully crafted.

Learn more on the Timex ReWound Site.

ABOUT TIMEX GROUP

Timex Group designs, manufactures, and markets innovative timepieces around the world. Timex Group is a privately-held company headquartered in Middlebury, Connecticut with multiple operating units and over 3,000 employees worldwide. As one of the largest watchmakers in the world, Timex Group companies produce watches under a number of world class brands, including Timex, adidas, Ferragamo, Furla, Gc, Guess, Missoni, Nautica, Philipp Plein, Plein Sport, Ted Baker and Versace.

Join Timex on social media: @timex

Media Contacts:

Patricia Rappaport, [email protected]

Rachel Walder, [email protected]

SOURCE Timex
ABU DHABI, UAE, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The United Arab Emirates, hosts of the upcoming COP28 climate summit, gathered the police leadership of the UN Peace Operations to enhance capacity and improve climate action in areas the most vulnerable to climate change. To that end, the UAE calls for an urgent establishment of UN Climate Incident Observers Unit.

The international gathering, which took place from the 14th to the 17th of September in Abu Dhabi, and was organized by the UAE Ministry of Interior, was designed to place an emphasis on embracing environmentally friendly and innovative practices in the UN Peace Operations.

The event brought together officials from United Nations Peace Operations from all over the world, including UN Police Division in the Department of Peace Operations, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), and key representatives from the UAE.

Over four intensive days of the UN workshop in Abu Dhabi, participants delved into critical aspects of the UN Peace Operations. The program specifically emphasized enhancing performance, accountability, and capability requirements within UN field operations. A key focus was the integration of cutting-edge technology and clean energy solutions in alignment with global environmental objectives. As the workshop concluded, officials collectively committed to taking essential steps toward environmentally responsible policing within peace operations.

Speaking about the event, Alexander Zuev, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Rule of Law and Security Institutions, said:

"Today, the importance of taking essential steps toward environmentally responsible policing within Peace Operations cannot be overstated. Our collective duty transcends traditional boundaries. We must strive not only to maintain peace but also to protect the planet that sustains us all. The United Nations, as a global leader in promoting peace and security, is committed to leading by example in this regard. We would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the UAE Ministry of Interior for their invaluable partnership and support in organizing this workshop. We look forward to continuing this fruitful partnership in the future", UN Assistant Secretary-General Zuev said.

United Nations Police Adviser in the DPO and Member of I2LEC Steering Committee, Faisal Shahkar added:

"The proposal to establish UN Climate Incident Observers is an extremely relevant endeavour, which would represent a pivotal stride toward integrating environmentally responsive policing into the fabric of the United Nations Peace Operations. In a world marked by escalating temperatures, mounting food and water insecurity, as well as environmental crimes, such initiative holds the potential to fortify our global security apparatus, especially in vulnerable regions. The "Climate Observers" would be dispatched to regions grappling with climate-change-induced events like mega fires, flooding, hurricanes, and more. Their mission: to conduct post-incident assessments and document invaluable insights into climate change preparedness and response of national law enforcement authorities. We are carefully studying the possibility of launching such unit together with our partners at I2LEC and regional police organizations such as AFRIPOL, ASEANPOL, EUROPOL, AMERIPOL", stated UN Police Adviser in the DPO Shahkar.

Lt. Col. Dana Humaid, Director General of the International Affairs Bureau of the UAE Ministry of Interior and Co-Chair of the International Initiative of Law Enforcement (I2LEC), highlighted:

"The UAE is deeply aware of the profound positive impact that the UN Peacekeepers or "Blue Helmets" have on the lives of certain vulnerable communities and even entire regions, plagued by conflicts. The integration of eco-friendly and innovative policing practices into UN Peace Operations is crucial to support climate action. That said, through collaboration and cooperation, we are confident in our ability to leverage our collective strength to enhance security in areas affected the most by climate challenges. In that regard, the UAE strongly believes in the urgent need of establishment of the UN Climate Incident Observers unit, which could be led by the UNDPO. This unit should be tasked with monitoring and responding to climate-related incidents. The UAE Ministry of Interior has already discussed this idea with relevant UN officials. We would like to reiterate that UAE is determined to provide relevant support to make the idea of "Climate Observers" a reality as soon as possible and be recognized hopefully as "Green Helmets" in same way that peacekeepers are known as "Blue Helmets"", stated Lt. Col. Humaid.

About the UAE's contribution to international peace operations efforts

Since the era of the Founding Father the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has been a key player and important partner, helping peace initiatives succeed both regionally and internationally. Over the past decades, the UAE has participated in peace operations as part of many international initiatives. In 1976, the country took part in the Arab Deterrent Force in Lebanon to prevent the eruption of a civil war and maintain peace. In 1994, the UAE supported Bosnia after its war with Serbia and expressed concerns for the suffering of Bosnian Muslims, as well as contributed to many humanitarian projects aimed at helping rebuild Bosnia. In 1999, the UAE Armed Forces constructed camp in Kukes, Albania to shelter thousands of Kosovan refugees in Albania and participated in peace operations in Kosovo, being the only Muslim country to send forces to join peacekeeping forces in Kosovo upon NATO's approval. In 2003, the UAE participated in peace operations with over 1,200 soldiers, who played a key role in securing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Afghan people.

About I2LEC

I2LEC is a global initiative, led by the UAE MOI in partnership with the UNODC, aimed at awareness-raising, capacity-building and research concerning crimes that affect the environment and climate change, as well as the response of global law enforcement community to the evolving scenarios of climate change. In addition to the representative from the UNDPO, I2LEC Steering Committee gathers high-level representatives from such international bodies as UNODC, INTERPOL, the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environmental Unit, EUROPOL, ESRI, and the UAE Ministry of Interior.

SOURCE The UAE Ministry of Interior
SINGAPORE and LAUSANNE, Switzerland, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), a leading European science and tech institution, collaborates with uHoo, an environmental data platform that has built the world's most comprehensive indoor environmental quality (IEQ) monitoring solution.

This partnership stems from EPFL's EU-funded project, INPERSO. Headed by Dr. Sarah Crosby, a scientist at EPFL, INPERSO aims to enhance understanding of IEQ in residential and educational buildings, create a better IEQ rating system for Europe, and assess how retrofitting affects IEQ and occupant comfort.

Dr. Sarah and her team assessed multiple providers, emphasizing advanced data gathering, reliability, and user-friendliness. uHoo Aura stood out for its ability to measure 13+ parameters, sensor accuracy, SIM card connectivity, a user-friendly dashboard, and a backup battery for uninterrupted operation in case of power outages, among other features.

"Having utilized various products in my previous research projects, I can confidently state that uHoo emerges as one of the top solutions in the commercial market. With our use of uHoo, we are committed to advancing our understanding in this field and contributing to the development of improved IEQ assessment methodologies. As the lead researcher of the EPFL side of the INPERSO project, I am thrilled to partner with uHoo to enhance our knowledge, improve the IEQ standards across the EU, and help improve IEQ in buildings." said Dr. Sarah Crosby, Lead Researcher, INPERSO project.

"We are honored to be part of the INPERSO project. Our solution aims to make a significant impact in the built environment, fostering awareness and promoting a healthier, greener and more conscious approach towards indoor spaces. We aim to create a better future where healthy and sustainable indoor environments become the norm." - Dustin Jefferson Onghanseng, CEO and Co-founder of uHoo

About uHoo

uHoo is an environmental data platform for homes, businesses and governments to enhance health and well-being, to decarbonize through energy efficiency and to enhance ESG performance. uHoo's technology is utilized globally by thousands of private and public organizations in various verticals that include offices, commercial, residential and industrial buildings, healthcare, airports and governments, among others.

About EPFL

EPFL is one of the world's leading institutes of technology and research, located in Lausanne, Switzerland. With a strong focus on scientific excellence, EPFL strives to push the boundaries of knowledge and address global challenges through innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration.

SOURCE uHoo
Certified as one of the Newsweek 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces and one of the Fortune Most Admired Companies for 2023

ATLANTA, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Veritiv has been certified as a 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek Magazine backed by the research and analysis of Best Practice Institute (BPI). Newsweek's ranking of the 2023 Most Loved Workplaces recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, and appreciated and are at the center of the business model.

Veritiv has been certified as a 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplace by Newsweek Magazine

Veritiv was also recently named to Fortune Magazine's 2023 World's Most Admired Companies List. The magazine surveys more than 15,000 top executives, board directors, and members of the financial community for this prestigious list. Companies are rated on long-term investment value, innovation, quality of products and services, social responsibility to the community and environment, and the ability to attract and retain talent.

"In addition to being named a World's Most Admired Company by Fortune, the Top 100 Most Loved Workplace certification by Newsweek is a testament to how our employees embed the Veritiv Values into our daily work, creating a dynamic and empowering culture," said Sal Abbate, Chief Executive Officer of Veritiv. "This recognition fuels our mission and acknowledges that by successfully focusing on our customers  and our employees  anything is possible."

Veritiv has been certified as a Top 100 Most Loved Workplace because it embraces a team-oriented approach to shaping success for employees, customers, and suppliers. Employees love working at Veritiv because they work with encouraging individuals, who foster inclusivity and feel supported by leadership.

"With the rapidly changing workplace and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment," said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor-in-Chief, Newsweek. "The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract the best talent and deliver strong business outcomes."

Veritiv became certified as a 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplace based on its scores on the Love of Workplace Index which surveyed more than two million employees on various elements around employee satisfaction and sentiment including the level of respect, collaboration, support, and sense of belonging they feel inside the company.

BPI found that productivity rises as employee sentiment increases, with 94 percent of responders saying they did three to four times more work for a company they loved and 95 percent saying they stayed at companies they loved three to four times longer. Most Loved Workplaces certification is one method to determine employee experience and recognize a great workplace.

About Veritiv

Veritiv Corporation (NYSE: VRTV), headquartered in Atlanta, is a full-service provider of packaging, JanSan and hygiene products, services and solutions. Additionally, Veritiv provides print and publishing products. Serving customers in a wide range of industries both in North America and globally, Veritiv has distribution centers throughout the U.S. and Mexico, and team members around the world helping shape the success of its customers. For more information about Veritiv and its business segments visit www.veritiv.com.

From Fortune, 2023 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license. Fortune is a registered trademark and Fortune World's Most Admired Companies is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited and are used under license. Fortune and Fortune Media IP Limited are not affiliated with, and do not endorse the products or services of, Veritiv.

SOURCE Veritiv Corporation
VIENNA, Va., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VMS Solutions, a renowned software leader in production planning, scheduling, and simulation, has introduced an innovative Life Sciences Solution set to revolutionize pharmaceutical and biotechnology manufacturing. Drawing on its two-decade expertise, previously serving semiconductor and display manufacturers, VMS Solutions now offers meticulous planning, scheduling, and simulation software tailored to the complexities of modern mass production.

Having excelled with global semiconductor and display giants, VMS Solutions has already transformed operations for leading South Korean life sciences firms. Now, it aims to replicate this success globally across the Americas, Europe, and APEC regions.

VMS Solutions' Life Sciences Solution empowers companies to construct annual production plans based on precise demand forecasts. These plans adapt to evolving circumstances, utilizing real-time data on the factory environment, material availability, and equipment usage to generate precise production schedules. This seamless synchronization between resources and demands equips firms to thrive in the dynamic life sciences sector.

The results are impressive. Companies adopting VMS Solutions' Life Sciences Solution report a remarkable 175% return on investment over two years, thanks to reductions in various costs, including a 35% drop in stockout costs, a 22% decrease in storage and holding expenses, a 15% reduction in logistics costs, and an 8.5% cut in inventory damage and disposal expenses. These achievements showcase the transformative potential of VMS Solutions' technology in redefining production planning and scheduling in life sciences.

Young Ju Kwon, head of Strategic Alliances at VMS Solutions, said, "We are thrilled to introduce our Life Sciences Solution to the Americas, Europe, and the APEC region. Leveraging our extensive experience in semiconductor and display manufacturing, we are confident our software will provide invaluable support to global life sciences leaders, enhancing efficiency and delivering substantial cost savings."

VMS Solutions' Life Sciences Solution bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and the intricate demands of modern pharmaceutical and biotechnology production. By enabling swift adaptation to industry dynamics and informed decision-making, VMS Solutions is reshaping the future of life sciences manufacturing.

For media inquiries, contact: Email: [email protected] Phone: +1 571-749-9121 Website: www.vms-solutions.com

About VMS Solutions: VMS Solutions is a leading software company offering AI-powered supply chain planning solutions to top global firms. With over two decades of experience, we have optimized manufacturing and production operations in various industries, from semiconductor producers to consumer goods manufacturers, delivering ultimate efficiency and cost reduction.

SOURCE VMS Solutions
KEY WEST, Fla., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Warren Henry Auto Group, a leading dealership group in Florida, is pleased to announce the expansion of Keys Auto Center (KAC) with the acquisition of Niles Sales and Service. This strategic move broadens KAC's product range to include five additional brands (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Nissan, and Cadillac). In total, KAC will offer 13 brands to residents in the Lower Keys.

"I've been impressed by Jack Niles and his operation for a long time," said Larry Zinn, Executive General Manager of Warren Henry Auto Group. "It's an honor to merge this respected dealership with KAC and welcome Jack's clients and friends to the Warren Henry Family."

For the time being, the former Niles Sales and Service dealership located at 3500 N Roosevelt Blvd will continue to house its original brands and Service Center. The KAC dealership located at 1618 N Roosevelt Blvd will operate out of a temporary structure while undergoing a 1.5-year renovation with plans to construct a new 15,000 square feet state-of-the-art dealership. This expansion opens a plethora of job opportunities within the community. Warren Henry Auto Group now supports 80 employees and their families and intends to increase their staffing with additional trained technicians and sales associates.

"Relationships mean everything in the Keys," said Lee Holt, General Manager of Keys Auto Center. "I grew up in the Lower Keys and understand the diverse community we serve and the importance of providing excellent service to all who walk through our doors."

Warren Henry Auto Group's acquisition of Niles Sales and Service will ultimately allow clients to shop for a broad range of brands and price points all under one roof. This includes the top three Detroit manufacturers: GM, Ford, and Stellantis.

To learn more about Keys Auto Center and the brands they carry, please visit keysautocenter.com.

About Warren Henry Auto Group

Established in 1976, Warren Henry Auto Group is one of the longest-standing, private, family-owned dealership groups in Florida. The company comprises over 500 employees, 7 different retail locations, and 23 luxury and premium brands including Jaguar, Land Rover, INFINITI, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Hennessey, Koenigsegg, Toyota, Ford, Lincoln, Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Nissan, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Icon, and Vespa.

Grounded in its original core values and vision, the company prides itself on providing exceptional customer service, creating a superior work environment for its employees, and supporting local causes in the communities it serves. Warren Henry Auto Group has received numerous awards and accolades including being named Best Dealership to Work for by Automotive News, honored by J.D. Power for Dealer of Excellence, and recognized by the South Florida Business Journal Philanthropy List. The company's headquarters is located at 2300 NE 151st Street in North Miami. For more information, call (305) 690-6006 or visit www.warrenhenryauto.com .

About Niles Sales and Service

Niles Sales and Service boasts a rich automotive legacy spanning more than two decades. With a history of over 20 years in operation, Niles Sales and Service has established itself as a major automotive dealership in Key West and is recognized for its active involvement within the local community. Over the years, Niles Sales and Service has sold over ten thousand vehicles and won numerous local awards.

SOURCE Warren Henry Auto Group
The goal for his new role as General Manager is to inspire and drive the North American Dental Equipment team towards new horizons of growth and excellence. Rick brings not only a keen understanding of market dynamics but also a visionary perspective on how to best serve dental professionals and in turn their patients. Under his leadership, customers and partners can expect a renewed focus on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction. He is committed to work closely with their valued customers, forge strong relationships, understand their unique needs, and tailor their dental equipment solutions to meet and exceed expectations.

According to Klaus Maier, CEO of W&H Group, "As we embark on this exciting journey with Rick at the helm, we are confident that our North America Team for Dental Equipment will reach new heights of success. Together, we will strive for excellence, driving innovation, and delivering top-notch dental equipment solutions that enhance patient care and strengthen our collective presence in the dental industry."

Dental Equipment Product Portfolio

W&H's Dental Equipment division has an extensive product portfolio of innovations and dental solutions covering the areas of:

About W&H

W&H Impex, Inc. located in Ontario, Canada is a subsidiary of W&H Group. Headquartered in Burmoos, Austria, the international W&H Group is a global leader in the development and manufacture of medical technology products. Passion and innovation are the motor of the company. High-quality product and service solutions, a modern corporate structure, a strong focus on research and development as well as social responsibility make W&H a locally and globally successful family business. More than 1,300 employees contribute to the production of hardware and software products for use in the dental, medical and veterinary industries.

SOURCE W&H Impex Inc.
New Study Reveals: Work That Matters, Not Perks or Vacation Time, Is What Inspires Women to Be At Their Best

BOSTON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Companies are stepping up their commitment to help their women employees thrive, but many have struggled to put it into practice. A new study has the solution. The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership announced today survey findings about what women say causes them to thrive at work: It's not vacations or perks, but making meaningful contributions.

In practice, what does thriving look like? A survey of participants from the Simmons Leadership Conference in March 2023, which included women in the age range of under 25 to over 75, defined thriving as making positive contributions, learning, and being valued and recognized. For managers, the study findings reveal the importance of delegating projects that have a significant impact, providing opportunities for formal and informal learning, and taking time to recognize women employees in the way that is most meaningful to them.

How important is it for women to thrive? 96% of respondents said that thriving at work was extremely or very important. Additionally, 42% of respondents reported that they felt like they were thriving most of the time, and 49% felt that they were thriving some of the time. 81% of respondents say that their organization is committed to supporting their ability to thrive at work. Respondents of color are more likely than white respondents to say that thriving at work is extremely important.

Why is thriving at work important to both the employees and the organization? For individuals, thriving at work makes them feel happier, and more confident, engaged, and inspired. According to the respondents, when they feel they are thriving at work, they are more productive, more likely to go "above and beyond," and more effective. They also report being better positioned to do their best work. "This is a substantial finding. We know that women want to thrive at work and know what they need in order to do so. In addition, we know organizations WANT discretionary effort and high productivity. This is exciting and most importantly  very doable," explains Susan MacKenty Brady, CEO of Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership.

What gets in the way? Participants identified an overwhelming workload as the number one issue preventing women from thriving in their careers. Respondents sent in feedback saying workload kills morale, depletes resources, and forces too many priorities with constant change.

What is the secret for managers to inspire women to thrive at work? Managers can give women employees a sense of autonomy, making it safe for them to take risks, and provide opportunities to learn and develop. They can prioritize sustainable workloads and the ability to use paid time off.

Individuals can promote their own thriving by building strong relationships and seeking out opportunities to learn and develop.

"The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership knows that when women are thriving, they can help others to thrive as well. We are committed to creating a collaborative environment where women from all backgrounds can do their best work," emphasizes MacKenty Brady.

To view complete results and discussion of the study, visit this link . To request an interview about the results with Elisa van Dam and Susan MacKenty Brady, please reach out to Rebecca Proulx (contact information below).

About Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership

Our mission is to develop the mindset and skills of leaders at all stages of life so they can foster gender parity and cultures of inclusion. We offer research-driven programming for individuals and leadership journeys for entire organizations. Learn more .

About Elisa van Dam

ELISA VAN DAM is the Vice President for Allyship & Inclusion at the Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership.

Drawing on her expertise in gender equity and women's leadership, Elisa creates innovative programming that develops the mindset and skills of leaders at all stages of life so they can foster gender parity and cultures of inclusion. Elisa is a co-author of The Inclusive Leader's Playbook: The Work of the Inclusive Leader with Susan MacKenty Brady. She is a co-author of several publications, including The Importance of Belonging in the Workplace (February 2022) and The Importance of Authenticity in the Workplace (July 2021).

About Susan MacKenty Brady

SUSAN MACKENTY BRADY is the founding CEO of The Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership where she holds the Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Chair for Women and Leadership.

As an expert in driving accountability, she teaches leaders, executives and leadership teams how to create high-performing cultures fueled by respect and has keynoted or consulted at over 500 organizations around the world. Susan has previously published four books, the most recent as lead co-author of the Wall Street Journal bestseller Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership (McGraw-Hill, April 2022), which debuted in April 2022 and landed on the bestseller list in the Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today. Her media appearances include "Good Morning America" on ABC-TV, Bloomberg Businessweek, Forbes and Inc. Magazine.

About the Research:

362 participants from the Simmons Leadership Conference in March of 2023 completed our survey. Participants included women in the age range of under 25 to over 75. To create the definition of thriving, contributing a positive work impact was cited by 41% of participants, learning and development was cited by 28% of participants, and value and recognition was cited by 20% of participants.

SOURCE Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership
BRATTLEBORO, Vt., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "Brewing up adventure," isn't just a motto for Whetstone Beer Co., it's a way of life. Partners David Hiler, Tim and Amy Brady were brought together by their love of beer and adventure. Their years exploring the beauty of Vermont State Parks has led them to launch Pints for Parks, a partnership benefiting Vermont State Parks.

Whetstone Beer Co. Pints for Parks Quechee Maple Amber Ale

Pints for Parks is a collaboration between Whetstone Beer Co. and Vermont State Parks, where twice per year Whetstone creates a unique, limited-edition beer celebrating a different state park. Like all of Whetstone Beer's cans, this special release incorporates a collectible sticker in the label. Proceeds from all Pints for Parks beers will support Vermont Parks Forever, Vermont State Parks' supporting foundation.

For the Fall 2023 edition of this beer, we're excited to partner with the Vermont Maple Farmers Collective in the creation of our Quechee Gorge Maple Amber Ale.

Whetstone wanted to showcase the flavors of Vermont, alongside the beauty of the State Parks. When the brewers decided to produce a Maple Amber Ale, they set out to try to find a local Maple producer for the large amount of syrup they would need and were thrilled to find the Vermont Maple Farmers Collective. This collection of seven small batch farms, located right in the Upper Valley of Vermont, works collectively to help each farmer endure the increasing market pressures from impersonal factory farms.

Whetstone shares Vermont Maple Farmers vision for a world where small-scale producers can be a viable business and where family farms can count on the spring maple sugaring season to help make ends meet.

This Pints for Parks release of a limited-edition Quechee Gorge Maple Amber Ale beer is inspired by the iconic Gorge and the colors and flavors of Vermont. A kickoff event will be held on September 30th from 1 pm to 5 pm at the Street Food Festival on the Brattleboro Common.

"We are excited about the Pints for Parks program and the opportunity to partner with Whetstone Beer Co. This program is a terrific way to celebrate Vermont's amazing state park system and encourage folks to get outside" said Nate McKeen, Director of Vermont State Parks. "Whetstone is a terrific company to work with who understands the value of outdoor recreation and connecting people to parks."

"Quechee Gorge is the perfect place to showcase a beer with a bold Maple character. This well balanced amber ale, with a touch of maple, pairs perfectly with the amazing scenic backdrop of one of Vermont's most beautiful State Parks" said Whetstone partner Tim Brady. "It's a beer that just tastes like fall. Perfect for sitting around a campfire and taking that minute to admire the amazing foliage and scenic backdrop of Vermont."

"We are grateful for this creative partnership that will showcase Vermont's beautiful state parks and raise awareness of Vermont Parks Forever (VPF), the foundation for Vermont's state parks," said Sarah Alberghini Winters, Executive Director, Vermont Parks Forever. "The support from Whetstone Beer Co. will bolster VPF's efforts to expand nature education in the parks and provide more free entry through the Park Access Fund. Thanks, Whetstone!"

Follow the Pints for Parks project at whetstonebeer.com/parks

Images available: Whetstone Beer Co Pints for Parks logo , Quechee Maple Amber Ale Info One Sheet , Quechee Maple Amber Ale Photo , All images courtesy of Whetstone Beer Co.

Media Contact: Tim Brady, [email protected], 802-254-2098

SOURCE Whetstone Beer Co.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Azerbaijani Armed Forces aren't shelling Khankendi city, the Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan said, Trend reports.

The ministry noted that the information disseminated in some Armenian social media accounts about the alleged resumption of shelling of the town of Khankendi by the Azerbaijani armed forces does not reflect reality and is of a disinformation nature.

"We categorically refute this information. We reiterate that units of the Azerbaijani armed forces target and disable only legitimate military facilities and military infrastructure with high-precision weapons," the ministry said.
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Christian humanitarian organization World Vision and VisionFund International, its affiliated mission-driven microfinance institution, have launched the Strong Women Impact Fund, announced at the 2023 Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. The fund works to address the gender gap in financial services for the most vulnerable around the world: rural women.

The Strong Women Impact Fund supports innovative financial products designed to serve clients at the bottom of the economic ladder as they work to build financial resilience, improve household well-being, and break the intergenerational cycle of poverty. The fund will offer products to meet the needs of women in poverty-affected communities, support women clients in the development of their livelihoods, and help them to move toward economic well-being.

Globally, women represent immense potential yet face enduring obstacles, such as a nearly $320 billion deficit in access to credit, that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Nearly 1 billion women around the world still have no access to financial services. If this gender gap were closed, women could add an estimated $14 trillion to global GDP by 2030, according to studies. Studies have also shown that when women earn a competitive income, they spend most of their earnings on their families  a reinvestment that contributes to stronger, more resilient communities.

"We know that the best way to strengthen communities is by empowering women," said Edgar Martinez, CEO of VisionFund International. "VisionFund is supporting the most vulnerable communities through access to capital, credit and financial services. Today, 80% of people living below the poverty line live in rural communities, and the majority of those people are women. VisionFund and World Vision know that to truly end extreme poverty, there must be an intentional focus on providing financial services for rural women, and the Strong Women Impact Fund is one of the key tools to bolster women's economic opportunity."

The Strong Women Impact Fund is a $100 million debt fund that offers investors the opportunity to catalyze significant change in the lives of women and their families. The fund prioritizes serving rural women in 24 countries across four regions. These countries have been strategically selected to align with World Vision's 2030 business plans for economic empowerment and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), as well as VisionFund's 2030 global strategy. World Vision's WASH programming helps communities gain infrastructure and technical support to improve health and well-being, while their economic empowerment programming equips people with the knowledge and skills necessary to maximize business growth when they receive a VisionFund loan.

"The Strong Women Impact Fund allows me to invest in women around the world, equipping them with the skills they need to lift themselves and their families out of poverty," said Lani Dolifka, founder and president of Clean Water Here. "Vision Fund and World Vision are committed to helping the most vulnerable among us  rural women  through training, support and micro-financing."

The fund offers four major products to women borrowers: FAST loans, lone mother households loans, small business loans, and water loans. Additionally, embedded into each loan is HospiCash, a health insurance policy that covers clients and their families for no additional charge.

Another distinctive aspect of the Strong Women Impact Fund is that, due to an intentional gender lens, it meets four of the five 2X Challenge criteria:

Leadership: The fund is managed and led by women, and women account for 38% of VisionFund's board.

Employment: 49% of VisionFund's staff are women.

Consumption: Fund products are designed to specifically benefit women.

Investments through financial intermediaries: VisionFund International owns and operates 26 microfinance institutions across 28 countries.

The fifth criteria (entrepreneurship) is met by the fund's borrowers, who are women entrepreneurs.

Investments in the Strong Women Impact Fund will empower more than 200,000 women to achieve their potential, lift their families out of poverty, and help transform their communities into thriving ecosystems of innovation and growth.

About World Vision:

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit worldvision.org or follow on X, formerly known as Twitter, @WorldVisionUSA .

About VisionFund International:

VisionFund International, World Vision's microfinance subsidiary, has been improving the lives of children in the developing world for over 20 years. Through small loans and other financial services, clients develop successful businesses, enabling their children to grow up healthy and educated. In fiscal year 2022, VisionFund International's network of microfinance institutions provided loans to 1 million clients across 28 countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America  with 69% of these going to women and over a third to clients actively involved in farming  and positively impacted 4.7 million children. For more information, visit VisionFund.org.

SOURCE World Vision U.S.
New commercial facilities offer one-stop manufacturing services for antibody intermediates, bioconjugate drug substance and drug product

Doubled capacity provides greater support to the rapidly growing global bioconjugate industry

WUXI, China, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi XDC, a leading global Contract, Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO) for ADCs and other bioconjugates, today announced that its new commercial manufacturing facilities (known as XBCM2 and XDP2) in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, have been released for GMP manufacturing. This will further enable clients to accelerate their pipelines' commercial production in the fast-growing bioconjugate industry.

WuXi XDC's new GMP manufacturing facilities cover an area of nearly 7,000 square meters, comprising the dual-function production line XBCM2, for bioconjugate drug substance and antibody intermediates production; the XDP2 facility, for bioconjugate drug production; as well as testing and commercial packaging spaces. The two facilities feature automated systems and state-of-the-art equipment, and provide comprehensive one-stop GMP manufacturing services for ADCs and other bioconjugates at both the clinical and commercial stages. The capacity expansion is designed to meet the increasing demand from the global bioconjugate industry, and underlines WuXi XDC's commitment to being a trusted partner for clients worldwide.

The dual-function GMP manufacturing facility XBCM2 offers end-to-end manufacturing services  from monoclonal antibody intermediates to ADC drug substance. The facility can provide production for monoclonal antibody intermediates on a scale of 200 liters to 2,000 liters per batch, for upstream cell culture and downstream protein purification, while two independent ADC drug substance production lines are able to meet the demand for ADC drug substance manufacturing up to 2,000 liters.

The bioconjugate drug product GMP manufacturing facility XDP2 features advanced isolator aseptic filling technology and a single-use filling system that is equipped with on-line 100% drug weighing and a complete product testing function. It provides complete production capacity for highly potent and aseptic products and offers a fully automated commercial packaging capability. With the ability to produce liquid and lyophilized formulations in sizes from 2R to 50R, it reaches an annual production capacity of 5 million vials.

Dr. Jimmy Li, CEO of WuXi XDC, commented, "The growing demand for the development and commercialization of ADCs and other bioconjugates provides us with great growth opportunities. The new facilities further expand our capacity and bolster our comprehensive one-stop GMP capability, providing stronger support to meet our clients' demands in development and manufacturing. Meanwhile, our Singapore manufacturing facility is under design, which will further expand our capacity and enhance WuXi XDC's global presence. With the extensive experience and expertise we have accumulated over the past decade, we aspire to empower the industry to accelerate the pace of bioconjugate innovation, and enable our clients to bring new treatment solutions for patients worldwide."

About WuXi XDC

WuXi XDC is a leading global CRDMO focused on the ADC and broader bioconjugate market. It is a joint venture between WuXi Biologics and WuXi STA, providing end-to-end contract research, development and manufacturing services for bioconjugates, including antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). Its services cover antibody intermediates and other biologics intermediates, chemical payloads and linkers, as well as bioconjugate drug substances and drug products. WuXi XDC has been successful in bringing multiple ADC projects to the Investigational New Drug (IND) filing stage in 15 months or less, nearly cutting in half the traditional development timeline. As of June 2023, 110 ongoing integrated projects are under development at WuXi XDC, including 47 post-IND bioconjugate projects, among which 16 projects are in phase II/III. For more information about WuXi XDC, please visit: www.wuxixdc.com

Contacts

Media

[email protected]

Business

[email protected]

SOURCE WuXi XDC
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. During local anti-terrorist activities, information regarding the call for assistance to the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan was spread on social networks, a press service spokesman for Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry, Colonel Anar Eyvazov said at a briefing, Trend reports.

He noted that the Defense Ministry officially calls not to react to such calls.

"All necessary measures have been taken to provide the Azerbaijani Army with food and other logistical facilities," Eyvazov added.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.

Taking into account the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents of Karabakh, received through the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement was reached on the suspension of anti-terrorist activities of local nature on September 20, 2023, at 13:00 (GMT+4) under the following conditions:

The Armenian armed forces formations and Armenian illegal armed formations located in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region shall lay down their weapons, leave their combat positions and military posts, and fully disarm. The units of the armed forces of Armenia shall leave the territory of Azerbaijan, and the Armenian illegal armed formations shall be disbanded.

In parallel, all weapons and heavy equipment are surrendered.

The implementation of the above-mentioned processes is ensured in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Treatment of the Azerbaijani civilian, operator of an excavator of one of the companies, carrying out restoration work in the Aghdam district, Mehman Hasanov injured as a result of an Armenian terrorist attack, continues, Trend reports.

Hasanov, who received shrapnel injuries, was taken to the Aghdam Central District Hospital.

He had surgery and is currently in stable condition.

The civilian was injured on September 19, when the territory was shelled by formations of the Armenian armed forces [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] using large-caliber weapons and mortars.
If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this





Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here
New Delhi, Sep 19 : The Congress on Monday welcomed the reported decision of the Union Cabinet to clear the Women's Reservation Bill, saying that it has been a long-standing demand of the party but noted that it could have very well discussed in all-party meeting and consensus could have been built instead of operating under a veil of secrecy.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said: "Itas been a long-standing demand of the Congress party to implement womenas reservation."

"We welcome the reported decision of the Union Cabinet and await the details of the Bill." "This could have very well been discussed in the all-party meeting before the Special Session, and consensus could have been built instead of operating under a veil of secrecy. The history behind the move is chronicled here," he said, while replying to his post on Sunday about the Women's Reservation Bill.

Ramesh, who is also Congress communication incharge shared the 2018 letter of former party chief Rahul Gandhi on Women's Reservation Bill.

In a post on Twitter on July 16, 2018, Rahul Gandhi said, "Our Prime Minister says heas a crusader for womenas empowerment? Time for him to rise above party politics, walk-his-talk & have the Womenas Reservation Bill passed by Parliament. The Congress offers him its unconditional support. Attached is my letter to the Prime Minister."

Senior Congress leader P. Chidambaram said that if the government introduced the Women's Reservation Bill, it will be a victory for the Congress and its allies.

In a post on X, the former Union Minister said: "If the government introduces the Women's Reservation Bill tomorrow, it will be a victory for the Congress and its allies in the UPA government. Remember, it was during the UPA government that the Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on 9-3-2010.

"In its 10th year, the BJP is resurrecting the Bill that it had buried in the hope that the clamour for the Bill will die. On the contrary, at every opportunity -- most recently at the CWC at Hyderabad -- the Congress has vociferously pleaded for the Bill to be passed in Parliament. Let's hope that the Bill will be introduced and passed in the ongoing Session."

Earlier in the day, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, and party Leader in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reiterated the demand of passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament's Special Session.

The remarks from the Congress leaders came after the buzz of Union Cabinet clearing the much awaited Bill. Reports also suggested that the Bill is likely to be tabled in Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Iran has suspended all flights to Azerbaijan and Armenia and in the opposite direction from today, Head of the Civil Aviation Organization of Iran Mohammad Mohammadi Bakhsh said, Trend reports.

According to him, taking into account the situation in the region, flights are suspended.

Mohammad Mohammadi Bakhsh noted that this decision was made in connection with ensuring the safety of passengers and the safe organization of flights.

He said that passengers who bought tickets can return them in accordance with the rules.

In order to ensure the provisions of the Trilateral Statement, to stop large-scale provocations in the Karabakh economic region, to disarm and withdraw formations of the Armenian armed forces from the territories of Azerbaijan, to neutralize their military infrastructure, to ensure the safety of the peaceful population returning to the territories liberated from occupation, civil servants involved in construction and reconstruction works, and our military personnel, as well as to restore the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, anti-terrorist measures have been launched in the region.

Civilians and infrastructure objects are not targets during localized anti-terrorist measures carried out in Azerbaijan's Karabakh region.

Only military targets belonging to illegal armed formations of the separatist regime are put out of action with the use of high-precision weapons available in the arsenal of the Azerbaijani Army.
Bareilly, Sep 20 : The robber, who hacked a professor to death in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur, has been shot dead, said police on Wednesday.

The 35-year-old assistant professor was hacked to death on Tuesday, allegedly by armed robbers who barged into his house.

Three of his family members were also critically injured.

The main accused Shahbaz was arrested later in the evening on Tuesday but he snatched the firearm of an inspector while he was being taken to court and was shot dead in the encounter.

According to reports, neighbours found the family, including assistant Professor Alok Gupta, lying in a pool of blood. His wife Sonam, father Sudheer Gupta and brother Prashant were among the injured.

In a police complaint, Sonam said, "I was asleep in my room with the children. Around 3.30 a.m. on Tuesday, I heard a loud noise and I went outside. To my horror, I saw some men repeatedly stabbing my husband with long knives. I tried to save him and screamed for help. The men stabbed me too. Other members of the family arrived and the assailants tried to flee. We managed to catch one of them. At least 8-10 men entered our house by scaling the boundary wall."

She further added, "The attacker said his name was Shahbaz and he had been sent by notorious criminal Shageer Khan."
Every third crime against children relates to sexual offences: NCRB. Image Source: IANS News

Kanpur Dehat : , Sep 20 (IANS) In a shocking incident, a seven-year-old boy has been accused of sexually assaulting a five-year-old girl from his neighbourhood in Kanpur Dehat district.

The incident, which had taken place in a village under the limits of Akbarpur police station of the district late on Sunday night, came to light after police lodged FIR under sections 376 of IPC and section 5/6 of the POCSO Act on the complaint of the girl's mother on Tuesday.

Both children have been sent to the district hospital and medical report has confirmed rape.

The five-year-old girl's mother said her daughter had gone out to play when the incident took place.

Akbarpur Kotwali police station inspector Satish Singh said police were treating this case with caution.

"If a child below seven years of age commits a crime, it does not fall in the category of crime.

Nevertheless, further action will be taken in this case only after taking legal opinion. The FIR was registered on Tuesday," he said.
Washington, Sep 20 : Indian-American former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley leads President Joe Biden in hypothetical 2024 head-to-head matchups, according to a new poll.

The Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll poll released this week found the US president trailing behind GOP candidates, Donald Trump, Haley and Tim Scott but ahead of Indian-American entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

When asked about a hypothetical matchup between Haley and Biden in 2024, 41 per cent of respondents said they would back her, in comparison to 37 per cent who said they would support the current president.

Twenty-one per cent of respondents said they didn't know or were unsure who they would support -- Biden or Haley.

"No question that President Joe Biden is showing lagging national poll numbers and that now multiple GOP candidates are ahead of him. This is a new development as (non-Trump) potential opponents like Haley get exposure," Mark Penn, the co-director of the Harvard CAPS/Harris Poll, told The Hill.

The poll shared with The Hill found that 44 per cent of respondents said they would vote for Trump, while 40 per cent said they would back Biden.

A separate 15 per cent said they were unsure or didn't know in a poll largely unchanged from a similar Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll in July that had Trump at 45 per cent and Biden at 40 per cent, The Hill reported.

When asked about a match between Biden and Scott, the former received 37 per cent, while the latter got 39 per cent in the poll conducted from September 12-14 with 2,103 registered voters.

Biden performed better than the other Indian-American in the race, Vivek Ramaswamy, who came in at 37 per cent while Biden received 39 per cent.

The octogenarian also did well against former Vice President Mike Pence and DeSantis but a slew of negative polls point to his age as an issue for the president.

America's oldest ever president, Biden had recently said that a lot of people seem focused on his age. "I get it, believe me, I know it more than anyone. I'm running because democracy is at stake, because in 2024 democracy is on the ballot once again. And let there be no question: Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans are determined to destroy American democracy".

Assessing how Republican candidates would fare in a race against Vice President Kamala Haris, the poll found that Trump was the only candidate who would defeat Harris in a head-to-head race (46 per cent - 40 per cent).
Singapore, Sep 20 : The Parliament in Singapore has rejected a motion by the opposition party requesting suspension of Indian-origin Transport Minister S. Iswaran, stating that it will consider the matter when corruption investigations against the MP conclude.

During a two-hour debate on Tuesday, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) would consider a clawback of Iswaran's MP allowance if he is given criminal charges, the Channel News Asia reported.

The Progress Singapore Party's (PSP) motion had called for Iswaran -- who was arrested in July and is under investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau -- to be suspended as an MP for the remaining session of Parliament.

In response, Rajah filed a counter-motion for Parliament to consider the matter when the outcome of ongoing investigations against Iswaran is known.

The ruling PAP MPs voted for Rajah's motion, while the PSP's two Non-Constituency MPs -- Hazel Poa and Leong Mun Wai -- voted for their own motion.

Poa, who had filed the motion earlier this month, had said that she is doing it so that Iswaran would no longer receive the MP allowance as he was not performing his duties whether in Parliament or in his West Coast constituency.

Iswaran was requested by the Prime Minister to not perform any official duties during his investigation by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau.

His ministerial duties are being covered by Acting Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

According to the news report, Iswaran has been interdicted from duty with a reduced pay of S$8,500 (US$6,200) a month. He continues to draw the full annual MP allowance of S$192,500.

"This motion is about the prudent use of taxpayers' money, not a presumption of guilt," Poa said.
Bengaluru, Sept 20 : Karnataka police have arrested four persons in connection with robbing beef and kidnapping by claiming themselves to be activists of RSS, police said on Wednesday.

A case was lodged in this regard with Audugodi police station in Bengaluru. The police have arrested beef seller Mohammad and his three associates in this connection.

According to police, the incident took place on September 10. One Javed was transporting beef from Ramanagara to Tilaknagar in Bengaluru. Javed was supposed to deliver beef to various shops including the one run by the accused Mohammad.

Three associates of Mohammad had waylaid the vehicle near Mico Layout signal in Bengaluru, claiming themselves as RSS activists. The accused had kidnapped Javed along with the vehicle.

They demanded Rs 1 lakh for the release of Javed and later took Rs 10,000 and released him. The accused told Javed to collect the vehicle from a different spot. Though the vehicle was found, the beef had disappeared.

Javed had lodged a police complaint in this regard. The Audugodi police, who took up the investigation, tracked down the accused and cracked the case. During the police grilling, the accused had revealed that they had carried out the crime as per the instructions of Mohammad. Further investigation is underway.

--IANS

mka/kvd
New Delhi, Sep 20 : Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested an impostor, who was inspired by Bollywood movie 'Special 26', for kidnapping a person and extorting Rs five lakh, an official said on Wednesday.

The accused identified as Ramtej Kanojia (30), a resident of Okhla, who along with his associates, kidnapped a person by posing as the officials of Cyber Crime, Chandigarh Police, was evading arrest for the last three years.

The Special Commissioner of Police (crime) Ravindra Singh Yadav said that specific input was received that one kidnapper Ramtej Kanojia wanted in a sensational kidnapping case of Mandawali police station is hiding in the Harkesh Nagar area.

Acting on the information received, a police team set up a trap at the provided location, leading to the successful apprehension of Kanojia.

During the subsequent interrogation, Kanojia admitted his involvement in a case under the jurisdiction of Mandawali police station.

"He further revealed that he, along with his associates, had abducted an individual from Pandav Nagar and extorted a ransom from the victim's relatives. An amount of Rs 2.5 lakh was deposited into Kanojia's bank account," stated the Special CP.

Earlier in the investigation, Kanojia's associates had been arrested, but he had managed to evade arrest. Subsequently, he was declared a proclaimed offender in this case.

Kanojia began his career as an electrician in 2011 and later transitioned to working as a phone technician. In 2020, he became associated with a person named Rahul and got involved in kidnapping for ransom.

"In recent times, he has been working alongside his father in the business of manpower management for foreign countries," added the Special CP.
Bhopal, Sep 20 : Former Chief Minister Uma Bharti wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express her concern over the Women's Reservation Bill. She has demanded that 33 per cent reservation should be assured for women in the Legislative Assemblies.

In her letter to Modi, Bharti has demanded that 50 per cent seats should be set aside for ST, SC and OBC communities. Bharti also hailed the Centre's decision to pass the Bill stating that the "step is a matter of happiness for the women of the country."

Bharti recalled that when the Women's Reservation Bill was presented in the House by the then Prime Minister Deve Gowda in 1996, she had then moved an amendment to this Bill.

"I was a Member of Parliament. I immediately stood up and moved an amendment to this Bill and more than half of the House supported me. Deve Gowda happily accepted the amendment. He announced the handing over of the Bill to the Standing Committee."

She also recalled that there was a lot of uproar in the House before it was adjourned. She wrote in her letter that, when she came to the corridor of the House, many MPs from her party were angry but late former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee gave her a patient ear.

"Despite being staunch political opponents, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Yadav, and their party MPs were all in favour of the amendment," she wrote.

"I am presenting a proposal for an amendment before you (PM Modi) as well. I am confident that you will get this Bill passed with the proposed amendments. The 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies is a special provision. However, it should be ensured that of these 33 per cent reserved seats, 50 per cent are set aside for ST, SC and OBC women," Bharti's letter read.

She asserted that backward women from the Muslim community should also be considered for reservation in legislative bodies. "If this Bill is passed without this special provision, then the women from the backward classes will be deprived of this special opportunity," she added.
New Delhi, Sep 20 : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday met Union Ministers and Parliament members from the state in the national capital over the Cauvery dispute, and sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Addressing reporters after the meeting, CM Siddaramaiah said the order of the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) will be challenged before the Supreme Court and request for a stay on the order of releasing water to Tamil Nadu will be made.

He maintained that a meeting will be held with the Union Jal Shakti Minister in the evening, and a decision will be taken regarding the future steps on the dispute after the meeting.

"The Prime Minister has authority to summon the two states and hear them out. In this background, we have appealed for the intervention of the Prime Minister," he stated.

Earlier addressing the meeting, CM Siddaramaiah stated, in the absence of a distress formula, the Cauvery River water sharing has become a crisis for the state. "The question is not about releasing water, there is no water to release," he underlined.

"We should all stand unitedly leaving aside party politics to save and protect the state's land, language, water and culture. We should need 33 tmc of water for drinking purposes, 70 tmc for protecting standing crops and 3 tmc for industries. The state requires 106 tmc of water at any cost. In this situation, the state only has storage of 53 tmc only. There is no water to release to Tamil Nadu," CM Siddaramaiah stated.

"The state has not received rain in August. Karnataka state is under distress," he maintained.

In this situation, to safeguard the interest of the people, the Mekedatu project is inevitable. "To store our water on our land and to produce electricity, the Mekedatu project is needed. It is also necessary to deal with this kind of situation in future," CM Siddaramaiah explained.

"We have written letters to the Union Minister for Water Resources twice and explained the existing situation comprehensively. We have also sought an appointment with the Prime Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister for an all-party delegation," he said. "We got to discuss our future steps scientifically," he added.

Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar said that when it comes to the interests of the state, politics should not be done. All Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members should stand unitedly and place the demand before the Union minister and Central government.

Except for Union Minister for Finance Nirmala Sitharaman, all MP's elected from the state were present in the meeting.
Warsaw, Sep 20 : A man and his daughter have been arrested after the decomposing bodies of three newborn babies were found from basement of their home, local media reported.

The arrested have been identified as Piotr Gierasik, 54, and his daughter Paulina Gierasik, 20, who allegedly had an incestuous relationship for years, New York Post reported.

The duo will face life in prison if convicted of murder and incest.

Piotr had been charged with three counts of murder, a charge of incest with Paulina and one of incest with another daughter, while Paulina was charged with incest and two counts of murder, Polish news outlet Fakt quoted Prosecutor Mariusz Duszynski as saying.

While two of the infants were Paulina's, the mother of the third slain infant was one of her sisters.

According to PolsatNews, Piotr is believed to have fathered the three newborn babies.

Paulina's colleagues at a bakery where she used to work, reportedly alerted social services after seeing a "disturbing" text on her phone.

When she returned to work without her "pregnant belly", colleagues claimed they saw heartless text messages between her and her father discussing the child, after which the authorities were notified.

On September 15, police raided their home and found three bodies of newborn babies in their basement, wrapped in black plastic and in various states of decomposition.

The autopsy report is being awaited to determine how three babies died.
Las Vegas, Sep 20 : Uber Auto, a three-wheeler service provided by the company, has become a major hit in India making it easier for travellers to hail a ride without having to haggle for prices.

Not only has it been a boon for Indians, looking for a cheaper option to the customary cabs, but the three-wheeler services in New Delhi also seem to be at the forefront of Uber's future growth initiatives, company's Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said.

The 54-year-old Chief Executive made the remark on Tuesday during a keynote session with Safra Catz, the CEO of Oracle Corporation at the tech giant's ongoing flagship event 'Oracle CloudWorld' in Las Vegas.

When asked to describe the "Uber of today", Khosrowshahi said the company has "undergone incredible transformation" since he became CEO in 2010.

"2024 will be all about growth for us. We complete about 2 billion trips a quarter... so two billion rides, or delivery of food, grocery, etc. To keep growing at this rate, we will have to add billion and a half trips every single year that requires us to come up with innovative growth initiatives," he said.

To cite a few examples of such initiatives, he mentioned the two-wheeler services in Sao Paulo, three-wheelers in New Delhi, a new bus service which the company is building in Egypt aimed at reducing congestion, as well as grocery delivery in Santiago, Chile.

"All of the growth requires incredible innovation and building up these new products with an entrepreneurial mindset is what will get us from 2023 to 2024."

In 2022, Indians spent 11 billion minutes traveling in Ubers.

According to the company, October 2022 saw the highest number of package deliveries through Uber Connect.

The cities with the highest number of Uber trips in 2022 were Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

Khosrowshahi also highlighted that when he joined as the CEO six years ago, "Uber was all about rides".

"Push a button and get a ride. Uber was essentially a transportation company. So we decided to use the same technology and ecosystem to extend from transporting people to now transporting food and things," he said.

The Chief Executive went to note that Uber Eats was about 50 per cent of the overall business.

"But now, the Uber Eats business is just as big as the Uber rides business," he said, adding that "now the business of transportation of things has grown to $50 billion and all built organically".

"Anywhere you want to go, anything you want to get, we want to be that operating system for your everyday life... push a button and good things will come to you," the CEO added.

Also at the keynote, Oracle and Uber announced Collect and Receive, a new offering on the Oracle Retail platform connecting retailers and consumers to enhance and enrich last mile delivery.

Supported by the Oracle Retail Data Store and cloud platform technologies, retailers can now link to Uber Direct, the company's white-label delivery solution, via pre-integrated APIs.

This joint solution enables retailers to rebalance inventory while giving customers more choices, including same-day and scheduled delivery options, order pickup, and returns to the closest retail or postal location.

The service is available today for Oracle Retail customers in the US and Canada.

"At Uber, it's crystal clear that on-demand delivery is a core expectation for consumers -- and today's retailers are taking note," said Khosrowshahi.

"Every month, more than 3,500 brands use Uber Direct to power millions of same-day local deliveries.

"Together with Oracle, we can make it easier than ever for retailers to leverage on-demand delivery -- and even returns -- to delight consumers, streamline logistics, and ultimately boost loyalty and sales."

(Karishma Saurabh Kalita can be contacted at karishma.k@ians.in)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Excavator operator Mehman Hasanov, who was injured as a result of the shelling of Aghdam by Armenian separatist troops in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, told Trend about the incident.

According to Hasanov, at the time of the shelling, he was inside the excavator.

"We were carrying out restoration and construction work in Aghdam. Suddenly, we heard a loud noise from the explosion. When I got out of the excavator, a shell fell nearby, and I received shrapnel wounds to my arm and knee. The equipment was also damaged," he said.

The civilian was injured on September 19, when the territory was shelled by formations of the Armenian armed forces [which haven't been withdrawn contrary to the trilateral statement signed by Azerbaijani, Armenian, and Russian leaders following the 2020 second Karabakh war] using large-caliber weapons and mortars.
Toronto, Sep 20 : Stating that pro-Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada, Gurpatwant Pannun, leader of radical Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), threatened Indo-Canadian Hindus and asked them to leave the country in a video which went viral on Wednesday.

The emboldened dare from Gurpatwant Pannun, legal counsel of SFJ, which is a banned terror outfit in India, comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, resulting in tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

"Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated your allegiance to Canada and Canadian constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India," Pannun, who faces 22 criminal cases in Punjab, said in the 45 seconds video clip.

"Pro Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada. They have always sided with Canada and have upholded the laws and the constitution," Pannun said.

Pannun announced in the video that another referendum to weigh support for Khalistan will be held in Canada on October 29, and it will be asking voters whether Indian high commissioner Sanjay Verma was responsible for Nijjar's killing in June.

Responding to the threatening video, Ottawa-based researcher and commentator Rupa Subramanya wrote on X: "If a white supremacist had threatened saying all people of colour must leave Canada, imagine the uproar. Yet when a Khalistani threatens Hindus in Canada at an event in Canada, everyone bats their eyelid and looks the other way."

On Tuesday, Pannun told Vancouver-based Global News that protests are slated to take place outside Indian consulates in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver on September 25.

"We will not allow the Indian consulates to function and we're going to push the Canadian government to name the individuals who are responsible for assassinating and giving the orders to hit Nijjar," Pannun told the news channel.

The SFJ has reportedly said that it will also be calling for the expulsion of High Commissioner Verma.

Pro-Khalistan leader Nijjar, who was declared a "wanted terrorist" by the Indian government, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen on the premises of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, of which he was the head, in the Punjabi-dominated Surrey city on June 18.

The police in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have registered separate FIRs against Pannun, a law graduate from Panjab University in Chandigarh, over threats and attempting to disturb peace, stability and communal harmony, IANS reported earlier.

Countries like Canada, the UK and the US, with a sizable Sikh diaspora, have allowed the outlawed group to conduct anti-India activities, including holding illegal referendums to building a campaign for secession of Punjab.
Stalin comes out heavily against EPS and AIADMK. Image Source: IANS News

Chennai, Sep 20 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, MK Stalin will inspect road works in all districts of the state from this week.

The decision, according to the Chief Ministeras Office is following several complaints he receives on a daily basis on the poor quality of roads in the state.

Sources in the government told IANS that Chief Minister Stalin will undertake a trip within Chennai district first and inspect roads in rural as well as urban areas of the district.

Stalin had in a meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday said that many people were complaining about the poor state of the roads and the recurring accidents due to that.

According to sources Stalin told officials that people were complaining about the hardships they were facing due to the ongoing work on storm water drain, the laying of drinking water pipelines, the Metro Rail project and underground connection of power lines among others.

Stalin will directly meet officers, including engineers of the PWD, water works department and direct them to complete road repair works at the earliest.
Lucknow, Sep 20 : The Uttar Pradesh government has constituted a three-member committee that would give its suggestions to the State Law Commission for preparing Advocates' Protection Bill.

Principal secretary, law and legal remembrancer, Pramod Kumar Srivastava will be the chairman of the committee. The other two members will be additional director general of police (prosecution) and a person nominated by the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh.

The committee will submit its report to the State Law Commission.

The decision has been taken following the lawyersa demand for the Advocatesa Protection Act after the Hapur incident.

The police had lathi-charged lawyers in Hapur on August 29 when they were protesting against the registration of a case against a woman advocate and her father following a confrontation between her and police when she was going to Ghaziabad in her car.

Lawyers across the state went on strike from the next day.

The Bar Council ended the 16-day strike after a meeting between members of the Bar Council and the state government on September 14.

Prashant Singh aAtala, co-chairman and member of the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh, meanwhile, has welcomed the state governmentas decision.

"The state government had already accepted all demands of lawyers. Now, the government has also constituted a committee for rolling out the Advocatesa Protection Act," said Prashant Singh.
Bengaluru, Sep 20 : A court here on Wednesday remanded the accused seer Abhinava Halasri of Halaswamy Mutt in Hire Hadagali to 10-day police custody.

The seer was produced before the Additional City Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court, which adjourned the petition, moved by the seer seeking bail, to September 29.

On Monday (September 18), the City Central Crime Branch (CCB) police had nabbed the seer who had allegedly received Rs 1.5 crore from an industrialist to get a BJP MLA ticket to contest elections. Main accused Chaitra Kundapura, a Hindu activist, who was arrested on September 12, had stated that once the seer is arrested, the names of big fish will come out in the scandal.

The CCB sleuths had arrested the seer 10 days after lodging the complaint and the delay raised many questions. The CCB sleuths has already started grilling him over investments in agricultural land and a petrol bunk.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson from Mysuru, M. Laxman, has alleged that he had got exact inputs on the scam amounting to Rs 185 crore. Seventeen ticket aspirants have been cheated by Chaitra Kundapura. She got tickets for 23 people and made money.

He further alleged that Chaitra Kundapura had direct connections with BJP top leadership and it should be probed. "We are taking a delegation to CM Siddaramaiah in this regard and he will be appealed to give directions for a comprehensive probe of the scam," he maintained. BJP had given tickets to 72 new faces in the recently concluded assembly elections and faced humiliating defeat.

The sleuths of a special wing of Karnataka City Central Crime Branch (CCB) arrested the absconding religious seer, Abhinava Halasri, in connection with BJP MLA ticket scam, from the Cuttack city of Odisha.

According to police, the seer was arrested when he was travelling in a train to Bodh Gaya from Bhubaneswar city, with the help of local police.

Halasri is accused of receiving Rs 1.5 crore bribe from an industrialist Govind Babu Poojari promising him a BJP MLA ticket from Bainduru assembly constituency in Dakshina Kannada district. He allegedly formed a gang with prime accused Chaitra Kundapura in the scam.

Sources said that Halasri was wearing a t-shirt and travelling as a normal man in the train by shunning the saffron dress. He had disappeared following the arrest of Kundapura. The complaint was filed by the victim on September 8. The seer was attending a meeting when Kundapura was arrested in Udupi and hence he left the programme and went into hiding. He was planning to reach Kashi, sources said. He had gone to Hyderabad, Farooqabad, Puri and Konark.
When Nishikant Dubey reminded Sonia of 'you are not a queen' moment of 2012. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Sep 20 : BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Wednesday reminded Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi of the 2012 clash between the Congress and Samajwadi Party MPs in the Lok Sabha over a Bill for reservation for SC/ST during which he had told her "you are not a queen".

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Women's Reservation Bill, Dubey, who is BJP MP from Jharkhand's Godda said, "When the Bill was introduced by their alliance partners, the Congress people beat their own alliance partner MPs in the promotion of the reservation Bill."

He was discussing the December 2012 incident in Lok Sabha.

He said, "In this same House, when V. Narayanasamy was presenting a Bill on the promotional quota for SCs/STs, Samajwadi Party's MP Yashvir Singh snatched the Bill from his hand and tore it down. In this same Parliament, Sonia Gandhi ji was the first to come and hold him by his collar."

"At that time, I rushed to her and told her you are not our dictator, not a queen, you cannot resort to violence," the BJP MP claimed.

He said that even Samajwadi Party patriarch Mulayam Singh himself said the party MPs would not have survived had the BJP not been there.

"You had tried to kill the MPs," he alleged.

In December 2012, SP MP Singh snatched a copy of the Constitution (117th Amendment) Bill from Narayanasamy in the Lok Sabha. The incident led to a commotion in the House. It had triggered a war of words outside between the Congress and its ally SP, which strongly opposed the reservation in promotion for SCs and STs (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) in government jobs.

Before Dubey spoke, Sonia Gandhi said that she and the Congress supported the Women Reservation Bill and also demanded that it be enforced immediately, and along with that, arrangements be made for reservations to women from the SC, ST and OBC communities by holding a caste census.

On Tuesday, the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was introduced in the Lok Sabha in the supplementary list of business.
New study confirms 2023 will be hottest year ever. Image Source: IANS News

Beijing, Sep 20 : The climate crisis is reaching an unprecedented level of urgency as global temperatures soar to record-breaking heights, with July 2023 marking another alarming milestone.

Based on the China global Merged Surface Temperature dataset 2.0 (CMST 2.0), a new study from Sun Yat-sen University has revealed that 2023 is expected to be the hottest year ever. This comes after NASA and the European Union Climate Monitor has also stated 2023 to be the hottest on record.

For the new study published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences, the researchers analysed the CMST 2.0 dataset and discovered that 2023 has already experienced the third hottest first half-year since records began,

narrowly trailing 2016 -- the warmest year -- and 2020 -- the second warmest.

The global mean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) surged to an all-time high in April, while global mean land air temperatures followed suit by reaching their second-highest monthly level in June. This combination resulted in

May being crowned the hottest month ever recorded for global mean surface temperatures.

Global temperatures will continue to rise into the second half of 2023, driven by factors including El NiAo and widespread wildfires. Both global mean SSTs and global mean land temperatures reached unprecedented highs for

July, shattering previous records.

"Given the current trajectory and short-term forecast results of El NiAo, along with the extremely positive phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation that strongly influences global surface temperatures, 2023 is expected to be the hottest year on record," said Prof. LI Qingxiang from Sun Yat-sen.

"Moreover, 2024 may witness even higher global surface temperatures," added LI, also a research fellow at the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The CMST 2.0 dataset is one of the most comprehensive global surface temperature benchmark datasets to date. It takes into account the accuracy of both global and regional climate change, raising the level of global temperature monitoring to a new level.

The dataset integrates over a century's worth of global land air temperature data and state-of-the-art research results from across the globe, resulting in an invaluable resource for climate scientists and policymakers.

Based on this dataset, the team was the first to point out that the much-talked-about "global warming hiatus" during the last decade was just a statistical artefact, and in 2022, the dataset was expanded to include Arctic temperature data, further enhancing its global coverage.

As global warming accelerates, the likelihood of extreme weather events and disasters increases. Therefore, immediate and sustained efforts are needed to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change.
New Delhi, Sep 20 : A passenger attempted to open the emergency exit door cover prior to take-off on a Chennai-bound IndiGo flight, leading to panic among fellow passengers.

This incident unfolded during the early hours of Wednesday aboard a flight originating from Delhi en route to Chennai.

The passenger Manikandan was subsequently handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), a federal police force, by the flight crew upon arrival in Chennai.

"A passenger travelling on flight 6E 6341 from Delhi to Chennai tried to open the emergency exit door cover prior to take-off," said the spokesperson of IndiGo.

"As per the Standard Operating Procedure, the passenger was declared unruly by the crew and handed over to the local authorities on arrival. At no point was the safety of the flight compromised. We regret any inconvenience caused to the other passengers," the spokesperson added.
Surendranagar, Sep 20 : A head-on collision between a car and a truck on a state highway connecting Dasada to Jainabad in Gujarat's Surendranagar district claimed the lives of four individuals on Wednesday.

Local authorities confirmed the information.

Police personnel arrived at the accident site and subsequently transported the bodies to a hospital for post-mortem examinations. The deceased individuals were identified as belonging to the age group of 22 to 35 years.

The victims, four men hailing from Morbi district, were en route to participate in the final rites of an acquaintance at Kukvav village in the neighboring Ahmedabad district when their car collided with a truck at approximately 8 a.m., as reported by an official from Dasada police station.

The force of the collision was so severe that it propelled the car far off the road and into a field, leading to the instantaneous demise of all occupants within the vehicle. Local residents, upon witnessing the grim scene, promptly alerted the authorities.

On September 18, two lives were lost and ten individuals sustained injuries when a bus from Surat collided with a parked truck on the Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar highway. Among the casualties were a 47-year-old woman from Gir-Gadhada taluka in Gir Somnath district and a 51-year-old man residing in Una taluka, also within Gir Somnath. The injured victims received immediate medical attention at a Bhavnagar hospital.
Seoul, Sep 20 : The Russian Embassy in Seoul on Wednesday denied reports that Moscow and Pyongyang discussed military cooperation at last week's bilateral summit.

Russian Ambassador Andrey Kulik was summoned Seoul's foreign ministry on Tuesday over Moscow's alleged discussions of military cooperation with Pyongyang during the summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Yonhap news agency reported.

First Vice Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin called for Moscow to comply with UN Security Council resolutions related to North Korea and immediately end moves to seek military ties with Pyongyang, the ministry said.

The embassy said it "directly informed our Korean partners that the speculations circulated by American and South Korean media on this topic are unfounded."

The embassy stressed Russia "consistently adheres to all the international commitments it has undertaken, including those related to the development of mutually beneficial relations with our good neighbour and long-standing partner, North Korea."
NEW SOUTH WALES, Nov. 11, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters battle the flames during bushfires near Taree, New South Wales, Australia, Nov. 11, 2019.A devastating start to the Australian bushfire season has prompted a state of emergency in the eastern st. Image Source: IANS News

Sydney, Sep 20 : Strong winds and intense heatwave fuelled bushfires in Australia after which extreme fire danger warnings were issued for greater Sydney and the Hunter region, media reports said.

On Wednesday, 63 grass and bushland fires were reported along the New South Wales coast including 12 that were uncontained.

"It's September and we're already experiencing four days in a row of temperatures above 30C with high winds, communities needed to be prepared" The Guardian quoted NSW premier Chris Minns telling reporters on Wednesday.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said heat was expected to ease by Wednesday night and on Thursday morning in NSW when temperatures were forecast to top 22 degrees Celsius in Sydney.

New South Wales Rural Fire Services (NSW RFS) had on Tuesday declared that a total fire ban is in place for the Greater Sydney Region and Far South Coast area, Xinhua news agency reported.

"High temperatures and strong winds are the perfect conditions for a bushfire. On those days, the RFS can declare a total fire ban which means no fires out in the open, including wood or charcoal barbecues," said the fire authority, urging residents to stay ready to act.

On the state's Far South Coast, the NSW Department of Education decided to temporarily shut down 20 public schools on Tuesday after consulting with fire authorities.
The agreement has been reached to suspend local anti-terrorist activities in Garabagh, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijan Defense Ministry states that considering the appeal of the representatives of the Armenian residents living in the Garabagh region of Azerbaijan, conveyed by the Russian peacekeeping contingent, an agreement has been reached as of 13:00, 20 September 2023, to stop the antiterror activities under the following terms:

1. The formations of Armenias armed forces stationed in the Garabagh region of the Republic of Azerbaijan and illegal armed groups lay down their arms, withdraw from their battle positions and military outposts and are subjected to complete disarmament.

2. Simultaneously, all the ammunition and heavy military equipment is handed over.

3. Conducting the abovementioned process in coordination with the Russian peacekeeping contingent is ensured," the ministry said.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. An investment forum with the participation of local and foreign investors (entrepreneurs) will be held in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Trend reports.

This issue has been reflected in the detailed action plan for the "State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027" approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.

According to the document, the executive bodies responsible for this matter are the Ministry of Economy and the National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers).

The plan includes attracting local and foreign investors to the region, developing the "Invest in Nakhchivan" website, launching new enterprises in various sectors such as manufacturing, trade, services, and other areas based on local and foreign investments.

Investment projects will be prepared for priority sectors of the economy, including agriculture, food industry, construction, tourism, information and communication technology (ICT), transportation and logistics services, and more.

The detailed action plan was approved in accordance with a decree signed by Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov.

The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the Plenipotentiary Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic have been instructed to resolve issues arising from this decree.
New Delhi, Sep 20 : The Delhi High Court has issued an interim order protecting the personality rights of Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor and restraining various entities from misusing his image, name, voice, or other elements of his persona for financial gain without his consent.

Kapoor sought protection of his personality rights, aiming to prevent various entities, including unidentified individuals, from violating his personality rights by using his name, acronym 'AK,' nicknames like 'Lakhan,' 'Mr. India,' 'Majnu Bhai,' and the phrase 'Jhakaas,' as well as his voice and images, for commercial gain without his permission.

Justice Prathiba M. Singh prohibited other unknown persons also from disseminating specific videos and links, directing the Internet service providers to take them down immediately.

Kapoor also seeks protection against the misuse of his personality rights through technology, including artificial intelligence, deepfakes, GIFs, and more.

The court ordered the blocking and suspension of three domain names using Kapoor's name, transferring them to his name upon payment of requisite charges.

The court stated that Kapoor had established a prima facie case for an interim injunction, preventing defendants from using his name, image, voice, likeness, or personality for various purposes, including the creation of videos for commercial use that could violate his rights.

Justice Singh observed that fame can come with disadvantages, and this case illustrates that reputation and fame can lead to damage to a person.

The court acknowledged the importance of free speech, satire, criticism, and writings but said that when such speech crosses the line and tarnishes or jeopardizes an individual's personality and associated elements, it becomes illegal.

The court noted that celebrities rely on endorsements and that their rights in this regard should not be destroyed by the sale of unauthorised merchandise, among other things.

Safir Anand, IPR Lawyer said: aThe importance of protecting celebrity rights or the rights associated with a celebrity owing to their well-known status has been growing in India. The legal position of celebrity rights is based on precedents and a combination of remedies available as per existing statutes."

"This order in favour of Kapoor is a welcome move in recognising and controlling unlawful exploitation of the uniqueness and persona developed and loved by fans of the celebrities the world over," he added.

Last year, a relief of this nature was also passed in favour of actor Amitabh Bachchan.

--IANSspr/dpb
Mumbai, Sep 20 : The MHB Police Station has booked the Director of a prominent Christian education mission for allegedly hurling caste-slurs at a technical education institution's director-principal, torturing and making him and his students clean toilets, officials said here on Wednesday.

The complaint was lodged by an academic, Santosh Pandurang Shinde, 46, Director-Principal of Ava Elma Vocational Educational Pvt. Ltd., the MHB Police have registered a FIR against Fr. Corlis Noel Gonsalves, Director, Bosco Boys Home, according to lawyer Nitin Satpute.

The police have invoked various sections of the stringent SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and further investigations are on, said an official.

On his part, Prin. Shinde and his students staged a protest outside the police station on Monday demanding the immediate arrest of Fr. Gonsalves for allegedly subjecting him and some of his 80-odd vocational students to casteist slurs, mental torture and humiliation in different forms.

"The Director Fr. Gonsalves has been continuously targeting my students and me in different ways, including cutting off our drinking water supply, locking up the toilets and removing the cleaning staff to force me clean up the rest rooms of my government-recognised vocational training institute," claimed Prin. Shinde.

Despite repeated attempts, Fr. Gonsalves was not available for his version of the allegations against him though police have not yet made any arrests in the case.

The problems started in Jan. 2023, when Fr. Gonsalves slapped a notice asking Prin. Shinde to vacate his rented premises (@3,600 sq.feet) in the Bosco Boys Home, near Gorai, within six months.

Prin. Shinde suspects that Fr. Gonsalves' attitude allegedly underwent a sudden change when he learned that "I belong to a Dalit caste" and started the harassment by locking up the institute's toilets.

"In fact, in Jan. 2022, Fr. Gonsalves used some religious pretext, asked me to vacate the 3,600-feet inside the main building and forced me to shift my vocational institute in an illegal smaller shed of around 2,500 sq. feet in the compound," said Prin. Shinde.

The FIR has quoted Fr. Gonsalves as saying: "You low-caste people have used my toilet and dirtied itYou clean up the toilet with your hands now".

Later, deprived of the facility, the students complained to the two teachers  Pratap Patil and Himanshu Jha  but when confronted, Fr. Gonsalves fumed and asked them that "henceforth, if you want to use the toilets, then clean up all the muck with your hands and inform me."

Accordingly, in the interest of the students and the staff, Prin. Shinde and some of his pupils would clean up the toilets after using and inform Fr. Gonsalves via email.

When Prin. Shinde demanded to restart the water supply, Fr. Gonsalves allegedly said, as per the FIR: "You low-caste 'chamars', 'bhangis', 'thieves' and 'Ambedkar aulaad (progeny)' have no right to touch or drink this water You can drink the water from the same toilet which you have cleaned."

Prin. Shinde said that owing to certain unavoidable circumstances, examinations and other issues, he could not move out of the 'illegal shed' and has been undergoing the alleged persecution by Fr. Gonsalves.

"We are shocked and shaken by this attitude and we want the Police to act against Fr. Gonsalves as a deterrent," Prin. Shinde urged on his plight.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
New Delhi, Sep 20 : Ahead of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) "suspended parliamentarian" Raghav Chadha and actress Parineeti Chopra's wedding in Udaipur, the picture of the couple has gone viral, while they attended the ardaas ceremony and kirtan in a Gurdwara.

The couple will leave for Udaipur for their wedding at a luxury hotel on September 23 and 24. Yesterday, the paath was also held at Chadha's residence in Pandara Road, here. His MP's residence saw Punjab Police personnel keeping a hawk's eye on the tastefully manicured entrance, keeping photographers on the other side of the busy road.

Now, on Wednesday, the pictures of the couple went viral on social media, wherein we can see Raghav wearing a pastel pink coloured kurta-pajama and nehru jacket, while Parineeti wore a powder pink coloured sharara set. Both can be seen sitting in a Gurdwara, and praying. They are accompanied by their family members.

Earlier, the wedding card of the couple had gone viral on social media. The wedding date reads September 24 on the card, which is white in color. "Divine Promises: A pearl white Indian wedding... Leela Palace Jaimala: 3:30 p.m. Pheras: 4:00 p.m. Vidai: 6:30 p.m.," read the card.

The card has beautiful sketches of the landscape of Udaipur. The wedding festivities will start from September 23 with Parineeti's Choora ceremony at 10 a.m. at Maharaja suite. A 'Fresco Afternoon' will be held on the terrace near the ballroom on September 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On September 24, Raghav's 'Sehrabandi' will take place in Taj Lake Palace at 1 p.m. Then 'Baraat'- The Royal Procession will move from Taj Lake Palace at 2 p.m.

The reception gala, which has a theme of 'A night of Amore' will happen in Leela Palace Courtyard, at 8.30 p.m.

During this period, many big personalities from politics and Bollywood will come to Udaipur.

Several film personalities, including Parineeti's sister Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas, and leaders from Delhi and other states are expected to attend the event.
Surat, Sep 20 : Diamonds valued at Rs 4.58 crore were returned to their rightful owners 16 days after they were stolen in Gujarat's Surat.

The heist occurred when five culprits, armed with pistols, looted the diamonds from courier personnel on September 3.

In a ceremony titled 'Tera Tujko Arpan,' held at the Saurashtra Patel Community Vadi in Varachha, the diamonds were returned to their rightful owners. State Home Minister Harsh Sanghavi presided over the event and personally handed over the recovered diamonds to their owners. The event took place on Tuesday evening.

The minister took to his social media to write: "... A total of Rs.20,96,03,432 in issue has been returned to the original owners till date through a total of 31 programmes. 4,50,00,000/- diamonds amounting to Rs.4,50,00,000/- returned to the complainants by attending the Tera Tujko Arpan program today. Citizens' trust towards Gujarat Police has been strengthened through such initiatives."

Sanghavi commended the Surat and Valsad police forces for their prompt and effective actions in solving the case. The diamonds were returned to their owners after 16 days, following the apprehension of the culprits, completion of legal procedures, and their release from the court.

State Home Minister Sanghavi took the opportunity to honour the staff of the Surat Crime Branch, Sarthana Police, and Valsad Police with letters of appreciation for their outstanding contributions. He also recognized Valsad LCB female Police Sub-Inspector, Hilpa Sindha, for her courageous efforts in capturing the accused following a confrontation.

The accused were arrested on Vapi Highway within just three hours of the theft. The stolen diamonds were successfully recovered.
Patna, Sep 20 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paid a surprise visit to the main secretariat on Wednesday morning in Patna.

During the visit, he inspected the offices of the general administration department including the office of chief secretary, additional chief secretary, finance ministry and other departments and found several officers absent.

As soon as the news broke out about the visit of the chief minister, the officers ran towards their respective offices. Nitish Kumar was disappointed with the officers who were not present in their offices, but did not take any action against them. He has directed the bureaucrats to reach their respective offices in time.

Nitish Kumar also said that he will work three days in the main secretariat and two days in the CM secretariat and one day from his official residence in a week.

"I came to the main secretariat to find out the actual position. A number of officers were found absent. I have directed them to come to the offices in time. I will work three days from the main secretariat, two days from the CM secretariat and one day from CM residence," Kumar said.

Nitish Kumar has been serving as Bihar chief minister for the last 18 years, and has paid such a visit for the first time to his own secretariat. He stayed in his own office for more than one and half hours.
New Delhi, Sep 20 : A Delhi court on Wednesday acquitted former Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in connection with the alleged killing of three Sikhs during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Kumar with other accused individuals in the case. A copy of the detailed order is awaited.

In August, Special Judge MK Nagpal, had framed charges against Kumar under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including that of rioting, attempt to murder, promoting enmity between religious groups, and causing hurt, in a case related to the burning of a Gurudwara during the 1984 riots. Nagpal had called him the principal abettor.

The court had found sufficient oral and documentary evidence presented by the prosecution to support the contention that an unlawful assembly consisting of a large mob with weapons had gathered near a Gurudwara in Delhi's Nawada area on November 1, 1984.

However, while Kumar was charged as a part of this mob, he was discharged of the charge of murder (under Section 302 of IPC) in a separate incident on November 2, 1984, which resulted in two deaths and several injuries outside the Congress partyas office in Uttam Nagar.

Regarding the November 1 incident, the court had observed that Kumar had prima facie instigated other unidentified members of the mob to commit illegal acts, including burning down of the Gurudwara, damaging or looting articles, burning homes, and inflicting injuries on individuals.

The mob's objective was to set the Gurudwara on fire, loot its contents, destroy Sikh residences, and harm or kill Sikhs in retaliation for the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Chinguitti Airport, Chinguitti, Mauritania [ CGT / ]

If you are planning to travel to Chinguitti or any other city in Mauritania, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Chinguitti Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Chinguitti Airport Map showing the location of this airport in Mauritania. Chinguitti Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

Chinguitti Airport Info:

Chinguitti Airport IATA Code: CGT Chinguitti Airport ICAO Code: Latitude : 20.45 Longitude : -12.3667 City : Chinguitti Country : Mauritania World Area Code : 545 Airport Type : Small Chinguitti Airport Address / Contact Details :

Chinguitti (CGT), Mauritania Timezone : Africa/Nouakchott Chinguitti Airport Timezone : GMT +00:00 hours Current time and date at Chinguitti Airport is 09:09:50 AM (GMT) on Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023

Looking for information on Chinguitti Airport, Chinguitti, Mauritania? Know about Chinguitti Airport in detail. Find out the location of Chinguitti Airport on Mauritania map and also find out airports near to Chinguitti. This airport locator is a very useful tool for travelers to know where is Chinguitti Airport located and also provide information like hotels near Chinguitti Airport, airlines operating to Chinguitti Airport etc... IATA Code and ICAO Code of all airports in Mauritania. Scroll down to know more about Chinguitti Airport or Chinguitti Airport, Mauritania.

Chinguitti Airport Map - Location of Chinguitti Airport Load Map Mauritania - General Information Country Formal Name Islamic Republic of Mauritania Country Code MR Capital Nouakchott Tel Code +222 Top Level Domain .mr

This page provides all the information you need to know about Chinguitti Airport, Mauritania. This page is created with the aim of helping travelers and tourists visiting Mauritania or traveling to Chinguitti Airport. Details about Chinguitti Airport given here include Chinguitti Airport Code - IATA Code (3 letter airport codes) and ICAO Code (4 letter airport codes)

Coordinates of Chinguitti Airport - Latitude and Longitude (Lat and Long) of Chinguitti Airport

Location of Chinguitti Airport - City Name, Country, Country Codes etc...

Chinguitti Airport Time Zone and Current time at Chinguitti Airport

Address and contact details of Chinguitti Airport along with website address of the airport

Clickable Location Map of Chinguitti Airport on Google Map.

General information about Mauritania where Chinguitti Airport is located in the city of Chinguitti. General information include capital of Mauritania, currency and conversion rate of Mauritania currency, Telephone Country code, exchange rate against US Dollar and Euro in case of major world currencies etc...

CGT - Chinguitti Airport IATA Code
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The development of various types of tourism (winter, rural, ecotourism, etc.) in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and the preparation of a tourist atlas are envisaged, Trend reports.

This issue has been reflected in the detailed action plan for the "State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027," approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.

Projects for the development of different types of tourism will be developed. In 2023, a thematic tourist center will be designed near Batabat Lake.

Hiking route maps will be developed on the basis of mountain trails, an assessment of settlements favorable for tourism in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be carried out, projects on winter, rural, and ecotourism in 20232024 will be prepared.

In general, the Ordubad Theme Park will be designed, evaluation works will be carried out in connection with the Aghbulag village, and the possibility of creating a summer-winter tourist complex in 2024 will be studied.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Memorandums of understanding have been signed with Trafigura Pte Ltd., working in the spheres of energy, trade in raw materials, and non-ferrous metals, Trend reports.

The documents envisage cooperation in the spheres of renewable and green energy, decarbonization, aluminum production, and other areas.

According to the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf held a meeting with Jeremy Weir, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Trafigura Pte Ltd, working in the fields of energy, trade in raw materials, and non-ferrous metals.

The meeting noted the favorable business and investment environment and opportunities created in the country for the private sector. In line with global challenges, one of the priorities is to turn Azerbaijan into a zone of clean environment and green energy. The Minister of Economy was informed of the progress in the implementation of projects on efficient use of energy and the creation of new sustainable energy sources. The importance of establishing cooperation with Trafigura Pte Ltd. in the context of applying Singaporean experience in the fields of renewable energy, aluminum mining, and production was emphasized.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Trafigura Pte Ltd. and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan within the framework of the meeting. The document was signed by Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Jeremy Weir. The company also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation (AIC). The document was signed by AIC CEO Kamran Nabizade and CEO and Chairman Jeremy Weir.

The documents envisage cooperation in the spheres of renewable and green energy, decarbonization, aluminum production, and other areas.

Note that Singapore-based Trafigura Pte Ltd. is one of the global leaders in energy, commodities, and base metals trading. The company, with an annual turnover of more than $300 billion, owns more than 60 offices around the world.
This fall, prolific childrens author Deborah Hopkinson launches five new books, including an Elizabethan spy novel, a fractured Cinderella tale, a picture book inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and two chapter books in a new series about a ships cat named Trim. PW spoke with Hopkinson about what inspired her many projects, some disturbing controversy regarding one of them, and her writing process.

You have an impressive number of books coming out this fall. What prompted this burst of creativity?

It was the pandemic. I had a full-time job up until 2014 and then I did a lot of school visits through 2019. I had been scheduled to do research in Galveston [Texas] for the deadliest hurricanes [in the Deadly series] in March 2020 and, of course, that is when lockdown started. I came home and I thought, well, if I cannot do any school visits ever again, I better write my way out of this.

In your historical novel The Plot to Kill a Queen, the aspiring playwright and 13-year-old heroine meets Shakespeare and stumbles upon a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth while in the court of Mary Queen of Scots. How did you conceive this novel?

I first came across an article in the Atlantic called Was Shakespeare a Woman? about Amelia Bassano Lanier, who was a contemporary of Shakespeare. I was fascinated by her and I had been part of this group [of authors] that wrote Fatal Throne with Candace Fleming and Linda Sue Park and Lisa Sandell, who is actually my editor at Scholastic. I had done some research on the Tudor period, and I thought, this would be a really fun story. I liked the idea that this book is in a three-act structure and it also includes theatre terms in it with definitions. I wanted to make it useful for teachers and educators and librarians and parents.

One of the best parts about this is my daughter is a Waldorf teacher in Vermont and she and my six-year-old grandson were here [outside of Portland, Ore.] in July, so we recorded the back matter [for the audiobook]. And there is an actual one-act play included, so [my daughter] Rebecca got to be the narrator of the play. Live theatre in America is suffering and also [lacking] in many schools. I think it is a way to introduce Shakespeare in the context. Thats the fun part about historical fiction, as opposed to nonfictionyou can play with history.

What prompted your picture book Small Places, Close to Home?



I wanted to do something with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75th anniversary and I wanted to make it accessible. The title comes from a speech where [then United Nations Ambassador] Eleanor Roosevelt says, Where do human rights begin? They begin in small places, close to home, so that was the inspiration and I worked with [editor] Donna Bray. This is [illustrator] Kate Gardiners first book. She was amazing in her sketches and we went back and forth to make sure that it was as diverse and inclusive as possible. I am hoping it is useful for a wide range of ages. And, of course, the topic is as timely now as ever.

There has been some controversy regarding Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Paul O. Zelinsky. What happened and what is your reaction to it?

In Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred, Ella and her wife live happily ever after, with [the mouse] Fred watching over the magnificent fairy-tale pumpkins on their farm. When I previewed the book at the Charlotte Huck Festival a few months before it came out, an educator asked if Paul and I anticipated much pushback. The question took me by surprise, though in retrospect it shouldnt have. When I wrote it, about three years ago, thats simply how the story came out! And why not? It seemed like a lovely, perfectly happy ending to me thenand it still does.

When I accepted appearance invitations for this fall in a couple of states, I provided hosts with descriptions of my presentations and the books I would be sharing with young readers, which did not include Cinderella. But even before the book was published, my invitation to a library festival and two schools in one state was rescinded; the public library indicated there was a fear of being targeted by a local group.

A school in another state also rescinded their invitation; again, even though I was not planning to talk about Cinderella. Both decisions to ban me for simply having written it seem to be based on fear. Ironically, one of the books I did plan to feature was Small Places, Close to Home, inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Ive been disheartened at times. Its not just the lost opportunity to connect with young readers, or the loss of income, but the realization of how rapidly a culture of fear and intimidation is spreading. We know many book creators are experiencing similar bans. Schools and libraries also need support and the tools to handle situations that arise. My experience underscores the need for all of us who care about children and teens to support the work of organizations like the National Coalition Against Censorship and their initiatives, including their Kids Right to Read Project.

Ive written so much about history: on the Holocaust, womens rights, the U.S. labor movement, the atrocities of the Bataan Death March, and horrific natural disasters. Its both sad, ironic, and also rather ludicrous that my first talking animal booka good-natured, light-hearted fractured fairy tale with a talking mouseis considered so dangerous.

How did you create the character Trim for your new chapter book series and what led you to craft these adventures?



Again, it started with history. I was researching cats, and I came across Trim, who was the cat of the British explorer Matthew Flinders. He was the first person to actually name Australia and circumnavigate it. Matthew Flinders wrote a tribute to Trim in 1809 and died shortly after that, and it was not found in his papers until the 1970s. It is hilarious and incredibly modern. He wrote a lot of anecdotes about his ships cat. I had a conversation with Kathy Landwehr [associate publisher of Peachtree Books] and Kathy made an offhand comment like, Im a cat person. And I said, Oh, I have this for you! [Illustrator] Kristy Caldwell has done such an amazing job with the perspective and the characters.



How does your writing process change as you move from nonfiction to fiction and picture books?

Nonfiction is easiest for me. When I write nonfiction, I think of myself as a curator. For example, the [project] I am working on now is about the Battle of the Bulge. Just like if you are designing a museum exhibition, you want to have as many voices as possible.



Because I wrote professionally in a business and non-profit capacity for so longI wrote grants, I wrote thank-you letters for donorsI did all kinds of writing, and one of the things I always say to kids is that any kind of writing is practice. It does not really matter what I am writing, it is the process that is so absorbing and hard. The challenges are always specific to what is on the page. It is the work itself that I just love.

What are you working on now?

I am finishing up Trim #4, which is called Trim Sails the Storm, a picture book called Evidence about John Snow, and a book about the Battle of the Bulge. I have a two-part series called World War II Close Up, and those are shorter books than Race Against Death. I wanted them to be no more than about 224 pages, and almost like starter nonfiction. And [my book about] Marie Curie comes out sometime in February.

The Plot to Kill a Queen by Deborah Hopkinson. Scholastic Press, $18.99 Oct. 17 ISBN 978-1-338-66058-6

Small Places, Close to Home: A Childs Declaration of Rights by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Kate Gardiner. HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99 Oct. 3 ISBN 978-0-063-09258-7

Cinderella and a Mouse Called Fred by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Paul O. Zelinsky. Random House/Schwartz, $18.99 Aug. ISBN 978-0-593-48004-5

Trim Sets Sail by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Kristy Caldwell. Peachtree, $14.99 Oct. 24 ISBN 978-1-68263-290-1

Trim Helps Out by Deborah Hopkinson, illus. by Kristy Caldwell. Peachtree, $14.99 Oct. 24 ISBN 978-1-68263-291-8.
Even before Greta Thunberg began her Fridays for Future school strikes to raise global awareness of the climate emergency, 21 American tweens and teenagers joined a movement to protect the environment. In 2015, the activists filed Juliana v. United States, arguing that U.S. fossil-fuel policies and practices violate present and future generations constitutional rights to life, liberty, property, health, and safety. Elizabeth Rusch introduces the young activists in her new book, The 21: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change. Rusch watched the 21 plaintiffs grow up as the federal and related state cases slowly wended their way through the courts. On August 14 of this year, a Montana judge ruled on behalf of youth plaintiffs in a state public trust case; another trial gets under way in Hawaii in June 2024. Rusch spoke with PW about environmental reckonings, unresolved chapters, and writing what she describes as a nonfiction legal thriller with a diverse ensemble cast.

How did your interest in Juliana v. United States turn into a YA book proposal?

Juliana v. United States was filed in 2015, and the very next year, 2016, one of my kids took a road trip with some middle school classmates to attend one of the hearings in Eugene, Ore. I saw the case through her eyes, and my thinking changed from, Its great that youth activists are getting their voices heard to Wow, these 21 could make a huge difference on climate change.

In June 2019, there was a hearing before the Ninth Circuit in Portland, Oregon, where I live. I went and brought my notebook, even though I didnt know what I was going to write. I watched the lead lawyer, Julia Olson, make the case, and I went to a rally where the youth plaintiffs spoke. It was a powerful, important moment, and I began to think seriously about writing a book. This legal principlethat we cant have life, liberty, and property without a stable climatewas so compelling.

Once the plaintiffs filed a new motion that would reopen a path to trial [the Ninth Circuit had dismissed the case in 2020], I wrote the proposal and my editor Virginia Duncan at Greenwillow snatched it up. I dove in headfirst: interviewing the lawyers and the kids, reading the transcripts, listening to hearings.

How did you organize the chapters and ensure that young readers could follow this complicated narrative?

One of the first things I did was to get a giant foam-core board, and I used different colored cards to put everything in chronological order. What grabbed me most were the youths stories of how they were affected by climate change. Sahara Valentine and Isaac Vergun are both athletes who suffer from asthma and whose lives have been endangered by wildfire smoke. Levi Draheim has been evacuated twice from his Florida home by the severe hurricanes that are kicked up by global warming. Jayden Foytlin and her sibling were stranded and sickened by rising waters from the torrential downpours and freak floods in Louisiana, caused by a warming climate.

I also wanted young readers to know how the 21 got involved in taking on the U.S. government, and how they changed and grew through their involvement. There were so many emotional challenges: all the excitement leading up to the trial, how the kids coped when the rug was pulled out from under them, how they stood up to fight again. I had to figure out not just the arc of the trial, but all these other arcs.

When I started weaving it together, I tried to use the tools of a fiction writer. I wanted to give the sense of a legal thriller, where you care about the people but youre also on the edge of your seat wondering whats going to happen.

 These young people have the biggest goal possiblesaving our planetand they face an incredibly powerful opponent, the U.S. government. 

You say that you wanted to center the youths stories. How did you develop the plaintiffs as individual characters?

I mean, these youths are both so ordinary and so extraordinary, right? I didn't have to do anything to make them human and likeable. Sahara was shy at the beginning and feels compelled to speak out. Levi [who joined the case at age eight] is like a little brother with a huge personality, and Miriam [Oommen] is so desperate to make change that she ties herself to train tracks and shipping piers, gets arrested, and further endangers her future. Theyre all struggling with climate change within the context of everyday lives.

I also see this as David and Goliath. These young people have the biggest goal possible, saving our planet, and they face an incredibly powerful opponent, the U.S. government. Their lawyer is kind of a small-town environmental lawyer who manages to pull together a talented group of attorneys to bring these cases. [I asked myself], how do I get out of the way and let that story come forward?

This story is ongoing, with state cases undecided and Juliana v. United States pending trial. What was it like to write a book in which closure is so elusive?

Writing a timely book is both really satisfying and really harrowing. Once I got the contract and I started writing and doing the interviews, there was a hearing in June 2021 [in which the plaintiffs asked U.S. district judge Ann Aiken for a declaratory judgment that our fossil fuel-based energy system is unconstitutional]. After listening to the hearing, I was really hopeful that the judge was going to rule in the kids favor, and I wanted the book to end on that positive note.

But the ruling doesnt come for a year and a half. We were moving through editing, copy editing, design, we were settling on the pagination to do the index. We decided to figure out how many pages we wanted for the ruling, leave those pages blank, and hope that gave a little emotional gut punch and a feeling of what waiting is like. Wed have a link to the ruling in the new chapter when it was done. Wed committed to that, and on June 1, 2023, the judge ruled in the kids favor. I had to re-interview some of the youth, the lawyers, read all the stuff, write a chapter, and revise a couple of the chapters to flow smoothly.

I feel like I could keep revising forever, because its so current and so important right now. I think this powerful approach to addressing climate change is not going awayin fact, it's just getting started. I feel so honored to be able to tell the story at this moment. In some ways the timing couldnt be worse, and in some ways it couldnt be better.

The 21: The True Story of the Youth Who Sued the U.S. Government Over Climate Change by Elizabeth Rusch. Greenwillow, $19.99 Sept. 26 ISBN 978-0-06-322085-0
Premium online access is only available tosubscribers. If you have an active subscription and need to set up or change your password, please click here

New to PW? To set up immediate access, click here.

NOTE: If you had a previous PW subscription, click here to reactivate your immediate access. PW site license members have access to PWs subscriber-only website content. If working at an office location and you are not "logged in", simply close and relaunch your preferred browser. For off-site access, click here. To find out more about PWs site license subscription options, please email Mike Popalardo at: mike@nextstepsmarketing.com.
With Banned Books Week approaching, the American Library Association has released new preliminary data showing a continuing surge in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school, and academic libraries during the first eight months of 2023.

In a release, the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) reported 695 attempts to censor library materials between January 1 and August 31, 2023, up only slightly from the 681 documented attempts at this point last year, but still on a record-setting pace. Those 695 challenges involve a growing number of books, however, with the number of unique titles challenged jumping 20% over last year: 1,915 unique titles have been targeted so far in 2023 compared to 1,651 last year. And once again, ALA data shows that most of the challenges were to books "written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community."

The rise in unique titles challenged is indicative of the rise in organized political groups creating and sharing lists of objectionable books. In past years, most challenges came from individuals seeking to remove or restrict a single title.

The largest contributor to the rise in both the number of censorship attempts and the increase in titles challenged continues to be a single challenge by a person or group demanding the removal or restriction of multiple titles, ALA officials explain. As in 2022, 9 in 10 of the overall number of books challenged were part of an attempt to censor multiple titles. And challenges that targeted 100 or more books were reported in 11 states thus far in 2023, compared to six during the same reporting period in 2022and zero in 2021.

The data also suggests that the surge in book bans is moving from school to public libraries. Challenges to books in public libraries accounted for nearly half of the challenges documented (49%) thus far in 2023, ALA officials report, compared to 16% during the same reporting period in 2022.

 To allow a group of people or any individual, no matter how powerful or loud, to become the decision-maker about what books we can read or whether libraries exist, is to place all of our rights and liberties in jeopardy. 

Expanding beyond their well-organized attempts to sanitize school libraries, groups with a political agenda have turned their crusade to public libraries, the very embodiment of the First Amendment in our society, said Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom, in a statement. These attacks on our freedom to read should trouble every person who values liberty and our constitutional rights. To allow a group of people or any individual, no matter how powerful or loud, to become the decision-maker about what books we can read or whether libraries exist, is to place all of our rights and liberties in jeopardy.

ALA data on book challenges is compiled from reports filed with its Office for Intellectual Freedom by library professionals in the field, as well as from news stories published throughout the United States. The data presents a snapshot of the censorship climate, officials say, noting that man (likely most) book bans are never reported, and, on challenges may be resolved in favor of keeping challenged books.

The preliminary data comes ahead of Banned Books Week 2023, set for October 1-7.

For more than 40 years, Banned Books Week has spotlighted attempts to censor books in libraries and schools, uniting librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers in support of free expression. The annual program, which runs every fall, features a host of events, including an opportunity to highlight the titles that appear on the ALAs Top 10 Most Challenged Books List.

The 2023 Banned Books Week theme is Let Freedom Read, which ALA officials say is a call to action.

The antidote to the contagion of censorship is public, vocal support for libraries, said ALA president Emily Drabinski, in a statement. ALA invites everyone who cares about protecting the freedom to read to show up to support their libraries at a local school or library board meeting, participate in Banned Books Week initiatives in October, and join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign to fight censorship.
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.
Simon & Schuster is introducing a new "multi-platform education and resources program," Books Belong, during this year's Banned Books Week (October 1-7), as part of an effort to expand the publisher's response to the book bans and challenges.

The program, the publisher said, will "highlight the merits of books that have been subject to bans and challenges and will provide educators, parents, librarians, and students with tools and resources" on how to "take action when faced with a challenge in their community" and "incorporate banned and challenged books into classroom, library, and family reading time."

The initiative's website will host "reading group guides and videos, book lists, giveaways, exclusive author and expert content, and links to additional resources," S&S said, including those from Unite Against Book Bans and PEN America.

"Books Belong everywhere: whether fiction or nonfiction, books help us to see ourselves and others in the world. They must be available to everyone so that readers may connect to the stories that speak to them, to learn more deeply about themselves, and about other people and cultures," Michelle Leo, v-p of education and library marketing at S&S, said in a statement. "Books Belong will support readers and communities in the fight against book bans by sharing knowledge and resources that will enable them to make informed decisions about the books they choose to read."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan has approved a detailed action plan for the "State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027", Trend reports.

In this regard, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov signed a corresponding decree.

The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, the Plenipotentiary Representation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Nakhchivan and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Autonomous Republic have been instructed to resolve issues arising from this resolution.
Property details:

Created with Eselt - eBay Listing Designs Created with Eselt - eBay Listing Designs Created with Eselt - eBay Listing Designs 20 Ac Placer Gold Mining Claim Rye Patch Placer District, Pershing County Nevada You are bidding on the full purchase pricee on an 20 Acre None-Patented Gold Placer Mining Claim in the Historic Rye Patch Placer District in Pershing County Nevada State. Northern Nevada is home to the state's best known placer field for nugget shooting with a metal detector, the Majuba or R...

Price: $ 1,125 Seller State of Residence: Nevada State/Province: Nevada Location: 100**, New York, New York

You will be redirected to eBay



Nearby Nevada
An Iowa man was awarded a Guinness World Record for his collection of 2,324 nativity sets.

ADVERTISEMENT

Mike Zahs, who started collecting the traditional Christmas decorations in the 1950s, assembled his sets at the Hills Bank in Washington to be officially counted.

He said it took six weeks to set up all of the scenes.

Zahs said his collection includes a total 2,539 sets, but Guinness World Records only accepts nativity scenes that include a Mary, Joseph, Jesus, three wise men, at least one shepherd, at least one angel, at least one animal, a stable and a star.
A large number of students consistently ride the University of Georgia buses, resulting in over six million passenger trips each year. UGA has 40,118 students, which includes over 30,000 undergraduate students and a freshman class of 6,200. The influx of students has led to overcrowding all over campus, and especially on the buses.
The seasons are changing, and Athens' restaurant scene is following. This week, two coffee shops announced their closings, Taco Mama opened do
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. It is planned to allocate a target limit for the provision of preferential loans to entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2023-2024, Trend reports.

This is reflected in the detailed action plan of the "State Program for the Socio-Economic Development of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2023-2027," approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.

According to the document, the Ministry of Agriculture is the executive body on this issue.

In addition, it is planned to carry out measures to increase the access of business entities in the autonomous republic to preferential financial resources, to increase the level of awareness of business entities (entrepreneurs) about the mechanisms of preferential financial support of the country.
Indias recent move to remove additional retaliatory duty on eight products from the United States (US), including apples and walnuts, would not have any negative impact on the domestic producers, the government clarified, even as the issue threatened to snowball into a political slugfest between the ruling and Opposition parties.

Photograph: Nigel Roddis/Reuters

The move would, in fact, result in competition in the premium market segment, ensuring better quality at better prices for consumers, especially for apples, a senior government official said.

There were certain concerns that were being raised on the mutually agreed solution that has come in, more specific to seven-eight agriculture products where we had levied additional import duties in retaliation to the steel and aluminum measures (imposed by the US), Peeyush Kumar, additional secretary in the commerce department, told reporters in a briefing.

So only the additional (import duty) has been removed.

"The basic customs duty rate of 50 percent is applicable (in the case of apples).

"When we had raised the additional duty against America, it had a disadvantage.

"It had lost a certain market that was taken up by other countries like Iran, New Zealand, Chile, and Turkey. By revoking this additional duty, the US will be able to compete with these markets, Kumar said.

Besides this, US apples also attract a minimum import price (MIP) of Rs 50 per kg for imports from all countries except Bhutan to protect against the dumping of low-quality apples and from any predatory pricing in the Indian market.

US apples, walnuts, and almonds would compete on the same level playing field as all other countries, an official statement from the department of commerce said.

The statement came against the backdrop of the local farmers and producers anticipating losses, especially the apple and walnut growers from Kashmir, since Washington will now get greater market access for these items.

Apple is largely grown in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

Together the two states account for almost 97 per cent of the 2.4-2.5 million tonnes of apples grown in India domestically.

This decision of the government, to abolish the additional import duty, will lead to the flooding of apples from the US into India at the cost of Indian farmers.

"Apples for the US are definitely of a higher quality as they are grown in a mechanised way.

"Also, the subsidy that a US farmer gets is far more than what an average Indian farmer gets.

"Therefore, it tilts the balance in favour of US farmers, Sohan Thakur, convenor of the Apple Farmers Federation of India, told Business Standard.

The opposition Congress, too, joined the issue, with its Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate asking, What happened to the slogan of 'vocal for local'? Why is the prime minister trying to please the Americans by offering concessions?

To which, Amit Malviya, BJPs national IT department in-charge, said that the Congress should stop lying about the change in import duty on US apples.

The commerce department, meanwhile, tried to assuage the fears, saying that it was closely monitoring the import of these products and was open to discussing the matter with the home ministry, agriculture ministry, and the state of Kashmir.

According to an analysis done by the department of commerce, there had been an increase in apple imports from countries other than the US, from $160 million in FY19 to $290 million in FY23.

Similarly, in the case of walnuts, the imports increased from $35.11 million in FY19 to $53.95 million in FY23.

In the last three years, the import of almonds has been about 233,000 mt, while domestic production is only 11,000 mt, and India is highly dependent on imports.

"Therefore, the removal of additional duties will now ensure fair competition among the countries which are exporting these products to India, the statement said.

The dispute

India had imposed an additional duty on the US, over and above the basic customs duty, on 28 items over four years ago, as a retaliatory measure after steel and aluminum tariffs were hiked during former US President Donald Trumps regime.

In June, both sides firmed up a mutually agreeable solution at the World Trade Organization (WTO), under which, in June, India agreed to remove retaliatory tariffs on seven agricultural products such as lentils, walnuts, apples, almonds and in return an equivalent value of steel will be allowed to enter the US.

Thereafter, last week, the revenue department notified removal of the additional duties of 20 per cent, each on apples and walnuts and Rs 20 per kg on almonds.

There is no reduction on the most favoured nation (MFN) duty on apples, walnuts and almonds, which still applies to all imported products, including US-origin products, at 50 per cent, 100 per cent, and Rs 100 per kg on apple, walnuts and almonds, respectively.
One hopes, though one is not optimistic, that this action to some extent corrects the lunacy which has infected our national media and has damaged our nation, notes Aakar Patel.

The Opposition INDIA alliance has announced the names of 14 anchors whose programmes their spokespersons will boycott.

No reason was cited when the list was put out but various Opposition leaders have said this was the 'WhatsApp group of BJP Media Cell'.

The arguments against the boycott are various including press freedom and the 'Emergency'.

Let us look at what evidence we have to suggest that some anchors and TV stations act as extensions of the government.

On June 19, 2020, NDTV Correspondent Arvind Gunasekar tweeted the text of a note the government had given to journalists as 'talking points after an all-party meeting on the Chinese intrusion'.

This was the meeting in which Modi claimed that there had been no intrusion by China.

The talking points the Modi government wanted the media to focus on in their headlines included: 'India stands solidly behind PM.'

'Most leaders express their confidence in way Modi Government has handled the situation'

And 'Congress efforts to create wedges trashed by KCR, Naveen, Sikkim Kranti Morcha.'

The channels obeyed the instructions. The primetime debate for Times Now a few hours later was headlined: 'All parties unite behind India but Sonia Gandhi wont slam China?'.

Republic TV's main debates on June 19 were headlined: 'Unarmed with fact, Congress insults army;'

'Is there a "special relation" between Congress and China?' and

'People's movement against China gets bigger'.

For my book Price of the Modi Years, which is being republished this month in paperback, I looked at the two top English news channels.

What were the subjects of their prime time debates in this period when there was Chinese intrusion and the economy was contracting because of the lockdown?

In the months of May, June and July, Times Now had 33 prime time debates which criticised the Opposition's actions.

It had none that criticised the Modi government. There were zero debates on the economic recession.

In the same three months, Republic TV had 47 debates that criticised the Opposition's actions.

It had none that criticised the Modi government's actions and none on the economic recession.

This was a period in which between June 7 and June 27, the price of petrol/diesel was hiked every single day for 21 days.

On June 16, India announced that it had lost 20 soldiers, who were bludgeoned to death in hand to hand combat with the Chinese in Ladakh.

Daily Covid infections rose from 2,300 cases on May 1 to over 57,000 daily cases on July 31.

But note the focus of the 'debates'.

A few days later, the Indian Journalism Review published another note that the PMO had circulated to channels, instructing them on what to focus on.

The note read: 'Modi Effect loud and clear. Taming expansionist China is a herculean task but the right strategies and actions can yield to (sic) outstanding results. China hasnt pulled back.'

'China has been pushed back, by a united nation led by a leader who led from the front. By taking decisive military, economic and strategic moves, PM Modi has pushed back China.'

'The notion of economic infallibility of China has received a tight slap with the PM's clarion call of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.'

Times Now responded with debates headlined:

-- 'PM Modi punishes Expansionist China, doubters put to shame?'

-- 'China admits it was pushed back, will army doubters surrender?'

-- 'China admits push back but Lobby continues to lie?'

And Republic with:

-- 'Prime Minister leads from the front'

-- 'PM Modis strong leadership pushes back China'

-- 'Ladakh reality check: Galwan victory a slap in Lobby's face.'

Others have looked at the data and arrived at similar numbers.

In a study published at the end of 2020, political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot and data analyst Vihang Jumle examined Republic's content. They wrote in Caravan magazine: 'We studied all prime-time debates held since the channel was launched in May 2017, until April 2020, when we began the study -- 1,779 in all.'

'Our conclusion was clear: Republic TV's debates have been consistently biased in favour of the Modi government and its policies, as well as the ideology of the BJP.'

'What's worse, these debates have rarely featured some of the most pressing issues that impact Indians, such as the state of the economy, education or health.'

'Instead, they have consisted mostly of attacks against the Opposition as well as any groups or persons that oppose the ruling government's ideology.'

''Some figures are staggering, if unsurprising. Nearly fifty per cent of Republic TV's political debates criticised the Opposition, but it has not conducted even one debate that we could classify as being in the Opposition's favour.'

To return to the question we began with: What is the evidence we have to suggest that some anchors and TV stations act as extensions of the government?

The evidence is quite clear for anyone who wants to seek it.

There is absolutely no question that the Opposition is correct in having concluded that it is being asked to play a rigged game by large sections of the media.

It has every right to refuse to be a part of this. One hopes, though one is not optimistic, that this action to some extent corrects the lunacy which has infected our national media and has damaged our nation.

Aakar Patel is a columnist and writer and you can read Aakar's earlier columns here.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
With the general election campaign less than six months away, the BJP has more to think about than it had on the eve of 2019.

It's the states that will be robbing BJP strategists of their sleep at this point, not the Lok Sabha, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi with senior Congress MP Sonia Gandhi, Adhir Chowdhury, leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president and leader of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, September 19, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

You can pick your preferred description for the Narendra D Modi government suddenly pulling out the idea of one nation, one election: A pre-election grand distraction, or a trial balloon.

The important thing is to understand where the idea is coming from. Also, for brevity, let's start calling it ONOE.

True to their by now familiar method of the grand spectacle, this is topped by the idea of a special, five-day Parliament session.

It guarantees five days of live TV coverage and primetime 'debates', all generally weighted in favour of the idea.

You can also be sure that all heavyweight anchors, with the exception of one-and-a-quarter, will give it their full-throated support.

Some might bring to this the passion usually reserved for Pakistan, China, or George Soros.

Theatre, however grand, will not change the fact that ONOE is not possible unless two-thirds of the states endorse it.

That the Bharatiya Janata Party hasn't secured their support is its deepest pain point. That's why this frantic ploy.

The logical final objective would then be 'one nation, one election, one party' in all states and the Centre.

In politics, aspiration is a good thing. It's just that your rivals' aspirations run contrary to yours.

That's why the BJP has lately failed in some key states and may struggle with some more this coming winter.

Particularly jarring for it is the fact that it often gets beaten in states it sweeps in Lok Sabha elections. Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh are only the latest.

ONOE is seen as a brahmastra. If your weakness is having only one leader to get you the votes across states, where most of your leaders are nobodies, why not turn it into a strength?

What if every vote was sought for Modi, whether at the Centre or in the states? Each election will be 'Modi versus who?'

To understand the politics behind the concern that's pushing the BJP, we just have to see the rapid bleaching of the saffron from the state-wise political map of India.

In 14 states now, constituents of INDIA, or other parties not aligned with the BJP, are in power.

However you describe India, a Union of states or one unified federal nation, it would be very challenging to exercise the kind of power the Modi government has got used to if, by the end of 2024, there are 18 states -- if not more -- that you don't rule.

Never mind your majority in the Lok Sabha.

That's why, in the run-up to the ONOE move, three things had underlined the intensification of the build-up to the 2024 general election campaign.

IMAGE: Union Ministers and MPs at the Central Hall of the old Parliament building, September 19, 2023. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

One, the call for the Amrit Kaal Parliament session. Don't be surprised if hereon, the BJP turns every election into a referendum on ONOE.

Two, the Mumbai conclave of the INDIA partners, searching for that cohesion such alliances have invariably lacked in Indian politics.

And three, the Modi government's sweeping cooking gas subsidy. Petrol and diesel price cuts may also be on the way.

This urgency is sparked by the results of the last clutch of state election results, which saw the BJP lose both Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh.

From what we have learnt about the BJP's method over the past decade, it will likely underline seven takeaways in its calculations.

These are:

* The BJP lost the elections decisively in each state, though the contest was closer in one (Himachal) than in the other (Karnataka).

What this means is that an Operation Kamal-type turnaround is unlikely in the near term.

* It was beaten by the Congress, a rival it doesn't want to lose to.

From 2019 onwards, it has had a strike rate upwards of 92 per cent against it, but this never made it complacent. Now, the party has some tailwind.

* In both states, the Congress won by itself without alliance partners. That improves the party's stature and bargaining power among the Opposition cluster.

* The claim of wider Opposition unity is not entirely convincing yet.

But in the forthcoming state elections, the challenger will be a Congress with a belief that it can beat the BJP when Narendra Modi is not on the ticket.

* The fact that it lacks a winning leadership in these states will be seen as a growing failure for the BJP.

The hard fact is that besides Yogi Adityanath and Himanta Biswa Sarma, the BJP doesn't have any leaders who could take their states on their own.

And two leaders it does have -- Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh and Vasundhara Raje in Rajasthan -- it doesn't particularly like.

* Sixth, should it keep risking putting Mr Modi on the ticket? Is that a card it could be using too often? What happens if it loses again, as in Karnataka?

* Which brings us to the seventh point. If the BJP doesn't win at least two of the four major states polling this winter, it would deplete its numbers in the Rajya Sabha in the course of time.

The BJP think-tank -- Modi, Shah and J P Nadda -- must have been tossing these questions around these past three months.

There is much on our TV channels, and 'opinion polls', to suggest that the BJP has already won 2024, bar the counting.

But that is not how this BJP thinks. It knows better than its rivals how seriously to take 'friendly' media adulation.

It is comfortable that the general elections will be fought only for or against Modi.

But if the non-entity leaderships or self-diminishing arrangements for temporary power (as in Maharashtra) continue, it will be much tougher to win the states that go to the polls soon after the general elections.

That will make its government's likely third term that much tougher. Further, think of the numbers in the Rajya Sabha.

The option of collapsing at least one set of states with the general elections is tempting but not risk-free.

Here's the conundrum: If you believe that voters today make a clear distinction between state and central elections held simultaneously, as we learnt in Odisha in 2019, why would they not act similarly if you were to hold simultaneous elections now?

And if the voters are still not so clinically evolved, why would they not allow a negative view of their BJP state government to influence their vote in the Lok Sabha elections?

Is the risk of Mr Modi paying for the anger against his chief ministers worth taking?

To sum up, with the general election campaign less than six months away, the BJP has more to think about than it had on the eve of 2019.

It's the states that will be robbing BJP strategists of their sleep at this point, not the Lok Sabha.

At this point, ONOE is a distant prospect.

For now, the BJP must endure the Constitution's checks and balances, the states' powers, the Centre's limitations, and the elections to a third of Rajya Sabha seats every two years to reflect the ever-changing realities of state Assemblies.

You see why the talk of India needing a new Constitution has begun in the establishment intellectual circles.

By special arrangement with The Print

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Senior leaders from both Sharad Pawar- and Ajit Pawar-led factions of the Nationalist Congress Party have said that there is no split in the party.

IMAGE: NCP leaders Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar in Mumbai on June 10, 2019. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Election Commission has called the rival factions of the NCP for a personal hearing on October 6 following a petition filed by the Ajit group claiming that he has been elected as the party's national president.

"It is unfair on the part of the Election Commission of India to treat our case as a dispute within a political party when we have consistently maintained that there is no split," said Jayant Patil, the Maharashtra unit chief of the Sharad Pawar-led NCP, on Tuesday.

"Sharad Pawar in his letter to the ECI stressed the fact that he never faced any opposition within the party. There is no dispute. There has been no opposition to my (Sharad Pawar's) policies from the party on any public platform," Patil told reporters.

"Pawar also sought time from the ECI to explain his side because there was no dispute but there has been some exchange of emails (with Ajit Pawar's side). The ECI, without giving time to (Sharad) Pawar, concluded that there is a dispute," he added.

Asked about Patil's comments, Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra cabinet minister and senior leader from the Ajit Pawar group, said, "It is good as there is no dispute in the party. Some changes have taken place, such as change of national president....Ajit Pawar is now the party's president and we have already communicated this to the ECI."

Ajit Pawar rebelled against his uncle and NCP founder Sharad Pawar's leadership in July this year and joined the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party government in Maharashtra as deputy chief minister.
Amid worsening bilateral ties in the wake of tit-for-tat expulsions over the alleged Indian involvement in the killing of a Khalistani leader on its soil, the Canadian government on Tuesday issued a travel advisory, asking his citizens to 'exercise a high degree of caution'.

Image used only for representation. Photograph: Lars Hagberg/Reuters

Triggering a tense diplomatic standoff earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India had a role in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

'Avoid all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir due to the unpredictable security situation. There is a threat of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest and kidnapping. This advisory excludes travelling to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh,' the Canadian government stated in its travel advisory for India.

'Avoid gatherings and demonstrations,' the advisory added.

The advisory was updated after Trudeau said on Tuesday that Ottawa wants New Delhi to address the issue properly, according to CBC News.

The Canadian PM added, however, that his country wasn't trying to provoke India by any means.

"We are not looking to provoke or escalate. We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them," the Canadian PM told reporters, adding, "The government of India needs to take this matter with the utmost seriousness. We are doing that."

"As for Canada, I said yesterday...we are going to remain calm, we are going to remain grounded in our democratic principles and values.... and we are going to follow the evidence and make sure the work is done," he added.

Nijjar, who was wanted in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

India rejected the allegation of involvement in the murder of the Khalistani leader, with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) terming the charge 'absurd' and 'motivated'.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly session in the United Nations.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanges greetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the G20 Leaders' Summit, at the Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi, September 9, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Another development that will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan, Erdogan said in his address to the General Debate Tuesday.

"As Turkiye, we will continue to support the steps to be taken in this direction, he said.

His comment comes weeks after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi during which both the leaders discussed strengthening trade and infrastructure relations.

Erdogan said it was a matter of pride that India was playing a role at the United Nations Security Council.

He said he favoured making five permanent and 15 "temporary" members as permanent members of the UN Security Council.

"Those 20 (5+15) should be permanent members of the UNSC in rotation. But as you know, the world is bigger than five. When we say the world is larger than five, what we mean is that it's not only about the US, UK, France, China and Russia," he said.

In recent years, the Turkish leader has referred to the issue of Kashmir in his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session.

Last year, Erdogan raked up the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session in the United Nations.

India and Pakistan, after having established their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, they still haven't established peace and solidarity between one another. This is much unfortunate. We hope and pray that a fair and permanent peace and prosperity will be established in Kashmir, Erdogan had said.

In 2020, Erdogan in his pre-recorded video statement to the General Debate had made a reference to Jammu and Kashmir. India had at that time termed it as completely unacceptable, saying Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.
The Gujarat high court on Wednesday issued notice to the state government on a public interest litigation claiming that locals are being denied the opportunity to operate safari vehicles in Gir sanctuary and Devaliya park despite the state's recent policy to give them preference.

IMAGE: A lion seen at the Sasan Gir National Park, in Junagadh, March 31, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Gir forest in Gujarat is the only abode of Asiatic lions in the world.

Four village panchayats from Gir Somnath district located in the Gir sanctuary area had moved the public interest litigation claiming that locals were being deprived of the opportunity to operate the safari vehicles and that a handful of outsiders have forced their way into the business with the help of a senior Indian Forest Service officer.

The court of Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal and Justice Aniruddha Mayee directed the state government to file an affidavit and kept the matter for the next hearing on October 12.

The PIL alleged that there was mismanagement in the operation of safari vehicles used to take tourists to see lions in the Gir sanctuary and Devaliya park areas.

The petition said that as of date, more than 200 safari vehicles operate in the Gir sanctuary and over 75 in Devaliya park without following due process of law.

This is contrary to the government's 2023 policy that requires preferences to be given to the local villagers in operating the safari vehicles with the aim of providing them with employment opportunities, it said.

The safari vehicles are being operated by a select few at the instance of officers, including the deputy conservator of forests, claimed the PIL.

It has made the DCF a respondent in his personal capacity.

The petitioners even made a representation before the chief minister on July 5, 2023 highlighting the arbitrariness, irregularities and illegalities in existing safari vehicles running in parks, said the PIL

It claimed that the vehicles are not even registered or controlled by the state but by a handful of families who are not locals.

The PIL also accused the DCF of being in hand and glove with existing safari vehicle owners and associations operating in the Gir sanctuary and Devaliya park without following due process of law.
The ministry of health and family welfare on Wednesday reduced the qualifying percentile for National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate 2023 to be eligible for counselling to zero across all categories.

IMAGE: Resident doctors of Safdarjung hospital stage a demonstration against the delay over the NEET-PG counselling 2021, in New Delhi, December 28, 2021. Photograph: ANI Photo

Candidates who appeared for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Postgraduate 2023 exam will now be eligible to participate in the counselling process.

"It is for the information to candidates that the qualifying percentile for PG courses (medical/ dental) for NEET PG counselling 2023 has been reduced to 'zero' across all categories by MoHFW," said a notice issued by Medical Counselling Committee, directorate of health services, India.

A fresh registration and choice filling for round-3 of PG counselling will be reopened for the candidates who have become eligible after the reduction of percentile.

These candidates can register and participate in round-3 of counselling.

The candidates who are already registered need not register again. However, they will be allowed to edit their choices, the notice said.

A fresh schedule for round-3 onwards for PG counselling will be put up on the MCC website soon, it said.

Recently, the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association made an appeal to the Union health ministry to consider lowering the cut-off score for the NEET-PG 2023 exam.

"Over the past years, we have witnessed a persistent challenge in the form of vacant seats in medical institutions across the nation, even after multiple rounds of counselling for NEET-PG. This is a matter of great concern not only for the healthcare system but also for aspiring medical professionals who are eager to contribute to our nation's healthcare infrastructure," FORDA said in its letter.

In light of this issue, "We humbly request your kind attention to consider the possibility of decreasing the cut-off score for the NEET-PG 2023 examination", it said.

By lowering the cut-off, FORDA said, it can ensure that a "larger number of eligible candidates are given the opportunity to fill these vacant seats".

Recently, the Indian Medical Association had written to Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya demanding a reduction in the NEET-PG 2023 cut-off percentile by up to 30 per cent so that most of the seats can be filled in both clinical and non-clinical branches.
The security operation in the forest area of Gadole, Kokernag in Kashmir's Anantnag district, ended after seven days on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, with the killing of two Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorists.

Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer, 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Ashish Dhonchak, also of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat were killed by the terrorists last week.

IMAGE: Soldiers return from the Kokernag encounter site. All Photographs: ANI Photo

IMAGE: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha pays homage to Sepoy Pardeep Singh, who went missing on September 13 and was later found dead.

IMAGE: Indian Army personnel accord a gun salute to Sepoy Pardeep Singh in Srinagar.

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Stepping up its crackdown on Khalistani terrorists, the National Investigation Agency on Wednesday announced cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of five Babbar Khalsa International operatives, including Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias 'Rinda'and Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias 'Landa'.

IMAGE: Khalistani terrorists Lakhbir Singh Sandhu alias 'Landa' (left) and Harwinder Singh Sandhu alias 'Rinda'. Photograph: Courtesy NIA on X

The federal agency announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh each for Rinda and Landa and Rs 5 lakh each for Parminder Singh Kaira alias 'Pattu', Satnam Singh alias 'Satbir Singh' alias 'Satta' and Yadvinder Singh alias 'Yadda'.

A spokesperson of the National Investigation Agency said these five terrorists are wanted in a case registered early this year related to the BKI's terrorist activities aimed at disturbing India's peace and communal harmony and spreading terror in the state of Punjab.

"The wanted terrorists are accused of commission of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI, a banned terror outfit, through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals.

"They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in the state of Punjab," the spokesperson said.

The official said investigations have shown that the five terrorists have been engaged in recruiting new members of the BKI by promising them monetary benefits.

"They have also established a network of operatives in various countries to further their terror activities in different parts of India, the official said.

Rinda, originally a resident of Maharashtra, is a Pakistan-based "listed individual terrorist" and member of the BKI, while Landa, Khaira, Satnam and Yadvinder are residents of Punjab.

"Any specific information leading to the arrest of the five wanted terrorists can be shared with the NIA headquarters in New Delhi or the NIA Branch Office in Chandigarh," the spokesperson said, sharing the telephone and WhatsApp numbers.

Meanwhile, the NIA released two lists of 54 individuals with their photographs who are wanted in the investigation of two cases, registered last year, to dismantle terror-gangster networks in the country.

The lists, one naming 11 persons and the other 43 persons, were shared by the NIA on its official account on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The list included several wanted gangsters, including Goldy Brar, Lawrence Bishnoi, Anmol Bishnoi and Arshdeep Singh Gill.

"If you have any information about properties/assets/business owned by them in their name or in name of their associates, friends and relatives, please WhatsApp, the agency said, sharing the mobile number.
The latest diplomatic row between India and Canada will not impact bilateral military engagement and the Canadian Army will take part in the conclave of the Indo-Pacific army chiefs in Delhi next week, a senior Indian Army official said on Wednesday.

IMAGE: India, Australia, Canada, the United States, France, Japan and the United Kingdom participated in the multilateral cooperation exercise 'LA PEROUSE' in the Indo-Pacific to strengthen interoperability between the partner navies on March 13 and 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Indian Army is hosting the conclave on September 26 and 27 with an aim to evolve a common strategy to ensure peace, prosperity and stability in the Indo-Pacific against the backdrop of growing global concerns over China's increasing military muscle-flexing in the region.

The diplomatic ties between India and Canada came under further strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a 'potential' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June.

India on Tuesday rejected the allegations as 'absurd' and 'motivated' and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

"It doesn't impact us. The Canadian Army (vice) Chief is coming in here, his delegation is coming here," said Major General Abhinaya Rai, the Additional Director General of Strategic Planning at the Army headquarters.

"Like when we look at our relationship with some of our neighbours...where we may have had a standoff but we continue to engage them at all levels, be it the military level and at the diplomatic level. And I am referring directly to China here," he said.

Major General Rai suggested that India's diplomatic and military engagement with Canada would not be impacted.

A Canadian military official also asserted that the diplomatic row will not impact the defence engagement between India and Canada.

Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend the event to be held in Delhi on September 26 and 27, officials said. The US Army is co-hosting the conference.

The Indo-Pacific Army Chiefs' Conclave (IPACC) will deliberate on the role of military diplomacy in mitigating various crises, ways to enhance collaboration among the armed forces of the region and boosting interoperability.

Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar said the event will provide a unique opportunity to build common perspectives towards a shared vision and that it will help strengthen friendships through the formidable and indelible 'soldierly bond'.

The IPACC, instituted as a biennial event in 1999, is attended by Army chiefs of countries of the Indo-Pacific region, to discuss issues of mutual interest.

"The current edition of this conclave is very special, as it will witness participation of full spectrum of military ranks, from Army chiefs to non-commissioned Officers from 22 nationalities, and their spouses," Lt Gen Kumar told reporters.

"Fifteen Army chiefs and delegations from 22 countries will attend this event in Delhi. I take this opportunity to thank the US Army, especially US Army Pacific, who are our co-hosts," he said.

The Indo-Pacific Armies Management Seminar (IPAMS), held annually, is one of the largest conferences for the land forces in the region which is organised annually by US Army Pacific, along with a co-host country.
Several trains under the purview of SER and ECoR were cancelled or diverted on Wednesday, including the premium Rajdhani Express and Vande Bharat Express, owing to the blockade by members of the Kurmi community in Jharkhand and Odisha, officials said.

IMAGE: Kurmi community members protest outside the Muri Junction railway station demanding ST status. Photograph: ANI on Twitter

A total of seven trains were cancelled and nine others diverted, the South Eastern Railway (SER) said in a release.

The trains that were diverted due to ongoing agitation by Kurmi Samaj include the Patna-Ranchi Vande Bharat Express and Howrah-Mumbai Duronto Express, while those cancelled were the Howrah-Mumbai Gitanjali Express and Hatia-Kharagpur Express, among others, it said.

Meanwhile, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) in another release said a number of trains have been cancelled and diverted for the day, which include the Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Duronto Express and Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express.

Agitation by Kudmi Adivasi Samaj, which was cancelled yesterday as per the directions of hon'ble high court of Kolkata, has taken a new turn today with agitation taking place at various places in Jharkhand like Manoharpur near Chakradharpur, Gomoh and at other places near Muri, it said.

A division bench of the Calcutta high court, headed by Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam, had on Tuesday declared the call for indefinite rail and road blockades by the Kurmi community as illegal and unconstitutional.

Several Kurmi bodies had earlier announced the stir at nine stations in Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha from Wednesday, including Muri, Gomoh, Nimdih, Khemasuli, Kustaur and Harichandanpur, seeking Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for the community, and inclusion of Kurmali language in the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

In Jharkhand, defying prohibitory orders, several agitators marched to the Muri railway station and sat on railway tracks, the officials said.

Police also lathicharged protestors near the Nimdih railway crossing in Seraikela-Kharswan district when they attempted to put up blockades, sub-divisional officer of Chandil, Ranjit Lohra said.

Convenor of the Adivasi Kurmi Samaj (AKS) Harmohan Mahato claimed that over a dozen of its activists were detained at Nimdih.

Members of the Totemik Kurmi Vikas Morcha (TKVM) reportedly sat on the tracks at Ghagra station in West Singhbhum district on Wednesday morning, the officials said.

In Ranchi's Muri, around 500 agitators were stopped by security forces at a certain distance from the station, officials said.

Adequate forces have been deployed at Muri to prevent the agitators from disrupting train movement, chief public relations officer (CPRO) of Ranchi railway division Nishant Kumar told PTI.

The district administration has also imposed prohibitory measures under CrPC Section 144 in Silli Circle near the Muri railway station from 6 pm on Tuesday till further orders, an official said. Section 144 prevents unlawful assembly of four or more persons and public movement in groups.

A report from Odisha said Kurmi Samaj activists briefly blocked tracks at Bhanjapur Railway Station in Baripada town of Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday, but the rail lines were cleared and train services resumed soon.

The SER had in a release issued on Tuesday said that normal train services will be restored with immediate effect in view of the withdrawal of proposed agitation by the Kurmi community.

The EcoR, too, had said it has decided to run trains on normal routes with immediate effect, as the Kurmi Samaj agitation "has been called off".

Ajit Mahato, a leader of Adivasi Kurmi Samaj in West Bengal, had Tuesday said that the indefinite rail blockade called by Kurmis was withdrawn as our senior leaders are being harassed by police. We will take a collective decision on the next course of action on September 30 in Purulia.
Australia has described Canada's allegations about India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader as 'concerning' and said Canberra is 'monitoring these developments closely' and has raised the issues with its Indian counterparts.

IMAGE: Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises to make a statement in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, on September 18, 2023. Photograph: Blair Gable/Reuters

These remarks were made by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong at a press conference in the United Nations Headquarters on Tuesday.

Wong, who is leading Australia's delegation to the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly, was responding to a question on allegations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of the involvement of 'agents of the Indian government' in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF).

"Look, these are concerning reports, and I note that investigations are still underway, but obviously these are concerning reports, and as I've said, we are monitoring these developments closely with our partners, and we'll continue to do so," Wong said at the press conference on Tuesday.

Nijjar was one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head and was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

India has strongly rejected Trudeau's statement made in the Canadian Parliament and said 'allegations of Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated'.

In response to a question whether Australia has raised the issue with India, Wong said, "We have, Australia has raised these issues with our Indian counterparts, as you would expect us to do."

She added that Australia has been 'monitoring these developments with partners closely, we will continue to do so, and I will confirm that we have raised our concerns with India. I'm not going to go into any further detail on that'.

When asked if she was planning on raising the issue with Japan, a partner with the US, Australia and India in the Quad group, Wong said, "I'm sure you would not expect the foreign minister of any country to run a commentary on how and what is raised, in detail or what will be raised, but I would say to you, you know, Australia's principal position is that we believe the sovereignty of all countries should be respected, we believe the rule of law should be respected, and our views as a matter of principle reflect those views."

Wong was asked if she has concerns about foreign interference from India in Australia, to which she replied: "I think Australia is a robust democracy, and I think the Indian diaspora has a range of views, and you know, we have made clear in relation to democratic debate in Australia that the peaceful expression of different views is a key part of Australia's democracy, and I think most Australians would agree with that."

When asked what guarantee of safety is provided to Sikh Indians in Australia, Wong said, "I'd note that these allegations are still being investigated, so I would recognise that fact, but more broadly I would say this: we take the view as a government that Australian democracy is precious, that as a matter of principle, and as a matter of law Australians of whatever persuasion have a right to peaceful protest, and in all circumstances we reflect that right in our public statements and in our private conversations with other governments.

"You would also know we have, as a Parliament, made very clear statements, but legislatively and as a matter of policy about the importance of Australian democracy being unaffected by external concerns."

Canada-based Nijjar was designated a 'terrorist' by India under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in July 2020 and his property in the country was attached by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in September 2020.

An Interpol Red Corner Notice was also issued against him in 2016.

The local police of Surrey had also put Nijjar under house arrest temporarily in 2018 on suspicion of his terror involvement but he was released later.

Bilateral ties between India and Canada have been tense in recent months.

Trade talks have been derailed and Canada just cancelled trade talks.
The US on Tuesday said it was "deeply concerned" about the allegations made by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on India's involvement in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in Surrey, and urged New Delhi to "cooperate" with Ottawa in the investigation of the incident.

IMAGE: Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Photograph: ANI on X via NIA website

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau on Monday alleged the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as "absurd" and "motivated".

We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by PM Trudeau yesterday. We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners, a state department spokesperson told PTI.

It is critical that Canada's investigation proceed and the perpetrators be brought to justice. We urge the Indian government to cooperate in the Canadian investigation and ensure that those responsible are held to account," the spokesperson said in response to a question.

"Over the past number of weeks, Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said Monday in a speech to the House of Commons.

After Trudeau's remarks in Parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she has ordered the expulsion of "a senior Indian diplomat".

Reacting sharply to the allegations and Joly's remarks, India on Tuesday rejected Trudeau's claims, calling them "absurd and motivated".

The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave India within the next five days.

The decision (to expel a Canadian diplomat) reflects the Government of India's growing concern at the interference of Canadian diplomats in our internal matters and their involvement in anti-India activities, the MEA said in New Delhi.
The US on Wednesday favoured a thorough investigation into killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada in June, two days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian government agents in the case kicked up a major diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa.

IMAGE: Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rises to make a statement in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, on September 18, 2023. Photograph: Blair Gable/Reuters

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti also described Trudeau's allegations as "troubling" and underlined the importance of following principles of international law, sovereignty and non-interference.

In his statement in the house of commons on Monday, Trudeau said that "any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty."

India on Tuesday strongly rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian Khalistani separatist leader, was shot dead by two gunmen in Surrey on June 18.

"Obviously, any allegations like this should be troubling to anyone. But with an active criminal investigation, I hope that we can make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice," Garcetti said.

"And that we all allow the space for that information and that investigation to occur before anybody leaps to judgment," he said.

The US ambassador was speaking at an interactive session at the Ananta Centre, a leading think-tank on strategic affairs.

"To me, that's the most important role I think each one of us can play. Sovereignty is a very important principle," he said while referring to comments by the US National Security Council spokesperson as well as the remarks by the state department spokesperson.

"We've been in regular communication. I'm the son of a prosecutor. So, I know when there are criminal investigations it's best to leave things at that until we have more information," he said.

Terming Trudeau's allegations as "very serious, US National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said Washington supports Ottawa's efforts to investigate the matter and encourages New Delhi to cooperate.

"We believe a fully transparent comprehensive investigation is the right approach so that we can all know exactly what happened and of course, we encourage India to cooperate with that," Kirby said in an interview to CNN.

Asked about his opinion on the case, Garcetti said he was not going to tell leaders of other countries what to do.

"But I think it's incumbent on all of us to remember the principles of international law, the principles of sovereignty, and non-interference. And that can be heard both directions but needs to be heard appropriately," the envoy said.

"And it's something that we stand by for sure. America won't retreat ever from those values and that's why I think it's very important as we've said, that this investigation be allowed to take its course," he said.

Garcetti also highlighted the close ties between the US and Canada.

"We're always in close communication with Canada. Canada is a dear friend, ally and partner and neighbour. Not just in moments like this. But all the time we speak regularly. We share information," he said.

Garcetti said the US-Canada relationship speaks for itself.

"Canada is a dear friend, partner, ally. It is a trading partner and happens to be our northern neighbour. We care deeply for Canada just as we care deeply for India and Indians," he said.

Questioned about Khalistani protests in the US, the ambassador said those responsible should be held accountable and hoped that "traditional friends and partners" could cooperate in getting to the bottom of this.

"We're working on this -- on the protection of Indian diplomats and taking serious investigations of incidents like what we saw in San Francisco," he said.

Khalistani activists attempted to burn down the Indian consulate in San Francisco on July 2.
A US expert has termed Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim of a "potential link" between Indian government agents and the killing of a Khalistani leader a "shameless and cynical action" and urged the United States not be part of it.

IMAGE: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Baisakhi celebrations at Parliament Hill in Ottawa. Photograph: Chris Wattie/Reuters

Participating in a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute think-tank, Michael Rubin, senior fellow at American Enterprise Institute, claimed Trudeau is playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement of ego and profit.

Canada and India have expelled a senior diplomat each after Trudeau alleged the involvement of "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of a prominent Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in Surrey in June, claims outrightly rejected by New Delhi as "absurd" and "motivated".

Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and one of India's most-wanted terrorists who carried a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen outside a gurdwara in Surrey in the western Canadian province of British Columbia on June 18.

What is striking about Trudeau's "shameless action and cynical action" is that while he's making a statement now, the killing of Karima Baluch that was carried out allegedly with Pakistani assistance is a police matter and has not been taken to the prime minister's office, Rubin said.

"So, the question then becomes why the discrepancy if not populist political posturing? ... That might help Justin Trudeau in the long term but that's not what leadership is. We really need our politicians on both sides of the aisle here and in Canada, (there is a) need to be much more responsible because they're playing with fire," he said.

It seems, Rubin said, that some outside hands are trying to revive the Khalistan movement.

"I don't think it will work," he said, adding he would not want the US to give legitimacy to this sort of "cynical manoeuvres by outside powers".

"It would be a mistake to suddenly see a separatist movement and argue that this is legitimate. And I worry less so with the United States but more so with what we see in Canada right now with Justin Trudeau, that same knee-jerk reaction playing into the hands of people who are looking at the Khalistani movement as a movement for ego, a movement for profit and for politics," he said.

After Trudeau's remarks in parliament, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly confirmed that she has ordered the expulsion of "a senior Indian diplomat".

Reacting sharply to the allegations and Joly's remarks, India rejected Trudeau's claims, calling them "absurd and motivated". The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has also asked a Canadian diplomat to leave India within the next five days.

Jassee Singh, founder and chairman of Sikhs of America, said the Khalistani movement does not represent the voice of the majority of Sikhs in the US.

"Sikhs in India are not in favour of Khalistan. Today, Sikhs are in the Indian Army defending the nation, whether it's against China or Pakistan," he said.

"There are one million Sikhs living here (in the US) and only a few of them, a very, very small percentage shows up for protests demanding Khalistan," he said.

Dinsha Mistree, research fellow at the Hoover Institution, said if Canada keeps pushing this narrative, then "we can see some big challenges there". He also underlined the importance of intelligence sharing.

"For me, it is just very surprising. Again, the San Francisco consulate is not too far away. I don't think any arrests have been made since this consulate was vandalised twice. If you don't stop these smaller things, (then there is a) danger that they might snowball into bigger things," he said.

In July, India's consulate in San Francisco came under attack from Khalistan supporters, who tried to set the diplomatic facility on fire, in the second such act of violence within months.

A video by Khalistan supporters, dated July 2 posted on X, showed the act of arson at the Indian consulate. The video, with the words "violence begets violence" emblazoned over it, also showed news articles related to the death of Nijjar.
Opposition parties Nationalist Congress Party and Samajwadi Party on Wednesday demanded reservation for OBCs in the women's reservation bill and questioned the reason for calling a special session when the bill cannot be implemented before census and delimitation.

IMAGE: DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi with NCP MP Supriya Sule speaks in Lok Sabha during the Special Session of Parliament, in New Delhi on Wednesday. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

Participating in the debate on women's reservation bill in the Lok Sabha, Sule termed the legislation a 'post dated cheque' and demanded the government spells out the date and timeline for its implementation

Sule questioned the reason for calling a special session of Parliament to approve the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill -- 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' when it cannot be implemented without a census and delimitation.

She stressed that since the date of census and delimitation is not yet decided, the bill could have as well been introduced in the Winter session of Parliament.

"There is drought in the country. Why this special session cannot discuss drought? My question to the government is date of next census... the date of delimitation is indeterminant. So, the (woman) reservation which is dependent on two indeterminant dates, how are we going to get it? There is no date decided for census or for delimitation, what is the date and timeline for this," Sule said.

On Bharatiya Janata Party fielding Nishikant Dubey as the lead speaker of the debate, Sule said she felt that BJP was taking 'anticipatory bail' as Dubey raised the same questions which the opposition had asked on Tuesday.

"Why should we not ask for OBC reservation? It is a golden opportunity... With a big heart let's make a constitutional amendment for SC, ST, OBC in the Special Session. Let's send a message to the nation that we are committed to SC, ST and OBC. What's wrong in that? If they have a different view, BJP must clarify that stand," Sule said in the Lok Sabha.

Samajwadi Party member Dimple Yadav demanded a provision for reservation of women belonging to backward classes, SC/STs and minority community in the bill.

Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday introduced Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. The number of women in 543-member Lok Sabha will rise to 181 from 82 currently.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam member T Sumathy reason the reason behind naming the bill in Hindi.

She also wondered why President Droupadi Murmu for not invited for inauguration of the new Parliament building.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. A business delegation of the Krasnoyarsk region of Russian Federation is planned to visit Azerbaijan in 2024, as well as organize a return business mission of Azerbaijani entrepreneurs to Krasnoyarsk, Trend reports.

According to the representative office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia in Azerbaijan, the conversation about this and in general about the region's interaction with Azerbaijan took place within the framework of the project of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia "An Hour with the Trade Representative".

Russian Trade Representative to Azerbaijan Ruslan Mirsayapov talked about priority sectors for Russian exporters, including machine building, pharmaceutical and food industries, construction materials, and digital technologies. The trade representative named construction and modernization of energy facilities, export of processing equipment for agro-industrial complexes, and light industry as promising areas.

Entrepreneurs from Krasnoyarsk were interested in opportunities to participate in specialized exhibitions in Baku, issues of logistics and payments for delivered products, and prospects for organizing joint ventures in Azerbaijan and the Krasnoyarsk region.

Also, the data from the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan shows that Russia ranks third in the volume of trade turnover with Azerbaijan from January through August 2023$2.7 billion (26.82 percent growth for the year).
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Cloudy with snow showers changing to rain showers as the day progresses. High 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Generally clear skies. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
VERNON  Decommissioning of the former Vermont Yankee nuclear plant continues to go smoothly, according to NorthStar Group Services officials.
The Kremlin has called groundless accusations from Yerevan against Moscow that it is not fulfilling its obligations on Garabagh, noting that after Armenia's recognition, Baku is de jure conducting the operation on its territory, Azernews reports.

"Such accusations against us are absolutely groundless, not based on anything," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

Peskov noted that in the situation with Garabagh, the Kremlin proceeds, firstly, from the trilateral agreements between Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan from 2021-2022.

"The second archival criterion at the moment, when Prime Minister Pashinyan announced the recognition of Azerbaijan's borders according to 1991. This means that the Armenian side recognized Garabagh as an integral part of Azerbaijani territory," he continued.

"This has significantly changed a number of provisions, and we do not accept such reproaches in our address, especially after the official decision of the Armenian side to recognize Garabagh as part of Azerbaijan," the Kremlin spokesman continued.

According to him, "de jure now we are talking about the actions of the Republic of Azerbaijan on its own territory."

At the same time, Peskov said that Moscow continues its contacts with Armenia, which remains an important ally and partner of Russia. In addition, the Russian Federation continues its contacts with Azerbaijan, which is also its important partner.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 20. Iran and Uzbekistan have agreed to cooperate in the petrochemical sector, according to a memorandum of cooperation signed on September 20, 2023, Trend reports.

The signatories of the memorandum were Morteza Shah-Mirzaei, Deputy Oil Minister and CEO of National Petrochemical Company (NPC), and Evgeniy Korzhikov, Deputy Chairman of the Board for Investments and Innovations JSC Uzkimyosanoat. The signing ceremony took place during the 17th Iran Plast International Exhibition in Tehran.

The memorandum aims to identify and pursue areas of mutual interest and collaboration in the petrochemical field.

The 17th Iran Plast International Exhibition, which showcases Irans achievements and capabilities in the petrochemical industry, will conclude today.

Iran has an annual petrochemical production capacity of 92 million tons, which is expected to increase to 95 million tons by the end of the current year (March 21, 2023 through March 19, 2024).

---

Follow the author on X (Twitter):@BaghishovElnur
Curbs on the city's political freedoms blamed for the loss of its economic crown.

Chinese and Hong Kong flags are hung during celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong to China, in Hong Kong, June 17, 2022.

Hong Kong has lost its status as the world's freest economy due to ongoing curbs on its civil and political freedoms, according to the Fraser Institute, a Canadian think tank, while its container ships are bypassing the once-bustling port in favor of neighboring Shenzhen.

Hong Kong fell from the top spot in the Fraser Institute's annual Economic Freedom of the World report, a status it had held since 1975, to be replaced by Singapore. The city is expected to drop even further down the list in future years, according to the report's authors.

This is the first year Hong Kong has not ranked number one on the index since its inception, and the expectation is that its score will only fall further as the Chinese Communist Party continues to suppress freedom of all sorts, the Institute's Resident Fellow Fred McMahon said in a statement.

The report found new regulatory barriers to entry, limits on the hiring of foreign nationals and rising business costs had impacted economic freedom in Hong Kong, while "increased military interference in the rule of law and eroding confidence in judicial independence and the impartiality of courts" had impacted its legal system and property rights.

Hong Kongs recent turn is an example of how economic freedom is intimately connected with civil and political freedom," Fraser Institute Senior Fellow Matthew Mitchell said. "[The] Chinese governments aim was to crack down on political and civil dissent. These repressions, combined with the governments efforts to control the private sector, inevitably led to diminished economic freedom."

"Hong Kong's prosperity will likely suffer as a result," Mitchell warned.

One country, two systems

Economic commentator Simon Lee said Hong Kongs fall from top ranking showed that the Chinese governments claim that the city is being run as a separate jurisdiction under the one country, two systems framework agreed before the 1997 handover wasnt true.

So the current decline in ranking tells the world that 'one country, two systems' is in retreat, Lee said. And without it, can it even keep being a financial hub? At the very least, its ability to serve Chinas financial needs is gone.

People walk on a promenade in front of the skyline of the Singapore financial business district. Singapores economy has been ranked as the freesest in the world for the first time. Credit: Rosland Rahman/AFP file photo





The Hong Kong government on Tuesday issued a strongly worded statement about the report, hitting out at its comments on the citys political freedoms and the rule of law.

The allegation against the independence and impartiality of our judiciary is totally groundless and unsupported by objective evidence, a spokesperson said.

It said the national security law had enabled Hong Kong people to enjoy the rights and freedoms which were impaired during the period of serious violence during the 2019 protest movement.

Financial commentator Si Ling said the 2020 National Security Law had dented investor confidence, however.

The provisions of the National Security Law have made it impossible for foreign investors to believe in the Chinese government's commitment to economic freedom, Si said, adding that the report would in turn likely impact Hong Kongs long-term sovereign debt rating.

This wont be conducive to China's ability to meet its financial needs via Hong Kong," he said, in a reference to the current liquidity problems in the Chinese economy.

Si said the lower ranking showed that Beijing has misjudged the attitudes of foreign investors.

New low

Commentator Joseph Ngan told Radio Free Asias Financial Freedom program on Wednesday that the ranking was a new low for Hong Kong.

He said a citys competitiveness doesnt just rely on economic indicators.

Our overall economic direction has caused us to lose competitiveness due to changes in the political environment, Ngan said. This is about our long-term development.

Tourists take photos in front of the financial Central district and Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong, May 9, 2023. Credit: Tyrone Siu/Reuters





The report comes as Hong Kongs status as a global transshipment center is also being called into question, according to the latest government figures.

Container traffic at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminal fell to 9th place in global rankings for entrepot trade, where goods are brought into a port to be shipped out elsewhere rather than imported into the local economy.

Hong Kong's container throughput fell by nearly 16% year-on-year, compared with a decline of only 4% at Shenzhen Port in the Pearl River Delta, the Ming Pao newspaper quoted government figures as saying.

Improvements in port layout in Guangzhou and Shenzhen mean that goods no longer need to be shipped via Hong Kong, while competing container ports in China benefit from favorable government policies, giving them an unfair advantage, the report said.

Container traffic through Hong Kong fell by 17.9% year-on-year to approximately 1.2 million 20-foot equivalent units, or TEU, in July, and showed a cumulative decline of 15.8% year-on-year in the first seven months of this year, to approximately 8.32 million TEU.

Containers and ships are seen at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong, June 7, 2021. Container traffic through Hong Kong has fallen by 17.9% year-on-year. Credit: Aleksander Solum/Reuters





By contrast, Shenzhens container throughput increased by 7.6% year-on-year to 2.82 million TEU in July, while throughput saw a decrease of just 4% year-on-year in the first seven months of this year.

Meanwhile, more Hong Kongers are living in poverty, according to a recent report by the charity Oxfam. The overall poverty rate reached 20% in the first quarter of 2023, with over 1.36 million people living in poverty, the report said, citing government statistics.

Despite society returning to normal, the problem of wealth inequality has become increasingly serious, and the slow recovery among poor families has sounded alarm bells for society, Oxfam Hong Kong director general Kalina Tsang said, calling for job creation schemes and a boost in the minimum wage.

The median monthly household income of the poorest 10% of households was just HK$2,300, compared with HK$132,000 yuan among the richest 10%.

The gap between rich and poor has expanded from 34.3 times in 2019 to 57.7 times at the beginning of this year, the largest gap in history, Oxfam said.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Malcolm Foster.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses a high-level Security Council meeting during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

A high-profile climate change summit hosted by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on Wednesday was derailed after he was whisked away to an unexpected meeting of the Security Council, where Russias U.N. ambassador tried to prevent Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from speaking.

The climate change summit on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly included the leaders of Vietnam, Thailand, Colombia, Chile, Kenya, South Africa, Samoa, the European Union and the U.S. state of California, and was intended to highlight those taking action on climate mitigation.

But Guterres told the leaders during his opening remarks that he would not be able to stay for long, due to a last-minute scheduling clash.

Someone has scheduled the Security Council meeting for today at 11 [a.m.], after this summit had been scheduled, he said, and according to the rules, I have to be in the Security Council.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres attends the UN Climate Ambition Summit on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP)

Guterres told the attendees his departure did not mean that I do not consider this an absolute priority. He said humanity had opened the gates of hell by failing to enact effective mitigation policies.

But the future is not fixed, he said. It is for leaders like you to write. We can still limit the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees. We can still build a world of clean air, green jobs and affordable clean power.

If you agree, you stop the war

In the Security Council, Russias ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, clashed with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, who was sitting in his countrys seat as the current president of the council, over his proposal for Zelenskyy to deliver opening remarks.

Nebenzya accused the leader of Albania  a former member of the Soviet-aligned Eastern Bloc that joined NATO in April 2009  of exercising a blatant disregard for consensus and practices of the council by insisting that Ukraines leader be the first speaker.

Rama, he said, had put his NATO political and ideological beliefs above the obligations of the presidency of the Security Council, which he said should adopt an impartial position of consensus.

But the Albanian leader accused Nebenzya of hypocrisy.

Coming from you, all this lecture of violating the rules in this building is quite an impressive shot, Rama said, before suggesting that it was Russias fault the Security Council was even meeting.

There is a solution for this, he said. If you agree, you stop the war, and President Zelenskyy will not take the floor.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres [left] listens as Security Council President and Prime Minister of Albania Edi Rama speaks during a high-level Security Council meeting on the situation in Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 at United Nations headquarters in New York City. (Mary Altaffer/AP)

Guterres, fresh from the climate summit, was then invited to speak.

He noted Russias invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the United Nations Charter, had aggravated geopolitical tensions and cut deep fissures in multilateral cooperation at a time of multiple mounting global crises like climate change and increasing inequality.

Security Council reforms

Allowed to speak next, Zelenskyy called for Russia to be suspended from the U.N. Security Council and for reform of the body itself, arguing that Russias status as a permanent member, with its veto power, undermined the United Nations as a security guarantor.

Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the U.N. when it comes to the defense of the sovereign borders of nations. World leaders are seeking new platforms and alliances, Zelenskyy told the Security Council.

He suggested the U.N. General Assembly be given the power to overturn vetoes on the Security Council with a two-thirds majority, and called for an expansion of the permanent membership to include Germany, one of the key global guarantors of peace and security, and others.

The African Union must be here permanently, Zelenskyy said of the Security Council. Asia deserves broader permanent representation, and it cannot be considered normal when nations like Japan, India, or the Islamic world remain outside the permanent membership.

Climate finance

At the U.N. climate summit, world leaders spoke of the need to further develop climate finance measures, including making good on the developed worlds pledge in Copenhagen in 2009 to mobilize $100 billion a year for climate action in the developing world.

European Union President Ursula von der Leyen called for the goal to be reached before the 28th U.N. Climate Change Conference, more commonly known as COP28, in Dubai in December. The $100-billion figure was originally meant to be achieved by 2020.

Before we meet in Dubai, we have to meet the $100 billion climate finance goal, von der Leyen said. Indeed, it is a question of trust.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attends the UN Climate Ambition Summit at UN headquarters in New York City, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP)

She said that the European Union contributes $27 billion a year, and called on the rest of the developed world to step up. More ambitious carbon-pricing programs, which require businesses to buy permits to emit greenhouse gasses, could be the solution, she added.

Today, it's only 23% [of emissions] that are covered, and this brings revenue already of $95 billion, she said. Imagine, if we could cover 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions, the amount of revenue that we would get to invest in low- and middle-income countries.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz were among many other world leaders who chose to highlight their countries contributions to climate mitigation, with Scholz going so far as to call 2023 a turning point on the climate change problem.

But Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh were among the majority of participants, which included the presidents of South Africa and Kenya, and Pacific Island nations like Samoa and Tuvalu, to call for more help.

Srettha noted that Thailands government had raised $12.5 billion on its own by issuing sustainability bonds to finance environmental and agricultural projects, and Pham explicitly called for more funds.

Developed countries and international partners must double financing for adaptation by 2025 and operationalize the Loss and Damage Fund at COP28 as committed, Pham said. This will help support developing countries to address climate change consequences.

No worries

The apparent optimism from some Western leaders at the summit led Chilean President Gabriel Boric to joke he briefly pondered if there was anything to worry about anymore when it comes to climate change.

Delegates attend the UN Climate Ambition Summit at UN headquarters in New York City, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Bryan R. Smith/AFP)

The first thought that comes to mind as I listened to the debate occurring within this forum is that if what we're all saying here were true, we would have several reasons to sleep easy, Boric said.

It's painfully clear that we're neither calm, sleeping easy nor optimistic, because, unfortunately, what's being said here is not true, he added.

The biggest rounds of applause were reserved for California Gov. Gavin Newsom, though, who said the fossil fuel industry had bought off politicians for decades to prevent climate change mitigation from taking effect and harming their highly profitable business model.

Despite all of the leadership on environmental protection from Californian politicians from President Richard Nixon to President Ronald Reagan, he argued, the Golden State was today burning and choking up from wildfires, floods and droughts due to the oil-and-gas industrys skill at lobbying.

It's time for us to be a lot more clear: This climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis, he said. It's not complicated. It's the burning of oil, it's the burning of gas, it's the burning of coal. We need to call that out.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 20. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

The presidents noted that the two countries have very warm friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The parties emphasized that there is a huge potential for further building up comprehensive ties, including in the areas of investment, water management, tourism and other areas.

Special attention was paid to strengthening cooperation in the field of digitalization.

"Your country has a rich experience in the IT sector. Given the promising nature of this industry, I will send a special delegation to Lisbon to study the possibility of implementing joint projects. Kazakhstan is interested in establishing closer ties with Portuguese partners," Tokayev said.

The parties also discussed relevant topics on the international agenda. An agreement was reached to continue close cooperation within the framework of international organizations, primarily the UN.
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a fresh warning to Russia and North Korea in an address to the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, declaring that Seoul and its allies would respond collectively should the two authoritarian states pursue military cooperation.

If North Korea acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its WMD [weapons of mass destruction] capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, the deal will be a direct provocation, threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine, but also the Republic of Korea, Yoon said, referring to South Koreas formal name.

The Republic of Korea, its allies and other friendly nations would not just stand idly by, he said.

Yoons comments, his harshest to date, came after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Russias Far East last week, where they vowed to boost their comprehensive cooperation, spanning from the economy to military.

During their meeting, Putin offered to aid Kim in perfecting his satellite technology. Transferring relevant technology may pose a threat to the international community as rocket technologies can be used for both launching satellites and missiles.

For that reason, the U.N. bans North Korea from launching a ballistic rocket, even if it claims to be a satellite launch.

'Paradoxical'

In his speech, Yoon specifically targeted Russia for taking irresponsible actions in undermining global security efforts.

Its paradoxical that a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, which is meant to safeguard global peace, invades other sovereign states and obtains the arms and ammunition required for its war from a regime that directly defies U.N. Security Council resolutions, Yoon said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un meets Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Oblast of the Far East Region, Russia, Sept. 13, 2023 in this image released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency. Credit: KCNA via Reuters





Underlining the urgency for unified and principled international action, Yoon called other states to form a coalition under shared values to counteract illegal provocations.

Passing on sustainable freedom, peace, and prosperity is the historic responsibility of all of us here today, Yoon said, adding that South Korea would implement a comprehensive assistance program in aiding Ukraine, including its security and reconstruction.

Yoon, who is a conservative, has been seeking to align Seouls foreign policy stance with the United States to counter global challenges including Russias aggression on Ukraine, Chinas assertiveness in the West Pacific, and North Koreas nuclear ambitions.

To that end, Yoon focused on improving ties with the United States by actively taking part in the Biden administrations supply chain initiative that requires less of China, while strengthening its military and economic cooperation with Washington and Tokyo.

Edited by Malcolm Foster
A fisherman rows his boat on the Mekong River in Phnom Penh earlier this year. The lower Mekong has suffered from low water levels due to Chinas upstream dams holding back more water.

In Thailand, farmers complain that their crops wont grow properly. In Cambodia, fishers say their catch is smaller than ever. And in Laos, unexpected water fluctuations have played havoc on livelihoods.

But while low river levels have plagued the lower Mekong River through August and most of September, China faced no such shortage. In the first week of September, two massive dams that sit on the upper Mekong, or Lancang, as it is known in China, restricted more than 5 billion cubic meters of water.

That represented the most water ever held back in a single week, according to the Washington-based Stimson Center, whose Mekong Dam Monitor records river levels, reservoir volume and precipitation across the river basin.

Releases from smaller Chinese dams that began last week have helped Mekong levels rise on the Lao-Thai border by two meters, while increasing rains downstream also helped low levels recover somewhat.

But for much of August and September, parts of the lower Mekong were reaching record lows as Chinas hydropower reservoirs continued to grow. Between July 18 and September 3, China's Xiaowan Dam reservoir increased in size from 6.7 billion cubic meters to approximately 14.3 billion cubic meters of water, according to the Mekong Dam Monitor.

The water being held back exacerbated a downstream wet season drought, said Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia program director at Stimson.

Forecasts predict that El Nino will bring a dry fall, so it's likely that China's dam operators took the water when it was available in August, said Eyler. Last year [due to drought] they werent able to fill up to adequate levels, I imagine there is pressure on dam operators to fill up as much as they can. The tragic issue is that it's needed desperately downstream.

Much of the lower Mekong has been suffering from diminished water flow, but no areas have been as hard-hit as the communities along the Lao-Thai border.

Vientiane prefecture in Laos, pictured, and Thailand's Nong Khai province across the river both suffered from low Mekong levels due to China's upstream dam restrictions. Credit: RFA Laos

Gauges at Chiang Sen in Thailands Chiang Rai province showed the rivers level about 3 meters below the average the first two weeks of September.

Instead of water coming in as part of the natural river flow, the restrictions in the large reservoirs upstream meant levels were rising through the summer only when there was rain or flash floods. But because this rainy season had been so dry, levels remained extremely low.

Its not normal, said a villager from Xayaburi province. It depends on dams opening and closing the water gates, and this year there is not much rain.

Sothea Khem, a river flood forecasting specialist at the Mekong River Commission, an inter-government agency that works with regional governments to manage river resources, noted that until rains picked up last week, most stations in the region showed water levels well below the long-term average.

He said climate change was having a far larger effect on downstream levels, noting that the total inflow from China is typically 16% to 25%.

The lower Mekong basin is much more influenced by rainfall. If you think about the inflow from China, of course, it impacts. Nevertheless, we must consider how our tributaries inflow contributes to our main Mekong basin region.

While inflows from China may account for a smaller fraction of the basinwide levels, Chinas contribution at Chiang Saen is nearly 100 %, pointed out Eyler.

Climate impacts are typically the most significant, and dam restrictions work together with a lack of rain during the dry season to drive low river levels. However we found that in August 2023 dam restrictions were far greater than lack of rain on driving low levels, he wrote in an email.

It is precisely that combination of upstream water restrictions and regional changes to the climate that has environmentalists concerned over the long-term impacts on the regions biodiversity.

Located at the northern edge of Cambodias Stung Treng province at the border of Laos sits a 14,600-hectare Ramsar, or protected wetland, site. It boasts flooded forests, deep Mekong pools and sandy islands. But the delicately balanced ecosystem has been badly unsettled by the Mekong River damming.

In the past, by June and July the river was full of water, but now it is already September, the water is still at the bottom of the river, environmentalist Ly Vichetra told RFA. When the water is high, the fish spawn more and more. As the water level changes the fish perish accordingly.

Fluctuations

China has for years promised more transparency around how it stores and releases water. On Sept. 10, China and five other Mekong countries signed an agreement to share water flow data from their dams.

In an email to RFA, an MRC spokesperson explained a key purpose was to be able to prepare for climate risks and the need to operate the reservoirs accordingly in order to minimize the risks to the downstream communities.

But such data has been shared for years, and it has not yet resulted in improved conditions downstream, said a Lao environmentalist who spoke on the condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The important data is about the data on water release from dams, he said. Another one is data on fish migration, environment [impacts] and fisheries.

The Mekong River in Loei province, Thailand, on Sep. 10. August and the first half of September saw extremely low river levels, impacting crops and fishing. Credit: RFA Lao

Citizens in downstream countries said they struggle with rapidly changing water releases that come with little or no warning and have hurt their livelihoods. These include not only Chinas dams, but dams throughout the lower Mekong and on its tributaries.

A villager in Laos Xayaburi province said that unexpected water releases have damaged boats and washed away fishing equipment in his community.

If we know when the dams will release water, we will have time to prepare. One or two days in advance, the people will feel calm.

One thing that we want to know the most is data on water release, echoed a villager in Thailands Nong Khai province. These days, the water level along the Mekong river is always up and down. Even if it is raining heavily, once dams in China keep water, the water level in the Mekong is suddenly down.

Leang Bunleap, executive director of the 3S Rivers Protection Network, a local NGO that has studied the impacts of dams on the Mekong and its tributaries, said the Cambodian government and the MRC should do more to find ways to reduce transboundary environmental impacts. That includes pressing China to take downstream needs into account.

The releases that began last week may well reflect that recognition from China.

Cambodia should inform the upstream countries, inform them to respect the international law, let them keep the flow as natural or prepare to give and share information and cooperate with other countries to make the water management more efficient.

Additional reporting by Subel Bhandari. Translated by Sidney Khotpanya and Phouvong for RFA Lao service. Translated by Sok Ry Sum for RFA Khmer. Edited by Abby Seiff.
Many of those on board were teachers and university students heading to school.

A Myanmar military supply boat is seen on the Chindwin River in this undated photo.

About 90 people, including students and teachers, were missing after a military junta supply boat sank in the Chindwin River in the northern Sagaing region after hitting a rock in the river, local residents told Radio Free Asia.

A total of 13 vessels were traveling down the river when one of the larger boats overturned in a rough area near Mingin township on Tuesday, the residents said. It was loaded with goods and civilians and was being towed by a tugboat.

Many of those on board were university students heading to their school in Sagaings largest city, Monywa. Also on the boat were military junta departmental staff, family members of the pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia and some junta soldiers who were providing security for the vessel, local residents said.

The sinking happened between Shea and Pan Set villages in a risky area called Shae Nat Taung slope, according to a Mingin township resident who refused to be named due to security reasons.

Its where the water is really rough, with a big rocky horn, the resident told RFA. The boat hit it and sank immediately.

Six people are known to have survived; many passengers were below deck when the boat sank, the resident said. Local media reported on Wednesday that about 20 survivors were rescued and 10 bodies had been collected.

Rescue operations were halted on Wednesday because of the rivers strong current. The boat was submerged in deep water, the resident said.

A Myanmar military vessel is seen on the Chindwin River in this undated photo. Credit: Anyar Pyitaingdaungs





Recovery preparations

Locals and defense forces said that most of the villages on both sides of the river are controlled by Pyu Saw Htee militia. The military shouldnt have any security issues if it conducts a recovery operation, a local defense group leader said.

Most of the people who were onboard the sunken vessel were those dealing with the military from Pyu villages along this waterway, the leader said. It depends on their willingness. Its not a very difficult thing to do. But it doesnt seem like they will do it.

The remaining 12 vessels continued to travel downstream on Wednesday morning. Some junta soldiers were stationed near the site, according to another local resident who also refused to be named for security reasons.

I cant say exactly how many died and survived at the moment, the second resident said. We local people dont dare to go near there.

RFA contacted Tin Than Win, the juntas minister of natural resources and Sagaing region spokesman, to ask about rescue operations. But he refused to talk, saying that he was in a meeting.

The militarys media team told reporters on Wednesday that one of the vessels that had left the town of Hkamti sank in a whirlpool near Mingin township, and they were still investigating details of the incident.

Local residents told RFA that another warship and an empty boat were already moving downriver toward the accident site. The two vessels arrived at the town of Kalewa in Mingin township on Wednesday and seemed to be preparing to recover the sunken vessel, the residents said.

In October 2016, a passenger boat traveling downriver from Homalin to Monywa sank near Kani township's Mi Kyaung Twin village, adjacent to Mingin township, killing at least 70 people, according to local residents.

Translated by Myo Min Aung. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Companies have been banned from trading dollars for failing to stick to central bank rates.

Myanmars junta-controlled central bank has revoked the forex licenses of 123 companies, it announced this week.

Tuesdays decision means that 167 companies have been barred from trading dollars in the past nine months.

The companies include forex firms, travel agencies, airlines, hotels, construction companies, gem traders, financial and trading companies.

They include Yangons famous Sedona Hotel and Myanmar National Airlines.

Radio Free Asia phoned the director general of the central banks Foreign Exchange Management Department, Nwe Ni Tun, to get details of the latest move but nobody answered.

A source close to the central bank, who declined to be named for security reasons, said the licenses were canceled because companies did not observe the banks reference exchange rate.

The central banks reference price is 2,100 kyats per U.S. dollar, which has been in force since April last year.

In the external market one U.S. dollar trades for between 3,300 and 3,500 kyats, said a businessman who also requested anonymity.

When the government set the reference price in April 2022 no one could trade at those prices anymore, he said.

Companies had to send reports every day to the central bank.

After more than a year of not being able to send accurate reports the central bank shut down these companies [forex operations].

One of the travel companies whose license was revoked said that it stopped trading foreign currency since the beginning of the COVID pandemic.

We havent done foreign currency exchange for a long time since the COVID-19 period, said the owner who also declined to be named.

I think our license was revoked because we havent used it for a long time. There is no problem because we only do ticketing for airlines.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.
The Chinese government is increasingly moving Uyghurs from internment camps to the regular penal system while claiming it is closing the camps, experts and foreign diplomats told a forum on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Chinese diplomats over the weekend tried to hamstring the event by sending out a letter to foreign missions to the United Nations warning them against attending.

The panel of diplomats and human rights experts slammed Beijings attempted interference.

Thank you also for being here, notwithstanding the PRCs continued attempts to intimidate and to silence those speaking out on human rights, said Beth Van Schaack, the U.S. ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice, using an acronym for Chinas government.

She described the Chinese U.N. missions letter as yet another example of a global campaign of transnational repression against the Muslim minority, most of whom live in Chinas far-west Xinjiang region.

I'm also pleased to see that their efforts have only increased international scrutiny on the situation within Xinjiang, and particularly the atrocities against the Uyghur people, Van Schaack said.

A detention facility in Jiashi County in Kashgar Prefecture in China's northwestern Xinjiang region in July 2023. The Chinese government is increasingly moving Uyghurs from internment camps to the regular penal system while claiming it is closing the camps, experts and foreign diplomats told a forum on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. (Pedro Pardo/AFP)

Sophie Richardson, the China director for Human Rights Watch, brandished a copy of the letter, which was first obtained by National Review, and said the strong recommendation from China that nobody attend the event made it more important that the room was full.

Any government that's going to go out of its way to bother doing this, first of all, has no business sitting on the U.N. Human Rights Council, but also it's essentially confirming that it's got a lot to hide and it knows it, Richardson said, defending the event as a moral imperative.

The panels job was to talk about the facts, she said, because we can, and because they don't want us to, and because Uyghurs can't.

Radio Free Asia contacted the Chinese Embassy in Washington, which said questions should be directed to Chinas permanent mission to the United Nations. But Chinese diplomats at the U.N. mission could not be reached by phone and did not respond to an emailed request for comments.

Diplomatic pushback

Two European diplomats also spoke during the event.

Peter Loeffelhardt, the German Foreign Offices director for Asia and the Pacific, referred to Chinas warning letter, which accused the panel of plotting to use human rights issues as a political tool to undermine Xinjiangs stability and disrupt Chinas peaceful development.

It is a false and dangerous narrative to say that human rights are an obstacle to development, he said. Human rights always need to be part of the discussion. When we address human rights violations, bilaterally and multilaterally, it is not an interference in internal affairs.

Belen Martinez Carbonell, managing director for multilateral affairs at the European Unions foreign relations arm, said Europe believed the repression of the Uyghurs was a very important topic that we would not like to be missed among all the issues at the General Assembly.

In the European Union, we are concerned for many issues, such as political reeducation camps, mass arbitrary detentions, widespread surveillance, trafficking and control measures, systemic and severe restriction of the exercise of fundamental freedoms, she said.

Those included the use of forced labor, torture, forced abortion and sterilization, birth control, and family separation policies and sexual and gender based violence.

What a long list, she said.

Martinez Carbonell also said the European Parliament was working on Europes own version of the U.S. Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which bans the import of any product that was made even partially using forced labor of Uyghurs interned in Chinese camps.

Shifting repression

Gady Epstein, a senior editor at The Economist magazine and the forums moderator, noted that stories about Xinjiang have faded a little from the headlines or from the front pages in recent times, being replaced by some about the closure of certain internment camps.

Uyghurs living in Turkey protest in Istanbul in March 2021 against Chinas treatment of Uyghurs in Turkey. (Emrah Gurel/AP)

Amnesty International Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said the decrease in attention was not due to any changes on the ground.

The situation has not changed in its essence, Callamard said. It may have shifted a little bit in the forms that certain violations have taken, but it has certainly not shifted in the essence of the violations.

Callamard said Uyghurs still enjoyed no freedom of movement, or religion or culture, or to equality and non-discrimination. She added that even the claims of camp closures were disingenuous.

It is a fact that we are witnessing more and more arbitrary detention [and] the shifting of individuals into formal prisons, Callamard said.

It was a concern mirrored by Van Schaak, the U.S. official.

We are now particularly concerned about the dramatic increase in prosecutions with long-term sentences in Xinjiang, including the reported transfer of some detainees from so-called re-education or vocational training centers into more formal penal prisons, she said.

Of the more than 15,000 Xinjiang residents whose sentences are known, more than 95% of those convicted  often under very vague charges, like separatism or endangering state security  have received sentences of 5 to 20 years, and in some cases of life.

Bittersweetness

Rayhan Asat, a Uyghur human rights lawyer and a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, which organized the panel, told the panel that another enduring part of Beijings repression campaign was the cruel methods it often used to silence Uyghurs living outside China.

Uyghur-Americans living in America are still subject to China's long-arm reach, Asat said. What they are using is our families, our loved ones, their lives. They are literally keeping them hostage.

She explained that after years of no contact with relatives back in Xinjiang, Chinese officials might suddenly allow brief contact.

There have been several Uyghurs who came forward to say that sometimes it's just bittersweet, she said. They let you hear your loved ones voice for a second so you know they're alive. But then you must be watching your actions: What comes next? Its incredibly inhumane.

Edited by Malcolm Foster.
For months, the negotiations over the fate of Nagorno-Karabakh seemed to be going in Azerbaijan's favor. Armenia's government had publicly and explicitly said it recognized the breakaway territory -- which is the center of the two countries' decades-long conflict -- as part of Azerbaijan. All that was to be worked out, in essence, were the details. So why did war break out again?

The Backdrop To War

At issue is Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous enclave of Azerbaijan that historically has been home to both Armenians and Azeris. On the eve of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the population of what was then the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast was roughly 75 percent ethnic Armenian. A nationalist movement in the 1980s sought to separate the territory from Azerbaijan and join it with Armenia. The ensuing war in the early 1990s killed some 30,000 people and resulted in Armenian-backed separatists seizing the territory from Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict brought little progress, and the two sides fought another war in 2020 that lasted six weeks before a Russian-brokered cease-fire effectively recognized the loss of Armenian control over parts of the region and seven adjacent districts.

In 2022, Baku and Yerevan embarked on negotiations aimed at finally resolving the conflict. Azerbaijan's stated goal has been to regain full control over the rest of Karabakh, and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has indicated that he was willing to comply.

But the Karabakh Armenian leadership has been more recalcitrant, fearing that Azerbaijani promises to peacefully "reintegrate" ethnic Armenians amounted to a smokescreen for a plan to eventually squeeze them out of the territory for good. International mediators had been trying to find a compromise to the standoff but with little to show for it.

So Why Did Azerbaijan Attack Now?

On September 19, Azerbaijan launched a wide-scale attack against Nagorno-Karabakh and the remnants of its armed forces, forcing residents of the region's capital, Stepanakert (Xankendi in Azeri), to hunker down in bomb shelters and those in outlying settlements to evacuate to the center. After a day of attacks, the offensive achieved Baku's stated aim: The de facto ethnic Armenian Karabakh authorities agreed to disband and disarm their armed forces.

The worst fears of violence now appear to be averted, with the Azerbaijani and ethnic Armenian sides agreeing on an immediate cease-fire. But the offensive laid bare how the dynamics of the conflict are all on Azerbaijan's side, to the point where Baku felt that it was in its interest to accelerate the process with force, despite the possibility of facing international condemnation and risking the lives of the people in Nagorno-Karabakh it says are its citizens.

Azerbaijan has been dissatisfied with the pace of negotiations, complaining that the Karabakh Armenian leadership was digging in and becoming intransigent. Baku also may have seen a moment of opportunity when Armenia's traditional security guarantor, Russia, had turned against the Armenian government and its leader, Pashinian. And finally, Azerbaijan likely calculated that whatever international costs it might face for the assault, they would not be too painful.

Was The Azerbaijani Offensive Unexpected?

The ostensible trigger for the operation was a mine explosion that killed six Azerbaijanis early in the morning on September 19, near the city of Xocavend, which is now under the control of Russian peacekeepers and a part of wider territory that Azerbaijani forces retook in the war in 2020. The Azerbaijani side blamed the mine attack on Armenian saboteurs from Karabakh.

But the preparations for the assault had been going on for weeks. Azerbaijani troops had massed on the line of contact separating Azerbaijani-controlled territory from the rump Karabakh entity that remained following the 2020 war. There were also reports of military cargo flights between Azerbaijan and Israel, suggesting that Azerbaijan may have been rearming in preparation for more fighting.

Baku's rhetoric had also taken a notably sharper turn in recent weeks, as well. Azerbaijan "will not tolerate the presence of any gray zone in its territory," Hikmet Haciyev, a senior adviser to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, said in late August. It was a reference to the part of Karabakh Azerbaijan did not yet control.

Well before this summer, analysts say that Azerbaijan had been using military escalations to push along the diplomatic process.

Talks between the central government in Baku and the Karabakh Armenians had stalled, with Azerbaijanis complaining about their interlocutors' intransigence. "The Karabakh Armenians refused to talk about anything except independence," said Farid Shafiyev, the head of the Azerbaijani government-run think tank Center of Analysis of International Relations. He noted that the de facto ethnic Armenian government had organized an election of a new president in early September 2022, a step that in Azerbaijani eyes confirmed the unwillingness to accept their rule.

But the Karabakh Armenian authorities' position had been "evolving," with a greater willingness to accede to Azerbaijan's demands, said Olesya Vartanyan, the senior South Caucasus analyst at the Crisis Group think tank. "They were ready to meet in Azerbaijan and discuss the integration process -- what Baku had been demanding."

As the standoff dragged on, the risk of another attack from Azerbaijan rose. "The absence -- or more accurately the stagnation -- of the political process exacerbates these concerns," Zaur Shiriyev, a Baku-based analyst for Crisis Group, said in an online discussion on September 15, just days before the offensive began. "If a military escalation occurs in the Armenian-populated areas of Karabakh in the coming days or weeks, it wouldn't be a surprise."

The Russia Factor

Accelerating the process was a rapid collapse in relations between Armenia and its traditional big-power patron, Russia. As part of the 2020 cease-fire agreement, a contingent of 2,000 Russian peacekeepers were deployed to the part of Karabakh that ethnic Armenians still controlled. But they have proven unable or unwilling to push back against steady Azerbaijani pressure on the territory. And Russia itself -- despite having treaty obligations to defend Armenia in case of external attack, as both are members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a mutual defense pact -- has not intervened in spite of repeated Azerbaijani incursions across the border into Armenia.

This led to an increasing estrangement between Yerevan and Moscow that came to a head this month, when the Armenian government took a series of seemingly calculated steps to signal its displeasure with Russia. Among them: It dispatched Pashinian's wife, Anna Hakobian, to Kyiv to deliver a package of aid; it announced it intended to sign the treaty to join the International Criminal Court, which would in effect obligate it to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin; and it withdrew its representative from the CSTO. "They crossed about three Russian red lines simultaneously," said Thomas de Waal, an analyst at the think tank Carnegie Europe.

Baku appears to have been emboldened by the Russian-Armenian rift, says Shujaat Ahmadzada, a nonresident research fellow at the Baku-based Topchubashov Center, which focuses on international relations and security. "It points to Russia here more than other factors," he said. "The only actor that could have caused problems to a degree [for Azerbaijan] was Russia, and now, given the Armenia-Russia decoupling, I think they believe the time is right."

How Has The World Reacted?

As their position vis-a-vis Azerbaijan has weakened, and the alliance with Russia frayed, Armenia has been seeking international support wherever it can get it. It hosts border monitors from the European Union, is buying weapons from India, and regularly tries to bring up the conflict at the United Nations Security Council.

But it has thus far failed to get any international actor to take substantive action to slow Azerbaijan down, which also likely played into Baku's thinking, Ahmadzada says. "If I were in [Armenia's] shoes, I would not be expecting significant actions against Azerbaijan coming from the West," he said.

Indeed, while the reaction from abroad to Azerbaijan's September 19 attacks was swift and critical, it was limited to expressions of concern. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aliyev to "urge Azerbaijan to cease military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh immediately." The European Union said it "condemns the military escalation" and that the "violence needs to stop."

"The international community is just making statements. It's just statements," said Edmon Marukian, an Armenian ambassador-at-large. "You know, statements are not helping when you're attacked and somebody is trying to kill you."

What Now?

The offensive managed to secure a concession that Azerbaijan has been demanding -- and the ethnic Armenian Karabakh leadership has been fiercely resisting -- for months: the disbanding and disarmament of the armed forces of the Karabakh authorities. Meetings between representatives of the Karabakh Armenians and of the central government in Baku are scheduled for September 21 in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlax.

A statement before that meeting from the de facto Karabakh presidency said that the talks would discuss the region's possible "reintegration" into Azerbaijan and the Karabakh Armenians' rights and security "within the framework of the Azerbaijani Constitution." Those are conditions that Karabakh Armenians had previously considered unacceptable, but with Azerbaijan gaining the upper hand once again, their leaders had no choice but to accept them.

A week before the offensive, Armenian historian and diplomat Gerard Libaridian gave a lecture in the United States for his new book, A Precarious Armenia. He discussed the ongoing negotiations and argued that, as time goes on, Armenians' bargaining position will become worse and worse.

"The more we wait, the less leverage we have.... Today, we cannot get what we could get last year. Last year, we couldn't get what we could have gotten four or five years ago," he said. "The more we have waited, the harder Aliyev has become."
Ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh say they have agreed to a Russian-brokered cease-fire after Azerbaijan launched a fresh offensive in the region. Under the terms of the deal, ethnic Armenians said they had agreed to discuss demilitarization and the region's reintegration into Azerbaijan.
Following weeks of talks, Montenegro's parliament on October 31 approved a new coalition government headed by economist Milojko Spajic of the Europe Now Movement (PES).

The new government will have 18 ministries and five deputy prime ministers representing the pro-European Democrats, the pro-Serbian Socialist Peoples Party, and five small parties representing the country's Albanian minority.

In his address to deputies, Spajic said "full membership" in the European Union, "active, credible" membership in NATO, improving regional ties, and taking a more active role in multilateral organizations would be his cabinets four main priorities.

The centrist PES coalition won early parliamentary elections in June but did not pick up enough mandates to form a government on its own.

After an all-night session, 46 deputies in the 81-mandate chamber voted to approve the government.

The vote came after the pro-Serbian and pro-Russian alliance For the Future of Montenegro, led by Andrija Mandic, agreed to support Spajic's proposal in exchange for Mandic being named parliament speaker.

During the election campaign, Mandic, one of the leaders of the recently disbanded pro-Russian Democratic Front, called for closer ties with Russia, criticized Montenegro's NATO membership, and spoke against the 2006 referendum that led to the country's split from Serbia.

After being elected speaker on October 30, Mandic pledged to "reconcile the divisions."

Critics said his elevation to speaker would hinder the countrys EU ambitions.

His election was a part of a coalition agreement under which Mandic's For the Future of Montenegro, which was part of the Democratic Front until elections in June, must support Spajic's minority government. In exchange, For the Future of Montenegro can enter the government next year.

Spajic was nominated in August after the PES won the June parliamentary elections.

Deputies of the opposition Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) protested Mandic's election as speaker by tying a black ribbon to the party's microphone to denote what they said was a black day for democracy in Montenegro and leaving the chamber.

Mandic is known for his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin, for lifting sanctions against Moscow, withdrawing the recognition of Kosovo's independence, and opposing Montenegro's membership in NATO.

He has close ties with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Milorad Dodik, president of Republika Srpska, the Bosnian Serb entity of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The president of the opposition DPS, Danijel Zivkovic, pointed to Mandic's ideological profile, saying that his election as speaker changed the foreign policy orientation of Montenegro.

Mandic did not answer Zivkovic's questions about whether he would ask the government to withdraw from NATO and the other political goals of his party.

The opposition party protested in front of the parliament, saying Mandic was not acceptable because of his anti-NATO, pro-Russian stance.

Mandic's association with Putin dates back to a meeting in Belgrade in 2019, when he and close political ally Milan Knezevic told Putin that "the majority of Montenegro sees him (Putin) as their president." Putin in turn described them as "true heroes."

The meeting in the Serbian capital was organized while Mandic and Knezevic were being tried for their part in a failed coup in Montenegro.

A court in Montenegro in May 2019 sentenced Mandic and Knezevic and two alleged Russian military intelligence agents to jail terms over an alleged 2016 attempt to organize a coup in the country and prevent it from joining NATO.

The Appeals Court annulled the verdicts and ordered the High Court to retry the case.

The demonstrators also noted that Mandic holds the title "Chetnik duke," a reference to collaborators with the Nazis during World War II in the former Yugoslavia.

A Chetnik paramilitary group gained notoriety in the 1990s when their units committed atrocities against non-Serbs in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo. Decades later, modern Chetnik movements of Serbian nationalists are especially strong in Serbia and in Republika Srpska and are also present among Serbian extremists in Montenegro.

Montenegro joined NATO in 2017 and has been working toward EU membership. The country adopted the euro as its de facto currency in 2002, although it is not part of the eurozone.

After Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Montenegro joined EU sanctions against Moscow, expelled some Russian diplomats, and provided aid to Kyiv.

Moscow has added Montenegro to its list of "unfriendly countries."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to meet with Spajic on October 31 in Podgorica.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Listen to the Talking China In Eurasia podcast. Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google What's Driving Beijing's Leadership Turbulence? Less than two months after Qin Gang, who had been serving as Chinas foreign minister, disappeared and was replaced, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has also disappeared from public view and is believed to be under investigation.

What does the turmoil mean for Beijings military and foreign policy establishment?

Finding Perspective: According to a report by the Financial Times, the U.S. government believes that Li has been placed under investigation.

There has been no official pronouncement, but Li has not been seen in public for more than three weeks.

One U.S. official who spoke to the British newspaper said the probe into Li, who headed the Peoples Liberation Armys main department for procuring and developing weapons from September 2017 until last October, was corruption-related. Li previously headed the Xichang Satellite Launch Center for a decade and was also sanctioned by the United States in 2018 for weapons deals with Russia.

This is relevant as August saw purges of generals within the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force and Lis potential investigation could be linked to those cases.

The sequence for Li also has echoes of Qins removal in July as foreign minister.

Speculation had run over what could be behind that move, but a September 19 Wall Street Journal report may add some clarity.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the Journal reported that Qin was stripped of his title because of an extramarital affair that lasted while he was Chinas ambassador to Washington before assuming his foreign minister post.

Senior Chinese officials were told, according to the report, that an internal Communist Party investigation found that the affair led to the birth of a child in the United States.

Why It Matters: The instability at home comes as Chinas global competition with the United States is growing and scrutiny of senior officials dealings with foreigners is intensifying as Beijing looks to remove any -- real or imagined -- security vulnerabilities.

This has led to some analysis that Chinese leader Xi Jinping may be too consumed with putting out fires at home and that the countrys foreign engagements may suffer. Xi has been less willing to leave the country for extended periods of time, missing the recent Group of 20 summit in India and unexpectedly skipping a business forum at the BRICS summit last month.

Chinese elite politics remain a black box and its unclear how the shake ups with Qin and Li have altered Chinese diplomacy. In the case of Qin, it looks to be minimal. He was replaced by his predecessor, Wang Yi, an experienced foreign policy hand that was appointed as director of the Chinese Communist Partys Central Committee on Foreign Affairs earlier this year.

But the move signals an era of turbulence at the top in Beijing that could continue as the Chinese economy suffers a crisis of confidence not seen since the countrys opening to the world in the late 1970s.

Podcast Corner: The Investigation That Shows China And Russia's Cooperation On Censorship

The Talking China In Eurasia podcast is back! Listen here on Spotify, Apple, Google or wherever else you like to listen so you dont miss an episode.

On the latest episode, Im joined by Andrei Soshnikov, who heads RFE/RLs Russian investigative unit, Systema, and we break down our recent investigation based on leaked documents from closed-door meetings between Chinese and Russian officials where they trade tactics and expertise to censor the Internet and monitor dissent.

Be sure to listen and leave a review on your listening platform of choice. Id also love to hear what you think. Reach out at Standishr@rferl.org Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. CEFC's Ripples Still Felt In Georgia

CEFC China Energy -- a high-flying Chinese conglomerate worth more than $40 billion that went bankrupt following a string of scandals -- is coming back into focus in Georgia as the prime ministers past work with the company is being seen in a new light as he strengthens ties with Beijing.

You can read the full report by my colleague Luka Pertaia from RFE/RLs Georgian Service and myself here.

The Details: CEFC was known for its meteoric rise that left behind a trail of high-profile commodity deals, politically linked acquisitions, and scandals across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa that analysts say are representative of the blurred lines between lofty investments and Chinas geopolitical ambitions.

The company has since unraveled in dramatic fashion, and its founder and chairman hasn't been seen since he was detained in China on corruption charges in the spring of 2018.

But current Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvilis work as an adviser to the board of the firm that managed CEFCs projects in Georgia before he returned to politics in 2019.

His work for the Euro-Asian Management Group received little attention in Georgia or abroad at the time, but thats changing as Gharibashvili moves the country closer to China, including signing a strategic partnership agreement with Beijing in July. Moreover, since Gharibashvili returned as prime minister in 2021, every infrastructure project in Georgia worth more than $100 million has involved Chinese firms.

Gharibashvili's cooperation with CEFC -- however brief -- gave the foundation for further connections and opened new doors for him with the Chinese that we are seeing today, Tinatin Khidasheli, who was Georgian defense minister from 2015 to 2016, told me.

A particularly interesting case study is CEFCs investment in the Poti Free Industrial Zone, a tax-free manufacturing base near the Poti port on Georgia's Black Sea coast in 2017.

That deal ultimately fell apart as CEFCs broader fortunes turned, but as Luka and I reported in the article, the ownership of the Georgian companies involved in the deal can be traced back to close associates of Bidzina Ivanishvili, the billionaire founder of the governing Georgian Dream party and a former prime minister.

Those links were further borne out in the 2021 Pandora Papers leak of offshore financial documents, which also showed the ownership structure more clearly and showed politics and business overlapping in CEFCs work in Georgia.

Read more here.

2. Why New Work Rules At A Chinese-Run Mine In Serbia Matter

Strict new rules enforced at a Chinese-operated mine in eastern Serbia have sparked controversy and pushback in the Balkan country over concerns that the company is violating local labor laws, my colleague Sonja Gocanin from RFE/RLs Balkan Service reports.

What You Need To Know: According to an internal document from the Chinese firm Jinshan Construction leaked to Serbian media in mid-August, workers at the site are expected to begin each shift by lining up in formation for inspection by their managers and to greet their supervisors in unison.

Employees of Jinshan Construction -- which manages a large copper mine near the eastern town of Majdanpek -- spoke to RFE/RL's Balkan Service and added that these pre-shift meetings sometimes consist of workers being reprimanded publicly for small infractions and then asked to recite company safety rules.

News of the rules have been criticized by labor unions inside the country and led to an inspection of the mine by the Serbian government.

The controversy has also exposed a wider fissure in Serbia between local and Chinese work cultures and a growing public perception that the country's authorities are turning a blind eye to unlawful practices by Chinese firms, which are becoming increasingly vital to the national economy.

Jinshan Construction is a subcontractor that operates the mine on behalf of the Chinese mining giant Zijin, which took control of a money-losing copper smelter in the nearby city of Bor in 2018 and has since opened copper and gold mines across eastern Serbia.

Serbia under President Aleksandar Vucic has enthusiastically welcomed Zijin and other Chinese firms into the country, and its not the first scandal involving the companies in the Balkans.

3. The China Angle On Slovakias Elections

Slovakia is headed to the polls on September 30 where populist former Prime Minister Robert Fico -- who plans to reverse the countrys military and political support for neighboring Ukraine -- and his SMER party are forecast to get a leading share of votes.

What It Means: If Fico is intent on delivering on his campaign promises, it may prove more difficult for the EU and NATO to forge unified foreign policy positions on Ukraine and Russia -- and could be the latest display of war fatigue spreading among Kyivs strongest supporters in Europe.

The upcoming election will have larger consequences for Russian influence in Slovakia, but as Nikoleta Nemeckayova lays out in a new report for MapInfluenCE, a project tracking Chinese influence across Europe for the Association for International Affairs in Prague, this could also affect relations between Bratislava and Beijing.

Support for Chinas peace document around ending the war in Ukraine that it unveiled in February and Slovakias relationship with Taiwan, which remains one of Europes strongest, are the main issues that could be shaped.

As the report notes, positive attitudes toward China and Russia are most commonly embraced by Slovak political parties like SMER, the Republika, and SNS, which hold socially conservative and nationalist views in domestic policies.

Narratives around Chinese and Russian foreign policy also provide fodder for these parties in domestic discourse where theyre looking to frame the current pro-EU, pro-Western leadership as not following Slovaks national interests and that theyre instead controlled by the collective West, particularly the United States, the report says.

Theres still lots to be determined at the ballot box later this month. Even if Fico and SMER perform strongly, no winner can rule within Slovakias electrical math without a coalition in parliament. That means its possible that even with a strong showing, Fico may not claim the right to form a government and emerge as prime minister again.

Across The Supercontinent

U.K. Spy Scandal: A U.K. parliamentary aide, along with another individual, was arrested in March on charges of violating the Official Secrets Act on behalf of China.

The scandal could shape Londons line in China and the news has already been met angrily by British lawmakers, in part due to the six-month delay in the announcement. The aide, a 28-year-old man, was a parliamentary researcher for the Conservative Party, a position that allows access to some sensitive information. He was released on bail and has denied the charges.

Baerbocks Words: Beijing summoned the German ambassador to China after Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called Xi a dictator, in the latest flare-up of tensions between the countries.

Another Step From Tbilisi: Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Gharibashvili announced on September 11 that Chinese citizens can now enjoy visa-free travel to the South Caucasus nation, RFE/RLs Georgian Service reported.

Beijings New Man In Kabul: China became the first country to formally name a new ambassador to Afghanistan since the Talibans takeover in August 2021.

Beijing did not indicate any wider steps toward formal recognition of the Taliban, but the appointment highlights that Chinas practical ties are growing.

One Thing To Watch

Despite tensions staying high, talks are ongoing between Beijing and Washington.

Wang Yi, Chinas top diplomat, recently held multiple meetings with White House national-security adviser Jake Sullivan in Malta and Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week. Wang and Sullivan also held a secret meeting in Vienna in May.

The meetings have set the stage for the revival of high-level contacts that were derailed earlier this year after a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon drifted across Canada and the United States. The talks are believed to be paving the way for Xis expected attendance at a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders in San Francisco in November -- as well as a possible summit on the sidelines of the event with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Thats all from me for now. Dont forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish
7 The Bisotun caravanserai, also known as the Sheikh Ali Khan caravanserai, is located in Bisotun, in Kermanshah Province. The style of this inn is of the Safavid period and is believed to have been built in the 12th century. It is considered one of the most beautiful monuments in western Iran. It features a central courtyard for animals and goods, along with chambers for travelers to rest. These structures were often fortified for protection.


ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 20. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (Middle Corridor) will increase the pace of trade between the most important markets, almost halving the time required to transport goods by sea, said President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during his speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, Trend reports.

Tokayev focused on the need for new assessments that will solve pressing global economic problems while ensuring the right to development.

"To achieve this, we need an open, transparent, and inclusive multilateral trading system based on the principles and rules of the WTO. We also need to think about improving global food security," he said.

As the President of Kazakhstan noted, last year, almost 10 percent of the world's population faced the problem of hunger.

"The voluntary exchange of information on food security, including production volumes as well as the export and import of food products, should be intensified. We must work together to ensure transparent monitoring of international funding for responses to food crises," he said.

Tokayev noted that Kazakhstan is ready to act as a regional food supply hub.

"For this, we have all the necessary resources, infrastructure, and logistics. Kazakhstan is already a reliable link through which about 80 percent of land transit traffic between Asia and Europe passes. The Trans-Caspian international transport routethe so-called "Middle Corridor"can significantly strengthen interaction between East and West. This route will increase the pace of trade between key markets, almost halving the time required to transport goods by sea," he added.

The Middle Corridor is a transportation and trade route that connects Asia and Europe, passing through several countries in the region. It is an alternative route to the traditional Northern Corridor and Southern Corridor. The route starts in China and crosses Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then passes through the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye before reaching Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land route that connects the eastern parts of Asia, including China, with Europe, bypassing the longer maritime routes.
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
The first session of the closely watched "reintegration" talks in the western Azerbaijani city of Yevlax between representatives of Azerbaijan and the ethnic Armenian leadership of the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh ended without any sign of a breakthrough, as the two sides exchanged accusations and denials over reports of gunfire and apparent cease-fire violations in Nagorno-Karabakh's de facto capital, but with word of further meetings to come.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's office said on September 21 that the two-hour session was "held in a constructive and peaceful atmosphere," with Russian peacekeepers present.

The office added that both sides had agreed to further talks.

Separatist leaders also said in a statement following the meeting that they were ready to continue talks with Azerbaijani authorities.

"The parties especially stressed the need to discuss all existing issues in a peaceful environment, noting the readiness to continue meetings," the statement said.

But with Baku hoping to consolidate gains from a 24-hour military offensive on September 19-20 that dramatically shifted political calculations in the Caucasus, ethnic Armenians' leadership in the region was said to be demanding guarantees before their forces surrender all their weapons.

Reports of gunfire 100 kilometers away in the de facto capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, Stepanakert, and residents citing a "state of panic" there, highlighted lingering tensions as the potentially historic negotiations got under way.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose nearly 3-year-old peacekeeping mission was crucial to brokering the cease-fire a day earlier, reportedly spoke by phone with Aliyev on September 21. The Kremlin quoted Putin as stressing "the importance of ensuring the rights and security of the Armenian population of Karabakh."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose administration has backed Baku diplomatically and with drones and other military equipment, also spoke to Aliyev and expressed his "wholehearted support" for Azerbaijan.

Meanwhile, neighbor Armenia's envoy to the United Nations, Andranik Hovhannisian, warned the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on September 21 that Azerbaijan was perpetrating "ethnic cleansing" and a "crime against humanity" as it tried to retake the territory following nine months of a de facto blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Davit Babayan, an adviser for foreign policy to the separatist governments de facto leader Samvel Shahramanian, told Reuters that "there has not been a final agreement yet."

He said "a whole host of questions still need to be resolved" and security guarantees would have to precede full disarmament.

"We have an agreement on the cessation of military action but we await a final agreement -- talks are going on," Babayan said.

The UN Security Council is due to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh crisis later on September 21.

The talks in Yevlax follow Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev's boast to his oil- and gas-rich nation of 10 million after a Russian-brokered cease-fire halted intense fighting on September 20 that he said had "restored its sovereignty."

Aliyev praised the lightning operation to dislodge the territory's de facto leadership nearly three years after another offensive retook many areas controlled for decades by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support, saying, "In just one day, Azerbaijan fulfilled all the tasks set as part of local anti-terrorist measures."

The Yevlax talks on the Azerbaijani side were being led by lawmaker Ramin Mammadov, whom Aliyev appointed in March to be in charge of relations with ethnic Armenians living in Nagorno-Karabakh.

The delegation for the breakaway leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh, a territory internationally recognized as Azerbaijani that Armenians call Artsakh, included a member of the territory's de facto parliament in Stepanakert, Davit Melkumian, and Artsakh Security Council member Sergey Martirosian. But it has not issued an official list of participants.

Russian peacekeepers, whom the Kremlin says are mediating the talks, were accompanying the ethnic Armenian delegation on its arrival at the venue.

Multiple reports of gunfire, meanwhile, trickled in from Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh's biggest city.

One resident told RFE/RL's Armenian Service that they heard gunfire in the city and were considering options to leave after moving out of a shelter to spend the night at home. They said many other residents were back in shelters.

"Let's see what we do," the woman said. "Now we are in Stepanakert."

The situation is very bad, she said. [Azerbaijani troops] have already entered through the neighborhoods cemetery armed with submachine guns.

Everyone is in their basements now. It was a little calm last night. We stayed at home. But now we have to go outside again, as [shooting] started all over again. It is very difficult.

Another woman told RFE/RL that the expectation is that Russian peacekeepers will let people leave [Nagorno-Karabakh] rather than be killed. But the peacekeepers for now say they have no order to let people go.

Reuters also quoted two sources as saying they heard gunfire.

The ethnic Armenian authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh accused Azerbaijani forces of rifle fire from areas near Stepanakert and urged residents to stay in shelters. They said they had informed the command of the area's Russian peacekeepers and demanded the Russians take immediate measures to protect them.

Another Nagorno-Karabakh resident who is originally from the town of Martakert but traveled to Stepanakert told RFE/RL that they'd gone to the airport, where Russian peacekeepers are stationed. The person said many people in the city were in "a state of panic."

The person said there were many other ethnic Armenians at the airport on September 21, demanding that they be allowed to leave Nagorno-Karabakh.

Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry "categorically denied" accusations that it was violating the day-old cease-fire.

Using the ancient name of Nagorno-Karabakh's capital, it said on Facebook that "information spread in some Armenian social media accounts that the Azerbaijan Armed Forces allegedly launched an attack in the Xankendi direction is completely false and disinformation."

The European Union monitoring mission in Armenia (EUMA) that was established earlier this year to help avoid escalations said it had "reinforced patrols at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border areas & line of confrontation" and in the nearby Armenian village of Sotk to report on military and security developments there. It reiterated the EU mission's commitment to "contributing to stabilizing the situation."

Nagorno-Karabakh's ethnic Armenian leaders were forced to accept Baku's terms for the cease-fire as more numerous and better-supplied Azerbaijani forces armed with artillery and drones quickly tallied victories after the surprise offensive began on September 19, with Russian peacekeepers seemingly unprepared or unwilling to act.

A rights ombudsman for Nagorno-Karabakh, Gegham Stepanian, has said that at least 200 people were killed and about twice as many wounded during the fighting, including children.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian appeared to have been caught off guard by the Azerbaijani offensive, and he has since emphasized that his government was not involved in shaping the terms of the cease-fire. But he welcomed the end of intense fighting.

In his address to the nation, Azerbaijani President Aliyev said, "The day is not far off when Azerbaijan and Armenia will settle the issues between them, sign a peace treaty, and the countries of the South Caucasus will start working on future cooperation in a trilateral format."

He said of Armenia that Azerbaijan "recognize[s] their territorial integrity."

"The integration plan of Karabakh Armenians is ready," Hikmet Hajiyev, assistant to the president of Azerbaijan, told reporters at a briefing organized for accredited foreign diplomats in Baku.

Hajiyev added that "the presence of around 10,000 members of illegal Armenian armed organizations was unacceptable" in the territory.

Thousands of ethnic Armenians converged on Stepanakert's airport on September 20 seeking protection and possible transport to Armenia amid uncertainty over the fighting and the cease-fire that was proffered by Russian peacekeepers on distinctly Azerbaijani terms.

Russia has said that its peacekeepers have "taken in" about 5,000 Karabakh residents.

The Kremlin said that in his phone conversation with Putin, Aliyev had apologized for an incident late on September 20 in which five Russian peacekeepers had been killed when the vehicle they were in was accidentally fired upon when they were mistaken for separatists.

The Kremlin said that in his phone conversation with Putin, Aliyev had apologized for an incident late on September 20 in which an unknown number of Russian peacekeepers had been killed when the vehicle they were in was fired upon in the region.

The White House has expressed concern about a possible humanitarian and refugee crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh and placed the blame on Baku for the situation.

"We're obviously still watching very, very closely the worsening humanitarian situation inside Nagorno-Karabakh," White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

Azerbaijani leaders vowed to allow safe passage" to Armenia for the separatist forces of the region as part of the agreement to halt fighting, putting a halt to the long struggle for ethnic Armenians seeking independence or attachment to Armenia for the territory.

"Safe passage to appropriate assembly points will also be provided by the Azerbaijani side," Aliyev adviser Hajiyev told reporters. "All the actions on the ground are coordinated with Russian peacekeepers."

The European Union called on Aliyev to protect the rights of ethnic-Armenians in region and to ensure full cease-fire and safe, dignified treatment by Azerbaijan of Karabakh Armenians.

The fresh offensive was a blow to Armenians who have made control of Nagorno-Karabakh a nationalist priority since the breakup of the Soviet Union, and Yerevan saw a second successive night of antigovernment protests after the cease-fire.

In a somber address to the nation to mark the 32nd anniversary of Armenia's withdrawal from the crumbling Soviet Union on September 21 on the heels of the day-old cease-fire, Pashinian said that declaration "as it turned out...was the easiest part of the road to independence."

"Today we are living in difficult times, suffering untold physical and psychological suffering," Pashinian said, adding that independence and difficult tests are "actually a means to a higher goal...[of] the happiness of our future generations."

Pashinian later said in a televised statement that the situation Nagorno-Karabakh as of the evening of September 21 was "generally stable," adding that "reports of mass casualties among civilians are not in line with reality."

Pashinian also said Armenia was preparing to accept any displaced persons from the region if needed and cited the figure of "40,000 families."

In addition to a suspension of fighting and some sort of integration effort, the cease-fire proposal reportedly includes a commitment for a pullout of any "remaining units of the armed forces of Armenia," the withdrawal and destruction of any heavy military equipment from the territory, and the disbandment of the so-called Artsakh Defense Army established by ethnic Armenians in the early 1990s at an early phase of the conflict.

The Russian peacekeepers are in place since a cease-fire that ended six weeks of fighting in 2020 in which Azerbaijan recaptured much of the territory and seven surrounding districts controlled since the 1990s by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told the UN Security Council that the world can no longer rely on the organization to defend the sovereign borders of nations, specifically pointing to Russias veto power in the Security Council as blocking progress to any real solutions to global crises.

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.

He called Russia's invasion of his country "criminal" and said Moscow should be stripped of its veto power.

"Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war," Zelenskiy said on September 20 as Russia's UN ambassador sat before him. "It is a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation aimed at seizing Ukraine's territory and resources."

Zelenskiy said the UN General Assembly and its 193 members must be given a way to overcome the Kremlins veto and said that new permanent members should be added to the all-important Security Council.

"Germany has become one of the key global guarantors of peace and security," Zelenskiy told a special session of the Security Council.

"This is a fact. It is also a matter of fact that Germany deserves a place among the permanent members of the Security Council, he said, adding that Latin America, the Pacific states, Africa, and Asia must have more representation.

Currently, five nations -- the United States, France, Britain, Russia, and China -- are permanent Security Council members and wield veto power over resolutions.

Zelenskiy's remarks to the council followed his speech a day earlier to the General Assembly in which he warned of the global threat from Russia.

The session marked the first time the defiant Ukrainian leader has publicly faced Russian officials in person and comes during a rare U.S. visit that could prove crucial in Kyiv's ongoing efforts to rally international support for its defense against its much larger post-Soviet neighbor.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who also spoke to the council, was not present in the session while Zelenskiy spoke, but Moscows UN ambassador, Vasily Nebenzya, was there.

Lavrov called Russia's use of its veto power in the council a "legitimate tool" of international relations set out in the UN Charter.

In his September 19 speech, Zelenskiy accused Russia of weaponizing everything from food and energy to abducted children in its unprovoked full-scale invasion, which followed eight years since an occupation of Crimea and lower-grade fighting began with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Zelenskiy said "there are no real restrictions on [Russia's] weaponization" plans in an effort to get international recognition for occupied regions of Ukraine.

WATCH: Capitalizing on "any gaps in the enemy's defense," Ukrainian troops said they were slowly but steadily reclaiming ground in their counteroffensive to Russia's invasion. The cost is high, they explain, because Russian artillery usually razes retaken villages to the ground.

It is Zelenskiy's first in-person appearance at an annual UN General Assembly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. His trip comes three months into a Ukrainian counteroffensive that has not advanced as fast or as well as hoped for at first, and has included meetings with foreign leaders. The visit will also take him to Washington for more appeals to U.S. President Joe Biden and leading lawmakers on September 21.

"When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there, Zelenskiy said. "Each decade Russia starts a new war. Parts of Moldova and Georgia remain occupied. Russia turned Syria into ruins. Russia has almost swallowed Belarus. It's obviously threatening Kazakhstan and Baltic states."

Zelenskiy also said Kyiv was working on preparing a global peace summit.

Speaking to the assembly earlier, Biden urged the leaders to stand by Ukraine against the invasion, saying, "Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately."

Russia will address the General Assembly on September 23, when Lavrov is expected on the rostrum.

Back in Ukraine, that country's military said it had destroyed 17 drones overnight on September 19-20 out of what it estimated to have been 24 Russian drones launched from the north and southeast.

The Ukrainian General Staff also said it was conducting offensives in the areas of Melitopol, in the southeastern Zaporizhzhya region, and the fiercely contested town of Bakhmut, in the eastern Donetsk region.

The British Defense Ministry said in its daily assessment that the reported capture of the villages of Andriyivka and Klilshchiyivka, about eight kilometers from Bakhmut, "brings Ukrainian forces closer to...one of the main supply routes into Bakhmut from the south," although it said Russia still held a "readily defensible" railway line.

Ukraine's military said there had been several strikes on an oil refinery in the central region of Poltava, resulting in a temporary halt to operations.

Acting Governor Dmytro Lunin said there did not appear to be any casualties.

In Russia, the mayor of the Black Sea resort of Sochi said a fire at a fuel tank near an airport there had been put out and "there were no casualties." The mayor, Aleksei Kopaygorodsky, said "the airport and the entire transport system are operating as normal" and the cause of the blaze was under investigation.

Ukraine is thought to have stepped up its drone and other attacks in occupied Crimea and inside Russia in recent months, although it routinely avoids claiming responsibility.

RFE/RL cannot independently confirm battlefield accounts by either side in areas of heavy fighting, and strictures on the media make reporting inside Russia difficult.

With reporting by AFP, dpa, and Reuters
ALMATY, Kazakhstan -- At the start of last week, top Uzbek officials and representatives of pro-government public organizations gathered in the cabinet of ministers building to discuss a vexing problem.

Uzbekistan, said Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov and State Security Service chief Abdusalim Azizov, was facing a new wave of "religious radicalization."

The meeting was unannounced and no statement on it having taken place was released until September 14.

But sources that attended the meeting and spoke to RFE/RL's Uzbek Service on condition of anonymity said that along with the supposed rise in radical interpretations of the country's main religion, officials raised alarms about an increase in polygamy and the emerging problem of citizens -- including state officials -- attending prayers during working hours.

Officials should either "choose religion or work for the state," Aripov said, according to the sources.

After coming to power in 2016, President Shavkat Mirziyoev's government banked credit at home and abroad by easing draconian restrictions on religious practices, particularly Islam, which about 90 percent of the country of some 35 million people adheres to.

But now, everything points to government policy edging back toward the time of Mirziyoev's predecessor, authoritarian Islam Karimov, when extensive state control stifled the religion and thousands of devout believers were jailed and tortured as extremists.

On the Friday before the meeting, September 8, Uzbekistan's most senior religious cleric called for "restraint" in regard to Islamic clothing and beards amid "excesses" that he said were visible everywhere among practicing Muslims.

"An opinion has formed that Islam implies wearing certain clothes and having a certain appearance," said Mufti Nuriddin Kholiqnazarov, appearing to strike out at the niqab veil that covers all of a woman's face except the eyes.

"There is a rule left to us by our prophet. Islam does not have a specific form, it is impossible, it is not a religion of one nation, it is not a religion of one climate," the cleric said.

And if that message came over loud and clear for believers, then the "azon" -- or call to prayer -- is reportedly getting much quieter in some of the country's neighborhoods.

This month alone, correspondents for RFE/RL's Uzbek Service heard multiple instances of the volume of the call to prayer being lowered, including in a district in Tashkent, where a correspondent was able to visit and confirm that observation.

In response to RFE/RL's request for comment, a representative of the Muftiate said the reports "do not correspond to reality." The State Committee on Religious Affairs, the government body that oversees religion, did not respond before to requests for comment.

In its September 14 statement, the Prime Minister's Office denied that Aripov had demanded Uzbek officials choose between the government and religion, and asked bloggers "not to spread unverified and false information."

Walking The Streets Freely?

This new development is ironic because Mirziyoev only recently touted the azon's return to loudspeakers in late 2017 as one of the symbols of his "New Uzbekistan."

It was one of several developments that led to Tashkent no longer finding itself being termed "a country of particular concern" by the U.S. State Department -- a designation for the very worst offenders of religious freedom that currently applies to 12 countries.

Others changes included the lifting of an unofficial but rigorously enforced ban on minors attending prayers, the opening of new mosques, and the claimed reduction of a lengthy "blacklist" of citizens under surveillance due to allegedly extreme religious beliefs.

During an appearance in the religiously conservative Andijon Province prior to his reelection this summer, Mirziyoev said Uzbeks could now "walk the streets freely and without any fear" -- an indirect reference to the repressions of the Karimov era.

"I want to cry when I hear the azon, [knowing] that we have reached these days," he said. "When did we last have this?"

But in the last few years Muslims have been walking the streets with more apprehension than Mirziyoev's comments suggest. Detentions and interrogations of religious believers have increased, and there have been a stream of reports regarding forced beard shavings.

Uzbek officials are, moreover, no longer in regular contact with either the United Nations' special rapporteur on freedom of religion or the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, according to a government source who spoke to RFE/RL. The special rapporteur was slated to visit the country at least three times in recent years only for these visits to be canceled, the source said.

Ilkham Umarakhunov, an expert on Islam in Central Asia based in Kyrgyzstan's capital, Bishkek, told RFE/RL that there was currently a "big gap between what the international community wants to see and what the government is prepared to do in terms of religious freedom."

"In Uzbekistan, even talking to experts there, religion is still seen more from the point of view of security rather than freedom," he said.

Most worrying for the authorities is the idea that people will abandon secular institutions completely in favor of "Islamic ecosystems," Umarakhunov added. "On the one hand there is an issue of freedom of religion, on the other there is a possibility that one group can grow quickly and try to impose their rules on others, potentially causing a conflict. They are very afraid of that."

Indeed, on September 5, lawmakers in the rubber-stamp lower house of parliament approved a law that will introduce fines for perceived violations of the secular order. Targets for the law include marriages blessed in Islamic ceremony but not registered with the state and clothing that makes the wearer "unidentifiable" in public -- code for the niqab.

Lawmakers backed the bill "after heated discussions and long polemics," the press service of the lower house said, without offering further details. It is now due for consideration by the upper house, the Senate.

'Our Voice Is Silenced'

The Uzbek regime's historic concerns -- and paranoia -- regarding Islam are not completely without basis.

Early independence saw the rapid emergence of religious groups prepared to openly challenge seculariism in Uzbekistan.

One such group, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), is still active more than two decades after authorities accused it of carrying out a series of car bombings in Tashkent.

And the IMU is still nominally committed to toppling the Uzbek regime, even if the days when it could pose a serious threat to Tashkent appear long gone, with a struggle for survival in the borderlands of Afghanistan and Pakistan a more pressing concern for the extremist group.

But there is no doubt that Muslims committed to a more conservative interpretation of Islam than the version overseen by the government-loyal Muftiate have been raising their voices in recent years.

In the early years of Mirziyoevs rule, these conservative voices spoke out against bans on the hijab inside state educational institutions as well as the school uniforms that they found too revealing, among other things.

Now the space for secular and religious voices alike is shrinking.

Last month, Mubashshir Ahmad, the founder of the popular online channel and website Azon.uz, announced the closure of its various projects in a perfunctory Facebook message.

Emerging in 2017 and hosting debates and opinion pieces on Islam and its history in Uzbekistan, Azon was an example of the new opportunities appearing in the Uzbek information space.

In April, popular blogger Xodjiakbar Nosirov was sentenced to 15 days in prison for a video in which he argued that a number of yogurt brands popular in Uzbekistan should be considered "haram," or unfit for consumption by Muslims, due to a food colorant in them that is extracted from the cochineal beetle.

While Islamic scholarship differs on the permissibility of the carmine food colorant, it is well within the realm of legitimate theological debate -- outside Uzbekistan, at least.

Given these incidents and regular reports of religious bloggers being hauled into police stations for questioning, it is perhaps surprising that religious voices are still heard from at all.

And yet they are.

One example was a fiery September 11 Facebook post on Azon by Shermurod Togay a former Tashkent imam who warned that Uzbekistan would "not achieve greatness" if it turned its back on Shari'a law.

"Now they want to turn off the call to prayer. Our voice is silenced. [But] the call to prayer will not fade. The voice of those who demanded silence will be silenced. Their place will be in hell," Togay fumed in the post, further pledging that "the number of worshipers will increase" and insisting that "curses will fall upon the grave of the wretched, bloodthirsty."

Togay's post generated plenty of pushback in the form of posts defending the secular state. But it also attracted comments of approval.

One commenter bemoaned the fact that the call to prayer had already been muffled in Andijon -- the same part of the country where Mirziyoev was hailing its return earlier this year.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 20. Kazakh low-cost airline FlyArystan launches regular flights from Almaty to the largest city in India and one of the most populated cities on the planet, Mumbai, Trend reports.

The new route connecting Almaty and Mumbai is planned to be launched during the most comfortable season for traveling to India, in November, with flights twice a week.

Tickets are already on sale and cost 30,000 tenge (about $63).

Earlier, the airline announced the opening of sales in the direction from Almaty to the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, with a frequency of flights three times a week.

FlyArystan is a low-cost airline in Central Asia and the CIS, based in Almaty. The creation of FlyArystan Airlines was carried out in 2018 on the basis of Air Astana's work on drawing up the legislative and organizational framework for the creation of a low-cost airline, which was approved by the joint shareholders of Air Astana JSC.
Vijay Antony and daughter Meera

A Devastating Loss Shakes the Tamil Film Community

CHENNAI: Meera Antony, the 16-year-old daughter of renowned Tamil actor and composer Vijay Antony, was found dead by suicide in their residence in Chennai. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday, September 19, sending shockwaves through the Tamil film fraternity.

Vijay Antony's daughter Meera Antony, a Class 12th student, at a reputable school in Chennai, was discovered hanging in her home. Immediate efforts were made to rush her to the nearest private hospital, but tragically, the medical professionals declared her deceased upon arrival. While the exact reasons behind this unfortunate act remain unknown, preliminary investigations suggest that Meera had been battling depression.

Advertisement

The unexpected loss of Vijay Antonys daughter has left the Tamil film industry in mourning. Colleagues and friends from the industry expressed their deepest condolences and sympathies to Vijay Antony and his family during this trying time.

R Sarath Kumar, an actor and director took to 'X' (Formerly Called as Twitter) and wrote, "The news of the untimely and unfortunate demise of Meera, the daughter of Vijay Antony and Fatima is shocking beyond imaginations. No amount of consoling and condolences can replace the everlasting grief of Vijay Antony and Fatima. Vijay I hope the almighty gives strength to your family to bear this unfathomable loss. May her soul rest in peace."

The news of the untimely and unfortunate demise of Meera, the daughter of @vijayantony and Fatima is shocking beyond imaginations. No amount of consoling and condolences can replace the everlasting grief of Vijay Antony and Fatima.



Vijay I hope the almighty gives strength to pic.twitter.com/zzcgW3ag8w Advertisement September 19, 2023

Meera's passing has not only deeply impacted the film community but also moved Vijay Antony's fans, who took to social media to share their sorrow and pay tribute to the departed soul. Vijay Antony, a well-known music composer and actor in the Tamil film industry, is married to Fathima Vijay Antony, who is an integral part of their production house. The couple has another daughter named Lara. Vijay Antony is currently engrossed in his forthcoming movie, Raththam.


PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi Launches Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, Adding to a Series of Beneficial Initiatives

NEW-DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his 73rd birthday on September 17, 2023, introduced the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana, bolstering the array of public welfare initiatives established during his 9-year tenure. This new scheme is designed to benefit workers engaged in traditional skills and handicrafts, adding to a range of schemes aiming to support various segments of the population.

The Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Yojana is set to make a significant impact with a provision of Rs 13,000 crore allocated for the next five years, from 2023-2024 to 2027-2028. This initiative seeks to provide traditional artisans and handicraft workers with a Vishwakarma certificate and identity card, acknowledging and supporting their valuable contributions to society.

Advertisement

-- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana

Among the existing schemes, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana supports the impoverished and homeless citizens, aiding them in constructing their homes. It aims to empower citizens living below the poverty line, assisting them in achieving their housing needs.

-- Jan Dhan Yojana

Advertisement

The Jan Dhan Yojana facilitates the opening of zero-balance bank accounts for individuals below the poverty line, offering not only the convenience of checkbooks and passbooks but also accident insurance and overdraft facilities.

-- Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

In the agricultural sector, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana provides crucial financial assistance to small, marginal, and landholding farmers across the nation. This aid is delivered directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries in three installments throughout the year.

Advertisement

-- Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana ensures food security for 80 crore citizens, distributing free wheat or rice every month till December 2023.

-- Ujjwala Yojana

Advertisement

The Ujjwala Yojana, launched in 2016, has transformed the lives of women by providing free gas connections and 12 subsidized gas cylinders annually to BPL cardholders.

-- Ayushman Bharat Yojana

With a focus on healthcare, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana extends free treatment facilities up to Rs 5 lakh for Ayushman cardholders, prioritizing the health of economically weaker sections.

-- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana

The Modi government also introduced insurance-based schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, providing financial assistance of up to Rs 2 lakh to the insured's family in case of death, and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, offering accident insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh.

-- Atal Pension Scheme

Moreover, the Atal Pension Scheme, targeted at unorganized sector workers, encourages individuals to invest from the age of 18 to 40 years, ensuring a maximum pension of Rs. 5000 per month post-retirement.
Four Arrested in Baljinder Singh Balli Murder Case

Police Continue to Conduct Raids in the matter

MOGA: In a major development concerning the tragic murder of Baljinder Singh Balli, Congress president of Block Ajitwal in District Moga, the police have taken swift action by apprehending four individuals believed to be connected to the crime. However, the shooters involved in the incident remain at large, prompting an ongoing and rigorous police effort to bring them to justice. Among the arrested, three suspects hail from Dala village, the same community to which the victim belonged.

The Shocking Incident occurred just two days ago when the Congress leader was fatally shot in broad daylight, sending shockwaves throughout the community. The entire murder was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity. Arsh Dalla publicly claimed responsibility for the heinous act through a social media post.

Advertisement

The Arrest of the four accused is a crucial step forward in the investigation, signaling the authorities' commitment to solving this heinous crime and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable for their actions. As the search for the shooters intensifies, the police continue to conduct raids.
Amritsar, Punjab

Amritsar Sahib Chosen as Venue for Crucial Gathering, Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Chair the Meeting

CHANDIGARH: Punjab is set to host the significant meeting of the Inter-State Council of Northern States, a gathering crucial for discussing pending inter-state issues. The historic city of Amritsar Sahib, a revered religious place for Sikhs worldwide, has been chosen as the venue for this vital meeting. Scheduled for September 26, the meeting will be chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's focus on Amritsar, particularly ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, carries notable political implications.

In preparation for Mission 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been strategically engaging with Sikh leaders, aiming to strengthen its foothold in Punjab. The upcoming inter-state council meeting offers Punjab an opportunity to strongly advocate for its pending inter-state issues. Given the proximity to the elections, the state could potentially gain advantages from this gathering.

Advertisement

During the previous meeting held in Rajasthan, Punjab's representatives, Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema and Harjot Singh Bains, raised various concerns, including the contentious issue of the SYL canal. In the upcoming meeting in Amritsar, Punjab is expected to strongly assert its stance on the capital, Chandigarh, among other pressing issues. The Representation of Punjab in the Bhakra Board (BBMB) and the allocation of land to Haryana for the capital will be discussed thoroughly.

Issues such as the SYL Canal raised by Haryana and water demands from Rajasthan will also find prominence during the meeting. The North Zone Inter-State Council aims to facilitate discussions and resolutions on inter-state issues, fostering collaboration among the participating states.

In a related development, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's ongoing discord with Governor Banwari Lal Purohit has gained attention. Notably, The governor had planned a visit to border districts from September 20 to review drug and security concerns. However, this visit has been postponed due to the crucial council meeting in Punjab. The governor intends to avoid any unfavorable impressions in the presence of the Union Home Minister. The visit is now rescheduled post the meeting, demonstrating the significance attached to the gathering.
For Representative Purpose Only

Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, emphasizes the need for thorough investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar murder case

Australia has weighed in on the serious allegations leveled by Canada against India in the Garmkhiali Hardeep Singh murder case, expressing concern over the matter. Foreign Minister Penny Wang stated that while the issue is under investigation, the reports surrounding it are worrisome. Australia is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with its partners, and discussions have been held with Indian authorities regarding the allegations.

In the ongoing investigation into the murder of 'Garmkhiali' Hardeep Singh, Canada has alleged India's involvement, a claim that India has strongly refuted. The accusations have escalated tensions between the two nations, resulting in diplomatic actions. Canada has terminated the services of a senior officer from India's Intelligence Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), prompting India to reciprocate by requesting the departure of a senior Canadian diplomat within five days.

Advertisement

During a press conference held in New York, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wang responded to inquiries regarding Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations against India in the murder case. Minister Wang affirmed that Australia has discussed the issue with India and is closely monitoring the situation in conjunction with its partners. While confirming their shared concerns, Minister Wang refrained from providing detailed information.

Garmkhayali Nijjar was tragically shot and killed by unknown assailants outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia province of Western Canada on June 18. There was a reward of 10 lakh rupees on Nijjar. India promptly dismissed Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated by vested interests." The evolving situation has highlighted the need for diplomatic engagement to address and resolve the growing tensions between the concerned nations.




Hardeep Singh Nijjar

American expert condemns Trudeau's accusations and calls for a responsible approach, urging the US not to be part of escalating tensions

WASHINGTON: An American expert, Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, has strongly criticized Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations implicating the Indian government in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Describing Trudeau's statements as 'shameful and reprehensible,' Rubin has urged the United States not to be a party to such claims that could exacerbate diplomatic tensions.

During a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute think-tank, Rubin expressed concern that Trudeau seemed to be aligning himself with those who view the Khalistani movement as a source of pride and profit. This alignment, he argued, has further strained the Canada-India relationship.

Advertisement

The recent diplomatic fallout between Canada and India saw the expulsion of senior diplomats from both nations after Trudeau's assertions that Indian government agents were involved in the killing of Canadian citizen Nijjar. India swiftly rejected these allegations, labeling them as 'absurd' and 'baseless.'

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF) and a wanted individual in India, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen outside a Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, on June 18.

Rubin highlighted the irony of Trudeau's stance, noting that while he was testifying in the Nijjar murder case, Canadian law enforcement was investigating the murder of Karima Baloch, an alleged terrorist from Pakistan. He emphasized the need for responsible leadership and cautioned against political posturing that could lead to further tensions.

Advertisement

Expressing concern, Rubin pointed to signs that external elements might be attempting to revive the Khalistan movement. He strongly emphasized the importance of not endorsing such actions and called for a cautious approach, asserting that the resurgence of a separatist movement should not be justified without careful consideration of its potential consequences.




Shanta Gold Limited (SHG.L) on Wednesday reported a profit before tax for the first half of the year, compared to a loss for the same period last year, on strong production and prices.

The gold mining company also announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Eric Zurrin has decided to step down after six years at the helm.

Shanta Gold has started to look out for the next chief executive officer and is in discussion with short-listed candidates.

For the first half, profit before tax was $22.7 million, compared to a loss of $0.9 million last year.

After tax, earnings were $12.7 million or $1.206 per share, compared to a loss of $1.3 million or $0.128 per share of previous year.

Revenue rose 70 percent to $88.3 million from $51.9 million of the prior year, reflecting strong production at New Luika, Singida commencing production, and higher gold selling prices. The company recorded increase in ounces sold at NLGM, and new 10,065 ounces sold from Singida.

Gold production of 44,771 oz climbed from last year's 28,947 oz.

Additionally, the company maintained an interim dividend of 0.10 pence per share, payable on November 27, to shareholders of record on November 3.

Further, the company reconfirmed annual production guidance at 90,000-98,000 oz gold for 2023.

Currently, shares of Shanta Gold are trading at 10.50 pence, down 1.87% on the London Stock Exchange.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
The U.S. Defense Department is working with other government agencies, allies and friends to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait to ensure peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, a high ranking DOD leader told the House Armed Services Committee.

Ely Ratner, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific security affairs, testified about the situation in the Taiwan Strait and moves the United States is making to deter China from aggressive activities toward Taiwan.

Ratner told the committee that China is waging a campaign of military, diplomatic and economic pressure against Taiwan. "China's leaders have yet to renounce the use of military force, while they increasingly turn to the (Peoples Liberation Army) as an instrument of coercion in support of their revisionist aims, conducting more dangerous activities in and around the Taiwan Strait".

Ratner's testimony came a day after China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, sent more than 100 warplanes towards the self-governing island nation.

Many of them crossed the median line on the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan's defense ministry.

He said that consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, Washington is committed to provide Taiwan with self-defense capabilities, as well as maintaining the U.S. capacity to resist any use of force that jeopardizes the security of the people on Taiwan.

The United States is also providing Taiwan with the systems they need for defense.

"Taiwan is a thriving democracy that plays a vital role in the world with high technology exports like semiconductors," Ratner said. "The strait itself is an international waterway, where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight are guaranteed under international law and [are] absolutely essential for global commerce and prosperity."

Ratner explained the devastating effects of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait to the lawmakers.

"A major conflict in the strait would result in thousands of casualties and jeopardize more than $2 trillion dollars in global economic activity, igniting a global economic depression. A conflict would be extremely costly around the world with no one affected more than China itself."

"Maintaining peace, stability and deterrence across the Taiwan Strait is not just a U.S. interest or an interest of the people of Taiwan, it is clearly a matter of international concern."

Ratner made it clear that U.S. officials do not believe conflict with China is inevitable.

Over the past year, the United States advanced alliances and partnerships in the region, especially with Japan, Australia and the Philippines. "That will make our force posture across the Indo-Pacific increasingly distributed, mobile, resilient and lethal," Ratner said.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Professor Dion Nkomo from the School of Languages and Literatures [Pic credit: Uyanda Ntloko]

By Nizole Qete

Rhodes University recently gathered to celebrate the inaugural lecture of Professor Dion Nkomo, a distinguished scholar from the School of Languages and Literatures, who also serves as the NRF SARChI Chair: Intellectualisation of African Languages, Multilingualism and Education, as he assumed the prestigious rank of full professor.

The event commenced with a welcoming speech by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, who praised Professor Nkomo's remarkable journey. He highlighted Professor Nkomo's early life in Nkayi, Matabeleland, Zimbabwe, and his educational achievements. The Vice-Chancellor also emphasised the significant influence of Professor Nkomo's family, students, and colleagues on his career, who were described as his greatest inspiration. He acknowledged that Professor Nkomo's parents hold a special place as his greatest heroes.

Professor Nkomo's educational journey began at Katasa Primary School, followed by Mpumelelo Secondary School in Nkayi, where he laid the foundation for his academic pursuits. He then attended Mpopoma High School in Bulawayo, earning his General Certificate of Education at A level, majoring in English Literature, IsiNdebele, and Geography. During these formative years, Professor Nkomo developed a passion for languages and literature.

He pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Zimbabwe, focusing on English Literature, IsiNdebele, and Theatre Arts. Following this, he taught at Tshabanda High School. He later returned to the University of Zimbabwe as a research assistant at the African Languages Research Institute, where he co-edited "Isichazamazwi SezoMculo," a Ndebele dictionary of music terms. Continuing his academic journey, Professor Nkomo obtained an MPhil and a PhD in Lexicography at Stellenbosch University, complemented by a Rhodes University Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education. These achievements solidified his position as a knowledgeable educator in higher learning institutions.

Professor Nkomo presented his inaugural lecture titled "Words in the Way: Confronting and Overcoming Linguistic Prejudice." He began by emphasising the importance of words, quoting his former teacher's advice: "Every word in your work must be worth something.

Professor Nkomo's lecture delved into the issue of linguistic prejudice, where languages sometimes take precedence over their speakers, leading to discrimination based on language. He used Zimbabwe, a country with 16 officially-recognised languages, as a backdrop for his insights. He emphasised the need to acknowledge and respect linguistic diversity within the country, challenging the misconception that Zimbabweans are proficient in English.

He noted that despite constitutional provisions recognising all 16 languages, there is internal linguistic imperialism whereby even if you exclude English within Zimbabwe's linguistic habitat, some languages are considered more important than others; Shona is regarded as the default language of Zimbabwe, excluding other languages. He remarked, "If I meet someone and I say I am from Zimbabwe, they say, 'makadii,' they don't ask which Zimbabwean language I speak. The expectation is that you must speak Shona. Aside from Ndebele and Shona, there are other languages and speakers of those languages who, for a long time, could not learn their languages at school; they had to learn Shona or Ndebele. That for me, is linguistic prejudice," he explained.

Comparing this situation with South Africa's language policies, Professor Nkomo highlighted the existence of democratic language policies and structures. However, he pointed out persistent challenges in intellectualising African languages. "First additional language English means that you are expected to perform academically in the other subjects using English. For a first additional language in isiXhosa, it is enough to be able to say molo. At universities, we get students who come with distinctions in isiXhosa yet they cannot write in isiXhosa, but that would not be expected in English. That, for me, is another form of linguistic prejudice whereby despite the policies saying that languages should be treated equally, clearly in terms of resources, African languages are not adequately provided for. The issue is that an excellent language policy was adopted, and relevant structures were established, but we still continue to revise the policies."

Professor Nkomo stressed that despite policies advocating for equal treatment, African languages still face inadequate resource allocation in education. He gave examples of students excelling in isiXhosa but struggling in written proficiency, unlike their English-speaking counterparts. He noted, "This unequal treatment in resource allocation and expectations perpetuates linguistic prejudice."

Concluding his lecture, Professor Nkomo shared his favourite isiXhosa word, "Enkosi," signifying gratitude. It encapsulated his messagea call for recognition, appreciation, and equitable treatment of all languages.

In a world where words hold immense power and language shapes our perceptions and interactions, Professor Nkomo's inaugural lecture serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency to confront and overcome linguistic prejudice. His journey adds depth to his impassioned plea for the equitable treatment of all languagesa message that resonates deeply and leaves a lasting impact.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, September 20. The Parliament of Kazakhstan has ratified the Agreement on the establishment of the Turkic Investment Fund, Trend reports.

The initiative to establishment the fund was proposed by Azerbaijan during the informal summit of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) in March of 2021.

Presenting the bill at the plenary session of the chamber, Minister of National Economy Alibek Kuantyrov noted that in the conditions of the current global geopolitical instability, diversification of Kazakhstans external relations is one of the main goals.

"As evidence, we continue to work to enhance cooperation in all areas that can ensure sustainable growth in economic sectors. In this regard, in addition to bilateral cooperation, we actively interact within the framework of multilateral platforms, including within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States," he said.

According to him, the task of the OTS countries is to create comfortable conditions for attracting investment in advanced sectors of the economy, to stimulate the emergence of new technologies, and their active implementation. One of the main priorities in this direction was the creation of the Turkic Investment Fund.

The Turkic Investment Fund is the first joint financial institution for economic integration of the Turkic world. Its goal is to promote the economic development of member states of the Organization by expanding intra-regional trade and supporting economic activity.

"The Fund will perform the following functions through investment activities - financing projects of small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting the creation and modernization of physical and digital infrastructure, supporting development projects in areas of mutual interest, including industrial production, transport, agriculture, tourism and the green economy. It is important to note that these projects, first of all, allow creating new jobs and diversifying the economy of Kazakhstan," he said.

The authorized capital is divided into paid shares with a total par value of $350 million, as well as attracted shares with a par value of $150 million. Each country accounts for $70 million of paid shares.

"The adoption of the Law will allow Kazakhstan to become an active participant in the Turkic world, a full-fledged creator country of the Turkic international financial organization, to receive financing for projects in priority sectors of the economy, especially in the development of SMEs, as well as to strengthen trade and economic cooperation within and outside the OTS region," he said
Top 10 Two-Wheelers Sold in India in August 2023: A Year-on-Year and Month-on-Month Analysis

Indias two-wheeler market has been a cornerstone of the countrys mobility landscape for decades. As of August 2023, the industry continues to flourish, with a similar range of motorcycles and scooters capturing the attention of consumers. In this article, we delve into the top 10 two-wheelers sold in India for the month of August 2023, comparing their performance with August 2022 (year-on-year) and July 2023 (month-on-month).

Top 10 Two Wheelers Year-on-Year Analysis (Aug 2023 vs. Aug 2022)

With 2,89,930 units sold, Hero Splendor maintains its position as the top-selling two-wheeler in India, showcasing a modest 1.37% growth over August 2022. While still securing the second spot, Honda Activa experienced a slight decline of 2.84% YoY, with 2,14,872 units sold. Activa remains a formidable contender in the scooter segment.

Honda Shine demonstrated a remarkable 23.78% YoY growth, selling 1,48,712 units in August 2023. Bajaj Pulsar series saw a 6.64% YoY decrease, with 90,685 units sold. Nevertheless, it retains its reputation as a sporty and performance-oriented choice. Hero HF Deluxe recorded a slight YoY increase of 1.08%, selling 73,006 units. It remains a budget-friendly option for Indian riders.

TVS Jupiter maintained its position with 70,065 units sold, experiencing negligible YoY change. Suzuki Access witnessed impressive YoY growth of 32.88%, selling 53,651 units. TVS Raider made a remarkable leap with an astounding 111.20% YoY growth, selling 42,375 units. Raider has replaced Apache as the No 1 selling TVS motorcycle in India. Bajaj Platina faced a significant YoY drop of 59.30%, selling 40,693 units. With 38,043 units sold, Hero Passion showcased notable YoY growth of 35.15%.

Top 10 Two Wheelers Month-on-Month Analysis (Aug 2023 vs. Jul 2023)

Hero Splendor experienced a substantial 26.69% MoM growth, surpassing 2,89,930 units in August 2023, reflecting its strong market presence. Honda Activa recorded a remarkable 58.78% MoM growth, selling 2,14,872 units, likely due to increased consumer demand in August.

With a 44.28% MoM growth, the Honda Shine sold 1,48,712 units. Bajaj Pulsar saw a modest 3.10% MoM growth, selling 90,685 units. Hero HF Deluxe witnessed a 10.73% MoM growth, selling 73,006 units. TVS Jupiter experienced a 5.46% MoM growth, selling 70,065 units

Suzuki Access recorded a 3.82% MoM growth, selling 53,651 units. TVS Raider had an impressive 14.84% MoM growth, selling 42,375 units, signifying its increasing acceptance among motorcycle enthusiasts. Bajaj Platina showed a substantial 21.27% MoM growth, selling 40,693 units. Hero Passion recorded an 11.06% MoM growth, selling 38,043 units.

The Indian two-wheeler market continues to showcase resilience and adaptability. While some models experienced YoY declines, the MoM performance suggests that demand remains robust in August 2023. Hero Splendor maintains its dominance, while Honda Activa and Honda Shine demonstrate strong market appeal. TVS Raiders remarkable YoY growth highlights a changing preference among consumers, emphasizing the importance of staying competitive in this dynamic market. As consumer preferences evolve, manufacturers must continue to innovate to stay at the forefront of this thriving industry.
Next-gen Fortuner and Hilux will be underpinned by the TNGA-F platform that can support both ICE and hybrid powertrains

Putting speculation to rest, Toyota has confirmed that Fortuner SUV and Hilux pickup will be getting mild-hybrid powertrain across all markets. The information was provided by senior vice president of sales and marketing, Leon Theron, at Toyota South Africa, couple of months ago. However, details about the mild-hybrid powertrain have surfaced recently.

Toyota Hybrid Powertrain Details

The Japanese brand has showcased E100 capable Fortuner (100% Ethanol) and Hilux too. However, a hybrid powertrain setup is more feasible in the immediate future. Both Hilux and Fortuner share the same IMV2 platform and are powered by the 2.8-litre diesel motor. Fortuner is also available with a 2.7-litre petrol motor too.

Toyotas advanced TNGA-F platform for next-gen Fortuner and Hilux is already in use with Land Cruiser 300 and Lexus LX500d. It will also be seen with the upcoming Tacoma in North American market. With TNGA, Toyota has achieved significant improvements in structural design, chassis and engine and transmission. These benefits will soon be available with Fortuner and Hilux.

Earlier in 2021, president of Toyota Daihatsu Engineering and Manufacturing, Mr. Yoshiki Konishi, had stated that next-gen Fortuner would be equipped with a hybrid powertrain. With confirmation from Toyota South Africa, it is clear that next-gen Fortuner and Hilux will have a 48V mild-hybrid setup.

As compared to other OEMs that are focusing majorly on BEVs, Toyota is keener on hybrid tech. That said, Toyota is not completely ignoring the EV segment. Last year in December, the company had unveiled the Hilux Revo BEV concept in Thailand. However, the immediate focus for Toyota will continue to be on hybrids.

Next-gen Fortuner, Hilux mild-hybrid powertrain

Toyota is using existing 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel engine with a 48V mild-hybrid powertrain. In the format currently in use with Fortuner and Hilux, the 2.8-litre diesel motor generates 204 PS of max power. Torque output is 420 Nm with the 6-speed manual transmission and 500 Nm with the 6AT.

The company promises improved torque, seamless engine stop/start feature, regen braking, more fuel efficiency, quieter starts and a better driving experience. This 48V mild hybrid setup comprises a belt-driven electric generator (replacing a traditional alternator), a 48V battery and a converter.

Combined, there could be up to a 10% fuel efficiency increase as opposed to current diesel-only setup. Being the hardy vehicles that they are, both Hilux and Fortuners off-road prowess will be retained despite added mild-hybrid tech. Off-road performance, towing capacity, and 700 mm water-wading capability will remain as is. Toyota demonstrated a hybrid Hilux prototype at a recent WRC event as well.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, September 20. A major regional railway project is planned in Kyrgyzstan, which is very important for the country, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov said, Trend reports.

The president made the remark during the inaugural C5+1 presidential summit on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York.

He mentioned that Kyrgyzstan continues to modernize its critical transportation infrastructure. The country is currently executing various projects across different sectors, such as infrastructure, industry, agriculture, irrigation, and transportation logistics.

He also said that Kyrgyzstan advocates for a more extensive presence of foreign partners, including American businesses, in both the country and the region.

According to him, Kyrgyzstan is ready to engage in comprehensive international cooperation across key sectors such as the green economy, hydroenergy, IT technologies, employment, and education.

C5+1 is a regional diplomatic platform of the US and the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This C5+1 format was established in November 2015 to address common security and environmental issues, enhance regional trade, and improve US trade and investment prospects in the region.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, September 20. Tajikistan attaches paramount importance to the development of "green" energy within the context of the urgent mission to promote a "green economy", President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon said, Trend reports.

He made this statement during the inaugural C5+1 presidential summit on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, held in New York.

During his speech, President Rahmon paid special attention to issues related to the efficient utilization of Tajikistan's hydroenergy resources, the production of "green" energy, Tajikistan's global initiatives in response to climate change and its impacts, glacier melting, and other global challenges that pose significant obstacles to the development and progress of nations.

Rahmon affirmed that Tajikistan fully supports efforts to enhance cooperation between the countries in the fields of economics, transport, communication, water, and energy, as well as other important matters of sustainable development.

C5+1 is a regional diplomatic platform of the US and the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This C5+1 format was established in November 2015 to address common security and environmental issues, enhance regional trade, and improve US trade and investment prospects in the region.
The State Committee for Work with Diaspora reported that the Azerbaijan House operating in Canada was attacked. According to the Committee's hotline, the incident occurred at night when a group of people of Armenian origin came to the Toronto Azerbaijan House and tried to commit provocation by saying insults against Azerbaijan. Law enforcement authorities were notified of the incident, Azernews reports, citing State Committee.

The Azerbaijan House in Canada was officially opened in North York district of Ontario province in September 2019. The opening ceremony was attended by employees of the State Committee on Work with Diaspora, Azerbaijan's Charge d'affaires in Canada Vasif Abutalibov, representatives of the Canadian government and parliament, consul general of Turkiye, local residents and representatives of India, Jewish and Uzbekistan communities, heads and members of Azerbaijani diaspora organizations.

Law enforcement authorities were informed about the incident.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 20. Turkmenistan is discussing expansion of comprehensive cooperation with the US and Central Asian countries in the format of the C5+1 dialogue, Trend reports.

The discussions took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, the heads of the rest of the Central Asian countries and US President Joe Biden.

The issues of expanding economic and energy cooperation, ensuring food security, climate change, regional security and ongoing reforms aimed at improving governance and the rule of law were discussed at the meeting.

In his speech after the summit, Joe Biden said that the United States and Central Asian countries are creating a new business platform that will complement the diplomatic dialogue in the 'C5+1' format and will allow better linking the private sector of the countries for development.

The 'C5+1' format, created in 2015, serves as a multilateral mechanism of interaction between the five Central Asian countries and the US. The dialogue focuses on issues of economic development, regional cooperation and security.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, September 20. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov, speaking at the plenary session of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York City, said that the country is taking the initiative to convene a major international forum on food security, Trend reports.

The head of state stressed that this forum will be organized in cooperation with the World Food Program, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF).

He also expressed readiness to provide conditions for holding such an event in the capital of Turkmenistan within the agreed time frame.

Furthermore, Berdimuhamedov proposed to convene a high-level meeting on the occasion of World Sustainable Transport Day, as well as to create a meeting on security in Central Asia, and expressed readiness to hold the first meeting in Ashgabat in 2024.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan attaches the highest priority to the development of agriculture and rural areas. This includes the introduction of modern agricultural methods, the training of agricultural workers, and the improvement of infrastructure for the storage and processing of agricultural products, which ensures the food security of the country.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, September 20. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and President of the US Joseph Biden discussed topical issues of the bilateral agenda and regional cooperation in Trend reports.

The talks were held within the framework of the events of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. The US President reaffirmed his strong support for independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, as well as the course of irreversible reforms being carried out in Uzbekistan.

Special attention was paid to the promotion of Uzbekistans practical cooperation projects with leading American companies and banks.

During the meeting, the parties paid special attention to the continuation of constructive interaction in the field of human rights and gender equality.

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan and the American-Uzbekistan Chamber of Commerce (AUCC) reached agreements on the adoption of road maps for the implementation of joint projects as a result of the meeting between President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Chairwoman of AUCC Carolyn Lamm as part of the presidents working visit to the US.

The meeting was also attended by the heads of such US corporations as GE Healthcare, Oppenheimer, Cerberus, CNH, and Cintana.
Housing

spotlight

When a movie house becomes homes: Alexandria Theater unveils new plan

Craig Lee/The Examiner Supervisor Connie Chan (right) and Yorke Lee (left), owner of the Alexandria Theater, announced on Tuesday a plan to convert the long-vacant Alexandria Theater into 76 housing units.

The Inner Richmonds dilapidated Alexandria Theater could soon become housing as part of yet another revitalization plan for the long-vacant space.

San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan and TimeSpace Alexandria LLC jointly announced Tuesday that The City and the building owner are exploring a development agreement to convert the aging movie theater into 76 housing units, with an unspecified amount being dedicated to on-site affordable housing.

Chan said that she would collaborate with the city attorney and the planning department, with additional input from the Office of Economic Workforce and Development, to ensure that the plan materializes. She introduced legislation in March to designate the theater as a landmark and preserve its marquee and blade sign, the latter of which was removed after it was damaged in a series of January storms. The legislation would also preserve the theaters grand chandelier and art deco mural.

San Franciscans want to see the history preserved, but we also want to move forward, she said. Its time. Im just so pleased that we are finally able to turn a new page for this historic site.

Amid an ongoing housing shortage and homelessness crisis, The City must build 81,000 new homes by 2031 in order to meet its state-mandated housing goals. San Francisco officials have sought to speed up the process of converting unused commercial spaces into housing, including vacant offices downtown.

Chan said she would ask the Historic Preservation Commission to delay considering the theater a landmark so that The City could work on its development agreement.

Since the Alexandria closed in 2004, none of the plans to transform the space on Geary Street have come to fruition.

Craig Lee/The Examiner Local business owners have suggested that beautification projects could be done on the building's exterior while work is done on the development agreement.

The last plan for the theater, located along one of San Franciscos major commercial corridors, wouldve converted it into a multi-story mixed-use space with offices and two swimming pools. The planning department approved the project, but the COVID-19 pandemic and financial constraints shuttered those plans.

I want to use our full strengths to speed up this process, hopefully to be a successful project, to be a win-win situation for everybody. Yorke Lee, TimeSpaces founder, said.

Sean Kim, co-owner of the nearby Joes Ice Cream shop, said that he was optimistic about the housing project as it offered a solution to a source of blight in the neighborhood. While The City explores Chans conversion plan, he suggested that beautification projects  like painting murals on the walls facing 18th Avenue  could be done to the buildings exterior in the meantime.

The City and developers will seek community once the plans details are finalized. Chan said it was important to preserve a piece of the neighborhoods past while creating a flexibility for housing and development because thats what we need.

People said, Thats not possible. You can only have one or the other.  Were going to work this together and work it out because we can do this, she said.
Clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Poolbeg Pharma announced the receipt of a notice of allowance from the Japanese Patent Office for its Immunomodulator I patent application on Wednesday.

The AIM-traded firm said the approved claims pertained to a p38 MAPK - mitogen-activated protein kinase - inhibitor for treating severe influenza in human patients.

It said the move bolstered its already formidable intellectual property portfolio in Japan, with the patent set to be officially granted on finalising certain formalities.

The company boasted a global licence for POLB 001, intended for all human applications.

In its pursuit of building a comprehensive intellectual property portfolio, Poolbeg said it had secured patents for both Immunomodulator I and Immunomodulator II.

The patents covered the use of the class of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors for the treatment of not only severe influenza but also hypercytokinaemia.

Poolbeg said it had initiated the patent application process to broaden its intellectual property concerning POLB 001 and the application of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors in emergent medical domains, notably oncology.

Such efforts were expected to augment the appeal and value of POLB 001 to prospective pharmaceutical collaborators.

This milestone is a testament to the uniqueness of p38 MAPK inhibition as a potential blockbuster treatment for severe influenza, said chief executive officer Jeremy Skillington.

We are committed to continuing to strengthen the intellectual property protection of our portfolio of assets into new jurisdictions to increase their overall value to potential partners.

At 1410 BST, shares in Poolbeg Pharma were up 3.63% at 7.2p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
TAHSKENT, Uzbekistan, September 20. UZINFOCOM, a structural unit of the Ministry of Digital Technologies of Uzbekistan, launched the first K-root server in Uzbekistan at the CAPIF 2 international forum in Tashkent, Trend reports.

Hosting a root server in Uzbekistan should speed up the process of accessing web resources and reduce dependence on foreign servers.

The initiative followed talks between UZINFOCOM representatives and RIPE NCC, the organization responsible for the distribution of IP addresses and AS numbers in Europe, on hosting a K-root server in Uzbekistan in March 2023.

The K-root DNS server is one of the 13 root DNS servers that are part of the Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure. The task of root DNS servers, including K-root, is to translate domain names into IP addresses, which allows devices on the Internet to successfully connect to each other.

Uzbekistans ICT sector has been developing rapidly in the last few years. The value of ICT services provided in Uzbekistan from January through November 2022 worth 13.1 billion soums ($1.1 million).

This figure increased by 21.9 percent compared to the January through November 2021 figure (10.8 billion soums or $953,649).
The UK motor industry has criticised plans by the government to potentially water down a number of core green policies.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, in response to a BBC report, prime minister Rishi Sunak reiterated a commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

But he said the government now wanted to achieve it in a more proportionate way.

According to multiple reports, all citing sources at Number 10, Sunak will give a speech later this week detailing a number of policy changes.

Arguing that Britain has already over-delivered on climate change, he is expected to push back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars  currently set to come in to force in 2030  to 2035.

Other changes could include weakening plans to phase out the installation of gas boilers by 2035, dropping new energy efficiency regulations for homes and pledging no new taxes to discourage flying.

The home secretary, Suella Braverman, said on Wednesday that the government was not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people.

But Lisa Brankin, chair of Ford UK, was critical of the plans, noting that the car industry had already invested significantly to meet the 2030 deadline.

She continued: Ford has announced a global $50bn commitment to electrification, launching nine electric vehicles. The range is support by 430m invested in the Fords UK development and manufacturing facilities, with further funding planned for the 2030 UK timeframe.

This is the biggest industry transformation in over a century, and the UK 2030 target is a vital catalyst.

Our business needs three things from the UK government: ambition, commitment and consistency. A relaxation of 2030 would undermine all three.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, was also critical.

He said: Britain can and should be a leader in zero emission mobility, both as a manufacturers and market. To make this a reality, however, consumers must want to make the switch, which requires from government a clear, consistent message, attractive incentives and charging infrastructure that gives confidence rather than anxiety.

Confusion and uncertainty will only hold them back.

The government is unable to drop the commitment to reaching net zero by 2050, as the target was made legally binding when the Climate Change Act was amended in 2019.
Rishi Sunak is facing a fresh setback to his target of halving inflation as oil prices hit $95 for the first time this year. The price of Brent crude closed in on $96 per barrel on Tuesday, the highest level since November 2022 as Russia and Saudi Arabia conspire to limit production and push up global costs. Inflation figures published on Wednesday [today] are expected to show the first acceleration in consumer prices since February. Analysts have forecast a 7.1pc rise for August on the year, up from July when consumer price inflation came in at 6.8pc. - Daily Telegraph

San Francisco-based Instacarts initial public offering was priced at the top end of its $28 to $30 price range, raising a total of $660 million, out of which $237 million will go to investors who sold their shares in the flotation. It gave the company a valuation of nearly $9.9 billion, a fraction of the $39 billion it was worth in 2021, the companys last funding round. Instacarts strong debut, along with that of Arm, the British technology chip designer, last week, could encourage other startups to test the waters and potentially revive the IPO market after a near 18-month dry spell. - The Times

Tony Blair helped broker Keir Starmer's meeting with Emmanuel Macron yesterday as part of secret plans to 'reverse Brexit', it emerged last night. A Whitehall source said the former prime minister had used his extensive EU contacts book to arrange the meeting on a day when the bloc released plans that could see Britain effectively rejoin the EU as an 'associate member'. The source said Sir Tony was 'convinced that Brexit is now a vote-winner for Labour' and was pushing his successor to open the door to reversing it. - Daily Mail

Revolut is delaying its results for a second year in a row as pressure mounts on the former fintech darling. The company was due to publish its figures at the end of September, nine months after the end of the 2022 financial year. But it has now been given until the end of December to post its numbers on Companies House  repeating the extension it was given for its 2021 results last year. - Daily Mail

After the staff shortages, the strikes, the difficult restart following the Covid-19 travel restrictions and the airline complaints, Heathrow has regained its prepandemic status as the worlds most-connected airport. In a further boost for Europes largest airport, Heathrow in west London is pulling away from two of its main rivals on the European mainland, Frankfurt and Paris Charles de Gaulle, for international travellers business. - The Times
Uber Auto, a three-wheeler service provided by the company, has become a major hit in India, making it easier for travelers to hail a ride without having to haggle for prices. Not only has it been a boon for Indians looking for a cheaper option to the customary cabs, but the three-wheeler services in New Delhi also seem to be at the forefront of Ubers future growth initiatives, the companys Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has said. The 54-year-old Chief Executive made the remark on Tuesday during a keynote session with Safra Catz, the CEO of Oracle Corporation at the tech giant's ongoing flagship event 'Oracle CloudWorld' in Las Vegas.

When asked to describe the "Uber of today," Khosrowshahi said the company has "undergone an incredible transformation" since he became CEO in 2010. "2024 will be all about growth for us. We complete about 2 billion trips a quarter so two billion rides, or delivery of food, grocery, etc. To keep growing at this rate, we will have to add billion and a half trips every single year that requires us to come up with innovative growth initiatives," he said. To cite a few examples of such initiatives, he mentioned the two-wheeler services in Sao Paulo, three-wheelers in New Delhi, a new bus service that the company is building in Egypt aimed at reducing congestion, as well as grocery delivery in Santiago, Chile.

"All of the growth requires incredible innovation and building up these new products with an entrepreneurial mindset is what will get us from 2023 to 2024." In 2022, Indians spent 11 billion minutes traveling in Ubers. According to the company, October 2022 saw the highest number of package deliveries through Uber Connect. The cities with the highest number of Uber trips in 2022 were Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Khosrowshahi also highlighted that when he joined as the CEO six years ago, "Uber was all about rides." "Push a button and get a ride. Uber was essentially a transportation company. So we decided to use the same technology and ecosystem to extend from transporting people to now transporting food and things," he said.

The Chief Executive went to note that Uber Eats was about 50 percent of the overall business. "But now, the Uber Eats business is just as big as the Uber rides business," he said, adding that "now the business of transportation of things has grown to $50 billion and all built organically". "Anywhere you want to go, anything you want to get, we want to be that operating system for your everyday life... push a button and good things will come to you," the CEO added. Also, at the keynote, Oracle and Uber announced Collect and Receive, a new offering on the Oracle Retail platform connecting retailers and consumers to enhance and enrich last-mile delivery. Supported by the Oracle Retail Data Store and cloud platform technologies, retailers can now link to Uber Direct, the companys white-label delivery solution, via pre-integrated APIs.

This joint solution enables retailers to rebalance inventory while giving customers more choices, including same-day and scheduled delivery options, order pickup, and returns to the closest retail or postal location. The service is available today for Oracle Retail customers in the US and Canada. At Uber, its crystal clear that on-demand delivery is a core expectation for consumers -- and todays retailers are taking note, said Khosrowshahi. Every month, more than 3,500 brands use Uber Direct to power millions of same-day local deliveries. "Together with Oracle, we can make it easier than ever for retailers to leverage on-demand delivery and even returns to delight consumers, streamline logistics, and ultimately boost loyalty and sales.
First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska met with the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in the United States, for which she chose a restrained but sophisticated black pantsuit. Its highlight is an asymmetrical elongated jacket with a fitted cut.

ADVERTISIMENT

This outfit was created for the wife of the President of Ukraine by the famous Ukrainian designer Andre Tan. He described the features of his product on his Instagram page. (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photo).

Thus, the first lady appeared at the meeting in an elegant black suit, which Andre Tan himself called symbolic.

Special attention should be paid to the jacket. It is asymmetrical, fastens with a large black button closer to the left side and has a pocket on the right.

ADVERTISIMENT

"The jacket from this suit has a white border and symbolizes the aspirations and hopes of the Ukrainian people, like the white stripe that always comes after the black one," the designer explained the symbolism of the outfit.

The designer also noted that the fabric for the suit was made by craftsmen from Chernihiv wool.

"From Chernihiv to New York and then on to the pages of the media around the world! We are grateful to Olena Zelenska for supporting the domestic stylist and to the Armed Forces and the Ukrainian people for their courage, strength and hope!" Andre Tan commented.

ADVERTISIMENT

As a reminder, Olena Zelenska and President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in New York to participate in the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. On the first day of the visit, the wife of the Ukrainian leader wore a restrained and elegant suit from the Bobkova brand. It is noted that the closed, basic-colored outfit indicates Zelenska's serious intentions. Details are in our material.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL showed what Olena Zelenska looked like before February 24, 2022, and how much she had changed after Russia's full-scale invasion. Read more about it here.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Startup Odisha, an initiative of the MSME Department of the Government of Odisha launched a one-of-its-kind 100 Crore Odisha Startup Growth Fund with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) as the fund manager. This fund is truly unique due to its perpetual nature. When the initial corpus of 100 Crore gets exhausted, the state government would consistently replenish the fund, ensuring continuous, long-term support for startups.

100 Crores over five years through Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) in Odisha-based startups. This collaboration is set to play a crucial role in bolstering the MSME sector, which contributes 33% to Indias GDP and generates over 120 million jobs. SIDBI will serve as the fund manager for the Odisha Startup Growth Fund, responsible for shaping its investment strategy and managing its portfolio. Established by the Government of Odisha as part of its Fund of Funds initiative, the OSGF is dedicated to investing100 Crores over five years through Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) in Odisha-based startups. This collaboration is set to play a crucial role in bolstering the MSME sector, which contributes 33% to Indias GDP and generates over 120 million jobs.

Shri S. Ramann, Chairman and Managing Director, SIDBI said, We are extremely glad to be working with Startup Odisha and support the growth of Odishas startup ecosystem. Through financial support and guidance, we will empower startups to thrive as well as make significant contributions to Odishas economic landscape. SIDBIs own fund will add another layer to our efforts, setting the stage for the state to become a startup funding hotspot in the next 5-10 years.

Dr.Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman, Startup Odisha, said, The Launch of Odisha Startup Growth Fund marks a pivotal moment in our mission to foster a vibrant startup ecosystem in Odisha. We are dedicated to providing our states startups with the essential financial backing required for their growth. This fund symbolizes our unwavering commitment to nurturing innovation, catalysing job creation, and propelling our startups to succeed both at the national and global levels. We are crafting a future where Odisha would be recognized as a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence.

Shri S P Singh, CGM, SIDBI said that Start-ups and SMEs, especially those active in the deep tech and strategically important industries, are the innovation and growth engine of the economy. By offering the financing and assistance needed to enable companies to realize their full potential by focusing on skill development, training, and mentorship to boost creativity this Fund will help investments directly contribute to the innovation capacity of our economy.

Odisha Startup Growth Fund (OSGF) operates as a Fund-of-Funds Vehicle, designed to offer co-investment assistance along with a centralized tracking and implementation mechanism. The predominant financial instruments utilized by OSGF prioritize equity or quasi-equity investments, reflecting its commitment to nurturing long-term growth and sustainability within the startup ecosystem. Odisha boasts a flourishing startup landscape, home to over 1700+ dynamic startups, including 600+ women-led enterprises.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The opioid crisis hit Staten Island as hard as anywhere in the U.S., and that was before fentanyl and tranq hit the streets.

Local leaders in government and law enforcement were briefed Monday by the citys Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan on the latest data outlining overdoses, emerging trends, seizures and arrests pertaining to a rising number of fatalities, addiction and homelessness across New York City and the nation.

We think post-COVID, things have gotten worse, said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, who hosted the meeting at his offices in St. George.

We spoke with the (SNP) earlier in the summer and it was such a powerful presentation we wanted to make sure our partners (on Staten Island) were able to hear this information as well.

The meeting came days after officials announced a local task force to combat the issue. which will hold an inaugural meeting in the coming weeks. It was formed amid frustrations over the unveiling of an Interagency Task Force on Overdose Prevention formed by Gov. Kathy Hochul at the state level, which McMahon, Borough President Vito Fossella and other local leaders have criticized for its apparent lack of community members, elected officials and family members affected by drug abuse and overdose.

Fossella, who announced the local task force recently alongside the district attorney, said Monday that elected officials are coming together to see what we can do to help solve this crisis.

I think the (data) reaffirms why we need to have our own task force, Fossella said. Its not just treatment. Its not just arresting. Theres a lot of other issues that need to be addressed ... and frankly were all in this together.

In a recent notice issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration, federal officials cautioned Americans to be wary of Xylazine, which is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier.

At the federal level, Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer recently called for increased federal funding to combat the proliferation of Xylazine, so far identified in the Greater New York City area, Syracuse, Albany and Rochester.

SNP COMMENDS S.I. INITIATIVES

Special Prosecutor Brennan on Monday commended McMahon and borough officials for leading initiatives in tracking, treating and prosecution from the early beginnings of the opioid crisis.

Staten Island was a hot spot from the beginning of this crisis from where I stand as the special narcotics prosecutor, and I see how youve been able to respond as a community with ideas ... and being able to come up with some templates and solutions and some examples that were able to be followed throughout the city, said Brennan.

Some of the numbers youre dealing with are smaller but the impact is just as profound, and you have such a commitment to it and theres so many resources here, so I look at it as a real opportunity for important problem solving.

SUPERSTORM OF ADDICTION, DEATH

Fentanyl has been found in close to 80% of recent overdose deaths on Staten Island, made worse now by Xylazine aka zombie or sleep-cut, noted the boroughs top prosecutor Monday.

McMahon described it as a superstorm when multiple weather systems overlap.

There was pre-existing addiction illness, loneliness and depression surrounding the pandemic era, and now fentanyl and Xylazine is gasoline on the fire.

Overdose numbers were dropping before the pandemic, McMahon said, before spiking again in post-COVID era here and across the country.

Photos show fentanyl and a drug press found at a daycare center in New York, where one child died and three others became ill after being exposed to the drug, authorities say. (U.S. Department of Justice)

TRYING ONCE CAN KILL YOU

McMahon said that while in some cases borough residents dying from fentanyl-related overdoses had ongoing addiction illnesses, anyone of any age looking to experiment with drugs or who casually use should be on high alert.

In fact, he said, he knows a man personally who snorted cocaine at a bachelor party and lost his life. Fentanyl, which goes unnoticed when mixed with other drugs, was found mixed in, McMahon said.

People think theyre taking an ecstasy pill for a party and theyre dying, or they think theyre snorting cocaine at a bachelor party and theyre dying, he said. Were no longer in a time where you can try something. Trying once can kill you.

Children on Staten Island have not been immune to the crisis.

The manner of death for a 1-year-old in Stapleton was being investigated as a homicide in May after the cause of death was determined to be acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and cocaine, a source at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner told the Advance/SILive.com.

Making things worse, is that because the drug is not an opioid the overdose-reversal treatment naloxone is not known to be effective in cases involving Xylazine.

As a result, people who overdose on a fentanyl-Xylazine combination may then remain in a sedated state even after receiving naloxone, complicating local efforts to combat the drug.

McMahon took aim at all levels of policy and enforcement in the U.S., saying the federal government needs to do more to stop the influx of the deadly substances, while lawmakers at the state and city level could do more in the form of treatment, prevention and removing the stigma from addiction illness.

We need a multi-pronged approach here, and thats kind of where we are,' he said.

BI-PARTISAN APPROACH

Attending the briefing Monday were Borough President Vito Fossella, Assembly Members Mike Reilly (R-South Shore) and Mike Tannousis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn), Council Member and Public Safety Committee Chair Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore) and Minority Leader Joe Borelli (R-South Shore). Also represented was staff for Council Member David Carr (R-Mid Island), Assembly member Charles Fall (D-North Shore), state Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn) and Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.

Borelli commended the district attorney for his enforcement of those dealing the life-threatening drugs by working overdose cases up the chain to put people who sell these substances in jail.

In the past, when weve asked for help from the city and state, often times were smothered with gibberish about harm reduction and programs, said Borelli.

A box of Narcan sits in the Savage Sisters' community outreach storefront in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Generically known as Naloxone, the medication used revive people who have stopped breathing, doesnt reverse the effects of xylazine. Philadelphia officials stress that naloxone should still be administered in all cases of suspected overdose, since xylazine is almost always found in combination with fentanyl. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)AP

Hanks also thanked McMahon for organizing the presentation.

Being a council member of the North Shore we see in real time the effects of the data in this presentation, she said. (The presentation) now put words and numbers to things were seeing on the ground in real time.

The new drug task force formed on Staten Island will hold an inaugural meeting in the coming weeks, officials have said.

Last year, Hochul vetoed legislation that would have created a state task force focused on combatting New Yorks fight against deadly fentanyl, then promised the formation of the similar task force by herself. Some local leaders have also criticized the distribution of a massive opioid lawsuit settlement fund of which they say the borough was short-changed.

When Governor Hochul vetoed legislation to create a statewide Fentanyl Task Force, we joined our neighbors in outrage, confusion, and impatience at the total dismissal of a drug epidemic that reached deadly new heights last year, killing over 100,000 Americans, among them 146 Staten Islanders, McMahon said in a statement at the time. Fathers and mothers, sons and daughters. Friends and colleagues are no longer with us because of the scourge of opioids and fentanyl.

While additional members will be announced, the Staten Island Fentanyl and Overdose Task Force is comprised of the following members:

District Attorney Michael E. McMahon

Borough President Vito J. Fossella

Dr. Ram Raju, Staten Island Borough Presidents Office

Dr. Joe Conte, Staten Island Performing Provider System

Adrienne Abbate, Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness

Jacqueline Filis, YMCA of Greater New York

Luka Nasta, Camelot Counseling of Staten Island

Gary Butchen, Bridge Back to Life

Patricia ORourke, Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing (GRASP)

Dr. Joel Idowu, Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC)

Paul Lebowitz, Primary Care

Mayank Parikh, Super Health Pharmacy

Candace Crupi, survivor

Diane Arneth, Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI)

Ilena Acosta, RUMC Silberstein Treatment Center

Alyssa Calandra, Staten Island Justice Center

Soni Kada, Staten Island Justice Center

Inspector Mark C. Molinari, NYPD Detective Borough Staten Island

RELATED COVERAGE: Staten Island Drug Crisis

>>Staten Island officials create fentanyl and overdose task force to combat ongoing epidemic

>>Staten Island non-profit to get part of $22M in opioid settlement funds

>>D.A. McMahon lashes out at NY Gov. Hochul over farce of fentanyl task force

>>Xylazine, zombie drug known as tranq, circulating in New York and linked to deaths, says Sen. Schumer: Report

>>Death of boy, 1, on Staten Island ruled homicide; caused by fentanyl, cocaine, M.E. rules
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Staten Islands college students will soon have access to more resources thanks to a new, first-of-its-kind Hillel partnered with the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island.

The JCC of Staten Island recently joined with representatives from UJA-Federation of NY, Hillel International, the College of Staten Island (CSI), Wagner College and elected officials to announce that the JCC has entered into a management agreement with Hillel.

Hillel of Staten Island will serve both CSI and Wagner, as well as other college-aged students on the borough. It will have access to all of the JCCs resources, strengthening its impact in the community. Hillels mission is to enrich the lives of Jewish college students and inspire them to make an enduring commitment to meaningful Jewish life and community.

Our goal is to create a future community for all Jewish young adults to engage, thrive, and grow, said JCC CEO Orit Lender during the announcement, which took place at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Sea View. Hillel of Staten Island is a unique model that will create a seamless connection for those attending college, participating in alternative educational pathways, and individuals who are already on their career paths. These young adults will build, strengthen, and lead the Jewish community both on college campuses and throughout Staten Island.

Our goal is to create a future community for all Jewish young adults to engage, thrive, and grow, said JCC CEO Orit Lender during the announcement, which took place at the Joan and Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center in Sea View. (Courtesy/JCC)

The funding for the initiative comes from UJA-Federation of NY, a core partner of the JCC and Hillel. Eric Goldstein, UJA-Federation of NY CEO, explained that many students who attend college on Staten Island typically stay on the borough after graduation. The new partnership will introduce the JCC into student life during college and will provide an established connection to Jewish life and community after they graduate, Goldstein said.

Hillel of Staten Island will be part of Hillel International, the worlds largest and most inclusive Jewish campus organization.

Hillel International is thrilled to support the expansion of Jewish life on college campuses through the Staten Island Hillel, in partnership with the JCC of Staten Island, UJA-Federation of New York, Wagner College, and the College of Staten Island, said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International. Through robust programming and opportunities for student engagement and Jewish learning led by Rachel Vaynshteyn, the Staten Island Hillel will become a center of Jewish life in the area.

The new partnership will introduce the JCC into student life during college and will provide an established connection to Jewish life and community after they graduate, said Eric Goldstein, UJA-Federation of NY CEO. (Courtesy/JCC)

The JCC hired Rachel Vaynshteyn, a CSI Hillel alumnus, to serve as director of Hillel of Staten Island. Vaynshteyn will work with students on both campuses and beyond in the areas of education, professional life, mental health, socialization, activism and exploration of their Jewish journey.

Lender said that a stronger structure for Hillel will support Jewish life and create a safer climate on campus, as ignorance and hate are becoming more commonplace.

Hillel of Staten Island is already working with our local colleges to help fight back against Anti-Semitism and hate of all kinds, said Lender. By coming together for our young adults, the JCC and Hillel can integrate a sense of belonging to the Jewish community. It is imperative that the young adults on Staten Island be empowered to become the leaders of the next generation of Jewish life for our community.

CSI President Dr. Timothy Lynch said that CSI is thrilled to join the partnership to further support all Jewish young adults in the Staten Island community.

Hillel at the College of Staten Island has always been a wonderful student organization and partner in not only providing our students a special space to socialize while staying connected to culture, traditions, and values but also helping our students develop the skills they need to become strong leaders in the Staten Island community, he said.

He noted that the appointment of Vaynshteyn as director  who is a graduate of CSI and a former president of CSIs Hillel chapter  is a prime example of how the organization helps to build a strong foundation for students and contributes to their success beyond college.

Wagner is proud to be part of this collaborative where young people from the two colleges and from the community can come together as a Staten Island Hillel to learn and participate in meaningful and powerful experiences that will help develop their leadership skills and propel them into the civic professionals of tomorrow, said Ruta Shah-Gordon, vice president of enrollment and campus life at Wagner College.

Hillel serves more than 140,000 students each year at 850 colleges and universities around the world.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A Staten Island elementary school has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023.

PS 9, the Naples Street Elementary School in Concord, is among 22 New York schools to be granted this honor by the U.S. Department of Education.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Staten Islands business leaders have joined into the chorus of borough residents and elected officials voicing their fervent opposition to the MTAs planned congestion pricing program.

On Tuesday, the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce hosted a Lunch & Learn event at the Old Bermuda Inn with MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber to discuss how the agencys congestion pricing program, which is expected to be implemented in the coming spring, will impact residents and the local business community.

Listen, this is controversial. Its obviously controversial in the room, youve all made that clear, Lieber said. I just think we need to be clear, implementing congestion pricing is not being done because people want to stick it to drivers. The reason for doing congestion pricing is because there aint enough room in the Central Business District of Manhattan for all the vehicles that want to come.

The MTAs congestion pricing plan, formally known as the Central Business District Tolling Program (CBDTP), will charge motorists a variable fee for driving into Manhattans Central Business District, defined as any area south of 60th Street.

The program, which is intended to reduce traffic congestion and fund necessary improvements to the citys ailing mass transit system, has been overwhelmingly opposed by Staten Islanders, many of whom argue that residents of the most car-dependent borough will bare a disproportionate burden of the new tolls without seeing the same transit improvements as other parts of the city.

That sentiment was echoed Tuesday by various Chamber members, including President and CEO Linda Baran, who invited Lieber to Staten Island in hopes of opening a dialogue with agency leadership.

It seems like this is going to go full steam ahead so we wanted to have a dialogue with the chair of the MTA basically to get his attention so he can understand the issues that we deal with out here. Ive heard comments like people who drive cars have their heads in the sand. We dont have our heads in the sand, we just dont have other options, Baran said, referencing the boroughs lack of a connecting subway line.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber speaks to Frank Scarangello, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, on Tuesday, Sept. 19. (Staten Island Advance/Erik Bascome)

Frank Scarangello, chairman of the Chambers Board of Directors, noted that borough residents already pay more tolls than residents from other parts of the city to enter Manhattan and requested that Staten Islanders be fully exempt from any additional congestion pricing fees.

As residents, we do get a discount on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, which we are extremely grateful for, but wed also like to request that we somehow are exempt from that congestion pricing toll because that would be a third toll for us to get into the city and every other borough would only have to pay twice, Scarangello said.

All were asking for is some equity. I get that we have to pay tolls and I get that we have to pay taxes, but I think this issue is really just one of quality of life, he added.

Borough President Vito Fossella, who has announced plans to file a lawsuit in hopes of stopping congestion pricing, said he cant support a plan that he believes will hurt his constituents, referencing scenarios from the programs environmental assessment stating that truck traffic and air pollution on Staten Island may increase as a result of implementation.

We cant in good faith embrace this concept, especially when their own studies show that with congestion pricing, air quality will get worse on the North Shore, Fossella said. We will get worse traffic and we will have to pay for it, so in good conscience, why would we embrace that?

During Tuesdays event, Lieber maintained the long-held stance of the MTA that congestion pricing will bring a myriad of benefits to New York City as a whole, even those residents who still elect to drive into Manhattan.

Congestion pricing means less congestion, cleaner air, safer streets, less traffic violence and better transit because the money is going to be used for transit and yes, that includes Staten Island, Lieber said. I understand that most people in this room are not heavy transit users, but that doesnt mean nobody on Staten Island is. We have 70,000 people every day who use MTA buses and the Staten Island Railway.

For the folks that do drive to the city, bare in mind that the premise of congestion pricing is not to take away peoples cars, but to get 10% to 20% of people to switch to transit and that will reduce traffic. Its going to make your drive when you go to Manhattan, if you choose to, a lot better because you wont be stuck in gridlock, he added.

MORE CONGESTION PRICING NEWS

Now fully approved, whats next for NYC congestion pricing? Determining toll rates, setting start date

NYC congestion pricing: How much more might Staten Islanders pay under controversial program?

NYC congestion pricing: Panelists take first step in determining future toll prices

These 7 things will determine cost of NYCs congestion pricing tolls

Malliotakis looks to block NYC congestion pricing plan with new legislative language

New Jersey sues feds over congestion pricing with hope of delaying plan
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  MTA CEO Janno Lieber was on Staten Island on Tuesday, talking to the borough Chamber of Commerce about how great congestion pricing is going to be.

It was a hard sell, to say the least.

Like many things having to do with the city, whats good for the other four boroughs often isnt great for Staten Island. And congestion pricing is no different.

Heres whats on the menu for us as it stands today: Staten Island drivers, like others across the city, will pay a fee in order to enter Manhattan below 60th Street.

On the way in, drivers will also have to pay the toll at the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel (which I still think of as the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, but thats another issue), though the toll-free Manhattan Bridge or Brooklyn Bridge can be an option for some.

Then our drivers will have to pay a toll to come back home via the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

Yes, I know that Staten Islanders receive a deep discount on the Verrazzano toll and grateful we are for that. But its still the third in a line of tolls that Staten Islanders will pay when they travel to Midtown Manhattan.

As if that wasnt bad enough, the MTAs own studies show that well likely see an increase in truck traffic here, and the accompanying air pollution, as truckers look for alternate, cheaper ways to get into the city once congestion pricing kicks in.

In the face of all that, Lieber promises us less traffic in Manhattan (whoopee-do), cleaner air, less traffic violence (thats what the sane among us call car accidents) and more transit options.

Congestion pricing looks to get people out of their cars and onto mass transit. Its a simple, logical concept, sure, until you remember that Staten Island simply doesnt have the same transit options as our friends in the other four boroughs.

I sound like a broken record saying that, I know. But when they want us pay a tax because of our lousy transit choices, it warrants being yelled repeatedly from the rooftops.

We have no subway connection to Manhattan. We have a single train line. We have a paucity of ferries. We are overly reliant on wheeled transport, cars and express buses, in order to get to the city.

While there are transit deserts and lousy subway and bus lines in the other boroughs, folks there still have more to choose from than we do. Some of the healthier among them can even walk or bike to wherever they have to go.

Nobodys biking from Huguenot to Midtown Manhattan and back again for work.

Im not holding my breath for any new transit options given the massive amounts of time and money it takes for things like that to get done in New York. Look how long its taking us to get something as relatively straightforward as a bus rapid transit line on the North Shore.

And, remember, we still dont know just what mass transit improvements will come Staten Islands way thanks to the program.

But Staten Islanders do remember how our Verrazzano toll money has been used to keep the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North rolling. So youll forgive our cynicism about how great congestion pricing is going to work out for us.

Oh, and we also dont know just how much the congestion pricing fee is going to be. Thats an important detail, isnt it?

And London, which instituted congestion pricing in 2003, remains one of the most congested cities in the world. Air pollution has not been vanquished. And the congestion fee has been regularly increased over the years.

Forget anybodys promises. Thats the reality of congestion pricing.

MORE ON CONGESTION PRICING FROM TOM WROBLESKI

NYC congestion pricing a money grab that wont cure traffic or save the planet | Opinion

Would NYC, Staten Island have fared better under Bloomberg congestion pricing plan?

It gets worse: congestion pricing means more truck traffic as well as a new toll for Staten Islanders | Opinion
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Carried in his courageous mothers arms at the age of 2, Jose Mejia said he made the long journey from Mexico City to the United States in 1997.

Since then, Mejia, 28, who comes from a family of 11  four brothers, four sisters and his parents, Reyna Martinez and Raul Mejia  has known no other home. Settling in Port Richmond, Mejia grew up on Staten Island and graduated Port Richmond High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in legal studies, and a Master of Science degree in management and healthcare administration, both from the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook.

Jose Mejia was brought to the U.S. at age 2. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

Mejia appears to be very much like his peers who grew up on Staten Island.

But theres one big difference. Because Mejia was brought to America as a child, he lacks permanent legal status. And he has no pathway to citizenship, as he is part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) -- a program established under an executive action by former President Barack Obama -- which allows those brought to the U.S. as minors to remain in the country.

Jose Mejia with his parents Reyna Martinez and Raul Mejia. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

However, these Dreamers, as they have been dubbed based on never-passed proposals in Congress called the DREAM Act, have to apply every two years to continue to live and work in the U.S.

On Jan. 20, 2021, President Joe Biden issued a memorandum noting his administrations plan to preserve DACA. And the Dream and Promise Act of 2023, introduced in the Senate in February and Congress in June, would create a conditional permanent resident status for up to eight years for Dreamers. It would protect about 580,000 people who live in the U.S. under DACA from deportation, and allow them to work legally in the U.S. and freely travel outside the country.

Jose Mejia and his mother, Reyna Martinez. (Courtesy Jose Mejia)

However, DACA has faced several legal challenges in recent years.

A federal judge last week declared DACA illegal; the judge didnt order an immediate end to the program and the protections it offers to recipients, according to the Associated Press. The judges ruling is expected to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the news outlet said.

If DACA is overturned, Mejia could be sent back to Mexico, where he has no recollection of ever living.

I call this country my home. I had no control over the conditions in my home country that forced my parents to immigrate to the USA for a better life, he said, noting he was inspired by his mother, a community activist, to get involved in efforts that help others.

Jose Mejia said he tries to give back to the country anytime he has the opportunity, and recently found himself on the frontlines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

I feel stuck where I am because every two years I have to renew this [DACA] status, and theres no pathway to citizenship for me. This president and previous presidents havent really done anything to provide DACA individuals with a pathway to citizenship so I still feel Im in limbo, said Mejia, who is father to a 2-year-old son.

If DACA doesnt continue, he fears he could be separated from his child.

ON THE FRONTLINES

Mejia, who works at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), said he tries to give back anytime he has the opportunity, and recently found himself on the frontlines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. I was doing CPR on patients coming in [to SIUH] who were having respiratory issues. So during that time, unfortunately I saw a lot of people die. People got intubated. I had to wrap up bodies and put them in body bags, recalled Mejia.

Jose Mejia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a minor in legal studies, and a Master of Science degree in management, healthcare administration from the College of Staten Island in Willowbrook. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

And he has always been an an advocate for others in need. When he was 10 years old, Mejia joined a youth group called the Eye Openers Youth Against Violence, a multiethnic, multicultural, grassroots anti-violence youth rights organization.

[The group] helps foster youth development by improving relations across all social barriers and proactively organize for social change, he said. In 2010, there were racial tensions between the Mexican and Hispanic community and the African American community in Port Richmond.

Jose Mejia's father Raul came to this country ahead of his wife and children, to begin work and try to build a life for his family. Since he suffered a stroke, he has become paralyzed on his right side. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

At the time, Mejia helped organize a friendship dinner that allowed a diverse range of community members to break bread together.

He was also on the ground during Hurricane Sandy volunteering to help Staten Islanders who lost their homes recover from the 2012 storm.

Today, Mejia is a senior volunteer service assistant at SIUH, where he onboards volunteers for an array of special programs.

Jose Mejia has a 2-year-old son. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

DAILY STRUGGLES

Before DACA was established, Mejia struggled to keep up with his peers on Staten Island.

When all my friends were going for drivers ed, I couldnt, because at the time I didnt have a social security number. I had friends making applications for colleges. I couldnt do that because I didnt have a social security number, he said, adding CUNYs accept DACA students unlike private colleges.

I couldnt get a job on the books. I had to work odd jobs, sometimes making only $4 an hour, while my friends were making $10. Before DACA was a very hard time for me. But I persevered and I kept moving forward, hoping that one day things would get better, Mejia added.

Mejia wanted to become a New York City police officer, and completed the police academy cadet program in 2012. But because he lacks permanent residency he was unable to fulfill his dream of pursuing a law enforcement career.

Jose Mejia wanted to become a New York City police officer, and completed the police academy cadet program in 2012. But because he lacks permanent residency he was unable to fulfill his dream of pursing a law enforcement career. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

Many Dreamers, like Mejia, feel abandoned by the government because the barriers to citizenships have not been removed.

Individuals like myself have been here for 20-plus years, and they forgot about us. The most that they did is give us DACA. ... We already established ourselves here. We created families, he said. I wish I could offer more to my family.

Jose Mejia with his mentor, Rev. Terry Troia. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

Despite his struggles, Mejia has achieved many milestones. And he said hes grateful of his mentors hed had along the way, specifically Rev. Terry Troia, president of Project Hospitality, who said she has known Mejia since he was 12 years old.

I am so proud of his academic and vocational achievements and civil rights advocacy. He is the face of the next generation of immigrant leaders, she said.

Jose Mejia was on the frontlines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. (Courtesy of Jose Mejia)

A CAREGIVER

Mejias father, Raul, came to this country ahead of his wife and children to build a life for his family. In recent years, he suffered a stroke and has become paralyzed on his right side.

He took care of me. So its my responsibility to take care of him, Jose said. My dad did everything he could to support us. And one day he just got tired and his health started to decline.

Mejias next goal is to obtain his doctorate degree. And he hopes to see the day when he can become a U.S. citizen.

I want to further my education and have more of an impact in the community in the work I do, he said, noting the struggles hes been through have been worth it.

Its all good because I went through the struggle, and my son is going to have a better life than I had growing up, he said. I didnt have all the luxuries that people I knew had. So I understand the meaning of living in the struggle and just trying to get by.

MORE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH COVERAGE:

17 must-read books for Hispanic Heritage Month, according to NYPL

FOLLOW TRACEY PORPORA ON FACEBOOK and TWITTER
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!
The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NAPC) has added 2 leading German manufacturers of precision machine tools - Spinner and DMG MORI - to the list of international sponsors of war, which threatens them with serious reputational losses at the global level. The reason is that these companies' machines continue to be held and purchased by Russia, despite the sanctions imposed.

ADVERTISIMENT

The NACP itself told us about this. They noted that without these machines, Russia is unable to produce weapons and components for them.

"The website of Spinner's official distributor in Russia, SPINNER LLC, states that it is operating 'as usual'. From February 24, 2022, to June 31, 2023, nearly $15 million worth of SPINNER machines and components were imported to Russia. After the outbreak of a large-scale war, the volume of supplies of SPINNER equipment to Russia increased by 500%," the statement said.

It is noted that among the company's importers are enterprises of the Russian military-industrial complex. They:

develop and manufacture components for Su and MiG aircraft;

are already under sanctions - which, however, "does not prevent them from receiving new German machines."

At the same time, DMG MORI is represented on the Russian market through DMG Mori Rus LLC. This company operates a machine tool plant in Ulyanovsk. At the same time:

ADVERTISIMENT

At the end of February 2022, DMG MORI announced that it would cease all sales and service in Russia, as well as all production at its plant;

however, in reality, the company "remains an active participant in the Russian market".

"In July and August 2022, DMG Mori Rus supplied machine tool components to a subsidiary of UDK-Saturn JSC, Saturn Instrumental Plant, which produces gas turbine engines for military aviation," the NACP said.

Earlier, the Agency added 14 importers of machine tools from the German manufacturer Spinner to the list of international sponsors of war. "The decision was made after receiving information about the delivery of a machine from the production facilities of the plant in Turkey of the German manufacturer Spinner for the Russian JSC "Sirovsky Mechanical Plant" (SMZ)," the NACP explained.

ADVERTISIMENT

The machine has already been shipped from Turkey. It is expected that Russia will receive it at the end of September.

It is noted that the machine is used in Russia for the production of tank fragmentation shells. The Ukrainian side has already officially informed the German company that its machine will now be used to produce ammunition used by Russia to attack Ukraine.

Declaration of an international war sponsor - what does it mean?

Spinner and DMG MORI are not the first international companies to be included in the list. The list already includes Sisecam Group, Philip Morris International, JTI, Alibaba Group Holding Limited, Bacardi, Unilever, Raiffeisen Bank International, Auchan, Metro, Procter & Gamble, Bonduelle, Mondelez, Leroy Merlin, Xiaomi, Geely and many others.

The companies included in the list of international sponsors of war are included in the World-Check database. This does not threaten them with closure, but the database is used worldwide to identify and manage financial, regulatory, and reputational risks.

ADVERTISIMENT

For example, earlier the American corporation Mondelez International faced a boycott in Europe after being included in the Ukrainian list of international war sponsors. The Scandinavian countries were the most active in joining it. After that, Mondelez even announced its intention to wind down its business in Russia. However, the boycott has not stopped, as the company still has no plans to completely withdraw from the Russian market.

However, all of these companies on the list are still operating in Ukraine, as the NACP does not have the authority to close international businesses or restrict their operations. But if the National Security and Defense Council imposes sanctions on these businesses, the situation may change.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the NACP has also sent letters to companies included in the list of international sponsors of the war. The agency invites the heads of such companies to visit Ukraine and see the consequences of Russian aggression with their own eyes and discuss the withdrawal of business from the terrorist country of Russia.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and in Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Few doubt electric vehicles are the future but NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookheys attempt to hold back time by scrapping the $3000 subsidy for drivers who buy new electric vehicles from January 1 is an example of backward policy already rendered redundant by an entrepreneurial Sydney company offering the same discount to EV buyers.

The $3000 electric vehicle subsidy has been scrapped. Credit: James Brickwood

The EV decision in the Minns governments first budget follows Victorias lead, and is a significant shift from NSWs current electric vehicle policy. While not unexpected, it also means the end of rebates for EV purchases and stamp duty exemptions, although some motorists may benefit thanks to the governments move to backing more charging stations in regional NSW.

Loading

The cut was sold as saving money while at the same time getting rid of a subsidy that, in the EV-versus-petrol/diesel debate, is painted as middle-class welfare. Now Australias largest importer of second-hand electric vehicles, the Good Car Company, has driven ahead of government policy and is offering the $3000 discount on its means-tested cheaper range of EVs to lower-income households for the next month. Higher earners will be offered a trimmed discount rate.
Russian retail chains in various segments are trying to replace the disappearance of Western goods. In the food sector, they rely mainly on their own brands, and in the non-food sector, they import goods from countries that are "friendly" to Russia. In the case of clothing and footwear, the replacement process is slow and there are regular shortages of goods.

ADVERTISIMENT

"We are falling short: ten brands left, five brands came ," a manager of a clothing and footwear chain told The Moscow Times. According to him, the shoe department has only 30 or 40 items instead of hundreds.

The assortment is being actively filled with Turkish and Chinese brands. And their products are still in short supply, and their quality has changed.

The luxury segment has suffered especially against this background. Due to a sharp decline in supplies over the past year and a half, TSUM was forced to close some of its discount outlets because the goods simply did not survive the sale.

Some Western businesses are still trying to return to the Russian market. For example, Tommy Hilfiger has recently reopened in Moscow, which will probably now be called TH. However, the assortment consists of 2021 collections, and prices have soared by 30%: they want 21,990 rubles (almost 227,44 $) for a blouse, and 1500 rubles (over 15,51 $) for socks.

ADVERTISIMENT

The store's employees say that demand is almost zero. Even 20% discounts do not help sell out branded clothing that has risen in price.

In general, Russian analysts estimate that there are almost as many goods on the shelves of Russian stores now as before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, two-thirds of the assortment is not what it used to be. For example, in the category of beauty and hygiene, whose representatives left Russia en masse, there are already 70% of new brands. These are mainly local cosmetics and products from Asia.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, not everything is rosy in the Russian grocery market. Recently, Russians were warned about a possible shortage of Doshirak instant noodles. There are several reasons for this: the fall in the ruble, reduced shipments and a shortage of workers at the plant.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
Its been 12 years since Graeme Samuel mused that he had another five to 10 years of useful mental ability.

Credit: John Shakespeare

But the former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chair, NRL and AFL commissioner, Opera Australia chair, investment banker and corporate strategist-cum-government fixer still has plenty of bite, if his submission to the parliamentary inquiry into the consultancy sector is anything to go by.

The gist of Samuels contribution is that he nearly never used consultants in all major pieces of work he conducted over the years for the ACCC, National Competition Council and Commonwealth more generally, believing the work could be done in-house for a fraction of the price.

But there was this time, back in 2017, when he and the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) were reviewing the culture of the Commonwealth Bank and insisted on hiring management consultants Oliver Wyman  a waste of money, according to Samuels submission.
Australias human rights commissioner is demanding the government release a report by the United Nations after a visit to detention facilities was blocked by NSW and Queensland.

The Australian government wants to be a world leader when it comes to human rights, and if we want to do that we actually have to show moral leadership, commissioner Lorraine Finlay told AAP.

The visit by a delegation from the UN subcommittee on prevention of torture was the first to Australia since it ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture in 2017.

Human Rights Commissioner Lorraine Finlay Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Under its mandate, the subcommittee can carry out unannounced visits to detention facilities and conduct private interviews with people deprived of their liberty without witnesses.

But the October visit was suspended after NSW and Queensland authorities blocked the UN inspectors from entering jails and detention facilities.

Australia joins Rwanda as the only other country where a visit has been cancelled.

We made a promise to the world that we would comply with that treaty, and its important we live up to our promises, Ms Finlay said.

It had been three months since the confidential UN report outlining what the international observers briefly saw was sent to the government, she said, which was enough time for action to have been taken.

AAP
Its some 13 years since Graeme Samuel mused that he had another five to 10 years of useful mental ability.

Graeme Samuel reckons consultants are a waste of money. Credit: John Shakespeare

But the former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman, merchant banker, corporate strategist, government fixer, Opera Australia chief and AFL commissioner still has plenty of bite, if his submission to the parliamentary inquiry into the consultancy sector  PwC and all that  is anything to go by.

The gist of Samuels contribution is that he almost never used consultants in all of the major pieces of work  and there were a lot  he conducted over the years with various Commonwealth commissions, believing that the work could be done in-house for a fraction of the price.

But there was this one time, back in 2017, when he and the Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) were reviewing the culture of the Commonwealth Bank.
Renters say reforms to strengthen tenants rights will need to be backed up by proper enforcement if they are to tackle the housing crisis for those locked out of home ownership.

The Andrews government on Wednesday ignored the Greens calls to introduce a rent cap or freeze, arguing that could reduce supply and worsen vacancy rates that are already at record lows of 1 per cent in Melbourne.

Instead, the governments housing statement commits to banning all rental bidding and announced a simplified process to resolve disputes. Tenants will be able to claim repairs or money owed through a new body, rather than the already-clogged Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

A scheme to allow a tenants bond to carry over from one property to the next will be introduced, real estate agents and property managers will need to undergo new training, and notices to vacate or increase rent will be extended from a minimum of 60 days to 90.
Brisbanes brutalist-inspired stay The Calile has been named among the top 50 hotels in the world by a global academy of well travelled experts from the hotel and travel industry. Its the only Australian hotel to feature in the Worlds 50 Best Hotels 2023 list with a No.1 ranking for Oceania, and a No.12 ranking globally.

Urban resort The Calile in Brisbane is the only Australian hotel to feature in the first iteration of Worlds 50 Best Hotels.

Its the first time the 50 Best group  famous for its annual global top-50 rankings of restaurants and bars, all compiled by UK-based company William Reed Business Media  has turned its attention to the hotel industry. The hotel rankings, the groups first global launch since 2009, were announced on Tuesday at a ceremony in London that was live-streamed around the world, with luxury boutique hotel Passalacqua in Lake Como, Italy crowned the worlds best hotel for 2023.

The Calile co-owner Catherine Malouf, who was in attendance at the ceremony, said: This is a win for our team, our collaborators, our loyal guests and a win for Brisbane as a destination, and we are humbled to represent the Australian hotel industry on the world stage.
Why is Hunter Bidens laptop in the news? It is a laptop owned and abandoned by the then-future presidents son at a computer repair shop in 2019. The laptop became a cause celebre in the 2020 election, when Twitter and Facebook blocked a story by the New York Post, published weeks before the voters went to the polls, that was based on an email found on the laptop. The computer repair shops owner gave the laptop to the FBI and later shared a copy of the contents with Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani, who said he passed it to the Post. The article claimed Joe Biden was involved in corruption with a Ukrainian figure. What was on the laptop? The laptop contained 129,000 emails, some of which have been authenticated. They involve the various business dealings of Hunter. The laptop also contained explicit pictures of Hunter involved with prostitutes.

Why was the Hunter Biden laptop story blocked? Twitter and Facebook blocked the story on the hunch that the tale of the found laptop, as senior US intelligence people believed, had all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation. Instead, the laptop find proved to be true. Rather than seeing Big Tech and the US intelligence community acting in good faith but making a mistake, many on the Trumpist right saw collusion and a campaign to undermine the Trump-dominated Republican Party. In other words, a conspiracy by elites to deprive the Trumpist right of an important story. Does it relate to the Joe Biden impeachment probe? The laptop story is tenuously related to another drama consuming Biden White House energy: the mounting legal woes dogging Hunter Biden. Tenuously, because its unproven that Hunter Biden was involved in corruption. However, with charges laid and legitimate questions being asked about the presidents son, one doesnt know what will be found. And the special counsel probing Hunter Bidens case?

In August 2023, the Department of Justice named a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, after a plea bargain on the weapons charges case was rejected. He has since been charged on three counts related to the gun, which stem from answers he put on a background check when purchasing it. (Although the charges are about lying, the scrutiny of the forms is remarkable in a country where 18-year-olds can buy assault rifles at gun shows.) On Tuesday, his lawyers said he would plead not guilty in a case that could end up going to trial ahead of the November 2024 election his father is hoping to contest as the Democrat candidate. The Bidens and the Ukrainians Republicans have pointed to Hunter Bidens dealings with foreign figures and asked to what degree, if any, he traded on his fathers name. These questions overlap with the conspiracy theory that Joe Biden, as vice president to Barack Obama, pressured Kyiv to fire a prosecutor who was probing corruption at the Ukrainian energy company Burisma (on whose board Hunter sat). This is a claim about the future president that has been debunked. Hunters former business partner, Devon Archer, testified that Joe Biden was on the phone when his son spoke to foreign figures, although when asked: Are you aware of any wrongdoing by vice president Biden? Archer said, No, Im not aware of any. Hunter Biden is now fighting back, suing one of the people publicising his private emails. Why then do we keep hearing about it? So then, if the case for a corruption charge around Hunter (and Joe) Biden is so weak, why do we keep hearing about it? There is something else weak: the grip the Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy has over his fellow Republicans in Congress. And the Trumpist wing of the Republican Party  the biggest wing  is pursuing the kind of slash-and-burn politics of their namesake idol. In a bid to mollify them, McCarthy allowed the impeachment inquiry to go forward, weak case or not.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Kevin McCarthy. Credit: AP What does the laptop story say about the US election? If not grounded in facts, why are Republicans making these allegations? History has shown that if a party can establish a narrative of doubt, it can help shape events. The Republicans have, historically, excelled at this. In fact, theyve built a communication ecosystem around this sort of messaging. In the aftermath of the Watergate scandal in 1974, conservatives set about creating networks of publications, think tanks and experts to reframe the political debate away from the left-centrist tone of the media at the time. The most powerful became Fox News, directed by former Nixon communications specialist Roger Ailes. The communication campaign skills of American conservatives deepened, even as, arguably, their politics drifted from the vision they set for themselves during Ronald Reagans presidency in the 1980s, to the Trump-era disorder we see today. Why the impeachment probe? Trump-minded Republicans, establishing the momentum, have wasted no time demanding an impeachment probe. Even though there isnt a compelling case over the idea that Joe Biden committed an impeachable crime. Yet, the bet is that it doesnt matter if the case is weak. Republican representative Matt Gaetz, one of the proponents of the impeachment, said on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, in August: The purpose of that impeachment ... is to put on a trial in the Senate, and by the way, not for the sake of conviction. Rather, for the sake of optics. The jury is the American people, he said.
New York: The US-Australia alliance faces a fresh test after Canberra politicians descended on Washington to demand the immediate release of Julian Assange and warned that his extradition would spark a backlash from Americas key AUKUS partner.

With the Wikileaks founder running out of options, Australian politicians from across the aisle have met with members of US Congress and officials from the State and Justice departments to call for the Australian citizen, whos being held in Londons Belmarsh prison, to be sent home by Christmas.

Anthony Albanese, Julian Assange and Joe Biden. Credit:

Weve made it very clear that the continued prosecution of Julian Assange is not the action of a friend of Australia, said Greens Senator David Shoebridge, who added that extradition would be a blow to the relationship between Australia and the United States.

When you look at the charges that he faces, hes effectively been charged with being a journalist.
PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, September 16th, more than 100 volunteers attended this years International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) at Little Bay Beach & Pond, near Belair, hosted by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean Sint Maarten (EPIC) and the St. Maarten Pride Foundation, in collaboration with the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF). A little over 2000 pounds of trash was collected, of which 763.4 lbs were glass and plastic bottles (~40%). This was excluding heavy construction material also found during the cleanup, which was sadly found in large amounts littered throughout the mangroves and trees.

Many community groups, businesses, and students from various schools supported by volunteering for the cleanup such as: Hillside Belair Foundation, St. Dominic School, Learning Unlimited, Interact Club, St. Maarten Academy, Milton Peters College, KI Britannia, St. Maarten Down Syndrome Foundation, Kiwanis Builders Club, South Reward Community Collective, staff members of the Ministry of VROMI as well as many other individuals. Many families also joined, getting a lot of their kids involved in the clean up initiative. The participants partook in groups that were eligible for prizes, the winning team under age 16 will receive tickets to Caribbean Cinemas, and the winning team aged 16 and above will receive vouchers to the Dutch Blonde Bar's Escape Room. The grand prize, a meal from La Chingona, will go to the volunteer whose guess came the closest to the total pounds of trash collected during the cleanup. This added an element of friendly competition and anticipation to the event, highlighting the community's commitment to both environmental conservation and camaraderie. The winners will be made known soon via our social media channels.

By utilizing the Clean Swell App (through the Ocean Conservancy), volunteers meticulously documented their findings, providing crucial insights into the nature of pollution. The data revealed a stark reality: the most prevalent items collected during the cleanup were plastic bottles, glass bottles, and Styrofoam pieces/containers. These figures emphasize the pressing need to address the issue of single-use plastics and Styrofoam on the island. Massive amounts of plastic bottles were found hidden amongst the mangroves surrounding Little Bay Pond. I cleaned up here last year and its disheartening to still see so many littered bottles various volunteers commented, who ventured knee-deep into the pond to pull out litter and debris.

Riddhi Samtani, who organized the cleanup on behalf of PRIDE & EPIC, stated her concerns. This is the third consecutive year that weve organized the ICC at this location. While we are encouraged by the community's enthusiasm and the significant amount of trash collected, it is disheartening to witness no reduction in littering.

The International Coastal Cleanup event highlights the commitment of the community but also underscores the immediate need for collective action to combat plastic and Styrofoam pollution on the island, and littering as a whole. It serves as a strong call to action for individuals, businesses, and policymakers to work together to implement sustainable solutions, reduce the use of single-use plastics, and protect St. Maarten's coastal beauty and well-being. This made the partnership for this years ICC with SMDF impactful as they are currently executing Plastic Free SXM", on behalf of the Department of Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK). Plastic Free SXM is an initiative supported by RESEMBID and financed through Expertise France with the goal of facilitating the transition away from single-use plastics and polystyrene foam products on Sint Maarten, to reduce the negative environmental and health impacts and promote sustainable practices to the general public.

"Community cleanups offer a serious reality check on the types of trash that end up in our natural spaces and should serve as a wake-up call for every resident to take personal responsibility in combating pollution, littering, and reducing plastic waste," says Program and Development Manager of SMDF Melanie Choisy.

The International Coastal Cleanup, an initiative by the Ocean Conservancy happens annually on a global scale. Going back to 1986, the Ocean Conservancy estimates that 350 million pounds of trash has been removed from global beaches and waterways since the event began. Sint Maarten has been participating in the International Coastal Cleanup annually for over 20 years.

The cleanup builds on EPICs Why do we litter?  Sint Maarten project funded by R4CR. During the cleanup, volunteers collected valuable data to identify littering challenges in various neighborhoods in Sint Maarten. With this data, EPIC formulated a data report with recommendations that is publicly available online.

For more information about EPICs work visit: www.epicislands.org, and EPICs Facebook page: www.facebook.com/epicislands.
Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko told how she encountered drunken Russians in Latvia. The Ukrainian went to Riga to present her translated book The Longest Journey. At the hotel, she witnessed the inappropriate behavior of Russian citizens outside her room.

ADVERTISIMENT

By the way, the writer has repeatedly noticed that Russians feel "at home" in Latvia. Oksana Zabuzhko shared her impressions of the trip on Facebook (scroll to the bottom of the page to see the photos).

The Ukrainian woman had an unpleasant incident in the very center of the city. In her hotel room, she heard drunken people shouting and swearing in Russian outside her window.

One of the Russian immigrants was already lying on the ground, and his more steady companion tried to lift the first one to his feet until the desire to smoke won out. Asking the local youth if they had any cigarettes, the Russian shouted, "Guys, somebody give me a cigarette."

ADVERTISIMENT

"I haven't seen Russians in the wild for a long time. I did not realize that they feel so much at home in Latvia. A taxi driver at the airport asked my publisher to speak Russian as a matter of course, because he said he didn't speak Latvian very well. And so, every step of the way, it is Latvians who switch to the language of the "discriminated minority," not Russians to theirs," the writer said.

Oksana Zabuzhko summarized that she now understands why Latvia is the country that has begun to translate Ukrainian literature most actively compared to other Baltic countries. According to the Ukrainian woman, Latvians were afraid when a full-scale war with the Russians broke out in Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL wrote that Russian tourists in many countries face disrespectful attitudes. To avoid angry looks and fair words, Russians have invented a mean and cynical "life hack" - pretending to be Ukrainians.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
MIAMI FL:--- Governments, organizations, and companies within the region have increased their pursuit of financing for sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure, according to Adam Carter, Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking, Foreign Exchange and Derivatives, CIBC FirstCaribbean, who explained the increased demand is within the hundreds of millions.

Speaking as a panelist at the 7th Annual Caribbean Infrastructure Forum (CARIF), Carter said the increase is driven by Caribbean countries need to become better prepared to mitigate climate disasters.

Were seeing an increase in governments, particularly, looking to access Blue financing, and weve seen a massive increase in renewable energy applications, resilient project applications, utilities looking to be more resilient, hospitals looking to do upgrades, roads, cruise ports, just across the board were seeing the increase, Carter said.

Its certainly in the hundreds of millions over the last few years where sustainable was not the theme. Resilience was always a theme in the Caribbean. But now were seeing resiliency fit under sustainability, which I think is more fitting. So, under that umbrella or title, were seeing a markable increase in appetite for projects that fit those criteria. Were in a hurricane impacted region so this includes designing for category three, four or five is now the thing where you kind of have no other choice but to.

Carter explained that funding for such projects, at a time where the worlds focus is now on supporting measures that protect the environment and address climate change, is available.

The funding is generally there, he said. Financing is absolutely available. Its prudent to get the right projects in place with the right parameters and frameworks. Once those are established and youve got the political and community buy-in, lenders and financial institutions are ready to go.

Therese Turner-Jones, Caribbean Development Banks (CDB) Director of Projects said though the demand for funding exceeds the supply of capital for all of the countries with those needs, there are partners that include the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

However, she added there is a need for more countries to get a better grasp of their exact needs.

First of all, I think theres a bit of a deficit in countries recognizing what they need, Turner-Jones explained. Because of how fast the external environment is changing, not just in terms of availability of finance, but also climate change and how the world is changing we cant expect that our member countries are always up to date. But this is why were here. To provide those advisory services to help them do the technical work. This is not to say that the capacity doesnt exist in-country, but to say that multi-lateral banks are in a better position to offer that advice. So, what I say to clients is to come to the MDBs first.

Turner-Jones continued, Explore the options with CDB, the IDC, the World Bank first. Because firstly, that money is cheaper and it always comes with technical assistance. They just need to ask. I would say that because were at such a critical juncture in terms of the needs of the region, we need to now think about what resilience means. You heard about renewable energy projects being important, roads and whether theyd be able to sustain a significant amount of rainfall, hurricanes, etc. So, theres a lot of new information out in the infrastructure domain that the Multilateral development Banks (MDB) have at their fingertips, that the countries may not have. Its best to work with us [MDBs].

This years CARIF conference gathered some of the regions leaders in policy, finance, infrastructural development for two days of solution-building and networking. Government ministers and industry leaders from both the public and private sectors were panelists covering a wide range of topics, centered around infrastructural development to meet the regions needs.

CARIF 2023 is taking place at the Ritz-Carlton in Miami, Florida, September 18 -19, 2023 and is sponsored by CIBC FirstCaribbean and KPMG.
Ukraine may receive $300 billion in frozen Russian assets. This is more than twice as much as the US has spent on Ukraine, including military aid. A legal basis for such payments can also be found. In this case, the principle of asset inviolability may not apply to a state that violates international law.

ADVERTISIMENT

Bret Stephens wrote about this in his blog for The New York Times. As an argument for the transfer of Russian assets to Ukraine, he cites a study led by Harvard professor Larry Tribble. The report states that the US President has the right to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

According to him, the line has already been crossed. Putin has been recognized as a war criminal and Russia as an aggressor. In this case, simply unfreezing and returning Russia's assets would be a strange decision. The money should be spent on rebuilding Ukraine, but if it is transferred now, it could also accelerate Ukraine's victory.

"IEEPA explicitly states that the president may 'investigate,' 'block,' 'regulate,' 'direct and compel,' 'annul,' 'void,' and 'prevent or prohibit' the transfer of property," the study says.

ADVERTISIMENT

There is a well-established doctrine of "countermeasures" in international law, meaning actions that might otherwise violate international law but are legal.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Ukraine itself will not negotiate with Russia to continue gas transit. According to the Minister of Energy, there will be no need for this.

Only verified information is available on Obozrevatel Telegram and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Kazakhstan has expressed its full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel, has welcomed the initiative of the Azerbaijani side to hold a meeting with representatives of the Armenian population of Garabagh, Azernews reports.

Bayel expressed his hope that the situation would be resolved soon through peaceful dialogue within the internationally recognized borders of the Republic of Azerbaijan. He also noted that the establishment of a peaceful atmosphere and mutually beneficial cooperation in the South Caucasus, as well as the opening of all communications, would be beneficial to all countries in the region.

Kazakhstan's support for Azerbaijan's initiative to hold a meeting with representatives of the Armenian population of Garabagh is an important step towards achieving peace and stability in the region.
On September 18, there was an explosion in the Russian suburbs that led to two airplanes and one helicopter being significantly damaged. They were parked at the airfield where government aircraft like "doomsday" and "reconnaissance" models are based.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. It is noted that the incident caused considerable hysteria in the highest military corridors of the Russian Federation, blaming saboteurs for everything (to see the photo, scroll to the end).

According to Ukrainian Intelligence, it was the Chkalovsky airfield, which is closely guarded. However, unknown people managed to plant explosives there and blow up three aircraft.

In particular, Russian AN-148 and IL-20 aircraft (both belonging to the 3540th Special Forces Aviation Regiment), as well as an MI-28N helicopter, which Russia had previously actively used to shoot down attack drones over the Moscow region, were damaged.

ADVERTISIMENT

"The damage to the aircraft will not allow for counting on their quick recovery. The helicopter's tail section was damaged by the explosion. Another AN-148, which was parked alongside the others, sustained minor damage," the DIU said.

It is known that a group of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation is currently actively investigating the sabotage at Chkalovsky airfield. Ukraine's Intelligence says that the aggressor country's punitive authorities are searching for unknown saboteurs, having imposed restrictions on the dissemination of information about the unpleasant event in the media.

As reported by OBOZREVATEL, on September 20, a Su-34 bomber crashed in Russia. The crash occurred during an alleged training flight in the Voronezh region. The crew reportedly managed to eject.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
President Volodymyr Zelensky responded to statements of former US leader Donald Trump, who pledged to "stop the bloodshed in Ukraine" but did not say who should win the war. He called on the controversial American politician to publicly share his own "peace formula."

ADVERTISIMENT

At the same time, he warned that any "peace plan" that allows Ukrainians to give up their territories is unacceptable. The Ukrainian leader said this in a commentary to CNN journalist Wolf Blitzer on September 19.

"If Trump has a way to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, let him share it. But (if) the idea is to take away part of our territory and give it to Putin, this is not a peace formula," the president said.

It is worth noting that the 45th President of the United States has repeatedly spoken ambiguously about Russia's war against Ukraine. CNN reminded that during a meeting with the publication this year in May, Trump refused to specify who should win this war, but ambitiously stated that he would stop the bloodshed "in 24 hours."

ADVERTISIMENT

Last Sunday, September 17, the politician appeared on NBC's Meet the Press, where he was asked if he was referring to a deal that would allow Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to keep the land he seized in Ukraine.

"No, no. I would make a fair deal for everyone. No, I would do it fairly," Trump said in response.

When asked if this would be a victory for Putin, he said that "it's something that could be negotiated."

Trump referred to Russia's temporarily occupied Crimea and other parts of Ukraine, adding that many people expected that the parties "could have agreed on that."

"They could have made a deal where there is now less territory than Russia has already seized, frankly," the controversial former US president said.

At the same time, the current US leader, Joe Biden, reiterated that the United States and its partners continue to support the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression. Speaking at the UN General Assembly, he emphasized that the terrorist state of Russia, which believes that the world is tired of war, will not be allowed to divide Ukraine and undermine the security of other countries.

ADVERTISIMENT

As OBOZREVATEL reported, on September 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky also spoke at the UN General Assembly in New York. Read about the issues raised in the debate in the context of Ukraine at the link.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ambassador of Ukraine Vasyl Zvarych was summoned to the Polish Foreign Ministry because of a statement by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who criticized Poland for imposing a grain embargo. Deputy Foreign Minister Pawel Jablonski emphasized that the Polish side expressed opposition to President Zelensky's words.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by Polsat News. Jablonski noted that this case is extremely important and politicians in Ukraine must change their narrative in their statements about Poland. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine also responded to this situation.

In his speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, President Volodymyr Zelensky drew attention to the issue of restrictions on imports of Ukrainian agricultural products imposed by some EU countries.

"We are making every effort to preserve land routes for grain exports. And it is a matter of concern how some in Europe, some of our friends in Europe, demonstrate solidarity in the political theater by creating a thriller with grain. It may seem that they are playing their role, but in fact they are helping to create a stage for the Moscow actor," the head of state said.

ADVERTISIMENT

He did not name specific countries, but he was probably referring to Poland, Slovakia and Hungary, which recently imposed restrictions on imports of agricultural products from Ukraine.

In response, the Polish Foreign Ministry summoned a Ukrainian diplomat and informed him of the "strong protest of the Polish side" against the words spoken in New York.

"This position was passed on, also with a request to pass it to the headquarters in Kyiv. We believe that the relations between our countries should be partnership and good. There should be no ill will on our part, and there is none. We clearly communicate our position. We do not accuse others of unfair, unjustified and unauthorized actions," said the Polish Deputy Foreign Minister.

He stated that the statement contained statements harmful to relations between Ukraine and Poland.

ADVERTISIMENT

"We hope that this will not happen again. We decided that we need to say this to each other in a frank conversation, and in such an urgent manner, because this issue is important for millions of people in Poland and Ukraine," Jablonski said.

At the same time, Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Oleh Nikolenko provided details of the meeting between Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Zvarych and the Polish Deputy Foreign Minister in Warsaw. He noted that the Ukrainian diplomat explained the position that the Polish unilateral banon imports of Ukrainian grain is unacceptable for Ukraine.

As a reminder, amid disputes over the import of Ukrainian grain, Polish President Andrzej Duda urged Kyiv to remember the assistance provided and compared Ukraine to a drowning man. He said that he would firmly defend the interests of Polish farmers in the issue of agricultural products. The Polish president also canceled a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy that was to take place in the United States, as reported by Polish media.

ADVERTISIMENT

Ukraine filed a lawsuit with the WTO against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia. In response, the three countries announced that they were suspending their participation in the Ukrainian grain coordination platform in Brussels.

Poland may block Ukraine's accession to the EU over the grain issue. This was stated by the Minister of Agrarian Policy Telus.

Only verified information on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Steve Gooding, director of motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, said: With the car industry confident about its ability to make the switch away from pure petrol and diesel engines by 2030 whilst still meeting the appetite of the UK market for new cars, it is hard to see why anyone in No 10 thinks now is a good moment to row back.
As part of the new recruitment campaign, easyJet polled 2,000 British adults about the job of cabin crew, which revealed there are still widely held misconceptions about the role.
Inviting the big-screen hero of Samuel L Jackson into the business was a uniquely memorable experience, and we hope to bring some light-hearted humour to viewers at home  while reminding the nation that our toastie truly offers our customers the best of the best.
The Church Commissioners for England, which oversees the Church of Englands assets, is the freeholder of One Hanover Square, and the freehold of the site, traditionally home to various publications such as Vogue and Wired, is not for sale.
What stood out for me, too, in the Sunday Times investigation was the people who actually witnessed Brands alleged criminal behaviour and who did nothing. The man who, waiting for a meeting with a group of others outside Brands house and hearing a womans screams within, confided to her later that he simply did not know what to do and had been scared of Brand. Institutions that ignored womens complaints about Brands behaviour (they instead got aggressive replies from his lawyers). Producers and runners that approached members of the audience on Brands behalf if he decided they took his fancy, while rumours of his bad behaviour circulated.
Titled The Butterfly Trail, the installation in the spaces flagship Now Building on the corner of Tottenham Court Road will see the Outernets famous floor-to-ceiling screens become an indoor jungle. When the QR codes set into the walls are scanned, viewers will be able to interact with the stunning display, watch flocks of butterflies fly across the space, and even see a butterfly land on their hand.
Taylor Swift has been in the headlines almost permanently this year, as she has embarked on her Eras Tour, which is on its way to becoming the highest-grossing tour of all time. Now, with the arrival of her latest album re-recording, even fans who couldn't beat the ferocious queue to get tickets have something to celebrate.
The BBC boss said he is proud of the culture at the corporation, adding: Were having, I think, profound conversations and we have been for years now in terms of saying, Are we getting it right in terms of ensuring that (there are) no abuses of power, that people behave flawlessly in terms of respecting each other, kindness?
Speaking in the show roundup, it says: The three-part event will explore the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centrepiece of the John Wick universe through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott, as hes dragged into the hellscape of 1970s New York City to face a past he thought hed left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through the hotels mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the hotel where he will eventually take his future throne.
According to sources, the pair have been dating for more than six months and, during that time, the sartorial signs have been there. Although headlines talked of Kylie Jenners Un-Kylie Jenner summer wardrobe  which included a rotation of Bottega Veneta sweetheart-neckline frocks, crocheted bags, and romantic floral Doen  fans pointed out that her new style could potentially be paying homage to her new beau. Especially as she posed under a peach tree, which was a huge motif in Chalamets career-making role in Call Me By Your Name (aka the ultimate cottage-core cinematic universe).
By launching a full-scale invasion, Russia not only attacked the civilian population of Ukraine but also violated the principles of international law and multilateral cooperation. Thus, Russia must be held accountable for these actions.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by Swiss President Alain Berset during the general debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday. He recalled the basic principles enshrined in the UN Charter.

"The post-war order is experiencing the greatest crisis since the Second World War. By launching an aggressive war against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has attacked not only a peaceful country but also international law and multilateralism," he said.

He noted that "this aggression is the work of a permanent member of the UN Security Council, which, according to the UN Charter, has the "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security".

"Today, we must recall the basic principles enshrined in the UN Charter and ensure that we fulfill our mandate," Berset said.

ADVERTISIMENT

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia uses weapons not only against Ukraine but also against the entire civilized world. This is the first personal participation of the Ukrainian leader on the sidelines of such a meeting since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky arrived on a visit to the United States, where he plans to address the United Nations General Assembly, which will take place on September 19-21. The debate will focus on holding Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine and war crimes.

Only verified information on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Matt remembers it well because he knew the woman who went backstage with Brand, but not well enough to ever ask her what happened afterwards. Brands use of his shows as a feeding ground for his sexual conquests was commonplace, according to five other sources who witnessed Brand exhibit similar behaviour at his shows. It was even reported by The Sun in 2007, that same year, with a source telling the newspaper: The two girls had been shouting at Russell at the end of his live set and asking to go backstage. Both went and met him and he was saying some very raunchy things.
He and his son had attended court after Kelvin had been at large and had been released on an electronic tag, but Pc Jackson had grabbed him outside after the hearing, believing he was still wanted, the father said.
Whilst we know the image is not great quality, we are hoping that releasing this may serve as a reminder for anyone who might have seen anything at the time of the incident.
She said: After 10 or 15 years of austerity, we see that played out in terms of mental health waiting lists and the support that we know young people need, which has also increased - probably because of things like increased poverty, but also quite clearly, because of the impact of Covid.
Two men, aged 32 and 45, and a woman, 42, have been arrested in connection with the blaze, the Met Police said.
Station Commander Steve Irvine, who is at the scene, said: A respite centre has been set up locally for those who have been affected by the fire and we are working with local partners.
He also said the union was willing to talk, but no-ones interested, they dont want a resolution adding that that he thought the train companies  who are generally paid fixed fees to run services  had no incentive to raise wages, and the Government wanted to put rail into managed decline.
Caprice told us she now cant remember the chat, but that culture now and then is like night and day, with more accountability, but with less freedom of speech. Piers Morgan weighed in, too, telling us: Criminal allegations are being made and the women should be respected. He also warned against a tribal social media response, arguing that due process should take its course. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria also went.
Sir Alok Sharma, president of the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow in 2021 and MP for Reading West, told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: If we have countries around the world resiling from their commitments, Im afraid the patient is going to be very much on life support, and by that I mean of course the planet.
He told world leaders: Its easy to get angry at the delay and dither from some quarters, and I know businesses and millions of people feel let down by news from my own country that our prime minister is now backtracking on the UKs climate commitments.
Russian losses in Zaporizhzhia have increased significantly in recent days. The military of the aggressor country is likely to face a shortage of combat-ready units that could be deployed to this area of the front.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported on September 19 by the American Institute for the Study of War (ISW). Analysts noted that the Russian Armed Forces tried to conduct counterattacks in the southern section of the front near Robotyne, which exhausted them.

In particular, the 7th Guards Mountain Air Assault Division and the 76th Guards Air Assault Division tried to recapture the positions. "These operations have likely led to the degradation of these airborne troops," the report says.

The experts also said that Russian Storm-Z units are often ineffective in combat and are likely to be of little help to Russian defense in Zaporizhzhia.

ADVERTISIMENT

The ISW added that on September 19, the Ukrainian defenders conducted offensive operations in the western Zaporizhzhia region, advancing. This is proved by geo-referenced footage showing that the Defense Forces advanced west of the village of Verbove.

At the same time, analysts believe that Ukrainian forces also conducted an offensive near the border of Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk regions on September 19, but failed to advance.

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported:

ADVERTISIMENT

- Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhny held a joint meeting of the Tavria operational-strategic group with Chief of the General Staff Serhiy Shaptala on September 19. The meeting was also attended by commanders and brigade commanders of the operational and strategic grouping.

- According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Defense Forces eliminated 520 mercenaries of the Russian occupation army over the past day (September 19). The enemy's total losses in manpower for the entire duration of the full-scale war reached 273,980.

- To find out how much Russian military equipment was "demilitarized" by the defenders of our country, visit the link.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
No child should ever have to experience what I went through, and yet today, on your platforms, child sexual abuse is worse than ever. If you decide to implement end-to-end encryption without safety measures, this abuse will go undetected.
Before, the immediate area around our schools was dominated by speeding vehicles, noise and fumes. Now, we can see from the data provided that there has been a significant reduction in cars using the roads around our schools and that this has positively affected air quality.
Sander Kristel, interim chief executive at Ucas, said: In the past, clearing was perceived as just being a process to support students that didnt meet their offer to get a place at a remaining course. This couldnt be further from the truth  this year we saw a record number of students secure a place at one of the 30,000 courses available.
She said the wife of the creator of the fictional teddy bear, Dorothy Daphne Milne, wrote in the Sunday Express in 1966 that: (Alan Alexander) was saved from the (Battle of the) Somme by trench fever. He wrote to say that Carmen had found a French germ in the trench and blown it on to him.
In a letter to the Commons committee on Monday, and published on Tuesday online, Ms Mahon said: Since becoming aware of some of the allegations, just over a week ago, we have carried out extensive document searches and thus far have found no evidence to suggest the alleged incidents were brought to the attention of Channel 4 management at the time.
In August, she said China posed a challenge to the "fundamentals of how we live together in this world". Earlier, she described aspects of a trip to China as "more than shocking" and said Beijing was increasingly becoming more of a systemic rival than a trade partner.
Ever since Elon Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion, the SpaceX boss has been trying to improve the struggling platform. One of his latest efforts was to crack down on bots and fake accounts after saying it was one of Twitters biggest problems.
Brigantis voice had been trackable through the Timess three-part critique on Carlson a year before his removal and it would be evident in its account of Foxs poor handling of the Dominion legal strategy, with the blame placed here on attorney Viet Dinh (quite an indication either that the Murdochs were imminently planning to get rid of him, or Briganti herself was taking him on  or both). Foxs case against Carlson, retailed through the liberal media in the weeks after he was taken off air  while Fox ritually denied there was a leaker or even that there was a case against him  was a case against itself. Fox might be white, chauvinist, nativist, and conspiratorial in its views, pushing those views further than almost anyone dreamed they might be pushed, but Carlson was this, in a dialectic that could translate only if you ignored the slapstick of it, and more. Carlson had become more Fox than Fox  that was its effective case against him.
In the traffic accident, caused by the landing of a bus from the highway in which there were about 30 passengers, at least two people were killed - whose death was confirmed on the spot by HMP teams, said police.
On Friday afternoon, after discovering the three children in her care were not waking up from their nap, she made three calls, including two to her husband, before dialling 911, prosecutors said.
On the night of Wednesday, September 20, Russian occupation forces attacked Ukraine with Shahed-136/131 kamikaze drones. In the morning, it was reported that an oil refinery in Kremenchuk, Poltava region, was hit.

ADVERTISIMENT

The explosions in the region occurred during an air raid alert at about three p.m. The Russian attack on the region was confirmed by the local military administration.

"The enemy is attacking the Poltava region. Stay in shelters until the alert is over. All the details later," said Dmytro Lunin, head of the Regional Military Administration.

He later clarified that the occupiers repeatedly launched drones on the region at night. The air defense system worked well against the enemy UAVs. Unfortunately, some reached their target.

In particular, a drone hit an oil refinery in Kremenchuk. A fire broke out there. All relevant services were on the scene, and the plant's operations were temporarily suspended.

"We know that there are no casualties as of now," the official said.

It should be noted that the occupiers launched attack UAVs in small groups. Air Defense Forces were working on enemy targets not only in Poltava but also in other regions.

ADVERTISIMENT

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, on the night of Tuesday, September 19, the Russian occupiers staged another attack on Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles. Around 3:00 a.m., explosions were heard in Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro region. They were also heard in Odesa, Lviv, and Khmelnytskyi regions.

The enemy launched 30 kamikaze drones and a ballistic missile. Air Defense Forces repelled this third consecutive attack by the aggressor, shooting down 27 attack UAVs.

Only verified information on our Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Ms Zelenska said that in Russia, the children were being told that their parents dont need them, that their country doesnt need them, that nobody is waiting for them.
Its status as a certified looker doesnt hurt. Heading beyond the yellow door that marks its street-level presence within The Hoxton Shoreditch, I was whooshed up into a kind of breezy, Architectural Digest dreamscape  all lush greenery girding the canopied main conservatory room, the percussive rattle of shaken pisco sours behind a long bar, and late-summer sunshine hammering down onto the worn tiles and low-slung soft furnishings of an extended terrace. If it was the sort of scene to make you feel like a competition winner then that was fitting. Waiting for me, nestled among a crowd with a high quotient of glamorous alpha lunchers, were Rajan and Neena Gupta: Hertfordshire-based restaurant enthusiasts that had won a ride-along as part of a charity raffle in aid of Action Against Hunger. He won the prize but I told him there was no way he was coming without me, said Neena with a grin, establishing a relationship power dynamic that I very much recognised.
The Cream, on the other hand, is similar to The Rich Cream, but is lighter on the skin. It has won an impressive 120 awards in five years, with 92 per cent of users in clinical trials saying their skin appeared brighter after use, while 87 per cent said their skin was left with a youthful, radiant glow. The Cream can also help to prevent signs of ageing and will stimulate the production of collagen, which is essential for youthful skin. It also reduces redness, calms stressed skin and is perfect for everyday use.
As well as nourishing and hydrating your locks, the best hair oils work their magic to wave goodbye to frizzy locks and unruly manes. And Sol de Janeiros Brazilian Glossy Nourishing Anti-Frizz Hair Oil is one of the best options around if youre looking to achieve all of the above in one easy application.
At the beginning of the show, a voice on the speakers said: These collections are and will continue to be a piece of history, symbolic of the resilience and courage of Ukraine and its people.
The Government has yet to decide how much extra funding it would release to the embattled organisation, but had made clear that any investment would have to be reciprocated with a significant programme of internal reform.
In a separate post, she shared an image of her stitching and bandaged cheek, writing: I know this looks crazy and pretty massive, which it was, but for all good reason @garthmd made sure to protect the stitches and make sure everything was flat as possible so there was no stretching of the scar, incision area, and we tried to avoid keloiding as much as possible...He's just the best.
Sharing some pictures of River to the picture sharing app, they wrote in the accompanying caption: I wanted to write a nonbinary character that was aspirational and incredibly cool, someone for the pups (and kids at home) to look up to.
Not many people can be that commanding and so charming at the same time, and I love his hilarious take on why our toastie loaf is the real deal. Quality will always be at the core of our fifth-generation family-run business, and our new ad highlights this commitment to freshness and quality in all that we bake.
Tyson and Paris have also announced the birth of their seventh child, who arrived at 2.29am weighing 6lb 13oz. Confirming the news to OK magazine, the couple said: Were over the moon to have welcomed our baby boy to the Fury family. His brothers and sisters cant wait to meet him and create lots of Fury fun! Our boy is the most perfect addition and were bursting with love for him. Its crazy how you can love someone so quick.
Polish President Andrzej Duda criticized Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. He compared the Russian leader to Hitler for his full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

Andrzej Duda said this at the UN General Assembly during a press conference in New York. The Polish president also expressed his support for Ukraine.

He recalled that after the Second World War, the UN was created to prevent the recurrence of devastating bloodshed. The world lived by new rules, where human rights, the inviolability of state borders and the sovereignty of countries would be decisive. However, the world is now facing a terrible challenge again.

"As a result of Russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed or injured. Millions have been forced to flee their own country. Hundreds of millions around the world have faced hunger and serious economic devastation. Russia's brutal aggression has brought huge global problems," he said.

ADVERTISIMENT

He recalled that in September 1939, Nazi Germany invaded Poland, which was the trigger for the outbreak of World War II. 17 days later, Poland was stabbed in the back by Hitler's ally, the USSR. Poland lost its independence for decades.

"This is why we understand the tragedy of Ukraine better than any other country in the world. As well as the tragedies of other countries that have faced the horrors of war," the Polish leader added.

Like Hitler in his time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has suddenly set out to revive the empire and "change the world order"

"When the war against Ukraine was unleashed, Vladimir Putin wanted to restore the Russian empire. He wanted to divide the world and make Europe constantly dependent on his raw materials. But he achieved nothing. And I am sure that he will never achieve anything again," Duda emphasized.

ADVERTISIMENT

He also called on the international community to be bold.

"Today, the world needs courageous leaders who would look to the future... The late Polish President Lech Kaczynski was such a leader. More than a decade ago, he tried to awaken consciousness and to draw the attention of world politicians to Putin's imperialist policy," Duda said.

He added that the absence of punishment for the aggressor's crimes creates a sense of impunity for criminals and encourages new aggressors. Therefore, Poland supports all the efforts of the international community and international institutions to investigate Russia's war crimes against Ukraine and advocates for the establishment of a special military tribunal.

He emphasized the importance of providing military assistance to Ukraine.

"Today, many states are accused of prolonging the war by supplying the necessary weapons for Ukraine's defense. This is a completely distorted, twisted logic. It is as if we are accusing a person who helps his neighbor to protect his house from burglars. If someone attacks your family and your home, you have the right to defend yourself. The neighbors should not stand by. Ukraine must resist aggression and effectively defend its independence. But this would not be possible if it were not for the assistance provided by other countries. First of all, the United States, which has played an extremely important role in ensuring the security of Europe for a century," Duda said.

ADVERTISIMENT

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Poland and Ukraine have agreed on a new military aid package. It will include armored personnel carriers, MiG-29 fighters, air defense systems, mortars and other weapons.

Only verified information on Telegram Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
So they were being fired on by German artillery from the coast, they were being bombed from the air, multiple ways of air attacks. And there were also mines having been laid, so the ships would strike mines.
This is said to include considering a five-year delay on the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, which is currently due in 2030, as well as weakening the plan to phase out gas boilers from 2035.
Currently, you can message a bunch of businesses on the app - from rail companies to hotels to grocery delivery services - by either searching for them or by adding them to your contacts. The largest brands will then typically provide automated responses to your queries. Meanwhile, only users in India, Brazil and Singapore can actually make payments inside WhatsApp.
On Monday, September 19, Azerbaijan announced the launch of an anti-terrorist operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in the largest escalation since 2020. Following the first day of hostilities, representatives of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) reported 27 dead and more than 200 wounded, and protests broke out in Yerevan demanding a response to Baku's actions.

ADVERTISIMENT

Azerbaijan, for its part, reported on the destroyed equipment, the taking of positions, and its proximity to the "fulfillment" of its tasks. Starting at 13:00 on Wednesday, September 20, the parties agreed to a ceasefire. OBOZREVATEL talks about the current situation in Karabakh, the world's reaction to the conflict, and why Moscow was forced to justify itself to Armenia.

The ceasefire

On the afternoon of September 20, the authorities of unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh announced a decision to establish a ceasefire from 13:00 on Wednesday, September 20 (12:00 Kyiv time).

According to the press service of the Karabakh separatists:

- "The 'Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army' will be completely disbanded and disarmed,

- heavy equipment and weapons will be removed from the territory of Karabakh and utilized;

ADVERTISIMENT

- the issues raised by Azerbaijan on the reintegration, rights and security of Karabakh Armenians, and the life of the population of Karabakh within the framework of the Constitution of Azerbaijan, according to the agreement reached, will be discussed at a meeting of representatives of local Armenians and the central authorities of Azerbaijan in the city of Yevlakh on September 21 and during subsequent meetings.

A photo of Armenians gathered at the Stepanakert airport to fly out of the region after the surrender of the Nagorno-Karabakh separatists was posted online.

Under the terms of the agreement, Azerbaijan is to provide a corridor for the evacuation of residents and the remnants of the Karabakh army.

ADVERTISIMENT

Results of the first day of Azerbaijan's operation in Karabakh

Former Prime Minister of the unrecognized Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan accused Azerbaijan of massive artillery shelling of civilian buildings in the republic's "capital" Stepanakert and other cities of Karabakh. According to him, there are wounded among children. He called what was happening "a continuation of genocide" and called on Armenia to recognize Artsakh (NKR) and "join the defense of its citizens."

The unrecognized republic's ombudsman, Gegham Stepanyan, reported 27 dead, including two civilians, and more than 200 wounded, including 12 children. According to him, residents of Karabakh are hiding in basements without electricity, communication and food.

ADVERTISIMENT

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said that there are no Armenian armed forces in Nagorno-Karabakh and accused Baku of "ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh". At the same time, he promised that Armenia would not interfere in the conflict, despite attempts by "internal and external forces" to involve it. Pashinyan called on the Russian peacekeeping forces and the UN Security Council to take action.

In addition, the press service of the Office of the Representative of Armenia for International Legal Affairs reported that Yerevan had appealed to the ECHR to oblige Azerbaijan to stop shelling civilian objects in Nagorno-Karabakh.

"In particular, a demand has been made to oblige Azerbaijan to stop shelling all civilian objects, settlements and the population," the statement said.

ADVERTISIMENT

In its turn, by the evening of September 19, Azerbaijan reported that it had taken control of more than 60 combat positions and neutralized up to 20 combat vehicles, 40 artillery pieces and two anti-aircraft missile systems allegedly belonging to the Armenian army.

Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev told Turkish TV channel TRT that the tasks of the anti-terrorist operation are "close to being completed."

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense demonstrated one of the strikes on "a combat position of the Armenian Armed Forces with reserve ammunition".

Protests in Yerevan

On the afternoon of September 19, people began to gather near the Armenian government in Yerevan, demanding a response to Azerbaijan's actions in Nagorno-Karabakh. The protesters tried to enter the building, but the police surrounded it, and clashes broke out.

ADVERTISIMENT

By the end of the day, the Armenian Ministry of Health reported 34 injuries among protesters and police. Late in the evening, protesters began to set up tents on the square in front of the government.

According to Sputnik Armenia, 16 people were detained during the protests: 11 of them near the government building, and 5 more for administrative violations near the Russian Embassy.

The United States supports Armenia

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called on Azerbaijan to immediately cease hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh and emphasized the importance of de-escalating the conflict.

ADVERTISIMENT

The Secretary of State held phone conversations with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

"I spoke with Azerbaijani President Aliyev today and urged him to immediately stop the hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh. It is extremely important for Azerbaijan to de-escalate the situation in order to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict," Blinken said on the evening of September 19.

Aliyev, for his part, "expressed readiness" to stop the operation and hold a meeting with representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, the State Department said.

During the conversation with Pashinyan, Blinken "expressed deep concern" about Azerbaijan's military actions. "The United States calls for an immediate end to this unacceptable military action," he said.

Blinken also told Pashinyan that Yerevan has Washington's full support.

ADVERTISIMENT

Shame on the Kremlin

Announcing the anti-terrorist operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku noted that the military actions were coordinated with Russia, whose military are present in Karabakh as peacekeepers. At the same time, official Yerevan said that Russia had not informed Armenia of Azerbaijan's intention to start hostilities in Karabakh. And Armenian radical Telegram channels accused Russian peacekeepers of fleeing.

In response, Moscow said that Baku had warned the Kremlin about the operation only minutes before it began. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Russia was "alarmed" and called on the parties to stop the bloodshed. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin is in touch with Baku and Yerevan and is making attempts to return the situation to the mainstream of diplomacy.

ADVERTISIMENT

Meanwhile, the Western media saw Russia's failure in the situation in Karabakh. According to The New York Times, the escalation of the situation between Armenia and Azerbaijan has become "an embarrassment to the Kremlin." The journalists remind that just a day before the escalation, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported an improvement in the humanitarian situation and was optimistic about the possibility of negotiations.

And the Financial Times article says that the conflict shows how Moscow, which was a traditional mediator in the region, is losing its influence after the invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine urged Ukrainians to refrain from visiting Nagorno-Karabakh and to avoid crowded places in Armenian cities, particularly Yerevan.

In case of an emergency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised to contact the round-the-clock hotline of the Embassy of Ukraine in Armenia +374 7710 0273 or the hotline of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine +38 044 238 1588.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZREVATEL:

- ISW analysts noted that the Russian Federation is losing influence in Nagorno-Karabakh and is unlikely to send forces there amid the war against Ukraine. Moscow has demonstratively "abandoned" its allies.

- Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, is confident that Russia will simply surrender Armenia, as it often abandons its partners and fails to fulfill its obligations. According to him, today Russia is too weak to support Armenia in the battles in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel Obozrevatel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sept 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sept 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (17) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sept 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (134) Jun 2013 (203) Jul 2013 (292) Aug 2013 (350) Sept 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (347) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (437) Jan 2014 (543) Feb 2014 (473) Mar 2014 (525) Apr 2014 (526) May 2014 (470) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sept 2014 (440) Oct 2014 (471) Nov 2014 (496) Dec 2014 (535) Jan 2015 (535) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (578) Apr 2015 (657) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sept 2015 (922) Oct 2015 (919) Nov 2015 (798) Dec 2015 (789) Jan 2016 (781) Feb 2016 (834) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (864) May 2016 (945) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (880) Aug 2016 (1034) Sept 2016 (966) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (884) Jan 2017 (879) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (896) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (850) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sept 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (808) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sept 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (851) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (934) Jul 2019 (949) Aug 2019 (936) Sept 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (941) Feb 2020 (848) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (787) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sept 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (811) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (824) Jul 2021 (830) Aug 2021 (832) Sept 2021 (791) Oct 2021 (754) Nov 2021 (683) Dec 2021 (693) Jan 2022 (694) Feb 2022 (654) Mar 2022 (740) Apr 2022 (745) May 2022 (748) Jun 2022 (701) Jul 2022 (704) Aug 2022 (702) Sept 2022 (699) Oct 2022 (737) Nov 2022 (718) Dec 2022 (692) Jan 2023 (662) Feb 2023 (611) Mar 2023 (692) Apr 2023 (652) May 2023 (696) Jun 2023 (701) Jul 2023 (742) Aug 2023 (737) Sept 2023 (732) Oct 2023 (749) Nov 2023 (10)
The Canadian government intends to provide 3 billion Canadian dollars to finance the new CANDU nuclear reactors of the southeastern Cernavoda plant, the Ministry of Energy informed Tuesday night, in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

"Today in Ottawa, Sebastian Burduja, the Romanian Minister of Energy, and Jonathan Wilkinson, the Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, made the announcement according to which Canada can support with up to 3 billion dollars the financing of the development of nuclear projects by Nuclearelectrica, the operator Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant and respectively Energonuclear, the SNN subsidiary for the development of the project. Romania will build two new CANDU (Canada deuterium uranium) type nuclear reactors at Cernavoda (units 3 and 4). These will make a significant contribution to achieving our objectives regarding ensuring the energy security of Romania and Europe, with a major impact in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions," the press release read.

At the same time, the development of the two nuclear units will create significant economic opportunities, both for Romania and for Canada.

According to the ministry, the construction of the two additional CANDU-6 reactors will add 1,400 megawatts to the energy grid in Romania, with export potential to neighbouring countries, currently dependent on energy resources from Russia. The new reactors would also help Romania avoid approximately eight million tonnes of carbon emissions annually compared to the coal projection and allow it to achieve its goal of phasing out coal from electricity generation by 2032.

The project is essential for strengthening Romania's energy security, especially in the context of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and will strengthen Romania's potential to become an Eastern European energy hub, providing consumers in Romania and neighbouring countries with safe, clean, gas-free energy with a greenhouse effect and at a fair price, the press release added.
Ciolacu: It is a deployment of major forces of ministry to find out the truth

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said on Wednesday that, in the case of an explosion that took place on the commercial ship Seama, under the flag of Togo, "a deployment of major forces" by the Ministry of Defence (MApN) is taking place to establish the truth, told Agerpres.

"At this moment they are looking at what the actual cause is. (...) It is a deployment of major forces on the part of MApN, in coordination with the Ministry of Transport, in order to find out the truth very swiftly," said Ciolacu

The statements were made at a news conference at the Ministry of Transport after Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu mentioned that MApN has deployed a ship with divers to the area to investigate the causes of the explosion. They will establish whether it was a mine or an explosion in the engine room, as Grindeanu showed.

Ciolacu initially said that the first hypothesis seems to be "closer to the truth," but later came back with clarifications, emphasising that he was talking about the possibility of an explosion having occurred in the engine room.

"Let's wait for exactly what the people from the Ministry of Defence tell us. Navigation on the Sulina channel is not endangered. On the contrary, the ship was in deep water, so there are no problems from that point of view. An exceptional real-time response of all those involved," said Ciolacu.

He also congratulated the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Defence on their fast response.

The Seama ship was carrying cement headed for the Bystroye Canal, but an explosion occurred on board near the Sulina area. The explosion was so strong that the captain decided to abandon the ship and asked the Port Authority of Sulina for support.

The ship's crew was brought to Sulina by the Coast Guard and the Life Saving Agency.

The causes of the explosion are not yet known. It could have been a malfunction on the ship or a sea mine.

A minesweeper with a group of divers specialised in searching for mines moves to the area for a search.

An investigation was started into the causes of the shipwreck.

The vessel is half submerged and does not affect access to the Sulina maritime channel.
The minister of national defence Angel Tilvar has strongly condemned the Russian Federation's attacks against targets and elements of civilian infrastructure in Ukrainian ports on the Danube at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) held in Germany, showing that Moscow must understand that such actions are unacceptable in the civilised world, the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) said in a press release sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday.

Angel Tilvar reiterated Romania's full solidarity with the Ukrainian people, highlighting the multidimensional support offered by facilitating the transport of grain, the operation of the F-16 training centre for Romanian, allied and Ukrainian pilots, the participation in the INTERFLEX mission carried out on the territory of the UK and EUMAM under the coordination of the European Union.

The Minister strongly condemned the Russian Federation's attacks against targets and elements of civilian infrastructure in the Ukrainian Danube ports of Reni, Izmail and Chilia.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the national defence minister had a bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, during which the former reiterated the solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the multidimensional support provided by Romania to Kyiv since the beginning of the war of aggression launched by the Russian Federation.

Angel Tilvar expressed his conviction that all activities such as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, high-level bilateral contacts and the various formats on security in the Black Sea region are solid elements in mobilising the support of the international community for Ukraine, MApN said.

"The two ministers agreed on the need to maintain a constant dialogue at ministerial level between the two institutions to establish new opportunities for cooperation," the release said.

Minister Tilvar, accompanied by the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Daniel Petrescu, attended the UDCG meeting on Tuesday at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, chaired by the US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, alongside ministerial delegations from over 50 NATO and partner countries.
International rankings: University of Bucharest, the first in Romania in terms of graduates' employability

The University of Bucharest (UB) is the first university in Romania in terms of graduate employability results and reputation among employers, according to the first edition dedicated to Europe of the Quacquarelly Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024 - Europe, one of the best-known rankings in the academic world, told Agerpres.

"The University of Bucharest is still this year among the most important European universities. Thus, for the indicator that aims at the results of employment outcomes, the University of Bucharest is positioned in the first 70 universities in Europe out of 690 institutions that were included in this year's ranking, while for the indicator that aims at the employer reputation, the University of Bucharest is in position 204 at the European level. In the general ranking QS World University Rankings 2024 - Europe, the University of Bucharest occupies the place the second nationally and the 276th place in Europe," informs a press release on Wednesday.

As to the global Quacquarelly Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2024, in its 20th edition, for the indicator that aims at the results of the employment outcomes, the University of Bucharest is positioned in the first 250 of universities in the world out of 2,963 institutions that were included in this year's ranking, while for the Employer Reputation indicator, the University of Bucharest ranks 586 worldwide.

The QS World University Rankings - Europe ranking is in its first edition and offers a hierarchy of the most important higher education institutions in Europe, based on 12 performance indicators, grouped into four categories: Research and Discovery, Employability and Outcomes, Learning Experience, Global Engagement and Sustainability.
Romania has already achieved 62 percent of its national targets for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, president Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday in his address at the SDG Summit, Leaders' Dialogue, under the auspices of the UN General Assembly.

The head of state cited figures from the Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2023 and stressed that Romania "has made significant progress on the SDGs related to environmental protection and limiting climate change", Agerpress.

Klaus Iohannis mentioned the further development of institutional structures for the implementation of the SDGs, the training of experts on sustainable development and the establishment of the national set of sustainable development indicators.

"These achievements have been facilitated by strong regional partnerships and by the involvement of multilateral institutions," the head of state said and called for unity and solidarity.

"Only seven years left until 2030! There is little time left and we must intensify our cooperation. The remaining years must be used for result-generating actions that are not possible without unity, solidarity and strong involvement in the multilateral framework. We must further strengthen the UN development system, better monitor the implementation of the SDGs and base development policies on science and quality data," said president Klaus Iohannis, conveying to those present that Romania is a partner "in building a sustainable society and economy".
Iohannis says possibility of suing Austria in Schengen case "must be very carefully analyzed"

The possibility of suing Austria, if it again opposes Romania's accession to Schengen, "must be very carefully analyzed", President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday, told Agerpres.

"This approach must be very well analyzed and, if a solution is possible on this path, then we will certainly know what this possibility is," the head of state said in a statement to the Romanian press.

President Klaus Iohannis is present at the General Assembly of the United Nations.

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu declared on Monday that, in the event that Austria votes, at the JHA Council in December, against Romania's accession to Schengen, the decision would be appealed to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), a step in which he wants to have the European institutions as partners.

Ciolacu gave assurances that he would definitely use all the means at his disposal, everything that is related to this subject and everything that is legal to do, because Romania's place is in Schengen.
Nuclearelectrica hails Canada's support to finance development of Cernavoda NPP Units 3 and 4

Canada's decision to support the development of Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) with 3 billion Canadian dollars reconfirms the strategic partnership between Canada and Romania in the area of nuclear energy, in order to achieve Romania's climate and energy security objectives, according to a press release Nuclearelectrica issued on Wednesday, told Agerpres.

"At present, Nuclearelectrica plays a major role at national level by operating at the highest safety and performance standards Units 1 and 2 of the Cernavoda NPP, which contribute approximately 20% of Romania's energy needs by providing clean, safe, stable and affordable energy. By 2031/2032, Romania will add about 1400 MWe of installed capacity by operating Units 3 and 4 at Cernavoda, in addition to extending the lifetime of Unit 1 for 30 years and maintaining the 700 MWe capacity by refurbishing Unit 1 by 2029. These strategic projects will be carried out in collaboration with traditional Canadian partners and with the support of the Export Development Canada (EDC) and will contribute to Romania's energy security and decarbonisation targets. In addition, the projects will provide stable jobs for approximately 20,000 employees in the nuclear industry in Romania for the next 60-70 years, also contributing to social-economic development," Nuclearelectrica representatives say.

In August 2021, Romania signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Canada to further strengthen and support cooperation in civil nuclear energy projects, following a 55-year relationship between Canada and Romania in the nuclear industry.

The Canadian Government's announced interest in funding the 3 billion Canadian dollars to Units 3 and 4 project complements the interest expressed by the United States of America, through the US Exim Bank, in funding US technical services for the same units.

Thus, there will be up to 50 million dollars from the US export contract for pre-project technical services as part of the Engineering Multiplier Program (EMP), and up to 3 billion dollars from the US export contract for engineering and project management services for the contract to complete Units 3 and 4 of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant.

The Ministry of Energy announced on Tuesday the Canadian government's intention to make available 3 billion Canadian dollars to finance the new CANDU nuclear reactors at the Cernavoda plant.

"Today, in Ottawa, Sebastian Burduja, the Romanian Minister of Energy, and Jonathan Wilkinson, the Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced that Canada can provide up to 3 billion dollars to finance the development of nuclear projects by Nuclearelectrica, the operator of the Cernavoda Nuclear Power Plant, and Energonuclear, SNN's subsidiary for the development of the project. Romania will build two new CANDU (Canada deuterium uranium) nuclear reactors at Cernavoda (units 3 and 4). These will make a significant contribution to achieving our objectives of ensuring Romania's and Europe's energy security, with a major impact in reducing greenhouse gas emissions," a press release from the aforementioned institution reads.
Police conducts drill on the Danube simulating maneuvres in case of hazardous substances incident

Romanian police in partnership with the Bulgarian partners conducted a drill on Wednesday in the Giurgiu County simulating intervention in case of an incident with hazardous chemical substances, told Agerpres.

The drill took place under the Multi Agency Control Operation "CLEAN WATERS 2023," which takes place between September 18 and October 1, 2023, and on the occasion of the second meeting of the members of the "Danube-Black Sea" HUB, planned for September 21. Participating in these activities were the representatives of the police structures designed for preventing and fighting crime in the naval field from the member states of the HUB, informs a press release of the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) sent to AGERPRES on Wednesday.

The Romanian and Bulgarian policemen went through several scenarios learning how to intervene to manage CBRNe incidents (with dangerous chemical substances) on board a ship, on the Danube river, which requires the coordination of the efforts of the structures of the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Transport.

At the same time, the exercise also covered the measures taken as a result of the discovery of suspicious CBRNe containers on board the ship, requesting the presence of specialists from the Service for Interventions and Special Actions - CBRNe, delimiting the intervention area, identification and collection of chemical samples, carrying out the on-site investigation by the specialists of the weapons, explosives and dangerous substances services, the extraction and escorting of the people on board the ship to the headquarters of the police unit, for the continuation of the investigations.

Considering the risk of possible pollution of the Danube river, water quality checks and measurements were carried out by a depollution vessel belonging to the partner authorities in Bulgaria.
President Iohannis: An extended UN Security Council could include important additional voices

An extended Security Council could include important additional voices: from the African Group, of the various small island developing states and even the "smallest regional group," the Eastern European one, President Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday, told Agerpres.

He participated in the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The head of state stated that, on the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on Human Rights, Romania "strongly pleads for the strengthening of the UN system for human rights, including its adequate financing."

"As a member of the Human Rights Council, we continue to be an active supporter of democracy, the rule of law, non-discrimination, freedom of expression, children's and women's rights," Iohannis said. At the same time, he pointed out, the full respect and promotion of international law remain at the core of Romania's foreign policy, which advocates for an extended acceptance by states of the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

"We count on your support for our solid candidacy to the World Court," the head of state addressed the leaders of the UN General Assembly.
President Iohannis: Black Sea region must be protected against the effects of the war in Ukraine

Our region, the wider Black Sea area, must be protected against the effects of Russia's war against Ukraine and its hybrid war and malign interference, the Romanian head of state, Klaus Iohannis, told the General Assembly of the United Nations Organization, told Agerpres.

He recalled that "since the day one of the war, Romania has acted in full solidarity with the brave Ukrainian people."

"We will continue to provide safe haven and protect refugees coming from our neighbour, as we did for over 6 million Ukrainians who already crossed our borders. We fully support the Ukrainian Peace Formula as the most suitable framework conducive to a fair, lasting, and sustainable peace. We also support the pursuit of international law and accountability, so that all those responsible for atrocities are brought to justice," added Iohannis.

The President also reminded the audience about the importance of our region and the fact that Romania has been constantly arguing on the need to keep the so-called protracted or frozen conflicts in the region high on the priorities agenda and also offered "substantial support" to the Republic of Moldova, "the country that was most affected by the war in Ukraine."

"Romania is a direct neighbour to the continued war of aggression of Russia against Ukraine and we acted, with all our energy, to bring a solid contribution to regional and international security and stability. This war demonstrated that the Black Sea needs more global attention, as it is of strategic importance for transatlantic security," emphasised Iohannis.
President Iohannis: Romania won't let down its most vulnerable partners who need support

Romania will not let down its most vulnerable partners, President Klaus Iohannis said on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly in connection to the transit of Ukrainian grain through Romania, told Agerpres.

"By terminating the Black Sea Grain Initiative and by attacking Ukrainian ports, Russia further exacerbates the global food crisis. We once again urge the Russian Federation to cease blocking the Initiative. As a direct neighbour of Ukraine and a responsible and solidary international actor, Romania has played an active role in the global efforts on food security. Since the beginning of the war, we have facilitated the delivery of more than 25.5 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain," said Iohannis.

He went on to say that "Romania will not let down our most vulnerable partners who need our support, especially those from least developed countries, including from Africa."

"We also invest and bring our contribution for African institutional resilience, peacekeeping, and capacity building," added the President.
Romanian Naval Authority: Ship having suffered explosion, towed to Bay of Musura and safely stranded

The Romanian Naval Authority (ANR) announced that the Togo-flagged vessel that suffered an explosion on Wednesday morning was towed by a Lower Danube River Administration vessel to the Bay of Musura and safely stranded, told Agerpres.

According to a press release, the operation was completed at around 15.00. An anti-pollution boom will be installed around the vessel to protect the area from possible oil spills. Shipping was not affected by the incident.

However, the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Appeal of Constanta has opened an in rem criminal case for the following offences: destroying or damaging a ship or its hull; placing on a ship a device, object or substance capable of destroying the ship or causing it or its hull damage likely to endanger the safety of navigation.

"We remind you that at 6.50 the vessel under the flag of Togo reported an explosion in the engine compartment area and the crew was requested to abandon ship. The cargo was approximately 7 Mm east of the Sulina channel at the time of the explosion. The Romanian Naval Authority through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) urgently requested the assistance of the ARSVOM SAR Ares and a vessel belonging to the Border Police to rescue the 12 crew members. The rescuers immediately arrived at the scene of the incident and the crew was safely picked up and transported to the Port of Sulina," the press release also mentions.

The cargo ship Seama is 90 metres long and 14 metres wide. It arrived at the Sulina harbour on September 12 and was waiting to enter the Bystroe canal.
The Chamber of Deputies rejected on Wednesday the simple motion against health minister Alexandru Rafila.

There were 89 votes "in favour", 161 "against" and 15 abstentions.

The motion, entitled "Minister Rafila - the lazy and cynical tourist who leaves Romania without hospitals", was signed by 55 MEPs from Save Romania Union (USR) and the Right Force Party.
Everyone wants to save Romania's national airline TAROM, but at this moment, with the number of staff we have, things are not standing well business-wise, and I have not met a body with more employees related to one another, Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Sorin Grindeanu told a news conference on Wednesday.

He said that the Romanian government has been conducting discussions with the European Commission on state aid to TAROM, Agerpress.

"About the company itself, we have been discussing with the European Commission state aid that we have to get, and I hope that we will get it within weeks (...) We have delivered all the things that were asked of us so that we get this state aid. I'm telling you as clearly as possible that I want to save this company. Everyone wants it. It's a brand we can't throw away, but it has to sit on valid economic criteria. At this moment, with the number of staff we have at TAROM, things are not economically viable," said Grindeanu.

He added that it is possible that TAROM will have a new general manager in the next two to three weeks.

"Probably, in the next two to three weeks, we will have a general manager who comes from this area, let's say corporate, who does not necessarily have a connection with the aviation area, but who has a very strong connection with the way a multinational company is run," said Grindeanu.

On Tuesday, the airline's employees' union publicly requested all union members, employees and former employees, as well as all Romanian citizens who still believe in the TAROM brand to show support for the revival of this airline. The union says it will urge for public donations to save this company and a public subscription of shares in order to help it.

"The form of the donations, the accounts and the Issue Prospectus will be published according to the legislation in force. Give 1 RON! Save TAROM!" reads a press release of TAROM trade unionists signed by Chairman of the TAROM United Trade Union (SUT) Narcis Pascu.

In reply, TAROM execs sent a firm message of dissociation from the public donation initiative.

TAROM's draft budget of revenues and expenses for the year 2023 provides for a business loss to the amount of RON 62.416 million, down 28.79%, or RON 154.349 million, from the loss approved in the related budget of revenues and expenses for 2022, and down 20.53%, or RON 241.641 million from the preliminary/actual loss on December 31, 2022.

The number of staff provided for the end of 2023 is 1,314 employees, down four.
UBB, 1st in Romania in QS ranking of universities

Babes-Bolyai University (UBB) of Cluj-Napoca is ranked first in Romania and 15th in Eastern Europe in the latest British QS ranking of universities, told Agerpres.

"UBB - ranked 1st in Romania, 15th in Eastern Europe and 260th in Europe, in the latest and most used international ranking of universities, the British QS ranking. UBB ranks 1st in the country, 15th in Eastern Europe and 260th in Europe - among the top 38% of 690 universities included from 46 countries - according to the British QS ranking of universities, published on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 (QS World University Rankings: Europe - https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/babes-bolyai-university)," UBB reported on Wednesday.

The QS ranking is the most used ranking of universities built on complex indicators : Academic Reputation; Employer Reputation; Faculty Student Ratio; Citations per Faculty; International Faculty Ratio; International Students Ratio; International Research Network; Employment Outcomes and Sustainability. The European countries eligible in this ranking are the 46 member countries of the Council of Europe, four of which have no university in this ranking.

"Of course I am happy with this performance! But as I was saying, there should not be a 'national mourning' over the fact that Romania is no longer represented in the Shanghai ranking, but that we must learn from this to do what must be done for the Romanian academic environment. This performance does not cancel, but rather amplifies the need to rethink the architecture of the Romanian academe and the funding of academic excellence, if we want to grow or at least stay at this level and in this ranking. Rankings are useful metrics , but they do not reflect completely the complexity of a university, and according to the recommendations of the European Commission through COARA, they must be seen only through this logic," says UBB Rector Daniel David.

UBB has constantly occupied the first position in the country and constantly increased its performance from 2016 to 2022 in the"University Metaranking" - published for the first time in 2016 for the year 2016 by the Romanian Ministry of Education, and later, with the same methodology, by other academic organisations - that brings together nine major international rankings of universities,
TAIPEI, Taiwan  When she first moved to the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen after graduating from college, Marguerite Wang imagined she would spend her career working hard in a big city. Instead, she's living with her parents in her hometown in northeastern China.

A record of more than one in five young Chinese are out of work, their career ambitions at least temporarily derailed by a depressed job market as the economy struggles to regain momentum after its long bout with COVID-19.

Wang, who was laid off from a gaming company in December, is among an estimated 16 million young Chinese who, daunted by the difficulties of finding decent jobs, have moved back home. She asked that her English nickname be used out of concern that speaking to foreign media might hurt her job prospects.

After spending six months unsuccessfully applying for jobs in Shenzhen, the 29-year-old did something she had never imagined doing: she asked to move back home. Now she spends her days watching soap operas and studying Japanese to apply for a master's program in Japan.

Adult children returning to the nest is by no means unique to China, and many Chinese do live in extended families. But by some measures, young Chinese are enduring the country's worst job market in generations, and many are coping by taking refuge with their parents.

The urban unemployment rate for the 16-to-24 age group reached a record 21.3% in June. In July, the government stopped publishing age-specific data, prompting speculation the politically sensitive numbers had shot up even higher.

If "full-time adult children" were counted as unemployed, the jobless rate would be more than double the official rate of almost 20 percent in March, Zhang Dandan, a Peking University economics professor, said in an op-ed in the Chinese business magazine Caixin in July.

That would be a more accurate assessment of the unemployment crisis, said Zhang, who declined an interview request from AP. Her article was later removed from one of Peking University's WeChat accounts, where it had been shared.

The job drought is a ticklish problem for the ruling Communist Party, which is overseeing a sluggish post-pandemic economic recovery worsened by a downturn in the property market.

The economy grew at a 6.3% pace in April-June compared to the same period a year earlier, when parts of China were under draconian COVID-19 lockdowns. Exports have been sinking as other major economies slow.

China's overall urban unemployment rate is officially 5.3%, but young people have been disproportionately affected. Over the past two years, Beijing has cracked down on industries such as high tech and education that usually hire young college graduates. That led to mass layoffs and shutdowns in both sectors.

Other fields such as agriculture and construction lack enough workers, but most college graduates want less physically demanding white-collar positions. Research by online recruitment firm Zhilian Zhaopin showed a quarter of this year's graduates wanted to work in the tech field.

"There are job opportunities, but the job opportunities are low quality," said Xiang Biao, head of the Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology in Germany. "So for the only child of a family, who received education, who grew up in a so-called time of abundance, it's very difficult to embrace that kind of job."

An abundance of good jobs has been a mainstay of the social contract between the ruling party and young Chinese, Xiang said. A shortage of decent jobs undermines the Communist Party's assertion that the country's strong economy proves China's political model is superior to Western democracies.

There's no evidence of significant political unrest over the unemployment problem, but late last year, protests against the government's stringent "zero-COVID" policies sprouted across the country in the most direct challenge to the party in over 30 years. An official report in November noted that the growing "anxiety, disappointment and confusion generated by college students" could shake confidence in China's economic future.

Resorting to the usual Communist Party exhortations to toughen up, in June Chinese President Xi Jinping urged young people to "eat bitterness"  or endure hardship  "to create a better China." Earlier this year, the Communist Youth League urged college graduates to "roll up their sleeves" and take up blue-collar jobs.
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras  For decades, preventing dengue fever in Honduras has meant teaching people to fear mosquitoes and avoid their bites. Now, Hondurans are being educated about a potentially more effective way to control the disease  and it goes against everything they've learned.

Which explains why a dozen people cheered last month as Tegucigalpa resident Hector Enriquez held a glass jar filled with mosquitoes above his head, and then freed the buzzing insects into the air. Enriquez, a 52-year-old mason, had volunteered to help publicize a plan to suppress dengue by releasing millions of special mosquitoes in the Honduran capital.

The mosquitoes Enriquez unleashed in his El Manchen neighborhood  an area rife with dengue  were bred by scientists to carry bacteria called Wolbachia that interrupt transmission of the disease. When these mosquitoes reproduce, they pass the bacteria to their offspring, reducing future outbreaks.

This emerging strategy for battling dengue was pioneered over the last decade by the nonprofit World Mosquito Program, and it is being tested in more than a dozen countries. With more than half the world's population at risk of contracting dengue, the World Health Organization is paying close attention to the mosquito releases in Honduras, and elsewhere, and it is poised to promote the strategy globally.

In Honduras, where 10,000 people are known to be sickened by dengue each year, Doctors Without Borders is partnering with the mosquito program over the next six months to release close to 9 million mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacteria.

"There is a desperate need for new approaches," said Scott O'Neill, founder of the mosquito program.

Scientists have made great strides in recent decades in reducing the threat of mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria. But dengue is the exception: Its rate of infection keeps going up.

Models estimate that around 400 million people across some 130 countries are infected each year with dengue. Mortality rates from dengue are low  an estimated 40,000 people die each year from it  but outbreaks can overwhelm health systems and force many people to miss work or school.

"When you come down with a case of dengue fever, it's often akin to getting the worst case of influenza you can imagine," said Conor McMeniman, a mosquito researcher at Johns Hopkins University. It's commonly known as "breakbone fever" for a reason, McMeniman said.

Traditional methods of preventing mosquitoborne illnesses haven't been nearly as effective against dengue.

The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that most commonly spread dengue have been resistant to insecticides, which have fleeting results even in the bestcase scenario. And because dengue virus comes in four different forms, it is harder to control through vaccines.

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are also a challenging foe because they are most active during the day  meaning that's when they bite  so bed nets aren't much help against them. Because these mosquitoes thrive in warm and wet environments, and in dense cities, climate change and urbanization are expected to make the fight against dengue even harder.

"We need better tools," said Raman Velayudhan, a researcher from the WHO's Global Neglected Tropical Diseases Program. "Wolbachia is definitely a longterm, sustainable solution."

Velayudhan and other experts from the WHO plan to publish a recommendation as early as this month to promote further testing of the Wolbachia strategy in other parts of the world.

The Wolbachia strategy has been decades in the making.

The bacteria exist naturally in about 60% of insect species, just not in the Aedes aegypti mosquito.

"We worked for years on this," said O'Neill, 61, who with help from his students in Australia eventually figured out how to transfer the bacteria from fruit flies into Aedes aegypti mosquito embryos by using microscopic glass needles.

Along the way, O'Neill's team made a surprising discovery: Mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia didn't spread dengue  or other related diseases, including yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya.

And since infected females pass Wolbachia to their offspring, they will eventually "replace" a local mosquito population with one that carries the virusblocking bacteria.

The replacement strategy has required a major shift in thinking about mosquito control, said Oliver Brady, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Since O'Neill's lab first tested the replacement strategy in Australia in 2011, the World Mosquito Program has run trials affecting 11 million people across 14 countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Fiji and Vietnam.

The results are promising. In 2019, a large-scale field trial in Indonesia showed a 76% drop in reported dengue cases after Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes were released.

Still, questions remain about whether the replacement strategy will be effective  and cost effective  on a global scale, O'Neill said. The three-year Tegucigalpa trial will cost $900,000, or roughly $10 per person that Doctors Without Borders expects it to protect.

Many of the world's mosquitoes infected with Wolbachia were hatched in a warehouse in Medellin, Colombia, where the World Mosquito Program runs a factory that breeds 30 million of them per week.

"We have the perfect conditions," the factory's coordinator, Marlene Salazar, said.

A Doctors Without Borders team in Honduras recently went door-to-door in a hilly neighborhood of Tegucigalpa to enlist residents' help in incubating mosquito eggs bred in the Medellin factory.

Lourdes Betancourt, 63, a volunteer with the Doctors Without Borders team, was at first suspicious of the new strategy. But Betancourt  who has been sickened by dengue several times  now encourages her neighbors to let the "good mosquitoes" grow in their yards.

"I tell people not to be afraid, that this isn't anything bad, to have trust," Betancourt said. "They are going to bite you, but you won't get dengue."
WENTZVILLE  General Motors idled a Kansas City plant that relies on supplies from the companys Wentzville facility Wednesday, as pressure for the Big Three automakers to reach new labor agreements intensified.

The Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas uses stampings from the Wentzville facility, the company said. The move to idle the plant, where 2,000 union members work, marked one of the first, major signs of stress on the automakers supply chain during the United Auto Workers strike. At the same time, the company neared the unions next, major deadline in bargaining.

The UAW has been in contract negotiations with the Big Three automakers  GM, Ford and Stellantis  since July. Friday will mark one week since the companies labor agreements expired, and workers walked out at three major plants. UAW President Shawn Fain has set a deadline of 11 a.m. Friday  or noon in Detroit  for the companies to reach a deal, or else more plants will join the strike.

Auto workers have waited long enough to make things right at the Big Three. Were not waiting around, and were not messing around, Fain said in a video message to members Tuesday.

The UAW has broken with its normal strategy in bargaining this year. Historically, the union has focused on bargaining with one of the three companies, and used its agreement as a template for the others. This year, the UAW isnt picking a target, and has said that it will strike against any company that doesnt have a new contract in place.

In another break from the past, the union opted to strike at specific plants, rather than across entire companies. On Friday, workers began striking at GMs Wentzville plant, a Stellantis Jeep assembly plant in Toledo, Ohio, and a Ford plant that makes Rangers and Broncos in Wayne, Michigan. The union made clear that other plants may join the strike, if new agreements arent reached.

David Whiston, a U.S. auto industry stock analyst with Morningstar, said strikes at these companies ripple up and down the supply chain, both to the companies that supply automakers, and the dealers that sell the cars.

George Zsidisin, professor of supply chain management at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, said that over the past two decades especially, the automotive industry has focused on cutting back excess inventory, and moving to just-in-time deliveries.

With smaller batches of deliveries, its easier to quickly identify potential problems. At the same time, any disruption in the supply chain is felt more quickly, Zsidisin said.

Going into this years labor talks, companies in the industry generally had lower inventory than normal.

We werent at healthy levels before this strike, anyway, because of the chip shortage, and the pandemic, Whiston said.
L.A.-based comedian Zach Noe Towers may be at a career crossroads.

Sign up for the Blender newsletter The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene.

The Webster Groves High School graduate describes his stand-up as unapologetically filthy but not in a way thats gross to be gross.

Towers performed as part of the Flyover Comedy Festival at Hot Java Bar in St. Louis in 2022. He returns for shows Sept. 22-23 at Helium Comedy Club.

Im just a sex-positive person who loves talking about the ups and downs of dating and relationships and sex, says Towers, who hosts a SiriusXM show called After Hours on Netflix Is a Joke Radio (Channel 93).

His good friend, actor-comedian Fortune Feimster, has advised him to tone his act down to broaden his reach.

She said, Youre so funny, but youll be more accessible to more people if you tone down the adult content, he says. Do I need those dirty jokes? Can I clean it up a bit to get on Netflix? Theres a ceiling for dirty comics. They dont climb as high or as far.

Im very open to notes from people I respect very much. Shes been through so much, so in a way, I dont have to.

Hes also supporting Feimster on her tour, which includes a show Dec. 1 at the Factory.

Doing stand-up comedy wasnt initially in the plans for Towers, who was raised in Rock Hill in a progressive Irish Catholic household.

Ive always been gay, he says. I dont know how else to put it. It felt isolating.

He found his safe space early, in the theater. His first production at the Muny, at his mothers encouragement, was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1997.

I was totally bitten by the theater bug, says Towers. He performed in school musicals and as a Muny Kid and Muny Teen.

He studied musical theater at Indiana University. The experience gave him a self-esteem boost.

I owe so much to the art, he says. All I ever wanted to do was perform. And I always wanted to do film and TV.

He realized the latter was his real obsession, and in 2009, he moved to Los Angeles.

It was such a rocky road, he says. Its not smooth by any means now. I got lost in the sauce, a young gay demon twink in the streets of L.A., a young gay guy living his life. It was hard to get a manager, an agent, hard to book auditions. I was waiting tables and trying to land parts.

Towers first stand-up show in 2012 was a bringer show, where performers bring people to the show to earn stage time  such as 10 people, 10 minutes.

He felt inspired by Sarah Silvermans 2005 film Jesus Is Magic, and a second bug bit.

Its the bottom rung of stand-up comedy, he says.

He performed at El-Cid on the East side of Los Angeles, a Mexican restaurant with a small stage.

Towers, a social butterfly, brought 35 gay men to the show. He was second-to-last in the lineup.

My friends were exhausted, but they were there for me, and I had a fun time, he says. If it had not gone well, I may not be doing stand-up today. Making a room laugh is a drug unlike any other.

Hed like to film his first stand-up special at El Cid.

Towers kept improving and eventually was able to pay his bills by doing comedy. He became a host of E!s Dating #NoFilter, which premiered in 2019, and was selected as a new face of comedy by the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal. Time Out magazine also called him a comic to watch.

In that period, he also optioned his movie Meat Market, which he calls a gay Scream, about men on a dating app getting killed.

I thought I was on top of the world, Towers says. Then the pandemic hit, and a lot of things disappeared.

Now, he says, the movie is in three sets of hands. A big company wants to make it. But it could go away again. Im hoping to film it in the spring.

For his own comedy, Towers biggest influences are women, including Silverman, Feimster, Ellen DeGeneres, Whitney Cummings, Wanda Sykes, Beth Stelling and Taylor Tomlinson.

I like female comedians, he says. I dont care what straight guys have to say most of the time. For women to go through the stand-up comedy world is one of the bravest things you can do.

The same likely could be said of being a gay comedian. Stand-ups still say homophobic, transphobic and misogynistic things onstage, especially at the open-mic level.

Theyre just yelling hatred, he says. If youre gonna go there, take me off-guard, challenge me to think.

What Zach Noe Towers  When 8 p.m. Sept. 22-23  Where Helium Comedy Club, St. Louis Galleria, 1151 St. Louis Galleria Street, Richmond Heights  How much $20-$28  More info heliumcomedy.com

Sign up for the Blender newsletter The Blender by Kevin C. Johnson keeps you up to date with the latest concert news and more from the St. Louis music scene.
Tony Messenger Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

CLAYTON  When Tashonda Troupes son died in the St. Louis County Justice Center in 2019, she was lost.

Her son, Lamar Catchings, was 20 when he died of a curable form of acute leukemia. It was never diagnosed while he was in the jail, even as his health deteriorated.

Troupe wanted answers, but she couldnt find any. She didnt know anybody who had been through a similar situation.

There was nobody to help me, Troupe told me this week. I was on Facebook asking questions, trying to find families who had been through this.

A few years into a civil rights lawsuit that seeks answers about her sons care, Troupe has become the go-to mom when somebody dies in a St. Louis jail. She has formed an ad-hoc group of moms  four of them at the moment  called Mothers for Justice. On Tuesday, the group filed a lawsuit against St. Louis County, asking a judge to stop what the mothers allege is the destruction of medical records in the deaths of jail detainees.

Troupes attorney, Mark Pedroli of Clayton, discovered the alleged destruction of records in a federal lawsuit he filed for Margaret Starks, whose son, Drexel, died in the jail in 2015. He was 52. In that ongoing lawsuit, U.S. District Judge Ronnie White has blasted the county attorneys office for being at best lackadaisical and careless, and at worst unscrupulous and dishonest when sharing records.

In the lawsuit filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court, the moms are alleging widespread destruction of records  specifically, messages about patients left by one shift nurse to others through a software program called Allscripts EHR. The messages are a key part of a patients health record, Pedroli argues in the lawsuit. He seeks an injunction to bar the county from destroying such records.

In at least two cases of pretrial detainees who died while in custody, the lawsuit alleges, communications about their health  housed within their electronic health records  were permanently deleted shortly after their deaths.

In the lawsuit, Petroli alleges that perhaps thousands of such records have been destroyed over the years and that the practice is ongoing. He argues that the records should be saved for 10 years, based on state law.

They hide things, Troupe says. Its part of their culture.

A county spokesperson said the county does not comment on pending litigation.

Starks and Catchings died during a particularly difficult time for the county jail. After Catchings death, in part because of Troupes advocacy and the investigative reporting of former Post-Dispatch reporter Jeremy Kohler, the jail made multiple changes in administration and policies. Also, the vacant Justice Services Advisory Board was reconstituted after Sam Page became the St. Louis County executive. That board now meets regularly to seek information on the treatment of jail detainees.

But Pedroli only recently discovered that messages on the health care of detainees had been destroyed. Hes requested them for two more recent jail deaths  Dwight Williams and Angela Brown  but has yet to receive the records, according to the lawsuit.

After a month and a half of requesting the records, theyre not giving us the patient logs for those two families, Pedroli says.

Those records, Starks says, are key to day-to-day patient care. You have to have a historical record, she says.

Starks spent 50 years as a licensed practical nurse in the St. Louis area. She was horrified when she found out records in her sons case  including a message sent the day before he died  were destroyed or lost.

Its a frightening situation, she says. We take an oath to save a life. You have to have those records.

These days, Troupe is the person others reach out to after the death of a family member in a local jail. Just as she did, they search on Google or Facebook. They find her, and she helps direct them to where they can get answers. I know how it feels to have no help, she says.

But answers can be hard to come by if people are destroying medical records. The lawsuit isnt seeking a financial payment, just a change in policy.

They need to have a record of it, Troupe says. There needs to be a way that nobody can go in there and destroy it.
ST. LOUIS  Terrion Smith was letting people into the Ely Walker Lofts for a party on the night of March 12 when the 16-year-old was shot dead in the lobby of the Washington Avenue building.

Police said the shooting appeared to be targeted. The apartment had been rented out via a short-term rental website for a birthday party.

On the Monday after the shooting, March 14, St. Louis officials issued a public nuisance notice for unit 510 of the Ely Walker building, where the party had been held, citing shooting, disturbances and other unruly behavior. It scheduled a meeting March 31 with the owner: Aconcagua One LLC, c/o Asprient Properties.

Aconcagua One, which owns nearly half of the condos in the Ely Walker building, lists as manager Victor Alston, the developer behind Lux Living and a prominent real estate investor. His brother and business partner, Sid Chakraverty, sits on Ely Walkers condominium association board, which manages the property. At least two other Lux employees are on the board, giving them a majority on the five-member condo association.

Alston and Chakraverty have faced criticism for Lux Livings business practices, including tactics to stymie a competing development and tenant complaints about poor management at their properties.

But now the brothers downtown holdings, particularly Ely Walker Lofts, are drawing new scrutiny from city officials and downtown residents. Tenants and other property owners downtown have complained about parties  some, they say, rented through websites such as Airbnb  getting out of control and damaging property in the 174-unit building at 1520 Washington Avenue. A party at the building last May spilled out into the street and led to an infamous incident when partiers danced on a police patrol car.

Last week, St. Louis Public Safety Director Dan Isom said the city was investigating after a large rooftop party April 23 at Ely Walker lofts and planned to meet with the management team.

On Monday, Ben Breit, who heads trust communications for Airbnb, came to St. Louis and appeared with city and business officials with a pledge to better identify problem rental units. He announced the platform would expand restrictions on rentals during Memorial Day weekend, a measure it is rolling out nationwide. A similar block on guests without good reviews during Independence Day weekend last year affected some 500 people in St. Louis, Breit said.

St. Louis Assessor Michael Dauphin also appeared Monday to say his office is working with the mayors office and the citys problem properties unit to identify properties used for short-term rentals and reclassify them as commercial real estate.

We view them as running a commercial business and essentially, when you move them from residential to commercial classification, it doubles their tax bill, Dauphin said Monday.

The downtown parties and incidents have also gotten the attention of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, which is reviving ideas to regulate the industry or require licenses for Airbnb hosts.

If theyre not licensed and given a permit to operate, theres no hammer to take away their license or punish them when theyre bad actors or hosts, said Alderman Tom Oldenburg.

It aint ours

Though there are short-term rentals through Airbnb throughout the city, the citys focus on improving quality of life downtown has for the moment focused the spotlight on the Ely Walker building and Alston and Chakraverty.

Ira Berkowitz, a lawyer for many of the brothers companies, denied that his clients do any short-term rentals at Ely Walker.

Theres absolutely no short-term leasing, Berkowitz said. Theres no short-term Airbnbs or anything else through my client at Ely Walker. Zero.

We will not tolerate short-term leasing at Ely Walker, he said.

But a company called TheSTAY had a unit advertised this week on Airbnb at a location that appears to match the Ely Walker buildings address, according to the websites map. Chakraverty is the registered agent for TheStay LLC, Missouri business filings say.

Told about the Airbnb listing, Berkowitz replied that advertising is one thing. Do you have any evidence of any actual short-term leasing?

If you find a posting on Airbnb it aint ours, he said.

The property listing does not specifically say it is an Ely Walker unit, but Airbnbs map shows it is located where the Ely Walker building is. TheSTAY also lists Airbnb units in other buildings owned by companies affiliated with Alston and Chakraverty.

Shown screenshots of the listing, Berkowitz said, There is no indication on any of these attached listings that any of them are for Ely Walker.

And Airbnbs Breit, in an email Thursday afternoon, said the listing is for an entirely separate building  not 1520 Washington. Breit described Airbnbs location map as approximate and could be anywhere within a 10-city block radius.

Asked if TheSTAY had listed Ely Walker units via Airbnb in the past, Breit said he didnt know.

Chakraverty, reached by phone Wednesday, declined to comment.

As for the March shooting, Berkowitz said he didnt know if the nuisance summons was related. But he did say that it was a regular tenant who had listed the unit on Airbnb, not Alstons Aconcagua One LLC.

This was a tenant of theirs that did it behind our back, Berkowitz said. We had no idea that this guy was doing it.

The bigger issue, he said, is the proliferation of these guns. ... We should all be ashamed of ourselves for allowing this to happen.

Singling out Ely Walker is not the answer to downtowns problems, Berkowitz said.

Look at Washington Avenue altogether, he said. Its not this building, its whats happening in the city.

You got kids running around shooting windows out.

Tenants fight back

In 2015, Aconcagua purchased 87 of the condos in the Ely Walker building, giving it just under 50% of the buildings units, according to a September lawsuit filed by several other condo owners in the building.

The other owners allege that Chakraverty and Alstons Aconcagua engineered the installation of a majority of condo board members to control the building. Those board members, including the Lux employees, dont directly own condos there but are affiliated with, and are beholden to Aconcagua and serve its interests rather than those of the Ely Walker condo owners, the lawsuit alleges. They vote in a block-like manner on all business before the association, the lawsuit alleges.

Aconcagua tries to maximize its rental cash flow by utilizing all of its units, frequently on short-term bases, the lawsuit says, which is highly divergent from the interests of the independent condo owners and violates condo rules. The lawsuit claims that after owners called out the short-term leases, Aconcagua changed its leases to a year but added a provision allowing signers to terminate the leases in 60 days, effectively keeping them short-term.

Aconcagua has denied the allegations in responses.

But conditions have grown worse recently, said Allie Byrd, a three-year tenant of Ely Walker who rents one of the units owned by a company affiliated with Alston and Chakraverty. She says she has been complaining about a leak in her bedroom ceiling for months. Her car, along with several others, had its windows bashed in after people at one of the recent parties vandalized cars in the buildings garage. Byrd said actual owners who live in the building need representation on the condo association in order to make changes.

Per the bylaws, thats not allowed in that building, she said of the short-term rentals. But they dont control it very well.

Its not just Ely Walker. Kevin Liese, owner of downtown bar Jack Patricks, said things have gotten worse at the next-door Bell Lofts building, at 918 Olive Street, since Alstons company took over. Short-term rentals are frequent, judging by the people arriving and departing with luggage, he said. The Bell Lofts are advertised by TheSTAY on the Airbnb site.

On New Years Eve, partygoers crammed onto a balcony, one of them firing a gun in the air, toward the empty AT&T skyscraper. Several windows on the north side of the building are boarded up, visible from the street downtown. Liese doesnt remember the boards before that New Years Eve.

I saw the gunfire first hand, he said. It was not straight up in the air. There was no way it was clearing the tower.

Told of the incident, Berkowitz said the city has a crime problem.

But he said I do not see any direct connection between short-term leasing and crime.

Tenants on one-year or five-year leases, Berkowitz said, can be just as destructive.

Dana Rieck and Mark Schlinkmann of the Post-Dispatch contributed to this report.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY  A 19-year-old man is accused of taking part in an attempted drug-deal robbery that led to the death of his brother.

Herman Chairse, of Dellwood, is charged with second-degree murder, attempted robbery and armed criminal action in connection with the August death of his brother Daviyon Chairse.

A North County Police Cooperative spokesman did not immediately release Daviyon's age on Wednesday, but said he was considered a juvenile at the time of his death.

Second-degree murder in Missouri can apply when a felony crime leads to a death, even if the defendant didn't directly cause the killing. In this case, prosecutors allege Herman Chairse's attempted robbery led to his younger brother's death.

Charging documents allege the brothers arranged on Aug. 11 to meet an unknown drug dealer to buy marijuana about 11 p.m. in the 10200 block of Quaker Drive. The spot is about a block away from the brother's Dellwood home, according to charging documents.

The documents say an argument broke out when Daviyon Chairse failed to complete a CashApp payment to the dealer, and one of the brothers attempted to grab the marijuana.

The brothers then ran from the dealer and Daviyon was fatally shot, the court documents say.

Herman Chairse was arrested and interviewed by the North County Police Cooperative. Police wrote in charging documents that he admitted to attempting to steal the marijuana.

Herman Chairse's bond was set at $250,000, cash only.

Maj. Ron Martin with the North County Police Cooperative said they the department had not identified the drug dealer in the case by Wednesday.
ST. LOUIS  Delays in Missouris mental health system are putting scores of criminal cases on hold and leaving people to languish in jails that exacerbate mental illnesses, experts say.

Crime suspects in the St. Louis region are waiting an average of nearly six months to be evaluated, when required, to determine if they are competent to stand trial, according to data from the Missouri Department of Public Health.

And if they are deemed incompetent, they wait an additional eight months for treatment.

In the meantime, criminal cases are halted until those evaluations are complete. The result is crime victims left waiting for a resolution, and suspects, who havent yet been convicted of a crime, stuck in jails that often dont have capacity to care for them.

Something needs to change, said Annie Legomsky, who runs a program for the Missouri Public Defenders office that helps clients meet non-legal needs, including mental health.

In one recent case, a 66-year-old woman accused of killing her roommate in a St. Louis assisted living facility by dousing her with hot oil will likely wait six months to receive a competency evaluation. In another, a man who pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness in March to killing a man in the citys Shaw neighborhood must wait until February for a completed evaluation. And a man charged in January with murder in the car crash deaths of two sisters is still waiting in the St. Louis jail for a bed in a state hospital.

The process starts with an attorneys request for a mental evaluation of their client.

Demand for those evaluations and inpatient treatment has been increasing in recent years, a Missouri Department of Mental Health spokeswoman said. From 2018 to 2021, evaluators completed a yearly average of 650 pretrial reviews. This year, they have already completed 968. There are still 277 pending.

And the wait time for a bed at a treatment hospital has remained at roughly eight months since at least last year.

The trend mirrors national increases in evaluation requests, which have doubled since the 1960s to roughly 50,000 a year for adults, according to a 2019 literature review in the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law.

In Missouri, the state has struggled to keep up with the increase while competing with higher-paying private providers for doctoral-level psychologists and psychiatrists, a Department of Mental Health spokeswoman said. The state recently hired two additional staffers to conduct evaluations in the St. Louis region, which covers 32 counties and the city of St. Louis, to address the backlog, a spokeswoman said.

The same demand and staffing woes are evident in the states hospitals, the spokeswoman said, though efforts are underway to address these issues.

Meanwhile, Legomsky said, the waiting can be disastrous, as the stress of jail can be detrimental to a persons mental health, especially if they have an existing illness.

Theyre already in such a compromised and terrible and vulnerable position, she said.

Many jails across the state dont have the resources to employ doctors, let alone psychiatrists who could prescribe mental health medications and offer treatment. In some cases, Legomsky said, providers dont offer certain medications, or they charge clients for drugs they cant afford.

Even in places like St. Louis, which contracts with a company to provide health care, advocates say deficiencies remain. The city paid $515,000 last year to settle claims that health care providers at the St. Louis jail did not warn officials that a man had been on suicide watch before he was transferred to Jennings. The man later died by suicide.

And since last year, eight deaths in the jail were attributed to overdoses, suicide and natural causes. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones said recently that the city would seek a new health care provider once its contract expires to provide a high standard of care.

Legomsky recalled the plight of one mentally ill client who was jailed in St. Louis years ago and whose symptoms landed him in solitary confinement. The client was getting bullied and suffered physical harm, she said. His condition worsened.

But just two months after arriving at a state hospital, he was found competent to stand trial. She said the basic change in his environment and regular medication helped him immensely.

These clients need treatment and livable conditions, she said. With that they could do so well, but instead, theyre just being deprived at every turn.

Matthew Mahaffey, St. Louis chief public defender, said he also worries about clients who are deemed competent and sent back to the jails that exacerbated their mental health problems in the first place. As they wait for trials, their mental health can deteriorate again, he said.

Thats not a place that was providing care in the first place, he said. Its a terrible place for those clients to be.

The trouble extends beyond defendants, too. St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell said the delays can have ripple effects to his side of the case, even though prosecutors have no role in the evaluation process.

Every delay in the criminal justice process prolongs closure for victims and can make it more difficult to prosecute the case, he said. Its in the best interest of justice and victims for the competency review of defendants to be as efficient as possible.
Handmade craft items made by inmates, probationers and former prisoners in Georgia are being presented at the Micam & Mipel Milano exhibition for the first time between Sunday and Wednesday with the support of Georgias export promotion agency Enterprise Georgia, Azernews reports, citing Agenda.

Mikheil Khidureli, the Director of the agency, called the highlight an unprecedented case of thousands of visitors of the large international exhibition discovering handmade items of Georgian inmates.

We are glad to offer handmade craft items made by our inmates, probationers and former prisoners for the first time this year to foreign buyers and consumers, Khidureli said.

About 1,500 companies from 130 countries are featured in the exhibition attended by 45,000 buyers, the state body said.

Items made in Georgia and showcased at the event include leather wallets, belts, bags and accessories, with their showcase made possible after the Professional Training and Retraining Centre for Convicts and the agency signed a memorandum.

The items are produced through Re-Market, a resocialisation market of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, which enables inmates to have a source of income.

Made at production facilities at penitentiary venues using three-dimensional printers and gravure hardware, the accessories are then sold at a Re-Market store in Tbilisi.
ST. LOUIS  Police on Wednesday identified the man who was shot and killed Tuesday morning in the city's Gravois Park neighborhood.

Police were called to the 2700 block of Miami Street just before noon, according to an incident report.

Officers found Timothy Moore, 32, in the street. He had been shot multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Moore lived in the small town of Gerald in Franklin County.
UNIVERSITY CITY  The owner of a very smelly building has sued the company that last occupied it for unpaid rent.

Six Fortune LLC owns the business complex at 8008 Olive Boulevard in University City. In August, the company sued Seafood City for more than $311,000 in unpaid rent.

Seafood City was shut down in March by the St. Louis County Health Department, and the building was condemned. With no electricity, thousands of pounds of seafood that had been in a series of freezers has rotted, causing a noxious and sometimes overpowering stench.

A team of workers from the local franchise of Bio-One, a crime-scene and biohazard cleanup company, has been working this week to clean out the putrid mess. That company was contracted by the city of University City as an emergency measure, but they will be paid by Six Fortune LLC.

According to the suit, the parties signed a 10-year lease in April 2018 for $21,234 per month, or $6 per square foot. The suit asks for more than $311,000 in rent and other charges, with the amount owed continuing to grow until the suit is resolved.

Seafood City was incorporated in 1997, state records show. It sold fresh seafood, including a large selection of fish swimming in tanks, and also frozen and prepackaged foods. In October 2021, the health department closed the fresh seafood counter but allowed the store to continue selling prepackaged foods.

In December 2022, health inspectors reported coolers that were too warm, rotten produce, shellfish that was not properly tagged, a leaking condenser above uncovered fish and a lack of soap at handwashing sinks.

In addition, a damaged roof allowed rainwater to leak on food, floors, shelves and coolers.

The health department ordered the entire store closed in December.

In March of this year, the health department learned the store was still open and that it was selling food out of refrigerators that were too warm. The department shut the store down for good and warned customers to discard any food they had bought there. In addition, the building was condemned.

One reason for the condemnation was the leaking roof. The lease specifies that the landlord, Six Fortune LLC, is to maintain the roof and keep it in good condition.

A hearing in the case is scheduled for Sept. 25. Notice of the hearing was posted on the Seafood City doors, according to court records.

Six Fortune lawyer Daniel P. Gabris declined to comment, citing pending litigation.

State documents list Bowen Kou of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as the president of Seafood City. Efforts to reach Kou were unsuccessful.
CLAYTON  St. Louis County approved tax breaks for the Boeing Co. on Tuesday night, but now the company must secure enough work from the federal government to move forward with a nearly $2 billion expansion.

The breaks, worth about $155 million, will allow Boeing to compete financially for future U.S. Department of Defense contracts. The company wants to expand its regional footprint by a million square feet at two sites adjacent to St. Louis Lambert International Airport over the next 10 years.

Though the breaks passed with majority support, the council wasnt enthusiastic at its meeting Tuesday night. The county needed to do business with Boeing in order to keep it in the region, said Democratic Councilwoman Lisa Clancy of Maplewood.

I would love to live in a world where the playing field was level, Clancy said. Unfortunately thats not the case. To even have a chance of getting this major expansion, the city, the county and the state have to make some economic concessions.

The bill passed with four votes: Clancy, Democratic Councilwoman Rita Heard Days of Bel-Nor, and Republican councilmen Mark Harder of Ballwin and Ernie Trakas of unincorporated South County.

Council Chair Shalonda Webb, a Democrat from unincorporated North County, abstained because she works as an engineer for Boeing. Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock of Fenton was absent.

Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, a Democrat from Chesterfield, was the only member to vote no.

I do hear what my colleagues are saying, and I do believe Boeing has been a staple of this community, Dunaway said. But I think that these types of incentives have turned this country, this county, the world we live in, into a game that is stacked up against the working families that were trying to protect by passing this bill.

The bill goes to County Executive Sam Page for his signature. He will sign it Wednesday morning, he said in a prepared statement.

Approving these incentives demonstrates to the federal government that Boeing has the support of the community and the financial wherewithal to create the facilities needed, Page said.

If its project goes forward, Boeing will get half off real and personal property taxes for 10 years in exchange for the investment and creating 500 jobs, a deal worth about $155 million in tax savings for the company and also $155 million in estimated tax earnings for county governments. The deal includes a claw-back measure if Boeing doesnt keep the new jobs  plus at least 12,100 total jobs  in the region over the plans lifespan.

Still, critics like Dunaway have argued that Boeing has 16,000 employees here currently. So the company could lay off 4,000 and still qualify for the tax incentives.

Harder said it was difficult to approve Boeings request when the council recently rejected a property tax break for seniors. Hancock revived that bill last month, and it could come up for reconsideration at next weeks meeting.

I hope the members of this board are as generous with their votes for Boeing compared to the votes next week for a tax freeze for our seniors, Harder said.

Trakas said he might have voted against the Boeing proposal under different circumstances, but St. Louis as a region is dying, he said.

We cant afford to lose any corporate headquarters or significant corporate presence, Trakas said.

The Boeing deal, however, hinges on the company winning a major contract with the Department of Defense, such as for building a new generation of fighter jets.

A competition for the next generation of American fighter jets is ongoing. Boeing hasnt said if its expansion would be used to build a fighter jet, only saying it seeks to expand advanced manufacturing potential for future franchise programs.

If Boeing doesnt get such a contract, the expansion will be unnecessary.

But if it does win, the county cant assume Boeing would choose the St. Louis region without tax incentives, according to Maggie Kost, who works to attract businesses to the region with the booster organization Greater St. Louis Inc.

Boeing may be competing for the fighter jet contracts against defense giant Lockheed Martin. And Cobb County, Georgia, near Atlanta, has agreed to tax abatements worth $77.9 million for Lockheed.

Boeing wants to lease about 158 acres from Lambert for its expansion. Under the proposal, Boeing would pay at least $2.63 million a year for the lease. Nearly 110 acres in the lease are on the eastern end of the airport in Berkeley, and most of the remainder is on Lamberts northern end. The agreement also gives Boeing the option of leasing an additional 28 acres for about $369,000 a year.

If Boeing builds the expansion, the Ferguson-Florissant School District would get roughly $79 million over the decade. The city of Berkeley would collect an estimated $18 million.

The company is also working with Missouri economic development officials on state tax incentives.

Boeings St. Louis operations employ the companys second-largest workforce after Washington state. It largely builds defense products in the St. Louis region, including the F-15, F/A-18 fighter jets, the T-7A trainer, and the MQ-25 refueling drone at sites in St. Louis County, St. Charles and Mascoutah.

But the Pentagon has been phasing out purchases of Boeings legacy fighters to focus on the next generation. Boeing is winding down the F/A-18 program, with new production ending in 2025 unless it receives more orders from the Indian Navy.
CLAYTON  St. Louis County Council Chair Shalonda Webb proposed gun control legislation that mirrors a bill passed earlier this summer in St. Louis to crack down on open-carry in the city.

St. Louis County already has limitations on gun possession for children younger than 16 and on firing a weapon in public, according to the countys firearm code.

Webbs plan would require a concealed carry license in order to openly carry a gun in unincorporated St. Louis County.

Elderly people feel like they cant come outside because 13-year-olds are walking around with AR-15s, said Webb, a Democrat from unincorporated north St. Louis County. Im working on this legislation to provide a tool to law enforcement to help take these unlawful open carry firearms off the street.

The bill already faces scrutiny. Republican Councilman Mark Harder of Ballwin said he will oppose the legislation because it would curtail the gun rights of law-abiding citizens.

I will always stand firm against any attempts that seek to undermine the ability of Missourians to protect themselves and their loved ones as efforts to prevent constitutional carry would, Harder said in a prepared statement.

Webbs legislation would require anyone openly carrying a gun to provide a valid government-issued concealed carry license if a police officer demands it. Anyone over 18 who violates the rule could face a fine up to $500 or jail time up to a year, or both. Children could face a fine up to $500, community service or both.

To get a concealed carry license in Missouri, applicants must be at least 19-years-old and have taken a safety class, among other requirements. While people may choose to obtain a license, concealed and open carry are legal in Missouri without one for people older than 19.

Webb wants county municipalities to pass their own versions of her legislation so the rule is consistent throughout the county, not just in unincorporated territory. Otherwise, the rule wouldnt be fair to residents who may not know the rules as they pass through the countys dozens of municipalities.

Webb announced in early August she was considering gun control legislation. The announcement came a day before St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones signed legislation from Alderwoman Cara Spencer cracking down on open-carry.

Spencer introduced the legislation in May after high-profile images of young people displaying automatic rifles downtown proliferated online and in the news.

Spencers measure gives police authority to disarm anyone openly carrying a firearm if they cant produce a government-issued concealed carry permit. A companion bill requires officers to tell people they dont have to consent to searches without warrants or probable cause.

Spencer said her measure takes advantage of an exception in state law that allows local governments to ban open carry for people who dont have a concealed carry permit. Mayor Tishaura Jones signed those bills in early August.

Later that month, Jones announced additional plans to ban military-grade weapons in city streets, including the AR-15 and AK-47 model rifles.

Experts said the plan violates the Second Amendment guaranteeing firearm rights, though aides to Jones argued it would still make progress. Kids caught with automatic weapons would face fines and community service under the plan, rather than potential jail time on state or federal charges.

Missouris conservative governor and attorney general blasted the mayors plan as unconstitutional.

Webbs legislation is Bill 203. The County Council could consider her proposal as soon as next week.
JEFFERSON CITY  Plans to launch a $755 million makeover of the Missouri Capitol are on pause amid questions about the future of a nearby building.

The Missouri State Capitol Commission, which has been planning the expansion and upgrades to the Capitol for years, had been set to formally start the project last week.

But, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe asked for a delay of 30-45 days in hopes of resolving longstanding questions about the Missouri Department of Transportation headquarters next to the statehouse grounds.

Although the MoDOT building is not part of the Capitol expansion, its proximity to the project has put it in a spotlight as a possible space that could be used by lawmakers and staff while construction is underway across the street.

Rep. Cody Smith, R-Carthage, a member of the capitol commission, said the delay will allow officials to determine what impact the MoDOT building might have on the overall construction project.

There are a lot of moving parts, said Smith, who is term-limited and running for state treasurer.

The renewed focus on the MoDOT building comes after Gov. Mike Parsons administration attempted to convince the General Assembly this spring to buy the headquarters for $44 million.

Although there were questions about why taxpayers should have to pay for the building twice, the final budget included $50 million that the capitol commission could use to finance the purchase.

The 1920s-era building is controlled by the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, which is funded separately from the rest of state government via the constitution.

Under the plan, MoDOT would move out of the building to other facilities in the state to make way for other potential uses. In the past, officials have debated moving some legislative and administrative offices currently housed in the Capitol into the transportation building.

Kehoe, a former chairman of the commission and a 2024 candidate for governor, led the push to put the capitol renovation on hold during a meeting last week, said spokeswoman Gabrielle Picard.

Lt. Governor Kehoes motion, which the Commission approved, was to ensure sufficient communication and transparency with interested parties, including but not limited to MoDOT, regarding the Capitol complex, Picard said in an email.

Smith said Wednesday he remains convinced that the MoDOT building has already been paid for. But he said he supports the delay in order to resolve unanswered questions.

The progress were making is good, Smith said.

Plans for the century-old Capitol, which have been under discussion since 2016, include the removal of parking in the Capitol basement and the replacement of the current parking structure used by the Senate with additional spaces for both the executive branch and the general public.

The building would gain an estimated 100,000 square feet of space for lawmakers by extending the basement south toward High Street, which is Jefferson Citys main downtown street.

There also could be an underground visitor center on the north side of the Capitol that could be the entry point for the estimated 450,000 people who visit the building annually.

Rather than braving the weather and eating lunch outside on the Capitol grounds, school groups could have a dedicated space to gather during visits.

The plan also would do away with a 1970s-era change that placed some members of the House into cramped mezzanines on the first and second floors.

The gerrymandered office space, in addition to being noncompliant with federal accessibility laws, cuts off the natural light that was part of the original design, leaving many corridors gloomier than what was envisioned by the architects.

The plan would move some of the executive branch operations, such as the governors budget office, out of the Capitol to nearby state office buildings.

The governors office on the second floor also would be extended to the first floor with an interior elevator, eliminating the need for office workers to walk into the public corridor to get to another office in the suite.

The lengthy project would not result in the closure of the Capitol during the construction period, according to a draft proposal of the overhaul.
ST. LOUIS  The union that represents nurses at SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital has called its first strike, after months of contract negotiations stalled.

The union says as many as 500 nurses will strike, for 24 hours starting at 7 a.m. Monday.

It claims the hospital, at Grand Boulevard and Interstate 44, is short-staffed, which poses safety concerns for patients and employees, and hasnt addressed concerns about workplace violence, among other complaints.

For us nurses, a strike is a last resort, but we are at the point where more patients will be harmed if we dont strike, said Jay Weaver, a nurse in the post-anesthesia care unit. Management must do more to retain and recruit nurses.

SSM Health said Tuesday that the hospital is well-prepared to remain open and care for patients.

We will have a comprehensive contingency plan in place to ensure there is no disruption in care or service for those we are privileged to serve, it said in a statement.

The nurses, represented by National Nurses United, voted Sept. 1 to give their bargaining committee the authority to call a strike if talks with hospital administrators were unsuccessful. The vote was 94% in favor, according to the union, which reports representing about 575 nurses at the hospital.

SSM Health officials said some 40% of the hospitals nurses were excluded from voting for not having paid union dues; union officials put the number at around 15%.

The nurses informed administrators on Friday of the strike, to give the hospital at least 10 days to make alternative plans for patient care.

The union is complaining that the hospital is chronically short-staffed  it cites a high vacancy rate for registered nurse positions, worse than 30% since the spring of 2022.

Nurses say hospital administrators are also failing to address their concerns about workplace violence, and arent responding to their requests for more security and record-keeping of violent incidents.

We care deeply about our community in the St. Louis area and we want to give them the high-quality care they deserve, said Kellie Allen, a nurse in the medical-surgical unit. We are fighting for our patients, and that means demanding safe staffing. Studies have shown that safe staffing saves lives. Yet management refuses to adopt safe staffing standards. Thats why we are striking.

The union took those concerns to the public at an informational picket in July.

Hospitals in St. Louis and across the country have faced a critical shortage of nurses and other health care workers since the COVID-19 pandemic. The nurses strike is the latest among several across the country this year over stressful working conditions.

Hundreds of nurses at Austins Ascension Seton Medical Center held a one-day strike at the end of June, the largest nurses strike in Texas history. About 1,700 nurses at a hospital in New Jersey have been on strike for nearly 50 days.

In Missouri, the vacancy rate for staff nurse positions in 2022 was 17%  only a modest decline from the historic 20% rate seen the year before, according to the Missouri Hospital Association.

SSM Health officials said St. Louis University Hospital, like many other hospitals, is utilizing agency staffing to maintain safety while recruiting additional nurses. Unfortunately, they said, the threat of the strike and public complaints are counterproductive to our efforts to continue attracting and retaining nurses to our world-class academic medical center.

In their statement, SSM Health officials accused the union of not responding to proposals on key wage issues.

When the union is ready to engage, we remain committed to reaching an agreement that provides our nurses with a strong, market competitive compensation and benefits package, the statement read. The hospital also promised opportunities for career development and programs to support physical and emotional health.

The union has represented nurses at St. Louis University Hospital since 2012, and is the only hospital in the St. Louis area where nurses are unionized other than the VA St. Louis Healthcare System.

The union said managements offer is far behind the rising cost of living.
Missouri state Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, crossed a smoldering rhetorical line Monday in his campaign for governor: He vowed he would gather up books he deems pornographic or woke and burn them in front of the state-owned governors mansion he seeks to occupy.

In doing so, he endorses a fundamental tactic of some of the most repressive and dangerous political movements in global history. If thats not disqualifying for any candidate seeking an American political office, what is?

As the Post-Dispatchs Jack Suntrup reports, Eigel and fellow right-wing state Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing a childish stunt in which they use two flamethrowers to incinerate some empty boxes said to represent, in Eigels words, what I am going to do to the leftist policies and RINO corruption of the Jeff City swamp.

A left-wing critic on the site inaccurately accused the duo of book burning. Schroer indignantly corrected the record, accusing liberals of promoting lies and specifying that no books were targeted.

But Eigel, apparently less bothered by being accused of targeting books, proceeded to do exactly that.

They were only boxes, Eigel tweeted, But lets be clear, you bring those woke, pornographic books to Missouri schools to try to brainwash our kids, and Ill burn those too  on the front lawn of the governors mansion.

Eigel hasnt, that we know of, actually burned any books. But then, it wasnt that long ago that no major-party politician would even publicly entertain the idea. These things have a progression to them when politicians get as ideologically fired up as Missouri Republicans have been lately.

Earlier GOP campaigns, for example, were content with whipping up conservative hysteria over the false claim that critical race theory was being taught in public school classrooms.

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, having failed to get on that train early enough to claim it for his own gubernatorial campaign, one-upped others in his party by unilaterally imposing censorship restrictions on public libraries, promoting the false implication that pornography had infiltrated the shelves.

Now one of Ashcrofts fellow Republican opponents ups the ante again by vowing to literally burn books on government property.

Its difficult not to wonder whats next.

There are many examples of book-burning movements over the years in the U.S. and around the world. They include everything from the burning of Beatles albums in the 1960s to the recent controversy in Sweden over burnings of the Quran. But arguably nothing better demonstrates historically how those literal fires can become political ones than the early history of Nazi Germany.

Though Jewish authors were among those whose books were gathered and burned by the Nazi book-burning movement that began in Germany in 1933, it wasnt exclusive to those authors. A wide array of others were tossed on the pile: Karl Marx, social justice pioneer Helen Keller, antiwar author Erich Maria Remarque (All Quiet on the Western Front). The targets were as much generically liberal as specifically Jewish.

With that in mind, its beyond troubling that Eigel, in his tweet, uses the word woke alongside pornography. In todays conservative lexicon, woke generally means anything that smacks liberal ideals like cultural tolerance and political inclusion.

So hes not just striking the match at anything that he might (rightly or wrongly) call pornography. He is also explicitly declaring that expressions of political principles shared by millions of Americans  but opposed by him  should be stacked and ignited by a public official in the public square.

Again: What would be next?

Its irrelevant that the books Eigel would burn in his hypothetical would presumably be of different types, for different reasons, than those of earlier book-burning crusades. The very nature of the process of sending the printed page up in flames as a cultural-political statement is unacceptable in its entirety. No American politician who expresses even a hypothetical tolerance for it should be allowed anywhere near any seat of power, ever.
Congress is bickering as usual. A potential federal shutdown is looming. Public respect for the elected representatives of government is at historic lows.

What a perfect time to announce that members of the worlds greatest deliberative body are welcome to start coming to the U.S. Capitol looking like slobs.

That sarcasm is perhaps unbecoming for a newspaper editorial  but unbecoming seems to be the order of the day, now that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., has officially ditched the Senate dress code for members while on the chamber floor.

Its true that post-pandemic fashion norms are, to put it mildly, relaxed. We wont claim for a second that, say, members of this editorial board are reliably clad in business attire, even when some of us are in the office. To say nothing of Zoom meetings, in which no one knows (nor needs to know) who is wearing slacks, jeans or gym shorts.

But were not representing American democracy to the nation and the world from the televised floor of the United States Senate.

Schumer announced in a statement Monday that he is ditching the Senates unofficial but long-observed rule requiring business attire for both male and female senators in the chamber. There has been an informal dress code that was enforced, said the statement, but going forward, Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.

Notably, the relaxed new standards dont apply to the staff who attend the senators. They still have to dress in business attire. Thus has Schumer achieved a curious outcome: He has cheapened the stately decorum of his chamber, while simultaneously confirming the publics view of Congress as being intolerably elitist  the unmistakable message when the elected class exempts itself from the rules it imposes upon others.

The announcement didnt explain Schumers rationale, but it seems to have been in response to some members pushing the boundaries of the dress code lately with gym shoes and other provocations.

None has been more provocative than Sen. John Fetterman. The Pennsylvania Democrat reportedly has taken to standing in the cloakroom doorway to cast his votes, lest his trademark hoodie-and-gym-shorts getup cause a ruckus on the Senate floor.

All due respect to Fettermans performative populism, but there are reasons why shorts and T-shirts are appropriate at softball games and barbecues but not at weddings or funerals. Or in the Senate.

Formal dress conveys respect for important occasions and settings. It puts that imperative  respect  above the imperatives of comfort and practicality that are perfectly acceptable in more casual endeavors.

Formal dress telegraphs dignity, which Americas battered politics needs more than ever these days. With images currently bouncing around showing Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert at a recent theater performance arguing, vaping, groping and generally making more of a spectacle of herself than the actors onstage, dignity is already in short enough supply in Washington.

While its unlikely that Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, will carry out her joking threat of showing up in the Senate chamber in a bikini, the potential for political fashion faux pas here is immense. Ponder the issue of T-shirts alone. Im with Stupid > is among the milder possibilities of partisan mischief that, once you start thinking about it, feel almost inevitable.

Its not just about how the dresser is perceived; its about how the dresser perceives him- or herself. Studies have long shown that ones mode of dress affects decorum and professionalism.

Not that a jacket and tie necessarily guarantee those qualities (heaven knows), but elected leaders should at least try and look the part. Especially in an era where too few of them act it.
Despite claims to the contrary, the threat of gun violence continues to grow in Missouri. At the same time, the state Legislature continues to block all efforts to introduce gun control legislation. The lack of such action increases the potential for more violence and threatens the safety of all citizens. It is interesting to note that the recent gun-related legislation attempted to eliminate the sales tax on the guns and ammunition. So doing would have provided an incentive for the purchase of more guns.

Recognizing the the impact of gun violence on the citizens of St. Louis, Mayor Tishaura Jones proposed local gun control action. The immediate response from state Attorney General Andrew Bailey was a threat to take legal action to block this effort. Again, this threat represents a failure to acknowledge the impact of gun violence and the need to address it.

The stalemate between gun rights advocates and those advocating for needed gun control measures leaves the citizens of Missouri caught in the middle of a potentially life-threatening situation. The threat of gun violence is real. Taking needed action to address it should not be a partisan issue. The goal of bipartisan gun control legislation should be to provide needed protection from gun violence for all citizens, while acknowledging the right of those meeting established requirements to possess weapons. This is not either/or but both/and.

Jim Allen  St. Louis
Case Study: How the State Bar of Wisconsin Transitioned to PTZ Cameras for Livestreamed Production

My current role as media coordinator at the State Bar of Wisconsin involves live production of Continuing Legal Education seminars for lawyers. Our jobas a two-person media departmentis to make our speakers and presenters look good. Between us, we operate a NewTek TriCaster, audio mixing, projection, and multiple cameras. This article will discuss how and why we transitioned from Panasonic CX350s and SDI to an all-PTZ camera NDI workflow.

Page 1

My current role as media coordinator at the State Bar of Wisconsin involves live production of Continuing Legal Education seminars for lawyers. Our jobas a two-person media departmentis to make our speakers and presenters look good. Between us, we operate a NewTek TriCaster, audio mixing, projection, and multiple cameras.

Currently we shoot with a fleet of Panasonic CX350s. We love these cameras with their very quiet 1" sensors, and the content we produce with them looks good even at high gain levels.

My job entails all of these production responsibilities in addition to planning and purchasing all updates/upgrades to the current hardware systems.

My previous manager always used to tell me he hated PTZ robotic cams. He said the footage they produced looked too sterile. He always said, Even a manned camera with a little shake now and then is better, because the viewer knows there is a body behind it. He had a background in broadcast TV, so he liked his equipment big and pricey. When he retired a few years ago, I took over his position

I have always approached video production with an emphasis on working as efficiently as possible. One change I made after my former manager retired was switching from ENG cameras to the CX350, which has saved significant space when we packed for road trips.

Moving to PTZ

Soon we will be in a position to update/upgrade/replace our CX350 cameras, and I have been considering migrating to PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras for our main seminar cameras. Though my old bosss warning about PTZ cams sterile still echoes in my head, I also keep in mind that times have changed as PTZ cameras have evolved, along with several points in particular that make todays PTZ cameras a good choice for a production crew like ours:

Even TV stations are now using PTZ cameras in the studio. I witnessed this several summers ago when I visited some TV stations to train their editors on Grass Valley EDIUS. All of our shots are 95% lockdown. We rarely if ever pull a zoom, which is a technique I never liked anyway (a holdover from my wedding filmmaking days). I prefer to cut to a wide camera and set my close-up camera before cutting back to it. That way no zoom is seen on the air, which helps us avoid the sterile, robotic PTZ look that my old boss disliked. PTZ cameras have a smaller sensor than the majority of studio-type cameras. In low light they can look bad. Our conference center has a full studio lighting setup and we always take lights on our roadtrips so that argument gets bumped down a bit. From the footage I have uncovered around the internet from PTZ cameras currently in production, even with smaller sensors, the modern sensors and noise reduction algorithms are pretty amazing, and the footage looks very satisfactory for the purpose we intend to use the cameras.

For those reasons, I began to seriously consider switching over to PTZ cameras and keeping a newer prosumer type of camera, like a CX350, around for creative content we create from time to time. My plan was for one of us to run the TriCaster and mix the audio while the other would sit nearby at the table running the cameras with the PTZ controller.

Planning the Switchover

Here was the plan I came up with for the testing and eventual procurement.

In my research, I uncovered a PTZ camera brand called AVKANS. Their cameras are certified for NDI by NewTek (now absorbed into the Vizrt brand), and many reviews I have found reveal they are actually PTZOptics cams with a different brand label on them. Everything is identical down to the manual and functions. The beauty is they are half the price. A full AVKANS NDI cam with long zoom can be had for well under $1K. AVKANS autotracking NDI cameras sell for just over $1k with NDI. (Note that prices are a bit lower if you purchase the cameras via Amazon.)

I planned to purchase at least 1 autotracking camera since we occasionally get presenters that like to walk around while presenting. The autotracking I have seen from these cameras is as smooth (or smoother) than a camera with an operator behind it.

I want to eventually go with two setups of 3 PTZ cameras and a controller. I want to start with the AVKANS brand for my initial trials. For barely more than a single CX350 camera we can get a setup of 3 and a controller. Then a year or so later, we will get a higher-end setup for our main conference center where 75% of our work originates. For those I will explore a better and larger sensor and these smaller sensor cameras would be designated for the remote seminars.

Pre-COVID, we were doing 15+ remote programs a year. Now we are down to about 5 a year, so a smaller setup can be used for those few trips. If we decide against the PTZ switchover we are only out that small amount of money and we have the setup for other uses as needed.

Testing the PTZs

Once the AVKANS cameras arrived it got interesting. Because I am not a networking guru, some of the learning process for setup took some time to figure out. Help from our IT staff was welcomed. Learning about the network switches and IP addresses took a bit of work, but once I understood the process, I found it all works really well.

Then I began experimenting with creating presets and learning how to activate the autotracking functionality. Presets proved pretty easy and straightforward. The autotracking came with a bit of a learning curve. The documentation could be better in the manuals that ship with the cameras.

Then I remembered a video I had watched on YouTube that said you have to set a Preset 0 and Preset 1 before activating the autotracking. Basically, Preset 0 tells the camera where to go if it loses you in the tracking process. Preset 1 tells the camera the position for the start of tracking.

Once your speaker is lined up and youve created the dual presets are created you long-press the F1 key on the controller to activate the autotracking. Ive been very impressed with how well it worked. It is smooth and keeps up nicely. If someone walks through your shot, the focus stays on the subject.

The default autotracking sensitivity proved a bit slow for my liking, but this is easy to adjust. AVKANS provides a small web app called CameraCMS. Using the app you log into the camera and adjust the autotracking settings. After I increased the sensitivity and speed a bit, the autotracking worked well. It will even follow in the Tilt motion, so if your speaker squats down or walks up onstage it will follow them up there as well. What it wont do is auto-adjust the zoom of the shot. If your speaker walks towards the camera, they will get bigger, as the zoom does not adjust accordingly. If that happens, it is a good idea to have another camera on a wide shot. It will keep following them but as they get too close the focus will suffer until they walk back toward the initial position where they started.

Image Quality

As for image quality, I was skeptical of how good it would look, but I was immediately pleased with it when I saw it. You will need to go into the internal camera settings and make a few adjustments, as they are more in-depth than what is available from the joystick controller. Once set there, you can tweak easily from the controller. The signal was surprisingly clean with little to no digital noise. I did notice that the image seemed a little flat as a result of the smaller sensors.

Will any of my viewers be able to tell the difference between the images these PTZs produce and the CX350 footage once its streamed in a webcast? Probably not.

I also noticed that if the image was even a little overexposed, a few compression issues would show. I dialed the exposure down a bit and cleaned it up. Overall, the image looks pretty good, and unless you are pixel-peeper, you will have trouble distinguishing it from our 1" sensor cameras. My co-workers saw no difference.

We found the auto white balance to be pretty accurate in our studio, so we just left it in auto mode. You can override that from the controller if needed, and there is a One Push WB button you can use to set it manually set it. There is also an autofocus override option on the controller. We found the autofocus worked really well. Since our speakers usually stand at a podium, the one time the AVKANS PTZ did hunt for focus I just locked it in by deactivating the autofocus.

Occasionally, if the speaker got animated and moved a bit, the focus would hunt. We made a workflow of turning off the autofocus once a shot was locked down. Keep in mind that if you switch to a different camera and come back to the original camera, the camera will switch back to autofocus.

Our findings indicate that, except for the Auto Exposure, the other auto functions work well and well just go with them for the most part. You will definitely want to manually control the exposure. The auto-exposure tended to be very hot, plus it does what it wants with the gain, which will eventually introduce noise to the video.

Using NDI

One feature I wanted in a remote camera was NDI support, because we use a TriCaster for our programming. Once I got all the controls and SDI feeds working, I plugged a network cable into our switcher, and the 3 cameras showed up as an NDI input. I set up a side by side with the SDI and NDI signals to test the latency of the NDI. I was expecting 1/3 to 1/2 second of latency. Surprisingly, the latency was almost undetectable.

Our audio for programming comes from a mixer board, so I was worried it would not sync with the video, but it synced well from the outset. For now, we will keep using SDI for our video output till we test the NDI a bit more. We will test it on a few non-critical recordings before diving in completely with NDI.

AVKANS support (which was very responsive) told me they are using NDI|HX, which is a compressed lower bitrate protocol, so I expected bad latency, but I did not see that. Once we go full NDI with the AVKANS, we will clean up our install down to a single Ethernet cable for each camera, which will be a welcome improvement.

Running the Show

Though we planned our workflow to include a two-person crew, on rollout day for our first program, my co-producer came down with strep throat. So, how was it to run a show all alone with the TriCaster and the PTZ cams? I was supposed to be running the TriCaster and managing the livestream while my co-producer sat next to me playing video games with the joystick controller and keeping up with the 3 cameras and all the presets.

Since he was not available, I went to Plan B. I just plugged an extra ethernet cable into the switch and ran it over to our workstation. Thankfully, the program that day was low key with only a few speakers, so things went smoothly. The next days program had many multi-person panel discussions. I just stayed on a medium/wide shot until I got all the presets programmed on one of the cameras for each speaker. Then it was just a matter of switching to the wide shot while selecting a preset for the person speaking.

Initially, it felt like a bit of a juggling act, but I was able to run a complicated show with a decent broadcast as a one-man-band. Once my co-producer returns, he will be running the cameras from a desk next to the workstation, and hell be able get more creative as he just focuses on the camera controls.

Stress-Testing the PTZs

After a few weeks of use, I managed to stress test the AVKANS build quality. We had one camera set up on a tripod near a door, so we added a sandbag to the tripod to keep it from getting knocked over by people walking about. I came in for a program one morning and the camera was on the ground. The tripod had a leg that could not hold the weight of the bag and collapsed. I picked it all up, powered everything on, and it all still worked. Given how inexpensive the cameras were, I expected to have a broken camera on my hands, and was pleasantly surprised. I dont recommend making a habit of abusing these cameras, but its good to know they can take some rough handling on occasion.

Overall, I am more impressed than I expected to be with a budget production setup. The total cost of the 3 cameras, controller, 8-port POE Cisco switch, and Cat8 ethernet cables (we purchased 20ft for studio work and 100ft for road work) was $3,400. The image quality and functionality I got at that price proved better than I anticipated.

My previous boss that I mentioned above passed away a few years ago, and I still recall his dislike for PTZ cameras and his belief that they were too robotic. He also told us just before he retired that in the next 10 years, we would be doing things he could not imagine. And so we are. Although he may be turning over in his grave because were using PTZ cameras, in one sense, his words ring true, as we now have AI Auto-tracking robotic cameras doing a job as good or better than we can do for the type of work we create. The tech now enables us to work smarter and more efficiently than ever.

Page 1
Experienced Non-QM Leader Helps National Lender Continue Rapid Growth

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Logan Finance Corporation, a national Non-QM mortgage lender, is excited to welcome Aaron Samples to Logan's Executive Leadership Team as Chief Revenue Officer.





Aaron Samples

Aaron Samples - Chief Revenue Officer, Logan Finance Corporation





Logan has added Aaron Samples to help manage Logan's explosive growth and to help position the organization for continued expansion moving forward. "Logan's exponential growth over the past two years precipitated a need to add a top-tier executive to help manage our trajectory," said Logan Finance CEO, Don Pace. "With Aaron's proven record of leading growth with some of the biggest names in Non-QM, he easily fits the bill and more. We couldn't be more pleased and prouder that he has decided to join the Logan family."

Aaron Samples brings over 22 years of industry experience and expertise across all phases of mortgage lending and servicing. Prior to joining Logan, Aaron served at FGMC as President and CEO, as EVP at Stearns Lending, and in various leadership roles at Nationstar. Aaron is recognized as an industry leader in the MSR space and often speaks at industry events.

"Logan has been the brightest star in the NQM mortgage universe over the past couple of years," Aaron said. "I'm humbled and optimistic about the growth opportunity at Logan. I look forward to joining an organization with the track record and foundation for incredible growth. The best part is, they refuse to compromise on service or quality. That speaks volumes to their clients and was instrumental in my decision to join."

To help Brokers and Non-Delegated Correspondent Lenders excel in today's lending environment, Logan offers a full suite of Non-QM products including DSCR, Bank Statement, Full-Doc, Asset Qualification, Foreign National, Mixed Use, 1099, P&L Loans and more.

About Logan Finance

Logan Finance Corporation (NMLS# 127722) is a national Wholesale, Non-Delegated Correspondent, and Commercial Non-QM mortgage lender providing Premium Lending Services to the TPO industry. Logan's Unparalleled Service - coupled with high quality, experienced staff, the Best Technology, Loan Products, & Training - help Make Non-QM Easy; and provides our partners with the highest confidence in our delivery and in our ability to help grow their client base. For more information about Logan Finance Corporation, please visit LoganFinance.com, LoganWholesale.com, and/or LoganCorrespondent.com.

Press Contacts:

Jim McDonald

Marketing

Logan Finance Corporation

[email protected]

214-597-1301

Contact Information

Jim McDonald

Marketing

[email protected]

2145971301

SOURCE: Logan Finance Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:
CARROLLTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Allied Energy Corp (OTC:AGYP), an innovative oil and gas production company specializing in leasing and optimization of hydrocarbon reserves within the prolific United States energy landscape, is thrilled to announce a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Enegix Global (Enegix), a renowned UAE-based Bitcoin mining and data-center enterprise, and AA Group, a Kazakhstan-based Bitcoin mining investor and facilitator.

Enegix began operations in 2017 and quickly became one of the world's most prominent and experienced Bitcoin infrastructure operators. Its flagship facility is the sprawling 50,000 square foot, 180-megawatt data center in the heart of Kazakhstan that consists of eight third generation hangars designed by company's own technical engineering team. Enegix track record of success with recognized Bitcoin mining industry players reflects its commitment to delivering optimal engineering solutions for highly efficient crypto mining: View the technical tour of the Enegix 180 MW facility .

AA Group positions itself as an investor and facilitator that brings together international Bitcoin miners and US-based mining operators and power providers, drawing on its extensive knowledge of global markets and prominence of the United States as a premier destination for major crypto mining companies.

Under the terms of the signed MOU, Allied Energy Corporation and River Energy Group, LLC, (Allied/River), AA Group, and Enegix are embarking on an exciting project to build Bitcoin mining facilities at Allied's natural gas sites. Participants aim to jump-start digital mining by leveraging climate-friendly power generation technologies of using stranded and flare gas to create ample electricity. Through this strategic partnership with Allied/River, Enegix plans to grow and expand its capacity in the USA up to 200 megawatts and apply its proprietary miner-cooling technology well suited for the Texas climate.

George Montieth, CEO of Allied Energy Corporation, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, "In my discussions with Enegix over the past six months, one thing has become abundantly clear: Enegix is a significant player in the Bitcoin space. Their vision aligns perfectly with the ethos of Texas, where everything is grand. I'm exhilarated to formalize our collaboration with a company that has already demonstrated its mettle with a 180-megawatt facility and plays a pivotal role in the expanding realm of Bitcoin mining. I firmly believe that through Allied's expertise and resources, we will pave the way for Enegix to replicate its immense success on this side of the Atlantic."

Yerbolsyn Sarsenov, CEO of Enegix Global, added, "This partnership will enable us to apply our digital mining expertise in North America, with a significant twist: our data centers will be powered using stranded and flared gas, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions for crypto mining. We stand to lead Bitcoin mining's pivot to sustainable energy models and are pleased to find a competent and professional partner in Allied and River to help us achieve these goals in the US. We hope this MOU marks the beginning of a long and prosperous collaboration between our organizations."

As a testament to their commitment, the MOU outlines that Enegix will provide a surety bond to Allied Energy Corporation and River Energy Group, LLC, serving as a guarantee of Enegix's unwavering dedication to fulfilling the terms of the MOU.

A spokesperson for River Energy Group, LLC added, "We have worked diligently with Allied Energy Corporation and Enegix Global to bring this latest accomplishment to fruition and we are confident in the combined efforts of the parties to bring this online.

To delve deeper into the world of Enegix, visit Enegix's official website and explore their endeavors .

About AGYP:

Allied Energy Corp. is an energy development and production company acquiring oil & gas reserves in some of the most prolific hydrocarbon bearing regions of the United States. The Company specializes in the business of reworking & re-completing 'existing' oil & gas wells located in the thousands of mature oil & gas producing fields across the United States. The Company applies its knowledge, experience, and effective well-remediation technologies to achieve higher production volumes, longer well life, and more efficient recovery of the proven and available oil and gas reserves in the fields/projects in which it has acquired an ownership interest. The Company will utilize updated technologies such as hydraulic fracturing ("fracking"), drilling of lateral ("horizontal") legs in productive zones, and utilizing new cased hole electric logging to locate bypassed pays, all to enhance daily rates and oil & gas recoveries. By acquiring interests in a growing number of selected projects in various regions, Allied Energy Corp. is diversifying its exposure and effectively minimizing risk as it pursues corporate growth, top line & bottom-line revenues to the benefit of all stakeholders. There are proven, recoverable reserves contained in the many aging oil & gas fields that have been bypassed by companies moving away from these fields in search of deeper, more plentiful, but more costly reserves. The Company plans to concentrate on bypassed oil and gas as there is less competition and, as mentioned above, the costs are considerably less. Additionally, the company will acquire interests in marginal wells that can be acquired at minimal cost, of which there are 420,000 wells in the U.S. Quoting Barry Russell, President of the Independent Petroleum Association of America ("IPAA") - "With approximately 20 percent of American oil production and 10 percent of American natural gas production coming from marginal wells, they are America's true strategic petroleum reserve."

Safe Harbor Statement:

This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company has tried, whenever possible, to identify these forward-looking statements using words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "plans," "intends," "potential" and similar expressions. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition or alteration to the information catered in this Press Release, including such forward-looking statements.

Contact:

Allied Energy Corporation

Phone: 972-632-2393

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlliedEnergyCo1

Contact Details

Allied Energy Corp.

[email protected]

SOURCE: Allied Energy Corporation

PRISM Mediawire, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Crown Minerals Corp. ("Crown" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the launch of its new corporate website, a significant step in enhancing its digital presence and providing shareholders with comprehensive information about the company's operations and projects.

Visit our new website here: https://www.crownminerals.co

Highlights:

Gladiator Gold Project: The website offers detailed insights into the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona over 2,000+ acres. The property block is home to the most significant veins from the historic Crown King Mining District.

The website offers detailed insights into the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona over 2,000+ acres. The property block is home to the most significant veins from the historic Crown King Mining District. History: Crown Minerals Corp. is advancing an Arizona-based past producing gold mine with a storied history of successful operations. Explore the company's journey from historic beginnings to modern day advancements.

Crown Minerals Corp. is advancing an Arizona-based past producing gold mine with a storied history of successful operations. Explore the company's journey from historic beginnings to modern day advancements. Learn About Crown Minerals Corp.: Subscribe on our website to receive news releases, important updates & videos. Explore our blog section for in-depth articles, discussions, and perspectives on the industry and our ongoing projects.

Dave Hodge, President & Chief Executive Officer of Crown Minerals Corp., stated, "The launch of our new website is a pivotal moment in our commitment to transparency and shareholder engagement. Our website serves as a comprehensive resource for our investors, partners, and the broader community. As we continue to advance our projects, our website will play a crucial role in communicating our progress and milestones."

About Crown Minerals Corp.

Crown Minerals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing the Gladiator Gold Project, a consolidated past-producing gold mining camp in Arizona's historic Crown King Mining District. The Gladiator Gold Project encompasses over 2,000+ acres, showcasing significant veins with historical mining and exploration significance. The company is dedicated to unlocking the potential of the Gladiator Gold Project & aiming to deliver consistent value to its shareholders while contributing to the global gold mining narrative.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

CROWN MINERALS CORP.

"Dave Hodge"

President & Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Crown Minerals Corp.

1450 - 789 West Pender Street,

Vancouver, BC Canada V6C 1H2

Telephone: +1 (604) 681-1568

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: Crown Minerals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / GoDaddy



Phoenix-based creator and CEO of Pilates King L.L.C. Ade McCray is on a mission to make Pilates more accessible for all. A graduate of GoDaddy's signature social impact program, Empower by GoDaddy, Ade shares how he accelerated his small business success through new digital skills, mentorship, resources and networking offered by the partnership between GoDaddy and the Better Business Bureau of the Pacific Southwest.

Ade hit a plateau in his career in 2021 and combined with state-mandated quarantines during the Covid-19 pandemic, he felt it was the perfect time to start a new business. Ade's vision was to make Pilates - a full-body workout that improves muscle tone, flexibility and strength - more accessible. Specifically, he hoped to reach those seeking exercise who were either stuck at home, unable to join a gym, or who couldn't afford expensive instructor-led studio classes. His vision is to engage clients around the world to participate in outdoor Pilates-based exercises. His method uses resistance bands anchored to a vehicle while engaging in standing Pilates-based exercises at a specific location.

"I've always been motivated by and had a curiosity for health and movement," said Ade. I found myself searching for alternative options where you could benefit from exercise without needing expensive gym equipment. I thought Pilates could be a very good avenue for people who may not be able to afford studio classes and cross training equipment."

Ade's journey to Pilates King was unique. He grew up in West Africa before moving to the U.S. in 1986 and joining the Navy for two and a half years. Over time, he became interested in the arts, particularly dance. He even had a dance contract with the German Opera for six years. Following his time as a dancer, Ade picked up Pilates, where he trained and served as an instructor for the next 15 years before taking the leap into entrepreneurship.

Now, his full-time job is getting Pilates King off the ground. However, since entrepreneurship is new to Ade, getting started hasn't been without its challenges. Advertising, networking, financing, and understanding business operations, in particular, have been some of Ade's largest hurdles. But a steep learning curve hasn't stopped Ade from achieving his goals.

For Ade, success means creating opportunities where people feel comfortable and equal. His short-term goal for Pilates King is to launch a mobile app for his business, and long-term, he hopes to support customers globally and make his business accessible to everyone around the world.

"I'm inspired to do my best to care for mankind and make positive change that will help future generations," said Ade. "Everything else will fall into place."

Ade shares that the Empower by GoDaddy program helped to fill in gaps of knowledge about business ownership. Empower by GoDaddy provides entrepreneurs in underserved communities with training, tools and peer networks to accelerate their journeys. Ade came into the program open-mindedly and absorbed as much information as he could, using tools like GoDaddy Studio and GoDaddy's AI Prompt Library. The information he learned in Empower by GoDaddy helped him build his business through online advertising, something about which he previously knew little.

"I had a clear vision for my business but there were just some nuances in running a business that I needed support with," said Ade. "Getting involved with Empower by GoDaddy helped me to make sense of all that goes into business ownership, and my operations are getting much better."

For first-time entrepreneurs like Ade and those interested in starting a business of their own, Ade said, "Be true to yourself and stick with your idea. Consistency and follow-through are very important. You might get discouraged, but practice discipline and you will be successful."

Ade's story is just one example of how GoDaddy is working to make entrepreneurship more inclusive for all. To learn more about Empower by GoDaddy, visit: https://www.godaddy.com/godaddy-for-good/empower

Empower by GoDaddy Spotlight Series: By partnering with diverse local nonprofits and community organizations around the world, Empower by GoDaddy aims to reach those who haven't otherwise had access by offering skills training, resources, and mentoring to help accelerate their business journeys. This article is part of the Empower by GoDaddy spotlight series that shines a light on the individuals who make this unique initiative possible.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from GoDaddy on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: GoDaddy

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/godaddy

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: GoDaddy

View source version on accesswire.com:
By Enrique Corro

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / VMware



The development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI and large language models (LLMs), have opened up many opportunities for businesses, researchers, and society. However, these opportunities come with significant ethical considerations.

VMware adopted a comprehensive set of ethical principles for AI in 2023 to help drive fairness, accountability, sustainability, and responsibility. Materializing ethical principles for AI into concrete processes and actions can be daunting. Fortunately, the NIST AI Risk Assessment Framework (AI RMF) provides sound guidance on building trustworthy AI systems following a four-step process: Govern, Map, Measure, and Manage. While one size does not fit all, the framework is extremely useful for process planning. In addition to NIST's AI RMF, our ethical principles for AI were also inspired by VMware's EPIC 2 values and our 2030 Agenda.

We hope the ethical principles for AI listed below can continue the conversation around AI best practices and inspire those organizations thinking about defining their own responsible AI policies:

1. Inclusiveness

Inclusiveness underscores VMware's recognition of the fact that diversity breeds innovation. In the context of generative AI, diverse teams can contribute perspectives that help mitigate model bias, enabling the creation of systems that reflect the heterogeneity of human society.

2. Fairness

Fairness in AI is not merely an ideal; it is a necessity. Generative models, such as large language models, are trained on vast amounts of data, which inherently might contain biases. When evaluating third-party LLMs, VMware considers their commitment to detecting and mitigating these biases at various levels, from organizational norms to computational processes. Ensuring that AI systems are devoid of racial, gender, or discrimination is crucial for maintaining trust, integrity, and respect for human rights.

3. Explainability and Transparency

Generative AI models are often considered black boxes' with their inner workings being challenging to understand. VMware focuses on explainability and transparency, developing ways to understand and audit models' outputs. Practicing transparency will foster trust and enable users to know why an AI instance generated a particular outcome, making AI more accessible to non-experts.

4. Reliability and Safety

The reliability and safety of AI systems are paramount for widespread adoption. VMware strives to develop systems that function as intended, consider potential risks, and implement control mechanisms. Generative AI involves continuous monitoring and validation and implementing risk management frameworks that reassess the AI system throughout its lifecycle.

5. Privacy and Security

Generative models often handle sensitive information. VMware's guidelines demand adherence to privacy policies and the implementation of technologies that safeguard individual data. This is especially significant as generative AI can potentially make inferences about individuals, leading to legal ramifications. Recognizing AI models as sensitive data further extends the horizon of privacy considerations.

6. Accountability

VMware continues to develop processes that define clear lines of responsibility for each stage of AI development. Building accountability into the development process ensures that ethics are not merely a checklist but a continuous commitment. In generative AI, accountability safeguards against misuse and ensures that the principles are applied consistently.

7. Sustainability

AI's environmental impact is an often-overlooked aspect. VMware's commitment to net zero carbon emissions will extend to AI development, aligning it with ecological responsibility. Sustainable practices in developing large-scale generative models can significantly contribute to the global sustainability agenda.

8. Respect for Original Work Ownership

Intellectual property is central to innovation, and VMware upholds this by aligning AI development with proper legal considerations. This protects creative efforts and promotes a fair environment where innovation can flourish.

Putting it all together.

VMware's ethical principles for AI are designed to support a comprehensive and robust framework that will help drive fairness, accountability, sustainability, and responsibility. These principles resonate profoundly in the context of generative AI, where the convergence of technological innovation and ethical mindfulness can drive the responsible development of AI systems. Following these principles will help ensure that large language models and generative algorithms contribute to technological advancement and mirror the values and principles that hold our society together. We continuously strive to put them into action across the business to ensure that the future of AI will be ethically sound, and aligned with human values and societal expectations.

Click here to view the original content

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from VMware on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: VMware

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/vmware

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: VMware

View source version on accesswire.com:
Announces Further Costing Reduction Activities and Updates to Strategic Review Process

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / September 19, 2023 / Loop Energy" ("Loop" or the "Company") (TSX:LPEN), a leading hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer, today provides an update on the previously announced review and evaluation of strategic alternatives.

As previously disclosed on March 29, 2023, Loop conducted its review of strategic alternatives, including investigating strategic partnerships, licensing opportunities, joint development and outsourcing opportunities, and other ways to bring new capital, expertise and resources to the business and to identify growth opportunities and ways to support Loop's expansion plan.

Following the public announcement of the strategic review and at the direction of the Board of Directors of the Company, Loop conducted a comprehensive outreach to over 130 potential counterparties and while discussions are ongoing with certain parties, no offer or proposal is currently under consideration.

Due to challenging capital market conditions, including significant stock price declines in the hydrogen fuel cell sector since the beginning of the year, and after careful consideration of its alternatives, the Board has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company to immediately execute an additional operating cost reduction program. This program includes, among other things, an approximate 65% global headcount reduction by the end of the year and the closing of production in China. Going forward, the Company will be focusing its staffing and business development efforts on fuel cell stack design, development, production and testing based on the Company's proprietary eFlow" technology. Business development efforts will include finding potential partners to support the existing install base and exploring options for its fuel cell modules and systems business.

The Company estimates that the implementation of the operating cost reduction program will extend the Company's cash runway to the end of the first quarter, 2024. This will allow the continuation of the strategic review process and outreach to potential counterparties and engagement with parties that previously expressed interest.

In addition, as part of the operating cost reduction program, the Company will be reducing product shipments through to the end of the year and accordingly may not meet prior year revenues.

About Loop Energy Inc.

Loop Energy" is a leading designer and manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell systems targeted for the electrification of commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks, as well as stationary power applications. Loop Energy's products feature the company's proprietary eFlow" technology in the fuel cell stack's bipolar plates. eFlow" technology enables customers to achieve superior performance and higher fuel efficiency when using Loop Energy's fuel cells, which lowers operating cost for end users while enabling OEMs to achieve lower capital cost and faster time to market. Loop Energy works closely with OEMs and major vehicle sub-system suppliers to enable the production of hydrogen electric solutions with our global network and integration support. For more information about how Loop Energy is driving towards a zero-emissions future, visit www.loopenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Warning

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflect management's current expectations and projections regarding future events including statements regarding the Company's estimates regarding the anticipated reduction in operating costs resulting from implementation of its operating cost reduction program and resulting benefits, expectations regarding future results, performance, achievements and the markets in which we operate, the conversion of prospects into customers and the realization of other opportunities. Forward-looking information also includes our assessment of the ability of the Company's eFlow" technology to maintain uniform operation over time, the impact of such technology on fuel cell durability and the achievement of cost reduction, profitability and revenue targets; our future growth prospects and business outlook including without limitation the expected demand for our products, the allocation of resources and funds, the expected timeline for profitability, the planned growth of our customer base and the expected growth of our operations globally. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions (including without limitation assumptions with respect the current and future performance of the Company's products, growth in demand for the Company's products and the Company's ability to execute on its current strategy, and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control and could cause actual results and events to vary materially from those that are disclosed, or implied, by such forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks associated with, and uncertainty regarding, the realization of costs savings from implementation of the Company's operating cost reduction program and benefits derived therefrom, the realization of electrification of transportation and hydrogen adoption rates, the elimination of diesel fuel and ongoing government support of such hydrocarbon fuels, the expected growth in demand for fuel cells in the commercial transportation market, our ability to obtain future patent grants for our proprietary technology and the effectiveness of current and future patents in protecting our technology as well as the other risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 28, 2023 and in its other disclosure documents. Loop Energy disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Loop Energy Investor Inquiries:

Natalie Arseneau | Tel: +1 604.222.3400 Ext. 418 | [email protected]

Loop Energy Media Inquiries:

Ethan Hugh | Tel: +1.604.222.3400 ext. 304 | [email protected]

SOURCE: Loop Energy Inc

View source version on accesswire.com:
Chrissy Thurmond, Head of Responsible Gaming Relations

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Since joining DraftKings in 2020, I have been impressed with how the dialogue around Responsible Gaming (RG) has expanded in the entire industry. The collaborative efforts of stakeholders from across the industry is greater than ever, and the focus on education is the nexus of the dialogue. For the month of September, we are joining the American Gaming Association in commemorating 25 years of Responsible Gaming Education Month, and DraftKings will be highlighting the commitments we have made in keeping responsible gaming education at the forefront of the player experience, beginning with employee education.

The most important components of an RG program are education, training, and tools. We want our players, as well as our employees, to be as informed as possible in RG. We utilize a holistic, systems-based approach to RG that requires engagement between a wide array of stakeholders. Our approach is founded in public health frameworks and involves educating and engaging with employees to ensure that all internal stakeholders understand their role as responsible gaming ambassadors.

We provide as many resources and touch points to our organization and employees as possible. We go above and beyond in our RG training, which means that not only do we get in front of all new employees at on-boarding and require mandatory RG training annually, but we also work with our internal stakeholder teams to provide customized training and education throughout the year. One of the major ways that we accomplish that goal is through our robust internal Safer Play Portal, which is designed to enhance the culture of responsible gaming as a core value at DraftKings. This site offers up-to-date responsible gaming resources and training opportunities to all DraftKings employees.

Our Safer Play Portal provides a one-stop-shop on all things RG at DraftKings. Here we provide helpful definitions about RG, interactive quizzes, common "mythconceptions", highlights of our Safer Play Champion employees who have gone above and beyond in their jobs to support and embrace RG, rapid research reviews, lived experience presentations, access to internal resources and so much more.

Socializing the importance of RG to our employees is imperative. As our program continues to evolve and we learn more about best practices in the RG space, we remain informed by prevailing research, customer and community input, and consultation with our partners at the Harvard Medical School affiliate, Cambridge Health Alliance.

I am also honored to share that for the second year in a row DraftKings has been recognized by the National Council on Problem Gambling with the Best Corporate Social Responsibility Program award for outstanding commitment to social responsibility as it relates to responsible gaming. This achievement is a team effort and underscores our steadfast commitment to continually promoting responsible gaming by educating and training our employees.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from DraftKings on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: DraftKings

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/draftkings

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: DraftKings

View source version on accesswire.com:
MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Quebec Precious Metals Corporation (TSX.V:QPM)(FSE:YXEP)(OTCQB: CJCFF) ("QPM" or the "Corporation") congratulates Harfang Exploration Inc. ("Harfang") on their discovery announced on September 13, 2023 of spodumene (lithium) in pegmatite dykes at Serpent-Radisson in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory in Quebec. Harfang's discovery is located next to QPM's Sakami project at a distance of approximately 8 km ( Figure 1 ).

QPM reported high priority lithium targets following a detailed lithium targeting study on all of its exploration projects (1,298 claims covering 676 km2, 100% owned) performed by ALS GoldSpot Discoveries Ltd. (see press release of August 22, 2023).

"Harfang's discovery is significant for our Sakami and Cheechoo-leonore Trend projects where we have identified high priority lithium targets and for the James Bay region, a district that has some of the largest spodumene pegmatite resources in the world. We are about to initiate our surface sampling program of pegmatites and look forward to making significant lithium discoveries" commented Normand Champigny, CEO.

QPM is planning to collect several hundred samples on its projects. The drilling campaign for gold at Sakami is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks.

An updated corporate presentation is available on the Corporation's web site www.qpmcorp.ca

Qualified Person

Normand Champigny, Eng., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Qualified Person under NI 43-101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects, has prepared and reviewed the content of this press release.

About Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

QPM is primarily focused on advancing its Sakami gold project, located in Eeyou Istchee James Bay territory in Quebec, near Newmont Corporation's Eleonore gold mine. In addition the Company holds a 68% interest in the Kipawa/Zeus rare earths project located near Temiscaming, Quebec. This is the only rare earths project in North America which has a fully completed feasibility study.

For more information please contact:

Normand Champigny

Chief Executive Officer

Tel.: 514 979-4746

[email protected]



Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider

(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)

accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Quebec Precious Metals Corporation

View source version on accesswire.com:
George McCloskey brings deep experience to RosettiStarr after leading several corporate security operations in Silicon Valley

WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / RosettiStarr - an international intelligence, investigations, and security services firm - today announced that global security services expert George McCloskey has joined the firm as a senior advisor.

McCloskey has been the chief security officer at Stripe, Inc., a premier financial services company based in San Francisco, and before that, was the chief security officer and head of trust and safety at the global payments firm Square, Inc. He is presently a senior vice president for risk and safety at Impossible Foods, Inc., based in Redwood City, Calif.

RosettiStarr is experiencing rising demand for its security consulting practice worldwide. McCloskey has created corporate security programs from scratch, and at Stripe developed and maintained a security program as they expanded to 38 countries. At Impossible Foods, he has kept the firm's workforce safe, compliant, and resilient to supply chain and security-related disruptions.

McCloskey is the latest experienced professional to support RosettiStarr as an advisor to help expand and strengthen its physical and cyber security services teams. RosettiStarr currently provides consulting services on physical facilities protection, threat assessment, travel advisory, secure communications, and cyber security management. In some instances, it manages these functions for clients seeking an outsourced alternative.

In April, William "Bill" Halliday joined RosettiStarr as senior director of security consulting after leading global security operations at Marsh McLennan, a professional services firm with more than 85,000 employees. Halliday had earlier worked as a vice president, safety and security, at Morgan Stanley and as a consultant to numerous corporations.

RosettiStarr co-founder and CEO Richard Rosetti said, "We are delighted to add Mr. McCloskey as an advisor to our team, in order to take advantage of his counsel and experience in expanding this part of our global portfolio. Our clients will benefit from his ideas and extensive experience in corporate security."

Earlier in his career, McCloskey was the chief security officer at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California. He is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) through ASIS International and serves on the board of the International Security Management Association.

About RosettiStarr

RosettiStarr provides intelligence, investigations, corporate risk, and cyber security services to attorneys, management teams, and investors worldwide. The firm regularly services corporate enterprises with global operations and major private equity firms and hedge funds with a combined $650 billion in assets under management. RosettiStarr has worked with more than 60 of the AmLaw Top 100 Law Firms and has had successful engagements in 46 countries. For more information, visit www.rosettistarr.com.

Contact Information

Faith Apt

Media Contact

[email protected]

(301) 299-1931

SOURCE: RosettiStarr LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:
Physician-Owned Multispecialty Group Grows in Dallas with Wellness Studio, National Office, and Annual Conference

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Vituity, a leading national multispecialty physician partnership, is excited to announce a major expansion of its footprint into Texas, including opening a national office in Dallas, launching its first health and wellness studio, MOOV, in Frisco, and hosting its annual Partnership meeting at the Hilton Anatole.





Vituity

Vituity logo file





Vituity's annual Partnership meeting on September 21 and 22 brings more than 2,000 people from its clinical and administrative teams to Dallas to share best practices on the leading trends in care delivery, attend CME courses to learn the latest in clinical advancements, and knowledge sharing with guest speakers including Jay Kaplan, MD, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

As part of the two-day event, Vituity physicians and business leaders will participate in numerous events, including a fundraising 5K run with donations benefiting the work of the Vituity Cares Foundation, which delivers clinical and other wellness services to communities nationwide.

"I'm tremendously excited to bring Vituity and all the great things we do to the Dallas area," says Imamu Tomlinson, MD, MBA, CEO of Vituity. "As a national multispecialty physician Partnership, one of the areas we take greatest pride in is understanding the communities we serve, and we look forward to delivering patient-centric care and dedicated wellness to local communities in the greater Dallas area."

The MOOV studio in Frisco, Texas, is the first location of Vituity's consumer health and wellness business, offering physician-backed clinical services to support a whole health journey. Membership and a la carte services available through MOOV include nutritional counseling, mental wellness, aesthetics, and more.

"MOOV is the philosophy that people can achieve their aspirational goals in life by training minds and bodies to reach their fullest health potential," said Bobbie Kumar, MD MBA FAAFP. "Since opening our first location in Frisco earlier this summer, we've been thrilled with the community spirit and embrace of this concept, and we look forward to serving the local community for years to come."

In a momentous stride towards enhancing healthcare and wellness, Vituity's expansion in Dallas heralds a new era for the nearly 50-year-old Partnership. The grand opening of its national office, the inauguration of MOOV, and its annual Partnership meeting signify Vituity's commitment to the Dallas community. With gratitude for the warm welcome of the Dallas community, Vituity looks forward to many more years of serving and inspiring health and well-being.

Contact Information

John Hansen

[email protected]

SOURCE: Vituity

View source version on accesswire.com:
Analysts maintained their bullish ratings on Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) in notes this week after the company hosted an Investor ...

I'm a New Customer

I'm a Returning Customer

E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device)

Password
Boeing's (NYSE: BA) September 737 deliveries remain slow, according to BofA analyst Ronald Epstein.He told investors in a note Wednesday ...

I'm a New Customer

I'm a Returning Customer

E-mail Address (or username, if registered via mobile device)

Password
RBC Capital analyst Shagun Singh reiterated an Outperform rating and $58.00 price target on Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX).

The analyst comments "BSX released its 2024-2026 long-range plan (LRP) at its Investor Day, which came in above expectations. This morning (9/20) BSX issued its 2024-26 LRP. It included organic sales CAGR of 8-10%, ahead of investor expectations of 7-9% going into the event. CEO Mike Mahoney noted that the growth goal over this LRP period is to move from consistently outperforming their peer group to becoming the highest performing Large-cap MedTech over this three-year period. Other 2024-2026 LRP guidance are as follows: (1) +150bps of operating margin expansion to ~28% in FY26 or roughly in line with consensus; (2) double-digit adjusted EPS growth; and (3) ~70% free cash flow conversion. The latter is an increasing area of focus that CFO Dan Brennan will talk more about during his remarks. Separately, BSX reiterated its 2023 guidance that includes 10-11% y/y organic revenue growth. Overall, we are encouraged by today's LRP update and are confident in its achievability, given multiple shots on goal across its portfolio and contribution from pulsed-field ablation (PFA). We reiterate our Outperform rating. "

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Boston Scientific click here. For more ratings news on Boston Scientific click here.

Shares of Boston Scientific closed at $53.03 yesterday.
UBS recently took a group of investors to meet with European automakers, suppliers and experts. After conducting in-depth discussions, UBS views Mercedes' MMA and MB.EA, as well as BMW's Neue Klasse Platforms, as significant advancements in terms of efficiency, electrical/electronic architecture, software development, and cost-effectiveness.

UBS analyst Patrick Hummel wrote in a note, "Mercedes will likely be leading on the efficiency/ range front and BMW could lead in battery cell cost and performance".

However, Bosch has pointed out that none of the established automakers will have a fully software-defined vehicle platform until the end of this decade.

Audi and Porsche's PPE platform, while impressive, appears to be more of an evolutionary and incremental step compared to BMW and Mercedes. Despite their appealing designs, neither their specifications nor their user interfaces appear to establish new standards.

During the Cariad meeting, there was some reassuring information regarding the PPE platform's launch timeline, with the software stack expected to be complete by the end of 2023 and the actual launch set for Q1/24. However, there are still uncertainties surrounding the competitiveness of their digital content.

In terms of recent trading conditions, OEMs have described Europe as being in line with a concerning trend, particularly in the mass market segment, which is faring worse than the premium segment. A recent situation exacerbated by increasing discounts on ICE vehicles and sluggish demand for BEVs in Germany following the reduction in fleet subsidies at the end of August.

North America is viewed as the most resilient region, while China continues to present challenges in terms of both volume and pricing for German OEMs. Despite these challenges, all four companies believe they are on track to meet their full-year guidance. However, UBS believes that there may be some negative impact on free cash flow in 3Q due to a high number of vehicles in transit.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Teladoc Health, Inc. (NYSE: TDOC), the global leader in whole-person virtual care, today appointed Eric Evans to the companys board of directors. Mr. Evans, currently chief executive officer and director of Brentwood, TN-based Surgery Partners, Inc., is a recognized healthcare and hospital executive with significant experience leading complex organizations operating at the intersection of care and technology. Mr. Evans joins the board following the retirement of Senator William Frist, M.D. earlier this year, and will serve on the boards compensation committee.

David B. Snow, Jr., non-executive Chairman of the companys board, said: We are extremely pleased to welcome Eric to Teladoc Healths board of directors. Eric brings the perfect combination of talent, experience, and mindset to todays Teladoc Health as we work closely with our clients to enhance our services and offerings, invest in a robust innovation pipeline, and deliver solutions that are transforming healthcare globally.

Surgery Partners is a leading operator of surgical facilities and ancillary services with more than 180 locations nationwide. During his tenure, beginning in early 2019, Mr. Evans has scaled the business, adding a net 29 new facilities to its portfolio, growing revenue over 50% and earnings over 70%, which has driven approximately $3.5 billion of market capitalization growth. Prior to joining Surgery Partners, Mr. Evans was President of Hospital Operations at Tenet Healthcare, with responsibility for 68 acute care hospitals, 161 hospital-affiliated facilities, and more than 2,200 employed providers. He has a BS in industrial management from Purdue University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Its a privilege to join the Teladoc Health board of directors and to share my nearly two decades of experience in the integrated healthcare arena, said Mr. Evans. Ive admired Teladoc Health for years and witnessed firsthand the ways in which the company has reinvented healthcare delivery for millions of employers, health plans, governments, and individuals. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow board members and working closely with the management team led by Jason Gorevic to write the next chapter in the companys evolution.

Teladoc Health reported second quarter financial results, in July 2023, with strong financial and operating results across all key metrics, including a 10% increase in revenues to $652.4 million and adjusted EBITDA of $72.2 million that exceeded expectations. Also, in July 2023, Teladoc Health expanded its collaboration in artificial intelligence with Microsoft to address the healthcare workforce crisis.
$330,000 granted to nonprofits across the U.S. with a focus on healthy lifestyles for children and families

RICHARDSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The AdvoCare Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to helping children and families in need to live healthy, happy, and safe lives, announced their grantees for the 2023-2024 year. The AdvoCare Foundation grants, totaling $330,000, will be used to improve the well-being of children and families living in vulnerable communities by implementing initiatives focused on access to healthy food, exercise, and nutritional education.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920415222/en/

The AdvoCare team had an incredible opportunity to support our Dallas community during a visit to one of the AdvoCare Foundation's 15 grantees, North Texas Food Bank. Together, we sorted, packed, and produced over 17,000 meals for children and families in North Texas. (Photo: Business Wire)

Founded in 2015, the AdvoCare Foundation has generously contributed over $1 million to improving the safety and health of families and children throughout the United States. Now in its 30th year, AdvoCare and its Distributors have played a vital role in establishing and strengthening the Foundation, ensuring that opportunities for health and wellness reach the most vulnerable communities across the country.

The 2023-2024 Grantees Are:

- Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Inc. (nationwide)

- Boys & Girls Club of Dallas (Dallas, TX)

- CHOICES (Atlanta, GA)

- Iowa Healthiest State Initiative (Des Moines, IA)

- LAs BEST Afterschool Enrichment Program (Los Angeles, CA)

- Mission2Move (Cincinnati, OH)

- The North Texas Food Bank (Dallas, TX)

- Optimist Youth Services (Los Angeles, CA)

- The Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi (Flowood, MS)

- Servicios De La Raza (Denver, CO)

- The Concilio (Dallas, TX)

- United Way of Metropolitan Dallas (Dallas, TX)

- Urban Youth Impact (West Palm Beach, FL)

- Vetri Community Partnership (Philadelphia, PA)

- YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas (Dallas, TX)

"The AdvoCare Foundation remains dedicated to its larger mission of ensuring children lead happy and healthy lives," said Whitney Strauss, Executive Director of the AdvoCare Foundation. "Through strategic giving, we witness tangible and meaningful outcomes within the families we work with, thanks to our grantee partners. We take pride in our ability to invest in long-term relationships alongside our partners, ultimately creating a lasting impact for these remarkable families."

At LA's BEST, we are incredibly grateful for AdvoCare Foundation's continued partnership in our shared endeavors to ensure the most vulnerable communities and populations have access to programs, activities, and resources that support all-around healthy lifestyles, said Robin Manzer, Director of Development, Grants. Thank you, AdvoCare Foundation, for all that you do to make our work possible, and for having a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of students who attend elementary schools located within Los Angeles neighborhoods disproportionately affected by poverty and crime.

The AdvoCare Foundation will make visits to the grantees throughout the year to advance its mission and educate children and families about developing healthy lifestyles. To learn more about the AdvoCare Foundation, visit the AdvoCare Foundation website.

The grantee cycle typically starts in April and grants are announced in June.

About AdvoCare International, LLC

AdvoCare International, LLC is a health and wellness company committed to helping our Distributors and customers feel better and perform better. Backed by the most credible scientific research and internationally recognized Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, AdvoCare offers premium nutritional, weight-management and sports-performance products. AdvoCare also empowers Independent Distributors with world-class training and business tools. AdvoCare is a family-owned company founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Richardson, Texas. For more information about AdvoCare visit advocare.com. Connect with AdvoCare on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for latest news and product updates. Visit the Connect AdvoCare blog for inspirational content featuring fitness and wellness tips, motivation, testimonials, recipes and more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920415222/en/

Ginger Greenberg

[email protected]

Source: AdvoCare International, LLC
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 Maxseguros EPM Ltd. (Maxseguros) (Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect Maxseguros balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

The ratings also reflect Maxseguros risk-adjusted capitalization being at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and supported by a comprehensive and adequate reinsurance program, coupled with a conservative investment policy and limited premium risk exposure. The ratings recognize the important role of the company within its corporate parent structure, Empresas Publicas de Medellin E.S.P. (EPM), which is owned by the Colombian municipality of Medellin. EPM is the largest power generation and multiutility company in Colombia. Maxseguros is a single-parent captive insurer wholly owned by EPM and provides reinsurance to the EPM group, covering property damage and business interruption, commercial crime, cyber risk, directors and officers, errors and omissions and general liability exposures.

These positive rating factors are offset partially by EPMs substantial financial leverage and Maxseguros limited business and market scope, which is mitigated somewhat by the companys stable results, favorable geographic spread of risk and the history of Maxseguros growing surplus position. Additionally, while Maxseguros depends on reinsurance, the companys well-set underwriting and technical capabilities have allowed it to position itself as a key participant within EPMs reinsurance panel.

The stable outlooks reflect Maxseguros role within EPM's strategy, which results in financial flexibility for its balance sheet strength, as well as operating synergies that support profitable growth. This has been proven by Maxseguros capacity to increase its retentions while maintaining consistent operating performance without any adverse effect on its capitalization. AM Best has a favorable view of Maxseguros overall profile within the ultimate parents structure; however, EPMs credit profile and financial leverage remain key factors for future reviews of Maxseguros.

Positive rating actions could take place if Maxseguros' operating performance reflects a stable, upward trend of profitable underwriting and investment results that improve its metrics to compare favorably with a strong assessment level. Negative rating actions could occur if Maxseguros operating performance deteriorates due to increased retentions, to a point that it is no longer supportive of the ratings, and consequently, causes erosion in the companys capital base. Negative rating actions could also arise if there is a material shift in the risk profile or role within EPM that undermines the stability and profitability of the company, including increased activity in cash outflows to the parent company.

AM Best remains the leading rating agency of alternative risk transfer entities, with more than 200 such vehicles rated throughout the world. For current Bests Credit Ratings and independent data on the captive and alternative risk transfer insurance market, please visit www.ambest.com/captive.

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/20230920573980/en/

Inger Rodriguez

Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 108

[email protected]

Eli Sanchez

Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 122

[email protected]

Christopher Sharkey

Associate Director, Public Relations

+1 908 882 2310

[email protected]

Al Slavin

Senior Public Relations Specialist

+1 908 882 2318

[email protected]

Source: AM Best
Dr. Yanbing Li, a digital engineering expert, brings expertise as a tech entrepreneur and innovator in the US and China.

Carl Bass, former CEO of Autodesk, will support business strategy in the transition to Software-as-a-Service.

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AVEVA, a global leader in industrial software, today announced the appointment of two new non-executive directors to its board this September. The appointments come as the company further strengthens its focus on the transition to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and expands in key markets including the US and China.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919958498/en/

Dr. Yanbing Li, Ph. D (Photo: Business Wire)

Dr. Yanbing Li is a global business and technology leader with extensive experience building market leading products and hyper-growth businesses of over US$1 billion. Deeply rooted in technology and engineering, she has led large-scale international business operations. She brings expertise in cloud commerce and enterprise software, and the evolving digital SaaS marketplace.

Carl Bass is a former president and chief executive officer of industrial design software company Autodesk. He was credited with expanding Autodesk beyond its core software offerings through acquisitions and new product developments, leading the transition from 2D to 3D model-based design. Carl is co-founder of Flying Moose, Ithaca Software and buzzsaw.

Caspar Herzberg, CEO of AVEVA, said: We are delighted that Yanbing Li and Carl Bass have joined AVEVAs board. It is a critical point in our commercial and software evolution, and their expertise and insight will be vital to us as we plan our strategy. I look forward to working with them as we continue to pioneer software that enables industry to be at the forefront of digital innovation.

AVEVA Chairperson Peter Herweck added: The expansion of AVEVAs board to include Yanbing Li and Carl Bass is an important step as we accelerate AVEVAs SaaS strategy and drive deeper into high growth markets. Alongside our existing strong expertise and experience on the board, they bring expertise in engineering and design software, and seasoned experience of operating in global markets, particularly in Asia. I look forward to collaborating with them both to realize AVEVAs next decade of growth.

AVEVAs strategic focus is on becoming the number one SaaS provider of industrial intelligence. The company is currently evolving into a subscription-led business model.

Since its foundation, AVEVA has grown from a niche design software developer to a leading global industrial software company. Today, AVEVAs software drives efficiency and reduces costs for over 20,000 customers worldwide, including providing an end-to-end Digital Twin that spans the asset lifecycle from Engineering through to Operations and Maintenance across diverse industries worldwide.

-ends-

About AVEVA

AVEVA is a global leader in industrial software, sparking ingenuity to drive responsible use of the worlds resources. The companys secure industrial cloud platform and applications enable businesses to harness the power of their information and improve collaboration with customers, suppliers and partners.

Over 20,000 enterprises in over 100 countries rely on AVEVA to help them deliver lifes essentials: safe and reliable energy, food, medicines, infrastructure and more. By connecting people with trusted information and AI-enriched insights, AVEVA enables teams to engineer efficiently and optimize operations, driving growth and sustainability.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919958498/en/

[email protected]

07920086154

Source: AVEVA
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bloomreach, the platform fueling limitless e-commerce experiences, today announced Bloomreach Discovery is now available on Google Cloud Marketplace. An e-commerce search solution with fast ROI, Bloomreach Discovery leverages a rich commerce dataset and smart AI to help businesses power more personalized customer experiences  all while reducing manual workloads for merchandisers and business users. Its inclusion on the Google Cloud Marketplace will offer seamless integration with technology stacks built on Google Cloud, allowing more businesses around the world to recognize the fast benefits of AI-powered e-commerce search.

Google Cloud Marketplace integrates top solutions with Google Cloud to easily scale and simplify any digital transformation. By accelerating the procurement process for teams, it makes it easier for customers to discover and deploy new solutions. Now, businesses seeking to optimize their e-commerce experience with powerful search and merchandising tools can do just that, using the marketplace to quickly find and integrate Bloomreach Discovery into their existing technology ecosystem. And with a growing number of generative AI and large learning model (LLM) powered features, Bloomreach Discovery will not only enable businesses to drive better product discovery today  it will empower them with new ways to drive relevancy and efficiency in a future shaped by rapidly evolving customer expectations.

We are thrilled to add Bloomreach Discovery to the Google Cloud Marketplace. With Bloomreach Engagement already available on the marketplace, weve been able to see the success of customers adding our solutions to their Google Cloud tech stack. Were excited to grow opportunities for that success as we now make Discovery even more accessible for businesses, said Anand Subbiah, Vice President, Technical Alliances & Ecosystem Platform, Bloomreach.

As a part of their digital transformation strategies, many enterprises are seeking solutions that help them better engage with consumers along their purchasing journey, says Dai Vu, Managing Director, Cloud Marketplace & ISV GTM Programs, Google Cloud. Now available on Google Cloud Marketplace, Bloomreach Discovery is enabling revenue-generating teams to create endless new paths to purchase, greater profitability, and fast business growth.

Bloomreach Engagement, the companys marketing automation solution, became available on the Google Cloud Marketplace in July 2021, making it easier for marketers to unify data from all customer touchpoints and deploy data-driven campaigns. Visit the companys website to learn more about how businesses can drive success with Google Cloud and Bloomreach.

About Bloomreach

Bloomreach personalizes the e-commerce experience. Its data engine unifies real-time customer and product data so businesses understand what customers really want. By connecting that understanding to every channel, the e-commerce experience becomes limitless  reflecting a changing customer as they shop. Amplified by the speed and scale of Loomi, Bloomreach's AI for e-commerce, this creates endless new paths to purchase, greater profitability, and fast business growth. Bloomreach products include: Engagement, a marketing automation platform; Discovery, an e-commerce search solution; Content, a headless CMS; and Clarity, AI-powered conversational shopping. The company has multiple AI patents and serves 850+ global brands including: Albertsons, Bosch, Puma, and Marks & Spencer.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920430872/en/

Michelle DeMaio

Bloomreach

Corporate Communications

[email protected]

Source: Bloomreach
STARC Systems acquired by private equity firm North Branch Capital

RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Heron Capital, a growth equity firm investing in the healthcare and enterprise technology industries, announced it has successfully exited its investment in STARC Systems, a Maine-based market leader in reusable temporary containment solutions for occupied renovations. STARC was acquired by North Branch Capital, a preeminent private equity firm focused on investing in industrial businesses with strong growth potential.

Founded in 2012 by entrepreneur Tim Hebert and led by President and CEO Chris Vickers, STARC has grown significantly during Blue Herons investment period. In 2017, Blue Heron led a $3.5 million Series A investment in STARC to accelerate growth and expand into adjacent markets. During the last five years, STARC brought three category-leading temporary construction wall solutions to market and experienced 38% compounded annual growth. Today, STARC is the market leader in temporary modular wall containment solutions.

Blue Heron Capital Co-Founder and Managing Partner Andrew Tichenor, who led the investment on behalf of Blue Heron, spoke about the successful partnership with STARC Systems: We are proud to have been part of the STARC story. Its a fantastic company with a world-class portfolio of products. It has been fun to watch them grow from a small, single-product business into a market leader. We look forward to cheering their continued success.

Chris Vickers, CEO of STARC Systems, added: We would not have reached this significant milestone without Andrew and our Board including Blue Herons operating advisors. They provided a combination of expertise and thoughtfulness. Whether asking the right question or providing examples from their past experience, they pushed and supported us throughout, making us a much better company. We are tremendously grateful for the part Blue Heron has played in our success.

About STARC Systems

STARC Systems is a temporary wall containment company and leader in occupied renovation. Its temporary wall systems enable compliance with safety standards and are easy to install, move, and reconfigure panels. With high customer satisfaction, leading contractors and healthcare facilities, including McCarthy, Turner Construction, Gilbane, Brigham & Womens Hospital, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and the Cleveland Clinic, continue to rely on STARC Systems to solve their temporary containment challenges. STARC Systems RealWall and FireblockWall received the 2019 and 2023 Healthcare Design Award. To learn more, go to www.starcsystems.com.

About Blue Heron Capital

Blue Heron Capital is an early-stage growth equity firm funding big ideas in healthcare and enterprise technology industries. Using the powerful combination of financial capital and human capital of their OA collaborative, they build businesses that make big impacts. To learn more, go to www.blueheroncap.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920274068/en/

Tom Benedetti

Managing Partner

804.212.3393

[email protected]

Source: Blue Heron Capital
The innovative philanthropic effort from BluWave kicks off an ongoing initiative that brings pro bono resources from leading PE-grade advisors and consultants to impact-focused charities and non-profit organizations

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BluWave, the Business Builders Network connecting top companies with best-in-class professional service providers, today announced the first successful project of its new charitable initiative, BluWave Impact.

BluWave Impact is bringing industry-leading business consultants from BluWaves network together with charitable organizations to support the success of philanthropic missions. As part of this program, service providing firms within the BluWave network are offering their unique skills to charities, free of cost. The inaugural BluWave Impact program project connected the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee with The Martec Group, a leading global strategy and market research consultancy.

BluWave has built a groundbreaking network that seamlessly brings together leading business builders with best-of-the-best service providers to uniquely create value. We started the BluWave Impact program after recognizing that we could use our same capabilities to help charitable organizations supercharge their efforts, said Sean Mooney, Founder and CEO of BluWave. As a call to action, we are encouraging charities in need and top service providers with skills to join the BluWave Impact program so together we can make the world a better place.

As a result of BluWave Impact and the insights provided by Martec, the Second Harvest team has been able to reimagine its Emergency Food Box Program, which has been in service for more than 30 years. Enhancements to the program include repositioning resources to better align with recent population changes and updating services and pantry items offered on-site to drive increased participation of at-risk populations, increasing satisfaction from their patrons.

Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee distributed more than 35 million meals in 2022 and will celebrate its 46th anniversary this year.

Working with BluWave was extremely beneficial. They took the time to understand what we really needed, said Tracey Alderdice, Vice President of Community Impact at Second Harvest. They then looked at all of the resources in their network and hand-picked Martec for us. Martec was a wonderful decision.

This is probably the first instance in which we were able to help an organization like this by using our commercial skill sets. We engage in traditional charitable activities, such as volunteering at soup kitchens, but the combination of being able to use the things we do every day to help clients and direct that towards this not-for-profit was particularly compelling compared to our traditional philanthropic commitments, said Jim Durkin, Founding Partner of Martec.

As it looks ahead, BluWave will work with more qualified charitable organizations, consider needs and societal impact potential, and match actionable projects with participating BluWave Impact service providers. BluWave urges leading consultancies to join the BluWave Impact network and for charitable organizations to submit projects for consideration. To do so visit BluWave.net/impact.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

Since 1978, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee has followed its mission of providing food to people facing hunger and working to advance hunger solutions. The nonprofit food bank distributes food to nearly 420 nonprofit partner agencies in 46 counties. Second Harvests partners include food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, childcare facilities, senior centers, group homes, and youth programs. Visit secondharvestmidtn.org to learn more.

About The Martec Group

The Martec Group is a global market research and consulting firm with nearly 40 years of experience. Our approach to market research ensures that our clients receive a deeper understanding of product and service offerings, customer needs, the competitive landscape, and market dynamics. Weve completed thousands of projects in B2B, B2B2C, and B2C markets throughout our tenure, and we leverage our industry knowledge and contacts to assess opportunities in a wide range of industries and markets. We work with our clients to customize each engagement to achieve their specific objectives and we take a consultative approach to each client relationship. Learn more at martecgroup.com.

About BluWave

BluWave is the Business Builders Network for private equity grade service provider needs. The companys platform combines concierge-like consultative support with technology, data and AI to expertly connect businesses with proven providers across due diligence, value creation and prep for sale. The BluWave Vetted network is an invite-only ecosystem of top tier individuals and service providing groups. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, BluWave ranks as one of Americas fastest growing companies and today serves more than 500 leading private equity firms and thousands of proactive businesses. Visit BluWave.net to learn more.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920071890/en/

Alex Nye

646-818-9195

[email protected]

Source: BluWave
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC, a private credit firm, announced it has priced Brightwood Capital MM CLO 2023-1 Ltd., a $319 million collateralized loan obligation. This CLO represents the fifth CLO issued by the firm since 2019.

Brightwood has indications for securities rated from AAA through BB from third-party investors, including insurance companies, banks, and asset managers. GreensLedge Capital Markets, LLC and RBC Capital Markets will serve as co-placement agent on the deal.

"We are pleased to see strong interest from new and existing investors looking to secure attractive yield in the increasingly competitive environment, said Arlene Shaw, Managing Director and Treasurer at Brightwood. This transaction further demonstrates confidence from investors in our ability to navigate a challenging market.

"We are excited to see robust demand for our CLO platform and to support the continued growth of the middle market, Sengal Selassie, Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Brightwood, added. We intend to expand upon our presence in this market, enabled through the support of our loyal investor base.

About Brightwood Capital Advisors

Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC is a private credit firm with a long-standing track record of investing in middle market businesses. Brightwood specializes in providing senior debt capital primarily to U.S. businesses with $5-$75 million of EBITDA within five core industries: technology & telecommunications, healthcare, business services, transportation & logistics and franchising. Brightwood partners with non-sponsored businesses as well as private equity sponsors to provide customized financing solutions for directly originated investments.

Founded in 2010, Brightwood is a minority-owned firm with a team of over 50 employees who manage more than $5 billion of assets on behalf of its primarily institutional investor base. Brightwood is headquartered in New York City. For more information, please visit: https://brightwoodlp.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920983149/en/

Media

Brightwood Capital Advisors

Ben Howard

[email protected]

(914) 552-4281

Investors

Brightwood Capital Advisors

[email protected]

Source: Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC
Certinia Ranked as #10 Among 100 US Companies Recognized for Outstanding Employee Sentiment and Satisfaction

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Certinia, the platform for services businesses, today announced that it was ranked #10 in Newsweeks annual rankings for the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in America list. The 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces are the result of a collaboration with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company.

The results were determined after surveying more than 2 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 100,000. The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, and appreciated and are at the center of the business model.

We are honored to be recognized as a top Most Loved Workplace for our continued commitment to cultivating a workplace where innovation, inclusivity, and employee well-being thrive, said Scott Brown, President and CEO at Certinia. Our success as an organization lies with each of our team members unique contributions to achieve remarkable results for our customers and build a workplace that encourages growth and learning.

The key areas included in the analysis are based on how well companies demonstrate the areas within the Spark Model as defined by BPI including Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of values, Respect, and Killer Achievement. Employee sentiments and emotions indicating how engaged employees are, how positive they feel about their workplace, and how committed they are to the organizations success were analyzed to identify the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces.

With the rapidly changing workplace and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment, said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek. The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract the best talent and deliver strong business outcomes.

"Fully understanding and acting upon employee sentiment, emotion, and recommendations continues to be a challenge and top priority of executive leadership, said Louis Carter, CEO of Best Practice Institute. The companies on this list have committed to listening carefully to their employees to create a workplace employees love.

Certinias recognition in the Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces in America is just one of several recent accolades earned by the company for employee satisfaction. Also in September, Certinia earned ERP Todays Employee Hero award, as well as several recognitions from Comparably including Happiest Employees, Best Company Compensation, Best Company Perks & Benefits, and more. Visit the companys website for more information and to explore career opportunities at Certinia.

Methodology

To identify the top 100 companies for the Newsweek ranking, companies were evaluated and scored as follows: 35 percent of the initial score was based on employee survey responses; 25 percent was derived from analysis of external public ratings from sites such as Comparably, Careerbliss, Glassdoor, Indeed and Google; and 40 percent came from direct interviews with and written responses from company officials. Newsweek then conducted additional research into every company on the list, as well as the top runners up, to determine the final list of 100 companies and their ranking. (The list includes both U.S. firms and companies with a strong U.S. presence that are based overseas.)

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the modern global digital news organization built around the iconic, over 85-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people each month with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia.

About Best Practice Institute

Best Practice Institute is an award-winning leadership and organization development center, benchmark research company, think tank, and solutions provider. BPI is the certifying body for Most Loved Workplace and conducted the original research to create the model and criteria for becoming a Most Loved Workplace. BPIs research proves that Most Loved Workplaces produce 3-4 times better customer service, employee performance, and retention than companies not loved by their employees.

For more information on how to apply to become a certified Most Loved Workplace in 2024, go to: http://www.mostlovedworkplace.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920278383/en/

Scott Baxt

Head of Research, Most Loved Workplace

[email protected]

+1-917-805-6413

Mike Tomlinson

Certinia

[email protected]

Sarah Medina

10Fold

[email protected]

Source: Certinia
Fintech platform provider expands reach among Illinois community banks to deliver digital account opening and digital lending capabilities

FRANKLIN, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Core10, Inc. (Core10), a U.S.-based financial technology company that provides lending and account opening products, as well as software development services is now a Preferred Service Provider (PSP) for the Community BancService Corporation (CBSC). This partnership enables Core10 to bring its digital account opening and lending platform to community banks throughout the Illinois area.

In conjunction with its business services subsidiary, the CBSC, the Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI) is committed to helping local banks remain competitive to benefit their customers and the Illinois communities they serve. CBAI represents 270 Illinois financial institutions and 150 associate members to whom they deliver quality education and recommendations on products and services that address key operational challenges.

Consumers increasingly expect to open new accounts and complete loan applications online as effortlessly as signing up to use popular e-commerce sites and social media apps. Yet, most community bankers cite concerns around KYC, fraud and the cost of implementing a digital solution. The CBSC Innovation Committee spent a year evaluating community bank-friendly digital services providers and ultimately recommended Core10 as an ideal solution to the board of directors, said Mike Kelley, president of the CBSC. Core10s Accrue solution is built for all community banks regardless of core provider or size of IT department. Offering digital account opening and lending is destined to become table stakes and Core10 can get community banks into the market quickly and affordably.

Core10 works with CBAI member bank Princeville State Bank (PSB). Leveraging the platform, PSB will be able to improve customer and staff experiences and significantly decrease the effort and time required to support a loan application and/or an account opening by hours or days.

Our bank needed an efficient customer onboarding process, and Core10s Accrue platform was the obvious choice to upgrade our account opening and lending experiences and expand our digital capabilities. This platform has tremendous potential to streamline PSBs processes and improve customer and staff experiences and will scale as we grow. Core10 has also proven themselves to be a true partner of the bank and not just another technology provider, said Andrew Black, president and CEO of Princeville State Bank.

Core10s Accrue platform provides CBAI members with a highly configurable and scalable digital account opening and lending solution that supports consumer and commercial transactions. Accrue delivers pre-built integrations to core systems and other critical fintechs, supporting customizable, automated workflows. Core10 also offers subscription and project-based API integration solutions to eliminate backlogs, reduce staffing costs and support business growth opportunities.

We are thrilled to partner with the CBSC and CBAI as a Preferred Service Provider. We have a shared vision for supporting community banks on their digital transformation journey and look forward to becoming a trusted partner of Illinois community banks for years to come, said Jeff Hanson, CEO of Core10.

About Princeville State Bank

Princeville State Bank (PSB) is a family-owned, community bank that provides both personal and business banking services. With rich local connections, PSB has been serving the area since 1950 and continues to serve Princeville, Peoria and surrounding communities with their core values of service, commitment and trust.

About Community BancService Corporation (CBSC)

The business services subsidiary of CBAI, CBSC aggregates the clout of CBAI member banks to negotiate lower costs and provide improved access to essential bank products and services. CBSC is governed by a board of 34 community bankers who evaluate and select prospective business partners.

About CBAI

One of the largest state banking associations in the nation, Community Bankers Association of Illinois (CBAI), is a professional trade association representing 270 Illinois commercial banks and thrifts and their 880 Illinois bank branches. Its members have nearly $80 billion in assets and employ approximately 17,000 individuals. CBAI, headquartered in Springfield, was founded in 1974 to exclusively represent and serve the community-banking profession.

About Core10

Core10, founded in 2016, is a U.S.-based provider of lending, account opening, and BaaS products, as well as software development services. Core10 is the trusted, easy button partner for banking digital transformation and innovation. The companys Accrue platform provides an omnichannel digital lending and deposit account opening solution to help elevate and streamline banking operations. Its Mesh middleware layer gives banks a flexible, modern infrastructure to connect their entire technology ecosystem with their core. Supporting their product lines, Core10's professional services team has years of experience building APIs and core connectivity as well as custom software product development.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920152828/en/

Gabriela Lumpkin / Laura Lenz

[email protected] / [email protected]

678.781.7211 / 678.781.7226

Source: Core10, Inc.
Founder Grant Johnstone joins RIA insurance platform as CCO

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- DPL Financial Partners, the leading commission-free insurance platform for RIAs, today announced that it is acquiring AnnuityFix and its affiliated broker-dealer, Johnstone Brokerage Services. The acquisition enhances DPLs Breakaway Accelerator program, which allows financial advisors to transition their legacy annuity business to a fee-based business model, enabling many to go completely independent. DPL appointed AnnuityFix Founder Grant Johnstone as chief compliance officer and chief legal officer and said the firms employees will join DPL.

Annuities are often the last asset class tethering advisors to their broker-dealer, said DPL Founder and CEO David Lau. Since launching our Breakaway Accelerator late last year, weve begun working with scores of breakaway teams and rollups to transition annuity books. Its exciting to welcome Grant and his deep experience serving the unique needs of the RIA industry and to create expanded capacity with Grants team and process.

DPLs Breakaway Accelerator provides advisors transitioning to a fee-only model with a process and technology to evaluate each clients annuity holdings to determine whether it is beneficial for the client to exchange them for one of the dozens of commission-free products on the DPL platform. In cases where favorable terms or features mean keeping an existing commissioned annuity is in the clients best interest, DPL helps transition those policies from the advisors existing broker-dealer.

Im excited to combine the expertise of the AnnuityFix team with DPLs market-leading, turnkey solution for transitioning breakaway annuity assets, said Johnstone. Its a huge win for the advisor and client, both of whom will benefit from DPLs commission-free product offerings and proprietary technology for evaluating, transitioning and managing large blocks of annuity assets.

The acquisition will be finalized pending regulatory approval.

About DPL Financial Partners

DPL Financial Partners is the leading insurance marketplace bringing best-in-class solutions from the nation's top carriers to registered investment advisors (RIAs), their clients and consumers. DPL's products, proprietary tools and embedded technology enable RIAs to incorporate insurance and annuities into their practices to more holistically serve their clients. Clients benefit from products that offer competitive pricing and transparent, fiduciary implementation to meet a range of needs in the financial plan. www.dplfp.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920375478/en/

Greg Joslyn, The Lowe Group

[email protected]

(414)-376-7275

Source: DPL Financial Partners
Newly constructed building offers modern storage capacity, a huge capacity for new customers, and service offerings

SAO PAULO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Emergent Cold Latin America (Emergent Cold LatAm), the fastest-growing cold storage logistics operator in Latin America, announced today the acquisition of a new facility located in the Guarulhos municipality of Sao Paulo. The site is located within a logistics park that is being developed by affiliates of Brookfield.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920625695/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

Emergent Cold LatAms newest asset is close to Brazil's main international airport and connected to the Via Dutra, a key area for distribution into Sao Paulo and important cities to the North, such as Rio de Janeiro.

The investment comprises almost 51,000 square meters across two buildings: a tri-temperature operation that is dedicated to Martin Brower, and a second area that offers 27,500 pallets of cold storage along with value-added services for new customers in the food supply chain.

Sao Paulo is Brazils largest and most important food logistics market with a lack of new and modern cold infrastructure, said Evandro Calanca, Managing Director, South Cone at Emergent Cold LatAm. We have been actively looking to add Sao Paulo to our cold storage network since launching our Brazil operations in late 2021. I am pleased to make the first of what I believe will be several strategic investments in the greater Sao Paulo region.

Emergent Cold LatAm now operates almost 200,000 pallets of cold storage capacity across 10 facilities in Brazil. In addition, the Company announced last week that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire a facility in Rio de Janeiro. This transaction is expected to close in October.

We are working hard to create the best network coverage and highest quality asset base in every country where we operate, said David Palfanier, President of Emergent Cold LatAm. Our latest purchase in Sao Paulo is a great reflection of this vision.

44 Capital Financas Corporativas acted as financial advisor, and Bronstein Zilberberg Chueiri & Potenza Advogados acted as legal advisor to Emergent Cold LatAm.

About Emergent Cold LatAm:

Emergent Cold Latin America (www.emergentcoldlatam.com) is the largest refrigerated warehousing and logistics provider in Latin America and the Caribbean. It was founded in August 2021 to cover the need for modern cold chain solutions in the market and to meet the increasing demand from domestic and global customers.

The company continues building the highest-quality cold chain network to provide end-to-end temperature-controlled logistics solutions to their customers across the region. Emergent Cold LatAm currently operates more than 60 cold storage facilities located in 11 countries across Latin America, and there are new facilities under construction.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920625695/en/

Emergent Cold LatAm

Eduardo Correa - [email protected] - +55 41 99638-2399

Communication Manager, LatAm

Source: Emergent Cold Latin America
SHANGHAI, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EpimAb Biotherapeutics, a clinical stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of bispecific antibodies, is pleased to announce that the company will present the first-in-human results for EMB-02 as a poster display at the 2023 European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Congress on October 23 (local time). This poster will feature initial safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetic/ pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data from the EMB-02 Phase I dose escalation study in advanced solid tumors (NCT04618393). The presentation details are as follows:

Title: Preliminary Phase I Results from a First-in-Human Study of EMB-02, a PD-1xLAG-3 Bispecific Antibody, in Patients (pts) with Advanced Solid Tumors

Presentation number: 1028P

EMB-02 is a bispecific antibody based on EpimAbs proprietary FIT-Ig (Fabs-In-Tandem Immunoglobulin) technology, which generates bispecific molecules with superior properties. The EMB-02 bispecific antibody targets two checkpoint proteins, PD-1 and LAG-3, and restores effector T cell function through robust inhibition and degradation of the target proteins in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, it has shown strong anti-tumor efficacy in in vivo tumor models resistant to standard anti-PD-1 monotherapies.

Dr. Chengbin Wu, Founder and CEO of EpimAb commented, The ESMO Congress is one of the premier global oncology conferences and we look forward to sharing the detailed EMB-02 data with key stakeholders, including clinicians, researchers, patient advocates, and other health industry representatives, at this event.

About EpimAb Biotherapeutics

EpimAb Biotherapeutics is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in the development of multispecific antibodies. Utilizing our broad range of in-house research and technology capabilities, including the proprietary FIT-Ig (Fabs-In-Tandem Immunoglobulin) and MAT-Fab (Monovalent Asymmetric Tandem Fab) bispecific platforms, EpimAb is generating and globally advancing a unique pipeline of transformative preclinical and clinical assets that aim to benefit cancer patients. For further information, please visit: www.epimab.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919457845/en/

IR

Yuan Wang, IR Director

Direct: +86-21-61951011

[email protected]

BD

Dr. Jason Tang, BD Director

Direct: +86-21-61951014

[email protected]

Media Inquiries

MacDougall Advisors

Karen Sharma

+1 781-235-3060

[email protected]

Source: EpimAb Biotherapeutics
The highly-anticipated list celebrates hotels from 35 destinations across six continents worldwide

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Equinox Hotel New York, has been awarded a prestigious distinction, being one of the two hotels in the United States to be honored in the new global ranking of The Worlds 50 Best Hotels 2023. The list was announced at a captivating awards ceremony in London and includes industry-defining hotels from 35 different locations across six continents worldwide. This long-awaited list is 50 Bests first foray into the travel space, and its first new global ranking since the launch of The Worlds 50 Best Bars in 2009.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920114163/en/

Equinox Hotel New York (Photo: Business Wire)

Last night, the world of travel gathered from all corners of the globe to celebrate each others achievements at the announcement of The Worlds 50 Best Hotels 2023. Hosted at the historic Guildhall, the unveiling highlighted outstanding hotel experiences across the world that will shape the aspirations of consumers, travelers, and hoteliers.

Equinox Hotels is a hospitality extension and evolution of the Equinox brand, which has been recognized for its unique lifestyle positioning for over 30 years. With the adaptation of Equinoxs founding principles from their experience-defining approach, Equinox Hotels has envisioned, designed, and actualized a new category of luxury within the hospitality sector where the science of fitness meets the art of travel.

Located in Manhattans vibrant Hudson Yards, the hotel connects via the High Line to Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. Equinox Hotel New York amplifies every guest experience at the intersection of work and play, movement and nourishment, regeneration, and community. These pillars are reflected in the attention to detail and are weaved into a high-service culture, on-site 60,000 square-foot Equinox Club, multiple food and beverage offerings, an award-winning spa, and guest rooms scientifically designed to optimize your sleep. Every touchpoint at the Equinox Hotel New York has been thoroughly conceptualized and brought to life translating a high-performance lifestyle into a seamless extension of a life well-lived.

Tim Brooke-Webb, Managing Director for The Worlds 50 Best Hotels, comments: Our heartfelt congratulations go out to every hotel on the list, each of which has clearly made a lasting impression on our Academy of travel experts. After seeing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, its been especially fulfilling to see so many hoteliers from around the world gather in London to celebrate each others achievements under one roof for the first-ever awards ceremony for The Worlds 50 Best Hotels. We hope this list inspires travel lovers to book somewhere truly spectacular for their next trip.

Chris Norton, CEO of Equinox Hotels, comments: "We're honored to be awarded in The World's 50 Best Hotels 2023. This recognition reaffirms an innovative product that is truly unique and differentiated. We are redefining luxury for a new mindset and providing an unparalleled experience for a community of high performers who want it all.

The launch of The Worlds 50 Best Hotels is another step in 50 Bests journey towards becoming the ultimate global reference point for the very best hospitality experiences across the world, encompassing restaurants, bars, and now hotels.

How the 50 Best Voting Works

The list is created from the votes of The Worlds 50 Best Hotels Academy, which comprises 580 international well-traveled experts within the hotel and travel industry, with a 50/50 gender balance. The Academy is split into nine regions across the world, where each region is headed up by an Academy Chair. A minimum of 25% of the panel will be renewed each year. All voters, aside from the Academy Chairs, remain anonymous to eliminate the possibility of lobbying. At the point of voting, they are simply required to list the seven best hotels they have stayed in over the past 24 months in order of preference. Voting is carried out individually and strictly confidentially on a secure site and the results remain confidential until after the list announcement. Additional information is available on the 50 Best FAQs page here.

EDITORS NOTES

For media centre access, please visit:

https://mediacentre.theworlds50best.com/

50 Best Social Media

Follow on Instagram: @50Best_Hotels

@50Best_Hotels Follow on X: @50Best_Hotels

@50Best_Hotels Like on Facebook: @50BestHotels

@50BestHotels Subscribe to our YouTube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@50BestHotels

: https://www.youtube.com/@50BestHotels Website: https://www.theworlds50best.com/hotels/

Equinox Hotels Social Media

Follow on Instagram : @equinoxhotels

: @equinoxhotels Follow on X: @equinoxhotels

@equinoxhotels Like on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/equinoxhotels/

https://www.facebook.com/equinoxhotels/ Website: www.equinox-hotels.com

About Equinox Hotels

Equinox Hotels is a rapidly expanding, global luxury hospitality brand and management company built off the evolution of the Equinox brand. With a design-forward perspective and 360-approach to luxury lifestyle, the portfolio spans urban, resort, and destination locations globally set in architecturally stunning spaces built for high-performance living. Equinox Hotels has a robust global pipeline that is defining a new category of luxury.

About The Worlds 50 Best Hotels

Following the success of The Worlds 50 Best Restaurants and The Worlds 50 Best Bars, 50 Best launched The Worlds 50 Best Hotels in 2023, marking the brands first global launch since 2009. The Worlds 50 Best Hotels list is created by The Worlds 50 Best Hotels Academy, an influential group of more than 580 independent leaders, each selected for their expert opinion of the international hotel scene. The Worlds 50 Best Hotels event programme  including the awards ceremony and unveiling of the list  provides a unique opportunity to unite hoteliers, restaurateurs, bar owners, media, business travellers and luxury travellers at a captivating celebration of hospitality, passion and talent. The resulting list will be the first ranking of its kind to inspire consumers to book stays at the finest 50 properties in the world. The inaugural awards ceremony was held on 19 September 2023.

About William Reed

The Worlds 50 Best Hotels list is owned and organised by William Reed, which also publishes The World's 50 Best Restaurants, launched in 2002, Latin Americas 50 Best Restaurants and Asias 50 Best Restaurants (both launched in 2013), Middle East & North Africas 50 Best Restaurants (2022), as well as The Worlds 50 Best Bars (2009), Asias 50 Best Bars (2016) and North Americas 50 Best Bars (2022). William Reed is entirely responsible for the organisation of the awards, the voting system and the list.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920114163/en/

50 Best Media:

Ola Kociak and Alex Colquhoun, The M Collective

[email protected]; +44 (0)7562819994 / +44 (0)7539699540

Equinox Hotels Media:

Caroline McKay, Caro.

Email: [email protected]

Source: Equinox Hotels
CARLSBAD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Carlsmed announced today that the FDA granted Breakthrough Device designation for its aprevo technology for treatment of patients with cervical spine disease. This is Carlsmeds second Breakthrough Device designation, complementing the companys family of lumbar patient-specific interbody fusion devices for anterior, lateral, and transforaminal approaches.

Maintenance of sagittal balance after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion procedures is an important parameter to reduce risk for subsequent degeneration at adjacent levels, said Christopher Ames, M.D., director of spinal tumor and spinal deformity surgery at UCSF Medical Center in California. Using aprevo personalized interbody devices in conjunction with careful preoperative planning for cervical procedures may help surgeons more reliably achieve the optimal alignment for each individual patient.

Carlsmeds digital technology platform creates one-of-a-kind fusion devices for each patient. The bespoke aprevo devices are 3D printed, sterile packed, and delivered directly to the hospital for surgery.

Our goal is to accelerate deployment of patient-centric pioneering technology that revolutionizes the standard of care for spine surgery, said Mike Cordonnier, CEO of Carlsmed. Expanding the application of our personalized solutions to help patients suffering from cervical spine disease is the next natural step for our portfolio.

More than 350,000 cervical fusion surgeries are performed each year in the U.S., and procedure volume is growing at nearly twice the rate of lumbar fusion surgeries. Carlsmeds aprevo device for the treatment of cervical spine disease is anticipated to be launched in the U.S. in 2025.

About Carlsmed

Carlsmeds mission is to improve outcomes and decrease the cost of healthcare for spine surgery. The Carlsmed aprevo personalized surgery platform is designed to improve the standard of care for spine surgery one patient at a time. For more information, visit carlsmed.com or contact us at [email protected].

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920393110/en/

[email protected]

Source: Carlsmed
 Gateway Jax Plans Impactful Mixed-Use Revitalization in Top Florida City, Creating 18-Hour Vibrant Neighborhoods with Multifamily, Retail 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gateway Jax, a commercial real estate company sponsored by Jacksonville-area firms JWB Real Estate Capital and DLP Capital, today announced that it has acquired 22 acres of Jacksonvilles downtown coreamassing buildings and development sites that span 20+ city blocks, with plans for $500 million of mixed-use build-out in a first phase. Gateway Jax expects to break ground on its first developments in mid-2024, with the total build-out of current sites estimated at $2+ billion over the next decade. Gateway Jaxs redevelopment will mark one of the largest-ever urban-core revitalizations in the US, in terms of its geographic span, and will complement already-existing initiatives by the city to spur on new decades of economic vitality. Jacksonville, one of Floridas top cities, is a growing economic driver in the state as businesses and new state residents seek alternatives to increasingly unaffordable regions of the country. The city boasts among the lowest costs of living in Florida and an enviable lifestyle; is home to Fortune 500 companies and leading universities, including a recently announced University of Florida graduate campus; and the city serves as an international multimodal hub with the Port of Jacksonville. Gateway Jax seeks to significantly impact the city with its developments providing enormous economic, social, and resident benefits.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920722414/en/

View of downtown Jacksonville today from the St. Johns River (credit Gateway Jax)

Gateway Jax will make an impact far beyond any buildings that well build, with our redevelopment initiatives adding to the vibrancy of downtown Jacksonville, said Bryan Moll, CEO of Gateway Jax. We plan to create thriving, walkable neighborhoods that create a sense of place, attracting residents and workers wholl be able to find everything they need within the citys core. Jacksonville is the gateway to Florida and a key to the states economic future, and the city is on the cusp of an unheralded transformation. Gateway Jaxs leadership previously spearheaded Water Street Tampa, the $4 billion development revitalization of Tampas waterfront and the National Landing developmentsite of Amazons HQ2in the Washington, DC area.

The greater Jacksonville metropolitan area has a population of 1.68 million, with 500 people moving to the city every week, drawn to a strong job market, 220+ days of annual sunshine, and no personal state income tax. The city boasts a well-educated workforce with a median age of 36, and area industries range from financial services, advanced manufacturing, and logistics, to IT, health and biomedical, among others. There are more than 85 daily non-stops flights into Jacksonville International Airport, with its recently announced $400-million expansion further adding to commerce.

Gateway Jaxs initial development activity will center around the North Core district of Jacksonvilles downtown, within the central business district and just north of City Center. Pending city approvals, the companys near-term plans include development of three buildings along Pearl Street that will offer 1,000+ multifamily units, more than 120,000 square feet of grocery-anchored retail, and a variety of new public spaces that encourage community interaction. These sites are expected be within proximity to the newly announced $400-million graduate campus that the University of Florida plans to build in the downtown Jacksonville vicinity. The prestigious university is ranked #5 in the nation among public universities. JWB Real Estate Capital and DLP Capital are each donating $500,000 to development of the new campus.

Gateway Jaxs critical mass, spanning 20 city blocks, will create dynamic and interconnected, walkable neighborhoods that will invigorate downtown Jacksonville. Streetscape designs will encourage connectivity including public spaces, courtyards, and sidewalk cafes. (Links to renderings below.) In addition to multifamily and retail, future development phases are expected to include office, hotel, and other mixed-uses. Development goals will also include creating pedestrian flows along green corridors leading to the public waterfronts cultural and recreational amenities, complementing the citys 30-mile Emerald Trail that will encircle the urban core. Gateway Jaxs development will also pay homagethrough design, art, and architectureto the rich history and culture of micro-neighborhoods.

Creating thriving communities is at the core of our decades of development expertise, and theres no better place to engage that expertise than in our own backyard of Jacksonville, added Don Wenner, Founder and CEO of DLP Capital. Any builder can build space; we invest in and build communities that serve Americas workforce families. In the case of Jacksonville, with the support of the citys residents, we plan to polish the underlying gem to help it shine brighter. DLP Capital is providing the majority of capital for the Jacksonville developments through its private evergreen funds that invest in building thriving communities.

The Gateway Jax track record of leadership success not only includes the $4-billion Water Street Tampa mixed-use development and National Landing mixed-use project underway in Arlington with Amazons HQ2, but prolific community development on a regional level. Gateway Jax sponsors DLP Capital and JWB Real Estate Capital have long built reputations on impactful community development in Florida. That includes building quality and affordable single-family and multifamily rental communities for area workforces spanning from the Jacksonville and St. Augustine areas, south to Orlando. The sponsors are also very active in philanthropic and community initiatives aimed at improving the lives and livelihoods of Floridians, as well as residents of other communities across the US.

Added Alex Sifakis, President of JWB Real Estate Capital, a sponsor of Gateway Jax, We will complement the phenomenal initiatives already begun by the City of Jacksonville and its Downtown Investment Authority, which jump-started Jacksonvilles revitalization, helping to round out their initiatives and that of so many others that see the enormous potential that Floridas biggest city has to offer. JWB initially acquired the majority of the downtown properties that have since segued into the Gateway Jax portfolio.

Prior to today's unveiling of the full scope of Gateway Jaxs plans, late last week the Jacksonville Downtown Development Review Board unanimously approved the conceptual plan for Gateway Jaxs first phase of its multi-phase development, the Pearl Street District.

Links to Photos/Renderings (credit Gateway Jax)

Jacksonville today: Downtown Jacksonville

Gateway Jax renderings: Gateway Jax renderings

More about DLP Capital

DLP Capital is a private, diversified real estate investment firm. The firms core focus is on investing in, developing, and financing attainable housing for Americas workforces, including multifamily and single-family rental homes, along with related investments including RV resorts, among other live-work-play communities aimed at enhancing the lives of working Americans. The firms portfolio is capitalized via a series of evergreen investment funds for accredited investors, each of which has provided superior year-over-year consistent returns since inception. With more than $5 billion of assets under management, DLP Capital has been on the Inc. 5000 list of Fastest Growing Private Companies in America for 11 consecutive years. Through its exclusive membership platforms focused on wealth legacy and business scalingincluding its proprietary Elite Execution SystemDLP Capital empowers its clients and impacts lives while fulfilling a core mission of the firm: Doing well while doing good. DLP Capital is headquartered in St. Augustine, FL, with offices in Allentown, PA and Asheville, NC. Visit DLPCapital.com.

More about JWB Real Estate Capital

JWB Real Estate Capital was founded in 2006 in Jacksonville and has grown into one of the premier development companies in Northeast Florida. Its core business is providing passive real estate investments for its clients across the globe, and JWB currently has over $1.3 billion of assets under management for those clients. JWB is a leader in the affordable housing space, building hundreds of affordable rental homes every year and is currently developing over 2,300 single family lots and 1,300 multifamily units. With over 5,400 units under management, affiliated company JWB Property Management is the largest single-family property management company in Jacksonville. JWB is very proud that over 90% of the rental units it manages are affordable to households making 80% or less of the Average Median Income (AMI). JWB has been named to the Inc. 5000 list 11 times, named a Best Places to Work eight times, and in 2022 was named a Florida EY Entrepreneur of the Year award winner. For more information visit www.JWBRealEstateCapital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920722414/en/

[email protected]

561-313-5612

Source: DLP Capital
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Hedonova is delighted to announce the launch of an exclusive short-only fund, set to debut in the prestigious Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM). This distinctive initiative marks Hedonova as one of the few investment companies in the world to introduce a specialized investment strategy centered around short-selling securities on such a scale.

The short-only fund, a testament to Hedonova's innovative spirit, presents a unique opportunity for investors to hedge themselves from market fluctuations and reap potential benefits from downward trends. By concentrating solely on short-selling securities, Hedonova aims to distinguish itself by offering investors a pathway to diversify their portfolios and potentially achieve favorable returns, irrespective of market direction.

It is scheduled to commence operations in the second quarter of 2024 pending licensure. The Hedonova short-only fund will empower investors to capitalise on market drawdowns, potentially yielding gains during downward trends and catastrophic market events.

The company has secured a substantial anchor investment of $150 million from a sovereign wealth fund, underscoring a resounding vote of confidence in the investment strategy. This resolute backing further solidifies Hedonova's commitment to delivering exceptional results, with the company anticipating a total capitalization of $400 million.

"Our expansion into the vibrant investment landscape of the UAE reflects a substantial transformation," remarked Alexander Cavendish, CEO at Hedonova. "Numerous investment companies are recognizing the promising opportunities within this dynamic region."

Hedonovas ADGM expansion reaffirms its commitment to innovation in investments. Through the introduction of the short-only fund, Hedonova is poised to provide investors with access to the potential benefits of short selling, contributing to the growth and diversification of their investment portfolios. As part of its commitment to transparency and ethical investing, Hedonova will prioritize rigorous risk management for stability and investor protection.

The company's mission is to create a more diversified and resilient investment landscape for its clients, and the short-only fund represents a significant step in achieving this vision.

About Hedonova

Hedonova is an alternative investment firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on unique investment opportunities across various sectors. With a focus on delivering exceptional returns, Hedonova provides clients with access to alternative investment options that offer attractive growth potential. The firm's experienced professionals utilize in-depth market knowledge and rigorous analysis to ensure strategic investments are aligned with clients' financial goals.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230918012265/en/

Media inquiries - [email protected]

Inquiries and co-investment opportunity - [email protected]

Source: Hedonova
Provides end-to-end CO2 impact assessment to help companies define and refine their circularity strategy for the mobile device ecosystem

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ), a leading global business services company that supports, protects, and connects major consumer purchases, today introduced Carbon IQ, the first solution that provides detailed measurement and insights on the carbon impact of individual connected devices, including refurbished devices, throughout the device lifecycle. Based on Carbon IQ insights, a new smartphone has an estimated carbon footprint that ranges from 36 kg to 96 kg of CO2 while a refurbished device has up to 90 percent fewer emissions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920116962/en/

(Photo: Business Wire)

The end-to-end insights and circularity planning support Assurant can deliver through patent-pending Carbon IQ includes:

Device lifecycle CO2 footprint: Enables clients to see the carbon impact of each device, including new and refurbished devices

Enables clients to see the carbon impact of each device, including new and refurbished devices CO2 avoidance and optimization scenario analysis: Provides clients with CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain and lifecycle to identify opportunities for reduction or avoidance

Provides clients with CO2 emissions throughout the supply chain and lifecycle to identify opportunities for reduction or avoidance Forecasting, tracking, and modeling: Allows clients to see how the carbon footprint of mobile device programs can and is changing based on the mix of new and refurbished devices that are sold

As our clients move toward their emission reduction goals, theyre looking for more precise data to help define and refine their circularity strategy for mobile devices in their ecosystem, said Biju Nair, EVP and president, Global Connected Living and International, Assurant. "Carbon IQ is the first solution that aggregates the global carbon footprint of an individual device throughout its entire device lifecycle  from new to re-processing and reused. Our dashboards enable companies to quickly and easily see insights and impacts based on device CO2 emissions, which can guide decision-making.

E-waste is the fastest growing waste problem in the world, generating about 50 million tons of waste each year according to Statista. At the same time, the global cost of living crisis combined with a greater desire to live more sustainably is driving demand for refurbished devices. According to Counterpoint Researchs Global Refurb Smartphone Tracker, the global secondary smartphone market grew five percent year-over-year in 2022, highlighting growing consumer demand for high-quality certified pre-owned refurbished devices.

To meet rising demand, the complete mobile ecosystem must influence consumer behavior to trade in their old devices when they are ready to upgrade and consider certified pre-owned devices as replacements. Refurbished devices also serve a critical need in bridging the digital divide by making high-quality, up-to-date smartphones more accessible. In 2022, Assurant, in partnership with its clients, repurposed and extended the useful life of more than 22 million devices. This equates to diverting more than 4,000 metric tons of e-waste from landfill and avoiding approximately 1.2 million tons of CO2 emissions.

Carbon IQ also enables operators, manufacturers and retailers to track marketing initiatives for trade-in campaigns back to reused phone sales to create a link between Marketing, Sales, and Sustainability. The more devices sourced from trade-in programs, the better the carbon footprint will be for refurbished/used devices.

Carbon IQ is informed by a methodology that was reviewed and developed with the Carbon Trust.

About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE: AIZ) is a leading global business services company that supports, protects and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the worlds leading brands to develop innovative solutions and to deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products and other products.

Learn more at assurant.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @Assurant.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920116962/en/

Assurant Media Contacts:



Stacie Sherer

Vice President, Corporate Communications

[email protected]



Lorraine Doherty

Director, International Communications

[email protected]

Source: Assurant, Inc.
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- iProov, the leading global provider of facial biometric solutions, today announced a new integration with Ping Identity, leading provider of seamless and secure digital experiences, leveraging PingOne DaVinci, a no-code identity orchestration service. The partnership will allow joint customers to bring iProovs patented biometrics solutions suite to the platform to enable users of DaVinci to verify digital identities in the safest and most secure way using proven science-based facial biometrics.

One of the most significant challenges with digital interactions is trust. Whether for remote transactions or remote workforce, organizations are increasingly subject to attacks from impersonators and fraudsters committing identity fraud. The challenge is to securely establish that the remote user is who they say they are when interacting digitally, whether on a personal, work, or shared device.

iProov has partnered with Ping Identity to deliver a DaVinci connector that integrates with the iProov Biometric Solution Suite to enable organizations to verify an individuals identity as part of their IAM/CIAM solutions using proven science-based liveness detection. Liveness detection is used in biometric verification and authentication to assure that the genuine person is gaining rightful access to services. Preventing criminals or impostors from spoofing identity verification processes by using photographs, videos, masks, or generative AI-created deepfakes or face swaps.

iProov joins a growing network of technology partners developing integrations with DaVinci through the Ping Identity Global Technology Partner Program. Partner solutions that integrate with DaVinci deliver an improved customer experience in a fraction of the time, through easy drag-and-drop design of digital user journeys across multiple applications and ecosystems.

iProovs Biometric Solution Suite provides the highest levels of identity assurance at some of the worlds most risk averse organizations including the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United Kingdom Home Office, UBS Group AG, and Eurostar.

iProovs solution suite is designed to help securely and effortlessly onboard new users and authenticate existing users; for sign-in, account recovery; as part of a passwordless or multi-factor authentication approach (MFA), and for step-up authentication.

Many organizations across the globe are already using iProov facial biometric technology to verify the online identity of citizens, workforces and customers more securely and effortlessly than ever before, said iProovs Chief Product and Innovation Office, Joe Palmer. Partnering with Ping Identity will help us to expand our reach even further and were delighted to be bringing this integration to PingOne DaVinci.

Ping Identity is committed to expanding our technology partner ecosystem to deliver better, more frictionless customer experiences, said Loren Russon, the SVP of product management at Ping Identity. "Our partnership with iProov leverages DaVinci's seamless orchestration to ensure dynamic user journeys are delivered quickly and efficiently at every stage of the user journey."

For more information on iProovs work with Ping Identity visit the Integration Directory.

About iProov

iProov provides science-based face biometric authentication solutions to governments and enterprises around the world. The companys multi-dimensional Biometric Solutions Suite enables organizations to offer remote onboarding and authentication for secure and effortless digital and physical access. Used by organizations including the Australian Taxation Office, California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), GovTech Singapore, ING, Rabobank, UBS, UK Home Office, UK National Health Service (NHS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) iProov biometric face verification technology provides the highest levels of identity assurance in conjunction with an unsurpassed customer experience. iProov Biometric Solutions Suite is protected by iProov Security Operations Center (iSOC) a 24/7 active threat management service. iProov was recognized as an Innovation Leader by industry analyst KuppingerCole, in the Leadership Compass, Providers of Verified Identity 2022 report. In 2023, iProov was named in Gartner's Buyer's Guide for Identity Proofing. For more information, please see www.iproov.com or follow on LinkedIn or Twitter.

About Ping Identity

At Ping Identity, we believe in making digital experiences both secure and seamless for all users, without compromise. Thats digital freedom. We let enterprises combine our best-in-class identity solutions with third-party services they already use to remove passwords, prevent fraud, support Zero Trust, or anything in between. This can be accomplished through a simple drag-and-drop canvas. Thats why more than half of the Fortune 100 choose Ping Identity to protect digital interactions for their users while making experiences frictionless. Learn more at www.pingidentity.com

###

Follow Us on Twitter: @PingIdentity

Join us on LinkedIn: Ping Identity

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: PingIdentityTV

Like Us on Facebook: PingIdentityPage

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920023900/en/

iProov Media Relations

Louise Burke

[email protected]

Ping Identity Media Relations

Megan Johnson

[email protected]

757.635.2807

Source: iProov
The Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators Impact and Legacy Fund is principal sponsor of the new award and will manage submission procedures and judging.

Winnick Foundation President Karen B. Winnick first proposed the award and is providing a first-year grant for prize money and administration expenses.

The winning book will receive a prize of $2,500 and the honor book will receive $1,000.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- October 1 is the deadline for submissions for the new Charlotte and Wilbur Award for Compassion for Animals. Judges will name one winning book and one honor book, choosing among picture books and middle grade books, fiction and nonfiction, published in 2023, that promote compassion and respect for animals in young readers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230913194597/en/

Karen B. Winnick, President of the Winnick Family Foundation. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Impact and Legacy Fund of the Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators is sponsoring the award and managing submission procedures and judging. Karen B. Winnick, President of the Winnick Family Foundation, created the award and provided a first-year grant to cover prize and administration expenses.

The 2023 prize for the winning book will be $2,500 and the honor book will earn $1,000. If the winning or honor book is a picture book, the prize will be split evenly between the author and the illustrator.

The award also includes the production and distribution of a video featuring the winners, which will be made available online for viewers around the world. The winning books will also be showcased by Los Angeles-based Childrens Book World, along with instructions for purchase by schools and classrooms.

The competition is open to SCBWI and non-SCBWI members. Non-SCBWI members intending to submit a book, should first open a free account with SCBWI by first clicking "Log in or Register" in the upper right-hand corner of this website:

https://www.scbwi.org/

Applicants, once registered, should then navigate to "Member Home" and click the awards tab. From there, you can apply for the award.

About Karen Winnick

Karen Winnick is President of the Winnick Family Foundation and the author/artist of more than a dozen childrens books.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230913194597/en/

Tracy Williams

[email protected]

310-824-9000

Source: Olmstead Williams Communications for Karen Winnick
STAMFORD, CT--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE: PM) will host a live video webcast of presentations and Q&A at its 2023 Investor Day, which will be held at its Operations Center in Lausanne, Switzerland, on September 28, 2023.

The presentations and Q&A session will be webcast live on Thursday, September 28, 2023, at approximately 9:55 a.m. CET and conclude at approximately 5:00 p.m. CET. The webcast will be available at www.pmi.com/2023InvestorDay. A copy of the slides will be made available on the same webpage, where a transcript will also be posted following the event.

The webcast may also be accessed on mobile devices by downloading PMIs Investor Relations App at www.pmi.com/irapp.

An archive of the webcast will be available until Friday, October 27, 2023.

Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free Future

Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading international tobacco company working to deliver a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The companys current product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products. Since 2008, PMI has invested more than USD 10.5 billion to develop, scientifically substantiate and commercialize innovative smoke-free products for adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, with the goal of completely ending the sale of cigarettes. This includes the building of world-class scientific assessment capabilities, notably in the areas of pre-clinical systems toxicology, clinical and behavioral research, as well as post-market studies. In November 2022, PMI acquired Swedish Match  a leader in oral nicotine delivery  creating a global smoke-free champion led by the companies IQOS and ZYN brands. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized versions of PMIs IQOS Platform 1 devices and consumables and Swedish Matchs General snus as Modified Risk Tobacco Products (MRTPs). As of June 30, 2023, PMI's smoke-free products were available for sale in 80 markets, and PMI estimates that approximately 19.4 million adults around the world had already switched to IQOS and stopped smoking. Smoke-free products accounted for approximately 35.4% of PMIs total second-quarter 2023 net revenues. With a strong foundation and significant expertise in life sciences, PMI announced in February 2021 its ambition to expand into wellness and healthcare areas and, through its Vectura Fertin Pharma business, aims to enhance life through the delivery of seamless health experiences. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920841111/en/

Philip Morris International

Investor Relations:

Stamford, CT: +1 (203) 905 2413

Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4666

Email: [email protected]

Media: David Fraser

Lausanne: +41 (0)58 242 4500

Email: [email protected]

Source: Philip Morris International
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RollKall, the leading provider of innovative extra duty technology solutions, is excited and honored to announce its partnership with the City of Miami Police Department (MPD). This collaboration will empower the MPD with the capabilities to streamline their extra duty job program while providing visibility and transparency into the details, and ultimately, enhancing public safety in the vibrant city of Miami.

The City of Miami Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its residents, businesses, and visitors. After RollKall received the highest evaluation score in the citys RFP process, the City of Miami Commissioners carried out due diligence for 20 months to ensure theyd selected the best solution to help bolster their extra-duty operations. In pursuit of this mission, the City of Miami Commissioners Manolo Reyes, Joe Carollo, Christine King, Alex Diaz de la Portilla, and Sabina Covo, unanimously voted 5-0 to select RollKall as MPDs trusted partner to modernize and optimize its extra duty program.

Miami Chief of Police Manny Morales stated, "Our collaboration with RollKall focuses on supporting our officers and ensuring we serve the community effectively. By managing officers' hours more efficiently, we aim to decrease fatigue and increase responsiveness. Whether an officer is on-duty or working extra hours, we are committed to the serious task of public protection."

"RollKall is deeply grateful for the opportunity to partner with the Miami Commissioners and the City of Miami Police Department, an agency known for its dedication to public safety and community service," said Chris White, CEO at RollKall. "We are committed to providing the agency with the solution they need to optimize their extra duty operations and continue their important work in keeping Miami safe."

RollKall is proud to offer not only advanced technology solutions but also unmatched value, ensuring that departments get the best for their investment. Primary benefits of the RollKall platform for the City of Miami Police Department include:

Insights for Compliance and Transparency: With MPD policies and procedures established on the platform, RollKall helps ensure compliance through documentation of every detail. There is clear line of sight to ensure officers arent overworked.

With MPD policies and procedures established on the platform, RollKall helps ensure compliance through documentation of every detail. There is clear line of sight to ensure officers arent overworked. Fair, Efficient Officer Scheduling: Advanced scheduling features will allow the MPD to see the details of every job, see how many hours officers are working, and ease the administrative burdens of filling and assigning offers to jobs.

Advanced scheduling features will allow the MPD to see the details of every job, see how many hours officers are working, and ease the administrative burdens of filling and assigning offers to jobs. Simple Electronic Invoicing and Payments: All fees, including city administration fees, are included in one invoice generated once the officer completes the detail, and the recipients of service have the option of paying electronically. This removes the need for cash payments.

All fees, including city administration fees, are included in one invoice generated once the officer completes the detail, and the recipients of service have the option of paying electronically. This removes the need for cash payments. Data-Driven Insights: Records of every job and job detail are kept in the platform and easy to access for reporting needs. Agencies can run officer, business and payment history reports for easy auditability.

Records of every job and job detail are kept in the platform and easy to access for reporting needs. Agencies can run officer, business and payment history reports for easy auditability. Customizable Features: RollKall's platform is customizable to the specific needs of the city and the agency, allowing them to tailor the technology to their unique requirements.

The City of Miami Police Department joins a growing list of major city law enforcement agencies across the nation that have chosen RollKall's technology to improve their operational efficiency and public safety efforts.

For more information about RollKall and its innovative law enforcement solutions, please visit www.rollkall.com.

About RollKall:

RollKall is a leading provider of law enforcement technology solutions designed to enhance officer scheduling, communication, and efficiency. The company's mission is to empower law enforcement agencies with cutting-edge tools to improve public safety and operational effectiveness. RollKall's customizable platform is trusted by agencies nationwide to streamline workflows and enhance officer performance.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920146479/en/

RollKall Contact:

Ana Mehryari

(877) 762-8467

[email protected]

Source: RollKall
79% of organizations are confident in their ransomware defenses, but only 19% are addressing the malware threat

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SpyCloud, the leader in Cybercrime Analytics, today released its 2023 Ransomware Defense Report, an annual analysis of how security leaders and practitioners view the threat of ransomware and their organizations cyber readiness.

SpyCloud researchers conducted a detailed analysis using ransomware event data from ecrime.ch and its own database of recaptured records from the criminal underground and found organizations infected with information-stealing malware, or infostealers, were more likely to suffer from a ransomware incident.

Infostealer infections preceded over one-fifth (22%) of ransomware events for North American and European ransomware victim companies in 2023  with common infostealers such as Raccoon, Vidar, and Redline increasing the probability even further. SpyClouds analysis shows that 76% of infections that preceded these ransomware events involved Raccoon infostealer malware.

Additionally, SpyCloud surveyed over 300 individuals in active cybersecurity roles at US, UK, and Canadian organizations with at least 500 employees and found that despite shifting priorities to better address ransomware, organizations are failing to address infostealer malware  a common precursor to ransomware attacks.

Ransomware is a malware problem at its core, and theres a clear pattern emerging that shows infostealer malware is directly leading to ransomware attacks, said Trevor Hilligoss, Senior Director of Security Research at SpyCloud. Organizations that fail to address malware-stolen authentication data risk more than just ransom costs, as harm to brand reputation, disruption to business operations, and resource drain can be equally or more detrimental than the ransom itself.

Organizations Know the Threat and Are Adapting

SpyCloud found that over 98% of respondents agree better visibility and automated remediation of malware-exfiltrated data would improve their ability to fight against ransomware. Organizations have shifted their approach in the past year, moving away from user awareness and training and toward technology-driven countermeasures: automating the remediation of exposed passwords and session cookies, implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA), and leveraging passwordless authentication such as passkeys.

Respondents ranked the importance of MFA much higher than in previous years, although data backup remained organizations most important perceived countermeasure to ransomware. Additionally, organizations ranked phishing and social engineering (common malware deployment methods) as the riskiest entry points.

Current Defense Efforts Are Not Working

SpyCloud found that 81% of surveyed organizations were affected at least once in the past 12 months. Affected organizations include enterprises that utilized any business resources to combat ransomware, whether through security solutions or ransom payments.

"Despite organizations' understanding of malware, security teams still lack visibility into the authentication data exposed by infections  and as such fail to consistently remediate stolen credentials and cookies as a means of preventing the account takeover and session hijacking attacks that lead to ransomware," said Hilligoss. "While MFA, automation, and passwordless technologies are important precautions, none of them are infallible."

Misaligned Priorities

Based on SpyClouds findings, detecting and addressing exposed authentication data should be the top priority for organizations looking to disrupt malicious actors. Yet only 19% of organizations said they were prioritizing improving visibility and remediation for malware-exfiltrated data.

While 79% of surveyed professionals are confident in their capabilities to prevent a ransomware attack in the next 12 months, SpyCloud found a misalignment between companies' cyber defense priorities and criminals' attack methods  which have shifted away from breached credentials to malware-stolen cookies that enable session hijacking:

Respondents ranked monitoring for compromised web session cookies and tokens as the third least important ransomware countermeasure.

Organizations rated stolen cookies as the least risky entry point .

. Automating workflows to remediate exposed passwords and cookies ranked as the bottom second and third authentication practices, respectively.

By embracing next-generation malware response practices such as Post-Infection Remediation, SecOps teams can significantly improve their ransomware prevention outcomes and move faster to close the door on attackers while minimizing the cross-team resources that full-blown incidents consume.

The 2023 Ransomware Defense Report is available for download at https://spycloud.com/resource/2023-ransomware-defense-report/.

To learn more about how SpyCloud helps organizations defend against ransomware, visit https://spycloud.com/use-case/ransomware-prevention/.

About SpyCloud

SpyCloud transforms recaptured darknet data to protect businesses from identity-based cyberattacks. Its products deliver actionable insights that allow enterprises to proactively prevent ransomware and account takeover, protect their business from consumer fraud losses, and investigate cybercrime incidents. Its unique data from breaches, malware-infected devices, and other underground sources also powers many popular dark web monitoring and identity theft protection offerings. SpyCloud customers include half of the ten largest global enterprises, mid-size companies, and government agencies, and its solutions protect over four billion accounts globally. Headquartered in Austin, TX, SpyCloud is home to nearly 200 cybersecurity experts whose mission is to make the internet safer with automated solutions that help organizations combat cybercrime. To learn more and see insights on your companys exposed data, visit spycloud.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920009749/en/

Natalie Dow

[email protected]

Source: SpyCloud
MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SRM (Strategic Resource Management), a trusted advisory firm serving financial institutions across North America and Europe, announced that financial services executive Teresa Freeborn has joined the company's International Advisory Board.

Freeborn brings executive credentials from the credit union industry to the SRM International Advisory Board. Her addition further reinforces the Memphis-based company's commitment to serving financial institutions in North America, the UK, and Europe.

"Teresa Freeborn is a leader and entrepreneur with immense knowledge of credit unions  an important segment of our client base," noted Brad Downs, SRM's Chief Executive Officer. "We're so pleased she's joined our advisory board at this moment in SRM's growth trajectory. Teresa brings significant clout and perspective to an already strong group of advisors."

Freeborn is a recognized credit union leader, serving as President of Kinecta Federal Credit Union, CEO of XCEED Credit Union, and SVP of Central One Credit Union in Canada. She has served on several credit union industry boards and committees, including CUES, the California Credit Union League, CUNA, and the World Council of Credit Unions. A strong advocate for women in the workplace, Freeborn is the author of the best-selling business book Suits and Skirts: Game On! The Battle for Corporate Power and is a sought-after public speaker.

"Having spent much of my career in leadership positions at credit unions, I recognize the important role that SRM plays in helping financial institutions operate efficiently," said Freeborn. "I'm thrilled to serve as a member of SRM's International Advisory Board and work closely with SRM's leadership team and this board of talented industry experts and innovators."

About SRM

SRM (Strategic Resource Management) has helped 1,000+ financial institutions add more than $5 billion of value to their bottom line in areas such as payments, digital transformation, core processing, artificial intelligence, digital assets, and overall operating efficiency. SRM has lowered costs, created revenue opportunities, increased productivity, and provided a competitive edge for clients in an environment of constant and accelerating change. Visit www.srmcorp.com for more information, and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter for timely and relevant insights.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920165111/en/

Media Contacts

Cristi Murray

650.339.2132 (m)

[email protected]

Media Contacts

Alex Arango

912.429.9942 (m)

[email protected]

Source: Strategic Resource Management
The data shows that progress has been made at the top levels of corporate leadership

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Standard Chartered US (the Bank) has been recognized by Seramount as a Top Company for Executive Women, which honors 75 companies that champion womens achievements, with a focus on succession planning, profit-and-loss roles, gender-pay parity, support, and flexibility programs.

I am delighted that Standard Chartered has been acknowledged as a leading employer for women in senior-level positions, said Elaine Chin, Managing Director, Corporate Affairs, Brand and Marketing at Standard Chartered Americas. This recognition reflects our commitment to advancing gender diversity in leadership roles across the Bank and fostering a work environment that is both inclusive and flexible, enabling all of our employees to thrive.

Standard Chartered is dedicated to developing and promoting policies that support employees as they balance career and family responsibilities by offering flexible work policies. In addition, the Bank also recently introduced enhanced parental leave benefits, ensuring that all new parents are entitled to 20 weeks of paid parental leave regardless of gender, relationship status, or how their new child joins their family.

Our Top Companies for Executive Women create workplace cultures where women are valued and supported, and most importantly where they can thrive, said Subha V. Barry, President of Seramount. We are thrilled to see more women at the CEO level and in the pipeline to CEO. These organizations continue to implement programs and policies that focus on womens advancement, and based on our findings, they work!

This recognition is the latest of many bestowed on Standard Chartered by Seramount, including Best Companies for Multicultural Women and Best Company for Dads. The Bank is also a Great Place to Work-Certified and Newsweek Most Loved Workplace-Certified organization.

Visit our Careers page to find out more about the many exciting career opportunities Standard Chartered Americas offers. You can also learn more about Standard Chartered Americas diversity and inclusion priorities and how the Bank delivers them here.

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the worlds most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Our history in the US dates back to 1902, and we are currently present in nine locations throughout the Americas. Our Americas franchise focuses on financial institutions and select corporations and plays a key role in facilitating trade and investment flows between the Americas and Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920113748/en/

Media:

Sammi He

Standard Chartered

[email protected]

862 448-8488

Source: Standard Chartered US
For two consecutive years, Standard Chartered is among 100 US companies

recognized for outstanding employee sentiment and satisfaction

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Standard Chartered United States (the Bank) is honored to announce that it has been recognized once again in Newsweeks Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list.

The results were determined after surveying more than 1.4 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 10,000. The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, and appreciated and are at the center of the business model. The 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces are the result of a collaboration with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company.

Im immensely proud of our team for achieving this prestigious recognition for the second consecutive year, said Steven Cranwell, Chief Executive Officer and Regional Head of Client Coverage, Standard Chartered Americas. This honor reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where engagement and dedication form the foundation of our workplace. Its an affirmation of our incredible employees who genuinely make this organization a place where passion meets purpose, diversity is ingrained, and success is celebrated.

With the dynamic workforce and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment, said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek. The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract top talent and deliver strong business outcomes.

"Attracting and retaining top talent continues to be a challenge and top priority of executive leadership said Louis Carter, CEO, Best Practice Institute. The companies on this list have committed to listening intently to their employees and then creating a better workplace where employees love to come to work.

Standard Chartered US is also named among Seramounts Best Companies for Multicultural Women and Top 75 Company for Executive Women, one of Americas 50 Most Community-Minded Companies by The Civic 50, and a Great Place to Work-Certified organization. Visit our Careers page if you are interested to learn more about a work environment where you can make an impact and advance your skills and abilities.

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the worlds most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Our history in the US dates back to 1902, and we are currently present in nine locations throughout the Americas. Our Americas franchise focuses on financial institutions and select corporations and plays a key role in facilitating trade and investment flows between the Americas and Asia, Africa, the UK and Europe and the Middle East.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Newsweek

Newsweek is the modern global digital news organization built around the iconic, over 85-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people each month with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia.

About Best Practice Institute

Best Practice Institute is an award-winning leadership and organization development center, benchmark research company, think tank, and solutions provider. BPI is the certifying body for Most Loved Workplace and conducted the original research to create the model and criteria for becoming a Most Loved Workplace. BPIs research proves that Most Loved Workplaces produce 3-4 times better customer service, employee performance, and retention than companies not loved by their employees.

For more information on how to apply to become a certified Most Loved Workplace in 2024, go to: http://www.mostlovedworkplace.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920944004/en/

Media:

Sammi He

Standard Chartered

[email protected]

+1 862 448-8488

Source: Standard Chartered
Master Franchise Agreement to develop a minimum of 100 new salons opening across India in the next 5 years

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regis Corporation (NYSE: RGS), a leader in the haircare industry, today announced that it is entering into a Master Franchise Agreement with Ravissant Style Private Limited, a corporate affiliate of Ravishing Style, LLC, an existing franchisee of Supercuts locations in the U.S., to launch the Supercuts brand in India.

With more than 2,000 locations across the U.S., Supercuts is set to enter India with a strategic Master Franchise Agreement. Through this agreement, Ravishing Style is expected to open no fewer than 100 salons within the first five years, with a vision to grow further through exclusive sub-franchising rights across Northern and Western India. This strategic collaboration heralds a transformation of the Indian salon landscape, with the goals of elevating the current customer experience in India and establishing a new and captivating standard within the salon sector.

Neeru Jain Wadhwa, CEO, and Alok Wadhwa, President of Ravishing Style, shared: "Supercuts is poised to offer a differentiated customer experience for the Indian market. Rooted in Supercuts tradition, we anticipate rolling out a comprehensive salon experience, featuring expert haircuts, masterful coloring, highlights, hair spa treatments, rejuvenating facials, nail services, professional makeup application, and exclusive Indian bridal services. Our commitment to superior quality and customer satisfaction will shine through in every service."

Matthew Doctor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regis Corporation, emphasized, "This agreement marks an important milestone in Regis Corporation's growth strategy. India, a market full of long-term growth potential, is primed to experience the first large-scale, U.S.-based salon brand in the country. We are thankful to Alok and Neeru for pioneering these efforts, which we hope will not only unlock further growth throughout India, but also set the stage for entry into other countries around the world."

"Regis remains committed to partnering with skilled operators equipped for international expansion," said Michael Ferranti, Chief People Officer of Regis. "We will continue to seek out and respond to interested parties as we look to take our established brands to more markets with growth potential."

About Regis Corporation

Regis Corporation (NYSE: RGS) is a leader in the haircare industry. As of June 30, 2023, the Company franchised or owned 4,863 locations. Regis' franchised and corporate locations operate under concepts such as Supercuts, SmartStyle, Cost Cutters, Roosters and First Choice Haircutters. For additional information about the Company, including a reconciliation of certain non-GAAP financial information and certain supplemental financial information, please visit the Investor Information section of the corporate website at www.regiscorp.com.

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include statements regarding the ability of Ravishing Style to develop, open and successfully operate salons in India. The forward-looking statements in this document reflect management's best judgment at the time they are made, but all such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the statements herein. The following factors could affect the Companys actual results and cause such results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements: the ability of Ravishing Style to develop and grow the Supercuts brand in India, the impact of the local economy and macroeconomic factors on potential employees and customers in India, the impact of compliance with local India laws and regulations on operating salons and the Companys ability to enforce the terms of the Master Franchise Agreement. Additional information concerning these and other potential factors that could affect future results is set forth under Item 1A of Form 10-K. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. However, your attention is directed to any further disclosures made in our subsequent annual and periodic reports filed or furnished with the SEC on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920890128/en/

REGIS CORPORATION:

Kersten Zupfer

[email protected]

Source: Regis Corporation
The International Insam Trade Fair will be held simultaneously

Geumsan Ginseng and Herb Development Agency and VANK submitted a petition demanding the use of "insam" as an official English term "ginseng."

GEUMSAN, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The 41st Geumsan World K-Insam Festival will take place in Geumsan from October 6 to 15, 2023, to promote the efficacy of insam (ginseng) to the world.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919214504/en/

The 41st Geumsan World K-Insam Festival Poster (Graphic: Geamsan-gun)

This festival will convey the message that insam is the best gift for people and highlight the numerous benefits of insam.

Geumsan-gun will improve its tourism infrastructure to better accommodate international visitors to the global exhibition.

During the festival, various game content, delicacies and fashion items, beauty products featured with insam will be promoted. The World Insam Food Corner will also offer innovative and nutritious recipes combining insam with representative foods from throughout the world. Limited editions of Insam-patterned souvenirs such as belts, ties, and umbrellas, will be showcased as well.

Park Beom-in, Mayor of Geumsan, said, As this year marks the first year that the Geumsan Insam Festival goes global, we will effectively introduce Geumsan Insam to the world through differentiated content. We will make every effort to prepare programs, promotions, food, convenience facilities, safety measures, etc. in order to contribute to the festival's growth into a global event."

The International Insam Trade Fair 2023 will be held with the festival, with over 30 insam production and processing companies from Geumsan-gun participating. From October 9 to 11, an export consultation will be held for invited overseas buyers. Following application acceptance, selected export buyers will be provided with airfare, accommodation, and transportation subsidies. Contact [email protected] to inquire about the application process.

Say Insam Rather than Ginseng

Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) and Geumsan Ginseng & Herb Development Agency (Agency), initiated a petition calling for the English name of the plant insam to be distinct from the all-encompassing term ginseng.

VANK and the Agency argue that the Korean name "insam" should be used for ginseng, just as the Korean name "kimchi", "tteokbokki", and "gimbap" are used for these Korean dishes. This is because ginseng has a distinct cultivation, diversity, and health benefits that are unique to Korea.

The two organizations are advocating for insam to be listed in English dictionaries separately from the currently registered term ginseng.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919214504/en/

Jin Suk Kim

+82-41-750-1671

[email protected]

Source: Geumsan Ginseng & Herb Development Agency
The German federal government and the Free State of Bavaria intend to provide IPCEI funding to drive next-generation optoelectronic semiconductor technologies from ams OSRAM in Regensburg

At an event at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on September 18, 2023, the company presented its project launched within the scope of the IPCEI ME/CT (Microelectronics and Communication Technologies)

Subject to the final notice of grants, the company expects to receive more than EUR 300 million in public funding over the next five years

The subsidies support ams OSRAMs substantial investments in future-oriented, highly innovative chip technologies at its Regensburg location

The public funding enables the creation of several hundred new high-tech jobs in Regensburg while supporting the expansion of local research, development and production

PREMSTAETTEN, Austria & MUNICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ams OSRAM (SIX: AMS), a global leader in intelligent sensors and emitters, received notice of substantial public funding by the German federal government (i.e. the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action) and the Free State of Bavaria. The funding is intended to boost the further development of semiconductor technology. The envisaged IPCEI funding (Important Project of Common European Interest) will support ams OSRAM in making its own investments in the research and development of innovative optoelectronic components at its Regensburg location.

ams OSRAM is striving to strengthen its development and manufacturing location in Regensburg for future investments. At an event at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action on September 18, 2023, the company presented its project launched within the scope of the IPCEI ME/CT (Microelectronics and Communication Technologies). With the envisaged public funding, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) emphasizes that this project is of European significance  and supports the related investments in cooperation with the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy.

The application for public subsidies of more than EUR 300 million are subject to the official notice of the grant. The amount will be mainly invested in activities for the research and development of innovative optoelectronic semiconductors and their manufacturing processes, thus creating 400 new high-tech jobs. In addition, ams OSRAM will invest in new clean room and laboratory facilities for research, development and pilot production  perfectly equipped for working on various innovative applications (e.g. UV-C LEDs for disinfection and near-infrared emitters for LiDAR for autonomous driving), as well as on fields of application in the context of Industry 4.0. Another special focus will be microLEDs for use in an all-new type of display. Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) generally play a major role in Regensburg, enabling ams OSRAM to break new ground at its production facilities. The construction of the first pilot assembly line for 8 wafer production is currently underway in order to launch the cost-efficient large-scale production of highly innovative microLEDs in the very near future.

By expanding our development activities in the field of optoelectronic semiconductors, we can create room for innovation and accelerate the time to market for our products, emphasizes Aldo Kamper, CEO of ams OSRAM. At the same time, our investment is a clear commitment to Regensburg as an industrial hub, Bavaria as a high-tech location, and Europe as a hotbed of innovation. High tech light from Regensburg belongs to the city like St. Peters Cathedral and the Old Stone Bridge. Here we create new, energy-efficient products and production processes to drive digitalization and thus support the European Green Deal and the autonomy of Europe in the field of semiconductors. In line with our future-oriented Re-Establish the Base program, we will continue to build on ams OSRAMs market-leading core competency and shape the future of the semiconductor market from this Bavarian city."

Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, stresses: ams OSRAM stands for high tech made in Regensburg. As the Bavarian state government, we deliberately participate in the financing of this IPCEI project. This is fully in line with our intention to further expand Bavaria as a top international location for the semiconductor industry. Every euro is well invested and will create new jobs in a highly innovative environment.

ams OSRAM and Regensburg: writing another chapter in our success story of innovation

ams OSRAM has already been developing high-quality semiconductors made in Regensburg for 50 years. 2,700 highly qualified employees currently work at the location. Also, thanks to IPCEI subsidies granted several years ago, Regensburg is today the most important research and production site for optoelectronic semiconductors in Europe  and ams OSRAM ranks number two worldwide in the optoelectronic semiconductor market. In the last few years, ams OSRAM has continuously expanded its research, development and production capacities and launched significant optoelectronic semiconductor innovations on the market. To mention just two of many success stories: Multi-pixel headlights for vehicles as well as the first generation of UV-C LEDs for disinfection were launched on the market. Based on the research projects, ams OSRAM has thus been able to create 500 new jobs in research, development and production by 2022.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920535489/en/

Amy Flecher

Phone: +4366488162121

[email protected]

[email protected]

ams-osram.com



Hilary McGuinness Fernholz

Phone: +4915127670184

[email protected]

Source: ams OSRAM
DETROIT--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The MolinaCares Accord (MolinaCares), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Michigan (Molina), presented a $100,000 donation to the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition (SEMPQIC) to support expanded implicit bias training for providers. The comprehensive training initiative will equip health care providers and community-based organizations with resources to address racial inequities in care that are a barrier to positive infant and maternal health outcomes among historically marginalized populations.

In Michigan, Black and Brown communities are disproportionally impacted by infant and maternal deaths. In 2021, Black infants accounted for 44% of infant deaths despite only making up about 18% of total births. Black women in Michigan are twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women. According to SEMPQICs Detroit Health Equity Dashboard, Detroit, with a 77.1% Black population, saw infant mortality rates more than double that of Michigans overall mortality rate. Yet, data show 62% of those maternal deaths overall were preventable.

We believe one of the best investments we can make in our communities is to ensure infants have a healthy start and to protect the health of their mothers, said Terrisca Des Jardins, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Michigan. We're proud to support SEMPQIC to expand implicit bias training, as part of a larger, multi-pronged approach to better support providers, hospitals, and community organizations to more equitably serve Black and Brown women and families in Detroit and Southeast Michigan.

The program will encompass in-person training, videos, webinars, and an online resource library. The implementation of cultural competency training for primary care providers will help improve patient communication, patient trust, and patient satisfaction, and will ultimately help address implicit bias and racial discrimination in care, directly leading to healthier outcomes for women and families.

The funding will also enable SEMPQIC to train providers, community organizations, and hospital associations on how to support patients through the Medicaid redetermination process to ensure all patients have continuous health care coverage.

By training providers and community leaders, we can reach thousands of new mothers and their infant children, saving precious lives right here in Southeast Michigan, said Vernice Anthony, lead consultant for SEMPQIC. By ensuring that newborns and their mothers have continuous health care coverage, we can make sure every child has access to the care they need to get the healthy start they deserve. We're very grateful for the support from MolinaCares to continue our work on behalf of infants and moms in Metro Detroit toward more equitable health and health care outcomes.

About The MolinaCares Accord

Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. The MolinaCares Accord funds such measures through The Molina Healthcare Charitable Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) established in 2020 by Molina Healthcare, Inc.

About Molina Healthcare of Michigan

Molina Healthcare of Michigan has been providing government-funded health care since 1997. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals), and Health Insurance Exchange programs throughout Michigan. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company (currently ranked 126), provides managed healthcare services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs and through the state insurance marketplaces. Molina Healthcare served approximately 5.2 million members as of June 30, 2023, located across 19 states. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Michigan, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.

About Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition

The Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Coalition, representing Oakland, Macomb and Wayne County, including the City of Detroit, is one of ten regional coalitions created by the State of Michigan.

Their mission is to reduce the disparity between Black and white adverse maternal, perinatal and infant outcomes, including infant and maternal mortality, by creating a coordinated, equitable and sustainable network for perinatal care based on best practices, evidence based and innovative community solutions that will result in system changes and improved birth outcomes for all babies born in southeast Michigan.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920386785/en/

Media Contact: Ben Jackey, [email protected], (502) 377-9484

Source: The MolinaCares Accord
 Promising data from ongoing clinical trials of neoantigen cancer vaccine TG4050 and HPV-positive cancer therapeutic vaccine TG4001 presented at key congresses in H1 2023

 Immunogenicity clinical data from ongoing trials confirm mechanism of action of Transgenes therapeutic vaccines TG4050 and TG4001

 Transgene plans to commence a randomized Phase II trial in head and neck cancer with TG4050 in 2024

 Dr. Alessandro Riva, MD, appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, as of June 1, 2023

 Extended financial visibility secured until the end of 2024 through a non-dilutive financing provided by the major shareholder Institut Merieux

Conference call scheduled today at 6 p.m. CET (in English). See details below.

STRASBOURG, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

Transgene (Euronext Paris: TNG), a biotech company that designs and develops virus-based immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer, today publishes its financial results for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023, and provides an update on its product pipeline and upcoming plans.

My first few months as CEO for Transgene have been busy and have confirmed just how much Transgene is a pioneering, innovative company, able to take advantage of the latest scientific and technological discoveries to offer potential treatments capable of changing the lives of cancer patients commented Dr. Alessandro Riva, MD, Chairman and CEO of Transgene. The results we have generated in the first half of 2023 with our therapeutic vaccines and oncolytic viruses show our strong momentum, with further important readouts expected by the end of 2024.

TG4050 has shown very promising immunological data and is a strong candidate for advancement. We are planning together with our partner NEC to start a randomized Phase II trial in 2024.

For TG4001 in the treatment of HPV-positive cancers, our current Phase II trial in combination with avelumab is ongoing. Due to the availability of new treatment options, we have seen a slowdown in patient inclusion, and are assessing all options to ensure data read out in 2024. These results will be important in informing our decision on the best path forward.

With the renewed support of our majority shareholder, Institut Merieux, we have extended our financial visibility until the end of 2024 to successfully complete these programs and deliver further important readouts on our programs.

Key events and upcoming milestones

Therapeutic cancer vaccines

TG4050: Based on strong immunological data from randomized Phase I trial, Transgene is preparing a randomized Phase II trial in head and neck cancer

New highly promising data were presented on TG4050 at AACR and ASCO 2023 (see poster here). These data show that this individualized neoantigen cancer vaccine can induce strong immune responses, which are expected to result in longer remission periods for patients.

The initial data from the randomized Phase I trial in the adjuvant treatment of head and neck cancer (NCT04183166) showed that all evaluable patients developed a robust and specific immune response against multiple cancer neoantigens (median of 9 positive responses per patient out of approximately 30 targets) after treatment with TG4050 and remained disease-free.

These T-cell responses were observed for class I and class II epitopes, consisting of both de novo responses and amplifications of preexisting responses.

These data suggest that TG4050 can boost the immune system of patients in the absence of pretreatment response and despite a challenging tumor microenvironment at the time of tumor resection.

Transgene hosted a key opinion leader (KOL) event with the participation of Professor Christian Ottensmeier, MD, PhD, FRCP (University of Liverpool, La Jolla Institute for Immunology) who highlighted the unmet medical need in head and neck cancer and the potential of a virus-based immunotherapy such as TG4050.

The last patient has been randomized in the head and neck cancer Phase I study. Transgene and its partner NEC plan to report updated data in H1 2024.

Transgene and NEC intend to start a randomized Phase II trial in the adjuvant setting of head and neck cancer in 2024.

TG4001: Immunological data presented at the ASCO 2023 conference

Promising results from the previous Phase I/II trial evaluating TG4001 in combination with an immune checkpoint inhibitor were published in the September 2023 issue of the European Journal of Cancer (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2023.112981). This study showed that TG4001 in combination with avelumab is safe and demonstrated antitumor activity in heavily pretreated HPV16+ cancer patients. It also served as the basis for the ongoing randomized Phase II trial.

Transgenes ongoing randomized Phase II trial evaluating TG4001 in HPV-positive anogenital cancers is currently enrolling patients. This study compares TG4001 in combination with avelumab vs. avelumab alone (NCT03260023).

New immunological data from TG4001 were presented in a poster at ASCO (see poster here).

Key updates on the Phase II trial include:

The immunological data confirm that TG4001 can induce de novo immune responses against HPV16 antigens E6 and E7 in patients with advanced HPV16-positive anogenital cancers. Patients with complete objective response showed strong vaccine-induced immunoreactivity.

Over recent months, Transgene has seen a slowdown of patient inclusions in this study following the availability of new treatments options, in particular in cervical cancer. Transgene is assessing all options to ensure data read out in 2024 from the trial as previously communicated.

Despite the recent availability of new treatment options, there remains a strong medical need in HPV-positive cancers, including cervical cancer. Based on the compelling data generated by TG4001 and the evolving treatment landscape, Transgene is currently in discussion with key stakeholders to define the optimal path forward to continue its development in the most appropriate target patient population.

Oncolytic Viruses

Clinical data presented at AACR 2023 confirmed the mechanism of action and the safety of our Invir.IO based oncolytic viruses, which offer a key competitive advantage with the ability to be administered intravenously. These findings support the potential of Invir.IO-based oncolytic viruses, which have possible applications in a broad range of solid tumors, via intravenous, locoregional and intratumoral administration.

BT-001: Positive single agent data  Part B of the Phase I trial (combination with pembrolizumab) to start in H2 2023

Transgene and partner BioInvent have communicated positive data from Part A (monotherapy) of the ongoing Phase I trial in May 2023 (NCT04725331). Out of 18 patients who received escalating doses of BT-001, two showed a decrease of injected lesion size of 50% or more, and eleven had a stabilization of the injected lesion. No safety concerns were reported.

Part B of the Phase I trial in combination with pembrolizumab (KEYTRUDA) will include patients in H2 2023. KEYTRUDA is provided by MSD (Merck & Co).

TG6050: First patient treated with novel Invir.IO candidate designed to express IL-12 and anti-CTLA4 antibody and administered intravenously

In May 2023, a first patient was dosed with TG6050, a novel oncolytic virus from the Invir.IO platform. This innovative candidate has been designed to express human IL-12, a cytokine known to trigger a potent antitumor immune response, and an anti-CTLA4 antibody. The Phase I Delivir trial (NCT05788926) is evaluating TG6050 in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who have failed standard therapeutic options. Completion of the trial is expected in H2 2024.

As announced on May 5, 2023, AstraZeneca terminated its oncolytic virus research and development collaboration with Transgene following a strategic review of its pipeline.

New leadership structure appointed to accelerate the development of Transgenes innovative immunotherapy portfolio

On May 5, 2023, Transgene announced its Board of Directors decision to appoint Dr. Alessandro Riva, MD, as the Companys new Chairman and CEO. Alessandro Riva, who started as new CEO on June 1, 2023, has been the Chairman of the Companys Board of Directors since May 2022. Dr. Riva has an outstanding track record in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, with responsibility for the approval of personalized oncology treatments in the US and in Europe, in particular CAR-T cell therapies.

In addition, on May 5, 2023, the Combined General Meeting adopted all resolutions recommended by the Board of Directors, including the appointment of Carol Stuckley, MBA, as an independent Director of the Company. Carol Stuckley brings more than 35 years of experience as a strategic and international financial executive, with proven success leading finance teams and creating shareholder value for healthcare companies. Hedi Ben Brahim resigned from the Board of Directors on September 19, 2023.

In March 2023, Transgene appointed Dr. John C. Bell and Dr. Pedro Romero, key opinion leaders in cancer immunotherapy, as key scientific advisors. John C. Bell is an internationally renowned expert in using oncolytic viruses. Pedro Romero is an honorary professor at the University of Lausanne, focusing on tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy, particularly on the biology and dynamics of cytolytic CD8 T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. He has also been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal for ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.

Key financial elements

The Board of Directors of Transgene met on September 20, 2023, and approved the financial statements for the six-month period ended June 30, 2023. The Statutory Auditors have conducted a limited review of the interim consolidated financial statements.

The half-year financial report is available on Transgenes website, www.transgene.fr.

Key elements of the income statement

(in thousands of euros) June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 Operating income 4,763 6,087 Research and development expenses (15,569) (16,974) General and administrative expenses (3,251) (3,944) Other expenses (1,276) (4) Operating expenses (20,096) (20,922) Operating income/(loss) (15,333) (14,835) Financial income/(loss) (569) (444) Net income/(loss) (15,902) (15,279)

Operating income amounted to 4.8 million for the first six months of 2023 compared to 6.1 million for the same period in 2022.

Revenue from research and development collaboration amounted to 1.2 million in the first half of 2023, compared to 2.3 million in the first half of 2022. It came mainly from the collaboration with AstraZeneca. In the first half of 2023, AstraZeneca informed Transgene of its decision to end the collaboration.

The research tax credit amounted to 3.5 million for the first half of 2023, compared to 3.7 million for the first half of 2022.

Research and Development (R&D) expenses amounted to 15.6 million in the first half of 2023 compared to 17.0 million for the same period in 2022.

General and administrative expenses amounted to 3.3 million for the first half of 2023 compared to 3.9 million for the same period in 2022.

Financial income is a loss of 0.6 million in the first half of 2023 compared to a loss of 0.4 million for the same period in 2022.

Net loss amounted to 15.9 million for the first half of 2023 compared to a loss of 15.3 million for the same period in 2022.

Transgenes cash burn amounted to 19.5 million in the first half of 2023 compared with 6.8 million for the same period in 2022.

As of June 30, 2023, the Companys cash, cash equivalents and other financial assets amounted to 7.3 million (26.8 million as of December 31, 2022).

During the reporting period, the Company reached an agreement for the sale of its remaining shares held in Tasly BioPharmaceuticals for a total amount of US$15.3 million (14 million). The transaction was closed in July 2023 upon receipt of the funds.

Financial visibility extended until the end of 2024

On September 20, 2023, the Company signed a current account advance agreement with Institut Merieux (TSGH) for a maximum of 36 million. This non-dilutive credit facility extends Transgenes financial visibility until the end of 2024, enabling the Company to deliver significant news flow on its portfolio in the next 12 months.

The credit facility will have a 24-month term and Transgene will be able to draw on and repay the facility at its discretion.

A conference call in English is scheduled today, on September 20, 2023, at 6 p.m. CET / 12 p.m. EST.

Webcast link to English language conference call:

https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/transgene/20230920_1/

Participant telephone numbers:

France: +33 (0) 1 70 37 71 66 United Kingdom: +44 (0) 33 0551 0200 United States: +1 786 697 3501 Confirmation code: Transgene

A replay will be available on the Transgene website (www.transgene.fr) following the live event.

***

About Transgene

Transgene (Euronext: TNG) is a biotechnology company focused on designing and developing targeted immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. Transgenes programs utilize viral vector technology with the goal of indirectly or directly killing cancer cells.

The Companys clinical-stage programs consist of a portfolio of therapeutic vaccines and oncolytic viruses:

TG4050, the first individualized therapeutic vaccine based on the myvac platform, TG4001 for the treatment of HPV-positive cancers, as well as BT-001 and TG6050, two oncolytic viruses based on the Invir.IO viral backbone.

With Transgenes myvac platform, therapeutic vaccination enters the field of precision medicine with a novel immunotherapy that is fully tailored to each individual. The myvac approach allows the generation of a virus-based immunotherapy that encodes patient-specific mutations identified and selected by Artificial Intelligence capabilities provided by its partner NEC.

With its proprietary platform Invir.IO, Transgene is building on its viral vector engineering expertise to design a new generation of multifunctional oncolytic viruses.

Additional information about Transgene is available at: www.transgene.fr

Follow us on Twitter: @TransgeneSA

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The occurrence of any of these risks could have a significant negative outcome for the Companys activities, perspectives, financial situation, results, regulatory authorities agreement with development phases, and development. The Companys ability to commercialize its products depends on but is not limited to the following factors: positive pre-clinical data may not be predictive of human clinical results, the success of clinical studies, the ability to obtain financing and/or partnerships for product manufacturing, development and commercialization, and marketing approval by government regulatory authorities. For a discussion of risks and uncertainties which could cause the Companys actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the Risk Factors (Facteurs de Risque) section of the Universal Registration Document, available on the AMF website (http://www.amf-france.org) or on Transgenes website (www.transgene.fr). Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and Transgene undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920984957/en/

Transgene:

Lucie Larguier

Director Corporate Communications & IR

+33 (0)3 88 27 91 04

[email protected]

Media: MEDiSTRAVA Consulting

Frazer Hall/Sylvie Berrebi

+44 (0)203 928 6900

[email protected]

Source: Transgene
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Upstream Life Insurance Company (the Company) announced that they have entered into an agreement under which the Company may cede up to $300 million of fixed annuity statutory reserves to Antarctica Capital.

The reinsured block may consist of certain durations of the Companys Secure Legacy MYGA statutory reserves over the 2023 and 2024 issue years. The transaction is expected to improve the Companys capital position, including increases to free cash flow and RBC coverage.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of any securities that may be referred to in this press release in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction.

About Upstream Life Insurance Company

Upstream Life Insurance Company is a rapidly growing life insurance company headquartered in Oxford, MS. The Company provides best in class life insurance, annuity and retirement solutions to retirees in the U.S. Upstream Life is nationally licensed and exceeds in designing and developing in-demand annuity products that are distributed through independent distribution channels. For more information visit https://upstreamlife.us/.

About Antarctica Capital

Antarctica Capital is an international investment firm headquartered in New York with assets under management of approximately $1.5 billion as of December 31, 2022. Antarctica Capital is a registered investment advisor and is dedicated to investments in private markets and real assets and the establishment of long-term capital vehicles to leverage this investment focus. Antarctica Capital's investment approach is active ownership with an inherent focus on sustainability and providing more than capital to develop companies. The firm has an absolute return focus, which leads the firm to rigorously evaluate and build conviction around idiosyncratic investment opportunities and build value through the implementation of its investment strategies, such as SIGA, SARO and SEREY. For more information visit https://antarcticacapital.com/.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements included herein contain certain forward-looking statements which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking words such as outlook, believes, expects, potential, continues, may, will, should, seeks, approximately, predicts, intends, plans, estimates, anticipates or negative versions of those words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate to historical or factual matters. The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including but not limited to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic's impact on the U.S. and global economy, as well as those described from time to time in our filings with the NAIC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230918040357/en/

Upstream Life Insurance Company

877-543-3504

Source: Upstream Life Insurance Company
New Hires and Additional Classroom Space Support Growing Law School

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Western State College of Law at Westcliff University, the oldest law school in Orange County, California, is proud to announce the completion of several construction projects; as well as five new hiresincluding three new full-time faculty members and two visiting professors, and an incoming fall class of more than 100 first-year law students.

Western State has experienced exponential growth over the last few years, and we are excited to welcome new professors and full-time faculty members, as well as showcase our state-of-the-art classroom and collaboration spaces designed to better accommodate and provide new resources for our constantly growing student body, said Dean Marisa Cianciarulo.

The fall class of 2023 will be the first incoming class to benefit from the recent construction which includes five new classroom spaces and several additional study rooms, as well as offices for new staff and faculty members, including full-time faculty Stacey Kim-Jackson, Sabrina Rivera and Robert Somers and visiting faculty Cassandra Mellas and Kirsten Pescetti.

Stacey Kim-Jackson is dedicated to supporting law students through their academic journey. She has created first-year skills courses and assisted at-risk students with tailored curricula. Her previous experience includes teaching international law and California bar subjects.

is dedicated to supporting law students through their academic journey. She has created first-year skills courses and assisted at-risk students with tailored curricula. Her previous experience includes teaching international law and California bar subjects. Sabrina Rivera , a dedicated advocate for immigrant rights, returns to Western State as a tenure-track faculty member and director of the new Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic set to launch in spring 2024. Professor Rivera's profound knowledge of immigration law, including deportation defense, asylum and refugee law, and humanitarian relief programs, will benefit students seeking to make a positive impact on immigrants' lives.

, a dedicated advocate for immigrant rights, returns to Western State as a tenure-track faculty member and director of the new Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic set to launch in spring 2024. Professor Rivera's profound knowledge of immigration law, including deportation defense, asylum and refugee law, and humanitarian relief programs, will benefit students seeking to make a positive impact on immigrants' lives. Robert Somers returns as a full-time faculty member teaching Legal Writing and Research I & II. With extensive experience in family law and estate planning practice, he previously taught various law courses at Western State College of Law and Whittier Law School from 2003 to 2016. Professor Somers also brings several years of appellate law expertise, having practiced full-time from 2016 to 2023.

returns as a full-time faculty member teaching Legal Writing and Research I & II. With extensive experience in family law and estate planning practice, he previously taught various law courses at Western State College of Law and Whittier Law School from 2003 to 2016. Professor Somers also brings several years of appellate law expertise, having practiced full-time from 2016 to 2023. Cassandra Mellas, a Western State alumna, joins the law school as a visiting professor of law, teaching Professional Responsibility, Contracts 1 & 2, Sales (Art II, UCC) and Criminal Procedure. Prior to teaching, Professor Mellas worked in criminal defense and victims rights representation across several Southern California counties. Since 2019, she has aided numerous post-grad students in improving their organizational and essay writing skills for the California bar exam and has served as a bar exam grader.

a Western State alumna, joins the law school as a visiting professor of law, teaching Professional Responsibility, Contracts 1 & 2, Sales (Art II, UCC) and Criminal Procedure. Prior to teaching, Professor Mellas worked in criminal defense and victims rights representation across several Southern California counties. Since 2019, she has aided numerous post-grad students in improving their organizational and essay writing skills for the California bar exam and has served as a bar exam grader. Kirsten Pescetti, an alumna, now serves as a full-time faculty member teaching Introduction to Legal Methods. She previously worked as an adjunct faculty member assisting recent graduates in bar exam preparation. Before entering academia, Professor Pescetti gained experience as a law and motion writer, focusing on real estate dispute resolution and title and insurance fraud at civil litigation firms.

Western State has experienced significant growth with these impressive new hires and its recent physical expansion, and we couldnt be more thrilled to welcome another promising 1L class to our growing institution, notes Michael Chen, assistant dean of admissions. The wide variety of perspectives and diverse backgrounds in every incoming class truly benefits our student body, as it provides individuals with a broader range of viewpoints to enhance their academic journey.

Western State's first-year students are composed of 111 full-time and part-time learners, reflecting the institution's dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The incoming class showcases a broad mix of age groups, gender identities and academic backgrounds. Notably, a significant portion of students are the first in their families to attend college, underscoring Western State's commitment to expanding opportunities. Additionally, the class includes military veterans and international students, enhancing the global perspective within the student body.

To learn more about Western State College of Law, visit www.wsulaw.edu.

About Western State College of Law: Western State College of Law at Westcliff University is an established institution with a more than 50-year track record of success and a reputation for producing both successful trial lawyers and more than 150 graduates who have been elevated to the bench. It offers subspecialties within the J.D. program to allow every student to find their niche and develop a unique skillset. Western State was acquired in 2019 by Westcliff University, a private university in Irvine, Calif. offering bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees. Since the acquisition, Western State has benefited from Westcliffs ability to swiftly respond to market needs by developing innovative specialty programs in real-time. Together, the schools are now fully integrated and committed to providing advanced higher education opportunities to students both globally and nationally. Visit www.wsulaw.edu to learn more or follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Editors Note: Media interested in speaking to expert staff, faculty and leadership at Western State should email [email protected] to facilitate interviews.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920268057/en/

Leslie Licano, Beyond Fifteen Communications, Inc.

[email protected] |(949) 733-8679 ext. 101

Source: Western State College of Law at Westcliff University
Ford (NYSE: F) secured a last-minute agreement to prevent a strike at its Canadian facilities on Tuesday night, just as the United Auto Workers union was gearing up for the possibility of extending its strikes against the Detroit Three automakers in the United States.

Unifor, the union representing approximately 5,600 Canadian automotive workers, had issued a strike threat for all three of Ford's Canadian plants unless an agreement was reached by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday

"We leveraged our union's most powerful weapon: the right to strike," Unifor said in a statement. "The gains achieved were hard fought for over weeks of negotiation."

Unifor sought to improve wages and pension packages for its members. The union also sought support in the transition to electric vehicles, and increased investment commitments from Ford.

The Canadian union will now focus on negotiating agreements with General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA), the parent company of Chrysler, as their deadlines had been extended while the Ford negotiations were ongoing.

Unifor's negotiations with the Detroit Three automakers in Canada are separate from the coordinated action by the UAW in the United States, which resulted in approximately 12,700 workers going on strike last week, affecting one assembly plant at each of these companies.

The U.S. strikes, which have now entered their sixth day, have resulted in a halt in production at facilities in Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri, where vehicles such as the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, and Chevrolet Colorado, among other popular models, are manufactured.

Shares of F are up 0.23% in mid-day trading Wednesday.

By Michael Elkins | [email protected]
Investing.com -- A United Auto Workers strike against the so-called Detroit Three carmakers are heading into their sixth day, with the union warning that it will expand the scope of the labor actions on Friday if no progress is made in talks over pay hikes and compensation.

Ford (NYSE : F), Jeep-maker Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) and General Motors (NYSE: GM) have all said they want to settle the walkouts.

Stellantis's North American Chief Operating Officer, Mark Stewart, flagged to CNBC that the firm is still searching for common ground with the UAW. But Stewart said he was hopeful "that we're able to do that" by Friday.

GM also noted in a statement that it is continuing to bargain "in good faith" with the union in order to reach an agreement as soon as possible, while a Ford spokesperson told the Associated Press that negotiations were ongoing.

As of Tuesday, some 12,700 of the UAW's 150,000 members who are employed by the three auto manufacturers are on strike, according to Reuters.

Analysts at Barclays predicted earlier this week that the next wave of potential strikes could impact the companies' profitable large truck plants. However, the analysts said that the businesses appear to be prepared for this situation "given [their] robust ingoing inventory."
Burnaby, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Burnaby, B.C. September 20, 2023 - This week, the British Columbia Institute of Technology(BCIT) announced a milestone of $33 million in funding towards a new state-of-the-art Trades and Technology Complex. The Trades and Technology Complex will increase access for students pursuing a trades and technology education and career, which will help the Province of BC meet the demand for an estimated 85,000 new trades jobs expected over the next 10 years. Contributions from over 45 organizations and individuals towards the construction of the Trades and Technology Complex demonstrates the incredible connectivity and collaboration between BCIT and industry.

The $220 million Trades and Technology Complex will provide an adaptive, innovative, and flexible learning environment through leading-edge, energy-efficient, sustainable design. The Complex will have capacity for 700 new full-time student spots annually, alleviating waitlists, and delivering the trades training needed to meet the labour needs of the province. The Complex will serve as a living lab where students from different disciplinessuch as engineering, architecture and construction  interact, collaborate, and undertake projects together.

The Trades and Technology Complex will allow BCIT to offer significantly more in-person training and increase delivery of immersive training for specialized areas, including mass timber construction and net-zero buildings. It will also increase capacity for designing and delivering effective online training through simulation labs and sophisticated technology-enabled classrooms. Through the Complex, BCIT will continue to champion equitable and accessible trades education for all students, prioritizing inclusive learning environments.

Key spaces within the Complex will include the Concert Properties Centre for Trades and Technology, the Robert Bosa Carpentry Pavilion, and the Marine and Mass Timber Workshop. Features for advancing education through the Trades and Technology Complex will include:

Four covered work yards

Simulation-based learning areas

Cross-disciplinary sim labs for trades and technology collaboration

Power engineering sim labKongsberg system

Welding simulation lab

Industrial network sim labindustry partnership space

Media centre labfor remote/ online/ narrowcasting education delivery

Maker space

Classrooms, student commons, demonstration, observation, auxiliary and atrium spaces

More than 45 BC industry leaders and individuals across a range of sectors, including development, electrical, engineering, mining and forestry, have contributed funds through BCITs INSPIRE Campaign, the largest fundraising campaign in the Institutes history. Donors include organizations such as Concert Properties, Bosa Construction, Wesgroup, Wheaton Precious Metals, Polygon Homes and more. Donor participation in this project has included financial support as well as involvement in the development of programming to directly meet industry needs.

The INSPIRE Campaign aims to raise a total of $125 million in private-sector contributions, which, together with Government of BC funding, supports the long-term redevelopment plan for the BCIT Burnaby Campus valued at over $680 million.

The generosity and support of donors has made this incredible project possible and ensured continued strength in BCITs unique offering, commented BCIT President Dr. Jeff Zabudsky. As the only BC post-secondary with a provincial mandate for strategic workforce development, BCIT connects education, industry, and government in support of building an agile workforce with sustained and meaningful impact to meet the labour market needs of today and tomorrow.

The BCIT curriculum is developed in close consultation with industry, and delivered by faculty with direct, hands-on experience in their fields, said Dean of the BCIT School of Construction and the Environment Dr. Guido Wimmers. The BCIT INSPIRE Campaign will allow us to continue to lead in providing applied learning opportunities. BCIT students learn through practical experience in unique environments that integrate real-world settings, equipment, and technology from the workplace. These include state-of-the-art classrooms, shops, labs, simulators, broadcast studios, green roofs, energy grids, forests, and waterways.

David Podmore is the INSPIRE Campaign Chair and Co-Founder and Chair of Concert Properties, the largest donor involved in the milestone funding. I so appreciate the community that has supported this initiative and stepped up with meaningful donations, Podmore said. BCIT is the largest provider of trades training programs in Western Canada. The collaborative approach BCIT has adopted with industry, and with Concert Properties, is not only pivotal for student success but engages with partners and donors to make a meaningful impact. By providing students with valuable insights and cutting-edge technology, all of our partners are working together to ensure learners are set for success whatever their chosen trade and career path, he added.

For more information about BCITs Trade and Technology Complex, visit https://www.bcit.ca/inspire/priorities/campus-redevelopment/trades-technology-complex/, and for more information about BCITs INSPIRE Campaign, visit https://www.bcit.ca/inspire/.

List of donors involved in the announcement: Concert PropertiesBosa ConstructionTeckAES EngineeringAllwest Electric Ltd.Anthem Properties Group Ltd.Binational Softwood Lumber CouncilBinnieBosa DevelopmentBridge Electric CorporationCanforChard Development Ltd.CIMS Ltd.EllisDon CorporationFinning CanadaFortisBCGraham TraffordHampton LumberIdeal Welders Ltd.InterforKeith Panel SystemsKlohn Crippen Berger Ltd.Lark GroupMcElhanneyMosaic Forest ManagementMott Electric GPPaper ExcellencePCI DevelopmentsPCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.Peter Kiewit Sons ULCPetersonPolygon HomesRDH Building Science Inc.Senez Consulting Ltd.The Jack and Darlene Poole FoundationTolkoToro Aluminum Group of CompaniesTownline HomesWesgroup PropertiesWest FraserWheaton Precious Metals

Attachments

For press enquiries, contact Kayla Moyes by email [email protected] or by mobile, 250-218-9276

BCIT Announces $33 Million in Funding for New Trades and Technology Complex Showcasing Industry Support and Demand for Grads BCIT Announces $33 Million in Funding for New Trades and Technology Complex Showcasing Industry Support and Demand for Grads

Source: British Columbia Institute of Technology
A meeting of the foreign ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan is expected to take place on outskirts of Beijing on Aug. 21, Japan's NHK reported Wednesday.

The purpose of the meeting is to prepare for a three-way summit and discuss issues like North Korea's recent missile launches.

The last time Kang Kyung-wha, Wang Yi and Taro Kono met was at the ASEAN Regional Forum in Bangkok earlier this month.

Cheong Wa Dae earlier said that negotiations are underway to schedule a three-way summit sometime this year, but relations between South Korea and Japan are at their lowest ebb in decades. Their two foreign ministers will also sit down together separately to discuss the escalating spat between them.

"South Korea and Japan in principle agree that dialogue needs to continue," an official at the South Korean Foreign Ministry said.


Global Infrastructure Services Leader Remains Committed to Long-Term Growth, a Customer-Centric Culture and a Reputation for Safety and Innovation

ATLANTA, Georgia, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BrandSafway, a leading provider of access and specialty services to industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets, has appointed Abu Zeya as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective Oct. 2, reporting to President and CEO Karl Fessenden. In this role, Zeya will continue to drive value creation, top-line growth, market expansion and productivity. BrandSafway Interim CFO Evan Levitt will return to retirement next month as Abu Zeya assumes the CFO position.



Abu has an established track record in providing strategic financial planning and operational excellence on the executive level, while working proactively and collaboratively with our internal partners, said Fessenden. He demonstrated incredible leadership and insight during this years refinancing, while building a reputation as a business enabler and demonstrating an unwavering commitment to compliance and ethics. We are all grateful to Evan for his stewardship over the past six months and wish him the very best in his retirement.



Zeya joined BrandSafway in 2021 serving as VP, Global Financial Planning & Analysis. Prior to joining the company, he spent nearly 20 years at Halliburton in financial leadership positions, including Senior Director of Investor Relations and Finance Director, Middle East. He holds a bachelors degree from University of Houston, an MBA from Texas A&M University and completed the Advanced Management Program at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.



I hold the highest regard for Evan and the Finance team, and Im honored to step into the CFO role, said Zeya. There is so much opportunity to continue our trajectory of growth and value creation, while maximizing our diversified business model. Im excited for this next chapter and the opportunities we are creating to serve our customers, as we continue to develop innovative solutions that have a significant impact on our global infrastructure.





About BrandSafway

With a commitment to safety as its foremost value, BrandSafway provides the broadest range of solutions with the greatest depth of expertise to the industrial, commercial and infrastructure markets. Through a network of 360 strategic locations across 27 countries and more than 40,000 employees, BrandSafway delivers a full range of forming, shoring, scaffolding, work access and industrial service solutions. BrandSafway supports maintenance and refurbishment projects as well as new construction and expansion plans with unmatched service from expert local labor and management. Today's BrandSafway is At Work For You leveraging innovation and economies of scale to increase safety and productivity, while remaining nimble and responsive.

For more information about BrandSafway, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn.

###

Attachment
Video Archives Now Available: Bruce Carnegie-Brown, Chair of Lloyds of London one-on-one interview with host Ketan Patel, Force For Good feature.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Via ESG News) ESG News releases Lloyds of London, Chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown one-on-one interview with Force for Good Host and Chairman Ketan Patel, live from London, England.

Highlights - Bruce speaks to Force For Good About:

The global risks facing the world, transcending national boundaries.

The challenges to capitalism

Why capitalism is a powerful and much needed force for addressing the issues and how Lloyds plays as a participant.

Resilience as a solution to the SDG gap

How Lloyds of London approaches risk as a truly global player across the world, between the Global North and South

Why Bruce Carnegie-Brown is an optimist.

Watch full video: One-on-One Interview

Event DetailsShow: Force For GoodGuests: Bruce Carnegie-Brown, Chairman, Lloyds of LondonHost: Ketan PatelOriginal Release Dates: April, 18 2023Location: London, EnglandNetwork: ESG NewsProducer: Matt BirdYouTube: Archive

About Bruce Carnegie-Brown

Bruce Carnegie-Brown was appointed Chairman in June 2017. He is currently also Vice-Chairman of Banco Santander, Chairman of the MCC, Chair of the Leadership Council of TheCityUK and Chairman of Cuvva, a digital motor insurance business.

He was a Non-Executive Director of JLT Group plc from 2016 to 2017, prior to which he was Non-Executive Chairman of Aon UK Ltd from 2012 to 2015, Senior Independent Director of Catlin Group Ltd from 2010 to 2014 and Chief Executive for Marsh UK and Europe from 2003 to 2006. He was Chairman of Moneysupermarket Group from 2014 to 2019 and Senior Independent Director of Close Brothers Group plc from 2006 to 2014 and is a Past President of the Chartered Management Institute.

He previously worked at JP Morgan for 18 years in a number of senior roles and was Managing Partner of 3i Group plc's Quoted Private Equity Division from 2007 to 2009.

About Ketan PatelChair of the Force for Good Platform and Initiative; CEO and Founder, Greater Pacific Capital; Formerly Goldman Sachs, Head of Strategic Group; Formerly Partner KPMG; Author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005)

Ketan established the Force for Good Initiative, leading its outreach and research and co-authored its inaugural report, Capital as a Force for Good, in December 2020, which examined 63 leading global financial institutions and engaged 30 as active participants, establishing the industrys efforts to impact the world for good.

He was formerly a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and headed the Goldman Sachs Strategic Group. He has worked extensively in the US, Europe, China, Japan and India, providing strategic counsel to the banks leading corporate, investing and government client leaders.

Ketan co-founded and leads the investment firm, Greater Pacific Capital (GPC), which invests in high growth enterprises making an impact locally and internationally, profitably and sustainably.

He also leads GPCs research work, which focuses on peace, prosperity and freedom, including the rise and fall of civilisations, great power, the changing world order and the shape of the world to come, sustainability, mass inclusion and the eradication of slums.

Ketan is a fellow, trustee and board member of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and worked with the UNWAAS Global Leadership Initiative, leading the future of finance initiative. He currently chairs the WAAS Global Referendum initiative.

He is a member of the working group of the UN SDSN Senior Working Group on Joint Implementation of EGD and SDGs and also the Lancet Commission COVID 19 Green Recovery Task Force focused on Sustainable Finance.

Ketan is the author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005).

He grew up in London and India and studied Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is an MBA and ACMA.

For more information about being a guest, sponsorship or attending a live event please contact us

CONTACTS:Guest Bookings[email protected]

View Original Article: https://esgnews.com/bruce-carnegie-brown-chairman-of-lloyds-of-london-interview-with-ketan-patel-force-for-good/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e369314-fddd-4dcc-a624-8fb417be7b32

Bruce Carnegie-Brown Chairman of Lloyds of London Bruce Carnegie-Brown Chairman of Lloyds of London

Source: ESG News
SPRUCE GROVE, Alberta, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The families of innocent victims killed in impaired driving crashes will come together on Saturday for a special Ceremony of Hope and Dedication at MADD Canadas Alberta Memorial Monument.

The beautiful Monument, located at the Parkland RCMP Detachment in Spruce Grove, is etched with the names of 66 people who died as a result of someones choice to drive impaired by alcohol or drugs, including five new names added this year.

Media are invited to attend the Alberta Memorial Monument Ceremony:

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023 Time: 1 p.m. Location: Parkland RCMP Headquarters, 91 Campsite Road, Spruce Grove, Alberta Guest Speakers: Spruce Grove Mayor Jeff Acker Edmonton Police Service Deputy Chief Warren Driechel Calgary Police Service Inspector Curtis Olson RCMP Staff Sergeant Don Murray MADD Parkland Chapter President Brenda Johnson

Our Alberta Memorial Monument is a powerful way to honour the innocent lives lost as a result of impaired driving, and to support their families and friends, said MADD Canada Western Region Victim Services Manager Gillian Phillips. We also hope it serves as inspiration and motivation to all who see it to do their part to prevent impaired driving, so that other people never have to face this devastating and senseless tragedy.

MADD Canada has provincial Memorial Monuments in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario. We are working towards establishing similar monuments in British Columbia and Prince Edward Island.

To RSVP or for more information, please contact: Gillian Phillips, MADD Canada Victim Services Manager, 1-866-461-4077 or [email protected] Deb Kelly, MADD Canada Communications Manager, 1-800-665-6233, ext 240 or [email protected]

Source: MADD Canada






PRESS RELEASE

First-half financial information at June 30, 2023

IFRS - Regulated information - Audited

Cegedim: Revenue and earnings both up in the first half of 2023

Revenue of 301.0 million and like-for-like growth of 12.1%

and like-for-like growth of 12.1% Recurring operating income (1) up 57% to 10.7 million

up 57% to EBITDA up 17.2% to 48.8 million

Boulogne-Billancourt, France, September 20, 2023, after the market close

Cegedim generated consolidated H1 2023 revenues of 301.0 million in 2023, an increase of 12.5% as reported, and operating income of 9.3 million, a 6.8 million increase.

H1 2023 H1 2022 Change in m in % in m in % in m in % Revenue 301.0 100.00% 267.6 100.00% 33.4 12.5% EBITDA(1) 48.8 +16.2% 41.7 15.6% 7.1 17.2% Depreciation & amortization -38.1 -12.7% -34.8 -13.0% -3.3 -9.4% Recurring operating income(1) 10.7 3.6% 6.8 2.5% 3.9 57.0% Other non-recurring operating income and expenses(1) -1.4 -0.5% -4.4 -1.6% 3.0 68.5% Operating income 9.3 3.1% 2.5 0.9% 6.8 272.6% Financial result -5.6 -1.9% -4.4 -1.7% -1.2 -25.7% Total tax -12.4 -4.1% -3.5 -1.3% -8.9 -255.2% Share of net profit (loss) of equity method companies -0.5 -0.2% -0.7 -0.2% 0.2 21.5% Consolidated net profit -9.2 -3.1% -6.1 -2.3% -3.1 -50.1% Non-controlling interests -0.4 -0.1% -1.3 -0.5% 0.9 66.3% Group share -8.8 -2.9% -4.9 -1.8% -3.9 -80.4% Recurring earnings per share(1) (in euros) -0.6 - -0.4 - Earnings per share (in euros) -0.6 - -0.4 -

Consolidated revenues: rose 33.4 million, or +12.5%, to 301.0 million in H1 2023 compared with 267.6 million in 2022. The positive scope effect of 1.7 million, or 0.7%, was attributable to the first-time consolidation in Cegedims accounts of new acquisitions Kobus Tech, MesDocteurs, Laponi, Sedia, and Clinityx. The negative currency impact of was 0.7 million, or 0.3%.

Like-for-like(1) revenue increased 12.1% over the period.

Recurring operating income(1): rose 3.9 million to 10.7 million in H1 2023 compared with 6.8 million in 2022. It amounted to 3.6% of 2023 revenue compared with 2.5% in 2022. The increase was chiefly the result of improved earnings at Cegedim Sante and businesses in the UK (catering to both healthcare professionals and insurers), as well as strong performances in human resources, data, and marketing activities.

Other non-recurring operating income and expenses(1): the first-half 2023 figure came to an expense of 1.4 million, compared with a 4.4 million expense in the year-earlier period, and comprised restructuring costs.

-------------

(1) Alternative performance indicator See pages 110-111 of the 2022 Universal Registration Document.

(2) At constant scope and exchange rates.

Depreciation and amortization expenses: this item rose 3.3 million including a 1.4 million increase in R&D amortization compared with 2022.

EBITDA(1): the 7.2 million increase between first half 2023 and first half 2022 was a result of revenue growth and good management of personnel costs.

Financial result: was a loss of -5.6 million compared with a -4.4 million loss in H1 2022. Most of the expense was related to the cost of debt, which increased 1.5 million over the period.

Tax: tax increased 8.9 million in the first half of 2023 compared with the year-earlier period, notably due to the recognition of a deferred tax expense of 9.5 million during the period. This entry, which had no cash impact, was done to adjust the value of deferred tax assets on the balance sheet. In response to a tax ruling in July 2023, the Group opted for a more conservative assessment of the unrealized future gains from its remaining tax-loss carryforwards (see Highlights section below).

Analysis of business trends by division

in millions of euros Total Software & services Flow Data & Marketing BPO Corporate and others Revenue 2022 267.6 145.6 45.2 50.0 25.4 1.3 2023 301.0 161.5 48.2 54.9 32.8 3.5 Change 12.5% 10.9% 6.7% 9.9% 29.3% 160.9% Recurring operating income 2022 6.8 -7.6 6.3 6.1 1.0 1.0 2023 10.7 -2.0 5.6 6.6 1.4 -0.9 Change 57.0% 73.5% -10.8% 8.2% 34.4% -186.7% Recurring operating margin (as a % of revenues) 2022 2.5% -5.2% 14.0% 12.1% 4.0% 74.5% 2023 3.6% -1.2% 11.7% 11.9% 4.2% -24.7%

Software & Services: H1 2023 revenues rose 10.9%, driven by good performances at Cegedim Sante (+25% in H1, o/w 4.3 million related to Segur de la Sante public health investments), international businesses (+10% on new signings with pharmacies, new sites for doctors in Scotland, and projects for the UK Ministry of Defence), and HR solutions (+10% over the full year).

Recurring operating income (REBIT)(1) amounted to a loss of 2.0 million in H1 2023, a 5.6 million improvement compared with the 7.6 million loss a year earlier. The improvement came from two main sources: Cegedim Sante (REBIT(1) up 4.9 million), which saw robust business activity and kept hiring under control; and international businesses (REBIT(1) up 2.8 million), due to a rebound in revenues and cost structure adjustments. The other companies in the division posted a 2.2 million decrease in REBIT(1) compared with 2022. The fine performance at HR solutions was obscured by delays starting up production in the Insurance segment and by the delay until H2 of the Segur de la Sante public health investments impact on the Pharmacy division in France.





Software & Services First half Change

2023 / 2022



in millions of euros 2023 2022 Revenue 161.5 145.6 15.9 10.9% Cegedim Sante 39.8 31.8 8.0 25.1% Insurance, HR, Pharmacies, and other services 95.3 89.8 5.6 6.2% International businesses 26.3 24.0 2.4 9.8% Recurring operating income(1) -2.0 -7.6 5.6 73.5% Cegedim Sante -1.4 -6.3 4.9 77.7% Insurance, HR, Pharmacies, and other services 3.8 5.9 -2.2 -36.6% International businesses -4.4 -7.2 2.8 39.4%

-------------

(1) Alternative performance indicator See pages 110-111 of the 2022 Universal Registration Document.

Flow : revenues rose 6.7%, led by Cegedim e-business (process digitalization and electronic data flows), whose French and international businesses grew 6% and 18% respectively. Over the same period, Third-party payer systems posted 5.5% growth. The main reason for the decline in REBIT (1) was that invoicing for the third-party payer contract with Allianz was transferred to the BPO division on 1 April.

revenues rose 6.7%, led by Cegedim e-business (process digitalization and electronic data flows), whose French and international businesses grew 6% and 18% respectively. Over the same period, Third-party payer systems posted 5.5% growth. The main reason for the decline in REBIT was that invoicing for the third-party payer contract with Allianz was transferred to the BPO division on 1 April. Data & Marketing: marketing and data activities made positive contributions of respectively 8.9% and 10.7% to the divisions revenue growth compared with 2022. Division REBIT (1) rose 8.2% compared with 2022, buoyed by all of the divisions businesses.

marketing and data activities made positive contributions of respectively 8.9% and 10.7% to the divisions revenue growth compared with 2022. Division REBIT rose 8.2% compared with 2022, buoyed by all of the divisions businesses. BPO: revenue from services managed on behalf of health and personal protection insurers jumped more than 40% over the first half, buoyed by the start of the new contract with Allianz on April 1, 2023. BPO for human resources departments also continued to grow, with revenues up 9.4% in the first half. The divisions REBIT (1) grew a modest 0.4 million over the period. Costs related to starting up the Allianz contract obscured productivity gains in other businesses stemming notably from management process automation.

revenue from services managed on behalf of health and personal protection insurers jumped more than 40% over the first half, buoyed by the start of the new contract with Allianz on April 1, 2023. BPO for human resources departments also continued to grow, with revenues up 9.4% in the first half. The divisions REBIT grew a modest 0.4 million over the period. Costs related to starting up the Allianz contract obscured productivity gains in other businesses stemming notably from management process automation. Corporate and others: H1 2023 REBIT(1) was a 0.9 million loss, down 1.9 compared with H1 2022. As we explained when presenting 2022 results, the deterioration was caused by an effort to standardize methods for reinvoicing corporate office activities, notably in the areas of R&D and IT systems, as well as lower margins at the offshore corporate centers.





---------

(1) Alternative performance indicator See pages 110-111 of the 2022 Universal Registration Document.

Highlights

Apart from the items cited below, to the best of the companys knowledge, there were no events or changes during H1 2023 that would materially alter the Groups financial situation.

Tax

On February 21, 2018, Cegedim S.A. received official notice that the French tax authorities planned to perform an audit of its financial statements for 2015 and 2016. The audit resulted in a reassessment notice covering the use of tax-loss carryforwards, which the authorities disputed. On February 21, 2021, Cegedim S.A. received official notice that the French tax authorities planned to perform an audit of its financial statements for 2019 and 2020. That audit did not result in any additional reassessments.

After consultation with its lawyers and based on the applicable tax law and existing tax rulings, the Group believes that the tax authorities proposed reassessment is unwarranted. Cegedim S.A. has appealed the decision and continues to explore its options for contesting the reassessment.

Over the first half of 2023, Cegedim S.A. continued to apply the disputed tax-loss carryforwards to its taxable earnings, bringing cumulative tax savings to 24.4 million at June 30, 2023.

Furthermore, as it is permitted to do under this process, in the first half of 2022 tax authorities issued Cegedim S.A. a notice of collection, in response to which the Group paid a total of 12.1 million in respect of tax loss carryforwards used through 2020 and a 0.4 million late payment penalty. The corresponding entry for these payments was not recognized in expenses, but rather as a tax receivable in the balance sheet, as the Company expects these sums to be repaid once the dispute has been resolved in its favor.

As a result, if Cegedim S.A. ultimately loses its appeal, it would have to record a tax charge of 24.4 million in its profit and loss statement, but it would only have to make a cash payment of 12.3 million for the share of taxes not yet paid.

In addition, in accordance with IFRS, Cegedim S.A. records in its consolidated financial statements a deferred tax asset in respect of its unused tax-loss carryforwards, which represents the future tax gain the company may yet realize. Note that the accounting entries related to deferred tax never have cash impact. Through December 31, 2022, deferred tax assets were unchanged at 20 million. At June 30, 2023, those assets amounted to 10.5 million owing to a 9.5 million downward adjustment recorded in deferred tax expenses in the consolidated profit and loss statements. In response to a recent tax ruling in July 2023, the Group opted for a more conservative assessment of the unrealized future gains from its remaining, disputed tax-loss carryforwards.

If Cegedim S.A. ultimately loses its appeal, the entirety of the deferred tax assets in the balance sheet at June 30, 2023, would have to be recorded as a 10.5 million charge in the profit and loss statements, with no cash outlay.

Cegedim S.A., in consultation with its attorneys, believes that it still has a solid case for dismissal of the reassessment, consistently with the position currently reflected in its financial statements. As a result, Cegedim is preparing to appeal the dispute to the administrative court, an effort which could take several years. Cegedim is confident in its chances of success and has not recorded any provisions in respect of the dispute.

The maximum amount of risk from the potential tax charges cited above is expected to remain constant at 34.9 million, but the breakdown could change: the 10.5 million deferred tax asset would decrease as tax savings are realized, incrementally increasing the 24.4 million already used.

The maximum potential cash payment, which came to 12.3 million at June 30, 2023, will continue to rise as future tax savings are realized, but could also decrease if the tax authorities issue additional notices of collection while the appeal is ongoing.

Significant transactions and events post June 30, 2023

Apart from the items cited below, to the best of the companys knowledge, there were no events or changes during the period that would materially alter the Groups financial situation.

War in Ukraine

The Group does not do business in Russia or Ukraine and has no assets exposed to those countries.

Outlook

Despite the economic, geopolitical and monetary uncertainties facing the world, we are confident we will be able to grow our revenues. Based on the currently available information, the Group expects 2023 like-for-like revenue(2) growth to be at least 10% relative to 2022.

Recurring operating income(1) is expected to grow, notably thanks to the initial returns on investments made in Cegedim Sante and international activities.

These targets may need to be revised if there is a resurgence in the Covid-19 pandemic and/or a significant worsening of geopolitical and macroeconomic risks.

The Group does not expect to make any significant acquisitions in 2023.

---------------

The Audit Committee met on September 18, 2023. The Board of Directors, chaired by Jean-Claude Labrune, met on September 19, 2023, and approved the consolidated financial statements at June 30, 2023, of which the statutory auditors have conducted a limited review. The Interim Financial Report will be available in a few days time, in French and in English, on our website and the Cegedim IR app.

---------

(1) Alternative performance indicator See pages 110-111 of the 2022 Universal Registration Document.

(2) At constant scope and exchange rates.

2023 financial calendar

WEBCAST ON SEPTEMBER 20, 2023, AT 6:15 PM (PARIS TIME) The webcast is available at: www.cegedim.fr/webcast



The first-half 2023 results presentation is available: On the website: https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/documentation/Pages/presentations.aspx

And on the Cegedim IR smartphone app, available at https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/profil/Pages/CegedimIR.aspx





2023 October 26 after the close Q1 2023 revenues

Financial calendar: https://www.cegedim.fr/finance/agenda/Pages/default.aspx



Disclaimer

This press release is available in French and in English. In the event of any difference between the two versions, the original French version takes precedence. This press release may contain inside information. It was sent to Cegedims authorized distributor on September 20, 2023, no earlier than 5:45 pm Paris time.

The figures cited in this press release include guidance on Cegedim's future financial performance targets. This forward-looking information is based on the opinions and assumptions of the Groups senior management at the time this press release is issued and naturally entails risks and uncertainty. For more information on the risks facing Cegedim, please refer to Chapter 7, Risk management, section 7.2, Risk factors and insurance, and Chapter 3, Overview of the financial year, section 3.6, Outlook, of the 2022 Universal Registration Document filled with the AMF on April 12, 2023, under number D.23-0266.



About Cegedim:

Founded in 1969, Cegedim is an innovative technology and services company in the field of digital data flow management for healthcare ecosystems and B2B, and a business software publisher for healthcare and insurance professionals. Cegedim employs more than 6,000 people in more than 10 countries and generated revenue of 555 million in 2022.

Cegedim SA is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: CGM).

To learn more, please visit: www.cegedim.fr

And follow Cegedim on Twitter @CegedimGroup, LinkedIn and Facebook.





Aude Balleydier

Cegedim

Media Relations

and Communications Manager

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 09 68 81

[email protected]

Jerome Moreau

Cegedim

Group Director of Management Control

Head of Financial Communication

Tel.: +33 (0)7 85 63 61 99

[email protected]

Celine Pardo

.becoming

Media Relations







Tel.: +33 (0)6 52 08 13 66

[email protected]









Annexes

Consolidated financial statements at June 30, 2023

Assets at June 30, 2023

In thousands of euros 6/30/2022 12/31/2022 Goodwill 199,628 198,761 Development costs 31,628 3,081 Other intangible assets 165,997 185,004 Intangible non-current assets 197,625 188,085 Land 544 544 Buildings 1,765 1,872 Other property, plant, and equipment 43,946 39,467 Advances and non-current assets in progress 88,205 133 Rights of use 348 88,988 Property, plant, and equipment 134,809 131,004 Equity investments 0 1 Loans 15,599 15,642 Other financial assets 6,310 5,053 Long-term investments  excluding equity shares in equity method companies 21,909 20,696 Equity shares in equity method companies 21,592 20,578 Deferred tax assets 20,910 30,385 Prepaid expenses: long-term portion 0 0 Non-current assets 596,473 589,509 Goods held for resale 7,883 6,495 Advances and deposits received on orders 140 177 Accounts receivables: short-term portion 169,747 151,757 Other receivables: short-term portion 60,325 50,497 Current tax credits 15,147 16,557 Cash equivalents 0 0 Cash 27,879 55,553 Prepaid expenses: short-term portion 22,465 19,370 Current assets 303,587 300,406 Total assets 900,060 889,915



Liabilities and equity at June 30, 2023

In thousands of euros 6/30/2022 12/31/2022 Share capital 13,337 13,337 Consolidated retained earnings 285,260 271,344 Group exchange gains/losses -11,613 -13,141 Group earnings -8,793 13,624 Shareholders equity, Group share 278,191 285,164 Non-controlling interest 18,537 18,971 Shareholders equity 296,728 304,135 Financial liabilities 186,794 188,913 Current lease liabilities 75,236 75,907 Deferred tax liabilities 7,818 6,137 Post-employment benefit obligations 27,765 25,397 Provisions 2,192 2,355 Non-current liabilities 299,805 298,709 Financial liabilities 7,393 3,854 Current lease liabilities 16,121 15,916 Trade payables and related accounts 51,585 55,709 Current tax liabilities 264 247 Tax and social security liabilities 110,119 112,341 Provisions 1,419 2,172 Other liabilities 116,626 96,832 Current liabilities 303,527 287,071 Total liabilities 900,060 889,915

Income statement at June 30, 2023

In thousands of euros 6/30/2022 6/30/2022 Revenue 301,011 267,560 Purchases used -14,739 -13,516 External expenses -66,371 -58,223 Taxes -4,291 -4,704 Employee costs -163,623 -149,429 Impairment of trade receivables and other receivables and on contract assets -2,041 -432 Allowances to and reversals of provisions -1,830 -1,235 Other operating income and expenses 108 296 Share of profit (loss) from affiliates on the income statement 603 1,345 EBITDA(1) 48,827 41,661 Depreciation expenses other than right-of-use assets -29,030 -26,471 Depreciation expenses of right-of-use assets -9,097 -8,374 Recurring operating income(1) 10,700 6,816 Non-recurring operating income and expenses -1,385 -4,358 Other non-recurring operating income and expenses(1) -1,385 -4,358 Operating income 9,315 2,459 Income from cash and cash equivalents 180 31 Cost of gross financial debt -5,633 -4,175 Other financial income and expenses -136 -302 Net financial income (expense) -5,589 -4,445 Income taxes -1,841 -2,678 Deferred income taxes -10,588 -821 Tax -12,429 -3,499 Share of profit (loss) from affiliates -515 -656 Consolidated net profit -9,219 -6,141 Group share -8,793 -4,875 Non-controlling interests -426 -1,265 Average number of shares excluding treasury stock 13,658,348 13,683,647 Recurring earnings per share (in euros) -0.6 -0.4 Earnings per share (in euros) -0.6 -0.4

(1) Alternative performance indicator

Cash flow statement as of June 30, 2023

In thousands of euros 6/30/2022 6/30/2022 Consolidated net profit -9,219 -6,141 Share of profit (loss) from affiliates -88 -689 Depreciation and amortization expenses and provisions 37,972 35,060 Capital gains or losses on disposals of operating assets -798 1,261 Cash flow after cost of net financial debt and taxes 27,867 29,491 Cost of net financial debt 5,589 4,445 Tax expenses 12,429 3,499 Operating cash flow before cost of net financial debt and taxes 45,885 37,436 Tax paid -378 -15,917 Impact of change in working capital requirements -18,032 -18,529 Cash flow generated from operating activities after tax paid and change in working capital requirements 27,476 2,990 Acquisitions of intangible fixed assets -29,550 -27,957 Acquisitions of tangible fixed assets -11,759 -8,083 Acquisitions of long-term investments -36 -1,900 Disposals of property, plant, and equipment and of intangible assets 2,575 24 Disposals of long-term investments 805 948 Change in deposits received or paid -156 97 Impact of changes in consolidation scope -2,172 58,277 Dividends received from outside the Group 30 1,457 Net cash flow used in investing activities -40,264 22,863 Capital increase - - Dividends paid to minority shareholders of consolidated cos. - - Dividends paid to shareholders of the parent company - -2 Debt repayments -193 -13 Employee profit sharing 129 266 Repayment of lease liabilities -11,353 -9,840 Interest paid on loans -117 -98 Other financial income received 596 115 Other financial expenses paid -3,492 -1,296 Net cash flow used in financing activities -14,430 -10,867 Change in net cash excluding currency impact -27,218 14,985 Impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates -456 -123 Change in net cash -27,674 14,862 Opening cash 55,553 24,159 Closing cash 27,879 39,021

Financial covenants

In thousands of euros 06/30/2023 Criterion Net debt(1) EBITDA Leverage ratio 1.37





In thousands of euros 06/30/2023 Criterion Interest expense EBITDA Interest cover ratio 15.78 > 4.5

(1) excluding employee profit sharing liabilities, the FCB loan, and IFRS 16 liabilities

The Group complied with all these covenants as of June 30, 2023, and there is no foreseeable risk of default.

Attachment
DENVER, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CirrusMD, a leading provider of scalable care delivery solutions enabling immediate, high quality virtual care, today announced a national expansion of ongoing work with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).

This continuing work includes expansion of VA Health Chat, which is provided to Veterans by CirrusMD on behalf of the VA, through its agreement with the prime contract holder, Iron Bow Technologies.

This significant expansion of virtual care for Veterans  the people who need and deserve the best care  is critically important to streamlining access to the VAs system of care, said Jamie Hall, President & CEO, CirrusMD. Were honored to support our Veterans through VA Health Chat, and proud to continue our mission of delivering immediate, affordable, high-quality care at scale.

Dr. John Dutton, USAF Veteran and Medical Director of the CirrusMD Provider Network said, VA Health Chat is one of the tools the VA has made available to help Veterans reach people who can help them access care. There are a lot of Veterans who can't travel, have difficulty with transportation, or have chronic medical issues related to their time served in the military. They shouldn't lack care because they can't get to an in-person point of care. Virtual care allows them to get care where they are  so important for Veterans.

Ongoing Expansion Increases Access for Veterans

VA Health Chat is now available to more than 5.1 million Veterans, representing an increase of more than 300,000 Veterans in four additional states, now including:

 West Virginia  Wisconsin  Maryland  Illinois

The U.S. is divided into 18 Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), which are regional systems of care working together to better meet local health care needs and providing greater access to care. With the recent additions of VISNs 5 and 12, 15 of the 18 VISNs now offer VA Health Chat to local Veterans.

VA Health Chat Quickly Connects Veterans to Care and Services

The VA Health Chat platform provides Veterans with nearly immediate access during VA operating hours. The chat modality provides a continuous conversation format that allows Veterans to control the flow of the conversation, accessing care when and where they need it. CirrusMD's proven platform enables faster and easier access to care, supporting safe and secure conversations between Veterans and their healthcare team, with guidance throughout the care experience. Services vary by location and are staffed by VA healthcare professionals including:

 Schedulers  Pharmacists  Non-clinical/admin representatives  Physicians  Nurses

Veterans interested in this service should visit the VA Health Chat website to see if their healthcare facility is eligible. Additional VA healthcare facilities are added continually.

About CirrusMD

CirrusMD is providing scalable care delivery solutions enabling immediate, affordable, high quality virtual care to plan sponsors  health plans and employers  who want to improve health and reduce costs for their entire population. CirrusMD uniquely provides an intelligent platform that connects the member at their moment of need to the most beneficial point of care, beginning with an expert physician. We believe that when you provide immediate, affordable care at scale you can drive the change needed to improve health and lower cost across an entire population. Learn more at cirrusmd.com.

Media Contact: Cheryl Flury, Marketing and Public Relations, CirrusMD [email protected] Mobile: 303.564.2158

Source: CirrusMD Inc.
POMPANO BEACH, Fla., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Doroni Aerospace, the leading innovator in sustainable transportation and urban air mobility, is proud to announce that Doron Merdinger, Founder & CEO, will be a featured speaker at the upcoming South Florida Space Day to explore the latest developments in the aerospace and space industries. This highly anticipated event is scheduled for Thursday, September 21, 2023, at the Levan Center of Innovation.

Doron will be a distinguished panelist in the session titled "Unveiling the Skies: UAVs in the Aerospace/Space Economy  Public and Private Perspectives," which is scheduled from 12:30 pm to 1:15 pm ET. His participation underscores Doroni Aerospace's commitment to advancing innovation in the aerospace and space sectors.

South Florida Space Day brings together thought leaders, industry professionals, and innovators to discuss the future of the space economy, technological advancements, and the role of private ventures in shaping the industry. With Doron Merdinger's expertise, the event promises to provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities in the space sector.

The event will feature a series of sessions and discussions covering a wide range of topics related to space, innovation, and investment. It aims to foster collaboration and showcase the region's strengths and potential in the space industry.

"I am thrilled to be part of South Florida Space Day representing Doroni Aerospace at this major industry event with other developers, and dreamers to discuss the future of the aerospace industry," said Doron Merdinger, Founder & CEO of Doroni Aerospace. "It's a remarkable opportunity to engage with fellow visionaries to discuss the latest advancements in aerospace technology and explore the limitless possibilities. Together, we'll continue to push the boundaries of innovation and shape the future of transportation.

For more information about South Florida Space Day, visit www.levancenterspaceday.com.

To learn more about Doroni Aerospace's cutting-edge eVTOL technology and its mission to transform sustainable transportation, please visit www.doroni.io or email the company at [email protected].

Investors interested in becoming part of the future of mobility are invited to explore investment opportunities at: https://invest.doroni.io/.

About Doroni Aerospace:

Founded in 2016 by serial entrepreneur Doron Merdinger, Doroni Aerospace is revolutionizing sustainable transportation with its cutting-edge electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. With 25 years of experience in design, manufacturing, and managing eight-figure firms, Doron assembled a world-class engineering and technical team to deliver on his ultimate vision of democratizing the power of flight and providing consumers with an entirely new mode of mobility.

Doroni's mission is to offer a safety-centric, eco-friendly mobility option to the public, commonly referred to as 'flying cars.' By enabling people to transport themselves intuitively within urban environments and between destinations at a fraction of the time possible with traditional automobiles, Doroni aims to transform the way we travel.

Source: Doroni Aerospace
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eco Oro Minerals Corp. (CSE: EOM) (the Company or Eco Oro) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a credit agreement dated September 19, 2023 (the Credit Agreement) with Graywolfe Capital SEZC (the Lender) pursuant to which the Company may borrow up to US$6 million from the Lender (the Facility). The outstanding principal amount of the Facility will bear interest at a rate of 16.5% per annum and all obligations under the Facility will be secured by a general security interest over certain assets and properties of the Company.

The funds provided from the Facility will be used to fund the Companys working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes, including funding the costs relating to the Companys ongoing arbitration under the auspices of the World Banks International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in relation to its claims against the Republic of Colombia (Colombia). On September 9, 2021, the arbitral tribunal issued a Decision on Jurisdiction, Liability and Directions on Quantum in which it found that Colombias treatment of Eco Oros investment in the Angostura gold and silver mining project located in northeastern Colombia breached Article 805 of the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Colombia. The tribunals final award is pending.

Unless prepaid in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement, the Companys outstanding obligations under the Facility must be repaid as soon as reasonably practical, but in any event within five business days, after the Company receives any proceeds (Claim Proceeds) in respect of the final award. The Claim Proceeds, if any, will be applied to the repayment of the Companys outstanding obligations in priority to the distribution of the Claim Proceeds to other stakeholders in the Company, including the holders of its promissory notes (Promissory Notes) and contingent value rights certificates (CVRs), as more fully described under the heading Contingent Value Rights and Promissory Notes in the Companys managements discussion and analysis for the six month period ended June 30, 2023 filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and as set forth below.

Under the terms of the Promissory Notes and CVRs, the Claim Proceeds (net of any amounts paid to the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement) shall be distributed or retained in the following order of priority:

first, to the holders of the Promissory Notes and CVRs, an amount equal to the unpaid default interest, fees, expenses or indemnity obligations payable to the holders of the Promissory Notes and CVRs;

second, to the holders of its US$24,672,727 principal amount of Promissory Notes bearing interest at a rate of 0.025% per annum, an amount equal to the aggregate amount of interest and indebtedness owed by the Company to the holders of the Promissory Notes (of which approximately US$24.7 million is outstanding as of the date hereof);

third, to the holders of its CVRs and participants in the Companys management incentive program, an amount equal to the lesser of (i) US$460 million and (ii) 95% of the Claim Proceeds;

fourth, US$30 million to the Company;

fifth, to the holders of the CVRs and participants in the Companys management incentive program until the aggregate amount distributed to the holders of CVRs and participants in the Companys management incentive program equals 95% of the Claim Proceeds; and

sixth, to the Company.

Accordingly, the Company will not be entitled to retain any portion of the Claim Proceeds pursuant to step four of the distribution waterfall described above unless the Claim Proceeds (net of any amounts payable to the Lender pursuant to the Credit Agreement) exceeds amounts payable to the holders of the Promissory Notes and CVRs in the first, second and third steps of the distribution waterfall described above.

Board Approval

The controlling shareholder of the Lender is Courtenay Wolfe, a director of the Company. While the transaction would ordinarily be subject to the minority approval requirements set forth in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101), the Board of Directors, including its independent members, have determined that the Company is eligible to rely on the exemption from minority approval requirements provided by Subsection 5.7(f) [Loan to Issuer, No Equity or Voting Component] of MI 61-101.

Company Profile

Eco Oro Minerals Corp. is a publicly-traded company and its arbitration against the Republic of Colombia is its core focus.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including without limitation statements with respect to the receipt of Claim Proceeds and, if applicable, the amount of Claim Proceeds. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon the current belief, opinions and expectations of management that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and other contingencies. Many factors could cause the Companys actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE Eco Oro Minerals Corp.

For further information: Paul Robertson, Chief Executive Officer Tel: +1 604 682 8212, TF: +1 855 682 8212.CO: Eco Oro Minerals Corp.

Source: Eco Oro Minerals Corp.
Our Taiwan partner has existing contracts with Taiwan government. This collaboration makes it easier to sell ZenaDrone 1000 to the Taiwan government.

CHICAGO, IL, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire - Epazz, Inc. (OTC: EPAZ), a mission-critical provider of drone technology, artificial intelligence software, cryptocurrency apps, blockchain mobile apps, and cloud-based business software solutions, has announced today that its holdings ZenaDrone, Inc. signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU) with Thunder Tiger Corp., a Taiwanese defense contractor company at last week's Taipei Aerospace Defense Technology Exhibition (TADTE) Defense Show. The companies agreed to work together to sell ZenaDrone 1000 to the Taiwan government. Our Taiwan partner has existing contracts with the Taiwan government. This collaboration makes it easier to sell ZenaDrone 1000 to the Taiwan government.

Furthermore, the company established partnerships and supply chain vendors in Taiwan to be NDAA-compliant (National Defense Authorization Act) as part of the requirements for securing U.S. Defense contracts. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) prohibits using equipment manufactured by a specified list of Chinese manufacturers.

ZenaDrone will be back in Taiwan early next month to close on our partnerships. "There are major opportunities in Taiwan for using ZenaDrone 1000, and Taiwan will be a major source of NDAA-compliant electrical components," CEO Shaun Passley commented in an interview.

At the seminar, ZenaDrone CEO Shaun Passley met with the Director of the Office of the American Institute in Taiwan, Ms. Sandra Oudkirk, an American senior diplomat under the United States Foreign Service. During the meeting, they discussed the potential for collaboration between ZenaDrone and the Office of the American Institute in Taiwan.

The American Institute in Taiwan is similar to an embassy; it plays a crucial role in conducting commercial, cultural, citizen, and visa services between the United States and Taiwan. As per the guidelines set by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, the institute strives to foster strong connections and collaboration between the peoples of both nations.

ZenaDrone's flagship product, the ZD1000, is an AI-driven UAV designed to survey and inspect large-scale supply chain warehouses and facilities. This next-generation drone technology uses sophisticated algorithms for automated piloting and A.I. analytics capabilities to identify potential operational issues before they arise. With its advanced image recognition capabilities, ZD1000 can take accurate aerial photographs of supply chain facilities that can be used in preventive maintenance operations or emergencies such as floods or fires.

"Taiwan has resolved our supply chain issues, allowing us to become NDAA compliant so we can show the U.S. Defense Department the ZenaDrone 1000 capabilities," said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of Epazz and ZenaDrone. "We believe that our advanced drone technology can help to improve the efficiency of supply chain operations and create new opportunities for both sides."

The business matchmaking seminar was part of a more extensive effort to assist Taiwanese aerospace and advanced manufacturing companies in accessing the latest technologies from the United States and expanding cooperation. This is in response to the impact of the trade war and the trade policies of China and the United States, which have accelerated the restructuring of global supply chains.

During the seminar, ZenaDrone's Operations Manager, Sajjad Asif, presented ZenaDrone 1000 and its application and collaboration opportunities as an AI-powered drone, highlighting the advanced features and functions of ZD 1000 suitable for multiple industrial and commercial applications.

ZenaDrone is dedicated to providing the most advanced drone technology to help companies improve their supply chain operations. The company looks forward to exploring the potential for collaboration with the Office of the American Institute in Taiwan.

About ZenaDrone (https://www.zenadrone.com/)

ZenaDrone is dedicated to improving intelligent UAV technology that incorporates machine learning software and AI. It was created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector and later evolved into an intelligent multifunctional industrial surveillance, inspection and monitoring solution.

About Epazz Inc. (https://www.epazz.com/)

Epazz is a leading cloud-based software company that specializes in providing customized cloud applications to the corporate world, higher-education institutions, and the public sector. Epazz BoxesOS v3.0 is a complete business web-based software package for small- to mid-sized businesses, Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies and higher education institutions. BoxesOS provides many of the web-based applications organizations would otherwise need to purchase separately. Epazzs other products are DeskFlex (room-scheduling software) and Provitrac (an applicant-tracking system).

Safe Harbor

The Safe Harbor statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 reads as follows:

Certain statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of diction such as may, expect, intend, estimate, anticipate," believe and continue (or the negatives thereof) or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from future results or those implied by such statements. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statement does not guarantee future performance and that actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. Epazz Inc. assumes no obligation and has no intention of updating these forward-looking statements, and it has no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by Epazz Inc. Investors are encouraged to review Epazz Inc.s public filings on SEC.gov and otcmarkets.com, including its unaudited and audited financial statements and its OTC markets filings, which contain general business information about the companys operations, results of operations and risks associated with the company and its operations.

Contact

Investor Relations

[email protected]

312-955-8161

https://www.epazz.com/

Attachment

EPAZ ZenaDrone CEO Shaun Passley signs MOU with General Manager Gene Su of Taiwan Thunder Tiger Corp.

Source: Epazz, Inc.
News Highlights

Only 27% of knowledge workers say they have a healthy relationship with work; India is most healthy, Japan least healthy

83% of knowledge workers today are willing to earn less to be happier at work

Leaders acknowledge emotional intelligence is key, while employees say they dont see it enough

HPs global research identified six primary drivers of a healthy relationship with work  with recommendations for business leaders and employees to consider

PALO ALTO, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) today unveiled groundbreaking findings from its first HP Work Relationship Index, a comprehensive study that explores employees relationships with work around the world.* The study, which surveyed more than 15,600 respondents across various industries in 12 countries, reveals the worlds relationship with work is at a breaking point  and its effects are pervasive.

There is a huge opportunity to strengthen the worlds relationship with work in ways that are both good for people and good for business, said Enrique Lores, President and CEO, HP Inc. As leaders, we must always reject the false choice between productivity and happiness. The most successful companies are built on cultures that enable employees to excel in their careers while thriving outside of work.

The study analyzed 50+ aspects of peoples relationships with work, including the role of work in their lives, their skills, abilities, tools and workspaces, and their expectations of leadership. The study also examined the impact work has on employee well-being, productivity, engagement and culture. Through this, HP developed its Work Relationship Index, which is a measure of the worlds relationship with work to be tracked over time. It found that just 27% of knowledge workers currently have a healthy relationship with work; more details on the Index can be found here.

Unhealthy Relationships with Work are Impacting Employees Mental, Emotional, and Physical Well-being

In this first-of-its-kind study, HP engaged with business leaders, IT decision makers and knowledge workers to gain insights into the factors that drive meaningful, productive and purposeful work experiences. The findings spotlight the negative impacts an unhealthy relationship with work has on an employees life and an employers business.

When employees are not happy with their relationship with work, it takes a toll on business:

Morale and Engagement: Knowledge workers report less productivity (34%), more disengagement at work (39%) and greater feelings of disconnection (38%).

Knowledge workers report less productivity (34%), more disengagement at work (39%) and greater feelings of disconnection (38%). Retention: Even when employees feel neutral about their relationship with work, more than 71% consider leaving the company. When theyre not happy at all, that number rises to 91%.

Unhealthy relationships with work can impact employees well-being:

Mental: More than half (55%) of these employees struggle with their self-worth and mental well-being, reporting low self-esteem and feeling like they are a failure.

More than half (55%) of these employees struggle with their self-worth and mental well-being, reporting low self-esteem and feeling like they are a failure. Emotional: These issues naturally affect other aspects of their lives, with 45% noting that their personal relationships with friends and family suffer, and more than half (59%) are too drained to pursue their personal passions.

These issues naturally affect other aspects of their lives, with 45% noting that their personal relationships with friends and family suffer, and more than half (59%) are too drained to pursue their personal passions. Physical: Mental and emotional wellness can make it harder to maintain physical well-being. 62% of employees report trouble with maintaining healthy eating, working out and getting sufficient sleep.

Identifying the Drivers Behind a Healthy Relationship with Work

Employees expectations of work have changed significantly, particularly over the past two-to-three years, according to nearly 60% of respondents. Fifty-seven percent surveyed noted their expectations of how they are treated at work and in the workplace also have increased.

The research examined more than 50 factors contributing to a healthy relationship with work, identifying six core drivers that represent critical focus areas  and key imperatives  for business leaders, and comprise the Index that will be tracked over time.

1. Fulfillment: Employees yearn for purpose, empowerment, and genuine connection to their work, but just 29% of knowledge workers currently experience these aspects consistently. To adapt to evolving workforce expectations, businesses must prioritize employee fulfillment through increased voice and agency.

2. Leadership: New ways of working demand new leadership styles, according to 68% of business leaders; yet only one in five workers feel leaders have evolved their leadership styles accordingly. Cultivating emotional intelligence and transparent, empathetic leadership is crucial for todays workplace.

3. People-centricity: Only 25% of knowledge workers consistently receive the respect and value they feel they deserve, and even fewer are experiencing the flexibility, autonomy and work-life balance they seek. To address this, leaders must put visible emphasis on putting people first and placing their teams at the center of decision-making.

4. Skills: While 70% of knowledge workers value strong power and technical skills, only 31% feel consistently confident in their proficiency in either. Best-practice businesses have an opportunity to gain a vital skills-development and employee engagement edge by investing in holistic training and support.

5. Tools: Todays workers want a say in the technology and tools their employer provides  and want that technology to be inclusive. However, confidence that companies will implement the right tools to support hybrid work is low, at just 25%. No longer just a utility, the technology portfolio is emerging as an important driver of employee engagement, as well as connection and enablement.

6. Workspace: Knowledge workers want a seamless experience as they move between work locations  and a choice in where they work each day. Effective hybrid workspaces, easy transitions, flexibility and autonomy will be pivotal in demonstrating trust in employees and fostering a positive work experience.

Trust and Emotional Connection are Now Key in Attracting and Retaining Workers

The Work Relationship Index shows that this is a pivotal time to redefine the worlds relationships with work. Greater trust and emotional connection in the workplace were strong and recurring themes across the six core drivers.

Almost three in four business leaders acknowledge that emotionally intelligent leadership is the only way a leader can be successful going forward. Significantly, the study found that emotional intelligence  and increased trust and agency  hold considerable weight with employees: 83% say theyre willing to earn less money to find an employer that values these factors.

Strong workplace culture: Knowledge workers would take an 11% pay cut to work somewhere with empathetic, emotionally intelligent leadership, and above-average employee engagement and fulfillment.

Knowledge workers would take an pay cut to work somewhere with empathetic, emotionally intelligent leadership, and above-average employee engagement and fulfillment. Flexibility: The same group would give up 13% of their salary to work somewhere that lets them work where or when they want.

For more information on the Work Relationship Index, please visit the WRI Website and to access the full report, please visit the HP Newsroom.

*Methodology

HP commissioned an online survey managed by Edelman Data & Intelligence (DxI) that fielded between June 9  July 10, 2023, in 12 countries: the U.S., France, India, U.K., Germany, Spain, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Brazil, Canada and Indonesia. HP surveyed 15,624 respondents in total  12,012 knowledge workers (~1,000 in each country); 2,408 IT decision makers (~200 in each country); and 1,204 business leaders (~100 in each country).

About HP HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) is a global technology leader and creator of solutions that enable people to bring their ideas to life and connect to the things that matter most. Operating in more than 170 countries, HP delivers a wide range of innovative and sustainable devices, services and subscriptions for personal computing, printing, 3D printing, hybrid work, gaming, and more. For more information, please visit: http://www.hp.com.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f5e92fff-dea3-4d03-86da-fe3ae2387021

HP Work Relationship Index HP Inc. today unveiled groundbreaking findings from its first HP Work Relationship Index, a comprehensive study that explores employees relationships with work around the world.

Source: HP Inc.
Dallas, TX, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interface Systems, a leading managed service provider of business security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses today announced the opening of a new state-of-the-art distribution center in Dallas, TX.

In addition to creating new jobs, the 31,000-square-foot facility enhances Interfaces distribution capabilities to better serve its nationwide customers with expedited services.

Interface builds complex integrated technology solutions with 24/7/365 monitoring and support for major brands across North America, explains Bud Homeyer, Chief Operations Officer at Interface. The company has experienced substantial growth over the past several years, and the variety of platforms and technologies we are supporting has increased as well. With an excellent transportation backbone and several airports in close proximity, Dallas is an ideal location for setting up our distribution center for domestic US shipments.

The Dallas distribution center is located close to Interfaces interactive Security Operations Center (iSOC) in Plano. The iSOC is the nerve center of Interfaces remote video monitoring operations that secures over 75,000 customer sites. Together, these facilities employ over 200 people in the Dallas area.

The Dallas distribution center allows Interface to reduce average shipment transit times, optimize operating costs, and minimize carbon footprint.

"The opening of this new distribution center is an important milestone for Interface," said Brent Duncan, CEO at Interface. "Optimizing lead time to install key components of our solutions allows our customers to launch new sites faster and minimize downtime. We take pride in our ability to offer relentless customer support, and the new distribution center enables us to deliver on that promise. "

With over 700 employees nationwide, Interface is always looking to recruit talented individuals to join its team. For more information about TX-based and nationwide career opportunities at Interface, please visit: https://interfacesystems.com/careers/

About Interface SystemsInterface Systems is a leading managed service provider of business security, actionable insights, and purpose-built networks for multi-location businesses. We enhance security, streamline connectivity, optimize operations, and reduce IT costs, maximizing ROI for the nations top brands. Learn more and follow us on our blog Making IT Happen and on LinkedIn.

Attachments

Veronique Froment Interface Security Systems 6035379248 [email protected]

Source: Interface Security Systems
The number of teenagers who have signed up for organ donation has increased significantly.

The Korean Network for Organ Sharing said 3,225 youngsters aged 16-18 signed up between August last year and July this year, a 14.7-fold jump from just 219 the previous year.

But overall the number of potential organ donors dropped 16 percent to 76,389.


LUMBERTON, NJ, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Interstate Connecting Components (ICC), a leading supplier of military-aerospace interconnect solutions, is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition 2023. ICC will be exhibiting its portfolio of mission-critical interconnect technologies at this prestigious event.

AUSA 2023 is scheduled to take place from October 9 to October 11 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. This event brings together military professionals, industry leaders, and innovators from around the world to showcase cutting-edge technologies, discuss industry trends, and foster collaboration within the defense sector.

At Booth #7901 ICC will present its extensive range of interconnect solutions, including connectors, cable assemblies, and harnesses, designed to meet the rigorous demands of military applications. Featured manufacturers at AUSA include Amphenol, Airborn, Cinch, Conesys/Aero -Electric Connector, Eaton, Glenair, ITT Cannon, TE Connectivity, and more.

"We are thrilled to be part of AUSA 2023 and to showcase our military-aerospace interconnect expertise and breadth of products," said Michele Knowles, Director of Sales at ICC. "Our commitment to serving the United States Army and all branches of the military remains unwavering. We provide high-quality products and support to our valued customers. We invite all attendees to visit our booth to discover how ICC can help address their interconnect needs."

Key highlights of ICC's presence at AUSA 2023:

Large Portfolio of MIL-AERO Interconnects: ICC will feature the latest interconnect technology, showcasing products that enhance connectivity, reliability, and performance in military equipment alongside the tried-and-true vital components that have enabled success in the field for years.

Customized Value Add Solutions: The company's team of experts will be available to discuss custom solutions tailored to meet the unique requirements of military projects, ensuring seamless integration and performance.

Quality Assurance: ICC maintains the highest quality standards and certifications, including AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015, ensuring that its products consistently meet or exceed industry benchmarks.

Interstate Connecting Components invites attendees, partners, and media representatives to visit Booth #7901 at AUSA 2023 to explore their innovative interconnect solutions and discuss potential collaborations.

For more information about ICC and its participation in AUSA 2023, please visit connecticc.com or register to meet with our team during the expo here.

About Interstate Connecting Components (ICC)

A division of Heilind Electronics, North Americas largest interconnect distributor, Interstate Connecting Components (http://www.connecticc.com) is an AS9100D-certified value-added distributor for the entire spectrum of electronic connectors, fiber optic connectors, backshells, tools, identification solutions, and connector contacts. ICC specializes in the military-aerospace market and offers value-added assembly on 26482, 26500, 5015, D38999, M28840, M83513, and many other MIL-SPEC connector lines.

Attachment

David P. Warren Interstate Connecting Components 972-489-4752 [email protected]

Source: Interstate Connecting Components
New York, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NEW YORK20 September 2023The Bahai International Community (BIC) highlighted Iranian President Ebrahim Raisis disregard for human rights in his speech to the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, on 19 September, even as the world remembers the Iranian governments treatment of women and minorities as well as its yearlong crackdown against Irans Bahai community.

Mr. Raisis speech ignored the persecution of the Bahais, Irans largest non-Muslim religious minority, a situation which has been condemned by UN member states and agencies. He also did not discuss the human rights concerns of other religious and ethnic minorities, women and prisoners of conscience.

The UNs own Special Rapporteur for the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Javaid Rehman, said just this past February that the Bahais remained most severely persecuted, with a marked increase in arrests, targeting and victimization.

The president of the Islamic Republic also called for respect for religions around the world and for religious scriptures. But his government spends millions of dollars each year and vast resources of the state to produce hate speech materials about Bahais teachings and Bahai religious textsresources that could instead be used to further develop Iranian society.

UN General Assembly sessions resume each September and world leaders gather to deliver speeches during High-level weekthis week. The General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations, serving as its main deliberative, policymaking, and representative body, examining human rights issues among other topics.

Each year we see an Iranian president appearing before the United Nations General Assembly to say, as President Raisi said this week, that the Islamic Republic believes all are equal and that treating others with violence is forbidden, said Bani Dugal, the BICs Principal Representative to the United Nations. The Iranian Government's breathtaking hypocrisy must be called out. If the Iranian government believes all people are equal, why has it systematically persecuted Irans Bahai community for the past 44 years? Why are Bahais barred from higher education, why are they detained, summoned, tried without due process on false charges, and jailed for years? If Irans authorities say violence should be forbidden then why are Bahaisand many prisoners of conscience in Iranian jails, of all backgroundsphysically and psychologically abused?

An annual General Assembly resolution has been passed against Iran since 1983, with cross regional co-sponsorship and support, outlining its human rights violations against its citizens.

The Bahai community has collected thousands of items of evidence over decades, including court documents, official policies and UN reports, showing its relentless state-sponsored persecution against the Bahais, Ms. Dugal added. We hope that world leaders from every region will stand up, during the remaining days of the General Assembly, to remember all those in Iran who are suffering injustice, including the Bahais.

The past 12 months have seen a worsening crackdown in the situation of Irans Bahai community and the wider Iranian population. The BahaisIrans largest non-Muslim religious minorityhave been systematically persecuted since the establishment of the Islamic Republic 44 years ago.

Multiple Iranian policy documents, including a secret 1991 memorandum signed by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, have called for the Bahai community to be blocked, surveilled and otherwise harassed, denied access to university and public employment.

In recent weeks, there have been over 180 incidents of persecution against the community, including 60 arrests and imprisonments.

Two elderly Bahai women, Mahvash Sabet and Fariba Kamalabadi, have been held for over a year as part of unjust 10-year jail terms in Evin Prison. They had already served 10 years in prison together with five others who were members of an informal leadership group of the Baha'i community in Iran until 2008, when the group was disbanded, and all seven arrested and imprisoned.

In August, Mr. Jamaloddin Khanjani, a 90-year-old Bahai in failing health who had already served 10 years in prison for his Bahai beliefs, was arrested as part of a new wave of repression targeting the Bahais in the country. Mr. Khanjani and his daughter Maria, who was arrested with him, were later released on extortionate bails.

In May, the BIC reported that, in the midst of the widespread suffering of Iranians, an agent of Irans Ministry of Intelligence was forcibly burying deceased Bahais without the knowledge of their families and in violation of Bahai burial practices. The incidents were the latest of several and the remains of several Bahais were kept in morgues as the Bahais struggled to resolve the situation with the authorities.

And in summer 2022, a series of arrests, home demolitions, propaganda ploys and other acts of persecution marked the beginning of the ongoing crackdown against Irans Bahai community.

Millions of people around the world, however, were reached by the global #OurStoryIsOne campaign, which included remarkable levels of support from thousands of human rights figures, government officials and political leaders, prominent individuals, artists and ordinary citizens from around the world, to support the rights of the Iranian Bahai community.

Mr. Raisi appears before the international community just as millions of citizens in his country are facing human rights violations, Ms. Dugal said, and each year the Iranian government is rebuked yet again by international bodies for persecuting Bahais and harassing many others. Today the community of nations must look for new ways to hold Irans government accountable for violating the human rights of all its citizens. All innocent and long-suffering Iranians, including the Bahais, deserve justice.

Attachment

Rachel Wolfe U.S. Baha'i Office of Public Affairs 202-938-1145 [email protected]

Source: Baha'i National Center
LOUISVILLE, Colo., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JumpCloud Inc. today announced Greg Keller, the companys co-founder and chief strategy officer (CSO), has been honored as an Endeavor Entrepreneur through Endeavor Colorado, a leading global community of, by, and for high-impact entrepreneurs  those who dream bigger, scale faster, and pay it forward.

Endeavor builds thriving entrepreneurial ecosystems in emerging and underserved markets around the world. Endeavor creates a Multiplier Effect by inspiring high-growth founders to dream bigger, supporting and investing in them to scale faster, and providing a platform to pay it forward  compounding their individual impact. Launched in September 2019, Endeavor Colorado combines a local board with a global network to officially support 15 high-growth entrepreneurs in the state. Endeavor Colorado identifies and supports high-impact entrepreneurs  founders with the biggest ideas, the greatest potential to achieve meaningful scale, and the ability to inspire, mentor, and reinvest in the next generation.

"We are thrilled to welcome Greg as an Endeavor Entrepreneur, said Jim McGuirk, managing director, Endeavor Colorado. Having been deeply associated with Endeavor for quite some time, Greg has supported Endeavor Entrepreneurs globally, through mentorship for those tackling hard problems and building businesses. Gregs passion in connecting our global network of entrepreneurs is evident and we are excited to have him in Endeavor."

I am honored to now be a part of a global family of absolutely incredible Endeavor entrepreneurs, said Keller. I've had the up-close opportunity of watching Rajat Bhargava build amazing relationships around the globe through the Endeavor network over the years with people just like us who love to tackle hard problems and build businesses to solve them. I am so looking forward to working with and helping entrepreneurs move faster, make more connections and exchange ideas to tighten this global fabric of ours.

About JumpCloud

JumpCloud helps IT teams Make Work Happen by centralizing management of user identities and devices, enabling small and medium-sized enterprises to adopt Zero Trust security models. JumpCloud has been used by more than 200,000 organizations, with more than 5,000 paying customers including GoFundMe, Grab, ClassPass, Beyond Finance, and Foursquare. JumpCloud has raised over $400M from world-class investors including Sapphire Ventures, General Atlantic, Sands Capital, Atlassian, and CrowdStrike.

Learn more: https://www.jumpcloud.com/Follow us: Blog | Community | Twitter | LinkedIn | YouTube | Resources

Click here to get started with JumpCloud

Contact Josie Judy [email protected]

Source: JumpCloud
Toronto, ON, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March of Dimes Canada (MODC) is proud to announce the launch of their lifechanging After Stroke program in Newfoundland and Labrador.

After a successful, eight-month pilot, the program is now available to stroke survivors, families, and caregivers for one year. After Stroke improves support for people impacted by stroke with a comprehensive, personalized recovery program that facilitates a seamless transition from hospital to home.

We demonstrated After Strokes enormous impact, and now we have the opportunity to reach more people in Newfoundland and Labrador, said Len Baker, President and CEO of March of Dimes Canada. Thanks to this grant from the provincial government, more stroke survivors, families, and caregivers across the province will get the support they need to thrive after stroke.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have some of the highest rates of stroke in the country and we acknowledge the valuable need for better stroke care in Newfoundland and Labrador, said Minister of Health and Community Services, the Honourable Tom Osborne. This funding will provide skills and resources to stroke survivors and family members and caregivers to support community reintegration and improve patient outcomes.

The launch was celebrated with an event highlighting the need for, and success of, After Stroke in Newfoundland and Labrador. Len Baker and the Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, both spoke. People who benefited from the After Stroke pilot program were also there to share their stories of stroke recovery.

At MODC, we understand the impact of stroke, Baker added. We know it touches not only the stroke survivor, but their loved ones, too, and were proud to partner with the government of Newfoundland and Labrador to expand this crucial program in the province.

Find out more about After Stroke, and how to access local support, at AfterStroke.ca [www.afterstroke.ca].

Tina Siegel March of Dimes Canada 416-606-0541 [email protected]

Source: March of Dimes Canada
MONTREAL, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NanoXplore Inc. (NanoXplore or the Corporation) (TSX: GRA and OTCQX: NNXPF), a world-leading graphene company is pleased to announce that it has been awarded three programs from two existing customers, one large commercial vehicle OEM and one industrial equipment manufacturer, to supply exterior parts of vehicles. These components are used in both internal combustion engines and electric vehicles.

Production for the first program will begin in 2024 while the start of production for the other two programs is planned for 2026. These programs generally last for a period of 10 years. The Corporation estimates that these programs will generate $24M in annual sales at mature volumes along with a one-time tooling revenue of $10M. The Corporation has already secured the related manufacturing equipment to fulfill these orders and the expansion of the North Carolina facility is ongoing. These investments are part of NanoXplores 5-year strategic plan.

Soroush Nazarpour, President and Chief Executive Officer, said: I would like to thank our customers for their substantial commitment and continuous support of our business. These awards pave the way for further introduction of graphene in transportation and industrial equipment market. Graphene incorporation reduces the carbon footprint of these composite parts and will provide a significant improvement in surface properties which results into a cost reduction for our customers.

The Corporation is also pleased to announce the nomination of Jesse C. H. Stanley to its Board of Directors. Jesse C. H. Stanley has worked for Shell Energy North America, LLC as Chief Operations Officer since 2021. Since arriving in Houston in 2019 she has held the positions of General Manager Commercial for Shales and the Vice President of Pipeline Operations for Shell Midstream Company. Ms. Stanley has over 15 years of experience at Shell International Petroleum Company (Shell). Ms. Stanley started her career with Shell in Europe, working in lubricants operations based in Shells lubricants plants and refineries in the United Kingdom and France, a role in which she served for six years, streamlining processes for logistics and leading a series of initiatives to improve cost competitiveness. Then, based in Shanghai, China, Ms. Stanley was responsible for the global sales & marketing of the Auto & Truck Sector of Shell Lubricants where she led several sales and business development efforts in that role. Following a sabbatical year where she was a Sloan Fellow at Stanford Business School, Ms. Stanley was Corporate Strategy Advisor to Shells Chief Strategy & Portfolio Officer, based in the Netherlands.

Benoit Gascon, Lead Director of NanoXplore, stated: Im delighted to welcome Jesse to our Board. I have no doubt that she will play a vital role in guiding NanoXplore to achieve its goals. Her broad range of experience in strategy, sales and marketing and supply chain operations will be beneficial to NanoXplore.

About NanoXplore

NanoXplore is a graphene company, a manufacturer and supplier of high-volume graphene powder for use in industrial markets. The Corporation provides standard and custom graphene-enhanced plastic and composite products to various customers in transportation, packaging, electronics, and other industrial sectors. The Corporation is also a silicon graphene-enhanced Li-ion battery manufacturer for the Electric Vehicle and grid storage markets. NanoXplore is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec with manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements, and subject to risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs as well as assumptions based on information available at the time the assumption was made and on managements experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors deemed appropriate in the circumstances. No assurance can be given that these assumptions and expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are not facts, but only predications and can generally be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as anticipate, believe, continue, could, estimate, foresee, grow, expect, plan, intend, forecast, future, guidance, may, predict, project, should, strategy, target, will or similar expressions suggesting future outcomes.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and involves a number of risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking information necessarily involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including the relevant assumptions and risks factors set out in NanoXplores most recent annual management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com, which may cause NanoXplores actual results to differ materially from any projections of future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others, the uncertain and unpredictable condition of global economy. Any forward-looking information is made as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, NanoXplore does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forwardlooking statement as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise.

Forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions and are based on information currently available to management. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the future circumstances, outcomes or results anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements will occur or that plans, intentions or expectations upon which the forward-looking statements are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such statements.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved the contents of this press release.

For further information, please contact:

Pedro AzevedoChief Financial Officer[email protected]Tel: 438.476.1973

Source: NanoXplore Inc.
Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Washington, DC (September 20, 2023)  In a damaging blow to judicial independence, the Judicial Council of the Federal Circuit today ordered the suspension of active circuit judge, the Hon. Pauline Newman, from hearing new cases for at least a year. This suspension comes on top of the six-plus months the Council has already unlawfully suspended her from hearing cases while the investigation was still ongoing, which violates the very Judicial Conduct and Disability Act that the Judicial Council claims to have a solemn obligation to follow.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance, which is honored to represent Judge Newman, is challenging her unlawful pre-investigatory suspension in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. NCLA will also petition the Committee on Judicial Conduct & Disability to review todays flawed Judicial Council order. The Disability Act, were it being adhered to, calls for keeping Judge Newman hearing cases during the investigation and any appeals.

After Chief Judge Kimberly Moore identified a complaint this past March alleging that Judge Newman was mentally incompetent to fulfill her judicial duties, the Judicial Council indefinitely removed her from hearing new cases before any formal investigation beganan act unprecedented in American judicial history. Only after removing Judge Newman from the bench did the Chief Judge then appoint a Special Committee to investigate. Unlike every other substantive investigation of a federal circuit judge in recent decades, Chief Judge Moore refused to transfer the investigation to another circuit court of appealsinstead leading the investigation herself.

The Special Committee ordered Judge Newman to submit to forced neurological testing by a medical professional whom she was denied any role in selectinganother order unprecedented in American judicial history and inconsistent with the Disability Act. Forcing a federal judge to submit to a forced medical examination to remain on the bench is not consistent with the Constitution, which requires impeachment for removal from judicial office.

Despite the lack of factual predicate for the ordered mental exam, Judge Newman voluntarily submitted to mental health exams by two expert medical professionals. She was properly tested. She passed twice. This fact alone should have been enough to end the investigation against Judge Newman. Her vigor and her robust health are obvious in a video released by NCLA and at an in-person IPWatchdog conference this month, where Judge Newmans speech received two standing ovations. Oddly, the Judicial Council dismissed the validity of both medical examination reports, substantively mischaracterizing the examinations those experts conducted and substituting their own Google search for the considered opinions of two board-certified medical experts.

The Council upheld a Special Committees recommendation, which incorrectly found Judge Newman guilty of misconduct. After three weeks of needless delay, the Judicial Council also belatedly disclosed Judge Newmans August 31 response opposing the Special Committees recommendation. That 100-plus page document explains the problems with the process and recommendation against her in great detail. The Judicial Councils decision to muzzle Judge Newmans ability to reply to the Special Committees recommendation and then to delay disclosing her opposition to the Special Committees recommendation smacks of bias. Releasing it at the same time as the Judicial Councils Order appears to be a self-interested effort to bury her valid responses. The delay is the latest in a long series of deeply regrettable due process abuses infecting this matter.

The Judicial Councils factually baseless order not only deprives Judge Newman of the constitutional right and obligation to continue in office, but it violates the procedural due process protections built into the statute and rules the Judicial Council is enforcing. The Judicial Councils sanction against Judge Newman violates her right to exercise judicial power under Article III of the Constitution. It exceeds sanctions imposed on judges who committed serious misconduct, and it oversteps the Judicial Councils statutory authority.

The Judicial Councils Order also moves the goalposts, basing its conclusions on various new grounds to which Judge Newman has never had an opportunity to reply. It is impossible to defend an action where the charges against the defendant keep changing. This is why the judges cannot act simultaneously as judges, prosecutors, and witnesses. For this additional reason, todays decision resulted from a completely unacceptable process featuring an astounding lack of basic due process of law.

Earlier procedural failures have led to calls for an immediate transfer of the matter. Two former Federal Circuit Chief Judges, the Hon. Paul R. Michel and the Hon. Randall R. Rader, have independently spoken out against the due process deficits in this case, condemning the disgraceful treatment of Judge Newman throughout this mishandled investigation. The Hon. Edith Jones, an active judge and a former Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, also openly criticized the process.

Throughout these proceedings, Judge Newman offered cooperatively to resolve the question of her mental fitness. She has offered numerous compromises to the Committee, but in turn she was met with demands for blind obedience to the Special Committees unreasonable demands. This unacceptable process cannot stand.

NCLA released the following statements:

Throughout this process, the Special Committee and the Judicial Council have engaged in what can fairly be described as sharp practices. The Council faults Judge Newman and NCLA for attempting to discredit this entire process by trying their case in the press. But it is not Judge Newman who brought discredit upon this process and the Federal Circuit. It is the lack of due process and the resort to unprecedented actions inconsistent with the governing statute and the Constitution. For her part, Judge Newman will not stop her fight for due process of law and respect for constitutional norms.

 Greg Dolin, M.D., Senior Litigation Counsel, NCLA

Today is a dark day in the history of the federal judiciary. Judge Pauline Newman is a legal luminary and a living legend. She deserves far better than what her peers have done today. The Federal Circuit Judicial Council should never have tolerated a process this lacking in due process and one so inconsistent with the requirements of the Disability Act. NCLA trusts that wiser heads will prevail at the Committee on Judicial Conduct & Disability. Mark Chenoweth, President and General Counsel, NCLA

For more information visit the case page here or watch the case video here.

ABOUT NCLA

NCLA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil rights group founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. NCLAs public-interest litigation and other pro bono advocacy strive to tame the unlawful power of state and federal agencies and to foster a new civil liberties movement that will help restore Americans fundamental rights.

###

Joe Martyak New Civil Liberties Alliance 703-403-1111 [email protected]

Source: New Civil Liberties Alliance
Once integrated into the WatchGuard Unified Security Platform architecture, the CyGlass technology will deliver AI- and ML-based detection of network anomalies and accelerate Open XDR capabilities.

SEATTLE, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WatchGuard Technologies, a global leader in unified cybersecurity, today announced the acquisition of CyGlass Technology Services, a leading provider of Cloud and network-centric threat detection and response solutions that help organizations see risks, stop threats, and prove compliance. CyGlass's 100% cloud native platform utilizes advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) capabilities to deliver enterprise-class cyber defense across hybrid networks, to mid-sized and small organizations at an affordable cost and without hardware. The CyGlass technology will add to the WatchGuard Unified Security Platform architecture, delivering AI-based detection of network anomalies with a future Network Detection and Response (NDR) service, and will accelerate Open eXtended detection and response (XDR) capabilities within WatchGuard ThreatSync.

The success of CyGlass in the last year demonstrates that mid-sized companies and MSPs are seeking innovative detection and response solutions that are not reliant on costly hardware. The WatchGuard solutions built on CyGlass technology will create a competitive advantage for our partners that will drive increased revenue and margin opportunities, said Andrew Young, chief product officer at WatchGuard. When integrated into WatchGuards Unified Security Platform architecture, partners and customers alike will benefit from the latest security advances to keep network attacks at bay, enhanced XDR insights and actions with telemetry from 3rd-party devices including switches, and easier regulatory and cyber-insurance compliance with powerful built-in reports.

CyGlass mirrors a key tenet of WatchGuards mission, which is to make enterprise-grade security more accessible to all customers. Other NDR products commonly rely on expensive hardware and experienced security analysts to manage the solutions, meaning that only larger enterprise businesses could reasonably deploy them. CyGlass's product and approach are different, as a fully Cloud-based solution, it enables mid-sized enterprises and MSPs to provide NDR capabilities at a very reasonable cost of ownership.

We founded CyGlass with the goal of helping organizations better defend their hybrid networks with new levels of intelligence that protect against the most sophisticated attacks, said Ed Jackowiak, founder and CEO of CyGlass. Joining WatchGuard and integrating our capabilities into its impressive Unified Security Platform architecture takes our mission to the next level and makes it available to an established global network of partners and customers.

The immediate focus of the combined company is on supporting current CyGlass customers and partners with existing CyGlass solutions and integrating the CyGlass technology into the WatchGuard platform.

Advisors

Kirkland & Ellis LLP and K&L Gates LLP served as legal counsel to WatchGuard and Vector Capital.

About WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.

WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. is a global leader in unified cybersecurity. Our Unified Security Platform approach is uniquely designed for managed service providers to deliver world-class security that increases their business scale and velocity while also improving operational efficiency. Trusted by more than 17,000 security resellers and service providers to protect more than 250,000 customers, the companys award-winning products and services offer five critical elements of a security platform: comprehensive security, shared knowledge, clarity & control, operational alignment, and automation. The company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. To learn more, visit WatchGuard.com.

For additional information, promotions and updates, follow WatchGuard on Twitter (@WatchGuard), on Facebook, or on the LinkedIn Company page. Also, visit our InfoSec blog, Secplicity, for real-time information about the latest threats and how to cope with them at www.secplicity.org. Subscribe to The 443  Security Simplified podcast at Secplicity.org, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

WatchGuard is a registered trademark of WatchGuard Technologies, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
NEW CANAAN, Conn., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. (OTCQX: NLCP) (The Company or NewLake), a leading provider of real estate capital to state-licensed cannabis operators, today announced that Anthony Coniglio, President and Chief Executive Officer, Lisa Meyer, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary, and Jarrett Annenberg, Senior Vice President and Head of Investments, will attend the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference to be held September 27-28, 2023 in Chicago.



Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference

Date: Thursday, September 27-28

Location: Chicago, IL

Register: here

To schedule a one-on-one meeting with NewLakes management team, please contact your Benzinga representative, or email KCSA Strategic Communications at [email protected].

About NewLake Capital Partners, Inc.

NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust that provides real estate capital to state-licensed cannabis operators through sale-leaseback transactions and third-party purchases and funding for build-to-suit projects. NewLake owns a portfolio of 32 cultivation facilities and dispensaries that are leased to single tenants on a triple-net basis. For more information, please visit www.newlake.com.

Contact Information:

Lisa Meyer

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

NewLake Capital Partners, Inc.

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Valter Pinto, Managing Director

KCSA Strategic Communications

[email protected]

PH: (212) 896-1254

Media Contact:

McKenna Miller

KCSA Strategic Communications

[email protected]

PH: (212) 896-1254
SHANGHAI, China, Sept. 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NIO Inc. (NYSE: NIO; HKEX: 9866; SGX: NIO) (NIO or the Company), a pioneer and a leading company in the premium smart electric vehicle market, today announced the pricing of US$500 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2029 (the 2029 Notes) and US$500 million in aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (the 2030 Notes, and, together with the 2029 Notes, the Notes) (the Notes Offering). The Notes have been offered to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act). In addition, the Company has granted the initial purchasers in the Notes Offering an option, exercisable within a 30-day period beginning on, and including, the date of the Notes Offering, to purchase up to an additional US$75 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2029 Notes and up to an additional US$75 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2030 Notes.

When issued, the Notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of NIO. The 2029 Notes will bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2024. The 2030 Notes will bear interest at a rate of 4.625% per year, payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2024. The 2029 Notes will mature on October 15, 2029 and the 2030 Notes will mature on October 15, 2030, unless repurchased, redeemed or converted in accordance with their terms prior to such date.

Holders may convert the Notes at any time prior to the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the relevant maturity date. Upon conversion, the Company will pay or deliver to such converting holders, as the case may be, cash, the Companys American Depositary Shares (ADSs), each currently representing one Class A ordinary share of the Company, or a combination of cash and ADSs, at the Companys election. After the resale restriction termination date (as will be defined in the terms of the Notes) and pursuant to the applicable procedures and requirements, holders who receive ADSs upon conversion of the Notes may surrender such ADSs to the Companys ADS depositary for exchange into Class A ordinary shares for trading on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the Hong Kong Stock Exchange) or the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST).

The initial conversion rate of the 2029 Notes is 89.9685 ADSs per US$1,000 principal amount of such 2029 Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$11.12 per ADS and represents a conversion premium of approximately 30% above the closing price of the Companys ADSs on September 19, 2023, which was US$8.55 per ADS). The initial conversion rate of the 2030 Notes is 89.9685 ADSs per US$1,000 principal amount of such Notes (which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately US$11.12 per ADS and represents a conversion premium of approximately 30% above the closing price of the Companys ADSs on September 19, 2023). The relevant conversion rate for each series of the Notes is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events.

The Company may redeem for cash all but not part of the 2029 Notes and/or the 2030 Notes if less than 10% of the aggregate principal amount of the relevant series of the Notes originally issued remains outstanding at such time. In addition, the Company may redeem all but not part of the 2029 Notes and/or the 2030 Notes in the event of certain changes in the tax laws. On or after October 22, 2027, in the case of the 2029 Notes, and on or after October 22, 2028, in the case of the 2030 Notes, the Company may redeem for cash all or part of the relevant series of the Notes, subject to certain conditions. Any redemption may occur only prior to the 20th scheduled trading day immediately preceding the relevant maturity date.

Holders of the Notes may require the Company to repurchase for cash all or part of their Notes on October 15, 2027, in the case of the 2029 Notes, or October 15, 2028, in the case of the 2030 Notes, at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the relevant repurchase date. Holders of the Notes have the option, subject to certain conditions, to require the Company to repurchase any Notes held in the event of a fundamental change.

The Company plans to use a portion of the net proceeds from the Notes Offering to repurchase a portion of the existing debt securities as described below, and the remainder mainly to further strengthen its balance sheet position as well as for general corporate purposes.

The Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from this Notes Offering to purchase and surrender for cancellation, in separate privately negotiated transactions effected through one of the initial purchasers or its affiliate, concurrently with the pricing of the Notes Offering, approximately US$256 million aggregate principal amount of the Companys outstanding 0.00% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes) and approximately US$244 million aggregate principal amount of the Companys outstanding 0.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the 2027 Notes, and together with the 2026 Notes, the Existing Notes) for cash (each, a Repurchase Transaction, and collectively, the Repurchase Transactions). The terms of each Repurchase Transaction have been individually negotiated with each holder of the Existing Notes.

The Company expects that holders and potential purchasers of the Companys debt securities may employ a convertible arbitrage strategy to hedge their exposure in connection with the relevant securities. Any such activities by holders of the relevant debt securities and/or potential investors in the Notes could affect the market price of the ADSs and Class A ordinary shares and/or the trading price of such debt securities.

The Notes, the ADSs deliverable upon conversion of the Notes, if any, and the Class A ordinary shares represented thereby, have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act or securities laws of any other places. They may not be offered or sold, except to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

The Company expects to close the Notes Offering and the Repurchase Transactions on or about September 22, 2023, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities, nor shall there be a sale of the securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

This press release contains information about the pending Notes Offering and Repurchase Transactions, and there can be no assurance that the Notes Offering and/or Repurchase Transactions will be completed. The Notes Offering is not contingent on the closing of the Repurchase Transactions. The consummation of the Repurchase Transactions will be contingent on the closing of the Notes Offering.

About NIO Inc.

NIO Inc. is a pioneer and a leading company in the premium smart electric vehicle market. Founded in November 2014, NIOs mission is to shape a joyful lifestyle. NIO aims to build a community starting with smart electric vehicles to share joy and grow together with users. NIO designs, develops, jointly manufactures and sells premium smart electric vehicles, driving innovations in next-generation technologies in autonomous driving, digital technologies, electric powertrains and batteries. NIO differentiates itself through its continuous technological breakthroughs and innovations, such as its industry-leading battery swapping technologies, Battery as a Service, or BaaS, as well as its proprietary autonomous driving technologies and Autonomous Driving as a Service, or ADaaS. NIOs product portfolio consists of the ES8, a six-seater smart electric flagship SUV, the ES7 (or the EL7), a mid-large five-seater smart electric SUV, the ES6, a five-seater all-round smart electric SUV, the EC7, a five-seater smart electric flagship coupe SUV, the EC6, a five-seater smart electric coupe SUV, the ET7, a smart electric flagship sedan, the ET5, a mid-size smart electric sedan, and the ET5T, a smart electric tourer.

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. NIO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), in its annual report to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the websites of each of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the SGX-ST, 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 NIOs beliefs, plans 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: NIOs strategies; NIOs future business development, financial condition and results of operations; NIOs ability to develop and manufacture a car of sufficient quality and appeal to customers on schedule and on a large scale; its ability to ensure and expand manufacturing capacities including establishing and maintaining partnerships with third parties; its ability to provide convenient and comprehensive power solutions to its customers; the viability, growth potential and prospects of the newly introduced BaaS and ADaaS; its ability to improve the technologies or develop alternative technologies in meeting evolving market demand and industry development; NIOs ability to satisfy the mandated safety standards relating to motor vehicles; its ability to secure supply of raw materials or other components used in its vehicles; its ability to secure sufficient reservations and sales of its vehicles; its ability to control costs associated with its operations; its ability to build the NIO brand; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in NIOs filings with the SEC and the announcements and filings on the websites of each of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and SGX-ST. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and NIO does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

For more information, please visit: http://ir.nio.com

Investor Relations[email protected]

Media Relations[email protected]

Source: NIO Inc.
Arcadia and Leonardo DiCaprio honored for their important roles in ocean conservation

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Tuesday, September 19, Oceana supporters gathered at Rockefeller Centers Rainbow Room to celebrate the organizations 10th annual New York Gala. The event raised over $1.5 million in support of Oceanas global campaigns and featured an esteemed group of speakers and attendees, including master of ceremonies Ted Danson, Oceana Board Chair Sam Waterston, gala chairs Susan and David Rockefeller, event honoree Leonardo DiCaprio, Oceana Senior Advisor Alexandra Cousteau, and actress Christina Ochoa, among others.



Weve all read the horrible headlines about record ocean temperatures, species racing toward extinction, and children starving from lack of food, said Susan Rockefeller to the nearly 200 business, philanthropic, and cultural leaders in attendance. Science tells us that if we can rebuild healthy and abundant oceans, we can feed more than a billion people a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. We can save the oceans and feed the world.

The event honored Leonardo DiCaprio, whose support has been instrumental in helping Oceana make fishing vessel activity public and trackable. DiCaprio provided the initial funding needed to launch Global Fishing Watch, which Oceana co-founded with SkyTruth and Google in 2016. This free tool provided the first global view of commercial fishing activity and is now working to map all industrial activities at sea. Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless introduced DiCaprio, noting that Global Fishing Watchs impact is deterring bad behavior at sea worldwide.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on the image or link below:

This years gala also honored Arcadia, a charitable foundation that works to protect nature, preserve culture heritage, and promote open access to knowledge. Since 2002, Arcadia has awarded more than $1 billion to organizations around the world and has been instrumental in Oceanas successful campaigns to protect and restore ocean life.

The evening concluded with a dance party led by musical guest The Rakiem Walker Project and featured artist GLRA.

Oceanas exclusive watch partner, Blancpain, was the presenting partner for this years event. For the past 70 years, since the 1953 launch of the worlds first modern diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms, Blancpain has established deep connections with the worlds oceans and the communities dedicated to their preservation. Through its ocean exploration and conservation initiative, the Blancpain Ocean Commitment, Blancpain has supported dozens of major scientific expeditions, including two with Oceana. The two organizations work closely together to further important contributions to ocean conservation.

Over the past 10 years, Oceanas New York Gala has raised more than $14 million to help deliver policy victories in New York and around the world. In the past year alone, Oceana has won more than 30 victories for the ocean and planet, including policies that address single-use plastics in New York City and end the devastating shark fin trade in the United States.

For a full list of underwriters and partners, gala co-chairs and vice-chairs, auction items, and more information about Oceanas 2023 New York Gala, visit OceanaNYgala.org.

Photos from the event are available here.

Join the fight to save our oceans at Oceana.org/join.

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the worlds wild fish catch. With more than 275 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceanas campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.

Contact: Gillian Spolarich, [email protected]
The number of people signing up to donate organs has dropped 25 percent during the coronavirus pandemic.

According to data obtained from Korea Organ Donation Agency, in 2020 some 67,160 people pledged to donate their organs after death, down 25.7 percent from the previous year. It is the first time in a decade the number has dropped below 70,000.

"Organ donations are often encouraged at hospitals. But as the number of people who visited hospitals decreased due to the pandemic, fewer people made such pledges," a KODA staffer said.

However, the number of patients waiting for organ transplants stood at 35,852 last year, up 8.7 percent from 32,990 in 2019.


NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (Via ESG News) ESG News releases Paul Polman Former Unilever CEO one-on-one interview with Force for Good Host and Chairman Ketan Patel, live from London, England.

Highlights - Paul Polman speaks to Force For Good About:

How the SDGs are not set to be met, based on todays trajectory

Why our business and industrial model doesnt work with 8 billion people

How capitalism is much needed, and in a more fit-for-purpose evolved form

Realpolitik, ESG and the American and European approaches to sustainability

The importance of bringing together those with private wealth and those with social impact potential

Why he remains hopeful

Watch full video: One-on-One Interview

Event DetailsShow: Force For GoodGuests: Paul Polman, Former CEO UnileverHost: Ketan PatelOriginal Release Dates: April, 18 2023Location: London, EnglandNetwork: ESG NewsProducer: Matt BirdYouTube: Archive

About Paul PolmanPaul is Co-founder and Chair Emeritus of IMAGINE. A leading proponent that business should be a force for good, Paul has been described by the Financial Times as a standout CEO of the past decade. As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), he demonstrated that a long-term, multi-stakeholder model goes hand-in-hand with excellent financial performance. Paul was a member of the UN Secretary Generals High-Level Panel which developed the Sustainable Development Goals and as an active SDG Advocate he continues to work with global organisations and across industry to push the 2030 development agenda. He is Chair of the B Team and Said Business School, Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact and honourary Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, which he led for two years.

Prior to joining Unilever, Mr. Polman was Chief Financial Officer of Nestle S.A. He serves as President of the Kilimanjaro Blind trust and Chairman of Perkins International Advisory Board. He is also a member of the International Business Council of the World Economic Forum, the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce, and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Bruce Carnegie-Brown was appointed Chairman in June 2017. He is currently also Vice-Chairman of Banco Santander, Chairman of the MCC, Chair of the Leadership Council of TheCityUK and Chairman of Cuvva, a digital motor insurance business.

He was a Non-Executive Director of JLT Group plc from 2016 to 2017, prior to which he was Non-Executive Chairman of Aon UK Ltd from 2012 to 2015, Senior Independent Director of Catlin Group Ltd from 2010 to 2014 and Chief Executive for Marsh UK and Europe from 2003 to 2006. He was Chairman of Moneysupermarket Group from 2014 to 2019 and Senior Independent Director of Close Brothers Group plc from 2006 to 2014 and is a Past President of the Chartered Management Institute.

He previously worked at JP Morgan for 18 years in a number of senior roles and was Managing Partner of 3i Group plc's Quoted Private Equity Division from 2007 to 2009.

About Ketan PatelChair of the Force for Good Platform and Initiative; CEO and Founder, Greater Pacific Capital; Formerly Goldman Sachs, Head of Strategic Group; Formerly Partner KPMG; Author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005).

Ketan established the Force for Good Initiative, leading its outreach and research and co-authored its inaugural report, Capital as a Force for Good, in December 2020, which examined 63 leading global financial institutions and engaged 30 as active participants, establishing the industrys efforts to impact the world for good.

He was formerly a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs and headed the Goldman Sachs Strategic Group. He has worked extensively in the US, Europe, China, Japan and India, providing strategic counsel to the banks leading corporate, investing and government client leaders.

Ketan co-founded and leads the investment firm, Greater Pacific Capital (GPC), which invests in high growth enterprises making an impact locally and internationally, profitably and sustainably.

He also leads GPCs research work, which focuses on peace, prosperity and freedom, including the rise and fall of civilisations, great power, the changing world order and the shape of the world to come, sustainability, mass inclusion and the eradication of slums.

Ketan is a fellow, trustee and board member of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and worked with the UNWAAS Global Leadership Initiative, leading the future of finance initiative. He currently chairs the WAAS Global Referendum initiative.

He is a member of the working group of the UN SDSN Senior Working Group on Joint Implementation of EGD and SDGs and also the Lancet Commission COVID 19 Green Recovery Task Force focused on Sustainable Finance.

Ketan is the author of The Master Strategist (Random House, 2005).

He grew up in London and India and studied Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and is an MBA and ACMA.

For more information about being a guest, sponsorship or attending a live event please contact us.

CONTACTS:Guest Bookings & Sponsorship inquiries:[email protected]

View Original Article: https://esgnews.com/paul-polman-former-unilever-ceo-interview-with-ketan-patel-force-for-good/

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5002b760-c727-4f27-b08c-3ca71f073c75

Paul Polman Force For Good ESG News Paul Polman Force For Good ESG News

Source: ESG News
Regina, Sask., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Protein Industries Canada is pleased to announce that Tyler Groeneveld, Corteva Agrisciences North American Director, Grains and Oils, based out of Cortevas Canadian head office in Calgary, Alta., has been elected Chair of Protein Industries Canadas Board of Directors. Groeneveld has served on the Board of Directors since the inception of Protein Industries Canada in 2018.

I am humbled and honoured to serve as Chair of Protein Industries Canada, Groeneveld said. As we collaborate to further innovation in the production of food, feed, fuel and bioproducts, we will create new economic growth and jobs for Canada. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to continue to grow this important sector.

Frank Hart, who was the inaugural Chair of Protein Industries Canada and served as Chair since 2018, remains on the board of directors.

I am grateful for my time as Chair of Protein Industries Canada and look forward to continuing to support the organization as a director of the board, Frank Hart said. With our second mandate now underway, it was a natural time to pass the baton to a new Board Chair to support the continued success of Protein Industries Canada and Canadas plant-based sector.

In addition to a new Chair of the Board, Protein Industries Canada welcomed four new board members for three-year terms. Joining the board are:

Dr. Anja Geitmann, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Associate Vice-Principal (Macdonald Campus) of McGill University, Quebec;

Dori Gingera-Beauchemin, retired public servant and farmer, Manitoba;

Jacqueline Khayat, Head of Business Development & Marketing for Virentia, Quebec; and

Jennifer Marchand, Government and Industry Relations Lead for Cargill, Manitoba.

Leaving the board are Karen Chad, Karen Churchill, Laurie Dmytryshyn and Mary Donlevy-Konkin.

I would like to welcome our new board members who bring extensive expertise to Protein Industries Canada. I also want to thank our outgoing board members for their incredible contributions to the organization over the past three years, Groeneveld said. A special thank you to Frank, our outgoing Chair, whose guidance, insight and dedication have been critical in the development and accomplishments of Protein Industries Canada.

Protein Industries Canadas AGM was held in Edmonton on Sept. 12 and 13, with more than 170 attendees, including a delegation from the United Kingdom. Highlights of the event included the announcement of a $20 million joint call for collaborative R&D projects between Protein Industries Canada and Innovate UK, and a matchmaking event between Canadian and UK companies.

The Conference included a keynote speech by Yves Potvin, the founder of Yves Veggie Cuisine, Gardein and Konscious Foods, as well as a fireside chat with Canadas High Commissioner to the UK, The Honourable Ralph Goodale.

About Protein Industries Canada

Protein Industries Canada is an industry-led, not-for-profit organization committed to positioning Canada as a global source of high-quality plant-based food and ingredients. Protein Industries Canada, along with industry, has committed more than $485 million to the Canadian plant-protein sector.

Attachment

Miranda Burski Protein Industries Canada 306-581-1340 [email protected]

Source: Protein Industries Canada
HOUSTON, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazilian oil and gas giant Petrobras has awarded Radix, a global engineering and technology company, a new contract to develop projects for Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSOs). The agreement will last 31 months, with services estimated at $11.5M USD (R$57 million). The contract includes developing multidisciplinary engineering projects using digital automation tools for the state-owned company's new assets.

"We are very excited about this major new contract with Petrobras, underlining our industrial expertise in this segment. Petrobras is a global reference client in the oil and gas market, where Radix continues to have a strong presence," said Augusto Castro, Radix's General Manager for Capital Projects.

About Radix Engineering & Software

Founded in 2010, Radix Engineering and Software is a privately held global technology company that provides consulting, engineering, operations technology, and digital solutions. Radix combines key capabilities and practices to enable our worldwide customers to thrive in their digital journey. Radix provides technology-based solutions to industrial and non-industrial customers worldwide. Radix's North American headquarters is located in Houston, TX, with offices also in Atlanta, GA. The global HQ is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with offices in Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte. With a strong focus on results, people, and long-term relationships, Radix has developed projects in more than 20 countries worldwide. www.radixeng.com

For more information contact: Company Contact:Citalouise Geiggar, [email protected]Radix Engineering

Source: Radix Engineering & Software
SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gluxkind Technologies, the smart stroller creators, unveiled its groundbreaking smart stroller, Rosa at this year's TechCrunch Disrupt. Rosa expands upon Gluxkinds mission to redefine the early years of parenting by giving new parents the peace of mind they deserve. The new product comes on the heels of their most recent CES Innovation Award for their flagship stroller Ella.

Introducing Rosa: The Future of Parenthood Mobility

Rosa isn't an average stroller; it's a smart crib on wheels with the supported mobility of an e-bike. Gluxkinds newest stroller is a paradigm shift in baby gear that redefines safety, convenience, and inclusivity.

Enter a New Stroller Era with Rosa Designed for real-life adventures, Rosa isn't just for the showroom. Its adaptive push and brake assistance make navigating any terrain a breeze, whether moving uphill, downhill, or loaded up with groceries and toys. Parents and guardians can say goodbye to involuntary workouts and hello to ease and inclusivity!

The 24/7 Parenting Partner Rosa support isnt limited to just strolls; it's the round-the-clock parenting companion - the Fractional Nanny as the startup world called her. With features like Rock-My-Baby mode and integrated speakers for white noise and stories, it offers much-needed respite for exhausted parents.

Safety First, Second, and Third Safety is Gluxkind's top priority, and Rosa sets the bar high. Our cutting-edge brake assistance technology ensures absolute peace of mind for parents, putting an end to the worry of runaway strollers.

The Innovation Parents Have Been Longing For

Modern parents are in search of smarter, more convenient solutions as they embark on this incredible journey. Strollers are a lifeline during those early years of parenthood, and Gluxkind provides the support and peace of mind they've been longing for.

Anne Hunger, CPO and Co-founder of Gluxkind, expresses her excitement, Our community has been urging us to release this product as new parents today often face a multitude of competing priorities. The physical and mental load keeps building up, and we are extremely excited to support new parents with Rosa for part of their journey from now on.

What's Included:

Innovative stroller frame

Newborn bassinet

Toddler seat

Full-sized battery for a week's worth of adventures

Pre-orders for Rosa open today!

Expecting parents should not sleep on this parenting revolution! Rosa is available for pre-order on Gluxkinds website, with an expected delivery date of February 2024. Acting fast secures the experience of the future of parenting at early bird pricing of $2,400. For more information please visit: http://www.gluxkind.com

More Resources

Access additional marketing material and high resolution images via this link.

Connect with us on Instagram or LinkedIn for product and company updates respectively.

About Gluxkind: Smarter Products for Parents, by Parents

Gluxkind is a Canadian baby technology startup founded in 2020 by Anne Hunger and Kevin Huang, first-time parents themselves at the time. The name Gluxkind is inspired by the German word Gluckskind. Gluck means lucky and Kind translates to child. For a lucky child, everything turns out better than just fine.

Gluxkind has received the CES Innovation Award 2023 and was featured on Fast Company's World Changing Ideas list. They recently showcased their products and long-term vision at the United Nations' conference AI for Good in Geneva, Switzerland.

Gluxkind has previously been featured by Forbes, Good Morning America, Engadget, Business Insider and many more.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1dac9773-3b09-4a7e-b8f0-191b6edb8767

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ffd4c4fb-6081-4010-b379-b27da0f76783

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2bba7b0d-81d5-4575-8aeb-7dfef648dec3

Contact: Anne Hunger CPO | Media Relations [email protected]

Rosa Smart Stroller (Bassinet only) High resolution image with background of smart stroller rosa featuring the infant bassinet. Delivery scope also includes the toddler seat supporting kids up to 50lbs. Rosa Smart Stroller Smart stroller Rosa includes the infant bassinet and the toddler seat to support new parents right from birth and for years to come Rosa - Rock-my-baby Rosa's Rock-my-baby feature combines a stroller and a smart crib in one convenient product that can be used at home and on the go, providing peaceful sleep wherever parents want to go.

Source: GluxKind Technologies Inc
AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At Rootstack we are hosting our annual technology event, a unique gathering where technology professionals, experts and enthusiasts come together to explore and share knowledge on digital innovation.

In this event, we will have the participation of some of our most notable partners: Microsoft, UiPath, Red Hat and Validated ID. It will be a great opportunity for you to connect with experts from these industry-leading companies and learn about the most advanced solutions and services they offer.

The appointment is September 21, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Decapolis Hotel Panama, where we will meet to explore the latest technological trends and discover together new opportunities for innovation and growth.

What will you get at the event?

And not only will we have conferences from our partners, our own Rootstack experts will also share their valuable experiences and perspectives on different topics of interest in the corporate, business and technology area.

Our CTO and Co-Founder, Diego Tejera, will be one of our speakers, who will talk about how to transform data into actionable information. Likewise, our People Manager and Co-Founder, Juan Daniel Florez, will talk about how companies can build software development teams that are effective and deliver results.

We will also address more technical aspects with the help of two of our senior full stack developers: Hector Rodriguez and Ivan Mendoza. They will discuss topics related to the most popular development methodology of 2023 and Drupal & Arduino. Their knowledge and experience in technology are invaluable, and we are sure that their presentations will be very enriching.

The event will address a series of cutting-edge topics that reflect the current technological landscape, led by our prestigious partners. Some of the featured topics include:

VIDsigner eSignature: Discover how VIDsigner is revolutionizing the way we sign documents, providing a secure and simple solution for this essential process.

New Automation Directions: Explore the latest trends in automation and how they are transforming the way businesses operate.

Digital Evolution: Learn about digital evolution and how organizations can adapt and thrive in this new environment.

The Power of Digital Freedom: Discover how technology is empowering people and businesses to achieve new levels of digital freedom.

Towards the Secure Cloud with Microsoft Azure: Get valuable tips on how to migrate to the cloud safely and efficiently using Microsoft Azure.

This event promises to be an enriching experience and a unique opportunity to learn, connect and explore the possibilities that technology offers in today's world. We hope to see you on September 21 at the Decapolis Hotel Panama!

Contact Data Information

Rootstack LLC [email protected]

Source: Rootstack LLC
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SHARC International Systems Inc. (CSE: SHRC) (FSE: IWIA) (OTCQB: INTWF) ("SHARC Energy" or the Company) would like to welcome world-renowned sustainable architect Peter Busby, C.M., FRAIC, LEED Fellow, to its board of directors, as voted by shareholders at the recently held Annual General Meeting on September 12, 2023.

Mr. Busby is a principal at Perkins & Will, a global design practice founded in 1935, with over 28 offices and over 2,500 employees. Mr. Busby has been an Architect based in Vancouver for 40 years. He has built approximately 150 buildings across Canada including 3 at Simon Fraser University and 4 at the University of British Columbia, and many other residential and mixed-use commercial projects across Vancouver.

He is best known for his development of sustainable design in Canada, founding the Canada Green Building Council in 2002 that brought LEED to Canada. He has won many design awards, including 6 Governor Generals Awards, 11 Lieutenant Governor Awards, and the RAIC Gold medal. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2015 for creating and pushing the green building movement in Canada. He also has many built buildings outside Canada, including South Korea, Italy, the USA, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong. Peter is still active in the industry, currently designing projects in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, Seattle, and Texas.

Architects play a pivotal role in the conceptualization, design, and supervision of building projects which makes them instrumental in integrating Wastewater Energy Transfer (WET) Systems for enhanced sustainability. The Company will leverage Mr. Busbys expertise to better engage with architects worldwide and grow awareness of SHARC Energy within the industry and drive lead generation for its products.

The SHARC technology is leading edge and critical to reducing the operational carbon footprint of all our buildings. We must help the profession understand the technology and the fantastic opportunity it represents for the building industry going forward! said Mr. Busby.

The addition of Mr. Busby, in addition to SHARC Energy (US) Systems Inc. President Michael Albertson, are key milestones for the Company as it prepares for growth and looks to augment its current board and management teams with key influential stakeholders within their respective, complimentary industries.

The Company would also like to extend its gratitude and thank Al Saurette and Sashko Despotovski for their contribution to SHARC Energy as members of the board. Both elected to not stand in for nomination but remain supporters of the Company. We wish them the best in each of their individual endeavours.

Finally, the Company would like to advise that Tom MacDonald, who was nominated to stand in for election as a director, removed his consent to act prior to the Annual General Meeting due to an unforeseen personal commitment.

About SHARC Energy

SHARC International Systems Inc. is a world leader in energy transfer from the wastewater we send down the drain every day. SHARC Energy's systems recycle thermal energy from wastewater, generating one of the most energy-efficient and economical systems for heating, cooling & hot water production for commercial, residential, and industrial buildings.

SHARC Energy is publicly traded in Canada (CSE: SHRC), the United States (OTCQB: INTWF) and Germany (Frankfurt: IWIA) and you can find out more on our SEDAR profile.

Learn more about SHARC Energy: Website | Investor Page | LinkedIn | YouTube | PIRANHA | SHARC

Learn more about the CAGBC & LEED Certification: CAGBC | 4Thoughts

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Lynn Mueller Chairman and Chief Executive Officer For investor inquiries, please contact: For media inquiries, please contact: Hanspaul Pannu Mike Tanyi Chief Financial Officer Director of Marketing & IT SHARC Energy SHARC Energy Telephone: (604) 475-7710 ext. 4 Telephone: 604.475.7710 Ext.109 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified using words such as anticipate, plan, estimate, expect, may, will, intend, should, and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. SHARC Energys actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. SHARC Energy believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Companys expectations as of the date hereof and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.

Source: SHARC Energy
OTTAWA, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the President of The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC), Dr. Amanda Black, will be attending a Day of Representation on Parliament Hill to champion the economic and social benefits of free and Universal access to contraception for all Canadians. She will also be joined by members of Action Canada, CART UBC and Project EmpowHER.

Reproductive rights are human rights and must be protected at a federal level. The United Nations and the World Health Organization have stated that access to safe, voluntary family planning is a human right, and that family planning is essential to promoting gender equality, advancing the autonomy of women, and reducing poverty, says Dr. Amanda Black, President of the SOGC. An overwhelming majority of Canadians agree. A recent poll shows 83 per cent of Canadians approve of free prescription birth control across Canada, and seven out of 10 feel the issue is urgent. Among voters of the three main federal parties in different regions across Canada, the support was 75 per cent or higher, says Dr. Rupinder Toor, Medical Director and founder of Calgarys IUD & NE Womens Clinic and founder of the advocacy group Project EmpowHER. This initiative has been gaining momentum for the last year. Back in April, British Columbia became the first province to provide free access to contraception. This Summer, Project EmpowHER issued a petition to the House of Commons with more than 12,000 signatures, further emphasizing the need for this concept to be implemented across Canada. Many studies have proven that for each $1 invested in universal contraception, nearly $9 can be saved in the public sector. Implementing this policy would prove to be revenue-neutral by year two and saving money by year three.The SOGC is one of Canadas oldest national specialty organizations and has been a leader of the advancement of womens health since 1944.CONTACTS:

Patrick OReilly, SOGC Communications SpecialistTel: 438-370-5095Email: [email protected]

Source: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
QUEBEC, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stelmine Canada (Stelmine or the Company) (TSXV: STH). Stelmine announces the discovery of a highly mineralized sulfide zone located 3 and 5 km from the T-Rex and Meridian zones, respectively. The new zone has essentially identical geological and geophysical characteristics to those of the Meridian Zone; indicating significant gold potential (Figure 1). Note that drilling carried out on the Meridian Zone returned up to 2.62 g/t Au over 17.8m, including 4.87 g/t Au over 5.6m (P.R. of May 11, 2023). Mercator (100% STH) is located in the northeastern part of Quebec, approximately 160km west of Fermont. The mapping and sampling program currently underway on the Mercator project has led to the discovery of a new mineralized zone (visual), lying approximately 2km beyond the limits of the recently completed IP survey in this area (P.R. of August 8, 2023).

This new discovery now allows following the horizons of interest over more than 8km, i.e., from the Meridian Zone to the T-Rex Zone (P.R. of August 8, 2023) up to the new zone. Grab and channel samples have been sent to the assay lab and results are pending.

Similarities between the new zone and the Meridian Zone include:

The new stripped areas, generally oriented E-W, show mineralization with a minimum lateral continuity of 600m. The structural elements observed, as well as the magnetic patterns, suggest the presence of a fold hinge in this sector;

Abundant sulfide mineralization consisting predominantly of pyrrhotite, with subordinate arsenopyrite-lollingite and traces of chalcopyrite;

A positive magnetic anomaly generated by pyrrhotite  magnetite, associated with gold mineralization;

A highly metamorphosed lithological assemblage including metasediments with altered and metamorphosed mafic intrusions, as well as tonalitic intrusive rocks;

Siliceous zones that may correspond to metamorphosed cherts and/or alteration zones, locally associated with gold mineralization.

Fig. 1: Simplified geological map showing chargeability values at 25m depth generated by the 2023 IP survey, including the magnetic anomalies (iron-rich unit) of the Meridian and T-Rex zones. The recent discovery is located approximately 3km NE of the T-Rex Zone. Note the association between zones of high chargeability and magnetic anomalies that coincide with the main host rock of the gold mineralization.

To view FIGURES and LOCALIZATION MAP, please CLICK HERE

Fig. 2: Stelmine workers stripping outcrop with the mini-excavator and carrying out channel sampling in the new sector.

Fig. 3 : Typical rock from the first channel sample of the new area. The mafic host rock shows semi-massive patches of pyrrhotite, locally with interstitial chalcopyrite and traces of arsenopyrite.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Friedrich Speidel, P.Geo, M.Sc. and Vice President Exploration of the Company. Mr. Speidel is the qualified person responsible for the scientific and technical information contained in this document under National Instrument 43-101 standards.

ABOUT STELMINE

Stelmine is a junior mining exploration company that is pursuing the development of the new Caniapiscau gold district (east of James Bay), in the underexplored eastern part of the Opinaca metasedimentary basin. Stelmine owns 100% of the 1,784 claims or 917 km in this part of northern Quebec, highlighted by the Mercator and Courcy projects.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future earnings-related events. To the extent that any statements in this document contain information that is not historical, then such statements are essentially forward-looking and can often be identified by the use of words such as "considers", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "expects", "projects", "plans", "potential", "suggests" and "believes". Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the quarterly and annual reports and in the documents submitted to the securities administration available on the SEDAR+ site. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements, which speak only as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

CAUTION

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.

For further information, please contact :

Isabelle Proulx, Investor Relations President and CEO MarketSmart Communications Inc Tel: 418-626-6333 Adrian Sydenham [email protected] Sans-frais: 1-877-261-4466 [email protected]

Follow us on: Website : Twitter : LinkedIn : Facebook:

Photos accompanying this announcement are available athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/11b9a468-17d5-4501-8a0a-2d4e4086e287https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a8dc29fa-fa8e-4846-9b58-a0b16aeef9a7https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/872a0074-6cf6-4c37-996a-31f14f1ed58a

Figure 1 Map showing chargeability Figure 2 Workers stipping outcrop Figure 3 Typical rock from the first channel sample of the new area.

Source: Stelmine Canada Ltd.
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New polling released today by the Ontario Real Estate Association (OREA) confirms that student debt continues to significantly impact Ontarians ability to purchase a home.

Conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of OREA, The Impact of Student Loan Debt on Homeownership report found that Ontario graduates with debt greater than $5,000 agree that their student debt makes it harder to save up for a home. This situation is forcing some Ontarians to look for other options in more affordable provinces, with 42% of graduates considering leaving the province for a lower cost of living and more attainable housing.

The report found that a large number of young adults find themselves postponing homeownership, with student debt cited as the primary reason for this delay. Other life milestones being delayed as a result of student debt include moving out of the family home, getting married, and starting a family.

"Student debt is not merely a financial burden; it's the biggest barrier to the Canadian dream of homeownership for many young Ontarians and their families, said OREA CEO Tim Hudak. Our research shows that the weight of student loans contributes greatly to the housing affordability crisis which, if left unaddressed, will lead to fewer young Ontario homeowners. All levels of government and industry need to work together to bring affordability home to Ontario graduates.

Due to high housing costs, almost half of the graduates parents surveyed plan to stay in their family home for the next decade, rather than downsizing. This will prevent more housing supply from entering the market.

"As a REALTOR, I've witnessed firsthand the power of homeownership and the transformative impact it has on communities across the province, said OREA President Tania Artenosi. Student debt casts a shadow over this dream, leaving aspiring buyers caught between their educational ambitions and the desire for a place to call their own. We need to work to empower the next generation of homeowners, and that starts with pro-homeownership policies aimed at alleviating the pressures of student loan debt.

Despite carrying debt, post-secondary graduates still have strong aspirations for homeownership, with 75% still expressing a desire to own residential property. As such, at least 80% of graduates support various government interventions that address housing affordability.

Ontario REALTORS have proposed several recommendations to help address the housing affordability crisis that young Ontario graduates are facing:

The Provincial and Federal government should collaborate to allow graduates to alleviate a portion of their OSAP loan when they add funds into Canadas First Home Savings Account (FHSA). The Government should match the addition of funds dollar-for-dollar. For example, if a graduate adds $5,000 into the FHSA, the Government will reduce the students OSAP loan by $5,000.

The Government of Ontario should permanently eliminate the accumulation of interest on all Provincial student loans including loans currently being repaid, which is already in effect for interest on Federal student loans. This policy aligns with the announcement on April 1st, 2023, from the Government of Canada, which permanently eliminated the accumulation of interest on all Federal student loans including loans currently being repaid.

The Government of Ontario should increase the grace period for OSAP loan repayment from 6 months to 1 year, allowing students an additional 6 months to obtain stable employment and save money before making payments. All Ontario students have a period of 6 months after graduating or leaving full-time studies before they are required to begin paying back their loan.

The Government of Ontario should enable automatic notification to OSAP when graduates file their taxes and receive their OSAP tax receipt. Following the notification, eligible graduates should automatically be entered into Canadas Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), removing the burden on graduates to re-apply every 6 months.

The Government of Ontario should partner with the National Student Loan Service Center to create an online financial education hub that outlines all necessary information related to student loans. This should include information from each post-secondary institution. This would ensure that students/graduates do not miss important information about repayment and default processes, loan reduction options, etc.



By fostering a supportive environment for education financing and advocating for policies that facilitate housing affordability, Ontario can break down the barriers that currently stand between young Ontario graduates and their homeownership dreams.

For more information, please contact:

Jean-Adrien DelicanoManager, Media Relations[email protected]416-459-6059

Source: Ontario Real Estate Association
OTTAWA, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The CORE, the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, announced today the launch of an investigation into allegations of Uyghur forced labour in the supply chain of Canadian garment company, Levi Strauss & Co. Canada Inc. (Levi Strauss Canada).

The decision by Sheri Meyerhoffer, the Ombudsperson, to launch the investigation follows the completion of the Initial Assessment report, published today. This report relates to complaints about the overseas operations of Canadian companies filed by a coalition of 28 civil society organizations in June 2022.

The Levi Strauss & Co. Canada Inc. Initial Assessment report details the allegation that the company has supply relationships with Chinese companies identified as using or benefitting from the use of Uyghur forced labour. Levi Strauss Canada denies the allegation and maintains their commitment to human and labour rights through its Supplier Code of Conduct. They also challenge the accuracy of the evidence provided, specifically that the allegations are based on outdated and inaccurate data and for two of the listed suppliers, the allegations are based on the suppliers self-reporting and not facts. Levi Strauss Canada did not make itself available for an initial assessment meeting nor did it provide information verifying its response to the allegations.

Currently, mediation between the parties involved is not an option. However, mediation is available at any stage of the process at the Ombuds discretion and with the agreement of the parties.

Considering the complex nature of garment supply chains and gaps in the information provided in the complaint, I have decided to launch an investigation. said Ms. Meyerhoffer. An investigation will allow us review the facts independently.

This report is the eighth Initial Assessment report published by the CORE and the seventh investigation launched by the CORE related to allegations of Uyghur forced labour in the supply chains and operations of Canadian companies filed by the coalition of 28 civil society organizations. Further Initial Assessment reports will be published in the coming weeks.

Media Contact

Sarah Concannon, Senior Advisor - Communications

Email: [email protected]

Link

Quick Facts

The CORE is the first ombud office with a business and human rights mandate to hold Canadian garment, mining, and oil and gas companies working outside of Canada accountable for possible human rights abuses that arise from their operations, including in their supply chains.

The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) was established in 2019 with Sheri Meyerhoffer appointed as the Ombudsperson by an Order-in-Council.

appointed as the Ombudsperson by an Order-in-Council. The COREs complaint process has five stages: 1. Intake; 2. Initial Assessment; 3. Mediation; 4. Investigation; 5. Recommendations and Follow up.

If the Ombud decides that a complaint is admissible during Intake, the complaint moves to the Initial Assessment stage where the Ombud works with the involved parties to reach a resolution or decide on next steps.

An Initial Assessment report is published after the completion of the Initial Assessment stage. The report describes the complaint and complaint process to date, the parties and their positions, and provides the reasons for the Ombuds decision on how to move a complaint forward, including mediation, investigation or to close the complaint.

To learn more about the COREs complaint process, please visit What is the complaint process?

Complaints may be filed using the COREs online complaint form or by email to [email protected] .

For the latest news and updates, please visit our website and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Source: Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise
Fewer and fewer Koreans are willing to donate their organs so they can be used for life-saving transplants in case of their death.

According to the National Institute of Organ, Tissue and Blood Management, a mere 405 people who were pronounced brain-dead last year were registered organ donors, the lowest number in a decade. In contrast, patients waiting for organ transplants increase by 2,000 to 3,000 each year, bringing the waiting list last year to a record 49,765 people.

That means there are 122 times more people waiting for transplants than there are donors, and 7.9 people on the waiting list die every day.

This phenomenon is particularly striking in Korea. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 44.5 out of every 1 million people who are pronounced brain-dead in the U.S. signed up to donate their organs last year, 46.03 in Spain and 21.08 in the U.K.

But the number stood at only 7.8 in Korea, down by 1.3 from two years earlier.
POINT EDWARD, Ontario, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (The FBCL) 2023 Annual Public Meeting will be held both virtually and in person on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm.

The FBCL is inviting the public and media to attend the meeting, which will highlight the past years activities and current initiatives of the Corporation. Among the highlights, special attention will focus on governance and operations, and development projects affecting the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, Blue Water Bridge, Thousand Islands International Bridge, and Seaway International Bridge.

At the end of the presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Event: The FBCL 2023 Annual Public Meeting Date: Thursday, October 19, 2023 Time: 1:00 p.m. (EST) Location: 1555 Venetian Blvd (4th floor) Point Edward, Ontario, Canada N7T 0A9

Media representatives and members of the public are asked to register by sending an email to [email protected] by noon, October 12, 2023.

For more information:Alexandre GauthierSenior Communications SpecialistThe Federal Bridge Corporation Limited[email protected]

ABOUT THE FEDERAL BRIDGE CORPORATION LIMITEDThe FBCL owns, manages and operates international bridges and associated structures in Sault Ste. Marie, Point Edward, Lansdowne (Thousand Islands) and Cornwall, Ontario. The FBCLs mandate is to provide the highest level of stewardship so that its international bridges and associated structures are safe and efficient for users.

The FBCLs X (Twitter) page

The FBCLs Facebook page

The FBCLs LinkedIn page

Source: Federal Bridge Corporation Limited
Medicinos Bankas UAB (Bank), registration number 112027077, registered seat address: Pamenkalnio 40, LT-01114 Vilnius, Lithuania.



We hereby inform you that on 19 September 2023, a new version of the Articles of Association of the Bank was registered in the Register of Legal Entities. The new version of the Articles of Association was approved on 13 September 2023 during the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of Medicinos Bankas UAB.

For more information please contact: Head of Business Division Julius Ivaska, ph.: +370 601 04 453, e-mail: [email protected]





Attachment
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tree Island Steel Ltd. (the "Company" or "Tree Island Steel") (TSX: TSL) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Tree Island Industries Ltd. ("TII"), received notices of reassessment ("CRA Notices") from the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") for its fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 through 2018.

The CRA Notices relate to certain write downs in 2015 for bad debt and capital account losses related to intercompany loans provided by TII to its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, Tree Island Wire (USA) Inc. and Tree Island Wire Holdings (USA), Inc., over the span of approximately 15 years. Pursuant to the CRA Notices dated September 1, 2023, total taxes and interest of approximately $11.8 million is payable by TII (the "CRA Liability").

The Company believes that the CRA Notices are unfounded and intends to vigorously contest the CRA Notices by filing notices of objection to start the appeals process. However, there can be no assurance regarding the outcome of the appeals process or when a resolution may be reached.

In connection with the appeals process, the Company, on behalf of TII, is currently in discussions with the CRA on the timing and form of a payment for 50% of the CRA Liability, or approximately $5.9 million, which is the amount of the CRA Liability required to be remitted by TII while the appeals process is proceeding. If TII is ultimately successful in defending its position, then any taxes, interest and penalties paid to the CRA would be refunded, and if the CRA is successful then any remaining taxes payable plus interest and any penalties would have to be remitted by TII. As the CRA Liability relates to write downs of intercompany debt taken in 2015, the Company is evaluating the current accounting impact and recording of accruals relating to the CRA Liability in the third quarter.

About Tree Island Steel

Tree Island Steel, headquartered in Richmond, British Columbia, since 1964, through its operating facilities in Canada and the United States, produces wire products for a diverse range of industrial, residential construction, commercial construction and agricultural applications. Its products include galvanized wire, bright wire; a broad array of fasteners, including packaged, collated and bulk nails; stucco reinforcing products; concrete reinforcing mesh; fencing and other fabricated wire products. The Company markets these products under the Tree Island, Halsteel, K-Lath, TI Wire, Tough Strand and ToughPanel brand names.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information with respect to Tree Island Steel including its business, operations and strategies, the payment of taxes and interest to the CRA and the appeals process related to the CRA Notice. The use of forward-looking words such as, "may," "will," "expect" or similar variations generally identify such statements. Any statements that are contained herein that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Although management believes that expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties including risks and uncertainties discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Tree Island's most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis.

The forward-looking statements contained herein reflect management's current beliefs and are based upon certain assumptions that management believes to be reasonable based on the information currently available to management. By their very nature, forward looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and a number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, prospective investors should specifically consider various factors including the risks outlined in the Company's most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis which may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statement. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: risks and uncertainties relating to the appeals process including the Company not being successful in its appeal, general economic, market and business conditions, the cyclical nature of our business and demand for our products, financial condition of our customers, competition, volume and price pressure from import competition, deterioration in the Company's liquidity, disruption in the supply of raw materials, volatility in the costs of raw materials, transportation costs, foreign exchange fluctuations, leverage and restrictive covenants, labour relations, trade actions, dependence on key personnel and skilled workers, intellectual property risks, energy costs, un-insured loss, credit risk, operating risk, management of growth, changes in tax, environmental and other legislation, and other risks and uncertainties set forth in our publicly filed materials.

This press release has been reviewed by the Company's Board of Directors and contains information that is current as of the date of this press release, unless otherwise noted. Events occurring after that date could render the information contained herein inaccurate or misleading in a material respect. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information and management of the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by applicable securities laws.

For more information, please contact: Ali MahdaviInvestor Relations & Capital Markets(416) 962-3300email: [email protected]Website: www.treeisland.com

Source: Tree Island Steel Ltd.
TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Torontos registered charity and non-profit organization Villa Charities is excited to announce the winners of its fourth annual national scholarship program for post-secondary undergraduate and graduate students. The 2023 Villa Charities Scholarship Program launched in May and was open to students of any heritage who help further Villa Charities mission of enriching lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage.

I am thrilled that this years scholarship program has received our highest response yet, said Marco DeVuono, President and CEO, Villa Charities Inc. Each of the 2023 scholarship recipients submitted heartwarming and impressive essays that clearly expressed the importance of their culture and how they support Villa Charities mission. I am proud that we can support these exceptional students in their future academic endeavours.

The Villa Charities Scholarship Program includes a total of 16 scholarships valued at $60,000. Eight of the sixteen scholarships are awarded through Villa Charities Foundation in support of undergraduate and graduate-level studies in a variety of disciplines. The remaining eight scholarships are awarded through George Brown College in Toronto, in support of students pursuing a degree in Architectural Studies or Culinary Arts. Four students will receive The Villa Charities Renzo Pillon Memorial Scholarship and four students will be the recipient of the Villa Charities Culinary Scholarship, supported in part by The Food Dudes. Since launching the scholarship program in 2020, $240,000 in scholarships has been awarded to students.

Villa Charities announced the eight winners of their Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships today.

Villa Charities Undergraduate Student Scholarship Recipients(TLN Media Group Sponsorships)

"We are proud to announce TLN Media Group's sponsorship of the Villa Charities Undergraduate Scholarship Program, said Aldo Di Felice, President, TLN Media Group. This initiative aligns with our commitment to celebrating and promoting multiculturalism. We believe in empowering the next generation of leaders who embrace and further these principles. By supporting this scholarship program, we aim to contribute to a brighter future where diverse voices and cultural heritage are celebrated."

Four awards of $2,500 were presented to the following full-time Undergraduate students:

Alessia Nicole DiMarzo, University of Calgary

University of Calgary Luca DiPietro, University of Toronto

University of Toronto Jake Paul Karpouzis, University of Toronto

University of Toronto Benjamin Domenic Milone, McMaster University

Villa Charities Graduate Student Scholarship Recipients (Including the KPMG MSLP Scholarship)Four awards of $5,000 were presented to the following full-time Graduate students:

Joseph Francesco Bellissimo, Queens University

Queens University Robert Nicolas Giardino, Yorkville University

Yorkville University Maria Jose Munera, University of Western Ontario

University of Western Ontario Gabrielle Vesia Trepanier, University of Toronto

These scholarships were awarded by Villa Charities Foundation to students who are registered, full-time students at an accredited college or university, Canadian citizens or have permanent-residence status, and are enrolled for the 2023/2024 academic year. Eligible students were required to demonstrate leadership through community involvement or volunteering, as well as write a submission essay describing how they helped further Villa Charities mission.

Excerpts from two of the scholarship recipients are included below.

As a dedicated language instructor, enthusiastic volunteer, event organizer, and passionate advocate for Italian studies, I continue to have the honour of leaving meaningful imprints. By igniting a love for the Italian language, fostering connections, and showcasing the richness of Italian literature and heritage, I have actively recruited dozens of individuals to get more involved in the Italian community.

 Alessia Nicole DiMarzo, Undergraduate Scholarship Recipient

Following in the footsteps of my uncle who was Canadas first Italian-Canadian Emergency Physician, I have had the incredible opportunity to work in the Emergency room of St. Josephs hospital, where we serve hundreds of thousands of patients a year. Being a part of the medical team at a Catholic Hospital in downtown Toronto means the world to me as I get to positively represent Catholic and Italian Values, while pursuing my passion for medicine and helping those that are ill and suffering. Through Villa Charities generous support of my medical education, I look forward to continuing the longstanding tradition of Italians in Canada being stewards of their communities and providing service to those in most need.  Joseph Francesco Bellissimo, Graduate Scholarship Recipient

The selection and adjudication process were conducted by the Villa Charities Scholarship Awards Selection Committee. Scholarships awarded through Villa Charities Foundation will support the students tuition fees for the 2023/2024 academic year.

For more information about the Villa Charities Scholarship Program, please visit villacharities.com/scholarships or contact Lena Ciccotelli, Director of Development, Villa Charities Foundation at 416-789-7011, ext. 321 / [email protected].

There are also opportunities to name a scholarship through sponsoring or alternate funding.

About Villa Charities Inc.Villa Charities Inc. (VCI) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that enriches lives through experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. For more than 50 years across the GTA, Villa Charities has provided cultural and educational programs and supported culturally sensitive long-term care and independent living apartments for seniors. VCI fulfills their mandate through a broad range of activities, services and facilities, both directly and in conjunction with its affiliates and independent organizations. Affiliates include Columbus Centre and Joseph D. Carrier Art Gallery; Villa Colombo Homes for the Aged Inc. in Toronto; Villa Colombo Seniors Centre (Vaughan) Inc. Di Poce Centre; and Italian Canadian Benevolent Seniors Apartments Corporation/Casa

Abruzzo Benevolent Corporation with apartments for independent seniors (Caboto Terrace, Casa Del Zotto and Casa Abruzzo). Each of these organizations is an integral part of the Villa Charities family with separate legal status and its own governance Board. Villa Charities has been certified as a Great Place to Work, which recognizes the organizations commitment to creating an inclusive, positive and engaging workplace. For more information visit villacharities.com.

About Villa Charities FoundationVilla Charities Foundation supports experiences and services that honour Italian culture and heritage. As the charitable arm of Villa Charities, the Foundation provides crucial funding for areas such as senior care, youth services, education and scholarships, cultural programming, and capital needs. For more information, visit villacharities.com/give.

For further information, please contact:Megan DunscombeMAVERICK647-972-2373[email protected]

Kathleen Sloan, CMDirector, Marketing and CommunicationsVilla Charities Inc.416-789-7011 Ext. 309[email protected]

Source: Villa Charities
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- World Education Services (WES) today announced the 14 communities selected to join the sixth cohort of its Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP). Communities selected for the 20232024 SIIP cohort are Austin, Texas; Central Massachusetts; Eugene, Oregon; Metro Atlanta, Georgia; South Bend, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; and the states of California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, and Wisconsin.

These sites represent both new communities and SIIP alumni that are committed to advancing the workforce inclusion of immigrants and refugees across the United States.

This newest cohort of participants in the Skilled Immigrant Integration Program is part of a nationwide effort to deepen the reach of immigrant and refugee workforce inclusion efforts in communities, said Katherine Gebremedhin, Director of State and Local Initiatives, Global Talent Bridge at WES. We look forward to continuing the programs holistic approach to promoting inclusion with an intentional focus on employer engagement. We will also increase the impact of our network by collaborating with communities seeking to develop new initiatives in the field and by creating a space to promote best practices through an alumni exchange model.

The SIIP network now comprises 45 communities across the nation. The 20232024 SIIP cohort will have three primary focus areas: creating strategies to promote employer engagement, developing initiatives in the field of immigrant and refugee economic inclusion, and the SIIP alumni exchange. Selected communities will receive customized technical assistance from WES and its national partners, as well as access to a collaborative network of SIIP alumni who have identified tools and strategies needed to promote inclusive economies.

Launched in 2018, the SIIP Program is intended to improve the situation of the more than two million college-educated immigrants and refugees who are unemployed or underemployed in the U.S. An estimated 60 percent of these newcomers hold credentials earned abroad, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Underutilization of their skills and training results in almost $40 billion in forgone annual earnings and $10 billion in unrealized federal, state, and local taxes yearly. SIIP focuses on identifying and implementing pragmatic solutions that take root in communities.

To be selected for SIIP, communities must be part of a local, regional, or state network of stakeholders that includes immigrant- and refugee-led organizations and communities of color. They must also demonstrate a commitment to and leadership of initiatives that foster the professional success of immigrants and refugees who have international education and experience. Past SIIP participants have developed new frameworks, resources, and initiatives to address common barriers to immigrant employment; increased funding for workforce development and adult education; and developed state and local networks that advance the economic inclusion of immigrants and refugees.

The SIIP Network helps to foster more inclusive economies and communities, said Monica Munn, Chief Social Impact Officer at WES. New members have the opportunity to collaborate with one another, with WES and its partners, and with SIIP alumni to develop and streamline pathways to skills-commensurate work for immigrants and refugees. I am excited to see the program enter its sixth year.

About World Education Services (WES)

World Education Services (WES) is a non-profit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For nearly 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals. Through decades of experience as a leader in global education, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale. From evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding, we partner with a diverse set of organizations, leaders, and networks to uplift individuals and drive systems change. Together with its partners, WES enables people to learn, work, and thrive in new places.

About SIIP

The Skilled Immigrant Integration Program (SIIP) offers communities an opportunity to leverage technical assistance from WES and its national partners, and to join a network of communities to further their state and local immigrant economic integration initiatives. The SIIP Network consists of 45 member communities from cities, states, and regions across the United States. The current member communities are Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta, Georgia; Austin, Texas; Boise and Twin Falls, Idaho, and Salt Lake City, Utah; Boston, Massachusetts; Brattleboro, Vermont; Buffalo, New York; California; Central Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; Colorado; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Des Moines, Iowa; Eugene, Oregon; Howard County, Maryland; Indiana; Lincoln, Nebraska; Louisville, Kentucky; Maine; Maryland; Metro Atlanta; Michigan; Minnesota; Nevada; New Jersey; New York, New York; North Dakota; Northwest Arkansas; Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Portland, Maine; Portland, Oregon; Salem, Oregon; San Diego, California; Santa Clara, California; Seattle, Washington; South Bend, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Utah; Virginia; and Wisconsin.

For more information, contact Ashley Craddock, Senior Director Social Impact Communications, World Education Services. E: [email protected] T: +1.512.212.3998

Source: World Education Services
Cannabis Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) surged in value in September as positive federal action renewed investor interest in the cannabis industry. Shortly after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reclassify cannabis to Schedule III from Schedule I and ease federal marijuana restrictions, marijuana-related ETFs began to soar as investors started investing in the cannabis industry.

Americas state-legal cannabis sector is the fastest-growing sector in the nation, generating billions of dollars in

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 SMS alerts from CNW, text CANNABIS to 844-397-5787 (U.S. Mobile Phones Only)

For more information, please visit https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the CannabisNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by CNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.CannabisNewsWire.com/Disclaimer

CannabisNewsWire

Denver, CO

www.CannabisNewsWire.com

303.498.7722 Office

[email protected]

CannabisNewsWire is powered by IBN
Sekur Private Data (CSE: SKUR) (OTCQX: SWISF) (FSE: GDT0), a leading Swiss-hosted secure and private communications platform, is reporting that new subscriber signups for its Swiss-hosted privacy VPN, SekurVPN, have grown by more than 100% month-over-month. In addition, the company notes that website traffic has increased by 650% in just the last two weeks. The company is projecting exponential growth by 2024. According to the announcement, the company is seeing a surge in signups for its VPN solution, as cyberattacks become more and more commonplace and digital identity theft is rampant. Based on that, Sekur is forecasting continued growth for its SekurVPN solution; the company anticipates adding enterprise features and other upgrades to the platform, such as IPv6, the next-generation Internet Protocol (IP) standard. The company is also looking to launch a full-scale campaign for its VPN solution later this year.

We are very pleased with the surge in SekurVPN signups in the last month, said Sekur Private Data CEO Alain Ghiai in the press release. Sales have surpassed our expectations by far, and we are now expecting exponential growth for SekurVPN. The results also do not reflect yet the full-scale launch as we have just completed a prelaunch and are testing the waters. We expect this to be a big success once we launch it on social media and digital paid media. Our prime directive is to provide private and secure communications for everyone, and as we are not connected to any Big Tech platform, we offer a truly independent, private and secure means of communications, without any data mining, through our proprietary technology and our secure servers based in Switzerland. We look forward to continuing to offer true data privacy to all individuals and their businesses, and to protect their intellectual property and privacy from data miners and malicious hackers.

To view the full press release, visit https://ibn.fm/nLLnR

About Sekur Private Data Ltd.

Sekur Private Data is a cybersecurity and internet privacy provider of Swiss-hosted solutions for secure and private communications. The company distributes a suite of encrypted e-mails, secure messengers and secure communication tools. Sekur Private Data sells its products through its own website as well as approved distributors and telecommunications companies around the world. The company serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. For more information, visit the companys website at www.Sekur.com.

About InvestorWire

InvestorWire (IW) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on advanced wire-grade press release syndication for private and public companies and the investment community. It is one of 60+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers: (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions. With broad reach and a seasoned team of contributing journalists and writers, IW is uniquely positioned to best serve private and public companies that want to reach a wide audience of investors, influencers, consumers, journalists and the general public. By cutting through the overload of information in todays market, IW brings its clients unparalleled recognition and brand awareness. IW is where breaking news, insightful content and actionable information converge.

For more information, please visit https://www.InvestorWire.com

Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the InvestorWire website applicable to all content provided by IW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.InvestorWire.com/Disclaimer

InvestorWire

Los Angeles, CA

www.InvestorWire.com

310.299.1717 Office

[email protected]

InvestorWire is powered by IBN
Austin, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - The 2023 Proxy Disclosure & 20th Annual Executive Compensation Conferences, hosted by CCRcorp, will take place September 20-22 via a virtual conference platform. This three-day conference sponsored by Fredrikson, Morrison Foerster and Kirkland & Ellis aims to provide comprehensive, practical guidance to public companies and their advisors to help them deal effectively with an environment in which they face demanding new SEC rules, record shareholder proposal numbers and relentless regulatory and investor scrutiny.

Industry experts will lead sessions addressing the compliance and disclosure obligations companies face under existing and proposed SEC rules, as well as the challenges presented by evolving investor expectations. Our panelists also will provide insights into how to anticipate critical issues and use the annual reporting season to your company's advantage. The conference provides corporate boards, senior management, and their legal and compliance advisors an excellent opportunity to ensure that they are prepared to meet the regulatory challenges and investor demands that they currently face, as well as those they are likely to be confronted with in the near future.

About CCRcorp: CCRcorp is a legal publishing company that provides practical guidance on legal issues involving corporate and securities regulation, corporate governance, compensation standards and many other areas impacting today's corporate practitioner.

Victoria Newton

Manager, Operations

[email protected]

1-800-737-1271

8911 N Capital of Texas Highway, Suite 4200-110

Austin, Texas 78759

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181136
Singapore, Singapore--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Dr. Hoansoo Lee, co-founder of exaBITS, delivered a compelling presentation at Token2049's R3al World event, showcasing exaBITS and the future of decentralized computing. The event, hosted by IoTeX and Future Group Money, brought together a number of highly regarded projects and organizations.



The event, hosted by IoTeX and Future Group Money, brought together a number of highly regarded projects and organizations.

Dr. Lee, a Harvard Business School Ph.D., is currently serving as a co-founder of exaBITS. His extensive background includes being a former managing director of technology investments at Tsinghua Holdings, Inc. Previously, he also served as Staff Economist for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Policy at the President's Council of Economic Advisers in the White House.

Dr. Hoansoo Lee at R3AL WORLD

In his address, Hoansoo Lee highlighted exaBITS' commitment to democratizing the AI ecosystem, making it accessible and user-friendly for individuals worldwide. The core of exaBITS is a decentralized infrastructure designed to support AI and computationally intensive applications. It empowers users to contribute, train AI models, and offer services without the need for intermediaries, promoting fairness and efficiency within the ecosystem.

Central to exaBITS' vision is the creation of a dynamic digital ecosystem where users actively participate and reap the rewards for their contributions. Users can provide computing resources, train machine learning models, generate content, and share data, fostering an open collaborative environment that encourages innovation.

exaBITS is a member of Google for Startups, Stanford Blockchain Accelerator, and Stealth LLX of Harvard i-Lab. These collaborations provide crucial support, including financial backing, expert guidance, services, and business expansion opportunities.

Dr. Lee addressed the pressing issue of rising demand for computational power, a challenge that traditional centralized methods struggle to meet. exaBITS offers a solution through decentralized computing, which ensures continuous operation, addressing scalability limitations.

Privacy and security are paramount concerns in today's AI landscape. exaBITS follows a privacy-centric design, fragmenting and distributing data across nodes to minimize data exposure risk, a crucial step in safeguarding sensitive information.

Dr. Lee introduced the democratized construction model, a key element of exaBITS' strategy. This model allows individuals, even those with personal computers and smartphones, to contribute to the global AI computational network. Economic incentives drive participation, facilitating the development of new computational power and ensuring that the benefits are widely shared.

In conclusion, Hoansoo Lee's presentation illuminated exaBITS' pivotal role in shaping the future of decentralized computing. The project's unwavering dedication to accessibility, privacy, and inclusivity reflects its commitment to creating a more equitable and user-friendly digital landscape. exaBITS stands poised to revolutionize the decentralized computing landscape, bringing the benefits of AI to a broader audience while safeguarding privacy and security.

Dr. Hoansoo Lee: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hoansoo-lee-21586b9/

Media contact

Contact: Roy Evans

Company Name: ExaBITs Network LTD.

Phone: +1 650 642 8104

Website: https://www.exabits.xyz/

Email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181254
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - September 19, 2023) - ABC Conclave, is set to gather blockchain enthusiasts, industry leaders, and innovators from around the globe on 7-8 October 2023 at the prestigious Dubai World Trade Centre. This immersive event will provide a unique platform for collaboration, education, and exploration of the latest trends in blockchain, cryptocurrencies, NFTs, DeFi, and Web3 technologies.





ABC Conclave to Unite Global Web3 Pioneers in Dubai World Trade Centre



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8861/181135_1.jpg

With the blockchain industry evolving at an unprecedented pace, ABC Conclave aims to bring together the brightest minds and disruptive projects to drive innovation and shape the future of decentralized technologies. The event will feature an extensive lineup of expert speakers, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to foster knowledge-sharing and strategic partnerships.

Attendees can expect a diverse range of activities, including thought-provoking presentations by industry visionaries, engaging panel discussions on cutting-edge topics, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations of blockchain solutions. The event will also showcase the fusion of Web2 and Web3 gaming through exhilarating Esports tournaments, a pulsating Music Festival, a spectacular Cosplay event, a thrilling hackathon, exclusive FOMO lounge access to establish impactful relationships with key industry players, ABC Awards ceremony to honor the trailblazers who have made exceptional contributions to the field, as well as an array of engaging Side Events and Workshops, creating an unforgettable experience for the 20,000+ Web3 community under the roof of the grand stage at the Dubai World Trade Center.



ABC Conclave 2023 features an impressive lineup of renowned industry speakers, including:

Ahmed Elmetwally, CEO / General Manager, Private Office of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin Hamadan Al Nahyan, UAE

Belal Jassoma , Head of Business Development, DMCC, Dubai

, Head of Business Development, DMCC, Dubai Carmelo Milian , Founder and CEO, Polkacity, USA

, Founder and CEO, Polkacity, USA Ethan Pierse , Co-Founder, NFT Factory Paris, France

, Co-Founder, NFT Factory Paris, France Mohammed AlKaff AlHashmi , Co-founder, Islamic Coin, UAE

, Co-founder, Islamic Coin, UAE Zayed Al Hemairy , Blockchain, Cryptocurrency & ICO Expert, Bitcoin Inc, UAE

, Blockchain, Cryptocurrency & ICO Expert, Bitcoin Inc, UAE Alex Chehade , Executive Director and General Manager, Binance, UAE

, Executive Director and General Manager, Binance, UAE Igor Bershadsky , Director of Business Development & Partnerships, Hacken, UAE

, Director of Business Development & Partnerships, Hacken, UAE Jason P. Allegrante , Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Fireblocks, USA

, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer, Fireblocks, USA Haidy Riad , Financial Economist & Consultant, McKinsey & Company, KSA

, Financial Economist & Consultant, McKinsey & Company, KSA Khushboo Gehi , Gold Coding Ambassador, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office, UAE

, Gold Coding Ambassador, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office, UAE George Chivi , Head Of Partnerships, Smart Token Labs, UAE

, Head Of Partnerships, Smart Token Labs, UAE Ali Safri, AI and Metaverse, Avanza, UAE

Mohamed Roushdy , Senior Consultant - Digital Transformation and Fintech, IFC - International Finance Corporation, UAE

, Senior Consultant - Digital Transformation and Fintech, IFC - International Finance Corporation, UAE Vadim Krekotin , Founding Partner, Cryptomeria Capital, UAE

, Founding Partner, Cryptomeria Capital, UAE Ashish Kumar Singh , Vice President, Expand My Business, UAE

, Vice President, Expand My Business, UAE Akina Ho , Co-founder, Global Head of Business Consultancy, and Head of Asia Pacific Chapter, AllStarsWomen DAO, Singapore

, Co-founder, Global Head of Business Consultancy, and Head of Asia Pacific Chapter, AllStarsWomen DAO, Singapore Malik Khan Kotadia , Co-founder and Chairman, Finnovation Labs Private Limited, Manila

, Co-founder and Chairman, Finnovation Labs Private Limited, Manila Sunil Sharma , CEO, SquadX & Coingape, India

, CEO, SquadX & Coingape, India Jane Thomason , Inaugural Chair, Organization: World Metaverse Council, Australia

, Inaugural Chair, Organization: World Metaverse Council, Australia Tim Mangnall , Founder & CEO, Capital Block, UAE

, Founder & CEO, Capital Block, UAE Matthias Mende, Co-Founder, Dubai Blockchain Center, UAE

Co-Founder, Dubai Blockchain Center, UAE Cristina Ceban , Founder, Women Do Crypto, UAE

, Founder, Women Do Crypto, UAE Charlie Hu , Lucid Blue Ventures, UAE

, Lucid Blue Ventures, UAE Arpit Sharma , Managing Director of SE Asia & MENA Near Foundation, UAE

, Managing Director of SE Asia & MENA Near Foundation, UAE Marcello Mari , Founder & CEO of Singularity DAO, UAE

, Founder & CEO of Singularity DAO, UAE Farkhad Shagulyamov , Founder & CEO of Velas Network, UAE

, Founder & CEO of Velas Network, UAE Bruce Porter Jr , CEO Global Boost/Impact Protocol & Founder of Washington Elite, USA

, CEO Global Boost/Impact Protocol & Founder of Washington Elite, USA Rudy Shoushany , Founder, Producer, Dx Talks & Crypto Talks, UAE

, Founder, Producer, Dx Talks & Crypto Talks, UAE Shailesh Kunnath , Co-Founder, Masary Capital, UAE

, Co-Founder, Masary Capital, UAE Ravindra Kumar , Frontier Wallet, India

, Frontier Wallet, India BK Raj , Founder and Director of Scallop Group, UAE

, Founder and Director of Scallop Group, UAE Aaron T , Octopus Network, UAE

, Octopus Network, UAE Ramani Ramachandran , Founder & CEO of Router Protocol, India

, Founder & CEO of Router Protocol, India Tobais Bauer , Principal, BFF, Singapore

, Principal, BFF, Singapore Preetam Rao , CEO & Co-Founder, QuillAudits, India

, CEO & Co-Founder, QuillAudits, India Harrison Goldsmith , CEO, Kernel Ventures, Singapore

, CEO, Kernel Ventures, Singapore Geoff McAlister , MD, Hex Trust, UAE

, MD, Hex Trust, UAE Catie Romero, Founder and CEO of BABs Labs, USA; to name a few.

The distinguished speakers will share their expertise, insights, and visions for the future of blockchain technology. Their sessions will cover a diverse range of topics, including decentralized finance (DeFi), non-fungible tokens (NFTs), smart contracts, and the evolution of Web3.

ABC Conclave is proud to have the support of leading sponsors who share the company's vision of advancing the blockchain ecosystem. These strategic partners will gain unparalleled exposure to a global audience, showcasing their products and services, and forging valuable connections within the industry.

As a participant at ABC Conclave, they will have the opportunity to explore the latest innovations, gain insights from industry experts, and connect with like-minded individuals who are driving change in the blockchain space. Whether the participant is an investor, developer, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the potential of blockchain technology, ABC Conclave offers a vibrant environment to expand their knowledge, network, and business opportunities.

"Web3 is more than a technology, it's a revolution. At ABC Conclave, we're not just hosting an event, we're creating a platform for this revolution to grow and thrive. We're bringing together the brightest minds in blockchain, digital assets, and fintech from across the globe for a two-day immersive experience in the heart of Dubai. From Web3 Conclave and high-stakes Esports tournaments to groundbreaking hackathons, from the pulsating rhythms of our music festival to the vibrant creativity of our cosplay event, ABC Conclave is a celebration of the diverse and dynamic spirit of the web3 community," - Kirubakaran Reddy, Founder & CEO, Alphablockz.

Book your ticketstoday and secure your place at this landmark event to be among the first to experience cutting-edge technologies, innovative projects, and exciting opportunities in the blockchain industry. Get ready to embark on an incredible journey of knowledge, networking, and growth.

If a VC, media partner, C-level executive, or a prospective sponsor is interested in being part of this groundbreaking event, inquire now: https://abcconclave.com/get-in-touch.

Secure a spot at the #ABCDXB today and become a driving force for change in the blockchain industry: https://abcconclave.com/tickets

The company looks forward to welcoming the participants to ABC Conclave 2023 and joining forces to shape the future of blockchain technology.

About ABC Conclave:

ABC Conclave is a premier global platform dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements, trends, and insights in the Web 3.0, Blockchain and Crypto space. It promises an exceptional lineup of esteemed Speakers, cutting-edge Projects, and esteemed Partners.

The Dubai edition is assembling top-tier executives including CEOs, CTOs, CIOs, Chief Digital Officers, Heads of Innovation, and prominent experts from the web3, blockchain, and metaverse sectors. This exclusive B2B and B2C gathering will provide a unique opportunity to connect with thought leaders, innovators, and decision-makers driving advancements in these transformative technologies.

The conference offers a platform for insightful discussions, networking, and exploring new opportunities within the crypto ecosystem. Fostering innovation and driving the adoption of decentralized technologies worldwide to shape the future of blockchain technology. This extraordinary event combines Gaming and e-sports tournaments, a vibrant Music Festival, and captivating Cosplay, attracting a diverse audience of over 20,000+ attendees from across the globe. The event will feature a thrilling dev hackathon, and ABC Awards ceremony, as well as an array of engaging Side Events and Workshops. Join ABC Conclave for an unparalleled celebration of the Web3 industry's innovation and potential.

For more inquiries, please contact:

Jagriti Jaiswal

[email protected]

ABC Conclave

Telegram ID: @abc2023admin

https://abcconclave.com/

PR Contact:

ZEX PR WIRE

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181135
Qabil Ashirov

After the humiliating defeat in 2020 and inking the November 10 declaration, contrary to all expectations, both Armenia and its puppet separatist regime in Garabagh have not stayed still. They have resorted to all kinds of provocations and tried to draw other forces, such as France, the USA, and so on, into the region. Violating the provisions of the November 10 Declaration, they did not unblock the communications; continued to transfer ammunition and military personnel through the Lachin-Khankendi road; and even did not hesitate to hold the entire population of Garabagh as hostages. Sneaking into the liberated territories and planting landmines was the worst among the provocations. Due to this terrorist tactic used by PKK terror organizations, Azerbaijan has lost 61 people for three years since the endorsement of the November 10 Declaration.

As a matter of course, Azerbaijan did its best to keep the situation under control, but the Armenian side raised the stakes every time; they found new measures, new tactics every time. Thus, the tensions between Azerbaijan and the separatist regime formed and supported by Armenia broke out once again in the wake of the terror acts resulting in the death of 9 on September 19. So, Azerbaijan was obliged to take more strict steps and commenced the anti-terror activities in Garabagh for ensuring prevention of possible future terror acts and fulfillment of the provisions of the November 10 Declaration. The anti-terror activities lasted one day. The separatist gang in Garabagh tried to resist and called for help its mouthpieces, but no country in the world, including its patron Armenia did not or could not come to the help. Finally, the separatist regime surrendered, accepted all condition declared by Azerbaijan and the meeting is expected on September 21.

So, there is one big question that interests everyone in the region. What will be next?

Azernews learned the opinion of British journalist and political scientist, Neil Watson on the issue. He noted that after three years of Armenian prevarication and obstreperousness, the recent politicisation of aid supplies, the unrecognised elections by the illegal Armenian regime in Khankendi, the failure to remove Armenian forces from Garabagh, and the moving of Armenian forces close to the border, it only took the anti tank mine explosions and resultant deaths to tip the situation into high tension.

I believe that Azerbaijan will eliminate the illegal Armenian regime in Khankendi and reassert its control over Garabagh. It is using precise weaponry and will not deliberately cause civilian casualties, for the Garabagh Armenians are Azerbaijani citizens and this is being fought on Azerbaijani soil. I believe that, ultimately, Russian involvement in the South Caucasus will be minimised. My one concern is that Pashinyan, who is being called traitor by some of his own people, will be removed and someone more deluded and belligerent will replace him. Although he is ineffective at persuading his population, the diaspora and Armenian supporters, I believe he reluctantly understands the need for peace. Azerbaijan will achieve its objectives. Let us hope this ends soon with minimal requirement for martyrdom, Neil Watson conclude.

---

Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov




China's former Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who was ousted from his position in July, had an extramarital affair while he was ambassador to the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with a briefing.

The report said Qin was cooperating with the investigation, which was now focused on whether the affair or Qin's conduct had compromised China's national security.

Senior Chinese officials were told that an internal Communist Party investigation found Qin engaged in the affair throughout his tenure as China's ambassador to the U.S., the report said. Two sources told the newspaper the affair had resulted in the birth of a child in the U.S.
Buybase Inc. Canada and SST Tek Inc. USA partner to propel North American SMEs into the global trade arena with an innovative ERP solution set for alpha release by late 2023.

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Buybase, a comprehensive global supply network and e-commerce platform, is set to revolutionize the way North American small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engage in global trade. Engineered with an innovative and inclusive approach to encompass all aspects of business operations, Buybase aims to simplify the complexities of international commerce. The much-anticipated alpha version of the Global Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, co-developed by Buybase Inc. Canada and SST Tek Inc. USA, is slated for release in late 2023.

Caption: Dr. Salim Satir, the founder of Buybase

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8552/181249_e439657384c32bbc_001full.jpg

Founded several years ago by Dr. Salim Satir, a visionary Canadian entrepreneur, Buybase serves as a one-stop digital ecosystem designed to accelerate the digital transformation journey for SMEs. By unifying various business operations - including digital asset management, customer relations, transportation, and warehouse management - Buybase is well-positioned to revolutionize traditional import-export workflows and redefine the digital marketplace landscape.

Offering an innovative global ERP solution

The 2022 World Bank Future of Business Survey highlighted that nearly three out of five SMEs grappled with supply chain challenges, including elevated transportation costs and supply delays, throughout 2021. These persistent issues, initially exacerbated by the online shopping boom triggered by the global pandemic, have been further complicated by geopolitical tensions. As a result, the hurdles for SMEs aiming to excel in global trade have multiplied. With three out of four SMEs prioritizing local suppliers, the digital transformation of these enterprises - often considered the backbone of the U.S. economy - has become not just desirable, but essential.

Addressing the issue, Dr. Salim Satir commented, "One of the greatest barriers businesses encounter in the quest to redefine global trade is the prevalence of fragmented services. This piecemeal approach not only inhibits growth but also results in substantial costs when businesses try to integrate these disparate services."

To overcome this challenge, Buybase introduces an innovative Global Enterprise Resource Management solution that caters to both individual entrepreneurs and large corporations. The platform offers a wide range of functionalities, including Transportation Management (TMS), Warehouse Management (WMS), Inventory Management (IMS), Order Management (OMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Learning Management (LMS), and Digital Asset Management, as well as integrated payment system solutions.

Simplifying global trade for SMEs in North America

"Buybase is engineered to provide effective solutions for the intricate challenges that global trade presents, especially for SMEs looking to scale internationally," said Dr. Salim Satir. He further elaborated that the platform, a collaborative R&D effort between Buybase Inc. Canada and SST Tek Inc. USA, was conceived with the specific challenges faced by North American SMEs in mind. "Our proprietary warehouse and delivery network not only simplifies the complexities of cross-continental imports and exports, but also makes it effortless for businesses, particularly those in North America, to become part of this ecosystem."

As the e-commerce sector continues its rapid evolution, Buybase is gearing up for its alpha release in late 2023. The platform aims to empower North American businesses and others worldwide to confidently tackle the myriad challenges of international commerce.

Contact:

Deepika Sat1r

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181249
Redline Plumbing LLC (702-935-4465) announces updates to its preventive maintenance and emergency plumbing response services for clients in the Las Vegas Valley.

Las Vegas, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Redline Plumbing LLC's newly announced preventive maintenance plumbing services for gas and water systems cover inspections, service, installation, and repair. The contractors serve both residential and commercial clients in the Las Vegas area.

Details are available https://redlineplumbing-lv.com/.

Las Vegas Redline Plumbing Announces Maintenance & Emergency Repair Services

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/181101_d1b31643a4806950_001full.jpg

Following the announcement, local clients can benefit from a wider range of maintenance and repair services, including hydrostatic pressure testing for leak detection, water pressure valve replacement, water filtration system maintenance, faucet updates and replacements, water manifold maintenance, water heater servicing, and sewer line and drain cleaning. Same-day quotes and online bookings are available for all these services.

Redline Plumbing's technicians can now install and repair all kinds of water heaters - standard, tankless, gas, and electric systems. They recommend an anode rod replacement every two to three years for superior water heater tank longevity.

As part of the newly announced emergency services, the technicians can remove clogs and back-ups in sewer lines and drains caused by gradual debris and grease accumulation. Redline Plumbing offers hydro-jet drain cleaning, which works by building up as much as 4,000 pounds per square inch of water pressure and then releasing it through a high-pressure jetting nozzle into the clogged pipe.

This latest drain cleaning service is suitable for homeowners, business owners, and industrial and municipal establishments. It is a fast, efficient, and cost-effective cleaning methodology, as it serves to keep pipes and drains clean over the long term, explains the company.

Redline Plumbing LLC is a professional plumbing service, installation, and repair provider that specializes in diagnosing high water bills and leak detection. Following the recent update, the company offers an expanded range of services that can help households or businesses lower their water bills. The company offers both new and retrofit installations, including toilet, bathtub, water heater, and water installations; faucet and sink replacement; and more.

Interested parties can learn more at https://redlineplumbing-lv.com/.

Contact Info:

Name: Kurt Gross

Email: [email protected]

Organization: Redline Plumbing LLC

Address: 5828 Spring Mountain Rd. Suite 305 , Las Vegas, NV 89146, United States

Website: https://redlineplumbing-lv.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181101
San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Global technology brand OnePlus took to the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023 to share its decade-long experience in running a tech business and confirm the upcoming launch of its first foldable smartphone.

Robin Liu, CEO of North America for OnePlus and Dr. Zeng Xi, Creative Director for Product at OnePlus

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7958/181242_f49737a3c4d54ac3_001full.jpg

"This year marks the 10-year milestone of OnePlus. Over the past decade, OnePlus has always sought to do the right thing in the right way, co-creating products with our users based on their experiences, while maintaining an entrepreneurial mindset that enables us to continually challenge conventional concepts of technology with our premium, high-performance hardware and best possible software experiences," said Zeng Xi, Creative Director for Product at OnePlus during the Builders Stage session on How to Sustain a Tech Company in a Competitive World at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023, which was also attended by Robin Liu, CEO of North America for OnePlus.

Alongside sharing with audiences the key components that have contributed to OnePlus's long-term business success over its first 10 years, Zeng also highlighted how OnePlus will continue to stick to its user-driven DNA and "Never Settle" mantra as it embarks on its second decade. This includes remaining focused on its unique strengths as it seeks to further push boundaries, embrace change, and unlock the immense possibilities offered by new innovations to deliver users exceptional Fast & Smooth experiences that meet the needs of both today and tomorrow.

OnePlus Confirms Launch of Its First Foldable Phone at TechCrunch Disrupt 2023

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7958/181242_f49737a3c4d54ac3_002full.jpg

During the session, OnePlus also confirmed that its first-ever foldable smartphone will be launched soon. As the latest breakthrough in OnePlus's exploration of smartphone form factors, and a representation of the brand's openness to all possibilities, the new device is set to redefine the concept of foldable smartphones by delivering all-round flagship-level experiences in a compact foldable form factor.

More details about the new OnePlus foldable phone will be available soon on the official OnePlus website, OnePlus forums and social media channels.

About TechCrunch Disrupt

Disrupt - the original startup conference -stays fresh, relevant and focused on founders, investors, and the future of tech year after year. Whether you're a startup rookie learning the ropes, a seasoned investor searching for the next big thing, or a founder hell-bent on changing the world - Disrupt delivers the tools, knowledge, and connections to help you make it happen.

About OnePlus

OnePlus is a global mobile technology brand that challenges conventional concepts of technology. Founded on the "Never Settle" mantra, OnePlus creates exquisitely designed devices with premium build quality and high-performance hardware. OnePlus thrives on cultivating strong bonds and growing alongside its community of users and fans.

For more information, please visit OnePlus.com or follow us on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/oneplus

Facebook - https://facebook.com/oneplus

Twitter - https://twitter.com/oneplus

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/company/oneplus

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@oneplustech

TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@oneplus

Media Contacts

[email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181242
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Origen Resources Inc.(CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA)(the "Company" or "Origen")is pleased to announce initial observations from the recent Wishbone Project site visit and sampling program completed by Dr. Thomas Hawkins and John Harrop. Wishbone is 100% owned by Origen and is located in the prolific Golden Triangle in northern British Columbia, adjacent to the Galore Creek project jointly owned by Teck Resources and Newmont Gold. Covering 3,941 hectares, Wishbone has 11 target areas covering significantly high-grade gold-silver quartz-carbonate as well as volcanogenic massive sulphide style mineralization. Boulders have been sampled at up to 175.7g/t gold from the base of the rapidly retreating central glacier. Origen will be using geophysics and mapping to pinpoint a likely hard rock source of these high-grade boulders.

Highlights:

Located in the centre of the golden triangle next to Schaft Creek and Galore Creek deposits.

Planned Galore Creek road runs through the property.

Historical results of 6.7kg/t of silver and 175.7g/t gold in grab samples.

Significant glacial retreat has exposed considerable new ground.

Re-processing and re-interpretation of Skytem geophysical data in progress.

Figure - New compilation of historical rock sampling on the property.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/181238_origenfigure09202023.jpg

Photograph from August 2023 of the central glacier on the Wishbone property. Lines show how glacial Ice has receded 1.2 km up the valley from 1990 levels.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/181238_origenphotograph09202023.jpg

Earlier this month, Origen's Dr. Thomas Hawkins and John Harrop visited the Wishbone project located adjacent to Galore Creek's porphyry within the Golden Triangle. They were able to witness firsthand the rapid retreat of the central glacier and exposure of significant new ground. In the centre of the property gold and silver rich float samples appear to be coming from a series of rapidly retreating glaciers. A compilation of historical rock samples underscores the prospectivity of the Wishbone property: results of up to 6708g/t silver and 175.7g/t gold in samples of float have been assayed at several targets over 9km.

The Origen team is currently working on reprocessing and reinterpreting historical Skytem geophysics data on this strategically-located project where significant gold has been found in grab samples covering several zones along an 9-kilometre trend across the property. A total of 401.1km lineal kilometres were flown for the Skytem Survey in August 2021, at a line spacing of 100 metres. As part of the survey both electromagnetic and magnetic data were collected.

About Origen

Origen is fully focused on its 100% interest in the Los Sapitos Lithium project in Argentina and its 100% interest in the 33,000 ha Newfoundland Lithium projects, and also a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM and the 3,971 ha Wishbone projects in the mineral rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia, along with a property portfolio of four 100% owned precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia.

John Harrop, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101 has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release.

On behalf of Origen,

Thomas Hawkins

Managing Director

For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, Chief Executive Officer, at 604-681-0221.

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.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181238
Sonfu Digital Solutions LLC has announced its Wellness Accelerated System, a marketing tool that focuses on customer reactivation for companies in the health and wellness sector.

Colonial Heights, Virginia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 20, 2023) - Sonfu Digital Solutions's newly announced tool is designed to re-engage customers who may have discontinued business for a variety of reasons. Through its Wellness Accelerated System, the company helps business owners reactivate previously established clients to increase revenue and enhance customer experience.

For more information, please visit https://go.sonfudigital.com/vsl.

Sonfu Digital Solutions Announces Health & Wellness Client Reactivation System

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/181234_041d5c9e149a8a1b_001full.jpg

In a recent report from Sonfu Digital Solutions, the company explains how customer reactivation is far more cost-effective than customer acquisition. Without the need for paid advertising, businesses can re-engage with dormant customers, building better relationships in the process. Understanding why customers have ceased business with their company can help owners provide a better service in the future.

The company's new Wellness Accelerated System reactivates leads using automated SMS and email nurturing strategies. Utilizing businesses' current client lists of 100+ contacts, the system increases closing rates and promotes more sales. According to research published on Science Direct, the probability of selling to an existing customer stands at 60-70% compared to 5-20% for newly acquired ones.

As explained by Sonfu Digital Solutions, customer reactivation almost always leads to customer acquisition from word-of-mouth marketing, making it one of the most efficient marketing tools currently available to businesses.

Aimed at health and wellness business owners, Sonfu Digital Solution's reactivation system considers factors such as length of inactivity, purchase history and demographics when contacting inactive customers. As a report from the company explains, identifying the characteristics of dormant customers means that reactivation efforts can be tailored accordingly.

Sonfu Digital Solutions was founded by Sonnie Donaby, a digital marketing expert, who started off his career supporting small businesses with the creation of websites and e-commerce shops. Donaby now helps health and wellness business owners integrate digital marketing solutions, such as the Wellness Accelerated System, to reach their goals, and the latest announcement reflects this commitment.

Interested parties can find more information by visiting https://www.sonfudigital.com/blog/b/bringing-the-dead-back-to-life-how-to-effectively-reactivate-customers.

Contact Info:

Name: Sonnie Donaby

Email: [email protected]

Organization: Sonfu Digital Solutions LLC

Address: 84 Southgate Square #1022, Colonial Heights, VA 23834, United States

Website: https://www.sonfudigital.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/181234
SEATTLE , Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- bttn -- In 2023, the United States grapples with a profound nursing shortage, placing undue stress on our healthcare system. Past projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipated an overall shortfall of 1.1 million RNs nationwide by 2022. Even with a projected 15% growth rate for RNs by 2026, the efforts fall short of filling the expanding gap. (Samuel B, 2021)

Advocating for Action: Addressing the Critical Nursing Shortage in America

Representing the largest healthcare profession in the U.S. , the nursing community saw a population of approximately 3.072 million RNs as of May 2022 . Still, the demand far surpasses the supply. In 2022 alone, the sector projected 100,000 new RN job openings, an unmatched rate in any other profession. (Samuel B, 2021)

This nursing deficit isn't uniformly spread across the U.S. An aging RN workforce, and factors alike have fueled the uneven distribution. To meet the anticipated demand for 3.6 million registered nurses by 2030, the field should have been adding nearly 50,000 new RNs every year since 2014  an objective not realized. (Haines, 2022)

Several critical reasons amplify the nursing crisis: workforce attrition due to aging, burnout, career shifts, long hours, high-stress environments, and insufficient resources. According to a recent McKinsey report, 31 percent of nurses considered leaving their patient care roles in 2023 due to these challenges. ( Berlin , 2023)

Furthermore, workplace violence and inadequate compensation exacerbate the situation. A considerable 25% of nurses have faced physical assault at their workplace, leading to decreased job satisfaction and retention. (ANA, 2022) Their pay often does not match the gravity and significance of their work, pushing many to explore other lucrative careers. Improving remuneration and the work environment becomes crucial for retention and attraction.

Educational hindrances also play a role. The push for more advanced nursing degrees can discourage potential entrants, and due to a shortage of faculty and limited resources, many aspiring nurses get turned away from educational programs.

However, the scenario isn't entirely bleak. Opportunities for improvement are in abundance. Proposed strategies involve increasing nursing education funds, encouraging innovations in nursing programs, active promotion of nursing careers, revisiting practice laws, and considering financial incentives.

JT Garwood, an healthcare advocate, said "Addressing the nursing shortage demands a collective approach. These are issues that require the general public to understand what is at risk when we ignore the realities of our healthcare workers". All stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, healthcare providers, and the public, need to unite for coordinated action. Comprehensive policy changes, enhanced investments, and elevated public awareness are essential for a robust reaction to the nursing shortage.

As an advocate for healthcare, bttn recognizes the gravity of this situation. We believe in empowering and supporting healthcare providers. The time is now to create a healthcare system that assures patient safety and equips our nurses with the necessary resources. As a trusted partner in healthcare, bttn urges individuals to rally behind efforts to tackle the nursing shortage, and champion improved conditions for our irreplaceable nurses. Let's stand together as advocates, recognizing the noble efforts of our healthcare providers and driving actionable change.

Media Contact: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/advocating-for-action-addressing-the-critical-nursing-shortage-in-america-301932622.html

SOURCE bttn
Arjun Malhotra brings his vast experience to propel the startup in the healthcare technology space

DALLAS , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Altysys, a rapidly growing data and cloud-first startup with deep expertise in the healthcare IT consulting and services ecosystem, has appointed Arjun Malhotra as the Chairman of its advisory board.

Arjun Malhotra has been a prominent figure in the Indian IT entrepreneurial scene. He is widely renowned for his instrumental role in co-founding the HCL Group, way back in 1975. After an illustrious career in HCL, he went on to successfully build and exit companies such as TechSpan and Headstrong. Arjun's wisdom has helped in building several organizations worldwide as well as eminent institutions, such as ISB, Hyderabad and IIT (Kharagpur) Foundation. His contributions to the Indian IT industry were recognized with several distinguished awards, including the Albert Einstein Technology Medal in 2001 and the DQ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

"I am extremely excited and honored to have joined Altysys as the Chairman of the advisory board. Altysys has the potential for rapid growth and innovation. Together, we shall drive innovation, foster digital solutions, and prioritize data security, all with a steadfast dedication to improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare," said Arjun.

Overjoyed at sharing the news, Abhinav Mishra , the CEO of Altysys said "We are absolutely thrilled that Arjun has agreed to chair our advisory board. His vast expertise will undoubtedly steer Altysys towards unprecedented growth and success. With his guidance, we are poised to revolutionize healthcare technology services and deliver innovative solutions that will transform the industry and positively impact countless lives."

Altysys, under the guidance of Arjun Malhotra , will be aiming for the next orbit of growth. The company is already growing exponentially as it serves multiple clients from the healthcare and insurance industries to facilitate their data, AI/ML and cloud initiatives, improving patients' and HCPs' outcomes.

About Altysys:

Altysys, founded by executives with several years of experience in technology consulting and services, is a provider of healthcare technology consulting and solutions. Headquartered in Bengaluru - India's Silicon Valley , Altysys is a data and cloud-first company with deep expertise in health clouds, data interoperability, data analytics, GenAI and AI/ML enabled technology solutions, serving Payers, Providers, Health Techs, and Pharma.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2214988/Altysys_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/altysys-appoints-the-new-chairman-of-its-advisory-board-301933138.html

SOURCE Altysys
Board-certified dermatologist's aftercare tips

ROSEMONT, Ill. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Piercings can be a fun way for people to enhance their personal style. While people may get piercings on different parts of the body, some piercings, like earlobe piercings, are more common and can be less risky. However, all body piercings can cause complications if not cared for safely.

"The first step to caring for your piercing is choosing a qualified piercer," said Steven Daveluy , MD, FAAD, associate professor and program director at Wayne State Dermatology. "Select an experienced piercer in a licensed studio. Then properly care for your new piercing afterward to prevent problems, such as an infection or your piercing closing."

Dr. Daveluy and the AAD recommend people with new piercings follow these tips to keep their new piercing looking and feeling good:

Leave your jewelry in. Don't remove your new piercing for six weeks or more. Keep it in  even at night. Removing your starter jewelry too early may cause your new piercing to close. Keep the piercing clean. Always wash your hands before touching newly pierced areas to help prevent an infection. Then, gently wash your piercings with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser and water at least once a day. Thoroughly rinse soap away from your piercings after washing and avoid getting water in your ear. Avoid cleaning your piercing with hydrogen peroxide or antibacterial soaps, which can damage your healing skin. Keep the wound moist. Apply petroleum jelly around each piercing to help it heal faster. Use petroleum jelly that comes in a squeeze tube instead of a jar to prevent transferring germs. Keep an eye on your piercing. If your skin around your piercing becomes sore, red, or puffy, or your piercing oozes yellowish liquid, you may have an infection. If the skin around your piercing becomes raised, you may be developing a type of scar called a keloid.

"If you think you have an infection and your symptoms don't resolve quickly, make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist," Dr. Daveluy said.

These tips are demonstrated in "Caring for New Piercings," a video posted to the AAD website and YouTube channel . This video is part of the AAD's "Your Dermatologist Knows" series, which offers tips people can use to properly care for their skin, hair, and nails.

To find a board-certified dermatologist in your area, visit aad.org/findaderm .

More Information

Picking Your Piercer (Association of Professional Piercers)

Suggested Aftercare for Body Piercings (Association of Professional Piercers)

About the AAD

Headquartered in Rosemont, Ill. , the American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential and most representative of all dermatologic associations. With a membership of more than 20,800 physicians worldwide, the AAD is committed to advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical, and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair, and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care because skin, hair, and nail conditions can have a serious impact on your health and well-being. For more information, contact the AAD at (888) 462-DERM (3376) or aad.org . Follow @AADskin on Facebook , TikTok , Pinterest and YouTube and @AADskin1 on Instagram.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-academy-of-dermatology-how-to-care-for-a-new-piercing-301933726.html

SOURCE American Academy of Dermatology
New data shows record surge of challenges in public libraries

CHICAGO , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Library Association (ALA) has released new preliminary data documenting the continued rise in attempts to censor books and materials in public, school and academic libraries during the first eight months in 2023.

New data shows record surge of challenges in public libraries

Between January 1 and August 31, 2023 , ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles.* The number of unique titles challenged has increased by 20 percent from the same reporting period in 2022 , the year in which the highest number of book challenges occurred since ALA began compiling this data more than 20 years ago. Most of the challenges were to books written by or about a person of color or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Challenges to books in public libraries accounted for 49 percent of those OIF documented, compared to 16 percent during the same reporting period in 2022. The largest contributor to the rise in both the number of censorship attempts and the increase in titles challenged continues to be a single challenge by a person or group demanding the removal or restriction of multiple titles.

As in 2022, 9 in 10 of the overall number of books challenged were part of an attempt to censor multiple titles.

Cases documenting a challenge to 100 or more books were reported in 11 states, compared to six during the same reporting period in 2022 and zero in 2021.

In the past, most challenges to library resources only sought to remove or restrict a single book.

"These attacks on our freedom to read should trouble every person who values liberty and our constitutional rights," said Deborah Caldwell-Stone , director of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. "To allow a group of people or any individual, no matter how powerful or loud, to become the decision-maker about what books we can read or whether libraries exist, is to place all of our rights and liberties in jeopardy."

Caldwell-Stone continued, "Expanding beyond their well-organized attempts to sanitize school libraries, groups with a political agenda have turned their crusade to public libraries, the very embodiment of the First Amendment in our society. This places politics over the well-being and education of young people and everyone's right to access and use the public library."

"What this data set does not reveal are the people who want books that speak to their lived experience and librarians who want to make books accessible to people who find them relevant. Both are under attack," said ALA President Emily Drabinski .

Examples of publicly documented cases of censorship include:

Samuels Public Library (Fort Royal, Va.)  A local pressure group called "Clean Up Samuels" held two book-banning BBQ events ("there will be beer and babysitting") to fill out Request for Reconsideration forms for materials held at the library. Their efforts focused on children and young adult materials with representation of the lived experiences of those who are LGBTQIA+. Over 500 forms were completed for nearly 150 unique titles. At county board of supervisor meetings, group members called for the elimination of the library's funding over the availability of "And Tango Makes Three," "Pride Colors," " Prince and Knight," "I Love You Because I Love You, Plenty of Hugs" and other LGBTQIA+ titles. In June, the county board of supervisors voted to withhold 75 percent of the budget until the library takes action to "protect our children from sexually explicit material and ensure parents have control over their children's reading choices." The library director resigned in August.

Clinton (Tenn.) Public Library  In February 2023 , the library board voted against a proposal to create a special section of their library to house books related to gender identity and sexual orientation. The conversation was spurred by challenges to "Grandad's Camper," "It Feels Good to be Yourself" and "Families like Mine" from members of a group that advocates for the censorship of library material with LGBTQIA+ representation. While the books were retained where they were originally shelved, members of the group went on to challenge numerous additional titles with LGBTQIA+ representation, including literary memoirs and sex education titles. The group has recently begun calling for the library director's resignation and threatening community members who have publicly defended access to these resources. In August, the mayor of Anderson County and four county commissioners asked the sheriff to investigate whether 17 books available at public libraries, including Clinton Public Library, violate Tennessee's criminal obscenity laws. Prosecutors have not brought charges.

Urbandale (Iowa) Community School District  In July 2023 , the Des Moines Register obtained a list of 374 books that the district had flagged for removal without knowing if the district even owned the books. The justification for the list was to comply with a state law (SF 496) that went into effect in July and set to begin imposing penalties in January 2024 . The law is focused on defining what books are deemed age-appropriate in Iowa schools with a focus on topics addressing sex, sex education, sexual orientation and gender identity. A school district spokesperson stated the district was "to provide guidance to K-12 teachers about books that might violate the state law." In response to protests, the list was revised to 65 books. Among the books removed from school libraries were "The Kite Runner," "The Handmaid's Tale," "Brave New World," "Beloved," "The Color Purple," "Native Son," "Gender Queer," "All Boys Aren't Blue" and "The Hate U Give."

"The antidote to the contagion of censorship is public, vocal support for libraries," said Drabinski. "Libraries continue to welcome every reader in their communities and provide something in the collection for everyone. ALA invites everyone who cares about protecting the freedom to read to show up to support their libraries at a local school or library board meeting, participate in Banned Books Week, and join the Unite Against Book Bans campaign to fight censorship."

Banned Books Week 2023 ( October 1-7 ) will draw attention to attempts to remove books and other materials from libraries, schools and bookstores. The 2023 Banned Books Week theme, "Let Freedom Read ," is a call to action that underscores the urgent need to defend the right to read and to support the community of readers, library staff, educators, authors, publishers and booksellers.

For more information, visit www.ala.org .

*ALA compiles data on book challenges from reports filed with OIF by library professionals and from news stories throughout the U.S. Because many book challenges are not reported to ALA or covered by press, this data represents only a snapshot of book censorship throughout the year. A challenge to a book may be resolved in favor of retaining the book in the collection or result in a book being restricted or withdrawn from the library.

CONTACT: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/american-library-association-releases-preliminary-data-on-2023-book-challenges-301932848.html

SOURCE American Library Association
Announced winner of 'Market Trailblazer' category for achievements in transitioning to renewable energy and driving market change

SEOUL, South Korea , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amorepacific, Korea's leading beauty company, was announced the winner of the 'Market Trailblazer' accolade at the RE100 Leadership Awards held on September 19th at the Climate Week NYC 2023.

The RE100 Leadership Awards is organized by The Climate Group, a non-profit foundation that actively promotes the use of renewable energy among companies and governments in partnership with CDP. Since 2020, this award has been given to recognize the efforts and achievements of companies leading the charge in transitioning to renewable energy.

The award's Market Trailblazer category is presented to companies that 'drive market changes, communicate transparently about the challenges and solutions related to transitioning to renewable energy, and collaborate with various stakeholders to lead the change.'

Amorepacific became the first in the Korean beauty industry to join RE100 in 2021. It established a roadmap to convert 100% to renewable energy across all its business locations by 2025. The company has been actively implementing its transition to renewable energy through various means. In March 2022 , it became the first in Korea to enter into a direct renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA)[1]. In September 2022 , it also concluded a third-party PPA. In November 2022 , it inked Korea's first-ever virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA)[2] with Bukchon Seomo Wind, a local renewable energy firm based in a village on Jeju Island , to transition to renewable energy while coexisting with local communities.

Amorepacific's Osan Beauty Park , which manufactures the company's key brands, including Sulwhasoo and Laneige, operates a 2.6MW solar power generation facility, creating and using its renewable energy. Through PPAs and green tariff schemes, they have been manufacturing products using 100% renewable electricity since 2022.

The company commented, "We will continue to address the global climate crisis faced by humanity and carry on our efforts to coexist with nature through our sustainable management goal, 'A MORE Beautiful Promise.'"

[1] PPA (Power Purchase Agreement): A direct electricity trading contract, an agreement where an electricity supplier and a company in need purchase power directly from each other. [2] VPPA (Virtual Power Purchase Agreement): A virtual power contract, an agreement in which a company assumes the market risk related to selling electricity from a power plant and trades energy certificates.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amorepacific-wins-re100-leadership-award-301932756.html

SOURCE Amorepacific
President Yoon Suk-yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have jointly won this year's John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award for "courageously work[ing] to address sensitive historical issues that have prevented close cooperation."

Created to recognize achievements similar to those Kennedy described in his 1956 book "Profiles in Courage," the award has been given by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation annually since 1990.

Yoon and Kishida "chose a more hopeful future for their countries as opposed to being held captive by the past," it said.

"Despite strong opposition in [Korea], President Yoon began working toward rapprochement with Japan shortly after his election in March 2022. Since then, the two leaders have built a strong personal relationship allowing them to resolve difficult historical issues," it recalled. "In March 2023, President Yoon made a bilateral visit to Tokyo, the first by a [Korean] leader in 12 years. Two months later, Prime Minister Kishida became the first Japanese Prime Minister in 12 years to make a bilateral visit to [Korea]."
The California -based hedge fund adds key senior professionals along with new board members as the firm continues to grow

PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anacapa Advisors , a market directional investment manager whose funds continue to significantly outperform their respective market indices, today announced an expansion of its leadership team amid strong momentum for the firm. Senior hires include two highly experienced professionals: Head of Business Development, Sam Rosenberg , and Senior Fund Manager, Mark Wayner .

"I am thrilled to have Sam and Mark join Anacapa's team. Their tremendous experience, knowledge and insights, coupled with our firm's existing momentum, will propel Anacapa to the next level of growth," noted Anacapa's CEO and Founder, Phil Pecsok .

Sam Rosenberg joins Anacapa as Head of Business Development with 30 years of experience, including leadership roles at $1B+ hedge funds, Natixis and Societe Generale. "I'm delighted to join Anacapa and capture the strong momentum Phil and the team have worked to establish over the last 5 years. Not only does Anacapa have a deeply experienced team and excellent performance, but the firm's culture is driven by a sincere desire to generate returns for our investors."

Mark Wayner joins Anacapa as Senior Fund Manager, teaming with Pecsok in day-to-day portfolio management responsibilities. Wayner brings 30 years of industry experience in futures, derivatives and options trading to bear from his prior roles at Citadel, Bank of America and BNP-Paribas.

Anacapa also announced two additions to the firm's Advisory Board. Mark Lipson , founder and former CEO of the NorthStar family of mutual funds and a former senior Managing Director at both US Trust and Bessemer Trust, as well as Dominic Curcio , co-founder and former President of Guggenheim Partners, will join Anacapa's Advisory Board. The Advisory Board will continue to offer guidance and insights, acting as a sounding board for company leaders as they execute plans for strategic growth. Curcio and Lipson are original investors and members of the General Partnership, which is composed of financial industry leaders whose pedigrees include Oaktree, Apollo and the UCLA Foundation.

Since 2018, the firm has steadily expanded its team and assets under management, and is poised for continued growth in the years ahead. For more information, visit www.anacapaadvisors.com .

About Anacapa

Anacapa Advisors LLC, founded in 2018 by Phil Pecsok , manages two market directional hedge funds (Alpha and Quantum) designed to outperform their respective benchmarks in most market environments. Unlike other hedge funds, it is guided by an investor friendly philosophy and fee structure  with a low, 0.50% management fee, and a performance fee earned only when outperforming the respective benchmark.

Media Contact

Ryan Walker

R.J. Walker & Co.

[email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/anacapa-advisors-expands-leadership-team-and-extends-history-of-outperformance-301932875.html

SOURCE Anacapa Advisors
Investment will fuel expansion of Ashcroft's Sun Belt portfolio

NEW YORK , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ashcroft Capital , a fully integrated multifamily investment firm, today announced that it has entered into a strategic venture with Temerity Strategic Partners (TSP) that provides Ashcroft with $50 million of growth capital. The capital is expected to support an estimated $1.5 billion of acquisitions over the next two to three years, as Ashcroft expands its Sun Belt portfolio.

"We are excited to have this capital and backing from Temerity Strategic Partners as we position ourselves to benefit from the dislocation and repricing taking place in the market. We look forward to continuing to build our portfolio and delivering on our promise of improving the quality of life of the residents at each of our communities," said Frank Roessler , founder and CEO of Ashcroft. "The founders of Temerity Strategic have been instrumental in the growth and success of many of the largest real estate operators in North America and across all asset classes. We expect that with Temerity Strategic as our partner we will continue to scale the Ashcroft platform."

Ashcroft currently owns and, through its Birchstone Residential affiliate, manages apartment communities throughout Texas , Georgia , Florida and North Carolina . In addition to its existing markets, the company is looking to expand into such other Sun Belt markets as Arizona and Tennessee .

"We continue to cultivate a strong roster of like-minded institutional joint venture partners," said Scott Lebenhart , chief investment officer at Ashcroft. "Our partnership with Temerity Strategic will further support the expansion of our JV program with existing relationships and select new institutional partners."

"Temerity Strategic provides growth capital and expertise to established, focused, vertically integrated and best-in-class real estate operators that are uniquely positioned for success, which is exactly why we identified Ashcroft as a candidate for our firm's sponsorship," commented Bruce Cohen , co-founder and CEO of TSP. "Ashcroft has emerged as a leader in the multifamily industry, and we are big believers in the Ashcroft team's vision of building a portfolio throughout high-growth metropolitan areas in the Sun Belt region. We are excited to support Ashcroft's expansion through a combination of capital, resources and strategic guidance."

TSP seeks to partner with real estate owners and operators that have scaled businesses, an established competitive advantage, in-depth customer and broker knowledge, strong access to institutional capital and a track record of successful deals.

"Ashcroft exhibits all of the attributes we seek in the platforms with which Temerity Strategic will be partnering," added Jeffrey B. Citrin , co-founder and executive chairman of TSP. "When you add what Temerity Strategic brings to the table with Ashcroft's multifamily expertise, exemplary corporate culture and strategic vision, the stage is set for Ashcroft to truly soar."

About Ashcroft Capital

Founded in 2015, Ashcroft Capital is a vertically integrated multifamily investment firm that currently owns and manages 14,000 units  totaling $2.6 billion in value  throughout several high-growth metros of the Sun Belt . The firm focuses on capital preservation while striving to return strong, risk-adjusted cash-on-cash to investors. Ashcroft is capitalized with high net worth, family office and institutional capital. Ashcroft specializes in value-add multifamily real estate and exhibits an expertise in extracting maximum value from every asset it acquires. Rather than attempting to play cycle timing, the firm strives to acquire excellent apartment communities within well-located submarkets of large and growing U.S. metros. Ashcroft is driven by a focused mission to improve the quality of life of the residents at each community in its portfolio.

About Birchstone Residential

Birchstone Residential is the in-house property management company of Ashcroft Capital. It has a comprehensive property management platform that provides all essential services, including leasing, maintenance and construction management. Birchstone was purpose-built to execute the value-add business plan for each Ashcroft property, optimize financial returns and deliver high resident satisfaction. Committed to a people-centric culture and employee development through job training, job enrichment and accelerated development, Birchstone seeks to provide best-in-class service that attracts new residents and enriches the lifestyles of current residents.

About Temerity Strategic Partners

Temerity Strategic Partners is a Chicago -based private equity firm with a focused strategy of providing growth capital to real estate operating, development, and asset management companies on behalf of its principals and a distinguished group of private and institutional investors. TSP provides growth capital, strategic resources and access to its extensive relationships to support rapidly growing, market-leading real estate owners and operators executing development, value-add and core-plus strategies throughout the United States . Founded by industry veterans Bruce Cohen and Jeff Citrin , TSP leverages its experience in building, capitalizing and investing in preeminent real estate operating platforms to support the pursuit of their long-term objectives.

Media Contact

Stephen Ursery

LinnellTaylor Marketing

[email protected]

303.682.3945

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ashcroft-capital-announces-commitment-of-growth-capital-from-temerity-strategic-partners-301933559.html

SOURCE Ashcroft Capital
Opening Reception Thursday September 21, 2023 ., from 6-9pm

MIAMI , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AXS ART is pleased to announce the opening of its new art exhibit featuring Brazilian painter Olivia Lambiasi and Venezuelan jewelry artist Tatiana Tischenko on Thursday, September 21, 2023 .

Artist Olivia Lambiasi has produced hundreds of art pieces ranging from canvas, luxury bags, shoes, murals, toys, and cars. She has exhibited her work in several galleries in Brazil and has developed collaborations with very well-known brands such as Mercedes-Benz, Vespa Brazil, Women of the Year Award, Shop2gether and Chandon. "Art has been a part of my life since my childhood, I was deeply influenced by my aunt and uncle, who are great artists. After a long time and a lot of learning, I've realized that I can use absolutely anything as a canvas, whether it's a classic canvas, a luxury handbag, cars, etc; there's always a new surface to create art."

Jewelry artist Tatiana Tischenko's love for jewelry dates to her childhood when she learned to make pre-Columbian-style necklaces with her father. It was during her early years that Tatiana decided she wanted to become a master jeweler. She has always had a passion for crafts and working with fire as a transformative element. She studied at the RC ORFEBRES school in Caracas and has showcased her artistic jewelry in various galleries, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sala Mendoza , Sala Tac del Trasnocho , and exhibited in Peru , Colombia , Mexico and Miami . She was also honored with the Braulio Salazar National Arts of Fire Award. "When I work, I transport myself to my inner world, to who I am. That inner peace where I find my calm."

The exhibit will be on display by appointment from September 21 to November 21, 2023 . An Opening Reception will be held this Thursday, September 21 from 6-9pm . To RSVP, email: [email protected]. For more information call 305-297-1878 or email: [email protected].

AXS ART partners with local artists and organizes events to showcase the artists' works. AXS LAW Group and its attorneys believe in the importance of supporting and protecting the local Miami artistic community, its programs and events. The firm is also committed to ensuring that local artists receive access to dedicated legal advice and representation.

About AXS LAW

We created AXS LAW with a view to disrupting the traditional law model to better address the needs of the modern business law consumer. In service of that objective, we encourage our attorneys to pursue entrepreneurship opportunities which, in turn, gives us the perspective and the "guts" to help our clients navigate risk, rather than avoid it at all costs. And, unlike most law firms, we have personality. We are not tethered to our chairs and desks; we are continually forging new relationships in the business and the wider community. For more information, visit www.axslawgroup.com.

Media Contact: Valentina Gutchess

Telephone 305-905-6800

Email: [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/axs-art-unveils-its-new-art-exhibit-featuring-artists-olivia-lambiasi-and-tatiana-tischenko-301933974.html

SOURCE AXS LAW
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Banco BBVA Argentina S.A (NYSE; BYMA; MAE: BBAR; LATIBEX: XBBAR) announced today the approval of dividend payment

The Shareholders of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. are hereby notified that in accordance with the resolutions of the General Ordinary and Extraordinary Shareholders' Meeting held on April 28, 2023 , the authorization of the Argentine Financial and Exchange Institutions Authority of the Argentine Central Bank obtained on May 31, 2023 and the Board of Directors' meeting held on June 7, 2023 , the shares of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A., the Bank will proceed to make available and pay to its existing shareholders on the Bank's share register, as of October 2, 2023 ("Cut-Off Date") of Installment 5, as of October 5, 2023 ("Payment Date"), a dividend, by means of the delivery of:

(i) Payment in Kind: Up to 8,254,072,169 par value of the National Treasury Bill in Pesos Adjusted by CER at a discount due November 23, 2023 (ISIN ARARGE520DT9) Ticker X23N3 (CV code 9197) at a ratio of par value 13.4714156856 of the above mentioned security for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value, which represents 1370.99 % of the capital stock of Ps. 612,710,079. Fractions of less than 1 will be settled in Pesos; or

(ii) Cash option: Up to Ps. 8,400,169,246.50 at a ratio of Ps. 13.7098597435 for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value.

Payments will be made in kind, except for those shareholders who expressly elect to receive their dividend in cash in Argentine pesos. The final amounts of the nominal values or pesos detailed in items (i) and (ii) above will depend on the exercise of the option of payment in pesos.

General terms and conditions of dividend payment

Payment date: October 5

Cut-off date: October 2

Those shareholders who hold their shares in the Shareholders Registry kept by Caja de Valores S.A. on behalf of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. should contact such entity at the e-mail address [email protected] to obtain information on the procedure applicable for the purpose of disposing of the securities as dividends in kind.

It is expressly stated that the Shareholders holdings recorded as of the Cut-Off Date for each installment will be the only ones taken into account for purposes of the payment of the declared dividend. Notices given by those who are not holders of shares of Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. as of the Cut-Off Date shall be deemed not to have been submitted and shall be null and void.

Cash payment option

Those shareholders who wish to receive their dividend in Argentine pesos must send a written notice, signed by the holder of the shares, from September 20 through October 2, 2023 , inclusive, on business days within said period, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. , to Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. at the following e-mail address: [email protected], or to Reconquista 199 EP, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, C/O Ezequiel Serra. The option will be valid exclusively for this installment. Those shareholders who hold their shares in a Caja de Valores depositary must send such notice through their custodian agent, detailing ownership and account number. The resulting funds will be wired to the bank account informed by their agent.

Such option may not be partially exercised, and will apply to the total of the shareholder's position as of the cut-off date.

The dividend will be made available through Banco BBVA Argentina S.A. from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. , at Av. Cordoba 111, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.

Payment in Kind

The dividend will be made available as from the date indicated above, through Caja de Valores S.A., located at 25 de Mayo 362, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, on business days from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. , where the required formalities must be complied with and settlements will be made in accordance with the regulatory deadlines.

American Depositary Shares (ADSs)

Holders of American Depositary Shares (ADSs) will receive payment through the depository bank, Bank of New York Mellon, as of the date resulting from the application of the rules in force in the jurisdiction where Banco BBVA Argentina S.A.'s ADSs are listed. In this regard, the cut-off and/or payment dates may differ from those reported herein.

Tax withholdings

From the distribution of dividends, the amounts duly paid by Banco BBVA Argentina S.A., in its capacity as Substitute Obligor for the Personal Property Tax corresponding to the periods 2021 and 2022 of Shareholders who have been subject to such tax, shall be deducted, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of the last paragraph of section incorporated by Law No. 26,452 after section 25 of Law No. 23,966.

It is also informed that such payment is subject to the 7% withholding established in article 97 of the Income Tax Law, text as amended in 2019 (provided that the beneficiaries of the dividends are individuals and undivided estates resident in the country and beneficiaries abroad) but will not be subject to the 35% withholding established in article 74 of the Income Tax Law, text as amended in 2019". For those shareholders included in the law, a ratio of nominal value 12,5284165876 of the mentioned security will be taken for each Company share of Ps. 1 par value, and in case of option in Argentine pesos to a ratio of value Ps. 12,7501695614.- for each Company share of $ 1 par value.

Investor Relations contact

investorelations-arg@bbva.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/banco-bbva-argentina-sa-announces-dividend-payment--installment-5-of-6-301934035.html

SOURCE Banco BBVA Argentina S.A.
TROY, Mich. and DETROIT , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, has named Ryan L. Perry as one of The Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition).

The current, 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2024) is based on more than 16.1 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. The list of outstanding attorneys is compiled by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. The lawyers being honored as "The Best Lawyers in America" are highlighted as the top legal talent in America.

Mr. Perry's area of specialization is commercial litigation, business and employment law. He assists businesses and business owners throughout the nation and abroad in all areas of commercial litigation and arbitration including breach of contract, shareholder disputes, non-competition issues, collection actions and wrongful discharge. He has extensive experience in these areas and is known for his aggressive pursuit of his client's claims while also providing great personal service. We would like to congratulate Ryan L. Perry on being selected for The Best Lawyers in America (2024 Edition).

About Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.

Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. is ranked as the 12th largest law firm in Michigan . Founded 40 years ago, located in Troy , Detroit , and Lansing, Michigan , it is a full-service law firm with 65 attorneys. Areas of practice include estate planning, corporate and business law, health care law, business transactions, commercial litigation, governmental law, real estate, creditors' rights, criminal law, employment and labor law, workers' compensation, and family law. Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C. is named in Best Law Firms in America, Tier 1. Inclusion in Best Lawyers in America is based on peer review in the legal profession. Visit www.gmhlaw.com for more information.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-lawyers-has-named-ryan-l-perry-as-one-of-the-best-lawyers-in-america-2024-edition-301930622.html

SOURCE Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton, P.C.
BEIJING , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] is forecasting that China will need 8,560 new commercial airplanes through 2042, driven by economic growth well above the global average and increasing demand for domestic air travel. China's commercial airliner fleet will more than double to nearly 9,600 jets over the next 20 years, according to Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the company's long-term forecast of demand for commercial airplanes and related services.

With its ongoing recovery of air travel, China will account for one-fifth of the world's airplane deliveries in the next two decades, according to the CMO. China's domestic aviation market also will be the largest in the world by the end of the forecast period, helping power demand for 6,470 single-aisle airplanes such as the Boeing 737 MAX family.

"Domestic air traffic in China has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels and international traffic is recovering steadily," said Darren Hulst , Boeing vice president, Commercial Marketing. "As China's economy and traffic continue to grow, Boeing's complete line-up of commercial jets will play a key role in helping meet that growth sustainably and economically."

The 2023 China CMO includes these projections through 2042:

Along with demand for single-aisle jets, Chinese carriers will require 1,550 widebody airplanes mainly to support a growing network of international routes.

Fleet growth will drive two thirds of forecast deliveries in China , while the remainder will replace older jets with modern airplanes that increase efficiency and reduce CO 2 emissions.

, while the remainder will replace older jets with modern airplanes that increase efficiency and reduce CO emissions. Continued growth in e-commerce and express shipping will drive demand for 190 new freighter deliveries.

China will require 433,000 new aviation personnel  including 134,000 pilots, 138,000 technicians and 161,000 cabin crew members  to serve its growing market.

will require 433,000 new aviation personnel  including 134,000 pilots, 138,000 technicians and 161,000 cabin crew members  to serve its growing market. China's commercial fleet will generate demand for $675 billion in aviation services including maintenance, repair, training and spare parts.

Commercial airplane deliveries to China (2023-2042) Regional Jet 350 Single Aisle 6,470 Widebody 1,550 Freighter 190 Total 8,560

2023 marks the 50th year of Boeing airplanes' service in China . In 1972, China ordered 10 707 jets to modernize its commercial fleet and the following year, the country's first 707 was delivered to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). Today, Boeing airplanes are the mainstay of China's air travel and cargo system.

The complete Boeing CMO forecast is available at http://www.boeing.com/commercial/market/commercial-market-outlook/

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing offers products and services to customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and cultivating a culture based on the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity.

Contact

Mike Ma

Boeing China Communications

+86-13811089058

[email protected]

Boeing Media Relations

[email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-fast-growing-china-domestic-air-travel-driving-20-year-demand-for-8-560-airplanes-301932773.html

SOURCE Boeing
BEIJING , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The two-day Summit of the Group of 77 (G77) and China concluded last Saturday in Havana, Cuba , with a call for more participation and say of the Global South in the global governance system.

China and other developing countries are working hand in hand to promote the further development of South-South cooperation.

After attending the G77 plus China summit, Li Xi , a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, paid an official visit to Cuba from Saturday to Monday and met with a slew of Cuban leaders, vowing to deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and support each other on issues concerning each other's core interests.

Profound China - Cuba friendship with solid mutual support

Cuba is the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with China .

When visiting Raul Castro , the leader of Cuba's socialist revolution, Li, also secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said that the traditional friendship between China and Cuba was forged and carefully cultivated by the older generation of leaders of the two countries.

In 2022, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel paid a state visit to China , and the two sides issued a joint statement on deepening China - Cuba relations in the new era.

" China stands ready to promote the development of the respective party building and socialist cause," Li said during a meeting with Diaz-Canel.

Under the framework of the joint construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China and Cuba have deepened exchanges and expanded practical cooperation in fields such as energy, agriculture, bio-medicine, science and technology, education and culture over the years, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries put the safety of people's lives first and carried out fruitful anti-pandemic cooperation. When the pandemic situation in Cuba was severe, China provided urgently needed supplies such as ventilators, oxygenerators, food and medicine.

Thanking China for its assistance to Cuba's economic and social development and firm support for the Cuban people's just struggle against unilateral blockade and sanctions, Diaz-Canel vowed to maintain close friendly exchanges with the CPC and promote practical cooperation.

During the meeting with Roberto Morales Ojeda , a member of the Political Bureau and secretary of organization of the PCC Central Committee, the two sides agreed to strengthen political mutual trust and strategic coordination, deepen practical cooperation in various fields, and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning on governance and experience sharing and cooperation in party management and the fight against corruption.

The two sides also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between China's National Commission of Supervision and the Office of the Comptroller General of Cuba.

Advancing South-South cooperation to build community with shared future for mankind

As a member of the Global South family, China has been actively carrying out South-South cooperation and contributing to the common development of developing countries.

China has provided development assistance to more than 160 countries, worked with more than 150 countries on the joint construction of the BRI, and promoted the cooperation on the Global Development Initiative (GDI) with over 100 countries and international organizations.

Meanwhile, China has set up a Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund with a total funding of $4 billion .

"The fund provides unconditional development assistance to a number of developing countries with no interference in other countries' internal affairs, playing an important role in establishing a more equitable and just new international economic and social order," Cuban ambassador to China Alberto J. Blanco Silva said.

" China has firmly stood with the Global South nations and effectively safeguarded the common interests of developing countries," Diaz-Canel told Li.

Calling for joint efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind, Li said China is willing to work with Cuba to promote the implementation of the GDI, the Global Security Initiative and the Global Civilization Initiative.

https://news.cgtn.com/news/2023-09-20/China-Cuba-jointly-build-community-with-shared-future-for-mankind-1nflWfJwVOg/index.html

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cgtn-china-cuba-join-hands-to-build-community-with-shared-future-for-mankind-301933115.html

SOURCE CGTN
More than 3,000 Coherix 3D inspection systems currently are in use on battery and automotive assembly lines around the world

ANN ARBOR, Mich. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan -based Coherix is developing quality-control technology that can improve EV-battery safety, service life and quality while reducing production costs.

The company has pioneered the development of 3D machine vision, artificial intelligence and proprietary process-control software to manage critically important processes to seal battery cases and covers in order to assure performance and safety.

More than 3,000 Coherix systems currently are in use on battery- and automotive-assembly lines worldwide. Juergen Dennig , the company's president, says that Coherix expects that number to nearly double over the next two years.

Dennig notes that manufacturers around the world are in the race to improve battery quality, safety and performance while reducing weight and cost. He warns, however, that mass production of electric-vehicle batteries is still in its infancy and many companies continue to develop quality-control processes on a trial-and-error basis.

"The automotive industry is moving at light speed in its development of battery technology," Dennig adds. "The growth in EV sales puts a spotlight on battery-manufacturing processes needed to properly seal lithium-ion battery cases and covers to achieve optimal performance, safety and quality."

The application of adhesive sealant to properly close battery covers and packs is a major challenge. Coherix 3D vision systems help manage and inspect the exact amount and placement of sealant during the battery-assembly process.

The company also has developed software capable of automatically adjusting the application of adhesives at line speed for batteries and battery covers to improve quality, cut downtime and reduce labor and material costs.

Adhesives can cost up to $180 or more per gallon. The use of Coherix technology has been proven to reduce the amount of sealant used in the assembly of battery packs and covers by up to 30 percent. For an assembly line producing 300,000 batteries per year, the annual savings could total up to $4 million .

Many battery manufacturers today rely on inefficient 2D camera systems to monitor the application of adhesives for battery packs and covers. Dennig points out that 2D systems are affected by ambient light, unable to detect adhesive volume and cannot monitor other critically important sealant-application data (such as bead shape, center height or cross-section measurements).

He notes that unlike 2D and other adhesive-inspection systems, Coherix 3D quality-control systems can measure and adjust the amount of sealant used in robotic dispensing processes and ensure that critical center-height and volume specifications are met.

In addition, the use of the company's adaptive process-control technology also helps eliminate unscheduled downtime and allows sealant-application robots to run at maximum speed.

"Adaptive process control and 3D-vision technology will be the quality-control standard for sealing battery closures in the not-to-distant future," Dennig predicts. "Our technology is rapidly gaining acceptance not only in North America , but in the Asia Pacific region and Europe as well."

About Coherix

Coherix creates adaptive process-control systems for the autonomous application of adhesives using 3D laser-based sensors that see, understand and proactively correct adhesive applications to minimize error and maximize performance.

Coherix provides high-performance solutions with low cost of ownership for large global OEMs, line builders, dispensing-equipment companies and vision integrators in the automotive and electronics industries. The company's 3D computer-vision technology provides "eyes" with depth perception for robots that allow customers to manage complex manufacturing processes.

Coherix 3D is an industry-first inline 3D inspection system that tracks the critically important application of adhesives and sealants in automotive, battery and electronics manufacturing operations. The company's recently introduced Adaptive Process Control (APC) technology proactively corrects variations on-the-fly for adhesive applications on assembly lines, reducing downtime, eliminating waste and improving quality.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan , the company has operations in China , Germany , Japan , Mexico , Singapore and the United States . More information is available at www.coherix.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/coherix-technology-improves-ev-battery-quality-while-reducing-cost-301933819.html

SOURCE Coherix
AURORA, Colo. , Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Colorado Access has added five board members to its robust board of directors, bringing together a wealth of experience from multiple sectors. The new members add additional valuable backgrounds and expertise. The following members have been appointed:

Helen Drexler , chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Colorado

, chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Fernando Pineda-Reyes , the executive director and founder of Community + Education + Awareness = Results (CREA)

, the executive director and founder of Community + Education + Awareness = Results (CREA) Dr. Lydia Prado , executive director of Lifespan Local

, executive director of Lifespan Local Dr. Terri Richardson , retired internal medicine physician who practiced at Kaiser Permanente and Denver Health

, retired internal medicine physician who practiced at and Olga Gonzalez , executive director of Cultivando

"We are honored to welcome such highly respected, inspiring leaders in the communities we serve," said Annie Lee , president and CEO at Colorado Access. "The unique experiences and skills that each new member brings will enhance how Colorado Access continues to improve our service to members and communities and ensure that our work is meaningful and valuable to the people we serve."

Aside from bringing new community perspectives, the additions to the board come as new state law SB22-106 goes into effect that will increase transparency and accountability for all organizations like Colorado Access.

Several new board members have been instrumental in developing innovative and creative solutions to community issues in Colorado . Dr. Prado , in addition to acting as executive director of Lifespan Local, was also the visionary behind the renowned Dahlia Campus for Health & Well Being at WellPower (formerly Mental Health Center of Denver).

Pineda-Reyes is known for developing and supporting hundreds of programs to address health disparities in Colorado , Mexico , and Puerto Rico ; including leading community health work during recovery efforts in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria.

Gonzalez has been a nonprofit professional and community organizer for the past 28 years and is known for her work in the Adams County community. She has earned recognition in the areas of inclusiveness, equity, and social justice. Her work has helped create more diverse leadership and has helped to create policies that center around communities most affected by social inequities.

Meanwhile, Drexler and Dr. Richardson have extensive backgrounds in health care. Dr. Richardson practiced at Kaiser Permanente for 17 years and at Denver Health for an additional 17 years and is also passionate about the health of the Black community. She has been instrumental in bringing health screening into community spaces, most notably barber shops, in an effort to meet people where they are.

"I'm really excited to begin working with Colorado Access as a board member," said Dr. Richardson , "I look forward to engaging with the other board members to expand the great community work Colorado Access is doing."

Drexler is a seasoned health care executive who has been leading Delta Dental for more than six years, and with more than 30 years of progressive management experience. She was named one of Denver Business Journal's Most Admired CEOs in 2020.

"I am honored and excited to join the board of Colorado Access," said Drexler. "Providing affordable and quality health care for Coloradans is at the core of the mission of Colorado Access, which closely aligns with the mission of Delta Dental of Colorado . I'm looking forward to supporting this exemplary organization and its important work to hundreds of thousands of Coloradans."

About Colorado Access

As the largest and most experienced public sector health plan in the state, Colorado Access is a nonprofit organization that works beyond just navigating health services. The company focuses on meeting members' unique needs by partnering with providers and community organizations to provide better personalized care through measurable results. Learn more at coaccess.com. Learn more about the board here.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colorado-access-adds-new-perspectives-and-expertise-to-board-of-directors-301933555.html

SOURCE Colorado Access
DALLAS , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) announced that Kristina Janssens has been named Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer. She will report to Susan Joseph , Executive Vice President, Financial Intelligence & Corporate Compliance Director.

In the role, Janssens will be responsible for leading Comerica's Compliance Program enterprise-wide and ensuring it continues to evolve and grow as regulatory expectations continue to increase.

"As we continue strengthening the foundation of our risk and compliance management, it remains critically important that we add resources and expertise that helps fortify our decisions," said Joseph. "Kristina brings an extensive understanding of compliance, and her experience will ensure that Comerica's business actions and decisions align with our long-term strategy, maintain risk levels within our established risk appetite and comply with our policies and standards, as well as laws and regulations."

Janssens joins Comerica after spending nearly a decade with Flagstar Bank where she most recently served as Executive Vice President, Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer. Prior to that role, she served as Deputy General Counsel, supporting Mortgage and Banking business units along with Information Security and Privacy. She also led the design and implementation of the Talent Engagement & Development Strategy for Flagstar's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program. Before joining Flagstar, Janssens was in private practice, specializing in providing banks and financial institutions guidance on regulatory compliance matters.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Marketing from Michigan State University and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University.

Comerica Bank is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas , and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Commercial Bank, The Retail Bank and Wealth Management. Comerica, one of the 25 largest U.S. financial holding companies, focuses on building relationships and helping people and businesses be successful. Comerica provides more than 400 banking centers across the country with locations in Arizona , California , Florida , Michigan and Texas . Founded 174 years ago in Detroit, Michigan , Comerica continues to expand into new regions, including its Southeast Market, based in North Carolina , and Mountain West Market in Colorado . Comerica has offices in 17 states and services 14 of the 15 largest U.S. metropolitan areas, as well as Canada and Mexico . Comerica reported total assets of $90.8 billion at June 30, 2023 . Learn more about how Comerica is raising expectations of what a bank can be by visiting www.comerica.com, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/comerica-names-kristina-janssens-senior-vice-president-chief-compliance-officer-301933499.html

SOURCE Comerica Incorporated
President Yoon Suk-yeol met with leaders of nine countries on Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly and urged them to support Busan's bid to host the World Expo in 2030.

They included the tiny landlocked republic of San Marino, which established diplomatic relations with Korea in 2000, as well as Burundi (1991), Montenegro (2006), and Bosnia and Herzegovina (1995), none of which had held a summit with a Korean leader before.

He began the day's relay with his Sri Lankan counterpart Ranil Wickremesinghe and swiftly moved on to the Czech Republic, Denmark, Turkmenistan and Saint Lucia. Colombia, Ghana, Monaco and Lesotho were lined up the following day.
Acquisitions fortify the company's capabilities

and expand its service area in the precision manufacturing space

MINNEAPOLIS , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Concept, the Midwest's leading source for advanced manufacturing solutions, today announced that the company has completed two acquisitions that will further expand its capabilities, expertise and geographic reach: American Calibration Inc. and Inspection Engineering LLC. Both Midwest-based businesses will retain their leadership and autonomy while benefiting from investments and synergies that come from being part of the growing Concept family.

Concept, the Midwest's leading source for advanced manufacturing solutions, today announced that the company has completed two acquisitions.

"The precision manufacturing industry is rapidly evolving," explained Concept CEO Andrew Hecker . "Bringing together services that complement the products we offer makes sense for all involved. Whether a customer is looking to make, measure, calibrate or automate, we're now able to advise and support them more efficiently and comprehensively," he continued, "and help them make the most of their equipment with education and training."

Based near Chicago , American Calibration was founded in 1992 by Todd Gibson , who spent three decades building a nationally known company with vast capabilities. Today, American Calibration serves both Fortune 500 customers and small manufacturers, offering more than 350 types of accredited calibration (among the largest ISO 17025 scopes available) with the highest precision available. Gibson explained, "This business is all about taking care of customers and meeting exacting standards." He continued, "We are thrilled to join Concept, which shares the same commitment to excellence and professionalism as we do, expands our business to eight new facilities, and new customers. It's a natural match."

The second acquisition, Inspection Engineering, is a full-service gage house offering inspection services and equipment throughout the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic region, covering part or all of eight states including Ohio , Michigan , Pennsylvania , Kentucky , West Virginia , Maryland , Delaware, New Jersey and the District of Columbia . A second-generation business, Inspection Engineering is led by President Michael Bergmann , whose father founded the company in 1977. Inspection Engineering provides dimensional measuring products and services, software training and calibration services. Bergmann noted, "We take incredible pride in our family business, and wanted to grow with a partner who shares the values that have made us successful for the past 45 years." He continued, "We've always believed in educating our customers so that they can make the most of their equipment and business, and wanted to align with a company that shares those beliefs."

These moves are part of a strategic plan to cement Concept's position as the Midwest's top source for advanced manufacturing solutions and deepen its functional expertise in machining, automation, precision measurement, calibration services and additive manufacturing. Concept CEO Andrew Hecker explained, "After several successful acquisitions, we have confidence that our focus on developing our people, processes and technology is sound and scalable." He continued, "With Inspection Engineering, we're expanding into a significant new region in a business we know well, and with American Calibration, we're deepening our calibration capabilities and bringing them to the national level." He concluded, "We're definitely seeing the results and the momentum building, so it's an exciting time."

About Concept

Concept, based in Minneapolis, MN , and with offices in Wisconsin , Missouri , and Illinois, is the Midwest's best source for advanced manufacturing solutions. Since 1974, Concept has provided quality machine tools and metrology solutions to manufacturers across medical device, aerospace, industrial, automotive, and heavy vehicle industries. Today, Concept is leading precision manufacturing toward a future that's increasingly automated by providing high-end solutions to keep customers ahead of the competition, along with the support they need to handle the toughest manufacturing challenges.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/concept-adds-two-new-companies-expanding-capabilities-and-reach-301932675.html

SOURCE Concept
MANSFIELD, Mass. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- (CSI), a renowned provider of background screening and due diligence services (www.creativeservices.com), is thrilled to announce its third consecutive certification by Great Place to Work. This esteemed recognition comes as a testament to CSI's unwavering commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace environment.

Great Place to Work, a globally recognized authority on matters of workplace culture, employee engagement, and effective leadership, conducts impartial evaluations of companies. These evaluations are solely based on feedback provided by employees regarding their experiences within the organization. Notably, CSI's recent assessment revealed an impressive statistic: a remarkable 95 percent of its employees affirm that it is indeed a Great Place to Work a sharp contrast to the 57 percent average for typical U.S. - based companies.

This achievement underscores CSI's dedication to creating a workplace where employees thrive and contribute to the company's ongoing success. The company's consistent recognition by Great Place to Work affirms its commitment to nurturing a supportive and fulfilling work environment.

"Great Place to Work Certification is not just a certification, but an ongoing commitment to our employees, who are engaged, and enthusiastically contribute to our successes." - Judy Gootkind -Vice President of Finance and Administration.

"Forging a culture of empathy and inclusion within our team is just as crucial for our growth and triumph as devising innovative background screening services for our clients," stated Alan Sklar , CEO and President at CSI. "We're elated to achieve the status of a Great Place to Work-Certified company and stand unwavering in our commitment to cultivating a work environment where our team members can join forces with our customers to reach the pinnacle of their professional goals."

Highlighting the company's commitment to empathy and inclusion, a significant 96 percent of team members surveyed by Great Place to Work affirm that new members are warmly welcomed into CSI. Furthermore, a complete 100 percent indicated that colleagues prioritize treating each other with equality and respect, instead of getting involved in office politics or behaviors that undermine collaboration.

"Great Place to Work Certification isn't something that comes easily  It's the only official recognition determined by employees' real-time reports of their company culture. Earning this designation means that CSI is one of the best companies to work for in the country," said Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place to Work.

About CSI

Creative Services, Inc. (CSI) has been helping companies hire with confidence since 1976. CSI is a full-service employment screening provider specializing in Background Checks, Drug Testing, Due Diligence, Corporate Investigations and Consulting, Recruiting Solutions, and Monitoring Programs. CSI's tireless pursuit of accuracy and unwavering attention to compliance are a testament to our philosophy of being a trusted partner in the employee selection process. Companies of all sizes and industries put their trust in CSI's established best practices backed by the latest technology and system integrations.

Learn more, visit https://www.creativeservices.com/about/contact

Media Contact: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/creative-services-inc-csi-background-screening-services-achieves-great-place-to-work-certification-for-the-3rd-year-in-a-row-301932225.html

SOURCE Creative Services
Recent study shows 57% of surveyed families in Colorado experience diaper need

DENVER , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WeeCycle, a leading local nonprofit committed to providing essential baby gear and support to families in need, is making waves during Diaper Need Awareness Week ( Sept. 18-24 ) with a powerful initiative. In a bid to address diaper need and create a lasting impact on struggling families, WeeCycle has announced a generous donation matching campaign that promises to double the impact of every contribution.

The urgent need to address diaper need in our community is highlighted by the recent findings of the Colorado 2022 Survey on Women's Period Poverty, Diaper Need, and Hygiene Poverty, conducted by Justice Necessary . The survey, which collected responses from over 1,250 women across Colorado , revealed alarming statistics that shed light on the struggles faced by many families with children in diapers. Among the key findings, it was discovered that 57% of caregivers experience diaper need.

Nationally, 1 in 2 families struggles with diaper need, according to The NDBN Diaper Check 2023: Diaper Insecurity Among U.S. Children and Families . While some government programs like SNAP and WIC provide essential support for families, they do not allocate funding for the purchase of diapers, leaving countless caregivers in a difficult situation.

These circumstances have profound effects on the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of families. Babies and toddlers without clean diapers have increased health risks, such as severe diaper rash and urinary tract infections. It also affects parents' ability to go to work and school. Nationally, almost three-in-five parents experience diaper need and report missing work or school in the past month because they didn't have enough diapers when dropping their children off at childcare, day care or early education programs. On average, parents experiencing diaper need missed four days of work or school in the past month because of diaper need.

To meet this critical challenge head-on, WeeCycle is partnering with Justice Necessary , a Colorado based organization committed to addressing hygiene poverty and diaper need in our community.

Justice Necessary has pledged to match financial donations up to $12,500 made to WeeCycle during the month of September to help WeeCycle reach their goal of $25,000 .

"We believe that every child deserves a healthy start, and that begins with ensuring their basic needs are met," said Morgan Seibel , Executive Director of WeeCycle. "The generous support from Justice Necessary allows us to amplify our impact and reach even more families who are struggling with diaper need."

By matching donations to WeeCycle during Diaper Need Awareness Week, Justice Necessary aims to multiply the efforts of WeeCycle's ongoing Diaper Bank Program, which has distributed over 4.1 million diapers to families in need so far in 2023.

"Diaper need's profound impact extends beyond mere inconvenience, affecting mental, emotional, and physical well-being of families while hindering educational and professional pursuits. With a 50% increase in need for diapers, WeeCycle is there, helping Coloradans everyday. WeeCycle and Justice Necessary knows it is more than just a diaper or just a wipe - it is Just Necessary!," said Diane Cushman Neal, Founder and President of Justice Necessary .

How to help families experiencing diaper need

Donate to WeeCycle at weecycle.org/get-involved/dnaw-2023 or text diaper 844-844-6844 Every dollar up to $12,500 will be matched through the end of September.

or text diaper 844-844-6844 Every dollar up to will be matched through the end of September. Bring new diapers and wipes to one of WeeCycle's donation locations throughout metro Denver .

throughout metro . These essentials will be given to families in need.

Host a diaper drive on behalf of WeeCycle. Contact us here .

. Volunteer at one of WeeCycle's distribution events. Learn more here .

Resources if you are experiencing diaper need

WeeCycle hosts diaper and essential supply distribution events 2-4 times per week throughout metro Denver and beyond. View upcoming events here .

and beyond. View upcoming events . Visit WeeCycle's website for additional resources from our partner agencies here .

About WeeCycle

WeeCycle is a Colorado -based nonprofit working hard to improve the lives of local families in need. WeeCycle collects donated and gently used baby gear, diapers, formula, and other necessities to support families most in need across Colorado . Through partnership and collaboration with more than 100 direct-service agencies and the Mobile Baby Essentials direct service program, WeeCycle is able to provide necessary resources to communities across the entire state. Learn more at WeeCycle.org .

CONTACT:

Morgan Seibel , WeeCycle Executive Director

[email protected]

720-319-7792

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/doubling-the-impact-weecycle-sheds-light-on-diaper-need-awareness-with-donation-matching-campaign-301934112.html

SOURCE WeeCycle
Automated Employment and Income Verifications from The Work Number Now Available to U.S. Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Using IRIS Payroll Relief Software

ATLANTA , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Equifax  (NYSE: EFX) has announced a new integration between The Work Number  service and Payroll Relief software from IRIS Software Group (IRIS). Automated employment and income verifications from The Work Number can now be made available to up to one million additional employees of U.S. small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that are served by accountants and payroll service providers who use IRIS Payroll Relief software.

Small businesses account for more than 46 percent of U.S. private sector employees. When a consumer applies for an important service such as a home mortgage, auto loan or social service benefits, their employer  who is in many cases the owner of an SMB  is called upon to fulfill HR functions such as providing employment and income history. With the new integration between Payroll Relief and The Work Number, those verifications can happen instantly and digitally, even outside of regular business hours, which means a more streamlined process for the consumer, the SMB and the verifier.

"Partnering with The Work Number from Equifax demonstrates our dedication to streamlining verification processes and improving the overall experience for our clients," said Jim Dunham , President and General Manager, IRIS Americas . "By integrating this powerful tool, we are empowering our clients to assist their clients in purchasing their first home, starting a new job, or buying a car."

"IRIS is one of the U.K.'s largest private software companies, and as they rapidly expand into the Americas we are proud to help them meet the needs of their U.S. customers," said Joe Muchnick , Senior Vice President of Employer Services and Talent Solutions, Equifax Workforce Solutions. "This integration with IRIS Payroll Relief software further demonstrates our commitment to bringing the benefits of The Work Number to employers of all sizes and their employees."

The Work Number is the industry-leading centralized commercial repository of income and employment information in the United States , with access to over 631 million employment records from 2.8 million employers. It is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires verifiers  such as lenders or social service agencies  to undergo a thorough credentialing process with Equifax as well as prove they have a legally required, permissible purpose for accessing the information.

The integrated verification service is available now, at no cost to Payroll Relief software clients. Additional information on The Work Number service can also be found here . Additional information on Payroll Relief software from IRIS Software Group can be found here .

ABOUT EQUIFAX INC.

At Equifax (NYSE: EFX), we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by 14,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America , Central and South America , Europe , and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com .

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Daniel Jenkins for Equifax Workforce Solutions

[email protected]

Melanie Janisse for IRIS

[email protected] +1 212 255 1198

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/equifax-announces-integration-with-iris-software-group-301932566.html

SOURCE Equifax Inc.
SHANGHAI , Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Everest Medicines (HKEX 1952.HK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products and vaccines in Greater China and other parts of Asia , announced today that the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) has recommended Priority Review for cefepime-taniborbactam for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, based on the criteria of "innovative drugs for the prevention and treatment of major infectious diseases and rare diseases that meet urgent clinical needs."

"Currently, the clinical challenges from multi-drug resistant infections are severe. The recommendation of priority review by CDE for cefepime-taniborbactam underscores the important clinical value of the medicine. It shows that cefepime-taniborbactam has a clinical advantage to address urgent and unmet medical needs in China . We will work closely with the Regulatory Agency to bring this innovative medicine to Chinese patients as quickly as possible," said Rogers Yongqing Luo , Chief Executive Officer of Everest Medicines. "Our leading product in the infectious disease space XERAVA has commercially launched in China . Cefepime-taniborbactam will strengthen Everest's infectious disease portfolio, which is a key therapeutic area that will help drive our future growth."

Our partner Venatorx Pharmaceuticals announced in August that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accepted its New Drug Application (NDA) for cefepime-taniborbactam and granted Priority Review of the NDA with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of Feb. 22, 2024 . The cefepime-taniborbactam NDA filing was supported by results from the pivotal Phase 3 study, CERTAIN-1, evaluating the efficacy and safety of cefepime-taniborbactam compared to meropenem in adults with cUTI, including acute pyelonephritis. Cefepime-taniborbactam was superior to meropenem for the primary efficacy endpoint of composite microbiologic and clinical success at the Test of Cure (TOC) visit (Day 19-23) in the microbiological intent-to-treat (microITT) population. Cefepime-taniborbactam was well-tolerated and no new safety findings were identified.

About Cefepime-Taniborbactam

Cefepime-taniborbactam is an investigational intravenous (IV) beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor antibiotic being developed by Venatorx Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis.

Cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin, is a widely used beta-lactam (BL) antibiotic with more than two decades of proven safety and clinical utility against susceptible gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Taniborbactam is a beta-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) that, in combination with cefepime, may offer a potential treatment option for patients with serious infections caused by difficult-to-treat resistant gram-negative bacteria, most notably carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). Many of these organisms are also multidrug-resistant (MDR), further limiting treatment options. Cefepime-taniborbactam has been granted Qualified Infectious Disease Product (QIDP), Fast Track designation, and Priority Review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Under an exclusive licensing agreement with Venatorx Pharmaceuticals, Everest Medicines has the rights to develop and commercialize cefepime-taniborbactam in Greater China , South Korea , and some southeast Asian countries.

About Everest Medicines

Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing, manufacturing, and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products and vaccines that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Asian markets. The management team of Everest Medicines has deep expertise and an extensive track record from both leading global pharmaceutical companies and local Chinese pharmaceutical companies in high-quality discovery, clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development, and operations. Everest Medicines has built a portfolio of potentially global first-in-class or best-in-class molecules in the company's core therapeutic areas of renal diseases, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders. For more information, please visit its website at www.everestmedicines.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release may make statements that constitute forward-looking statements, including descriptions regarding the intent, belief, or current expectations of the Company or its officers with respect to the business operations and financial condition of the Company, which can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, or other factors, some of which are beyond the control of the Company and are unforeseeable. Therefore, the actual results may differ from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and assumptions, such as future changes and developments in our business, competitive environment, political, economic, legal, and social conditions. The Company or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, advisors, or representatives has no obligation and does not undertake to revise forward-looking statements to reflect new information, future events, or circumstances after the date of this news release, except as required by law.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/everest-medicines-announces-china-center-for-drug-evaluation-of-nmpa-recommends-priority-review-for-cefepime-taniborbactam-for-the-treatment-of-complicated-urinary-tract-infections-including-pyelonephritis-301932731.html

SOURCE Everest Medicines
MEMPHIS, Tenn. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Horizon Corporation, (NYSE: FHN or "First Horizon") has been recognized by HISPANIC Network Magazine as a 2023 Best of the Best Employer.

HISPANIC Network Magazine, now celebrating its 31st year of diversity, polled hundreds of Fortune 1000 companies for its annual Best of the Best evaluations. HNM is one of the nation's fastest-growing magazines, promoting the advancement of Hispanics in all aspects of education, business and employment to ensure equal opportunity. The annual review provides non-biased results that are valuable resources for job-seekers, business owners, students, consumers, senior management, business associations, employment agencies and consumer groups.

"First Horizon is committed to continuous improvement in creating and sustaining meaningful diversity and inclusion at every level of the organization," says Dr. Anthony C. Hood , Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at First Horizon Bank. "It is an honor to be recognized and receive this award."

About HISPANIC Network Magazine (HNM)

HISPANIC Network Magazine's goal is to create an environment of teamwork in which Hispanics and other minorities have access to all applicable business and career opportunities. We are an information source designed to bring promising, talented people together with potential employers and customers throughout the business community. This includes up-to-date statistics on workforce diversity, as well as business-to-business trends. We offer both recruitment and business opportunities, along with accurate, timely conferences and event calendars. And, just as importantly, we spotlight inspiring role models and notable mentors. HNM is a WBENC and DOBE-certified company.

About First Horizon

First Horizon Corp. (NYSE: FHN), with $85.1 billion in assets as of June 30, 2023 , is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to helping our clients, communities and associates unlock their full potential with capital and counsel. Headquartered in Memphis, TN , the banking subsidiary First Horizon Bank operates in 12 states across the southern U.S. The Company and its subsidiaries offer commercial, private banking, consumer, small business, wealth and trust management, retail brokerage, capital markets, fixed income, and mortgage banking services. First Horizon has been recognized as one of the nation's best employers by Fortune and Forbes magazines and a Top 10 Most Reputable U.S. Bank. More information is available at www.FirstHorizon.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/first-horizon-recognized-by-hispanic-network-magazine-in-2023-annual-best-of-the-best-301933766.html

SOURCE First Horizon Corporation
PHILADELPHIA , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) announced today it will release its third quarter 2023 earnings on Monday, October 30, 2023 , after the stock market close via PR Newswire and the company's website https://investors.fmc.com.

The company will host a webcast conference call on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 , at 9:00 a.m. ET that is open to the public via internet broadcast and telephone.

Conference Call Details:

Internet broadcast: https://investors.fmc.com

Dial-in telephone pre-registration link available by clicking:

FMC 3Q 2023 Earnings Call or visiting https://investors.fmc.com/events-and-presentations/

A replay of the call will be available via the internet and telephone from 11:00 a.m. ET on October 31, 2023 , until November 21, 2023 .

Internet replay: https://investors.fmc.com

US Toll Free: 1-866-813-9403

US Local: 1-929-458-6194

Replay Access Code: 203474

About FMC



FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions  including biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture  enable growers, crop advisers and turf and pest management professionals to address their toughest challenges economically while protecting the environment. With approximately 6,600 employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com to learn more and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fmc-corporation-announces-dates-for-third-quarter-2023-earnings-release-and-webcast-conference-call-301933637.html

SOURCE FMC Corporation
Partnership Focused on Meeting Software Bill of Materials Regulatory Requirements; Remediating Risk Through SBOM Transparency

ORLANDO, Fla. and AUSTIN, Texas , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Fortress Information Security (Fortress) and NetRise today partnered to offer a new, innovative Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) transparency solution to secure software supply chains and meet evolving regulatory requirements for software transparency.

Fortress' cybersecurity experts partner with public sector organizations and critical infrastructure stakeholders to fortify every link in the software supply chain. NetRise and Fortress provide a comprehensive view of software components for products that manage critical infrastructure facilities. The SBOM data from NetRise combined with Fortress' analysis and data will be available to users of the North American Energy Software Assurance Database (NAESAD) via the Fortress Platform.

The need for SBOM transparency is fundamental and critical. New research from Fortress found that software vulnerabilities can "lie in wait" for up to three years before being detected and 90% of products used by U.S. electric companies contained software code that was developed in Russia or China , which is three times more likely to have cyber vulnerabilities.

"Our two companies provide organizations drowning in data with the insight they need to mitigate their most critical vulnerabilities," said Fortress CEO and co-founder Alex Santos . "With our combined tools and expertise, organizations can build SBOMs that position organizations to identify and mitigate threats proactively and respond quickly and resiliently to attacks."

NetRise specializes in examining firmware and binary analysis. Firmware can be like a black box, but NetRise is unique in its ability to give users an inside view of products that are hard to examine. Fortress provides comprehensive Operational Technology (OT) supply chain cyber risk management software that secures companies' critical data. Offering NetRise's firmware capabilities, Fortress' Platform, and the ability to analyze applications, libraries, and operating systems, puts Fortress at the leading edge of SBOMs for firmware and NAESAD users will get a comprehensive view of risk resulting from their software products.

"Working with Fortress, we offer users best-in-class SBOMs that provide a complete picture of the software that so many companies rely on," said NetRise CEO and co-founder Thomas Pace . "We've joined forces to give customers insight into all the vulnerabilities in their software security supply chains. And, most importantly, a means of fixing those issues."

Leaders from the two companies will discuss this new partnership during a webinar this Thursday, September 21 , at 12N ET.

The Time is Coming for Everyone to Have an SBOM Program

Over the past several years, incidents like the SolarWinds attack and the Log4J vulnerability disclosure have highlighted the need to identify and assess every software component used within critical industries. SBOMs provide the recipe of proprietary and open-source ingredients in software that run critical infrastructure technologies and enable companies to identify, triage, and remediate the most impactful and destructive risks.

An Executive Order from The White House this year and formal remarks from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have singled out SBOMs as a critical tool to secure software. In the future, critical infrastructure companies will require an SBOM for software products they purchase.

"The need for increased SBOM usage is critical," said Santos. "For security, compliance, and business reasons, we can't kick the can down the road on SBOM adoption any longer. Software-based attacks are the greatest threat to the security of critical infrastructure and the citizens who rely on it. This partnership with NetRise fortifies our comprehensive and conclusive approach to software supply chain security."

About NetRise

Based in Austin, Texas , NetRise was built by defensive cyber experts bred across the private sector, intelligence community, and U.S. federal government to solve the firmware security problem. The company partners with companies across manufacturing, automotive, medical devices, industrial control systems, satellites, and many more. https://www.netrise.io/

About Fortress

Fortress Information Security provides leading-edge cybersecurity solutions to defend organizations across the U.S. government / DoD, and the energy & utilities sectors from nation-state threats. With proven expertise in third-party risk management, vulnerability management, and supply chain security, Fortress helps leaders protect the critical infrastructure, systems, and people that drive our economy and defend our nation. Fortress operates America's first and only multi-layer vendor exchange database that brings vendors and critical infrastructure businesses together to share risk data and deliver the tools to assess, prioritize, and mitigate risk across critical shared assets. Fortress is a Goldman Sachs company.

About NAESAD

North American Energy Software Assurance Database (NAESAD): An industry-wide collaborative database to create and share Software Bills of Materials (SBOM) in products used by utilities across North America. NAESAD is led by several investor-owned utilities (including AEP, Southern, Xcel and Nisource) and managed by Fortress Information Security to create a comprehensive SBOM library for common vendors and suppliers.

CONTACT: Josh Zecher , [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fortress-information-security-and-netrise-collaborate-to-secure-software-supply-chains-for-critical-industries-301933847.html

SOURCE Fortress Information Security
HONG KONG , Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hang Seng Indexes Company recently announced its latest Sustainability Ratings of listed companies. Fosun International Limited (HKEX stock code: 00656, "Fosun International" or the "Company"), with its outstanding sustainability performance, its HSI ESG rating has been upgraded to AA- and has been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index for the first time. The constituent stocks in this index are composed of 30 Hong Kong listed companies with the best ESG performance. The upgrade in the rating reflects the high recognition of Fosun International's performance in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) field by the market.

The Hang Seng Sustainability Index selects outstanding companies in the field of sustainability by evaluating Hong Kong -listed companies on seven core indicators, including corporate governance, environment, and fair operating practices. The criteria for inclusion in this index are stringent, utilizing the sustainability rating framework of the independent professional assessment body, the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA). This approach ensures objectivity in the selection process, providing a high-quality benchmark for sustainability-themed investments.

To keep up with the evolving ESG landscape, the methodology of 2023 sustainability assessment has been enhanced by reference to the international and local protocols, and the assessment framework has been reorganized. Under more stringent selection criteria, Fosun International's HSI ESG rating ascended from A to AA-, boasting scores that outperformed 90% of global enterprises in four core areas: Corporate Governance, Environment, Consumer Issues, and Community Involvement and Development. In addition to being selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index for the first time this year, Fosun International has also been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index for three consecutive years, a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index for four consecutive years, and for the first time, a constituent stock of the Hang Seng (Mainland and HK) Corporate Sustainability Index.

Fosun International remains steadfast in upholding its core values of "Self-improvement, Teamwork, Performance and Contribution to Society," continually bolsters its ESG framework, and integrates the principles of sustainable development into every facet of its operations. Since 2019, Fosun has established a comprehensive ESG governance structure and management system responsible for overseeing ESG development policies and performance. In line with its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Fosun established Fosun Foundation in 2012, actively participating in philanthropic endeavors encompassing areas such as global emergency relief, rural revitalization, health, education, culture and art, and caring for children and adolescents, demonstrating its commitment to public welfare. Additionally, Fosun has committed to society - "strive to peak carbon emissions by 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050", and officially solidified its carbon neutrality roadmap in 2022 to accelerate the implementation of the Group's carbon neutrality initiatives. In April 2023 , Fosun released its first TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) report, underscoring its commitment to climate action and rallying global cooperation towards carbon neutrality.

In recent years, Fosun has shown outstanding performance in various aspects of ESG. In February 2023 , the Fosun Foundation's Rural Doctors Program received the prestigious "Shanghai Charity Award," the highest governmental recognition in the field of charity in Shanghai . In June 2023 , Fosun secured the fifth position in the " China's Top 100 ESG Listed Companies" ranking. Presently, Fosun International is the only conglomerate in Greater China rated AA by MSCI ESG Ratings. Fosun International outperformed 91% of its global peers in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and was included in S&P Globa's Sustainability Yearbook 2023 (China Edition), and was recognized as "Industry Mover". Furthermore, Fosun International has made consecutive improvements in FTSE Russell ESG rating and has been selected as a constituent stock of the FTSE4Good Index Series for the first time in 2022.

In the future, Fosun will continue to develop its businesses, strengthen innovation and globalization, and continue to drive long-term and sustainable business growth, thereby creating enduring value for all stakeholders and faithfully fulfilling its mission of "Creating Happier Lives for Families Worldwide".

About Fosun

Fosun was founded in 1992. After more than 30 years of development, Fosun has become a global innovation-driven consumer group. Adhering to the mission of creating happier lives for families worldwide, Fosun is committed to creating a global happiness ecosystem fulfilling the needs of one billion families in health, happiness and wealth. In 2007, Fosun International Limited was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00656.HK). As of 30 June 2023 , Fosun International's total assets amounted to RMB834.9 billion ; it received an AA MSCI ESG rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such rating.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fosun-internationals-hsi-esg-rating-upgraded-to-aa--selected-as-a-constituent-stock-of-the-hang-seng-corporate-sustainability-index-301931571.html

SOURCE Fosun
WASHINGTON , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Government Marketing University  an innovative learning platform that applies a collaborative, community-based approach toward knowledge sharing and skills development for the public sector market  is pleased to announce that Paul Roetzer , founder and CEO of Marketing AI Institute, will present the keynote speech at its annual GAIN 2023 conference. Roetzer, a leading author, executive, and creator in the tech and business space, joins the Premier Government Marketing Conference for a deep dive into artificial intelligence's impact on next-gen government marketing. The GAIN 2023 Conference  The Voice of Government - Grow, Accelerate, Innovate, Network  will take place on October 17, 2023 , at the Ritz Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia .

GAIN 2023 is reinspired with relevant knowledge, dynamic speakers, and an innovative atmosphere.

Government Marketing University's annual conference will support the government marketing community this year with training topics aligned with current trends and requirements, featuring industry and government thought leaders.

"Now in its seventh year, GAIN's mission has always been to provide a space where government marketers can come to exchange ideas and examine what is and will affect their work in government marketing. Now more than ever, those conversations centralize around emerging technologies such as AI," said Lou Anne Brossman , Founder of Government Marketing University. "GAIN 2023 brings together a stellar lineup of experts with cutting-edge knowledge that can help government marketers navigate this evolving chapter for the industry."

Alongside Roetzer's keynote, "Become a Next-Gen Government Marketer," GAIN 2023 will feature leaders from some of the fastest growing brands in the government marketplace, including Carahsoft, The American Small Business Coalition, Advanced Technology Academic Research Center, Socure, Clarity Innovations, and Marketing B2G LLC. They will come together for a range of discussions covering adopting tech to enhance services and citizen engagement, the government buying journey, public sector research, campaign effectiveness, and more.

"I am thrilled to join GAIN 2023 as the keynote speaker. As government marketing innovators, this conference allows us the opportunity to connect on how we want to drive the field forward with AI. Through my address and the other sessions taking place at this year's event, we are providing the tools that will allow us to collectively embrace the technical changes unfolding, proactively approach challenges, and grow our practices and skills to meet the demands of today and tomorrow's landscape," said Paul Roetzer .

Government Marketing University is now accepting nominations for the 2023 GAINer Awards, the top honors for government marketing excellence across the U.S. Public Sector in eight categories: Brand Awareness, Events, Innovation, Lead Generation, Lifetime Achievement, Partner Marketing, Public Relations, and Social Media.

Visit the GAIN 2023 website to submit your nominations by September 27, 2023 . Finalists will be announced by press release on October 10th and recognized at the 2023 GAIN Conference on October 17th .

GAIN is honored to recognize supporters of the event including: Carahsoft, Fed. News Network, Fed gov. Today, GovEvents/GovWhitepapers, Ingram Micro, Merrit group, Sage, SAP, TD Synnex Public Sector, ThunderCat Technologies, W2 Communications, and Yes&.

For more information on the GAIN conference, please visit: https://thegainconference.com/.

About Government Marketing University:

Government Marketing University , part of GovExec's portfolio, is an innovative learning platform that applies a collaborative, community-based approach toward knowledge sharing and skills development in the field of public sector marketing. Experts from all corners of the U.S. public sector marketplace  marketers, thought leaders, government, media, and sales  are contributing their knowledge to this unique, content-rich platform. Government Marketing University offers training, research, certifications, mentoring, and community resources all in one place.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gain-2023-welcomes-keynote-paul-roetzer-ceo-of-marketing-ai-institute-and-a-lineup-of-government-and-industry-experts-to-explore-emerging-tech-and-government-marketing-301933926.html

SOURCE Government Marketing University
Former President Moon Jae-in visited Minjoo Party leader Lee Jae-myung in hospital Tuesday to persuade him to end a Quixotic hunger strike he has been on for three weeks. But Lee made it clear that he had no plan to stop fasting.

Moon was in Seoul for the first time since he left Cheong Wa Dae when his term ended in May 2022. He came to attend an event marking the fifth anniversary of an abortive inter-Korean military pact in Yeouido.

But first he went to see Lee at Green Hospital in Jungnang in northern Seoul for about 20 minutes. Lee was barely conscious when he was rushed to hospital on Monday but has been refusing nourishment except for IV fluids.

"You've already shown your sincerity and resolve to the fullest extent," Moon was quoted as telling him. "But I think now is the time for you to recover your health as you will have to fight a long battle and the situation may change."

Without responding directly to Moon's advice, Lee blamed the current government. "I don't know what they have in mind when it comes to politics," he said.

Reminding Lee that he is no longer a free agent but leader of a large political party, Moon said, "You shouldn't forget that many people are concerned about your health and want you to be up and about again."

It was the first meeting in four months between Moon and Lee, whose relationship has been strained by conflict between their factions in the National Assembly. In May, Lee visited Moon's bookstore near his retirement home in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province.
Hitachi Vantara is recognized for the 15th time in the last 13 years as a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader, based on its completeness of vision and ability to execute

SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hitachi Vantara, the modern infrastructure, data management and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), today announced it has been named in the Leaders Quadrant in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant report for Primary Storage. Over the last 13 years, Hitachi Vantara has been named for the 15th time in the Gartner report as a Leader, including this year's Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage. Hitachi Vantara was evaluated in this year's report for the Virtual Storage Platform (VSP) 5600 and Virtual Storage Software (VSS) block solutions.

Download the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant report for Primary Storage:

https://www.hitachivantara.com/ext/2023-gartner-magic-quadrant-for-primary-storage.html

"We believe that being recognized as a Leader in the 2023 Magic Quadrant report for Primary Storage is a testament to Hitachi Vantara's commitment to delivering cutting-edge storage solutions," said Gary Lyng , vice president, product and solutions, Hitachi Vantara. "We feel this recognition underscores our forward-thinking approach, including the ability to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the entire lifecycle of our systems, and our ability to integrate emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics to optimize data management. We believe that our consistent recognition in the Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage speaks to the reliability of our systems and data, and it reinforces our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainability in the storage industry."

The company believes that Hitachi Vantara's placement as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant validates its long-standing commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. In the Magic Quadrant, Gartner noted that "Vendors in the Leaders quadrant have the highest composite scores for their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. A Leader has the market share, credibility, and marketing and sales capabilities needed to drive the acceptance of new technologies. These vendors demonstrate a clear understanding of market needs. They are innovators and thought leaders, with well-articulated plans that customers and prospects can use when designing their storage infrastructures and strategies. In addition, Leaders have a presence in three major geographical regions, consistent financial performance, and support for platform initiatives."

In today's ever-evolving enterprise landscape, storage must do more than deliver speed and efficiency. Data-intensive technologies and applications like generative AI are spurring a goldrush to greater insights, automation, and predictability, but these technologies are simultaneously exacerbating the already-strained infrastructure and hybrid cloud environments on which they run. A recent report found 76% of U.S companies are concerned their current infrastructure will be unable to scale to meet upcoming demands. Digital infrastructure must deliver both adaptive and resilient services with platforms that allow them to run more applications faster and add more capacity to existing workloads.

Hitachi Vantara's VSP 5600 series support core applications and cloud-native development with 100% data availability guaranteed. Hitachi's VSS block storage is designed to consolidate new and core workloads to deliver a cloud-first strategy for application modernization.

Gartner evaluates vendors in the reports based on the strengths and cautions. By applying a graphical treatment and a uniform set of evaluation criteria, the Magic Quadrant report helps you quickly ascertain how well technology providers are executing their stated visions and how well they are performing against Gartner's market view. For comprehensive view of Hitachi's entire storage portfolio please click here.

Gartner Disclaimer

Gartner Magic Quadrant Research Methodology: https://www.gartner.com/en/research/methodologies/magic-quadrants-researchGartner, Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage, Jeff Vogel , Joseph Unsworth , 18 September 2023

Note: The report was published as Magic Quadrant for Midrange and High-End Modular Disk Arrays from 2010-2011, Magic Quadrant for Solid-State Arrays from 2014-2018, as Magic Quadrant for General-Purpose Disk Arrays from 2013-2018, as Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage Arrays in 2022 and as Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage for the years 2019,2021,2022 and 2023.

Note: Hitachi Vantara was recognized as Hitachi Data Systems in the Magic Quadrant for Solid-State Arrays in 2017 and in the Magic Quadrant for General-Purpose Disk Arrays in 2014,2015 and 2016. It was recognized as Hitachi in the 2013 Magic Quadrant for General-Purpose Disk Arrays and as Hitachi/Hitachi Systems in the 2010 and 2011 in Magic Quadrant for Midrange and High-End Modular Disk Arrays.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner and Magic Quadrant is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Connect With Hitachi Vantara

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., delivers the intelligent data platforms, infrastructure systems and digital expertise that supports more than 80% of the Fortune 100. To learn how Hitachi Vantara turns businesses from data-rich to data-driven through agile digital processes, products, and experiences, visit www.hitachivantara.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023 ) totaled 10,881.1 billion yen , with 696 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 320,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.

HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hitachi-vantara-named-a-leader-in-the-2023-gartner-magic-quadrant-report-for-primary-storage-301933777.html

SOURCE Hitachi Vantara Corporation
NEW YORK , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspir Carnegie Hill, a luxury senior living community located on Manhattan's Upper East Side , proudly announces its recognition as a 2023 SAGECare Platinum Credentialed Provider. The achievement demonstrates the brand's ongoing commitment to exceptional care and support for the senior LGBTQ+ community.

To earn this credential, a minimum of 80% of Inspir's management and non-management staff completed training in LGBTQ+ aging cultural competency. The program encompassed education on historical and contemporary LGBTQ+ struggles, proper use of terminology pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity, and strategies to address distinctive challenges faced by this demographic. The significance of this training is underscored by a 2022 survey conducted by AARP , revealing that 85% of older LGBTQ individuals expressed concerns about discrimination.

"We take great pride in our exceptional staff, who recognize the value of this specialized training in providing the highest quality care to our residents, and completed the training well ahead of our projections," said Jill McGroarty , Vice President of Human Resources at Maplewood Senior Living. At this time, Inspir is one of only two luxury senior living communities in New York City to earn a SAGECare Platinum Certification. Inspir also plans to seek certification at their second location in Washington, D.C. , set to open in late 2024, implementing the training into the onboarding process for all new hires.

At Inspir, resident life is grounded in nine core elements; one of which is belonging. Inspir frequently hosts programming that celebrates the causes and identities that hold significance for its residents. Notable guests have included Marti Cummings , a non-binary political activist and candidate for New York City Council; Sutton Lee Seymour and Evita Loca, two of NYC's premier drag queens; and Jim Obergefell , plaintiff in the landmark marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, who will visit Inspir Carnegie Hill this October. The attainment of the SAGECare Platinum Credential serves as yet another emblem of Inspir's commitment to fostering an inclusive residence, workplace, and community.

"Armed with this training, we can better understand and cater to the distinct needs of LGBTQ+ elders through an enlightened and compassionate lens," said Evan Rossi , Director of Resident Experience at Inspir Carnegie Hill. "By seamlessly integrating gender identity and sexual orientation into our care plans, we curate personalized services that champion physical, emotional, and social well-being for all residents."

Nicholas Watson , Managing Director for SAGECare commented, "SAGECare is proud to partner with organizations like Inspir Carnegie Hill that prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in senior care. This Platinum credential signifies their dedication to providing exceptional care and support to all residents, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We commend their efforts and look forward to continuing our collaboration in creating safe and inclusive spaces for seniors."

SAGECare is a division of SAGE, the country's largest and oldest non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older adults. SAGECare provides LGBTQ+ competency training and consulting on LGBTQ+ aging issues to service providers.

About Inspir

Inspir is a new, luxury senior living brand offering a different approach to living for discerning older adults in urban markets. The new brand represents the convergence of luxury accommodations, exceptional hospitality, cutting-edge technology, whole-person wellness and world-class care. The brand's flagship senior living residence, Inspir Carnegie Hill, is located at 1802 Second Avenue at 93rd Street , in the heart of New York City's Upper East Side . Inspir Carnegie Hill boasts a masterfully designed building with state-of-the-art technology and 215 private apartments customized to fit the needs of an aging population. The community offers assisted living, memory care and enhanced care options. Inspir is developed by Maplewood Senior Living, in partnership with Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE: OHI). For more information, please call 646-978-9040 or visit inspirseniorliving.com.

CONTACT: Anna de Graaf , [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inspr-carnegie-hill-achieves-platinum-sagecare-credential-demonstrating-commitment-to-lgbtq-senior-care-301933767.html

SOURCE Maplewood Senior Living
MINNEAPOLIS , Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Kyros, the Minnesota -based technology platform providing Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery services, has announced that it has raised an additional $10.5 million in funding to expand access to life-saving services. Existing investor Rally Ventures led the round.

Since launching in 2021, the company has focused on removing barriers to Substance Use Disorder recovery, primarily through connecting individuals who need help with Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS) who serve as their mentors and advocates. However, the challenges faced by people struggling with addiction are not confined within the four walls of a treatment center - where CPRSs have historically worked with their clients - but are experienced throughout their daily lives, in the communities where they live.

Kyros' technology-enabled approach to peer recovery services is providing effective and scalable support by meeting individuals where they are physically, emotionally, mentally and culturally within their communities. This community-based, partnership approach works to remove the practical barriers to recovery, elevate and amplify the work already being done by organizations across the industry. Clients are met at times and places that work for them, an average of 4 times per week, to develop and work through individualized wellness plans to achieve the goals that are relevant to their lives and recovery.

"Kyros is defining the next generation of recovery by recognizing that preventative care happens more and more outside the four walls of a treatment center," Daniel Larson , president and CEO of Kyros, said in a statement. "Our community-based approach, combined with the data analytics enabled by our technology platform, is incredibly powerful. We're enthusiastic about channeling our investments into broadening access to services for more individuals in need, as well as advancing the refinement of tools crucial to enhancing both client and service provider outcomes."

"Kyros is demonstrating the ability to significantly move the needle on client health outcomes by filling the gaps inherent in the existing industry model," said Justin Kaufenberg , Managing Director at Rally Ventures. "Kyros has become a critical partner for industry incumbents to efficiently manage peer recovery services, so they can remain focused on their core mission and services. Our continued support is a commitment to fostering innovation that doesn't just drive financial success, but also drives meaningful, lasting impact".

Kyros' success as a digital solution for the recovery space is reflected in over 5,000 clients served in the last 24 months and over 400 CPRS who have provided those services. In addition to peer recovery services, Kyros is also expanding access to same-day, virtual comprehensive assessments to provide those who are ready to get help an immediate pathway to receive it.

About Kyros

Kyros is the first of its kind digital platform for recovery services, harnessing the power of technology to connect and empower clients, providers and organizations. The pioneering digital interface provides tailored experiences for clients by fostering connections in person and online with providers, and streamlines access to business services like liability insurance, billing, payments, technology, and clinical supervision. Founded in 2021 by Daniel Larson , after he encountered obstacles in his own journey with substance use disorder, Kyros' mission is to increase positive outcomes for the millions of Americans managing their own recovery or dedicating their lives to helping others find support and wellbeing.

Click here for more information on Kyros

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kyros-minnesota-based-recovery-industry-technology-platform-raises-10-5-million-to-expand-access-to-life-saving-services-301932824.html

SOURCE Kyros
Blending On-Trend Designs and Quality Craftsmanship, Double Stitch Provides Modern Styling Solutions for Life's Transitional Moments

NEW YORK , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bedsure, a leading name in home textiles backed by for 40 years of industry experience, is excited to announce the launch of Double Stitch, a premium bedding brand for the savvy young professional. With style, comfort, and enduring quality at its core, Double Stitch is on a mission to create an elevated yet accessible home experience that integrates aesthetics and functionality. Designed for first-time upgraders, Double Stitch's line of creative bedding essentials was designed for those who are ready to upgrade their quality of sleep, their experience at home, and their daily lives.

Whether making the jump into a new home with a partner or moving into an apartment solo for the first time, Double Stitch was born to celebrate life's pivotal moments of transition. Embracing this fresh perspective, Double Stitch's launch campaign mantra of "It's time for a change" aims to position the brand as a reliable resource for those entering new eras of life.

By tapping into the expertise of parent brand Bedsure, the Double Stitch product line offers premium materials, proprietary blends, a modern design perspective, responsible sourcing and more, all under a fair price point. Fusing form and function, each product is meticulously crafted to add a touch of luxury to any space, with natural materials and colors that fit into any design aesthetic. Driven by the philosophy that "every stitch counts," the brand's namesake double stitching and handcrafted details ensure longevity and durability that can grow and evolve with consumers.

"We're thrilled to introduce consumers to a new type of bedding brand," said Josh Zhu , CEO of Bedsure. "We bring a unique perspective to product development by combining decades of industry knowledge with an in-depth understanding of consumer insights. We found that bedding is the first piece of the home that people look to when they need a change. If it's a big move or even a small work promotion, Double Stitch is here for them. We also recognize that affordability should not have to be sacrificed for quality, like many competitors seem to claim, and are excited to offer on-trend luxury at an accessible price point."

Available now, key product offerings are listed below, each featuring calming tones such as Dusty Mauve, Winter Sky , Sandstone and Bright White. Pillows, duvet cover inserts, and bedding bundles are also available as part of the initial launch, with additional collections coming later this fall.

To provide U.S. consumers with the best possible shopping experience and fast delivery, Double Stitch is also available in the Amazon store.

To view the products and learn more about Double Stitch, please visit www.doublestitch.com or the Double Stitch Amazon storefront.

About Double Stitch

Established in 2023, Double Stitch is a premium bedding brand under Shinebed Global E-commerce Co., Ltd., founders of Bedsure. Blending on-trend styles, affordability, and the right amount of luxury, Double Stitch serves as the bedding option for the consumer ready to invest in a quality sleep experience. Motivated by comfort, tranquility, and enduring longevity, Double Stitch's craftsmanship and attention to detail help customers evolve and transform their spaces into sanctuaries of relaxation. For more information, visit Double Stitch's brand website, Amazon storefront, and Instagram (@doublestitchhome).

Media Inquiries:

5W Public Relations

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/leading-global-textile-experts-launch-premium-bedding-brand-double-stitch-301933377.html

SOURCE Double Stitch
VANCOUVER, BC , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV: LR) (OTCQX: LUMIF) (the "Company" or "Luminex") advises that, further to its announcement on August 23, 2023 , it has entered into discussions with the relevant subsidiary of Anglo American plc ("Anglo American") to amend the terms of the Pegasus Earn-In. As a result, the parties have agreed to suspend the effect of the withdrawal notice received on August 22, 2023 for a period of 45 days to allow the negotiation of the amendments to realign the terms of the joint venture agreement to the mutual satisfaction of both parties.

About Luminex Resources

Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV:LR, OTCQX: LUMIF) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador . Luminex's inferred and indicated mineral resources are located at the Condor Gold-Copper project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province , southeast Ecuador . Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador .

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminexresources.com/.

To receive news releases please sign up at https://www.luminexresources.com/contact/contact-us/.

Follow us on: Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook.

LUMINEX RESOURCES CORP.

Signed: "Marshall Koval"

Marshall Koval , CEO and Director

Luminex is solely and entirely responsible for the contents hereof. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) nor any other person, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future earn-in agreements at Pegasus or the outcome of discussions with Anglo American. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements or information can be identified by the use of phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur or be achieved.

With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the prices of gold and copper, and anticipated costs and expenditures. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks relating to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions (including with respect to the tonnage, grade and recoverability of reserves and resources); 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 adverse weather conditions; political risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting mining concessions); and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company's continuous disclosure documents filed with Canadian securities administrators. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/luminex-has-entered-into-discussions-with-anglo-american-to-amend-the-terms-of-the-pegasus-earn-in-301933103.html

SOURCE Luminex Resources Corp.
MediPharm Labs and Shelter Cannabis Brands have terminated their royalty agreement with a one-time cash payment.

and Shelter Cannabis Brands have terminated their royalty agreement with a one-time cash payment. Agreement includes the elimination of ongoing royalty payments, for a one-time lump sum payment.

TORONTO , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - MediPharm Labs Corp. (TSX: LABS) (OTCQB: MEDIF) (FSE: MLZ) ("MediPharm", "MediPharm Labs" or the "Company") a company specialized in precision-based cannabinoids, is pleased to announce it has executed a supplementary agreement to its Asset Purchase Agreement with 1193269 B.C. Ltd. (o/a Shelter Cannabis) for the Shelter Cannabis Brands IP portfolio, ending any ongoing royalty payments after August 31, 2023 .

Under the existing Asset Purchase Agreement, executed in March 2022 , MediPharm Labs purchased the IP of Shelter Cannabis Brands. This IP has been focused in market on Wildlife Cannabis domestic dry flower and pre-roll products that are manufactured and distributed via the MediPharm sites.

This supplementary agreement allows for a significant improvement in this product line's gross margin, which will provide flexibility for the Company to further invest in the brand to drive sales, as it continues on the path to profitability. In the last year, MediPharm has made significant improvement in its adjusted gross margin. In the last reported quarter, Q2 2023, this was approximately 21% vs negative 1% in Q2 2022.

The Company appreciates the work done by the previous owners in creating the Shelter Cannabis and Wildlife brands, and their support and flexibility through the transition of the brands to MediPharm.

MediPharm continues to review every product category and selling channel to optimize margins and streamline business operations to attempt to achieve the Company goal of profitability.

About MediPharm Labs

Founded in 2015, MediPharm Labs specializes in the development and manufacture of purified, pharmaceutical-quality cannabis concentrates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and advanced derivative products utilizing a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility with ISO standard-built clean rooms. MediPharm Labs has invested in an expert, research driven team, state-of-the-art technology, downstream purification methodologies and purpose-built facilities for delivery of pure, trusted and precision-dosed cannabis products for its customers. MediPharm Labs develops, formulates, processes, packages and distributes cannabis and advanced cannabinoid-based products to domestic and international medical markets.

In 2021, MediPharm Labs received a Pharmaceutical Drug Establishment License from Health Canada, becoming the only company in North America to hold a commercial scale domestic Good Manufacturing License for the extraction of multiple natural cannabinoids. The Company carries out its operations in compliance with all applicable laws in the countries in which it operates.

In 2023, MediPharm acquired VIVO Cannabis Inc. which expanded MediPharm's reach to medical patients in Canada via Canna Farms medical ecommerce platform, and in Australia and Germany through Beacon Medical PTY and Beacon Medical GMBH. This acquisition also included Harvest Medical Clinics in Canada which provides medical cannabis patients with Physician consultations for medical cannabis education and prescriptions.

Website: www.medipharmlabs.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, significant improvement in gross margin on various product lines, providing flexibility for the Company to further invest its brands to drive sales, continuing on a path to profitability. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to 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 statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the inability of MediPharm Labs to obtain adequate financing; the delay or failure to receive regulatory approvals; and other factors discussed in MediPharm Labs' filings, available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com. 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 the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, MediPharm Labs assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medipharm-labs-improves-domestic-sales-gross-margin-with-termination-of-shelter-cannabis-brands-royalty-agreement-301932732.html

SOURCE MediPharm Labs Corp.
WASHINGTON , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Minnesota Mesothelioma Victims Center's number one priority is doing everything possible to make certain a person with recently diagnosed mesothelioma and or asbestos exposure lung cancer receives the best financial compensation results. Compensation for a person with mesothelioma might exceed $1,000,000 , and compensation for a person with asbestos exposure lung cancer might exceed $100,000 .

To get the compensation job done for a person like this the Minnesota Mesothelioma Victims Center has endorsed, and they highly recommend attorney Erik Karst of the law firm of Karst von Oiste . For direct access to attorney Erik Karst please call 866-714-6466. www.karstvonoiste.com/

The Minnesota Mesothelioma Victims Center says, "If your husband, dad, or wife-mom has just been diagnosed with mesothelioma and or they had significant exposure to asbestos at work-in the armed forces and they now have lung cancer anywhere in Minnesota please make their financial compensation a top priority and call attorney Erik Karst of Karst von Oiste at 866-714-6466.

"Sadly, financial compensation for mesothelioma and or asbestos exposure lung cancer is a one-shot deal. If you wait too long--the time to get compensated might come and go. Erik Karst is one of the most skilled mesothelioma attorneys when it comes to local experience assisting people with this rare cancer and or asbestos exposure lung cancer in Minneapolis , Saint Paul , Rochester , Duluth , Bloomington , Brooklyn Park , Plymouth , Saint Cloud or anywhere in Minnesota ."

For direct access to attorney Erik Karst of Karst von Oiste please call 866-714-6466. www.karstvonoiste.com/

Suggestions from the Mesothelioma Victims Center for people with mesothelioma or asbestos exposure lung cancer in Minnesota or nationwide on how to increase potential financial compensation:

"Do you recall the specifics of how you were exposed to asbestos at work, in the military or both-and when this exposure occurred. This is incredibly important information.

"Do you recall the names of coworkers who might have witnessed your exposure to asbestos?

"Did you have more than one job where you might have been exposed to asbestos?

"Do your medical records include a biopsy that confirms the mesothelioma or asbestos exposure lung cancer?

"Important Note-----If your loved one died of confirmed mesothelioma in Minesota or any other state within the last two years and the compensation process was never begun because of Covid or other reasons-please call us at 866-714-6466."

"We will soon be endorsing other incredibly qualified attorneys who specialize in mesothelioma-asbestos exposure lung cancer compensation in a few other states-to ensure people in these states have on the spot access to top local legal experts. In the meantime, if a person with mesothelioma or asbestos exposure lung cancer anywhere in the nation-or their family members would like some suggestions as to what lawyer-law firm to call-please call us anytime at 866-714-6466. It would be an honor to help." https:// MesotheliomaVictimsCenter.Com

Media Contact:

Michael Thomas

866-714-6466

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/minnesota-mesothelioma-victims-center-appeals-to-a-person-with-just-diagnosed-mesothelioma-or-asbestos-exposure-lung-cancer-anywhere-in-minnesota-to-call-attorney-erik-karst-of-karst-von-oiste-dont-roll-the-dice-on-your-compensat-301932981.html

SOURCE Minnesota Mesothelioma Victims Center
Company receives 2023 Stratus Award for patented technology designed to optimize a key step in the auto insurance claims process

SAN DIEGO , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mitchell, an Enlyte company and leading technology and information provider for the Property & Casualty (P&C) claims and Collision Repair industries, today announced that it received a 2023 Stratus Award for Cloud Computing from Business Intelligence Group. The organization's annual awards program seeks to identify the companies, products and people offering unique solutions that take advantage of cloud technologies.

Mitchell's recent innovationMitchell Intelligent Reviewwon in the Software as a Service (SaaS) product category. It combines cloud computing, Mitchell-authored vehicle data and the company's machine-learning and computer-vision models to scan photos of collision damage and automatically evaluate the labor operations entered on the estimate. The artificial intelligence (AI) then flags problematic estimates that require a closer look by a trained appraiser. Automating this traditionally manual, time-consuming and resource-intensive task is intended to help carriers increase estimate accuracy, ensure quality and pinpoint workflows or areas of the business in need of improvement. It also gives insurers the ability to review every estimate written and then assists them in identifying the specific appraisals they should focus on to accelerate settlement times for policyholders.

"We are honored to receive this recognition for our technology achievements in automating and optimizing the claims process," said Olivier Baudoux , senior vice president of global product strategy and artificial intelligence at Mitchell. "By continuing to develop best-in-class cloud solutions that leverage our open platform, comprehensive data and industry-leading AI, we can aid carriers in improving cycle time, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction."

To date, Mitchell Intelligent Review has been used by North American insurers to analyze appraisals and supplements totaling more than $2 billion . After grouping estimate photos by vehicle damage, the solution evaluates the corresponding labor decision and highlights the portions of the estimate that should be reviewed for accuracy and adherence to insurer-defined standards. Mitchell Intelligent Review is powered by proprietary AI models. These models are trained on the company's comprehensive vehicle and estimatics data to analyze more than 500 internal and external automotive parts and make a damage prediction. Additionally, through patented technology, Mitchell Intelligent Review generates an AI confidence score and can be customized to suppress results that fall below a carrier-assigned certainty margin.

"Mitchell is one of the leaders in the cloud, helping to develop the infrastructure we need to store and host the data and applications driving our society," said Maria Jimenez , chief nominations officer of Business Intelligence Group. "We are so proud to recognize all of the winners in this year's award program."

Visit the Mitchell website to learn more.

About Mitchell International

Headquartered in San Diego, Calif. , Mitchell International, Inc. delivers smart technology solutions and services to the auto insurance, collision repair, disability and workers' compensation markets. Through deep industry expertise, connections throughout the insurance ecosystem and advanced technology such as artificial intelligence and cloud-based solutions, Mitchell enables its customers and clients to succeed in today's ever-changing environment. Each month, Mitchell processes tens of millions of transactions for more than 300 insurance providers, 20,000 collision repair facilities and 70,000 pharmacies. Its comprehensive solution and service portfolio empowers clients to restore lives after a challenging event.

Mitchell, Genex and Coventry have recently aligned their joint industry expertise and advanced technology solutions to form Enlyte, a parent brand with nearly 6,000 associates committed to simplifying and optimizing property, casualty and disability claims processes and services.

For property and casualty as well as collision repair updates and perspectives, follow us on X (Twitter) @MitchellClaims and @MitchellRepair .

About Business Intelligence Group

The Business Intelligence Group was founded with the mission of recognizing true talent and superior performance in the business world. Unlike other industry and business award programs, business executivesthose with experience and knowledgejudge the programs. The organization's proprietary and unique scoring system selectively measures performance across multiple business domains and then rewards those companies whose achievements stand above those of their peers.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mitchell-named-a-global-leader-in-cloud-computing-for-innovative-ai-powered-appraisal-review-solution-301933320.html

SOURCE Mitchell International
VANCOUVER, BC , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Pathfinder Ventures Inc. (TSXV: RV) (the "Company" or "Pathfinder.") is pleased to announce it has launched a Management Services Division, where it has deployed its current operating expertise and utilized existing infrastructure to help RV park owners increase their occupancy, operating income, and property value, while also expanding the Pathfinder Camp Resorts' brand presence. The Company also announces it has signed its first Management Services agreement and has begun operating a newly constructed RV Park and RV Community in B.C., which will be added to Pathfinder's network of existing locations and managed "by Pathfinder Camp Resorts."

Pathfinder launches Management Services Division adding immediate and unleveraged cash flow in a scalable and proven business model.

Newly constructed " Mid-Coast RV Park " on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. has selected Pathfinder to manage the RV Community .

New Growth Strategy  Management Services Division

Under its new Management Services Division, Pathfinder Camp Resorts will provide a turn-key solution for third-party RV park's operational requirements, such as online reservations, on-site staffing & HR, administration, marketing and accounting. The services can be tailored to the unique needs of each property to meet the overall financial and operating objectives of the third-party ownership groups.

The new division will bring Pathfinder immediate and unleveraged cash flow, contributing to the Company's bottom-line. The new Management Services Division is scalable, with revenues expecting to increase at a much faster pace than the direct overheads pertaining to expanding the service offerings. The new growth strategy further adds to Pathfinder's brand recognition and possible opportunities for the Company to purchase the managed properties.

Stan Duckworth , Pathfinder's COO stated, "there are over 5600 RV parks and campgrounds in Canada , many of which are privately owned and operated, which could benefit from our 25+ years' experience and expertise which has resulted in our own RV resorts having occupancy rates above industry average."

New Location - Mid-Coast RV Park , Sunshine Coast B.C. , by Pathfinder Camp Resorts

Pathfinder is pleased to announce it has commenced operating the newly constructed Mid-Coast RV Park which is located in Halfmoon Bay on British Columbia 's Sunshine Coast . The RV Park is BC's newest RV community, which offers 40 RV sites with a full suite of RV hookups, including 50-amp electrical connections. Pathfinder Camp Resorts Management Services Division will utilize the same infrastructure and personnel that are currently providing support to its existing Pathfinder Camp Resorts locations.

"We're honoured that Pathfinder Camp Resorts was selected to operate the newly constructed Mid-Coast RV Park on BC's beautiful Sunshine Coast ," stated Joe Bleackley , CEO and Founder of Pathfinder. "Our expertise and ongoing presence in British Columbia will bring significant value to the newly constructed Mid-Coast RV Park .

Todd Macdonald , owner of Mid-Coast RV Park stated, "It was a natural fit for Pathfinder to operate our newly constructed RV Park . Pathfinder has a large footprint in Southern British Columbia including an operational team that already services multiple RV resort locations and RV customers."

Pathfinder has also secured the Right of First Refusal to purchase the property until May 2024 .

About Pathfinder Ventures

Pathfinder Ventures Inc. owns and operates RV Resorts, RV Communities and campgrounds under the "Pathfinder Camp Resorts" name. Pathfinder currently has four locations in B.C. and is focused on growing its network through both acquisitions, new construction, and management services. The Corporation is taking advantage of the growing outdoor hospitality market driven by Canadians looking to experience the great outdoors in an RV.

To learn more about Pathfinder Camp Resorts, click the link below:

www.PathfinderCampResorts.com

On behalf of the board of directors of the Corporation:

Joe Bleackley

Chief Executive Officer, Founder and Director

Pathfinder Ventures Inc.

Website: PathfinderVentures.ca || PathfinderCampResorts.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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States . The securities 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.

Forward-Looking Information Cautionary Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Corporation and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Corporation, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. 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. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Corporation's expectations include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Corporation with securities regulations.

The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Corporation. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Corporation does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any forward-looking statements that are contained or incorporated in this press release.

In the case of Pathfinder, this news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are particular to Pathfinder and are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Pathfinder's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Pathfinder or its management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Pathfinder, Pathfinder provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, Pathfinder's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, refinancing and funding, and anticipated future growth in new markets. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability of Pathfinder to successfully implement its development strategy and whether this will yield the expected benefits; competitive factors in Pathfinder's industry sector; the success or failure of product development programs; currently existing applicable laws and regulations or future applicable laws and regulations that may affect Pathfinder' s business; decisions of regulatory authorities and the timing thereof; Covid-19 related risks, availability of properties; the economic circumstances surrounding Pathfinder's business, including general economic conditions in Canada , the US and worldwide; changes in exchange rates; changes in the equity market; inflation; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; and those other risks disclosed in the filing statement or other disclosure document prepared and supplied on Sedar. Although Pathfinder believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Pathfinder disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pathfinder-announces-new-rv-park-location-and-management-services-division-growth-strategy-301933162.html

SOURCE Pathfinder Ventures Inc.
OSLO, Norway , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Photocure ASA (OSE: PHO), the Bladder Cancer Company, announces that its partner Asieris Pharmaceuticals (SSE: 688176) has communicated today that the multinational Cevira Phase III clinical trial has been completed and successfully met its primary endpoint. Cevira (APL-1702) is a photodynamic drug-device combination product in development for the non-surgical treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), licensed to Asieris by Photocure.

The results of the study will be submitted to the Chinese National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) as part of a new drug application (NDA) in the coming months.

This study is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled international multicenter Phase III clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of APL-1702 for the treatment of cervical HSIL. It is led by Academy Member Dr. Jinghe Lang from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and has enrolled 402 participants. The trial met its primary endpoint, together with a robust safety profile. Comprehensive data from this study will be presented at forthcoming academic conferences and published in scientific journals.

Dr. Linda Wu , Chief Development Officer of Asieris Pharmaceuticals, said "This milestone marks a significant leap forward in the management of HSIL, with the potential to transform care in this domain. Moreover, tackling precancerous cervical conditions is pivotal for early prevention of cervical cancer and is an integral part of the three-tier cancer prevention system. Asieris Pharmaceuticals is committed to playing an active role in advancing China's Action Plan to Eliminate Cervical Cancer (2023-2030) and contributing to Healthy China 2030, aligning our efforts with the WHO's global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer."

"It is exciting to see that the Phase III clinical trial for Cevira has met its primary endpoint. There are many patients globally who can benefit from a non-surgical approach to treating high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). Given the high unmet need and the importance of novel therapies to improve HSIL clinical outcomes, Photocure will continue to support Asieris, as our partner advances to the next stages of product development and regulatory approval," said Anders Neijber, Photocure's Chief Medical Officer.

According to the Global Cancer Statistics 2020, there were 604,127 new cases of cervical cancer in women, with 341,831 deaths worldwide, ranking it as the fourth most prevalent malignancy among females.1 In China , cervical cancer ranks as the second most common malignancy among women.

The primary cause of cervical cancer is persistent HPV infection, leading to precancerous cervical lesions. Alarmingly, approximately 20 percent of individuals with HSIL may progress to invasive cervical cancer within a span of 10 years.2 According to Frost & Sullivan, the number of HSIL patients is projected to reach 16.6 million globally and 2.2 million in China by 2030.

Read Asieris' full media release here: https://asieris.com/the-first-non-vaccine-investigational-product-for-cervical-hsil-has-achieved-its-primary-endpoint/

1 Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, Laversanne M, Soerjomataram I, Jemal A, et al. Global cancer statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-49.

2 Expert Committee of Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology Branch (CSCCP) of Chinese Eugenics Association. Expert consensus on cervical cancer screening and abnormal management in China (II). Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2017, 18(3):286-288. (in Chinese)

Note to editors:

All trademarks mentioned in this release are protected by law and are registered trademarks of Photocure ASA.

This press release may contain product details and information which are not valid, or a product is not accessible, in your country. Please be aware that Photocure does not take any responsibility for accessing such information which may not comply with any legal process, regulation, registration or usage in the country of your origin.

About Cevira

Cevira (APL-1702) is a photodynamic drug-device combination product in development. Based on the principles of photodynamic therapy, the Cevira product aims to use a photosensitizer in combination with light activation to produce a therapeutic effect as a non-surgical treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), including all human papilloma virus (HPV) sub-types.

Photocure developed Cevira through Phase I and Phase II trials, and the global rights for development and commercialization were out-licensed to Asieris Meditech Co., Ltd in 2019. In November 2020 Asieris initiated the phase III clinical trial for APL-1702 (Cevira), Clinical trial number: NCT04484415.

About Photocure ASA

Photocure: The Bladder Cancer Company delivers transformative solutions to improve the lives of bladder cancer patients. Our unique technology, making cancer cells glow bright pink, has led to better health outcomes for patients worldwide. Photocure is headquartered in Oslo, Norway and listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (OSE: PHO). For more information, please visit us at www.photocure.com

About Asieris

Asieris Pharmaceuticals(688176.SH), founded in March 2010 , is a global biopharma company specializing in discovering, developing and commercializing innovative drugs for the treatment of genitourinary tumors and other related diseases.

For further information, please contact:

Dan Schneider

President and CEO

Photocure ASA

Email: [email protected]

Erik Dahl

CFO

Photocure ASA

Tel: +4745055000

Email: [email protected]

David Moskowitz

Vice President, Investor Relations

Photocure ASA

Tel: +1 202 280 0888

Email: [email protected]

Media and IR enquiries:

Geir Bjrlo

Corporate Communications ( Norway )

Tel: +47 91540000

Email: [email protected]

The following files are available for download:

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/photocure-partner-asieris-announces-that-the-first-non-vaccine-investigational-product-for-cervical-hsil-has-achieved-its-primary-endpoint-301933234.html

SOURCE Photocure
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will attend the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Saturday.

"I would be happy to take it as a signal that Seoul's relationship with China is progressing well," Han told reporters Tuesday.

The foreign ministers of South Korea, China, and Japan will also meet in Seoul next week, the Foreign Ministry here said. The regular trilateral meeting has been suspended since 2020.

President Yoon Suk-yeol said during the G20 meeting earlier this month that he hopes to meet with Chinese Premier Li Qiang again by the end of the year.

In the midst of these developments, the government expressed serious concerns about weapons trade between North Korea and Russia and summoned Russian Ambassador Andrey Kulik the same day.

Deputy Foreign Minister Chang Ho-jin told Kulik, "Please abide by the UN Security Council resolutions" regarding weapons deals with North Korea.
KISSIMMEE, Fla. , Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play, a world-leading Silicon Valley -based innovation platform is joining forces with Osceola County to ignite innovation at NeoCity in an agreement approved by the Osceola County Commission on Monday.

Plug and Play's collaboration with Osceola County , BRIDG, and imec marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the 500-acre technology district. The company connects startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies.

With an international presence encompassing over 60,000 startups, 550 corporations, and hundreds of venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies across diverse industries, Plug and Play is firmly established as a leading innovation platform. Operating in 50+ locations across five continents. The company's suite of corporate programs guides partners from education to execution.

"We made the strategic decision to focus on semiconductor applications and can't imagine a better location for Plug and Play's newest endeavor than at NeoCity," stated Saeed Amidi , Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. "This is a first for Florida , and we are excited to partner with Osceola County , BRIDG, and imec to make this milestone announcement."

This location in Osceola County will focus on semiconductors and innovations that fall within that tech sector, which aligns with efforts already embedded at NeoCity. The agreement is set to drive economic growth and catapult NeoCity into a global innovation hub, attracting both burgeoning tech entrepreneurs and established firms while securing substantial investment for the region.

"We eagerly anticipate welcoming Plug and Play to NeoCity and to our community," said Osceola Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer . "This strategic partnership represents a quantum leap forward in realizing NeoCity's potential as an epicenter for technological innovation. There is seamless connectivity within Plug and Play's ecosystem that fosters an environment of unparalleled advancement. Together, we are poised to illuminate the path to a brighter, technologically advanced future for NeoCity, Osceola County , and beyond."

Plug and Play's collaborations include over 550 global giants as well as nurturing a portfolio of over 30 unicorn startups that include PayPal, Dropbox, Lending Club, N26, Big ID, Flutterwave, Honey, and many more. Through their in-house VC, Plug and Play has already invested in over 30 semiconductor companies, including one unicorn, Quantenna Communications.

"Open innovation is the cornerstone of our business philosophy, and today, we are thrilled to announce our foray into the world of semiconductors. Our legacy partners, including industry titans like Mercedes-Benz, JLR, Bentley, Porsche, Stellantis, ZF, Bosch, STMicroelectronics, NXP, Intel, and Samsung, have expressed tremendous interest in our semiconductor venture, and we enthusiastically said 'yes' to their interest," said Rouzbeh Borhani , Head of Plug and Play Semiconductors. "Within our dynamic ecosystem, innovative startups stand ready to address the entire semiconductor value chain, and NeoCity is an ideal place to kick things off officially."

Plug and Play will launch a semiconductor program in early January 2024 designed to accelerate up to two batches of startups per year in NeoCity. This program will provide a comprehensive array of resources, including workshops, mentorship sessions, EXPOs, business development, and investment opportunities, all geared towards participating corporate entities and startups within the semiconductor industry. Focus areas of the program include advanced packaging, deep tech technologies, as well as national security-related initiatives.

With current investment in existing infrastructure made by Osceola County focused on microelectronics to diversify its economy, the new accelerator will integrate and advance semiconductor research, development, industry application, and manufacturing capabilities.

"This is the final piece to BRIDG's strategy, which aligns imec's R&D services with Plug and Play's strength in commercialization," stated Jim Vandevere , president of BRIDG. "We join our partners in celebrating this announcement and look forward to continued growth at NeoCity as we accelerate innovation and strengthen our role as the microelectronics advanced packaging hub for the nation."

The announcement reinforces the region's commitment to enabling an innovative ecosystem that can help ensure the U.S. retains its technological advantage for developing and manufacturing secure advanced integrated systems.

"Imec, with an illustrious 40-year history of fostering innovation in the semiconductor industry and cultivating partnerships with leading U.S. innovators, is delighted to extend a warm welcome to Plug and Play, a renowned entity with a rich entrepreneurial legacy, as they become an integral part of the thriving ecosystem at NeoCity. Plug and Play's exceptional track record will play a pivotal role in elevating promising innovations into tomorrow's industry leaders. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Plug and Play, BRIDG, and Osceola County ," said Max Mirgoli, Executive Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships, imec.

For more information about Plug and Play's operations in NeoCity, please contact:

Rouzbeh Borhani

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plug-and-play-unveils-groundbreaking-semiconductor-accelerator-program-to-fuel-innovation-at-neocity-301932764.html

SOURCE Plug and Play
First-ever QS Rankings of Europe's Best Universities Revealed

LONDON , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- QS Quacquarelli Symonds, global higher education experts released the inaugural QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024 , evaluating universities based on global recognition, research prowess, teaching resources, internationalisation and employment outcomes (methodology) and listing 688 institutions across 42 members of the Council of Europe, including 106 universities never previously been ranked by QS.

Topping the list is the University of Oxford, followed by ETH Zurich and the University of Cambridge. The UK dominates, boasting 107 institutions, with Turkey and Germany trailing with 73 and 53 respectively.

Ben Sowter , QS Vice-President, said "While the UK remains a standout, especially with Oxbridge's global prominence and influential research ties, excellence permeates the entire European region. The data highlights diverse strengths, from enticing international talent in faculty and student domains to forging potent research alliances and expanding teaching horizons."

QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024  Top 20 2024 Rank



1 University of Oxford UK 2 ETH Zurich Switzerland 3 University of Cambridge UK 4 Imperial College London UK 5 UCL UK 6 The University of Edinburgh UK 7 Universite PSL France 8 The University of Manchester UK 9 EPFL Switzerland 10 King's College London UK 11 Technical University of Munich Germany 12 LSE UK 13 Delft University of Technology Netherlands 14 University of Glasgow UK 15 University of Leeds UK 16 University of Bristol UK =17 Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen Germany =17 University of Amsterdam Netherlands 19 The University of Warwick UK 20 Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat Heidelberg Germany

Regional Spotlights:

Austria : Celebrates the third-highest proportion of international faculty.

Belgium : Stands out for research collaboration, claiming third place regionally.

Czech Republic & Poland : The only Eastern Europe countries showcasing top 100 placements with Charles University and University of Warsaw.

Denmark and Sweden : Clinch first and second positions for Sustainability, respectively.

Finland : Achieves fourth spot in research partnerships.

France : Asserts regional research leadership, with four universities among Europe's elite for international collaboration.

Germany : A research powerhouse with numerous institutions dominating the regional top 10 and top 50 for research output.

Italy : Research standout, ranking third for scholarly contributions per faculty, with 25 institutions in the top 100 for this indicator.

Lithuania : Third regionally in drawing international exchange students.

Netherlands : Distinguished for academic and employer reputation, with nearly half its institutions within the top 100.

Norway and Ireland : Secure third and fourth place respectively for Sustainability.

Portugal : Achieves its top result in Sustainability, ranking 7th regionally.

Slovenia : Leads for Employment Outcomes, reflecting its graduates' standing among employers.

Spain : Leads in student mobility, highlighted by IE University's richly diverse student composition.

Switzerland : Balances research excellence and academic diversity, excelling in research citations and international faculty representation.

Turkey : Room to climb. Despite its robust university count (73), none of its universities are among the top 100.

UK Institutions shine, claiming seven of the top ten spots. Their prowess is especially evident in reputation, backed by insights from 144,000 academics and 98,000 employers.



Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1503776/2854098/QS_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qs-world-university-rankings-europe-2024-301932490.html

SOURCE QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited
New additions to the leadership team will focus on strategic initiatives and accelerate growth

AUSTIN, Texas , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- RapidDeploy, the leading cloud-native solution provider for Public Safety, today announced the appointments of Dami Bullock as Chief Revenue Officer and David Stack as Chief Financial Officer. Reporting to CEO and Co-Founder, Steve Raucher , Bullock will be responsible for all sales, partnerships, customer success, and delivery teams, while Stack will lead the company's financial operations.

Dami Bullock joins RapidDeploy with over 25 years of experience in the Public Safety industry. Her career has spanned from her early days as a 911 dispatcher to senior executive roles at commercial, private, and publicly traded companies that offered SaaS solutions for 911 Telecom, Forensics, and Incident Management. Prior to joining RapidDeploy, Bullock was the Senior Vice President at ANDE Corp where she was responsible for driving revenue growth through strategic initiatives, customer engagement, and global sales, including executing an FBI pilot project valued at over $1 billion . As CEO and President of Corvena (formerly Knowledge Center), Bullock achieved double revenue growth and launched a groundbreaking product for incident management. During her near two-decade tenure at Intrado, Bullock held multiple senior executive positions, including VP of Major Carrier Strategy and Marketing, Vice President and General Manager, and SVP of Strategic Carriers, all of which played an instrumental role in the company's successful exit.

"Dami has built and led successful revenue organizations through her strategic customer and partner relationships, deep experience in public safety, and commitment to bringing impactful products to market," said Steven Raucher , RapidDeploy CEO and Co-Founder. "I am delighted to welcome Dami to RapidDeploy's leadership team where her experience will be extraordinarily valuable as we continue to expand our national footprint, better serve our customers, and focus on our mission of saving lives by reducing response times."

David Stack brings more than 25 years of financial executive experience to his role at RapidDeploy. Most recently, Stack served as CFO of The RepTrak company, a private equity-backed company. Prior to joining The RepTrak company, Stack was CFO at HubSpot, the leading inbound marketing and sales software company. While at HubSpot, Stack transformed the company from a million-dollar venture capital-backed startup to a $100 million revenue run rate corporation. Stack also played a pivotal role in the successful sale of RSA Security to EMC Corporate for $2.3 billion in 2006.

"We are thrilled to welcome David to the RapidDeploy Team. David has an incredibly accomplished background growing companies and improving operations, and will be an invaluable asset to RapidDeploy, as he oversees our financial strategy," adds Raucher, "His experience working across many corporate functions makes David uniquely positioned to support our long-term vision and lead RapidDeploy in its next phase of transformation and growth."

The addition of Stack and Bullock to RapidDeploy's leadership team comes at a time of significant growth for the company, with the expansion of their Next Generation 911 product suite. In August 2023 , RapidDeploy announced Lightninga mobile app for first responders. With Kansas 911 Coordinating Council signed up as their first statewide customer, this new mobile app delivers 911 call data and critical information directly to first responders' mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.

For more information, visit www.rapiddeploy.com.

About RapidDeploy

Founded in 2016, and based in Austin, TX , RapidDeploy is the leading cloud-native platform for public safety. We provide Telecommunicators, First Responders, and 911 agencies with Next Generation solutions that deliver intelligent information and drive better outcomes in mission-critical situations. With a curated partner network, our platform combines mobile signals, critical datasets, and call information into a single operating system, improving emergency response with location accuracy, situational awareness, unified communications, and on-demand insights. Our products improve outcomes and ultimately save lives. In 2023, RapidDeploy earned recognition as a prominent company to watch on the GovTech 100 list , and as one of the best places to work by Built In . Learn more at www.rapiddeploy.com .

Media Contacts:

Shira Zwebner / Leigh Brandt

Lightspeed PR & Marketing for RapidDeploy

[email protected]

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rapiddeploy-appoints-dami-bullock-as-chief-revenue-officer-and-david-stack-as-chief-financial-officer-301933610.html

SOURCE RapidDeploy
World's largest tech and start-up event spearheads global tech takeover at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour

Blockbuster duo to accelerate the epic race for AI dominance in the year to imagine AI in everything

DUBAI, UAE , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The surge in international demand has rallied the world's largest tech and start-up event to scale even higher and bigger in 2023, spearheading a global tech takeover across two Dubai mega venues next month.

The 43rd edition of GITEX GLOBAL will take place from 16-20 October 2023 , the blockbuster tech showpiece once again reaching full capacity at the Dubai World Trade Centre as it prepares to host more than 6,000 exhibitors, while Expand North Star, the world's largest start-up event hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, will kick-off its largest ever edition from 15-18 October 2023 at the new Dubai Harbour venue, featuring 1,800 start-ups from 100-plus countries at the Middle East's biggest iconic superyacht hub.

GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star will comprise a combined 41 halls spanning 2.7 million sq. ft of exhibition space  a 35 percent increase over the previous year  converging the best minds and most visionary companies to scrutinise, challenge, define, and empower the digital agendas of the world.

AI innovation wave, cybersecurity and launch shows fuel unprecedented growth

GITEX GLOBAL will present the year's largest AI showcase and summit, its record growth fuelled by the AI innovation wave currently gripping the globe's imagination, as 3,500 AI-infused exhibitors reveal how this next big technology shift is transforming lives, governments, business, and society.

The AI boom has also added another layer of complexity to protecting digital assets and critical IP infrastructure, with the elevated GITEX Cyber Valley taking the fight directly to the dark cyber-criminal underworld, gathering leading info-sec brands and global experts at the year's biggest cyber security showcase.

Amplifying this growth, launch shows GITEX Impact and Future Urbanism Expo promise to be the epicentre of ground-shaking shifts in climate technology, while advancing sustainable cities, and co-creating a net zero future ahead of the UN climate change summit, COP28 .

"The intense demand for involvement in GITEX from the global tech and start-up community is an acknowledgment of the strong impetus to learn, exchange, debate and challenge the recent developments in the tech sphere," said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Management at DWTC, the organiser of GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star.

"From AI, cyber to the mounting interest in clean tech, GITEX converges public and private sector leaders from more than 170 countries to explore the new unknown paradigms of the future digital economy."

Expand North Star propels Dubai to forefront of global entrepreneurship economy

Expand North Star hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will scale to a record size in 2023, featuring 1,800 start-ups this year to connect, inspire, and extend engagements in one of the world's most innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystems.

More than 1,000 investors from 70 countries with $1 trillion under management will also converge at the new Dubai Harbour venue, as they look to ramp up the momentum in start-up investment after a year of tepid achievements.

Saeed Al Gergawi , Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: "Expand North Star is set to drive the next era of digital entrepreneurship and inspire the next generation of innovators and thinkers.

"This landmark event will serve as a strategic catalyst to expand the future of Dubai 's digital economy, creating an unrivalled platform to gather key stakeholders from the global start-up community here in the emirate."

Elevating the global tech ecosystem, redefining entire industries

GITEX GLOBAL 2023 welcomes the biggest tech names delving into the latest trends, risks, challenges, and opportunities that are redefining entire industries, spearheaded by returning titans including Dell Technologies, e&, Google, Huawei, HP, IBM, Microsoft, and Tonomus. Among the debut exhibitors supercharging their international growth strategies and forging new connections are Salesforce, Broadcom, Beyon, and Deloitte.

Steven Yi , President of Huawei Middle East & Central Asia said: "At Huawei, GITEX GLOBAL continues to hold great importance to our business year after year. This year, our theme, 'Accelerate Intelligence,' demonstrates our commitment to delve into the transformative power of AI, networks, and cloud technologies.

"Together, we will explore how these converging forces are reshaping our world and how we can unleash the full capabilities of AI-powered solutions to reshape industries worldwide with cyber security, privacy protection and safeguarding our customer's digital transformation journey remaining our top priorities."

More information is available at www.gitex.com and www.expandnorthstar.com

Register as press here

Website: www.gitex.com

On social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube

Hashtag:

#GITEXGLOBAL #Expandnorthstar

Media Contact:

Gareth Wright  PR Director

Tel.: + 971 50 273 3832

[email protected]

Tayce Marchesi  PR Executive

Tel.: + 971 58 552 3994

[email protected]

PR Agency, ASDA'A BCW

Tel.: + 971 55 648 7197

[email protected]

About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC):

A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 Million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216314/GITEX_Global.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216315/GITEX_Global_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surge-in-international-demand-spurs-gitex-global-expand-north-star-to-take-over-the-city-of-dubai-at-two-mega-venues-301933677.html

SOURCE Gitex Global
NEW YORK , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Collective, a coalition of gender justice advocates working with immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, urgently calls for empathy and data-driven solutions in response to the escalating migrant crisis in NYC. We challenge our elected leaders and policymakers to rise to the occasion, seeking equitable and comprehensive resolutions to this multifaceted issue. Our city has been marred by divisive rhetoric, questionable budgetary decisions, and the looming specter of unrest. The dire consequences of this current atmosphere faced by migrants, especially survivors of gender-based violencewho are already among the city's least resourcedcannot be overlooked.

The Collective urgently calls for empathy and data-driven solutions to the escalating migrant crisis in New York City .

We express profound concern regarding the discourse surrounding the migrant crisis, particularly Mayor Eric Adams's assertion that the surge in migrants "will destroy New York City ". "Mayor Adams's xenophobic rhetoric exacerbates the isolation of immigrant and migrant survivors of gender-based violence and increases barriers to seeking support, perpetuating a cycle of silence and suffering within one of our city's most vulnerable communities," said Kavita Mehra , executive director of Sakhi for South Asian Women.

More than 110,000 migrants have sought refuge in NYC, with over half in emergency shelters. "Despite the mayor's efforts to weaken NYC's "right to shelter" mandate, we remain a sanctuary for our immigrant neighbors. The mayor's crisis-fueled rhetoric blames new immigrants for an existing lack of infrastructure and resources, resulting in fear, hatred, and potential harm. Womankind stands with all immigrants and will continue advocating for safety, housing, and well-being for all New Yorkers," said Yasmeen Hamza , CEO of Womankind.

Although budget cuts may be necessary, the proposed reductions appear to exceed the projected costs. Mayor Adams has proposed nearly $20 billion in budgetary cuts through 2025, far greater than the $6.5 billion projected budgetary gap revealed in a Fiscal Policy Institute report. "Community organizations like members of this collective are already underfunded. What will the funding cuts mean for us?" said Zeinab Eyega, executive director at Sauti Yetu Center for African Women. This discrepancy begs the question: are migrants being scapegoated to overlook other budgetary issues?

The recent confrontational demonstrations in response to the crisis are increasingly troubling. Amplified voices disseminating hateful, unwelcoming messages undermine NYC's cherished values. "To claim that our most recently arrived neighbors will destroy our city is to misunderstand what makes it beautiful. Real New Yorkers embrace diversity and believe in healthy, peaceful communities. Any cuts to servicesjust when we need them mostgoes against everything this city represents," said Margarita Guzman , executive director of Violence Intervention Program.

"NYC's enduring greatness has always been its openness to immigrants and rich tapestry of diverse communities. Statements that misunderstand the beauty of our diversity can unintentionally isolate those in need. To truly uphold NYC's values, we must ensure that support services are accessible to all, regardless of background.", said Jeehae Fischer , executive director of the Korean American Family Service Center. We must approach this crisis with humanity and understanding, shunning dangerous rhetoric and shortsighted budget decisions. Otherwise we risk losing NYC's most important legacy: a sanctuary for immigrants seeking the American Dream.

Media contact:

Tan Hayat

(347) 415-3951

[email protected]

About The Collective:

Jeehae Fischer , executive director at Korean American Family Service Center, Kavita Mehra , executive director at Sakhi for South Asian Women, Margarita Guzman , executive director at Violence Intervention Program, Yasmeen Hamza , CEO at Womankind, and Zeinab Eyega, executive director at Sauti Yetu Center for African Women and Families, are members of The Collective, a group of culturally specific gender justice organizations and organizers that work for immigrant and BIPOC survivors in New York City .

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-collective-urges-compassion-and-data-driven-solutions-in-response-to-escalating-migrant-crisis-in-new-york-city-301933688.html

SOURCE Sakhi for South Asian Women
FARMINGTON, Conn. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Meghan Finn has joined The Jackson Laboratory, an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution, as Vice President and Chief Communications Officer.

In this role, Finn will be responsible for promoting JAX's brand, reputation and visibility as a leader in genetics and genomics with key audiences around the world, leveraging digital and communications strategies to support the growth of the organization.

"We are thrilled to welcome Meghan Finn as JAX's newly appointed vice president and chief communications officer," said Lon Cardon , Ph.D., FMedSci, president and CEO. "Meghan brings to our team over two decades of invaluable experience, successfully leading communication efforts for high growth organizations. I am confident that Meghan will promote and elevate JAX's global brand and drive robust engagement with our key stakeholders. Together, we look forward to an exciting future dedicated to transforming human health."

Finn joins JAX from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) in New York , the world's largest private funder of breast cancer research, where she has served as chief communications and engagement officer since 2016. She helped transform BCRF's messaging with key stakeholders and the general public, which resulted in increased engagement among all constituents. In this role, Finn also oversaw BCRF's digital enterprise to drive online donations and peer-to-peer fundraising revenue of more than $8 million annually.

"Meghan is a dynamic and experienced leader with an impressive record of leading communications for mission-driven organizations," said JAX Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Catherine Longley . "Her enthusiasm for science is palpable and I'm thrilled she will bring her considerable talents to our growing organization."

Prior to BCRF, Meghan was employed at the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, where she held a variety of positions, most recently vice president of brand and communications. During her tenure, she created a content architecture across all digital, print, and broadcast channels, including the award-winning quarterly Momentum magazine, which had a distribution of 500,000 and $2 million in advertising revenue. She also established and implemented the internal communications function for the Society's more than 1,000 employees.

"I am inspired by The Jackson Laboratory's mission and enthusiastic about our continued impact on human health, the scientific community and beyond," Finn said. "I look forward to working with this talented community to tell the JAX story and continue our trajectory of growth."

Meghan completed her B.A. and M.A. degrees at Iona University in New Rochelle, NY . A member of Chief and the Forbes Nonprofit Council, Meghan also serves on the President's Council of Northwell Health Northern Westchester Hospital.

About The Jackson Laboratory

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States ( Maine , Connecticut , California ), Japan and China. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-jackson-laboratory-names-meghan-finn-vice-president-and-chief-communications-officer-301933912.html

SOURCE The Jackson Laboratory
Institute of Education Sciences to host more than one thousand D.C. students and 150 teams of EdTech developers at 9th Annual ED Games Expo

WASHINGTON , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) launches the 9th annual, multi-day ED Games Expo, the largest, federally funded public showcase of education technology (EdTech) at the Kennedy Center REACH in Washington, D.C.

Over 1,000 educators and students from 48 DC-area classrooms, grades 1-12 will attend Master Class lessons to engage in collaborative learning experiences through game-based role-playing activities such as Hats and Ladders ; hands-on creating including FabMaker , and Smart Girls HQ ; and through immersive experiences about science, civics, math, reading and more through NewtonAR , WaterWays , or Inside the Cells . Students and teachers will also experience tabletop demos to engage in one-on-one personalized EdTech learning experiences.

"The ED Games Expo is a unique opportunity to see how seed funding from IES grows into cutting-edge innovations that can transform instruction and learning," says IES Director Mark Schneider . "The technology at the ED Games Expo has the potential to affect schools across the country and ensure our learners fully recover from the instructional time lost during the pandemic."

Starting today, September 20 , at 5:30 p.m. EST , the Expo will be open to the public and free to attend. Registered attendees will learn about the EdTech innovations, meet face-to-face with developers, test new learning technologies, and attend engaging performances. The tabletop demonstrations of EdTech products are led by over 150 teams of government-funded innovators. Tonight's event will also include a series of presentations and performances by guests including Theo and Cleo from Between the Lions, Molly from Denali of PBS Kids, Filament Games with Roblox, Future Engineers with EXPLR Media, and Muzology with industry artist Adara.

Tomorrow, September 21 , IES will host an Innovation Day where EdTech developers and researchers, government representatives, and members of the public interested in education research will have the opportunity to attend sessions in the morning focusing on IES investments in transformative education research, scaling, and the modernization of research and development infrastructure. IES Office Hours will be held in the afternoon to give members of the public an opportunity to learn more about IES's vision to achieve impact at scale.

Also tomorrow, the ED Games Expo will feature Science is Cool , a virtual session open to the public at 12:00 p.m. EST . This full day of virtual professional development will broadcast live from the ED Games Expo and will include renowned developers and STEM education experts who will share their classroom technologies and demonstrate how art and design were used in creating them.

For a detailed event agenda and to register for individual sessions, visit https://ies.ed.gov/sbir/EdGamesExpo.asp

About the Institute of Education Sciences

The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is the statistics, research, and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Education. IES is an independent and nonpartisan organization that was created by the Education Sciences Reform Act (ESRA) of 2002. IES is the nation's leading source of rigorous education research, evaluation, and statistics, and consists of four centers. The four centers of IES are the National Center for Education Research (NCER), the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance (NCEE), and the National Center for Special Education Research (NCSER). For more information about the Institute of Education Sciences please visit https://ies.ed.gov

MEDIA CONTACT | Seth Nelson | [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-department-of-education-kicks-off-largest-federally-funded-showcase-of-education-technology-301932569.html

SOURCE Institute of Education Sciences
The CFO Show to offer insightful, timely commentary on the topics that are top of mind in finance and business

TORONTO , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vena, the Intelligent Complete Planning platform loved by finance and trusted by business today announced that Vena CFO Melissa Howatson has been tapped to host The CFO Show, a new audio and video podcast that aims to create a unique community for CFOs, those who aspire to the post, other finance professionals and business leaders.

The show, which launched on September 19 , features Howatson discussing current financial and business topics, industry best practices, economic trends and more. Audiences tuning in will gain access to strategies for professional, business and personal growth and success. Howatson will be joined by co-host, Tom Seegmiller , Vice President of FP&A at Vena.

"Finance leaders are taking on more than ever in this time of rapid change, but many wonder how they can drive strategic innovation and transform their business while still balancing day-to-day financial and operational needs," Howatson said. "My goal as host of The CFO Show is that finance and business professionals will find insightful, timely commentary on the biggest issues in finance and business that will help them grow in their careers."

You can catch new episodes of The CFO Show every Tuesday on the podcast website and on YouTube. The series will also be available soon on all major podcast platforms including Apple, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google and Amazon.

About Vena

Vena is the only Intelligent Platform for Complete Planning that's natively integrated with Microsoft 365, empowering teams to plan the way they think. Vena streamlines financial and operational planning, reporting and analysis processes, and provides advanced analytics and modeling capabilities to help business, finance and operations leaders make informed business decisions. With Vena, you can leverage the power of Excel and AI-powered insights in a unified, cloud-based platform that enhances collaboration, scalability and security. Over 1,600 of the world's leading companies rely on Vena to power their planning. For more information, visit venasolutions.com.

MEDIA CONTACT

Jonathan Paul

Senior Director, Content & Communications, Vena

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vena-cfo-melissa-howatson-to-host-new-podcast-for-finance-professionals-301932972.html

SOURCE Vena
KEY WEST, Fla. , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Warren Henry Auto Group, a leading dealership group in Florida , is pleased to announce the expansion of Keys Auto Center (KAC) with the acquisition of Niles Sales and Service. This strategic move broadens KAC's product range to include five additional brands (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Nissan, and Cadillac). In total, KAC will offer 13 brands to residents in the Lower Keys .

"I've been impressed by Jack Niles and his operation for a long time," said Larry Zinn , Executive General Manager of Warren Henry Auto Group. "It's an honor to merge this respected dealership with KAC and welcome Jack's clients and friends to the Warren Henry Family."

For the time being, the former Niles Sales and Service dealership located at 3500 N Roosevelt Blvd will continue to house its original brands and Service Center. The KAC dealership located at 1618 N Roosevelt Blvd will operate out of a temporary structure while undergoing a 1.5-year renovation with plans to construct a new 15,000 square feet state-of-the-art dealership. This expansion opens a plethora of job opportunities within the community. Warren Henry Auto Group now supports 80 employees and their families and intends to increase their staffing with additional trained technicians and sales associates.

"Relationships mean everything in the Keys," said Lee Holt , General Manager of Keys Auto Center. "I grew up in the Lower Keys and understand the diverse community we serve and the importance of providing excellent service to all who walk through our doors."

Warren Henry Auto Group's acquisition of Niles Sales and Service will ultimately allow clients to shop for a broad range of brands and price points all under one roof. This includes the top three Detroit manufacturers: GM, Ford, and Stellantis.

To learn more about Keys Auto Center and the brands they carry, please visit keysautocenter.com.

About Warren Henry Auto Group

Established in 1976, Warren Henry Auto Group is one of the longest-standing, private, family-owned dealership groups in Florida . The company comprises over 500 employees, 7 different retail locations, and 23 luxury and premium brands including Jaguar, Land Rover, INFINITI, Audi, Lamborghini, Bugatti, Hennessey, Koenigsegg, Toyota, Ford, Lincoln , Buick, GMC, Chevrolet, Nissan, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Icon, and Vespa.

Grounded in its original core values and vision, the company prides itself on providing exceptional customer service, creating a superior work environment for its employees, and supporting local causes in the communities it serves. Warren Henry Auto Group has received numerous awards and accolades including being named Best Dealership to Work for by Automotive News, honored by J.D. Power for Dealer of Excellence, and recognized by the South Florida Business Journal Philanthropy List. The company's headquarters is located at 2300 NE 151st Street in North Miami . For more information, call (305) 690-6006 or visit www.warrenhenryauto.com .

About Niles Sales and Service

Niles Sales and Service boasts a rich automotive legacy spanning more than two decades. With a history of over 20 years in operation, Niles Sales and Service has established itself as a major automotive dealership in Key West and is recognized for its active involvement within the local community. Over the years, Niles Sales and Service has sold over ten thousand vehicles and won numerous local awards.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/warren-henry-auto-group-acquires-niles-sales-and-service-in-key-west-301933878.html

SOURCE Warren Henry Auto Group
(Reuters) - The acting president of Temple University in Philadelphia, JoAnne Epps, fell ill on Tuesday while attending a memorial service on campus and died a short time later, the school said in a statement. She was 72.

No cause of death was given. Local news media reported Epps collapsed on stage during the campus event, which university officials described as a memorial tribute to the late Charles Blockson, curator of a prestigious collection of African-American artifacts at Temple.

Epps appeared to have "suffered a sudden episode" and was "promptly attended to by emergency medical" personnel at the scene, Dr. Daniel del Portal, chief clinical officer for the Temple University Health System, told an afternoon news conference.

She was then taken to Temple Hospital, "where resuscitation efforts continued but were unfortunately unsuccessful," del Portal said. She was pronounced dead at 3:15 p.m. EDT.

Epps, a longtime academic, administrator and former prosecutor, was named to Temple's top post on a provisional basis in April by the university's Board of Trustees following the resignation of then-President Jason Wingard in a shakeup over campus safety and enrollment problems.

Her 30-plus years on Temple's faculty included more than 15 years in leadership positions at the 135-year-old institution, including dean of the university's law school, executive vice president and provost and chief academic officer.

"Temple has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember," Epps said in a statement when she was appointed acting president in April. She recalled then that her mother worked as a secretary at the university for more than four decades and that her first job as a teenager was in the campus bookstore.

Temple, whose enrollment consists of some 37,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, is a public state-related research university that also ranks among the world's leading academic institutions in the training of professional educators.

(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Michael Perry)
On May 2, 2023, the Screenwriters Guild of America said enough is enough and brought Hollywood to a halt, demanding improved working conditions and limits on artificial intelligence. The strike, which was subsequently joined by actors represented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), has halted the production of countless films and television series, generating a climate of instability for thousands of people who make a living from the sector and now find themselves in a complicated financial situation. Behind every visible face of the film and television industry are many screenwriters and other workers, the vast majority of whom are neither rich nor famous. Numerous ways to bridge this economic gap have emerged, such as donations from celebrities including George and Amal Clooney, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nicole Kidman, and Julia Roberts, among many others, totaling at least $12 million.

However, no formula has yet been as ingenious and eye-catching as that of The Union Solidarity Coalition (TUSC), whose online auction offers bizarre lots such as Lena Dunham painting a mural in your house (current bidding stands at $5,100), a West Hollywood bar crawl with Dolly de Leon ($610), having Adam Scott walk your dog for $3,050 (or John Lithgow produce a watercolor painting of it for $4,450) and completing The New York Times crossword with the help of Natasha Lyonne ($6,100). The auction, which contains a total of 58 lots, ends on September 22 at 4 p.m. PT.

Adam Scott, Lena Dunham and Natasha Lyonne. Getty Images

Founded during the summer by a group of Hollywood screenwriters and directors, The Union Solidarity Coalition is an organization to financially support the strike and its eBay auction is proving a success, both in terms of uptake and raising awareness of the strike on social media. While the majority of lots are clearly designed to be eye-catching  an exquisite corpse drawing Zoom with Charlie Day and Mary Elizabeth Ellis is currently going for a little over $2,000  some of them do come with stipulations: Dunham, the creator of Girls, will only apply her artistic talents to a home in New York, Los Angeles or London, while Orange is the New Black star Lyonne will whittle through The New York Times crossword via Zoom and inside 15 minutes. Parks and Recreation star Scotts dog-walking will last an hour, but will have to be for a Los Angeles-based pet. Stars including Nicole Kidman and Bob Odendirk will have a Zoom chat or come around for dinner as part of the initiative.

Other lots are more attainable for the wider film and television fan, with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Sarah Silverman offering 20 questions in 20 minutes online for $2,025 and $1,975 respectively at the current bidding. There is also memorabilia, such an original apron from The Bear, signed by the shows star Jeremy Allen White ($2,225), a fedora owned and signed by Tom Waits ($6,720) or the original Lost Boys screenplay signed by Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric and Alex Winter ($1,775).

TUSC as an organization has two missions, writer, director and producer Susanna Fogel told the Hollywood Reporter. The first is fundraising to directly help crew who are suffering; the second is community-building events that can help give us that family feeling we experience on set when were working together. This auction is an encapsulation of both: Its a way to raise money, but its also a way to demonstrate that we take care of each other.

The auction soon attracted attention on social media, generating a series of copycat memes in which, for example, the director of Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Twin Peaks, David Lynch, will help you varnish a cabinet for $10,000. Other users joked about paying $10,000 so that Toni Colette will scream at you non-stop during dinner or having Danny DeVito legally become your father for just over $2,000.

We did not anticipate this, said Fogel. You can never predict what will go viral or catch fire online, but seeing the memes that have been generated is endlessly entertaining and so encouraging. Its also so insane and wild. Hopefully, that translates into money raised, but its also just kind of giving us a nice boost of adrenaline.
FILE PHOTO: Family members embrace freed Americans Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz and Emad Shargi  as well as two returnees whose names have not yet been released by the U.S. government  who were released in a prisoner swap deal between U.S and Iran, a

By Samia Nakhoul, Andrew Mills and Parisa Hafezi

(Reuters) - Qatar wants to capitalise on a U.S.-Iranian detainee deal that it mediated during months of delicate diplomacy to find common ground on a more intractable issue between the two hardened adversaries: the dispute over Iran's nuclear programme.

Russia's war in Ukraine may have top billing at the U.N. General Assembly, but Iran's nuclear ambitions cast a shadow over the Middle East and worry the West. And as the dispute rumbles on, Tehran has steadily enriched more uranium and moved closer to Moscow by supplying drones to Russia's army.

A nuclear deal with Iran remains a distant prospect, five years after former President Donald Trump tore up a pact that had eased sanctions in return for Tehran curbing nuclear work.

A U.S. election in 2024 makes those prospects bleaker still. U.S. President Joe Biden has already faced Republican criticism for unfreezing $6 billion of Iran's assets in the detainee deal.

Yet Qatar, a tiny but hugely rich Gulf Arab state with grand diplomatic ambitions, is pressing both sides to engage in more talks and reach "understandings", according to three regional sources familiar with discussions that Doha has held separately with both sides.

The understandings would aim to address slowing Tehran's uranium enrichment alongside more international monitoring, curbing activities of Iran's proxy militias in the region and halting Iran's drone exports, all in return for some waivers on U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil exports, the three sources said.

Officials in Doha said Qatari officials would hold separate meetings with Iranian and U.S. officials at the U.N. meeting in New York this week. One source briefed on the talks said those meetings would include discussing enrichment and Iranian drones.

If there is progress, Qatar aims to host indirect talks between Tehran and Washington, the source said, after Qatar helped forge the detainee deal with shuttle diplomacy between Iranian and U.S. negotiators staying in separate hotels in Doha.

PREVENTING ESCALATION

The idea of understandings to prevent an escalation rather than a nuclear agreement requiring review by U.S. Congress has previously been mooted, Western and Iranian officials have said. U.S. officials have never acknowledged pursuing such an approach.

Washington suspects Tehran wants technology to build a nuclear weapon. Iran insists this has never been its goal.

On Monday, when the U.S.-Iranian detainee swap took place, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken left the door open to diplomacy on the nuclear file, which he described as "perhaps the number one issue of concern", but said nothing was imminent.

"In this moment, we're not engaged on that, but we'll see in the future if there are opportunities," he said in New York, in his response to a question about whether there could be more indirect talks with Iran soon.

Two Iranian insiders said there would be indirect meetings between Tehran and Washington in New York that could pave the way for talks on a nuclear "understanding". They said Iran had never shut the door to nuclear diplomacy.

Another Iranian insider briefed on discussions so far with Qatar said: "Considering the upcoming U.S. elections, it is possible to reach an understanding that will involve issuing waivers on banking and oil sectors that would allow Iran to export its oil freely and get its money back via the banking system" - currently barred by existing U.S. sanctions.

Asked on Sunday if there would be any indirect talks with the Iranians at the U.N. General Assembly in New York, a senior U.S. administration official said: "You asked if there's any talks planned this week, absolutely not."

It was unclear if the official meant to deny any indirect talks, or if he was deliberately leaving the door open for them.

The U.S. Department of State did not respond to detailed questions for this article.

ENGAGEMENT

Discussing any engagement with Iran is sensitive in the United States, whose relations to the Islamic Republic remain overshadowed by the seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran in 1979 when 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days.

U.S. officials were tight-lipped on details of Monday's detainee deal until the five freed Americans had taken off from Tehran airport.

Earlier indirect talks in Qatar that led to that detainee swap were held after broader talks on Iran's nuclear programme stumbled, sources previously told Reuters. At that time, Iran demanded guarantees that a new deal would not be torn up again, a demand that an Iranian source said had now been dropped.

The three regional sources said Iranian officials in talks had shown signs they were ready for concessions, if U.S. sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy were eased.

The three regional sources said Tehran had already committed to lowering enrichment of uranium to 60% - below the roughly 90% needed for a nuclear weapon - and was ready to resume cooperation with the U.N. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which monitors Iran's nuclear work.

IAEA reports seen by Reuters this month said Iran had already reduced the rate at which it was making uranium enriched to 60%, although its stockpile continued to grow.

Regional diplomats said that, in another positive signal, there had been no major attacks by Iranian proxies on U.S. interests or those of its allies in the region in recent months. The last major incident was in Syria in March, when the Pentagon blamed Iran-backed militants for an attack on U.S. forces there.

Much, however, may hinge on next year's U.S. election, when Biden, a Democrat, may once again be battling Trump, who is for now in the lead for the Republican nomination.

"What's in it for Washington to sweeten the pot for Tehran before the elections, especially in a fiercely competitive race where Republican rivals will pounce on any deal that appears to compromise American interests," said one diplomat.

Yet the West remains concerned about Iran's nuclear work. The 2015 agreement, which Trump called "the worst deal ever", mothballed enough of Iran's nuclear programme to put it a year or so away from technology to build a bomb, experts have said.

"When nobody wants a crisis then it's good time to negotiate between now and the U.S. elections," said a senior diplomat in the region.

(Reporting by Samia Nakhoul, Andrew Mills and Parisa Hafezi; Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk in New York and Arshad Mohammed; Writing by Samia Nakhoul; Editing by Angus McDowall and Edmund Blair)
FILE PHOTO: A smartphone with a displayed Arm Ltd logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

By Caroline Valetkevitch and Lewis Krauskopf

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Shares of Arm Holdings fell for a fourth straight session on Wednesday after the chip designer's stellar market debut last week, with short seller interest picking up.

The stock hit a low of $52.24, roughly 2% above the $51 initial public offering price in this year's biggest listing last Thursday. The shares were last down 4.2% at $52.85.

Grocery delivery app Instacart went public on Tuesday and marketing automation company Klaviyo opened on Wednesday 22.5% above its IPO price.

Shares of Instacart, formally known as Maplebear, were last down 5.9% at $31.71.

In an indication of interest from short sellers in bets on Arm, 8.83 million shares of the newly listed chip designer are "on loan," representing about 5% of the stock's free float, data and analytics company Ortex said on Wednesday. That was up from 5.12 million shares on loan, or 2.7% of the stock's free float, on Tuesday. Short sellers need to borrow a stock to short it, and the relationship between shares on loan and shorted is normally quite close, Ortex said.

Arm and Instacart were "pumped up to do the IPO," said Peter Tuz, president of Chase Investment Counsel in Charlottesville, Virginia. "People bought the stock. Some people instantly turn around and sell the stock for whatever profits they can get after a day or two" as the stocks establish a base, he noted.

Arm also has a limited number of publicly traded shares, with SoftBank holding a roughly 90% stake. In its market debut, the stock closed at $63.59, about 25% above the IPO price.

Trading in Arm's newly listed options were busy on Wednesday, with activity leaning toward puts. Put options convey the right to sell shares at a future date and are typically used to defend against or bet on further stock declines.

Some 26,000 contracts had changed hands by 11:30 a.m. (1530 GMT), about 15,000 of them puts. Put options that would guard against the stock slipping below $50 and $52.50 by mid-October were the two largest blocks of open contracts in Arm options, according to data from options analytics service Trade Alert.

(Reporting by Caroline Valetkevitch and Lewis Krauskopf; additional reporting by Saqib Iqbal Ahmed; editing by Lance Tupper and Richard Chang)
By Felix Light

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannissyan said on Wednesday that the ethnic Armenians of Azerbaijan's Nagorno-Karabakh region could "in an ideal world" live under Azerbaijani rule, but that historical experience made it hard to imagine.

In an interview with Reuters after a 24-hour Azerbaijani offensive overwhelmed the separatists and secured their agreement to disarm, he said Armenia understood that Karabakh's Armenians were open to talks with Baku, and that dialogue was crucial.

Armenia has complained loudly in recent months that its main ally and protector, Russia, has not done enough to protect the Karabakh Armenians against growing pressure from Baku.

Hovhannissyan said Armenia had specific security agreements with Russia that were applicable to such situations.

Conflict in the region between Christian Armenians and Turkic Muslim Azeris goes back more than a century.

About 30,000 people were killed and more than a million displaced in a war in the 1990s and at least 6,500 died in a 44-day war in 2020.

(Reporting by Felix Light; Writing by Kevin Liffey; Editing by Jon Boyle)
Russian peacekeepers evacuate civilians in the town of Askeran following the launch of a military operation by Azerbaijani forces in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region inhabited by ethnic Armenians, in this still image from video published September

(Reuters) - Azerbaijan said on Wednesday that it wanted a "smooth reintegration process" for the ethnic Armenians of its Nagorno-Karabakh region, after forcing the surrender of the forces defending the breakaway territory in a 24-hour offensive.

Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to Azerbaijan's president, said the disarmament of Karabakh forces would improve the chances of successfully reintegrating the territory, which had been out of Baku's control for three decades, as well as the prospects of concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan's neighbour Armenia.

He told a briefing for diplomats and media that this would mean "transformative and sweeping change" to the political map of the South Caucasus.

"Also we are looking forward to meeting the immediate humanitarian requirements of the population on the ground," he said, adding that it was unacceptable, as Armenian President Nikol Pashinyan did on Tuesday, to accuse Baku of a campaign of "ethnic cleansing".

A de facto nine-month Azerbaijani blockade of the enclave's lifeline road connection to Armenia, whose support it had relied on for three decades, had caused shortages of food and medicines.

Although Armenia denied having stationed any forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, Hajiyev said Azerbaijan had received assurances that both Karabakh forces and also "military detachments of the Republic of Armenia" would abandon all their positions and surrender all their equipment and weapons.

He said Armenia had "real combat forces on the ground", and not just paramilitary units.

Hajiyev dismissed calls for U.N. Security Council involvement, saying any issues needed to be solved on the ground.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey/Guy Faulconbridge)
FILE PHOTO: Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attends a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Union summit in Moscow, Russia May 25, 2023. Sputnik/Mikhail Me

By Nailia Bagirova

(Reuters) - Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Wednesday offered the ethnic Armenians of the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region and also neighbouring Armenia prospects of cooperation, reconciliation and joint development after his forces took control of the enclave.

In a televised address, he said Azerbaijan had regained full sovereignty over its territory and now wished to integrate Karabakh's population and turn the region into "paradise".

He said Azerbaijan had nothing against Karabakh's Armenian people - "they are our citizens" - but only against their "criminal" separatist leadership.

His words appeared aimed at addressing allegations by Armenian leaders that Baku planned to "ethnically cleanse" Karabakh's 120,000-strong Armenian population, and, more broadly, decades of open hostility and distrust between Baku and Yerevan.

Many Azeris want to return to the region after fleeing in the early 1990s, when ethnic Armenians took control of Nagorno-Karabakh in a war linked to the breakup of the Soviet Union and independence for Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Thousands of Armenian-speakers fearful of what the future might hold had earlier massed at the airport in Stepanakert, Karabakh's capital known as Khankendi by Azerbaijan, while others took shelter with Russian peacekeepers.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan valued the fact that Armenia, on whose support Nagorno-Karabakh had relied for three decades, had not sought to intervene in Baku's military operation, but had remained "watchful". This improved the prospects for peace talks, he said.

Baku has insisted that Armenia maintained forces in Nagorno-Karabakh in contravention of a ceasefire deal agreed after a war in 2020, in which Azerbaijan reclaimed swathes of land in and around the mountainous enclave from Karabakh's Armenians.

Yerevan denied this, but Aliyev said Azerbaijan's forces had found 100 Armenian tanks and armoured vehicles.

He said his soldiers had, however, fulfilled instructions to avoid harm to Karabakh's civilians and to civilian infrastructure in the 24-hour offensive that forced the separatist authorities to surrender.

A separatist Armenian human rights official said on Wednesday that at least 200 people had been killed and more than 400 wounded in the fighting. Ten of those killed were civilians, of whom five were children, the official said. Reuters could not verify the figures.

Azerbaijan's gains in 2020 left Armenia with few options to help Karabakh to defend itself, and the new balance of power set the stage for fresh peace talks between the two neighbours, punctuated by sporadic outbreaks of cross-border fighting.

Aliyev suggested that the return of Azerbaijani control in Nagorno-Karabakh would not only remove a perennial obstacle to peace but also pave the way for greater cooperation and development across all three countries of the South Caucasus, including Georgia.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this month that Russia, distracted by its war in Ukraine, was winding down its involvement in the region. The Kremlin denied this, saying Russia was "not going anywhere" and would remain the guarantor of security.

(Reporting by Nailia Bagirova; Writing by Kevin Liffey; editing by Grant McCool)
BUCHAREST (Reuters) - The crew of a Togo-flagged general cargo ship bound for one of Ukraine's Danube river ports were evacuated early on Wednesday after an explosion on board near the Romanian port of Sulina, Romanian officials said.

The Seama ship reported an explosion early on Wednesday and requested the evacuation of the 12-person crew near Sulina, where the Danube flows into the Black Sea.

"At the moment the causes ... are unclear, whether it was a mine or merely an explosion in the engine room," Romanian Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu told reporters.

The crew were evacuated by the Romanian Agency for Saving Life at Sea (ARSVOM), which is coordinated by the transport ministry.

The Romanian naval forces deployed a sea mine hunter vessel with divers to Sulina to search for mines, the defence ministry said.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and mines have since then been laid in the Black Sea by the combatants. Romanian, Bulgarian and Turkish military diving teams have been defusing those that have drifted into their waters.

Moscow has also been intensifying attacks on Ukraine's Danube river ports across from Romania since it abandoned a deal to lift a de facto Russian blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports.

The Black Sea is crucial for shipments of grain, oil and oil products and is shared by Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Turkey, as well as Ukraine and Russia.

Romania, both a European Union and NATO member, shares a 650-km (400 mile) border with Ukraine, is host to a U.S. ballistic missile defence system and, as of last year, has a permanent alliance battle group stationed on its territory.

(Reporting by Luiza Ilie; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Randy Roedema, one of three Aurora police officers in addition to two paramedics criminally charged in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who died in 2019 after being subdued and injected with a sedative, approaches the Adams County Justice Center f

By Brad Brooks

BRIGHTON, Colorado (Reuters) -Two Colorado police officers on trial for Elijah McClain's death ignored his cries for help as they restrained him, a prosecutor said on Wednesday in an opening statement at their trial, but defense lawyers said it was a fatal dose of a sedative administered by paramedics that killed the young Black man.

Lawyers for the two officers in the Denver suburb of Aurora also said one of them had seen McClain try to grab a fellow officer's gun during the struggle with police, justifying their efforts to restrain him.

Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt went on trial for reckless manslaughter and second-degree assault in Adams County Court for the 2019 death of McClain, 23, who died several days after the incident. Roedema was suspended pending the outcome of the case, while Rosenblatt was dismissed.

One other officer and two paramedics involved in the incident will have separate trials in the coming months. All the police and paramedics charged in the case are white.

On the night of the encounter, McClain was walking home from a convenience store on Aug. 24, 2019. He was unarmed and appeared to be breaking no laws, but wore a ski mask and a winter coat on a warm evening. That triggered a 17-year-old bystander to call 911 and report him as acting suspiciously.

Three police arrived and nine seconds after confronting McClain they laid hands on him, according to the body camera video showed by the prosecution.

McClain resisted and tensed up, leading to a struggle and the accusation that he tried to grab an officer's gun, which prosecutors strongly denied.

Such an attempt does not appear on body camera video of the encounter, but Roedema can be heard yelling at Rosenblatt that McClain had reached for the officer's gun. Rosenblatt later told a supervisor that he did not feel McClain grabbing for the firearm.

Police quickly wrestled McClain to the ground, applied a "carotid" chokehold twice and handcuffed him, while McClain complained he could not breathe, vomiting repeatedly and choking.

Reid Elkus, Roedema's attorney, told jurors the officers had sufficient motive for taking McClain down and using the carotid hold because of his client's perception that McClain tried to grab Rosenblatt's gun.

"Just because a tragedy occurred, doesn't mean criminality occurred," Elkus told jurors.

GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS

Initially no charges were brought in McClain's case, but it gained attention after the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police sparked a summer of global protests over the mistreatment of African Americans and other minorities by U.S. law enforcement.

Using the same phrase repeated by Floyd, McClain told officers "I can't breathe" or made other pleas for help seven times, prosecutors said.

Harvey Steinberg, Rosenblatt's attorney, told the jury the only reason the trial was taking place at all was because of political pressure stemming from the Floyd protests.

Jonathan Bunge, a lawyer prosecuting the case for the state of Colorado, said McClain was "just walking home" with a plastic bag holding three cans of iced tea and listening to music with earbuds when confronted by police.

Bunge argued that police had operated without any reasonable suspicion and ignored their training by failing to de-escalate or properly check on McClain's well-being after applying the choke hold on him.

After police restrained McClain, paramedics injected him with an overdose of the powerful sedative ketamine, Bunge said. He then lapsed into cardiac arrest and died days later at a hospital.

A revised autopsy report in September 2022 concluded McClain died from "complications of ketamine administration following forcible restraint."

Defense lawyers told jurors they would show it was the ketamine injection given by paramedics that resulted in McClain's death.

They said body camera footage shows McClain was speaking even after the officers had held him down for 15 minutes, indicating he was alive when the emergency medical responders arrived and, they argue, took control of the scene.

No Black people were among the 12 jurors and two alternates chosen during a selection process that began on Friday.

After McClain's death, the Colorado attorney general determined that Aurora's police department routinely violated the law by engaging in racially biased policing and excessive use of force.

The city of Aurora agreed in November 2021 to pay McClain's family $15 million to settle a civil rights lawsuit.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, Calif.; Editing by Donna Bryson, Chris Reese, Daniel Wallis and Michael Perry)
The construction site of "4 Frankfurt" skyscraper is seen next to an old Deutsche Bank building in Frankfurt, Germany, July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File photo

By Tom Sims

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Deutsche Bank has disappointed customers with problems at its Postbank unit and is devoting additional resources to quickly regain trust, the lender's CEO said on Wednesday.

The comments by Christian Sewing, Germany's top banker, come after its financial regulator termed as "unacceptable" the disruptions experienced in Postbank's online offerings, the difficulty clients had in reaching its customer service and in the long processing times.

The issue is a setback for Deutsche Bank in its effort to restore credibility after fines for lapses in money laundering controls. In 2017, the bank was fined $7.2 billion in the United States for its role in the mortgage crisis, nearly toppling the bank.

While Germany's largest bank has apologised earlier for the problems at Postbank, Sewing's comments are the lender's most detailed so far on the matter.

Deutsche began acquiring Postbank, with its millions of clients and roots in the country's postal system, in 2008 during the global financial crisis, but for years struggled to complete its integration.

The bank said in July it had completed a final phase of the integration, but two weeks ago, the German financial regulator BaFin in an unusual rebuke said it had seen "considerable disturbances" at Postbank.

Sewing, speaking at a financial conference in Frankfurt, said that customers had been disappointed "very much".

"We have not lived up to our responsibility here  and now we have to work all the harder to fix the problems quickly and completely - and regain trust," Sewing said.

BaFin has said it would "take relevant supervisory measures if appropriate", and this week the agency's chief Mark Branson further scolded Deutsche Bank's handling of the matter, calling it in a newspaper interview "unacceptable and extraordinary".

Sewing said that Deutsche had made "clear mistakes", underestimating the amount of customer inquiries that would result from the IT integration.

"This situation is anything but good, anything but nice," said Sewing, adding that there had been improvements over the past weeks.

He said that the bank had devoted 400-500 additional workers to the effort and that he is briefed by the board member overseeing the division twice a week.

Deutsche's supervisory board will also examine the issue, Sewing said.

(Reporting by Tom Sims; Editing by Friederike Heine and Muralikumar Anantharaman)
FILE PHOTO-A volunteer picks up a sea lion pup after it fell into the ocean and from a rock and sanctuary for a herd of sea lions, in Cobquecura, Chile February 3, 2022. Picture taken February 3, 2022. REUTERS/Jose Luis Saavedra/File Photo

By David Stanway

(Reuters) -A new U.N. treaty to protect the world's oceans was signed by 67 countries on Wednesday, another step in efforts to reverse the damage done to fragile marine environments by overfishing and other human activities.

The global pact to conserve biodiversity on the high seas was finally agreed in March and formally adopted by the United Nations in June. It is seen as a crucial tool to meet a target agreed last year to protect 30% of the earth's land and sea by 2030, known as "30 by 30."

Despite the nearly 70 signatures at the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, the treaty needs to be ratified on a national level before it goes into effect.

"With the signature of the High Seas Treaty, we can safeguard the ocean from human pressures, and get closer to our objective of protecting at least 30% of the planet by 2030," said European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevicius, calling the treaty "our constitution for the ocean.

Mads Christensen, interim executive director of Greenpeace International, described the signings as a "powerful signal" which should help maintain momentum to meet the "30 by 30" target.

"But this signing is a purely symbolic moment," he said. "Now politicians must bring the treaty home and ensure it is ratified in record time."

The agreement will create ocean sanctuaries where fishing will be prohibited, and also ensure human activity on the high seas is subject to environmental impact assessments.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature estimates that $500 million in funding will be required to kickstart the treaty, and a special implementation and capacity-building fund could require another $100 million per year.

Threats to the ocean environment have been mounting in recent years as a result of overfishing as well as rising temperatures, and new threats could also emerge from ocean-bed mining and the use of geoengineering technologies to boost the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide.

Environmental groups say the treaty must be brought fully into effect by 2025 at the latest to ensure the "30-by-30" protection target is reached.

"The ocean can't wait, and with the treaty being in the making for the better part of the past 20 years, there is absolutely no time to waste," said Jessica Battle, an ocean expert with the Worldwide Fund for Nature.

(Reporting by David Stanway in Singapore; additional reporting by Valerie Volcovici at the United Nations; Editing by Stephen Coates and Chris Reese)
FILE PHOTO: The new German central bank (Bundesbank) vice-president Claudia Buch poses during a photocall at the Bundesbank headquarters in Frankfurt, May 20, 2014. REUTERS/Ralph Orlowski/File Photo

By Francesco Canepa and Balazs Koranyi

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -European lawmakers backed on Wednesday Claudia Buch's appointment as the European Central Bank's top supervisor after a tough hearing, with some raising objections about the legality of her nomination and her qualifications.

The vote clears the way for Buch, who has been the vice-president of Germany's central bank for 10 years, to take over from Andrea Enria as the next chair of the ECB's Single Supervisory Board, which oversees the euro zone's 109 biggest banks.

But the result of the secret ballot by the European Parliament's Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs was close, with 29 votes in favour of Buch's appointment, 23 against, and 2 abstentions.

Buch was chosen by the European Central Bank last week over Spain's Margarita Delgado, who was the European Parliament's preferred candidate because of her superior experience as a supervisor.

Most European lawmakers who spoke at the Committee's hearing criticised the ECB for disregarding their informal opinion.

Jonas Fernandez, a Socialist from Spain, said Buch's nomination may have even broken a rule barring the ECB from picking a candidate from within its own Governing Council, where Buch is an alternate member to Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel.

The ECB has responded in a legal opinion seen by Reuters, arguing Buch, as an alternate, was not a Governing Council member so that rule did not apply to her.

At the hearing, Buch said she would immediately resign from her role as an alternate if appointed as chief supervisor.

ECB President Christine Lagarde said last week that the 26-member Governing Council followed the rules in Buch's selection.

LIMITED EXPERIENCE?

Marco Zanni, of the right-wing Identity and Democracy Group, asked Buch how she planned to address what he called her limited experience as bank supervisor compared with the other candidate.

Buch, 57, recalled her decade as the Bundesbank's board member in charge of financial stability, when she worked closely with bank supervisors and navigated "many difficult situations".

"I am fully confident in my ability and strengths for this position," the former economics professor added.

Responding to another question, Buch said creating a common EU insurance on deposits was crucial, breaking with Germany's long-held scepticism about an initiative that would see financial resources pooled to protect depositors across the bloc.

She added, however, that "national specificities" that work well should be kept, a likely reference to Germany's own system involving a public and private safety net for depositors.

She also pledged to simplify the annual checks that lenders undergo by cutting routine tasks.

The EU Parliament's will take a final vote on Buch's appointment in a plenary session later this year but Wednesday's backing by the committee suggests further steps in the process will be a formality.

(Additional Reporting by Frank Siebelt; Editing by Hugh Lawson, Alexandra Hudson and Tomasz Janowski)
Elon Musk, upon his arrival at the U.S. Capitol, last Wednesday. SHAWN THEW (EFE)

Elon Musk, the owner of the social network X, formerly Twitter, is considering charging a small monthly payment to all users of the platform. This option is one of many possible plans floated by the businessman, who bought the tech company in October 2022. Since then, the tycoon has tried various strategies to make the service profitable, including an $8-monthly subscription for premium access. Musk argued that his decision to charge users a fee is aimed at combatting the vast army of bots on the platform. Musk presented the idea on Monday during a long-distance conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on a business trip to California. During the talk, the Israeli leader called on the Tesla founder to curb the spread of anti-Semitism on the platform, which has risen sharply since Musk took over the company.

According to Musk, between 100 and 200 million posts are shared on the platform every day. Some of those are going to be bad, said the businessman, who told Netanyahu that Xs policy is not to promote or amplify hate speech. During the conversation, Musk said that X now has about 550 million monthly users, but did not explain how many of these were authentic or bots. In May 2022, Twitter said it had about 229 million daily active accounts.

Musks takeover of the social network has meant that many users who had previously been sanctioned or suspended have been able to return to the platform. Some of these users have even opted for a monthly subscription. According to Mashable, around 650,000 users had signed up for the premium service as of April. Last fall, Musk said that his goal was to protect the common digital town square that the platform represented and to ensure freedom of expression.

Netanyahu, who is himself a symbol for the American right, invited Musk to find a balance between allowing freedom of speech and stopping the rise of anti-Semitic messages on X. I encourage you and urge you to find the balance. Its a tough one, said the prime minister, who is on a working tour focused on the San Francisco Bay, the birthplace of many tech companies and businesses focused on artificial intelligence.

The Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organization that specializes in civil rights, has accused Musk of giving a megaphone to neo-Nazi and white supremacist movements. The director of the group, Jonathan Greenblatt, argues that Musk has widened the reach of these extremist movements by interacting with their members from his X account, which has 157 million followers. Musk, for his part, has blamed the League for the platforms decline in advertising and accused the group of trying to kill his social network. The company has 60% fewer advertisers since Musk bought Twitter.

In the talk, Netanyahu warned about the need to guide artificial intelligence to adopt a code of ethics and for conduct that can stop the spread of hate speech. He argued that surveillance organizations will be needed to denounce hate speech from individuals and states.

Both Musk and Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of X, have launched a campaign to address accusations that the platform tolerates anti-Semitic messages. The conversation with Netanyahu can be seen as part of these efforts.

Last Sunday, however, Musk sparked more controversy by posting on X that the foundation of George Soros, a 93-year-old Hungarian-American businessman and philanthropist, appears to want nothing less than the destruction of western civilization. In his post, Musk criticized the philanthropic organization, which has donated billions of dollars to charity and is often targeted by the far right. Many of these attacks are anti-Semitic, as Soros is Jewish.

Netanyahus arrival in California sparked demonstrations at the Tesla factory in Fremont. Dozens of people came to protest against the reform that Israels ultra-conservative government intends to carry out to weaken the Supreme Court. From California, the prime minister will travel to New York, where on Wednesday he will take part in the General Assembly of the United Nations. He is also expected to meet briefly with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Russian peacekeepers evacuate civilians in the town of Askeran following the launch of a military operation by Azerbaijani forces in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, a region inhabited by ethnic Armenians, in this still image from video published September

By Mark Trevelyan

(Reuters) - Azerbaijan looked set on Wednesday to regain control of the breakaway ethnic Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-Karabakh after a 24-hour offensive, having fought two wars with Armenia over the territory in the past 30 years.

Here is a quick guide to what's going on.

WHAT IS NAGORNO-KARABAKH?

Nagorno-Karabakh, known as Artsakh by Armenians, is a mountainous region within Azerbaijan that is internationally recognised as part of that country. But its 120,000 inhabitants are predominantly ethnic Armenians who broke away during a first war in the 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In a 44-day war in 2020, Azerbaijan recaptured seven surrounding districts and took back about a third of Nagorno-Karabakh itself.

WHAT IS AZERBAIJAN TRYING TO ACHIEVE?

Hikmet Hajiyev, foreign policy adviser to President Ilham Aliyev, told Reuters on Tuesday that Azerbaijan wanted to establish full sovereignty over its territory and would not talk to Karabakh's Armenians unless they surrendered and disarmed.

WHY NOW?

Azerbaijan has been tightening pressure on Nagorno-Karabakh for months, effectively blocking its lifeline road connection with Armenia - the "Lachin corridor". That caused acute shortages of food and medicines.

A force of 2,000 Russian peacekeepers did little to keep the road open, reinforcing the impression that Moscow was too preoccupied with war in Ukraine to deal with crises elsewhere. The Karabakh Armenians declined, until last week, to open a road link to the Azerbaijani city of Aghdam.

Russia's relations with Armenia, whose support the Karabakh Armenians have relied on for three decades, have deteriorated sharply, reducing the likelihood that Moscow would come to their aid. Armenia has no other powerful ally it can count on, while Azerbaijan is backed by neighbouring Turkey.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Conflict in the region between between Christian Armenians and Turkic Muslim Azeris goes back more than a century.

About 30,000 people were killed and more than a million displaced in the war in the 1990s, and at least 6,500 died in the 44-day war in 2020.

The latest conflict could shift the balance of power in the wider region, where Russia, Turkey, Iran and the West all have competing interests.

Russia sees itself as the security guarantor in the South Caucasus, but its influence is eroding. Azerbaijan said it had given Moscow only minutes' notice of Tuesday's offensive, despite Russia's peacekeeping role and frequent calls for restraint.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The two sides said they had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by Russian peacekeepers under which the Karabakh forces would disband and disarm, and that talks on the future of the region and the ethnic Armenians who live there would start on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Such a deal would put Azerbaijan close to achieving all its objectives, while any further fighting could increase the risk of a bigger war between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

Even in normal times, clashes along their shared border are not infrequent, and tensions are now running very high.

HOW STRONG ARE THE RESPECTIVE ARMIES?

Azerbaijan has total armed forces of 64,000 and available reserves of 300,000 according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Karabakh's separatist forces are estimated to number only about 5,000.

Armenia has total armed forces of around 43,000 and an estimated 210,000 reserves. It is weaker than Azerbaijan, especially in terms of air power, and its 2022 defence budget of $750 million was less than a third of Azerbaijan's $2.6 billion.

WHAT IS THE OUTSIDE WORLD SAYING?

Turkey, Azerbaijan's ally, said it supported what it called Baku's steps to preserve its territorial integrity.

Russia, which has a defence treaty with Armenia, noted pointedly that Baku had been taking action on its own sovereign territory. It said its peacekeepers would help to implement the Sept. 20 ceasefire.

The United States, the EU and Russia had all tried for years to nudge Nagorno-Karabakh's backer Armenia towards a permanent peace deal with Azerbaijan. But the attempts all foundered over Armenia's demand that Azerbaijan should agree to protect the rights and security of Karabakh's ethnic Armenians - something Baku said was unnecessary and amounted to interference in its internal affairs.

Their appeals on Tuesday for Baku to halt its offensive went unheeded.

(Reporting by Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
A Ryanair plane is seen on the runway, after landing at Athens' International Eleftherios Venizelos airport, following a bomb threat in midair, on the outskirts of Athens, Greece, January 22, 2023. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis/File photo

ROME (Reuters) -Italy's antitrust agency opened an investigation on Wednesday into low-cost carrier Ryanair "for possible abuse of a dominant (market) position", the latest regulatory challenge in Italy for Europe's largest airline.

Ryanair, which has expanded to become the largest carrier in Italy, is already in a dispute with the Italian government which is trying to hold down the price of domestic flights to its main islands at peak times.

Ryanair said on Wednesday that internal Italian flights to Sicily would be cut by 10% in its latest winter schedule, blaming the government's planned price cap.

Heralding a new regulatory battle, the Italian competition authority said it suspected the carrier of exploiting a dominant position "to extend its power" in other sectors such as hotels and car rentals, to the detriment of travel agencies.

Ryanair allegedly limits travel agencies' ability to buy tickets from its website, thus restricting their capacity to offer accommodation and transport services alongside plane tickets, the authority said.

The Italian government has asked the same regulator to police the price of flights to islands, modifying an original decree to cap airfares announced in August.

Eddie Wilson, the chief executive of Ryanair DAC, the biggest airline in the Ryanair group, said the airline opposed the measure despite the modification.

He also said Ryanair welcomes the antitrust agency's investigation, saying it should take into account other aspects and "bring transparency for everybody", as quoted by the ANSA news agency.

During a visit to Sicily, Wilson contrasted Ryanair's expansion of foreign flights to and from the island with the reduction on domestic routes.

"Italian domestic growth has sadly been negatively impacted by the Italian government's unlawful price cap decree to restrict airlines freedom to set low air fares," Wilson said in a statement.

Ryanair has already reduced its domestic schedule for flights to Sardinia over the winter.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini and Keith Weir; editing by Cristina Carlevaro, Jason Neely and Barbara Lewis)
A view shows windows of a government building that were broken during a protest following the launch of a military operation by Azerbaijani forces in the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, in Yerevan, Armenia, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Irakli Gedenidze

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Ethnic Armenians in Azerbaijan's breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh agreed to a Russian proposal for a ceasefire on Wednesday, including the complete disarmament of their military force after Azerbaijan began an military operation.

What do we know so far about the ceasefire?

WHAT DID KARABAKH ARMENIANS SAY?

The self-styled "Republic of Artsakh" said in a statement that Azerbaijan had broken through its lines and seized a number of strategic points while the world had stood by, doing nothing.

It said its forces had inflicted heavy losses on the enemy - something Reuters could not independently confirm - despite being heavily outnumbered and outgunned.

"Unfortunately, the Artsakh side also suffered losses and injuries, and in some areas the enemy managed to penetrate the combat positions of the defense army, capture a number of heights and strategic road junctions," the statement said.

"In the current situation, the actions of the international community to end the war and resolve the situation are inadequate. Considering all this, the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accept the proposal of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent to cease fire."

WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?

The Karabakh Armenian statement said the ceasefire would be effective from 13:00 local time on Wednesday.

It said the separatist forces would disband and disarm. The statement spoke of regular Armenian forces also withdrawing from Karabakh. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had said on Tuesday that his country was not involved in military operations and "does not have an army in Nagorno-Karabakh".

WHAT DID AZERBAIJAN SAY?

Azerbaijan confirmed the ceasefire. Azerbaijan's state news agency said that the separatists had surrendered.

It said Armenian armed forces stationed in the Karabakh region and all "illegal armed groups" would disarm. All ammunition and heavy military equipment would be handed over, it said.

Russia's peacekeeping contingent would help coordinate the ceasefire, it said.

Baku said a meeting between Armenian residents living in Karabakh with Azerbaijani authorities would take place on Sept. 21.

WHAT DID RUSSIA SAY?

Moscow said the Russian peacekeeping contingent was continuing to perform its duties, albeit in aggravated conditions, and provide assistance to civilians.

The Kremlin rejected Armenian assertions that Russia had not done enough to prevent fighting in Nagorno-Karabakh, saying the matter concerned Azerbaijan's actions on its own territory.

Its spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the timing of a phone call between President Vladimir Putin and Armenia's Pashinyan was still being determined.

WHAT DID ARMENIA SAY?

Pashinyan was quoted by Russia's Interfax news agency as saying Armenia had noted the decision by Karabakh authorities to agree to a ceasefire but that Yerevan had not been involved in preparing the text of the agreement.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken attends breakfast with the Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council Nations, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in New York, U.S. Third from left is Oman Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al-Busai

CAIRO (Reuters) - Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the U.S. renewed calls for Iran to fully cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the countries said in a joint statement.

The statement came after a meeting of the GCC Arab foreign ministers, the U.S. Secretary of State and GCC Secretary-General in New York.

Iran barred multiple International IAEA's inspectors assigned to oversee Tehran's atomic activities in a move described by the U.N. nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, as "disproportionate and unprecedented."

Iran's move was a response to a call led by the United States, Britain, France and Germany at the IAEA's Board of Governors meeting last week for Tehran to cooperate immediately with the IAEA on issues including explaining uranium traces found at undeclared sites.

(Reporting by Enas Alashray and Muhammad Al Gebaly; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Sonali Paul)
A sign outside the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara temple is seen after the killing on its grounds in June 2023 of Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada September 18, 2023. REUTERS/Chris Helgren

By Jarrett Renshaw and Kanishka Singh

(Reuters) -The White House is "deeply concerned" about allegations that Indian agents were potentially involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Canada and encourages India to cooperate in any investigation, national security spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Monday that domestic intelligence agencies were actively pursuing credible allegations tying New Delhi's agents to the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in British Columbia in June.

"We are deeply concerned" Kirby said of the allegations.

He added, "We encourage India to fully cooperate."

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has categorically rejected Canada's suspicions that Indian agents had links to the murder.

The dispute deals a fresh blow to diplomatic ties that have been fraying for years, with New Delhi unhappy over Sikh separatist activity in Canada.

Kirby said that news reports that the U.S. rejected or brushed off Canada's allegations are untrue.

"There's been some press speculation out there ... that the United States rebuffed Canada in terms of talking about their investigation, and I just want to stress that those reports are just flatly false, untrue," Kirby said.

The Washington Post reported on Tuesday that weeks before Trudeau's allegations against India, Canada had asked its closest allies, including the U.S., to publicly condemn the Sikh separatist leader's killing, but the requests were turned down.

The killing of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was raised privately by several senior officials of the Five Eyes intelligence sharing nations in the weeks before this month's Group of 20 summit in New Delhi, the Washington Post had reported. The Five Eyes alliance of intelligence sharing includes Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the U.S. and Canada.

The Canadian foreign ministry also said that claims that "Canada asked allies to publicly condemn the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and were subsequently rebuffed, are false."

(Reporting By Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Leslie Adler and Timothy Gardner and Bill Berkrot)
FILE PHOTO: A member of media works outside the India's new parliament building before its inauguration in New Delhi, India, May 28, 2023. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi/File Photo

By Rupam Jain

NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India's parliament on Wednesday approved a landmark bill to reserve a third of its seats in the lower house and state assemblies for women to boost female participation in politics that had been disproportionately low for decades.

Women now comprise nearly half of India's 950 million registered voters but only 15% of lawmakers in parliament and 10% in state assemblies, leaving the world's largest democracy at the bottom of global rankings on gender parity in legislatures.

The bill, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Tuesday in the new parliament building's special session, secured the support of all opposition party leaders.

"The proposal has been passed with more than a two-thirds majority of the members present in the house," Speaker Om Birla said after the voting.

More than 450 MPs from across party lines voted in favour of the bill, two MPs voted against and about 80 were not present.

The bill now requires the approval - widely expected - of lawmakers in the upper house and a majority of state assemblies.

"It has been a long and tiring journey for women to secure equal political rights and finally history has been created today," said Najma Heptulla, a former federal lawmaker who for decades had advocated the legislation.

Six attempts to pass the bill had fallen short since it was first introduced in 1996, at times due to vehement resistance from lawmakers in conservative Hindi heartland states.

The 33% reservation for women will not apply to the upper houses of parliament and state legislatures.

Seeking support from the growing number of Indian women who vote, Modi's party had planned to nominate women for a third of seats contested in the 2024 general election even before this bill was introduced.

"The Women's Reservation Bill is a mark of respect and the beginning of a new era," Home Minister Amit Shah told parliament.

The bill's implementation depends on the completion of India's once-in-a-decade census, which was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Technical and logistical hurdles have set the survey back further.

(Additional reporting by Shivam Patel, Nigam Prusty; editing by Toby Chopra and Mark Heinrich)
JAKARTA (Reuters) - An Indonesian court sentenced a woman to two years in prison this week for violating the country's blasphemy law after she posted a video on social media site TikTok in which she said a Muslim prayer before eating pork.

Indonesia is the largest Muslim-majority nation in the world and pork is considered 'haram,' or not permissible, under Islam.

Lina Lutfiawati, also known as Lina Mukherjee, who identifies as being Muslim according to court documents, posted a video TikTok in March in which she said the prayer, which translates to 'in the name of God', before eating crispy pork skin.

The court in the Indonesian city of Palembang, on Sumatra island, sentenced Lina for her actions on Tuesday and found she deliberately "spread information that was intended to incite hate or individual/group enmity based on religion," according to a court document.

It ordered her to pay a fine of 250 million rupiah ($16,249.59).

Critics have said Indonesia's strict blasphemy laws have been used to erode a long-standing reputation for tolerance and diversity in the Southeast Asian country.

After the trial, Lina told reporters that she was surprised with the verdict.

"I know that I am wrong but I did not expect this punishment," Lina said on the local news station MetroTV.

Usman Hamid, executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia, said the blasphemy article in Indonesian law has been abused to target minority groups and dissenters.

"It contravenes Indonesias international obligations in relation to respect and protection for freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, freedom of opinion and expression," he said.

The blasphemy law has mostly been used against those deemed to have insulted Islam, including Jakarta's former Christian governor Basuki "Ahok" Purnama, who was sentenced to two years in prison in 2017 for blasphemy, on charges widely seen as politically motivated.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), a top body of clerics, told the court that Lina's action was blasphemous against Islam, according to the court document.

($1 = 15,385.0000 rupiah)

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto and Ananda Teresia; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi gestures to the audience inside the United Nations General Assembly hall as he completes his address to the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File photo

By Parisa Hafezi

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Tuesday that the United States should prove its "goodwill and determination" to revive Tehran's 2015 nuclear pact as months of indirect talks between the long-time foes have led nowhere.

"By exiting the JCPOA, the United States violated the agreement and the principle of good faith. America should demonstrate its goodwill and determination," Raisi said in a speech at the U.N. General Assembly, referring to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between Tehran and six world powers.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump reneged on that deal in 2018, arguing it was too generous to Tehran, and restored harsh U.S. sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to gradually violate the agreement's nuclear limits.

After taking office in January 2021, U.S. President Joe Biden tried to negotiate a revival of the nuclear pact under which Iran had restricted its nuclear program in return for relief from U.S., European Union and U.N. sanctions.

But months of nuclear talks have stalled since last September, with both sides accusing each other of demanding excessive concessions.

"America must build trust to demonstrate its good intentions and genuine willingness to fulfil its commitments and conclude the path," Raisi said.

U.S. and European officials have been searching for ways to curb Tehrans nuclear activities since the breakdown of indirect American-Iranian talks a year ago.

To cool tensions, Tehran and Washington reached a Qatar-mediated deal last month, which resulted in swapping five detainees each on Monday and involved releasing $6 billion of Tehran's funds in South Korea.

Further straining already difficult ties, the United States and its Western allies have imposed sanctions on Iran over its handling of months of protests sparked by the death in custody of young Iranian Kurdish women Mahsa Amini.

Immediately after Iran's Raisi began to deliver his speech, Israel's envoy to the U.N., Gilad Erdan, marched out of the General Assembly hall while waving Amini's picture.

"I left the speech to make it clear that the State of Israel stands by the Iranian people," said Erdan, according to a statement sent to Reuters by Israel's mission to the United Nations.

Iran and Israel, which Tehran refuses to recognise, have been locked in a shadow war for decades, with mutual allegations of sabotage and assassination plots.

(Reporting By Parisa Hafezi at the United Nations; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Howard Goller and Grant McCool)
A view shows an empty Palestinian passenger terminal as Israel bans Gaza workers in punitive measures over border protests, at the Erez crossing in northern Gaza Strip, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA (Reuters) -Israel shut crossing points with Gaza on Wednesday, preventing thousands of workers from getting to their jobs in Israel and the West Bank, after days of border demonstrations in which Israeli troops have opened fire on stone-throwing protesters.

Around 18,000 Gazans have permits from Israeli authorities to work outside the blockaded enclave, providing a vital injection of cash amounting to some $2 million a day to the impoverished territory's economy.

Protests backed by Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, have been held for days against issues ranging from the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails to Jewish visits to the Al Aqsa mosque compound, a site holy to both Muslims and Jews, who know it as the Temple Mount.

Demonstrators along the Gaza separation fence have hurled stones as well as improvised explosive devices, while Israeli troops have responded with tear gas and live fire.

The Israeli military on Wednesday said it used crowd dispersal methods against "over a hundred rioters gathered in a violent riot adjacent to the security fence" along the Gaza Strip.

"During the incident, a number of explosive devices were activated by the rioters," the military said.

On Tuesday, a Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli forces during the protests and 11 others were wounded. Four more were wounded by Israeli gunfire on Wednesday, according to Gaza health officials. A statement from a group calling itself "Youth of Revolution" vowed to continue the protest.

A spokesperson for Cogat, the Israeli Defence Ministry agency that coordinates with the Palestinians, confirmed that the Erez crossing into Gaza was closed and said it would be re-opened "in accordance with situational assessments". Cogat did not respond to requests for further details.

Egypt, which shares a border with Gaza and Israel, issued a statement calling for calm and urging Israel to avoid "collective punishment".

The border closure, following a brief ban on exports from Gaza earlier this month after inspectors found explosives in a consignment of goods, will add pressure to an economy already under strain due to blockades imposed by Israel and Egypt.

"We are too afraid the crossing won't open anytime soon and I go back to living in poverty and need," said one Gaza father of five, who has been sleeping at the Palestinian side of Erez crossing since Sunday evening.

According to IMF figures, per capita income in Gaza is only a quarter of the level in the West Bank and unemployment is running at nearly 50%, according to the World Bank.

Ayman Abu Krayyem, spokesman of the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Labour, said that as a result of the closure 8,000 workers who returned to Gaza because of Israeli Jewish holidays have been stranded in the territory since the ban.

Over the past few weeks, the military said its soldiers had been using riot dispersal means against Palestinians throwing explosives at the border fence along the Gaza Strip.

Egypt and Qatar, two key mediators during previous rounds of fighting, were talking to the two sides in a bid to prevent a slide into a new wave of armed confrontation, said one Palestinian official familiar with those efforts.

(Reporting by Nidal Almughrabi; editing by William Maclean, Mark Heinrich and Bill Berkrot)
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli cybersecurity firm Legit Security said on Wednesday it raised $40 million in a private funding round led by venture capital fund CRV.

Existing investors Cyberstarts, Bessemer Venture Partners, and TCV also participated.

Since its founding in September 2020, Legit has raised a total of $77 million.

Funds from the early stage Series B financing will be used to expand sales, marketing and R&D, as well as to address the emerging threat of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) in the development of new applications, Legit said.

It noted that its customer base includes brands such as Google, the NYSE, Kraft Heinz and Takeda Pharmaceuticals.

On Tuesday, Israeli cyber firm Cato Networks said it raised $238 million in a late stage funding round, valuing the company at $3 billion. Israel has emerged as a global leader in cyber security in recent years.

(Reporting by Steven Scheer)
The Italian coast guard rescues, off the coast of Lampedusa, a drifting barge loaded with migrants trying to reach Europe through the Mediterranean. They are transferred to a military ship and taken to the port. At the dock, they will be identified and treated by doctors. Then they will go to the buses that will take them to the reception center, where they will stay for a few days until they leave the island on a boat heading to the reception centers in Sicily or the mainland. To the tourists who, a few feet from the landing area, mix with the locals in the urban center  full of bars with terraces and shops  after a day at the beach, in the bustle of a September Sunday afternoon (still high season in Lampedusa), they are barely ghosts.

The beaches, restaurants, and hotels are still full. In the most prosperous years, up to 30,000 tourists, mostly Italian, come to this island of about 6,000 residents. There is no data to suggest that immigration harms in any way the economic activity of Lampedusa.

A group of migrants arriving this past Monday in Lampedusa. CIRO FUSCO (EFE)

On summer nights, the streets of the center of the island become an open-air party, with concerts that go on well into the early hours of the morning and souvenir shops still open after midnight. Not far from there, in the church square, long lines of migrants wait to receive a plate of hot food. Although this happens almost every day, they do not come across the tourists, who dine on the terraces of nearby restaurants.

This week has been unusual in every sense. Nearly 12,000 migrants arrived in Lampedusa in just a few days, and the exception that proves the rule occurred: a group of boys from the Gambia, Liberia, Ivory Coast and Nigeria who had just landed on the island danced with tourists and locals to the rhythm of Bob Marleys reggae. This almost never happens. But most of the neighbors, who have gone out of their way to bring clothes, blankets, water and food, celebrate it as a sign of welcome and normality.

Two reception systems coexist in Lampedusa: one for tourists and one for migrants arriving through the Mediterranean. Some see the island as a holiday paradise. For others, who are fleeing hunger, natural disasters or war, it represents the gateway to Europe, the end of a dangerous sea voyage in which they risk their lives. To date, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 2,000 people who left North Africa trying to reach Italy have died in the central Mediterranean.

Tourists watch a group of migrants in Lampedusa on September 15. CIRO FUSCO (EFE)

Nevertheless, a tourist could spend weeks on the island without ever knowing what is taking place just a short distance away. Everything is organized so that the immigration issue does not interfere with local life. There are two parallel channels that do not intersect. When everything is working normally, tourists dont see migrants. These days of emergency there were migrants on the streets, asking peacefully for food, water. Some chose to offer them assistance, while others chose not to, Giusi Nicolini, former mayor of Lampedusa, explains to EL PAIS.

In general, many people who live or work in Lampedusa explain that there are very few points where the experiences of those who arrive by sea on an iron barge coincide with those of the rest of the people on the island.

The reception center is located approximately 1.5 miles from the port, nestled on a small hill, in an area with no hotels or vacation homes. Less than half a mile away, there is a landfill. Seeing the place from the central streets with the naked eye is impossible. In the urban area of Lampedusa, populated by a swarm of sun-drenched low houses, a mural depicts the drama that migrants go through when they take to the sea to reach Europe.

Filippo Mannino, the head of a right-wing coalition, has been the mayor of Lampedusa for a little over a year. Among other things, he has kept in force an ordinance that prohibits people housed in the reception center from leaving the premises. This rule was implemented in 2020 due to the pandemic, and, even though the health reasons no longer apply, the politician decided to maintain it. Currently, only those who have the strength to jump the fence and elude the army  which patrols the outside of the facility  can leave the reception center.

Protesting the government management

Recently, Mannino suggested, without evidence, that if the management of immigrants is too visible, it becomes detrimental to tourism. The goal of the government and this administration must be to minimize the impact of the reception in this territory, because we actually live from tourism and we want to continue living from it, he stated. The vice mayor, Attilo Lucia, has echoed this message and has encouraged the locals to protest against Romes migration management.

The former mayor, Giusi Nicolini (who a decade ago, in the midst of the refugee crisis, exported an exciting message of welcome that was replicated by many local governments of Europe) rejects that vision. The presence of migrants is not a problem; if that was the case, this island would be at risk of depopulation. Instead, it is a place that is growing demographically and where profits from tourism are increasing more and more. In fact, it is a positive example that shows that coexistence is possible, and that welcoming people harms no one, she says.

We came to spend a few days relaxing at the sea. We met a group of boys asking for food and water. We gave it to them and chatted with them for a while. We learned their stories. It was going to be a normal vacation, and it became an enriching experience, says Ilaria Benedetti, a Roman tourist who visited the island with her husband and two children.

Many local workers do not think that immigration will affect the islands image. We barely see the migrants, because they arrive in the boats, and theyre taken directly from the port to the reception center. Their arrival does not affect tourism in any way, why would it? Hotels and restaurants continue to hang signs announcing that they are full; that is the proof, says Emanuele, a taxi driver. Immigration and tourism are different things, agrees Luciana, who works in a craft store.

One of the few places where tourists and migrants do meet is the islands outpatient clinic, which is divided into three sections: one for the locals, the emergency section for tourists (active from mid-June to mid-September) and the unit that cares for migrants. The three sections are located in different parts of the outpatient clinic, but they share the same waiting room. Here, a tourist injured by a jellyfish on the beach and a woman arriving from Libya with signs of violence after months in immigration detention centers can find themselves sitting next to each other.

The islands small cemetery is another space that everyone shares. There, the graves of the migrants who lost their lives in the water are not far from the rest. For years (until it ran out of space) some foreign victims of the sea were buried there in unmarked graves that read: Here lies an unidentified immigrant. Someone left flowers and a small wooden boat on them, and decorated them with drawings. The IOM estimates that, since 2014, approximately 17,000 people have disappeared in the waters of the Mediterranean while trying to reach Europe.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
By Yukiko Toyoda and Tim Kelly

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's rapid military build-up is worrying residents of the Okinawa islands close to Taiwan, their governor said Thursday, further straining already fraught ties between the region and the government of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo.

Kishida unveiled a plan in December to double Japan's defence spending over five years in a bid to deter China from using military force against Taiwan that could also threaten its territory.

Much of that build-up will be in Okinawa, which has been at odds with the central government for decades for allowing a heavy U.S. military presence there.

"Without explaining things to residents, and without winning their understanding, they've made a plan and are rushing to implement it," the governor, Denny Tamaki, said in an interview.

"We must never allow people in Okinawa to go through the same horrible experience that we went through" in World War Two, he added.

Up to a third of Okinawans died in that conflict, some at the hands of Japanese troops, during a bloody U.S. campaign to take the islands, leaving a lingering resentment against Tokyo.

The strategic value of Okinawa, however, is rising as concern about recent China's military activity grows in Washington and Tokyo.

Beijing fired missiles into the sea near Okinawa last year after a visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, then speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tamaki, the son of a U.S. Marine and a Japanese mother, spoke from Geneva via video link.

He was visiting the Swiss city to address the United Nations Human Rights Council in a bid to garner international support for his opposition to a Japanese plan to relocate U.S. military units from the Futenma air station in Okinawa's densely populated south to a base in Henoko in the north.

Many of those living nearby oppose the expansion, which includes the construction of a runway over a coral reef. Tamaki wants the government to move the U.S. troops elsewhere in Japan instead.

"Many people in Japan say there's nothing wrong with a military build-up in Okinawa, but Japan's security is an issue for all of Japan and is an issue everyone should think about," Tamaki added.

(Reporting by Tim Kelly; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
By Juliette Jabkhiro and Noemie Olive

PARIS (Reuters) -Britain's King Charles arrived in France on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, during which he and President Emmanuel Macron will hope to build on symbolism and personal bonds to turn the page on years of rocky relations between the two nations.

The king and his wife, Queen Camilla, were the guests of honour at a state dinner in the 17th-century Versailles palace, where blue lobster and a selection of French and English cheeses were on the menu.

"Despite Brexit and because our ties are so old, I know that we will continue to write together part of our continent's history," Macron said in a toast.

More than 150 guests were invited to the banquet at the sumptuous palace, including British actor Hugh Grant, rock star Mick Jagger, French billionaire Bernard Arnault and former Arsenal football coach Arsene Wenger.

Earlier, Charles and Camilla were greeted on arrival at Paris' Orly airport by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, before heading to a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, where they paid tribute to French and British soldiers who died in two world wars.

They then drove down the Champs-Elysees avenue in a French DS car, waving at the thin crowds that had gathered along the tree-lined boulevard. At one point, Charles and Macron stood up through the open roof of the car to wave.

"I like the royal family, because it's something out of reach, it makes you dream, they have a special status. And also for the gossip!" said Rozalie Zackova, a 28-year-old Czech who works in marketing in Paris.

The visit comes as French and British citizens feel the pinch of inflation at multi-decade highs, and the dinner at Versailles, a symbol of privilege, has been criticised by some as insensitive.

"The French complain all the time, anyway," shrugged Marie-Noelle Ahanso, a 62-year-old employee, whose only complaint was that Charles was not driving down the Champs-Elysees in a carriage - which she said would have allowed well-wishers to see him better.

On Thursday, Charles, Camilla, Macron and his wife Brigitte will visit the Notre-Dame cathedral to view restoration works following a massive blaze in 2019 that destroyed its roof.

Charles and Camilla will then head to the southwestern city of Bordeaux on Friday, where excursions will include a visit to an organic vineyard.

The king, a fluent French speaker like his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, is keen to walk in her footsteps and referred to Elizabeth's deep affection for France, with the trip also being a chance to rebuild ties that have been frayed by Britain's chaotic exit from the EU in 2020.

"We must reinvigorate our friendship so that it is up to the challenges of the 21st century," Charles said in a toast at the banquet.

'ENTENTE RENEWED'

"He's an authentic francophile," Adelaide de Clermont-Tonnerre, editor-in-chief of French celebrity magazine Point de Vue, told Reuters. "His mother was an icon, she had become Europe's grandmother. Charles had a more polarising life."

Charles had hoped for a state visit to France to have been his first as king, but a March trip was postponed due to tense protests in France over pension reforms, much to Macron's embarrassment.

On their second attempt at meeting in France, the 74-year-old king and the 45-year-old president set out to build on a relationship already bolstered by their communications over Notre-Dame. Charles had written to Macron when the cathedral burnt down, and the pair also share interests in climate and heritage, royal aides and royal watchers said.

"They're both intellectuals, erudite men," Clermont-Tonnerre said. "And they both had to impose an unconventional, much-decried love story."

Camilla, 76, Charles's second wife after the much-loved and popular Princess Diana died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, will launch a new book prize in Paris with the French president's wife.

The warm words, visits and symbolic gestures come after several tense years over the negotiation of Britain's exit in 2020 from the European Union, and after that, rows over issues ranging from immigration to the sale of submarines.

Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss once said the jury was out on whether France was a friend or foe, before settling on calling it a friend last year. Her successor, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, visited France in March to kick off what he called an "entente renewed".

Still, some Parisians remained sceptical about the visit.

"He's just the son, they are old already, we don't have a long history," said 88-year-old Mireille Mauve.

Fifteen-year-old Alexia Aubert said: "I think since Elizabeth died, the royal family isn't as important as it was."

(Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau, Michel Rose, Noemie Olive, Juliette Jabkhiro and Louise Dalmasso in Paris, Michael Holden in London; Writing by Ingrid Melander and Michel Rose; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Alex Richardson and Marguerita Choy)
By Parisa Hafezi, Jonathan Landay and Arshad Mohammed

UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Qatar held separate bilateral meetings with the United States and Iran this week that touched on Iran's nuclear program and U.S. concerns about Iranian drone transfers to Russia, two sources familiar with the matter said on Wednesday.

The sources said the meetings have not involved the kind of shuttle diplomacy Qatar conducted in Doha this year in which Qatari diplomats went back and forth between the two sides, ultimately leading to Monday's U.S.-Iran prisoner exchange.

Qatar, a wealthy Gulf Arab state with diplomatic ambitions, is pressing both sides to engage in more talks and reach "understandings," sources told Reuters earlier.

One source, who like the others cited spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said meetings took place on Monday and Tuesday in New York on the sidelines of the annual U.N. General Assembly.

The second source, a diplomat in the Middle East briefed on the matter, said there would be additional bilateral talks this week, but did not provide details.

The diplomat described the New York meetings as "talks for talks," saying the idea was to lay the ground for future indirect discussions to achieve an "understanding" on the nuclear issue.

Iranian, Qatari and U.S. spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Relations between the United States and Iran, long-time antagonists, have been especially bitter since 2018 when then-President Donald Trump pulled out of a 2015 deal aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear ambitions and toughened U.S. sanctions.

Washington suspects Iran's nuclear program may be aimed at developing nuclear arms, a charge Iran denies.

The United States also says Iran has provided one-way attack drones for Russia to strike Ukraine and wants Tehran to stop. Iran says it has not provided Russia drones for use in Ukraine.

The Biden administration's efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal have failed and many diplomats now regard it as beyond resurrection because of Iran's nuclear advances.

U.S. officials have responded carefully when asked whether there would be indirect U.S.-Iran talks this week and have not outright denied the possibility even as they have suggested Washington is not currently engaged in such diplomacy.

"When it comes to perhaps the number one issue of concern, which is Iran's nuclear program, we continue to believe that diplomacy is the best way to get a sustainable, effective result," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday.

"We'll continue to see if there are opportunities for that. In this moment, we're not engaged on that, but we'll see in the future if there are opportunities," he added.

A European diplomat said he did not know whether Qatar had broached the nuclear and drone issues in bilateral meetings, but he voiced doubt it would have done so on Iran's atomic program.

"Nothing's impossible, but I'm skeptical, particularly on the nuclear issue where the mediation has generally been handled more by Oman," this diplomat said.

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi at the United Nations, Jonathan Landay in Washington and Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minnesota; Additional reporting by Humeyra Pamuk at the United Nations and John Irish in Paris; Writing by Arshad Mohammed; Editing by Howard Goller)
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addresses the 78th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, U.S., September 19, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

By Michelle Nichols, Gabriela Baczynska and Humeyra Pamuk

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, appearing in-person at the United Nations Security Council for the first time since Russia's invasion, sought to shore up support for Kyiv's right to defend itself during a contentious meeting on Wednesday.

While the council meeting put Zelenskiy at the same table as Russian diplomats, he did not cross paths with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Zelenskiy sat through the meeting's first hour and left before the arrival of Russia's top diplomat, who only entered the chamber to make a lengthy statement and then left.

"Ukraine exercises its right to self-defense," Zelenskiy told the 15-member council, dressed in his signature army green.

"Helping Ukraine with weapons in this exercise, by imposing sanctions and exerting comprehensive pressure on the aggressor, as well as voting for relevant resolutions, would mean helping to defend the U.N. Charter," he added.

Ukraine and Western countries have successfully isolated Russia diplomatically at the U.N., where the 193-member General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted several times to condemn the invasion and demand Moscow withdraw its troops.

Their argument: Russia has violated the 1945 U.N. Charter.

But Lavrov accused Western states of being selective in their use of the U.N. Charter, using it on "a case-by-case basis exclusively based on their parochial geopolitical needs."

"This has resulted in a shaking of global stability as well as the exacerbation and the fomenting of new hotbeds of tension - risks of global conflict have heightened," Lavrov said.

Zelenskiy noted the deadlock of the U.N. Security Council on Ukraine, which has met on Ukraine dozens of times since Russia's February 2022 invasion, but has been unable to take any action because Russia is a veto power.

"It is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor," Zelenskiy said.

Zelenskiy also spoke about an issue important to many U.N. members, particularly developing countries of the Global South - reform of the world body, specifically expansion of the Security Council.

"We need to act now. Our aspiration for peace should drive the reform," Zelenskiy said.

'STOP THE WAR'

Zelenskiy's visit to the United Nations, where he addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday, coincided with a pivotal moment for Ukraine's military campaign to eject Russian forces from Ukraine.

Public enthusiasm for the war effort is waning in many NATO countries, Ukraine's summer counteroffensive has hit stubborn Russian defenses and soon colder, wetter weather will make many rural roads impassable for heavy vehicles.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the council on Wednesday that Russia's war in Ukraine "is aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat, and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world."

Before the meeting started, Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia objected to Zelenskiy addressing the council, which is chaired by Albania for September, before the 15 members.

"I want to assure our Russian colleagues and everyone here that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency," Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama told Nebenzia. "There is a solution for this. If you agree, you stop the war and President Zelenskiy will not take the floor."

Russia has said it is carrying out a "special military operation" in Ukraine because that country's ambitions to integrate with the West - including NATO - pose a threat to Russia's national security.

On Thursday, Zelenskiy heads to Washington to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden, members of Congress and military officials to urge continued support for its war effort.

While a majority in Congress still support supplying military aid to Ukraine, skeptical voices among Republicans are growing louder as the war's cost rises.

Biden plans to announce a new military aid package during Zelenskiy's visit. In a speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden appealed to world leaders to stand with Ukraine against Russia, saying only Moscow has the power to end the war.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols, Humeyra Pamuk and Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Howard Goller and Don Durfee)
FILE PHOTO: U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai testifies before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on President Biden's trade policy agenda on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 31, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File Photo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa will host a U.S.-Africa trade summit in November despite an earlier call by U.S. lawmakers for the event to be moved over what they said was the country's deepening military relationship with Russia.

South Africa's economic hub, Johannesburg, will host the U.S.-sub-Saharan Africa Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum from Nov. 2 to 4, U.S. and South African officials said in a joint statement on Wednesday.

The meeting will discuss the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Washington's flagship trade programme for the continent, which grants tariff-free access to the U.S. market and is due to expire on Sept. 30, 2025.

"As President Biden has said, the future is Africa," United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in the statement. Tai said she looked forward to visiting South Africa to "discuss opportunities to make AGOA more transformative".

In the wake of Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, U.S. and European officials have attempted to rally opposition to Moscow's actions among African governments. Most African states, however, have shied away from taking sides.

Despite Pretoria's declared neutrality, perceived close ties between Russia and South Africa, an important U.S. trading partner in Africa, have ruffled feathers Washington.

In a June letter, leading members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate asked the Biden administration to choose another location for the U.S.-Africa trade meeting.

Pointing to South Africa's joint naval operations with China and Russia in February, and plans to host Russian President Vladimir Putin at a BRICS bloc summit, they also suggested South Africa's trade benefits under AGOA could be revoked.

The lawmakers appeared to back up an explosive accusation by the U.S. ambassador to South Africa that a Russian vessel under sanctions collected weapons at a South African naval base last year.

In the end, Putin, who is wanted under an International Criminal Court warrant on charges of war crimes in Ukraine, did not travel to the September BRICS summit. And a South African investigation into the purported arms delivery stated that the accusation was unfounded.

In Wednesday's statement, Ebrahim Patel, South Africa's trade minister, attempted to turn the page on the incident, calling for AGOA to be extended.

"An extension of AGOA beyond 2025 will promote inward investment in Africa and provide benefits to both the United States and African countries," he said.

(Reporting by Joe Bavier; editing by Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attends the ASEAN-South Korea Summit at the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 6, 2023. Tatan Syuflana/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

UNITED NATIONS/SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday that if Russia helped North Korea enhance its weapons programs in return for assistance for its war in Ukraine, it would be "a direct provocation" and Seoul and its allies would not stand idly by.

In a speech to the annual high-level U.N. General Assembly, Yoon said such a scenario would threaten the peace and security of not only Ukraine but also South Korea.

Yoon made the comments just as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un returned to Pyongyang from a week-long trip to Russia in which he and Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to boost military cooperation.

North Korea's nuclear and missile programs were not only an existential threat to South Korea, but a serious challenge to peace in the Indo-Pacific region and across the globe, Yoon said.

"It is paradoxical that a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, entrusted as the ultimate guardian of world peace, would wage war by invading another sovereign nation and receive arms and ammunition from a regime that blatantly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions," he said.

Seoul and Washington have expressed concern that Russia could be trying to acquire ammunition from North Korea to supplement stockpiles thinning as a result of its war in Ukraine, while Pyongyang seeks technological help for its nuclear and missile programs.

"If (North Korea) acquires the information and technology necessary to enhance its WMD capabilities in exchange for supporting Russia with conventional weapons, the deal will be a direct provocation, threatening the peace and security of not only Ukraine, but also the Republic of Korea," Yoon said.

"The Republic of Korea, together with its allies and partners will not stand idly by."

Any activities assisting North Korea's weapons programmes are banned under U.N. Security Council resolutions, and Putin has said Russia, one of the five permanent members of the Security Council, would "never violate anything."

A South Korean presidential aide rejected this, saying South Korea had been "watching military transactions take place for several months prior to the summit" between Kim and Putin.

On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia wants to expand ties with North Korea in all possible areas.

On Tuesday, South Korea's vice foreign minister, Chang Ho-jin, summoned Russia's ambassador to urge Moscow to abandon any potential arms deals with North Korea, warning of "clear consequences."

The South Korean presidential aide said discussions were underway with the United States and other countries to impose more sanctions on Russia and North Korea.

"The Security Council is divided ... and it is impossible to draw a unified position on Russia there, so for now there could be cohesive action within the solidarity of freedom, cantering around allies and friends," the official said.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin and David Brunnstrom; Editing by Grant McCool)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addresses the United Nations Security Council during a ministerial level meeting of the Security Council on the crisis in Ukraine at U.N. headquarters in New York, September 20, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar

By Gabriela Baczynska

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -It was to be Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskiy's first in- person appearance at a U.N. Security Council meeting on Moscow's invasion of his country when Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia objected to him taking the floor at the start of the meeting.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, serving as president of the tense session, responded with a gibe at Moscow, which has long said the invasion does not amount to a war but was a mere "special military operation".

"I want to assure our Russian colleagues and everyone here that this is not a special operation by the Albanian presidency," Rama, known for a piercing sense of humor, said to muted laughter across the room.

"There is a solution for this," Rama continued, addressing Nebenzia directly: "If you agree, you stop the war and President Zelenskiy will not take the floor."

Nebenzia did not agree. He went on to say the session was a show and criticized Rama for what he said was making politically charged statements rather than acting as a neutral guardian of procedure.

After the session, Zelenskiy thanked Rama on social media, saying the Albanian, who is both an artist and former basketball player, "showed the world how to correctly handle Russia, its lies, and its hypocrisy."

In seeking to justify its invasion, Moscow has said Ukraine's ambitions to integrate with the West - including NATO - pose a threat to Russia's national security, an assertion that Kyiv and its allies deny as a baseless pretext to attack.

When given the floor after the back-and-forth, Zelenskiy asked Russia be stripped of its veto right as one of five permanent members of the post-World War Two U.N. Security Council as punishment for attacking Ukraine.

Appearing in the room after Zelenskiy left, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended Moscow's use of the veto as legitimate, accusing Kyiv and the West of selectively following principles of the 1945 U.N. Charter only when it suits them.

(Reporting by Gabriela Baczynska; Editing by Howard Goller)
FILE PHOTO: A Swedish flag hangs outside a store on a busy street as visitors walk past in the background in the old town of Stockholm, Sweden, July 14, 2023 REUTERS/Tom Little/File Photo

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - A Swedish appeals court on Wednesday upheld the guilty verdict of a man charged with attempting to finance the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), in a ruling that could affect the likelihood of Turkey ratifying Sweden's NATO application.

Ankara accuses Sweden of harbouring members of militant groups on its territory and has said it must crack down on them before it can join NATO.

The PKK, deemed a terrorist group by the European Union - to which Sweden belongs - and the United States as well as by Turkey, took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984.

A lower court in July sentenced Yahya Gungor, a Turkish Kurd, to four years and six months in prison followed by deportation for gun crime, attempted extortion and attempted funding of terrorism.

The Svea Court of Appeal found, as the district court had also done, that Gungor had tried to pressure a Kurdish businessman in Stockholm at gunpoint to pay money to the PKK.

In a statement, it said it upheld the Stockholm district court's verdict apart from the deportation decision, which it annulled.

"The Court of Appeal ... makes the assessment that there will be obstacles to enforcing the deportation once the man has served his sentence," it said.

Sweden has said it has fulfilled demands agreed upon in negotiations with Turkey, including introducing a new bill that makes being a member of a terrorist organization illegal.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said recently that he would forward the ratification of Sweden's bid to parliament in the autumn but that he expects Stockholm to take steps against terrorism in return for Ankara's approval.

Sweden and neighbouring Finland applied for NATO membership last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finland joined the alliance in April.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom; Editing by Gareth Jones)
By Arathy Somasekhar and Jonathan Saul

HOUSTON (Reuters) - An oil tanker confiscated by the United States for carrying Iranian oil and diverted to the U.S. Gulf Coast, was headed to the Bahamas on Wednesday under a new name, ship tracking data showed.

The tanker Suez Rajan was the subject of attention this year for carrying more than 980,000 barrels of contraband Iranian crude oil, which was confiscated by the U.S. in a sanctions enforcement operation.

It was unable to unload the Iranian crude for nearly two and half months over fears of secondary sanctions on vessels used to unload it. It was renamed the St Nikolas after unloading the cargoes.

The vessel fully unloaded the Iranian crude this month and the Suez Rajan Ltd company pleaded guilty in April. It was sentenced to three years of corporate probation and a fine of almost $2.5 million, according to legal documents.

Empire Navigation continued to operate Suez Rajan under its new name, shipping data showed. The vessel was sailing empty and reported Freeport, Bahamas, as its next destination, according to LSEG ship tracking data.

Infrastructure and logistics provider Buckeye Partners has crude oil terminal storage in Freeport, Bahamas.

Empire Navigation and Buckeye did not immediately respond to requests for comments.

(Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston and Jonathan Saul in London)
FILE PHOTO: Civilians get out of a truck during an evacuation performed by Russian peacekeepers at an unknown location following the launch of a military operation by Azerbaijani forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, a region inhabited by ethnic Armenians, in this

YEREVAN (Reuters) - Thousands of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh on Wednesday massed at the airport where some Russian peacekeepers are based after separatist forces agreed to a ceasefire which would see them surrender to Azerbaijan.

Separatists running the self-styled "Republic of Artsakh" urged the population of 120,000 not to rush to the airport in the capital which they call Stepanakert.

"We once again urge the population of Stepanakert not to succumb to panic and not to go to the airport on their own initiative in order to evacuate," the separatists said.

Pictures from Karabakh showed thousands of people at the airport, some with young children.

Separatist leaders have repeatedly accused Azerbaijan of wanting to ethnically cleanse Karabakh. Baku rejects such accusations and says it will protect the rights of the area's ethnic Armenian civilians under its own constitution.

Armenians, who are Christians, claim a long historical dominance in the area, dating back to several centuries before Christ.

Azerbaijan, whose inhabitants are mostly Muslim, links its historical identity to the territory too. It accuses the Armenians of driving out Azerbaijanis who lived nearby in the 1990s. It wants to gain full control over the region which is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan.

Under the ceasefire agreement, representatives of the Armenians in Karabakh are due to hold a meeting on Thursday with Azerbaijani authorities.

Russia said its peacekeepers were performing their role.

Moscow said there were 2,261 people, including 1,049 children, sheltering at the peacekeepers' base camp.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
A handout photo made available by the State Emergency Service shows Ukrainian rescuers putting out a fire of industrial storage after shock drone debris fell on it, in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, Ukraine, 19 September 2023.

Russia launched a massive drone attack on the western city of Lviv early Tuesday, burning down a warehouse said to house humanitarian supplies and killing one man, Ukrainian authorities said. It was one of at least three deadly attacks in different cities.

Ukraine intercepted most of the 30 Shahed drones overnight, the countrys air force said. But drones that got through air defense systems sparked an inferno at the industrial storage facility, Gov. Maksym Kozytsky said.

The U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine condemned the drone strikes and said they had burned down a charitys warehouse that contained vital relief supplies. Denise Brown said the attack violated international humanitarian law that protects workers, facilities and supplies.

Attacks impacting humanitarian assets have escalated throughout the year and ultimately impact those who are suffering the horrific consequences of the war, Brown said.

In other Russian attacks, a guided aerial bomb killed three civilians in Kupyansk, a city in the eastern Kharkiv region, and an artillery strike in Kherson in the south struck a bus, killing a police sergeant and wounding two men, Ukrainian officials said. That strike also torched a warehouse.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year. Troops from both sides are currently engaged in fierce battles in the countrys east, where Ukrainian forces are making slow but steady advances as part of a grinding counteroffensive.

On Tuesday, Russia blamed Ukraine for an explosion that struck a market in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region two weeks ago, killing at least 16 people and injuring more than 30 others.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Ukraine had fired the missile from a Buk surface-to-air missile system which struck the city of Kostiantynivka on Sept. 6. In her Telegram post, she pointed to a New York Times investigation published Monday, which cited evidence suggesting it was an errant Ukrainian missile that exploded over the market.

Even if the action wasnt premeditated, its obvious to everyone that a complete demilitarization of the Kyiv regime isnt merely a demand but an acute necessity, Zakharova declared.

Ukraines SBU state security service rejected the findings of the New York Times report, saying that an ongoing investigation so far showed the attack was carried out by Russia. Missile fragments found at the scene were identified as a S-300 surface-to-air missile, it said.

Doubts have emerged about the origin of the strike after the NYT report, which cited evidence  including missile fragments, satellite imagery and witnesses  that suggested Ukraine had fired an air defense missile that failed to hit its intended target.

Kyiv blamed Russia for the attack at the time, with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy calling it a deliberate strike at a civilian area. The White House also blamed Russia for the attack, one of the deadliest bombardments of civilians in the 18-month-old war.

Throughout the war, Russian officials have repeatedly claimed without offering evidence that strikes on apartment buildings and civilian infrastructure in Ukraine came from the Ukrainian forces. It was the case again with the Sept. 6 strike on Kostyantynivka, when Russian officials quickly pointed the finger at Ukraine.

Speaking at the United Nations after the attack, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused the West of covering up what he described as a horrible crime and a terrible provocation by Ukraine.

Zelenskiy meanwhile was in New York preparing to address the U.N. General Assembly and the Security Council before traveling to Washington on Thursday to meet with lawmakers and President Joe Biden.

Zelenskiy has continued to drum up funding and support for new weapons as the counteroffensive Ukraine launched in June approaches what could be its final weeks before wet weather slows progress. Ukraine has made small advances but no major breakthroughs.

Other allies pledged money and weapons at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
FILE PHOTO: Andrew Lester, who was charged in the shooting of Black teenager Ralph Yarl after the boy mistakenly went to the wrong house to pick up his siblings, arrives for his initial court appearance before Judge Louis Angles in Kansas City, Missouri,

(Reuters) - An October 2024 jury trial was scheduled for an 84-year-old white Missouri man charged for shooting and wounding a Black teenager who had mistakenly walked up to the man's Kansas City house in April, after he pleaded not guilty again on Wednesday.

Defendant Andrew Lester was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action for shooting Ralph Yarl, 16, on the doorstep of his suburban home on April 13.

Lester pleaded not guilty at an arraignment six days later, and again on Wednesday in Clay County Circuit Court, where his case was moved in August because the first court could not try felony cases, according to assistant Clay County prosecutor and spokesperson Alexander Higginbotham.

Lester faces a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted of first-degree assault, and up to 15 years in prison for the armed criminal action charge.

The encounter between Lester and Yarl occurred when the teenager walked up to Lester's house late at night by accident, mistaking it for another home nearby with a similar address where Yarl intended to pick up his younger siblings, according to authorities.

Lester fired two shots through a glass door with a .32-caliber revolver, according to prosecutors. Yarl was struck in the head and an arm, apparently before crossing the threshold or exchanging any words with Lester, according to Clay County prosecutor Zachary Thompson.

Local media, however, reported that court documents indicate Yarl reported to police who interviewed him at the hospital that Lester told him: "Don't come around here."

An attorney for Yarl's family called for prosecutors to file hate-crime charges, but they carry lesser penalties in Missouri than the two counts Lester faces. Thompson has said the case has "a racial component," without elaborating.

Lester was freed on his own recognizance soon after being detained following the shooting. His swift release fueled days of protest before he was charged days later and he turned himself back in to police.

(Reporting by Julia Harte; Editing by Will Dunham)
BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Two people, including a police officer, were killed and several others injured in an explosion during a police operation in the northern city of Esztergom, online media reported on Wednesday.

Police and spokesmen for the Hungarian prosecution service declined immediate comment.

Hungarian online media reported that the blast went off in a house on the outskirts of the city near the Slovak border as police responded to a threat. Local media said the explosion also killed the perpetrator, who was yet to be identified.

In a Facebook post, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban expressed condolences to a police officer killed on duty without specifically referring to the incident reported in local media.

His ruling Fidesz parliamentary group also said in a statement that a police officer was killed in an explosion in the northern city of Esztergom. Local media said several police officers were also injured and taken to hospital.

(Reporting by Gergely Szakacs and Boldizsar Gyori; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
FILE PHOTO: A man looks at a residential building, where he resides, which was damaged by what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces, in the eastern Ukrainian town of Slaviansk June 12, 2014. Ukraine's new president signaled on Wednesday h

GENEVA (Reuters) - A United Nations expert has urged the United States to reconsider its decision to supply Ukraine with cluster munitions, saying these could harm civilians even decades after the end of the conflict there, a letter published on Wednesday showed.

In her letter to the U.S. government, Alice Jill Edwards, a U.N. Special Rapporteur, said that cluster munitions "indiscriminately and seriously injure civilians both at the time of use and in post-conflict" and should not be used.

"I respectfully urge Your Excellency's Government to reconsider the decision to transfer cluster munitions and to halt any plan towards the implementation of such decision," Edwards, the special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, wrote in the letter.

The publication of the letter, dated July 14, comes days after U.S. officials said the Biden administration was close to approving the shipment of longer-range missiles packed with cluster bombs to Ukraine to give Kyiv the ability to cause significant damage deeper within Russian-occupied territory.

Cluster munitions are prohibited by more than 100 countries. Russia, Ukraine and the United States have not signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which bans production, stockpiling, use and transfer of the weapons.

They typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Those that fail to explode pose a danger long after a conflict ends.

"Women, children and the elderly are most likely to be killed in indiscriminate attacks against civilian populations," Edwards said in a statement accompanying her letter.

"With cluster munitions, this is an enduring threat as they often fail to explode as intended on impact and can remain dangerous for decades."

(Reporting by Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
U.S. Circuit Judge Pauline Newman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit appears in an undated photo. U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit/Handout via REUTERS

By Blake Brittain and Nate Raymond

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on Wednesday suspended Judge Pauline Newman from hearing new cases amid a deepening clash over the 96-year-old jurist's mental competence to serve on the bench.

A council of judges on the Washington, D.C., court unanimously said Newman had failed to cooperate with an investigation into her fitness and barred her from hearing new cases for at least one year or until she sits for court-ordered medical examinations.

"We are acutely aware that this is not a fitting capstone to Judge Newman's exemplary and storied career," the council said, but added it had no choice when "a judge of this Court is no longer capable of performing the duties of her judicial office."

Such a public and contentious internal dispute over competency is highly unusual in the federal judiciary. Newman has defended her fitness, citing the opinions of two doctors, and filed a lawsuit in a separate Washington court seeking to move or halt the investigation.

Newman's attorney Greg Dolin said the council was "ignoring data or information or opinions that are inconsistent with its predetermined goals and outcomes," and that the judge would challenge the order and continue to press her claims in court.

A representative for the Federal Circuit declined to comment.

Newman, a highly-respected figure in patent law and a prominent dissenter, was appointed to the patent-focused Federal Circuit by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and is the oldest active U.S. federal judge.

Her case raises sensitive questions about America's aging federal judiciary, whose members are appointed to the bench for life and can be impeached but not forced to retire.

The average age of federal judges recently reached a record high of 69, according to a 2020 study in the Ohio State Law Journal by Francis Shen of Harvard Medical School.

The Federal Circuit's chief judge, Kimberly Moore, said in orders made public in April that Newman showed signs of cognitive and physical impairment and accused her of refusing to cooperate with inquiries into her mental health.

Court employees also described "memory loss, confusion, paranoia and angry rants" by Newman, according to documents released in August.

Newman's attorneys have long argued that Newman's own court should not preside over the competency probe. They said in a filing made public on Wednesday that the committee investigating her fitness was "interested in one thing and one thing only - keeping Judge Newman off the bench via the exercise of raw power."

U.S. Circuit Judge Edith Jones, a friend of Newman's on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, called the Federal Circuit tribunal "inherently biased" and said she hoped the "responsible parties in the Judicial Conference," the judiciary's national policymaking body, would intervene.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by David Bario and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: United States Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry addresses delegates during the Africa Climate Summit (ACS) 2023 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya, September 5, 2023. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File Photo

By Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. climate envoy John Kerry met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng in New York City on Tuesday, and emphasized the need for China to "raise ambition" in efforts to accelerate decarbonization and reduce emissions of methane, the State Department said.

THE TAKE

Kerry recently visited China and met his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua, with the two of them discussing policy measures and progress on actions both countries have taken to address climate change.

Kerry has been among a number of top U.S. officials from the administration of President Joe Biden to have visited China in recent months. Others who have made the visits include Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

KEY QUOTES

"Secretary Kerry reiterated the urgency of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, which will require ambitious action by the United States and the PRC (China)," the State Department said in a statement on Tuesday after Kerry met Han.

"He also emphasized the need for the PRC to raise ambition in efforts to, among other things, accelerate decarbonization and reduce emissions of super pollutants like methane."

CONTEXT

* Kerry met China's vice president on the margins of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City on Tuesday a day after Blinken met Han, with the two sides agreeing to maintain open lines of communication.

* The talks could help set the stage for a meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this year.

* Relations between the world's two largest economies have been strained of late due to a number of issues including Taiwan, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, allegations of spying and trade tariffs, among others.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington; Editing by Leslie Adler and Lincoln Feast)
A police officer puts handcuffs on Jailed Russian opposition figure Vladimir Kara-Murza during a court hearing to consider an appeal against his prison sentence, in Moscow, Russia July 31, 2023. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File photo

By Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers on Wednesday called on the Biden administration to formally designate jailed Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, a U.S. permanent resident, as "wrongfully detained" in hopes it will help secure his release.

A Moscow court in April jailed 42-year-old Kara-Murza for 25 years, the harshest sentence of its kind since Russia invaded Ukraine. He was convicted of treason and other offences in a trial he said was politically motivated.

U.S. officials have condemned his detention as politically motivated and called for his release, but a formal designation of wrongful detention would mobilize U.S. government resources and involve the presidential envoy for hostage affairs in the case.

The Helsinki Commission, an agency that includes members of the U.S. House and Senate, on Wednesday heard evidence from Kara-Murza's wife and daughter.

Republican congressman Joe Wilson, who chairs the commission, said a wrongful detention determination "would energize efforts to bring Vladimir home," but said calls from lawmakers for the State Department to issue one have so far gone unanswered.

"We've not received a clear response as to why they've failed to act with a ... sense of urgency," said Wilson.

Wilson said he was introducing the Vladimir Kara-Murza Action and Freedom Act, a bill with bipartisan support that would require the State Department to issue a wrongful detention determination within 30 days or provide a rationale for not doing so.

The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Vladimir's wife, Evgenia Kara-Murza, told the commission a nerve condition her husband developed after two past poisonings, which she says were carried out by Russian agents, has worsened since his detention. Russian authorities have denied involvement in the incidents.

"Today, Vladimir is somewhere in Siberia, about 2,000 miles away from Moscow, with no contact with his lawyers, let alone his family members," she said.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
FILE PHOTO: Ukrainian service members unpack Javelin anti-tank missiles, delivered by plane as part of the U.S. military support package for Ukraine, at the Boryspil International Airport outside Kyiv, Ukraine February 10, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

By Steve Holland and Mike Stone

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden plans to announce a $325 million military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday to coincide with a visit to Washington by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, a U.S. official said on Wednesday on condition of anonymity.

The weapons aid package was expected to include the second tranche of cluster munitions fired by a 155 millimeter Howitzer cannon, the U.S official said.

Other new weapons for Ukraine were expected to be announced around the time of Biden's meeting with Zelenskiy, but not ATACMS missiles which have been under discussion, the U.S. official said.

Ukraine got an initial tranche of M864 155 millimeter artillery rounds in July 2023. The unguided artillery shells are fired from NATO standard 155 cannons, have a maximum range of 18 miles (29 km) and carry up to 72 dual-purpose improved conventional munition (DPICM) M42 and M46 bomblets.

Sending 155 millimeter artillery rounds with cluster munitions has eased the drain on standard "unitary" 155 millimeter shells, which the U.S. also plans to include in this shipment.

In addition, Washington plans to send more Avenger short-range air defense systems that use Stinger missiles, made by RTX Corp, formerly Raytheon, the official said.

Included in the planned aid package for Ukraine are TOW and AT4 anti-tank weapons, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Javelin anti-tank missiles made by a joint venture between Lockheed and RTX Corp, along with other equipment.

The package was still being finalized and could change, the official said.

The package is made possible by utilizing Presidential Drawdown Authority, which authorizes Biden to transfer articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional approval during an emergency. The material will come from U.S. excess inventory.

Zelenskiy is scheduled to visit Capitol Hill on Thursday morning to meet lawmakers before holding White House talks with Biden later on Thursday.

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022 the U.S. has sent more than $40 billion worth of security assistance to Ukraine.

(Reporting by Steve Holland and mike Stone; additional reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by David Ljunggren and Bill Berkrot)
FILE PHOTO: A person holds a poster as campaigners and families of those affected during the period of conflict centred in Northern Ireland, known as The Troubles, hand a letter of protest against the British government's proposals for possible legal pro

By Amanda Ferguson

BELFAST (Reuters) - The British government faces 16 legal challenges, mostly from victims' families, against a contentious new law that would give amnesties to former soldiers and militants involved in decades of violence in Northern Ireland, a court heard on Wednesday.

Victims' families, human rights organisations and all major political parties on the island of Ireland - both British unionist and Irish nationalist - have condemned the law which offers immunity from prosecution for those who cooperate fully with a new investigative body.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, whose government is also considering mounting a legal challenge, raised the issue with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, a spokesperson for Varadkar said.

Lawyers for the applicants in Belfast expect the 16 legal challenges to be streamlined into a smaller number that would test the legality of the new system. A ruling could be issued by Christmas, said Gavin Booth, acting on behalf of four families.

"The UK government doesn't seem to give a damn about us. We'll fight on no matter how long it takes," said Martina Dillon, whose husband, Seamus, was shot and killed in 1997, shortly before a peace deal largely ended the conflict.

"All we're asking for is justice. We're entitled to it. If it happened in any other country, it wouldn't be stood for," she told reporters outside the packed courtroom.

Britain has argued that prosecutions linked to the events of up to 55 years ago are increasingly unlikely to lead to convictions and that the legislation is needed to draw a line under the conflict.

The challenges lodged cover inquests, criminal prosecutions and civil claims that would cease under the new system. An inquest into Seamus Dillon's murder began in March.

Amnesty International, which is supporting some of the victims, called on Dublin to swiftly decide to take a case against the British government.

"The burden of legal challenge should not fall solely on the shoulders of victims. It is also over to the Irish government to stand by victims," Amnesty International Northern Ireland deputy director Grainne Teggart told reporters.

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson, writing by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and U.S. President Joe Biden speak during the G7 leaders' summit in Hiroshima, Japan May 21, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS/File photo

By Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House on Wednesday appealed to Congress to approve billions of additional dollars of support for Ukraine as its counteroffensive against Russian forces continues while the weather cools and conditions grow more difficult.

U.S. President Joe Biden is looking forward to getting a "battlefield perspective" from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy when they meet at the White House on Thursday, White House spokesperson John Kirby told reporters.

"It (is) really a critical time as we head into the fall," Kirby said, adding the White House had encouraged Zelenskiy to meet with U.S. lawmakers to make his case for continued military support, given opposition voiced by some members.

"It's vital that we get that supplemental passed," he said, adding the cost would be "exorbitantly higher" if Russian President Vladimir Putin was allowed to take control of Ukraine and pushed through to the border of NATO.

"If you think that the cost of supporting Ukraine is high now, just ponder how exorbitantly higher it would be in blood and treasure if we just walk away and let him take Ukraine," he said. "Then the cost of defending sovereign integrity and territory, believe me, gets a whole lot more expensive in both blood and treasure, including American blood."

Biden, a Democrat, has been pressing Congress to provide an additional $24 billion for Ukraine and other international needs amid Russia's ongoing invasion. Biden's fellow Democrats control the U.S. Senate, but Republicans narrowly control the U.S. House of Representatives and have signaled resistance to the request.

"We think it's really important for members of Congress to be able to hear directly from President Zelenskiy about what he's facing in this counteroffensive and ... what he needs to continue," Kirby said. "He's the best messenger for the people of Ukraine and his armed forces."

Zelenskiy is due to meet with Biden on Thursday afternoon after addressing Congress and meeting with U.S. military officials.

It will be their sixth in-person meeting, and Zelenskiy's third visit to the White House, Kirby said.

U.S. officials have said Biden plans to announce additional aid to Ukraine, but Kirby gave no details.

He said there were "active" discussion about providing Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) that can fly up to 190 miles (300 km) to Ukraine, but no decision had been made.

Kyiv has repeatedly asked the Biden administration for ATACMS to help attack and disrupt supply lines, air bases and rail networks in Russian occupied territory.

Kirby said Ukraine was making progress in its counteroffensive, but it was "clearly" not over, and "they are going to continue to need all the support that they can get to keep that advance going."

(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Eric Beech; Editing by David Gregorio)
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

On September 20, 2023, Sunnova Energy Corporation (the Company), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sunnova Energy International Inc. (Sunnova), announced the commencement of a proposed private offering of senior notes (the Notes Offering) as described in Item 8.01.

In connection with the Notes Offering, the Company expects to make available the following information to prospective investors.

We define Cash Flow Available for Debt Service or CFADS as (1) (a) net cash from (used in) operating activities of Sunnova and its subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP and, (b) to the extent not duplicative, cash provided from activities from solar energy systems and/or an ancillary technology (Projects) when received by the Project company, excluding, in the case of each of clause (a) and (b) above, the effect of the following items: derivative origination and breakage fees from financing structure changes, payments to dealers for exclusivity and other bonus arrangements, net inventory and prepaid inventory (sales) purchases, payments of non-capitalized costs related to acquisitions and capital markets activities of the Company or Sunnova, payments of direct sales costs, excluding inventory, to the extent the related solar energy system is financed through a loan, payments to installers and builders for homebuilder asset-development activities, payments of customer rewards and including the effect of the following items: principal proceeds from customer notes receivable, financed insurance payments, distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests and (2) adjusted general and administration expenses plus interest payments made on non-recourse financings (other than securitizations), in each case for all or any portion of any such period that ends on or prior to December 31, 2023 and interest payments made on indebtedness other than non-recourse financing, minus principal payments on non-recourse financings constituting securitizations, other than principal repayments funded in exchange for, or out of or with the net cash proceeds of (i) any non-recourse financing, (ii) any indebtedness constituting refinancing indebtedness under the indenture or (iii) the sale or issuance of any equity interests of Sunnova. The foregoing is a summary of the definition of CFADS that will be included in the indenture governing the notes for purposes of calculating compliance with certain of the restrictive covenants described in Description of the Notes. This measurement is not recognized in accordance with GAAP and should not be viewed as an alternative to GAAP measures of liquidity. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to CFADS is net cash from (used in) operating activities. Our calculations of CFADS, as will be defined in our indenture, are not comparable to liquidity measures presented by other companies. Investors should not rely on CFADS as a substitute for any GAAP measure, including net cash used in operating activities. In addition, under the indenture governing the notes, our ability to engage in activities such as incurring additional indebtedness, making investments and paying dividends is expected to be tied to a ratio based on CFADS.
Political and religious leaders in The Gambia are actively campaigning to decriminalize female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite being banned in the West African country since 2015, this harmful practice continues to be practiced secretly. The recent arrest and imprisonment of three women for mutilating eight infants, the first conviction since the law took effect, has sparked a new initiative to repeal the law. Imam Abdoulie Fatty, a supporter of excision, and legislator Sulayman Saho, who has called for decriminalization in the countrys parliament, are the driving forces behind this controversial issue. The debate surrounding FGM divides The Gambia, a small country with a population of 2.7 million, where a UNICEF report last year revealed that 75% of teenage girls aged 15 to 19 have been subjected to this illegal practice.

In late August, a judge in the Central River region convicted three women  one who performed the procedure and two mothers  for mutilating eight babies. The women faced a choice of paying a fine of 15,000 dalasis (about $243) or spending one year in prison. A few days later, Imam Abdoulie Fatty, the radical religious advisor to dictator Yahya Jammeh, known for his homophobia and defense of excision, paid the fine for the three women to secure their release from prison. He also encouraged Gambians to continue this practice. If everyone agrees to do it openly, the government cannot imprison an entire town, let alone an entire country, he said.

After Abdoulie Fatty made these statements, Isatou Touray, director of the anti-FGM Gamcotrap association, demanded his arrest. This is an urgent matter as it incites violence. I urge the government, the Ministers of Gender and Health, the President of the Supreme Court, and the Inspector General of Police to take immediate action by arresting Imam Fatty. It is crucial that the law is applied when someone violates it. Women should be aware that this issue directly impacts their lives and the future of their children, said Touray.

These statements provoked a debate that quickly spilled onto the streets and even reached the nations parliament. In mid-September, Sulayman Saho, an opposition legislator from the Central Baddibu district, stood before the National Assembly and proposed repealing the law that prohibits FGM. Saho expressed concern about the arrests of mothers and sisters, and connected female genital mutilation to the right to preserve religious and traditional practices. The ban infringes upon these rights and fosters violence in our country We must get to work and review the law that criminalizes female circumcision. Saho proposes granting freedom to make decisions regarding FGM.

According to Adriana Kaplan, the head of Wassu Gambia Kafo, an organization that has been fighting female genital mutilation in The Gambia for decades, the proposed decriminalization would be a 30-year setback in womens rights. It shows that this fight isnt over, that the road is long, and that we must continue fighting from a perspective of respect and knowledge, said Kaplan. She believes the current law is positive because it creates a legal framework within which to work. Its true that sometimes the law doesnt seem to work, but thats mainly because it can be challenging to apply. After all, the police and health professionals are also part of the community.

Bodies reduced to political instruments

The Gambias efforts to decriminalize genital mutilation sparked a prompt response from organizations opposing this practice. The Civil Society and NGO Coalition reminded the Gambian government of its legal responsibility to safeguard the rights and health of women and girls. We strongly denounce the actions of those who exploit social and religious faith to further their own personal agendas at the expense of womens well-being., they said in a statement. Their lives are marked by enduring scars, yet their bodies are reduced to political instruments. Unfortunately, thousands more in The Gambia are still at risk of becoming victims of this ordeal.

In December 2015, the Gambian Parliament amended the Womens Act 2010 to criminalize genital mutilation. The amendment introduced two articles that impose penalties of up to three years in prison and a fine of 50,000 dalasis (about $810) for practicing or promoting genital mutilation. If the excision results in death, a life sentence is imposed. Additionally, a fine of 10,000 dalasis (about $162) is imposed on individuals who fail to report the practice.

Recent studies show a significant decrease in rates of female genital mutilation (FGM) among girls and adolescents worldwide. However, it is alarming that around four million children and youths still undergo FGM annually, according to UNICEF. Shockingly, approximately 200 million girls and women alive today have been victims of genital mutilation. The Gambia is one of the countries that has made the least progress in eradicating this practice in the past decade.

Female genital mutilation is primarily practiced in sub-Saharan Africa and certain Arab countries. However, cases have also been reported in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Over the past 25 years, international institutions like the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) have undertaken various initiatives to eradicate this practice.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Air Force Lt. Col Brian Milner poses in front of a B-1B Lancer at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Leon Redfern/U.S. Air Force)

A commander in the Air Forces Global Strike Command, which is responsible for supporting nuclear deterrence and carrying out worldwide U.S. strike operations, has been removed from his position after only a few weeks in the job, officials said Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Brian Milner, who led the 9th Bomb Squadron, was relieved of command Monday, according to officials at Dyess Air Force Base in Texas.

Base officials did not elaborate on why Milner was dismissed but said he was removed from his leadership position due to a loss of confidence in his ability to complete the assigned duties.

Lt. Col. Ryan Stillwell assumed command as the permanent replacement, a base spokesperson said.

Stillwell was formerly director of operations for the 9th Bomb Squadron, which is assigned to the 7th Operations Group at Dyess. The squadron maintains the supersonic Rockwell B-1B Lancer heavy bomber.

Milners tenure as commander of the squadron did not last long. He took the job in July and was the 9th Bomb Squadrons first Black commander.

If becoming a commander inspires at least one person, whether or not theyre a minority, I have done something important, Milner said July 13, not long after he took over the role. Becoming a squadron commander  has become my greatest achievement.

Due to federal privacy laws, military commanders are often removed under broad claims of loss in confidence in their abilities. In June, officials cited the phrase in relieving Navy Cmdr. Jeffrey Applebaugh and Army Col. Jonathan Chung from their duties. In August, Navy Capt. Paul Choate, commanding officer of the services Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic in Virginia, was dismissed for the same reason.

Air Force officials did not indicate whether there was any misconduct related to Milners removal.

Built during World War II, Dyess Air Force Base is a few miles from Abilene in north-central Texas and about 150 miles southwest of Fort Worth. About 13,000 personnel  troops and civilians  are stationed at the base.
This undated image, censored by police, shows a U.S. soldier being questioned during a synthetic cannabis raid inside a barracks at Camp Casey, South Korea. (Gyeonggi Provincial Police Office)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  Seventeen American soldiers and five others are under investigation for allegedly possessing and intending to distribute synthetic cannabis near two U.S. military bases this year.

A joint raid in May by the Pyeongtaek Police Station and the Armys Criminal Investigation Division found 2.7 ounces of synthetic cannabis, over 145 ounces of mixed liquids for vaping and $12,850 in cash at the 22 suspects homes, the Southern Gyeonggi Provincial Police Office said in a news release Wednesday.

The 17 soldiers are stationed at Camp Humphreys, about 30 miles south of Seoul, and at Camp Casey, an Army outpost about 25 miles north of the capital, according to the provincial police.

The suspects possessed or trafficked synthetic cannabis between March and August, police said. One male soldier, 24, is believed to have smuggled around 11 ounces of synthetic cannabis into the country in plastic bottles.

Images released by the provincial police showed plainclothes Army investigators and local police searching barracks at Humphreys and Casey and off-post homes.

This undated image, censored by police, shows two U.S. service members accused of trafficking synthetic marijuana in Pyeongtaek city, South Korea. (Gyeonggi Provincial Police Office)

Another image shows what police said are two U.S. soldiers in the backseat of a taxi pouring a bottle of synthetic cannabis into another container for distribution.

The joint investigation was launched early this year after Army investigators informed police of suspected drug trafficking, a Pyeongtaek police detective told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

South Korean officials regularly speak to the media on the customary condition of anonymity.

Synthetic cannabis is not easy to detect due to its use in legal e-cigarette devices and the investigation could only have been achieved through the close cooperation with Army investigators, the release said.

The police have declared a war on drug crimes and are focusing their investigative efforts to respond vigorously, the release said. In the future, we will continue to investigate U.S. military personnel  with the U.S. Armys Criminal Investigation Division.

The Suwon City District Court declined to comment by phone Wednesday on whether charges were filed against the 17 service members.

This undated image, censored by police, shows evidence collected after a synthetic cannabis raid in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. (Gyeonggi Provincial Police Office)

The five other suspects include two women, including a South Korean dating one of the soldiers suspected of importing the synthetic drug, a Pyeongtaek police officer told Stars and Stripes by phone Aug. 4.

The 2nd Infantry Division and Eighth Army did not immediately respond to requests for comment by phone and email Wednesday.

Synthetic cannabis is banned under South Koreas Narcotics Control Act and under U.S. military regulations.

A narcotics trafficking conviction carries a minimum five-year prison term in South Korea. Drug possession carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a fine of roughly $38,200.

Stars and Stripes reporter Yoo Kyong Chang contributed to this report.
Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki takes a tour of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, July 28, 2023. (Clayton Baker/U.S. Marine Corps)

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  The preponderance of U.S. military bases on Okinawa are a threat to world peace and make the island a potential target, Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki told a United Nations panel this week.

Tamaki, speaking Monday before the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, was seeking international support for his campaign to halt construction of a U.S. military runway in Okinawas rural northeast, a spokesman for Okinawa prefectures Henoko Base Construction Countermeasures Division said by phone Wednesday.

The latest in a string of legal counterstrikes, Japans Supreme Court ruled two weeks ago that Tamaki must approve construction changes for the runway being built at Marine Corps base Camp Schwab.

The airfield is expected to one day replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in densely populated Ginowan city.

I am here today to ask the world to witness the situation in Okinawa, where the concentration of American bases threatens the peace, and prevents equal participation in decision-making, Tamaki said, according to a transcript on the prefectures website. He called for stronger diplomatic efforts by governments operating in the region.

Landfill work continues for a runway at Camp Schwab, a Marine Corps base on Okinawa, Sept. 15, 2022. (Frank Andrews/Stars and Stripes)

Tamakis comments were immediately repudiated by an unnamed Japanese official from the government mission in Geneva, Kyodo news agency reported Tuesday.

Steadily advancing the construction work based on the policy that the Henoko relocation is the only solution will enable the complete return of Futenma air station as swiftly as possible, the official said.

Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara on Tuesday acknowledged Okinawas heavy burden but reiterated government policy that relocating Marine air operations to Schwab was the only solution, according to a video on the ministrys website.

He pledged to move construction forward while providing thorough explanations to Tamaki and the local populace.

Tamaki also met Monday with Marcos Orellana, an U.N. special rapporteur on toxics and human rights, to discuss PFAS contamination believed to be from U.S. bases on the island, the division spokesman said. Its customary in Japan for some government officials to speak to the media without giving their names.

The speech marked the second time an Okinawa governor has spoken in Switzerland; former Gov. Takeshi Onaga addressed the council in 2015.

Okinawa, with a population of 1.4 million and about the same area as Tokyo, is home to about 30,000 U.S. service members and another 50,000 civilian employees and family members, according to information from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and U.S. Forces Japan.

The 32 U.S. installations, including one it shares with the Japan Self-Defense Forces, occupy about 18% of the island, according to Okinawa prefecture.
On the hike down from Kearsarge Pass  a nearly 11,800-foot gateway to the High Sierra  trekkers are greeted by a series of glittering lakes, including Bullfrog Lake, above. (Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Have you ever heard of the cowboy straddle? my partner, Emanuel, asked.

Without waiting for a reply, he hoisted himself onto a log suspended above a rushing stream and began using branches on each side  as if clutching the horns of a steer  to leapfrog across.

It marked one of many stream crossings wed make over our recent four-day backpacking trip through the soaring peaks of the High Sierra. Water gushed, swished or sat stoically silent. Sometimes it was frozen. Snow patches clung to craggy rock faces  a rare sight in the last gasps of summer.

The effect was, at times, hazardous. While on a vague trail through Gardiner Basin, a rarely explored area, we encountered sheets of snow that descended into an icy lake, curled up at the ends like a demonic slide. I slipped microspikes over my trail runners and focused on taking one careful step at a time.

Wet socks notwithstanding, glory abounded. Above 10,000 feet, we were closer to sky and all its colorful whims. Alpine lakes glittered at every turn, while haunting moonscapes greeted us beyond the treeline.

Record snowfall pummeled the mountainous region rising from eastern California last winter and spring, creating perilous conditions into July. The UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab saw nearly 63 feet of snow by mid-March. Statewide, the snowpack reached 232% of average for April 1. Passage was long impractical for the average recreator.

But much of the snowpack has finally melted, making popular trails  including portions of the Pacific Crest and John Muir  more accessible than theyve likely been all year. Recently surging watercourses have mellowed to tenable levels. Fears of catastrophic flooding of the Owens Valley below have evaporated. And all the snowmelt has brilliantly greened whats often a dry, brown tinder box by this time of year. Extreme fire conditions prompted closures in the area just two years ago. Instead of oppressive smoke, visitors this year were treated to abundant wildflowers.

With the fierce winter delaying backpacking season, September might be the best time to hike among the lofty peaks. Its at least likely to be the driest time.

Its probably the perfect month this year  and maybe into the first half of October, said Doug Robinson, a legendary Sierra climber, skier and guide. Hes already recommended it to several friends, including one planning to start the John Muir Trail at the end of the month.

Its important to note that even in the best conditions, hiking in the High Sierra is not easy. Planning and outdoors experience is essential. Backpacking in the early days of fall  particularly after months of wild weather  presents unique challenges. Heres what to know if you want to make the journey.

What makes the High Sierra so special

About three hours north of Los Angeles, up scenic Highway 395, Mount Whitney  the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.  looms 14,505 feet above the quaint town of Lone Pine. Its impressive from down below, but distance gives it a two-dimensional quality. Heading into the mountains opens up an expansive, mysterious world  of sparkling lakes and imposing granite cliffs.

Trekking through dramatic elevation shifts means equally dramatic shifts in scenery. Lower down, we walked through lush valleys surrounded by jagged mountainscapes. Breathtaking 60 Lakes Basin could rival Disneys take on the Swiss Alps. At Gardiner Pass, we descended from a fragrant pine forest into steep rock piles smeared with snow.

The High Sierra  straightforwardly named for its lofty elevation  runs north from Lake Tahoe to the Golden Trout Wilderness, south of Sequoia National Park. It encompasses parts of Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks and several U.S. Forest Service areas, including the Inyo National Forest along the east side. Rugged souls like Ansel Adams, Norman Clyde and John Muir swooned over the expansive range.

Its only the finest mountain range in the world, said Robinson, who describes himself as a Sierra chauvinist. The landforms are just beautiful, and they invite you to hike over them, he said.

Despite this years unusual weather, the region is beloved for its generally fantastic weather.

Bluebird skies day after day after day, as Andrew Skurka, a professional backpacker and guide, described it. During a three-week trip over the summer, he didnt set up his shelter once.

The weather forecast for the next few months

Warmth, like ease, is a relative concept in the High Sierra.

Meteorological fall began Sept. 1 and temperatures will continue to trend down. Even warm, sunny days can give way to frigid nights, which are growing longer. The temperature decreases as elevation increases.

By the last week of September, expect overnight temperatures at or below freezing. Thats already the case in higher elevations.

Daytime temperatures in the 60s in Yosemites high country can slip into the 30s at night. By October, those average high and lows drop about 10 degrees. Snow fell in early September above 13,000 feet and more storms are around the corner.

While it might sound brisk to the average Angeleno, many adventure seekers see it as prime hiking weather. Physical exertion  say, trekking 10 miles up steep terrain with a heavy backpack  can make a chilly day feel fiery.

Its a really nice kind of break between some of the heat that we get in the summer and before the snow flies, said Scott Gediman, spokesperson for Yosemite National Park.

Still, its critical to have the right clothing. Gediman said its ideal to bring layers for a variety of conditions.

Forecasts for towns near the mountains, like Bishop and Lone Pine, wont provide insight into whats happening above 10,000 feet.

Skurka recommends using Weather.gov, which allows users to get more specific forecasts by clicking on a point on a map.

Besides air temperature, its key to look at precipitation, wind and other factors.

Outdoors wonks often think in terms of weather windows, or streaks in the forecast that look most advantageous for the adventure theyre cooking up.

An El Nino climate pattern arrived in June, but its predicted impact depends on location.

Typically, a moderate or strong El Nino signals wetter-than-normal weather in Southern California, and the Southlands San Bernardino Mountains could see more rain.

Central and Northern California is more of a toss up in terms of precipitation, said Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist and manager at the Central Sierra Snow Lab.

Temperature forecasts are clearer: Warm is going to be the trend that were looking at, he said.

How to get permits

Backpacking in the High Sierra requires a permit. Day hiking typically doesnt, except when visiting Mount Whitney. Check out Recreation.gov to see whats available and book your trip.

During quota season, which coincides with peak recreation months, the number of people starting at a given trail each day is capped.

Permits for iconic hikes, such as the JMT and High Sierra Trail, are competitive and sell out rapidly. Mount Whitney is one of the hardest to snag. Many other trailheads are also difficult to secure, but there are lower-demand areas that can be booked with less advance planning.

Nabbing permits is a wilderness skill all in its own. Different areas have different permit processes in place, so do your research.

A simple hack is to identify your trip dates and then check Recreation.gov frequently. Some permits are released throughout the year and others periodically free up as people cancel trips.

Permits with entry points on the east side of the range can be picked up in person from the Eastern Sierra Visitor Center in Lone Pine. My Sierra-loving partner, Emanuel Rohss, recommends that people who are new to exploring the area take the opportunity to discuss their plans with rangers, who can provide information about conditions and restrictions.

After an arduous scramble up to 60 Lakes Col, Emanuel Rohss plots the best way to hike down the other side. Even in the best conditions, hiking in the High Sierra is not easy. (Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times/TNS)

What to bring on your trip

A complete gear list is beyond the scope of this abridged guide. What you decide to bring will depend on the length of your trip, experience and level and tolerance for carrying weight.

However, I asked a few Sierra sages if they had any recommendations in light of the lingering traces of winter mayhem.

Given the return to relatively normal conditions, Skurka said a typical kit should suffice with the addition of microspikes. The traction devices are fitted over shoes and can be used to traverse moderate snow.

He also recommends bringing two pairs of hiking socks. With so much water flowing in the mountains, wet feet are hard to avoid. If one pair gets wet, he taps the other.

Robinsons tip was also foot-related: Hikers should consider bringing a stout pair of waterproof boots and gaiters.

Into October its been known to snow two feet. Watch your back; keep considering your exit from the Sierra, he said. From the JMT that can mean up 3,000 feet over a pass. You can probably make it out in tenny-runners without getting frostbite, but not without some misery  the epic factor.

Stouter shoes can also help prevent spraining an ankle, he said.

Also, do not underestimate the bugs. Many people, myself included, who ventured into the Sierra backcountry in recent weeks were met with a blood-sucking scourge: mosquitoes. Sometimes nightmarish swarms of them.

The record snowfall followed by a delayed melt pushed back the typical mosquito boom.

On our third day, camped near a waterfall, I spat the winged vermin out of my mouth while trying to eat oatmeal. They bit right through my sun hoodie and were unphased by Citronella spray.

There are ways to avoid similar pain:

Bug spray containing DEET

Head nets

Permethrin-treated clothing

Thankfully, as temperatures cool off, mosquitoes will too.

Above all, its important to be flexible

All the planning in the world and heaps of top-of-the-line gear cant guarantee things will go according to plan.

A sign of experience is knowing your limits  and knowing when to turn around.

Your itinerary is not set in stone, Robinson stressed. Youre in the wilderness and your safety depends on making good judgments and sticking to them.

Its helpful to have a Plan B waiting in the wings in case of inclement weather or another unexpected bummer, Skurka said.

When Fernando Garcia encountered a bridge along the John Muir Trail last month that was being demolished after sustaining severe snow damage, he started on an alternate route. But the 54-year-old Los Angeles resident began having trouble with his phone, which he used to find water.

At that point, he made the decision to pull out and make a plan to return the following year. It hasnt dimmed his sense of triumph.

Hiking the famed trail that runs between the Yosemite Valley and Mount Whitney became Garcias beacon of hope in 2020 when he was going into surgery for a brain tumor. He began telling hospital workers he needed to make it through so he could fulfill the dream.

Last year, Garcia took a celebratory lap of 138 miles on the route. In August, he came back to clock more miles.

Its definitely emotionally overwhelming at times, in a good sense, he said.  The gratitude that I felt being out there ... I probably looked like a crazy person smiling as I was going along.
A Navy official inspects fuel gauges and pipes at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa, Hawaii, Sept. 5, 2023. (Gabrielle Zagorski/U.S. Marine Corps)

Lawyers for hundreds of people seeking damages from a Navy fuel spill in Hawaii say the federal government recklessly destroyed evidence on cellphones belonging to officers in charge of the spills response, according to a court filing Tuesday.

Apple iPhones issued to Navy Capts. Erik Spitzer and James Meyer were wiped clean of call logs and text messages before being reissued to their successors at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, according to the motion filed in U.S. District Court for Hawaii.

Spitzer, the base commander, and Meyer, the head of Naval Facilities, Hawaii, which includes the base public works department, failed in November 2021 to promptly alert base housing residents that toxic spills at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, 5 miles northwest of Honolulu, had contaminated their water supply, the plaintiffs lawyers allege.

The lawyers  Lyle Hosoda, Kristina Baehr and Frederick Baker  asked for sanctions against the Navy that compensates for the loss of potential cellphone evidence. They argue the court has held that spoilation, or destroying evidence, implies that evidence would have undermined the governments defense.

The court should find that the lost phone data would have shown that the Navy knew of the water contamination by the afternoon of Nov. 28, 2021, but failed to warn consumers of the danger, the motion for sanctions states.

Jet fuel spilled into the water supply for thousands of military homes in May and November 2021, according to the suit filed by an Army spouse, Patrick Feindt Jr. The suit alleges the contaminated water caused seizures, gastrointestinal disorders, neurological issues, burns, rashes, lesions, thyroid abnormalities, migraines and neurobehavioral challenges.

About 300 people had joined the Feindt lawsuit when another 1,002 complainants filed legal claims in June that may add them to the suit pending in Honolulu.

Hundreds of base residents vacated their homes for temporary lodging in hotels and motels while the Navy dealt with the cleanup.

Meyer, as overseer of the base water system, was required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to issue a do not drink notice to all users on the water system, but failed to do so, according to the motion.

Instead, Spitzer on Nov. 29, 2021, a day after complaints started pouring in, allayed concerns with a public message that the water was safe.

I can tell you at this point that there are no immediate indications that the water is not safe. My staff and I are drinking the water on base this morning, and many of my team live in housing and drink and use the water as well, Spitzer wrote by email to base water users.

Navy officials inspect fuel gauges and pipes at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Halawa, Hawaii, Sept. 5, 2023. ()

By erasing Meyer and Spitzers cellphones, the Navy destroyed potentially damaging evidence, the motion alleges.

The Government must explain why cellphone call and text message evidence from two key leaders of the Red Hill response  was recklessly destroyed , the motion states. It is hard to imagine a more relevant and material item of evidence for Plaintiffs to establish their negligence claims.

The Navy has declined comment thus far on the suit, citing ongoing litigation. The government had not filed a response in federal court in Hawaii as of Tuesday.

Spitzer retired in June 2022, with a Legion of Merit, and was succeeded by Capt. Mark Sohaney.

In December 2021, Spitzer apologized on the joint bases Facebook page for his Nov. 29, 2021, message to families affected by the spill.

If there was one day I had a chance to do over, it would be that day, he wrote. The words used in my notification were not the compassionate and validating words I wish were used, and I regret I did not tell our families not to drink the water. I am deeply remorseful. My apologies to you all.

Also in June 2022, Meyer was succeeded at Hawaii Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command by Capt. Cameron Geertsema. However, Meyer stayed on to lead the organization responsible for emptying the Red Hill facility, which Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered in March 2022 to be defueled and permanently closed.
U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam unveiled a crest on Monday, Sept. 28, 2023, that incorporates elements of the Chamorro culture of Guam and the Mariana Islands. (U.S. Coast Guard)

The U.S. Coast Guard unit based in Guam has a new brand to go along with a beefed-up fleet, a new name and a mission that includes countering Chinas influence in the Western Pacific.

U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam unveiled a crest on Monday that incorporates elements of the Chamorro culture of Guam and the Mariana Islands.

It also reflects a new designation that took effect last summer, Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sara Muir said by email Wednesday. Before that, the unit was called Sector Guam.

Our new crest is more than just a symbol, its a reflection of our deeply rooted history and enduring relationships in the Pacific, spanning over a century, said Muir, spokeswoman for the command based at Apra Harbor, Guam.

The new crest consists of a gold star above a giant manta ray in front of two gold tridents with a banner that reads, Prutehi I Futura-ta, meaning Protecting our Future in the Chamorro language. Spots across the manta rays back represent the islands of Micronesia, one of four sub-regions of Oceania, according to the sectors website.

Muir said she designed the crest to reflect the broader missions and the various areas the Coast Guard sector serves.

The three-pronged trident on the crest signifies the units commitment to maritime safety, security and stewardship, according to the website. The North Star, another element on the crest, guides the unit through the complexities of Pacific culture and maritime navigation.

The final element is a latte, a two-stone structure found on Guam and throughout the Mariana Islands. The Latte Stones are a nod to our home base in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Muir said. They symbolize strength and resilience.

The unit operates as far south as Australia and as far east as the Marshall Islands, she added.

Since 2020, the Coast Guard base at Guam has replaced its 110-foot patrol boats with three, 154-foot Sentinel-class cutters, the Frederick Hatch, Myrtle Hazard and Oliver Henry. They are armed with four .50-caliber machine guns and a remote-controlled 25 mm cannon.

The Coast Guards role in the Indo-Pacific is expected to expand in the coming months.

We will innovate to meet civilian security challenges, expanding United States Coast Guard presence, training and advising to bolster our partners capabilities, the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, Vice Adm. Andrew Tiongson, told reporters July 26, according to the U.S. State Department.

The crest change was not just a routine update, Muir said.

In the Pacific, the merging of art and symbolism often tells a deeper story than words alone can express, she said. Our new crest serves as a visual narrative, a tangible representation of the Coast Guards evolving role and strengthened commitments in the Pacific region.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks to the U.N. Security Council on the war in his country in a meeting during the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023, in New York. (Spencer Platt, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy lashed out at Russia for killing tens of thousands of his citizens in his first in-person address to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, calling for Moscow to be stripped of its powerful veto as one of the permanent members of the UNs top decision-making body.

Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into deadlock, Zelenskyy told council members during a tense session, adding that it is impossible for the body to stop Russias invasion of Ukraine because of Moscows ability to veto any effort or initiative at the Security Council.

Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war. It is a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation, aimed at seizing Ukraines territory and resources, Zelenskyy, clad in the military-style fatigues that have become his hallmark since Russias invasion in February 2022, said.

Amid the impassioned speeches, it was admissions of the UNs powerlessness to stop the bloodiest conflict in Europe since World War II that rang truer than the calls for changing the international bodys rules, something that few diplomats think is likely.

Zelenskyys appeal came as Ukraines allies in the US and Europe have grown increasingly pessimistic about prospects for ending the war soon. Kyivs counteroffensive has progressed slowly and officials now see the fighting continuing for years to come, challenging governments to keep up military and financial support amid growing domestic opposition to the cost.

Russia is digging in for a long conflict, confident it can outlast Kyivs allies, according to US and European officials.

Zelenskyy will be in Washington Thursday to press his case for more assistance with President Joe Biden and Republican leaders in Congress, some of whom have questioned calls for continued support.

Russian objection

At the beginning of the heated Security Council meeting, Russias UN envoy objected to Zelenskyys presence. As the meeting focused on Ukraine began on Wednesday morning, Russias ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, immediately protested Zelenskyys participation on procedural grounds and began sparring with the councils president, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama.

We do not believe that the arguments youve advanced are compelling, Nebenzya told the chamber, reading from a script, as he repeatedly tried to stop Ukraines president from addressing the world leaders and foreign ministers gathered for the high-level meeting during this weeks UN General Assembly.

Rama, who was chairing the meeting and was clearly frustrated with Nebenzyas interruptions, made a joke about how he wasnt engaging in a special operation to allow Zelenskyy to speak  a reference to Russias vague euphemism for its invasion of Ukraine.

Coming from you, all these lectures at violating the rules of this building is quite impressive, Rama said, telling the Russian representative that Zelenskyy wouldnt need to talk if Russia simply brought an end to the conflict it started in Ukraine.

After the sharp exchanges, Zelenskyy began his remarks, leaving the hall shortly afterwards. Nebenzya repeatedly looked at his cell phone during the address.

Mass atrocities

Zelenskyy called for a reform of the UN system with a vote in the broader General Assembly that would allow veto-power to be taken away, in an echo of broader concerns among nations in the so-called Global South that a small clique of powerful countries enjoy unequal influence at the global organization due to their veto power.

What we observe in the United Nations is increasing support for the idea that in cases of mass atrocities against human rights, veto power should be voluntarily suspended, Zelenskyy continued. Regardless of who you are, the current UN system still makes you less influential than the veto power possessed by a few and misused by one  Russia.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also addressed the chamber, arguing that Russias invasion has worsened international relations more broadly and made it more difficult to solve other global problems.

Russias invasion of Ukraine, in clear violation of the United Nations Charter and international law, is aggravating geopolitical tensions and divisions, threatening regional stability, increasing the nuclear threat, and creating deep fissures in our increasingly multipolar world, Guterres said.

2023 Bloomberg News.

Visit at bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The 27th World Road Congress in Prague from October 2 to 6 will be attended by representatives of 96 countries from around the world and will feature 30 national pavilions, 16 more than the last edition in 2019 in the UAE.

The number of congress delegates is also growing exponentially. This year, more than 4,000 delegates are expected to gather at the Prague Congress Centre.

For the Prague Congress Centre and the Czech Republic, hosting the world's largest summit of road transport experts is a huge achievement. The candidacy process of host countries is traditionally conducted at the highest diplomatic level, this year the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Transport have been actively involved.

Unique opportunity

"Prague won the prestigious congress with 122 points, ahead of cities like Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, which came second with half the points. The convincing victory gives Prague a unique opportunity to welcome up to 4,000 road transport professionals from all over the world. This will be the second time in our history that we will be hosting the World Road Congress, after more than fifty years," explains Martin Kupka, Minister of Transport of the Czech Republic.

"From our statistical data, which we have been monitoring and evaluating at the Prague Convention Bureau for a long time, we have it confirmed that events held in Prague attract up to 15% more delegates compared to other destinations. I am glad that the upcoming World Road Congress is estimated to attract such a significant number of experts in the field of road transport.

At the same time, for the local professional community, the congress will be a great opportunity to share the latest knowledge. They will have much easier access to the congress's educational programme than if the event were held abroad. Already in 1971, when Prague hosted this congress for the first time, a quarter of the more than two thousand participants were from the then Czechoslovakia. I firmly believe that this year's edition will allow Czech delegates to gain invaluable know-how and transfer the latest procedures into practice in the Czech Republic," adds Roman Muska, Director of the Prague Convention Bureau, the organisation that officially frameworks the Prague meetings industry.

Mobility and infrastructure

The main topics of this years summit will be mobility and infrastructure, but experts will also cover new topics such as electromobility and autonomous vehicles or the industrys shift towards carbon neutrality.

This year, the congress will also focus on reaching out to the general public, with an emphasis on maximising youth engagement. Accompanying events for the public will include, for example, a simulation of a car crash in the centre's outdoor area, a demonstration of the operation of an autonomous "driverless" bus, or a simulation of a scooter ride on various surfaces. Short films, lectures by leading experts, group discussions and podcasts will be available for congress delegates as well as students or general public.

The events programme also includes tours of Prague and the most interesting places in the Czech and Slovak Republics. "The Prague Congress Centre is located in close proximity to Vysehrad, a famous Prague historical site that offers not only a glimpse into the past of the Czech Republic, but also breathtaking views of the city. Thanks to the centre's location directly on the metro, you can be in the historical centre of Prague within ten minutes to enjoy the charms of the city right after the congress programme is over," adds Lenka Zlebkova, CEO of the Prague Congress Centre.-- TradeArabia News Service
Since 2011 everything has been getting worse. We have been suffering through crises and wars for more than a decade. Samia is keen to talk. While most of the women refugees at this school on the outskirts of Derna  the Libyan city devastated last week by Storm Daniel  dont want to be interviewed or photographed, Samia answers every question at length. She says she wears a niqab to cover her face because she lost her hair during the war against Islamic State that raged in Derna in 2016.

With the bombings, I got sick. I got white spots all over my body like the ones you see on my hands, and I became hairless. There is no treatment for my illness here, she explains, sitting on a childs chair, while a dozen women who, like her, lost their homes to the flooding in Derna a week ago listen to her attentively. They are in one of the shelters that the government of Field Mashal Khalifa Hafter  the military officer who commands the Libyan National Army (LNA) and controls the eastern part of the country  and various social organizations have set up to provide shelter. Women have hardly been seen on the streets of the city since he arrived.

In 2011, bullets were flying over our houses and we still had to go out to find something to eat, Samia says, referring to the popular uprising that would lead to a civil war that  with NATO support for the National Transitional Council  brought down the regime of Muammar al-Gaddafi. Two years later, in 2014, in the face of the failure of the parties that had contested the elections to form a government, parallel administrations were installed in Libya that remain in operation today, with both backed by foreign nations waging their geopolitical struggles at the expense of the Libyan people.

In late 2014, Islamic State (Daesh) took advantage of the power vacuum to occupy several towns and cities, including Sirte and Derna. There were bombs falling all around us. We women had to be covered; we could only go out on the street if we were with a man. Daesh soldiers surrounded our neighbors house, killed the men and hanged the women. And if they found out that someone had worked for the government, they killed them, Samia says. Many of the buildings damaged by Storm Daniel still have shrapnel scars on their walls from the battles that raged around the city until the end of 2016. During that period, in addition to the operations of Marshal Hafters LNA, the city was targeted by bombardments launched by Egypt and the United States to wipe out the stronghold of the Islamist fundamentalists.

A group of girls who survived the floods at a shelter set up in a school in Derna, September 17. RICARDO GARCIA VILANOVA

In the months that we lived under Daesh, if we wanted to get fuel or gas we had to buy it from them. They even made a business out of that. We had to flee to the outskirts of the city to be safe. We came back when the army retook control. And now this is happening to us, Samia continues. The government allocates a lot of money to Derna, but we havent seen any improvement here. Why didnt they fix the dams properly? Why cant we return to the pre-2011 times, when we lived in peace? she asks.

Initial estimates by the authorities in eastern Libya put the number of victims at 20,000, including the dead and missing. However, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reduced the death toll to 3,958 and the number of missing to 11,000.

The 20 or so families living in the classrooms of the makeshift shelter are those who have no one to turn to. For eight days they have been sleeping on mattresses on the floor and sharing a single bathroom. The lack of expectation that their situation will improve is based on years of violence, precariousness, and a lack of opportunities.

The dark circles under Noriahs eyes are a testament to how exhausted she is. The 30-year-old elementary school teachers adult life has traversed Libyas recent history. She celebrated her 18th birthday in 2011, at a time when Libya was becoming a chessboard for foreign interests. She completed her degree in English philology in the same year Islamic State was turning her city into a stronghold of the self-proclaimed Caliphate. At that time, we could hardly go out on the streets. Its a time Id rather not remember. We saw too many things, she says sparingly and precisely. When Marshal Hafters army retook the city, she was able to start working. Life goes on. You cant stop it, she says resignedly.

Survivors of the deadly storm that hit Libya protest outside the Al Sahaba mosque against the government in Derna on Monday. The sign reads: "The sad city of Derna demands its rights." ZOHRA BENSEMRA (REUTERS)

However, the nightmares that keep Noriah awake started when the floods swept away a large part of Derna a week ago. When the water started coming in through the windows, we climbed up to the roof. Everything was dark, we couldnt see each other. The water was halfway up my body. We stayed like that for about three hours. Praying. Until the flood started to recede. Her cousin, who lived on the second floor, her friends, who lived in the house across the street, and many of her students died. We had nowhere to stay, so they brought us here. But we couldnt go on living any longer in a room with other families, without a place to shower, to wash clothes, she continues. She smiles only when remembering her great passion: digital design. To the world I say help us. Thats all, she concludes, without much conviction.

Fatima Mohamed Jason, a mother of six who has also lost a niece and her home to the flood, says: Everyone knows that Libya is a country with no future. There is a lot of unemployment among the youth. We are suffering a lot, especially in Derna, which has been destroyed by the war. It is surprising how difficult it is to find women in the destroyed streets of the city, and the clarity and determination they display when they have the opportunity to express themselves. With my husbands salary we cannot afford to rent a home. We need the government to build apartments for the victims urgently, as they did for some of the people who lost their homes to the Daesh war. Now we are the ones who cant go back. We have nothing left.

Meanwhile, in the center of Derna, firefighters, rescuers, and soldiers from Algeria, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Russia  countries that support Field Marshal Hafters government  cross paths with others from Italy, Spain, and Turkey, initially allied with the United Nations-backed Tripoli government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. But perhaps the most significant thing is that the armies of the west and the east of Libya are working together in the rescue and reconstruction of a city ravaged by war and human crises.

Authorities ask press to leave Derna following protest WIRES Communications are cut off in Derna and the authorities have demanded that much of the press leave the city after the first citizen protest demanding accountability after the floods took place on Monday. Security officials have prevented a U.N. humanitarian aid team traveling from Benghazi from entering the city. A week after two dams outside the city burst after heavy rainfalls, residents of Derna took to the streets to protest against the authorities for failing to prevent the disaster. The protestors expressed anger toward the politicians responsible for the poor maintenance of the dam infrastructure and for the failure to evacuate the population before the arrival of Storm Daniel. The demonstration reached the residence of the citys mayor, which was set on fire. The situation had calmed by Tuesday morning, but internet and telephone services had been down since 1 a.m. Hichem Abu Chkiouat, the minister of civil aviation for the administration ruling eastern Libya, told Reuters that some journalists had been asked to stay away from rescue operations, but denied there was any political or security motive. A spokesman for the national telecommunications company said the power outage was due to damage to the fiber optic network and an investigation as to whether it was accidental or an act of sabotage has been initiated. AFP quoted analysts who believe that the outage was an attempt to silence the protests, which may spread to other cities in the country.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Addressing a High Level Meeting on Global Development Initiative Cooperation Outcomes on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York, he commended the milestones achieved in GDI implementation, the most recent being the successful launch of the Inter-Agency Task Force on GDI.

The Prime Minister highlighted that progress towards achieving the SDGs has suffered a serious setback due to the poly crises of Covid, conflict and climate change.

The Prime Minister stressed that China's Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are vital vehicles for achieving the SDGs.

He highlighted the need for action in five key areas including food production, infrastructure investment, industrialization, resilient healthcare systems and the bridging the digital divide.

The Prime Minister further highlighted the necessity of adequate and appropriate finance at all levels of the development process and welcomed President Xi's announcement of the setting up another fund of 10 billion dollars dedicated to the implementation of the GDI.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister said Pakistan looks forward to enhancing its cooperation with China and other members of the Group of Friends of GDI to realize their collective aspiration for implementation of the SDGs.

The event also heard opening remarks by Vice President of China Han Zheng, President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis, and other high-level dignitaries, as well as a video briefing and presentation on GDI cooperation.
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

The journey of Homo sapiens to Australia at least 50,000 years ago remains one of the great mysteries of mankind. Why did our ancestors reach the immense island continent earlier than they did Europe, which is much closer to Africa? How did they navigate the vast oceans? What kind of boats did they use? Bill Bryson summarized this unsolvable problem in his hilarious travel book Down Under: One of the most momentous events in the history of mankind took place at a time we can only imagine and by means that are hard to believe. I refer, evidently, to the appearance of man in Australia.

We still dont know how they did it, but archaeology proves that they arrived, multiplied and populated an unfathomable territory. That is the first great mystery. The second is why other humans did not return to Australia for thousands and thousands of years, until the English captain James Cook reached its shores in 1770. Then, the original inhabitants of Australia, the Aborigines  the oldest continuing human civilization  suffered a cataclysmic physical and cultural extermination. They never regained their rights, and they are still fighting for them today.

Aboriginal paintings in Gwion Gwion, Kimberly, Western Australia. Auscape (Universal Images Group via Getty)

On October 14, a referendum is to be held in Australia that would amend the Constitution to give the First Nations people a say in legislative and governmental decisions that affect them. It doesnt sound particularly revolutionary: in Finland, for example, there is very similar legislation for the Sami. However, polls indicate that, barring surprises, the no vote will prevail due to a terrifying campaign of disinformation against the Aboriginal people. Again, this is nothing new: until 1971 the first inhabitants of Australia had no political rights  they did not even appear in the national census  and their children were systematically taken from their families to be educated in white schools, a period that is known as The Stolen Generation. Today they represent 3.8% of the Australian population, but the rates of incarceration, alcoholism, and poverty among Aborigines are devastating.

The British brought not only bad food to the Antipodes, as Bryson jokes, but annihilating colonization. Their aim was unique in human history: they did not intend to occupy Australia, but to turn it into a vast prison. Robert Hughes explains in The Fatal Shore, one of the great books on the history of Australia, that that coast would witness a new colonial experiment, unheard of until then. An unexplored continent would become a prison. The space surrounding it, the air itself, the sea, the whole transparent labyrinth of the South Pacific, would become a wall 22,000 kilometers thick.

That plan, roughly equivalent to establishing a penal colony on the Moon today, involved the extermination of the Aborigines. The Australians were divided into tribes, writes Hughes, of their situation when the British arrived with their minted lamb and their storm of destruction. They had no notion of private property, but a clear consciousness of territory, for they were bound to their ancestral lands by totemism. The island continent was interconnected by invisible maps in the form of songs, which were handed down from one generation to the next for millennia  what Bruce Chatwin called The Songlines in his celebrated travel book of the same name  and which are still preserved: that is why the Aborigines are considered to be the oldest culture of humankind. The thread that links their traditions with the past is still alive (which does not mean that it is not also in constant evolution).

Aborigines fishing in an undated photograph. ilbusca (Getty Images)

The extermination was slow  because Australia is immense  but relentless. The last uncontacted Aborigines emerged from the Gibson Desert in 1984, two centuries after Cooks arrival: they were the survivors of a systematic and cruel annihilation. The idea of regarding them as subhuman lasted well into the 20th century, Bryson writes. Where Aborigines survived, they were treated most ruthlessly. Many series and films portray the marginalization in which they remain stranded today, from the crime thriller Mystery Road to the political drama Total Control or Redfern Now, based in a Sydney neighborhood where many people of Aboriginal descent live. Sweet Country, an Australian western drama, is set during the height of the extermination.

More and more historians are revisiting the history of the West by taking into account the horrors of colonization, such as slavery and the subjugation, exploitation, or extermination of Indigenous populations (usually all three at once). This view that angers the right wing in the United States, which has turned the conquest of America into a fairy tale. Denialism arises not only when past injustices are denounced, but also those of the present, as evidenced by the storm of lies and hatred that has been unleashed against the Aborigines simply because they are trying to recover a small fraction of the rights that were stolen from them 200 years ago. As a character in the novel The Sentence by Louise Erdrich, an American writer of Ojibwe origin, says: A people who see themselves primarily as victims are doomed. Aboriginal people and Native American people are not willing to be doomed again.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Pakistans Foreign Secretary Syrus Qazi said that Canadas allegations of India being involved in the killing of a Sikh leader did not come as a surprise, since it had engaged in sabotage activities in Pakistan.

Speaking to the media at Pakistans mission to the United Nations, Qazi said if Canadas prime minister had allege Indias involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the claim could not be unfounded.

He added that the the statement was hardly surprising since India had been involved in trying to create instability in Pakistan. He also mentioned that Pakistan had a serving officer from the Indian navy in custody over allegations of espionage and sabotage.

Qazi said that if any country in the world knew India best, it was Pakistan.

The foreign secretary also confirmed that caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar would raise the issue of Kashmir in his speech before the UN general assembly.

He also said that the UN secretary general routinely holds a reception for world leaders and Kakar would participate in a reception held by US President Joe Biden as well.

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau had the House of Commons in an emergency session that his government was looking into credible allegations that the Indian government was involved in the assassination of a sikh leader in Canada. He has also raised the matter with the top leaders of US and UK.
Christine Connor is currently serving 25 years

The case against a committed dissident republican accused of attacking three female prison officers is proceeding as per the charges, a court heard today.

A prosecuting lawyer told Newtownards Magistrates Court the case against 38-year-old Christine Connor is proceeding as per the charges so he was seeking a two week adjournment for the would-be killer to be put on her election and plea.

Connor, whose address was given as c/o Hydebank womens prison, faces two charges of causing actual bodily harm to two women and common assault of a third woman, all alleged to have been committed on 7 April this year and the court has heard the alleged victims are all prison officers.

Defence counsel Kelly Doherty said she would consult with the defendant in the meantime but highlighted that theres some CCTV and body worn footage that we will need to see.

Connor did not appear in court today and although he put the case back to 4 October, District Judge Mark Hamill ordered that she is not to be produced until that CCTV footage has been disclosed.

The would-be killer is currently serving a sentence of life imprisonment with a minimum tariff of 25 years for the attempted murder of a police officer after she threw a pipe bomb at him.

She was jailed in August 2020 for four offences of attempted murder and possessing explosives with intent to endanger life, relating to two incidents in the north of the city in May 2013.

These included an attack on police who were lured to the scene by a bogus 999 call she made claiming to be the victim of domestic violence.

Describing the attack on police as both "cynical and sinister, Judge Stephen Fowler KC said he was satisfied it was an attempt by Connor to "lure police into an ambush'' by making a hoax call claiming to be the victim of domestic abuse requiring urgent police assistance.

He said Connor is a committed dissident republican.wedded to violence and that when she made the bogus 999 call, she "knew that police would regard a domestic violence situation as a high priority.''

One of the devices landed at the right foot of a PSNI officer and he was "entirely fortuitous to escape with his life, said the judge, adding that the incidents "were terrifying for all those caught up in them.

"The aim and intentions behind these attacks was to kill police....the devices were effective anti-personnel devices and their planning and deployment were detailed''.

The judge added: "The defendant was the driving force behind the attacks, securing the making of the pipe bombs, the reconnoitre of the attack locations and throwing the bombs.

"In my view she remains a committed dissident republican and nothing has changed. She is still wedded to violence.

"Her pivotal role in these attacks demonstrated a commitment to the dissident republican cause and a willingness to murder to further those ends. She has also shown no remorse.''

Initially, Connor had been handed a 20 year term but judges in the Court of Appeal increased that to 25 years.
Richard Egan (49) later said he had the knife for cutting fruit and had been misunderstood by the gardai

A Luas passenger who got onto a tram with a large kitchen knife sticking out of his pocket was arrested after telling gardai he had it for his own protection, a court heard.

Richard Egan (49) later said he had the knife for cutting fruit and had been misunderstood by the gardai.

Judge Bryan Smyth fined him 200 at Dublin District Court.

Egan, of Reuben Walk, Herberton, Rialto pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a weapon.

The court heard Egan entered the tram at the Abbey Street stop at 4.45pm on June 10 this year.

He was in possession of a large kitchen knife which was sticking out of his jeans back-pocket, Garda Sergeant Michelle Lynch said. A staff member observed this and called for assistance.

When the tram stopped, Egan was removed and the knife was seized.

The court heard he told gardai he had it for his own protection. He had not produced it or brandished it on the tram.

Defence solicitor Peter Keatings said Egan had gone into town to buy a pair of shoes on the day  the knife was for cutting fruit and he forgot it was there.

Egan had been attacked by youths in his home a couple of years ago and remained extremely nervous. He may have mentioned this while speaking to the gardai, was struggling to get his point across and they misunderstood him, Mr Keatings said.

Theres an appreciable difference between carrying something for ones own protection and for cutting fruit, the judge said.

The solicitor also said the knife was actually so small that they had to magnify it so it could be visible to the naked eye.

Sgt Lynch said: I dont believe that is the case.

Judge Smyth agreed, saying it doesnt look like that to me and noting the prosecuting gardas description.

Fining Egan, Judge Smyth said it was a serious matter and it was not acceptable to carry a knife around.
White (41) was jailed for life in 2009 over the brutal killing of Noel Roche.

The first person convicted for murder in connection with the Crumlin-Drimnagh feud which claimed 16 lives is being regularly let out of prison .

Gang killer Craig White, who is currently an inmate in Shelton Abbey Open Prison, Co Wicklow, and is being let home on temporary release two weekends a month in preparation for his permanent release.

It is understood he has so far served 14 years of a life sentence for murder, however, the Parole Board has now sanctioned his temporary weekend releases.

The 41 year old was jailed for life in 2009 over the brutal killing of Noel Roche (27) in Clontarf after he attended a Phil Collins concert in the Point Depot.

Roche was shot three times as he sat in his car and died at the scene.

White was the getaway driver and the shooting is believed to have been carried out by a known contract killer Paddy Doyle, who worked for Fat Freddie Thompson.

Doyle fled the country for the Costa del Sol when he received death threats after the murder and was subsequently executed himself in Spain, 18 months later.

Freddie Thompson

The trial heard White was a "senior gangland figure " and his DNA was found on a bag containing a balaclava and gun and on gloves found in the getaway car.

He became the first person jailed over the long running Drimnagh-Crumlin feud which resulted in a staggering 16 deaths.

He had been questioned while in prison over the 2010 murder of another gangland boss Eamon the Don Dunne after Dunne had boasted in the days before his assassination that he had a fling with a woman know to White.

Eamonn Dunne

However, White denied any involvement and was never prosecuted in relation to the killing.

A prison source said; "Craig White served most of his sentence in Mountjoy and was moved to the open prison two years ago.

"He is regularly getting out for weekends and stays with family and friends.

"He has been a major gangland figure but has kept his nose clean in recent years and is keen to make a fresh start away from crime.

"There is no way he would be let out unless the Parole Board felt he was a changed man.

"He was beaten up once in Mountjoy by another prisoner several years ago and to be fair, it wasn't his fault. He will be out on permanent release soon.

"He has to behave and adhere to the strict release conditions or he will be sent back to jail to finish his sentence."

The Irish Prison Service said it does not comment on individual prisoners.
Patrice McNally (32) and William Moore (40), were both arrested when gardai saw them sitting together

A Belfast-based man and woman were caught with drugs for sale or supply after gardai saw them acting suspiciously at a Dublin train station.

Patrice McNally (32) and William Moore (40), were both arrested when gardai saw them sitting together at Connolly Station and searched them.

Mc Nally, of Monagh Parade, Belfast was fined 250 for possession of sedative tablets while Moore of Thomas Crescent was given a six-month suspended sentence for having crack cocaine.

They both pleaded guilty at Dublin District Court.

Judge Bryan Smyth was told gardai were on patrol at the station at 8pm on September 7 when they saw both of the accused sitting, acting suspiciously.

When approached, they began to pack things away and gardai believed they were trying to evade them.

In a search, Mc Nally was found with trays of Alprazolam tablets in her bag, worth 450.

Moore had 180 worth of crack cocaine in the chest zipper pocket of his tracksuit top.

Father-of-one Moore owned up to the offence when arrested, the court heard. Originally from Dublin, he had no previous convictions in the Republic but had 100 in the north, the court heard.

He had a serious crack addiction and was taking quite a substantial amount of it, his solicitor, Evan Moore, said.

McNally, a mother-of-two with no previous convictions, also admitted full ownership of the drugs she had.

She had turned to drugs following a bereavement.

She knows what she did was wrong, she is apologetic and is trying to deal with her issues, Mr Moore said.
Ive no issue with protesting, never have, never will but you can see the videos circulating and judge for yourselves if that behaviour and use of language is acceptable.

Michael Healy Rae outside Leinster House today as Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break . Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said the erection of a gallows with politicians pictures outside Leinster House today is reprehensible.

Protesters took mock gallows and photographs of high-profile politicians to a demonstration outside Leinster House as the Dail returned following the summer recess.

Two men were arrested during the protest under the public order act and charged to appear in court following an incident on Molesworth Street.

Both have since been charged and brought before the courts, said a garda spokesperson.

A video circulating on social media showed Independent Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae escorted by two gardai from Leinster House and down Kildare Street.

Protestors shouted abuse and insults at him as he walked down the street, accompanied by gardai.

It is understood an intern from his office had her phone were stolen by protestors as she was making her way from Leinster House with Mr Healy Rae.

The intern, aged 20, had her first day in Leinster House today and is originally from the US.

She was very shook up afterwards, it is understood.

Mr Healy Rae told the Irish Independent: I come to Dublin to represent the good people of this country.

Nothing will ever deter me from doing my job.

Ive no issue with protesting, never have, never will but you can see the videos circulating and judge for yourselves if that behaviour and use of language is acceptable.

Members of the public protest outside Leinster House today as Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break . Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

Meanwhile, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has been called to take action and step up against brazen actions of the protestors.

Fine Gael Senator Barry Ward wrote to Mr Harris, saying the credibility of Gardai will be substantially eroded if nothing is done.

Public representatives should never be jostled, harassed or intimidated the way they were today, and the credibility of An Garda Siochana will be substantially eroded if action is not taken against these groups, he wrote.

Senator Ward said Kildare Street was unusable because of people who sought to disrupt, threaten and frighten the representatives of the people of Ireland.

This cannot be allowed to happen again, he said.

The Senator said he wanted to hear from the Commissioner on what steps will be taken to protect our democratic institutions.

There is a responsibility on you to ensure that thugs like those outside Leinster House today are not emboldened to repeat or escalate this behaviour.

The gallows, which featured an effigy of a man hanging from a noose, was adorned with portraits of politicians including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald.

Images of enterprise minister Simon Coveney, education minister Norma Foley and minister for children Roderic OGorman also accompanied the display.

Depictions of opposition TDs including Eoin O Broin from Sinn Fein and Solidarity-People Before Profit deputies Paul Murphy and Brid Smith also featured.

A protester outside Leinster House today

Around 200 people gathered outside Leinster House, where the main entrance was fenced off by gardai, as part of what has become a traditional day of protest for the return of the Dail session.

Protesters shouted various chants against transgender rights, migration and planned hate speech laws.

Several TDs had to receive a garda escort as they attempted to leave Leinster House in their cars via the Merrion Street exit on Wednesday evening.

Politicians and staff working in the Houses of the Oireachtas were unable to exit via the rear of the parliamentary complex for several hours on Wednesday evening with many waiting on the back lawn or in their cars for the protests to clear.

Protesters outside Leinster House as the Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break. Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins

Whilst the demonstration had begun on Kildare Street earlier in the day, the protesters moved to the rear of the complex in the late afternoon causing further disruption.

A mock gallows with portraits of various senior politicians both in government and opposition remained positioned at the front gates of Leinster House in front of a crush barrier that had been erected by An Garda Siochana on Tuesday evening in advance of the demonstration.

They said gardai from Pearse Street Garda Station are still at the protest and traffic restrictions are currently in place on Merrion Street.

Members of the public protest outside Leinster House today as Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break . Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

Micheal Martin said the protest was a very personalised attack and a targeting of politicians.

Thats unacceptable and reprehensible. We live in a parliamentary democracy, notwithstanding the flaws in any democracy, he said.

Many people have commented to me here at the UN, at various events that I have been at, about how Ireland is politically effective now when harnessing civil society in our debates on a whole range of issues.

Emphasising public consultation and engagement by politicians, he said it had been seen from marriage equality; to Repeal of the Eighth Amendment, to the consultative forum on security, and the Commission on Taxation.

People are actually interested in the processes we use to try and get greater input from civic society.

So there was, and is, no need for that kind of behaviour, he said.
Habib Shamel, 32, remains in custody at HMP Maghaberry charged with carrying out the murder on April 4 this year

A cross-border investigation team is set to meet in The Hague over the killing of a woman in Limerick, a Belfast court heard today.

Agencies from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are involved in the international effort to prosecute the man accused of stabbing Geila Ibram to death during a sexual exchange earlier this year.

Habib Shamel, 32, remains in custody at HMP Maghaberry charged with carrying out the murder on April 4 this year.

The 27-year-old victims mutilated body was discovered at an apartment block in the Dock Road area of Limerick.

Geila Ibram

Ms Ibram, who was originally from Romania, died from multiple stab wounds inflicted to the neck, face and abdomen in what police described as a vicious and frenzied attack.

Shamel, an Afghani national with an address at Cecil Street in Limerick, was later arrested in the Malone area of south Belfast.

He is charged with Ms Ibrams murder under the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975, which allows the PSNI to prosecute in Northern Ireland if a suspect travelled from another jurisdiction.

A previous court heard claims that he had arranged a sexual exchange with the victim on the day she died.

CCTV footage allegedly showed him arriving at her property and then leaving again less than two minutes later.

Detectives claim he injured his hand during the suspected encounter and attended hospital in Limerick before travelling north by bus.

With the PSNI providing assistance in the murder investigation, a formal International Letter of Request (ILOR) for information has been sent to the Republic of Ireland.

Shamel appeared remotely at Belfast Magistrates Court today where a Crown lawyer disclosed new details of ongoing contact with the Department of Justice in Dublin.

A joint investigation team has been formed to try to speed it up, which comprises a number of different agencies from both jurisdictions, she said.

District Judge Steven Keown was also told the process is due to be taken to the Dutch city where the International Criminal Court is seated.

There was a meeting scheduled in The Hague but that hasnt occurred yet, the prosecutor added.

Despite acknowledging the complexities of the case, defence barrister Chris Sherrard questioned the level of progress being made.

What it boils down to is a lot of sound and fury not amounting to much, he claimed.

Shamel did not apply for bail at this stage and was remanded in continuing custody.

Adjourning the case to next month, Judge Keown indicated: I want a specific update about the meeting in The Hague.
The Crumlin gang figure appeared in a Spanish court along with relative Jack Kavanagh yesterday

The Spanish Prosecutor's Office has formally backed the extradition of Kinahan mobster Liam Byrne and his nephew Jack Kavanagh to the UK at a court hearing yesterday.

Dublin criminal Byrne, along with the son of Thomas Bomber Kavanagh, have been fighting efforts to extradite them since they were arrested in June.

Byrne (42) is wanted by Britains National Crime Agency (NCA) after being accused of alleged gun running.

Jack Kavanagh, who is based in Tamworth, Staffordshire, was also arrested in Malaga Airport within days of Byrnes arrest, also in relation to alleged firearms offences.

Liam Byrne is Jack Kavanaghs uncle.

'Bomber' Kavanagh during his arrest

Both he and Kavanagh were sent to prison after deciding to fight Britains extradition requests in separate hearings before a judge at Spains Audiencia Nacional court, which deals with extraditions.

However, the Prosecutor's Office is Spain yesterday told a court hearing that they supported the delivery to the United Kingdom of two Irish citizens of the so-called Kinahan clanfor their alleged participation in the purchase of weapons.

It noted that both men opposed being handed over to the United Kingdom by rejecting the accusations against them.

According to their respective claims, contained in the respective reports of the Prosecutor's Office, both conspired jointly and with other unknown persons to possess firearms and ammunition, it is stated.

They are also accused of perverting the course of justice, by assisting Thomas Kavanagh in hiding firearms and ammunition, so that he could pretend to the police that he was helping them by revealing their whereabouts.

Spanish authorities claim that, having acquired firearms and ammunition abroad, the defendants and other members of the group would hide them.

It is claimed their partner would offer to collaborate with English authorities and would inform them about the existence of a weapons and ammunition depot in a bid to reduce their sentence.

The Spanish claim Bomber Kavanagh, through the encrypted messaging platform Encrochat, that was widely used by criminals, played a prominent role in the supply of weapons, obtaining 14, through a third party.

On May 31, 2020, this third party asked the defendant how long the firearms should be kept, to which he responded until the sentence.

On May 20, 2021, officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA) found a cache of firearms in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland.

In total, 11 firearms were seized, including Keckler and Koche P30 pistols of 9x19 mm calibre and 7.65x17 mm calibre ammunition.

Liam Byrne

In August, it emerged how Jacks dad, Kinahan cartel gangster Thomas Bomber Kavanagh had concocted a bizarre strategy to get a reduced prison sentence by informing police where they could find the stash of guns.

Prosecutors outlined how Kavanagh, who is already serving a 21-year sentence for overseeing shipments of cocaine and cannabis into the UK worth 36m, had given information to police from the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) on the location of the 11 firearms.

Liam Byrne and Jack Kavanagh are both suspected of being involved in the plot to procure weapons, for the UK police, on behalf of Bomber.

But information gleaned from the EncroChat encrypted communications network allegedly involving all the charged men led specialist police to uncover the plot.

NCA officers believe Liam Byrne, Jack Kavanagh and Shaun Kent conspired to pervert the course of justice by planning to reveal the location of weapons in an attempt to get Thomas Kavanagh a reduced prison sentence, the NCA said in a statement after the brief court hearing in August.

The NCAs regional head of investigations, Craig Turner, said: These charges are a major milestone in what has been a long and complex international investigation.

We will continue to work with our partners to target criminals who we suspect are operating at the highest levels of organised crime impacting on the UK.

Byrne, whose brother David Byrne was murdered in Dublins Regency Hotel in February 2016, was believed to have been in Dubai since December 2021 after he learned of the investigation in the UK.

He was arrested by armed police on the Spanish island of Mallorca and now faces extradition to England and the prospect of a lengthy jail sentence.

Classed as the leader of the Byrne Organised Crime Group (BOCG), career criminal Byrne was heavily involved in drug trafficking and violent crime, the High Court in Dublin has previously been told.

Peadar Keating

This week we revealed how gangland hardman Peadar Keating branded his boss Thomas Bomber Kavanagh a rat after he was told he is wanted in the UK on the gun conspiracy charges.

Keating, who is serving an 11-year prison term in Portlaoise, is wanted by the National Crime Agency as part of new charges brought against Kavanagh, his son Jack and Liam Byrne.

Keating has been implicated in the bizarre case which has backfired on Kavanagh after he tried to give up the guns to authorities in order to lessen his own sentence for drug trafficking.

He was brought to the High Court in Dublin for an extradition hearing this week, accused of conspiring to possess firearms and helping jailed Kavanagh beat a gun rap.

The State is seeking to extradite the 42-year-old to face the charges over the alleged plot to assist Kavanagh to reduce his 21-year jail term for masterminding a drug smuggling operation.

Keating has been a loyal lieutenant of Kavanagh for decades in Ireland, running his drugs and weapons, and is currently in prison over an attempt to kill Hutch loyalist James Mago Gately in a plot directed by Daniel Kinahan and Sean McGovern from Dubai.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the extradition case for a hearing date to be set later and Keating was returned to prison after the brief hearing.

He has told fellow prisoners that Kavanagh ratted him out to save his own skin and is furious as he now faces completing his Irish sentence in a UK prison where he will also have to face court on gun charges.

A warrant was issued for Keating at Westminster Magistrates Court on August 16 when Kavanagh and others appeared from custody. He is accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by assisting Kavanaghs attempt to reduce his sentence for conspiring to import Class A and B drugs.

The case centres around the seizure of automatic weapons and ammunition and nine offences which are alleged to have happened between January 9, 2020 and June 3, 2021.

At the hearing Kavanagh appeared over video link from the maximum security Belmarsh jail and spoke only to confirm his name and date of birth.

McLoughlin has denied conspiracies to possess a firearm and ammunitions without a certificate and conspiracies to possess a prohibited weapon and ammunitions.

Kent denied two counts of conspiracy to possess a firearm and ammunitions without a certificate and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

The investigation centres on Encrochat handles and information received about firearms, some of which were hidden in Ireland. A trial estimated to last between four and six weeks has been set for September 2 next year at the Old Bailey.
British actress Joan Collins writes that at first she did not recognize the blonde woman drinking alone at the bar. She had arrived in Hollywood only a few months earlier, after signing a contract with 20th Century Fox in 1955. That same year, she had starred in The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, a film based on true events in which Collins played model, showgirl and actress Evelyn Nesbit, whose husband, billionaire Harry Kendall Thaw, ended up murdering her lover, architect Stanford White, in a scandal that shocked American society in 1906. They wanted me to play the lead in The Girl in the Red Velvet Swing, but Im too old, the blonde at the bar told Collins in a sad voice. Only then did Joan Collins realize that she was sitting next to Marilyn Monroe.

She was extremely friendly, so we started chatting. After a couple of martinis, she warned me about the harassment in Hollywood and the wolves in this town, Joan Collins, 90, now reveals in her explosive new memoir, Behind the Shoulder Pads: Tales I Tell My Friends, which will be published on September 28; the British newspaper Daily Mail recently published a preview. Collins tells of her encounters with figures like Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor, Princess Diana and her ex-boyfriend, fellow actor Warren Beatty. But in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein case and the MeToo movement, Collins also discusses some of the episodes of sexual abuse and power that she experienced in the past. But lets go back to Marilyn Monroe, the martinis and the wolves of Hollywood for a moment: I replied that I was well used to them after several years in the British film industry, the veteran actress says in her book. All of us had to put up with having our bottoms patted and men leering down our cleavage.

Thats nothing compared to the studio power bosses, honey, Marilyn replied. If they dont get what they want, theyll drop your contract. Then Monroe warned her: Watch out for Zanuck. If he doesnt get what he wants, hell fire you. Collins took note. Just a few days later, Darryl Zanuck, the producer of classic films like The Grapes of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941) and All About Eve (1950), pounced on her at the studios, trapping her against the wall, and told her that he was the biggest and the best and could go all night. Now talkative and shrewd, at the time Collins was left speechless; she slipped away from the powerful producer as best she could and went back to the set. I heard that a starlet had recently been fired because when he said: Baby, Im the biggest in the business . . . she responded with: Youd better be, cause youre only five foot two! Collins writes.

That wasnt the first or last time that Joan Collins experienced an abuse of power in golden-age Hollywood. She shares all of those instances in her new book. She doesnt mince words and names names, always prefacing the revelation with the phrase, Not to speak ill of the dead (but I will!). The actress explains that in the aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, the full extent of the depravity that pretty young actresses were forced to descend to for potential roles was finally out in the open and no longer continues  or at least is no longer accepted. I hope. But it went on for far too many decades. I know, because I was there.

Frigid little witch

Actress Joan Collins and her then-partner, actor Warren Beatty, kissing at the Harwyn Club in New York in 1960. Bettmann (Bettmann Archive)

My first encounter with the casting couch was while testing for the juvenile lead in the 1952 British movie I Believe in You, the actress recalls. One of the producers had made such obvious advances that I had to dodge him by hiding in a wardrobe in the costume department, helped by sympathetic dressers, and waiting until he left the studio before taking the bus and Tube home. But one day that producer intercepted her on her way home and encouraged her to get into his Bentley so he could take her home: During the ride, he grabbed my hand and put it on his open fly. I screamed in horror and yanked my hand away. Whats the matter? Dont you want the part? he leered. Not this much, I cried, childishly bursting into tears as I [realized] I had blown my chances. Id never seen a naked man before, let alone felt one. The producer was shocked and asked Joan Collins if she was frigid, as if that were the only possible reason she would refuse his advances.

It was the first time I had been called that by a man, but sadly not the last. Men who, because they were rich or powerful, thought that women were playthings could be very cruel, the performer now recounts. Luckily, this producer was overruled by the director and the head of the studio, so I got that role despite his threats. However, he still pursued me, and when I told him I wasnt interested and was still a virgin he called me a frigid little witch.

In her book, Collins mentions a long list of predators, including actors, producers and directors: Sadly, many of the actors I worked with considered it their divine right to have sex with their leading lady, she writes. At the age of 21 I had repeatedly said no to a handsome, if short, famous actor I was working with. One night after shooting, he followed my car and when I paused at the Twentieth Century Fox exit gate, he shouted at the top of his lungs: You stupid cow  youll be washed up by the time youre 23! Luckily, I was under contract and for a good salary, so I considered myself reasonably safe until I hit 27, which was widely deemed by studio bosses to be the age that women lost their sexual allure.

Actors, producers and directors

Joan Collins recalls that, in the early 1960s, she was offered the role of Cleopatra in director Joseph L. Mankiewiczs film of the same title on more than one occasion; the part ended up being played by Elizabeth Taylor, who became the highest paid actress of the time. Both the head of Fox, Buddy Adler, and the chairman of the board  a Greek gentleman old enough to be my grandfather  had bombarded me with propositions and flowers, culminating in promises to cast me as Cleopatra if only I would be nice to them. They both used this euphemism, quite prevalent in Hollywood at the time. Collins claims that the very idea of these old men laying a hand on her repulsed her, so I dodged and I dived and hid around the lot and made excuses while the studio tested me for Cleopatra ad infinitum. It all ended at a glamorous industry party, as she describes it, where Adler took her out dancing and proposed giving her the part and a nice apartment in exchange for her visiting three or four times a week. Collins responded that her agent was at that party as well, so it might be best to share the details with him. Honey, you have quite a sense of [humor], Adler replied.

Elizabeth Taylor got to play the part opposite Richard Burton, another predatory actor I had played opposite in the 1957 war film Sea Wife. According to Collins, Burton told her that they should sleep together so as not to break his record. Burtons record was having sex with every actress with whom he starred in a film. Collins turned him down and they never spoke to each other again during the shoot.

George Peppard and Joan Collins in a scene from 'The Executioner', 1970. ullstein bild Dtl. (ullstein bild via Getty Images)

Collins goes on to note that George Peppard behaved similarly. Peppard, who is known for playing Holly Golightlys romantic interest in Breakfast at Tiffanys and Hannibal in The A-Team, co-starred opposite Collins in the 1970 film The Executioner. During the kick-off party, Peppard walked her home and tried to sleep with her. Joan Collins told him she was married and had children, to which he replied that she was totally square. It didnt end there; he then made filming impossible for her, taking advantage of her in bed scenes and giving her kisses with tongue in romantic scenes: When I politely extricated his tongue from my throat for the fourth time, I became angry, writes the actress. She complained to the director about that behavior, but he did nothing to stop it. Did you enjoy that? asked Peppard. No, I hated it, Collins replied. Youre such a prude, he sneered. Most actresses love it. Well, Im not one of them. After that, they stopped talking to each other and, when necessary, the actors only communicated with each other through their respective makeup artists.

For Collins, this story has a happy ending: When George [Peppard] was cast as the lead in a new serial drama called Oil, he was so difficult that the producer Aaron Spelling fired him. They recast with John Forsythe, retitled it Dynasty . . . and the rest is history. I dont think I could have stood nine years working with George Peppard.

At 90 years old, Joan Collins is one of the few remaining relics of old Hollywood. In her golden years, the actress appeared in more than 60 films and 15 plays, although it was the character of the evil Alexis Colby in Dynasty that brought her back into the spotlight and made her famous around the world. But Joan Collinss best role might simply be being Joan Collins. With over a dozen nonfiction books published, she has become an excellent chronicler of a time and place that, for some people, are now thankfully in the past. But that doesnt mean its not worth looking back at the appalling behavior that went on for far too long in Hollywood. Collins knows because she was there.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The 15-year-old boy was linked to the collisions with the patrol vehicle with two female gardai inside

A still image of video from the ramming incident in Ballyfermot on September 19, 2022

A schoolboy who was a passenger in stolen cars which repeatedly rammed a garda vehicle had sentencing postponed today after further pleading guilty to more motor theft-related offences.

The 15-year-old boy was linked to the collisions with the patrol vehicle with two female gardai inside on September 19, 2022, at Cherry Orchard Avenue and Cedarbrook Avenue in Ballyfermot.

He had been awaiting sentencing for several months but the Dublin Children's Court revoked bail earlier this month due to conditions being breached.

He appeared again before Judge Paul Kelly on Tuesday accompanied by his parents, who conveyed concerns about social media comments, via their son's solicitor, Niall Walsh.

The teen, described by the defence as being "vulnerable", entered guilty pleas to three other incidents, before and after the ramming of the gardai.

The court heard that he was spotted among a group of teens running from a stolen car in July 2022 in Dublin after a Garda pursuit. On another date last year, he travelled with others to a garage in a stolen car, which was filled up with petrol without paying by another member of his group.

He had vise grips on him when he broke into a car in July this year and was trying to get it started when gardai arrived.

Judge Kelly noted the concerns raised by the parents. He also adjourned the case for an updated probation report to be prepared for the resumption of the proceedings next month.

The boy was further remanded in custody to the Oberstown Children Detention Campus.

Earlier, Judge Kelly said the boy had "every conceivable support over the last 12 months".

The teen, who once avoided court by refusing to get out of bed for a previous appearance on May 30, already pleaded guilty to 19 other charges.

They involved six separate prosecutions for incidents over nine months in Dublin last year when he was 14.

Two of them were for allowing himself to be a passenger in two stolen cars on September 19, 2022, when the patrol car was rammed three times. Footage went viral online.

Detective Garda McNulty said that after responding to a report of joyriders, two female gardai were "rammed" by two Toyota Aquas.

The cars were stolen within the previous 48 hours and were driven dangerously on the date of the incident,

"They proceeded to ram the patrol cars three times," Detective McNulty had alleged, adding that the boy was a back-seat passenger.

Two of his other charges were for criminal damage to a CCTV system and a fire extinguisher at a residential building in Reuben Square, Dublin 8.

An incident on August 19 led to charges for unlawfully driving a stolen vehicle, having no licence or insurance, failing to produce documents and seven counts of dangerous driving in the Tallaght area.

There were also guilty pleas to being a passenger in a stolen vehicle in the Drimnagh area on May 9, attempted unlawful entry to a motor vehicle in Citywest on April 16, and criminal damage to a car passenger window on June 6 in Tallaght. His case is to remain in the Children's Court.

A co-defendant for the ramming is to be sent to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers, while a third youth who drove the second car that collided with the patrol car has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentence in the Children's Court.

Two other boys avoided court prosecution by acceptance into the Garda juvenile youth diversion programme.
The judge said he would grant bail and the garda asked for Mr Keogh to be ordered to stay away from Molesworth Street and the houses of the Oireachtas as a condition.

Members of the public protest outside Leinster House today as Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break . Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

20/09/2023 A large Garda presence outside Leinster House today as Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break . Photo Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

20/9/2023 Philip Keogh, of Griffith Parade, Finglas, Dublin pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) after he appeared before the District Court charged with public order offences following a protest outside the Dail. Pic: Paddy Cummins

20/9/2023 Darryl McMahon, of St. Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) after he appeared before the District Court charged with public order offences following a protest outside the Dail. Pic:IrishPhotoDesk.ie

Two Dublin men have appeared in court charged with public order offences following a protest outside the Dail Eireann today.

Philip Keogh (45) and Darryl McMahon (48) were granted bail after they were arrested and brought before Dublin District Court.

Judge Alan Mitchell adjourned their cases for the accused to decide how they intend to plead.

Mr Keogh, of Griffith Parade, Finglas, is charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and garda obstruction.

20/9/2023 Philip Keogh, of Griffith Parade, Finglas, Dublin pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) after he appeared before the District Court charged with public order offences following a protest outside the Dail. Pic: Paddy Cummins

Mr McMahon, from Charlestown Park, also in Finglas, is charged with threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour and failing to comply with garda directions.

The offences are alleged to have happened at Molesworth Street today.

Garda Glenn Quinn said neither accused made any reply when charged at Kevin Street Garda Station this afternoon.

He objected to bail in Mr Keoghs case.

Following his arrest, he informed me he would not appear before the court on these charges because he does not recognise the charges, the garda said.

Protesters hold pictures of politicians outside Leinster House, Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA)

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Donal Quigley said it was not that Mr Keogh did not recognise the charges but that he doesnt believe he should be charged and did not admit them.

It was a protest he was arrested at and emotions in these matters can run quite high, Mr Quigley said.

The garda said further charges were not likely.

The judge said he would grant bail and the garda asked for Mr Keogh to be ordered to stay away from Molesworth Street and the houses of the Oireachtas as a condition.

Members of the public protest outside Leinster House today as Dail Eireann resumes after the summer break . Photo: Gareth Chaney / Collins Photos

Judge Mitchell said there was a Constitutional right of assembly and I think that would be a step too far.

He granted bail in Mr Keoghs own bond of 300, with no cash lodgement required. The only condition is that he must sign on weekly at Finglas Garda Station.

He also granted free legal aid to Mr Keogh, who the court heard was not employed.

There were no bail objections in Mr McMahons case and his case was adjourned to the same date. His bail was also set at 300, but with no conditions.

The accused were both remanded on bail to appear in court again on October 11. Judge Mitchell ordered disclosure of prosecution evidence to the defence.
Her defence is that its a medical issue

An Irish woman has admitted being disorderly at Belfast International Airport.

However, Christina Connor (40) denied deliberately damaging an airport police van by urinating in it.

Connor appeared in the dock of Antrim Magistrates Court, siting in Ballymena, to plead guilty to disorderly behaviour at the Aldergrove airport on August 14 this year.

However, Connor (40), from Ballymacoss Hill in Lisburn, denied a second charge  causing criminal damage to a cell van belonging to Belfast International Airport Constabulary, intending to damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be damaged  alleged to have been committed on the same date.

It is understood that charge relates to Connor urinating in the cell van.

Her defence counsel said that, while Connor had brought a bundle of documents to court regarding medical evidence, none addressed the issues in the case, as the officer said it was deliberate urination.

Her defence is that its a medical issue, he told the court, applying for the case to be adjourned to allow the Public Prosecution Service to examine any medical reports.

District Judge Nigel Broderick put the case back to October 3 to fix a date for the contest.
Flynn guilty of charge linked to Lordship Credit Union robbery

Detective Garda Adrian Donohue was killed during the robbery at the Lordship Credit Union in Louth

A 32-year-old man found guilty of stealing the car used in the Lordship Credit Union robbery  in which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was killed  will be jailed in Portlaoise Prison alongside convicted garda killer Aaron Brady.

James (Jimmy) Flynn, who is currently incarcerated in Mountjoy Prison, is due to be sentenced on November 13.

Sources said in the wake of sentencing, if jailed for a further period, Flynn will be transferred to Portlaoise Prison where he will be housed in general population on C-wing with Brady.

James Flynn

On Monday, Flynn, from South Armagh was found not guilty of direct involvement in the robbery of 7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth.

However, the judges had earlier found Mr Flynn guilty of the theft of a vehicle used in the robbery.

The court found it was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that it was his distinctive BMW Series 5 seen on CCTV footage in the vicinity of the house that was burgled on January 23, 2013  and then seen leading the Passat that was stolen and subsequently used in the Lordship robbery.

James Flynn had originally been charged with conspiracy to commit a series of creeper burglaries in Louth, Cavan, Monaghan and Westmeath in 2013 but Mr Justice Hunt found there was insufficient evidence to convict him of that charge.

Detective Garda Adrian Donohue was killed during the robbery at the Lordship Credit Union in Louth

However, the judge amended the indictment to state that on January 22 and 23, 2013, at various locations in Co Louth, Flynn conspired with garda killer Aaron Brady and another to enter premises at Clogherhead in Co Louth to steal the keys of a Volkswagen Passat.

Mr Justice Hunt, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Alan Mitchell revealed the verdicts of the three-judge, non-jury court in a detailed judgment on Monday.

Delivering the lengthy judgement at the Special Criminal Court, Mr Justice Hunt noted that every aspect of the prosecution case was consistent with the charge that Flynn actively conspired with two companions to steal the Volkswagen Passat.

The CCTV and timings of the communications indicated that they were involved in a nights work of a criminal variety and that is borne out by the circumstantial evidence, he added.

Co-accused Brendan Benny Treanor was also found not guilty of direct involvement in the robbery of 7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth.

Detective Garda Adrian Donohue

Treanor (34), previously of Emer Terrace, Castletown Road, Dundalk, Co Louth, was also found not guilty of involvement in the robbery and not guilty of involvement in a break-in and theft of the Volkswagen Passat that was ultimately used as the getaway car used in the Lordship robbery.

Mr Treanor was therefore acquitted on the charges against him.

The judges found that the evidence showed he was a member of the criminal gang involved, but it did not prove beyond all reasonable doubt that he was at the scene of the crime when it occurred.

The limited telephone traffic involving Brendan Treanor is perhaps suspicious but it does not approach the standard to convict, said presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt.

They therefore had no choice but to find Mr Treanor not guilty of the robbery, which saw Aaron Brady (32) shoot and kill Detective Garda Donohoe (41) in a crime that shocked the nation on January 25, 2013.

Aaron Brady (31), previously of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum term, having been found guilty of murdering Det Garda Adrian Donohoe and of the robbery at Lordship.

He denied any involvement in the robbery and is awaiting an appeal against his conviction next month.

The trial of Flynn and Treanor finished on May 19 this year, following 55 days of evidence, legal argument and closing speeches for the prosecution and defence.

In relation to conspiracy to commit burglaries, Sean Guerin SC, for Mr Treanor, submitted in his closing speech last May that there was no evidence of any agreement or overarching conspiracy and no evidence that Mr Treanor committed any of the burglaries.

Treanor currently remains in prison on remand for trial on an unrelated matter.
No one wants to see laws and policies that keep sex workers safe more than sex workers themselves

A group representing sex workers in Ireland has hit out at the governments plan to introduce a new law banning sex-for-rent.

In July, Tanaiste Micheal Martin vowed that legislation to address the exploitation of tenants by landlords offering accommodation in exchange for sex would be introduced by Government

However, the Sex Workers Alliance of Ireland (SWAI) has come out against the new law  and hit out at the Minister for Justice for failing to meet them.

The SWAI also said it was  appalled to learn through the media that the Department of Justice plans to include the sex-for-rent law in the review.

Linda Kavanagh, spokesperson for SWAI said sex workers should be consulted in any review.

This is not the purpose of the review process, and it should not be rushed to accommodate the Department of Justice's timeline, Ms Kavanagh said. The review process was built into the law when it passed.

SWAI does not support sex-for-rent laws and firmly believes that the best way to tackle exploitation in both the housing crisis and sex work is to address the lack of affordable housing, alleviate poverty, and end inequality

The current government has failed to make significant changes by addressing pertinent issues. Instead, they have opted to pass superficial laws that do not address the root cause of the problem.

The Ban on Sex for Rent Bill was introduced by Social Democrats TD Cian OCallaghan 18 months ago.

The bill was rejected after pre-legislative scrutiny by the Oireachtas justice committee because of concerns with the legislation.

Last month, Sinn Fein also published legislation that would make seeking sex for rent, or advertising such arrangements an offence under the Residential Tenancies Act.

However, the SWAI have said they should be consulted on any changes to laws surrounding sex work.

They described an apparent refusal by the Minister for Justice to meet with them as a slap in the face.

SWAI claims Minister Helen McEntees office has said it is too busy to sit down with them to discuss Part 4 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) 2017 report.

Minister McEntee said a tender will go out this week for a lead researcher to complete a review of current prostitution laws.

The Government is awaiting finalisation of the review before moving legislatively on the issue of sex-for-rent, which would criminalise a landlord seeking a sex-for-rent arrangement.

SWAI spokesman Linda Kavanagh said sex workers were the primary stakeholders in this review.

SWAIs role in Irish society is to ensure sex workers' voices get heard in the policies that affect their lives, Ms Kavanagh said.

No one wants to see laws and policies that keep sex workers safe more than sex workers themselves.

The SWAI also claims that they have never received any response regarding the review process, despite repeated requests.

The review has been delayed several times, and the independent reviewer in charge of the report has recently stepped back, Ms Kavanagh said. SWAI demands that the review be scrapped and redone as they believe that the sex workers' voices have not been heard.

The SWAI refers to an email apparently sent from the Ministers office that stated it was not possible to facilitate a meeting due to heavy work schedules.

We too have busy schedules dealing with the fallout of this extremely damaging law, such as evictions, homelessness and suicidality, to name a few, Ms Kavanagh added.

There were many media opportunities recently involving the Minister regarding the issue of crime in Dublin city, despite evidence that crime is actually down this year.

Were asking for engagement on the myriad of evidence that shows that the Nordic model of client criminalisation is actively harming sex workers. What kind of trust can we have in the Department of Justice when ideology is prioritised over lived experience, evidence and research? We have to ask whether the Minister thinks she is above meeting us.

Describing this year as a devastating one for sex workers in Ireland, the alliance referred to the murder of sex worker in Limerick and that trust in gardai remains incredibly low.

We are steeling ourselves for the inevitable raids dressed up as welfare checks that come every November, Ms Kavanagh added.

SWAI warned the government that violence would increase under the Nordic Model of client criminalisation.

Sex workers in Ireland already feel ignored and outcast due to stigma and shame, Refusing to meet with SWAI compounds this stigmatisation. When we are being murdered, attacked, robbed and lied to by Gardai, what does it take for us to be listened to? she added.
Sparos was best man at Moradian's wedding, and was even pictured at his funeral in July

One of two men charged in connection with the gangland slaying of the Australian crime boss Alen Moradian in Sydney was the best man at his wedding, and was even pictured at his funeral, it has emerged.

Luke Sparos, who has been arrested for allegedly planning Moradian's execution in a Bondi Junction car park earlier this year has been described as being extremely close to the cocaine kingpin.

However, it has been reported that police believe Sparos was the mastermind behind his former pals slaying that he ordered over a half million dollar debt.

Moradian (48) was in the driver's seat of his hired car when two gunmen ambushed him in broad daylight on June 27 at about 8.30am.

They fired multiple rounds into the Audi as it was parked in an underground car park of his Bondi Junction apartment.

Police and paramedics who rushed to the scene tried to save him but he died before they could get him to hospital.

Three suspect cars were found minutes later on fire or burnt-out.

Now, three months after the shooting, New South Wales Police confirmed that two men have been arrested, including alleged gangland figure Luke Fat Boy Sparos.

Sparos (42) and Charbel Hachem (31) were detained following multiple raids by tactical officers across five suburbs on Wednesday morning.

The pair were close associates. Sparos was best man at Moradian's wedding, and was even pictured at his funeral in July, appearing among other mourners near the hearse, dressed in a black Givenchy hoodie and dark shades.

However, their friendship soured as Sparos was seeking a more than $500,000 debt, related to drugs, from Moradian that was owed to "a certain crime entity".

Police will allege that while Sparos masterminded the assassination neither he or Hachem is alleged to be the one who pulled the trigger and it is believed the debt was owed not to the alleged killer but rather to a third party.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jason Weinstein said Sparos involvement will come as a shock to the underworld.

"Those two individuals themselves were not owed the money but other entities within organised were, Detective Chief Superintendent Weinstein said.

But this is what happens when you involve yourselves in the underworld, in drug distribution, in supply of drugs, you at some point in time will come into conflict.

As a result, police are still searching for at least two gunmen who they believe were involved in killing.

Det Supt Weinstein said the investigation has briefly stalled, as they try to determine if the gunmen had been in one or all three cars found afterwards, or if some were decoys.

"They are still out there and they still have the ability to conduct further shootings and murders should they choose to," he told reporters.

Sydney's 'Tony Soprano' Alen Moradian

Moradian's wife Natasha, who once labelled her husband the "Tony Soprano" of the cocaine trade in Australia, has been informed about Wednesday's arrests by police who are still trying to track down those who pulled the trigger.

"I imagine it would be a shock to her and others in the underworld," Det Supt Weinstein said, given how close Moradian and Sparos were prior to their falling out.

He also warned against those seeking revenge for Moradian.

"Those who want to see retribution in relation to Wednesdays arrest should think again, he said.

Moradian is understood to have been part of a secret cartel called the Commission, which controls the drug market in Sydney, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Moradian, who also had links to the Comanchero biker gang, was sentenced to 16 years and nine months in jail after pleading guilty in 2010 to importing a large commercial quantity of cocaine and supplying it.

Police will allege in court that Sparos is a major player and big figure in the Harbour City's underworld, who was the "mastermind" behind the killing .

Moradian, who knew he was facing imminent danger each day, had been warned by police last year that there was a bounty on his head.

He tried to avoid detection from his enemies by moving out of the family home, switching between apartments and changing the car he drove regularly.

It is understood he had hired a black Audi and was heading off to the gym on the morning of June 27 when he was murdered in the car park.
Gabi Saab was seriously injured in the incident on Monday morning.

Friends of a cyclist who suffered a head injury following a crash in Dublin this week are raising money to fly her father to Ireland from Brazil.

Gabi Saab was seriously injured in the incident, which took place on Botanic Road in Glasnevin at around 10am Monday morning and involved another cyclist.

She was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, where she is currently in an induced coma, although her condition is understood to be stable.

In a GoFundMe appeal launched on Tuesday, Gabis friend Camila explained that any funds raised would go towards supporting her recovery and easing her fathers expenses as he travels to Dublin from South America.

The fundraiser has a goal of 15,000 and has raised more than 6,250 from 338 donations in just over a day.

Using the hashtag #StrengthForGabi, Camila outlined how the fundraiser would help her pal in both Portuguese and English.

As many of you already know, Gabi was in a bicycle accident yesterday (September 18th) and suffered a head injury that required surgery. She is currently hospitalized and in stable condition, but in an induced coma to aid in her 100pc recovery, she wrote.

We are launching this fundraising campaign with the goal of supporting Gabi in covering the various costs associated with her recovery, including hospital expenses, medications, rent, grocery bills, and even her father's journey from Brazil to Ireland to be by her side.

Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in Gabi's life during this challenging time. Additionally, please send your positive energy, vibes, and lots of love, as the strength of everyone is essential and will make a difference.

Let's come together and show how much we care about Gabi. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

Gardai continue to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision on Monday or who may have any information to contact them.

Any road users or pedestrians who may have camera footage (including dash-cam), and were travelling in the area of Botanic Road or Iona Road, Glasnevin, Dublin between 9am and 10.30am on Monday, is asked to make this footage available to gardai, a spokesperson said.

Donations can be made through the Help for Gabi Saab GoFundMe page.
You dont have to suffer through the elements thanks to these cosy and practical pods

'Smores by the camp fire is a must for any trip

As the nights start to draw in and the kids return to school, we could all do with something special to look forward to.

The good news is, darker skies bring brighter stars, cooler weather means cosy fires and falling leaves make for Insta-worthy walks.

While camping out during the October half-term break might not sound like much fun, dont worry, a Further Space glamping experience offers the perfect blend of indulgent escape and amazing adventure that the whole family is sure to enjoy.

There is no better time of year to pack your favourite sweater and book a unique space to stay in an unexpected place with the people and/or pets you love.

With Further Space glamping pods catering for up to four people, they provide everything you will need. With WIFI available, as well as a comfy double bed, spectacular showers, high-quality bed-linen, a coffee dock, integrated bunk beds and even a private hot tub in some sites, you might not want to leave.

To help you plan the perfect half-term break under the stars, Further Space has compiled a list of amazing sites in beautiful places across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The luxury interior will surprise most people

Thornfield Farm, County Antrim, Northern Ireland

Enjoy these luxury glamping pods nestled close to the Dark Hedges, made famous as the setting for Kingsroad in Game of Thrones and close to other filming locations from the worldwide blockbuster.

The unique pods are located on private farmland and guests will have the chance to feed the hens and see baby lambs. And, with the glamping pods located just a 12-minute drive from Ballycastle and its beautiful beach, they offer the perfect opportunity to catch some gnarly waves on your surfboard, chase the gentle ones as you paddle along the shoreline or simply enjoy the refreshing feel of sand on your feet.

Other local attractions include the Giants Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Ballintoy Harbour. Finally, after a full day exploring, you can retreat to your own private hot tub to unwind  exclusive to one pod only so get booking!

The perfect glamping solution as the cold weather kicks in

Belmullet, County Mayo, Ireland One of the crown jewels of Irelands Wild Atlantic Way and recognised as The Best Place to Go Wild In Ireland Belmullet glamping pods offer the perfect coastal adventure for families, couples and friends.

With the perfect blend of nature, activities, wilderness and beauty, Belmullet has something to offer every adventure seeker, hiker and water sport enthusiast. While enjoying a stay in one of the four luxury pods, you are sure to be spoilt for choice when planning what to do but make sure to visit Belmullets famous beauty spots such as The Inishkea Islands, Dun na mBo and Blacksod Bay.

And, on the way back to your luxury pod which comes equipped with its own dedicated fire pit, make sure to call in to Lavelles Eagle Bar, located just around the corner from the pod site, for a wonderful evening of craic agus ceol.

The Further Space units are child and pet friendly

Carrickreagh Bay, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

These cosy, fully furnished pods will provide the perfect escape for the whole family. Set directly looking out on the renowned Lough Erne, guests can enjoy a leisurely stroll to Carrickreagh Jetty to enjoy the tranquility as they soak up the serene beauty of the lough.

For those who want a little more adventure, the 250-hectare Ely Lodge Forest is just a short stroll away while the site is also part of the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark where guests can enjoy a wide range of both above and underground experiences.

The site is also just five minutes from Enniskillen where you will be spoilt for choice with a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, major attractions, beauty spots and events. After a great day making unforgettable memories why not relax in style in your very own eco-friendly hot tub  exclusive to one pod only so get booking!

'Smores by the camp fire is a must for any trip

Leitrim Lodge, County Down, Northern Ireland Nestled in the heart of Northern Irelands most storied mountain range, the Mourne Mountains, Leitrim Lodge pods offer a perfect getaway.

The perfect break for the young, and young at heart, there is lots to keep everyone entertained while enjoying your well-earned break in these unique and stylish pods. With the backdrop to this site inspiring author C.S Lewis vision of Narnia why not step onto to the Narnia Trail at Kilbroney Forest.

You can also hand-feed sheep and goats, stroke rabbits and guinea pigs and groom ponies at Fort Evergreen or get up close and personal with Cranfields Alpacas. Rugged adventurers can enjoy a hike up Northern Irelands highest peak  Slieve Donard  from the top you will be able to enjoy stunning views of Newcastle Beach and the Isle of Man, Wicklow, Donegal, Wales and Scotland.

Kinelarty, County Down, Northern Ireland These stylish and super comfortable pet-friendly pods offer a perfect rural glamping holiday. History buffs are sure to be fascinated with all the historic attractions associated with St Patrick just moments away in Downpatrick.

The site is also just a short drive from Newcastle, Ballynahinch, Crossgar and other small villages where you will be spoilt for choice across a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, major attractions and beauty spots including Castle Ward, Delamont Country Park and the Mourne Mountains.

And, what better way to end an unforgettable day than by unwinding in style in your very own eco-friendly hot tub which is exclusive to one pod only so get booking!

If you would like to book a luxury stay or get more information click here
Claims Lord Lieutenant lobbied NIO in support of firm behind proposal

US company Dalradian is behind the plan in Co Tyrone

King Charles has become embroiled in controversy around plans for a gold mine in Tyrone.

Campaigners opposed to the mine have criticised the Lord Lieutenant of Tyrone, the kings representative in the county, for his role in the ongoing dispute.

They have accused the Lord Lieutenant, Robert Scott, of lobbying the NIO in support of the mining company behind the proposal.

Campaigners have written to King Charles and asked for Mr Scott to be removed from the position.

Plans for the gold mine near the village of Greencastle were first submitted in 2017 by Dalradian, a US-owned company. The firm claimed the mine would bring huge economic benefits and described it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Lord Lieutenant Robert Scott

Dalradian suggested the region could contain 3bn in gold and provide a 750m boost to the Northern Ireland economy. Dalradian also insists that its plans, which it claimed will create up to 1,000 jobs, would respect the surrounding environment. However, around 50,000 objections were lodged against the planning application.

Then Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced in 2020 that the gold mine plans would be the subject of an independent public inquiry.

The inquiry, which will be overseen by the Planning Appeals Commission (PAC), is still to get underway.

In the meantime, there remains deep division within the community over the Dalradian proposal. As part of their campaign, those opposed to the gold mine recently submitted a Freedom of Information request to the NIO asking for details of meetings between the NIO and Dalradian.

Among the documents released under the FoI request was a copy of an email sent on November 22 last year by Robert Scott to Madeleine Alessandri, who was then the permanent secretary at the NIO.

Ms Alessandri left the NIO in July for another senior role within the civil service.

In the email sent last November by Mr Scott, he references a dinner the pair had attended a few days before.

It added: I briefly mentioned the gold mining prospect near Greencastle, roughly midway between Cookstown and Omagh, as an example of significant inward investment into NI.

A planning application has been submitted by an American company Dalradian Resources Inc, who were encouraged some years ago by the NI Executive to evaluate and develop the significant deposit that has been known about for many years.

The proposal is environmentally sound but has become contentious, and the planning application will be the subject of a PAC public enquiry next year.

Mr Scotts email goes on to state Dalradian has an excellent visual display of their plans in their Belfast office, which is a short walk from the NIO office.

The email says if the Secretary of State would like to learn more about the gold mine plans, and Dalradians experience of investing in Northern Ireland, then Dalradians managing director would be delighted to meet him at the visual display.

US company Dalradian is behind the plan in Co Tyrone

Some of those opposed to the gold mine claim Mr Scotts contact with NIO is an abuse of his Lord Lieutenant role and an attempt to lobby the government department on behalf of Dalradian.

They have lodged an official complaint with the Cabinet Office. One of the anti-gold mine campaigners, Ciaran McClean, has also written to King Charless office to make him aware of their concerns.

In the letter, which has been seen by the Sunday World, Mr McClean highlights the Kings commitment towards protecting the environment.

The Sunday World contacted Mr Scott in relation to the complaint lodged by the anti-gold mine campaigners.

He said: A part of my responsibilities as Lord Lieutenant is to keep HM Government informed of matters of local interest. The Northern Ireland Office, which is part of HM Government, plays no part in planning decisions in Northern Ireland since planning is a devolved matter.

I have not had any contact with, or made any representations to, the Planning Service about the Dalradian planning application.
Business faces closure after being told monthly bill would rise from 550 to 1,500

A barber shop says it is being forced to close its doors after 70 years in business because it cannot afford a near tripling of rent by its landlord, the Conor McGregor-owned Jemi Ventures.

Roches Barbers, in Drimnagh, South Dublin, was told by Jemi Ventures, trading as the Black Forge Inn, that the rent would be increasing to 1,500 a month.

The business first opened in 1952 and currently employs four people.

Vincent Roche, who has been running the barber shop since his father died in 2014, was told that if the business did not wish to proceed with the tenancy at the increased rate, he would have to vacate the premises within three months.

The barber is next door to the Black Forge, which was bought by MMA star McGregor for 2m in 2020.

Conor McGregor

Mr Roche had been previously paying 550 per month to Baymore Ltd, the former owner of the Black Forge.

Alan Geraghty, director of Jemi Ventures, said industry experts had advised the market rent for the unit had risen to 1,500.

Mr Roche told the Irish Independent he could not afford to pay the higher rate.

While he is sad to see his family business close down, he said there were no hard feelings and that business is business.

It was said to us about six months ago verbally, and in fairness they gave us plenty of notice, he said.

We got it in writing about three months ago that we would have to leave if we werent going to pay the higher rent.

When youre renting, theres always the chance this could happen. Its a lesson to be learnt when youre renting.

We were there so long we thought we would be safe

It would have been more than double what we were paying and thats just too much of a jump.

Im a bit disappointed as it was in the family for so long. My late father Vincent started it years ago. The business was viable, but were going because we have to be realistic.

When youre renting theres always a chance youre going to be given a letter to say youll have to leave.

The barber is due to close on September 30.

I dont want to ruffle any feathers and Im not angry, just disappointed, but thats how business goes, Mr Roche said.

The Irish Independent contacted Jemi Ventures and McGregors representative for comment.

McGregors spokesperson said: We have no comment at this time.

Last month, McGregor confirmed he will face Michael Chandler in his return to competitive action in the UFC this December.

Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler

The Crumlin man has not fought competitively in more than two years.

He was defeated by Dustin Poirier in July 2021 after sustaining a broken leg in the first round.

In an interview earlier this year, he claimed that he is worth more than 500m and is on his way to becoming a billionaire.
Most religions across the world have a similar origin story, in which an almighty god creates mankind, out of nothing, with a fully functioning brain. But placozoans  a blob-like animal less than a millimeter in size that floats in seawater  suggest otherwise. They may go unnoticed, but they are extraordinary creatures. Under the microscope, they look like tiny pancakes. They dont have any organs, much less a brain. However, these strange animals are able to coordinate as a group to attack their prey. On Tuesday, a team of researchers, led by Spanish biologist Arnau Sebe Pedros, revealed that the cells of these unusual beings contain the first hints of the origin of neurons, which transmit human thought.

Placozoans may have just 50,000 cells, but they have surprising abilities. They are immortal, because they can multiply asexually indefinitely. A piece of placozoan can form another placozoan. They can also be reconfigured into shapes other than a pancake, such as a donut or a whip. A person is made up of 30 trillion cells, with many well-differentiated types, such as brain neurons or red blood cells. Placozoans, on the other hand, are made up of two simple layers of similar cells, stuck together like two slices of cheese. Its simplicity can shed light on how single-cell organisms came together to form increasingly sophisticated multicellular beings.

Argentine researcher Sebastian Najle, co-author of the paper, manages placozoans at the Center for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona. Omar Jamshed / CRG

The researchers care for thousands of placozoans in their laboratory in the Center for Genomic Regulation, in Barcelona. According to their calculations, multicellular animals emerged about 850 million years ago. Soon afterward, around 800 million years ago, the paths of the families that gave rise to placozoans and humans diverged. People have a tendency to see living fossils in nature. We dont know if our common ancestor looked like a placozoan, but some aspects of its biology were already there, says Sebe Pedros, a 37-year-old biologist from the Spanish town of Lleida.

His team studied the four known species of placozoans cell by cell, including the first placozoan ever discovered, which was found in 1883 by the German zoologist Franz Eilhard Schulze in a seawater aquarium in Graz, Austria. Schulze baptized that mysterious creature Trichoplax adhaerens, from the Greek words thrix (hair) and plax (plate) and the Latin word adhaerens (adhering), which was given this name due to its tendency to stick to its substrate. In other words, its name could be roughly translated as adhering hairy plate. Placozoans are the simplest animals on the planet, barring Myxozoa, parasites with few cells that cannot live on their own.

In their research, Sebe Pedros and his colleagues observed that placozoans are capable of coordinating their 50,000 cells thanks to the fact that some of them can send messages using molecules called neuropeptides, like the neurons in the human brain. We have found a rudiment of certain aspects of our nervous system, says the biologist. These secretory cells still lack the processes that transmit nerve impulses (axons) and the processes that receive them (dendrites) in human neurons.

The research team of Arnau Sebe Pedros (seated in the center), at the Center for Genomic Regulation, in Barcelona. CRG

The new results, published on Tuesday in the journal Cell, support the chemical brain hypothesis, postulated by Hungarian biologist Gaspar Jekely, from the University of Heidelberg in Germany. This study reveals deep molecular similarities between the neurons of placozoans and the neurons of bilateral animals [symmetrical ones, such as humans], says Jekely. These similarities, together with the fact that placozoan neurons only communicate through chemical signals, support the idea that nervous systems may have first evolved as a collection of diverse, chemically connected cells, before developing specialized processes [such as axons and dendrites] and synapses, adds the biologist, who did not participate in the study.

Sebe Pedros expounds on this idea. Probably, to coordinate the cells of a small organism, with only two layers, it was enough to have cells secreting chemical signals. However, the moment you get big and start to gain three-dimensionality, you also need to emit electrical signals and have cell-to-cell communication interfaces, which are synapses, explains the Spanish biologist. The neurons of a tall person, with extensions that allow a stimulus to be immediately felt in the foot, can measure more than two meters.

Sebe Pedros research team believes that the first modern neuron did not appear until about 650 million years ago, in the common ancestor of cnidarians (a group that includes hydra and jellyfish) and human beings. The great mystery is what happened then to ctenophores, another branch of animals that set out on its own path 850 million years ago. These organisms are similar to jellyfish and also have neurons, but they are different. It is still too early to say that ctenophores invented neurons independently, but I think there is more and more evidence that this could be the case, explains Sebe Pedros.

Image of a placozoan, obtained with a confocal microscope. CRG

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Now that I am approaching my 92nd year, it seems appropriate that I should quote the words of Walter Cronkite of CBS fame, whose absolute commitment and reputation for objectivity always signed off his 6pm news bulletin with ..." And that's the way it is".

With so much information and misinformation about the climate story, perhaps the words of Cronkite should be a reminder to us all, including our decision makers and the media, that the sun, the volcanoes, and the oceans dominate the climate system.

Of course, now that we are through the 20th and into the 21st century, one must acknowledge the important human (including domestic animals) influence on the climate system. However one must also acknowledge that prior to about 1800, the climate variations which occurred (and there were many of them), were not - with very few exceptions - influenced by the activities of humans.

There is a great amount of evidence about detecting changes in the climate, and many reasons/causes of why the climate changes.

Among the evidence for detecting climate change are instrumental records which include satellite observations, extreme weather events, historical records (eg crop records, church attendance), sea level changes, lake varves, glacial advances and retreats, ice cores, rocks, and tree rings.

Among the causes of why the climate changes is methane, carbon dioxide, solar activity - including sunspots, the Earth's orbit and rotation, the Earth's reflectivity, volcanic activity, ocean circulation, generating power, using transportation, producing food, heating and cooling of buildings, planetary cycles (e.g. Milankovitch cycles), and the ever increasing world's population.

In considering both the evidence for climate change and the causes of climate change, there are many questions as to the credibility of the "evidence". Some of this "credibility" relates to the reliability of the records, and this includes the "authority" making the observations. There have been many cases where the evidence for and the causes of climate change have been challenged.

I have spent the last 70 years studying and writing, as objectively as I can, about the evidence, causes and impacts of climate and climate change. I have written this book to summarise what I have learned. And, like Walter Cronkite, I would like to sign off with the assurance that, to the best of my knowledge, And that's the way it is.

**********************

FOREWORD ( to the First Edition) by John Zillman AO FAA FTSE Former Director (1978-2003) of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, and Former President (1995-2003) of the World Meteorological Organization

There are probably few people in the world who have originated and accumulated as much detailed knowledge of as many different shades of climate as John Maunder. He is a font of wisdom on climate matters and I believe he has served the world extremely well over the past 50 years through the way he has shared that knowledge and wisdom with the global community. ......
The Raukokore Marine Research Centre has officially opened, providing a crucial research base for the East Coast.

Supported by the University of Waikato, the Raukokore Marine Research Centre will be the Universitys base for ongoing research in the eastern Moana a Toi and the Tairawhiti region.

The centre will also be a geographically important base for studying coastal ecosystems response to cyclone devastation, restoration of kaimoana and readiness for the fast-growing aquaculture developments in the Eastern Bay, predicted to encompass over 20,000ha of offshore space by 2035.

Professor Chris Battershill, Director of Science at the Universitys Tauranga campus and Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chair of Coastal Science, says that the research centre will be an important base for future marine science research:

Having an official base at Raukokore will mean that important research can be carried on into the future. The base is strategically essential to restoration and blue economy innovation as it is centrally placed to focus on issues and opportunities associated with an important but previously neglected coastal region.

The site has already played a significant part in marine science research, having been the easternmost extreme impact area for the Rena disaster, and then a base for the Universitys INTERCOAST collaboration, a major international coastal marine research collaboration and exchange programme between the University of Waikato and Bremen University in Germany, says Chris.

The centre is on the site of the former Raukokore school, made famous by the movie Boy, which was set to be demolished after the school closed in 2015. The site will still serve as an education and cultural centre for the regions rangatahi, a vision that mana whenua has always had.

Battershill says the new centre means the site will still serve as an educational and cultural centre for the regions whanau, young and not so young, as they are passionate about creating opportunity, and as said in the movie Boy, to realise their full potential'.

Raukokore marine research centre opening.

We first started working in the rohe of Te Whanau-a-Apanui after the Rena disaster in 2011 when school students helped us carry out toxicity monitoring of Tua Tua in the area.

Its exciting to have the facility for this remote region not only for the scientific importance, but it creates an opportunity for young rangatahi in the region to be involved, discover an interest in the ocean and a chance to see how they can be a force for future marine conservation and innovation and transition into tertiary education.

There are already four cadets based at the research centre and a growing number of Te Whanau-a-Apanui students who have completed undergraduate and graduate programs through the University of Waikato, with a number already employed in their chosen fields and planning on bringing their talent back to the region.

This is timely as growth of aquaculture and mussel enhancement programs are now also coming on stream at Te Kaha and Opotiki.
A bank has paid almost $30,000 to a customer who fell for a scam, because she genuinely believed she was giving her details to the bank.

The case is one that was dealt with by the Banking Ombudsman, and is highlighted in its latest annual report.

The woman received a text that claimed to be from the bank, saying it had detected unusual activity on her new card. It asked her to click a link if it was not her.

The link took her to a website that looked like the banks login page, although it was not. She entered her username and password.

She then received a text with codes, which she was told to enter into the site. A scammer was then able to set up the banks mobile app on another device and take $28,505 from her account. The bank was only able to recover $4490.

She asked the bank to give her the difference but it said she had breached the terms and conditions of her account by disclosing her username and password, and the codes.

The ombudsmans office noted that banks must reimburse unauthorised online transactions unless the customer had been dishonest or negligent, had breached the terms or conditions of their accounts or cards, or failed to take reasonable steps to protect their banking.

The woman argued she genuinely believed she was giving the authorisation codes to the bank and there was nothing about the website that should have made her think it was a scam. The ombudsman scheme backed her and the bank agreed to pay the remaining $24,015.

Banking Ombudsman Nicola Sladden says complaints about scams are a feature of the year.

The number rose 43 per cent compared to the previous year, and made up 625 of the 3513 complaints received.

A third of complaints formally investigated were about scams and the average loss was $57,000.

Nicole says scams are becoming more sophisticated. Some people are losing amounts that are in excess of the schemes financial limit of $350,000, she says.

"To slow this trend, the banking sector, along with other organisations, must take a more co-ordinated and unified approach to the problem.

"The Singaporeans have shown how beneficial such an approach can be. Their recently established anti-scam centre, made up of representatives from 80 stakeholders, has disrupted scams with great success through skilful intelligence-gathering and the clever use of technology.

One immediate way to beat some scams would be to introduce confirmation of payee technology. Banks are investing in better systems and security all the time, but this would be a game-changer - as consumers in the United Kingdom know and as consumers in Australia are beginning to discover.

"Authorised push payment fraud - and also accidentally misdirected payments - could be reduced by this technology, which allows a customer to check whether the name of the recipient's account matches the name and account details provided by the customer."

Customers were paid a total of $679,000 in compensation in the year, not including amounts paid to people whose complaint was dealt with by the early resolution service.

In another case, a bank paid a customer $3000 for the stress and inconvenience it caused when it did not disclose how being late with a payment would affect a customers credit rating.

The report says the man came to New Zealand on a student visa in 2019 and got a job in the finance sector, and a personal loan. In 2022, he had to return overseas to deal with a family illness.

Before he left, he asked his bank whether he could extend the term of his loan to make the repayments easier. The ombudsman noted that he was correct when he told the bank he had been conscientious about his repayments until that point.

He said he needed to maintain his credit rating for his permanent resident visa application and his job.

The bank said he could only make a hardship application but he said this would affect his credit rating.

The bank then said he could miss his next payment of $280 so that another team at the bank could look at his situation. He did, and was contacted about a repayment plan. He immediately paid $200 and paid the remaining $80 over five months.

But when he returned to New Zealand he discovered his credit rating had fallen because the bank reported the $80 overdue.

The Banking Ombudsman says this should have been explained to him. His credit rating was corrected and he was given $3000.

Banks themselves received 102,705 complaints in the year, up 10 per cent on the previous year.

-Susan Edmonds/Stuff.
Kat lives with a range of disabilities and chronic illnesses including Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, Hypermobility, POTS, FND, and experiences seizure-like episodes that can last up to four hours.

She discovered Assistance Dogs New Zealand Trust in 2017 after years of struggling to find anything that would help her. Kat joined our waitlist that year, but it wasnt until May 2022 that her partner-in-crime finally came along  Assistance Dog Jojo, changing her life in an instant.

Since the pair graduated, Jojo helps Kat to feel less overwhelmed by her multiple disabilities and conditions, and less overwhelmed by the world in general.

I couldnt have asked for a better dog and best friend - Jojo is matched perfectly to my needs, energy and lifestyle. Her training shines through every day.

Jojo has been tailor-trained to provide support to meet Kats needs. She provides a calming technique called deep pressure to help regulate Kats heartrate and blood pressure when shes having a panic attack, meltdown or POTS flare.

Jojo also applies light pressure when Kat is experiencing a seizure-like episode, to help ease pain with Jojos body heat and to help prevent Kat from accidently hurting herself.

Jojo has also given Kat the confidence to live life in a way she wasnt able to before.

Together, theyve travelled on the bus for the first time, had trips out by themselves or with friends, visited the zoo, the movies, and live shows.

Kat has experienced her first road trip with friends, started dating for the first time and is has even begun enjoying the simple things in life  like walking to the dairy by herself (and with Jojo) for an ice cream.

Every single new experience Ive had, goal Ive achieved and scary thing Ive managed to do, are because of her.

With Jojo by her side, Kats felt herself grow as a person, and has loved watching Jojo grow too. Theyve learnt a lot about each other, and their relationship continues to go from strength to strength.

Kat has loved learning about Jojos personality and funny quirks. She loves watching her go from very serious, professional and focused when working, to the wiggliest, silliest goose in the pond when its time to play.

She just makes me so incredibly happy and her joy and excitement for life in general is infectious.

Over the next couple of years, Kat hopes Jojo will continue to help her gain independence and a sense of freedom. Kat hopes theyll be able to move out of home together, participate in the community more, begin some form of work or volunteering and continue to make new friends.

Something shes looking forward to the most is making memories and living a life without fear, instead of just surviving. Shes also looking forward to a future with less injuries and health-flares because of the support Jojo provides.

Kat and assistance dog Jojo.

Support ADNZTs Annual Appeal 2023:

Kat says making a donation to ADNZT is as powerful and life-changing as donating blood, an organ, or helping someone get a wheelchair or the medicine they need  except its even better, because it has a wet nose and a waggy tail!

There are 50+ New Zealanders waiting patiently to be matched with their Assistance Dog. As an organisation, were desperately focusing on increasing our output of dogs so we can help those families, and resume taking applications from those who may benefit from our services.

This September, we need to raise $75,000. Please consider making a one-off donation today so families like Kats can gain access to the life-changing support they deserve. Thank you.

To make a donation, please visit: https://www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/make-a-donation

Jojo.

Become a life-changing Puppy Raiser

To continue raising and training dogs for those on our waitlist, we desperately need individuals in the Bay of Plenty region to open their homes to a puppy in development.

Puppies stay with their Puppy Raiser until they are about 14-18 months of age, then return to Assistance Dogs to be formally trained for a New Zealander with a disability. ADNZT covers the cost of feeding and vet care, and there is a supervisor available throughout to support you.

To become a puppy-raiser, you must:

Have a fully fenced and secure property

Have time to spend socialising and exercising your pup

Be available to meet for puppy development training

To learn more or apply, please visit: https://www.assistancedogstrust.org.nz/puppy-development
Nuria Triguero Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X

LinkedIn

Telegram

The Junta de Andalucia has pumped another 12 million euros into a new cyber security project located in Malaga city centre.

The Centro de Ciberseguridad de Andalucia has been partially operating since the end of March in the Palmeral de las Sorpresas in Malaga, but lacks the "brain", the security operations centre that can monitor cyber threats 24 hours a day. However, a 12-million-euro cash injection, approved on Tuesday 19 September, will fund the nerve centre that will assess cyber risks at all times.

Regional minister Antonio Sanz has said that the official opening date of the centre will be on 28 November.

The regional cybersecurity centre will have seen a total an investment of 60 million euros and will act as a "centre point for the region to develop and promote everything related to its cybersecurity strategy", Sanz said. The space will also house facilities to offer training, innovation and awareness to companies, universities and the public.

"The Centro de Ciberseguridad de Andalucia is destined to be the centre of greatest relevance in Southern Europe in terms of welfare and security in a hyperconnected world," Sanz added.

The largest cybersecurity contract

The minister also pointed out that the largest cybersecurity contract in Spain, worth 18 million euros, is already underway: "More than 135,000 computers in the Andalusian administration will have a tool similar to an intelligent antivirus, a state-of-the-art antivirus".
Juan Soto Malaga Compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X

LinkedIn

Telegram

Supermarkets in Malaga province are ramping up security measures to prevent thefts as the cost for groceries continue to hit people's pockets.

SUR can reveal that security is no longer limited to just access points at supermarkets, but now, guards hired from private companies patrol aisles and monitor the checkout lines. In some cases, products on the shelves have even been security tagged, particularly bottles of olive oil which have seen high price hikes in the past year.

More than 642,500 shoplifting thefts were recorded in Spain in 2022, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.2%. The trend has continued this year, with an increase of 12% in the first quarter

When questioned about the issue, workers and managers across various stores said that beefed up security measures allowed them to work with a greater peace of mind. "Many times they are at the entrance, others in the checkout area or walking through the aisles to give a sense of security," they said in a supermarket in Malaga city.

A security guard monitors the aisles inside a supermarket in Malaga city. SUR

The decision to place alarms on olive oil bottles is also new, and a measure that the Dia supermarket chain has adopted. According to its company policy, all products that exceed eight euros must be alarmed. "We have done it since there has been this significant price increase," said a worker. The five-litre containers currently cost 35.75 euros.

Unknown losses

Maskom stores do not have permanent security, but they hire guards when they find that the number of "unknown losses" - as they call thefts -increase for no apparent reason. "If there is a small spike, we try to stop it by hiring security, as it is the only way," said Sergio Cuberos, general manager of the Malaga chain.

A total of 800 million euros a year is lost by stores due to theft, which represents 0.75% of total turnover, according to national data in Spain. The most common stolen products are sliced, especially hams and high-value cold meats, perfumes and alcoholic beverages. "These are products that can be easily hidden," Cuberos said. He added that they are not thefts committed out of desperation, but carried out by "specialised gangs".

General director of an Andalusian food and business confederation Alvaro Gonzalez Zafra, said supermarkets had few means to prevent thefts. "We find ourselves in a situation of great defenselessness with respect to multi-offenders; it is something we have denounced on many occasions." "It is not punished as it should be," he added.

More than 642,500 shoplifting thefts were recorded in Spain in 2022, representing a year-on-year growth of 30.2%, according to government data. The trend has continued this year, with an increase of 12% in the first quarter.
Europa Press Compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X

LinkedIn

Telegram

The PACMA animal rights politcal party in Spain has called on the European Union to press the Spanish government to put an end to bullfighting, an activity which it said is a national shame and which is rejected by the majority of the population.

A group from Fuengirola, Antitaurinos Animalistas, were among those who joined a protest march in Madrid on Saturday 16 September under the slogan Mission Abolition. The noisy PACMA-led march began at around 6pm from Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas and went via Calle Roberto Domingo, Avenida de Los Toreros, Calle Francisco Silvela and Calle Alcala, before returning to the starting point, amid chants such as "bullfighting: national shame".

The president of PACMA, Javier Luna, has pointed out, in statements to Europa Press, that the "main" objective of the formation is the abolition of all bullfighting festivities held in Spain, from bullfights to events such as the 'bous a la mar', among others.

"Spanish society condemns them. There is a majority rejection of bullfighting,", Luna said, adding that this activity "is neither art nor culture".

Converted bullrings into cultural spaces

The PACMA president called on the European Union to "put pressure on the Spanish government to put an end" to these activities involving bulls, so that Spain follows the example of other countries where these practices are being eliminated, and which have converted their bullrings into "cultural spaces".

The Portuguese lawmaker and spokesperson for the People, Animals and Nature party, Ines Sousa Rial, described the abolition of bullfighting as a question of "justice". "It is time in the 21st century to put an end to this kind of barbarity and torture, which is neither culture nor spectacle," she said.

Allocate funds to animal shelters

"We must raise our humanitarian values and have compassion for animals," she added, highlighting the "emotional and psychological damage" that bullfighting events cause to children as they are "violent" activities.

Sousa also spoke of the need to support workers in the sector so that they can depend on other activities. "For example, we can go to see the bull in the open countryside, without suffering, with all its beauty and natural splendour," she said.

The demonstrators, most of who carried posters, and green flags with the slogan of the demonstration, called on the institutions not to subsidise this "cruelty" and to allocate the funds to animal shelters.
Alvaro Soto Madrid Compartir Copiar enlace

WhatsApp

Facebook

X

LinkedIn

Telegram

Six out of ten people in Spain are satisfied with the public health system despite the cracks that were visible during the coronavirus pandemic and problems such as waiting lists.

Some 13.8% of the population consider that the health system works "fairly well", two points more than at the beginning of this year, and 46.3% believe that it "works well, although it needs some changes".

Only 11.8% think that it works badly and needs "profound changes", four points less than in the previous survey. All this data is from the second health barometer of the year, carried out in July by the Centro de Investigaciones Sociologicas (CIS).

The general perception of the health system is improving, although this feeling sometimes contradicts the cold data. According to the CIS, 29.7% of those surveyed say that waiting lists have worsened compared to the previous barometer, ten points less than the February barometer, although in reality, according to the Ministry of Health's own reports, waiting lists beat their record in December (the latest data available), with 793,521 patients waiting for an operation. In this regard, it is worth noting that even 13.8% of those interviewed believe that the problem has improved, while another 44.8% said that it has remained the same.

Respondents agreed almost entirely that, in order to improve the system's performance, it is essential to increase the number of health care staff, that people should keep the same GP on a more regular basis if they are satisfied, and that more financial resources should be devoted to this.

Best-rated services

Among the different health services, the best rated were the 061 and 112 emergency services, with a score of 7.49 out of ten, followed by admission and care in public hospitals, with a score of 7.33. The lowest score was recorded for specialised care consultations, with a score of 6.17. In addition, health professionals, who experienced great pressure during the pandemic and went on strike last year to demand better pay and work, received a high rating. The nurses, for their care and attention to those admitted, received a score of 8.52, ahead of the doctors, who received 8.39. The equipment and technological resources of the hospitals also received a high score of 8.38.

Public and private services

Some 71.6% of the population attends primary care and paediatric consultations in public health centres, in contrast to the 26.1% who visit private health services. For specialist consultations, 58.2% use public services and 39.1% use private services. Among those who have private insurance, 75.7% said that they signed up for it because of the speed with which they are attended to.

There is support for the implementation of telemedicine, although it is not unanimous. Two out of three people in Spain (64.7%) said that "some consultations could be made by telephone and others should be face-to-face", compared to 32.2% who say that "all consultations should be face-to-face".
Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription.

Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service.
It has taken 159 years for an error made by Charles Darwin to be corrected. Chilean researcher Hans Puschel of the paleontological network of the University of Chile spotted that something did not fit. A single bone  the vertebra supporting the skull  was inscribed within the anatomy of an ancient mammal discovered by Darwin: Micrauchenia saladensis, which coexisted alongside the first humans in South America. However, after comparing it with the rest of the bone remains of this animal, Puschel has now verified that it corresponded to another species  a large bull or cow.

Micrauchenia saladensis was similar to a guanaco  although it does not belong to the same family  weighed in at a ton and is thought to have had a horn at the end of its snout. Like many prehistoric animals, the species was depicted in the animated movie Ice Age (2002). It lived more than 11,000 years ago across a range that covered much of Latin America, including Chile and Argentina.

During Darwins Beagle voyage, the English naturalist discovered the remains of Micrauchenia saladensis in Argentina in 1834. The bones of the peculiar animal were taken back to England where they alighted in the laboratory of Richard Owen, founder of the Natural History Museum in London and the creator of the dinosaur concept. He named the animal discovered by Darwin as Macrauchenia, a compound name from the Greek meaning big neck.

Hans Puschel of the paleontological network of the University of Chile. Mauricio Bustamante e (Universidad de Chile)

While conducting a study that allowed him to identify a new species of this same mammal, Puschel was unsure about something. For his analysis, he took as a reference the scientific description of the bones of Micrauchenia made by the German zoologist Herman Burmeister, who settled in Argentina in 1861. Among these was the atlas: the vertebra supporting the skull. Puschel went to several museums seeking information on this species and found that what Burmeister described did not correspond to the skeletal remains of the animal that today is exhibited in the Zoological Museum of the University of Zurich.

They had an incomplete specimen of Micrauchenia, but with the complete cervical series, part of the skull and parts of the front legs. The interesting thing was, when I saw the atlas, I immediately said this doesnt look like the atlas that Burmeister described in 1864! After that I started to make a detailed study, and I saw that the anatomical features do not match at all and, therefore, the atlas described by Burmeister in 1864 did not correspond to Macrauchenia, says Puschel. The bone attributed to the species actually corresponded to that of a bovid.

The importance of this research is that it allows for the correction of a historical error in an emblematic species, which has been very well-studied and included in many works and that, in addition, was discovered by Darwin. So, it is incredible that in all this time the mistake was never corrected, that no one had noticed it. This work resolves that, and it reveals an important anatomical issue in the species, says Puschel about the finding, which was co-authored with Argentine paleontologist Agustin Martinelli and published in the Swiss Journal of Palaeontology.

Despite this research shedding new light on this curious species, Puschel points out that there is still work to be done: We need a publication with a kind of monograph or a more detailed work on the whole skeleton, and a more detailed analysis with good images and illustrations, because everything is still very divided in terms of the anatomical issue.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
DeWitt  A 45-year-old man has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a man in a Carrier Circle hotel in DeWitt in April.

Ebae M. Shambley, of Utica, was charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon, according to Onondaga County jail records. He was arrested on Tuesday in Utica.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- An anticipated Micron-driven increase in housing demand has Cor Development Co. looking for ways to nearly double the number of apartments it aims to build at the Syracuse Inner Harbor.

Steve L. Aiello, vice president of finance and development for Cor, said the company is making plans to build up to 700 apartments, instead of the original 400 in its master plan, at the former state Barge Canal terminal south of Destiny USA.
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  As more than 100,000 migrants arrived in New York City over the past year after crossing the border from Mexico, Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul have begged President Joe Biden for one thing, above all others, to ease the crisis:

Let them work, both Democrats have said repeatedly in speeches and interviews.

Increasingly impatient leaders of Bidens party in other cities and states have hammered the same message over the last month, saying the administration must make it easier for migrants to get work authorization quickly, which would allow them to pay for food and housing.

But expediting work permits isnt so easy, either legally or bureaucratically, experts in the process say. Politically, it may be impossible.

It would take an act of Congress to shorten a mandatory, six-month waiting period before asylum-seekers can apply for work permits. Some Democratic leaders say the Biden administration could take steps that wouldnt require congressional approval. But neither action seems likely. Biden already faces attacks from Republicans who say he is too soft on immigration, and his administration has pointed to Congress inability to reach agreement on comprehensive changes to the U.S. immigration system as justification for other steps it has taken.

The Homeland Security Department has sent more than 1 million text messages urging those eligible to apply for work permits, but it has shown no inclination to speed the process. A backlog of applications means the wait for a work permit is almost always longer than six months.

As frustrations have mounted, Hochul has said her office is considering whether the state could offer work permits, though such a move would almost certainly draw legal challenges. The White House has dismissed the idea.

Immigrants are frustrated as well. Gilberto Pozo Ortiz, a 45-year-old from Cuba, has been living, at taxpayer expense, in a hotel in upstate New York for the last three months. He says his work authorization is not yet in sight as social workers navigate him through a complex asylum application system.

I want to depend on no one, Ortiz said. I want to work.

In Chicago, where 13,000 migrants have settled in the last year, Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wrote Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to ask for parole for asylum-seekers, which, they say, would allow him to get around the wait for a work permit.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who declared a state of emergency over the migrant influx, wrote Mayorkas that work permits represent an opportunity to meet employer needs, support our economy, and reduce dependency among new arrivals. And 19 Democratic state attorneys general wrote Mayorkas that work permits would reduce the strain on government to provide social services.

The federal government has done virtually nothing to assist cities, said Chicago Alderman Andre Vasquez, chair of the City Councils Committee on Immigrant and Refugee Rights.

In the meantime, migrants unable to get work permits have filled up homeless shelters in several cities.

With more than 60,000 migrants currently depending on New York City for housing, the city has rented space in hotels, put cots in recreational centers and erected tent shelters  all at government expense. The Adams administration has estimated that housing and caring for migrants could cost the city $12 billion over three years.

This issue will destroy New York City, Adams said at a community event this month. Were getting no support on this national crisis, and were receiving no support.

Advocates for migrants have objected to Adams apocalyptic terms, saying he is exaggerating the potential impact of the new arrivals on a city of nearly 8.8 million people.

Republicans have seized on the discord, putting Democrats on the defensive ahead of next years presidential elections.

Muzaffar Chishti, a lawyer and senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, said the calls for expedited work authorizations are more about political optics than practical solutions.

They dont want to tell the electorate theres nothing we can do. No politician wants to say that. So they have kind of become the new squeaky wheel, saying, `Give us work authorization, he said. Saying that is much easier than getting it. But its sort of, you know, a good soundbite.

One step that most agree would be helpful is to provide legal assistance to migrants to apply for asylum and work authorization, though that has also proved challenging.

Nationwide, only around 16% of working age migrants enrolled in a U.S. Custom and Border Protection online app have applied for work permits, according to the White House. Since the introduction of the CBP One app in January through the end of July, nearly 200,000 asylum-seeking migrants have used it to sign up for appointments to enter the U.S. at land crossings with Mexico.

Federal officials recently began sending email and text message notifications to remind noncitizens that they are eligible to apply. New York City officials have also begun to survey asylum seekers to determine if they are eligible.

Another option would be to expand the number of nations whose citizens qualify for Temporary Protected Status in the U.S. That designation is most commonly given to places where there is an armed conflict or natural disaster.

The White House, though, might be reluctant to take steps that could be interpreted as incentivizing migrants to come to the U.S.

Arrests from illegal border crossings Mexico topped 177,000 in August, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to discuss unpublished numbers, up nearly 80% from June. Many are released in the U.S. to pursue asylum in immigration court, while an additional 1,450 migrants are permitted into the U.S. daily through CBP One.

Many have gravitated to an underground economy.

Elden Roja, who has been sporadically working landscaping and other odd jobs for about $15 an hour, lives with his wife and children, 15 and 6, and about 50 others in a police station lobby in Chicago. When a fellow Venezuelan co-worker honked from a car he purchased, Roja laughed and said he would buy his own vehicle soon.

While the bureaucratic hurdles can be substantial, many migrants do make it through the process.

Jose Vacca, a Venezuelan, traveled with two of his cousins from Colombia, leaving their families behind to make the journey mostly by foot. Once in Texas, he was given free bus tickets to New York City.

The 22-year-old found a job there that paid him $15 an hour, under the table. After he got his temporary work authorization, his boss gave him an extra dollar per hour.
Its the holy grail of modern medicine: identifying the alterations in the genome that lead to genetic diseases. Its no easy task: each individual has thousands of mutations in the genetic information they inherited from their parents. Most are benign, but there is a percentage that can be pathogenic. Now, researchers at Google DeepMind, Alphabets artificial intelligence company, have cataloged 71 million of these mutations. The program was also able to classify their level of risk. It found that a third could modify the functioning of the proteins, causing serious diseases.

DNA contains the instructions for the development of all living beings. This book contains each of its recipes for creating cells, organs and functions in the form of the sequences of their basic components. These basic components, the building blocks of life, are proteins. They are made up of a series of amino acids, sometimes hundreds of them, which are made up of trios of nucleotides, the letters of the genetic alphabet. When one of these nucleotides is replaced by another in a mutation, it is called a missense variant. For the most part, these variants do not affect the function of the protein. But in other cases, the mutation is catastrophic, degenerating into pathologies such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or sickle cell anemia.

Until now, about 4 million of these missense variants had been identified in the 19,233 proteins that make up each human being. But only 2% of cases had been identified as either benign (the majority) or the possible source of diseases. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) has increased that number 18-fold, classifying most of them by potential impact on protein function.

The authors of this achievement, published in the prestigious scientific journal Science, are DeepMind scientists. A few years ago, this same group developed AlphaFold, an AI program that was able to predict the structure of practically all known proteins  a feat considered one of the greatest advances in computational biology. For this new project, the researchers redesigned and reoriented the program to detect missense mutations in protein expression. Whats more, in its training, the new tool, AlphaMissense, was able to classify with high probability the impact that the variant may have on the function of the protein.

AlphaMissense

DeepMind researcher Jung Chen, the lead author of the study, explains how AlphaMissense works: We knew that AlphaFold was a very good model for predicting the three-dimensional structure of proteins from a massive sequence. We also knew that the 3D structure of proteins is very important for their function, basically revealing what it is, explains Chen. If its function can be deduced from the structure, any alteration in that structure could be the result of a mutation. Another fundamental piece is AlphaMissenses ability to learn from the evolutionary limitations of related sequences. In other words, the researchers were able to gain insight from the fact that evolution has shaped what the structure of a protein should and should not be like. To improve its knowledge in this area, the system was trained with the structures of human and primate proteins. Through training, you see millions of protein sequences and learn what a normal protein sequence looks like. And when we are given one with a mutation, it can tell us if it is bad or not, he adds.

Its very similar to human language, he explains. If we substitute a word in an English sentence, a person who is familiar with the language can immediately see whether the substitute will change the meaning of the sentence or not. AlphaMissense was able to classify 89% of the 71 million missense variants it identified. Of them, 57% were likely benign and a third were likely pathogenic. Of the remaining 11%, AI was unable to classify the impact. The model assigns a score between zero and one to each of the variants and indicates the probability that the variant is pathogenic. By pathogen, we mean that our pathogenic variant is more likely to be associated with or cause a disease, says Chen.

Chens explanation highlights both the strength of AlphaMissense  its high capacity to classify variants  and one of its weaknesses  the percentages are just probabilities. Until the era of powerful computers and AI, characterizing the structure of a protein and its mutations, was a titanic job. Before the arrival of these technologies, researchers determined the structure of some 200,000 proteins, a task that took 60 years and thousands of scientists. The milestone required many hours in the lab and the use of particle accelerators. But these were real observations of real protein structures. In the case of computational biology, they are virtual proteins and variants, which must then be confirmed. In the case of AlphaMissense, its calculations are 90% accurate.

Understanding the disease

Regarding possible applications, Ziga Avsec, the senior co-author of the study who is also from DeepMind, said in an online conference that the first step in finding treatments is understanding the disease. For both complex and rare diseases, that means finding the genes associated with them, he explained. For Avsec, tools like AlphaMissense can help better identify variants and discover potentially new genes. By better understanding genetics, researchers will be able to form stronger opinions about whether particular genes are related to diseases, he said. According to Avsec, the path towards finding treatments lies in better genetics, finding new genes and gaining greater statistical power to detect new associations. He, however, said that this will not directly lead to new drugs.

A few days ago, the analysis of the 200 million proteins discovered by AlphaFold last year was made public. Spanish bioinformatician, Inigo Barrio, who took part in the projects, says AlphaFold changed the world. But he is less enthusiastic about AlphaMissense. It is important, it is a new way to evaluate variants, and it could be used to monitor rare diseases. But there are other prediction softwares that already exist, he says, Barrio also highlights one of the limitations of the AI tool. AlphaMissense catalogs missense variants individually, but many genetic disorders are the product of the combination of several of these mutations, he explains.

Biologist Jose Antonio Marquez, who directs the Crystallography Platform of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, agrees: It is one of the applications of the [AlphaFold] method, it may not be so relevant at a scientific level, but it is relevant when it comes to starting to transfer a discovery into possible applications. Among these applications, Marquez highlights its use to accelerate research in genetic diseases, particularly rare diseases, since it helps generate hypotheses about the mechanism that causes the disease.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime.
kal-el Newbie

Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Mumbai Posts: 16 Thanked: 48 Times

Ranbir or Ranveer? | Audi A4 versus BMW 2-Series . Be it GTO's Thar or Joshmachine's Audi A4, it's like reading a novel, but about cars! Anyway, that brings me to my dilemma right now.

I'll be 25 next month, currently pursuing my MBA in Mumbai. We are a family of three- me, mom and dad. Right now, we own a 2011 Honda City V which has run close to 90K in 12 years. My parents don't drive and they rarely took the city out hence the reason for not crossing 1 lakh kms yet. Ever since I got my license, I have been enjoying it thoroughly but we all feel it's time for an upgrade. Our budget is 53 Lakhs (stretched). I am a sedan guy and a petrolhead through and through. This car would be driven by me solely in the city mostly but random short outings will pop up given the choices shortlisted below. The usage won't be a lot, maybe 400 kms a month.



Requirements-

1) Performance

2) Comfort



Cars rejected-

1) Octavia- In a perfect world, I'd have an Octavia standing in the parking lot last month, but sadly its discontinued.

2) Superb- It felt too long for city use. Also discontinued.

3) Tiguan- Mom found the rear seat comfort lacking over bad roads, suspension too stiff.

4) Koadiaq- This was perfect be it features or comfort, but the performance and 7 seater long SUV just didn't fit our city use.

5) Compass- Dad loved this but no petrol and maneuverability was a pain.

6) A class Limousine- Knees up sitting position at the back.

7) GLA- Petrol felt underpowered and diesel was out of budget.



Cars not considered-

1) Tucson- Didn't feel right plonking 40 L on a Hyundai plus the SUV stance and the looks were a bit too much for our liking.



War of segments-

I know I know comparing the A4 to the 2-series is blasphemy. I have been an Audi fanatic since a kid (my scaled grey R8 will vouch for that). And since this is our first entry to the luxury car segment, we wanted to do it right. I knew going to BMW meant performance, while Mercedes meant premium and to me, Audi does a bit of both and more whilst being understated and elegant. So I didn't bother with BMW or MB and drove straight to Audi for A4. In my mind, I get performance from the A4 and parents get a good rear seat comfort. But fate had other plans, more on that later.



A4-

Right off the bat, me and mom were drooling over how classy it looked and the interiors made me like it even more. It felt premium, a bit old school and understated. The ride quality was what blew me away. The suspension is soft and it felt like a magical carpet over bumps, so poised so plush I was sold then and there. It had a smaller sunroof and the design is elegant but not a standout in a crowd although we didn't mind this much. Parents were satisfied with the rear seat comfort too and the boot space was decent as well. Add to that the SA gave us such a good deal it was hard not to book it right then and there. Test drove the Q3 too and while the ride wasn't as plush the interiors felt new and the seating position was good however sedan took precedence in this comparison.







2 Series Gran Coupe-

Now this is where the confusion began. My dad is a sucker for surveying a lot before choosing anything be it a house or a mere belt. He wanted to try BMW and Mercedes but I informed him the competition aka the 3 Series and C class were way out of budget and the only ones in our budget are from a segment below and might feel a bit cramped. Regardless he insisted and that's how we fell in love with the 2 series. BMW fans would argue it's not a proper Beemer with FWD but as someone who has been used to FWD cars all my life, I quite liked it. The BMW blew me away with the handling dynamics, sure the ride wasn't as plush as the A4 and road noise crept in a bit but that was minimal and could live with. The main thing was rear seat comfort which is surprising. So my dad(5'6) and mom(5'1) sat perfectly in the backseat and my dad who hadn't been too vocal about the A4 had loads to say about the 2 series. They found the 2 series more comfortable in the back compared to the A4. Yes even I was in disbelief. T he thing id, the seating position is perfect in the Beemer while the seating position is very low in the A4, so much so my mom's feet were dangling in the car. So comfort wise my parents found the 2 series way better and dad was blown away by the wow factor it offered- the aggressive stance, the frameless doors, the gesture control, the interior felt newer and the panaromic sunroof as well. The price offered lesser than the A4 Technology(top trim) albeit just a lakh. Now here is the dilemma.







Ranbir- I quite love the A4 for its understated and elegant looks and the interior seems classic, the plush ride quality is just amazing and it looks like a proper sedan with a usable boot. My mom loves its looks and wants to buy it for that alone but says seating position is best in 2 series. My dad is just fine with the A4.



Ranveer- The Beemer looks too flamboyant for my liking and the rear just reminds me of a Verna BUT the frameless windows have my heart uff. It looks like a cramped sedan and arguably so, as the name suggests coupe. But I am blown away by its handling and though it lacks 40 nm of torque and plush ride quality compared to A4, its very comfortable as approved by my parents. i also love the panoramic sunroof coupled with the nicely laid out premium interior with wireless Apple CarPlay. My dad loves the Beemer so much so he took a picture with frameless doors. My mom likes it as well and found the ride comfortable and not at all stiff.



Hence quite the dilemma. We are going for a longer test drive tomorrow with both the cars back to back so will add more information about it tomorrow.The car will be mostly used by me(85%) and my parents will be chauffeured if they have to go somewhere which would be very rare. There's more chances of us going out to dinners and long drives together where dad will be in the front passenger seat. Also dad says we will keep the car for 5 years and maybe upgrade again. So I look to you, esteemed BHP members to remove my bias and point me in the right direction. I have some experience I want to highlight about the individual showrooms I visited but this has gone long enough, a different post maybe. Hello BHPians, this albeit my first post doesn't feel like it as I have spent countless hours on the forum enjoying these threads and having countless conversations with myself. Be it GTO's Thar or Joshmachine's Audi A4, it's like reading a novel, but about cars! Anyway, that brings me to my dilemma right now.I'll be 25 next month, currently pursuing my MBA in Mumbai. We are a family of three- me, mom and dad. Right now, we own a 2011 Honda City V which has run close to 90K in 12 years. My parents don't drive and they rarely took the city out hence the reason for not crossing 1 lakh kms yet. Ever since I got my license, I have been enjoying it thoroughly but we all feel it's time for an upgrade. Our budget is 53 Lakhs (stretched). I am a sedan guy and a petrolhead through and through. This car would be driven by me solely in the city mostly but random short outings will pop up given the choices shortlisted below. The usage won't be a lot, maybe 400 kms a month.1) Performance2) Comfort1) Octavia- In a perfect world, I'd have an Octavia standing in the parking lot last month, but sadly its discontinued.2) Superb- It felt too long for city use. Also discontinued.3) Tiguan- Mom found the rear seat comfort lacking over bad roads, suspension too stiff.4) Koadiaq- This was perfect be it features or comfort, but the performance and 7 seater long SUV just didn't fit our city use.5) Compass- Dad loved this but no petrol and maneuverability was a pain.6) A class Limousine- Knees up sitting position at the back.7) GLA- Petrol felt underpowered and diesel was out of budget.1) Tucson- Didn't feel right plonking 40 L on a Hyundai plus the SUV stance and the looks were a bit too much for our liking.I know I know comparing the A4 to the 2-series is blasphemy. I have been an Audi fanatic since a kid (my scaled grey R8 will vouch for that). And since this is our first entry to the luxury car segment, we wanted to do it right. I knew going to BMW meant performance, while Mercedes meant premium and to me, Audi does a bit of both and more whilst being understated and elegant. So I didn't bother with BMW or MB and drove straight to Audi for A4. In my mind, I get performance from the A4 and parents get a good rear seat comfort. But fate had other plans, more on that later.Right off the bat, me and mom were drooling over how classy it looked and the interiors made me like it even more. It felt premium, a bit old school and understated. The ride quality was what blew me away. The suspension is soft and it felt like a magical carpet over bumps, so poised so plush I was sold then and there. It had a smaller sunroof and the design is elegant but not a standout in a crowd although we didn't mind this much. Parents were satisfied with the rear seat comfort too and the boot space was decent as well. Add to that the SA gave us such a good deal it was hard not to book it right then and there. Test drove the Q3 too and while the ride wasn't as plush the interiors felt new and the seating position was good however sedan took precedence in this comparison.Now this is where the confusion began. My dad is a sucker for surveying a lot before choosing anything be it a house or a mere belt. He wanted to try BMW and Mercedes but I informed him the competition aka the 3 Series and C class were way out of budget and the only ones in our budget are from a segment below and might feel a bit cramped. Regardless he insisted and that's how we fell in love with the 2 series. BMW fans would argue it's not a proper Beemer with FWD but as someone who has been used to FWD cars all my life, I quite liked it. The BMW blew me away with the handling dynamics, sure the ride wasn't as plush as the A4 and road noise crept in a bit but that was minimal and could live with. The main thing was rear seat comfort which is surprising. So my dad(5'6) and mom(5'1) sat perfectly in the backseat and my dad who hadn't been too vocal about the A4 had loads to say about the 2 series. They found the 2 series more comfortable in the back compared to the A4. Yes even I was in disbelief. T he thing id, the seating position is perfect in the Beemer while the seating position is very low in the A4, so much so my mom's feet were dangling in the car. So comfort wise my parents found the 2 series way better and dad was blown away by the wow factor it offered- the aggressive stance, the frameless doors, the gesture control, the interior felt newer and the panaromic sunroof as well. The price offered lesser than the A4 Technology(top trim) albeit just a lakh. Now here is the dilemma.Ranbir- I quite love the A4 for its understated and elegant looks and the interior seems classic, the plush ride quality is just amazing and it looks like a proper sedan with a usable boot. My mom loves its looks and wants to buy it for that alone but says seating position is best in 2 series. My dad is just fine with the A4.Ranveer- The Beemer looks too flamboyant for my liking and the rear just reminds me of a Verna BUT the frameless windows have my heart uff. It looks like a cramped sedan and arguably so, as the name suggests coupe. But I am blown away by its handling and though it lacks 40 nm of torque and plush ride quality compared to A4, its very comfortable as approved by my parents. i also love the panoramic sunroof coupled with the nicely laid out premium interior with wireless Apple CarPlay. My dad loves the Beemer so much so he took a picture with frameless doors. My mom likes it as well and found the ride comfortable and not at all stiff.Hence quite the dilemma. We are going for a longer test drive tomorrow with both the cars back to back so will add more information about it tomorrow.The car will be mostly used by me(85%) and my parents will be chauffeured if they have to go somewhere which would be very rare. There's more chances of us going out to dinners and long drives together where dad will be in the front passenger seat. Also dad says we will keep the car for 5 years and maybe upgrade again. So I look to you, esteemed BHP members to remove my bias and point me in the right direction. I have some experience I want to highlight about the individual showrooms I visited but this has gone long enough, a different post maybe. Last edited by Rudra Sen : 19th September 2023 at 13:33 .
BlackStrat Newbie

Join Date: Sep 2023 Location: Mumbai Posts: 3 Thanked: 59 Times

Bullet Meri Jaan | Evolution of the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 | Is the cult still relevant? Rarely have brands been overshadowed by their products. We do have a handful of examples but none of these come close to how Royal Enfield was almost never known to the masses in India, but everyone knew The Bullet. Ask anyone who owns one these beauties before Eicher Motors turned it around and you will find that everyone, almost everyone owned a Bullet and not a Royal Enfield. Such is the cult of The Bullet that even today, over 90 years after it commenced production, a Royal Enfield for the uninitiated is still the Bullet. From its iconic straight up stance to the laidback nature of its ride, the Bullet ruled the roost, not in terms of sales numbers, but aspirational value. Back in the day, not everyone could carry off a Bullet. You needed to have a certain physical presence, a certain aura to you to ride that chrome filled thumper. For years, there were bikes and then there were Bullets. Such was the clout that every product, be it the Electra 350, the Machismo, the Thunderbird, was bracketed in one single word, Bullet. Not even Royal Enfield, just the Bullet. Unlike today, where a Royal Enfield is almost everywhere your eyes can glance upon, The Bullet was almost like a mythical creature. If you heard the Thump(as Bullet Loyalists like to call the exhaust note), you would stop in your tracks just to check who was riding the bike. Now, why would someone stop to check a bike you ask, you see, unlike today where the exhausts are a shadow of what they were and the engines have to be designed to take care of pollution norms and decibel levels, the original bikes were made in such a way that you could hear the Thump from a mile away, talk about announcing your arrival !



Recently, Royal Enfield launched the latest version of the iconic Bullet. To put some perspective, the first Bullet was launched in 1932. We are talking about a product which is in its 90s in terms of age but still being produced, and its not just out of nostalgia. Yes, newer, more advanced products have been launched by the brand but the Bullet, in their own words, is their NorthStar. And why wouldnt it be? it has survived a world war, it has gone to war with the Indian Army, multiple times as a matter of fact. How can you not trust a bike which has gone to war? If thats not all, it was and still is the preferred mode of transport for bike enthusiasts who wish to conquer Leh and Ladakh in the north and the seven sisters in the north east. 90 years is a long time to stand the test of time, long enough to cement your position in the hearts of your audience. You dont survive for that long without doing things the right way. You must be wondering what is it the bike does that it has such a cult following, that so many people still want to own The Bullet, that so many still see it as the thing to own if you want to make a statement. Simply put, and you will be in for a surprise at the next like, the bike is not perfect. It never had great technology, it never had great styling, the engine oil was prone to leaking, as a matter of fact, it was supposed to be marking its territory when that happened, it was borderline unreliable sometimes but when it was fine and didnt have any of these minor niggles, it was great at what it did. And what it did was simply munch miles and miles of the highway as if it was nothing. I am talking about the days when you didnt have great roads to begin with. If you rode a Bullet then the road was at your mercy. You could just swing your foot over and ride it as if there was no tomorrow. Simply put, the simplicity of the product is what won people over. The Japanese made bikes which were almost perfect, so perfect that one could just take it for granted for years and years without bothering about it. The Italians were so flamboyant that only a few of us really fancied them post-independence. The Bullet on the other hand, made in Chennai since the 1950s was simple, imperfect and kept its owner on their toes. You had to pamper the bike like your child. If you ask Bullet owners from back then about their experience with the bike, barring a few, almost all of them would say that it felt more like a family member rather than a machine. The connection with the bike was more metaphysical than cerebral and thats the essence of its cult status. Unlike other bikes at the time, the Bullet made you feel more involved, its injuries were your injuries, its breakdowns were your own. All these things resulted in the endowment effect of sorts where you are not only owning this piece of machinery but also feel it to be part of your life in a way more intimate than normal automobiles. One could argue that no company designs a product with an aim of it reaching a cult status or following, they just make it in anticipation of profits, period.



But even Heros falter. Cult status is a double-edged sword in many ways. A minor deviation and the bubble bursts. And this almost happened to the Bullet when the company undertook product expansion in the late 2000s. Almost was the key word there, as someone at Eicher realized that in the early stages of their turnaround story the company wont be able to just turn its back on its star product. They had the baggage of almost 3 generations of riders and their emotional connect with the Bullet. Like a drug addict has to be weaned off drugs in rehab, the cult followers had to be weaned off slowly and gradually. If you look at the progression of the company since the mid 2000s, Eicher Motor made sure that the soul of the Bullet is intact while the outer covering is changed every now and then. One cant please everyone though and hardcore Bulleteers from back in the day were livid with the change, but it was a conscious call on the companys part to let go off a few to look into the future, at the end of the day, these guys were in no state physically to ride the newer generation of bikes :P



More than a decade after the launch of the Classics, along with many more variants in between, the company reverted to mean this year to its Northstar, to the Bullet. Many argue if the cult is still relevant and question if it can stand tall amongst the plethora of new technologically advanced products being launched by local manufacturers. Answers to this may not be known for a while now, but if the product launch is anything to go by, one can surely say that the Bullet is still Made Like A Gun Last edited by Aditya : 19th September 2023 at 07:31 . Reason: Spacing added
In context: Nintendo's intellectual properties are probably among the most coveted in the industry. Unsurprisingly, Microsoft views the company as a juicy target for a theoretical merger. A recently leaked internal document offers a closer look at Microsoft's acquisition strategy.

The enormous trove of court documents leaked amid Microsoft's legal battle with the FTC has disclosed yet more information about the company's internal workings. An email from Xbox head Phil Spencer reveals that Microsoft nearly purchased Warner Bros. Interactive around the same time it bought Bethesda parent company ZeniMax while also pondering how it could acquire Nintendo or Valve.

In a conversation from early August 2020, shortly before Microsoft announced the ZeniMax purchase, Spencer said Nintendo would be the biggest asset for his company and that securing the buy would be a "career moment" for him. He also believes that Microsoft has better chances than any other US company of accomplishing such a buyout while admitting that it's likely impossible in the short term.

Spencer titled the email "Random Thoughts," so it's unlikely that Microsoft was making earnest moves toward Nintendo or Valve. However, his exchange with Executive Vice President Chris Capossela illuminates the advantages, disadvantages, and roadblocks Microsoft sees during acquisition talks.

Nintendo's financials shield it from a buyout, and Microsoft doesn't see a hostile takeover as an option. Bloomberg notes that the last time the Redmond giant approached the House of Mario with a buy offer, former CEO Steve Ballmer and former Director of Third-Party Relations Kevin Bachus were laughed out of the meeting. However, Spencer mentioned a "long game," indicating it hasn't given up. Meanwhile, the biggest argument against buying WB is that it wouldn't have given Microsoft any of the properties WB has access to, such as DC Comics characters.

Also read: Massive leak reveals next-gen Xbox could be a cloud-hybrid console, Series X|S refresh coming in 2024

Although purchasing ZeniMax has given Microsoft its biggest exclusive release in recent memory  Starfield  Spencer admitted that it didn't help efforts to diversify the Xbox maker's first-party portfolio. Microsoft's recent acquisitions have overwhelmingly focused on high-end games targeting the North American and European markets, but Activision could be a significant step toward broadening its appeal.

The ongoing court proceedings against the FTC concern the company's attempt to purchase Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. Although Call of Duty has been the main flashpoint in Microsoft's legal struggle, one of its goals is Activision subsidiary King, which owns Candy Crush. Blizzard has also launched successful mobile games like Diablo: Immortal and Hearthstone.

It's unclear how Microsoft's acquisition roadmap has changed in the three years since Spencer wrote the leaked email. The Activision deal dwarfs anything discussed, so the company's appetite for the companies mentioned may have lessened for now.
What just happened? The UK is finally set to turn the controversial Online Safety Bill into law after it passed the final stages in the House of Lords. The legislation will force social media firms to remove content that is both illegal and legal but harmful, especially to children. Opponents say the bill will undermine the privacy and security of users not only in the UK but also all internet users globally.

The 300-page Online Safety Bill has been around since 2019, when it was focused mostly on addressing illegal content. Since then, the bill has widened its scope to include harmful content such as promoting suicide and self-harm, cyberbullying, animal cruelty, and adult material being accessed by children. It also seeks to crack down on activities such as selling drugs and weapons, inciting or planning terrorism, and content related to sexual exploitation, hate speech, and scams.

Recent additions to the bill cover cyber-flashing and the sharing of deepfake pornography.

"The Online Safety Bill is a game-changing piece of legislation. Today, this government is taking an enormous step forward in our mission to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online," said Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan.

Social media companies and other platforms that do not remove content covered by the bill quickly enough face fines of up to 10% (or up to 18 million/$22.3 million, whichever is higher) of their annual turnover. Social media executives who repeatedly ignore the rules could face jail time.

The most controversial aspect of the bill allows regulator Ofcom to require platforms to scan messages for illegal content. Messaging services such as WhatsApp have warned that there is no way to change encryption in just one part of the world, leading to both Meta's service and Signal warning that they could pull their services from the UK if the bill passes.

The UK government recently admitted that it's impossible to circumvent end-to-end encryption without violating users' privacy, and would not scan messages unless "appropriate technology" exists. However, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) warns these assurances aren't enough to protect the human rights of British people or internet users around the world.

The fact remains that scanning everyone's messages would destroy privacy as we know it. That was as true last year as it is today. @WhatsApp will never break our encryption and remains vigilant against threats to do so. https://t.co/iHsBOhkp8r  Will Cathcart (@wcathcart) September 6, 2023

The EFF also warns that age-gating websites violates the fundamental principles of an anonymous internet with simple access. It will also lead to adults losing their rights to free and private speech, according to the foundation. There are warnings that Wikipedia could be age-gated to comply with the rules, forcing the platform to shut down in the country.
In brief: Not being able to catch an infamous hacker is a bad enough situation for law enforcement agencies, but it's made even worse when the criminal trolls officers by selling t-shirts and other merchandise featuring his most wanted poster. It's all just another day for Russian hacker Mikhail Matveev, who has been indicted for carrying out cyberattacks against US companies and critical infrastructure.

Matveev, who is also known as "Wazawaka" and "Boriselcin," has been classified by the FBI as one of the most wanted hackers. In addition to his attacks in the US and elsewhere, he is accused of being a "central figure" in the creation and deployment of ransomware variants such as Hive, LockBit, and Babuk, and being involved with affiliate groups. He's believed to still be in Russia, which means he is highly unlikely to face extradition to the United States, writes TechCrunch. In January 2021, Matveev said he had no plans to leave the protection of "Mother Russia."

Rather than keeping a low profile and staying in hiding, Matveev has been celebrating his infamy by promoting t-shirts featuring his FBI most wanted poster on X, formerly Twitter.

The poster shows the $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Matveev, who is wanted for intentional damage to and threats related to a protected computer. He's also been charged with conspiring to transmit ransom demands. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

TechCrunch managed to verify that the X account really was managed by Matveev after he showed them a picture of his left hand, which has only four fingers. He also sent a selfie holding a piece of paper with TC reporter Lorenzo Franceschi-Bicchierai's name on it.

Matveev didn't seem overly enthusiastic about answering questions related to his hacking, beyond objecting to the use of the word "hacker."

"I don't like this designation  hacker, we are a separate type of specialist, practical and using our knowledge and resources without water and writing articles," he told the reporter. "I was interested only in terms of financial motivation, roughly speaking, I was thinking about what to do, sell people or become. it, [sic] let me tell you how I lost my finger?"

Matveev stopped answering messages at this point. He previously claimed to have cut off his finger after losing a bet.
The way back home: A conversation with Judith Sanchez The first-ever choreographer commissioned to do work for the emblematic Trisha Brown company in history (other than Brown herself) is a Latina powerhouse

Last May, the legendary Trisha Brown Dance Company took the stage at The Joyce Theater in Manhattan with two repertoire dances paying homage to Browns collaborations with composer Alvin Curran. But the nights most anticipated work was the programs third choreography and closing act, the companys first-ever commissioned work, Lets Talk About Bleeding, by Cuban dancer and choreographer Judith Sanchez Ruiz.

Sanchez defined her piece as an architectural orgasm of poetical constellations in a video promo released before the performance. It is a symphony of layers, a metaverse in which multiple universes collide, seeming to exist simultaneously, yet viewed in segments, she elaborates. The work intends to convey the notion of moving backward in time, recreating realities that make us question the arc of human existence. Half the scenes are reversed, underscoring the idea of reversing time and deepening an understanding of being.

The choreography was also a tour de force and an emotional journey for Sanchez, feeling she was paying homage and bringing Trisha back into a new step. Into a new future for the company. To witness the evolution she always created in contemporary dance.

There is always a first moment for everything. Sanchez was the lucky one to receive the invitation call from Trisha Brown Dance Companys Carolyn Lucas, Brown Choreographic Assistant and closest collaborator in her creative process for 20 years before being named Associate Artistic Director in 2013, and whom Sanchez thanks for the trust and the opportunity. With the commission came the challenge and great responsibility to dialog with the legacy of the iconic dancer and performer. Lets Talk About Bleeding was created and staged in about four weeks, a kind of process which usually took Trisha about 19 weeks.

As with everything in life, some things are only explained with a stroke of luck. Sanchez has built a reputation in her thirty-year professional career, in which she has created two practices: Functionality and Perspective in Dance (Release) and Your Own God Intensive Improvisation, establishing herself as a choreographer and teacher at major higher education institutions in dance throughout Europe, the U.S., Latin America, and Asia. It was a very intense and unique process, she says. But you know what? It was exciting because I had been preparing for this moment for many years. When I started as a choreographer in the United States, my English was intermediate. I had to establish my credibility as an artist with my vision in a context and community where no one knew me, Sanchez adds.

The iconic American performer, dancer, and choreographer Trisha Brown passed away on March 18, 2017. Regarded as an innovative disrupter since the early 1960s and a pioneer of Postmodern dance, Brown founded her dance company in 1970. She was the creator of over a hundred choreographies and six operas. Sanchez knows the responsibility of being the bearer of a powerful legacy. That is why she refers half-jokingly and half-seriously to her tenure with the company (2006-2009) and her friendship with Brown as her informal PhD in dance.

Working with Trisha was returning to the source of many things learned secondhand, Sanchez says in a video call from Berlin. The artist, who is in one of the most acclaimed moments of her career as a dancer and choreographer of international stature, has had a couple of years of intense activity in which she has been invited to collaborate with choreographies or master classes based on her research from all corners of the planet, from Hong Kong, NYC, Germany, Senegal, Norway, Switzerland, and Japan. During her work with the legendary dancer, Sanchez reemphasized essential practice skills. Trisha took dance to unimaginable contexts, defying the body and gravity as in her well-known performance Man Walking Down the Side of the Building, Sanchez explains. I learned with Trisha about multi-directionality, dancing from the bones, with gravity, the importance of functionality and the somatic, she enumerates. Adding the importance of improvisation in the creative process. And the capacity for structural challenge and vision of an artist in his artistic universe. All these elements are part of Trisha Browns critical contribution to contemporary dance and pillars on which Sanchez has built his legacy because Sanchez is also recognized as a gifted improviser.

I have been researching improvisation for more than 20 years, says Sanchez of her contribution to dance. I have been lucky enough to be in major international companies and projects with independent artists in various parts of the world. Plus, my education at the National School of Art (ENA), from which she graduated in 1990, and her professional training in Cuba as an ensemble member of the Danza Nacional de Cuba company (1990-1991) y DanzAbierta (1991-1996).

Sanchez established her own company, JSR Company, in New York in 2010, focusing on interdisciplinary performances. She is now developing JSR into what she calls a portable company. That can adapt and present works for multiplex fields, with much more access within the artistic world. Her plans are to choreograph for ballet, exchanging our evolution in both styles. Investigating different things, with multidisciplinary potential. Pursuing that goal, she relocated to Berlin in 2011 to work as an ensemble member and guest teacher at Sasha Waltz & Guest Company, where she stayed until 2014. Therefore, the Trish Brown Dance Company commission was also an opportunity to return to New York, where she lived since the late 90s and where his son Lucian Prieto-Sanchez was born, the closest thing, along with Berlin, to a home that this global and nomadic artist knows.

Trish Brown Company dancer in a rehearsal of 'Lets Talk About Bleeding.' Stephanie Berger (Courtesy of Trisha Brown dance Company.)

Compared with Trisha, my dance is more expressionist; it touched you differently, Sanchez explains. My choreographies are intense, complex, with much physicality and information. My contribution is knowing how to take risks and defend my vision regardless of everything. Im looking for a new dance beyond the contemporary classification, she continues. I do not structure the usual; I pursue the vision; my dancers are highly trained in improvisation and choreographic material and can excel in both. There, I have a lot of fields to investigate, starting from a more portable, more accessible, more multidisciplinary format and hoping to have more collaborations with visual artists and music and theater. Either as site-specific or stage theater pieces.

While Trisha never claimed to have created the Release technique and even denied any knowledge about it in a Movement Research Performance Journal in 2000, Sanchez attributes to her this technique innovation. There is a taboo and a controversy about if the Release is a technique or a skill or a dancing style, but when I was transitioning into a choreographer, I noticed that it has all the components to be considered a technique, affirms Sanchez, doing justice to who was her mentor and supported her during her first steps as a choreographer in New York City. When I left the company, Trisha always came to my performances and premieres and supported my work as a choreographer.

For Sanchez, being the first guest to choreograph at TBDC leaves hope for many others like me, she says. Its rewarding to think people support an inclusive and more transparent world; many artists are doing interesting things. It is possible, and it can happen to you too.

Sanchez attributes her success to sacrifice and survival. People often say to me: You are so bold. At first, I had a hard time understanding what they were saying. I even went to the dictionary because I needed clarification. And I understand it now, after five years. Of course, I have the freedom to do what I want in my art, to design how I want people to see me, because I dont have funding or sponsorship. After all, I am not tied to anyone. In other words, I have nothing to lose. I reinvent myself according to what suits me, following my creative vision and what I consider necessary after the exchange with the audience, my students, and the people who support my work. So, from there, you will find a map, but at the end of the day, that map is a survival, Sanchez says.

The secret of success is passing on your legacy and never giving up on your dreams.
The big picture: PC gamers are a consumer class traditionally accustomed to higher spending rates compared to regular PC users. However, IDC reports that the PC market is still facing challenging times, even within the affluent gaming segment.

According to IDC's estimations, the overall PC business is expected to decline by 13.7 percent in 2023. The market intelligence company now predicts that even gaming PC shipments will experience a steep decline by the end of the year. While gaming PCs and monitors had previously shown some resilience amid the slowing demand for new computing hardware, 2023 is expected to be a downturn period for all PC segments.

IDC predicts that gaming PC shipments will decline by 10.5 percent year over year in 2023. The segment is expected to shrink less than the overall PC market, according to IDC analysts, as consumers will take advantage of low pricing offers on previous-generation products and discounts on the current generation "due to excess inventory."

IDC representative Jitesh Ubrani explains that poor macroeconomic conditions continue to reduce purchasing power "for general consumers and gamers alike." While the global economy has begun to improve, many gamers remain cautious with their spending. Users are likely to hold onto their existing PCs for a longer period of time or even consider purchasing refurbished gaming PCs in the near future as a cost-cutting measure.

Things are looking much brighter for gaming monitor shipments, according to IDC. The segment is expected to grow by 10.8 percent by the end of 2023. IDC's research manager, Jay Chou, attributes this stronger recovery to "improved cost structures and continued industry focus." A typical gaming monitor costs a little over $300, making it a "cost-effective way" to significantly enhance the user experience for both gaming and traditional computer applications.

The gaming PC market is expected to face challenges in the near term, but improvements are anticipated as early as 2024. IDC predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6 percent for gaming PC shipments between 2023 and 2027. Concurrently, gaming monitors are forecasted to experience a 7.7 percent CAGR during the same period.

IDC's Tracker solutions offer "accurate and timely market size, company share, and forecasts" for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the world. Meanwhile, the company's Worldwide Quarterly Gaming Tracker provides "detailed and timely information" for the global PC gaming market, encompassing desktop systems, laptops, and gaming monitors.
In brief: Elon Musk's brain-implant company Neuralink is now accepting applications for its first human clinical trial. The PRIME Study, which is short for Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface, will evaluate the safety of Neuralink's fully implantable, wireless brain-computer interface (BCI) as well as the surgical robot used to install the device.

The study will additionally assess the functionality of the implant, which is designed to allow patients with paralysis to control external devices using their mind.

The BCI will be placed in the region of the brain that controls movement intention, Neuralink said. Once in place, it will be cosmetically invisible but will link wirelessly to an app that decodes movement intention. Neuralink hopes the device will allow users to control a mouse cursor or keyboard using only their thoughts.

Back in May, the FDA granted Neuralink permission to perform a human trial under an investigational device exemption (IDE).

Neuralink said patients with quadriplegia due to a cervical spinal cord injury or those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may qualify for the trial. Participants must be at least 22 years old and have a consistent and reliable caregiver. Those with an active implanted device like a pacemaker or deep brain stimulator are unable to participate, as are those with a history of seizures and people that require MRIs for an ongoing medical condition.

Neuralink said it expects the study to run for approximately six years, during which patients will have regular follow-ups with the Neuralink team to monitor progress. Interested parties can join the patient registry to get the ball rolling.

As Reuters highlights, it is unclear how many patients Neuralink is seeking for the trial or how many the FDA will ultimately approve. Former and current Neuralink employees reportedly told the publication that the company was negotiating a number lower than 10, so perhaps only a handful of participants will be involved in the first trial.

No word yet on when the first implants might be installed.

Image credit: Growtika
Amazon's hardware division, Lab126, is grappling with a moral crisis as it navigates staff cutbacks and a shifting landscape of devices in development.

This division, once celebrated for iconic products like the Kindle e-reader and Echo voice assistant, is now facing internal turmoil, threatening its reputation as an innovation hub.

Amazon Employees Speak Up

In exclusive insights gathered by Reuters, more than 15 current and former Lab126 employees, speaking anonymously due to employment terms, have shed light on the division's struggles.

Lab126 was once a focus of Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos, who considered it the engine for future projects. However, recent events have cast a shadow over its once-bright future.

Leadership Changes, Layoffs

One of the significant concerns within Lab126 is the departure of key executives.

Dave Limp, a 13-year veteran and division leader, has announced his plans to step down later this year.

This follows in the footsteps of other high-profile departures, including Lab126 president Gregg Zehr and Alexa senior vice president Tom Taylor, who retired late last year.

This leadership vacuum is exacerbated by Amazon CEO Andy Jassy's efforts to streamline the company by reducing its headcount, affecting multiple divisions, including Lab126.

Layoffs that began last year resulted in 27,000 job cuts across Amazon, with even Alexa employees not immune to the reduction.

Read Also: Microsoft Surface Device Gets Firmware Update: Surface Book 2 Included in New Patch

Innovation and Struggles

While Amazon's Lab126 was once synonymous with groundbreaking innovation, it now grapples with a diverse array of new devices in development.

Many of these are aimed at revitalizing the Alexa voice service, which faces fierce competition in an era of generative AI and sophisticated tools like ChatGPT.

Some upcoming projects include a carbon monoxide detector and an energy consumption monitor featuring Alexa integration.

Another intriguing device in the pipeline is a home projector that can transform any surface into a screen. However, the details of other projects remain shrouded in secrecy.

The Challenge of Alexa and Profitability

Amazon's ambitions for Alexa are evident, with the company hoping to have more consumers install Alexa-enabled devices throughout their homes, making it an integral part of their daily lives. Nevertheless, monetizing Alexa remains a formidable challenge.

Reuters tells us that despite efforts to encourage shopping through Alexa, many users remain skeptical about its usefulness for online purchases.

Competition and Generative AI

The voice assistant market has grown increasingly competitive, with Amazon's Alexa trailing behind Google and Apple's Siri regarding user numbers.

Amazon acknowledges the challenge posed by generative AI and is developing its solutions to enhance Alexa's capabilities.

However, competition is not limited to industry giants. Many startups, including Microsoft-backed OpenAI with its ChatGPT, have captured consumer and investor attention with their ability to generate coherent text responses, a format that traditional voice assistants struggle to replicate.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Amazon Freevee Adds 31 Free Live Channels, Resulting in Over 300 Channels and a Thousand On-Demand Titles

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Confidential documents have surfaced fresh from the ongoing FTC v. Microsoft legal battle, unveiling Microsoft's ambitious plans for the future of Xbox.

Engadget highlights in a report that the leak not only reveals a mid-generation refresh of the Xbox Series X but also presents a new concept known as the "hybrid game platform."

Next-Gen Xbox

Microsoft's vision for the next generation of gaming transcends traditional boundaries.

Their upcoming "hybrid game platform" aims to blur the lines between local hardware and cloud computing. This revolutionary concept is set to usher in a new era of gaming experiences, with a projected release in 2028.

The leaked documents provide an intriguing glimpse into Microsoft's aspirations.

"Develop a next-generation hybrid game platform capable of leveraging the combined power of the client and cloud to deliver deeper immersion and entirely new classes of game experiences," reads one of the slides.

The goal is to optimize real-time gameplay and enable performance levels beyond the capabilities of client hardware alone.

The Hardware Arsenal

To achieve this lofty goal, Microsoft is preparing a formidable hardware lineup.

The leaked information includes mentions of next-gen DirectX ray tracing, dynamic global illumination, machine learning-based super-resolution, and micro polygon rendering optimization.

These features promise to elevate the gaming experience to unprecedented heights.

What is particularly exciting is the flexibility of the system. It can cater to various devices, from powerful consoles to affordable "Thin OS" devices relying on xCloud computing, potentially priced at $99.

This inclusivity ensures that gamers of all backgrounds can access the next-gen gaming ecosystem.

Read Also: Microsoft's Open-Source AI Project Leaks 38TB of Personal Data

The Power of Hybrid Compute

Microsoft's "hybrid compute" approach represents a fundamental shift in gaming technology.

Unlike traditional cloud gaming, where elements are offloaded entirely to remote servers, this hybrid approach combines local GPU power with cloud computing.

Imagine your primary character running on your console's GPU while non-playable characters and background elements are generated remotely.

It is a game-changing concept that could redefine how we perceive gaming performance.

AI and Machine Learning Integration

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are set to play pivotal roles in the next-gen gaming landscape.

Microsoft envisions neural networks enhancing various aspects of gaming, from super-resolution and frame rate interpretation to latency compensation.

These technologies will improve game experiences and enhance player services, addressing issues like safety, toxicity, and personalization.

On the creator side, AI will be instrumental in-game testing, procedural content generation, physics simulations, natural language processing (NLP) dialogue, and live operations management.

Partnerships and Roadmap

Reports tell us that the leaked documents suggest that Microsoft is discussing Navi 5 graphics and Zen 6 CPU cores with AMD.

While the roadmap is subject to change, it appears that Microsoft plans to kickstart hardware and hybrid game design in 2024, with developer kits becoming available by 2027 and shipping to consumers by 2028.

The Conversation Behind the Vision

Preceding the slideshow of revelations are documents capturing a conversation between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Xbox's Phil Spencer.

They discuss Microsoft's ambitions for various computing domains, including cloud, Xbox, Windows, and HoloLens, highlighting the need for unified vision and collaboration across the company.

It is worth noting that Microsoft's vision for the next-gen Xbox seems to be a work in progress, with references to a "mobile controller" and ongoing design choices.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Microsoft Surface Device Gets Firmware Update: Surface Book 2 Included in New Patch

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
TikTok, a prominent player in the social media landscape, has stepped up to the scene to allow creators to tag their AI-generated content explicitly with the help of an AI tool.

The video-sharing platform is diligently testing additional methods for automatically labeling AI-generated content, marking a significant stride toward transparency and accountability.

The Motivation Behind AI Labeling

TikTok's decision to introduce AI labeling stems from a genuine concern: AI-generated content can sometimes bewilder or mislead viewers.

While the platform had already updated its policies to address synthetic media, including deep fakes, it became apparent that further measures were necessary.

According to TechCrunch, TikTok's policy already mandated labeling for AI content containing realistic images, audio, or video, ensuring viewers could discern the authenticity of the content and thwart the dissemination of false information. Furthermore, TikTok reserves the right to remove undisclosed realistic AI images.

However, the gray area between genuine and AI-generated content remained a challenge. In this context, increased transparency becomes a welcomed ally for users, offering assurance about the authenticity of the content they consume.

TikTok's Innovative AI Labeling Tool

TikTok's newly introduced AI labeling tool not only simplifies compliance with the existing synthetic media policy but also empowers creators to tag content entirely generated or significantly edited with AI.

This user-friendly tool becomes available to creators during the video uploading process. More importantly, TikTok does not expect creators to retroactively label their previous videos.

Upon utilizing the new tool, TikTok will prominently display a message below the video creator's username, indicating that the video is AI-generated. What's more, TikTok will not penalize creators for failing to label AI content that falls outside the synthetic media policy.

Related Article: TikTok's 'Tako' AI Chatbot Runs Exclusive Tests in the Philippines

Automated AI Content Detection

Going a step further, TikTok is actively developing an automated system to detect and label AI content. The company plans to commence testing an "AI-generated" label that will apply to any content identified as edited or created using AI.

While TikTok remains discreet about the specific technology used for detection, the company is exploring various detection models and considering partnerships to bolster AI detection capabilities.

Industry-Wide AI Labeling Trend

TikTok is not alone in its pursuit of AI content transparency. Industry giants like OpenAI and Google have announced their own AI detection capabilities in recent months.

Instagram also seems to be on the verge of introducing a feature that highlights AI-created or edited content. Additionally, the European Union is advocating for widespread AI content labeling in its fight against disinformation.

Renaming of AI Effects

As part of its commitment to transparency, TikTok has decided to rename all its AI-enhanced effects, explicitly including "AI" in their names. This marks a significant shift from the platform's previous stance of secrecy regarding AI involvement in effects and filters.

Now, users can readily discern which of TikTok's effects utilize AI technology, promoting informed content consumption.

TikTok consulted extensively with its Safety Advisory Councils and industry experts, including MIT's Dr. David G. Rand, during the development of its AI labels.

The term "AI-generated" was chosen for its broad understanding across demographic groups. Additionally, TikTok plans to roll out educational videos and media literacy resources in the coming weeks to enhance user understanding of AI.

These updates are part of TikTok's broader commitment to responsible AI practices in media. The company previously pledged to adhere to the Partnership on AI's Responsible Practices for Synthetic Media and engaged with young people through partnerships to gain insights into AI advancements online.

In another report by the Wall Street Journal, more people are reportedly streaming pirated movies on TikTok via short clips.

Read Also: AI Girlfriend Ads Are Reportedly on the Rise on Instagram, TikTok

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Photo by Peter Summers/Getty Images

The United Kingdom is taking a bold step on the global stage by inviting China to participate in its upcoming artificial intelligence (AI) summit in November, Reuters reports.

The decision comes amidst growing concerns about the risks associated with AI technology and the necessity of involving one of the world's leading AI players.

Ensuring Global AI Safety

Foreign Minister James Cleverly stated, "We cannot keep the UK public safe from the risks of AI if we exclude one of the leading nations in AI tech."

This sentiment underscores the UK's commitment to addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by AI in collaboration with global partners.

The summit, scheduled for November 1-2, is set to bring together governments, tech companies, and academics to discuss a wide range of AI-related topics.

These include the potential risks to biosecurity and the ways AI can be harnessed for the greater public good, such as improving transportation safety.

Read Also: Bing Chat Live on Microsoft Launcher: ChatGPT-Supported AI Tool for Android Users

A Broader Engagement with China

James Cleverly, who recently became the most senior minister to visit China in five years, argues for deeper engagement with Beijing.

He believes it would be unwise to isolate the world's second-largest economy, especially considering the need for cooperation on critical issues like climate change and economic stability.

"The UK's approach to China is to protect our institutions and infrastructure, align with partners, and engage where it is in the UK's national interest," Cleverly emphasized.

Navigating Growing Concerns

While the UK aims to strengthen ties with China, concerns have been mounting recently regarding Chinese activities within Britain.

In March, a parliamentary researcher was arrested on suspicion of spying for China, raising concerns about espionage.

The Chinese embassy in London has not yet confirmed whether China will attend the summit, indicating that diplomatic discussions are ongoing.

Leadership in AI Regulation

Britain has appointed tech expert Matt Clifford and former senior diplomat Jonathan Black to spearhead preparations for the summit. Clifford expressed his hope that this gathering would set the tone for future international debates on AI regulation.

This summit reflects Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's ambition to position Britain as a global leader in AI regulation.

It recognizes that AI technology is rapidly evolving and has the potential to both transform industries and raise significant ethical and security concerns.

A Global Tech War

The UK's invitation to China comes at a time when the global AI landscape is evolving rapidly. It is important to note that the British government is a US ally.

Jacob Helberg, a senior policy advisor to the data analysis firm Palantir, has characterized the current situation as nothing short of a "tech war" between the United States and China.

Helberg, who also leads the U.S.-China Economic Security and Review Commission advising Congress on national security matters, argues that AI drives a wedge between the two superpowers.

He envisions a split into "a Chinese-led technology world and an American-led technology world."

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Is AI Better Than Humans in Crafting Urban Planning Designs? New Study Offers Fascinating Insights

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In Taipei on Tuesday, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said that TSMC and state officials are discussing adding advanced chip packaging capability to TSMC's US factory.

Governor Hobbs is a member of a larger US delegation in talks with authorities and businesses about Taiwan's crucial position within the semiconductor supply chain, according to Bloomberg.

According to Under Secretary of Commerce Laurie E. Locascio, this historic discussion is the first time the United States has spoken with TSMC about research and development to bring more of the technology from the biggest contract chipmaker in the world onshore.

Addressing The High Demand

The urgent demand for cutting-edge chip packaging solutions has hampered the production of highly sought-after silicon goods, such as the artificial intelligence accelerators made by TSMC for Nvidia Corp. The difficulty was recognized by TSMC Chairman Mark Liu, who said that although the business is dedicated to increasing Taiwan's packaging capacity, supplies are anticipated to be limited for a further 18 months.



Anirudh Devgan, chief executive officer of Cadence Design Systems Inc., stressed during a speech at the Semicon conference earlier this month that packaging will be a crucial area of conflict for countries looking to take the lead in the tech industry.



TSMC has committed to Arizona with two fabs and a whopping $40 billion in investment so far. These facilities may have the option to add cutting-edge packaging capabilities, which might improve Arizona's semiconductor manufacturing capacity even further.



In response to a request from one of its major clients, Apple Inc., TSMC confirmed its intentions to provide more sophisticated 4-nanometer chips from its Arizona factory in December.

Read Also: Ohio's Aviation Legacy Continues: Joby Aviation to Manufacture Flying Taxis



Governor Hobbs admitted that Arizona and TSMC had to overcome obstacles while working together, but she was proud of how quickly the project was moving along and insisted that it was still on track. However, TSMC officials said during their most recent earnings conference that a lack of competent workers would cause the first Arizona plant's operation to be postponed until 2025.

Arizona Facility Issues

According to a recent report from The Information, the Arizona factory will have a small effect on making the US self-reliant on chips. TSMC engineers and former Apple workers told that many complex chips built in Arizona for Apple or other clients like Nvidia, AMD, and Tesla would still need packaging in Taiwan.

Due to its complexity, TSMC's Taiwan factories are now the only ones that can do packaging, a technical process that involves the tight arrangement of numerous circuit boards before encapsulating them into a single chip.



Last year, the US CHIPS Act, which encouraged chipmakers to develop American operations to boost the economy and create employment, was touted as a success. Apple proudly declared it will acquire American-made processors for select products.

However, this factory can only create bigger process chips for earlier Apple devices, according to 9 to 5 Mac. TSMC wanted more subsidies and less restrictions. The project is behind time and over budget, with production delayed until 2025 from 2024.

While Governor Hobbs suggested that things could change in this area, several industry watchers are still unsure of the details and potential effects of these discussions.

Related Article: Agility Robotics' RoboFab Facility Can Build 10,000 'Digit' Humanoid Robots Yearly

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Ren Zhengfei, the founder and CEO of Huawei Technologies, continues to express his admiration for Apple, emphasizing his stance against foreign brand "xenophobia."

Despite the intense rivalry between Huawei and Apple in the global smartphone market, Ren considers the Cupertino giant a source of valuable insights.

Apple as a Learning Opportunity

Speaking at the Huawei-sponsored International Collegiate Programming Contest, Ren shared his perspective with university students and academics. He acknowledged that Huawei frequently examines what makes Apple's products exceptional, recognizing the disparities between the two tech giants.

In a report by SCMP, the CEO also revealed a personal connection to Apple, mentioning that his daughter used Apple products while studying in the United States. This reference likely pertains to his youngest daughter, Annabel Yao, who attended Harvard University from 2016 to 2020.

Ren's admiration for Apple extends back to May 2019, when he lauded the company for its privacy protection efforts.

"I'm very happy to have a teacher that gives us the opportunity to learn and compare [our performance]. In that sense, it would not be an exaggeration to call me an Apple fan," he said.

Related Article: Huawei Founder Urges Employees to Fight Until the Day that 'No One Bullies Them'

Learning from Competitors

The admiration of the Huawei founder for Apple goes beyond surface compliments. In 2019, he urged Huawei to learn from Apple's pricing strategies to ensure the survival of competitors. These comments underline Ren's commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement within Huawei.

Ren's recent remarks reflect Huawei's internal priorities, emphasizing the importance of maintaining technological leadership and nurturing internal talent. Despite the competitive landscape, Huawei remains dedicated to advancing its technological capabilities.

Challenging Path for Huawei

Huawei, including its chip design division, HiSilicon, faced significant challenges when added to the US Entity List in May 2019. The company had to adapt its production processes in response to heightened trade restrictions imposed by the US government in 2020, particularly concerning semiconductor access.

Turning Pressure into Motivation

Ren sees the US sanctions as a double-edged sword. While acknowledging the pressure they've placed on Huawei, he also views them as a motivating force.

The company successfully transitioned to its own infrastructure platform, offering both resilience and independence from American technologies.

Huawei's Comeback

With the recent launch of the Mate 60 Pro and Mate 60 Pro+ 5G smartphones featuring the advanced Kirin 9000s processor, Huawei has rekindled hope in its handset business. These "made-in-China" products, symbols of defiance against US tech sanctions, have gained popularity in the market.

Huawei's smartphone shipments have rebounded, securing a place in China's top-five smartphone vendor rankings in the second quarter.

Looking ahead, Huawei has set ambitious goals, with a 20% increase in smartphone shipments targeted for the second half of 2023.

Recently, Pandaily reported that Zhengfei believes that the world is entering the fourth industrial revolution.

Read Also: Foxconn Pays iPhone Builders Less than Huawei Builders as Apple Starts Diversifying Its Supply Chain

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday that it had quickly taken the necessary action after discovering "anomalous activity affecting its information systems" last week.

The Hague-based ICC, which only described the event as a "cybersecurity incident," withheld particular information about its nature.

Additional "response and security measures are now ongoing" in coordination with Dutch authorities, according to Court spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah in a written statement, given that the ICC's headquarters are located in the Netherlands.



In his statement, El Abdallah also emphasized the court's dedication to strengthening its cybersecurity framework. To strengthen the digital defenses of the ICC.



"Looking forward, the Court will be building on existing work presently underway to strengthen its cyber security framework, including accelerating its use of cloud technology," El Abdallah stated, as quoted by AP News.



The International Criminal Court did not provide any other details regarding the cyberattack incident, but it stressed that the analysis and mitigation of its effects, as well as maintaining its fundamental operations were given top priority.

Past Cyberattacks on ICC

The ICC, renowned for its high-profile investigations and preliminary probes in several countries throughout the globe, has already encountered cybersecurity issues in the past.



According to a report from the Manila Bulletin, Dutch intelligence services said that they had foiled a sophisticated espionage operation by a Russian agent named Sergey Vladimirovich Cherkasov, who had taken on a fake Brazilian name to serve as an intern at the ICC last year. This information was made public while the court looked into claims of Russian war crimes in Ukraine.



Notably, the ICC issued an arrest order for Russian President Vladimir Putin for child deportation charges in March and investigates crimes against humanity and war crimes in Ukraine.

Read Also: Arizona Governor Discusses Advanced Chip Packaging Talks with TSMC, Aiming to Boost US Manufacturing



The Dutch foreign ministry released a written statement in response to questions surrounding the recent cybersecurity problem, expressing deep concern over harmful acts that jeopardize the court's cybersecurity and its capacity to carry out its duty safely. The Netherlands promised to continue support for the ICC while it investigates the cyberattack.

Sri Lanka Government Suffers Massive Data Loss

In another cybersecurity news, Sri Lanka's Computer Emergency Readiness Team is investigating a ransomware attack on the government's cloud computing infrastructure and 5,000 email accounts.



The Register reported that the cyber attack caused massive data loss in significant Sri Lankan government agencies like the Cabinet Office, presidential representatives, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health. Authorities suspect the incident occurred between May 17 and August 26, and the perpetrators may have infiltrated backup systems.



In response to the cyberattack, which took advantage of out-of-date software and targeted public officials with phishing schemes, Sri Lanka's Information and Communication Technology Agency has introduced daily offline backup procedures.

Related Article: Australia Tells Dating Apps to Address Sexual Assault on Platforms or Face Regulation

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
On Monday, bankrupt cryptocurrency exchange FTX sued Sam Bankman-Fried's parents. FTX accuses Stanford academics Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried of profiting from the exchange at the expense of clients.



Sam Bankman-Fried, who is in detention and is suspected of using FTX clients' money for personal investments while defrauding them, is charged with operating FTX as a "family business." According to the complaint, he stole billions of dollars from customers' accounts to give to a small handful of insiders, including his parents.



Sean Hecker and Michael Tremonte, the attorneys for Bankman and Fried, vigorously refuted FTX's allegations. In a joint statement, they said the complaint was unfounded and that it was an effort to sabotage their child's upcoming trial.

"This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their child's trial begins," the lawyers said, as quoted by Reuters.

What Did Sam Bankman-Fried's Parents Do?



According to the FTX complaint, the struggling exchange gave Bankman and Fried a $10 million cash gift and a $16.4 million luxury home in the Bahamas when it was about to collapse. They allegedly encouraged FTX to make large charity payments, especially to Stanford University.



Following accusations of mishandling and losing billions of dollars in cryptocurrency payments from consumers, FTX declared bankruptcy in November 2022. Since then, FTX has recovered assets worth over $7 billion to pay back clients. The exchange is also suing FTX executives and other individuals who received money from FTX before bankruptcy for further recovery.

Read Also: Arizona Governor Discusses Advanced Chip Packaging Talks with TSMC, Aiming to Boost US Manufacturing



Following FTX's demise in November of last year, both Mr. Bankman and Ms. Fried came under heavy investigation. Professor Bankman, a tax scholar, was FTX's executive team member and took an active role in the company's philanthropy. He allegedly helped top staff get huge loans and complained about his $200,000 yearly income, according to the complaint.



The FTX lawsuit also alleges that Professor Bankman used a private aircraft to travel and charged FTX for $1,200 per night of hotel accommodations. Even in a minor role, he appeared with comedian Larry David in a 2022 Super Bowl FTX advertisement, according to The New York Times.



In addition, Professor Bankman is charged with trying to cover up claims made by a former FTX attorney about money laundering and price fixing at Bankman-Fried's firms. Bankman reportedly suggested looking into the lawyer rather than looking into these claims.



FTX never hired Barbara Fried, but the complaint claims that she was a key contributor to her son's work. She gave him political contribution advice and urged him and other executives to make "straw donations" to hide the FTX connection to the money.

Big Time Scam

Due to growing worries about its financial viability, FTX's collapse in November 2022 led to a significant loss of consumer cash and bankruptcy. Federal prosecutors dubbed the case as one of the biggest financial frauds in US history.



Sam Bankman-Fried, 31, will be tried on October 3 after pleading not guilty to multiple fraud and conspiracy charges, as reported by CNN. Several of his previous business partners have pleaded guilty in the Southern District of New York.

Related Article: Library Genesis Sued by 4 Major US Publishing Companies for Alleged Copyright Infringement

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Family members embrace freed American Emad Shargi after he and four fellow detainees arrived at Davison Army Airfield at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on September 19, 2023.

Americans detained for years in Iran arrived home Tuesday, tearfully hugged their loved ones and declared Freedom! after being let go as part of a politically risky deal that saw President Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

The prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with clapping and cheers heard in the predawn hours. Siamak Namazi, the first off the jet, paused for a moment, closed his eyes and took a deep breath before leaving the plane. Loved ones, some holding small American flags, enveloped them in hugs and exchanged greetings in English and Farsi, the main language of Iran.

The nightmare is finally over, Namazis brother, Babak, said at the airport. We havent had this moment in over eight years, he added, his arm around his brother and his formerly detained father, Baquer, who had been earlier released by Iran. Its unbelievable.

One of the other freed Americans, Emad Sharghi, received from his sister, Neda, a U.S. flag and a stuffed animal that she had given to their father 30 years ago when he had bypass surgery, a family representative said.

The former prisoners, who flew on the Gulfstream 5 that brought WNBA star Brittney Griner home after her detention in Russia, later posed for a group photograph with their families, calling out: Freedom!

The successful negotiations for the Americans freedom brought Biden profuse thanks from their families but heat from Republican presidential rivals and other opponents for the monetary arrangement with one of Americas top adversaries.

Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home, the Democratic president said in a statement released as the plane carrying the group from Tehran initially landed in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.

Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, on hand for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, suggested the exchange could be a step in the direction of a humanitarian action between us and America.

It can definitely help in building trust, Raisi told journalists.

Iran aired footage of the two prisoners who returned to the Islamic Republic as part of the swap, while two will remain in the U.S. and a fifth will go to a third country. The two who returned hugged their families and criticized the U.S. for their sentences.

The U.S. government accused me of having the will to jeopardize U.S. interests through disregarding the sanctions. I wonder how the U.S. government can accuse someone of a crime by reading his mind? Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani told Iranian state television.

Kafrani was indicted in 2021 and charged with unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment to Iran and money laundering, though his case had not yet moved to trial.

Also released, according to Nour News, was Mehrdad Ansari, an Iranian sentenced by the U.S. to 63 months in prison in 2021 for obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles, electronic warfare, nuclear weapons and other military gear.

Tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in disputes over Tehrans nuclear program and other matters. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

The prisoner release unfolded 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.

When the Americans initially stopped in Doha after their release from Iran, three of them  Namazi, Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz  emerged. They hugged the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, and others. The three then threw their arms over one anothers shoulders and walked off toward the airport.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Namazi said: I would not be free today, if it wasnt for all of you who didnt allow the world to forget me.

Thank you for being my voice when I could not speak for myself and for making sure I was heard when I mustered the strength to scream from behind the impenetrable walls of Evin Prison, he said.

The United States did not immediately identify the other two freed Americans. All were released in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for the deal over the frozen Iranian assets owed by South Korea. The Biden administration said the five freed Iranians pose no threat to U.S. national security.

Two of the imprisoned Americans family members, Effie Namazi and Vida Tahbaz, who had been under travel bans in Iran, also were on the plane.

The $5.9 billion in cash released to Iran represents money South Korea owed Iran  but had not yet paid  for oil purchased before the U.S. imposed sanctions on such transactions in 2019.

The U.S. maintains that, once in Qatar, the money will be held in restricted accounts to be used only for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food. Those transactions are currently allowed under American sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic over its advancing nuclear program.

Iranian government officials have largely concurred, though some hardliners have insisted, without evidence, that there would be no restrictions on how Tehran spends the money.

The deal has already opened Biden to fresh criticism from Republicans and others, who say the administration is helping boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to American troops and Mideast allies. That could have implications in his re-election campaign.

Former President Donald Trump, the early front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, called it an absolutely ridiculous deal on the Truth Social site. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Biden of rewarding and incentivizing Tehrans bad behavior.

Biden held what the White House described as an emotional phone call with the families of the freed Americans after their release.

In his statement, Biden demanded more information on what happened to Bob Levinson, an American who went missing years ago. The Biden administration also announced fresh sanctions on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.

The U.S. government, the prisoners families and activists have denounced the charges against the five Americans as baseless.

The Americans included Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges; Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence.

Iran and the U.S. have a history of prisoner swaps dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis following the Islamic Revolution.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Neuralink is just one of Elon Musk's companies, but it has also gathered significant attention due to how it operates and what it's supposed to accomplish. The company has recently started opening up enrollments for the first human BCI implants.

Neuralink First Human BCI Implants to be Limited to Specific Individuals

According to the story by Engadget, the opening position for the first human BCI implants is limited to only very specific individuals. So far, a statement has been shared inviting quadriplegias interested in the project.

As per the statement, the company invites people with quadriplegia who want to explore different ways of controlling their computers. These are the first individuals who qualify for getting the implants.

As announced by Elon Musk's Neuralink, it was noted that the company has opened enrolment to its first ever in-human study. The study would be called PRIME, or Precise Robotically Implanted Brain-Computer Interface.

The Update Comes About a Year After the Company's 'Show and Tell' Event and Behind Its Rival, Synchron

The news comes just about a year after Neuralink reportedly launched a "show and tell" event. This also comes four months beyond the initial timeframe that Musk said the trials would begin.

The announcement also comes about a month after Synchron, its rival, has already started trials and beaten Neuralink to the market, as highlighted in an article by Business Wire. The company announcement highlighted how the PRIME study was designed to evaluate the safety of its implants, which are dubbed N1, as well as the surgical robot, which is dubbed R1.

Goal of BCI Explained Revealing Potential Functions for People with Paralysis

Another goal is to assess the initial functionality of the user's BCI when it comes to enabling people regarding paralysis. They aim to be able to control certain external devices with the simple use of their thoughts alone.

The study was designed for people with quadriplegia due to injuries from their cervical spinal cord. The qualifications also apply to individuals with quadriplegia caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Elon Musk Suggests Other Uses for the Technology

This was despite Elon Musk's claims that the technology could be useful for things like transhumanistic applications. Previously, Musk shared how the tech could be used for things like learning Kung Fu directly from an SD card.

Other things that were previously noted were uploading the user's consciousness online as well as controlling different types of household electronics directly from their mind. Despite these statements, it was noted that these weren't the actual objectives of both companies.

Read Also: FTX Files Lawsuit Against Sam Bankman-Fried's Parents

BCIs Operate to Bridge the Gap Between Machines and the Human Mind

The article describes how BCIs operate as a way to bridge the gap between machines and the human mind. This is done by converting the analog electrical signals directly from the user's brain into certain digital signals that machines can understand.

The Neuralink N1 system uses a high-fidelity Utah Array of probes as thin as hair, which differs from the Stentrode by Synchron.

Related Article: ICC Reports 'Anomalous Activity' in Cybersecurity Systems, Launches Investigation

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In Google's quest to bring its AI chatbot to the forefront, the company has made Bard available on more of its apps, including Gmail, YouTube, Docs, and more. The internet company said that in most of its experiences and the Workspace suite, users may be able to call upon Bard to help them in their searches or generate content.

Leveraging Bard to the many Google apps is now looking to help improve more of the experience, looking to rival that of Microsoft and OpenAI for its ChatGPT.

Google Bard is Now Available on Gmail, YouTube, Docs

According to an announcement by Google, Bard is now available to access various apps from the Mountain View tech giant, including Gmail, YouTube, Docs, and more. Using the chatbot alone could help point users to various Google apps. For example, searching for the best flights and hotels in a certain location would help relay them to Google Flights and Google Hotels.

Alongside this integration to its apps, Google is also making Bard Extensions available, a feature that would include the AI chatbot in different company products for personal-to-work needs.

Through Google's Bard, different apps like YouTube, Gmail, and Workspace apps can now get the AI assistant to provide them with a leveled-up experience.

Read Also: Google's Bard AI Chatbot Can Now Talk in Over 40 Languages and Respond to Visual Prompts After Latest Update

AI Chatbot to Help in Google Workspace Suite, Apps

In Bard Extensions alone, users may converse with the AI to help them access various information, files, e-mails, and more directly from its prompt box.

This means there is no longer a need to switch between Google apps to access what they are looking for, as the chatbot would help direct them to it. Google also claimed that it is focusing on security, with no human reviewers having access to what Bard can gather from one's Google account.

Google Bard: Generative AI for All

Google is all hands on deck for its generative AI services, including more developments of what it offers, first offered earlier this year to bring a helping hand to its search engine. It was developed by the company numerous times after its initial flaws, and it delivered various features and functions, including math and programming improvements.

As more people were able to access Bard and got accustomed to it, there have been several ways to use the AI to benefit their needs, including many hacks and optimization to prompts. This includes using Google's Bard to improve image searching, generating better responses from the chatbot, and overall Search needs to scour the informative capabilities of what it has to bring.

Part of Google's plans for Bard was to integrate it among its different apps, not confining the renowned chatbot to the search engine alone. Google's AI development has seen its ups and downs, but at this time, the company is looking to bring more experiences to the public with an AI-powered approach to its apps, with Gmail, Docs, YouTube, and more of the Workspace now seeing Bard improve the experience.

Related Article: How to Make a Resume Using Google's Bard [2023]

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Australian researchers made an intriguing announcement, claiming to have unveiled the elusive secret behind pink diamonds, renowned for their rarity and exquisite allure. This revelation could pave the way for discovering more of these highly sought-after gems.

(Photo : FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

A picture taken on November 6, 2020 in Geneva shows the The Spirit of the Rose a rare 14.83 carats vivid purple pink diamond during a press preview ahead of sales by Sotheby's auction house.

Shedding Light on the Origin of Pink Diamonds

It has been known that over 90 percent of all pink diamonds originated from the Argyle mine situated in the remote north-western region of Australia. However, the distinctive feature of Argyle is its location on the periphery of a continent.

This is a fact that has puzzled experts regarding its prolific production of pink gemstones for years. A recent study conducted by a team of researchers in Australia has shed light on the origin of pink diamonds. It was published in the journal Nature Communications.

The study's findings revealed that these gems were transported to the Earth's surface during the breakup of the ancient supercontinent approximately 1.3 billion years ago.

The study's lead author from Curtin University, Hugo Olierook, explained that while two of the three essential components for pink diamond formation were already understood, their research has brought valuable insights into this fascinating geological phenomenon.

Read Also: 555.55 Carat 'Space Diamond' Purchased by Founder of HEX.com for Over $4.2 Million Worth of Crypto

Revealing Essential Components

The Guardian reported that the essential components for creating pink diamonds have been unraveled, comprising a trio of critical elements.

First, there is the requirement for carbon, which must reside in the Earth's deep layers at depths exceeding 150 kilometers to avoid transforming into graphite.

The second crucial factor is the precise level of pressure, a delicate balance that imparts the sought-after pink hue to the otherwise clear diamonds.

Olierook explained that a slight increase in pressure results in this transformation, while excessive pressure turns the diamonds brown, rendering them less valuable. This phenomenon is particularly relevant to most diamonds in the Argyle mine, characterized by their less coveted brown tint.

In the 1980s, experts estimated the age of Argyle diamonds to be around 1.2 billion years old. However, the New York Times reported that a significant question remained unanswered: What triggered these exceptional diamonds to surface during that era?

To unravel this mystery, the researchers embarked on a quest to establish a more precise timeline. Their approach involved using an extraordinarily fine laser to examine minuscule crystals within a rock sample sourced from the Argyle mine, provided by mining behemoth Rio Tinto.

By scrutinizing the age of elements contained within these crystals, the researchers made a groundbreaking revelation: Argyle was, in fact, 1.3 billion years old. This revelation indicated that the diamonds emerged a striking 100 million years later than previously believed.

These diamonds got their colors from intense collisions between western and northern Australia 1.8 billion years ago. Then, when the ancient supercontinent Nuna broke apart 500 million years later, it reactivated this geological scar.

Magma shot up like a champagne cork, carrying the diamonds at near-supersonic speeds, an event never seen in human history. While diamond hunters usually looked in large continent interiors, knowing this "missing ingredient" for pink diamonds could change future exploration, even if it's not an easy or quick task.

Related Article: The World's Most Valuable Diamond 'Lulo Rose' Comes In Pink

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In the quest for more efficient solar energy production during winter months, scientists in the United States have introduced a novel concept called "Snow-Free Solar."

(Photo : CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)

A man cleans solar panels covered by snow near Burgos (Center Spain), on January 9, 2010.

Introducing 'Snow-Free Solar'

Researchers at the University of Toledo in Ohio have introduced a pioneering solution known as Snow-Free Solar, designed to effortlessly remove snow from solar panels and ensure their continuous operation during winter.

Their experimentation involved the application of this innovative strip to the lower edge of solar panels and conducting tests with 150 solar plant operators. The outcome revealed that the strip effectively melted snow, all while allowing for the unimpeded absorption of sunlight.

Interesting Engineering reported that Snow-Free Solar is a user-friendly strip that doesn't cast any partial shading or create hot spots on the panels, and crucially, it does not void the module warranty, as emphasized by the creators.

While solar panels can generate electricity even on cloudy days, the challenge arises when snow covers them, completely obstructing their ability to harness solar energy.

In regions experiencing heavy snowfall, this can result in a substantial annual electricity generation loss of up to 12 percent. Moreover, these versatile strips find application with ease, whether on newly installed or existing solar panels.

Hossein Sojoudi, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Toledo, explained that these innovative coatings are skillfully applied to the lower edge of the solar panel.

The Independent reported that this strategic placement allows for a passive snow removal process, all without requiring any additional energy input. Sojoudi further noted that the strip coating harmoniously coexists with the solar panel's core functions, ensuring that it neither obstructs sunlight absorption nor diminishes the panel's efficiency at any stage.

Most notably, it steers clear of causing partial shading or hotspots on the panel and bears no impact on the module warranty. Instead, it contributes to prolonging the module's operational life.

Read Also: Europe's Longest and Highest Dam is Now Covered With Solar Panels

Conducting Tests

Good News Network reported that successful experiments in both the US and Japan have underscored the innovation's potential, revealing an impressive annual boost in power generation exceeding five percent for solar installations that have integrated this technology.

Statistics from the Energy Information Administration paint a picture of solar energy's growing role in the US. Solar power accounted for approximately 3.4 percent of the country's electricity generation the previous year.

However, the future appears increasingly solar-powered, with projections indicating that over half of the new electricity-generating capacity expected in the US in 2023 will be harnessed from solar sources.

Sojoudi strongly emphasized their company's expansion strategy, which revolves around establishing strategic partnerships. Notably, they have showcased their capacity for scalable manufacturing, achieving an impressive monthly production rate of 60,000 strip coatings.

In a proactive move, the company has extended its pilot testing initiatives, forming new collaborations with diverse regions and utility companies. Their goal is to see this technology incorporated into thousands of installations by the close of this year.

Related Article: Switzerland Deploys Massive Solar Dam with 5,000 Solar Panels

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
In a twist of digital fate, Clorox, renowned for keeping things spotless, is grappling with an unexpected stain on its operations. According to the Los Angeles Times, a recent cyber intrusion, uncovered on August 14, left Clorox's IT systems tainted with unauthorized activity, prompting the company to take swift action.

Clorox Shuts Down Affected Systems

In response to the breach, Clorox promptly shut down the affected systems and started operating at a reduced production capacity. This measure, while necessary, gave rise to a surge in consumer product scarcity, leaving many shelves barren.

The aftermath of the cyber assault unearthed substantial harm to Clorox's IT framework. In the weeks since, the company has been laboring diligently to mend its ordering systems, gradually reinstating their functionality.

Full-scale resumption of regular order processing is slated for the week commencing September 25. However, the ramifications are poised to linger. Clorox foresees a protracted period of scarcity, potentially stretching sales constraints until March.

This comes as a significant blow, compelling Clorox to revise its Q1 financial forecasts, signaling a material impact on its results. The company's internal review ascertained that the breach had been successfully contained.

This development, however, did not protect the company's stock from a dip, with shares of Clorox Co. dipping approximately 2.4% following the public filing, concluding the day at $142.70.

Read Also: Chinese Hackers 'Flax Typhoon' Targeting Taiwan Government Agencies, Microsoft Claims

Cyber Intrusion

While the recent cyber disruption significantly contributes to Clorox's current supply woes, it is worth noting that this isn't the first time the company has grappled with shortages.

The surge in demand for Clorox disinfectant wipes and sanitizing products during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 left the company scrambling to meet market needs.

This situation lingered well into the subsequent year. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 brought about a seismic shift in consumer behavior worldwide.

With hygiene and sanitation taking center stage in public consciousness, the demand for disinfectant products skyrocketed. Clorox, a household name in cleaning and sanitation, found itself at the epicenter of this unprecedented surge.

Consumers, faced with the urgent need to protect themselves and their environments from the highly contagious virus, turned to trusted brands like Clorox for solutions.

Disinfectant wipes and sanitizing products became hot commodities. Shelves that once housed ample supplies of these products were quickly stripped bare.

For Clorox, this sudden and extraordinary surge in demand presented both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, it signaled a heightened relevance and an urgent need for their products. On the other, it posed a logistical challenge of monumental proportions.

The company had to rapidly reevaluate and recalibrate its production capacities, supply chains, and distribution networks. Now, Clorox faces a unique challenge as scarcity of these products may last for a long time due to a cyber intrusion.

Related Article: Russia and Iran State-Linked Hackers Are Increasingly Attacking Politicians, Journalists - UK Cybersecurity Center Alleges

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The ability of Chinese firm Huawei to produce smartphones with advanced chips in large volumes has again become a subject of heated debate amid US sanctions.

Can Huawei Mass Produce Advanced Phone Chips?

However, on Tuesday, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo noted that the US has no evidence that Huawei can produce smartphones with advanced semiconductors on a large scale, TechCrunch reported.

This statement starkly contradicts earlier reports from prominent tech research firms, which suggested that Huawei was poised for a formidable re-entry into the 5G smartphone arena by the year's end.

These speculations gained further traction following the late August launch of the Mate 60 Pro. According to an analysis by TechInsights, this device operates on a 7nm system-on-chip (SoC) crafted by Huawei's chip division, HiSilicon, and manufactured by China's semiconductor juggernaut, SMIC.

TechInsights' assessment not only underscored the technical strides achieved by China's semiconductor industry without employing EUV lithography tools but also emphasized the monumental nature of this accomplishment.

However, Raimondo's statement counterbalances this narrative by spotlighting the lack of concrete evidence supporting the large-scale production of seven-nanometer chips.

The genesis of this debate can be traced back to 2019 when the US government made the consequential decision to include Huawei in an entity list, citing grave national security concerns.

This move barred Huawei from accessing high-end chipmaking tools from the US. The aftermath of this decision dealt a significant blow to Huawei's handset business, compelling the company to diversify its revenue streams into realms like IoT and automotive.

Read Also: Foxconn Pays iPhone Builders Less than Huawei Builders as Apple Starts Diversifying Its Supply Chain

Huawei CEO Says He's an Apple Fan

In related news, Ren Zhengfei, the founder and CEO of Huawei, continued to voice his admiration for Apple, advocating against what he perceives as foreign brand "xenophobia."

Despite the fiercely competitive landscape that pits Huawei against Apple in the global smartphone market, Ren views Apple as a fount of invaluable insights.

Ren recently shared his perspective during the Huawei-sponsored International Collegiate Programming Contest. He highlighted that Huawei consistently dissects the distinguishing features of Apple's products.

Furthermore, he disclosed a personal connection to Apple, revealing that his daughter relied on Apple products during her studies in the US. This likely pertains to his youngest daughter, Annabel Yao, who attended Harvard University from 2016 to 2020.

Ren's reverence for Apple transcends mere surface-level compliments. In 2019, he implored Huawei to draw wisdom from Apple's pricing strategies, affirming his dedication to cultivating a culture of perpetual improvement within Huawei.

"I'm very happy to have a teacher that gives us the opportunity to learn and compare [our performance]. In that sense, it would not be an exaggeration to call me an Apple fan," he noted.

Related Article: Germany's Interior Minister Stands Firm Over Removal of China's Huawei Equipment From the Country's 5G Network

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Meta announced today an extension of its Meta Verified program to businesses after it was initially introduced for creators in March. This expansion encompassing businesses is currently undergoing trials on Facebook and Instagram, with a subsequent rollout planned for WhatsApp.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg disclosed the impending extension of Meta Verified to businesses at the Annual Conversations conference in Mumbai. The initiative will begin testing for businesses on Instagram and Facebook in specific regions and eventually extend to WhatsApp.

Meta Verified Program

Meta Verified aims to facilitate businesses in enhancing their visibility on the platforms and establishing trust with their clientele. That entails indicating to customers that they are engaging with the correct business entity.

Companies can opt for a single-app or bundled subscription covering Instagram, Facebook, and, later, WhatsApp. Subscribing businesses will gain access to a range of tools tailored for their subscribed account, which includes:

1. A verified badge authenticating the legitimacy of the business.

2. Proactive measures to monitor and prevent impersonation for heightened brand security.

3. Access to customer support and assistance in resolving account-related issues.

Furthermore, subscribing businesses will receive heightened exposure, such as being a Meta Verified business on Instagram and Facebook. That includes prominent placement in search results and recommendations as a verified business to follow in users' feeds.

WhatsApp business subscribers will enjoy added premium features, including the ability to create a customized, discoverable WhatsApp page and multi-device support for efficient customer engagement.

Read Also: New Instagram Feature: Meta-Owned App Will Allow Users to Share Comments on Their Stories: Here's How It Works

Meta Verified Starts at $21.99 Per Month

The Meta Verified business subscription complements the existing array of tools available to businesses on the platforms. The initial focus lies on subscription features that aid small businesses in establishing their brand presence and attracting new clientele.

As the company gathers insights from initial testing, it intends to refine its offerings to provide enhanced value for businesses of all scales.

The Meta Verified business subscriptions will be available for purchase in select test countries on Instagram and Facebook in the coming weeks. Monthly subscriptions will begin at $21.99 monthly for a Facebook page or Instagram account and $34.99 monthly for both.

For WhatsApp, testing will commence with small businesses utilizing the WhatsApp Business app before extending Meta Verified to businesses on the WhatsApp Business Platform.

To ensure brand protection and user confidence, Meta has implemented a rigorous verification process for businesses opting for Meta Verified. That includes eligibility criteria, verification of business information, and monitoring for potential impersonation.

Overall, Meta's extension of the Meta Verified program to businesses represents a strategic move aimed at bolstering brand legitimacy and trust within the platform's ecosystem.

Related Article: [UPDATE] Mark Zuckerberg Says Elon Musk Keeps Making Things up About Cage Match and He's 'Ready to Fight'

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
NASA has unveiled a celestial anomaly: a colossal planet is seemingly orbiting around a dying star that should have destroyed it. Planet 8 Ursae Minoris b, residing some 530 light years away, defies conventional astrophysical expectations. The star it encircles, currently in its death throes, is a swollen red giant.

According to established models, the star is expected to expand beyond the planet's orbit before contracting to its present, still enormous, size.

Theoretically, this process should have the star engulfed and completely destroyed any planets closely orbiting around it. Yet, against all odds, this planet remains in a remarkably stable, nearly circular orbit.

The discovery, facilitated by measurements courtesy of NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), illuminates the intricacies and unpredictabilities inherent in both the formation and dissolution of celestial bodies.

Two Alternative Scenarios

When stars reach their end, they undergo a transformation, depleting their nuclear fuel and bloating into red giants. When this scenario happens, the star would have expanded to a staggering 0.7 astronomical units, approximately three-quarters of the distance from Earth to the sun.

Such an expansion would have consumed and obliterated any neighboring planets. Nonetheless, Planet 8 Ursae Minoris b, a substantial gaseous entity, maintains its position at about 0.5 astronomical units.

Given that the planet couldn't have endured such a cataclysmic event, astronomer Marc Hon of the University of Hawaii and the lead author of the recent paper proposed two alternative scenarios: either the planet is the improbable outcome of a stellar merger, or it is a developing planet forged from the remnants left in the aftermath of that merger.

The initial scenario entails two stars, similar in size to our sun, in a close orbital dance with the planet orbiting around both. One star evolves slightly more swiftly, venturing into its red giant phase and shedding its outer layers, eventually transforming into a white dwarf.

On the other hand, just before a catastrophic collision, the other star reaches the red giant stage. In the alternative scenario, the forceful collision of the two stars ejects an abundance of dust and gas, creating a disk encircling the remaining red giant.

This protoplanetary disk acts as a forge for the amalgamation of a developing planet, providing a late-stage rejuvenation for a planetary system, even as the star hurtles towards its inescapable finale.

Read Also: NASA's TESS Finds 2 of the Longest-period Exoplanets

Chaotic Cosmic Ballet

The deductions about this chaotic cosmic ballet stem from a comprehensive understanding of stellar physics. The TESS spacecraft, designed primarily for planet-hunting, unveils the oscillations and quakes of distant stars.

In this instance, the oscillation pattern on Planet 8 Ursae Minoris b aligns with those of red giants in a late helium-burning stage, not indicative of an expanding, hydrogen-burning phase, according to NASA.

Therefore, the star has long weathered its crucial phase, yet the planet endures an enigma to astronomers worldwide. This insight into the improbable coexistence of Planet 8 Ursae Minoris b and its dying host star comes from a study led by Marc Hon.

The paper, titled "A close-in giant planet escapes engulfment by its star," was published in the journal Nature last June.

Related Article: NASA's TESS Discovers New Hot, Bloated "Super-Neptune" Exoplanet

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Photo by WANG ZHAO/AFP via Getty Images

Germany's interior ministry is set to impose harsh regulations requiring telecom providers to dramatically limit their reliance on Huawei and ZTE equipment in their 5G networks.

This decision comes amidst growing concerns over national security and potential vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.

However, the proposal has sparked a contentious debate within the country, with operators expressing their reservations and Huawei vehemently rejecting what they deem as the "politicization" of cybersecurity.

The Staggered Approach

The heart of this plan revolves around a meticulously planned staggered approach.

Reuters tells us that by 2026, telecom operators are expected to eliminate all critical components from Chinese vendors in their 5G core networks.

Additionally, there is a requirement to diminish the share of Chinese components in Radio Access Networks (RAN) and transport networks to a maximum of 25% by October 1, 2026.

The rationale behind this gradual phase-out is to avoid excessive disruption to network services while maintaining cybersecurity standards.

Operator Backlash

Unsurprisingly, this ambitious timeline has been met with pushback from telecom operators, including Deutsche Telekom and Telefonica Deutschland.

Bloomberg reports that operators argue that the 2026 deadline is unrealistic and could potentially lead to a drop in the quality of service, creating frustration for customers.

Deutsche Telekom even likened the situation to the drawn-out attempts by the UK to impose restrictions on Huawei.

Huawei's Strong Rebuttal

Huawei Germany has emerged as a vocal critic of the proposed regulations, accusing Germany of politicizing cybersecurity.

In an official statement, the company expressed concerns that such an approach would hinder Germany's digital transformation and increase operational costs for network operators, which would inevitably be passed on to consumers.

Huawei stands firm in its assertion that its equipment poses no security risk.

A survey conducted by telecommunications consultancy Strand Consult paints a clear picture of Germany's current dependency on Huawei, with the Chinese tech giant accounting for a 59% share of the country's 5G RAN networks.

However, the designation of sensitive regions like Berlin as off-limits for Chinese tech has raised eyebrows, with critics considering it an arbitrary distinction.

Read Also: Huawei CEO Confirmed "Apple Fan," Takes Stance Against Xenophobia

Internal Government Struggles

As Germany grapples with its Huawei dilemma, internal government struggles have emerged.

The Ministry for Digital Affairs has expressed concerns that the proposed regulations may hinder the country's already slow progress in digitalization.

Ensuring stable, quick, and affordable mobile internet access is paramount for this ministry, leading to a potential roadblock in implementing the plan.

EU's Security Measures

Germany's hesitance in implementing the European Union's security measures for 5G networks, aimed at curbing the use of "high-risk" vendors like Huawei and ZTE, underscores the complexity of the situation.

This reluctance coincides with Germany's shifting stance on China, as it seeks to reduce dependencies on individual countries following the energy crisis prompted by reliance on Russian gas.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Can Huawei Mass Produce Advanced Phone Chips Amid US Sanctions? Here's What the Evidence Reveals

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Photograph by Lawrence Reeves, University of Florida.

A team of scientists in Brazil has unveiled a groundbreaking breakthrough in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Using the venom of the infamous Brazilian wandering spider, Phoneutria nigriventer, researchers synthesized BZ371A, a synthetic chemical poised to change the way we think about sexual health.

Making the Cure from Spider Venom

The Brazilian wandering spider often called the banana spider due to its fondness for banana leaves, is famous for its strong venom.

Getting bitten by this spider can cause troubling symptoms like extreme pain, shaking, cramps, lots of sweating, weakness, and heart rate changes. In the worst cases, this venomous bite can even be deadly.

But what is really interesting is that this spider's bite has an unusual side effect that has intrigued scientists - it can cause priapism. Priapism is a condition where a man's private part stays erect for a long time, which not only feels really uncomfortable but can also harm the affected organ.

IFLScience tells us that this surprising discovery made researchers want to study the spider's venom more to see if it could lead to a cure for erectile dysfunction.

Deciphering the Bioactive Key

Years of research at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil have borne fruit.

Scientists identified the specific bioactive compound within the venom responsible for these unwanted erections - a peptide called BZ371A.

After rigorous laboratory synthesis and preliminary tests on mice, the team is now on the verge of commencing phase 2 clinical trials targeting men with erectile dysfunction.

Unlike traditional oral medications like Viagra and Cialis, BZ371A is designed as a topical treatment applied directly to the penis.

This method prompts increased blood flow to the region, inducing a natural erection without the adverse side effects often associated with systemic medications.

Read Also: Natural Cycles Gets FDA Clearance: Digital App Can Now Use Apple Watch Temperature Data for Birth Control

A Leap Forward in Clinical Testing

Maria Elena de Lima, a professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais and a pivotal figure in this research, stated, "Tests, so far, have demonstrated that the compound works with the application of a minimal amount and without any toxicity as it is practically not detected in the bloodstream."

This not only emphasizes the drug's potential efficacy but also suggests a smoother path through the regulatory approval process, thanks to its lower likelihood of adverse side effects.

From Discovery to Global Impact

Paulo Lacativa, the executive director of Biozeus, a company involved in the development of the cure, stated, "This may be the first time that a discovery from a Brazilian university results in a medication that is developed for the entire world."

The success of this endeavor could not only address the urgent need for effective treatments for erectile dysfunction but also offer a lifeline to prostatectomies men facing a heightened risk of sexual dysfunction.

Prostatectomy, the surgical removal of the prostate, often leads to erectile issues, and BZ371A could provide an innovative solution.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.

Related Article: Nissan, Kia Cars Secretly Tracking Drivers' Sex Lives, Raises Privacy Concerns

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (L) responds to a question from the news media following a morning conference meeting in the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 19 September 2023.

House Republicans plan to hold their first hearing next week in their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

The hearing  scheduled for Sept. 28  is expected to focus on constitutional and legal questions that surround the allegations of Bidens involvement in his son Hunters overseas businesses, according to a spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee.

Republicans  led by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy  have contended in recent weeks that Bidens actions from his time as vice president show a culture of corruption, and that his son used the Biden brand to advance his business with foreign clients.

The spokesperson also said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of Oversight, plans to issue subpoenas for the personal and business bank records of Hunter Biden and the presidents brother James Biden as early as this week. McCarthy appointed Comer to lead the inquiry in coordination with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith.

The White House has called the effort by House Republicans in the midst of the presidential campaign extreme politics at its worst.

Staging a political stunt hearing in the waning days before they may shut down the government reveals their true priorities: To them, baseless personal attacks on President Biden are more important than preventing a government shutdown and the pain it would inflict on American families., Ian Sams, a White House spokesman, said in a statement Tuesday.

McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry last week after facing mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden or risk being ousted from his leadership job. At the same time, the speaker is struggling to pass legislation needed to avoid a federal government shutdown at the end of the month.

The California lawmaker launched the inquiry without a House vote, and its unclear if he would have enough support to approve it from his slim GOP majority. Some lawmakers have criticized the evidence so far as not reaching the Constitutions bar of high crimes and misdemeanors.

An inquiry is a step closer to an impeachment of the president, a constitutional tool which until recently was rare in Congress.

But McCarthy and other Republicans have been facing months of direct challenges from Trump  who is now the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden in next years election  to move forward with proceedings against his opponent. The action also is seen as an effort to distract attention from the indicted former presidents legal challenges and turn a negative spotlight on Biden.

The impeachment inquiry is expected to build upon the work that Comer and others have done since gaining the House majority in January. There are several investigative lanes but Comer has been tasked with following the money that went through Bidens sons and brothers various businesses accounts.

The chairman has claimed repeatedly that the Biden family engaged in an influence-peddling scheme, but has yet to directly tie any of that to the president himself.

Republicans have focused much attention on an unverified tip to the FBI that alleged a bribery scheme involving Biden when he was vice president. The bribery claim, which emerged in 2019 and was part of Trumps first impeachment, relates to the allegation that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor in order to stop an investigation into Burisma, the oil-and-gas company where Hunter Biden was on the board.

Democrats have countered that the Justice Department investigated the Burisma claim when Trump was president and closed the matter after eight months, finding insufficient evidence to pursue it further. Other countries were also pushing for the firing of the Ukrainian official, viewing him as corrupt. And a former business partner of Hunter Bidens has testified to Congress that the bribery allegation is untrue.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
After the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Florida, which killed 14 students and three staff members, survivor Kai Koerber wanted to offer support. Koerber used his enthusiasm for technology to build Joy, a smartphone app that uses artificial intelligence to give bite-sized mindfulness exercises suited to users' moods, after seeing his classmates' emotional challenges.



Koerber and his team's creation Joy employs a novel strategy to improve mental health: a cutting-edge algorithm that can understand a person's emotional state only from the sound of their voice, cutting across linguistic boundaries.



The tech wiz has struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for years and he intended to help those dealing with loss, sorrow, and wrath practice mindfulness and well-being. Hence, he initiated the project while studying at the University of California Berkeley.

How Does Joy Work?

Joy offers brief, simple exercises, some of which take just a few seconds, so people can easily integrate mindfulness into their regular lives. Koerber stressed the app's divergence from the conventional view of mindfulness as a constrained, lonely activity, saying, "The notion of mindfulness being a solo activity or something that's confined to sitting in your room breathing is something that we're very much trying to dispel," as quoted by AP News.



App user Mohammed Zareef-Mustafa has referred to the app's voice-emotion recognition tool as "different" from the tools he has seen before. Zareef-Mustafa, Koerber's former classmate, said the app's brief, user-friendly routines helped him relax before job interviews.



When using Joy, users talk into the app, which analyzes their speech using AI to determine their emotional state and suggest appropriate activities. Users can manually pick their mood, even if the app's AI is not perfect at detecting it. If feeling "neutral," the app advises a 15-second "mindful consumption" activity or measuring laughing frequency for a week to identify pleasure moments.



Joy runs on a subscription basis, with monthly fees of $8 and annual membership savings, per WUSF. Its accuracy and efficacy are anticipated to increase as more people interact with it, as is the case with the majority of AI-driven apps.

Read Also: Elon Musk's Neuralink Launches PRIME Study: First Human Clinical Trials for Brain-Computer Interface Starting Soon

Experts Recommend Further Studies

Despite its promise, the app's release comes with more extensive concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in mental health services and research. Although AI has shown promise in automating jobs, assisting physicians, and improving our knowledge of complicated conditions, recent research has shown serious issues with its feasibility in the real world.



According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of people in the WHO European Region living with mental health disorders to over 150 million in 2021. AI may help organize mental health services and diagnose and monitor mental health disorders, but the research warns against promoting new AI models without comprehensive evaluation.



The "Regional Digital Health Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2023-2030" by WHO/Europe recognizes the promise of AI in healthcare while highlighting the need for innovation in predictive analytics combining big data and AI for improved health outcomes.



The study's co-author, Dr. David Novillo-Ortiz, WHO/Europe's Regional Adviser on Data and Digital Health, emphasized the importance of assessing AI's current use in mental health research to inform future developments and identify opportunities and challenges, per the global health agency's news release.

Related Article: OpenAI Invites Experts to Join New Red Teaming Network to Enhcance Safety of Its AI Models

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla's relaunched referral program offers free cars to encourage test drives and sales of the electric vehicle (EV) pioneer's vehicles and energy supplies.



The Tesla referral program has long been used to grow its owner base. The program made a victorious comeback in November 2022 after a short break, now providing even more opportunities to earn reward points, such as recommendations connected to test drives.

Win a Tesla Model 3 Performance

Tesla is updating its referral program's benefits and possible prizes in an attempt to increase participation, thereby enticing people to share their referral codes and earn points. These points may then be used to join contests for alluring rewards, like a brand-new automobile.



The chance to win a Model 3 Performance for 1,000 credits is one of the Tesla referral program's most notable updates. Tesla owners may enter more than once to increase their chances of winning this desirable reward, according to Teslarati.



On its official website, Tesla also announced that starting on September 19, 2023, everyone who refers a friend who orders a new Tesla car and receives it by September 30, 2023, will automatically be entered to win a Model 3 Performance. One may redeem more entries for greater chances to win the more referral credits they have accumulated.

Read Also: Elon Musk's Neuralink Launches PRIME Study: First Human Clinical Trials for Brain-Computer Interface Starting Soon



"Share your referral link with your friends and family directly from the Tesla app. When your friend orders a qualifying Tesla product with your referral link, your friend will receive buyer benefits. After your friend activates a qualifying energy product or takes delivery of the vehicle order, you will receive referral credits if you have a qualifying Tesla product in your account," per Tesla's website.

Cybertruck Raffle Changes

Tesla has also modified its ongoing Cybertruck raffle as part of the referral program. Previously, 500 points used to be required for participants to get a raffle ticket for the cost-free Cybertruck, according to Investing.com. The company has now increased the threshold to 1,000 points, however. The winning prize is still alluring since it grants the winner "one of the first Cybertruck VINs off the line-no reservation needed, free of charge."



With the Tesla referral program, the EV manufacturer has already entered the world of giving away cars for free. Previously, Tesla promised to give a lucky referral to a Model Y every three months, per Drive Tesla Canada. The winners were not publicly announced, but several spoke out, praising Elon Musk's EV manufacturing company for staying true to its pledges.

Related Article: Volvo Declares End of Its Diesel Car Production by Early 2024

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Mexican medical professionals discovered "no evidence of any assembly or manipulation of the skulls," saying the "non-human being" bones submitted to lawmakers last week were not human-made.

Two samples were subjected to the test at the Noor Clinic, and Jaime Maussan's YouTube channel broadcast the whole process live. The director of the Health Sciences Research Institute in the office of the secretary of the Mexican Navy, Jose Zalce Benitez, announced the results and said that the examinations proved the purported aliens belonged to a single skeleton and were not put together with human things.

The astounding discovery that one of the samples "was alive, was intact, was biological, and was in gestation" was another accomplishment of the Benitez-led team. He suggested eggs from the supposed extraterrestrial's enormous abdominal lumps.

"I can affirm that these bodies have no relation to human beings," Benitez previously noted, as quoted by the New York Post.

Not From a UFO Crash

The two specimens had enlarged skulls and three fingers on each hand. They were supposedly discovered in Cusco, Peru, in 2017. The remainder of their bodies, which each have two arms and two legs, seem humanoid, but their heads have non-human traits.

Jaime Maussan, who unveiled the mummified specimens in Mexico's Congress, said they had strong, light bones, no teeth, and cadmium and osmium implants, two of Earth's rarest metals. According to Maussan, about one-third of their DNA is "unknown," indicating that they are not related to "our terrestrial evolution."

Maussan, a journalist, presented his research under oath during the unveiling at Mexico's Congress and also claimed that the specimens were not the consequence of a UFO crash. They were allegedly discovered in diatom (algae) mines and eventually became "fossilized," according to him, according to Sky News.

Read Also: Ancient 'Ice Mouse' Provides Chilling Insights Into Prehistoric Alaska

In reaction to these claims, Professor Brian Cox of the University of Manchester's School of Physics and Astronomy, demanded that the alien specimens be independently verified, and he suggested that a sample be submitted to the biotechnology firm 23andme, The Independent reported. Cox doubted an intelligent alien race would resemble humans.

Jaime Maussan has previously claimed to have discovered alien life. He claimed in 2015 that a mummified corpse discovered in Peru in Nazca belonged to an extraterrestrial, but further tests showed it to be the remains of a human kid.

The National Autonomous University of Mexico explained that its researchers had only ever tested carbon on skin samples that had been given by a customer in 2017, never having seen the real specimens. The institution said they only used carbon-dated samples to identify their age, not their origin.

Peru Launches Investigation on 'Alien Corpses'

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that Peru has opened a criminal inquiry to learn more about the reported "non-human alien corpses" that were shown before the Mexican legislature last week, thrilling UFO conspiracy enthusiasts.

Leslie Urteaga, the minister of culture for Peru, has questioned the evacuation of the remains, which she described as having human traits but labeled as pre-Hispanic artifacts. Concerning the incident, a criminal complaint has been made.

Related Article: NASA Discovers Unlikely Large Planet That Should Have Been Destroyed by Its Orbiting Star

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Tasmanian tiger went extinct in 1936, the year when the last species died. Known as thylacine, the extinct animal is nowhere to be found in the wild right now and it was the end of the era for it.

In hopes of reviving it, a team of scientists has successfully recovered the RNA from the animal for the first time.

Scientists Recovered Specimen of Thylacine

A team of researchers, led by Emilio Marmol-Sanchez, a paleogeneticist at Stockholm University and the Centre for Paleogenetics in Stockholm, has managed to extract, sequence, and analyze RNA (Ribonucleic acid) from a remarkably well-preserved thylacine specimen that is approximately 130 years old.

"This is the first time that we have been able to catch a glimpse of the actual biology and metabolism of Tasmanian tiger cells right before they died," Emilio told Gizmodo.

Just like DNA, RNA is a vital molecular structure composed of nucleotides. It plays a crucial role in protein synthesis and carries genetic material in some viruses.

In this groundbreaking study, the researchers successfully identified RNA from the skin and skeletal muscle tissues of the desiccated thylacine specimen, shedding light on the genetic code that once defined this extraordinary creature.

You might have seen thylacine in movies set in the prehistoric period. It is often called the Tasmanian tiger or marsupial wolf which was natively living in Tasmania back then. It's a carnivorous species that feeds on small rodents, kangaroos, birds, and other animals.

Unfortunately, due to extreme hunting, the population of Tasmanian tigers drastically dropped, not to mention the habitat loss and many diseases that wiped out the rest of them.

Aside from that, the Tasmanian government said that livestock attacks could have brought this marsupial to extinction.

Related Article: Scientists Discover New Virus 8,900 Meters Under the Ocean

De-Extinction on the Move

In 2022, Colossal Biosciences, a biotech firm has planned to resurrect the thylacines through de-extinction. While this concept is more popular, the researchers' primary focus remains on advancing genetic science rather than resurrecting extinct species.

Moreover, the researchers state that their study has broader implications that will benefit fields such as gene editing, in vitro fertilization, and more.

Bright Future For Genetic Research

The team foresees the potential to extract RNA virus genomes, including those of evolutionary precursors like SARS-CoV2, from museum-held specimens of bats and other host organisms. This avenue of research holds great promise for enhancing our understanding of extinct species and unraveling the mysteries of ancient viruses.

With museums housing a treasure trove of extinct creatures, the recovery of RNA from other species may soon follow in the footsteps of the thylacine. Just as old DNA studies have made remarkable strides, antiquated RNA studies are poised to reveal hidden genetic secrets from the past.

The full study is published on Genome Research.

Read Also: Ancient 'Ice Mouse' Provides Chilling Insights Into Prehistoric Alaska

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Although under 80 degrees Fahrenheit, a sun high up in the sky made for one of the very best days to hit the water with a true innovator and world-class leader in the space.

Brunswick pulled out all the stops amid its annual NY Chelsea Piers showcase, highlighting some of the most beautiful and technologically advanced vessels to the Hudson in tandem with exciting promises for the future of boating.

I was lucky enough to get a firsthand look at some of Brunswick's top innovations, including upgraded outboard specs, enhanced vessels, and even a sweet new acquisition in the form of Fliteboard.

The company is pushing headlong into golden territory with new electrification initiatives and a suite of products geared at making boating all the more stress-free.

We first hit the waves in a Boston Whaler 350, a stunning boat powered by three V10 400HP outboard engines. The boat, like the 405 Conquest, Sea Ray Sundancer 370, and Sea Ray SLX 280, was equipped with Brunswick's exciting joystick technology, first introduced nearly two years ago, allowing captains to more easily and effectively control the vessel in certain scenarios.

Interestingly, joystick piloting alleviates some of the stresses in boating thanks to this simplification. Our captain that took us out explained how the joystick piloting makes it so much easier to feel at ease with a less-knowledgeable captain at the helm.

Say something happens to the captain or knowledgable boater, with joystick piloting essentially anyone can control the boat's path with relative ease. And, as one can guess, it makes docking as simple as ever.

But, Brunswick has taken that specific step even further. While I didn't personally get to see it in action myself, at least not physically on the boat, Brunswick's Boston Whaler 405 Conquest was the star of the show thanks to its autonomous docking procedure. This technology was first unveiled via a digital demo booth at CES 2023, but seeing it in action in person on the water is all the more exhilarating.

I was told, that while certain other technologies (like skyhook anchoring, joystick piloting, and specific outboard engines) can be purchased independently, the firm is still seeing the viability of its autonomous docking tech as a standalone product, but for now, it will live on select Boston Whaler and Sea Ray icons.

Related Article: Peering into the Future of Marine Innovation With Brunswick

Electrification has become a major buzzword in the boating industry, but Brunswick is one of the few companies really testing the bounds of the sector. The company's Sea Ray SLX 400 proved to be an exciting inclusion yesterday, featuring the Fathom ePower system, which leverages a lithium battery to gift the entire vessel auxiliary electrical power.

This frees boaters of the necessary shore-power cord or power generator, allotting enough output to everything from the onboard refrigerator to the more sophisticated components, and potentially even high-capacity engine alternators as seen on Mercury's Verado outboards.

The Fathom ePower is available on vessels less than 20 feet to yachts over 40. Weighing far less than most generators and allotting much more space on boats, the ePower system is an exciting prospect for those looking to stay out on the water for a bit longer than normal.

The Sea Ray 400 SLX, for instance, could be kept powered via its 24 kWh 48-volt battery bank for up to four hours, though it's not recommended.

Out on the water was also the firm's more recent acquisition, Fliteboard's eFoil surfboard. With a starting price of $1,700, the eFoil is a new product inclusion for Brunswick, offering the firm to deliver cheaper boating solutions in the same wheelhouse. It's an interesting new lineup for Brunswick, which also includes three varied Flitecell lithium battery packs.

Finally, my personal favorite, Brunswick showed off a new racing catamaran out of Mercury featuring twin 500HP racing engines. When hitting the throttle, they sounded like quaint wails in the wind, blasting the boat forward at speeds of up to 100 naughts.

Truly a remarkable feat of engineering. The racing engines are available for purchase independently of the boat and offer exciting potential for those who love speed.

All in all, it's clear Brunswick is reshaping the way boat lovers can enjoy the respite of the sea. Brunswick's Executive VP/president, John Buelow, explained it best to me in terms of where the firm is aiming its priorities: as innovating not for the sake of the technology but for the betterment of its customers, gifting boaters and even non-boaters alike exciting new entry points and stress-free innovations that make the pastime all the more enjoyable.

I had an absolute blast yesterday at Brunswick's boating event and I cannot wait to see what the company has in store for the future. Buelow explained there are some exciting prospects on the near horizon, and Brunswick isn't done yet in powering the industry forward on a multitude of fronts.

Read Also: CES 2023: Brunswick Sets the Stage with All-New Boat Brand

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy responds to a question from the news media in the US Capitol in Washington, DC, USA, 18 September 2023.

Facing fresh challenges to his leadership, Speaker Kevin McCarthy is trying to accomplish what at times seems impossible  working furiously to convince House Republicans to come together and pass a conservative bill to keep the federal government open.

Its a nearly futile exercise that could help McCarthy keep his job, but has little chance of actually preventing a federal shutdown. Whatever House Republicans come up with is nearly certain to be rejected by the Senate, where Democrats and most Republicans want to fund the government.

In one dramatic sign of defeat Tuesday, House Republicans were even voting against their own defense bill. During a rowdy afternoon vote, the usually popular bill was turned back from consideration, 212-214, after five hard-right conservatives helped sink it. They want to see an overall plan from McCarthy.

McCarthy simply walked off the House floor. Look, the one thing youre going to learn about me: I like a challenge  I dont like this big a challenge  but were just gonna keep doing it until we can make it, McCarthy told reporters.

With time dwindling, Congress faces a Sept. 30 deadline to pass the broader government funding legislation and get a bill to President Joe Bidens desk to become law. Otherwise, the U.S. faces massive federal government closures and disruptions. Plans for another vote Tuesday to advance the overall spending bill were shelved.

The balls in Kevins court, said Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of the Freedom Caucus.

The latest House government funding proposal, a compromise between members of the hard-right Freedom Caucus and the more pragmatic Main Street conservatives, was almost dead on arrival, left sputtering even after McCarthy loaded it up with spending cuts and Republican priorities in a border security package.

Behind closed doors Tuesday, the speaker was trying to stress the political repercussions of a government shutdown to Republicans, warning them that no party wins with a closure.

Unlike last week when an angry and frustrated McCarthy unleashed foul language on his colleagues, he tried a different tack when addressing his members privately in the Capitol basement.

Appearing cool, calm and collected, McCarthy cast the funding plan as just a proposal and left time for rank-and-file members to debate, according to Republicans familiar with the meeting.

Still, one Republican after another rose to tell McCarthy that the current plan would not have their votes. With a slim majority, he needs almost every Republican on board.

Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., one of the negotiators for the Main Street group, urged her colleagues later to not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

The showdown over the usually popular defense bill shows the difficulty ahead  it was the second time McCarthy had tried to advance the measure after he abruptly withdrew it from consideration last week.

The attempt to soothe tensions among Republicans comes as tempers are flaring and as big personalities try to seize the upper hand  some trying to lead and others hoping to disrupt any plans for compromise.

Floridas two leading conservatives, Matt Gaetz and newcomer Byron Donalds, are sniping in the halls and across social media, as Gaetz criticizes the deal Donalds and others struck as insufficiently conservative.

And freshmen Rep. Victoria Spartz, R-Ind., pointedly attacked McCarthy as a weak speaker.

One seasoned lawmaker Rep. Steve Womack, R-Ark., warned the infighting could derail the House GOP, much the way it did for past speakers like John Boehner and Paul Ryan. Both retired earlier than expected amid constant threats of ousters.

Womack said he fears there is a larger fight brewing that is more of a personality nature because of the conflict between certain members and the speaker.

The monthlong funding package that McCarthy is pushing would impose steep spending cuts of more than 8% on many government services, while sparing defense and veterans accounts. It would last for 31 days in hopes of giving House Republicans time to approve the more traditional government funding bills.

The White House issued a memo detailing cuts from the Republican plan, saying it would mean fewer border patrol agents, school teacher aids, Meals on Wheels for seniors and Head Start slots for children.

Extreme House Republicans are playing partisan games with peoples lives and marching our country toward a government shutdown, the White House said.

Across the Capitol, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned of the steep cuts Republicans are planning with their cruel and reckless spending plan.

At its core, House Republicans are trying to undo the deal McCarthy reached with Biden earlier this year to set federal funding levels as part of the debt ceiling fight. Conservatives rejected that measure then, even though it was approved and signed into law, and they are trying to dismantle it now.

But House Republicans are late to the effort, with time running short to act. Whatever bills they pass are certain to run aground in the Senate, where bipartisan groups of senators have already started approving their own funding bills, some at levels higher than the Biden-McCarthy agreement.

The roughly dozen Republicans who have voiced displeasure at McCarthys proposal see the current impasse as a make-or-break moment to hold the speaker to commitments to drastically cut topline government spending.

If my party is not going to stand up, what is the right thing to do? said Spartz. No matter how hard, I dont think anyone else will.

When Spartz was asked whether she would support an effort to oust McCarthy, she said she was open to everything.

But Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, who helped draft the proposal, all but dared his fellow Freedom Caucus members and other so-called conservative colleagues to reject it  particularly its dream bill provisions for dealing with the U.S. border with Mexico.

If my conservative colleagues want to vote against that, go explain that, Roy said.

The holdouts want steeper cuts that would adhere to the $1.47 trillion for annual discretionary funding they had initially advanced earlier this year to raise the nations debt limit.

One seasoned lawmaker, Republican Rep. Mike Simpson of Idaho, warned of pain ahead for Americans if the government shuts down.

It would be disastrous, he said. Ive never seen a time when a shutdown is good policy or good politics.

Simpson suggested it was time for McCarthy to reach out to Democrats to strike a bipartisan deal.

But that would almost certainly lead McCarthys right-flank to try to hold a vote to oust him from the speakers job.

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition
Rogelio Enriquez: "It seems that all famous chefs are men, but in the kitchens of Madrid there are a lot of women who do not appear in the photos and we want to bring them to light"
The fifth edition of Future Food Forum 2023, the Middle Easts biggest annual event gathering key stakeholders from the food and beverage sector, has opened focusing on food security and sustainability, innovation and consumer wellbeing.

Organised by UAE Food & Beverage Business Group (F&B Group) under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Economy, Dubai Chamber, and supported by the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Food Tech Valley, the event at Le Meridian Hotel Dubai is hosting over 800 participants, including top executives from the F&B sector, key officials from government and business councils from across the world over the coming two days.

The Forum was opened by Abdulla Al Saleh, the Under Secretary of Foreign Trade and Industry at the UAE Ministry of Economy.

Trends and challenges

With the core theme, "Inspiring Sustainable Well-being", various panels and presentations will discuss trends and challenges in investments, innovation, and food retail to enable solutions that ensure end consumers' holistic health and well-being.

Thought-provoking panel discussions at the event will focus on critical issues of food security and environmental sustainability, highlighting initiatives that are fostering a self-reliant food supply and the role of Agri-Tech in enhancing food security in the Middle East.

The first day of the event hosted focused sessions on India and KSA to discuss topics, such as the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is poised to strengthen food security and sustainability and create a resilient food system through collaboration between stakeholders in both countries.

Collaborations and opportunities

We are proud to have the support of our partners and sponsors; their commitment to advancing the food and trade sectors in the UAE is commendable. With their support, we are able to create a platform like Future Food Forum, which allows interaction between important stakeholders to discuss collaborations and opportunities in building a resilient and sustainable food ecosystem for the region, commented Saleh Lootah, Chairman of the UAE Food and Beverage Business Group.

He added: In addition to gaining insights on regulations, market trends and innovation, the Forum will take a deep dive into consumer behaviours and nutrition strategies, food reformulation, and the role of the private sector in driving healthier food innovation. We also have the Free From Food exhibition under the event, highlighting this part. Various sessions will look into strategies for promoting locally-grown produce. With the Forum taking place a few weeks before COP28, we hope to address challenges in food security due to climate change impact and look into opportunities to foster a circular economy.

With support from leading organisations and participation from leading business councils worldwide and organisations, such as the International Islamic Food Processors Association (IFPA), the Forum will lay the roadmap for enabling the food sector's trade ecosystem to achieve economic and climate sustainability goals in the UAE.

Key sponsors

The event is supported by DP World and key sponsors from the sector, including IFFCO, AGTHIA, Al Ghurair Foods, Almarai, SGS, Emirates Development Bank, Sadia, and Hayatna as leading partners and industry organisations such as IFPA.

Meanwhile, Free From Food Dubai will spotlight the thriving Healthy, Organic, Vegan, Plant-Based, Functional, and Free-From food sectors across Middle Eastern countries.-- TradeArabia News Service
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 21:33 | All, Japan, Travel/Tourism

Japan saw an estimated 2,156,900 foreign visitors in August, which represents 85.6 percent of the level in the same month in 2019 before the coronavirus outbreak, government data showed Wednesday.

A recovery trend continued, with the rate surpassing 80 percent for the first time, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Visitors from mainland China totaled 364,100 last month, or 36.4 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019, increasing by about 50,000 from July but marking a decline of 63.6 percent from August 2019.

China, which lifted restrictions on Japan-bound group travel for its citizens on Aug. 10, ranked third in a list of arrival numbers from other countries and regions. The most arrivals came from South Korea at 569,100, up 84.3 percent from four years earlier, followed by Taiwan at 396,300, down 5.7 percent.

The Japan Tourism Agency anticipates that the full impact of China's lifting of restrictions will become evident after its major holiday season begins on Oct. 1.

But some Chinese tours to Japan have been canceled as Beijing has been opposed to Japan's discharge of treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, which began in August.

An airline official said that even after the release of the treated water began, Chinese tourists continued making ticket reservations for traveling to Japan.

Tsuyoshi Kondo, a tourism consultant, said Chinese consumers remain interested in traveling to Japan and that the number of arrivals from China is likely to recover to pre-pandemic levels during the Lunar New Year holidays in 2024.

Overall foreign entries for August were down from July's 2,320,600. But the JNTO said the data tend to peak in July.

Meanwhile, the number of Japanese nationals traveling overseas more than tripled in August from a year before to 1,201,200, although it was 43.1 percent less than the same month in 2019.

The number of departures increased by over 300,000 compared to July.

Related coverage:

Japan welcomes return of Chinese group tours amid labor shortage fear

China resumes Japan-bound group tours after COVID-19 hiatus

Over 80% of Japan firms forecast economic growth as COVID curbs removed
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 23:31 | World, All, Japan

China is expected to decide soon whether to formally arrest a Japanese businessman detained in Beijing since March on suspicion of espionage, sources familiar with the bilateral relationship said Wednesday.

The Chinese government recently informed Tokyo that the Japanese national has been placed in criminal detention, which allows for up to 37 days of detention while authorities decide on formal arrest under Chinese law.

Beijing has not responded to Tokyo's repeated requests to quickly release the employee of drugmaker Astellas Pharma Inc.

His prolonged detention could further worsen Sino-Japanese ties already strained over the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, which started in late August.

Staff at the Japanese Embassy in Beijing met the man on Sept. 13 and confirmed he had no health issues, the sources said. The embassy has been in contact with his family and supporting them.

A Japanese government official said Wednesday that the man's criminal detention is "unacceptable," and Tokyo will seek his release "as soon as possible."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a press conference Wednesday she is not aware of the Japanese citizen's situation, adding Beijing will treat his case in accordance with the law and "the lawful rights and interests of the person concerned will be protected."

The senior Astellas Pharma employee was detained in March, just before his scheduled return to Japan. The specific details of how he may have violated the counterespionage law and criminal code in China remain unknown.

In April, then Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi strongly demanded the man's early release in talks with Premier Li Qiang and other senior Chinese officials during a trip to Beijing.

In July, the Japanese embassy was granted in-person consular access to the businessman for the first time. Previously, the Chinese government had only allowed monthly consular access to him via video link, citing the need to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On July 1, a revised counterespionage law took effect in China, broadening the scope of what constitutes spying activities.

Since the country's counterespionage law first came into force in November 2014, 17 Japanese citizens have been detained for alleged involvement in spying activities. Five of them are still being held, according to the Japanese government.

Related coverage:

Japan Embassy granted in-person access to detained national in China

China's revised anti-espionage law takes effect amid business worries
The Times-Picayune, The Advocate and NOLA.com will host a live town hall meeting with major candidates for governor on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m. Readers are invited to submit questions they'd like to have posed to the candidates.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 10:14 | All

Episode 12: Centenarian beauty adviser

Until what age do you want to keep working?

Three Kyodo News journalists  Yamaguchi-san, Toma and Horiuchi-san  talk about a 100-year-old woman, Tomoko Horino, who was recently recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest beauty adviser. Listen as they discuss how makeup has become more normalized for men, and learn the English translations for some skincare phrases.

Article mentioned in the podcast:

Japanese centenarian becomes world's oldest beauty adviser

Kyodo News presents a bilingual podcast for English learners about the ins and outs of news writing and how to translate tricky Japanese phrases into English. Have fun listening to journalists discuss recent articles as they occasionally go off on unrelated tangents.

More podcast episodes:

Podcast [English World] Episode 11: Barbenheimer

Podcast [English World] Episode 10: Summer spending

Podcast [English World] Episode 9: Cubic watermelons
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson and the head of the Transport Workers Union, Michael Kaine, have been ordered by a judge to clinch a deal face-to-face over compensation for the airlines sacked 1700 workers.

Qantas last week lost its final appeal against Federal Court judge Michael Lees 2021 finding that the national carrier had illegally outsourced the jobs of ground crew during the pandemic, partly to avoid industrial action.

Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson has been ordered to attend mediation with representatives of 1700 sacked workers after the airlines High Court loss. Credit: Bloomberg

Lawyers for Qantas and the TWU were back before Lee on Wednesday morning, a week after the High Court unanimously dismissed the airlines last-ditch bid to overturn his judgment, preparing to hatch out compensation and significant penalties for the former staff.

Theres [1700] people whose lives have been affected, together with their families, and I wish to ensure that this matter is resolved as soon as I can, Lee told the parties.
Santos has run into more problems obtaining construction approvals for its $5.6 billion Barossa gas project after a remote Northern Territory Indigenous community insisted the gas company deal with it as a group.

Santos are like a pest, 13 Minjilang people said in a statement after a community meeting on Tuesday.

Santos chief executive Kevin Gallagher bought US-major ConocoPhillips northern Australian assets to increase Santos share of Barossa. Credit: Ben Searcy

The meeting, which included senior elders and traditional owners from the 300-strong community on Croker Island  230 kilometres north-east of Darwin  was held to agree on how to consult Santos on its plans to drill the Barossa field for gas.

We have told Santos not to come into our community without being invited, they should listen to us, the statement said.
The owner of retailer Kathmandu and surf brand Rip Curl has hit $1 billion in sales for the first time, but a warmer Australian winter and surging cost of living pressures have tempered recent demand for outdoor clothing.

KMD Brands, which also operates shoe business Oboz, has posted a 12.6 per cent jump in sales for the 2023 year to $NZ1.1 billion ($1.01 billion), though net profits dipped slightly by 0.6 per cent to $36.6 million.

The company said consumer sentiment weakened in the fourth quarter of the year.

For Kathmandu  known for its puffer jackets and hiking and camping gear  sales for the year rose 7 per cent in Australia and 13.1 per cent in New Zealand. Overall, the brands sales were up 10.6 per cent to $422.2 million and underlying earnings were up 44 per cent to $52.5 million.

Despite the strong result, the company revealed that conditions had weakened in the last three months of the year, with Australias winter being warmer than expected and consumers pulling back on discretionary spending.
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 Liliana Cavani is best known outside Italy for her seminal 1974 film The Night Porter, a brilliantly wrought (arguably overwrought) portrait of a sado-masochistic relationship between a Nazi concentration camp guard played with elaborate menace by Dirk Bogarde and a teenage prisoner, a waifish Charlotte Rampling. Its portrayal of perverse eroticism caused an uproar. In Europe it was almost banned. In America, it was slated by the most respected critics as Nazi porn. Recently restored, The Night Porter remains the subject of heated debate. Is it revelatory and taboo-crunching, or twisted and politically reprehensible? Or, indeed, both? Cavanis defenders at the time included Bernardo Bertolucci, who had also recently addressed the fascist psyche in The Conformist. Along with Bertolucci and Pier Paolo Pasolini, the feisty female director of The Night Porter was seen to be in the front rank of the Italian New Wave. Charlotte Rampling in The Night Porter. Credit: Getty Images Cavani is now 90, although anyone meeting her would take her for at least a decade younger. She has just made her first film in 20 years, which the ticking of the clock suggests  although you wouldnt want to put money on it  will be her last. It screened in competition at the Venice Film Festival last month, where Cavani also received a Golden Lion for her lifes work in film. Rampling was on hand to present it. In a certain sense, you could say both Liliana Cavani and I have been defined by The Night Porter, Rampling told the first-night audience in a passionately partisan speech. She showed us  in its original, etymological, radical sense  what is monstrous  She turned her camera toward the beast, straight at it, eyes-wide, surrounding it to understand it, to recognise it when it returns. The first-night audience responded with a standing ovation. Reviews for the veterans new film, especially from the Italian press, were less reverent. The Order of Time certainly addresses a suitably terminal subject for a swansong  the end of the world  albeit couched within a kind of Big Chill for middle-aged Italians. Several haute-bourgeois couples, a few of them former partners who have since swapped, gather for their regular summer holiday, arguing, eating and partying to old peoples music. Meanwhile, an asteroid hurtles towards Earth.

Advertisement

One of the guests, Enrico (Edoardo Leo) is an eminent physicist who is intermittently on the phone to his American colleagues, checking the asteroids progress. He gives it a one-in-20 chance of destroying the planet, adding that the odds are narrowing as it gets closer. You might think that would focus the collective mind, but only Enrico and the Peruvian maid, who is following the news on some crackpot millenarian website, are properly afraid. Everyone else is focused on the coming 50th birthday celebration for their hostess Elsa (Claudia Gerini), their various past and present romantic intrigues and on working out what bon mot they will say next, given that the conversation pit is a highly competitive space. I imagined many things; everyone would have a different reaction. We come face to face with life, while usually, we follow a daily routine and do not stop to reflect on our existence, says Cavani. The thing is, she tells a masterclass in Venice, we cant worry about dealing with the worst possible things. Because the thing that is worse than the worst thing  you cant know when it might happen. Friends gather as an asteroid approaches Earth in The Order of Time. Cavani came face to face with the worst things as a young documentary filmmaker, researching material for the series she made for RAI, Italys national television network, on the Third Reich and Stalin. She was a child during World War II; she remembers hearing the crack of bombs without feeling any fear. Then I studied ancient literature at the university so, in fact, I knew more about the Peloponnesian Wars from the 5th century BC than I did about the Second World War. I had to open my eyes  and I was astonished by what I saw, horrendous images every day. Her voice trembles slightly at the memory. So that was my second degree. As a creator of fiction, her guiding lights were gloomy Swedish director Ingmar Bergman and Italian Vittorio De Sica, who made the heart-wrenching Bicycle Thieves.

Advertisement

Making documentaries on the most devastating war in history prevented me from making lighter cinema later, she says. The starting point for The Night Porter was Women of the Resistance (1965), for which she interviewed partisan fighters. One was a teacher who took holidays every year in Dachau, where she had been imprisoned. Another, who had been in Auschwitz, said she could not forgive the Nazis for making her discover a part of myself capable of doing things I never thought I would do. What they were, she wouldnt say. Fifty years after The Night Porter, The Order of Time shows Cavani still wrestling with Italys own fascist legacy, putting her anxieties in the mouths of her characters. Historian Giulia (Francesca Inaudi) observes with asperity that if anyone refers to the Nazi concentration camps in an academic context, some wise owl will warn them to be aware that there must be an allowance for doubt, as if there had been no witnesses or photographs taken! Claudia Gerini and Alessandro Gassmann in The Order of Time. References to climate change highlight another truth she sees denied by those who find it politically or financially inconvenient. Another variety of denial is brewing in the mind of Viktor (Richard Sammel)  the German technocrat among these Italian liberals  who is relying on Bloombergs running market indices to get him through Armageddon. The financial markets, he points out, are surging. And the market deals in facts! Thats where the real truth lies! Loading Cavanis primary concern, however, is with ideas of time  its mutability, elasticity and speedy passage  inspired, according to the credits, by a widely admired book of essays by physicist Carlo Rovelli. Sometimes, says Cavani, she will read or see something that leaves her writing not a complete literary response, but a page of arguments; so it was when she read Rovellis book, also called The Order of Time. She is intrigued by Rovellis observations about the arbitrary way we mark time in order to make it manageable: measuring it on clocks, dividing it into slabs  before Christ or the 18th century  and then pegging it to events that mark its passage. Time doesnt have a stable figure in itself. In itself, it doesnt mean anything, except in relation to something that happened. We all agree that it passes, but we dont go further, she muses. Rovelli himself acted as a consultant on the project.

Advertisement
Set at Moordale Secondary, a fictional English high school, Sex Education premiered quietly on Netflix in January 2019. Its focus was the familiar and reliably appealing territory of teen trials: nervous attractions, giddy liaisons, rocky relationships and the accompanying uncertainty and anxiety. Over three seasons, the series extended much of that very human excitement and messiness about sex and relationships to some of the students teachers and parents.

In Sex Education high school student Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield) finds a lucrative sideline selling sex advice to his schoolmates. Credit: Samuel Taylor/Netflix

Created by Laurie Nunn, Sex Education approached what could be seen as the well-traversed terrain of adolescent angst and romance with uncommon candour: the frank discussion of sex and unblinking depiction of it, as well as an open-minded portrayal of Moordales diverse community.

Originally, the series was part of a push that represented a new type of TV, one unshackled from the conventions that ruled broadcast network television. In this branch of pay-TV, there were no sponsors to please or advertisers to alarm, just subscribers to woo. It arrived like a bright and shiny example of the kind of productions that the brave new world of streaming might offer.

The pilot had been rejected by so many possible distributors that Nunn had resigned herself to the belief that the project had died until Netflix picked it up. And it became a sleeper hit for the pioneering streamer as it introduced the trials of Otis Milburn (Asa Butterfield), the teenage son of divorced sex therapist Jean (Gillian Anderson), the premise being that Otis had learnt so much about sex  in spite of his initial lack of direct experience of it  that he becomes a sex therapist for fellow students. At the urging of classmate Maeve Wiley (Emma Mackey), who cannily identifies a business opportunity that can be exploited using his skills, they establish an unofficial practice in a disused toilet block. And theres robust demand for his services.
Advertisement

Eating outJust open Iconic Sydney coffee roasters Single O open a cosy Newstead cafe It features self-serve oat milk iced latte on tap, Agnes Bakery pastries and a killer avocado on toast. Matt Shea September 20, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

Industry Beans. Padre. Coffee Supreme. Allpress. Theres a stack of Australasian specialty coffee roasters that have expanded to establish a bricks-and-mortar presence around the country, including in south-east Queensland. But what about Single O? This early mover in coffees third wave is still one of Sydneys most celebrated indie roasters, and yet, outside its wholesale operations, its remained largely confined to its original Surry Hills corner premises. Single O has taken over the old Woodsters space in semi-industrial Newstead. Patrick McKenzie Weve never been solely driven by growth, Single O general manager Mike Brabant says. It hasnt always been, Hey, we want to grow into this marketplace. Queenslands booming, lets get in there. Its been, Wheres the pioneering quality happening? or Where are the communities that care about sustainability and culture. This mindshare-over-marketshare approach has served Single O well. Its become so strongly associated with its iconic Surry Hills home base, over so many years, that the suburb is these days more or less part of the brand. There are now two Japanese outlets, and a Saturday pop-up at Sydneys Carriageworks (and there was a now defunct foray into Sydneys CBD)  but thats it.

Advertisement

Brisbanes best cafe openings of 2023 ... so far So why, after 20 years in business, has Single O now chosen to open in Newstead, in the small warehouse space previously occupied by design business Woodsters on semi-industrial Austin Street? Its a good question, Brabant says. For us, its about building a spiritual home. Weve had a training space up here [for wholesale customers]. Woodsters were moving on, so there was a physical opportunity. But from a brand perspective, its the right time for us. Brisbane is on fire. A lot of people are moving up here, but then the local scene is really strong. Weve been a coffee retailer here for a long time, but nothing beats actually serving people your product.

Advertisement

Single Os popular Avo Show avocado on toast. Patrick McKenzie Single O has retained the old Woodsters frontage with its black-brick-framed coffee window. The signature feature is a striking mural by Brisbane-born artist Gemma OBrien. Inside, theres a light-filled front room with a coffee bench, and a small dining room at the rear. The materials throughout are timber and brick with copper highlights. Outside on the pavement, its just some astroturf with a set of cushioned milk crates  classic, simple, effective. Its a comfy spot to hang and grab something off a short food menu imported from Sydney. It includes a lemon and pepper berry toastie, banana bread with espresso butter, and a mini version of Single Os Avo Show  a cracking avo on toast thats served with cashew cheese and pickled fennel on smoked potato bread sourced from Agnes Bakery. Agnes is also delivering pastries daily, while Newmarkets Allora Black is supplying gelato. Mallow Sustainability is also on board with its circular waste collection service.

Advertisement

Single Os coffee window features self-serve filter coffee on tap. Patrick McKenzie Still, most people will be headed to this spot for the coffee. On espresso is Single Os signature Reservoir blend, alongside rotating single origins. Theres also self-serve filter coffee on tap  one of the few setups like it in town  with rotating single-origin batch brews available alongside Single Os popular oat-milk iced latte. Its about having a little space here for our Brisbane community. And for customers to find out what Single O is about, Brabant says. We probably dont have the biggest growth journey, like others, but I think weve really kept our specialty positioning as a business, and were proud of that. Open Mon-Fri 6.30am-1.30pm, Sat 7am-1.30pm. 16 Austin Street, Newstead. singleo.com.au

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up
Not even three weeks ago, a Virgin Australia bigwig joined two Palaszczuk government ministers and a mutually beneficial spruiker from Tourism and Events Queensland to make merry in front of television news cameras at Brisbane Airport.

The advertisement in all but name was to hype up next years cheap Virgin flights to Queensland  paid for by taxpayers  as part of a new government tourism campaign called Queensland is Calling.

Then-acting Premier Steven Miles, Treasurer Cameron Dick and Virgins Alistair Hartley, with Tourism and Events Queensland chief Patricia OCallaghan and crew members announce the cheap flights just this month. Credit: AFR

Virgins great rival, Qantas, was then nearing the most putrid phases of its public relations unravelling, so no smarter time for this multibillion-dollar corporation to position itself as the benevolent and thoughtful alternative.

The subsidised flights equalled incredible value at an incredibly important time, Virgins Alistair Hartley said. This was because the cost of living is starting to hurt, and households are starting to feel the pinch. Amen.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 10:47 | All, World

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday tried to shore up support for his country during his address at the U.N. headquarters in New York, explaining the stakes of Russia's ongoing war not only for Kyiv but also for the rest of the world.

Joining the world body's General Assembly in person for the first time since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in February last year, Zelenskyy accused Moscow of "weaponizing" essentials such as food and energy, in addition to posing a nuclear threat.

Wearing his trademark khaki shirt, Zelenskyy said it is clear that Russia's manipulation of the market prices for such necessities, which has had an impact from Africa to Asia, is aimed at pressuring other countries to recognize the territories captured by Moscow.

"The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our lands, our people, our lives (and) our resources into a weapon against you, against the international rules-based order," said Zelenskyy, who gave his speech in English.

He lamented that although there are many conventions against weapons, "there are no real restrictions on weaponization."

"Many seats in the General Assembly hall may become empty if Russia succeeds with its treachery and aggression," he said, making a plea for more countries to side with Ukraine, as the current war's outcome will significantly affect them as well.

Without saying when or where, Zelenskyy disclosed that he is preparing a global peace summit, asking foreign leaders to take part in the planned event so as to demonstrate their refusal to tolerate this kind of aggression.

His appearance at the U.N. headquarters came as Ukraine is struggling to secure widespread support from developing countries and drive Russian forces from its southern and eastern areas in a counteroffensive.

A number of developing countries that have close political ties with Russia and rely on it for energy have attempted to stake out neutral positions on the war, as they are afraid of angering Moscow.

Possibly reflecting the lack of solidarity from such countries in the so-called Global South, the assembly hall was not full.

Noting Russia's history as a habitual aggressor, Zelenskyy also condemned the country for abducting Ukrainian children.

"We know the names of tens of thousands of children and have evidence on hundreds of thousands of others kidnapped by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and later deported," he said. "Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide."

Before concluding his speech and drawing sustained applause from the attendees, he expressed hope that the prolonged war will be the last in the world.

"Ukraine is doing everything to ensure that after Russian aggression, no one in the world will dare to attack any nation," he said.

"Weaponization must be restrained. War crimes must be punished. Deported people must come back home. And the occupier must return to their own land," he said. "We must be united to make it."

Related coverage:

China, Russia top diplomats discuss Ukraine war ahead of Putin visit

North Korea's Kim, Russian defense chief discuss deeper defense ties
Sarah, who did not want to give her full name, has lived on the Flemington estate for 15 years and said she did not want to move. If they cared about us, they wouldnt move us, she said. Its all rubbish. They want to build the houses and put higher rent for rich people. They are moving us from the city. But Awatif Taha, who has lived on the estate for 20 years, said the governments plans could improve conditions for residents. Resident Awatif Taha outside one of the Racecourse Road, Flemington, towers. Credit: Chris Hopkins Im happy about this decision and the reason why is these buildings are too old, she said. I think the government is going to do the right thing. They are not going to destroy these buildings without reason. Of course they have reasons, but we ask them to put people in the right place.

Taha said she and other residents wanted to ensure they were able to move back to the same area and back into public housing. We need to know after they are going to build this one what are they going to do. Are they going to bring these people back? Is it going to be private? This is our question. Melbournes prefabricated public housing towers largely replaced slums in the inner suburbs. Built from the 1950s to the 1970s, they were heralded as a major postwar social reform. Public Housing Residents Network and Save Public Housing Collective spokesman Cory Memery said the announcement had sent shockwaves through public tower communities.

A lot of people who live in the towers, its the only place theyve ever lived when they came here, he said. That displacement is going to be terrifying  theres a lot of people out there who will be shitting themselves today. Loading Louisa Bassini, acting director of legal practice at community legal service Inner Melbourne Community Legal, said the move represented the wholesale destruction of public housing in this state. We dont think the case has been made as to why the towers have not been converted. Instead the government is treating the estates as prime land without consideration of the destruction of the communities that is going to ensue, she said. Bassini said the towers were only in disrepair because the government had failed to invest in them and that her organisation would call for a reversal of the decision.

It is the transfer of publicly owned housing stock into the hands of private developers, she said. It is a process of gentrification of the inner city and destruction of these communities. Victorian Public Tenants Association chief executive Katelyn Butterss pointed to a lack of clarity in the housing statement document over whether the 10,000 displaced public tenants at the sites would remain as public housing tenants or be more expensive community housing tenants. Ensuring these new high-rises are public owned and publicly managed is absolutely imperative, she said. The Council to Homeless Persons slammed the long-awaited housing statement as a missed critical opportunity to tackle the most serious housing crisis in living memory, saying that behind the big headline numbers, theres crumbs for social housing.

We need at least 60,000 new public and community homes to be built in Victoria over a decade. Unfortunately theres nothing like that in these announcements, said council chief executive Deborah Di Natale. University of Melbourne urban geographer Dr Kate Shaw, a long-term critic of the entrance of private interests into public housing in Victoria, said previous redevelopments of low-rise public housing had shown many residents never returned and that the latest move was a resurrection of a plan by Jeff Kennett in the 1990s to redevelop public housing towers. The premier said on Wednesday that vulnerable tenants in the towers had been door-knocked on Wednesday morning to be told of the plans. We will treat those residents ... with the utmost respect, he said. And its not just door-knocking this morning ... theres phone lines, therell be people in place ongoing to talk through all those issues and make sure that everybody is supported.

Loading No ones having to leave their home tomorrow. Itll be done in a staged way. Itll be done thoughtfully, respectfully appropriately. Ruth Eyakem has lived in the Flemington towers for more than 20 years and said improvements were desperately needed. There is a lot of leaking happening in the building and then asbestos being found on the ground, she said. If you are going to move people where they want, it will be very nice. They will be happy. Melbourne University architect Chris Barnett, who oversaw research into alternatives to demolishing the towers, said while the buildings were outdated, the decanting costs of moving residents out for years during construction before moving them back in would probably run into tens of millions of dollars per tower.
Josh Frydenberg, who has ruled out a political comeback at the next election, would not have opposed the Voice and may have changed the essence of the referendum if he was still in parliament, former Coalition Indigenous Australians minister Ken Wyatt says.

On Thursday, the former treasurer was revealed as the new chairman of investment bank Goldman Sachs Australian and New Zealand operation and announced he would not run against independent Monique Ryan, avoiding the rigours of federal politics.

Teal independent Monique Ryan toppled Josh Frydenberg in Kooyong in May 2022. Credit: Nine

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Kooyong Liberal division chair Rod Kemp, a former senator, said they hoped Frydenberg would re-enter public life, and a return to politics at the following election remains a distinct possibility.

A handful of moderate colleagues urged the former MP to topple Scott Morrison last term, and he was a favourite to become opposition leader if he did not lose his seat to Ryan.
More than two in five property sales in the City of Melbourne were struck at a loss in the June quarter, despite a broader recovery in property prices.

Some 41.7 per cent of sales traded at a loss, CoreLogics Pain and Gain Report, released on Thursday, found. The council area was followed by Stonnington (27.5 per cent sold at a loss), Yarra (22.5 per cent) and Port Phillip (20.1 per cent).

Some sellers in the City of Melbourne area have been cutting their losses. Credit: Wayne Taylor

CoreLogic head of research Eliza Owen said these areas were high-density, with units leading the losses in each.

Were seeing some investors exit the market and losing money because of relatively high interest rates, Owen said.
Singapore: Sportswear giants Adidas and Nike are facing renewed scrutiny over supply chains in Cambodia where workers say they cannot afford necessities and major brands face wage face theft allegations.

More than 700,000 people  the majority of them women  are employed in Cambodias garment industry, which represents a key clothing and footwear manufacturing hub in South-East Asia.

Adidas has denied claims of unpaid wages in its supply chain. Credit: AP

A new report by non-government organisation ActionAid and the Centre for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights, a Cambodian labour rights organisation, lays bare the bleak financial realities workers confront in facilities that supply leading international fashion labels.

In a survey, 85 per cent of respondents across Cambodian 15 factories said their salary was not enough to support them. Half said they were turning up to work without eating enough and a quarter were taking home less pay than they did in 2020.
Justin Trudeau boarded the plane to India armed with some explosive allegations.

A week before the Canadian prime minister took to parliament on Tuesday to publicly reveal that he believed the Indian government was linked to an assassination on Canadian soil, he raised the assessment of Canadian intelligence with Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Credit: Richard Giliberto

Modi rejected Trudeaus bid for a longer, more formal meeting at the G20. Then he went on the offensive. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, the Indian government said in a statement last week.

By Tuesday, diplomats in Delhi and Ottawa had been made persona non grata, Trudeau had vowed to hold people to account over the June murder of Indian separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and Indias TV networks had declared war over Nijjars death.
Two aliens that were presented to Mexicos Congress last week by a discredited ufologist have been tested anew by doctors on Tuesday, amid cries from scientists of a hoax.

The small skeletons, some 60 centimetres in length, had prompted a bizarre break in congressional proceedings when Jaime Maussan presented them to MPs in large wooden caskets.

Maussan claimed the bodies were found in Peru, were non-human beings that are not part of our terrestrial evolution and about 1000 years old.

The alien mummy presented to the Mexican Congress on September 13, 2023 by a journalist and UFO enthusiast who said it was 1000 years old. Credit: Screengrab/ABC7 US

However, scientists and academics dismissed the discoveries as yet another stunt by Maussan in his quest to prove the existence of aliens. The lab that conducted the carbon dating distanced itself from its finding too, saying it had only inspected some isolated tissue.
2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) Review By Larry Nutson

2024 Volvo XC90 Recharge

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) with Swedish fashion

By Larry Nutson

Executive Editor and Bureau Chief

Chicago Bureau

THE AUTO CHANNEL

Bob Lutz, former executive at General Motors, Ford and Chrysler (now part of Stellantis) has shared his no-nonsense take on Americas attempt to transition to electric vehicles (EVs) with John Catsimatidis on a recent episode of the "Cats Roundtable" podcast.

Lutz said, If youre interested in excellent transportation, silence, refinement, high performance, etc., you should definitely consider an electric vehicle, he said. There is absolutely no reason not to buy one unless youre a person who makes frequent trips over 300 or over 400 miles, in which case you should not.

The why not is evidenced by a recent headline in the industry publication Automotive News. Poor charging experience hinders EV industry, Battery Show panel says. At an event bursting with technology to accelerate electrification, experts say the charging experience of today remains a major hurdle.

Today's second tranche* of Electrification was brought into mainstream production-ready and saleable automobiles in the first decade of this century. The charging infrastructure needed to support them was supposed to appear during the second decade. It didnt quite make it. Now, today, a few years into the third decade things are moving along better.

Beginning with the 2023 models, Volvos U.S. vehicle lineup consists of mild hybrid, hybrid or electric vehicles. Period! Volvo is no longer offering a pure thermal-powered (internal combustion engine) model.

With the popular XC90 and XC40 utility vehicles, as well as the V60 Cross Country, now receiving mild hybrid engines as standard, the Swedish luxury car brand is making good on its sustainability commitment to electrify its full range of vehicles. The effort reflects another step toward offering only pure electric vehicles by 2030 and being carbon neutral by 2040.

Mild hybrids (MHEV) offer increased efficiency over pure-ICE vehicles, yet never need to be plugged in. For those without easy access to charging, such as someone living in an urban multi-unit dwelling, mild hybrids provide a good present-day solution. The new extended range plug-in hybrids offer all-electric driving in Pure mode while still providing a traditional gasoline-powered engine.

I recently had a driving experience with the mid-size three-row seven-passenger XC90 utility vehicle (UV). Its is offered in Core, Plus and Ultimate trims. There are three engine choices and all XC90s are all-wheel drive.

The XC90 B5 is a MHEV with a 247-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that develops 258 lb-ft of torque. An integrated starter/generator provides boost for the gasoline engine. The XC90 B6 uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with power output increased to 295-hp and developing 310 lb-ft of torque. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission to power all four wheels.

The third choice, and the one I drove, is the XC90 Recharge T8 is a plug-in hybrid with a 312-hp turbo four up front and a 143-hp electric motor powering the rear wheels. The combined output is 455-hp with 523 lb-ft of torque. With a total EPA-estimated combined city/highway range of 530 miles, it can travel up to 33 miles on a single charge in Pure electric mode.

EPA ratings for combined fuel economy are 25 mpg for the B5, 22 mpg for the B6 and 27 mpg for the T8 (on gasoline only). The T8 is rated at 58 MPGe.

The XC90 is equipped with a complete contingent of collision warning, collision intervention, and driving control assistance features.

Google built-in is standard on the entire Volvo Cars range. Google Assistant voice control, Google Maps native navigation system, and Google Play store for additional apps, makes the XC90 equipped with a best-in-class digital experience.

Pricing for the 2024 XC90 starts at $57,195 plus a $1,195 destination charge.

My recent drive experience was with the XC90 Recharge AWD Ultimate with a base MSRP of $79,600. Finished in Vapour Grey, also equipped on my driver was the optional Bowers and Wilkins Premium Sound system ($3,200), 4-corner Air Suspension ($1,800), and the Lounge Package ($1,700). The bottom line MSRP totaled $87,495.

The Volvo XC90 has an overall premium look and feel with nicely elegant interior and a stylish exterior. Many UVs have a truck-like appearance. The XC90, with its refined and elegant exterior, is in not one of them. With 455-horsepower at my disposal, its needless to say that the car can move quicklyvery quickly. Driving dynamics have the typical European preciseness and refinement.

The cockpit front seating area is plenty roomy with good outward sight lines and ergonomically well-placed switchgear. A center touch pad is used to control climate, audio, and driving mode selection. I drove a seven-seat XC90 with a center three-person bench which features an integrated middle seat position child booster cushion. The center bench seat appears to be wide enough to accommodate three child seatsbut check this if important to you. Seating is for two in the third row. A six-seat option is also offered with two individual center seats.

The rear cargo area is a decent size. Although there are seats for seven, theres not cargo room for seven. Most use cases will be with the third row folded which then provides plenty of room for all those child things that need to be transported on a road trip.

In Pure electric mode the XC90 can travel up to 33 miles on a single charge. This may not seem like much. In actuality, 33 miles is plenty for getting around a large densely populated city with shops and services in close proximity. Or, for your suburban commute to the train station.

The typical time to charge from 0-100% on 240V 16A charger is five hours. This is easily accomplished in your parking garage overnight, or perhaps while at work during the day. Its important with a PHEV to indeed recharge the battery to take advantage of not using any gasoline. Charging times will vary and are dependent on factors such as outdoor temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition and car condition.

More details and information on the Volvo XC90 can be found www.volvocars.com/us.

Following Volvos present model lineup of electrified vehicles, by 2030 Volvo aims to sell only fully electric cars. The first of these is the 2024 EX90, Volvo's first purpose-built all-electric vehicle. The three-row EX90 is its flagship SUV. It will be introduced with up to 496 horsepower and a predicted EPA-estimated 300 miles of range. The EX90 will arrive in U.S. showrooms in early 2024.

If you are shopping today a pure electric battery-powered vehicle (BEV) works very well for short distance around town or commuting use. Key, though, is having a garage where you can charge at home with a Level 2 240-volt charger. If not, a hybrid (HEV or MHEV) is a good way to go. A PHEV is also an alternative that can provide pure-electric driving around town and yet still has good capability for long distances.

The hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains are a good choice for someone who wants to reduce their personal carbon footprint by moving away from a traditional pure thermal-powered car but is not afforded by their living arrangements to drive a battery electric vehicle that requires at-home battery charging for the best user experience. Simply put, they are a good middle-ground at the present time.

SEE ALSO *History of the Electric Car in USA

Happy Motoring!

 2023 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 14:04 | All, Japan

Japan posted a trade deficit of 930.48 billion yen ($6.3 billion) in August after the imposition of trade restrictions by China led to the biggest drop in food exports to the Asian neighbor in about 12 years, Finance Ministry data showed Wednesday.

It was the second straight month of red ink for Japan as exports fell again in August, down 0.8 percent from a year earlier at 7.99 trillion yen, despite robust auto shipments to the United States. Imports fell 17.8 percent to 8.92 trillion yen, a year after energy imports surged.

The latest data came amid concern about slowing overseas demand for Japanese products, particularly from major trading partner China. Total exports continued to decline in August, a month after they dropped for the first time in over two years.

China imposed an import ban on Japanese seafood in late August, after the operator of the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant began releasing treated radioactive water into the Pacific Ocean.

Food exports to China tumbled 41.2 percent from a year earlier to 14.19 billion yen, the sharpest drop since October 2011 in the aftermath of the crisis at the nuclear plant triggered by a massive earthquake and tsunami in March of that year.

The figure includes seafood but the Finance Ministry did not release further breakdowns of the data. China's customs data showed its seafood imports from Japan dived 67.6 percent in August from a year earlier.

Japan's overall exports to China dropped 11.0 percent to 1.44 trillion yen while imports decreased 12.1 percent to 1.93 trillion yen, leading to a 493.09 billion yen trade deficit.

Increased exports, particularly of cars to the United States, had helped the Japanese economy to report strong growth despite concern that monetary tightening in other major economies would hurt the global economy.

"While overall exports are still at high levels, the outlook for China is a concern," said Shinichiro Kobayashi, a senior economist at Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting.

"China-bound shipments were weak because of sluggish demand for semiconductor-related equipment and a drop in farm products for political reasons. This comes as auto exports to the United States and Europe remain robust," he added.

Japan has urged China to take action based on scientific data, saying that while the treated water includes tritium, its concentration is below global safety standards.

Wednesday's data painted a changing trade picture for Japan as the surge in import costs caused by higher energy prices and a weak yen has abated and export growth has begun to lose momentum.

Japan's trade surplus with the United States expanded 38.2 percent to 650.60 billion yen. Exports grew 5.1 percent to 1.62 trillion yen, a record for August, while imports fell 9.5 percent to 967.39 billion yen.

The country was in the red for the 13th straight month with the European Union, logging a trade deficit of 132.58 billion yen. Imports rose 11.0 percent to 946 billion yen while exports increased 12.7 percent to 813.42 billion yen.

Japan returned to the black with a trade surplus of 1.56 billion yen with the rest of Asia, including China.

Kobayashi expects Japan to remain in the red, partly due to higher energy prices and the yen's weakening. "It's hard to expect export growth to accelerate from now," he said, adding that strength in demand for cars, semiconductors and China-bound machinery will be key.

Related coverage:

China's Japan seafood imports dive 68% in Aug. over Fukushima water

Japan should take China to WTO over seafood ban: ex-U.N. official
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 19:28 | All, Japan, World

The United States has abandoned efforts to include anti-whaling language in its Indo-Pacific trade pact following fierce opposition from Japan, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.

The resolution of the main point of contention between two key members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework has paved the way for a comprehensive agreement to be reached at a summit in San Francisco in November.

After withdrawing from the International Whaling Commission in 2019, Japan resumed commercial whaling in waters off its shores. The inclusion of anti-whaling language in the trade pact would have made it difficult for Japan to continue such practices.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden had been pushing for the inclusion of anti-whaling language in the IPEF since launching the framework in May 2022, according to the sources.

The issue was originally addressed under "fair trade," one of the four pillars of the pact being negotiated, but its explicit mention was strongly opposed by Japan.

The United States abandoned its efforts this summer, apparently to avoid jeopardizing the overall negotiations, the sources said.

The IPEF represents about 40 percent of global gross domestic product. It currently groups Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, which entered into force in July 2020 in substitution of the North American Free Trade Agreement, explicitly prohibits "the killing of great whales for commercial purposes."

While Mexico and Canada are not members of the IPEF, the U.S. government was considering incorporating similar wording into the new trade agreement, according to the sources.

Related coverage:

Indo-Pacific nations vow to fortify supply chains for critical items

14 Indo-Pacific nations to strengthen supply chain for critical items

IPEF negotiations could deliver results by yearend: USTR Tai
In celebration of Wyoming Archaeology Awareness Month (WAAM), the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office is co-sponsoring two events this week. First, Dr. Calogero Santoro will present the 24th Annual George C. Frison Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology sponsored lecture, September 21 at 4:10 p.m. at the Business Auditorium on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie.

The lecture is free and open to the public. The lecture will also be streamed via wyocast at https://wyocast.uwyo.edu/WyoCast/Play/26a58f6f04df4a20af230af3f322a8ac1d

The 24th Annual Frison Institute Lecture. Dr. Calogero Santoro presents Is the Atacama Desert an Imperfect Human Artifact?

Dr. Calogero Santoro of the University of Tarapaca will present a lecture titled "Is the Atacama Desert an Imperfect Human Artifact?" The Atacama Desert, like many ecosystems of the world, is a kind of human artifact that has co-evolved since the late Pleistocene (about 13,000 years ago) along with various human groups that have gradually become more influential in shaping this desert. Although its inhabitants have always had to cope with severe ecological constraints, they have devised different courses of action through technology and social systems to transform the desert into more habitable environments. Dr. Santoro will discuss three historical milestones demonstrating how humans have adapted and affected this environment. This research highlights how archaeology can be used to examine current human-environment relationships and provides ideas of how to promote sustainability in harsh ecosystems.

. A reception will follow the lecture in the Department of Anthropology foyer.

Dr. Calogero Santoro is a Professor at the Instituto de Alta Investigacion at the Universidad de Tarapaca. Additionally, he is the Principle Investigator of the Laboratorio de Arquelogia y Paleoambiente at the university. His talk is titled Is the Atacama Desert an Imperfect Human Artifact?

Dr. Santoro has conducted several interdisciplinary archaeological studies in the Atacama Desert, focusing on late prehistoric farming societies and Inca state-related groups, as well as the long-term cultural process of hunting and gathering societies. At the Frison Institute Lecture, Dr. Santoro will discuss several historical milestones demonstrating how humans have adapted to the severe ecological constraints of the Atacama Desert and presents ideas of how archaeology can be used to examine current human-environment relationships.

The second event will be at the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne, titled Nuestra Herencia: Hispanic Heritage in the Rocky Mountains, on Friday, September 22nd at 4:30pm. This event celebrates both WAAM and Hispanic Heritage month with a folklorico performance by Las Angelitas Unidas y Los Rayos de Sol to be followed by a lecture by Dr. Alison Krogel on The Aspen Archives: Sheepherder Testimonies (1925-present). This event is also free and open to the public. Additionally, El Gran Pastor Taqueria will be on site at the State Museum from 3:30-6:30.

Alison Krogel is a professor of Andean Studies and Spanish Literary & Cultural Studies at the University of Denver where she teaches courses focused on Andean literature and culture, as well as Introductory Runasimi (Quechua) language classes. She is the editor of the Musuq Illa digital humanities collective and the curator of The Aspen Archives museum and digital exhibition and interactive website. Dr. Krogels lecture will contextualize the sociocultural, historical, and political references alluded to in some 300 aspen arborglyph carvings documented in the Routt National Forest and dating back to 1925.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 09:58 | World, All

Over 400,000 nuisance calls in total have been made to the Japanese Embassy in Beijing since the release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea began in late August, Japanese government sources said Tuesday.

On the back of growing anti-Japan sentiment in China, the daily number of harassing calls received by the embassy peaked at more than 40,000 on Aug. 25, a day after the ocean discharge started, and has stayed at around 10,000 recently, they said.

Tokyo has repeatedly asked the Chinese government to deal with the calls, saying they impede operations at the embassy, but the situation has yet to improve, according to the sources.

Similarly, Japan has experienced a surge in nuisance phone calls believed to originate from China, while also witnessing online appeals in China to boycott Japanese products.

In most cases, callers harshly criticized Japan over the Fukushima water release or remained silent. Some threatening calls have also been made to the embassy, the sources said.

The embassy has maintained records of phone numbers associated with severe harassment calls and has reported them to Chinese public security authorities.

"We should never silently endure" the harassment, a Japanese government official said.

Chinese laws stipulate that individuals who frequently make nuisance calls to disrupt other people's lives should be held accountable. A Chinese government official emphasized that China is governed by the rule of law and takes necessary measures to address criminal acts.

Beijing remains strongly opposed to Japan's ocean discharge, calling the water "nuclear-contaminated" and demanding its immediate halt.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Aug. 30 the root cause of the current situation lies in the fact that Japan "unilaterally and forcibly" started the ocean discharge, sparking "widespread indignation from the international community."

Wang added China protects the safety of foreign diplomatic and consular missions and the lawful rights and interests of foreign citizens in China in accordance with the law.

In response to the water discharge, China imposed a blanket import ban on Japanese fishery products. The International Atomic Energy Agency concluded in a report in July that the Fukushima water release plan aligns with global safety standards and will have a "negligible" impact on people and the environment.

Related coverage:

China's Japan seafood imports dive 68% in Aug. over Fukushima water

China steps up scrutiny of Japanese after Fukushima water decision

Japan protests after China sets up buoy in EEZ near Senkakus
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 14:00 | All, World

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged Tuesday that Japan will contribute 3 billion yen ($20 million) to help achieve a world without nuclear weapons, a goal he has described as his life's work as a lawmaker representing a constituency in Hiroshima.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly in New York, Kishida also said Japan will continue making efforts to reform the world body. His remarks came amid perceptions that the United Nations has become increasingly dysfunctional in tackling international disputes, especially over the Ukraine war launched in February 2022 by Russia, a veto-wielding permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

To advance the global trend toward nuclear disarmament, a multifaceted approach is essential, Kishida said, adding Japan will provide the financial support for global research institutions to build a network for denuclearization in the world.

As Japan holds the presidency of the Group of Seven major economies this year, Kishida hosted the summit in May in the western Japan city, devastated by a U.S. atomic bomb in 1945, amid fears that Russia might use a nuclear weapon against Ukraine.

Following the three-day summit in Hiroshima, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise appearance, Kishida said the G-7 leaders agreed to work toward a world without nuclear weapons. The city is the site of the world's first nuclear attack.

In his speech, Kishida also stressed the importance of creating a world focused on collaboration rather than division and conflict, as the international community has split into two groups -- Western democracies and what they call autocratic ones.

Kishida condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, urging Moscow to swiftly rectify human rights violations and cease nuclear threats.

Regarding North Korea's nuclear and missile development programs, Kishida said Japan remains willing to normalize relations with Pyongyang based on a declaration signed by the leaders of the two countries in 2002. Tokyo and Pyongyang do not have diplomatic ties.

Kishida reiterated his eagerness to hold a summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without conditions to settle the long-standing issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s.

As nations should jointly resolve global matters, human-centered cooperation has to be promoted, said Kishida, adding it is necessary to place emphasis on high-quality and sustainable economic growth.

For that purpose, Japan will implement measures to challenge income disparities and accelerate women's social advancement in terms of gender equality, Kishida said.

Around a month after the G-7 summit, Japan's parliament enacted legislation to enhance understanding of sexual minorities. The country has lagged behind other major economies in accomplishing gender equality in management-level posts.

The Asian nation ranked 138th out of 146 countries with regard to gender equality in politics, the World Economic Forum, a Swiss-based think tank, reported earlier this year.

In a Cabinet reshuffle last week, Kishida appointed a record-tying five women as ministers, including Yoko Kamikawa who became Japan's first female foreign minister in about 20 years.

As for U.N. policy, Japan has long expressed its desire to become a permanent member of a reformed Security Council. The nation secured a nonpermanent seat on the 15-member council in June 2022 for a record 12th time, with its two-year term beginning in January.

The U.N. General Assembly, consisting of 193 countries, holds an election every year for half of the 10 nonpermanent seats, which are allocated according to geographical region, with Asia having two slots. Nations are not allowed to seek back-to-back terms.

Earlier this year, Japan filed its candidacy for a vote to join the Security Council as a nonpermanent member for a two-year term starting 2032.

Related coverage:

Atomic-bomb survivors' kin race against time to preserve family histories

G-7 leaders' Hiroshima museum messages go on public display

Special feature: How an Atomic Bomb Destroyed a Girl's Life
I got it right the second time and wore them out to my birthday dinner, where I think they looked fire (if I do say so myself). They lasted the night with no trouble at all, the only problem was, you have to be reaaaally careful washing your face to not disrupt the glue too much or pull them off. I was not reeeeaaally careful after a BYO and 2 hours of karaoke.
By Catherine Sas KC

Special to The Post

On September 8, 2023, Canadas newest Minister of Immigration, Mark Miller, announced the re-opening of the Parents and Grandparents program (PGP) signifying the fourth consecutive year that the pool of sponsors would be selected from those who registered their Interest to Sponsor (ITS) in 2020. Practically this means that no new sponsors could even register to have their parents or grandparents immigrate to Canada for four years. What does this mean for permanent residents or citizens who are seeking to bring their parents or grandparents to live with them in Canada?

Interestingly, the Ministers announcement focused on the statistics for sponsorship of parents and grandparents from 2014 to 2019 and noted the steady increase in applications over the years. With the greatest of respect, these figures pre-date the 2020 registration period and, do not reflect the reality of Canadas increased immigration levels which have gone from approximately 250,000 permanent residents in 2016 to 465,000 permanent residents in 2023. This is almost a doubling of the total permanent residents arriving in Canada within less than a 10-year period. Logically it can be expected that with higher levels of permanent residents coming to Canada, there will be a corresponding increase in demand for those new permanent residents to sponsor their parents or grandparents to join them in Canada. Unfortunately, the target levels for the PGP program are not in sync with the increased levels of general immigration to Canada.

The reality is that for aspiring sponsors, it will become more difficult if not impossible to bring your parents or grandparents to Canada as permanent residents. The changes to Canadas temporary immigration program for bringing PGP applicants reflect this reality. In 2011 Canada introduced the Super Visa allowing for a 10-year multiple entry visa for parents and grandparents that also allowed for them to stay in Canada for up to two years at a time rather than only the standard 6 months or less for visitors. On July 4, 2022, this period of time was extended allowing for parents and grandparents to remain in Canada for up to five years at a time with a further in-Canada extension of 2 years providing for up to 7 consecutive years to remain with family in Canada. Clearly, these modifications are meant to address the gap between the PGP program and Canadians desire to have their elderly relatives with them in Canada.

Many Canadian citizens and permanent residents want their parents and/or grandparents to join them in Canada to ensure their well-being in their later years as well as to have them spend time with their children and pass on family traditions and experiences. However, the rate of employment for the PGP applicant is low while the draw upon Canadian social services - most notably medical coverage - is relatively high. This is the practical reality facing decision-makers and immigration ministers. Hence the introduction of the extended visitor visa option where Super Visa applicants must provide proof of extended private health care coverage.

Family reunification is a fundamental cornerstone of Canadas immigration program. Yet generally increased immigration levels do not match a corresponding increase in PGP immigration processing. For those seeking to be reunited in Canada with their elderly relatives, the reality is that they will need to turn to the temporary immigration Super Visa stream. The PGP program is going to continue to remain limited with options for permanent residence continuing to diminish over time. Prospective new immigrants to Canada need to be aware of this reality.

Catherine Sas, K.C. has over 30 years of legal experience. She provides a full range of immigration services and is a leading immigration practitioner (Lexpert, Whos Who Legal, Best Lawyers in Canada). Go to canadian-visa-lawyer.com or email [email protected].
After ECs strictness, Excise Deptt crackdown on liquor mafia ahead of elections





Staff Reporter

The election atmosphere in the State capital is now clearly visible. Recently, the Election Commission of India team had conducted a major tour in Bhopal. During the teams visit, instructions were given for tightening noose on liquor Mafia across the entire State including Bhopal. After this, on the instructions of Bhopal Collector Ashish Singh, swift action was taken in the district. The situation was such that raids were carried out late at night at places where the police and administration did not raided till now. On the instructions of the district administration, joint teams of police, excise, FDA and other departments took action against more than 100 people within two days. Cases have also been registered against those carrying out illegal activities by raiding all the bars, pubs, restaurants, hotels and dhabas of the city.

According to Assistant Excise Commissioner Deepam Raichura, within two days, a team of more than 40 officers took action at Bairagarh, Khajuri Road, Kerwa Dam Road, Hoshangabad Road, Kolar Road, Gulmohar, MP Nagar and other places and raided about 12 restaurants and bars. Cases have been registered against about 75 people here. Besides, the stock of all 77 liquor shops of the city is being checked online daily. Similarly, Food and Drug Administration officials have taken samples of more than 25 food items for testing within two days.

It is being told that the Election Commission officers bluntly told all the Collectors and SPs that they would write the CR of the officials concerned of district from which more complaints were received. After this, the district officers have given orders to the officers of the concerned departments to do as much as possible by citing CR. On the instructions of the Election Commission of India, action is being taken against liquor transportation and illegal activities. However, even before the instructions, our teams are taking action from time to time. Illegal activities including liquor will be completely banned in the district, said Ashish Singh, Bhopal Collector.
DRUGS: WHO ISRESPONSIBLE?





By Vijay Phanshikar

There is only one question to be asked of all -- the Police, the Narcotics control agencies, the political leadership, and of course the society at large: Who is responsible for the drug menace that has already caused terrible damage to countless lakhs of young people across the country? And this question becomes all the more pronounced nearer home in Nagpur that has already become a hub for the illicit and criminal drug trade. So the question again: Who is responsible for the drug menace? As The Hitavada concludes the current series of investigative articles exposing the illicit drug trade and related crime in Nagpur and Central India, it wishes to make an honest confession -- that almost every bit of information that The Hitavada staffers have gathered and presented in the reportage came from official agencies. This brings us to a clear conclusion that the official agencies -- all of them -- know everything about the illicit and criminal drug business; and that they have all the names of all the drug lords; and that they know the full details of the entire web of big numbers of drug distribution networks and channels almost everywhere. ... So the question again: Who is to be held responsible for spreading of this unholy, dark and criminal business of drugs in our society? As The Hitavada Reporters proceeded systematically gathering every bit of information about the illicit drug trade, their main source was official agencies. Very little of the info came from other sources.

The Reporters came to believe that the official agencies -- the Police and the narcotic control outfits -- are in full possession of all the details. So, the question came up: Why dont those official agencies act tough to not just control the dirty, ugly, unholy business of narcotics and similar substances running into several hundred crores annually? As the Reporters raised this question, one source said in a hushed tone, Look, the drug business is not limited only to several hundred crore rupees annually in Central India where Nagpur forms a hub. It runs into a couple of thousand crores, if not more. That statement (duly fudged to protect the source) makes it obvious that if the official agencies decide to do so, they can put a candid brake on the criminally-oriented drug trade. Then, why dont they do that? The Hitavada, thus, is fully aware of what the official agencies know and to what extent. As it proceeded with the series of investigative reports on dirty business of drugs, its staffers realised that there is a clear unwillingness to take the tough step and initiate a terminal action against drug lords. Of course, The Hitavada is also conscious that if such a tough action is really taken in a no-holds-barred manner, then what will follow may even be like a mini-war between the criminal underworld and the official agencies.

But, not for the undesirable sensation of such a possibility, but for the pursuance of genuine concern, The Hitavada asks the question once again: Why not take the tough step? Thus comes another natural question: Is there a political patronage to the illicit and criminal drug business? Did the political community ever hold itself responsible for defeating the illicit drug business? And we must also raise this issue with the people -- the larger society. Is it not the peoples duty as well to protect their youngsters from the terrible menace of drugs? Is it also not the responsibility of the schools and colleges to try their hardest to keep the young generations safe from the drugs? Do they really make any focused attempt in that regard? Or, worse still, are they even aware of the vulnerability of their youngsters in this regard? Whose moral responsibility is it to keep the youngsters safe from drug addiction? As we conclude the series with these questions, we make an earnest appeal to our readers to offer their response not just to our forthright journalism, but also to the terrible issue of drugs menacing the society in an unbridled manner. (Concludes) n
Ganesh festival begins in Maharashtra amid fanfare





MUMBAI,

THE 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival started in Maharashtra on Tuesday, with idols of Lord Ganesh, the god of prosperity and wisdom, being installed in homes and at pandals across the State with pomp and gaiety. The public celebration of the festival in the State dates back to the 1890s when the nationalist leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak and others decided to use it to mobilize the masses. Ganesh mandals in Mumbai and other major cities took large idols in processions accompanied by dhol-tasha beats to their pandals in the last few days. Household Ganesh idols were brought mostly on Monday night or in the morning on Tuesday with chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya. Devotees thronged vegetable and flower markets, sweet shops and roadside stalls for buying flowers, puja materials, sweets and decorative items. Idols in various shapes and sizes were installed at several households and in pandals in Mumbai against the backdrop of elaborate decorations based on myriad themes ranging from the Chandrayaan-3 launch to Ayodhyas Ram Mandir. Families, including children as well as senior citizens, stepped out of their homes early morning to bring their beloved bappa home amid chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya and the beating of drums. Many people were seen carrying the idols in autorickshaws, cars, and other modes of transport. Among politicians, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis installed Lord Ganeshs idols at their respective official residences in Mumbai.

In Pune, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat performed pran pratishhta puja of Lord Ganesh at the pandal of the famous Dagdusheth Ganpati. I have prayed to Lord Ganesh to bring prosperity and peace to the people of the state, the chief minister said after performing puja with his family members at Varsha, his official residence. Fadnavis installed Lord Ganeshs idol at his official residence Sagar. Speaking to reporters later, Fadnavis said the blessings of the Lord are with Mahayuti (grand alliance led by BJP). Many film and television personalities also welcomed the deity to their homes. The Ganesh Chaturthi festival began in Pune amid usual fanfare with prominent Ganesh mandals or the groups, including the five most revered ones, taking out big processions to welcome the lord. Traditional Dhol-Tasha (drum) troupes accompanied the processions which began in the morning. Mumbais GSB Seva Mandals Mahaganpati, renowned as possibly Indias richest idol and always the talk of the city for the opulent way it is decorated, is this year resplendent in 66.5 kilograms of gold ornaments, more than 295 kilograms of silver as well as other precious items. The mandal, at Kings Circle in the eastern part of the city, is celebrating its 69th year and a first in the installation of facial recognition cameras as part of the security arrangements, a Mandal spokesperson said. In Mumbai, more than 13,750 police personnel have been deployed for security during Ganesh festivities, an official said. These comprise 11,726 constables, 2,024 officers from the rank of sub-inspector to the assistant commissioner and 15 deputy commissioners, he said.

While many famous Ganeshas are installed in pandals in the early morning hours in Mumbai, including the most famous Lalbaugcha Raja, many idols were being taken out from workshops to the pandals in processions. People will be allowed to take darshan of the deity at pandals after the puja is performed as per the muhurat, an organiser said. A total of 2,729 sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals have been permitted to organise public Ganesh festivities by erecting pandals, the city civic body said. The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the coastal Konkan region comprising districts of Thane, Ratnagiri, Sidhudurg, Raigad, and Mumbai. The Konkan Railway operated special trains to Konkan from Mumbai to Goa to allow people to travel to their native places for the festival. Jayendra Mungekar, who works at a hotel in Mumbai and is originally from Munge village in Sindhudurg district, said he never misses Ganesh Chaturthi at his ancestral place. We have been celebrating this festival for generations and hope that it continues in the same way, he said.
Govt introduces Womens Reservation Bill in LS





NEW DELHI :

The draft law will be named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam

The reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is undertaken and will continue for 15 years

MEETING a long-pending demand, the Government on Tuesday introduced a bill to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. However, its implementation may still take some time and is unlikely to be in force for the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024 as the reservation will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed. The bill has proposed that the reservation will continue for a period of 15 years and there will be quota for SC/STs within the reserved seats for women. Making it the first bill to be introduced in the new Parliament building, the draft law will be named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. The Government said it will enable greater participation of women in policy-making at the State and national levels and help achieve the goal of making India a developed country by 2047.

The Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2023, was listed for introduction in the Lower House through a supplementary list of business. The reservation of as nearly as may be, one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election will come into effect after a delimitation exercise is undertaken and will continue for 15 years. Seats reserved for women will be rotated after each subsequent delimitation exercise, according to the bill. Officials said, according to provisions of Article 368, the Constitution amendment bill will require ratification by at least 50 per cent of the States.

Their consent is needed as it affects their rights. The then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had said in Lok Sabha in March 2010 that such bills will have to be ratified by half of the States. By bringing the bill, which requires amendment to the Constitution, the Modi Government has revived the concept of women reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies pending for 27 years for want of consensus among parties. While several parties had supported the concept, the debate in Parliament may see Opposition questioning the pre-requisite of holding census and delimitation before the proposed law comes into force. While the BJP described the bill as historic and a result of the visionary leadership of Modi, parties including the Congress dubbed it as an election jumla. In Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah rejected claim of Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury that the 2008 brought by the Manmohan Singh Government was still live after being passed by Rajya Sabha in 2010.





PM urges MPs to pass the bill unanimously

NEW DELHI,

PRIME Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said his Government is committed to ensuring that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam aimed at expanding womens participation in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies becomes a law, as he urged MPs of both Houses of Parliament to pass the bill unanimously. In the first speech in the first session in the new Parliament building, Modi said that the Womens Reservation Bill was given approval in the Cabinet meeting on Monday, and asserted that this will strengthen democracy. For many years, there have been several debates and controversies around womens reservation. On womens reservation, there have been many efforts earlier also in Parliament. In 1996, the first bill related to this was introduced.

During Atal Behari Vajpayees tenure, many times Womens Reservation Bill was brought but numbers could not be mustered for it and the dream was left unfulfilled, Modi said. Taking forward women-led development, the Government is presenting an important constitutional amendment bill. The aim of the bill is to expand the participation of women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Through the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, our democracy will be strengthened, Modi said. I congratulate our mothers, sisters and daughters for it. I assure them that we are committed to ensure that this bill becomes a law.

I request all members of both Houses, to pass this bill with unanimity, he said. In Rajya Sabha, Modi urged members to unanimously approve the Womens Reservation Bill - Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam - when it comes to the Upper House after being passed by Lok Sabha. Speaking during the first sitting of Rajya Sabha in the new Parliament building, Modi said the bill will be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. When the bill comes before you, I urge Rajya Sabha members to approve it unanimously, Modi said.





It is ours: Sonia on Womens Quota Bill

NEW DELHI,

THE Congress parliamentary party chief Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday said that the Womens Reservation Bill is ours, amid speculation that the bill may be tabled in Parliament. The Congress on Monday said it welcomed the reported move as the party has been raising the demand for long. Asked about the bill when she was entering Parliament on Tuesday, Gandhi said, It is ours, apna hai. In a post on X a day back, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said, We welcome the reported decision of the Union Cabinet and await the details of the Bill. This could have very well been discussed in the all-party meeting before the Special Session, and consensus could have been built instead of operating under a veil of secrecy, he said. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said if the Government introduces the Womens Reservation Bill on Tuesday, it will be a victory for the Congress and its allies in the UPA Government.
NAREDCOs 3-day Homethon PropertyExpo at Reshimbagh Ground from Oct 6





Business Reporter

National Real Estate Development Council (NAREDCO), Vidarbha Chapter will to host its first ever real estate exhibition - Homethon Property Expo 2023 here in the city at Reshimbagh Ground from October 6 to 8. The three-day exhibition will witness more than 70 stalls, showcasing 250 plus properties. Commenting on the property exhibition, Ghanshyam Dhokne, President of NAREDCO Vidarbha, at a press conference on Monday said, We are proud to present our first home buying expo bringing in developers and home seekers under one roof. Title Sponsor of this Property Expo has Jointly been honoured by Kukreja Infrastructures & Dwarka Design whereas the event has been Powered by Runwal Group and Tata Housing and Co-Powered by Kesar India Pvt. Ltd. The event is supported by Hiranandani Group, Raunak Group and Prem Group.

Shri Skylab Bhanare, Event Director, Homethon, said, Previous editions of the expo at Mumbai, Pune and Nashik have consistently been a beacon for those seeking their dream homes. Title Sponsor of Homethon Kukreja Infrastructures Technical Director Vikrant Chaoubey said, We are excited and happy to participate in the event. Title Sponsor - Director of Dwarka Design Sandeep Gurharikar, said, the expo will surely be identified as apex Expo of real estate in coming times.

The expos Co-Powered exhibitor Kesar Lands Director Sachin Gupta, Said that Homethon will surely win the trust of common people. Eventrails will be the Event Management Company and M/S Sakshi Communication will be the Media Partner. Kunal Padole, Treasurer of NAREDCO Vidarbha, and other were present.
KYODO NEWS - Sep 20, 2023 - 16:46 | All, Japan

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and his wife Princess Kiko arrived in Hanoi on Wednesday for an official visit to Vietnam to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries.

It is the couple's first official visit to Vietnam since 1999, when they also traveled to Laos and Thailand. Vietnam extended a formal invitation in early August.

During their six-day visit, the couple is scheduled to meet with the families of former Japanese soldiers who stayed on after World War II to fight for Vietnamese independence.

They will attend a welcome ceremony hosted by Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and an event to mark the anniversary on Thursday before meeting with Vietnamese people who have studied in Japan the next day.

On Saturday, the couple will visit Da Nang in central Vietnam and travel to Hoi An, a historic city that used to have a Japanese settlement. They will also visit My Son Sanctuary, a World Heritage site, the following day before returning to Japan on Monday.

It is the couple's third official overseas trip since the May 2019 ascension of Emperor Naruhito, which made Crown Prince Fumihito -- the emperor's younger brother -- next in line to the throne.

The crown prince and his wife previously visited Poland and Finland in 2019 to commemorate the centenary of diplomatic ties with the two countries, and Britain in May this year to attend the coronation of King Charles III.

Related coverage:

Japan's crown prince, princess to officially visit Vietnam in September
Will Janhit Party make a difference in this elections?





By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla

Both Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party swung into full action to win the Assembly election slated at the end of the year. At the same time, new political alternatives are emerging in the States political horizons. Political pundits are sceptical about any major lead but do not deny the possibility of leaving an impact on election results, especially in saffron bastions like Malwa region. Aam Aadmi Party, Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party etc. have announced to field candidates and affect results in northern parts of the State, specially seats adjacent to UP border. In this list, a new player Janhit Party has made its entry, but its impact may be confined to Malwa-Nimar and Madhya region not in terms of clinching seats but to affect vote share of party candidates.

Janhit Party leaders are holding rounds of meetings to chalk down strategy. They have held a meeting at Indore (saffron bastion). Although the new party is at its nascent stage, its members are veteran leaders as they have served as senior members of RSS and possess political acumen, said Aaseem Tiwari, senior journalist and political analyst, talking to The Hitavada. Former RSS Pracharak and an eminent member of Janhit Party, Manish Kale has said, With movement and campaign nothing can be achieved. Thats why many leaders have left RSS and formed their own party named Janhit.

I was RSS Pracharak from 1991 and participated in several movements between 2007-2021. I have been arrested. But then we felt that power does not understand the silence of democracy. We aim to break the duopoly of Congress-BJP politics in the State and want to offer a new alternative to the people, said former RSS Pracharak Manish Kale. Out of 230 seats, there are 127 MLAs from BJP and that of Congress is 96. As during by-polls, results went in favour of BJP. Number of independent candidates is 4 while that of BSP is 2 and SP has one MLA. After attending the meeting, Kale spoke to the media and he did not deny fielding candidates in these elections. He added it is being felt by our group that to bring any substantial change in peoples lives, there is a need to be in power. Both the parties Congress and BJP behave like birds of the same feather when they come into power.

They fight elections provoking emotional issues. Core issues of basic necessities like education and medical facilities take a back seat. If they would have given proper attention to medical facilities then why do health camps witness crowds? Education and health have become business. In 2018, Congress won the elections with a narrow margin and this time it seems that there will be a neck and neck fight. In such a scenario, the emergence of a new party may have an impact on a very few seats but may assume a significance . To form a government there will be a need of 116 seats.
The Shikoku Shimbun - Sep 20, 2023 - 12:29 | All, Japan

The annual Naoshima Fire Festival was held on the Kagawa prefecture island last month, with some 3,000 fireworks launched from the sea near Tsutsujiso, a guesthouse on the coast in Setouchi National Park.

"Yatai" street stalls were welcomed back after being suspended last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the festival venue was decorated with about 40 lanterns made by local elementary school pupils.

About 2,000 visitors, including many families, enjoyed the fireworks from the beach and nearby areas. The show's finale, during which giant fireworks were launched in synchrony with J-pop music, received thunderous applause from the spectators.

Prior to the fireworks show, children performed hula dancing and Naoshima Tsutsuji Japanese drumming during an opening event.

The Shikoku Shimbun

More Shikoku Shimbun stories:

Naoshima students showcase English skills as 1st-time tour guides

Mountain opening event held in western Japan after pandemic hiatus

Takamatsu Red Cross Hospital fetes grand opening after extensive renovation
The World Logistics Passport (WLP) recently signed framework agreements with 14 new partners from Vietnam's public and private sectors, taking the total number of partners in Vietnam to 31. These agreements will promote the logistics business and benefit traders and freight forwarders in the region.

This announcement was part of WLPs recent trip to Asia to debut at two major logistics exhibitions to showcase its promise of enhancing trade and reducing costs in the region. Established in Dubai, the WLP is a global initiative designed to address trade barriers and smoothen trade flow across a global network of international traders and freight forwarders.

The Asian roadshow started at the Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition 2023 (VILOG2023) in Ho Chi Minh City, where the team provided a detailed overview of the loyalty programme.

Trade exchange

Dr Bader AlMatrooshi, the UAE Ambassador to Vietnam, said: I am delighted to see the growing partnership between the Dubai-based World Logistics Passport and Vietnamese entities and companies. This partnership is building on the strong UAE logistics infrastructure and the diverse export capabilities of Vietnam. I am positive that trade exchanges will continue to rise, especially with such important incentives.

The WLP team also participated in TILOG-LOGISTIX 2023 in Thailand  the most comprehensive exhibition on logistics service providers and intralogistics technologies and solutions for ASEAN. This marks WLPs first exhibition in the country.

After the exhibition, a delegation of Thai businessmen and exporters, led by The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government, hosted a gathering in Dubai. This event brought together 30 Thai traders and ten importers based in Dubai, specialising in agriculture, the food industry, and logistics services, for a networking dinner with the Thai business community. During this occasion, WLP used the opportunity to engage with its members and present its programme, showcasing the collaboration between Thai and Dubai-based exporters and importers.

Trade future

Mahmood Al Bastaki, General Manager, WLP, said: These gatherings provide a platform for us to underscore the significance of the trade and logistics sectors in shaping the trade future. Our commitment to 'Smart and Green Logistics for Sustainable Tomorrow' aligns perfectly with our mission to drive positive change in the industry, and we are dedicated to seizing every opportunity to promote these values on the global stage.

At this event, the WLP seized the opportunity to unveil its latest mobile application and welcomed over 70 new members. The app efficiently manages requests between members and partners, ensuring businesses' smooth and rapid operation.

Members can now enhance their WLP journey by leveraging tier upgrades, unlocking exclusive benefits accessible directly within the mobile application. Additionally, the app provides access to a global network of benefit providers, offering exceptional opportunities for cost-saving benefits that can substantially impact the economics of global trade.

Guiding light

Abdulla AlMulla, Senior Manager  Technology  WLP, emphasised the essential role of technology in this, stating: "Technology serves as our guiding light in the expansive realm of global trade. The World Logistics Passport transcends the role of a mere tool; it is our steadfast compass, meticulously charting the course of supply chains. As we embark on our journey into the future, let us remember that technology is not merely a facilitator of trade but a force that extends our horizons and forges connections among people.-- TradeArabia News Service
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said here Tuesday that China is ready to work with Guinea to keep supporting each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and jointly safeguarding the interests of developing countries.

Han made the pledge when meeting with Guinea's President Mamady Doumbouya on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Han conveyed sincere greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Doumbouya.

Guinea is the first sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, he said.

The people of China and Guinea enjoy a long-term sincere friendship, and there is huge potential for practical cooperation between the two countries, the Chinese vice president said.

China appreciates Guinea's participation in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative and stands ready to work with Guinea to carry forward their traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation as well as deepen and solidify bilateral relations, Han added.

Doumbouya asked Han to convey his best wishes to Xi, saying that the friendship between the Guinean and Chinese people is profound.

Guinea attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and supports the important initiatives put forward by the Chinese president, Doumbouya said.

Guinea is willing to work with China to step up pragmatic cooperation in various fields and push bilateral relations to a new level, Doumbouya added.
HEFEI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China unveiled its list of the top 500 Chinese enterprises for 2023 on Wednesday, with 264 companies from the manufacturing sector on the list, an increase of eight over the previous year, maintaining growth for the third consecutive year.

The list was published by the China Enterprise Confederation and the China Enterprise Directors Association during a forum held in the city of Hefei, east China's Anhui Province.

The entry threshold in terms of revenue for the top 500 enterprises in China stood at 46.998 billion yuan (about 6.55 billion U.S. dollars), registering an increase of 2.37 billion yuan compared to the previous year.

According to the list, State Grid Corporation of China, China National Petroleum Corporation, and China Petrochemical Corporation occupy the top three spots, respectively.

The number of companies whose revenues exceeded 100 billion yuan rose to 254, with 16 of them reporting revenues of over 1 trillion yuan.

The top 500 companies saw stable growth in revenue in 2022. They generated combined revenues of 108.36 trillion yuan, a rise of 5.74 percent compared to that generated by the companies on the 2022 list.

Net profits of these companies totaled 4.29 trillion yuan last year, down 3.8 percent from the previous year, the data showed.

Research and development (R&D) has been high on the agenda of these enterprises. Their R&D input amounted to 1.58 trillion yuan, up 9.07 percent, while the R&D intensity ratio reached 1.85 percent, up 0.04 percentage points from a year earlier. 
At a symposium focusing on human rights, experts and scholars from China and other countries exchanged their views on the contributions of the BRI cooperation to global development and human rights progress.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
AoT moves ahead with B70bn Andaman Airport plan in Phang Nga

PHUKET: Airports of Thailand (AoT) is moving ahead with its plans to spend B70 billion to build an airport in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, to accommodate the rising number of tourists to the Andaman region.

tourismeconomicstransportconstruction

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 20 September 2023 01:40 PM

Image: Phuket Info Center

According to a report by Phuket Info Center, which operates under the Phuket office of the Ministry of Interior, the news was attributed to comments by AoT President Kerati Kijmanawat, in response Prime Minister Srettha Thavisiin visiting Chiang Mai earlier this week to discuss the construction of a new airport in Lamphun province to alleviate air traffic congestion at Chiang Mai International Airport.

The construction of the two new airports has been branded the Andaman-Lamphun project, with AoT to spend B140 billion baht on building both airports, with each airport costing B70bn to complete.

The aim is to boost tourism to Chiang Mai, and to the Phuket region, by building two new airports  one in Lamphun, the other in Khok Kloi, Phang Nga  said the Phuket Info Center report, which referred to the construction of the two airports as both the Andaman-Lamphun project and the Phuket-Chiang Mai project.

According to the report posted by Phuket Info Center, Mr Keerati said* that AoT will launch yet another feasibility study, including Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements before the end of the year. The study is expected to take eight months to complete.

After the study has been completed, the project will enter the process of designing investment details, including area boundaries, construction methods, budget and an EIA report

The project will then be presented to the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDB) for approval, before the project is submitted to Cabinet to consider for approval.

The detailed design process and request for approval is expected to take three years before the project is opened to bidding. Construction of the airport will take approximately four years.

The entire process is expected to take seven years, with the airport in Khok Kloi hoped to open to serve tourists by 2030-2031.

Mr Kerati further said that at present Phuket Airport serves approximately 12 million passengers per year, while Krabi Airport serves 5mn passengers per year, giving a total demand for the two airports to serve 17mn tourists each year. Meanwhile, the demand for travel to Phuket, Krabi and Phang Nga provinces is increasing, he said.

There is an urgent need to speed up the construction of the Andaman Airport, Mr Kerati was quoted as saying.

Currently, flight time allocation (slots) at Phuket Airport are full, and there is not enough support, he said.

Initially, there will be two runways for flexibility in accommodating aircraft [at the new airport], and the airport will be able to accommodate 40mn passengers per year, he added.

Although the airport is expected to cost B70bn, AoT will be the only investor because it already has sufficient cash flow. Construction of the new airport is to be divided into two phases, with the first phase to allow the airport to accommodate 15mn passengers a year, he said.

Mr Kerati also said that AoT had originally studied the construction site for Phuket Airport No. 2 and that a suitable area was found in Khok Kloi Subdistrict in Phang Nga Province. The site covers about 6,000 rai, most of which was already government land.

This area will be used to construct the Andaman Airport, he said.

* Despite the same news being repeated by many Thai news websites, PM Srettha, the Cabinet and new Minister for Tourism and Sports Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol have all yet to publicly confirm the decision to move ahead with the new airport in Phang Nga.

AoT itself has yet to confirm the news through its own public platforms. According to the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT), the main state news agency for the country, PM Sretthas visit to Chiang Mai and talks with Chiang Mai airport and tourism officials focussed solely on the new airport to be built in Lamphun.
DSI prepares to file fraud, corruption charges against Krabi Oil-Palm Cooperative

PHUKET: The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) is preparing its case to file a slew charges against the Krabi Oil-Palm Cooperative for fraud and corruption, including obtaining illegal rights to land, manipulation of prices and entering contracts providing exclusive rights to providers for personal gain through unfair market practices.

corruptioncrimeagriculture

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 20 September 2023 05:02 PM

The investigation, led by DSI Deputy Director-General Pol Capt Piya Raksakul, is marked as Special Case No. 56/2023 and urgently follows up on the progress of corruption and embezzlement in the case, the DSI reported.

The DSIs efforts also look to propose a joint effort to solve problems between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in accordance with the policy of new Minister of Justice Pol Col Tawee Sodsong, the DSI noted in a report issued on monday (Sept 18).

The special investigation team examined witnesses until the facts and relevant evidence were known enough to be able to report charges to those involved, the DSI added.

The DSI investigation found that many offenses were committed, on many occasions, the DSI said.

Among the most prominent offenses were that In the case of decreasing purchases of fresh palm fruit from cooperative members, and the co-op bought higher yields from large and small orchards, private farmers /other community enterprises.

Further, a palm delivery service fee was set up for transporting fresh palm fruit to the cooperative associations factory, and it was found that there was a person who had a relationship with the cooperative associations executives, the DSI explained.

At that time, the persons involved received a large amount in terms of palm shipping fees, the agency added.

Where selected providers delivered palm fruit of which 18% of the delivery did not meet the minimum standard quality criteria, the price paid to some sellers for the delivery was elevated to equal that paid for high quality palm fruit.

Another key issue was found the cooperative entering a contract with OPG Tech Company Limited to buy and sell crude palm oil on credit to the amount of B386,741,541.80.

However, OPG Tech Company Limited later defaulted on debt payments, resulting in the cooperative not receiving any payments for the credit granted.

But yet there had been no written demand for the bank to accept compensation for the obligation of the letter of guarantee, and the cooperative had not exercised the right to claim under the statute of limitations according to the letter of guarantee. Both facts were deemed to be a failure to perform duties as ordered by the Cooperative Registrar and have caused damage, the DSI said.

In the case of a contract to transport crude palm oil. the cooperative had hired Trang Wirunkit Transport Limited Partnership as the only contractor for transporting crude palm oil, which was not in accordance with relevant regulations.

In the case of the sale of property of the cooperative assembly palm oil extraction factory, operated by Krabi Wiset Palm Oil Co Ltd, in Khlong Thom, Krabi, the investigation had found that the contents of the purchase and sale agreement were unfair. It did not protect the interests of the cooperative assembly, and thus caused damage to the cooperative, the DSI noted in its report.

In addition, in the investigation there are issues related to corruption of other cooperatives, such as illegally selling land to cooperative associations, the DSI report continued.

A team of DSI investigators arrived in Krabi to investigate and interview relevant witnesses from Sept 13-19, namely officials from the Krabi Provincial Cooperatives Office and from the Khlong Thom Cooperative Settlement Office.

The officers had obtained copies of land title deeds from the Khlong Thom branch of the Krabi Provincial Land Office, and found documents confirming illegal rights granted for 27 plots.

The Cooperative Promotion Department has now filed a complaint for the DSI to investigate illegal land rights documents for 313 plots, the DSI added.

The Department of Special Investigation will coordinate action with Cooperative Promotion Department officials under the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, and if an offense is found [officers] will report to the Director-General of the Department of Special Investigation to consider ordering further investigation into the special case, the report concluded.
Hospital rehab centres planned for drug addicts

BANGKOK: The Public Health Ministry will open treatment centres for drug addicts in state hospitals nationwide, it has been announced.

drugshealth

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 20 September 2023 08:01 AM

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin chairs the health ministry seminar on drug prevention and suppression at Bang Pu industrial estate in Samut Prakan on Sunday (Sept 17). Photo: Public Health Ministry via Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew attended a ministry drug prevention and suppression seminar on Sunday (Sept 17) to address the matter, reports the Bangkok Post.

Dr Opas Kankawinpong, the health permanent secretary, said during the seminar the Public Health Ministry would endorse Mr Sretthas guideline on sending drug addicts for rehabilitation.

He said 42 state hospitals currently have treatment centres, known as mini-Thanyarak services, for drug addicts. The new government plans to expand this service to all state hospitals.

Dr Opas said Thailand has about 1.9 million drug users, with 38,000 of them, or 2%, being deemed red patients, or severely addicted users, and 456,000, or 24% , yellow patients who are moderate users, and 1.4 million, or 74%, green patients, who are general drug users.

The public health minister has announced plans to improve the universal healthcare scheme, or 30-baht plus, and include improving treatment for drug addicts, he said.

Dr Opas said the plan includes more psychiatric nurses and clinical therapists to supervise rehabilitation at mini-Thanyarak facilities nationwide.

The ministry also plans to use telemedicine for long-term care for patients trying to quit narcotics.
An Iranian exhibitor (1st R) introduces products to visitors during the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

People visit the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

People visit the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

People visit the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Visitors look at a sand table of smart breeding during the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

People visit the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Visitors look at crop samples during the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

Visitors learn about a smart breeding ship model during the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

A visitor looks at corn samples during the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)

A Russian exhibitor promotes products through livestreams during the 30th China Yangling Agricultural Hi-tech Fair in Yangling, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Sept. 19, 2023.

Under the theme of "soil health and food security," the 5-day fair kicked off here on Tuesday.

The event, which more than 1,500 exhibitors from a total of 39 countries and regions are attending, will feature innovations in agricultural high-tech achievements, exchange activities, and hold 11 conferences and forums as well as eight exhibitions, among others. (Xinhua/Zhang Bowen)
ONWR targets Phukets water resource issues

PHUKET: Dr Surasee Kittimonthon, Secretary-General of the Office of National Water Resources (ONWR), was in Phuket yesterday (Sept 19) to discuss and hear opinions from local business operators in the hope of resolving the islands long-standing water-related issues.

natural-resourcestourism

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 20 September 2023 10:59 AM

The forum, held at the Bhukitta Boutique Hotel in Phuket Town, saw more than 300 people attend, including Phuket Vice Governor Amnuay Pinsuwan and Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Kongsak Khuphongsakorn.

Dr Surasee later joined another similar event at the Dara Hotel, in Wichit.

The aim of the meeting was to hear feedback, opinions and suggestions from local people about the integrated master plan to solve flood-drought problems, said an official report of the event.

The ONRR was ready to discuss with tourism business operators to accelerate the drive for water-saving measures in the tourism and service sectors, said the report.

Dr Surasee said that Phuket was one of the first provinces in the country to have prepared water-resource management master plans at the subdistrict (tambon) level.

Therefore, today the forum will be opened to listen to public opinions on the master plan study project and to listen to suggestions on the results of the study and planning of seven preliminary projects drawn from the plan to drive more than 400 projects which are ready to be deployed, Dr Suarsee said.

According to the official report, doing so would empower the government to solve urgent problems in the area quickly and use it as a model to expand the results of project implementation in each aspect of water resource management that supports the development strategy of Phuket Province under water resource management until 2037.

Singled out as examples of such urgent projects were three projects: to improve the quality of village water supply in Pa Khlok; the Tha Maphrao Canal Dredging Project; and a project to build a weir to reduce water flow to reduce soil erosion in the upper area of the Kathu Waterfall community.

Oddly not mentioned in the official report was the key issue that Phuket was releasing nearly 55,000 cubic metres of untreated wastewater per day, as confirmed by Dr Surasee himself during his visit to Phuket just two weeks ago.

According to the official report, the tourism business operators pointed out the necessity of resolving Phukets recurring, and ongoing, water-supply and flooding issues for the sake of tourism.

According to current projections, Phukets demand for water supply will grow to approximately 100 million cubic metres by 2037.

Also highlighted was that the increasing number of tourists coming to Phuket each only adds to the problem, an obvious long known fact that Dr Surasee pointed out during his previous visit that he already understood.

The appropriate solutions must be consistent with the context in each area experiencing problems. It can help reduce and eliminate problems in water resource management in Phuket Province, Dr Surasee said.

Among the suggestions floated to help reduce water use and reduce wastewater, hotels were asked to look into reusing towels, adding water meters to showers and to maintain pipes on their premises to reduce leakage.

Doing so would help alleviate Phukets water-related issues, Dr Surasee said.

Conducting water conservation campaigns for the tourism business sector will also create soft power for the tourism sector in another way, through promotion of sustainable water development and management, he added.

These water-saving measures are simple and can be carried out immediately. They would truly help create awareness of using water with appreciation and sustainability in the future, he said.
Three more arrested for overstay after tip-off

PHUKET: Phuket Immigration has reported the arrests of three more foreigners caught overstaying in the country following tip-offs from the public.



By The Phuket News

Wednesday 20 September 2023 03:14 PM

The three foreigners arrested were Chinese nationals, named as Mr Sun Hongyu, 34; Mrs Ye Jingwen, 29; and Mrs Chu Weizen, 55, Phuket Immigration reported today (Sept 20).

The three were arrested in Soi Mai Khao 6, Mai Khao.

The relationships of the three to each other were not explained. In one of the photos one of the women is seen holding a baby along with her passport.

The three were found to have stayed illegally in the country for more than 168 days, Phuket Immigration noted.

All three were taken to Tha Chatchai Police Station and charged with breach of Section 81 of the Immigration Act.

Phuket Immigration last week urged the public to report any wrongdoings by foreigners in Phuket, including overstays, criminal activities, including involvement with drugs or weapons, or working illegally.

To make reporting more convenient, Phuket Immigration noted that people could submit tip-offs through the citizen empowerment app Traffy Fondue (See the English-language form here).

Alternatively poeple can call the hotline 096-0365485, or submit a tip-off through a newly launched Google Form now made available (click here to see form).

Since the, an Algerian man has been arrested for 193 days overstay, with the arrest credited to a tip-off from the public.

Last Sunday, apparently without the assistance from the public, a woman whose name and nationality were not disclosed was arrested at the International Departures Hall at Phuket airport for 1,577 days overstay.
Zelensky tells world to stand against Russia genocide

NEW YORK: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a wartime trip to the United Nations yesterday (Sept 19) urged the world to stand firm against Russias genocide, as he tried to convince skeptical developing nations they share a stake in Kyivs victory.

RussianUkraineviolencepolitics

By AFP

Wednesday 20 September 2023 09:03 AM

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City yesterday (Sept 19). Photo: AFP

Taking the rostrum of the UN General Assembly in his trademark military fatigues, Zelensky renewed an invitation for world leaders to join a peace summit to end the invasion.

For the first time in modern history, we have the chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked, Zelensky said in a speech met with applause led by Western nations but many empty seats elsewhere.

This is a real chance for every nation - to ensure that aggression against your state, if it happens, God forbid, will end not because your land will be divided, he said, but with sovereignty upheld.

Zelensky lashed out at Russia for what Ukraine says is the deportation of thousands of children. The practice has led the International Criminal Court to issue a warrant for the arrest of President Vladimir Putin of Russia, which says it is taking war orphans into foster care.

Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken, Zelensky said, as Russias deputy ambassador to the United Nations sat without expression.

This is clearly a genocide. When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there, he said.

He accused Russia of using both energy and food as a way to pressure the world, after Moscow ended a UN-backed agreement to let ships of grain sail out of Ukraine.

The aggressor is weaponizing many other things, and those things are used not only against our country but against all of yours as well.

Warning to Central Asians

Zelensky warned that Russias other neighbours were at risk.

Russia has almost swallowed Belarus. It is obviously threatening Kazakhstan and the Baltic states, he said.

The leaders of Kazakhstan and the four other Central Asian former Soviet republics met at the United Nations with US President Joe Biden in a first-of-a-kind summit.

Biden told the leaders that the United States backed their sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity.

These principles matter more than ever, in my view, Biden said.

Biden in his own speech to the United Nations, with Zelensky looking on, warned that Putin was hoping the world will grow weary over Ukraine.

But I ask you this: if we abandon the core principles (of the UN Charter) to appease an aggressor, can any member state in this body feel confident that they are protected? If we allow Ukraine to be carved up, is the independence of any nation secure? Biden said.

We must stand up to this naked aggression today to deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow.

Zelensky is also meeting leaders less dedicated to Ukraines cause, including Brazils President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has styled himself as a neutral mediator.

Work needs to be done to create space for negotiations, Lula told the General Assembly.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will also meet Zelensky, said that the war will have no winners and peace will have no losers.

We will step up our efforts to end the war through diplomacy and dialogue on the basis of Ukraines independence and territorial integrity, Erdogan said.

Russia has met overwhelming criticism at the General Assembly over its February 2022 invasion, but the focus on the war has also drawn criticism from developing countries who believe it has distracted the West, especially from other urgent priorities.

It is a grave indictment of this international community that we can spend so much on war, but we cannot support action that needs to be taken to meet the most basic needs of billions of people, said South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also met Zelensky

Dire climate crisis warnings

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has tried to keep a focus on development. He opened the General Assembly with a bleak speech highlighting the recent floods that killed thousands in Derna, Libya.

Even as we speak now, bodies are washing ashore from the same Mediterranean Sea where billionaires sunbathe on their super yachts, Guterres said.

Derna is a sad snapshot of the state of our world - the flood of inequity, of injustice, of inability to confront the challenges in our midst.

In similarly dark language, Biden used his speech to highlight the flooding as well as wildfires in North America and Europe and drought in the Horn of Africa.

Taken together these snapshots tell an urgent story of what awaits us if we fail to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and begin to climate-proof our world, Biden said.
BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese authorities have released a guideline to strengthen cooperation between supervisory, procuratorial and police departments in combating money laundering in the handling of embezzlement and bribery crimes.

The guideline was collaboratively issued by the National Commission of Supervision, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security.

When investigating embezzlement and bribery cases, supervisory organs shall determine the ownership, source, and destination of property involved and profits derived from it. They should promptly pass on leads or information related to money laundering crimes to public security organs, according to the document.

Public security authorities shall combat money laundering and underground banking crimes lawfully, dismantle criminal organizations and gangs, block illicit fund channels, and recover the proceeds of crimes, it said.

The procuratorial authorities shall fulfill their legal oversight responsibilities by strengthening supervision over the filing, investigation, and trial proceedings of money laundering criminal cases.

The three departments can hold consultations on major cases, leveraging technologies including big data to enhance interdepartmental collaboration in case handling, according to the guideline. 
BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China contributed nearly one-third of the academic papers published in the most influential international journals in 2022, marking the first time China surpassed the United States to secure the top position globally, according to a report released on Wednesday.

Among the 54,002 papers published last year in 159 journals with the highest impact factors in 178 disciplines, 16,349 were contributed by Chinese authors, according to the report released by the Institute of Scientific and Technical Information of China (ISTIC) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Roughly 27 percent of the nearly 350,000 high-quality publications featured in 371 international journals with high impact factors and citations saw their first authors hailing from Chinese institutions. These papers generated nearly 650,000 citations, with China ranking first in the world in both the number of papers published and the number of citations.

In 2022, China secured the second position in terms of the number of academic papers and review articles published in 16 top journals that boasted an impact factor of more than 30 and generated over 100,000 citations, according to the report.

It aligns with the 2023 Nature Index published in June which revealed that in 2022, China surpassed the United States in terms of the proportion of papers published in top journals in the field of natural sciences. 
Putting Manipur on the map of normalcy An indifferent Delhi

|

A workable formula that could pave the way for Manipur to return to a semblance of normalcy. This is what everyone would want. Nearly 120 days in a state of conflict, with neither side giving the slightest hint that they are ready to come to the negotiating table and talk things over calls for the leadership of the day to think out of the box and see what may be worked out that may be acceptable to all. The National Register of Citizens as a demand is something which did not crop up after May 3. It did not come up after the military coup in Myanmar. The demand has been there for some time, though it may not be as vocal as today, but the central point remains the same. Illegal migration from across the border should not be limited only to the time frame after the military coup in Myanmar. The Naga-Kuki clash may be better understood in the context of the piling pressure on the ancestral lands of the Nagas and one just has to recall how the United Naga Council came out strongly against the burial of a renowned Kuki academician, who succumbed to COVID-19 not so long back, on Naga land. A report received from the correspondent of The Sangai Express who belongs to the Kuki-Zo community had then identified the place of birth of the late academician as Myanmar. May the good soul rest in peace. Just one example that comes to mind and it is against this backdrop that the demand for the NRC should be understood and appreciated. As a Naga public leader opined in an informal conversation with The Sangai Express some time back and before the current violence broke out, NRC is necessary but the Government should go the extra-mile to ensure that it is not seen as being targeted at the Kuki community. Sane words of caution, one would say. The bottomline is, any exercise to weed out those who have entered Manipur illegally after a certain cut off year, should not be seen to be targeted against any community. It of course stands that the voice of opposition raised by some Kuki public personality against the proposal for an NRC, during their interviews does not help as many see it as a case of the guilty wiping his head (Kokta Napi Pakpa).

On the side of the Kuki-Zo community, separate administration is the demand that has been raised and which seems to have gained currency amongst them and served as the rallying point for the Meiteis against this. Many Kukis, if not all, would agree to the non-feasibility of this demand and the question is whether the supposed map of Zalengam would be acceptable to the other indigenous group, the Nagas. The NSCN (IM) and the United Naga Council and other important Naga organisations such as the Tangkhul Naga Long have more than made their stand clear. Or is the separate administration call a case of demanding Re 1 with an eye to settle for 50 paise or 25 paise ? Only time will tell, but fact is, situation cannot be allowed to go on like this forever. It should also be obvious that Delhi should step in to break the ice and pave the path for either side to come to the negotiating table. As an individual commented on his social media post, why not invite all the Legislators, including the ten Kuki MLAs to Delhi to talk things over, with the Prime Minister or the Union Home Minister presiding ? No MLA would dare go against such a summon to Delhi and it is from here that the respective MLAs may be asked to reach out to their people and the CSOs concerned to see the logic of a dialogue. Time to take the first step and Delhi is best placed to play referee and the initiative should come from the Centre. How can India allow such a madness to linger on for over 100 days ? The indifference is galling. In a clash of this scale calculated in the number of lives lost, properties razed to the ground and the fact that over 60,000 are currently homeless, there will be no winners. It should also be clear that in as much as Manipur has been scalded the image of New Delhi in the international fora will take a beating and the longer the indifference remains, the more alienated will the people become from all that Delhi stands for. A situation which the Prime Minister and the BJP leadership would definitely not want.
GENEVA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Belt and Road cooperation has contributed to promoting global human rights cause, a group of experts and scholars said at a symposium here Tuesday.

"The Belt and Road cooperation has played an important role in the progress of human rights cause in partner countries, as the cooperation improved infrastructure, brought job opportunities, facilitated trade, increased people's incomes and reduced poverty," said Hu Biliang, executive dean of the Belt and Road School at Beijing Normal University.

The symposium, on the theme of "Joint Building of the Belt & Road and Progress of Global Human Rights Cause," was organized by China Foundation for Human Rights Development (CFHRD), a Chinese non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the development of human rights cause. It was one of a series of meetings discussing global human rights held in Geneva during the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council from Sept. 11 to Oct. 13.

Hu, a famous Chinese scholar focusing on Belt and Road-related research, said Belt and Road cooperations paid attention to less developed countries and regions, and prioritized poverty alleviation, employment, as well as improvement of people's livelihood.

According to data released by the Chinese government, since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed in 2013, more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations have signed cooperation documents. Over 3,000 cooperation projects have been launched under the cooperation of Chinese and foreign partners, involving close to 1 trillion U.S. dollars of investment. It brought at least 420,000 job opportunities, and according to estimation of the World Bank, it will help dozens of million people get out of poverty.

Zhang Aining, director of the Human Rights Studies Center in China Foreign Affairs University, said that the initiative is a Chinese solution to the problems the world is now facing and to the realization of 2030 UN sustainable development goals.

She quoted UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk at the opening ceremony of the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council as saying that development issues underlie almost every challenge we face. People around the world want and have the right to enjoy food on the table, affordable healthcare, equal accesses to education, good economic prospects, and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, but the reality is a far cry from that. To achieve these goals, countries around the world need to move decisively toward a fundamental transformation.

Countless "livelihood projects" have been carried out to help partner countries meet the most basic needs of their people, such as clean water, housing, transportation, medical services, and education, and improved people's basic livelihood, she said. "The BRI is turning the aspirations of the people of the partner countries for a better life into reality."

Zhang Wei, executive vice president of the Institute of Human Rights at the China University of Political Science and Law, agreed with Zhang Aining. "The BRI has provided more job opportunities in partner countries, with better roads, hospitals, schools, and other income-generating infrastructure," Zhang Wei said.

"Due to the low and long return nature of infrastructure projects, many developing countries were left alone helpless for many years. Bad roads, airports, seaports impeded the economic development. The BRI fills this big hole for many developing countries and provides a solid precondition for their economic take-off. The BRI is a good example of taking steps through international economic cooperation to achieving progressively the full realization of economic, social, and cultural rights," Zhang Wei said.

Shang Haiming, an associate professor at the Human Rights Research Institute in Southwest University of Political Science and Law, said that the BRI not only promoted the human rights development in partner countries, but also enhanced ecological environment protection worldwide.

"China introduced the Green BRI concept into cooperation, emphasizing ecological civilization construction in all projects and cooperation under the BRI framework. During the past 10 years, many policies and measures were implemented to promote the environmental rights in partner countries," Shang said.

Zuo Feng, vice chairman and secretary-general of the CFHRD, said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 35th anniversary of the Declaration on the Right to Development, and the 13th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. At a time when global human rights governance is facing serious challenges, it is of particular importance to revisit the basic spirit of these programmatic documents, which has led to a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting and promoting human rights.

Zuo said that the 10 years of Belt and Road cooperation plays a constructive role in improving the global economic landscape, promoting common development and prosperity, and improving the global governance system. It is widely recognized that the cooperation made positive contributions to global development and human rights progress.

"I believe the Belt and Road Initiative can help a lot of countries because some of the pillars are cooperation, development and well-being of the population," said Catherine Fiankan-Bokonga, senior UN correspondent and vice president of Swiss Press Club who participated the symposium. 
The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to follow the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum in the government schools, the first state to adopt a globally recognised curriculum.

The state government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the International Baccalaureate organisation in order to make government schools at par with corporate ones not only in terms of amenities but also in syllabus and curriculum.

The state Cabinet today gave its approval for the implementation of IB curriculum in schools. Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officials to prepare a comprehensive guideline plan for the smooth integration of the IB syllabus into the states educational framework. It is expected to be implemented in the next academic session.

Advertisement

IBs director Olli-Pekka Heinonen and chief business development officer Matt Costello were present virtually at the signing of MoU.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy emphasised on ensuring that the students of the state receive world class learning experience. He said the certificates earned by the IB students would hold value everywhere in the world.

He also acknowledged the challenges of introducing the IB syllabus. Usually, IB curriculum is followed by only few corporate schools and they charge parents exorbitantly.

The Chief Minister after assuming office has given tremendous importance to school education refurbishing government institutions ensuring students had access to better toilets, drinking water, computers, interactive boards and other physical infrastructure.

He also switched the medium of instruction from Telugu to English. In addition students have been provided bilingual textbooks, tabs and TOEFL exam training. A large number of students from both Telugu states go abroad for higher education and an IB certificate will be undoubtedly beneficial to them.

We are totally enhancing the quality of schooling, said Chief Minister Reddy while briefing the state Cabinet about the changes that are being introduced in public schools.
In its latest updated travel advisory, the Canadian government has included several states of North-East India, including Assam and Manipur, cautioning its citizens against non-essential travel to these regions due to a heightened risk of terrorism and insurgency.

This travel advisory comes at a time of strained relations between the two countries, stemming from the death of prominent Sikh leader and Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Canadas advisory also advises its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution when traveling in India, citing a general threat of terrorist attacks across the country. Specifically mentioned are the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

Advertisement

The advisory regarding Jammu and Kashmir urges Canadians to avoid all travel to this Union Territory due to the unpredictable security situation, which includes threats of terrorism, militancy, civil unrest, and kidnapping. However, it excludes travel to or within the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Additionally, the advisory advises against all travel within 10 kilometers of the border with Pakistan in the states of Gujarat, Punjab, and Rajasthan. This recommendation is based on the unpredictable security situation in these areas, along with the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Canada has expelled a high-ranking Indian diplomat, citing credible allegations of the Indian governments involvement in Nijjars assassination.

Canadas Foreign Affairs Minister, Melanie Joly, confirmed the expulsion, revealing that the diplomat in question was the head of the Indian intelligence agency in Canada. Joly emphasized Canadas commitment to uncovering the truth behind Nijjars killing.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India dismissed the allegations as absurd and motivated.
BJP MP Pragya Thakur on Tuesday lauded the central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi for tabling the landmark womens reservation Bill during the ongoing Special Session of Parliament.

Terming the move to introduce the Bill, which is aimed at ensuring a fair representation of women in Parliament as well as other legislative bodies, as the start of a golden chapter in Indian polity, the BJP MP told ANI, I would like to congratulate all women leaders, regardless of their political leanings, on the tabling of the womens reservation Bill. This Bill, introduced by our government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, will contribute to the greater good of the country.

On the shifting of MPs to the new Parliament building, the firebrand BJP leader said many new histories would be written in the new complex housing the countrys lawmakers.

The move to the new Parliament building has brought renewed enthusiasm and energy. It marks the start of a golden chapter in Indias history. On the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, our government demonstrated the desired political intent to table the Womens Reservation Bill. Many, who have advocated womens reservation, have neither respected their dignity nor stood up to fight for their rights. It was our government, under PM Modi, which peddled the idea of Nari Shakti and gave women their rightful place in the society. This new Parliament building will be witness to many new histories in the coming days, she added.

Advertisement

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday lauded Prime Minister Modi for introducing Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, saying that he has shown that womens empowerment is not just a slogan but a statement of intent by the central government.

Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has shown that Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devata could be realised in a democracy, in keeping with the eternal Indian culture. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam introduced in the Lok Sabha today will give our women more power and help in the restoration of their rights in the truest sense, Shah posted on his official handle on X.

Modi-ji has shown that womens empowerment is not just a slogan but a commitment and a statement of intent of our government. On behalf of crores of countrymen, I heartily congratulate Modi-ji for this historic decision, he added.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Bill in the first sitting of Lok Sabha in the new Parliament building. The Bill was named Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

Introducing the bill in the Lower House, the Union minister said, This Bill relates to womens empowerment. By amending Article 239AA of the Constitution, 33 per cent of seats will be reserved for women in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. Article 330A reservations of seats for SC/ST in the House of People.

Meghwal said once the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is passed, the number of seats for women in the Lok Sabha will increase to 181.

Discussion for passage of the Bill in the House will be taken up on Wednesday.

The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said.
Due to a midair scare, a Kolkata to Mumbai SpiceJet flight, SG 515, with 176 passengers and 6 cabin crew members on board, returned to Kolkata Airport as soon after takeoff one of the cabin crew members noticed one of the windows of the aircraft cracked.

The pilot immediately responded to the situation and immediately established communication with Kolkata Airports Air Traffic Control (ATC) to report a mechanical issue. After a brief exchange, the ATC granted permission for an emergency landing at Kolkata Airport.

With the ATCs authorization, the aircraft made a safe landing at Kolkata Airport at 7:45 am, approximately half an hour after the takeoff. All the passengers on board were then deplaned safely.

Advertisement

Authorities at the airport promptly initiated aircraft maintenance procedures to address the issue. While the exact cause of the crack in the window is under investigation, it is reassuring that the flight crew acted with alacrity to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members.

While SpiceJet is yet to release an official statement about the incident, further information is expected as the investigation is in progress.
The Telangana IT minister and BRS working president, KT Rama Rao, said he would be happy to give up his MLA seat for the cause of womens reservation. The BRS had wholeheartedly welcomed the Womens Reservation Bill tabled in Parliament, on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, speaking at the launch of a newly redeveloped International Tech Park at Madhapur, which is at the heart of the citys IT corridor, Rao addressed Jessica Tan Soon Neo, the deputy speaker of the Singaporean parliament. She informed her that Indias Parliament was debating the Womens Reservation Bill and referred to it as an important milestone.

We wholeheartedly support [the bill] and we want to see more and more women leaders  and if I have to lose my seat for that so be it, he said. On hearing this, some of his supporters in the audience protested, but he said, We all have a limited shelf life, which is fine. I have done my thing.

Advertisement

While some of the opposition parties have criticized the Centre for delaying womens reservation until the next census and delimitation, the BRS has welcomed it with KT Rama Rao saying that on certain occasions, people must rise above politics and stand together in the larger interest of the country.

While BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha had been very vocal on the demand for womens reservation, the Telangana chief minister, K Chandrasekhar Rao, had even written a letter to the prime minister, Narendra Modi, demanding that the bill should be passed during the special session of Parliament. Rao had in the past floated the idea to implement reservation for women after increasing the total number of seats through delimitation so that the status quo of the existing seats remain unaffected.

Meanwhile YSR Telangana Party leader K Sharmila assailed KT Rama Rao for his comment and demanded that the BRS implements 33 per cent reservation immediately giving its seats to more women candidates. Incidentally, the BRS gave tickets to only 7 women out of the 115 constituencies where they have announced candidates for the upcoming assembly election.
Keralas CPI(M)-led LDF government gave the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau permission, on Wednesday, to conduct a preliminary investigation into Congress MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadans alleged irregularities in land purchases. Earlier, Kuzhalnadan had raised serious allegations against Kerala CM Pinayari Vijayans daughter, Veena Vijayan, in Idukkis Udumbanchola taluk.

The state additional secretary (home) gave permission to the VACB director to conduct the preliminary investigation and probe alleged irregularities in Kuzhalnadans purchase of land and buildings at Chinnakanal in Idukki district. The permission was given after the VACB directors report on the issue.

The probe was authorized under Section 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The order, however, does not mention the name of Mathew Kuzhalnadan. The CPI(M) alleges that Kuzhalnadan violated several norms, including establishing a resort at Chinnakanal in Idukki when rules prohibit such constructions.

Advertisement

CN Mohanan, the CPI(M) Ernakulam district secretary, alleged that Kuhzalnadan had undervalued his property to evade stamp duty. He also alleged that the building in Chinnakanal owned by Kuzhalnadan was constructed in violation of the land assignment rules. Subsequently, the CPI(M) lodged a complaint with vigilance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited US President Joe Biden to be the chief guest at Indias Republic Day celebrations next year, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti said on Wednesday. Garvetti said that the invitation to Biden was extended by PM Modi during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit earlier this month.

Biden had come to India on a three-day visit to attend the G20 Summit held in New Delhi from September 9 to 10. This was Bidens first state visit to India after becoming the President of the United States.

While the invitation was given to Biden during the G20 summit, US Ambassadors public announcement has come in the backdrop of a diplomatic row between Canada and India over the killing of one Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist. Nijjar, who was designated as a terrorist by New Delhi in 2020, was shot dead by two masked gunmen on June 18 early this year.

Advertisement

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has accused India of having a role in Nijjars killing. Both countries have expelled the station chief of their respective intelligence agencies. India has rejected Trudeaus claims and termed them absurd and politically motivated.

According to a report published by the US-based newspaper The Washington Post, Canada wanted US to publicly condemn Nijjar killing before the G20 Summit. However, the US officials chose to overlook Canadian request as the G20 Summit was a highly significant event for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

If Biden attends the Republic Day Parade, it would give a clear signal to Canada that it wont be able to use its NATO allies to unleash its evil designs of hate against India, seen by the world as a beacon of hope against growing Chinese influence in South Asia.
A symposium focusing on the progress of the human rights cause in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation was held in Geneva, Switzerland on Tuesday.

At the symposium, human rights experts and scholars from China and other countries exchanged their views on the contributions of the BRI cooperation to global development and human rights progress.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service




For decades, India has prided itself on being the worlds largest democracy, a nation that embraces diversity and equality. Yet, within the hallowed halls of political power, a stark gender imbalance persists. The approval of the Womens Reservation Bill by the Union Cabinet, for likely passage during Parliaments ongoing special session, highlights a glaring truth. Political parties have had ample opportunities to rectify this imbalance but chose not to. The statistics speak volumes. According to a recent Inter-Parliamentary Union study, India ranks a disheartening 149th out of 193 countries in terms of female representation in the lower house of Parliament.

In a country where women make up half the population, they hold a mere 14 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and 11 per cent in the Rajya Sabha. These figures are inexcusable and paint a gloomy picture of gender inequality in our political landscape. One might wonder why, in a democratic system, where the power to change rests with the people, such a disparity persists. The answer lies in the choices made by political parties themselves. Over the years, parties have failed to take the initiative to correct the imbalance voluntarily. They could have easily fielded women candidates in a third of the constituencies they contested in Lok Sabha and state assembly elections. It was a simple step that could have made a profound impact on womens representation in politics. However, they chose not to, merely offering lip service to the cause of gender equality.

The Womens Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of all seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, now stands as a legislative remedy for this imbalance. While some may argue that such a measure is heavy-handed, it is important to re- member that it arises from a vacuum in voluntary action. It is the result of decades of unfulfilled promises and persistent gender bias within political parties. The reluctance of political parties to address this imb- alance voluntarily has been nothing short of disap- pointing. Womens representation in the Lok Sabha has grown at a snails pace since Independence, from a mere 4.4 per cent in 1952 to just 12.15 per cent after the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. The progress has been lethargic and its a stark reminder that democracy has not given women the voice they deserve.

Advertisement

Opposition to the Womens Reservation Bill, brought forward 27 years ago, centred on concerns of fairness and the democratic right to compete based on merit rather than gender. However, this argument is untenable when viewed in the context of the systemic exclusion and the injustices women have historically faced. Gender-based seat reservation is not about discriminating against men. Its about rectifying a deeply entrenched societal bias. It is crucial to recognise that when women are represented in elected bodies, they bring different perspectives and priorities to the table.

Countries with higher female representation have shown a remarkable ability to enact policies that promote social inclusion, gender equality, and overall societal development.
The G20 summit hosted in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was certainly an opportune moment to deliberate upon and discuss key policy matters. With a vision of Vasudaiva Kutumbakam (world is one) India discussed various issues like inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access with global leaders.

The health sector being a crucial arena of discussion at G20, Prime Minister Modi launched the sixth edition of One Earth and One Health Advantage Healthcare India 2023, where he reinstated Indias vision and commitment towards universal health coverage not just for humans but for their entire ecosystem. This commitment echoed Indias G20 presidency theme One Earth, One Family, One Future.

Well-being, health for all and universal health coverage have taken primacy especially after Covid-19. Indias commitment is reflected in its national health policies, various other health schemes, measures and its association with the international organisations working on similar lines. However universal health coverage is incomplete without ensuring the efficient working and presence of a well equipped primary health care centre. PHCs form the base of the health care system succeeded by secondary and tertiary health care structures. They function to provide basic health services of preventive, promotive and curative nature to the community and in India as per the recommendation of the Bhore Committee, 1946, each primary health care centre is supposed to cater to a population of 30,000.

Advertisement

The OECD report on realising the potential of primary health care released in 2002 outlined the important role of primary health care in delivery of health services in the community and its impact on the populations health. It suggested that continuous and comprehensive care provided by the primary health care team can provide effective health education and prevention interventions based on the medical and social needs of patients. This helps tackle risk factors and other social determinants of health, which in turn improves equity of health outcomes.

Drawing on these efforts to strengthen primary health care, efforts by states and the central government in India have been growing. At the state level, many have adopted varied models of primary health care like mohalla clinics in Delhi, Basti Dawakhana in Telangana, Apala dawakhana in Mumbai, and so on. Central funds have been directed to strengthening the primary health structure and under governments flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat launched in 2018, health and wellness centres have been introduced by the Central government for holistic care.

Nevertheless efficient and fully functionally primary health care facilities are distant in all regions. Neoliberalism and privatisation is to blame as proliferation of private hospitals and private clinics have drawn patients away from the public health system. In urban areas this phenomenon is prevalent although it has begun penetrating rural regions too. This has led to a shift in focus from primary health care and the public health system to private health care. Efforts and strategic advancement is required to reinstate the importance and efficient working of primary health centres in the public health system.

This can be achieved through what I call AIR: Awareness, Investment and Rethinking. We need Awareness to bring back peoples knowledge about the importance of an efficient primary health care structure. Privatisation and liberalisation has made access to speciality and multi-speciality clinics easier. It has become a culture to reach out to a cardiac surgeon for minor chest pain or to a neurosurgeon for a headache. We dont think of physicians but of specialists even for minor ailments. The concept of family medicine and primary health care treatment has faded with rising purchasing power of people. In urban areas and mostly amongst the new middle class this phenomenon is prevalent as their purchasing power enables them to access high end medical facilities.

This must have motivated doctors to become specialists and aim for higher and higher degrees for better return. On the contrary the proliferation of multiple clinics and private hospitals has resulted in a haphazard health care ecosystem. With no beginning or end, this leads to unnecessary expenditure in private health care sometimes for minute ailments. Thus there is a need to bring back awareness of the people on the need and potential of primary health structures so that they can demand better primary care services as a right.

Secondly, investment in this domain is the need of the hour, espe- cially central investment. Health is a state subject which makes states responsible to invest and bear the expenditure of public health facilities. This has led to non-uniformity between states in terms of primary health care facilities. Some states are performing better in the realm and some are nowhere close; it has been reduced to the political will of the people serving in decision-making positions. Considering the staggering importance of a primary health centre, it is crucial to have a uniform, mandatory and enthusiastic investment in the primary health structure to overcome the health challenges faced by the country. Without uniformity, a strengthening of the primary health system and universal health coverage is not possible.

Lastly, there is a need to rethink and reassess the primary health care needs of the community. The current primary health care system in India follows the guidelines outlined by the Bhore Committee report of 1946. People, society and health care challenges have transitioned over the years. Today the health care needs of the people are different from what people in post-partition India required. Com- munity health care with focus on pro- viding preventive and promotive health care was the need of the community. Today, the demand for diagnostic as well as curative care has increased. Rather than following age- old recommendations we need to rethink and reassess primary health care needs of the community at a policy level so that an efficient yet relevant mode of primary health care is established.

This AIR can help in achieving the desired goal of universal health coverage where health care facilities are provided and health care challenges are addressed at the remotest locations and not even the last person is left behind.

(The writer is Assistant Professor, Asian Law College, NOIDA and a research scholar at Centre for Political Studies, JNU.)
The Google Doodle is celebrating the 192nd birthday of German author Hedwig Dohm. She was an early feminist and a fervent supporter of gender equality.

On September 20, 1831, Hedwig Dohm was born in Berlin, Germany, into a big family of eighteen siblings. Shed always been passionate about reading and had a great time in school. When she was just fifteen, her parents decided to discontinue her official schooling because she needed to help with home duties. But she persuaded her parents to let her enroll in Lehrerinnenseminar, a womens teachers college, because she was determined to keep learning.

In 1853, Dohm wed Kladderadatsch, the leader of the satirical weekly newspaper. They had extensive conversations on politics and art, and her spouse was very supportive of her desire to write. She gave birth to five children over the years, four of whom were daughters. She committed herself to raising her children throughout these formative years of motherhood, working to provide them the possibilities she had not been given. Her house developed become a well-liked hangout for Berlins intellectuals and artists.

Advertisement

When her children reached adulthood in the early 1870s, Dohm made the decision to pursue a career as a writer. She wrote her first piece in response to conservative literature that argued against women going to college, Was die Pastoren von den Frauen denken (What the Clergy Thinks About Women).

Her works, such as Die Antifeministen (The Antifeminists), which examined those who opposed womens rights, helped her become well-known. Dohm was one of the few German feminists who spoke up for womens voting rights at this time. She went on to create several books, including Sibilla Dalmar, Schicksale einer Seele, and Christa Rolan, many of which dealt with the struggles of modern women in opposition to patriarchal civilizations.

She helped draft the first few chapters of the Deutsche Frauenverein Reform and created it in 1888. This programme promoted equal access for women to all university courses. Dohm is lauded for her arts astute social critique. Hedwig Dohms Google Doodle covers the entire country of Germany.
In a move seen as retaliation to Canadas recent advisory, India on Wednesday asked its citizens in Canada or those planning to visit the country to exercise utmost caution in view of the growing politically-condoned hate crimes. In a strongly worded advisory, the Indian government said that Indian community opposed to the anti-India agenda being run in Canada have been on the target of threats.

In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, the advisory read.

The advisory further asked Indian students in Canada to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant amid growing anti-India elements in the country. It also asked them to register with Indian High Commission and Consulate offices in the country.

Advertisement

Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal, madad.gov.in, it read.

Earlier in the day, the Canadian government had issued an updated travel advisory for its citizens, asking them not to visit several parts of the country, including Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab if not necessary.

The respective advisories from Canada and India have come in the backdrop of recent diplomatic row over Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday alleged New Delhis role in Nijjars murder in June this year and expelled an Indian diplomat.

India termed the allegations absurd and politically motivated and asked the Canadian intelligence services India station chief to leave the country in five days.

Nijjar was killed by two masked gunmen in the parking lot of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey. He was designated as a terrorist by New Delhi in 2020.
Stating that pro-Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada, Gurpatwant Pannun, leader of radical Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), threatened Indo-Canadian Hindus and asked them to leave the country in a video which went viral on Wednesday.

The emboldened dare from Gurpatwant Pannun, legal counsel of SFJ, which is a banned terror outfit in India, comes after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused New Delhi of involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, resulting in tit-for-tat expulsions of senior diplomats.

Indo-Canadian Hindus, you have repudiated your allegiance to Canada and Canadian constitution. Your destination is India. Leave Canada, go to India, Pannun, who faces 22 criminal cases in Punjab, said in the 45 seconds video clip.

Advertisement

Pro Khalistan Sikhs have always been loyal to Canada. They have always sided with Canada and have upholded the laws and the constitution, Pannun said.

Pannun announced in the video that another referendum to weigh support for Khalistan will be held in Canada on October 29, and it will be asking voters whether Indian high commissioner Sanjay Verma was responsible for Nijjars killing in June.

Responding to the threatening video, Ottawa-based researcher and commentator Rupa Subramanya wrote on X: If a white supremacist had threatened saying all people of colour must leave Canada, imagine the uproar. Yet when a Khalistani threatens Hindus in Canada at an event in Canada, everyone bats their eyelid and looks the other way.

On Tuesday, Pannun told Vancouver-based Global News that protests are slated to take place outside Indian consulates in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver on September 25.

We will not allow the Indian consulates to function and were going to push the Canadian government to name the individuals who are responsible for assassinating and giving the orders to hit Nijjar, Pannun told the news channel.

The SFJ has reportedly said that it will also be calling for the expulsion of High Commissioner Verma.

Pro-Khalistan leader Nijjar, who was declared a wanted terrorist by the Indian government, was shot dead by two unidentified gunmen on the premises of Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara, of which he was the head, in the Punjabi-dominated Surrey city on June 18.

The police in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have registered separate FIRs against Pannun, a law graduate from Panjab University in Chandigarh, over threats and attempting to disturb peace, stability and communal harmony, IANS reported earlier.

Countries like Canada, the UK and the US, with a sizable Sikh diaspora, have allowed the outlawed group to conduct anti-India activities, including holding illegal referendums to building a campaign for secession of Punjab.
Hours after extending his support, Canadian opposition leader Pierre Poilievre demanded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to come clean with facts on his allegations of Indias role in the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The Canadian Conservative party leader said that the Prime Minister Trudeau has just provided a statement and not facts supporting his allegations against New Delhi.

I think the prime minister needs to come clean with all the facts. We need to know all the evidence possible so that Canadians can make judgments on that. The prime minister hasnt provided any facts. He provided a statement, Poilievre said during a press briefing on Tuesday.

On Monday, Trudeau told the countrys Parliament that Canada was investigation credible allegations linking India to Hardeep Singh Nijjars killing in June this year. Nijjar, a New Delhi designated terrorist was gunned down by two masked men in parking area of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.

Advertisement

The Canadian government expelled an Indian diplomat identified as Pawan Kumar Rai over the killings. In retaliation, India also expelled Canadian intelligence services India state chief and asked him to leave in no more than five days.

The diplomatic row over the murder of the Sikh separatist leader has further deteriorated the already strained bilateral relations between Canada and India.

According to a report published in The Washington Post, Canadian officials discussed the issue of Nijjar killing with the US and the UK week before Trudeau made his allegations against New Delhi public. He also wanted his NATO allies to publicly condemn the killings before the G20 Summit.

However, the US authorities were reluctant and overlooked Canadas bid to corner New Delhi. By expelling Indian diplomat and informing the UK and US about it, Canada was hoping for a Russia-like response from its NATO allies.

In 2018, the British government had accused Russia of carrying out a nerve agent attack on British soil. In response, the US, Canada and several other European countries expelled their Russian diplomats.

However, it didnt happen in case of Nijjars killing for the fact that New Delhi has out rightly denied the Canadian claims and Trudeau made his allegations public even without completing an investigation.
After Justin Trudeau blamed India for the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian Prime Minister said on Tuesday that he is not aiming to provoke India. This reaction came after India hit back by expelling a Canadian diplomat from the High Commission in New Delhi.

Trudeau said in the morning briefing before the House of Commons started.The government of India needs to take this matter with utmost seriousness. We are doing just that We are not looking to provoke or escalate,

Meanwhile, security has been tightened around the High Commission of Canada in the New Delhi as a preventive measure, sources said on Tuesday.

Advertisement

This move followed the escalating tension in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

On Monday, Trudeau in an emergency statement made in the Parliament had accused the Government of India of being involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on its soil.

Nijjar was gunned down on June 18 outside a Sikh cultural centre in Surrey, British Columbia.

Trudeau had said that Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between the Indian government agents and the murder of Khalistan Tiger Force chief Nijjar.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus efforts to isolate India globally over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar failed miserably after the US and the UK chose not to condemn New Delhi and sought proper investigation.

Nijjar, a designated terrorist and citizen of Canada, was killed on June 18 this year by unidentified assailants in the parking area of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey.

On Tuesday, Trudeau alleged Indias role in Nijjars murder, an accusation New Delhi denied and termed absurd and motivated.

Advertisement

According to a report published in The Washington Post, Canadian officials had raised the issue with their counterparts in the United States and other NATO countries weeks before Trudeau made the allegations public and the New Delhi G20 Summit.

The Canadian prime minister wanted his NATO allies to publicly condemn the killing of Nijjar, who was designated as a terrorist by New Delhi in 2020. However, the US authorities chose not to comment on the issue publicly before the G20 Summit, the US daily reported.

Even now, the UK and the US have said that the while the allegations are serious, an investigation should be carried out and perpetrators should be punished. They didnt condemn New Delhi or repeated Trudeaus allegations. The UK even said that the issue will not hamper the countrys trade deal with India.

On Tuesday, Trudeau had informed the countrys Parliament that the initial investigation has revealed that an Indian diplomat was behind the murder of Nijjar. The diplomat was expelled from the country. He was later identified as Pawan Kumar Rai, RAWs Canada station chief.

Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, PM Trudeau said on Monday.

In retaliation, New Delhi also expelled Canadian intelligence services India station chief and asked him to leave in five days. Reacting to Trudeaus allegations, Indias ministry of external affairs said that the claims made by the Canadian prime minister were absurd and politically motivated.

We are a democratic polity with a strong commitment to rule of law, the ministry said in a statement, accusing Ottawa of providing shelter to Khalistani terrorists and extremists who threaten Indias sovereignty and security.

We urge the government of Canada to take prompt and effective legal action against all anti-India elements operating from their soil, the ministry said.
The Five Eyes intelligence alliance is a treaty of 5 nations namely Canada, US, UK , Australia and New Zealand. These countires are a part of the treaty for joint cooperation in signals intelligence. It has supported Canadas allegation that India was involved in the murder of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Other than Canada, the other countries in the alliance described the claims as serious. The US stated that Justin Trudeaus assertion over Indias role had it extremely concerned.

White House National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson issued a statement saying, We are deeply concerned about the allegations referenced by Prime Minister Trudeau earlier today, and that We remain in regular contact with our Canadian partners. It is crucial that Canadas probe continue and the offenders get prosecuted.

The charges were also described as serious in the UK, where Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated that Indias involvement in the killing of the Sikh leader is being investigated by Canada.

Advertisement

AFP quotes James Cleverly as saying, I think its incredibly important that we allow the Canadian authorities to conduct their investigation. James Cleverly is in New York for the UN General Assembly. It goes without saying that we have very close ties with both India and Canada.

According to Australias foreign ministry, it has spoken with India at senior levels about its worries on the events.

Australia expresses its profound concern over these claims and takes notice of the continuing inquiries. Australia is of the opinion that every nation should uphold its independence and the law. With regard to advancements, we work closely with our partners. At senior levels, we have expressed our concerns to India, the spokesperson said in a statement.

According to a Western source cited by The Washington Post, the Five Eyes alliance declined to jointly denounce the execution of Hardeep Singh Nijjar but instead privately raised the matter prior to the G20 summit. According to the source, Justin Trudeau also brought up the subject with Emmanuel Macron, the president of France.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Light snow this morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. High 37F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of snow 70%..

Tonight

Mostly clear. Low 29F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph.
NANJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and four others were severely injured after a tornado hit two townships in east China's Jiangsu Province on Tuesday, local authorities said on Wednesday.

The accident occurred around 5 p.m. in Daxing Township and Nancai Township in the city of Suqian. An initial investigation showed that 5,512 people were affected, homes of 1,646 households were generally damaged, and homes of 137 households collapsed. A total of 41.8 hectares of crops were damaged, and 405 people were temporarily relocated to safe places, according to the city's emergency management department.

Local government departments had rushed to the site of the accident to deal with the aftermath. The injured are being treated in hospital. 
HARBIN, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China's northernmost province of Heilongjiang saw its foreign trade in goods grow 16.1 percent year on year to 193.44 billion yuan (about 26.97 billion U.S. dollars) in the first eight months of 2023, according to local customs.

During this period, Heilongjiang's imports rose 8.1 percent year on year to 145.9 billion yuan, while its exports surged by 50.2 percent to 47.54 billion yuan, data from Harbin Customs showed.

The province's trade with Belt and Road countries reached 162.3 billion yuan, up 16.1 percent year on year, accounting for 83.9 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume. Its trade with members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership rose 27 percent to 18.37 billion yuan.

Its exports of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products maintained strong growth during this period. The province also saw an increase in imports of agricultural products, metal ore and ore sand. 
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com.
China, S. Africa space ties promise wide scope

09:05, September 20, 2023 By ZHAO LEI ( China Daily

Observers see cooperation potential in ground tracking, control work

There is huge potential and there will be big opportunities in the field of space cooperation between China and South Africa as the two nations have recently decided to enhance their collaboration in this regard, observers said.

Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said that China wants to maintain and deepen its communications, exchanges and cooperation with other countries in space programs, while South Africa seems interested in space exploration and related expertise, which means the two sides can find common interests in joining hands in outer space.

"As one of the space powers in the world, China now has advanced technologies and spacecraft, well-made plans, rich experience and talented professionals. And, it is willing to share its expertise with friendly countries," he said, emphasizing that South Africa has always had good relations with China.

South Africa has a solid industrial foundation and good capabilities in scientific and technological fields, which means it can also contribute to joint space programs, Wang added.

Yang Yuguang, a senior space industry observer and vice-chair of the International Astronautical Federation's Space Transportation Committee, said that South Africa has been enthusiastic about advancing its space capability for a long time, and had once planned to develop its own carrier rockets and satellites.

The nation is a leader in Africa in terms of the space industry and the science and technology sector, and its location  at the southernmost tip of the continent  is an advantage, Yang said.

"One important area where the two sides can cooperate is ground tracking and control work. South Africa has been in cooperation with several spacefaring countries because its geographic location permits unique advantages in ground-based telemetry for and a control of spacecraft. Lunar missions require sophisticated telemetry and control network, so the participation of the African nation will be very helpful," the observer said.

Moreover, international cooperation has become an indispensable part of China's lunar endeavor, and previous Chinese lunar probes have carried foreign science payloads, Yang said. "South Africa wishes to further expand its space capability. Therefore, it is natural for the two nations to open cooperation in this field."

Earlier this month, South Africa officially joined the International Lunar Research Station Program, an ambitious venture led by China.

On Sept 1, Chinese Ambassador to South Africa Chen Xiaodong signed a memorandum of understanding on behalf of the China National Space Administration with Humbulani Mudau, CEO of the South African National Space Agency, marking South Africa's entry into the program.

According to the agreement, both parties will engage in extensive cooperation in areas including the planning, construction, operation and application of the lunar outpost, as well as related education and training projects.

Moreover, within the framework of the BRICS Remote Sensing Satellite Constellation, the Chinese and South African space agencies will collaborate on remote sensing data exchange and application, and on satellite ground stations.

South Africa's participation in the program indicates that China-South Africa space cooperation has extended from near-Earth operations to lunar and deep-space explorations, which will help promote advancements in space technology in China and South Africa, the China National Space Administration said.

According to Chinese scientists, the first version of the International Lunar Research Station will comprise components of China's Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 robotic missions  orbiters, landers, rovers and a flyby craft, as well as a relay satellite.

Both the Chang'e 7 and Chang'e 8 probes are designed to land on the moon's south pole. Chang'e 7 is scheduled to set out around 2026, while Chang'e 8 will join it around 2028.

In the long run, other spacecraft will be deployed on the south pole, to bring more infrastructure to the science outpost. The station will use robots most of the time, but will also be capable of accommodating astronauts for short stays.

The lunar station will act as an international platform for moon-based scientific experiments and mineral research, mission planners said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
AD Ports Group, the leading facilitator of global trade, logistics and industry, has emerged triumphant by taking home 12 Stevie Awards across various categories at The International Business Awards 2023.

Recognised as the world's premier business awards, The International Business Awards honour organisations and individuals for their exceptional accomplishments and contributions to the global economy.

AD Ports Group was honoured with the Gold Stevie Award for Fastest-Growing Company of the Year in the Middle East and Africa, further highlighting the groups remarkable growth trajectory.

Among the notable recognitions, AD Ports Group's dedication to sustainability earned them the esteemed Gold Stevie Award for the Sustainability Leadership Award in the Middle East and Africa. Recognising the groups commitment to making a lasting positive impact on the environment, while driving sustainable practices.

The Silver Stevie Award was presented for Marketing Campaign of the Year in the Government/Institutional/Recruitment category for the Groups Leading Trade campaign.

The group's commitment to environmental conservation was once again rewarded with the Silver Stevie Award for Communications or PR Campaign of the Year in the Content Marketing category for the Khalifa Port Coral Reef Relocation campaign.

Its Ports Cluster Management Team secured the Silver Stevie Award for Management Team of the Year, showcasing their collective efforts in driving operational excellence and innovation.

Bronze awards were received for Achievement in Finance and Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said: "I am delighted with our remarkable wins, which underscore AD Ports Group's commitment to excellence, innovation, and making a positive impact across various sectors.

He added, The Stevie International Business Awards recognition serves as a testament to our vital role in driving the wise leaderships vision of shaping our nations business landscape for further economic growth and diversification."

In addition, AD Ports Group's PIE Programme received the Silver Stevie Award for Thought Leadership Campaign of the Year in the Business Services category. The Silver Stevie Award for Marketing Team of the Year reaffirmed the Groups excellence in crafting compelling marketing strategies and campaigns.  TradeArabia News Service
TEHRAN, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A senior Iranian official said on Wednesday that South Korea has to compensate Tehran for the drop in the value of Iran's recently released assets, which were blocked in the East Asian country's banks by the United States.

Mohammad Dehqan, Iran's vice president for legal affairs, made the remarks on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting in the Iranian capital Tehran.

He said the decrease in the value of Iran's assets, which had been deposited in two South Korean banks a few years ago and remained inaccessible by Iran ever since the United States sanctioned Tehran, was due to the depreciation of the South Korean currency against the U.S. dollar, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.

Iran has mobilized its experts to investigate the case, sought consultation from international lawyers and will soon announce its final position on the issue, he added.

On Monday, Governor of the Central Bank of Iran Mohammad Reza Farzin announced the transfer of the Iranian assets, amounting to around 5.94 billion dollars, to six Iranian accounts in two Qatari banks.

The Iranian assets were released under a Doha-brokered agreement between Tehran and Washington, as a part of which the two sides also swapped 10 prisoners, five Iranian nationals and five American citizens.

Iran has repeatedly rejected any link between the prisoner swap with the United States and the release of the country's frozen assets abroad. 
An international Tai Chi contest was held recently in Jiaozuo City of central China's Henan Province, attracting more than 2,600 Tai Chi practitioners from 31 countries and regions. #GLOBALink





Produced by Xinhua Global Service




BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The China Disabled Persons' Federation on Wednesday concluded its eighth national congress.

The congress, which opened on Monday, saw the election and appointment of new leadership.

Cheng Kai was elected as the new chair of the federation, and nine vice chairpersons were also elected or re-elected. The congress approved Yang Xiaodu to serve as the honorable chair of the federation.

A new executive council was also elected at the congress, with Zhou Changkui re-elected as head of the council.

The congress called on federations for people with disabilities at various levels to shoulder their tasks to promote the comprehensive development of programs for people with disabilities, and to advance the common prosperity of the group.

State Councilor Shen Yiqin attended the closing session and called for new horizons to be opened for the development of programs for people with disabilities.

Shen underscored the need to ensure the basic livelihoods of people with disabilities and enhance their self-development capabilities, raise the standards of rehabilitation and disability prevention services, and foster an all-encompassing environment that promotes the equal participation of people with disabilities. 
QUICK ANSWER:

No, Google is not banned in Vietnam. Vietnamese citizens can use Google freely.

(But many Youtube channels that used to report news have been banned)

Related post: Did you know that you can Buy Google Reviews ?

Click here to see the Where to Buy Google Reviews .

Click here to learn How to Buy Reviews on Google .

--

The Wikipedia page on internet censorship in Vietnam provides information on the topic.

The government of Vietnam claims that it blocks obscene or sexually explicit content, but many of the filtered sites actually contain politically or religiously critical materials that could undermine the Communist Party and its one-party rule. Amnesty International has reported multiple cases of Internet activists being arrested for their online activities.

Background Edit

reactionary" or "depraved" content

Vietnam's internet regulation began in 1997 with a government decree that gave the General Director of the Postal Bureau exclusive authority over internet usage. This included overseeing internet service providers, registering users, and managing subscription contracts.

Legal framework Edit

Regulatory responsibility for Internet material in Vietnam is divided by subject matter. The Ministry of Culture and Information focuses on sexually explicit, superstitious, or violent content, while the Ministry of Public Security monitors politically sensitive content. Vietnam's constitution guarantees freedom of speech, press, and assembly, but state security laws and regulations limit these protections. All Internet content in Vietnam must comply with various laws, including state secrets and intellectual property protections. Both domestic and foreign individuals and organizations are legally responsible for the content they create and disseminate online. Using the Internet to oppose the state, destabilize security or the economy, disclose state secrets, infringe on others' rights, or interfere with the DNS servers is unlawful. The Law on Information Technology was enacted in 2006. Violators of Internet use rules can face penalties ranging from fines to criminal liability.

This includes people who buy negative Google reviews , and people who buy Google ads accounts .

In 2010, a law was passed that mandated public Internet providers, including Internet cafes, hotels, and businesses offering free Wi-Fi, to install software for monitoring users' activities.

In September 2013, Decree 72 was implemented, which prohibits the online distribution of materials that are deemed harmful to national security or oppose the actions of the Vietnamese Government. It only permits users to exchange personal information through blogs and social media platforms, while banning the circulation of general information or any content from media outlets, including state-owned ones. Additionally, foreign web companies are required to operate servers within Vietnam if they target Vietnamese users.

Censored content Edit

Subversive content Edit

In Saigon, there are rules that prohibit patrons from accessing sites with subversive or pornographic content.

According to OpenNet research, there is a concentration of blocking on websites that contain content related to overseas political opposition, overseas and independent media, human rights, and religious topics. Additionally, proxies and circumvention tools, which are illegal to use, are often blocked.

Most blocked websites in Vietnam are those written in Vietnamese or dealing with issues related to Vietnam. Websites that are not specifically related to Vietnam or only written in English are rarely blocked.

The website of the British Broadcasting Corporation (www.bbc.co.uk ), which has a significant journalistic presence, is occasionally blocked.

Pornography Edit

The government claims that censorship of the internet is necessary to block obscene content, but very few pornographic websites are actually censored in Vietnam. This suggests that government reasons for censorship are not valid. A study in 2006 found that no porn websites were blocked, except for one that had a link to a porn site but was blocked for other reasons. Media representatives in Vietnam believe that sites like Facebook and YouTube are blocked for economic reasons, as they use a large amount of international bandwidth without generating profits.

Social networking Edit

During the week of November 16, 2009, Vietnamese Facebook users experienced difficulties accessing the popular social networking website.

An official decree from August 27, 2009, was leaked on the Internet, but its authenticity has not been confirmed. The Vietnamese government denied intentionally blocking access to Facebook, and the internet service provider FPT stated that they are working with foreign companies to resolve a fault that is blocking access to Facebook's servers in the United States.

Blogging Edit

Yahoo! 360 was a popular blogging service in Vietnam. Following a government crackdown on journalists reporting on corruption in mid-2008, numerous blogs covered the events and criticized the government action. In response, the Ministry of Information proposed new rules to limit blogs to personal topics.

Global Voices Advocacy keeps a record of bloggers who have been detained due to their online expressions. Several bloggers were apprehended by the Vietnamese government during the [16].

Medium was blocked in 2020, and there are still several Internet service provider blocks in place using technology deep packet inspection as of 2021.

Instant messaging Edit

Yahoo! Messenger is one of the instant messaging software that may be monitored, resulting in messages being blocked and not seen by the intended recipient.

Criticism of Vietnamese government on Youtube videos and social media platforms hosted by internet service providers and potential threats to national security Edit

In 2019, Vietnam implemented a cybersecurity law that prohibits online criticism of the government and mandates ISPs to provide user data upon request.

As part of Vietnam's strategy to regulate the Internet, bloggers, netizens, and journalists are often arrested. The aim of these arrests is to hinder dissenting activities and encourage self-censorship. Vietnam is ranked as the second largest incarcerator of netizens globally, following China.

Vietnamese users, social media users and internet users on social media networks or blogging platforms created by social media companies must not do Vietnamese government criticism on online platforms in Ho chi minh city or anywhere else, and Facebook's vice president agreed to this government censorship as well as other tech giants and technology companies respecting this local law.
QUICK ANSWER:

No. TikTok is not banned in Turkey.

Related Post: Did you know that you can buy TikTok Followers and TikTok Likes ?

Click here to learn how to Buy Cheap TikTok Views and how to Buy Tik Tok Likes .

--

Turkey fines TikTok 1.75 mln lira for weak data protection measures

Turkish authorities have imposed a fine of 1.75 million lira ($93,000) on TikTok for inadequate user data protection measures, according to the Personal Data Protection Board (KVKK) on Wednesday.

The fine is a response to the increasing global concern regarding the Chinese short video-sharing app and its handling of user data. European and Canadian government institutions have prohibited the app on staff phones, and there are ongoing discussions in the United States about a bill that would grant President Joe Biden the authority to ban TikTok.

The KVKK stated that the company was fined for failing to implement adequate security measures to prevent unauthorized processing of personal data.

According to the data protection authority, it is recommended that TikTok translates its Terms of Service into Turkish and updates its privacy and cookies policy texts to comply with the regulations of the country.

The TikTok social media platform was unable to reply to the personal data protection board at this time, as well as other social media platforms

According to data from Statista, Turkey ranks ninth in terms of TikTok users worldwide, with approximately 30 million accounts on the social media platform.

($1 = 18.8867 liras)

Tik Tok's decision to comply with Turkey's new laws on social media raises concerns about the restriction of free speech on its platform and the potential expansion of the Turkish government's censorship regime. ARTICLE 19 and IFOD have expressed their concerns, noting that YouTube made a similar decision in December despite calls from civil society to not appoint a local representative.

The decision was announced to maintain free expression on its platform. However, freedom of expression in Turkey is limited by government censorship and imprisonment of dissenting voices. The amendment to the Internet Law will expand government censorship to online speech and greatly reduce online freedoms for Turkish people. IFODs research found that numerous websites, URL addresses, tweets, and YouTube videos are already blocked in Turkey. With a local office, social media companies will face more content removal requests.

The data protection authority and the Turkish government have not banned Tiktok but have sufficient measures amid growing international concern like the human rights watch to maybe think about having banned TikTok banned in the future, and the Turkish government institutions is are taking sufficient measures to prevent unlawful processing of data and protect users.

TikTok claims it will maintain user expression on its platform in Turkey, but the new law makes that impossible. The Turkish government issues many takedown requests to social media platforms, and this is likely to increase under the new law. Social media companies who comply with the law will face pressure to allow these requests. People in Turkey have the right to express themselves and access social media freely. By appointing a local representative, companies like TikTok risk being implicated in rights violations. Compliance with the new law could turn platforms into tools of repression in Turkey. Yaman Akdeniz, co-founder of Internet Freedom and Digital Rights Foundation (IfoD), expressed this concern.

TikTok's compliance with the Turkish law may have negative effects on freedom of expression in Turkey. The changes to Turkey's Internet Law require companies to appoint a local representative, which may result in unjustified take-down and content removal requests by the Turkish authorities.

Tik Tok's decision to comply with Turkey's new laws on social media raises concerns about free speech on its platform and the expansion of censorship by the Turkish government. The decision, announced today, follows a similar decision by YouTube in December, despite calls from civil society to reconsider.

Thank you for reading this blog post and let me know if you have any questions about this social media platform.
Actress Sai Pallavi is set to reunite with Naga Chaitanya for director Chandoo Mondeti's next tentatively titled NC 23. The actress, who was last seen in Tamil movie Gargi, was paired opposite Naga Chaitanya for the 2021 Telugu film Love Story.

Mondeti is known for Telugu films such as Premam and the Karthikeya franchise. This is his third collaboration with Naga Chaitanya.

Production house Geetha Arts, established by Allu Aravind, made the announcement on its official X page: "The beautiful and talented @Sai_Pallavi92 joins the voyage of #NC23. Pre-production in full swing."

True story of fishermen arrested by Pakistan?

Reportedly based on true incidents, the film revolves around a fishing community. Naga Chaitanya and Mondeti had visited a fishing village in Srikakulam in August to understand the culture and lifestyle of the community.

Speaking to media earlier, Mondeti said that the the real incident happened in 2018 and is a story about the village's locals who went to work in fishing boats in Gujarat. Producer Bunny Vas further said: The mentioned incident moved Delhi and also shook Karachi in Pakistan.

Though the team has not divulged more details about the film, their statements remind us of 22 fishermen who were arrested by Pakistani security agency off the coast of Gujarat on espionage charges in 2018.

The fishermen hailed from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts of Andhra Pradesh. All of them were jailed in a prison in Karachi, and were allowed to write to their family members once. They were released only in May 2023, following agreements between the governments of India and Pakistan.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress, led by state chief Kamal Nath, has gone on the offensive and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan over a viral video in which a man, identified as a BJP youth wing office bearer, is seen hitting an elderly person with slippers.

The victim has been identified as Barnu Singh Marawi (57), a tribal from Rajendragram in Anuppur district. The incident occurred on September 18 after Bhoma Singh (60), who was riding pillion with Barnu Singh on a motorcycle, was killed in an accident involving the motorcycle and a pickup truck near Jamudi village on the outskirts of Anuppur district headquarters.

Soon, a crowd gathered on the spot and started questioning Barnu Singh who was in a dazed condition. The video that has gone viral shows one person first hitting Singh, throwing him on the ground after which the BJP youth wing leader is seen hitting him with slippers while asking questions.

The person thrashing Singh with slippers was identified as Jaiganesh Dixit, Anuppur (rural) mandal president of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) while the other accused involved in the assault was identified as Jitendra Kushwaha.

Anuppur Superintendent of Police Jitendra Singh Pawar told THE WEEK that an FIR was registered against the two accused on the night of September 18 itself and they were detained. Further legal process is on, the SP said.

BJYM is the youth wing of the ruling BJP. District BJP president Ramdas Puri said Dixit has been removed from the post and served a show-cause notice after the incident came to light. We will also take action of expulsion if he fails to give a proper reply to the notice, Puri said.

Congress attacks BJP, CM

Meanwhile, the state Congress attacked the BJP government and CM Singh Chouhan over the repeated incidents of assault and insult of tribal people in the state.

Nath said on social media platform X: Shivraj Singh Chouhan ji, you cannot ignore this gruesome video. Next to the dead body of a tribal man in Anuppur district, a BJP leader is seen beating another tribal man with slippers....When you cannot stop atrocities on tribals, at least resign from the post of CM. The hypocrisy of washing feet cannot atone for your cruel rule. You have not only made Madhya Pradesh number one in atrocities against tribals, but have also made the state number one in the level of cruelty in such incidents.

Nath further asked: Have you given license to BJP workers to commit atrocities against tribals? A tribal daughter and five family members are buried alive in Nemawar. In Neemuch, a tribal youth was tied to a vehicle and dragged to death. A tribal youth in Sidhi was urinated upon; and every time, the person committing atrocities against tribals is either a leader of BJP or someone associated with it. Shivraj ji, please bid farewell now so that Madhya Pradesh gets freedom from this cruelty.

                                           ,       



  pic.twitter.com/tb9PENDuNr  Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) September 20, 2023

The poll campaign committee chief of Congress and tribal leader Kantilal Bhuria also attacked the ruling party and the CM and said if Chouhan failed to resign, tribal people would rise against the BJP government.

Later, Madhya Pradesh Congress general secretary in-charge Randeep Surjewala also held a press conference highlighting a number of incidents of atrocities against tribals, including murders during the past one year, and demanded the resignation of CM Chouhan.

BJP says other accused associated with Congress

Talking to THE WEEK, Puri alleged that the other accused, Jitendra Kushwaha, was an active Congress worker and also an office bearer of the backward class cell of the party. He said he would send the details about this association later. We have immediately taken action against our office bearer, but the Congress is not doing anything, Puri claimed.

Interestingly, the Anuppur SP too told THE WEEK that Kushwaha was arrested under Section 151 in February this year during a Congress demonstration.

Congress media department chief K.K. Mishra, however, said no Congress worker was involved in the incident and even if anyone was involved, the party still demands strictest action against all accused. But we want to ask whether the accused in Nemawar, Neemuch, Sidhi and those in murders of tribal people in Vidisha, Gwalior, Chhatarpur and Satna belonged to the Congress. It is clear that the BJP members are involved in well-planned incidents of attack on tribal people and the intention seems to be a clash between tribal and general category people. In most incidents of atrocities against tribals, members of BJP, VHP or RSS are found involved; this cannot be a coincidence, he said.












Just after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India of orchestrating the murder of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, rumours began to float on social media that Sikh security personnel at Rastrapathi Bhawan have been replaced.

There were also speculations that the Indian Army was denying leave requests to soldiers. However, the Indian Army has come out with a clarification that such reports are baseless. In a post on X, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army) said that these were fake. "Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of #IndianArmy, spreading rumours and hate-mongering. Safeguard yourselves against such fake news," the post added.



#FakeNewsAlert#Beware



Fake messages are being spread on social media by inimical agents about soldiers of #IndianArmy, spreading rumours & hate-mongering.



Safeguard yourselves against such fake news. #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/7q1icOPXdm  ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 19, 2023

The Press Information Bureau also carried out a fact check, stating that there was no such decision. It noted that such baseless allegations were "shared with the intention to create disharmony".



SGPC response

The revelation has prompted the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex religious body of Sikhs, to respond. The SGPC said the matter will affect Sikhs all over the world.



SGPC chief Harjinder Singh Dhami on Tuesday appealed to the Centre to resolve the issues of Sikhs in India and move towards an appropriate and meaningful solution by understanding the problems and feelings of the Sikh community living abroad. "In the murder case of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada, the expelling of a diplomatic officer of India by the Canadian government after allegations were levelled against him raises many questions," Dhami said.



"As a reaction to this, even though India rejected the allegations and expelled a Canadian diplomatic officer, this matter is very serious and directly related to the Sikhs which is going to affect the community members at the global level," he added.



The SGPC chief further said the governments of both the countries should bring the matter on the agenda of serious consideration instead of levelling accusations. Dhami asserted that Sikhs are living across the globe, whose human rights as well as religious concerns are important.


The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday issued an advisory to all Indian nationals in Canada, urging them "to exercise utmost caution."

The statement came after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged of the "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the alleged killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Advisory for Indian Nationals and Indian Students in Canada:https://t.co/zboZDH83iw pic.twitter.com/7YjzKbZBIK  Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) September 20, 2023

The advisory was published by MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday. "In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes. and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents," it read.

The statemet further said, "Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents. Our High Commission/Consulates General will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well being of the Indian community in Canada. Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant. Indian nationals and students from India in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites, or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's said in the country's Parliament on Monday that the authorities are actively pursuing credible allegations" related to Indian government involvement in the murder of Nijjar, a designated terrorist, in British Columbia in June. In an emergency statement to the House of Commons in Ottawa, Trudeau said that any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen was "an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty".



India has strongly rejected Trudeau's claims as absurd and motivated and dismissed a senior Canadian diplomat in a reciprocal move.

New Delhi, which remains wary of any revival of the insurgency, has long been unhappy over Sikh separatist activity in Canada and urged it to act against anti-Indian elements.A former chief of India's external spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), reportedly told Reuters that it was strange Trudeau had announced the expulsion of an Indian diplomat in parliament.

Canada has the largest population of Sikhs outside the Indian state of Punjab, with about 770,000 people reporting Sikhism as their religion in the 2021 census. Some Indian analysts say Ottawa does not stop Sikh protesters as they are a politically influential group.
Even as diplomatic relations with Canada nosedive, India has made it clear that there will be no soft pedalling on terror threat from pro-Khalistani outfits as it came out with documentary evidence on six most wanted Khalistani terrorists of the proscribed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) declaring cash rewards on them on Wednesday.

These terror operatives are suspected to be hiding in Canada where their accomplice Hardeep Singh Nijjar was shot dead in June. Despite Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus provocative assertion linking Nijjars death to Indian intelligence operations, there is no let off in steam by Indian security agencies who want to lay hands on terrorists and bust the trans-national syndicates.

The Pakistan links of these Canada-based terrorists have also been ringing alarm bells for intelligence agencies who recently briefed National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. It is learnt that Doval is personally monitoring the security concerns arising out of the stress on diplomatic ties caused by Canadas denial of anti-India activities on its soil.

On Wednesday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) made public names, faces, addresses and terror links of the Khalistani terrorists to track them down. It declared a Rs 100,000 cash reward each for information on Lakhbir Singh Landa, who is allegedly hiding in Canada, and Harvinder Singh Rinda in Pakistan. Their other accomplices in Canada Parminder Singh Kaira alias Pattu and Satnam Singh alias Satta and Yadwinder Singh alias Yaddahave a Rs 500,000 cash reward each.

While the NIA does not name Canada while seeking information from the public on their whereabouts, the dossiers prepared by the intelligence agencies disclose how some of them used forged passport to escape to Canada where they were even detained by Canadian authorities recently, only to be let off.

Canada-based Lakhbir Singh Landa, a native of Harike in Tarn Taran who fled to Canada in 2017-18, tops the list with an alleged long history of being involved in crimes related to murder, attempt to murder, illegal possession of arms and extortion. He is said to be an old associate of Harwinder Singh Rinda, a Pakistan-based gangster-turned-terrorist, who masterminded the rocket-propelled grenade attack on the Punjab police intelligence headquarters in Mohali in 2022.

Rinda is presently suspected to be living in Pakistan by acquiring an Indian passport on a fake identity. He is reportedly sheltered by Pakistan-based terrorist groups and the ISI. Landa and Rinda are involved in large-scale cross-border smuggling of drugs and weapons, according to intelligence officials. Evidence with security agencies reveals that Landa arranged the shelter, an assault rifle and Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) for the two individuals who carried out the attack at Intelligence headquarters in Mohali on May 9 in 2022, through his associates based in Punjab.

The target of the trans-national terror ring is clearly Punjab where the BKI activities are aimed at disturbing peace and communal harmony and spreading terror, said NIA sources.

The Canadian links tumble out with intelligence sources revealing that Satnam Singh, from Tarn Taran in Punjab and a close associate of Landa, escaped to Canada on forged passport where he was detained but eventually let off. Another associate Parminder Singh Khaira from Firozpur in Punjab, learnt to be close to Landa and Satta, also reportedly entered Canada on a forged passport. Meanwhile, Yadvinder Singh alias Yadi from Tarn Taran, is learnt to be hiding in Philippines. Intelligence sources said both Yadi and Satta were involved in the RPG attack on Sarhali police station in Tarn Taran last year.

An NIA spokesperson said the wanted terrorists are accused of commission of terror acts and activities, besides raising funds for the BKI through smuggling of terrorist hardware and narcotics into Punjab and also through extensive extortion from businessmen and other prominent individuals.

They are also wanted in cases relating to commissioning of targeted killings, as well as targeting of law enforcement agencies in order to create an environment of terror in Punjab, said the agency.

The NIA investigations have further shown these terrorists to be recruiting new members for the BKI by promising monetary benefits. They have also established a network of operatives in various countries to further their terror activities, it said.

Sources said Rinda moved from Sarhali village in Tarn Taran to Nanded in Maharashtra after committing a series of crimes since 2008 and presently has nearly 30 cases against him. He is wanted in Punjab, Maharashtra, Chandigarh, Haryana and West Bengal.

He is learnt to have made several failed attempts to attack police buildings by using foot soldiers in Punjab before using Landa and other Canada-based gangsters to mastermind the RPG attack on the intelligence headquarters. An accused in ten cases of murder, six cases of attempt to murder, seven cases of dacoities besides abductions, extortions, Arms Act and NDPS Act cases, Rinda is suspected to be running the Khalistan network from Pakistan through Canadian soil into Punjab.
A day after the government introduced a constitutional amendment bill reserving 33 per cent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, the bill will be taken up for discussion on Wednesday when the House will meet at 11 am.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi is likely to open the debate for Congress. When asked about the bill on Tuesday, the Congress leader claimed credit for it, stating "It's ours."



Incidentally, Gandhi will be speaking in the Lok Sabha after a year.



The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam bill, the first bill to be introduced in the new Parliament building, was tabled in the Lower House by Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday.



Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his first speech in the first session in the new premises that the government wanted more and more women to join the development process of the country. "For many years, there have been several debates and controversies around women's reservation. On women's reservation, there have been many efforts earlier also in Parliament. In 1996, the first bill related to this was introduced. During Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure, many times the women's reservation bill was brought but numbers could not be mustered for it and the dream was left unfulfilled," he said.



Modi also urged opposition members of both Houses to pass the bill unanimously.



However, the bill will come into effect only after a delimitation exercise is completed. It is therefore unlikely to be in force during the next Lok Sabha elections in 2024. This has triggered controversy after Congress claimed it "an election jumla".



Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh described the bill as a huge betrayal of the hopes of crores of Indian women and girls". "As we had pointed out earlier, the Modi government has not yet conducted the 2021 Decadal Census making India the only country in G20 that has failed to carry out the Census When will this Census take place?" Ramesh said.



Rajya Sabha MP and former Union minister, Kapil Sibal, also raised questions over the implementation of the proposed law, saying that any such Bill or draft legislation can only become law after a census and delimitation exercise. "They are merely trying to extract political mileage from the tabling of this draft legislation going into the Lok Sabha elections next year. They want to tell the people, especially women that they brought this landmark law into force. They should have done it in 2014. What is so historic about it? There has to be a census and delimitation before the womens reservation Bill is implemented. What if census and delimitation dont happen? Sibal said.


A Chennai court on Wednesday denied bail to Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in June 2023 on charges of money laundering in a cash-for-job scam case. Principal Sessions Court Judge S. Alli noted that the allegations against Balaji are categorical and disclose that he has a definite role in the commission of offence charged against him.

Stating that grave allegations have been raised against Balaji, the court said that the ED had produced 77 documents running to 2,853 pages.

On perusal of the complaint filed by the complainant, the statement of witnesses and the accused recorded u/s 50 of PMLA and also the documents collected during investigation, it reveals that serious and grave allegations have been raised against the petitioner. The said allegations are categorical and specific and it discloses the fact that the petitioner has a definite role in the commission of offence, charged against him. As claimed by the Senior Counsels for the petitioner, the allegations against the petitioner are not without substance, since the complainant has examined as many as 20 witnesses, apart from the Investigating Officer and have produced 77 documents, runs to 2853 pages, filed along with the complaint. Through the bank statements of the petitioner / accused, cash deposits totally for Rs.1.34 crores has been identified as proceeds of crime during the period of financial year 2013-2014 to 2021-2022 and his wife S. Megala has received cash deposits of Rs 29.55 lakhs during the period of F.Y. 2014 - 2015 to F.Y. 2019 - 2020, Judge Alli said in the order.

The petitioner is a Member of the Legislative Assembly and a sitting Minister of Government of Tamil Nadu and previously he was holding the key portfolios, like Transport Corporation, Electricity Board and Excise Policy etc. Considering the gravity of offence, overwhelming materials against the petitioner, the status of the petitioner and the fact that the petitioner has not satisfied the twin conditions of Sec.45 of the PMLA, 2002, this court does not find reasonable grounds for believing that the petitioner is not guilty of the offence or that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail and taking overall view of the matter, the court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner on merits and also on medical grounds, judge Alli said in a 29-page order after hearing the bail application filed by Balaji and the oppositions to granting bail raised by the ED.

Stating that the earlier bail petition filed by Balaji on June 14, 2023 was dismissed, Judge Alli noted that she did not find any change of circumstance except the facts of completion of investigation and filing of complaint, which are not the major grounds for granting bail in the absence the no-compliance of twin conditions u/s 45 of the PMLA, 2002 for an offence u/s 3 punishable u/s 4 of the PMLA, 2002.

The court also said that Balaji has failed to fulfil the twin conditions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, for grant of bail.
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday opposed the women's reservation bill saying it would provide reservation only to "savarna women", and questioned why OBC and Muslim women who have even lesser representation in Parliament are not being given any quota.

"I oppose this legislation.... The justification that is being given for the bill is that more women will get elected to Parliament. If that is the justification, why that justification is not being extended to the OBC and Muslim women whose representation in this august House is minimal," Owaisi said.

"We know Muslim women are seven per cent of the population, but in this Lok Sabha their representation stands at only 0.7 per cent," he said.

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the Constitution amendment bill which seeks to reserve 33 per cent seats in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for women in the Lower House of Parliament on Wednesday.

According to the bill, it will come into effect after the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies which will be carried out after the completion of the next population census.

Speaking on the bill, Owaisi said, "This Modi government wants to increase representation for savarna women. They don't want representation for OBC women and Muslim women. There have been 690 women MPs elected to Lok Sabha and only 25 of them have come from the Muslim community."

"I hear (that) reservation cannot be given on religious grounds? What is the 1950 presidential order? You are deceiving Muslim women by denying them quota within this reservation," he said.

The Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order of 1950 recognised only Hindus as SCs. Amendments were done in 1956 and 1990 to include Sikh Dalits, and later Buddhist Dalits.

Owaisi said Muslim women face dual discrimination and accused the ruling BJP of denying Muslim and OBC women their due share.

"This bill will deny OBCs their fair share. It will close the door on Muslim representation," he said.

He alleged that the bill was a "deception bill" and referred to the grant of remission to the convicts in the Bilkis Bano gang-rape case in Gujarat.
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with Guinea's President Mamady Doumbouya on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said here Tuesday that China is ready to work with Guinea to keep supporting each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and jointly safeguarding the interests of developing countries.

Han made the pledge when meeting with Guinea's President Mamady Doumbouya on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Han conveyed sincere greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to Doumbouya.

Guinea is the first sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, he said.

The people of China and Guinea enjoy a long-term sincere friendship, and there is huge potential for practical cooperation between the two countries, the Chinese vice president said.

China appreciates Guinea's participation in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative and stands ready to work with Guinea to carry forward their traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation as well as deepen and solidify bilateral relations, Han added.

Doumbouya asked Han to convey his best wishes to Xi, saying that the friendship between the Guinean and Chinese people is profound.

Guinea attaches great importance to developing relations with China, and supports the important initiatives put forward by the Chinese president, Doumbouya said.

Guinea is willing to work with China to step up pragmatic cooperation in various fields and push bilateral relations to a new level, Doumbouya added.
Canada had approached its allies, including Washington, seeking their public condemnation of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death, but was rebuffed, said reports.

The issue was privately raised by several senior officials of the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing countries in the weeks before Septembers G20 summit in New Delhi. However, Ottawa's overtures were rebuffed.



A report by The Washington Post quoting an unnamed Western official said the countries decided not to mention it publicly ahead of the G20 Summit "which Western leaders viewed as an important coming-out party for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi."



However, a spokeswoman for Canadas foreign minister said the claims that "Canada asked allies to publicly condemn the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and were subsequently rebuffed, are false."



"We will continue to keep our allies, including at the officials level, apprised of relevant information, while Canadian security agencies work fast to get to the bottom of the matter," spokeswoman Emily Williams told The Washington Post.



'Diplomatic tightrope'



Regional analysts too believe Trudeaus allegations have put the White House in an especially tight spot. "The Biden administration has made extraordinary efforts to double down on the emerging strategic convergence between the United States and India while downplaying any possible divergence on shared values," said Milan Vaishnav, senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.



"Now, Washington will need to walk a fine line between ostracising a valued bulwark against Chinese expansionism and embracing the concerns of a major NATO ally," Vaishnav added.



The Biden administration has been working overtime to woo India, in its efforts to counter China.



According to Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst at the Wilson Center, said the dispute poses a dilemma for the Biden administration, which has articulated a "values-based foreign policy thats meant to emphasize rights and democracy."



"The U.S. needs to walk a diplomatic tightrope in that Canada is an ally and neighbour while India is a key strategic partner," Kugelman said. "There will be pressure on Washington to weigh in in support of Canada, but at the same time it values, in a big way, its relationship with India," he told The Washington Post.



Kugelman added that in many Western capitals, there was this "multi-partisan consensus that India is a key strategic player and partner."



"Canadas allies want to express a sense of solidarity with Canada but are reluctant to go farther by, for example, calling on India to respond. I think that Washington and London and other key capitals know that the Indian government is very sensitive to any type of external criticism directed at Indias domestic affairs and domestic policies, even if that criticism is coming from close partners," he said.



"Thats not to say that there wont be behind the scenes, backchannel diplomacy," Kugelman noted.
A day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's statement that there were "credible allegations" linking India to the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the country's opposition leader has urged the Prime Minister to come clean with facts.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called on Trudeau to "come clean" with more information about allegations. Poilievre told reporters that he received the same information from Trudeau privately. On whether Canada's relationship with India should change in light of the new allegations, Poilievre said Trudeau should share more proof behind the allegations.



"The prime minister needs to come clean with all the facts. We need to know all the evidence possible so that Canadians can make judgments on that," Poilievre said.



"The prime minister hasnt provided any facts. He provided a statement and I want to emphasise that he didnt tell me any more in private (than) he told Canadians in public, so we want to see more information," Poilievre said. He added that there would be "real" risk if Trudeau refuses to provide more information or if the allegations turn out to be inaccurate.



Besides Poilievre, British Columbia Premier David Eby also called on the Trudeau government to share more information on ongoing foreign interference and "transnational organised crime threats" after receiving a briefing from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) on Nijjars "assassination".



Jesse Singh, founder and chairman of the community group, Sikhs of America, told an event hosted by Washington's Hudson Institute think tank that Trudeau has failed to provide any proof. "It's just something that he said is a credible allegation, with no proof at all. And I think we'll have to wait to see if there is any proof there and then I think further decisions can be taken," Singh added.



Harjit Sajjan, Canada's minister of emergency preparedness, told a local media organisation that Trudeau publicly implicated India because he learned the story was going to come out in the media. Sajjan, the Liberal MP for Vancouver South, said the investigation into Nijjar's death is still ongoing, but Trudeau wanted to ensure Canadians had "the accurate information" about the story before it made headlines.



"I can assure you that the decision for the prime minister to go out  was done with the full consultation of the appropriate agencies involved.



And, again, we would prefer not to have to come out, but because if there were stories that were going to be coming out, it's important for the prime minister to make it very clear what is taking place based on, you know, the amount of information that could be provided," Sajjan told CBC Radio.

Meanwhile, Reuters quoted a senior official in Canada who said the government should share evidence in Canada's possession "in due course".


New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia will inaugurate the newly developed infrastructure at Tezu airport in Arunachal Pradesh on September 24.

In a release on Wednesday, the civil aviation ministry said the government has spent Rs 170 crore to develop the infrastructure.

Tezu airport has been developed on 212 acres of land and is capable of handling operations for ATR 72 type of aircraft.

Scindia along with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu will inaugurate the newly developed infrastructure on September 24.

"AAI undertook the development and upgradation work to operationalise Tezu airport at the request of the state government. The works undertaken for Rs 170 crore includes the extension of the runway... and the construction of a new apron for 2 ATR 72 type aircraft, construction of a new terminal building, and a fire station cum ATC Tower," the release said.
 Four new eMasters degree programs have also been introduced in domains of Climate Finance and Sustainability, Renewable Energy and e-Mobility, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and Business Leadership in Digital Age



 GATE score is not required to apply for the eMasters degree programs



 Applications are open until October 31, 2023, for fresh cohorts to start from January 2024.



KANPUR, India , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In the wake of India's significant rise as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, the financial sector's projected growth until 2035 and the country's vibrant digital technology and telecommunications markets have captured global attention. As India propels forward, it is making significant strides in sectors such as Cyber Security, Power Generation, FinTech, and Data Science, presenting abundant opportunities for skilled professionals to build a future-ready workforce capable of tackling emerging challenges. Additionally, Sustainability, eMobility, AI and Machine Learning, Business Leadership in Digital Age, are also evolving as crucial domains necessitating urgent interventions.



To meet this rising demand, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) is proud to announce the commencement of new cohorts for its groundbreaking eMasters degree programs. Applications are being invited for various new cohorts in Data Science and Business Analytics, Financial Technology and Management, Business Finance, Financial Analysis, Public Policy, Next Generation Wireless Technologies, Cyber Security, as well as Power Sector Regulation, Economics, and Management.



Apart from these existing programs, IIT Kanpur has launched four new eMasters degree programs in Climate Finance and Sustainability, Renewable Energy and e-Mobility, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and Business Leadership in Digital Age, with applications open for the inaugural cohorts. Amidst the burning concerns around sustainability and climate change, the Climate Finance and Sustainability program would give a broad overview of financial strategies and sustainable initiatives; whereas the Renewable Energy and e-Mobility program would cater to the evolving alternative energy sector. The program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning will prepare professionals to be adept at the rapidly evolving sector, and the Business Leadership in Digital Age program will upskill professionals in modern business dynamics.



Designed for executives, these eMasters degree programs do not require a GATE score, allowing professionals to pursue advanced education without disrupting their careers. The programs offer a flexible completion timeframe of 1-3 years, catering to diverse schedules.



Since its inception in 2021, the eMasters degree programs have been a path-breaking and unique initiative from IIT Kanpur to upskill working professionals across on-demand areas. With a flourishing bouquet of carefully curated programs in domains of data analytics, fintech, management, economics, and so on, the eMasters degree programs have catered to a wide range of working professionals and graduates with two or more years of work experience, in equipping them to navigate the changing tides.



These programs feature an impactful learning format, comprising live interactive classes held exclusively on weekends, complemented by self-paced learning. Each program encompasses a 60-credit, 12-module curriculum meticulously crafted to align with industry needs. Renowned faculty and researchers from IIT Kanpur lead these programs, lending their expertise to foster real-world application. Moreover, participants can leverage the credit transfer feature, potentially waiving up to 60 credits for future higher education endeavors (MTech/PhD) at IIT Kanpur. The programs also grant access to IIT Kanpur's placement and incubation cells, as well as its extensive alumni network, enhancing participants' career growth and networking opportunities. Enriching the learning journey, participants have the chance to visit IIT Kanpur's campus, connect with esteemed faculty, and engage with seasoned professionals, eventually earning the distinguished IIT Kanpur alumni status.



Professionals enrolling in these programs will acquire multifaceted expertise essential for shaping the nation's future. Over 100 professionals have already completed their eMasters degrees from IIT Kanpur, propelling their careers in pioneering domains. The eMasters program at IIT Kanpur is distinctive as it grants Senate-approved eMasters degrees at the convocation, rather than diplomas or certificates. The inaugural graduating class received their degrees at the 56th Convocation of IIT Kanpur. Applications are open until October 31, 2023, for fresh cohorts to start from January 2024. To learn more about these programs, visit: https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/



Offered by Department of Management Sciences



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-data-science-and-business-analytics



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-fintech-and-financial-management



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-power-sector



Offered by Department of Economic Sciences



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-financial-analysis



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-business-finance



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-public-policy



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-climate-finance-and-sustainability



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-renewable-energy-and-emobility



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-business-leadership



Offered by Department of Computer Science and Engineering



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-cyber-security



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-ai-and-machine-learning



Offered by Department of Electrical Engineering



https://emasters.iitk.ac.in/course/masters-in-wireless-technologies



About IIT Kanpur:



Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur was established on 2nd November 1959 by an Act of Parliament. The institute has a sprawling campus spread over 1055 acres with large pool of academic and research resources spanning across 19 departments, 22 centres, and 3 Interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines with more than 540 full-time faculty members and approximately 9000 students. In addition to formal undergraduate and postgraduate courses, the institute has been active in research and development in areas of value to both industry and government. For more information, visit www.iitk.ac.in



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PRNewswire and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
London, Sep 20 (AP) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is preparing to water down some of Britains climate commitments, saying the country must fight climate change without penalizing workers and consumers.

Sunak issued a late-night statement Tuesday in response to a BBC report saying the prime minister is considering extending deadlines for bans on new gasoline and diesel cars  currently due in 2030 - and on new natural-gas home heating.

Sunak said that in a speech this week he will set out a proportionate approach to the environment. He did not set a date for the speech, which could come as early as Wednesday.

For too many years, politicians in governments of all stripes have not been honest about costs and trade-offs, Sunak said in a statement. Instead they have taken the easy way out, saying we can have it all.

Sunak did not confirm details of his announcements. He said he would keep a promise to reduce the UKs emissions of climate-warming greenhouse gases to net zero by 2050, but in a better, more proportionate way.

The news drew dismay from environmental groups, opposition parties and some members of Sunaks governing Conservative Party. It broke as senior politicians from the UK and around the world gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where climate is high on the agenda.

Britains Conservatives have been openly reassessing their climate change promises after a special election result in July that was widely seen as a thumbs-down from voters to a tax on polluting cars.

The party, which trails behind the Labour opposition nationwide, unexpectedly won the contest for the suburban London Uxbridge district by focusing on a divisive levy on older, vehicles imposed by Londons Labour Mayor, Sadiq Khan. Some Tories believe axing green policies is a vote-winner that can help the party avoid defeat in a national election due by the end of next year.

Were not going to save the planet by bankrupting the British people, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said Wednesday.

But Conservative lawmaker Alok Sharma, who chaired the COP26 international climate conference in Glasgow in 2021, warned that watering down climate goals would be incredibly damaging for business confidence, for inward investment.

And frankly, I really do not believe that its going to help any political party electorally which chooses to go down this path, he told the BBC. (AP) NPK

NPK
London, Sep 20 (AP) British lawmakers have approved an ambitious but controversial new internet safety law with wide-ranging powers to crack down on digital and social media companies like TikTok, Google, and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta.

The government says the online safety bill passed this week will make Britain the safest place in the world to be online. But digital rights groups say it threatens online privacy and freedom of speech.

The new law is the UK's contribution to efforts in Europe and elsewhere to clamp down on the freewheeling tech industry dominated by US companies. The European Union has its Digital Services Act, which took effect last month with similar provisions aimed at cleaning up social media for users in the 27-nation bloc.

Here's a closer look at Britain's law:

WHAT IS THE ONLINE SAFETY LAW?

The sprawling piece of legislation has been in the works since 2021.

The new law requires social media platforms to take down illegal content, including child sexual abuse, hate speech and terrorism, revenge porn and posts promoting self-harm. They also will have to stop such content from appearing in the first place and give users more controls, including blocking anonymous trolls.

The government says the law takes a zero tolerance approach to protecting kids by making platforms legally responsible for their online safety. Platforms will be required to stop children from accessing content that, while not illegal, could be harmful or not age-appropriate, including porn, bullying or, for example, glorifying eating disorders or providing instructions for suicide.

Social media platforms will be legally required to verify that users are old enough, typically 13, and porn websites will have to make sure users are 18.

The bill criminalises some online activity, such as cyberflashing, which is sending someone unwanted explicit images.

WHAT IF BIG TECH DOESN'T COMPLY?

The law applies to any internet company, no matter where it's based as long as a UK user can access its services. Companies that don't fall in line face fines of up to 18 million pounds ($22 million) or 10% of annual global sales, whichever is greater.

Senior managers at tech companies also face criminal prosecution and prison time if they fail to answer information requests from UK regulators. They'll also be held criminally liable if their company fails to comply with regulators' notices about child sex abuse and exploitation.

Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, will enforce the law. It will focus first on illegal content as the government takes a phased approach to bring it into force.

Beyond that, it's unclear how the law will be enforced because details haven't been provided.

WHAT DO CRITICS SAY?

Digital rights groups say the law's provisions threaten to undermine online freedoms.

The UK-based Open Rights Group and the Electronic Frontier Foundation in the US said that if tech companies have to ensure content is not harmful for children, they could end up being forced to choose between sanitizing their platforms or making users verify their ages by uploading official ID or using privacy-intrusive face scans to estimate how old they are.

The law also sets up a clash between the British government and tech companies over encryption technology. It gives regulators the power to require encrypted messaging services to install accredited technology" to scan encrypted messages for terrorist or child sex abuse content.

Experts say that would provide a backdoor for private communications that ends up making everyone less safe.

Meta said last month that it plans to start adding end-to-end encryption to all Messenger chats by default by the end of year. But the UK government called on the company not to do so without measures to protect children from sex abuse and exploitation. (AP) SCY

SCY
Faridabad, Sep 20 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said the setting up of Jewar Airport has opened up new possibilities for development in Faridabad and Palwal districts of the state.

Khattar also said that a new masterplan will be prepared by declaring the Yamuna area as a controlled area for the planned development of these two districts.

While presiding over the fourth meeting of the Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA) here, the chief minister also gave approval to the expansion of the drinking water supply in Faridabad under which five new Rainy Wells will be installed.

The chief minister said that the sewerage network in Faridabad will be strengthened, while the 20 km long road along the Agra Canal will be widened to four lanes. The city will get Rs 370 crore and 50 new CNG buses under the AMRUT 2 scheme along with enhancing CCTV surveillance and civil defence.

In the meeting, a total budget of Rs 878.23 crore was approved for the year 2023-24 to accelerate the development of Faridabad City through Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA).

The Authority approved key projects designed to improve the city's infrastructure, enhance citizen services and contribute to a better environment while envisioning future population growth and related infrastructure development requirements by the year 2031.
London, Sep 20 (PTI) A solar-powered tech venture that is combating food waste in India is among 15 worldwide finalists competing for the GBP 1 million 2023 Earthshot Prize, founded by Britains Prince William and dubbed the Eco Oscars.

S4S Technologies, founded in 2013 by seven university friends Nidhi Pant, Vaibhav Tidke, Swapnil Kokte, Ganesh Bhere, Shital Somani, Tushar Gaware and Ashwin Pawade, is shortlisted in the Earthshot Prize to Build a Waste-Free World category as the finalists were unveiled by the royal during a visit to New York on Tuesday.

S4S, which stands for Science for Society, made the cut for its work in tackling food waste, rural poverty, and gender inequality by helping smallholder female farmers preserve and market surplus produce.

The organisation provides rural communities with cheaper solar-powered conduction dryers and food processing equipment to prepare their crops on-site, rather than using cold storage or other more expensive methods of conventional industrial food preservation, notes the Earthshot Prize.

With a focus on supporting female farmers, S4S also supports its entrepreneurs in using the preserved waste to produce and sell valuable food products, such as ketchup. S4S creates a market, connecting commercial buyers to these products and returning most of the profits to the farmers who made them.

Food waste, rural poverty and gender inequality are deeply intertwined challenges for the people of India. S4S innovative solution combines cutting-edge technology with the practical support and training needed to ensure women farmers can thrive and improve their livelihoods for themselves and their families, added co-founder Nidhi Pant.

The Prince of Wales announced the 15 finalists at the second Earthshot Innovation Summit, held alongside the UN General Assembly in New York to celebrate and champion innovators focused on solving our most pressing global climate challenges. The 15 innovators shortlisted represent six continents and were chosen from more than 1,100 nominees. Each of the finalists will be in the running to receive one of the five GBP 1 million prizes awarded at the third annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Singapore on November 7.

Founded by Prince William in 2020, the Earthshot Prize aims to discover and help scale the worlds most innovative climate and environmental solutions to protect and restore our planet. The prize is centred around five "Earthshots" of Protect & Restore Nature; Clean Our Air; Revive Our Oceans; Build A Waste-free World; and Fix Our Climate.

In addition to their eligibility for the GBP 1 million prize, all finalists receive mentorship, resources, and technical support from the Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme, a year-long programme for each cohort of 15 Finalists to accelerate the growth of their groundbreaking solutions.

That support includes access to the prizes robust network of influential businesses, investors, and climate experts, including the Earthshot Prizes Global Alliance of Partners, comprised of some of the worlds largest businesses, donors, investors, and environmental organisations committed to climate action.

The five winners of this years prize will be selected by Prince William and the prestigious Earthshot Prize Council, a global body of activists, experts, and influencers.
Karachi, Sep 20 (PTI) All three Hindu men, who were among five people abducted by riverine bandits in Pakistan's Sindh earlier this month, have returned home, a media report said on Wednesday.

Mukhi Jagdish Kumar, Sagar Kumar, Jaideep Kumar, Dr Munir Naij, and Mushtaq Ali Mumdani were abducted by the bandits earlier in September this year in Kashmore district, Dawn News reported.

Concerned over the incident, local people had staged demonstrations earlier this month to draw the attention of authorities to the recovery of the men.

On September 4, Mukhi Jagdish Kumar and Jaideep Kumar were recovered during a police encounter with the kidnappers.

A day later, Dr Munir Naij was also recovered.

According to the family, a fourth hostage, Sagar Kumar, also reached home in Kashmore on Tuesday night after being held hostage for over a month.

Sagars brother, Sunil, said his sibling had reached home, confirming that he was kidnapped on August 9.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kahsmore Rohal Khoso brought him to our house late last night, Sunil said.

Sunil added that Sagar was unwell and appeared to be suffering from malaria. I have taken him to the clinic for laboratory tests. He cant speak for now, he said.

However, it was not clear whether or not Mushtaq Ali Mumdani, the fifth hostage, was recovered.

Protests over their abduction, as well as increasing incidents of robberies in Sindh, were also held in several other cities in the province on September 3 with the relatives of the victims demanding their early and safe recovery.

Dr Lal Chand Ukrani, president of the Pakistan Peoples Partys (PPP) minority wing in Sindh, said: We [Hindus] are easy targets.

Muslims are also kidnapped but Hindus are an easy target for ransom, he said.

He said he had raised the matter with former chief minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and had been in talks with him over the issue before the end of his tenure because the law and order situation in upper Sindh is very bad, especially in Kashmore.

Last week, Sindh's caretaker chief minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar ordered authorities to suspend internet services in katcha (riverine) areas of the province as law enforcement agencies intensified operations against bandits holding people hostage.

The directives from the provincial chief executive had come a day after Sindhs caretaker law and human rights minister Muhammed Umar Soomro issued a stern warning that any feudal lord or politician found to be associated with dacoits would be subject to legal proceedings.

Separately, the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) had also written a letter to Sindh Inspector General of Police Riffat Mukhtar and the provincial home department, raising an alarm over their failure to recover the remaining hostages.

The SHRC also conveyed the report of its fact-finding mission sent to the district led by its member Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani to observe a protest organised by the Hindu community and civil society and assess the human rights violations there.

According to a SHRC press release, upon assessment, the commission found growing mistrust of the public in local police with respect to transparency of their operations against the outlaws, under-reported cases, discrepancies in the number of abductees and the overall police cooperation.
New York, Sep 20 (AP) Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to have his long-coveted meeting with President Joe Biden on Wednesday  bringing together the two leaders for the first time since the Israeli leader took office at the helm of his country's far-right government late last year.

Netanyahu has been a frequent visitor to the White House over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of taking office. The lengthy delay in setting up the meeting with Biden, and the White House decision to hold the meeting in New York rather than Washington, have been widely interpreted in Israel as signs of US displeasure with Netanyahu's new government.

Meeting at the White House symbolises close relations and friendship and honour, and the denial of that shows exactly the opposite, said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on US-Israeli relations at Israel's Bar-Ilan University.

This is not going to be a pleasant meeting, Gilboa said. It is going to be a sour meeting.

The White House was tight-lipped ahead of the Wednesday meeting, declining to offer much detail on what would be on Biden's agenda for the talks.

Biden administration officials have repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahu's contentious plan to overhaul Israel's judicial system, and the topic is sure to come up.

Netanyahu says the country's unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing the country toward authoritarian rule.

His plan has bitterly divided the nation and triggered months of mass protests against his government. Those protests have followed him to the US Large numbers of Israeli expatriates are expected to protest outside Wednesday's meeting in Manhattan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

Early this year, Biden voiced his unhappiness over the overhaul, saying Netanyahu cannot continue down this road and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise. Netanyahu's negotiations with the Israeli opposition have stalled and his coalition has moved ahead with its plan, pushing the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July.

The Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire. Netanyahu's coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Israel's government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians  a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.

The White House said Wednesday's talks would focus on shared democratic values between our two countries and a vision for a more stable and prosperous and integrated region."

The meeting comes at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Netanyahu's government shares American values. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.

Tom Nides, who stepped down as US ambassador to Israel in July, said the timing and location of Wednesday's meeting were issues and acknowledged some policy differences.

That's what friends do. Friends argue with each other. We can articulate a strong view against settlement growth. We can say, quite frankly, arguably that they should get some compromise on judicial reform. What's wrong with that?

But he predicted a good meeting devoid of fireworks, noting that Biden and Netanyahu are longtime friends and the countries are still close allies. The relationship is as strong as it has ever been, he said.

Biden administration officials downplayed that the meeting is being held on the sidelines of New York, and not Washington. Netanyahu is expected to eventually get a White House invitation, though timing of such a visit could depend on how Wednesday's meeting goes.

Topping Netanyahu's wish list will be discussions on US efforts to broker a deal establishing full diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu, who also led Israel when former President Donald Trump brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and four Arab countries, has said that a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would mark a quantum leap forward for Israel and the region.

The White House has acknowledged that it is seeking such a deal, but obstacles lie in the way. Saudi Arabia is pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal and defence guarantees from the US.

The Saudis have also said they expect Israel to make significant concessions to the Palestinians.

Biden is likely to make clear to Netanyahu that any deal will need to consider Palestinian interests. Biden is cognizant that the Saudis are wary of proceeding with normalising relations with Israel at a time when it is led by the most right-wing government in its history, and when tensions have soared with the Palestinians.

The Saudi foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, told reporters there is no other way to solve the conflict than by establishing a Palestinian state. But senior ministers in Netanyahu's government have already ruled out any concessions to the Palestinians.

Israel is also eager to consult with the US about Iran, particularly over their shared concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. Iran says the programme is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

Danny Danon, a former Israeli ambassador to the UN who is now a lawmaker in Netanyahu's Likud party, acknowledged that Wednesday's meeting didn't have the cachet of a White House visit.

It doesn't have the image and the ceremony, he told Israel's army radio station. Nonetheless, he said, It's a meaningful and very important meeting and we should be thankful it's happening. (AP)





GRS

GRS
RIYADH, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's Uruq Bani Ma'arid, a windblown sand desert, became the kingdom's first Natural World Heritage site on Wednesday.

The decision was made during the ongoing extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Covering an area of 12,765 square kilometers, Uruq Bani Ma'arid is located on the western edge of the Ar Rub' al-Khali, the only major sand desert in tropical Asia and the largest continuous sand sea on Earth.

Saudi Minister of Culture, Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud said the inscription came on the back of unwavering support for culture and heritage in the kingdom and reflects Saudi Arabia's vast culture and biodiversity across its regions.

The varied topography of the property creates a wide range of wildlife habitats and the site is globally notable due to the reintroduction of iconic desert animals, including the Arabian Oryx and Arabian Sand Gazelle, into their natural habitats after decades of extinction in the wild, said the UNESCO webpage dedicated to the property.

The site's protected area is divided into three sections: a core nature reserve; a zone where controlled grazing is permitted; and a hunting zone, said the UNESCO website. 
United Nations, Sep 20 (AP) Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said Tuesday that his country will never give up its right to have peaceful nuclear energy and urged the United States to demonstrate in a verifiable fashion that it wants to return to the 2015 nuclear deal.

Addressing the annual high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly, Raisi said the American withdrawal from the deal trampled on US commitments and was an inappropriate response to Iran's fulfilment of its commitments.

Then-President Donald Trump unilaterally pulled the US out of the accord in 2018, restoring crippling sanctions. Iran began breaking the terms a year later and formal talks in Vienna to try to restart the deal collapsed in August 2022.

Iran has long denied ever seeking nuclear weapons and continues to insist that its programme is entirely for peaceful purposes  points Raisi reiterated Tuesday telling the high-level meeting that nuclear weapons have no place in the defensive doctrine and the military doctrine of the country.

But UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press that the Iranian government's removal of many cameras and electronic monitoring systems installed by the International Atomic Energy Agency make it impossible to give assurances about the country's nuclear programme. Grossi has previously warned that Tehran has enough enriched uranium for several nuclear bombs if it chose to build them.

The IAEA director general also said Monday he asked to meet Raisi to try to reverse Tehran's uncalled for ban on a very sizable chunk of the agency's inspectors.

Raisi made no mention of the IAEA inspectors but the European Union issued a statement late Tuesday saying its top diplomat, Josep Borrell, met Iran's Foreign Minister on Tuesday and raised the nuclear deal and the inspectors as well as Iran's arbitrary detention of many EU citizens including dual nationals.

At his meeting with Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the EU said Borrell urged Iran to reconsider its decision to ban several experienced nuclear inspectors and to improve cooperation with the IAEA.

Borrell again urged the Iranian government to stop its military cooperation with Russia, the EU statement said. Western nations have said Iran has supplied military drones to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, which Tehran denies.

Raisi spoke to the General Assembly a day after Iran and the US each freed five prisoners who were in jails for years. The US also allowed the release of nearly USD 6 billion in Iranian frozen assets in South Korea for humanitarian use. The five freed Americans arrived in the US earlier Tuesday.

The Iranian president made no mention of the prisoner swap.

Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan walked out of the assembly hall when Raisi got up to speak, carrying a sign with a picture of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody in Iran last year, sparking worldwide protests against the country's conservative Islamic theocracy. (AP)





GRS

GRS
* Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's claim of India's link to Nijjar's killing a 'shameless action', Washington shouldn't be part of it, says US expert.



US in active talks with India to look at producing military systems, says Pentagon official.



Aus terms Trudeau's allegations against India 'concerning', says has raised the issue with Delhi



Singapore lawmakers reject motion to suspend minister Iswaran from parliament



Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raises Kashmir issue during UNGA address



Stories related to political developments in Pakistan.*
Paris, Sep 20 (AP) King Charles III of the United Kingdom starts a three-day state visit to France on Wednesday meant to highlight the friendship between the two nations with great pomp, after the trip was postponed in March amid widespread demonstrations against President Emmanuel Macron's pension changes.

Charles and Queen Camilla were greeted by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne at Paris-Orly airport. They were to attend a ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe in the presence of Macron and his wife, Brigitte.

The visit shows the deep historical ties that unite our two countries. It is also an opportunity to showcase France's cultural, artistic and gastronomic excellence, the French presidency said.

At the Arc de Triomphe, both national anthems will be played before a review of French troops and a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to mark the shared sacrifices of the past and an enduring legacy of cooperation, according to Buckingham Palace.

The jet fighters of the Patrouille de France and Britain's Red Arrows, the acrobatic teams of the two air forces, will fly above the monument.

The presidential and royal couples will then head by car to the presidential palace, parading on the Champs-Elysees avenue.

Macron and Charles will hold a bilateral meeting, because the visit also symbolises the relationship of friendship and trust since they have in the past worked closely together to protect biodiversity and combat global warming", the French presidency stressed.

They will also have talks on Russia's war in Ukraine and the migration issue as Italy's southern island of Lampedusa was in recent days overwhelmed by people setting off from Tunisia.

While the UK royal family long ago ceded political power to elected leaders, members of the royal family remain Britain's preeminent ambassadors as presidents and prime ministers jockey to bask in the glamour and pageantry that follows them wherever they go.

The visit comes amid a recent warming in the Franco-British relationship after years marked by Brexit talks and related disputes.

At a bilateral summit in March, Macron and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed to strengthen military ties and step up efforts to prevent migrants from crossing the English Channel.

We know that the British and French relationship has been difficult at times since 2016, Ed Owens, a historian of the British monarchy, told The Associated Press.

This move on the part of the British state to send the king to France is about reassuring the people of France, but also the people of the UK that this is a relationship of significant important and that it is based on history, heritage and that there are many other things in our shared futures that connect us.

A state dinner on Wednesday in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles in the presence of more than 150 guests will be one of the highlights of the visit.

On Thursday, Charles will address French lawmakers at the Senate, providing a new venue for the king to show off his language skills after he wowed his audience by switching seamlessly between German and English during a speech to Germany's parliament in March.

He will later rejoin Macron in front of Notre-Dame Cathedral to see the ongoing renovation work aimed at reopening the monument by the end of next year.

UK Ambassador Menna Rawlings, speaking on French news broadcaster LCI, said that Charles was very sad after the monument's spire and roof collapsed in a blaze in 2019. It reminded him of the 1992 fire at Windsor Castle, she added.

Of course it's an incredible moment for him to have the opportunity, with the queen, to look at this (renovation) work and also meet the firemen who were involved, she said.

Charles and Macron will also attend a reception for British and French business leaders about financing climate-related and biodiversity projects.

The king will end his trip on Friday with a stop in Bordeaux, home to a large British community. He will meet emergency workers and communities affected by the 2022 wildfires in the area and visit the Foret Experimentale, or experimental forest, a project designed to monitor the impact of climate on urban woodlands.

He will also tour a vineyard which has pioneered a sustainable approach to wine making. (AP) PY

PY
New York, Sep 20 (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu got his long-coveted meeting with President Joe Biden on Wednesday, their first since Netanyahu took office at the helm of his country's far-right government late last year.

He has been a frequent White House visitor over the years, and Israeli leaders are typically invited within weeks of starting their tenure. The lengthy delay in setting up the Biden meeting and the White House decision to hold it on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly rather than in Washington have been widely interpreted as signs of US displeasure with Netanyahu's new government.

Biden opened the meeting by saying the US relationship with Israel was "ironclad." But he also said they would discuss "upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including checks and balances."

"We're going to talk about some tough issues," Biden said.

Netanyahu stressed common goals in his opening remarks. "Under your leadership as president, we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia, he told Biden. Netanyahu said he would uphold democratic values, despite his proposed changes to Israel's court system.

Given the concerns about Netanyahu's commitment to democratic checks and balances, the setting of the meeting in Manhattan instead of the Oval Office was a sign of the strains in the alliance.

"Meeting at the White House symbolizes close relations and friendship and honor, and the denial of that shows exactly the opposite, said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on US-Israeli relations at Israel's Bar-Ilan University.

"This is not going to be a pleasant meeting, Gilboa said.

Biden administration officials have repeatedly raised concerns about Netanyahu's contentious plan to overhaul Israel's judicial system.

Netanyahu says the country's unelected judges wield too much power over government decision-making. Critics say that by weakening the independent judiciary, Netanyahu is pushing Israel toward authoritarian rule.

His plan has divided the nation and led to months of mass protests against his government. Those demonstrations followed him to the United States, with large numbers of Israeli expatriates waving the country's flag in protest Wednesday in New York. Hundreds of Israelis also protested outside the US Embassy in Tel Aviv on Wednesday.

Early this year, Biden voiced his unhappiness over the judicial overhaul, saying Netanyahu "cannot continue down this road and urging the Israeli leader to find a compromise. Netanyahu's negotiations with the opposition have stalled and his coalition has moved ahead with its plan, pushing the first major piece of the legislation through parliament in July.

The Israeli government's treatment of the Palestinians has also drawn American ire. Netanyahu's coalition is dominated by far-right ultranationalists who have greatly expanded Israeli settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians for a future state. Israel's government also opposes a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians  a cornerstone of White House policy in the region. The deadlock has coincided with a spike in fighting in the West Bank.

The Biden-Netanyahu meeting came at a time of cooling ties between Israel and the Democratic Party. A poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that while Americans generally view Israel as a partner or ally, many are questioning whether Netanyahu's government shares American values. Republicans were significantly more likely than Democrats to call Israel an ally with shared values.

Tom Nides, who stepped down as US ambassador to Israel in July, said the timing and location of the meeting were issues and he acknowledged some policy differences.

"That's what friends do. Friends argue with each other. We can articulate a strong view against settlement growth. We can say, quite frankly, arguably that they should get some compromise on judicial reform. What's wrong with that? Nides said.

But he predicted a good meeting devoid of fireworks, noting that Biden and Netanyahu are longtime friends and the countries are still close allies. The relationship is as strong as it has ever been, he said.

Netanyahu is expected to eventually get a White House invitation, though timing of such a visit could depend on how the New York meeting went.

Topping Netanyahu's wish list were discussions on US efforts to broker a deal establishing full diplomatic relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu, who also led Israel when President Donald Trump brokered the Abraham Accords between Israel and four Arab countries, has said that a similar deal with Saudi Arabia would mark a quantum leap forward for Israel and the region.

The White House has acknowledged that it is seeking such a deal, but obstacles lie in the way. Saudi Arabia is pushing for a nuclear cooperation deal and defence guarantees from the US.

The Saudis have also said they expect Israel to make significant concessions to the Palestinians.

Biden was expected to make clear to Netanyahu that any deal will need to consider Palestinian interests. Biden is cognizant that the Saudis are wary of proceeding with normalizing relations with Israel at a time when it is led by the most right-wing government in its history, and when tensions have soared with the Palestinians. (AP) ZH

ZH
Thane, Sep 20 (PTI) The police in Maharashtras Thane district have served a notice on a Ganesh pandal, which faced action last year over its decoration related to the split in the Shiv Sena, to desist from using any display material or audio clips that could trigger law and order problems, the organisers said on Wednesday.



According to a functionary of the Shiv Sena (UBT)-controlled Vijay Tarun Mandal at Kalyan, their theme for this year is democracy is at peril. The Mahatma Phule Chowk police sent them a notice on Monday, he said.



Last year, the police seized their decoration material about the division in the Shiv Sena and filed a case against the mandal. The matter was resolved after the mandal challenged the police action in the Bombay High Court.



Referring to last years action against the mandal, the notice said any attempts to provoke or have decoration materials that can potentially lead to a fight between two groups, communities, and religions and result in law and order problems will prompt the police to act.



Kalyan chief of Sena (UBT) Vijay Salvi, who heads the mandal, told the media on Wednesday that this is their 60th year of Ganesh festival celebrations and this years decoration integrated with audio clips sends out the message democracy is at peril.



Salvi said they depict topical events through decorations and other installations at their Ganesh pandal every year. This year, we feel democracy is at peril due to the prevailing situation and the government control. We have tried to convey that through our decorations and the message is based on the V-dem Democracy report, he said.



The Sena (UBT) leader said they had shared the details about their decoration plans with the police two weeks ago. The police have only served a notice this time, he said.
Indian missions in Canada will continue to be in contact with Canadian authorities to ensure safety, well being of Indian community: MEA.
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Wednesday said electric buses can change the world and give a future where the planet will be liveable.

The ambassador travelled in an Indian electric bus here to attend a session on "accelerating deployment of electric buses in India".

"It was very exciting for me to be on an Indian electric bus. We know that electric buses can change the world. They are quieter, cleaner, they help us reduce our carbon (footprint) and give us a future where our planet will be livable.

"It is one of the reasons the United States government is working with our friends in the Government of India to get more electric buses on the streets of Indian cities. So, we have launched an initiative to have 10,000 electric buses be on Indian streets," he said.

The United States and India launched a mechanism that will facilitate deployment of 10,000 made-in-India electric buses in cities across the country, bringing into reality a joint vision first announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the White House.

"Every day we see the impact of the climate crisis at a global level. We must respond now or jeopardize the future of our planet and our people. The partnership announced today will mobilise financing for a fleet of 10,000 electric buses throughout India, expanding options for electric public transportation in India, creating cleaner cities and healthier communities," the ambassador said.

Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said the ambassador took a ride in a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) electric bus.

"'Electric buses can change the world!' - Perfectly put by @USAmbIndia, @ericgarcetti after taking a ride in our zero noise, zero emission, 100% electric bus.

Glad that Delhi, under CM @ArvindKejriwal is leading the way in the fight for a more livable, greener, shared future!" Gahlot said in a post on X.

According to a joint statement issued earlier this month, India and the United States will provide joint support for a payment security mechanism for expanding electric mobility in India, giving a boost to the PM e-Bus Sewa scheme that aims to procure 10,000 electric buses for cities that lack adequate public transport.

The statement on the meeting between Prime Minister Modi and US President Joe Biden said the two leaders spoke of the importance of "decarbonising the transport sector". Modi and Biden met at the prime minister's residence before the start of the G20 Leaders' Summit.

India had launched the National Electric Bus Programme (NEBP) in June last year with an aim to deploy 50,000 new e-buses across the country by 2027 in a phased manner.

"This new initiative between the governments of India and the United States shows how public and private partners can work together to lower emissions and promote electric mobility. Through this new partnership, the US government, including the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the office of the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, will partner with public and private-sector entities to accelerate electric bus financing," a statement by the US Embassy in New Delhi said.

"A key component of this project will be a new payment security mechanism (PSM) that will accelerate new and more sustainable investments by lowering financial risks. By mitigating risk for lenders, the PSM leads to improved loan terms and reduced financing costs, facilitating smoother project implementation. Ultimately, this partnership sets a new model for international cooperation in the field of electric mobility," it added.
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) A Special Court in Patna has sentenced former GM (Telecom) BB Rai, former Telecom Divisional Engineer Rampati Chikhaiyar, and Nalanda Telecom Service proprietor Perwez Ahmad to five years rigorous imprisonment for corruption in a 27-year-old contract for repair of faulty EPBT cards, officials said Wednesday.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 6 lakh each on Rai and Chikhaiyar, and Rs 16 lakh on Ahmad, they said.

The CBI had taken over the probe in the case on January 29, 1996, to investigate the allegations that Rai, while working as Director (Officiating) in the Department of Telecommunication, Telecom South, Gaya had awarded a contract for repair of faulty EPBT Cards to Nalanda Telecom Service, without going through the laid down formalities.

"After investigation, a chargesheet was filed on March 26, 2002, against five accused in the Court of Special Judge, CBI Cases, Patna including those three who have been convicted/sentenced now.

"Two other chargesheeted accused died during trial," a CBI Spokesperson said here.
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) The US on Wednesday favoured a thorough investigation into killing of a Khalistani separatist in Canada in June, two days after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of a "potential" involvement of Indian government agents in the case kicked up a major diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti also described Trudeau's allegations as "troubling" and underlined the importance of following principles of international law, sovereignty and non interference.

In his statement in the House of Commons on Monday, Trudeau said that "any involvement of a foreign government in the killing of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil is an unacceptable violation of our sovereignty."

India on Tuesday strongly rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated" and expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move to Ottawa's expulsion of an Indian official over the case.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the Canadian Khalistani separatist leader, was shot dead by two gunmen in Surrey on June 18.

"Obviously, any allegations like this should be troubling to anyone. But with an active criminal investigation, I hope that we can make sure that the perpetrators are brought to justice," Garcetti said.

"And that we all allow the space for that information and that investigation to occur before anybody leaps to judgment," he said.

The US ambassador was speaking at an interactive session at the Ananta Centre, a leading think-tank on strategic affairs.

"To me, that's the most important role I think each one of us can play. Sovereignty is a very important principle," he said while referring to comments by the US National Security Council spokesperson as well as the remarks by the State Department spokesperson.

"We've been in regular communication. I'm the son of a prosecutor. So, I know when there are criminal investigations it's best to leave things at that until we have more information," he said.

Terming Trudeau's allegations as "very serious, US National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said Washington supports Ottawa's efforts to investigate the matter and encourages New Delhi to cooperate.

"We believe a fully transparent comprehensive investigation is the right approach so that we can all know exactly what happened and of course, we encourage India to cooperate with that," Kirby said in an interview to CNN.

Asked about his opinion on the case, Garcetti said he was not going to tell leaders of other countries what to do.

"But I think it's incumbent on all of us to remember the principles of international law, the principles of sovereignty, and non-interference. And that can be heard both directions but needs to be heard appropriately," the envoy said.

"And it's something that we stand by for sure. America won't retreat ever from those values and that's why I think it's very important as we've said, that this investigation be allowed to take its course," he said.

Garcetti also highlighted the close ties between the US and Canada.

"We're always in close communication with Canada. Canada is a dear friend, ally and partner and neighbour. Not just in moments like this. But all the time we speak regularly. We share information," he said.

Garcetti said the US-Canada relationship speaks for itself.

"Canada is a dear friend, partner, ally. It is a trading partner and happens to be our northern neighbour. We care deeply for Canada just as we care deeply for India and Indians," he said.

Questioned about Khalistani protests in the US, the ambassador said those responsible should be held accountable and hoped that "traditional friends and partners" could cooperate in getting to the bottom of this.

"We're working on this -- on the protection of Indian diplomats and taking serious investigations of incidents like what we saw in San Francisco," he said.

Khalistani activists attempted to burn down the Indian consulate in San Francisco on July 2.
New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) Former president Ram Nath Kovind on Wednesday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his vision and leadership and said the country is "undoubtedly in safe hands" when he is at the helm.

Addressing an event organised to release a book on the prime minister's life and contribution, Kovind described Modi as a man of "extraordinary personality and great soul".

Modi's persona and remarkable capacity for communication with the masses made him an acceptable leader in no time, he said.

Highlighting the achievements of the Modi government, Kovind said it is due to the prime minister's vision and policies that India is a source of pride for the diaspora abroad and an inspiration to many countries.

"While investments and make in India were emphasised to encourage development in the country, the JAM Trinity, comprising Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile phones, revolutionised the system like never before," the former president said.

He said the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system and its penetration at the grassroots level has proved to be a "game-changer". "Now even the roadside coconut seller is using UPI, something which was a wonder just till a few years ago."

"With Prime Minister Modi at the helm, we are undoubtedly in safe hands," he added.

Kovind said the various policies and programmes that were formulated by the Modi government and implemented "beyond imagination of a person".

"Generally a person has expertise or vision in one field, or I can say two, or at most three fields, but Prime Minister Modi's expertise is diverse in varied fields. Surprisingly and interestingly, he brings within himself vision of disaster management during Covid times while also the healing touch of providing relief to the affected masses," he added.

"I was very touched by his mannerism when he as Prime Minister-designate entered the Parliament and bowed down in complete humility at the steps of the temple of democracy. For the first time in the history of the country someone had actually done so," he said.

"Such instincts were bound to be reflected in his action as the prime minister of the world's largest democracy," he added.

Kovind said Modi is not just a visionary leader and a prime minister but a statesman, "who is steering the course of the trajectory of our country".

"It is an honour for me to be a part of this trajectory as a citizen of this great country. Finally, we are living up to our rich legacy, the legacy for which India was famous from ancient times. And, I am sure there is no looking back, he added.

Addressing the event, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said Modi, who was born in an ordinary family and used to sell tea at a railway station, is the best prime minister in the world.

"He never hesitated in implementing something which he believed was in the best interest of society and the countryRam temple has been built, it will be inaugurated in 2024. He scrapped Article 370," Khattar said, highlighting the achievements of the Modi government.

Modi has turned many of his visions into reality, no matter how difficult it was, Khattra said, adding, long pending issue of providing reservation to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies is going to see the light of the day.

"How difficult is (to implement) one-nation-one-election yet he has raised the matter. I think this will also be done in 5-10 years," he added.
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said on Tuesday that Pakistan looks forward to enhancing its cooperation with China and other members of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

According to a statement issued by the prime minister's office, Kakar participated in a high-level meeting on the GDI cooperation outcomes on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

In his remarks at the meeting, the prime minister highlighted that progress towards achieving the SDGs has suffered a severe setback due to the crises of COVID-19, conflict and climate change.

Kakar also highlighted the need for action in five key areas, including food production, infrastructure investment, industrialization, resilient healthcare systems and the bridging of the digital divide, said the statement.

The prime minister said Pakistan supports the GDI and commended the milestones achieved in its implementation, stressing that the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are vital vehicles for achieving the SDGs.

The prime minister also highlighted the necessity of adequate and appropriate finance at all levels of the development process while welcoming China's announcement of the setting up of another fund of 10 billion U.S. dollars dedicated to implementing the GDI. 
New Delhi, Sept 20 (PTI) The NCCSA chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in its meeting on Wednesday, recommended disciplinary proceedings against eight officers and the posting of 11 Group A officers transferred to Delhi from other states, official sources said.

The third meeting of the National Capital Civil Services Authority (NCCSA), since its inception in May this year, recommended action against two officers of the Education Department, four of the Forensics Science Lab (FSL) and a Health Department officer, they said.

It also recommended disciplinary proceedings against DANICS officer Raj Kumar, currently posted as secretary of the Delhi Assembly, in connection with the alleged irregularities in the construction of the Rani Jhansi flyover in north Delhi, the sources said.

The NCCSA, however, did not consider the agenda item related to PWD officers in alleged irregularities in the reconstruction of the chief minister's residence, since the matter is sub judice, sources added.

It also cleared the postings of eight IAS officers of Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre and three of Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli Civil Services (DANICS) cadre, they said.

The recommendations of NCCSA will be sent to Lt Governor V K Saxena for his approval before being implemented.

The NCCSA is headed by the chief minister and includes the chief secretary and principal secretary (home) of the Delhi government. It takes a call on services matters, including transfer and posting of Group A officers and disciplinary action against officials in the Delhi government.

The last meeting of the NCCSA was held on June 29. The next five meetings were postponed by the authority chairman.

The NCCSA was formed amid a tussle between the AAP government in Delhi and the Centre over control of services matters of the city government.
Ludhiana/New Delhi, Sep 20 (PTI) Three Nepalese nationals, including a domestic help, have been arrested for allegedly burgling the house of Punjab's former minister Jagdish Singh Garcha after drugging him and his family members, police said on Wednesday.

The police seized jewellery worth Rs one crore, Rs 2.76 lakh cash, five expensive watches, antique coins and other items from their possession, they said. According to the police, the accused were planning to return to Nepal with the valuables.

The accused have been identified as Sarjan Shah (20), Karan (19) and Kishan (30), police added. One more accomplice, David, is still on the run.

Ludhiana Police Commissioner Mandeep Singh Sidhu said Karan, the Garcha family's domestic help, was the mastermind of the robbery. He was employed by the family three months ago without any police verification, he said.

Shah was found roaming suspiciously with a bag while they were checking and patrolling in Delhi's Anand Vihar ISBT. On checking, gold, diamond and silver jewellery was recovered from the bag, Deputy Commissioner of Police (east) Amrutha Guguloth said.

The former minister, his wife, his sister and a domestic help were found unconscious at his residence at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Nagar on Pakhowal Road in Ludhiana on September 18 .

The servant served the family food laced with sedatives on Sunday night and fled with cash and jewellery.

Garcha has been a two-time MLA from the Kila Raipur seat. He was a minister in the Akali government.
Kolkata, Sep 20 (PTI) The Bangladesh government on Wednesday gave permission to traders to sell nearly 4,000 metric tons of Hilsa fish to India ahead of the festive Durga Puja season.

The Hilsa from Bangladesh's Padma and Meghna rivers and from Chandpur where the two rivers meet has long been prized by Hilsa connoisseurs as among the tastiest of fishes.

Dhaka's Chief Controller of Imports and Exports issued licences to 79 exporters who would be able to export 50 metric tons of Hilsa each.

"India is our closest neighbour. As in previous years, Bangladesh will open up export of Hilsa to India ahead of the Durga Puja," the neighbouring country's diplomats posted in Kolkata said.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had taken an initiative a few years ago to allow exports of Hilsa ahead of the Durga Puja on a request by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as part of what is now referred to as 'Hilsa diplomacy'.

Mintu Pal, 42, a wholesale dealer of marine products here said, "Padma Hilsa gets snapped up in the market regardless of the price. This export by Bangladesh ahead of the Pujas will make the market buoyant despite the large quantities being offered as they will pull up prices and demand in any case goes up in this season."

While most of the prized Hilsa from Bangladesh will be taken up by markets in West Bengal, traders said significant quantities will also be sold in Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai for fish lovers there.

Officials said all exports will have to be completed by October 30 as fishing for Hilsa is paused for some time from October 12 to allow the fish to breed.
Ghaziabad (UP), Sep 20 (PTI) The class 5 students of a government primary school in Prem Nagar Colony of Loni here suffered from stomach ache and vomiting on Wednesday after allegedly consuming mid-day meal, officials said.

They were immediately rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC), where 22 out of the 25 children were discharged while three were referred to the combined government hospital in Ghaziabad's Sanjay Nagar, they said.

District Magistrate R K Singh told PTI that three children are presently undergoing treatment.

"Strict action would be initiated against those who used to manage mid-meal for the students. Show cause notice has been sent to the school principal named Usha," he added.

The parents of the children reached the school on receiving information and created a ruckus outside.

Targeting the school principal, they alleged that adulterated milk was served to the children and rice pulao was cooked using substandard condiments.

The sub-divisional magistrate reached the school along with the police officials and called the food department team.

The food department team took the samples of milk and rice pulao, which have been sent for testing after getting a report from the food testing laboratory.

The principal, in her defense, said that only students of Class 5 suffered from stomach ache and vomiting while the students of other classes also consumed the same mid-day meal.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Showers early, then cloudy in the afternoon. High 47F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

A clear sky. Low around 30F. Winds light and variable.




Israel Police on Wednesday arrested a Palestinian resident of the Gaza Strip armed with a foot-long knife at the Savidor train station in Tel Aviv.

The suspect, a 35-year-old from Jabaliya with a permit to work in Israel, had tried to conceal the knife he was carrying by rolling it up in clothing and placing it in a bag.

However, security guards at the entrance to the station spotted the knife in the X-ray security scanner and called the police.

The suspect was transferred to the Tel Aviv station for questioning.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Newly discovered correspondence suggests that World War II-era Pope Pius XII had detailed information from a trusted German Jesuit that up to 6,000 Jews and Poles were being gassed each day in German-occupied Poland. The documentation undercuts the Holy Sees argument that it couldnt verify diplomatic reports of Nazi atrocities to denounce them.

The documentation from the Vatican archives, published this weekend in Italian daily Corriere della Sera, is likely to further fuel the debate about Pius legacy and his now-stalled beatification campaign. Historians have long been divided about Pius record, with supporters insisting he used quiet diplomacy to save Jewish lives while critics say he remained silent as the Holocaust raged.

Corriere is reproducing a letter dated Dec. 14, 1942 from the German Jesuit priest to Pius secretary which is contained in an upcoming book about the newly opened files of Pius pontificate by Giovanni Coco, a researcher and archivist in the Vaticans Apostolic Archives.

Coco told Corriere that the letter was significant because it represented detailed correspondence about the Nazi extermination of Jews, including in ovens, from an informed church source in Germany who was part of the Catholic anti-Hitler resistance that was able to get otherwise secret information to the Vatican.

The letter from the priest, the Rev. Lothar Koenig, to Pius secretary, a fellow German Jesuit named the Rev. Robert Leiber, is dated Dec. 14, 1942. Written in German, the letter addresses Leiber as Dear friend, and goes on to report that the Nazis were killing up to 6,000 Jews and Poles daily from Rava Ruska, a town in pre-war Poland that is today located in Ukraine, and transporting them to the Belzec death camp.

According to the Belzec memorial which opened in 2004, a total of 500,000 Jews perished at the camp. The memorials website reports that as many as 3,500 Jews from Rava Ruska had already been sent to Belzec earlier in 1942 and that from Dec. 7-11, the citys Jewish ghetto was liquidated. About 3,000-5,000 people were shot on the spot and 2,000- 5,000 people were taken to Bezec, the website says.

The date of Koenigs letter is significant because it suggests the correspondence from a trusted fellow Jesuit arrived in Pius office in the days after the ghetto was emptied, and after Pius had received multiple diplomatic notes and visits from a variety of envoys of foreign governments from August 1942 onwards with reports that up to 1 million Jews had been killed so far in Poland.

While it cant be certain that Pius saw the letter, Leiber was Pius top aide and had served the pope when he was the Vaticans ambassador to Germany during the 1920s, suggesting a close working relationship especially concerning matters related to Germany.

According to The Pope at War, by Pulitzer Prize-winning anthropologist David Kertzer, a top secretariat of state official, Monsignor Domenico Tardini, told the British envoy to the Vatican in mid-December that the pope couldnt speak out about Nazi atrocities because the Vatican hadnt been able to verify the information.

The novelty and importance of this document comes from this fact: that on the Holocaust, there is now the certainty that Pius XII was receiving from the German Catholic Church exact and detailed news about crimes being perpetrated against Jews, Coco was quoted by Corriere as saying.

However, Coco noted that Koenig also urged the Holy See to not make public what he was revealing because he feared for his own life and the lives of the resistance sources who had provided the intelligence. Pius supporters have long insisted that he couldnt speak out strongly against the Nazis because of fears of reprisals.

In a telephone interview Saturday, Kertzer said the letter could be significant because it could mark the first time a reference to Jews being gassed in ovens had been revealed in a letter he said would certainly have been brought to Pius attention. Kertzer said historians have been eagerly awaiting Cocos book because as a Vatican archivist, Coco had access to a trove of Pius personal files that werent yet indexed and made available to scholars when the Vatican opened the Pius archives in March 2020.

When we started working there, it wasnt a secret  although it took a while to figure out  what kinds of documents were missing, Kertzer said, noting that documents from the Vaticans office in Washington during the war years have still not yet been catalogued.

Pius legacy, and the revelations from the newly opened Vatican archives, are to be discussed at a major conference at Romes Pontifical Gregorian University next month that is notable because of its across-the-spectrum participant list and sponsorship. The Vatican, Israels Yad Vashem Holocaust research institute, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial as well as the Israeli and U.S. embassies are all backing it, among others.

The Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is to open the Oct. 9-11 meeting that will feature scholars including Kertzer, Coco and Johan Ickx, the archivist at the Vatican secretariat of state whose own book on the archives, Pius XII and the Jews published in 2021, praised Pius and the Vaticans efforts to care for Jews and people fleeing the war.

Coco said Koenigs letter actually was found in the Vaticans secretariat of state archives and was turned over to the Vaticans main Apostolic Archives only in 2019, because the secretariat of states papers were disorganized and scattered, with some of Pius documents kept in plastic containers in an attic storage space where heat and humidity were damaging them.

(AP)




Irans president on Monday denied his country had sent drones to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, even as the United States accuses Iran of not only providing the weapons but helping Russia build a plant to manufacture them.

We are against the war in Ukraine, President Ebrahim Raisi said as he met with media executives on the sidelines of the worlds premier global conference, the high-level leaders meeting at the U.N. General Assembly.

The Iranian leader spoke just hours after five Americans who had been held in Iranian custody arrived in Qatar, freed in a deal that saw President Joe Biden agree to unlock nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

Known as a hard-liner, Raisi seemingly sought to strike a diplomatic tone. He reiterated offers to mediate the Russia-Ukraine war despite being one of the Kremlins strongest backers. And he suggested that the just-concluded deal with the United States that led to the prisoner exchange and assets release could help build trust between the longtime foes.

Raisi acknowledged that Iran and Russia have long had strong ties, including defense cooperation. But he denied sending weapons to Moscow since the war began. If they have a document that Iran gave weapons or drones to the Russians after the war, he said, then they should produce it.

Iranian officials have made a series of contradictory comments about the drones. U.S. and European officials say the sheer number of Iranian drones being used in the war in Ukraine shows that the flow of such weapons has not only continued but intensified after hostilities began.

Despite his remarks about trust, Raisis tone toward the United States wasnt all conciliatory; he had harsh words at other moments.

Raisi said his country sought good relations with all neighboring countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

We believe that if the Americans stop interfering in the countries of the Persian Gulf and other regions in the world, and mind their own business  the situation of the countries and their relations will improve, Raisi said.

The United Arab Emirates first sought to reengage diplomatically with Tehran after attacks on ships off their coasts that were attributed to Iran. Saudi Arabia, with Chinese mediation, reached a detente in March to re-establish diplomatic ties after years of tensions, including over the kingdoms war on Yemen, Riyadhs opposition to Syrian President Bashar Assad and fears over Irans nuclear program.

Raisi warned other countries in the region not to get too close with U.S. ally Israel, saying: The normalization of relations with the Zionist regime does not create security.

As a prosecutor, Raisi took part in the 1988 mass executions that killed some 5,000 dissidents in Iran.

The Iranian leader was dismissive of Western criticism of his countrys treatment of women, its crackdown on dissent and its nuclear program, including over protests that began just over a year ago over the death in police custody last year of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman arrested for allegedly violating Irans mandatory headscarf law.

He compared the protests in Iran to labor strikes and demonstrations by ethnic minorities in the United States and Western Europe. He noted that many people are killed each year in the U.S. at the hands of police, and criticized the media for not focusing on those deaths as much as the treatment of demonstrators in his country. The deaths of Americans at the hands of police are widely covered in U.S. media.

Raisi has sought, without evidence, to portray the popular nationwide demonstrations in Iran as a Western plot.

The issue(s) of women, hijab, human rights and the nuclear issue, he said, are all pretexts by the Americans and Westerners to damage the Islamic republic as an independent country.

(AP)




Americans detained for years in Iran arrived home Tuesday, tearfully hugged their loved ones and declared Freedom! after being let go as part of a politically risky deal that saw President Joe Biden agree to the release of nearly $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

The prisoners landed at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, with clapping and cheers heard in the predawn hours. Siamak Namazi, the first off the jet, paused for a moment, closed his eyes and took a deep breath before leaving the plane. Loved ones, some holding small American flags, enveloped them in hugs and exchanged greetings in English and Farsi, the main language of Iran.

The nightmare is finally over, Namazis brother, Babak, said at the airport.

We havent had this moment in over eight years, he added, his arm around his brother and his formerly detained father, Baquer, who had been earlier released by Iran. Its unbelievable.

One of the other freed Americans, Emad Sharghi, received from his sister, Neda, a U.S. flag and a stuffed animal that she had given to their father 30 years ago when he had bypass surgery, a family representative said.

The former prisoners, who flew on the Gulfstream 5 that brought WNBA star Brittney Griner home after her detention in Russia, later posed for a group photograph with their families, calling out: Freedom!

The successful negotiations for the Americans freedom brought Biden profuse thanks from their families but heat from Republican presidential rivals and other opponents for the monetary arrangement with one of Americas top adversaries.

Today, five innocent Americans who were imprisoned in Iran are finally coming home, the Democratic president said in a statement released as the plane carrying the group from Tehran initially landed in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.

Irans hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, on hand for the United Nations General Assembly in New York, suggested the exchange could be a step in the direction of a humanitarian action between us and America.

It can definitely help in building trust, Raisi told journalists.

Iran aired footage of the two prisoners who returned to the Islamic Republic as part of the swap, while two will remain in the U.S. and a fifth will go to a third country. The two who returned hugged their families and criticized the U.S. for their sentences.

The U.S government accused me of having the will to jeopardize U.S interests through disregarding the sanctions. I wonder how the U.S government can accuse someone of a crime by reading his mind? Reza Sarhangpour Kafrani told Iranian state television.

Kafrani was indicted in 2021. charged with unlawfully exporting laboratory equipment to Iran and money laundering, though his case had not yet moved to trial.

Also released, according to Nour News, was Mehrdad Ansari, an Iranian sentenced by the U.S. to 63 months in prison in 2021 for obtaining equipment that could be used in missiles, electronic warfare, nuclear weapons and other military gear.

Tensions are almost certain to remain high between the U.S. and Iran, which are locked in disputes over Tehrans nuclear program and other matters. Iran says the program is peaceful, but it now enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.

The prisoner release unfolded 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.

When the Americans initially stopped in Doha after their release from Iran, three of them  Namazi, Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz  emerged. They hugged the U.S. ambassador to Qatar, Timmy Davis, and others. The three then threw their arms over one anothers shoulders and walked off toward the airport.

In a statement issued on his behalf, Namazi said: I would not be free today, if it wasnt for all of you who didnt allow the world to forget me.

Thank you for being my voice when I could not speak for myself and for making sure I was heard when I mustered the strength to scream from behind the impenetrable walls of Evin Prison, he said.

The United States did not immediately identify the other two freed Americans. All were released in exchange for five Iranians in U.S. custody and for the deal over the frozen Iranian assets owed by South Korea. The Biden administration said the five freed Iranians pose no threat to U.S. national security.

Two of the imprisoned Americans family members, Effie Namazi and Vida Tahbaz, who had been under travel bans in Iran, also were on the plane.

The $5.9 billion in cash released to Iran represents money South Korea owed Iran  but had not yet paid  for oil purchased before the U.S. imposed sanctions on such transactions in 2019.

The U.S. maintains that, once in Qatar, the money will be held in restricted accounts to be used only for humanitarian goods, such as medicine and food. Those transactions are currently allowed under American sanctions targeting the Islamic Republic over its advancing nuclear program.

Iranian government officials have largely concurred, though some hard-liners have insisted, without evidence, that there would be no restrictions on how Tehran spends the money.

The deal has already opened Biden to fresh criticism from Republicans and others who say the administration is helping boost the Iranian economy at a time when Iran poses a growing threat to American troops and Mideast allies. That could have implications in his re-election campaign.

Former President Donald Trump, the early front-runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, called it an absolutely ridiculous deal on the Truth Social social media site. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused Biden of rewarding and incentivizing Tehrans bad behavior.

Biden held what the White House described as an emotional phone call with the families of the freed Americans after their release.

In his statement, Biden demanded more information on what happened to Bob Levinson, an American who went missing years ago. The Biden administration also announced fresh sanctions on former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence.

The U.S. government, the prisoners families and activists have denounced the charges against the five Americans as baseless.

The Americans included Namazi, who was detained in 2015 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison on spying charges; Sharghi, a venture capitalist sentenced to 10 years; and Tahbaz, a British-American conservationist of Iranian descent who was arrested in 2018 and also received a 10-year sentence.

Iran and the U.S. have a history of prisoner swaps dating back to the 1979 U.S. Embassy takeover and hostage crisis following the Islamic Revolution.

(AP)




The owner of a New York City day care center where a 1-year-old child died after being exposed to fentanyl took steps to cover up her involvement in a sprawling drug operation, even as medics rushed to treat several children in her care who were poisoned by the opioid, federal prosecutors said.

The day care owner, Grei Mendez, and a man who rented a room from her, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, were hit with new federal narcotics conspiracy charges Tuesday. They were previously charged in state court with murder of depraved indifference in the death of 1-year-old Nicholas Dominici.

Officials say they discovered a kilogram of fentanyl stored on top of playmats used by children who attended the Bronx day care center, as well as devices for packing and mixing narcotics.

The fentanyl is believed to have sickened four children, including Dominici, who died Friday afternoon. Three others  ranging in age from 8 months to 2 years old  were hospitalized.

The defendants poisoned four babies and killed one of them because they were running a drug operation from a day care center, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Damien Williams said at a news conference.

On Friday afternoon, Mendez, 36, discovered the young children were not waking up from nap time. She then made three calls, including two to her husband, before dialing 911, the criminal complaint alleged.

Surveillance footage showed him entering the Bronx apartment and whisking at least two full shopping bags out of the building through a back alley. Minutes later, emergency medical personnel arrived to find the children showing signs of opioid intoxication.

The phone calls, along with the apparent deletion of thousands of texts between Mendez and her husband, suggested an effort to cover up the narcotics operation inside the apartment, federal prosecutors alleged.

Williams said authorities were still seeking Mendezs husband as of Tuesday afternoon. He was not named by either state or federal court filings.

Brito, a 41-year-old tenant of the apartment and a cousin to Mendezs husband, was charged alongside Mendez for his alleged role in the drug operations. New York City police said they recovered a kilogram press device inside the closet of an adjoining room occupied by Brito.

Both Mendez and Brito have denied knowing anything about drugs in the day care center. An attorney for Mendez, Andres Aranda, said his client was terrified upon discovering the unresponsive children and acted immediately to get them care.

A message left with Britos attorney wasnt immediately returned.

The day care facility opened in January of this year. It passed both of its inspections, authorities said, including a surprise visit made by inspectors on Sept. 6.

New York City, like much of the country, has seen rising levels of opioid-related deaths, with the vast majority of fatalities now attributed to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that can be more than 50 times stronger than heroin.

Williams said the news of Domincis death had shocked the conscience of a city already reeling from the devastating effects of the fentanyl crisis.

At an unrelated press conference on Tuesday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the incident should serve as an indictment on our society.

I dont know whats wrong with us, he added. We had fentanyl in a day care center.

(AP)
KIGALI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Rwanda on Tuesday hosted a reception to celebrate the upcoming 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The ceremony was held in the Rwandan capital of Kigali, with attendance of Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun, Rwandan Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manasseh Nshuti, government officials, members of the diplomatic community, as well as representatives from the private sector, among others.

Addressing the ceremony, Wang said that China has traversed a glorious history of 74 years, highlighting the remarkable progress the country has made on its path to national rejuvenation.

He stressed that under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, with the concerted efforts of the Chinese people, and valuable friendly cooperation with global partners, China has achieved world-renowned development and is proudly on the path to national rejuvenation.

"Two great miracles have been created by the Chinese people: the miracle of rapid economic development and the miracle of enduring social stability. These pave the way for China's modernization after achieving the first centenary goal of fully building a moderately prosperous society in all respects," Wang said.

According to him, China's economy reached approximately 18 trillion U.S. dollars in 2022, ranking as the second-largest in the world. "The Chinese people are now striving to build a great modern socialist country in all respects and to advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through a Chinese path to modernization. This is the unwavering pursuit of the Chinese people. This modernization does not only belong to China but also reflects China's commitment to building a better world," he said.

Speaking of China-Rwanda relations, Wang acknowledged the profound bonds between the two countries, characterized by mutual respect, equality and partnership. He pointed out China's plans to host the upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), saying the forum will provide opportunities for enhancing cooperation for Africa's integration and modernization.

Speaking at the event, Nshuti emphasized the deepening relations and cooperation between Rwanda and China under the guidance of their respective leaderships.

"This journey has led to cooperation that spans across various domains, from trade and investments to health, education, technology, infrastructure development, and more. This has further been underpinned by the framework of FOCAC and joint committees on economic, trade and technical cooperation, enabling the implementation of numerous projects and reinforcing the bonds between our two nations," he said.

One notable aspect of this cooperation, Nshuti highlighted, is the substantial Chinese investments in Rwanda, which have had a positive impact on the Rwandan economy and created employment opportunities.

"Rwanda values cooperation on a number of issues of mutual interest, including through the FOCAC, which has been instrumental in supporting Africa's development efforts and Rwanda's in particular," he said.

Nshuti praised China's commitment to Africa's development through these mechanisms and looked forward to participating in the upcoming forum in Beijing. 




House Republicans plan to hold their first hearing next week in their impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden.

The hearing  scheduled for Sept. 28  is expected to focus on constitutional and legal questions that surround the allegations of Bidens involvement in his son Hunters overseas businesses, according to a spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee.

Republicans  led by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy  have contended in recent weeks that Bidens actions from his time as vice president show a culture of corruption, and that his son used the Biden brand to advance his business with foreign clients.

The spokesperson also said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chairman of Oversight, plans to issue subpoenas for the personal and business bank records of Hunter Biden and the presidents brother James Biden as early as this week. McCarthy appointed Comer to lead the inquiry in coordination with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and Ways & Means Chairman Jason Smith.

The White House has called the effort by House Republicans in the midst of the presidential campaign extreme politics at its worst.

Staging a political stunt hearing in the waning days before they may shut down the government reveals their true priorities: To them, baseless personal attacks on President Biden are more important than preventing a government shutdown and the pain it would inflict on American families., Ian Sams, a White House spokesman, said in a statement Tuesday.

McCarthy announced the impeachment inquiry last week after facing mounting pressure from his right flank to take action against Biden or risk being ousted from his leadership job. At the same time, the speaker is struggling to pass legislation needed to avoid a federal government shutdown at the end of the month.

The California lawmaker launched the inquiry without a House vote, and its unclear if he would have enough support to approve it from his slim GOP majority. Some lawmakers have criticized the evidence so far as not reaching the Constitutions bar of high crimes and misdemeanors.

An inquiry is a step closer to an impeachment of the president, a constitutional tool which until recently was rare in Congress.

But McCarthy and other Republicans have been facing months of direct challenges from Trump  who is now the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden in next years election  to move forward with proceedings against his opponent. The action also is seen as an effort to distract attention from the indicted former presidents legal challenges and turn a negative spotlight on Biden.

The impeachment inquiry is expected to build upon the work that Comer and others have done since gaining the House majority in January. There are several investigative lanes but Comer has been tasked with following the money that went through Bidens sons and brothers various businesses accounts.

The chairman has claimed repeatedly that the Biden family engaged in an influence-peddling scheme, but has yet to directly tie any of that to the president himself.

Republicans have focused much attention on an unverified tip to the FBI that alleged a bribery scheme involving Biden when he was vice president. The bribery claim, which emerged in 2019 and was part of Trumps first impeachment, relates to the allegation that Biden pressured Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor in order to stop an investigation into Burisma, the oil-and-gas company where Hunter Biden was on the board.

Democrats have countered that the Justice Department investigated the Burisma claim when Trump was president and closed the matter after eight months, finding insufficient evidence to pursue it further. Other countries were also pushing for the firing of the Ukrainian official, viewing him as corrupt. And a former business partner of Hunter Bidens has testified to Congress that the bribery allegation is untrue.

(AP)




Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Tuesday that Russia is weaponizing everything from food and energy to abducted children in its war against Ukraine  and he warned world leaders that the same could happen to them.

When hatred is weaponized against one nation, it never stops there, he said at the U.N. General Assemblys annual top-level meeting. The goal of the present war against Ukraine is to turn our land, our people, our lives, our resources into weapons against you  against the international rules-based order.

The war in Ukraine has deepened major global supply disruptions caused by the pandemic, driving a huge spike in food and energy prices, jolting the global economy and increasing hardship in many developing countries.

Decades-old energy supply channels to Europe from Russia, a major oil and gas producer, were halted or severely disrupted by the war due to sanctions, trade disputes, pipeline shutoffs and a major push by Western countries to find alternative sources. Both Russia and Ukraine also are major grain exporters, and Russia withdrew this past summer from a deal that allowed shipments of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

Zelenskyy pointed to the food and fuel crunches, and he highlighted what Ukraine says were kidnappings of at least tens of thousands of children taken from Ukraine after Moscows invasion: What will happen to them?

Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken. And this is clearly a genocide, Zelenskyy said in remarks that ran 15 minutes  the meetings often-disregarded time limit.

The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant in March for Russian President Vladimir Putin and another official, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine. Russian officials have denied any forced transfers of children, saying some Ukrainian youngsters are in foster care.

Russia gets its chance to address the General Assembly on Saturday. Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyansky sat in Russias seat during Zelenskyys address.

Did he speak? Polyansky said with a wry smile when an Associated Press reporter asked about his reaction to the address. I didnt notice he was speaking. I was on my phone.

Zelenskyy took to the world stage at a sensitive point in his countrys campaign to maintain international support for its fight. Nearly 19 months after Moscow launched a full-scale invasion, Ukrainian forces are three months into a counteroffensive that has not gone as fast or as well as initially hoped.

Ukraine and its allies cast the countrys cause as a battle for the rule of international law, for the sovereignty of every country with a powerful and potentially expansionist neighbor, and for the stability of global food and energy supplies.

We must stand up to this naked aggression today and deter other would-be aggressors tomorrow, U.S. President Joe Biden told the assembly Tuesday in his own speech. As he pledged support to Ukraine, there was a round of applause, including from Zelenskyy.

Russia insists its war is justified, claiming that it is defending Russian speakers in Ukraine from a hostile government and protecting Russian interests against NATO encroachment, and more.

The war has raged longer and losses have been greater than Russia hoped, and the fighting has spurred widespread international condemnation against Moscow.

But the Kremlin also has influential friends that havent joined the chorus of censure: China and India, for instance, have staked out neutral positions. So have many Middle Eastern and African nations. Many Latin American and Caribbean countries prefer to focus world attention on other global issues, including climate change and conflict in Africa.

Moscow is keen to display its global influence and its relationship with China and insists that it cannot be internationally isolated by the U.S. and its European allies.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is concerned that backing from its allies may be ebbing. They have supplied billions of dollars worth of arms but fear that their stockpiles are shrinking and that defense contractors are struggling to boost production lines.

Hours before Zelenskyy spoke at the U.N., allied defense leaders convened at a U.S. military base in Germany to discuss next steps. Some nations pledged further money and weapons. But a key sticking point is whether to supply longer-range missiles that Kyiv insists it needs.

The U.S. Congress is weighing Bidens request to provide as much as $24 billion more in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, amid a growing partisan divide over spending on the conflict. Zelenskyy is scheduled to spend time Thursday on Capitol Hill and to meet with Biden at the White House.

After landing Monday in New York, Zelenskyy suggested that the U.N. needs to answer for allowing his countrys invader a seat at the tables of power.

If there is still a place for Russian terrorists in the United Nations, its a question to all the members of the United Nations, Zelenskyy said after visiting wounded Ukrainian service members at Staten Island University Hospital.

Russia is a permanent, veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council, which is entrusted with maintaining international peace and security.

Zelenskyy took the United Nations to task even before the war. In one memorable example, he lamented at the General Assembly in 2021 that the U.N. was a retired superhero whos long forgotten how great they once were.

A former comedian and actor who took office in 2019, Zelenskyy later became a wartime leader, wearing military fatigues, rallying citizens at home and appearing virtually and in person before numerous international bodies.

At the Staten Island hospital, he awarded medals to military members who had lost limbs. With help from a New Jersey-based charity called Kind Deeds, 18 troops have been fitted for prostheses and are undergoing outpatient physical therapy, hospital leaders said.

We all will be waiting for you back home, Zelenskyy told those he met. We absolutely need every one of you.

(AP)




The classified documents indictment of Donald Trump would seem, on paper at least, to be the most straightforward of the four criminal cases the former president is facing.

Reams of classified files were stashed in Trumps office and storage room and he boastfully showed off to guests one such document he acknowledged was secret, federal prosecutors have alleged. His own lawyer is quoted in the indictment as saying Trump encouraged him to mislead investigators who demanded the documents back, and prosecutors have since secured the cooperation of a Mar-a-Lago staffer who says the ex-president asked about deleting surveillance footage at the Palm Beach property.

But that doesnt make the path to conviction easy, particularly with the case set for trial in a Florida courthouse expected to draw its jury pool from a conservative-leaning region of the state that supported Trump in the 2020 election. Those built-in demographics may be a challenge for prosecutors despite the evidence at their disposal, underscoring the impossibility of untangling the law from politics in an election-year trial involving a former president who is seeking to return to the White House.

The more conservative the counties, the highest chance he has to find jurors that would be sympathetic with him, said Richard Kibbey, a criminal defense attorney in Stuart, Florida, part of the Fort Pierce district where the jury pool is expected to be taken from.

When it comes to finding truly impartial jurors, he added, Its going to be very difficult given the political climate across the country. Jurors will bring their own biases into the court room.

Unless the trial location is moved or its date pushed back, it will take place starting next May in Fort Pierce before U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who drew scrutiny last year for granting a Trump team request to appoint an independent arbiter to review the classified documents seized from Mar-a-Lago. That decision was reversed by a unanimous three-judge appeals panel.

For months, a grand jury in Washington had been hearing testimony in the case, leading to expectations that any charges against Trump would be brought there. Instead, the indictment wound up being filed in the Southern District of Florida, enabling special counsel Jack Smiths team to avoid any protracted fights with Trumps lawyers over the appropriate venue for the case but creating the potential for a less desirable jury pool, at least politically.

The jury selection process is meant to weed out personal or partisan bias that could taint the case, with jurors instructed to make decisions solely on the basis of the evidence they hear. But in a federal court system where convictions overwhelmingly outnumber acquittals, defense lawyers  and prosecutors, for that matter  could nonetheless look to jury selection as a way to elicit an edge.

Picking a jury is an art. Its not a science. And whether youre a prosecutor or a defense attorney, you use everything in your arsenal to seat the best jury you can get for your case, said Michael Sherwin, a former federal prosecutor in Miami who served during the Trump administration as acting U.S. Attorney in Washington.

You want to ensure that you have the best people in that jury box that are going to be receptive to your message. So from that perspective, if Im DOJ, Id much rather have a Miami jury pool than a Fort Pierce jury pool, he added.

Given its sprawling geographic size, the district has five courthouses  in Key West, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Fort Pierce. The indictment itself was filed in West Palm, the city with the closest courthouse to Mar-a-Lago.

It was then randomly assigned to Cannon, who despite sitting in Fort Pierce also hears cases in West Palm, the clerks office said in an email to The Associated Press.

But such a blockbuster trial, with a deluge of media, could test the resources of a courthouse and region far less accustomed to headline-generating events than is, for instance, Miami.

The bigger issue is going to become, can the Fort Pierce courtroom handle this case? And if it cant, where are they going to send it? said David Weinstein, a Florida lawyer and former federal prosecutor. And if they send it to Miami, how are they going to get the jurors there because technically its not a Miami case.

Jurors for Fort Pierce trials are drawn from five counties, according to the written jury plan for the Southern District of Florida: St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee and Highlands.

Trump won each of those counties. His victory margin was particularly wide in Okeechobee, where he won with 71.8% of the votes. In St. Lucie, home to Fort Pierce, he won by only 50.4%, but Republicans have continued to gain ground there, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was reelected last year with more than 59% of the vote there.

That dynamic stands apart from the more heavily Democratic cities  New York, Washington and Atlanta  where Trump also faces charges. Trump lawyers tried unsuccessfully to force the recusal of the judge in the New York case and have turned to the same tactic in Washington, saying that judge, Tanya Chutkan, has made public comments that cast doubt on her ability to be fair. The request is pending.

Lawyers in the Washington case have attacked the indictment as novel and laden with complicated constitutional questions, suggesting theyll invoke arguments involving the First Amendment and presidential immunity. The Florida defense team, which was reorganized after the indictment, has not publicly detailed its defenses yet.

But despite the importance of jury selection and the fact that both sides will look to jury selection to pick the best possible panel for their respective cases, the outcome may still come down to which team has the best evidence and arguments.

Its a high-profile defendant, but I suspect that when push comes to shove, most people dont make all of their important decisions based on politics, said Richard Serafini, a Florida defense lawyer and former Justice Department official.

(AP)




Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

It was Zelenskys first meeting with an Israeli prime minister since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

At the start of the meeting between the two leaders, Zelenskyy said, I expect a lot from Israel, but there are no problems in our relationship.

According to a Reshet Bet report on Wednesday morning, during the meeting, Zelensky urged Netanyahu to increase Israeli aid to Ukraine and provide it with military equipment. Netanyahu replied that there are systemic difficulties in doing so given the delicate relations with Russia. Finally, it was agreed that Israel would increase humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

After the meeting ended, the Israeli and Ukrainian delegations left the room, and Zelesnky, Netanyahu, and Israels Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan held a private meeting.

The Prime Ministers Office later issued a statement saying, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met today during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The meeting was friendly.

Prime Minister Netanyahu made it clear that Israel will continue to help Ukraine with humanitarian issues, including dealing with landmines.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




India on Wednesday advised its citizens to be careful when traveling to Canada as a rift between the two nations widens further in the wake of Ottawas allegations that India may have been involved in the killing of a Sikh separatist leader in suburban Vancouver.

The foreign ministry in New Delhi issued an updated travel advisory, urging its nationals and especially those studying in the North American country to be cautious because of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate-crimes.

Indians should also avoid going to venues in Canada where threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose anti-India agenda, the ministry said.

Ottawa and New Delhi, two key strategic partners on security and trade, are locked in a diplomatic tussle after Canadas Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, alleged that India was connected to the assassination of Sikh independence advocate on its soil in June.

Canada has yet to provide any evidence of Indian involvement in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a 45-year-old Sikh leader killed by masked gunmen in Surrey, outside Vancouver.

For years, India has said Nijjar, a Canadian citizen born in India, has links to terrorism, an allegation he denied, saying he was working to organize an unofficial Sikh diaspora referendum on independence from India at the time of his killing.

Trudeaus announcement was followed by Canada expelling an Indian diplomat in Ottawa. New Delhi responded by rejecting Trudeaus accusation as absurd and motivated and later expelling a Canadian diplomat.

Indian authorities designated Nijjar a terrorist in 2020 and accused him of supporting demands for an independent Sikh homeland, known as Khalistan, that started as an insurgency in Indias Punjab state in 1970s and 1980s and was crushed in an Indian government crackdown.

The movement has since lost much of its political power but still has supporters in Punjab, where Sikhs are in a majority, as well as among the sizable overseas Sikh diaspora.

Indias foreign ministry also said Trudeaus allegations seek to shift the focus from Khalistani terrorists and extremists, who have been provided shelter in Canada and continue to threaten Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The ministry regularly issues travel advisories. In September last year, it asked Indian citizens to remain cautious while traveling in Canada because of sharp increase in incidents of hate crimes, sectarian violence and anti-India activities there.

The modern Sikh independence movement reaches back to the 1940s but eventually morphed into the 1970s and 1980s insurgency. In 1984, then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi ordered a raid to capture armed separatists taking refuge in Sikhisms holiest shrine.

The raid killed hundreds of people, and two of Gandhis Sikh bodyguards assassinated her shortly after. In response, anti-Sikh riots took place across India in which members of the minority were dragged out of their homes and killed.

And though the insurgency was suppressed long ago, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned repeatedly that Sikh separatists were trying to make a comeback. Modis government has been asking several countries  including Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom  to take legal action against Sikh separatists.

India has also for years accused Canada of giving free rein to Sikh separatists, including Nijjar.

The dueling expulsions of diplomats have escalated tensions  Trudeau had frosty encounters with Modi during this months Group of 20 meeting in New Delhi, and a few days later Canada canceled a trade mission to India planned for the fall.

(AP)




A Texas prisoner accused of killing 22 older women over two years, preying on them so he could steal jewelry and other valuables, was slain Tuesday by his cellmate while serving a life sentence, prison officials said.

Billy Chemirmir, 50, who was convicted last year in the slayings of two women, was found dead in his cell at a prison in rural East Texas, Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesperson Hannah Haney said. He was killed by his cellmate who was also serving a prison sentence for murder, according to Haney.

Chemirmirs death comes about two weeks after Texas 100 prisons were placed on a rare statewide lockdown because of a rise in the number of killings inside the facilities, which prisons officials have said were related to drugs.

Haney did not release the name of the cellmate, how Chemirmir was killed or what may have led to the slaying.

Family members of those he was accused of killing expressed shock and relief at the news.

My mother died in fear. This man did not have a peaceful passing. Theres some relief in feeling that he didnt get off easily, Shannon Dion, whose 92-year-old mother, Doris Gleason, was among those Chemirmir was charged with killing, said at a news conference.

Time after time, the deaths in Dallas and nearby cities were initially determined to be from natural causes, even as family members raised alarm about missing jewelry.

Chemirmir was caught after a 91-year-old woman survived a 2018 attack and told police a man had forced his way into her apartment at an independent living community for seniors, tried to smother her with a pillow and took her jewelry.

Police said they found Chemirmir the following day in the parking lot of his apartment complex holding jewelry and cash, having just thrown away a large red jewelry box. Documents in the jewelry box led them to the home of Lu Thi Harris, 81, who was dead in her bedroom.

After Chemirmirs arrest, police across the area reexamined deaths, and the charges against him grew. Many of the victims children have said they were left perplexed by the deaths at the time, as their mothers, though older, were still healthy and active.

The first capital murder trial of Chemirmir for the slaying of Harris ended in mistrial in Dallas County. He was later convicted in a retrial for Harris death and was then convicted of a second killing in the death of Mary Brooks, 87.

Following his second conviction, family members of those Chemirmir was accused of killing gathered in a Dallas courtroom to face him. Ellen French House showed Chemirmir two photos of her mother: one of Norma French alive, the other after the 85-year-old was killed.

This is my beautiful mother, House said as she displayed the first photo. This is my mother after you pried her wedding ring off of her finger that she couldnt even get off.

Most of the victims lived in apartments at independent living communities for older people. One woman who lived in a private home was the widow of a man Chemirmir cared for while working as an at-home caregiver.

Chemirmir had been indicted on 22 capital murder charges. Thirteen of the charges were in Dallas County, while nine were in neighboring Collin County. Following the two convictions in Dallas County, prosecutors dismissed the remaining 11 charges there. They did not seek the death penalty. Last month, Collin County prosecutors said they also would not seek the death penalty.

Chemirmir, who maintained his innocence, was serving two sentences of life without the possibility of parole. He was imprisoned at the Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Dallas.

Chemirmirs attorney, Phillip Hayes, said his death is just a horrible tragedy.

Nobody deserves to be killed at any point, especially when you are in a place youre being held against your will, Hayes said.

Earlier this month, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice said it was implementing lockdown measures in response to a rise in dangerous contraband and drug-related inmate homicides. At the time of that Sept. 6 announcement, the department said there had been 16 inmate-on-inmate homicides so far this year. In 2021, there were nine such killings; in 2022, there were seven.

With the lockdown, the prisons limited inmates movement and their contact with outsiders. In addition, inmates and staff were undergoing intensified searches. A heightened drug testing protocol was also implemented.

Department spokesperson Amanda Hernandez said that as comprehensive searches were completed, units have been resuming normal operations. She said that as of Tuesday, the lockdown had been lifted at 75 units. The Coffield Unit, where Chemirmir was imprisoned, was among 25 units still under lockdown.

Haney said the Office of Inspector General is investigating his death.

(AP)




Sacramentos top prosecutor is suing the citys leaders over failure to cleanup homeless encampments, escalating a monthslong dispute with leaders in Californias capital city.

County District Attorney Thien Ho announced the lawsuit Tuesday during a news conference in Sacramento, saying the city is seeing a collapse into chaos that he said reflects the erosion of everyday life. A group of residents and business owners also filed a companion lawsuit against the city.

Ho said his office had asked the city to enforce local laws around sidewalk obstruction and to create additional professionally operated camping sites, but that the city did not.

The lawsuit includes accounts from dozens of city residents living around 14 encampments. Some homeowners recounted being threatened with firearms at their front door and having their properties broken into and vandalized  which has driven some from their homes. Local business owners said they have spent thousands of dollars to upgrade their security systems after their workers were assaulted by homeless people, while calls to city officials seeking help have gone unanswered, the lawsuit said.

This is a model for the people to stand up and hold their government accountable, Ho said in an interview Tuesday. All Im asking is the city do its job.

Sacramento County had nearly 9,300 homeless people in 2022, based on data from the annual Point in Time count. That was up 67% from 2019. Roughly three-quarters of the countys homeless population is unsheltered, and the majority of that group are living on Sacramento streets.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said Ho was politicizing the issue. The city has added 1,200 emergency shelter beds, passed ordinances to protect sidewalks and schools and has created more affordable housing, Steinberg said in a statement.

The city is trying to avoid the futile trap of just moving people endlessly from one block to the next, Steinberg said. Peoples frustrations are absolutely justified but Hos actions are a performative distraction, he said.

The city needs real partnership from the regions leaders, not politics and lawsuits, he said.

Homeless tent encampments have grown visibly in cities across the U.S. but especially in California, which is home to nearly one-third of unhoused people in the country.

Ho had threatened in August to file charges against city officials if they didnt implement changes within 30 days. In a letter to the city, Ho demanded that Sacramento implement a daytime camping ban where homeless people have to put their belongings in storage between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., among other rules.

City Attorney Susana Alcala Woods office has also repeatedly urged Ho to work with the city to address the issue, she said.

It sadly appears the DA would rather point fingers and cast blame than partner to achieve meaningful solutions for our community, Alcala Wood said in a statement.

Ho, elected in 2022 after vowing on the campaign trail to address the citys homelessness crisis, said hes asked the city to share real-time data about available shelter beds with law enforcement. He anticipates the lawsuit will go to trial and hopes a jury will agree with what he has proposed.

This is a rare opportunity  a rare opportunity  for us to effectuate meaningful, efficient means of getting the critically, chronically unhoused off the streets, Ho said.

Ho said he supports a variety of solutions including enforcing laws and establishing new programs to provide services to people facing addiction or mental health issues. He said he supports a statewide bond measure that would go toward building more treatment facilities. Voters will weigh in on that measure next year. He also backs the proposed changes in the states conservatorship system that would make it easier for authorities to mandate treatment for those with alcohol and drug use disorders.

The dispute between the district attorney and the city was further complicated by a lawsuit filed by a homeless advocacy group earlier this year that resulted in an order from a federal judge temporarily banning the city from clearing homeless encampments during extreme heat. That order is now lifted but the group wants to see it extended.

The attorney for the homeless coalition also filed a complaint with the state bar this month, saying Ho abused his power by pushing the city to clear encampments when the order was in place.

Hos news conference included testimony from residents who say the city is not providing resources to deal with homelessness. Emily Webb said people living an encampment near her home have trespassed on her property, blocked her driveway and threatened her family, but city officials have done little to clear the camp.

Were losing sleep and exhausted from this stress, she said Tuesday. We are beyond frustrated and no longer feel comfortable or safe in our home.

Critics have said encampments are unsanitary and lawless, and block children, older residents and disabled people from using public space such as sidewalks. They say allowing people to deteriorate outdoors is neither humane nor compassionate.

But advocates for homeless people say they cant alleviate the crisis without more investment in affordable housing and services, and that camping bans and encampment sweeps unnecessarily traumatize homeless people.

(AP)




Republican presidential nomination frontrunner Donald Trump has long claimed that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war in a single day. Now, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is telling him to put up or shut up.

In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Zelensky was asked about Trumps claims that he would be able to mediate a deal between the warring countries.

The former president, former President Trump, he told NBC News on Sunday that he would get  if he were elected president again  he would get you and Putin together and make what he called a fair deal, host Wolf Blitzer said to the Ukrainian leader. He said something could have been negotiated with Crimea and other parts of the country. Whats your reaction to what hes saying, that he would bring you and Putin together and work out a deal, a fair deal?

First of all, I dont see any details in this, replied Zelensky. Of course we have another year before the elections. If hes got some smart ideas, he could share it with us, of course. We need a strong position, obviously.

He can publicly share his idea now. Not waste time. Not to lose people, Zelensky continued. Yes, and say that my formula is to stop the war and stop all this tragedy and stop Russian aggression, and he say how he see it. How to [inaudible] Russian from our land. Otherwise, he is not, I mean, presenting a global idea of peace. So the idea is how to take the part of our territory and to give Putin? That is not the peace formula.

So youre not ready to negotiate a territorial compromise with Putin? Blitzer queried.

Were not ready, Zelensky responded. But the question is to Trump, or maybe its not his idea or somebody, what United States really ready to give to Putin from your territories?

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




After cases of whooping cough in Israel doubled in the past three months, the Health Ministry recently issued new guidelines for Kupot Cholim and hospitals, stressing the need to urge vaccination among infants and pregnant women.

According to data published by the ministry, there were 615 cases of whooping cough in Israel from January to July 2023, compared to only 18 cases in the same period last year.

Kan News reported that the Health Ministry is recommending that every person over the age of 18 receive at least one dose of the pertussis vaccine.

The Health Ministrys message to the Kupot Cholim stated: Pregnant women should be encouraged to vaccinate against whooping cough between weeks 27-36 of their pregnancy. The administration of the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy has been common for about a decade, both in Israel and worldwide. The vaccine is safe and protects the infant from life-threatening infections until they can be vaccinated themselves. In addition, vaccination of children against the disease should be encouraged at all ages, according to vaccination guidelines.

Since September 2022, there has been an increase in whooping cough incidence worldwide. In recent months, outbreaks have been reported in Canada, Denmark, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa and Bolivia, each with hundreds of cases. Countries with lower incidence include the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

In Israel, cases of whooping cough tend to rise and fall, with an increase in incidence every four-five years. In recent months, we have seen such an increase in incidence rates and hospitalizations due to whooping cough. Most of the reported cases originate from the Jerusalem area, but cases have been reported throughout the country. Morbidity is highest in areas with dense populations and low vaccination rates. The most significant morbidity and most hospitalizations occur among infants under six months old who arent fully vaccinated.

In June, a four-month-old baby with whooping cough in Ashdod was hospitalized in critical condition, and in May, a ten-week-old infant from Jerusalem passed away from whooping cough.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




In the wake of the Tel Aviv municipalitys decision to ban a mechitzah between men and women at the Yom Kippur tefillah at Dizengoff Square, an urgent administrative appeal was filed against the municipality.

The decision marks a new low in the in the history of the State, the appeal by the Freedom and Human Dignity Forum in Israel states. Since the British Mandate, there has never been a prohibition on a mechitzah in Eretz Yisrael  until now.

The tefillah had become a focus of attraction for a broad and diverse public. Religious, traditional, secular  anyone who is interested found their place in the moving tefillah in the citys streets. The tefilla has taken place every year with a mechitzah in accordance with Jewish tradition and halacha for generations.

It should be noted that even Muslim prayers are held in the city with gender separation, using a mechitzah, without disturbance (and legally), as it has already been held in the citys urban park  Charles Clore Park  a mass prayer and sermon with gender separation, in honor of the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice. Fences that belong to none other than the Tel Aviv municipality served as the mechitzha there.

The mass prayer in honor of the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice is held every year in the same format  with gender separation, in the same urban park, using the same municipalitys fences as a mechitzah. Prayers in a similar format are also held on Eid al-Fitr. It is superfluous to mention that these regular prayers are well-known to the municipality.

The attempt by the Tel Aviv municipality to prohibit Jewish tefilla with the use of a mechitzha, according to Jewish halacha, is invalid. The municipality lacks the authority to create such a prohibition, out of nowhere.

The prohibition on the use of a mechitzah for Jewish tefillah (and specifically Jewish tefilah) is not only illegal but also unconstitutional. The prohibition on conducting Jewish tefillah according to Jewish halacha and tradition violates the basic rights of the mispallelim, including the rights to freedom, dignity, autonomy, religious freedom, and equality.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attends the first Golden Panda International Cultural Forum and announces its opening in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

CHENGDU, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The first Golden Panda International Cultural Forum kicked off on Wednesday in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China.

Li Shulei, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended the event and announced its opening.

Jointly held by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the provincial government of Sichuan, the forum gathers over 300 guests from home and abroad, with in-depth discussions on topics such as implementing the Global Civilization Initiative.

Participants said that exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations serve as a vital impetus for their progress and world peace and development.

They also expressed that to carry out the Global Civilization Initiative, the common values shared by humanity should be faithfully upheld and promoted, stories of every kind of civilization should be well presented, and mutual understandings and people-to-people exchanges should be boosted. 




A leftist mob in Tel Aviv violently attacked Rav Yigal Levinstein, the head of the pre-military mechinah in Eli, and Yisrael Zeira, the head of the Rosh Yehudi organization, on Tuesday evening in Tel Aviv.

The leftists were protesting against Zeira in the wake of the decision of the Tel Aviv municipality to ban mechitzos at the Yom Kippur tefillah led by Rosh Yehudi at Dizengoff Square every year. The frenzied mob attacked the two men as Rav Levinstein left a building where he delivered a shiur. The men had to be protected from the crowd, who tried hitting and kicking them, and verbally assaulted them, by police officers. Some of the protesters even tried hitting them with their flagpoles. Anyone who passed by the area who was wearing a yarmulke was attacked as well.

Aviad Nachshoni, who accompanied Rav Yigal Levinstein to the lecture, said: Dozens of protesters tried to physically attack us with sticks and their hands. If the police officers wouldnt have protected the Rav with their bodies, it would have ended very badly.

Finance Chairman Betzalel Smotrich wrote: Last night, we saw a scene that appeared as if it was taken from dark periods of Jewish history. A Rav and a religious citizen are brutally attacked by a violent mob due to their beliefs. Gantz and Lapid are silent. This will end in bloodshed and it will be on their hands.

It should be noted that Lapid refused to condemn the incident when asked about it on Wednesday.

Likud MK Moshe Saada responded to the shocking footage by stating: This is the punishment for those who dared to seek to hold a tefillah in the square of the most liberal city in the world during the holiest day for Jews: a siege, verbal violence, an actual lynching attempt, and rescue by police forces.

I will explain again, Saada wrote, a Jew who sought to organize Jewish tefillos in the first Hebrew city  was rescued by police from a lynching attempt. The radical and extremist elements are damaging Israels image, harming the lives of citizens, and dividing Israeli society. You should be ashamed!

The chairman of the Knessets Constitution Committee Simcha Rothman wrote: As expected, the bullies who pursue, harass, curse and threaten, claiming freedom of protest against elected officials, have now turned to attack religious Jews in the streets in a display of hatred for the other, all under the flags of democracy and equality. The support in the silence of law enforcement officials and members of the opposition is a disgrace.

Right-wing activist Menny Asyag posted a photo of a sign the protesters held that read A Jewish Democratic State. He wrote; This is the entire truth of the protests and their ultimate goal. Well never allow them to win! Never!

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




In the first-ever meeting between the two leaders, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the 78th UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday evening.

Mossad chief Dedi Barnea also participated in the meeting, which was held at the Turkish Embassy at the UN. The meeting was closed to the media.

A statement by Netanyahus office after the meeting said the two leaders decided to continue promoting Israel-Turkey relations in the fields of trade, economy, and energy. The Prime Ministers Office emphasized that: The leaders discussed regional and international issues, including the normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu also thanked Erdogan for the fruitful cooperation of our security organizations that thwarted the malicious intentions of terrorist groups to harm Israeli tourists in Istanbul, saving lives.

The Prime Ministers Office added: The two leaders mutually invited each other for visits to Israel and Turkey and it was agreed that these visits will be coordinated and will take place soon.

A statement by Erdogans office said that the two leaders discussed regional cooperation on energy, technology, innovation, AI, and cybersecurity and cooperation on the production of natural gas, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




The vile former prime minister Ehud Barak said in an interview with CBS in New York on Tuesday that some people may lose their lives in the civil rebellion against the current government.

Barak said: We will block this attempt on the life of Israels democracy and we will win. It might take time, ups and downs, some people might lose their lives along the way. I told the people we will have to face toil, sweat, and tears, hopefully no blood, but there might be some violence  it always comes from the right wing.

Chareidi journalist Aryeh Erlich responded to the interview by writing: The man who fantasizes about bodies floating in the Yarkon in order to return to politics, is now speaking in an official interview to the international media about a civil war in which people will lose their lives. Ehud Barak is currently the most dangerous man in the State of Israel. A full-blown agent of chaos, inciting bloodshed. Every moment that this devil is not detained for a police investigation is a danger to lives.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met with President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Biden began the meeting by saying: Youve heard me say, many times, if there were no Israel wed have to invent one. I think without Israel, theres not a Jew in the world thats secure.

I think Israel is essential. And I look forward to discussing all of this with you, and working together with your team, to fulfill as Ben-Gurion said, the dream of generations.

I suffer from, oxymoron, Irish optimism. If you and I 10 years ago were talking about normalization with Saudi Arabia, I think wed look at each other, like, Whos been drinking what?

Netanyahu: Good Irish whiskey.

Biden: Good Irish whiskey. Thats the reason why Ive never had a drink. So, welcome Bibi, and I hope we can get some things settled today.

After their public remarks and a meeting with their delegations, Netanyahu and Biden held an hour-long private meeting.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)




In a rare interview with Fox News, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) offered insights into ongoing negotiations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, hinting at the possibility of a normalization agreement. However, he underscored the enduring importance of the Palestinian issue within the context of these discussions.

During the interview, which aired on Wednesday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed a sense of optimism regarding the diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel, stating, Every day we get closer. These words hinted at the advancing talks aimed at establishing diplomatic ties between the two nations.

The Saudi Crown Prince also addressed the looming concern of Irans nuclear aspirations. He firmly asserted that if Iran were to obtain a nuclear weapon, Saudi Arabia would feel compelled to follow suit. If Iran gets a nuclear weapon, we have to get one, MBS stated, highlighting the Kingdoms stance on maintaining regional security and balance.

While discussing the potential normalization with Israel, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made it clear that the Palestinian issue remains central to Saudi Arabias negotiations. He emphasized the importance of resolving the Palestinian conflict, stating, For us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
On the surface, the town of Chippenham seems a rather unlikely place for a rebellion, with its genteel High Street of Georgian buildings, peaceful atmosphere and regular farmers market.

Yet this spot in Wiltshire has become the home of an uprising against online fraud. In response to a spiralling number of cases in the area, the local community is taking a stand to kick fraud out of the town.

Leading the charge is an unlikely figure. Step forward great-grandmother of two, Sandie Webb.

Blonde, 70 years old, 5ft 2in and equipped with a sturdy pair of hiking shoes  she is far from the stereotypical image of a vigilante.

Sandie founded Chippenham Community Hub in 2021 in a bid to help the town pull together during the pandemic. Today, the hubs focus has shifted  its now the towns centre for fighting fraud.

Scambuster: Sandie Webb, 70, (pictured, left, with reporter Jessica Beard), founded Chippenham Community Hub in 2021 to help the town pull together during the pandemic

More than 45 per cent of all crime in Wiltshire relates to cases of fraud, she says. And the police say 80 per cent of those cases are preventable.

Thats why weve taken the fight into our own hands, says Sandie. We know the police have a small budget for handling fraud and it has become everyones problem.

The community is saying, Go away, we wont be scammed by you. Fraudsters have no business in our town.

The community hub is open 9am to 3pm five days a week and all are welcome.

But after seeing a rise in the number of scam victims coming into the hub, Sandie says dedicated help is needed.

In testament to her fighting spirit, next month, on October 7, she will open the doors to a fraud surgery, thanks to a 3,000 grant awarded by the local Police and Crime Commissioner.

On the day, scam victims will be able to voice their grievances and report crimes. The local polices fraud officer will be there to deliver educational sessions and High Street banks have been invited.

From next month, the hubs volunteers will be equipped with new training and protocols in order to welcome scam victims in to share their burden.

Volunteers have been carefully selected for their ability to deal with sensitive and traumatic topics and offer a comforting shoulder.

They have also received training from the police about how to report cases and provide support to those who need it the most.

HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP What you need to know about money every week: This is Money podcast

Volunteers will give advice on how to prevent fraud and warn people about scam trends.

Sandie says: We will teach people how to handle this epidemic of fraud through educational sessions and keep them up to date on the latest tricks.

We will signpost these around the community and on social media, too. We must stop fraud in its tracks.

Fighting back: Sandies community leaflet which encourages fraud victims to come forward

Sandie understands the feelings of shame and embarrassment that so often stops scam victims from reporting crime or even telling their family.

We will become the human face for those who suffer from this dreadful crime and do what we can to get the message out about how different types of scams work, she says.

So many people who have fallen victim to a scam need support because theyre on their own. We offer a safe space where no one judges.

Many have already sought comfort and support at the hub, but Sandie expects cases to soar. She says a growing number of social media and online scams are catching out the people of Chippenham.

Ive seen all sorts, from buying and selling scams to dodgy investments, but the worst are the heartless romance scams that tend to start on Facebook or dating sites. Ive seen a few cases, including one widow who I struggled to get through to.

She told me she had this fantastic online friend who told her how gorgeous she was. Its so easy to be flattered by it but I know that when she comes crashing down to earth she is going to feel worthless. All we can do is support her.

The Police are limited

DC Rachel Davies, Wiltshire Polices sole fraud prevention officer, has been Sandies biggest helper and advocate. She is dealing with around 80 cases a week.

The police officer has toured the county giving talks on online scams and sharing her advice on how to spot fraudsters.

Its her day off when Money Mail visits but she is busy at the hub. Its clear from her rapport with volunteers that she dedicates a lot of her time to the centre.

However, as a team of one, there is only so much she can do. Police have struggled to deal with the fraud epidemic in recent years as social media scams have become rampant.

Last month, Money Mail revealed that across the UK, 1.1 million people are falling victim to scams that originate on social media every year.

Yet the House of Commons Justice Committee warned last autumn that only 2 per cent of police funding was being dedicated to combating fraud  despite fraud making up 41 per cent of reported crimes in England and Wales.

DC Davies, whose role was set up at the start of 2021, acknowledges that the police and community need to work together if they are to turn the tide of the tsunami of fraud cases.

She says: This hub is 100 per cent needed alongside the police effort  it is great that the community is coming together to fight fraud. We are all in this together. There is no one person who is less likely to be a victim of fraud.

Scamdemic: Last month, we revealed that across the UK, 1.1 million people are falling victim to scams that originate on social media every year.

The reason Im working with the hub is because its a great place to speak to local people. They come in here because they dont necessarily want to go to the police station.

That can be more daunting and victims dont always know how it works. So this is a great safe place for them to come.

Sandie agrees, and believes residents must step in to help the community when the police cannot. She says: We save police time because we can pass cases on to them and warn them about trends we are seeing. We can be an early warning system for the police.

Budgets have been so tight that Sandie has had to dig into her own pocket to produce anti-scam brochures to hand out in the police station.

Sandie fears the 3,000 grant wont go far. Its going to pay for staffing, heating, electricity, rent, social media and brochures. Its stretching a long way but well do miracles with it.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson, who introduces himself as the one funding all of this, says it is crucial to rebuild trust in the police.

We need to support victims and let them know that we care for them in order to build trust and confidence in the police force.

We know from whats happened elsewhere that that is sadly lacking. So we need to reassure them that we care.

Already, the surgery has attracted attention. Officials in the neighbouring town of Trowbridge have contacted Sandie to ask how they can set up their own fraud surgery.

DC Davies says she would like to build one in every town in Wiltshire but first wants to establish a blueprint in Chippenham.

Online scamdemic

Social media websites have become one of the biggest facilitators of fraud. And DC Davies warns that 15 to 24-year-olds are among the most vulnerable to scammers because of how much they share on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok.

Whether we like it or not, most of our lives are online now and everyone needs to understand the risks that are involved with that. In my presentations I tell members of the public not to be forced online, she says.

A lot of big companies are forcing them to pay for bills or monitor their accounts online and its not helping our most vulnerable in society. I tell people that if you dont understand it, you have to have the confidence to tell these companies and push back.

Money Mails Stop the Social Media Scammers campaign has revealed the shocking scale of the problem.

Our investigations have found that scams on Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram  all owned by social media giant Meta  account for an astonishing 16 per cent of all crime recorded in the UK.

Our investigations have found that scams on Facebook, WhatsApp or Instagram - all owned by social media giant Meta - account for an astonishing 16% of all crime recorded in the UK

Last week, the Prime Minister backed our calls to force tech giants into doing more to protect their users from the surge in scammers, as their platforms have become a breeding ground for fraud.

The Governments anti-fraud champion and MP Anthony Browne says community groups can help provide important local support in a way that national government cant.

He says: It is good to see communities protecting themselves. We are working hard with tech firms to put the fraudsters out of business but while there is still widespread fraud, it is in everyones own interest to learn how to avoid having their money stolen.

In the brochures handed out at the Chippenham police station and community hub, the overwhelming message is to beware while online.

It asks: Is the bargain you have seen online far cheaper than one you have seen elsewhere? and Have you really won that prize in a draw you didnt even enter?

Walk-in victim who lost 7,000

On the sunny September afternoon when Money Mail visits Chippenham, its clear that fraud isnt just a fear for the townspeople  its a reality.

One 80-year-old woman who walks in is reticent at first, but wants to share her story. She tells a volunteer that scammers have charged 7,000 to her credit card and made off with the money.

She doesnt know how they got hold of her details, who did it or how they pushed the payment through  and she has not told her family. Volunteer Ian Spyre asks her to fill in a fraud questionnaire.

It asks for details of what happened, how much the victim lost, whether they would like to report it and if they want support.

He suspects the woman must have clicked on a fraudulent link online or unintentionally shared her details on social media. She agrees to report the crime to Action Fraud, the reporting hotline run by the City of London Police. But she is quick to turn down support.

Ladonna Watts, the full-time community hub manager, says it is very difficult for victims to open up.

A lot of people feel embarrassed and stupid for falling for the trick  Ive watched people disintegrate. The older generation in particular doesnt feel they need or deserve the help they should be getting.

Ladonna, a 57-year-old mother of one who used to work in recruitment, is clearly disappointed the team couldnt convince the woman to opt in for help. She told me she was strong enough.

When you report a crime to Action Fraud, it is added to the national database of fraud cases. However, it is only when someone opts for victim support that the case gets logged as a Wiltshire crime with the local police. This is crucial for officers like DC Davies, who can then get involved.

She says: There can be a lot of frustration with Action Fraud because people dont always understand that it is just a reporting hotline.

Sandie adds: People go to Action Fraud because they want action to be taken about their personal experience of fraud and then it doesnt happen.

So we are here to put them in touch with DC Davies or social services depending on their needs.

Above all, the hub is there to listen. It should serve as a wake-up call to banks, tech companies and government that at the other end of criminal gangs who thrive on social media are everyday people who are fighting back. As the people of Chippenham say: We deserve so much more.

n How have you fought back against online fraudsters? Tell us your story at j.beard@dailymail.co.uk
If the sound of breaking china  a much-loved cup, plate or dish  makes you immediately dread how much it will cost to replace, then help is at hand, beyond the usual dustpan and brush.

Follow our expert tips for seamless china repairs or embrace the Japanese art of kintsugi to create a new ceramic.

A keen fan of make-do-and-mend is Emma Bradshaw who has made pottery conservation her business at Bradshaw Ceramic Restoration in Newport, Essex.

She handles up to 300 projects a year  anything from a 5 cracked Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee mug or a favourite 20 vase to 10,000 hand-painted plates by the artist Grayson Perry.

She says if pottery gets chipped or broken, theres no need to simply throw it away.

Expert help: Reporter Toby Walne visited ceramics restorer Emma Bradshaw (pictured together) who handles up to 300 projects a year at her studio in Essex

Ms Bradshaw says that the price of a favourite piece of pottery is often less important than its sentimental value.

One of her favourite memories is of a headteacher who came in with a shopping bag of smashed pottery  up to 50 pieces  that used to be a five-inch vase but had accidentally been knocked off a windowsill.

She says: It had been made by his wife  who had died a couple of years earlier. The restoration bill for this pottery was 1,000 but he wept with gratitude as he believed this piece could never be repaired.

Ms Bradshaw says there has been a growing trend of people coming to fix their DIY repairs undertaken in Covid lockdown.

Ornate pieces  including plates and cups kept in display cabinets  are falling out of fashion.

HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to save money on energy: What you need to know and energy-saving tips that work

But there is a growing trend for early to mid-20th Century vases made in simple clean styles from craft potters such as Lucie Rie to manufacturers like Moorcroft  which customers want to have restored.

Ceramics with sentimental or monetary value can usually be repaired. Anyone can give it a go if they have the confidence, though they must also be aware it requires a level of skill and not just a squirt of super glue.

If items are used regularly as kitchenware  and might be used for containing hot liquids or put in a dishwasher  they should be replaced instead.

Invisible restoration

The best glue for pottery is usually a two-in-one epoxy  not super glue  because it provides a firmer fix and allows you at least four minutes to ensure the pieces are correctly aligned rather than rushing to get it done in seconds.

Ceramics restorer Lakeside Pottery recommends a brand such as PC-Clear that can be purchased from a website like Amazon for 9. It does not yellow over time.

Ms Bradshaw says: Most people put too much glue on to begin with so you might like to practise on other pottery first.

It is a skill that has taken me 30 years to perfect. She often adds a colour pigment powder to match the colour of the glue with the pottery at this stage. These can be purchased from an art shop, such as Jacksons, for about 2.

Patience and a good eye are required when mixing  and a toothpick can be used as the glue application tool.

Toby puts the finishing touches on his repaired bowl. Colour pigment powder can be used to match the colour of the glue with the pottery

You can speed up the drying process by putting the pottery about ten inches from a 60-watt bulb lamp, according to Lakeside Pottery.

You might also like to hold pieces together while drying using 3 painters tape, depending on the size of the object.

For chips or larger cracks also consider a professional filler, such a PC-11 paste epoxy (8). Another is Milliput epoxy putty (5) that comes in a variety of colours and can also be mixed with colour pigment powder to match the pottery shade.

After at least 24 hours the treated area can be gently sanded. Rough grain sandpaper would scratch any glazing. Rub with a wet-and-dry 400-grit sandpaper dipped in water, followed by a smoother 2,000-grit paper. These can be purchased from Halfords for 1 a sheet.

If you have decoration on the piece, match it using modelling paints such as 1.25 Humbrol pots. To blend with a ceramic glaze, a 7 clear varnish from an art shop can provide the finishing touch.

How to undo a botched fix

One of the biggest challenges faced by a professional like Ms Bradshaw is undoing previous DIY repair attempts. Over-zealous application of super glue is the main culprit.

Ms Bradshaw says: A bug bear of mine is undoing the damage done from a previous fix. It may take twice the time and cost of a repair from scratch.

A typical repair charge from a professional like Ms Bradshaw starts at 120, but can be 200 or more.

The first task is to put the ceramic in hot, distilled water  about 60 degrees Celsius  because this warms up the old glue so that it softens and becomes easier to remove. You can buy distilled water for around 6 from a pharmacist.

You must then carefully pull the broken pieces apart and strip off the old glue. A scalpel knife tool for 5 can scrape off any remaining glue.

Crackpot: If items are used regularly as kitchenware - and might be used for containing hot liquids or put in a dishwasher - they should be replaced instead

After, use acetone, a clear nail varnish remover, and rub along the broken edges to dissolve remaining gunk with cotton buds. Boots sells 50ml of acetone for 3.

You can also rub down the sides of broken pottery even if not previously glued to ensure the piece is clean and prepared for a professional fix.

There are plenty of online YouTube tutorials that can help, including by Lakeside Pottery, which suggests you wipe surfaces with a clean cloth dipped in about 90 pc alcohol. These antiseptic alcohol solutions can be bought for 7.

Ms Bradshaw says a simple chip or crack can turn a 1,000 vase into something worth a fifth of the value  perhaps 200. Try repairing it yourself and it might be worth just 50.

With a great professional restoration, you might not restore it to its full former glory  but could still hold a piece of pottery worth 600 to 700.

Enjoy kintsugi

The Japanese art of kintsugi (pronounced kindsugee) involves a broken old pot, plate or cup being transformed into a work of art.

Breakages, cracks and chips are shown off as a virtue rather than flaws to be hidden. The Japanese term roughly translates as joining with gold.

You do not have to melt down the family jewellery but simply use a glue that looks like the precious metal, or perhaps silver if you prefer.

You can purchase kits from as little as 30, such as from the Design Museum in London.

These packages include glue, putty, gold powder, a paint brush and bamboo mixing sticks  and can be used for as many as ten broken pots, so you can practice on old junk first.

As with any repairs, it is for decorative purposes only, so cups for hot drinks and plates and bowls that might get thrown in the dishwasher are not suitable for kintsugi.

The good news is that you do not have to worry about getting it wrong  this is art, after all. But YouTube channels such as Traditional Kintsugi Tutorial provide an enjoyable way to learn more about celebrating broken old pots.

The glue traditionally used is mugi urushi  typically a mix of flour and tree sap. It follows the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi which embraces all of nature and finds beauty in imperfection.

toby.walne@dailymail.co.uk
Ousted: Edward Tilly has stepped down from his job at Cboe Global Markets

The boss of a major Chicago exchange operator has become the latest chief executive to lose his job for failing to disclose personal relationships with colleagues.

Just a week after Bernard Looney was forced out of BP, Edward Tilly stood down from his job at Cboe Global Markets.

The company said the 60-year-old  who started out on the trading floor of its predecessor, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, in 1987  did not disclose personal relationships with colleagues, which violated Cboes policies and stands in stark contrast to the companys values.

It marked the end of a long career that saw Tilly work his way up from a clerk on the trading floor to become chief executive in 2013. He received a pay packet of 9.6million last year.

His departure follows an investigation by Cboes board and external lawyers that kicked off last month.

Fredric Tomczyk, a board member at Cboe, which runs the largest exchange for US equity options, will take over as chief executive.

Looney, 53, left BP over his own failure to disclose the extent of past personal relationships at the oil giant.

BP has come under fire for appointing him as its boss in 2020 despite his reputation for relationships apparently being widespread.
The Charles Schwab Corporation is a financial services company that offers a wide range of investment services, including brokerage, banking, and financial advisory services. Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Westlake, Texas, the company operates through two main segments: Investor Services and Advisor Services. The Investor Services segment offers individual investors retail brokerage and banking services, while the Advisor Services segment provides custodial, trading, and support services to independent investment advisors. In 2020, the company completed its acquisition of TD Ameritrade, further expanding its client base and offerings.

Charles Schwab Corporation's management team is led by Walt Bettinger, who has been the company's President and Chief Executive Officer since 2008. Mr. Bettinger joined the company in 1995 and has held various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Head of Schwab Institutional.

Over the past few years, Charles Schwab Corporation has experienced steady growth in its key financial metrics. It is reporting increased revenue and increased profit margin. Charles Schwab Corporation's valuation metrics are generally in line with industry peers. The company's price-to-earnings ratio is slightly lower than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also somewhat lower than the industry average. Charles Schwab Corporation's stock has generally performed well over the past few years, with some fluctuations in response to broader market conditions and regulatory changes. The company's stock price has outperformed the S&P 500 for several years. The company has also experienced increases in trading volume in response to changes in market conditions and regulatory changes.

Charles Schwab Corporation operates in the financial services industry, which has experienced significant growth and transformation over the past few years. The industry has been impacted by a range of factors, including advances in technology, changing consumer preferences, and regulatory changes. Charles Schwab Corporation competes with other financial services firms, including traditional brokerage firms, online investment platforms, and banks.

Charles Schwab Corporation has a range of potential growth opportunities, including expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients. The company has been investing in technology and digital platforms to improve its services and attract new clients. In addition, the company's acquisition of TD Ameritrade has provided new opportunities for growth and expansion. The company also focuses on expanding its international presence and exploring new markets.

Charles Schwab Corporation faces a range of potential risks and challenges, including changes in regulatory and political environments that may impact the company's operations and profitability. The financial services industry is subject to a wide range of regulations, and changes in these regulations could significantly impact the company's operations. In addition, the industry is subject to intense competition, which could affect the company's ability to attract and retain clients.

Another potential risk is the impact of market volatility on the company's operations. Charles Schwab Corporation generates a significant portion of its revenue from commissions and fees, which are impacted by changes in market conditions. In periods of market volatility, clients may reduce their trading activity, which could affect the company's revenue and profitability.

The company also faces risks related to data security and privacy. The company collects and stores sensitive financial and personal information on its clients. Any breach of this data could significantly impact the company's reputation and financial performance.

To address these risks and challenges, Charles Schwab Corporation is focused on maintaining a robust regulatory compliance program and investing in data security and privacy measures. The company is also focused on diversifying its revenue streams and expanding its offerings to meet the evolving needs of its clients.
CANBERRA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Australia is heading towards climate catastrophe if the country does not pursue more ambitious emissions reduction targets, experts have warned.

In a report published on Wednesday, the Climate Council, Australia's leading climate change communications NGO, called for the federal government to slash emissions by 75 percent from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2035 to curtail the impacts of climate change.

The report was published one day after the Bureau of Meteorology of Australia declared that two climate drivers linked to hot, dry weather in Australia -- El Nino and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) -- have developed.

"We have both an El Nio event and a positive Indian Ocean Dipole underway, amplified by climate change, which heightens the risk of dangerous heat and severe fires," Simon Bradshaw, Climate Council research director, said in a media release on Wednesday.

"The reality is stark: there's no safe level of global warming. Everything we do now matters. The only way we can turn down the heat is to get our emissions plummeting, and fast."

The report warned that, on the current trajectory of global warming, by the year 2100, Australia is facing a large-scale collapse of marine ecosystems, more frequent and severe heat waves and "irreversible" shifts in rainfall patterns.

It found that if emissions from land use and forestry are excluded, national emissions from the rest of Australia's economy have fallen only 0.2 percent since 2005.

The governing Australian Labor Party has set an emissions reduction target of at least 43 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, and net zero by 2050, but the Climate Council said those goals were not on track.

"This report paints a vivid contrast for Australia's century's end -- one that is completely unrecognizable or one where much of what we cherish about our beautiful country has been saved," Lesley Hughes, co-author of the report and a member of the government's Climate Change Authority, said in Wednesday's media release. 
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. operates a telehealth platform that connects consumers to licensed healthcare professionals. The company offers a range of health and wellness products and services available to purchase on its websites and mobile application directly by customers. It also provides prescription medication on a recurring basis and ongoing care from healthcare providers; and over-the-counter drug and device products, cosmetics, and supplement products, primarily focusing on wellness, sexual health and wellness, skincare, and hair care. The company's curated non-prescription products include vitamin C, melatonin, biotin, and collagen protein supplements in the wellness category; moisturizer, serums, and face wash in the skincare category; condoms, climax delay spray and wipes, vibrators, and lubricants in the sexual health and wellness category; and shampoos, conditioners, scalp scrubs, and topical treatments, such as minoxidil in the hair care category. In addition, it offers medical consultation services, as well as health and wellness products through wholesale partners. The company is based in San Francisco, California.
Nabors Industries Ltd. provides drilling and drilling-related services for land-based and offshore oil and natural gas wells in the United States and internationally. The company operates through U.S. Drilling, International Drilling, Drilling Solutions, and Rig Technologies. It provides tubular running, wellbore placement, directional drilling, measurement-while-drilling (MWD), equipment manufacturing, and rig instrumentation services; and logging-while-drilling systems and services, as well as drilling optimization software. The company also offers ROCKit, a directional steering control system; SmartNAV, a collaborative guidance and advisory platform; SmartSLIDE, an advanced directional steering control system; and RigCLOUD, which provides the tools and infrastructure to integrate applications to deliver real-time insight into operations across the rig fleet. In addition, it manufactures and sells top drives, catwalks, wrenches, drawworks, and other drilling related equipment, such as robotic systems and downhole tools; and provides aftermarket sales and services for the installed base of its equipment. The company marketed approximately 300 rigs for land-based drilling operations; and 29 rigs for offshore platform drilling operations. Nabors Industries Ltd. was founded in 1952 and is based in Hamilton, Bermuda.
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.
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. The company also sells wholesale electricity to other entities in the western United States; owns gas-fired and hydroelectric generating capacity totaling 65 MW; and distributes natural gas to approximately 1,076,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers in British Columbia, Canada. In addition, it owns and operates the electricity distribution system that serves approximately 584,000 customers in southern and central Alberta; owns 4 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 225 MW; and provides operation, maintenance, and management services to five hydroelectric generating facilities. Further, the company distributes electricity in the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador with an installed generating capacity of 143 MW; and on Prince Edward Island with a generating capacity of 90 MW. Additionally, it provides integrated electric utility service to approximately 68,000 customers in Ontario; approximately 274,000 customers in Newfoundland and Labrador; approximately 33,000 customers on Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and approximately 17,000 customers on certain islands in Turks and Caicos. It also holds long-term contracted generation assets in Belize consisting of 3 hydroelectric generating facilities with a combined capacity of 51 MW; and the Aitken Creek natural gas storage facility. It also owns and operates approximately 90,200 circuit Kilometers (km) of distribution lines; and approximately 51,200 km of natural gas pipelines. Fortis Inc. was founded in 1885 and is headquartered in St. John's, Canada.
The Southern Company is a leading gas and electric utility holding company based in the southern United States. With its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, and executive offices in Birmingham, Alabama, the company has established itself as one of the largest energy providers in the country. Serving approximately 9 million gas and electric utility customers across six states, The Southern Company's subsidiaries operate in various segments of the energy industry.

The mission of The Southern Company is to deliver clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy to its customers while fostering innovation and sustainability. The company aims to meet the energy needs of the present and future generations by embracing new technologies, investing in renewable energy sources, and promoting environmental stewardship.

The Southern Company offers products and services to meet the diverse energy requirements of its customers. Its subsidiaries include regulated regional electric utilities such as Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Mississippi Power, which serve specific territories in their respective states. Additionally, Southern Power focuses on wholesale power generation, while Southern Company Gas serves gas utility customers and operates natural gas pipelines.

The key customers of The Southern Company comprise residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The company caters to the energy needs of households, businesses, and various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, education, and more. The Southern Company has established long-standing customer relationships by providing reliable and affordable energy solutions.

The Southern Company has made significant strides in renewable energy development. The company operates or develops renewable facilities across the United States, including solar, wind, and biomass projects. It has also embarked on a notable milestone by constructing the country's first nuclear power units in 30 years at Plant Vogtle near Augusta, Georgia. These initiatives showcase The Southern Company's commitment to a diverse energy portfolio and its dedication to meeting the evolving energy demands of the market.

The leadership team at The Southern Company is composed of experienced professionals who bring a wealth of expertise to their respective roles. Led by Executive Chairman Thomas A. Fanning, the management team drives the company's strategic direction and oversees its operations. Thomas A. Fanning plays a crucial role in the success of The Southern Company. With extensive experience in the energy industry, he has held various leadership positions within the company before assuming the role of Executive Chairman. Fanning's visionary approach and strategic acumen have been instrumental in shaping The Southern Company's growth and expansion. Other key management team members include Christopher C. Womack, the Chief Executive Officer and President. Womack brings a deep understanding of the energy industry and has significantly contributed to the company's operations and customer-focused initiatives.

The Southern Company has exhibited healthy financial performance in recent years, reflecting its ability to meet customer demand and drive profitability. The company's revenue has demonstrated a positive long-term trend, indicating consistent growth and a robust customer base. This steady revenue growth showcases The Southern Company's market presence and ability to provide essential energy services to millions of customers.

Earnings metrics have also shown a positive trajectory, underscoring the company's profitability and efficiency in managing its operations. The Southern Company's consistent earnings growth is a testament to its strong market position and effective cost management strategies.

The net profit margin, a key financial indicator, has remained healthy. This metric highlights The Southern Company's ability to generate profits relative to its revenue. The company's ability to maintain a favorable net profit margin reflects its commitment to operational excellence and efficient utilization of its resources.

The Southern Company's valuation metrics should be compared to its industry peers to gain insights into its market position and investor sentiment. The company's growth potential, financial performance, and market perception drive its valuation. Various factors, including industry trends, regulatory developments, and market conditions, can influence investor sentiment. Monitoring changes in investor sentiment provides valuable information for understanding the market's perception of The Southern Company and its prospects for future growth.

The Southern Company operates within the broader electric services industry. As a leading utility holding company, it faces competition from other players in the industry who provide similar gas and electric services. However, The Southern Company has established a strong competitive position due to its extensive infrastructure, reliable service, and customer-focused approach.

One of the advantages The Southern Company possesses is its diversified energy portfolio. The company operates in both the gas and electric sectors, allowing it to cater to a wide range of customer needs. This diversification reduces dependence on a single energy source and provides flexibility in meeting changing market demands.

Additionally, The Southern Company has significantly invested in renewable energy projects, positioning itself as a leader in clean energy generation. By embracing renewable sources such as solar and wind power, the company contributes to environmental sustainability while capitalizing on the growing demand for clean energy solutions.

The Southern Company also benefits from its strong regional presence. Operating in states like Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi, the company has established a deep understanding of the local market dynamics and regulatory frameworks. This localized knowledge enables The Southern Company to effectively adapt its services and strategies to meet each region's unique requirements.

However, the industry presents challenges and disadvantages that The Southern Company must navigate. The regulatory environment can be complex and subject to change, requiring the company to stay abreast of evolving regulations and compliance requirements. Furthermore, technological advancements and shifts in consumer preferences pose challenges as the industry transitions to a more decentralized and sustainable energy landscape.

The Southern Company has several growth opportunities in the evolving energy market. The increasing focus on renewable energy presents a significant avenue for expansion. By continuing to invest in renewable energy projects and exploring new technologies, The Southern Company can capitalize on the growing demand for clean energy solutions and reduce its carbon footprint.

The transition to electric transportation also provides growth potential for The Southern Company. As the adoption of electric vehicles increases, the company can play a pivotal role in supporting the infrastructure needed for widespread charging stations and grid integration.

Moreover, The Southern Company can leverage its expertise in nuclear energy to contribute to expanding the clean energy sector. The company's ongoing nuclear projects demonstrate its commitment to nuclear power as a reliable and sustainable energy source.

While The Southern Company has positioned itself for growth, it faces certain risks and challenges. One of the primary risks is the potential impact of regulatory changes. Changes in regulations and policies can affect the company's operations, costs, and profitability. Adapting to evolving regulatory frameworks and maintaining compliance is crucial for The Southern Company to mitigate regulatory risks.

The energy industry also faces uncertainties related to environmental concerns and climate change. Increased emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources may require significant investments and operational changes for The Southern Company. Adapting to these changes while ensuring the affordability and reliability of energy services poses a challenge.

Another risk is the volatility of commodity prices, including natural gas and fuel costs. Fluctuations in these prices can impact The Southern Company's profitability and cost structure. Effective risk management strategies, including hedging and fuel cost recovery mechanisms, are essential for mitigating these risks.

The Southern Company must also navigate technological disruptions and maintain its competitive edge in an increasingly digitized energy landscape. Embracing technological advancements, such as smart grid solutions and digital customer engagement, can enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
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.
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.
iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index. The Fund invests in a representative sample of securities included in the Index that collectively has an investment profile similar to the Index. The Index is a subset of the Russell 3000 Index, and serves as the underlying index for the Russell 2000 Growth and Value Index series. Component companies are adjusted for available float and must meet objective criteria for inclusion to the Index. The Fund's investment adviser is BlackRock Fund Advisors (BFA).
KIGALI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Rwanda welcomed the inscription of the country's Nyungwe National Park on the World Heritage List Tuesday, making it the country's first site to attain such status.

The announcement was made during an ongoing meeting of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Committee in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh.

"This is a significant designation that will reinforce Rwanda's ongoing conservation efforts," said Rwanda government spokesperson Yolande Makolo on the social media network X, formerly known as Twitter.

Representing the government at the meeting, Jean Damascene Bizimana, the Rwandan minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, said that this move would increase the park's worldwide popularity, spur tourist visits to the park, and enhance research activities related to the park.

"This inscription is not only a contribution to the preservation of Rwanda's natural heritage but also of particular significance to the Rwandan people since it is the first site inscribed on this universal list," Bizimana said in a statement.

UNESCO noted that the serial property represents an important area for rainforest conservation in Central Africa.

Established as a nature reserve in 1933, the forest became a national park in 2005 following the Rwandan government's efforts to enhance its protection and safeguard the thousands of endangered and endemic species it harbors.

Covering an expanse of 101,900 hectares, Nyungwe National Park stands as the largest block of natural forest in the region. Boasting remarkable biodiversity, it is home to over a dozen species of primates, 322 bird species, 200 identified orchids, and nearly 300 butterfly species, including several endemic to the park.

The park is managed by the African Parks Network, a non-governmental organization specializing in conservation, in partnership with the Rwandan government. 
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.
Blackstone Inc. is a leading American alternative investment management company headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1985 by Peter G. Peterson and Stephen A. Schwarzman, who had previously worked together at Lehman Brothers, Blackstone has emerged as a global powerhouse in the investment industry. The company operates through various business segments, including private equity, real estate, credit, hedge funds, infrastructure, secondaries, and growth equity.

The company's mission is to create long-term value for its investors, partners, and clients by leveraging its deep industry expertise and global network. Blackstone focuses on delivering exceptional risk-adjusted returns by investing across a range of asset classes and geographies.

Blackstone's key products and services span multiple sectors. In private equity, the company specializes in leveraged buyouts, minority investments, corporate partnerships, and industry consolidations. The real estate division actively acquires and manages commercial properties, while the credit segment focuses on debt investments, mezzanine funds, and closed-end mutual funds. Blackstone's hedge funds offer investment opportunities across different strategies, and the infrastructure division targets infrastructure-related assets.

The company primarily caters to institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies, endowments, high-net-worth individuals, and sovereign wealth funds. Blackstone's key customers are sophisticated investors seeking attractive risk-adjusted returns and diversification across asset classes. With a track record of successful investments, the company has earned the trust of its clients and established itself as a leader in the alternative investment space.

Blackstone boasts a highly experienced and talented management team that drives the company's success. At the helm is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and Co-founder Stephen A. Schwarzman, a visionary leader who has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's growth strategy. Schwarzman brings extensive industry knowledge and a deep understanding of global markets to his role. Assisting Schwarzman is President and Chief Operating Officer Jonathan D. Gray, who has been instrumental in expanding Blackstone's real estate business and driving its investment performance. With a strong background in finance, Gray has been a key driver of the company's growth and strategic initiatives.

Blackstone has consistently demonstrated mixed financial results, as indicated by its revenue growth over the past few years. This may indicate the company's inability to consistently identify attractive investment opportunities and generate value for its investors. Additionally, Blackstone's earnings metrics indicate it has successfully generated profits and may have identified long-term value-creation opportunities.

The company's profit margin metrics indicate efficient cost management and the ability to generate an average return on its investments. Blackstone's prudent approach to managing debt ensures a healthy financial position, maintaining a balanced capital structure and mitigating the risks associated with excessive leverage.

Valuation is an essential consideration for investors, and comparing Blackstone's valuation metrics to industry peers helps assess its relative attractiveness. The company's strong track record, diversified investment portfolio, and consistent returns drive its valuation. It is important to note that changes in investor sentiment, market conditions, and the regulatory environment can impact Blackstone's valuation.

Blackstone is a leading alternative investment management company in a dynamic and competitive industry. A comprehensive analysis of the broader industry in which Blackstone operates is vital to understand the company's competitive positioning. The company has established a strong reputation and competitive advantage through its deep industry expertise, global network, and track record of successful investments. This positions Blackstone favorably in the industry, enabling it to source attractive investment opportunities and deliver value to its clients.

Blackstone is well-positioned to capitalize on various growth opportunities within the alternative investment landscape. The company's strong financial position, global network, and experienced team enable it to identify and pursue compelling investment opportunities. Blackstone's competitive advantages, including its deep industry knowledge, extensive resources, and established relationships, support its ability to drive growth and generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for its investors.

While Blackstone has a successful track record, it is not immune to risks and challenges. Potential risks include market volatility, economic downturns, regulatory changes, and unexpected events impacting the industries in which the company invests. Blackstone's risk management strategies and expertise in risk assessment help mitigate these potential challenges. Additionally, the company's broad investment portfolio and diversified approach provide some level of protection against specific risks.
Bank of America has a rich history dating back to 1800 and even earlier. It was begun by immigrants as a group of separate and unrelated banks that, over the years, merged and grew together. One such is the Bank of Italy which was founded in 1904 by Amadeo Giannini to serve Italian immigrants that were facing discrimination. He later buys out the Banca de America e de Italia (Bank of America and Italy) which was also located in San Francisco. Over the years additional mergers and changes in Federal banking legislation, as well as the boom brought on by WWI and then WWII, helped boost the bank to national prominence.

Things turned sour, however, in 1998 with a major bond default that led to yet another merger, this time with Charlotte, NC-based Nations Bank to officially become the Bank of America that exists today. At the time, the merger was the largest bank merger in history and the company has only grown in the time since.

Other additions to the new Bank of America include MBNA (a major credit card operator), Fleet Boston (then the US 7th largest and one of its oldest banks), and Merril Lynch, now Merril, which was added to the group in 2008 to provide an investment banking branch. Together the company dominates as one of the Big Four Banks in America. Bank of America lays claim to nearly 11% of all US deposits which ranks in line with its peer group and Bank of America Securities is listed as the worlds 3rd largest investment bank.

Today, Bank of America Corporation provides banking and financial services for individuals, small businesses, institutions, corporations, and governments worldwide. The bank operates in three segments Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management, and Global Banking bringing in a combined revenue greater than $90 billion in 2022.

As of 2022, Bank of America serves approximately 67 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 4,200 retail financial centers. The bank also operates more than 16,000 ATMs and digital banking platforms with approximately 41 million active users.

Its Consumer Banking segment offers traditional banking and investment products for retail clients. These range from deposit accounts to savings, credit cards, consumer loans, and IRAs. The Global Wealth & Investment Management segment offers investment and wealth management solutions including, brokerage, banking, and trust and retirement products. The Global Banking segment provides lending products and services, including commercial loans and leases for businesses of all varieties. The Global Markets segment offers market-making, clearing, settlement, and custody services, as well as risk management, derivatives, and FX exchange services.
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.
The Energy Invest: Namibia 2023 publication  the official investment report on Namibias oil, natural gas, power, mining and renewable energy sectors  will be launched at the Invest in Namibia Energies strategic session at African Energy Week 2023 (AEW) in Cape Town on October 18.

Endorsed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and produced by Energy Capital & Power in partnership with the African Energy Chamber, National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia (NAMCOR), Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board and Namibian International Energy Conference 2023.

The publication is the first of its kind to explore current trends, developments and opportunities within the countrys burgeoning energy sector through high-level interviews and first-hand analysis.

On the back of five commercial oil discoveries, double-digit mining sector growth and a $10-billion hydrogen development, Namibia is gearing up to become the energy capital of the continent.

A government-led campaign to accelerate local and foreign investment is set to bring in diversified revenue streams and generate employment, while contributing to regional sustainability and electrification efforts.

Opening with exclusive interviews with Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner of Namibias Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), and Bryan Eiseb, Executive Director of the MME, the publication offers insights into the timeline to first oil, current and planned exploration and appraisal drilling programs, and Namibias new upstream local content policy.

A dedicated energy transition chapter tracks the latest developments of Namibias large-scale hydrogen projects  including an interview with Daures Green Hydrogen Village  its goal to boost utility-scale solar PV generation capacity, and its status as an up-and-coming supplier of rare earth elements to Europe.

The 100-page publication also explores trade and investment opportunities within Namibias support sectors, including power, transport and infrastructure, featuring an update from BW Energy on its flagship Kudu gas-to-power project, highlighting the expansion of Namibias principal ports and positioning the country as a trade a regional logistics hub within the SADC.

The reports business and economic outlook features an interview with Central Bank Governor Johannes. Gawaxab, coupled with analysis of local and regional financing capacity and a guide to sustainable investing.--OGN/ TradeArabia News Service
by He Weiwen

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced last week the initiation of an anti-subsidy investigation over electric vehicle (EV) imports from China, citing that a fivefold increase has been seen in the European Union (EU) imports of Chinese automobiles over the past five years.

Notably, Germany, Europe's automotive powerhouse, strongly opposes von der Leyen's announcement. The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) argued that an exclusive reliance on anti-subsidy investigations does not address Europe's pressing competitiveness challenges.

In recent years, particularly 2023, China's EV exports have witnessed a dramatic surge. According to Chinese customs data, in the first eight months of this year, a staggering 3.216 million EVs were exported, marking a year-on-year net increase of 1.313 million EVs. The number is expected to exceed 5 million in 2023, firmly establishing China as the premier automobile exporter worldwide. The European Commission, for its part, reported that China's vehicle imports had reached 530,000 in 2022 and 350,000 in the first half of 2023.

At the recent Munich Motor Show, Chinese EV maker BYD covered the largest exhibition area of 1,500 square meters. Yet the rapid growth of Chinese EVs is not grounds for an anti-subsidy investigation. A logical nexus between the two remains conspicuously absent. This phenomenon mirrors two fundamental realities.

First, China is vigorously pursuing a green and low-carbon economy, boasting a rapidly developing and comprehensive EV and battery industry chain, which translates into substantial export capabilities. These EVs exhibit rapid technological iterations, stellar safety performance and enjoy immense consumer popularity.

Second, Europe is a global frontrunner in low-carbon economic development, generating a colossal demand for EVs. As of July 2023, EV sales in Europe had surged for 12 consecutive months, with July alone witnessing a remarkable 62 percent year-on-year increase. Of these, 48,682 units were sold in Germany, up 69 percent year-on-year. Research forecasts anticipate European sales of new energy vehicles to reach 12 million units by 2030, constituting 40 percent of global sales, and soar to 27 million units by 2040, occupying a whopping 80 percent of global sales.

By comparison, the market share of Chinese EVs remains relatively modest, with all Chinese brands combined representing a mere 11.3 percent of the EU electric vehicle market in August, slightly trailing Volkswagen (11.7 percent) and considerably behind Tesla (15.3 percent). Interestingly, von der Leyen has voiced no grievances regarding Tesla's market presence.

The China-EU new energy automotive sector is progressively coalescing into an industry chain characterized by mutual interdependence. China's electric vehicle battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd.'s battery factory in Thuringia, Germany, commenced operations earlier this year, boasting an annual battery output of 30 million units, with BMW as a prominent recipient and the capacity to power from 185,000 to 350,000 vehicles.

China's high-tech company SVOLT Energy Technology Co., Ltd., in April, unveiled a 2-billion-euro investment (about 2.14 billion U.S. dollars) in Saarland, Germany, to build a factory for battery cells and pack, projecting an annual production capacity of 24 gigawatts. Envision AESC, meanwhile, disclosed a colossal 2.9-billion-dollar investment to erect a super battery factory in France, slated for a 2030 inauguration with an annual capacity of 43 gigawatts. An additional factory in Britain is also in the pipeline.

Conversely, German enterprises have made substantial inroads into the Chinese market. The new electric car factory from Volkswagen's joint venture with Anhui Jianghuai Automobile commenced operations five years ago. Auto supplier Bosch has mapped out grand plans to scale up its operations in China to produce automotive semiconductors, while BMW is bolstering its investments in Chinese battery production.

In light of this evolving landscape, both China and the EU should fervently encourage mutual investments in each other's companies, enhance the China-EU new energy vehicle industry and supply chains, and actively boost production and market expansion. This will ultimately lead to a mutually beneficial outcome for both parties. Hasty interventions that impede electric vehicle trade and investment between China and the EU run counter to the interests of the European automobile industry and contravene the principles of free trade.

Whether a case is officially filed hinges on the findings of the Commission's investigation. Two potential scenarios emerge: either a case is not filed due to industry opposition, insufficient grounds revealed in the investigation, and careful consideration of pros and cons; or a case is filed, thereby commencing an anti-subsidy investigation under the purview of a specialized agency.

In the event of the latter, the EU must adhere to WTO regulations governing anti-subsidy investigations and refrain from introducing extraneous criteria. China retains the prerogative to scrutinize whether the EU's decision contravenes WTO rules, lodge an appeal with the WTO and institute countermeasures.

Indeed, both China and Europe, as well as the United States, have adopted a multitude of fiscal subsidies to bolster the development of EVs. In 2020, the German government subsidized 900 euros per vehicle for pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles and exempted purchase taxes and user fees. France has a corresponding subsidy of 700 euros per vehicle and another 1,000 euros to purchase used new energy vehicles. These subsidies encompass both the production and consumption phases and do not constitute undue competition. In practice, the prices of Chinese new energy vehicles in the European market markedly exceed their domestic counterparts.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz recently affirmed that the German government will allocate an additional 110 billion euros to promote EV development. The emphasis lies on enhancing competitiveness, not on protectionism. Such a stance commands admiration.

In the forthcoming stages, both the Chinese and EU governments and enterprises should synergistically endeavor to navigate and resolve EV trade issues through dialogue and negotiation, bearing each other's concerns in mind and addressing these matters judiciously.

The forthcoming China-EU High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue, slated for Sept. 25, is expected to hold the promise of fostering constructive consensus in this regard. A decade ago, during the China-EU photovoltaic trade dispute, both sides reached an accord through negotiations that meticulously considered their mutual interests, ultimately sidestepping the imposition of anti-dumping duties. Hopefully, this issue can be resolved through dialogue, preferably in a mutually beneficial manner.

China and the EU should redouble their efforts at the enterprise level, expanding EV trade and mutual investments to sustain current growth trajectories, synergize strengths and perfect the supply chain. China remains steadfast in extending a warm welcome to European new energy vehicle and component firms seeking to invest in China, offering all conceivable support, including national treatment and a level playing field for fair competition.

The robust and extensive new energy vehicle industry and supply chain, which has been jointly developed and nurtured by Chinese and European enterprises, will drive the sustainable development of low-carbon, green economies in both China and the EU. This will ensure the long-lasting prosperity of the new energy vehicle sectors on both sides and make significant contributions to the evolution and revitalization of the global automobile industry.

Editor's note: He Weiwen is a senior researcher at the Center for China and Globalization.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of Xinhua News Agency.
This Account has been suspended.
SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. soldiers in South Korea had been caught smuggling drugs from the United States through military mail, local media reported Wednesday citing police.

The police in Pyeongtaek, about 60 km south of the capital Seoul where the headquarters of the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) is located, apprehended 17 U.S. service members, four South Koreans and one Filipino.

Among them, the 33-year-old Filipino and one 27-year-old South Korean woman were detained and transferred to the prosecution for indictment.

The 17 U.S. soldiers and three South Koreans were reported to the prosecution for indictment without detention.

One 24-year-old U.S. service member was accused of having illegally smuggled 350 ml of synthetic cannabis through the USFK mail between February last year and May this year, while smoking, selling and distributing them to USFK soldiers and other people.

The drug smuggled as liquid synthetic cannabis in plastic containers is hard to distinguish from liquid electronic cigarettes.

The smuggled drugs had been mostly sold to U.S. soldiers in Pyeongtaek and Dongducheon, some 40 km north of Seoul, through the detained women and five other people.

The local police had confiscated 12,850 U.S. dollars of drug sales proceeds, 80 ml of synthetic cannabis and other materials, planning to continue investigation into the smuggling routes. 
The Taoiseach has voiced concern following revelations around orthopaedic surgery at a Dublin childrens hospital.

An external review into spinal surgery at Temple Street Hospital has been ordered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) following a number of poor outcomes including the death of a child.

It follows the publication of a Childrens Health Ireland (CHI) report on spinal surgery for spina bifida patients at the hospital.

Speaking to media in New York on Tuesday, Leo Varadkar said the more he reads about it, the more concerned he is.

I dont want to jump to conclusions because this will have to be investigated properly and thoroughly. I know theres going to be an examination by the Medical Council as well, he said.

Concerns had been raised over poor clinical outcomes of some complex spinal surgeries including a high incidence of post-operative complications and infections.

That probe was prompted after two serious post-operative surgical incidents in spinal surgery were reported in CHI at Temple Street in July and September.

CHI commissioned serious incident investigations into these two events which are currently in progress.

In addition, concerns about spinal surgery outcomes had also been raised by members of the Spina Bifida Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to their Clinical Director (CD) and the CHI Chief Medical Officer (CMO) between September and November 2022.

The HSE said these reviews examined the care provided by one consultant to 17 children who had complex spinal surgery in CHI at Temple Street.

Of these 17 children, one child sadly died since, and a number of other children suffered significant post-operative complications.

A further two families were affected by the issue of unauthorised devices being used in a small number of spinal surgery procedures, bringing to 19 the total number of families contacted by CHI over the issues.

In its report, CHI said an analysis of 16 case files showed that 13 of the 16 patients (81.2%) required further unplanned surgery.

Patients with minor complications that did not need further surgery had superficial wound problems that were managed with oral antibiotics or nurse-lead wound care in the outpatient department.

The internal analysis showed the overall infection rate for these 16 cases was 73.4% based on microbiology and clinical findings; and the overall rate of wound complication requiring further surgery was 75%.

Overall, nine of the 16 of cases (56%) had mechanical complications of metal work requiring removal.

Ireland has one of the highest incidences of spina bifida in the world, with an overall incidence of approximately one in 1,000 live births.

It is estimated that there are currently just under 500 children with spina bifida in Ireland.

The HSE said it had commissioned a UK expert to lead an external review into paediatric orthopaedic surgical services at Temple Street.

CHI has opened a helpline for patients and their families who are on spinal surgery lists at Temple Street.

The helpline, 01 409 6117, will be open on Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.
[September 20, 2023] SOUNDBOKS BRINGS CONCERT-LEVEL SOUND QUALITY AND VOLUME TO YOUR PARTY WITH THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL BLUETOOTH PARTY SPEAKER Tweet

The Re-engineered SOUNDBOKS 4 Delivers Enhanced Sound Quality and Extended Battery Life Taking The Consumer Experience To The Next Level COPENHAGEN, Denmark , Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SOUNDBOKS , a leading brand in Bluetooth party speakers, today announced the highly anticipated SOUNDBOKS 4,engineered to outperform and outlast the competition. The SOUNDBOKS 4 delivers unprecedented sound quality at any volume and is paired with industry-leading battery technology, all wrapped in a customizable, durable build with an easy-to-use Scandinavian design. "We built SOUNDBOKS to amplify every party and the SOUNDBOKS 4 features our best innovations to date," said Jesper Theil Thomsen, SOUNDBOKS co-founder and CEO. "I'm so proud of the entire SOUNDBOKS team for what they have achieved, working alongside our passionate community to develop the SOUNDBOKS 4, the perfect speaker for those who crave powerful, immersive sound that fuels a passion for music and togetherness." To achieve exceptional sound quality, especially at high volumes, SOUNDBOKS incorporated state-of-the-art components and advanced acoustic engineering techniques. The SOUNDBOKS 4 features three powerful amplifiers that effortlessly drive custom-built speakers, delivering robust sound without compromising clarity or fidelity no atter the volume. The expertly tuned audio profiles ensure a well-balanced sonic experience, from rock solid bass to thrilling highs, allowing every beat and melody to be heard with stunning precision.



The SOUNDBOKS 4 boasts dramatically improved battery performance, providing up to 40 hours of non-stop music on a single charge. This extended battery life paired with SOUNDBOKS' industry-leading swappable battery platform ensures users can keep the music playing for even longer, without worrying about running out of power. Whether it's an all-night dance party, a weekend camping trip, or an outdoor celebration, the SOUNDBOKS 4 provides the reliability and longevity needed to create unforgettable moments. "Our passionate community of SOUNDBOKS owners are massive contributors to our product innovation," said Christoffer Nyvold, SOUNDBOKS co-founder and chief operating officer. "We asked them what features were most important and over 80% asked for even better sound quality and longer runtimes - so the team doubled-down to drastically improve these features."

SOUNDBOKS was born to withstand the grueling elements of any event, from multi-day outdoor music festivals to the loudest house parties, and this latest version boasts the same unprecedented durability. No more worrying over bumps and spills, the SOUNDBOKS 4 features a lightweight yet durable poplar cabinet, IP65 splash-proof electronics, and shock-absorbing silicon ball corners. Its dent-proof, powder-coated steel grill is now removable in seconds, making customization easier than ever before, including two separate color variations of black on black and black on grey. And for those looking for more immersive sound, the SOUNDBOKS 4 wirelessly pairs with up to four other speakers at ultra-low latency with just the push of a button. For even more customization options and hands-free control, connect the SOUNDBOKS 4 with the versatile SOUNDBOKS App, available as a free download from any app store. Features include wireless speaker control, built-in sound profiles, customizable EQ settings, instant-pairing, Pro Panel control for instruments, seamless performance upgrades, and more. Retailing at $999, the SOUNDBOKS 4 Bluetooth party speaker is now available for purchase via the SOUNDBOKS website and select retail partners. For more information about the product and its features, please visit SOUNDBOKS.com or check out a YouTube tech video here. About SOUNDBOKS

SOUNDBOKS is a leading brand in the Bluetooth party speaker industry, renowned for delivering premium audio experiences in outdoor and social settings through minimalistic, Scandinavian design. With a mission to connect people through the power of sound, SOUNDBOKS has sold over 250,000 Bluetooth speakers to date. The brand continues to empower individuals and communities, enabling them to create unforgettable moments no matter what that party looks like. With an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, SOUNDBOKS continues to redefine the boundaries of portable audio and inspire music lovers around the world. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soundboks-brings-concert-level-sound-quality-and-volume-to-your-party-with-the-worlds-most-powerful-bluetooth-party-speaker-301933381.html SOURCE SOUNDBOKS

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 19, 2023] Afterparty Secures $5M in Funding to Debut Afterparty AI; Enables Creators to Infinitely Scale Fan Interactions Tweet

Afterparty, the platform empowering thousands of creators with the tools and technology for personal fan connections and monetization, announced today that it has secured $5 million in funding. The strategic growth round was led by Blockchange Ventures, with participation from existing investors Acrew Capital, Act One Ventures, and Tamarack Global, as well as new investors Wilson Sonsini and Vinny Lingham. The funding fuels Afterparty's latest product development and mission to enable scalable interactivity between creators and fans. Afterparty, whose platform already includes live streaming and 1:1 chats, IRL community events, and collectibles, will soon deliver AI voice, photo, and video messaging. The new platform, Afterparty AI, allows creators to infinitely scale personalized fan interactions while activating fans to generate one-of-a-kind images and videos that live as collectibles on the blockchain. "We are thrilled to introduce 24/7 interactions between creators and fans with Afterparty AI. The all-new ability to turn one-to-one AI experiences into fan-generated content takes interaction to an entirely new level," said Afterparty CEO and Founder, David Fields. "Creators retain control over their content, revenue, and fan relationships. Fans get the opportunity to become content creators and participate in the growth and success of those who inspire them." "As a team of creators and superfans ourselves, Afterparty AI represents a full realization of our founding vision - to create more meaningful connections through interactive fan experiences and infinitely scale them," added Fields. Afterparty AI gives fans 24/7 on-demand access to conversations with their favorite creator's AI. Images and videos created with Afterparty AI also become one-of-a-kind collectibles unique to each fan who generates them - all of which are verified on the blockchain and can easily be shared on social platforms. Every interaction and piece of content fans share serves as a "point of access" to exclusive experiences, opening up opportunities for fans to connect one-to-one with the creators on Afterparty Livestreams. "The fragmented landscape of social media and content platforms, marked by limited interactivity and inconsistent monetization models, has put creative freedom, earnings, and fan engagement at stake. Afterparty's model benefits the entire creator ecosystem," said Blockchange Ventures Managing Partner, Ken Seiff. "By leveraging the latest technology, starting with blockchain and now with AI, Afterparty puts creators in charge of their own content and revenue in a way that also enhances value for their fans." Thousands of creators, including headlining musicians Lauv and Jaden Hossler, dancer and choreographer Matt Steffanina, global podcasters Tana Mongeau and Mads Lewis, and internationl stars Nicolle Figueroa and Strangehuman, have made Afterparty a pivotal platform in their creative growth and strengthening fan relationships. Artists like Eben, who have taken to Afterparty to release new tracks and EPs, give fans firsthand access to exclusive new content.



"Fans bring so much meaning to my music and personal journey as an artist. With Afterparty, I've been able to share new music through Livestreams and connect with them on a much deeper level," said Eben. "Afterparty is more than a platform, it's the place where I give my fans exclusive updates with songs, remixes, and more. I always drop the news on Afterparty before anything else! Time has always been one of the biggest barriers for me to connect with more fans. Now, Afterparty Al gives me an incredibly unique way to engage with hundreds to thousands of fans at any time." Debuted in 2021, Afterparty has scaled from a token-gated fan access and collectibles platform to an interactive destination delivering the tools and experiences creators want - and need - to regain control of fan relationships and revenue. Afterparty Livestreams give fans one-to-one unfiltered access which has been shown to double or triple creator livestream revenue with a higher CPV (Cost per View) when compared to TikTok Live. IRL experiences, such as token-gated music and art festivals, and curated community events, provide immersive "points of connection" for creators and fan bases.

"We heard from many of our creators in the Afterparty community that DMs were their fans' most-valued experience. However, with thousands of messages coming in at any given time, they have found it impossible to respond in a more personal way both creators and fans crave," said Afterparty Co-Founder, Robert Graham. "With Afterparty AI, we have developed a proprietary system from the ground up to scale creator-fan interactions. We work closely with creators to ensure that the AI experience is truly authentic to them in the same way we built our creator tools and IRL experiences." Afterparty's rapidly expanding community and suite of platform tools continue to scale with the booming creator economy, an industry that is expected to double over the next five years to $480 billion by 2027 from $250 billion today. With a reported $300 million in venture capital going towards creator-focused AI startups in Q2 of 2023 alone, Afterparty AI marks a strategic and timely opportunity to capture AI market share. The strategic growth round brings total capital raised to $12 million. Paris Hilton's 11:11 Media, Spencer Rascoff, Jason Calacanis, and Kygo's Palm Tree Crew are among the dynamic community of investors who have participated in Afterparty's previous rounds, including $4 million unsolicited funding in 2022 and a $3 million pre-seed round in 2021. To learn more about Afterparty, visit afterparty.com. About Afterparty Afterparty is the platform delivering the creator tools and technology that scale one-to-one fan interactions. Founded in 2021, Afterparty's suite of creator tools and fan experiences streamlines content monetization and ownership. Afterparty, whose team is always innovating on behalf of its thousands-strong community, leverages cutting-edge technologies like blockchain and AI to empower creators in strengthening fan relationships. Today, Afterparty is making fan interactions infinitely scalable through one-of-a-kind fan-generated content. To learn more, visit afterparty.com. Press Asset

Press Kit Here View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919237357/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 19, 2023] MoneyGram Expands Direct to Bank Account Services in South Korea Tweet

MoneyGram customers in South Korea can now receive funds from family and friends around the world in near real-time bank account services via WireBarley Through MoneyGram's global payment rails, WireBarley customers can also now send money to over 200 countries and territories SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- MoneyGram International, Inc. ("MoneyGram"), a leading global financial technology company that connects the world's communities, today announced the expansion of its direct to bank account services in South Korea through an integration with Asia's leading payment platform, WireBarley. With this launch, MoneyGram customers in South Korea can now receive funds from family and friends around the world in near real-time bank account services via WireBarley. Through MoneyGram's global payment rails, WireBarley customers can also now send money to over 200 countries and territories around the world. "The digitization of our receive network has always been a core component of our growth strategy," said Sam Darmawan, Regional Head of North Asia and Singapore at MoneyGram. "According to the World Bank1, inbound remittances to South Korea were nearly $8 billion USD in 2022 and continues to be a growing market. With our expanded digital receive services via our leading website and app as well as other mobile wallet nd digital partners around the globe, we are well-positioned to serve the evolving needs of customers in South Korea and beyond."



"We are proud to be MoneyGram's exclusive partner to offer bank account deposits to vibrant South Korean locals and its community," said Jihong Kim, Chief Commercial Officer of WireBarley. "Leveraging our established network throughout the country, WireBarley looks forward to helping MoneyGram enhance its remittance offerings in South Korea." This service is now live.

About MoneyGram International, Inc.

MoneyGram International, Inc. is a global financial technology company that enables consumers and businesses to move and manage money in nearly every country around the world. Through its expansive set of fintech offerings, MoneyGram provides millions of consumers annually the ability to seamlessly send money home to family and friends, and buy, sell and hold cryptocurrencies on its industry-leading app. The Company's innovative cross-border platform enables its customers to send funds directly into bank accounts and mobile wallets or cash-in and cash-out more than 135 currencies and numerous cryptocurrencies through one of the largest cash distribution networks in the world. Modern, mobile and API-driven, MoneyGram's white-labeled remittance service also provides some of the world's top brands and organizations the ability to disburse funds directly to their consumer clients. Based in Dallas and known for its strong corporate culture globally, MoneyGram has been named a recipient of the Top Workplaces USA award for two consecutive years, an honor based entirely on employee feedback. MoneyGram Media Contact [email protected] About WireBarley Established in 2016, WireBarley Corp. grew exponentially with a strong foothold in the Asia Pacific region. WireBarley has further strengthened its presence as a global brand with its expansion into the U.S. and Canada markets, for the first time as a Korean overseas remittance company. Headquartered in South Korea, it has multiple subsidiaries overseas, namely Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the U.S. WireBarley's FX and corporate treasury center in Hong Kong, which is one of the largest FX trading hubs in the world, plays a crucial role in enabling effective FX management and strong compliance practicality and formulating strategic partnerships with critical banks and payment players. With 7 outbound and 45 inbound countries, WireBarley currently offers over 520 corridors for personal remittance. The company adopted the B2B remittance platform, e-wallet service and multi-currency card; it seeks to be not only Asia's leading remittance company but to leap forward to become a global total payment platform. WireBarley Media Contact [email protected] [i] Remittances | KNOMAD View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/moneygram-expands-direct-to-bank-account-services-in-south-korea-301931531.html SOURCE MoneyGram

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 19, 2023] LONGi's founder and president Li Zhenguo calls for promoting the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Tweet

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2023 /CNW/ -- On September 17, LONGi's founder and president Li Zhenguo attended the Innovation for Industrial Sustainability event together with business leaders, academic experts and United Nations officials in New York, held on the sidelines of the 2023 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit. The event, jointly hosted by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), Tsinghua University and UN Water, featured keynote speeches and panel discussions on topics such as sustainable consumption and production, renewable energy applications in businesses, and green industry practices. Speaking at the panel "Addressing the Triple Earth Crisis: Industry in Action", Mr. Li Zhenguo said that the key element of climate action is energy transition. Over the past decade, LONGi had transformed the photovoltaic sector with its monocrystalline silicon technology, which significantly reduced global solar power generation costs by more than 90%, turning photovoltaics from an expensive emerging renewable energy to one of the cheapest sources of electricity. With the continuous efforts of LONGi, the current status and proportion of photovoltaic in the world energy pattern has been comprehensively increased, which has also implemented the UN Sustainable Develpment Goal 7 'Affordable and Clean Energy'. LONGi promises to actively promote the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, continue to carry forward the concept and practice of green manufacturing, establish industry benchmarks, and drive the industry to create a zero-carbon future.



From 2012 to 2022, LONGi has produced 290 GW of photovoltaic products, resulting in a cumulative clean energy output of over 1.15 million GWh. Based on the average emission factor of the global power grid estimated by the IEA, this is equivalent to avoiding 536 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for 1.46% of the total global energy-related carbon emissions in 2022. As early as the 24th United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2018, LONGi proposed the concept of "Solar for Solar", that is, to produce clean energy with clean energy. In 2020, LONGi successively joined initiatives of RE100, EP100, EV100 and participated in the SBTi, becoming the first Chinese company to join the four global initiatives all together. This year, LONGi's near-term target has been approved by the SBTi, aligning with the 1.5? target in the Paris Agreement.

The event also witnessed the signing of the "Our Responsibility and Commitment to A Green and Sustainable Future We Want" endorsed by Chinese enterprises. Alongside a collection of case studies that demonstrated Chinese enterprises' implementation of SDG goals and recommended industrial good practices, the pledge was formally presented to Li Junhua, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs by Mr. Li Zhenguo on behalf of the signatory companies. The 10-point initiative urges the global business community to consolidate industry development consensus in resource use, renewable energy adoption, technological innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainable international collaboration. About LONGi Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world's leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation. Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/longis-founder-and-president-li-zhenguo-calls-for-promoting-the-implementation-of-the-un-2030-agenda-for-sustainable-development-301932750.html SOURCE LONGi

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 19, 2023] Fosun International's HSI ESG Rating Upgraded to AA-, Selected as a Constituent Stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Tweet

HONG KONG, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hang Seng Indexes Company recently announced its latest Sustainability Ratings of listed companies. Fosun International Limited (HKEX stock code: 00656, "Fosun International" or the "Company"), with its outstanding sustainability performance, its HSI ESG rating has been upgraded to AA- and has been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index for the first time. The constituent stocks in this index are composed of 30 Hong Kong listed companies with the best ESG performance. The upgrade in the rating reflects the high recognition of Fosun International's performance in the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) field by the market. The Hang Seng Sustainability Index selects outstanding companies in the field of sustainability by evaluating Hong Kong-listed companies on seven core indicators, including corporate governance, environment, and fair operating practices. The criteria for inclusion in this index are stringent, utilizing the sustainability rating framework of the independent professional assessment body, the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency (HKQAA). This approach ensures objectivity in the selection process, providing a high-quality benchmark for sustainability-themed investments. To keep up with the evolving ESG landscape, the methodology of 2023 sustainability assessment has been enhanced by reference to the international and local protocols, and the assessment framework has been reorganized. Under more stringent selection criteria, Fosun International's HSI ESG rating ascended from A to AA-, boasting scores that outperformed 90% of global enterprises in four core areas: Corporate Governance, Environment, Consumer Issues, and Community Involvement and Development. In addition to being selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index for the first time this year, Fosun International has also been selected as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng ESG 50 Index for three consecutive years, a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corprate Sustainability Benchmark Index for four consecutive years, and for the first time, a constituent stock of the Hang Seng (Mainland and HK) Corporate Sustainability Index.



Fosun International remains steadfast in upholding its core values of "Self-improvement, Teamwork, Performance and Contribution to Society," continually bolsters its ESG framework, and integrates the principles of sustainable development into every facet of its operations. Since 2019, Fosun has established a comprehensive ESG governance structure and management system responsible for overseeing ESG development policies and performance. In line with its commitment to corporate social responsibility, Fosun established Fosun Foundation in 2012, actively participating in philanthropic endeavors encompassing areas such as global emergency relief, rural revitalization, health, education, culture and art, and caring for children and adolescents, demonstrating its commitment to public welfare. Additionally, Fosun has committed to society - "strive to peak carbon emissions by 2028 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050", and officially solidified its carbon neutrality roadmap in 2022 to accelerate the implementation of the Group's carbon neutrality initiatives. In April 2023, Fosun released its first TCFD (Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures) report, underscoring its commitment to climate action and rallying global cooperation towards carbon neutrality. In recent years, Fosun has shown outstanding performance in various aspects of ESG. In February 2023, the Fosun Foundation's Rural Doctors Program received the prestigious "Shanghai Charity Award," the highest governmental recognition in the field of charity in Shanghai. In June 2023, Fosun secured the fifth position in the "China's Top 100 ESG Listed Companies" ranking. Presently, Fosun International is the only conglomerate in Greater China rated AA by MSCI ESG Ratings. Fosun International outperformed 91% of its global peers in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and was included in S&P Globa's Sustainability Yearbook 2023 (China Edition), and was recognized as "Industry Mover". Furthermore, Fosun International has made consecutive improvements in FTSE Russell ESG rating and has been selected as a constituent stock of the FTSE4Good Index Series for the first time in 2022.

In the future, Fosun will continue to develop its businesses, strengthen innovation and globalization, and continue to drive long-term and sustainable business growth, thereby creating enduring value for all stakeholders and faithfully fulfilling its mission of "Creating Happier Lives for Families Worldwide". About Fosun

Fosun was founded in 1992. After more than 30 years of development, Fosun has become a global innovation-driven consumer group. Adhering to the mission of creating happier lives for families worldwide, Fosun is committed to creating a global happiness ecosystem fulfilling the needs of one billion families in health, happiness and wealth. In 2007, Fosun International Limited was listed on the main board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00656.HK). As of 30 June 2023, Fosun International's total assets amounted to RMB834.9 billion; it received an AA MSCI ESG rating and was the only conglomerate in Greater China with such rating. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fosun-internationals-hsi-esg-rating-upgraded-to-aa--selected-as-a-constituent-stock-of-the-hang-seng-corporate-sustainability-index-301931571.html SOURCE Fosun

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 19, 2023] Plug and Play Unveils Groundbreaking Semiconductor Accelerator Program to Fuel Innovation at NeoCity Tweet

KISSIMMEE, Fla., Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play, a world-leading Silicon Valley-based innovation platform is joining forces with Osceola County to ignite innovation at NeoCity in an agreement approved by the Osceola County Commission on Monday. Plug and Play's collaboration with Osceola County, BRIDG, and imec marks a significant milestone in the evolution of the 500-acre technology district. The company connects startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. With an international presence encompassing over 60,000 startups, 550 corporations, and hundreds of venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies across diverse industries, Plug and Play is firmly established as a leading innovation platform. Operating in 50+ locations across five continents. The company's suite of corporate programs guides partners from education to execution. "We made the strategic decision to focus on semiconductor applications and can't imagine a better location for Plug and Play's newest endeavor than at NeoCity," stated Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. "This is a first for Florida, and we are excited to partner with Osceola County, BRIDG, and imec to make this milestone announcement." This location in Osceola County will focus on semiconductors and innovations that fall within that tech sector, which aligns with efforts already embedded at NeoCity. The agreement is set to drive economic growth and catapult NeoCity into a global innovation hub, attracting both burgeoning tech entrepreneurs and established firms while securing substantial investment for the region. "We eagerly anticipate welcoming Plug and Play to NeoCity and to our community," said Oscela Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer. "This strategic partnership represents a quantum leap forward in realizing NeoCity's potential as an epicenter for technological innovation. There is seamless connectivity within Plug and Play's ecosystem that fosters an environment of unparalleled advancement. Together, we are poised to illuminate the path to a brighter, technologically advanced future for NeoCity, Osceola County, and beyond."



Plug and Play's collaborations include over 550 global giants as well as nurturing a portfolio of over 30 unicorn startups that include PayPal, Dropbox, Lending Club, N26, Big ID, Flutterwave, Honey, and many more. Through their in-house VC, Plug and Play has already invested in over 30 semiconductor companies, including one unicorn, Quantenna Communications. "Open innovation is the cornerstone of our business philosophy, and today, we are thrilled to announce our foray into the world of semiconductors. Our legacy partners, including industry titans like Mercedes-Benz, JLR, Bentley, Porsche, Stellantis, ZF, Bosch, STMicroelectronics, NXP, Intel, and Samsung, have expressed tremendous interest in our semiconductor venture, and we enthusiastically said 'yes' to their interest," said Rouzbeh Borhani, Head of Plug and Play Semiconductors. "Within our dynamic ecosystem, innovative startups stand ready to address the entire semiconductor value chain, and NeoCity is an ideal place to kick things off officially."

Plug and Play will launch a semiconductor program in early January 2024 designed to accelerate up to two batches of startups per year in NeoCity. This program will provide a comprehensive array of resources, including workshops, mentorship sessions, EXPOs, business development, and investment opportunities, all geared towards participating corporate entities and startups within the semiconductor industry. Focus areas of the program include advanced packaging, deep tech technologies, as well as national security-related initiatives. With current investment in existing infrastructure made by Osceola County focused on microelectronics to diversify its economy, the new accelerator will integrate and advance semiconductor research, development, industry application, and manufacturing capabilities. "This is the final piece to BRIDG's strategy, which aligns imec's R&D services with Plug and Play's strength in commercialization," stated Jim Vandevere, president of BRIDG. "We join our partners in celebrating this announcement and look forward to continued growth at NeoCity as we accelerate innovation and strengthen our role as the microelectronics advanced packaging hub for the nation." The announcement reinforces the region's commitment to enabling an innovative ecosystem that can help ensure the U.S. retains its technological advantage for developing and manufacturing secure advanced integrated systems. "Imec, with an illustrious 40-year history of fostering innovation in the semiconductor industry and cultivating partnerships with leading U.S. innovators, is delighted to extend a warm welcome to Plug and Play, a renowned entity with a rich entrepreneurial legacy, as they become an integral part of the thriving ecosystem at NeoCity. Plug and Play's exceptional track record will play a pivotal role in elevating promising innovations into tomorrow's industry leaders. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Plug and Play, BRIDG, and Osceola County," said Max Mirgoli, Executive Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships, imec. For more information about Plug and Play's operations in NeoCity, please contact:

Rouzbeh Borhani

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/plug-and-play-unveils-groundbreaking-semiconductor-accelerator-program-to-fuel-innovation-at-neocity-301932764.html SOURCE Plug and Play

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 19, 2023] Rapyd expands world-class card acquiring solution to Singapore to further streamline payments for local businesses Tweet

Singapore is the first country in Asia Pacific to gain access to the enhanced suite of Rapyd solutions that is fortifying the payment infrastructures of global giants such as Google Play, IKEA and Uber.

The card acquiring solution, when combined with the firm's Fintech as a Service offering, enables local business of all sizes to offer unlimited payment choices to over 4 billion consumers in Singapore and beyond [1] .

Rapyd's versatile Fintech as a Service platform is especially beneficial for organizations where complex business models and use cases are commonplace, including the online travel, financial services , online gaming, pharmaceuticals and marketplaces sectors. SINGAPORE, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rapyd , a global fintech leader, today announced the expansion of its world-class card acquiring solution to Singapore. This solution, when combined with Rapyd's core Fintech as a Service platform, equips local businesses with the tools to elevate their market presence locally and extend their global reach to tap into the vast potential of over 4 billion consumers[2] worldwide. With the expansion of the card acquiring solution to the city state, Singapore is now the first country in Asia Pacific to have access to Rapyd's complete and enhanced suite of services that also includes real-time-payments, white labeled wallet infrastructure, enhanced FX solutions and virtual accounts. Now, with one simple integration, local businesses can accept payments made via credit and debit cards, e-wallets (such as ApplePay, GooglePay and GrabPay), bank transfers (including PayNow), and send money abroad to over 190 countries via the Rapyd Global Payment Network, the largest local payment network in the world. In today's rapidly evolving financial landscape, fintech has become an indispensable tool for businesses seeking growth and efficiency. Recent data in a PwC study[3] underscores the central role of payment technology in business priorities and foresees continued growth on the horizon. Singapore businesses, in particular, are embracing payment digitization strategies and are adopting fintech solutions into their operations. Against this backdrop, the addition of Rapyd's card acquiring solution to its existing Fintech as a Service platform in Singapore presents significant growth opportunities for local businesses. At its core, Rapyd's value proposition centers on innovation, flexibility and efficiency, traits that adeptly address the unique challenges faced by industries that grapple with diverse risk and complexity levels. This holds particularly true for enterprises operating in the online travel, financial services, online gaming, pharmaceuticals and marketplaces sectors. These industries contend with complex business models that result in a myriad of use cases, underscoring the importance of streamlined payment solutions. Consider the online gaming sector, where convoluted payment challenges arise from a multitude of in-game purchases, international player bases, and various virtual currencies. To tackle these complexities, Rapyd offers businesses a flexible payment solution within its Fintech as a Service suite, providing over 900 different local payment methods and accepting over 150 currencies to better enhance customer convenience. It also furnishes robust chargeback tools to resolve disputes and ensure financial stability and steady cash flow for the merchants, and its built-in security system safeguards against fraudulent activities. Rapyd further simplifies international transactions with integrated foreign exchange (FX) solutions, reducing complexities and costs. Additionally, on the backend, the company's flexible onboarding processes ensure that even the most complex sectors can seamlessly integrate with Rapyd's payment solutions. With some of the industry's fastest onboarding times, businesses can enter the market quickly. In these sectors, optimized payment processes are paramount, and Rapyd empowers these businesses to drive cost efficiencies, enhance operational agility, and seamlessly navigate complex business models. Arik Shtilman, CEO and co-founder of Rapyd, expressed his excitement on the announcement, stating, "We are proud to bring our world-class card acquiring capabilities to Singapore, offering these businesses a trusted global solution already supporting over 250,000 merchants worldwide. Our established presence in the country has brought us to this exciting moment, and today's launch highlights our continued commitment to investing in one of the world's most advanced payment markets. We are dedicated to tackling complex payment challenges faced by businesses in Singapore and empowering them with innovative capabilities to enhance their payment systems and drive rapid growth in Singapore and beyond." The launch of card acquiring in Singapore also extends invaluable opportunities for global enterprises utilizing Rapyd's services, allowing companies in Europe to effortlessly receive payments from Singaporean consumers via their preferred payment method, be it through credit card, e-wallets or bank transfers. About Rapyd

Rapyd lets you build bold. Liberate global commerce with all the tools your business needs to create payment, payout and fintech experiences everywhere. From Fortune 500s to ambitious business and technology upstarts, our payments network and powerful fintech platform make it easy to pay suppliers and get paid by customers - locally or internationally. With offices worldwide, including Tel Aviv, Dubai, London, Iceland, San Francisco, Miami, Hong Kong and Singapore, we know what it takes to make cross-border commerce as easy as being next door. Rapyd simplifies payments so you can focus on building your business. Get the tools to grow globally at www.rapyd.net. Follow: Blog, Insta, LinkedIn, Twitter.







[1] https://www.theworldcounts.com/populations/world/consumers [2] https://www.theworldcounts.com/populations/world/consumers [3] https://www.pwc.com/sg/en/publications/assets/page/fintech-innovation-in-singapore.pdf?link_id=1a2dedc0-a0af-4cad-b0e4-3148756cd0d5

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/rapyd-expands-world-class-card-acquiring-solution-to-singapore-to-further-streamline-payments-for-local-businesses-301931784.html SOURCE Rapyd

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
SEOUL, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Five domestic and foreign automakers in South Korea will voluntarily recall some 12,880 vehicles for manufacturing defects, the country's transport ministry said Wednesday.

Mercedes-Benz Korea will recall 9,620 units of 11 models including E 230 4MATIC for faulty parts in fuel pump, and 650 units of six models such as S 580 4MATIC for the poor fixing of connection bolts in 12V ground wire, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Scania Korea Group will recall 1,287 units of two models for non-compliance with safety standards affected by poor lighting of the light system.

Hyundai Motor will recall 835 units of Palisade due to sensor software error in passenger seat and 90 units of new County for non-compliance with safety standards of seat belts.

BMW Korea will recall 48 units of four models including Z4 sDrive20i for non-compliance with safety standards of the receiver audio module and five units of iX1 xDrive30 due to the poor assembly of drive shaft.

Bike Korea will recall 346 units of two models including Trident 660 for faulty hose in the sensor measuring inlet air volume.

Vehicles owners can visit repair and service centers to replace the faulty parts free of charge. 
[September 19, 2023] Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) Market to grow by USD 13.83 billion from 2022 to 2027, Growth Driven by the growing use of RTLS tags in the healthcare sector- Technavio Tweet

NEW YORK, Sept. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "real-time location systems (RTLS) market by application (healthcare, transportation, and logistics, retail, government, and others), solution (systems and tags), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa) - Forecast and Analysis 2023-2027" report has been added to technavio offering. With ISO 9001:2015 certification, Technavio has proudly partnered with more than 100 Fortune 500 companies for over 16 years. The potential growth difference for the real-time location systems (RTLS) market from 2022 to 2027 is USD 13.83 billion, according to Technavio. The growing use of RTLS tags in the healthcare sector is a key factor driving market growth. Many hospitals are implementing RTLS tags to improve healthcare operations and profitability. RFID tags have many applications. RTLS is used to quickly find devices such as wheelchairs, ventilators, oxygen tanks, hospital beds, and infusion pumps in asset management. Additionally, hospitals use RTLS tags to observe sensitive equipment, violent patients, and hospital staff, including doctors and nurses. They also keep track of surgical instruments and other reusable medical devices with an RTLS solution that automates aseptic handling. This process includes cleaning, sterilizing; and distributing medical equipment, surgical and dental instruments, and essential supplies. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. Get deeper insights into the market size, current market scenario, future growth opportunities, major growth driving factors, the latest trends, and much more. Buy the full report here Market Challenge The lack of well-defined RTLS technology standards is a significant challenge restricting market growth. Learn about additional key drivers, trends, and challenges available with Technavio. Read FREE Sample PDF Report Now The real-time location systems (RTLS) market has been segmented by application (healthcare, transportation, logistics, retail, government, and others), solution (systems and tags), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa) The market share growth by the healthcare segment will be significant during the forecast period. There has been a significant increase in patient monitoring and asset tracking in hospitals due to benefits such as low cost and real-time tracking provided by RTLS, ensuring patient and asset safety. RTLS solutions are mainly used in hospitals to improve operational efficiency and reduce asset monitoring costs. For example, Stanley Healthcare has integrated Tableau Software's visual data analytics software with Wi-Fi RTLS. Additionally, the system allows hospitals to monitor infusion pump levels so they can be refilled. Hence, these factors are expected to drive segment growth during the forecast period. View the FREE Sample Report for insights into the contribution of all the segments and regional opportunities in the report. Key Companies in the real-time location systems (RTLS) market: AiRISTA Flow Inc., Alien Technology LLC, General Electric Co., Halma Plc, Identec Group AG, Impinj Inc., Inpixon, Leantegra Inc., Litum Technologies Inc., Mojix Inc., Oracle Corp., Qorvo Inc., Savi Technology Inc., Securitas AB, Silicon Laboratories Inc., Sonitor Technologies AS, TeleTracking Technologies Inc., Tracktio Group SL, Ubisense Ltd., and Zebra Technologies Corp. Related Reports: The location-based services (LBS) market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 26.22% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 167.69 billion. This location-based services (LBS) market report extensively covers market segmentation by component (hardware, software, and services), type (outdoor and indoor), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and the Middle East and Africa). The market size is forecast to increase by USD 167.69 billion. The rise in demand for personal and enterprise navigation services is driving market growth. 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. This virtual customer premises equipment (vCPE) market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-users (large enterprises and SMEs), deployment (on-premises and cloud), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Efficient deployment of managed services is the key factor driving the growth of the market.







Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2022 Historic period 2017-2021 Forecast period 2023-2027 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 28% Market growth 2023-2027 USD 13.83 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 27.23 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and the UK Competitive landscape Leading Companies, Market Positioning of Companies, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks Key companies profiled AiRISTA Flow Inc., Alien Technology LLC, General Electric Co., Halma Plc, Identec Group AG, Impinj Inc., Inpixon, Leantegra Inc., Litum Technologies Inc., Mojix Inc., Oracle Corp., Qorvo Inc., Savi Technology Inc., Securitas AB, Silicon Laboratories Inc., Sonitor Technologies AS, TeleTracking Technologies Inc., Tracktio Group SL, Ubisense Ltd., and Zebra Technologies 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, and Market condition analysis for the forecast period. Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

ToC: Executive Summary Market Landscape Market Sizing Historic Market Sizes Five Forces Analysis Market Segmentation by Application Market Segmentation by Solution Market Segmentation by Geography Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Drivers, Challenges, & Trends Company Landscape Company Analysis Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/real-time-location-systems-rtls-market-to-grow-by-usd-13-83-billion-from-2022-to-2027--growth-driven-by-the-growing-use-of-rtls-tags-in-the-healthcare-sector--technavio-301932692.html SOURCE Technavio

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Zaozhuang, China Strives to Build a "Famous City for New Energy Batteries in China" Tweet

ZAOZHUANG, China, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This is a report from the Shandong Office of Hong Kong Business Daily. On September 16-18, 2023, the 2023 Zaozhuang International Lithium Battery Industry Exhibition was held at the Zaozhuang Convention and Exhibition Center in China. More than 600 domestic and foreign lithium battery experts, scholars, and elites gathered in Zaozhuang to discuss the development plan of the lithium battery industry and seek a green, low-carbon, and beautiful future. The lithium battery exhibition is themed as "Building a Famous City for New Energy Batteries in China, Promoting Green, Low Carbon, and High Quality Development", focusing on the goal of "hosting an exhibition well and prospering an industry". It integrates conferences, exhibitions, competitions, dialogues, and experiences, adopts a "online+offline" dual line integration exhibition mode, and utilizes modern information technology methods such as 5G and big data, We have achieved "cloud exhibition", "cloud display", "cloud docking", and "cloud negotiation". The total area of te offline exhibition area reaches 30000 square meters, bringing together 202 enterprises related to the lithium battery industry chain, innovation chain, and capital chain, an increase of 37 compared to last year, including 28 leading enterprises such as Geely Group. More than 2600 upstream and downstream related products of the lithium battery industry were exhibited on site, an increase of more than 20% compared to last year.



In recent years, Zaozhuang City has always regarded lithium battery as the primary industry to promote urban transformation and development. It adheres to shaping competitive advantages through technological innovation, stimulating growth momentum through effective investment, and opening up market space through marketing reform. It has focused on cultivating a billion level lithium battery industry cluster, accelerating the promotion of replacing underground energy with ground energy, green energy with black energy, and emerging energy with traditional energy, and actively building a famous new energy battery city in China, Running out of the "acceleration" of the transformation and breakthrough of the old industrial base, leapfrog and catch up. Zaozhuang, China will continue to focus on highlighting the primacy of the lithium battery industry, deeply implement the lithium battery industry agglomeration action, optimize resource allocation, strengthen factor guarantee, comprehensively support the development and growth of the lithium battery industry, and strive to build the "China New Energy Battery City".

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/zaozhuang-china-strives-to-build-a-famous-city-for-new-energy-batteries-in-china-301932912.html SOURCE Shandong Office of Hong Kong Business Daily

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Elliptic Labs Shipping on HONOR V Purse Smartphone Tweet

Elliptic Labs (OSE: ELABS), a global AI software platform company and the world leader in AI Virtual Smart Sensors currently deployed in over 500 million devices, is announcing the launch of its AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY with HONOR's V Purse smartphone. HONOR is releasing the V Purse smartphone for the global market. The V Purse smartphone is introducing a unique concept for the foldable smartphone market. When folded, the HONOR V Purse smartphone folds into a purse or handbag. And with its outward facing display, V Purse can mimic different purse styles. Elliptic Labs is fast becoming the leader in offering its AI Virtual Smart Sensors for groundbreaking foldable phone designs. The HONOR V Purse is the fourth foldable phone Elliptic Labs has announced. Elliptic Labs' partner Qualcomm is driving the HONOR V Purse with its Snapdragon 778G chipset. The contract for this launch was previously announced by Elliptic Labs.



"Working together with HONOR on its unique V Purse smartphone design speaks to the innovative spirit shared by both Elliptic Labs and HONOR," said Laila Danielsen, CEO of Elliptic Labs. "Leading smartphone OEMs continue to choose Elliptic Labs for their next-generation foldable phone designs. These smartphone makers trust in Elliptic Labs' value to drive innovation through our software-based AI Virtual Smart Sensors. We are confident that we will continue to empower these OEMs to develop devices that are greener, smarter, and more human-friendly." AI Virtual Proximity Sensor INNER BEAUTY

Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Proximity Sensor detects when a user holds their phone up to their ear during a call, allowing the smartphone to turn off its display and disable its screen's touch functionality. This keeps the user's ear or cheek from triggering unwanted actions during the call, such as hanging up or dialing numbers. Turning off the screen also helps conserve battery life. Proximity detection is a core capability that is used in all smartphones, but Elliptic Labs' AI Virtual Proximity Sensor is a unique, software-only solution that delivers robust proximity detection without the need for a dedicated hardware sensor. By replacing hardware sensors with software sensors, the AI Virtual Proximity Sensor reduces device cost and eliminates sourcing risk. INNER BEAUTY is a registered trademark of Elliptic Labs. AI Virtual Smart Sensor, AI Virtual Proximity Sensor, and AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform are trademarks of Elliptic Labs. All other trademarks or service markets are the responsibility of their respective organizations. About Elliptic Labs Elliptic Labs is a global enterprise targeting the smartphone, laptop, IoT, and automotive markets. Founded in 2006 as a research spin-off from Norway's Oslo University, the company's patented software uses AI, ultrasound and sensor fusion to deliver intuitive 3D gesture, proximity-, presence-, breathing- and heartbeat-detection experiences. Its scalable AI Virtual Smart Sensor Platform creates software-only sensors that are sustainable, human-friendly and already deployed in hundreds of millions of devices around the world. Elliptic Labs is the only software company that has delivered detection capabilities using AI software, ultrasound, and sensor fusion deployed at scale. The company joined the Oslo Brs main listing in March 2022. Elliptic Labs is headquartered in Norway with presence in the USA, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. Its technology and IP are developed in Norway and are solely owned by the company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919206075/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, Enters Two Strategic Collaborations to Strengthen AI-driven Drug Discovery Tweet

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, today announced two new strategic drug discovery collaborations aimed at harnessing powerful artificial intelligence (AI)-driven design and discovery capabilities, further advancing the company's research efforts. The partnerships, with BenevolentAI, London, U.K., and Exscientia, Oxford, U.K., are expected to generate several novel clinical development drug candidates with first-in-class and best-in-class potential in key therapeutic areas of oncology, neurology and immunology. "With the convergence of science, data, and AI, we're determined to fast-track the development of new and truly innovative candidates, forging a path to previously unimaginable medical breakthroughs", said Danny Bar-Zohar, Global Head of Research & Development and Chief Medical Officer for the Healthcare business sector of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. "The partnerships with industry-leading AI technology firms BenevolentAI and Exscientia will complement our internal research capabilities and expertise, aligning with our broader strategy to enhance R&D productivity and the output of our pipeline in a sustainable manner." Under the terms of the agreements, three potential first-in-class and best-in-class targets have been selected to initiate each partnership with the possibility of identifying and nominating additional targets in the future. The collaborative efforts are focused on advancing small molecule development candidates which Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will select for further pre-clinical and clinical developent. Both partners will each receive low double digit million US dollar upfront payments and will be eligible for discovery, development, regulatory and commercial milestone payments and tiered royalties based on net sales.



Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, systematically explores data science and AI approaches to accelerate the discovery and delivery of breakthrough medicines. Integrating AI across R&D processes from identifying targets to clinical trials and product lifecycle management, is aimed at transforming drug discovery and development, bringing new medicines to patients faster and with higher probability of success. As the field evolves Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will continue to deepen its existing AI and advanced analytics expertise while expanding partnerships and collaborations, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of innovation. All Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the EMD Group website. In case you are a resident of the USA or Canada, please go to www.emdgroup.com/subscribe to register for your online, change your selection or discontinue this service.

About Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, operates across life science, healthcare and electronics. More than 64,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people's lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From providing products and services that accelerate drug development and manufacturing as well as discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices - the company is everywhere. In 2022, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, generated sales of  22.2 billion in 66 countries. The company holds the global rights to the name and trademark "Merck" internationally. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, operate as MilliporeSigma in life science, EMD Serono in healthcare and EMD Electronics in electronics. Since its founding in 1668, scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to the company's technological and scientific advances. To this day, the founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919139117/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Sosei Heptares Adds World-leading Expertise to its Scientific Advisory Board Tweet

Tokyo, Japan and Cambridge, UK, 20 September 2023  Sosei Group Corporation (the Company; TSE: 4565) announces the appointment of four new members to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) to advise on the Companys scientific and early development strategy in support of its corporate objectives. Sosei Heptares SAB includes world-leading experts from academia and the pharmaceutical industry in the US and Europe, each of whom is highly regarded in their respective fields. These new members of the SAB will provide further focus and expertise to support the continued growth of the Companys G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) structure-based drug design (SBDD) platform and enhancement of its translational medicine capability in identifying high quality clinical stage assets. Brief biographies are below and more information is available on the Sosei Heptares website. Dr. Serena Scollen, Head of Human Genomics and Translational Data at ELIXIR, the European infrastructure for bioinformatics and life-science data, based in Hinxton, UK. Prof. Sheena Radford OBE, Astbury Professor of Biophysics in the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, School of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Leeds, UK. Prof. Angela Russell, Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Oxford. Prof. Duncan Richards, Professor of Clinical Therapeutics at the University of Oxford and Director of the Oxford Clinical Trials Research Unit (OCTRU) as well as the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centres Musculoskeletal Co-Theme Lead. Matt Barnes, President of Heptares Therapeutics and Head of UK R&D, said: On behalf of myself and Malcolm Weir (Chair of the SAB), we are delighted to welcome these renowned experts to our truly exceptional Scientific Advisory Board. Each member has been carefully selected based on the complementary world-class expertise and knowledge they can bring, adding tremendous value across key areas of the business. We look forward to their unique scientific insights to support our continued growth as a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company. The Compny appreciates the continued support from existing SAB members: Dr. Malcolm Weir (Chair of the SAB), Prof. Richard Henderson, Dr. Christopher Tate, Dr. Peter Bernstein, Dr. Paul Leeson, Dr. Roberto Solari and Dr. John Parkinson; and would like to take this opportunity to thank the retiring members: Dr. Ed Bullmore, Dr. Keith Peters, Dr. Caetano Reis e Souza, Dr. Darryl Schoepp and Dr. Anders Tullgren, for the help and guidance they have provided over previous years.



-ENDS- About Sosei Heptares

Sosei Heptares is a fully integrated biopharmaceutical company focused on bringing life-changing medicines based on world-class science to patients globally. Our vision is to become one of Japans global biopharmaceutical champions.

Our global business combines our world-leading GPCR-targeted StaR technology, structure-based drug design and early development capabilities in the UK with a highly experienced clinical development capability and a commercial operation in Japan. We are leveraging these capabilities to generate and advance a broad and deep pipeline of novel medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including neurology, immunology, gastroenterology and inflammatory diseases. We intend to develop these opportunities for patients in Japan and globally both internally and through our partnerships with global biopharmaceutical companies and emerging technology companies. Sosei Heptares operates from key locations in Tokyo and Osaka (Japan), London and Cambridge (UK) and Seoul (South Korea). Sosei Heptares is the corporate brand and trademark of Sosei Group Corporation, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (ticker: 4565). Sosei, Heptares, the logo and StaR are trademarks of Sosei Group companies. For more information, please visit https://soseiheptares.com/

LinkedIn: @soseiheptaresco | Twitter: @soseiheptaresco | YouTube: @soseiheptaresco Enquiries: Sosei Heptares  Media and Investor Relations

Hironoshin Nomura, Chief Financial Officer

Shinichiro Nishishita, VP Investor Relations, Head of Regulatory Disclosures

Maya Bennison, Communications Manager

+81 (0)3 5210 3399 | +44 (0)1223 949390 | [email protected] MEDiSTRAVA Consulting (for International Media)

Mark Swallow, Frazer Hall, Erica Hollingsworth

+44 (0)203 928 6900 | [email protected] Forward-looking statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements about the discovery, development, and commercialization of products. Various risks may cause Sosei Group Corporations actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: adverse results in clinical development programs; failure to obtain patent protection for inventions; commercial limitations imposed by patents owned or controlled by third parties; dependence upon strategic alliance partners to develop and commercialize products and services; difficulties or delays in obtaining regulatory approvals to market products and services resulting from development efforts; the requirement for substantial funding to conduct research and development and to expand commercialization activities; and product initiatives by competitors. As a result of these factors, prospective investors are cautioned not to rely on any forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Software Freedom Day: Softonic celebrates free software classics Tweet

BARCELONA, Spain, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the world celebrates the Software Freedom Day, Softonic.com, a leading secure software distributor, spotlights some of the most popular free download applications that have shaped our digital experiences. In an era of rapid technological advancements, some classics stand the test of time. Adobe PDF, VLC Player, Microsoft Edge, and Google Meet are examples of how free software applications have consistently garnered huge amounts downloads, highlighting their enduring appeal and capacity to adapt to market changes. Microsoft Edge, the web browser from Microsoft, has experienced a significant surge in downloads on Softonic's platform, with 380,115 new users in the first eight months of 2023, This marks an increase of 24% in comparison with the previous year. Adobe PDF, the cornerstone of digital document management, has recorded 436,532 downloads from Softonic's platform from January to August 2022, with 68% of male users. This iconic software maintains its status as the go-to solution for document creation and sharing. VLC Player, a houehold name for media enthusiasts, has seen a remarkable 2,252,507 downloads in the same period. Interestingly, 42% of its users are female, emphasizing its broad appeal across gender lines.



As remote collaboration became a necessity, Google Meet became popular by offering a seamless virtual meeting experience. Its utility remains undeniable in 2023, with 9,243 users continuing to rely on it for virtual connectivity. According to Ferran Gavin, Director of Catalog and Traffic of Softonic, "Software Freedom Day is not just about celebrating the principles of open-source software but also acknowledging the enduring appeal of iconic free applications like Adobe PDF, VLC Player, Microsoft Edge, and Google Meet. These applications have been the pillars of productivity, creativity, and communication for users across the globe, transcending gender and technological boundaries."

About Softonic Softonic is a leading technology company specializing in secure software distribution. The firm operates the world's leading secure software distribution platform Softonic.com. The platform, currently available in 17 languages, categorises, evaluates, and distributes over 500,000 Windows, Android, and Mac programmes and solutions worldwide. Every month, over 75 million people use Softonic.com due to its robust quality control checks which help users download virus-free software. Founded in Barcelona in 1997, Softonic is also behind other initiatives including GHacks, a portal for IT users, and Digital Trends, a technology news site. The company currently employs over 130 people from 23 countries. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/software-freedom-day-softonic-celebrates-free-software-classics-301932363.html

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM Series Multifunction Printers Receive Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation Seal Tweet

Rigorous Third-Party Security Testing Shows Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM Series MFPs are Safeguarded Against Vulnerabilities LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson America, Inc., a worldwide leader in inkjet printing solutions, today announced its WorkForce Enterprise AM Series Color Multifunction Printers have earned the Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation Seal for Device Penetration. The WorkForce Enterprise AM Series  AM-C6000, AM-C5000 and AM-C4000 A3 line head MFPs  passed a rigorous testing process conducted by certified security experts with automated tools and manual exploitation attempts, ensuring the devices are safeguarded against vulnerabilities. Keypoint Intelligence provides WorkForce Enterprise AM Series MFPs with Security Validation Seal for Device Penetration. "The cybersecurity focus of IT departments tends to be on thwarting phishing attacks and securing traditional targets such as network infrastructure PCs and servers. Relatively little attention is paid to printers and MFPs that may also be vulnerable, however, so it is incumbent on OEMs to ensure that their devices have the features to secure the data the printers handle as well as the wider network," said Jamie Bsales, principal analyst for Smart Workplace & Security in Keypoint Intelligence's Office Group. "Our device penetration testing showed that these Epson models can do exactly that." The Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation Program has become a benchmark in the office peripheral industry and helps position the security of OEM products using consistent testing processes and methodologies as an industry stamp of approval. "In our digital world, security is critical. It's crucial for businesses to have layers of IT equipment security to keep systems and devices safe and operations running smoothly," said Dan Misilewich, product manager, Business Imaging, Epson America, Inc. "We are proud to provide partners, and in turn customers, with print solutions that are not only designed to be safeguarded against vulnerabilities but also validated to do so by a respected industry organization." The WorkForce Enterprise AM Series color MFPs AM-C6000, AM-C5000 and AM-C4000 A3 line head MFPs  are built for productivity and reliable performance with fast first-page output, practically no warm-up wait time and precise image quality. With PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, the WorkForce Enterprise AM Series MFPs feature the lowest power consumption in each of their classes,1 saving energy. The compact AM-C6000, AM-C5000 and AM-C4000 are designed with features for large workgroups and departments, including a full suite of advanced security features, intuitive and user-friendly operation, and optional finishing and media handling accessories. Epson business printers, including the AM Series, are engineered with PrecisionCore, a Simple. Smart. Clean. advanced printing technology.



In addition to the WorkForce Enterprise AM Series Color MFPs, the WorkForce Enterprise WF-C21000, WF-M21000 and WF-C20750 have also been tested and received the Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation Seal. For more information on the Epson WorkForce Enterprise AM Series, visit: epson.com/business-inkjet-printers-workforce-enterprise. For more information on the Keypoint Intelligence Security Validation program, visit: keypointintelligence.com/security-validation.

About Keypoint Intelligence

For over 60 years, clients in the digital imaging industry have relied on Keypoint Intelligence for independent hands-on testing, lab data, and extensive market research to drive their product and sales success. Keypoint Intelligence has been recognized as the industry's most trusted resource for unbiased information, analysis, and awards due to decades of analyst experience. Customers have harnessed this mission-critical knowledge for strategic decision-making, daily sales enablement, and operational excellence to improve business goals and increase bottom lines. With a central focus on clients, Keypoint Intelligence continues to evolve as the industry changes by expanding offerings and updating methods, while intimately understanding and serving manufacturers', channels', and their customers' transformation in the digital printing and imaging sector. About Epson Business Inkjet

Engineered with Epson's innovative PrecisionCore Heat-Free technology, Epson's groundbreaking business printing solutions  from Supertank, WorkForce, WorkForce Pro and WorkForce Pro HC for hybrid work-from-home and in-office small businesses to WorkForce Enterprise  deliver high performance with few moving parts to exceed market needs. To learn more about Epson's portfolio of business inkjet printing solutions, visit Epson.com/BusinessInkjet. To learn more about Epson PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, visit Epson.com/Heat-Free. About Epson

Epson is a global technology leader whose philosophy of efficient, compact, and precise innovation enriches lives and helps create a better world. The company is focused on solving societal issues through innovations in home and office printing, commercial and industrial printing, manufacturing, visual and lifestyle. Epson's goal is to become carbon negative and eliminate use of exhaustible underground resources such as oil and metal by 2050. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corporation, the worldwide Epson Group generates annual sales of more than JPY 1 trillion. global.epson.com/ Epson America, Inc., based in Los Alamitos, Calif., is Epson's regional headquarters for the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. To learn more about Epson, please visit: epson.com. You may also connect with Epson America on Facebook (facebook.com/Epson), Twitter (twitter.com/EpsonAmerica), YouTube (youtube.com/epsonamerica), and Instagram (instagram.com/EpsonAmerica). 1 Compared to similarly featured A3 color laser printers and copiers at 3140 ppm (AM-C4000), 41-50 ppm (AM-C5000), and 51-60 ppm (AM-C6000) based on manufacturers' specifications and industry available data as of March 2022. Actual power savings will vary by product model and usage. EPSON, PrecisionCore, PrecisionCore Heat-Free and WorkForce are registered trademarks of Seiko Epson Corporation. All other product and brand names are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Epson disclaims any and all rights in these marks. Copyright 2023 Epson America, Inc. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/epson-workforce-enterprise-am-series-multifunction-printers-receive-keypoint-intelligence-security-validation-seal-301932710.html SOURCE Epson America, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] DataBlend Raises Seed Funding to Continue Market Expansion Tweet

Funding will fuel growth of the only iPaaS provider focused on integrating the tech stack of finance and accounting teams at small to medium-sized organizations and high-growth enterprises. STOWE, Vt., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- DataBlend, the leading finance-focused Integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) provider announced today that it raised seed funding led by FreshTracks Capital and The Dudley Fund. "DataBlend is truly unique in that it brings the power of iPaaS to accounting and finance teams at small- to-medium organizations and high-growth enterprises. DataBlend's growing list of customers and partners demonstrates the effectiveness of its focused strategy and robust solution. FreshTracks' investment in DataBlend reflects our confidence in the team's ability and commitment to empowering finance professionals to automate dataflows across their tech stack, streamlining operations and allowing them to make better data-driven decisions," said Lee Bouyea, Managing Director at FreshTracks Capital. Ethan Carlson, Founder of DataBlend, expressed his excitement as investors from Vermont joined the company's mission to provide secure and stress-free data integrations for finance and accounting professionals. As a native of Vermont, Carlson finds it exciting to see the local investment community supporting his company's vision. "As a former CFO, I founded DataBlend with the sole purpose of making it easy for other CFOs, controllers, and their teams to connect the applications they use every day, without having to rely on IT. To make this happen, we set out to build a solution that is cost-effective, secure, and easy to implement. With the support of FreshTracks and Dudley Fund, we will continue to enhance our product and expand its use at organizations across the US, Europe, and ustralia."



DataBlend has experienced rapid growth in the last two years. Its customer base has expanded to more than 600 organizations and its partner network has expanded to more than 25 resellers, including RKL eSolutions, SWK Technologies, Wipfli, and Net at Work, as well as other software publishers including Fluence Technologies. "The Dudley Fund is committed to helping entrepreneurs build impactful companies here in Vermont. We've partnered with Ethan and the team at DataBlend to support them as they accelerate operations and take root here in the state. DataBlend's capabilities around data integration and automation provide a superior market offering for accounting and finance leaders and I'm excited for the Dudley Fund to play a part in DataBlend's strategic growth," said John Antonucci, Managing Partner at Dudley Fund.

"DataBlend has reached a significant milestone by securing our seed funding. This round adds to the financial support provided by our founder, Ethan Carlson, and strategic partner, J2 Interactive. These two early investors believed that there was a huge opportunity to work directly with finance and accounting teams. They were right and their support allowed us to attract a talented team, build an enterprise-level product, and gain momentum with our target audience," said DataBlend's CEO, David Furth. About DataBlend: DataBlend is an Integration Platform-as-a-Service (iPaaS) solution designed exclusively for CFOs, controllers, and their teams. Featuring a no-code, low-code workflow builder, DataBlend allows accounting and finance professionals to create secure and worry-free data integrations. Companies use DataBlend to collect and join data from multiple sources, build workflows (e.g., field-to-field mapping, pivot tables, and additional data transformations through virtually unlimited custom scripting possibilities), and schedule events. Find out how DataBlend can help your organization at www.datablend.com About FreshTracks Capital: Founded in 2001, FreshTracks Capital is a Vermont-focused investment fund that uses venture capital to create positive economic and community impacts. Across its six funds, which total more than $65 million, FreshTracks has invested in more than 50 Vermont-based companies. The firm's General Partners and Managing Directors are T.J. Whalen, Cairn Cross, and Lee Bouyea. FreshTracks is actively investing out of its early-stage fund, the FreshTracks Capital Green Mountain Fund, and its Growth Fund. About The Dudley Fund: The Dudley Fund is a Vermont based venture fund focusing on early and mid-stage companies with the potential to create economic impact in the state. With a network of more than 100 successful local business leaders the Dudley Fund provides critical first funding and business support to help founders accelerate their growth. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/datablend-raises-seed-funding-to-continue-market-expansion-301932443.html SOURCE DataBlend

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Saudi Arabia's Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List Tweet

The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve is the Kingdom's first UNESCO Natural Heritage Site and joins six other UNESCO Heritage Sites in Saudi Arabia RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve in Saudi Arabia has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as announced by His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture, Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and Chairman of the Heritage Commission. The decision was taken during the extended 45th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh between the 10th and 25th of September. The successful nomination of the site marks Saudi Arabia's very first UNESCO Natural Heritage Site and celebrates the Kingdom's continued efforts to protect and maintain its natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. The Minister congratulated Saudi Arabia's leadership on this monumental international inscription. The inscription came on the back of unwavering support for culture and heritage in the Kingdom and reflects Saudi Arabia's vast culture and biodiversity across its regions. Praising the joint national efforts that supported the site inscription, the Minister also emphasised Saudi's commitment to the conservation of natural heritage and the sustainable development ofnatural heritage. This commitment highlights the importance of natural heritage and its strategic importance to Saudi Vision 2030.



His Highness Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al Saud said: "The inscription of the Reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List as the first Natural Heritage Site in the Kingdom contributes to highlighting the importance of natural heritage on a global scale and reflects the outstanding value of the Reserve." Situated along the western edge of ar-Rub al-Khali (The Empty Quarter), Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve occupies an area of over 12,750 km2 and is the only major sand desert in tropical Asia and the largest continuous sand sea on Earth. With a world-class panorama of the sands of the Empty Quarter and some of the world's largest complex linear dunes, Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve embodies outstanding universal value. It is an exceptional showcase of the environmental and biological evolution of flora and fauna in Saudi Arabia and provides vital natural habitats for the survival of more than 120 indigenous plant species, as well as endangered animals living in harsh environments, including gazelles and the only free-ranging herd of Arabian Oryx in the world.

Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve fulfils the World Heritage standards as a sand desert that embodies outstanding universal value and forms a unique and diverse landscape. The Reserve contains a range of extensive natural habitats vital to the survival of key species and includes five sub-groups of the Kingdom's national ecosystems, which is vital to maintaining the site's biodiversity. The inscription of the Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve as a World Heritage Site comes as a result of joint national efforts by the Saudi Ministry of Culture, the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, the National Centre for Wildlife, and the Heritage Commission. The inscription of the Uruq Bani Ma'arid Reserve adds to the six other Saudi UNESCO sites, which are Al-Ahsa Oasis, Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah, ?ima Cultural Area, Historic Jeddah, and Rock Art in the Hail Region. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216098/The_Uruq_Bani_Ma_arid_Reserve_in_Saudi_Arabia___Picture_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216099/The_Uruq_Bani_Ma_arid_Reserve_in_Saudi_Arabia___Picture_2.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saudi-arabias-uruq-bani-maarid-reserve-inscribed-on-the-unesco-world-heritage-list-301933313.html

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Melissa's Data Tools Power 'Know Your Business' Strategies for Compliance and Accurate Risk Profiles Tweet

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melissa, a leading provider of global data quality, identity verification, and address management solutions, today announced availability of data tools that power Know Your Business (KYB) processes. By gathering and verifying information about business customers, KYB efforts mitigate financial risks and ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks such as anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF). Complementing Know Your Customer (KYC) operations designed to identify individuals and their associated levels of risk, KYB strategies enable financial institutions to assess legitimacy and credibility of business customers in real time. By accessing multiple data streams containing billions of up-to-date global contact records, financial institutions verify and validate their business customers, comply with global sanctions, and determine whether a new or existing client is partnered with or managed by bad actors. Melissa will feature its KYB tools and services at Identity Week America 2023, October 3-4, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., booth #247.

Diverse online financial services are convenient but come with increased risk. Fake shell companies? Corrupt organizational structures? Yes, these entities represent real risk for financial organizations working with new and existing commercial clients, said Bud Walker, vice president, enterprise sales and strategy, Melissa. KYB checks can help stop corporate fraud while also working to protect an organizations reputation by preventing financial crime, such as money laundering and terror financing. Its vital insight available in real time, removng real threats to business operations by identifying fraud risks early and repeatedly. KYB is just as crucial to improving the customer experience, enabling efficient operations featuring personalized communications and services.



A priority in the financial sector, KYB also applies to markets such as non-profit, insurance, or healthcare  anywhere employees in senior-level roles, prospective clients, or business partners may pose risk to operations or reputation. Flexibly supporting these needs, Melissa offers a secure and customizable platform to perform the electronic ID verification (eIDV) used in both KYC and KYB operations. KYB cross-checks a companys name, address and country-specific ID, business registration number and date, operational status, and company type such as corporation, limited liability company, and more. A more in-depth KYB screening process includes identifying any person with significant control, such as a business beneficial owners, determined via the companys annual returns or its financial statements. Melissas scalable KYB tools access trusted global data streams, such as credit bureaus, government agencies, and utility records, pairing data with recognized business registries or global regulators. The companys optimized KYB platform also streamlines access to data on global sanctions and politically exposed persons (PEP). Watchlist screening is consolidated, verifying players against such lists as PEP and SDN (Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons). Banks are empowered to easily access data from OFAC (the Office of Foreign Assets Controls), the global economic sanctions entity working to combat the funding of narcotics and terrorism, along with similar sanctions administration entities worldwide. Melissas automated adverse media screening is a valuable addition to standard KYB processes, checking for negative news related to an individual or business even if they may not appear on any international watchlist.

Click here for more insight on Melissas KYB tools and services. To connect with members of Melissas global intelligence team, visit www.Melissa.com or call 1-800-MELISSA. About Melissa

Since 1985, Melissa has specialized in global intelligence solutions to help organizations unlock accurate data for a more compelling customer view. More than 10,000 clients worldwide in arenas such as retail, education, healthcare, insurance, finance, and government, rely on Melissa for full spectrum data quality and ID verification software, including data matching, validation, and enhancement services to gain critical insight and drive meaningful customer relationships. For more information or free product trials, visit www.Melissa.com or call 1-800-MELISSA (635-4772). Media contacts

Greg Brown

Vice President, Global Marketing, Melissa

[email protected]

+1-800-635-4772 x1130 MPowered PR for Melissa

[email protected]

+1-877-794-6777



[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
SHANGHAI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has seen an increasing number of newly established firms and an improving business environment over the past decade, said a white paper released Wednesday.

The white paper was released during a forum commemorating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Shanghai FTZ, the inaugural pilot FTZ in China, founded in Pudong in 2013.

According to the paper, the zone attracted 84,000 new enterprises by the end of last year, 2.35 times the number of enterprises established in the 20 years before the zone's establishment.

Benefiting from the construction, the Pudong New Area has attracted 18,691 new foreign investment projects by 2022, with a cumulative registered capital of 217.27 billion U.S. dollars and a cumulative actual foreign investment of 74.99 billion U.S. dollars, as noted in the paper.

Last year, Pudong New Area achieved a GDP of 1.6 trillion yuan (around 223.05 billion U.S. dollars), a total commodity sales volume of 5.9 trillion yuan, a total retail sales of consumer goods of 360 billion yuan, and a fiscal revenue of 520.1 billion yuan. These figures represent growth rates of 2.3 times, 2.5 times, 2.3 times, and 1.9 times, respectively, compared to 2013.

The free trade zone has also created a more favorable institutional environment for businesses over the past decade, leading to a higher sense of achievement and satisfaction among enterprises, said the white paper.

As of June this year, over 58,000 work permits for foreigners have been issued, including 12,000 for high-level talents.

The Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone represents a bold and pioneering initiative, said Dilma Rousseff, president of the New Development Bank, during the forum.

Rousseff added that by maintaining the growth of foreign trade activities and expanding reforms to strengthen the financial and high-tech industries, the Central and Shanghai governments are accelerating the process of economic transformation and modernization. 
[September 20, 2023] Seward & Kissel Appoints Russell Johnston Co-Head of Litigation Group and Michael Watling Co-Head of Government Enforcement and Internal Investigations Group Tweet

Seward & Kissel LLP announced today that partner Russell Johnston, former senior counsel in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's Department of Enforcement (FINRA), has been named co-head of the firm's Litigation Group, serving alongside existing co-head Bruce Paulsen. The Firm has also named partner Michael Watling, a former federal prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice and former senior litigation counsel at FINRA, co-head of the firm's Government Enforcement and Internal Investigations Group, joining partner Jaimie Nawaday in that role. The duo, who served together at FINRA for seven years before entering private practice, joined Seward & Kissel in November 2022. "Russell and Michael are trusted, steadfast leaders, admired not only by their clients but by members of our firm," said Seward & Kissel managing partner Jim Cofer. "We are delighted to welcome them into these leadership positions." At Seward & Kissel, Johston advises corporations and individuals on an array of investigations and enforcement matters, with a focus on trading and markets, sales practice issues, and financial crime compliance. Watling represents clients in civil and criminal matters and internal investigations covering accounting, tax, and securities issues and broadly advises investment management and broker-dealer clients on transactional and regulatory matters including conducting due diligence and applying for control changes and other regulatory approvals. They both regularly appear before the DOJ, SEC, CFTC, FINRA, NYSE, and other federal and state regulators.



Johnston, during his time at FINRA, acted as the lead attorney on high-profile enforcement actions involving securities fraud, market manipulation, anti-money laundering violations, and sales practice supervision. Earlier in his career, Watling spent more than 15 years overseeing market behavior as a prosecutor in the Justice Department and as senior litigation counsel in the Enforcement Department of FINRA. Paulsen, co-head of Seward & Kissel's Litigation Group, noted: "Russell has been at the forefront of significant, complex, and highly sensitive matters. I'm thrilled to have him join me as we grow and advance our Litigation Group."

"Michael is an accomplished lawyer with substantial experience as a first-chair government attorney, and he has quickly become someone our clients turn to and respect," added Nawaday, a former federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York who joined as co-head of the firm's Government Enforcement and Internal Investigations Group in May 2022. "He is the ideal partner to help strategically build out this practice." About Seward & Kissel LLP Seward & Kissel LLP, founded in 1890, is a leading U.S. law firm with offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., with particular expertise in the financial services, investment management, banking, and shipping industries. The firm is well known for its representation of investment advisers and related investment funds, broker-dealers, major commercial banks, institutional investors, and transportation companies (particularly in the shipping area). Its practices primarily focus on corporate, M&A, securities, litigation (including white collar), restructuring/bankruptcy, real estate, regulatory, tax, employment, and ERISA for clients seeking legal expertise in these areas. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920311856/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Alliant Insurance Services Hires Brian Montgomery, Boosts Employee Benefits Capabilities in Houston Tweet

Brian Montgomery has joined Alliant Insurance Services as Vice President within its Employee Benefits Group in Houston. In his new role with Alliant, Montgomery will design and implement comprehensive employee benefits programs for a growing and diverse client base across Texas and the Southwest. "Brian brings a range of skills, abilities, and experience to the team in Houston," said Kevin Overbey, President, Alliant Employee Benefits. "He has a deep understanding of the impact benefits can have on an organization and its people. At a time when medical care and the associated costs are at the forefront of may business decisions, Brian knows what it takes to create a benefits program that meets both short- and long-term needs."



Montgomery joins Alliant with more than a decade of sales, benefit, and insurance experience, creating robust solutions for his clients and their employees. He is focused on working with large-market, fully insured or self-funded groups that are looking to understand the best approach to reducing overhead, mitigating the rising costs of healthcare, and increasing employee retention through benefits. Prior to joining Alliant, Montgomery was an executive with one of the world's largest insurance brokerage and consulting firms.

He earned his bachelor's degree in finance and accounting from the University of Houston, C.T. Bauer College of Business. Montgomery can be reached at (832) 819-8370 or [email protected]. About Alliant Insurance Services Alliant Insurance Services is one of the nation's leading distributors of diversified insurance products and services. We operate through a network of specialized national platforms and local offices to offer our clients a comprehensive portfolio of solutions built on innovative thinking and personal service. The business of managing risk is getting more complex, and Alliant is meeting this complexity head-on, not with more layers of management, but with more creativity and agility. Alliant is changing the way our clients approach risk management and benefits, so they can capitalize on new opportunities to grow and protect their organizations. Visit us at alliant.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920158391/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Semifinalists Announced for $1 Million USD Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge

Semifinalists for the third annual Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge have been announced and 38 teams of innovators will now vie for a part of $1 million USD across three award levels - two Seeding The Future Grand Prizes ($250,000 each), three Growth Grants ($100,000 each), and eight Seed Grants ($25,000 each). Funded by the Seeding The Future Foundation and hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), this year's Challenge received a record number of submissions (over 900) from 78 countries as multidisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs submitted their innovative approaches to transform the food system towards better nutrition security and planetary health.

"Global agricultural and food systems account for more than 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, and the role of impactful food system innovations related to climate change is becoming increasingly critical. The Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge focuses on innovations that transform food systems to be more resilient and sustainable while also enabling equitable access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food that is trusted by consumers," said Bernhard van Lengerich, PhD, founder of Seeding The Future Foundation.

The Challenge incentivizes impactful and transformative innovations created by teams from for-profit, non-profit, or academic research entities sharing a common goal: To address the challenges of climate change and nutrition security by transforming the global food system and its impact on planetary and personal health. From regenerative agriculture to artificial intelligence, the Challenge has received a wide range of innovative solutions, as demonstrated by the more than 2,400 submissions in the Challenge's first three years.

Submissions opened on June 1 and closed on August 1. Over the last 45 days, submissions have been carefully evaluated and scored based on their novelty and projected impact on people's lives and the environment by a panel of highly distinguished subject matter experts from different science and technology disciplines.

Here is a complete list of this year's semifinalists:

Seeding The Future Grand Prize Semifinalists

Fork Farms for its efforts to scale its highly innovative vertical hydroponic Flex Farm into a large-scale operation, the Flex Acre, which can grow four times the amount of food to market with maximum potential for positive impact on people and the environment (USA).

Green America for its Soil & Climate Alliance's innovative approach operating the Soil Carbon Initiative (SCI), a third-party verification program designed to accelerate the uptake of regenerative agriculture and promote soil regeneration and linking it with the Nutrition Density Alliance focusing on regenerative agricultures ability to produce more nutritious food (USA).

Green Farm Innovations, Inc. for its novel farm to doorstep food delivery model which aims to reduce the distance and middlemen between food producers and consumers through vertical farming in local production hubs with direct distribution to consumers (Canada).

INMED South Africa for its unique and impactful Aquaponics Social Enterprise (ASE) program, which builds upon INMED's expertise in climate-smart aquaponics to generate a means to address food security, climate-change adaptation, inclusion, sustainable livelihoods, and other intertwined causes of systemic poverty at large scale (South Africa).

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) for its Harvest Plus Program which leverages the nutritional benefits of locally grown biofortified crops used to develop nutrient-dense flours for porridge that can be easily stored, handled, and prepared for many consumers via school feeding (Kenya).

Naandi Foundation for its ReGen program, a synergistic model of ReGenerative agriculture providing SEED (soil enrichers and ecosystem developers) and SALM (sustainable agriculture land management) as respective material agri-inputs and knowledge frameworks. ReGen is an assembly of biology-based tools for the sustainable adoption of regenerative agriculture, distributed free of cost through a decentralized network of 12 regenerative agricultural hubs (India).

Savory Institute for its groundbreaking work to regenerate 100,000 hectares of communally managed Maasai conservancies in Kenya's Mara region. Savory's holistic approach integrates grasslands regeneration into an inclusive value proposition with an ROI model spanning land stewards, local communities, food-and-fashion corporate partners, and impact investors (USA).

SnapDNA for its highly innovative, simple, rapid, lab-quality, molecular and live pathogen food testing technology that can be used in-field to eliminate the need to store product or ship to a lab, thereby significantly lowering cold or ambient storage and food cost, enabling a safer, fresher, and more trustworthy food supply while reducing food waste (USA).

Growth Grants Semifinalists

Association 3535 for its Cool Lion project, an innovative cooling-as-a-service enterprise utilizing solar powered cold storage hub solutions for small-holder farmers in Africa (Cote d'Ivoire).

BettaF!sh, a start-up that harnesses the potential of regenerative cultivated seaweed as a key ingredient in novel, delicious and environmentally sustainable plant-based seafood alternatives (Germany).







Cotex Technologies, Inc., for its development of a novel process to create controlled release fertilizers using biodegradable polymers as an environment-friendly solution with increased efficiency and at lower cost than current alternatives (Canada).

Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology for its development of a highly innovative scalable evaporative cooling blanket made from biodegradable material to reduce post-harvest losses of perishable goods in developing regions (Switzerland).

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) for its innovative development of plant extract based biopesticides and their on-farm applications for sustainable crops, benefitting human and environmental health (Kenya).

Ignitia for its 'from-rain-to-grain' climate intelligence solutions for farmers in tropical regions to address the problem of low accuracy weather forecasts and its consequences. Through advanced, tropical atmospheric physics-based numerical prediction models and machine learning techniques, Ignitia delivers hyper-local forecasts that are twice as accurate as today's global models (Sweden).

Saba Grocers for its Fresh Food Access Initiative, a comprehensive and novel program to distribute low volume produce orders to corner stores at wholesale prices through a Collective Purchasing Agreement which procures produce from BIPOC farmers. Saba's work mitigates supply chain disparities which deprioritize supplying fresh produce to underserved communities (USA).

Kopernik for its innovative PANGAN Initiative: Preserving Ancestral Knowledge and Revitalizing Food Security for a Climate-Resilient and Sustainable Future. PANGAN specifically addresses food insecurity in West Timor, a problem that has been exacerbated by the climate crisis and affects underserved and marginalized communities the most (Indonesia).

Midwest Food Bank for its Tender Mercies, a low cost, environmentally conscious, nutrient-dense meal made from an innovative single meal formulation mix enriched with vitamins and minerals, creating enjoyable and fully nutritious, yet cost-effective meals for school feeding programs, disaster relief, refugee camps, HIV/AIDS programs, or family settings (Kenya).

Node Eight Foundation for its First Farms project, an innovative agritech/fintech solution that is transforming agriculture in Africa. By leveraging its digital platform, it invests in first-time certified farmers, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in modern agriculture (Ghana).

Nurture Posterity International for NutriPosh, a unique approach protecting the nutritional quality of seed enriched maize flours used for enhanced nutrition in school feeding programs via regenerative agricultural practices, solar powered dehydration technologies and the use of biodegradable packaging (Uganda).

Save The Environment's "SENVIR" (link not available) for its biodiversity driven agronomic research on the choice of substrate and undergrowth needed to propagate Gnetum africanum which is applied in multiplier greenhouses and integrated into forestlands to promote sustainable growth of this endangered and widely consumed forest plant (Democratic Republic of Congo).

Seed Grant Semifinalists

Alabaster International, "Enset Cultivation, Development and Utilization in Ethiopia and Kenya - Determining the Impact of Enset on Food Security" (USA).

Amity Institute of Microbial Technology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, "Promoting Sustainable Agriculture: Harnessing Novel Microbial Consortia for Eco-Friendly Reduction of Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides" (India).

AQUAGENIUS, "Small-scale Fish Farming Enhanced by a Circular Economy and Innovative, Eco-friendly Food Strategy" (Republic of Benin).

Campbell Systems Design, "The Open Smart Kitchen (OSK) Hub: A Camera-based Food Management System to Reduce Food Spoilage and Promote Healthy Eating" (USA).

Crover, Ltd., "Maintaining the Quality of Grains and Oilseeds in Bulk Storage and Transportation" (United Kingdom).

Egerton University, "Developing a Togotia Digital Knowledge Platform for Improved Production, Value-addition and Utilization" (Kenya).

Feeding Albania Foundation, "Sustainable Egg Production for NGOs and the Impoverished in Albania" (Albania).

Global Seed Savers, "Empowering Communities for Sustainable, Equitable, Ecological, and Diverse Food Systems through Seed Sovereignty (ECOSEEDS Project)" (USA).

Journalists for Human Rights, "Sustainable Urban Farming for Food Security and Environmental Conservation" (Macedonia).

Makerere University, "Harnessing the Potential of a Millet-Pomegranate Composite Flour, 'Millipome,' as a Safe, Nutritive and Healthy Living Alternative Food" (Uganda).

Ndalo Heritage Trust, "Sorghum Value-addition: Scaling Up Nutrition, Human and Climate Health for At-risk Populations in Siaya County, Kenya" (Kenya).

Safe Environment Hub, "Black Soldier Fly farming: Changing Trash to Cash" (Kenya).

Stembla Kano. "Rhombus: An App to Empower Food Security and Farmers" (Nigeria).

Tiny Seed Project's "PISCES: Permaculture Institute, Cultivating Resilience: Promoting Cover Crops for Sustainable Agriculture in Northern Togo" (USA).

University of Connecticut, "Green Engineering of Seaweed Biomaterials for Sustainable Food Protection" (USA).

Urban Being (URBNG) Inc., "JRDN-URBN: Building Food Autonomy into the City" (Canada).

UV4Good, "UVC LED-based systems to clean water in the field and other emergency situations across the world: Ukraine case" (Ukraine).

West Virginia University Research Corporation, "Indoor LED Strawberry Growing: Lighting the Way to Zero Waste Beverages" (USA).

Seed Grant winners and Growth Grant and Grand Prize finalists will be announced next month. Follow IFT and Seeding The Future Foundation on LinkedIn for updates on the announcement.

For more information on the Challenge, go to www.ift.org/food-system-challenge.

About Institute of Food Technologists

The Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) is a global organization of approximately 12,000 individual members from more than 100 countries committed to advancing the science of food. Since 1939, IFT has brought together the brightest minds in food science, technology and related professions from academia, government, and industry to solve the world's greatest food challenges. IFT works to ensure that its members have the resources they need to learn, grow, and advance the science of food as the population and the world evolve. IFT believes that science is essential to ensuring a global food supply that is sustainable, safe, nutritious, and accessible to all. For more information, please visit ift.org.

About Seeding The Future Foundation

The Seeding The Future Foundation is a private, non-profit organization motivated by its core value that everyone should always have equitable access to safe, nutritious, affordable, appealing, and trusted food. It seeks to inspire innovative solutions that can help transform the global food system to be more sustainable and benefits the health of people and the environment. The Foundation provides seed funding and support to promising ideas and high impact innovations to improve food systems globally, technologies to reduce post-harvest losses in developing regions, as well as foundational work in academia and research. For more information, please visit seedingthefuture.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920277249/en/
[September 20, 2023] Wearables Bounce Back with 8.5% Growth in Q2 2023 and a Positive Forecast, According to IDC Tweet

Global shipments for wearable devices returned to growth in the second quarter of 2023 (2Q23) reversing two quarters of decline, according to new data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker. The market grew 8.5% year over year with shipments totaling 116.3 million devices. This growth came at the expense of overall market value as average selling prices (ASPs) fell due to increased competition and discounting by retailers seeking to reduce excess inventory. Competition from outside the top 5 companies has been on the rise allowing these smaller companies to gain share in the past year. It has also given way to lesser-known form factors such as connected rings. "While fitness tracking, such as steps taken and distances run, has been helpful in capturing the mainstream audience, many consumers are now clamoring for a more holistic approach to health tracking, paving the way for features such as sleep monitoring, recovery metrics, readiness scores, and stress level tracking," said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager, Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers at IDC. "This is where smaller brands, such as Oura, Whoop, and Withings, have been able to carve out a niche, though many big name brands and some local companies are closely eyeing this space and are expected to launch products in the coming months." With growth returning this quarter, IDC forecasts 520 million wearables will be shipped in 2023, up 5.6% from 2022. Hearables will be the top category with nearly 62% of the wearables shipped this year, followed by smartwatches with nearly 32% of shipments. Looking ahead, the market is expected to grow to 625.4 million by the end of 2027, representing a 4.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). "Most consumers think of popular brands like Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit when it comes to wearables, and they would be correct," said Ramon T. Llamas, research director with IDC's Wearables team. "But driving growth are numerous smaller companies that may not have the global aspirations as the market leaders, but instead focus on specific geographies such as China and India with fully featured devices that meet price expectations. Looking ahead, it isn't too hard to imagine some of these brands being mentioned in the same breath as the world's most popular ones, or to imagine moving into adjacent markets where pent-up demand has yet to be fully satisfied."







Top 5 Wearable Device Product Categories: 2023 and 2027 Shipment Volume and Annual Growth, and 2023-2027 CAGR (shipments in millions) Product 2023 Shipments 2023/2022 Growth 2027 Shipments 2027/2026 Growth 2022-2027 CAGR Earwear 320.7 4.5 % 381.9 3.1 % 4.5 % Smartwatch 165.4 11.3 % 211.4 4.2 % 6.3 % Wristband 32.0 -8.8 % 29.3 -1.7 % -2.2 % Others 1.8 6.8 % 2.8 9.1 % 11.9 % Total 519.8 5.6 % 625.4 3.3 % 4.7 % Source: IDC Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, September 20, 2023

In addition to the table above, a graphic illustrating the worldwide market share of the top 5 wearables companies over the previous five quarters is available by viewing this press release on IDC.com. About IDC Trackers IDC Tracker products provide accurate and timely market size, vendor share, and forecasts for hundreds of technology markets from more than 100 countries around the globe. Using proprietary tools and research processes, IDC's Trackers are updated on a semiannual, quarterly, and monthly basis. Tracker results are delivered to clients in user-friendly Excel deliverables and on-line query tools. For more information about IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Wearable Device Tracker, please contact Jackie Kliem at 508-988-7984 or [email protected]. Click here to learn about IDC's full suite of data products and how you can leverage them to grow your business. About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on Twitter at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights. All product and company names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920033505/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Aly Madhavji Celebrated in London Daily News' 40 Under 40 for Revolutionizing the Blockchain Space Tweet

SINGAPORE, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- London Daily News has honored Aly Madhavji, the Managing Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund , by including him in their prestigious 40 Under 40 list. This annual list celebrates exceptional individuals who have made remarkable contributions to their respective fields before turning 40. Madhavji's inclusion particularly underscores his transformational impact on the rapidly evolving blockchain sector, where he has already carved out a global reputation as a thought leader while still under 40. Madhavji's unique blend of youthful vigor and visionary foresight has disrupted traditional notions in the blockchain industry. Starting with just a handful of startups, Madhavji's unwavering commitment to innovation has propelled Blockchain Founders Fund to a portfolio of over 110 trailblazing startups. His knack for turning challenges into stepping stones has been instrumental in his rapid career ascent, setting him apart as a disruptive force to watch. This hands-on leader's typical day involves strategic planning and dynamic nteractions aimed at driving value across the blockchain landscape. It's a function of his broader leadership philosophy, which pivots on two bedrock principles: radical transparency and continuous improvement. These principles have not only defined Madhavji's leadership style but have also created a fertile ground where innovative ideas can flourish and decisions are made based on robust, data-driven analytics.



Looking ahead, Madhavji is focused on not just leading but shaping the future of technology and business. His long-term strategy involves a rigorous selection process that evaluates over 500 companies each month to identify the next wave of industry revolutionaries. Tobias Bauer, another Partner at Blockchain Founders Fund, shared his support stating, "Aly's recognition in the 40 Under 40 list couldn't be more well-deserved. His visionary approach and relentless pursuit of innovation have been instrumental in shaping not just our firm but the industry as a whole."

About Blockchain Founders Fund

Blockchain Founders Fund is an investment and venture-building firm dedicated to nurturing and supporting top-tier startups in the blockchain space. It has a robust portfolio that spans over 110 startups, driving value, innovation, and a positive global impact. Press Contact:

Skye Cornell

Marketing

+6582034146

[email protected] Source: London Daily News 40 Under 40 Series View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aly-madhavji-celebrated-in-london-daily-news-40-under-40-for-revolutionizing-the-blockchain-space-301932976.html SOURCE Blockchain Founders Fund

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023]

Sophos Again Named Customers' Choice for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) in the Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer Report

OXFORD, United Kingdom, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sophos , a global leader in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, today announced it has once again been named a Customers Choice in the Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) report. Sophos is the only vendor recognized as a Customers Choice across EPP, managed detection and response (MDR), network firewalls, and mobile threat defense.



Reflecting the breadth of Sophos endpoint market coverage, Sophos is the only vendor to be named a Customers Choice across all industry segments evaluated in the new EPP report  including Education, Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Services  with an overall customer rating of 4.8 out of 5 across 451 verified customer reviews as of June 2023. Furthermore, Sophos is also the only vendor to be named Customers Choice for the entire Education market category.

Superior endpoint protection that works for you and with you is crucial for shielding against todays innovative adversaries, who our research shows are actively exploiting security weaknesses such as unpatched vulnerabilities and compromised credentials to bypass traditional defenses, said Raja Patel, senior vice president of products and managed services at Sophos. Relentless innovation is at the heart of everything we do at Sophos, and this repeated customer recognition is validation that the multi-layered protections in Sophos Intercept X  from adaptive defenses that automatically respond to an attack to the most comprehensive anti-exploit capabilities on the market  are delivering superior security outcomes in the real-world.

Select Sophos Intercept X customer quotes from the report include:

Sophos Intercept X protects more than 300,000 organizations against advanced attacks, offering multiple layers of security for unparalleled protection against known and unknown malware and exploits. Introduced this year, Sophos industry-first Adaptive Attack Protection capability provides an automated step-up in endpoint security. Adaptive Attack Protection immediately activates heightened defenses when a hands-on-keyboard attack is detected. The unique capability dynamically adjusts protections based on threat context to stop in-progress attacks and provide defenders with valuable additional time to respond.



Sophos Intercept X is part of the Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem, which integrates Sophos portfolio of products, services and Sophos X-Ops threat intelligence for faster and more contextual and synchronized detection, protection and response. It is easily managed in the cloud-native Sophos Central platform alongside other solutions, where users can oversee installations.

Already this year, Sophos was named a Leader in the 2022 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) for the 13th consecutive time.

A complimentary copy of the Gartner Peer Insights Voice of the Customer: Endpoint Protection Platforms report is available at https://www.gartner.com/doc/reprints?id=1-2F1ML1JT&ct=230919&st=sb.

Gartner, Voice of the Customer for Endpoint Protection Platforms, By Peer Contributors, 18 September 2023.

Gartner, Voice of the Customer for Managed Detection and Response Services, By Peer Contributors, 28 July 2023.

Gartner, Voice of the Customer for Network Firewalls, By Peer Contributors, 31 May 2023.

Gartner, Voice of the Customer for Mobile Threat Defense, By Peer Contributors, 28 July 2023.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark, and the MAGIC QUADRANT and PEER INSIGHTS are trademarks and service marks, of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences with the vendors listed on the platform, should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

About Sophos

Sophos is a worldwide leader and innovator of advanced cybersecurity solutions, including Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and incident response services and a broad portfolio of endpoint, network, email, and cloud security technologies that help organizations defeat cyberattacks. As one of the largest pure-play cybersecurity providers, Sophos defends more than 500,000 organizations and more than 100 million users globally from active adversaries, ransomware, phishing, malware, and more. Sophos services and products connect through its cloud-based Sophos Central management console and are powered by Sophos X-Ops, the companys cross-domain threat intelligence unit. Sophos X-Ops intelligence optimizes the entire Sophos Adaptive Cybersecurity Ecosystem, which includes a centralized data lake that leverages a rich set of open APIs available to customers, partners, developers, and other cybersecurity and information technology vendors. Sophos provides cybersecurity-as-a-service to organizations needing fully managed, turnkey security solutions. Customers can also manage their cybersecurity directly with Sophos security operations platform or use a hybrid approach by supplementing their in-house teams with Sophos services, including threat hunting and remediation. Sophos sells through reseller partners and managed service providers (MSPs) worldwide. Sophos is headquartered in Oxford, U.K. More information is available at www.sophos.com .
[September 20, 2023] THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING TO LIGHT UP IN HOGWARTS HOUSE COLORS ON SEPTEMBER 27TH TO MARK THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST HARRY POTTER BOOK IN THE U.S. Tweet

FREE BOOKS AND BUTTERBEER ON THE 86TH FLOOR OBSERVATION DECK NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- It's been 25 years since Scholastic published J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the U.S., the first of seven in the bestselling book series of all time. To mark this milestone anniversary, at sunset on Wednesday, September 27th, The Empire State Building's world-famous Tower Lights will shine in Hogwarts House colors of Gryffindor red, Slytherin green, Hufflepuff yellow, and Ravenclaw blue. Viewers outside of New York City can watch the Empire State Building live cam. All Muggles Invited! On September 27th, Scholastic, in collaboration with the Empire State Building and Wizarding World franchise partners, will host a magical pop-up cart on the 86th Floor Observation Deck featuring free copies of the anniversary edition of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and bottled Butterbeer (courtesy of Harry Potter New York), to be given away to guests who purchase tickets to the 86th floor Observatory from 2:00 PM  5:00 PM EST* (Press preview begins at 1:00 PM EST). Guests are encouraged to dress up in their Hogwarts House attire, enjoy the iconic view, and tag photos with #HarryPotter25 for the chance to be featured on the Empire State Building, Scholastic, and Wizarding World social channels. More information about the Empire State Building and tickets can be found online. Relevant hi-res imagery can be downloaded HERE. To celebrate the book series that has created a generation of readers, Scholastic, the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, recently announced highlights of its Harry Potter 25th anniversary campaign. Harry Potter's incredible adventures have left a unique and lasting mark on popular culture with 600 million books sold worldwide, eight blockbuster films, a multi-award-winning stage play, theme parks, and many more. Warner Bros. Discovery recently announced that the Harry Potter stories would be adapted to a new TV series on MAX. This new adaptation will be authentic to the original books. For more on the impact of Harry Potter, check out "25 Harry Potter Facts or visit the Scholastic Harry Potter mediaroom.



To be informed about every Empire State Building lighting, text CONNECT to 274-16 for real time updates. About the Empire State Building

The Empire State Building, the "World's Most Famous Building," owned by Empire State Realty Trust, Inc., soars 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna. The $165 million reimagination of the Empire State Building Observatory Experience creates an all-new experience with a dedicated guest entrance, an interactive museum with nine galleries, and a redesigned 102nd Floor Observatory with floor-to-ceiling windows. The journey to the world-famous 86th Floor Observatory, the only 360-degree, open-air observatory with views of New York and beyond, orients visitors for their entire New York City experience and covers everything from the building's iconic history to its current place in pop culture. The Empire State Building Observatory Experience welcomes millions of visitors each year and was declared "America's Favorite Building" by the American Institute of Architects, the world's most popular travel destination by Uber, the #1 attraction in the US for the second year in a row in Tripadvisor's 2023 Travelers' Choice Awards: Best of the Best, and the #1 New York City attraction in Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel List. Since 2011, the building has been fully powered by renewable wind electricity, and its many floors house a diverse array of office tenants such as LinkedIn and Shutterstock, as well as retail options like STATE Grill and Bar, Tacombi, and Starbucks. For more information and Observatory Experience tickets visit esbnyc.com or follow the building's Facebook, X, Instagram, Weibo, YouTube, or TikTok.

Harry Potter New York is the world's only official Harry Potter flagship store based in the heart of New York's flatiron district. Housing hundreds of magical products, including a number of New York exclusives, as well as photo opportunities and interactive experiences, Harry Potter New York is a must-visit for Wizarding World fans. The store is also home to New York's only Butterbeer Bar serving the wizard's drink of choice, Butterbeer ice cream and a range of magical sweet treats. Harry Potter New York is part of an expanding portfolio of Warner Bros. owned Wizarding World experiences that include Warner Bros. Studio Tour London  The Making of Harry Potter, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo and Platform 9  retail shops. For more information, visit www.harrypotterstore.com. *Available while supplies last View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-empire-state-building-to-light-up-in-hogwarts-house-colors-on-september-27th-to-mark-the-25th-anniversary-of-the-first-harry-potter-book-in-the-us-301933500.html SOURCE Scholastic Inc

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Canadian-Developed AI Technology Aims to Support Early Detection of ALS Tweet

~ MNd-5 algorithm screens electronic medical records to assist physicians in identifying individuals for which follow-up investigations for ALS may be appropriate ~ TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2023 /CNW/ - Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada (MTP-CA) is proud to support the development of a new artificial intelligence (AI) program designed to analyze de-identified electronic medical records (EMRs) and identify individuals for which follow-up investigations for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or referral to a specialty centre may be clinically appropriate. Process for Progress in ALS: An EMR-based practice enhancement initiative utilizes a clinical algorithm, MNd-5, and is intended to support healthcare professionals (HCPs) in making timely decisions regarding follow-up testing or referral to a specialist. "Early diagnosis and treatment of ALS can improve outcomes, but the disease can be difficult to diagnose in its early stages. The more time that passes before diagnosis, the less opportunities exist for disease-management for someone living with ALS," said Dr. Angela Genge, Executive Director, ALS Centre of Excellence at The Neuro in Montreal. "Process for Progress in ALS is a unique advancement in AI medical technology which can help HCPs identify patients who present multiple warning signs for ALS so that they can receive expedited follow-ups, diagnoses, and treatment if needed." ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that currently has no cure and can progress rapidly.1 The disease is challenging to diagnose because symptoms of the condition can be subtle at first and no test can provide a definitive diagnosis. In Canada, it takes an average of 21 months to receive a diagnosis of ALS.2,3 The majority of people with ALS die within three years from symptom onset.2 "As a participant in the Process for Progress in ALS initiative, I believe it is a significant step forward to assist in our ability to identify ALS symptoms in the early stages and confidently refer people for further testing or to an ALS centre," said Dr. Hamza Jalal, neurologist at Oakville Valley Health, who is participating in the program. "By intervening in patients' journeys earlier in the course of their disease, we can provide access to multidisciplinary care, approved therapies or clinical trials that can slow the progression of the disease and enhance the quality of their lives." The MNd-5 algorithm* is intended for use as a clinical decision support tool to aid community neurologists in identifying individuals in which follow-up investigations for ALS or referral to a specialty centre may be clinically appropriate. It prioritizes patients for clinical review by comparing their presenting characteristics and EMG findings to a reference population of patients diagnosed with ALS, in which ALS has been ruled out and consecutive community neurology patients in which ALS and other motor neuron diseases have not previously been suspected. The algorithm is applied to electronic health records at the Toronto Data Lab of Ensho Health as a service. The service is available to approximately 80% of community neurologists through integrations with the Epic, Cerner, Accuro, OscarPro, Indivicare, Mediquest and other electronic medical record systems. "We know that time is of the essence for people living with ALS, and initiatives like Process for Progress in ALS are critical in helping to ensure a timely diagnosis for people impacted by this devastating disease," said Andy Zylak, President, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada. "We are proud to support the introduction of this important AI technology as part of our long-standing commitment to leading scientific innovation, collaborating with HCPs, and working tirelessly to meet the needs of the ALS community." The Process for Progress in ALS initiative is a collaboration between MTP-CA and the program's Steering Committee: Dr. Angela Genge, Executive Director, Clinical Research Unit at The Neuro in Montreal, Dr. Amer A. Ghavanini, Division Head of Neurology, Trillium Health Partners, and Dr. Amanda Fiander, Neurologist at Maritime Neurology. For more information on Process for Progress in ALS: An EMR-based practice enhancement initiative, please visit: https://www.alsprogress.ca. About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada, Inc.

Based in Toronto, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada, Inc. (MTP-CA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) with a goal to provide therapies for some of the most difficult-to-treat diseases, including ALS. For more information, please visit www.mt-pharma-ca.com. About Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc.

Based in Jersey City, N.J., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation (MTPC). It was established by MTPC to develop and advance our pipeline as well as commercialize approved pharmaceutical products in North America. For more information, please visit www.mt-pharma-america.com or follow us on Twitter , Facebook and LinkedIn . Media Inquiries: [email protected]







*The MNd-5 algorithm is a process for converting input parameters to a likelihood estimate. It is deployed at the Toronto, Canada data lab of Ensho Health through the MNd-5 CDL Module ("CDL Module"). The CDL Module is comprised of the MNd-5 Likelihood Estimator ("Likelihood Estimator") which encodes it in software and a graphical user interface called the MNd-5 Controller ("Controller"). The CDL Module was developed to the ISO 13485:2016 standard for medical devices in compliance with Ensho's Quality Management System. The MNd-5 CDL Module is registered as medical device software in Canada under the Medical Device Establishment License of Ensho Health (license 16208). The software that encodes the MNd-5 algorithm and applies it to EHR data is Class I medical device software in Canada developed and deployed under the Medical Device Establishment License of Ensho Health.

References: _________________________________ 1 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Fact Sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, June 2013, https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als-fact-sheet 2 Richards D, et al. Time to diagnosis and factors affecting diagnostic delay in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci. 2020;417:117054. 3 Hodgkinson VL, et al. Provincial differences in the diagnosis and care of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Can J Neurol Sci. 2018;45:652-659. SOURCE Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] The French Fries Market Is Set To Reach $18.5 Billion In 2027, Fueled By Escalating Demand For Ready-To-Eat Food - By The Business Research Company Tweet

The Business Research Company's global market reports are now updated with the latest market sizing information for the year 2023 and forecasted to 2032 LONDON, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As per The Business Research Company's French Fries Global Market Report 2023, the global french fries market is experiencing a sizzling rise, with its size projected to surge from $13.37 billion in 2022 to $14.30 billion in 2023, marking a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. This upward trend is expected to persist, propelling the market size to an impressive $18.54 billion in 2027, with a CAGR of 6.7%. A key catalyst for the french fries market growth is the surging demand for ready-to-eat products, which are redefining convenience in the culinary world. The Rise of Ready-to-Eat Ready-to-eat products have emerged as culinary superheroes, simplifying meal preparation while offering a variety of tempting options. Consumers are increasingly drawn to the convenience of ready-to-eat foods, including French fries. This trend is gaining momentum due to the unparalleled ease these products bring to the table. For instance, recent data from The Soft Copy indicates a 20% surge in sales of ready-to-eat food products, with sales jumping from 50% in 2022 to an impressive 70% in 2023. The demand for ready-to-eat products is on the rise, and French fries are at the forefront of this transformation. Learn More On The French Fries Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/french-fries-global-market-report Competitive Landscape The global french fries market exhibits concentration, with a handful of dominant players steering the course. In 2022, the top ten competitors collectively accounted for 36.73% of the total french fries market. Leading the pack was McCain Foods Limited, securing a substantial 13.85% french fries market share, followed closely by Lamb Weston Holdings Inc., Farm Frites International B.V., JR. Simplot Company, The Kraft Heinz Company, Aviko B.V., Checkers Rally's, Albert Bartlett and Sons, Agristo N.V., and Agrarfrost. The Era of Robotic Precision Innovation in food preparation is transforming the french fries landscape. Companies are increasingly adopting robots to elevate efficiency, trim labor costs, and maintain consistent food quality. Robots ensure a standardized product with every serving. For instance, in October 2022, Miso Robotics Inc., a US-based pioneer in AI-driven culinary robots, introduced the Flippy 2 robot. This innovative robot streamlines the deep-frying process for items like french fries and onions. Guided by cameras and artificial intelligence, it retrieves frozen French fries from the freezer, expertly fries them, and serves them ready-to-eat with precision, all under the watchful eye of a robotic arm.



Request A Free Sample Of The French Fries Market Report  https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/sample.aspx?id=10245&type=smp French Fries Market Segmentation

The global french fries market is segmented into: Product: Fresh, Frozen. Distribution Channel: Supermarkets and Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online, Distributors, Direct Purchase. End-Use: Food Service, Retail. Within the market segments, the frozen french fries segment stands out, poised to generate $4,376.2 million in global annual sales by 2027. Regional Dynamics In 2022, North America took the lead in the french fries market, capturing a substantial 44.8% of the total market share, followed by Western Europe and other regions. The fastest-growing regions in the french fries market are expected to be South America and the Middle East. View More Similar Market Reports: Potato Processing Global Market Report 2023 https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/potato-processing-global-market-report Potato Starch Global Market Report 2023 https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/potato-starch-global-market-report Ready Meals Global Market Report 2023 https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/ready-meals-global-market-report Interested to know more about The Business Research Company? The Business Research Company has published over 6500+ detailed industry reports, spanning over 3000+ market segments and 60 geographies. The reports draw on 1,500,000 datasets, extensive secondary research, and exclusive insights from interviews with industry leaders. The World's Most Comprehensive Database The Global Market Model, The Business Research Company's flagship product, is a market intelligence platform covering various macroeconomic indicators and metrics across 58 geographies and 27 industries. The Global Market Model covers multi-layered datasets that help its users make better strategic decisions. Contact Information

The Business Research Company

Europe: +44 207 1930 708

Asia: +91 8897263534

Americas: +1 315 623 0293

Email: [email protected]

Follow Us On:

LinkedIn: https://in.linkedin.com/company/the-business-research-company

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tbrc_info

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBusinessResearchCompany

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC24_fI0rV8cR5DxlCpgmyFQ

Blog: https://blog.tbrc.info/

Healthcare Blog: https://healthcareresearchreports.com/

Global Market Model: https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/global-market-model Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1751581/tbrc_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-french-fries-market-is-set-to-reach-18-5-billion-in-2027--fueled-by-escalating-demand-for-ready-to-eat-food--by-the-business-research-company-301933338.html

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] BRIDGE Housing Awarded $8 Million Grant from Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Tweet

BRIDGE Housing, a leading nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of affordable housing, announced today it has been awarded an $8 million donation from MacKenzie Scott's philanthropic organization, Yield Giving. The unrestricted grant will support the expansion of BRIDGE's work to deliver quality housing communities along the West Coast, which offer affordable, sustainable rents and a range of tenant services offered at no cost. These services range from on-site childcare and homework clubs to financial literacy and senior wellness programs. "We are deeply grateful to MacKenzie Scott for her generosity and her confidence in our innovative leadership in addressing the housing affordability crisis for working families on the West Coast," said Ken Lombard, BRIDGE President and CEO. "At a moment when we are widening our mandate, these resources will help us advance our mission to develop and preserve affordable housing and deliver meaningful, lasting services that enhance the quality of life for residents who live in BRIDGE communities." MacKenzie Scott has emerged as one of the nation's preeminent philanthropists in recent years, donating generously to a variety of leading nonprofit organizations that are addressing some of our most important social challenges. Scott has said that recipient organizations have strong track records of serving under-supported needs, and are selected through a rigorous evalation process.



Expanding its traditional role developing new affordable housing, BRIDGE has accelerated acquisitions of existing properties to preserve housing for low-income residents, as well as moderate earners who do not qualify for subsidized housing but often cannot afford to live close to their jobs in major metropolitan areas. In July, BRIDGE announced the acquisition of the 195-unit Eaves Daly City complex in Northern California's San Mateo County, with plans to permanently preserve the affordability of at least half of the units for households earning up to 80% of area median income. Since 1983, BRIDGE has been an innovative leader in affordable housing along the West Coast by creating strong communities, improving residents' lives, and delivering positive social impact. BRIDGE has participated in the development of more than 21,000 affordable units, with a total development cost of $5.2 billion; currently has a portfolio of 13,000 apartments that are home to 30,000 people; and has more than 8,000 units in its development pipeline across California, Oregon, and Washington. BRIDGE has long sustained its operations through strong financial returns, and along with philanthropic grants, the nonprofit has forged creative partnerships with private- and public-sector financial institutions.

"MacKenzie Scott is profoundly committed to social justice and ensuring access to safe, stable and affordable housing," Lombard said. "BRIDGE is motivated by those same values, and we are honored to be included in her vision for a healthier and more equitable society." About BRIDGE Housing BRIDGE Housing's mission is to strengthen communities and improve the lives of residents, beginning--but not ending--with affordable housing. A leading nonprofit developer and owner of affordable housing, BRIDGE creates and manages a range of high-quality, affordable homes for families and seniors in California, Oregon, and Washington. Since it was founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the development of more than 21,000 homes. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920688012/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
BRUSSELS, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The opening of an exhibition on Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage and a traditional Chinese music concert kicked off the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival at the China Cultural Center in Brussels on Tuesday evening.

The event was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Belgium, Cao Zhongming, along with prestigious Belgian and European guests and a delegation of artists from various disciplines from the city of Shanghai.

The festival "symbolizes people's aspiration for reunion, harmony and a better life," and is "one of the most important traditional festivals for the Chinese nation," the ambassador said.

The Shanghai intangible cultural heritage exhibition brought together 50 works from more than 10 projects at national, municipal and district levels.

These works, which included paper-cuttings, realistic stone carvings, home dyeing and weaving techniques, paper carvings, and gold and color drawings, enabled guests to appreciate the know-how and skills of Chinese craftspeople.

"It was a nice surprise. There are things I didn't know, it's fantastic, it's impressive," Honore Petter Jon, a Belgian who took part in the event, said.

Another highlight of the evening was a traditional music concert performed by Shanghai's Qingyun Jiangnan String-and-Pipe Music and Belgian musician Johan Famaey, who composed multiple titles, such as "Moon," "Dreamer," "Dream Flight," or "Snow River," mixing Chinese folk music and Western symphony.

"At this concert, I presented a suite titled 'Chang'e Soars to the Moon', which is centered around the theme of the Mid-Autumn Festival. This composition tells the story of the reunion between the Chinese Moon Goddess Chang'e and her beloved. Towards the end of the concert, I had an incredible opportunity to perform traditional Chinese music alongside musicians from Shanghai. It was an amazing experience," Famaey told Xinhua.

The exhibition on Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage will run until November 2023 at the China Cultural Center in Brussels. 
[September 20, 2023] GoNetspeed Launches Construction to Deploy 100% Fiber Internet to East Hartford Tweet

GoNetspeed today announced that construction has officially begun to deploy access to high-speed, 100% fiber internet throughout East Hartford. With GoNetspeed's fully funded $2.7 million investment in East Hartford, many residents and businesses will soon have the opportunity to experience fast, reliable internet and voice service for their home or business, free of taxpayer dollars. As construction expands throughout East Hartford, GoNetspeed expects the first customers to be eligible for service installation in the coming months. Construction is expected to be completed by this winter when more than 6,700 homes and businesses throughout East Hartford will have the opportunity to experience GoNetspeed's symmetrical fiber internet speeds, allowing customers to upload just as fast as they download. Residents and businesses interested may visit gonetspeed.com to sign up for priority installation once service is available in their area. "East Hartford is pleased to see GoNetspeed making progress to bring service to our community," said East Hartford Mayor Mike Walsh. "Through GoNetspeed's investment in East Hartford, we will be equipped with service that will support our continued growth, allowing us to find new opportunities to thrive as acommunity."



"GoNetspeed has received such a wonderful response in the communities we serve in Connecticut, and we are thrilled to begin making progress in East Hartford," said Tom Perrone, GoNetspeed Chief Operations Officer. "As we build our network, East Hartford is nearing a point where they will have access to high-speed internet that will adapt to the constantly increasing need for more broadband. We are proud to serve East Hartford and look forward to continuing to increase our growing presence in Connecticut." GoNetspeed continues to ensure that more communities throughout Connecticut have access to a high-speed 100% fiber internet infrastructure. Currently, more than 30 communities across the state have access to GoNetspeed's service, along with many communities that are well on their way to having access to GoNetspeed's fiber internet.

With a legacy of innovation and a commitment to customer service, GoNetspeed is excited to accelerate the expansion of its fiber networks throughout nine states, including Connecticut. GoNetspeed continues to deliver more fiber, more access, more speed, and better reliability to residents and businesses throughout our footprint. With access to 100% fiber internet, customers have access to symmetrical upload and download speeds, ranging from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps). Learn more about GoNetspeed at gonetspeed.com. About GoNetspeed: GoNetspeed, a high-speed fiber internet provider, serving residential and business customers in Maine, Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia, formed a partnership with Oak Hill Capital ("Oak Hill") in January 2021, allowing GoNetspeed to accelerate the expansion of its fiber network throughout the Northeastern U.S. Adding thousands of new service areas every year, GoNetspeed is one of the largest independent internet providers in the east. For more information about GoNetspeed, or to inquire about service in your residence, business or community, visit gonetspeed.com. ### View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920943130/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Page Removed Tweet

Due to administrative reasons, the content of this page has been removed and is no longer available.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Significant Support for Aplantex From the Quebec Government, Investissement Quebec and Canada Economic Development Tweet

Mr. Patrick Charest, B.Sc, P.Eng, CEO of Aplantex is pleased to acknowledge the significant support of the Quebec government, Investissement Quebec and Canada Economic Development for its innovative and proprietary process and solid business plan, with combined support totalling $500,000. "Together with the funds raised in the first round of financing, and with the research and production laboratory already operational, this support will contribute to the ongoing implementation of the first production line, as well as to further planning for large-scale commercial production," says Mr. Charest. "Aplantex is now moving from research to commercialization, which is exactly what our government is doing for innovative Quebec companies. The biotechnology it is developing will help reduce the environmental footprint of the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and agri-food sectors," emphasizes Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Energy, Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Greater Montreal Area. "By following the principles of the circular economy, Aplantex is making the winning choice of relying on ecoresponsible production to foster its growth. We are proud to support a company like his one, which shares our government's commitment to the sustainable development of Monteregie and all of Quebec," adds Suzanne Roy, Minister of Family and Minister responsible for the Monteregie region.



"By supporting Aplantex, our team is proud to contribute to the sustainable economic development of the Monteregie region, in addition to promoting our expertise in the biopharmaceutical, cosmetics and agri-food industries worldwide. By rethinking the way we produce and consume, particularly by promoting the circular economy and adopting clean technologies, we can build a greener, more prosperous Quebec," says Guy LeBlanc, President and CEO of Investissement Quebec. "The interest of companies whose products contribute to the well-being of people in terms of health, beauty and nutrition is real. Thanks to Aplantex, they are able to simplify their supply chain sustainably, obtain inputs at a cost that is competitive with other production methods, while working in accordance with the principles of environmental and social governance," concludes Mr. Charest.

ABOUT APLANTEX The Aplantex scientific team has developed a unique process to produce certified high-value molecules that enjoy strong demand from major players in many industries. The core of this green biotechnology process for efficient and sustainable phytochemistry consists of the continuous production in a controlled environment of biomass originating from photosynthetic plant replicators. This abundant biomass is dried and the extraction, fragmentation, and purification stages allow the separation of the specific molecules essential to the production of popular products in the health, beauty, and food industries. The photosynthetic plant replicators can store up to 40% of their dry weight of atmospheric CO 2 and, in Quebec, can be grown year-round in a controlled environment using sustainable hydroelectric power. With its eco-friendly process, Aplantex is thus a preferred supplier for any company looking to comply with ESG criteria. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920207389/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Together for the Future: Multinational Executives on China Tweet

BEIJING, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- From April to September 2023, the "Multinational Executives on China" series of international exchanges was held by China Centre for International Communication Development in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Chongqing Municipality. 30 executives from 20 well-known multinational enterprises visited leading local enterprises and industrial parks and engaged in dialogues with Chinese entrepreneurs and governments. The executives of multinational enterprises have learned more about China's economic evelopment and high-level opening-up policies through visits and exchanges.





https://youtu.be/zjIa46hkuE4 Source: China Centre for International Communication Development, CICG View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/together-for-the-future-multinational-executives-on-china-301933665.html SOURCE China Center for International Communication Development,CICG

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Surge in international demand spurs GITEX GLOBAL, Expand North Star to take over the city of Dubai at two mega venues Tweet

World's largest tech and start-up event spearheads global tech takeover at Dubai World Trade Centre and Dubai Harbour Blockbuster duo to accelerate the epic race for AI dominance in the year to imagine AI in everything DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The surge in international demand has rallied the world's largest tech and start-up event to scale even higher and bigger in 2023, spearheading a global tech takeover across two Dubai mega venues next month. The 43rd edition of GITEX GLOBAL will take place from 16-20 October 2023, the blockbuster tech showpiece once again reaching full capacity at the Dubai World Trade Centre as it prepares to host more than 6,000 exhibitors, while Expand North Star, the world's largest start-up event hosted by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, will kick-off its largest ever edition from 15-18 October 2023 at the new Dubai Harbour venue, featuring 1,800 start-ups from 100-plus countries at the Middle East's biggest iconic superyacht hub. GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star will comprise a combined 41 halls spanning 2.7 million sq. ft of exhibition space  a 35 percent increase over the previous year  converging the best minds and most visionary companies to scrutinise, challenge, define, and empower the digital agendas of the world. AI innovation wave, cybersecurity and launch shows fuel unprecedented growth GITEX GLOBAL will present the year's largest AI showcase and summit, its record growth fuelled by the AI innovation wave currently gripping the globe's imagination, as 3,500 AI-infused exhibitors reveal how this next big technology shift is transforming lives, governments, business, and society. The AI boom has also added another layer of complexity to protecting digital assets and critical IP infrastructure, with the elevated GITEX Cyber Valley taking the fight directly to the dark cyber-criminal underworld, gathering leading info-sec brands and global experts at the year's biggest cyber security showcase. Amplifying this growth, launch shows GITEX Impact and Future Urbanism Expo promise to be the epicentre of ground-shaking shifts in climate technology, while advancing sustainable cities, and co-creating a net zero future ahead of the UN climate change summit, COP28. "The intense demand for involvement in GITEX from the global tech and start-up community is an acknowledgment of the strong impetus to learn, exchange, debate and challenge the recent developments in the tech sphere," said Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of Events Mnagement at DWTC, the organiser of GITEX GLOBAL and Expand North Star.



"From AI, cyber to the mounting interest in clean tech, GITEX converges public and private sector leaders from more than 170 countries to explore the new unknown paradigms of the future digital economy." Expand North Star propels Dubai to forefront of global entrepreneurship economy

Expand North Star hosted by the Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy will scale to a record size in 2023, featuring 1,800 start-ups this year to connect, inspire, and extend engagements in one of the world's most innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystems. More than 1,000 investors from 70 countries with $1 trillion under management will also converge at the new Dubai Harbour venue, as they look to ramp up the momentum in start-up investment after a year of tepid achievements. Saeed Al Gergawi, Vice President of Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, said: "Expand North Star is set to drive the next era of digital entrepreneurship and inspire the next generation of innovators and thinkers. "This landmark event will serve as a strategic catalyst to expand the future of Dubai's digital economy, creating an unrivalled platform to gather key stakeholders from the global start-up community here in the emirate." Elevating the global tech ecosystem, redefining entire industries GITEX GLOBAL 2023 welcomes the biggest tech names delving into the latest trends, risks, challenges, and opportunities that are redefining entire industries, spearheaded by returning titans including Dell Technologies, e&, Google, Huawei, HP, IBM, Microsoft, and Tonomus. Among the debut exhibitors supercharging their international growth strategies and forging new connections are Salesforce, Broadcom, Beyon, and Deloitte. Steven Yi, President of Huawei Middle East & Central Asia said: "At Huawei, GITEX GLOBAL continues to hold great importance to our business year after year. This year, our theme, 'Accelerate Intelligence,' demonstrates our commitment to delve into the transformative power of AI, networks, and cloud technologies. "Together, we will explore how these converging forces are reshaping our world and how we can unleash the full capabilities of AI-powered solutions to reshape industries worldwide with cyber security, privacy protection and safeguarding our customer's digital transformation journey remaining our top priorities." More information is available at www.gitex.com and www.expandnorthstar.com Register as press here Website: www.gitex.com On social media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Youtube Hashtag:

#GITEXGLOBAL #Expandnorthstar Media Contact:

Gareth Wright  PR Director

Tel.: + 971 50 273 3832

[email protected] Tayce Marchesi  PR Executive

Tel.: + 971 58 552 3994

[email protected] PR Agency, ASDA'A BCW

Tel.: + 971 55 648 7197

[email protected] About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC): A global business facilitator since 1979, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) is home to region's leading purpose-built convention and exhibition centre. DWTC provides a platform for connecting people, products, innovation and ideas from around the world through a dynamic calendar of international trade exhibitions and its own roster of sector leading mega events. As a designated free zone, complemented by award-winning commercial real estate, DWTC plays an integral role in Dubai and the region's growth story with an estimated total economic output of AED 200 Billion, attracting over 30 Million business visitors to Dubai over the past four decades. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216314/GITEX_Global.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2216315/GITEX_Global_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/surge-in-international-demand-spurs-gitex-global-expand-north-star-to-take-over-the-city-of-dubai-at-two-mega-venues-301933677.html SOURCE Gitex Global

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Standard Chartered US named to Newsweek's list of The Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces for 2023 Tweet

Standard Chartered United States (the "Bank") is honored to announce that it has been recognized once again in Newsweek's Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces list. The results were determined after surveying more than 1.4 million employees from businesses with workforces varying in size from 50 to more than 10,000. The list recognizes companies that have created a workplace where employees feel respected, inspired, and appreciated and are at the center of the business model. The 2023 Top 100 Most Loved Workplaces are the result of a collaboration with the Best Practice Institute (BPI), a leadership development and benchmark research company. "I'm immensely proud of our team for achieving this prestigious recognition for the second consecutive year," said Steven Cranwell, Chief Executive Officer and Regional Head of Client Coverage, Standard Chartered Americas. "This honor reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where engagement and dedication form the foundation of our workplace. It's an affirmation of our incredible employees who genuinely make this organization a place where passion meets purpose, diversity is ingrained, and success is celebrated." "With the dynamic workforce and competition for top talent, more companies are recognizing the importance of employee engagement and commitment", said Nancy Cooper, Global Editor in Chief, Newsweek. "The workplaces that have demonstrated a commitment to their employees in 2023 are more likely to attract top talent and deliver strong business outcomes." "Attracting and retaining top talent continues to be a challenge and top priority of executive leadership" said Louis Carter, CEO, Best Practice Institute. "The companies on this list have committed to listening intently to their employees and then creating a better workplace where employees love to come to work." Standard Chartered US is also named among Seramount's Best Companies for Multicultural Women and Top 75 Company for Executive Women, one of America's 50 Most Community-Minded Companies by The Civic 50, and a Great Place to Work-Certified organization. Visit our Careers page if you are interested to learn more about a work environment where you can make an impact and advance your skills and abilities.



About Standard Chartered We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world's most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Our history in the US dates back to 1902, and we are currently present in nine locations throughout the Americas. Our Americas franchise focuses on financial institutions and select corporations and plays a key role in facilitating trade and investment flows between the Americas and Asia, Africa, the UK and Europe and the Middle East. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. About Newsweek Newsweek is the modern global digital news organization built around the iconic, over 85-year-old American magazine. Newsweek reaches 100 million people each month with its thought-provoking news, opinion, images, graphics, and video delivered across a dozen print and digital platforms. Headquartered in New York City, Newsweek also publishes international editions in EMEA and Asia. About Best Practice Institute Best Practice Institute is an award-winning leadership and organization development center, benchmark research company, think tank, and solutions provider. BPI is the certifying body for Most Loved Workplace and conducted the original research to create the model and criteria for becoming a Most Loved Workplace. BPI's research proves that Most Loved Workplaces produce 3-4 times better customer service, employee performance, and retention than companies not loved by their employees. For more information on how to apply to become a certified Most Loved Workplace in 2024, go to: http://www.mostlovedworkplace.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920944004/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Endurance Advisory Partners Expands its Advisory Board with the Addition of Roger Beverage Tweet

Endurance Advisory Partners, a top provider of advisory services to financial institutions, today announced that it named Roger Beverage to its advisory board. Roger will serve a pivotal role and advise Endurance as it expands the business with a focus on helping financial institutions in the areas of strategic initiatives, risk, technology and operational insights to thrive in the competitive market of banking. Beverage previously served as the President and CEO of the Oklahoma Bankers Association for 33 years. A U.S. Army Veteran, he served a tour of active duty and in the Army Reserves, where he was honorably discharged as a captain. "This year, we have seen a dramatic shift in the industry as it continues to react and adjust to rapidly rising rates, tightening liquidity, heightened operational risk and increased regulatory scrutny," said Endurance Advisory Partner's Founder and CEO, Stephen Curry. "Roger's extensive banking knowledge will be an asset to our clients."



Beverage earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctorate with distinction from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Beverage is also the founder and operator of Beverage Law PLLC, and previously served as the director of the Department of Banking and Finance of the state of Nebraska. "In challenging markets with extensive regulatory demands, Endurance Advisory Partners' work is critical," said Beverage. "I look forward to joining this group of seasoned professionals as they help guide financial institutions toward success."

About Endurance Advisory Partners Founded in 2009, Endurance Advisory Partners has an extensive track record of providing strategic solutions and execution resources to regional and community financial institutions and investors nationwide. Endurance achieves results by leveraging a deep understanding of financial services, regulatory, technology, risk management, corporate finance, and financial markets to help clients develop and execute strategies. Our firm has successfully guided over 70 banks, boards, and investor groups through the execution of complex or operationally challenging strategies and successfully addressing regulatory actions. Our services are highly competitive with the top consulting firms, as we focus on establishing long-term relationships based on successful execution, instead of task-oriented projects. Learn more at www.enduranceadvisory.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920730665/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Grossman Marketing Group Acquires Florida Gulf Coast Company, Links Marketing Group Tweet

Grossman Marketing Group, a nationally recognized, fourth-generation promotional products, printing, graphic design, e-commerce, and distribution company, announced the acquisition of Sarasota, Florida-based Links Marketing Group. Founded in 1996 by Kent Kleist, Links Marketing Group has served a diverse portfolio of clients that includes multiple national charities along with PGA, LPGA, and Senior PGA Tour events, insurance companies, prominent retail brands, and more. With this acquisition, Grossman Marketing Group will be expanding their internal service offerings along with their geographic footprint as they now offer expanded services to clientele in the Southeast. "At this point in my career, I'm ready to transition into retirement, but also want to put my clients in the hands of successful experts," said Kent Kleist, Founder of Links Marketing Group. "I have known the team at Grossman Marketing Group for years and through heir constant dedication and relationship-building skills, I feel confident in passing the torch to this strong organization, knowing they'll provide my tenured clients with top-notch services."



The acquisition of Links Marketing Group means far more than yet another business venture. It's about celebrating the legacy of Kent Kleist and his decades of services to such notable organizations. "We are honored to carry forward the trust and reputation he has built, and we are excited to continue delivering exceptional marketing solutions to our expanded client base in the growing Florida market," said Ben Grossman, Co-President of Grossman Marketing Group. "Over the coming weeks, we will work diligently to ensure a smooth transition for the Links client base. Together, we will leverage our collective expertise and resources to take our company to new heights."

Grossman Marketing Group's clients include the Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Mass General Brigham, athenahealth, Novocure, Columbia University, Harvard University, Tufts University, Hewlett-Packard, John Hancock, L.L. Bean, Zipcar, CVS, and the International Academy of Arts and Sciences (Emmy Awards), among many others. About Grossman Marketing Group Grossman Marketing Group, a fourth-generation family-owned and operated business, is a full-service provider of marketing materials and solutions to customers in fields as varied as financial services, law, biotechnology, education, and the arts. Since 1910, they have partnered with their clients to ensure that their multi-channel marketing and communications campaigns are well-developed and flawlessly executed. For more information, please visit www.grossmanmarketing.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920659193/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Alliant Insurance Services Celebrates National Construction Appreciation Week with Building America Campaign Tweet

During National Construction Appreciation Week, September 18-22, Alliant Insurance Services has launched a Building America campaign to thank its contractor clients and highlight projects from leading builders, contractors and construction companies that are positively impacting communities. "We are proud to showcase the work of our clients, who represent some of the country's leading construction comanies, and highlight the projects that are shaping communities across the nation," said Matt Walsh, Managing Director, Alliant Construction.



National Construction Appreciation Week is the third week in September and recognizes the more than 11 million construction industry workers who contribute to the development of America's infrastructure and facilities. Walsh adds, "This week is also an opportunity to draw awareness for the diverse career paths and possibilities within the construction industry. By promoting the impact that construction has on peoples' lives every day, we can help lay a foundation for young professionals to choose a rewarding career in construction."

About Alliant Insurance Services Alliant Insurance Services is one of the nation's leading distributors of diversified insurance products and services. We operate through a network of specialized national platforms and local offices to offer our clients a comprehensive portfolio of solutions built on innovative thinking and personal service. The business of managing risk is getting more complex, and Alliant is meeting this complexity head-on, not with more layers of management, but with more creativity and agility. Alliant is changing the way our clients approach risk management and benefits, so they can capitalize on new opportunities to grow and protect their organizations. Visit us at alliant.com. #TheMoreRewardingWay View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920954548/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Cyber Insurance Claims Frequency and Severity Both Increased For Businesses in 1H 2023, Coalition Report Finds Tweet

Coalition, the world's first Active Insurance provider designed to prevent digital risk before it strikes, today released its 2023 Cyber Claims Report: Mid-year Update, which details the evolution of cyber trends during the first half of 2023. In the face of surging attacks, Coalition's claims data showed a 12% increase in cyber claims over the first six months of the year, driven by the notable spikes in ransomware and funds transfer fraud (FTF). The Mid-year Update found that both claims frequency and severity rose for businesses in early 2023 across all revenue bands. Companies with over $100 million in revenue saw the largest increase (20%) in the number of claims as well as more substantial losses from attacks - with a 72% increase in claims severity from 2H 2022. "The cyber threat landscape has become more volatile, and, as a result, we've seen claims become more severe and more common than ever," said Chris Hendricks, Head of Coalition Incident Response. "To help prevent these costly and disruptive incidents, organizations need to take an active role in improving their security defenses and make risk management a top priority. Fortunately, they don't need to do this alone: with partners like Coalition, organizations can receive support before, during, and after an incident." Coalition's report also saw a resounding increase in ransomware claims frequency in 1H 2023, which grew by 27% from 2H 2022. Claims severity also reached a record high, increasing 61% from the previous half and 117% over last year. Moreover, cybercriminals increased their demands: the average ransom demand was $1.62 million, a 47% increase over the previous six months and a 74% increase over the past year. Through Coalition's Active Cyber Insurance, the company also recovered an unprecedented $23 million instolen funds - all of which went directly back to policyholders. Notably, Coalition's total FTF recovery amount was nearly three times greater than 2H 2022. The average recovery amount was $612,000 per FTF claim, representing 79% of all FTF losses in instances where recovery was possible.



Other key findings from the report include: FTF claims frequency increased by 15% in 1H 2023, and FTF severity increased by 39% to an average loss of more than $297,000.

This half, Coalition negotiated ransomware payments down to an average of 44% of the initial amount demanded.

Businesses using Google Workspace for email were markedly more secure than those using Microsoft Office 365 (M365) and on-premises Microsoft Exchange. M365 users were more than twice as likely to experience a claim compared to Google Workspace users. On-premises Microsoft Exchange users were nearly three times more likely to experience a claim than businesses using Google Workspace.

Overall, companies using Google Workspace experienced a 25% risk reduction for FTF or BEC claims and a 10% risk reduction for ransomware claims. This report aggregates claims and incident data from the first half of 2023, including the highest-profile claim events and cyber attacks that continue to pose risks to all businesses. By performing billions of security scans across the public internet, sending thousands of critical security alerts, and investigating cyber incidents, Coalition creates a picture of the industry landscape that helps organizations understand their cyber risk better.

Download the full 2023 Cyber Claims Report: Mid-year Update from Coalition to learn more: https://info.coalitioninc.com/download-2023-cyber-claims-report-mid-year-update.html. About Coalition Coalition is the world's first Active Insurance provider designed to help prevent digital risk before it strikes. By combining comprehensive insurance coverage and cybersecurity tools, Coalition helps businesses manage and mitigate digital risks. Coalition offers its Active Insurance products in the U.S., U.K., and Canada through relationships with leading global insurers, as well as cyber capacity through its own carrier, Coalition Insurance Company. Coalition's Active Risk Platform provides automated security alerts, threat intelligence, expert guidance, and cybersecurity tools to help businesses worldwide remain resilient against cyber attacks. Headquartered in San Francisco, Coalition is a distributed company with a global workforce that collaborates digitally and in office hubs. Insurance products are offered by Coalition Insurance Solutions Inc. ("CIS"), a licensed insurance producer and surplus lines broker with its principal place of business in San Francisco, CA (Cal. license #0L76155), acting on behalf of a number of unaffiliated insurance companies and available on an admitted basis through Coalition Insurance Company ("CIC") a licensed insurance underwriter (NAIC #29530). Insurance products offered through CIS and CIC may not be available in all states. CIS may receive compensation from an insurer or other intermediary in connection with the sale of insurance. All decisions regarding any insurance products referenced herein, including approval for coverage, premium, commission, and fees, will be made solely by the insurer underwriting the insurance under the insurer's then-current criteria. All insurance products are governed by the terms, conditions, limitations, and exclusions set forth in the applicable insurance policy. Please see a copy of your policy for the full terms, conditions, and exclusions. Copyright  2023. All rights reserved. Coalition and the Coalition logo are trademarks of Coalition, Inc. or its affiliates. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920444160/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
HEFEI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A total of 587 investment projects worth 342.5 billion yuan (about 47.75 billion U.S. dollars) have been signed at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention, which kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, according to the organizer.

Projects in the manufacturing sector accounted for around 90 percent of the total to reach 534, with an investment volume totaling 306 billion yuan.

Covering an area of 80,000 square meters, the five-day event will highlight smart manufacturing, and will feature an opening ceremony, exhibitions, summits, and forums.

Held since 2018, the World Manufacturing Convention has attracted over 14,800 participants to date, injecting new momentum into global manufacturing development. 
[September 20, 2023] National Geographic to Commemorate 60th Anniversary of Former President John F. Kennedy's Assassination With 2nd Installment of the Emmy Award-Winning ONE DAY IN AMERICA Franchise With JFK: ONE DAY IN AMERICA Tweet

To commemorate six decades since the assassination of former President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Emmy Award-winning, critically acclaimed franchise ONE DAY IN AMERICA returns with its second installment, JFK: ONE DAY IN AMERICA. The three-part series produces a comprehensive account of that tragic moment in American history and the ripples that followed. The limited series premieres Nov. 5 at 8/7c on National Geographic with three back-to-back episodes and streams on Disney+ and Hulu on Nov. 6. From Emmy Award-winning 72 Films' David Glover along with Academy Award-winning filmmakers Dan Lindsay and T.J. Martin, the series is made in official collaboration with The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas. With exclusive permission to colorize the museum's news footage archives for the first time, the landmark docu-series weaves archival footage with key testimony from some of the last surviving witnesses to create an immersive, minute-by-minute examination of that pivotal day that forever changed American history. JFK: ONE DAY IN AMERICA features newly colorized footage and testimony from those on the ground in Dallas that day, some of whom are sharing their stories for the first time in a documentary. The newly colorized footage includes that of Lee Harvey Oswald when he is in police custody and when he is shot while being transferred to the county jail. Contributors sharing their emotional testimony for the first time in a documentary include Peggy Simpson, the only female Associated Press reporter working in Texas in 1963 and an eyewitness to Oswald's shooting; Rusty Robbins, a Dallas police officer who knew Jack Ruby, the man who murdered Oswald; and Bill Mercer, a local reporter for KRLD who was the first to inform suspect Oswald that he had been charged with the president's murder. For the series to serve as a comprehensive oral history, National Geographic also interviewed Clint Hill, a United States Secret Service agent assigned to Jackie Kennedy, who famously jumped onto the moving car and tried to help the First Lady after shots were fired; Secret Service agent Paul Landis, who was on his first-ever presidential motorcade during the incident; White House correspondent Sid Davis, who was in the room at Lyndon B. Johnson's swearing-in on-board Air Force One shortly after the assassination; Buell Frazier, who drove Oswald to work that morning at the Texas School Book Depository; Dallas shoe store worker John Brewer, who helped law enforcement find Lee Harvey Oswald; Ruth Paine, a friend of Oswald's wife, Marina, who lived with her at the time of the assassination; and the closest living civilian witnesses to the shooting, Gayle and Bill Newman. Throughout the three episodes, viewers will also hear police radio recordings from on the ground on Nov. 22, 1963, as law enforcement searched for the shooter. This includes dispatch recordings from the moment Dallas Police Officer J.D. Tippit was shot to the search around the Texas Theater when Oswald was soon arrested. Additionally, live news broadcasts are featured over the course of each episode, echoing the fear, confusion and sadness that quickly swept the country in the wake of former President Kennedy and Officer Tippit's deaths. "JFK: ONE DAY IN AMERICA offers audiences a unique chance to hear from some of the last surviving witnesses of the momentous events of November 22, 1963," said Tom McDonald, EVP of Global Factual and Unscripted Content, National Geographic. "Many of these witnesses are now in their 80s and 90s, so this may be the final chance to capture their accounts and hear their testimony. National Geographic aspires to be a brand of record for historic events - the interviews featured in the series are a unique body of work whichshed fresh light on what it felt like to be caught up in the events of that day."



The series chronicles in real-time not only the day JFK was assassinated but also the days surrounding it, including Nov. 22, when he arrived in Dallas; Nov. 24, when Oswald was shot; and JFK's funeral on Nov. 25. The three episodes include:

Assassination

Premieres at 8/7c on National Geographic

President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie, traveled to Texas with an eye on the 1964 elections, along with a team of secret service agents. During a motorcade in downtown Dallas, JFK is brutally shot in broad daylight and later tragically pronounced dead at Parkland Hospital with his grieving wife in the next room. America changes forever.

Manhunt

Premieres at 9/8c on National Geographic

The race is on to track down JFK's killer, but before he is arrested, the assassin kills again. Meanwhile, Jackie Kennedy boards Air Force One to return JFK's body to Washington. Still wearing her bloodstained dress, she witnesses LBJ sworn in as president. As the net closes around suspected killer Lee Harvey Oswald, his co-workers and family face interrogation.





The race is on to track down JFK's killer, but before he is arrested, the assassin kills again. Meanwhile, Jackie Kennedy boards Air Force One to return JFK's body to Washington. Still wearing her bloodstained dress, she witnesses LBJ sworn in as president. As the net closes around suspected killer Lee Harvey Oswald, his co-workers and family face interrogation. Revenge

Premieres at 10/9c on National Geographic

President Kennedy's body arrives back in Washington, and a grieving Jackie Kennedy leads the funeral march to honor him. In Dallas, Lee Harvey Oswald is charged with JFK's murder, but the world is shocked again when Oswald himself is shot dead while still in police custody by nightclub owner Jack Ruby. With Oswald dead, there is no reckoning, and America will never be the same. "This series is for all generations - those who remember staring at their television in disbelief in 1963 and those less familiar with former President John F. Kennedy and his assassination," said David Glover, executive producer for 72 Films. "By bringing history to life through this unbelievable real-time footage and firsthand stories from those who lived this tragedy, our hope is for viewers to experience this moment that changed the course of U.S. history and better understand its impact." "Revisiting these tragic but impactful events in great detail is a privilege but always a challenge as we work to convey not just the historical impact, but most importantly, the human experience," said executive producers T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay. "We are incredibly grateful to those who shared their intimate and emotional stories from that day in the series and couldn't think of a better partner to handle with such care than National Geographic. Thank you to our friends at 72 Films for helping to create this essential time capsule and to The Sixth Floor Museum for such in-depth access to its incredible archive." JFK: ONE DAY IN AMERICA is the second installment of National Geographic's Emmy-winning ONE DAY IN AMERICA franchise, which retells crucial moments in U.S. history minute-by-minute using only exclusive archival footage and first-person testimony from those who were there. The first installment, 9/11: ONE DAY IN AMERICA, won an Emmy for Outstanding Historical Documentary in 2022. JFK: ONE DAY IN AMERICA is produced by 72 Films for National Geographic. For 72 Films, David Glover is executive producer, and Ella Wright is series director. Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin executive-produced the series. For National Geographic, Carolyn Payne is executive producer, and Tom McDonald is executive vice president, Global Factual and Unscripted Content. Trailer Here: https://youtu.be/0QB9fmz8loc # # # About National Geographic Content Award-winning and critically acclaimed National Geographic Content, part of a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society, creates and delivers riveting stories and experiences in natural history, science, adventure and exploration. Inspiring a deeper connection to the world, the content studio reaches 300 million people worldwide in 180 countries and 33 languages across the global National Geographic channels (National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo MUNDO), National Geographic Documentary Films, and direct-to-consumer platforms Disney+ and Hulu. Its diverse content includes Emmy Award-winning franchise Genius, series Life Below Zero and Secrets of the Whales, and Oscar- and BAFTA award-winning film Free Solo. In 2022, National Geographic Content was awarded eight News and Documentary Emmys, in addition to Life Below Zero's Emmy win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Reality Program, its sixth Emmy overall. For more information, visit natgeotv.com or nationalgeographic.com, or follow Nat Geo on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920912040/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Leaders to Examine Health Care's Technological Tipping Point: Northwell Health Hosts Sixth Annual Constellation Forum in NYC Tweet

Health care is approaching a scientific and technological tipping point, poised to cross into an age of artificial intelligence (AI) and supercomputing. To explore how science, technology, culture and society are converging in medicine, Northwell Health, New York State's largest health system, will host its annual Constellation Forum. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920880571/en/ Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health will host the sixth annual Constellation Forum. (Credit: Northwell Health) Now in its sixth year, the virtual and in-person event will convene on October 5 in New York City starting at 9 a.m. ET. To register, visit www.ConstellationForum.com. The Forum will kick off with a fireside chat between Chelsea Clinton, DPhil, MPH, vice chair of the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Health Access Initiative, and Northwell's Chief Medical Officer, Jill Kalman, MD, to discuss the power of partnerships across communities and industries to help drive advances. Special guest moderator Katie Couric will host the discussion: "Applied Innovation: Tackling our Most Engrained Challenges," to explore how new technologies can be applied to the most common and ongoing health care challenges that have plagued humans for generations - with a spotlight on cancer. "The future of health care is now. It is important that we as health care providers, business leaders, entrepreneurs and scientists work together to embrace new technology and keep our patients' health a top priority," said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. "Every year, this Forum provides a platform for powerful conversations and collaboration to help dive innovation forward."



Hosted by Mr. Dowling, the Forum will feature insights from other industry titans, scientific leaders and innovators. The full-day event will explore navigating health care's innovation tipping point. Some of this year's notable speakers and moderators include:

Chelsea Clinton, DPhil, MPH, vice chair, The Clinton Foundation; vice chair, Clinton Health Access Initiative

Katie Couric, award-winning journalist and founder of Katie Couric Media

David A. Ricks, CEO, Eli Lilly

Geoff Martha, CEO, Medtronic

Jason Gorevic, CEO, Teledoc

Stan Bergman, Chairman & CEO, Henry Schein, Inc.

Anastasia Christianson, PhD, head of global AI & ML, Pfizer

Sam Rodriques, founder of Applied Biotech Lab, Francis Crick Institute

Eric Stahlberg, PhD, director, Cancer Data Science Initiatives, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, NCI/NIH

Justin Hotard, executive vice president and general manager of High Performance Computing, AI & Labs, HPE

Kerstin Kleese van Dam, director, Computational Science Initiative, Brookhaven National Lab

Rev. Malcolm Byrd, chief of protocol, Mother Zion

Carolee Lee, CEO & founder, WHAM (Women's Health Access Matters)

Mark Michalski, MD, chief executive officer, Ascertain

Prof. Peter Coveney, director, Centre for Computational Science, University College London

LaShonda Anderson-Williams, executive vice president & chief strategy officer, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Salesforce

Kelvin Baggett, managing director, head of patient impact and chair of the EMPIRIC Institute, Patient Square Capital

William Casey King, PhD, senior director of AI strategy for Healthcare and Life Sciences, Microsoft From groundbreaking medical devices to the use of big data to help bridge health disparities, panelists and speakers will discuss how to maximize emerging technological opportunities and manage pitfalls, all while ensuring patient-first clinical care. Some key sessions include: "The Catalyst of Innovation: The Rise of Supercomputers & AI," "Equity, Ethics and Navigating the New Frontier," and "Taking a Humanity-First Approach." To address the process of pioneering innovation, Kevin J. Tracey, MD, Northwell's executive vice president of research and president and CEO of The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, will discuss how to navigate technological advancement while keeping patients first and their care a priority. Closing the day, during a special session, Keith Thomas, a man living with quadriplegia, will share his clinical trial experience. Through a novel double neural bypass and AI technology developed by researchers, Mr. Thomas can now move his arms and feel the sense of touch. He hopes his ongoing trial participation and success will inspire others to enroll in research studies. For more information about the program and its speakers and to register your attendance, please visit: www.constellationforum.com. About Northwell Health Northwell Health is New York State's largest health care provider and private employer, with 21 hospitals, about 900 outpatient facilities and more than 12,000 affiliated physicians. We care for over two million people annually in the New York metro area and beyond, thanks to philanthropic support from our communities. Our 85,000 employees - 18,900 nurses and 4,900 employed doctors, including members of Northwell Health Physician Partners - are working to change health care for the better. We're making breakthroughs in medicine at the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. We're training the next generation of medical professionals at the visionary Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell and the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. For information on our more than 100 medical specialties, visit Northwell.edu and follow us @NorthwellHealth on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920880571/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Vurbil Delivers AI Technology to Transform Social Media Tweet

New platform delivers a disruptive approach to social media with novel features such as live video debating and video commenting DENVER, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Vurbil, the newest social media platform powered by patent pending Artificial Intelligence (AI), made its soft launch debut in app stores this week. Vurbil is the world's first social media platform that allows users to respond to posts via video commenting and engage in live debates. AI technology provides a moderated debate structure that provides users a space for conversation over confrontation. "We developed Vurbil in response to frustration about the current social media environment. Our next generation social media platform encourages users to post content, ideas and opinions while taking the conversation to a new level through live video comments and debates. Our goal is to encourge civil discourse and idea sharing within a global town square space," said Erik M. Underwood, Vurbil CEO and founder.



"There is a new kid on the block. Based on the response thus far, it's clear that people are very excited, and we look forward to evolving Vurbil's features to adapt to the changing needs of how we connect and engage through social media." Beyond live debating, Vurbil offers traditional social media features with an innovative twist that encourages engagement and accountability among users. Some of Vurbil's novel features and functionality include:

Live video commenting on Vurb posts (e.g., text, video, images, gifs, etc.)

Personalized content delivery driven by user-selected interest algorithm

User-hosted Vurbil live streams (V Live)

Encrypted direct messaging

Options to boost Vurbs, profiles or debates

User star rating capability to drive accountability, similar to Google and Yelp reviews Following a successful first round of investments that enabled the Vurbil team to develop patent pending technology, Vurbil is opening a $40M Series B round of investments to expand the team to focus on product development, growing revenue streams, marketing and much more. For media inquiries, contact us at [email protected] or (720) 287-2707. Vurbil is available for iOS, Android and web. Visit https://vurbil.com to learn more about Vurbil. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vurbil-delivers-ai-technology-to-transform-social-media-301933833.html SOURCE Vurbil, Inc.

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] AJEX Expands its Global Footprint with the Opening of a United States Office Tweet

AJEX expands into the US market, unlocking new B2B growth opportunities in E-Commerce and heavy industry

AJEX's newly launched US operations support Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, fostering economic diversification and enhancing logistics technology solutions RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AJEX Logistics Services, the Saudi-headquartered Middle East specialist in express distribution and shipping solutions, today announced its expansion into the United States market. This strategic move represents a significant milestone in the company's global initiative to foster connectivity between Saudi Arabia and the world. AJEX's presence in the U.S will serve as a pivotal element in providing seamless logistics solutions for E-Commerce brands, industrial connectivity, and global trade hub operations in Saudi Arabia. Represented in Atlanta and Dallas and serving the entire United States, AJEX will provide comprehensive ocean and air freight services for heavy weight shipments, further enhancing its offerings to meet diverse customer needs. With goods shipped to Jeddah and Dammam in Saudi Arabia, AJEX will cater to underserved markets such as automotive, besides the energy and E-commerce sectors. This expansion aligns perfectly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030. AJEX, as an active participant in this transformative plan, will play a vital role in diversifying Saudi Arabia's economy across multiple industries, enhancing solutions in logistics and supply chain management, and facilitating universal connectivity to Saudi Arabia. To spearhead this phase of growth and xpansion, AJEX has appointed John Martin as the General Manager for the United States. John Martin has an impressive career spanning 35 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his tenure with esteemed organizations such as the US Marine Corps, American Airlines, Skyway (Apple Logistics), BAX Global, Agility Logistics, and Naqel Express.



AJEX further bolsters its leadership team with the appointment of Nourhan Beyrouti as Chief Revenue Officer for US Commercial Operations. Nourhan possesses a remarkable track record in diverse sectors, including Logistics, Retail, Telecom, Real Estate, and Petrochemicals. His extensive experience across the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the GCC region will be instrumental in advancing AJEX's strategic objectives. "We are thrilled to embark on this strategic expansion into the United States, as it signifies a significant milestone for AJEX, reinforces our commitment to supporting the growth of trade between Saudi Arabia and the world," said John Martin, AJEX. "With Saudi Arabia being one of the fastest growing G20 economies, our presence in the US will play a pivotal role in facilitating seamless logistics solutions and fostering prosperous partnerships that not only strengthen our position as an industry leader but also contributes to the economic prosperity of both nations."

The establishment of AJEX's U.S operations signifies a significant milestone in the company's hypergrowth strategy. With a robust presence now in the United States, AJEX is poised to capture key market share in E-Commerce, industry, and heavy industry through a sector-by-sector win strategy. The company's relentless pursuit of excellence and commitment to customer satisfaction are core principles that will guide its operations in the United States. AJEX looks forward to forging strong partnerships and contributing to the growth of the Saudi and US economy while facilitating seamless international trade and logistics operations. With this expansion, AJEX remains steadfast in its mission to connect the world with Saudi Arabia, fostering prosperity and progress for businesses and communities alike. About AJEX Founded in 2021,?AJEX Logistics Services?is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's logistics & transportation expert. Specialized in Middle East E-commerce distribution and industrial solutions, AJEX is established in the UAE, Bahrain,?Saudi Arabia, and China. With a network of more than 40 active logistics?facilities, AJEX?offers a full suite of customer-centric solutions from express distribution, E-commerce solutions, road, ocean, airfreight, warehousing, cold chain, and healthcare solutions.?AJEX?is a joint venture between Ajlan & Bros?Holding, a?leading investment company and conglomerate in the Middle East region,?and SF Express, a leader in China Transportation and Logistics. ? View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ajex-expands-its-global-footprint-with-the-opening-of-a-united-states-office-301933856.html SOURCE AJEX

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] University of Phoenix College of Nursing Student and Graduate Honored with Nurse of the Year Award from Community Health System Tweet

University of Phoenix celebrates College of Nursing student Nou Heu and College of Nursing graduate Susan Thorn, on receiving Nurse of the Year awards from the Association for California Nursing Leaders' San Joaquin Valley Chapter. The awards highlight the exceptional dedication, skill, and compassion shown by Heu and Thorn while providing healthcare services to patients and fellow employees. The Nurse of the Year award is an annual recognition given by the nursing association. Both nurses work for Community Health System, a leading healthcare organization committed to delivering high-quality care to communities in central California. This prestigious honor celebrates nurses who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to care, along with innovative contributions to their profession. "I am incredibly honored and grateful to receive the Nurse of the Year award," shares Thorn. "I went into nursing leadership because I wanted to take care of the caretakers, and create a culture where people feel joy when they come to work. Nursing has always been my passion, and I am fortunate to be in a role where I can help empower others. This recognition further motivates me to continue making a positive difference in the lives of those I serve." Thorn, director of employee health services for CHS and a graduate of the University of Phoenix's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, has been praised for exceptional nursing leadership. According to CHS, her work touched over 10,000 caregivers' and supported employees' lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thorn has led several projects related to increasing efficiency by reducing response times within CHS Employee Health Services from several days to 24 hours. Her exceptional clinical and administrative skills, strong leadership abilities, and genuine compassion have made a profound impact on the lives of her patients and colleagues. Expressing her gratitude for the award, Heu shares, "I am deeply honored to be named Nurse of the Year. Nursing is not just a profession for me, it is a calling. Coming to work every day is a gratifying experience because I have the chance to help support my fellow healthcare workers. I fel lucky to have a great support system behind me here at Community and I'm looking forward to being here for a long time."



Heu began her healthcare career more than 20 years ago as a licensed vocational nurse and has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the nursing profession. As an RN on the Employee Health Services team at CHS for the past 16 years, Heu has helped lead efforts to use innovative technology to improve quality metrics, on-the-job efficiencies and the healthcare worker's patient experience. She was also instrumental in the integration and adoption of electronic medical record technology, which allowed for improvements in safety, compliance and operating costs. "Both Susan and Nou are exceptional leaders in their field and have provided outstanding contributions, leadership and commitment to advancing the nursing profession," said Daniel Davis, RN, senior VP, chief nursing officer at Community Health System. "They truly are superstars, and we are lucky to have their expertise in our facilities."

University of Phoenix College of Nursing Dean Raelene Brooks, Ph.D., RN, commended Heu and Thorn for their accomplishments. "We are thrilled to celebrate this remarkable honor alongside Nou Heu and Susan Thorn," she shares. "Recognition as Nurse of the Year is a testament to the dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence that we seek to foster in our students. We are proud to have played a role in their educational journey and congratulate them on this well-deserved honor. Nurse leaders influence, motivate, and inspire others to achieve through ongoing learning and development." The University of Phoenix College of Nursing recognizes that flexible and relevant educational programs are essential to prepare students for contemporary nursing practice. Nursing students with the College will encounter teaching and learning strategies that encourage progression as well as options including the availability of: Concurrent Enrollment Programs (CEP), which provide nursing students the opportunity to complete coursework towards a baccalaureate nursing degree while enrolled in a community college associate degree nursing program;

a traditional track of the Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN); and

University's master's and doctoral level nursing programs. The University's College of Nursing offers students access to faculty that possess an average of 29.6 years of professional experience. The current faculty includes four chief executive officers, two chief nursing officers and 17 Directors of Service. Learn more about the university's College of Nursing programs here. About Community Health System Community Health System has grown to include: Community Medical Centers' four hospitals, which provide the majority of Fresno County's hospital care and expertise typically found only in larger cities; Community Provider Network, our physician support division that includes Community Health Partners, a fast-growing medical foundation consisting of primary and specialty care providers; and Community Care Health, one of the region's largest HMO health plans. 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/20230920519613/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] FSi Strategies Announces New Business Development Manager Tweet

VIENNA, Va., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- FSi Strategies, a leading provider of Managed and Professional IT Services, is thrilled to announce that Chintan Patel is joining our team as Business Development Manager. Patel boasts years of experience in IT services, solutions, and sales. As Business Development Manager, he will be charged with supporting FSi's sales with an emphasis on Microsoft. Based in Dallas, Texas, Patel brings a wealth of experience coming from a position as a Digital Sales Representatie and Tech for Social Impact Account Executive at Microsoft. He was among the early recruits who joined Microsoft's dynamic digital sales team. Prior to working at Microsoft, Patel worked for IBM as a Technical Sales Executive and then as a Digital Development Representative. Patel earned his undergraduate degree in Electrical, Electronic, and Communications Engineering at Gujarat University and a Master's of Telecommunications and Network Engineering from Southern Methodist University. His experience has equipped him with a robust and adaptable knowledge of a diverse range of technologies that builds on his technical background.



"I am thrilled to be joining FSi in my role as Business Development Manager, and I can't wait to hit the ground running," said Patel. "We have a lot of forward momentum already, and I am excited to collaborate with the entire FSi Team to empower our clients to achieve their greatest potential." FSi is excited to welcome Chintan Patel to our Team.

FSi Strategies is a customer-centric Microsoft Partner providing Microsoft Managed IT and Professional Services with over 20 years of experience. As Microsoft Cloud experts, we provide strategic enterprise class Modern Workplace IT solutions that engage your employees and accelerate productivity and collaboration while optimizing your environment securely. We engage with your team to modernize your environment and ensure you are strategically leveraging modern work technologies, Microsoft Teams, and Teams Rooms. Learn more at www.fsistrategies.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fsi-strategies-announces-new-business-development-manager-301933880.html SOURCE FSi Strategies

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc., to acquire Mississippi River Bank Tweet

Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. ("MNMB") today announces the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Mississippi River Bank, a Belle Chasse, Louisiana-based community bank with approximately $128 million in total assets (as of June 30, 2023). Mississippi River Bank will continue to operate under its existing branding as a division of MNMB's wholly-owned bank subsidiary, Merchants & Marine Bank. Longtime Mississippi River Bank Chief Executive Officer Mike Bush and President / Chief Operations Officer Lisa Works will remain with the Company and will continue to lead the Mississippi River Bank division in their existing roles. "We are delighted to welcome Mississippi River Bank to our growing family of community banking brands," commented Clayton Legear, Chief Executive Officer of MNMB and Merchants & Marine Bank. "The tradition of top-level financial performance established by Mississippi River Bank's leadership, paired with their stellar record of service make them an exciting addition to our Company. We look forward to working with Mike, Lisa and the entire Mississippi River Bank team to continue serving Plaquemines Parish and the West Bank for decades to come." The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions including the approval of Mississippi River Bank's shareholders and the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed during the first quarter of 2024. Both Merchants & Marine Bank and Mississippi River Bank have earned the coveted 5-Star Rating by national rating firm Bauer Financial based on their finncial performance.



"We're looking forward to continuing the personal, relationships-based service our bank is known for while tapping into new services that we don't currently offer our clients," said Mississippi River Bank Chief Executive Officer Mike Bush. "The Merchants & Marine Bancorp team understands the value of our history, our approach, and our commitment to our communities. We're moving into the future together, doing what we do best." National Capital, LLC served as financial advisor to MNMB, and Maynard Nexsen served as the company's legal advisor. Olsen Palmer LLC served as the financial advisor to Mississippi River Bank, and Fenimore Kay Harrison served as the bank's legal advisor.

About Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc. (OTCQX: MNMB) is the parent company of Merchants & Marine Bank, a Mississippi-chartered community bank that serves the Gulf South region. Originally founded in 1899, Merchants & Marine Bank was reborn in 1932 during the middle of the worst economic disaster in the history of the United States: The Great Depression. More than nine decades later, Merchants & Marine Bank has grown from a stable community bank to a strong and growing family of community banking brands. The bank offers mortgage financing through its Canvas Mortgage division, medical cannabis banking through its CannaFirst Financial division, and access to government-guaranteed credit through Voyager Lending. For more information on Merchants & Marine Bancorp, Inc., visit https://mandmbank.com/investor-relations. About Mississippi River Bank Mississippi River Bank was founded in 1980 and serves the parishes of Plaquemines, Orleans, and Jefferson through their commitment to personal, friendly, and efficient banking services. A financial institution with approximately $127.7 million in total assets as of June 30, 2023, Mississippi River Bank is headquartered in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, with an additional branch office in Port Sulphur, Louisiana. For more information, visit mississippiriverbank.net. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920011109/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] CS DISCO SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors With Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against CS Disco, Inc. - LAW Tweet

Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until November 20, 2023 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against CS Disco, Inc. (NYSE: LAW), if they purchased the Company's shares between July 21, 2021, and August 11, 2022, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. What You May Do If you purchased shares of CS Disco and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ([email protected]), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-law/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by November 20, 2023.



About the Lawsuit CS Disco and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.

On August 11, 2022, the Company released disappointing financial results for the second quarter of 2022, disclosing that revenue growth had decelerated drastically over past quarters and that it would no longer be including in its guidance any revenues attributable to its largest customers for the entire year, shocking investors and analysts alike. On this news, shares of CS Disco plummeted $15.53 between August 11, 2022 and August 12, 2022, a drop of more than 53%. The case is Gambrill v. CS Disco, Inc., No. 1:23-cv-08270. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California, Louisiana and New Jersey. To learn more about KSF, you may visit http://ksfcounsel.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920274477/en/

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
[September 20, 2023] Gaabor Celebrates Its 2nd Anniversary Throughout the Month of September Tweet

BANGKOK, Sept. 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaabor, a leading brand in home appliances and kitchenware, is thrilled to mark its 2nd anniversary with continued success following its recent milestone campaign, "9.9 Gaabor's Birthday 2023." The campaign, which took place on various online platforms including Shopee, Lazada, TikTok, featured numerous celebrities and exclusive promotions to celebrate Gaabor's 2nd anniversary from September 9th to 11th, 2023. During this momentous campaign, Gaabor achieved remarkable sales, particularly in the kitchen appliance and vacuum cleaner categories. Notably, the brand secured the 4th position in small electrical appliance sales across the Southeast Asian region during the 9.9 campaign, according to Shopee's statistics. Building upon this resounding success, Gaabor is now poised to tailor its product offerings to meet the evolving needs of the Asian market. The brand is dedicated to expanding its presence in countries such as the Philippies, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, and Thailand, with the goal of establishing itself as a household name in these regions.



In heartfelt appreciation of the enthusiastic response from customers during the recent campaign and the entire month of September 2023, Gaabor extends its sincere thanks to all its customers who have consistently shown unwavering support and affection for its products. To further enhance the shopping experience for customers seeking high-quality, stylish, and budget-friendly electrical appliances, Gaabor is introducing an array of additional promotions. Starting with blenders and food processors priced under 300 Baht, these products come with a one-year quality guarantee and are eligible for replacement within that period. These promotions offer households the perfect opportunity to acquire essential kitchen appliances.

In addition to kitchen appliances, Gaabor also offers a range of hair dryers and styling tools, catering to the preferences of female customers in Thailand. The brand continues to excel in the market with its oil-free deep fryer, a product acclaimed for its quality and widely embraced by customers. These exclusive deals are available only during Gaabor's second-anniversary celebration, making it an opportunity not to be missed. For more information and to explore Gaabor's extensive product offerings, please visit Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@gaaborthailand

Shopee: https://shopee.co.th/gaabor_official_shop

Lazada: https://www.lazada.co.th/shop/gaabor

Facebook: GaaborThailand #GaaborxInnSarin #GaaborThailand View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/gaabor-celebrates-its-2nd-anniversary-throughout-the-month-of-september-301927882.html SOURCE Gaabor

[ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]
Local newsies are all-in with legal action against a perennial 2nd place ranked TV station based in JoCo.

Here's the latest blast . . .



Adam Orduna of Overland Park filed the lawsuit Monday in U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Kansas, against Gray Media Group Inc., which does business in Kansas City as KCTV5. Orduna is the third KCTV5 journalist to file a discrimination lawsuit against the television company in the last four months.



Previously, a chief meteorologist and former news anchor for the station claimed supervisors discriminated against them on the basis of their age and gender.



In the most recent lawsuit, Orduna, who is Black, alleges he was undermined by a similarly qualified white colleague that was given apparent authority over his schedule and work performance. He claimed the station allowed his work and reputation to be unfairly scrutinized by a colleague, whom he alleged to have a prejudice against Black people.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
BEIRUT, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Wednesday emphasized the priority of stopping all military actions in the Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon.

He also called on Palestinian factions to cooperate with Lebanese security agencies to address existing tensions, said a statement from the Lebanese Council of Ministers.

Mikati's remarks came during his meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York.

"What is happening does not serve the Palestinian cause," Mikati said, stressing that Palestinians residing in Lebanon must behave in accordance with Lebanese laws and regulations to preserve the safety of citizens.

For his part, Abbas confirmed that he had given his directives to stop fighting in Ain Al-Helweh, adhere to Lebanese laws, and coordinate with the Lebanese authorities.

Last Thursday, a ceasefire agreement was reached in the Ain Al-Helweh Palestinian camp near the southern Lebanese city of Sidon after clashes claimed about 20 lives a week earlier.

According to local media, a wave of violence started in the camp on Sept. 7, claiming about 20 lives and injuring around 150.

Between July 29 and Aug. 3, clashes between members of the Palestinian Fatah movement and Islamic activists in the camp killed at least 13 people and injured dozens of others. 
This compilation isn't any fun and features worsening crime, court cases and scary deets.

Check TKC news gathering . . .

Kansas City, Kansas police investigating homicide outside auto parts store A crime scene has been established at 47th and Parallel Avenue in KCK.

Man accused of gunning down cousin during altercation in east Kansas City A man is accused of shooting and killing his cousin during an altercation on Monday morning in Kansas City, Missouri.

Man charged in KC homicide after witnesses wrestle gun away, detain suspect: police A Kansas man is now facing charges in a deadly Kansas City shooting after police say witnesses wrestled the gun away and detained him.

'Oversight': Missouri AG's office submits missing KCPD officer's interview in Eric DeValkenaere's appeal Missouri AG Andrew Bailey said it was an "oversight" not to include a key piece of video evidence in its unusual response to former KCPD Det. Eric DeValkenaere's conviction appeal.

Clinton grandfather admits to shooting, killing 16-year-old grandson: police A Clinton, Missouri, mother witnessed her 16-year-old son Royce Osburn's death while her own father is now accused of pulling the trigger.

Independence mother's car stolen days after deadly shooting A mother of two is shot and killed in Independence and days later her Jeep is stolen out of her driveway.

Ex-boyfriend questioned, named person of interest in Independence woman's disappearance Independence police are questioning the ex-boyfriend of missing woman Ebony Duncan, who hasn't been seen since Sept. 6.

Driver says KC police never showed after hit-and-run crash on I-670 A Kansas City driver complains police didn't come to help when he was involved in a recent hit-and-run crash.

Developing . . .
Quick roundup on recent crime news, court cases and just a bit of hope for the future.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

KCKPD gives new details on homicide outside auto parts store Kansas City, Kansas police say suspected shoplifter who died at an O'Reilly Auto Parts was involved in a physical altercation with employees

Missouri and Kansas are in the thick of a 'synthetic drug crisis' that's killing thousands Both Kansas and Missouri have seen the number of overdose deaths attributed to synthetic opioids like fentanyl increase dramatically in the last several years. The U.S.'s drug czar urged people to carry Naloxone to counteract opioid overdoses in a visit to the Midwest last week.

KCKPD, WyCo DA to announce results of review of 285 cold case investigations A recently-formed cold case unit in the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department is set to announce the results of a review of 285 cold cases over the past five decades.

Johnson County man previously convicted of secretly filming teen in dressing room faces new charges Anthony DeLapp faces new charges over two alleged incidents in 2023, according to online court records.

Ex-KCK cop Roger Golubski's trials could include 'dozens of witnesses,' but no dates set The FBI's nearly four-year investigation into Golubski found 'voluminous' evidence against the former KCK detective accused of sex trafficking, sexual abuse and kidnapping.

Olathe PD: Man injured in road rage shooting Tuesday on Interstate 35 A man was hospitalized early Tuesday night after he was shot in an apparent road rage incident on Interstate 35 in Olathe.

White supremacist gang member found guilty in attack at Lansing Correctional Facility Lee B. Jacobs, 42, was found guilty of attempted aggravated battery and trafficking in contraband within a correctional facility.

4 people, including Independence police officer, injured in 3-vehicle crash The Independence Police Department is investigating a three-vehicle crash involving an on-duty Independence police officer.

Woman charged in Fairway police officer Jonah Oswald's death back in court Andrea Cothran was charged with first-degree murder in connection to the case.

Homicide data shows Missouri is the most dangerous state in the country if you're a Black woman The I-Team analyzed the latest CDC homicide rate data, which shows Missouri is consistently one of the most, if not the most, dangerous states in the country if you're a Black woman or girl.

Independence, Missouri police share last video of Ebony Duncan's car A person of interest in an unsolved case now involving two missing women is in federal custody for an unrelated charge.

Rookie Officer Proud To Serve, Proud Of Hispanic Heritage Just to the west of KCMO, barely across the state line, Aranzazu Perez grew up in Kansas City, Kan., fascinated by The First 48, a TV series about homicide investigations.

Developing . . .
Recently, social media exposed faults with foreign cars that sparked an online sensation of rising car thefts.

Tragically . . .

A local lady suffered gunfire to the chest and now faults carmaker tech for her pain & suffering.

Here's here case . . .



I open my window and I tell them to get away from my car. He walks back to his car, she said.



Thats when the criminal starts shooting at her.



Ive been shot. Ive been shot. I just remember I kept saying that Ive been shot, she said.



Five months later, the bullet is still in Lawtons chest and the bullet holes are still on the vinyl around her windows.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City mother suing Hyundai after being shot by car thieves A Kansas City mother shot in the chest while yelling at thieves who were trying to steal her Hyundai is blaming the automaker.

KC woman sues automaker after nearly dying by gunfire while attempting to stop thieves from taking her car Gabrielle Lawton was just trying to feed her five-month-old when she was shot in the middle of the night.

For those who might think this case is silly . . . There's legal precedent for the claim:

Hyundai and Kia agree to $200 million settlement over TikTok car theft challenge Hyundai and Kia agreed to a $200 million class-action lawsuit stemming a rash of car thefts inspired by social media videos.

Developing . . .
Community outreach is often complicated and never provides quick solutions.

However . . . We noticed that an important exchange revealed a preview of new strategies in the works.

On the downside . . . Work toward new crime-fighting plans means this year's near record-breaking level of KCMO killing is likely to continue unabated.

Still . . . This is the closest we can come to providing some kind of hope.

Here's the community news quote of Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves . . .



That means pulling in all kinds of resources to assist in the whole bigger picture of violent crime, its root causes and our approaches to it, Graves said. Coming into the summer, we started to look a lot internally as far as our approach to violent crime. We anticipate a written violent crime plan to come out in the beginning of the year, the beginning of the year is kind of going to be a reset.



KCPD is starting a new shift in patrol to better provide 911 response from patrol officers, and in that they hope to do a lot of initiatives related to violent crime. One of those is focused deterrence.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
A man suffered critical injuries in a motorcycle crash in Scarborough Tuesday night.

Toronto police said the collision, which involved a motorcycle and another vehicle, happened at Kingston and Brimley roads at 11:03 p.m.

The motorcyclist was taken to a trauma centre via an emergency run.

Toronto Paramedic Services deputy commander Evert Steenge said the victim, a man, suffered life-threatening injuries.

The Kingston and Brimley intersection was closed for several hours for the investigation.

Anyone with information should call police traffic services at 416-808-1900.
MEXICO CITY, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Mexico on Tuesday declared its intention to actively participate in the Group of 77 plus China (G77+China) and spelled out the steps it would take to do so.

"Mexico will analyze the group's agenda to find those areas where it can contribute by joining together to act in one voice," the Mexican Foreign Ministry said.

Once officials have identified the relevant topics and forums, "Mexico will present its request to participate in the work of the Group of 77 plus China," the ministry said in a statement.

The move reflects "a frank desire to strengthen the bloc's negotiating position in the complex international scenario," it added.

Mexico hopes to "continue contributing to giving a voice to the people of the South in the search for development that does not exclude any country," the ministry said.

At the G77+China Summit of Heads of State and Government in Havana, Cuba, on Friday and Sunday, Mexican Foreign Minister Alicia Barcena said it was "a great honor" for Mexico to be invited to the gathering by the host country.

Barcena also underscored the importance of the bloc's role as a coordinating mechanism to address the most urgent issues on the international agenda for the Global South. 
People visit the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

HEFEI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future."

With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities such as exhibitions, summits and forums.

Over 1,200 guests from home and abroad will attend the convention, including 20 foreign ambassadors and diplomats.

On Tuesday, the ambassadors and diplomats paid a visit to some local companies in Hefei, including electric vehicle manufacturer NIO and iFLYTEK, a leading AI and speech tech company in China.

"Manufacturing is the very key for developing countries," said Siyabonga C. Cwele, South African ambassador to China, when visiting NIO, adding that China has been the manufacturing capital of the world and has become the leader because it moves with times.

Covering an area of 80,000 square meters, this year's convention will display a variety of cutting-edge technologies, including quantum computers, rockets, new-energy vehicles and maglev trains with a maximum speed of 600 km per hour.

Another highlight of this year's convention is that all electricity used during the event will be 100 percent clean energy purchased through the green electricity trading mechanism. It is also the first time that a major event held in Anhui has used green energy throughout its whole process.

Held since 2018, the World Manufacturing Convention has attracted over 14,800 participants. A total of 3,021 projects have been signed, with actual investment exceeding 1 trillion yuan (around 139.4 billion U.S. dollars). 

An exhibitor displays a metaverse interactive holographic module at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

People visit the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A robot writing calligraphy is displayed at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This photo taken on Sept. 20, 2023 shows the opening ceremony of the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A visitor tries a VR-based remote grasping robot at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

People visit the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A visitor learns about a VR-based remote grasping robot at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

People visit the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

People visit the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

People learn about a maglev train with a maximum speed of 600 km per hour at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A product is displayed in the Integrated Circuits and Emerging Displays exhibition area at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

A visitor looks at the model of an E20eVTOL electric aircraft at the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

People visit the 2023 World Manufacturing Convention in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, Sept. 20, 2023. The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future." With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities as exhibitions, summits and forums. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)
The Carnival is over, but assessments of the weekend festivities in Tobago are still being m
The Latvian government has approved an order to suspend the operation of the Sileni checkpoint on the border with Belarus in order to ensure the inviolability of the state border and reduce the threat to state security due to illegal migration.

This was reported by the national broadcaster LSM, Ukrinform reported.

At a government meeting, Latvian Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis said that the closure of the checkpoint in Silene would allow border guards to be redeployed to guard the so-called 'green border'.

Last week, the head of the State Border Guard Service, proposed to close the checkpoint in Silene, as more and more attempts to illegally cross the state border are being recorded. In particular, over the past six days, border guards have prevented 894 attempts to illegally enter Latvia.

Read also: Latvia plans to increase support for Ukrainian refugees by EUR 10M

The only checkpoint on the Latvia-Belarus border, Patarnieki, will continue to operate. It is believed that this will not significantly affect freight transportation and much-needed travel related to business continuity, humanitarian considerations, and force majeure.

As Ukrinform reported on August 18, Lithuania suspended the operation of two of the six checkpoints on the border with Belarus.
Moscow has been forced to redeploy Russian airborne forces to the Melitopol sector, which has likely weakened its defenses around Bakhmut.

The UK Defense Ministry said this in a new intelligence update published on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

The report notes that since September 15, 2023, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have secured the villages of Klishchiivka and Andriivka, approximately 8km to the south of the Donetsk region town of Bakhmut.

According to intelligence, this tactical success brings Ukrainian forces closer to the T 05-13 road, one of the main supply routes into Bakhmut from the south. However, Russia continues to hold the railway line which runs along an embankment between Klishchiivka and the T 05-13, creating a readily defendable obstacle.

"Recent redeployments of Russian airborne forces from Bakhmut to Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine have likely weakened Russia's defenses around Bakhmut," the UK Defense Ministry said.
Minister of Defense of Spain Margarita Robles announced a new package of security and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

Robles made an announcement during the 15th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein format in Germany, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Ministry of Defense of Spain.

"Robles announced new supplies of security and humanitarian aid to Kyiv and confirmed Spain's commitment to helping Ukraine," the statement reads.

As noted, Spain will double the number of Ukrainian military personnel who will undergo training in its territory this year.

Robles informed her colleagues about Spains progress in supplying equipment to Ukraine, noting the announced transfer of new armored transport vehicles, inflatable command ships, as well as various equipment, launchers and missiles for air defense and anti-ship defense, special trucks for working with these systems, as well as emergency vehicles.

The Ministry of Defense of Spain did not disclose details on the equipment.

In addition, Spain sent a significant batch of medical supplies to support the Role 2+ hospital handed over in August.

Robles also praised significant progress in the training of Ukrainian personnel in the territory of Spain within the framework of EUMAM Ukraine mission and Toledo Training Coordination Center.

The minister also recalled the contribution of Spanish military hospitals to the treatment of Ukrainian soldiers, where 77 severely wounded amputees have already received the necessary help and prostheses.

In her speech, Robles assured that the Armed Forces of Ukraine can rely on constant support from Spain.

As reported, Lithuania announced a new package of security assistance to Ukraine, which included detonation systems, maritime surveillance radars and ammunition for the Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launcher.
The U.S. administration plans to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine on the day of a meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.

That's according to the Reuters news agency, which cites a U.S. official, Ukrinform reports.

"U.S. President Joe Biden plans to announce a $325 million military aid package for Ukraine on Thursday to coincide with a visit to Washington by President Volodymyr Zelensky," the report said.

The aid package is expected to include the second tranche of cluster munitions fired by a 155mm howitzer, the U.S official said. In addition, included in the planned aid package for Ukraine are TOW and AT4 anti-tank weapons, Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and Javelin anti-tank missiles made by a joint venture between Lockheed (LMT.N) and RTX Corp, along with other equipment.

The announcement is to be made around the time of Biden's meeting with Zelensky.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
Ukraine is interested in expanding access to the Baltic ports, namely through the Rail Baltica project.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during his conversation with the newly appointed Prime Minister of Latvia, Evika Silina, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to Shmyhal, the parties discussed the development of logistics.

Ukraine is interested in expanding access to the Baltic ports, namely through the Rail Baltica project, Shmyhal wrote on his Telegram channel.

Additionally, Shmyhal and Silina considered the topical issues of cooperation, Ukraines European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, and the strengthening of sanctions pressure on the aggressor.

Latvia has always been at the forefront in these matters and will continue to support our state. I thanked for its readiness to implement certain points of the President of Ukraines Peace Formula, in particular regarding the establishment of a special international tribunal, Shmyhal stressed.

In his words, the Ukrainian side appreciates Latvias assistance during the heating season and in restoration efforts in the Chernihiv region.

We look forward to further involvement of Latvian business in reconstruction projects on the basis of public-private partnership, Shmyhal added.

Photo: Denys Shmyhal, Telegram
The mass abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children by Russian aggressors in the temporarily occupied territories is clearly a genocide.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his remarks at the general debate of the UN General Assembly session, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Unfortunately, various terrorist groups abduct children to put pressure on their families and societies," he said.

Video: Office of the President

Zelensky noted that never before, the mass kidnapping and deportation would become a part of the government policy.

He also said that the Ukrainian side knows the names of tens of thousands of children and has evidence on "hundreds of thousands of others kidnapped by Russia in the occupied territories of Ukraine and later deported."

The head of state recalled that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant for Putin for this crime.

"We are trying to get children back home but time goes by. What will happen to them? Those children in Russia are taught to hate Ukraine, and all ties with their families are broken This is clearly a genocide," Zelensky said.

Photo: Office of the President
Aircraft are playing more crucial roles in emergency rescue. Chinese aircraft are soaring to new heights, battling fires, saving lives, and restoring communications. Strap in with Birdy to discover the latest models and their added capabilities for #air emergency rescue.
On the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu.

This is reported by an Ukrinform correspondent from New York, where the President of Ukraine delivered a speech at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly and at the SDG Summit, and held a number of bilateral meetings on Tuesday.

Focused talks with Benjamin Netanyahu on our cooperation, including in civil defense area. I informed him about Russian strikes on our cities, ports, and critical infrastructure using Iranian drones, the Head of State wrote on the social media platform X.

According to Zelensky, the parties share concern about the increasing military cooperation between Russia and Iran.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky met with President of Kenya William Ruto and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa.
The use of veto power at the UN is what requires reform, and this can be a key reform

Ukrinform provides the full text of the speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a special UN Security Council session.

Video: Office of the President of Ukraine

Distinguished Prime Minister Rama!

I am grateful to the Albanian Presidency for arranging this meeting.

Mr. Secretary-General!

Ladies and gentlemen!

Five hundred seventy-four days of pain, losses, and struggle have already passed since the start of the full-scale aggression launched by the state, which, for some reason, is still present here among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Russia has killed at least tens of thousands of our people and turned millions into refugees by destroying their homes.

Most of the world recognizes the truth about this war. It is a criminal and unprovoked aggression by Russia against our nation, aimed at seizing Ukraine's territory and resources. But it is not just that.

With its aggression, the terrorist state is willing to undermine all the dams of international norms meant to protect the world from wars.

And I am grateful to all those who have recognized the Russian aggression as a violation of the UN Charter.

Ukraine exercises its inherent right of self-defense. Helping Ukraine with weapons in this exercise, imposing sanctions and exerting comprehensive pressure on the aggressor, as well as voting for relevant resolutions, mean helping to defend the UN Charter. The resolutions of the General Assembly have clearly recognized the fact that the only source of this war is Russia. But, this has changed nothing for Russia in the United Nations. However, these are the situations that have changed everything for the UN. We should acknowledge that the Organization finds itself in a deadlock on the issue of aggression.

Humankind no longer pins its hopes on the UN when it comes to the defense of the sovereign borders of nations. World leaders are seeking new platforms and alliances that could reduce the disastrous scope of problems. Those problems that are met here, within these walls, with rhetoric, rather than real solutions, with aspirations to compromise with killers, rather than to protect lives. Life should be defended uncompromisingly to ensure successful protection.

But I would not be here today if Ukraine had no proposals precisely regarding solutions.

Yesterday, in my address to the UN General Assembly, I said that the Ukrainian Peace Formula had become the basis to update the existing security architecture in the world, in particular  to restore the real power of the UN Charter and the rules-based international order.

Now I would like to present the details  concrete possible actions based on the Peace Formula, notably its point 5 Implementation of the UN Charter and restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity and the world order.

All in the world see what makes the UN incapable unfortunately. This seat in the Security Council, which Russia occupied illegally, through backstage manipulations following the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been taken by liars whose job is to whitewash the aggression and genocide being carried out by Russia. And all the UN actions  either by the Security Council or the General Assembly  that could have stopped this aggression, are shattered by the privilege granted by this seat to the aggressor. Veto power in the hands of the aggressor is what has pushed the UN into a dead end.

Today, no matter what nation you might be A nation with hundreds of millions of people or a small nation A nation that bravely defends its independence or a country whose long history of independence can help others A state in need of help or a nation that can provide genuine support A state that relies on its army, or a state for which the UN Charter, not its army, is the first and last line of defense Regardless of who you are, the current UN system still makes you less influential than the veto power possessed by a few and misused by one  Russia  to the detriment of all other UN members.

These days, the word "inequality" has often been heard in the UN General Assembly. Inequality is mentioned by different nations  both larger and smaller ones. It is precisely inequality that renders the UN ineffective now.

I regret that so far the UN Security Council is just the most visible platform in the world. I believe that the UN is capable of more. I am confident that the UN Charter can actually work for global peace and security. However, for this to happen, the years-long discussions of projects for UN reform must be translated into a viable process of UN reform.

And it should not be only about representation here, in the Security Council. The use of veto power  that is what requires reform, and this can be a key reform. This can be what restores the power of the UN Charter.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Five hundred seventy-four days of the full-fledged Russian aggression are five hundred seventy-four reasons for changes in this Chamber. And the number of votes in favor of these changes actually amounts to billions. The absolute majority of people in the world aspire to live in a world free of aggression. In contrast to all of us, there are only a few obsessed individuals in Moscow. Veto should not serve as a weapon for those who are obsessed with hatred and war.

What we observe in the United Nations is an increasing support for the idea that in cases of mass atrocities veto power should be voluntarily suspended. But we also observe that Russia will not give up this stolen privilege voluntarily.

So, the UN General Assembly should be given a real power to overcome the veto.

This will be the first necessary step.

If it is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those who condone the aggressor, it is necessary to bring this issue to the attention of the General Assembly. In the event of two-thirds of the votes reflecting the will of nations from Asia, Africa, Europe, both Americas, and the Pacific region  a global qualified majority  the veto should be effectively overcome, and such resolution of the General Assembly must be legally binding for all Member States.

The second step.

The UN Security Council must be fully accountable to the nations of the world. I welcome the proposals of various leaders to expand the representation of nations in the Security Council. The composition of the permanent members of the Security Council should reflect the current realities and justice.

Ukraine considers it unjust when billions of people do not have their permanent representation in the Security Council. The African Union must be here permanently. Asia deserves broader permanent representation  it cannot be considered normal when nations like Japan, India or the Islamic world remain outside the permanent membership of the Security Council. One should take into account the changes that have taken place in Europe, notably that Germany has become one of the key global guarantors of peace and security. This is a matter of fact. Therefore, it is also a matter of fact that Germany deserves a place among the permanent members of the Security Council. Latin America must be represented here  permanently. And the Pacific states.

However, we should not confine our attention to those in the top seats only. There is a need to expand the participation and access to the activities of the UN Security Council and its subsidiary bodies for all members of the UN General Assembly who are not recognized as aggressors. At the same time, the Security Councils membership of any state should be suspended for a period of time when such a state resorts to aggression against another nation in violation of the UN Charter.

The third step.

There is a need for a system to prevent aggression through early response to actions violating territorial integrity and sovereignty of states. It's time to do this.

Nations of the world should agree on such a mechanism for responding to aggression to protect others, that everyone would want for their own security. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has shown what can such a mechanism be. Among other things, powerful sanctions against the aggressor. Not only at the stage when Bucha has already happened, but also at the stage of the build-up of an invasion army.

Anyone who wants to start a war should see before their fatal mistake what exactly they will lose when they start a war. The issue of applying such preventive sanctions should be automatically submitted for consideration of the UN Security Council when any Member of the UN General Assembly reports a threat of aggression.

Ukrainian soldiers are currently doing at the expense of their blood what the UN Security Council should do by its voting  they are stopping aggression and upholding the principles of the UN Charter.

And now, I would like to focus on territorial integrity. This is an element of both the UN Charter and our Peace Formula that is inextricably linked to the issue of clearing the territory from the occupiers. Occupation is an inexhaustible source of dynamite under the international rules-based order. So, I will provide examples of concrete steps to be taken for the security architecture to be strong. Using Ukraine as an example. Concrete things. Concrete as we, Ukrainians, are.

First: full withdrawal of all Russian troops and military formations, including the Russian Black Sea Fleet or its leaky remnants, as well as the withdrawal of all mercenaries and paramilitary formations of Russia from the entire sovereign territory of Ukraine within our internationally recognized borders as of 1991.

Second: full restoration of Ukraines effective control over the entire state border and exclusive economic zone, including in the Black and Azov Seas, as well as in the Kerch Strait.

In fact, only the implementation of these two points will result in an honest, reliable, and complete cessation of hostilities.

Ladies and gentlemen!

As a rule, reforms of such international institutions were made following major tragedies, major wars. We should not wait for this aggression to be over. Action is needed now. Our aspiration for peace should drive the reform.

When I was preparing the Ukrainian Peace Formula, I underpinned its points exclusively by the principles of the UN Charter and resolutions adopted by the General Assembly. This is precisely what enables the global nature of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. Nations that engage with the Formula realize that they are working for the rules-based international order  for the protection of territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, protection of human rights, prevention of aggression and genocidal policy.

Naturally, the epicenter of such efforts should be in this very Chamber  the UN Security Council Chamber, and even to a greater extent, in the General Assembly Hall. If reform of UN institutions is necessary for this, then we should not be afraid of such reform. We are ready to work together with those UN members, who have joined the Peace Formula, on relevant draft resolutions and amendments to the UN Charter.

And I would like to make it clear for everyone in the world, what exactly Ukraine is proposing while addressing the nations of the world and calling on them to join the implementation of the Peace Formula. Each country can demonstrate its leadership within the framework of one or more or all points of the Peace Formula. On the basis of the points of the Peace Formula we form groups, where national security advisors to heads of state and diplomatic representatives work. These groups are tasked to elaborate a list of decisions and legislative proposals, requiring implementation to fulfill the relevant point of the Peace Formula. We are ready to hold the inaugural Summit of the Leaders, subsequently, ten conferences at the level of advisors, diplomatic representatives, heads of parliaments in accordance with the ten points of the Peace Formula. Later, these drafts prepared by advisors will be submitted for consideration by heads of state at the respective final Summit. Thereby, all nations of the world that respect peace can actually participate in the restoration of peace.

Cooperation is always the key word for Ukraine in international relations. This word is also key for peace. So, let peace prevail! May our institutions and our cooperation be stronger.

I thank you for the opportunity to deliver this address. Thank you for the invitation and your attention!

Slava Ukraini!

Photos: Office of the President of Ukraine
The use of veto power is what requires reform, and this could be a key reform, something that restores the strength of the UN Charter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in his remarks at a special UN Security Council session in New York on Wednesday, September 20, Ukrinform reports.

"I regret that so far the UN Security Council is just the most visible platform in the world. I believe that the UN is capable of more. I am confident that the UN Charter can actually work for global peace and security. However, for this to happen, the years-long discussions of projects for UN reform must be translated into a viable process of UN reform. And it should not be only about representation here, in the Security Council. The use of veto power  that is what requires reform, and this can be a key reform. This can be what restores the power of the UN Charter," Zelensky said.

He said that the absolute majority of people in the world aspire to live in a world free of aggression. "In contrast to all of us, there are only a few obsessed individuals in Moscow. Veto should not serve as a weapon for those who are obsessed with hatred and war," Zelensky said.

"What we observe in the United Nations is an increasing support for the idea that in cases of mass atrocities veto power should be voluntarily suspended. But we also observe that Russia will not give up this stolen privilege voluntarily," Zelensky said.

According to him, that is why the UN General Assembly should be given a real power to overcome the veto.

Zelensky noted that if it is impossible to stop the war because all efforts are vetoed by the aggressor or those who condone the aggressor, it is necessary to bring this issue to the attention of the General Assembly.

"In the event of two-thirds of the votes reflecting the will of nations from Asia, Africa, Europe, both Americas, and the Pacific region  a global qualified majority  the veto should be effectively overcome, and such resolution of the General Assembly must be legally binding for all Member States," he added.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine
On the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the Republic of Chile Gabriel Boric discussed the possibility of organizing a Ukraine-Latin America summit.

Zelensky thanked Boric for the consistent position of Chile, particularly in the framework of the United Nations General Assembly, on the condemnation of Russian aggression, the Presidents Office informs.

"Thank you for your position in support of our people, our sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is very important that you support our resolutions at the UN," he said.

The President pointed out Ukraine's determination to deepen cooperation with Latin American countries. In this context, the parties discussed the possibility of organizing a Ukraine-Latin America summit with a view to further rapprochement.

In addition, Zelensky emphasized the importance of Chile's full involvement in the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and the country's participation in the upcoming Global Peace Summit.

The leaders coordinated further steps to expand Ukraine-Chile cooperation in the international arena.

As reported, the open debate of the UN Security Council on Ukraine takes place on Wednesday, in which President Volodymyr Zelensky participates.

Zelensky is visiting New York on September 18-20. The general debate of the UN General Assembly takes place on September 19-23.

Photo, video: Presidents Office
World Travel Market (WTM) London 2023, one of the worlds most influential travel and tourism event, has signed up more than 14% new exhibitors, ranging from household names to specialist firms and niche brands.

They will be among the approximately 4,000 exhibitors at ExCeL London (November 6-8) to exchange ideas, drive innovation and accelerate their businesses. High-profile names debuting this year include Eurostar  the high-speed international rail service connecting the UK with mainland Europe  and ABBA Voyage, a live concert staged in London with virtual Abbatars.

Also exhibiting for the first time is the Bermuda Tourism Authority, which is heading to WTM London to highlight its culture, heritage, cuisine, wellness and sustainability offerings.

Tourism boards making their debut at WTM London come from destinations as diverse as Sabah  promoting travel to northern Borneo, in Malaysia  and Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan.

Other new exhibitors from Asia are Ayana Hospitality, which offers luxury resorts and hotels in Indonesia, and Vietnams Thien Minh Group, showcasing its wide range of services, such as destination management, hospitality, online solutions and aviation.

Rapidly growing global online travel agency Trip.com Group will be attending to target growth within the European market, while UK-based package holiday specialist HolidayBest will promote its worldwide range of destinations and vacation styles.

Other new exhibitors will be travelling from Turkey, such as the Turkish travel agency association TURSAB, and Salkantay Trekking will be visiting from Peru, where it is a leading tour operator offering treks and adventure tours to Machu Picchu.

Delegates in the technology zone will be able to meet new tech exhibitors such as search marketing agency Vertical Leap, and payments specialist flywire  which exhibited with WTM for the first time this year at WTM Africa and is now coming to WTM London.

Jamari Douglas, VP Marketing & Communications at Bermuda Tourism Authority, Bermuda Tourism Authority said: As the market-leading international travel event, there is no better opportunity for us to showcase our special island and we look forward to sharing our latest news and offerings with the trade, alongside fresh perspectives from the organisations first ever female CEO, Tracy Berkeley.

Our presence at WTM reaffirms our commitment to strengthening Bermudas presence in the UK market, demonstrated by our ongoing investments, such as our recent House of Bermuda event and brand new Lost Yet Found Campaign.

Eurostar Group  formed by the merger of Eurostar and European operator Thalys last year  will be at WTM to showcase its services as well as new branding and livery.

Paul Brindley, Eurostar B2B & Indirect Sales Director, said: We are excited to be at WTM in 2023 with our new brand for Eurostar, a vision for growth and providing high-speed rail connectivity throughout Northern Europe to 30 million passengers by 2030!

Its an exciting time for sustainable rail travel and, with our new distribution tools, we are looking forward to meeting existing and new partners from around the world and continuing to build strong ethical partnerships.

Launched in May 2022, ABBA Voyage is now booking until May 26, 2024. Bernie Patry-Makin, Travel Trade Manager at ABBAVoyage.com, commented: We are excited to be exhibiting at WTM London 2023. It presents us with a fantastic opportunity to showcase the spectacular ABBA Voyage in front of a large community of international travel and tourism industry buyers. We look forward to meeting with clients old and new over the course of the three days.

Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director at World Travel Market London, said: We are delighted to welcome new exhibitors to this years event, ranging from major destinations and well-established international brands to niche operators and hi-tech firms.

The list of new exhibitors  as well as the thousands that were welcoming back to our stands  shows how we help the global travel community to come together to shape the future of the industry.  TradeArabia News Service
Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said here Tuesday that China will be unswervingly committed to working toward the dual target of peak carbon emissions and carbon neutrality.

Han made the pledge when meeting with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th session of the UN General Assembly.

China has always been a staunch practitioner in addressing climate change, he said.

The Chinese government attaches great importance to advancing ecological conservation, has been pursuing green and low-carbon energy transition, and has met the 2020 climate action target ahead of schedule, the Chinese vice president said.

China will fully implement the goals of the Paris Agreement, he said.

Maintaining China-U.S. dialogue and cooperation on climate change is of great significance to both countries and the whole world, he said.

China stands ready to strengthen communication, deepen cooperation with the United States and jointly advance climate governance so as to make greater contribution to human development, Han said.

Applauding China's achievement in fighting climate change, Kerry said the United States is willing to conduct dialogue and cooperation with China in areas such as climate change. 

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng meets with U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry on the sidelines of the ongoing 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the United States, Sept. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese health authorities have recently compiled the country's second catalog of rare diseases, the National Health Commission announced Wednesday.

It contains 86 rare diseases of 17 medical specialties, including hematology, dermatology and pediatrics. With its release, China's catalogs of rare diseases now record 207 diseases.

The catalog provides a legal basis for improving rare disease management, enhancing treatment, and safeguarding rare disease patients' rights to health, said Zhang Shuyang, president of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

It will guide future work such as building rare disease treatment capability, boosting the accessibility of medicine, and developing a system for protecting patients' rights, added Zhang.

The country released its first such catalog in May 2018. 
(@FahadShabbir)

NEW YORK, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 20th Sep, 2023) H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has met separately with a number of foreign ministers participating in the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA78) in New York.

Sheikh Abdullah met with Donika Gervalla-Schwarz, Kosovo's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora; Dr. Vincent Biruta, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda; Elmedin Konakovic, Foreign Minister of Bosnia and Herzegovina; George Gerapetritis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece; Alva Romanus Baptiste, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Saint Lucia; and Jan Lipavsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

During the meetings, friendly relations and cooperation were discussed across various sectors, including economic, commercial, investment, renewable energy, and food security.

The UAE Foreign Minister briefed his counterparts on the UAE's preparations to host the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held at Expo City Dubai from 30th November to 12th December. He reiterated the importance of investing in this important international platform to mobilise global efforts to combat the repercussions of climate change.

The Foreign Ministers affirmed their support for the UAE during its hosting of COP28, noting that the conference is central in the course of global climate action due to the increasing challenges facing the world.

Sheikh Abdullah stated that UN General Assembly discussions pay great attention to energy and climate issues, especially with the UNGA78 holding the Climate Ambition Summit. He indicated that the UAE is looking forward, during its hosting of COP28, to cooperate with its international partners to consolidate the transformation of the energy sector innovatively and practically, support global efforts to build capabilities in clean and renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions and limit the phenomenon of global warming.

Sheikh Abdullah and the Foreign Ministers also discussed several issues of common interest in addition to regional and international developments.

His Highness emphasised the UAE's firm approach to supporting global peace and stability and cooperating with brotherly and friendly countries to achieve comprehensive and sustainable development.

The meetings were attended by Reem bint Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation; Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment; Ambassador Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs and UAE's Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and Mohamed Abushahab, Deputy Permanent Representative at the UAE's Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

BEIJING, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :A high-level media delegation from Balochistan province, currently on a visit to China, called on Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque at the Pakistan Embassy here on Wednesday.

Ambassador Haque briefed the delegation about Pakistan and Chinaof bilateral relations especially the current status of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) which he termed as the flagship project of BRI and a strong symbol of Pak-China strong ties.

In the second phase of CPEC, the focus is on cooperation in science and technology, agriculture and social sector development, he added.

He said that Pakistan and China were all-weather friends and strategic cooperative partners and both the countries supported each other during the challenging times.

He said that China extended ample assistance to Pakistan during the Covid-19 pandemic by sending vaccines, equipment and medical teams.

During the floods last year, China again extending a helping hand and sent relief goods to help the flood-stricken people in Pakistan, he added.

Ambassador Haque said that China was focusing on the Balochistan province and had initiated several development projects, especially in Gwadar.

He informed that Gwadar Port, special economic zone and Gwadar International Airport would play an important role in the development of the province and the country. Gwadar has potential to become the regional hub for business and trade and expressed the confidence that the port city will greatly contribute to the economy and bring about job and business opportunities for the locals, he expressed.

The members of the media delegation appreciated China's role in the development of Gwadar and Balochistan province and said the projects like Gwadar port, hospital, schools and roads have greatly contributed to regional connectivity and generated employment opportunities of the local people.

They offered to play a positive role in bringing the people of Balochistan and China more closer and contribute to further deepening of the relations between Pakistan and China.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

HARBIN, Sept. 20 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :China's northernmost province of Heilongjiang saw its foreign trade in goods grow 16.1 percent year on year to 193.44 billion Yuan (about 26.97 billion U.S. Dollars) in the first eight months of 2023, according to local customs.

During this period, Heilongjiang's imports rose 8.1 percent year on year to 145.9 billion yuan, while its exports surged by 50.2 percent to 47.54 billion yuan, data from Harbin Customs showed.

The province's trade with Belt and Road countries reached 162.

3 billion yuan, up 16.1 percent year on year, accounting for 83.9 percent of the province's total foreign trade volume. Its trade with members of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership rose 27 percent to 18.37 billion yuan.

Its exports of mechanical and electrical products and labor-intensive products maintained strong growth during this period. The province also saw an increase in imports of agricultural products, metal ore and ore sand.
Jingdezhen, China, Sept 20 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :China's "Porcelain Capital" Jingdezhen is attracting droves of young people drawn to the city of artisans in search of an escape from the urban rat race among its ceramics workshops.

The picturesque eastern city home to China's best-known porcelain has seen an influx of young professionals seeking to learn an ancient art taught there for more than a thousand years.

Times are tough for young people in China, with youth unemployment at record highs, sluggish economic growth and, for many, the opportunities their parents' generation enjoyed are simply not attainable.

But in Jingdezhen they find something different: low rent, a slower pace of life and a proximity to nature in a city of just 1.6 million inhabitants, very small by Chinese standards.

From her one-bedroom apartment on the seventh floor, He Yun, a 28-year-old illustrator, enjoys a panoramic view of the surrounding green hills for just 500 Yuan ($68) a month.

She arrived in Jingdezhen in June after being laid off and found a place where she didn't feel "any pressure".

"I came because on social media everyone was saying that it was a great place for craft fans, like me, and that there was a scent of freedom," she said.

"When I lost my job, I stayed at home and got depressed. But once I arrived here, I found that it's super easy to make friends." "No more need to set the alarm in the morning," she smiled.

"I have zero pressure now!" - 'Looking for meaning' - A typical day for He starts with a laid-back breakfast, before heading to a workshop to make her ceramic candle holders and necklaces, which are then fired in one of the city's many kilns.

"At the end of the afternoon, we go to the surrounding villages and swim in the streams to relax," she said.

"I put my work on Xiaohongshu" -- a Chinese app similar to Instagram -- "where people contact me to buy. But we mainly sell at the market," she said.

Between trendy cafes, boutiques and stands offer glasses, bowls, cups, teapots, plates, necklaces or earrings.

Chen Jia, 24 with dyed red hair, makes feminist pendants in the shape of sanitary napkins.

A music graduate who arrived in June, her first jobs as a piano teacher and in a milk tea shop and cafe weren't to her liking.

"I am looking for meaning in my life," she said.

"Many young people today no longer want to clock in at work at a fixed time." China's transformative economic rise was built on the backs of a growing middle class, who were promised they could enjoy the trappings of prosperity and give their children a better life if they worked hard enough.

But the country's millennials and Gen Z have faced altogether different prospects: youth unemployment has reached a record level, exceeding 20 percent according to official figures, and pay is low.

It's in that context that the "tangping" counterculture has thrived.

Literally meaning "lying flat", it's come to represent a general rejection of society's expectations, giving up a great career and money to concentrate on a simple life and pleasures.

And Jingdezhen has become a haven for those seeking just that.

At the Dashu pottery school, around 20 students work with clay on their pottery wheels or chat as they sip iced lattes. Training costs 4,500 yuan a month ($617), a very affordable price.

"Many young people cannot find work" explained the 39-year-old director who calls herself Anna.

"They come here to reduce their anxiety." "Ceramics are very accessible. In two weeks, they can produce simple works and sell them at markets." - 'New life' - One of them, Guo Yiyang, 27, resigned in March from a well-paid job as a computer programmer.

After working overtime for years, he said he wanted to "take a breather".

"In big cities... you just work. You don't have your own life," he said, adding he "never again" sees himself working that way.

"The desire for another way of life" is also what motivated Xiao Fei, 27, a former interior designer who resigned and came to Jingdezhen in June.

"I didn't have time for myself," she said. "I came home tired and I didn't want to talk to others." "I feel happier, more free and I meet people who have the same ideals." According to Chinese media, 30,000 young urbanites lived in Jingdezhen in 2022.

Few stay long-term but Xiao already knows that she doesn't want to go back.

"After tasting this new life, I don't want to go back to an office job at all."
(@Abdulla99267510)

The latest reports say that the PPP chairman is in Dubai to celebrate his 35th birthday.

DUBAI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Sept 20th, 223) Former foreign minister and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari arrived in Dubai on Wednesday for a five-day visit to celebrate his 35th birthday.

During his stay in Dubai, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will mark his birthday, while former PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari will remain in Lahore to oversee party affairs.

The PPP's Central Executive Committee (CEC) recently expressed concerns about various issues, including efforts to sideline the party. They discussed upcoming elections and the role of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in ensuring timely polls.

The PPP affirmed its commitment to demanding timely elections and expressed deep concerns about the challenging economic situation in the country.

Earlier, Bilawal chaired the PPP CEC meeting took place last Friday.

Notable attendees at the CEC meeting included former president Asif Ali Zardari, former prime ministers Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, as well as other senior party members.

However, Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan and Sardar Latif Khan Khosa did not attend the meeting.

Previously, the PPP issued a show cause notice to Sardar Latif Khosa, a CEC member and senior lawyer within the party.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday quashed a case against Afghan national woman for staying in Pakistan without obtaining a visa and said that the Constitution granted the right of asylum

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday quashed a case against Afghan national woman for staying in Pakistan without obtaining a visa and said that the Constitution granted the right of asylum.

The court instructed the Ministry of Interior to issue a NOC to the concern woman for traveling to Australia.

Justice Babar Sattar issued the written verdict on the petition filed by Afghan National Raheel Azizi against the registration of a case against her under foreigners act. She was accused of entering Pakistan without obtaining a visa from the authorities.

The order said that the people seeking for asylum couldn't be sent jail. The concern woman had arrived Pakistan as there were threats to her life after regime change in Afghanistan. On this basis, the Australian government had issued visa to her but she couldn't travel abroad due to a case was registered against her in Pakistan.

The court said that under such circumstances, a case couldn't be run against the woman asylum seeker.

It may be mentioned here that the FIA had registered a case against Raheel Azizi under the Section-14 of the Foreigners Act.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Azam Khan on Wednesday called for the timely completion and activation of hydel power projects in the province.

Chairing the 17th meeting of the Hydel Development Fund board, he said special attention should also be paid to the ongoing projects of hydropower adding that timely completion of projects was among the priorities of the provincial government.

The meeting, attended by the concerned cabinet members, chief secretary, additional chief secretary and other relevant authorities, gave conditional approval for funding for energy projects during the financial year 2023-24.

The chief minister directed the relevant authorities to take necessary steps to make the Provincial Transmission and Dispatch Company operational immediately.

He appreciated the establishment of own Transmission and Dispatch Company of the provincial government for the transmission of electricity adding that it would reduce the province's dependence on WAPDA.

Azam Khan directed to take immediate necessary steps and strategy to make the hydropower plants completed under PEDO operational soon.

He noted that since the money of KP people was spent on these projects, therefore their benefits should also be given to the people without delay.

He said that enabling these power plants would help in reducing the energy crisis in the province as well as increasing the revenue of the province.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Wednesday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the mother of senior journalist Jawad Faizi.

In his condolence message, the federal minister expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the family of the deceased.

He said that a mother's death was a great tragedy, and he shared the grief of the bereaved family.

Murtaza Solangi prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this loss with fortitude.
Wafaqi Mohtasib Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi on Wednesday said the Wafaqi Mohtasib institution was playing a leading role among the international fraternity in realizing the ombudsmanship goals of rule of law and good governance

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :Wafaqi Mohtasib Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi on Wednesday said the Wafaqi Mohtasib institution was playing a leading role among the international fraternity in realizing the ombudsmanship goals of rule of law and good governance.

It was evident from the trust reposed by the 47 members of Asian Ombudsman Association (AOA) in the institution by re- electing the Federal Ombudsman as AOA President during the General Assembly moot held at Kazan, Tatarstan, on September 11, he said while addressing a conference.

The unopposed re-election, he said, "is a clear manifestation of the fact that the services of Wafaqi Mohtasib of Pakistan in carrying forward the ultimate goals of ombudsmanship i.e good governance, fair play, administrative justice and rule of law were fully recognized by the international community." Ejaz Qureshi thanked the AOA General Assembly for expressing confidence in Pakistan's contribution in promoting the cause of ombudsmanship in Asia and beyond.

Prior to Kazan moot, he said, a meeting of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) was held in Bangkok (Thailand) on July 11, which was actively participated by Pakistan.

He said the Asian Ombudsman Association, established following the First Asian Ombudsman Conference held on April15-16, 1996 at Islamabad, was a major non-political, independent and professional body of international character representing more than two thirds of the world population.

With its current membership of 47 ombudsman institutions of the Asian Region, the Association's permanent secretariat is hosted by the Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat at Islamabad, he added.

Highlighting the performance of Wafaqi Mohtasib institution, Ejaz Qureshi said some 133,000 complaints had been registered till September 15 and 132,000 of them had been resolved, which reflected the people's trust in the institution.

He said over 1.9 million households had benefited from the services of the institution since its inception, with a financial impact of Rs 3.1 billion.

Last year the resolution of complaints rose to all time high figure of 164,137, while the projected figure of complaints registration during the current year was around 185,000, he added.

The Wafaqi Mohtasib said to cater for the marginalised component of the society, the Wafaqi Mohtasib officers held open courts (Khulli Katchehries ) under the Outreach Complaint Resolution System( OCR) at sub-division and Tehsil level in far flung areas so that the justice could be imparted at their doorsteps.

Furthermore, he said, a new initiative of Informal Resolution of Disputes (IRD) had been started, which was receiving acceptance among the complainants as "it does not require formal docketing of the complaint or issuing of notices".

Under this programme, he added, some 2,379 complaints had been resolved so far through mediation and conciliation.

He said for about nine million overseas Pakistanis, who contributed to the national economy, a Grievance Commissioner had been appointed and at all the international airports of the country, the complaints of expatriates were being resolved through One Window Facilitation Desks.

'During this year, about 121,545 complaints of the overseas Pakistanis have been handled by Grievances Commissioner Cell of Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat," he added.

Ejaz Qureshi said the ombudsmanship had now taken firm roots in Pakistan. "The Office of Federal Ombudsman was established on January 24, 1983 and the concept has been replicated in other areas of governance including banking, insurance, taxation and harassment of woman at workplace," he added.

The Wafaqi Mohtasib institution, he said, over the last 40 years had established its credentials as an effective instrument for providing speedy and inexpensive administrative justice to the people against any act of maladministration by the federal agencies.

Ejaz Qureshi further stated that the objectives and purposes of the establishment of the ombudsman institution had a direct bearing on the realization of the overall goals of the promotion and protection of fundamental rights and good governance in all spheres of life.

He assured the international partners that Pakistan remained ready to share its experiences and best practices in promoting professionalism in the work of the ombudsman institutions for the benefit of the Asian regional fraternity.
Vanessa Uwase had little chance of survival when her mother was murdered during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Today, she works at the country's largest memorial to the slaughter -- one of four sites added to UNESCO's heritage list on Wednesday

Kigali, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 20th Sep, 2023 ) :Vanessa Uwase had little chance of survival when her mother was murdered during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Today, she works at the country's largest memorial to the slaughter -- one of four sites added to UNESCO's heritage list on Wednesday.

The Gisozi genocide memorial is "a resting place for many of my loved ones, and working here helps me to reconnect with them somehow and to heal", she said, recounting her extraordinary life story.

Barely a few weeks old, Uwase was alone and clinging to her mother's breast when a Hutu schoolgirl spotted her by the roadside and insisted on rescuing the Tutsi infant.

"As I reached out to embrace the baby, her dying mother whispered to me, urging me to save her and take the baby to safety," Grace Uwamahoro told AFP.

Uwamahoro's frightened family attempted to dissuade her but the 10-year-old refused to let the baby go even as they fled across the border to a refugee camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

"It was really difficult because we did not have enough resources and there was a lot of pressure inside the camp to abandon the baby but my heart loved her. She had no name so I called her Vanessa," Uwamahoro said.
The 2023 World Manufacturing Convention kicked off Wednesday in Hefei, capital of east China's Anhui Province, built around the theme "Intelligent manufacturing for a better future."

With a record number of exhibitors, the five-day event features activities such as exhibitions, summits and forums.

Over 1,200 guests from home and abroad attend the convention, including 20 foreign ambassadors and diplomats.

On Tuesday, the ambassadors and diplomats paid a visit to some local companies in Hefei, including electric vehicle manufacturer NIO and iFLYTEK, a leading AI and speech tech company in China.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Western Water Assessment and the University of Wyoming Center for Climate, Water and People awarded three recipients grants through the Adapting to Climate Change in Wyoming program.

The Wyoming partner organizations each received $30,000 to build community resilience to changes in climate and other stressors in underserved communities in the state over the next two years.

Grant recipients are the Wyoming Outdoor Council for a project titled Helping Rural Wyoming Organize for Climate Action; the Greater Yellowstone Coalition for its Indigenous Youth Culture and Climate Camps project; and the town of Jackson for a project titled Participatory Planning for Equitable Climate Action in Jackson, Wyoming.

The goal of this funding opportunity is to support existing grassroots Wyoming efforts and share inspiring actions that are being taken across the state, says Corrie Knapp, the projects leader, selection committee member and UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources associate professor.

Funding comes from the University of Colorado-Boulders Western Water Assessment, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Adaptation Partnerships regional team, which works with communities and resource managers to conduct science and build resilience to climate impacts.

Wyoming communities face increasing climate-related risks, including wildfire, drought, flooding and heat waves. The programs funding competition provides a rare and important opportunity to directly support adaptation and build climate resilience in underserved communities in the state, Knapp says. Seven applicants submitted brief, five-page descriptions of their projects. The competition particularly encouraged proposals from historically underserved entities, including Indigenous and small rural communities, she adds.

A selection committee representing Western Water Assessment, UW, the Wyoming Stockgrowers Land Trust, the Wind River Indian Reservation and an at-large Wyoming representative reviewed the applications. The committee ranked proposals based on community interest; resources and networks; budget and timeline; partnerships; clarity about how resilience or adaptation would be built through the project; innovation; and other factors.

Goals of the recipients are:

-- The Wyoming Outdoor Councils funded project aims to support residents of two rural communities.

Our main objective is to remove barriers for citizens in Pinedale and Cody and help ensure they can access all available resources to bring about their homegrown climate solutions, says John Burrows, the councils policy director.

-- The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is collaborating with UW graduate student Janna Black to develop Indigenous youth culture and climate camps that will support Indigenous ways of knowing, foster climate adaptive strategies and prepare youth for the future on the Wind River Indian Reservation.

These intergenerational land-based camps will focus on preserving cultural traditions while fostering a passion for environmental sustainability, Black says.

-- The town of Jackson and Voices Jackson Hole will engage historically disadvantaged and vulnerable residents in developing Jacksons Community Sustainability Plan.

The town of Jackson ranks worst in the country with respect to income inequality, which destabilizes the community and threatens to undermine its resilience to the shocks and stressors of climate change, says Tanya Anderson, Jacksons community development coordinator.

The three projects come from identified community needs and will build the resilience of Wyomings people to changes in climate they are already experiencing, Knapp says.

Western Water Assessment at the University of Colorado-Boulder is funded largely by NOAA and provides information, resources and support to decision-makers and community groups about climate risk and adaptation.

The UW Haub School advances the understanding and resolution of complex environment and natural resource challenges through education, research, collaborative problem-solving and community engagement.

The UW Center for Climate, Water and People envisions a West where all people thrive amid a changing climate.

For more information about the grant program, email Knapp at corrie.knapp@uwyo.edu.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said here Tuesday that China is ready to work with Guinea to keep supporting each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and jointly safeguarding the interests of developing countries.

Han made the pledge when meeting with Guinea's President Mamady Doumbouya on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Guinea is the first sub-Saharan African country to establish diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China, he said.

The people of China and Guinea enjoy a long-term sincere friendship, and there is huge potential for practical cooperation between the two countries, the Chinese vice president said.

China appreciates Guinea's participation in the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative and stands ready to work with Guinea to carry forward their traditional friendship, expand mutually beneficial cooperation as well as deepen and solidify bilateral relations, Han added.
Vietnam Briefing has developed into a premium source for insight on doing business in Vietnam. It publishes business news concerning foreign direct investment into Vietnam, including the most important tax, legal and accounting issues. The Vietnam Briefing Magazine was first published in 2009, and is contributed to by investment professionals based in Vietnam.
As Chinese tourists return to Thailand after the pandemic curtailed travel, so are the scams that Thai authorities worry will taint the country's reputation even if most of the victims and perpetrators appear to be Chinese.

Deputy Police Chief Pol Lt Gen Surachate Hakparn said at a news conference last month that 18 Chinese were charged with fraud for allegedly selling overpriced, supposedly holy, amulets to Chinese tourists visiting Khao Chi Chan temple in Chonburi province. The temple, a Buddhist landmark, is about 160 kilometers southeast of Bangkok in an area famed for its natural beauty and delectable seafood.

The alleged fraud involves sales of amulets, objects of either faith or fashion, coveted by Chinese tourists. Real ones sell for thousands of dollars depending on their provenance and material. The ones sold to Chinese tourists, while expensive, are fake.

The fraudulent sales occurred during the first half of 2023, and 20 people have been charged, according to police. Sixteen are male, 18 are Chinese and two are Thai.

Temple investigations

The Khao Chi Chan temple incident signals the return of a long-standing tourist scam that disappeared as the pandemic arrived. Surachate told VOA Thai that four other temples in Chonburi are under investigation for running similar scams.

Some two dozen other Chonburi-area temples suspected of selling fake amulets closed after authorities announced the arrests at Khao Chi Chan temple, Surachate said.

Police Colonel Danprai Kaewwehol, the Immigration Bureau's deputy investigation commander, said at the news conference that a group of tour operators persuaded Chinese tourists to purchase amulets after they participated in rituals inside the Kao Chi Chan temple.

The religious items, priced at $715 to $2,830, were worth about $11 each, he said.

The amulets are copies of those in one of the most famous amulet collections, Phra Somdej Wat Rakang.

Police recovered about $3.7 million worth of cash, land and property from the Chinese suspects. Wisutthammanusitsomsak, the Khao Chi Chan abbot, was charged with malfeasance and granted bail for leasing space to the tour operators, according to Surachate, who added that a relative and an aide of the abbot were also involved. As abbot, Wisutthammanusitsomsak uses only one name.

The investigation also found that sales from credit cards were credited to entities in China, according to Surachate. The money kept the operation running in Thailand, police said.

Yuttasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), told VOA Thai that such scams threaten the nation's post-pandemic tourism industry, which has targeted Chinese tourists with ads and offerings.

He urged law enforcement to close businesses that exploit Chinese tourists "by bringing them in with a low cost and seeking to profit by selling them low quality goods at high prices from their own network of outlets."

Surachate said at the news conference that China's President Xi Jinping more than five years ago urged putting an end to such zero-dollar tourism.

"He [President Xi] wanted Chinese people to come and see the history of the Thai nation, see the Temple of Emerald Buddha, not locked in a route to tourist attractions or restaurants," Surachate said.

Amulet sales

Thai Buddhists have long purchased amulets as religious totems, charms and collectibles. Prices range from almost nothing to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on an amulet's origin and the holy powers attributed to it.

Thai temples generate operating income by producing and selling amulets and other sacred goods. The government and Thailand's Buddhist governing body, the Supreme Sangha Council, regulate the sales.

Intiporn Chan-iam, acting director of the National Office of Buddhism, said at the news conference that temples have become targets of fraudulent activity and urged abbots to be aware of the regulations covering sales of religious items.

But growing demand coming from inside and outside Thailand coupled with sophisticated technologies have made amulets, real and counterfeit, a big business with Chinese buyers, pushing prices up for the past decade.

Complicating any crackdown is the belief that once a monk sanctifies a fake, the amulet "will still afford protection to the owner  as long as he or she respects it, and behaves well according to Buddhist precepts," says Tanistha Danslip in her book, Things Thai.

Wang Lei, an amulet dealer in Beijing, told the Global Times that most Chinese tourists view the amulets as fashion accessories rather than religious items, although some of his customers believed wearing an amulet would bring them good luck.

Through the first six months of 2023, Thailand welcomed 15.4 million foreign tourists, a five-fold increase over the same period in 2022, on track to reach the government's goal of 25 million visitors.

After the 2.4 million Malaysians, Chinese are the second largest group with 1.85 million, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism and Sport. Russians, South Koreans and Indians are next at about 800,000-900,000 each, while Americans account for about 534,000.
Belarusian state media reported that 48 children from Ukraine arrived in Belarus on Tuesday from Ukrainian regions that Moscow claims it has annexed.

The group of children came from the occupied Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions. They include children from towns that were captured by the Russian army in July 2022. Those regions were illegally annexed by Moscow in December last year, but Russia doesn't have full control over them.

In photos published by the Belarus state news agency Belta, the children were pictured holding the red and green state flag of Belarus and reportedly thanked the Belarusian authorities, while being flanked by police and riot police.

The removal of the children from Ukraine was organized by a Belarusian charity, supported by President Alexander Lukashenko, which has previously organized health recuperation programs for Ukrainian children in Belarus.

"The president, despite external pressure, said this important humanitarian project should continue," Alexei Talai, the charity's head, said in an interview with Belta. "All the Belarusian people," he said, want to help "children from dilapidated cities and towns in the new territories of Russia."

It's not clear if the children were orphans or were removed from their parents with or without consent as Belarusian authorities didn't provide any details about them. Belarusian officials have previously denied allegations that Belarus has helped to illegally remove children from Ukraine.

In June, Belarusian opposition figures gave the International Criminal Court materials that they said showed more than 2,100 Ukrainian children from at least 15 Russian-occupied Ukrainian cities who were forcibly removed to Belarus with Lukashenko's approval.

Pavel Latushka, a former Belarusian culture minister, hopes the material will prompt the ICC to issue an arrest warrant for Lukashenko, as it did with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We are seeing more and more evidence relating to the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Belarus and this will continue until international organizations react and stop Minsk," Latushka said in an interview with The Associated Press.

In March, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russia's children's rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova. Judges in The Hague, Netherlands, said they found "reasonable grounds to believe" the two were responsible for war crimes, including the illegal deportation and transfer of children from occupied Ukrainian regions to Russia  something an AP investigation detailed earlier this year.
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday came face-to-face with his most ardent critics as House Republicans used a routine oversight hearing to interrogate him about what they claim is the "weaponization" of the Justice Department under President Joe Biden.

Garland is appearing before the House Judiciary Committee for the first time in two years and at an unprecedented moment in the Justice Department's history: He's overseeing two cases against Donald Trump, the first former president to face criminal charges, and another against the sitting president's son, Hunter Biden.

Republicans on the committee  led by Rep. Jim Jordan, the chairman  came out of the gate with accusations that the Justice Department is protecting the Biden family, while targeting his opponent, Trump.

"There's one investigation protecting President Biden. There's another one attacking President Trump," Jordan, Republican of Ohio, said in his opening statement. "The Justice Department's got both sides of the equation covered."

Garland defended the country's largest law enforcement agency  more than 115,000 employees  at a time when political and physical threats against agents and their families are on the rise.

"Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate," the attorney general said.

Democrats said they planned to "act as kind of a truth squad" against what they see as Republican misinformation and their ongoing defense of Trump, who is now the Republican front-runner to challenge Biden in next year's election. They say Republicans are trying to detract attention from the indicted former president's legal challenges and turn a negative spotlight on Biden.

"I'll be using this opportunity to highlight just how destructive that is of our system of justice and how once again, it is the GOP willing to undermine our institutions in the defense of their indefensible candidate for president," Rep. Adam Schiff, a senior Democrat on the committee, told the AP.

Garland's testimony also comes just over a week after Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, launched an impeachment inquiry into his boss, Biden, with a special focus on the Justice Department's handling of Hunter Biden's yearslong case.

The White House has dismissed the impeachment inquiry as baseless and worked to focus the conversation on policy instead. Hunter Biden's legal team, on the other hand, has gone on the offensive against GOP critics, most recently filing suit against the Internal Revenue Service after two of its agents raised whistleblower claims to Congress about the handling of the investigation.

Republicans contend that the Justice Department  both under Trump and now Biden  has failed to fully probe the allegations against the younger Biden, ranging from his work on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma to his tax filings in California and Washington D.C.

"I am not the President's lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congress's prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people," Garland declared.

An investigation into Hunter Biden had been run by the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss, who Garland had kept on to finish the probe and insulate it from claims of political interference. Garland granted Weiss special counsel status last month, giving him broad authority to investigate and report his findings. He oversees the day-to-day running of the probe and another special counsel, Jack Smith, is in charge of the Trump investigation, though Garland retains final say on both as attorney general.

Last week, Weiss used that new authority to indict Hunter Biden on federal firearms charges, putting the case on track toward a possible trial as the 2024 election looms.

The Republican chairmen of the Oversight, Judiciary, and Ways and Means committees launched an investigation into Weiss' handling of the case, which was first opened in 2018 after two IRS agents claimed in congressional testimony in May that the Justice Department improperly interfered with their work.

Gary Shapley, a veteran IRS agent assigned to the case, testified to Congress that Weiss said in October 2022 that he was not the "deciding person whether charges are filed" against Hunter Biden. That testimony has been disputed by two FBI agents also in that meeting who told lawmakers that they have no recollection of Weiss saying that.
Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenian authorities in the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region reached a cease-fire agreement Wednesday, a day after Azerbaijan launched what it called an anti-terrorist operation.

The agreement, brokered by Russian peacekeepers, calls for separatist forces to disarm and Armenian forces to withdraw from the area.

Azerbaijani authorities and representatives from the ethnic Armenians in the region are also due to hold talks Thursday in the Azerbaijani city of Yevlakh about the future of the area.

The U.N. Security Council is also due to hold an emergency meeting about the situation Thursday.

Armenian authorities said the fighting, which had continued into Wednesday, left at least 32 people dead and more than 200 injured.

The violence brought international calls for peace, including Wednesday from Russia and Pope Francis.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to the fighting and for all parties to focus on efforts to bring long-term peace to the region, his spokesman said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke by telephone Tuesday with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Blinken told Aliyev there is no military solution and that Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh must resume dialogue to resolve outstanding differences.

A statement from Aliyevs office said the operation would stop if Armenian fighters lay down their arms.

In his call with Pashinyan, Blinken said the United States fully supports Armenias sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, the State Department said.

Azerbaijan said it launched its operation in response to landmine explosions that killed four soldiers and two civilians in the region.

The Nagorno-Karabakh region is entirely within Azerbaijan but is populated largely by ethnic Armenians and had been under ethnic Armenian control since 1994. Parts of it were reclaimed by Azerbaijan after a war in 2020. Russian peacekeepers were placed in the region.

Some information for this story provided by the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters
President Joe Biden is turning Washington's gaze to Central Asia  a region the West has long been accused of overlooking  in an effort to strengthen ties with the landlocked region bordered by Russia and China.

On the sidelines Tuesday of the United Nations General Assembly, Biden met with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The former Soviet states have continuing security ties with Russia and growing economic and diplomatic ties to China  and great cultural and historical significance as the main arteries of the Silk Road, the ancient network of Eurasian trade routes that connected the East and West for 1,500 years.

Biden described this meeting of the C5+1 diplomatic platform  held for the first time at this level  as "a historic moment, building on years of close cooperation."

"Today, we're taking our cooperation to new heights," Biden said, noting that efforts would include strengthened counterterrorism cooperation and increased U.S. security funding in the region, new business connections with the U.S. private sector, and "the potential for a new critical minerals dialogue."

None of the other five leaders spoke during the groups brief interaction with reporters after their meeting.

Analysts say the attention is long overdue.

"No U.S. president has ever visited Central Asia," Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, told VOA via email. "The U.S. has never taken the region seriously in its own right."

Eric Green, former senior director for Russia and Central Asia at the National Security Council, told VOA's Uzbek Service that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has prompted many countries to reconsider their diplomatic ties.

"This meeting is a recognition of two key factors: First, the changing geopolitical environment in this region following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine," Green told VOA via email. "This has prompted all countries, especially those bordering Russia, to reassess their political, economic and security postures, and I think there is an interest in diversification and balance.

The second factor is the progress at regional integration within Central Asia. This is evidenced by an increased tempo of meetings at all levels and discussions about common challenges such as water, energy, climate and trade."

And the time is right, defense analysts say.

"Central Asia's souring relations with Russia and growing skepticism of Chinese influence have created a window of opportunity for the United States to bolster its image through greater long-term investment in the region," said Hunter Stoll, a defense analyst at the RAND Corporation, on the RAND blog.

"Because the United States is unlikely to outspend China or even Russia, its approach needs to be deliberate and focused on areas where it can see the greatest return on investment."

'Face time

Kadyr Toktogulov, a former Kyrgyz ambassador to the U.S., attended the inaugural meeting of the diplomatic grouping in 2015 in the ancient city of Samarkand, in modern-day Uzbekistan.

"I'm very encouraged by the progress that C5+1 has made, to come to the presidential level within just eight years," he told VOA from Prague. "I think it's quite remarkable."

"Face time with the U.S. president is always a big deal," he added. "And actually, it's a pretty hard currency when it comes to Central Asian republics' engagement with both Russia and China."

The region's desire for greater global recognition was clear on the floor of the U.N. on Tuesday, as Biden and other world leaders spoke.

"I am convinced that the time has come to start an inclusive, full-scale, and systemic dialogue between Central Asia and the U.N.," said Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Turkmenistan's 41-year-old president. He added that his nation would offer to host the inaugural conference.

'A lot more to do'

Berdimuhamedow claimed a landslide victory in a 2022 poll that international observers questioned for its freedom, fairness and transparency. He followed the 15-year tenure of his father, a harsh authoritarian who once won a presidential poll by an astonishing 98% against eight other candidates.

The father-son pair followed the independent nation's first post-Soviet leader, who memorialized himself with a rotating, gold-plated statue of himself in the capital and renamed cities and months after himself and family members.

Rights groups urged Biden to use the meeting to emphasize human rights. All five nations have a documented history of credible, serious allegations of abuses.

These include a harsh government crackdown on Kazakh political protesters in 2022, current moves toward more repressive laws by Kyrgyz authorities, and the general pall over human rights and free expression in Turkmenistan  a nation so isolated, repressive and so deeply steeped in a cult of personality around its ruling dynasty that it has been nicknamed "the North Korea of Central Asia."

"They should seek guarantees on fundamental standards of the rule of law and human rights," said Iskra Kirova, Europe and Central Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. "Biden should ask for explicit steps to end politically motivated prosecutions, suppression of free speech and impunity for torture and police brutality."

Biden did not mention human rights in his comments, but the White House readout of the meeting said he welcomed his counterparts' views on how our nations can work together to further strengthen the Central Asian nations' sovereignty, resilience, and prosperity while also advancing human rights through our C5+1 partnership.

Toktogulov noted that all five nations have secular governments, are relatively stable and cooperated with the U.S. during its involvement in Afghanistan.

"There's certainly a lot more to achieve and to do in terms of addressing human rights, concerns and some of the troubles  in some republics more than others," he said.

"But I think it's the engagement and this constant dialogue that would actually help the republics of Central Asia and the governments of Central Asia to pay closer attention to the issues of democracy and human rights, and actually do something meaningful on those issues."

For now, Toktogulov said, the key is more engagement.

"I would like to see a U.S. president to finally visit Central Asia, or perhaps one of the next presidential summits could be held in Central Asia," he said.

In his closing words Tuesday to the world leaders, Biden appeared to hint at that.

"I look forward to seeing you soon," he said. "Possibly in one of your countries."
Cameroon officials say separatists resumed attacks on civilians and schools after a notorious insurgent leader and four of his collaborators were killed during a raid this week.

The military said the slain rebel leader, known as Bitter Kola, was behind many atrocities, including the October 2020 murder of seven students at Mother Teresa College in Kumba.

Military officials reported on Tuesday that Kola was among five rebels killed in a raid on their hideout in Mofako Butu, a village near Kumba in the South West region.

Chamberlin Ntouou Ndong, the most senior Cameroon government official in the Meme district, where Kumba is located, said Kola and his fighters had torched several dozen schools, killed an unknown number of civilians and government troops, and abducted scores of others for ransom.

Separatists acknowledged that Kola and four of his close collaborators were killed. They said on social media platforms that at least seven Cameroon government troops also died in the raid.

The government denied any troop casualties.

Capo Daniel, leader of the Ambazonia Peoples Rights Advocacy Platform, one of Cameroons separatist groups, said he is unhappy with the Cameroon military for displaying Kolas body at a market square.

"We want to condemn the current practice of the Cameroon government of desecrating the bodies of dead soldiers, Daniel said. These are war crimes and are against the Geneva convention.

The Cameroon government said Kola imposed a lockdown in the South West region to protest educational establishments reopening for the 2023-24 school year. Officials said that after the lockdown was imposed, separatists started attacking and killing civilians who defied the order.

The government said that separatists killed several dozen civilians within the past three weeks. Among them were four people shot dead in the state-run agriculture company PAMOLs camp at Lobe, in the South West region.

Gabriel Mbene Vefonge, president of the Cameroon Agricultural and Allied Workers Trade Union, said fighters should stop attacking civilians who go to work to make money, take care of their families and contribute to the growth of Cameroon.

"It is inhuman, barbaric and horrific, he said. It is inadmissible and unacceptable. We call on all the authorities of this country and all other partners  to support our opinion that this is a terrorist act and it must stop.

Cameroons military said it is attempting to assure civilians in the volatile South West and North West regions of their safety. The military said it seized war weapons and hard drugs from fighters.

South West Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai said that troops have been stationed in all restive towns and villages and that they will rely on civilians to tell them about rebels presence in their neighborhoods.

"We are on permanent alert, he said. It is an asymmetric war. That is why we are inviting the population to sustain the efforts of the forces of law and order and the administration by denouncing. If the population does not denounce, it will continue and they will be the first victims. Once we are informed, we will do the rest.

Conflict sparked in Cameroon in 2016 when predominantly English-speaking western regions protested discrimination by the countrys French-speaking majority. Cameroons military responded with a crackdown, and rebels took up arms claiming to defend the English-speaking minority.

The International Crisis Group, an independent organization based in Brussels working to prevent wars and promote peace, says the conflict has killed 6,000 people and displaced 750,000.
A young Palestinian patient receives treatment at the dialysis department of a hospital in Gaza City, Sept. 20, 2023. At least 1,100 Palestinian kidney patients are facing an interruption of life-saving treatment due to a lack of medicines and medical equipment in the coastal enclave, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least 1,100 Palestinian kidney patients are facing an interruption of life-saving treatment due to a lack of medicines and medical equipment in the coastal enclave, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

They include 38 children who are in danger of being denied access to dialysis sessions, Ashraf Abu Mahdi, director of the pharmacy department in the Health Ministry, said in a press conference held in Gaza.

"Patients with kidney failure are forced to live in difficult health conditions as medical supplies will be used up soon," Abu Mahdi added.

Abu Mahdi indicated that stores run by the ministry in Gaza are short of related medical supplies, and the hospitals in Gaza provide 13,000 dialysis sessions for patients per month.

He accused Israel of "banning the transport and shipment of medical supplies to the hospitals of the coastal enclave, putting the lives of thousands of kidney patients at risk."

Israel has imposed a tight blockade on the Gaza Strip, home to more than 2 million people, since the Hamas movement seized control of the enclave in 2007, widely blamed by Gazans for their poverty and hardship. 

A young Palestinian patient receives treatment at the dialysis department of a hospital in Gaza City, Sept. 20, 2023. At least 1,100 Palestinian kidney patients are facing an interruption of life-saving treatment due to a lack of medicines and medical equipment in the coastal enclave, the Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
China launched a series of influence campaigns against Taiwan last week, unveiling a plan to promote integrated development across the Taiwan Strait while at the same time conducting large-scale military incursions near the island.

Beijings carrot-and-stick approach received mixed reactions from Taiwan residents.

Many view the plan, which promises to enhance access to China for Taiwanese investors and encourage Taiwan residents to study, work, and live in Chinas southeastern Fujian Province, as an old trick that lacks substance. Others think it can help improve and diversify the economy of Taiwans outlying Kinmen and Matsu Islands

It feels like the Chinese government is trying to achieve peaceful unification with Taiwan by offering a lot of economic benefits, Edward Yang, a 36-year-old engineer living in Hsinchu City, told VOA in a phone interview.

But as China struggles to boost its slumping economy, Yang remains suspicious about the likelihood that Beijing can offer economic perks that would be attractive to many Taiwanese.

Others think the proposed plan includes many measures that are helpful to residents in Kinmen and Matsu and it will be beneficial to the long-term economic prospect of the two outlying islands.

The proposed plan wants to increase the connectivity between Xiamen and Kinmen, which will be good for the development of Kinmen, Yen Da-jen, an 83-year-old businessman in Kinmen, told VOA in a phone interview.

Fujian, with a population of 40 million, is the Chinese province closest to Taiwan both geographically and culturally. The idea of turning Fujian into a demonstration zone to facilitate integrated development first appeared in official Chinese documents in 2021, and the integration plan was raised again at a forum in China in June 2023.

The decision to unveil the plan on Sept. 12 comes amid ongoing tensions across the Taiwan Strait and as Taiwan is gearing up for a highly competitive presidential and legislative election in January 2024.

Mixed reception of the cross-strait integrated development plan

During a news conference on Sept. 14, Chinese officials characterized the establishment of the demonstration zone in Fujian as an effort to deepen cross-strait integration and as laying the foundation for peaceful reunification.

Based on the plan, Beijing would prioritize integrated development between Chinas coastal cities, including Xiamen and Fuzhou, and Taiwans outlying Kinmen and Matsu islands. The proposed measures include facilitating the supply of water, electricity, and gas and building bridges between the Chinese cities and Taiwanese islands.

On the business front, the Chinese government said Fujian would provide a better business environment for Taiwanese people and Taiwanese enterprises, and Beijing encouraged Taiwanese workers and their families to settle in the province, vowing to improve social welfare programs.

Some Taiwanese working in China say Beijing is trying to create division within Taiwan through the proposed plan because it will only seem attractive to Taiwanese businessmen investing in China and residents in Kinmen and Matsu.

The plan will only benefit residents on the outlying islands and Taiwanese businessmen with interests in China, so I dont think Beijing can use the plan to change the Taiwanese publics overall perception of China, Bruce Wang, a 32-year-old man working in southern China, told VOA in a written response.

However, some residents in Kinmen say the local community will welcome any preferential policies thatll be good for the economies of Kinmen and Matsu. When there are economic exchanges, we can make money, Yang Zhongyi, a 50-year-old businessman in Kinmen, told VOA in a phone interview.

Even if China thinks we belong to the same country, but we dont agree with that idea, people in Kinmen still welcome opportunities to conduct cross-strait economic exchanges because it helps to improve our livelihood. We are happy to see more relevant developments as long as there is no military conflict, he added.

In response to Beijings proposal, Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council, which handles cross-strait relations, said the Chinese governments proposed measures are simply wishful thinking.

Some analysts say Beijing hopes to establish a connection between Taiwan and China through the demonstration zone by making exchanges between Kinmen and Xiamen easier.

The symbolic meaning of this plan is more important than its actual effect because as Chinas overall economic conditions remain unideal, Beijings attempt to attract Taiwanese to buy real estate in Fujian wont create its intended effect, Chung Chih-Tung, an assistant research fellow at the Institute for Defense and Security Research in Taiwan, told VOA in a phone interview.

Large-scale military incursions around Taiwan

While China tries to sell the narrative of cross-strait integration through the proposed measures in Fujian, Beijing has also conducted several large-scale military incursions around Taiwan in recent days.

On Sept. 18, Taiwans Ministry of National Defense reported 103 Chinese military aircraft operating near Taiwan in 24 hours, and on Sept. 14, the ministry detected 68 Chinese military aircraft operating near Taiwan.

In response to the Chinese military incursions, Taiwans defense ministry Monday urged Beijing to immediately stop the destructive military activities.

Some Taiwanese say Beijings recent military incursions have further increased their negative perception of the Chinese government.

These dirty tricks carried out by Beijing have increased my negative feelings towards Beijing, Sharon Su, a 33-year-old insurance worker in Kaohsiung, told VOA in a written response.

Some experts say Beijings carrot-and-stick strategy is part of its concept of deterrence.

They want to provide a warning through the military exercises that any move towards independence would be unacceptable while offering the carrot of economic integration by easing the path for Taiwanese businesses and business people in the mainland, Rorry Daniels, managing director of Asia Society Policy Institute, told VOA in a phone interview.

Despite these efforts, Daniels says neither strategy seems to be working in Beijings favor.

The military signals seem to be pushing Taiwan toward closer ties with the U.S. and the economic integration plan seems to fall a bit flat at convincing Taiwanese people, she said.

But with less than four months until Taiwans presidential election, Chung from the Institute for Defense and Security Research expects China to keep rolling out other influence campaigns against Taiwan.
The European Union says it is withdrawing $5 million in financial support to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission because of what it calls a lack of independence and transparency in the country's disputed August polls.

In a statement late Tuesday, the EU embassy in Harare said Brussels is pulling out its $5 million financial support to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission because of the way the commission ran the country's August general election.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa defeated Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change in the hotly contested August 23 election.

We did not set institutions that underpin our democracy in chapter 12 of our constitution so that they can be funded by foreigners," said Nick Mangwana, the government spokesman. "As government, we always provide for ZECs needs through the fiscus. So as far as we are concerned, this is a non-event. We did not apply for this funding. And it's withdrawal, does not mean anything. ZEC will fulfill its mandate through the funding that it gets from the people of Zimbabwe.

Promise Mkwananzi is the spokesman for the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, which disputes the presidents victory.

ZEC is improperly composed, it is not independent, it is not professional. We saw it in the previous elections, we've seen it even more glaringly in this election," said Mkwananzi. "So we were quite surprised that the EU entrusted the taxpayer's money of Europeans to such a group. The way forward really, like we've already articulated, is the disbandment of ZEC, totally, and the firing of all the individuals we involved both at commission and secretary level, and re-commissioning and re-composing ZEC based on individuals of integrity, of honor and independence, who then reconstitute ZEC in accordance with the constitution and the laws of our country in preparation for a fresh free and free election.

The EUs observer mission to Zimbabwes elections was among other missions which condemned the way Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ran the August polls.

The Southern Africa Development Community mission said the elections fell far short of the regional bodys electoral guidelines and infringed on the countrys constitution and electoral laws.

Linda Masarira, is the founder of the opposition Labor, Economists and African Democrats party. She says African countries need to run elections without EU help.

They've always wanted to meddle with how we do elections in this country," said Masarira. "And it should be a wake-up call to the government of this country to start funding its own elections, its own processes, its own government programs. We cannot continue running with begging bowls to the West and the East.

Gibson Nyikadzino, Harare-based independent political analyst, agrees with Masarira.

It only shows us that the European Union or the Western order has a way it wants to construct some truths in the knowledge regarding the issues to do with elections, the issues to do with democratic processes in the nations of the South," said Nyikadzino. "And this explains why they are failing to come to terms with the reality that the Zanu-PF was officially declared the winner.

But Brighton Mutebuka, a lawyer and political commentator, says the EU was justified in withdrawing the money.

It is not just the EU who here on the ground versus with their electoral observer mission," said Mutebuka. "But we have the regional bodies SADC and the AU as well. And they concluded that the election that ZEC delivered fell far short of those standards and quite brazenly saw in many respects in what we saw. So the ball is in ZECs court.

On Wednesday, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission refused to comment on the EUs announcement.
Europe is in danger of becoming as reliant on China for batteries and fuel cells as it was on Russia for energy before Moscows invasion of Ukraine, according to a European Union report obtained by the Reuters news agency.

The paper will form the basis of a summit October 5 in Granada, Spain, on Europe's economic and energy security.

The paper, prepared by the Spanish presidency of the European Union, said that because of the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources like solar or wind, Europe will need ways to store energy to reach its goal of net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.

This will skyrocket our demand for lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells and electrolyzers, which is expected to multiply between 10 and 30 times in the coming years," the report said.

Without implementing strong measures, the European energy ecosystem could have a dependency on China by 2030 of a different nature but with a similar severity from the one it had on Russia before the invasion of Ukraine, the report said.

China dependency

Europe already relies on China for battery technology, said Guido Cozzi, an economist at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

It is not too late, but I think they should act pretty fast, because China is moving very fast in this sector, Cozzi told VOA. They are the world champions, and they are also trying to consolidate their take on raw materials elsewhere - for example, in Africa.

Cozzi added that the West should collaborate on battery technologies to prevent Chinas domination of the market.

The United States has a leading edge in technology anyway because it is the most innovative of all. And it is important that, I think, transatlantic cooperation is reinforced. Innovation has a scale effect, so the more the brains at work, the faster the flow of innovations, Cozzi said.

Gigafactories

Europe is taking steps to develop its own battery ecosystem, such as the European Battery Alliance, which tries to stimulate investment, research and development.

In May, France opened its first electric car battery factory, a joint venture between European industrial giants Stellantis, TotalEnergies and Mercedes. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire underscored the challenge ahead.

The aim is not for there to be only battery factories," Le Maire said at a press conference following the opening of the factory. "We need to control the whole value chain. We're first working on the critical materials that we need to produce more of, that we need to find more of. We cannot be totally dependent on Asia for the supply of critical materials. Then we need to recycle the batteries.

African minerals

China is investing heavily in sourcing raw materials such as cobalt, lithium and manganese. Beijing opened a $300 million lithium processing plant in Zimbabwe in July.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is renegotiating a deal that would see Beijing invest tens of billions of dollars in infrastructure in return for access to Kinshasas vast cobalt and copper reserves.

Beijing is able to operate fully coordinated with state-owned enterprises, funders, so they provide funding, as well. They provide infrastructure and the whole package. So, this way they can move much faster than Europe, Cozzi said, adding that the race for minerals in Africa, Asia and Latin America is also an opportunity for the West to counter Beijings influence.

China operates in a very coordinated manner, but also in a way that doesn't respect the environment, human rights and the future of these countries," he said. "Providing good examples and facilitating their development in broad senses, including education, is super important for the future. We cannot leave this to China.

EU investigation

Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a probe into Chinese subsidies for electric vehicle manufacturers, which are trying to make headway in the European market with significantly lower prices than those set by their EU competitors.

The commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China. Europe is open to competition, but not for a race to the bottom. We must defend ourselves against unfair practices, von der Leyen said September 13 in her state of the union address.

Beijing criticized the EU investigation.

"The measures taken by the EU violate the principles of market economy and the rules of international trade. The [move] is not conducive to the stability of the global supply chain in the automotive industry and is not in the interest of anyone, including the EU, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry, told reporters Wednesday.
In the Financial Express, Indian students take a look at money matters for international students in the U.S.

Here are the details on credit cards, currency and more. (August 2023)
A French journalist was released Wednesday evening after nearly two days in police custody in an incident that her employer said stemmed from the reporters coverage of leaked documents.

Early Tuesday morning, Frances domestic intelligence arrested reporter Ariane Lavrilleux and searched her home. After 39 hours in police custody, she was released Wednesday evening, the investigative outlet Disclose said.

The detention and search were in connection with Lavrilleuxs reporting in 2021 that Egypt had misused French intelligence to target smugglers on the Libyan border and kill civilians, according to Disclose, the reporters employer. At least 19 bombings against civilians that took place between 2016 and 2018 were linked to French intelligence given to Cairo, the report found.

Disclose condemned the arrest and search as a new, unacceptable attack on the confidentiality of sources.

Frances embassy in Washington did not immediately reply to an emailed request for comment from VOA.

Lavrilleuxs lawyer, Virginie Marquet, said police were investigating whether Lavrilleux had compromised national security through her reporting on leaked documents.

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces filed a complaint for violation of national defense secrecy following the reports publication. A case was opened in July 2022 by the Paris prosecutors office that was later handed over to the General Directorate for Internal Security.

Lavrilleuxs arrest is believed to be the first time since 2007 that police have searched the home of a French journalist, according to the International Press Institute.

Press freedom and human rights groups promptly denounced Lavrilleuxs arrest and the search of her home and called for the investigation against her to be dropped.

Journalists must be able to freely report on national defense and security issues, Attila Mong, who covers Europe at the Committee to Protect Journalists, said in a statement. Questioning reporters about their confidential sources places them under unwarranted pressure and could have a chilling effect on defense reporting.

The International Press Institute and Reporters Without Borders also condemned the arrest, saying it could have negative consequences for press freedom.

In a statement, Amnesty Internationals Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said, It is deeply chilling that, almost two years after the revelations that France was allegedly complicit in the extrajudicial executions of hundreds of people in Egypt, it is the journalist who exposed these atrocities that is being targeted, rather than those responsible.
India on Wednesday cautioned its citizens, especially students, planning to visit or living in Canada to exercise utmost caution after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Indias government may have been involved in the assassination of a Sikh activist on Canadian soil.

"Threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda," an Indian foreign ministry statement said. Given the deteriorating security environment in Canada, Indian students in particular are advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Indian nationals made up around 40% of Canada's international student body last year, the most of any country, according to the Canadian Bureau of International Education.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has denied what Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau called credible allegations that Indian government agents are linked to the murder of outspoken Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia in June. The relationship between Canada and India has broken down, with both nations having expelled one anothers diplomats.

Its unclear what evidence Canadian intelligence officials are investigating, but Indian leaders maintain their government is innocent.

We do not go around doing these things, A.S. Dulat, a former head of Indias international espionage operations, told the Press Trust of India. We do not go around assassinating people  let me make this very clear.

New Delhi has pointed to the growth of anti-Indian rhetoric, politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada. Those claims fall in line with Modis long-standing accusations that Canada is harboring terrorists who want to turn the Indian state of Punjab into an independent nation called Khalistan.

Prior to his death, Nijjar was wanted in India in connection to extremist killings, though Canada denies that he had ever perpetrated acts of terrorism in either country.

India worries that pro-Khalistani political activity in Canada might spark the movements second-coming at home. Modis government has repeatedly urged Canada to crack down on separatists to no avail.

Canada has the largest population of Sikhs outside the Indian state of Punjab, with about 770,000 people reporting Sikhism as their religion in the 2021 census.

Some information is from Reuters.
Ukraine got the spotlight at the UN General Assembly meeting on Tuesday, as India and Canada each expel diplomats from their countries. We take and a closer look at the deal that brought American detainees home from Iran. Plus tensions rise in Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk's brain-chip startup Neuralink said on Tuesday it has received approval from an independent review board to begin recruitment for the first human trial of its brain implant for paralysis patients.

Those with paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis may qualify for the study, Neuralink said, but did not reveal how many participants would be enrolled in the trial, which will take about six years to complete.

The study will use a robot to surgically place a brain-computer interface implant in a region of the brain that controls the intention to move, Neuralink said, adding that its initial goal is to enable people to control a computer cursor or keyboard using their thoughts alone.

The company, which had earlier hoped to receive approval to implant its device in 10 patients, was negotiating a lower number of patients with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after the agency raised safety concerns, according to current and former employees. It is not known how many patients the FDA ultimately approved.

Musk has grand ambitions for Neuralink, saying it would facilitate speedy surgical insertions of its chip devices to treat conditions such as obesity, autism, depression and schizophrenia.

In May, the company said it had received clearance from the FDA for its first-in-human clinical trial, when it was already under federal scrutiny for its handling of animal testing.
U.S. President Joe Biden met Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York to discuss Israels expansion of settlements in the occupied West Bank and attempts to overhaul Israels judicial system, which critics said threatens that countrys democracy.

We're going to discuss some of the hard issues, Biden warned Netanyahu, even as he reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Israel as ironclad.

And that is upholding democratic values that lie at the heart of our partnership, including the checks and balances in our systems, and preserving the path to a negotiated two-state solution and ensuring that Iran never, never acquires a nuclear weapon, Biden said.

Leaders of Israel are typically invited to the White House within weeks of taking office, but Biden is only now holding his first bilateral meeting with Netanyahu, nine months after the prime minister formed his far-right government. Netanyahus hard-line governments treatment of Palestinians and effort to curb the powers of the judiciary are widely seen as the reasons that Biden delayed the meeting.

Our friendship goes a long way and can take us a long way, Netanyahu said, referring to his four-decade relationship with Biden.

The pair discussed a potential Israel-Saudi normalization deal and an expansion of the Trump administrations 2020 Abraham Accords that facilitated diplomatic ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, followed by Morocco and Sudan.

Such a peace would go a long way for us to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state, and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians, Netanyahu said.

Both praised the recent India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor initiative announced by Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in New Delhi during a summit of the 20 biggest economies, the G20. The transnational rail and shipping project spanning two continents is designed to bolster economic integration among Asia, the Persian Gulf countries, Israel and Europe.

Israel-Saudi normalization

If you and I, 10 years ago, were talking about normalization with Saudi Arabia, I think wed look at each other like, 'Who's been drinking what?' Biden joked to Netanyahu.

The Biden administration has for months held separate negotiations with the Saudis and Israelis to lay the groundwork for normalization. Washington hopes such a deal will lead to a more stable Middle East and potentially a Saudi kingdom that aligns more closely with the United States in its rivalry with China.

Israel stands to benefit from the wider political and economic impact of normalizing relations with the Saudis, a key Arab country and opinion-maker in the Muslim world. A deal could lead to recognition from other Muslim-majority countries, including Indonesia and Malaysia  a huge win for Netanyahu.

However, a deal also carries significant political risk.

Its not clear what the Saudis want from Israel, said Dan Ardell, an Israeli Foreign Service veteran and scholar in residence at the Center for Israel Studies at American University. Its also not clear what Netanyahus coalition partners will be willing to support, Ardell told VOA.

Publicly, the Saudis say normalization can come only after a two-state solution and better treatment of Palestinians in the territories that Israel occupies. Many members of Netanyahus coalition are against Palestinian statehood and support settlement expansion.

Riyadh is also reportedly seeking a pact that includes protection from Iran, in the form of some kind of mutual defense pact with Washington, and U.S. support for its own civilian nuclear program, including in-country enrichment, as it anticipates its oil running out.

Netanyahu wants the U.S. to pay the Saudis for the deal, so he does not have to pay in Palestinian currency, which would bring down the [Israeli] government, said Jonathan Rynhold, head of the Department of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University. I think this is unrealistic on Bibi's part, he told VOA, using a nickname for the prime minister.

In part to secure support from his Democratic Party lawmakers in Congress, Biden may push Netanyahu for a pledge to never annex the occupied West Bank or expand Israeli settlements  a cost that may be too high for a prime minister who came to power with the support of a coalition seen as the most right-wing in Israels history.

Iran nuclear threat

During the meeting, the two leaders reiterated their commitment to ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon and countering all threats posed by Iran and its proxies, according to the White House.

Iran maintains its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Netanyahu suggested to Biden that preventing Iran from achieving nuclear weapons capability can be best achieved by a credible military threat, crippling sanctions and supporting the brave men and women of Iran who despise that regime and who are real partners for a better future.

White House officials have said it is not interested in imposing regime change on other countries and have rejected that as the goal of U.S. policy toward Iran.

"They still have opportunities before them to act like a responsible nation state, in the region and beyond," John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, told VOA during a briefing Wednesday. "And yet they continue to take action after action in refute of that, but I don't have any changes with respect to our policy."

Sign of US displeasure

The bilateral meeting, scheduled for 10.15 a.m. Wednesday, was delayed by more than 30 minutes, although Netanyahu was seen entering the venue on time. The White House did not provide an explanation for the delay. It announced after the meeting, however, that Biden had invited Netanyahu to Washington before the end of the year.

By delaying the meeting until now and holding it in the New York hotel where Biden is staying as he attended the U.N. General Assembly, the administration is signaling displeasure over Israeli government policy, American Universitys Ardell said.

The message was, We can do things together but we have serious concerns and also equally real expectations that you move forward on several of the issues that are of concern to us, he said.

Bidens cool treatment of Netanyahu may not directly influence Israeli politics or its treatment of Palestinians, Rynhold said. However, it would clarify to the Israeli public that they are paying a major economic, diplomatic and strategic price because of the far-right ideological character of the government.

A human rights organization representing more than 2,300 rabbis and cantors in North America is planning a Friday protest in New York over Netanyahus continued plans to gut Israels judicial system and his willingness to destroy democratic norms and ally with extremists.
At the recent Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, Nigerian officials said they hope to create millions of jobs and much cleaner air through the countrys Energy Transition Plan. The initiative envisions Nigeria moving from the use of firewood and coal to natural gas and other environmentally friendly sources of energy. Timothy Obiezu reports from the Nigerian capital, Abuja.
YINCHUAN, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- In the run-up to the sixth China-Arab States Expo in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, guests from countries and regions along the Belt and Road expressed their expectations for further cooperation with China.

On Tuesday, Ningxia opened its third international friendship-cities forum in Yinchuan, the regional capital. Among all the foreign attendees from 22 countries and regions at the two-day forum, many are familiar with China and the city.

Mohamed Khalil, president of the Morocco-Chinese Friendship and Exchange Association, first came to China in 1978 to study Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). He later visited Yinchuan during the first China-Arab States Expo held in 2013.

"Yinchuan has changed a lot over the past decade with more tall buildings and beautiful sceneries," said Khalil, adding that Ningxia plays an increasingly significant role in China-Morocco relations.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Morocco was the first country in North Africa to sign the Belt and Road cooperation document with China. Since then, the two countries have maintained close political, economic, and cultural connections, according to Khalil.

"For example, I opened the first TCM clinic in Morocco to promote acupuncture, cupping, and massage. Now, the TCM clinics are quite common and popular in Morocco," he said, adding that he also expects future cooperation with Ningxia in desert landscape tourism and new energy power generation.

Though it is the first time for Mamdouh Ghorab, governor of Egypt's Al Shakia Governorate, to visit China, he has discovered much cooperation potential with the country.

"I know many Egyptian students study in China, and we also have a Confucius Institute in the Suez Canal University in Egypt," said Ghorab, who is also the president of the university. He said he always encourages the students to study in different cities of China to deepen mutual understanding.

"We can further cooperate in education and cultural exchanges. Ningxia and Al Shakia Governorate also share some experiences about developing modern agriculture and animal husbandry," Ghorab noted.

Bai Yuzhen, director of the regional foreign affairs office of Ningxia, said that the forum was held to upgrade the "international friend circle" to an "international cooperation circle," thus further unleashing the economic benefits of international exchanges among friendship cities.

So far, Ningxia has established 60 pairs of global friendship cities with 42 foreign countries.

Meanwhile, the region has also expanded its international economic and trade exchange circle over the years, which now covers 180 countries and regions, with 156 Ningxia-invested enterprises set up in 35 countries and regions, according to Bai.

The sixth China-Arab States Expo is scheduled from Sept. 21 to 24 in Yinchuan. 
Residents of Nova Scotia are mopping up the remnants of Hurricane Lee, which made landfall in the Atlantic Canada province on Saturday, and expressing relief that the storm proved far less destructive than Hurricane Fiona, which wreaked havoc in the region one year ago.

At the same time, there is a growing appreciation in the province that tropical hurricanes, once unusual so far north, can be expected with greater frequency and intensity in coming years as a result of global climate change.

Nova Scotia was lightly kissed by the hurricane force winds, so while it was mild compared to what could have been, there is still a fair bit of damage, said Waye Mason, a city councilor in Halifax, the provincial capital and the largest city in Atlantic Canada.

Coast roads were flooded and rock covered, some beaches were washed away, some roof damage, and at one point almost 200,000 customers had no power.  It could have been much worse, but it was still a major storm.

Asked how he dealt personally with the storm, Mason said, We didnt have power for 30 hours, so I spent much of my time nursing our old generator along to keep the food in the fridge, and helping friends and neighbors.

Power had been restored to all but 8,000 customers by Tuesday, a far cry from the three-week wait for electricity in some rural regions after Fiona, which has been described as the costliest and most intense hurricane ever to hit Canada.

Bruce Heyman, a former U.S. ambassador to Canada, said that while Nova Scotia was lucky this time, weather disasters will become only more common with climate change.

In many places in the U.S. people are having a great deal of difficulty getting insurance for their homes, their businesses, Heyman said in a telephone interview.

The risks are that we dont take it seriously and that we dont prepare ourselves for future climate events. Those of us in the older generation have not taken this as seriously as the new generation on the planet.

All throughout time we had fires and floods. Its just that the quantity of fires and floods has increased and the severity has increased over time, Heyman said.

Nova Scotia has been battered by other natural disasters in the year between Hurricanes Fiona and Lee. Massive forest fires ignited across the province in May and June, forcing more than 16,000 people to evacuate from Halifax, where pillars of smoke were visible from downtown. A total of 200 buildings were destroyed, including over 150 homes.

In July, the province suffered historic rainfall, with up to 300 mm of rain falling in 12 hours, leading to deadly floods.

Mubin Shaikh, a manager of response operations for the Canadian Red Cross based in the central province of Ontario, pointed to the far-reaching effects of weather disasters.

Canada has recently seen several disaster events, the effects of which have reached the U.S. as weather is not bound by political borders or partisan leanings, Shaikh said. Smoke from the earlier wildfires blanketed the northeast United States coast, prompting concerns about air quality.

There is a growing attention now in both countries, that the threat of forest fires, floods, snow and ice storms, and other similar events have become an important measure for how we must proceed for the foreseeable future, Shaikh said.

Cyberdisasters are also on the horizon, which could lead to serious dysfunctions of power grids and, like extreme weather events, most of the public is woefully under-prepared for them. Such events, he added, can strike suddenly, violently, and instantly throw one's entire existence into peril.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday he accepted an invitation from his Chinese counterpart to visit China in October during the Belt and Road Summit.

Speaking after a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Moscow, Putin said Russia and China are "integrating our ideas of creating a large Eurasian space," noting that China's Belt and Road Initiative is a part of that.

The initiative is a huge program in which Beijing has been expanding its influence in developing regions through infrastructure projects.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Putin has pivoted the country toward China, selling it more energy and increasingly carrying out joint military exercises.

China adopted a neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and even denounced Western sanctions against Moscow. It also accused NATO and the United States of provoking Putin's military action and declared last year that it had a "no-limits" friendship with Russia.

On Tuesday, senior Russian security official Nikolai Patrushev called for closer policy coordination between Moscow and Beijing to counter what he described as Western efforts to contain them as he hosted Wang Yi for security talks.

The Kremlin has continuously expressed support for Beijing as Russia and China have grown closer as their relations with the West deteriorate.

Wang arrived in Russia on Monday on a four-day visit following his talks with U.S. President Joe Biden's national security adviser in Malta over the weekend.

Putin's plan to visit China was initially announced in July.
Days before Thailand launches a new protection program for foreign asylum seekers, rights groups and refugees are expressing concern that many worthy hopefuls will be turned down or feel too frightened of arrest and deportation to even apply.

Starting Friday, undocumented foreigners who fear persecution in their home country can apply to the Thai government for protected persons status and, if approved, be given temporary legal residence.

Thailand has never signed the United Nations refugee convention and, until now, made no legal distinction between asylum seekers and illegal immigrants, leaving most in constant fear of being arrested and deported.

The United Nations estimates some 5,000 asylum seekers are living in Thailand, but rights groups say the actual number is likely higher. While most avoid arrest, some are occasionally caught and forced back to countries they claim to have fled to escape persecution for their identity or their politics.

Under the new National Screening Mechanism, or NSM, a committee headed by the national police chief will vet applicants unable or unwilling to return home due to a well-founded fear of persecution.

The police order that brings the program into force says the persecution can include any credible risk to their life or freedom. It adds the threat of torture, forced disappearance or other types of severe human rights infringement for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in certain social groups or political beliefs."

The system is in place and the 22nd of September is the kickoff of the procedure, Maj. Gen. Khemmarin Hassiri, commander of the police forces foreign affairs division, told VOA.

Rights groups say that they appreciate the programs broad definition of persecution but that the rules on who can apply are too narrow. They say the grounds on which claims can be rejected are also too vague, leaving the program open to abuse and many refugees at risk.

If it works well ... it would give people the status to be in the country [legally], and then it would help them to access some rights, including health care and education, said Waritsara Rungthong of Thailands Refugee Rights Litigation Project, a legal aid group.

But I dont really expect it, because at the end of the day the NSM is just a regulation of the prime minister's office and the police still have authority under the Immigration Act, she said.

Waritsara said this could mean continued arrests and refoulement.

Too narrow, too vague

Another top concern is that the program automatically disqualifies legally recognized migrant workers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

Rights groups say asylum seekers often become migrant workers just to earn a living or gain legal status, since Thailand does not recognize refugees. They say that migrant workers sometimes have to travel home to renew contracts or visas, an obvious problem for those who fled for their safety.

Even though ... they have a document showing that they are migrant workers, there needs to be some kind of process to screen or to consider whether this person should still be eligible to apply for the NSM because this person could be a refugee at the same time, said Waritsara.

Rights groups also worry about how the program may treat those who are eligible to apply. The screening rules say the committee can reject applicants who meet all other conditions if they might pose a risk to national security, without elaborating.

Such cryptic language could mask rejections actually meant to keep up or curry favor with other countries that want their dissidents back, even if it puts them in danger, said Naiyana Thanawattho of Asylum Access Thailand, another refugee rights group.

That is possible because there is no transparency, she said. We have no way to check ... what are the real reasons behind it. And we have seen many cases in the past, before the NSM, when the government tried to send somebody to a certain country as per [the home countrys] request. Its based on the relationship between the governments.

In 2015, Thailand sent more than 100 Uyghurs back to China, which the United States has accused of committing genocide against the Muslim minority. Thailand also sent four political dissidents back to Cambodia, where they were promptly arrested in 2021.

In April, Vietnamese state media reported the arrest of a political dissident whom it claims had returned from hiding in Thailand by choice, days after he went missing in Bangkok. The mans friends say closed circuit video from just outside the house he was renting suggests he was abducted.

A trust deficit

These and other cases make for what the international group Human Rights Watch calls a long-running swap mart among the governments of the region seeking to retrieve and punish their dissidents.

Dang, an undocumented asylum seeker from Vietnam, said the cases have spawned a level of mistrust of the Thai government likely to discourage him and many others from applying for the new protection program.

I dont think I want to apply, Dang said, adding that most of the other asylum seekers he knows feel the same.

If we apply for that, that means they have our information in their hands and [we are] not sure whether theyre going to share it with the [other] government, he said. This is a big concern ... and if they share with them, I think they will find me here.

Rights groups say asylum seekers also fear theyll be arrested if they come forward and placed in immigration detention centers during the vetting process, which has no fixed time frame.

Khemmarin, the police commander, said applicants will be placed in shelters located across the country.

Its just a facility, not like the prison or detention center, he said. We [will] not restrict them, but we make sure that during the process they will be present with us at all times.

The authorities will let some applicants stay outside the shelters in exceptional cases, he said.

The commander said rejected applicants will be subject to repatriation but acknowledged that could prove impossible for those who are effectively stateless.

Khemmarin also conceded that past governments may have on occasion misused the catchall power of invoking national security to deport asylum seekers but said the new administration, which took office earlier this month, would correct that.

From time to time it has been abused by the action of the government service, but that doesnt mean that we [do] not treat them properly, he said. With the new government, I think if we have the right track to move on, I think the problem of the refugees will be properly identified and resolved.

Wasamon Audjarint from VOAs Thai service contributed to this report.
Ukraine lodged a complaint this week at the World Trade Organization after several eastern European states imposed import bans on Ukrainian food products, exposing divisions in the European Union as its members try to support Kyiv in the wake of Russias 2022 invasion.

Hungary, Poland and Slovakia banned the import of Ukrainian grain and other food products last Friday, saying the shipments were undercutting their own farmers.

Kyiv confirmed on Monday that it had filed a complaint at the WTO.

"It is crucially important for us to prove that individual [EU] member states cannot ban imports of Ukrainian goods. That is why we are filing lawsuits against them to the WTO, Ukraine's economy minister, Yulia Svyrydenko, said in a statement.

The WTO is not likely to make a ruling anytime soon, according to David Kleimann, a trade expert with the Bruegel research group in Brussels, Belgium.

The process starts with 60 days of consultations in which the parties basically have the time to come to a mutually agreeable solution to the dispute. That is not entirely unlikely given the fact that some of this is a result of election prologue in Slovakia and Poland. There might still be time in that consultation period to come to a resolution, Kleimann told VOA. Slovakia is due to go to the polls on September 30, while Polands election is scheduled for October 15.

Solidarity

Ukraines president said its vital that European states reopen their export routes. We need our neighbors to support Ukraine in times of war. Europe always wins when agreements work and promises are kept, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a televised statement Friday.

Russias invasion of Ukraine last year cut off many of Kyivs export routes. In July, Moscow withdrew from a Black Sea Grain Initiative  a mechanism that had allowed Ukrainian grain to be shipped onto world markets  causing global food prices to rise. The Kremlin warned that it could not guarantee the safety of merchant ships. Russian missiles have repeatedly targeted Ukrainian Black Sea ports, causing widespread damage.

The European Union offered Ukraine other land routes to allow its food products to reach global markets via member states bordering Ukraine  what the EU calls "solidarity lanes."

Olia Tayeb Cherif, head of research at the Farm Foundation, a French think tank focused on agriculture, explained that some of the food products entered the European market.

Ukrainian wheat is among the most competitively priced in the world, alongside Russian wheat. Since the start of the conflict, 50% of Ukrainian wheat exports have arrived in Europe, whereas before the conflict it was a really small amount. So the European Union is faced with an unprecedented situation, seeing very competitive wheat arriving in these markets which was not initially intended for them. This eventuality had not really been foreseen by the European authorities, Cherif told VOA.

Farmer protests

Farmers in several neighboring European states have staged protests, claiming that Ukrainian food is being dumped on local markets. Low-quality, cheaper products than ours are sold in the shops. We have very high costs to produce quality meat and milk. We are operating at a loss, and therefore we will give up, Bulgarian farmer Vassil Dzhorgov told The Associated Press on Monday.

In May, the EU offered the farmers compensation and allowed five eastern European states  Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and Romania  to impose temporary import bans on some Ukrainian products. When the deadline expired on September 15, the EU said there was no need to renew these measures as the market distortion caused by the influx of Ukrainian products had largely disappeared.

Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, however, imposed their own unilateral import bans. Croatia also said Tuesday it would only allow the transit of Ukrainian grain.

EU criticism

European allies strongly criticized the import restrictions.

Ukraine is under aggressive attack by Russia. And so we need to understand that here we have to see the bigger picture and support all these solidarity lanes, and also support the possibility for Ukraine to export its grain, Finlands minister of agriculture, Sari Essayah, told reporters in Brussels Monday.

In the meantime, the European Commission has told Ukraine to impose so-called "voluntary export restraint as it tries to persuade eastern European member states to remove the import bans.

What the commission is doing here is kicking the can down the road by giving an obligation to Ukraine to limit, to manage or to channel its exports to the European Union  and at the same time waiting out the time until the elections, most particularly in Poland, and hoping that the Polish political sentiment will change after the election. This is really not a sustainable solution, analyst David Kleimann told VOA.

European divisions

The EU is caught between the demands of its member states and the need to support Ukraine, said the Farm Foundation's Cherif.

Europe is really having to play a balancing act between, on the one hand, preserving its internal cohesion  that is to say, putting in place market regulation measures which prevent these agricultural markets from being disturbed by cheaper wheat  and on the other hand, helping Ukraine by allowing the transit of these grains to reach international markets. It should also be emphasized that historically, Ukraine's export destinations are largely Africa and the Middle East, and they are also very large customers of the European Union, Cherif told VOA.

The dispute is exposing divisions within the European Union as it tries to show unity following Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, said Kleimann.

Single market fragmentation in in these difficult times, with the security interest of the European Union and the interest of keeping pro-Russian sentiments in check  this is pretty much a worst-case scenario, he told VOA.
Ukraine has lodged a complaint at the World Trade Organization after several Eastern European states imposed import bans on Ukrainian food products. As Henry Ridgwell reports, the dispute exposes internal divisions in the European Union as its members try to support Ukraine in the wake of Russias 2022 invasion.
The United Nations said Wednesday that Afghanistan's Taliban had committed more than 1,600 human rights violations during arrests and detentions of people, including women, and it urged the de facto authorities to cease the abuses.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA, has documented the violations in its first report on the treatment of detainees since the Taliban reclaimed power two years ago, saying nearly half of the violations were acts of custodial torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.

The report described as "systemic" the use of torture and "ill-treatment" by police and the General Directorate of Intelligence, or GDI, in places of detention and prisons nationwide.

The Taliban renamed the official Afghan spy agency GDI after returning to power in August 2021. UNAMA attributed nearly 60% of the violations to the spy agency.

The reported abuses occurred between January 1, 2022, and July 31, 2023, across 29 of the 34 Afghan provinces. The UNAMA said it had documented the violations through its verifications of over 800 cases, including more than 130 in-depth interviews with Afghan males and females having been in Taliban custody.

The UNAMA report details methods of torture authorities used to extract confessions or other information, saying detainees were subjected to severe pain and suffering through physical beatings, electric shocks, asphyxiation, stress positions, and forced ingestion of water, as well as blindfolding and threats.

The report noted that 24% of the victims were journalists or civil society members, 21% were former Afghan government members and 44% were individuals with no particular affiliation. The rest included those affiliated with arms groups and people detained in order to extract information.

It also documented the death of 18 detainees, including former Afghan security forces and opposition fighters, while the rest's association was unknown.

"The personal accounts of beatings, electric shocks, water torture, and numerous other forms of cruel and degrading treatment, along with threats made against individuals and their families, are harrowing," said Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights. "I urge all concerned de facto authorities to put in place concrete measures to halt these abuses and hold perpetrators accountable."

The Taliban have denied the UNAMA allegations. In a response attached to the report, the foreign ministry in Kabul insisted security institutions were carrying out their work lawfully and shared details of the steps they had taken to uphold the rights of detainees.

The Interior Ministry-led police department identified 21 cases of human rights violations, and they were under investigation, the Taliban said.

"Fortunately, Sharia (Islamic religious, social, and cultural values), which have been approved to protect and respect fundamental and Islamic rights, prohibit the torture of people even for the purpose of obtaining the truth," the Taliban office of prison administration was quoted as saying.

The UNAMA report noted that the Taliban had introduced some measures to monitor abuses in detention centers.

"Although there have been some encouraging signs in terms of leadership directives as well as an openness among many de facto officials to engage constructively with UNAMA and allow visits to prisons, these documented cases highlight the need for urgent, accelerated action by all," said Roza Otunbayeva, the mission's chief in Kabul.
Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives are set to hold their first hearing next week in the impeachment inquiry into U.S. President Joe Biden. But with a very slim majority in the lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, it appears unlikely Republicans will be able to pass the articles of impeachment needed to trigger a trial of the president in the U.S. Senate.

The House Oversight Committee next Thursday will investigate allegations Biden improperly used his position as vice president to help his son Hunters foreign business dealings. Republicans also allege Biden used his official office to coordinate those efforts and was protected from investigations into those claims by his own administration.

These allegations paint a picture of a culture of corruption, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy told reporters last week while announcing the launch of the inquiry.

Multiple Republican-led House committees investigated the allegations for months prior to the launch of the inquiry and did not find any evidence supporting those claims.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, said during a hearing Wednesday that Republicans have wasted countless taxpayer dollars on baseless investigations into President Biden and his family. Desperate to find evidence for an absurd impeachment and desperate to distract from the mounting legal peril facing Donald Trump.

What are the allegations against President Biden?

Chief among House Republicans claims of corruption is an allegation that then-Vice President Biden pushed for the removal of Ukraine Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin in 2015 because of Shokins investigations into Burisma, the Ukrainian company whose board membership included Hunter Biden.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, one of the three members of Congress leading the impeachment inquiry, told conservative news network Newsmax, this week, We've got a president that's compromised. We've got a president who has violated laws who should be treated as a criminal.

How has the White House responded?

In a memo to reporters, the White House noted that years of independent reporting and an investigation by the House Foreign Affairs Committee found that Biden committed no wrongdoing and was carrying out a policy developed by the U.S. State Department and carried out by the International Monetary Fund. Additionally, the White House said evidence shows Biden pushed for Shokin to be harder on corruption and that the Ukrainian prosecutor general was not investigating Burisma.

Do Republicans have the votes to impeach Biden?

The two-step process for removing federal officials from office is laid out in the U.S. Constitution. In the first step of the process, the U.S. House of Representatives must pass articles of impeachment by a majority vote. Republicans only hold a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, with 221 Republicans, 212 Democrats and 2 vacancies. Many Republicans from more moderate districts have expressed concerns about impeaching Biden, particularly heading into a presidential election year.

In an opinion piece published by the Washington Post this week, Rep. Ken Buck, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, wrote, Republicans in the House who are itching for an impeachment are relying on an imagined history.

House Speaker McCarthy can only afford to lose a handful of Republican votes or risk failure on a vote to impeach Biden.

Will the impeachment inquiry continue if there is a government shutdown?

McCarthy is facing difficulties within his own party passing a spending bill that will fund the U.S. government past a September 30th deadline. If disagreements within the Republican party remain, the U.S. government will shut down. This will stop all but the most essential work throughout government agencies and in the U.S. House of Representatives, meaning lawmakers will not be able to hold an impeachment hearing.

The White House said in a statement this week, the impeachment inquiry was a distraction from Republicans inability to govern.

Extreme House Republicans are already telegraphing their plans to try to distract from their own chaotic inability to govern and the impacts of it on the country. Staging a political stunt hearing in the waning days before they may shut down the government reveals their true priorities: to them, baseless personal attacks on President Biden, White House Spokesperson Ian Sams said in a statement.

What will happen in the Senate?

If the U.S. House of Representatives is able to pass articles of impeachment, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will be in charge of deciding when and if the Senate holds a trial of Biden. Schumer has called the charges absurd and could decide not to hold a trial, where the Democratic majority would almost certainly never attain the two-thirds majority required to convict the president and remove him from office.
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

US lawmakers on Tuesday urged the White House to step up delivery of nearly $19 billion in military sales to Taiwan, citing fears that China will invade the island. VOAs Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson has more from Capitol Hill. Camera: Saqib Ui Islam.
Ukraine said Wednesday a Russian drone attack overnight damaged an oil refinery in the Poltava region in the central part of the country.

Governor Dmytro Lunin said operations at the plant were temporarily suspended, and that there were no reports of casualties.

Serhiy Lysak, the regional governor of Dnipropetrovsk, said Russia attacked Nikopol and three other areas, damaging five houses.

Ukraines military said its air defenses shot down 17 of 24 drones that Russia used in its overnight attacks.

US tanks

Ukraines efforts to break through Russias defensive lines could soon benefit from some long-awaited firepower  some 31 U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks first promised in January.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the impending delivery of the U.S. tanks Tuesday during a meeting of some 50 nations in the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany on Tuesday, noting the coalition continues to move heaven and earth to get Ukraine what it needs right now.

That will add another formidable armor capability to join the [German-made Leopard tanks] that are already on the battlefield, he added.

Speaking separately, a defense official told reporters traveling with the secretary that the U.S. tanks are already in Europe and will begin crossing into Ukraine in the coming days.

Ukrainian forces began training on the M1 Abrams tanks in June.

And U.S. military officials told VOA earlier this month that about 200 Ukrainian soldiers were continuing to train in Germany to maintain proficiency until the tanks are ready for delivery.

U.S. defense officials had previously said the M1 Abrams tanks would be delivered by the fall.

Ammunition

In addition to the tanks, the U.S. has also been providing Ukraine with depleted uranium ammunition for the M1 Abrams  armor-piercing rounds that were designed to destroy Soviet-made tanks, like the ones Russia has deployed to the front lines in Ukraine.

And perhaps just as importantly, U.S. defense officials say they have mechanisms in place to help Ukraine keep the tanks on the battlefield.

We've built a much more fulsome sustainment structure to hand over to the Ukrainians, said Douglas Bush, the U.S. Armys acting assistant secretary for acquisition, logistics and technology.

We've done all we can do to set conditions for the support structure in Europe to where we will be able to flow them repair parts and then help them with battle damage repair and things like that, Bush told reporters Tuesday, speaking from the Pentagon. They're getting  a lot more spare parts.

Bush also sought to downplay concerns about maintaining the M1 Abrams tanks, viewed as one of the more complicated capabilities shared so far with Ukraines military.

The Ukrainians have been remarkably adept at maintaining Strykers and Bradleys [armored vehicle platforms], for example, via telemaintenance and indirect support from us, he said. So, were hopeful.

Other Western officials, including U.S. General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, also found reason for hope, despite the relatively slow pace of Ukraines ongoing counteroffensive.

Ukraine continues to make deliberate, steady progress in liberating their homeland from Russian occupation, Milley said, speaking alongside Austin during a news conference at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

To date, Ukraine has liberated over 54% of Russian-occupied Ukraine, and they continue to retain the strategic initiative, he said.

Russian troops

Milley said Russia still has about 200,000 to 300,000 troops in Ukraine and that many of them are not extraordinarily well-trained. He warned that the effort to eject them from Ukrainian territory remains a tough fight, a hard fight, but said the Ukrainian military is up for the task, even if it means fighting into the winter months.

Russia has made one of the greatest strategic errors Russia's ever made, Milley said. They've invaded a country that's been free and independent, and that country's not going to quit until they, too, are free and independent once again.

NATOs top official, likewise, touted Ukraines chances.

It is not a stalemate, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told Reuters on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The Ukrainians are gaining ground, he said. They have gained, pushed back the Russians again and again, and they are continuing to gain ground in the south and east.

In addition to the imminent delivery of the U.S.-made M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine, the U.S. and its allies are set to begin training Ukrainian fighter pilots on U.S.-made F-16 fighter jets that will be donated by the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway.

But there was no talk Tuesday of providing Ukraine with longer-range missiles that Ukrainian officials have been asking for.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other top officials have repeatedly asked for missiles capable of striking key targets behind Russias front lines, such as the U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS that can fly up to 306 kilometers.

U.S. officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, have said Washington is now actively considering the request. But so far, the White House has balked at giving Ukraine weapons that could be used to strike beyond Ukraines legal borders and into Russian territory.

US government shutdown

In addition to some U.S. reticence to provide certain weapons systems, aid to Ukraine could also soon be hampered by a potential U.S. government shutdown.

Pentagon spokesperson Chris Sherwood said in a statement Tuesday, first reported by Politico, that delivery of security assistance to Ukraine "could be impacted by furloughs of personnel and DoD's suspension" of nonessential activities.

Additionally, Mira Resnick, the State Departments deputy assistant secretary for regional security, told lawmakers Tuesday that during past government shutdowns, the U.S has been unable to process new licenses or new military sales except in an emergency.

Congress has until October 1 to enact at least short-term spending bills to avoid a partial government shutdown.

Attacks on Lviv

Ukrainian officials said Tuesday that Russian aerial attacks hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killing one person.

Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi said on Telegram the attack struck three warehouses, which stored windows, household chemicals and humanitarian aid.

U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine Denise Brown condemned the Russian strike, saying one of the warehouses belonged to Caritas, the Vaticans main charitable organization.

The vital humanitarian facility, which contained approximately 300 tons of relief supplies, was burned to the ground, Brown said in a statement. Attacks impacting humanitarian assets have escalated throughout the year and ultimately impact those who are suffering the horrific consequences of the war.

Lviv, located near Ukraines border with Poland, is a key hub for Western aid entering Ukraine and has been the target of prior Russian attacks.

Ukraines military said air defenses destroyed 27 of 30 drones that Russia used in its attacks, with intercepts happening in southern, central and western Ukraine.

The military also said it downed a Russian reconnaissance drone in the eastern part of the country.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
Critics warn decorum is falling apart at the seams in the U.S. Senate after the Democratic leadership changed the rules to end the requirement of wearing a jacket and tie in the tradition-bound chamber.

Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday told the Senate Sergeant at Arms that the chamber's unwritten dress code need no longer be enforced.

The relaxed attire rule applies to all of the chamber's lawmakers, but the switch was seen as a special deal for Democratic Senator John Fetterman, whose love of shorts and hoodies has turned dress-down Friday into dress-down every day.

Fetterman's dress style, or perhaps lack of style, became his signature on the campaign trail before entering the Senate this year. He also gained sympathy from many after he underwent treatment for clinical depression soon after taking office.

Schumer said senators will be able to wear what they want, even if "I will continue to wear a suit."

But the new rules, first reported by Axios, were met with mockery on the right.

Republican Susan Collins joked to NBC that she planned to "wear a bikini."

"I think there is a certain dignity that we should be maintaining in the Senate, and to do away with the dress code, to me, debases the institution," she said.

Senator Bill Hagerty, a Republican, told Fox Business that the move was "just another step in the movement by the Democrats to transform America, to take us to a place that is much less respectful than we historically have been."

Lawmakers who dropped in to vote in gym clothes or other unusual attire had previously been able to circumvent the rules by keeping one foot in the adjacent cloakroom, according to U.S. media.

Fetterman said he may "dress like a slob," but the sartorial sniping meant "the right have been losing their mind."

Both the House and Senate have in recent years relaxed rules to allow women to wear sleeveless dresses. And in 2019, the House green-lighted religious headwear to allow for the hijab worn by Representative Ilhan Omar.
This combo photo shows the portraits of 270 teachers, who are still working or once worked in landlocked mountainous areas across 20 counties in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

NANNING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- When a Xinhua reporter first met Yu Qigui a decade ago, the village primary school teacher was seen trudging a muddy mountain path carrying a hand-woven basket on his back with a group of school kids tailing him.

His backpack basket was sometimes filled with a collection of schoolbags belonging to the kids and sometimes even with one of the kids.

The four-km rugged path with ups and downs over hills and valleys, leading from home to their destination -- Wengjiang Primary School in Jiangliu Village of Longji Township, Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region -- was nothing but challenging for young pupils, and adults as well.

Yu is among over 270 teachers still working or once worked in landlocked mountainous areas across 20 counties in Guangxi who have been interviewed by a Xinhua reporter over a span of 11 years. Some are pulling through in schools with only one teacher and a handful of students.

Zhao Hong is working in such a "mini-school" with one teacher and six pupils in Shentan "teaching site" in Lingchuan County of Guangxi. Living in the school -- over 20 km away from home -- Monday to Friday, he teaches the kids and cooks for them, too.

When asked whether it is necessary to keep these "mini-schools" up and running, Tu Bingwang, deputy principal of a local school, the closest one to Zhao's teaching site, gave an affirmative answer -- "Quite necessary!"

The 40-km distance from Zhao's teaching site to the closest school is next to insurmountable for the handful of young kids, most of whom have only grandparents as their caretakers when their migrant-worker parents are away from home.

Many kids of school age in Guangxi's mountainous areas have to postpone their schooling due to long distances and craggy roads. Otherwise, one of the parents has to quit their job and rent an apartment in the vicinity of the school, which creates a rather heavy financial burden for a cash-strapped family from the mountainous area.

Huang Yongyong and Huang Xiubi, husband and wife, have been working in Nawang Primary School in Dongling Township, Debao County of Guangxi, for 19 years and 30 years, respectively, as teachers, cooks, and caretakers.

When Huang Yongyong thought about leaving the backwater place over a decade ago, a parent of the students pled, "What about our kids if you left?" The couple finally decided to stay. "Here, we are the hope of the kids," said Huang Yongyong.

Hope has also been delivered to teachers of mountainous schools.

A cement road was paved in 2016 leading all the way to Wengjiang Primary School, and Yu Qigui bought a car a year later. Today, a different snapshot may be taken -- Yu's car is seen snaking through undulating terrace fields in the morning mist, picking up his students along the drive.

Moreover, Wengjiang Primary School was retrofitted, with dated wooden blackboards replaced by modern teaching facilities, and the dark and cramped school cafeteria was refurbished and equipped with a refrigerator and a disinfection cabinet.

Young teachers, including those born after 1990, are also seen working for these mountainous schools. 

This combo photo shows primary school teacher Zhao Hong playing table tennis with a student (above) and Zhao tutoring students after class (below) in Lingchuan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

This combo photo shows Huang Yongyong and Huang Xiubi interacting with students during a break (above) and the husband and wife distributing lunch to students (below) in Nawang Primary School in Dongling Town, Debao County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, March 22, 2023. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

This combo photo shows primary school teacher Yu Qigui trudging a muddy mountain path carrying a hand-woven basket on his back with a group of school kids on Feb. 26, 2013 (above) and Yu driving his car to the school with his students on July 7, 2020 (below) in Jiangliu Village of Longji Town, Longsheng County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)
High-level allegations this week that India was involved in the killing of a Sikh leader on Canadian soil are renewing fears that governments worldwide are no longer afraid to cross boundaries to silence dissenting voices.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made the unprecedented accusation Monday, telling Canadian lawmakers that his government has "credible allegations" of India's ties to the June slaying of exiled Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver.

India has rejected the charge as "absurd." But the episode has worried top U.S. officials who are tracking a growing number of cases in which critics are being targeted across nation-state boundaries.

"I won't speak to that particular report," said Kenneth Wainstein, the Department of Homeland Security's undersecretary for intelligence and analysis, in response to a question from VOA about Canada's accusation against India.

"But I will say  we have seen an increase in foreign nation state efforts to repress and persecute people they see as dissidents here in the United States," Wainstein said during an event at a Washington think tank on Tuesday.

"We're seeing that from the PRC [People's Republic of China] police stations that are set up here and [are] being used to monitor and harass people that they think are unfriendly to the regime," he said. "We're seeing in [sic] other countries who are targeting people here in the United States."

U.S. counterintelligence officials, in recent months, have repeatedly sounded the alarm about a growing number of incidents.

Most of the concern has focused on China and Iran, labeled "significant offenders" by officials at the FBI.

The officials point to arrests, including in April, where two U.S. citizens were charged in connection with running an illegal police station in New York City's Chinatown neighborhood.

Some of Iran's efforts to silence critics have been even more brazen, including multiple plots targeting Masih Alinejad, an Iranian American human rights activist and VOA Persian TV host and a murder-for-hire plot targeting former U.S. national security adviser Ambassador John Bolton.

But China and Iran are not alone.

U.S. prosecutors point to a series of indictments against suspects linked to Belarus, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, while concerns about Russia are ever present.

According to a separate database maintained by the U.S.-based Freedom House, there were 854 physical incidents of transnational repression committed in 91 countries by 38 governments since 2014.

China ranked first in the report, followed by Turkey, Tajikistan, Russia, Egypt, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Iran and Rwanda. India also made the list.

China has consistently rejected the accusations that it engages in transnational repression, describing such allegations as a smear campaign.

Other countries have declined to address the allegations.

Still, U.S. counterintelligence officials warn the willingness of countries to cross borders to silence dissent has hit an "inflection point," telling reporters in April there are "lines that are being crossed" by a growing number of governments.

U.S. officials have likewise warned that the operations to target dissidents are getting ever more sophisticated, sometimes making use of third parties who are unaware of how they are being used.

"We've seen where the private investigators are not witting to what's going on and where, in fact, the subjects are using some kind of cut-out company to mask who is behind," an FBI official told VOA earlier this year, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

"Same thing with local police departments," the official added.

The Department of Homeland Security's Wainstein on Tuesday said his office and others are doing everything they can to push back.

"It's a huge threat, both to those individuals, but to our sovereignty," he said, responding to a question from VOA.

"We have people who have come to the United States, as generations have before, as a place of freedom," he said. "And their old regimes back in their home country are reaching out to try to intimidate them."
President Nicolas Maduro says a "new Venezuela" is rising and he wants journalists to report this "truth." However, editors and journalists working in the country say those whose reports are critical of his administration can find themselves accused of promoting a "hate campaign" or the target of "selective repression."

Throughout his tenure, Maduro has called out journalists for critical coverage, from the AFP to VOA's Spanish Language service. On Monday, Maduro described the Argentine site InfoBae as "idiots" and "imbecile media" after a report on the president's visit to China referred to him as a dictator. He also accused a Miami-based broadcaster of profiting from opposition leaders.

Free speech organizations have said that Maduro's administration is using "selective repression" against dissidents and journalists who contradict the official narrative.

Media organizations tracking harassment and smear campaigns directed at Venezuela's journalists say such rhetoric from the country's leaders makes it harder to do independent journalism.

"It increases the risk of aggression, of forced detention and censorship by the authorities. The journalist, of course, is no longer received in public institutions, or not invited to press conferences for the ruling party, said Cesar Batiz, co-founder and director of the media outlet El Pitazo.

"This happened not only in the time of Maduro," Batiz said. "It was also very frequent, and it was more dangerous in the time of [former president Hugo] Chavez."

Espacio Publico, a Venezuelan NGO, said in its annual report that 2022 had been "a particularly difficult year" for media outlets.

"They not only had to overcome the multidimensional crisis [in Venezuela], but also came face-to-face with restrictive policies that seek to reduce the media ecosystem," Espacio Publico said in its report.

Already in 2023 it has documented 261 violations related to censorship and acts of intimidation.

Another Venezuelan media association, the Press and Society Institute or IPYS, documented 373 attacks against freedom of information in the country last year and more than 60 cases of media work being criminalized or smeared.

The IPYS found radio stations most affected, with more than 100 ordered to be closed by the broadcasting committee known as Conatel.

The Ministry of Communication did not respond to VOA's request for comment.

'Shackled' press

Carlos Alaimo, president and chief editor of Version Final, a newspaper from Zulia state, told VOA that journalism in Venezuela is "incomplete" because of fear of an "excessive criminal legal action if the wrong government fibers are touched" by the local press.

"Any critical journalism will always be a target for the government, you have to work on constant alert," said Alaimo, adding that the press is "shackled."

His media outlet had to stop its daily print run because of a lack of paper for the newspaper. Alaimo says he believes Version Final lost access to supplies because of its independent reporting.

"We lost advertisers who historically bet on the print medium. Even today, our sponsors are few due to the fear that the authoritarian model [in Venezuela] generates in businessmen. All of this hit  and continues to hit  our financial health very hard," Alaimo said.

Version Final used to have 120 workers and provided incomes for more than 600 people. That structure "was clearly affected" when the print version stopped, he said. Government calls press an 'enemy'

Other journalists say that the pressure has made it harder to get people to speak on the record.

Victor Amaya, an editor of TalCual, a news website based in Caracas that had a printed version until 2017, talks about how the government has promoted the notion that the press is an "enemy."

Now, the access to official sources is "compromised" and many people on the streets are reluctant to speak with TalCual's journalists.

"People feel vulnerable by sharing their thoughts" to the press, Amaya told VOA.

The number of their advertisers has been reducing "little by little" in recent years, especially since they migrated completely to their digital edition.

In both their printed and digital versions, clients often ask them to publish their advertisements in sections about sports, culture, or international news, what journalists occasionally call "soft news," Amaya said.
The URL has been copied to your clipboard

The code has been copied to your clipboard.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa says the West should remove sanctions imposed on some Zanu PF officials and Zimbabwean companies. He made these remarks at the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Bijou Phillips and Danny Masterson. Photo: Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Actor and model Bijou Phillips has filed divorce from Danny Masterson after the That 70s Show actor was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for raping two women. Ms. Phillips has decided to file for divorce from her husband at this unfortunate time, attorney Peter Lauzon said in a statement, per CBS News. Her priority remains with her daughter. This period has been unimaginably hard on the marriage and the family. Lauzon added that Phillips acknowledges that Mr. Masterson is a wonderful father to their daughter. The divorce is surprising considering Phillipss stance in the immediate aftermath of the trial  she told People she had no plans to split from Masterson less than two weeks ago. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge sentenced Masterson on September 7 after he was found guilty of two counts of rape that occurred 20 years ago during a time when Masterson was at the height of his That 70s Show fame. Phillips and Masterson met in 2005 and tied the knot in 2011. The actors rape accusations emerged in 2017 following more than a decade of the Scientology Church allegedly silencing Mastersons victims. Ahead of the sentencing, Phillips and other Hollywood friends, including Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, wrote letters to the judge in support of Masterson with the intention of reducing the actors jail time. I can say that Danny has literally been a life-saving partner to me, her letter read. The man I married has only been an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter.
Annie Dorsen in Prometheus Firebringer. Photo: Maria Baranova

Not to overdo it with the ancient Greekiness, but Prometheus Firebringer is a Pandoras box: a compact container that might contain the end of the world. The hybrid lecture performance by director and writer Annie Dorsen, who is also the only living performer onstage, is less than an hour long, but the subject its grappling with could fill  has filled  books, not to mention innumerable think pieces, podcasts, dissertations, op-eds, Reddit threads, speculative dystopian epics, and tweets. That subject is AI, and the Greeks would just love the irony: that the monster with infinite tentacles that gorges itself on information, assuming an ever more human form as it feeds, should, in the very furor around its existence, inspire human beings to generate so much new content, so much fresh food for itself. Look, Im doing it now!

In its ability to make us pause and face the monster head-on, Prometheus Firebringer is a quietly stunning, brain-jangling piece of work. Dense and yet lucid, somehow both harrowing and playful, the play-lecture takes us along on a series of looping interrogations into how the omnipresence of AI is already rewiring our brains. Its the last piece in a trilogy of performances that Dorsen describes as algorithmic theater, using and examining new technologies while pondering how theyre altering our cultural genome. Dorsen has been at work on this project for more than a decade, but in a recent piece in American Theater, she hardly seemed comfortable with it. Im ambivalent about having used these tools, even to criticize them, she wrote. I doubt Ill do it again.

Ambivalence isnt easy for the soul, but oh, how good it is for theater. The core contradiction of tragedy, Dorsen tells us, quoting the philosopher Simon Critchley, is that we both know and we dont know at one and the same time and are destroyed in the process. How can we both know and not know at the same time? Perhaps in much the same way that we can speak words, express ideas, that both are and are not ours. This is the plays great magic trick, and it hits us early on with a jolt: You will see that I am using other peoples words, says Dorsen after thanking us for coming. It all comes from somewhere else. Ah, but Im not stealing anything. Im just borrowing this stuff, just like when you borrow a book from the library. Going to the library isnt a crime, is it? Dorsen speaks deliberately, with pauses between phrases that feel initially odd, a little stilted, a rhythm to which we must force ourselves to adjust. Then, it dawns on us: With each of Dorsens phrases, a footnote is projected onto the wall behind her, and the pauses are to give us a fraction of a moment to process them, along with her speech: Bernard Stiegler, Symbolic Misery Vol. I: The Hyperindustrial Epoch  The Twilight Zone, Episode 145  Simon Critchley, Tragedy, The Greeks, and Us 

Not a sentence that comes out of Dorsens mouth  not a phrase, not a word  is unglossed. She has constructed her lecture entirely out of quotations, collaged fragments of everything from academic tomes to tweets. A mere handful of sentences represents a patchwork of sources: The Complete Idiots Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism; a transcript of a 1988 meeting of the New Zealand Planning Council; Canadian Geographic, Volume 125.

Dorsen is doing what AI does. She is trawling and amalgamating. She is imitating the imitator. And as she weaves other peoples words together into arguments that cohere so tightly  that each follows on from the others (thats Descartes), she raises an ever-expanding fractal of questions of ethics and effort. Can she just cut, paste, and print like this? Should she? Are these ideas hers now? Who is speaking? (Thats Gregg Lambert, The Elements of Foucault.) How long must all this have taken her? And what about the bot that can do the exact same thing, on an exponential scale, in milliseconds, without stopping, and without ever citing its sources?

That bot is facing Dorsen from across the stage, lurking inside the objects that make up the mise-en-scene, and in between parts of her lecture, we get a demonstration of its powers. This is the ostensible project of Prometheus Firebringer: to use AI (specifically GPT-35, the model that runs ChatGPT) to generate possible versions of the ancient lost play of the same name. Almost 2,500 years ago, Aeschylus wrote a trilogy about the Titan Prometheus, who defied Zeus and gave human beings the gift of fire  a new technology with infinite potential, both generative and destructive. Only the first of these plays has survived in a fuller form, and of the play we think marked the trilogys conclusion, we have just the title and a shred of a single sentence. We dont know how the story ends. So Dorsen has asked GPT-35 for a grand finale.

Even before the show begins, as the audience enters the space, there is a ribbon of text repeatedly typing and wiping itself out on a large screen above the stage. Each time, it starts with the same words: The play begins with  Again and again, it presents us with different possible synopses for the lost work. (Some end in celebration, some in massacre.) Below the screen, five grotesque masks stand mounted on poles, and one  larger, more ominous  hangs suspended on a central wall. Sometimes, the theater darkens, and these masks speak to us, lights flickering in their empty eye sockets, uncanny auto-tuned voices rising from speakers hidden inside. Murky, atonal music swells into collections of chords that resembles human moans.

All of this  the text on the screen, the music, the masks, their voices, what they say  has been generated using AI. Or rather, is being generated, in the moment, over and over again. I had to confirm this with the productions press team, because my little humanist brain wasnt quite prepared to believe it: The masks  which represent Prometheus and a Greek chorus of human orphans  dont say the same thing every night. Were not listening to pre-recorded sound cues, or watching pre-programmed text play out on that screen. We are listening to GPT-35, generating and performing a brand new version of Prometheus Firebringer, in real time, at every show.

Whenever the masks begin to speak, Dorsen turns and listens. Like us, she is hearing something shes never heard before. Like us, she becomes a curious audience member, capable of surprise, anxiety, boredom. And a big part of the gutsiness of Prometheus Firebringer is that all three of these things are crucial to experiencing the work. At first, the masks are mesmerizing. They have a bizarre ugly-beauty to them, and the amalgam of Ian Douglas-Moores eerie sound design, lighting designer Ruth Waldeyers ghostly illuminations, and the flickering imagery provided by video designer Ryan Holsopple creates a haunting, solemn sensation, an atmosphere of tragic ritual. Then, of course, one starts to become afraid. What have we done? And even more pressingly, what shall we do?

Simon Critchley argues that that second question sits at the heart of every Greek tragedy. And while the circumstances Dorsen presents in Prometheus Firebringer might make its weight seem crushing, she doesnt leave it unanswered. Here  sneakily, playfully, like a kid planting a whoopee cushion on a humorless teachers chair  is where the boredom comes in. Because as the masks keep talking, something weirdly wonderful happens: You get bored. They start to repeat themselves. They rhyme sky with try one too many times. They say things that feel chilling  the arrogance of man will be its undoing  until you realize how cliche they are, how many thousands of sources they could have been pulled from. At one point, both Dorsen and the audience snorted with laughter when the AI-generated text appearing on the screen informed us earnestly that with great power comes great responsibility.

Prometheus Firebringer reveals the truth about AI, which is that, at least at this point, half its name is still inaccurate: Its wildly powerful, but not actually intelligent. Its like a sinister Katamari Damacy: a cute little alien who just keeps rolling his ball, collecting War and Peace and Donald Trumps latest tweets and Purple Haze and Mein Kampf and 34 TikTok Recipes That Are Totally Worth the Hype and Hamlet and Heidegger and The Real Housewives and Horton Hears a Who!  and all of these things have the same value, and none of them teaches the monster how to do more than, in the words of Dan McQuillan, produce grammatical, mostly contextual, and sometimes creative seeming texts that are doing what theyre meant to do, which is the plausible.

Meanwhile, there sits Dorsen, doing exactly what the AI is doing, and how much more fascinating, impressive, idiosyncratic, and moving she is. I do not know that GPT-35 and its progeny of evils will not destroy the world. But I do know  well, I believe  that there are things beyond destruction, and that, in their name, we have an ethical obligation to the implausible and, the gods be thanked, a gift for it. Dorsens brief and brilliantly constructed theatrical essay is a bracing reminder that processing power isnt imagination, nor is it discernment, effort, humor, or care. Perhaps even these things wont save us, but they may at least keep us awake to the fact that something else is still, and always, possible.

Prometheus Firebringer is at Polonsky Shakespeare Center through October 1.

The Critics Newsletter Sign up to get New Yorks week in reviews. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us.
The puppy in John Wick was never just a puppy, but Peacocks three-part event series loses its way in trying to be about more than just a building. Photo: Katalin Vermes/Starz Entertainment

We dont watch the John Wick films for believability. We watch them for spectacle, audacity, and Keanu Reevess extraordinary way of uttering Yeah, for a fantasy world in which our titular assassin has somehow survived four movies of gunfights and falling out of buildings and getting hit by cars. Within this milieu, no regular people in New York City, Rome, Tokyo, or Paris are really affected by John and the murderous maniacs chasing him; theres a self-containment to their byzantine codes of honor, revenge, and loyalty that helps suspend our disbelief, and its integral to John Wicks accepted absurdity.

The overextended spinoff series The Continental: From the World of John Wick is built on a miscalculation that both misses that outlandish appeal and overestimates the inherent interest in a battle over real estate. The puppy in John Wick was never just a puppy, but The Continental loses its way in trying to be about more than just a building. The series, debuting on Peacock September 22, erodes itself by committing to actual historical events, to questions of sexism and racism, and to thin commentary on the gap between NYCs wealthy and poor, all of which are rigidly mundane compared with the franchises established eccentricity. Its too much explanation and exposition where there should be atmosphere, too much grasping for relevance and substance where just vibes would suffice. Theres only one scene in a neon-lit nightclub and only one guy with a katana! The Continental feels afraid to go all-out, limiting itself to a few thrilling action sequences whose creativity makes the sparse character motivations and drawn-out plot that much more belabored.

In the John Wick films, Continental hotels are safe havens for assassins, and the nexus point for various elements of the franchises increasingly dense world-building: Guests can only pay in special gold coins, the locations are overseen by the mysterious High Table of crime lords, and no killing can occur on the grounds. The NYC location was run for decades by manager Winston Scott (Ian McShane) and concierge Charon (Lance Reddick), who across the John Wick chapters often aid Reevess character, and The Continental traces how the pair came to lead this place. That means the series (whether its limited to one season is unclear; Peacock has advertised it as a three-part event) mostly occurs in a fuzzy time between the late 1970s and early 1980s, in a version of NYC that looks like The Warriors, Sin City, and Joker run through a grimy-CGI filter. Graffiti and trash are everywhere, large numbers of unhoused people populate the sidewalks, owners walk away after their dogs defecate in the street, and racially organized gangs terrorize each other. The city is home to doomed idealists trying to carve out an existence (basically all the women in this show), Vietnam War veterans who turn to crime because they cant reacclimate (basically all the men in this show), and the misfits and weirdos who live in the Continental, overseen by crooked cocksucker Cormac OConnor (Mel Gibson, as distracting and unnecessary as that fat suit Scott Adkins wore in John Wick: Chapter 4).

Cormac is a bad guy defined by very little outside of his bombast, 70s-era offensiveness toward anyone who isnt a white man, and tendency to beat people to death, and The Continental unites the enemies intent on taking the hotel from him. Primary among them are the Scott brothers, Winston (Colin Woodell) and Frankie (Ben Robson), who were separated in childhood after a criminal event; the former was sent to London, where he became a bit of a con-man entrepreneur, while the latter served in Vietnam and then became an enforcer for the Continental when he returned home. Theres nothing physically similar about Woodell and Robson, but theres a prickly quality to their interactions that suggests a once-close relationship turned sour. What The Continental does best, actually, is believable enmity between people who otherwise care about each other: between Frankie and his Vietnamese wife and ally Yen (Nhung Kate); gun runner Miles (Hubert Point-Du Jour) and his sister Lou (Jessica Allain); Continental concierge Charon (Ayomide Adegun) and his only friend at the hotel, cellist Thomas (Samuel Blenkin); and NYC detective KD (Mishel Prada) and her superior and lover, Mayhew (Jeremy Bobb).

These characters are sparsely conceived, and their reasons for going up against Cormac broad. Only a few of them feel like they genuinely fit into the John Wick world  like the wonderful Ray McKinnon sliding into a dandy accent to play aging assassin and devoted horticulturist Jenkins  and neither Woodell nor Adegun fully evokes the older versions of their characters as played by McShane and Reddick. But the underlying structural problem is that The Continentals center of narrative gravity never really solidifies amid so much would-be pithy dialogue (including an overreliance on characters mocking Winston for his ascot), so many forcibly engineered franchise Easter eggs, and so many side plots. Although Winston and Charon are the most familiar figures, the series doesnt sit with them equally. Instead, it trips over itself to bring in more characters, grudges, High Table shenanigans, and contemporaneous political issues that feel worthy of more nuance than The Continental can give them, in particular, the suggestion embodied by Frankie and Miles that imperialism-approved warfare translates easily into privatized, for-profit violence. And because the series is so enamored with the kind of accessorizing that the John Wick franchise usually avoids, that thoughtful stuff cant cut through the noise of needle drops from ZZ Top, Yes, James Brown, Black Sabbath, Heart, and more accompanying nearly every scene transition, sex scenes and body horror, and a weird reliance on gay-panic moments.

When The Continental displays the purity of focus that makes the John Wick films work so well, though, it hits on all lizard-brain synapses. The action scenes dont always follow the Chad Stahelski format; the takes arent as long, the editing is choppier, and there are fewer close-up frames. But these punching-kicking-shooting-blowing-stuff-up duels are when The Continental and its characters feel most alive, their stakes the most dire. The series wants to draw a line between the grit and turbulence of NYC at this time and the trauma and anger its characters carry with them, and that breeding ground for malcontent feels most resonant when Frankie spits out a drink offered by Cormac and then fights his way through a stairway full of attackers, the camera tight on his twisting and turning body; when two people beat the crap out of each other while trapped in a telephone booth, or another hangs out of a car window firing a machine gun. The Continental is at its most immersive during the rigor and rhythm of combat and most overworked when the bloodshed stops. Despite being part of a franchise thats comfortable flying close to the narrative sun, it remains frustratingly grounded.
Travis Scott. Photo: Erika Goldring/WireImage

Travis Scott was questioned for around eight hours on September 20 in a civil deposition over his 2021 Astroworld Festival, where crowd crush killed ten and injured hundreds more. The Associated Press reports Scott sat for questioning in Houston, where the festival took place, after the hundreds of lawsuits against him were combined into one multi-district claim. A spokesperson for the rapper told the AP that Scott was fully cooperating with the legal process. Travis Scotts deposition is typical legal procedure, said Ted Anastasiou. What is not typical is how the media continues to focus on him despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by extensive government investigations, including by the Houston Police Department. Lawyers in the civil cases are under a gag order.

Scott was not charged in June after Houston police investigated the incident and questioned the rapper. Shortly after, he released his first album since the tragedy, Utopia. The UTOPIA  Circus Maximus tour begins in October, but Scott wont be coming back to Houston.
TEHRAN, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran has requested Iraq to extradite 38 main members of Kurdish "separatist terrorist groups" based in northern Iraq, the High Council of Human Rights of Iran's Judiciary said on Wednesday.

The demand was put forward by Iran's visiting Deputy Judiciary Chief for International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi in a meeting with the President of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq Faiq Zidan in Baghdad, the report said.

Gharibabadi asked the Iraqi official to, based on the bilateral judicial cooperation agreements and the joint security agreement signed in March, repatriate them to Iran soon for them to be placed on trial.

For his part, Zidan reiterated Iraq's commitment to fight "terrorist" groups and to cooperate with the Iranian side via judicial apparatus to this end.

On Tuesday, Iran and Iraq held their first meeting of the joint judicial committee on fighting terrorism, co-chaired by Gharibabadi and the head of Iraq's Judicial Supervision Commission Laith Jabr Hamza, where the two officials agreed to facilitate judicial cooperation and extradition of the perpetrators of any terrorist act, including suspects and convicts.

Under the security agreement signed in March, the Iraqi government had pledged to disarm anti-Iran "separatist terrorist groups" operating in Iraq's Kurdistan Region and relocate them to an alternate camp by a deadline that expired on Tuesday. 
BEIJING, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The International Horticultural Exhibition will take place from April 26 to Oct. 28, 2024, in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province in southwest China, the event's organizer said Wednesday.

Covering 242 hectares, the exhibition will have seven themed exhibition areas, Chen Zhiyong, deputy mayor of Chengdu, told a press conference.

The preparatory work for the event has progressed orderly, and 70 percent of construction work has been completed, Chen said, adding that 16 foreign cities and 20 foreign associations and enterprises have confirmed their participation.

An official with the China Flower Association expected the event to promote the upgrading and development of China's horticulture industry. 
IT-Alert test scheduled in Rome and Lazio on Thursday called off.

The testing of Italy's new public alert system in the Lazio region around Rome on Thursday 21 September has been postponed to a later date due to expected bad weather.

The last-minute decision to call off the IT-Alert test was announced on Wednesday afternoon by the Lazio region with a brief statement on its website in light of the thunderstorms expected across Italy on Thursday.

The Lazio region said the decision to cancel the testing of the new service, which had been scheduled for midday on Thursday, was to avoid a scenario in which civil protection authorities were engaged in dealing with potential emergency situations due to the weather.

E rinviato a data da destinarsi il test di #ITalert nella Regione Lazio previsto per giovedi #21settembre a causa della contemporanea allerta gialla per temporali prevista su tutto il territorio



I dettagli nella news https://t.co/njgCu5Fnrx pic.twitter.com/97duyN1Mu8  Regione Lazio (@RegioneLazio) September 20, 2023

IT-Alert, which has been tested in other regions in recent weeks, has been set up to warn of "a major emergency or an imminent or ongoing catastrophic event" and offer "timely information to potentially affected people, with the aim of reducing individual and collective exposure to danger."

The ongoing testing of the system around Italy is designed to fine-tune the service which alerts people via text message to their cellphones.

The new date for testing the system in Lazio has not been announced yet.
AMMAN, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The China-Arab Consortium of Universities Exchange Mechanism was inaugurated in Jordan's capital Amman on Tuesday, aiming to boost the scientific and academic cooperation between Arab and Chinese universities.

The mechanism will focus on cooperation in the fields of green innovation, health, food security, youth development, and dialogue among civilizations, said Du Yubo, president of the China Association of Higher Education, at the inauguration ceremony.

He added that the exchange mechanism opened a new chapter in China-Arab higher education cooperation.

Amr Ezzat Salama, secretary general of the Association of Arab Universities, said that Arab and Chinese universities should actively collaborate in relevant fields under the framework of the mechanism, jointly contributing to addressing the challenges of climate change and sustainable development, among others.

Chinese Ambassador to Jordan Chen Chuandong said the mechanism has brought together many top universities from China and Arab countries. He expected that young students, teachers, and think tanks could exchange ideas and boost cooperation via the platform, contributing wisdom and strength to the practical cooperation between China and Arab countries.

The ceremony was attended by nearly 100 representatives from more than 20 higher education institutions of countries including China, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, etc. 
Don McCullin photographs in Rome from 10 October to 28 January 2024.

Rome's first major retrospective dedicated to the work of the internationally celebrated British photojournalist Don McCullin will be held at Palazzo delle Esposizioni.

Considered one of the most significant war photographers of modern times, McCullin has documented the consequences of conflicts in war-torn regions around the world and is also known for his powerful images of homeless people in the UK.

Don McCullin, Le acciaierie di West Hartlepool alle prime luci dellalba, Contea di Durham, Inghilterra, 1963.  Don McCullin, Courtesy Hamiltons Gallery.

Comprising more than 200 photographs printed by McCullin himself, the exhibition's themes include early work in London and Berlin; war; international travel; British landscapes and still life; and the Roman Empire.

For full details of the exhibition see PalaExpo website.

Cover image: Don McCullin. Tormented homeless Irishman, Spitalfields, London, England, 1970.  Don McCullin, Courtesy Hamiltons Gallery.
The relationships between Donald Trump and his three eldest children are likely to be on display as they are all scheduled to take the witness stand in the civil fraud trial in New York over the Trump Organizations business practices.
Co-working and hybrid workspace operators are seeing signs of recovery as local and offshore operators grow their footprint and occupiers target higher flexible space usage.

Having been the darling of the office market before the pandemic, then hit hard when no one wanted to work near other people, the flexible office market footprint has increased by 2.1 per cent in the major east coast markets in the 12 months to June.

CBREs latest Australian Flex Space in the Age of Hybrid Work report shows there is a more positive outlook for the sector after a slower-than-expected post-pandemic return to the office and a degree of consolidation in the market.

Hub Australias new flagship site at 44 Martin Place, Sydney.

The report reveals the penetration of flex operators in these markets represents 2.7 per cent of office stock, down from 3.1 per cent at the sectors peak in early 2020.
Microsoft is narrowing the gap with Apple in the stock market as investors see better growth and far less China risk in the software giant.

The companys shares have outperformed the iPhone makers this month, bringing its market value closer to Apple, which is at the centre of a flareup in tensions with China. While hundreds of billions of dollars still separate the two companies, Microsofts positions in markets including cloud computing and artificial intelligence make it more attractive to some investors.

Microsoft is closing the gap on Apple. Credit: AP

Microsoft has more of what the market wants right now, and given where we stand on the pairs growth prospects, we wouldnt be surprised to see it overtake Apple, said David Klink, senior equity analyst at Huntington Private Bank.

We have more faith in Microsofts margins, while the cloud and AI are growth areas that can stand the test of time over a decade. We dont know if the iPhone can do the same, he said. Its hard to make a bear case for Apple, given its services business, but the bull case clearly favors Microsoft.
Advertisement

RecipesCookbook extracts An experts guide to all things cheese (and why youve probably been cutting it wrong all along) Chef and cheesemaker Colin Wood shares tips on how to find a good cheesemonger, slice cheese properly and choose the best crackers. Colin Wood September 20, 2023 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share

If you love cheese (and who doesnt?), its worth taking the time to learn a little about its history, including the traditions of how to eat and serve it, says chef and cheesemaker Colin Wood. Cheese has history, and cheese isnt just milk, he writes in his new book Theres Always Room for Cheese. Cheese and cheesemaking has evolved over thousands of years, so the least we can do is learn the origins, the stories, the traditions and the history of what we are eating and serving. There is a real romance to cheese and the stories are often fascinating and bring purpose to the cheese. Here, Wood shares his expertise on how to look after your cheese.

Advertisement

Cheesemaker (and author of Theres Always Room for Cheese) Colin Wood. Rob Palmer / Hardie Grant Buying cheese Just like you would go to a quality butcher, fishmonger, market or fruit and veg purveyor for those items, you really ought to go to a good cheesemonger, cheese shop or farmhouse to get your cheese. Here are a few reasons: Good cheesemongers have relationships with their cheesemakers. They know what is happening on the farm, with the milk and with the cheese. Some even hand-pick the cheese for their shop.

They have intimate knowledge of the cheeses in their cabinet.

Some may have even milked the animal, then made and aged the cheese before serving it to you.

Buying cheese from a cheesemonger supports smaller, local artisan cheesemakers and businesses. They can tell you what is best to eat at the moment  cheese has seasonality, and a cheesemonger knows when to eat what and when.

When cooking, a cheesemonger will be able to help you choose which cheese and ripeness is best for what you are using it for.

Advertisement

Get to know your cheesemonger, and theyll get to know what you like and also introduce you to new cheeses they think youll like.

Cheese cut to order is the best way to buy cheese.

Your cheese should be wrapped and stored well.

Cheesemongers know how to have fun. Finding a good cheesemonger is a bit like dating  find one that has the qualities you like, tells you romantic stories, has time for you, gives you their best and helps create memories. Photo: Rob Palmer Cutting cheese Cheese ripens from the outside in  from the outer moulds and rinds to the inner cheese paste  as in white mould cheeses. Or, as in the case of cheddar, it can ripen from the inner cheese paste to the outer rinds.

Advertisement

To get the full spectrum of flavour, texture and aroma, you need to cut from the centre out. This is easier with a small to medium wheel of soft cheese  you simply cut small triangular wedges. Square or rectangular soft/washed-rind cheeses can also be cut this way as long as they arent too soft. Long cylindrical cheeses such as provolone can be cut into discs, then into triangles, pyramids into quarters or eighths from the top down, and medium-sized aged cheese into wedges, then again into smaller pieces, making sure the range includes the centre out. There are a few lessons that Ive learnt over time, but occasionally its good to break the rules. I have been told that some cheese people dont like when a cheese is shaved, but I love it, especially with most alpine-style cheeses. The texture completely changes and almost becomes a salty, creamy, buttery fudge. Tete de Moine (meaning monks head in English) is an alpine-style cheese that sits on a special tool called a girolle wheel, which shaves in a circular fashion to resemble the top of a monks head, hence the name. The nutty, pudgy and pliable rosettes of cheese that are produced from this are so unique. Queen of Corona, a natural-rind goats cheese that came from Crown Finish Caves via Italy, was another cheese that was also able to have its top curled for dramatic effect and taste. This gives a completely different mouthfeel, aroma and flavour than if you just had a wedge. Even after the cheese is matured, cut and served, it is still very much alive and will dry out, deteriorate and go bad if not looked after. Cheese for use in salads and cooking can be shaved, grated, Microplaned, chunked, balled, ribboned and cut in many other ways too. It depends on the application and what you are looking to achieve. I love how cutting cheese in different ways alters the flavour, texture and aromas.

Advertisement

Finely grated parmigiano reggiano and a good nugget of it taste completely different, especially when you get a salty, crunchy tyrosine diamond in the nugget. And while we are here, it should be said that parmigiano reggiano is known as the king of cheese for a reason. It is made with cows milk, rennet and salt and was created before the invention of refrigeration. It is a beautiful cheese that can be served as it is on a cheese plate at the start or end of the meal. Your new friend, the cheesemonger, will cut it to order for you, and you shouldnt buy it grated. You do that fresh. Serving cheese Table cheese should be served at the correct temperature. You are really doing the cheese and cheesemaker a disservice by serving a beautiful cheese stone-cold. Like wine, it needs time to open up and reveal its flavours, textures and aromas. This is easier in a home setting. Pull a soft cheese out an hour or two before serving, and a harder style cheese out a few hours prior, depending on the ambient temperature. Unwrap it and let it breathe as if you were decanting a wine. Gently blistered grapes pair well with soft cheeses. Rob Palmer / Hardie Grant

Advertisement

Grilled grapes Dried, shrivelled grapes are not my jam at all. In my opinion, if youre going to serve grapes with cheese, use them fresh or, even better, gently blister them on a grill and toss with a muscatel vinegar, olive oil, sea salt flakes and pepper to eat with a home-made fresh soft cheese. But if you do like muscatels, try making your own or sourcing a quality one. Grilled stone fruit, macerated in a little champagne or prosecco, is also very good with fresher styles of cheese. Serve with fresh white cheese, ricotta, mascarpone or similar cheeses. Choose your starch wisely when considering whether to serve cheese with crackers, toast or bread. Rob Palmer / Hardie Grant Crackers v bread v toast

Advertisement

The way I see it is, its all about the cheese. You want to highlight and complement it, not mask it, and a meal that has multiple servings of bread can be a bit much. That said, a warm, torn baguette with a wheel of soft cheese or wedge of sharp cheddar is a very good lunch. But choose your starch wisely. Thinking about what cheese you have, where it is served in the meal and the condiments you are serving it with, can help you decide what else to serve it with. The thickness of a cracker should be considered  a thin cracker with a thick hunk of cheese may be a bit finicky and shatter at the first bite. Choose something that is going to do the job. A fresher style of curd could go with crackers, fresh bread or toast; a delicate and rich white mould suits a cracker or fresh bread; and something a bit bolder could handle the char of toast. Mind you, an overripe white mould cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich isnt the worst idea either. Storing cheese

Advertisement

Even after the cheese is matured, cut and served, it is still very much alive and will dry out, deteriorate and go bad if not looked after. Cheese loves, wants and needs moisture  in moderation. After cutting, keep your cheese wrapped in cheese paper, beeswax wraps or aluminium foil if you must. Plastic wrap doesnt allow the cheese to breathe. Storing cheese in a lidded container can build up too much moisture and restart mould growth, as you may notice when you are ageing them, as can keeping too many cheeses together in a container. Keep the lid off if you must, and also keep a rack in the bottom so the cheese isnt sitting in any moisture. Water and cheese dont mix well. Cheese that has unwanted mould on it can be trimmed or scraped to use the cheese straight away. Most household refrigerators have a salad and lettuce crisper drawer in the bottom. These are much better places to keep your cheese than the top shelf, which is usually designated for cheese. The crisper keeps the moisture in better, and is better for storing cheese  wrapped, of course. Fresh cheeses and curds that you make are best kept in sterilised jars and containers in the fridge. By sterilising them you give them the best shelf life possible. As the dairy youve made doesnt contain stabilisers, thickeners and additives, they may not last as long as store-bought products. They should absolutely taste better and be better for you, though. Keep them clean, use clean utensils and try not to double-dip to help them last longer. Alternatively, eat them fast and make more.

Advertisement

The best recipes from Australia's leading chefs straight to your inbox. Sign up
Friends and family have gathered to mourn a 16-year-old boy killed after the ute he was travelling in left the road and crashed into a tree in Yanchep on Tuesday night.

The tragedy occurred around 9.40pm at the roundabout intersection of Yanchep Beach Road and Parkland Drive.

WA Police have since alleged the 16-year-old male driver of the Holden Crewman ute, who sustained minor injuries, did not possess a drivers licence and that speed may have been a factor.

A 15-year-old male passenger received minor injuries and was taken to hospital by paramedics while 16-year-old Ryan Berry did not survive the crash.
Dubai International (DXB) topped the Airport Connectivity rankings for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region, Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) announced on Tuesday (September 19).

The Airport Connectivity Report reveals that air connectivity in the Middle East stands out with +26% growth in total connectivity in 2022 vs 2019, with direct connectivity to destinations in North America, Asia-Pacific and Africa witnessing the strongest recovery since Covid-19, with Low-Cost Carriers (LCCs) driving the growth. On the contrary, Asia-Pacific has seen a decline in air connectivity by -38% in the same period.

Welcoming another milestone for DXB, Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports said: I'm incredibly proud to see DXB at the top of the Airport Connectivity Index for Asia Pacific and the Middle East. This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team and our service partners working across DXB, and it reaffirms our commitment to providing seamless connections for our guests worldwide. We'll continue to elevate the travel experience, and connect people, cultures, and opportunities like never before.

Stefano Baronci, Director General, ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID) said: "We congratulate Dubai International for achieving the No 1 position in the ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East connectivity ranking. This reaffirms Dubai Airport's commitment to providing top-quality air connectivity, both direct and indirect, connecting people and places across the world. Dubai Airport has consolidated its leading position in this ranking by improving its connectivity post-pandemic, with a growth of 17% over 2019. Dubai Airport's commitment to enhancing connectivity is bolstering the region's economy and global trade."

Developed in partnership with PwC, the Airport Connectivity Report measures passengers ability to access the global air transport network, capturing both direct and indirect routes, while also factoring in the quality of the service of each connection, such as destination choice, service frequency, onward connectivity, price, contributing to the passenger experience.  TradeArabia News Service
JERUSALEM, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has voiced optimism that a "historic" deal to establish diplomatic ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia could be "within reach."

Netanyahu's comments came after he met U.S. President Joe Biden in New York on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, according to a statement from the prime minister's office on Wednesday.

It was the first meeting between the two leaders since Netanyahu's return to office in December 2022.

The Biden administration has been working to broker a deal to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Netanyahu told Biden that "we can forge a historic peace between Israel and Saudi Arabia."

He added that "such a peace would go a long way first to advance the end of the Arab-Israeli conflict, achieve reconciliation between the Islamic world and the Jewish state, and advance a genuine peace between Israel and the Palestinians. This is something within our reach," according to the statement.

Earlier in September, Israel's National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi said his country and the Palestinian Authority have held direct talks as part of Israel's efforts to normalize ties with Saudi Arabia.

Both Riyadh and Washington have emphasized in recent months that any U.S.-brokered agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia would require positive developments toward a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. 
A Liberal Party elder has taken aim at bunkum pushed by the No campaign about the Indigenous Voice to parliament, including its pejorative description of a Canberra voice and its demands for more details on how the advisory body would operate.

Tony Nutt, a former federal director of the Liberals and chief-of-staff to John Howard, said the pre-federation inhabitants of Australias colonies adopted an entire constitution without knowing how parliament would eventually interpret its elements.

Liberal Party veteran Tony Nutt, who is also on the board of Australia Post and Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

They did not say, Im not voting for this constitution until I see a copy of the army and navy act. They did not say, I want to know the detail of the post and telegraph legislation, Nutt told a community forum in Vaucluse on Tuesday night.

It might be that I have a deep concern about the colour on the button of the Victorian military establishment artillery unit. They didnt go into all of that because they knew ... if you agreed with the constitution, you adopted it. That sets the framework and the principles. Then the parliament breathes life into the institutions because thats what the parliament does.
The Cook government will close political donations loopholes and cap election spending in a beefed-up version of its long-awaited political donation reforms.

But at the same time, the premier has given political parties a massive pay bump to be covered by taxpayers.

The new laws will close political donation loopholes. Credit: WAtoday

The bill will be introduced to parliament this week, complete with significant improvements to transparency including daily disclosures of donations of more than $1000 during election campaigns and weekly at all other times.

This is a much tighter turnaround than the three-monthly disclosures flagged in a 2020 donations bill that the government failed to pass before the 2021 election.
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 When historians look back on the uncertainty of the past few years they may also remember the positive aspects of how it inspired populations across the world to return to nature, to visit parks and green spaces and explore wild places, big and small, on their doorstep and beyond. They may recall the desire for sea and tree changes, to slow down, to explore our own backyards, to immerse in a destination and, while there, to experience the little (and suddenly more important) things: the blossoming of a flower, the trickle of a river, the peppery aroma of first snow in a forest. We live in a time of dawning truths that tell us that among planet Earths greatest commodities are its wildernesses  the worlds wildest, most wondrous and increasingly rare natural places that have endured despite humanity. There are many lesser-visited natural wonderlands. Pictured: Sumatran orangutan in Gunung Leuser National Park. Credit: iStock The word wilderness itself is powerful and emotive, conjuring images that loop on our social media feeds such as misty forests, clear sparkling streams, the suns shadow falling across a desert dune, a glistening blue polar peak. In times of inner turmoil or outer chaos, or both, including the ravages of climate change, these grandest of places are a clarion call. When we want adventure they are freedom cries to strap on the walking shoes or backpack. When we seek quietude, inner peace, renewal, they ignite a dormant instinct to be in nature. Today wilderness areas are both those natural wondrous places captured in the cross-hairs of our binoculars, as well as those doorstep destinations with which we are more likely to have intimate encounters.

Advertisement

They are both the places that are still wild in the traditional sense, and those that, though impacted by humanity, have a chance to regenerate, rewild and recover. Classic wilderness areas like the Amazon, Yosemite and Kakadu garner well-deserved attention, but there are many incredible, lesser-visited natural wonderlands, such as those featured below, that are equally worthy of our interest and awe. Shiretoko National Park, Hokkaido, Japan White-tailed eagles near the Shiretoko Peninsula during the winter months along with the drift ice. Credit: Alamy Why go Drifts of ice in the frigid blue waters off the northern island of Hokkaido are like clouds smeared across a clear blue sky. The sea current swirls the chalky ice floes in big, speckled swaths of salty chunks creating an extraordinary dreamlike landscape where the sea and sky meet on the horizon and become one. Tell me more World Heritagelisted by UNESCO in 2005, and covering 387 square kilometres, the park sits to the north of Shiretoko Peninsula, the northernmost point of Hokkaido, one of Japans four main islands. In the indigenous Ainu language, Shiretoko means place where the earth protrudes or more poetically Lands End, which helps conjure just how beautiful, remote and untouched it is. Dont miss The unusual drifts of sea on this coastline are not only ethereally beautiful, they also encourage spring blooms of crucial phytoplankton which support both land and sea food chains through salmon spawning. The healthy population of Ussuri brown bears, related to the grizzly, are best spotted (and more safely seen) from cruise boats along the east coast.

Advertisement

Essentials Access and accommodation are in the townships of Rausu and Utoro at the east end of the park. See env.go.jp Wadi Rum Protected Area, Aqaba, Jordan Wadi Rum, also known as the Valley of the Moon. Credit: Getty Why go This is an iconic desert landscape, a vast, red, sand-streaked valley of undulating hills and incredible iron oxide-laced rock formations built by nature to withstand the intensity of the desert heat. It is also famous for its links with Lawrence of Arabia. Tell me more Known romantically as the Valley of the Moon, Wadi Rum is Jordans largest wadi  or dry valley  covering 720 square kilometres. As the sun tracks its way across the desert sky, the whole scene can change from sepia to blood red to deep magenta and back again. Add a cloudless blue background and the long silhouette of a camel and this is a desert wilderness in all its glory. Dont miss A night in a Bedouin-style desert camp is a must-do. Half the fun is the journey through the intoxicating desert landscape be it on a donkey, a camel or in a four-wheel-drive Jeep with a Bedouin host in full white thobe and headscarf at the wheel. Essentials The access point, on the edge of the protected area, is the small Wadi Rum village where wandering goats and hessian tents are a contrast to the flash new sandstone visitor centre. See wadirum.jo

Advertisement

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California, US Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, California. Credit: Alamy Why go Known as the Serengeti of the Sea, this marine sensation is an epically rich fantasia of sea kelp, underwater volcano habitats and sea creatures, both big and small. It is within the California Current Conservation Complex, and has tentative status on UNESCOs World Heritage List on account of its huge number and diversity of marine species. Tell me more That this marine oasis is on the doorstep of California, home to a densely packed human population, makes its abundance and richness more remarkable. It stretches about 444 kilometres from San Francisco in the north to its southern boundary at Big Sur, and takes up about one-quarter of Californias extensive coastline. Dont miss The greeny-black underwater depths of Monterey Canyon abuts the coastline creating the perfect conditions for one of the worlds biggest waves  Mavericks, known to crest at 7.6 metres. Spotting the mother of all earthly creatures, the blue whale, is categorised as uncommon but sightings do happen here too. Essentials The park habitats are easily accessed all along the coast at stops on self-drive tours, on barefoot beach explorations and in coastal communities. On the water, the action is on kayak and boat outings, and scuba and snorkel dives. See montereybay.noaa.gov Tropical Heritage Rainforest of Sumatra, Indonesia

Advertisement

Protected Sumatran Elephants bathing in Gunung Leuser National Park. Credit: Shutterstock Why go If rainforests are Earths oldest living ecosystems, then the Tropical Heritage Rainforest of Sumatra is the heartbeat of an ancient world. This landscape, covering 2.5 million hectares, comprises three unconnected national parks, each occupying terrain along the backbone of Sumatras Bukit Barisan mountain range or the Andes of Sumatra. From their highest points, the land stretches out like a long-lost magical kingdom, such is its exceptional beauty. Tell me more The wilderness area was UNESCO World Heritage Listed in 2004 on account of its intact tracts of exquisite rainforest and unmatched biomass of species. It is the only place in the world where elephants, tigers, rhinos and orangutans coexist. Each of these species is endemic and critically endangered. The survival of Sumatras entire biota relies on them. Dont miss The key species are the Sumatran orangutan, Sumatran tiger (only about 400 remaining in the wild), Sumatran elephant and Sumatran rhino (only about 300 remaining). Also the magical-sounding Malayan sun bears and Sumatran clouded leopards. Essentials Bukit Lawang, accessible via Sumatras largest city Medan, is a village on the edge of Gunung Leuser National Park known for orangutan treks, volcano climbs and waterfall chasing. See bukitlawang.com Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia Pantanal wetlands. Credit: Alamy

Advertisement
On a recent layover to Paris, I embarked on my obligatory stop to use the restroom before a flight routine and witnessed the most horrifying phone behaviour: a woman on speakerphone, speaking to what I presume was her partner, while in a stall using the restroom.

I could hear the toilet flushing as she kept talking as if she were at home  although this is still questionable behaviour at home, unless its a life-or-death emergency  and I dont think complaining about a $20 overpriced airport sandwich falls into this category. Germs aside, Id lose my mind if I was on the other end of the phone and heard the person using a public restroom.

No one wants to hear your phone conversation at the airport. Credit: iStock

Outlandish phone behaviour in airports proves that nowhere is safe.

As is the case with many things related to the flying experience, etiquette seems to be checked in the belly of the plane  and phone behaviour is absolutely one of the forgotten manners of flying, says former flight attendant Brian Hart Hoffman.
New York: The owner of a New York City daycare centre where a one-year-old died after being exposed to fentanyl took steps to cover up her involvement in a sprawling drug operation, even as medics rushed to treat several children in her care who were poisoned by the opioid, federal prosecutors said.

The daycare owner, Grei Mendez, and a man who rented a room from her, Carlisto Acevedo Brito, were hit with new federal narcotics conspiracy charges on Tuesday. They were previously charged in state court with murder of depraved indifference in the death of one-year-old Nicholas Dominici.

Police investigate the scene at a childcare centre after a one-year-old boy died and three other young children were hospitalised. Credit: NYT

Officials say they discovered a kilogram of fentanyl stored on top of play mats used by children who attended the Bronx day care center, as well as devices for packing and mixing narcotics.

The fentanyl is believed to have sickened four children, including Dominici, who died last Friday afternoon. Three others  ranging in age from eight months to two years old  were hospitalised.
New York: Insisting that international cooperation is critical, the United Nations chief has delivered a dire warning to leaders from across the world, declaring the planet is becoming unhinged with mounting global challenges and geopolitical tensions.

Addressing presidents and prime ministers, monarchs and ministers at the opening of the UN General Assemblys high-level meeting, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres ticked off a list of existential threats the world is facing, from climate change to disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence.

Our world is becoming unhinged. Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are mounting. And we seem incapable of coming together to respond, Guterres told the people who run the worlds nations. He said that the United Nations  and the ways that countries cooperate  must evolve to meet the era.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres acknowledges the audience applause after addressing the 78th session of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Credit: AP

The world has changed. Our institutions have not, Guterres said before the opening of the UN General Assemblys General Debate. We cannot effectively address problems as they are if institutions dont reflect the world as it is. Instead of solving problems, they risk becoming part of the problem.
Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council, attend a meeting of high representatives for security issues held by China, Russia, and Mongolia in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 19, 2023. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China/Handout via Xinhua)

MOSCOW, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China, Russia, and Mongolia held a meeting of high representatives for security issues here on Tuesday.

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council, attended the meeting.

Northeast Asia is one of the most dynamic regions in the world and is also one of the regions where global security hotspots are concentrated, Wang said, adding that the region contains important development opportunities, but also faces severe challenges.

As important countries in the region, China, Russia and Mongolia are friendly neighbors who share a common stake and are friendly partners who help each other, Wang said, stressing that strengthening trilateral cooperation under the new situation has innate geographical advantages and a profound tradition, which is in line with the common interests of the three countries and helps to build consensus on regional development.

Noting that while based in Northeast Asia, the three countries should keep the whole world in mind, Wang said China is willing to work with Russia and Mongolia to jointly explore effective ways to deepen cooperation, promote regional prosperity and stability, and share the results of regional development.

Wang said that during the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Samarkand last year, the heads of state of China, Russia and Mongolia had a successful meeting and reached important consensus, which charted the course for future trilateral cooperation.

He called on the three sides to continue to give full play to the strategic leading role of the head-of-state diplomacy, deepen political mutual trust, fully explore complementary advantages, accelerate the construction of the China-Russia-Mongolia economic corridor, and bring more benefits to the people of the three countries.

Patrushev said that the three countries have similar positions on major international and regional issues and will jointly resist external interference, prevent color revolutions, adhere to multilateralism, and establish a fair and reasonable international order.

Enkhbayar said that developing good-neighborly and friendly cooperation with China and Russia is the primary direction of Mongolia's diplomacy. He added that Mongolia opposes unipolarity and drawing ideological lines, and is willing to continue to consolidate political mutual trust with China and Russia, making trilateral cooperation a model for regional cooperation.

The three parties spoke highly of the results of cooperation so far and agreed to further collaborate to jointly safeguard regional security and stability.

The three parties will jointly implement the important consensus reached by the heads of state of the three countries, take the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation as an opportunity to enhance synergy between the Belt and Road Initiative, the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Prairie Road development strategy, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and accelerate common development.

The three parties believe that this meeting has added new connotation to the strategic cooperation among the three countries, and will explore institutional arrangements for meetings. 

Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Nikolai Patrushev, secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, and Jadamba Enkhbayar, secretary of the Mongolian National Security Council, attend a meeting of high representatives for security issues held by China, Russia, and Mongolia in Moscow, Russia, Sept. 19, 2023. (Xinhua/Cao Yang)
The WCO Anti-corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme for Customs has been actively working towards enhancing trade facilitation and combatting corruption in beneficiary countries. The Programme recently supported two missions in Antigua and Barbuda, yielding promising results.



From 28 August to September 1, a Mercator follow-up mission took place, with the aim of evaluating the progress made by the Antigua and Barbuda Customs and Excise Department (CED) since the diagnostic mission conducted in December 2018. During this mission, WCO experts assessed compliance with the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA) and reviewed the high-level findings of the A-CIP Programme for Antigua and Barbuda. Participants openly addressed questions, emphasizing their commitment to embedding integrity in the Customs Modernization Program.



From September 4 to 6, 2023, a workshop on Consultation Mechanisms with stakeholders was held in St. John's as part of the A-CIP Programme for Customs. This workshop was in response to the identified needs of the CED to modernize and reform customs procedures by engaging key stakeholders. Over three days, midlevel managers and customs officials explored effective ways to cultivate relationships with stakeholders, aiming to improve efficiency. By using hypothetical scenarios based on real-world challenges, participants identified associated risks and inefficiencies in their daily responsibilities, emphasizing the link between institutional objectives and daily duties.



One of the core components of the A-CIP Programme is performance measurement. As such, a session to discuss the results of the Customs Integrity Perception Survey (CIPS) was facilitated by the A-CIP Programme.



These initiatives reflect the commitment of Antigua and Barbuda towards creating a conducive environment for cross-border trade, promoting integrity, and combatting corruption in customs.

The WCO A-CIP Programme currently supports more than 20 countries in five WCO regions, with funding from Norad and Canada. For more details on this significant effort to enhance integrity and combat corruption, please contact capacity.building@wcoomd.org.
The World Customs Organization (WCO) within the framework of the EU-WCO Programme for the Harmonized System in Africa (HS-Africa Programme), funded by the European Union, conducted an intermediate training on the Harmonized System for the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA). The workshop took place from 4 to 8 September 2023 in Senegambia, Gambia, and intervenes after a basic training that was organized in Banjul on March 2023.

The series of workshops are part of the work-plan established with GRA towards developing sustainable competency of its officials in the Harmonized System and tariff classification work, and shall be further sustained by an advanced training and a train of trainers in line with the strategic guidance for competency development.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Yankuba Darbo, GRA Commissioner General, underlined the critical significance of a well-trained workforce to optimize GRAs operations in trade facilitation and accurate tariff classification of commodities for collection of correct revenue. He highlighted the importance and effectiveness of the competency approach and stressed the commitment of GRA management and officials in undertaking the full cycle which shall ultimately support in creating a pool of experts in the Harmonized System and benefit all stakeholders. Mr. Yankuba thanked the WCO and the European Union for the continued support in Capacity Building and modernization of tariff classification infrastructure.

The Gambia EU delegation Representative, Ms. Lumana Kamashi acknowledged and recognized the Gambias active involvement in trade related issues at both regional and continental level. She applauded the remarkable efforts made by the GRA in ensuring a sustainable workforce on a fundamental area of trade, the Harmonized System. Ms. Kamashi reiterated the support of the EU within the context of the HS Africa Programme, and highlighted other areas in which the EU works closely with the Gambia and had a strong standing partnership for enhanced trade facilitation.

The workshop was attended by 15 participants from across different stations of the GRA and three clearing agents, all carefully selected from the first basic training. The intermediate training allowed the participants to critically examine in detail the structure of the HS Nomenclature and undertake practical examples on the use of General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS as well its Legal Notes. To offer comprehensive understanding, the workshop focused on crucial areas identified by the Gambia Revenue Authority which presented complexities in classification. Participants actively worked on a number of case studies in these areas ranging from food and agricultural products, food supplements and medicaments, dairy products textile and textile articles, base metals and their articles, machinery and appliances as well as optical, laboratory and medical instruments.

At the end of the workshop, Mr. Kemo Sonko, Deputy Commissioner, Technical Support & Monitoring thanked the WCO and the European Union for the continued support to the GRA on building capacity on Harmonized System classification. He also commended the participants for their remarkable commitment during the workshop adding that the results of the workshop would have a great impact on the GRAs classification work. Mr Kemo urged the participants to share the acquired knowledge with the rest of the colleagues in their respective stations.

For more details, please contact hs@wcoomd.org.
Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations at Geneva, speaks at the 54th Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 20, 2023. China and like-minded countries on Wednesday highlighted the importance of promoting inclusive societies to benefit women with disabilities and to contribute to their equal life and development. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- China and like-minded countries on Wednesday highlighted the importance of promoting inclusive societies to benefit women with disabilities and to contribute to their equal life and development.

Speaking at the ongoing 54th Human Rights Council, Chen Xu, head of the Chinese Mission to the United Nations at Geneva, said that women with disabilities are equal members of the human family.

On behalf of over 80 countries, Chen said in a joint statement that since the Fourth World Conference on Women convened in Beijing, the global cause of women development has advanced significantly. However, women with disabilities face such difficulties as insufficient social security, discrimination and poverty.

The statement called for the international community to raise awareness of social inclusion, make efforts to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against women with disabilities, make the cause of persons with disabilities better known through education, and develop a multi-tiered social support system and improve social security and care service system for persons with disabilities.

Citing that the employment rate of women with disabilities falls behind that of all persons with disabilities and that of women, the joint statement stressed that efforts are needed to facilitate their comprehensive development and common prosperity so that their rights to life and development are better promoted and protected.

Also, provision of better elderly care conditions, medical conditions and other social security measures for women with disabilities should be encouraged, the joint statement added.

In order to promote inclusive societies, the joint statement said, the international community needs to construct accessible facilities to make them more systematic, available and inclusive.

"We should make good use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to diversify ways for women with disabilities to equally share the fruits of economic and social development," it said.

"Engagement of women with disabilities in economic, social and cultural affairs must be expanded so that they act as participants, contributors and also beneficiaries of our efforts to promote the overall development of people and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," the statement said. 

This photo taken on Sept. 20, 2023 shows the 54th Human Rights Council, in Geneva, Switzerland. China and like-minded countries on Wednesday highlighted the importance of promoting inclusive societies to benefit women with disabilities and to contribute to their equal life and development. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)
TEHRAN, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Defense Minister Mohammadreza Ashtiani met with his visiting Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu here in the Iranian capital to discuss bilateral defense and military cooperation and issues of common interest, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.

Ashtiani said the decades-long defense and military cooperation between the two countries to ensure regional and global stability and security will continue within the framework of international peace and security.

He said the two countries have undergone successful cooperation in fighting terrorism in West Asia, among others, noting that tackling common regional and international challenges, including the U.S.-led unilateralism, is a priority in the bilateral cooperation.

Iran opposes transregional troops' presence in the region and is ready to retain the territorial integrity of all regional states and keep international borders intact, he noted.

He said Iran views the proposed 3+3 format, comprising three Caucasian states of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, and their three neighbors of Russia, Turkiye, and Iran, as a solution for the peaceful resolution of the problems in the Caucasus region.

The Russian foreign minister, for his part, hailed the high level of bilateral strategic relations, stressing that the strategic cooperation between the two countries should expand.

Shoigu said constructive interactions between Russia and Iran will lead to regional stability and security, highlighting the necessity for the continuation of bilateral cooperation and moving toward promoting a multilateral world order.

The Russian minister welcomed resorting to the 3+3 format for the resolution of the Caucasus region's problems, stressing the importance of the presence of regional countries, such as Iran, in the process.

He supported Iran's positions on the Caucasus' developments, criticizing transregional states' presence and activities in the region.

Shoigu said regional countries should work out solutions to their own problems in view of their cultural and historical capacities, calling for the continuation of the quadrilateral cooperation among Russia, Iran, Turkiye and Syria in West Asia and using the capacities of regional organizations, such as the SCO.

Shoigu arrived in Tehran on Tuesday and met with Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri.

Iran and Russia, both under sanctions imposed by the United States, have recently expanded bilateral political and economic relations to counter the U.S. moves. 
A Kenyan graduate student conducts an experiment at the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Crop Molecular Biology at Egerton University in Nakuru County, Kenya, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

NAIROBI, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- With a beaming face, Hannah Wanjiku chaperoned visitors inside her farm, located on the edge of a forested hillside in Kenya's Rift Valley county of Nakuru, to take a look at the blooming food crops, including maize, legumes and vegetables.

Next to Wanjiku's family home, a greenhouse converted into a makeshift demonstration farm has drawn the curiosity of local smallholder farmers keen to learn about the cultivation of high-yielding tomato varieties.

The retired teacher is a beneficiary of a research partnership between Kenya's Egerton University and China's Nanjing Agricultural University that has fostered the development of pest-, drought-, and disease-tolerant crops to combat hunger, malnutrition, and rural poverty.

"We look forward to accessing new farming technologies from China to help boost crop yield and address challenges facing local farmers like erratic rains, high cost of manure and seeds," Wanjiku told Xinhua on Monday at her farm.

Forged in the 1990s, the cooperation between the two universities has revolved around research on hybrid crops as well as training of farmers and extension workers on improved agronomic practices, said Richard Mulwa, deputy vice-chancellor of Egerton University.

Mulwa singled out the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Crop Molecular Biology, domiciled at Egerton University, for acting as a hub for the research and development of high-yielding crops through leveraging Chinese technologies and expertise.

Mulwa said the modern laboratory, whose plaque was unveiled Monday, is expected to facilitate groundbreaking research, breeding, and release of crops that can withstand climatic stresses.

According to Mulwa, the laboratory will also serve as a "nerve center" for knowledge and technology transfer, besides training experts from the eastern African region on breeding climate-resilient food crops.

"The state-of-the-art molecular laboratory will be utilized to change the lives of our farmers," Mulwa said, adding that the laboratory will help local scientists select and breed crop varieties that can withstand hostile weather, pests, and diseases.

Kenya-China agricultural cooperation, according to Mulwa, has ensured that subsistence farmers have access to technology and improved seeds in a bid to boost household food security and incomes.

He added that courtesy of a decades-old partnership with Nanjing Agricultural University, scientists at Egerton University have managed to develop and release high-yielding beans, groundnuts, cassava, and bacterial wilt-resistant tomatoes.

A delegation from Nanjing Agricultural University witnessed the plaque unveiling at the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Crop Molecular Biology.

To foster agricultural research and innovation in Kenya and neighboring countries, the laboratory's state-of-the-art equipment was installed through a grant from the Chinese government.

Daisy Osoro, a post-graduate student majoring in dryland farming, projected a confident image as she placed some plant tissues inside glass vases on the laboratory's wooden shelves.

While crediting her Chinese supervisor for aiding her research on drought-resistant cassava, Osoro reaffirmed her commitment to revolutionizing dryland agriculture in the country.

Osoro said the molecular laboratory has motivated her to venture deeper into cassava research and offer training to farmers in semi-arid regions in order to facilitate its introduction as an alternative crop that guarantees food security.

Charles Kariuki Githiri, an agricultural extension officer in Nakuru County, said extension officers are leveraging China-funded research and training to transform smallholder farming in Kenya amid low productivity linked to loss of soil fertility, climatic shocks, costly inputs, pests, diseases, and market volatility.

"I would say that partnering with the Chinese government is the right way to go to help tackle challenges facing our farmers," Githiri said. "If we embrace the technology that is being brought on board, it will ensure that farmers are able to produce sustainably, while climate change issues will also be addressed." 

A Kenyan graduate student works at the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Crop Molecular Biology at Egerton University in Nakuru County, Kenya, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

Kenyan trainees observe a seedling in Matangi Tisa Village of Nakuru County, Kenya, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

A Kenyan graduate student works at the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Crop Molecular Biology at Egerton University in Nakuru County, Kenya, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

A Chinese professor instructs Kenyan graduate students at the China-Kenya Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Crop Molecular Biology at Egerton University in Nakuru County, Kenya, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

People attend a tomato cultivation training class at a demonstration village for China-Africa Agricultural Development and Poverty Reduction in Nakuru County, Kenya, on Sept. 18, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Xu)
TUNIS, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia recently foiled 23 illegal immigration attempts to cross the Mediterranean Sea to Italy in one night, the Tunisian National Guard said on Wednesday.

"Tunisia's maritime guard thwarted these illegal immigration attempts late Tuesday and early Wednesday off the country's southeastern and central coasts," the Tunisian National Guard said in a statement posted on its Facebook page.

The guard units also rescued 463 individuals from sinking boats.

"Among the illegal immigrants, 349 are of different African nationalities, and the rest are Tunisian nationals," it said.

"Seven boats and a 'significant' sum of money were seized, in addition to the arrest of 53 wanted persons," added the statement.

Located in the central Mediterranean, Tunisia is one of the most popular transit points for illegal immigration to Europe.

Although Tunisian authorities have adopted rigorous measures to tackle the problem, the number of illegal immigrants heading to Italy has been on the rise. 
Weather Alert

Bulletin: ...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 10 AM EDT THURSDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 expected. * WHERE...Portions of Delaware, the eastern shores of Maryland, New Jersey and southeast Pennsylvania. * WHEN...From midnight tonight to 10 AM EDT Thursday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions will kill crops and other sensitive vegetation. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. &&

Info:

Type: Freeze Warning

start_time_local: 2023-11-02T00:00:00-04:00

end_time_local: 2023-11-02T10:00:00-04:00

county_name:

state: NJ

headline: Freeze Warning from THU 12:00 AM EDT until THU 10:00 AM EDT

county_fips:

category: Met

url:

urgency: Expected

severity: Moderate

certainty: Likely

geographicname: Warren County

state_name: New Jersey
BERN TWP., Pa.  With the 2019 acquisition and integration of NorthStar, EnerSys has solidified its position as the market leader for premium Thin Plate Pure Lead batteries.

As a result, the manufacturer of stored energy solutions for industrial applications, with headquarters in Berks County, has recently been selected to supply its proprietary Thin Plate Pure Lead (TPPL) batteries to the United States Navy (USN) as main storage batteries on all four classes of USN Nuclear Submarines.

The aerospace and defense markets are an important part of EnerSys long-term strategy for its Specialty Products business segment, as noted in the companys Investor Presentation.

The contract has a maximum value of $91.8 million over its multi-year duration, EnerSys notes. This production contract is a continuation of a supplier relationship in which EnerSys has supplied its TPPL batteries for USN submarines for over fifteen years from its highly automated facility in Warrensburg, Missouri.

The mission-critical nature of our energy storage solutions is at the foundation of our partnership with the US Navy. Our entire EnerSys team is proud of the Navys confidence in our ability to meet these needs by extending our production relationship through this new contract award, said David Shaffer, President and Chief Executive Officer for EnerSys.

Mark Matthews, Senior Vice President Specialty Global added, EnerSys takes great pride in supporting the US Navys submarine fleet with our proprietary TPPL technology for the growing needs of this demanding application. It is an honor to partner with the US Navy for the next five years and we look forward to continuing to support the US Navy as well as the entire US Department of Defense with EnerSys advanced lithium cobalt and proprietary lithium ion-chemistries.

About EnerSys: EnerSys (ENS) manufactures and distributes energy systems solutions and motive power batteries, specialty batteries, battery chargers, power equipment, battery accessories and outdoor equipment enclosure solutions to customers worldwide. EnerSys also provides aftermarket and customer support services to its customers in over 100 countries through its sales and manufacturing locations around the world.
READING, Pa.  Vice President Kamala Harris' "Fight for Our Freedoms Tour" of U.S. colleges rolled into Reading Area Community College Tuesday afternoon.

Her goal: to touch base with young voters and touch on issues that are top of mind for Gen Zers.

69 News anchor Wendy Davis got to speak with the vice president exclusively back stage, and one of the first questions she had for Harris was why she choose to come first to Reading Area Community College.

"First of all, I love community colleges across the country," Harris said. "RACC is doing extraordinary work with these young leaders."

10:41 WATCH: Wendy Davis interviews Vice President Kamala Harris 69 News Anchor Wendy Davis interviewed Vice President Kamala Harris during her visit to Reading Area Community College on Tuesday.

The vice president touched on a number of topics that she says repeatedly come up when she talks to young voters. At the top of the list is something she calls "climate anxiety."

"This is something that young leaders have actually told me they've coined as a term: 'climate anxiety,'" she said.

"Whether they should have children, whether they should ever think about buying a home for fear that it might be wiped out because of extreme weather," she explained.

"They are absolutely right when they are saying we need to act with a sense of urgency, that their lives are at stake, and that the future of our planet is at stake," Harris said.

She says the other big concern that has shaped this younger generation is gun violence in schools  something they've had to live with their entire lives.

"These young people, from the time they were in elementary school, so many of them, on the first say of school not only did they learn their teacher's name, they learned to hide from an active shooter," Harris said.

+13 PHOTOS: VP Kamala Harris visits Berks County The vice president traveled to Reading Area Community College as part of her "Fight for Our Freedoms" college tour.

She says for that reason gun safety is something she and President Joseph Biden are focusing on.

"We're not trying to take everyone's guns away, but we know we need reasonable gun safety laws," she said.
READING, Pa. - Vice President Kamala Harris was in our area Tuesday. She made two stops in Berks County, including a visit to a job training facility in Spring Township.

The vice president spoke with members of an apprenticeship program and stressed the Biden administration's support for unions.

She also made a stop at Reading Area Community College as part of what she calls her "Fight for Our Freedoms" tour. She held a discussion on topics affecting younger voters.

That's where 69 News anchor Wendy Davis caught up with the VP for an exclusive one-on-one interview.

After Harris addressed the crowd at RACC, Wendy had the chance to meet up with her and talk one on one about a number of topics concerning voters, including climate control and gun violence.

According to several recent polls, a majority of voters' biggest concern is President Joe Biden's age. They think he's too old.

In fact, a recent poll found many voters don't think Biden would make it through a second term, a term he would be 86 at the end of. Not surprisingly, the VP disagrees, and told Wendy that's not what she's hearing from the young voters she's talking to.

"Let me just say this, when I talk to these young voters, what they want is a leader who is in touch with the leaders of today and has a vision of what we can do today and in the future to deal with it. For young voters, what they're looking for is who's actually getting stuff done," Harris said.

Along with the questions about President Biden's age are growing questions about the vice president herself, and whether she will continue in that role, with many in both parties questioning whether she's the strongest running mate for Biden.

While Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and others weren't strong in their answers, Harris was definitely strong in hers.

"I'm Vice President of the United States, and I will be running for re-election as Vice President of the United States," Harris said.

Of course, the election is still more than a year away. Harris says it will be a Biden/Harris ticket in 2024.
NORTH CATASAUQUA, Pa. - The Northampton County District Attorney's office is announcing an arrest, five days after a brutal double homicide in North Catasauqua.

17-year-old John Bradley is now charged with stabbing his ex-girlfriend and her mother to death.

The police report describes a gruesome scene inside the house on the 1100 block of Railroad St. last Thursday. 39-year-old Rosalyn Glass was found dead from stab wounds at the top of the stairs, and her daughter, 16-year-old Rianna Glass, was found dead from knife wounds on the floor in a bedroom.

District Attorney Terry Houck said Bradley had been in a previous relationship with Rianna. Only about a week before the crime, Houck said Rianna had called Bradley to let him know she had moved on.

"He had recently been informed that, by the victim R.G., that she had begun a relationship with another person," said Houck.

Houck said the two didn't cut off communication, however. The night before the crime, Rianna texted and had a Facetime call with a family friend, saying Bradley was coming over to her house. That friend later went to Rianna's house on Railroad Street to check on her and found the grisly scene.

"Officers of the North Catasauqua Police Department were again dispatched to the 1100 block of Railroad Street for a report of an unresponsive female inside of the residence, who was discovered by an adult family friend," said Houck.

Houck also said Bradley wasn't alone that night. A 14-year-old girl, only identified as S.K.Q., joined him inside the house.

"A separate camera captured the same female walking toward the rear entrance, and then into the front entrance of the Railroad St. address," said Houck.

The two later stole Rosalyn's Nissan Murano, Houck said. Bradley ended up crashing it on Spring Valley Rd. in Upper Saucon Township, according to Houck.

"Bradley, as a result of the one-vehicle car crash, was transported from the scene to St. Luke's Bethlehem Campus, and the 14-year-old S.K.Q. was transported to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia," said Houck.

Houck said investigators have not been able to speak with the girl yet due to her injuries. They have not ruled out charges for her as well. In addition to surveillance video, Houck said they also have DNA evidence linking Bradley to the crime.

"Two samples of the red brown stain taken from the first-floor kitchen contained the DNA profile of the defendant. As a result of that, a warrant was secured for the arrest of the defendant," said Houck.

Bradley is currently being held in a juvenile detention facility in Northampton County.

Rianna Glass was a junior at Northampton Area High School.

Superintendent Joseph Kovalchik released a statement. It reads, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Rianna Glass and her family as they and all of us try to comprehend this tragic incident. Rianna was a good student and a nice person with a great smile. She will be missed by all."

He says counselors are available for students and staff.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the victims.

There are plans for a memorial service for Rosalyn and Rianna Glass. It's set for Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Reichel Funeral Home in Northampton.

Family and friends may call Friday from 6 to 8, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday before the memorial service.
VIENTIANE, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of monkeypox in the country, urging health officials nationwide to stay on the alert for more cases of the virus.

A man, who has been found contracted monkeypox after traveling from a neighboring country, is currently under observation at a hospital in Lao capital Vientiane, according to a notice issued by the Lao Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

The health ministry said more cases could be detected in Laos because of the high number of people traveling to other countries, including those where cases of the virus have been reported.

To prevent an outbreak of monkeypox, the ministry has asked health departments in provinces that border neighboring countries to respond to the disease.

The ministry has advised staff at government and private hospitals and clinics to test for monkeypox in anyone presenting with fever and an unexplained acute rash. If the virus is suspected, a swab taken from a skin lesion must be sent to the National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology for analysis.

The ministry has also recommended that provincial health departments set up laboratory facilities to test for monkeypox. In addition, they should make preparations for the treatment of patients and inform the public about ways to avoid infection.

Monkeypox is an infectious disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Most people fully recover, but some get very sick. The virus can be transmitted to humans through physical contact with someone who is infectious, with contaminated materials, or with infected animals.

The symptoms of monkeypox include an unexplained acute rash and back pain, swollen lymph nodes, acute onset of fever, headaches, muscle pain and body aches, and low energy. 
BETHLEHEM, Pa.  Bethlehem City Council approved applying for up to $10 million in federal grants for affordable housing Tuesday night at city hall.

The money will be spent to implement a plan entitled, "Opening Doors: Strategies to Build Housing Stability in Bethlehem."

Through the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program, President Joseph Biden and Congress are designating $85 million for "communities actively taking steps to remove barriers to creating and preserving affordable housing." The barriers include outdated zoning and land use, inefficient procedures and gaps in available development resources.

Bethlehem will use the funds to augment zoning updates recommended in its "Opening Doors" plan, and to design affordable housing incentive programs. These include a revolving loan fund and additional financial support for several homelessness and eviction prevention programs operated by various nonprofit organizations.

Housing supply

During his report, Mayor J. William Reynolds said there will be two "Opening Doors" Community Development Committee meetings, scheduled for Sept. 26 and Oct. 10.

The mayor said the city and the Bethlehem Housing Authority were successful in procuring a $500,000 neighborhood revitalization grant for the Stefko-Pembroke Neighborhood, in part because they were prepared for the opportunity.

"We do this planning so we are ready when these big numbers come along," Reynolds said. "...We have a housing supply crisis, and this is not something we can work on alone."

Sidewalk/curbing improvements

In other news, the legislative body approved an updated multimodal grant request for sidewalk and curbing improvements.

The resolution, with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, is for a multimodal grant for improvements to the unit block of West Third Street.

The block, between Northampton Street and Brodhead Avenue, will experience significant change with the construction of a new community cultural center by ArtsQuest and a new multi-unit, mixed-use residential building.

The grant project will address current safety and connectively concerns on West Third Street by replacing deteriorating sidewalk and curbing on street portions. In addition, the money will pay for installing streetscape amenities and improving the crosswalk at the West Third Street and Brodhead Avenue intersection.

Previously, City Council passed a resolution authorizing an application for $2 million. However, the city was recently notified by the commonwealth's DCED that the total project cost  $2.753 million  is eligible. Given this, the legislative body approved Tuesday night's resolution for the additional money.

In other news, City Council approved two resolutions to obtain Lehigh/Northampton County Local Share Assessment grants also for sidewalk improvements. This time, the grants would be used for South Bethlehem, encompassing the Southside Arts District and corresponding business district. No match is required. Each grant is worth $370,000.
UPPER MORELAND TWP., Pa. - Police are announcing the arrest of two brothers from Philadelphia on charges relating to an organized retail theft ring in multiple counties.

The two brothers face more than 200 felony charges, the DA's office reports.

Two more adults and two juveniles are also identified as targets in the investigation.

A media release from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office says the thefts happened in Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware, Luzerne and Berks counties.

The DA's office says the theft investigation began in Nov. 2022 after an alleged incident involving Cuong Nam Ly, 32 and Chung Nam Ly, 31.

Officials say the findings of the investigation were obtained from retailers Lowe's and Home Depot and includes store reports, surveillance footage and more.

The total loss to the retail stores in six counties was more than $200,000.

The DA's office says the investigation determined that the brothers are "integral members of a nefarious corrupt organization" specializing in organized retail theft.

Court documents reveal that Cuong Nam Ly and Chung Nam Ly are accused of conducting fraudulent returns and the unauthorized acquisition of store credits for merchandise.

Other targets identified by the DA"s office for their involvement in the retail thefts are:

A 16-year-old male identified as "CTL" from Philadelphia.

A 17-year-old male identified as "HTL" from Philadelphia.

Dinh Ly, a 40-year-old female of Philadelphia.

Quay Minh Ly, a 36-year-old male of Philadelphia.

The initial report says officers of the Upper Moreland Twp. Police Department responded to a theft report on June 15 2022 for an incident at the Lowe's on Welsh Road in Willow Grove, Montgomery County.

A discussion with loss prevention revealed an earlier incident at the same Lowe's days earlier when an Asian male returned five DeWalt grinder blades valued at $10.48 each. The matter was brought to the attention of loss prevention when it was observed the individual received a credit of $773.3 for the return blades, officials report.

Further investigation by police revealed a UPC barcode from an impact drill had been affixed over the UPC barcode of the grinder blades.

Police say the credit card used for the transaction belonged to Cuong Ly.

Further investigation led police to meet with crime prevention at Home Depot. A retail crime investigator told authorities that Cuong Ly had engaged in more than 200 return transactions since the beginning of 2022.

In September 2022 search warrant for a credit card in the name of Cuong Ly was obtained, police continue to report in court records.

A second search warrant was obtained in November 2022 for a different credit card.

Court records show that surveillance video and images were obtained for a number of store incidents.

Home Depot reports the total fraudulent returns in Pennsylvania for the time period of August 2022 - June 2023 at a loss of over $40,000.

Under cover detectives also helped in the investigation.

A purchase from Facebook Marketplace involved an under cover detective agreeing to meet with Cuong Ly on April 19, 2023. The detective purchased a jump starter from the accused that was later placed into evidence.

Two residences were identified as possible places being used by the organization. One in the 4800 block of N. 12th Street and one in the 5800 block of N. Front Street in Philadelphia.

Search warrants were obtained by police for both locations. On June 16, 2023 the search warrants were executed.

Court records shows that at the N. Front street location investigators encountered Chung Nam Ly and a juvenile man identified as "CL" by police.

A search of the basement also found numerous tools, jump starters and more.

The Ly brothers were arrested and charged with corrupt organization, conspiracy, retail theft, dealing in the proceeds of unlawful activities, organized retail theft, theft by deception receiving stolen property and related charges.

The defendants were arraigned on Monday. Bail was set at $75,000 unsecured with the condition against trespasses on Lowe's or Home Depot properties.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. on October 13.
N. CATASAQUA, Pa. - Nearly a week since a teenager and her mother were brutally killed, their community continues to mourn.

16-year-old Rianna Glass and her mother, 39-year-old Rosalyn, were stabbed to death inside their North Catasauqua home last Thursday.

A close family friend says the emotions are still too raw for the Glass family to comment publicly, but students at Rianna's school say it's just not the same without her.

"Definitely a lot of sadness. A lot of people walking around, you could just tell they knew her," said senior Addison Brabec.

"It's very quiet. Nobody's really talking as loudly. It's just generally pretty calm around school," classmate Xander McDonald added.

Northampton Area High School students spoke about the somber tone throughout the halls, after fellow student Rianna Glass was stabbed to death along with her mother.

"It's really shown, like how quickly things can change. And just overall, like I said, just made a lot quieter. Especially recently, like this last week," McDonald said.

Police say the suspect is Rianna's former boyfriend, 17-year-old Jonathan Bradley. The high school junior is pictured in the 2023 Parkland High School yearbook.

He's charged as an adult.

"It's really hard, person to lose. She was really close with me. And she was like, a really nice person all the time. And she's very like, sweet. She helped me through a lot. And she was just a really good person," said friend and classmate Mya Benton.

Benton said she and Rianna became friends at nearby 3D Dance Studio and will always keep those memories in the forefront of her mind.

"Performance for like a Christmas thing. And we were doing the dance and she went the complete wrong way and knocked right into me and we both fell right on the floor in front of an entire school," she chuckled.

Happy memories can help at least mask the pain. Students are making T-shirts in support of Rianna.

Counselors are on hand, students say.

Services for her and her mom are Saturday.
WASHINGTON - People in Pennsylvania may be used to seeing a senator in street clothes.

John Fetterman has been doing it ever since he was elected, and throughout his political career. But now, more senators could be following suit, by ditching the suits.

On Monday, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the unofficial Senate Dress Code will no longer be enforced.

This was met with outrage by some Republican senators, like Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

"Most, if not all Republican senators think that we ought to dress up to go to work, and so I can't imagine we're going to be wearing jeans on the Senate floor anytime soon," he said.

And McConnell isn't alone. People we spoke with in Allentown are a little put off by the idea of their elected officials dressing down.

"I think they should dress up a little bit. It would be nicer if they looked nicer," said Tom Rose.

"If you're in a professional setting you should dress in a professional manner. You look good, you feel good, you work good," said Anthony Vega.

"It's important to always look professional, if you're being paid by the taxpayers. How about spending a little money on your clothing?" said Anne Episcopo.

For Sen. Fetterman's part, he offered a deal in a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, saying if Congress could pass a budget deal to prevent a government shutdown and provide more funding to Ukraine, he'd put on a suit and tie.
Parekhas has been "unresponsive," Backenstoe said Monday. 69 News has contacted a business affiliated with Parekhas for comment.

"When the problems started back in 2020, the township cited them for a number of violations," Backenstoe said. The owners cleaned up the property some, but that did not last. Fines assessed on the property are now about $150,000, he said.



"It was a thriving business there for many years at that intersection," Backenstoe said. "Then it slowly started to deteriorate" about three years ago.



The township can only act within the bounds of the law, and to date, that has meant seeking judgments against the owner. Now, the township is seeking a court order.



"As opposed to filing for money damages, we're going to ask that the court direct them to clean the property up," Backenstoe said.



"The township is taking every action it can to try to rectify the problem," he said.



DePue said he is hoping for at least a short-term fix.



"They need to fix the immediate issue. They need to block it off to keep people from dumping tires there," he said. "Then clean up the immediate area and secure it."



"The township is not giving up," Backenstoe said, until there is a resolution. "That is what we're trying to get to, to get it cleaned up and secured."



Plainfield has contacted Northampton County for assistance, but according to township meeting minutes, the township would have to own the property to receive any grants to improve it.
As they seek election next year, two Pennsylvania congressional candidates announced endorsements from different national organizations on Wednesday.

Incumbent Sen. Bob Casey (D) was endorsed by the United Steelworkers (USW). USW International President Tom Conway called Casey a "staunch ally of working families," and noted the senator's support of the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Time and again, [Casey] has proven his commitment to creating and saving good jobs, fighting for fair trade, ensuring quality, affordable health care, and preserving retirement security," Conway said. "He fights for us, and we intend to fight just as hard to get him reelected.

On the Republican side, 7th district House candidate Ryan Mackenzie was endorsed by Americans for Prosperity Action, a group dedicated to "promoting economic freedom and individual liberties."

"I am honored to receive support of AFP Action in this critical race," Mackenzie said. "It is important that we elect proven conservative leaders committed to ensuring freedom and opportunity to represent us in the U.S. House of Representatives."
HARRISBURG, Pa. - Some Pennsylvania Republicans are not so keen on a plan announced Tuesday to start automatic voter registration.

Gov. Josh Shapiro gave word that, beginning Tuesday, whenever someone renews or gets their license or ID card, they will also be registered to vote, unless they opt out.

How this will impact the looming 2024 presidential election remains to be seen, but some conservatives say it's a little more than a year out and it's not the right time.

Shapiro calls it a common-sense step to save Pennsylvanians tax dollars and time.

In fact, the Commonwealth joins 23 other states and Washington D.C. which have similar processes in place. That's according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The NCSL says proponents of this type of registration say it's a step toward increasing voter participation using a routine and necessary transaction, such as those that occur at the DMV, so voters don't worry about registration deadlines and application submissions.

The House Republican leader calls it "a unilateral action on the eve of what could be a hotly contested election" and says it could lead to distrust in the system.

"There's about 1.7 million Pennsylvanians who are eligible to vote but aren't registered," said Shapiro during an interview with MSNBC.

Shapiro calls his administration's plan to start automatic voter registration a safe, secure, and streamlined way to remove barriers and get those eligible people to the ballot box.

Republican State House Leader Bryan Cutler says there's a problem - not necessarily the end but the means.

Cutler issued a statement that read in part, "The governor is following the sad and misguided precedent set by his predecessor that recognizes our election laws need updating and modernized but then disenfranchises the General Assembly from exercising its constitutional prerogative to make laws."

"Our secretary of state believes that we'll have tens of thousands of registrants in the first year," Shapiro added. "The key issue here is to have people participate in our democracy."

Cutler, though, sees an issue with the plan. In his statement, he went on to address what he called the irony of automatically registering people to vote when they get a state ID but not requiring them to show that ID when they vote.

In Pennsylvania, proof of identification is required of first-time voters.

Cutler also said, "just because someone is eligible for a state-issued identification card does not mean they are eligible to vote."

He cites legislative proposals to provide driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants.

Shapiro asserts automatic voter registration will be secure.

"Consider this: When you go to the DMV, you have to provide all kinds of personal information in order to get a driver's license, and it's the same information you need to provide when you register to vote," Shapiro said.

As of Monday, Department of State data reveal there are about 8.6 million people are registered to vote in Pennsylvania.

That includes 3.8 million Democrats, 3.4 million Republicans, 345,000 registered as other parties, and 900,000 people who registered without any listed.

October 23, 2023, is the last day for people, who are not renewing or getting a license in the coming days, to register to vote before the November 7, 2023, election. The full requirements can be found here.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. - Police in New Jersey are asking residents to "Spook" the house during a Halloween contest.

The Hackettstown Police Department along with the Hackettstown Business Improvement District are hosting a house decorating contest.

A media release says the winners of the contest will receive "bragging rights" and prizes.

The prizes will be given to homes that display the most original and spooky out door decorations.

The sections invited to participate are:

Willowgrove

Centenary

Westvalley View

Main Street

Mitchell Road

Collegeview

East Prospect Street

One winner will be chosen from each area, organizers say.

For more information visit Hackettstownbid.com or HackettstownPD.Net.

Judging will take place from October 16 - October 20 as police patrol the neighborhoods.

Participants are asked to decorate their homes by October 10.
WASHINGTON (AP)  House Republicans clashed with Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday, accusing him and the Justice Department of the weaponization of the department's work in favor of President Joe Biden 's son Hunter.

Garlands appearance before the House Judiciary Committee was his first in two years and came at an unprecedented moment in the departments history: Hes overseeing two cases against Donald Trump, the first former president to face criminal charges, and another against the sitting president's son.

Republicans on the committee  led by chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio  set the tone with accusations that the Justice Department is favoring the Biden family while targeting his likely 2024 opponent, Trump.

Theres one investigation protecting President Biden. Theres another one attacking President Trump, Jordan declared. The Justice Departments got both sides of the equation covered.

Garland  carefully and deliberately  defended the countrys largest law enforcement agency of more than 115,000 employees at a time when political and physical threats against agents and their families are on the rise.

Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate, the attorney general said. I am not the presidents lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congress prosecutor. The Justice Department works for the American people."

Questioning in the Republicans' arsenal focused on allegations that the Justice Department interfered in the yearslong case into Hunter Biden and that the prosecutor in charge of that case did not have the full authority he needed to bring necessary charges.

Republican Mike Johnson of Louisiana asked Garland whether he had talked with anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation. The attorney generals response began with a long pause before he said: I dont recollect the answer to that question, later adding I dont believe that I did.

Garland then said repeatedly that he purposely kept the details of the investigation at arms length, to keep his promise not to interfere.

His testimony came just over a week after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., launched an impeachment inquiry into Garland's boss, President Biden, with a special focus on the Justice Departments handling of Hunter Bidens case.

The White House has dismissed the impeachment inquiry as baseless and has worked to focus the conversation on policy instead.

These sideshows wont spare House Republicans from bearing responsibility for inflicting serious damage on the country, Ian Sams, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement Wednesday.

Hunter Bidens legal team, on the other hand, has gone on the offensive against GOP critics, most recently filing suit against the Internal Revenue Service after two of its agents raised whistleblower claims to Congress about the handling of the investigation.

Republicans contend that the Justice Department  both under Trump and now Biden  has failed to fully probe the allegations against the younger Biden, ranging from his work on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma to his tax filings in California and Washington D.C.

An investigation into Hunter Biden had been run by the U.S. Attorney for Delaware, Trump appointee David Weiss, who Garland kept on to finish the probe and insulate it from claims of political interference. Garland granted Weiss special counsel status last month, giving him broad authority to investigate and report his findings.

Last week, Weiss used that new authority to indict Hunter Biden on federal firearms charges, putting the case on track toward a possible trial as the 2024 election looms.

When asked by Rep. Dan Bishop, R-N.C., whether he had tried to figure out if Weiss was facing any hurdles in bringing charges against the presidents son, Garland said he had purposely kept his distance to keep a promise not to interfere.

The way to not interfere was to not investigate an investigation, Garland said.

One Republican during the more than five-hour hearing came to Garland's defense

Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, a former Justice Department prosecutor, told Garland that he was in an impossible situation after inheriting an investigation into the presidents son and would have been criticized no matter what.

Do you know what people would have said if you had asked for U.S. Attorney Weiss resignation when you became attorney general? Buck asked Garland. They would have said that you were obstructing the Hunter Biden investigation and you were firing a Republican appointee so that you could appoint a Democrat to slow walk this investigation.

He added, You would have been criticized either way, whether you acted or did not act in that situation.

Weiss, since 2018, has overseen the day-to-day running of the probe, while another special counsel, Jack Smith, is in charge of the Trump investigation, though Garland retains final say on both as attorney general.

Garland said no one at the White House had given him or other senior officials at the Justice Department direction about the handling of the Hunter Biden investigation. Asked whether he had spoken with Weiss, Garland said he had followed his pledge not to interfere in the investigation but declined to say whether or how often he had spoken with the newly named special counsel, citing the ongoing investigation.

Democrats, for their part, sought to focus on other criminal-justice issues, including domestic terrorism, hate crimes and gun violence. Rep. Jerry Nadler, the top Democrat on the committee, decried what he called Republicans focus on long discredited conspiracy theories about Hunter Biden and a laptop said to have belonged to him.

That is their goal. They want to divide this country and make our government appear like its broken, Nadler said.

Jordan, along with the Republican chairmen of the Oversight and Ways and Means committees, launched an investigation into Weiss handling of the case, which was first opened in 2018, after two IRS agents claimed in congressional testimony in May that the Justice Department improperly interfered with their work.

Gary Shapley, a veteran IRS agent assigned to the case, testified to Congress that Weiss said in October 2022 that he was not the deciding person whether charges are filed against Hunter Biden. That testimony has been disputed by two FBI agents also in that meeting who told lawmakers that they have no recollection of Weiss saying that.
ISLAMABAD, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- One terrorist was killed and another got injured on Wednesday during an operation carried out by the security forces in northwest Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The ISPR, the media wing of the Pakistan Armed Forces, said that the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation in the Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan district.

An intense fire exchange was triggered between the army troops and terrorists during the operation, resulting in the death of a terrorist, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces and killings of innocent civilians, according to the military.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed terrorist, and the security forces have also launched a cleansing operation in the area to eliminate any other terrorists found in the region, the military added. 
A group of Beagles that have spent their entire lives in a laboratory have been rescued and they are now heading to their forever homes.

The Beagles have only known the inside of a laboratory and are experiencing a grassy yard for the first time.

Canadian based rescue "The Beagle Alliance" rescued them from a Midwest lab.

It's unclear what was done to them.

Most dogs are used for biomedical or drug testing and more than 250 U.S. institutions report using dogs for experiments.

The majority of these are companies and colleges.

Beagles are unfortunately the most common dog in this type of testing because they are the most trusting and forgiving dogs.

Some states including Minnesota have laws that require labs to offer dogs to shelters when possible.

These dogs will take a little to adjust to normal life, but are well on their way to being happy and healthy.

The dogs will now go to Canada with the rescue, where they will be fostered and hopefully adopted.
BRIGHTON, Colo. (AP)  Two Denver-area police officers who put Elijah McClain in a neck hold ignored his pleas of I cant breathe before the Black man was injected by paramedics with a powerful sedative and died, prosecutors said Wednesday, as a trial began over the 2019 confrontation that became a rallying cry for protests and spurred police reform.

In opening arguments for the first of several trials stemming from McClain's death, lawyers for the two sides painted contrasting pictures of the fatal struggle after he was stopped by police in Aurora.

Officers Randy Roedema and Jason Rosenblatt approached McClain, a 23-year-old massage therapist, as he walked home from a convenience store carrying only a plastic bag with three cans of iced tea and his phone. A 911 caller had reported him as sketchy.

If prosecutors can convince jurors the Aug. 24, 2019 stop was unjustified, that would undermine any argument that McClains injuries were a result of the officers just doing their jobs.

Roedema and Rosenblatt are both charged with criminally negligent homicide, manslaughter and assault. They have pleaded not guilty but have never spoken publicly about the allegations against them. The trial is expected to last about a month.

A third officer and two paramedics are also charged in McClains death and are scheduled for trial later this year.

Officials have determined the sedative ketamine played a key role in McClains death, which fueled renewed scrutiny about the use of the drug for people considered to be acting erratically and led Colorados health department to limit when emergency workers can administer it. In 2020, neck holds by police were banned by the states Democratic-led Legislature.

Prosecutor Jonathan Bunge said the officers violated department policies by using excessive force against McClain, who was unarmed, and failing to deescalate the situation.

Listen to Elijah's words, Bunge said as he replayed police body camera video of the episode. When Elijah is on the ground handcuffed, he's saying over and over and over again, I cant breathe. Please help me.

McClain threw up repeatedly after the neck hold and was drowning in his own vomit, according to Bunge. He is drifting further and further toward death. The sedative is the last thing he needs, the prosecutor said.

But Roedemas attorney, Reid Elkus, said the officers' actions were in line with department policies and their own training. McClain was stopped in a high-crime area, and officers repeatedly told him to halt before he complied, Elkus said, adding that they didn't want to hurt him.

Just because a tragedy occurred doesnt mean criminality occurred, Elkus said. He blamed McClains death on paramedics who later arrived on the scene and took control over his care.

After being injected with ketamine, that's when Mr. McClain's pulse stopped, Elkus said. Mr. McClain died because paramedic (Jeremy) Cooper injected him with 1.7, 1.8 times the ketamine for someone his weight and size.

Rosenblatt's attorney, Harvey Steinberg, argued that the officers had no choice but to stop McClain after the 911 call. He added that McClain showed continued resistance after he was stopped and the officers were forced to respond accordingly.

Please be fair and dont allow emotion or sympathy come into it, Steinberg told jurors. And dont let politics enter into this at all.

McClain's mother sat in the front of the courtroom for the opening statements. Sheneen McClain dabbed tears from her eyes when Bunge described how her son, who was often cold, was wearing a runner's mask when he went to a convenience store near his house before police stopped him.

Family members of the two officers also were present, as were other Aurora police.

Before jury selection could be finalized, Judge Mark Warner talked behind closed doors with attorneys for both sides as well as a man whom the defense struck from the jury pool after he said hed been racially profiled about a half-dozen times by police, including in Aurora. The man remained off the jury, but what happened in the closed discussions was not revealed in open court.

The 12 jurors and 2 alternates appeared to be mostly white.

Other potential jurors who were removed included a woman who identified herself as Hispanic and said her husband was singled out for arrest in a conflict with white people. Removals by prosecutors included the daughter of a police officer who said officers werent being supported by society and a former EMT who witnessed people being given ketamine.

In response to a defense objection, the judge found that the prosecution did not remove potential white jurors because of their race.

Charges were not brought for two years after McClain died, by which time a national reckoning had begun over racial injustice in American policing following the murder of George Floyd by officers in Minneapolis.

In 2019, a local district attorney, Dave Young, called McClains death tragic but decided against prosecuting the officers largely because the coroners office could not determine exactly how McClain died.

A revised coroners report was issued in 2021, relying in part on information from a grand jury investigation. It found the cause of death was complications from ketamine after McClain, who weighed 140 pounds (64 kilograms), overdosed because he received a higher dose than recommended for someone of his size, pathologist Stephen Cina found.

I believe that Mr. McClain would most likely be alive but for the administration of ketamine, Cina said.

Cina said he couldnt rule out whether the stress of being held down by the officers may have contributed to McClains death.

Officer Nathan Woodyard, who is set to go on trial later this year, was the first to approach McClain and was soon joined by Roedema and Rosenblatt.

McClain, using earbuds, initially kept walking. Within 10 seconds, Woodyard put his hands on McClain, turning him around. As McClain tried to escape his grip, Woodyard said, Relax, or Im going to have to change this situation.

The encounter quickly escalated, with officers taking him to the ground and putting him in a neck hold.

McClain suffered cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital and was pronounced dead three days later.

Prosecutors played numerous body camera clips including one in which they said McClain spoke his last words as Roedema jerked up on one of his arms, popping a joint.

Please help me," McClain was heard saying. Please help me.
MOSCOW, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- A Russian Su-34 jet crashed in the country's Voronezh region Wednesday during a scheduled training flight, Russia's Tass news agency reported, citing the defense ministry.

The aircraft crashed at around 10:00 a.m. local time (0700 GMT). The two crew members onboard were ejected safely, the report said.

The jet fell far from any populated areas, and there was no destruction on the ground. The aircraft was not carrying ammunition. The report said the preliminary cause of the crash could be a technical failure. 
Azerbaijan has initiated what it terms 'anti-terrorist operations' within the Nagorno-Karabakh region, asserting its aim to restore constitutional order and remove Armenian military presence. This move raises concerns of a potential resurgence of conflict. The United States has urged Azerbaijan to cease its military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh, while Russia has implored both conflicting parties to halt the bloodshed. Apprehensions have arisen regarding the possibility of another full-scale confrontation with Armenia, less than three years following a conflict that claimed over 6,000 lives.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken conducted discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, urging Baku to de-escalate the situation. Russia is striving to maintain its influence in the region, which is crisscrossed with oil and gas pipelines, amid heightened Turkish involvement in support of Azerbaijan. Moscow, on Wednesday, called upon both sides to cease hostilities and return to adhering to the 2020 ceasefire agreement.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has coordinated the delivery of approximately 20 tons of flour to Nagorno-Karabakh this week, sourced from Armenia, along with medical supplies via an alternative route originating in Azerbaijani-controlled territory. Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh had previously declined aid through the latter route, alleging that it was part of Azerbaijan's strategy to assert dominance over the region. Although these shipments hint at a gradual easing of the crisis, tensions escalated on Tuesday when Azerbaijan reported military and civilian casualties, leading to an artillery operation.

Here are 10 crucial points to understand:

Nagorno-Karabakh, with a population of around 120,000, is an ethnically Armenian enclave within Azerbaijan. It has been a focal point of conflict since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Following a separatist war in 1994, ethnic Armenian forces, backed by Armenia's military, gained control of the region and substantial surrounding territories. In 2020, Azerbaijan regained control over these territories and parts of Nagorno-Karabakh itself through armed conflict.

Armenians, primarily Christian, assert a deep historical presence in the area dating back centuries before Christ. Azerbaijan, where the majority are Turkic Muslims, also claims historical ties to the region.

Karabakh separatist authorities have reported 27 casualties, including two civilians, and over 200 injuries as a result of Baku's military actions on Tuesday.

The First Karabakh War, which raged from 1988 to 1994, displaced over a million people and claimed approximately 30,000 lives.

In 2020, a 44-day war erupted, known as the Second Karabakh War, in which Azerbaijan launched a military operation, swiftly breaking through Armenian defenses and reclaiming seven districts and a significant portion of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Ongoing negotiations, mediated by the European Union, the United States, and Russia, have brought the two parties closer to a permanent peace treaty, but a definitive agreement remains elusive.

The status of the 120,000 ethnic Armenians in Karabakh is the most contentious issue. Armenia insists on guaranteeing their rights and security, while Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has affirmed Armenia's recognition of Azerbaijan's sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, Baku questions the sincerity of this assertion and accuses Armenia of promoting separatism.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed full support for Azerbaijan's military operation, emphasizing their unity in defending territorial integrity.

The European Union has condemned the escalation in Karabakh, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urging Azerbaijan to halt its military activities.

The United Nations has labeled the situation as "very concerning" and has called for an immediate end to the fighting. The Secretary-General has stressed the need for strict adherence to the 2020 ceasefire and international humanitarian law, as well as facilitating humanitarian access to those in need. Additionally, the UN has called for a renewed focus on building confidence and achieving long-term peace in the region.

UN Forecasts Global Economic Slowdown to 2.3% in 2023 Amid Complex Challenges

Sudanese Rapid Support Forces to Form Authority in Areas Under Its Control if Army Chief's Actions Continue
Fans of Netflixs Emily In Paris can now take themed trips to the French capital with Dharma, a travel startup that offers exclusive trips hosted by iconic people and brands.

Inspired by the hit series, the Paris by Emily travel experience, created under licence from Paramount Global, will offer ultra-curated group trips with events that capture the vibrant and enchanting world of Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins.

The four-night/five-day small group trips to Paris are hosted by lifestyle influencers, or Emileaders. Mirroring Emilys Parisian adventures, the trips offer a range of immersive experiences centred around fashion, lifestyle and romance.

Exclusive trip elements ranging from private designer atelier visits to a Sylvie-inspired Masterclass and an oh-so-French Lillet-Spritz cocktail-making session the trips are designed to reflect the shows colourful spirit.

We crafted these Paris by Emily trips to ensure guests leave Paris with something far more meaningful than just a souvenir beret and some photos. Our core conviction is that the future of travel is not about the where but the why," said Charaf El Mansouri, CEO of Dharma.

So many of us seek travel experiences that are transformational. Series like Emily in Paris make you wish there was a Book This Trip button at the end of every episode - Thats the opportunity we see ahead.

Ines Tazi, the Netflix TV Personality who is the first ambassador to host a Paris by Emily trip, said, This innovative concept is a brand-new adventure. I love creating bridges between online and offline, fiction and reality. Curating this new experience allows me to share what I cherish about Paris, from fashion and gastronomy to art and history. Just like Emily in Paris, this is an ode to the French capital for culturally curious minds!

Marylin Fitoussi, Costume Designer, Emily in Paris, adds: You can expect a curation of retailers and designers true to the spirit of my work on the show that will excite, delight, and surprise. Paris by Emily will capture the essence of Emily Coopers fashionable adventures in Paris.

We are very excited about our new partnership with Dharma, to create a bold and unique, curated travel experience that will immerse guests in memorable moments from Emily in Paris, said Marie Marks, SVP, Themed Experiences, Paramount.

People want to participate in experiences that bring their favourite brands to life in compelling and innovative ways that extend beyond the screen.  TradeArabia News Service
Rambutan, a tropical fruit known for its sweet and juicy flesh, has recently garnered attention due to its potential connection to the Nipah virus. In this article, we'll delve into what Rambutan is, its unique characteristics, and why it's being discussed in relation to the Nipah virus outbreak.

What is Rambutan?

Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, commonly found in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. It belongs to the Sapindaceae family and is closely related to other tropical fruits like lychee and longan. The fruit got its name from the Malay word "rambut," which means "hair," owing to the spiky, hair-like protrusions on its skin.

Appearance and Flavor

Rambutan is a small, round fruit with a leathery skin covered in soft, hair-like spines. The skin can be red, yellow, or green, depending on the variety. Once you peel away the skin, you reveal the translucent, juicy flesh, which is sweet and slightly acidic, resembling the taste of lychee.

Nipah Virus: An Overview

Before we delve into the connection, let's briefly understand what the Nipah virus is.

Nipah virus is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. It was first identified in Malaysia in 1998 when it caused an outbreak among pig farmers. The virus can lead to severe respiratory illness and encephalitis (brain inflammation) in infected individuals. Nipah virus is primarily transmitted through the consumption of contaminated fruits, especially fruits that have been bitten or licked by infected fruit bats.

Rambutan and the Nipah Virus Connection

Fruit Bat Reservoir

Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are considered the natural reservoir of the Nipah virus. These bats often feed on various fruits, including Rambutan, by biting into the fruit to extract the juice.

Contamination Risk

The concern arises when infected fruit bats come into contact with Rambutan trees or fruit orchards. Their saliva, urine, or droppings can potentially contaminate the fruit with the virus. If these contaminated fruits are consumed by humans without proper washing or handling, there is a risk of Nipah virus transmission.

Outbreaks and Surveillance

Over the years, several Nipah virus outbreaks have been linked to the consumption of fruits, although most cases have been associated with date palm sap in South Asia. However, the potential link between Rambutan and Nipah virus has prompted increased surveillance in regions where both the fruit bats and the fruit are prevalent.

Why Rambutan is Being Discussed

Rambutan is gaining attention in the context of Nipah virus discussions for several reasons:

Geographic Overlap

Regions where Rambutan is grown and consumed often coincide with areas inhabited by fruit bats carrying the Nipah virus. This geographic overlap raises concerns about the potential risk of transmission.

Public Health Concerns

Public health authorities and researchers are keen on understanding how the Nipah virus spreads and identifying potential sources of infection. Rambutan, as a fruit consumed by many, is one such source under scrutiny.

Preventive Measures

To mitigate the risk of Nipah virus transmission, health agencies recommend thorough washing and peeling of fruits, including Rambutan. Additionally, avoiding fruits that show signs of bat-related damage can further reduce the risk. In conclusion, Rambutan is a delectable tropical fruit that has come under the spotlight due to its potential connection to the Nipah virus. While there is a geographic overlap between Rambutan cultivation and fruit bat habitats, it's important to note that the risk of Nipah virus transmission can be minimized through proper fruit handling and hygiene practices. As researchers continue to study this potential link, it underscores the importance of vigilance and awareness when enjoying the flavors of tropical fruits like Rambutan.

The Sizzle and Flip Side of Cheeseburgers: Health Advantages and Disadvantages

Eating These Foods Repeatedly Leads to Fatigue, Stay Away Today!

If you want to enjoy Punjabi food, then make Chole Bhature at home
Ingevity Corporation manufactures and sells specialty chemicals and activated carbon materials in North America, the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and South America. It operates through two segments, Performance Materials and Performance Chemicals. The Performance Materials segment engineers, manufactures, and sells hardwood-based and chemically activated carbon products primarily for use in gasoline vapor emission control systems in cars, motorcycles, trucks, and boats. This segment also produces other activated carbon products for use in various applications, including food, water, beverage, and chemical purification. The Performance Chemicals segment comprises of pavement technologies, industrial specialties, and engineered polymers. It manufactures products derived from crude tall oil and lignin extracted from the kraft pulping process, as well as caprolactone monomers and derivatives derived from cyclohexanone and hydrogen peroxide. This segment's products are used in various applications comprising warm mix paving, pavement preservation, pavement reconstruction and recycling, road striping, oil well service additives, oil production, and downstream applications; and adhesives, agrochemical dispersants, lubricants, printing inks, industrial intermediates and oilfield, coatings, resins, elastomers, bioplastics, and medical devices. The company was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in North Charleston, South Carolina.
Abbott Laboratories is a global healthcare company specializing in developing, manufacturing and marketing a wide range of healthcare products. The company has its headquarters in Abbott Park, Illinois and operates in more than 160 countries worldwide.

The company was founded in 1888 by Dr. Wallace C. Abbott, and it has since grown to become one of the world's largest and most respected healthcare companies. Abbott Laboratories has a diverse portfolio of products, including medical devices, diagnostic tests, nutritional products, and branded generic pharmaceuticals. The company is committed to developing innovative products that improve the quality of life for people worldwide.

Robert B. Ford is the current President and CEO of the company. He was appointed to this position in 2020 after serving as the company's Chief Operating Officer. He has been with Abbott Laboratories since 1996 and has held various leadership positions.

Abbott Laboratories has delivered strong financial performance, declining as investors seek growth. The company's net earnings have been increasing steadily. Abbott Laboratories has a solid balance sheet with a low debt-to-equity ratio. The company has consistently delivered strong cash flow, allowing it to invest in research and development and return value to shareholders. Abbott Laboratories has a higher price-to-earnings ratio than the industry average, and the company's price-to-book ratio is also higher than the industry average. These metrics suggest that the market has a positive outlook on Abbott Laboratories and is willing to pay a premium for the company's shares. Over the past year, Abbott Laboratories' stock has declined as consumers seek to see what the company will do post-pandemic. The company's shares have experienced some volatility, but overall, they have outperformed the broader market.

Abbott Laboratories operates in the healthcare industry, which is highly regulated and complex. The industry is characterized by rapidly evolving technology, changing regulatory requirements, and shifting consumer preferences. Abbott Laboratories competes with other large healthcare companies such as Johnson & Johnson.

Abbott Laboratories' robust product pipeline is expected to drive growth in the coming years. The company is focused on developing innovative products that address unmet medical needs and improve patient outcomes. In addition to its core businesses, Abbott Laboratories is expanding into new markets and investing in digital health technologies.

Like any company, Abbott Laboratories faces a range of risks and challenges. One of the most significant risks facing the company is regulatory uncertainty. Changes in regulatory requirements could impact the company's ability to bring products to market and could also increase the cost of doing business. Another risk facing the company is the threat of competitive pressures. The healthcare industry is highly competitive, and Abbott Laboratories faces competition from established companies and new entrants. Changes in consumer preferences could also impact the company's performance, particularly in the nutritional products segment.

Additionally, Abbott Laboratories is exposed to geopolitical risks, such as changes in trade policies or political instability in key markets. The company's international operations also expose it to currency fluctuations, which could impact its financial performance.
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.
Birks Group Inc. designs, develops, manufactures, and retails fine jewelry, timepieces, sterling and plated silverware, and gifts in the United States and Canada. The company operates through two segments, Retail and Other. It offers various merchandise, including designer jewelry, diamonds, gemstone and precious metal jewelry, rings, wedding bands, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, precious gemstones, gold jewelry, and pearls. It operates stores under the Maison Birks brand in various metropolitan markets in Canada; retail locations under the Brinkhaus brand in Calgary; and retail locations under the Graff and Patek Philippe brands in Vancouver. It also engages in the retail and wholesale of fine jewelry collections through Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths stores, as well as through e-commerce platforms; and gold exchange business. The company was formerly known as Birks & Mayors Inc. and changed its name to Birks Group Inc. in September 2013. Birks Group Inc. was founded in 1879 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
The following companies are subsidiares of Mitsubishi Chemical Group: Aldila Composite Products Company Ltd, AldilaInc, Beijing Ju-Ling-Yan Plastic Company Limited, Benson Industrial Gases Technology Corp, Changshu UM Battery Materials Co Ltd, Chongqing Taiyo Nippon Sanso Rising Gas Co Ltd, Cleanpart Group GmbH, Continental Carbonic Products Inc (USA), Continental Carbonic Products IncCanada), Dalian Changxing Island Taiyo Nippon Sanso Gas Co Ltd, Dalian Rayon Environmental Equipment Co Ltd, Dalian Taiyo Nippon Sanso Gas Co Ltd, Diamond Edge Ventures Inc, Dianal America Inc, Diapolyacrylate Co Ltd, Fu Yang Gas Co Ltd, Fushun Taiyo Nippon Sanso Gas Co Ltd, Gohsei Shuangxin (Hong Kong) Limited, Huizhou MMA Co Ltd, IMI Co. Ltd., Ingasco Inc, JPF Asia (Changshu) Co Ltd, LOTTE MCC Corp, Leeden Gases Sdn Bhd, Leeden National Oxygen Ltd, Life Science Institute Inc, MC Ionic Solutions UK Ltd, MC Ionic Solutions US Inc, MC Solution Co Ltd, MCA GolfInc, MCPP India Private Limited, MP Healthcare Venture Management Inc, MRT Resins (Thailand) Co Ltd, MTPC Holdings Canada Inc, Matheson Gas Products Korea Co Ltd, Matheson Specialty Gas(Xi'an) Co Ltd, Matheson Tri-Gas Belgium SPRL, Matheson Tri-Gas Inc, Medicago Inc, Medicago R&D Inc, Medicago USA Inc, Mitsubishi Chemical (China) Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical (Thailand) Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials AG, Mitsubishi Chemical America Inc, Mitsubishi Chemical Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites GmbH, Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber and Composites Inc, Mitsubishi Chemical Composites America Inc, Mitsubishi Chemical Converting Film Wuxi Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Euro Asia Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Europe GmbH, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings (Beijing) Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings America Inc, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporate Staff Inc, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Europe GmbH, Mitsubishi Chemical Hong Kong Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Imaging Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical India Pvt Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Infonics Pte Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Lucite Group Limited, Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers (Chengdu) Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers (China) Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers Europe BV, Mitsubishi Chemical Performance Polymers Inc, Mitsubishi Chemical Polymer Nantong Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Taiwan Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Polyester Film GmbH, Mitsubishi Polyester Film Inc, Mitsubishi Polyester Film Suzhou Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America Inc, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Canada Inc, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development (Beijing) Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America Inc, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Europe Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Factory Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma GmbH, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Holdings America Inc, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Korea Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Provision Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Singapore Pte Ltd, Mitsubishi Tanabe PharmaThailandCo Ltd, Mytex Polymers (Thailand) Co Ltd, Mytex Polymers India Pvt Ltd, Mytex Polymers US Corporation, Mytex Polymers de Mexico SAde CV, NeuroDerm Ltd, Nippon Cutting & Welding Equipment Co Ltd, Nippon Gases Belgium NV, Nippon Gases CO2 BV, Nippon Gases Denmark A/S, Nippon Gases Deutschland GmbH, Nippon Gases Espana SLU, Nippon Gases Euro-Holding SLU, Nippon Gases France SAS, Nippon Gases Ireland Ltd, Nippon Gases Italia Srl, Nippon Gases Netherlands BV, Nippon Gases Norge AS, Nippon Gases Offshore Investments Ltd, Nippon Gases PortugalUnipessoal Lda, Nippon Gases Sverige AB, Nippon Gases UK Ltd, Nippon Gohsei Europe GmbH, Nippon Gohsei UK Ltd, Nippon Sanso (Thailand) Co Ltd, Nippon Sanso Holdings Singapore Pte Ltd, Nippon Sanso Korea Co Ltd, Nippon Sanso Myanmar Co Ltd, Nippon Sanso Vietnam Joint Stock Company, Oximesa SLU, PT Diachem Resins Indonesia, PT MC PET Film Indoneshia, PT MCPP Compounds Indonesia, PT Mitsubishi Chemical Indonesia, PT Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Indonesia, PT Samator Taiyo Nippon Sanso Indonesia, PTT MCC Biochem Co Ltd, Pilipinas Trade Gas Inc, Piper Plastics Inc, Plaxair Espana SLU, Qingdao Anode Kasei Co Ltd, Qingdao Lingda Kasei Co Ltd, RASIRC Inc, Resindion SRL, Sam Nam Petrochemical Co Ltd, Sam Yang Kasei Co Ltd, San Esters Corp, Shanghai TANAKA Co Ltd, Shanghai Taiyo Nippon Sanso Gas Co Ltd, Sinopec Mitsubishi Chemical Polycarbonate (Beijing) Co Ltd, Specialty Gases Co Ltd, Supagas Pty Ltd, Suzhou MRC Opto-Device Co Ltd, Suzhou Taiyo Nippon Sanso Gas Co Ltd, TAIYO NIPPON SANSO CORPORATION, THERMOS KK, TNSCI Wuxi Co Ltd, Tai Tien Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd, Tai-Young Chemical Co Ltd, Tai-Young Film Co Ltd, Taiwan Tanabe Seiyaku Co Ltd, Taiyo Gases Co Ltd, Taiyo Nippon Sanso (China) Investment Co Ltd, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Clark Inc, Taiyo Nippon Sanso India Pvt Ltd, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Philippines Inc, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Shenwei (Shanghai) Medical Gas Co Ltd, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Taiwan Inc, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Trading (Shanghai) Co Ltd, Tanabe Palm Service Co Ltd, Tanabe Research Laboratories USA Inc, Thai MMA Co Ltd, The KAITEKI Institute Inc, The Saudi Methacrylates Company, Tianjin Tanabe Seiyaku Co Ltd, Vina MC Infonics Co Ltd, Western International Gas & Cylinders Inc, Wethje Carbon Composites GmbH, Wuxi Rayon Membrane Technology Co Ltd, Yangzhou Taiyo Nippon Sanso Semiconductor Gases Co Ltd, and Yoshitomiyakuhin Corporation.

Read More
Strathcona Resources Ltd. acquires, explores for, develops, and produces petroleum and natural gas reserves in western Canada. The company has 100% interests in the Cactus Lake property located to the south of Macklin, Saskatchewan; the Winter property located to the northwest of Unity, Saskatchewan; and the Court property located to the southeast of Kerrobert, Saskatchewan. It also has interests in the Waseca and Rex formations; and in the Thermal properties located to the southeast of Macklin, Saskatchewan. Strathcona Resources Ltd. was incorporated in 2009 and is headquartered in Calgary, Canada.
Harley-Davidson, Inc. manufactures and sells motorcycles in the United States and internationally. The company operates in three segments: Harley-Davidson Motor Company, LiveWire, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. The Harley-Davidson Motor Company segment designs, manufactures, and sells motorcycles, including cruiser, trike, touring, standard, sportbike, and dual models, as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, and apparel, as well as licenses its trademarks and related services. This segment sells its products to retail customers through a network of independent dealers, as well as e-commerce channels. The LiveWire segment sells electric motorcycles, balance bikes for kids, parts and accessories, apparel, and related parts and services. The Harley-Davidson Financial Services segment provides wholesale financing services, such as floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles, and parts and accessories; and retail financing services, such as installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as well as point-of-sale protection products comprising motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts, and motorcycle maintenance protection. This segment also licenses third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was founded in 1903 and is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF) is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of nitrogen fertilizer and other nitrogen-based products. The company's mission is to provide farmers worldwide with the essential nutrients they need to grow crops and feed the world's growing population.

CF Industries produces a wide range of nitrogen products, including ammonia, urea, and nitrogen solutions, sold worldwide to agricultural and industrial customers. The company operates production facilities in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and its products are distributed through a network of distributors and retailers.

CF Industries' primary customers are agricultural producers, including large-scale commercial farmers, distributors, and retailers serving smaller farmers. The company's products are essential for crop growth. The demand for CF Industries' products highly depends on global agricultural conditions, such as crop yields, weather patterns, and commodity prices.

CF Industries has achieved many significant milestones over the years, including the recent completion of a major expansion project at its Donaldsonville, Louisiana, facility. This expansion has increased the company's production capacity by more than 25% and positioned CF Industries as a leading supplier of nitrogen fertilizer in the United States.

Tony Will, President and Chief Executive Officer, joined CF Industries in 2007 as vice president, corporate development and has served as CEO since 2014. He has over 30 years of experience in the fertilizer industry, including senior leadership positions at PotashCorp and Agrium.

CF Industries has reported strong financial performance in recent years, with revenue and Net income rising. The company's profit margins have remained stable, with gross margin averaging 27% over the past several years. CF Industries has a strong balance sheet. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio lower than the industry average and indicates a conservative approach to financing. CF Industries' stock is currently trading at a price-to-earnings ratio and a price-to-book ratio lower than the industry averages. This suggests that CF Industries' stock is undervalued compared to its peers.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has had a strong stock performance over the past year compared to the overall market. The global agricultural markets have driven the company's stock, with rising demand for nitrogen fertilizer products leading to higher sales and profits.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. operates in the agricultural chemicals industry, which is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 3.7% from 2021 to 2026. The industry is highly competitive, with many global players vying for market share. However, the industry is also highly consolidated, with a few large players dominating the market.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. is one of the world's largest producers and distributors of nitrogen fertilizers, with a leading market position in North America. The company operates six nitrogen fertilizer production facilities in North America and one in the United Kingdom, giving it a strong competitive advantage in production capacity and distribution.

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. has several growth opportunities that could help drive future earnings and share price growth. The company is investing in expanding its production capacity to meet the rising demand for nitrogen fertilizer products. In addition, the company is exploring opportunities to expand into new markets, such as Asia and Latin America, where the need for nitrogen fertilizers is expected to grow strongly in the coming years.

The company also invests in research and development to develop new products to help farmers improve crop yields and reduce environmental impacts. This could help the company differentiate itself from competitors and capture a larger market share.

The company also faces regulatory risks, with governments worldwide increasingly focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural activities. This could lead to stricter environmental regulations that could increase costs and reduce profitability.
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.
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. The company was formerly known as Molson Coors Brewing Company and changed its name to Molson Coors Beverage Company in January 2020. Molson Coors Beverage Company was founded in 1774 and is headquartered in Golden, Colorado.
Target Corporation has a long history dating back to 1902. The company began as Goodfellows Dry Goods, operated by George Dalton, and later changed its name via a progression of mergers and acquisitions. The first Target store was opened in Roseville, Minnesota in 1962 as the discount division of the parent company. The idea was discount or low-priced items could still be fashionable and desirable. After meeting great success in the home territory, the concept went public in the late 1960s was later expanded on a national level during the 1980s. Target Corporation is now the 7th largest retailer in the US and is projected to bring in more than $113 billion in revenue for fiscal 2023.

The department stores were shed in 2004 so today Target operates as a general merchandise retailer that serves on-trend items at discounted prices. It is known as a big box retailer and is a member of the S&P 500. The company listed about 2,000 stores in mid-2022 and had plans for growth. The company offers an assortment of everyday, household, and food goods in a bright and cheery atmosphere. It has set itself apart from other low-priced retailers as the chic choice for savvy shoppers. The companys stated purpose is to help families discover the joy of everyday life and it does so by offering quality products that families can afford.

The company sells its products through a chain of stores as well as eCommerce. eCommerce is about 20% of Targets total revenue and was boosted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Services like delivery, same-day pickup, and access to thousands of necessary and discretionary items are also driving adoption. Target also offers amenities like cafes and opticians, and it hosts Starbucks inside the stores.

Target Corporation has paid and increased its dividend for more than 5 decades. The company issued its 53rd consecutive distribution increase in calendar 2022 bringing the total annual payout to $4.32. In late October 2022, the payout was worth 2.7% in yield and came with a 40% payout ratio and a 9% distribution compound annual growth rate.

Target is a leader in ESG and giving back to the community. Among its many endeavors is to return 5% of its profits to community charities as well as to inspire its employees to volunteer. Volunteers donate more than 1 million man-hours per year.
The following companies are subsidiares of TJX Companies: AJW South Bend Realty Corp., Arizona Merchants Inc., Bob's Stores, Concord Buying Group, Derailed, Fashion Factory Outlets (Trade Secret) Pty Limited, H. G. Conn. Merchants, H.G. AZ Merchants, H.G. Brownsburg Realty Corp., H.G. Conn. Merchants, H.G. Conn. Realty Corp., H.G. Georgia Merchants, H.G. Indiana Distributors, HomeGoods, HomeGoods Georgia, HomeGoods Imports Corp, HomeGoods Imports Corp., Jusy Meazza Buying Company S.r.L., Marmaxx Operating Corp., Marshalls, Marshalls Atlanta Merchants, Marshalls Bridgewater Merchant, Marshalls Bridgewater Merchants, Marshalls Woburn Merchants, Marshalls of Beacon, Marshalls of Beacon VA, Marshalls of CA, Marshalls of Elizabeth, Marshalls of Elizabeth NJ, Marshalls of Glen Burnie, Marshalls of Glen Burnie MD, Marshalls of IL, Marshalls of MA, Marshalls of Matteson, Marshalls of Matteson IL, Marshalls of Nevada, Marshalls of Richfield, Marshalls of Richfield MN, NBC Apparel, NBC Apparel LLC, NBC Atlantic Holding Limited, NBC Atlantic Limited, NBC Attire, NBC Attire Inc., NBC Charlotte Merchants, NBC Distributors Inc., NBC Europe Limited, NBC Fashion India Private Limited, NBC Fifth Realty Corp., NBC First Realty Corp., NBC Fourth Realty Corp., NBC GP, NBC Holding, NBC Hong Kong Merchants Limited, NBC Manager, NBC Manteca Merchants, NBC Merchants, NBC Nevada Merchants, NBC Operating, NBC Philadelphia Merchants, NBC Pittston Merchants, NBC Second Realty Corp., NBC Seventh Realty Corp., NBC Sixth Realty Corp., NBC Trading, NBC Trust, New York Department Stores, New York Department Stores de Puerto Rico Inc., Newton Buying Company of CA, Newton Buying Corp, Newton Buying Corp., Newton Buying Imports, STP Retail, STP Technology Systems, Sierra Trading Post, Strathmex Corp., T.J. Maxx of CA, T.J. Maxx of IL, T.K. Maxx Holding GmbH, T.K. Maxx Management GmbH, TJX Australia Holding Company Pty Limited, TJX Australia Holding Company Pty Ltd., TJX Australia Merchants Pty Limited, TJX Australia Pty Limited, TJX Australia Pty Ltd., TJX Austria Holding GmbH, TJX Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG, TJX Deutschland Ltd & Co. KG, TJX Digital, TJX Digital Memphis Merchants, TJX Distribution Ltd. & Co. KG, TJX Europe Buying (Deutschland) Ltd, TJX Europe Buying (Polska) Ltd, TJX Europe Buying Group Limited, TJX Europe Buying Ltd, TJX Europe Limited, TJX European Distribution, TJX European Distribution Sp. Z o.o, TJX Germany Ltd., TJX Incentive Sales, TJX Ireland Unlimited Company, TJX Nederland B.V., TJX Oesterreich Ltd. & Co. KG, TJX Poland, TJX Poland Sp. Z o.o, TJX UK, TJX UK Property Limited, TJX Vietnam Company Limited, TK Maxx, Trade Secret, WMI-1 Holding Company, WMI-1 Holding Company, WMI-99 Holding Company, WMI-99 Holding Company, Wagon Wheel Realty, Winners Merchants International, and Winners Merchants International L.P..

Read More
"Dear Members of the Temple Community," the university said in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. "It is with deep heartbreak that we write to inform you that Temple University Acting President JoAnne A. Epps suddenly passed away this afternoon."
Mercedes has explained why it appeared on F1's global TV feed as if its crews were absent from the Singapore Grand Prix's post-race celebrations.

Lewis Hamilton was the late recipient of the final spot on the podium at Marina Bay following George Russell's crash and DNF on the final lap of the race.

But while the seven-time world champion celebrated the day alongside Ferrari race winner Carlos Sainz and McLaren runner-up Lando Norris, Mercedes' crews were conspicuously absent from the TV director's coverage.

Even in photographs taken in parc ferme right after the race, Hamilton was seen rejoicing with Ferrari and McLaren team members.

Had the Brackley squad purposefully opted to skip the podium festivities?

In reality, a logistical hassle coupled with the overwhelming presence of Ferrari and McLaren personnel in the celebration area led to the perception that Hamilton was on his own.

Mercedes technical director James Allison explained the reason for the erroneous impression.

"Of course, the team was there at the podium to celebrate with Lewis," he said.

"As many of the team as it was practical to get to the podium were there because we enjoy it. We love standing there and clapping and cheering for our driver."

However, Allison reveled that a contingent of personnel had been required to stay behind to collect Russell's damaged W14.

"Necessarily, a certain amount of the team had to stay in the garage during that event because we needed to receive Georges car back from the marshals who were bringing it back into the pit lane," he continued.

But the rest of the team were all down at the podium and cheering along with everyone else.

"But the cameras do not show everything and the big story there was of course the first win this year for a non-Red Bull team.

"So, showing all of the overjoyed Ferrari faces was very high up the list of things that made for good TV and indeed the pleasure from the McLaren folk as well.

"There was a very significant number of all teams down there at the podium ceremony.

"We were a big part of it but not maybe where the camera lighted during the podium celebrations."

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Are you an autoworker at CAMI? Contact us by filling out the form below to let us know what you think about conditions at the plant. All comments will be kept anonymous.

Join the next online meeting of the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Network to discuss the latest developments in the Detroit Three contract fight and the rank-and-file strategy for workers to win their demands. Register here to attend.

Sign up for text message updates on the Detroit Three contract fight by texting AUTO to (866) 847-1086.

Global automaker GM announced on Friday that it will halt production at the CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario from mid-October until springtime next year due to a shortage of the batteries required for building BrightDrop electric delivery vehicles. Approximately 1,100 workers out of the 1,500 at the facility outside London will be affected by the shutdown, throwing their lives and those of their families once again into extreme uncertainty.

CAMI workers at a strike rally in 2017

The impending idling of the facility, whose workforce are employed under a separate contract from the rest of the Detroit Threes operations in Canada, comes just three months after a two-week shutdown in July due to a battery shortage. The announcement was made less than a year after the launch of electric vehicle (EV) production at the facility. The plant was subject to a months-long shutdown in 2022 after GM moved production of the Chevrolet Equinox from the Ontario plant to Mexico in April last year. Prior to that, the plant was shut down in 2020 during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic and suffered repeated production stops and starts in 2021 due to a shortage of semi-conductor chips.

A worker at the plant who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter said that it was estimated that they had only worked 70 weeks in the last three years. People have had it bad for the last three years, he explained. There are a lot of married couples who work in the plant and they are both going to lose their jobs. People who have mortgages and kids are in big trouble. There is a Supplemental Unemployment Benefit (SUB) program for people depending on how much you work. But many people have already burned through their supplementary pay.

Throughout most of 2022, CAMI workers had to subsist on Employment Insurance, SUB pay and food banks amid a surging cost of living crisis. Many exhausted their savings and racked up credit card debt just to survive, as GM retooled the plant for EV production with the support of $518 million in public funds provided by the governments of Tory Ontario Premier Doug Ford and federal Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Since the plant reopened in December, workers have been on rotating shifts, working two weeks on and then four weeks off. As of last week, the plant was only receiving enough batteries to produce 25 vehicles per shift, despite having a capacity for as many as 73.

The plant has been reliant on batteries which are assembled at the Ultium Cells plant in Lordstown, Ohio, but there have been repeated shortages due to production issues at that facility which opened last year. A 400,000 square foot battery assembly facility is currently under construction at CAMI to take pressure off the Lordstown plant but is not expected to be completed and fully operational until the second quarter of 2024.

The permanent insecurity for CAMI workers produced by repeated shutdowns and a lack of support during the EV transition is what awaits all autoworkers in Canada if the Detroit Three and their accomplices in the Unifor bureaucracy get their way. Under pressure from rank-and-file workers, who have expressed concern about the miserable conditions facing CAMI workers, Unifor has been forced to make a show of fighting for income protection during EV production plant changeovers in the current bargaining round. But the union has demonstrated its firm commitment to the implementation of the EV transition at the expense of autoworkers so as to protect the automakers massive profits.

Unifor has enthusiastically supported massive handouts of public funds to the big auto companies in the transition to EV production, including most recently $30 billion for battery plants to be built in southwestern Ontario by Stellantis and Volkswagen. But the union bureaucracy has done virtually nothing to support workers through the turmoil, aside from haggling with GM over SUB pay, or to warn them about the jobs bloodbath which is being planned. Unifor also champions the economic protectionist agenda advanced by the ruling elites in America and Canada in a bid to corner the rapidly growing EV market for themselves. These policies, including the on-shoring of supply chains for raw materials critical to EV production, are inseparable from the waging of imperialist wars by Ottawa and Washington around the world against their great-power rivals.

While pledging to save Canadian jobs, the union bureaucracy has enforced one concession after another at CAMI. The plant has continually shed jobs, declining from 2,800 hourly workers in 2017 to just over 1,100 today. A month-long strike in 2017 was sold out by Unifors since disgraced ex-president Jerry Dias, who forced through a four- year deal which maintained the hated two tier system for wages and benefits and did nothing to ensure job security. Then in 2021 Unifor prematurely reopened the CAMI contract agreeing to further concessions on jobs in the EV refit.

Workers at the CAMI plant, a subsidiary of GM opened in 1989 in partnership with Suzuki, remain separated in contract bargaining from their brothers and sisters at GMs other Canadian facilities, including the Oshawa assembly plant, and the rest of the Detroit ThreeStellantis and Ford. The contract at CAMI is set to expire on September 17, 2024, exactly one year after the ongoing struggle at the Detroit Three.

Just as Unifor keeps CAMI workers separated from their Canadian brothers and sisters, it is also working to keep workers in Canada separated from their colleagues at the Detroit Three in the United States. Despite a common expiration of contracts this month, and like demands from rank-and-file workers for improved wages, pensions, the abolition of multi-tiers and enhanced job protection, Unifor president Lana Payne has insisted that Canadian workers have distinctly different interests from American workers. She has repeatedly declared that Unifor will chart our own course separate from the 150,000 autoworkers in the US whose contracts expired September 14.

With its announcement early Tuesday morning to arbitrarily extend the contract at Ford by 24 hours to block a strike, Unifor has betrayed the will of the 5,600 Ford workers who voted by nearly 99 percent to walk off the job when their contract expired at 11:59 p.m. Monday. Charting our own course has also meant that Payne has been coordinating with UAW President Sean Fain to ensure that Canadian auto workers do not add fuel to the determination of rank-and-file workers in the US to beat back decades of concessions. Unifors ultimate aim is to aid the companies by sabotaging workers struggles and demoralizing them into accepting yet another round of concessions in order to pump out record profits.

What I worry about is if this doesnt go well with the Canadian Detroit Three, the CAMI worker told the WSWS. Because we are offset we are going to go on strike alone and no one is going to want to go on strike because of the experience of Covid, retooling and the supply chain shenanigans. We need COLA [Cost of Living Adjustment], better benefits, to turn 8 year grow in into a 6 year grow in. It should be able to be a job you can get and take care of your family with. Its been seven straight bad years.

Workers at CAMI and throughout the Detroit Three in Canada must form rank-and-file committees to take the initiative into their own hands, to unite their struggles and wage a fight in coordination with autoworkers in the United States, Mexico and around the world to win what they need and not what the auto bosses and union bureaucrats say they can afford. This should include workers control over the transition to EVs to ensure that these technological advances are used to improve the lives of workers and not to line the pockets of millionaire corporate executives and billionaire shareholders.
The European Union and its national governments are responding to the arrival of several thousand desperate refugees on Italys Lampedusa island in recent days by massively stepping up their war on migrants.

Refugees in Lampedusa wait to be transported away from the Mediterranean island [AP Photo/Valeria Ferraro]

During a joint appearance on the Mediterranean island on Sunday, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed solidarity with the fascist Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The measures planned are reminiscent of the darkest times in European history. They involve the complete closure of Fortress Europe, mass deportations to war torn countries and disaster zones in North Africa and the establishment of concentration and deportation camps by the military.

Meloni, who boasts of having a relaxed relationship with fascism and calls Mussolini a good politician, threatened to take extraordinary measures on Lampedusa. Then, on Monday, her government decided by decree to tighten detention pending deportation and raise the maximum length of detention to 18 months. The Italian Defence Ministry was ordered to create detention centres for migrants who had entered irregularly. The facilities are to be created in remote areas, as sparsely populated as possible, which can be easily contained and monitored.

In addition, Meloni repeated her call for a coordinated naval operation against refugees in the Mediterranean. We have to stop the influx of illegal migrants. We cannot find a solution that serves one country and not the other, she said. If necessary, the navy must be deployed to stop refugee boats on their way to Europe, she said. The fight against illegal mass immigration and human traffickers is an epochal struggle for Italy and for Europe.

The essentially fascist crackdown on refugees is supported by the entire ruling class in Europe. Von der Leyen presented a 10-point plan for a coordinated response by the Italian and European authorities at a joint press conference with Meloni on Sunday. She said she had offered support to Italy by the European Commission and the European Union Asylum Agency and Frontex to deal with this immediate crisis.

Von der Leyen left no doubt as to what this support consisted of:

Mass deportations : The EU offered the Italian government the support of Frontex to ensure a swift return of migrants to their country of origin, if they are not eligible for asylum. Persons who cannot qualify for asylum cannot stay in the European Union.

: The EU offered the Italian government the support of Frontex to ensure a swift return of migrants to their country of origin, if they are not eligible for asylum. Persons who cannot qualify for asylum cannot stay in the European Union. Police-military action against refugees already in Africain close coordination with the reactionary regimes on the ground : What is needed was a joint-up approach, for example Frontex and Europol engaging with Tunisia and along the [migration] route, explained von der Leyen.

: What is needed was a joint-up approach, for example Frontex and Europol engaging with Tunisia and along the [migration] route, explained von der Leyen. Military operation against refugees in the Mediterranean: We will step up sea and aerial surveillance. This, too, could be taken over by the notorious border protection agency Frontex. In addition, the EU supports exploring options to expand existing naval missions in the Mediterranean or to work on new ones. In addition, the EU will speed up the supply of equipment to the Tunisian coastguard.

The EUs policy is murderous and criminal in more ways than one. After destroying entire countries with their neocolonial wars in Africa and the Middle East, the leading European NATO powers and the US deliberately decided to let refugees drown in order to deter others and keep them away from Europe. According to official figures, more than 20,000 people have drowned in the Mediterranean in the last decade alone.

Despite this, the EU continues to intensify the war against refugees. It is significant that von der Leyens ten-point plan is aimed exclusively at repulsing refugees and does not include a single concrete humanitarian measure. And this despite the fact that the earthquake in Morocco and the flood disaster in Libya have killed thousands and plunged hundreds of thousands into even greater misery in the past two weeks.

The flooding in the Libyan port city of Derna in particular is not simply a natural disaster, but the direct product of the 2011 NATO bombing campaign that largely destroyed the country. The European governments and political forces that waged the war or justified it as a humanitarian intervention have blood on their hands. Now they are escalating the NATO war against Russia in Ukraine with similar propaganda arguments.

In fact, there is a direct link between the terror against refugees and the war offensive. The more aggressively the ruling class pushes its policy of militarism and the accompanying social attacks, the more openly it relies on authoritarianism and fascist methods to suppress the growing social and political opposition at home. The war against refugees is directed against the entire working class. What is being done to refugees and migrants now threatens everyone tomorrow. This course is also supported by the nominally left parties.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrat, SPD) announced his reactionary Germany Pact early this month, in which he explicitly called for an intensified fight against irregular migration and an expansion of detention pending deportation. These are precisely the measures now being implemented.

In Greece, the pseudo-left Syriza government significantly tightened migration policy between 2015 and 2019 and, in alliance with the far-right Independent Greeks (Anel), introduced essentially the same measures that are now being pushed by Rome and Brussels. These included the detention of refugees in concentration camp-like hotspots like Moria, mass deportations and a military operation against migrants in the Aegean.

In Spain, the coalition government of the social-democratic PSOE and pseudo-left Podemos regularly uses the military, special forces and riot police to crack down on migrants fleeing to Spain via Morocco. In Germany, the Left Party, where it is in government, organises brutal deportations in the federal states. At the same time, its Wagenknecht wing in particular is agitating against refugees along the lines of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

The fact that all factions of the ruling class advocate terror against refugees underlines that workers and youth are confronted with revolutionary tasks. European capitalism cannot be reformed, it must be overthrown. The defence of democratic rights, like the struggle against war and fascism, requires the revolutionary mobilisation of the working class on the basis of an international socialist programme.

This is what the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) and its sister organisations are fighting for across Europe. Workers must counterpose the perspective of the United Socialist States of Europe to the EU of the banks and corporations, mass death and war, reads the SGPs election call for the European elections. The war cannot be ended, lives cannot be saved and wages cannot be defended without breaking the power of the banks and corporations and putting them under democratic control.
This article will look at the 12 best places to retire in Israel. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis of the business climate of Israel and details on retiring there, you may go to the 5 Best Places to Retire in Israel.

Business Climate of Israel

Israel boasts a lucrative business climate owing to its strong innovation ecosystem, skilled workforce, and strategic location. Also known as the "Startup Nation," it has been heavily investing in scientific research as well as education. American companies dominate the landscape of multinational R&D centres in Israel, with U.S. firms representing nearly two-thirds of the over 300 established facilities. At present, there are 135 Israeli companies listed on the NASDAQ, making it the fourth country with the most companies after the United States, Canada, and China.

Owing to strong economic buffers such as a resilient tech sector, low debt, and strong growth, the Covid-19 crisis had a comparatively low impact on the country's economy. As such, the country experienced a strong economic rebound post-pandemic, having 8.1% GDP growth in 2021. Meanwhile, the GDP growth in 2022 was 6.5%. Economic policies in the country are sound and supportive of growth. The country also provides many incentives and benefits to those looking to invest in the country, such as tax exemptions, reduced tax rates, grants, and other tax-related benefits.

In particular, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis notes that the U.S.-Israeli bilateral economic and commercial relationship has been strong, with two-way trade in goods and services reaching USD 51.8 billion in 2022.

However, conflict and political tensions with the neighboring Palestine have often reflected negatively on Israel's equity markets. On top of that, Israeli investors have a home-bias problem.

Israeli Investors' 'Home-Bias'

An important highlight of Israeli investors is that, on average, they allocate a very high share of their portfolio to Israeli-based equities, with lower than average room for diversification outside Israel.

Story continues

In a paper that compared Israeli equity indices (TA-35 and TA-125) with those of US equity indices like the S&P 500, S&P Midcap 400 and Smallcap 600, it was shown that an imaginary diversification in US and Israeli indices would have outperformed the Israeli market all the way since December 1994. It is empirically established that Israeli investors could reduce risk by diversifying outside Israel.

Retiring to Israel

Israel may not be a conventional choice for retirees looking for options to relocate during their golden period, but it can be the start of a new adventure. Owing to its strong economic and business climate, high-quality of living, and modern amenities, retirees can come into the country and make it their home. The country is also revered as a potentially promising retirement destination because of its rich history and culture, world-class healthcare, and diverse landscapes.

Jeruslem and Tel Aviv, two of the best cities in Israel to live in, are also amongst the top millionaire hotspots. These are also the richest cities in Israel, where some of the wealthiest people are residing. Ranking 30th and 53rd respectively, Henley & Partners World Wealthiest Cities Report 2023 states that Tel Aviv is home to 11 billionaires, while Jerusalem has five. Netanya and Herzilya each have two billionaires living there. As such, Tel Avivs well-off population has been ballooning by 51% over the last decade, whereas Jerusalem has witnessed a 37% growth.

Since potential retirees usually hunt for other countries to stretch their retirement savings further, relocating to the rich cities may not always be ideal. For this reason, it is important to find options that can provide the best bang for your buck. As such, one of the cheapest places to live in Israel is definitely Dimona. Ashkelon is another cheap place to retire to, along with Beit She'an, Nesher and Tiberias. Retirees will find some of the cheapest apartments for an average of $92,000.

12 Best Places to Retire in Israel

Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com

Methodology

To come up with our list of 12 best places to retire in Israel, we have checked out four different sources ( 1, 2, 3, 4 ) that have generated lists for the same. Next, we conducted an extensive research on expat forums to assess retiree experiences in the different places of Israel. Their experiences and recommendations have been incorporated into our list.

For scoring purposes, a consensus approach was used. Each time a source recommended a place, it was awarded one point. Points have been summed up, and places have been ranked in ascending order from the lowest to the highest scores.

The costs of living mentioned are for a single expat retiree living in Israel for one month. Similarly, the rental prices mentioned are for one-bedroom apartments in the area. Sources used for these figures include Nomad List and Cost of Live, amongst others.

Without further ado, here are the best places to retire in Israel:

12. Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut

Insider Monkey Score: 2

Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut, or simply Modi'in, is a scenic and vibrant city located in central Israel. It is no exception to Israels top-class healthcare, a major plus for retirees looking to move here. Modi'in is also one of the safest cities to live in Israel, and retirees relax here with peace of mind. The city is very diverse, too, fostering an inclusive yet welcoming community. It is characterized by modern infrastructure, and there are plenty of shopping centres, restaurants, and other recreation available. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center averages about $995, and the total cost of living is $1,760.

11. Ashkelon

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Ashkelon is one of the best places to retire in Israel, owing to its picturesque beaches and Mediterranean climate. Retirees living here praise the health advantages of living by the sea. Winters are mild, summers are warm, and a refreshing cool breeze graces the atmosphere. Ashkelon is also revered for being comparatively affordable as compared to the otherwise high cost of living in the country. Rents for one-bedroom apartment is around $899, while overall cost of living averages around $1,449.

10. Beer Sheva

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Retirees familiar with Be'er Sheva recognize it as a modern city nestled in the southern reaches of Israel. The city is known to be reasonably affordable to areas such as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with one-bedroom apartments costing around $590 a month. A single expat retiree's overall cost of living is $1,762 per month. Soroka Medical Center, one of Israel's largest and most advanced hospitals, is in this city. The city also provides cultural and educational opportunities, as well as opportunities to be social.

9. Mevaseret Zion

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Mevaseret Zion is a mesmerizing town located to the west of Jerusalem. It stands tall in our list of best places to retire in Israel owing to its lush greenery and scenic hills, providing ample recreational opportunities for retirees. Top-notch healthcare facilities are a short drive away in Jerusalem, so retirees can enjoy a serene sub-urban environment without compromising on modern amenities. We estimate that this town's living cost is between $1,500- $2,000.

8. Ra'anana

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Consistently ranking as one of the best places to retire in Israel, Ra'anana has a lot to offer to potential retirees. For starters, residents enjoy a high quality of life. Clean and well-maintained public spaces, top-notch medical facilities, and modern amenities are available. Theaters, galleries, and music venues make up a vibrant cultural scene in the city. There are many parks, green spaces, and a serene lake. Average house rent is around $1,047 in the city, while the overall cost of living is estimated to be $1,725.

7. Herzliya

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Herzliya is a popular retirement destination in Israel, revered for its picturesque Mediterranean beaches, mild climate, and the array of recreational activities that accompany it. The city is also known for its vibrant cultural amenities, top-notch healthcare facilities, and diverse culinary delights. Scenic waterfront promenades, green spaces, and parks add to the retirement experience. The cost of living is competitive when compared to other coastal cities, with average house rent and overall living expenses averaging $1,374 and $2,125, respectively.

6. Savyon

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Savyon is an exclusive upscale residential town in central Israel known as the Beverly Hills of the country. It offers high-class residential communities and upscale living options for retirees, with tailored services and amenities available. Its proximity to high-quality healthcare is a plus, as is its close knit community that makes living here very welcoming for retirees. One-bedroom apartments can range between $1,000-$3,000 per month, while the overall cost of living is estimated at $2,500-$6,000.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Places to Retire in Israel.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: none. 12 Best Places to Retire in Israel is originally published on Insider Monkey.
With payments on federal student loans set to resume in just 10 days, borrowers are facing problems obtaining information about their debts, including difficulties contacting the servicing companies that are managing their accounts.

Borrowers are reporting having to wait on hold for hours or being unable to log on to their accounts to find out what their payment due date is or how much they are expected to pay.

In some cases, borrowers do not know which of the 18 different servicing companiesoperating under contract with the US Department of Educationare collecting their payments. This is because some of the servicers no longer exist, and many loans have been sold to companies that have been established since the pause in student debt repayment was enacted by the US government in March 2020, at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Student debt relief advocates gather outside the Supreme Court on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, as the court hears arguments over President Joe Biden's student debt relief plan. [AP Photo/Patrick Semansky]

According to a CNN report, servicer web sites have been sporadically down as high volumes of borrowers try to access their accounts. CNN also reported that funding for the Federal Student Aid office was not increased, even though the workload increased with the restart of payments. The report said, The office got about $800 million less from Congress this year than what the Biden administration had asked for.

CNN reported that in one case, a borrower had been on the line with her loan servicer EdFinancial for three hours for the fourth time in two days. The borrower called the day before at breakfast, again at lunch, and then asked for an automatic callback but said she never received one.

A parent borrower told the World Socialist Web Site that the mobile app of AidVantage had been pulled from the app store in recent days without warning or explanation. Attempts to use the app to access loan information encountered the following message: Effective immediately, the mobile app will no longer be supported. It was removed from the App Store and Google Play earlier this year, and support has been discontinued. You will still be able to log into Aidvantage.com using your favorite mobile browser to review your account online.

Students and parents who are repaying their federal student loans may be unaware of the fact that a portion of the money they are paying to the US government for their loans is going directly into the pockets of private companies and their highly compensated executives.

The $1.7 trillion in federal student loans owed by 43 million people are managed by servicing corporations such as AidVantage, CornerStone, EdFinancial, Nelnet and Sallie Mae. These firms make money from the student loans based on signed agreements they have with the US Department of Education.

According to The College Investor, Servicing companies collect payments of principal and interest on behalf of the loan holder (the Department of Education, in the case of federal loans). In exchange, theyre paid a monthly fee for each loan serviced.

These fees can be based on a percentage of the outstanding loan balance or a fixed dollar amount. Since the percentage-based fees cause the amount that servicers earn to decline over time as the loan balance is paid down, the US government has allowed these companies to move almost exclusively to fixed dollar amount fees.

As The College Investor explains: If a borrower is current for the entire duration of a 10-year repayment plan, the loan servicer will receive $342.00 over the repayment term, plus $47.25 for the in-school period and $10.08 for the grace period. Thats a total of $399.33 per borrower.

If the borrower opts for a so-called income-driven repayment plan, which is falsely promoted as a means of making repayment affordable for student loan recipients, and extends the repayment to 25 years, the loan servicer will receive $855.00 over the repayment term, plus $47.25 for the in-school period and $10.08 for the grace period. Thats a total of $912.33 per borrower.

These fees also increase if payments are delinquent. These delinquency fees max out at 30 days and decline thereafter, encouraging the loan servicers to adopt aggressive tactics to force borrowers to make payments before their loans go into default. The fees for deferment (extension of the loan term without interest accrual) and forbearance (extension of the loan term that includes interest accrual) are also nearly as high as those collected while loans are in repayment.

Clearly, it is in the interest of the servicers to keep borrowers on repayment for as long as possible because this is how they will make the most money from the scheme. In the case of AidVantage, for example, which holds a portfolio of 13 million in current student loans, the potential payoff for the company is in the range of $5.1 to $11.8 billion. With more to be made as additional loans are secured in coming years.

AidVantage is the student loan servicing arm of the multinational government services conglomerate Maximus, which has annual revenues of $3.46 billion and operates in nine countries, including the US, Australia, Canada and the UK. Headquartered in Tysons, Virginia, Maximus is a publicly traded corporation with a current Wall Street market value of $4.74 billion.

The Wikipedia entry on Maximus describes it as a company that holds contracts with government agencies to provide services to manage and administer government-sponsored programs. It provides administrative services for Medicaid, Medicare, health care reform, welfare-to-work, and student loan servicing, among other government programs.

The president and chief executive officer of Maximus is Bruce L. Caswell, who earned $6.3 million in salary, bonus and stock options in 2022. The top six executives of Maximus, including CEO Caswell, earned a combined $14 million in 2022. These parasitic individuals are receiving massive incomes at the expense of student loan borrowers who have little or no means of paying back their debts without sacrificing their ability to put a roof over their head or feed themselves and their families.

Meanwhile, reports are emerging that the restart of student loan repayments will have ripple effects on the broader economy. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Monday, the restart of student loan payments could divert up to $100 billion from Americans pockets over the coming year, leaving consumers squeezed and some of the nations largest retailers fearing a spending slowdown.

With average monthly payments at between $200 and $300, the working class population will be forced to cut back on purchases. The Journal report is based on projections by Target, Walmart and other retail corporations that depend on discretionary spending.

The resumption of student loan repayment will also intensify defaults on other types of borrowing. The Journal report says:

According to credit-reporting agency TransUnion, more than half of consumers with student loans added bank credit-card debt during the pandemic, while around a third took on new auto loans and 15 percent took out new mortgages. At the same time, consumers savings have been declining since reaching a peak in 2021.
Protests erupted in Derna on Monday, as anger exploded among workers in the city against authorities who failed to take critical measures to protect it from flooding. When Storm Daniel hit the region, Dernas poorly maintained dams burst, and a massive wall of water descended on the city, killing an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 people.

Rescuers and relatives sit in front of collapsed buildings after recent flooding caused by Mediterranean storm Daniel, in Derna, Libya, Monday, Sept. 18, 2023. [AP Photo/Muhammad J. Elalwany]

The response to the protests of officials in eastern Libya, where Derna is located, underscores the complete contempt of the Libyan authorities and their NATO backers for the population. They have ordered journalists to leave the area and are blocking access to foreign search-and-rescue teams. The few reports available from the area speak of mounting fear that the eastern Libyan authorities, which have longstanding ties to NATO, are preparing a bloody crackdown in Derna.

The protest revealed the growing mass opposition to the corrupt patchwork of militias and local warlords put in power by the NATO war in Libya in 2011 that destroyed the regime of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

On Monday, protesters gathered in front of Dernas Al Sahaba mosque and denounced the eastern Libyan regime led by former CIA asset General Khalifa Haftar, and especially the speaker of the eastern Libyan parliament, Aguilah Saleh. They chanted slogans like: The people want parliament to fall, Aguila is the enemy of God, Thieves and betrayers must hang and The bloody of martyrs must not be shed in vain.

They also chanted slogans against the decade-long civil war in Libya that followed the NATO victory in the 2011 war: Aguila we dont want you, all Libyans are brothers.

Aguila had provoked outrage last week by declaring that Libyans should not exchange accusations over who is responsible for the deaths, as The disaster that struck the country is a natural one.  It is in Gods hand.

Protesters in Derna also read out a statement listing their demands against the Haftar-Aguilah regime. They called for a speedy investigation and legal action against those responsible for the disaster. They also called for a probe of Dernas present and previous budgets, the opening of a UN office in the city, and the launching of its reconstruction, with compensation for affected residents.

Later, on Monday night, protesters gathered outside the house of Derna Mayor Abdulmenam al-Ghaithi, stormed it and burned it down.

At 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning, mobile phone networks in Derna all suddenly shut off. The Libyan Post Telecommunications & Information Technology Company (LIPTIC), which operates these networks, attributed it to a rupture in the optical fiber link in Derna. LIPTIC added that it could be the result of a deliberate act of sabotage and added: our teams are working to repair it as quickly as possible.

Throughout the day Tuesday, eastern Libyan authorities took sweeping measures to prevent reports of events in Derna from reaching the outside world and limit the number of foreign rescue teams working in the city.

Initially, the eastern Libyan government declared that health reasons meant it was dangerous for journalists to remain in Derna. After Libyan health authorities confirmed that there were no health advisories currently in effect for Derna, the government changed its reason for telling journalists to leave. It said the large number of reporters was hindering the work of the rescue teams.

As it claimed to be doing everything it could to help the rescue teams to justify making reporters leave, however, the eastern Libyan government asked a number of international rescue teams to leave Derna and blocked others from arriving.

Spanish and Maltese rescue teams have already left the city, and UN officials have said that the eastern Libyan authorities are blocking their teams from reaching Derna. We can confirm that search and rescue teams, emergency medical teams and UN colleagues who are already in Derna continue to operate, UN spokesperson Najwa Mekki told Reuters. However, a UN team was due to travel from Benghazi to Derna today but were not authorized to proceed.

This has led to a number of reports on social media, largely from diplomatic or security personnel working for think-tanks with connections to Libya, that a crackdown is being prepared, and that Derna is bracing for an attack from Haftars forces.

On Twitter/X, Emadeddin Badi of the Atlantic Council wrote: Media blackout on Derna now in place, (communications) off since dawn. Make no mistake about it, this isnt about health or safety, but punishing the Dernawis for protesting. Turkey and Algerias Search and Rescue teams, journalists and Tripolitanias medical teams have been given orders to leave by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF), Haftars military force.

Similarly, Tarek Magrisi of the European Council on Foreign Relations tweeted: Extremely dark news from a Derna still reeling from horrific floods. The citys communications are shut down with Libyan and international aid teams kicked out. Locals are now terrified of an impending military crackdown as collective punishment for yesterdays protests and demands.

The catastrophe in Derna is a devastating exposure of the consequences of the 2011 NATO war and of the subsequent decade of civil war into which it plunged Libya. NATO countries banks and oil companies were able to loot Libya, which was once Africas wealthiest country per capita and with its longest life expectancy. The local administrations that emerged after 2011 under the neo-colonial regime in Libya rule with utter contempt for working people.

Significantly, among the many pseudo-left academics who agitated for the NATO war in Libya 12 years ago, one particularly popular argument was that NATO intervention was necessary to keep Gaddafi from possibly massacring protesters in eastern Libya.

Professor Gilbert Achcar, a member of Frances Pabloite New Anti-capitalist Party (NPA) who has now been exposed as a paid adviser to the British army, denounced left-wing opposition to NATOs imperialist war in Libya, asserting: Here is a case where a population is truly in danger, and where there is no plausible alternative that could protect it. The attack by Gaddafis forces was hours or at most days away. You cant in the name of anti-imperialist principles oppose an action that will prevent the massacre of civilians.

This potential massacre by Gaddafis forces in 2011 did not materialize. Now, however, there is mounting evidence that the eastern Libyan regime set up by the NATO war is preparing a very real crackdown in Derna. In its latest report on Libya, Amnesty International explained how Haftars regime treats protesters who challenge its authority, writing:

Militias and armed groups used unlawful force to repress peaceful protests across the country. Dozens of people were arrested, prosecuted and/or sentenced to lengthy imprisonment or death.  Militias and armed groups systematically tortured and otherwise ill-treated detainees with impunity. Beatings, electric shocks, mock executions, flogging, waterboarding, suspension in contorted positions and sexual violence were reported by relatives and prisoners...

Any repression in Derna by Haftars forces would directly implicate the NATO imperialist powers who helped install him in power, and who still maintain ties with him to get access to eastern Libyas oil wealth. Opposing such repression requires mobilizing workers and youth, in Libya and internationally, against not only the corrupt Libyan authorities but the NATO powers and their political accomplices.
United Auto Workers members leave the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Warren Truck Plant in Warren, Michigan. [AP Photo/Paul Sancya]

Autoworkers have responded with enthusiasm to the editorial written by Will Lehman, titled, The battle against the automakers is more than a strike, its class warfare, which was published by Newsweek on Monday. In the article, the Pennsylvania Mack Trucks worker who ran as a socialist candidate for president of the United Auto Workers details the historical level of social inequality in America that is fueling the militant struggle by GM, Ford and Stellantis workers.

Lehman notes that wages have declined dramatically over the last 50 years, with new GM workers making less than half of what an autoworker in 1973 was making. At the same time, GM CEO Mary Barra received a $28.9 million compensation package in 2022. Lehman noted, It would take a temporary worker making the maximum $20 an hour almost three years to make as much as Barra does in a single day.

Biden, Trump and UAW President Shawn Fain, Lehman concludes, all fear that inequality is driving the working class towards socialist politicsthat is, a political perspective based upon workers independent class interests.

The Newsweek editorial has been widely circulated among autoworkers. A temporary worker at GMs Flint Assembly plant asked, Why does GMs CEO need that much money a day or month or a year? What kind of lifestyle is she living? Barra probably has a bed set that costs more than my house. Shes sleeping very comfortably while we have to wake up and budget pennies.

It makes me feel uncomfortable because theyre still making money while were on a so-called strike. My plant is one of the big money plants, and were seriously still going into work right now while were on strike. What we are doing is just irritating them and not making them take us seriously.

A Stellantis MOPAR worker said Lehman brought out all of the points that need to be highlighted. The fact that one person is getting paid more than what UAW members cant even make in four lifetimes is very unfair. Its been driving and dividing this country down, and it is time that things change. I feel we need to fight this corporate greed. Its almost like we are in a civil war between the rich and the poor.

A Stellantis worker at the Warren Truck plant in suburban Detroit said, Im a TPT and all I would get in this contract is $20 an hour. Its BS that Im struggling to raise my three kids on that when the CEOs are making $13,800 every hour. Its unequal. We have families to feed and were hot as hell in the plant because the companies wont even put air conditioning in there.

A worker at the Toledo Jeep Complex, one of only three plants called out on strike by the UAW, said, I think Wills talking points are extremely important, and the examples he used were perfect. More importantly, though, he presented it in a manner perfect for a mainstream publication. Speaking of which, Newsweek?! How cool is that? This has the potential to reach millions of readers.

Will did an excellent job of exposing the parallels between our government and the UAW. Both groups are elected to represent their constituents but only have their own interests at heart. As long as the government and the UAW are beholden to corporations, the war on the working class will continue to rage on.

Another Jeep worker said, Great article! Im happy to see sort of this grassroots movement trying to take hold. Its obvious that Will has socialist views and that makes some people scared because all they know is the Democrats and Republicans. But Ive been in the auto industry my whole life and I dont know anyone who is happy with the UAW. Weve taken countless concessions and thats how the companies got their record profits.

I understand the inequality. The government says theres no money to help the elderly or to provide air conditioning in Toledo schools, which had to close because of the heat. But they can spend billions on a proxy war in Ukraine and to put hundreds of tanks on trains to bring them to California to play war games, before shipping them off to Eastern Europe.
The Sahel countries of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger signed a defense pact on September 16, establishing a military alliance called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES in French). The three heads of stateAssimi Goita of Mali, Ibrahim Traore of Burkina Faso and Abdourahamane Tiani of Nigermet in the capital of Mali, Bamako, to sign the AES charter.

Soldiers from Burkina Faso before deployment to an exercise in Mali [Photo: DoD photo by Master Sgt. Jeremiah Erickson, U.S. Air Force/Released]

Named after a region shared by the three countries, the Charter of Liptako-Gourma pledges to establish an architecture of collective defense and mutual assistance for the benefit of our populations. Any attack on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of one or more contracting parties shall be considered as an aggression against the other parties and shall give rise to a duty of assistance and relief of all parties, individually or collectively, including the use of armed force to restore and ensure security within the area covered by the Alliance.

The alliance is aimed against the threat that nearby countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) could invade AES countries with French support. After a decade-long French war in Mali that led to bloodshed across the Sahel, mass protests and military coups forced out French-backed governments in the three countries, which are all former French colonies. French officials have retaliated by threatening to support a military intervention by ECOWAS states such as Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Togo.

The AES treaty points to the growing danger that the NATO-Russia war in Ukraine could spread into large-scale warfare across Africa. Indeed, the AES states have all sought closer military ties and advice from Russia or Russian forces like the Wagner militia group after cutting off military ties to France. The threat of an AES-ECOWAS war is therefore rising in line with the broader tensions internationally between France and NATO, on the one hand, and Russia on the other.

The junta that seized power in Niger on July 26 set a deadline for the end of August for French troops, as well as the French ambassador, to leave the country. French President Emmanuel Macron, acting with unabashed neocolonial arrogance, has persistently refused to do this. Macron also refuses to recognize the Nigerien military junta that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum.

Macron has consistently insisted that the discredited French puppet President Bazoum and the presence of the French military in Niger are legitimate, despite mass protests by working people and youth against French and NATO troops in Niger and across the region.

Nigers military junta has also accused France of sending troops and military equipment to the West African countries of Benin, Ivory Coast and Senegal to invade Niger and overthrow the military regimes in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

As part of war preparations for aggression against Niger, France continues to deploy its forces in several ECOWAS countries and is considering it in collaboration with this organization, declared the spokesman of Niger's military regime, Colonel-Major Amadou Abdramane.

Rejecting these accusations, French President Emmanuel Macron issued a bellicose statement saying, We do not recognize any legitimacy in the statements of the junta in Niger.

The military juntas that rule the AES do not oppose imperialism or the NATO alliance, despite the explosive anger among workers and youth against imperialism. Amid mass protests, the juntas have selectively criticized France, the former colonial power implicated in much of the bloodshed in the region. But Washington has negotiated an agreement with Niger's military junta and resumed fighter and drone air operations in Niger from Air Base 201, located in the northern city of Agadez. This places US forces close to Nigers strategic uranium mines.

The policy of the juntas in the AES countries, of criticizing France but cutting back-channel deals with NATO, aims to block the emergence of an independent movement in the working class and youth that would oppose both imperialism and its allies in the African bourgeoisie. This bankrupt and reactionary policy is in fact only dragging the Sahel and all of Africa deeper into the maelstrom of the growing global war.

Paris, Washington and the entire NATO alliance are increasingly angry at the limited diplomatic overtures to Moscow made by the juntas in the three AES states. As they wage war against Russia in Ukraine, the NATO imperialist powers are moving towards ever more drastic and bloody methods to crush Russian influence around the world.

Currently, the three Sahel countries are suspended from ECOWAS and face draconian sanctions imposed by wealthier ECOWAS states, led by Nigeria. Border closures and economic sanctions against these landlocked countries are driving millions into poverty.

The three AES member states have resolved not to resort to threats or aggression against each otherspecifically, not to blockade each others ports, roads, coasts or strategic infrastructure. Our priority is the fight against terrorism in the three countries, Mali's Defense Minister Abdoulaye Diop told reporters about the deal.

The Liptako-Gourma region, where the borders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger meet, has been hit by Islamist terror attacks in recent years. It is well known in this region that NATO armed Islamist militias as its proxy forces in its 2011 war in Libya. Officials in the AES countries have accused France of secretly aiding Islamist groups in the Sahel, in that way creating a pretext to keep French troops in the region in the name of fighting Islamist terrorism.

The Malian military junta is continuing to criticize the Macron government along these lines. Last year, in a letter to the head of the United Nations Security Council, Mali's foreign affairs minister, Abdoulaye Diop, said Malis airspace has been breached more than 50 times this year, mostly by French forces using drones, military helicopters and fighter jets. These flagrant violations of Malian airspace were used by France to collect information for terrorist groups operating in the Sahel and to drop arms and ammunition to them.

Abdoulaye Diop finally warned that Mali reserves the right to defend itself if this strategy continues, which undermines the stability and security of the country.

The entire history of former colonial countries shows, however, that the struggle against imperialist provocations cannot be waged without mobilizing workers and youth against the capitalist class, which is organically tied to imperialism. The struggle against imperialism is not only a military struggle, but above all a class struggle. The decisive question is building a mass anti-war movement in the working class, across Africa, in Europe and internationally, to halt the war and end the capitalist system from which imperialism emerges.
President Joe Biden walks off after addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The United States launched a full-court press to promote the escalation of the war in Ukraine on Tuesday, with simultaneous appearances by US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the United Nations, and Americas top military leaders at Ramstein, Germany, who pledged to continue the war as long as it takes.

Following the collapse of Ukraines spring offensive, which has made no significant advances despite the deaths of tens of thousands of troops, the United States is expanding its direct involvement in the war. Later this week, Zelensky will visit the White House and Pentagon for crisis talks following the firing of leading members of Ukraines Ministry of Defense. Biden is seeking to ensure the passage of another $21 billion in funding for the Ukraine war, in addition to the over $150 billion that has already been allocated.

At his address to the United Nations, Biden declared, The United States, together with our allies and partners around the world, will continue to stand with the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and territorial integrity and their freedom. The war against Russia, he said, is an investment in the future of every country that seeks a world governed by basic rules that apply equally to all nations and uphold the rights of every nation, no matter how big or how small: sovereignty, territorial integrity.

Biden asserted that Russia alone bears responsibility for this war. Russia alone has the power to end this war immediately. And it is Russia alone that stands in the way of peace, because the  Russias price for peace is Ukraines capitulation, Ukraines territory, and Ukraines children.

As usual, Biden ignored the fact that the United States has bombed, invaded, or destabilized dozens of countries since World War II, in violation of this supposedly inviolate principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity. He ignored the systematic rampage of war crimes committed by the United States, from the systematic massacre of civilians during the Vietnam War, to the USs open embrace of torture and kidnapping in the name of the war on terror. Bidens declaration that Russia alone is responsible for the war ignores the USs role in massively arming Ukraine in the years before 2022 and the NATO provocations in the immediate lead-up to the war.

Biden was followed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who delivered an ethnically-charged rant against Russia and condemned the United Nations for refusing to openly participate in past wars.

Zelensky referred to Russia and Russians as evil, and as terrorists, and accused them of carrying out a genocide against Ukraine.

Notably, Biden spoke just one day after the New York Times reported that a missile strike on a Ukrainian market that killed 15 people earlier this month, which led Zelensky to condemn Russia as terrorists, was in fact fired by Ukraine.

Zelensky began his speech declaring, This hall saw many wars but not as an active defender against the aggressions.

He condemned the United Nations for being overly afraid of nuclear war, saying, In many cases, the fear of war, the final war, was the loudest herethe war after which no one would gather in the General Assembly Hall again.

He continued, The Third World War was seen as a nuclear war. A conflict between states on the highway to nukes. Other wars seemed less scary compared to the threat of the so-called great powers firing their nuclear stockpiles.

The effort to promote complete nuclear disarmament, he said, should not be the only strategy to protect the world from this final war.

He concluded, For the first time in modern history, we have a real chance to end the aggression on the terms of the nation which was attacked.

As Biden and Zelensky were making these blood-curdling statements, Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin were speaking in Ramstein, Germany to make it clear the United States would continue to escalate the war.

Theres no intention whatsoever by the Ukrainians to stop fighting during the winter, Milley said.

Milley pointed to the expansion of the deployment of US military hardware to Ukraine, declaring, And were putting this long-term commitment into action today. American M1 tanks will be arriving in Ukraine soon, and that will add another formidable armored capability to join the Leopards that are already on the battlefield. And meanwhile, we are beginning our collective training on Ukraines future F-16 pilots.

He continued, Our long-term support for Ukraine will continue to evolve through dedicated capability coalitions, like the ones that we started for armor and F-16 training and information technology. And these important coalitions will help Ukraine continue to build up a combat-credible force for the future.

Our commitment remains unwavering, Milley said.

Asked whether Ukraines backers have the industrial capacity to support the war much longer, Milley replied, The United States and its allied countries are rich, powerful, with significant resources, military resources that are capable of sustaining this fight, in President Bidens words, as long as it takes.

He continued, and thats exactly what we, the military, will do. Well do what were directed to do, and were going to do it as long as it takes.

Milley concluded, Wars are an interaction between two competing political wills to assert their will on the other by the use of organized violence. I mean, thats what the essence of war is all about.

The collective remarks by Biden, Zelensky, and Milley point to a significant escalation of the war by the United States. From Milleys praise of war as organized violence by the rich and powerful countries, to Zelenskys assertion that the United Nations should not be deterred by the threat of nuclear war, the United States and its allies are using the most reckless and provocative possible language with the aim to further inflame and expand a war that has already killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Sign up for text message updates on the auto contract fight by texting AUTO to (866) 847-1086. Join the next online meeting of the Autoworkers Rank-and-File Committee Network to discuss uniting workers for an all-out strike across the auto industry. Register here to attend.

On Wednesday, the rank-and-file strike movement against the auto corporations spread from the Big Three to the suppliers and from the industrial Midwest to the deep south, when 200 ZF chassis workers walked off at the plant in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The workers are UAW members and the strike began after they rejected a third sellout contract put forward by the Mercedes-Benz supplier and the UAW bureaucracy. A shutdown at ZFs Tuscaloosa facility will likely stop production at Mercedes-Benzs massive non-union assembly plant nearby.

Striking ZF auto parts workers in Tuscaloosa, Alabama [Photo: UAW]

For over a century, the corporations have used the South to undermine and weaken workers in the industrial centers of Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis and elsewhere, but the strike at ZF shows this is now breaking down. The British Financial Times explained that the strike means Mercedes-Benz has been dragged into the wave of industrial action sweeping across the US auto industry, and that the Alabama workers say they need higher wages and better health care benefits similar to the employees of the Big Three.

The ZF strike comes as 1,400 UAW members are on strike against Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and as 200 auto parts workers continue their strike against Dometic in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Workers everywhere are fighting for the same demands: massive pay increases, an end to tiers and layoffs, the hiring of temporary workers, fully funded pensions and adequate healthcare.

This growing rebellion has provoked serious concerns in the White House and on Wall Street because it has the potential to break out of the control of the UAW bureaucracy, which has kept all but 12,000 of the UAWs 146,000 Big Three membership at work after last weeks contract expiration. Contracts for tens of thousands of UAW members in the auto parts and other industries expire in the coming weeks all over the country.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration announced it would not send Labor Secretary Julie Su or Biden advisor Gene Sperling to Detroit, for fear it would tip off workers about an impending sellout and provoke wider resistance. According to the Washington Post, Bidens announcement last Friday that he was sending his two envoys to Detroit provoked concerns among UAW officials who feared the presence of Su and Sperling would be interpreted by some workers as a sign that the administration was swooping in to control the negotiations.

The Post cited Kate Bronfenbrenner, Director of Cornell Universitys Industrial and Labor Relations department, as saying, Interference from the White House, while well-intentioned, can be seen by some workers as a sign of weakness from their campaign or a sign that concessions are going to happen.

Workers know Biden intervened to stop the strike by 110,000 railroad workers last year. The president and the Democrats and Republicans in Congress came together to illegalize the strike and force workers to accept a pro-company deal, brokered by the White House, which rail workers had already rejected.

White House officials have been in regular contact with the UAW bureaucracy for months. If Biden feels the need to postpone a more public intervention now it is because the administration believes Fain has not worn down the resistance of rank-and-file workers enough to get them to swallow a sellout deal. A further intervention by the White House carries the risk of provoking wider walkouts and the repudiation of any deal backed by the president. That is why, at least for the time being, Biden is relying on the UAW bureaucracy to beat back the militancy of workers.

The entire purpose of the UAWs stand up strike is to keep workers in the dark, wear them down, force layoffs across the Big Three and parts industry, while keeping profits flowing to corporate coffers and facilitating the companies efforts to stockpile parts. It is not a strike, it is a tactic to defeat the rank-and-file.

The growing movement of the working class has led to angry comments from both the Republican and Democratic Parties. Republican Senator Tim Scott said that Ronald Reagan gave us a great example by firing striking air-traffic control workers during the PATCO strike of 1981. Leading Democratic Party figures are also demanding concessions, with former Obama auto czar and investment banker Steven Rattner calling in the New York Times for workers to accept further concessions for the good of the economy, by which he meant for the good of wealthy shareholders like himself.

The Times and leading Democrats are worried that the movement among autoworkers is not only directed against the Big Three, but is acquiring an increasingly political character, with anger growing against the two parties of Wall Street.

On Tuesday the Times featured an article titled, Striking autoworkers are cool to Bidens embrace. The article notes that Biden and the Democrats have yet to convince many rank-and-file UAW members that his sentiments are more than just nice-sounding words. That was the prevailing view in interviews with two dozen striking workers for Ford and Jeep in Michigan and Ohio this weekend.

A primary concern of the Times and Biden administration is that rank-and-file opposition threatens the ongoing US/NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, as well as plans for war against China. These wars require billions of dollars and the disciplining of the workforce for war production in the US.

The UAW bureaucracy under Shawn Fain is doing everything it can to promote the capitalist Democratic Party, inviting leading Democrats to speak at rallies and falsely presenting them as workers friends. The Washington Post acknowledged Wednesday that this has not been popular: The UAWs account on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter, for instance, has retweeted scores of Democratic lawmakers who have backed the unions demands, it reports, adding that rank-and-file anger means Fain faces limits on how much he can back the White House, according to labor experts.

The fascist Donald Trump is attempting to capitalize on growing opposition to the Democrats, announcing that he will speak to a group of workers next Wednesday instead of attending the Republican debate scheduled that evening. The details of Trumps visit are not known, but Trumps event will be a heavily stage-managed attempt to oppose Bidens plan to transition to EV and call for the elimination of further regulations on corporate profit and exploitation. Trump tells workers to direct their anger not against the corporations, but against workers allies in countries like Mexico and Canada. When asked on NBC last weekend if he supported autoworkers demands against the corporations, Trump refused to answer.

As both the Democrats and Republicans scramble to suppress the emerging movement of the rank-and-file, Wall Street and the corporations all agree that the present stand up strike is having no economic impact, since it has not stopped production.

Stephen Brown, senior director at Fitch Ratings, said in a written statement, We expect the initial financial impact of this first round of strikes to be limited, since the UAW is only striking one plant each at Ford, GM and Stellantis.

This would change if the strike spread. Dean Baker, an economist close to the Biden administration, told the Post, Its not like its done great damage to the economy, but if it goes on for weeks and expands, it really could.

It is urgent that rank-and-file workers fight to expand the strike across the Big Three and unite with workers in Canada, where the Unifor union called off a strike at the last minute Tuesday night and ordered workers to keep working. The union claimed it had reached a tentative agreement with Ford, which employs 5,600 workers in Ontario, without providing workers any information.

The strike in Alabama and concerned comments in the media show that there is a powerful mood to fight, but everything is being done by the corporations, the political parties and the UAW and Unifor bureaucracies to hold the rank and file back.

From the standpoint of the rank and file, there is no legitimate argument against launching an all-out strike. Workers can fight for this by speaking to their coworkers at work and on social media. By communicating, holding discussions and forming networks within each plant, workers can build support for launching an all-out strike as quickly as possible.
This article takes a look at the 15 easiest countries to get citizenship as an American. If you wish to skip our detailed analysis on lthe global retirement landscape and economic prosperity of host countries, you may go to 5 Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship as an American.

The Global Retirement Landscape

Recent years have witnessed the retirement landscape shift rather drastically in the United States. The third quarter of 2020 saw an approximate 28.6 million baby boomers retiring, and the number continues to grow. Unfortunately, escalating inflation, substantial depreciation in 401(k) accounts amounting to over one-third of their value, and the financial support extended to grown children, has left potential retirees with little to support themselves in their retirement years. While there are a lot of places to live on social security only, the social security fund itself is at risk of depletion by 2033, leaving retirees with little in choice.

Consequently, many Americans have decided to move abroad in search of greener pastures, driven by factors such as economic considerations, healthcare costs, and lifestyle preferences. The statistics are striking. In 2022, the number of Americans receiving social security abroad was 443,546. The figure is slightly over double the amount of 219,504 retired workers receiving Social Security benefits abroad back in 1999. This trend of relocation during the retirement phase is proving that retirees are now basing their retirement decisions on economic security and an improved quality of life, something they cannot find at a lower price in their home country.

Economic Prosperity of Host Countries

Some of the most popular overseas retirement destinations for Americans include Panama, Portugal, Greece, Philippines, and Mexico, amongst others. Some characteristics that these countries share are that they are some of the easiest countries to retire to, generally offer a lower cost of living than many Western countries, and have access to well-established healthcare systems. However, one factor that leads to all these advantages is economic prosperity. The success of the host countries that often retirees end up choosing, is largely responsible on the success of the companies that thrive within their respective markets.

Story continues

For instance, the Mexican domestic stock market has been performing well. Mexican equities, as measured by the MSCI Mexico index are up a whopping 27% YTD, and Brazil isnt far behind (up 25%). Mexico, in particular, has seen that the most of its market has benefitted from, after the consumer staples sector, is the materials sector stocks year-to-date. Some of the public companies within these sectors contributing to Mexicos economy include Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) Mexico; Fomento Economico Mexicano, S.A.B. de C.V. (FEMSAUBD.MX), a beverage and retail company; and Grupo Bimbo, S.A.B. de C.V. (BIMBOA.MX), a multinational food company.

Companies such as Grupo Bimbo, amongst others, have been helping the Mexican government tame inflation in the country through initiatives such as signing on the government anti-inflation plan, creating job opportunities, investing in infrastructure, and overall uplifting the economy as a whole. Yet other companies such as America Movil, a telecommunications corporation in Mexico, has been helping invest in the telecommunications infrastructure in the country, and foster innovation in Mexicos technology sector.

Mexico is also reaping the benefits of a restructuring in global supply chains. This is because more and more American businesses are moving out of China and into Mexico in a bid to strengthen North American economies, lower transportation costs, and minimize supply chain fragilities. These nearshoring efforts have been contributing to the countrys export boom, with foreign direct investment rising by 48% to $18.6 billion in Q1 2023.

According to Bloomberg, the influx of FDI is coming in from companies such as Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX). The report states that Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX) plans on investing $2.2 billion in the construction of its new steel slab mill at the companys industrial complex in Mexico. Simultaneously, a new highway is going to be constructed in the country that plans on linking Ternium S.A. (NYSE:TX) with the main roadways of the region.

The reshoring of manufacturing away from China has also been benefiting countries such as Vietnam, boasting an excellent economic outlook because of the same. Trade between the US and Vietnam has been growing by 25% a year for the past two decades, and the US considers the country a key partner in building resilient supply chains.

Owing to the economic prosperity that many of these countries and their thriving markets have to offer, prospective retirees are reconsidering their options of staying in the US or leaving for good. Lower costs of living, improved access to healthcare, and a better standard of living will inevitably drive more and more retirees to these countries in the future.

Gaining Citizenship as an American

While the above methods are definitely helpful for potential retirees to boost their retirement savings, many baby boomers have now entered their retirement phase without significant savings on hand. Many of them are solely reliant on social security, which is why they have been exploring our lists on the best places to retire on social security, both within and outside the US.

Those who are exploring options outside of the US usually go for countries with an affordable cost of living. They also want to know whether these countries have easy residency and citizenship policies. For instance, Turkey, Vanuatu and Dominica, among others, are some of the many countries offering citizenship to Americans.

The process takes 2-8 months time to process and offer citizenship by investment. However, this way of obtaining citizenship isnt the most feasible for retirees, considering they are already short on savings. For this reason, we have crafted a list of the easiest countries to get citizenship without investment that Americans can use to retire elsewhere.

Regardless of which country you end up choosing to retire, the bottom line is that it should help you, as a retiree, live a comfortable life without having to break the bank. Our list will help explore such options, while making sure that gaining residency in these countries are easy as compared to other nations in the world.

15 Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship as an American

Copyright: halfpoint / 123RF Stock Photo

Methodology

In order to come up with our list of easiest countries to get citizenship as an American, we have made use of our lists from Easiest Countries to Immigrate To From US, Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship Without Investment, and Easiest Countries to Retire To. These lists have conducted extensive research on the countries that have the easiest citizenship policies, the minimal income requirements for living, as well as the ease of gaining residency without investment.

We also used additional sources such as Investopedia, Global Citizenship Solutions, and others that have highlighted countries with the easiest citizenship policies for Americans looking to retire in other countries. Next, we selected those countries having retirement visas from our list. Potential retirees can choose to relocate to these places and reside legally for a required time period to acquire citizenship.

A consensus approach was used to compile our list, and each time a country was recommended by a source; we awarded it one point. Points were summed up and countries were then ranked in an ascending order from the lowest to the highest scores.

Here are the easiest countries to get citizenship as an American:

15. Colombia

Insider Monkey Score: 2

Colombia is one of the easiest countries to get citizenship as an American. Owing to its low cost of living, warm climate, and remarkable landscapes, thousands of retirees move here each year. Americans can apply for the Colombia Retirement (M) Visa to gain citizenship in the country, which will allow them to make it their home for a period of 3 years. The visa requirements are simple and straightforward. First, the individual should be retired and receiving a passive income. Second, they must be at least 65 (for a man) or 57 (for a woman). Last, they must have a monthly minimum income of $800 per month. After the M visa, applicants receive a resident R visa for five years, after which they can become citizens.

14. Argentina

Insider Monkey Score: 2

Argentina is one of the easiest South American countries to get citizenship as a US national. The Argentina Retirement (Pensionado) visa is available for Americans looking to gain easy citizenship in another country. The visa is valid for a period of one year, and can be renewed for up to three years. The minimum age for retiring to the country is 65 for men and 60 for women. Applicants are eligible for this visa if they are able to prove a monthly minimum income of $850. Applicants are eligible for citizenship after two years of continuous residency.

13. Dominican Republic

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Americans can gain citizenship in Dominican Republic through its pensionado or retirement visa. It is one of the cheapest countries to retire to. With the average social security check equating to around $1,701, Americans will easily be able to cover their living costs in the country that are around $1,200 for a single expat retiree.

For retiring to the country, one must have residence. By providing necessary documentation and proof of retirement benefits of no less than $1,500 a month, retirees can begin the visa process in their home country. Next, they need to come to the country and upgrade the visa to temporary residence. This visa is to be renewed annually. After four years, it becomes permanent.

12. Paraguay

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Another one of the easiest countries to get citizenship as an American is Paraguay. Applicants who have a monthly retirement income of at least $1,022 are eligible to retire to the country, regardless of their age. This residency will also serve as a pathway for permanent residency. Finally, the applicant will become eligible for citizenship at the end of a 3-year residency period.

11. Costa Rica

Insider Monkey Score: 3

Costa Rica is another country with relaxed citizenship requirements for US citizens. The country is also one of the most popular retirement destinations in the world, owing to its picturesque beaches, fantastic weather, and desirable year-round weather. In order to gain citizenship through its Pensionado visa, applicants must provide a proof of income of at least $1,000. There is no minimum age requirement for retiring to the country, and applicants can retire anytime.

The Costa Rica Pensionado Visa is valid for two years; after which it can be renewed. To renew the visa, it must be proven that income has been received in the country and that the applicant has lived in Cosa Rica for at least 4 months each year (either continuous or discontinuous). Applicants can gain citizenship after living legally in the country for 7 years.

10. Spain

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Low cost of living, excellent climate, and affordable healthcare are only some of the reasons Americans are considering retiring to Spain. Apart from this, the country also grants easy residency to Americans. The Non-Lucrative residence Visa (NLV), also called the retirement visa, can help non EU-citizen applicants live in the country without working. The visa requires applicants to have a proof of monthly funds equating to 2,259 or $2,411, as well as a private health insurance to cover the duration of stay. Living in Spain for ten years with legal residency can make applicants eligible for citizenship.

9. Nicaragua

Insider Monkey Score: 4

The retirement program for Nicaragua is simple and straightforward, and Americans can easily gain citizenship through it. Enjoying a coastal climate, low taxes, and affordable living, the country is increasingly becoming a hot retirement destination. The Pensionado and the Rentista are two different ways of gaining residency to the country. Both are essentially the same, except that Pensionado has a minimum age requirement of 45 years. Pensionado visa applicants also have a minimum monthly income requirement of $600, while Rentista applicants require a $750 monthly income. These independent means visas give applicants a three-year path to permanent residency and a four-year path to citizenship.

8. Philippines

Insider Monkey Score: 4

Philippines is one of the easiest Asian countries to get citizenship as an American. It makes it to our list owing to their Special Residence Retirees Visa (SSRV) program. Applicants aged 50 years and above can apply for the visa, provided they make a $10,000 deposit and have a monthly minimum income of $800 for a single applicant. Applicants aged 35 or older can also apply for the visa, provided that they make a deposit of at least $50,000. There are many benefits that can be availed through the retirement visa, such as indefinite stay with multiple-entry and exit, discount privileges from PRA accredited Merchant Partners, and entitlement to PHILHEALTH benefits & privileges, to name a few. To be eligible for citizenship, applicants must have resided in the country for at least 10 years, along with a few other requirements.

7. Mexico

Insider Monkey Score: 5

Home to more than a million expats from around the world, Mexico is another easy country to gain citizenship as an American. To retire in Mexico and be eligible for the Mexican Permanent Resident Card, the applicant must be retired in their home country, have enough financial resources to live comfortably, and also plan to live permanently there. A minimum monthly income starting at $2,700 and up to $3,500 over the past 6 months with bank statements as evidence, are required as proof of income. American nationals may acquire citizenship after two years of legal residency in the country.

6. Mauritius

Insider Monkey Score: 6

Foreign expats such as Americans can come live in Mauritius through its 50+ Retirement Visa offering residence permit as a retired non-citizen. Potential retirees will love to live here in the country due to its beaches, landscapes, and plentiful recreational activities. Applicants who are 50 years of age, having a passive monthly income of at least $1,500 can obtain a 10-year residence permit in the country. After having lived in the country for 10 years, applicants are eligible to apply for a 20-year permit. Anyone who has legally lived in the country for a certain period can apply to become a Mauritian citizen by naturalization.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship as an American.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: none. 15 Easiest Countries to Get Citizenship as an American is originally published on Insider Monkey.
There are a few key trends to look for if we want to identify the next multi-bagger. One common approach is to try and find a company with returns on capital employed (ROCE) that are increasing, in conjunction with a growing amount of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. However, after briefly looking over the numbers, we don't think Adecco Group (VTX:ADEN) has the makings of a multi-bagger going forward, but let's have a look at why that may be.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Adecco Group is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.093 = 708m  (13b - 5.1b) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

Therefore, Adecco Group has an ROCE of 9.3%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Professional Services industry average of 13%.

See our latest analysis for Adecco Group

roce

In the above chart we have measured Adecco Group's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like to see what analysts are forecasting going forward, you should check out our free report for Adecco Group.

So How Is Adecco Group's ROCE Trending?

When we looked at the ROCE trend at Adecco Group, we didn't gain much confidence. To be more specific, ROCE has fallen from 19% over the last five years. On the other hand, the company has been employing more capital without a corresponding improvement in sales in the last year, which could suggest these investments are longer term plays. It may take some time before the company starts to see any change in earnings from these investments.

In Conclusion...

In summary, Adecco Group is reinvesting funds back into the business for growth but unfortunately it looks like sales haven't increased much just yet. Unsurprisingly then, the total return to shareholders over the last five years has been flat. Therefore based on the analysis done in this article, we don't think Adecco Group has the makings of a multi-bagger.

Story continues

Adecco Group does have some risks, we noticed 4 warning signs (and 2 which are a bit unpleasant) we think you should know about.

While Adecco Group may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list 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.
The 'Entourage' star calls his lifestyle on the homestead "a breath of fresh air"

Sunrun

When Adrian Grenier decided he wanted to leave Hollywood behind to live closer to nature, Austin was any easy choice.

The Entourage alum, who was familiar with the Texas city from visits to its annual South by Southwest festival, tells PEOPLE, I really liked the down home vibe. Very cosmopolitan, yet no frills, no posturing.

In 2020, the actor found Kintsugi Ranch, the homestead where he currently lives with his wife, Jordan Roemmele, and their baby son, Seiko, in Bastrop, Texas, 45 minutes outside the capital city.

While Grenier had been an active environmentalist for years, the ranch inspired him to rededicate himself to focussing on his own habits and impact.

I wanted to really take the next step in my environmental journey and get very close to nature and how I can be a greater steward every day in practice as a lifestyle, not just as an idea, he says.

Sunrun

Sustainability is just a more enjoyable life experience, according to the New York City native.

You sleep better, you're more grounded, you have a sense of wellbeing. It's good for mental health, it's good for skill building, resilience and all of that, I think it allows you to make more informed, wiser choices when it comes to how you live, how you treat others, and in particular, how you treat the environment, he adds.

Related: Adrian Grenier Opens Up About Leaving Hollywood Life to Move to Texas Farm: 'I Want More Now'

Grenier and Roemmele began storing seeds and wood cuttings for plantings and rainwater for irrigation. The obvious next step, he says, was to store energy.

Grenier worked with the solar energy company Sunrun to power the ranch using solar panels and home batteries that provide power during outages.

Sunrun

Out of all the renewable energy sources, I love solar because it's so personal, he says. I like the autonomy and the independence and the resilience that it allows for a customer. Instead of being at the mercy of a grid that could crash, could go down, power outages, a tree falls in a storm and suddenly you're without power, you can have your own power source so you're not beholden to that centralized system.

The couples other eco-friendly efforts include growing much of their own food, using regenerative practices to replenish the soil, and creating a wildlife sanctuary.

Grenier says they now have bobcats, wild boar, fish, egrets, hawks, vultures, ducks, llamas, donkeys, goats, and chickens on their 46-acre property.

The Devil Wears Prada actor describes the home as a Spanish hacienda villa style with a little Moroccan flare, set amid ponds, springs and countless pecan trees. They also have plans to make wine from their grapevines.

I am humbled every day, he says of the sprawling farmland. If you wanted to feel powerful, I think go work on Wall Street or something. This is a process of being continuously humbled by the perfection of nature and its systems and also how small you are really relative to its infinite power. I'm just here to serve in any way I can. So for me, it's chop wood, carry water, and just show up and do the best I can.

In fact, he thinks his 4-month-old son might have inspired him to move there.

I really wonder sometimes whether or not all of these decisions to move to the land were my own, or if it was my son from the spirit world telling me, I'm not coming in until you move to the land, because I really do believe that he's so naturally connected to this place.

Grenier calls living in Texas a breath of fresh air after his life in Hollywood  particularly because of the down-to-earth people.

There's not a lot of social climbing, not a lot of status people, he says. Everyone's cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, so to speak. A lot of times in cities, I've always felt a little bit like I have to keep up with the Joneses. And here, it feels there's a lot of acceptance and, especially where I live, a lot of my friends are farmers and homesteaders and just really open-hearted and not afraid to put in a hard day's work. Salt of the earth and very loving.

Related: Adrian Grenier and Jordan Roemmele Welcome Their First Baby: Our Exquisite Golden One

Grenier's plans for the ranch include growing more food, expanding their fruit and nut trees, and welcoming more animals.

Really, the last couple years have been a learning opportunity for my wife and I to get our feet dirty and just know our limitations, so that when we invite others to come in and support, we'll know how to ask for the right kind of help, he says.

Grenier says he doesnt miss city life.

When I wake up here, I don't have anywhere to go, he says. I'm here already. I already have a place in the world, so I have a much more easy morning to just be alive, take the dogs out, have coffee with my wife. It's just stress-free, really.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Helmed by Alastair Fothergill and Keith Scholey, African Cats is a 2011 documentary film that shows and co-existence, and strategic prowess of the big cats of Africa. It is set in Kenya and showcases two groups of families, a family of cheetahs consisting of a female cheetah, Sita, and her five cubs co-existing with a pride of lions headed by Kali, who is planning on expanding their control into the cheetah familys territory. The documentary also shows a family of lions consisting of a female lion, Layla, and her cub belonging to a pride led by the male lion Fang in the southern plains of Kenyas Maasai Mara National Reserves.

Heres where you can watch African Cats online.

Where can you watch and stream African Cats?

You can watch and stream African Cats on Disney Plus.

The documentary is narrated by Samuel. L Jackson and Patrick Stewart in its UK release.

Watch African Cats Right Here

How to watch African Cats and stream online

To get access to African Cats, the first step for the viewers is to get a Disney Plus subscription. Users have the following three options to choose from:

A basic plan that costs $7.99 per month.

A premium plan that costs $10.99 per month.

A yearly premium plan that costs $109.99

The subscribers then have to open the app on cellphone or computer. After clicking on the sign-up button, they will have to enter their phone number or email ID and a password. After logging in, the subscribers will be redirected to the platform containing various television series and movies. All they have to do is select the documentary, African Cats, and start streaming it.

The official synopsis for African Cats reads:

African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mothers strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion.

For more Disney Plus updates, check out the streamers release schedule for September 2023.

Paramount Plus Schedule September 18-24

Paramount Plus new TV and movie releases for September 18-24 include the first and second seasons of 1987s Teenage Mutant Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 4 days ago

Max Schedule September 18-24

Maxs new TV and movie releases for September 18-24 include Clint Eastwoods American Sniper, the animated series Young Love, and Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 4 days ago

Hulu Schedule September 18-24

Hulus new TV and movie releases for September 18-24 include Men in Black: International, the premiere of American Horror Story: Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 4 days ago

Peacock Schedule September 18-24

Peacocks new TV and movie releases for September 18-24 include the John Wick spin-off series, The Continental, The Lego Batman Guides Abdul Azim Naushad 4 days ago

The post African Cats: Where to Watch & Stream Online appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The Uruq Bani Maarid Reserve, situated along the western edge of ar-Rub al-Khali (The Empty Quarter) in Saudi Arabia, has been inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List.

This was announced by Prince Bader bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Culture, Chairman of the National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, and Chairman of the Heritage Commission. The decision was taken during the extended 45th session of the Unesco World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh.

The nomination of the site marks Saudi Arabias very first Unesco Natural Heritage Site and celebrates the kingdoms continued efforts to protect and maintain its natural ecosystems and cultural heritage, he said.

The inscription of the Uruq Bani Maarid Reserve adds to the six other Saudi Unesco sites: Al-Ahsa Oasis, Al-Hijr Archaeological Site, At-Turaif District in ad-Dir'iyah, Hima Cultural Area, Historic Jeddah, and Rock Art in the Hail Region.

The minister congratulated Saudi Arabias leadership on this landmark achievement. The decision came on the back of unwavering support for culture and heritage in the kingdom and reflects Saudi Arabias vast culture and biodiversity across its regions, he said.

Prince Bader said: The inscription of the reserve on the Unesco World Heritage List as the first Natural Heritage Site in the kingdom contributes to highlighting the importance of natural heritage on a global scale and reflects the outstanding value of the reserve.

Uruq Bani Maarid Reserve occupies an area of over 12,750 sq km and is the only major sand desert in tropical Asia and the largest continuous sand sea on Earth. With a world-class panorama of the sands of the Empty Quarter and some of the worlds largest complex linear dunes, Uruq Bani Maarid Reserve embodies outstanding universal value.

It is an exceptional showcase of the environmental and biological evolution of flora and fauna in Saudi Arabia and provides vital natural habitats for the survival of more than 120 indigenous plant species, as well as endangered animals living in harsh environments, including gazelles and the only free-ranging herd of Arabian Oryx in the world.

Uruq Bani Maarid Reserve fulfils the World Heritage standards as a sand desert that embodies outstanding universal value and forms a unique and diverse landscape. The Reserve contains a range of extensive natural habitats vital to the survival of key species and includes five sub-groups of the Kingdom's national ecosystems, which is vital to maintaining the site's biodiversity. - TradeArabia News Service
Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) has recently been in the spotlight, drawing interest from investors and financial analysts due to its robust financial stance. With shares currently priced at 136.5, Alphabet Inc has witnessed a daily loss of 1.12%, marked against a three-month change of 10.72%. A thorough analysis, underlined by the GuruFocus Score Rating, suggests that Alphabet Inc is well-positioned for substantial growth in the near future.

Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): A Deep Dive into Its 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.

Alphabet Inc'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 Alphabet Inc the GF Score of 97 out of 100, which signals the highest outperformance potential.

Alphabet Inc Business Overview

Alphabet Inc, with a market cap of $1.73 trillion and sales of $289.53 billion, is a holding company. Internet media giant Google is a wholly owned subsidiary. Google generates 99% of Alphabet revenue, of which more than 85% is from online ads. Google's other revenue is from sales of apps and content on Google Play and YouTube, as well as cloud service fees and other licensing revenue. Sales of hardware such as Chromebooks, the Pixel smartphone, and smart home products, which include Nest and Google Home, also contribute to other revenue. Alphabet's moonshot investments are in its other bets segment, where it bets on technology to enhance health (Verily), provide faster internet access (Google Fiber), enable self-driving cars (Waymo), and more. The company's operating margin stands at 25.75%.

Story continues

Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): A Deep Dive into Its Financial Metrics and Competitive Strengths

Financial Strength Analysis

According to the Financial Strength rating, Alphabet Inc's robust balance sheet exhibits resilience against financial volatility, reflecting prudent management of capital structure.

The Interest Coverage ratio for Alphabet Inc stands impressively at 237.41, underscoring its strong capability to cover its interest obligations. This robust financial position resonates with the wisdom of legendary investor Benjamin Graham, who favored companies with an interest coverage ratio of at least 5.

With an Altman Z-Score of 11.36, Alphabet Inc exhibits a strong defense against financial distress, highlighting its robust financial stability.

With a favorable Debt-to-Revenue ratio of 0.1, Alphabet Inc's strategic handling of debt solidifies its financial health.

Profitability Rank Breakdown

The Profitability Rank shows Alphabet Inc's impressive standing among its peers in generating profit.

Alphabet Inc Operating Margin has increased (11.07%) over the past five years, as shown by the following data: 2018: 23.82; 2019: 22.20; 2020: 22.59; 2021: 30.55; 2022: 26.46; .

Alphabet Inc's strong Predictability Rank of 4.5 stars out of five underscores its consistent operational performance, providing investors with increased confidence.

Growth Rank Breakdown

Ranked highly in Growth, Alphabet Inc demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding its business.

The company's 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate is 22.9%, which outperforms better than 73.2% of 515 companies in the Interactive Media industry

Moreover, Alphabet Inc 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 21.8, and the rate over the past five years is 25.4. This trend accentuates the company's continued capability to drive growth.

Alphabet Inc (GOOGL): A Deep Dive into Its Financial Metrics and Competitive Strengths

Conclusion

Given Alphabet Inc's strong financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GuruFocus Score Rating highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential outperformance. This analysis underscores Alphabet Inc's robust financial health and its potential to deliver substantial returns to investors in the long run.

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.


The disbarred South Carolina attorney faces multiple federal charges including fraud and money laundering

Joshua Boucher/Pool/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Alex Murdaugh

Convicted murderer and former South Carolina attorney Richard Alex Murdaugh will plead guilty to 22 federal charges for crimes spanning more than a decade.

On Tuesday, outlets including CNN, USA Today and ABC News 4 reported that Murdaugh  who is currently serving two consecutive life sentences for the murder of his wife Maggie Murdaugh and son Paul Murdaugh in June 2021  has agreed to plead guilty to the 22 charges.

According to ABC News 4, Murdaugh's lawyer filed the plea agreement on Monday to federal court. The filing, obtained by the outlet, is signed by Murdaugh and details that "the defendant agrees to plead guilty to Counts 1 through 22 of the Indictment pending." This week's plea agreement comes after the outlet reported in May that Murdaugh had pleaded not guilty to the same charges.

Though it has been filed in South Carolina US District Court, the plea agreement is still to be approved by a judge, according to CNN.

Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Alex Murdaugh

The 22-count federal indictment issued in May includes charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, and more. The charges are punishable by maximum sentences of in some cases 20 years, and in others, 30 years, as well as fines that could total millions of dollars.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Carolina, the indictment alleges that in one scheme between "at least September 2005 until at least September 2021," Murdaugh "routed and redirected clients settlement funds to personally enrich himself," in multiple ways, including by "intercepting insurance proceeds intended for beneficiaries and depositing them directly into his personal account."

The indictment alleges that in "a second scheme" Murdaugh worked with his banker, Russell Laffitte, to use the settlement funds for his personal benefit, including using the proceeds to pay off personal loans and for personal expenses and cash withdrawals. The indictment also details allegations of a "third scheme" and that Murdaugh additionally "conspired with a personal injury attorney in Beaufort to defraud the estate of Murdaughs former housekeeper and Murdaughs homeowners insurance carriers."



Related: Prosecutor Says Alex Murdaugh's Decision to Take Stand Was 'Fatal' Mistake: That's 'What Sealed It for Him'

Murdaugh is now scheduled for a plea hearing in U.S. District Court in Charleston on Thursday. At this time, federal court Judge Richard Gergel is expected to make a decision on whether he will grant or deny the plea agreement.

The plea deal states that if Murdaugh cooperates with the conditions of the deal, "Attorneys for the Government agree to recommend to the Court that the sentence imposed on these charges be served concurrent to any state sentence imposed for the same conduct."

Joshua Boucher/The State/Pool/Tribune News Service via Getty Alex Murdaugh

According to CNN, a court motion alleging the jury was tampered with by a clerk of court and demanding a new trial, was filed by the convicted murderer's defense team this month. This prompted the South Carolina attorney general to ask South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to investigate claims of jury tampering.

It was while Murdaugh was on trial for the murders of his wife and son that his alleged illegal business dealings were made public. During the trial, he confessed to stealing money from his client, per USA Today.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.



On March 2, 2023, he was found guilty of murdering Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22, in June 2021 at the familys 1,770-acre Islandton, S.C. home.

You know, you have to see Paul and Maggie during the night time when youre attempting to go to sleep, Newman said to the lawyer during sentencing in March, per CNN. Sure. They come and visit you.

The same month, the disbarred lawyer was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences in prison for their deaths. At the time, it was reported that he faced federal charges in other states involving more than 100 cases related to fraud, as stated by multiple outlets.



Related: 'Big Family, Old Money, New Drama': Inside the Powerful S.C. Family at Center of Murder Mystery

Joshua Boucher/Pool/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Alex Murdaugh

In addition to the murders of his wife and his son Paul, and allegations around his business dealings, the convicted killer allegedly tried to arrange a suicide-for-hire to gain a $10 million life insurance payout for his surviving son, Buster.

In August, Buster spoke to FOX Nation, saying he believed his father was innocent and that the person actually responsible for the murder of his family members was still free.

I do not think that he could be affiliated with endangering my mother and brother, Buster said. We have been here for a while now and thats been my stance.

Murdaugh's next state trial is scheduled to begin the week of Nov. 27 in Beaufort County, S.C.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Tre Pierre, of Atlanta, asked followers to "blow up" his creole restaurant during a slow month.

The request backfired spectacularly  he was barraged by bad food reviews and allegations of business malpractice.

Pierre told Insider a revamp is in the works, calling the viral saga "the greatest thing that could have happened."



On September 9, the Atlanta-based restaurateur Tre Pierre posted on X, formerly Twitter, beseeching people to support his fledgling restaurant, New Orleans Creole Cuisine.

"Hey Twitter can you blow up my restaurant," Pierre, 30, wrote to his 22,400 followers, alongside a promo video of the restaurant's tropically-hued cocktails and delectable seafood dishes set to smooth sax music. "It's been slow af this month I need a big push can y'all retweet this post."

The video quickly blew up to the tune of more than 1 million views in 24 hours and has today amassed more than 38.2 million views.

But in addition to messages of support, including calls for TikTok food review extraordinaire Keith Lee to shine a light on New Orleans Creole Cuisine, Pierre was also deluged by an array of negative comments  including serious accusations against his business.

The story made its way to TikTok, where the creator @bodacious_bobo recapped the saga for 1.8 million viewers last week. She shared how one Yelp reviewer complained of undercooked chicken she described as "still clucking," and pointed to another review alleging a staffer had once flashed a gun at a patron.

When reached, Pierre told Insider the gun review wasn't true and called it "trolling." But he did acknowledge the chicken situation. "When that happened, he got fired," Pierre said of the chef at the time. "I hate bloody chicken with a passion."

This embedded content is not available in your region.

While most bad reviews pertained to the food and environment, Pierre is also accused of not paying staff

Amid the criticisms of bad food and service, some former staff members alleged that the restaurant failed to pay them.

Among them is twenty-six-year-old Kayla McPhaul, who worked at New Orleans Creole Cuisine as a hostess and waitress in late 2022. She took to X to say that Pierre owed her roughly $1,400 at one point. The lack of funds resulted in her being unable to pay rent and nearly getting evicted, she told Insider. She also shared a text exchange with Pierre that she deemed unprofessional.

After multiple paychecks from the restaurant bounced, McPhaul made a complaint with local police, seen by Insider. She was ultimately paid $1,100  but says she's still owed $351.

"It's not about the money, it's moreso about the principal," she said. "It felt like they were making me seem like I was begging for money I earned."

In response to McPhaul's accusations, Pierre told Insider that they are currently "paid up," adding he'd be "glad" to look into the matter further but that another staffer is in charge of HR issues.

On X, Pierre broadly acknowledged that "people were waiting on payments" and said he regretted calling McPhaul a "bitch" in one of the aired text exchanges.

'He's dodged taking any kind of accountability,' said a customer

The financial issues extended to patrons.

Food blogger Brianna Ramsey dined at New Orleans Creole Cuisine in June with a group of friends. Her meal was "palatable," she told Insider. "They gave me tartar sauce for my wings, which I was not happy about."

After paying for her individual tab, the waitress informed the party they would actually have to pay on one bill. Ramsey reluctantly agreed, sending money to a friend and double-paying for her meal, but said she never got her initial payment back from the restaurant. She then disputed the charge with her bank.

"New Orleans Creole Cuisine did not initiate a refund with me, but my bank was able to give me my funds back due to the circumstances," Ramsey said, adding of Pierre: "He has not apologized. He's dodged taking any kind of accountability."

Pierre attributed the situation to "misinformation" on Ramsey's part, and claimed her pending transaction had been voided and thus wouldn't necessitate a refund. But he said he's "more than happy" to dig in further, and if proven wrong, he'd be "more than happy to take that L and fix it."

Pierre considers the saga 'the greatest thing that could have happened' for his business

Pierre, who's also a self-described musician, writer, and actor, launched the restaurant venture in 2021, initially beginning as a franchisee before transitioning into an independent cafe.

New Orleans Creole Cuisine is jointly owned by Pierre and his two siblings, though he serves as "the head," he said, with his mother  an OBGYN and nurse practitioner to whom he credits his businesss acumen  helping to mentor them.

Pierre said the restaurant's problems mostly boil down to its downtown location near the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which makes parking a nightmare. He said he's also been having trouble with staffing in a post-COVID environment.

"When people are just so used to having government assistance and things like that, it leads to businesses with little to no one to pick," he said. "It's like a child where you have to keep telling 'em over and over again."

Today, according to the restauranteur, the business is in the midst of a so-called "revamp," which includes getting rid of the entire front-of-house and hiring an entire new staff of 12, including two new managers. There's also a new menu  and Pierre plans to document the revamp in a docuseries.

Reflecting on the past two weeks, Pierre said the viral avalanche has been both "flattering" (given it unexpectedly brought so many eyeballs to his business) and "humbling." He's acknowledged much of the criticism on X, conceding that customer service is a "hell of a business."

"If that's the reason I'm slow, I want to know," he told Insider of the feedback. "This is the push that I needed to be where I knew my restaurant needed to be."

Despite a social media moment gone awry, Pierre said he doesn't regret posting that fateful day.

"We know what areas to fill in," he said, "so that was kind of the greatest thing that could have happened for us."

Read the original article on Insider
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.



Why should the Apple iPhone have all the fun? Slipping a phone case on an Android phone is a great idea  especially since Samsung phones can cost upwards of $2,100. However, finding a suitable phone case to protect your investment is easier said than done.

More from The Hollywood Reporter



Related: The Best Portable Chargers for Powering Every Type of Device



We rounded up the best phone cases for all sorts of Android smartphones from top manufacturers like Samsung and Google. From stylish to rugged, we got you covered with phone cases that will protect your mobile device from scratches, dents, dings and cracks from accidents and mishaps.



Ahead, youll find our recommendations for the best Android phone cases.

1. Smartish Samsung Galaxy S23 Wallet Slayer Vol. 1



Specifically designed for the Samsung Galaxy S23, the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is practical and rugged. Its also stylish and eye-catching whenever you pull out your phone. Its made with grippy sides and a smooth back for security and comfort in the hand, while the hidden wallet uses a spring-loaded plate for easier access to your cash, credit cards and drivers license.

Smartish Samsung Galaxy S23 Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 in "Take A Hike."

Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1

Price: $29.99

Buy On Amazon

2. Bellroy Leather Case for Google Pixel 7 Pro



Made with premium leather, the Bellroy Leather Case for Google Pixel 7 Pro is sleek with a soft microfiber interior. It has a professional look thats super slim and seamless. The case  which was designed in collaboration with Google  is also wireless compatible, so you can keep it on your phone when charging.

Bellroy Leather Case for Google Pixel 7 Pro in Terracotta

Bellroy Leather Case

Price: $55.00 $39.00

Buy On Amazon

3. Ringke Fusion Card for Samsung Galaxy S23+



If youre looking for a case with a barely-there profile for protection from accidental drops, then the Ringke Fusion Card is our pick for the Samsung Galaxy S23+. Its made from lightweight and flexible polycarbonate plastic for durability, while its transparent look can show off your Samsung smartphone. The case even has a slot on its back for a single card, like a credit card or drivers license.

Ringke Fusion Card For Samsung Galaxy S23+ in transparent

Ringke Fusion Card

Price: $16.99

Buy On Amazon

4. Spigen Liquid Air Case for Google Pixel 7



Although the Spigen Liquid Air Case is thin and lightweight at just over one ounce, its durable and tough to protect your Google Pixel 7 from scratches, scrapes and accidental drops. Its designed with air cushioning for protection, while the cases anti-slip design makes it feel more comfortable in your hands. It also comes in two colors: Matte black and navy blue.

Spigen Liquid Air Case For Google Pixel 7 in navy blue.

Spigen Liquid Air Pixel 7 Case

Price: $19.99 $17.99

Buy On Amazon

5. Caseology Parallax for Google Pixel 7



The Caseology Parallax is rugged and tough, while it provides military-grade protection for the Google Pixel 7. The case has raised bezels for additional screen protection from drops and falls. It also features a unique 3D hexa-cube design thats sleek and stylish, while it offers texture when holding your phone. It comes in burgundy, ash gray, matte black and sage green.

Caseology Parallax For Google Pixel 7 in burgundy.

Caseology Parallax Case

Price: $26.99 $17.99

Buy On Amazon

6. Mous Case for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra



The Mous Case features AiroShock protection that absorbs and disperses energy away from your Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, if the phone is accidentally dropped  thanks to the cases reinforced polycarbonate materials. Its eye-catching too and comes in a few fun designs, including speckled black fabric, bamboo, black leather, carbon fiber and more.

Mous Case for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in Speckled Black Fabric.

Mous Case for Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Price: $64.99

Buy On Amazon

7. Pelacase Black Cassette Case for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra



One of the best eco-friendly phone cases out there, Pelacases retro cassette tape-inspired case is compostable, meaning it fully decomposes (instead of breaking into thousands of tiny microplastic pieces that will likely end up in the ocean) in addition to protecting your Samsung Galaxy phones screen from drops. The sustainable company offers other options for Apple and Google phones too, as well as dozens of other designs. Right now, youll also get two cases free when you buy two.

Pelacase Black Cassette Case for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Pelacase Black Cassette Case

Price: $48

Buy Now

8. Casetify Custom Phone Case



Whether youve got a Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel, Casetifys drop-friendly Impact phone case can be customized to your style. (Its also available for iPhones.) Personalize it with well over 200 different style, text, layout, font and color combinations, from Y2K-inspired monograms to all-over initial prints.

Casetify Custom Phone Case

Casetify Impact Custom Case

Price: $72

Buy Now

9. Caseology Nano Pop Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Case



The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 is one of the coolest smartphones out there, so it requires a case thats equally cool. The Caseology Nano Pop not only looks great, but its also durable and strong to protect against scratches, dents, drops and other mishaps. Its also designed in such a way that you can still comfortably and easily open and close the Samsung flip phone.

Caseology Nano Pop Silicone Case Compatible with Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 in blueberry navy.

Caseology Nano Pop

Price: $39.99 $24.99

Buy On Amazon

10. Totallee Thin Case for Google Pixel 7a



If you want a simple case for the Google Pixel 7a that wont break the bank, then the Totallee Thin Case is for you. Its made from flexible and tough thermoplastic polyurethane that gives your smartphone some extra grip, while its transparent design makes it possible to show off the Pixel 7a.

Totallee Thin Case for Google Pixel 7a in clear.

Totallee Thin Case

Price: $15.00

Buy On Amazon

11. Spigen Rugged Armor for Google Pixel 7 Pro



The Spigen Rugged Armor is tough enough to keep the Google Pixel 7 Pro scratch- and scrape-free. It also absorbs shocks from drops and falls, while the matte black design is sleek and modern.

Spigen Rugged Armor for Google Pixel 7 Pro in matte black.

Spigen Rugged Armor Case

Price: $19.99 $16.99

Buy On Amazon

12. AICase Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5



At $2,160, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 is one of the most expensive Android smartphones you can buy. And with good reason, its a foldable smartphone that transforms into a mini-tablet. If youre plunking down that kind of money, then you should probably put a case around the phone to protect your investment.



The AICase Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 is a unibody phone case that comes with a built-in screen protector. Its stylish in all sorts of different colors  like purple, black, blue and others  while its tough to protect the device from everyday wear and tear. The case even comes with a handy holder for a Samsung S-Pen stylus too.

AICase Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in purple.

AICase Fold Case

Price: $19.99

Buy On Amazon

13. Case-Mate Tough Plus Case for Google Pixel Fold



Made from recycled materials, Case-Mates antimicrobial Tough Plus Case can protect your Google Pixel Fold from drops of up to 15 feet. Designs for other brands and models are also available.

Case-Mate Tough Plus Case for Google Pixel Fold

Case-Mate Tough Plus Case

Price: $45

Buy Now

Best of The Hollywood Reporter

Click here to read the full article.
Danny Masterson s soon-to-be ex-wife, Bijou Phillips , is seeking spousal support in her divorce filing against the disgraced actor, who was recently sentenced to 30 years to life for rape.

The couple, who share 9-year-old daughter Fianna, were married for nearly 12 years. The 43-year-old actress requested to terminate the courts ability to grant support to Masterson, according to People. She also wants full legal and physical custody of their child, while allowing Masterson visitation rights.

Phillips also reportedly asked the court to divide up their assets as separate property. The outlet reported there is no indication in the court documents that a prenup exists.

She also requested her legal name be restored to Bijou Phillips and asked for Masterson to pay her legal fees, TMZ reported.

Mondays divorce filing shocked many, considering that Phillips wrote a letter to Los Angeles judge Charlaine F. Olmedo ahead of Mastertons sentencing, in which she called him an extraordinary husband to me and a devoted father to our daughter, while admitting she understood he has been convicted of serious crimes.

Throughout the May trial, the Almost Famous actress stood by her husband and accompanied him to his sentencing hearing on Sept. 7.

Masterson, 47, was first accused of sexual misconduct in 2017, which kicked off an investigation by the LAPD. In June 2020, the prominent Church of Scientology member was charged with raping three women, including his former girlfriend, in his Hollywood Hills home between 2001 and 2003.

A deadlocked jury led to a mistrial last year but prosecutors retried the actor on all three counts earlier this year.

The New York native was last seen acting on the Netflix sitcom The Ranch along with fellow That 70s Show alum Ashton Kutcher. In 2017, he was written off the show, following the allegations.


EXCLUSIVE: Everybody mingles at Telluride. I have this abiding memory of Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, at the festivals opening-day brunch set atop a mountain in the San Juan range of the Rockies, bounding over to Cannes Palme dOr winner Justine Triet and Sandra Huller, her sublime lead star in the prize-winning movie Anatomy of a Fall .

Kramer hadnt seen the movie at that point, but hed heard about Triets brilliant Palme acceptance speech, where shed lambasted French President Emmanuel Macron over his draconian measures against those protesting new plans for pensions.

More from Deadline

A vigorous conversation ensued on the mountaintop about politics and movies.

From left: Justine Triet, Bill Kramer and Sandra Huller (Baz Bamigboye/Deadline)

I told Kramer that hell more than likely see Triet and Huller again in March, if not before.

At present, Anatomy of a Fall is one of five titles in the running to be Frances pick for Best International Feature Film race at the 96th Academy Awards.

They also include The Animal Kingdom by Thomas Cailley, Sons of Ramses by Clement Cogitore, The Taste of Things by Tran Anh Hungh and On the Wondering Paths by Dennis Imbert.

Of course, Triets movie surely will garner nominations in other categories.

RELATED: Palme dOr Whisperer Neon Makes It A Remarkable Four In A Row With Anatomy Of A Fall

Weeks after the summit meeting at Telluride and a soiree there hosted by Neon, I met with Triet and Huller on Zoom and pressed the director again about her acceptance speech in Cannes, where she charged that the protests were repressed in a shocking way and slammed Macrons pattern of dominating power.

Triet explained that the important thing for me in making the speech was to speak about how to preserve and protect this space of creativity that is so envied worldwide, where a whole diversity of film is being generated, both large and small productions alike.

Anatomy of a Fall was born out of Triets desire to work with Huller after theyd worked together four years ago on Sibyl. This time, Triet wanted Huller as her star.

I had two projects with her in mind  one that I gave up because it was not good enough, she confessed.

RELATED: The Jury Gets It (Mostly) Right In A Terrific Lineup Of Competition Films, But What Impact Will 2023 Cannes Film Festival Have On Oscar?

I was obsessed with Sandra, Triet told me. So after I started this one, Sandra was on my mind  but I was afraid of her.

No, afraid of her judgment, she clarified, because I was like, OK, maybe she wouldnt love it.

Triet was fearful that Huller would decline to play the movies protagonist, Sandra, an author who stands trial accused of murdering her French husband Samuel (played by Samuel Theis) at their chalet in the French Alps.

Huller, on the left of my screen, smiled broadly and revealed that when she received Triets screenplay, she read it 50, 60, maybe 70 times. To me, it was ready. It was perfect.

RELATED: Cannes Jury Head Ruben Ostlund On Anatomy Of A Fall & The Awards Process: The Palme dOr Winner Was An Intense Experience  Its What Cinema Should Be

Sandra and Samuel were a central concern for Triet, but just as important was the relationship between Sandra and Daniel, the couples sight-impaired son played by Milo Machado Graner.

Triet said that she wanted to explore what happens when trust is lost between a mother and her child and then to dramatize what occurs when this child decides to become this sort of central judge and witness of his mother. And going with this consideration that we never really know our parents, she added.

Jane Fonda applauds Justine Triet at Cannes (Getty Images)

The filmmaker was very curious about the courtroom movie genre. I think there are so many traps when you do a movie like this.

Huller nodded in agreement. There are some rules and some unspoken rules, those things that weve always done the way that they are done now. And some of us are really bored by that, she noted.

The very things that made Sandra a successful novelist  her way with languages and narrative and her confidence  are the very things that go against her in a courtroom.

The way in which she stands in this courtroom, she could be this menace who could be in the business of duping us, said Triet.

Huller agreed. People look at her in court and think it cant be that good and it cant be that easy. And she cant also be in grief when shes like that. People have to be one thing or the other. And they cant be everything. But people are everything. People have all the feelings, and they have contradictory feelings  things that dont fit together. And the only thing she does, opening up in front of everybody  she just doesnt hide anything.

Except for one little detail, Huller added with a wink.

The actress said that kind of impulse that happens instantly to judge people that we cant really read or who just stand up for themselves. When I think about myself in such a situation, I would excuse myself and I would apologize for everything that I do, and she just doesnt.  And that makes her an unusual woman.

Huller said that when she stands back and looks very clearly at the Sandra character in the movie, You are drawn to her, drawn away from her. In some moments, you wish to be like her.

She said that she has sensed women judging Sandra in the film especially about the behavior towards her son, which is also something strange to me because, how dare you? Thats really something that we shouldnt do, especially as women. We shouldnt judge each other others behavior towards children.

And Huller found it really rare to be one person in cinema and in life whos a real adult person who takes responsibility for all their actions, said the thespian who gives a more chilling adult performance in Jonathan Glazers The Zone of Interest, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes.

But Triet insisted that its not easy to create grown-up movies. Because we have to live with our ghosts, you know? We have to live with our creation, so its not easy sometimes.

RELATED: Toronto Film Festival 2023: All Of Deadlines Movie Reviews

Her comment about a real adult person made me cheer because there are very few films around this season that explore adults involved in adult situations. Half the movies I saw at TIFF were ridiculously infantile, but layer by gripping layer, Anatomy of a Fall has us falling for it.

The pic will be screening at the New York Film Festival next month.

Best of Deadline

Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.
The former 'Bachelor' leading man had a candid chat with his former on-screen paramour to dish on why she suspected he might not be straight  and his husband's shock that viewers didn't pick up hints

Monica Schipper/Getty; Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Colton Underwood (left) and Hannah Brown

Colton Underwood is opening up about his sexuality and his past dating on reality television.

The Bachelor alum  who came out as gay in 2021  explained why he labels himself as 75% gay in a recent conversation with ex Hannah Brown, as they discussed when she started to question Underwood's sexuality and how his husband Jordan C. Brown couldn't believe viewers didn't catch on.

I still identify as a gay man, but on the spectrum, I would say Im 75% gay, Underwood, 31, shared with Brown, 28, on Wednesdays episode of her Better Tomorrow podcast.

He explained that theres still an attraction and appreciation and emotional connection that I could still have with women, but I dont want to pursue that.

Related: Colton Underwood Opens Up About Relationship with Boyfriend Jordan C. Brown: 'I'm the Luckiest'

Thats not my life partner, continued Underwood. My life partner is Jordan, a man, and thats what Ive always wanted, but I never felt comfortable saying that and I honestly didnt even know that was the case until I sat with it and really figured it out.



But if I was to break it down into percentages, give or take, thats about where its at, he noted of his sexual identity. That might be confusing to some people, but I think thats where masculine and feminine energy, the sliding scale and it changes  I think thats the easiest way to explain my sexuality,

Brown  who dated Underwood as a contestant on his season of The Bachelor in 2019  then inquired if he was ever truly in love with a woman now that he is married and can look back on his journey towards understanding and coming to terms with his sexuality.



Josh Vertucci via Getty Hannah Brown and Colton Underwood

Related: Savannah Chrisley Tells Colton Underwood 'I Knew You Were Gay' After Revealing They Once Dated

Yes, and theyve made me a better partner for my husband, the Coming Out Colton star said. That is a 100% true statement.



He added, I feel like I have been in love multiple times and with different women and Ive taken things from those relationships and applied them to my relationship with my husband."

Noting that he has since reflected on those relationships and put in the self work, Underwood shared with the former Bachelorette, I took bits and pieces of what I wanted from my relationship with women and just put it into a relationship with a man.

Charles Sykes/Bravo Colton Underwood and husband Jordan C. Brown

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Underwood wed husband Brown, 38, in May after they first met at a party in Los Angeles in April 2021. The pair got engaged in February 2022 in Big Sur, California.



"I've never been more sure about something, Underwood told PEOPLE at the time. "He has the biggest heart and he's such a good friend to all of the people in his life. He goes out of his way to take care of his friends and his family. That speaks volumes. It was one of the first things that I noticed about him."

Meanwhile, since her turn on season 15 of The Bachelorette in 2019, Brown found love with now-fiance Adam Woolard. The pair got engaged late last month after they began dating in 2021.

Its been the accumulation of moments that have made me feel loved and seen and accepted in a way I never have, Brown told PEOPLE of her relationship with Woolard at the time of their engagement.



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
The BFI London Film Festival has unveiled the full lineup for its revamped Industry Forum, which will feature keynote sessions with Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Disney Animation Studios, and Bill Kramer, CEO of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts (AMPAS).

Lee will headline what the BFI described as one of three spotlight conversations during the forum. She will be joined on stage by former LFF head Tricia Tuttle, who is now Head of Directing Fiction at the National Film and Television School. The other headline speakers are Emile Sherman and Iain Canning , the co-founders of See-Saw Films, and Carole Baraton, CEO of the leading French sales company Charades. Elsewhere, Kramer will take part in an on-stage conversation with BFI CEO Ben Roberts, alongside his British counterpart, BAFTA head Jane Millichip.

More from Deadline

Away from industry keynotes, LFF will host its second annual New Waves co-production meetings. This year 12 producers from France will participate in meetings with UK producers. The event is organised by the Institut francais UK, the BFI and the Centre national du cinema et de limage animee (CNC) in partnership with Unifrance. There will also be a networking reception hosted by Dragoslav Zachariev, Deputy Director, Institut Francais UK. The Institut Francais and BFI International will also be meeting CNC representatives on October 7 ahead of the Cultural Olympiad 2024, which will take place in Paris.

The LFF will also welcome producers from South Africa, supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, who are looking to forge partnerships with UK producers interested in working with South Africa.

Were excited to be welcoming European, international, and UK talents to this years Industry Forum, Kristy Matheson, BFI London Film Festival Director, said of this years industry lineup. In sharing their expertise, experience, and ideas, we all have the opportunity to learn with each other which is more vital than ever in this fast-evolving landscape. Were looking forward to welcoming colleagues to our Industry Forum to gain insights and build contacts.

This year is Mathesons first year at the helm of the LFF.

Check out the full lineup below:

ACADEMIES, AWARDS AND THE FUTURE OF CINEMA

We are delighted to be welcoming BAFTA and AMPAS in a first joint festival Academy conversation at a time when the industry is experiencing the effects of globalisation at every stage of the journey from creation to audience. In response, the UK and US Academies have been evolving at pace in the last two decades. Alongside their high-profile peer awards ceremonies, they have taken an increasing leadership role in building for the future, developing talent, and leading their industries to be more inclusive and accessible. They also play a key role in connecting professionals across national borders, as well as raising public appreciation of the artistic and cultural value of film and television. Bill Kramer, Chief Executive Officer, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and Jane Millichip, Chief Executive Officer of BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), join Ben Roberts, BFI Chief Executive in conversation. Thursday 5 October, 11:30, Picturehouse Central

SPOTLIGHT CONVERSATIONS WITH INDUSTRY LEADERS  JENNIFER LEE, CAROLE BARATON AND SEE-SAWS EMILE SHERMAN, IAIN CANNING AND HELEN GREGORY

SPOTLIGHT CONVERSATION WITH JENNIFER LEE

As Walt Disney Animation Studios celebrates its first century, the LFF welcomes Jennifer Lee for a Spotlight conversation. As a writer, director and executive producer, she is behind the phenomenally successful and award-winning Frozen (2013) which she co-wrote and co-directed with Chris Buck, followed by its 2019 sequel which continues to be the highest-grossing animated feature ever released. Her career with the studio started in 2011, when she co-wrote 2012s Oscar-nominated Wreck-It Ralph. Today, as the Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios, she has creative oversight of all projects by the studio. Join Jennifer Lee in conversation with Tricia Tuttle, Head of Directing Fiction at the National Film and Television School, to talk about her career, her time working at Disney and the creative vision behind the upcoming animated musical comedy adventure Wish, which Lee co-wrote and executive produced. Thursday 5 October, 15:00, Picturehouse Central

SPOTLIGHT CONVERSATION WITH CAROLE BARATON

French sales company Charades has built a reputation for handling a wide range of quality films. In its diverse, highly international catalogue, first-time directors and their films such as Charlotte Wellss award-winning debut Aftersun and Charlotte Regans recently released Scrapper stand alongside established filmmakers. Carole Baraton, co-founder of the company and Chief Executive Officer, will be talking about making editorial choices, the relationship with talent, and Charadess vision of how to adapt to a market challenged by constant disruptions in this conversation with Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland. Alongside this event, the LFF is proud to be screening Mona Achaches Little Girl Blue, Karen Tejpals Stolen and Cedric Khans The Goldman Case, which exemplify the companys commitment to strong, original, auteur-driven films. Monday 9 October, 11:30, Picturehouse Central

SPOTLIGHT CONVERSATION WITH SEE-SAWS EMILE SHERMAN, IAIN CANNING AND HELEN GREGORY

A winner of multiple awards, See-Saw Films is a shining beacon upon the independent film production landscape. The creative and business partnership between Emile Sherman and Iain Canning, with offices in the UK and Australia, has been behind the works of leading filmmakers including Steve McQueen (Shame, Widows) and Jane Campion (The Power Of The Dog, Top Of The Lake). Since 2021, Creative Director Helen Gregory has been driving the development of its television slate which includes the upcoming new seasons of Slow Horses and Heartstopper. Join them in conversation with Clare Stewart, Managing Director, International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), to hear about their careers, their work with leading talent, their insights on the international market and a closer look at the three films they have in this years LFF  One Life, The Royal Hotel and Foe. Tuesday 10 October, 15:00, Picturehouse Central

INDUSTRY PANEL: FADE IN. EMERGING WRITERS IN CONVERSATION in association with the Writers Guild of Great Britain and The Hollywood Reporter

This year, the festival is putting eight amazing emerging writers from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in the spotlight in a session moderated by journalist and author Terri White. They are passionate and committed storytellers producing diverse work in form and story. Some developed their skills in writers rooms or worked in talent labs. Others have found alternative routes to sharpening their style and perspective. Their references range from Chaucer to Murakami, the cinema of Wong Kar-wai to Dirty Dancing. Having written short films, theatre plays and for radio, these talented writers are developing feature films and TV productions. They are Emily Burnett, Lisa Clarkson, Karim Khan, Caleb J. Roberts, Sufiyaan Salam, Rashida Seriki, Charlie Tidmas and Temi Wilkey. Friday 6 October, 15:00, Picturehouse Central

INDUSTRY PANEL: I AM NOT A ROBOT  USING GENERATIVE AI IN THE SCREEN INDUSTRIES in association with Screen International

An unmissable discussion on a subject top of the industry agenda. Our panel of experts will guide the audience through work they have pioneered using generative artificial intelligence as a tool for writing, storyboarding, and generating new images. Rianna Dearden is a narrative designer and a writer at Charisma.ai, which has been building conversational characters powered by AI. Sami Arpa is the founder and CEO of Largo.ai, a company that provides data-assisted intelligence to the film industry. Largo.ai is also testing in-house generative AI tools to create storyboards from scripts to accelerate the decision-making process at the development stage. Tim Webber is Chief Creative Officer at Framestore (The Dark Knight, Avatar, Gravity) which is also testing AI tools to generate unique images. Hannah Wylie is a partner in the law firm Harbottle & Lewis, navigating the legal landscape related to the use of generative AI. This discussion will be moderated by technology presenter and journalist Spencer Kelly (BBCs Click). Wednesday 11 October, 15:00, Picturehouse Central

INDUSTRY PANEL, INTERNATIONAL CO-PRODUCTIONS: THE SETTLERS

How did eight producers from different countries work together to meet the complexities of national and international financing, the division of responsibilities in making The Settlers? Uncovering a hidden episode of Chiles history, this first feature by director Felipe Galvez is backed by producers from countries spanning South America, Europe and Asia. Majority producer Giancarlo Nasi (Quijote Films, Chile), together with his UK partners Emily Morgan (Quiddity Films, UK) and Denitsa Yordanova, Head of the UK Global Screen Fund (which supported the film) will take us behind the scenes of the films financing and production history, the complexities of national and international financing, the division of responsibilities between co-producers, and the challenges of cross-cultural collaboration. The Settlers is Chiles American Academy Awards submission for 2023. Film festival consultant and journalist Wendy Mitchell will moderate the discussion. Tuesday 10 October, 11:30, Picturehouse Central

INDUSTRY PANEL, ANATOMY OF A DEBUT: IN CAMERA

Naqqash Khalid makes his feature debut, which is supported by the BFI Filmmaking Fund, with vitriolic portrait of the film industry and a dive into the depths of a young mans mind. The In Camera writer-director will be joined by cinematographer Tasha Back, actor Nabhaan Rizwan and producer Mary Burke (Public Dreams) to share the creative genesis of the film and its production. How do you light, frame, and shoot a world in which only the thinnest of lines separates reality and desire? How do you co-create your main character with the actor you have cast to portray them? The panel will look at these challenges and also analyse the key stages in the life of this film  from development to funding, and shooting to postproduction, until that moment where the film eventually meets its audience. Film festival consultant and journalist Wendy Mitchell will moderate the discussion. Monday 9 October, 15:00, Picturehouse Central

INDUSTRY PANEL, ANATOMY OF A DEBUT: THE END WE START FROM in association with Variety

Mahalia Belo makes an outstanding directorial feature debut, supported by the BFI Filmmaking Fund, with a bold adaptation of Megan Hunters first novel, The End We Start From, adapted for the screen by Alice Birch(The Wonder, Lady Macbeth). Joining the director will be producer Leah Clarke (Sunny March) and casting director Shaheen Baig as they share insights in assembling their creative team, working from pre-existing IP, raising finance, challenges in the editing room and how they secured a stellar cast including Jodie Comer, Benedict Cumberbatch, Joel Fry, Katherine Waterston and Mark Strong among others). Leo Barraclough, Director, International Features, Variety will moderate the discussion. Wednesday 11 October, 11.30, Picturehouse Central

SUPPORTING INDUSTRY AND TALENT

LFF UK TALENT DAYS

The Festivals UK Talent Days (6-9 October), an in-person programme presented in partnership with the British Council, is a series of events presenting the rich creative talent in the UK film industry and creating opportunities for investment, partnership, and international connections. Strands of activity include the Festivals fourth edition of a Works-in-Progress showcase, which presents feature films and documentaries made by emerging talent to international buyers, commissioners, producers and programmers with the opportunity to meet the teams behind the featured works. The filmmakers and work featuring in this years showcase will be announced shortly. The LFF and the UK Global Screen Fund will be co-hosting a networking lunch for invited UK and international delegates. Private View, LFF Expanded will give industry delegates the chance to attend the Festivals XR and Immersive showcase to see new UK work in the programme. BFI NETWORK@LFF will host masterclasses and events for 15 emerging UK-based writers, directors and producers to learn from leading filmmakers and industry executives at the Festival. A UK Talent Party, supported by the British Council and Sunbelt Rentals, will celebrate new UK work and creative talent involved in the Festival; and the Festivals Buyers & Sellers event will provide a unique opportunity for international sales agents to meet UK buyers via a speed-dating style set of one-to-one meetings organised by the festival.

LFF CRITICS MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME 2023

Now in its sixth year, the BFI LFF Critics Mentorship 2023 programme aims to address the lack of diversity in film criticism offering opportunities to a range of talented emerging writers with a particular emphasis this year for those who self-identify as Black, MENA (Middle East and North African), South Asian, South East Asian or East Asian or GRT (Gypsies, Roma and Travellers) backgrounds, including mixed ethnicity applicants, as well as D/deaf and disabled applicants, and those who are neurodivergent, or have a long-term health condition.

Successful applicants take part in a four day intensive programme at the Festival as accredited press with lead mentors Akua Gyamfi, journalist, commentator and founder of The British Blacklist, and Amon Warmann, Empires Contributing Editor, Talk Sport film critic and Fade To Black podcast co-host. Participants will also be individually paired with a mentor from each LFF media partner who will support them produce pieces of film journalism for publication on their websites and bfi.org.uk.

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.
Donald Trump Jr.'s X, formerly known as Twitter, account was hacked as messages went out claiming that former president Donald Trump had passed away, as well as threats against North Korea.

Donald Trump Jr. 's X Account Hacked

MEGA

People on X were shocked to read messages from Donald Trump Jr.'s account, claiming his father had passed away.

Trending:

Bachelor In Paradise Will Make Fans Very Angry, Per Wells Adams

Travis Kelce Predicted His Love For Taylor Swift Years Ago

Bob Sagets Widow Says His Death Still Doesnt Make Sense

Angelica Ross Slams Emma Roberts Bumpy Apology For Transphobic Comments

Sarah Hylands Disturbing SVU Appearance Is A Viral Sensation

"I'm sad to announce, my father, Donald Trump has passed away. I will be running for president in 2024," one of the messages read.

Another said, "Richard Heart is innocent, when I become president I am going to burn the SEC."

It is obvious that the X account had been hacked as another message red, "Some interesting messages with Jeffry Epstein..." and "This just in: North Korea is about to get smoke."

The last one was aimed at Joe Biden, using profanity and threats.

X took care of the issue almost immediately, taking down the messages and reportedly getting the account back to Trump Jr., who has not yet to address the hack, but Andrew Surabian released a statement.

Dons account has been hacked, Andrew Surabian posted on X, adding that the post claiming the former president had died was obviously not true.

The messages were captured via screenshots prior to them being taken down.

According to CNN, "The company is also still under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission over its ability to sufficiently protect user privacy and whether it may have violated binding commitments it made in 2011 to securing the platform."

Donald Trump Jr. Says Fox News Put Him On 'Blacklist'

MEGA

Earlier this year, Donald Trump Jr. sat down with Megyn Kelly where he claims Fox News has him "on the blacklist", which. is why he has not appeared for an interview in over a year.

Ive been told that Im on the blacklist, he said.

Are you kicked off of Fox News? Kelly asked when he went onto her Megyn Kelly Show YouTube channel.

I assume so, Trump responded. Ive been told that Im on the blacklist. The last time I was on I think was like August, so almost a year ago.

At that time, Donald Trump did not officially announce his reelection candidacy for 2024, and the polls were showing him second or third behind him.

I was like, Dont show him that poll, please. I dont need to hear about that one. Well just keep that one quiet, Trump Jr. said, laughing. Theyre like, No, no its really good. I was like, No, no, its going to make things really awkward.

As you and I probably both know, there are mandates there and they make decisions and they want to control who that person is, he continued, claiming that Fox was invested in other candidates, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. And you saw which way they were going for quite some time. It was a fluff fest like Ive never seen for quite a few months there.

Again, they want that access to power that, unfortunately, is such a big part of todays political process," he concluded.
A fashion influencers attempt to showcase her lavish wedding on social media turned into a teaching moment after TikTok users slammed her for apparently putting her wedding guests lives at risk by covering up what she reportedly called ugly exit signs in the venue.

Bridget Bahl, the founder of the fashion company The Bar, recently went viral on TikTok for her picturesque wedding in New York City, which featured many aesthetic elements, including a flower-covered candlelit tablescape for her rehearsal dinner on a scenic street in SoHo.

After sharing snippets of her wedding to Texas-based plastic surgeon Dr. Michael Chiodo on social media, many of her more than 126,000 TikTok followers first gawked over her dream ceremony.

But Bahl was also scolded for reportedly admitting in a since-deleted TikTok that she camouflaged the venues exit signs at her reception to make her photos look better. Bahls reception was held at The Plaza Hotel, according to Elle.

In the since-deleted clip posted on Friday, Bahl told her TikTok followers that she covered all of the ugly red exit signs to save the wedding photos, Insider reports.

She apparently captioned the post: Probably not up to code.

TikTok users shared their disapproving reactions in the videos comments section, with many noting that she could have asked her photographer to edit out the signs.

Most wedding photographers can edit this out easily!!!! one person commented.

Another said: This would be perfect for my triangle shirtwaist factory fire themed wedding.

Close and lock all the exits too for better lighting, someone else quipped.

Vermont-based photographer Madison Anne weighed in on the faux pas, adding: Imagine investing in a good photographer instead of breaking safety codes. Anne also demonstrated in a separate clip how simple it is to edit out exit signs from photos.

It is unknown whether Bahl was granted permission by the venue to cover up the signs.

The Plaza did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment.

Related...
California Gov. Gavin Newsom physically recoiled at the idea that the Democratic Partys top talent is out propping up Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, part of an animated, high-speed one-on-one interview with Chris Cuomo on his NewsNation show that aired Wednesday night.

Newsom, long rumored to be angling for a run at the White House in 2024, seems to have shifted from shadow challenger into vigorous cheerleader mode  at least for now  as the Cuomo host grilled him relentlessly on the weaknesses of the Biden campaign status quo. At one point, the former CNN anchor asked point-blank why Newsom was suddenly pushing a Biden-or-bust message.

I have deep respect, reverence for Joe Biden, as a person  his character, his decency, and his capacity to do great things, Newsom said. Thats why. Im not worthy of that conversation. This guy deserves it. And we, as members of the party deserve to have his back.

Cuomo pushed back somewhat, suggesting Newsom as a candidate would solve many Democrats concerns, and pointing to the success of Republican grievance messaging: The Republicans are saying, Look at the grocery store, look at the gas pumps and look at basically just how he performs  and youre losing on that argument.

Newsom doubled down hard on the bipartisan spending bills, employment statistics and other things that Biden and Kamala Harris can point to as accomplishments, suggesting at one point that as a politician, Biden is like Michael Jordan.

On the court, I think we have [Michael] Jordan, he said. Im for the performance on the, on the court. And [Biden] is producing those results every single day with all that heat coming in, all that, you know, just the smash-mouth, surround-sound, anger industry thats been built around this guy 24/7, defining the terms of opposition, 24/7, disciplined, and focused. Hes producing these results!

Cuomo then turned to Harris, whose historically low approval ratings are seen as a drag on Bidens poll numbers, particularly with the age issue weighing as heavy as it does. Is she the right running mate for Biden, and on what basis?

Of course she is . on the basis of being able to lay claim to the success and the record of the Biden administration, Newsom said. She cant  you cant claim that, I cant claim that. The Biden-Harris administration. She gets to talk about the 13.5 million jobs, she gets to talk about $1.7 trillion reduction of the deficit and a trillion dollars as part of the debt deal. She gets to talk about the success of the Infrastructure Act and the CHIPS and Science Act. She gets to talk about the bipartisan dealmaking of this administration because shes a member of the administration  on that basis.

Cuomo stirred some anxiety in Newsom when he pressed him about his own presidential ambitions, including the drumbeat of visits, ads and billboards in red states  which the California governor said he placed to alleviate his personal frustrations with those places. But Cuomo really got Newsom squirming in his seat when he suggested that the Democrats might be giving the appearance of propping up Biden, who doesnt maintain the same pace of public appearances as presidents past.

What it looks like, is youre propping him up, Cuomo said. Heres Newsom, now and theyre going to get all the big names. And here comes Obama and here comes  they gotta prop up Biden because he cant do it all by himself.

No. No. No, Newsom responded. Come on. Thats what campaigns are about, thats what parties are about.

Throughout the interview, it was as if an occult hand moved to put Newsom back on message: Just talk about the results.

At the end of the day, Im about someone to put the best team on on the field and for someone who actually produced the best result, Newsom countered. And Ive seen two-and-a-half years of a master class at results-making.

Watch the entire clip in the video above.

The post Gavin Newsom Squirms as Chris Cuomo Grills Him on Propping Up Biden, Running for President: Im Not Worthy appeared first on TheWrap.
Key Insights

The considerable ownership by private companies in Aluflexpack indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy

The largest shareholder of the company is Montana Tech Components AG with a 54% stake

Institutions own 20% of Aluflexpack

A look at the shareholders of Aluflexpack AG (VTX:AFP) can tell us which group is most powerful. We can see that private companies own the lion's share in the company with 54% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Individual investors, on the other hand, account for 22% of the company's stockholders.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Aluflexpack.

Check out our latest analysis for Aluflexpack

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Aluflexpack?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

Aluflexpack already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This suggests some credibility amongst professional investors. But we can't rely on that fact alone since institutions make bad investments sometimes, just like everyone does. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Aluflexpack's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Aluflexpack. Looking at our data, we can see that the largest shareholder is Montana Tech Components AG with 54% of shares outstanding. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 5.2% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 3.1% by the third-largest shareholder. Martin Ohneberg, who is the third-largest shareholder, also happens to hold the title of Chairman of the Board.

Story continues

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Aluflexpack

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

We can see that insiders own shares in Aluflexpack AG. As individuals, the insiders collectively own CHF8.0m worth of the CHF214m company. This shows at least some alignment. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 22% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 54%, of the Aluflexpack stock. It might be worth looking deeper into this. If related parties, such as insiders, have an interest in one of these private companies, that should be disclosed in the annual report. Private companies may also have a strategic interest in the company.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Take risks for example - Aluflexpack has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The Indian government has issued a travel advisory for its citizens considering a trip to Canada following the Canadian government's accusations that India could be implicated in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader in Surrey, B.C.

According to the Associated Press, India's foreign ministry warned its citizens to exercise caution in Canada because of "growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate-crimes."

Earlier this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau claimed that India had been directly implicated in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar who advocated for the creation of an independent Sikh territory named Khalistan.

Nijjar was killed by gunshot in Surrey back in June just outside of a gurdwara, a place of assembly and worship for Sikhs. The Indian government had labelled him a terrorist and accused him of "leading a militant separatist group."

"Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," Trudeau said per CBC News.

The Indian government called these allegations "absurd" and "unsubstantiated" and subsequently gave a senior Canadian diplomat five days to leave India. Canada, in turn, expelled an Indian diplomat from Ottawa.

The Canadian government hasn't publicly provided any evidence linking the murder to India, though Trudeau said he shared the evidence with India and spoke about it with Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister.
The actor and wife Camila Alves McConaughey are parents to sons Livingston, 10, and Levi, 15, and daughter Vida, 13

Gary Miller/WireImage AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 27: (L - R) Camila Alves McConaughey, Matthew McConaughey and Levi Alves McConaughey attend the 2023 Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala at ACL Live on April 27, 2023 in Austin, Texas.

Matthew McConaughey is sharing some of the lessons he's learned as a father.

Speaking with Extra about dad life, the Interstellar actor, 53, opened up about how raising sons Livingston, 10, and Levi, 15, and daughter Vida, 13, has given him a greater perspective.

When you become a parent, your peripheral vision becomes better, whereas before you're a parent, you can have tunnel vision," he shares.

"You can take one-trip tickets to anywhere you want to go. No more one-trip tickets when you become a parent," he continues. "Its round-trip tickets because you know you have to get back and youve got dependents."



Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Rick Kern/WireImage

Related: Levi McConaughey Reflects on His 'Really Cool' Community Service Experience Cooking Meals in Paris

When it comes to sharing lessons with his kids, McConaughey is hoping they learn, "Responsibility breeds freedom."

"You take care of your stuff, chores, you take care of yourself, you will have more freedoms in the future," he explains.

McConaughey and wife Camila Alves McConaughey recently gave their oldest a new freedom  a social media presence.

Talking to PEOPLE about the decision earlier this month, the actor said, "We thought he was ready."



"After two to three years of talking about the pitfalls and the upfalls and the downfalls, and him shadowing me on my IGs and his mother on hers and picking out people that he looked up to and talking to them about it, we felt hes got enough information and is mature enough to tell his own story."



The author also opened up about his recently released children's book, Just Because.

"Just being a dad, I mean, youre thinking about your kids all the time [and] I think that afternoon, Id been having conversations with my children about certain new things that they were crossing for the first time or, 'Well, this happened and Im not sure how to feel about it. And I wanted to do this, but I felt I needed to do this, and I was confused,' " he said of the book.

"Evidently it was in my subconscious Once I knocked all the couplets down in the rhythm, it sort of wrote itself."



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Megan Thee Stallion has joined forces with Flamin Hot to say F-U to college debt. The rapper and the snack brand have teamed up to launch Flamin Hot University, an initiative that gives back to Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students.

As Thee Hot Girl Dean of admissions, the Grammy Award-winning musician created a one-of-a-kind online curriculum to show fans how to Unleash Their Flamin Hot, with courses on food, fashion, and lifestyle. The digital rollout includes cooking tutorials, photoshoot tips, advice on content creation, and more.

Megan Thee Stallion Flamin Hot

I feel like everyone knows I love education and I would definitely advise anyone to pursue a real degree and to finish school, detailed the Cocky AF rapper about launching the F-U campaign.

You are never too old to learn. I definitely just wanted to show how much I have fun cooking and show everyone what in my house I could put Hot Cheetos on, and promote education. I was just excited to promote two things at the same time that I love.

Flamin Hot University will also serve up the entire portfolio of Flamin Hot snacks in limited-edition packaging and an exclusive merch line created by fashion designer Melody Ehsani. Proceeds are set to establish a scholarship fund of up to $150,000 at Megans alma mater Texas Southern University, where she received a bachelor of science degree in health administration in December 2021. Additionally, Flamin Hot will make a separate contribution of $100,000 to the Pete and Thomas Foundation, the non-profit launched by Megan in 2022 in honor of her late parents.

Megan Thee Stallion Flamin Hot

The goal was to take traditional collegiate wear youd find at your college campus store and take it up a notch for FU University with the rebellious spirit of the Flamin Hot brand, and with Megans hottie stamp of approval, of course, explained Ehsani in an exclusive statement.

Meg is a whole vibe in and of herself! It was most important to me that students can live their lives  authentically and confidently  without compromising on style when rocking pieces from this collection.

Fans interested in signing up for Flamin Hot University or claiming official FU merchandise can visit the official website for details.

VIBE: What would the essential ingredients be if you were to make a Hot Girl?

Megan Thee Stallion: Ooh, if we were going to make a Hot Girl, we would definitely need some Texas Pete hot sauce or Franks Red Hot hot sauce, some honey, obviously some Flamin Hot Cheeto dust, and pickles.

Of all your recipes and cooking that you incorporate Hot Cheetos and its dust, what is the wildest or most unexpected combination that you liked?

I dont know why this just occurred to me, but I just recently did the Flamin Hot University cooking video and Chef Scotty was like, Today we are going to make Hot Cheeto Fried Shrimp. I said, What?. And it looked like a Hot Cheeto Puff. It tasted so fire and I was like, damn, why didnt I think to do this two months ago? Hot Cheeto Fried Shrimp are so good.

Also, with the partnership, what are some of your favorite pieces from the merchandise line?

My favorite piece was definitely the varsity jacket or duffle bag. I love a good varsity jacket, it looks expensive and it just looks like something I wouldve worn anyway, so I was happy.

Megan Thee Stallion Flamin Hot

It seems like a lot of your HBCU experience really influenced this campaign. What do you miss most about your HBCU experience and what were some of your favorite parts?

The only thing I miss about my HBCU is my community. I could always see my friends. Every day felt like a party. School just didnt feel like Oh my God, I have to get up and go to school. Everyone felt like my aunt or my uncle, my professors felt like Damn, I really have to go to class today because they will be looking for me. Just walking around and seeing everyone, its a giant slumber party every day. I miss passing everyone in the hallway every day.

When I first went to an HBCU, I dont even think I was taking into consideration what it really meant. I just knew my grandmother went, my mom, my uncle, and this was normal. Once I really got there and understood that these were my people and we all take care of each other, I saw some of the things that was wrong and things that my peers and I were struggling with. A lot of people that I knew couldnt come back to school because they couldnt pay for it. No one wanted to take out a loan. Its a part of it, and its something that you have to do, but once I got into the position to help, I knew I wanted to. I am happy that I am able to help somebodys college experience.

If Flamin Hot University were an actual HBCU with a live campus, band, and dorms, how could you describe that and envision it?

It would be a whole lot of hot girl sh*t, definitely. My school would be so lit. I would have Hump Day every Wednesday and my DJ would be outside. My cafeteria wouldnt feel like you were going to a cafe, it would be like we are eating big food, real good. My dance team would be too fire. It would be a great experience and it would feel like you are at my house all the time.

More from VIBE.com

Click here to read the full article.
Melvin Phillip Emde's son told authorities his father drowned in Louisiana

St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office Missing Kayaker Melvin Phillip Emde faked his own death before court to apparently dodge rape charges hearing

A missing kayaker whose son told authorities was dead has been found alive in Georgia, authorities said. Melvin Phillip Emde was due in court on rape charges on the same day he was reported missing.

On Monday, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne announced in a press release that Emde, 41, was arrested by authorities in Tift County, Georgia on Sunday.

Emde's son Seth reported him missing on Aug. 7. Seth told authorities his father had gone overboard and drowned while kayaking in the Mississippi River near Matis Road in Hahnville, Louisiana, approximately 30 miles west of New Orleans, Champagne said.

"They (the father and son) traveled [throughout the] southeast country doing storm-related work," the sheriff told USA Today on Tuesday. Emde is from Talihina, Oklahoma, and the two have been in Louisiana since Hurricane Ida in 2021.

grassy area near water

According to the the press release, the day after learning about the missing kayaker in August, detectives discovered Emde had pending charges of indecent liberties with a child and statutory rape of a child by an adult in Brunswick County, North Carolina. He was due in court that same day.

The new information was a red flag for authorities.

Related: Scottish Tourist May Have Faked His Own Death at Calif. Beach to Avoid Rape Charges: Police

We immediately became quite suspicious that this may have been a faked accidental drowning and death in order for Mr. Emde to escape charges in Brunswick County, North Carolina, Champagne said Monday. However, we could not publicly expose our suspicions for fear of tipping him off.

Detectives in St. Charles Parish spoke with authorities in North Carolina and learned that as a condition of Emde being out on bail, he was wearing an ankle monitor.

dog stands in water

The tracking device led investigators to determine that Emde stopped at a Walmart in Boutte, Louisiana, to buy two prepaid phones. He would only make short calls on the cellular devices, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities in North Carolina and the United States Marshals Service joined in on the search and they focused their search in Oklahoma, "until it became obvious the phones were no longer being used," authorities said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, a Georgia State Highway Patrol officer initiated a routine traffic stop for a motorcyclist who did not have a license plate, St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office said.

The driver attempted to flee but then crashed the vehicle and was taken into custody after also trying to escape on foot, according to the sheriff's office.

St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office Authorities stand near vehicle

During the arrest, the man gave officers a fake name but after being fingerprinted, it was discovered that it was Emde, Champagne said.

Sheriff Champagne thanked the Georgia State Highway Patrol, the United States Marshals Service, the Brunswick County Sheriffs Office, St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Office Detective Joshua Deroche, and all of those involved for revealing the facts surrounding the disappearance of Emde during the multi-state search.

Related: Woman Who Reportedly Faked Her Death Found Alive Behind False Wall in Colorado Home

Now its time for Mr. Emde to face the music for his charges in North Carolina, the sheriff added.

As of Tuesday, Emde was being held at the Dougherty County Jail in Albany, Georgia, as he awaits trial. No court date was provided in online records and no bond has been set.

It is not immediately known if he has legal representation. The details of his rape charges have not been released by officials, per USA Today. St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Office Public Information Officer Amanda Pertuis told CNN Emde will not be extradited to Louisiana, but instead directly to North Carolina.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Linda Evangelista says she was a victim of abuse during the height of her fame as a model.

Evangelista shared her story in the Apple TV+ docuseries The Super Models, which premiered Wednesday. The Canadian suggested that her 1987-1993 marriage to Gerald Marie, the former head of Elite Model Management, was abusive.

Its easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship, she stated. I understand that concept because I lived it.

Evangelista added that during the marriage, she couldnt simply say, I want a divorce, see ya.

He knew not to touch my face, not to touch the moneymaker, she continued. I married him when I was 22 and I got out when I was 27. And he let me out as long as he got everything. But I was safe and I got my freedom.

Linda Evangelista attends an event in New York on Sept. 12.

Linda Evangelista attends an event in New York on Sept. 12.

Celine Bekerman, a lawyer for Marie, disputed Evangelistas claims in statements to multiple newsoutlets.

Gerald Marie firmly objects to the defamatory and false allegations made against him, Bekerman said. He refuses to participate in this dishonest media controversy.

In the docuseries, Evangelista said she was frightened of what would happen if she spoke out against Marie, who was one of the most powerful men in the fashion industry. But the model said she got the courage to come forward after 15 other women recently accused him of rape and sexual assault.

When I found out that hes hurt many, many, many women, hes violated many women, she said, it broke my heart.

Marie has denied the womens accusations, which detailed incidents that allegedly took place in the 80s and 90s. A lawyer for Marie said the accusers intend to frame my client as a scapegoat for a system, for an era, that is now over.

Though French prosecutors closed an investigation into Marie earlier this year due to the statute of limitations, Evangelista said she still wants the former fashion boss to face consequences.

I would love that justice be served, she said on the Apple TV+ series. I would love for assholes like that to think twice and be afraid. And I would love women to know that theyre not alone.

Along with Evangelista, The Super Models follows the lives and careers of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Christy Turlington Burns. All four episodes of the series are available to stream now.

Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Related...
Police visited Ruby Franke's home twice in the year before her arrest to check on the kids, per police docs.

Neighbors told police they were concerned Franke would leave her young kids alone for a long time.

Franke's eldest daughter requested police do a welfare check on the kids last September.

Police conducted two welfare checks at Ruby Franke's home in the year leading up to the family YouTuber's arrest in August, including one visit that Franke's eldest daughter requested on behalf of her younger siblings last year.

During a September 2022 welfare check, multiple neighbors told police that Franke often left her young children home alone for several days at a time to go visit her friend and business partner Jodi Hildebrandt in a town about three hours away, leaving the children with "strict rules to not go anywhere or do anything," according to Springville Police Department documents obtained by Insider.

Franke, the Utah mother of six who rose to fame for her controversial parenting vlogs, was charged with six felony counts of child abuse earlier this month after her 12-year-old son climbed out a window of Hildebrandt's Ivins, Utah, home and ran to a neighbor's house asking for food and water. The neighbor noticed the boy had duct tape on his ankles.

Police later discovered Franke's 10-year-old daughter also in Hildebrandt's home; authorities said both children were malnourished and injured.

Hildebrandt, who ran the recently-removed parenting YouTube channel ConneXions with Franke, was also charged with six felony child abuse counts this month.

Ruby Franke's eldest daughter, Shari Franke, asked police to visit her mother's home on September 18, 2022, saying neighbors had informed her that her younger siblings were home alone, according to a Springville Police Department incident report obtained by Insider.

Shari Franke told police her sisters and brother had been alone in the house for about five days while their mom was in St. George, Utah, with a friend. Shari Franke asked authorities to check on the kids and make sure they had food and were safe.

Shari Franke, who is in her junior year at Brigham Young University, publicly applauded her mother's arrest earlier this month. She spoke about her estrangement from her mother in an April 2023 podcast appearance, saying she had broken away from her family soon after her parents became involved with ConneXions around the summer of 2022.

Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt on their YouTube channel ConneXions. Screenshot / ConneXions YouTube Channel

According to the police report, multiple officers went to the Franke house in September 2022 and were able to see the kids through the windows but were unable to make contact because the children wouldn't answer the door.

The reporting officers said they could see the children on the phone and they eventually went upstairs and out of sight.

Officers noticed several neighbors standing around watching the welfare check who looked "very interested" in the police presence, according to the report. The neighbors quickly started telling police about how Ruby Franke would often leave her kids home alone for extended periods of time so she could go visit Hildebrandt in St. George, the report said.

One neighbor told authorities she had a camera at her residence that would confirm Ruby Franke's vehicle had been gone since September 14, 2022. The check was requested on September 18, 2022. Another neighbor claimed to have a source in St. George who saw Ruby Franke's vehicle parked outside Hildebrandt's residence that week, according to the incident report.

"Everyone who came to the scene was very concerned about the children and them being left at home alone," the reporting officer wrote. "They expressed great concern about the two youngest children being homeschooled while the two older ones go to public school."

It is not clear where Franke's eldest son Chad was at the time, though reports suggest he may also be estranged from his mother.

An attorney for Ruby Franke's husband, Kevin Franke, told media outlets this month that the couple has been separated "at Ruby's directive" for about 13 months.

Attorneys for Ruby Franke, Kevin Franke, and Hildebrandt did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Ruby and Kevin Franke. 8 Passengers/YouTube

Police were called back to Franke's home just weeks later

Authorities were back at the Franke home less than a month later when authorities received a Department of Child and Family Services report regarding possible child neglect.

The DCFS report also alleged Ruby Franke would leave her kids at home for multiple days with no means of transportation or contact while she visited Hildebrandt in St. George.

A caseworker said she had been to the Franke residence several times to try and make contact with the kids, but neither Ruby Franke, nor the children would answer the door or pick up the phone, an October 5, 2022 incident report said.

In a December update, police said a warrant for the caseworker to speak with the children was not approved.

Police were also called to Ruby Franke's neighborhood earlier that year when a DCFS worker reported two young kids running around in the road unsupervised in April 2022, according to police records obtained by Insider. An officer drove through the area but didn't see any kids still in the street.

Neighbors who lived by Ruby Franke, as well as people who lived near Hildebrandt have spoken out since the vlogger's arrest, saying they saw the kids pulling weeds in 100-degree heat. One neighbor told Rolling Stone they called police multiple times about the children.

"Everyone is just breathing a collective sigh of relief, because we thought they were going to come out of that house with body bags," one neighbor told NBC News.

Read the original article on Insider
The Prince of Wales had a cute comment when they revealed their ages

Jordan Greene Glenda Rosborough, Donna Kralilo, Rebecca Mac Eachern, Barb Patterson, Heather Oursin and Noreen Guptill after shaking hands with Prince William

What's a better birthday gift than meeting Prince William?

On Tuesday while taking a surprise walkabout in New York City after an engagement at the Ten House Fire Department, the Prince of Wales, 41, shook the hands of six friends from Canada who happened to be on their 60th birthday trip.

"This is so fun! He shook my hand, and I said, 'I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada,' and he said, 'Nice!' And I told him my birthday's tomorrow. He goes, 'I won't ask how old,' and I whispered 60. Then he went, 'We'll go with 50,' " Barb Patterson tells PEOPLE exclusively following her encounter with the royal.

"He said, 'I hope you have a fantastic birthday!' " she continues. "He was lovely. He was so nice."

Related: Prince William Reveals He Went for Secret Early Morning Run in Central Park During New York Visit

In a video of the encounter taken by PEOPLE, Prince William shook the women's hands before getting into his car to leave.

"We were so lucky," Patterson says. "We were some of the last people to meet him."

Patterson tells PEOPLE that she and her friends were in the Westfield World Trade Center having a bite to eat when they saw a ton of security around. "I've never seen this type of security, so I knew it was someone big," Patterson explains. Curious about what it could be for, she and her friends approached a police officer who told them that it was for Prince William.

Although one of their friends wanted to leave, they decided to stay. Heather Oursin, 60, couldn't be happier that they did. "I didn't believe it when they told us he was coming," she tells PEOPLE. "But when I saw him, my hair stood up on my arms. I had goosebumps."

"We told him it was a pleasure to meet him and that we were all turning 60 this year and we came to New York City to celebrate together. He pointed to a few of us and joked and said we look like trouble and all this stuff. He said have a great time and enjoy," she continues.



Jordan Greene Noreen Guptill shows a photo she took of Prince William

Noreen Guptill, 60, another one of the friends in the group, captured some close-up photos of Prince William with her friends during the interaction. "Oh my gosh, look at these photos," she says holding up the phone.

Guptill tells PEOPLE she's already sending the photos to everyone she knows. She says she's "still in shock" and "can't believe this happened on their combined birthday celebration trip."

"I can't wait to tell my family and friends that I had the best birthday present ever!" Patterson chimes in. "I don't know how anything will ever top this!"

DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/POOL/AFP via Getty Prince William in New York City on Sept. 19, 2023

Also during the impromptu meet-and-greet with the crowd outside, Prince William was gifted three "I Love NY" t-shirts for his children and said that he would "love" to bring Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, to the Big Apple "one day," according to reporter Carly Ledbetter on X (formerly Twitter).

A mother and daughter who spoke with Prince William tell PEOPLE that the royal was asking everyone their names and where they're from. The daughter told him she had seen him earlier this year at King Charles' coronation and shared with him that she studied abroad in London.

A man named Safwon tells PEOPLE he joked with Prince William that he was following the royal because he also saw him in the U.K., where Safwon is from. He took a selfie with the prince, calling it "the money shot!"



For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Ed Ruscha, born in Omaha, Neb., in 1937, grew up in a devoutly Roman Catholic home. As a kid, he set the church aside, as kids often do. The moment he turned 18, and vaguely thinking of a life in art, he aimed his car west on Route 66 from Oklahoma City, where his family had moved when he was 4, and headed to Los Angeles.

During the 1950s, choosing to become an artist working in the cultural backwater of L.A. rather than in rising powerhouse New York was sort of like growing up Roman Catholic in the heavily Protestant Midwest. It was great that you had committed to a meaningful faith, even though it appeared to be the wrong one. Given firmly established social value systems for both religion and art, it would be best not to expect much success.

Eventually, fame and fortune did follow. Ruscha  pronounced rew-shay, as his oddball 1960 business card explained  is now the subject of a big, rapturously beautiful retrospective exhibition at Manhattans Museum of Modern Art. Today an artist virtually synonymous with the city where he landed in 1956, he has been instrumental in transforming Los Angeles from cultural backwater into powerhouse. Although it didnt set out to do so, the marvelous show reveals how Ruschas alienation from organized religion proved to be useful for his larger, culturally striking project: deconstructing art myths and shibboleths.

Integral to his works profound effect is its sharp-eyed iconoclasm. Like other contemporaries raised amid the same religious structures full of visual pageantry, including Pittsburghs Andy Warhol and Baltimores John Waters, icon-busting was a useful strategy for rejecting entrenched values, cherished beliefs and established institutions. The conventional catechisms of art were dominated by the New York School, which Ruschas art held in an equivocal  and often very funny  embrace.

Gathered are nearly 200 works in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography and artists books, which are interspersed across galleries filling MoMAs entire sixth floor. Theres also enlightening ancillary material, such as hundreds of photographs in contact sheets and drawings and souvenirs from Ruschas first European sojourn in 1960. Curator Christophe Cherix smartly emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of Ruschas prolific output. Even from the get-go, he bucked a then-dominant demand for artistic purity.

Emblematic is the wild and wacky Chocolate Room, here in its New York debut, which has drawn a lot of ink in the shows previews and early reviews. The installation is an anomaly in Ruschas long career. Invited to the 1970 Venice Biennale, he screen-printed hundreds of sheets of paper with warm, brown chocolate paste. Then, as Warhol did with cute images of a pink cow, his effete alter ego mocking Picassos identification with a randy bull, Ruscha used the sweet sheets to wallpaper a gallerys interior, floor to ceiling.

The sheets met the then-critically approved demand for flat, two-dimensional abstraction as arts highest achievement. But Ruschas wallpaper also collided head-on with the critically derided prohibition against decoration, claimed as arts utter debasement. As art, the works roaring success was simultaneously its abject failure.

In Venices humid summer heat, the sinfully delicious room  literally, a box of chocolates  immediately drew a swarm of eager flies. The bugs tracked hungrily across the coated paper, creating a delirious scene of decay and dissolution. Vanitas, a Renaissance artistic genre meant to show pleasures transient futility in the face of deaths inevitability, was modernized and performed for visitors.

Unfortunately, the MoMA version isnt very pungent. And of course, theres no way the museum would be urging the arrival of vermin into its immaculate galleries. Cherix, in a savvy curatorial move, installed two Ruscha prints next to the rooms exit door, both made in the Biennales aftermath: The image in one teems with red ants; in the other, cockroaches swarm.

Across the way, Evil  a 1973 word-painting related to Ruschas series on palindromes, words that read the same backward and forward  is spelled out in dark, coagulated blood that was drawn from the artists veins. In a rear-view mirror, the kind where one looks to see where one has been, the word tweaks the palindrome genre to spell live. The bloodstained word is painted on scarlet satin, the material of a cardinals cassock.

Around the same time, Ruscha was making prints and drawings from other unusual liquids, including crushed rose petals, whiskey and tobacco juice. (Those go well with chocolate as romanticized leisure substances, as does the caviar and Pepto Bismol he used for a witty screen print showing the Hollywood sign.) The fundamental Catholic doctrine of the stain of original sin crashes headlong into the avant-garde controversy over the technique called stain painting. Supposedly, stain painting, where liquid acrylics are poured directly onto raw canvas, was arts next logical step after Abstract Expressionism.

Whether Evil has anything to do with the media frenzy concocted around Catholic outrage being used to market The Exorcist, that years blockbuster Hollywood horror movie, is anybodys guess. But stains of one kind or another are all over Ruschas work. Perhaps the earliest is the empty but oil-stained pavement in Thirty Four Parking Lots, aerial photographs shot around Los Angeles for a 1967 artists book.

Ruschas alienation from organized religion was more than incidental. The artists biography in the shows wide-ranging catalog records how his father, the familys most devout Catholic, had been excommunicated when he divorced to marry the woman who would become Ruschas mother. Still, he went to church every Sunday, enduring the weekly humiliation of being denied communion for a sacramental offense. Only on his deathbed did the local parish priest finally yield to familial pleas, administering the last rites to avert eternal damnation.

Ed Ruscha, "Sin With Dripping Liquid," 1967, gunpowder on paper. (Christopher Knight / Los Angeles Times)

In the biblical beginning was the word, of course, and Ed Ruscha / Now Then opens with several of the radical word-paintings he began to make around 1960. When Ruscha arrived in L.A. he enrolled at Chouinard Art Institute (now CalArts) to study commercial art, and after graduation worked for brief periods doing jobs like paste-up at an advertising agency and hot-metal typesetting at Plantin Press, a small local print shop. Those practical experiences were surely instrumental in his subsequent shaping of language as a physical material, rather than merely a two-dimensional sign. His early paintings, drawings and prints stage words three-dimensionally.

Ace, a term of excellence, objectifies the vivid word in thick blue oil paint, which seems to have been clawed from beneath an inky black field. (Look closely, and from the overall blackness the faint contour of an envelope slowly emerges  perfect for sending a message.) Elsewhere, the bright yellow o in radio is being painfully squeezed by a C-clamp; the illusionistic word is set against a heavenly blue sky, where invisible radio waves travel.

The luxurious 1966 Annie, Poured From Maple Syrup, a tour de force of Conceptual painting, renders the name of the Dickensian American comics heroine Little Orphan Annie in a golden liquid script. The dribbly pancake treacle makes wicked fun of Jackson Pollocks drip paintings, a love-hate requiem.

Ruscha has acknowledged the inspiration in a random magazine encounter with a photograph of Target With Four Faces, Jasper Johns 1955 mixed-media painting. The red-yellow-blue target, concentric rings in oil paint infused with wax and brushed over newsprint, was at once a flat picture and a material object  an image of a target and an actual one.

Christian theological concepts of the word made flesh are embodied in Ruschas painted words, albeit strictly in secular terms. Even the letters in a drawing that spells "sin," rendered in explosive gunpowder, are themselves made to look like sheets of drawing paper. The plain intent was to give hidebound established art a body blow, as he spelled out precisely in a painting of the screaming yellow word oof against a midnight-blue field.

Color is critical. Perhaps his most famous paintings from the 1960s feature entire environments built around giant signs  Standard gas stations, Norms diners, 20th Century Fox movie studios  all done up in flag-waving red, white and blue.

In thrusting diagonal compositions, they trumpet the demand for an American-type painting, as distinct from European Modern art, voiced by New York School art critic Clement Greenberg. (The powerful critic organized the argumentative show, Post Painterly Abstraction, for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in April 1964.) But the jingoistic ultimatum is cast as being stiflingly conventional  at least as conventional as any Main Street standards and norms. Eventually, Ruscha painted images of the gas station and diner on fire. They soon were joined by a post-painterly picture of flaming LACMA inspired by the format of Sir John Everett Millais famous painting of mad Ophelia, floating in a river just before she drowns.

Ruschas first Annie painting faithfully reproduces the comic strips curvy red typography on a big canvas divided into flatly painted rectangular fields of yellow and blue, one above the other. The primary colors of Johns target collide with the printing press of the Sunday funnies. Annie was a pioneering multimedia kid  a 19th century book that became a modern comic strip, two movies and a long-running radio show. (The Broadway hit musical came much later.) Her marketing promoters offered a handy mail-order decoder badge for fans, essential to unveiling secret messages hidden in her NBC radio program.

She also was famous for having two empty eyes - blank white ovals with no iris or pupil. Ruschas sly painting invokes the rejection of retinal art, intended only to please the eye, by Marcel Duchamp, cultural iconoclasms reigning dignitary. Poor little Annie didnt have the equipment, but her secret decoder would be helpful all over the MoMA show.

That includes Every Building on the Sunset Strip, an accordion-fold book 25 feet long that shows what the title says. The more than 2-mile street of offices and shops was photographed from the back of a moving pickup truck, then printed like stills from a movie. This motorized homage to the otherwise pedestrian-dominated history of century-old street photography is appropriately transformed for the radically suburban car culture of Los Angeles.

The books skewed view, which fits Ruschas L.A. angle, is wonderfully installed in a vitrine set on a long diagonal that cuts across the center of the gallery. Think of it as a forced perspective: The installation calls subtle attention to all the similarly eccentric diagonal compositions in the career-defining early landscape paintings.

Farther on, standing before Pay Nothing Until April, an exceptional 2003 painting that I hadnt seen before, I let out an involuntary guffaw. The canvas, 5 feet square, imposes the sentiment in a stack of crisp white words over snow-covered mountain scenery, the sky a sallow yellow fading upward into bilious green. A diagonal black shadow at bottom right is creeping across the chilly rugged landscape, itself a routine artistic symbol for sacred heights. The shadow is like an old-fashioned editing wipe, shifting between movie scenes.

Not a soul is in sight amid the epic winter silence, as the dark advances. Surely the composition is a knock on art and commerce, a familiar tension in our cash-soaked contemporary culture, but its also more than that. Pay Nothing Until April casts its jaundiced glance onto the usual Easter month, the moment when mortalitys final bills come due.

The excellent catalog to the exhibition, which travels to LACMA in April, features a revealing cover. Charles Atlas Landscape, citing the American bodybuilder named for the Greek Titan forced by Zeus to hold up the heavens, and who sold his fitness regimen in the back of comic books, shows a smoggy sky fronted by industrial construction conduits assembled to form a Greek cross.

The paintings square frame appears to bow outward in every direction from the pressure, pushed out of normal alignment. I wonder. Could there be a more succinct introduction to Ruschas six decades of exceptional art?

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 Gareth Edwards directed his first movie, the 2010 indie Monsters, it could scarcely have been a more DIY endeavor. He had less than $500,000 to tell an intimate story about two Americans contending with giant aliens rampaging through Mexico, so his crew consisted of just his actors (Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able), a sound tech, a line producer, a translator and a driver. Edwards operated the camera, grabbing footage guerrilla style whenever they came upon a compelling location while traveling through Central America. Then the young director created all 250 visual effects shots for the film himself, alone in his flat.

Thirteen years later, Edwards latest film, The Creator, is in so many ways the opposite of Monsters. The budget is $80 million. 20th Century Studios is distributing it worldwide. (New Regency and Entertainment One co-financed.) Dozens of actors  including John David Washington, Allison Janney and Ken Watanabe  filmed across Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Japan to portray a sweeping, existential conflict between humanity and artificial intelligence, while Industrial Light & Magic marshaled thousands of extensive VFX shots.

More from Variety

And yet, if youd stumbled onto the set of The Creator, chances are it wouldve looked like another scrappy, DIY indie: just the actors, an assistant director, a boom operator, a lighting technician, and Edwards, once again manning the camera.

There was an army of people, but they had to be completely out of sight, Edwards says. If you stood where the actors were and looked around, you shouldnt see the crew at all.

The Creator is a gargantuan experience, packed with violence, intensity and the kind of dramatic, intricately detailed world-building that audiences expect from films of this scope. But it also cost a fraction of nearly every other giant studio film like it this year, several of which ballooned to $300 million and beyond. After directing two equally massive studio tentpoles with far greater budgets following Monsters  2014s Godzilla and 2016s  Rogue One : A Star Wars Story  Edwards became convinced that there had to be a better, leaner way to make studio movies on a blockbuster scale.

Gareth Edwards on the set of The Creator.

It made total sense to have 300 people surrounding you when youve got tanks and dozens of soldiers running across the Golden Gate Bridge as monsters are attacking, Edwards says. It didnt make as much sense to have 300 people around you when youre filming in a room with two actors talking to each other. Thats the bit I wanted to try to do differently.

Working with cinematographers Greig Fraser (Rogue One, Dune) and Oren Soffer (Action Royale)  and leaning on a new wave of affordable, lightweight filmmaking technology  Edwards stripped everything down to its essentials to inject more spontaneity and creative freedom into a process that felt needlessly rigid.

Throughout Rogue One, we were always talking about his dream project, says Fraser. Basically, his perfect world would be him, a couple of actors, and thats it.

By contrast, Edwards describes studio filmmaking as an unstoppable machine relentlessly driving toward a release date. You have to work at the pace that the machine is working at. There are times where you wish you could just stop everything and take a moment to just figure something out. And you cant. He grimaces. Its hard to talk about this in a way that doesnt sound like Im not grateful for getting the opportunity.

Indeed, whenever the soft-spoken 48-year-old British expat begins to speak his mind about the way Hollywood operates, he follows up with some form of apology for his seeming lack of gratitude. Even during our interview, hes almost embarrassed about spending other peoples money, offering multiple times to pay the check during our dinner at an L.A. steakhouse in late August. Once I make it clear that Variety is picking up the tab, he orders the least-expensive fillet on the menu.

Edwards reflexive self-effacement comes from a particularly hard-won path to directing. After graduating from film school in the mid-90s, he found employment as a visual effects artist, largely for BBC docuseries, working out of his studio apartment, at first using pirated software because he couldnt afford the real stuff.

I was, like, the cheapest person that BBC could use for visual effects  like, five times cheaper than the nearest person, he says. So I got loads and loads of phone calls all the time.

Scoot McNairy in Monsters.

The work was so steady that for the next 10 years, Edwards kept deferring his plan to become a director  though he did score gigs directing BBC docuseries like Perfect Disaster by promising to do the VFX work for free. By the time he was 33, however, the fear of failure was less than the fear of never having tried, he says.

I felt like Id wasted 10 years of my life, he adds with a deep sigh. But when I look back on it now, I guess the thing I didnt anticipate was that if I got this opportunity to do these big, blockbuster-y films, a lot of that process was going to be dealing with visual effects. And that has ended up being quite useful.

Less than a year after Monsters debuted at SXSW in 2010, Edwards landed the dream gig to direct Godzilla. But the adjustment proved about as daunting as facing down a 350-foot, fire-breathing kaiju. On his first day on set, he says, I walked past row after row after row of trucks, just to get to the main area. We were shooting in a convention center, and I sort of joked, What are the chances that the day we shoot at the convention center is the day theyre having a truck convention? I just couldnt believe that we needed 100 trucks to shoot these scenes.

When Edwards landed his second dream gig, directing Rogue One, he was already seeking out compatriots to figure out how to make studio filmmaking less unwieldy. The director had prepared a little spiel that explicated his frustrations when he interviewed Fraser to be his DP. To his delight, Fraser basically said exactly what I was going to say.

Fraser, it turned out, was a fan. If youve seen Monsters and understand how it was made  as a filmmaker who has always loved doing things simply, with less resources, I wanted to meet that guy, he says.

To test out their theories, at the end of every shoot day, Edwards and Fraser instituted indie hour, in which all department heads had to leave the set so the film could shoot like it was an independent movie. Then there was the Bank of Gareth, a cache of money socked away at the start of production. Whenever someone said, No, when I really believed it was the right thing, I was allowed to spend that money on it, Edwards says with a smile.

Fraser and Edwards happily bucked any filmmaking convention they could if led to a better result. One day on the set, Fraser was operating the camera, and he could feel Edwards nervous energy standing behind him. I said to him Do you want to operate? Fraser recalls. Hes so funny because hes so English. He goes, Oh, maybe. Thats a great idea. Is that all right? And I went, Dude, take the camera. Its heavy. You are more than welcome. Hes an amazing camera operator because he finds the shots that work with the light.

Edwards, once again, downplays these changes as little, silly things, but he is steadfast about their end goal. We were just trying to figure out, how can you do this better? the director says. The way you make a film is as important as its screenplay. I would take full control over the process and a mediocre screenplay over a really good screenplay and zero control over the process.

That reference to losing control over the process is as close as Edwards gets to addressing multiple reports that Rogue One was effectively taken away from him by Lucasfilm for extensive reshoots overseen by Tony Gilroy (who went on to create the Rogue One prequel series Andor for Disney+). When I ask Edwards about those stories, he grimaces again.

Look, the only thing I can say is I was incredibly lucky, he says. I got to make a Star Wars film. I won the lottery, in that sense. The idea of someone as privileged as me in any way implying that it was anything other than the amazing experience that it was to some extent  like, I dont have any empathy for that person, and I dont want to be that person either.

The Creator 20th Century Fox

Instead, Edwards steers the conversation back to what he wanted to do with The Creator. To save money, he eschewed building sets in favor of shooting on location and using visual effects to transform the landscape into vast sci-fi environments. None of the actors playing robots or AI simulants  androids who in the finished film have a hollow, mechanized neck created through visual effects  were overly burdened by the trappings of a digital character: No motion-capture suits, almost no dots on their faces, just the actors in their costumes. ILM made it work, Edwards says. I think they were surprised at how efficient it was as well. Everyone sort of signed up, all holding hands, jumping off this cliff together.

Plenty of sequences in the film required a robust squadron of technical support, but Edwards and his collaborators were rigorous in keeping the productions footprint as small as possible.

I was trying to mash up all those processes together  sometimes have the big set-pieces where you need all that crew, and sometimes have just two people in a room and me and the sound guy, Edwards says. The machine so desperately doesnt want to do that. If you dont constantly fight it, youre going to end up making a film exactly the way everyone always makes a film. To me, it was a deal breaker; if we werent going to do this process differently, I didnt want to do it.

The commercial fate of The Creator is an open question  its certainly not helpful to debut an original film during an actors strike that prevents the cast from promoting it  but Edwards knows that the lower price tag also lowers the risks. On the most meaningful level, though, the film is already a resounding success  its a stunning visual experience that feels far grander than its budget would suggest, arriving after a summer in which runaway budget bloat foundered so many studio productions.

The most exciting thing is that you really dont need loads of money to make a film that looks like you had a lot of money, Edward says with a shrug. No matter what happens, I can do something like Monsters again. That was one of the happiest experiences Ive ever had. So even the worst-case scenario is pretty good.

Todd Gilchrist contributed to this story.

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.
Day n Nite rapper Kid Cudi admits he was salty that he was passed over to play the lead role in Jordan Peele s 2017 film Get Out.

Rapper Kid Cudi (left) says he was salty at losing the lead role to Daniel Kaluuya (right) in Jordan Peeles movie Get Out. (Photos: @kidcudi/Instagram; @getoutmovie/Instagram)

The psychological horror film starring British actor Daniel Kaluuya follows a photographer named Christopher Washington who takes a trip to meet the family of his white girlfriend, played by actress Allison Williams. The Oscar-winning movie won Best Original Screenplay and helped Kaluuya win his first Oscar for Best Actor.

As a result of losing out on the role, Kid Cudi revealed that he didnt watch the film for a year after its release because he was so salty.

I wish I got Get Out, the Pursuit Of Happiness artist tweeted in response to an X user during a #AskScott Q&A.

I auditioned and Jordan was impressed and I thought I ate that sh-t up. I was so salty i didnt get it that I didnt even go see it in the theater when it was poppin. I watched it a year later at home pissed about that. I was sick haha.

Kid Cudi added, Daniel was the best choice hes a master and did a phenominal job.

I wish I got Get Out. I auditioned and Jordan was impressed and I thought I ate that shit up. I was so salty i didnt get it that I didnt even go see it in the theater when it was poppin. I watched it a year later at home pissed about that. I was sick haha but to be real, https://t.co/WZZMqTUMAZ  The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) September 9, 2023

RELATED: Daniel Kaluuya Explains Why He Almost Didnt Get the Role in Get Out

X users were shocked by Kid Cudis revelation. Though most felt he would have been really fitting for the role, many still saluted Kaluuyas performance in Peeles directorial debut.

That actually wouldve been really fitting wtf.

My all time favorite horror flick. I wouldve loved it even more if you were in it, but Daniel did a phenomenal job.

@KiDCuDi I hope he casts you in something in the future maybe a collab between the two of you? What a crazy thing to think of.. I think itd be a perfect match.

I loved Get Out. seen 3 times. I loved the actor. I didnt know you auditioned for the part. I would have watched it dozens of times. The story is original and crazy.

Omfg we coulda got Cudi in that role. Nah man you got way more range than Daniel. I cant believe Jordan robbed us of that.

RELATED: Daniel Kaluuya Explains Why He Almost Didnt Get the Role in Get Out

A few felt Kid Cudi would have been a better fit than Kaluuya due to his previous role in his short film MANIAC.

But other Get Out fans suggested he should have gone for another leading role in the film as LaKeith Stansfields character, Andre Logan King.

On this day in Movie History. August 12th 1991



LAKEITH STANFIELD is born



( Get Out  2017)pic.twitter.com/Y0aDH9udr4  We Love Movies !!! (@MoviePolls4U) August 12, 2023

Two others said, Like when you did that Maniac film with Cage. You def fit within darker roles @KiDCuDi salute and Damn but I could totally see you as Lakeiths character.

On Halloween day in 2011, Kid Cudi starred alongside fellow lyricist Chris Cage Palko in a 10-minute short film directed by Shia LeBouf. Similar to Get Out, it features intense and dark imagery, nonstop violence, suspenseful murder scenes, and senseless killings of men and women.

Inspired by the Maniac track on Cudis sophomore album, Man On The Moon II: The Legend Of Mr. Rager, it reimagines him and Cage as two twisted French-speaking killers on a mission to murder eight people each.

However, in Get Out the deaths were all Black men who had previously visited Washingtons girlfriends family at their home and never returned home.
(Reuters) -Amazon.com is scrapping a plan to charge merchants who do not use its shipping services an additional fee, a company spokesperson said on Wednesday, signaling that the e-commerce giant was taking a cautious approach to operations amid mounting antitrust scrutiny.

Effective Oct. 1, Amazon was planning to impose a new 2% fee on every sale by third-party sellers that ship their products themselves, according to media reports in August. The company said the fee was intended to shield itself from higher costs.

"After careful consideration, we've made the decision not to implement this program fee to ensure seller sentiment related to the fee does not impact program participation," an Amazon spokesperson told Reuters.

The reversal in Amazon's plans comes when the company is facing a potential lawsuit from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission. Bloomberg first reported the news on Wednesday.

The fee would have applied to thousands of merchants who ship orders through Seller Fulfilled Prime - Amazon's program that guarantees swift product delivery, even though the company does not handle the shipping itself, according to the report.

The FTC is expected to file a lawsuit against Amazon later this month after the company did not offer concessions to settle antitrust claims, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The FTC began probing the company during the Trump administration, when it also launched investigations into other tech majors. Amazon has been criticized for allegedly favoring its own products over those from outside sellers on its platform.

(Reporting by Deborah Sophia in Bengaluru; Editing by Pooja Desai)
Elon Musk says he's considering moving X behind a paywall.

The billionaire commented during a livestreamed conversation with Israel's prime minister.

Some users are unhappy with the idea and threatening to leave the app.

Elon Musk has suggested yet another shakeup for X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

The billionaire is considering moving the historically free app behind a paywall.

During a livestream on X with Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, on Monday, he said: "The single most important reason that we are moving to having a small monthly payment for the use of the X system, is it is the only way I could think of to combat vast armies of bots."

"We are actually going to come up with a lower-tier pricing. We want it to be just a small amount of money," he continued. "It's a longer discussion, but this is actually the only defense against armies of bots."

Musk has reportedly been mulling the idea for some time. Tech newsletter Platformer reported the Tesla CEO discussed the idea with one of his advisers, venture capitalist David Sacks, last year.

It's unclear if the comments signal an imminent policy change for everyone, but some users are already taking to the platform to voice their opinions.

"There really is no doubt that he simply wants to kill the platform," one X user said of the decision. While another declared the platform "dead," adding: "No way I'm paying for Musk's space vanity-project scam."

Comedian Chelsea Hart said the suggested paywall may hinder free speech and citizen journalism in some countries, something Musk claims to support.

They said: "If you want to charge for this platform you are personally putting a nail in the coffin of any and all citizen journalism from countries under international sanctions. The most brutalized among us will be personally shut up by you."

Another user, Bradley Wall, told his followers if a paywall was implemented, he would quit the platform: "I just want you all to know I've loved connecting with you, sharing my thoughts and my adventures.

"But sadly I will not be paying a single cent to this app."

Another user seconded this: "I believe social media should be free to users, so if that happens, I'll be decamping to the other place permanently."

Representatives for X did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment, made outside normal working hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Thursdays free Get Down Concert Series show at Montgomery Whitewater is a little extra special for Sam Walker of the Denver-based Clay Street Unit band.

Its a hometown show.

I was born in Montgomery and grew up there, said Walker, who went to Montgomery Academy. These days, hes playing guitar and singing with Clay Street Unit, which is going to perform from 6-9 p.m. on Montgomery Whitewaters outdoor stage.

Walker said Clay Street Units music is a blend of country and bluegrass.

A lot of our original songwriting blends into those styles, he said.

Sam Walker of Denver-based Clay Street Unit band is a native of Montgomery.

He described their show as high energy with a lot of fun. Theyll bring original material with a few covers, drawing from different influences.

We play a lot of different genres, Walker said. Every nights a little bit different, but a lot of country bluegrass sound. Thats really our calling card and what were really trying to build off of.

So howd a Montgomery guy end up in Denver, Colo.?

The six-piece country bluegrass band Clay Street Unit, based in Denver, is coming Thursday to Montgomery Whitewater for a free concert.

Walker said he went to college at the University of Alabama. After graduating, he worked for a company that sent him to South Africa. When he returned to Montgomery, some buddies from work were going to Denver.

I just kind of tagged along, he said. I wanted a change of scenery.

About three years ago, he met a banjo player in Denver.

We started picking together, and next thing you know we started adding the rest of the pieces to the band, Walker said. Weve had six members for the past year playing all around Colorado, and starting our touring career.

So are there a lot of country fans up in Colorado?

More than we anticipated, Walker said. A lot of bluegrass fans. Its been nice to kind of cross over between the two genres and get some country music in front of those bluegrass fans.

Theyre arriving in Montgomery on the third week of a four-week tour.

The group is currently working on its debut album, following up on last years release of a debut four-song EP.

Over the last 18 months, weve been really focusing a lot on writing and developing a lot more original material, Walker said. Were getting ready in November to go into the studio and record our first full-length record.

Besides actually being at home, Walker ought to feel at home at Montgomery Whitewater, with its artificial river channels for whitewater rafting and kayaking.

We usually get out on the Colorado River about once a year, he said. Have a good weekend out there, hang out and float and camp.

Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @claystreetunit. Tour dates and more info is available at claystreetunit.com.

Montgomery Whitewater is at 1100 Maxwell Blvd.

Its great to be home, Walker said. We love it down here in the South, and its really special getting to play a show at a brand new venue in the place you were raised. I cant wait to see some familiar faces.

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Sam Walker coming home Thursday for concert at Montgomery Whitewater
2021's Astroworld Festival left ten dead and thousands injured

Rick Kern/Getty

Travis Scott was questioned for several hours on Monday over hundreds of lawsuits that were filed against him after 2021's Astroworld Festival, which left ten dead and thousands injured.

The deposition, which lasted nearly eight hours, took place in Houston, Texas, The Associated Press reported. This marked the first time Scott, 32, has been questioned by lawyers over the festival.

Scott's rep Ted Anastasiou told the outlet: "Travis Scotts deposition is typical legal procedure. What is not typical is how the media continues to focus on him despite being cleared of any wrongdoing by extensive government investigations, including by the Houston Police Department."

He added, "Travis is fully cooperating with the legal process while still remaining committed to his tour in support of his record-breaking album, Utopia, and his charitable efforts to support at-risk communities.

Related: Live Nation Reaches First Settlement in Astroworld Deaths Nearly 1 Year After Tragedy

Scott's rep had no additional comment.

In June, a Texas grand jury convened to decide if Scott and others who helped plan the event should be charged. No criminal charges were pursued.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Scotts attorney Kent Schaffer said, "Todays decision by the Harris County District Attorney confirms what we have known all along  that Travis Scott is not responsible for the AstroWorld tragedy."

"This is consistent with investigative reporting by numerous media outlets and federal and state government reports that have squarely placed the onus for event safety crises on organizers, operators and contractors - not performers," he said. "While waiting patiently for the District Attorneys decision to not file charges, Travis Scott has been inaccurately and wrongly singled out, despite stopping the show three separate times and being unaware of the events as they were unfolding. Now that this chapter is closed, we hope for the government efforts to focus on what is most important - stopping future heartbreaking tragedies like Astroworld from ever occurring again."

Erika Goldring/WireImage

A rep for Scott did not immediately reply to PEOPLES request for comment.

On Nov. 5, 2021, over 50,000 fans gathered to attend Scott's Astroworld Festival in Houston. As Scott's set began, many of the attendees attempted to rush the stage causing countless people to lose consciousness or be trampled.

After the incident, Scott, in a statement on Twitter, now known as X, said his "prayers go out to the families and all those impacted by what happened at Astroworld Festival."

"Houston PD has my total support as they continue to look into the tragic loss of life," he said. "I am committed to working together with the Houston community to heal and support the families in need."

Related: Travis Scott Announces 2023 North American 'Utopia' - Circus Maximus Tour

Scott also thanked Houston Police and Fire as well as NRG Park, where the festival was held, "for their immediate response and support" during the incident.

In his first interview after the tragedy in December 2021, Scott said he was unable to hear any screams for help when the crowd surge began. He also said he did stop the show several times in order to ensure his fans were safe.

Authorities said all ten victims died of accidental "compression asphyxia," according to a report from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences obtained by PEOPLE.

The victims of the tragedy were Axel Acosta, Danish Baig, 27, Rodolfo "Rudy" Pena, 23, Madison Dubiski, 23, Franco Patino, 21, Jacob Jurinek, 20, John Hilgert, 14, Brianna Rodriguez, 16, Bharti Shahani, 22, and Ezra Blount, 9.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Recently launched European distribution and production studio Vuelta Group has added to its stable with Italys Indiana Production and Frances Pan.

Film and TV company Indiana is known for film collaborations with director Paolo Virzi on movies such as The First Beautiful Thing, Human Capital and The Leisure Seeker, as well as recent TV series such as the upcoming drama adaptation of Italian classic The Leopard, and mafia series LOra.

More from Deadline

French producer Pan-Europeenne relaunched its distribution business in 2022 and has an animation arm. It was well known in the past for releasing movies including The Usual Suspects, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert and Sin City. It recently co-produced Michel Hazanavicius Cannes zombie pic Final Cut.

Vuelta has been in talks this year with Benelux distributor Cineart but a deal has not been closed to date. It has also been taking meetings in Spain about a potential Spanish partner.

Indiana is a partner in Vision Distribution, the distribution outfit created in 2016 with Sky Italia, ITV Studios-backed Cattleya, Fremantle-owned Wildside, Lucisano Media Group and Palomar. It is also known for its advertising production.

Founded in 2005 in Milan by Fabrizio Donvito and Marco Cohen, the duo were joined by Benedetto Habib in 2008, by Karim Bartoletti in 2015 and by Daniel Campos Pavoncelli in 2019. It also has offices in Rome.

Vuelta, as we first revealed, launched earlier this year with acquisitions of Playtime in France, Scanbox in Denmark and SquareOne in Germany, is also in talks to acquire companies in Benelux and Spain, and another company in France.

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.
Before a pilgrim stepped foot in Massachusetts, the Wampanoag people were living on their land.

For more than 12,000 years, the tribe has inhabited what would becomes Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island yet their stories are largely untold and written out of the history books.

Now, the story of the Wampanoag tribe will take the stage in We Are The Land, a play created by Wampanoag people telling their stories spanning over 400 years of colonization, during a special two-night performance hosted by ArtsEmerson at Emerson College's Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston.

Its history is not taught in schools for children of the descendants of the colonizers, but it's also not often taught to our own people, said Hartman Deetz, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe and one of the plays creators. This is a chance even for our own tribal people to learn some more about our own history and what our own ancestors (went) through.

'We Are The Land' comes to Boston after British debut

We Are The Land, will be on stage at Cutler Majestic Theater at 8 p.m. Sept. 29 and 2 p.m. Sept. 30. Tickets are $25 to $93 but a select quantity of $10 tickets are available at 9 a.m. on the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased at ArtsEmerson.org, by calling the box office at 617-824-8400 or by visiting the box office at 559 Washington St., Boston.

We Are The Land, premiered earlier this year in Plymouth, England, after the Theater Royal company planned to host the Wampanoag in 2020 during a Mayflower 400 commemoration. Originally, 30 members of the Wampanoag tribe were slated to take part in a Theater Royal-created production, This Land, but the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled all planned Mayflower 400 programming.

There had been a previous production put together by Theater Royal and it lacked the innovation of Native storytellers telling our own story, Deetz said. Thankfully, they were able to reflect and look at that and realize that the best way to tell an authentic story of what the Native people('s) experience with colonialism is like was to (have) Native people tell it themselves.

"We Are The Land" will take the stage at Emerson's Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston at the end of September.

When the world started to return to normal, Theater Royal contacted the Wampanoag with a new plan  a Wampanoag-created production telling the stories of their ancestors and their relationship to their land.

The result was, We Are The Land, a play created by Deetz, Kitty Hendricks and Siobhan Brown alongside other members of the Wampanoag tribe, which tells the stories of the Wampanoag people over the four centuries since the Mayflower.

We just tried to come up with a set of stories (that) take us through time over the past 400 years as the process of colonization is an ongoing one, Deetz said. It's not just something that happened when the Mayflower landed. It's something that continues to happen as we have to still fight for our recognition as a tribal people. As we (are) still being dispossessed of land as we speak.

The play touches on aspects of the spirit world  like Moshup, the Wampanoags legendary giant  the damaging impacts of Christianization including the stories of Joseph Sassman and Rev. Joseph Amos, the redlining and gentrification of the 70s, the tribes fight for federal recognition in 2007 and the impacts of those events in present day.

At the end of the show, we all have a small section of how we believe or what we went through and that's what's really going to touch (everyones) hearts, Vanessa Mendes, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe said. That gives the true sense of a real feeling, not portraying what our ancestors went through. I think that the very end of the show is going to be really powerful.

As for its reception in England? The Lord Mayor of Plymouth shed a few tears during the performance if that's any indication.

They had the attitudes that (we) can't change history, but we want to correct it as much as possible and give the respect to the Wampanoag people after what they had done to our ancestors, Mendes said. Some of them were really cordial about it and others were mad at what their English (people) had done.

"We Are The Land" tells the story of the Wampanoag people across the four centuries since the Mayflower landed.

One English audience member, according to Deetz, apologized to her seat neighbor, a Taiwanese man, at the end of the show for the atrocities committed by her ancestors.

...At the end of the show, she turns to him and she expressed that she descended from the missionaries who went and (preached) the Christian faith and did missionary work in Taiwan, he said. She actually apologized for her ancestors' actions I (was) really touched by that, that people were able to take that away and understand that this was a thing ... If that person was able to sort of do some self-reflection and was able to say some sort of (apology) or make some kind of amends to an actual person that was impacted by the efforts of their ancestors, that's great because that means that we can start again on a footing as equals where we're all respected as humans.

'We Are The Land' predicted to sell out Emerson's Cutler Majestic Theater

Now, We Are The Land will take the stage at the Cutler Majestic Theater.

...Here we're going to be in front of our other tribal members and others that know our story," Kitty Hendricks, a member of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe said. "We really want to make it rightDo it justiceMake our tribal community proud of us. Being in the Athens of the country, Boston, on the stage and (in the) theater district, to me, that's a big deal.

The plays connection to ArtsEmerson goes back to preparation for its Plymouth performance as they helped the tribe with rehearsals, staging and other preliminary production matters.

"We Are The Land" will be at Emerson's Cutler Majestic Theater for two performances on Sept. 29 and 30.

Our support was in the artists, said Susan Chinsen, creative producer for ArtsEmerson. Giving them the resources so that they could do the rehearsals that they needed and get paid for the time that they were putting into this. I think the relationship there was making (the) commitment (that) it wouldn't just be presented in Plymouth, England, but it would also be presented here in Boston and that would be through (an) ArtsEmerson stage.

For Hendricks, the play is a new vessel for the tribe to share its story.

Just being able to use that genre, the form of the art of theater (to) tell our story has never been done, she said. In a way, it's a way of decolonizing theater as well and the way they go about telling stories and representing marginalized people.

According to Chinsen, We Are The Land is on track to sell out the Cutler Majestic, Emersons largest theater at nearly 1,200 seats.

I already can tell people coming in and leaving the theater will be changed, she said. It's just going to be a very different experience than what anyone would typically expect coming to see a show.

Hendricks hopes audiences leave with a higher regard for the land they live on and renewed respect for Native people.

(I) hope that they take away realizing the importance of the land that they walk upon, she said. "Knowing that it's important to all people, not just Wampanoag people, because we're depending so much (on) what we've done to the land, to this point, we still can undo. And to look at the perspectives of Native people and their relationship with the land, respect that if you respect something (that) nurtures you and keeps you alive, then maybe you'll treat it differently. Also to be aware and respect the Wampanoag people and all Native people.

Keep connected with the Cape. Download our free app.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: 'We Are The Land' to perform at Emerson's Cutler Majestic Theater


If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission.



Linda Evangelista brought the directors of a new Apple TV+ docuseries to tears within hours of first meeting them. Roger Ross Williams and Larissa Bills  who co-directed The Super Models, a new show that reflects on the careers of Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford  revealed the moment in an interview with SheKnows ahead of the September 20 release of the show.

More from SheKnows



The first time we met Linda at dinner, we all three cried at the dinner, Williams, the Academy Award-winning director of Music for Prudence, told SheKnows. So it was a it was a precursor to whats to come.

Linda Evangelista, Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell & Christy Turlington in The Super Models on AppleTV+



In the series, Evangelista is candid about her traumatic past. The 58-year-old star enrolled in a modeling school at just 12 years old and recalled feeling pressured to post nude during a photoshoot in Japan at the age of 16.

Click here to read the full article.



When I got to Japan, the first thing they asked me about was nude photographs and they wanted to take all my measurements, take the clothes off, she says in the doc. I kind of freaked out. I never should have went there by myself. She said that the incident almost made her give up modeling.



Elsewhere in the series, Evangelista alleges that she was abused by her ex-husband, Gerald Marie, throughout their six-year marriage

Linda Evangelista models for Versace, July 1994



Its easier said than done to leave an abusive relationship. I understand that concept, because I lived it. If it was just a matter of saying, I want a divorce, see ya  it doesnt work that way, explained Evangelista. She claimed that Marie, the former European head of Elite Models, knew not to touch my face, because it was her moneymaker.



I married him when I was 22 and I got out when I was 27 and he let me out as long as he got everything, said Evangelista. But I was safe and I got my freedom.

Watch The Super Models on AppleTV+

Price: $6.99/month

Buy Now



Evangelista says her heart broke in 2020 when several women came for to accused her ex-husband of sexually abusing and assaulting them in the 1980s and 1990s. Thanks to the power of all these women coming forward, God bless all of them, it gave me the courage now to speak, Evangelista said.



In a statement to Apple TV+, attorneys for Marie, who is now 73, denied the abuse accusations saying that he has never committed the slightest act of violence.



In conversation with SheKnows, Williams praised Evangelista for her morals. Linda, you know is the vulnerable conscience of fashion that we expected, Williams stated while Bills expressed gratitude to each of the stars of the series.



Theyre incredibly unique as individuals, but theyre all very generous and theyre all incredibly loyal. Very professional, Bills stated. And you know, they they let us in to their lives in a way that Im really really grateful for that experience.

Before you go, click here to see all the famous 90s supermodels who have since become moms.



Heidi Klum Naomi Campbell Caption reading Famous '90s Supermodels Who Are Moms Now

Best of SheKnows

Sign up for SheKnows' Newsletter.

For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat down together Wednesday for the first time since Netanyahu returned to office -- a discussion in which Biden made clear the two leaders would be discussing the "hard issues" amid U.S.-Israeli tensions.

The topics of conversation included upholding democratic values, a veiled nod to the prime minister's controversial plan to overhaul the judicial system.

"We're going to discuss some of the hard issues, and that is upholding democratic values, that lie at the heart of our partnership, including checks and balances in our systems," Biden said seated next to Netanyahu in New York City.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Sept. 20, 2023. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

PHOTO: President Joe Biden meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York, Sept. 20, 2023. Biden was in New York to address the 78th United Nations General Assembly. (Susan Walsh/AP)

PHOTO: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participates in a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 78th U.N. General Assembly in New York City, Sept. 20, 2023. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

The president and White House officials have repeatedly expressed concern for Netanyahu's proposal, but Wednesday morning, the prime minister attempted to reassure Biden of Israel's "commitment to democracy."

"I want to reassert here before you, Mr. President, that one thing is certain, and one thing will never change, and that is Israel's commitment to democracy. We will continue to uphold the values that both our proud democracies cherish, and I think that working together will realize the promise, rollback back the dangers, and bring a better future for our region and the world."

Netanyahu visited the White House in past administrations, but for his first one-on-one with Biden since reclaiming the premiership in Israel, the setting was in New York and not the Oval Office -- viewed as a sign of Biden's displeasure. However, at the top of the meeting, Biden told Netanyahu, "I hope we will see each other in Washington by the end of the year."

Biden also nodded to domestic issues, bringing focus to the ongoing UAW strike. Biden was wearing a red tie today in solidarity with UAW workers across the country, according to the White House.

Israel remains the U.S.' closest ally in the Middle East and Biden stressed the relationship between the countries is "ironclad" ahead of the meeting.

But Netanyahu's hardline government's policies have frustrated officials in Washington.

Netanyahu's critics slam the initiative to overhaul the judicial system as a play to undermine Israel's democracy by weakening its system of checks and balances and say it would also provide a legal shield for the prime minister, who is currently on trial for fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribe.

The prime minister denies the allegations against him and maintains that judicial reform in Israel is long overdue despite the massive protests sparked by proposed changes.

Additionally, as the U.S. has called for both Israelis and Palestinians to avoid escalation amid a period of heightened tension and violence, Netanyahu's government has forged ahead with plans to expand settlements in the West Bank.

Despite these concerns, Israel remains critical for advancing the Biden administration's foreign policy agenda.

U.S. officials have been working to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a move the Secretary of State Antony Blinken said would benefit American national security interests.

"This would be a transformative event. We've had decades of turmoil, decades of conflict in the Middle East. To bring these two countries together in particular would have a powerful effect in stabilizing the region," Blinken said earlier on Tuesday. "Now, it's hard to get there. There are things that Saudis are looking for, things the Israelis are looking for, things we'd be looking for that make getting to "yes" a challenge. But we see the reward, if we can get there, as well being worth the effort."

Israel is also a pivotal partner to the U.S. in constraining Iran, a mutual adversary. Despite recent success in negotiations to free American detainees from Iran, U.S. officials say they currently see no opportunity to rekindle talks to constrain the country's nuclear program -- meaning the U.S. defense alliance with Israel is likely to only grow in strategical importance.

Biden did emphasize these areas of common ground during the Wednesday meeting, telling Netanyahu that he would work to ensure Iran "never acquires a nuclear weapon" and expressing hope for the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Biden, Netanyahu meet amid US-Israeli tensions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
PureWow Editors select every item that appears on this page,, and the company may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story You can learn more about that process here. Yahoo Inc. may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Read the original article on Purewow.

Cleansers are the foundation of any skincare routine. As Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a board-certified dermatologist in New York explains, The goal of a cleanser is to remove dirt and soiling of the skin, while maintaining a healthy skin barrier. The compounds used in cleansers to remove the dirt are known as surfactants. While effective, some surfactants can have damaging effects to the skin barrier. This is especially problematic in people with sensitive skin, which is why it is important to choose the right cleanser for your needs.

If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Zeichner suggests looking for cleansers that contain gentle surfactants (like Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Face Wash; $12) along with barrier repairing ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, natural oils or ceramides. His pick? RoC Barrier Renew Gentle Cleanser; $17, which checks all of the boxes.

Ahead, weve pulled together a list of the 14 best face cleansers for sensitive skin that will hopefully take the sting out of washing your face every day.

The Best Face Cleansers for Sensitive Skin at a Glance

Meet the Expert

Dr. Joshua Zeichner is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and an associate professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Dr. Zeichner is considered one of the country's key leaders in treating acne and rosacea and is an expert in cosmeceuticals, skin care and cosmetic dermatology.

How We Chose the Best Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

We spoke with dermatologists and editors for their recommendations. We also looked for top rated and highly reviewed face cleansers across major retailers like QVC, Amazon, Sephora and Ulta Beauty to round out this list. All of the face cleansers featured had to meet specific criteria, including skin barrier-friendly ingredients, pricing and availability.

The 10 Best Products for Sensitive Skin

Ulta Beauty

Theres a reason why this classic has withstood the test of time: It works. Cetaphils daily facial cleanser is dermatologist-approved for getting a nice deep clean without leaving your skin dry or irritated. Its low-lather formula removes any remaining traces of makeup or oil on your face and includes a blend of vitamins B3 and B5 and hydrating glycerin to help defend against the most common signs of skin sensitivity like a weakened skin barrier, roughness and tightness. Were also fans of the easy-to-use pump applicator and wallet-friendly price.

$12 at Ulta

$12 at Amazon

Augustinus Bader

If youre looking to coddle your skin, you may want to try Augustinus Baders silky cleanser. The unique formula starts off as a gel that morphs into a lightweight milky lather when you add water. As is the case with all of the brands products, the cleanser features TFC8 technology (a proprietary ingredient that nourishes skin, while supporting cellular renewal) and a blend of botanicals that cleanse, purify and renew your complexion.

$70 at Augustinus Bader

$70 at Sephora

Ulta Beauty

Do makeup removers labeled as sensitive still sting the delicate skin around your eyes? This micellar water will be your saving grace. Thanks to little molecules called micelles that attract dirt, oil and makeup so they can easily be wiped away, its the perfect first step in a double-cleanse routine because it gently removes any residue from your face without stinging or stripping the skin. That said, it can just as easily be used on its own, as the French do.

$19 at Ulta

$18 at Amazon

QVC

With an avocado oil base, this creamy wash cleanses, moisturizes and soothes dry skin. Massage it in, rinse and youll be left with a smoother complexion that feels fresh, never tight. Reviewers say its gentle enough to use around the eyes to remove eye makeup, too. As one shares, I have very sensitive skin and have tried many products. All burn my skin. This cleanser is so gentle and doesn't strip your skin and leaves [it feeling] soft and luxurious.

$10 at QVC

Amazon

If you prefer a sudsier cleansing experience, this pick is the way to go. While it definitely foams, Olays Sensitive Calming Liquid Cleanser is soap-free, which, as Dr. Mona Gohara, MD, and associate clinical professor at Yale University explained in a previous story, means it has a healthy pH level for your skin. Its also infused with aloe and cucumber essences, which work with Olays gentle formula to help fight dry skin at the source.

$8 at Amazon

Ulta Beauty

Dr. Zeichner is a fan of RoCs newly launched Barrier Renew Gentle Cleanser. He says, The light gel formula delivers that nice lather that consumers are often looking for, but because the surfactants used in the formula are advanced, its highly effective, but still gentle on the skin. Plus, it features a barrier repairing complex of ceramides, glycerin and green tea that soothe, hydrate and protect the outer skin layer.

$17 at Ulta

$17 at Amazon

Amazon

Not only is this cleanser effective at quelling excess oil, its also tough enough to remove eye makeup without stinging or burning, thanks to a blend of mild surfactants and emollients. It goes on like a gel, but lathers into a nice foam that clings to oil, makeup and grime and washes them down the drain. As one reviewer shares, "I have extremely sensitive skin. And that is not an exaggeration. One wrong ingredient and Im breaking out, burning or red as a tomato. I was desperately searching for a new facial cleanser to clear up my skin when I got a sample of this from my local makeup store. After finishing the sample I immediately bought more and I will never go back."

$34 at Amazon

$34 at ulta

Glossier

This is one of Glossiers most popular skincare products for a reason: It doesnt leave your skin feeling irritated or dry like some other cleansers. The pH-balanced combination of rose water, comfrey root extract, pro vitamin B5 and poloxamer, a cleaning agent used in contact solution, is designed to be soothing, mild and refreshing. And according to the glowing reviews, its that and much more. "I am in love with this cleanser. I dont see myself ever switching to anything else. It does an amazing job of getting all the dirt and makeup off of my skin while also being so gentle. Im not kidding when I say you can apply the product to wash off your eye makeup then open your eyes to see if youve removed it all and wont feel a thing!," says one enamored reviewer.

$19 at Glossier

$19 at sephora

Ulta Beauty

This creamy, natural cleanser is so popular, its often sold out on the brands site. (Luckily, we were able to find it at Ulta and Amazon.) The mixture of fruit stem cell complex, vitamin C and manuka honey sloughs away dull, dead skin to reveal a brighter, smoother complexion underneath. Plus, the light citrus scent smells uplifting, which is especially nice when were feeling groggy in the morning.

$16 at Ulta

$14 at Amazon

Sephora

Theres a reason clay masks are so popular: They absorb excess oil and minimize the appearance of pores. But they can sometimes cause skin to feel tight and dry. Not this clay cleanser. Its actually a gel infused with red clay and rosemary leaf oil, which work to clear skin and balance sebum production without causing any harsh side effects. Bonus: Its ideal for sensitive skin, because its free of alcohols, parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances, all of which can cause irritation.

$24 at Sephora

$24 at ulta

Sephora

This best-selling cleanser is pH-balanced and suitable for all skin types, which definitely caught our attention. The gentle gel melts away makeup (yes, even mascara) without leaving your face feeling dry or tight. In fact, the results are just the opposite. Reviewers say their skin feels soft and refreshed after use. And they point out that its especially great for sensitive skin. With that info, we arent surprised it has over 8,000 five-star reviews on Sephoras site, including this one: "Ive been using this facial cleanser off and on for 6 years. Then though Ive tried plenty of face washes I always come back to this one. I have very sensitive skin and this product is gentle."

$39 at Sephora

$39 at Ulta

Amazon

Avene XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Cleansing Oil was made for the most delicate of complexionseven eczema- and dermatitis-prone skin (it can also be used on newborns). Its hydrating, oil-based formula transforms into a gentle lather, and since its soap-free, it wont strip your skins moisture barrier.

$31 at Amazon

Amazon

A harsh cleanser is the last thing you need when youre dealing with blemishes. The iS Clinical Cleansing Complex is gentle, but still chock-full of inflammation-fighting ingredients. Salicylic acidin the form of white willow barkexfoliates and whisks away excess oil, while centella asiatica (aka tiger grass) soothes redness and irritation.

$43 at Amazon

$45 at dermstore

Sephora

This rice-based enzyme powder activates upon contact with water and almost feels creamy versus granular. But what makes the formula stand out is a blend of salicylic acid (most commonly seen in acne products) and soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients like green tea and colloidal oatmeal. "I deal with sensitive, dry, flaky skin and it hasn't been as bad recently while using this. My skin looks and feels smoother immediately after use, with no irritation or scratches on my skin. What I also love is you can control how gritty you want it to be for a simple wash or a deep exfoliation," shares one reviewer.

$65 at Sephora

$65 at Ulta

What to Consider When Looking for a Face Cleanser for Sensitive Skin

How to Tell if You Have Sensitive Skin?

Skin sensitivity is basically an intolerance to the use of personal care products, explains Dr. Zeichner. Because of genetics, some people are more reactive to products that are applied to the skin. As a result, the skin may turn red and become dry and itchy in reaction to a variety of different ingredients ranging from fragrances to harsh actives, he adds.

What Type of Face Wash Formula Is Best for Sensitive Skin?

The squeaky-clean feeling that many people look for after face washing is actually a sign of post-wash dryness and can be damaging to the skin, says Dr. Zeichner. After cleansing you want your face to feel soft and fresh, but also hydrated.

If you have sensitive skin, look for cleansers that contain gentle surfactants and hydrators like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, natural oils or ceramides.

What Ingredients Should People with Sensitive Skin Avoid?

Traditional foaming cleansers are perhaps the most effective in removing oil and dirt from the skin but they tend to be the most drying. Ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can address blemishes but may irritate the skin if you have sensitive or easily reactive skin, says Dr. Zeichner. Other common culprits of irritation include fragrance, drying alcohols and exfoliating acids.

How Often Should You Wash Your Face?

According to Dr. Zeichner, make sure to limit washing to twice per day, plus an additional wash after heavy sweating or a day where youve worn a full-face of makeup. Overwashing, even with the gentlest products, can still be damaging to the skin.

What Time Should You Wash Your Face at Night? Hint: Its Not Before You Go to Bed

Why You Should Trust Us

PureWow's editors and writers have spent more than a decade shopping online, digging through sales and putting our home goods, beauty finds, wellness picks and more through the wringerall to help you determine which are actually worth your hard-earned cash. From our PureWow100 series (where we rank items on a 100-point scale) to our painstakingly curated lists of fashion, beauty, cooking, home and family picks, you can trust that our recommendations have been thoroughly vetted for function, aesthetics and innovation. Whether you're looking for travel-size hair dryers you can take on-the-go or womens walking shoes that wont hurt your feet, weve got you covered.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



Just bring a good bottle of wine. Youve heard this advice many times over when struggling to find the perfect host gift. But with literally thousands of bottles on the market, the process of finding a good one can be quite intimidatingespecially if you're buying for someone you don't know very well.

To help you navigate the world of wine, we tapped 21 sommeliers from around the world to share the bottles they personally gift for special occasions. And while taste is ultimately subjective, their list of recommendations offers a wide range of varietals, blends, and price points to help steer any generous party attendee in the right direction.

The Best Bottles of Sparkling Wines to Gift

Elva Etienne - Getty Images

While it may be instinct to grab the first bottle of Champagne that you find and call it a day, there are plenty of other sparkling wines that are worthy of a pretty little bow and a coveted spot in a loved ones at-home bar.

Sparkling White

Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore

In Italy, we have some very impressive expressions of chardonnay sparkling wine. Trento doc or Franciacorta are the two most important appellations for this style of wine and, of course, it could be a nice gift for a friend.  Alessio Bricoli, master sommelier at Hotel Hassler Roma

Shop Now Ferrari Giulio Ferrari' Riserva del Fondatore 2009 (750 ml) buywinesonline.com $154.95

Schramsberg Sparkling Wine

"Created using method champignons which is the traditional Champagne method, Schramsberg has been crafting these magnificent wines for over 50 years in Napa Valley. Schramsberg is [also] the sparkling wine served at the White House  Katia Del Rio Gacanovic, general manager at Inn at Hastings Parks in Lexington, MA

Shop Now Schramsberg Blanc De Blancs Vintage totalwine.com $32.97

Champagne

Veuve Clicquot, 'La Grande Dame' Grand Cru Brut Champagne

This salubrious selection of bubbles is ready to go in its own gift packaging, changing from each of the production vintages to include a different female artist representative design.  Dan Cools, wine director of Stake Chophouse & Bar and Little Frenchie in Coronado, CA

Shop Now Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2015 wine.com $239.99





Krug Clos Du Mesnil Champagne

Even after four decades, it still exhibits youthfulness with incredible depth. It is powerful, seductively complex, [and with] vibrant acidity destined for a long haul. A wine with such a reputation only fitting for a very exquisite and special occasions.  Ahmed Ali, chief sommelier at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

Shop Now Krug Clos du Mesnil 2006 750ml oakandbarrelnyc.com $2499.99

Charles Heisieck Brut Reserve

"With its golden robed color, elegant nose of freshly baked brioche, roasted almond notes combined with sun-kissed exotic fruits and, on the palate, a crunchy texture with flavors of creamy nougat and fleshy fruits like plums and cherries, this Champagne suits most occasions, be it together with food or on its own.  Michael Oskar Johansson, restaurant manager and sommelier at Hotel DAngleterre in Copenhagen

Shop Now Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve wine.com $79.99

Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose

We love gifting rose Champagnethe blend of red and white grapes makes it appealing to any palate, whether they are red or white wine drinkers. If you can get your hands on a large format magnum, you will wow anyone receiving it and their guests alike.  Miguel Sanchez Borrego, manager of Cocktail and Couture at Waldorf Astoria Chicago

Shop Now Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose wine.com $99.99

Pommery Brut Royal Champagne

Fresh and floral, this [sparkling wine] features notes of strawberries, rhubarb and orange peel and is mainly composed of chardonnay grapes. Perfect for a summer day, brunch, afternoon tea with friends, and more, it delivers exceptional quality without breaking the bank.  Stephanie Torres, assistant director of food and beverage at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort

Shop Now Pommery Brut Royal 750ml wine.com $54.99

Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Brut Champagne

This Champagne house is unique because it is family- and female-owned, which is quite remarkable considering the history of male-dominated estates in France. The non-vintage brut style is of exceptional quality and it has a refreshing and lively taste without being too expensive. Mercedes Cowper, sommelier and mixologist at Willard InterContinental in Washington, D.C.

Shop Now Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose Brut 1.5L wine.com $59.99

The Best Red Wines to Gift

alvarez - Getty Images

A bolder red can be the defining moment of any celebratory meal with complex flavors that harmonize with the foods theyre presented with. But there are so many varietals and blends that its important to focus on the vinos nuances so that you know exactly what dishes to pair them with. These are the bottles that will undoubtedly play a leading role in any night thats meant to be remembered.

Pinot Noir

Patricia Green Estate Pinot Noir

What makes this bottle and Patricia Green Estate Vineyard so special is how environmentally friendly the production of the wine is. Patricia Green practices dry farming, which means that the farmers are committed to organic or high-level sustainable farming.  Jessica Flam, certified sommelier at Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas, CA

Shop Now Patricia Green Estate Pinot Noir 2021 wine.com $39.99





Scribe Estate Pinot Noir

I rely on a winery I have a special connection with and can share with them in hopes that they make that connection as well one day. I love to celebrate Scribe Winery in Sonoma and find their Estate Pinot Noir to be an excellent option.  Alexander Wettersten, beverage director at Cavallo Point in Sausalito, CA

Shop Now Scribe Pinot Noir Carneros totalwine.com $49.99





Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery Old Vines Pinot Noir

I have been gifting this wine to friends and colleagues in an effort to introduce something new from a region (the Finger Lakes) that I dont think many people realize has this quality of wine.  Toni Robertson, executive chef and food and beverage director of Mandarin Oriental in New York

Shop Now Dr. Konstantin Frank Old Vines Pinot Noir 2020 / 750 ml. winedeals.com $26.99





Italian Reds

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana

I am extremely excited about Sicilian wines, which are not on a lot of people's radar. This wine is made from the nerello mascalese grape, which I think is Sicily's indigenous answer to pinot noir. It's mineral-driven with lots of red fruit, able to be enjoyed on release, but also able to age.  Morgan LaCroiz, wine director at Twin Farms in Barnard, VT

Shop Now Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Calderara Sottana 2020 wine.com $79.99





Poggio Antico, Brunello di Montalcino

A great producer, Brunello di Montalcino appellation, is highly appreciated in America because of his well-balanced tannins, fruits, and long finish on the palate. You can also cellar this wine for 10 years and it is guaranteed to get smoother and better with time.  Vincent Feraud, sommelier and director of restaurants at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, VA

Shop Now 2018 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino (750ml) b-21.com $69.98

Antinori Tignanello

"This [Super Tuscan] is a rich and powerful blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, and cabernet franc, aged in French barriques. It showcases a complex nose of red fruits, underlined with notes of vanilla, coffee, and bitter chocolate, followed by a vibrant palate with supple, velvety tannins with quite a long and persistent finish.  Aodhan Coakley, sommelier and assistant manager at Sheen Falls Lodge in County Kerry, Ireland

Shop Now Antinori Tignanello, 2019 totalwine.com $159.97





Pietradolce Etna Rosso Vigna Barbagalli

On the nose, the wine is very aromatic and complex with aromas of violet, petal rose, black plum, black cherry, wild ripe strawberries together with earthy notes such as wet leaf and hint of mushroom; the wine also shows balsamic and spicy notes. On the palate, the wine is very elegant and fresh with high level of acidity and firm elegant tannins, which give the wine a great structure.  Giuseppe Grasso, head sommelier at Alex Dilling at Hotel Cafe Royal in London

Shop Now Pietradolce Etna Rosso Vigna Barbagalli 2017 wine.com $129.99





Librandi Magno Megonio

I think it depends on the occasion to be celebrated, but with a good red, you almost never go wrong. And as the good Calabrese that I am, I am reminded of Megonio 2019 by Librandi.  Valeria Pulvirenti, sommelier at the Conservatorium Hotel and Taiko Cuisine & Bar in Amsterdam

Shop Now Librandi Magno Megonio 2019 wine.com $25.99





Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino di Montefalco Collepiano

The grapes from this wine come from Umbria in central Italy, a special wine region with only about 240 acres of vineyards planted. Sagrantino grapes make for a beautiful structure of high tannins wines and, with age, is a wine that you will not forget.  Rutilio Ruiz, sommelier at Porter House Bar and Grill in New York

Shop Now Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino Collepiano 2018 wine.com $55.99





Bruno Giacosa Falletto Barolo

This wine is produced in limited quantities from the Falletto vineyard, known for its superb terroir and low-yield, high-quality grapes. Its complex and elegant, with notes of cherry, tobacco, and truffle and has great aging potential, which means it can be appreciated for years to come.  Jason Hedges, beverage director at LT Hospitality

Shop Now Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2019 wine.com $289.99

Cabernet Sauvignon

Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon

One that is perfect for any occasion is Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. It is made by one of the most iconic estates in Napa and helmed by the Novak family, who is industry royalty.  Logan Griffin, director of food and beverage at Blackberry Mountain in Walland, TN

Shop Now Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 wine.com $89.99





Zinfandel

Ridge Geyserville

It is a very special bottle. To me, the most beautiful expression of zinfandel grape varietal. [It's] sunkissed with a nose of blackberry, cloves and spices, rich and ample yet elegant. It has a pronounced minerality, solid tannins and a profound finish. A wine you cannot forget. - Marianne Diemer, sommelier at Hotel Lutetia in Paris



Shop Now Ridge Geyserville 2020 wine.com $49.99





The Best White Wines to Gift

Maria Korneeva - Getty Images

When gifting wines, dont rule out a high-quality, crisp, and refreshing whiteafter all, it's the perfect accompaniment to any outdoor soiree. And while only one of the 21 sommeliers chose a bottle of white wine for gifting, its unique origin is what makes the wine so special.

Otronia Corte de Blanca

Usually, when we refer to Mendozian wines, people always think of malbec, as their predominant grape is, in fact, malbec. The Corte de Blanca is a delicious blend of gewurztraminer, pinot gris, and chardonnay. It is a very floral and fruity wine with great acidity and minerality. Definitely a wine that pleases everyone who tries it!  Antoine Paul, sommelier and assistant general manager of Bull & Bear at Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Shop Now Otronia 45 Rugientes Corte de Blancas 2017 gramercywine.com $49.99

You Might Also Like
Brazilian barbecue has taken the culinary world by storm with its unique approach to grilling meat. Also known as Churrascaria, the Brazilian barbecue experience is not just a dining tradition. Its a tourist attraction that captivates visitors in Rio de Janeiro and other parts of Brazil. For meat lovers and adventure seekers alike, these culinary destinations offer a taste of Brazils rich cultural heritage and a feast for the senses.

Guests skewer succulent, mouthwatering meats that are brought directly to their table. Heres all you need to know about Brazilian barbecue restaurants, their history, the dining experience, popular cuts of meat, and some tips for enjoying this gastronomic adventure to the fullest.

The Origin of Brazilian Barbecue

The roots of Brazilian BBQ can be traced back to the 17th century when Portuguese colonizers introduced the tradition of grilling meat to Brazil. Over the centuries, this cooking style evolved into Churrascaria. Brazilian barbecue is heavily influenced by the countrys diverse culture and geography, resulting in a unique blend of flavors and techniques.

The Dining Experience

A visit to an all you can eat Brazilian barbecue restaurant is an immersive culinary journey. Heres what you can expect:

The Salad Bar: Most Brazilian BBQ restaurants have an extensive salad bar offering a variety of fresh vegetables, cheeses and cold salads. Its a great way to start your meal and balance out the meat feast that awaits.

The Meat Parade: Waitstaff, often referred to as Passadores, circulate the dining area with skewers of grilled meat. They slice and serve directly onto your plate, ensuring you get to taste each cut at its prime. Youll find everything from beef and pork to quail and sausage.

The Red and Green Card System: To control the flow of meat, diners are provided with cards usually colored red and green. Flip your card to green when youre ready for more and red when you need a break. The Passadores will respond accordingly.

Popular Cuts of Meat

Brazilian BBQ offers a plethora of meat cuts, each with its unique flavor and texture.

Picanha: This is the crown jewel of Brazilian BBQ. Picanha is a prime cut of beef, known for its succulence and rich flavor.

Photo Credit: Fabio Alves

Costela: Costela, or beef ribs, are fall-off-the-bone tender and packed with smoky goodness.

Frango com Bacon: Chicken wrapped in bacon is a delightful combination of flavors, often seasoned with a hint of spices.

Cordeiro: Lamb lovers will appreciate the tender and savory lamb cuts that many Brazilian BBQ places offer.

Linguica: Brazilian sausages, or linguica, add a unique and spicy twist to your meaty adventure.

Tips for Enjoying Brazilian Barbecue

To make the most of your Brazilian BBQ experience, keep these tips in mind.

Start with the Salad Bar: As tempting as it is to dive straight into the meat, begin with the salad bar to prepare your palate and balance your meal.

Dont Overdo It: Pace yourself. Theres no need to rush. Enjoy small portions of different meats to savor the variety.

Try Everything: Be adventurous and sample different cuts and types of meat, even if theyre unfamiliar. You might discover a new favorite.

Use the Card System: Use the red and green card system wisely to control the pace of your meal. Take breaks as needed.

Enjoy the Experience: Brazilian barbecue is not just about the food. Its about the experience. Enjoy the lively ambiance, the sizzling of meat and the social aspect of dining with friends and family.

Best Barbecue Restaurants

Here are some top Brazilian BBQs in Rio de Janeiro.

Carretao Churrascaria: Carretao is a renowned Brazilian steakhouse with a history of serving high-quality meats and a diverse selection of dishes. Their rodizio-style service and extensive salad bar are highlights.

Fogo de Chao: Fogo de Chao is a popular chain of Brazilian steakhouses famous for their top-notch meat cuts and elegant dining experience. They have a location in Rio de Janeiro that offers a range of Churrasco options.

Marius Degustare: Marius Degustare is a unique restaurant located on Copacabana Beach, offering a combination of Churrasco and seafood. Their all-you-can-eat style includes an impressive array of grilled meats and fresh seafood.

Assador: Assador, located in the upscale neighborhood of Botafogo, is famous for its traditional Brazilian BBQ experience, offering a range of meats and a cozy ambiance.
Jordan Drake loads packages into delivery truck. Amazon Rivian electric delivery truck fleet is in Oklahoma City now. Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Amazon will hire more than 3,400 people in Oklahoma, including 2,200 in the OKC area, as part of a national push to employ 250,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal workers for the holidays, the company said Tuesday.

Jobs on offer include packing, picking sorting, and shipping. Customer fulfillment and transportation employees can earn, on average, more than $20.50 per hour, up to $28 depending on location, and will se a 13% increase in pay over the next three years, said John Felton, Amazons senior vice president of worldwide operations.

"And thats on top of offerings like pre-paid college tuition with Career Choice and health care benefits on day one, Felton said. "Whether someone is looking for a short-term way to make extra money, or is hoping to take their first step toward a fulfilling and rewarding career at Amazon, theres a role available for them."

Amazon benefits include career advancement opportunities; earned pay access; health, vision, and dental insurance; a 401(k) with company match; up to 20 weeks of paid pregnancy/parental leave for birth parents (six weeks for eligible supporting parents); and Amazons Resources for Living program, which offers free mental health and financial services and support for employees, their families, and households.

To apply for a job, Just go to amazon.com/apply and put in your ZIP code.

RELATED: Your next Amazon package could be delivered in OKC by this wild-looking electric truck

Amazon's investment and economic impact in Oklahoma since 2010

Amazon Rivian electric delivery truck fleet is in Oklahoma City now. Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Amazon provided its latest economic impact data for Oklahoma from its 2023 Economic Impact Report provided by Keystone Strategy, a third-party consultancy. Since 2010, Amazon said it has:

Invested more than $4.4 billion in Oklahoma, including infrastructure and compensation to employees.

Created more than 10,000 direct jobs.

Supported an additional 13,100 indirect jobs across the state, in fields like construction and professional services.

Contributed more than $3.9 billion to the Oklahoma GDP, on top of the companys direct investments.

Story continues

Amazon said it has opened more than 50 new fulfillment centers, delivery stations, and same-day delivery sites across the country this year.

Drivers wheel their carts from warehouse to trucks. Amazon Rivian electric delivery truck fleet is in Oklahoma City now. Wednesday, March 8, 2023

Sign Up: Weekly 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: Amazon is hiring more than 3,400 people in Oklahoma for the holidays
Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal recounts the sequence of suspicious eventsincluding a number of suspicious deathsthat unfolded over six years surrounding the Murdaughs, a wealthy and powerful family of prosecutors in South Carolina, culminating in the murder of Maggie Murdaugh and her son, Paul Murdaugh.

Maggie's husband Alex Murdaugh is currently standing trial for their deaths, but the documentary hints that the family's crimes may run much deeper.

Comprised of firsthand accounts from multiple witnesses, Murdaugh Murders paints a very disturbing picture, although several accusations made against the Murdaughs in the documentary lack sufficient proof, and many of the questions regarding what happened to several people connected to the family remain unanswered.

With a second season of the docu-series now streaming on Netflix, here is everything we know about the many incidents explored in Murdaugh Murders and their aftermath, in chronological order.

July 8, 2015

The body of Stephen Smith, a friend and classmate of Buster Murdaugh, was found on a road in Hampton County, South Carolina. His own car was parked several miles away. The cause of death was determined to be head trauma, although a trooper interviewed in the documentary noted that his injuries were not consistent with a hit and run.

Smith's death is unsolved to this day, although a private investigator hired by his mother uncovered rumors that he and Buster were involved (Smith was openly gay). Several people interviewed alleged that Buster was responsible, although once the Murdaugh name got dragged into the case, the investigation "faded away."

Netflix

February 2, 2018

Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaughs' housekeeper, was gravely injured while working at the family's property: she appeared to have fallen down the stairs, possibly after tripping on the dogs, and "hit her head violently." She was taken to the hospital, where her siblings described her as largely non-responsive until her death on February 26. However, her death was never actually reported to the coroner, and no autopsy was ever performed.

In the docu-series, Paul's ex-girlfriend Morgan Doughty and her parents allege that Gloria "knew too much" about the family's secrets, and claim that Gloria had found drugs in Alex's bedroom prior to her death.

Following Gloria's death, Alex Murdaugh collected more than $4 million in commercial insurance for the incident which occurred on his property. Gloria's family accused him of stealing money that he had promised would go towards compensating them: he has since agreed to a $4.3 million settlement with the Satterfields.

February 23, 2019

Paul, who according to interviews in Murdaugh Murders had a pattern of behaving angrily and abusively while drunk, drove himself and five friends home from a night of partying on his boat: they were his then-girlfriend Morgan Doughty, Connor Cook, Miley Altman, Anthony Cook, and Anthony's girlfriend, 19-year-old Mallory Beach.

Netflix

When the boat hit a pilingas a result of Paul's erratic behavior, the documentary claimsMallory fell into the water, and did not resurface. Authorities found her body seven days later, several miles up river. Her cause of death was determined to be drowning as a result of blunt force head trauma.

Paul was charged with three felonies: boating under the influence causing death, and two counts of causing harm to others. He pled not guilty, and was awaiting trial at the time of his own death.

June 7, 2021

Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were both killed on their property: Maggie was shot in the chest and back, while Paul was shot in the chest, neck, and head.

According to Alex Murdaugh's account of events, he arrived home from checking on his ill parents and found Maggie and Paul's bodies near the dog kennels, "a short drive" from the main house, and called 911.

September 4, 2021

In Season 2 of the show, we learned that three months following his wife and son's murders, Alex Murdaugh called 911 after suffering a gunshot wound at the side of the road after his car got a flat tire. He claimed that a pickup truck passed him, turned around, and somebody inside the vehicle fired at him. Murdaugh was taken to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia where he received "treatment of a superficial gunshot wound to the head."

September 6, 2021

Murdaugh publicly stated that he would be retiring from his law firm and entering rehab.

"The murders of my wife and son have caused an incredibly difficult time in my life," he wrote. "I have made a lot of decisions that I truly regret. I'm resigning from my law firm and entering rehab after a long battle that has been exacerbated by these murders. I am immensely sorry to everyone I've hurt including my family, friends and colleagues. I ask for prayers as I rehabilitate myself and my relationships."

On the same day, the firm Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrickhe released their own statement asserting that Murdaugh had misused company money: "His resignation came after the discovery by PMPED that Alex misappropriated funds in violation of PMPED standards and policies. A forensic accounting firm will be retained to conduct a thorough investigation."

September 8, 2021

Murdaugh's license to practice law in South Carolina was suspended.

September 14, 2021

The authorities revealed that 61-year-old Curtis Edward Smith had been arrested in connection with the roadside shooting, alleging that Murdaugh had paid Smith to kill him so that his son Buster would be able to collect a high-value life insurance policy. Smith was charged with assisted suicide, assault and battery, and insurance fraud.

September 15, 2021

Richard Harpootlian, Murdaugh's attorney, stated that Murdaugh had hired Smith to end his life while depressed, grieving, and battling an addiction to opioids. Hartpootlian accused Smith of "taking advantage" of Murdaugh in his vulnerable state.

At the same time, authorities reopened the investigation into the 2018 death of housekeeper Gloria Satterfield.

September 16, 2021

Alex Murdaugh surrendered to the authorities and was charged with insurance fraud and filing a false police report. He was then granted bail and began treatment at a rehab facility.

October 14, 2021

Murdaugh left rehab and was arrested and charged with two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretences, in connection with the missing settlement over the death of Gloria Satterfield. His lawyers stated: "Alex intends to fully cooperate with this investigation, as he has with the investigation into the murder of his wife and son."

He was denied bond, and ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation by a judge.

December 13, 2021

A judge set Murdaugh's bond terms at $7 million after 48 separate charges of financial crimes were brought against him.

July 12, 2022

Murdaugh was formally disbarred and banned from practicing law.

January 25, 2023

Murdaugh stood trial for Maggie and Paul's deaths, and his oldest son Buster spoke in his defense. The trial went on for six week, with various expert witnesses, and even Alex Murdaugh himself taking the stand to testify.

March 2, 2023

The jury deliberated for around 2 hours and quickly came back with a verdict. Alex Murdaugh was found guilty of both murders and guilty of two counts of possessing a weapon during a violent crime.

March 3, 2023

After the jury's verdict, Judge Clifton Newman sentenced Murdaugh to two consecutive life sentences. Murdaugh continued to protest his innocence despite the sentence. Before giving his ruling, PEOPLE reports Judge Newman said, "It might not have been you. It might have been the monster you become. When you take 20, 40, 50, 60 opioid pills, maybe you become another person."

March 21, 2023

It was reported that the death of Stephen Smith, originally ruled as vehicular manslaughter, is now being re-investigated, this time as a homicide.

You Might Also Like
A for sale sign might be coming to Champion.

Hanesbrands Inc. on Tuesday said its eyeing a broad range of alternatives for the activewear brand, after activist investor Barington Capital urged the North Carolina apparel company to shave down its $3.6 billion debt bill last month.

More from Sourcing Journal

Though it might end up keeping Champion, the Hanesbrands board is mulling a sale or other strategic transaction focused on driving value for shareholders, the company said in a statement.

According to Hanesbrands chairman Ronald L. Nelson, Champion could benefit from ownership separate from the innerwear specialist, which built an empire on close-to-skin garments from Hanes, Bali, Playtex and Maidenform.

CEO Steve Bratspies said Hanesbrands is working to drive accelerated growth and profitability while streamlining the business and priming the company for long-term success.

News of a potential Champion sale comes as Hanesbrands closes its lone remaining U.S. cut-and-sew facility this month. It ran into trouble last year when it wound up with too much inventory like much of the apparel industry. Many retail partners cut innerwear replenishment orders this year, and Champion sales fell short of expectations, leaving the highly leveraged company in a financial pressure cooker.

Hanesbrands got started on cutting costs last month when it relocated of a few hundred U.S. jobs offshore after January layoffs. Two years ago, the company announced a plan to shore up finances and streamline its global supply chain.

Barington Capital chairman James Mitarotonda in August turned up the heat, telling Nelson to get Hanesbrands back to creating shareholder value.

In order to reverse Hanesbrands rapidly declining share price, we believe the company must immediately focus on cash generation and debt reduction while also considering new management and directors to implement these performance enhancing initiatives, Mitarotonda wrote in a letter to Nelson.

Hanesbrands fired back at Barington, stating that the board has the right mix of expertise and diversity and that the companys Full Potential Plan will unlock significant opportunities.

The plan projected Champion becoming a $3 billion global brand by 2024, and outlined a goal to double the companys market share with millennial and Gen Z consumers.

For the second quarter ended July 1, Hanesbrands reported innerwear sales rising 3 percent from a year earlier, while activewear fell 19 percent over the same period. Activewear sales have slowed industrywide after surging during the pandemic.

It hasnt been all doom and gloom for Champion, however. Earlier this month, Hanesbrands struck an agreement with G-III Apparel Group to design, produce and distribute Champion and its value-oriented sibling, C9 Champion, in North America.

G-IIIs proven track record in category expansion and their best-in-class global infrastructure will enable us to reach a wider consumer base who already are, or will soon become, loyal to the Champion brand for generations, said Vanessa LeFebvre, president, global activewear for Hanesbrands, in a statement dated Sept. 7.

She continued, This partnership creates a significant opportunity to leverage G-IIIs expertise in the outerwear category and their diversified distribution network, which will enable us to extend our offerings and support the brands lifestyle proposition.

Additional reporting by Jessica Binns.

Click here to read the full article.
LONDON  King Charles and Queen Camilla landed in France Wednesday for their first state visit since taking the throne.

The royal couple met Frances president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, first lady Brigitte Macron , at the Arc de Triomphe, where a wreath-laying ceremony was held.

More from WWD

The royal couple are on a three day visit with fashion holding a key part in the program.

French President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte Macron and Britains King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

On arrival, Queen Camilla wore a wool crepe coat dress in rose pink by Fiona Clare with a beige top handle bag from Charlotte Elizabeth paired with a Philip Treacy hat that matched her dress. She wore diamond and pearl clip-on earrings with four strands of pearls, which she was photographed in for her 14th wedding anniversary portrait with King Charles.

Meanwhile, Macron wore head-to-toe navy with a skirt suit that featured nautical-inspired buttons in the shape of anchors.

In the evening, the Macrons met with the royals along with 160 other guests that included Arnault and his wife, Helene Mercier, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Mick Jagger, Hugh Grant and Emma Mackey at the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles.

Queen Camilla in Dior couture.

Queen Camilla and Macron were in unison in navy evening gowns.

Camilla wore a minimal Dior couture design with embroidery at the belt paired with a long evening cape with an embroidered trim. She wore Queen Elizabeth IIs diamond and sapphire necklace, otherwise known as the George VI Sapphires.

The late queen received the necklace as a gift from her father, hence the name.

The First Lady of France added a touch of glamour to her gown with an embroidered crystal collar and cuffs.

Camilla isnt the first British royal in Dior, nor the last.

Princess Margaret wore a cream Dior dress made by the founder himself for her 21st birthday portrait by Cecil Beaton in 1951; in 1996, John Galliano designed a navy slipdress for Princess Diana to wear to the Met Gala in New York and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, has worn Dior on multiple occasions, from pregnancy to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Over the summer, a flurry of media reports said the Duchess of Sussex was about to sign a deal with the French fashion house, though a spokesman for Dior in Paris told WWD the reports were unfounded, stressing there had been no contract negotiations or recent contact with Markle.

King Charles and Queen Camillas trip was planned for March but was postponed due to the riots in France over President Macrons changes to Frances pension plan. The trip marks Charles first state visit since succeeding his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron were present in May for Charles coronation. Prior to the event, Emmanuel and Charles met in 2022, when the French president gifted the British royal a book of pictures celebrating Queen Elizabeth IIs visit to France.

Launch Gallery: King Charles III Coronation Celebrated Around the World

Best of WWD

Click here to read the full article.
Its been a rough year for Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the failed cryptocurrency exchange FTX. And now his parents are getting dragged into the drama.

FTX, which is being operated in bankruptcy by new management, is suing Joseph Bankman and Barbara Fried to recover millions of dollars in fraudulently transferred and misappropriated funds, The Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. The company filed its lawsuit in a Delaware bankruptcy court late Monday.

More from Robb Report

According to the court filing, Bankman-Frieds parents, who are both professors at Stanford Law School, exploited their access and influence within the FTX enterprise to enrich themselves. The lawsuit alleges that Bankman was given millions of dollars from his son, while Fried advised him on political contributions that totaled about $40 million prior to the 2022 midterms, the WSJ noted. Lawyers for Bankman and Fried told the newspaper that the claims are completely false.

Joe Bankman

This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their childs trial begins, the lawyers wrote in a statement. (After FTX collapsed, Bankman-Fried was charged with defrauding the exchanges customers of billions of dollars, which he denies. His trial is scheduled to begin on October 3.)

For almost a year, Bankman worked as a paid employee of FTX, according to The Wall Street Journal. He accompanied his son to meetings with Washington policymakers and helped with the companys philanthropic efforts. The lawsuit claims that he also received a $10 million gift from his son in early 2022, and that he took private jets and charged $1,200-a-night hotel rooms to the company. Fried, meanwhile, never had a formal role at FTX but she did serve as the primary advisor to her son on political contributions, the lawsuit claims.

Additionally, the filing states that Bankman-Fried helped his parents buy a $16 million property in the Bahamas with unobstructed ocean views. The lawsuit claims that the money came from an FTX bank account that contained customer funds. Plus, FTX gave more than $5.5 million to Stanford, the parents employer.

While the total outlined in the lawsuit reaches into the multimillions of dollars, FTX is asking the court to award damages of a value determined at trial, the WSJ noted. Like their son, then, Bankman and Fried may soon have their day in court.

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.
Everybody loves adorable sloths and knows how extremely slow they are. @Daily Mail posted a video on Tuesday, September 19th of a surf instructor in Costa Rica who noticed a sloth at the edge of a busy road, so he did what any good Samaritan would do and helped him cross it safely.

The surfer runs up behind the sloth and picks it up by the nape of the neck and its bum. As soon as he does, a truck goes speeding past; the surfer saved it in the nick of time! He walks it across the street, and then gently places the sloth in some brush near some trees. The sloth turns around and looks at him and gives a smile, then starts climbing into the trees. It was a happy ending!

View the original article to see embedded media.

What a good guy! It looked like the sloth wasn't exactly thrilled to be held that way, but that little smile that he gave the surfer at the end showed his appreciation.

Commenters had a lot to say about the sweet video. I laughed at @jackjoseph835 who said, "He was about to cross the street in 3 days." @Jess Leigh31 laughed, "Hes all hey thanks that would have taken me all day to cross LOL!" @Trent Desjarlais pointed out, "He's like at the end 'Thanks human'." @JustMeA. added, "Thank goodness for kind humans!"

I'm glad for this happy ending and that @Daily Mail shared the sweet video! I'm sure that in Costa Rica and other places were sloths are abundant that this is a big issue and that people need to pay close attention to the roads. I haven't gotten to visit the rain forests of Costa Rica yet, but I will someday!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.

READ THE COMMENTS
A new online wholesale marketplace aims to provide Asian retailers with access to lifestyle products from across the globe, while removing some of the friction associated with cross-border commerce.

Hong Kong-based Markato aims to become a one-stop shop for businesses serving the Asian market, allowing them to source and fulfill products from premium home goods, beauty, wellness and accessories brands from Europe, the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. In turn, brands can access customers in the region, as Asias fast-growing middle-class population shows growing interest in global brands.

More from Sourcing Journal

Founded by entrepreneurs and tech industry veterans Brian Lo and Martin Li, Markato raised $5 million in a seed funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners this spring. It plans to expand in Asia over the next year, with Singapore in its sights as a potential B2B hub in Southeast Asia. The company soft launched in July with more than 200 brands and 4,000 products from Western markets, 80 percent of which were not previously available in Asia. Over the coming months, the startup plans to broaden its vendor base to more than 2,000 brands.

Retailers always need new brands to bring in more customers, and brands from around the world cant wait to have access to trusted retailers in Asia, Lo told Sourcing Journal. The digitized product discovery platform was designed to provide an efficient sourcing experience for retailers, synthesizing their input with live market trends. Markatos curation system spits out hundreds of recommendations, 80 percent of which are currently only available in Asia through the platform, he added.

Sourcing brands from outside of Asia tends to be costly for the regions retailers, given the inefficiencies of coordinating with offshore vendors, the logistics of bringing products across borders, and the inventory risk associated with bringing unfamiliar products to an untested market.

As we are streamlining logistics and international payments, we can improve operational efficiencies enabling more than 20 percent of transaction and logistics cost-savings for retailers and buyers, that can be passed down to end-consumers, Lo said. The platform offers retailers a 60-day buy now, pay later option on product, and an extended 90-day return window that mitigates the risk of unsold inventory. All of these benefits are aimed at reducing retailers risk of trying out new products while allowing them to increase customer traffic and sales opportunities with new and unique products.

A hooded baby towel by British childrens label Avery Row.

By empowering this access, this would in turn enable retailers to delight their customers by offering emerging brands and better products at reasonable prices, Lo added. Early adopters include popular Hong Kong fashion and lifestyle retailer Kapok, independent boutiques like Co Ninety Select Shop and TLE Wellness Select Shop. We also cater to buy-to-use segment customers, such as hospitality and restaurant groups, like JIA Group, which owns several restaurants in the region.

The middle-class consumers in Asia have strong purchasing power and what they look for in their purchases have evolved, where there is a greater desire for premiumization, Li added. Consumers are keen on purchasing from brands with a unique story and aesthetic, and have shown interest in home items like stacked candles, eco-friendly skincare and novelty paper products, he said. These initial purchasing trends we have seen from our marketplace demonstrate how buyers in Asia are always looking out for, and want access to, more unique brands and high-quality premium products from the U.S. and Europe. Markato aims to broaden the platforms assortment as it brings new brands into the fold.

There are many amazing independent brands around the world that simply do not have the network, resources or know-how to be present and sell to retailers and buyers in Asia, Lo said. It can often be difficult for them to prospect new buyers in Asia, especially if their resources or market knowledge is limited.

The marketplace gives brands a means of selling globally, tapping into a market they might not be able to access on their own and managing distribution through a centralized platform. They can also reduce their customer acquisition cost and operating costs, and leverage valuable pricing, data analytics and recommendations provided by Markato to grow their business, he added.

The company has implemented a stringent vetting process for brands to verify their reliability as well as product quality and authenticity. Dedicated success partners are assigned to each retailer that is onboarded onto the platform in order to better understand their needs, their product portfolios and the retail market trends driving their unique businesses.

While platform aims to expand its reach beyond Hong Kong in the coming months, Li said the market was the optimal locale for the firms headquarters, as it provides significant advantages for cross-border logistics and central access to a giant retail market.

Hong Kong has a favorable retail market and business environment, with the tech startup ecosystem expanding significantly over the last 10 years, he explained. We see a lot of potential in the market, and it is conducive to serve as a hub for us for cross-border commerce. Often, we forget Hong Kong is also one of the most important retail and logistics hubs, serving as a springboard to other Asian markets.

The propositions appeal prompted global investment firm Lightspeeds first-ever investment in the country. Were excited to partner with Brian and Martin as they build Markato, the VCs partner, Rahul Taneja, said. Their vision to serve independent businesses in Asia and enable access to the best products globally is a compelling one.

Early progress on the platform is very encouraging and we strongly believe they are the perfect team to transform retailers end-to-end experience in Asia, he added.

Click here to read the full article.


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



North Korean leader Kim Jong-un just paid a six-day long visit to Russia, which included private meetings with President Vladimir Putin .

Upon leaving, he was gifted attack drones and body armor.

Western countries are worried this signals an alliance between the sanctioned nations.

You know, folks, here at Best Products, we try to give you the best of the best when it comes to gifting newsand we hope you come away not just amused, but also informed.

Sure, you might think, "How does knowing about Jenna Bush's surprise party keep me informed?" But we would say that knowing how our global leaders act in their private lives is more important than ever in our age of public personas and misinformation.

You might think, "Why should I care about what happens to Royal gifts?" But we would counter that accountability is crucial for world leaders, and knowing what ethics protocols are in place for such things is vital.

You might also ask, "How is the world made better by telling us what Brody Jenner got for his 40th birthday?" But we would say... we would... we would say that... alright, you got us on that one. There is genuinely no reason to learn that information. We'll own that.

But here's a gifting news story that gives you a new perspective on the world we live in today. And that perspective is, "Oh, we are all potentially f***ed."

Vladimir Smirnov - Getty Images

Kim Jong-un, leader of North Korea, paid a rare six-day visit to Russia to meet with President Vladimir Putin. We don't know exactly what was discussed between the two world leaders, though CNN speculates that the talks involved the idea that "North Korea could provide Russia with weaponry to aid its invasion of Ukraine."

What we do know is that the North Korean leader didn't leave empty-handed.

The Russian state news agency TASS reports that when Kim Jong-un left the Primorye region this Sunday, the governor gave him five attack drones, a Geranium-25 aircraft-type reconnaissance drone, and body armor. The report even notes that this particular armor had protection zones for the "chest, shoulders, throat" and our personal favorite, the "groin." This is important because too many world leaders have been at risk of being like that one dude in Robocop.

These were given as a parting gift after talks that Putin described as "very substantive," and after which Kim Jong-un declared, "I will always be standing with Russia," possibly alluding to their current invasion of Ukraine.

CNN sums up the problematic implications of a potential alliance like this:

"Moscow is desperate for fresh supplies of ammunition and shells as its war with Ukraine drags on  and Pyongyang is believed to be sitting on a stockpile. Meanwhile, a potential deal could see North Korea get its hands on sanctioned ballistic missile technology that could be used to further its nuclear ambitions."

But, y'know, probably nothing to worry about. Everybody chill. Let's all kick back, relax, and put on a nice comedy movie to laugh our worries away:

LMPC - Getty Images

You Might Also Like
King Charles and Queen Camilla have landed in Paris for a three-day state visit to France. And their first stop after touching down at Orly Airport was to the iconic Arc de Triomphe to lay a wreath and officially be welcomed to the country by President and Madame Macron.

The tour was rescheduled from March, when France was in turmoil due to protests over pension reform. Highlights of the coming days include a state banquet at the Palace of Versailles this evening and a speech by the King at the Senate tomorrow, much of which is expected to be delivered in French. The decision to begin the trip at the Arc de Triomphe has echoes of Queen Elizabeths final state visit to France in 2014, where she was also given a ceremonial welcome in the same spot.

Chris Jackson - Getty Images

Security was tight ahead of the royal arrival today, with all the streets leading up to the Arc de Triomphe closed off to the public and a heavy police presence at every entrance. A small number of invited guests took their seats in stands, but the general public was unable to see the welcome ceremony other than via broadcast. After the King and Queen were greeted by President and Madame Macron, both national anthems were played and the King inspected a line-up of French military. Following this, a wreath representing those who have lost their lives in combat was laid by the King and President before each took a moment of quiet reflection. A spectacular flyover of the British Red Arrows and French Patrouille de France soared overhead before the King and Queen greeted guests including military veterans. After the ceremonial welcome, the royals were scheduled to have a meeting at the Elysee Palace, followed by a tree-planting at the residence of the British Ambassador.

The three-day trip is a chance to exercise the soft power of the royals when it comes to relationships with European countries in the post-Brexit era. And both sides were clearly keen to emphasise their warm greetings. Ahead of the King's arrival, President Macron posted a video on social media showing Charles's previous visits to the country. "You visited as a Prince, you return as a King. Your Majesty, welcome," the President wrote. Queen Camilla gave a nod to her hosts with her fashion choices by wearing a pink beret-shaped hat by Philip Treacy along with a dusky pink wool crepe coat dress by Fiona Clare. And on their departure from the U.K. the King and Queen penned a joint personal post on social media, telling their followers, "We are so looking forward to joining you in Paris and Bordeaux, as we embark on our first State Visit as King and Queen to France, a country for which we both have the greatest love and admiration. We will celebrate the special bond between our two countries and all that your wonderful country has to offer. A bientot France!"

You visited as a Prince, you return as a King. Your Majesty, welcome. pic.twitter.com/HcDXHcylRl  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) September 20, 2023

Engagements on the agenda for Charles in Paris include a bilateral meeting with President Macron at the Elysee Palace and a sustainability reception to hear more about how business leaders plan to invest to combat climate change. Queen Camilla will join Madame Macron launching a new Franco-British literary prize. In Bordeaux on Friday, the royals will meet emergency workers and communities affected by 2022 wildfires as well as hearing about how UK and French military personnel are collaborating on defense.

You Might Also Like
Tomorrow, King Charles is due to make a major address at the French Senate, becoming the first British royal ever to do so. However, this evening he made the first speech of his three-day state visit at a glittering banquet at the Palace of Versailles.

"My parents first official visit together was to France in 1948, shortly after their wedding," the King said after he had thanked the French people for their warm wishes following the death of his late mother. "By all accounts, they made quite a splash, dancing till the early hours at the glamourous Chez Carrere in the Rue Pierre Charron, serenaded by Edith Piaf. I suspect it may have left an indelible impression on me, even six months before I was born"La Vie en Rose" is one of my favorite songs to this day!"

Getty Images

The King delivered most of his speech in French, beginning by saying that he was "delighted" to be in the country and that he and Camilla were "enormously touched" by the welcome they have received. "Your generosity of spirit brings to mind how my family and I were so greatly moved by the tributes paid in France to my mother, the late Queen, whose funeral took place one year ago yesterday," he said. "Mr. President, among the many profoundly moving gestures here, the flying of the Union flag at the Elysee was particularly poignant. Your words, at that time, meant a great dealt to us too."

Stephane Cardinale - Corbis - Getty Images

The King described how the welcome he has received since touching down at Orly Airport this afternoon was a symbol of "the enduring relationship between our two countries."

"The connections between our people are myriad, and represent the lifeblood of our Entente Cordiale, which was inspired by my great-great grandfather, King Edward the seventh," he said.

The speech was delivered at the start of a five-course meal made up of French and British dishes and ingredients. The 160 guests were chosen for their contribution to French-British relations."Today, our countries stand together against oppression and in support of the most vulnerable, including those who suffer the devastating impact of natural disaster or conflict - whether in Ukraine, in Libya and in Morocco," the King said.

Charles had intended to make France the destination for his first state visit as King but the country was pipped to the post by Germany after pension protests in France in March forced the Elysee and the Palace to reschedule. Tomorrow, the King will deliver his speech at the Senate as well as visiting Notre Dame Cathedral with Camilla.

You Might Also Like
The Amazon Web Services data farm on Houchard Road just south of Post Road.

The New Albany City Council approved an agreement Tuesday with Amazon Web Services that calls for the tech company to spend $3.5 billion to expand its data center operations in the city.

Under the agreement, Amazon will build five data centers and related buildings totaling 1.25 million square feet on 85 of 439 acres the company bought along Beech and Miller roads early this year. Construction would begin in 2025 and be completed by Dec. 31, 2030, according to the Community Reinvestment Area Agreement unanimously approved by the council.

According to the agreement, Amazon will spend $1.8 billion on buildings and $1.7 billion on equipment.

The data centers would create approximately 105 full-time jobs with an annual payroll of $9 million, or an average of $85,000 per position.

Amazon will receive a 30-year tax break on its investments: 100% for the first 15 years and 75% for the next 15 years. In lieu of taxes, Amazon would pay New Albany a minimum $352,750 a year, with that figure rising over time. The city estimates it will receive $1.1 million a year in revenue from the project by 2031.

The project is in the Johnstown-Monroe Local School District, which "has a collaborative and long-standing compensation agreement with the City of New Albany" over new developments, said school district spokesman Craig McDonald. McDonald did not say how much compensation the school district expects to receive from the Amazon project.

It is still very early in the process and financial models are not currently available, however, the compensation agreement provides revenue to the district through an income tax sharing model not determined strictly by property tax structures," said Johnstown-Monroe Superintendent Philip H. Wagner.

The five new data centers and related buildings are described as the "Phase 1 Project" of Amazon's development. Citing "security reasons," an Amazon spokesperson did not say how many data centers Amazon expects to ultimately build on its land, but plans filed with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency by the New Albany Co. show up to 30 data centers on the site, which straddles Beech Road near Miller Road.

Story continues

"This is step one," Merle Madrid, manager of public policy for Amazon Web Services, told New Albany Council members.

Amazon Web Services plans to develop data centers on 439 acres the company owns along Beech and Miller roads in New Albany.

Amazon's deal with New Albany provides the first detail on how the company plans to spend $7.8 billion on central Ohio data centers that it announced in June. The amount is the second largest private investment in Ohio following Intel's $20 billion New Albany investment.

We are proud to reinforce our long-term commitment to the state of Ohio with plans to invest an additional $3.5 billion in New Albany by 2030, Roger Wehner, Amazon Web Service's director of economic development said in a news release about the investment. Since 2015, AWS has invested more than $6.3 billion in Ohio while supporting thousands of local jobs. Our newest investment in New Albany builds on our rich partnership with the community and the state.

Under the terms of the agreement with New Albany, Amazon must join the New Albany Chamber of Commerce and each year submit a "community participation statement" outlining its civic and educational involvement in New Albany.

AWS has been a strong corporate citizen in central Ohio since arriving here almost a decade ago and has been a major catalyst in the growth of the Silicon Heartland, said New Albany Mayor Sloan Spalding in the news release. "Our community stands poised to support AWS in addressing the global surge in cloud computing needs."

Amazon now operates seven data centers in central Ohio, three each in New Albany and Hilliard and one in Dublin, according to Baxtel.com, a website that tracks data center development. AWS, which built its first Ohio data center in 2015, employs nearly 1,000 Ohio workers.

Amazon's expansion is part of a growth in data centers overall in the Columbus area, which has become one of the 10 largest for data centers in the nation. In addition to Amazon Web Services, central Ohio has attracted data center investment from tech giants including Facebook, Google and Microsoft.

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: New Albany strikes deal with Amazon on data center complex
Canadas corporate watchdog has opened an investigation into Levi Strauss Canada over its alleged supply chain relationships with Chinese companies identified as using or benefiting from the use of Uyghur forced labor.

The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, better known as the CORE, said Wednesday that it arrived at its decision following the completion of an initial assessment report, which it conducted in response to a complaint filed by a coalition of 28 civil society organizations last June.

More from Sourcing Journal

The same group, which includes Stop Uyghur Genocide Canada, the Uyghur Refugee Relief Fund and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project, filed similar complaints against the Canadian subsidiaries of Nike, Ralph Lauren, Diesel, Hugo Boss and Walmart, triggering further inquiries into their operations.

As with those cases, the complainants relied on reports from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Sheffield Hallam Universitys Helena Kennedy Centre for International Justice that linked Levi Strauss & Company with suppliers such as Jiangsu Guotai Guosheng Co., Jiangsu Lianfa Textile Co., Huafu Fashion Co., Luthai Textile Co. and Xinjiang Zhongtai with state-sponsored labor transfers and the use of Xinjiang cotton, which makes up 90 percent of Chinas supply of the fiber. Some of their ties with the denim giant, the complaint said, arent direct but through the use of intermediaries from countries such as India and Vietnam.

Levis has challenged the accuracy of the evidence supplied, saying that it has no commercial relationships with the five suppliers named in the complaint. Responding to the CORE during the initial assessment, it dismissed the allegations as based on outdated and inaccurate data from 2017- 2019 that were included in reports published in 2020 and 2021. It further blamed two of the allegations on suppliers self-reporting their connection with Levis for marketing purposes rather than based on any facts or actual relationship.

But Levi Strauss Canada did not make itself available for an initial assessment meeting, the CORE said. Nor did it provide information verifying its response to the allegations. Mediation between the company and the complainants, who claim that Levis has not satisfactorily addressed the alleged use of Uyghur forced labor at the earlier stages of its supply chain beyond a reasonable doubt, is also currently not an option.

Considering the complex nature of garment supply chains and gaps in the information provided in the complaint, I have decided to launch an investigation, Sheri Meyerhoffer, who has helmed the CORE since it was established by the Canadian government in 2019, said in a statement. An investigation will allow us [to] review the facts independently.

The jean purveyor told Sourcing Journal that it has made it clear to its suppliers that it cannot accept any materials, including cotton, produced using forced labor or managed by entities involved in forced labor. It continues to review on an ongoing basis whether any supplier, or their sub-suppliers or subsidiaries, are connected to forced labor or human trafficking, including through the use of traceability technologies.

Levi Strauss & Co. is committed to human rights and labor rights wherever we operate, a spokesperson said. While there are factual inaccuracies in their assessment, we will continue to cooperate with [the] CORE as part of our ongoing commitment to human rights in our supply chain.

Click here to read the full article.
Over the past several months, multiple ski resorts throughout North America, like Mt. Hood Meadows, Oregon, have announced plans to go cashless, only permitting non-cash payment methods on resort premises. While the reasons behind these initiatives vary from resort to resort, ease of use, when compared to cash transactions, seems to be a driving factor.

This development caught the attention of Ski Area Management Magazine, which published a September 2023 article on the subject.

In response, Mount Bohemia, Michigan -- a ski resort that's been cashless for the past 12 years -- shared an Instagram wondering why they weren't included in the article, given their long-running commitment to cashless transactions.

Unintentionally, this post drew the ire of those opposed to the cashless movement. In the comments section, Mount Bohemia defended its decision to go cashless 12 years ago.

According to Mount Bohemia, cashless transactions made sense because of the resort's remote location, as cash transactions eventually require physical bank deposits.

In the comments section of its post, Mount Bohemia noted that cash transactions required having "an employee by themselves drive at midnight forty miles on snowy roads to a bank with 30,000 dollars in cash."

Despite the explanation, several commenters expressed distaste towards Mount Bohemia's decision to go cashless.

Some called the practice "un-American," whereas others referenced a conspiracy theory involving the proliferation of cashless transactions and the World Economic Forum.

"One of the more un-American things a company can do. It's such a shame companies even considered going cashless."

"You guys going to post a World Economic Forum ad next? What a stupid post."

"Cash is legal tender. Ridiculous not to accept it."

"'I'm sorry, you committed a thought crime and no longer have access to funds until reeducation is completed' - cashless society in a few years."

"Lol at y'all patting yourselves on the back for helping destroy America. The cashless agenda is all about control and is horrible for the American people. Shame on you and every company on that list."

To Mount Bohemia, its ongoing cashless system is about practicality and seamlessness.

"You don't realize how much it costs to spend hours trying to balance the cash at the end of the night. Or the danger of driving alone on a snowy road with thousands of dollars in cash in your car. There is no cost to the customer for this, and it allows us to be safer and way more efficient," the resort wrote in response to a commenter who thought that cashless transactions meant that they paid an additional 3% in processing fees.

Still, the deluge of cashless blowback persisted. Perhaps exasperated, Mount Bohemia eventually wondered: "In all seriousness, can we ask what is the advantage of carrying around and using cash versus, say, a debit/credit card?"

The question generated several answers, including concerns over cybersecurity, cash acting as a failsafe in the case of a power outage (Mount Bohemia noted that they close during power outages regardless due to no running water), and that cash is less ephemeral than cards making it more difficult to overspend.

Another benefit, according to one commenter, is that "the government can't track your spending" with cash transactions.

To which Mount Bohemia replied: "Very true, and while [we] think Bohemia is special, we are guessing the folks at the Pentagon are not overly interested in the purchases of beer, hamburgers, and t-shirts at Bohemia."

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.
The small town of Pomfret, Vermont, which is close to Woodstock, closed several roads due to extraordinary tourism interest in private properties.

Courtesy of Getty Images Woodstock, Vermont

A town in Vermont known for its gorgeous leaf-peeping has closed several roads after complaints about being overrun by tourists looking for the perfect fall foliage photo.

The small town of Pomfret, Vermont, which is close to Woodstock, closed several roads due to extraordinary tourism interest in private properties, according to a memo. The closures prohibit vehicle traffic from Sept. 23 through Oct. 15.

Foliage season traffic in this area has steadily increased during the last several years, causing significant safety, environmental, aesthetic, and quality of life issues, the town wrote in the memo. The steps are part of a comprehensive effort, in coordination with area residents, to address these issues on the ground, through dialogue with local government partners, and on social and other information media.

One private residence in the town, called Sleepy Hollow Farm, is particularly swarmed by travelers hoping to capture the picture-perfect rolling hills, quaint farmhouse look, and vibrant colors synonymous with fall in New England.

Eric Duffy, the municipal manager for the town and village of Woodstock, told Travel + Leisure tourists were welcome in the area, but hoped theyd be more respectful of private property.

One of the appeals of Vermont is the foliage and we all understand that. The big thing for us is to appreciate the difference between a private home and a public space  theres plenty of places you can go and enjoy [the views], Duffy said. Treat someones home the way you want them to treat your home, thats sort of the golden rule and thats all we ask for.

Duffy said there are a multitude of public spaces where travelers can capture the best fall has to offer from Mount Tom and the Billings Farm and Museum to Woodstocks East End Park and the covered bridge right in town.

Woodstock is open for tourists. We want everyone to come to Woodstock and enjoy everything Woodstock has to offer, Duffy said. In the village of Woodstock itself, we have a very historic downtown where you can sit outside and look at the foliage around you.

Travelers can even go for a scenic drive along Route 4, Route 100, or Route 12.

Its beautiful now and its only going to be better when the leaves are changing, Duffy said.

For more Travel & Leisure news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure.
Over the last 54 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has become one of the largest and most well-known abortion rights advocacy groups in the nation, a mouthful of an organization that fights for access to reproductive health care at the federal and state levels.



But as of Wednesday, NARAL has changed its name to Reproductive Freedom for All, a new moniker that the organization says represents their path forward in a post-Roe America. In the wake of the Supreme Courts decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization, the case that overturned Roe, patients across the country have needed to travel further, spend more, and risk their health in order to receive abortion care; presently, 14 states ban nearly all abortions while two others, Georgia and South Carolina, ban nearly all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Reproductive Freedom for All is betting that their new name communicates what they intend to do about itand resonates with constituents.

Reproductive freedom, to us, encompasses that broader range of policy outcomes that are necessary for us to get to abortion access being legal and unfettered in this country, Mini Timmaraju , president of Reproductive Freedom for All and the first woman of color to lead the group, told ELLE.com. Timmaraju says this includes repealing the Hyde Amendment, eliminating the filibuster, and focusing on issues like contraceptive access, maternal health outcomes, and paid family leave, as well as abortion access.

Below, Timmaraju shares how the organization decided on its new title, why it was essential to eliminate the phrase pro-choice, how the name is connected to their internal diversity and inclusion efforts, and why this doesnt mean their leaving abortion behind.

NARAL Pro-Choice America is now officially Reproductive Freedom for All. Can you talk a bit about the impetus behind wanting to change the name?

We are trying to win over hearts and minds of the American people. As an organizer, if Im knocking on a door and Im like, Hey, Im with Reproductive Freedom for All, Im not spending five minutes explaining what were there to do. Thats really powerful and important.

We started testing reproductive freedom as the primary messaging framework and started adapting it back in 2018-19, and it was sort of out of sync with our [old] name. Also weve learned from our friends in the reproductive justice movement that choice isnt accurate for the people most affected and impacted by abortion bans and restrictions. They dont have a choice. So framing this as a choice vs. life issue is a failing binary. It doesnt resonate with voters and isnt true to our values. The name NARAL in its various iterations has served us incredibly well, has got us to four million members, has helped us secure major legislative victories, and we sunset it with the most respect and love and appreciation for what its done for us in the movement.

But now its time for something new. And quite frankly, if we dont do things differently post-Dobbs, were making big mistakes. Were committing malpractice. We have to rethink everything were doing to win.

Paul Morigi - Getty Images

How did you all land on the phrase reproductive freedom? What are you hoping it communicates?

My understandingbecause Ive only been here about two years, and I wasnt here when we did the fundamental shift from choice to reproductive freedomwe were losing some significant battles in the messaging war. My predecessor, Ilyse Hogue, and our colleague Adrienne Kimmell decided to start really digging in on alternative messages and new ways to reach American voters on the issue of abortion. This is pre-Dobbs, but post-Trump. The freedom to decide if, when, and how to have a family was just so much more salient with folks who had not thought about the issue from that lens or that perspective.

Also, we learned from our colleagues who represent Black and brown women and communities in this countrythe most marginalized folks, the most affected by these bansthat they never had a choice. Even though Roe was the law of the land, because of targeted restrictions against abortion providers, if theres one clinic and its 100 miles away, theres a 72-hour waiting period, and you have a mandatory ultrasound, did you really have a choice to have an abortion? Its important for us to acknowledge, putting political effectiveness aside, that terminology wasnt representative of the challenges our most affected communities face.

Now, what were trying to do in this next iteration is connect the messaging to our values and create a movement that is more inclusive. We have a majority white women membership. We cant win political wars with only white women. White women will continue to be critical and important to us, but we need a broader coalition to win, and we need to center the folks most affectedthey should be leading the fight, because theyre more impacted.

SOPA Images - Getty Images

On that note, I wanted to ask about the For All in the name. In 2020, before you became president, there was reporting about diversity and inclusion issues at the organization. A former employee said it was an open secret that NARAL was by and for cis white women. How do you feel the new name illustrates the work you all are doing both behind the scenes and on the ground to make sure all folks are included in this fight?

Im so glad you asked, and its such a big question. I am the first woman of color to run this organization, and I have an extensive professional background in DEI work, and I wouldnt have come here if the board and my predecessor had not made significant investments and commitments in equity. They put out a road map to equity for the organization thats guiding a lot of our policy work and our organizing work to this day.

I started my career at Planned Parenthood in Texas; I worked hand in glove with my colleagues from NARAL. And I thought it was really impressive that when those stories came out in 2020, instead of retreating or being defensive, they were like, were going to reckon with this, and were going to deal with it. I found out very quickly when I got here that they were really, really serious. They had allocated a significant amount of resources to build a DEI team, which were now calling Equity, Culture, and Talent.

We have a team digging into the culture of the organization, into board recruitment, leadership recruitment, really being aggressive and intentional about diversity efforts, but also working with all staff on culture and how do we show up differently, internally and externally.

And I want to be clear: We dont wake up with the new brand and For All in our name, transformed. This is another step in our transformation. Its an opportunity for us to announce our intents both to the world but also to our own staff and our own members. We need to live our values. So what does that look like? That means more investment in organizing and communities of color but not supplanting RJ [reproductive justice] groups that are already deeply invested. Partnering, working more smartly, endorsing more diverse candidates, investing resources in policy fights that affect the folks most affected by bans. Doing better work and smarter work with young people by launching digital organizing tools.

So we take this seriously. The For All is not an accident. When we did the research and the message testing, For All kept rising to the top, and we oversampled young people and people of color, and we saw how the For All was shifting perception when combined with reproductive freedom. And we knew it was a really elegant way for us to double down on our equity efforts. Just by virtue of me being person of color, things dont magically change here, but these are the intentional steps we can take to challenge ourselves.

NARAL is charting a new path forward with a name that makes it clear what our mission is: Reproductive Freedom for All. pic.twitter.com/2xKgVA48xC  Reproductive Freedom for All (@reproforall) September 20, 2023

You also spoke about the strategy needing to shift post-Dobbs. How do you see the new name symbolizing that path forward?

Its going to be so important that, in addition to fighting for our federal legal rights to abortion, re-establishing a federal right and these ballot initiatives in the states, that we also aggressively tackle the access piece, which starts with eliminating the Hyde Amendment [which prohibits federal funding for abortion]. We were already engaged in the fight to end Hyde, taking the lead of our colleagues in the RJ community, but we have to invest more resources in that fight. We know that just restoring federal and state-level rights wont be enough.

We have to be more invested in bigger solutions. We have an opportunity with the American people right now where American public opinion is shifting so fast on abortion access, because real-life horror stories are coming out of these states with bans. We have an opportunity to educate and move the American people and move our elected officials further than we thought, even just a year ago. Our job is going to be to push as hard as we can. Weve come really close to eliminating any anti-choice Democrats in Congress, but we havent finished the job. We are going to try to finish that job. Were going to make it not okay to run as a Democrat if youre not pro-abortion access and pro-reproductive freedom. We have this moment, and we have to grab it and push for as much as we can, not only because we have a moral obligation to do it, but because we have an opportunity.

Robert Nickelsberg - Getty Images

You all have made it clear why you decided on Reproductive Freedom, but I did want to ask about the decision to not include the word abortion in the name.

That was a tough one. I dont want anyone to think we are moving away from abortion. We know saying abortion is critical. You will see abortion all over our messaging, all over our website. The tip of the spear for reproductive freedom is abortion access, but there is a larger range of policy outcomes that we need to get to have true reproductive freedom. That includes the larger list of gender justice issues. It includes contraceptive access, it includes paid leave for all. It includes investments in maternal health outcomes. But we also contend it includes things like our democracy. and this goes back to the For All. We know that, because of the fundamental challenges and threats to our democracy, things like the filibuster, voting rights, and corruption on the Supreme Court and the federal courts, we cannot get to true reproductive freedom. We cant get to abortion access, because we have not addressed this larger set of issues in this country. We have to have a multi-pronged approach.

Reproductive freedom, to us, encompasses that broader range of policy outcomes that are necessary for us to get to abortion access being legal and unfettered in this country. And when we say For All, I also credit the RJ community for raising the red flag for us that voting rights and the filibuster are critical to overcome. We only recently came around on the filibuster just a couple of years ago. The RJ groups are way ahead of us, leading the way. This is why we have to leverage the power of historically white women-led organizations that have the membership and the resources to be in these bigger fights and to be inclusive, because without fundamental change around these democratic institutions, the rest of the things we care about just will not happen. Thats why the choice to say reproductive freedom. Its a broader range of issues, but its not in any way, shape, or form hiding from abortion.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

You Might Also Like
In partnership with the Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative, Anderson University will honor five victims of public racial violence that occurred from 1894 to 1911.

Anderson native Herman Keith Jr. has created a sculpture in memory of the victims. It will be displayed at Anderson University beginning Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m., in the Daniel Recital Hall of the Rainey Fine Arts Center. The traveling exhibit will be displayed at Anderson University through February 2023.

The statue was originally unveiled last November at Welfare Baptist Church in Belton. Since then, the sculpture has also been on display in the Oglesby Center Atrium AnMed North Campus and the Pendleton Library.

Keith says his vision is to "Take the story to the people."

Keith, a Howard University graduate, is known for his artwork on Orr Street in Anderson. The Equal Justice Initiative hired Keith to design the memorial dedicated to the five victims.

The sculpture displays burnt wood, lanterns and gas cans to symbolize the torches of fires lit at night during the lynchings. The rectangular design is meant to represent a coffin. The jars of soil are from the five sites where the murders took place.

Dr. James Noble, Vice President for Diversity, Community, and Inclusion speaks to a crowd on the second floor of the Thrift Library for the unveiling of his art sculpture, during the Remembrance and Reconciliation art revealed event at Anderson University Thursday, September 21, 2023. The art made of wood, metal, glass, and soil at the fourth stop of a tour around Anderson County.

The ceremony to unveil the sculpture will be held on the second floor of the Thrift Library. The sculpture seeks to bring awareness of the events that took place at the five sites and to honor the victims.

Keith hopes the sculpture will serve as a "reminder of injustice and brutality African Americans have faced throughout history and how far we have come as people today."

Anderson Mayor Terence Roberts, right, and Kaye Brewer, left, Chief Human Resources Officer of AnMed Health, look at the sculpture by Herman Keith, Jr. during the event "The Strange Fruit of Lynching", by the Pendleton Foundation for Black History and Culture at the Pendleton branch of the Anderson County Library Thursday, June 15, 2023. The sculpture was commissioned by Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative, a group from Anderson County, with jars with dirt representing soil from sites where men were lynched in Anderson County. Organizers said the ceremony is an ongoing effort to foster dialog, promote education and encourage conversations with a goal of inspiring harmony before the sculpture is moved to AnMed Health North campus, with an unveiling June 19 at 5 p.m.

Remembering the victims: Anderson remembrance group brings soil from lynching sites to Memorial Center in Montgomery

Here's what to know about the victims

The five victims were Edward Sullivan, Elbert Harris, John Laddison, Reuben Elrod and Willis Jackson, according to researcher Dr. Stuart Sprague.

The Anderson Intelligencer reported that Ed Sullivan was wrongly accused of killing a man and was then killed on Dec. 19, 1894.

An Anderson Intelligencer newspaper article reported on May 25, 1898, that Elbert Harris destroyed a ginhouse in Iva. He died in police custody after being arrested.

John Laddison was lynched for his alleged involvement in a crime and was killed on Nov. 27, 1901.

The Anderson Intelligencer and the Keowee Courier reported on Tuesday night, June 30, 1903, Reuben Elrod was murdered in his home in Piedmont, South Carolina by a group of white men.

During the night of Oct 12, 1911, the Greenville Daily News reported Willis Jackson was killed by an unknown mob.

Researcher Dr. Stuart Sprague says all five men were killed without charges or due process. The ceremony will include five history passages each telling the story of one of the victims.

How the racial killings became known

The Equal Justice Initiative is a non-profit organization in Montgomery, Alabama, that represents wrongfully convicted prisoners without legal representation.

In 2020, community members in Anderson County formed the Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative.

After they discovered five known racial victims killed due to unfair justice, the initiative began to gather stories and create a memorial to honor the victims.

Anderson Area Remembrance and Reconciliation Initiative traveled to Montgomery Alabama on March 17, 2023, to deliver five jars of soil representing Anderson County victims of racial violence.

Members met with the Equal Justice Initiative and participated in a ceremony commemorating the event.

The victims joined the Legacy Pavilion. This features a monument to over 2,000 women, men and children who were victims of racial violence in the aftermath of the Civil War.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Anderson University sculpture dedicated to victims of racial violence
Fact checked by Nick Blackmer





Key Takeaways

A recent large study indicates that patients with ulcerative colitis who take statins are at a lower risk for developing and dying from colorectal cancer.

The group on statins was also less likely to die from colorectal cancer or any cause.

Decades of research suggest that statins could have anti-cancer effects.







Cholesterol-lowering statins may have benefits beyond supporting heart health for people with ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A recent study adds to a growing body of research indicating that the drugs can also help reduce those patients risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer.

People with IBD are at especially high risk for developing colorectal cancer due to chronic intestinal inflammation.

Researchers in Sweden studied more than 10,000 people diagnosed with IBD to see whether statin use influenced their likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.

The participants who took statins had fewer cases of colorectal cancer diagnoses and deaths than those not on statins. That effect, however, was only seen in people who had ulcerative colitis, not in those with Crohns disease.

The study needs to be validated by more research before it is used to inform any clinical recommendations about statin use, said Jiangwei Sun, PhD, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral researcher at the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. Nevertheless, this and similar studies point towards the potential for statins as anti-cancer drugs.

Our findings indeed provide evidence for the clinical use of statin as a well-tolerated and affordable cancer chemopreventive agent in patients with IBD, Sun told Verywell in an email.

Related: The Effects of Statins on Inflammation

Statins May Reduce Colorectal Cancer Risk and Death

In the study, half the study participants were on statins, and they were matched with a group of demographically similar patients not on statins.



The researchers followed up with the patients after an average of 5.6 years. During that time, 70 people in the statin group were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, compared to 90 who were not on statins.

Statin use was also shown to reduce the risk of dying from colorectal cancer. Twenty statin users died of colorectal cancer compared to 37 in the group that did not take statins.

Importantly, the findings were mostly noted in patients with ulcerative colitis, not those with Crohns disease. Its possible that because relatively more participantsabout 70%were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, researchers had a better sample population to study, according to the authors.

The researchers noted that the protective effects appeared to be driven by colon cancer rather than rectal cancer. Statin users had a lower risk of developing left-sided colon cancer and early-stage colorectal cancer than non-statin users.

This latest study joins a slew of other research into the relationship between statins and colorectal cancer. Dozens of studies found no significant link between the two, while others found up to 40% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer after years of statin use.

Related: This New Drug Lowers Cholesterol Without the Side Effects of Statins

Taking Statins Sooner and Staying on Them Longer Could Be More Protective

The anti-cancer benefits of statins were most notable in participants who were diagnosed with IBD and started statins when they were younger and in those who had IBD for more than 10 years.

People also tended to be better protected from colorectal cancer the longer they were on statins. The researchers didnt notice much of an effect in patients who had been taking the statins for fewer than two years.

There were also fewer deaths of any cause in the statin group than in the non-statin group. Statins are most often used to protect against heart disease and death. For that reason, Sun said hes not surprised that the statin-using group saw a decline in all-cause mortality.

More research is required to understand the best time to start IBD patients on statins, the best treatment dose, and how long they need to be on a statin to see the protective benefits, Sun said.

Related: The Risks of Untreated Ulcerative Colitis

Why Statins May Have Anti-Cancer Benefits

Researchers have proposed several potential explanations for the anti-cancer effect of statins. For instance, when a statin acts on a metabolic pathway called the mevalonate pathway, it may not only control cholesterol but also have some anti-tumor effects. Because cholesterol is linked to the development and progression of cancer, controlling cholesterol can potentially reduce a persons colorectal cancer risk.

Statins may also have some anti-inflammatory properties that make them especially beneficial for people with IBD.

Much remains unknown, Ashwin Ananthakrishnan, MBBS, MPH, a gastroenterologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Verywell in an email. Studies in non-IBD patients have also shown a reduced risk of colon cancer in the general population, so there may be a mechanism independent of inflammation.

Researchers are also looking into how statins can slow cancer cell growth and reduce resistance to chemotherapy and other cancer treatments.



Ananthakrishnan, who is unaffiliated with the study, said that its not possible to conclude that the protective benefit is caused by the statin. Its also too soon to know whether statins could be prescribed as a preventive tool in people with IBD.

Sun said the analysis didnt look into the potential effect of individual drugs and how they affect certain tumor stages. Larger international studies could give a better sense of associations, especially for people with Crohns disease.

Read Next: Differences Between Colorectal and Colon Cancer







What This Means For You

While the research looks promising, its still too soon to say that statins can be used as a prophylaxis for colorectal cancer in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. If youre worried about your risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your provider about prevention options.







Read the original article on Verywell Health.
MORRISVILLE  A new brewery  a long-awaited brewery at that  has finally poured its first beer in a Lamoille County community thats already brimming with brews.

What is the place?

Jonathan and Carol Mogor opened Soulmate Brewing on July 28. The Mogors are the primary owners, but helped fund the Morrisville brewery by recruiting about 145 investors, giving Soulmate what Jonathan Mogor hopes is a strong community connection.

Soulmate has a dozen beers and a seltzer on tap, all crafted in-house. Varieties include an American lager called Food Lube; Id Drink Me, an Irish red ale; a Belgian-style dubbel; a nitro oatmeal stout dubbed Two Night Stand; and a hop-heavy hazy India pale ale known as Hops in Bed with Strangers.

The Mogors have created a small menu centered on waffles with various fillings, including a Cuban waffle stuffed with pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles; a barbecue pulled-pork variety; and one consisting of chocolate chips, all accompanied by dipping sauces. Rice bowls and chocolate-covered bacon round out the food offerings.

The downstairs taproom accommodates 49 patrons, augmented by a handful of sidewalk tables. Jonathan Mogor said he hopes an upstairs lounge that can hold another 49 or so will be operational by spring.

Hideki Arao, brewer at Soulmate Brewing in Morrisville, pours an I'd Drink Me, an Irish red ale, Sept. 14, 2023.

Whats the story behind it?

Jonathan Mogor, a Navy veteran, moved to Vermont from Florida in 2011 to be with his girlfriend. That relationship didnt work out, but he soon met the woman who would become his wife. He said Carol Mogor became the inspiration for the brewerys romantic name.

Mogor started drawing up a business plan for the brewery in April 2019, and five months later he and Carol married. He planned both their honeymoon and the brewerys opening for 2020, but the pandemic that arrived in March of that year scuttled that schedule. The COVID thing really threw a curveball at us, Jonathan Mogor said.

Not only did the virus delay plans for Soulmate, it modified them, as breweries that couldnt seat customers inside for months pivoted toward canning beer. Mogor chose to do the same with Soulmate, so he undertook a major project on the Portland Street building he owns to accommodate a larger brewing system to allow for canning. (The first cans of beer are due to roll out in late September, according to Mogor.)

Mogor had previously operated the Rogue Artisans Cafe in the space but wanted to have a brewery. He said he and his wife enjoy traveling and visiting local breweries and bars to sample new beers and meet new people. What should we do that would make sense, Mogor said he asked himself, what does the town need and what would we enjoy?

Jonathan and Carol Mogor, owners of Soulmate Brewing, stand among the brewing tanks at the Morrisville business Sept. 14, 2023.

The catch is that Mogor isnt a brewer. He interviewed 40 brewers and had what he called an amazing gut feeling about one he spoke with  Hideki Arao, who was living in Mexico City at the time. Arao and his wife, Harumi Takane, came to Vermont a year ago, and once Arao brewed test batches of beer on a homebrewing system  including some stouts and porters like those the Mogors favor  Jonathan knew they had made the right choice.

Mogor had put up a coming soon sign years ago outside the brewery space but removed it when COVID and various construction delays put off the opening. This summer, Mogor said, people were finally able to proclaim Oh, my gosh, the open signs up!

Some days, Mogor said, the taproom is filled to the max with customers, while others are more low-key. Were still getting our feet wet with everything, he said, including what times and days will be the strongest for the new business.

Brian and Deb Roderer of Richmond and Jim Itin (rear) of Stowe drink beer Sept. 14, 2023 at Soulmate Brewing in Morrisville.

Morrisville is a village within the town of Morristown, which has about 5,500 residents and now three breweries, with Soulmate joining long-established beer makers Rock Art Brewery and Lost Nation Brewing. Another brewery, Ten Bends Beer, is just north of town in Hyde Park, and the ski-tourism town of Stowe less than 10 miles south of Morrisville is rife with breweries.

What will make the Mogors brewery stand out?

Theres only one Soulmate, according to Jonathan Mogor, who said his brewery will emphasize a warm, inviting and enjoyable vibe. Who doesnt want to be happy, you know?

Soulmate Brewing in Morrisville, shown Sept. 14, 2023.

Hours and location

Soulmate Brewing, 74 Portland St., Morrisville. 3-8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-8 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. (802) 851-8569, www.soulmatebrewing.com

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Soulmate Brewing opens in Morristown, Vermont, following many delays
Fact checked by Nick Blackmer





Key Takeaways

Newly updated COVID-19 vaccines are now covered by private and public health insurance rather than the federal government.

For people who are uninsured or underinsured, a program called Bridge Access covers the cost of the COVID vaccines.

If you are trying to get a vaccine and being asked to pay, consider waiting until the end of September, when insurers are required to finalize payment information with providers and pharmacies.







COVID vaccines have been updated to include protection against new variants of the virus that are currently circulating, but thats not the only thing that has changed. Equally significant is that the vaccine is largely no longer paid for by the federal government, now that the Public Health Emergency for the pandemic, in place from January 2020 until last May, has ended.

That means that most of the COVID shots will now be paid for by insurance, whether private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. Medicare and Medicaid pay the full cost, as do most private insurers.

For people without insuranceor whose insurer passes along some of the costa new federal program called Bridge Access is making millions of doses available at no cost through many pharmacies, plus some public health facilities like federally qualified health centers. The program will last through December 2024.

Related: New COVID Vaccines: Who Is Eligible and When Should You Get Them?

On September 12, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that everyone in the U.S. 6 months and older get an updated COVID-19 vaccine. Now, shots are beginning to get to clinics, pharmacies, and doctors offices. But based on the changes behind how theyre funded, you can expect some glitches as everyone gets used to a new system Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officers, told Verywell.

For example, Plescia said insurers have until September 26 to share payment information with providers, meaning there could be temporary snags in whether or not your vaccine is actually of charge. In addition, doses are only now making their way to providers, though CVS, Walgreens, and other pharmacies have added the new COVID vaccines to their online vaccine scheduling tools.

If you want to get a a vaccine as soon as possible, several locations will have them available. Where you should go depends on your insurance status, though there are options for all. Heres what you should know, and when you should consider waiting.

Where to Get a Free Vaccine

Several types of locations will offer COVID vaccines, though their supply will not be equal.

Doctors Offices

Not all physicians offices will be stocking the COVID vaccines. Thats because Pfizer and Moderna, the makers of the vaccines currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advised by the CDC, require that providers buy a minimum number of doses and pay in advance. Not all practices are willing to do that.

If you have a checkup scheduled and are hoping to get vaccinated then, call the office in advance to see if they are giving the newly updated vaccine. In-network physicians and physicians participating in the Bridge Access program cannot charge an administration fee for the shot, even if you are only coming in for the vaccine and not as part of another office visit. And if youre seeing a doctor who is not in your insurance network, ask if the vaccine is fully covered by insurance. Otherwise, you risk having to pay the full cost of $120 or $130 per shot, depending on whether you get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The office should be able to inform you about coverage when you book your appointment or when you come in for the visit.

Vaccines recommended by the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (which the updated COVID vaccine was) are provided at $0 cost-sharing to consumers in-network, with plans picking up the full cost, David Allen, a spokesperson for Americas Health Insurance Plansthe trade association for health insurerstold Verywell.

Pharmacies

Most large chain pharmaciesas well as small onesare stocking the COVID vaccines, though some may not have walk-in appointments and will require you to schedule an appointment online or by phone. Thats because some pharmacists giving the shot are doing double duty filling prescriptions.

You may be asked for your insurance information when you schedule the appointment. If not, call and make sure the pharmacy takes your insurance, or you could be charged the full fee. Plescia suggests bringing your insurance card and ID even if the pharmacy has it on file just to decrease the chance of a glitch, and double check your insurance coverage when you check in.

In rare cases, insurance plans are not part of the Affordable Care Act, and you may be required to pay a copay or the full cost of medical care until you pay down your deductible. The CDC calls this being underinsured, and those consumers are eligible to get their vaccines for free through the Bridge Access program, Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, told Verywell.

Vaccines.gov, the searchable site for all vaccines, lists not only locations where vaccinations are available, but also whether they are participating in the Bridge Access program. Freeman says a total of about 6 million doses of the vaccine are being allocated to the Bridge Access program, though not all at once. Some will be given to clinics, health centers, and pharmacies. That number is calculated based on how many uninsured people have already accessed free vaccinations. Schedule your appointment soon to be sure you can get it while the supply lasts.

Related: 9 Services to Get Your Cold, Flu, and COVID Supplies Without Leaving Home

Federally Qualified Health Centers

Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) are outpatients clinics, often in medically-underserved areas, that qualify for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. They offer care ranging from primary/preventive and dental to mental health services and some specialty care, regardless of your ability to pay. Typically, local health department employees staff FQHCs.

The federal government has a network of FQHCs that are stocking vaccines paid for by the Bridge Access program or local and state health departments. To get a vaccine at one of these locations, you will be asked if you have insurance, but you wont have to prove that you do not, Freeman said. Call ahead to see if you can schedule an appointment or if they are taking walk-ins. You can find a FQHC near you using this tool.



Free Clinics

Free and charitable clinics are run through private donations and care for both uninsured and underinsured people, usually those living at up to 200% of the federal poverty level. Care is provided by unpaid volunteers.

The U.S. has a network of over 1,000 free clinics, and many will have COVID-19 vaccines available for free.

At each one, [vaccine access] depends on whether they are providing this service, Ariana Gordillo De Vivero, Director of Strategic Initiatives at the National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics, told Verywell. Clinics were able to give supplies for free while the the government was paying for vaccines under the Public Health Emergency. But that stock is gone, and free clinics are subject to the vaccine supply provided through programs like Bridge.

You can find a free clinic near you by searching here.

If you live far from a clinic, pharmacy, or doctors office, Freeman said you can check your local health department to see if there are mobile clinics or vaccine drives coming to your area.

What Medicare and Medicaid Recipients Should Know

A spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which runs Medicare and Medicaid, told Verywell that people with traditional Medicare pay nothing for a COVID-19 vaccination if their doctor or other qualified healthcare provider accepts assignment for giving the shot.

If your doctors office tells you they do not accept Medicare, most pharmacies will. But call the pharmacy first, make an appointment, and bring your Medicare card and ID with you.

People with Medicare Advantage plans should contact their plan for details about payment for COVID-19 vaccines, but Medicare Advantage beneficiaries will pay nothing for a COVID-19 vaccination if they receive their vaccinations from an in-network provider, said the spokesperson. Check your member information to find in-network providers giving the COVID shot. This could include both doctors and pharmacies.

Related: Why Some Healthcare Providers Don't Accept Medicare or Other Insurance

As a result of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, states must provide coverage for Medicaid and CHIP (Childrens Health Insurance Program), without cost-sharing, for COVID-19 vaccinations through September 30, 2024.

Check Vaccines.gov or call the number on the back of your Medicaid card to find providers who are immunizing Medicaid beneficiaries.



But you may need to bring your patience along with your member cards and ID.

CMS is aware that some consumers have had difficulty accessing COVID-19 vaccines, including experiencing unexpected insurance coverage denials at the point of service, the spokesperson said. CMS has been in close contact with the plans for these transitions for months. CMS is reaching out again to plans and issuers to ensure that their systems are up-to-date and prepared to meet their obligations to provide coverage of COVID-19 vaccines for participants, beneficiaries, and enrollees.



Should You Wait a Week to Get a Vaccine?

Regardless of your insurance status, you may want to wait to get an updated COVID vaccine until September 26, when insurance companies settle coverage logistics with practices and pharmacies. But dont wait much longer if you are eligible for a COVID boosterwhich you are if its been at least two months since your last one, or two months since a recent bout of COVID-19.

COVID case rates are going up, so now is a good time to get the vaccine, Plescia said. Until you do get the vaccine, and especially if youre at risk, consider precautions such as masking in crowded indoor spaces and testing if you or someone youve spent time with has symptoms that could be COVID-19.







What This Means For You

Insurers only pay for the vaccine if you have a providerdoctor, pharmacy or clinicthey participate with. Confirm that participation with the provider before you get your shot. If you dont have insurance, know that services like the Bridge Access program, as well as locations like FQHCs, can help you get a shot for free. A good starting point is Vaccines.gov.







The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit our coronavirus news page.



Read the original article on Verywell Health.
One former teacher has gone viral for going from teaching students to working at Costco. Maggie Perkins worked for eight years as a middle school and high school teacher, focusing on history and language arts. However, after nearly a decade in education, Perkins felt burned out, underpaid, and overworked. She decided to pivot away from teaching due to the long hours.

"I worked 60 hours a week and put in tons of unpaid overtime. Between administrative pressures, testing requirements, and the endurance required to teach during the height of the pandemic, I was exhausted. I felt like I lacked purpose," Perkins wrote to CNBC. The former teacher didn't intend to make a career at Costco -- she considered the job a stopgap to continue making money while she searched for her new passion. Salary was also a contributing factor for Perkins.

At her teaching job, she only made $47,000 when she decided to quit. Costco paid slightly less at $18.50 an hour but required less work than Perkins was used to. According to USA Facts, the average salary for a U.S. teacher in 2022 was roughly $66,000, but that's including areas with comparatively high costs of living. Meanwhile, the average Costco worker makes $33,000 annually.

Read more: The Most Bizarre Things You Had No Idea You Could Buy At Costco

She Found A Career Suited To Her Interests

shoppers inside of costco - View Press/Getty Images

During her initial career at Costco, Maggie Perkins worked as a cashier for the warehouse. After a bout of illness left her temporarily hoarse, she transitioned to working at the store's bakery. Interacting with customers helped reignite a professional fire in Perkins. According to what Perkins told Fox Business, she wasn't the only one interested in working at Costco. At one point, more than 3,000 people applied for 300 jobs available at the store where Perkins was working.

While Perkins may not have intended to stay at Costco, she ultimately discovered a second wind. She transitioned from working in the warehouse to working for the company's marketing team after a position opened up. From there, she hasn't regretted swapping careers, writing, "My work is no longer my identity. I put energy into my job when I'm there, and I leave work at the office. When I come home, I'm present and able to spend time with my family doing what I love, like being outdoors."

Now, Perkins is sharing her story with followers on TikTok. Perkins is proof that it's never too late to make a career pivot and that inspiration comes from unexpected places.

Read the original article on Mashed.
A Comprehensive Review of BPZZF's Dividend History, Yield, Growth, and Future Prospects

Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund(BPZZF) recently announced a dividend of $0.11 per share, payable on 2023-09-29, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-09-20. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's deep dive into Boston Pizza Royalties Income Funds dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

What Does Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund Do?

Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund is a limited-purpose open-ended trust. It is engaged in the operation and franchising of Boston Pizza restaurants in Canada. The Trust distributes all available cash from operations to the Trust unitholders to the maximum extent possible. The company receives revenue in the form of royalty income.

Analysing Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's Dividend Performance and Sustainability

A Glimpse at Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's Dividend History

Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2014. Dividends are currently distributed on a monthly basis. Below is a chart showing annual Dividends Per Share for tracking historical trends.

Analysing Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's Dividend Performance and Sustainability

Breaking Down Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 7.67% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 7.83%. This suggests an expectation of increase dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Over the past three years, Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's annual dividend growth rate was -6.90%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate decreased to -9.70% per year. And over the past decade, Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at -4.80%.

Story continues

Based on Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund stock as of today is approximately 4.61%.

Analysing Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's Dividend Performance and Sustainability

The Sustainability Question: Payout Ratio and Profitability

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's dividend payout ratio is 0.74. And this may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's profitability 7 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Growth Metrics: The Future Outlook

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's growth rank of 7 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's revenue has increased by approximately 0.40% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 58.73% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's earnings increased by approximately 14.20% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 59.48% of global competitors.

Conclusion

While Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund's dividend payments are appealing, the negative dividend growth rate and high payout ratio raise questions about its sustainability. However, the company's strong profitability and growth metrics could provide a buffer. It will be crucial for potential investors to keep an eye on these factors moving forward. Will Boston Pizza Royalties Income Fund be able to maintain its dividend payments, or will the challenges lead to a cutback? Only time will tell.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


SINGAPORE - A 15-year-old teenager has been arrested by the police for suspected armed robbery at a convenience store in Tampines.

The Singapore Police Force said it was alerted to the incident along Tampines Central 8 on Monday (18 September) at 5.36am.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenager had allegedly robbed the victim with a knife, and demanded the victim to hand over $827 in cash and cigarettes worth $181.20.

Through enquiries on the ground, and footage from police cameras and closed-circuit television (CCTV), officers from Bedok Police Division were able to identify and arrest the suspect within 10 hours of the report.

The stolen cigarettes and cash amounting to $30 were subsequently recovered.

The teenager will be charged in court on Wednesday (20 September) with the offence of armed robbery, which carries a prison term between three to 14 years, and at least 12 strokes of the cane.

The police advised members of the public to remain calm in the event of a robbery, take note of the physical appearance and distinctive features of the perpetrator, and call the police as soon as possible.

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.

Yahoo Singapore Telegram
While most members of Congress wished Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, a speedy recovery from two episodes where he froze while speaking to reporters, Sen. Rand Paul , R-Kentucky, chose to publicly question the diagnosis of the Senates doctor.

I dont think its been particularly helpful to have the Senate doctor describing it as dehydration, which I think even a non-physician seeing that probably arent really accepting that explanation, Paul told reporters. Everybodys seen the clips, its not a valid medical diagnosis for people to say thats dehydration. News reports pointed out that Paul is a physician himself.

Paul may be a physician himself, but what are his qualifications to opine on McConnells freezing episodes? Is he, for example, board-certified in his medical specialty? Medical specialists demonstrate their expertise by achieving board certification by recognized national organizations. I am board-certified as a radiation oncology physician by the American Board of Radiology. Cardiologists are board-certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine. Ophthalmologists by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmologists, that is, other than Paul.

As has been widely reported in the press, Paul never achieved certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Instead, he invented his own certification board, called it the National Board of Ophthalmology, helped write the questions on the board examination, took it himself as an open-book, take-home examination, certified himself and installed his wife and father-in-law as officers of his self-created board.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky

Having graduated from medical school 35 years ago, having practiced as an ophthalmologist without nationally recognized board certification and having never examined the patient, one would think Paul would know better than to offer opinions about McConnells medical diagnosis. But, of course, this is the same Paul who announced in March 2020, that he had tested positive for COVID-19 amid the ongoing pandemic. He received bipartisan criticism from his Senate colleagues because he attended Senate lunches and used the Senate gym while awaiting his test results. He believed it was "highly unlikely" he was sick. After demonstrating his inability to diagnose himself, perhaps he should be more circumspect about debating the diagnosis of others?

This is why we vote: With McConnell, Biden, US politicians are older than ever. Stop electing them.

Driving conversation: Biden is acting old and Americans are concerned. The good news? We're talking about it.

During the 1964 presidential campaign, a magazine asked many psychiatrists if they thought Barry Goldwater was psychologically fit to serve as President of the United States? The American Psychiatric Association, in response, adopted a principle of medical ethics which is widely referred to as The Goldwater Rule for public figures: It is unethical for a psychiatrist to offer a professional opinion unless he or she had conducted an examination and has been granted proper authorization for such a statement. While this rule was formulated by psychiatrists, the ethical principle applies to all physicians. Making a diagnosis or critiquing a diagnosis of a patient, who happens to be a public figure, whom you have not examined, nor reviewed the clinical laboratory data, nor seen the patients x-rays, is a breach of sound medical practice and medical ethics.

I learned this principle in medical school. I teach it to my medical students. One can only assume Paul either missed that class when he went to medical school or decided it wasnt worth testing during his self-administered board certification examinations.

Edward C. Halperin, M.D., M.A., teaches history of medicine at New York Medical College where he also is the Chancellor/CEO. This essay represents his opinion and not that of the College.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mitch McConnell criticism: Rand Paul violates medical ethics
Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh's circle keeps getting bigger in Season 2 of "Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal."

The Netflix series recaps Murdaughs murder trial, where he was convicted of murdering his wife and youngest son, and features interviews with people in Murdaugh's orbit, including the family's former housekeeper Blanca Turrubiate-Simpson, Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill and Curtis Edward Smith, a longtime friend of Murdaugh.

Authorities alleged Smith shot Murdaugh in 2021 as part of a plot Murdaugh arranged, in which he wanted Smith to kill him so his surviving son Buster Murdaugh could collect on his life insurance policy.

Smith was later indicted on charges of presenting a firearm, conspiracy, assisted suicide, assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and false claim for payment after the incident left Murdaugh with a "superficial" head wound, but no severe injuries, according to NBC News.

Smith has not entered a plea on any of the charges, South Carolina Attorney Generals Office Communications Director Robert Kittle told TODAY.com. Smith previously told TODAY that he didnt shoot Murdaugh.

I didnt shoot him, Smith said on TODAY in 2021. Im innocent. If I would have shot him, hed be dead. Hes alive.

Heres what to know about Smith and his involvement with the Murdaugh family. TODAY.com has reached out to Murdaugh's lawyers for comment, as did Netflix.

Curtis Eddie Smith (Netflix)

Who is Curtis Edward Smith?

Smith, known to some in the close-knit South Carolina Lowcountry community as "Cousin Eddie," spoke out about his longtime friendship with the convicted killer in "Murdaugh Murders."

I met Alex in the late 80s, early 90s. I knew his father  Im half Murdaugh, dont tell nobody, Smith said with a laugh in the new Netflix documentary.

Smith said he would run errands for Murdaugh, including land clearing and drainage work on his property.

Smith then described the morning of Sept. 4, 2021, and said Murdaugh called him and asked him to meet at a funeral home. When Murdaugh arrived, Smith said he pulled the sun visor of his vehicle around and only opened the window of his car a little bit, so he could only see part of his face.

Smith said he asked Murdaugh what he was doing, and Murdaugh replied: "I don't need to be seen in town. I'm being watched."

Murdaugh said he was being watched by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division because of the murders of his wife Maggie and youngest son Paul Murdaugh, according to Smith.

When Smith asked what happened that night, he said Murdaugh said: "Things just got all f----- up."

Smith said Murdaugh then asked if he loved him, which Smith said he loved him like a brother and would do anything for him, to which Smith said Murdaugh asked him to shoot him and kill him.

"Ain't happenin'. Not today, not tomorrow, it ain't happenin'," Smith said.

He said Murdaugh said he would have to try to do it himself, and took off in his vehicle, and Smith said he followed him out of concern for what he might do.

Murdaugh eventually pulled over, according to Smith, and approached Smith with a gun. Smith said he wanted to "scare some sense into him," and fired a shot into the air.

Smith said Murdaugh fell onto the ground, and said Murdaugh's injuries to his head occurred when he fell onto rocks, not due to a bullet grazing him.

"I asked, 'Why you want me to shoot you?'" Smith said, saying Murdaugh told him "they knew I'd be responsible because they'll gone be able to prove that I was responsible for Maggie and Paul."

"I knew I hadn't shot him," Smith continued. "I knew there weren't no blood on him, there was no blood on me. So I went home."

It was hours later that Smith learned what Murdaugh had initially told authorities.

According to body cam footage of Murdaugh in an ambulance, he told a police officer he had pulled over due to a flat tire and that a person inside of a truck came to help him.

"I got shot," Murdaugh said. "I turned my head and I mean, boom."

Smith and Murdaugh were arrested in connection with the botched scheme by Sept. 14, according to NBC News, and were later indicted by a grand jury on Nov. 4, according to the South Carolina Attorney General's Office.

He also addressed drug trafficking charge

Smith was indicted on four counts of money laundering, three counts of forgery, trafficking methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, conspiracy and narcotics charges in 2022, according to the South Carolina Attorney General's Office.

The charges stem from an alleged criminal conspiracy between Smith and Murdaugh, where Murdaugh gave Smith 437 checks totaling about $2.4 million between Oct. 7, 2013 and Feb. 28, 2021, according to the South Carolina Attorney General's Office.

Smith said he cashed "a lot" of checks over an eight to 10 year period in "Murdaugh Murders."

"I asked him several times, 'Now this is not money laundering is it?' No, it's just doing me a favor, you cashing my check out of my account, and all the checks I got were out of his account," Smith said of Murdaugh's reply.

Smith said he was trying to find a way out of the deal, but he was afraid of what Murdaugh might do to his daughter.

The indictment also alleged a criminal conspiracy between the two to distribute and purchase Oxycodone, along with three separate drug offenses for Smith.

Smith denied that he was a drug dealer in "Murdaugh Murders."

"No, nope. If I was a drug dealer I wasn't a good one, I would only have one client  it was Alex Murdaugh," he said. "(It was) nothing, other than me running errands for him."

He said it started in late 2015 or 2016, when Murdaugh asked him to take an envelope from his office to Beaufort, South Carolina. Smith said he threw the envelope on the seat, and heard the rattle of a pill bottle inside.

"I never really looked at the name on the envelopes or nothin', I just assumed it was going to law offices down there," It was an hour and a half and I made 200 bucks. I'm just ridin' around."

Where is Curtis Eddie Smith now?

Attorneys Aimee Zmroczek and Jarrett Bouchette represented Smith in a status hearing in April before State Circuit Court Judge Aaron Newman, who also presided over Murdaugh's murder trial, according to the Greenville News.

In April, Smith's attorneys told Newman he had been suffering from ongoing health issues, and had been cooperating with the South Carolina Attorney General's Office on Murdaugh's cases, according to the Greenville News.

There is no date set for Smith's trial on any of the charges.''

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
ASHEVILLE - Today's burning question is about the migratory patterns of monarch butterflies and if area residents are seeing fewer signs of their journey through Western North Carolina. Got a question for Answer Man or Answer Woman? Email Executive Editor Karen Chavez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.

Question: My wife and I typically start seeing the monarch butterfly migration in mid-August. So far this year we have not seen one monarch. Has something disrupted their normal flight through WNC?

Answer: It's never just one thing. That was the observation of Erin Canter, the manager of science literacy and research at Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, a nonprofit organization specializing in experiential outdoor education.

There's any number of intersecting factors that may be impacting the population of the iconic monarch butterfly or your chance of spotting them. The monarch is known for its striking coloration and its unique migratory patterns, which take the Eastern monarchs as far as 3,000 miles during their migration, traveling from the northern United States and Canada to their wintering grounds in Mexico.

Every fall, Western North Carolina and surrounding areas, including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, play host to thousands of monarch butterflies on their journey, as they descend to nectar and take shelter in fields of native wildflowers and grasses.

Anecdotally, Canter said, the institute has noticed fewer butterflies in recent years, likely part of a global trend, pointing to a several factors that may play a part in dwindling numbers.

Among those, she said, is climate change, but also changing land use, the destruction of native milkweed  the monarch's sole host plant, on which its caterpillars feed exclusively  as well as herbicides, pesticides and habitat loss from development and ill-timed mowing.

In August, Canter said, monarchs are only trickling through the area. From mid-September through the end of October is when people should be on the lookout for the monarchs traveling en masse, with numbers peaking in mid-October.

Despite feeling like there are "fewer and fewer butterflies," Canter encouraged the reader not to lose hope, and said they can still expect to see monarch butterflies in the coming weeks. Throughout late summer and early autumn, volunteers participating in the GSMIT's butterfly education and monarch tagging program will assemble in Cades Cove, a verdant valley in the Great Smokies, seeking out the monarchs, but she said the butterflies can be found anywhere with open fields and late summer blooms.

She's spotted them at cafes in West Asheville or hovering outside the co-op  "nature is everywhere," Canter noted.

"Find a flower and stare at it for 10 minutes, she recommended, laughing. In that small study alone, she said an observer will notice how many different kinds of life revolve around any single point.

Are monarch butterflies endangered?

While eastern monarchs are not federally listed as threatened or endangered, conservation groups point to worrying declines of some overwintering populations. In July 2022, the International Union for Conservation of Nature added the migrating monarch butterfly for the first time to its red list of threatened species and categorized it as "endangered"  two steps from extinct. according to reporting from USA TODAY.

The group estimates that the population of monarch butterflies in North America has declined 22% to 72% over 10 years, depending on the measurement method.

Being on the IUCN list is different than being listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, despite meeting the criteria, but Canter said monarchs are up for consideration.

While the species itself is not endangered, what is actually endangered is the migration itself, which I think of as the culture of butterflies," Canter said.

How can you support monarchs?

To support monarchs, and their long journeys, Canter said people can plant native species of milkweed, and "let your yard not be a yard" by planting a native ecosystem, conserving it for insects and other species. Encourage others to do the same, she said, and "learn and notice" the creatures around you.

When we notice species," she said, "we love them a little bit more."

NC Arboretum celebrates Monarch Butterfly Day

For the first time since 2019, on Sept. 30, the North Carolina Arboretum will celebrate Monarch Butterfly Day.

According to a Sept. 14 news release, attendees will be able to observe monarch butterflies in various life stages as well as connect with organizations devoted to preservation and support of monarch butterflies, while learning how they themselves can participate in conservation.

Inside the Baker Exhibit Center, people can get a first look at Monarchs and Milkweed, an immersive, multimedia experience running Sept. 30 through Jan. 7 that examines the relationship between these two species and how they have developed to depend on one another for survival.

Learn more at ncarboretum.org.

More: Answer Woman: When is daylight saving time in North Carolina? Will it be permanent?

More about monarchs: Word from the Smokies: Volunteers track monarch butterflies in national park

Sarah Honosky is the city government reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. News Tips? Email shonosky@citizentimes.com or message on Twitter at @slhonosky. Please support local, daily journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Answer Woman: When should you watch for migrating monarchs in WNC?
Make Elections Fair would replace Arizona's partisan primary election system with something, well, a lot fairer.

On Tuesday, the long-awaited drive begins to put an initiative on next years ballot  one that is sure to horrify and panic the far-right crowd that controls the Arizona Legislature.

Also, the far-left crowd that just wishes it did.

As for everybody else? Cue the hallelujahs.

The Make Elections Fair initiative could fundamentally change Arizona politics. Imagine creating a system in which the states leaders are actually representative of the states voters.

Voters could create a single open primary

If you are one of those people who looks at the choices on the November ballot and thinks none of the above 

If you wonder why we have leaders who obsess about election conspiracies and drag queens and such while the states real problems go largely unaddressed 

Then this proposal is for you.

The proposed constitutional amendment would scrap our current partisan primary system  the one that allows the two major parties to dictate our choices come November  and replace it with a single open primary.

One in which every candidate would play by the same rules and every voter would have an equal voice.

That just makes sense in a state where independents now outnumber both Republicans and Democrats.

Foes want to run a competing measure

Yet independents who want to run for public office now must collect six times the number of signatures as Republican or Democratic candidates.

And independent voters, the few who even bother to participate, are forced to choose between a Republican or Democratic ballot.

Under the Make Elections Fair proposal, it would be up to the governor and Legislature to decide how many candidates move on to the general election. But if its more than two for a single office, voters would rank their choices come November.

The Arizona Freedom Caucus is so appalled by the prospect that it voted earlier this year to put its own proposed constitutional amendment on next years ballot  one aimed at protecting partisan primaries.

Open primaries, after all, mean candidates must appeal to a broader range of voters if they want to win.

No wonder Team MAGA is terrified

The Make Elections Fair committee, which comprises Republicans, Democrats and independents, must collect 383,923 valid voter signatures by July 3 to make the 2024 ballot.

Republican political consultant Chuck Coughlin says theyve already raised $4 million of the $6.5 million theyll need to get there.

It is the most significant electoral reform that we can possibly do, Coughlin told me. The problem today is that 80% of legislators and congressmen, the core basis of our political culture, get elected in partisan primaries where theres no competition.

They do not care about general election voters because the system doesnt require them to care. I want to make sure they have to compete for their seat.

Are elections unfair? How to change the perception

I picture state Sen. Wendy Rogers, collapsing in a dead faint.

Under an open primary system, Rogers could wind up facing a more traditional Republican in a general election rather a Democrat who has no chance in her heavily Republican district.

Naturally, Team MAGA is terrified.

GOP could still run its own primary

Cue Rep. Austin Smith, R-Wittmann, who wrote the Legislatures competing 2024 ballot proposal  the one that protects the status quo.

Lobbyists and washed up politicians are trying to bring open primaries to Arizona, he fumed on Monday. Our election system is not fundamentally unfair. Legal male and female citizens, all races and socioeconomic status can vote in the state of Arizona  .

I encourage all my Republican colleagues in the @AZHouseGOP and @AZSenateGOP to vocally oppose the Make Elections Fair Arizona scam. Do not sign the Make Elections Fair Arizona petition. Reject this ploy to destroy your right to vote in a party primary.

Why are election kooks: In charge of hearing election bills?

Actually, theres nothing in the Make Elections Fair proposal that would prevent Republicans or Democrats from holding their own party primary if they want to make clear their choices before the states open election.

Theyd just have to run it and pay for it.

Make Elections Fair would do just that

More likely, theyre just afraid of what happens when they have to face the will of the entire electorate  when people realize that the will of the majority has long since fallen by the wayside, the victim of a two-party system that voters are abandoning.

The hard right that now controls the Republican Party doesnt dominate because they are the choice of Arizona voters.

They dominate because the primary election system is rigged, with a little help from gerrymandered districts, so that nearly two-thirds of the states voters dont matter.

Independents are the fastest growing segment of voters, yet our two-party primary system is designed to mute their voices.

Make Elections Fair would change that.

Bring it on.

Reach Roberts at laurie.roberts@arizonarepublic.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @LaurieRoberts.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona elections shouldn't make us want to vote 'none of the above'
The Bryan County Sheriff's Office assisted the Georgia Bureau of Investigation in taking down child predators.

When the Georgia Bureau of Investigation needed assistance in finding child predators, the Bryan County Sheriffs Office did not hesitate to help.

The team was part of a statewide investigation between multiple agencies that lasted months. The search led to more than two dozen arrests throughout the state.

Of the 26, one person was arrested in Bryan County. Timothy Stone was charged with sexual exploitation of a child on July 17.

A lot of our efforts were directed towards the child exploitation side, which are people who manufacture and distribute child pornography, said Jennifer Fleming, public information officer for the Bryan County Sheriffs Office.

More: 'He's the reason we're so good:' Return of injured star takes Bryan County to next level

The departments secret weapon is their K-9 Darcy, who is trained to sniff out electronic devices. Often times, child predators will hide computers and phones to evade capture. The K-9 has been in more than 100 searches where she has been tasked with finding electronic devices.

Darcy and I have a 100% successful conviction rate, said Fleming. We have not had one of our cases go to trial. They've gone to the grand jury and if there is enough to indict them, they take a plea deal.

Many of the children approached by online predators are 14 years old or younger and Fleming said the perpetrators have reckless disregard for the childs age.

A lot of the times they cannot even tell us why they did it, said Fleming. I was really taken aback by it. Their drive is to have sexual encounters with young children. There is no way to make that make sense.

Fleming said parents need to be watchful for code words and language children are using on apps on their phone. In addition, if a child is chatting with someone who asks them to switch communication platforms, that could be a "red flag" and could indicate that the person is preparing to take additional steps.

Kids are also formulating their own languages, Fleming said, and communicating under slang words or using emojis as a way to conceal the true meaning behind the conversation.

More: GDOT study proposes more than $1 billion in road improvements near megasite, area counties

When that happens, they are starting to talk in code, said Fleming. These kids have come up with a whole system of their own. A lot of predators know this.

Working through these types of cases can be challenging, but Fleming said the criminals who commit these acts are eventually arrested.

Its good for people to see we are taking these people out of our community and it puts bad people on notice, said Fleming. You may not have been caught yet, but you will get caught at some point.

Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Bryan County Sheriff's office arrest 26 child predators
CIBC sees North American lithium producers playing a bigger role in a global supply picture overwhelmingly dominated by China and Australia.

Two Canadian lithium producers are top prospects as mining and automotive giants hunt for deals to supply the silvery-white metal for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, according to a CIBC Capital Markets analyst.

Earlier this month, Mohamed Sidibe initiated coverage on TSX Venture-listed Rock Tech Lithium (RCK.V) and Frontier Lithium (FL.V) issuing outperformer ratings. Sidibe also published a lengthy primer on the alkali metal, calling for rising prices due to tight supply as more consumers buy EVs.

Sidibe sees North American lithium producers playing a bigger role in a global supply picture dominated by China and Australia. Backed by billions in promised government investments in critical minerals, he predicts combined Canadian and American output will grow from a two per cent share in 2022, to seven per cent in 2027.

While Canada does not currently produce much lithium in the grand scheme of things, the country is host to seven projects, with a hub being created in Ontario and Quebec, Sidibe wrote in his report. The country is in a prime position to take market share at each level of the local supply chain.

He also notes Canadas abundance of clean electricity (83 per cent non-emitting grid, versus 37 per cent in the U.S.) as appealing to firms looking to shrink their environmental footprint.

Frontier and Rock Tech are among a handful of junior mining players focused on new sources of lithium in Northwestern Ontario. Sidibe says Frontier owns one of the highest-grade undeveloped deposits in North America, putting the company at the frontier of North Americas EV supply chain.

We believe that Frontiers high-grade, low-impurity deposit, and low-cost, render the company an attractive M&A candidate in a market where major players are showing interest in the industry, Sidibe wrote, noting Rio Tinto Groups (RIO) interest in Canadian lithium assets. However, the mining giant's CEO Jakob Stausholm recently told Bloomberg that companies are very expensive, and the miner would rather develop the projects ourselves.

Rock Techs Georgia Lake project is located in the Thunder Bay mining district. The company is developing a lithium hydroxide converter in Guben, Brandenburg, Germany, strategically placed at the heart of Europes battery supply chain, according to Sidibe.

Proximity to German automakers appears to be paying off for Rock Tech. In October 2022, it inked an offtake agreement with Mercedes Benz Group (MBGAF) for 42 per cent of the battery-grade lithium monohydrate hydroxide produced by its German converter from 2026 onwards.

We assume the company will enter into a strategic joint-venture partnership with an automotive OEM (original equipment manufacturer), a battery OEM, or a third party within the battery materials space for $191 million for a 30 per cent stake in the converter, Sidibe wrote. We expect Rock Tech to mitigate the mining construction risk at Georgia Lake by entering into another strategic joint venture, preferably with a miner, for 30 per cent of the asset for $30 million.

Jeff Lagerquist is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow him on Twitter @jefflagerquist.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.
Statement: Florida sort of had a mandate because they were giving the vaccine; they were demanding everybody take the vaccine.

Trump

As a new COVID-19 booster rolls out nationwide, former President Donald Trump accused one of his 2024 campaign rivals, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , of previously forcing people to take the vaccine.

"Florida sort of had a mandate because they were giving the vaccine; they were demanding everybody take the vaccine," Trump said in an interview with Megyn Kelly that aired Sept. 14 on her SiriusXM show.

PolitiFact reviewed more than two dozen DeSantis press releases and news conferences in 2020 and 2021 about the vaccine rollout. We found no instance of DeSantis, or other state officials, mandating that residents get vaccinated. A mandate is an official order or authority to carry out a policy.

When contacted for comment, the Trump campaign told PolitiFact that DeSantis "essentially" had a vaccine mandate, "especially for nursing homes," as the state pushed to vaccinate older Floridians in early 2021.

But prioritizing older residents and ramping up access does not equate to a mandate.

DeSantis responded to Trumps claim during a Sept. 14 interview on the "Steve Deace Show."

"We never mandated mRNA COVID shots," DeSantis said. "In fact, I called a special session of the Florida Legislature to prevent any mandates in the state, and not just by the state government and the local government; we provided protections for employees at private businesses."

Florida officials did not use authority for vaccine mandates

In March 2020, DeSantis issued an executive order saying that travelers to Florida from the New York tri-state area had to quarantine for two weeks. The order directed the state health department to follow statute 381.00315(5).

At the time, the section said that amid a public health emergency, the government shall adopt rules to specify conditions to release people from isolation such as "tests or treatment, including vaccination, for communicable disease required before employment or admission to the premises or to comply with an isolation or a quarantine." State officials did not use that authority.

In 2021, the Florida Legislature removed from that section the state health officers authority to order vaccinations.

Florida offered vaccines but did not mandate them

DeSantis public statements show that he has opposed a vaccine mandate since 2020.

"Our goal is to make all safe and effective COVID vaccines available to Floridians who want them, but the state will not mandate that Floridians take these vaccines," DeSantis said in November 2020. "That is going to be the choice of each and every Floridian."

Shortly before the federal government approved the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, DeSantis said Dec. 2, 2020: "Now, importantly, while we are encouraged, and we want to make available the vaccine, no one will be mandated to take the vaccine. This will be available but not mandated."

Weeks later, he said: "In Florida, weve got to put our parents and grandparents first, and thats what were going to be doing. And were going to work like hell to be able to get all the vaccines out to elderly who want it."

DeSantis said the state was prioritizing giving the vaccines to residents of long-term care facilities and high-risk health care workers.

In January 2021, DeSantis continued promoting the states efforts to vaccinate older Floridians and health care workers. But there was no discussion of a vaccine mandate.

DeSantis in 2021 took action to block vaccine mandates

In April and May 2021, DeSantis began speaking out against vaccine mandates that had been implemented by public and private entities. He issued an order and signed a bill to block cruise lines, businesses, schools and government agencies across Florida from requiring anyone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.

In September 2021, DeSantis appointed Dr. Joseph Ladapo as Floridas surgeon general. As the states top health official, Ladapo has railed against the vaccines, claiming that the shots arent necessary for healthy children, suggesting that there isnt enough safety data to support their widespread use and presenting flawed analysis about their safety.

DeSantis also blocked Florida cities from requiring that public employees get vaccinated, threatening a $5,000 fine per infraction. DeSantis also said the state wouldnt participate in a federal vaccine lottery that would give $100 to anyone who got a vaccine.

DeSantis signed legislation in November 2021 that countered the Biden administrations vaccine requirements for private businesses, allowing Florida workers to opt out. He also sued the administration over its employer vaccine mandates.

This year, he signed a bill that prevents mandates for testing, masking or vaccination.

Both DeSantis and Ladapo recently advised against Floridians under 65 years old getting the new COVID-19 boosters from Pfizer and Moderna, contradicting the federal recommendation that everyone 6 months and older receive the boosters.

Trump in 2020 supported DeSantis, vaccinations

As president, Trump praised DeSantis pandemic response and encouraged people to get vaccinated.

Trump also repeatedly touted the vaccines and took credit for their development.

He said in September 2020 that it would be bad if people didnt receive the vaccine. "And now what's going to happen is we'll have it and people won't want to take it. That's really bad. OK, that's really bad.  The vaccine will be safe."

Our ruling

Trump said, "Florida sort of had a mandate because they were giving the vaccine; they were demanding everybody take the vaccine."

Trumps campaign cited early 2021 news reports and DeSantis statements chronicling the states push to vaccinate older Floridians. But those efforts were not a mandate.

The record shows that DeSantis has opposed a vaccine mandate since 2020. We did not find any examples of DeSantis supporting a mandate.

As early as fall 2020, DeSantis said he wouldnt mandate the COVID-19 vaccines. In 2021, he signed legislation to block vaccine mandates imposed by public and private entities.

We rate Trumps claim Pants on Fire!

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Did DeSantis mandate COVID-19 vaccines in Florida? No, Trump is wrong.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Contact a qualified medical professional before engaging in any physical activity, or making any changes to your diet, medication or lifestyle.

TikToker Taylor Paul is pregnant again after suffering an ectopic pregnancy. Here's what that means. (Instagram/@taylorfrankiepaul; Getty)

A popular Mormon TikToker who went viral for her "mom content" in 2020, says she's pregnant again after suffering an ectopic pregnancy last year.

Taylor Frankie Paul, a 28-year-old from Utah and a mom of two, took to Instagram on Monday to share the happy news about her "rainbow baby"  a term used for a baby that comes after a failed pregnancy.

"One year later we've been blessed with our rainbow baby," Paul captioned the post. "Floods of emotions have came through along with a different kind of excitement and worry you feel after losing, however so far everything is healthy and on track and my heart is full."

Paul first shared the full story of her ectopic pregnancy in a January TikTok video. She said she unexpectedly became pregnant and the day after telling her boyfriend the news, she started to bleed.

Doctors first thought it was a miscarriage, but she remained hopeful after bloodwork showed normal HCG levels. She said she continued bleeding and was "struggling not only physically, but definitely emotionally and mentally."

After a few weeks, Paul did an ultrasound and the ectopic pregnancy was diagnosed. She said in a second video, it was caught in time to treat without surgery.

Even though she felt grateful for the process that wasn't very painful, she bled for seven weeks and fell into a postpartum depression. "I didn't realize how traumatizing that experience was until I was out of it," she admitted.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

What exactly is an ectopic pregnancy and what are the risks? Read on for everything you need to know.

What is an ectopic pregnancy?

An ectopic pregnancy refers to a pregnancy in which an embryo grows outside of the uterus. It occurs when a fertilized egg travels to attach itself to the uterus but fails, and attaches itself to a fallopian tube, the cervix or an abdominal cavity.

A pregnancy test can show up positive, but an embryo cannot grow anywhere but the uterus.

Dr. Diane Francoeur, CEO of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, tells Yahoo Canada, it's a pregnancy that is starting, but not at the right place.

The Quebec expert gynecologist explained the "serious condition" unfortunately "happens oftentimes."

In an ectopic pregnancy the embryo often implants in the fallopian tube, not in the uterus. (Getty)

According to data released in 2020 by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), ectopic pregnancy occurs in between one to two per cent of diagnosed pregnancies in the country.

What are the symptoms?

Francoeur said women will come to the hospital with pain and bleeding after a positive pregnancy test, ahead of what could likely be an ectopic pregnancy diagnosis.

She said symptoms will most commonly show up about six to seven weeks since the last menstrual period.

Pain is the most common symptom, she said.

When you're pregnant, you shouldn't have any bleeding and you shouldn't have any pain.Dr. Diane Francoeur

According to Healthline, nausea and breast soreness are symptoms of both ectopic and normal pregnancies, but an ectopic one could also cause dizziness or fainting, rectal pressure and sharp waves of pain in the abdomen, pelvis, shoulders and neck.

The diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy is made after bloodwork shows hCG levels consistent with normal pregnancy, and an ultrasound confirms there is no embryo in the uterus.

What causes an ectopic pregnancy and who is at risk?

An ectopic pregnancy is generally caused by inflammation or scarring of tissue in the fallopian tubes. (Getty)

An ectopic pregnancy is generally caused by inflammation or scarring of tissue in the fallopian tubes which, according to Francoeur, often comes from STDs like chlamydia and gonorrhea, or endometriosis. Surgery and fertility treatments also slightly increase the chances of an ectopic pregnancy, she added.

According to Healthline, the following factors can also increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy:

pregnancy at 35 years or older

history of pelvic inflammatory disease

conception occurred despite tubal ligation or intrauterine device (IUD)

conception aided by fertility drugs or procedures

smoking

previous ectopic pregnancy

structural abnormalities in the fallopian tubes

How is it treated?

Francoeur explained once you have the diagnosis, if it's early on and there's no cruciating pain, the patient can receive an injected medication to end the pregnancy. The drug is called methotrexate, initially developed to treat arthritis.

In some cases of late diagnosis, surgery might be needed, as well as a blood transfusion if too much blood is lost.

It's really a serious medical condition.Dr. Diane Francoeur

In obstetric gynecology we used to say, when I was in training, you never let the sun down on an ectopic pregnancy  you diagnose it.

Are there any long-term impacts?

The expert said sometimes tests are done, especially in first pregnancies, to examine the fallopian tubes and see if theyre functioning properly. If you have one tube that is working very, very well and the other one is not so good, it's better to remove (the first) because you can choose where the pregnancy (occurs) in the tube.

Once a person has an ectopic pregnancy, the chances of another one are higher. Though it usually goes well, a second tube might also cause one.

Unfortunately, some women are not lucky in reproductive life, and sometimes they will find another ectopic pregnancy on the other side, Francoeur said. Then we have to remove the other tube, so then the only option for them to have a baby is through IVF.

What expecting moms can do

Francoeur advised its important to see a doctor if youre concerned.

If you are anxious and you have pain or bleeding, it's not normal  you need to be seen and reassured that everything is going well.

She noted, even though ectopic pregnancy cannot be diagnosed before six weeks, its still advised to see a doctor.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
An In-depth Analysis of the Dividend History, Yield, and Sustainability of NYMT

New York Mortgage Trust Inc (NASDAQ:NYMT) recently announced a dividend of $0.3 per share, payable on 2023-10-26, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-09-20. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's deep dive into New York Mortgage Trust Inc's dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

Understanding New York Mortgage Trust Inc

New York Mortgage Trust Inc is a real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes, in the business of acquiring, investing in, financing and managing mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets. The company's investment portfolio consists of structured multi-family property investments, distressed residential assets, second mortgages, and certain other mortgage-related and residential housing-related assets.

Assessing the Dividend Performance of New York Mortgage Trust Inc

Exploring New York Mortgage Trust Inc's Dividend History

New York Mortgage Trust Inc has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2004, with dividends currently distributed on a quarterly basis. The company's annual Dividends Per Share history provides a clear picture of its historical dividend trends.

Assessing the Dividend Performance of New York Mortgage Trust Inc

Understanding New York Mortgage Trust Inc's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, New York Mortgage Trust Inc currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 15.59% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 12.49%. This suggests an expectation of decreased dividend payments over the next 12 months. Over the past three years, the company's annual dividend growth rate was -20.60%, which increased to -17.70% per year over a five-year horizon, and -12.10% over the past decade.

Story continues

Assessing the Dividend Performance of New York Mortgage Trust Inc

Is New York Mortgage Trust Inc's Dividend Sustainable?

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. As of 2023-06-30, New York Mortgage Trust Inc's dividend payout ratio is 0.00, suggesting that the company retains a significant part of its earnings. However, the company's profitability rank of 3 out of 10 suggests that the dividend may not be sustainable.

Future Outlook: Growth Metrics

New York Mortgage Trust Inc's growth rank of 3 out of 10 suggests that the company has poor growth prospects. The company's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. However, the company's revenue has increased by approximately -69.40% per year on average, a rate that underperforms approximately 98.74% of global competitors.

Conclusion

While New York Mortgage Trust Inc's consistent dividend payment history is commendable, the declining dividend growth rates and low profitability and growth ranks raise concerns about the sustainability of future dividends. Investors must carefully consider these factors before making investment decisions. GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


The Mormon family vlogger faces six felony child abuse charges

moms_of_truth/Instagram Ruby Franke

Nearly three weeks after family vlogger Ruby Franke was arrested on six charges of felony child abuse, neighbors are continuing to speak out about the type of parenting they witnessed in recent years.

Franke, 41, was arrested at the home of her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt on August 30 and has been held without bail at a Utah jail since then. Hildebrandt, 54, was also arrested and faces six felony charges for child abuse after a neighbor called 911 to report Frankes 12-year-old son came to his home with visible wounds, asking for food and water.

Frankes neighbors in Springville, Utah  about four hours north of Hildebrandts home in Ivins, Utah  have since spoken out about alleged red flags theyve seen in the years leading up to the YouTube mothers arrest.

The levels of punishment were pretty extreme, one neighbor tells PEOPLE in a new interview.

She took Christmas away from both of them, and she was very public about that on her YouTube channel, the neighbor, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says of Franke's punishment for two of her six children. The fact that Franke doled out such discipline, and then discussed it on her YouTube channel, "was just odd," said the neighbor.

Related: A Timeline of Ruby Franke's Rise and Fall: From Family Vlogger to Child Abuse Charges

Moms_of_truth/Instagram Ruby Franke

Franke amassed about 2.5 million viewers on YouTube since 2015, posting vlogs about her Mormon familys daily life to her 8Passengers channel with husband Kevin Franke. The family stopped uploading videos in early 2022 amid backlash against Frankes parenting style, which led to roughly 18,000 people signing an online petition asking child protective services to investigate the parents and check on their kids.

Four of the embattled vloggers children were taken into protective custody after Frankes arrest last month, while her two oldest children no longer live at the familys home. Finally, Frankes oldest daughter Shari wrote on Instagram after her estranged mothers arrest.

Me and my family are so glad justice is being served, Shari, 20, wrote in another post. We've been trying to tell the police and CPS for years about this, and so glad they finally decided to step up."

Related: Prior to Arrest, Ruby Franke Told Estranged Husband Life with Kids Was 'Blissful'

Moms of Truth/ Instagram Ruby Franke

In the days after Frankes arrest, her three sisters also spoke out against her while neighbors told PEOPLE they were shocked by the alleged level of abuse the mother was putting her children through in recent months. Police had described Frankes two youngest children as emaciated and malnourished, and said they allegedly had visible wounds and markings from being bound by duct tape after officers responded to Hildebrandts home last month.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.



The two youngest children, ages 10 and 12, were hospitalized and are now safe, according to family members. Frankes two teenage girls were later taken into protective custody at the familys home in Springville, where neighbors allege the mother would often leave them for weeks on end without proper care.



The Springville neighbor who spoke with PEOPLE this week says Franke is a walking contradiction when it comes to what shed preach on her parenting advice podcast with Hildebrandt versus the child abuse charges she now faces.

We would see how she was with her kids, and then I would see these ridiculous YouTube or Instagram videos of her pontificating and lecturing and preaching about how to be a mom of truth. And I was just like, this is the craziest thing, the neighbor says. This is the worst mother I know of.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.
Kansas City classic rock fans have been tuning in their radios to hear Slacker  government name Brian Adams  since the 1990s.

Today, the popular morning host on 101 The Fox is fighting for his life after a recent diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia  a rare and serious blood cancer. Hes been off the air after receiving a bone marrow transplant at the University of Kansas Medical Center late last month, and we wish him a full and speedy return to 100%. Listeners cant wait for his comeback.

But Adams illness has a cost beyond the toll on his health: an immense monetary weight. The financial burden of what he is enduring will be extremely challenging without our help, wrote his friend Anthony Trevino on a GoFundMe site to raise funds to pay for Slackers treatments. Adams is known for the many charitable causes hes promoted during his time on the radio, such as the Cars 4 Heroes campaign that donates automobiles to veterans in need. So its only fitting that the Kansas City community should pay it forward for Slacker.

Because he and his family cant do it on their own. Its a widespread misconception that every long, successful career in the media translates to millionaire status. The truth is that while working for TV, radio or your humble daily newspaper is a respectable profession, its increasingly rare that regional personalities rake in the big bucks. Adams initially resisted his friend starting the GoFundMe, but that was before hed clearly seen the huge financial burden this would be for his family and him for years to come, Trevino wrote.

Getting sick ruins Americans lives literally every day. Debt from medical bills or absence from work because of illness is the cause of two-thirds of household bankruptcy in this country, one recent study showed. More than 40% of American adults are in debt for health care costs, owing money to credit cards, hospital payment plans and even family members. Most people who go bankrupt in these cases are middle-class workers with health insurance, The American Journal of Medicine reports.

This is not a health care problem. Its a health insurance problem. There is no other modern industrialized nation that suffers with anything approaching the dysfunction of the United States system. But while its a disaster for the people, its working out great for the fat cats. Just the top 300 American health care company CEOs pocketed an astonishing $4 billion last year  an average of more than $13 million apiece, according to a study from medical news site STAT.

The Republican establishment continues to be the biggest obstacle to addressing this immense challenge. While Missouri voters used their initiative petition powers to help at least the neediest among us by putting Medicaid expansion in the state constitution, the GOP supermajority in Jefferson City keeps trying to kneecap it. Kansans, who have less direct control over their democratic rights, would have to wait for lawmakers in their own Republican-supermajority Legislature to put Medicaid expansion on the ballot. Good luck with that, as things stand now.

No alternative to Affordable Care Act

The United States is the richest nation in the world. With our tattered patchwork of insurance plans and those who have no coverage, we already pay vastly more for health care than any other similarly advanced country  over $12,500 a year per capita, 50% more than second-place Switzerland, and about double the average among peers.

Is there an easy fix? Of course not. Nobody knew that health care could be so complicated, Donald Trump said in 2017, before lying two years later that we have a great Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act, and then subsequently giving up completely on his 2016 promise that everyone would have great health care at a fraction, a fraction of the cost and itll be great.

We arent here to push for a single-payer system, government-managed insurance or any other specific program. But as free market advocates remind us endlessly, theres no such thing as a free lunch. Everyone needs basic medical attention and even with the ACAs help, Americans without insurance spend the most proportionally for that care. The overruns for what those people cant pay cost health providers, the government and philanthropists tens of billions every year. Regardless of what we call it, we already have universal care. Its just shoddier and far more costly than it needs to be.

There is no problem the United States cant solve. Wonders abound in this country. We can put helicopter drones on Mars and artificial hearts inside rib cages. Why, we can even see Kansas own mega-MAGA Sen. Roger Marshall team up with Vermonts democratic socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders to take on the all-too-real boogeymen of pharmacy benefit managers  onerous middleman companies that jack up drug prices and stick it to consumers.

Its an obscenity that Americans have to plop plastic jars on gas station counters to collect quarters so toddlers can get chemotherapy to keep them alive. This countrys health care mess is one of the defining issues of our day, and the status quo turns a small number of the privileged extravagantly wealthy. Brian Slacker Adams isnt one of them. Consider donating to help him and his family recover  and quit electing politicians who refuse to work for the cure we all need.
SEABROOK  A Massachusetts man has been indicted on negligent homicide charges almost a year after he allegedly struck two newlyweds on a motorcycle, killing one.

Police say Dennis Martin, 76, of Salisbury, Massachusetts, was driving eastbound on Route 107 when he attempted to turn his vehicle left into the Brook casino parking lot. As he turned, police said he struck a motorcycle operated by Jeff Zajac, 51, with Jessica Edom-Zajac, 50, as his passenger.

Zajac was pronounced dead at the scene.

Jeff Zajac and Jessica Edom-Zajac pose for a photo on their motorcycle. The couple secretly eloped and were set to have a wedding when they were struck by a car in Seabrook, killing Jeff and injuring Jessica.

Martin was indicted this week by a Rockingham Superior Court grand jury on two counts of Class B felony negligent homicide. He is also facing two misdemeanor counts of vehicular assault.

An indictment is not an indication of guilt. It just means the grand jury found enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Martin is scheduled to be arraigned in Brentwood on Oct. 20.

Previous story: Newlywed bride recovering after husband killed in Seabrook crash

Each of the two felony charges against Martin could carry 3 to 7 years in prison according to New Hampshire law. The vehicular assault charges are Class A misdemeanors and carry up to 1 year in jail.

The indictments for the felonies state Martin cut off Zajacs motorcycle as he was imminently approaching the intersection. The vehicular assault complaints refer to serious injury caused to Jessica Edom-Zajac as well.

The crash occurred at 2:14 p.m. Nov. 5. Police said at the time that alcohol and speed did not appear to be a factor.

Zajac was pronounced dead at the scene, while his wife, Edom-Zajac suffered numerous injuries. Indictments specify she had a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a neck injury. Her daughter Kaila Lane said at the time she had two punctured lungs total, as well as fractures in her arms, legs, pelvic area, neck, spine and ribs.

Edom-Zajacs daughter said last year she was recovering physically but struggling emotionally with the loss of her husband. A GoFundMe page created by Lane raised $28,334 through 284 donations.

More: Former Exeter man indicted for negligent homicide in crash that killed East Kingston mom

Remembering Jeff Zajac

Zajac and Edom-Zajac were set to have a wedding seven days later when the accident occurred.

The couple was from Shirley, Massachusetts, but met and later got engaged at Hampton Beach. Secretly, they had already eloped and were legally married earlier that year. They were eager to share their surprise at the wedding ceremony with their family and friends on Nov. 12.

Lane called Zajac one of the best guys who came into her mothers life.

He was also remembered by friends as generous. Ernie Houle, a friend for 40 years, said Zajac would give the shirt off his back to anyone. He said Edom-Zajac was the one for (Zajac) and that he was looking forward to the wedding.

When the crash occurred, Lane was in Illinois when she received a call from her sister telling her that Jeff passed. She learned from her aunt shortly after that her mother was in stable condition, and she took the next flight to New England.

Lane and Houle both said Zajacs loss was devastating to their circle of family and friends. Services were held for Zajac in Revere in December 2022, according to his obituary. An Army veteran, he was buried in Everett, Massachusetts, with military honors.

I try and hold it together, Houle said shortly after the crash occurred.

Stabbing over $40 for yard work: Man indicted for attempted murder of brother-in-law

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Fatal Seabrook crash: Driver faces charges for hitting newlyweds on motorcycle
GRAND LEDGE  During a major August storm that swept tornados across Michigan, Timothy Hillock felt the pressure drop and heard the "train" sounds that often come with devastating wind.

That's when his housemate told him to watch out. He crouched down a bit inside of his living room as a large tree crashed through his roof, hitting him on the head and driving him to the floor.

"I'm lucky to be alive," Hillock said.

Federal and state disaster officials visited Hillock's home in the Grand Ledge Ravines community, several sites in Eaton County, and elsewhere in mid-Michigan, on Tuesday. Hillock had one of the most damaged homes in Grand Ledge.

"I'm lucky to be alive," Timothy Hillock of Grand Ledge says, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, where a tree crashed through his roof, hitting him on the head, last month. The roof remains tarped and the window boarded up weeks after a series of violent storms and tornados swept through Michigan.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency work crew, joined by state emergency officials, will help determine if the Aug. 24 storm caused enough damage to warrant federal disaster intervention. Grand Ledge City Manager Adam Smith did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment about damage in the city.

There are currently nine federal disasters, including flooding or severe storms in Alaska, California, Illinois, Mississippi and Vermont. The other current disasters include the Hawaii wildfires, Hurricane Idalia and additional fires.

The formula for certifying a federal disaster is complicated and takes many factors into account, including the cost of the damage and the effect on the community, said Lauren Thompson-Phillips, a spokesperson for the Michigan State Police and its Emergency Management Division, which assists the federal officials.

The damage tallies are not yet available. Significant damage in other counties, including in and around Williamston and Webberville in Ingham and Livingston counties, will likely drive much of the end result, she said.

In areas of Detroit, officials will be going door to door this week to look for flooding, while in Eaton County it is more about responding to people who submitted reports to local, state or federal officials, Thompson-Phillips said.

If the damage qualifies for a federal disaster declaration, it could mean additional dollars, including reimbursements, for debris removal and other emergency acts. Disasters can qualify for a range of federal support, including payments to individuals and local governments, she said.

Federal and state officials speak with Timothy Hillock of Grand Ledge, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023, outside his home. They're part of a preliminary team surveying storm, tornado, and water damage after a severe storm and tornado swept thru the area last month.

The local assessment work will continue this week. Officials are expecting to visit the Webberville area in Ingham County, one of the hardest-hit areas of the state because of a tornado. In all, eight counties will be checked by the officials: Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland and Wayne.

If the damage assessment crew had come last week, Hillock wouldn't have heard back from his insurance company yet and he would be worried about where he'll live when it gets cold. A home with a roof open to the air is no way to live, Hillock said.

"I'd be living in my car," he added.

But, as the state and FEMA officials took photos of his house and had him answer a brief question form, Hillock was seeing the brighter future.

His insurance policy is covering his repairs, and he survived something that could have killed him and he's coming out stronger.

Federal and state officials survey storm damage at a West Lincoln Street home in Grand Ledge on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. They're part of a joint team surveying storm, tornado, and water damage after a storm and tornado swept thru the area last month.

"My housemate says to step away from the window and I turned my head and sort of stepped and the tree came through the house," he said. "I was already in a crouch. If I wasn't, I'd be dead. It hit me in the head, knocked me to the flood and came and hit me again, burying me in the debris."

He climbed out from under the insulation and debris, largely unscathed except for a big headache the next day.

"I've got some things left to do," Hillock said. "I'm blessed."

Earlier crews had assessed the storm damage, finding that Michigan had seven verified tornadoes in the storm, an August record in the state.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: 'I'm lucky to be alive': FEMA officials assess storm damage in Lansing area
DELEON SPRINGS, Fla.  A 78-year-old Florida man has been charged in the shooting death of his neighbor's son in what police say was a dispute over tree-trimming.

Edward Druzolowski, 78, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of his neighbor's son, 42-year-old Brian Ford.

A judge ordered him held without bail. The public defender's office assigned to his case did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Monday.

Druzolowski, who has admitted to shooting Ford, initially described his actions as self-defense. Here's what we know:

'Executed his neighbors': Man charged with first-degree murder in Idaho family's slaying

A time for grief: Kansas mom, 2 sons found dead in a camper at a motocross competition

What happened?

A charging affidavit says that Druzolowski confronted Ford as he was trimming tree limbs for his mother along the fence between the homes in DeLeon Springs, Florida, near Daytona Beach.

Druzolowski told detectives that he was holding the gun behind his back as he came within 5 feet of Ford and told him to get off his property, according to the document.

Druzowlowski said Ford responded with something like, "Mind your business," along with some curse words.

At that point, Druzolowski said he fired an empty round at Ford when Ford moved toward him. Druzolowski said that Ford continued to advance, and that's when he fired a live round at him, hitting the younger man in the chest.

Druzolowski's wife then called 911.

Ford was declared dead at the scene.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told WOFL-TV that Ford's 8-year-old son witnessed the shooting.

He watched his father die in front of him and get shot, and obviously, hes really going to be a witness in this case as to what happened, Chitwood told the station.

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood speaks at a news conference on Tuesday, June 13, 2023.

Contradictory statements

Druzolowski gave contradictory accounts of why he shot Ford to a 911 dispatcher and investigators with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.

"I am sorry, I was really scared for my life," Druzolowski initially told a 911 dispatcher, saying Ford was pointing a gun at him.

He later told detectives that he didn't recall seeing a weapon on Ford and that Ford hadn't made any threats.

Druzolowski's wife, who initially called 911, said she saw Ford push her husband.

Mugshot of Edward Druzolowski, charged with second-degree murder in Volusia County.

"My husband took his gun but I think he meant to scare him and I think he killed him," she told a dispatcher.

Meanwhile, Ford's 8-year-old son told the Department of Children and Families that his dad told Druzolowski: "I'll cut your head off with the chainsaw," according to the affidavit.

He said his dad was holding a chainsaw at the time and that it was turned off.

Detectives found the chainsaw, a folding knife and an unsheathed buck knife near Ford's body.

Druzolowski later told detectives that it was Ford's reputation and criminal history that scared him, according to the affidavit.

Chitwood told WOFT-TV that doesnt excuse his actions.

You just cant walk around shooting people because they step foot on your property," he said. "Thats why we have the police. You have to be reasonable in your approach."

Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood talks to reporters after a roundtable discussion about child safety with Sen. Rick Scott on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023.

'No imminent threat': Black mother of four killed in Florida by neighbor after dispute over playing children

Ford's criminal history

Ford's criminal history includes 15 felony arrests starting in 2000.

Most recently, Ford was arrested on July 22 for violating a protection order stemming from domestic violence, court records show. The alleged victim declined to press charges.

In 2021, Ford was arrested on charges of battering his girlfriend, with whom he shared three children, reports show.

When Ford was arrested for felony battery, he violated his probation stemming from charges of attempted aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and shooting/throwing a deadly missile into a building or vehicle. He pleaded no contest to the charges.

Florida Department of Corrections records show that Ford spent two years in prison for the offenses and was released in June 2022.

What Ford's mother says

Brian Ford's mother, Linda Ford, told WESH-TV that her son was in town to celebrate a birthday and do some yard work for her.

She said that she was in the carport in her walker when the shooting happened.

I heard a big boom, and then he started, the little one started screaming, He shot my dad! He shot my dad! Linda Ford told the station.

She said that the area her son had been trimming was within her property line, as the fence Brian Ford crossed was 2 feet within her lot boundary.

She told NBC News that her son son worked as a handyman, doing odd jobs to provide for his three sons, sons, 20, 18 and 8 years old.

He was wonderful, she told the network. He was wonderful to his children. He was wonderful to me all the time. He was handy. He would help anybody at anytime. He would drop everything

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: DeLeon Springs, Florida man charged in fatal tree-trimming dispute
Frank Tuerkheimer, former University of Wisconsin Law School professor who served as an Associate Special Prosecutor for the Watergate Special Prosecution Force.

For Frank Tuerkheimer, the pursuit of justice in the 1972 Watergate break-in and its aftermath was the "great legal investigation of the generation."

And he wanted in.

Tuerkheimer took a leave from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1973 to become associate special prosecutor for the Watergate Special Prosecution Force.

The break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters would ultimately force President Richard Nixon's resignation and lead to the convictions of several of his top aides.

Years later, long after he returned to Madison to teach, Tuerkheimer recalled in an interview with PBS Wisconsin that "stuff worked."

"A free press showed its impact," he said. "A legislative hearing thats designed to educate the public worked. The House Judiciary Committee did its job. A lot of things worked and thats good."

Tuerkheimer died Sept. 16 in Madison from complications of pancreatic cancer.

He was 84.

His long career in law and teaching included a four-year stint as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Wisconsin from 1977 to 1981.

"He had professional accomplishments that would make anyone proud," said his daughter, Deborah Tuerkheimer, a law professor at Northwestern University. "What I think he should be known for is wisdom and the ability to live the fullest life, a perspective on what was important and what wasnt. He gave his all to every day. Thats something that very few of us, if any of us, could say. That was my dad in a nutshell."

John Vaudreuil, a former U.S. attorney in Madison for seven years, called Tuerkheimer his mentor and friend. He recalled receiving a special gift from Tuerkheimer: a bottle of Sabra liqueur.

"He made a point of telling me that sabra is a word they use to describe the people of Israel," he said. "Sabra is prickly like cacti but has a very sweet interior."

Tuerkheimer was born in New York City on July 27, 1939, months after his family fled Nazi Germany. He said in an interview that like a lot of immigrant kids "I lived in two worlds," speaking German at home while outside he entered America.

"I loved both worlds," he said.

He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, Columbia University, and New York University School of Law.

As a young attorney, he served as a legal assistant to the attorney general of newly independent Swaziland, helping to write the country's first constitution. He then took a job at the U.S. Attorney's Office in New York, where he worked for four years.

In 1970, he joined the law school faculty at Wisconsin. Three years later he was off to Washington, D.C., to join the Watergate prosecution. He was 34, a little more senior than others who were just out of law school.

"I was involved in larger issues that floated around the office," he said in an interview.

His biggest prosecution wasn't directly related to the Watergate break-in, though. It involved Nixon's former Treasury Secretary John Connally, who was alleged to have accepted $10,000 from dairy producers. The case went to trial in 1975 and Connally was acquitted.

In a New York Times profile of the trial, Tuerkheimer was portrayed as a fretful prosecutor who at the time was conducting the case "for more than two weeks without attempting more than one smile a week."

"A few times he has scowled," the article said. "Once he was seen raising his eyebrows. More often, he has merely peered out through brassframed eyeglasses with no discerning emotion."

President Jimmy Carter appointed Tuerkheimer as the prosecutor to lead the Madison U.S. Attorney's Office. Among the big cases Tuerkheimer prosecuted in Wisconsin was one against Iron County Circuit Judge Alex J. Raineri, who was convicted of promoting prostitution and served two years in federal prison.

As a law professor, he was involved in teaching, research and service. In his later years, he concentrated on the trials of the Holocaust, co-authoring a book "Forgotten Trials of the Holocaust."

His daughter said that period enabled Tuerkheimer to bring together the personal and the legal parts of his life.

"He had the ability to see things as an evidence scholar and to look at those trial transcripts, ensuring people would never forget those atrocities," she said.

Besides his daughter Deborah, survivors include his wife of 55 years, Barbara Wolfson Tuerkheimer, son Alan Tuerkheimer and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Madison in the coming weeks.

THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Frank Tuerkheimer, UW Law Professor and a Watergate prosecutor
The Glendale Police Department plans to encrypt its emergency radio frequency, preventing the public from listening in on the goings-on of the police force.

The change will go into effect on Oct. 2, the Police Department said.

Currently, the radio signal is unencrypted and the average citizen can listen in using either a commercial radio scanner or one of the many online scanner apps available for download.

Glendale police say that the current unencrypted signal puts officers in danger from people with malicious intent, and helps criminals evade the law.

But the Police Department says its encrypting the signal to come into compliance with a 2020 order by the California Department of Justice, which requires law enforcement agencies to either use encrypted signals or alternate communication methods when discussing sensitive or private information, including Social Security numbers and other identifiable information.

The order, however, does not require law enforcement agencies to completely encrypt their signals from the public. In 2022, the Palo Alto Police Department removed encryption from its emergency radio signal, and instead updated its policy to provide more options to convey sensitive information.

Transparency advocates and curious citizens across the country have voiced opposition to encrypted radio communication by law enforcement agencies.

Earlier this year, State Senator Sen. Josh Becker (D-San Mateo) presented legislature that would force the hand of law enforcement agencies to allow credentialed media members to access their encrypted radio communications. A previous bill presented by Becker that failed in committee aimed to require law enforcement agencies grant that access to the greater public.

The ability to hear how officers talk to one another over the radio helps make police departments more accountable, Becker said in a March news release. On a practical level, it also makes it easier for the media to report on public safety activities such as accidents or shootings, so the public can be told about areas to avoid.

That bill did not advance out of committee in time for the conclusion of the 2023 legislative session last week.

In a news release issued Tuesday, the Glendale Police Department said it was aware of concerns regarding transparency, but said the decision to encrypt its radio signal was made because no practical solution was found to satisfy the requirement from the California DOJ.

Instead, members of the community were encouraged to track crime information on the Police Departments website utilizing a live service log that describes the nature of emergency calls and when the calls were placed. The log is updated every 30 minutes, according to the website.

Additionally, police officials said updates on important law enforcement activity could be found on the Departments official social media pages.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
On Sept. 16, 2022, Mahsa Amini was detained by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the country's hijab law. The 22-year-old Kurdish woman's death in police custody triggered Iran's longest anti-government protests since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Amini became a symbol of resistance that sparked the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, prompting protests and rallying all generations and sexes to the streets fighting to be free from a violent regime.

For the past year, ABC News has been following the movement, talking to women directly involved in the moment and facing the regime's cruel tactics. Many say they hope to return one day to be able to live freely.

PHOTO: FILE - A portrait of Mahsa Amini is held during a rally calling for regime change in Iran following the death of Amini, a young woman who died after being arrested in Tehran by Iran's notorious 'morality police,' in Washington, Oct. 1, 2022. (Cliff Owen/AP, FILE)

Two Iranian activists recall learning of Amini's death and the fear it inspired in their communities. Their real names, identities and locations are being withheld for safety reasons.

"The majority of people, including Kurds, who were discriminated against thought that it could be possible that one day, that this could be their own child," one of the women said.

"On the day Mahsa's body was repatriated to Kurdistan, I joined the protest. The Islamic Republic was firing on protesters indiscriminately. I was hit in the rib cage by a bullet," the other women said.

MORE: Iranian authorities detain Mahsa Amini's father on 1-year anniversary of her death

The two women, facing safety concerns and direct violence from attending the protests, say they were left with no choice but to leave.

Masih Alinejad , an Iranian journalist and activist, has been involved with several campaigns against compulsory head covers in the Islamic Republic. She has been exiled since 2009 due to her reporting on corrupt officials.

Last October, Alinejad gave a talk at the Oslo Freedom Forum about the death of Amini and the reality of life for women living under the Iranian regime. She told the story of Roya Piraei, a young Iranian feminist who protested against Amini's death and whose beloved mother Minoo Majidi, was shot and killed.

Still mourning the loss of her mother, Roya was unable to find the words to speak to ABC News, though her sister, Mahsa Piraei, recalls the painful memory of her mother's death.

"Woman, Life, Freedom is my mother," Piraei said.

For those still on the ground in Iran, the dangers they face are unimaginable. Several women captured video diaries for ABC News showing what life is like under the rule of a ruthless regime.

PHOTO: FILE - A police motorcycle burns during a protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died after being arrested by the Islamic republic's 'morality police', in Tehran, Iran Sept. 19, 2022. (Reuters)

One woman detailed her experience in jail, saying, "I was not allowed to have a lawyer either during my arrest, my interrogation or any other phase of processing my case."

"The first time I was tortured was when I stepped into the intelligence detention center. They touched my private parts with the pretext of checking if I had drugs," the woman said.

Iran's top Sunni cleric admitted on social media last December that he had received reports from prisoners confirming the ongoing "sexual assault on female prisoners" was spreading "with the intention of humiliating, suppressing and forcing confessions."

MORE: Iran arrests women's rights activists ahead of 'Woman, Life, Freedom' anniversary

There has been no public response from the regime.

Some women jailed in Iran have reported that once they are in prison, the morality police are raping them or drugging them. Alinejad says she has heard similar reports.

"Khomeini, all the clerics and more are telling us that we forced you to wear hijab because it's good for your dignity. Now, see, the same clerical regime, have no dignity, have no morale and they rape women, sexually harassed them in prison," Alinejad said.

Some Iranians say the regime's use of sexual violence to instill fear is not working.

PHOTO: People, carrying banners and flags, stage a demonstration in solidarity with protestors in Iran, which was triggered by the Sept. 16 death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in the custody, on Jan. 21, 2023, at Farragut Square, in Washington, D.C. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Raha, whose full name and identity are being withheld for her safety, says the flames of the Woman, Life, Freedom revolution are still burning strong within the women forgoing their hijab in public, even if people are no longer taking to the streets in protest.

"Each woman who is walking without a hijab anywhere on the streets of Iran, Tehran or any other city, she is carrying 40 years of fear with her," Raha said.

"I am a citizen of this country and it is my home. I won't be a slave and I won't be the woman I used to be a year ago," Raha said.

1 year after Mahsa Amini's death, Iranian activists still fighting for freedom despite regime's cruelty originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
MADISON  Republican lawmakers released a bill Wednesday that would limit how John Doe investigations can be conducted, citing recent cases involving police officers who shot and killed people while on duty.

The bill would prevent John Doe proceedings from being pursued if a person has a defense of self-defense.

Under current law, a district attorney has the authority to determine whether to issue a complaint to charge a person with a crime. If a district attorney declines to do so, a judge may conduct a hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to believe a crime was committed and, in that case, issue a complaint.

Under the bill, a court hearing could not be conducted without new evidence that a person's actions did not meet the standards for self-defense.

Officials started conducting John Doe investigations in Wisconsin beginning in 1839, nine years before statehood. These investigations are similar to federal grand juries in that witnesses can be brought before them and compelled to testify in secret.

The state's John Doe law came under scrutiny a decade ago when it was used to investigate then-Gov. Scott Walker's campaign activity, along with his aides and allies, in two separate but related probes.

The first investigation, begun in 2010, led to convictions of six Walker aides, associates or appointees on charges ranging from theft from a veterans group to misconduct in office. The second Doe probe, launched in 2012, looked into coordination between conservative political organizations and Walker and other candidates during recall elections.

The state Supreme Court shut down the second investigation in 2015 and found Walker and conservative groups backing him had done nothing illegal.

Republican lawmakers in 2015 passed legislation, signed by Walker, that prevents the use of John Doe probes for most political crimes.

The new proposal, introduced by Sens. Rob Hutton and Julian Bradley and Rep. Clint Moses, comes after two investigations into law enforcement officers.

"This provision of the Wisconsin Statutes is being abused to usurp the authority of an elected district attorney to evaluate the facts of the case and determine if criminal charges should be filed. Activists have just begun using this against law enforcement officers, and there is nothing stopping them from using it against citizens who use legally justified self-defense to defend themselves or others," the lawmakers said in a memo seeking co-sponsors for the bill.

The John Doe law was used to investigate former Wauwatosa Police Officer (now Waukesha County sheriff's deputy) Joseph Mensah after he fatally shot Jay Anderson Jr. inside his car. In 2022, special prosecutors announced Mensah would not be charged. The family of Tony Robinson recently sought to use the John Doe law to investigate Madison Police Officer Matt Kenny, who fatally shot Robinson in 2015, but a Dane County judge dismissed the case.

THANK YOU: Subscribers' support makes this work possible. Help us share the knowledge by buying a gift subscription.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Republican bill would limit use of John Doe investigations
One person was killed and multiple others were hurt when a pickup truck plowed into a group of motorcyclists and sped off with a bike still stuck to its front, Georgia troopers say.

The hit and run happened around 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, along Georgia State Route 61 in Fairmount, Georgia State Patrol said in a preliminary report.

The driver of a Ford F-150 was headed north at a high rate of speed when he barrelled into the bikers from behind, according to troopers. The impact caused one of the bikes to become embedded in the front of the truck, the report said.

Instead of stopping, the driver took off and a bystander followed him until officers were able to intervene, the report said. Officers stopped the truck about six miles up the road.

Investigators said the initial crash site was approximately 1,000 feet long and it shut down the road for more than two hours.

Three of the bikers were airlifted to area hospitals and two others were taken by ambulance, troopers said. One of them did not survive.

The Ford truck driver, who wasnt named, faces multiple charges including DUI, first-degree vehicular homicide, hit and run and reckless driving, the report says.

The conditions of the injured motorcyclists werent known as of Tuesday, Sept. 19.

Fairmount is about 60 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.

Missing woman found dead days after crash, Louisiana police say. Boyfriend charged

Kids at park purposely targeted and nearly hit by reckless driver in SUV, CO cops say

Driver stopping to help hurt dog in road is hit and killed by SUV, Florida cops say
MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A fresh new face is joining the yoboo familya loving, caring supermom.

yoboo bestie is about to release

This all-around actress, model, and vlogger recently entered motherhood, having given birth to a beautiful baby girl towards the end of 2022. She and her husband, who's from the same industry, tied the knot in February 2021 and have been embracing family life since then.

"We look forward to sharing with everyone our newest brand ambassador, who embodies our #yobooBestie philosophy," said Chinen Rina, Pediatrician and Founder of yoboo. "She is her daughter's best friend and naturally wants what's best for her. yoboo's ethos is rooted in our deep care for our partner families and babies' skincare needs, which we strive to fulfill through our products."

Committed to helping every family raise children in a relaxed and scientific manner, the Japanese-based brand provides expertly crafted skincare products for babies using natural plant extracts and biomimetic essence to awaken the skin's intrinsic vitality. A baby's skin is only 1/4 the thickness of adult skin, making it more fragile and sensitive to mechanical stress. It can also be prone to dryness, redness, and itching, which is why it requires extra care by developing good skincare habits with the help of gentle, high-quality products.

Using top-quality ingredients, all formulas are easily absorbed to nurture healthy and resilient skin. Its all-natural formulas reject unnecessary additives, preservatives, and allergens and follow strict quality standards for the parent's peace of mind.

Catch the big announcement on September 29, 2023 through yoboo's official Facebook (https://t.ly/DN7Dk) and Instagram (@yoboo.philippines) Pages. Save the date and we'll see you there.

For comprehensive skincare from baby's head to toe, visit yoboo Philippines' official stores in Lazada (https://t.ly/vEeOL) and Shopee (https://t.ly/wICgz).

Story continues

About yoboo

yoboo is a Japanese Mom and Baby Care Brand established in 2009 with bases in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Committed to providing professional mom and baby products that cater to moms and babies' different needs, yoboo's product line consists of Nursing Essentials, Feeding Essentials, Baby Skin Care, Baby Furniture and Accessories, Bath Essentials, Outdoor Essentials, Cleaning and Disinfection, and Baby Toys.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/baby-skincare-brand-yoboo-to-reveal-new-brand-ambassador-on-september-29-301930615.html

SOURCE yoboo
The International Criminal Court revealed malicious actors illegally accessed its computer systems late last week, posing potentially dangerous ramifications for the worlds only permanent war crimes tribunal.

The International Criminal Courts services detected anomalous activity affecting its information systems, the ICC said Monday in a statement posted to X , formerly Twitter . Immediate measures were adopted to respond to this cybersecurity incident and to mitigate its impact. These measures are reportedly ongoing, and include assistance from authorities in the Netherlands, where the ICC is based.

As Reuters notes, highly sensitive documents under the ICCs purview could potentially include protected witnesses identities, and detailed criminal evidence of war crimes. The ICC has not offered detail on what system areas and information may be potentially compromised.

[Related: Hackers prove it doesnt take much to hijack a dead satellite .]

Established in 2002 in The Hague to hold world leaders and countries accountable for war crimes and crimes against humanity, the ICC is currently investigating multiple allegations across Afghanistan, the Philippines, Uganda, Venezuela, and Ukraine . In March, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges of illegally deporting Ukrainian children. Although neither Ukraine nor Russia are ICC members, Kyiv granted the ICC the right to prosecute crimes committed within the territory. At the time, Russian authorities declared the arrest warrant null and void.

In an August article for the quarterly publication, Foreign Policy Analytics , ICC lead prosecutor Karim Khan announced in August the court would commit to investigating cybercrimes potentially violating the Rome Statute . First adopted in 1998, the legal treaty grants the ICC authority to prosecute war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. As of 2019 , 123 nations are party to the agreement.

[Related: Why government agencies keep getting hacked .]

Cyber warfare does not play out in the abstract. Rather, it can have a profound impact on peoples lives, Khan wrote in August. Attempts to impact critical infrastructure such as medical facilities or control systems for power generation may result in immediate consequences for many, particularly the most vulnerable. Consequently, as part of its investigations, my Office will collect and review evidence of such conduct.

This isn't the first time the ICC's cybersecurity has been compromised. In 2011, a controversial Kenyan journalist was accused and arrested by the ICC for allegedly leaking protected witnesses' identities online. He was later released .

PopSci has reached out to the ICC for comment, and will provide updates to this story as they become available.
Anonymous insider sources told U.S. media early in September that President Joe Bidens administration would likely soon announce that the U.S. will transfer MGM-140 ATACMS land-attack missiles to Ukraine. Allegedly, a recently rediscovered stockpile of these ground-launched missiles has boosted the appeal of such a transfer, though recently, an Army official denied any ATACMS inventory was actually 'lost' by the U.S. military.

Publicly, though, White House officials have maintained that an ATACMS transfer is on the table, but not yet decided, and said they would not announce a transfer of these weapons during Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to New York and Washington this week as Kyiv had urged.

For over a year, Ukraine and its supporters have lobbied for access to this deep strike weapon, compatible with the M142 HIMARS rocket artillery truck and older, heavier tracked M270 MLRS vehicles already donated to Ukraine. Zelensky says that he has discussed supply of ATACMS with Biden on multiple occasions. And while one faction of congressional Republicans staunchly opposes aid to Ukraine, four Republican senators from an opposing faction wrote a letter to Biden urging him to finally donate ATACMS.

Bidens reluctance to donate the Army Tactical Missile System stems from two concerns. The first is that ATACMSs chief advantageits strike range of 190 milesmight enable Ukraine to mount provocative attacks deeper into Russian soil using an American-supplied weapon. As for many other weapons supplied to Ukraine without consequence, propagandists in Russia have (very dubiously) threatened grandiose consequences should ATACMS be donated, such as attacks on bases in Poland and Germany.

More threats from Olga Skabeyeva today:



"Washington is well aware that if the Pentagon supplies Ukraine with ATACMS missiles with a range of up to 300km, Russia has every right to defend itself. That's to say, to strike Poland or the US's Ramstein base in Germany, for example." pic.twitter.com/8hljf4ig6L  Francis Scarr (@francis_scarr) September 19, 2022

However, concerns that Ukraine might employ ATACMS problematically have likely been significantly allayed by the U.K. and Frances delivery of Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG cruise missiles earlier this year, which exceed ATACMS in range. Ukraine has extensively employed these missile, but not on targets on Russian soil (which have instead been struck by indigenous Ukrainian weapons).



The other concern was the limited number of ATACMS missiles producedjust over 4,000, of which around 500 were used in combat and the majority of initial production retired. That means ATACMS donated to Ukraine could dent the U.S. Armys and Marine Corps current stockpile.

CNN claims that Lockheed Martin is building/modernizing 500 new ATACMS missiles per year, likely mostly devoted to fulfilling foreign export orders (see below) with 900 already sold abroad by mid-2023 to Bahrain, Greece, Qatar, South Korea, Poland, Romania, Turkey and UAE. Budget documents suggest M57 missile cost $1.7 million in 2021 dollars, while M57E1s rebuilt from retired M39 missiles cost $1.3 million.

A rediscovered stockpile (if it exists in some form) may ease quantity concerns, and likely consists of retired M39-series missiles designed to release hundreds of cluster bomblets. These M39s could be transferred directly to Ukraine, or the U.S. could donate some of its newer, non-cluster warhead M57 missiles while converting rediscovered M39s into M57E1s to backfill the U.S. militarys inventory.

A wheeled HIMARS rocket launcher ordinarily carries a single, pre-loaded pod laden with six 227-millimeter artillery rockets effective out to 43 miles. The older, beefier tracked M270 MLRS carries two such pods (12 missiles total). But those pods can be swapped one-for-one with ATACMS pods carrying one big 610-millimeter diameter guided missile that can fly 186 miles.

That allows such artillery units to double as quasi-ballistic missile launchers capable of deep fires against targets far beyond the frontline, including high-level command posts, airbases, and fuel and ammunition stores, as well as enemy artillery, air defenses, and opposing tactical missiles.

Presently, Ukraine has received or been pledged at least 38 M142 HIMARS trucks, as well as at 18 M270A1s or B1s donated by France, Italy and the United Kingdom that can employ ATACMS missiles. There are also five German M270 MARS systems compatible only with the oldest M39 missiles. The fact that Ukraine already owns these launch vehicles and has experience using them would significantly eases challenges in integrating another type of long-range weapon.

None of these vehicles has been visually confirmed lost in combat, despite Russias frequent claims to have destroyed more HIMARS systems than were ever delivered to Ukraine.

How ATACMS works

ATACMS is the U.S. Armys in-house deep strike weapon for when air strikes are deterred by air defenses or bad weather, or are simply not available fast enough.

Exactly when the Army should use these expensive missiles in place of airstrikes remains much studied and debated. In fact, in two wars in Iraq, the Army has most often targeted ATACMS strikes on air defenses to pave a clear path for friendly airpower, a mission known as JSEAD (Joint Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses.) As air defenses grow more potent, ground-launched strikes targeting them will likely grow in importance in the 21st century.

This weapon began development in 1980 to replace the dual nuclear/conventional MGM-52 Lance ballistic missiles assigned to Corps-level artillery brigades. Improved guidance and cluster munitions were believed to make resorting to a nuke unnecessary. The Air Force also originally planned for an air-launched variant, while the Navy mulled a submarine-launched version for Los Angeles-class subs in the 1990s, but both services ultimately passed.

On launch, an ATACMS missile accelerates to over three times the speed of sound and performs a series of maneuversincluding steep climbs and drops, making it difficult to shoot down. It can optionally be launched off axis (at reduction to maximum range) to obfuscate the position of the launchers, protecting them from counterbattery fire.

The original M39 missile was guided to target using a then-advanced inertial guidance system. In its terminal phase, it spins and sprays a large target area with 950 M74 cluster bomblets effective against both personnel and material targets. This huge spread was deemed capable of dealing 57% destruction even when bursting 150 meters away from the intended target, and could inflict lesser damage up to 450 meters away. Unlike improved dual-purpose cluster munitions, however, M74s werent designed to penetrate armored vehicles or hardened structures.

The subsequent M39A1compatible only with improved M270A1 launchers and M142scarried just 300 bomblets but introduced GPS guidance to greatly increase accuracy, meaning a similar number of bomblets still actually hit the intended target.

There were plans for Block II M39A3 missiles each carrying 13 Brilliant Anti-Tank (BAT) bomblets designed to individually home in on moving armored vehicles within 2.5 miles of release using acoustic and infrared sensorsmeaning that one missile could theoretically wipeout an entire Soviet tank company. An improved Block IIA model with radar-guided BAT bomblets was also planned., but post-Cold War, the mass armor assault threat was deemed over. As a result, BAT was canceled in 2002 after 75 M39A3s were built and $2.2 billion was spent developing it.

By then, cluster weapons had grown controversial due to the tendency of dud bomblets to dangerously contaminate large areas. M74 bomblets reportedly fail to detonate 2% of the time, implying an M39 missile leaves behind an average of 19 bomblets in need of disposal.

While Washington refused to sign on to a cluster weapon ban, it no longer wanted to use them routinely. So, in the 2010s, M39 missiles were replaced by M48 and M57 missiles using regular unitary 507-lb. WDU-18/B warheads taken from Harpoon anti-ship missiles. The M57s enhanced GPS guidance improved average accuracy to 9 meters, making area saturation unnecessary. Furthermore, many old M39 and M39A1 rockets were refitted with new warheads, engines and guidance systems under the designation M57E1.

US Army Photo - Wikimedia Commons

In 2023, the Army will begin receiving deliveries of the succeeding Precision Strike Missile (PrSM), extending strike range to over 310 miles (perhaps eventually up to around 500 or 620 miles) now that the INF treatys restrictions on land-based missile weapons are defunct. Two PrSMs will fit each in rocket pod, doubling max capacity compared to ATACMS. Furthermore, later Increment 2 PrSMs will have multi-mode seekers allowing home-in on moving targets, making it an effective anti-ship weapon. Initial low rate of production of 110 PrSM missiles annually is underway, with full-scale production to begin 2025, with deliveries to Australia and likely the UK foreseen.

In an interview with The Drive, an Army official allowed that imminent PrSM deliveries made donations of ATACMS "...might make it less risky from a [operational] readiness standpoint..." for the U.S. military.

But the PrSM isnt in service yet, and ATACMS remains in demandboth with the Army and Marine Corps, and with foreign clients. Future M57 missile buyers include Australia (10), Estonia (18), Lithuania (18), Morrocco (40), andlikelyTaiwan (up to 64.) Poland, which is currently ordering a whopping 486 HIMARS launchers, requested 48 more ATACMS in 2023 too.

Slayer of SAMS: ATACMS in combat

Gpadilla81/CCA-SA4 - Wikimedia Commons

According to a West Point thesis paper, 32 ATACMS were launched in 24 fire missions by the U.S. Armys VII Corps in the missiles combat debut in the 1991 Gulf War. The first mission was conducted on short notice by an MLRS battery in a convoy to quickly destroy an Iraqi SA-2 surface-to-air missile site.

In total, ATACMS strikes outright destroyed six Iraqi air defense systems and silenced several more, clearing corridors through which Coalition warplanes could fly un-assailed. Other strikes targeted Iraqi refueling sites, multiple rocket artillery systems, and Frog-7 tactical missile trucks.

E-8 JSTARS surveillance and battle management aircraft often acquired, or verified, ground targets subsequently struck by ATACMS. Furthermore, an A-10 pilot called in an urgent ATACMS strike that struck a bridge while an Iraqi convoy was crossing, allegedly destroying 200 soft-skin vehicles.

In the U.S.s 2003 invasion of Iraq, another 414 M39, M39A1, and M48 ATACMS were used, by which time average strike deconfliction/planning time decreased from 1-2 hours to seven minutes. 13 M48s joined in the opening bombardment of Baghdad on March 20 of that year with Tomahawk cruise missiles. Strikes by 64 M39 missiles were credited with crippling air defense, artillery, and command units of Iraqs 11th Infantry Division, rendering it combat ineffective in 24 hours.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and the 101st Air Mobile division both made extensive use of ATACMS (90 and 114 launched respectively)the latter in advance of Apache helicopter sorties near Karbala, including 29 prior to an ill-fated massed Apache attack on Iraqs Medina division.

Most notably, ATACMSs ability to deliver 50 precision strikes during a blinding sandstorm which mostly grounded air support for two days was praised for enabling a sustained advance on Baghdad.

A further 42 M48 and 35 M57 missiles were reportedly used in combat in Afghanistan.

How would ATACMS impact the war in Ukraine?

When Ukraine began using shorter-range GPS-guided GMLRS rockets in the summer of 2022, they caused massive destruction to Russias forward deployed logistical bases, ammo and fuel depots, and command postsfatally hobbling Russias summer offensive and clearing the way for successful Ukrainian counterstrikes in Kharkiv and Kherson province that fall.

But from this painful learning experience, Russia adjusted its logistical and command post deployments to reduce vulnerability to HIMARSmost obviously by pushing depots and command posts back out of strike range, even if that came at a cost to logistical efficiency. Another effective measure was deploying GPS jamming near key facilities to degrade accuracy of GMLRS rockets. Finally, Russia better fortified such targets and allocated more air defense assets to protecting them.

ATACMS obviously brings many more rear-area Russian depots, HQs, and bases within striking rangeincluding Russian airbases in Crimea and bridges spanning the Kerch Strait (ie. Russia to Crimea), as well as those connecting Crimea to the Ukrainian mainland. However, they may also be susceptible to degraded accuracy from GPS jamming.

Its worth noting that Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles have already been used for long-range strikes this summer. They have achieved good results, but not the massive impact HIMARS did in 2022 due to Russias above-described countermeasures.

Still, ATACMS differ in important respects from Storm Shadow. As a ground-launched weapon, it isnt tethered to Ukraines Su-24M bomber fleet, making it less vulnerable to preemptive attacks. (The home base of Ukraines Su-24 base has been repeatedly hammered by Russian missile strikes, though without much apparent success.)

Because ATACMS is many times faster than Storm Shadow, it can be used against more time sensitive mobile targets, such as artillery and air defense systems, ships at port, or aircraft refueling on the ground.

The missile may also compel Russia to commit additional types of air defense systems to protect rear area targetsespecially S-300V4 batteries uniquely capable of mobile ballistic missile defensefurther thinning out air defense assets to the benefit of Ukrainian frontline aviation.

But most importantly, ATACMS will give Ukraine more long-distance arrows for its quiver. As Ukraines donated Storm Shadows and SCALP inventory inevitably depletes this year, ATACMs could arrive in time to pick up the slack and allow Ukraine to sustain long-distance precision strikes in the post-counteroffensive timeframe.

Allies of Ukraine that could theoretically donate additional ATACMs missiles include Romania and Poland, while Egypt, South Korea, and Turkey might be amenable to selling theirs to Ukraine or to backfilling U.S. donations.

Another munition arriving this fallthe Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GL-SDB), also launchable from M270 and M142 vehiclesmay be even more important for Ukraine. Though it has a lower speed and range (93 miles), it may cost one-tenth the price ($170,000) per shot.



You Might Also Like
At least 11,300 people are believed to be dead and more than 9,000 remain missing after heavy rains and dam bursts caused catastrophic flooding in Libya, officials say.

Mediterranean storm Daniel hit the the city of Bayda with more than 16 inches of rain last Sunday, the countrys National Center of Meteorology said. The storm caused widespread flooding in the North African nation, collapsing two dams and submerging entire neighborhoods underwater.



Derna, in eastern Libya, has taken the worst hit, with emergency workers continuing to recover bodies from the rubble. The city has been declared a disaster zone, and electricity and communication has been cut off.

These figures are expected to rise as search-and-rescue crews work tirelessly to find survivors, the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said of the death toll this past Saturday.

Bayda and the cities of Al Marj, Susah, and Shahat have also recorded casualties.

We issued immediate instructions to use all our capabilities, provide the needed support of all urgent medical equipment, operate medical convoys and to allocate shelters to those who lost their homes, General Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, said in a televised address last Tuesday. We have directed the government to form a specialized committee to assess the damage, instantly begin the reconstruction of roads to facilitate transportation, restore the electricity, and to take all immediate and needed measures in that regards.

President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden sent their deepest condolences to all the families who have lost loved ones in the floods. In this difficult hour, the United States is sending emergency funds to relief organizations and coordinating with the Libyan authorities and the U.N. to provide additional support. We join the Libyan people in grieving the loss of too many lives cut short, and send our hope to all those missing loved ones, the president wrote on X.

As rescue efforts continue, see how you can help those affected by the tragedy.

UNICEF and partners are on the ground assessing the situation and humanitarian needs. The nonprofit is reaching children and families with emergency supplies. Currently, the most pressing needs are shelters, non-food items, drinking water, hygiene kits, medical supplies, and clothes. So far, UNICEF has supplied 1,100 hygiene kits, vital medical supplies for 10,000 people, essential clothing kits for 500 children, and more. Donate here.

The International Rescue Committee is providing critical emergency services to families in Libya and refugee families amid the devastation. Donate here.

The British Red Cross launched an emergency appeal to support those affected in the country. Donate here.



Doctors Without Borders provides immediate medical aid during humanitarian emergencies. Help them save lives here.

Islamic Relief Worldwide is also providing aid to disaster-stricken families in Libya. Donate here.

ISeeYou Foundation is raising funds for a Libyan-run organization in Turkey that is purchasing and delivering supplies and relief to the affected areas. Help here.

World Food Program USA is actively fundraising to support the United Nations World Food Programmes response efforts in Libya. So far, they have provided food rations to hundreds of families across 16 locations in Benghazi, with plans to reach more than 5,000 families in the coming days. Rations include sugar, pasta, rice, wheat flour, tomato paste, white beans, and cooking oil. Donate here.

The International Medical Corps is on the ground in Derna, providing emergency health, water, sanitation, hygiene services, and supplies to affected families. Donate here.

You Might Also Like
Man known as the "Godfather" gets 18 months over poached rhino horns

A Malaysian man who sold a dozen black rhino and white rhino horns to a confidential source was sentenced to a year and a half in a U.S. prison Tuesday, federal prosecutors in New York said. Teo Boon Ching, known as the "Godfather," had pleaded guilty to a count of conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking, the U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan said in a statement.

"As long as you have cash, I can give you the goods in 1-2 days," Ching, 58, told the confidential source during a meeting in Malaysia in 2019, according to prosecutors.

The Malaysia meetings lasted for two days, and during that time, Ching described himself as a "middleman" who buys rhino horns poached by co-conspirators in Africa and ships them to customers around the world, according to prosecutors. Ching also sent the source photos of rhino horns that were for sale.

Later that year, authorities directed the source to buy 12 rhino horns from Ching, which were delivered to the source in a suitcase. A U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lab confirmed two of the horns were from a black rhino, which the World Wildlife Fund considers to be critically endangered, and the other 10 horns were from white rhinos, which are not considered to be endangered but are instead "near threatened," according to the group.

A photo provided by the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York shows poached rhino horns that were sold to a confidential source. / Credit: U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York

Ching was arrested in Thailand in 2022 and eventually extradited to the U.S. According to prosecutors, he conspired to traffic approximately 480 pounds of poached rhino horns worth about $2.1 million.

"Wildlife trafficking is a serious threat to the natural resources and the ecological heritage shared by communities across the globe, enriching poachers responsible for the senseless illegal slaughter of numerous endangered rhinoceros and furthering the market for these illicit products," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.

Why are rhino horns poached?

High demand for rhino horns has fueled an illegal market. In parts of Asia, the horns are thought to have unproven, powerful medicinal properties and at one point they were more expensive than cocaine in Vietnam.

Even though the horns grow back, poachers kill rhinos instead of sedating them to cut off the horns. In response, several initiatives have been launched to thwart poachers, including moving rhinos to different parts of Africa to get them out of poachers' reach and also safely removing rhinos' horns so they're not targeted.

What is a rhino horn made of?

Rhino horns are made of the protein keratin, which is also found in fingernails and toenails.

Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady

Phil Mickelson opens up about gambling addiction

Federal Reserve pauses interest rate hikes in September meeting
Ashley Benefield is accused of killing her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, and is attempting to have the case dismissed under Florida's Stand Your Ground law. The two-day hearing on the justifiable use of force immunity defense concluded July 7 at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.

A Manatee County judge has denied a motion to dismiss a case against a former ballerina accused of killing her estranged husband almost two months after she appeared in court for a Stand Your Ground hearing.

Ashley Benefield, 31, was arrested and charged with murder in the second degree with a firearm in November 2020, a little over a month after investigators responded to a call from a neighbor who said Ashley Benefield had told him she'd been attacked by her husband, Doug Benefield, and that she had shot him, according to an affidavit.

During a hearing in July, Assistant State Attorneys Suzanne O'Donnell and Rebecca Freel, and Ashley Benefield's defense attorney, Neil Taylor, argued whether or not Ashley Benefield's actions the night she fired a gun at Doug Benefield were self-defense.

Previous reporting: Former ballerina's 'Stand Your Ground' hearing concludes: Wait begins for judge's decision

Day 1 coverage of July hearing: Former ballerina accused of killing estranged husband in court for Stand Your Ground

In February, Ashley Benefield filed a motion to dismiss the case and requested a declaration of immunity, claiming she fired the gun because she feared for her life. The motion placed the burden on assistant state attorneys O'Donnell and Freel to prove through clear and convincing evidence that Ashley Benefield did not act in self-defense.

Under Florida's Stand Your Ground Law, a person is "justified in using or threatening to use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.

The individual also is not required to try to run away first before firing the gun, and this doesn't apply if the person is engaged in a form of criminal activity when defending themselves.

12th Judicial Circuit Judge Matt Whyte speaks to attorneys during the hearing. Ashley Benefield is accused of killing her estranged husband, Doug Benefield, and is attempting to have the case dismissed under Florida's Stand Your Ground law. The hearing on the justifiable use of force immunity defense began July 6 at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.

Circuit Court Judge Stephen Whyte's 27-page order states O'Donnell and Freel proved through clear and convincing evidence that Ashley Benefield "is not entitled to court-ordered immunity from prosecution" thus denying the motion to dismiss.

Whyte said considering the totality of the evidence presented during the hearing showed that the state proved Doug Benefield's homicide wasn't a "singular act of necessary self-defense but was instead the culmination of a lengthy, concerted effort" by Ashley Benefield.

Keep reading: Former Florida ballerina evokes 'Stand Your Ground' in 2020 homicide of estranged husband

In the news now: Venice family drops social worker from lawsuit against All Children's Hospital

"When the defendant's efforts to enlist the assistance of law enforcement, child protective services, and the judicial system failed, she took matters into her own hands, as she told Dr. Broeder she would," the order states.

Whyte further states that when considering the text messages between Ashley and Doug Benefield leading up to Sept. 27, 2020  the day of the shooting  a reasonably cautious and prudent person under the same or similar circumstances wouldn't have perceived the texts as being so dangerous that they would need to use deadly force.

The order highlights that after the state rested its case, Ashley Benefield did not testify before the judge, nor were any witnesses called on her behalf, with the defense solely relying on allegations in her motion and further attachments to be used as evidence.

Gabriela Szymanowska covers the legal system for the Herald-Tribune in partnership with Report for America. You can support her work with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America. Contact Gabriela Szymanowska at gszymanowska@gannett.com, or on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Ashley Benefield's claim of self-defense in husband's killing denied
A candidate for Missouri governor has said he wasnt really burning books in a recent viral video, but if elected, hed burn woke pornographic books  on the front lawn of the governors mansion rather than allow them in schools.

Porn, to be clear, is not in school libraries. Many Republicans have described topics and books with LGBTQ+ themes as sexually explicit, especially books related to gender identity.

Bill Eigel, currently a state senator, is seeking the 2024 Republican nomination for governor. The video shows him and another GOP state senator, Nick Schroer, setting cardboard boxes on fire with flamethrowers at a Republican fundraising event held Friday in Missouris St. Charles County.

The video was shared widely across social media, leading some to accuse Eigel of book burning. But he and other Republicans said the boxes were empty.

In the video, I am taking a flame thrower to cardboard boxes representing what I am going to do to the leftist policies and RINO corruption of the Jeff City swamp, he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, referring to Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri. But lets be clear, you bring those woke pornographic books to Missouri schools to try to brainwash our kids, and Ill burn those too  on the front lawn of the governors mansion.

 (@)

Eigel, a state senator since 2017, has sponsored a bill to ban materials on gender identity or gender reassignment in schools, but it hasnt passed. On the website for his gubernatorial campaign, he vows to eliminate hate-based ideologies such as Critical Race Theory, the 1619 Project, and other woke programs in public schools.

He enthusiastically supported legislation that passed this year to ban gender-affirming care for transgender minors and some adults, and to bar trans student athletes from competing under their gender identity.

Missouris current governor, Republican Mike Parson, cant run again in 2024 because of term limits. Besides Eigel, candidates seeking the Republican gubernatorial nomination are Jay Ashcroft, the current secretary of state, and Mike Kehoe, now the lieutenant governor. The only Democrat who has announced her candidacy so far is House Minority Leader Crystal Quade.

Quade issued a statement condemning Eigels stunt, The Kansas City Star reports.

Bill Eigel and his extremist allies idea of campaigning for governor is using a flamethrower to burn whatever he doesnt agree with, she said. Watching lawmakers use flamethrowers to intimidate folks they disagree with is a jarring reminder of how they view their jobs as a joke, while real people suffer from their cruelty. We deserve a government thats going to work to solve real problems, not make political stunts.

Pictured: Bill Eigel and the flamethrower video
Rashone Jacob still hasnt come to terms with the fact that her 16-year-old son, JaShawn Poirier is dead, she told the jury Wednesday morning in the trial to sentence his killer.

She still has all his things, packed now in her garage. When she returned from burying him next to her mother in Pontiac, Michigan, she was stunned by the number of people who turned up at a memorial service for him at Lamar High School in Arlington, the school where he was shot on March 20.

My son was just a laid-back kid, who stayed to himself and loved to play sports and hang out with his family and friends, Jacob told the jurors.

Jacob moved with her son and daughter to Arlington months before a 15-year-old student with a shotgun opened fire on a crowd outside the school, killing Poirier and wounding a female student. The shooter, who is not being named because he was convicted as a juvenile, has pleaded guilty to capital murder and attempted capital murder. The jury in Tarrant County Juvenile Court will decide his sentence from a range of no punishment to a maximum of 40 years.

Jacobs son made good grades in Michigan and was doing the same in Arlington, she testified Wednesday. Hed looked forward to playing football at Lamar High School, but because of when they arrived in Texas he was told hed have to wait until the next school year, which would have been his senior year.

She was at work when she got a call from her cousin, telling her the school was trying to get in touch with her. That cousin told her that Poirier had been shot.

All I can remember is just screaming, crying and calling my boss and telling her I have to leave, Jacob said.

She tried to get to the school, but traffic was too heavy. Eventually, she ended up at the hospital where she was told her son was in surgery. She didnt get to see him again before doctors told her Poirier had died.

A memorial was held at Lamar High School on April 28, 2023, honoring JaShawn Poirier. He was fatally shot outside of the school on March 20.

Jacob said that while she has her daughter and cousins living in North Texas close to her, its felt like she has been processing the loss of her son by herself.

She wanted the jury to know that her son was the kind of person who made friends easily, despite being a quiet teenager who typically tried to keep to himself. He was loving and just wanted to spend as much time as he could with his family and friends and never did anything to hurt others, she said.

The rest of the family is still struggling with Poiriers death, too, Jacob said. Her daughter was the one who dropped Poirier off at school that morning.

It impacted her hard because she was the last person who saw him who dropped him off at school, Jacob said. They went skating that Sunday and then on Monday it happened.

The mother of the teenager who shot and killed Poirier also testified Wednesday, telling jurors that she knew her son well and had a good relationship with him, something the teens defense attorneys have disputed.

The jury was shown images of text messages from the shooters mother on March 9 in which she talks to him about being suspended, which attorneys for the state suggested proves she was not an absentee mother, as Assistant Criminal District Attorney Lloyd Whelchel put it.

His mother also told the jury she called the detention center regularly to check on her son and only didnt drive to visit him because it was seven hours from her home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Fort Worth and she wasnt certain he would see her.

The mother told the jurors she was in regular contact with her son before his arrest, saying they sent between 30 and 40 texts back and forth every day. She said she kept in touch with him while he was in the juvenile detention center, calling regularly to check on him when she was told he didnt want to call her.

This is my child and even though I love him, accountability has to be given, his mother told the jury.

Defense attorney Lisa Herrick argued during questioning that the teens mother wasnt a good parent, a reason the defense said in opening statements Tuesday that the jury should show the teen some leniency.

Herrick pointed out that the shooters mother withheld from previous testimony information about one of her children, her oldest daughter, saying she had three children when she has four.

The mother told the jury her older son was recently released from prison after a conviction on drug and vehicle theft charges.

The mother also told the jury that before her son who is on trial moved to Texas to live with his father in 2018, the teen lived in a home with regular arguments, fights, violence and visits to the home by local police. His father has now been convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to over six years in federal prison because authorities said the shotgun their son used in the shooting came from his home.

A photo submitted by prosecution on Tuesday shows the weapon that was used during the shooting at Lamar High in March 20.

The mother said she didnt know about the fight in October that led to her sons suspension from Lamar High School, testifying that she only knew about a fight he had at some earlier time in 2022. She testified she didnt know about his problems with attendance at school until he told her he had in-school suspension on March 9.

The teens mother also said she didnt believe her sons account about being sexually assaulted in a school bathroom in October. After his arrest, her son told police that he opened fire toward a crowd of students outside the school after he thought he recognized one of the classmates who had assaulted him. The mother told the jury in response to a question from the prosecution that she hadnt noticed any changes in her son since the date he said hed been sexually assaulted.

In response to a question from the defense, the teens mother said she hadnt seen her son in person since before the date of the alleged sexual assault.

Prosecutors began the trials second day on Wednesday by introducing evidence they say shows the teen immediately began sending messages following the shooting in an attempt to create an alibi for himself.

Tarrant County Assistant Criminal District Attorney Lee Sorrells shows the jury a surveillance video on Tuesday of the shooting at Lamar High on March 20 that killed student JaShawn Poirier.

The prosecution presented text messages police said were sent by the shooter before he was arrested. In those messages, he texted at least two people to say that he had too many tardies at school and had detention but he wasnt going.

In another text message, the teen told a family member that somebody was shooting at the school.

CALL THE POLICE THER SHOOTING AT MU SCHOOL, the message said.

That message was sent at 6:58 a.m., two minutes after the teen has admitted he opened fire.

The family member sent several messages after that, asking if he made it home, asking him to call her and questioning why he wasnt answering his phone.

The teen entered the courtroom Wednesday wearing civilian clothing after the day before opting to wear his khaki, jail-provided uniform against advice of the court.

The prosecution called the teens probation officer to the witness stand, during which he confirmed that the choice to wear his jail uniform on Tuesday was something the teen made a conscious decision to do

Attorneys for the state told Juvenile Court Judge Alex Kim before the jury was brought into the courtroom Wednesday morning that the prosecution had seven more witnesses.

In opening statements Tuesday, the defense said it intended to seek leniency for the teen with a promise that attorneys would call experts to talk about the brain development of a juvenile, impulsivity, the way a minor evaluates potential actions and consequences, and explore the possibilities of rehabilitation.

Frank Adler, co-counsel for the teens defense, told the jury that the defense would not be asking for the minimum sentence of no disposition, or zero punishment, but would be asking for less than the maximum of 40 years.

The prosecution, known as the petitioner in juvenile court, told the jury it would seek that highest penalty, saying that the state would show through video, photos and witness testimony that the teen not only committed the crime at his Arlington school but then immediately began trying to create an alibi.

In the first day of testimony, the jury heard from a surviving victim, police officers, a psychologist and investigators. Attorneys on both sides of the case sparred in the courtroom over the validity of the sexual assault allegation the shooter made after he was arrested.

A detective with Arlington police who investigates crimes against children told the jury that she at one point believed the report the teen made because of the details he provided but that she no longer does.

A psychological evaluation shared with jurors may have created more questions than answers, as the psychologist Monica Jeter said that the teens personality evaluation indicated he was being defensive and the results should be taken with some measure of caution.

The evaluation indicated that the shooter was a moderate risk for future violent crime, had below average sophistication, above average maturity and had strained relations with his parents.

On Tuesday morning, jurors were told that he was found and arrested shortly after firing a shotgun into a crowd of around 20 students waiting to enter the high school, and dropped a backpack that contained the shotgun he used as well as unused buckshot shells when he ran from police.

This is a developing story. For the latest updates, sign up for breaking news alerts.
Salt Lake Police investigate a scene in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. A man was arrested in Summit County over the weekend after police say he fled from officers in both Utah and Wyoming while traveling as fast as 134 mph on his motorcycle. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

A motorcyclist who police say fled from officers four times, at one point reaching speeds over 130 mph, was arrested over the weekend after deputies say he went into Wyoming before circling back to Summit County.

Rulon William Stowell, 21, was booked into the Summit County Jail for investigation of four counts of failing to stop for police, failing to properly display his license plate, failing to signal, reckless driving and going 100 mph or faster.

Stowell was first spotted by Summit County sheriff's deputies coming out of Kimball Junction heading east on I-80 about 7:15 p.m. Saturday. He was "clocked on radar going 134 mph on the freeway," according to a police booking affidavit.

"When deputies initiated the traffic stop, the motorcycle fled and accelerated to over 100 mph weaving in and out of traffic. Due to the speed of the motorcycle, deputies lost sight of it and terminated the pursuit," the affidavit states.

Deputies set up further down the freeway again spotted Stowell, who they say was still speeding, and again attempted to pull him over, but he allegedly fled.

"Deputies patrolling in the Coalville area spotted the motorcycle at the Bells gas station and initiated another traffic stop and gave the driver of the motorcycle an order to stop and not to move. The driver of the motorcycle then fled from the gas station and accelerated to a high rate of speed, reaching speeds of over 100 mph. The motorcycle then crossed into Wyoming where Wyoming law enforcement continued the pursuit," the affidavit says.

Later, Stowell drove back to Utah, where another pursuit was started but was then called off due to safety concerns.

Deputies, however, "were able to follow and survey the motorcycle as it continued toward Coalville. Deputies observed the motorcycle pull into the Phillips 66. Deputies surrounded the motorcycle and took the driver identified as Rulon Stowell into custody," the affidavit states. That happened about 8:30 p.m.

The license plate on Stowell's motorcycle was folded up so it could not be read, according to deputies.

Stowell's arrest comes less than two weeks after he pleaded guilty in Roy Justice Court to reckless driving and was placed on two years of probation, according to court records.
Sidney Powell, an ex-attorney for former President Donald Trump, is getting roasted.

Powell faces seven charges for her alleged involvement to undermine the 2020 presidential election, among them a violation of Georgias Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, but filed a motion to dismiss Friday with a brazen complaint.

Ms. Powells longstanding trusted traveler status has been revoked by TSA for her criminal historyin addition to other problems created by this wrongful indictment, read the footnote, which was first reported by Washington Post correspondent Holly Bailey.

Powells charges include conspiracy to commit election fraud and conspiracy to defraud the state. She is among 19 co-defendants who surrendered to Georgia authorities last month (including Trump). Powell pleaded not guilty to all charges and requested a speedy trial.

Powells alleged involvement in the failed political power grab of 2020, during which Trump asked Georgias Secretary of State to find more than 11,000 ballots in his favor, and her bold motion to dismiss because of revoked TSA privileges  left online pundits stunned.

Poor Sidney Powell, award-winning science writer Steve Silberman wrote Tuesday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. She tried to destroy our democracy with the sheer force of lies and bullshit and they took away her TSA Pre-check.

I have changed my mind about Sydney Powell [sic] upon learning she must go through regular airport security now, law professor Anthony Michael Kreis wrote Tuesday on the platform. Fulton County simply must free her in the interest of human dignity.

Powell, whose career includes representing firms and executives involved in the Enron accounting scandal of the 2000s, raised more than $16 million through a nonprofit by spreading the lie that the 2020 election was stolen by President Joe Biden.

We all need to take a moment of silence for Sidney Powells latest aggravation. She has to stand in line with the rest of us, poor thing, wrote one X user, with another joking: Poor baby, attempting to overthrow the government does have a few minor consequences.

Powell faces seven charges, including conspiracy to commit election fraud.

Powell faces seven charges, including conspiracy to commit election fraud.

Powell baselessly claimed Dominion Voting Systems rigged voting machines in favor of Biden and that thousands of Americans had some role in it. Even commentator Tucker Carlson, and Trump himself, respectively said she was lying and laughingly called her claims crazy.

Powell is nonetheless adamant her name was only ruined by this indictment.

It has done a great injustice to the people named and unnamed in it  persons [whose] previously sterling reputations have been dragged through the mud and their lives and those of their families irreparably altered by this baseless prosecution, stated her motion.

Powell reportedly got permission Tuesday to conduct voluntary interviews with grand jurors about the Georgia indictment. She and Kenneth Chesebro, who was also charged with racketeering, will be tried separately from their 17 co-defendants in the case.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee recently set Chesebros trial date as Oct. 23, and while he hasnt yet ruled on Powells, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has reportedly asked that all speedy trials for relevant defendants be held at the same time.

Related...
NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The biobanking market is expected to grow by USD 1.45 billion from 2022 to 2027. In addition, the market's momentum will progress at a CAGR of 8.58% during the forecast period, according to Technavio Research. The market is segmented by Type (Physical and Virtual), Product (Equipment and Consumables), and Geography (Europe, North America, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). Europe is estimated to contribute 38% to the growth of the global market during the forecast period. A growing need for the preservation of biosamples in Europe has been driven by the presence of many well-known Biobanks within the region. This is a result of the very robust biobanking system, for example, in Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and other EU countries like France and Belgium. The two main factors that support these countries with strong biobank systems in the region are high-quality biobanks and efficient public health services. The UK's Biobank, with a population of more than 5 million samples, is one of the most important biobanks in the region and has proved to be vital for conducting major-scale drug research. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period. This report offers an up-to-date analysis of the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. Read FREE PDF Sample Report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Biobanking Market 2023-2027

Company Profile:

AMS Biotechnology Europe Ltd., ASKION GmbH, Azenta Inc., Bay Biosciences LLC, BioIVT LLC, Boca Biolistics LLC, CTIBiotech, Cureline Inc., Danaher Corp., Firalis SA, GENETICIST Inc., Greiner Bio One International GmbH, Hamilton Bonaduz AG, OraSure Technologies Inc., PHC Holdings Corp., Promega Corp., ProteoGenex Inc., Shanghai Genext Medical Technology Co. Ltd., Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., and US Biolab Corp. Inc.

AMS Biotechnology Europe Ltd. - The company offers biobanking such as Pig Liver Total RNA, Zebrafish Genomic DNA, Human tonsil normal FFPE tissue block, and others.

Story continues

To gain access to more vendor profiles available with Technavio, buy the report!

Biobanking Market: Segmentation Analysis

The market share growth by the physical segment will be significant during the forecast period. Based on the physical nature of the biological samples, the physical segment refers to the various types of biobanks. Biobanks can be divided into several groups, e.g. tissue biobanks, stem cell banks, and blood branches, as a result of the biological characteristics of the sample.

Learn about the contribution of each segment summarized in concise infographics and thorough descriptions. View a FREE PDF Sample Report

"Besides analyzing the current market scenario, our report examines historic data from 2017 to 2021"- Technavio

Biobanking Market: Market Dynamics

Key Driver

Growing demand for personalized medicine

Increase in efficiency through automation

Reduction in research costs

Growing demand for personalized medicine is a key factor driving market growth. Personalized medicine refers to treatments that are based on an individual's characteristics, needs, and preferences. People are increasingly saving their tissue and stem cells for future treatment if needed. An important need for personalized medicine is the availability of individual samples containing individual annotated clinical and pathological data. Furthermore, research institutions are widely exploring ways to develop personalized treatments from biological samples. For example, in February 2021, UPS Healthcare announced an investment and further expansion of its capabilities in genetic and cellular services. Additionally, in June 2020, Infosys, a next-generation digital consulting and services company, launched personalized medicine solutions for the pharmaceutical industry. Hence, these factors are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Increasing focus on rare disease research is a major trend in the market. Identify key trends, drivers, and challenges in the market. Download a FREE sample to gain access to this information.

FAQS

How do the major trends impact the market?

How big is the Europe market?

How do the key drivers and challenges impact the market?

Related Reports:

The bioprocess validation market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 11.39% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 280.93 million. This bioprocess validation market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (pharmaceutical companies, contract development and manufacturing organizations, and others), type (in-house and outsourced), and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and the Rest of the World (ROW)). One of the key factors driving the bioprocess validation market growth is the increasing demand for biopharmaceuticals.

Biochips Market size is estimated to grow by USD 43,273.01 million between 2022 and 2027 accelerating at a CAGR of 25.15% during the forecast period. This biochips market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and diagnostics centers, and academic and research institutes), technology (microarrays and microfluidics), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). The growing use of personalized medicines is notably driving the market growth.

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Type

Market Segmentation by Product

Market Segmentation by Geography

Customer Landscape

Geographic Landscape

Drivers, Challenges, & Trends

Company Landscape

Company Analysis

Appendix

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provide actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contacts

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com

Global Biobanking Market 2023-2027

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/biobanking-market-to-grow-by-usd-1-45-billion-from-2022-to-2027--europe-to-account-for-38-of-market-growth--technavio-301933790.html

SOURCE Technavio
Failed crypto exchange giant FTX has filed a lawsuit against the parents of its co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, accusing them of misappropriating millions of dollars worth of funds from the now-bankrupt company for their personal use and benefit.

The 63-page lawsuit filed in federal court Monday accuses Barbara Fried and Joe Bankman of using their access and influence within the FTX enterprise to enrich themselves through misappropriated customer funds.

The suit comes just days before Bankman-Frieds criminal trial is set to begin over allegations that he defrauded FTX customers and lenders, leading to the companys stunning collapse last year. The company, under a new CEO, has since been working to recover the billions of dollars lost in customers funds.

Barbara Fried and Joe Bankman are accused of misappropriating millions of dollars worth of funds from FTX for their personal use before the crypto exchange collapsed.

Barbara Fried and Joe Bankman are accused of misappropriating millions of dollars worth of funds from FTX for their personal use before the crypto exchange collapsed.

Attorneys for Bankman-Frieds parents said in a joint statement shared with HuffPost on Tuesday that the lawsuit against them is completely false and a waste of FTXs money.

This is a dangerous attempt to intimidate Joe and Barbara and undermine the jury process just days before their childs trial begins, said attorneys Sean Hecker and Michael Tremonte.

According to the lawsuit, Fried and Bankman were considered part of the family business by their son, who is now 31, and either knew  or ignored bright red flags revealing  that their son, Bankman-Fried, and other FTX Insiders were orchestrating a vast fraudulent scheme to profit and promote their personal and charitable agendas at the Debtors expense.

In addition to allegedly turning a blind eye to fraud among them, theyre accused of accepting a $10 million cash gift and a $16.4 million luxury property in the Bahamas from FTX, despite knowing or blatantly ignoring that the FTX Group was insolvent or on the brink of insolvency.

The couple's son, FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, is awaiting trial next month on charges related to money laundering, campaign finance offenses and various types of fraud.

The couple's son, FTX co-founder Sam Bankman-Fried, is awaiting trial next month on charges related to money laundering, campaign finance offenses and various types of fraud.

They also allegedly pushed for tens of millions of dollars in FTX money to be dished out in political and charitable contributions of their choosing, including to Stanford University, where they are both employed, according to the lawsuit.

On top of their alleged financial gifts, trips and real estate perks, the suit alleges that Bankman also complained in an email to his son, which he said he would CC his wife on, that his $200,000 annual salary from FTX was too paltry and he should be receiving $1 million.

Gee, Sam I dont know what to say here. This is the first [I] have heard of the 200K a year salary! Putting Barbara on this, a copy of the email cited in the suit states.

Sam Bankman-Fried has pleaded not guilty to charges related to money laundering, campaign finance offenses and various types of fraud. His trial is scheduled to start on Oct. 3.

See the full lawsuit here:

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Related...
The idea of using heavy industry as a way to temper Utahs air pollution problem seems to be in sharp conflict, but it is not outside the scope of a nuclear energy initiative led by the Idaho National Laboratory.

That is part of the Frontiers Collaboration, which includes the University of Utah teaming up with diverse partners that include the universities of Alaska, Wyoming and Michigan, Boise State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

With energy security and energy transition in mind, the collaboration seeks to command a stronger global presence for the country by zeroing in on low-emissions manufacturing in industrial processes via the deployment of nuclear reactor batteries.

The role of Utah: Steven E. Aumeier, senior adviser to strategic programs at the Idaho National Laboratory, said it is no accident that universities in Alaska, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah are part of Frontiers.

The Frontier initiative is completely focused on the nuclear energy first mover states, which happen to be the states were talking about here: Idaho, Utah, Wyoming and Alaska, he said. How do we help those first mover states catalyze the right partnerships and the right approaches so they can leverage that first mover status to get a leadership position in global low emissions in manufacturing? And that is a hugely important thing.

Aumeier said Alaska and these states in the West are leading in the space of changing energy landscapes. And Utah, he added, is particularly poised to be at the forefront for a couple of additional reasons.

In this fabric of energy transitions, especially in the Intermountain West, Utahs key, right? I mean, you have energy transitions in their own right, but Utahs really a leader in manufacturing and finance, and we think theyre going to play a big role and can play an even bigger role when they collaborate with Wyoming, Alaska and Idaho to look at energy futures.

Global energy transitions and EMA: The University of Utah is also part of Idaho National Laboratorys Emerging Energy Markets Analysis Initiative that emphasizes clean energy innovation appropriate for a particular location, can be brought to scale so it is economically attractive and is sustainable and resilient, among other things. EMA, as it is called, is pushing the acceleration to clean energy.

Globally, the initiative points to examples that already exist in these market shifts. Citing research institutions and media reports, the initiative pointed to these examples:

In South Africa and Nigeria, mobile phones are as common as in the United States.

There are places where theres still no running water, but people can stream a video.

In the countryside, there has been a rapid spread of pay-as-you-go solar-generated power in which customers buy electricity with mobile money for as little as 50 cents a day.

Aumeier said EMA seeks to find community-based solutions in the universe of energy transition that are site-specific to that areas characteristics.

A lot of time you see really smart engineers and economists doing studies on solar and nuclear and fossil and all this stuff, and its really just an incomplete view, many times, at least in our assessment, he said.

That initiative, or EMA, brings together a diverse group of professionals that include engineers, attorneys, energy experts, academia, economists, policy influencers and more.

Over the years theres been a lot of debate with people focusing on what technology should be used, the cost of that technology versus another, he said. We said, going forward thats really not the question to ask. The question to ask is whats most valuable for a given community. ... Let people look at this through a different lens.

Nuclear innovation, initiatives and change: The Idaho National Laboratory is the nations premier U.S. Department of Energys research and demonstration facility in the arena of nuclear power, hosting more than 50 nuclear reactors over the course of its history.

In addition, it is a partner in the planned NuScale SMR plant slated to serve many Utah communities when the Carbon Free Power Project comes online in 2030. The laboratory is also providing strategic guidance for the Natrium sodium fast reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, under development.

Related

Utah, Aumeier said, is key in the space of energy innovation.

We want to help Utah jump out in front and lead in this, in what I really see is a new economic frontier. Thats why we call that the Frontiers initiative. Its about the frontier of economic competition. And we want to see these states lead because that helps the country. EMA is a part of that.
A suspect with alleged cartel ties was arrested and accused of smuggling 135 pounds of narcotics across the California border into Orange County.

The suspect, who was not identified, is believed to be an associate of the Sinaloa drug cartel, according to the California Attorney Generals Office.

Authorities arrested the suspect in Santa Ana on Sept. 12 after discovering they had crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with a vehicle filled with hidden narcotics.

While searching the suspects vehicle, authorities found 89 bundles of methamphetamines, totaling 135 pounds inside a hidden compartment.

X-ray photos of the vehicle show the bundles were lined up tightly together inside the cars hidden compartment. Photos from authorities show the meth appeared to be contained in sealed, clear plastic bags.

A suspect believed to have cartel ties was arrested for allegedly smuggling 135 pounds of narcotics across the California border on Sept. 12, 2023. (California Attorney Generals Office)

A suspect believed to have cartel ties was arrested for allegedly smuggling 135 pounds of narcotics across the California border on Sept. 12, 2023. (California Attorney Generals Office)

The incident prompted a multi-agency investigation involving the California Highway Patrol, local police and sheriffs departments, drug trafficking task forces, the California Department of Justice and more.

Through the work of the California Department of Justice and our law enforcement partners, we stopped a trafficker from delivering dangerous illicit drugs that would have ended up in our communities, said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. I am grateful for the DOJ agents and our task force partners across the state for their collaboration to get illegal drugs off our streets. This work saves lives. As our states chief law enforcement officer, protecting the public safety of Californians is my highest priority.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
Local officials have secured money to help remedy Tampas shrinking tree canopy.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor , D-Tampa, announced Thursday the city had been awarded a $1 million federal grant through the U.S. Department of Agricultures Urban and Community Forestry initiative.

Weve seen a lot of beautiful live oaks and large trees come down, Castor said in an interview with the Times. So thats why the timing of this grant is so important.

A 2021 study found Tampas tree canopy coverage to be at its lowest in 26 years. The citys average annual temperature has increased by 2.5 degrees since 1891, when record-keeping began, according to the citys Climate Action and Equity Plan.

Tampas trees remove 1,000 tons of air pollutants every year, according to the city report. Castor said the federal grant is focused on reducing toxic air and carbon pollution across the country.

The federal funds will help move forward Tampa Mayor Jane Castor s goal to plant 30,000 trees citywide by 2030. The two Castors are not related.

This is a huge win for Tampa residents and our cherished tree canopy, Jane Castor wrote in a news release. Great cities have great tree canopies.

Kathy Castor cited a 2019 Florida law that limits local governments power to set rules about tree removals as a major factor in waning canopies across the state. Though the law was tweaked last year, Kathy Castor said the city still is working to bolster Tampas canopy with one hand tied behind their back.

The federal grant requires that trees be planted in low-income areas where there are already sparse canopies, Kathy Castor said.

Tampas canopy report found that lower-income and Hispanic neighborhoods have less shade, making them among the areas most affected by heat.

Whit Remer, Tampas sustainability and resilience officer, said the city will direct these new funds toward underserved communities, including East Tampa and some West Tampa neighborhoods such as Drew Park and Ybor City.

Finding space for new trees in densely populated Tampa is one of the biggest difficulties the city faces, Remer said. Infrastructure, utilities and sidewalks limit the right-of-way space available for new trees.

Planting in the public realm  outside of parks  can be challenging, he said. So thats why were trying to get creative.

That means planting trees in stormwater ponds, where they can help reduce runoff. But adding shady trees in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic is still a priority, Remer said.

Each tree planted through the citys Tree-mendous Tampa program costs the city $600 because the trees are planted on private property and the owner is responsible for maintaining them, Remer said.

He said he expects efforts funded by the federal grant money could run up to $1,000 per tree for those planted in public places because the city would be tasked with maintaining them. There is no estimate of how many trees would be planted on public versus private property yet, Remer said, so the funds could finance the planting of between 1,000 and 1,600 trees.

The money goes quick, he said.

Remer said the city plants 15-gallon saplings, and he explained the added expenses to the city for trees put in public spaces are due to the cost of nurturing them in the first year of planting. He said trees this size fall into the citys sweet spot.

Those are big enough that we think that they will have a high success rate, and theyre small enough that we can plant those at scale, Remer said.

Remer said he doesnt know when the grant money will be at the citys disposal, but he expects tree plantings to start within three to six months after those funds are available.
Leaders from all four Native American Nations affected by this treaty came together to offer remarks and raise their respective nations' flags at the county park located off Wildwood Drive in St. Augustine, Florida.

St. Johns County hosted tribal leaders and state officials for a historic flag-raising ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of the Treaty of Moultrie Creek signing on Monday at Treaty Park.

Leaders from all four Native American Nations affected by this treaty came together at this site with representatives from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida offering remarks and raising their respective nations' flags at the county park located off Wildwood Drive in St. Augustine, Florida.

Restaurant inspections: 28 St. Johns County restaurants fail inspections; 1 gets perfect score

The Treaty of Moultrie Creek was an agreement signed in 1823 between the government of the United States and the chiefs of several groups and bands of Indians living in the present-day state of Florida.

The treaty resulted in the cessation of large swaths of tribal lands in Florida and the establishment of the state's first reservation for the Seminole Indians  a 4-million-acre reservation in central Florida.

About 425 Seminoles attended the original treaty meeting in 1823, and 32 chiefs signed the document, said Bill Adams in his book "St. Augustine and St. Johns County: A Historical Guide." Adams is a historian and St. Augustine's former Heritage Tourism director.

"This is a very significant treaty," Adams told the St. Augustine Record in 2010. "This was the greatest of all Indian wars fought in American History."

Scheduled speakers at Mondays event included:

Andrew K. Frank, Ph.D., Director, Native American and Indigenous Studies Center, Florida State University

Alissa Lotane, Florida Division of Historical Resources and Florida's State Historic Preservation Officer

Chairman Talbert Cypress Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida

Principal Chief David Hill, Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Principal Chief Lewis Johnson, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma

Chairman Marcellus Osceola, Seminole Tribe of Florida

Christian Whitehurst, Chairman, St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners

Roy Alaimo, District 3, St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners.

Treaty Park, a St. Johns County public recreation facility, is located at 1595 Wildwood Drive. It is open daily from dawn to dusk.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Tribal leaders, officials commemorate signing of Treaty of Moultrie Creek
Happy Rosh Hashanah, hope you learn from your mistakes.

Thats the message posted by former President Donald Trump to liberal Jews for the High Holy Days, accusing them of seeking to destroy America & Israel by voting against him.

Trump, who insists he is not anti-Semitic and often points to his Jewish son-in-law Jared Kushner , daughter Ivanka and grandchildren, posted a meme that rehashed tropes about Jews and dual loyalty.

Just a quick reminder for liberal Jews who voted to destroy America & Israel because you believed false narratives! read the message that Trump posted on his social media site.

Lets hope you learned from your mistake & make better choices moving forward! Happy New Year! the message added

Trump, who is running for re-election, posted the message late Sunday night, just two days after the start of the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashanah and in the midst of the holiest time in the Jewish calendar.

The meme also accused Jews of blindly following liberal values and hating on Trump.

Wake Up Sheep. What (Nazi)/ Anti Semite ever did this for the Jewish people or Israel? the message said, listing a string of pro-Israel actions taken by Trump.

Its unclear if the message is a reposting of a prior years-old missive given the hashtag #Trump2020 toward the bottom of it.

Trump has regularly criticized Jews for supposedly not showing fealty to him, especially after he moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and forged even closer ties with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Netanyahu is planning to meet with President Biden and billionaire Elon Musk during a visit to New York for the UN General Assembly this week.

Jewish advocates say criticizing Jews for showing insufficient loyalty to their own country or other cause is a common anti-Semitic trope that dates back centuries.

The jibes sometime take the form of Jews being blamed for favoring Israel over the U.S. or, alternately, for being not being supportive enough of Israel or its current government.

_____
When advocates for minority tenants in San Francisco rallied outside City Hall in May 2018 against legislation to allow aggressive development across the state, they were met with surprising resistance: dozens of young, mostly white counter-protesters, drowning them out with cries of Read the bill! The confrontation became so heated that a 77-year-old protester fainted and had to be taken to the hospital. One of the counter-protesters was escorted out of the crowd by sheriffs deputies; another later issued a seven-paragraph apology on Twitter.

Many of the counter-protesters that day were members of California YIMBYa group that advocates for rapid housing development in the Bay Area. The group had the backing of multimillionaires and billionaires, several of whom were revealed last week to be the same tech titans behind a secretive plan to build a new city in rural Solano County, just 60 miles outside San Francisco.

The coalition that quietly bought up 55,000 acres of land in Solano Countykeeping their plans a mystery until last weekincludes some of the biggest names in the tech sector and California political advocacy, including venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Michael Moritz , Stripe co-founders John and Patrick Collison , and venture capitalist and California YIMBY co-founder Nat Friedman. After years of working on issues in San Franciscoand broadcasting their complaints about it on Twitter and in op-edsthe members seem to have decided it is time to start over.

The projects backers launched a website Thursdaybranded California Forever, the name of their limited corporate partnershipthat described the vision of a new community, good paying local jobs, solar farms, and open space in an agricultural area north of the Bay. The developers promised a utopia of sorts, with homes of different sizes and price points integrated in the same walkable neighborhoods, surrounded by an agricultural green belt and sustained by solar farms.

Instead of watching our kids leave, we have the opportunity to build a new community that attracts new employers, creates good paying local jobs, builds homes in walkable neighborhoods, leads in environment stewardship, and fuels a growing tax base to serve the county at large, the pastel-hued website enthused.

The Former Whiz Kid Behind Tech Billionaires Plan to Build Utopian City

The project has already stirred controversy in the community, where the developers offered up to five times the market value for ranch lands in their proposed city. The group sued a few ranchers this spring, accusing them of an illegal price-fixing conspiracy in a dustup that locals told the San Francisco Chronicle had made some neighbors afraid of even speaking to one another. In other cases, the developers reportedly approached family members of ranchers who did not want to sell, hoping to convince them to auction off their piece of the land. It was like a hostile takeover, one rancher told the Chronicle. It was Shakespearean, a Game of Thrones kind of thing.

A review of the major investors in the project reveals a group of wealthy and powerful individuals with a strong sway in San Francisco politics and a particular focus on housing. Michael Moritz, a prominent Bay Area venture capitalist, sent around pitch decks for the new city as early as 2017, according to The New York Times. Until his retirement earlier this year, Moritz was a partner at Sequoia Capital, one of the highest-profile venture capital firms in the U.S., and he still serves on the board of Google, PayPal, Instacart, and the Collison brothers Stripe.

Originally from Wales, Moritz has lived in San Francisco for decades and is a fixture of local politics. His foundation CrankStart funds a political nonprofit called TogetherSF that pushes for a crackdown on drug dealing, a stronger police force, and higher-density housing development in the city, among other issues. The group stoked controversy with its brash anti-drug campaign this summer, which featured copy like, In San Francisco drug dealers have more rights than your kids, and the slogan: Thats Fentalife! The ads made their way to Fox News and caught the eye of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who reportedly registered his discontent.

Moritz has been similarly unabashed about his personal qualms with the city, decrying deserted downtowns, failing school system, understaffed police departments, and open-air drug markets and homeless encampments in a Financial Times op-ed in February. In a New York Times op-ed that same month, titled Even Democrats Like Me Are Fed Up With San Francisco, Moritz complained that the city had become subject to the tyranny of the minority and suggested reforms from strengthening the power of the mayors office to reducing the number of ballot initiatives.

Michael Moritz Michael Kovac/Getty

A community activist who worked with Moritz in the past told The Daily Beast she was surprised to see his name among the Solano County projects backers. Even if she did not always agree with his tactics, she said, he is investing in what he sees as making San Francisco better so heavily.

Maybe hes just making multiple bets, because hes certainly continuing to follow San Francisco politics closely, she saidthen took a shot at the Solano County project. How can Mike Moritz run politics in a new city when he cant even run politics in an existing city?

Another California Forever backer is Nat Friedman, the founder of two software companies and the former CEO of Github, who now works as a tech investor. On his personal website, Friedman writes that he believes it is our right (maybe our moral duty) to reshape the universe to our preferences, and declares it is important to do things fast.

He is also a vocal critic of the current state of affairs in San Francisco: In April, Friedman tweeted that he and his wife moved to Menlo Park after two meth addicts broke into his home and robbed him. We didnt want to leave SFwe love it therebut we have a young kid and it seemed irresponsible to stay in a place where drug addicts commit home invasions to the point where they are called frequent flyers, he wrote.

Friedman is also the co-founder and chairman of California YIMBY, one of the groups that clashed with the protesters outside San Francisco City Hall in 2018. The YIMBY movementa play on NIMBYism that stands for Yes in My Backyardadvocates for denser housing in cities to reduce urban sprawl and bring down housing costs. The movement recently became popular among tech leaders coming to terms with how their presence in the Bay Area has ratcheted up housing pricesto the point where their own workers are being pushed out. More than 100 tech leaders and CEOsincluding Twitters Jack Dorsey and Lyfts Logan Greensigned onto a YIMBY letter supporting the 2018 development bill.

A History Lesson for the Mega-Rich Bullies Bankrolling California Land-Grab

Signatories included the Collisons, brothers who moved from Ireland to Silicon Valley after founding their first company and becoming millionaires at ages 19 and 17. They are major supporters of California YIMBY, donating $1 million in 2018. According to The New York Times, they also own 3 percent of the Solano County project. The Times also reported that Patrick Collison was the first person to invest in the project, after bonding with its founder, Jan Sramek, over both having lived in Zurich. (Sramek also briefly worked as a consultant for Stripe.)

Collison hints at his interest in California Forever on his personal website, where he advocates for more housing and muses about how investors can encourage the creation of more cities.

It seems that the returns to entrepreneurialism in cities remain high: Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, and others, have improved the lives of millions of people and appear much more contingent than inevitable, he writes. Maybe there could be far more of them.

Another investor, Andreessen, is also an advocate for development, if not an outright YIMBY. Once described as the quintessential Silicon Valley venture capitalist, Andreessen co-founded the internet provider Netscape before launching a powerful investment firm. In 2020, he wrote a widely shared blog post titled Its Time to Build, in which he complained that America cant build nearly enough housing in our cities with surging economic potential and cant build the cities themselves anymore. But he also opposed development in his own wealthy San Francisco suburb, writing to the mayor and city council that he and his wife were IMMENSELY AGAINST multifamily development because it would decrease their home values and quality of life.

Cows graze on a parcel of land near Rio Vista, California, recently purchased by the California Forever members. Justin Sullivan/Getty

Andreessen is not the only California Forever member to be accused of hypocrisy. Mortizs TogetherSF and Stripe were major opponents to Proposition C, which would have increased taxes on high-earning businesses and individuals to fund permanent housing for people experiencing homelessness. And California YIMBY declined to support Proposition 10, a statewide ballot measure that would have allowed communities to expand rent control and was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders as a way to drive down housing costs.

Shanti Singh, a housing justice advocate who has clashed with California YIMBY, said the Solano County project backers had a classic mentality of dont infringe on the market, dont tax us, and let developers build housing wherever.

California has always been full of these visionary titans of industry who built the state, and it kind of feels like theyre tapping into that, she said. Its like, Well, either get the government out of our way or we should be in charge of the government.

Even some YIMBY movement members have expressed reservations about the project.

I think this is what happens when move fast and break things runs up against the Californian regulatory environment, said Jordan Grimes of the Greenbelt Alliance, an environmental organization that advocates for denser urban housing.

As someone who works on [these issues] every day, it does feel like banging your head against the wall a lot of the time, he added. Im not surprised that there are people looking for shortcuts. The unfortunate reality is that there arent any.

Brian Brokaw, a spokesperson for California Forever, said the group assembled a team of housing experts to design this project in partnership with the residents of Solano County.

We deliberately sought world-class experts who are also local to the Bay Area, with a deep connection to the area and a shared commitment to solving the regions most important challenges, he told The Daily Beast in an email. Now the conversation begins, and we look forward to hearing feedbackfrom both supporters and skepticsto begin the phase of work that matters most: engagement with Solano residents."

Other backers of the Solano County project include Andreessen Horowitz general partner Chris Dixon; entrepreneur and investor Daniel Gross, who often invests alongside Friedman; and venture capitalist John Doerr. Doerr is a major Democratic donor who served as an economic adviser to the Obama administration and an advocate against climate change.

California Forever investor Laurene Powell Jobs, founder of the Emerson Project and the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has also pledged $3.5 billion to fight climate-change over the next decade.

Perhaps the least-known member of the group is Sramek, a 36-year-old former Goldman Sachs trader who left Wall Street a decade ago to start a pair of tech startups, one of which sold and the other of which folded. According to California Forevers website, Sramekwho was born in the Czech Republic and attended Cambridge University and the London School of Economicsfell in love with Solano County on fishing trips and decided to fuse his affection for the area with his passion for walkable, livable, and sustainable towns and cities. Sramek has been serving as the face of the project in meetings with local legislators, and closed on a house in the county this week.

Mayor Hell-Bent on Stopping Tech Billionaires Utopian City Plan

Rounding out the team is spokesperson Brian Brokaw, a political adviser to Newsom and former campaign manager for Kamala Harris successful attorney general bid, who has been described by The Guardian as a top Democratic strategist in the state. Brokaw also previously served as a spokesperson for former state Treasurer Phil Angelides, who now owns an investment company focused on developing sustainable urban communities and clean energy projects. Gabriel Metcalf, a city planner who previously headed up SPUR, a top Bay Area urban policy organization, is serving as a consultant. His LinkedIn currently lists him as working on something great.

The California Forever website says it is also working with a host of other consultants, civil engineers, landscape architects, ad agencies, and law firms to make the founders currently very vague dream a reality. According to the Times, the company has grown to approximately three dozen people. The group plans to launch offices in Vallejo, Fairfield, and Vacaville, and is attempting to assemble a community advisory board of Solano citizens. Its also sending out a survey to every Solano household, in preparation for the county-wide vote that would be needed to approve the development.

Singh, the housing advocate, says she looks forward to watching how the project develops.

Its really funny to watch them be like, Oh yeah, were going to build our own city, she said of the billionaire backers. I dont know how theyre even going to agree with each other!

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.
An 84-year-old white homeowner has pleaded not guilty to shooting Black teenager Ralph Yarl.

Mr Yarl, then 16, was shot after he went to the wrong home as he was picking up his twin brothers from a friends house a block away.

His family says he did not have his phone with him.

The teenager was shot in the head and arm outside of Andrew Lesters home in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr Lester, a retired aircraft mechanic, was charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, but pleaded not guilty.

The 84-year-olds attorney, Steve Salmon, said his client was acting in self-defence, terrified by the stranger who knocked on his door as he settled into bed for the night.

Mr Lester previously admitted that he shot Mr Yarl through the door without warning because he was scared to death that he was about to be robbed by a Black person standing at his door.

Mr Yarl testified at the hearing that he rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer before reaching out to grab the storm door, assuming his brothers friends parents were there.

He said Mr Lester told him: Dont come here ever again, right before shooting him through the door.

The teenager then scrambled away and tried to seek help. However, according to his aunt Faith Spoonmore, he had to go to three houses before someone finally agreed to help him.

Andrew Lester (AP)

The shot to his head left a bullet embedded in his skull, testified Dr Jo Ling Goh, a pediatric neurosurgeon who treated Mr Yarl. It did not penetrate his brain, however, and he was able to go back to high school. He is now a senior and is making plans to major in engineering in college.

The shooting drew international attention amid claims that Mr Lester received preferential treatment from investigators after he shot Mr Yarl. President Joe Biden and several celebrities issued statements calling for justice, while Mr Yarls attorney, Lee Merritt, has called for the shooting to be investigated as a hate crime.

Unfortunately, race is a major factor in who gets justice and who doesnt and in cases where there is a white man and a Black child, Mr Merritt told Good Morning America.

Mr Yarls supporters were seen in the courtroom wearing T-shirts reading Ringing a doorbell is not a crime which were turned inside out.

Family friend Philip Barrolle said they wore the shirts that way after being told by the court the shirts were a problem. Supporters have worn them in the past, but an order issued on Monday barred outbreaks, signs, or displays of any kind.

It is up to us to have our presence felt, Mr Barrolle complained afterward.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden s aides have asked that Rahm Emanuel , the U.S. ambassador to Japan, stop posting messages on social media taunting Chinese President Xi Jinping , according to three administration officials.

Officials at the National Security Council told Emanuel's staff in recent days that his comments risk undermining the administrations efforts to mend deeply strained relations with China, including with a possible meeting this fall between Biden and Xi, according to the officials.

Over the past two weeks Emanuel, who served as White House chief of staff to former President Barack Obama, has criticized Xi directly and sarcastically speculated about the Chinese leaders treatment of his top aides, using the hashtag #MysteryInBeijingBuilding.

Emanuels tweets are not in keeping with the message coming out of this building, a White House official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue.

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden struck a conciliatory tone when it comes to Americas rivalry with China. The U.S., he said, is ready to work together with China on issues where progress hinges on our common efforts.

"We seek to responsibly manage the competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict," Biden added.

It was a markedly different message than the one Emanuel has recently conveyed publicly. President Xis cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christies novel And Then There Were None, the ambassador wrote on Sept. 7 on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, referring to the disappearance of Chinas foreign minister earlier this year and more recently its defense minister. Whos going to win this unemployment race? Chinas youth or Xis cabinet?

The administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations, said China has been furious about Emanuels posts.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C., said in response to Emanuel's criticisms that "at a time of partisan bickering and unattended domestic social issues, seeking limelight for oneself is good for nothing. Shifting attention brings no useful solution. It is better to act in a way that fits ones official capacity."

A spokesperson for Emanuel disputed NBC News report, calling it absolutely not true.

Ambassador Emanuel is serving with distinction as an uncommonly effective representative of the United States in Japan. Every day his inventiveness, passion and relentlessness are on full display, Kurt Campbell, deputy assistant to the president and coordinator for the Indo-Pacific, said in an interview.

He continued, This guy is a superstar and when you put Rahm on the field you get the full Rahm.

Campbell did not comment when asked whether Emanuel will continue posting about Chinas leadership.

Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public since Aug. 29, and last week reports surfaced that hes under investigation in China. The mystery of Lis whereabouts follows a similar disappearance in June of Chinas foreign minister, Qin Gang, who was subsequently replaced.

Some administration officials have been upset with Emanuels comments, according to the officials and a former official familiar with the matter. But one administration official described the sentiment more as annoyance and said Emanuel is still a valued part of the team.

A longtime, outspoken Democratic operative, Emanuel served in Congress and left the chief of staff job in 2010 to mount a successful campaign for mayor of Chicago. Emanuel knows Biden and his top aides well, and some of them worked for Emanuel at a different point in their careers.

He was confirmed as ambassador to Japan in December 2021, a role hes heartily embraced. Emanuel is prolific on social media and gets regular media attention in Japan. He also played a leading role during Bidens recent visits to Japan.

A second administration official said for Emanuel to make these comments makes no sense and does not advance U.S. strategic goals with China or with the Asia-Pacific region.

It just fights what we are doing there in the region, the official said, explaining that the U.S. realizes it needs to maintain some relationship with China, especially an economic one, and social media postings like Emanuels do not further U.S. goals.

One former Biden administration official said Emanuels message on China runs completely counter to the goals his administration is trying to achieve with Beijing. Theyre trying to calm things down and to have the ambassador to Japan attack the Chinese? Its stupid, the former official said.

Japan, a close U.S. ally, is among the Asia-Pacific nations that have been uneasy about Chinas dominance  particularly militarily  in the region.

Those concerns about Chinas increasing aggression, including potentially toward Taiwan, are shared by the Biden administration. But for months the White House has sought to engage China and get relations in a more stable position since they hit a nadir in February after the Pentagon shot down a Chinese spy balloon that had traveled over the U.S.

White House officials whove worked to mend those ties worry that publicly taunting and embarrassing Xi could unwind that progress, officials said. Emanuel, however, has not held back.

Xis playbook is clear: shamelessly exploit human tragedies for political gain without any regard for the lives lost, he wrote on X on Sept. 12.

Xis team is using A.I. to spread false claims that U.S. weather weapons caused the Maui wildfire, blaming the U.S. Army for bringing COVID to China, and spreading disinformation about Fukushima. Imagine a world where that energy was channeled into humanitarian aid and genuine concern for the global good. Like focusing on how to get the great Chinese youth back to full employment. Now that would be novel!!!

Emanuels most recent disparaging post about China came just as Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, was set to secretly meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for two days of talks in Malta.

Sullivans discussions are seen as laying the groundwork for a meeting between Biden and Xi, possibly in November around the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, summit in San Francisco. The two leaders have not met in nearly a year, and China only this summer began receiving high-level delegations of U.S. officials. It is not clear whether Xi will attend the APEC summit.

Emanuels last post about Xi likened the disappearance of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu to the Shakespearean play Hamlet: Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, he wrote Thursday.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Led by Blue Bottle's Founder, James Freeman, the Limited-Reservation, Coffee Tasting Experience is Open for Six Weeks Only

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blue Bottle Coffee announced its first Studio residency in the U.S. Under the creative direction of Blue Bottle Coffee's founder, James Freeman and working closely with Blue Bottle's Global Head of Innovation, Benjamin Brewer, the Studio represents the company's particular perspective on the pinnacle of specialty coffee through an eight-course tasting menu.

BLUE BOTTLE COFFEES PINNACLE EXPERIENCE, BLUE BOTTLE STUDIO, TO OPEN IN LOS ANGELES

Open from September 27 through November 5, the Los Angeles Blue Bottle Studio residency features some of the most extraordinary and limited coffees in the world. The coffees showcased at the Studio are sourced from limited lots from long-time Blue Bottle producers. These include a Gesha microlot from Panama's Finca Deborah; a Wush Wush from Colombia's Eco Farm La Cereza; Aljidan X1 from Yemen's Qima Coffee; and an extremely limited California Gesha from Frinj Coffee in Goleta.

The Blue Bottle Studio service is unlike any other coffee tasting in the specialty coffee market. The tools have been simplified and the techniques refined to such a degree that guests will be able to taste coffee leaves, flowers, cherries, and roasted coffee in a way that will underscore their simple, transcendent truth. Truth takes time, however. The painstakingly simple brew methods, which have been developed for this service have been repeatedly refined over four years of trials and a debut in Japan last spring, are exacting and precise. However, the setting is relaxed and elegant. Los Angeles-based pastry chef Kiyoshi Tsukamoto has developed two pastries that will highlight the flavors of the coffee used in the service. Both culinary offerings are nut and gluten-free.

"Benjamin and I have been working on these concepts for about twelve years," said Blue Bottle's Founder, James Freeman. "After the successful launch of this menu in Kyoto last spring, we continued to refine and revise it until we had a tasting that underscores the simple, inherent beauty in these extraordinary coffees."

Story continues

Similar to the Studio residencies Blue Bottle offered in Hong Kong and Kyoto earlier this year, the Los Angeles Blue Bottle Studio is designed to free guests from the usual constraints of the cafe experience and place them into a space that transcends it. The modest, eight-seat space in Los Angeles, designed in collaboration with wrk-shp and Capsule Manufacturing, features a custom-made brass bar and vintage furniture which can be loaded up into a truck at the end of the residency and used in the next location. Also contributing to the visual elements of the space are curtains dyed using various blends of Blue Bottle coffee beans designed by Lookout & Wonderland.

The sonic environment is important too: a beautiful vintage stereo, selected by noted audio specialist Benjamin Brinkman, will play records chosen by James, Benjamin, and the other Studio baristas, to underscore the way the coffee is being brewed. Everything from the design of the space to the coffees selected, brewing methods, and cups into which the coffee is poured have been thoughtfully selected to create an environment for guests to enjoy the tasting experience.

The Studio's tasting menu of coffees and desserts is unavailable at any other Blue Bottle location. Additionally, guests of the Studio can purchase select coffee beans and merchandise used in the service such as Japanese cups and plates, Takahiro Haruka Shizuku kettle, and an exclusive coffee-dyed tote bag, enabling guests to bring the simple yet elevated Studio coffee experience home.

"Everything we do at Blue Bottle is designed with intentionality and the Studio experience is our way of expressing the best of what coffee can be," said Jeff Cha, Chief Brand & Growth Officer at Blue Bottle Coffee. "After the enthusiastic response from our fans in Japan and Hong Kong, we knew we had to bring the experience to the US starting in Los Angeles."

Blue Bottle Studio is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with three seatings: 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 2:30pm. The Studio experience lasts around 90 minutes and operates on a reservation-only basis for the price of $75 per person, which includes gratuity.

For full details on Blue Bottle Studio and to reserve your seat, please visit https://bluebottlecoffee.com/us/eng/blue-bottle-studio or https://www.exploretock.com/blue-bottle-coffee. Follow along on Instagram and TikTok via @bluebottle.

About Blue Bottle Coffee

Blue Bottle Coffee was founded by James Freeman in Oakland, California, in 2002 with a simple yet revolutionary idea: to serve delicious coffee, roasted fresh and brewed to order, sourced from the finest, sustainable coffee farms. Today, Blue Bottle is a global network of cafes in the US and Asia. We are the leader in specialty coffee, driven by our obsession for quality and our commitment to environmental health. Our belief is simple and our goal unchanged: to connect the world to delicious coffee, because delicious coffee makes life more beautiful. Follow Blue Bottle on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or visit bluebottlecoffee.com for more information.

Contact:

Blue Bottle Coffee

press@bluebottlecoffee.com

BLUE BOTTLE COFFEES PINNACLE EXPERIENCE, BLUE BOTTLE STUDIO, TO OPEN IN LOS ANGELES

BLUE BOTTLE COFFEES PINNACLE EXPERIENCE, BLUE BOTTLE STUDIO, TO OPEN IN LOS ANGELES

BLUE BOTTLE COFFEES PINNACLE EXPERIENCE, BLUE BOTTLE STUDIO, TO OPEN IN LOS ANGELES

BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE PERFECTS THE AT-HOME ICED LATTE WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF CRAFT INSTANT ESPRESSO (PRNewsfoto/Blue Bottle Coffee)

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/blue-bottle-coffees-pinnacle-experience-blue-bottle-studio-to-open-in-los-angeles-301933738.html

SOURCE Blue Bottle Coffee
Travel Counsellors, a leading technology platform for travel entrepreneurs, held its annual 2023 UAE Conference at The Park Hyatt Dubai last week.

Under the theme of going the extra mile, the company talked about how their highly relational business model, with a focus on people and caring had contributed to a 27% increase in sales year-on-year.

Travel Counsellor business owners were recognised at the event for their commitment to deliver outstanding results and experiences for their customers.

Following this, a series of internal and external speakers offered their valuable thoughts and insights.

Social media and digital marketing expert Jessica Avedikian provided insights and practical tactics to the attendees, while General Manager Holly McCann was joined on stage by Dubai-based Entrepreneur Donna Benton, Founder of The Entertainer and CEO of The Benton Group, who shared her own experiences building highly successful and impactful businesses in the region.

The Travel Counsellors also enjoyed a supplier trade show with more than 40 supplier partners in attendance, including this years headline partners, Atmosphere Core, Adaaran Resorts, Atlantis Resorts, Park Hyatt Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority.

The conference concluded with a grand awards ceremony hosted by Virgin Radio star Kris Fade, Travel Counsellors UAE General Manager Holly McCann and from the companys UK headquarters Karina Fox-Andrews, Head of Performance.

This years award winners were:

Top Travel Counsellor 2023  Adele Engelbrecht;

Top Leisure Travel Counsellor  Sarah Paterson;

Top Corporate Travel Counsellor  Stephen Kumar;

Top New Travel Counsellor  Pari Mistry;

Top Net Promotor Score (NPS) Leisure  Adele Engelbrecht;

Top Net Promotor Score (NPS) Corporate  Sarah Pickford;

Top Cruise Award  Lisa Foley; and

TC Excellence Award  Angela Sharp

Established in 2012 as a joint venture with dnata, Travel Counsellors UAE now supports 80 travel entrepreneurs through their platform. The company recently opened its second branch in Abu Dhabi and continue to attract highly motivated, travel professionals across the UAE.  TradeArabia News Service
Value-focused investors consistently seek stocks priced below their intrinsic value. Boston Properties Inc (NYSE:BXP) appears to fit this criterion. The stock, currently priced at $67.11, recorded a day gain of 2.38% and a 3-month increase of 26.07%. According to its GF Value, the stock's fair value stands at $103.57.

Understanding GF Value

The GF Value represents a stock's current intrinsic value derived from GuruFocus's exclusive method. The GF Value Line gives an overview of the stock's fair value. It is calculated based on historical multiples that the stock has traded at, GuruFocus's adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future estimates of the business performance.

If the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued, and its future return is likely to be poor. Conversely, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher.

Is Boston Properties (BXP) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

However, a more in-depth analysis is necessary before making an investment decision. Despite its seemingly attractive valuation, Boston Properties carries certain risks, primarily reflected through its low Altman Z-score of 0.75. These indicators suggest that Boston Properties, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap. This complexity emphasizes the importance of thorough due diligence in investment decision-making.

Understanding the Altman Z-Score

The Altman Z-score, invented by New York University Professor Edward I. Altman in 1968, is a financial model that predicts the probability of a company entering bankruptcy within a two-year time frame. The Altman Z-Score combines five different financial ratios, each weighted to create a final score. A score below 1.8 suggests a high likelihood of financial distress, while a score above 3 indicates a low risk.

Story continues

Company Snapshot: Boston Properties

Boston Properties owns over 190 properties, comprising approximately 54 million rentable square feet of space. The portfolio is dominated by office buildings and is spread across major cities such as New York, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, and the Washington, D.C., region. The real estate investment trust also owns limited retail, hotel, and residential properties.

Is Boston Properties (BXP) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

Dissecting Boston Properties's Low Altman Z-Score

A closer look at Boston Properties's Altman Z-score reveals that the company's financial health may be weak, suggesting possible financial distress.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the apparent undervaluation of Boston Properties (NYSE:BXP), the company's low Altman Z-Score signals potential financial distress, making it a possible value trap. Therefore, investors should exercise caution and conduct thorough due diligence before considering an investment.

GuruFocus Premium members can find stocks with high Altman Z-Score using the following Screener: Walter Schloss Screen .

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Topul salariilor pe judete! Care sunt cele mai bine platite locuri de munca din tara

Cel mai bine castiga bucurestenii, pe locul doi sunt cei din Timisoara si abia pe trei sunt clujenii. Specialistii spun ca ritmul majorarilor salariale de anul trecut nu a mai fost replicat. Asta dupa ce, in 2022, au fost [citeste mai departe]
Boston Scientific Corp (NYSE:BSX) recently reported a daily gain of 2.45%, and a 3-month gain of 0.12%. The company's Earnings Per Share (EPS) stands at 0.6. But is the stock fairly valued? This article provides an in-depth analysis of Boston Scientific's valuation, encouraging readers to delve deeper into the company's financial health and prospects.

About Boston Scientific Corp (NYSE:BSX)

Boston Scientific is a leading manufacturer of less invasive medical devices used in various medical procedures. The company's devices are used globally in angioplasty, blood clot filtration, cardiac rhythm management, and other medical procedures. Nearly half of the company's total sales come from foreign markets. Boston Scientific's stock is currently priced at $54.33 per share, giving it a market cap of $79.60 billion. The company's GF Value, an estimation of its fair value, is $50.49, suggesting that the stock is fairly valued.

Is Boston Scientific (BSX) Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide to Its Market Value

Understanding the GF Value of Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX)

The GF Value is a proprietary measure that estimates the intrinsic value of a stock. It considers historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line provides a visual representation of the stock's ideal fair trading value.

Boston Scientific's GF Value indicates that the stock is fairly valued. The GF Value is based on historical multiples, the company's past business growth, and estimates of future business performance. If a stock's price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it may be overvalued and likely to yield poor future returns. Conversely, if a stock's price is significantly below the GF Value Line, it may be undervalued and likely to yield high future returns. Given Boston Scientific's current price and market cap, the stock appears to be fairly valued. As a result, the long-term return of Boston Scientific's stock is likely to be close to the rate of its business growth.

Story continues

Is Boston Scientific (BSX) Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide to Its Market Value

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Financial Strength of Boston Scientific

Companies with poor financial strength pose a high risk of permanent capital loss. To avoid this, investors must review a company's financial strength before purchasing shares. Key indicators of financial strength include the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage. Boston Scientific's cash-to-debt ratio of 0.05 ranks worse than 95.73% of 843 companies in the Medical Devices & Instruments industry. Overall, Boston Scientific's financial strength is rated 6 out of 10, indicating fair financial health.

Is Boston Scientific (BSX) Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide to Its Market Value

Profitability and Growth of Boston Scientific

Investing in profitable companies is generally less risky, especially those that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term. Boston Scientific has been profitable 6 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $13.40 billion and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.6. Its operating margin is 16.58%, which ranks better than 78.15% of 833 companies in the Medical Devices & Instruments industry. Overall, Boston Scientific's profitability is rated 6 out of 10, indicating fair profitability.

Growth is a crucial factor in a company's valuation. Boston Scientific's 3-year average revenue growth rate is worse than 56.91% of 731 companies in the Medical Devices & Instruments industry. Boston Scientific's 3-year average EBITDA growth rate is 7.4%, which ranks worse than 52.98% of 738 companies in the Medical Devices & Instruments industry.

Another way to assess a company's profitability is to compare its return on invested capital (ROIC) with its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). For the past 12 months, Boston Scientific's ROIC is 4.6, and its WACC is 7.73.

Is Boston Scientific (BSX) Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide to Its Market Value

Conclusion

In summary, Boston Scientific appears to be fairly valued. The company's financial condition is fair, and its profitability is also fair. Its growth ranks worse than 52.98% of 738 companies in the Medical Devices & Instruments industry. To learn more about Boston Scientific stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

Link: Find high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns with GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- Evironment official: Romania will assume climate neutrality in 2050 time horizonClimate neutrality, as assumed by Romania in the 2050 time horizon, is not a nice-sounding goal to talk about on a political level, but a goal that if we do not achieve we will not be able to survive, Secretary of State

- Statul canadian va finanta cu 2,2 miliarde de dolari noile reactoare de la Cernavoda, unitatile 3 si 4. Vor fi puse credite de export la dispozitia companiei romanesti de stat Nuclearelectrica. Reactoarele vor fie construite cu tehnologie si firme de profil canadiene. Aflat in Canada, ministrul Energiei,

- Marti, 19 septembrie 2023, Jonathan Wilkinson, Ministrul Energiei si Resurselor Naturale din Canada, alaturi de Sebastian Burduja, Ministrul Energiei din Romania, au anuntat decizia Canadei de a sprijini cu 3 miliarde de dolari canadieni dezvoltarea proiectului Unitatilor 3 si 4 de la CNE Cernavoda.Marti,

- The Canadian government intends to provide 3 billion Canadian dollars to finance the new CANDU nuclear reactors of the southeastern Cernavoda plant, the Ministry of Energy informed Tuesday night, in a press release sent to AGERPRES."Today in Ottawa, Sebastian Burduja, the Romanian Minister of Energy,

- Guvernul Canadei vrea sa puna la dispozitia Romaniei 2,23 miliarde dolari americani pentru finantarea noilor reactoare nucleare CANDU (Unitatile 3 si 4) de la Cernavoda. Partea canadiana a anuntat ca poate sa sustina cu pana la 3 miliarde de dolari finantarea dezvoltarii proiectelor nucleare de catre

- PM Ciolacu, Canadian Senate President Gagne discuss development of civil nuclear energyPrime Minister Marcel Ciolacu on Wednesday had a meeting at the Victoria Palace with a parliamentary delegation from Canada, led by the President of the Senate, Raymonde Gagne, told Agerpres. The discussions

- Senate President Ciuca, after meeting Canadian counterpart: Canada, important partner of Romania in transatlantic relationsPresident of the Senate Nicolae Ciuca said on Wednesday, after a meeting with his Canadian counterpart, Raymonde Gagne, that Canada is an important partner of Romania in the
It was on display until 30 September. Venezuelan painter Zeus Salas isolated himself from the world for 30 days in November 2022.

Although the meditation techniques of Buddhist teachings are an integral part of his creative practice, this month of fasting and silence also involved a complete exclusion from the outside world and from painting.



The exhibition The Whisper of the Brush presents the works of the Silence series, born out of the return from the ritual of retreat. Building from focused attention, from the naivety and simplicity of the mind to complexity, the paintings are psychological images: they evoke the rational, logical and spiritual perception of the viewer at the same time. Just like the way the works were born: with the whisper of a brush.



One breath, one gesture  expressionist workshop with Zeus Salas Sunday, September 24, 2023, 3pm



As a joint event to his exhibition The Whisper of the Brush, Venezuelan painter Zeus Salas offers a workshop entitled ONE BREATH, ONE BREATH, where participants can create their own works based on breathing techniques, philosophical and spiritual knowledge, as practiced by the painter himself. The aim of the workshop is to release the creative energies of the individual, to make the participant more conscious and determined during the creative process and beyond.



Free program, register here



Arepas dinner - Hadik session #1 / musical evening with painter Zeus Salas

Thursday, September 28, 2023, 6pm to 10pm



As part of his exhibition The Whisper of the Brush, Venezuelan painter Zeus Salas invites the audience to a musical voyage in the exhibition space of the Hadik Cafe.



A selection of live music curated by the painter plays as background music to the paintings he created during the retreat, with the tunes allowing the audience to experience the paintings at an even deeper level, with more senses.



The tracks take the viewer-listener on a journey of reception from classical music to Latin American tunes drawn from the painter's cultural roots. About the artist Zeus Milenko Steven Salas was born in Venezuela.



His works are personally inspired, emotionally rich, while his visual world is populated with strong symbols and mythical characters. He has exhibited in Paris, Buenos Aires and Budapest, and many of his works are in private collections from Costa Rica to Hong Kong. He is also active as a performance artist, frequently collaborating with brands, magazines and art events.



Location:

Hadik Kavehaz

1111 Budapest, Bartok Bela ut 36.
When a restaurant receives a Michelin star, you can say with confidence that it represents exceptional quality, and its managers can proudly declare that their mission has been successful. They could sit back and rightly believe that they only need to maintain the same level of quality in the future.

However, at 42 in the heart of Esztergom, they didnt do that. In fact, it seems like earning the star was just the beginning, a stepping stone to take things further.



The dinner menu at 42 is brimming with ideas, the service has become even smoother, the wine list more sophisticated, and the overall experience is light, entertaining and exciting.







The foie gras burger with apple and the lecso stew are brilliant, both deserving their own documentary on Netflix.



The lukewarm summer cabbage is memorable, the sea bream refreshing and intense, and the smoke and ice elements on the menu are there for a reason.



There are certainly many challenges ahead for 42. One of them is relatively new: monetising the Michelin star.



It's much easier for restaurants in Budapest to attract foreign guests since as thats where they are anyway.



For places like Platan in Tata and 42 in Esztergom, a special effort is required to attract wealthy visitors. Its an unprecedented situation, with no established strategy  and requires true innovation.







This is clearly unrelated to the kitchen, but it shows that a 360-degree perspective is needed if they want to make an establishment successful. The star is important, but not everything.





The restaurant quickly realised that it needed accommodation for guests. This led to the creation of the 42 Boutique Hotel, a gem located in the same building as the restaurant.



This mini establishment consists of six suites and three design apartments, providing the perfect base for a day in the city.



What makes the 42 experience even more complete is Piac42, the little sister of the main restaurant, which opened at the beginning of summer. Here, you can have breakfast and lunch, and enjoy dishes at affordable prices.







We thought a lot about what could make our breakfast unique, said chef Adam Barna. In the end, we decided on a nine-course menu composed of many small details. We start with whipped homemade sour cream with vanilla and sour cherries.



There's a mint and parsley green apple juice. As I come from Bekescsaba, I cant live without buttered bread with sausage, here served with tomato salad and chicken liver pate.



There's a Japanese omelette with back fat, followed by the signature dish, bundaskenyer, French toast, with superior caviar. It might sound funny, but sour cream and caviar are friends. We also have Tekeresvolgyi cheese with apricot and walnut, and a plum jam doughnut.







At 42, you can embark on a perfect culinary adventure: a Michelin-starred dinner at the restaurant in the evening, then by a night in their boutique hotel, a nine-course breakfast in the morning, followed by a walk around Esztergoms historic city centre, and then lunch at Piac42.



The current 42 is more polished and confident than it was in December of last year, and highly recommend for those who havent yet visited. The big question is, where will the restaurant be another year from now?







Click here to virtually visit 42 Restaurant online



Original source:

roadster.hu/42-restaurant



Words by Peterjon Cresswell for Xpatloop.com

Peterjon has been researching the byways of Budapest for 30 years, extending his expertise across Europe to produce guidebooks for Time Out and his own website liberoguide.com
New Delhi: Video streaming platform- Zee5 is set to welcome the festive season 2022 with grandeur as it has become the exclusive OTT partner to livestream the festivities of Ganesh Galli's 'Mumbaicha Raja'.

With this, the devotees across the nation can watch the rituals from the comfort of their homes free of cost using the Zee5 app. They can also be a part of the aarti virtually at 8:30 pm daily.

Manish Kalra, Chief Business Officer, Zee5 India, said, "We are happy to welcome the festive season with the blessings of Mumbaicha Raja and with all the devotees who can now watch a live Darshan of Bappa on Zee5. Being a consumer-first brand, we have always prioritised customer preferences. We have been constantly ramping up our AVOD content line-up with innovative and quality releases, the response to which has been encouraging so far and we will continue to steadily expand and invest in new experiences for our AVOD audiences."

Abhirup Datta, Head  AVOD Marketing, Zee5 India, said, "We are happy to bring Mumbaicha Raja to devotees across the nation to celebrate Ganpati as millions of viewers immerse themselves in this auspicious festival. As an AVOD offering, it reinforces our focus to take personalised, premium quality content pan-India. We are thankful to the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal who has partnered with us in our endeavour to take Bappa into millions of Indian homes. As the festivities begin, we have a range of engaging content offerings in the pipeline on Zee5 that will keep the audiences hooked and entertained for this festive season."

The Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal revealed the first look of Mumbaicha Raja two days before the commencement of Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Mumbaicha Raja is one of the oldest pandals in the city. It was founded in 1928 and is celebrating its 96th year of inception.
The failure of economic governance by Western-led organisations had led to the recent expansion of the Brics emerging-markets group, Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva told the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.

In his first speech at the UN since his election last October, Lula criticised the inertia of developing countries in not pushing back harder, saying that "when institutions reproduce inequalities, they are part of the problem and not the solution".

Lula da Silva speaking to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Photo: Palacio do Planalto/dpa alt=Lula da Silva speaking to the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. Photo: Palacio do Planalto/dpa>

Lula specifically called out the International Monetary Fund, which made US$160 billion available in special drawing rights to European countries in 2022 while African countries only received US$34 billion. The instrument, created by the fund in 1969, works to supplement the official reserves of member countries.

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.

Brics - an acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - "emerged in the wake of this immobility [of developed economies] and constitutes a strategic platform to promote cooperation between emerging countries," Lula said.

He added that the recent expansion of the group, which accepted six new members last month, "strengthens the struggle for an order that takes into account the economic, geographic, and political plurality of the 21st century".

Lula contended that Brics members - which, effective January 1, will include Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates - "are a force working for a more equitable global economy in a context of a serious crisis of multilateralism".

Story continues

The expansion has largely been regarded as a diplomatic coup for China, giving it more clout against US-led groupings and expands Beijing's influence in the Middle East.

Brazil was initially concerned that its sway would be diluted in a larger organisation and feared it might be construed as an "anti-Western organisation" but acquiesced to China's insistence.

In turn, Brasilia sought Beijing's support for its long-standing bid to become a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

China ratified the final declaration of the Brics summit last month, which called for a "more democratic, representative, effective, and efficient" UN through "comprehensive reform," and championed greater involvement of emerging nations "including in the Security Council".

However, recent developments have cast doubt on the level of China's endorsement. Last week, China released a Security Council reform proposal that suggested expanding the roster of rotating members without altering the list of five permanent members or their veto privileges - effectively bypassing Brazil's aspirations for a permanent seat.

The so-called P5 are the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.

Mauricio Santoro, a fellow at the Brazilian Navy's Centre for Political and Strategic Studies, said that China had not delivered the support it has been promising Brazil "for at least 20 years".

Santoro said that any Security Council expansion would also need to factor in the candidacies of India, Japan and Germany. Some of those candidacies are opposed by permanent members and would likely not garner Chinese support.

He added that Brazil agreed to the Brics expansion to "keep up appearances with China", the main beneficiary, and that the lack of diplomatic and political will meant that no substantial UN reforms were likely anytime soon.

Even so, Santoro said he did not expect the issue to have much immediate impact on broader Brazil-China relations.

China is expected to play a central role in Brasilia's foreign policy agenda over the next two years. Brazil is to chair the Group of 20 meeting in 2024 and host the 2025 Conference of the Parties, a UN flagship event for climate-change negotiations.

"The goals of both countries help in this rapprochement. China is a key player in the dialogue on global governance reform, and Brazil wants Beijing to be more involved in diplomatic initiatives to fight global warming," Santoro said.

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.
New Delhi: India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a warning in an advisory, urging all Indian nationals living or travelling to Canada to exercise utmost caution. The advisory said that Indian diplomats and some sections of the Indian community who resist the anti-India agenda have been specifically targeted by threats. The ministry advised Indians to steer clear of regions and potential venues in Canada where such incidents have taken place.

"In view of growing anti-India activities and politically-condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda. Indian nationals are therefore advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen such incidents": Ministry of External Affairs said in its advisory.

Ministry of External Affairs issues advisory for Indian nationals and Indian students in #Canada. pic.twitter.com/0z293ieM4L  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

The MEA also asked Indian nationals and students in Canada to register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident, as per the MEA.

This comes amid growing tensions between India, Canada after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.
New Delhi: Canada had collaborated very closely with the United States on the intelligence that showed possible involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia earlier this year, news agency Reuters quoted a senior Canadian government source as saying on Tuesday. On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said that Canadas domestic intelligence agencies were pursuing credible allegations that linked New Delhis agents to the shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, 45, in June. Weve been working with the U.S. very closely, including on the public disclosure yesterday, the source said. The source, who spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of the information, said that Canada would share the evidence it had in due course.

Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday that the case had serious implications for international law, and urged the Indian government to cooperate with Canadas full investigation of the matter. India rejected Trudeaus claim as ridiculous, and said it was sending back a Canadian diplomat, a reciprocal move after Canada sent back Indias top intelligence official on Monday.

The dispute deals a fresh blow to diplomatic ties that have been fraying for years, with New Delhi unhappy over Khalistani activity in Canada. "I would expect that normal discussions between the two governments will be difficult while this issue is being resolved," said Roland Paris, Trudeau's former foreign policy adviser and a professor of international affairs at the University of Ottawa. U.S. authorities, earlier on Tuesday, said they supported Canada's investigation.

"We have been in close contact with our Canadian colleagues about this. We're quite concerned about the allegations. We think it's important there is a full and open investigation, and we would urge the Indian Government to cooperate with that investigation," a senior State Department official said. Now some, including Canada's Conservative opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, are urging Trudeau to show the evidence that the government has in hand.

Jesse Singh, founder and chairman of the community group, Sikhs of America, told an event hosted by Washingtons Hudson Institute think tank that Trudeau has failed to provide any proof. "It's just something that he said is a credible allegation, with no proof at all. And I think we'll have to wait to see if there is any proof there and then I think further decisions can be taken," Singh added.

The spat has already thrown cold water on trade talks, which have been paused, and Canada last week called off a major trade mission scheduled for October. A second Canadian source familiar with the situation said that both the pause in the trade talks and the delay of the trade mission were due to the concerns surrounding the murder of the Canadian.

New Delhi, which has urged Ottawa to act against anti-Indian elements, has long been unhappy over Sikh separatist activity in Canada. Nijjar supported creating a Sikh homeland in the form of an independent, so-called state of Khalistan in India's northern state of Punjab, the birthplace of the Sikh religion, which borders Pakistan. India designated him as a "terrorist" in 2020.
NEW DELHI: A war of words has erupted between Canada and India over the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently accused India of involvement in the murder during his address to the Canadian Parliament. Notably, Trudeau's accusations lack concrete evidence, and a thorough investigation into the matter is still awaited. However, Trudeau seems to be leveraging these allegations for political reasons, aligning with Khalistani sympathizers to secure a vote bank.

The aftermath of these accusations has seen a diplomatic standoff between the two nations. Canada initiated the conflict by recalling its Indian envoy, based on unproven allegations made in the Canadian Parliament. In response, India promptly asked a senior Canadian envoy to leave the country within five days, citing alleged involvement in anti-India activities.

Adhering to the principle of 'Tit For Tat,' India issued an advisory to its citizens and students in Canada, urging them to exercise vigilance due to the rising anti-India activities. This advisory is seen as a strategic move by India, responding to Canada's concerns about deteriorating security in their country and warning Indian students accordingly. In reality, Sikh extremist activities have surged in Canada, with the Trudeau government openly supporting Khalistani terrorists. While it is Canada's responsibility to ensure the safety of Indians residing within its borders, the Indian government is rightfully concerned given Trudeau's support for Khalistani terrorists for political gains.

Canada's concerns for its citizens appear to be influenced by pressure from Khalistani terrorists, as there have been no significant security incidents in India involving foreign citizens. This suggests that the Canadian government may be succumbing to pressure from Khalistani supporters, prompting Trudeau to take tactical steps against India to secure his Khalistani vote bank.

The advisory issued for Indians in Canada is a crucial step, considering the challenging situation for Indian citizens, particularly the Hindu community. Amidst the rising tensions, Khalistani supporters in Canada are planning an anti-India rally on September 25, raising fears of potential violence. Indian diplomats stationed in Canada have been advised to remain vigilant during this event.

Intelligence agencies have gathered evidence indicating that over 20 Khalistani extremists residing in Canada are conspiring with Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI, to plot a major conspiracy.

Tonight on Zee News' prime time show - DNA, anchor Sourabh Raaj Jain conducts an in-depth analysis, delving into Justin Trudeau's motivations and vote-bank considerations driving his support for Khalistani sympathizers.
Amid the strain in ties between India and Canada, a shocking revelation has come to the fore. According to the Zee News report, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has been funding Khalistani terrorists in Canada. The report citing sources said that the ISI provided funds to some top Khalistani leaders in recent months to expedite anti-India activities. While youths are being provoked against India, the Khalistani terrorists are also wooing Indian students to get their support.

The report came amid both India and Canada issued advisories for their nationals. While Canada cautioned its citizens against travelling to Kashmir, India issued an advisory for its citizens and students in Canada asking them to be careful and vigilant. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada are advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, said a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Earlier today, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar briefed PM Narendra Modi on the Canada issue. The ties between India and Canada hit a new low in the last two days after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged India's hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canada also expelled a senior Indian diplomat. India reciprocated by expelling a senior Canadian diplomat while rejecting the allegations made by Ottawa.

According to some reports, Canada has been downplaying India's extradition requests for Khalistani terrorists. Canada has also failed to take action against Khalistanis who carried out attacks on Indian consulates and Hindu temples.

Hardeep Singh Nijjar, founder of Khalistan Tiger Force and second in command of Sikh For Justice (SFJ), was killed in June this year by unknown gunmen. Canada has been probing his murder case with its allies.
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that the Women's Reservation is not a political issue for the ruling BJP but it is about "recognition. Shah said this while addressing the ongoing debate on the Women's Reservation Bill introduced by the Centre in Lok Sabha earlier on Wednesday. Shah stated that the BJP is not doing any politics on the Bill since it is seriously concerned about the welfare of women in this country.

For some parties, women's empowerment can be a political issue, while for others, it can be a tool to win elections. But for the BJP and PM Modi, women's empowerment is not a political issue, it's a matter of recognition, the Union Home Minister said in Lok Sabha.

Highlighting several women-centric initiatives taken by the Narendra Modi government at the Centre, the Home Minister said, "Our government has provided 100 million LPG connections to women, and constructed 40 million houses."

While referring to the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' campaign, Shah said it has improved the sex ratio and the dropout rate of women from education has drastically reduced. The Union Home Minister told the lawmakers that nearly 70% of Jan Dhan accounts are under women's name and all the money allotted for various schemes now goes into the accounts of women.

Shah also assured the Lower House that the moment this Bill is passed, 1/3 of the seats in Lok Sabha and all state assemblies will be reserved for the women of India.

Lauding PM Modi, Shah recalled when PM Modi resigned from the post of CM of Gujarat, he donated all his income to the education of the daughters of Class III and IV employees of Gujarat Sachivalay - this itself shows his unflinching commitment towards the daughters and women of this country.

Continuing his speech, the Home Minister said, "This is the fifth attempt to bring the Women's quota bill. From Devegowda to Manmohan Singh, four attempts were made to bring this bill,'' and sought to know ''what was the reason this bill was not passed?"

While urging the Lok Sabha and all the political parties to pass the Women's Reservation Bill with unanimity, Amit Shah said that the BJP wants to ensure the participation of women in policy-making. Stating that there are 3 categories of MPs - General, SC, and ST, Shah assured that there will be 33% reservation for women in each category after the bill is cleared.

Dismissing concerns expressed by the Opposition parties, Shah said the Delimitation Commission will decide which constituencies are to be reserved for women and that's why the time frame of 2026 is mentioned in the bill. Transparency is the reason behind delimitation, he added.

"Whether you support it or not, it (Womens Reservation Bill) will come after 2029. Census and Delimitation will be done immediately after elections are held and the day will come soon when seats will be reserved for women (in Parliament),'' the Home Minister said. "Not supporting the bill will not bring the reservation any faster, therefore supporting it is the best way to go ahead,'' Amit Shah appealed to the MPs in Lok Sabha.

The Lok Sabha is currently discussing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill which was tabled by the Centre for discussion at 11 AM earlier today, after the proceedings of the House began. The 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2023 seeks to reserve 33 per cent seats in Lok Sabha and all state Assemblies for women.

Arjun Ram Meghwal kicked off the discussion on the Bill that seeks to bring in 33% reservation for women in the lower House and all Assemblies. He stated that the Bill was an important step in womens empowerment and shows the way to the world. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier made a strong pitch for the women's reservation bill saying that his government is committed to ensuring that the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam' aimed at expanding women's participation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies becomes a law, as he urged MPs of both houses of parliament to pass the bill unanimously.

While several parties have welcomed the bill, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has expressed his disapproval of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (women reservation bill) saying that he is against the bill as it does not include the quota for women from the Muslim and OBC communities.

Opposing the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, the AIMIM leader said, 'The Bill is against the Muslims of India. It deceives the Muslim Community.''

The Hyderabad MP further said, "The Modi government wants to increase representation only for 'savarana' women. This bill will affect the representation of the OBC and Muslim women." "This is a woman deception bill, anti-OBC, anti-Muslim bill," he said in his speech.
New Delhi: The legendary late Indian megastar Dev Anand's iconic Juhu house is where he lived with his family for decades. Over the past few days, rumours about it being sold for a whopping Rs 300-400 crore deal with a real estate company turning it into a tower were doing the rounds. However, Dev Anand's kin has now denied it completely.

DEV ANAND'S JUHU HOUSE SOLD?

In an interview with ETimes, Ketan Anand, who is the son of Dev Anand's brother Chetan clarified, "No, it's false news. I have checked with Devina and the family." Dev Anand is survived by 2 sons who stay in the US, and a daughter Devina who lives in Ooty with her mother Kalpana.

It was earlier reported by multiple news portals that Dev Anand's iconic Juhu residence will be turned into a 22-storey tower after being sold to a famous real-estate company in Mumbai. However, looks like it was a mere rumour with no solid proof.

DEV ANAND BUILT IT IN 1950...

Coming back to his bungalow, Dev Anand Juhu's house was built by him back in 1950. In one of his earlier interviews, he said, "I built my Juhu house in 1950. Juhu was a small village then and there was total wilderness. I liked it because Im a loner. Juhu has become very crowded now, too full of people, especially on Sundays. Its not the same beach any longer. My Iris Park residence doesnt have a park anymore, there is a school and four bungalows bang opposite my place."
NEW YORK: US National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said that serious allegations were levelled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar adding that the US wanted the matter to be handled in a transparent way. In an interview with CBS News, an American television news channel, Kirby urged India to cooperate in the investigation.

This comes amid growing tensions between India, and Canada after Justin Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, who was a designated terrorist in India and was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

"These allegations are serious and we know that Canadians are investigating and we certainly don't want to get ahead of that investigation. We urge India to cooperate in that investigation as well, Kirby said. Weeks before Canada made this explosive allegation implicating Indian officials in the killing of Khalistan Tiger Force Chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian officials sought public condemnation of the murder from their allies, including the United States, but were met with reluctance, The Washington Post reported.

Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by Indian security agencies in 2020 and was accused of supporting attacks in Punjab, the report noted, adding that India sought his extradition in 2022 and linked him to the killing of a Hindu priest in Punjab that same year. Appealing for a fair and transparent probe into the matter, Kirby said that the US will remain in touch with both India and Canada.

This is kind of an attack that we obviously want to know that it will be handled in a transparent way and that Canadian people can get answers. We are going to stay in touch with our partners - both countries. We want to see the investigation be able to pursue unhindered and let the facts take it where it may, the retired US Navy rear admiral said in the CBS News interview.

World leaders have been reacting to the India-Canada diplomatic standoff. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said that Canberra doesnt talk about security briefings as part of the Five Eyes group, an intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the US and the UK. On being asked if the Australian government has received a security briefing about the alleged assassination, PM Albanese said, We don't talk about security briefings from Five Eyes (intelligence alliance), as part of the Five Eyes group."

He further said that he has had discussions with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau, but would like to keep those discussions confidential.

On the other hand, the UK government is also in regular contact with its Canadian partners over allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament. Foreign Secretary of the UK, James Cleverly, on Tuesday said that all countries should respect sovereignty.

"All countries should respect sovereignty and the rule of law. We are in regular contact with our Canadian partners about serious allegations raised in the Canadian Parliament," Cleverly posted on X. Meanwhile, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country have been advised to exercise caution amid the recent strain in relations between the two countries. Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

The MEA also said that Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident.

The MEA said in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution. Recently, threats have particularly targeted Indian diplomats and sections of the Indian community who oppose the anti-India agenda, as per the MEA release.

MEA said Indias High Commission, Consulates General in Canada will continue to be in contact with the Canadian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the Indian community in Canada.
World Alzheimer's Day is observed every year to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and dementia. This global initiative aims to challenge the stigma associated with these conditions and advocate for better support and understanding for those affected.

World Alzheimer's Day serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of Alzheimer's disease and dementia on individuals, families, and societies. It underscores the importance of raising awareness, reducing stigma, advocating for better care, and supporting ongoing research to combat these devastating conditions.

By coming together on this day, we take a collective step towards a world where Alzheimer's disease no longer robs individuals of their memories and dignity. Here we delve into the date, history, and significance of World Alzheimer's Day.

Also read: World Alzheimer's Day 2023: 10 Early Warning Signs And Why Timely Diagnosis Is Crucial - Expert Speaks

World Alzheimer's Day 2023: Date

World Alzheimer's Day falls on September 21 each year. This date was chosen to honor the birthday of Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist and neurologist who is credited with identifying the first published case of "presenile dementia," which we now recognize as Alzheimer's disease. Dr. Alzheimer's groundbreaking work in the early 20th century laid the foundation for our understanding of this debilitating condition.

World Alzheimer's Day 2023: History

The origins of World Alzheimer's Day can be traced back to 1994 when Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), a global federation of Alzheimer's associations around the world, launched an international campaign to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. This campaign led to the establishment of World Alzheimer's Day, with the first official event taking place on September 21, 1994.

Since then, World Alzheimer's Day has grown in significance, with events, activities, and initiatives taking place worldwide. These efforts aim to educate people about Alzheimer's disease, reduce the stigma associated with dementia, and promote early diagnosis and intervention.

World Alzheimer's Day 2023: Significance

World Alzheimer's Day holds immense significance in several ways:

Awareness: It serves as a powerful platform to educate the public about Alzheimer's disease and dementia, including their causes, symptoms, and impact on individuals and their families.

Stigma Reduction: Alzheimer's and dementia are often accompanied by misconceptions and stigma. This day encourages open conversations and understanding, reducing the discrimination faced by those living with these conditions.

Advocacy: World Alzheimer's Day provides an opportunity for advocacy efforts to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. It calls on governments, healthcare systems, and communities to prioritize dementia care and research.

Support: Caregivers play a vital role in the lives of individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. This day acknowledges their dedication and the challenges they face, highlighting the need for support and resources.

Research and Innovation: It emphasizes the importance of ongoing research into Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Progress in understanding and treating these conditions is crucial for the millions of people affected globally.

(This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
Patna: Amid the ongoing discussion in Parliament over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday alleged that the BJP-led central government will not implement the bill and that they have taken it forward only to gain political advantage in the elections. "They will not implement the bill; if they wanted to do so, they would have done it earlier," he said.

"Women's Reservation is necessary and we have been demanding it since the beginning... They will not implement it. We have told them to do a caste-based census, we have demanded this," Bihar CM said while talking to the reporters in Patna.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: "Women's Reservation is necessary and we have been demanding it since the beginning... They will not implement it so what they had to do should have been done...We have told them to do a caste-based census, we have demanded this..." says Bihar CM Nitish pic.twitter.com/TKFJKvxQ0a  ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

Discussion for passing of the Bill in the House began today at 11 with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introducing the amendments in the Bill. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said.

Meanwhile, seeking immediate implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi extended her party's support to the "Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023" Bill.

"A delay in the implementation of the bill is a gross unfairness to the women of the country," she said, adding, "I stand in support of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhinyam 2023. Women are being told that they will have to wait longer for this bill to become law. We demand that the bill be made law immediately. I appeal to the government to do this immediately," Sonia Gandhi said in Lok Sabha.

She also asked the Centre to carry out a caste census to ensure the participation of women belonging to Other Backward Class/Scheduled Caste (OBC/SC) communities.

Criticising the Centre for not including the women belonging to the backward and Scheduled Caste (SC) community, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari on Wednesday urged the Centre to pass the 2010 Bill in Lok Sabha and start the reservation.

I challenge that if BJP's policy and intention are honest, then give a guarantee that women will get a reservation in 2024 elections - we will stand with you with all our strength, MP Tiwari said.

Tiwari further said, Are the Backward and SC, not women? How will you go for women's reservations without including them? I only say that if you were honest, the 2010 Bill that was passed by the Rajya Sabha is still there - you should have passed that in the Lok Sabha and started the reservation."
New Delhi, Date: Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi took the floor in Parliament today to voice the Congress Party's stance on the Women's Reservation Bill. During her address, she firmly asserted the Congress Party's support for the bill's implementation.

Sonia Gandhi stated, "The Congress demands the swift implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill. Furthermore, we urge for an immediate caste census and inclusion of quotas for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes (OBC) within the framework of the bill."

Highlighting the historical context, she remarked, "Reservation in local bodies was initially introduced by my late husband, Rajiv Gandhi. His vision for empowering marginalized sections of society remains partially fulfilled. The passage of this bill will bring his dream to fruition."

In her address, Sonia Gandhi emphasized the importance of taking decisive steps towards gender equality and social inclusivity through the Women's Reservation Bill, aligning with the Congress Party's commitment to these ideals.

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.
For Business Schools, 6 'Pathways To Innovation'

Change is constant. The question for business schools is, How bold should that change be?

In a new report called Pathways to Innovation, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business invites schools to answer that question demonstratively  to lead boldly to meet the needs of stakeholders. And it offers six pathways to innovation to help schools meet the moment.

Business schools are being challenged as never before to adapt, be relevant, and contribute solutions to the worlds pressing issues, says Lily Bi, president and CEO of AACSB International. At AACSB, we invite business schools to Lead Boldly and elevate the unique value they deliver in meeting the needs of stakeholders, from students, to lifelong learners, to businesses, and to society more broadly.

ONE PATHWAY TO INNOVATION: EMBRACE SOCIETAL CHANGE

One of the three main global accrediting agencies for business schools, AACSB has long pushed not only for innovation among its hundreds of member schools globally but also for positive impact. In 2021, now-retired President and CEO Caryn Beck-Dudley called for schools to produce less dry and dusty academic papers and instead more research that actually results in a positive societal impact. And last year, as Poets&Quants reported, AACSB issued a clarion call for B-schools to ramp up their positive impact programming, calling in an open letter for systemic change through the expertise and action of global business leaders and business educators.

Makes sense then that among the six pathways to innovation listed in its new report, one is Develop societal impact leaders for positive change.

Desired leadership competencies now include a number of ESG and societal impact values as well as being able to perform financially, AACSBs report reads. Schools should cultivate ties with community groups, nonprofits, and government organizations, in addition to leveraging AACSBs advocacy and thought leadership efforts, to help drive innovation.

Story continues

OTHER INNOVATIONS: ADAPTABLE LEARNING METHODS & ENDING PUBLISH OR PERISH

The six steps outlined in our position paper are designed to act as a strategic tool to business schools discover ways to drive innovation across their institutions, Bi says. Developing leaders who create positive change in society  who strive to make the world a better place  is just one of the six innovation pathways outlined by AACSB. The five others:

Ensure fair access to high-quality business education and networks: As firms prioritize developing diverse workforces, they look to business schools to create a pipeline of graduates who represent diverse demographics, experiences, values, and aspirations.

Empower problem-solvers to transform business: Creating skilled, agile, resilient leaders means business schools need to shift by elevating experiential learning offerings, stronger connections with community and business leaders, and a culture that promotes and nurtures innovators, from leadership to faculty to students.

Create timely curricula that respond to the speed of business: Competing with corporate-established universities and on-the-job credentials requires business schools to minimize systemic barriers to the curricular revision process, so they can develop agile, stackable, high-quality lifelong learning and upskilling experiences.

Deploy learning methods that adapt to learner needs: Ongoing technological innovations such as developments in AI and virtual reality, compel business schools to evaluate their HR needs and consider strategic partnerships, training, and operational modules that allow their platforms to remain competitive. Faculty will require fresh training and expanded resources.

Pursue knowledge creation which impacts on business and society: Business school research is intended for industry audiences but present academic structures and processes can delay publication and consumption in the rapidly paced business world. The culture of publish or perish among faculty at many institutions must also be challenged.

For Business Schools, 6 'Pathways To Innovation'

EXAMPLES ABOUND OF INNOVATION IN GRADUATE BUSINESS EDUCATION

AACSBs report offers several examples of innovation at some of its member B-schools around the world. Among them is The Inclusive Product Management Accelerator at the University of Washingtons Michael G. Foster School of Business, which broadens access to economic opportunity by increasing diversity in the product management space. The free, twelve-week professional development program is designed for mid-career professionals from historically marginalized communities who demonstrate potential to succeed in a product management career. The accelerator provides participants knowledge, professional connections, and community support to empower individuals success.

Another highlighted innovation is at Carnegie Mellons Tepper School of Business, which, in collaboration with the School of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction Institute, has created the Carnegie Mellon MS in Product Management program to address a direct talent need in the market. The degree program focuses on the preparation of product management professionals who have the right blend of skills in business, technology, user-centered design, and team leadership, as well as necessary hands-on experience, the report reads.

Another example of innovation in graduate business education: The Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers a Performance-based Admissions Track (PAT) program, which provides learners a pathway to enrollment in its online masters programs. The track consists of three graduate-level credit courses, which the learner must successfully complete to gain automatic admission to the learners desired program as a degree-seeking student. PAT offers prospective students the flexibility to experience the online classroom for credit, with no application and enrollment fee, without the commitment of pursuing a degree program.

Read the AACSBs full report, Pathways to Innovation, here.

DONT MISS MAJOR ACCREDITING BODY CALLS FOR B-SCHOOLS TO RAMP UP POSITIVE IMPACT PROGRAMMING and RESEARCH THAT MATTERS: HOW AACSB IS PUSHING B-SCHOOLS TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT

The post For Business Schools, 6 Pathways To Innovation appeared first on Poets&Quants.
LUCKNOW: As discussion on the Women's Reservation Bill proceeds in Lok Sabha, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Wednesday, in a media briefing, alleged the Bill to be an "allurement" to women in view of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. She further claimed that the bill doesn't intend to give reservations to women.

"According to this bill, the reservation will not be provided to women in the country in the coming 15-16 years. After the passing of this bill, it wouldn't be implemented immediately. First, a census of the country would be conducted and after this delimitation of seats would be done," Mayawati said during a press briefing.

She added, "A census takes a lot of time...After this, only this bill would be implemented...It is clear that this bill was not brought with the intention of giving reservations to women. But to give an allurement to the women before the upcoming elections."

Earlier on Tuesday, she confirmed the support of her party along with other parties to the Women's Reservation Bill tabled in Parliament while urging to ensure a separate quota for the women from OBC, SC, and ST sections in the reservation in the bill.

Along with BSP, most of the parties will give their vote in the favour of Women's Reservation Bill. We expect that after the discussion this bill will get passed this time as it has been pending for a long," she said.

The BSP chief further said, "I said earlier on behalf of my party in the Parliament that women get 50 per cent reservation instead of the proposed 33 per cent in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, keeping in mind the population of women. I hope the Government will think about it. Also, a separate quota for the women from OBC, SC and ST sections should be ensured in the reservation for women or it will be unfair to them.

Meanwhile, Discussion for passing of the Bill in the House began today at 11 with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introducing the amendments in the Bill. The Bill will be taken up in Rajya Sabha on September 21, government sources said.
New Delhi: Weeks before Canada made an explosive allegation implicating Indian officials in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Canadian officials sought public condemnation of the murder from their allies, including the United States, but were met with reluctance, The Washington Post reported. The same highlights the diplomatic challenges faced by the Biden administration and its allies as they try to navigate relations with India, a crucial player in the region, the report noted.

The alleged assassination of Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, on June 18, led to behind-the-scenes discussions among senior officials from the Five Eyes countries in the weeks leading up to the September Group of 20 summit in New Delhi. However, no public mention was made before the summit, which was seen as an important event for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to The Washington Post.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's announcement of "credible allegations" in the parliament caused a significant rupture in bilateral relations with India, resulting in the expulsion of an Indian diplomat in Ottawa, the report stated.

"Canadian security agencies have been actively pursuing credible allegations of a potential link between agents of the Government of India and the killing of a Canadian citizen, Hardeep Singh Nijjar," PM Trudeau said on Monday.

However, New Delhi on Tuesday rejected Canada's allegations of Indian agents being involved in the killing of pro-Khalistan leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of Khalistan Tiger Force and a designated 'terrorist'. In retaliation to the Trudeau administration expelling an Indian diplomat, New Delhi ordered a Canadian envoy, believed to be spying for the country in India, within five days, the Post added in its report.

While Trudeau emphasized that Canada was not looking to provoke or escalate the situation, the Indian government rejected its accusation as "absurd and motivated," shifting the focus to Khalistani terrorists and extremists sheltered in Canada, The Washington Post reported.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, "We have seen and reject the statement of the Canadian Prime Minister in their Parliament, as also the statement by their Foreign Minister. Allegations of the Government of India's involvement in any act of violence in Canada are absurd and motivated."

Nijjar had been designated a terrorist by Indian security agencies in 2020 and was accused of supporting attacks in Punjab, the report noted, adding that India sought his extradition in 2022 and linked him to the killing of a Hindu priest in Punjab that same year.

According to the report, India had been pressuring countries like Canada, Australia, Britain, and the United States, which have significant Sikh communities, to crack down on the Khalistan movement. Pro-Khalistan protests had taken place in London and San Francisco, causing tension with the Indian government.

This diplomatic controversy unfolds as Western nations seek to strengthen their geopolitical and trade partnerships with India while refraining from criticizing Prime Minister Modi's authoritarian policies. Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, pointed out the dilemma facing Western governments, acknowledging Canada as an ally but valuing their relationship with India as a key strategic partner.

According to The Washington Post, the G20 summit in India in September was marked by tension, with Trudeau sidelined and denied formal bilateral talks with PM Modi. The Khalistan issue was discussed on the summit's sidelines, further straining relations.

Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly stated that Trudeau had raised the allegations with President Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, with the topic expected to be discussed at the UN General Assembly, The Washington Post reported.

In response, Washington expressed deep concern and emphasized the importance of Canada's investigation and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Australia also raised the issue with India at senior levels. The allegations surrounding Nijjar's assassination have intensified the long-standing issue of Khalistan supporters in Canada, with potential ramifications for global geopolitics and foreign interference.

While the situation remains complex, it underscores the delicate balance Western nations must maintain between their allies and their strategic partnerships in a rapidly evolving global space, The Washington Post reported.
In the realm of success stories, some narratives shine brighter than others. They are tales of individuals who persist, undeterred by failure, and remain resolute amidst skepticism. The story we are about to delve into is one such beacon of determination and unwavering commitment. It unveils the remarkable journey of Anukriti Sharma, who transitioned from a lucrative career at NASA to realize her lifelong ambition of becoming an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.

The UPSC CSE and Anukriti's Unyielding Dream

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is a rigorous test that paves the way for India's Group 'A' officers, including the prestigious IPS cadre. Anukriti Sharma embarked on her UPSC journey as part of the 2020 batch, hailing from the vibrant city of Jaipur in Rajasthan. Her academic journey commenced at Indo Bharat International School in Jaipur, followed by her pursuit of a BSMS degree at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Kolkata.

A Drastic Twist: A NASA Opportunity Beckons

In 2012, Anukriti's life took an unexpected turn when she was offered admission to a Ph.D. program in volcano research at Rice University in Houston, Texas. While pursuing her Ph.D. in the United States, she received an enticing job offer from NASA Institute, where she was to contribute to groundbreaking research on volcanoes. This position came with a substantial monthly income, exceeding INR 2 lakh.

Despite the allure of a promising career in America, Anukriti made a bold decision to return to India, recognizing that her true calling was to contribute to society through the IPS.

The Resilient Journey: Anukriti's UPSC Odyssey

With an unwavering passion to become an IPS officer, Anukriti commenced her UPSC preparation in 2014. Her journey was marked by relentless determination and an unshakeable spirit. In 2015, she cleared the preliminary examination but stumbled in the mains. Her second attempt saw her falter at the preliminary stage. However, Anukriti refused to yield.

In her third attempt, she reached the interview stage but was not selected. Undaunted by setbacks, in 2018, Anukriti reappeared for the examination. This time, she secured the 355th rank, securing a place in the Indian Revenue Service (IRS). Despite the IRS being an honorable department, it did not fulfill her dream. Anukriti's heart yearned to don the IPS uniform.

In 2020, on her fifth attempt, Anukriti Sharma achieved her dream, becoming an IPS officer.

The Right Person for the Job: Anukriti Sharma's Compassionate Stint

As an IPS trainee in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Anukriti Sharma displayed an exceptional sense of empathy and responsibility. Currently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Police for Bulandshahr, UP, she garnered praise for her compassionate approach to policing.

In a heartwarming video, Anukriti shared her commitment to bridging the gap between the police force and the community. She recounted the story of Ms. Noorjahan, a widow from a low-income family living without electricity. Anukriti and her team took swift action, coordinating with the power supply department to provide Ms. Noorjahan with electricity, a bulb, and a fan from the police fund. This act of kindness exemplifies Anukriti's dedication to her duty and her genuine concern for the well-being of the people she serves.

Anukriti Sharma's journey from NASA to becoming an IPS officer stands as a testament to the enduring power of ambition, resilience, and the desire to make a meaningful impact on society. Her story serves as an inspiration, reminding us that there are individuals who go the extra mile to bring light to the lives of those in need, even in their darkest moments.
United Nations: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan raised the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level 78th session of the UN General Assembly session here. "Another development that will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan, Erdogan said in his address to the General Debate Tuesday.

"As Turkiye, we will continue to support the steps to be taken in this direction, he said.

Erdogan's comment came weeks after he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi during which both leaders discussed strengthening trade and infrastructure relations.

Erdogan said it was a matter of pride that India was playing a role at the United Nations Security Council. He said he favoured making five permanent and 15 "temporary" members as permanent members of the UN Security Council.

"Those 20 (5+15) should be permanent members of the UNSC in rotation. But as you know, the world is bigger than five. When we say the world is larger than five, what we mean is that it's not only about the US, UK, France, China and Russia," he said.

In recent years, the Turkish leader has referred to the issue of Kashmir in his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session.

Last year, Erdogan raked up the issue of Kashmir during his address to world leaders at the high-level UN General Assembly session here.

India and Pakistan, after having established their sovereignty and independence 75 years ago, they still haven't established peace and solidarity between one another. This is much unfortunate. We hope and pray that a fair and permanent peace and prosperity will be established in Kashmir, Erdogan had said.

In 2020, Erdogan in his pre-recorded video statement to the General Debate had made a reference to Jammu and Kashmir. India had at that time termed it as completely unacceptable, saying Turkey should learn to respect the sovereignty of other nations and reflect on its own policies more deeply.
NEW DELHI: In a major push to the indigenisation in the military, the Indian Navy has moved a mega proposal to the government for building the second aircraft carrier to be constructed by the Cochin Shipyard Limited. A proposal has been received by the Defence Ministry for building and acquiring the second indigenous aircraft carrier which would be known as the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier-2, defence officials told ANI.

The Defence Ministry would be shortly discussing the proposal moved by the Indian Navy as one of the biggest programmes under Prime Minister Narendra Modis Aatmanirbharta (self reliance) programme in defence sector, they said. The programme will create several thousand direct and manifold indirect jobs through the Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kerala when the work on the IAC-2 is approved by the government.

The first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was commissioned by Prime Minister Modi in Kochi in September last year where the expertise developed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in building such large size ships was applauded. The Indian Navy has been pressing for three aircraft carriers to maintain at least one carrier on each coast with one in refit. With three aircraft carriers, the Indian Navy would also be keeping pace with all the navies deployed in the Indo-Pacific region, officials said.

The Indian Navy is also going to get 26 new Rafale fighter aircraft for the INS Vikrant and also looking to buy the indigenous Twin engine Deck L-based Fighter aircraft which are now expected to be produced in large numbers to be deployed on the three carriers. Admiral R Hari Kumar had recently stated that INS Vikrant, the indigenously built aircraft carrier, will be based in Visakhapatnam. INS-Vikrant was a landmark event for India and all-out efforts are on to make it (INS-Vikrant) fully operational by November 2023.

Recently the Indian Navy Mig-29K fighter jet landed on the INS Vikrant for the first time at night, an important step towards the warship becoming fully operational along with its air wing by the year-end. The Indian Navy has given assurances to the government that the sea-force will become Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) by 2047. The Naval force aims to have a made-in-India security solution for the country and the Navy has been encouraging and giving incentives to the start-ups and MSMEs for self-reliance, he had stated.
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday issued details of 43 individuals associated with a terror gangster network having links to Canada. The NIA further asked the public to share details of their properties and assets which can be taken over by the central government. The NIA in its post issued pictures of Lawrence Bishnoi, Jasdeep Singh, Kala Jatheri alias Sandeep, Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana and Joginder Singh along with their names. It highlighted that many of these gangsters are based in Canada.

The NIA also requested to share details about the properties/assets/businesses owned by them in their own name or in the name of their associates, friends and relatives. It has also asked to share details of their business partners, workers, employees, and collection agents.

"Persons shown in photos below are accused in the NIA Cases RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI or RC-39/2022/NIA/DLI. If you have any information about properties/assets/ business owned by them in their name or in the name of their associates, friends & relatives, please WhatsApp DM @ 91 7290009373," the NIA said in a post on 'X'.

Persons shown in photos below are accused in the NIA Cases RC-38/2022/NIA/DLI or RC-39/2022/NIA/DLI.

If you has any information about properties/assets/ business owned by them in their name or in name of their associates, friends & relatives, please WhatsApp DM @ +91 7290009373. pic.twitter.com/tkgicw4ouo  NIA India (@NIA_India) September 20, 2023

This comes amid growing tensions between India, and Canada after Justin Trudeau on Monday accused the Indian government of being behind the fatal shooting of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Najjar, who was a designated terrorist in India, was gunned down outside a Gurdwara, in a parking area in Canada's Surrey, British Columbia on June 18.

Meanwhile, Indian nationals, students in Canada and those planning on travelling to the country have been advised to exercise caution amid the recent strain in relations between the two countries. Indian nationals and Indian students in Canada are advised to avoid travelling to regions and potential venues in Canada that have seen growing anti-India activities, according to a release issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday. Indian students in Canada have been particularly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain vigilant.

Indian nationals and students in Canada must also register with the High Commission of India in Ottawa or the Consulates General of India in Toronto and Vancouver through their respective websites or the MADAD portal madad.gov.in. Registration would enable the High Commission and the Consulates General to better connect with Indian citizens in Canada in the event of any emergency or untoward incident, as per the MEA advisory.

The MEA said in view of growing anti-India activities and politically condoned hate crimes and criminal violence in Canada, all Indian nationals there and those contemplating travel are urged to exercise utmost caution.
Congress leader and Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi today launched a scathing attack on the Modi government while speaking on the Women's Reservation Bill. The Wayanad MP said that while he supports the bill, he would like to see the OBC quota implemented in the bill. He also accused the Modi government of ignoring OBCs in appointing Secretaries to the Government of India.

Rahul Gandhi said that while there are 90 Secretaries to the GOI, only three are from the OBC. He further said that these three secretaries control only five per cent of the country's budget. The Congress leader said that lack of OBC secretaries is an insult to the community and the government should change it.

Rahul Gandhi urged the government to pass the bill and implement it immediately. He said that delimitation and census can be done later and are not required for the bill to be implemented. He also dared the govenment to make public the caste census data saying that either you (the government) make it public or Congress would do it.

Earlier, Congress MP Sonia Gandhi sought immediate implementation Womens Reservation Bill. Sonia Gandhi, who initiated the debate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniam in the Lok Sabha, said the dream of her husband Rajiv Gandhi has remain unfulfilled and will be realised with the passage of the bill which was introduced on Tuesday. Rajiv Gandhis dream was only half fulfilled. It will be fulfilled with the passage of this bill, she added.

The Congress leader also demanded caste census to ensure quota for women belonging to Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the womens reservation bill.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah today slammed the opposition benches during the discussion on the women's reservation bill. After Rahul Gandhi finished his remarks, Shah was making his statement in the lower house. The union home minister started by saying that the issue is not political for the Modi government and recounted his government's policy initiative for the welfare of women. It was during this time when someone from the opposition benches obstructed his speech reminding him of the time limit.

This irked the home minister who angrily said, "Kisne 10 minute diye hai mujhe? Aap wahan baith kar time doge? Arre Sunane ki aadat daalo bhai, aap wahan baith kar mujhe time doge? Mai mere party ke time me bol raha hun. (Who gave me 10 minutes to speak? Will you allot me time sitting there? Get into the habit of listening. I am speaking within the time allotted to my party)."

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Women's Reservation Bill. https://t.co/ovvS2Hq37x September 20, 2023

To this, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla told the opposition members that the chair will decide the time and they have no right to make such a statement.

Home Minister Amit Shah full bashing Mode. pic.twitter.com/daBaX3V3lz  The Analyzer (News Updates) (@Indian_Analyzer) September 20, 2023

During the discussion, Shah also made it clear that the women's reservation will be implemented across three categories in which MPs are selected at present- General, SCs and STs. "After elections, soon census and delimitation exercise will take place. After this, there will be 1/3rd women in this House," Shah told the Lok Sabha.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's charge that out of 90 Secretaries of the Government of India that run the country, only three are from the OBCs, Shah said that it's a matter of one's understanding. Shah said that the country is run by the government and the Modi government has 85 OBC MPs and 29 OBC Ministers.
NEW DELHI: US President Joe Biden has been invited to India's January 26-Republic Day celebrations here in the national capital, the Ambassador of US to India, Eric Garcetti revealed on Wednesday. Garcetti said the invitation was extended to Biden by PM Modi on the sidelines of the bilateral that took place between the two leaders at the recently concluded G20 Summit.

During this, India and the US also settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute. Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modi's state visit to the US.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modis historic, June 2023, visit to Washington, the India-US joint statement read.

The two leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-US Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding. After the meeting, both the leaders lauded the India-US relations and said that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.

The G20 Summit took place in New Delhi from September 9-10 under India's Presidency. Notably, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi was the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade. In 2015, Barack Obama became the first US President to attend India's Republic Day parade as the chief guest.
New Delhi: Ahead of Raghav Chadha and actress Parineeti Chopra's wedding in Udaipur, the picture of the couple has gone viral, while they attended the ardaas ceremony and kirtan in a Gurdwara. The couple will leave for Udaipur for their wedding at a luxury hotel on September 23 and 24. Yesterday, the paath was also held at Chadha's residence in Pandara Road, here. His MP's residence saw Punjab Police personnel keeping a hawk's eye on the tastefully manicured entrance, keeping photographers on the other side of the busy road.

Now, on Wednesday, the pictures of the couple went viral on social media, wherein we can see Raghav wearing a pastel pink coloured kurta-pajama and Nehru jacket, while Parineeti wore a powder pink coloured sharara set. Both can be seen sitting in a Gurdwara, and praying. They are accompanied by their family members.

Earlier, the wedding card of the couple had gone viral on social media. The wedding date reads September 24 on the card, which is white in color. "Divine Promises: A pearl white Indian wedding... Leela Palace Jaimala: 3:30 p.m. Pheras: 4:00 p.m. Vidai: 6:30 p.m.," read the card.

The card has beautiful sketches of the landscape of Udaipur. The wedding festivities will start from September 23 with Parineeti's Choora ceremony at 10 a.m. at Maharaja suite. A 'Fresco Afternoon' will be held on the terrace near the ballroom on September 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

On September 24, Raghav's 'Sehrabandi' will take place in Taj Lake Palace at 1 p.m. Then 'Baraat'- The Royal Procession will move from Taj Lake Palace at 2 p.m. The reception gala, which has a theme of 'A night of Amore' will happen in Leela Palace Courtyard, at 8.30 p.m. During this period, many big personalities from politics and Bollywood will come to Udaipur.

Several film personalities, including Parineeti's sister Priyanka Chopra and her husband Nick Jonas, and leaders from Delhi and other states are expected to attend the event.
New Delhi: Powerhouse of talent, Samantha Ruth Prabhu's personal and professional life has always intrigued the fans, who love to know more about the Pan-India star. Recently, a Reddit thread talked about how Sam has unarchived her old mushy pictures with ex-husband Naga Chaitanya, sparking a patch-up rumour online.

Samantha and Naga Chaitanya in October 2021 shared a joint statement announcing separation: "To all our well-wishers. After much deliberation and thought Sam and I have decided to to part ways as husband and wife to pursue our own paths. We are fortunate to have a friendship of over a decade that was the very core of our relationship which we believe will always hold a special bond between us. We request our fans, well-wishers and the media to support us during the difficult time and give us the privacy we need to move on. Thanking you for your support."

Well, take a look below to check the Reddit thread.

Last year, Samantha revealed that she is diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called 'Myositis' and broke her silence on her health update via her social media. Her post read: A few months back I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition called Myositis. I was hoping to share this after it had gone into remission. But it is taking a little longer than I hoped," she had posted. She also added, "I am slowly realising that we dont always need to put up a strong front. Accepting this vulnerability is something that I am still struggling with. The doctors are confident that I will make a complete recovery very soon. I have had good days and bad days. physically and emotionally. and even when it feels like I cant handle one more day of this, somehow that moment passes. I guess it can only mean that I am one more day closer to recovery. I love you.. (black heart emoji). THIS TOO SHALL PASS."

On the work front, she was seen this year in Shaakuntalam and Kushi. While the former did average business, her chemistry with Vijay Deverakonda in Kushi won a million hearts and the movie went on to rake in huge moolah.

She also has Citadel web-series remake with Varun Dhawan in her kitty.
NEW DELHI: Sudha Murty, the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation and a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, has expressed her heartfelt appreciation for director Vivek Agnihotri's upcoming film, 'The Vaccine War, and described it as 'Heart Touching.' This film, touted as India's pioneer in bio-science cinema, captivated Murty, who attended its screening in Bengaluru during which she described it as a ''deeply moving'' film acknowledging the intricate balance between family and professional commitments, particularly for women.

She emphasized the essential role of understanding partners behind successful women, underscoring the challenges women face in managing their responsibilities.

Vivek Agnihotri, director of 'The Vaccine War,' shared a video clip of Murty's inspiring comments on the film, expressing gratitude for her encouraging words. Murty acknowledged the struggle of women scientists who dedicated themselves to their work while managing their household responsibilities.

Thank you @SmtSudhaMurty ji for your inspiring words at the screening of #TheVaccineWar #ATrueStory. pic.twitter.com/xw5Jpa8iLL  Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) September 18, 2023

She envisioned a future where the children of these scientists would take pride in their mothers' remarkable contributions. Murty highlighted the movie's role in enlightening the public about the arduous process of creating a vaccine, such as Covaxin, and the selflessness displayed by scientists in this endeavour.

The film, 'The Vaccine War,' sheds light on the development of COVID-19 vaccines in India and portrays the dedicated efforts of scientists. Murty stressed the importance of recognizing and embracing the potential within each individual, emphasizing the need to believe in oneself. She reiterated that true beauty lies in courage, confidence, and the unleashed potential of Indians. Towards the end, she encouraged all Indians to have pride in their ethics, hard work, and Indian identity.

Sudha Murty's endorsement of the film came after actor-writer R Madhavan expressed his support for 'The Vaccine War,' praising the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Indian scientific community in the creation of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine.

The film, featuring acclaimed actors like Nana Patekar, Pallavi Joshi, Anupam Kher, Raima Sen, Girija Oak, Nivedita Bhattacharya, and others in key roles, is set to hit theatres on September 28 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Indian Sign Language.
New Delhi: For many engaged couples, creating wedding vows can be a difficult undertaking, and Molly Price and Erik Sorensen of Denver were no different. The pair decided to use artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to help them communicate their love for one another in a meaningful way as their October wedding date drew nearer.

According to Molly Price, 28, who spoke with Business Insider, there were many things she wanted to include in her vows to Erik Sorensen after they had been together for a considerable amount of time and had gone through several life experiences. They used AI tools like ChatGPT and Joy's Writer's Block Assistant to address this problem. (Also Read: ATTENTION! Charging Your Phone More Than 80% Reduces Battery Backup? Apple's Latest Feature Indicates THIS)

Several months ago, Molly started experimenting with these AI technologies and saw their potential right away. In addition to using AI for their wedding vows, they also hired these AI platforms to create their wedding website and toast speeches. (Also Read: ATTENTION! Charging Your Phone More Than 80% Reduces Battery Backup? Apple's Latest Feature Indicates THIS)

Molly was particularly interested in Joy's Writer's Block Assistant, a complimentary service provided by the wedding website Joy. Users will find it simpler to express their emotions with the help of this application, which offers structured questions regarding the desired tone and content of vows.

It invites users to divulge intimate information about their connection and potential marriage while providing direction with inquiries like "Our shared values" and "What you love most about your partner." Furthermore, it offers selections like Rumi and Shakespeare, as well as a variety of styles, from romantic to hilarious.

The basis for Molly and Erik's vows was created by Joy's AI helper, then they used ChatGPT to add humour, emotion, and rich details. Despite the unexpected use of AI to such a private work, Molly discovered that ChatGPT assisted her in changing the tone to seem more human and less artificial.
CF Industries Holdings (NYSE:CF) experienced a daily gain of 1.31%, with a three-month gain of 16.9%. The company's Earnings Per Share (EPS) stands at 12.08. But the question remains: is the stock fairly valued? This article aims to provide an in-depth analysis of CF Industries Holdings' valuation. Let's dive into the financials.

Introducing CF Industries Holdings

CF Industries Holdings Inc (NYSE:CF) is a leading producer and distributor of nitrogen fertilizers. The company operates seven nitrogen facilities in North America and holds joint venture interests in further production capacity in the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago. CF makes nitrogen primarily using low-cost U.S. natural gas as its feedstock, making CF one of the lowest-cost nitrogen producers globally. The company is also investing in carbon-free blue and green ammonia, which can be used an alternative fuel to hydrogen or as a means to transport hydrogen.

Currently, the stock price of CF Industries Holdings is $83.99, with a market cap of $16.20 billion. The company's GF Value, an estimation of fair value, is $87.3. This suggests that the stock is fairly valued. The following analysis will provide a deeper understanding of the company's value.

CF Industries Holdings (CF): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value is a proprietary measure that represents the current intrinsic value of a stock. It is calculated based on historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line on our summary page provides an overview of the fair value at which the stock should ideally be traded.

According to GuruFocus Value calculation, CF Industries Holdings appears to be fairly valued. This suggests that the long-term return of its stock is likely to be close to the rate of its business growth.

Story continues

CF Industries Holdings (CF): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Financial Strength

Investing in companies with low financial strength could result in permanent capital loss. Therefore, it's crucial to review a company's financial strength before deciding to buy shares. CF Industries Holdings has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.99, which ranks better than 58.09% of 241 companies in the Agriculture industry. Based on this, GuruFocus ranks CF Industries Holdings's financial strength as 7 out of 10, suggesting a fair balance sheet.

CF Industries Holdings (CF): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies, especially those with consistent profitability over the long term, is usually less risky. CF Industries Holdings has been profitable 9 out of the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $8.70 billion and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $12.08. Its operating margin is 41.09%, which ranks better than 94.94% of 237 companies in the Agriculture industry. Overall, the profitability of CF Industries Holdings is ranked 9 out of 10, which indicates strong profitability.

One of the most important factors in the valuation of a company is growth. Companies that grow faster create more value for shareholders, especially if that growth is profitable. The average annual revenue growth of CF Industries Holdings is 38.3%, which ranks better than 84.82% of 224 companies in the Agriculture industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth is 53.9%, which ranks better than 85.05% of 214 companies in the Agriculture industry.

ROIC vs WACC

Another method of determining the profitability of a company is to compare its return on invested capital to the weighted average cost of capital. Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. When the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it implies the company is creating value for shareholders. For the past 12 months, CF Industries Holdings's return on invested capital is 28.16, and its cost of capital is 10.31.

CF Industries Holdings (CF): A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Market Value

Conclusion

In conclusion, the stock of CF Industries Holdings appears to be fairly valued. The company's financial condition is fair and its profitability is strong. Its growth ranks better than 85.05% of 214 companies in the Agriculture industry. To learn more about CF Industries Holdings stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To find out the high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


China Yuanbang Property Holdings Limited (SGX:BCD) shares have had a horrible month, losing 45% after a relatively good period beforehand. Looking at the bigger picture, even after this poor month the stock is up 29% in the last year.

Since its price has dipped substantially, China Yuanbang Property Holdings may be sending bullish signals at the moment with its price-to-sales (or "P/S") ratio of 0.3x, since almost half of all companies in the Real Estate industry in Singapore have P/S ratios greater than 2x and even P/S higher than 5x are not unusual. Nonetheless, we'd need to dig a little deeper to determine if there is a rational basis for the reduced P/S.

View our latest analysis for China Yuanbang Property Holdings

How China Yuanbang Property Holdings Has Been Performing

With revenue growth that's exceedingly strong of late, China Yuanbang Property Holdings has been doing very well. It might be that many expect the strong revenue performance to degrade substantially, which has repressed the P/S ratio. If that doesn't eventuate, then existing shareholders have reason to be quite optimistic about the future direction of the share price.

Want the full picture on earnings, revenue and cash flow for the company? Then our free report on China Yuanbang Property Holdings will help you shine a light on its historical performance.

Do Revenue Forecasts Match The Low P/S Ratio?

In order to justify its P/S ratio, China Yuanbang Property Holdings would need to produce sluggish growth that's trailing the industry.

If we review the last year of revenue growth, the company posted a terrific increase of 203%. However, this wasn't enough as the latest three year period has seen the company endure a nasty 58% drop in revenue in aggregate. So unfortunately, we have to acknowledge that the company has not done a great job of growing revenues over that time.

In contrast to the company, the rest of the industry is expected to grow by 2.5% over the next year, which really puts the company's recent medium-term revenue decline into perspective.

Story continues

With this information, we are not surprised that China Yuanbang Property Holdings is trading at a P/S lower than the industry. Nonetheless, there's no guarantee the P/S has reached a floor yet with revenue going in reverse. There's potential for the P/S to fall to even lower levels if the company doesn't improve its top-line growth.

The Bottom Line On China Yuanbang Property Holdings' P/S

China Yuanbang Property Holdings' recently weak share price has pulled its P/S back below other Real Estate companies. Using the price-to-sales ratio alone to determine if you should sell your stock isn't sensible, however it can be a practical guide to the company's future prospects.

As we suspected, our examination of China Yuanbang Property Holdings revealed its shrinking revenue over the medium-term is contributing to its low P/S, given the industry is set to grow. At this stage investors feel the potential for an improvement in revenue isn't great enough to justify a higher P/S ratio. If recent medium-term revenue trends continue, it's hard to see the share price moving strongly in either direction in the near future under these circumstances.

Before you settle on your opinion, we've discovered 4 warning signs for China Yuanbang Property Holdings (3 are a bit unpleasant!) that you should be aware of.

It's important to make sure you look for a great company, not just the first idea you come across. So if growing profitability aligns with your idea of a great company, take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with strong recent earnings growth (and a low P/E).

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.
China has built two ground stations for its BeiDou satellite system on disputed South China Sea reefs, according to state television.

The stations, connected to China's land-based ship automatic identification system (AIS), are installed at lighthouses located on North Reef and Bombay Reef in the Paracel Islands, which are also claimed by Vietnam and Taipei.

They use the BeiDou satellite network - completed in 2020 as a rival to the US global positioning system (GPS) - to locate the vessels and transmit signals, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Tuesday.

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.

The ground stations started operating on Friday, according to the state broadcaster. Photo: CCTV alt=The ground stations started operating on Friday, according to the state broadcaster. Photo: CCTV>

China's maritime administration requires all ships to have an AIS transponder and to keep the signal on at all times within its jurisdiction, so that the authorities and other ships can identify and track vessels.

The two ground stations began operating on Friday and "solve the problem of a blind spot in the country's shore-based ship AIS in the waters around the Paracels", the CCTV report said, citing the Maritime Safety Administration.

The report said the stations would "serve as strong support" to monitor ships in the area, for "ecological protection of the islands and reefs of Sansha and to provide safer and more reliable navigational guidance for ships in the South China Sea".

Sansha is the name of the municipality that Beijing established in 2012 to govern most of the South China Sea - a vast area it claims within what is known as the "nine-dash line" that includes the Paracel and Spratly Islands, as well as Macclesfield Bank. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taipei all have overlapping claims to parts of the resource-rich South China Sea, one of the busiest waterways in the world.

Story continues

China's new ground stations have been installed in North Reef, in the northernmost part of the Paracels, and Bombay Reef in the southeast of the archipelago, near an international sea route through the central area of the South China Sea.

Between the two stations are a number of sensitive Chinese installations - the Sansha headquarters and several artificial islands where naval and airbases have been built. The waters frequently see confrontation between People's Liberation Army warships and the US Navy when it carries out "freedom of navigation operations" in the area.

Like GPS, BeiDou does not require a ground station to provide general navigation or positioning services. But a nearby ground station could greatly improve accuracy, especially for military purposes.

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.
LARNACA, Cyprus, September 20, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cian PLC (MOEX: CIAN) ("Cian" or the "Company"), a leading online real estate classifieds platform in Russia, announces that it filed a Form 15F with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") today with the intention of terminating the registration of its ordinary shares (the "Ordinary Shares") and American Depositary Shares (the "ADSs"), each representing one Ordinary Share, and its reporting obligations under Sections 13(a) and Section 15(d) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Following the filing of the Form 15F with the SEC, all the Companys reporting obligations under the Exchange Act will be suspended unless the Form 15F is subsequently withdrawn or denied.

Deregistration with the SEC and termination of the Companys reporting obligations under the Exchange Act (collectively, the "Deregistration") are expected to become effective 90 days after its filing of Form 15F with the SEC ("Form 15 Effective Date"). Once the Form 15F is filed and before the Form 15F Effective Date, the Company will publish the information required under Rule 12g32(b) of the Exchange Act on its website, https://ir.ciangroup.ru/. Notwithstanding the Deregistration, the Company currently intends to continue disclosing financial information on a regular basis subject to applicable laws and regulations.

The Company decided to proceed with the Deregistration following the affirmative decision by a Committee of the Board of Directors of the New York Stock Exchange to delist the Companys ADSs from the New York Stock Exchange (the "Delisting"), as previously disclosed in the Companys press release published on July 24, 2023. The Delisting became effective on July 31, 2023.

The Company intends to maintain its ADS program and the corresponding deposit agreement following the Delisting and Deregistration, and the trading of the Companys ADSs on the Moscow Exchange is unaffected and continues as usual.

Story continues

The Delisting and Deregistration do not impact the Companys business operations or financial position, and we remain focused on maintaining business growth. The Company remains committed to acting in the best interests of all of its stakeholders, including investors, customers, merchants, our multiple business partners and employees to the best of its ability.

Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is directly subject to any sanctions imposed by authorities of the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union or other countries.

About Cian

Cian is a leading online real estate classifieds platform in the large, underpenetrated and growing Russian real estate classifieds market, with a strong presence across Russia and leading positions in the countrys key metropolitan areas. The Company ranks among the top ten most popular online real estate classifieds globally in terms of traffic (based on SimilarWeb traffic data for August 2023). Cians networked real estate platform connects millions of real estate buyers and renters to millions of high-quality real estate listings of all types  residential and commercial, primary and secondary, urban and suburban. In the first quarter of 2023, the Company had over 1.9 million listings available through its platform and monthly audience with an average UMV of 19 million. Through its technology-driven platform and deep insights into the Russian real estate market the Company provides an end-to-end experience for its customers and users and helps them address multiple pain points on their journey to a new home or place to work.

Source: Cian PLC

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any express or implied statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements that include the words "believe," "expect," "intend," may," "plan," "project," "will," and other words and terms of similar meaning or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, without limitation: the negative impact of the ongoing military actions between Russia and Ukraine, any negative effects of sanctions, export controls and similar measures targeting Russia as well as other responses to the military conflict in Ukraine; further potential negative developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, or other public health crises, other negative developments in our business or unfavorable legislative or regulatory development and the other important factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in Cians annual report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 27, 2023 and our other filings with the SEC as such factors may be updated from time to time.

Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. We disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than to the extent required by applicable law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920742058/en/

Contacts

Investor contacts:

Daria Fadeeva

ir@cian.ru

Media contacts:

Olga Podoliaka

pr@cian.ru
Citizens said Tuesday that it is targeting $50 billion in what it characterized as sustainable finance  or loans and investments to support the environment and community development  by 2030. Credit: Alex Kent/Bloomberg

Citizens Financial Group committed Tuesday to reaching carbon neutrality by 2035, while also pledging to engage with its high-emitting clients on climate-related topics in the coming years.

The Providence, Rhode Island-based bank did not commit to ending the financing of companies in sectors that have high emissions. But Citizens said it will train its commercial bankers to work with clients to develop decarbonization transition plans.

"This announcement is about leaning into Citizens' role as a trusted advisor to look for ways that our clients can seize on the business opportunity related to the transition to a lower-carbon future," said Rachel Greenberg, the bank's head of sustainability.

Citizens plans to engage with its entire portfolio of clients in the oil-and-gas sector by the end of next year, according to Beth Johnson, the bank's head of ESG, or environmental, social and governance initiatives. The $223 billion-asset bank will then prioritize other industries.

"The way we've thought about this is not to exclude any of our clients or any specific industries, but to really support them in that transition," Johnson said in an interview.

Citizens plans to encourage clients to use sustainability-linked products that the bank has unveiled in recent years. For commercial clients, those options include allocating deposits toward projects related to green initiatives, as well as carbon offset tax credits .

The bank also said Tuesday that it is targeting $50 billion in what it characterized as sustainable finance  or loans and investments to support the environment and community development  by 2030.

Ten percent of that target, or $5 billion, will finance renewable energy projects and technologies that support a transition to a lower-carbon economy, according to the bank.

The bank's sustainability pledge will be "supported by detailed disclosures, which we think is important to ensure that we're held accountable," Greenberg said.

Story continues

Citizens' commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2035 differs from pledges made by large banks such as JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, which have made so-called "net-zero" commitments in recent years, pledging to decarbonize their portfolios by 2050.

Citizens timed its pledge with the release of its inaugural ESG report, as well as its second emissions report based on recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

This week is also Climate Week NYC, during which business leaders, top government officials and activists are calling attention to climate change.

Banks are facing increasing pressure from activists to take stronger actions to support the environment, as well as pushback from politicians and regulators in conservative-leaning states.

James Vaccaro, executive director of Climate Safe Lending Network, a nonprofit organization that focuses on decarbonizing the banking sector, said that commitments like the one made by Citizens can be "quite significant," or they can be "performative."

The significance of such an announcement depends on the details, and on how the bank follows through to meet the pledge, Vaccaro said.

One factor in assessing the noteworthiness of a bank's commitment is how it compares with the size of the bank's balance sheet, as well as the forecasted growth of its balance sheet, Vaccaro said.
Cook County taxpayers would foot a $300,000 bill under a deal that cleared a panel of county commissioners Wednesday settling an employment discrimination case in which a former county aide said she was sexually harassed by a top staffer and later fired by then-Commissioner Deborah Sims.

The decision must still be approved by the full County Board Thursday but if it is OKd it would cap off off a yearslong saga first brought to light in 2021 when Cook Countys inspector general determined an elected official that sources identified as Sims retaliated against an employee who complained that Sims male chief of staff sent her unwanted, sexually explicit texts and touched her inappropriately.

That aide had worked for Sims for more than a decade and was tasked with community outreach for the commissioner that included attending meetings with local ministers, civic leaders, community organizations, and other events, she said in a complaint filed with the state.

As part of the Office of the Independent Inspector General investigation, the chief of staff acknowledged hed sent sexually explicit text messages to the employee. The OIIG separately confirmed the female employee faced retaliation from both Sims and the chief of staff after reporting the harassment.

The work environment became hostile and the aide was not provided with work assignments any longer including specific assignments related to attending events as a representative of the office on behalf of the elected official, according to the report.

Sims initially disagreed with the inspector generals finding the employee was retaliated against and rejected the OIIG recommendation for discipline of the chief of staff on that charge, according to the OIIG report. But Sims later told the Tribune through a spokesman that she accepted the investigations findings and does not condone any form of sexual harassment or retaliation.

Sims also attended additional sexual harassment training and said the chief of staff would as well.

Story continues

Neither Sims nor her then-chief of staff returned a Tribune request for comment this week. The aides attorney, Richard Dvorak, also declined to comment.

A few months after the inspector general reporter was released, Sims, a Democrat, announced she would not run for reelection to the County Board. Sims had represented several south suburbs as well as parts of the South Side of Chicago since 1994.

Roughly two months after announcing her plans to step down, Sims fired the aide, who went on to file a more detailed complaint with the states Department of Human Rights.

The aide claimed the chief of staff made sexually predatory suggestive advances toward her in September of 2016, including commenting that he wanted to supply an extra pair of hands to feel her up in her physical therapy sessions, and engage in oral sex with her. The aide also accused the chief of staff of touching her buttocks and breasts.

The Complainant was frightened, humiliated, and degraded by this behavior, the complaint stated, but was afraid of complaining to anybody for fear (of) retribution from her superiors.

The aide rejected the chief of staffs advances, and afterward, he refus(ed) to answer her work calls and falsely told her that meetings had been canceled, the complaint said. The aide also thought the chief of staff complained about her work ethic to Sims despite having no cause to do so.

When Sims later confronted the aide about why her rapport with the chief of staff had become so tense, the complaint stated, she told Sims about his advances.

According to the complaint, Sims arranged a May 2017 meeting at her district office in Posen with the chief of staff, the aide and the aides husband. The aide said the meeting included a mortifying exchange about a romantic relationship between Sims and the chief of staff and that, after the meeting, the aide detailed various forms of retaliation she faced between that spring and when she was fired more than four years later.

In a prior statement to the Tribune, Sims did not address the alleged personal relationship with her chief of staff, nor did the inspector generals public summary of the investigation.

Complainants can opt for mediation after a charge is filed with the state or during the course of the states investigation. If mediation is successful, findings are not made public.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said our office typically does not discuss the details of legal settlements, but it is our hope that the settlement brings some closure to the individual during this time.

aquig@chicagotribune.com
How Cornell Johnson Became A Model For MBA Diversity In 2023

Cornell Johnson has released its MBA Class of 2025 profile, showing huge gains in both U.S. minorities (which includes Asian Americans) and under-represented minorities. File photo

It was only about a decade ago that women comprised one-quarter or less of the two-year, full-time MBA class at Cornell Universitys Johnson Graduate School of Management  among the lowest total of any business school ranked in the top 25 in the United States.

From that group of MBAs to the one that started classes at Cornell this fall, a remarkable shift has occurred at the Johnson School. Women now comprise 43% of the Johnson MBA class, up 4 percentage points in a year and 12 points since 2020. For the first time in its history, Cornell has crossed the 40% threshold of enrolled MBA women.

But Cornell Johnsons MBA diversity extends even further in 2023, truly a banner year for diversity at the Ithaca, New York B-school: In the percentage of both U.S. minorities (65%) and under-represented populations (35%), the Johnson School this year has made impressive gains and set school records  as well as benchmarks that will surely be the envy of its peers in both the Ivy League and across the leading institutions of graduate business education.

CORNELL JOHNSON MBA CLASSES 2023-2025

Stats Cornell Johnson 2-Year MBA Class of 2025 Cornell Johnson 2-Year MBA Class of 2024 Cornell Johnson 2-Year MBA Class of 2023 Cornell Johnson 2-Year MBA Class of 2022 Applications 2,554 2,555 2,105 1,872 Class Size 283 303 304 292 Median GMAT 710 710 710 700 Median GPA 3.35 3.30 3.34 3.42 Women 43% 39% 39% 31% US Minorities 65% 43% 43% 39% URM 35% 16% 18% 18% Military 10% 13% 9% 10% International 42% 43% 35% 34% Countries Represented 39 43 30 29 Backgrounds NA Finance 30%, Consulting 15%, Tech 12%, Government/Nonprofit 11% Finance 28%, Consulting 11%, Tech 10% Finance 30%, Consulting 11%, Tech 11%, Government/Nonprofit 8% Undergrad Major NA Business 54%, Engineering 18%, Sciences 5% Business 46%, Engineering 15%, Economics 14% Business/Commerce 33%, Engineering 15%, Economics 14% Selectivity 30% 31.2% 29.5% 39.6% Yield 37% 38.0% 49.0% 39.4%

URM POPULATION AT CORNELL JOHNSON JUMPS 19 POINTS IN 1 YEAR

When the U.S. Supreme Court struck down affirmative action in college admissions this summer, many saw it as a major obstacle to U.S. MBA programs commitment to diversity in their student ranks. But publicly and privately, leaders at the leading B-schools expressed determination to maintain and improve upon progress made in the diversification of MBAs. Many MBA class profiles this fall reflect that commitment  because while classes were largely assembled before the SCOTUS decision was handed down in late June, the writing was on the wall going back to oral arguments in October 2022 that affirmative action was unlikely to survive the attention of an activist conservative court, and schools had time to prepare.

Story continues

While Black and Hispanic student numbers suffered at a number of places this year  falling at Yale School of Management, USC Marshall School of Business, Michigan Ross School of Business, and other places  they climbed at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Duke Fuqua School of Business, Texas-Austin McCombs School of Business, and Georgetown McDonough School of Business, among other schools, and held steady at UCLA Anderson School of Management.

No school that has so far reported its MBA Class of 2025 profile can boast the kind of diversity numbers Cornell has achieved. In one year, the Johnson School increased its MBA programs under-represented population by 19 percentage points, from 16% last fall, and its U.S. minorities (which includes Asian Americans) by an astounding 22 points, from 43%.

CORNELLS SECRET? CONSISTENT OUTREACH

Cornells Eddie Asbie: Still a lot more work to be done to get to our goal of gender parity in the program

Johnson has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion and making sure our students continue to be successful beyond the MBA, Eddie Asbie, Cornell Johnsons executive director of admissions and scholarship, tells Poets&Quants. We went into the recruiting cycle for the Class of 2025 focused on growing the number of diverse students, including women and students of color, by showcasing our strengths through consistent outreach to candidates every step of the way in the admissions process and highlighting the many resources to support our under-represented students.

We partner with our Office of Diversity and Inclusion, affinity groups, and alumni to host sessions focused on creating a sense of belonging for rising business leaders. Also, we continue to utilize our strong partnerships with organizations such as The Consortium, Management Leadership for Tomorrow, Forte, and more that have allowed us to grow the number of diverse students.

That includes women, who have grown as a percentage of the Cornell Johnson MBA class by 12 percentage points in three years, and by 16 points since 2017.

Getting to gender parity continues to be one of our priority goals and over the years we have taken steps to getting closer to achieving this, Asbie says. When they say It takes a village, I truly believe this is why we have seen such an increase in women in this incoming class. The Johnson community has put in so much time and effort to making sure every candidate has multiple touchpoints throughout the admissions process. Much of this effort was led by organizations such as our Womens Management Council who focused on a strategic plan to help increase women in our program. We also coordinated faculty outreach to prospective and admitted candidates.

I am grateful for this community and know there is still a lot more work to be done to get to our goal of gender parity in the program.

MBA APPLICATION DECLINE AT CORNELL: 1 TOTAL APP

Another notable aspect of Cornells MBA Class of 2025 is that unlike many of its peers, the Johnson School  which last year was one of a handful of top-25 B-schools to report an actual increase in MBA applications from the previous year  once again avoided a major drop-off in apps, bucking the trend. In fact, Cornell did see a decline in apps in 2022-2023  by exactly one application, reporting a total of 2,554, down from 2,555 in 2021-2022.

Cornells MBA application growth is a phenomenal success story. For the class that enrolled in fall 2019, the Johnson School received 1,535 total applications. In both the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 cycles, Cornell upped that by more than 1,000 apps  a more than two-thirds increase. The Johnson School did reduce its class size this year by 20 seats, bringing it more in line with pre-pandemic classes. Its acceptance rate correspondingly fell to 30% from just over 31% last year, while its yield continued a two-year decline.

International enrollment dipped to 42% from 43%, still well above the low- to mid-30% range Cornell reported for the classes of 2021, 2022, and 2023. In terms of test scores, Cornells median GMAT remains 710 in 2023, where it has been for three years now, while median undergraduate GPA increased to 3.35 from 3.30.

DONT MISS A TALE OF TWO MBA CLASS PROFILES: CORNELL JOHNSON & UCLA ANDERSON and ACCEPTANCE RATES & YIELD AT THE TOP 50 U.S. MBA PROGRAMS

The post How Cornell Johnson Became A Model For MBA Diversity In 2023 appeared first on Poets&Quants.
FILE  South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, right, heads a government delegation on a visit to ASPEN Pharmaceuticals in Gqeberha, South Africa March 29, 2021. Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has agreed on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023 a deal with South Africa's Aspen to produce human insulin specifically for diabetes patients in Africa, where there is a dire need for the life-saving treatment. (AP Photo,file) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk signed a deal with South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare to produce human insulin for diabetes patients in Africa, where there is a dire need for the life-saving treatment.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention welcomed the move Wednesday, saying it would greatly impact the fight against diabetes in Africa.

Novo Nordisk has contracted Aspen to convert insulin into finished doses at its plant in Gqeberha, South Africa, the companies said when announcing the partnership in separate statements on Tuesday.

They project the production of 16 million vials in 2024, the yearly amount needed to treat 1.1 million patients in Africa, and an increase to enough insulin to treat 4.1 million diabetes patients on the continent annually by 2026. Production will start at the beginning of next year.

The insulin will be distributed to national health authorities and non-governmental organizations through a low-cost tender system, Novo Nordisk said.

Last year, the World Health Organization estimated that there are 24 million adults living with diabetes in Africa, saying the number is expected to rise to 55 million by 2045.

The number of premature deaths from diabetes in Africa is higher than the global average and only half of African patients with chronic type 1 diabetes  the most common form in children  have access to the insulin they critically need, WHO said.

Aspen has spent over $300 million on its facility on the south coast of South Africa, which was used to finish COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic badly exposed the struggles of Africa's healthcare sector to produce and supply its own drugs and vaccines for the continent of 1.3 billion people.

WHO says 95% of all medicines used in Africa are imported and there is an urgent need to boost local production. In just two examples of how vulnerable the continent is to diseases, over 90% of the worlds malaria deaths and 70% of all people living with HIV/AIDS are in Africa, according to WHO.

___

AP health news: https://apnews.com/health
Doms Kitchen & Market, the upscale, downsized Chicago grocer, plans to open a store in a former River North Whole Foods next summer.

The store will be the third for Doms, which was launched by Marianos founder Bob Mariano and former Dominicks affiliates in 2021. The small-format grocery store is planned for the ground floor of One Superior Place at 30 W. Huron St., a 25,000 square-foot space vacated by Whole Foods last year, which left for a larger retail location in the Near North neighborhood.

Doms opened its first store in Lincoln Park in 2021 and its second in Old Town last year. The company, which is known for specialty groceries and prepared food stations, said it will host a slate of local vendors including Elis Cheesecake, Brown Sugar Bakery, Hexe Coffee and Linz Meats at the River North store. Shoppers will have access to kitchen items similar to offerings at existing stores, such as Bonci pizza, burgers and sushi, as well as a bar, coffee shop and bakery, said CEO Don Fitzgerald.

Doms previously said it planned to open 15 stores by 2025; that remains the companys working plan, Fitzgerald told the Tribune. The company will not open additional stores in 2023.

Doms scrapped plans to open a location in a former Marshall Fields store in Oak Park by the end of this year; Fitzgerald said the company decided the Fields building, which is two stories, would not work for a Doms format.

When we looked at our operation, the flow of the guests, it just wasnt going to work for us, he said.

The company plans to expand into the suburbs and would like to serve Oak Park, Fitzgerald said, though the majority of Doms near-term growth will be in the city.

Jay Owen, who is the board co-chairman and great-grandson of Dominicks founder Dominick DiMatteo, said in 2022 that Doms was scouting locations in the north and west suburbs. Owen cited pandemic disruptions and the impact the fear of city crime had on business as reasons the specialty grocer was looking toward the suburbs.

Were committed to the city of Chicago, the people of Chicago, Fitzgerald said in an interview with the Tribune. Were born here, we want to grow here.

Doms said it plans to hire about 150 full- and part-time employees for the River North store.
A much-anticipated new restaurant in downtown Topeka is several months behind schedule and won't open this year as originally planned.

Cody Foster, founder and owner of AIM Strategies LLC, recently told The Capital-Journal that construction delays mean Ta.Co  the dining and hospitality firm's newest addition to its hotel and restaurant portfolio  won't open until spring 2024 at the earliest.

"It won't be this year," Foster said. "I think we're targeting April, so late spring next year is kind of our goal."

Workers have started foundation work on Ta.Co, the new Mexican restaurant concept at 735 S. Kansas Ave. The restaurant is facing construction delays and won't open until spring 2024 at the earliest.

Ta.Co is a new Mexican restaurant concept for downtown Topeka

First announced earlier this year, Ta.Co, at 735 S. Kansas Ave., is AIM Strategies' newest addition to its portfolio of downtown Topeka restaurants, which includes Iron Rail Brewery and The Pennant.

The restaurant was previously located on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence before that location closed in 2022 ahead of its planned move to downtown Topeka.

In Lawrence, Ta.Co was known for its unique, but affordable, takes on traditional Mexican dishes, including the must-have "puffy taco"  which is a regular fried taco but with a puffy, airy shell using thicker "masa," or tortilla dough.

The eatery also had such unique dishes as Korean chicken tacos, mushroom-corn rajas taco and chicken tinga, among others.

The third floor of Ta.Co will be a roof deck with dining and a serving station.

Ta.Co will have rooftop bar and dining

Ta.Co's new $3 million building in downtown Topeka was originally set for a late summer 2023 opening, AIM Strategies LLC CEO Seth Wagoner had told The Capital-Journal in February.

Demolition work began in December 2022 on the former Helzberg's Diamond Shop. The building had mostly been used as a restaurant as recently as 2015.

More: Ta.Co may open in downtown Topeka by late summer, offering roof deck, food and margaritas

In evaluating the space  a requirement for demolishing any potentially historic building  the Topeka Landmarks Commission voted 4-2 against demolishing the building but was overruled by a 9-0 Topeka City Council vote in August 2022.

Story continues

Groundwork earlier this year laid the foundation for an eventual two-story restaurant, with a serving station and bar on top to accommodate rooftop dining.

Rafael Garcia is an education reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached at rgarcia@cjonline.com or by phone at 785-289-5325. Follow him on Twitter at @byRafaelGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Ta.Co restaurant in downtown Topeka delayed until spring 2024
A Qatar Airways Cargo Boeing 777 is parked next to the DSV cargo terminal at Huntsville International Airport ready to accept a load of cargo bound for Europe and the Middle East. (Photo: DSV)

Global logistics power DSV continues to invest in dedicated freighter services that leverage cargo-friendly secondary airports in the U.S. despite an 18-month rut in international shipping demand that has left many freight forwarders struggling to fill leased charter aircraft. At the same time, the frequency of some flights has been temporarily reduced until conditions improve.

The Denmark-based company this month, in partnership with Qatar Airways, launched another air cargo operation connecting its U.S. hub at Huntsville International Airport (HSV) in Alabama, with Europe and the Middle East. The Middle East carrier is providing Boeing 777 freighters for a twice-weekly route that originates at Felipe Angeles International Airport on the outskirts of Mexico City, with stops in Huntsville and Luxembourg on the way to the final destination in Doha, Qatar, according to a joint news release.

DSV leases 130,000 square feet of warehouse space, including temperature-controlled storage for pharmaceuticals and perishable items, on the HSV tarmac to process shipments on its controlled freighters.

The primary exports from Huntsville carried on the Qatar Airways Cargo flights are auto parts for various manufacturers in Europe and South Africa, pharmaceuticals for customers in Europe, as well as components for oil and gas projects in the Middle East, Mads Ravn, U.S. executive vice president for air and sea, told FreightWaves. Top goods originating from Mexico include perishable food and cars.

The DSV flights offload Europe-bound shipments in Luxembourg, load more cargo for the Middle East and transfer to Asia through Qatars passenger and freighter network.

Ravn said the companys decision to start its own freighter flights sprang from strong demand in the Middle East and other parts of its charter network that could be fed via Luxembourg. The Qatar Airways dedicated transport contract will last for an initial term of one year. The service is only one way now because demand out of Europe and yields are low, he added.

Story continues

The third-largest logistics provider by gross revenue also has long-term transport service agreements with Qatar Airways for services out of Asia.

DSV in the past operated a round-trip service with Emirates SkyCargo through HSV to Frankfurt, Germany, and back to Mexico. Panalpina, which DSV acquired in 2019, pioneered the use of second-tier airports in the U.S. when it launched its Dixie Jet airfreight service between Huntsville and Luxembourg more than 30 years ago. DSV currently offers that service twice per week, down from three times weekly because of the drop in air cargo demand, on Cargolux 747 jumbo jets.

Last year, DSV began providing customers round-trip capacity on full Boeing 767 freighters operated by Latam Airlines from Huntsville to Sao Paulo, Brazil, with return stops in Bogota, Colombia, and Miami. The service was scaled down to once per week from three times because of the weak market. All-cargo operator Atlas Air also flies 747s on DSVs behalf from Hong Kong or Hanoi, Vietnam, and Seoul, South Korea, to HSV two times per week. The flights reload in Huntsville and continue to Miami and Sao Paulo.

DSV in total operates three cargo flights, conducted by Atlas Air, from Miami to Sao Paulo, down from four per week.

Phoenix-Mesa

Logistics companies are increasingly moving to secondary airports like HSV because the ability to manage their ground handling and warehouse operations, and receive priority service from Customs inspectors, without the congestion at large passenger gateways makes it possible to deliver customer shipments quickly at much lower cost.

In June, DSV began operating from a second U.S. base at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport to support rapidly growing semiconductor and electric vehicle industries in Arizona.

Cargolux is operating a weekly scheduled service for DSV from Luxembourg to Phoenix, which continues to Los Angeles. Plans with Atlas Air for inbound flights from Asia have not materialized yet. That is because there is not enough demand for an extra stop en route to Huntsville and DSV also wants to first secure export commitments. But Ravn said the program is expected to get underway in the first quarter of 2024.

Additional routes, including to Latin America, will be evaluated once global market conditions improve, he added.

Ravn confirmed a report in The Loadstar that DSV will add a second Phoenix-Mesa/Luxembourg rotation, returning via Huntsville and Chicago, in early 2024.

Many large forwarders are stuck with entire freighter aircraft they leased to guarantee capacity when the airfreight market was booming between late 2020 and early 2022 and are aggressively slashing rates to attract enough business to offset operating costs.

San Francisco-based Flexport, for example, controls three Boeing 747-400 freighters under a long-term contract with Atlas Air. Newly reinstalled CEO Ryan Petersen noted on X, previously known as Twitter, and in a recent phone interview that the company is losing money at the moment on its trans-Pacific services.

France-based Geodis has suspended scheduled flights between Asia, Europe and the U.S. with its controlled freighters and is now deploying them for impromptu charter flights and short-term lease operations, The Loadstar reported.

Ravn said DSV is able to avoid having underutilized aircraft under its control because it typically signs one-year, rather than multi-year, transport services deals.

Click here for more FreightWaves/American Shipper stories by Eric Kulisch.

RECOMMENDED READING:

DSV unveils details for new Phoenix-Mesa air cargo operation

Huntsville offers Southern hospitality to air cargo

The post DSV tailors chartered freighter network to shifting market conditions appeared first on FreightWaves.
The co-working company COhatch is planning an office and restaurant complex called Riverview Village along the Scioto River in Historic Dublin.

The central Ohio co-working company COhatch is partnering with the city of Dublin to build an office, co-working and restaurant complex in downtown Dublin that will mimic an old village.

The 2.8-acre complex, to be called Riverview Village, will sit immediately north of Bridge Street on the west bank of the Scioto River next to the Bridge Park development. When completed, the "entrepreneurial village" will include several buildings, most of them redeveloped older homes, including one log cabin.

A section of Historic Dublin north of Bridge Street would be turned into an office and restaurant complex run by COhatch under a plan approved this week.

"I believe it's the first of its kind nationally," said COhatch CEO Matt Davis. "One building almost looks like an old school house, one a cottage, and a cabin. There will be brick streets, gas lanterns, rocking chairs, and high tech meeting rooms. ... That red cabin is going to be a very well-restored cabin for a cocktail bar, the most unique cocktail lounge in town."

The property is owned by the city of Dublin, which bought most of it in 2021 for $1.95 million. The city council last week approved a development agreement transferring five parcels, which include four buildings and two riverfront lots, to COhatch for $10, in exchange for the company developing the site. The parcels are along North Riverview Street and contiguous to COhatch's main office at 25 North St.

The city is auctioning three of the houses (built from 1890 to 1927) on the south end of the property that it acquired, which are also expected to become part of Riverview Village, perhaps as company headquarters.

Riverview Village will include workspace and dining options in a village-like setting in Historic Dublin.

Under the terms of the city's deal with COhatch:

COhatch must spend at least $8 million developing the property, although Davis said the final amount could approach $15 million.

The city will improve infrastructure to the area, including utilities and lighting.

The city will provide a 20% city income tax break for up to seven years for employees who work in Riverview Village.

The city will pay COhatch $195,000 a year for 10 years to offset development costs.

COhatch must start developing the site within 60 days of acquiring it and "will use best efforts" to finish the development by the end of 2026.

Story continues

Riverview Village will repurpose several old buildings along North Riverview Street, between Bridge Street and the Bridge Park development in Dublin.

The agreement is the culmination of a process that began a year ago, when COhatch was selected by the city to develop the property following the city's request for proposals.

Our partnership with COhatch is an exciting opportunity to bring innovators, creators, new businesses and public experiences to the city, in a way that celebrates Dublins vibrant history and exciting future, and supports our vision of being the most connected city, said Dublin City Manager Megan OCallaghan in a statement announcing the partnership.

More: Major expansion planned for Bridge Park area in Dublin

Davis sees Riverview Village as the best of the old and new - a traditional setting but fully wired, including connection to Dublins Dublink 100-gig fiber network.

"Everyones really excited about the opportunity to have an innovation district in a historical district," he said.

Riverview Village will repurpose several old buildings in Dublin including this red cabin.

Davis noted that nearly all of COhatch's 40 locations are in restored older buildings.

Restoring the historic houses and maintaining the charm of Historic Dublin is critical in our design," Joel Limes, COhatch's co-chief brand officer said in the announcement. "There is something special about being able to create an integrated experience of many structures, some new and some old, that will inspire, energize, and connect the public for many years to come.

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Riverview Village to bring more offices, dining to downtown Dublin
Branch managers at Dupaco Community Credit Union gather for a meeting.

NO. 3 LARGE WORKPLACE

At Dupaco Community Credit Union, Chief People Officer Lisa Bowers describes herself, not unexpectedly, as a people advocate.

Alongside her colleagues, she said, the work of "creating an amazing employee experience is an essential first step in attending to the financial well-being of Dupaco's customers.

We look for individuals that really have a passion for helping others, Bowers explained. A lot of folks that come to our organization from a social work background, or in the medical field, already have that desire to help others get to a better place.

A nonprofit financial cooperative, Dupaco reinvests its money in customer-friendly benefits, including lower loan rates, service fees and insurance premiums as it seeks to draw a contrast with for-profit banks that must pay shareholders.

Dupaco operates 19 locations across the state and offices are under construction in Waukee and Coralville. In addition, the company continues to expand its online presence and digital services.

An Iowa institution since 1948, Dupaco has many depositors, known as members, who are multigenerational. And in the workplace, Bowers said, she encounters long-term employees, some celebrating as many as 40 years with the company.

Not only in the back office with some of our leadership, but in our frontline, our members are seeing familiar faces, she said.

She has compared staff retention numbers with credit unions located across the country, she said, and observes that we have trended below their turnover rates for many, many years.

Dupaco CEO Joe Hearn is the recipient of a special Top Workplaces leadership award this year, praised by one his colleagues in an anonymous Top Workplaces survey for his dedication: He lives and breathes the values Dupaco represents and is always looking out for the members' best interests.

Bowers credits Hearn and his senior staff with promoting a culture of "communication and collaboration," impacting employees at all levels of their career and noting that customers are ultimately "going to sense that engagement."

Story continues

"We hear from individuals that there's just a different feeling when you walk into our organization. There's just this sense from the employee that they want to be there," she said.

Dupaco Community Credit Union

Locations: Headquarters in Dubuque, with 19 locations in Iowa

Founded: 1948

Ownership: Mutual cooperative

Iowa employees: 609

Top executive: Joseph F. Hearn, CEO

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Employees dedicated to helping others sought at Dupaco
Sammy Reynolds and Kimberly Guilford, right, of Edward Jones' Indianola office.

NO. 5 LARGE WORKPLACE

At her Indianola office, Edward Jones financial advisor Kimberly Guilford never regards her clients as by-the-numbers investors, but as a varied collection of locals who value face-to-face consultations.

We still have clients that want to sit down and know their advisor and be able to come in and talk across the desk. Thats a big draw, especially in a smaller community, Guilford said.

Fortune 500 firm Edward Jones has been a financial services leader since 1922 and Guilford is close to celebrating 25 years with the organization. Among her specialties are preparing her customers for education costs, retirement, and anticipating the unexpected.

It's piecing together parts of clients lives, she said. What are your needs, wants and wishes?

Guilfords long-term presence in the region has earned her the ability to forge trust and create ongoing dialogues.

Our clients become our families, as well, and that just makes a huge difference in the relationships, Guilford said.

Edward Jones operates more than 300 branches across Iowa and financial advisors are not required to slot into a preset work mold.

They have their own unique strengths, ideas, life experiences, and they can come from engineering backgrounds, educational backgrounds, Guilford said.

However, she recognize a series of common traits that she has found valuable in her client-focused environment: anybody who is very good with the public. A good personality, able to speak on the phone very well, very engaging, and likes to solve puzzles, she said.

The company also is a 2023 recipient of Top Workplaces special award that recognizes the work of Edward Jones managers. One survey contributor remarked of a supervisor, He cares as much about my personal success as I do. He encourages me to develop, spends time meeting with me, and genuinely cares.

It's a very collaborative environment and individuals within the firm are encouraged to submit ideas," Guilford said. "Things that perhaps they want to change, or things that could be done differently, and those ideas are very valued and respected. We are encouraged to take on leadership roles within our region and within the firm.

Story continues

Edward Jones Investments

Locations: More than 15,000 branches in the United States and Canada, including more than 312 locations in Iowa.

Founded: 1922

Ownership: Private

Iowa employees: 701

Top executive: Penny Pennington, managing partner

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Building relationships with clients is Edward Jones' focus
The stock of Empire State Realty OP LP (ESBA) experienced a daily loss of 4.3%, with a 3-month gain of 29.95%. Its Earnings Per Share (EPS) stands at 0.29. The question that arises is: Is the stock modestly undervalued? This article aims to provide a valuation analysis of the company. We invite you to delve into this comprehensive analysis of Empire State Realty OP LP's intrinsic value.

Introducing Empire State Realty OP LP

Empire State Realty OP LP is the operating partner of Empire State Realty Inc. The company manages, operates, acquires, and repositions properties in Manhattan and the greater New York metropolitan area. It operates in two segments, Real Estate and Observatory, generating maximum revenue from the Real Estate segment. The company's stock price currently stands at $8.45, while its GF Value, an estimation of fair value, is $9.75.

Empire State Realty OP LP (ESBA): A Hidden Gem in the REITs Industry?

Understanding GF Value

The GF Value is a proprietary measure that represents the current intrinsic value of a stock. The GF Value Line gives an overview of the fair value at which the stock should ideally be traded. It is calculated based on historical multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future estimates of the business performance.

When the stock price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is overvalued, and its future return is likely to be poor. Conversely, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher. At its current price of $8.45 per share, Empire State Realty OP LP's stock appears to be modestly undervalued.

Given that Empire State Realty OP LP is relatively undervalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be higher than its business growth.

Empire State Realty OP LP (ESBA): A Hidden Gem in the REITs Industry?

Link: These companies may deliver higher future returns at reduced risk.

Empire State Realty OP LP's Financial Strength

Before investing in a company, it's crucial to check its financial strength. Investing in companies with poor financial strength carries a higher risk of permanent loss. A great way to understand the financial strength of a company is by looking at the cash-to-debt ratio and interest coverage. Empire State Realty OP LP has a cash-to-debt ratio of 0.14, which is better than 71.05% of 722 companies in the REITs industry. However, the overall financial strength of Empire State Realty OP LP is 4 out of 10, indicating that its financial strength is relatively poor.

Story continues

Empire State Realty OP LP (ESBA): A Hidden Gem in the REITs Industry?

Profitability and Growth

Investing in profitable companies, especially those that have demonstrated consistent profitability over the long term, poses less risk. Empire State Realty OP LP has been profitable 8 over the past 10 years. Over the past twelve months, the company had a revenue of $720.20 million and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.29. Its operating margin is 19.18%, ranking worse than 81.46% of 669 companies in the REITs industry. Overall, GuruFocus ranks the profitability of Empire State Realty OP LP at 7 out of 10, indicating fair profitability.

One of the most important factors in the valuation of a company is growth. Companies that grow faster create more value for shareholders, especially if that growth is profitable. The average annual revenue growth of Empire State Realty OP LP is 3.1%, which ranks better than 60.25% of 634 companies in the REITs industry. The 3-year average EBITDA growth is 6.9%, ranking better than 64.37% of 536 companies in the REITs industry.

ROIC vs WACC

Another method of determining the profitability of a company is to compare its return on invested capital to the weighted average cost of capital. Return on invested capital (ROIC) measures how well a company generates cash flow relative to the capital it has invested in its business. The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is the rate that a company is expected to pay on average to all its security holders to finance its assets. When the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it implies the company is creating value for shareholders. For the past 12 months, Empire State Realty OP LP's return on invested capital is 3.54, and its cost of capital is 10.38.

Empire State Realty OP LP (ESBA): A Hidden Gem in the REITs Industry?

Conclusion

In conclusion, the stock of Empire State Realty OP LP (ESBA) appears to be modestly undervalued. The company's financial condition is poor, and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks better than 64.37% of 536 companies in the REITs industry. To learn more about Empire State Realty OP LP stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To find out the high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, please check out GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Key Insights

The projected fair value for National Tyre & Wheel is AU$0.79 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

National Tyre & Wheel's AU$0.71 share price indicates it is trading at similar levels as its fair value estimate

National Tyre & Wheel's peers are currently trading at a premium of 117% on average

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of National Tyre & Wheel Limited (ASX:NTD) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. 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 National Tyre & Wheel

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (A$, Millions) AU$10.5m AU$11.3m AU$10.3m AU$9.75m AU$9.44m AU$9.29m AU$9.24m AU$9.26m AU$9.33m AU$9.44m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ -5.36% Est @ -3.15% Est @ -1.60% Est @ -0.52% Est @ 0.24% Est @ 0.77% Est @ 1.14% Present Value (A$, Millions) Discounted @ 10% AU$9.5 AU$9.3 AU$7.7 AU$6.6 AU$5.8 AU$5.2 AU$4.7 AU$4.3 AU$3.9 AU$3.6

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = AU$61m

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (2.0%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 10%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = AU$9.4m (1 + 2.0%)  (10% 2.0%) = AU$119m

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= AU$119m ( 1 + 10%)10= AU$45m

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 AU$106m. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of AU$0.7, the company appears about fair value at a 11% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. 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 National Tyre & Wheel 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 10%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.625. 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.

SWOT Analysis for National Tyre & Wheel

Strength

Debt is well covered by cash flow.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Interest payments on debt are not well covered.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Australian market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

No apparent threats visible for NTD.

Looking Ahead:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. 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 National Tyre & Wheel, we've compiled three pertinent items you should further examine:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 3 warning signs for National Tyre & Wheel you should be aware of, and 1 of them shouldn't be ignored. Future Earnings: How does NTD's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the ASX every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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.
Ex-Congressman Stephen Buyer was sentenced to 22 months in prison on Tuesday for trading on inside information he gained as a consultant to private companies including T-Mobile.

Last year, he was indicted for allegedly using inside information to buy $1.5 million in stocks. He was convicted in March of four counts of securities fraud for engaging in two insider trading schemes.

As well as being handed an almost two-year sentence, the 64-year-old Buyer was ordered to pay more than $350,000 in forfeiture, with the judge ruling he would also have to pay restitution of an amount to be determined.

Buyer served as a Republican lawmaker representing an Indiana district in the House of Representatives from 1993 to 2011, and acted as one of the 13 House managers in the 1999 impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton.

After leaving Congress, Buyer worked as a consultant to private firms. One of those companies was telecoms giant T-Mobile. As a consultant to the firm, Buyer became privy to information about T-Mobiles multibillion-dollar merger with Sprint Corporation before the deal was publicly announced.

Around March and April 2018, Buyer purchased shares of Sprint. At the end of Aprilshortly after Buyers purchaseit was announced that T-Mobile had agreed to acquire Sprint in a deal valued at $26.5 billion. The announcement sent shares of both companies skyrocketing.

Evidence, statements and court documents collected in the run-up to and during Buyers trial revealed that ahead of the public announcement, executives at T-Mobile told a small, trusted group of consultantsincluding Buyerabout the merger, instructing them to keep the information confidential.

Buyer made more than $126,000 from buying and selling Sprint stock based on his inside information, officials said.

A year later, Buyer engaged in another insider trading scheme involving shares of Navigant Consulting ahead of its acquisition by advisory firm Guidehouse.

Buyer was a consultant to Guidehouse, and learned through his proximity to the company about its intention to buy Navigant.

Story continues

He bought shares in Navigant before the companies officially announced the deal, and sold them at a profit following the public announcement.

In total, Buyer made more than $223,000 from his illegal Navigant trades, according to prosecutors.

During Buyers March trial, U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman deemed the former lawmakers testimony to include false explanations for his trading of Sprint and Navigant shares, which the judge said in Tuesdays sentencing constituted an obstruction of justice.

As he handed down Buyers sentence in a New York court on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman said the former Congressman had abused positions of trust for illicit personal gain.

No insider trader is above the law, and we will continue to bring those who undermine the fairness and integrity of our markets to justice, he said.

Representatives for Buyer were not immediately available for comment when contacted by Fortune.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

More from Fortune:

5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home

Want more for your money? These 14 savings accounts have rates of 5% APY (and higher)

Buying a house? Here's how much to save

This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home


Walter Bilotta, funeral director, Robert DeSevo, funeral director, and Stephanie DeSevo, manager, discuss their business at Direct Cremations in Neptune, NJ Monday, September 18, 2023.

NEPTUNE - Being a funeral director was a calling for Jersey City native Robert DeSevo. And so was his 2020 launch of Neptune-based Direct Cremations LLC, a provider of simple and affordable cremation services that help bring comfort, closure, and peace of mind to families after a loved ones passing.

I went to high school with a friend whose father owned a funeral home in Jersey City and I saw how beautifully they serviced families and how highly thought of they were in the community, recalled DeSevo, 77, an Ocean Township resident, of his first exposure to his chosen profession.

We had several dentists, doctors and attorneys in our family, but when my father asked me what I was going to study in college, I told him that I wanted to go to mortuary school to be a funeral director, DeSevo said. It wasnt what he expected, but he supported my decision.

After securing a business degree from Rutgers University, DeSevo attended the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in Manhattan and graduated with a degree in the principles and practice of funeral services in 1970.

Following a job at a funeral home in Jersey City, he went on to purchase a funeral home in Bergen Countys Ridgefield Park for the next decade, then worked for the state as an investigator for the Board of Mortuary Science and the New Jersey Cemetery Board, inspecting and checking facility licenses for the next 26 years, until an interesting new opportunity presented itself.

Through the industry, I was friends with Jim Minchin, a licensed funeral director since 1962 and owner of the Minchin Funeral Home in Paterson, DeSevo said. He believed that over time, more and more people would opt for cremation over a traditional burial or entombment, and in 1970, he founded Direct Cremations and became a pioneer of this new type of funeral service.

'No man is left behind': Brick veteran died alone, but here's why his funeral was packed

Story continues

Walter Bilotta, funeral director, Robert DeSevo, funeral director, and Stephanie DeSevo, manager, discuss their business and display urns for sale at Direct Cremations in Neptune, NJ Monday, September 18, 2023.

Around 2010, I asked Jim if he would be interested in selling his business to me, and though he hadnt been thinking about it, a couple of years later he agreed to sell it to me when he was ready to retire  all on a handshake, DeSevo said. My daughter Stephanie had just gotten her funeral directors license from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in 2011 and established her own cremation business in Oradell, and I thought that buying his company would be a great opportunity for Stephanie, myself and our family.

In 2014, though he still had no target date to retire, Jim asked if Stephanie would cover his business south of the Driscoll Bridge, DeSevo said. By the time COVID hit in 2020 and many other funeral home operations found themselves unprepared to deal with the overwhelming number of cases they were seeing, Jim was finally ready to sell to us. He liked me and felt confident that wed treat his business and family legacy with respect.

We officially purchased the company from Jim in June 2020, opened our registration in Neptune, and renamed it Direct Cremations LLC, DeSevo said of the venture, which involved both his daughter and his wife, Susan.

At the time, my son-in-law (and Stephanies brother-in-law), Walter Bilotta, was considering a career change and he ultimately secured his funeral directors license from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service as well and joined us in the company, making it a true family-owned-and-operated business, DeSevo said.

Taking action: Veterans' cremains sat abandoned on funeral home shelves; then Shore vets stepped in

'Uplifting and less formal'

Three years later and working out of 1,500-square-foot offices in Neptune (with another office in Oradell), were technically a funeral home, but we only provide cremations  no viewings or traditional funerals, DeSevo said.

Priced at a fraction of the cost of a traditional burial, even many wealthy clients opt for a direct cremation and a memorial Mass later, which is often a celebration of their loved ones life over a dinner or, for example, a commemoration in which they scatter their loved ones ashes over the ocean or another meaningful location, he said. Cremations give people more flexibility in how they want to honor and remember their loved one and we work with hundreds of grieving families every year.

Back in 1976, the rate of cremation was only 1% to 2%, but today 54% of funeral services involve cremation, and that number continues to grow, DeSevo added of the trend toward this service.

Over time, people have become more environmentally conscious, added Bilotta, and many families find that cremation allows them to do something uplifting and less formal in their own way.

In terms of their process, if a family contacts us in advance, we ask them to consider two types of services  a traditional funeral service (visitation) with cremation or a direct cremation (non-traditional), which is the only service that we provide, DeSevo said.

Robert DeSevo, funeral director, Stephanie DeSevo, manager, and Walter Bilotta, funeral director, discuss their business and display urns for sale at Direct Cremations in Neptune, NJ Monday, September 18, 2023.

Not just people: Pet Cremation is a calling at Forever Remembered in Jackson

Our flat, affordable fee includes all services (except death certificates) from the first call of a death through to professional removal of the body, completion of all paperwork, and final disposition at the crematory," DeSevo said. "We offer a range of personalized urns to hold ashes or refer clients to other resources for their urn, and we can also put cremains in pieces of jewelry.

Some people dont understand our process or what we provide, so we take the time to educate families from all over the state, from Bergen County to the Jersey Shore, Bilotta said.

Among challenges, Stephanie DeSevo said working in the funeral industry is a calling that requires its professionals to possess a unique set of personality traits.

Every day were helping grieving family members who are distraught and dealing with a huge loss, so we cant have off days, she said. We always remind ourselves what theyre going through and do our best to be compassionate and understanding of their situation and to establish a strong rapport.

We invest our energy in helping families get through a difficult time, and clients appreciate our compassion and calming demeanor, Robert DeSevo agreed. People want to deal with kind funeral directors and we always exceed their expectations.

Till death do us part: How COVID-19 rules led to wedding in NJ funeral home

Bringing comfort and ease

With DeSevo, his daughter and son-in-law all serving as licensed funeral directors and Susan DeSevo managing administrative tasks, the DeSevo family hopes to continue supporting other families by offering the option of direct cremations to those seeking them.

Our philosophy is to provide professional service with integrity and courtesy, Stephanie DeSevo said. We take pride in listening to each familys specific needs.

Its rewarding that our interactions and process can help bring comfort to people and make things easier for them in their time of loss, Bilotta agreed.

We hope to continue providing outstanding service that takes stress off families during a very trying time in their lives, Robert DeSevo confirmed. Things can be very overwhelming and confusing when someone passes and it means so much when families tell us how simple and streamlined we made the process for them. Our goal is to make things as easy as we can for every family.

Direct Cremations LLC

Location: 3316 Corlies Ave., Neptune

Phone: 908-433-1776

Owners: The DeSevo Family

Founded: 1970 (by former owner); purchased in 2020 by current owners

Website: directcremationsllc.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Direct Cremations in Neptune offers final farewells without fuss
Value-oriented investors are constantly seeking stocks priced below their intrinsic value. One such stock that warrants consideration is First Majestic Silver Corp (NYSE:AG). Despite its seemingly attractive valuation, it's crucial to conduct a thorough analysis before making an investment decision. This article will delve into the financial health and potential risks associated with First Majestic Silver, offering valuable insights for informed investment decisions.

Understanding GF Value

The GF Value represents the current intrinsic value of a stock, derived from our exclusive method. The GF Value Line on our summary page provides an overview of the fair value at which the stock should be traded. This is calculated based on historical multiples that the stock has traded at, GuruFocus adjustment factor based on the company's past returns and growth, and future estimates of the business performance.

Is First Majestic Silver (AG) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

However, there are certain risk factors associated with First Majestic Silver that should not be overlooked. These risks are primarily reflected through its low Altman Z-score of 1.29. This indicator suggests that First Majestic Silver, despite its apparent undervaluation, might be a potential value trap.

What is the Altman Z-Score?

The Altman Z-score, invented by New York University Professor Edward I. Altman in 1968, is a financial model predicting the probability of a company entering bankruptcy within a two-year time frame. A score below 1.8 suggests a high likelihood of financial distress, while a score above 3 indicates a low risk.

A Closer Look at First Majestic Silver Corp (NYSE:AG)

First Majestic Silver Corp is a company primarily engaged in the production, development, exploration, and acquisition of mineral properties, focusing on silver and gold production in North America. Despite its robust operations, the company's financial health may be weak, as suggested by its low Altman Z-Score.

Story continues

Is First Majestic Silver (AG) Too Good to Be True? A Comprehensive Analysis of a Potential Value Trap

First Majestic Silver's Low Altman Z-Score: A Breakdown of Key Drivers

Several factors contribute to First Majestic Silver's low Altman Z-score. The company's Retained Earnings to Total Assets ratio has been on a decline, indicating a diminishing ability to reinvest in its business or effectively manage its debt. Furthermore, the company's EBIT to Total Assets ratio, a crucial barometer of a company's operational effectiveness, also shows a descending trend, suggesting potential underutilization of assets.

Another area of concern is the company's decreasing asset turnover ratio, reflecting reduced operational efficiency. This shift underlines the need for First Majestic Silver to reassess its operational strategies to optimize asset usage and boost sales.

Conclusion: Navigating the Thin Line Between Value and Trap

While First Majestic Silver (NYSE:AG) might appear attractive from a valuation perspective, the company's low Altman Z-score and declining financial ratios suggest potential financial distress. Therefore, despite its apparent undervaluation, First Majestic Silver might be a potential value trap. As always, thorough due diligence is essential in making informed investment decisions.

GuruFocus Premium members can find stocks with high Altman Z-Score using the following Screener: Walter Schloss Screen .

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


When it comes to the best employers in Texas, H-E-B is second to  one.

The beloved regional grocery chain ranked second in Texas on Forbes Magazines recently released list of Americas Best Employers by State. NASA edged out H-E-B to take the state's top spot.

H-E-B was founded in 1905 and employs about 145,000 people, according to Forbes. Headquartered in San Antonio, the grocer was also named fifth best large employer in the country and 11th best employer for women nationally in 2023 by Forbes.

In 2022, H-E-B made just under $39 billion in revenue, according to Forbes.

H-E-B ranked second in Texas on Forbes Magazines recently released list of Americas Best Employers by State.

More: H-E-B goes beyond groceries with new documentary film series on Texas conservation efforts

Texas-based companies dot top 50 list

Several notable employers  some headquartered in Texas, some not  compose the list, including tech powerhouses Google, Apple and Microsoft, as well as Texas Childrens Hospital and the city of San Antonio.

As for employers based in and around Austin, the Round Rock Independent School District ranked 37th, and Dell Technologies ranked 40th.

Keller Williams Realty ranked 42nd, slightly ahead of the University of Texas, which ranked 47th.

More: Tech giant Google cuts hundreds of recruiters in recent layoffs; Austin impact unknown

Best employers list informed by employees nationwide

To build its list, Forbes surveyed 70,000 full- or part-time employees in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., in partnership with data collection company Statista.

Respondents were asked if they would recommend their employers to friends and family and evaluated their employers on factors like working conditions, diversity, compensation packages, potential for development and company image, according to Forbes.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Forbes lists NASA, H-E-B on Americas Best Employers by State in Texas
London, UK --News Direct-- Genflow Biosciences PLC

Genflow Biosciences PLC (LSE:GENF, OTC:GENFF) CEO Dr. Eric Leire speaks to Thomas Warner from Proactive after the longevity-focused UK based biotech company released a company update highlighting a successful first regulatory interaction with the Federal Agency for Medicines and Health Products (FAHMP) in Belgium.

Dr Leire explains that the news helps pave the way for clinical trials and was particularly noteworthy because of the agency's recommendation to commence directly with NASH (Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis) patients, bypassing the traditional phases. He expects the move to accelerate the proof of concept process and boost the company's valuation.

Additionally, a strategic restructuring is underway, aimed at enhancing eligibility for grants, a crucial aspect in mitigating financial risk for early-stage biotech ventures. Dr Leire explains that the move aligns with Genflow's strategy of minimising reliance on venture capital funding and focusing instead on attracting non-dilutive grants. He also draws attention to planned FDA interaction and promising in vivo studies.

Contact Details

Proactive UK Ltd

+44 20 7989 0813

uk@proactiveinvestors.com

View source version on newsdirect.com: https://newsdirect.com/news/genflow-biosciences-reports-positive-news-from-belgium-749524424
The logo for Goldman Sachs is seen on the trading floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City

By Saeed Azhar

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Goldman Sachs' asset management arm said two funds have closed, raising more than $15 billion for funds that enable investors to make secondary investments in existing private equity (PE) deals.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management's "Vintage IX" fund raised $14.2 billion, exceeding its target of $12 billion, from institutional investors, wealthy clients and bank employees, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

The inaugural Vintage Infrastructure Partners separately raised about $1 billion, it said.

"What we do in our secondaries business is really go in and provide liquidity to investors in these funds, who wanted to get out before their natural termination," Harold Hope, global head of secondaries at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, told Reuters.

"The vintage fund that we just raised will come in, look at the value of your assets, negotiate with you, agree on a price and then we'll buy you out of that investment."

Goldman's asset management arm is also looking at investing in so-called "continuation vehicles," he said. Such deals allow PE firms to roll older investments into new funds.

PE firms are finding it tough to raise fresh money from investors who have already allocated large portions of their portfolios to PE investments, Hope said.

"They're being very cautious around new investments," he said. "And they're really not investing a lot of capital. So that's why I think people are having a hard time raising money."The aggregate value of private equity deals plunged 44% to $302.7 billion in the first eight months of 2023 from a year earlier, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the lowest level for the first eight months of a year since 2019.

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar; Editing by Lananh Nguyen and Edwina Gibbs)
Advocates against the Leominster maternity unit's closure stand at the corner of Electric and South streets holding signs urging officials to stop the unit from shutting down.

LEOMINSTER  Lawmakers, nurses and community activists are pushing Gov. Maura Healey to stop Saturday's planned closure of the UMass Memorial Health maternity unit in Leominster. They want Healey to use her executive powers to keep the unit open.

A statement from Healey's office Wednesday afternoon said it is aware of the concerns and is reviewing the situation: "Our administration is committed to protecting access to high quality maternal health care for all Massachusetts communities. We are aware of the concerns raised by the community and local officials about the impending closure of the UMass Memorial Leominster campus and are reviewing the situation."

Permanent closure is set to happen one minute after 11:59 p.m. Saturday, according to a UMass spokeswoman. That contradicts how the Massachusetts Nurses Association sees it. Some nurses who are MNA members and work on the unit were told by UMass that the unit officially closes at 7 a.m. Sunday, said an MNA spokesman.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Natalie Higgins, D-Leominster, is frustrated that the Healey administration hasnt stepped up to take action.

Higgins was under the impression Healey was sympathetic to the communitys concerns after speaking with her when the governor made an unplanned visit to the maternity unit two weeks ago. Conversations continued after Healey recently toured Leominster to view damage from last weeks flood.

"Everything that happened along this process has given us understanding that DPH and the Healey administration was seeking to delay closure and was serious about that, said Higgins. We as a community trusted and believed them. That is whats hard for us right now. Were a few days out and nothing has happened.

If the unit closes this weekend, Higgins intends to introduce legislation to stop hospitals from closing services that the state deems essential. As part of its review of the UMass plan to close the unit, the state Department of Public Health ruled that the services provided were essential to the communities that the unit serves.

Story continues

As Higgins sees it, the situation in Leominster is worse since Healey toured the unit because the city was devastated by a severe flood. Given that landscape, she said, now is not the time to shut the unit down.

"If not this month to delay closure, then when are we ever going to hold hospitals accountable? said Higgins.

Rep. Natalie M. Higgins and Sen. Robyn K. Kennedy, left and right in center, were joined by fellow lawmakers and maternity nurses to speak about the birthing center at Leominster Hospital Sept. 11.

Health of infants and mothers at stake

Those who want the unit open claim a shutdown will harm the health of infants and mothers in North Central Worcester County, especially at a time when Massachusetts faces a higher rate of labor and delivery complications.

The prevalence of severe maternal morbidity nearly doubled in Massachusetts from 2011 to 2020, according to a study released in July by the state Department of Public Health. The rate is especially high for Black mothers, more than twice the rate compared to white mothers.

Those fighting to keep the unit open said that disparity is directly related to the Leominster unit, where they claim a large share of patients are low income and from communities of color.

Preliminary data from the state Department of Public Health shows that between 2020 and 2022, slightly more than half the births in the Leominster unit have been to white mothers:

 2022: White (230 births); Hispanic (204); Black (43); Asian/Pacific Islander (11); Other (5)

 2021: White (281); Hispanic (180); Black (50); Asian/Pacific Islander (27)

 2020: White (298): Hispanic (208); Black (36); Asian/Pacific Islander (21)

Data supplied by UMass Memorial also indicates a mix of race and ethnicities that the unit serves. The following data applies to fiscal 2023 through March:

 Race: White (51%); Other/Unknown (33.9%); Black (12.6%)

 Ethnicity: Not Hispanic or Latino (60%); Hispanic or Latino (39.6%)

UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester offers and continues to develop services to address racial and ethnic health disparities that are unavailable at most birthing centers, said a statement. A full range of these services will be provided to new patients from the North Central region.

These include a newly established doula program that will work closely with other community-based doulas in support of Black mothers giving birth. In addition, along with Yale and the University of Buffalo, the medical center received $20 million intended to improve postpartum outcomes that are focused on hypertension, mental health and social determinants of health for individuals marginalized by racism and socioeconomic disadvantage.

"These and a variety of other Medical Center maternity services are designed to advance health equity and deliver high-quality care and will now be available to patients from throughout the North Central region," said the statement.

Closure moves ahead despite plea from Leominster mayor

This week, UMass repeated its intention to move ahead with closure after a plea from Leominster Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella not to shut it down. Mazzarella said the unit shouldnt close as Leominster recovers from severe damage caused by last weeks flood.

Calls for Healey to step in come after the states process to review the closure of an essential health service ran its course. It resulted in the Department of Public Health stating that the closure plan was inadequate because it failed to ensure access to quality maternity care for patients in North Central Worcester County after the unit closed. The Department of Public Health asked UMass to hold off on ending operations until a fully-developed and implemented plan was in place.

No legal ground to stop it; law firm thinks otherwise

Current state regulations give the Department of Public Health no authority to stop UMass Memorial, or any hospital system, from closing an "essential" service.

However, Healey and the Department of Public Health have legal options to stop closure, according to a Boston law firm hired by the City of Leominster. Greenberg Traurig believes the Department of Public Health has broad regulatory authority to revoke or not renew the Leominster hospitals license if UMass closes the unit.

In a letter last month to the Department of Public Health, the firm stated the agency can require the Leominster hospital, as a condition of licensure, to withdraw its planned closure plan until a plan is submitted that meets state regulations. If that occurred, the Department of Public Health could require UMass Memorial to withdraw its notice of closure, thereby restarting the 90-day clock that runs from the time of the next notice to the day of closure.

Or UMass could be required to delay its planned closing date until after the Leominster hospital submits a compliant plan to the state, the law firm's letter stated, that also gives the Department of Public Health the opportunity to offer comments and improvements.

When UMass first announced in May its intention to close the unit, it cited falling birth rates and staff shortages as the primary reasons for the move. Opponents say the real reason was financial, as many of the unit's patients are low income, resulting in low reimbursements from MassHealth, the state's Medicaid insurance program, that doesnt cover the costs of care.

To consolidate costs, opponents said UMass funneled maternity patients from the Leominster hospital to Worcester.

Contact Henry Schwan at henry.schwan@telegram.com. Follow him on X: @henrytelegram.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Gov. Healey comments on plan to close Leominster maternity ward
Renewable power projects are being made to wait a decade or more for connecting to the electricity grid - Phil Noble/REUTERS

Around 60 miles off the east coast, wind turbines more than twice as tall as Big Ben are ready to be powered up within weeks.

Dogger Bank, the worlds largest wind farm with the ability to power 6m homes, will finally be switched on, eight years after it was first granted planning permission.

But across the UK, hundreds more projects viewed as vital in helping the Government hit net zero ambitions, are currently being held up by bureaucracy and delays.

In his speech on Wednesday, Rishi Sunak vowed to fast track solar farms, wind farms and battery storage sites by speeding up the process for connecting them to the grid.

Energy experts say the Prime Minister is right to hone in on the problem with grid connections, which may be little-known to households, but is a major gripe of energy companies.

Put simply, businesses are chomping at the bit to build an enormous number of renewable power projects worth billions of pounds across the country.

In total, about 300 gigawatts of projects are currently lined up  compared to just 65 gigawatts of schemes connected today.

But currently, developers are being told they must wait a decade or more to hook them up to the electricity grid.

This is even the case for projects that could be ready next year.

At the moment, grid infrastructure is sclerotic, complains one energy executive.

You cannot expect investors to put aside 30m and then sit there and wait more than a decade to deploy it.

There is no world in which its acceptable to have to wait 14 years for a connection.

The delays have been blamed on National Grid, which owns and runs the electricity transmission system. However it is governed by arcane rules overseen by Ofgem which control the queueing and planning system for grid hookups.

These queues currently work on a first-come-first-serve basis, meaning projects that are speculative and may never be built get priority over others whose funding and design means they could be rapidly completed.

Story continues

Changing that system is also a slow process, because of the heavily regulated nature of National Grids business.

But on Wednesday, Sunak highlighted grid connections as a top priority, promising to end the first-come-first-serve approach and fast track projects.

He said: Right now, it can take 14 years to build new grid infrastructure. There are enough projects waiting to be connected to generate over half of our future electricity needs.

Well set out the UKs first ever spatial plan for that infrastructure, to give industry certainty and every community a say.

Well speed up planning for the most nationally-significant projects and well end the first-come first-serve approach to grid connections by raising the bar to enter the queue  and make sure those ready first will connect first.

Sunaks pledges will be widely welcomed.

The National Grid has already promised reforms which it says will allow advanced projects  for example those with planning permission  to vault ahead of speculative schemes that have little chance of progressing.

It is being pushed by Ofgem, the energy regulator, to be more transparent and share queue data with other industry colleagues as well.

A plan to overhaul the grid queueing system was put out for consultation earlier this year and the Grids subsequent proposals are being reviewed by Ofgem.

The watchdog had been expected to publish a decision this month but industry insiders were told this week that this has now been delayed.

Yet the logjam of energy projects seeking grid connections is actually a historic problem, which Ofgem first warned about as far back as 2010.

When the National Grid was built in the 1930s to 1960s the demand for new connections came from a small number of large fossil fuel generators.

The result is a grid designed to connect very large power stations to distant cities  with most of the wires running roughly north to south.

The move towards net zero has reversed that thinking. The Governments net zero vision is to create a multitude of smaller generators.

Larger ones, like onshore wind farms and solar farms, may have an output similar to a small power station but smaller ones could range from farmers with anaerobic digesters to householders with solar panels on their roofs. All of them want to be connected to the local or national grid.

It means the National Grid has been inundated with thousands of requests for connections  even though few of the projects have been built and many never will be.

If all were built, they would generate about 300 gigawatts of power  about five times what the country currently needs. A third of those connection requests have arrived in just the last six months.

The National Grid is, however, not allowed to choose between them. The rules imposed by Ofgem, the energy regulator say connections must be offered on a first come-first served basis.

It means there are hundreds of applications waiting to be processed, many for speculative projects, collectively generating a 13 year wait to get a connection.

Among the many projects sitting in the queue for a grid connection is a proposed battery storage site on the outskirts of Heysham, Lancashire.

The 200-megawatt scheme, proposed by Kona Energy, would aim to draw excess power generated by wind farms off the coast during periods of low demand and then return it to the grid at peak hours.

At the moment, offshore wind farms are paid millions of pounds to turn down their output when there is nowhere for their power to go because of congestion on the power network.

Andy Willis, Konas founder and boss, says his companys scheme would help make use of this excess electricity and could be ready as soon as next year  but it has been given a grid connection date in 2026.

Others have to wait even longer. Octopus Energy has three solar farms on hold in County Durham, Lincolnshire and another near Birmingham  and has been told it will have to wait 13 years to connect them.

The company, which provides gas or power to five million UK homes, is also examining 20,000 requests from communities seeking to build small wind farms of one or two turbines which are likely to face similar delays.

Greg Jackson, chief executive of Octopus, has called for a complete reform of the planning system for energy projects.

Willis, of Kona Energy, says unblocking the system would unleash huge amounts of pent-up investment across the UK, while massively boosting the amount of green power available to the grid.

There are a sizable number of projects like ours that would be able to start generating within a year if they could get grid connections, he adds.

But that is still the main holdup for everybody at the moment.

The National Grid insists that it wants reform too.

The outdated first come, first served process is creating a strong incentive for projects to secure a place in the connections pipeline regardless of the viability of their project, a spokesman says.

That is driving a huge increase in application and its all causing delays for customers who are ready to connect.

Earlier this year Nick Winser, the Electricity Networks Commissioner, said the time taken to expand the grid and add connections threatened to undermine the UKs net zero aspirations.

The current process is complex and involves many different parties  Every part of this process must be, and can be, dramatically improved, he said.

The same problems apply offshore, where 43 wind farms now provide up to a third of the UKs power on windy days. Its a success story so far  but each wind farm needs a grid connection.

And since they are mostly located off the UKs east coast, those cables need to run east to west.

Such problems have prompted complaints from wind farm companies like Orsted which last December said it was facing 12-year waits for connection. It warned that the UK would miss its offshore wind targets if the connection process was not accelerated.

A spokesman for RenewableUK, trade body for the wind industry, said: Grid connection delays are holding back 15bn of investment in offshore wind alone over the course of this decade, at the very time when we need to boost our energy security as quickly as possible.

With Sunak facing a backlash over his decision to scale back a range of flagship net zero policies, he can only hope his bid to unleash private sector investment in green energy will prove his doubters wrong.

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.
Good morning!

Instacarts long-awaited initial public offering on Tuesday made it one of the largest companies to go public this year, marking a potential turning point in the recent lull of public listings. But the grocery delivery service's employees could be the real victors of the stock market debut, as the company relies on sales from existing shareholders, including workers, to drive its stock price.

This IPO is not about raising money for us. It's really about making sure that all employees can have liquidity on stock that they worked very hard for, Instacart CEO Fidji Simo told CNBCs Dierdre Bosa on Tuesday.

Receiving an equity stake is a major sell to entice top talent to join a startup venture, with the promise that they could one day see a big payout if the company succeeds. Stock offerings are expecially popular in tech compensation, comprising about 86% of a Silicon Valley workers net worth, according to Secfi, a company that helps startup employees manage their equity.

Instacart employees certainly stand to benefit. The grocery delivery business opened trading at $42 per share on Tuesday, placing it at a $14 billion valuation, but closed at $33.70 per share the same day. The company included a provision in its S-1 filing where, if the stock trades at more than 120% of its IPO price for five of at least 10 consecutive trading days (one of which must be after Instacarts quarterly earnings announcement), employees can sell their stock sooner than the 180-day lock-up period most companies opt for.

According to a September 2022 Wall Street Journal report, the company wasnt planning to raise much capital from investors ahead of its IPO, instead relying on employees selling their shares. So far, 36% of shares sold were from existing shareholdersand former employees, including those in executive roles as well as product and engineering, sold a combined 3.2 million shares. The move could also make the company more attractive to new employees seeking stock-based compensation.

Story continues

But the company's finances are still far from their pandemic golden days. Following its peak valuation of $39 billion in early 2021, the company started seeing a decline as pandemic-driven demand for grocery delivery services waned. As such, the company slashed its valuation by 40% to $24 billion, laid off an undisclosed number of workers, and froze hiring for some positions in September 2022. It again lowered its valuation to $13 billion in October that same year.

Instacarts delicate relationship with its gig workers could also impact its success post-IPO. In its S-1 filing, the company said that failure to attract or retain these workers could hurt its business, as workers may leave the platform for reasons like displeasure with the companys pay structure, which was recently cut from a minimum base pay of $7 to $4 per order.

Gig workers went on strike in March 2020 and October 2021 over an alleged lack of COVID-19 protections and Instacarts payment structure. And late last year, Instacart agreed to a $46 million settlement in response to a California lawsuit alleging the company misclassified over 300,000 individuals as independent contractors instead of workers.

Paige McGlauflin

paige.mcglauflin@fortune.com

@paidion

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com

More from Fortune:

5 side hustles where you may earn over $20,000 per yearall while working from home

Want more for your money? These 14 savings accounts have rates of 5% APY (and higher)

Buying a house? Here's how much to save

This is how much money you need to earn annually to comfortably buy a $600,000 home


Key Insights

The considerable ownership by individual investors in Swiss Prime Site indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy

The top 25 shareholders own 41% of the company

Institutional ownership in Swiss Prime Site is 47%

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Swiss Prime Site AG (VTX:SPSN), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. We can see that individual investors own the lion's share in the company with 52% ownership. Put another way, the group faces the maximum upside potential (or downside risk).

Meanwhile, institutions make up 47% of the companys shareholders. Insiders often own a large chunk of younger, smaller, companies while huge companies tend to have institutions as shareholders.

Let's take a closer look to see what the different types of shareholders can tell us about Swiss Prime Site.

See our latest analysis for Swiss Prime Site

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Swiss Prime Site?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

Swiss Prime Site already has institutions on the share registry. Indeed, they own a respectable stake in the company. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Swiss Prime Site's historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Swiss Prime Site is not owned by hedge funds. BlackRock, Inc. is currently the largest shareholder, with 8.7% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 8.0% and 4.5%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

Story continues

On studying our ownership data, we found that 25 of the top shareholders collectively own less than 50% of the share register, implying that no single individual has a majority interest.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. Quite a few analysts cover the stock, so you could look into forecast growth quite easily.

Insider Ownership Of Swiss Prime Site

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

Most consider insider ownership a positive because it can indicate the board is well aligned with other shareholders. However, on some occasions too much power is concentrated within this group.

Our information suggests that Swiss Prime Site AG insiders own under 1% of the company. It is a pretty big company, so it would be possible for board members to own a meaningful interest in the company, without owning much of a proportional interest. In this case, they own around CHF9.7m worth of shares (at current prices). It is always good to see at least some insider ownership, but it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a substantial 52% stake in Swiss Prime Site, suggesting it is a fairly popular stock. With this amount of ownership, retail investors can collectively play a role in decisions that affect shareholder returns, such as dividend policies and the appointment of directors. They can also exercise the power to vote on acquisitions or mergers that may not improve profitability.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Swiss Prime Site better, we need to consider many other factors. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 5 warning signs with Swiss Prime Site (at least 2 which are potentially serious) , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
To find a multi-bagger stock, what are the underlying trends we should look for in a business? Firstly, we'd want to identify a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and then alongside that, an ever-increasing base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. And in light of that, the trends we're seeing at Phoenix Mecano's (VTX:PMN) look very promising so lets take a look.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for Phoenix Mecano:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.20 = 75m  (576m - 207m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

Thus, Phoenix Mecano has an ROCE of 20%. While that is an outstanding return, the rest of the Electrical industry generates similar returns, on average.

Check out our latest analysis for Phoenix Mecano

roce

In the above chart we have measured Phoenix Mecano's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

The Trend Of ROCE

Phoenix Mecano is showing promise given that its ROCE is trending up and to the right. More specifically, while the company has kept capital employed relatively flat over the last five years, the ROCE has climbed 51% in that same time. Basically the business is generating higher returns from the same amount of capital and that is proof that there are improvements in the company's efficiencies. The company is doing well in that sense, and it's worth investigating what the management team has planned for long term growth prospects.

Story continues

On a side note, we noticed that the improvement in ROCE appears to be partly fueled by an increase in current liabilities. The current liabilities has increased to 36% of total assets, so the business is now more funded by the likes of its suppliers or short-term creditors. It's worth keeping an eye on this because as the percentage of current liabilities to total assets increases, some aspects of risk also increase.

The Key Takeaway

As discussed above, Phoenix Mecano appears to be getting more proficient at generating returns since capital employed has remained flat but earnings (before interest and tax) are up. And since the stock has fallen 33% over the last five years, there might be an opportunity here. With that in mind, we believe the promising trends warrant this stock for further investigation.

One more thing, we've spotted 2 warning signs facing Phoenix Mecano that you might find interesting.

If you'd like to see other companies earning high returns, check out our free list of companies earning high returns with solid balance sheets 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

Ithaca Energy's estimated fair value is UK3.39 based on Dividend Discount Model

Ithaca Energy is estimated to be 49% undervalued based on current share price of UK1.73

The US$1.86 analyst price target for ITH is 45% less than our estimate of fair value

Does the September share price for Ithaca Energy plc (LON:ITH) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. Our analysis will employ the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. There's really not all that much to it, even though it might appear quite complex.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for Ithaca Energy

The Calculation

As Ithaca Energy operates in the oil and gas sector, we need to calculate the intrinsic value slightly differently. In this approach dividends per share (DPS) are used, as free cash flow is difficult to estimate and often not reported by analysts. 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. The dividend is expected to grow at an annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.4%. We then discount this figure to today's value at a cost of equity of 10.0%. Relative to the current share price of UK1.7, the company appears quite good value at a 49% discount to where the stock price trades currently. 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.

Value Per Share = Expected Dividend Per Share / (Discount Rate - Perpetual Growth Rate)

Story continues

= US$0.4 / (10.0%  1.4%)

= UK3.4

dcf

Important Assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual 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 Ithaca Energy 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 10.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.452. 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.

SWOT Analysis for Ithaca Energy

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Dividend is in the top 25% of dividend payers in the market.

Weakness

No major weaknesses identified for ITH.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable.

Revenue is forecast to decrease over the next 2 years.

Next Steps:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and 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. Why is the intrinsic value higher than the current share price? For Ithaca Energy, there are three pertinent factors you should consider:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 1 warning sign for Ithaca Energy we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does ITH's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other 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!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every British 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.
Experts, scholars discuss BRI contributions to global human rights cause in Geneva

Xinhua) 09:11, September 20, 2023

Human rights experts and scholars attend a symposium with the theme of "Joint Building of the Belt & Road and Progress of Global Human Rights Cause" in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sept. 19, 2023. A symposium focusing on the progress of the human rights cause in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation was held here Tuesday. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

GENEVA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- A symposium focusing on the progress of the human rights cause in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) cooperation was held here Tuesday.

At the symposium, human rights experts and scholars from China and other countries exchanged their views on the contributions of the BRI cooperation to global development and human rights progress.

The symposium, with the theme of "Joint Building of the Belt &Road and Progress of Global Human Rights Cause," was organized by the China Foundation for Human Rights Development, a Chinese non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting the development of human rights cause.

Zuo Feng, vice chairman and secretary-general of the foundation, said that since the BRI was proposed by China in 2013, more than 150 countries and 30 international organizations have signed cooperation documents. In a decade, the BRI cooperation has played a constructive role in improving the global economic landscape, promoting common development and prosperity, and bettering the global governance system. It is widely recognized that the BRI cooperation has made positive contributions to global development and human rights progress.

Hu Biliang, executive dean of the Belt and Road School at Beijing Normal University, said that the BRI cooperation has played an important role in the progress of human rights in partner countries, as it has improved infrastructure, brought job opportunities, facilitated trade, increased people's incomes and reduced poverty.

Zhang Aining, director of the Human Rights Studies Center in China Foreign Affairs University, said the BRI is a Chinese solution to the problems facing the world and to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals. It provides a good example of "Cooperation improves development and development improves human rights" for the progress of the global human rights cause.

The symposium was part of meetings on global human rights during the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council going on here from Sept. 11 to Oct. 13.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
FILE PHOTO: A man stands in front of an electric board displaying the Nikkei stock average outside a brokerage in Tokyo

By Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu

TOKYO (Reuters) - Airline operator ANA Holdings plans to offer around $60 million worth of shares to thousands of employees, the latest Japanese company to use employee share incentives as a tool to retain talent and comply with a request by the regulator to pay more attention to share price performance.

ANA will offer 100 shares worth about $20 each to about 70% of nearly 45,000 employees in November, following in the footsteps of other major Japanese firms such as Omron and Sony Group.

The employee share incentive plans coincide with one of the most severe labour shortages Japan has seen in years, and as the Tokyo Stock Exchange urges listed firms to become "more conscious" of their share prices due to concerns that far too many companies are trading below their book value.

In the last five years, the number of Japanese companies offering equity-based compensation to employees doubled to 966, data from Nomura Securities shows, representing a quarter of the some 3,900 listed firms.

"We are seeing a surge in inquires now," Motomi Hashimoto, principal researcher at Nomura's stock incentive solution department, told Reuters. Stock incentives are seen positively by the market "as higher stock prices directly boost such incentives," she said.

By having more employees as shareholders, executives hope staff will be more committed to their company's effectiveness and earnings, and therefore its stock performance.

Raising corporate value is key for investors in Japan, where so many stocks are chronically undervalued that the Tokyo Stock Exchange made a rare call in March for firms to disclose long-term plans to improve capital efficiency.

At Omron, stock incentives are meant to "align management, employees and shareholders", said Hitoshi Tanimura, senior general manager at the human resources department.

Sony, which introduced stock incentives years ago for some management levels, recently changed its framework to make the incentives more attractive, a spokesperson said.

Story continues

At ANA, employees must hold on to their shares for three years before they can sell or transfer them, said Shintaro Takano, a general administration executive.

"When the pandemic hit our earnings, many employees in their thirties and forties left," he said. "The stock incentives are aimed at beefing up engagement with employees and promoting their interest in raising corporate value."

Stock-based compensation, mainly for managers, became popular after former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe introduced corporate governance reforms nearly 10 years ago that made such incentives more tax deductible.

Today, employee stock incentives are also a way for companies to replace cross-shareholdings, a common practice where companies take stakes in partners to cement relationships and avoid activist investors.

Cross-shareholdings have drawn criticism from international investors and companies are under pressure from the regulator to unwind them as soon as possible.

Despite its increasing popularity, just a quarter of top 100 Japanese companies have employee stock incentives compared to more than 80% in the United States or Germany, data by consulting firm Human Resources Governance Leaders shows.

Experts say labour laws that require employers pay wages in actual currency have hindered the spread of employee share incentives, because stocks can only be added onto wages, instead of replacing part of them.

Shinji Ishikawa, senior chief manager at Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking's human resources solution services division, said more legal flexibility would accelerate the adoption of stock incentives.

(Reporting by Makiko Yamazaki and Ritsuko Shimizu; editing by Miral Fahmy)
Kroger and Albertsons are selling roughly 400 stores to Piggly Wigglys parent company in an attempt to win antitrust approval for the mega merger between the grocery stores.

C&S Wholesale Grocers will pay $1.9 billion, with the deal expected to close in early 2024 subject to regulatory approval, the company said in a statement. C&S, a privately held company, operates 500 grocery stores under the Piggly Wiggly and Grand Union banners and is also a major grocery wholesaler.

This comprehensive divestiture plan marks a key next step toward the completion of the merger by extending a well-capitalized competitor into new geographies, Kroger and Albertsons said in the statement, adding that no stores are closing and all existing collective bargaining agreements will continue.

Under terms of the deal, C&S will also get three smaller grocery store brands including QFC, Marianos and Carrs as well as the exclusive licensing rights to the Albertsons name in Arizona, California, Colorado and Wyoming.

Our retail locations are a critical resource not only for necessities but also as an integral part of the local area they serve, C&S President Mark McGowan said in a statement. We look forward to welcoming our new employees into the C&S family of companies and leveraging C&Ss strong heritage of selection, value and customer service to continue our mission of keeping our communities fed.

Kroger announced it was buying Albertsons in a nearly $25 billion deal last October and previously announced it as looking to offload hundreds of locations as way to gain antitrust clearance. The transaction is expected to close next year depending on regulatory approval.

When merged, the two companies will have a combined 710,000 workers  most of them unionized in an industry with low union rates  nearly 5,000 stores and more than $200 billion in sales. The companies say they reach 85 million households.

The retail industry has consolidated in recent years, and merging would give the companies greater scale to fend off competition from Amazon, Walmart, and other retail giants. Traditional supermarkets are pressured by these companies and others  including discount chains such as Dollar General, Aldi, warehouse clubs like Costco, and online grocers.

Story continues

A few weeks ago, German supermarket chain Aldi announced it was buying 400 Winn-Dixie locations in a move to increase its presence in new US regions. Aldi has a goal of operating 2,400 stores by the end of 2024.

On Friday, Kroger reported $33.85 billion in revenue for the second quarter, slightly under analyst estimates of $34.63 billion. It reported a net loss of $180 million, or 25 cents per share, compared to a $731 million net income, or $1 per share, gain in the same period a year ago. Company executives said part of the quarterly loss related to economic headwinds, organized retail theft and opioid settlement payments.

Kroger also announced Friday that its paying $1.2 billion to US states and $36 million to Native American tribes to settle the majority of opioid claims brought against the company. The company accounted for a $1.4 billion charge in the second quarter related to the settlement.

In a statement, Kroger said that the settlement would allow full resolution of all claims, but said that the settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing or liability by Kroger and Kroger will continue to vigorously defend against any other claims and lawsuits relating to opioids that the final agreement does not resolve.

Previous lawsuits allege the pharmacies contribution to the oversupply of prescription opioids in the state have caused significant losses through their past and ongoing medical treatment costs.

State and local governments have filed thousands of lawsuits against drug companies and wholesalers accused of fueling the crisis, resulting in a plethora of settlement deals. The largest to date is a $26 billion settlement involving several companies that began paying out last year and continues for 18 years.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Buttigieg at an EV charging event in February 2022. (Photo: DOT)

WASHINGTON  Republican lawmakers unloaded their contempt for the Biden administrations electric vehicle policy on U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during an oversight hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.

Democrats provided Buttigieg some relief, mostly by praising the administration for the record funding flowing from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law into projects that are helping relieve freight congestion and improving mobility for pedestrians.

But several Republicans used the hearing, held by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to accuse Buttigieg and his department of aggravating the struggle between the United Auto Workers (UAW) and the Big Three automakers by linking the current UAW strike to the administrations push to electrify the nations automotive fleet.

Scott Perry, R-Pa., argued that government subsidies to support EVs are causing a market imbalance for vehicles that his constituents do not want.

The people I work for cant afford what youre forcing on them, Perry told Buttigieg. These are not market forces, this is the government funding the destruction of our own auto industry. I hope you know that approximately two thirds of EV owners make over $100,000 a year. My [constituents] dont make that. So you realize that forcing car companies to make these vehicles at a loss  at about $60,000 per vehicle sold  is killing UAW jobs?

Buttigieg responded by arguing that manufacturing jobs are growing under the current administration  compared to the manufacturing recession of the Trump administration  because of new government investments in U.S. manufacturing.

I got started in politics when an Indiana factory was at risk of being shut down because an elected official in my state tried to block the administration from saving Chrysler, Buttigieg said. I got involved and stood with the UAW to save those jobs, and Ill always be with auto jobs being preserved.

John James, R-Mich., contended that automakers could end up paying $10 billion-$13 billion in civil penalties for failure to comply with aggressive corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards being proposed by the DOTs National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That could cut down on profits  and potential profit-sharing with autoworkers, James reasoned.

Story continues

If penalties are levied on automakers, this will take money away from autoworkers, he said. Is the president aware that hes literally taking money away from the autoworkers by impugning their bonuses?

Buttigieg answered that such a scenario is inaccurate because it assumes automakers will fail to comply with the new standards.

Ever since the first CAFE standards were first introduced in the Nixon administration, industry said there was no way they could possibly have vehicles more efficient than 13.5 miles per gallon, Buttigieg said. But in the end, industry got it done, and today American consumers have saved billions of dollars and we have cleaner air. And I have a lot of confidence that industry can continue, as they have in the past, to comply with the law.

During remarks at the White House shortly after the strike was announced on Friday, President Joe Biden said that the transition to EVs should be fair and a win-win for autoworkers and manufacturers.

But I believe [manufacturers] should go further to ensure record corporate profits mean record contracts for the UAW, he added.

With the UAW strike nearing the end of its first week, logistics and supply chain experts have warned that the ripple effects could be severe for the trucking industry, particularly auto haulers.

Related articles:

Click for more FreightWaves articles by John Gallagher.

The post Lawmakers drag Buttigieg into UAW fight appeared first on FreightWaves.
Republicans in Congress have sponsored four bills that aim to curtail ESG investing in retirement plans.

Proposed legislation making its way through Congress could limit the types of investments employer-sponsored retirement plans can offer. Republicans in the House of Representatives submitted four bills that would reverse a rule permitting retirement plan fiduciaries from including environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations when selecting investments for plan participants.

Do you have questions about the pros, cons and other considerations surrounding ESG investing? Speak with a financial advisor today.

The proposals, the latest in a series of conservative political efforts to limit ESG investing, have advanced from committees and can now be voted on by the full House. However, chances of the bills actually being enacted are uncertain, given Democrat control of the Senate and President Biden's previous veto of similar anti-ESG initiatives.

Motivation Behind the Proposals

ESG investing considers a companys impact on the environment, its treatment of employees and customers and governance practices alongside financial factors when making investment decisions. The strategy has become controversial, as critics say the core concept is not well defined, consistent metrics don't exist and, most contentiously, advocates use it to enforce liberal political agendas.

Former President Trump acted to restrict the use of ESG considerations by fiduciaries who oversee retirement plans governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). This 1974 federal law sets standards for employer-sponsored retirement and health plans and empowers the Department of Labor to enforce them.

In November 2022, a Biden administration rule overturned the Trump-era restrictions and allowed ERISA plan fiduciaries to consider financially material ESG factors when selecting investments. The Labor Department has clarified that the rule permits, but does not require, consideration of ESG factors and still requires financial concerns to be paramount.

Story continues

However, Republican legislators view this as enabling fiduciaries to prioritize political goals over participants financial interests. A statement from the members of Congress who introduced the four bills said they would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to ensure financial institutions are focused on maximizing returns in retirement plans rather than on woke environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) factors."

In September 2023, the proposals advanced out of the committee stage after following strict party-line votes. Assuming approval by the Republican-controlled House, before becoming law the bills must pass the Democrat-controlled Senate and then be signed by President Biden. This is unlikely, since Biden vetoed a previous anti-ESG measure that made it through the Senate and could do so again if it comes to that.

How the Proposals Could Limit ESG Investing

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing within retirement plans is the target of four bills sponsored by House Republicans.

The four bills take different approaches to restricting ESG investing. They are as follows:

Roll back ESG to Increase Retirement Earnings (RETIRE) Act would require fiduciaries to select investments based solely on pecuniary or financial factors rather than ESG criteria. Investment managers could only consider ESG factors if they were unable to distinguish options based on financial merits alone. The bill also prohibits any ESG vehicles from being included in target-date funds offered as default investment selections for plan participants.

The Retirement Proxy Protection Act mandates that proxy votes align with financial interests. This could limit voting on shareholder proposals addressing ESG issues like climate change or diversity.

The No Discrimination in My Benefits Act prohibits plans from selecting service providers based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. This may block retirement plans from considering minority- and women-owned firms as investment managers and other plan service providers.

The Providing Complete Information to Retirement Investors Act would require defined contribution plans to notify plan participants about the differences between choosing from investments selected by ERISA fiduciaries and choosing from investments through a brokerage window.

Potential Impact on Retirement Savers

The proposals could reduce exposure to ESG strategies, limiting options for savers who prefer aligning their retirement portfolios with their values. Another effect would be to decrease access to investments incorporating ESG criteria that data and research suggest can enhance returns and mitigate risks. Fiduciaries would have a high bar for including these vehicles.

If the bills are eventually signed into law, savers may also see fewer climate change risk management strategies as well. This could leave portfolios vulnerable if carbon-intensive assets pose material financial risks.

The bills could most affect participants less engaged with investing decisions. That's because plans could no longer offer default target-date funds that follow ESG approaches.

What You Can Do

An investor looks over her retirement portfolio on her phone.

If you want your retirement savings aligned with ESG principles, the proposals underscore the importance of being an active, engaged investor. In light of continuing efforts to block retirement plans from considering ESG, you may want to consider the following steps:

Review your plans investment lineup and identify ESG options. Understanding current offerings can inform future decisions if the legislative landscape shifts.

Voice your preferences to your employer and plan administrator to demonstrate your interest in ESG choices.

Contribute to a Roth IRA on the side. IRAs offer flexibility to invest in line with your values outside workplace plans. To date, no political movement has arisen seeking to block individuals from considering ESG when making investment decisions.

Bottom Line

A series of bills proposed by Republicans aim to curb ESG investing in employer retirement plans by requiring a focus on financial returns over other goals. While the legislation is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, the measures could reduce ESG options and shareholder advocacy through plans. Savers who favor these strategies may need to look beyond work plans or become more proactive investors.

Retirement Investing Tips

Talk to a financial advisor about steps you can take to invest your nest egg in line with your principles. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

SmartAsset's retirement calculator can help you estimate how much youll need to retire and how much income your nest egg may generate.

Get retirement planning and investing tips Tuesday through Friday with the SmartMoney Minute newsletter. Its 100% free and you can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up today.

Photo credit: iStock.com/FotografieLink, iStock.com/enot-poloskun, iStock.com/AsiaVision

The post Legislation Aims to Ban This From Your Retirement Plan appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
Key Insights

The projected fair value for EnPro Industries is US$144 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Current share price of US$126 suggests EnPro Industries is potentially trading close to its fair value

The US$147 analyst price target for NPO is 1.8% more than our estimate of fair value

Today we will run through one way of estimating the intrinsic value of EnPro Industries, Inc. (NYSE:NPO) by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Believe it or not, it's not too difficult to follow, as you'll see from our example!

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.

Check out our latest analysis for EnPro Industries

The Method

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To begin with, we have to get estimates of the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$155.8m US$166.3m US$175.3m US$183.0m US$189.8m US$196.0m US$201.8m US$207.2m US$212.5m US$217.6m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Est @ 6.78% Est @ 5.39% Est @ 4.42% Est @ 3.74% Est @ 3.26% Est @ 2.93% Est @ 2.69% Est @ 2.53% Est @ 2.42% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 8.0% US$144 US$143 US$139 US$135 US$129 US$124 US$118 US$112 US$106 US$101

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$1.3b

Story continues

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. 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 2.2%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 8.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$218m (1 + 2.2%)  (8.0% 2.2%) = US$3.8b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$3.8b ( 1 + 8.0%)10= US$1.8b

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 US$3.0b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of US$126, the company appears about fair value at a 13% discount to where the stock price trades currently. 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

The 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 EnPro Industries as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.169. 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.

SWOT Analysis for EnPro Industries

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market.

Opportunity

Expected to breakeven next year.

Has sufficient cash runway for more than 3 years based on current free cash flows.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Paying a dividend but company is unprofitable.

Moving On:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For instance, if the terminal value growth rate is adjusted slightly, it can dramatically alter the overall result. For EnPro Industries, we've put together three additional aspects you should further examine:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for EnPro Industries that you should be aware of before investing here. Future Earnings: How does NPO's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other 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!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the NYSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks 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.
Analysis of the company's dividend history, yield, growth rates, and future prospects

Magellan Midstream Partners LP(NYSE:MMP) recently announced a dividend of $0.25 per share, payable on 2023-09-25, with the ex-dividend date set for 2023-09-20. As investors look forward to this upcoming payment, the spotlight also shines on the company's dividend history, yield, and growth rates. Using the data from GuruFocus, let's deep dive into Magellan Midstream Partners LPs dividend performance and assess its sustainability.

About Magellan Midstream Partners LP

Magellan Midstream Partners is a master limited partnership that operates pipelines and storage terminals in the Central and Eastern United States. Its assets transport, store, and distribute refined petroleum products and crude and earn a fee-based stream of cash flows. Assets include the country's longest petroleum pipeline network and several crude oil pipelines. Refined products make about 70% of operating margin, with the remainder mainly crude-oil pipelines.

Magellan Midstream Partners LP: A Deep Dive into its Dividend Performance and Sustainability

Magellan Midstream Partners LP's Dividend History

Magellan Midstream Partners LP has maintained a consistent dividend payment record since 2001. Dividends are currently distributed on a quarterly basis. Magellan Midstream Partners LP has increased its dividend each year since 2001. The stock is thus listed as a dividend achiever, an honor that is given to companies that have increased their dividend each year for at least the past 22 years.

Magellan Midstream Partners LP: A Deep Dive into its Dividend Performance and Sustainability

Magellan Midstream Partners LP's Dividend Yield and Growth

As of today, Magellan Midstream Partners LP currently has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 6.01% and a 12-month forward dividend yield of 6.01%. This suggests an expectation of same dividend payments over the next 12 months.

Story continues

Over the past three years, Magellan Midstream Partners LP's annual dividend growth rate was 1.00%. Extended to a five-year horizon, this rate increased to 3.20% per year. And over the past decade, Magellan Midstream Partners LP's annual dividends per share growth rate stands at 8.80%.

Based on Magellan Midstream Partners LP's dividend yield and five-year growth rate, the 5-year yield on cost of Magellan Midstream Partners LP stock as of today is approximately 7.04%.

Magellan Midstream Partners LP: A Deep Dive into its Dividend Performance and Sustainability

Is Magellan Midstream Partners LP's Dividend Sustainable?

To assess the sustainability of the dividend, one needs to evaluate the company's payout ratio. The dividend payout ratio provides insights into the portion of earnings the company distributes as dividends. A lower ratio suggests that the company retains a significant part of its earnings, thereby ensuring the availability of funds for future growth and unexpected downturns. As of 2023-06-30, Magellan Midstream Partners LP's dividend payout ratio is 0.84. This may suggest that the company's dividend may not be sustainable.

Magellan Midstream Partners LP's profitability rank, offers an understanding of the company's earnings prowess relative to its peers. GuruFocus ranks Magellan Midstream Partners LP's profitability 8 out of 10 as of 2023-06-30, suggesting good profitability prospects. The company has reported positive net income for each of year over the past decade, further solidifying its high profitability.

Magellan Midstream Partners LP's Growth Metrics

To ensure the sustainability of dividends, a company must have robust growth metrics. Magellan Midstream Partners LP's growth rank of 8 out of 10 suggests that the company's growth trajectory is good relative to its competitors.

Revenue is the lifeblood of any company, and Magellan Midstream Partners LP's revenue per share, combined with the 3-year revenue growth rate, indicates a strong revenue model. Magellan Midstream Partners LP's revenue has increased by approximately 10.30% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 50.93% of global competitors.

The company's 3-year EPS growth rate showcases its capability to grow its earnings, a critical component for sustaining dividends in the long run. During the past three years, Magellan Midstream Partners LP's earnings increased by approximately -1.70% per year on average, a rate that outperforms than approximately 29.45% of global competitors.

Lastly, the company's 5-year EBITDA growth rate of -2.30%, which outperforms than approximately 25.33% of global competitors.

Conclusion

While Magellan Midstream Partners LP has a consistent dividend payment record and a decent growth rate, the high payout ratio raises questions about the sustainability of its dividends. However, the company's strong profitability and growth metrics provide some reassurance. Investors should continue to monitor these factors closely. As always, it's crucial to consider the overall investment potential and not just the dividend performance.

GuruFocus Premium users can screen for high-dividend yield stocks using the High Dividend Yield Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Judge orders trucking company owner Xavier Bailey of Tutwiler, Mississippi, to pay $482,000 in PPP loan fraud scheme. Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves

A federal judge has ordered a Mississippi trucking company and its owner, Xavier Bailey, to pay more than $482,000 after finding Bailey made false statements in order to obtain funds through the U.S. Small Business Administrations Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

The forgivable-loan program was enacted to help struggling businesses pay employees, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Senior U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson stated in his Friday opinion that Bailey sought a PPP loan that he didnt qualify for by submitting false claims, certifications and information in order to obtain the $143,738 loan.

[Baileys] claims were factually false as the information provided to the government for the loan and reimbursement were inaccurate, Davidson wrote in his opinion.

Besides ordering Bailey and Baileys Trucking to pay nearly $455,313 in treble damages under the False Claims Act, which allows the U.S. government to recover up to three times the amount of the actual damages, Davidson ordered the trucking company owner to pay a civil penalty of $27,015 for two violations of the False Claims Act.

What happened?

Federal prosecutors filed a civil lawsuit against Bailey and his trucking company in June 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, alleging the trucking company owner presented a fraudulent claim to obtain a PPP loan from Blue Ridge Bank in April 2021.

According to court filings, Bailey stated that his company was in operation on or prior to Feb. 15, 2020, as required by the CARES Act.

But a business entity search on the Mississippi secretary of states database showed Bailey did not register Baileys Trucking until December 2020 and did not begin operations until 2021.

On his PPP loan application, Bailey claimed he had nine employees and listed his expenses as $159,823.33 for wages, tips and other compensation for his trucking company, which Davidson wrote was inaccurate as Baileys company did not make a dime during that time.

Story continues

Bailey also stated that he used 1099 workers that he claimed as employees, which isnt permitted to receive a PPP loan under the CARES Act.

Davidson wrote that Bailey failed to provide proof of actual payroll amounts listed on the loan application or any supporting documents.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administrations SAFER website, Baileys Truckings authority was granted in January 2021  listing only one truck  and its authority was revoked two years later in January 2023.

Victoria V. Washington, Baileys attorney, declined FreightWaves request for comment.

Bailey files suit against PPP lender

In December 2022, Bailey filed a third-party complaint against Blue Ridge Bank, claiming bank officials should have known he didnt meet the loan requirements to receive the funds.

However, U.S. Magistrate Judge Roy Percy dismissed Baileys suit against the bank in January, writing that Bailey and his attorney filed their third-party complaint after the court had extended the deadline multiple times and without first obtaining the courts leave to file the complaint.

Click here to read more articles by Clarissa Hawes.

Read related articles here:

Trucking bookkeeper already in prison for embezzlement sentenced for PPP fraud

Missouri trucking company worker gets 6 years for money laundering, fraud

Utah trucking owner admits bribing FedEx manager, defrauding PPP loan program

Do you have a news tip or story to share? Send me an email or message me @cage_writer on X, formerly known as Twitter. Your name will not be used without your permission.

The post Mississippi trucking company to pay $482,000 for PPP scheme appeared first on FreightWaves.
(Bloomberg) -- Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said she was upset when Chinas Huawei Technologies Co. released a new phone with an advanced chip during her visit to the country last month but noted that the US has no evidence China can make those components at scale.

Most Read from Bloomberg

We are trying to use every single tool at our disposal to deny the Chinese the ability to advance their technology in ways that can hurt us, Raimondo testified at a congressional hearing Tuesday.

The Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security this month opened an investigation into Huaweis phone and the purported 7-nanometer chip, made by Chinas Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp., which was discovered in a teardown of the handset that TechInsights conducted for Bloomberg News. It is unclear whether SMIC has approval from Commerce to supply Huawei, which has been blacklisted by the US.

Raimondo said she wont comment on any active investigations, but that the Commerce Department will investigate every time it appears a company may have violated US export controls.

Last week, a group of Republican lawmakers led by Representative Michael McCaul demanded that the Commerce Department fully cut Huawei and SMIC off from their US suppliers. They said Huaweis new phone proves US sanctions are not effective and urged tighter restrictions.

Read more: US Probes Made-in-China Chip as Tensions Flare Over Technology

Huawei released its Mate 60 Pro phone with a new Kirin 9000s chip that was fabricated in China by SMIC, according to the Bloomberg teardown. The processor is the first to utilize SMICs most advanced 7nm technology and suggests the Chinese government is making some headway in attempts to build a domestic chip ecosystem, according to the research firm.

Story continues

Huaweis new phone went on sale during Raimondos visit to China for talks aimed at easing tensions.

The Mate 60 silicon raises questions about the efficacy of a US-led global campaign to prevent Chinas access to cutting-edge technology, driven by fears it could be used to boost Chinese military capabilities.

With its export controls last year, the Biden administration tried to draw a line at preventing China from getting access to 14nm chips, or about eight years behind the most advanced technology. The US had also blacklisted both Huawei and SMIC.

Huawei is planning to build 15 million smartphones powered by its own Kirin chips in 2023, and in 2024 that number will go up to 70 million, according to recent estimates by Haitong International Securities analysts Jeff Pu and Anson Tong.

That volume is still small compared to more than 200 million iPhone chips that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the worlds top chipmaker, makes for Apple Inc. annually. But Huawei seems to be swiftly ramping up its chip capacity with help from SMIC.

--With assistance from Debby Wu.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Long-established in the Travel & Leisure industry, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NYSE:NCLH) has enjoyed a stellar reputation. It has recently witnessed a daily gain of 0.95%, juxtaposed with a three-month change of -9.56%. However, fresh insights from the GuruFocus Score Rating hint at potential headwinds. Notably, its diminished rankings in financial strength, growth, and valuation suggest that the company might not live up to its historical performance. Join us as we dive deep into these pivotal metrics to unravel the evolving narrative of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH) Set to Underperform? Analyzing the Factors Limiting Growth

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.

Based on the above method, GuruFocus assigned Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd the GF Score of 57 out of 100, which signals poor future outperformance potential.

Company Snapshot: Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd

Norwegian Cruise Line is the world's third-largest cruise company by berths (at more than 60,000), operating 30 ships across three brands (Norwegian, Oceania, and Regent Seven Seas), offering both freestyle and luxury cruising. The company had redeployed its entire fleet as of May 2022. With seven passenger vessels on order among its brands through 2028 (representing 19,000 incremental berths), Norwegian is increasing capacity faster than its peers, expanding its brand globally. Norwegian sails to around 700 global destinations.

Story continues

Is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH) Set to Underperform? Analyzing the Factors Limiting Growth

Financial Strength Breakdown

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd's financial strength indicators present some concerning insights about the company's balance sheet health. The company's interest coverage ratio of 0, which positions it worse than 0% of 567 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. This ratio highlights potential challenges the company might face when handling its interest expenses on outstanding debt. It's worth noting that the esteemed investor Benjamin Graham typically favored companies with an interest coverage ratio of at least five.

The company's Altman Z-Scoreis just -0.21, which is below the distress zone of 1.81. This suggests that the company may face financial distress over the next few years. Additionally, the company's low cash-to-debt ratio at 0.07 indicates a struggle in handling existing debt levels.

The company's debt-to-equity ratio is 903.85, which is worse than 100% of 668 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. A high debt-to-equity ratio suggests over-reliance on borrowing and vulnerability to market fluctuations. Additionally, the company's debt-to-Ebitda ratio is 21.12, which is above Joel Tillinghast's warning level of 4 and is worse than 92.82% of 585 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. Tillinghast said in his book Big Money Think's Small: Biases, Blind Spots, and Smarter Investing that a high debt-to-Ebitda ratio can be a red flag unless tangible assets cover the debt.

Growth Prospects

A lack of significant growth is another area where Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd seems to falter, as evidenced by the company's low Growth rank. The company's revenue has declined by -27.2 per year over the past three years, which underperforms worse than 86.18% of 767 companies in the Travel & Leisure industry. Stagnating revenues may pose concerns in a fast-evolving market.

Lastly, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd predictability rank is just one star out of five, adding to investor uncertainty regarding revenue and earnings consistency.

Is Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd (NCLH) Set to Underperform? Analyzing the Factors Limiting Growth

Conclusion

Given the company's financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GuruFocus Score Rating highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential underperformance. While Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd has a strong brand and a significant market presence, its financial health and growth prospects raise concerns about its ability to outperform in the future. Investors should consider these factors when making investment decisions.

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.


Oceana, Inc.

Latest Ocean Panel report incorporates Oceanas findings that stopping the expansion of offshore drilling can reduce emissions more than any other ocean-based solution.

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to a new report commissioned by the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy (Ocean Panel), the oceans can deliver up to 47% of the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions needed by 2050 to keep the planet from warming a catastrophic 2 degrees Celsius (or up to 35% of the emissions reductions needed to keep warming to 1.5C). The report quantifies the contributions of seven ocean-based solutions to the climate crisis, including the five solutions outlined in the Panels 2019 report, and two additional measures: reducing offshore oil and gas extraction, and decarbonizing ocean-based tourism. If fully implemented, the report finds that these ocean-based solutions can deliver emissions reductions equivalent to approximately four times the annual total emissions of the European Union.



The report includes updated data from a recent Oceana analysis that found stopping the expansion of offshore drilling  combined with the phasedown of existing production driven by reduced fossil fuel demand as clean energy comes online  would deliver up to 18% of the annual GHG emissions reductions needed to stay under a 2C rise (or up to 14% under the 1.5C scenario), more than any other ready to implement ocean-based solution.

The climate crisis is here, affecting all of us, and its getting worse, said report co-author and Oceana Chief Scientist Dr. Kathryn Matthews. As a scientist, its hard to stomach inaction, especially when we have some obvious solutions at hand. If world leaders are serious about tackling catastrophic climate change, the ocean is a clear place to start.

The oceans have absorbed over 90% of all the excess heat trapped on Earth  had the same energy instead gone into the atmosphere, temperatures would have already soared by almost 36C. But now, global ocean temperatures are setting record highs, with no sign of cooling down.

Story continues

The threats that climate change poses to the oceans are well documented, but this report provides a roadmap to rewrite that story and help tackle global warming, says world renowned fisheries scientist and Oceana Board Member Dr. Daniel Pauly. To secure a sustainable and resilient future, its crucial for governments to work together to implement these solutions now.

The ocean-based climate solutions described in the report include stopping the expansion of offshore oil and gas extraction, expanding marine conservation and restoration, utilizing low carbon ocean-based protein, scaling ocean-based renewable energy, and decarbonizing ocean-based tourism and transport.

Oceana is urging world leaders to take immediate action to address the climate crisis. In the United States, Oceana is calling on President Biden to end new leasing for offshore drilling. In the United Kingdom, Oceana is encouraging all political parties to commit to ending new offshore oil and gas development. And in Belize, Oceana is campaigning to ensure that the countrys citizens get the right to decide if the existing offshore oil moratorium should ever be lifted.

Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. Oceana is rebuilding abundant and biodiverse oceans by winning science-based policies in countries that control one-quarter of the worlds wild fish catch. With more than 275 victories that stop overfishing, habitat destruction, oil and plastic pollution, and the killing of threatened species like turtles, whales, and sharks, Oceanas campaigns are delivering results. A restored ocean means that 1 billion people can enjoy a healthy seafood meal, every day, forever. Together, we can save the oceans and help feed the world. Visit Oceana.org to learn more.




Key Insights

Wasco Berhad's estimated fair value is RM2.07 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

Wasco Berhad is estimated to be 50% undervalued based on current share price of RM1.04

The RM1.15 analyst price target for WASCO is 45% less than our estimate of fair value

Does the September share price for Wasco Berhad (KLSE:WASCO) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

Remember though, that there are many ways to estimate a company's value, and a DCF is just one method. If you want to learn more about discounted cash flow, the rationale behind this calculation can be read in detail in the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Wasco Berhad

The Method

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM169.9m RM198.3m RM220.0m RM239.3m RM256.5m RM272.2m RM286.7m RM300.5m RM313.8m RM326.8m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x2 Analyst x2 Est @ 10.99% Est @ 8.76% Est @ 7.20% Est @ 6.10% Est @ 5.34% Est @ 4.80% Est @ 4.43% Est @ 4.16% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 17% RM145 RM144 RM137 RM127 RM116 RM105 RM94.4 RM84.5 RM75.3 RM66.9

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM1.1b

The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. 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 17%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM327m (1 + 3.6%)  (17% 3.6%) = RM2.5b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM2.5b ( 1 + 17%)10= RM508m

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 RM1.6b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM1.0, the company appears quite good value at a 50% discount to where the stock price trades currently. 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

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Wasco 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 17%, which is based on a levered beta of 2.000. 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.

SWOT Analysis for Wasco Berhad

Strength

Debt is well covered by earnings.

Weakness

No major weaknesses identified for WASCO.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Trading below our estimate of fair value by more than 20%.

Threat

Debt is not well covered by operating cash flow.

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market.

Moving On:

Although the valuation of a company is important, it is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. Can we work out why the company is trading at a discount to intrinsic value? For Wasco Berhad, we've compiled three important items you should further examine:

Risks: We feel that you should assess the 2 warning signs for Wasco Berhad (1 shouldn't be ignored!) we've flagged before making an investment in the company. Future Earnings: How does WASCO's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other 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!

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.
Data loss prevention (DLP) has emerged as a foundational strategy for businesses looking to prevent workers from inadvertently (or advertently) sharing sensitive data outside the confines of the company network. At its core, DLP is about solving the "people problem" -- humans are often at the center of security lapses, whether it's through sharing a confidential document with outsiders or pasting database access tokens into a public GitHub repository.

Recent history is littered with high-profile data breaches, leading to all manner of reputational, regulatory, and financial penalties that can be difficult to recover from. And it's against that backdrop that Virginia-based startup Phalanx is setting out to help, with a lightweight DLP and document-mapping platform that automatically monitors and secures sensitive documents across the likes of Office 365, Google Workspaces, and local machines.

Presenting onstage today as part of the Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt, CEO Ian Garrett showcased Phalanxs technology and laid out the company's mission at a time when companies might prefer a more "human-friendly" solution to stop their data seeping into the public domain. TechCrunch caught up with Garrett ahead of time for a product demo and to get the lowdown on the scale of the problem as he sees it.

The story so far

Founded in 2021, Arlington-based Techstars alum Phalanx was initially focused on securing AI systems using data, model validation and vulnerability scanning, using work from Garrett's PhD. However, he says that it was a little ahead of the curve, and companies (and investors) were concerned with more pressing threats.

"When we went out for market validation, what we found across the board was that everyone thought that [what we were doing] was important, and that they would definitely pay for it -- but only when enough people were being hit using that attack vector," Garrett said. "So they were pretty much like 'thanks, but no thanks.'"

Story continues

Phalanx founding team: CEO Ian Garrett is center

Phalanx CEO Ian Garrett flanked by CTO Austin Garrett (L) and CMO Carl Kenney (R) Image credits: Phalanx

But their work up to that point was not in vain, as they had substantively been concerned with protecting datasets, leading them down a path to help companies protect their unstructured data stored in documents. And so following a late-2021 pivot, the company's MUZE (Monitoring Unstructured data with Zero trust Encryption) platform was born, enabling companies to easily encrypt and decrypt files' track file-related behavior, with Phalanx taking care of the underlying process automatically.

"Phalanx specifically focuses on data security, and within that unstructured data -- mostly documents and files," Garrett said. "Unstructured data is especially hard to protect and manage compared to structured data, such as that stored in databases."

Unstructured data is so difficult to protect because it isn't easy for organizations to even know that sensitive data exists within emails or documents, let alone who has access to those documents. And this data is easily spread across locations (physical and digital) with little footprint to show for it.

According to data from Gartner, unstructured data constitutes as much as 90% of new data generated in the enterprise, which gives an idea as to the size of the problem businesses face.

Under the hood

Phalanx allows security teams to stipulate how data and documents are stored  for example, automatically encrypting every file on a two-hour basis, or which file types or directories should be protected.

Enable auto-encryption

Enable auto-encryption. Image credits: Phalanx

Companies can also set expiration dates on shared files so that users don't accidentally keep dozens of confidential documents stored on their laptop, and they can control the "who and how" of file downloads.

At an individual level, users can be given control over their encryption and decryption endeavors, with a right-click enabling them to access Phalanx and choose to manually encrypt a file and send it to any third party.

Encrypting and decrypting files with Phalanx

Encrypting and decrypting files with Phalanx. Image Credits: Phalanx

They can choose to allow a file to be accessed just the one time, allow anyone with the link to access the file, require email verification, and more.

Phalanx: Sharing secure link

Phalanx: Sharing secure link. Image Credits: Phalanx

There are two broad categories of users who will engage with Phalanx: the security teams in charge of deploying Phalanx and the end user (i.e., employee) who will interact with its features on a daily basis.

On the security team's side, they have access to Phalanx's endpoint software, which can be deployed by downloading it from Phalanx's website, with support for documents stored locally or in the cloud, the latter of which requires a browser extension.

In addition to the endpoint software, Phalanx also serves up a centralized dashboard through the browser where security teams can view and manage everything, including users and cloud connections, and access data analysis. Indeed, the company debuted an all-new version of the dashboard at TC Disrupt today, where it showcased new data-mapping and data inventory smarts that reveal how many files there are, how many are encrypted, and across how many devices.

Phalanx dashboard

Phalanx dashboard. Image credits: Phalanx

State of play

Phalanx has entered a space that includes well-resourced incumbents such as Netskope, which hit a $7.5 billion valuation two years ago, and Proofpoint, which private equity giant Thoma Bravo took private in a $12.3 billion deal around the same time. According to Garrett, though, most of the traditional DLP tools out there are geared toward enterprise-size organizations and are substantively rules-based, which means that companies have to predict how each user in the organization will interact with data in their possession using historical patterns.

On top of that, rule and policy-based configuration requires significant technical expertise that even some of the largest organizations struggle with. Phalanx, on the other hand, is designed for same-day deployment.

"Existing DLP is difficult for security teams to deploy and manage, as well as being difficult for end users (e.g., employees) to deal with," Garrett said. "This impacts productivity and causes human-related security issues. Document visibility is a black box, so security teams try to retrofit legacy DLP to fix the issue."

In truth, existing DLP solutions adopt various approaches to keeping company data secure. This may involve applying rules and policies to network traffic, for example, or trying to prevent data movement beyond a defined perimeter. This could be something like "don't let user X from department Y download file Z," or maybe trying to stop users from moving data from a local environment to a USB stick.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOSew7EWKPg?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

Instead, Phalanx focuses on tethering user identities to files, meaning that the security "follows the file itself," giving customers analytics based on file access.

For now, SMBs are the core target market for Phalanx, though longer term it has its eyes on the enterprise segment too. That said, Garrett reckons that bigger companies could certainly find use for Phalanx right now, perhaps where a company is already using several DLP platforms and they need a very specific solution for a subdivision where their existing DLP just isn't providing what they need.

"Our single biggest differentiator is that we are a proactive solution, whereas traditional DLP is reactive," Garrett said. "It's corny, but we put the 'prevention' in 'data loss prevention.' Traditional DLP aims to catch data as it's leaving its perimeter, while we protect it in place so no matter what happens to it, it will be secure."
Generally, when a single insider buys stock, it is usually not a big deal. However, when several insiders are buying, like in the case of Anpario plc (LON:ANP), it sends a favourable message to the company's shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

Check out our latest analysis for Anpario

The Last 12 Months Of Insider Transactions At Anpario

In the last twelve months, the biggest single purchase by an insider was when Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Richard Edwards bought UK51k worth of shares at a price of UK2.03 per share. Even though the purchase was made at a significantly lower price than the recent price (UK2.45), we still think insider buying is a positive. Because it occurred at a lower valuation, it doesn't tell us much about whether insiders might find today's price attractive.

Happily, we note that in the last year insiders paid UK113k for 47.11k shares. But they sold 2.06k shares for UK4.4k. In the last twelve months there was more buying than selling by Anpario insiders. They paid about UK2.39 on average. Although they bought at below the recent share price, it is good to see that insiders are willing to invest in the company. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you want to know exactly who sold, for how much, and when, simply click on the graph below!

Anpario is not the only stock that insiders are buying. For those who like to find winning investments this free list of growing companies with recent insider purchasing, could be just the ticket.

Insider Ownership Of Anpario

For a common shareholder, it is worth checking how many shares are held by company insiders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Our data suggests Anpario insiders own 1.9% of the company, worth about UK942k. We consider this fairly low insider ownership.

Story continues

So What Do The Anpario Insider Transactions Indicate?

The fact that there have been no Anpario insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. On a brighter note, the transactions over the last year are encouraging. While we have no worries about the insider transactions, we'd be more comfortable if they owned more Anpario stock. While we like knowing what's going on with the insider's ownership and transactions, we make sure to also consider what risks are facing a stock before making any investment decision. When we did our research, we found 4 warning signs for Anpario (1 doesn't sit too well with us!) that we believe deserve your full attention.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

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.
Marking a victory for Mayor Brandon Johnson and fellow progressives on the City Council, a measure that would make Chicago the largest American city to independently abolish a subminimum wage for workers who get tips moved forward on Wednesday.

Over objections from a restaurant worker who said the move could lead to a pay cut and aldermen who predicted higher menu prices, the City Councils Workforce Committee by a 9-3 vote advanced legislation that would require the pay for tipped employees to eventually match the hourly minimum required for all other workers in the city.

The change would be phased in over the next five years  an increase from the two-year phase-in that was initially proposed. The latest proposal is the result of a deal reached between Johnsons allies in the City Council, worker advocacy groups and the restaurant industry, supporters said.

Starting next July, the gap between tipped and minimum wages would shrink from 60% down to 40%. Each year after, that gap would shrink by 8% until parity is reached by July 1, 2028.

The mayor campaigned on the issue and donned a One Fair Wage apron at the progressive Netroots Nation conference this past summer, serving appetizers in solidarity with the conferences catering staff. Its also a win for the One Fair Wage campaign, which is pushing similar measures nationally.

Passing One Fair Wage is not just admirable. It is whats just, whats right and whats needed in this moment in this city for every community in the city of Chicago, said Ald. Jessie Fuentes, 26th, one of the measures lead sponsors.

Sam Toia, the head of the Illinois Restaurant Association, floated a counterproposal late last week to raise subminimum wages only at restaurants earning more than $3 million in annual revenue. That offer failed to gain traction.

On Monday, Toia acknowledged it would have been an uphill climb to push for more. Johnson had the votes, even with a two- or three-year phase-in, he said. By Wednesday, he testified that the five-year phase-in was one his group could live with.

Story continues

Supporters said the change would make earnings more predictable for tipped workers while boosting their spending power and reducing turnover in the restaurant industry.

We know what the data says. We have decades of research. Los Angeles, Minneapolis, cities across this nation with economies very similar to ours have already instituted One Fair Wage with tips on top. Restaurants are opening up, restaurants are growing, restaurants are employing more workers and workers are making the same  or more  in tips, said 35th Ward Ald. Carlos Ramirez Rosa, Johnsons floor leader, during debate in City Councils Workforce Committee.

But opponents included members of the industry the measure purports to help. Karylin Veres, who said she came from a restaurant family and worked as a server, was part of a vocal group of detractors at Wednesdays committee meeting. Veres said she worried workers covered by the proposal would lose out on tips if subminimum wages are increased.

Veres said she feared with this change, we will all be working harder than ever, but will see a huge pay cut. I fear a mass exodus of service workers, including myself, who no longer want to subject themselves to the difficulty of this work for less pay.

I love the idea of tips on top of minimum wage, but I can almost guarantee thats not going to happen.

Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly, 42nd, predicted the change would push additional costs onto customers via increased service costs and menu prices, reduce already thin margins at bars and restaurants, or lead to a reduction in staffing.

Other aldermen in wards bordering the suburbs voiced concerns customers would opt to eat and drink outside the city rather than face potentially higher menu prices. Reilly requested a delay in the vote.

Why rush this? If its good policy, itll stand up, but I would much rather have a longer and more public conversation about this issue. Its going to impact many, many lives on both sides of this issue at a time when, frankly, the restaurant industry is just climbing out of the ditch and has a ways to go, Reilly said.

So I would just ask my colleagues if you have to vote on this today, Id ask you to vote no so that well have more time to discuss this and work out a fair compromise that doesnt have a disproportionate negative impact on an industry that is critical to the future of the city of Chicago, he said.

Voting no were Ald. Marty Quinn, 13th; Ald. Derrick Curtis, 18th; and Ald. Nick Sposato, 38th. It heads for a vote of the full City Council next month.

The citys minimum wage rate is $15.80 per hour for businesses with 21 or more workers and $15.00 per hour for those with four to 20 workers. Tipped workers must be paid 60% of the minimum wage rate. Under current city code, if a tipped workers wages with the addition of tips do not equal at least the full minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.

adquig@chicagotribune.com
Rationalstat LLC

The global automatic voltage stabilizer market is expected to approach US$ 25.7 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of more than 5.8%

Wilmington, Delaware, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market was valued at US$ 17.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of over 5.8% over the forecast period of 2023-2030, according to the published market report by RationalStat

Market Definition, Market Scope, and Report Overview4

An automatic voltage stabilizer, often referred to simply as a voltage stabilizer, is an electrical device designed to maintain a stable and consistent voltage level within an electrical system or circuit. It is used to protect electrical and electronic equipment from voltage fluctuations, ensuring that they receive a steady and safe supply of electricity. Voltage stabilizers are commonly employed in residential, commercial, and industrial settings to address issues related to voltage variations, which can be detrimental to sensitive and expensive electrical equipment.

The proliferation of electronic devices, including home appliances, has increased the need for stable voltage to protect these sensitive electronics from voltage fluctuations. In addition, the expansion of data centers and IT infrastructure necessitates a stable power supply to ensure continuous operation. Voltage stabilizers play a crucial role in safeguarding servers and networking equipment.

According to a deep-dive market assessment by RationalStat, the global automatic voltage stabilizer market has been analyzed on the basis of market segments, including type, capacity, voltage range, mounting type, application, and geography/regions (including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific) . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030.

Market intelligence for the global automatic voltage stabilizer market covers market sizes on the basis of market value (US$/EUR Million) and volume (Units) by various products/services/equipment, demand assessment across the key regions, customer sentiments, price points, cost structures, margin analysis across the value chain, financial assessments, historical and forecast data, key developments across the industry, import-export data, trade overview, components market by leading companies, etc.

In addition, the long-term sector and products/services 10-year outlook and its implications on the global automatic voltage stabilizer market. It also includes the industry's current state  Production Levels, Capacity Utilization, Tech quotient, etc. Key information will be manufacturing capacity by country, installed base, import volumes, market size, key players, market size, dynamics, market data, insights, etc.

Story continues

Request A Customization- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/global-automatic-voltage-stabilizer-market/#tab-ux_global_tab

Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market: Segmental and Market Share Analysis

On the basis of type, the market is sub-segmented into servo, static and others. The servo automatic voltage stabilizer is expected to lead the type segment, principally due to its high reliability.

On the basis of capacity, 1-5 kVA may cater primarily to residential and small commercial users. On the other hand, 5-20 kVA is expected to cater to the medium & large commercial spaces and industrial needs.

On the basis of application, the residential and industrial sub-segment is expected to take up the major share of the market, principally due to the wide use of sensitive and power-heavy use of equipment.





Report Synopsis

Report Metrics Details Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Base Year Market Size US$ 17.3 billion Market Size Forecast US$ 25.7 billion Growth Rate 5.8% Key Market Drivers Rising demand for sensitive electronics

Increasing industrial automation

Expanding IT infrastructure Companies Profiled Schneider Electric, Inc.

Eaton Corporation

ABB Group

Emerson Electric Co.

Siemens

Legrand SA

General Electric

V-Guard Industries Ltd.

Statron AG

Havells

Ashley Edison International Ltd

Explore more about this report- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/global-automatic-voltage-stabilizer-market/#tab-ux_global_tab

Competition Analysis and Market Structure

These players adopt various strategies in order to reinforce their market share and gain a competitive edge over other competitors in the market. Mergers & acquisitions, partnerships and collaborations, and product launches are some of the strategies followed by industry players. Some of the key developments in the global automatic voltage stabilizer market include,

In August 2023, Eaton announced an investment of $500M to support its operations in North America. Through this investment, the company aims at expanding its manufacturing to increase the supply of its multiple solutions intended for commercial, utility, healthcare, residential, industrial markets across the North America.

In November 2022, Legrand completed the acquisition of Power Control, a UK-based company primarily into generators, batteries, industrial power systems, among others. The acquisition is aimed at reinforcing the acquiring companys presence in the UK within the critical power and UPS market.

Some of the prominent players and suppliers operating and contributing significantly to the global automatic voltage stabilizer market growth include Schneider Electric, Inc., Eaton Corporation, ABB Group, Emerson Electric Co., Siemens, Legrand SA, General Electric, V-Guard Industries Ltd., Statron AG, Havells, and Ashley Edison International Ltd, among others.

Get A Free Sample- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/global-automatic-voltage-stabilizer-market/#tab-ux_global_tab

RationalStat has segmented the global automatic voltage stabilizer market based on type, capacity, voltage range, mounting type, application, and region

Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Type Servo Static Others (Magnetic, etc.)

Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Capacity (in kVA) 1-5 5-10 10-15 More than 15

Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Voltage Range Single-Phase Three-Phase

Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Mounting Type Floor-Mounted Wall-Mounted

Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Application Commercial Residential Industrial

Global Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Region North America Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market US Canada Latin America Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Western Europe Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Germany UK France Spain Italy Benelux Nordic Rest of Western Europe Eastern Europe Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market Russia Poland Hungary Other CIS Countries Rest of Eastern Europe Asia Pacific Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market China Japan India South Korea Australia ASEAN Indonesia Thailand Philippines Vietnam Malaysia Rest of ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Market GCC Saudi Arabia (KSA) United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rest of the GCC South Africa Nigeria Turkey Rest of the Middle East & Africa



For more information about this report- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/global-automatic-voltage-stabilizer-market/#tab-ux_global_tab

Key Questions Answered in the Automatic Voltage Stabilizer Report:

What will be the market value of the global automatic voltage stabilizer market by 2030?

What is the market size of the global automatic voltage stabilizer market?

What are the market drivers of the global automatic voltage stabilizer market?

What are the key trends in the global automatic voltage stabilizer market?

Which is the leading region in the global automatic voltage stabilizer market?

What are the major companies operating in the global automatic voltage stabilizer market?

What are the market shares by key segments in the global automatic voltage stabilizer market?

Explore Our Trending Reports

Research Methodology

RationalStat has developed a state-of-the-art research methodology to crunch numbers and provide the best possible real-time insights to clients. We combine a varied range of industry experience, data analytics, and experts viewpoint to create a research methodology for market sizing and forecasting.

RationalStat combines a mix of secondary sources as well as primary research to assess the market size and develop a forecast. Key steps involved in accurately deriving the market numbers are:

Defining the problem by understanding the type of market and data required by the client.

Data gathering and collection through relevant paid databases, publicly available sources, company reports, annual reports, surveys, and interviews.

Formulating a hypothesis to create market numbers, forecasts, influencing factors, and their relevance.

Evaluating and analyzing the data by referring to data sources utilized and leveraged.

Validating, interpreting, and finalizing the data by combining the details gathered from primary and secondary sources with the help of experienced analysts.

Download Key Insights and Market Data - Raise a Query

About RationalStat LLC

RationalStat is an end-to-end global market intelligence and consulting company that provides comprehensive market research reports, customized strategy, and consulting studies. The company has sales offices in India, Mexico, and the US to support global and diversified businesses. The company has over 80 consultants and industry experts, developing more than 850 market research and industry reports for its report store annually.

RationalStat has strategic partnerships with leading data analytics and consumer research companies to cater to the clients needs. Additional services offered by the company include consumer research, country reports, risk reports, valuations and advisory, financial research, due diligence, procurement and supply chain research, data analytics, and analytical dashboards.

Contact

RationalStat LLC

Kimberly Shaw,

Content and Press Manager

sales@rationalstat.com

US Phone: +1 302 803 5429

UK Phone: +44 203-287-1245

LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest




With intraparty tensions running high, House Republican lawmakers are searching for a path forward on a federal funding plan that would avoid a government shutdown in just 10 days time.



After House leaders were forced to scrap a procedural vote Tuesday on a month-long spending bill Republicans spent the day trying to hash out a new plan that would unite their fractious conference, but sharp disagreements remained as frustrated lawmakers headed into a 4 p.m. meeting.



Republicans have reportedly been working on a revised stopgap bill that would include even steeper cuts to non-defense spending and possibly establish a commission to examine the nations long-term budget challenges. House Republicans had called for a bipartisan fiscal commission as part of the 2024 budget resolution released on Tuesday and passed out of the Budget Committee today. (For those interested in more on the various spending levels being proposed for the House stopgap, Roll Call has some details here.)



Speaker Kevin McCarthy reportedly pitched a plan for a short-term funding bill based on a $1.471 trillion discretionary spending cap, along with a proposal for a commission to address the debt and provisions addressing immigration issues. Government funding in 2024 would be set at $1.526 trillion.



Among the other options reportedly being considered: A process by which the House would take up many proposals and the one with the strongest support would get sent to the Senate. I like a lot of ideas to come up and have the best idea win, McCarthy told reporters Tuesday.



However, any plan that can win the support of Republican hardliners would likely be doomed to fail  or to be heavily revised  in the Senate, meaning that House Republicans would again have to try to overcome their internal divisions or allow the government to shut down.



A bipartisan group of centrists, meanwhile, is working on a fallback plan that reportedly may try to win the backing of a majority of House lawmakers by combining border security measures with supplemental funding for Ukraine and disaster aid.



Me and a handful of others think its time for a bipartisan solution, and you cant trust these five or 10 people to support anything, Republican Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska told The Hill, referring to Republican hardliners. So the right answer has always been all along to go bipartisan because you got to do it anyway with the Senate.



The bipartisan approach may also bypass McCarthy. Some Republicans are seriously considering getting behind a shell bill that could, as soon as next week, serve as the vehicle that allows moderates to supersede McCarthys control of the House floor and force a vote to keep the government open, The Washington Post reported Tuesday evening. Such a move would keep McCarthys fingerprints off whatever bill is ultimately voted on in the House. But it would undoubtedly irritate colleagues who have said that passing any bill with Democratic votes would immediately trigger a motion to remove McCarthy from the speakership.



Any deal involving Democrats would likely be a last-ditch effort to avoid a shutdown given that McCarthys Republican critics are still threatening to call for his ouster if he turns to the other party. If Speaker McCarthy relies on Democrats to pass a continuing resolution, I would call the Capitol moving truck to his office pretty soon because my expectation would be hed be out of the speakers office quite promptly, Rep. Matt Gaetz told reporters Wednesday.



A reporter on Tuesday found what appeared to be a motion to remove McCarthy drafted for Gaetz in a Capitol bathroom, and some Republicans are reportedly already considering who they might back to succeed McCarthy as speaker.



The bottom line: House Republicans are trying to find a way out of the hole theyve dug for themselves, but even if they can find a way, the solution will likely be short-lived. Any funding agreement that emerges will at best just give McCarthy a starting point to negotiate with the Senate over how to avoid a looming shutdown.

Like what you're reading? Sign up for our free newsletter.
VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 19, 2023 /CNW/ - September 20, 2023  Sydney, Australia

Patriot Battery Metals Logo (CNW Group/Patriot Battery Metals Inc)

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Patriot") (TSXV: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the results of voting at its Annual General and Special Shareholder Meeting held on Wednesday, September 19, 2023, at 4pm (Eastern Time) in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (the "Meeting").

All matters submitted to shareholders for approval as set out in the Company's Notice of Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Information Circular, dated August 11, 2023, were approved by the requisite majority of votes cast at the Meeting.

A total of 50,076,171 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing approximately 45.05% of the total issued and outstanding common shares of the Company as of the record date of the Meeting.

As required under ASX Listing Rule 3.13.2, we advise details of resolutions and the proxies as set out at Appendix 1.

A report with the final results on all matters voted on at the Meeting will also be filed on SEDAR+ under Patriot's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its district-scale 100% owned Corvette Property located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, and proximal to regional road and powerline infrastructure. The Corvette Property hosts the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite with a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate1 of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li2O and 160 ppm Ta2O5 (at a cut-off of 0.40% Li2O) and ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas, and one of the top 10 largest lithium pegmatite resources in the world. Additionally, the Corvette Property hosts multiple other spodumene pegmatite clusters that remain to be drill tested, as well as more than 20 km of prospective trend that remain to be assessed.

Story continues

1 Mineral resources are not minerals reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The effective date of the mineral resource estimate is June 25, 2023 (through drill hole CV23190) and base case cut-off grade 0.40% Li 2 O.



This news release has been approved by the Board of Directors,

"BLAIR WAY"

Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director

No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news release.

Competent Person Statement (ASX Listing Rule 5.22)

The mineral resource estimate in this release was reported by the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 on July 31, 2023. The Company confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the previous announcements and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the previous announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Resolution Resolution

Result Number of votes cast in Meeting Instructions given to validly appointed proxies For Against Withheld/Abstain For Against Withheld/Abstain Discretion 1a Election of Director - Kenneth Brinsden Pass 45,643,883 98.913% N/A 501,413 1.087% 45,643,883 98.913% N/A 501,413 1.087% -- 1b Election of Director - D. Blair Way Pass 44,663,123 96.788% N/A 1,482,173 3.212% 44,663,123 96.788% N/A 1,482,173 3.212% -- 1c Election of Director - Brian Jennings Pass 40,403,804 87.558% N/A 5,741,491 12.442% 40,403,804 87.558% N/A 5,741,491 12.442% -- 1d Election of Director - Melissa Desrochers Pass 45,007,149 97.534% N/A 1,138,147 2.466% 45,007,149 97.534% N/A 1,138,147 2.466% -- 1e Election of Director - Pierre Boivin Pass 45,001,275 97.521% N/A 1,144,021 2.479% 45,001,275 97.521% N/A 1,144,021 2.479% -- 2. Appointment of Auditor Pass 49,740,048 99.329% N/A 336,123 0.671% 49,740,048 99.329% N/A 336,123 0.671% -- 3. Approval of the

Company's Amended

Omnibus Equity Incentive

Plan Pass 35,812,285 77.616% 10,324,213 22.376% 3,796 0.008% 35,812,285 77.616% 10,324,213 22.376% 3,796 0.008% -- 4. Approval of the

Company's Amended

Omnibus Equity Incentive

Plan (Majority of

Minority) Pass 34,393,983 76.906% 10,324,213 23.085% 3,796 0.008% 34,393,983 76.906% 10,324,213 23.085% 3,796 0.008% -- 5. Ratification of previous

Allotment and Issuance of

Shares under the Flow-

Through Financing

Placement Pass 43,251,043 98.709% 563,089 1.285% 2,775 0.006% 43,251,043 98.709% 563,089 1.285% 2,775 0.006% -- 5. Ratification of previous

Allotment and Issuance of

Shares under the Flow-

Through Financing

Placement (Majority of

Minority) Pass 37,650,413 98.519% 563,089 1.473% 2,775 0.007% 37,650,413 98.519% 563,089 1.473% 2,775 0.007% -- 6. Ratification of previous

Allotment and Issuance of

Shares under the Strategic Placement Pass 42,099,964 91.233% 4,042,686 8.761% 2,646 0.006% 42,099,964 91.233% 4,042,686 8.761% 2,646 0.006% -- 6. Ratification of previous

Allotment and Issuance of

Shares under the Strategic

Placement (Majority of

Minority) Pass 34,971,623 89.632% 4,042,686 10.361% 2,646 0.007% 34,971,623 89.632% 4,042,686 10.361% 2,646 0.007% --

Appendix 1: The following information is provided in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 3.13.2 and shows the number of proxy votes received prior to the Meeting. The Company notes that no additional votes were cast directly in the Meeting.

Cision

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/results-of-annual-general-and-special-shareholder-meeting-301932785.html

SOURCE Patriot Battery Metals Inc

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/September2023/19/c1875.html
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. Ideally, a business will show two trends; firstly a growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and secondly, an increasing amount of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. In light of that, when we looked at Kimlun Corporation Berhad (KLSE:KIMLUN) and its ROCE trend, we weren't exactly thrilled.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for Kimlun Corporation Berhad, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.0099 = RM9.5m  (RM1.4b - RM467m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

So, Kimlun Corporation Berhad has an ROCE of 1.0%. Ultimately, that's a low return and it under-performs the Construction industry average of 5.8%.

Check out our latest analysis for Kimlun Corporation Berhad

roce

In the above chart we have measured Kimlun Corporation Berhad's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you're interested, you can view the analysts predictions in our free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

What Does the ROCE Trend For Kimlun Corporation Berhad Tell Us?

In terms of Kimlun Corporation Berhad's historical ROCE movements, the trend isn't fantastic. Around five years ago the returns on capital were 12%, but since then they've fallen to 1.0%. Although, given both revenue and the amount of assets employed in the business have increased, it could suggest the company is investing in growth, and the extra capital has led to a short-term reduction in ROCE. If these investments prove successful, this can bode very well for long term stock performance.

Story continues

On a side note, Kimlun Corporation Berhad has done well to pay down its current liabilities to 33% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Some would claim this reduces the business' efficiency at generating ROCE since it is now funding more of the operations with its own money.

In Conclusion...

In summary, despite lower returns in the short term, we're encouraged to see that Kimlun Corporation Berhad is reinvesting for growth and has higher sales as a result. However, despite the promising trends, the stock has fallen 25% over the last five years, so there might be an opportunity here for astute investors. So we think it'd be worthwhile to look further into this stock given the trends look encouraging.

One final note, you should learn about the 2 warning signs we've spotted with Kimlun Corporation Berhad (including 1 which is potentially serious) .

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

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.
heat pumps

Households will be offered larger grants worth up to 7,500 to fund the installation of heat pumps under plans announced by Rishi Sunak.

The current voucher scheme run by the Government offers 5,000 for air source heat pumps and 6,000 for ground source ones.

But the typical grant offered to households will be increased by 50pc, or 2,500, as part of a package of net zero policies announced by the Prime Minister on Wednesday.

Mr Sunak said the grants would be offered with no strings attached as he set out a new approach to hitting climate targets that included relaxing deadlines to ditch polluting technologies.

The Prime Minister said people will be given far more time to make the transition to heat pumps, with a ban on new oil and gas boiler sales delayed to 2035.

He said: Well never force anyone to rip out their existing heat pump... Youll only have to make the switch when youre replacing your boiler anyway, and even then, not until 2035.

It comes after low take up so far of the so-called boiler upgrade scheme, with only 14,800 vouchers redeemed as of September 11, according to official figures.

The Government has made 150m per year available to fund the scheme, equivalent to roughly 30,000 vouchers.

However, with a typical heat pump costing 13,000 to install before any grant, the upfront costs of the devices remain high even after the grants are applied.

As a result, heat pumps still remain out of reach for the majority of households.

Ministers hope that making the boiler upgrade scheme more generous will help to stimulate demand, boosting sales and helping manufacturers to bring down prices.

Octopus Energy, which owns Northern Ireland heat pump manufacturer RED, last week announced a new heat pump model - the Cosy 6 - which it said could cost as little as 5,000 if no home improvements were necessary.

Installation of the device is expected to cost the owner of a typical three-bedroom house 8,000 - meaning that families would pay just 500 after a 7,500 grant.

Story continues

The proposal to offer bigger heat pump grants was included in an agenda document prepared for a meeting of the Cabinet on Wednesday, seen by The Telegraph. It was first reported ahead of the announcement.

Ministers launched the boiler upgrade scheme in May 2022 to encourage more households to replace their gas-fired boilers with electric-powered heat pumps.

The plan is an essential pillar of the Governments commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In its first year, fewer than 10,000 of an available 30,000 grant vouchers were redeemed, leaving 60pc of the schemes 150m first year budget unused.

In February, a House of Lords committee warned that the upfront costs of heat pumps were still too high for many households, even with the help of the grant, making it impossible for low-income households to benefit from government-funded support.

Publicly available figures from standards body MCS suggest there are now more than 203,400 heat pumps installed across the whole of the UK.

That is an increase of 41pc compared to the end of 2021, when there were 144,345 installed.

However, uptake is still falling drastically short of the Governments target to install 600,000 heat pumps per year by 2028.

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.
Andrii Zastrozhnov / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The United States recurring government shutdown drama is once again playing out in Washington, D.C., as lawmakers have until the end of the month to come up with a bill to fund the government. If no deal is struck by the Sept. 30, 2023, deadline, millions of baby boomers could see their Social Security benefits impacted.

Social Security: 20% Cuts to Your Payments May Come Sooner Than Expected

Learn: The Simple, Effective Way To Fortify Your Retirement Mix

A lot depends on how long the shutdown lasts. A short shutdown probably wouldnt have much impact on Social Security, experts say. But a long shutdown could have serious consequences  and there is talk in some quarters that this shutdown could last a while.

A full, lengthy shutdown of the U.S. government is likely at the end of the month, Yahoo Finance reported, citing a note from analysts at PIMCO.

If the government shuts down, there may not be a catalyst for it to reopen given the complicated internal dynamics of House Republicans, Libby Cantrill, head of public policy at PIMCO, wrote.

In the event of a short shutdown, Social Security benefits will be paid as usual because Social Security and the U.S. military are not among the programs whose funding is set to expire on Sept. 30.

Typically, government shutdowns mean that all but essential federal agencies stop their work, USA Today reported. This means Social Security recipients will continue to get their checks even in the event of a shutdown.

But a lengthy shutdown would have consequences for boomers and other Social Security recipients, according to Max Richtman, president and CEO of the nonprofit National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

Depending on how long a shutdown might last, customer service for Social Security claimants and beneficiaries could be significantly disrupted, Richtman wrote in an op-ed piece for The Hill earlier this month.

Thats a grim prospect for Social Security beneficiaries who already face customer service issues with the agency.

Story continues

As previously reported by GOBankingRates, a group representing Social Security Administration employees issued a warning that the agencys staffing and funding crisis could lead to more Americans being denied the benefits they deserve.

That alarm was raised during a June 2023 gathering on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., according to a June 26 press release from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), a labor union that represents 750,000 federal and D.C. government workers.

Due to over a decade of Congressional underfunding we are now an agency in crisis, Jessica LaPointe, president of AFGE Council 220 representing SSA field office employees, said during the gathering. The union that represents a majority of SSA workers has called you here today to sound the alarm that the Social Security Administration is in a state of emergency. The fabric of Americas social safety net is deteriorated, and you and your loved ones and our nations most vulnerable are at risk of falling through.

Find Out: 4 Social Security Shakeups from Biden That Could Hit Your Wallet by 2024

How would that service be further impacted by a government shutdown?

According to Richtman, a shutdown would force SSA employees to continue working without pay until the shutdown ends. They would also be limited to performing only the most basic tasks.

Here are three other ways service would be impacted, Richtman wrote:

Non-automated and non-exempted SSA operations would come to a screeching halt.

Current work backlogs would begin to grow again.

Seniors hoping to submit new Social Security claims, replace Social Security cards, or report a change in status might experience delays.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security Disruptions & 3 Other Ways Boomers Will Be Impacted By the Likely Government Shutdown
fizkes / Getty Images/iStockphoto

A U.S. House Budget Committee resolution released on Tuesday got considerable pushback from Social Security advocates, who warned that a closed-door commission of lawmakers wants to slash Social Security and Medicare benefits. One critic called the commission a death panel in reference to White House comments made earlier this year.

See: 4 Social Security Shakeups from Biden That Could Hit Your Wallet by 2024

Explore: The Simple, Effective Way To Fortify Your Retirement Mix

The 81-page resolution proposes a bipartisan debt commission that could end up recommending cuts to Social Security and Medicare, according to a Tuesday blog on the ThinkAdvisor site. The resolution was released by House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas).

Social Security Cuts: These States Would Be Impacted the Least

In a statement shared with GOBankingRates, Nancy Altman, president of the nonprofit Social Security Works, offered a harsh assessment of the GOP-led commission and its motives.

The White House has accurately labeled a commission as a death panel for Social Security, Altman said. The only reason to make changes to Social Security via a closed-door, fast-track commission is to cut benefits. Rep. Arrington and his fellow Republicans understand this, which is why their budget would create just such a commission.

The death panel comment Altman referred to was made back in February by White House spokesperson Andrew Bates. As Bloomberg reported at the time, Bates was reacting to a panel set up by Republicans to examine Social Security and Medicare solvency as part of debt-limit negotiations.

The American people want more jobs and lower costs, not a death panel for Medicare and Social Security, Bates said. With the president poised to announce new plans to keep making our economy work from the bottom up and the middle out  not the top down  House Republicans are dead-set on the opposite.

Story continues

Many leading Republicans, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of California, have said they have no interest in cutting Social Security benefits. Thats the case even as they come up against another government shutdown deadline, this one scheduled for Sept. 30.

Arrington himself said Medicare and Social Security cuts are not part of the GOPs long-term budget resolution because they are very politically sensitive, Politico reported last week.

Medicare benefits and Social Security  we dont address that in our long-term budget resolution, Arrington told Politico.

Even so, many Social Security recipients are concerned about a passage in the resolution that specifically mentions entitlement spending such as Social Security and Medicare as among the main drivers of the countrys significant debt crisis.

For Americans who depend on Social Security to fund a large part of their retirement, the prospect of lawmakers cutting benefits is probably the last thing they want to hear.

Many recipients already fear having their payments reduced when Social Securitys Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund runs out of money, which is expected to happen in about a decade. When it does, Social Security will have to be funded solely by payroll taxes  and those only cover 77% of current benefits.

According to a recent report from the nonprofit Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB), some newly retired couples could face a cut of more than $17,000 a year when the OASI is depleted.

The worst-case scenario is that lawmakers will cut benefits even further  something Altman believes could happen unless Democrats prevent it.

Republicans desperately want Democrats to provide cover for Social Security cuts, which are rightfully unpopular with voters of all parties, she said. This is why their budget calls for a bipartisan commission. Democrats should refuse to cooperate. Instead, they should continue to work to protect and expand Social Security through regular Congressional order.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security Faces Death Panel To Discuss Cuts to Program  Whats the Worst Case Scenario for Your Future Finances?
DNY59 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

The resumption of student loan payments will begin in October following a three-year hiatus, putting a dent in millions of Americans budgets. But for a specific group, this might also translate into Social Security benefits garnishments.

Learn: New Student Loan Forgiveness Rule Simplifies Process  Who Qualifies?

Discover: What To Do If You Owe Back Taxes to the IRS

The resumption of student loan debt payments may be a tipping point for many older consumers who are already struggling with their finances, said Austin Kilgore, an analyst with the Achieve Center for Consumer Insights.

Kilgore added that its important for all student-loan borrowers, including Social Security recipients and the loved ones they may have co-signed loans for, to be proactive about obtaining the new relief options they are eligible to receive. Its much harder to go back and fix these issues after the fact than to start out by seeking the help thats available.

With the resumption looming, last week, a group of lawmakers reintroduced the Protection of Social Security Benefits Restoration Act  a legislation, that restores federal protections of Social Security benefits to prevent the federal government from garnishing them for the repayment of all non-tax federal debt  such as student loans, according to a statement.

According to the statement, the number of people 60 and older who still have student loan debt has increased six-fold since 2004 to 3.5 million and the amount they owe is now 19-fold, amounting to more than $125 billion in student loans. More than 60% of older borrowers with outstanding student loan debt say they do not have enough savings to cover their expenses for three months in an emergency.

On average, delinquent borrowers are estimated to face about a $2,500 reduction in annual Social Security benefits, representing 4%-6% of household income, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.

Kate Lang, director of federal income security at Justice in Aging  an organization that has backed the proposal  said she was concerned about the resumption of payments, specifically about the fact that some will no longer have that money that they have been relying on since March 2020 to meet their basic needs for food, medicine, etc.

Story continues

Lang added that she does not believe the proposed legislation will be made into law.

Congress is at a very high level of dysfunction. Any bill that does not have bipartisan support/co-sponsors is extremely unlikely to make any progress through the legislative process, she said.

These garnishments can leave older adults with only $750 dollars a month to live on, an amount that has not been adjusted since 1996, according to her.

What Can Borrowers Do?

According to Bridget Haile, Chief Customer Officer of employee benefits solution for student loans Summer, there couldnt be a better time to get out of default than right now.

Borrowers can contact the Default Resolution Group of Federal Student Aid to get out of default and enroll in income-driven repayment (like the SAVE plan) at the same time, she said, adding that once loans are in good standing, borrowers can take advantage of the benefits of the SAVE plan, such as lower monthly payments and the cap on interest growth so that it doesnt happen again.

Haile added that the key is not just getting out of default but staying out of default. Indeed, she noted that as many as 2/3 of borrowers who default do so multiple times, and each time compounds the fees that are added and limits the avenues back to good standing.

Another crucial point is that once garnishment resumes, borrowers shouldnt assume that because their wages or Social Security payments are being garnished its equivalent to making payments  thats a common misconception.

Often those garnishments are being eaten by interest and fees while the loan balance grows and the borrowers credit continues to suffer, she said.

According to Haile, this is not a fringe issue, as approximately 35% of federal student loan borrowers had defaulted at some point.

Weve seen it occur even when borrowers are in good financial standing  they just may not realize that they have one loan at a different servicer than the bulk of their other loans, she said. This is easy to miss because borrowers dont have a choice of federal loan servicers and because they change frequently  four in 10 people will be making a payment to a new servicer come October.

Student Loan Forgiveness: 10 Expenses To Cut From Your Budget When Payments Resume

Fresh Start Program

Another option is the Fresh Start program but it requires borrower action and isnt automatic, said Haile.

Fresh Start is a one-time temporary program from the U.S. Department of Education that offers special benefits for borrowers with defaulted federal student loans, according to the Department of Education.

The challenge will be making sure those who need it most have clear access to help, according to Haile.

Federal Student Aid and loan servicers may not have up-to-date contact information for borrowers and borrowers who are frequently prey to student loan scams may not trust the communication they receive, she said.

Loans Can Be Discharged If You Have a Disability

Lang explained that some Social Security beneficiaries can get a total and permanent disability (TPD) discharge and debtors have to apply to the Department of Education.

You can submit a certification from a licensed medical professional who is licensed to practice in the United States that you are totally and permanently disabled, according to the Department of Education.

More From GOBankingRates

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Social Security: Student Loan Borrowers With Past Due Accounts Could Have Checks Garnished As Soon As Fall 2024
As Starbucks reshuffles its board, a new China strategy may be brewing at the coffee giant.

Last week, Starbucks' founder and three-time CEO Howard Schultz announced plans to step down from the board of directors after CEO Laxman Narasimhan took the helm earlier this year. Starting on Oct. 1, former Alibaba executive Wei Zhang will take Schultz's spot on Starbucks' board, an appointment seen as reemphasizing the company's commitment to China.

That could mean changes to Starbucks' strategy in China, the company's second-biggest market.

"Howard Schultz was the mind behind China's special positioning in Starbucks' ecosystem  and the key figure behind substantial Chinese government support on Starbucks expansion plans in China," Bernstein analyst Danilo Gargiulo wrote in a note following the announcement.

Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz (L) and dean of Tsinghua SEM Qian Yingyi pose at Tsinghua University on April 11, 2017, in Beijing, China. (Visual China Group via Getty Images)

The coffee chain's international business has picked up momentum over the years. Starbucks recently announced its 20,000th location outside of North America and plans to expand to 9,000 stores in China in the next two years.

Starbucks has gone a different route than its restaurant peers, such as KFC and McDonald's, which run franchise models. But now that Schultz  who was largely against franchising  is out, one analyst thinks that could potentially change.

With Zhang now on the board, Gargiulo wrote, "we wonder whether Schultz's departure would open the door for Starbucks' franchising strategy in China, amid lower store profitability and increased competition."

Starbucks' history in China

Starbucks opened its first store in Beijing in 1999 and its first Shanghai store in 2000.

From the early 2000s to 2017, the coffee giant expanded with licensing agreements with joint venture partners as it looked to grow its presence in China, which at the time was a largely untapped market.

In 2017, Starbucks decided to bring its operations completely in-house when it bought the remaining 50% share of its East China business from joint venture partners for $1.3 billion. Since then, Starbucks has been ramping up its presence with stores directly owned and operated by the company.

Story continues

"They saw the strong profitability of many of their existing units, and it got to the point where Starbucks probably learned enough about the Chinese market ... [that] they felt they didn't need need to have a partnership any longer," Georgetown professor Arthur Dong told Yahoo Finance.

Starbucks has continued to invest in China and research the demand for coffee in a nation of daily tea drinkers.

The company has also built up its manufacturing footprint there. On Tuesday, the company announced the opening of its China Coffee Innovation Park manufacturing facility. The initiative, introduced back in 2020, is the company's largest investment in any manufacturing and distribution center, totaling approximately $220 million.

"China's coffee market is still in its early stages, with huge potential to expand the addressable market," Starbucks China CEO Belinda Wong said during Starbucks 2022 Investor Day. "Per capita demand for coffee in China will grow further from 12 cups per year to 14 cups by 2025."

An aerial photo shows the Starbucks China Coffee Innovation Industrial Park in Kunshan Development Zone in Suizhou, Jiangsu province, China, Aug. 25, 2023. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Today, China is known as the "second home market," per Gargiulo.

In the third quarter, the company opened 588 new stores worldwide, bringing its total store count to 37,222 stores. The US and China make up 61% of the company's portfolio, with 16,144 and 6,480 stores, respectively.

Meanwhile, Starbucks' international operating margin jumped 19%, up from 8.5% during the same time period last year.

Dong credited Starbucks' success to its access to prime locations and "friends in high places" compared to competitors. Other big coffee players in China now include Beijing-based Luckin Coffee (LKNCY).

"I have to give them credit, they are very politically savvy when it comes to entering the Chinese marketplace," Dong said. "Most of their real estate partners are either high-ranking party officials or real estate entities that are in some way tied to the Chinese Communist Party, and some of the leaders."

However, the environment in China looks very different today than it did just five years ago, China Beige Book co-founder and CEO Leland Miller told Yahoo Finance.

"It's much more restrictive towards foreign firms ... so the calculus has completely changed in terms of what the long-term trajectory can be," Miller said, pointing to geopolitical risk factors, such as worsening US-China tensions.

"The opportunities are there, but the challenges have never been appreciated," Miller added.

Starbucks customers consume coffee at the world's largest Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Shanghai, China, Aug. 28, 2019. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

Wall Street would likely 'welcome' a Starbucks franchise model

Investors have keyed in on Starbucks' China business, though some are cautious about China's economic recovery.

"We worry China narrative is likely to present an albatross on shares," Cowen analyst Andrew Charles wrote in a note Tuesday. "We see risk that China headwinds are likely to get stronger rather than weaker."

As Starbucks moves towards that 9,000 store goal using its own capital, Georgetown's Dong said a franchise model would offer "a lot of positive benefits."

"Wall Street would probably greet that with welcome arms because they see the risk ... that the Chinese economy is in and the longer-term challenges that China is facing," Dong said. "Why commit your own money in such a risky environment, when you can just have local Chinese investors commit their money, and then gain the backing and support of Starbucks?"

This concept isn't too far-fetched, Dong explained, given the company's current model of half-licensed, half-owned stores. Globally, Starbucks locations are 51% company-operated and 49% licensed.

How would a potential Starbucks franchise work? Dong said it would be similar to peers.

Other US-based brands have had a footprint in the Chinese market for years. Yum Brands (YUM) opened its first KFC location there in 1987 and spun off its China business in 2015. McDonalds (MCD) was one of the first to enter the market in April 1992 and grew its franchises there before selling its China business to a state-owned conglomerate, Citic and Carlyle Group, in 2017. Additionally, Shake Shack (SHAK) has licensed stores to global partners in Asia.

Starbucks would pick and choose which stores it owns, Dong suggested, keeping "the most prime" stores in first-tier cities that "contain large numbers of middle class with an income to buy a $5 latte" while expanding franchise or licensed stores in "second- and third-tier cities, where they wish to expand."

Still, Starbucks has a different model than others because it doesn't derive a significant portion of revenue from commercial real estate, Dong explained. That's unlike McDonald's, which had to pivot in China since it couldn't acquire land there permanently.

"Starbucks has never been a real estate-centered business model," Dong said. "They engage in leases with a variety of landlords, but they make most of their money to the sale of coffee and ... through the sale of food and beverage."

However, the uncertain environment could be a red flag for investors.

"Things are perhaps gonna get worse before they get better," Dong said, adding that there will be continued challenges in the next 12 to 24 months, "until some massive measure is taken by Beijing and Xi Jinping, to sort of kickstart their economy" and "the Chinese consumer feels comfortable enough to come out again and spend."



Brooke DiPalma is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter at @BrookeDiPalma or email her at bdipalma@yahoofinance.com.

Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Corrections & clarifications: A previous version of this story misrepresented the combined profits of the "Big Three" automakers. They made a combined $21 billion in profits in the first six months of the year.

Detroit-based carmaker Stellantis announced it would temporarily lay off an estimated 300 employees at its Kokomo casting and transmission plants, "as a consequence" of the United Auto Workers strike at the Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio, the company said in a news release.

It's unclear when the layoffs will take effect.

"Stellantis continues to closely monitor the impact of the UAW strike action on our manufacturing operations," the news release said.

The news comes as members at plants in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri launched a "stand-up strike" against the "Big Three" automakers  Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, which makes Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat and Dodge cars  as the UAW's contract with these three Detroit-based companies expired at midnight last Thursday night.

UAW president Shawn Fain, originally from Kokomo, said the union is prepared to escalate the strike to more locations if the companies "have not made substantial progress toward a fair agreement" by Friday at noon.

IndyStar reached out to UAW for comment.

Here's what else to know.

Where are the "Big Three" plants in Indiana?

There are at least 10 "Big Three" auto manufacturing facilities in Indiana.

Stellantis has four transmission, casting and engine plants in Kokomo and a transmission facility in Tipton. In total, the company, which manufactures Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge cars, employs over 7,000 workers in Indiana.

General Motors has plants scattered throughout the state: a stamping plant in Marion, an assembly plant in Roanoke near Fort Wayne, an electronics manufacturing plant in Kokomo and a casting operations facility in Bedford. General Motors makes Buicks, Chevrolets and Cadillacs and employs over 6,200 workers statewide.

Story continues

Ford has a parts facility in Plainfield, where workers are represented by UAW Local 933, UAW representative Petra Jameson told IndyStar.

All Indiana locations are represented by local unions within UAW and are affected by national labor action from UAW, according to the Stellantis and General Motors websites and labor representatives. The GM Bedford plant also has representation within the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Which plants are on strike?

The first three facilities targeted are Ford Michigan Assembly Plant (final assembly and paint only) in Wayne, Michigan, Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio, and General Motors Wentzville Assembly in Missouri.

This "soft launch" strategy of limited striking would allow the strike to go longer, as a strike across all locations immediately would be costly for the union, the Detroit Free Press reported. The "Stand-Up Strike" name is a reference to the "sit-down strikes" the UAW organized in the 1930s. But, Fain said, the strategic rollout will also keep the Big Three companies on their toes.

"This strategy will keep the companies guessing," Fain said in a Thursday Facebook live stream, according to the Free Press. "It will give our national negotiators maximum leverage and flexibility in bargaining. And if we need to go all out, we will. Everything is on the table."

What is UAW asking for?

Union representatives are asking the three Detroit-based companies for a 40% wage increase over the course of a four-year contract, cost of living raises, a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay, the end of "tiered wages," or a system where some workers receive automatically lower pay if they start after a certain date, and a return to pensions. Stellantis, Ford and GM made a combined $21 billion in profits in the first six months of this year. UAW members argue that "record profits should mean record wages."

Will the strike impact Indiana facilities?

No "Big Three" locations in Indiana have gone on strike yet, but with escalation, Indiana facilities could be affected.

The Detroit Free Press contributed to this report.

Contact Claire Rafford at 317-617-3402 or crafford@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Stellantis will lay off 300 Kokomo workers, blaming UAW strike
On September 18, 2023, New York-based firm STILWELL JOSEPH (Trades, Portfolio) added 292 shares of Sound Financial Bancorp Inc (NASDAQ:SFBC) to its portfolio. The shares were acquired at a trade price of $36.5, bringing the firm's total holdings in SFBC to 376,283 shares. This transaction represents a 14.64% stake in the company, a significant position in the firm's portfolio.

STILWELL JOSEPH (Trades, Portfolio) is a firm located at 111 Broadway, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10006. The firm currently holds 53 stocks in its portfolio, with a total equity of $173 million. The firm's top holdings are primarily in the Financial Services and Consumer Cyclical sectors.

STILWELL JOSEPH Acquires Additional Shares in Sound Financial Bancorp Inc

Sound Financial Bancorp Inc Overview

Sound Financial Bancorp Inc is a USA-based company with a market cap of $94.143 million. The company, which went public on August 24, 2012, provides traditional banking and other financial services for individuals and businesses. Its services include retail and commercial deposits, loans secured by first and second mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, commercial and multifamily real estate, construction and land, consumer and commercial business loans, and more. The company operates as a single segment.

STILWELL JOSEPH Acquires Additional Shares in Sound Financial Bancorp Inc

Stock Performance and Valuation

As of September 20, 2023, SFBC's stock price stands at $36.62, with a PE Percentage of 9.09. According to GuruFocus's GF Valuation, the stock is modestly undervalued, with a GF Value of 44.91. This indicates that the stock's current intrinsic value is higher than its market price, suggesting potential for growth.

Stock Rankings and Scores

Sound Financial Bancorp Inc has a GF Score of 79/100, indicating likely average performance. The company's Financial Strength is ranked 4/10, while its Profitability Rank is 6/10. The company's Growth Rank is 9/10, its GF Value Rank is 7/10, and its Momentum Rank is 3/10.

Story continues

Stock Financials and Industry Position

Sound Financial Bancorp Inc has a Cash to Debt ratio of 1.30, ranking 688 in the Banks industry. The company's Return on Equity (ROE) is 10.87, ranking 701, and its Return on Assets (ROA) is 1.07, ranking 620. The company's 3-year Revenue Growth is 8.30, and its 3-year Earnings Growth is 9.20.

Stock Growth and Momentum

Over the past three years, SFBC has shown steady growth, with a Revenue Growth of 8.30 and Earnings Growth of 9.20. However, the company's momentum has been negative, with an RSI 5 Day of 17.55 and a Momentum Index 6 - 1 Month of -1.53.

Conclusion

In conclusion, STILWELL JOSEPH (Trades, Portfolio)'s recent acquisition of additional shares in Sound Financial Bancorp Inc is a significant addition to its portfolio. Given SFBC's modest undervaluation, steady growth, and strong position in the Banks industry, this transaction could potentially yield positive returns for the firm in the future. However, investors should also consider the company's negative momentum and average GF Score when making investment decisions.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


The federal government is discharging $37 million in student loans for over 1,200 former students who attended the University of Phoenix.

The action applies to borrowers who enrolled in Phoenix between Sept. 21, 2012, and Dec. 31, 2014, and applied for a borrower defense loan discharge, a legal ground borrowers can take against a school that engaged in misconduct related to the loan or the educational services it provided.

These borrowers will receive emails from the Department of Education by early October and no further action is needed. Any payments already made to the department on related federal student loans will be refunded.

Borrowers who attended Phoenix but did not file a borrower's defense discharge will need to complete an application on the Federal Student Aid website.

This discharge comes after the department reviewed evidence obtained by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its investigation into Phoenix that resulted in a $191 million settlement in 2019.

"The University of Phoenix brazenly deceived prospective students with false ads to get them to enroll," Richard Cordray, chief operating officer at Federal Student Aid, said in a statement. "Students who trusted the school and wanted to better their lives through education ended up with mounds of debt and useless degrees. Todays announcement builds on the FTCs work to provide relief to those affected by Phoenixs misconduct and delivers on the Biden-Harris administrations mission to support student loan borrowers."

As of Wednesday, the Biden administration has discharged more than $117 billion, which includes $14.8 billion for 1.1 million borrowers whose colleges took advantage of them or closed abruptly.

The local office for the online school University of Phoenix located in Raleigh, N.C. (Photo by Jason Arthurs/Raleigh News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The "closed school loan discharge" and "borrower loan defense discharge" programs allow borrowers to apply to get their student debt discharged if their school closes while enrolled or if the school misled students.

Story continues

In the latest action, the department found that Phoenix "brazenly deceived" borrowers with a national ad campaign "falsely representing that its partnerships with thousands of corporations, including Fortune 500 companies, would benefit students by, for example, giving them hiring preferences at those companies," the department said in a press release.

For instance, Phoenix did not have partnerships with companies nor did its relationship with corporate partners result in any benefits to students. Corporate partners simply allowed Phoenix to display their logos in a career database portal, when all the jobs posted were available to the general public, not uniquely to Phoenix students.

Although management at Phoenix was aware that the corporate relationships did not exist, a senior vice president described one of the advertisements as "smoke & mirrors." Phoenix continued to advertise its "connection" and "partnership" with corporate employers until December 2014, the department said.

The Department of Education is seeking to recoup costs for the borrower's defense discharge and repayment of the liabilities associated with these approved claims at a later date from the University of Phoenix.

We respectfully, but adamantly disagree with the U.S. Department of Educations allegations related to the Dec. 2019 University of Phoenix settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)," a University of Phoenix spokesperson told Yahoo Finance. "The claims made by the FTC and the Dept. of Ed were never tested in court. We stand behind our statement from Dec. of 2019 in which we admitted no wrongdoing in the Lets Get Back to Work campaign, a single campaign that ran from late 2012 to early 2014. We encourage review of our statement and the ads on a University of Phoenix microsite."

"Students deceived by the University of Phoenix deserve strong relief, and todays action is an important step forward," Samuel Levine, director of FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said. "We will continue to work with our state and federal partners to protect students."

Borrowers who believe they were defrauded can apply for a borrower's defense discharge on the Federal Student Aid website.

Read more: Student loan issues? Here's how to file a complaint with the Department of Education

Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government. Follow her on Twitter @writesronda.

Click here for the latest personal finance news to help you with investing, paying off debt, buying a home, retirement, and more

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Company Logo

Dublin, Sept. 20, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Taiwanese Semiconductor Industry Landscape, 2023 and Beyond" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report offers an outlook on the global semiconductor market forecast for the period 2023-2024, explores Taiwan's position in the semiconductor industry supply chains, and delves into the progress of three major semiconductor industry sectors: IC design, IC manufacturing, and IC packaging and testing (OSAT). Additionally, the report includes a top-10 company ranking for each sector.

The global semiconductor market is projected to reach a value of US$515 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue growing in 2024. Building on the strong growth witnessed in 2021 in IC design, IC manufacturing, and IC packaging and testing (OSAT), Taiwan's semiconductor industry demonstrated a remarkable double-digit expansion in 2022, outperforming the global average.

However, the industry is likely to face various degrees of adjustment in 2023, with shipment value predicted to exceed NT$3.85 trillion (US$125 billion).

Key Topics Covered:

Taiwan's Global Position and Development in the Semiconductor Industry

Development of Taiwan's Major Semiconductor Industry Sectors

A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes

Ardentec

ASE

Chipbond

ChipMOS

Episil

Formosa Advanced

KYEC

Macronix

MediaTek

Mosel

Nanya Technology

Novatek

Nuvoton

Orient Semiconductor

Powertech

PSMC

Realtek

Sigurd

TSMC

UMC

VIS

Walton Advanced

Winbond

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/10hfb4

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.

CONTACT: CONTACT: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900




We can readily understand why investors are attracted to unprofitable companies. For example, biotech and mining exploration companies often lose money for years before finding success with a new treatment or mineral discovery. Having said that, unprofitable companies are risky because they could potentially burn through all their cash and become distressed.

So, the natural question for Energy Metals (ASX:EME) shareholders is whether they should be concerned by its rate of cash burn. In this article, we define cash burn as its annual (negative) free cash flow, which is the amount of money a company spends each year to fund its growth. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

Check out our latest analysis for Energy Metals

Does Energy Metals Have A Long Cash Runway?

A company's cash runway is the amount of time it would take to burn through its cash reserves at its current cash burn rate. When Energy Metals last reported its balance sheet in June 2023, it had zero debt and cash worth AU$14m. Looking at the last year, the company burnt through AU$901k. That means it had a cash runway of very many years as of June 2023. While this is only one measure of its cash burn situation, it certainly gives us the impression that holders have nothing to worry about. Depicted below, you can see how its cash holdings have changed over time.

How Is Energy Metals' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

Whilst it's great to see that Energy Metals has already begun generating revenue from operations, last year it only produced AU$210k, so we don't think it is generating significant revenue, at this point. As a result, we think it's a bit early to focus on the revenue growth, so we'll limit ourselves to looking at how the cash burn is changing over time. With cash burn dropping by 13% it seems management feel the company is spending enough to advance its business plans at an appropriate pace. Energy Metals makes us a little nervous due to its lack of substantial operating revenue. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow.

Story continues

Can Energy Metals Raise More Cash Easily?

Even though it has reduced its cash burn recently, shareholders should still consider how easy it would be for Energy Metals to raise more cash in the future. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Commonly, a business will sell new shares in itself to raise cash and drive growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Since it has a market capitalisation of AU$39m, Energy Metals' AU$901k in cash burn equates to about 2.3% of its market value. That means it could easily issue a few shares to fund more growth, and might well be in a position to borrow cheaply.

How Risky Is Energy Metals' Cash Burn Situation?

It may already be apparent to you that we're relatively comfortable with the way Energy Metals is burning through its cash. In particular, we think its cash runway stands out as evidence that the company is well on top of its spending. Its weak point is its cash burn reduction, but even that wasn't too bad! Taking all the factors in this report into account, we're not at all worried about its cash burn, as the business appears well capitalized to spend as needs be. Separately, we looked at different risks affecting the company and spotted 4 warning signs for Energy Metals (of which 3 are potentially serious!) you should know about.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies, and this list of stocks growth stocks (according to analyst forecasts)

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



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Christy George, a top deputy for economic development to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, was named Wednesday as executive director of the Chicago host committee for next summers Democratic National Convention.

I am thrilled to lead the host committee and tell Chicagos story to the nation, George said in a statement. I am confident we will put on one of the best conventions in living memory, and I look forward to working with our partners to showcase our city and the Midwest!

George since 2021 has been first assistant deputy governor for budget and economic matters in Pritzkers office, with duties including leading business attraction and workforce development efforts. She also had a role in drafting the governors electric vehicle manufacturing strategy.

Previously, George was executive director of the utility rate-making Illinois Commerce Commission. She earlier held various roles with the city of Chicago, including deputy budget director for Public Safety, assistant commissioner at the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, and assistant corporation counsel in the citys Law Department.

Christy George has dedicated her career to public service and brings a wealth of experience to the host committee, Pritzker said in a statement.She has been a critical member of my team and a trusted partner on issues related to the budget and our economy. "

Named as a senior adviser to the Chicago host committee was Keiana Barrett, who most recently was chief diversity and engagement officer for developer Sterling Bay. She previously was deputy director of the Heartland Alliance, national press secretary for Rainbow PUSH and was director of communications for the Congressional Black Caucus.

I look forward to sharing the signature stories and values of Chicagos unique neighborhoods with the country, Barrett said in a statement.

Kaitlin Fahey, who has been the host committees interim executive director, will move to a general consultant role and remain involved in host committee operations through the convention.

rap30@aol.com
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas matching donation boosts total to $50,000

PITTSBURG, Kan., September 20, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--UCare, a leading independent, nonprofit health plan, today announces a $25,000 grant to Inspire Health Foundation in support of their work promoting health careers among Kansas students. That gift will be doubled by Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK), bringing the total donation to $50,000.

Inspire Health champions learning about careers in health care beginning in pre-kindergarten all the way through young adulthood. The foundation provides school libraries with age-appropriate, health career-related books, and offers hands-on childrens activities. These educational opportunities range from examining models of human mouths for cavities to learning what makes a nutritious meal to creating kid-friendly petri dishes to answer questions about bacteria. Through the partnership, students also have the opportunity to tour CHC/SEK clinics to view imaging equipment. View a video about the Inspire Health Academy.

"We believe its absolutely critical to support our local communities and health care providers, and were thrilled to partner with CHC/SEK on this donation," said Jon Hamdorf, UCares market president in Kansas. "Inspire Health Foundations vision of introducing health careers to students at early ages through interactions with working professionals and immersive activities is an investment that will strengthen rural communities across eastern Kansas and northeast Oklahoma for years to come."

According to recent data released by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administrations Bureau of Health Workforce, more than 70% of primary care health professional shortage areas nationwide are rural or partially rural. In Kansas, more than 820,000 residents are affected by these shortages.

"A key approach to addressing future rural health care shortages is to inspire local children to dream big, and we are delighted to be recognized by UCare and CHC/SEK as an innovation partner worthy of support," said Rebecca Turnbull, Inspire Health Foundations executive director. "The first step in our children becoming doctors, health care providers and leaders is for them to imagine themselves in those roles.

Story continues

"We will stick with the kids as their interests in health care evolve," Turnbull added. "Its important they get the hands-on chance to explore all of the fascinating areas where they can focus their studies and ultimately make an impact on the health of the communities where we all live."

About UCare

UCare is an independent, nonprofit health plan providing health care and administrative services to more than 600,000 members throughout Minnesota and parts of western Wisconsin. UCare partners with health care providers, counties and community organizations to create and deliver Medicaid, Medicare and Individual & Family health plans. The health plan addresses health care disparities and care access issues through a broad array of community initiatives. UCare has received Top Workplaces honors from the Star Tribune for 14 consecutive years since the rankings began in 2010. For more information, visit https://www.ucare.org.

About Inspire Health Foundation

Inspire Health Foundation (IHF) promotes health careers by engaging students, parents, and educators in and out of the classroom. The foundation supports the efforts of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas through providing, sponsoring, facilitating, promoting, and supporting healthcare education throughout the region. IHF (Est. 2022) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit based in Pittsburg, Kansas.

About Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas (CHC/SEK)

CHC/SEK is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and Kansas not-for-profit corporation. Today, more than 1000 employees care for more than 70,000 patients every year, providing medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and support services across eastern Kansas and northeast Oklahoma  still regardless of the ability to pay. We are making our communities happier, healthier, and more prosperous places to live and raise a family. To learn more, visit https://chcsek.org.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230920386944/en/

Contacts

Wendy Wicks

612.306.3698

wwicks@ucare.org
Long-established in the Real Estate industry, DigitalBridge Group Inc (NYSE:DBRG) has enjoyed a stellar reputation. However, it has recently witnessed a daily loss of 2.05%, juxtaposed with a three-month change of 27.08%. Fresh insights from the GuruFocus Score Rating hint at potential headwinds. Notably, its diminished rankings in financial strength, growth, and valuation suggest that the company might not live up to its historical performance. Join us as we dive deep into these pivotal metrics to unravel the evolving narrative of DigitalBridge Group Inc.

Unraveling the Future of DigitalBridge Group Inc (DBRG): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

Decoding 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.

Based on the above method, GuruFocus assigned DigitalBridge Group Inc the GF Score of 69 out of 100, which signals poor future outperformance potential.

Understanding DigitalBridge Group Inc's Business

DigitalBridge Group Inc is a global digital infrastructure firm. Previously known as Colony Capital, the firm merged with its subsidiary Digital Colony in 2020 to rebrand as DigitalBridge. This merger discontinued ownership of hospitality real estate and shifted focus toward digital infrastructure. Its services occupy segments which are Investment Management, Operating, and Corporate and Other. The Operating segment, which owns and leases digital assets, accounts for the majority of the firm's revenue from markets primarily located in the United States.

Story continues

Unraveling the Future of DigitalBridge Group Inc (DBRG): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

Financial Strength Breakdown

DigitalBridge Group Inc's financial strength indicators present some concerning insights about the company's balance sheet health. The company's interest coverage ratio of 0 positions it worse than 0% of 1333 companies in the Real Estate industry. This ratio highlights potential challenges the company might face when handling its interest expenses on outstanding debt. It's worth noting that the esteemed investor Benjamin Graham typically favored companies with an interest coverage ratio of at least five.

The company's Altman Z-Scoreis just -0.62, which is below the distress zone of 1.81. This suggests that the company may face financial distress over the next few years. Additionally, the company's low cash-to-debt ratio at 0.07 indicates a struggle in handling existing debt levels.

The company's debt-to-equity ratio is 4.05, which is worse than 94.59% of 1554 companies in the Real Estate industry. A high debt-to-equity ratio suggests over-reliance on borrowing and vulnerability to market fluctuations. Additionally, the company's debt-to-Ebitda ratio is 15.12, which is above Joel Tillinghast's warning level of 4 and is worse than 80.86% of 1254 companies in the Real Estate industry. Tillinghast said in his book Big Money Think's Small: Biases, Blind Spots, and Smarter Investing that a high debt-to-Ebitda ratio can be a red flag unless tangible assets cover the debt.

Profitability Breakdown

DigitalBridge Group Inc's low Profitability rank can also raise warning signals. DigitalBridge Group Inc's Operating Margin has declined over the past five years ((-362.82%)), as shown by the following data: 2018: 14.18; 2019: -198.63; 2020: -51.58; 2021: -34.14; 2022: -37.25; . Additionally, DigitalBridge Group Inc's Gross Margin has also declined over the past five years, as evidenced by the data: 2018: 66.07; 2019: 78.07; 2020: 67.97; 2021: 64.34; 2022: 63.01; . This trend underscores the company's struggles to convert its revenue into profits.

Growth Prospects

A lack of significant growth is another area where DigitalBridge Group Inc seems to falter, as evidenced by the company's low Growth rank. Lastly, DigitalBridge Group Inc predictability rank is just one star out of five, adding to investor uncertainty regarding revenue and earnings consistency.

Unraveling the Future of DigitalBridge Group Inc (DBRG): A Deep Dive into Key Metrics

Conclusion

Given the company's financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GuruFocus Score Rating highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential underperformance. While DigitalBridge Group Inc has a rich history in the Real Estate industry, its current financial indicators suggest a challenging road ahead. Investors should consider these factors carefully when making investment decisions.

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.


With a daily loss of -2.84%, a 3-month gain of 27.69%, and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of 2.72, Halliburton Co (NYSE:HAL) is currently a hot topic among investors. The question at the forefront is whether the stock is modestly overvalued. This analysis aims to provide a comprehensive answer, so read on for an in-depth valuation analysis of Halliburton Co.

Company Introduction

Halliburton Co, one of the world's three largest oilfield service firms, offers expertise in various business lines, including completion fluids, wireline services, and cementing. It's the leading pressure pumper in North America and has been a significant innovator in hydraulic fracturing over the past two decades. With its current price of $41.43 per share, Halliburton Co, with a market cap of $36.60 billion, appears to be modestly overvalued when compared to its GF Value of $37.98.

Unveiling Halliburton Co (HAL)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Understanding the GF Value

The GF Value is a unique measure that represents the current intrinsic value of a stock. It is derived from historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past performance and growth, and future business performance estimates. The GF Value Line provides an overview of the fair value at which the stock should ideally be traded.

According to our calculations, Halliburton Co appears to be modestly overvalued. This assessment is based on the historical multiples at which the stock has traded, the company's past business growth, and future business performance estimates. If a stock's price is significantly above the GF Value Line, it is considered overvalued, and its future return is likely to be poor. Conversely, if it is significantly below the GF Value Line, its future return will likely be higher.

Given that Halliburton Co is relatively overvalued, the long-term return of its stock is likely to be lower than its business growth.

Story continues

Unveiling Halliburton Co (HAL)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Link: These companies may deliever higher future returns at reduced risk.

Financial Strength and Profitability

Investing in companies with strong financial strength reduces the risk of permanent loss. Halliburton Co's cash-to-debt ratio of 0.23 is lower than 66.41% of 1030 companies in the Oil & Gas industry, indicating a fair financial strength rating of 6 out of 10.

Unveiling Halliburton Co (HAL)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Investing in profitable companies carries less risk. Halliburton Co has been profitable for 5 years over the past 10 years. With revenues of $22.40 billion and Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $2.72 in the past 12 months, the company's operating margin of 17.06% is better than 63.78% of 980 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. Therefore, Halliburton Co's profitability is considered fair.

Growth and ROIC vs WACC

Long-term stock performance is closely correlated with growth. Halliburton Co's average annual revenue growth is -4.4%, which is lower than 76.83% of 859 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. However, its 3-year average EBITDA growth of 45.5% is better than 81.02% of 827 companies in the Oil & Gas industry.

Comparing a company's return on invested capital (ROIC) to its weighted cost of capital (WACC) is another way to evaluate its profitability. If the ROIC is higher than the WACC, it indicates that the company is creating value for shareholders. Over the past 12 months, Halliburton Co's ROIC was 17.25, while its WACC came in at 10.93.

Unveiling Halliburton Co (HAL)'s Value: Is It Really Priced Right? A Comprehensive Guide

Conclusion

In conclusion, Halliburton Co (NYSE:HAL) stock appears to be modestly overvalued. The company's financial condition is fair, and its profitability is fair. Its growth ranks better than 81.02% of 827 companies in the Oil & Gas industry. For more details about Halliburton Co stock, you can check out its 30-Year Financials here.

To find out high-quality companies that may deliver above-average returns, check out the GuruFocus High Quality Low Capex Screener.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Lam Research Corp (NASDAQ:LRCX) has recently been in the spotlight, drawing interest from investors and financial analysts due to its robust financial stance. With shares currently priced at $625.47, Lam Research Corp has witnessed a daily gain of 0.05%, marked against a three-month change of 2.01%. A thorough analysis, underlined by the GuruFocus Score Rating, suggests that Lam Research Corp is well-positioned for substantial growth in the near future.

Unveiling the Investment Potential of Lam Research Corp (LRCX): A Comprehensive Analysis

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.

Here is a breakdown of Lam Research Corp's GF Score:

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, but a slightly lower GF Value rank, GuruFocus assigned Lam Research Corp the GF Score of 94 out of 100, which signals the highest outperformance potential.

Introduction to Lam Research Corp

Lam Research Corp, with a market cap of $82.88 billion, is a leading manufacturer of equipment used to fabricate semiconductors. The company is focused on the etch, deposition, and clean markets, which are key steps in the semiconductor manufacturing process. This is particularly important for 3D NAND flash storage, advanced DRAM, and leading-edge logic/foundry chipmakers. Lam's flagship Kiyo, Vector, and Sabre products are sold in all major geographies to key customers such as Samsung Electronics, Micron, Intel, SK Hynix, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. The company's sales stand at $17.43 billion, with an operating margin of 29.93%.

Story continues

Unveiling the Investment Potential of Lam Research Corp (LRCX): A Comprehensive Analysis

Financial Strength Analysis

According to the Financial Strength rating, Lam Research Corp's robust balance sheet exhibits resilience against financial volatility, reflecting prudent management of capital structure. The Interest Coverage ratio for Lam Research Corp stands impressively at 27.98, underscoring its strong capability to cover its interest obligations. This robust financial position resonates with the wisdom of legendary investor Benjamin Graham, who favored companies with an interest coverage ratio of at least 5. With an Altman Z-Score of 8.78, Lam Research Corp exhibits a strong defense against financial distress, highlighting its robust financial stability. With a favorable Debt-to-Revenue ratio of 0.29, Lam Research Corp's strategic handling of debt solidifies its financial health.

Profitability Rank Breakdown

The Profitability Rank shows Lam Research Corp's impressive standing among its peers in generating profit. Lam Research Corp Operating Margin has increased (3.19%) over the past five years, as shown by the following data: 2019: 25.53; 2020: 26.62; 2021: 30.64; 2022: 31.24; 2023: 29.93. Lam Research Corp's strong Predictability Rank of 4.5 stars out of five underscores its consistent operational performance, providing investors with increased confidence.

Growth Rank Breakdown

Ranked highly in Growth, Lam Research Corp demonstrates a strong commitment to expanding its business. The company's 3-Year Revenue Growth Rate is 24%, which outperforms better than 75.43% of 871 companies in the Semiconductors industry. Moreover, Lam Research Corp 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 27, and the rate over the past five years is 21. This trend accentuates the company's continued capability to drive growth.

Unveiling the Investment Potential of Lam Research Corp (LRCX): A Comprehensive Analysis

Conclusion

Given Lam Research Corp's strong financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GuruFocus Score Rating highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential outperformance. This analysis underscores the company's robust financial health, consistent profitability, and impressive growth trajectory, making it 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.


CALGARY, AB / ACCESSWIRE / September 20, 2023 / Valeura Energy Inc. (TSX:VLE)(OTCQX:VLERF) ("Valeura" or the "Company"), the upstream oil and gas company with assets in the Gulf of Thailand and the Thrace Basin of Turkey, announces the departure from its board of directors ("Board") of independent director, Kimberley Wood, effective September 18, 2023.

Ms. Wood has accepted a senior management role with another company and has indicated that her new responsibilities are expected to constitute a full-time workload. Accordingly, she has opted to resign from the Board.

Tim Marchant, Chairman of the Board commented:

"I would like to thank Kim for her strong support of our Company and the valuable insight she has provided our Board. Over the past four and a half years we have benefitted from her customary thoughtful and pragmatic independent counsel, which has been particularly apparent as we navigated the challenging transition from being a small producer in Turkey to becoming a significant force in the Thailand upstream sector. Her presence will be missed, and on behalf of the Board, I wish her well in her new role.

Looking forward, we will continue to ensure the composition of the Board and the independent advice each member brings to the table is well-suited to supporting our evolving business needs."

For further information, please contact:

Valeura Energy Inc. (General Corporate Enquiries) +1 403 237 7102

Sean Guest, President and CEO

Yacine Ben-Meriem, CFO

Contact@valeuraenergy.com

Valeura Energy Inc. (Investor Enquiries) +1 403 975 6752 / +44 7392 940495

Robin James Martin, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations

IR@valeuraenergy.com

Auctus Advisors LLP (Corporate Broker to Valeura) +44 (0) 7711 627 449

Jonathan Wright

Valeura@auctusadvisors.co.uk

CAMARCO (Public Relations, Media Adviser to Valeura) +44 (0) 20 3757 4980

Owen Roberts, Billy Clegg

Valeura@camarco.co.uk

About the Company

Valeura Energy Inc. is a Canada-based public company engaged in the exploration, development and production of petroleum and natural gas in Thailand and in Turkey. The Company is pursuing a growth-oriented strategy and intends to re-invest into its producing asset portfolio and to deploy resources toward further organic and inorganic growth in Southeast Asia. Valeura aspires toward value accretive growth for stakeholders while adhering to high standards of environmental, social and governance responsibility.

Story continues

Additional information relating to Valeura is also available on SEDAR+ atwww.sedarplus.ca.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction, including where such offer would be unlawful. This news release is not for distribution or release, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States, Ireland, the Republic of South Africa or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which its publication or distribution would be unlawful.

Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This information is provided by Reach, the non-regulatory press release distribution service of RNS, part of the London Stock Exchange. 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: Valeura Energy Inc.





View source version on accesswire.com:

https://www.accesswire.com/785829/valeura-energy-inc-announces-departure-of-kimberley-wood-from-the-board




It's a false, but rising, conspiracy theory: as COVID-19 rates climb later this year, the Biden administration will reinstate pandemic restrictions and push mail-in ballots to influence the next election. And some social media platforms are now allowing it to spread openly.

That's the finding of a new study from Advance Democracy, a nonpartisan research agency, which warns that in spite of a rapidly escalating number of posts about COVID-19 and mail-in ballots, social platforms are generally not removing the claims or labeling them with fact-check warnings.

Though the claims originated in stories that have already been debunked, social platforms flagged or removed almost none of them during a surge in such posts in the last month, according to the study, which was provided exclusively to USA TODAY.

Social media companies have repeatedly said they aggressively police content on their platforms, including posts that violate policies on misinformation or that interfere in elections. But experts say the spreading COVID-election claims raise alarm bells for a rising tide of disinformation as a new election season approaches.

Advance Democracy reviewed posts on a range of social media platforms including X, formerly Twitter, Facebook and TikTok in August. There were approximately 32,480 posts about COVID-19 and mail-in ballots on X alone, the highest monthly total since November 2020, according to the study.

Compounding the problem, social media platforms are not moderating the content linking COVID-19 to election fraud, Advance Democracy said. The group said it identified just one social media post that was flagged by the platforms' fact-checking systems.

In addition, Xs policies appear to no longer prohibit false claims of election fraud, the nonprofit research organization said. Despite the platforms owner, Elon Musk, pledging earlier this year that users will be corrected for making false claims of stolen elections, that doesnt appear to be happening, the study found.

Story continues

And X recently removed language from its policies that banned content promoting false or misleading information intended to undermine public confidence in an election, according to Advance Democracy. An August update to Xs policies contains no mention of removing content that questions election integrity.

The resurgence of the COVID-19 restrictions-election fraud conspiracy theory, just as the 2024 presidential election campaign heats up, comes as no surprise to disinformation researchers.

COVID denialism has proven to be a very powerful uniting force among certain political movements, said Brian Hughes, associate director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab at American University. So, it makes sense that, at a time when our political leadership is being selected, these other mobilizing concepts are going to be thrown into the mix as well.

Former President Donald Trump throws a football to the crowd during a visit to the Alpha Gamma Rho, agricultural fraternity, at Iowa State University before an NCAA college football game between Iowa State and Iowa on Sept. 9, in Ames, Iowa.

Trump stokes flames of COVID election conspiracy

On Aug. 30, the official 2024 campaign account for former President and GOP front-runner Donald Trump posted a video on X warning that his political opponents are trying to use COVID-19 restrictions and mail-in ballots to rig the election.

The post earned a Community Note that provided general information about COVID-19 and safety measures but did not contradict Trumps claims.

At the root of the conspiracy theory, which also circulated on Patriots.win, Gab, Gettr and 4Chan, is an article from Alex Jones Infowars published in August claiming that COVID-19 restrictions would return this fall.

The article alleged that Transportation Security Administration managers were told on Aug. 15 that they and airport employees would be required to wear face masks by mid-September, that travelers would be required to wear face masks by mid-October and that COVID-19 lockdowns would return by December.

This new rollouts timing is perfect for the embattled Biden administration to put the country back in a state of civil emergency and even martial law to further divide and confuse the public and move forward with the greatest election meddling in history, the article read.

Those claims were false, the TSA told USA TODAY. The agency has no new COVID-19 requirements, is not imposing new mask rules, and has not had a meeting on the subject.

Infowars did not respond to a request for comment.

But Trump also pushed the narrative on Truth Social. His campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump continues to falsely claim that election fraud was the cause of his 2020 loss to Joe Biden.

Elon Musk sits for a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Weaponizing COVID and election meddling conspiracies

The decision to make it easier to vote by mail during the pandemic prompted a wave of election-related conspiracy theories championed by Trump on social media platforms. In the run-up to the election, Trump repeatedly claimed, without evidence, that mail-in ballots would be abused to elect Biden.

After losing the election, Trump, who is under state and federal indictment for knowingly spreading false allegations of voter fraud in an effort to overturn the 2020 election, continued to tout conspiracy theories about mail-in voting.

Analyses by multiple media outlets have debunked any connection between mail-in ballots and voter fraud and uncovered negligible voter fraud.

Despite all the evidence to the contrary, prominent right-wing figures continue to promote Trumps claims. Several referenced the Infowars article or related allegations, according to Advance Democracy.

The prevalence of this conspiracy theory, which has remained largely unaddressed on social media platforms, suggests that purposeful disinformation from far-right actors will continue to grow as the election draws near, Daniel Jones, president of Advance Democracy, told USA TODAY.

Facebook declined to comment. X did not respond to requests for comment.

TikTok, after inquiries from USA TODAY, took down one video that claimed lockdowns would be implemented to meddle with the election. Two other videos that invoked the idea would remain up, the company said, because they involved people expressing their feelings about lockdowns, and therefore did not violate the platform's misinformation policies.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that everyone age 6 months and up get the updated COVID vaccine.

False claims of a Biden COVID plot to flip the election go mainstream

Far-right actors are spreading COVID conspiracies because they have become such a potent political weapon, disinformation researchers say. What started as an extremist narrative has quickly gained steam.

Megan Squire, deputy director for data analytics at the Southern Poverty Law Center, said the Advance Democracy findings mirror what she and her team are seeing in their own research.

COVID-19 disinformation claiming the virus will be manipulated to control voting was already an evergreen topic of discussion on the far-right, according to Squire. Now these conspiracy theories are increasingly embraced by mainstream conservatives, she said.

It started on the fringe, Squire said. Over time, the percentage of folks that are willing to believe that, or repeat some of  it or at least tolerate those ideas  has gotten bigger on the right.

Former President Donald Trump posted his police mugshot on X, formerly Twitter, on Aug. 24 after his arrest in Georgia, his first post on the platform since January 2021.

Facebook, X and TikTok are easing off political speech moderation, critics say

Contributing to the problem is the increasingly hands-off approach to political speech on social media platforms.

New X owner Musk has gutted the social media platforms content moderation system.

Under Musk, who refers to himself as a "free-speech absolutist," the company has reinstated accounts previously banned for engaging in hate speech and other harmful content such as political disinformation  leading to a marked upsurge in hate speech on the platform. Yet it has also newly banned the accounts of left-wing activists, and of people critical of Musk himself.

Seemingly following X's lead, social media companies are easing off their policing of political falsehoods, which could have a profound impact on the 2024 election, Squire said.

Facebook owner Meta contemplated a ban on all political advertising but shelved the plan after Musk turned X into a free speech free-for-all, the Washington Post reported.

In June, YouTube said it would no longer take down videos making false claims that widespread fraud, errors or glitches occurred in the 2020 and other past US Presidential elections.

The moderation downshift marks a sharp departure for social media companies, which beefed up teams and policies combating election lies in 2020 to prevent a repeat of 2016 when online influences including Russian-backed "troll farms" tried to sow election-season division.

Risks remain high. Influence campaigns from Russia and China have popped up on social media platforms. Concern is spreading that artificial intelligence will be deployed to mislead voters.

But content moderation is not just politically sensitive, its also costly and companies are inclined to draw down resources during a period of belt-tightening, Squire said.

Adding to headaches for social media companies, a legal battle over claims that the Biden administration coerced social media platforms into suppressing posts about COVID-19 and elections is headed to the Supreme Court.

If they've gutted all their content moderation squads, and there's no one left to do this work, it makes it really easy to adopt a policy like, Hey, let's just not care about it anymore! she said.

David Reinert holds a large "Q" sign while waiting in line on to see President Donald J. Trump at his rally Aug. 2, 2018, at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes Barre, Pa. "Q" represents QAnon, a conspiracy theory group that has been seen at recent rallies.

COVID denialism likely to grow in run-up to 2024 election

Many conspiracy theories that emerged at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic have not come true. Martial law has not been instated. The federal government has not mandated COVID-19 vaccinations for the general public.

But that wont take the wind out of conspiracists sails, Hughes warned.

Forces peddling these narratives will morph and shift their messaging to meet the times, Hughes said. That the most extreme developments have not come to pass will be touted as evidence that their activism thwarted them, he said.

They say, Oh, well, maybe we weren't entirely right about that. But, more often, they say, Well, actually, it was our actions that staved off Judgment Day,  Hughes said. If it weren't for all the posting that we did on Facebook, and getting the word out and waking people up to this pandemic agenda, we would still be locked in our homes.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inside the Trump-fueled conspiracy theory spreading unchecked online
My wife spent $50K behind my back: Dave Ramsey gives tough love to 'terrified' caller who shared about his spouse's financial infidelity  heres why Ramsey warns the money is secondary

C.J. and his wife  who at the time was six months pregnant  had been working to pay off $57,000 in debt.

But when a broker called looking to refinance the couples mortgage, C.J. inadvertently found out that his wife had racked up an additional $50,000 in credit card charges behind his back.

Don't miss

Commercial real estate has outperformed the S&P 500 over 25 years. Here's how to diversify your portfolio without the headache of being a landlord

Rich young Americans have lost confidence in the stock market  and are betting on these 3 assets instead. Get in now for strong long-term tailwinds

A natural way to diversify': Janet Yellen now says Americans should expect a decline in the USD as the world's reserve currency  3 ways you can prepare

Im terrified and I dont know what to do, C.J. told personal finance expert David Ramsey and his co-host Jade Warshaw on The Ramsey Show.

This situation is first and foremost a breach of trust  the money is secondary, Ramsey told C.J. Thats why people in my world call this financial infidelity.

Heres Ramsey and Warshaws break down of financial infidelity and how to rebuild your relationship and finances if youre one of the many Americans who experience it.

Financial infidelity is not uncommon

Financial infidelity occurs when a spouse intentionally lies about money and hides their spending. Its similar to sexual infidelity, Ramsey said. Not only is it a deep breach of trust, but, for many, it activates the same part in your brain or in your soul as any other type of unfaithfulness.

A 2021 poll conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education found that 43% of adults who have combined finances in a relationship have committed financial infidelity.

The polls responses suggest that men are more likely to commit financial infidelity than women, and that its more likely to occur if the individual is employed and the household has children under 18. Income and homeownership status dont appear to be contributing factors.

Story continues

But, like sexual infidelity, it can be marriage-ending. Roughly 41% of married or cohabitating Americans say theyre at least somewhat likely to end their relationship if they discover financial infidelity, according to research by the The American Institute of CPAs.

Read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now use $100 to cash in on prime real estate  without the headache of being a landlord. Here's how

What to do if it happens to you

Ramsey suggested that C.J. and his wife dont just need to repair their finances  they need to repair their relationship.

Your wife systematically lied to you for an extended period of time, he said on the show. This is not, I bought something at Target and forgot to tell you. This is a way different thing.

Repairing that trust requires an admission of how big a deal it is and not soft-pedaling any emotions it brings up.

Financial infidelity doesnt have to end in divorce, Ramsey said, but it does require putting in place systems and communication processes with the guidance of a marriage counselor to rebuild that trust. C.J. also needs assurance that it wont happen again.

Those communication processes include talking about their budget, tracking every dollar and checking their credit report every month  while they pay off the debt together.

Root causes

If someone is committing financial infidelity, the admission is just the start of the process, according to Ramsey. They also need to figure out whats causing that behavior in the first place.

Shame is a common cause of financial infidelity, he said. If one spouse is struggling financially and the other is blissfully unaware, shame might cause that spouse to prop up the family lifestyle with debt.

It can also be triggered when one spouse is too controlling with the family budget, and the other spouse rebels and tries to take back some control by making purchases outside the budget. This is, again, a relationship issue because it shows that both votes dont count at the budget committee meeting, said Ramsey.

Sometimes infidelity arises because theres something even more ominous at play, added Warshaw, such as an affair, addiction or gambling problem.

In these scenarios, there may need to be a separation of finances until trust can be rebuilt or, in cases where it cant, the marriage is over. In all cases, rebuilding trust begins with the deceiver owning what theyve done and showing some remorse.

For those deceiving their spouse about finances, the longer it goes on, the bigger the blowup, said Ramsey. Trust will be rebuilt faster if you admit it rather than being discovered.

What to read next

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Long-established in the Vehicles & Parts industry, XPeng Inc (NYSE:XPEV) has enjoyed a stellar reputation. However, it has recently witnessed a daily loss of 3.49%, juxtaposed with a three-month change of 59.33%. Fresh insights from the GuruFocus Score Rating hint at potential headwinds. Notably, its diminished rankings in financial strength, growth, and valuation suggest that the company might not live up to its historical performance. Join us as we dive deep into these pivotal metrics to unravel the evolving narrative of XPeng Inc.

XPeng Inc (XPEV): A Deep Dive into Its Performance Potential

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.

Based on the above method, GuruFocus assigned XPeng Inc the GF Score of 54 out of 100, which signals poor future outperformance potential.

XPeng Inc: A Snapshot

Founded in 2015, XPeng Inc is a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle, or EV, company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets EVs in China. Its products primarily target the growing base of technology-savvy middle-class consumers in the midrange to high-end segment in China's passenger vehicle market. The company sold over 120,000 EVs in 2022, accounting for about 2% of China's passenger new energy vehicle market. It is also a leader in autonomous driving technology. With a market cap of $14.61 billion and sales of $3.001 billion, XPeng Inc operates with a margin of -49.24%.

Story continues

XPeng Inc (XPEV): A Deep Dive into Its Performance Potential

Financial Strength Analysis

XPeng Inc's financial strength indicators present some concerning insights about the company's balance sheet health. XPeng Inc has an interest coverage ratio of 0, which positions it worse than 0% of 986 companies in the Vehicles & Parts industry. This ratio highlights potential challenges the company might face when handling its interest expenses on outstanding debt. It's worth noting that the esteemed investor Benjamin Graham typically favored companies with an interest coverage ratio of at least five.

The company's Altman Z-Scoreis just 1.49, which is below the distress zone of 1.81. This suggests that the company may face financial distress over the next few years.

Profitability Analysis

XPeng Inc's low Profitability rank can also raise warning signals. With a Piotroski F-Score of 1, XPeng Inc's financial health appears concerning. This score, rooted in Joseph Piotroski's nine-point scale, evaluates a firm's profitability, liquidity, and operating efficiency. Given its rating, XPeng Inc might be facing challenges in these areas.

Growth Prospects

A lack of significant growth is another area where XPeng Inc seems to falter, as evidenced by the company's low Growth rank.

XPeng Inc (XPEV): A Deep Dive into Its Performance Potential

Conclusion

Given XPeng Inc's financial strength, profitability, and growth metrics, the GuruFocus Score Rating highlights the firm's unparalleled position for potential underperformance. While the company has made significant strides in the EV industry, its financial indicators suggest that it may struggle to maintain its growth trajectory. Therefore, investors should exercise caution when considering this stock.

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.


By David Lawder

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on Tuesday that she trusts the leaders of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund to adjust their Oct. 9-15 annual meetings in Morocco in an appropriate way given the country's devastating earthquake.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Bank President Ajay Banga and Moroccan Economy Minister Nadia Fettah Alaoui announced on Monday that the meetings in Marrakech would proceed despite the Sept. 8 earthquake that killed over 2,900 people in the nearby High Atlas Mountains.

In their statement, they said they would make some changes to their meeting plans to adapt content "to the circumstances," of the disaster.

Asked what changes should be made to the meeting, which is expected to bring over 10,000 people to Marrakech, Yellen told reporters: "I'm leaving it to the heads of the World Bank and the IMF to work with the government of Morocco and figure out what's appropriate and possible.

"Of course, we need to be respectful of the tragedies that occurred in this country and the need that there is for first responders to be able to attend to people who've been impacted by the earthquake," she added.

Yellen, who controls the dominant U.S. shareholding in both institutions, said after a climate finance event in New York that she would have found it understandable if a decision had been made to hold the meetings elsewhere, and would support any changes that the IMF, World Bank and Morocco deem appropriate.

"This is what the government of Morocco strongly wants. It wants the meetings to go on and feels it's able to do what's necessary," she said. "We want to be helpful for the people in Morocco."

Georgieva on Friday told Reuters that Morocco's prime minister told her it would be "quite devastating" for Morocco's hospitality sector if the meetings were moved to a different location.

(Reporting by David Lawder;Editing by Leslie Adler))
A Virginia State Police trooper who was convicted of two misdemeanors as the result of her actions following an on-duty crash last year in Spotsylvania County will have to serve a day in jail.

Myranda Walker, 26, of Ashland, was convicted in July in Spotsylvania Circuit Court of destruction of property and filing a false police report. She was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Ricardo Rigual to a total of 180 days in jail with all but two days suspended.

Because the offenses are misdemeanors, Walker will only have to serve one day. Rigual allowed her to report to jail at a later date.

The single-vehicle crash took place on May 7, 2022, on Guinea Station Road in Spotsylvania. Walker was heading east when her police cruiser entered a curve, crossed the centerline and ran off the left side of the highway.

The evidence presented by prosecutors Stephanie Fitzgerald and Ryan Mehaffey showed that the cruiser struck a tree, overcorrected and crossed back to the right side of the road. Walker was not seriously injured.

Walker, who was outside the area she was supposed to be covering, told investigators initially that another vehicle had caused her to crash, something she later admitted was a lie. She also said she lost control after feeling a sharp pain in her ribs stemming from a horse-riding incident a few weeks earlier.

She broke the DVD in the patrol vehicles dashboard camera in half in an apparent attempt to cover her initial lie. She was also charged with a felony stemming from an allegation that she intentionally damaged the camera system, but Rigual threw that charge out before a jury began deliberations.

In a taped interview following the crash, Walker explained her post-accident actions by saying she [expletive] up. She had been on administrative leave pending the outcome of her case but is now in the process of being formally removed from the force.
A Stafford man picked up multiple charges Sunday after a county deputy approached him regarding an incident that had nothing to do with him, police said.

According to Stafford Sheriffs spokesman Ryan Wilbur, Deputy X.D. Bates was investigating a minor incident at Dolphin Cove regarding trash in the road when he noticed a man in a nearby vehicle. Bates approached the man in hopes that he might be able to provide information regarding the incident.

Later, Bates was approached by a woman who claimed that her vehicle had been stolen while she was in a nearby Wawa. The man Bates had approached happened to be in that vehicle, and he appeared to be intoxicated.

Christopher Choice, 39, was charged with grand larceny, DUI and driving on a revoked license. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

Wilbur said Choice and the victim did not know each other.
The family of Irvo Otieno has reached a settlement agreement with the state of Virginia, Henrico County and the sheriff whose deputies were involved in restraining the 28-year-old man before his death while in custody.

Civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who represents the family, announced the settlement on Wednesday.

The family is pleased that they were able to find a resolution outside of court in a manner that honors Irvos life, Crump said in a statement.

Crump called the settlement confidential, but The Associated Press said the settlement agreement totaled $8.5 million for the family.

Otieno, 28, who was Black, died in March while handcuffed and pinned to the floor of Central State Hospital in Dinwiddie County for about 11 minutes by seven Henrico sheriffs deputies and three hospital employees.

The death, which was captured on surveillance camera footage, became a national story. The Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy at Otienos funeral in North Chesterfield, and Crump, who represented the families of Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, became a spokesman for Otienos relatives.

On Monday, a wrongful death motion was filed by Otienos mother, Caroline Ouko, and brother, Leon Ochieng, listing the state, Henrico and county Sheriff Alisa A. Gregory as defendants.

NEWS ALERT: @AttorneyCrump and co-counsel Mark Krudys have announced that a Virginia Circut Court judge has approved a wrongful-death settlement between the family of Irvo Otieno and the Henrico County (VA), the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the Henrico County Sheriff. pic.twitter.com/aay4bkPrw0  Ben Crump Law, PLLC (@BenCrumpLaw) September 20, 2023

The next day, Henrico Circuit Court Judge Richard S. Wallerstein Jr. approved the settlement, records show.

Mark Krudys, the Virginia civil rights lawyer representing Otienos family, did not comment on the settlement agreement.

The county enlisted former Richmond Commonwealths Attorney Michael Herring, who now works in private practice at the law firm McGuire Woods, to negotiate the settlement. Officials did not respond to questions from the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Leslie Winneberger, a lawyer who represented Gregory, also did not respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. Victoria LaCivita, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Attorney Generals Office, which represented the state, said it could not comment.

Otieno, who emigrated to the U.S. from Kenya at the age of 4, was taken into custody on March 3. Henrico police encountered him while responding to a report of a possible burglary in the 8800 block of Fordson Road. Police said he became combative and was taken to Parham Doctors Hospital.

On March 6, he was taken from the Henrico jail to Central State by county sheriffs deputies.

Otienos death was ruled a homicide by asphyxiation. All 10 defendants were indicted on second-degree murder charges, but charges against two of the hospital employees were later dropped.

Otienos family has said he had a lengthy history of mental health issues and was struggling to breathe while he was being held down.

During his eulogy, Sharpton called for a change in how law enforcement handles mental health cases.

He had an illness. He should have been doctored to, not treated with brutality, said Sharpton, who did not respond to a request to comment about the settlement.

The AP reported that the settlement agreement says the state, county and sheriff have not admitted any liability and deny that their actions caused Otienos death.

Crump and Krudys have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to open a criminal investigation into the death.

The new prosecutor handling the high-profile case said last month that he is pushing for more evidence and that additional investigation is needed.

Specially elected Dinwiddie Commonwealths Attorney Jonathan Bourlier said his top priority is familiarizing himself with the cases evidence.

In these cases before us, we felt much additional investigation was needed to ensure we are fairly and accurately prosecuting this situation, which we are still undertaking, Bourlier said.

Staff writer Sean Jones contributed to this report.

PHOTOS: Celebration of life for Irvo Otieno
The newly started Fremont Transit Program is, going really great, city officials said Tuesday, Sept. 19, with about 20 to 30 riders per day using the new van-ride service.

Nick Hansen, Fremonts director of parks and recreation, said the program  which kicked off on Thursday, Sept. 7  is fully staffed with a full-time driver, a part-time driver and a ride coordinator/dispatcher all on the job and serving the public.

It is going really great. Weve had our full-time driver, and now our part-time driver has come onboard, which has allowed us to give even more rides throughout the week. We are averaging anywhere from 20 to 30 riders per day, Hansen said. It is going well. We have our (Spanish) language line open, and hopefully we can reach out to our diverse population out there and allow them to know, were here to help. You call the (main) transit line, then we have a (Spanish) language line to help us out.

On Tuesday, the transit services lone full-time driver, Tammy Nolan, was busy ferrying passengers around town. At one stop  the Wal-Mart on 23rd Street  Nolan happily helped an elderly woman load her groceries into the van for a ride back to her residence.

The service has been a success, Nolan said as she returned the womans cart to the corral inside the store. I used to drive for ENOA and I love doing this.

The new transit program was the result of months of hurried planning, coordination and development between both city officials as well as members of F.A.T.T, the Fremont Area Transportation Taskforce. Those involved were hoping to replace the former five-county van-ride service run by the Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

Hansen said once the ENOA rides ended on June 30, he and others worked frantically to develop the new transit program, seeking funding  90% of which came from a state grant  and hire drivers and acquire the vans for the service.

Our passengers are loving it, because a lot of them were out with no transportation for a couple of months, Hansen explained. We are seeing a lot of new riders now, not just our normal riders  we have new riders coming on. Every (ride) is free until Nov. 3, then it is the $2 ride fare. There is a (required) 48-hour advance notice, as we are busy, and trying to squeeze everyone in.

The van ride service operates five days a week  Monday through Friday  and serves only areas within the Fremont City limits and 2 miles outward from the city boundaries. The ride service hours are from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with door-to-door pick up and drop off.

The rides are free through Nov. 3, after which  on Nov. 4  a fare of $2 will be charged for a one-way ride and $4 for round-trip service. Although fares are set at $2 for one-way trip, to receive that price, riders are required to schedule an appointment for a ride at least 48 hours in advance.

Fremont Transit Program officials have stressed that no change can be given out by drivers, so anyone paying for a ride with cash must have exact change. Tickets can also be purchased at the Fremont Municipal Building, 400 E. Military Ave.

To make a reservation, riders can telephone 402-459-2845 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. If a rider needs translation assistance, the city has arranged for a Spanish-speaking interpreter to field those calls for service, Hansen said on Tuesday.

Residents who are 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who officials noted, will be responsible for providing, installing and removing any necessary safety or booster seats.

Hansen also stressed that while the city is dedicated to providing a consistent transit service, at the moment there are only two drivers and if one is not available, service could be impacted. He said all users of the service should plan to have a back-up ride in the event something causes the citys service to be temporarily unavailable.
NCC plans genealogy classes

Two upcoming classes class at Northeast Community College in West Point will provide an understanding of the genealogy research process and ways to interpret information that is discovered.

Genealogy  Climbing Your Family Tree (GENE 5101/23F & CRN #60347) will meet from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, in the Donald E. Nielsen Career and Technical Education Center, Room 104, 200 W. Washington St., in West Point.

This class will help participants understand the genealogy research process and the way to interpret the information they find. It will guide students through the search process for family names using several web sites. They will discover, in simple terms, where to look, who to contact and how to make their family history come alive. With the digitization of historical records, it is now possible to do much of this research from the comfort of ones home.

Genealogy  Climbing Your German Family Tree (GENE 5101/23F & CRN #60348) will meet from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the same location.

Through a series of digital images and documents, this three-hour class will take participants step-by- step in starting their German genealogical research. They will learn how to read German script, decipher old documents, and get tips on locating where their ancestors originated in the old country. This class will also allow students to learn the history of German immigration, how to locate German records, and more. It is a perfect class for beginner genealogists with German ancestry.

Cost of each class, with Michelle Monson the instructor, is $20. To register for either class, call Northeast Community College in West Point at 402-372-2269.

Blood drive set for Sept. 25 in Scribner

Scribner will be hosting an American Red Cross blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25, at Mohr Auditorium.

To schedule an appointment, contact Doris at 402-567-2363 or visit redcrossblood.org. If possible, blood donors are encouraged to use rapid pass the day of the drive.

A light lunch will be provided.

Military academy applications due Oct. 2

Congressman Mike Flood has issued a reminder that military academy applications for the 2024 United States Air Force, Merchant Marines, West Point Military, and Naval Academy nominations are due Oct. 2, 2023.

Americas military academies have a longstanding history of training our nations top military leaders, Flood said in a press release. For candidates who are nominated and admitted, this program will allow them to serve the United States while attending a tuition-free education at a distinguished academy. I take the privilege of nominating people to the military academies very seriously and look forward to announcing nominees in the coming months.

For more information on the nomination process, visit https://flood.house.gov/services/military-academy-nominations.
The Saunders County Sheriffs Office is continuing to investigate a three-vehicle accident which occurred Monday on U.S. Highway 77, south of Fremont.

At about 3:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 18, the Saunders County Sheriffs Office, with assistance from Mead Fire and Rescue, Yutan Fire and Rescue, and Cedar Bluffs Rescue, responded to the scene of a three-vehicle injury accident located on Highway 77 between County Road R and County Road S. One male party was reported needing extrication.

Saunders County Sheriff Chris Lichtenberg said in a press release that the sheriffs offices preliminary investigation shows that a white Chevy Cruz was traveling north bound on Highway 77. A blue Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling south bound on Highway 77, followed by a black Dodge Ram pickup truck which was also traveling south bound on Highway 77.

The white Chevy Cruz was reported to be driving all over the roadway, Lichtenberg said. The Chevy Cruz then crossed the center line, colliding with the south bound Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Chevy Cruz then entered further into the south bound lane of travel causing a secondary collision with the south bound black Dodge Ram pickup truck, the report said.

A male driver of the Chevy Cruz was transported to Methodist Fremont Health and later was flown by medical helicopter to Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha with serious to life threatening injuries, Lichtenberg said. A female driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee was transported to Methodist Fremont Health with non-life-threatening injuries. A male driver of the Dodge Ram pickup truck was not transported by rescue squad.

Lichtenberg said in the press release that alcohol is believed to be a factor and that seatbelts were not in use in the Chevy Cruz nor the Dodge Ram pickup truck.
An effort to make Colorado the first state in the nation to prohibit so-called "abortion reversal" treatment secured a major victory on Thursday.

The Colorado Medical Board unanimously passed a rule declaring abortion reversal treatment using certain medications outside of the "generally accepted standards of medical practice."

This comes after a draft rule released in July proposed the board should review individual complaints of abortion reversal treatment on a case-by-case basis. The new rule clarifies a specific method of abortion reversal as unprofessional conduct: when a medical provider uses the hormone progesterone to try to stop a medication-based abortion after a patient has completed the first part of the two-step process.

"Although the board will not treat medication abortion reversal as a per se act of unprofessional conduct, the board does not consider administering, dispensing, distributing, or delivering progesterone with the intent to interfere with, reverse, or halt a medication abortion undertaken through the use of mifepristone and/or misoprostol to meet generally accepted standards of medical practice," the rule's new language states.

It continues: "For other conduct that could meet the definition of medication abortion reversal, the board will investigate such deviation on a case-by-case basis."

Senate Bill 190, passed by the state legislature in April, classifies abortion reversal treatment as unprofessional conduct, subjecting medical workers who provide the treatment to professional discipline. But the bill allowed abortion reversal to be reclassified as professional conduct if the state medical, nursing and pharmacy boards all agree that its a valid medical practice.

But with the medical board now stating that it is not a valid medical practice, the three boards cannot be unanimous in support for abortion reversal. So, regardless of the findings of the nursing and pharmacy boards, abortion reversal's status as unprofessional conduct under SB 190 will remain intact.

The question is whether regulators and prosecuting attorneys will enforce the new law. After a Catholic health care clinic sued to stop the ban in April, Attorney General Phil Weiser wrote in a court filing that the ban wouldnt be enforced until all three boards pass their rules.

The two remaining boards have until Oct. 1 to adopt their final rules. The nursing board will meet on Sept. 20 and the pharmacy board will meet on Sept. 21.

"I'm very happy," said Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, sponsor of SB 190. The (medical board's) rule is very clear that its unprofessional conduct and that was the intent of the legislation. ... Doing it on a case-by-case basis and putting the burden on the patient was unacceptable to me.

The rule's new language isn't as broad as SB 190, applying only to progesterone being used to "reverse" abortions using mifepristone and/or misoprostol. By naming specific medications, the rule does not automatically lend to other or future abortion reversal treatments.

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.

Members of the board said this was intended to protect medical providers who aren't trying to perform abortion reversals. For example, board members offered a hypothetical situation of a woman trying to self-terminate her pregnancy with medications, such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers. Under broader language, doctors could be concerned about treating her overdose because they might interrupt a medication abortion.

Rep. Karen McCormick, another sponsor of SB 190, said the board's decision is reasonable.

Colorado, other states call on court to block Idaho's abortion travel ban

"I can understand the logic behind that and Im OK with that," McCormick, D-Longmont, said. "And they're still saying they can look into other conduct on a case-by-case basis. ... That makes sense."

Abortion reversal treatment has been hotly debated in the medical community for years.

Supporters of the treatment point to a small-scale 2012 study, which found that four of six women who had begun medication abortions were able to carry their pregnancies to term after taking progesterone. Subsequent research has concluded there is insufficient evidence to support abortion reversal treatment, attributing successful pregnancies to the results of simply not taking the second abortion pill.

A larger 2019 University of California study attempted to test the effectiveness of abortion pill reversal, but the study was ended prematurely due to safety concerns after three participants required ambulance transport to a hospital for treatment of severe vaginal bleeding, NPR reported. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also rejects prescribing progesterone to reverse abortions, saying it is "not based on science and do not meet clinical standards."

Proponents of abortion reversal argued that the board should preserve an option for women who change their minds after starting the process of a medication abortion.

"It is a very sad day in Colorado," said Dr. Thomas Perille, president of Democrats for Life of Colorado. "The proponents of 'choice' are taking away choice from women who believe they have made a tragic mistake and desperately want to save their baby after taking the first abortion pill, mifepristone."

Opponents of abortion reversal celebrated the rule, saying the board must protect women from being pushed into partaking in a medically-unfounded practice.

"This ruling is a huge win for reproductive rights and justice," a joint statement from New Era Colorado and COLOR said. "We are proud to be the first state in the nation to ensure that our communities will no longer be deceived into an unethical, experimental practice, and that providers of this so-called treatment will be held accountable for their actions."
Ahead of the coordinated election in November, officials are sharing information on major upcoming ballot measures as well as new technology aimed at preserving election integrity in El Paso County.

Tuesday was also National Voter Registration Day, where citizens were encouraged to register to vote or check the accuracy of their current registration status and address ahead of when ballots are mailed on Oct. 16.

Currently, El Paso County has 481,564 active voters, or people who will be receiving ballots this year, according to county Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleiker. That is 63% of the county's total population, including residents under age 18 who are not elligible to vote.

Almost half of the county's active voters  49.5%  are unaffiliated with any political party. Registered Republicans make up 30.5% and registered Democrats make up 17.9% of all voters, according to county data.

Total voter participation in the county in the 2022 election was about 62%, up from 36% in the 2021 election but down from 84% in 2020, the data showed.

Citizens who have recently changed their name or moved addresses within Colorado must update their voter registration.

Those wishing to do so, or those who wish to simply review their current registration information on file, could do so at GoVoteColorado.gov.

Schleiker noted that under Colorado's Automatic Voter Registration system, implemented in May 2020, eligible voters who show proof of citizenship are automatically registered to vote when applying for or renewing a driver's license.

A whole new camera and livestreaming system will also be present at ballot boxes and online to help further preserve election integrity this year, Schleiker said.

As part of the "major project" Schleiker envisioned when he took office, each of the county's 39 ballot boxes will be equipped with electric and solar-powered camera technology that can livestream ballot box activity to the county's website, he said.

While boxes have previously required surveillance under Colorado law, "archaic" cameras only reliant on electricity complicated where boxes could be installed in more rural places like Cascade, and retrieving massive video files could take weeks, he said.

"The technology was old and was extremely inefficient, but to me, (the cameras' main reason) is full transparency and putting that out there where citizens can sit there and take a look for themselves what's going on with their neighborhood ballot box," Schleiker said.

He said the new video footage can be stored more efficiently for up to 10 years, which "far exceeds" the 25 months required by law.

As of Tuesday, 40% of the cameras had been installed since crews began on Sept. 13, he said.

While Colorado citizens can register to vote on the day of the election, registering early ensures they can vote on several major state and local ballot measures, Schleiker said.

One of those state questions will be Proposition HH, a controversial Democrat-backed initiative that will ask voters whether to use the surplus from the Taxpayers Bill of Rights (TABOR) to reduce property taxes, fund school districts and backfill counties, water districts, fire districts, ambulance or hospital districts and other local governments.

Colorado Springs residents will decide whether to allow the city to retain $4.75 million in TABOR excess tax revenues to help build a new police training facility officials say will help Colorado Springs recruit, retain and adequately train police officers.

In Fountain, voters will decide whether the city becomes a member of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, which collects a 1% sales tax that pays for some of the regions largest road extensions, maintenance and expansion projects.

All 17 of El Paso County's school districts will have board seats up for reelection as well, Schleiker said.

"We voters are going to be electing individuals to represent those school districts and make major decisions" for taxpayers in any given area in the county, he said.

Click or tap here for more information on voter registration in El Paso County.
A suspect is still at large after robbing a store at gunpoint Monday afternoon, according to Colorado Springs police.

Police said at 1:13 p.m. a suspect entered a business at the 800 block of North Nevada Avenue and demanded money from the clerk, brandishing a gun.

The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of money, according to officials.

The suspect is described as a man wearing dark-colored clothing, and a dark face covering.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Colorado Springs Police Department.
The second graders of Marjorie Fletcher's class at Midland Elementary on Colorado Springs' west side all came home with more than just their daily homework on Tuesday: a shiny new bike.

Denver-based nonprofit Wish for Wheels provided the donation to the second grade class  blue BMX-style bikes complete with matching helmets  while 10 volunteers from Colorado Springs office of Weifield Group Electrical Contracting did the work of assembling each bike and helping to deliver them.

Midland Elementary is a District 11 school with more than 60% of its students qualifying for federal financial assistance through the Title 1 program.

"We mainly go to Title I schools, because that's where we can do the most good," Wish for Wheels Build and Give Program Manager Jerry Farmer said.

According to Farmer, Title 1 schools are picked to be close to where the partner company is based, and where the second-grade class size lines up well with the number of volunteers available to help with the process.

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.

Farmer said the organization gave out about 7,000 bicycles last year, and aims to give out around 10,000 this year.

"Second grade is the golden year for that feeling of freedom and fun, riding around with friends, and we want to get them into that healthy lifestyle as soon as possible, " Farmer said.

The kids came straight from recess to the front of the school to see the bikes set up in one shiny row in front of the school. One by one, they got to pick a bike and have volunteers help adjust their seat height and helmet straps. Then, it was off to the school parking lot to do laps around the parking lot, complete with some cheers of "woo-hoo!"

"I don't know how many have had a brand-new bike, but to have one with all of their classmates is exciting," Midland Principal Karen Newton said, between helping some of the wobblier bike riders find their balance.

"It was amazing, just really joy-filled," she said.
Colorado State University Pueblo and Pikes Peak State College are partnering to allow students to complete two degrees at one location.

Nearly half of PPSC students plan to transfer to another school after completing their associate degree, according to a news release. A five-year agreement between the two parties means students can obtain both their associate and bachelors degrees without a complicated transfer process or having to change locations.

This transformative partnership between Pikes Peak State College and Colorado State University Pueblo will provide our students with the unique opportunity to easily transfer to CSU Pueblo to complete a four-year degree, CSU Pueblo President Timothy Mottet said in a news release.

The institutions will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Friday to introduce the community to a new shared space on the PPSC Centennial campus. Students who attend the event will be eligible for a drawing of a $1,000 scholarship.

Students this fall can take upper-level classes to finish their associate degrees before transferring to CSU Pueblo while remaining on the PPSC Centennial campus. Students can complete a bachelors and masters degree in social work or a bachelors degree in criminology and sociology.

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.

The partnership is the latest in several connections that PPSC has made with local schools in recent years. In 2020, qualifying Harrison School District 2 graduates began receiving promise scholarships through the Dakota Foundation and Legacy Institute to attend PPSC for free. Last week, Colorado Springs School District 11 extended a similar offer in partnership with PPSC to all of its graduating high school seniors.

With this announcement, CSU Pueblo students will have access to PPSC support services including the learning commons, library and tutoring center. The shared space will house the CSU Pueblo transfer center and support students with advising and administrative support to guide students into CSUP classes and through different types of admissions applications, according to spokesperson Matt Radcliffe. There is no limit to how many students can take advantage of the transfer opportunity.

The expanded relationship between Pikes Peak State College and CSU Pueblo will help streamline the transfer of credits for any student seeking a four-year degree; it will provide another way that PPSC can create pathways for our military students to be successful, and we are confident this will support enrollment growth at both institutions, PPSC President Lance Bolton said in the release.
The Fountain City Council recently approved setting aside $700,000 to spend on 12 new police vehicles, with some funding coming from the recently approved public safety tax.

The city expects to buy or lease six vehicles to add to its fleet and replace six aging vehicles, said John Lewis, the city's finance director told the council in a recent meeting. The new vehicles are needed for the additional six officers the city plans to hire with the new tax funding.

The vehicles are not expected to arrive until next year, but putting in an order in earlier with allow the city to get a better price, he said.

The availability of police vehicles is also tight, said Fleet Manager Thomas Pullara, in a presentation to the council.

"It is very very important to make this decision," he said.

The council approved the funding for the vehicles on a 5-0 vote last week so they can be ordered.

The department expects to buy four Chevy Traverses for non-patrol staff, such as the chief, one new Chevy Tahoe outfitted specifically for K-9 work, and seven Chevy Tahoes for patrol officers, said Police Chief Mark Cristiani. It is also possible that one of the new cars could be sedan.

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.

Cristiani said he hopes the department will be fully staffed with 68 officers at the end of next year, including the six newly funded positions. The department employs 59 people currently and four new officers are in training.

The city has money to spend on vehicles and additional officers after voters approved a property tax increase in November that was expected to raise $1.7 million annually for police and fire protection.

As a property tax, revenue will grow as the community adds more homes and businesses and allow the fire and police departments to grow with revenues, Cristiani said.

Fountain expects to use money from the dedicated tax fund for the six additional vehicles and draw on general fund revenues for the replacement vehicles. The town's general funds are not restricted to a specific use.

The police department got behind on replacing vehicles following a hail storm in 2018 that damaged most of the departments vehicles, Cristiani said.

While some unsalvageable vehicles were replaced, some heavily damaged vehicles were simply repaired to make them look presentable.

"We got way behind the curve," Cristiani said.

Some vehicles are also considered high-mileage with 160,000 miles on them and need to be phased out because of how roughly they are driven, he said.
Two famous pigs underestimated a wolf. He was of nature, incapable of humanoid male toxicity. Such a lovely creature would do no harm  so they thought.

The wolf demolished their lives before the Welcome Wagon arrived. The pigs were not prepared for a wolf, which takes strategy, effort, investment and sacrifice. It means, dont let the dog outside alone. Dont have open-range chickens. Guard the livestock.

A third pig knew wolves were strong, smart, predatory, dangerous and commanding of respect. He invested time and money to build with bricks. He sacrificed play so he could build. He would live near a wolf, but with respect for the creatures genetic traits  not those imagined by two substandard pigs. The two lived in peace.

By the end of the year, wolves could blow up the lives of rural Coloradans. Unlike the pigs, they did not willfully move into active wolf habitat. Urban Coloradans, mostly transplants from other states, invited wolves to live west of the Front Range. They passed Proposition 114 in 2020. They provided no bricks.

The wolves wont blow down houses, but they will kill dogs, cats, cattle, bison, deer, elk and other beings we treasure as pets, investments or animals to observe and/or hunt. If wolves mostly ate the Prebles mouse, we would banish them. Yet, too many city voters dont know or care about agricultural husbandry and rural lifestyles. Food comes from Safeway.

Just as they demanded wolves, voters could require palm trees on Mount Blue Sky. There, the trees would die. Thats what worries wolf experts as they look to Colorados reintroduction plan.

Real wolf experts  the people who work full time to keep them alive and reproducing  dont think our state provides a wolf-friendly environment. Given our rapid growth, and urban gentrification of the Western Slope, they probably have a point.

Critics say Colorados plan creates an incentive to hunt wolves. Leave dead livestock on the ground to attract wolves + kill wolves + claim they attacked livestock = state compensation check.

The proposed plan allows for wolves to be killed frequently and would let the state remove protections before a sustainable population is established, explains the Center for Biological Diversity in a Dec. 9 article.

A June 28 article in E-The Environmental Magazine also blasts Colorados reintroduction as dangerous to wolves.

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.

Hunters and ranchers are already planning the hunting season (for wolves), and the excuses to justify it. Is Colorado just bringing back wolves to be hunted? the Environmental asks.

Other states oppose the plan so vigorously they refuse to share wolves with Colorado.

Wyoming is opposed to sending Wyoming wolves to Colorado because we carefully and scientifically manage our wolf population, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said in May. His letter expresses concern about wolves returning to Wyoming across inhospitable habitat.

Just like Wyoming, Idaho refuses to release wolves to Colorado.

Idahos experience leads us to conclude that negative impacts of wolves sent to Colorado will not stay in Colorado, explains a letter to Colorado officials from the Idaho Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Idaho has paid an enormous price to have wolves on the landscape. There are actual costs associated with monitoring, managing, and controlling wolves; costs associated with depredation compensation and prevention; and costs associated with never-ending litigation related to wolf management.

That leaves Oregon, Washington and Idahos Nez Perce Tribe for potential wolf donations. Our Dec. 31 deadline should mean nothing to them, legally or ethically. The wolves depend on them to make smart decisions.

All three should do Colorado and wolves a favor and follow the principles of Idaho and Wyoming. As these wolf-reintroduction states respectfully explain  and as we confirm  Colorado is not ready.

The Gazette Editorial Board
This past week, I was greatly disappointed to read that Gov. Jared Polis had publicly supported the recommendations from a Biden administration department to remove cannabis from the Schedule I drug classification. In his letter to President Joe Biden, the governor added, Lets celebrate this progress and work together to finish the job. By finish the job, I can only imagine the governor meant fully legalizing retail marijuana across the nation to the detriment and threat to the health of residents and our youths.

As has been documented, even moderate use of the drug can have negative consequences on individuals, especially to those whose brains have not yet fully developed. Particularly worrisome were the governors comments thanking the administration on their potential move as catching up with where the science is. The fact is the science shows we should continue to have concerns over the dangers of recreational marijuana and not promote its use or increased sales in Colorado.

The experts at the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area have kept a track of relevant information regarding illicit drugs and provide an annual report on marijuana. Reporting published in their latest edition of The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado (2021) shows that,

 Since recreational marijuana was legalized in 2013, traffic deaths where drivers tested positive for marijuana increased 138% while Colorado traffic deaths increased 29%.

 The percent of suicide incidents in which toxicology results were positive for marijuana has increased from 14% in 2013 to 29% in 2020.

 Past month marijuana use for ages 12 and older increased 26% and is 61% higher than the national average, ranked 3rd highest in the nation.

 Past month college age marijuana (ages 18-25) use increased 10% and is 53% higher than the national average, ranked 3rd highest in the nation.

And as it relates to the black market, Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area wrote that seizures of marijuana reported in Colorado increased 48% from an average of 174 parcels (2009-2012) when marijuana was commercialized to an average of 257 parcels (2013-2020) during the time recreational marijuana become legalized. The continued arguments that legalizing retail marijuana would cut off the illicit market are unsupported.

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.

Additionally, and to stem any questions that I am perhaps commenting on this subject to be partisan on the governors position, let me provide data originally posted by the Obama White House on their concerns over marijuana. Their cited studies and sources found that marijuana users have a nearly five-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after smoking the drug, and that Research tells us that chronic marijuana use may increase the risk of schizophrenia  and high doses of the drug can produce acute psychotic reactions. Researchers have also found that adolescents long-term use of marijuana may be linked with lower IQ (as much as an 8 point drop) later in life.

Also, as it related to long term effects to ones personal life, the Obama White House reported that the drug impaired several important measures of health and quality of life, including physical and mental health, cognitive abilities, social life, and career status. They also addressed the false assertion that legalizing marijuana could benefit government revenue and fund priority projects. The Obama White House dismissed such arguments by concluding that the social costs of legalizing marijuana would outweigh any possible tax that could be levied.

I can only assume that our governor has failed to read the relevant reports on this subject or has other motives. In either case, his public stance is dangerous. I must therefore ask, why Governor, would you promote its expanded use? In the same letter to the president, I believe he answers this question in his highlighting the supposed tax revenue benefits for government budgets.

The governor states that the move to legalize recreational marijuana is a shift that has brought over $15 billion in tax revenue to states allowing them to better fund essential government functions. But research has disproven the argument for legalization for its tax benefit. Im sure he knows this, but I believe the governor is in dire need of additional taxpayer revenue to fund projects he has overpromised on and underfunded.

Colorados Department of Revenue indicates retail marijuana tax revenue fell approximately $100 million in 2022, as compared with 2021 (down 23%). Additional reporting indicates that 2023 sales are on pace to be even lower and that Colorado lost thousands of cannabis jobs last year. Polis likely believes that reclassifying and eventually legalizing cannabis nationwide could be useful to retailers in their banking and financial dealings and potentially promote a rebound in retail sales, and therefore a rebound to the lost tax revenue for his budget. But at what cost, Governor?

In taking the position to support the reclassification of cannabis and his continued promoting of the retail marijuana industry, Polis is ignoring the science he mentions in his letter to the president. In doing so, he shows that he prioritizes profits and tax revenue over the health and safety of residents and the future of our youths.

Longinos Gonzalez Jr. is a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, former middle school teacher and El Paso County commissioner. He is a member of the El Paso County Board of Health.
Commerce City, located right outside Denver, is playing with fire in one of its newest proposed ordinances. The ordinance, formally known as Rental Registration Ordinance 2541, was designed initially to target multi-family housing but in practice will increase rental home prices and create onerous burdens for property owners of single-family rental homes. It is imperative that the Commerce City Council delays the enactment of these policies until lawmakers truly understand how harmful these policies will be for the rental market, property owners, tenants and businesses.

The Denver metro area is one of the most expensive places to rent in the United States. These high rent costs, combined with the increased cost of living, make it increasingly difficult for low and middle-income residents to afford to live in communities such as Commerce City, and this new proposal by the city council would only worsen these issues. More specifically, the new proposal would prevent property owners from renting excellent single-family homes to tenants if one of their other properties has not met stringent guidelines on an even more strict timeline. Overly burdensome property management regulations like the ones proposed, which go way beyond the norm for property managers in America, will inevitably lead to costs that will be passed on to tenants who will be forced to pay higher rent.

Additionally, this ordnance inverts the incentive structures that normally facilitate attractive single family home rental communities and spur more housing options for towns like Commerce City.

For instance, under the citys proposed ordinance change, if a tenant trashed their rental to the point that it no longer was up to code, tenants could live there for free until the landlord repaired it. It would force property owners to, in the worst-case scenario, award tenants for wanton property destruction and negligence.

Moreover, provisions for emergency evictions, designed to protect property owners in worst-case scenarios, will be limited. As a result, property owners would not see any incentives for putting their properties on the market, further tightening the rental market and limiting access to affordable housing. It is essential to the rental market that both tenants and property owners are happy with their rental agreements. This potential overreach by the city council swings the pendulum too far in one direction, creating market conditions that restrict housing options and will inevitably create friction in the community.

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.

On top of these issues, the city council is simply not doing their homework. The elected architects of this ordinance were trying to push this policy through quickly to avoid the responsibility of considering the opinions and perspectives of those who will be most impacted. Property owners, tenants, and lower- to middle-income citizens have not been invited to provide any feedback. By excluding these groups of people, the Commerce City Council is just assuming they know what is best for these members of the community without even asking them. The city council needs to better live up to their responsibilities to their citizens and create a policy that will mitigate harm, not cause it.

It is entirely unfair to all parties involved that the city council is introducing a policy that would harm the economy, citizens, and community all to pass a short-sighted measure that lacks substantive benefits. The city council should focus on writing up a policy that is fair for all and one that will help, not hurt, Commerce City. Following the ordinance format used across the rest of metro Denver, for example, is a simple and common-sense way to remedy the pending issue. By rethinking the proposed policy, observing the norms from the surrounding areas that work for everyone, and listening to community members and those impacted, the city council would be able to avoid catastrophe and protect our neighborhoods from even higher housing costs. The work of my life has been to build a stronger and dynamic economic base for Commerce City. Working together we have achieved a great deal but this ordinance if enacted will turn back the clock and do irreparable harm to our communitys economy.

Do the right thing and listen to all voices in our great community.

Rene Bullock is a former mayor pro tem of Commerce City and current executive director of the Commerce City Chamber of Commerce.
Supporting locally owned businesses

Bravo! on Rich Ladens article Downtown backers hope sidewalk sales offer a boost after a power outage. I hope the Gazette will continue to feature pieces that remind readers to buy local. Keeping a storefront open in this turbulent economy requires courage, creativity and thick skin. Power shutdowns make survival even more challenging.

Good Eye vintage and new clothing store owner Nickie Frye explained why shopping at any store downtown helps all small store owners keep their doors open. She stated, Having a zero-dollar day is just very bad and that If my neighbors are doing well, Im doing well. The whole downtown is thriving when everybody has a good day. When everybodys down, its a bad day for all of us.

Supporting small, locally owned businesses all year round is crucial, not just during sidewalk sales. Lets keep the joy and sparkle of our small-town sense of community alive. Every single purchase matters.

Suzana Ward

Colorado Springs

We might have a bigger problem

I wanted to address the recent attempt by Mayor Yemi Mobolade to micromanage the efforts of Councilman Dave Donelson to research a city budget issue. It appears that the mayor intended to lean on councilman Donelson rather than leaning in to understand input from city residents (as his campaign rhetoric of transparency promised).

At issue is the request by Councilman Donelson to get a rather benign city budget statistic ( total city spending vs 4 years ago). It was a public records request. Any city resident ought to be able to ask that question, including a council member. Instead of the City CFO sending him the data, she passed the request on to the mayor.

This tells me we have a bigger problem than burdening city employees with unnecessary requests for information. Mayor Mobolades restructuring of city personnel to report directly to him indicates an attempt to veil his insecurity with the appearance of control. Its not a good look for any public servant, much less the executive office. Its starting to feel like transparency was just a buzzword.

Councilman Donelson deserves a public apology at the next council meeting. It would be an apology not only to him but also those of us he serves. The mayor would do well to remember he is a servant as well, not a manager. I would appreciate a little of that promised transparency while hes at it where is that poll he alluded to when saying that Colorado Springs residents supported the plan for funding a small percentage of the cost of a new police training center by withholding our TABOR tax refunds?

Franka Hopwood

Colorado Springs

Questioning the status quo

Once again, I see Dave Donelson is questioning the status quo in our city. This time, he is asking for the transparency that was promised by our new mayor during his campaign. The City Council holds regular work sessions. That makes sense . how else does anything get done? Before a work session, Dave emailed the CFO asking her about what the citys spending was four years ago. It was a simple question that, as the city CFO, she would have access to and is the logical one to ask.

Instead of a simple response, our mayor basically questioned his motive and asked if other council members supported his request! What does that have to do with anything? A City Councilman asked a question that should have gotten a simple response. Its called due diligence. It appears to me that our new mayor is controlling our City Council.

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.

Our mayor has been proudly highlighting his citywide Listening Tour held in all six districts. However, some residents and Councilman Donelson have criticized the format of the Listening Tour, saying it was too controlled and focused on specified topics.

Councilman Donelson isnt the elected councilman in my district. But time and time again, he demonstrates that he is my councilman representing me and my interests as well as those of the rest of our community. Thank you, Dave.

Billie Nigro

Colorado Springs

So many complaining letters

I read the Sept. 13 letters to the editor and I cant believe so much complaining. Get up and do something about whatever is bugging you. If people dont agree with you, accept it.

Change yourself because a letter to the paper isnt gonna change anything. Maybe itll make you feel better. Thats OK. But the a disconnect from facts and reality isnt the best plan forward.

David Loscanos

Colorado Springs

Limit property taxes

We need property tax reform! Government revenue streams are once again going to get another boost with the new property assessment valuations completed this year by our county tax assessor. And yes, they are significantly higher than the last few years.

Proposition HH, included in the November ballot, is the only legislation at this time to supposedly help property owners with reduced property tax. However, it is a bait and switch approach to make you think you are going to get a worthwhile reduction in the taxes you pay. What it does not do is offset the significant increase of property valuation that will result in paying significantly more taxes than the year before. We need our legislative representatives to propose a bill that reduces the property tax assessment rate by at least 1 or 2 percentage points and exempts the first $100,000 in home values from taxation.

This would be a good start to reduce the tax burden we as property owners will face in the coming years. We will get taxed when we sell our homes or commercial properties with the significant increased values, so dont tax us to death while we live and/or operate a business in them. If legislative representatives want to truly help their constituents, please push forward a bill that limits the property taxes we pay.

Alan Goins

Colorado Springs
Residents living along Colorado's northern Front Range and northeastern plains experienced a pretty wet year  the wettest, in fact, in 128 years.

And water experts expect this winter isn't likely to be much different.

Becky Bolinger, assistant state climatologist at the Colorado Climate Center, said those areas had the wettest year since the state started keeping those records 128 years ago.

Bolinger reviewed the water year that will end on Sept. 30 with the state's Water Availability Task Force on Tuesday.

Those wet conditions were a double-edged sword, Bolinger said. Record storms, particularly in June, also produced the most severe weather reports on record.

The 310 reports included thunderstorms and flash floods, as well as active hailstorms with 2-inch-diameter hailstones. July and August look to be in the top 10 for record weather, she added.

But the wet conditions didn't arrive in the San Luis Valley or the Sangre de Cristo mountain area, which showed a some of the area with some of the driest conditions on record. Alamosa had its driest summer ever, although September has been better, she added.

Even southeastern Colorado, which has been plagued by drought for several years, had better moisture this summer.

It's also been cooler this year except in August, which was the 10th warmest on record, Bolinger said.

That largely means evaporative demand  which shows the "thirst of the atmosphere"  has been normal or even a little below normal. Western Colorado is the exception, a region of the state where it's drying out and putting stress on vegetation.

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.

About 31% of the state is in some level of drought, but at the lowest levels. The affected areas are entirely in southwestern Colorado, and Bolinger said those conditions developed since early to mid-July. But that's an improvement from where Colorado stood at the beginning of the water year last Oct. 1.

For the fall, the forecast predicts above average temperatures and an El Nino pattern, which means above average moisture. That pattern  Bolinger characterized the forecast as a moderate to strong El Nino winter  could continue through the spring.

That might not be the best news for some of Colorado's northern ski areas. Bolinger explained that the northern mountains tend to do better in drier La Nina years, rather than El Nino years. Overall, however, the state benefits more from El Nino conditions, she added.

That also means that drought conditions are less likely to develop during the winter, with the exception of northwest Colorado. She also believes the winter snowfall may start a little later, with hopes the wet summer will keep soil moistures comfortable until the snows start.

What all this summer moisture means for reservoirs and stream flows came from Karl Wetlaufer of the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

And there's a lot of good news.

Many reservoirs are full or nearly so after years of below-average levels. In some reservoirs, water levels are at nearly 10-year highs, he said, such as for the reservoirs along the South Platte.

Reservoirs in the Gunnison River Basin, which a year ago were at some of their lowest levels in 30 years, have made dramatic improvements, Wetlaufer said.

One report shows Blue Mesa, the state's largest reservoir, with 50 feet more water than in 2021 and only 10 feet below full capacity. On the other hand, Navajo Reservoir, in southwestern Colorado, hasn't fared quite as well.

In the San Luis Valley, home to the upper Rio Grande River Basin, most reservoirs are at normal levels, he said. That follows three years of grim reservoir levels, Wetlaufer explained.

Reservoirs in the Arkansas Valley are mostly at normal levels, with Pueblo Reservoir well above average.

What does this year's snowmelt mean for stream flows?

Almost everywhere is "impressive," Wetlaufer said, noting record stream flows in rivers is many parts of the state, with some exceeding records going back 50 to 100 years.
The Douglas County board on Tuesday went through nominees for a panel that will be tasked to come up a plan to secure future water for residents and businesses alike.

No final decisions were made on who will sit on the 11-member commission, as commissioners are next likely to go through an interview process and winnow down the nominees.

As envisioned, the water commission, the brainchild of Commissioner Abe Laydon, would have three members from each of the county's three districts, plus two at-large members intended to represent rural parts of the county.

There would also be nine "alternates" to the district members.

Last week, Commissioner George Teal unveiled his recommendations  a list of eight names  including three for his district, three for the district of Commissioner Lora Thomas and two for the at-large seats. Five of his eight pics were major donors to Teal's 2020 county commissioner campaign coffers.

On Tuesday, it was Thomas and Laydon's turn to disclose their picks.

Thomas did not endorse any of Teal's names for her district, which included Harold Smethills, the developer of Sterling Ranch; John Kim, a principal at Renewable Water Resources; and, David Simonson of the Highlands Ranch Metro District. The first two have been major contributors to Teal's campaign.

Thomas picked Frank Johns of the Centennial Water & Sanitation District; Evan Ela, a water attorney with 40 years' experience; and, William "Mickey" Conway, CEO of Metro Water Recovery, formerly the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which represents 23 municipalities for wastewater management on the Front Range.

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.

Thomas said Conway's relationship with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment could be "useful."

Laydon named Merlin Klotz and Donald Langley, both of whom serve on the Parker Water and Sanitation District; former Colorado Water Conservation Board director James Eklund, also a water attorney; and, James Meyers, whom Laydon said has 40 years of experience in water resources.

The county also got applications from Trisha Bernhardt, who previously served on the county's rural water authority; Andrea Cole, a licensed engineer and general manager of the Dominion Water and Sanitation District; and, from Malcolm Bedell of Franktown.

Laydon voiced support for some of the nominees Teal put forward, including Sean Tonner, another RWR principal who had also contributed to Teal's campaign, for an at-large seat, as well as for Smethills for Thomas' district.

While Tonner has lived in Castle Rock for some time, he also owns a working ranch, Teal said, adding it would make him a voice for rural and agricultural interests.

Thomas said that while Teal's nominees for his own district "would not be my first choices ... I will honor George's ability to pick people for his district that he supports."

The meeting wrapped up as Laydon asked for more time to look over the applications and the names proposed by Teal and Thomas in order, he said, to "get a better sense of what you both really prefer."

But Laydon pointed out what could be a major problem  not one woman was proposed as a member of the commission, although there are several women applicants. That led Laydon to make another push for Bernhardt, who, in addition to her service on the rural water authority, has extensive experience in the National Environmental Policy Act, as well as a master's degree in environmental policy management.
The Colorado Republican Party's governing board plans to consider on Wednesday whether to censure Republican state Sen. Larry Liston after the Colorado Springs Republican pursued a criminal complaint against the husband of an El Paso County GOP officer.

A proposed censure resolution scheduled to be heard by the state Republicans' executive committee contends that the 71-year-old Liston "willfully and maliciously engaged in the act of lawfare against a private citizen" by filing a police complaint against Rex Tonkins, whose wife, Vickie Tonkins, chairs the El Paso County Republican Party.

Liston filed the complaint over an incident at a contentious party meeting at a church in Colorado Springs on Dec. 6, 2021.

Rex Tonkins was acquitted last month on a misdemeanor harassment charge in Colorado Springs municipal court following a one-day jury trial, prompting local Republican Brad Collins, a member of the state GOP's executive committee, to draft the censure resolution.

"Sen. Listons frivolous and false claim against the private citizen was rejected by the people," the proposed censure resolution reads. "Some might say that justice was served by the acquittal but were it not for Listons abuse of his position, this citizen would not have been subjected to any of this in the first place."

Liston told Colorado Politics that Rex Tonkins was acting aggressively at the meeting, approaching several elected officials in an intimidating manner and "chest-bumped" Liston after the lawmaker told the younger man to calm down.

"Rex was harassing me," Liston said. "I'm a big boy, but he was very aggressive that night. At the conclusion of the meeting, which was adjourned early  the meeting was out of control I went over to get my jacket, and he came up to me, and he did a chest bump."

Rex Tonkins denied he was acting aggressively.

Reached by phone on Tuesday, he told Colorado Politics he "had no comment at this time."

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.

Collins called Liston's decision to file a complaint with law enforcement a "willful abuse of power by Sen. Liston to bring intentional financial and criminal harm to a private citizen for expressing concern over his substandard voting record," adding that what Liston did "is not acceptable and will not be ignored."

The resolution proposes censuring Liston "in the strongest terms," including "withdraw[ing] all current and future support of him" and declaring the veteran state lawmaker "has rendered himself unfit for office."

Liston said he doesn't plan to rebut the charges or defend himself at the party meeting.

"It's a done deal. I'm going to be censured," Liston said. "The fix is in. Vickie and her crowd have never supported me at all. This is nothing new."

The state Republican Party formally censured Vickie Tonkins last year for attacking the GOP nominees and volunteers who organized their own voter-turnout effort amid complaints the county party, under her leadership, wasn't supporting some Republican nominees.

Liston, who served six nonconsecutive terms in the state House from 2005 to 2020, won election in 2020 to represent Senate District 10. He said he won't be surprised if he faces a primary challenge next year when he seeks reelection.

"Surely, the party has better things to do than to go out and do a witch-hunt on elected officials," he added.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that Rex Tonkins denied he was acting aggressively at the Dec. 6, 2021, county GOP meeting.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has opened a venue to view wildlife and fish on the Arkansas River.

South of Buena Vista, Bighorn Springs State Wildlife Area grants anglers new access to the river as well as a chance for hikers to see bighorn sheep and raptors. A news release described the viewing opportunity as "excellent."

As with all state wildlife areas, the newly dedicated 122 acres are only accessible to people with a hunting or fishing license.

A map depicts Bighorn Springs in three sections, with one parking area along the river bank adjacent to the Ruby Mountain campground. The wildlife viewing area is situated upstream, accessed from Chaffee County Road 300 or a hiking trail.

An announcement credited the state wildlife area to the landowner, BlueTriton Brands. The company formerly known as Nestle Waters reportedly reached out to Colorado Parks and Wildlife about a conservation easement for the property.

"This action will preserve, in perpetuity, the natural habitat," said Sean Shepherd, CPW's area wildlife manager. "Its important because it reinforces our open space conservation values. And it enhances the recreational and educational opportunities available to the public along an extremely popular river.
Overcast conditions are forecast to roll into the Colorado Springs area Wednesday with highs in the upper 70s, according to the National Weather Service in Pueblo.

Expect increasing clouds throughout the day on Wednesday and a high of 79 degrees. Winds from the northwest are forecast to range from 5 to 10 mph.

Looking ahead into Wednesday night, expect mostly cloudy conditions and a low bottoming out at 51 degrees.

Heres the full forecast from the National Weather Service.

Sign Up for Springs AM Update Your morning rundown of the latest news from Colorado Springs and around the country Sign Up View all of our newsletters. Success! Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. View all of our newsletters.

Thursday: Expect sunny skies and a high of 80 degrees.

Friday: Expect sunny skies and a high of 78 degrees.

Saturday: Expect sunny skies and a high of 76 degrees.

Sunday: Expect sunny skies and a high of 74 degrees.
A Sweet Home man accused of attempted murder in Lebanon was acquitted following a jury trial in Linn County Circuit Court.

Arrested March 22, Derrek Leo Reynolds, 54, was charged with felony counts of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault after stabbing 64-year-old Brian Clay Thompson, also of Sweet Home.

Reynolds told authorities he was defending himself after Thompson attacked him, stabbing Thompson in the chest and causing a life-threatening wound to his left pec, according to a Linn County Sheriffs Office report.

Judge Rachel Kittson-MaQatish acquitted Reynolds on the charges Monday, Monday, Sept. 18 after a two-day trial was held the previous week, court records show.

Thompson was stabbed the evening of March 22 after he entered a womans trailer in the 400 block of Gilbert Street in Lebanon, finding Reynolds sitting at a table inside. Thompson had an on-and-off relationship with the woman, court documents state, and a confrontation broke out between the men.

Reynolds reportedly told Thompson to leave the trailer during the scuffle, during which Reynolds pulled a folding knife with about a 3-inch blade from his pocket and stabbed Thompson.

Seeing blood gushing from just above his heart, Thompson fled the trailer and called 911 for help, according to court documents, which add Thompson said his lung and an artery were punctured from the wound. He was later taken to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital for treatment.

Court records give conflicting accounts of whether the trailer door was unlocked, or if Thompson used a security code to gain entry.

Reynolds is charged with felony conspiracy to commit witness tampering and misdemeanor conspiracy to tamper with evidence in a June 29 Linn County case that remains open, according to court records.
Cardinal Sako Appeals for Vatican Support As he Seeks to Regain Formal Recognition in Iraq

Chaldean Cardinal Louis Sako celebrates a liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican in this Feb. 4, 2013, file photo. ( CNS/Paul Haring) Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Cardinal Louis Sako said he would like more Vatican support as he tries to regain formal recognition as the Chaldean patriarch in the country.

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid revoked his title July 3, which has been viewed as a usurpation of the clergyman's position as the officially recognized head of Iraq's Catholic Chaldean Church as well of his position and powers to administer the Chaldean religious endowment, including church properties.

Both the cardinal and media in Iraq say the action was likely instigated by Rayan al-Kildani, a leader of a nominally Chaldean Catholic militia in Iraq, the Babylon Brigades, closely tied to Iran. Its political wing holds four seats in parliament out of five reserved for Christian candidates.

Al-Kildani was sanctioned in 2019 by the U.S. Treasury Department for alleged human rights abuses. Critics accuse al-Kildani of seeking control of Chaldean Church assets, which Cardinal Sako oversees.

Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda of Irbil explained in a statement made available to OSV News in July that "withdrawing the republican decree does not prejudice the religious or legal status of Cardinal Louis Sako, as he is appointed by the Apostolic See." Archbishop Warda's statement said that the patriarch continues to enjoy "the respect and appreciation of the presidency of the Republic as Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the world."

Christian and Muslim religious authorities, politicians, tribal chiefs and private citizens in Iraq as well as Catholic leaders abroad have condemned the move and support Cardinal Sako.

"I want the Vatican also to take a strong position," Cardinal Sako told an online press conference Sept. 19, organized by the Paris-based L'Oeuvre d'Orient, a Catholic group aiding Eastern Christian communities for over a century.

He spoke from Irbil, the capital of Iraq's northern Kurdistan region, where he has gone "in protest over the decree" made in Baghdad.

"We need to resolve this problem and defend this very old church," Cardinal Sako said, referring to the ancient Chaldean Catholic Church, believed to have been founded by Jesus Christ's apostle Thomas in Iraq.

"We need to help it and show solidarity and proximity. Honestly, I'm very sad and disappointed about the church. This small church is a universal church. It's not separate," the cardinal said, a reminder that Chaldean Catholics are in full communion with the Holy See and the rest of the Catholic Church.

"We've paid a heavy price for our faith and to remain here (in Iraq) and to continue to speak up about the Christian faith very bravely," he underscored. Iraqi Christians have faced threats, persecution, land confiscation and even death following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 as well as sectarian attacks by the so-called Islamic State militants and Iran-backed Shiite militias in recent years.

The majority of Iraq's Christians belong to the Chaldean Catholic Church. Christians in the country once numbered around 1.5 million, but their numbers have dwindled to some 150,000 according to the 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom by the U.S. Department of State.

"We (the church) need to fight the important causes. I'm expecting moral support. We don't have a militia or army to defend us. Even a letter or a declaration to say that this is not right, this is not true. We need to respect the church," said Cardinal Sako, who was instrumental in organizing Pope Francis' historic visit to conflict-ridden Iraq in March 2021, with the aim of mending bridges between Iraq's diverse religious communities.

"The pope came, the pope changed the population's mentality, but he did not change the mentality of the political class, unfortunately. We need to change our political culture and mentality," the cardinal said.

Cardinal Sako has long urged the government for equal citizen rights for all of Iraq's mosaic of religious and ethnic communities. He also has advocated for Christians and others, when possible, to remain in their countries. "The history of Christians who have left Iraq has made us very weak," he told reporters.

"We have a moral duty on behalf of these countries to change the situation, where there is persecution, discrimination, where people are treated differently based on their religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, etc. These countries must also learn to respect human rights," he said, of the broader context of increasing waves of migrants and refugees worldwide.

"When a family leaves Iraq, it breaks my heart," he said. "I understand their decision, but it is a great loss for our country. If an individual wants to leave because they are under threat, I understand that. But there is mass immigration. We need to help these countries build state(s) with rule of law."

Cardinal Sako, who never used the name of militia leader Rayan al-Kildani during the press conference, simply referring to him as "he," recalled a photo apparently staged by al-Kildani at a general audience with Pope Francis in Rome which al-Kildani tried to present as evidence of a private papal audience. The cardinal called it a bid to "make propaganda for themselves."

"There was a very brief note to say that the pope did not see him privately," Cardinal Sako commented, referring to a Sept. 12 communique to journalists, in which Matteo Bruni, Vatican's spokesman, is quoted as responding to journalists' questions that "His Holiness Pope Francis greeted some of the people present, as is customary" during the Sept. 6 audience. "Among them was a group of Iraqis, which included Mr. Rayan Al-Kildani, with whom some brief words were exchanged."

"He said hello to him with others present, but I do not think that's enough," the patriarch said.

Analyst Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy explained that "only in the Christian community has there been an organized peaceful resistance against the use of an Iran-backed militia to basically take over that minority community."

"That's partly because the Christian community in Iraq has more of an external force from the global diaspora and the Vatican than any other of the Iraqi micro-minorities. It's the only thing that is holding Rayan al-Kildani back," he told OSV News.

Knights commended the Vatican for not falling into a trap al-Kildani tried to make with his photo op with the pope.

"It was important to see the way the Vatican responded. They put out the press release in English, Arabic and Italian. They made sure that they covered all their bases because they don't want al-Kildani to claim that he has been given an audience with the pope knowing who he is," Knights said.

"The pope had no idea who he was," he stressed, adding that "al-Kildani is constantly trying to show that he has a credible claim to the leadership of Christian community inside Iraq, but he doesn't."

That kind of validation is exactly what the Iran-backed militias in Iraq require if they are going to take the property of the Christian community in Iraq, Knights explained.

"That absolutely mustn't happen because if they ever have the possibility of returning Christians to Iraq in large numbers, they can't have all of the property of that community looted. Otherwise then, they'll never come back," he continued. "They need somewhere to live. It's their historic homeland. It's one of the oldest Christian communities in the world. What the Iran-backed militias want to do is basically destroy the basis of that community, its homes, everything."

For Cardinal Sako, the situation has made him "worried." "I'm ready to resign," he said.
UN General Assembly begins general debate

Xinhua) 09:29, September 20, 2023

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at the podium and on the screens) speaks at the opening of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time.

Dennis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, presided over the opening of the debate, which is themed "Rebuilding trust and reigniting global solidarity: Accelerating action on the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals towards peace, prosperity, progress and sustainability for all."

In his opening speech, Francis stressed the importance of uniting nations to tackle global challenges.

"This year, our imperative is clear: to unite the nations, to be united in conviction of common purpose and in solidarity of joint action," he said.

He said the world has the capacity to effect change if there is the will to act.

"Despite the many and complex challenges we face, we do have the capacity to effect change, consequential change ... What we lack is the will to act," said Francis. "By putting aside our differences and bridging divides, we can deliver, we must deliver peace, progress, prosperity, and sustainability to everyone, everywhere. So let us step up and take action now."

A common coordinated approach is needed now, as much as at any point in history. War, climate change, debt, energy and food crises, poverty and famine. These crises are directly impacting the lives and well-being of billions of people around the world. They are rolling back decades of hard-won development gains, and thus condemning millions to lifelong inter-generational poverty and hardship, he said.

"It is at times like these that we must search deep within to find our better selves and our common humanity that impels us to meet the moment. I therefore implore you, let us use this forum for that which it was intended," he told world leaders.

Francis called for efforts to bring peace in Ukraine and other parts of the globe, from Africa to the Middle East.

"I urge you, member states, to use this high-level week not to fan the flames of conflict and hostility, but instead, to opt for dialogue and diplomacy. We must remember that peace is an investment in our collective prosperity," he said.

While some progress had been made on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the SDG Summit is being convened on the sidelines of the General Debate in a context where there have been unacceptable delays and rollbacks, he noted.

"Let me be clear: we do not have the luxury of excuses, nor are we absolved of our responsibilities. The onus is on us - collectively - to make up for the lost momentum and work much harder in the remaining seven years to accelerate progress on that which we have promised to deliver."

Francis also called for climate action, the advancement of human rights and gender equality.

The General Assembly Hall and the rostrum in it stand as a living testament to multilateralism and to the extraordinary role and compelling influence of the United Nations over the 75 years of its existence. It is a unique and truly global platform for debate, dialogue, and problem-solving through multilateral diplomacy, he said. "Let us re-energize the UN General Assembly and demonstrate our capacity and our will to deliver for all."

In his "state-of-the-world" report right before the opening of this year's General Debate, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for effective multilateral institutions to tackle global challenges.

"The world has changed. Our institutions have not. We cannot effectively address problems as they are if institutions do not reflect the world as it is. Instead of solving problems, they risk becoming part of the problem," he said.

Guterres warned that the world is becoming unhinged.

"Geopolitical tensions are rising. Global challenges are mounting. And we seem incapable of coming together to respond," he said.

The world confronts a host of existential threats, from the climate crisis to disruptive technologies, and the world is undergoing a chaotic transition, he noted.

For much of the Cold War, international relations were largely seen through the prism of two superpowers. Then came a short period of unipolarity. Now the world is rapidly moving towards a multipolar world. This is, in many ways, positive. It brings new opportunities for justice and balance in international relations. But multipolarity alone cannot guarantee peace, he said.

A multipolar world needs strong and effective multilateral institutions. Yet global governance is stuck in time, he warned.

"We are inching ever closer to a Great Fracture in economic and financial systems and trade relations; one that threatens a single, open internet; with diverging strategies on technology and artificial intelligence; and potentially clashing security frameworks," he said. "It is high time to renew multilateral institutions based on 21st century economic and political realities, rooted in equity, solidarity and universality and anchored in the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law."

Guterres called for compromise.

"Our world needs statesmanship, not gamesmanship and gridlock. As I told the G20 (Group of 20), it is time for a global compromise. Politics is compromise. Diplomacy is compromise. Effective leadership is compromise. Leaders have a special responsibility to achieve compromise in building a common future of peace and prosperity for our common good," he said.

Multilateral action has produced results over the past year, with important new agreements on safeguarding biodiversity, on protecting the high seas, on climate loss and damage, and on the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, he noted. "We have all the tools and resources to solve our shared challenges. What we need is determination."

He called for determination to uphold the UN Charter's pledge for peace.

The world is witnessing a surge of conflicts, coups and chaos. If every country fulfilled its obligations under the UN Charter, the right to peace would be guaranteed. When countries break those pledges, they create a world of insecurity for everyone, he said.

Guterres called for reform of the international financial institutions.

The international financial architecture is dysfunctional, outdated and unjust. The deep reforms that are needed will not happen overnight, he said. "But we can take determined steps now to help countries weather crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic have dramatically impacted."

He called for determination to tackle the most immediate threat to humanity: global warming.

Actions are falling abysmally short. The G20 countries, which are responsible for 80 percent of greenhouse emissions, must lead. Developed countries must reach net zero as close as possible to 2040, and emerging economies as close as possible to 2050. Developed countries must finally deliver the 100 billion U.S. dollars every year for developing country climate action, as promised; double adaptation finance by 2025, as promised; and replenish the Green Climate Fund, as promised, he said.

All countries must work to operationalize the loss and damage fund this year and ensure universal early warning coverage by 2027, he said. "Climate chaos is breaking new records. But we cannot afford the same old broken record of scapegoating and waiting for others to move first."

Guterres also called for determination to honor the UN Charter's commitment to fundamental human rights, including women's rights.

He stressed the need to tackle the threats posed by new technologies.

New technologies require new and innovative forms of governance. There is an urgent need for a Global Digital Compact between governments, regional organizations, the private sector and civil society to mitigate the risks of digital technologies, and identify ways to harness their benefits for the good of humanity, he said.

The United Nations was created precisely for moments of maximum danger and minimum agreement, said Guterres. "Despite our long list of global challenges, that same spirit of determination can guide us forward. Let us be determined to heal divisions and forge peace, determined to uphold the dignity and worth of every person, determined to realize the Sustainable Development Goals and leave no one behind, determined to reform multilateralism for the 21st century and come together for the common good."

Dennis Francis (at the podium), president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, speaks at the opening of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (Front) speaks at the opening of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Dennis Francis, president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, speaks at the opening of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Dennis Francis (C), president of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, strikes his gavel to signal the start of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at the podium and on the screens) speaks at the opening of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. Guterres on Tuesday called for effective multilateral institutions to tackle global challenges. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (at the podium and on the screens) speaks at the opening of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres speaks at the opening of the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. Guterres on Tuesday called for effective multilateral institutions to tackle global challenges. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

King Abdullah II (at the podium and on the screens) of Jordan delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. King Abdullah II of Jordan said Tuesday that his country's capacity to deliver necessary services to refugees has surpassed its limits as a result of shortfalls in international aid funds. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

King Abdullah II of Jordan delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. King Abdullah II of Jordan said Tuesday that his country's capacity to deliver necessary services to refugees has surpassed its limits as a result of shortfalls in international aid funds. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tuesday deplored investment in war instead of livelihoods. (Cia Pak/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

U.S. President Joe Biden (at the podium) delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

U.S. President Joe Biden (Front) delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. Amidst the growing challenges of hunger and poverty, developing nations remain steadfast in their enduring struggle for a more just and equitable world, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez said at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez (at the podium and on the screens) delivers a speech at the General Debate of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, on Sept. 19, 2023. The General Debate of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly opened at the UN headquarters in New York on Tuesday, focusing on restoring global trust and solidarity in current challenging time. Amidst the growing challenges of hunger and poverty, developing nations remain steadfast in their enduring struggle for a more just and equitable world, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez said at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
A 2W Ecobank informed the market that engaged the Itau BBAO BTG Pactual and the Santander Brazil to assess the feasibility and structure a potential initial public offering for the distribution of common shares issued by the company (IPOin its acronym in English).

It is not the first time that the company has tried to secure its entry into the Brazilian stock market. Right in the middle of the IPO boom, in 2020, 2W Ecobank, at the time 2W Powerfiled an initial public company application with the Real Estate Securities Commission (CVM). Due to the worsening of the market, the IPO did not go ahead.

Information circulated that year indicated that the company, created from the merger of the sales companies Clime and RRobjetivo, wanted to raise funds for the construction of wind and solar plants aiming to create a sales platform for renewable energy in the free market.

2W is the fourth largest retail energy trader in Brazil, having carried out more than 1,800 negotiations with companies in 2022.

In the last two years, 2W recorded more than R$2.8 billion in net revenue and has more than 2 GW in installed capacity of renewable projects by 2027.

CONTINUES AFTER ADVERTISING

In a relevant fact dated September 14, 2023, the company informed that the effective realization of the potential IPO is under analysis by the company and its shareholders, with no definition of its terms and conditions, including the effective volume to be raised, the price per share or the timeline for its implementation.

It should be noted that the effective completion of the potential offer is subject, among other factors, to obtaining the necessary approvals, including the applicable corporate approvals of the company and its shareholders, as well as national and international political and macroeconomic conditions and the interest of investors, among other factors beyond the control of the company, he added. If approved, the offer will be registered.
The entire gymnasium and cafeteria at Algona High School were packed with hundreds of mourners for fallen Officer Kevin Cram on Wednesday.

He was remembered as a loving father, husband, fantastic police officer and a great friend by friends and colleagues.

Cram was killed just before 8 p.m. on Sept. 13, as he tried to serve an arrest warrant to 43-year-old Kyle Ricke. Cram, a 33-year-old husband and father of three, who had been an officer in Algona since 2015, was pronounced dead at Kossuth Regional Health Center in Algona.

The officers death left the quiet Kossuth County community of 5,300 stunned. Ricke was arrested later that night in southern Minnesota and charged with first-degree murder.

Cram's funeral was conducted by Pastor Linda Kohl and Deacon David Penton.

Algona Police Chief Bo Miller said Cram was always there to help others in need, whether that be fellow officers, victims, family or strangers.

"When I speak his name, what comes to me is family, honor, integrity, hard working, officer and a friend," Miller said.

Miller spoke of the first time he met Cram, who was also a farmer, at the police station he could smell cattle or hog, but wasn't completely sure it was coming from Cram's clothing.

"As I walked by I was able to confirm it was the smell," Miller said. "Kevin didn't care much about his clothes. He cared about a life of service."

Cram loved hunting, fishing and simply being outdoors with his children Archer, Weston and Ira. He also had a passion for working on tractors and guns both old and new.

Miller said Cram was very proud of his chickens and messaged Miller multiple articles about Iowa blue chickens. Miller didn't read them until after Cram's death.

"They are pretty great chickens," he said. "And when Kevin loved something there was no questioning that love."

Miller went on to say that he met with Cram's wife Lara in his officer prior to writing his speech for the funeral. She stood up and was about to leave when Miller asked her if there was anything in particular she wanted him to say.

"If you want to talk about eating opossums that's fine," Lara said.

Cram always talked about eating opossums and other non-tradition wildlife, Miller said. He would forward recipes for things like opossum pie and racoon stew. Miller never really believed he ate those things, but now he's not so sure. He thought it was a tactic to prevent people from stealing his food at work.

"If there was food that had Cram on it, you did not eat that food. It might be some kind of mystery meat," Miller said jokingly.

Miller finished by telling a brief story about running his dog, as he does every morning. He passed by a farm and could smell the cattle right away, reminding him of the first time he met Cram.

"I smiled and got pretty emotional by myself. I never thought that s--- would make me cry," Miller said.

Former Algona Police Chief Kendall Pals asked who Cram really was.

"Many of you would describe him as a public servant, a police officer, a criminal investigator a husband, father, son and brother. But that's not really who he is, that's what he is," Pals said.

He described Cram as quiet, kind, respectful, caring, dedicated, helpful, friendly and honest.

Penton, who also served with Cram as Algona's ambulance director, said he worked with him in multiple ways, was a friend and can confirm the opossum stories.

"If it's warm enough and you have enough garlic and butter it tastes like lobster," he said.

Penton also told a story about a 12-year-old Cram flirting with a waitress named Summer. When she came back to the table she asked him what his favorite season was and he replied, "deer season."

Cram also had an interesting first meeting with Lara's first son Archer when they met.

"The first time he met Archer, Archer told him that he was Batman, but he could call me Archer," Penton said. "I don't know about you, but you have to be brave to date Batman's mom."

He was known for putting his family's needs about his own, Penton said. He was often found reading bedtime stories to them inside his squad car.

"He never turned the dad off. He never turned the husband off," Penton said. "What an incredible man."
Shohini Ghosh of Littleton, Colorado has taken home the Best in Show award for the River City Sculptures on Parade in the 2023-24 season. Her piece, "Volteretta," displayed on the front lawn of the Mason City Public Library, was the unanimous winner.

Sculptures on Parade was founded in 2012 and is run by a group of volunteers who place and photograph the sculptures for display. The program is a partnership with SculptureOne Partner Network, which partners with other communities as well.

Mary Markwalter announced the winner during Tuesday's Mason City council meeting. "The Best in Show award is determined by a panel of judges appointed by the Sculptures on Parade committee. There are three judges, and we thank them for their thoughtful determination in this year's award. The judges are Edith Blanchard, Sue Wyborny and Dean Swenson."

This season, there are 81 sculptures placed in Mason City. Self-guided tours are a popular way to see them all and the committee has made it easy with the printed walking tour brochure. The route is 1.9 miles and includes sculptures previously purchased by the city or private owners in addition to the rotating sculptures.

The city of Mason City holds a "People's Choice' competition, tallying votes between July 1 and Sept. 1. The 2022 winner of the People's Choice was "No Time to Say Hello, Goodbye" Each year, the city purchases the People's Choice winner for permanent display.
DALLAS  A man accused of killing nearly two dozen older women and who was convicted last year in the slayings of two was killed Tuesday morning by his cellmate at a Texas prison, an official said.

Billy Chemirmir, 50, was found dead in his cell, said Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Hannah Haney. She said that Chemirmir's cellmate, who is serving a sentence for murder, was identified as the assailant, but said she couldn't release the cellmate's identity or how Chemirmir was killed.

Authorities said Chemirmir preyed on older women in the Dallas area over a two-year span, killing them and stealing their valuables. He was caught after a 91-year-old woman survived an attack in 2018 and told police Chemirmir had forced his way into her apartment at an independent living community for seniors, tried to smother her with a pillow and took her jewelry.

Police said they found Chemirmir the following day in the parking lot of his apartment complex holding jewelry and cash, having just thrown away a large red jewelry box. Documents in the jewelry box led them to the home of Lu Thi Harris, 81, who was found dead in her bedroom.

The first capital murder trial of Chemirmir for the slaying of Harris ended in mistrial in Dallas County. He was later convicted in a second trial for Harris' death and then convicted of a second killing in the death of Mary Brooks, 87.

Following his second conviction, family members of those Chemirmir was accused of killing gathered at a Dallas courthouse to face him. In Ellen French House's victim impact statement, she told Chemirmir, who was wearing a striped jail uniform, that she wanted him to see two photos of her mother: one of Norma French alive, the other after the 85-year-old was killed.

"This is my beautiful mother," House said as she displayed the first photo. "This is my mother after you pried her wedding ring off of her finger that she couldn't even get off."

Chemirmir had been indicted on 22 capital murder charges. Thirteen of the charges were in Dallas County while nine were in Collin County. Collin County prosecutors said last month that after the two convictions in Dallas County, they would n ot seek the death penalty in their cases.

Chemirmir, who maintained his innocence, was serving two sentences of life without the possibility of parole. He was imprisoned at the Coffield Unit in Tennessee Colony, located about 100 miles southeast of Dallas.

Haney said that the Office of Inspector General is investigating his death.

___

This story has been corrected to show that Chemirmir was indicted in the deaths of 22 women, not 18 women.

A look at some of the most notorious serial killers in the US since 1970 1970-2005: Samuel Little February-May 1971: Juan Corona 1972-1978: John Wayne Gacy 1974-1991: Dennis Rader 1975-1998: Robert L. Yates Jr. 1976-1977: David Berkowitz 1976-1986: Joseph James DeAngelo 1977-1978: Angelo Buono Jr. and Kenneth A. Bianchi 1977-1978: Ted Bundy 1978-1992: Jeffrey Dahmer 1978-1995: Theodore Kaczynski 1979-1981: Wayne B. Williams 1983: Henry Lee Lucas 1984-1985: Richard Ramirez 1984-1985: Charles Ng and Leonard Lake 1985-2007: Lonnie David Franklin Jr. 1989-1990: Aileen Wuornos 1989-1993: Joel Rifkin 1990-1993: Heriberto Seda 1997-1999: Angel Maturino Resendiz 2002: Lee Boyd Malvo and John Allen Muhammad 2005-2006: Mark Goudeau 2007-2009: Anthony Sowell 2014: Darren Deon Vann
GRETNA  The two candidates for the Staunton River district seat on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors addressed residents gather Monday night for the second of four candidate forums hosted by the Danville-Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce.

The event at Gretna High School also featured remarks from the record six hopefuls vying for the clerk of court position.

This is a forum, not a debate, Bert Eades, business service director for GENEDGE and member of the chambers legislative committee, said at the start of the session.

The candidates were given three minutes  kept to a strict timer by Anne Moore-Sparks, president and CEO of the chamber  to step up to the microphone to speak.

All candidates will have until early next month to answer questions submitted by the public. The answers will then be sent to members of the media.

The last two forums, from 6 to 8 p.m., are scheduled Monday at Tunstall High School and Oct. 2 at Chatham High School.

Supervisors

In the race for supervisor, incumbent Timothy Dudley is facing a challenge from Debra Davis.

Davis was the first to speak Monday night and started by saying shes a community activist.

I love working and serving others, she said, explaining she does this on her own time.

Davis said she initiated the renovations at Wayside Park in Hurt, which she called drug infested until it was cleaned up.

A lot of people throughout the county really do enjoy that park, she said before going into other areas of her community work.

Shes worked with Pittsylvania County Schools for 20-some years as a substitute teacher but has worked at the Regional Alternative School for the last two years.

She noticed that Hurt Elementary was the only school that didnt have a backpack lunch program. She was able to get an employer in the area to pay for food to get that initiative started.

I love people, she said and vowed to do the best she can. I will learn all that I can.

She also said shes had a good working relationship with government officials previously.

There is no problem that we cannot solve, she said. If Im elected, you will have a very dependable person looking after you.

Dudley started his remarks on a spiritual note by quoting a passage in Proverbs.

He then said has had the privilege to serve the people of the Staunton River district over the last four years.

Its a blessing, he said.  Sometimes its a curse.

But he enjoys the work, even though its not easy.

I believe in creative, commonsense solutions, he shared.

His first year on the board was was when the pandemic hit. Since children werent going to school, he realized some werent eating at all.

By knocking on the doors of industries in Hurt, he helped start a program that served 3,000 meals to students.

It was a blessing, he called it. Thats a creative solution to a problem some people dont even want to address.

He also pointed to his work to secure funding to get a road fixed that became a safety issue after farmers were running on and off all the time, tearing mailboxes up.

He also pointed to securing grants for parks and recreation and his time serving on the Danville-Pittsylvania Regional Industrial Facility Authority.

I will work as hard the next four years as I have worked this four years, he said in closing.

Clerk of court

Karen Dixon, Angie Reece Harris, Heidi Jones, Seth Scarce, Jarrett Stone and Jennifer Wyatt are all on the ballot for clerk of court.

Just like the previous forum at Dan River High School last week, all were given three minutes to pitch their campaign before the voters assembled.

The clerk of court oversees the upkeep of the records, according to the countys website.

Stone, who has gone to 4,000 homes meeting the residents of Pittsylvania County, said he has more years of experience to Pittsylvania County than any of his opponents. A deputy sheriff for more than 20 years, hes a graduate of the Piedmont Criminal Justice Academy. This election is not about me, its not about any candidate on this platform here, he said. Its about you.

Wyatt, who currently works for the Danville Sheriffs Office, also has a husband in law enforcement. I am a homegrown leader who is educated locally, the former Marine who graduated from Danville Community College said. I would like the honor to continue being the servant leader, and said shed incorporate Christian and conservative values into the role.

Dixon, who has 34 years of experience, grew up in the Mount Airy region of Pittsylvania County. Beginning her career in Halifax General District Court, shes worked in many jurisdictions over her time in court systems. I will also retain current clerk office staff who share a wealth of knowledge, she said if elected. I hold fast and remain faithful.

Scarce, also employed by the Pittsylvania County Sheriffs Office, graduated with honors from Tunstall High School and then DCC. First working with the informational technology department at a bank, he joined the sheriffs office where he handles technology there. I look forward to the opportunities to learn more, he said, noting hed use his IT background to keep making progress into the digital age.

Jones, a deputy clerk, said shes cross-trained for other departments in the clerks office. I am proficient in all of our operating systems, she said. As clerk, I would continue with digitalization. Citing her service in the United States Army and a degree in business management, she said shes ready to take on the clerk of court duties on Day 1.

Harris pointed to her faith, saying she and her husband are very devout and pray about everything. I am going to be on my knees quite a bit, trying to figure out some things, she said, should she be elected. Harris has been in the court system for 30 years, with her time split in the city then the county. As clerk, she said shed continue the open door policy.
GREENSBORO  A beloved child care director was fatally shot Tuesday night in what police described as a murder-suicide.

Officers responded just after 9 p.m. to a home in the 400 block of Hargett Street and found Luegina Gina Carlane Ingram, 44, and Tanena Devon Ingram, 48, suffering from gunshot wounds.

Gina Ingram died at the scene. Tanena Ingram was taken by ambulance to Moses Cone Hospital, where he later died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

Investigators said it appeared Tanena Ingram first shot his wife, then shot himself. Police have not released any information about a possible motive or whether they had previously responded to the home.

Gina Ingram was the school director of the Childcare Network location at 1405 W. Friendly Ave. in Greensboro. In her profile on the schools website, she mentions being the mother of two boys.

She earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2001, and had started her masters degree in education in July. She had worked with Childcare Network since 2006, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She was such a positive person all-around, Courtney Smith, a friend and former co-worker, said Wednesday. Our work relationship became like a sisterhood. She impacted so many people.

Smith, who now lives in Charlotte, said she met Gina Ingram in July 2017 and worked with her at a Childcare Network site in the Adams Farm area for five years. She described Ingram as passionate about early childhood education and the staff she worked with over the years.

She could quickly turn around a site and make the staff want to come to work every single day, Smith said. She was a go-getter.

Ingram, she said, was an especially great mother to two sons.

She loved them endlessly, Smith said. They were her world.

Smith got the call Wednesday about Ingrams homicide.

I didnt expect that, she said. There were no red flags, at least none that I was aware of. She was a very strong person.

Ingram, she said, exuded joy all the time. She was writing a book, loved fashion and loved to thrift. She loved listening to music and to dance  and enjoyed getting others to join her.

She didnt like vegetables, but she loved her snacks, Smith said, laughing at the memory of Ingram eating Cheetos early one morning.

Smith said she and former co-workers plan to get together soon in Greensboro to go out to eat and share memories of their friend.

Tanena Devon Ingram was a 1993 graduate of Grimsley High School.

Gina Ingrams death marks the citys 54th homicide in 2023.

Authorities ask anyone with information to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000. Residents can download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to P3tips.com to submit a web tip. All tips to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.
A vote on a bill that would de-annex nearly 1,000 acres in Summerfield remained on the NC Senates calendar Tuesday evening, though town officials were hoping that the vote, scheduled for Wednesday, wont actually take place.

Town officials have lobbied state legislators to drop the de-annexation effort led by Senate leader Phil Berger, and Mayor Tim Sessoms said that it would be news to him if the Senate voted on House Bill 5 Wednesday.

Meanwhile, town officials say they have secured 12 days to complete negotiations with the property owner, developer David Couch, before a de-annexation vote in the NC House. House Speaker Tim Moores office did not immediately return a request for comment.

Couchs plans to build a mixed-use development with 600 apartments have repeatedly been met with opposition by residents, some of whom are concerned about the density of the project and its impact on the town. The town council has previously rejected the proposals.

De-annexation would give Guilford County, not the town, the authority to regulate how the land would be used and would result in a substantial loss of tax revenue for the town, especially after the land is developed.

With a de-annexation vote looming, Summerfield officials organized an emergency meeting on Monday, pledging to support Couch and put together three resolutions to demonstrate a good faith effort toward advancing his project.

Pat Ryan, a spokesperson for Couch, said Tuesday, that the process of securing Couchs development is much more complicated than one step to rezone the land.

What hasnt really been understood or reported is that after this step theres something called a form-based code for bigger planned communities like Davids, said Ryan. The town asked David if he could prepare that by Sept. 28. But this is a document that usually takes nine months to create.

Town Manager Scott Whitaker said that the town now fully understands that the next steps  including the form-based code  will take more time and that the focus is the first step.

Its just going to take more time, Whitaker said. Ill say from the towns perspective, were simply trying to avoid de-annexation.

Couch is unsure how much he can trust Summerfield over such a long process, according to Ryan.

You have to look back at the last seven years to see if you can trust their word, Ryan said. The question is Can David trust them to not return to the same posture after the pressure of de-annexation is off?
DECATUR  Fun and food are the two main components of the Because We Are Proud of You incentives offered to Decatur Public Schools students by Sherrod's Independent Mentoring Program Inc.

Students from South Shores and Franklin Grove schools visited the Children's Museum of Illinois on Wednesday.

Kids who have met goals of good behavior, good attitude and good grades are chosen by their teachers for the program. Earlier this month, SIMP Inc. took children to Scovill Zoo.

On Wednesday, 182 older students visited Sky Zone Jump & Pizza in Springfield, while intermediate and middle school girls in the Girls Empowerment program are going to Mariah's Mums & More in Clinton on Thursday to learn about agriculture.

SIMP Inc. has done a lot of activities for older kids, said Evyonne Hawkins, and the zoo and Children's Museum was especially for younger students. Longer trips are also scheduled, to places like Chicago or St. Louis, and for some students, it's their first time outside Decatur.

Everything we do is food, Hawkins said with a chuckle. They get to have fun and food.

There is no cost to the children or their families. SIMP is funded by a grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. The goal is violence prevention, Hawkins said, and it's important to start those efforts when kids are young. By giving them incentives like the trips and activities, the hope is the kids will see that doing the right thing is a worthy goal.

With the Girls Empowerment groups, for example, who meet twice weekly, girls are chosen who are struggling in some way, and the result has been that girls who weren't getting along with each other or doing well in school have turned that around.

The programs are offered to all Decatur schools and include a wide variety of activities. Principals were notified in July of what is available and could sign up for the things that would suit their students.

The hope is also that kids who weren't chosen will decide it's a good idea to work a little harder on their behavior and attitude so they can go next time.

Grades aren't the problem, said third grade teacher Lacy Wood, who teaches at South Shores. We can help them with that. It's having a good attitude.

South Shores third grader Paxton Olson didn't know about the trip until Tuesday, he said, but called the experience great.

Murphy Boliard, a second grader, said she earned her spot by listening.

Sherrod had asked the Children's Museum to schedule some dates that would work for SIMP Inc. to bring kids in, and museum director Rikki Parker was glad to oblige.

We're just really excited to welcome SIMP because of the work that they do that is so essential to our community, Parker said. We are really thrilled to partner with them and to open this place to kids, some of whom have never been to the Children's Museum so it's just a really great opportunity for us to give them full experience of the museum.

Representatives of the Decatur Police Department also were at the museum Wednesday to spend time with the kids.

Our youth deserve a chance to live and learn in environments that are safe and that put them first, SIMP Inc. founder Jarmese Sherrod said in a news release. We have a wealth of qualified law enforcement officers in Macon County who selflessly devote unlimited hours to keeping our streets safe from danger. To help reduce crime, we must work together with law enforcement to provide positive experiences to help these young leaders grow and be future leaders that our communities need.

PHOTOS: Happy Noon Year at Children's Museum of Illinois Happy_Noon_Year 13 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 12 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 11 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 10 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 9 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 8 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 7 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 6 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 5 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 4 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 3 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 2 12.31.19.JPG Happy_Noon_Year 1 12.31.19.JPG
DECATUR  The members of the Richland Community College Board of Trustees on Tuesday spoke warmly of David Cooprider

He was always a gentleman, said trustee Dale Colee during the board's monthly meeting. He was a man of integrity. He was a man of faith.

Cooprider died Friday, Sept. 15. He was a former regional superintendent of schools as well as a longtime educator and member of Richland's board of trustees.

Trustee Wayne Dunning said he had been asked to be a pallbearer at the funeral and is honored by the request, and asked the other trustees and Richland staff to pray for Cooprider's wife, Nancy, and his other family and friends as they learn to live with their loss.

"We're losing a great person," he said.

"(Cooprider) truly lived (Richland's) vision," said board Chairwoman Vicki Carr.

The law requires the trustees to fill Cooprider's vacant seat within 60 days. Because the deadline is so tight, Carr said, applications must be opened immediately. She appointed Colee and Dunning to go through applications and make recommendations to the board. A trustee will be appointed at the November meeting, and the board will likely move that meeting from the normal third Tuesday of the month to the second Tuesday, as Colee suggested during their discussion.

Joe Feinstein, chief information officer, gave a report on the Farm Progress Show. The 2023 show had between 150,000 and 200,000 visitors, he said. The numbers can't be more specific because estimates are all the show's organizers can provide. Visitors came from 46 states, 30 countries, and the United States Embassy reported that they issued 600 visa letters for foreign visitors.

The site was sold to capacity, with 500 companies represented, including many more smaller vendors than in previous years. It took 25 semitrailers to bring in the tents used, and 9,000 hotel rooms and short-term rentals were occupied during the month of August by people involved in the show.

Isaac Zuniga and Interim Dean of Health Professions Tasha Jones gave an update on the nursing program at Richland. Of the top 10 community college degrees in Illinois, Zuniga said, seven are healthcare-related.

Richland's EnRich program had 271 students in its pipeline for healthcare studies in June, and 432 by August. EnRich supports students during their studies to prepare them for healthcare majors while they are getting their prerequisites and during their healthcare studies with essential skills training, trauma-informed resiliency skill building, tuition and support fees, scholarships and stipends, wraparound services, licensure exam fees, and the opportunity for gainful employment at Decatur Memorial Hospital, which is a partner with Richland in the program.

Some of the challenges, Jones said, are a decline in college readiness and a need for remedial classwork, local hospitals' downsizing which has made required clinical opportunities more difficult to schedule, and a shortage of nursing educators, who can make twice or three times the salary working in the field than as nursing instructors.

I like to start with the end in mind, Jones said of her teaching philosophy, and for her that's for students to successfully complete their coursework, pass their licensing exam, and find a job in their field. We want to give students a hand up, not a handout.

Photos: 2023 Farm Progress Show
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy's decision to move ahead with impeachment proceedings -- and the Democrats' response -- reminded me of something Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser reportedly once said, "The genius of you Americans is that you never make clear-cut stupid moves, only complicated stupid moves, which make us wonder at the possibility that there may be something to them we are missing." Nasser was talking about foreign policy, but cleverly stupid politics doesn't end at the water's edge.

Let's start with McCarthy. He unilaterally announced an impeachment inquiry -- without putting it up for a vote -- into what some call "the Biden crime family," but no new committee will be created. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the Oversight Committee, will keep doing exactly what they've been doing.

That's not the point, Republicans say. This is necessary to get the expanded subpoena power that impeachments provide.

Or not. During former President Donald Trump's first impeachment, McCarthy insisted that a similar unilateral move by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi was illegitimate. Of course, hypocrisy is no hurdle for McCarthy. The real problem is that Trump's Justice Department penned a memo arguing that the White House didn't have to comply with subpoenas from an improperly formed impeachment inquiry. Biden's lawyers can invoke not just the memo, but also a 54-page ruling affirming it from a Trump-appointed judge.

The upshot: McCarthy's impeachment-lite will likely make it easier for the White House to stonewall, legally. Though it might make it harder politically.

And that gets at one of the reasons McCarthy did this. It's great politics for most Republicans. But while fundraising and friendly coverage from conservative media is assured, McCarthy's primary motivations have to do with the fragility of his speakership, which is sustained by a mere four Republican votes.

McCarthy didn't have the votes for a proper impeachment. But pro-Trump members demanded something. Some sincerely believe Biden was complicit in his son Hunter's influence peddling schemes. Others want it because Trump wants it -- as payback, or to take some of the stigma out of his impeachments, or for 2024 campaign messaging.

And McCarthy wants to avoid a government shutdown. He apparently hoped that pro-Trump forces -- concentrated in the House Freedom Caucus -- would agree to keep the government's lights on, if only to conduct their impeachment-ish hearings. So far, they're not buying it. Impeachment and budget fights are on different tracks. "We can do both" in the words of Rep. Bob Good, R-Va.

But Democrats and much of the media are missing a few things, too. It's no surprise that the White House would insist that nothing is connecting Hunter Biden's obvious efforts at influence peddling and his then-vice president father. But it is remarkable how many in the press repeat the "no evidence" claim.

Impeachment fights invariably invite the misuse of legal concepts, none more so than "evidence." Trump's defenders would dismiss any fact as "circumstantial evidence." But as virtually any criminal lawyer will tell you, most convictions at trial are won with circumstantial evidence -- i.e., facts that push toward an inference of guilt. Most cases with lots of direct evidence -- never mind cases with outright proof -- don't usually go to trial because defense attorneys know that's their cue to cop a plea.

So when people say no evidence shows Biden was a knowing participant in his son's shady dealings, what they mean is the allegations lack ironclad proof. That's true, at least so far.

But critics can cite plenty of evidence: testimony from Hunter Biden's partners, accounts from various whistleblowers, and bank records showing some unusual efforts to park funds in opaque LLCs. Biden's own falsehoods about having no knowledge of his son's overseas business dealings -- despite giving him rides to foreign meetings on Air Force Two as vice president -- are evidence he lied, but not proof he was involved.

The risk for Republicans is that this may be all the evidence they've got. Impeachment hearings are supposed to begin with solid evidence that leads to proof of misconduct. But McCarthy & Co. have other priorities.

The big risk for Democrats is that a majority of Americans (61%) already think Biden had some involvement in Hunter Biden's business dealings. Insisting a lack of evidence won't help Biden. That's why this impeachment-lite effort may just be stupid enough to work.
This years Hispanic Heritage Month Lecture at Hope College will feature the documentary First Voice Generation on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theatre.

First Voice Generation focuses on students from the Hope College TRIO Upward Bound program and brings awareness to first-generation college students, the education gap in America, and access to higher education for low-income students. A panel discussion will follow the screening with Cynthia Martinez, who is the films director/producer; Hope College staff and students; and individuals featured in the film.

The public is invited. Admission is free.

First Voice Generation follows the stories of three Latinx high school students in Holland during an unprecedented global pandemic year. The students struggle with their identity growing up in a historically Dutch community, feeling they dont belong because they are children of Mexican immigrants. They dream of being the first in their families to go to college, but a year of challenges ensues with virtual learning, and the cost of affording college seeming impossible. The film has been featured at the Central Michigan International Film Festival, Capital City Film Festival, The Los Angeles Mexican American Television and Film Festival, Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, and the San Antonio Film Festival.

Hope College TRIO Upward Bound works year round with 92 college bound students from Fennville, Holland and West Ottawa High Schools in grades 9-12. Hope College TRIO Upward Bound, has helped thousands of Holland area students since 1968. It is one of the oldest continuous federally funded TRIO Upward Bound programs in the country.

There are 1,023 TRIO Upward Bound Programs throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, and outlying jurisdictions including Alaska and Hawaii, serving 73,944 students. By helping participants to develop the skills and motivation, TRIO Upward Bound Programs increase the rate at which students, who come from first-generation and low-income backgrounds, complete high school and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education. TRIO Upward Bound emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the administration's War on Poverty.

Filmmaker and journalist Cynthia Martinez, is a Hope College TRIO Upward Bound alumna. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she set out to work and realized she had stories to tell. With that passion, she enrolled in the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and completed her masters program in 2012. Her experience includes working for Univision News in Miami and is currently engaged with direction and producing films and media that advocate social justice.

A preview of the film is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CZHxZDV03s

National Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15-October 15. The October 4 event is sponsored by the colleges Center for Diversity and Inclusion, the Latino Student Organization, the First-Generation Student Union, and Hope College TRIO Upward Bound.

To inquire about accessibility or if you need accommodations to fully participate in the event, please email accommodations@hope.edu. Updates related to events are posted when available in the individual listings at hope.edu/calendar

The Knickerbocker Theatre is located in downtown Holland at 86 E. 8th St., between College and Columbia avenues.
Thursday, Sept. 21

Kannapolis Farmers Market will be open from 4-7 p.m. at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is located at 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord . For deliveries call 704-786-5500.

Friday, Sept. 22

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 23

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

Monday, Sept. 25

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

The Harrisburg Farmers Market will be open from 3-6 p.m. at the Old Post Office, 6960 Robinson Church Road.

Tuesday, Sept. 26

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

The Rotary Square Concord Farmers Market will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 111 Union St. S., Concord.

If you need help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are invited to join us for A Griefshare Support Group at Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Road., NW, Concord, weekly on Tuesdays, through Oct. 31, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. For more information, call Linda Bounds at 704-793-8155.

Thursday, Sept. 28

Kannapolis Farmers Market will be open from 4-7 p.m. at the corner of Vance Street and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is located at 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord . For deliveries call 704-786-5500.

Friday, Sept. 29

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 30

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785.

The Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring St. NW Concord, hosts "A Night with Elvis" by Jacob Eder, a tribute to Elvis. The show begins at 7 p.m. Eder comes to the main stage at Old Courthouse Theatre and performs his tribute to Elvis with his original country music and covers. Tickets are $20 and are available online www.octconcord.com or at the door. Concessions will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 1

The author of Pearls Kaleidoscope, Reflections of a 95-year-old African American Womans Life will be hold a book signing in Concord from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Allen Small Family Life Center at Price Memorial AME Zion Church at 192 Spring St. SW.

Monday, Oct. 2

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Tuesday, Oct. 3

TOPS #437 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets every Tuesday at 10 a.m. (weigh-in begins at 9:30 a.m.) at Lakeview Baptist Church, 2532 Lane St., Kannapolis. Visitors are welcome.

If you need help and encouragement after the death of a spouse, child, family member or friend, you are invited to join us for A Griefshare Support Group at Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Road., NW, Concord, weekly on Tuesdays, through Oct. 31, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. For more information, call Linda Bounds at 704-793-8155.

Cabarrus County ECA 's Health and Wellness Committee is sponsoring an Outdoor Community Flu Clinic from 10 a.m. to noon at 715 Cabarrus Avenue West, Concord. This Outdoor Flu Clinic makes it very quick and easy to receive a flu shot and a COVID booster shot with one quick stop. Adults are invited to call NC Cooperative Extension Office weekdays at 704-929-3310 to reserve you shot. Flu shots for adults 65 years of age will also be available. True Care Pharmacy will be providing the shots and urges everyone to take advantage of this opportunity. September and October are the ideal times to get the flu shot. In the case of rain the Outdoor Flu Clinic will be offered inside.

Papa Capps Open Mic/Open Stage Variety Show is back at Old Courthouse Theatres Black Box Theatre. The show will be family friendly from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and then they kick it up at 9:15 with the Stupendously Hilarious Incredible Talent Show (more mature themes permissible). You can watch or participate Acts may include dance, karaoke, original songs (guitars, electric keyboard and mics are provided), stand-up comedy, improv, poetry, storytelling, juggling, monologues, performance art, and much more! Come celebrate the Humanities and show your art. A $5 donation is suggested. Concessions available for purchase.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

The Cabarrus Senior Center Photo Club is alive and clicking away. If you like taking photos, come join the members on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30-3 p.m. at the Cabarrus Senior Center, 331 Corban Ave. SE, Concord, and share your photographic creativity. Whether you are a seasoned photographer or strictly amateur, all are welcome.

Saint James The Greater 69th Parish BBQ will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. People may dine in or take out. To order ahead of time on the day of the event, please call 704-720-0600 extension 24. The church is located at 139 Manor Ave, SW, Concord.

Thursday, Oct. 5

Epworth United Methodist Church will have a hot dog sale from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Epworth is located at 1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord . For deliveries call 704-786-5500.

Friday, Oct. 6

The Concord Duplicate Bridge face-to-face games through Concord Parks and Recreation at Hartsell Recreation Center, 60 Hartsell School Road, at noon. Cost is $5 per player. You must have a partner and provide proof of vaccination.

Hot dogs at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, will be sold along with fried bologna and barbecue sandwiches and desserts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 7

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Hot dogs at Center United Methodist Church at 1119 Union St. S., are offered on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dine in and take out. Call-in orders are welcomed at 704-782-1785..

Got news or events?

Does your community group or nonprofit agency have an upcoming event that would be of interest to the public? Email it to mplemmons@independenttribune.com.
CONCORD  NASCAR Cup Series driver Michael McDowell, alongside 30 local elementary students from five area schools, helped Charlotte Motor Speedway staff prepare for the upcoming Bank of America ROVAL 400 weekend by painting turtles at Americas Home for Racing on Monday.

As part of the speedways year-round STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) program, students designed and painted 6-inch-high steel rumble strips that will be installed around the road course ahead of next months pivotal NASCAR Cup Series race.

The 100-pound kerbs will be bolted to the track surface to help keep drivers on the 17-turn, 2.28-mile course during the Bank of America ROVAL 400 on Sunday, Oct. 8.

Throughout the year, our STEAM program brings more than 10 thousand students to the speedway to learn about how the principles of STEAM overlap with motorsports, said Greg Walter, executive vice president and general manager at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This event is a fun way to put some of those principles into action, but also to make these students part of race day, where their artwork will be on full display.

Schools and racing

Students from R. Brown McAllister STEM Elementary, Rea Farms STEAM Academy, Victory Christian Center School, Online Catawba and Our Lady of the Assumption each decorated their turtle based on the theme NASCAR at its finest. Designs included tributes to NASCARs 75th anniversary, race scenes, and, of course, turtles. Paint for the event was provided by Sherwin-Williams.

McDowell had the chance to interact with the children and see their creativity when painting the five turtles.

Every group had a blank slate, and every single turtles design came out so different, he said. Its great to see how creative children are.

It is important to excite these children about NASCAR and introduce them to the different possibilities of working in motorsports, whether it is engineering, aerodynamics, graphic design or one of the many different other possibilities.

Through Sept. 28, fans can vote on their favorite turtle design online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/paint-the-roval-turtles/. The winner will be announced at the speedways STEAM Expo on Oct. 6. The Expo brings together more than 3,000 students to explore more than 75 STEAM-related vendor displays to kick of Bank of America ROVAL 400 weekend.

Tickets for the races

Adult tickets for Saturdays Drive for the Cure 250, presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, start at just $25. Kids 12 and younger get in free with an adult. Tickets to the Bank of America ROVAL 400 start at just $49 for adults. Kids 12 and younger get in for just $10 with an adult. For tickets, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets.
All Peoples Church of Jesus Christ

Worship at 10 a.m. Sunday at American Legion Post 172. Pastor: Prophet Roland Jordan. Sermon: If You Can Do It, Do It. If It Aint Mine Do It Anyway in Jesus Name. Scriptures Psalm 37.

Ann Street United Methodist Church

335 Ann St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Randy L. Wall. In-person and Facebook Live worship at 11 a.m. Sermon: Whats Right with the Church: Why We Are Here. Scripture: Luke 15:1-10.

Bethpage United Methodist Church

109 Fellowship Ave. at West C St., Kannapolis. 704-932-5296. Pastor: Rev. McKenzie Sefa. Christian education at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. Sermon: Faith of a Child: Integrity. Scripture: Daniel 6:16-23.

Bogers Chapel United Methodist Church

1775 Flowes Store Road E., Concord. Pastor: Pastor Eric Shaver. Sunday school at 9 a.m. Worship in-person, Facebook, at 10 a.m. Opening Scripture: Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45. Sermon Title: Burdens. Scripture: Matthew 20:1-16.

Calvary Lutheran Church

950 Bradley St., Concord. 704-782-6923. Pastor: Rev. Debbie Frye. Outdoor in-person worship at 8:30 a.m. (Outdoor Chapel) and 11 a.m. (traditional worship with Childrens Church). Coffee/cookie social 9:30-11 a.m. Sunday school for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Childrens area and nursery available at all times. All services live-streamed and available anytime on the Calvary Lutheran Concord Youtube channel  easy access through our website http://www.clconcord.org or church app Calvary Lutheran Church  NC. All are welcome. Sermon Series: Is Your God Big Enough? Sermon Topic: Generosity Unleashed.

Center United Methodist Church

1119 Union St. S., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Brian Crady. Sunday School for In Betweens and young adults at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. Nursery is provided during the worship service. Website is www.centerumcconcord.org. Look forward to you joining us for our service! Sermon: Jesus Fits Us in Life Clothes. Scripture: John 11:17-44.

Cold Springs Global Methodist Church

2550 Cold Springs Rd., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Cliff Wall. Worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays. Sermon: Anger Danger: Safety in the Savior. Scripture: Matthew 5:17-26. Visit online at https://youtube.com/@coldspringschurchconcord.

Crossroads Church

220 George W. Liles Parkway, Concord. Pastor: Lowell McNaney. Live worship streamed on Facebook, Crossroads Concord Church app or mycrossroads.co website at 9:30 a.m. and 11:11 a.m.

Crown Pointe Baptist Church

703 Tennessee St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Doug Crawley. Sunday School at 9 a.m. Worship at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary, or view online at our Facebook page. Series: Revival: Stronger Than Ever. Sermon: The Gift of Wisdom (Week Two). Scripture: II Chronicles 1:7-12 ESV.

Eastside Missionary Baptist Church

199 Elgin Drive, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Stephen Burrow. In-person services: Sunday school, 9:30 a.m. Worship services, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Recorded worship services and other information at EastsideMissionaryBaptist.org. You will be welcomed. Practice social distancing.

Epworth United Methodist Church

1030 Burrage Road NE, Concord. Pastor: Rev. Dennis Marshall. Sunday School at 9 a.m., followed by worship at 10 a.m. We welcome all to join us in person, or you may livestream or watch the recorded service at our website at www.epworthnc.com.

Forest Hill United Methodist Church

265 Union St. N., Concord. Senior Pastor: Rev. Mandy Jones. Associate Pastor: Rev. Wes Judy. We are open for in-person worship. Contemporary worship, 9 a.m. Sunday School/small groups, 10 a.m. Traditional worship, 11 a.m. Both the contemporary and the traditional worship services will also be live-streamed at foresthillumc.org or facebook.com/foresthillumc, in case you dont feel like being here in person.

Harmony United Methodist Church

101 White St., N.W., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Thad Brown. We will be at Frank Liske Park at the Home Builders Shelter for our last picnic of 2023. Set-up begins at 10 a.m., with a short service at 11 a.m. Service will be live on Facebook.com/HarmonyUnitedMethodistChurch. You are welcome to join us online for the service! For more information, you can call the pastors phone, 704-791-2883, or the church phone, 704-782-8237.

Jackson Park United Methodist Church

715 Mable Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor Laurie Knoespel. Adult Sunday school, 9:30 a.m. Worship at 10:30 a.m. Nursery will be provided during worship service.

Kirkwood Presbyterian Church

900 Klondale Ave., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Dennis B. Craft. Worship at 11 a.m. in church sanctuary on Sundays. No mask restrictions.

McGill Baptist Church

5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord, in-person services. Pastor: Rev. Steve Ayers. If you have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine, please wear a mask. McGill will stream a worship service Sunday at 10 a.m. on www.facebook.com/mcgillbaptistchurch/ and on YouTube. The services will be live and also available on recording afterwards. Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Youth Sunday.

Midway United Methodist Church

108 Bethpage Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Craig Allen. Come join us on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. for Sunday school and 10:30 a.m. for worship. Our service is also livestreamed on the web at midwayunitedmethodistchurch.org or facebook.com/midwayUMC. Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. Sermon: Wait, What? Youre Paying Them How Much? First Reading: Psalm 145:1-8. Second Reading: Matthew 20:1-16. Suggested Hymns: TFWS 2040, Awesome God; UMH 370, Victory in Jesus.

Mt. Mitchell United Methodist Church

6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis. Pastor: Joel Locklear. Sunday school at 9:45 a.m., adult and children classes. Worship at 11 a.m. in person or Facebook.

Multiply Church Concord

150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd. N., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Douglas Witherup. 8:30 a.m. service held at 280 Concord Parkway S., Suite 15, Concord. Services at 150 Warren C. Coleman Blvd N., are worship and sermon at 9:30 a.m. and Wworship and sermon at 11:15 a.m.

New Gilead Reformed Church, ECO

2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road. 9:40 a.m., Adult Bible study. 10 a.m., Sunday school. 11 a.m., worship in the sanctuary, also live on Facebook.

Oak Grove Baptist Church

200 Sims Parkway, Harrisburg. Pastor: Rev. Franklin D. Watkins. 10 a.m. In-person worship service and Facebook Live and YouTube Live.

Second Presbyterian Church

1578 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis. Pastor Sue Black, minister. Rev. Aaron Price, assistant pastor. Sunday school at 10 a.m. Worship at 11 a.m. Guest speaker: Dulce Castillo, ordination candidate. Sermon: Take Courage. Scripture: Selected verses.

St. Johns Reformed Church

901 N. Main St., Kannapolis. Pastor: Rev. Chris King. Sunday school for all ages, 9:30 a.m. Worship service, 10:30 a.m. Website: www.ourstjohns.org. Email/Phone: ourstjohns@gmail.com/704-932-3656. Sermon: Mans Ways vs. Gods Ways. Scripture: John 7:19-24.

Trinity United Church of Christ

38 Church St., Concord. Pastor: Rev. Nathan King. Worship at 11 a.m., in person or Facebook live. Website: commachurch.com. Sermon: Afraid Of Your Shadow by Rev. Dr. Cathy Cook. Youre invited!
The widow of a Hickory man who died after driving off a washed-out bridge has filed a lawsuit against Google and the owners of the bridge alleging negligence.

The lawsuit filed by Alicia Paxson comes nearly a year after Philip Paxson, 47, died when his vehicle fell into Snow Creek as he drove on 24th Street Place NE in Hickory. The bridge had fallen nearly a decade prior.

The lawsuit, which was filed Tuesday in Wake County, names Google and Googles parent company Alphabet, Hickory businessman James Tarlton and the companies Tarde LLC and Hinckley Gauvain LLC as defendants.

Tarlton and the two companies are identified in the lawsuit as the owners of the bridge and the land near the bridge.

The lawsuit says that Google Maps continued to list the road with the collapsed bridge as a viable route even though the company had been notified that the bridge was gone. Philip Paxson used that road after searching on Google Maps, according to the lawsuit.

Tarlton, Tarde and Hinckley Gauvain are accused of failure to repair the bridge or to maintain appropriate barriers or lighting to prevent people from crashing into Snow Creek.

During a press conference held over Zoom on Wednesday, Robert Zimmerman, an attorney for Alicia Paxson, said the family filed the complaint in Wake County because of Googles corporate presence there.

Alicia Paxson spoke of her desire for justice and to see that no one else is harmed because of the bridge. She also expressed the lingering sense of loss she and her 7-year-old and 9-year-old daughters feel.

It still doesnt seem real, Paxson said.
A North Carolina school leader issued a public apology this week after a racist message was delivered over a PA system at a high school marching band showcase.

Cabarrus County Schools Superintendent John Kopicki, speaking at a school board meeting on Monday, read from a written statement: I would like to personally apologize to all those in attendance on Saturday who were disgusted by this senseless act of racism. I would also like to apologize to the host school, Mount Pleasant High School.

The Charlotte Observer has been unable to confirm exactly what was written then broadcast from the derogatory message.

The air-gram  often used as a fundraiser in conjunction with marching band competitions or shows  was written by a student and directed at another student, officials say. It included racist remarks or tropes, according to Kopicki and attendees who posted on social media after the event.

Air-grams typically are short personal messages of celebration or shout-outs from students, parents or teachers and are read as a marching band leaves the field after a performance. Usually a person pays a small amount to send an air-gram. The Cabarrus County Preview of Bands, an annual event showcasing area high school marching bands, was held Saturday at Mount Pleasant High School.

These air-grams are then read over the public address system as the marching band exits the field. Unfortunately, one of these air-grams, which was directed from one of our students to another, included racist remarks and phrases that have no place in either our schools or our society, Kopicki said on Monday night.

He added that the student responsible for the air-gram had been dealt with by school administrators.

Its unclear who read the message from the sound booth at the event, and its unclear whether organizers vet air-grams prior to reading them over the speaker.

Cabarrus County Schools does not condone nor tolerate this type of behavior or language, Kopicki said. .... Mount Pleasant is a supportive, inclusive community who welcomed our students and families to their campus on Saturday for a day to celebrate the performing arts. This act in no way reflects the values of Mt. Pleasant High School or the Mt. Pleasant community.
Finnish Customs says it has seized the Piilopuoti web server and its narcotics sales content.

The operation was conducted in cooperation with foreign authorities, Finnish Customs officials said, specifically German and Lithuanian authorities, Europol, and the European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust).

Authorities of other countries, and various police units in Finland were also involved.

Piilopuoti has been operational in the Tor network since 2022.

In most cases, the narcotics sold on the site were smuggled to Finland from abroad.

Bitdefender senior director of investigation and forensics Alexandru Catalin Cosoi said "We are extremely pleased that Piilopuoti has been seized and would like to congratulate law enforcement, Finnish Customs and everyone involved.

"This operation is a prime example of the public and private sector pooling resources and working together to disrupt illegal online activities. It should also serve as a wake-up call for criminals who falsely believe their infrastructures, anonymity, and actions are fully protected by the dark web. They should understand if they are in the crosshairs of an international effort, they will eventually be brought to justice."
Microsoft's security reputation has taken another beating, with the company releasing a number of plans for its Xbox gaming platform along with public documents submitted to the court adjudicating a case filed by the FTC over its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard.

Among the documents leaked was information on a new disc-less Xbox Series X design, games from Bethesda that have not been announced as yet, and thoughts from Microsoft executives about acquiring Nintendo, according to The Verge which published a number of stories about the leak.

The judge who is presiding over the FTC case said in a notice on Tuesday: "The Court ordered the parties to meet and confer and provide the Court with a secure cloud link to the admitted exhibits with the redactions set forth in the Courts orders.

"Microsoft provided the link on 14 September and the Court uploaded the exhibits to an Internet page established for this case. The parties have notified the Court that the version of the exhibits provided contained non-public information and the Court has removed the trial exhibits from the Internet.

"The parties shall meet and confer, including with any non-parties, and resubmit the admitted trial exhibits via a secure cloud link by 22 September, 2023.

One of the documents leaked by Microsoft. Courtesy The Verge

"The parties shall simultaneously file a written certification signed by all parties, and non-parties whose information is contained in the admitted trial exhibits, verifying they have reviewed the exhibits and certify they contain only public information in accordance with the Courts orders."

The deadline for a decision on the Activision-Microsoft deal is 18 October. The FTC sought to put it on hold, but its decision was denied in July.

Only the British competition authority, the Competition and Markets Authority, has to give its final decision. The European Union cleared the deal on 15 May, provided Microsoft is fully compliant with the commitments it has offered.

A statement from Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's Xbox division, said in an internal email that a number of documents submitted in the court proceedings had been "unintentionally disclosed".

He hinted that some of the plans, at least, may have changed as the leaked docuemnts date back to early 2022.

"...theres so much more to be excited about, and when were ready, well share the real plans with our players," Spencer said.
Sixty-three members of Australia's parliament have signed a letter, published as an advertisement in the Washington Post on Monday, calling for WikiLeaks founder and publisher Julian Assange to be freed.

Six members of the Parliament have undertaken a trip to Washington DC to lobby for the charges against Assange to be dropped.

The six are former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce, Liberal Senator Alex Antic, Labor MP Tony Zappia, Independent MP Monique Ryan and Greens Senators David Shoebridge and Peter Whish-Wilson.

Assange is still being held in the UK's Belmarsh maximum security jail as he awaits the outcome of a second appeal to the UK High Court against an extradition order.

In June, the Australian lostagainst the order that aims to send him to the US for trial over alleged espionage charges.

The second appeal was filed on 13 June. Since then his wife, father and brother have been campaigning for his release.

The 63 parliamentarians, who call themselves the Bring Julian Assange Home Parliamentary Group and are from across the political spectrum, said in the letter: "As Australian Parliamentarians, in support of our colleagues delegation to the United States in September 2023, we are resolutely of the view that the prosecution and incarceration of the Australian citizen Julian Assange must end.

"Together with a large and growing number of Australians, we believe it is wrong in principle for Mr Assange to be pursued under the Espionage Act (1917), and that it was a political decision to bring the prosecution in the first place."

They said the detention of Assange "serves no purpose, it is unjust, and we say clearly  as friends should always be honest with friends  that the prolonged pursuit of Mr Assange wears away at the substantial foundation of regard and respect that Australians have for the justice system of the US".

"We agree entirely with the position expressed by the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who said in the House of Representatives on 22 May 2023 that 'enough is enough when it comes to the ongoing incarceration of Julian Assange and that nothing is served from the ongoing incarceration of Julian Assange'.

"We welcome the recently expressed agreement on this point from the Leader of the Opposition, [Peter Dutton], and we make clear that the bipartisan leadership support for this position is matched by the wide cross-party and independent support within the Australian Parliament itself, which in turn reflects the strongly held views of the Australian community."

The letter said the members of parliament were grateful for the support in the US for an end to the legal pursuit of Assange from members of Congress, human rights advocates, academics, and civil society, and from within the US media in defence of free speech and independent journalism.

"On that basis we ask Congresspeople, members of the press, and other relevant civil society stakeholders in the US to speak up now in supporting an end to the prosecution and detention of Julian Assange."

Assange was arrested by British police on 11 April 2019 and removed from the Ecuador embassy where he had taken refuge. His asylum was withdrawn shortly before he was arrested and he appeared in court soon after. The US made a formal request for his extradition on 6 June 2019.

The Australian, 52, is one of the better known hackers Australia has produced.
Hybrid multicloud computing provider Nutanix has appointed Michael Car as head of its hybrid multicloud business APJ.

In his role, Car will work closely with Aaron White, general manager and vice president, Nutanix APJ Sales.

Car has more than two decades of enterprise cloud experience, joining Nutanix from AWS where he led the hyperscalers VMware cloud business in APJ - and prior to that, he held the role of director, Enterprise Architects, APJ, at Dell Technologies.

Based in Sydney, Michael Cars responsibilities will include leading the Nutanix Cloud Clusters (NC2) team in APJ and helping partners in the region conduct hybrid multicloud conversations with their customers.

Nutanixs hybrid multicloud offering can help organisations across the region as they review their cloud spend and productivity and examine their on-premises IT through a new lens, he said. I look forward to helping organisations across APJ realise their optimal cloud journey and end state.

Car says enterprises are increasingly doing away with public cloud-first strategies in favour of more mature hybrid multicloud approaches, with this trend accelerating as organisations explore how next-generation technologies  like AI and Machine Learning  can be integrated into their businesses.

Todays CIOs are increasingly seeing cloud as a tool, not a destination, he said. Ive been on the frontlines, Ive slept in datacentres as part of engineering teams, and Ive seen the transition from cloud first towards hybrid multicloud, Car said.

Nutanixs technical leadership at the crest of this wave is what attracted me to the team, and I cant wait to build on the momentum NC2 has generated.

Michael Car said one of his first priorities would be actively recruiting as he expands the NC2 teams across APJ.

Cars appointment follows NC2 becoming available on the AWS marketplace in late August.

Nutanix says it has also bolstered its channel ranks in A/NZ with the appointments of Chris Nixon and Evan Audesh.

Nixon joins from NetApp where he was instrumental in building its partner community during his nine year tenure, and has been appointed Strategic Partner Manager A/NZ.

Audesh most recently served as Channel Business Development Manager at Boomi and joins the team as an Inside Channel-Led Seller.
A new handbook released by Australias national science agency, CSIRO, will guide businesses  including farmers, forest growers, mining companies and non-governmental organisations  on how to report and account for their natural assets to better protect our environment.

The CSIRO says much of the value and growth from our economy is drawn from natural resources as a variety of industries depend on, and profit, from them - however that growth has coincided with a catastrophic decline in our natural systems; a decline that includes a 70 per cent reduction in the average species population size since 1970.

According to the CSIRO, natural capital accounting is gaining momentum as a way to quantify and integrate the value of nature into decision-making processes, fostering more sustainable and responsible practices to promote long-term environmental and economic well-being.

Released today, the Natural Capital Handbook delivers practical step-by-step guidelines on how to measure and incorporate natural assets such as clean air, water, soil and living things into their operations.

Lead author and CSIRO scientist Dr Greg Smith said the failure to account for nature in decision-making has led to environmental decline over time and is increasingly recognised as a material risk to business.

While nature underpins our economic growth, the value of nature is excluded in dominant financial analysis tools and not always factored into decision-making by businesses, Dr Smith said.

This is now being recognised as a critical component in helping to reverse environment decline, and in future, is expected to become a mandatory requirement for businesses globally.

The CSIRO says the handbook harmonises resources, frameworks, and indicators to help Australian businesses across all sectors measure, track and manage their natural capital assets, enabling them to make informed decisions on nature-related risks and invest in opportunities to help reverse ongoing environmental declines.

How companies track and measure their impacts and dependencies on nature can be challen challenging, Dr Smith said.

Currently, there is a lack of practical guidance that brings together the many different standards, frameworks and example approaches that have been developed in natural capital accounting, impact, dependency, and risk/opportunity assessment.



CSIRO Living Landscapes Research Director and co-author Dr Libby Pinkard said the handbook goes to the next level to help companies implement these frameworks.

This resource provides information on what material risks there are, indicators to describe those risks and a format for presenting that information which aligns with corporate accounting principles, Dr Pinkard said.

The processes and examples provided in this handbook can help guide Australian sectors to produce consistent and transparent reporting to investors, stakeholders, and the general public on their interactions with nature.

By adopting natural capital accounting practices across the private sector, we can be more confident that our economic growth and prosperity are sustainable.

The handbook aligns with the global market-led initiative Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures' (TFND) recently released framework for risk management and disclosure.

Download the Natural Capital Handbook.
100 years ago, Sept. 20, 1923

MATTOON  Paul Stone, a clerk in the grocery store of J.N. Hardwick, 612 South Seventeenth Street, was struck on the head by a pop bottle by a robber about 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, remaining in a dazed condition for an hour or more. He is all right today. Stone was in the store alone at the time, preparing to close for the night. A customer entered and bought a bottle of pop. He paid for it and was standing there drinking it. Stone went out to close the garage door and when he returned the customer was was pulling the money tray out of the safe, which had not yet been locked. Stone knocked the tray out of his hands, scattering the money about the floor. The robber then grappled with Stone, and in the scuffle he struck Stone on the back of the head with the pop bottle. The robber, evidently frightened, fled from the place without taking the time to gather up any of the money, as none was found to be missing. Stone, dazed, says he does not remember when the robber ran from the place, as he did not realize where he was until nearly an hour later, when he made his way up the stairway to the rooms above where Hardwick and his family dwell. The tray contained about $350 in currency and cash at the time the robber grabbed it from the safe. Stone was suffering no ill effects of the attack on Wednesday except a large bump which had been raised by the pop bottle.

50 years ago, 1973

TOLEDO  A suspected fire bomb was found on a farm near Toledo Wednesday night. Cumberland County Sheriff Otis Jones told the JG today that the bomb was located on the ground next to a farmhouse approximately six or seven miles from Toledo. The sheriff declined to release the name of the resident of the farmhouse pending further investigation. According to Jones, his department received a call at approximately 8:37 p.m. Wednesday. Deputy Bob Calvin went to the scene. The farmer had it out there in his shed, Jones said. The deputy said that when he arrived, the farmer came walking out of the shed with the suspected bomb, said the sheriff. The deputy didnt even know what it was until he brought it into the office, said Jones. As soon as he stuck it in the door, I knew what it was, added Jones. The sheriff said the bomb was homemade. It was a fifth or a quart whisky bottle. It was capped. Jones said there were wicks running from the bottle. A book of matches and a cigarette were tied to the wicks. The bottle was about full of what smelled like oil, said Jones. Evidently, whoever lit the cigarette figured it would burn down and ignite the matches. It burned out before it got the job done....MATTOON  The cut in gasoline prices may be helping the average consumers pocketbook but area gasoline dealers are feeling the ill effects of the Phase IV action. Robert Saunders of Saunders Standard station said today that service station owners throughout the country are slowly going broke. Saunders says that he is losing two cents for every gallon of gasoline that he sells. Saunders said that some dealers have begun charging a quarter to check the oil, 50 cents to wash the windshield and a dollar just to put the gas in the car, in an effort to break even. Although no local dealerships have begun these practices, Saunders cited it as a way many dealers are combating the problem. He added that it costs the dealer $7 for a case of cloths to wipe windshields, so many dealers have simply discontinued the service.
Lexington police arrested a man Monday after a victim was kidnapped in Lexington and taken to Salisbury, authorities said.

Da-Jaun Lamont Russell, 27, is charged with first-degree kidnapping, assault by strangulation and breaking and entering to terrorize, police said.

Russell also is charged with habitual misdemeanor assault, assault on a female, communicating threats and injury to personal property, police said.

Officers responded Monday to Booker Avenue on a reported domestic kidnapping, police said.

Officers were told a victim was forced into a vehicle, and the driver took the victim to Salisbury, police said.Salisbury police assisted Lexington police.

Russell was being held in the Davidson County Jail with his bond set at $57,500, police said. He is scheduled to appear Oct. 12 in Davidson District Court.

Anyone with information about this case can call Lexington police at 336-243-3302 or Lexington Area Crime Stoppers at 336-243-2400.
THOMASVILLE  Scores of law enforcement officers and others gathered at Rich Fork Baptist Church on Tuesday morning to say farewell to fallen Forsyth County Deputy Auston Reudelhuber.

During the service, Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough gently touched Reudelhubers flag-draped coffin as he walked back to his seat, after telling mourners that Reudelhuber was like a tree: His roots were all the folks that hes touched in this community and throughout this world, Kimbrough said. The trunk was his service of protection to the county and to the country when he served in Afghanistan in the U.S. Army.

Kimbrough said the crown of a tree represents how it has lived.

And Kimbrough expressed faith in the hereafter:

What Im saying to you this morning is that Im believing that he has turned in his star to go receive his crown, Kimbrough said.

Reudelhuber was 32 when he died in a wreck on N.C. 150 in the Reedy Creek community on Sept. 9. He was driving a marked patrol cruiser north when a southbound box truck went left of the center line and struck his vehicle head on.

Standing on a bridge over Interstate 85 to watch Reudelhubers funeral procession pass after the service, Susan Carter talked about the wife and kids the officer leaves behind.

It is just so sad, she said. He was young with small children and his whole life ahead of him. As soon as they announced the plans I knew I would come.

Carter, who grew up in Davidson County and now lives in Winston-Salem, said she didnt know Reudelhuber, but that didnt make a difference.

Anyone who serves can put their life on the line every day, she said. When he got up that morning he didnt know that would be his last day.

Filled to overflowing

The parking lot at Rich Fork church was filled to overflowing with law enforcement and other public safety vehicles from all over the state before the service. Late arrivals parked on the shoulder of Old U.S 29. Fleets of motorcycle officers, all dressed in black, pulled into the lot. Patrol vehicles from as close as Guilford County were parked near ones from Beaufort, Randolph and Onslow counties.

Officers in dress uniform solemnly lined up to go inside the church, passing between members of an honor guard bearing flags.

The Rev. Henry Watterson, the pastor of Reudelhubers home church, Reeds Baptist Church in Lexington, during the service called the officer a man of honor, a man of dignity, a man of God (and) a family man.

On a lighter note, he told how Reudelhuber once pulled him over just for fun when the pastor had his young son with him.

I didnt do anything wrong, the pastor said. He got out there with his giggly laugh just cackling away. Scared me half to death. I thought I was getting a ticket and my son thought I was going to jail forever. And Auston got a kick out of it.

Watterson gave each of Reudelhubers daughters, Addie and Raelyn, pendants:

Even though you face sadness and you may have a broken heart, you have half that heart, OK? he said. And youre going to miss your daddy, but your sister has the other half.

Reudelhuber had served as a deputy and K-9 officer for Davidson County before coming to work in Forsyth County. He died at a local hospital of injuries he received in the wreck. William Benton, 24, the driver of the box truck, was not injured. He was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, reckless driving and driving left of center.

Reudelhubers widow, Rachel, closed her eyes after the service as her husbands casket was placed in the hearse. Forsyth and Davidson deputies lined the path from the church to the hearse and saluted as the casket was brought out. As the procession began making its way to Salisbury, it passed a Thomasville Fire Department ladder truck with an American flag flying from its extended ladder.

Thomasville firefighters and police officers saluted as the hearse passed on Business 85. Some of the motorists who had stopped got out of their cars and stood with their hands on their hearts.

At the bridge that carries N.C. 150 over I-85 near the Yadkin River, the Churchland and Tyro fire departments had each sent a truck to station itself with flashing lights over the center of the southbound lanes. The firefighters attached a large American flag to one of the trucks ladders to hang over the highway.

Passing truckers blew their horns.

As the procession neared, patrol officers stopped most of the southbound traffic to clear a path for the hearse and accompanying patrol vehicles all flashing their lights.

It is scary

Margaret Rabon put her hand over her heart as the procession rolled beneath the bridge. Rabons husband Dennis is a retired Davidson County deputy. She knows what it is like to wonder if your loved one is coming home.

It is scary, especially when you hear about the bad things that happen. It puts you on the alert, she said.

Now Rabon wanted to show the family her respects.

I love how law enforcement is a brotherhood, she said. I feel like my husbands coworkers were my family.

More people showed up on the bridge. People driving through slowed to ask why everyone was gathered.

Sgt. J. Wyatt Roberts of the Davidson County EMS stood on the bridge and saluted as the procession passed.

I worked with Auston in the past, and wanted to show my respects to his family, he said.

Nearby, Holly Green stood with her two small children, Charlotte and Luke. All three held American flags to wave.

Tyro firefighter Carson Chrisley said that while people in public service take pride in their work, the knowledge that they could die on the job keeps us humble.

GALLERY: Remembering Deputy Auston Smith Reudelhuber

It keeps our pride in check and makes us think about being safe as we do our work, he said.
Dark Wednesday morning. Were missing those extra minutes of daylight already.

The hostage taking, at least for now, ended abruptly Tuesday night when leading light legislators  try saying that three times fast  announced that they would indeed vote on the states $30 billion budget bill without lashing Medicaid expansion to additional legalized gambling.

Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham and a major backer of a plan to add up to four casinos in rural counties including his own, stood before a bank of microphones and waved the figurative white flag.

We think this is the best, most prudent way for us to move forward, he said.

Not to mention the most honest and transparent.

For those scoring at home, the hostage taking amounted to this:

The two houses of the Legislature  or more specifically, Republicans who wield veto-proof majorities in each safeguarded by gerrymanders and a friendly state Supreme Court  hold wildly different views on expanding gambling in the state.

Over in the Senate, more pragmatic Republicans led by Berger leaned hard into the idea that approving up to four casinos in economically distressed counties would cause developers to invest at least $500 million at each location and guarantee a minimum of 1,750 jobs.

(Also on the table was legitimizing tens of thousands of video gambling machines already present in strip malls and backrooms of convenience stores from Murphy to Manteo.)

Fiscal analysts employed by the General Assembly estimated the state would reap several hundred million in new taxes each year.)

Trouble was, socially conservative Republicans in the House  and nanny-state Democrats who dont trust adults to make their own spending decisions  werent swayed.

And in the middle sat hundreds of thousands of poor North Carolinians who stand to get health-insurance under a Medicaid expansion bill.

Passed in March, Medicaid expansion couldnt begin until the Legislature approved the two-year budget and that basically left the poor waiting while mostly wealthy legislators spend the summer dickering over tax cuts.

Confused? Its OK. Most of us were.

Senators, see, wanted the casinos rolled into the budget bill. Representatives, however, believed the budget and gambling expansion to be separate issues.

So pro-gambling legislators floated a trial balloon over the weekend that amounted to strapping a dynamite vest to the backs of the poor: linking Medicaid expansion to the gambling vote.

No casinos, no health care for up to 500,000 North Carolinians.

Pairing the two, wrote Gov. Roy Cooper on social media, was the most brutally dishonest legislative scheme Ive seen in my 3+ decades.

(Whether Cooper actually uses Twitter, X or whatever Elon Musk calls it today, is debatable. The guess here is that a tech savvy intern reads it to him or his chief of staff for approval.)

Anyhow, the backlash was swift and effective enough to kill it  and by extension, gambling expansion  for the time being.

Which is as it should be.

If legalizing casinos and video gaming terminals is such a good idea, then debate it on the floor of both House and Senate, in the open, on its merits.

Were very concerned about how it was done behind closed doors without much public input, said Brandon Leebrick, a homeowner with property near the site of a proposed casino in Rockingham County, before a trip to Raleigh to lobby legislators. Even if youre in favor of gambling, how it happened is concerning.

If it's such a good idea, why not have it out in the open all along?

Huh. An actual debate. Economic opportunity/increased tax collections vs. the evils of gambling.

May the best, most persuasive argument win. Crazy idea.

Still, a small army of several dozen lobbyists  and the cash that follows like stink off a garbage barge  had their say over the summer and no doubt will again.

A report by Bob Hall, the former head of a good-government watchdog group called Democracy North Carolina, found at least $500,000 in legal campaign contributions to legislators just in the first six months of the year.

Well see, Leebrick said. At least follow the rules and have the discussion out in the open. And if its the same decision, so be it.

Vote early, but not often

GREENSBORO  Early voting in primary elections opens in Guilford County bright and early Thursday morning.

Voters in High Point and Jamestown wishing to cast ballots in primaries for mayor and two City Council races  all five of them  can vote Thursday through Oct. 7.

In-person voting is scheduled for Oct. 10.

On another, sort of related note, voter registration is open until Oct. 13, meaning that unregistered voters have three more weeks to get that task done.

Also new this year: photo IDs are now required in North Carolina to cast a ballot.

The guess here is that turnout for municipal primary elections will be abysmally low, perhaps as low as 2 or 3 percent of eligible voters, and that nominees for mayor of decent-sized cities could be determined by which candidate has the most cousins show up.

Mind-reading up next?

WINSTON-SALEM With little regard for 1984  George Orwells dystopian classic novel required reading in high-schools until the book banners get to it  City Council voted Monday to spend some $900,000 for 200 surveillance cameras.

Actually its an additional 200 cameras to supplement those already in place at municipal buildings and strewn across the parks systems.

And thats not including private security cameras linked in with permission to the citys Real Time crime center or the vaunted ShotSpotter system tracking gunfire in certain neighborhoods.

All Big Brother jokes aside  and despite what pure civil libertarians might say  the cameras wont be a bad thing.

A swarm of uniformed patrol officers arent swooping in every time some dope tosses a beer can on the ground or a couple teen-agers hop in the back seat of a car in a city park.

It amounts to an extra tool for the police department, which is down 140 officers out of some 500.

But if the cameras start reading minds, we might need to rethink that.
Winston-Salem police are asking for the public's help to find a missing woman who was last seen July 27 in the city's southern section, authorities said Tuesday.

Christina Nicole Brower, 39, who is also known as Christina "Tina" Shillingburg, was last seen in the area of 1111 Salem Valley Road after she was dropped off by hospital transportation, police said.

Brower stands 5 feet 5 inches in height and weighs 150 pounds, police said. Brower has brown hair and green eyes.

Brower also has a nose and lip piercing, and her direction of travel is unknown, police said.

Anyone with information about Brower's whereabouts can call Winston-Salem police at 336-773-7700, Crime Stoppers at 336-727-2800 or its Spanish line at 336-728-3904.

The Text-A-Tip program at 336-276-1717 allows people to text tips, photos and videos to the police.
While several hundred thousand North Carolinians still await access to affordable health care they should have had months ago, Republican leaders are rolling dice at a political craps table in Raleigh.

Since the GOP cant agree on a state budget bill that some of its members want to allow four new casinos in the state  including one in Rockingham County  the pro-gambling forces in their ranks are considering putting their money on a different strategy: Carve out Medicaid expansion from the long-overdue state budget and combine it with casino expansion in a standalone bill, so Democrats might vote for it.

These high-rolling lawmakers may think theyre playing with house money, but what theyre really playing with is peoples lives.

They are so beholden to the gaming industry that they would hold the well-being of as many as 650,000 of their constituents hostage to a handful of casinos.

As if any of them cares. Place your bets!

As for Medicaid expansion, it was signed into law on March 27, but Republicans insisted that its funding be tied to the passage of the state budget.

Since then, the budget, which was due in July, has been stalled by infighting among Republicans, who control both chambers of the legislature, but are divided on the issue of new casinos. So here we are.

Gov. Roy Cooper summed up the situation well in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

GOP demand for passage of their backroom casino deal in exchange for a state budget is the most brutally dishonest legislative scheme Ive seen in my 3+ decades, the governor wrote. People are right to be suspicious. Something has a grip on Republican leaders and its not the people of NC.

How cold is this latest calculation by Republican leaders? Ice-cold. Its a ruse, a bait-and-switch and a betrayal all rolled into one that uses the lives of North Carolinians as a bargaining chip.

Have they no shame? Of course not.

A major proponent of casino expansion is the most powerful Republican in the state, Senate leader Phil Berger of Eden, who views it as a key to tourism in rural areas, among other economic benefits. But gambling is rarely the easy fix it appears to be, bringing with it collateral damage and unintended consequences. Thus the opposition even within his own party.

The aim of a casino-Medicaid mashup bill, of course, would be to gain Democrats grudging support out of their desperation to see Medicaid finally expanded in North Carolina. In gambling parlance, theyre trying to force the Democrats hand.

The proposed new strategy deservedly has been met with anger and outrage. As the Journals Richard Craver reported, the House Democratic caucus released a letter on Monday that accused Republican leaders of trying to force passage of a casino bill developed in secret and written by casino lobbyists.

The letter was signed by 40 Democrats, including Reps. Amber Baker and Kanika Brown of Forsyth County and Pricey Harrison and Ashton Clemmons of Guilford County.

Harrison told the Journal that the casino bill is terrible policy. We shouldnt be tying health care for more than 500,000 North Carolinians to this gambling proposal.

Meanwhile, the meter is running.

The ongoing impasse and the backroom maneuvering is costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars that could be funding health care, said Kody Kinsley, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Also at risk is a $1.5 billion federal incentive bonus provided by the American Rescue Plan Act.

At this pace, Medicaid expansion might not happen in North Carolina until 2024. On hold as well until the state budget passes are teacher raises, tax cuts, funding for nonprofits and other spending.

All because of some Republicans single-minded fixation on the fools gold of gaming as an economic savior. Its a bad bet.

Just in case these high rollers are not aware, theres a Problem Gambling Hotline in North Carolina. We suggest they use it  before we all fall victim to their addiction.
Disgraceful

More than 11 million out of 74 million children in the United States live in poverty. Half reside in the South, a majority are hungry and food insecure, and more than a third are not covered by health insurance (Childrens Defense Fund).

The COVID pandemic hit these kids especially hard, but their situation could have been even worse had it not been for relief provided to them through temporary extensions to the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit and stimulus payments to families. Unfortunately, when Republicans and a handful of conservative Democrats blocked extending this help last year, the child poverty rate doubled from 5.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2022.

That our country, which is one of the wealthiest, has one of the highest rates of child poverty among developed nations is disgraceful. Retaining just the enhanced child tax credit would have significantly reduced this increase in child poverty and would have cost only $12 billion annually compared with the $1.3 trillion spent on Social Security and the $800 billion on Medicare.

The persistent economic instability of their families and deprivation wreak havoc on children. They are more likely to attend under-resourced schools; live in substandard housing and unsafe neighborhoods; experience adverse health outcomes; and become entangled in the child welfare and criminal justice systems.

Australia, Japan, Korea and Nordic countries have substantially reduced child poverty. Why cant we do the same if we really care about their happiness and want a better future for them?

Tim Miles

Mount Airy

9/11 coverage?

I was extremely saddened to see no mention of the 9/11 tragedy in your paper on the 22nd anniversary of that event. Where were your in-house reporters and your editorial staff? Was there not even an Associated Press article worthy of publication?

I am ashamed to tell my son, a member of our armed forces, that our local paper did not mention how our country was attacked that Tuesday by Islamist jihadists and how much respect we owe first responders who gave their lives trying to save folks trapped in the World Trade Center. I am ashamed to tell him that you never mentioned the bravery required of those citizens aboard Flight 93 or how our own Pentagon was attacked.

I am ashamed to tell my son that his commander-in-chief couldnt make it back to Ground Zero from an overseas trip in time to honor those who lost their lives that fateful day but did have time to reward the Iranian terrorist state with a $6 billion ransom payment.

You have let down our community and those of us who remember what 9/11 means. The article you published about 9/11 in your Sept 12 edition was a day late and a dollar short. It came from The Associated Press, and the reporters provided cover for our missing president by gushing that he was the first president to commemorate Sept 11 in the western U.S.

He should have been at Ground Zero on Sept. 11, and you should have covered the 9/11 anniversary.

Dan Williams

Lewisville

Sinners all

Regarding Cal Thomas Sept. 19 column (Sex and the city: Political edition):

Come on, Cal, most everyone has imperfections, including being a hypocrite ... except me (smile).

You also are imperfect, having no problem throwing the first stone at a minuscule few Republicans.

Seriously, if we intend voting only for sinless politicians, our choices will be greatly limited, on both sides of the aisle. I see little difference in Republicans who claim to have good morals but occasionally backslide and Democrats who backslide and care not who knows it.

So, we must choose between imperfect sinners and ... imperfect sinners. And if the choice is between a progressive/liberal/socialist/Marxist Democrat sinner and a conservative Republican sinner, Ill hold my nose and choose the one whos the best for America.

And we both know which one that is.

Clyde Hunt Jr.

Greensboro

Wild boar option

Wild hogs are becoming such a problem in some areas that they are destroying crops and yards. Many are shot to try to reduce the numbers, but more just move in.

Sows can start having young when they are 6-8 months old, four to eight piglets a litter, sometimes twice a year, any time of year.

I am wondering why we have to have pig farms. Why do we raise pigs for food? Could we not substitute the wild pigs for human food and dog food? It seems as if that would be a win-win situation for the farmers growing our crops and for the consumers.

Wild boar is leaner than farm-raised pigs. They have less saturated fat than beef. They are high in protein and low in cholesterol. Wild pig is an excellent alternative to beef and farm-raised pork.

It is great for those who want food that is good for them without sacrificing taste and quality. Just wondering.

Jaye McClure

Pfafftown
Susanne Blue wasnt going to write a speech, she admitted. Shed been there twice before. Nominated for an Inspire award.

Her friends and family members teased her on the car ride to Pinnacle Bank Arena on Wednesday. They called her Susan Lucci, the longtime star of All My Children, who was nominated year after year  21 times, in fact  for a Daytime Emmy Award before finally taking home the prize.

Still, Blue, who retired just two weeks ago as the executive director at Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, jotted down some notes on Wednesday morning. Just in case.

I never go into anything unprepared, she said.

Those few minutes served her well when the ninth annual Inspire Awards, an event presented by the Lincoln Journal Star that celebrates womens leadership in Lincoln, culminated with her name being called for the top recognition  Woman of the Year.

Im overwhelmed, said Blue, who was at Matt Talbot for the last 30 years, including 25 as its executive director. It takes a team to achieve any meaningful success. Ive been blessed with an incredible amount of support over the years and to be honest I needed it.

Blue provided Matt Talbott and its clients with a big dose of dignity by taking care of the little things.

The organization serves individuals and families facing poverty, and in some instances, homelessness. The numbers are on the rise, with increases in every category of service, including daily meals, housing and substance-use services.

The little things matter, she said, when it comes to what Matt Talbot does.

We provide basic needs such as showers, laundry and a mailing address, she said. ... Dignity is the name of the game, and if you can afford a person dignity, youve given them everything.

Like the previous eight years, the Inspire Awards served as an empowering couple of hours for the more than 800 who attended.

The timing was right, too, said Amy Pfingsten of Red Door Realty, who won an Excellence in Business award for small and medium-sized businesses on Wednesday.

It wasnt long ago we had more than 92,000 people (at Memorial Stadium), supporting a womens sport, she said. And I was there, watching it with my 9-year-old daughter.

Volleyball Day in Nebraska drew national headlines, but, more importantly, Pfingsten said it shined a positive light on women everywhere.

There are countless other examples of female empowerment, said Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, who remembered her early days in the workforce, when she worked in New Yorks financial district.

Each day, she walked to her office in sneakers  but wearing the required skirt  noticing the news stands on seemingly every corner. The magazine covers featured women in swimsuits and men, the CEOs and financial mavens, were in tailored suits, she recalled.

The message to her was clear: women were awarded for their sex appeal, while men were judged on their success.

A lot of work and a lot of against-the-grain tradition has gone into shifting the societal paradigm from one that values womens appearance to one that values their achievements, Gaylor Baird said. ... so here we are today. Im in my pants and I see a lot of women in this room who wear the pants or a skirt  whatever they choose.

We are shining a light on the incredible group of women in our community.

The other women honored Wednesday with Inspire Awards were:

* Sue Wilkinson, Ameritas, Excellence in Business (large business).

* Anne Hobbs, Doane University, Excellence in Education.

* Jillian Thompson, Berries by Jillian, Excellence in Entrepreneurship.

* Julia Sandman, Excellence in Government Service.

* Betsy Anderson, Makovicka Physical Therapy, Excellence in Health Care.

* Paige Piper, BraveBe Child Advocacy Center, Excellence in Nonprofit.

* Leigh Esau, Foster Care Closet of Nebraska, Excellence in Philanthropy.

* Kelly Ross, ECHO Collective, Founders Award.

* Abril Rangel-Pacheco, doctoral candidate, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Young Leaders Award.

* Peyton Miller, Inspire Scholarship.

Photos: 2023 Inspire Awards honoring Lincoln women
A 17-year-old Lincoln man accused of killing Damien Brave at a house party in March has pleaded not guilty.

Kashuan McCree had been set for his district court arraignment on Wednesday but instead waived his appearance and entered a written not guilty plea to the charges of first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony for Braves killing March 31.

McCree hasn't yet been given a trial date.

Police say McCree didnt know Brave, 18.

At a preliminary hearing last month, the lead Lincoln Police Department investigator said a number of witnesses to the shooting at a party at a rental house near 27th and Fair streets identified McCree as the shooter.

Police believed he shot Brave in an attempt to rob him.

Brave was struck in the stomach, right thigh and knee. Despite attempts by witnesses to get him to a hospital, the shot to his abdomen was fatal.

Drager said police found three shell casings, all of which were fired from the same gun and had McCrees DNA on them, according to testing at the Nebraska State Patrols crime lab.

On April 6, McCree was arrested in a Detroit suburb on a warrant for Braves killing. In an interrogation, he accused Brave of firing off a shot first, and said he shot in self defense.

Remembering Lincoln's homicide victims of 2023 1. Julian A. Martinez 2. Rudy Requejo Jr. 3. Ronald Gonzalez Rivas 4. Christopher Karmazin 5. Damien Brave 6. Mark Kruger 7. James Baylor
A dining hall and residence hall on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln City Campus were evacuated Tuesday after a small electrical fire in the dining hall, UNL officials said.

The Lincoln Fire Department responded to the fire at Harper Dining Center at 4:54 p.m. and put it out shortly after. Both Harper Dining Center and nearby Smith Hall were evacuated, said Troy Fedderson, UNL's chief communication officer.

Fedderson said about 450 students live in Smith Hall. They were expected to be able to return to their rooms Tuesday night, Fedderson said. Harper Dining Hall was closed for the rest of the night.

It's unclear how much damage the fire caused in Harper. Smith Hall was not damaged. The cause of the fire remains unknown.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
A Douglas County District Court judge was ordered to pay a $500 fine after she pleaded no contest to one count of reckless driving.

Tressa Alioths conviction stems from an incident in which she was pulled over in a Bennington neighborhood shortly before 2:30 a.m. on July 2. Although she was initially cited on suspicion of driving under the influence and transporting a child while intoxicated, city prosecutors only charged Alioth with reckless driving.

Alioths attorney, Joe Naatz, said Alioth, 50, had been celebrating a friends birthday when she consumed what she thought was a reasonable amount of alcohol. She was stopped, Naatz said, after a sheriffs deputy saw her cross the center line numerous times. Court documents show Alioth was about two blocks away from her home at the time of the stop.

According to the citation, Alioths blood alcohol content was .088%, just above Nebraskas limit of .08%.

Arguing for a sentence that did not include probation, Naatz said Alioth has been very remorseful since the incident. Alioth could be seen dabbing her eyes as her lawyer spoke.

Ms. Alioth is just like the rest of us: She is a human being and she is fallible, Naatz said.

Katie Reed, a senior attorney for the City of Omaha, requested that Alioth attend a victim impact panel session. Lancaster County Judge Matt Acton agreed. Acton also encouraged Alioth to refrain from driving after drinking any amount of alcohol.

In addition to paying the fine and attending the panel, Alioth will also be required to pay court costs.
Four Nebraska schools have been honored as 2023 National Blue Ribbon Schools, an annual award from the U.S. Department of Education.

Two of the four schools recognized this year belong to the Millard Public Schools. They are Reeder Elementary School in Gretna and Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary School in Omaha.

The other schools recognized are Dodge Elementary School of the Howells-Dodge Consolidated Schools and Pender High School and Pender Elementary School of the Pender Public Schools.

The recognition is based on a school's overall academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups on assessments.

The leaders, educators, and staff at our National Blue Ribbon Schools continually inspire me with their dedication to fostering academic excellence and building positive school cultures that support students of all backgrounds to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally," said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a news release.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
An overflow crowd packed into the City-County Building on Tuesday evening to protest steep increases in property valuations in the coming year and the massive tax hikes that will come with them.

Taxpayers jammed into the council chambers, as well as an overflow room, and filled several rows of chairs set up in the hallway as person after person told stories of having to make tougher choices in their personal budgets, or voicing frustration at an ever-increasing tax burden.

The public hearing was part of Nebraska's "Truth in Taxation" law that took effect last year requiring local governments to notify taxpayers of tax increases greater than 2%.

Because of historic increases in the average property tax valuations in Lancaster County this year  22%  that meant five taxing entities in the county had to explain their reasoning to taxpayers: the city of Lincoln, Lincoln Public Schools, Southeast Community College, Waverly and Hickman.

In Lincoln, where the property valuations will rise on average by 22.5% for the upcoming year, the additional revenue will be put into public safety, according to spokesman Jon Carlson, who spoke at Tuesday's hearing.

Nearly three-quarters of the additional $12 million the city expects to collect will go toward hiring new police officers, as well as paying officers and firefighters more.

The city is also planning to replace an aging parking system, invest in the South Haymarket, provide additional funding for city swimming pools, and fill a gap in funding for StarTran.

Liz Standish, associate superintendent for business affairs at LPS, said that while valuations were increasing, the district opted to reduce its levy by 14 cents to $1.07 per $100 of valuation.

Still, with state aid continuing to trend downward from the 2018-19 school year, and with expenses rising 4.8%, the district is relying more on property taxes to fund a growing school system, Standish said.

And at Southeast Community College, which is planning to raise its levy from 7.37 cents per $100 of valuation to 8.5 cents per $100 of valuation for the 2023-24 school year, the amount of property taxes paid will also go up 16.9%, said Amy Jorgens, vice president of administrative services.

That was being done ahead of a change to how Nebraska funds its community colleges. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, community college funding will come from a cash fund established by the Legislature, with each college receiving an amount equal to its tax levy for the coming year.

Jorgens said SCC evaluated its future needs in order to determine what it should set its baseline at for the coming year, and said taxpayers could take advantage of a tax credit that will reimburse 50% of the taxes paid to the college this year and 100% of the taxes paid next year.

But the explanations offered by city administrators and budget officers of why property taxes were going up, despite the reduction of several levies, didn't assuage many of those who came to speak on Tuesday.

Debra White said she bought her first home earlier this year in Lincoln, but has quickly realized that her property taxes, homeowners association fees and electric rates will soon be on the rise.

"Three taxing districts want to increase rates," White said. "I'm on a fixed income and I'm quickly being priced and taxed out of my home."

Another Lincoln woman, Alyssandra Holmes, also said she bought her first home this year, but said rising costs  food, gas, health insurance, child care, among others  have made it hard to budget for increases to property tax payments.

"Where is this money supposed to come from?" Holmes asked. "My budget is already being fully utilized. I do not have money to switch around. I don't have it, it doesn't exist."

Christian Burbach asked the public officials, who sat quietly on the dais for several hours Tuesday evening, to look for areas to cut from their budgets in order to pass along the savings to taxpayers.

"It just seems like most of the people who benefit from these budget proposals are the contractors building all these new buildings in town while the taxpayers are picking up the tab," Burbach said.

Others criticized the way Nebraska sets property valuations based on recent or comparable sales, pointing to that as the culprit for fast-rising tax statements.

Perry Cummings said he moved to Lincoln in 2013  "that was the biggest mistake of my life," he said  and has seen the value of his home rise by 50% despite not making any improvements to the property.

"All I've been doing is cutting the grass and watering it," he said.

Cummings' property valuation will rise 23% this year alone, and he anticipates that will go up again after a neighbor sold their house for over the asking price  something he said would be paid for by others in the area in the years to come.

"I appreciate what you do, but there's got to be a different way of assessing property," he said.

Tuesday's meeting, while giving taxpayers an outlet to direct their anger or frustration, did not include any tax rates being set for the upcoming year.

Those decisions have already been made in some cases, or will be made in the coming days or weeks by those entities' governing boards.

SCC, for example, will consider its 2023-24 property tax rate at a meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. on Sept. 26 at the college's campus in Milford.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
ROCHESTER  One more reunion, and that will be it for the Rochester Ag School.

The school for farm kids closed its doors more than 60 years ago, and most former students are now in their 80s or 90s.

So when the alumni gather next month to regroup and remember, organizers say it will be the schools final reunion.

As time marches on, organizer Rosie Chart said, it is becoming increasingly impractical to continue bringing former students back together.

The alumni, who call themselves Aggies, are not only dwindling in numbers, but many are either too frail to travel or they have moved into a nursing home and dropped out of sight.

We try our best to keep up with all of that, Chart said. But its impossible.

The final reunion is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the Cotton Exchange banquet hall in Waterford.

More than 100 people have registered to attend, including some from as far away as Texas, California and Connecticut. The event will allow former students to reconnect one last time in memory of a school that still holds a place in their hearts.

John Lakota, who graduated in 1957, said he is looking forward sharing stories and memories with others who attended the ag school.

Lakota worries that the school could someday fade into the history books. But he understands why it no longer makes sense to hold reunions every five years or so.

The previous reunion was held in 2017.

At age 84, Lakota said he cannot be certain how many more get-togethers he could join.

Im just glad that Im here to go to this one, he said. Its more like a last hurrah.

The school was established in 1912 as one of seven created by the state to promote the farming lifestyle and prepare students as future generations of farmers.

Officially known as the Racine County School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy, it was built just west of the Fox River along County Highway FF, now the Weber Estates subdivision.

With a 120-acre farm on campus, boys learned to farm and girls learned to be homemakers. Families throughout the region sent their kids to Rochester, and more than 2,000 students graduated before financial difficulties forced the school to close in 1959.

Jean Jacobson remembers the pain of seeing the school close during her junior year. She transferred to Muskego High School and graduated there; many others landed at Waterford High School.

Jacobson, who later became Racine County executive and now serves as Norway town chairwoman, said the ag school taught domestic skills that are not part of most school curriculums any longer.

Aggies learned respect for the environment, love of family, and other fundamental life lessons, she said.

There was something about that school, she said. Those of us who went there still talk about what a great education it was.

Jacobson and Chart, both in their 80s, have remained friends and have worked together to organize alumni reunions.

Both are confident that the school will be remembered even after the reunions stop.

The Racine County Fair has featured the ag school in historical exhibits. The Rochester Area Historical Society maintains a robust collection of photos, newspaper clippings and memorabilia.

Joni Beck, president of the historical society, said the school is deeply ingrained in the community. Children show a curiosity about their parents or grandparents experiences, and memories of the school have been passed through the generations.

Theres a lot of loyalty there, she said.

Chart, who married a fellow Aggie, Fred Chart, said she hears people talking about the ag school frequently in different places.

Even if there are no more reunions, she said, the former students will always share bonds that are stronger than time or distance.

We were all like family, she said. It was just the best.

In photos: Racine County Fair history, in pictures and collectibles 4H and FFA promote livestock auction during the 1991 Racine County Fair Admission ticket costs $2 for the 1948 Racine County Fair Auctioneer leads the action during a livestock auction at the 2003 Racine County Fair Badge worn by Old Settlers Society in Racine County, owned by historian Marge Martin Bill Thompson judges green cherry tomatoes at the 2010 Racine County Fair Calf roper Tom Wojciechowski lassos a calf in 1997 county fair Carnival ride for two 4-year-old girls at the 2008 Racine County Fair Champion goose sounds off at auction during the 1997 Racine County Fair Christy Gehrand is crowned the Fairest of the Fair for the 2002 Racine County Fair Clown performer Tiffany Pugh in costume at the 2001 Racine County Fair Country performer Pam Tillis entertains at the 1998 Racine County Fair Dexter Meise prepares entries in craft competitions at the 2000 Racine County Fair Early programs for stock shows and fairs in Racine County during the 1800s Elsie Kmecak, 7, gives her goat a hug at the 2012 Racine County Fair Eugene Nelson shows cow at the Racine County Fair in the 1930s Everett Colson tries his hand at the tractor pull contest at the 2009 Racine County Fair Floral display at the Racine County Fair headquarters honors the fair's 1922 beginning Harvey Nelson first county fair president at early Racine County Fair Horses working hard in pulling contest at the 1998 Racine County Fair Image of 4H Club activity at the 1931 Racine County Fair Jenna Crayton cracks a funny face while being crowned at the 2013 Racine County Fair Jenna Whitley, 11, shows her steer in competition at the 1997 Racine County Fair Joey Kmecak, 7, walks with his goat during a goat parade at the 2016 Racine County Fair Judge Barb Carroll scrutinizes flowers in competition at the 2010 Racine County Fair Racine County Fair bumper stickers from the 1970s Knitted and crocheted entries await the judges at the 2010 Racine County Fair Laura Schulz is crowned Fairest of the Fair for the 2009 Racine County Fair Lindsee Hupp shows a horse at the 2014 Racine County Fair Little king and queen Colton Klingenmeyer and Cindy Rain Holler at the 2018 Racine County Fair Original leaders of the Racine County Agricultural Society in 1922 Rachel Schimek, 15, shows her woodworking project at the 1995 Racine County Fair Racine County Agricultural Society early undated photo from history of the Racine County Fair Racine County Agricultural Society members shown in recent photo Racine County Fair 'Visit Our Booth' decal from 1975 county fair Racine County Fair 100th anniversary official logo 2022 Racine County Fair founder Harvey Nelson with sons and grandsons Racine County Fair livestock buyer marker with blue fringe Racine County Fair program from 1966 Racine Journal Times front page after bleachers collapse at the 1969 Racine County Fair Ralph Rice calls out bids during livestock auction at the 2001 Racine County Fair Ribbon from old Racine County Fair shows what fair-going kids dream of Roland Tischendorf drives antique tractor at 1995 Racine County Fair Sharon Grey and her daughter examine sheep at the 2010 Racine County Fair Spectators enjoy livestock competition at the 2014 Racine County Fair Taylor Himebauch, 11, practices showmanship with cows at the 2015 Racine County Fair Through the years, bumper stickers promote the Racine County Fair 1977 1980 1990 Ticket to 1884 event of the Racine County Agricultural Society Undated image of Fairest of the Fair contest at the Racine County Fair
RACINE  Andrew Clemons likes to create.

He often built Legos as a kid and enjoyed hands-on classes. While a freshman at Horlick High School, Clemons was introduced to engineering and manufacturing courses that allowed his creativity to flourish.

Clemons, a junior in the Horlick engineering and manufacturing pathway, is interested in an electrical engineering or manufacturing career.

He appreciates the chance to merge technical skills with creativity by doing activities like designing and 3D printing a miniature Jordan shoe.

Its really influenced me in every single way, Clemons said. Its allowed me to be super creative and really showcase who I am as a person and think outside the box and be able to show that everything doesnt have to be so black and white in a world full of color.

Juan Soto and Mary Weisensel are Horlick students in the same pathway and similarly enjoy the creative learning opportunities to do things like build a remote-controlled car.

Anything that exists needs to be designed by someone and needs to be thought out and have the problems driven out of it, Weisensel said.

They are three of the 35 students in the engineering and manufacturing pathway that offered its first class last year at Horlick, 2119 Rapids Drive.

The pathway is supported mainly by an area business and uses curriculum from the SME Education Foundations Partnership Response in Manufacturing Education.

The SME Education Foundation provides hands-on manufacturing and engineering education to more than 90 schools in 23 states, according to a news release.

Horlick, Case and Park high schools all use SME PRIME curriculum that is implemented over three years. The pathways are fully up and running at Case and Park, and this is the third year for Horlick.

After three years, the pathways are supported by sustainability grants, according to Alex DeBaker, RUSD executive director of academies and transformation.

At Horlick, candy company Haribo has contributed more than $250,000 toward the pathway, according to DeBaker.

Lauren Marshall, Haribo safety health and environmental specialist, said the company wants to invest in schools and help students understand the wide array of possible manufacturing and engineering careers.

Haribo aims to help change the perceptions and old ideologies that manufacturing is a dark, dirty place, Marshall said. These students are our future, and the future is very bright.

Haribo has paid for materials like 3D printers and provided professional development training and mentorship for Horlick students.

Our great city has a rich history in manufacturing and innovation, and we as a district have to ensure that our students are aware of these opportunities, DeBaker said.

One opportunity is Horlick students helping design a future manufacturing and engineering pathway classroom. It is intended to have more open space for small groups to collaborate on projects.

Jeffrey Trinka, Horlick engineering and manufacturing pathway teacher, hopes the classes help students determine what they want to do after high school.

For example, Weisensel had a youth apprenticeship that made her interested in being a middle school science teacher, a career she plans to pursue.

It allows them to use the connections  to get their foot in the door in different professions, and I think that will give kids that maybe dont want to go to a four-year school an amazing transition from high school into the work world and set them up to be outstanding citizens outside of school, Trinka said.

Horlick Principal Tangella King said the school aims to provide tools for students to use in their next life phases, and the SME PRIME materials are great ways to do so.

The technology and the experiences that they are having  they wont be matched, and these kids wont forget them, King said.

Trinka shared a similar sentiment.

Im excited to take the next chapter in our manufacturing program, and Im excited to see what our Horlick students are going to be able to do, Trinka said.

For students like Clemons, the newer pathway provides learning opportunities for their next chapters.

It showed me that engineering is the career I want to stick with when I grow up, Clemons said.

Close Students Juan Soto, left, and Andrew Clemons talk with an attendee during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Soto and Clemons are two of 35 students in the engineering and manufacturing pathway that offered its first class last year at Horlick. Student Andrew Clemons talk with an attendee during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Clemons is in the Horlick engineering and manufacturing pathway and appreciates the chance to merge technical skills with creativity. Alex DeBaker, Racine Unified executive director of academies and transformation, talks during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Horlick, Case and Park high schools all use SME curriculum that is implemented over three years in their engineering and manufacturing pathways. Horlick Principal Tangella King speaks during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. King said the school aims to provide tools for students to use in their next life phases, and the SME materials are great ways to do so. Teacher Jeffrey Trinka talks during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Horlick, Case and Park high schools all use SME curriculum that is implemented over three years in their engineering and manufacturing pathways, the classes Trinka teaches. Students talked about materials in classrooms like a 3D printer during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Six photos of a Horlick HS manufacturing pathway event Students Juan Soto, left, and Andrew Clemons talk with an attendee during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Soto and Clemons are two of 35 students in the engineering and manufacturing pathway that offered its first class last year at Horlick. Student Andrew Clemons talk with an attendee during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Clemons is in the Horlick engineering and manufacturing pathway and appreciates the chance to merge technical skills with creativity. Alex DeBaker, Racine Unified executive director of academies and transformation, talks during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Horlick, Case and Park high schools all use SME curriculum that is implemented over three years in their engineering and manufacturing pathways. Horlick Principal Tangella King speaks during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. King said the school aims to provide tools for students to use in their next life phases, and the SME materials are great ways to do so. Teacher Jeffrey Trinka talks during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive. Horlick, Case and Park high schools all use SME curriculum that is implemented over three years in their engineering and manufacturing pathways, the classes Trinka teaches. Students talked about materials in classrooms like a 3D printer during an SME Education Foundation event Tuesday at Horlick High School, 2119 Rapids Drive.
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
Jared Barker was at a low point when he came to Omahas Open Door Mission.

The 29-year-old Grand Island native was struggling to get past his alcohol and substance addictions. After being in and out of treatment centers, Barker got his break when his probation officer informed him about Open Door Missions New Life Recovery Program.

While he entered the program cynical and hardheaded, Barker ended up embracing the rigid structure, strong support system and friendships he made throughout the four-month program that helps people down on their luck get on track to lead fulfilling lives.

I had to realize that God put the authorities above me for a reason, and I needed to submit to them, he told the Omaha World-Herald. When I did, things started to change inside. That reflected on the outside.

Now, after graduating from the program Saturday, Barker is looking forward to helping others at Open Door Mission and continuing to build a solid foundation for his life that will allow him to be a good father to his 3-year-old daughter.

Barker is just one example of success in turning his life around with the help of Open Door Mission. Nyakong Lia, Sandra Starks, Janelle Wolfe, Sandra Husak, Elijah Knight, Andrew Rubens and Tyler Holmes joined Barker in graduating from the New Life Recovery Program in a ceremony held at Garland Thompson Mens Center in east Omaha.

About 60 people graduate from the approximately 15-year-old New Life Recovery Program per year, said Steve Frazee, chief impact officer for Open Door Mission. Some, like Barker, initially struggle. But with the guidance of program counselors and support from their peers, theres usually an A-ha! moment.

We just look out for each other, Barker said. (When) we see somebody struggling, we talk to them. We dont just let them sit in their stuff.

For Janelle Wolfe, the Aha! moment came after she failed a Breathalyzer. The Open Door Mission staff offered her a spot in the program. It was then that she said she felt Gods calling.

It was tough at first. But I knew I needed it, Wolfe told the crowd. I got so much closer to Jesus Christ.

With her life back on track, Wolfe said she wants to get an apartment and remain in close touch with her faith as well as the people in her support group.

Those who graduate from the program show a lot of determination. For that, Chief Impact Officer Steve Frazee said, graduates deserves their moment in the sun. He said Open Door Mission tries to have six to 10 graduates recognized each month.

That gives everybody a chance to be in the spotlight and not be overshadowed or have people get tired of hearing the speeches, he said. We like to focus on their experience here and what they plan to do in the future.

For Barker, his ultimate goal is to one day be actively involved in his daughters life in North Dakota. But that will have to wait as he ties up financial loose ends in Nebraska.

God wants me here for a reason, he said.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
The Kenosha City Council voted unanimously Monday night in favor of a public bidding ordinance requiring most private contractors who submit proposals for city projects to attest to a number of qualifications, including having an apprenticeship program.

Starting next year, bidding firms are required to submit a sworn statement relating to financial ability, equipment and experience in the work prescribed.

Among 17 criteria outlined are: there is a permanent place of business; there is general liability, workers compensation and automobile insurance at levels sufficient to protect the city; participation in a Class A apprenticeship program; it has a written substance abuse prevention program; that employees who will perform work on the project have the health insurance coverage required by the federal Affordable Care Act; and there are adequate financial resources to complete the public works contract, as well as all other work the bidder is presently under contract to complete.

However, in situations where such requirements are impractical the ordinance allows for the director of the Public Works Department to waive the requirements as they apply to specific projects. That could include sole proprietors.

The director must also make a report to the Public Works Committee to explain the decision to initiate the waiver.

Whenever the city allows for public work by contract, the contract must be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder.

This provides a level playing field across the board, said Ald. David Bogdala, who sponsored the ordinance.

Bogdala said the apprenticeship qualifier is crucial.

At the end of the day we know that we need to make sure that were giving our young people another alternative and option and were putting a premium price tag on a job in the trades, he said. We need the work here. ... This is an ordinance for the next 10, 15, 20 years.

Before Mondays meeting the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin sent a letter to alderpersons asking for a delay in the vote to allow time for the organization to explain its opposition to it.

While well intentioned, the ordinance if enacted as currently drafted would cause confusion and unnecessary regulations, thereby decreasing the number of qualified bidders on projects and increasing taxpayers costs, the letter stated.

We respectfully request that the vote on the proposed ordinance be delayed. From conversations with area contractors that have successfully and satisfactorily completed Kenosha public works projects, it does not appear that they were consulted in its drafting.

Tensions flare

Tensions among some alderpersons flared before a vote to amend a city ordinance sponsored by Ald. David Mau regarding marijuana paraphernalia and the lowering of associated fines.

It only makes sense that if we lowered the fine down to a dollar for marijuana possession that we also ensure that the pipe does not cost, that the fine is not $750, Mau said. We dont want to be giving people a $750 fine for a pipe.

Mau then expressed frustration with some alderpersons for their lack of support and purposely thwarting his efforts to do what the citizens want.

You guys dont seem to know whats happening right under your nose in the city already, Mau said. You dont even know what youre voting on.

Mau also said some alderpersons look dumb when they vote against something all the people want.

Ald. Holly Kangas voted with Mau but wanted to make sure he knew she found his comments really offensive.

When you sit here and call fellow council members dumb its mind-blowing to me, Kangas said.

Mau said he stood by his comments toward the end of the meeting.

The ordinance change failed 8-8 without a tie breaking vote.

Alds. Eric Haugaard, Bill Siel, Rocco LaMacchia, Rollin Pizzala, Curt Wilson, Jack Rose, Dominic Ruffalo and Bogdala voted against it. Alds. Jan Michalski, Kangas, Brandi Ferree, Kelly MacKay, Mau, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Dyson and Danile Prozanski support it.

Mayor John Antaramian and Ald. Keith Rosenberg were absent.

Photos: Many facets emerge from legalization of marijuana in Illinois 020920-blm-loc-5potsunday 020920-blm-loc-1potsunday 020920-blm-loc-2potsunday Normal 020920-blm-loc-4potsunday 020920-blm-loc-6potsunday 020920-blm-loc-7potsunday 020920-blm-loc-8potsunday 020920-blm-loc-9potsunday 020920-blm-loc-10potsunday
Ellen and I went elk hunting on Wednesday last week. We took an early-thirty road trip to Jackson County and the Black River State Forest.

The plan was to be there at dawn and listen for bugling and maybe spot some of the elk that roam that area. I had emailed Christina Kizewski, DNR Elk Wildlife Biologist for Jackson County who helps keep tabs on Wisconsins elk herds. She said that, Bugling starts in August and goes through mid-October and is in peak form from mid-September to the end of September. Jackson County offers many opportunities to see and hear elk. We have two sub-groups, primarily, that reside within Jackson County. One resides near Lake Wazee county park and the other off Hwy. O, east of Millston. The Millston sub-group can be a bit more visible, as there are a few large private hay fields down there. However, throughout Lake Wazee Park, which is all public, has many trails you could hike to see or hear elk. Either one would give you a good opportunity. I would recommend starting early in the morning, 6:00a, to start listening. Bugling is most frequent during this time and tends to taper off by 9:00a. You can catch a glimpse of them throughout the day, but they tend to hunker down in the woods mid-day.

The ride north on Hwy. 108 was sort of harrowing from West Salem because of the possible whitetail threat (A suicidal spike buck ran out in front of us in Mohawk Valley two miles from home. We saw half a dozen other deer along the highway north.)

We eventually found ourselves parked on Smrekar Road just off County O east of Millston. We sipped our coffee and breakfasted on now soggy Egg McMuffin sandwiches using the tailgate for a table. (Full disclosure, I missed a sign and we ended up in downtown Black River Falls and had to take the interstate some 12 miles south to get back on mission  but we werent late!)

Anyway, even with both my hearing aids set to full out boombox mode, the quiet was deafening. The air was cool too  40 degrees. We were wearing sweatshirts, and did our inaugural sort of end-of-summer ceremony wearing the goose down vests and the first jeans of the fall. There was a fog halfheartedly trying to settle over us as dawn yawned, stretched, and slowly started to rise and shine.

Windows down, we motored north on Smrekar. El, ever the sharp-eyed scout spotted something crossing the gravel road a quarter a mile ahead; I pulled up my binoculars: Elk! No, upon further review  two whitetails. We saw many more of them as we idled along through the state forest. We stopped at a couple campgrounds and took in a great view of a lake from the landing at the Pigeon Creek campground. For color watchers, one had better get going, as we saw much in the state forest already.

There were many flocks of wild turkeys. We even saw a large porcupine along Hwy. 27 whose quills hadnt protected it from a tire. There were huge crows following us about (not sure what they sensed), doves, wood ducks, egrets, pine squirrels, and loggers. Here and there we came across people making a living cutting pine for what I guess is mostly for pulpwood, loading it on huge semi logging trucks. We saw a couple of people pulling up backpacks for a hike  not my style (they probably saw elk). We idled along on North Settlement Road and Shale Road and Younkers Road and King Road. We could see small lakes through the trees in places, but we didnt see or hear any elk. The cashier at the Cenex in Millston said she had almost hit one on her way to work. Yikes! (Note: That Cenex has good coffee and cappuccino.)

Anyway, we got back to La Crosse in time for a burger at The Barrel for lunch. Later Ellen mowed some of the grass where it is shaded. The rest is brown and bristle brush hard. I took the John Deere up the ridge and mowed some of the ever advancing brush along both sides.

Until next time, get out  gotta love this weather cause it dont git no better. Enjoy.
To stretch or not to stretch before a workout? Its a question exercise circles have debated for decades.

A UW-La Crosse study shows some new promise for the importance of stretching  especially for those with cardiovascular disease.

While exercise is good for us, studies have shown that a workout can cause a temporary and slight reduction in the function of our blood vessels  a network of tubes that carry blood throughout the body. When blood vessels arent functioning at full capacity, it puts people with cardiovascular disease at risk of having a heart attack, stroke or other vascular event.

A recent UW-L study found that passive stretching before a workout can allow your blood vessels to be more resilient to the stress of exercise. Passive stretching is when an external force such as a towel or boot allows you to stretch a muscle instead of using your own muscular strength to hold a stretch. In the study, both large and small blood vessels functioned better when passive stretching was performed than when it wasnt.

In the study, one group of participants passively stretched their calf muscles during four, five-minute cycles before exercise. Another group did no stretching. The group that did not stretch had a 50% decline in blood vessel function while the stretching group had a 25% decline in function. While both groups saw a decline, the stretching group did a much better job of retaining blood vessel function, explains Jacob Caldwell, lead-author of the study and UW-L assistant professor of Exercise and Sport Science. The research is published online in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

The study was performed using healthy, college-aged student participants. The next phase of the research could test whether the same results are found with a clinical population such as those who have had a previous heart attack, stroke or peripheral artery disease, notes Caldwell.

The study shows promise for patients who have had a vascular event and want to continue to improve their health and daily living through exercise.

Full circle experience

UW-L student Sarah Fenn became interested in Caldwells research after being a subject in his passive stretch study her junior year at UW-L.

It was such new and uncharted territory to see what research was all about, she says. They were collaborating in the lab, collecting data and answering these important questions. I was like, I want to do that, too.

Fenn asked to join the lab, and, since then, shes gained a host of skills and solidified her passion for research. She was recently offered a full-ride scholarship in the doctoral program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, as well as another generous offer from another institution. Fenn plans to take a year off to travel in Spain before beginning a doctor of physical therapy degree program and then continue on for a doctoral degree in rehabilitation science to allow her to continue to do research.

She said UW-L research gave her a full circle experience doing a range of research tasks: scheduling research subjects, performing lab techniques and analyzing data. When she earned a travel grant in spring 2023 to present her research at the American Physiology Summit in California, the award pushed her mentor, Caldwell, to extend his research and explore a new path in cardiovascular research.

Without students and their driving force, its impossible to do what we do, he says. Good students help in the lab. Great students move labs forward, and Sarah is a great student.

The new branch of research explored how passive stretching compares to a more traditionally used method for improving blood vessel function prior to a workout. That method is called Ischemic preconditioning, or non-lethally cutting off blood flow to a part of the body and then releasing it. Their research found the two methods are similar in terms of improving blood vessel function. Fenn presented this research at the American Physiology Summit.

Seeing her change over the year and half weve been working together has been very enlightening, says Caldwell. Outside of family, its one of the most rewarding things to see your students grow as a professor and to be excited for their future. Regardless of where she goes, she is going to do amazing things. To know I helped alter her trajectory in positive way, it is why I do it.
Chippewa Falls family child care provider Michelle Endvick doesnt want to raise rates for the families in her program, but if the state doesnt take action before January, she says shell have no choice.

Endvick runs the Learning 4 Life child care center out of her home in the town of Lafayette and said funds from the states Child Care Counts program that are set to expire are critical. She said a failure by the state to make the program permanent will put more pressure on an already stressed industry.

I wouldnt have to raise rates in January if this were to pass, she said. I know a ton of centers that have closed. Now, you are just making the child care problem worse.

Endvick shared her concerns Tuesday with Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Secretary Emilee Amundson, who visited three locations in Chippewa Valley, including Learning 4 Life, to learn more about child care workers thoughts on the Child Care Counts Program, which expires in January.

Gov. Tony Evers called a special session of the Legislature to meet Wednesday, and one of the issues on the agenda was Child Care Counts. Evers has asked the state to contribute $340 million for child care to make the program permanent.

According to the Department of Children and Families website, the program was created to stabilize and sustain the early care and education industry, ensuring providers could remain in operation so Wisconsinites could continue working. Child Care Counts provides funding to regulated child care providers that are open and caring for children. It includes monthly payments that either increase access to high-quality care or fund workforce recruitment and retention.

More than 60% of child care providers will need to raise tuition if the stabilization program ends, and 32% will consider leaving their jobs or closing their programs in the future, according to the Study of the Child Care Counts Stabilization Payment Program Report by UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty.

According to Evers office, the Child Care Counts Program has helped more than 4,440 child care providers keep their doors open, ensuring the employment of 22,000 child care professionals and allowing providers to continue to provide high-quality care to more than 113,000 kids.

Endvick and Amundson also discussed how the Dream Up! grant is impacting the community.

The Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building Grant Program initially provided $7.9 million in funding for the first two cohorts of applications. The third cohort in 2023 was provided an additional $2.5 million through the American Rescue Plan Act. Through the Preschool Development Grant, awarded communities receive strategic planning support and $75,000 in grant funding. One community that received a Dream Up! Grant was Chippewa Valley.

Endvick has been involved in the grant applications and distributions.

One of the goals with the Greater Chippewa Valley Dream Up! Grant was listening sessions. I was able to take part in that in Cadott, and theyre looking at creating their own center for teachers because teachers dont have child care, Endvick said.

Endvick said she believes the answer to the states child care crisis lies in small family child care facilities such as her own. She also said she appreciates the business skills she learns by running her day care.

I can take all of this and use it in any job. You name it, and Ive had that hat on. Ive been the only one here, she said.

She said some of the Dream Up! money has already been handed out to help with scholarships for CVTC students looking to get educated and certified in child care and early learning.

When you look at rural areas, to me family child care is the answer. It doesnt matter where youre at  in Chippewa or in Eau Claire or wherever  centers are struggling, she said. The pay isnt great. Its above minimum wage, but its not really a living wage.

Endvick said family child care facilities like the one she runs allow operators like her to take care of her own children when they are little and earn a paycheck by taking care of others kids at the same time. Plus she saves on the cost of child care herself. One of the seven children that Endvick takes care of is her daughter.

She said she could legally take on one more student at her home center, but she wants to see how this group of little ones does first, since they are mostly new to her facility.

I may take on more in January, she said. I have a waiting list of 11 kids right now. People really need child care, and I wish I could do more.

Endvick started a local child care network about a year ago, and she hopes to grow the network.

Im very grateful that my vision was heard and supported in creating a family child care network in the area, Endvick said. I also love my job.
Western Technical College and Tomah VA Medical Center came together Monday to honor soldiers who have been prisoners of war or missing in action.

Many veterans, along with other community members, gathered at the colleges POW/MIA Memorial for the ceremony, just three days after National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Sept. 15.

Keynote speaker Don Weber shared with the crowd the story of his parents, who sent letters back and forth while his father fought abroad in World War II.

The La Crosse businessman said his mother collected 167 letters from her husband during his time in the war.

There was a pause in the communications starting in late November 1943, when Webers mother later learned her husband was missing in action, leading her to assume he was a causality.

But, that wasnt the end of the story. In April the following year, she received a card revealing her husband was actually being held in a concentration camp.

I dont know whats worse, Weber said. A causality or now being in a concentration camp.

Webers father didnt give up though, even as he witnessed prisoners around him die every day of starvation, sleep deprivation and torture, Weber said.

Webers father escaped.

He decides, Im going to die either way, Im going to try to escape. I cant imagine the courage, but he had faith, and he was able to escape, Weber said.

After being on the move for three days, he was eventually caught and brought back to the camp, but, as proven by Webers birth, Webers father survived and returned to Webers mother.

Webers father story is just one of many that were honored Monday and on the national recognition day.
The cost of child care in Wisconsin can eat up as much as a third of a familys income and even surpass what families pay for college tuition, according to a report released Wednesday.

The report, from the Wisconsin Counties Associations nonpartisan research arm Forward Analytics, was released hours before the Republican-controlled Legislature refused to take up Democratic Gov. Tony Evers call for $1 billion in state spending to address workforce, child care and other needs, including more than $300 million in child care subsidies and nearly $200 million for a new UW-Madison engineering building.

As Evers toured Fitchburgs Mariposa Learning Center to highlight the need for increased child care funding, Republicans in the Senate and Assembly on Wednesday promptly adjourned the special sessions Evers called to take up the measures.

Im not surprised, obviously, Evers told reporters in Fitchburg. This group of Republicans really have not been able to wrap their arms around all sorts of things, and child care is one of them.

In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu said the governors proposal will be sent to committee and follow the legislative process, but he did not provide additional details. Lawmakers have proposed other measures to address the lack of affordable child care, which is exacerbating the states ongoing labor shortage. Those concerns are heightened by the expiration of federal child care funding early next year.

Senate Republicans will continue to stand with Wisconsin families that are struggling with inflation by presenting a workforce development proposal to the Governor, LeMahieu said.

According to the report, child care costs in Wisconsin can average between 18% and 36% of a familys income. And at more than $25,000 a year, the cost of child care for two young children surpasses the more than the $22,000 cost of tuition for two undergraduate students at UW-Madison.

The unfortunate irony is that child care is so expensive and is necessary when the typical household is usually earning the least amount of money, the report states. Parents are asked to take on a large expense precisely when they can least afford it.

Staffing shortage

Kevin Despoy, deputy director of Forward Analytics, said the report analyzed the number of children in families in which both parents are in the workforce and compared that to the number of workers in the field to identify the supply and demand within the child care industry.

From 2015 through 2021, the number of children younger than 6 with both parents working declined by 4.3%, while the number of child care workers in the state fell almost 16% during the same time, according to the report.

That has driven up the cost and reduced the availability of child care in the state, Despoy said.

A major driver in the drop-off of child care workers is pay. Of the more than 500 occupations tracked by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, child care workers earned the 28th-lowest annual median wage  $20,405  in 2015. The median wage for child care workers increased to $23,816 by 2020, but the occupations rank had fallen to 18th lowest that year due to larger increases in other fields.

While the federal Child Care Counts program, which gave child care providers money to provide one-time pay increases to employees, brought wages in the field to more than $26,000, wages still dropped relative to other occupations  with child care workers pay falling to 13th lowest in 2022, the report adds.

Low pay has pushed many child care workers into competing occupations that, like child care, have few barriers to entry, such as retail, Despoy said.

A national survey of early childhood educators released earlier this year, which included responses from 1,173 Wisconsin child care providers, found that 63.3% of Wisconsin centers have staffing shortages and that 79.8% of workers are facing burnout and exhaustion. Conducted by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the survey also indicated that 32.1% of child care center owners would consider leaving their job or closing their program if economic conditions dont improve.

Evers requested in the states current two-year spending plan more than $340 million to continue monthly payments to child care providers to make up for expiring federal funds.

Republicans rejected the proposal in the budget the Legislature ultimately adopted. In response, Evers called a special session Wednesday to push for the funding as well as other measures. Republicans in the Legislature, who have dismissed Evers previous special session requests, are required to convene but dont have to debate or vote. On Wednesday, both houses gaveled into session and immediately gaveled out.

Funds to expire

The federal government originally provided more than $300 million to the Child Care Counts program to support providers during the COVID-19 pandemic by helping cover costs of staffing and operations. That funding dropped to $90 million this summer and it will expire in January.

The Child Care Counts program has distributed nearly $600 million to more than 4,900 child care providers in the state, according to the state Department of Children and Families.

With record low unemployment, Wisconsin cannot afford to have people who want to work sitting on the sidelines because child care is too expensive, the report continues. Federal dollars from the CARES Act and Child Care Counts helped wages for child care workers grow, but not by enough to keep pace with peer occupations. More importantly, this funding was part of a one-time package. Without a consistent source of funding, child care will remain understaffed and unaffordable.

Last Thursday, Assembly Republicans advanced six child care bills that would, among other measures, create a loan program for child care providers, lower the minimum age of child care workers and increase the number of children workers could supervise.

I think most of it is frankly ridiculous, but well see, Evers said when asked about the GOP proposal. Maybe theres something there to salvage, but it would be a salvage compared to what we proposed.

The bills passed the Assembly mostly along party lines, with several Democratic lawmakers arguing the proposals dont offer serious solutions. They now head to the Senate.

Without significant state funding to continue the program, the challenges are going to go from bad to worse, Jackie Anderson, director of Raising Wisconsin, a coalition that advocates for increased state funding for child care, said in a statement. Unfortunately, the bills do strikingly little to address the longstanding child care cost and supply challenges that are affecting every corner of Wisconsin.

At the federal level, Democratic-authored legislation introduced recently in Congress would provide $16 billion in annual grants over a five-year period to child care programs across the country. The proposal had no Republican co-sponsors as of last week.

Grandparents, neighbors and friends are propping up the child care industry. They need help Grandparents, neighbors and friends are propping up the child care industry. They need help Educating unlicensed caregivers Friend, family, and neighbor care Calling for more support States supporting family and friend caregivers Looking for tips to handle caregiving challenges Benefits for children and caregivers Promising results, but proper funding is lacking Making a big difference
Lula Proclaims His Unshakeable Faith in Humanity to UN General Assembly

Sept. 19, 2023, (EIRNS)One of the first things Brazilian President Lula da Silva said in his speech to the UN General Assembly Debate today was to proclaim his unshakeable confidence in humanity, as he embarks on tackling the great challenges facing Brazil and the world. The first part of his speech focused on combating inequality, hunger, and misery. Securing a future requires overcoming resignation which makes us accept such injustice as a natural phenomenon.... Inequality should provoke indignation, indignation with hunger, poverty, war or disrespect for the human being. Brazil, he said, is back, and willing to take on the major global challenges, reclaim its foreign policy, but understanding there are simultaneous and multiple crises in which the international community is enmired, the core of which is inequality.

The basis for multilateralism, the sovereign equality among states, is eroding, Lula warned. But his strongest remarks were on the BRICS, which he said is growing as a result of the paralysis of institutions such as the IMF and World Bank whose unacceptable leadership is characterized by unequal and distorted representation. BRICS is a strategic platform to promote cooperation between emerging countries. The recent expansion of the group at the Johannesburg Summit strengthens the fight for an order, which accommodates the economic, geographic and political plurality of the 21st century. ... We are a force that works towards fairer global trade in a context of a serious crisis in multilateralism.

He continued:

Governments need to break away from with the increasing dissonance between the voice of the markets and the voice of the streets. Neoliberalism has aggravated the economic and political inequality that plagues democracies today. Its legacy is a mass of disfranchised and excluded people.... We need to reclaim the best humanist traditions, which inspired the creation of the UN.

Lula pointed to the failure in the race to achieve the 2030 Agenda goalsthe pace is very slow to reach them in seven years. The moral and political importance of eradicating poverty and ending hunger appears to have been numbed.

On energy, Brazil is a leader in energy transition80% of energy produced is clean: solar, wind, biomass, green hydrogen (no mention of nuclear or advanced technologies). He also went through challenges of the Amazon, the failure of the Western nations to keep promises to developing nations on providing $100 billion in funds for climate mitigation.

Peace in Ukraine is urgent, he said. There will be no sustainability or prosperity without peace. Armed conflicts are an offense to human rationality. ... Promoting a culture of peace is a duty for us all. A space for dialogue must be created. He denounced unilateral sanctions, as in the case of Cuba, and also its designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, and he referenced many other war zones and horrific crises, including Haiti, Yemen, Libya, Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea-Conakry, Mali, Niger and Sudan, etc. We shall continue to criticize any attempts to divide the world into zones of influence and of reviving the Cold War, he warned. As for defending freedom of the press, he asserted: Preserving press freedom is essential. A journalist, like Julian Assange, cannot be punished [for] informing society in a transparent and legitimate way.
Ramaphosa Brings Spirit of the Global South to the United Nations

Sept. 19, 2023, (EIRNS)In contrast to the simplistic geopolitical thinking from many in the West, the address of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to this years UN General Assembly Debate brought in the spirit and demands of the Global South. He said that the scourge of war has diverted the worlds attention away from important issues, a problem which can and must be overcome. Over millennia, the human race has demonstrated an enormous capacity for resilience, adaptation, innovation, compassion and solidarity. At this moment, we are all called upon to reaffirm these essential qualities that define our common humanity, he declared.

The President referenced this Junes African Peace Initiative, which insists on dialogue, negotiation and diplomacy to win a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Our participation in the African Peace Initiative is informed by a desire to see an end to the suffering of those most directly affected by the conflict and the millions on our continent and across the world who, as a result of the conflict, are now vulnerable to worsening hunger and deprivation, he explained. This is why we must do everything within our means to enable meaningful dialogue, rather than further fueling the conflict.

Ramaphosa drew attention to the lingering problems affecting untold numbers across the worldinequality and povertywhich is directly contributing to the instability underway in many countries across Africa with the recent military coups. He insisted that it requires a change in the mode of economic development:

This means that we must address the fundamental development challenges that have long characterized our unequal world.... To address the developmental challenges that face many people in the world we require targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support, especially in key areas such as industrialization, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health.... This also requires predictable and sustained financial support, including supportive trade policies, from the international community.

He further supported calls for debt forgiveness, and importantly made a call

to massively scale up affordable long-term financing to $500 billion a year.... It is a grave indictment of this international community that we can spend so much on war, but we cannot support action that needs to be taken to meet the most basic needs of billions of people,

the President charged.

Ramaphosa described his support for reforming the UN Security Council, and emphasized the Common African Position. That refers to the proposal that African nations should have representation on the Security Council through the role of the African Union, which would include membership on a rotating basis.
Zelenskyy Retails His Stories to UN General Assembly Debate

Sept. 19, 2023, (EIRNS)Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy used his time at the UN General Assembly Debate to present his case against Russia. He said that the 20th-century fear of nuclear war allowed restraint and a certain level of disarmament. The Third World War was seen as a nuclear war. A conflict between states on the highway to nukes. He said that this should not be the only strategy for peace, citing Ukraine as an example, saying:

Ukraine gave up its [the worlds] third largest nuclear arsenal. The world then decided Russia should become a keeper of such power. Yet, history shows it was Russia who deserved nuclear disarmament the most, back in the 1990s. And Russia deserves it nowterrorists have no right to hold nuclear weapons.

But worse than nuclear weapons are the other weapons he alleges that Russia has crafted: food, energy, children.

On food, Zelenskyy claimed that Russia was depriving the world of food as a sort of blackmail to force Ukraine to give up territory. On energy, Zelenskyy made the stunningly strange claimin the context of the destruction of the Nord Stream submarine Baltic gas pipelines from St. Petersburg to Germanythat Russia has weaponized oil and gas to weaken the leaders of other countries.... And now, Russia is weaponizing nuclear energy. Not only is it spreading its unreliable nuclear-power-plant construction-technologies, but it is also turning other countries power plants into real dirty bombs. Look please what Russia did to our Zaporizhzhia power plantshelled it, occupied it and now blackmails others with radiation leaks. The idea that Russian nuclear power plants are turning into dirty bombs across the world is laughable. He repeated his claims that Russia is committing a genocide by taking Ukrainian children: hundreds of thousands in the estimate of the Ukrainian President.

He paused to pay obeisance to the gods of climate change: People in Morocco and Libya and other countries die as a result of natural disasters, he said, as though anyone is claiming a relationship between earthquakes and so-called climate change, and ignoring the NATO-led destruction of Libya that prevented maintenance to dams that burst from rain-fed overflooding, killing thousands downstream in the case of Derna.

He boasted that the Ukrainian Peace Formula has become the basis to update the existing security architecturenow we can bring back to life the UN Charter and guarantee the full power of the rules-based world order.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

What Can Unite Nations?

Sept. 19, 2023, (EIRNS)Today began the General Debate at the United Nations General Assembly, in which each country has an opportunity to express its views on all topics. The discussion, although tinged throughout with anti-growth green policies, is notable for the differences between the outlooks of countries looking for a new direction, such as BRICS members Brazil and South Africa, contrasted to the perpetual war proponents Biden and Zelenskyy.

President Lula da Silva of Brazil spoke to the growth of the BRICS as being partially a result of the failure of the Bretton Woods institutionsthe World Bank and the International Monetary Fundthe unequal and distorted representation among whose leadership is unacceptable. BRICS is a strategic platform to promote cooperation among states. Governments have to break from the dissonance between the voice of the markets and the voice of the streets, he said. Lula denounced unilateral sanctions, such as those against Cuba, and spoke up for freedom of the press: A reporter like Julian Assange cant be punished for informing society in a transparent and legitimate way.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pointed out that the time is closing to reach the 2030 development goals of the United Nations, and that war continues to distract the world from needed efforts to ensure all human beings a dignified life. At the moment when every human effort should be directed towards the realization of Agenda 2030, our attention and our energies have once again been diverted by the scourge of war. He spoke of the African Peace Initiative, of the efforts to move towards peace in Ukraine through such measures as prisoner exchanges. There is hope, he insisted, pointing to his own nations journey from the injustice of apartheid to its democratic form. As the international community, we must do everything within our means to enable meaningful dialogue, just as we should refrain from any actions that fuel the conflict.

To address the developmental challenges that face many people in the world we require targeted investment, technology transfer and capacity building support, especially in key areas such as industrialization, infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, education and health, he detailed. The wealth of Africa must benefit Africans, he insisted. Africas mineral wealth must benefit Africa.

The speeches of Polish President Andrzej Duda, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and U.S. President Joe Biden had an extremely different flavor, focused as they were on the maintenance of a rules-based order that exists nowhere in international law, and the escalation of a conflict that could destroy all of humanity. Bidens embarrassing performance included his disgusting reference to the floods in Libya as a climate disaster; the flooding might never have happened had the planned upgrades to the dams occurred, upgrades never implemented, a result of the NATO-led intervention into that nation that destroyed its government, during Bidens own tenure as vice president. Besides humanitarian aidwhich is welcomeBiden had little to offer, beyond promises to reform UN institutions and to counter China with a Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment unlikely to get far off the ground.

As the United Nations event continues, other developments are notable. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi went to Moscow, for meetings on Sept. 18-19 with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and National Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev. They were able to discuss Kim Jong Uns Sept. 12-17 visit to Russia and U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivans meetings in China.

In the United States, three developments are of note.

The special counsel going after former President Donald Trump has requested an outrageous gag order which, he lied, is narrowly tailored. If accepted by the judge, it would make Trump the only person unable to speak publicly about his case, scheduled to go to trial just as the presidential primary election season in the U.S. is nearing its peak.

Following an assassination attempt (or at least a security probe) against him, pre-candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has again requested Secret Service protection, which has been twice denied by the White House.

Meanwhile, Ray Epps, a central figure to solving the question of law enforcement or intelligence involvement in the events of January 6, 2021 has been indicted on one puny misdemeanor count, in what appears to be a plea deal designed to allow polemicists to say, as they already have following the new indictments of Hunter Biden, See? The justice system is unbiased!

Meanwhile, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is scheduled to journey to China on Sept. 21, for his first visit to that nation since 2004. China had also hosted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Sept. 14. The U.S. can declare that nations are outcasts, beyond the pale of the international community, but China has a different idea.

Nations can unite, bilaterally, multilaterally, or globally, around the fundamental distinction of human beings from animalsthe ability of our species to revolutionize and improve our relationship to our surroundings by fundamental discoveries of physical principle and their social implementation through technology and infrastructure. Freed from poverty, every nation can have something to contribute to this global pursuit!
On 19 September the Dominican Republics Presidentmet his Kenyan counterparton the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the US.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 387 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options
On 19 September Brazils Presidentgave the opening speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, in which he reiterated his calls for peace and global action against the climate crisis and inequality.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 393 words.

Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article

Not a Subscriber?

Choose from one of the following options
India expelled a Canadian diplomat Tuesday and accused Canada of interfering in its internal affairs.

The move came one day after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government was investigating a possible connection between India and the killing of a Sikh activist, Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Nijjar, a Canadian citizen, was an activist in the Sikh independence movement. He was shot to death on June 18 outside a Sikh cultural center in Surrey, British Columbia.

Canada expelled a top Indian diplomat in protest.

The Indian government has denied any involvement in Nijjars killing. But Trudeau said, We are simply laying out the facts as we understand them. He added, We want to work with the government of India to lay everything clear and to ensure there are proper processes.

India has repeatedly accused Canada of supporting the Sikh independence movement, called Khalistan. The movement is banned in India but has support among the Sikhs living in other countries.

In 2020, the Hindu nationalist government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Nijjar a terrorist. Indian media reported that he was suspected of organizing a bombing in Punjab, India, and training terrorists in a small area near Vancouver, Canada.

What is the Khalistan movement?

The Sikh independence movement began as an armed insurgency in the 1980s among Sikhs demanding a separate homeland. It was centered in northern Punjab state, where Sikhs are the majority. Sikhs make up about 1.7 percent of Indias total population.

In 1984, Indian forces attacked the Golden Temple, Sikhisms holiest religious center, in order to capture separatists who had taken refuge there. The government reported around 400 killed in the operation. But Sikh groups say thousands were killed. The dead included Sikh militant leader Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, whom the Indian government accused of leading the armed insurgency.

On October 31, 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who ordered the attack on the temple, was assassinated by two of her bodyguards, who were Sikhs.

Her death led to several anti-Sikh riots. Crowds of Hindus went from house to house across northern India, pulling Sikhs from their homes and killing them.

There is no active insurgency in Punjab today, but the Khalistan movement still has supporters in India and abroad. And Prime Minister Narendra Modis government has also arrested leaders from groups that are linked to the movement.

How strong is the movement outside India?

India has been asking countries like Canada, Australia and Britain to take legal action against Sikh activists. India has raised these concerns with Canada, where 770,000 Sikhs make up nearly two percent of the countrys population.

Earlier this year, Sikh protesters removed an Indian flag and broke the window at the countrys office in London to protest the arrest of a Sikh religious leader. Protesters also smashed windows at the Indian consulate in San Francisco and fought with embassy workers.

The Indian government has accused Khalistan supporters in Canada of damaging Hindu temples with anti-India graffiti and of attacking Indias diplomatic office in Ottawa during a protest in March.

Last year, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, a Sikh militant leader and head of the Khalistan Commando Force, was shot dead in Pakistan.

Im Andrew Smith.

Hai Do adapted this report for VOA Learning English from Associated Press sources.

____________________________________________________

Words in This Story

internal adj. taking place inside a country or organization

insurgency n. usually a violent attempt or long militant effort to take control of a government or area; a rebellion

assassinate v. to kill someone for political reasons
The U.S. Senates majority leader said this week that the legislative body will no longer enforce a dress code on its floor. A dress code is a set of rules about what may and may not be worn.

Senator Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, said in a statement, Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.

The change comes after Senator John Fetterman, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, has been voting from the doorways of the Senate to avoid violating the dress code. While other senators wear business clothes or dresses in the Capitol building, Fetterman usually wears informal clothes like shorts at work.

Schumer did not talk about Fetterman in his statement about the dress code. But the loosening of the dress code will only apply to senators, not other employees.

During his campaign for the U.S. Senate, Fetterman suffered a stroke, a serious medical condition that happens when the brain does not get enough oxygen from the blood. Earlier this year, Fetterman checked himself into a hospital for treatment on depression.

When Fetterman returned from treatment, he started wearing more informal clothes, which he says make him more comfortable.

The changes in dress code were met with disapproval from some of the Senates more formal members.

Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall, a Republican, said it is a sad day in the Senate and that the people who Fetterman and Schumer represent should be embarrassed.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine agreed, arguing that the new rules discredit what the Senate represents. I plan to wear a bikini tomorrow to the Senate floor, Collins joked. A bikini is what one wears when swimming.

Fetterman said he was not sure if he would start making use of the new rules just yet. He said it is nice to have them as a choice, but he plans to not use them very often and not overuse them.

Fetterman said of his critics, Theyre freaking out, I dont understand it. He said there are more important things they should be working on instead of what he wears.

Not all Republicans were troubled by the change. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley was wearing jeans on Monday evening. He says he normally wears informal clothes when he flies in from his home state for the first votes of the week.

Now I can vote from the Senate floor on Mondays, Hawley said, noting that he usually wears a suit and tie every other day. A tie is a piece of formal clothing.

Nearby, Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy was also without a tie. The Democrat said he has gotten in trouble with the Senates official clothes police, called Sergeant-at-Arms, in the past for not wearing a tie on the floor.

They would tell us when we were doing it wrong, Murphy said.

It is unclear if the rules for more formal wear were actually written down anywhere. But Schumers statement means employees will no longer criticize senators for their choice of clothing or ask them to vote from the doorway.

I think we should all want to be more comfortable, Fetterman told a group of reporters on Monday. He added that now that they have that choice, and if people want to wear a suit,  then thats great.

Im Gregory Stachel.

Mary Clare Jalonick reported this story for The Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted the story for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________________

Words in This Story

suit  n. a set of clothes that usually consists of a jacket and a skirt or pair of pants that are made out of the same material

comfortable  adj. permitting you to be relaxed

formal  adj. requiring or using serious and proper clothes and manners

embarrassed  v. to make (someone) feel confused and foolish in front of other people

freak  v. to become very upset

jeans  n. pants made of a strong cloth (called denim)
A 76-year-old man has been sentenced to probation after he reached a plea deal with prosecutors in an animal cruelty and neglect case.

Larry E. Mikoloyck, 76, pleaded guilty to five counts of misdemeanor attempted abandonment or cruel neglect of livestock. As part of the plea deal, five counts of felony abandonment or cruel neglect of livestock were amended down and five more of the same counts were dropped.

More than 150 head of dead cattle were reported found by the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office in February. More than 1,000 were found on Mikoloyck's Logan County ranch, many malnourished.

District Judge Michael Piccolo sentenced Mikoloyck to 18 months of probation, with the condition he not be allowed to have any non-domesticated animals in his custody at that time.

Deputy County Attorney Andrew Van Velson said Mikoloyck had a handful of sheep in his custody, and they worked out an arrangement where he had 28 days to make arrangements and remove the sheep off the property.

Matthew Mikoloyck, Larry Mikoloycks son, who also is charged in the case, will next appear in court Oct. 16.

According to court records, there were dead cattle lying in feeding areas with live cattle, creating a health concern over predators and disease on the Mikoloycks' property.

There were numerous dead cattle located in a large blow out that were too numerous to even count as they were piled on top of one another in multiple layers.

Multiple area residents had told investigators that cattle escaped on an almost daily basis from the ranch.

Around that time, Nebraska State Patrol conducted a flyover and identified deceased cattle on the property. All but one water tank was frozen.

A section owned by Matthew Mikoloyck had a severed leg from a dead cow lying on the side of the road. It was documented and collected as evidence, court records say.

The report also said cattle appeared malnourished, with spines, hips and ribs showing through their winter hair.

Top Journal Star photos for September 2023
A multinational peacekeeping force has landed in East Timor in an attempt to restore law and order to the territory.

The UN force has been sent to the island to end the violence that has beset the region since its people voted overwhelmingly for independence from Indonesia.

Pro-Jakarta militias are thought to have killed thousands of people since the election on 4 September.

They have been apparently backed by the Indonesian military (TNI), but members of the UN International Force for East Timor (Interfet) said the army was now cooperating fully with the peacekeepers.

The operation began at 0640 local time (0140 BST) when a transport plane carrying British Royal Marines and Australian troops touched down at Komoro airport in the capital, Dili.

Throughout the day a total of 1,190 soldiers  mostly from Australia and New Zealand  landed on the war-torn island.

Fires from recent attacks were still burning, but the troops met little resistance from Indonesian forces or the armed bands that have been terrorising the population.

The TNI have been quite helpful  we have not seen any militia, said British Brigadier Mark Evans.

Another 1,110 peacekeepers will arrive in East Timor tomorrow and within the next seven days the international force will eventually grow to 8,000 soldiers  drawn from more than 20 countries.

UK Armed Forces Minister John Spellar told the BBC the primary objective of Interfet was to take the militias off the streets.

The next stage would be to re-establish supply lines of food, water and electricity in a capital mostly abandoned by its inhabitants.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975 when Portugal withdrew after occupying the island for 450 years.

78.5% of the country voted for independence in the September 1999 elections.

In August 2001 an 88-member Constituent Assembly was elected.

The former rebel leader Xanana Gusmao was voted East Timors first president on 14 April 2002, and on 20 May 2002 the country became fully independent.
After two years in detention, a Chinese journalist active in the #MeToo movement will go on trial this week, along with a labor rights activist who was detained with her in 2021, one of their supporters said.

China often silences activists by holding them incommunicado for a long time and then sentencing them to prison. A pretrial hearing was held yesterday and a trial set for Friday in Guangzhou, the supporter said, citing a family member. The supporter requested anonymity out of fear of government retaliation.

Huang Xueqin, an independent journalist, helped spark Chinas first #MeToo case in 2018 when she helped a graduate student go public with accusations against her Ph.D. supervisor. The other activist, Wang Jianbing, is more known for his labor rights activity.

Its not clear what got them into trouble with authorities. Both have been charged with subversion of state power, their supporters have said.

Chinas #MeToo movement flourished briefly until it was snuffed out by the government, which sees powerful social movements as a potential threat to stability and the Communist Partys hold on power.

Friends say the two disappeared on Sept. 19, 2021, the day before Huang was scheduled to head to the United Kingdom to start a masters degree program on gender violence and conflict at the University of Sussex.

Last year, the International Womens Media Foundation gave Huang its Wallis Annenberg Justice for Women Journalists Award.

Supporters of Huang and Wang created a GitHub webpage two years ago to post case updates and share their thoughts. They expressed outrage last weekend that the trial had been delayed for so long. MDT/AP
Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has met several pro-establishment associations for suggestions on the upcoming policy address.

Among the associations was the Macau chapter of the All-China Youth Federation, of which the director of Health, Alvis Lo, is the vice president.

Lo commended Macaus fruitful achievements in pushing forward the 1+4 development scheme and the construction of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. He hoped the government would further its cooperation with youth associations and schools to attract youths to take part in the construction of the Zone.

In response, Ho pledged more attractive policies to attract youths to both Macau and Hengqin.

Ho has also met the Macao Chamber of Commerce. The business delegates promised to further promote compliance with the government in the business and industrial sector. They also made suggestions on the citys and Hengqins development.

Ho responded that the government is striving the revitalize traditional districts of the city as a means of boosting economic growth.

In another meeting, local delegates to the National Peoples Congress expressed their hopes for clearer policies and guidelines related to the administration of Hengqin. Ho promised corresponding studies will be undertaken. AL
Chinas Foreign Ministry has asked all foreign consulates in Hong Kong to provide the personal details of their locally employed staff, as Beijing tightens its control over the semi-autonomous city.

The Commissioners Office of the Foreign Ministry, in a letter seen by The Associated Press, asked the consulates to provide staffers names, job titles, residential addresses, identity card numbers and travel document numbers in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and general international practice.

The letter, dated Monday and addressed to all consulate posts and the Office of the European Union, stated that they should comply with the request by Oct. 18, and that the details of staffers who are employed in the future should be furnished within 15 days.

It wasnt clear whether China furnishes details of its staff in foreign missions to other countries.

The request comes as Beijing has tightened control over Hong Kong in recent years following its imposition of a sweeping national security law aimed at stamping out dissent.

Governments in the West have criticized the law as a dismantling of Hong Kongs political freedoms and civil society. Chinese and Hong Kong authorities say the law is necessary to maintain stability in the city, which experienced months of anti-government protests in 2019.

The U.S. and British consulates in Hong Kong and the Office of the European Union did not immediately comment on the request. Chinas Foreign Ministry also did not respond to questions about the letter.

A local consular staffer, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retaliation, said their manager had promised that their personal details would not be submitted without their consent.

The staffer said there are concerns about how such details, if submitted, would be used and whether they would affect their families and their own immigration procedures.

Last year, a Financial Times report said Chinas Foreign Ministry had asked for the floor plans of foreign missions and staff houses in the city.

In February, the ministry accused U.S. Consul General Gregory May of interfering in the citys affairs after he said in a video address that the citys freedoms were being eroded. MDT/AP
A clinic has been prosecuted for transferring patients clinical file data to the mainland, the Office for Personal Data Protection (GPDP) has said in a statement.

According to the GPDP, the case is the most serious the office has detected related to the medical industry, with the entity suspected of having committed a crime.

The medical center had requested workers who were not employees to transport medical records from Macau to the mainland for archiving but, in the process, several files were allegedly lost.

By entrusting the files to a third party, the institution had breached the duty of professional confidentiality, which is aggravated by the fact that the files location is unknown.

Additionally, the GPDP said the medical institution made differing statements to the GPDP and the Health Bureau (SSM), a fact that constitutes perjury.

The office said the medical institution had transferred medical files to the mainland without patients knowledge and consent and, when questioned about it, failed to explain the reasons for the transfer or who was involved and where the files are being kept.

The GPDP has forwarded the case to the judiciary authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

The office revealed another case, in which another medical institution had failed in its data protection duties by not protecting surveillance system footage.

The case involves someone accessing and sharing videos captured by the internal surveillance system with a third party. The GPDP said the medical center used the surveillance camera footage to better explain the situation of the patient to his family members, sharing them via a mobile communication application.

In this case, the GPDP said the investigation revealed a flaw that was only an administrative offense, and as such was sanctioned with a MOP6,000 fine.

Still, the GPDP said such cases are rare and that since they began to jointly promote the e-HR platform in the private medical sector with the SSM, there had not been many cases related to flaws or breaches in the use of the system.
The Judiciary Police (PJ) has arrested a Hong Kong man in his 30s on suspicion of being part of a crime syndicate that sent out phishing SMS messages to defraud recipients, the PJ said.

According to the PJ, the man, who was detained Monday at a Northern District hotel, is suspected of sending over 2,000 fraudulent text messages on behalf of the criminal group.

The PJ also said it is now trying to locate the groups mastermind.

The infamous SMS messages impersonated a local telecommunications company and claimed the recipient had expiring points that should be exchanged for products or services immediately.

When clicking the link provided, people would be directed to a form where they would have to enter their identification card data and credit card information to receive the gifts.

Once in possession of the personal and credit card information, the group would perform online transactions, scamming victims.

At least two people reported instances to the PJ allowing the police to trace the suspect. One of them, a woman in her 50s, lost more than the equivalent of 12,000 patacas on online shopping overseas.

After being arrested, the suspect was found to have electronic equipment including computers, phone cards and antennas in his hotel room.

The PJ said it is believed the suspect would come to Macau periodically to engage in these scams and then leave immediately.

Questioned by the police, he said he received RMB1,500 per day to perform the job.

The suspect is alleged to have sent 2,400 fraudulent text messages using 1,408 different mobile phone numbers.
The Vatican is considering the findings of a church investigation into very serious and deeply distressing child sexual abuse allegations against a former Australian bishop, a church leader said yesterday.

Christopher Saunders, now 73, resigned in 2021 as bishop of Broome, an Outback diocese of northwest Australia larger than France but with a population of only 50,000, after police announced they had dropped a sex crime investigation. He had stood down a year earlier after media reported the allegations.

The church investigation into Saunders began last year after the police investigation ended, said Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, the churchs most senior national leadership group.

A report of the investigation, overseen by Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge, had been sent to the Vatican where the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith was continuing to investigate, Costelloe said.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, formerly known as the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is the Vatican office that processes cases of clergy abuse of minors, according to the churchs in-house canon law.

Bishop Saunders, who has maintained his innocence, is able to respond to the report by communicating directly with the Holy See, Costelloe said in a statement.

In due time, the Holy See will make its determination. It is hoped that this will not be unduly delayed, Costelloe added.

Costelloe issued the statement after Australias Seven Network television news reported late Monday the contents of the 200-page Vatican report.

The report found Saunders likely sexually assaulted four Indigenous youths and potentially groomed another 67 Indigenous youths and men, Seven reported.

Costelloe declined to comment on specific allegations.

The allegations against the former Bishop of Broome, Christopher Saunders, broadcast on Monday evening are very serious and deeply distressing, especially for those making the allegations, Costelloe said. It is right and proper for them to be thoroughly investigated.

The Western Australia Police Force said they had requested a copy of the Vatican report.

If further information comes to light, police will investigate, a police statement said.

Police had conducted two investigations into allegations against Saunders between 2018 and 2020. Prosecutors said there was insufficient evidence to lay charges, police said.

Saunders is now Australias most senior cleric accused of child abuse in a scandal that has enveloped the church around the world.

Saunders began working in Broome as a deacon in 1975 and became bishop in 1996. MDT/AP
Visitors totaled 3.22 million in August, a rise of 16.7% month-on-month, as tourists flock to the region amid summer holidays, data from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) has indicated.

China tour operator company Tuniu noted before summer that bookings to destinations such as Hong Kong and Macau were increasing rapidly.

Last month, the city recorded a post-pandemic high, receiving 140,000 tourists on one Saturday.

The SARs same-day visitors (1,653,866) and overnight visitors (1,567,825) soared 975.6% and 782.6% year-on-year respectively, albeit from a low base as last years figures were a recovery from July 2022 due to the outbreak.

The number of visitors from mainland China jumped 700.5% year-on-year to 2,322,580, with those traveling under the Individual Visit Scheme (1,341,623) surging 979.7%. Visitors from the nine Pearl River Delta cities in the Greater Bay Area soared 501.9% year-on-year to 1,110,651, with 21.8% from Guangzhou (242,343) and 21.4% from Zhuhai (238,145). Visitors from Hong Kong (711,684) and Taiwan (58,104) rocketed by 1,865.7% and 1,225.4% year-on-year respectively.

In the first eight months of the year, the number of visitors expanded by 363.1% year-on-year to 17,627,112; overnight visitors (9,067,329) and same-day visitors (8,559,783) jumped by 519.1% and 265.5% respectively. LV
Secretary of State Antony Blinken met yesterday [Macau time] with Chinas vice president on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly as the Biden administration and Beijing step up high-level contacts ahead of what could be a leader-level summit this fall.

Blinken and Vice President Han Zheng held talks at the Chinese mission to the United Nations. Their discussion came as Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in Moscow meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov after wrapping up two days of talks with U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan in Malta.

The quick succession of U.S.-China contacts is fueling speculation that President Joe Biden may meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in November at an Asia-Pacific Economic conference in San Francisco.

I think its a good thing that we have this opportunity to build on the recent high-level engagements that our countries have had to make sure that were maintaining open communications and demonstrate that we are responsibly managing the relationship between our two countries, Blinken said in brief remarks at the top of the meeting.

Han told Blinken that U.S.-China relations face difficulties and challenges that require both countries to show more sincerity and make additional efforts to meet each other half way.

Blinken visited Beijing over the summer after canceling a planned trip there in February following the shootdown of a Chinese surveillance balloon over U.S. territory. Blinken was followed to Beijing by Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, climate envoy John Kerry and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

From the perspective of the United States, face-to-face diplomacy is the best way to deal with areas where we disagree and also the best way to explore areas of cooperation between us, Blinken said. The world expects us to responsibly manage our relationship. The United States is committed to doing just that.

The White House said Sunday that Sullivans meeting with Wang in Malta was intended to responsibly maintain the relationship at a time of strained ties and mutual suspicion between the rival powers. It said the pair had candid, substantive and constructive discussions.

The White House said Sullivan and Wang discussed the relationship between the two countries, global and regional security issues, Russias war in Ukraine and the Taiwan Strait. They also discussed artificial intelligence, counternarcotic efforts and the status of detained U.S. citizens in China.

However, after those talks, Wang traveled immediately to Russia for several days of security consultations with senior Russian officials.

China and Russia have grown closer as relations with the West have deteriorated for both. China is looking for support as it seeks to reshape the U.S.-led international order into one that is more accommodating to its approach. Last month, it helped engineer an expansion of the BRICS partnership, which invited six more countries to join what has been a five-nation bloc that includes China and Russia.

MATTHEW LEE, NEW YORK, MDT/AP